Buying from dealers - my 2 cents

[shaunmbenson]

I am collating a lot of negative response and just want to throw in my thoughts without hijacking any other single thread.

I have owned 3 911s over 12 years.

All three I bobught from Dealers.

The first 2 from Weissach in Vancouver. I went by that place twice a week for about 4 months and the salesman (Bill Ryan) would shoot me a smoke and talk me through every single model they had. He didn't know if I was in for the 911T (at that time $15k cause the perfect restoration killed its value back then) or the 993 turbo. He let me drive them and I got a true education.
I bought an 87 targa with 40k miles and when we got three flats in a row they fixed them for free and when the alternator went they fixed that for free too -- they even reshaped the rear valance my then gf bent backing into something. I brought it down the coast and 2 LA mechanics said it was the tightest they'd seen. I paid what at the time was $27USD - this was not top dollar then but getting there -- worth every penny.

Especially when 2 years later I wanted a coupe -- they had an 86 with same low mileage. I bought it over the phone and they gave me top dealer dollar for trade and did not get all weird about every knick and maintenance they would have to do on my old targa. The 86 was cheaper by far (back then 915s just cost about 5 grand less for similar car) and was better than he had said over the phone.

Fast forward to last year when I was ready for a third. In Ontario and Quebec every private person I contacted would not send me photos I asked of under hood stickers, door jamb etc (except one gentleman in Winnipeg - sadly I couldn't coordinate the deal on his stunning coupe and that the one that got away). It was almost a joke how misrepresented cars were and as the market had ballooned how much private guys were asking. It's like they'd heard private was better and were asking more than dealers.

I got my car from a used Ford dealer. No joke. The salesman couldn't even open the rear deck lid but he was forthright, sent me everything I asked within minutes and after a refundable deposit I had it ppi'd and when it checked out he subtracted every penny and then some of what my repairs would cost. I got the car well below market and it has been better than suggested in every respect -- see my current thread here

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/892791-3-2-carrera-3500miles-3-days.html

He even told me it was a punt but then presented me with EVERY receipt back to new and the window sticker.

Obviously caveat emptor private or dealer but I can say my 3 dealer experiences are beyond reproach

No affiliation with Weissach or Ed Learn Ford -- just happy Porsche guy.

I also have to be honest -- I like feeling special in the show room when I know I'm buying -- it's like buying a watch at a dealer vs online -- part of the experience for me is a bit of that swagger I get from the purchase. Maybe that makes me cool or maybe a douche -- dont care but I dig it.

[techweenie]

Funny, I got my 996 Turbo from a Chevy dealer in a tiny town - had no PPI resources, so just pulled the trigger based on convo with the sales guy - who had zero familiarity with Porsches. Never saw the car until it rolled off the transport. Turned out great. Haven't bought that many cars from dealers, but I've mostly had good results.

[coldstart]

My experience with Canadian dealerships has been exactly the opposite.

I avoid the dealership at almost at any cost. They try to scam or overcharge me at every opportunity. I have a hundred examples.

I am currently helping my brother who had his Ford Explorer serviced at a Ford dealership and the rim fell off less than 200 kms (125 miles) later and caused a lot of body damage. Quite a shock and surprise for my sister-in-law too. The dealership is denying that their service was related to fact that the lug nuts were not tightened down on the wheel.

I was recently quoted $600 plus tax to replace a wheel bearing on a Subaru Outback by the Subaru dealership near my house. My independent mechanic did it for $180 cash.

I bought my Infiniti G37S coupe from an Infiniti dealership used long distance (a manual transmission in a specific color was hard to find). The dealership swore to me that all the fluids were recently changed. On delivery, the low oil light was on and the oil was black and well used. I changed ALL the fluids.


I could go on and on about dealership issues. It isn't even one particular brand that I have seen that acts like this. I am always friendly, polite and presentable with them so it is their issue-- not mine.

[targa82]

I bought a 997 from Prime Porsche in Boston ,car was CPO. Didn't do a ppi, took it home back to nyc , had it put on a lift ,car was completely rusted underneath ,heat shield was gone all bolts where rusted , suspension was rusted , called Porsche NA they said rust wasn't covered !
Would never buy from a dealer again !

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by shaunmbenson

the market had ballooned how much private guys were asking. It's like they'd heard private was better and were asking more than dealers.

I'd pay more to an original enthusiast owner private sale than to a flipper who barely knows the car or its history.

[shaunmbenson]

Yeah definitely YMMV.
I have been lucky for sure. Even my ppi on the current one by a super reputable dude missed a few things. Luckily nothing significant but definitely things that should have been caught
And I find with a targa that most mechanics know less about the tops than I already do and that's not a lot