Porsche’s engineers are some of the greatest in the world. But I am beginning to think all that wonderful German finesse is being hobbled by corporate. More specifically, Porsche is selling “image” rather than driving machines. Their marketing seems to be directed at those wealthy who need their insecure images shored up and less directed at auto enthusiasts.
For instance, there has been no spare tire or even a factory option for a spare tire kit in their sports cars since 2004. For those taking long trips out in the country that doesn’t work well. For instance, no one traveling the Alcan Highway, which I drive a lot, should be without a good spare tire and a jack.
One thing that I wish to impress upon Porsche is a factory option for an installed full size spare tire and tools in their smaller cars would go a long ways to helping them sell their new 911. I know folks in America where the spaces are so wide would pay $1,500 to $2,500 for this “option.”
What does Porsche offer? A spray can of goop and their road side assistance—provided you have a new car or at least a Certified Pre-Owned Porsche. However, calling 1 (800) PORSCHE requires not merely a phone but phone service—something that is rare in the Yukon for extremely long stretches!
So, breaking down on the Alcan means you’re out of luck! Therefore, we traveling such remote long distances do all we can to prepare and prevent any calamities that might strand us for days. After all, these could be life threatening circumstances in the middle of winter at -20F or if one requires medical assistance. Therefore, we take all the precautions. It is incumbent upon us.
A lot of Porsche owners in America have stopped taking their Carreras, Caymans and Boxsters out for long drives in the country because they’ve been stranded and had a terrible experience. They do not want to repeat that sense of abandonment.
While I and many others love Porsches, we are not so sure all that wonderful German engineering isn’t being hobbled by narrow minded marketing focused upon selling an image to prospective buyers rather than support true auto enthusiasts, real drivers. It saddens me that Porsche lacks the perspective of real drivers.
My recent experience with Porsche concerns me. While I really love my Cayenne Turbo, I wonder how much Porsche and its dealerships care about keeping me on the road. My concern is that they only care when and if they can keep me in a new car, on a frenzied cycle of buying and trading in. These are times to avoid debt not remain in it.
I hope my recent experience in Boise is atypical of a marque which is otherwise brilliant. I love the comfort and safety of Porsche’s new cars, but I am not so sure there is enough support, even for the older cars that came with spare tires. And the support I have received recently at Lyle Pearson Porsche of Boise leaves me shaking.
Seriously, shaking. I hope this is the exception rather than the rule. Indeed, I miss my mechanics at Porsche of Anchorage Morrison Auto Group and Gregg Sykes at German Steel. They would never treat me this way. Imagine, these folks in Idaho threatened me (wrongly) with filing a stolen car report with the Boise Police if I did not return their loaner by 3:00 PM!
I received that notice at 2:30 while I was in the middle of cooking. Don’t believe me? I have their e-mail to prove it.