A Automobile Man’s EV
In our First Timer sequence we converse with individuals who have bought their first electrical, plug-in electrical or hydrogen gas cell electrical automobile. Lately we met up with a “automotive man” with a historical past of owing efficiency and premium automobiles 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 focused on 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 dwell in Central Orange County, California, a number of miles from the seashore. Being retired, my each day driving totals about seven miles. Going to the health club. Visiting the grandkids. As soon as per week to a cost station.
CFR: You want automobiles? Inform us about some you might have owned.
KB: I’ve had many automobiles, all German and Japanese. At present we personal a 2023 Audi A4. The automotive previous to the Taycan was a Nissan GT-R. Now we have leased Audis for a very long time as it’s good to get a brand new automotive each few years. Beforehand, I had a Lexus IS 250 and two BMW 325s over a 25-year interval as I actually preferred these automobiles. Additionally, a second-generation Mazda RX-7.
CFR: What analysis did you do, and the way was the shopping for expertise?
KB: At some point, 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 value 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 mounted as I noticed it driving down the street.
I walked into one of many two Porsche sellers close to my home, and instructed a gross sales rep I wished to purchase a automotive. I instructed them what I wished, and really shortly it grew to become obvious this particular person knew little or no concerning the Taycan. That was confirmed after they admitted having solely labored there two months. (Lengthy story brief) I lastly took a check drive within the automotive I leased.
The Porsche seller stated the longest lease they supplied was 36 months, with a most of two,500 miles per 12 months. [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 automotive was prepped completely, however I wasn’t very blissful. I might say I used to be disenchanted.
CFR: Have you ever had contact with the seller because you took supply?
KB: The low tire gentle 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 automotive for a pair days to search out the tire and do some software program upgrades, so that they paid for an Uber to my house. After I returned to select up the automotive, the seller gave me a goodie bag with a lanyard, key FOB and a pair different objects with the Porsche brand.
CFR: So a superb seller expertise?
KB: To date, till the A/C started blowing ambient temperature air. I known as to schedule a service appointment and wished a loaner automotive, however was instructed I would wish to attend three weeks earlier than it grew to become out there. My historical past with Lexus sellers is that they have a fleet of loaners at all times out there, and there’s a automotive ready for you. I used to be considering I spent all this cash on the automotive, 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 had been by electronic mail, and one every by textual content and a telephone name. One was concerning the gross sales rep and shopping for expertise, however I didn’t reply, not desirous to say they had been horrible. Different surveys had been concerning the dealership and my tire service.
CFR: Did anybody ever say it was necessary so that you can give them excessive marks?
KB: Sure, they did on each the gross sales and repair surveys.
CFR: Based mostly 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 would like a Porsche, you must “play the Porsche recreation.” However I might return to Porsche as a result of I just like the automotive a lot. I want the seller expertise was slightly higher as a result of it shouldn’t be the case.
I’ll maintain the automotive till the lease is completed, and would return to those sellers, however with what I do know now, it might be completely different.
CFR: Are you happy with the automotive?
KB: The one factor I’m not happy with is the charging—charging stations being damaged and the provision of charging stations. Generally I’ve to attend 45 minutes for a 15-minute cost to 80%. I even have seen folks will go into the mall and go away their automobiles plugged-in regardless that they aren’t 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 take pleasure in driving the Taycan?
KB: It’s a great automotive that drives nice, even higher than I believed it might. My spouse loves it and desires to drive it extra.
Let me examine the Taycan to my GT-R, which was numerous enjoyable to drive. To get response you’d downshift, then await the turbo increase to kick in, after which the automotive would go. With the Porsche there’s instantaneous torque and no ready. A buddy of mine has a Tesla and the Porsche is faster. (He demonstrated by simulating G-Forces being pushed again within the seat, with eyes large open.)
CFR: Do you might have any closing ideas on proudly owning the Taycan?
KB: I’ve seen most Taycan house owners are girls, who wave when passing. That’s enjoyable. I discover house owners of non-electric BMWs and Audis ask concerning the Taycan. I’ve additionally discovered EV house owners are pleasant.
Observations
KB’s expertise driving the Porsche Taycan 4S is what we hear incessantly. It’s quick, clean, highly effective and cozy to drive. It is usually a great-looking automotive.
His seller experiences are troubling, although, whatever the model or value of the automotive.
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, possibly they don’t care?
That his preliminary contact was an individual with zero data of the Taycan is a critical challenge Porsche must appropriate. By way of product coaching and the seller having new workers shadow a extra skilled gross sales consultant, no buyer shopping for a $130,000+ automotive ought to should expertise such a scenario.
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Story by John Faulkner, Pictures by John Faulkner and KB.
Extra First Timer tales.
The put up First Timer: 2023 Porsche Taycan 4S first appeared on Clear Fleet Report.
