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 gasoline cell electrical car. 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 concerned 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 couple of miles from the seaside. Being retired, my each day driving totals about seven miles. Going to the fitness center. Visiting the grandkids. As soon as per week to a cost station.
CFR: You want vehicles? Inform us about some you’ve gotten owned.
KB: I’ve had many vehicles, all German and Japanese. At present 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: At some point, driving residence from the fitness center, the transmission in my Nissan GT-R wouldn’t shift previous 2nd gear. I attempted the paddles, but it surely 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 supplier, they usually advised 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 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 advised a gross sales rep I wished to purchase a automotive. I advised them what I wished, and really rapidly 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 automotive I leased.
The Porsche supplier mentioned 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 joyful. I’d say I used to be upset.
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 seek out the tire and do some software program upgrades, so that they paid for an Uber to my residence. 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 emblem.
CFR: So a superb supplier 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 automotive, however was advised I would wish 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 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 electronic mail, and one every by textual content and a cellphone name. One was concerning 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 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: Based mostly in your supplier expertise would you ever purchase one other Porsche from these sellers?
KB: Folks advised me “Porsche is Porsche” and also you don’t have a lot leeway in what they do. If you need a Porsche, you want to “play the Porsche sport.” However I’d return to Porsche as a result of I just like the automotive a lot. I want the supplier expertise was a bit higher as a result of it shouldn’t be the case.
I’ll maintain the automotive till the lease is finished, and would return to those sellers, however with what I do know now, it might 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 supply 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 though 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 supply 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 fantastic automotive that drives nice, even higher than I assumed it might. 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’d downshift, then look forward to the turbo increase to kick in, after which the automotive would go. With the Porsche there’s on the spot 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’ve gotten 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 concerning 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, easy, highly effective and cozy to drive. Additionally it is 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 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 severe subject Porsche must right. By means of product coaching and the supplier having new staff shadow a extra skilled gross sales consultant, no buyer shopping for a $130,000+ automotive ought to must expertise such a scenario.
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Story by John Faulkner, Photographs by John Faulkner and KB.
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