'Pre-owned' specialist dealers
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Ian Donkin
New member
I bought my second (and current) 911 from Prestige and Performance having also looked at their stocks when I bought my first (although I bought privately on that occasion).
From my experience I would say they are a good bunch and were certainly very reasonable when it turned out that my Cat 1 alarm actually wasn't. They also described the car I bought very accurately, which was important as I had to travel several hundred miles to view it.
I also found them to be personable and they kept the whole buying experience relaxed which is important when you are making what is usually a significant purchase.
Good luck
Ian
From my experience I would say they are a good bunch and were certainly very reasonable when it turned out that my Cat 1 alarm actually wasn't. They also described the car I bought very accurately, which was important as I had to travel several hundred miles to view it.
I also found them to be personable and they kept the whole buying experience relaxed which is important when you are making what is usually a significant purchase.
Good luck
Ian
Guest
New member
Have you considered Paragon (East Sussex). A bit more expensive than 911Virgin, but run like an OPC SHOULD BE. They were very patient (I visited many times before making a decision) and not all all pushy - good after sales as well - they actually understand what GOODWILL means. Even let me test without a salesman when I brought the whole family to check we could all fit (well, they did have my AMG as hostage!)
Ian Donkin
New member
Andrew
I don't get it when the independents want more money for a car than OPC's and I have seen this quite often when comparing Paragon prices with OPC listed cars.
I don't want to start a heated debate here and I am sure Paragon stock is very good but are their cars significantly better than OPC's to be able to justify the differential - I thought that for an OPC to retail a car it had to be absolutely spot on?
BTW - I've not bought from either and I'm happy to be put straight on this...
I don't get it when the independents want more money for a car than OPC's and I have seen this quite often when comparing Paragon prices with OPC listed cars.
I don't want to start a heated debate here and I am sure Paragon stock is very good but are their cars significantly better than OPC's to be able to justify the differential - I thought that for an OPC to retail a car it had to be absolutely spot on?
BTW - I've not bought from either and I'm happy to be put straight on this...
Guest
New member
This may be the case with nearly new cars, but OPC's, like most franchised dealers tend not to dabble in cars over five years old. I can't say I can remember when I last saw a 993, for example, for sale directly from an OPC.
I also believe that, without the 'backing' of Porsche Cars, the independents have to stand on their own two feet and, like most independent businesses, live or die based on the service they provide and each car they sell.
If you honestly believe that an OPC will give you more bangs for your buck, then buy a car from one - my local dealer couldn't even be bothered to phone or email me after I gave them the specification I wanted and the (realistic) price I was willing to pay - go figure!
I am not particularly having a pop at my local OPC, or Porsche in general, it is just my experience that most franchised dealers "business models" are conceived to generate money from a more generic approach to selling cars, a pattern that seems to have been happening with all prestige car producers. This approach does not neccesarily match the expectations of many more enthusiastic, knowledgeable Porsche owners, especially those who join owners clubs and contribute to forums (or is that fora??). You do not need to read the 996 or Boxster (two current models with owners who have contemporary experiences with OPCs) threads for very long to appreciate that many PCGB members are unhappy with the attitude of their suppliers and seem to experience similar frustrations about the way they have been treated by franchiser and franchisee alike.
Put it this way, I reckon your average "10 year in" PCGB member knows more about their cars than your average OPC salesman. Period.
Or to put it another way, negative and cynical though it may be, I would like to think that, if I was in a similar position to some of the more unfortunate members, that an independent dealer, smaller by definition, needs my business more than Porsche et al. and so a more traditional customer-supplier relationship may thrive, with me as king, as opposed to the more prevalent Porsche and OPC approach of "We are the most profitable car manuafacturer in the world, owning one of the most prestigious and desirable brands and there are plenty of other mugs out there willing to part with their cash".
Like you said, you do not wish to enter a heated debate, and I am not especially trying to make a point to you, but I would rather line Mark Sumpter's pockets than Porsche AG, because at least he says 'good morning' to me and employs a team who know one end of a car from another and actually appear to care!!!
I also believe that, without the 'backing' of Porsche Cars, the independents have to stand on their own two feet and, like most independent businesses, live or die based on the service they provide and each car they sell.
If you honestly believe that an OPC will give you more bangs for your buck, then buy a car from one - my local dealer couldn't even be bothered to phone or email me after I gave them the specification I wanted and the (realistic) price I was willing to pay - go figure!
