A Automotive 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. Just 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 enthusiastic 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 dwell in Central Orange County, California, a couple of miles from the seashore. Being retired, my day by day driving totals about seven miles. Going to the fitness center. Visiting the grandkids. As soon as every week to a cost station.
CFR: You want vehicles? Inform us about some you’ve got 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’ve 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: At some point, driving dwelling from the fitness center, the transmission in my Nissan GT-R wouldn’t shift previous 2nd gear. I attempted the paddles, nevertheless 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 informed 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 bought 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 informed a gross sales rep I wished to purchase a automobile. I informed them what I wished, and really shortly it turned obvious this particular person knew little or no concerning the Taycan. That was confirmed once they admitted having solely labored there two months. (Lengthy story brief) 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 comfortable. 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 search out the tire and do some software program upgrades, in order that they paid for an Uber to my dwelling. After I returned to choose up the automobile, the seller gave me a goodie bag with a lanyard, key FOB and a pair different objects with the Porsche emblem.
CFR: So a superb seller expertise?
KB: To date, till the A/C started blowing ambient temperature air. I referred to as to schedule a service appointment and wished a loaner automobile, however was informed I would want to attend three weeks earlier than it turned 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 automobile ready for you. I used to be pondering 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 concerning the gross sales rep and shopping for expertise, however I didn’t reply, not desirous to say they have been horrible. Different surveys have been concerning the dealership and my tire service.
CFR: Did anybody ever say it was vital 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: Folks informed 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 sport.” However I’d return to Porsche as a result of I just like the automobile a lot. I want the seller expertise was just a little higher as a result of it shouldn’t be the case.
I’ll hold the automobile till the lease is finished, and would return to those sellers, however with what I do know now, it will be totally 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. 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 vehicles 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 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 quite a lot of enjoyable to drive. To get response you’ll downshift, then anticipate the turbo increase to kick in, after which the automobile would go. With the Porsche there may be on the spot torque and no ready. A good friend of mine has a Tesla and the Porsche is faster. (He demonstrated by simulating G-Forces being pushed again within the seat, with eyes vast open.)
CFR: Do you’ve got any closing ideas on proudly owning the Taycan?
KB: I’ve seen most Taycan homeowners are ladies, who wave when passing. That’s enjoyable. I discover homeowners of non-electric BMWs and Audis ask concerning the Taycan. I’ve additionally discovered EV homeowners 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. It’s also 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 must understand how their clients 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 challenge Porsche must appropriate. By means 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 must expertise such a scenario.
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Story by John Faulkner, Pictures by John Faulkner and KB.
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