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 car. Lately we met up with a “automobile 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 fascinated 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 seashore. Being retired, my each day driving totals about seven miles. Going to the gymnasium. Visiting the grandkids. As soon as per week to a cost station.
CFR: You want automobiles? Inform us about some you may have owned.
KB: I’ve had many automobiles, 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 now have 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 appreciated these automobiles. Additionally, a second-generation Mazda RX-7.
CFR: What analysis did you do, and the way was the shopping for expertise?
KB: In the future, driving dwelling from the gymnasium, 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 individuals impolite zooming previous you and honking! I had it towed to the Nissan supplier, and so they informed me the transmission wanted to get replaced, and it was going to value an infinite 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 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 grew to become obvious this individual 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 automobile 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 automobile was prepped completely, however I wasn’t very glad. I’d say I used to be dissatisfied.
CFR: Have you ever had contact with the supplier because you took supply?
KB: The low tire gentle 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 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 dwelling. After I returned to choose up the automobile, the supplier gave me a goodie bag with a lanyard, key FOB and a pair different gadgets with the Porsche brand.
CFR: So a superb supplier expertise?
KB: To this point, 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 grew to become obtainable. My historical past with Lexus sellers is that they have a fleet of loaners at all times 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 had 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 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 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 supplier 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’d like a Porsche, that you must “play the Porsche recreation.” However I’d return to Porsche as a result of I just like the automobile a lot. I want the supplier expertise was a bit of higher as a result of it shouldn’t be the case.
I’ll preserve the automobile till the lease is finished, and would return to those sellers, however with what I do know now, it could 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 supply of charging stations. Generally I’ve to attend 45 minutes for a 15-minute cost to 80%. I even have observed individuals will go into the mall and depart 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 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 automobile that drives nice, even higher than I believed it could. 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 anticipate the turbo enhance to kick in, after which the automobile would go. With the Porsche there may be 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 may have 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 often. It’s quick, easy, highly effective and comfy to drive. It is usually a great-looking automobile.
His supplier experiences are troubling, although, whatever the model or value of the automobile.
We want he had accomplished the acquisition and repair surveys as Porsche company and the supplier 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 severe subject Porsche must appropriate. Via product coaching and the supplier having new staff shadow a extra skilled gross sales consultant, no buyer shopping for a $130,000+ automobile ought to should expertise such a scenario.
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Story by John Faulkner, Photographs by John Faulkner and KB.
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