I am not particularly having a pop at my local OPC, or Porsche in general, it is just my experience that most franchised dealers "business models" are conceived to generate money from a more generic approach to selling cars, a pattern that seems to have been happening with all prestige car producers. This approach does not neccesarily match the expectations of many more enthusiastic, knowledgeable Porsche owners, especially those who join owners clubs and contribute to forums (or is that fora??). You do not need to read the 996 or Boxster (two current models with owners who have contemporary experiences with OPCs) threads for very long to appreciate that many PCGB members are unhappy with the attitude of their suppliers and seem to experience similar frustrations about the way they have been treated by franchiser and franchisee alike.
Put it this way, I reckon your average "10 year in" PCGB member knows more about their cars than your average OPC salesman. Period.
Or to put it another way, negative and cynical though it may be, I would like to think that, if I was in a similar position to some of the more unfortunate members, that an independent dealer, smaller by definition, needs my business more than Porsche et al. and so a more traditional customer-supplier relationship may thrive, with me as king, as opposed to the more prevalent Porsche and OPC approach of "We are the most profitable car manuafacturer in the world, owning one of the most prestigious and desirable brands and there are plenty of other mugs out there willing to part with their cash".
Like you said, you do not wish to enter a heated debate, and I am not especially trying to make a point to you, but I would rather line Mark Sumpter's pockets than Porsche AG, because at least he says 'good morning' to me and employs a team who know one end of a car from another and actually appear to care!!!
Ian Donkin
New member
Good points well made.
Thanks Andrew.
Thanks Andrew.
Guest
New member
I went to 911virgin when I first decided that a 911 was for me. I didn't buy from them in the end as they didn't exactly have the car that I wanted, but they were happy to give me a wealth of information and take me for test drives in a couple of cars.
If I was changing mine I would go them first.
Jonathan
(not related in any way to 911virgin BTW[
])
If I was changing mine I would go them first.
Jonathan
(not related in any way to 911virgin BTW[
])
Guest
New member
Paragon Porsche - East Sussex
I brought my 993 targa from Paragon - great sales guy. Had a leak on the tiptronic in the first week, went back .
They checked it and said nothing wrong .... after 5 days of finding transmission fluid under the car i went to JZ Machtech.
Jonas put the car up on the ramp and found the leak in 30 seconds. JZ also pointed out that the geo on the car was way out, cost me £200 to get it set up properly.
I wrote to Paragon and got a snotty letter in reply from their service manager, i won't be going there again !
I brought my 993 targa from Paragon - great sales guy. Had a leak on the tiptronic in the first week, went back .
They checked it and said nothing wrong .... after 5 days of finding transmission fluid under the car i went to JZ Machtech.
Jonas put the car up on the ramp and found the leak in 30 seconds. JZ also pointed out that the geo on the car was way out, cost me £200 to get it set up properly.
I wrote to Paragon and got a snotty letter in reply from their service manager, i won't be going there again !
HI...
I think its probably fair to say that the specialists mentioned above are all reputable...each is slightly different in terms of what they offer, some offer "keener" pricing, others view themselves as "near OPC (i am not going to mention names).
But as with any "older car" like the 993, a pre-inspection is to be recommended, some of the specialists really get upset by that, as nearly all of them offer some kind of warranty, but stick to your guns. After all, it is a big purchase.
Good luck!
I think its probably fair to say that the specialists mentioned above are all reputable...each is slightly different in terms of what they offer, some offer "keener" pricing, others view themselves as "near OPC (i am not going to mention names).
But as with any "older car" like the 993, a pre-inspection is to be recommended, some of the specialists really get upset by that, as nearly all of them offer some kind of warranty, but stick to your guns. After all, it is a big purchase.
Good luck!
On the servicing front, however, i will definitely recommend JZ Machtech. I have now owned a 993 for 6 yrs, and an83 SC for 2 yrs prior to that... Have used 2 OPCs and 3 different Independent Service Centres, JZ M is simply light yrs of the others including the OPCs ( i will get in trouble with PCGB now). Anyway thats my experience.
I am not connected to JZM, and they are MILES away from me, but it's worth the trouble.
I am not connected to JZM, and they are MILES away from me, but it's worth the trouble.
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