Deals? PASM?

turbodog · Feb 28, 2010

Hi All,
anyone have recent experience of buying new or nearly new and whether there are any deals to be done at the Porsche dealerships? I suspect not on a new, but I'm hoping I might be able to squeeze a reasonable discount on an ex demonstrator. I'm after a 2.9 manual, not too spec'd up but definitely want leather, 18" or 19" alloys and park assist.
Test drove a nice one in the week which had 19" alloys and PASM (would appreciate advice as to whether that's worth the £1109 extra). It's also got metallic, partial leather, cruise, climate control, heated seats, short shifter, 6 disc CD, sound package, sport chrono package and universal audio. I make it £44,344 list new, and it's a Nov 09 with a few thousand miles on it and they want £39995 for it. Thinking I might offer £36 or 37 K and see what happens. If they're not interested I might just go new, especially given they come with a 3 y warranty from May, but quite fancy all the toys on this one which I wouldn't want to pay full price for.....

spyderman · Feb 28, 2010

Problem I've found with the demonstrators is that they never seem to have the options you want. You will find full instead of partial leather and 19s both quite uncommon on a 2.9. And there's always the worry of how much the car has been ragged when cold by inexperienced (unsympathetic) drivers! There were some cracking deals to be had at the height of the downturn - Porsche UK ended up with a ton of stock they wanted to shift. Unfortunately I'd already jumped the gun and bought my 986 - at (financially speaking) exactly the wrong time!

JB_101 · Mar 1, 2010

Just ordered a new Cayman S and you are right - absolutely no deals on price - attempted at a few showrooms, all had same story - did manage to agree on a different package on trade in and a few extras thrown in at dealership - one of which and I thought I did well, was to get an extra years warranty - I read with interest your comment that 3 years will be offered as standard in May - my car is due end April/early May anyway - so they have given me nothing - typical car dealers you get little !! I took out a very highly spec'd 'S' demonstrator for 24 hours - I liked the PASM- naturally very rigid when on and worked well on the 19" wheels - but on reading many an article it still remains a personal choice - I do intend to track the car occasionally - not that is the reason to opt for it.

turbodog · Mar 1, 2010

I'm going to take a 24h test drive on Friday, so I'll try the PASM on & off, see what it feels like. Salesman told me you'd only have it on 'sport' on the track, which I won't be doing. However I assume it makes for a better ride when in normal mode than if you don't have it, especially on 19" wheels. If I buy new i'll go for 18" wheels and forgoe the PASM, but I would have my choice of colour (arctic silver, probably...., or black with beige....)

turbodog · Mar 2, 2010

You may not have done badly getting the 3 yr warranty; if I understood correctly it will be from all cars built after May 1st. But maybe you could get them to throw in some luggage as a good will gesture....

JB_101 · Mar 2, 2010

Thanks - but I have that aleady agreed too - or golf equipment - and a paint protectiontreatment etc etc and the warranty but I will have to check your advice - my car is an April build due for May delivery !

Alan Woods · Mar 4, 2010

The 3rd year warranty is now included on the Configurator but you have to pay for it (Â£650 IIRC) along with top tint. Only Porsche could get away with "options" that you have no option but to take!

berty987 · Mar 4, 2010

I drove a 2009 cayman S with 19" wheels and it rode the bumps better than my 2005 987S boxster with its original PASM in standard mode. PASM has evolved over the years and is now a much softer compliant setting , even when in sport mode , compared to earlier cars. I can conclusively confirm this is the case as I recently had both rear PASM dampers replaced and the car can now be driven in sport mode for the majority of the time whereas previously it was a track only option. The anti roll bars are different sizes on standard versus PASM cars as the damper in a PASM car does more work. PASM cars also sit about 10-20 mm lower than standard chassis. Personally on a cayman I think the combination of the new N2 tyres from Michelin and the revised spring rates , 19" wheels are not an issue on standard suspension. Its also worth noting that the PASM has about 5 settings in each mode so the response is contantly varying based on accelerometers and speed. This may be an issue for those looking for a more consistent response from the chassis.

