Hi all - I am trying to buy our first Porsche 911 and learning very quickly that this is a completely new world (I come from Audi, BMW and Acura).

We are interested in a newbuild Carerra 4 GTS and willing to wait and be patient (we are in Texas). I have one dealership who has offered to take a $2,500 non-refundable deposit for a build that will likely take 18-24 months to fulfill. They have no specific allocation this moment but believe they can fulfill within that timeframe. The order would also be for $20,000 over MSRP. Would appreciate comments from the knowledgeable group here - is this standard, viable, realistic, etc.? Is the ADM appropriate (suppose this current market dynamic may indeed last another 1-2 years)?

This seems to be my only option thus far, since I have had other dealerships tell me point blank that I have to buy used vehicles (i.e. vehicles we don't want) to build a relationship and get in their good graces, only to POTENTIALLY be offered a newbuild slot down the road (if they so choose).

Thanks in advance from a newbie.

 

I live in Northern Virginia. I left a $1000 deposit with our local dealer about a month ago for a C4S. The SA said it would be about 12 months. They did not charge ADM, but they required PFF. That’s fine since I don’t have anyone in the area that I would use and I’m ok paying a premium for that. I'm sure some would pay it as a cost of getting a new car, and others would argue the basic laws of supply and demand. For me, it feels like extortion.

 

In 18-24 months, paying $20k over MSRP won’t be a thing.
ADM is out the window money. Even at the most insane height of trade-in values, window sticker MSRP was the ceiling, not what was paid in ADM or market adjustments. You will never recoup money spent on ADM.

I totally understand people paying ADM for a near term car/allocation — it’s the cost of doing business for quick gratification. If you want your car quickly and paying ADM or market adjustment makes that possible, do it if it’s worth it to you. Waiting sucks and life is short.

That being said, for two years out? Total nonsense. That’s not to say that there are dealers that won’t ask for it. It’s just dumb to pay it in that scenario.

 

I think the 2500 should be refundable until you have an actual confirmed allocation , if it’s up to 24 months out. I wouldn’t commit to ADM that far out in time. A lot can change in 2 years.

 

You can have my C2 GTS for $20k adm. lock date is in 30 days, deliver May 27, 2022

 

The story is always changing, and it varies day to day and dealer to dealer it seems.

I really do wonder just how much this Felicity Ace situation changes things. For now, my guess is shady dealers will try to capitalize on a make-believe narrative that allocations will be insanely hard to come by for the next year at least. There may be a grain of truth to it, there may not be.

I do think that right now is a bad time to try to get in line- or buy a car period, quite honestly.

I'm impatient as hell too and am actually stressed about how my already insufferable wait time will be affected by hundreds of other people jumping me in line (for good reason...), and literally just got back from a 6 hour round trip to look at a 2 year old BMW they're asking $10k over its original sticker for... and I very nearly paid it.

I'm a bad example, but if I *almost* did it, others will actually do it. And dealers are expecting that. Crazy times.

 

That's a terrible deal. I inquired to my dealer about a GTS allocation and was told 12 months, refundable deposit now (I think it was $2500), and no ADM. No GTS is worth $20k ADM, and no dealer should take a nonrefundable deposit for an allocation they don't have.

 

^^^^This.

 

Really appreciate the perspectives. With me being new to the brand and having no purchase history, I’m trying to understand what’s “typical” of Porsche vs what is just “off-market” given the wackiness of current S/D environment.

I hear loud and clear to either pay ADM for a car now or wait for later for MSRP - but not commit to ADM for unknown allocation 2 years out.

This has really been a steep learning curve. Wife and I saw the 718 GT4 RS and fell in love. Then reality showed up and we were told “no way,” then we thought maybe 911 GT3 and that’s also impossible as well (told $60-$100K ADM even if you can get an order). So now trying to find avenue for MSRP order and failing still. Will keep researching…

 

look at it this way, we didn't make lots of good decisions in our lives to be in the position to afford new 911s only to throw our business sense and common sense out the window just to get a shiny new car. I worked to hard to suddenly start making bad financial decisions.

 

Shop around. I wouldn’t put a non refundable deposit without a solid allocation

 

As a first time Porsche buyer, you’ll be hard-pressed to get an allocation for either a GT4RS or a GT3, let alone for MSRP.

You’re much more likely to be able to score a Carrera/S/GTS.

 

Completely agree. That’s why these dealership propositions of paying meaningful ADMs or buy a bunch of preowned units first at high prices to get on their list seemed unreasonable - not a prudent financial action anyway.

 

Thanks. I didn’t think a GTS level was a “GT” car, so I would’ve thought an MSRP allocation was reasonable somewhere.

After learning about Porsche loyalty/repeat buyers, I finally understand no one will sell me a GT4RS or GT3 at MSRP as you said. I suppose it’s like Ferrari inviting you to be a customer. (Or as my wife tells me, Hermes inviting customers to purchase one of their fine purses.) 🤣🤦🏻‍♂️

 

Thanks. I’ve clearly learned this is not market practice so appreciate the experience of this group. Will shoot for refundable deposits only for solid allocation.