Certified pre-owned 911. What to expect?

[egghead]

Hi All:

Thanks to this forum I've already managed to install a Denison Gateway 500 in my wonderful black/black 2006 911 Carrera C2Cab.

Just a few minor glitches when installing (blew a fuse/dropped a small screw driver behind the carpeting) but it works beautifully. I actually like using my USB hard drive with music on it more than my Ipod.

Anyway, I just bought my car three weeks ago in LA (downtown LA dealer) and had it shipped up to Seattle. All the shipping etc went fine. I bought a Porsche Certified Pre-owned thinking that it would be in almost new condition, and the car itself is absolutely fantastic. Yet, it doesn't have all the manuals (though I was reassured that it did) and I only have one key. I've called the dealer and they said, "well it should have all the manuals" and "the other key should be around here somewhere...."

Doesn't this seem a little shabby for a "Porsche Certified Pre-owned" (fancy-way-to-say-used) car?

Thanks,

Serge.

[355bhp]

You can buy a set of manuals. Try Sunset Porsche (the Porsche parts link at the top of this page). Porsche replacement keys are EXPENSIVE, and I think are available only through a dealer. Even the little plastic pocket spare key ran me $200 +!

And why didn't you DRIVE your new toy from L.A. to Seattle? It's a breathtaking trip up the coast, especially in something like a C2Cab!

Congratulations and post some pics when you get the chance! Oh, and welcome to the forum!

Edited January 1, 2009 by 355bhp

[Deansdream]

Congratulations. I picked up my '06 c2s two weeks ago. Had 15k miles and is also pre-owned certified. They don't check everything. Four days after I brought her home, she had a dead battery. It wouldn't hold a charge, so had to have it towed to a dealer and ended up having to get a new battery. The good news is, even though they weren't obligated (who knows how well the previous owner maintained it) the dealer I bought the car from agreed to cover the cost.

[PAULSPEED]

That good.

These batteries are expensive.

Paul

[egghead]

They can't check everything, true, but they do say that the Porsche Certified Pre-Owned cars go through a "rigorous" 100,000,000 point check - or something like that. I just expected a little bit better quality than a Craig's List car and don't feel like I really got it. Maybe that should be a warning to other prospective buyers (i.e. buyer beware)?

Congratulations. I picked up my '06 c2s two weeks ago. Had 15k miles and is also pre-owned certified. They don't check everything. Four days after I brought her home, she had a dead battery. It wouldn't hold a charge, so had to have it towed to a dealer and ended up having to get a new battery. The good news is, even though they weren't obligated (who knows how well the previous owner maintained it) the dealer I bought the car from agreed to cover the cost.

[355bhp]

They can't check everything, true, but they do say that the Porsche Certified Pre-Owned cars go through a "rigorous" 100,000,000 point check - or something like that. I just expected a little bit better quality than a Craig's List car and don't feel like I really got it. Maybe that should be a warning to other prospective buyers (i.e. buyer beware)?

Aren't CPO cars supposed to have the factory warranty extended?

[Deansdream]

They do. You get whatever warranty's left + 2 years. But they don't cover "maintenance" - tires, brakes and, yes battery. what you'd consider normal wear and tear. Which is reasonable. You would, however, expect them to have noticed dead cells.

[PTEC]

I've bought a few used cars in my day and very rarely have they ever come with the manuals. Most people don't have the manuals with the car when they trade it in therefore they never make it to the new owner. And because most people dont care about the manuals the dealers don't take it upon themselves to purchase new (IE, expensive) manuals for the new owner. It sounds like you got a nice car and calling it a "craigslist car" because it didn't have the manuals with it seems like a bit of an exaggeration to me. If they explicitly stated the manuals would come with the car though it sounds like the your salesperson/dealer owes you a set and I would pursue that instead of knocking the CPO program.

[nucjd]

Hey guys I am new to the site as well and have been amazed at the amount of info and the expertise on this site. I am definitely going to become a contributer. I also bought a certified 2006 997 s this week. I am so stoked. Just totally amazed at this machine. I have question as well. Will installing add ons such as the above described hard drive or sat systems/ blue tooth( such as the tooki) void the extended warranty that it came with. Again, awesome web site. Here is a coups of pics. I guess I am lucky, the manuals came with my car as well as the extra key and the wallet key.