chrisH · Mar 4, 2010

ORIGINAL: berty987 I drove a 2009 cayman S with 19" wheels and it rode the bumps better than my 2005 987S boxster with its original PASM in standard mode. PASM has evolved over the years and is now a much softer compliant setting , even when in sport mode , compared to earlier cars. I can conclusively confirm this is the case as I recently had both rear PASM dampers replaced and the car can now be driven in sport mode for the majority of the time whereas previously it was a track only option. The anti roll bars are different sizes on standard versus PASM cars as the damper in a PASM car does more work. PASM cars also sit about 10-20 mm lower than standard chassis. Personally on a cayman I think the combination of the new N2 tyres from Michelin and the revised spring rates , 19" wheels are not an issue on standard suspension. Its also worth noting that the PASM has about 5 settings in each mode so the response is contantly varying based on accelerometers and speed. This may be an issue for those looking for a more consistent response from the chassis.

Agree with you that the Cayman rides better than the Boxster. I used to have a 987 Boxter with 18ins and PASM and changed to a Boxster S, Gen II for a short time with 18ins and the ride was quite OK but not as comfortable as with PASM of course. I now have a Gen II Cayman S with 19ins and no PASM and confirm the ride (and handling) is better than the Gen II, Boxster and not far off as comfortable as the Gen I, 987 with PASM. My point is Porsche have done a lot to improve the ride on the Gen II cars and PASM is no longer an option worth the 1K, IMO, unless you are going to do a lot of track days.

turbodog · Mar 5, 2010

Thanks for those helpful comments. The Cayman is currently parked on my drive, and I am trying to decide whether to buy it or not! I am really impressed with the ride, more comfortable than my BMW 320d SE! But I haven't driven one without PASM. And Mrs Turbodog thinks Basalt black is definitely the wrong colour.......

turbodog · Mar 7, 2010

Well the 24 hr test drive proved pretty conclusive. Couldn't get any sort of deal on the demonstrator, but I'd pretty much decided I wanted Arctic silver anyway so didn't try that hard. Clearly no deals on a new one, and I'm not convinced about Porsche Preferences (Â£8000 interest over 3 yrs...) so I'm going to sort it out with the bank I think. After i'd dropped off the Porsche I popped to BMW and took a 3.0 litre Z4 out for a spin. Completely different feel; nice enough I suppose but developed a strange desire to drive to a tanning salon. Much better deals to be had, both new and nearly new. I was offered a 6 month old/ 5000 mile very well specced one for more than Â£10K off the list price of Â£41,500, which would be a whole lot more affordable than a Cayman but.....just don't really like it.....

chrisH · Mar 8, 2010

ORIGINAL: turbodog Well the 24 hr test drive proved pretty conclusive. Couldn't get any sort of deal on the demonstrator, but I'd pretty much decided I wanted Arctic silver anyway so didn't try that hard. Clearly no deals on a new one, and I'm not convinced about Porsche Preferences (Â£8000 interest over 3 yrs...) so I'm going to sort it out with the bank I think. After i'd dropped off the Porsche I popped to BMW and took a 3.0 litre Z4 out for a spin. Completely different feel; nice enough I suppose but developed a strange desire to drive to a tanning salon. Much better deals to be had, both new and nearly new. I was offered a 6 month old/ 5000 mile very well specced one for more than Â£10K off the list price of Â£41,500, which would be a whole lot more affordable than a Cayman but.....just don't really like it.....

Discounts are always reflected in depreciation. If Z4's are 10k off after 6 months, can you imagine what it will drop to after you had it 3 years. As Porsche are not discounting it will be reflected in their residuals. I have Arctic Silver and it is a very practical colour and with 19ins (no PASM) it makes a great looking car. A Gen II Cayman S is really in a different league to a 3.0L Z4, IMO and yes, the Cayman is expensive, but its been my experience that you get what you pay for. You know by now which is best.

turbodog · Mar 9, 2010

Well I've placed my order, delivery expected mid May. How am I going to wait until then......?

RichGS · Mar 10, 2010

ORIGINAL: turbodog Well I've placed my order, delivery expected mid May. How am I going to wait until then......?

I know the feeling. My one was ordered three weeks ago and it's due end of April. I know I'm a lucky boy to be in such a position, but this wait is painful....