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 gasoline cell electrical automobile. Not too long ago we met up with a “automotive 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 interested by 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 seaside. 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’ve owned.
KB: I’ve had many vehicles, all German and Japanese. Presently we personal a 2023 Audi A4. The automotive previous to the Taycan was a Nissan GT-R. We’ve got 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 appreciated 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, but it surely was caught so I might solely go 20 miles per hour. Boy, are folks impolite zooming previous you and honking! I had it towed to the Nissan supplier, and so they instructed me the transmission wanted to get replaced, and it was going to price an unlimited amount of cash 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 supplier, who should have had it fastened 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 needed to purchase a automotive. I instructed them what I needed, and really rapidly it turned obvious this individual 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 automotive I leased.
The Porsche supplier mentioned the longest lease they provided 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 automotive was prepped completely, however I wasn’t very glad. I might say I used to be dissatisfied.
CFR: Have you ever had contact with the supplier because you took supply?
KB: The low tire mild got here on. Since I had bought the tire guarantee, I went to the opposite supplier 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 choose up the automotive, the supplier gave me a goodie bag with a lanyard, key FOB and a pair different objects with the Porsche brand.
CFR: So a very good supplier expertise?
KB: To this point, till the A/C started blowing ambient temperature air. I known as to schedule a service appointment and needed a loaner automotive, however was instructed I would wish to attend three weeks earlier than it turned accessible. My historical past with Lexus sellers is that they have a fleet of loaners at all times accessible, and there’s a automotive ready for you. I used to be pondering 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 have been by e mail, and one every by textual content and a cellphone 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 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 supplier expertise would you ever purchase one other Porsche from these sellers?
KB: Folks instructed me “Porsche is Porsche” and also you don’t have a lot leeway in what they do. If you need a Porsche, you should “play the Porsche recreation.” However I might return to Porsche as a result of I just like the automotive a lot. I want the supplier expertise was a little bit higher as a result of it shouldn’t be the case.
I’ll preserve the automotive till the lease is finished, and would return to those sellers, however with what I do know now, it could be totally 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 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 automotive that drives nice, even higher than I assumed it could. My spouse loves it and desires to drive it extra.
Let me examine 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 increase to kick in, after which the automotive would go. With the Porsche there’s prompt 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 extensive open.)
CFR: Do you’ve any closing ideas on proudly owning the Taycan?
KB: I’ve observed most Taycan homeowners are ladies, who wave when passing. That’s enjoyable. I discover homeowners of non-electric BMWs and Audis ask in regards to the Taycan. I’ve additionally discovered EV homeowners are pleasant.
Observations
KB’s expertise driving the Porsche Taycan 4S is what we hear incessantly. It’s quick, clean, highly effective and comfy to drive. It is usually a great-looking automotive.
His supplier experiences are troubling, although, whatever the model or price of the automotive.
We want he had accomplished the acquisition and repair surveys as Porsche company and the supplier have to know the way their clients are being handled. Or, perhaps they don’t care?
That his preliminary contact was an individual with zero information of the Taycan is a severe concern Porsche must right. Via product coaching and the supplier having new workers shadow a extra skilled gross sales consultant, no buyer shopping for a $130,000+ automotive ought to need to expertise such a state of affairs.
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Story by John Faulkner, Images by John Faulkner and KB.
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