unotaz

So how does one begin with the crazy notion that he or she should go out and buy a hypercar? For me, the seed was planted back in 2008 when I passed on the opportunity to purchase a pristine, low mileage, CGT for a tad under 300K. I have been kicking myself many years for not pulling the trigger, that is, until the 918 concept first appeared.

When I saw the actual car in Monterrey 2013, I was blown away by the designs and details of the car, but I had a deposit on the P1 at the time and couldn't make up my mind. This, plus the fact that the 918 ambassador at the time annoyed the crap out of me, I decided not to move forward with the 918. (Porsche probably could have had my deposit a long time ago, but due to Mr. Eastman's "attitude", I just walked away)

Even though I didn't put down a deposit on the 918 at the time, I still kept up with the progress of the 918 (mostly from media publications and periodic information from my local Porsche dealer). By May 2014, I had seen and driven the P1 a few times. For other reasons that I don't wish to go into here on Rennlist, I decided not to move forward with my P1 deposit and sold my slot to a good friend of mine. I made a bit of money from that deal, so it wasn't time wasted

By July 2014, I was ready to pull trigger on the 918. I called my Porsche sales and told him that "I am 80% certain" that I would like to put a deposit on the 918, but I need to drive the car to make sure. A few phone calls were made to PCNA and 5 days later, I met up with David Donohue at a local gas station in LA for my first 918 test drive

unotaz

So after the long, but very satisfying test drive with David, I had to leave town on business for a few days. When I came home, I received this hand written note (along with the 918 brochure and 918 hat) from Chelsea Hinkel at PCNA.

I was impressed with how Porsche handled the situation and right then and there, I decided to pull the trigger and hand over 200 large ones to secure my 918 Weissach build slot.

unotaz

Right after I submitted my deposit on my 918, I was informed by my sales to start choosing my own limitation number. The limitation number is not related to the actual production sequence of your car, but the limitation will be on your car's VIN and in 3 different areas of the car's interior.

I submitted my 3 top choices and luckily, one of them was available

A few weeks had gone past and I received an official letter from PCNA welcoming me to the 918 Spyder family. I was also later informed that they were hosting another track event at Thermal and I was invited to attend. A week later after I replied back to PCNA, another package arrived with my own name badge for the Thermal event. Once again, this shows the level of details that Porsche had gone into the 918 program and I am a sucker for these little touches!

unotaz

Here are a few pictures that I took at the Thermal drive event.

unotaz

Just look at the details of the 918. Even though the dash is covered in soft leather, the inner pieces are all made from carbon fiber!

unotaz

So at the end of the Thermal event, everyone goes home with a goodie bag. In this bag, it contains:

- a full size 918 Spyder bag (for Helmets or your gym clothes)

- a 918 USB flash drive with a recording of your track session

- a small (but very heavy) metal 918 Spyder souvenir

- a very nice looking Porsche pen

- a 918 Spyder hat

- another 918 Spyder brochure

unotaz

About 3 weeks after the Thermal event, a heavy package from Porsche arrived and this time, it was the crystal 918 Spyder model with your name and limitation number! It's the little things that counts in life and Porsche does it again!

unotaz

Part of the perks of being a 918 Spyder owner is that you become the super VIP at your local dealer. With my particular dealer, I can now get any Porsche parts for cost + 5%, which is actually not a good thing for me. I have been buying Porsche stuff left and right because of this "privilege"

This was a gift from my local dealer to help me with the wait

unotaz

So two months goes by and I have been getting 918 Spyder withdrawal symptoms (from my Thermal track experience). Luckily, Porsche kept the goodies coming and I received this nice looking photobook made out of carbon fiber, along with a few other things which I will post later!

brake dust

Fantastic story and pics of the journey! How did the meeting with David Donahue at the gas station come about? Thanks for posting!!

Raven 666

All I can say is Wow and congratulations ,,just a mind blowing car and I love all the little extra special piece that come with the car .......

I really need to win the Lottery ..........

Nemic

Thank you very much for such a detailed post. I can only imagine how excited you must be with an amazing 918 to look forward to.

I hope that you keep this thread updated as your journey continues.

And Congratulations!!!!

Whoopsy

Good stuff Michael !!

But boy I can't help but noticed your Mac keyboard is extremely dirty! Haha

tims16m

Unotaz
Great post and pics. Memorial Villages. I met you at that Thermal 918 event. I got busy and didn't have much time to correspond. You are absolutely correct the customer service for the 918 VIP program is quite incredible. To begin with the opportunity to test drive the car with their instructors is priceless. I did at least 5 laps around the track, each time faster but no where near the limits of what will truly be an iconic symbol for Porsche.

Was looking at going for PTS Red, but decided to go with Basalt Black with Garnet Red interior, May/June build and August delivery. There were important CXX options that were revealed by the 918 design team which were nice to incorporate into the build. Went back and forth on specs with Chelsea, but they were very helpful and patient. There are a lot of perks from the 918 VIP program but its just whether you have the time and money to participate. They certainly do their best to make you feel like a special part of the Porsche family. Look forward to following your progress.

unotaz

Yup, time to clean my 6 years old keyboard! I think some people call that "patina"

My office in my house is one of those places where I tell my maid NOT to touch anything under any circumstances