A Automobile Man’s EV
In our First Timer collection we converse with individuals who have bought their first electrical, plug-in electrical or hydrogen gasoline cell electrical automobile. Lately we met up with a “automobile man” with a historical past of owing efficiency and premium vehicles to get ideas on his 2023 Porsche Taycan 4S.
Our Porsche Taycan 4S proprietor, KB, is a retired software program govt, married, with a daughter and two grandsons. He was thinking about going electrical. After asking round, he settled on the Porsche Taycan, which he took supply in December 2023.
Clear Fleet Report:Inform us a bit about your self.
KB: My spouse and I stay in Central Orange County, California, a number of miles from the seashore. Being retired, my every day driving totals about seven miles. Going to the health club. Visiting the grandkids. As soon as every week to a cost station.
CFR: You want vehicles? Inform us about some you could have owned.
KB: I’ve had many vehicles, all German and Japanese. At the moment we personal a 2023 Audi A4. The automobile previous to the Taycan was a Nissan GT-R. We have now leased Audis for a very long time as it’s good to get a brand new automobile each few years. Beforehand, I had a Lexus IS 250 and two BMW 325s over a 25-year interval as I actually favored these vehicles. Additionally, a second-generation Mazda RX-7.
CFR: What analysis did you do, and the way was the shopping for expertise?
KB: Sooner or later, driving house from the health club, the transmission in my Nissan GT-R wouldn’t shift previous 2nd gear. I attempted the paddles, however it was caught so I may solely go 20 miles per hour. Boy, are folks impolite zooming previous you and honking! I had it towed to the Nissan seller, they usually instructed me the transmission wanted to get replaced, and it was going to price an unlimited sum of money to repair it. I had already started researching EVs. With the recommendation of my monetary advisor and a push from my spouse, we determined to maneuver on from the GT-R. I offered it to the seller, who will need to have had it fastened as I noticed it driving down the highway.
I walked into one of many two Porsche sellers close to my home, and instructed a gross sales rep I needed to purchase a automobile. I instructed them what I needed, and really shortly it grew to become obvious this particular person knew little or no in regards to the Taycan. That was confirmed once they admitted having solely labored there two months. (Lengthy story quick) I lastly took a check drive within the automobile I leased.
The Porsche seller stated the longest lease they supplied was 36 months, with a most of two,500 miles per yr. [Editor Note: Standard leasing terms are up-to 96 months and 10-12,000 miles is the common allowance per year. Clean Fleet Report has never encountered a dealer’s finance department only offering a lease of this length with a 2,500 miles per year cap.]
The automobile was prepped completely, however I wasn’t very completely happy. I’d say I used to be dissatisfied.
CFR: Have you ever had contact with the seller because you took supply?
KB: The low tire mild got here on. Since I had bought the tire guarantee, I went to the opposite seller in my space, that are each owned by Auto Nation. They wanted the automobile for a pair days to seek out the tire and do some software program upgrades, in order that they paid for an Uber to my house. After I returned to choose up the automobile, the seller gave me a goodie bag with a lanyard, key FOB and a pair different gadgets with the Porsche emblem.
CFR: So a superb seller expertise?
KB: Thus far, till the A/C started blowing ambient temperature air. I known as to schedule a service appointment and needed a loaner automobile, however was instructed I would wish to attend three weeks earlier than it grew to become obtainable. My historical past with Lexus sellers is that they have a fleet of loaners all the time obtainable, and there’s a automobile ready for you. I used to be considering I spent all this cash on the automobile, and there isn’t a loaner? The A/C began blowing chilly once more, so I by no means took it in for service.
CFR: Has Porsche and/or the sellers despatched you a buyer satisfaction survey?
KB: Many. Two have been by e mail, and one every by textual content and a telephone name. One was in regards to the gross sales rep and shopping for expertise, however I didn’t reply, not eager to say they have been horrible. Different surveys have been in regards to the dealership and my tire service.
CFR: Did anybody ever say it was essential so that you can give them excessive marks?
KB: Sure, they did on each the gross sales and repair surveys.
CFR: Primarily based in your seller expertise would you ever purchase one other Porsche from these sellers?
KB: Individuals instructed me “Porsche is Porsche” and also you don’t have a lot leeway in what they do. If you need a Porsche, it is advisable to “play the Porsche recreation.” However I’d return to Porsche as a result of I just like the automobile a lot. I want the seller expertise was somewhat higher as a result of it shouldn’t be the case.
I’ll preserve the automobile till the lease is completed, and would return to those sellers, however with what I do know now, it will be completely different.
CFR: Are you happy with the automobile?
KB: The one factor I’m not happy with is the charging—charging stations being damaged and the provision of charging stations. Typically I’ve to attend 45 minutes for a 15-minute cost to 80%. I even have observed folks will go into the mall and depart their vehicles plugged-in regardless that they don’t seem to be charging. I’ve not felt the necessity to set up a house charger for the miles I drive and the provision of free charging.
[Editor’s Note: KB’s Taycan came with three years of complimentary charging at Electrify America stations, so his comments relate to experiences in their network of public chargers.]
CFR: Do you get pleasure from driving the Taycan?
KB: It’s a great automobile that drives nice, even higher than I believed it will. My spouse loves it and desires to drive it extra.
Let me evaluate the Taycan to my GT-R, which was loads of enjoyable to drive. To get response you’ll downshift, then look forward to the turbo enhance to kick in, after which the automobile would go. With the Porsche there’s instantaneous torque and no ready. A pal of mine has a Tesla and the Porsche is faster. (He demonstrated by simulating G-Forces being pushed again within the seat, with eyes broad open.)
CFR: Do you could have any closing ideas on proudly owning the Taycan?
KB: I’ve observed most Taycan house owners are girls, who wave when passing. That’s enjoyable. I discover house owners of non-electric BMWs and Audis ask in regards to the Taycan. I’ve additionally discovered EV house owners are pleasant.
Observations
KB’s expertise driving the Porsche Taycan 4S is what we hear often. It’s quick, clean, highly effective and comfy to drive. Additionally it is a great-looking automobile.
His seller experiences are troubling, although, whatever the model or price of the automobile.
We want he had accomplished the acquisition and repair surveys as Porsche company and the seller have to understand how their prospects are being handled. Or, perhaps they don’t care?
That his preliminary contact was an individual with zero data of the Taycan is a critical concern Porsche must appropriate. By way of product coaching and the seller having new staff shadow a extra skilled gross sales consultant, no buyer shopping for a $130,000+ automobile ought to should expertise such a state of affairs.
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Story by John Faulkner, Photographs by John Faulkner and KB.
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