Edited January 10, 2009 by nucjd

[355bhp]

Hey guys I am new to the site as well and have been amazed at the amount of info and the expertise on this site. I am definitely going to become a contributer. I also bought a certified 2006 997 s this week. I am so stoked. Just totally amazed at this machine. I have question as well. Will installing add ons such as the above described hard drive or sat systems/ blue tooth( such as the tooki) void the extended warranty that it came with. Again, awesome web site. Here is a coups of pics.

Woah! Que bella macchina!! Welcome to the forum, and congrats on you new acquisition! I guarantee you won't be disappointed. Just be careful; it's a rocketship!

[egghead]

I'm not knocking the CPOCPETCSAFD program. I'm more knocking the dealer. Believe it or not, I've also bought quite a few used cars in my time. From complete pieces of cr-p to my current beauty. I just expected more from a Porsche dealer and former owner.

BTW the dealer did wind up sending me the 2nd key, but not the little extra key.... He/they never got back to me about the manuals.

I've bought a few used cars in my day and very rarely have they ever come with the manuals. Most people don't have the manuals with the car when they trade it in therefore they never make it to the new owner. And because most people dont care about the manuals the dealers don't take it upon themselves to purchase new (IE, expensive) manuals for the new owner. It sounds like you got a nice car and calling it a "craigslist car" because it didn't have the manuals with it seems like a bit of an exaggeration to me. If they explicitly stated the manuals would come with the car though it sounds like the your salesperson/dealer owes you a set and I would pursue that instead of knocking the CPO program.

[egghead]

BTW, I've already downloaded the manuals from this excellent site anyway (THANKS!!!!!) and printed them and put them in nice leather binders. I'm still a little pissed at the Downtown LA Porsche guy for saying, "Oh yeah, it has all the manuals." I've e-mailed him twice now with no response.

I know that car dealers are snakes, but don't you expect a little bit better from a Porsche dealer? When I bought my preowned BMW they went to extremes to keep me happy!

(Tho I do have to say, the car itself is in terrific shape so.....maybe...just maybe....I whine too much.....Naw!!!!!!)

Edited January 11, 2009 by egghead

[ADAMS997]

I have worked for a highly regarded Japanese automotive manufacture for almost 30 years. I train dealers how to run their service departments and how to accomplish high levels of customer satisfaction. Recently I bought a Porsche. Let me say that so far I am very unimpressed with Porsche dealers. They may sell expensive cars, but their sales & service departments are very poorly run and they simply don't seem to care if you are satisfied or not. I think their certified used car program would be better if the Porsche reps trained their dealers better. When you don't get the keys and manuals from a dealer ...that means the dealer has weak internal processes. They don't have quality control processes in place to make sure things are done right the first time. I also feel that Porsche Cars North America would see a significant increase in their dealer service business if they did a better job encouraging their dealers to add some perceived value to their services rather than just offering highly inflated prices. I mean $300.00 for an oil change, $2500.00 for brakes & rotors...give me a break. I think this is the primary reason why so many independent Porsche repair shops exist. Porsche dealers give the Porsche brand a bad reputation.

[dk10438]

I have worked for a highly regarded Japanese automotive manufacture for almost 30 years. I train dealers how to run their service departments and how to accomplish high levels of customer satisfaction. Recently I bought a Porsche. Let me say that so far I am very unimpressed with Porsche dealers. They may sell expensive cars, but their sales & service departments are very poorly run and they simply don't seem to care if you are satisfied or not. I think their certified used car program would be better if the Porsche reps trained their dealers better. When you don't get the keys and manuals from a dealer ...that means the dealer has weak internal processes. They don't have quality control processes in place to make sure things are done right the first time. I also feel that Porsche Cars North America would see a significant increase in their dealer service business if they did a better job encouraging their dealers to add some perceived value to their services rather than just offering highly inflated prices. I mean $300.00 for an oil change, $2500.00 for brakes & rotors...give me a break. I think this is the primary reason why so many independent Porsche repair shops exist. Porsche dealers give the Porsche brand a bad reputation.

must be a porsche thing. I bought mine in LA too ,CPO and mine came with one key and no manuals. The dealer is going to cut and reprogram a key and get me some new manuals. As far as the oil change is concerned, it's expensive but the car takes 10 quarts of synthetic which isn't cheap either.

[phillipj]

Porsche dealers in my area are complete worthless snobs (I'm being nice here) who don't know anything about their cars unless I tell them about it. They are really good at doing credit checks and taking your credit card though!

An oil change is $140.00 through an indie. The dealer techs must be specially trained at removing drain bolts (which is no easy feat!) Hence the additional cost.... :D

Edited March 5, 2009 by phillipj