So two weeks into ownership ('15 981 GTS) now and I finally got a more comprehensive build code list from a dealership in Long Beach. Good on them for taking the time to get me a full options list.


Now...the dealership up north (Porsche of Fremont) that sold me the car told me it lived its first 7k miles as an "Executive Loaner" and was driven by a Porsche employee in the Palo Alto area...I was not told that it was a "Press Vehicle" which could lend it to being a tester, demo car, or one of those that you see on the cool Youtube videos (although my car looks eerily similar to one of those cars).


Anyway. The first registered "owner" got the car on a lease and put 14k miles on it, and returned it to the dealer in Fremont, CA. Very close to Palo Alto. Then I buy it from the same dealer w/ 22k on the odo.


I had a friend in the area mystery shop the car and test drive it before I flew up to buy it. It checked out. I fly up there and test drive and strike a great deal. It seems completely in order. No oil burning smells, no defects other than a couple tiny paint imperfections you'd expect from a car w/ 22k on the odo. The clutch and trans are simply sublime and the motor roars. I drove it home over 400 miles and it was glorious. So far in two weeks, no flaws, just gold. (knocks on wood).


To boot, it has factory bumper-to-bumper left for a while, AND I got them to CPO the car. They also put on new PZeros all around and they gave me the service records from the prior lease...so I can even see the date/mileage it had its factory services (just had 20K service too).


So...Code 741?
- Do I have anything to worry about?
- Do I need to call this dealer and ask why they didn't include that tidbit with the options list they had with the car (which by the way was not complete, and I think they could have charged $4-5k more for the car just given the interior upgrades alone).


I think I got a really solid and glorious car...at a bit less than market...it does not have "high miles" nor are there rampant paint/body defects. But finding out it was a "press vehicle" and maybe NOT an exec loaner kinda makes me wonder...


Input would be great.

 

My money says that's a catch all option code and there's no difference between a press car and exec loaner. I wouldn't read anything nefarious into the discovery. You bought a used car. It was used.

 

I think I got a really solid and glorious car...at a bit less than market. This is all that should matter, after all it's your ride, enjoy it.

 

Very true guys...thanks. I'm not too bent over seeing that code. It is a used car, people used it. At this point if something major or some type of negligence were done to it, issues would have manifested.


It's a glorious car, and I just wanted to hear if anyone has had prior experience seeing that code. I'm not worried, until I'm worried.

 

Dumb question: Why does Porsche even have this "option code"--are they legally required to disclose this information (do all manufacturers declare the same)? And does this mean the factory actually knows which cars will be for the press fleet (ringers?) before they're built, vs. randomly selecting one off the assembly line?

OP: Gorgeous GTS! Enjoy it!

 

Apparently so. In Ferrari's case, 'Modis' code 'PRSS' on the
build sheet signifies 'Press Car'. In BMW's case, it is known
as code S902A & signifies 'Special Inspection Press Car'.

The reason it may be listed separately on the manufacturer's
build sheet could be that it carries with it some import tax/
duties advantage at US Customs. But I really do not know
for sure!

Saludos,
Eduardo
Scottsdale

 

The Executive Loaner is a myth.

I would much rather buy a car that was one previous owner than an Executive Loaner. I've seen Press Cars around the city, multiple if not dozens of people drive those cars.

I rather have one owner car personally.

 

It all depends on the dealership, my family drove demo cars exclusively for years. They were always treated with respect, had every conceivable issue resolved and way more coats of wax than new ones going out the door.

 

Article: The Truth About Press Cars

http://jalopnik.com/the-truth-about-...ars-1714460086

Article: What Happens to Press Cars When the Press is Done

http://jalopnik.com/what-happens-to-...ith-1747509578

 

"Press finish" is a hidden code. The cars go through an additional inspection for fit and finish. Same code is used for autoshow cars. There is no performance advantage.

A very close friend was a marketing director at Porsche and explained it to me.