CAlexio

http://www.total911.com/sales-debate...o-speculators/

Some interesting ideas put forward... the pre-sale meetings and Geneva delivery are an interesting one. The legal avenues (punishing speculators) don't seem to work.. and increasing production seems to potentially hurt the OEM. No definitive solution found, but interesting food for thought...

Ferrarisimo

Porsche could do what Lexus did (or tried to do -- memory is hazy) with the LFA, and retain title of the car for two years before handing it over to you, even if you purchase the car outright. That would limit speculation since the flipper can't legally hand over the title of the car.

usctrojanGT3

More than half of the flipped cars are 918 owner cars anyhow. If the VIP program did not exist, maybe 20-30% of 918 owners would have bought an RS in the first place. How about taking away the VIP status for 918 owners who flip their cars in less than 12 months? The VIP program is the issue at the top of the board.

MileHigh911

The VIP owners have basically become their own "mini-dealer", for just the exclusive, highly desirable cars.

Nizer

It's a UK-based article so situations are different, but from a U.S.-perspective the more appropriate question is does Porsche actually want to stop speculators? I say that because the 918 VIP program suggests the opposite, as anyone with basic business sense could've predicted the outcome.

As to making the sales process a year-long affair, not sure how that would have much of an impact as it already is a year-long wait between allocation and delivery for many of us (excepting of course 918 owners).

Ultimately it's the Fed that will pull the plug on the party here and I don't envy Porsche production planners the task of trying to sort that one out.

consolidated

When the extra 3500 RS units (internet saz) hit the street it'll all be fine, I'll take another at invoice please.

Archimedes

Meh, just let the market sort it out, just like it does for every other product in high demand. Trying to control it is a waste of time and I'm guessing Porsche has more important things to worry about.

ipse dixit

Not sure why people have such vitriol towards speculators (or "flippers"), which is just a nasty way of saying "collector".

People buy cars for all sorts of reasons. Some drive them, some take them to get coffee, some collect them. There's no right or wrong here.

That aside, if Porsche wanted to minimize the chances of buyers profiting on the level of demand vis-a-vis supply, they might consider something like not having the OEM warranty be transferrable for any transfer of title of the car that occurs within (for example) the first 12 months after the original owner takes delivery.

MileHigh911

Next economic slow down will fix the problem

GolfTango3

Well for me anyways, the sales manager walked me back into a smoke filled room and told me if I flipped the car he would smash my fingers with a ball-peen hammer.

Leica 993

Put an end to silly VIP programs, which in the long run hurt the customer relationship and needlessly introduce alternative purchases. There is a much simpler way, someone send this to PAG. Have them PM me if they need further explanation

fxz

An empty article

Bloose993TT

This. Prices will continue to fall on the 991.1 GT3/GT3 RS. It's just a matter of time.

dark knight

build more cars, problem would be solved.

NateOZ

Porsche needed to create this to help sell their next evolution of products. We're moving into a Turbo/Hybrid/960 future, so perceived brand value needed to be enhanced and the market broadened. Upsetting a few hundred enthusiast vs building a very deep backlog for future GT products was a smart trade off imo.

Many CGTs sat on dealers floors and were heavily discounted to move. 918 was also a sales mess that they need to create the VIP program to move the product. How will the 960 do? Probably a lot better if they release a GT version and RS version...