SilverSteel

So I was in the dealership today, waiting on my car. I was looking at a GT3, nice, but not for me. I was approached by a sales guy who asked if I was interested in anything. I stated an S, fairly loaded, what's the order time etc? I get; "Well, we have to wait for an allocation and right now we don't have any. So....I can call you later and update you when I learn more".

What is going on here? I used to go into the dealer, tell them what I wanted, spec it and order it. Then wait etc. Now it's on an order basis only. Really? As it turns out I somewhat know the owner of the dealership, having bought over a dozen cars etc. So when I call him he's really good about putting an end to bs for me.

Can I get some input on this new paradigm shift? And if I can't get the all-mighty "allocation" should I speak to another dealer in your area? I once ordered my car from Atlanta when a local dealer played that game. My car arrived eight weeks later for them to prep and wash for me, at that same dealer that said they had no allocations. When I swung in to pick it up they asked me why I didn't order the car from them. Really? What's the matter with you guys?! I tried to order it from you but you screwed around. So now you prep and wash and I drive home. Now the crazy crap, they offered to buy the car on the spot for more than I paid for it. I walked, or drove home in my new 911.

Your thoughts appreciated...

991.1 Guy

Hahaha. Where have you been for the last 3 years?!

SilverSteel

LOL.

With my head in the sand. Just working my friend. Sounds like they are playing a new game: it's called limited availability, so no negotiation.

I don't know about you guys, but I have noticed a distinct and obvious absence of 911's around. I see very few. But I see more Cayennes and Macans than I see flies. Even at the dealership in the service bay, there must have been thirty cars in the bays, only three 911's for service.

SilverSteel

Hell, I don't mind waiting a few months. But I don't like playing the allocation game. And I have zero interest in a "gray" or black car. And I'm done with white. So I am a PTS Disorder guy. That probably further complicates matters, I'm sure. It takes them all of twenty minutes to change paint at the factory, I've seen it. Total money grab on the paint deal. Heck, you can only get like three colors now without an upcharge. Next year you may only get primer, and have to pay for the paint. Too funny. We all know we're here for...

ImpeachS

Knew that response was coming but I don't see any reason to pile on.

You are now in a world of 1-2 year waits or longer and ADM fees added to MSRP. Waited two years for a Targa allocation and finally gave up for a 2024 Cabriolet 4S which also is difficult. If you are close to the actual dealership owner that could be a game changer. It is quite amazing how poorly people (willing to spend 200K+ for a car) are treated.

SilverSteel

Wow.

Beat me with a hose and call me Doris. What a deal...

If you are telling me they are marking up above MSRP, I'm out. I don't stand in line to get corn-holed--no thank you, Sir. If that is what Porsche has come to, I may wrap up my Porsche experience completely.

AlfaM5

That's what Alfa does now. No free paint on the Giulia Quad. Corporate cheapery.

slc4s

Good news: My new Targa 4S arrived to my dealer today!
Bad News: My initial request for an allocation was in May of 2021, over 2 years ago.
Getting better news: If I started the process today I wouldn't have to wait that long... its definitely improving out there, but the process really does suck right now.

SilverSteel

I will hang on to the Cayenne TT, just because it's such a damn monster. I will reach out to my contact and see what he says. If it's the above MSRP, I'm gone from Porsche forever. No more new Porsche for me. I'll rotate to another line.

I wonder how many people have walked away from Porsche now? I recall when I was doing manufacturing we pulled the product because we were selling too many units at too low a margin, and I repositioned the firm to an Exclusive Brand, you would likely know the name, and we sold 1/10 the amount initially, but then it scaled, and our margin was fantastic. But we did produce a higher quality product, it wasn't just smoke and mirrors. This was by design as I was helping posture the company for a sale to a larger brand, and it spread the margin and created a higher multiple for the sale.

Wilder

This sounds so dramatic, lol. First, this is still post Covid craziness correcting. ADMs are shrinking and many aren't charging them. Second, it's not just Porsche, so unless you want to switch to Honda...

Staffie Guy

If you want a new Porsche, I hope you have the patience to wait a couple of years on a "list**" which really isn't a "list", or have the ability to swallow your ego and pay over MSRP or come up with a desirable trade to jump over folks who are ahead of you on the "list".
If not, you should start looking at other sports cars that you can walk in and get an allocation (hint-they are scarcer than hen's teeth).
Unfortunately, that is the current situation.



** order of list is mainly based on profitability.

SilverSteel

Did you pay over MSRP?

991.1 Guy

[QUOTE=SilverSteel;18980176]Wow.

Beat me with a hose and call me Doris. What a deal...

If you are telling me they are marking up above MSRP, I'm out. I don't stand in line to get corn-holed--no thank you, Sir. If that is what Porsche has come to, I may wrap up my Porsche experience completely.[

The whole car buying process has turned me off to the point I’m not really interested anymore. It used to be enjoyable but not now. I don’t like begging to buy a car anymore than I like going to a bar and having to beg to order a beer.

I totally get what you’re saying and if more people take this attitude then the situation will get back to normal sooner I hope.

Staffie Guy

No I paid MSRP and jumped over folks ahead of me on the list because I had a very low mileage 2015 Corvette to trade. The dealer sold the car a week later for 8K more than he gave me.

The longer you wait, the more the price will go up. So getting a car in a few months and paying a premium will be around the same price as getting a car in several years and several 8% price increases. Plus you now have the car.

SilverSteel

There's no drama, relax. Just shock and disappointment. I don't do ADM's, it's pretty simple. I don't fall in love with anything that much.

My Ferrari was sold for 1.6x its MSRP during the tech boom. So when I bought it at $15k below MSRP three years later, it was a relative deal. The first guy that bought it, talk to him about amortizing the ADM he paid and I'm sure he'll have give you an ear full. I know my way around an asset and this ain't one. So ADM is like putting an alligator between me and my food. I'll go get tacos instead. ADM is not for me.