Just spoke with my salesman. They determined that the transmission failed. It was not a software but an actual mechanical issue. I don't know anything beyond that. They are not going to repair the PDK, instead they are going to replace the entire unit. They are overnighting one from Atlanta and it should go in tomorrow. I don't feel great about having such a large mechanical repair on an new car. Such is life, I suppose.

That being said, my salesman came in on his day off help make sure this got taken care of. If anybody wants to do business on a Porsche in south Florida his name is Larry Reynolds and he is at Champion Porsche. I found him very helpful with the build options and guiding me through the process. He is the best car salesperson I have ever delt with. I'm sure there are many other great Porsche reps to work with but figured I would share my experience. Sometimes it can be difficult to find somebody good to deal with.

 

I agree with the relax part (and that Porsche will take care of this), but the 'avoid launch editions' which I keep hearing strikes me as quite useless advice, especially to someone who just purchased such a car.

Someone is going to have to buy the first ones and help work the kinks out, right? Am I naive thinking that we should be supportive and encouraging, if anything?

 

I ordered my car from Champion as well and it's comforting to know that they have great customer service. I do find it disturbing that a brand new transmission failed and if it were me I would insist in a brand new car even if it meant waiting another 3 months. My own build is manual tranny so I don't expect any issues but if there are I don't think I would accept a new car that is anything less than perfect. If it's the tranny today what will it be tomorrow?

 

Transmission failures if they occur, tend to happen early, and thankfully so while they are still covered. Still not acceptable. I agree that "avoid launch editions" is not realistic advice, plus for each mechanical failure out there, there are at least 99 completely problem free new launch edition cars out there. Problems happen in a tiny percentage of cases but warranty takes care of them 100%.

 

Wow, that has to be a world record for transmission failure.

I must say, the 991 is a huge step up in the looks department in my eyes, even though I'm completely sick of the oval headlights. They should make the front end more CGT like, lights and all.


PS: Never heard of a manual failing that fast. LOL. j/k

 

Good luck.

 

Agreed. I would ask for a new car too if this is at all possibe... Not because I am afraid that the problem wil not be fixed properly or that other issues will arise but because I believe it will hurt the resale value someday down the road. If you are not concerned about resale, I would not worry about it. I would ask the dealer how/if this repair will be represented on a CARFAX/Vehicle history report.

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles.
Porsche will take care of this. And I hope in a timely matter for your sake.

By the way, I love that the tow truck driver is a woman!! Positive in everything

 

I can understand being frustrated about the transmission failing, especially so soon, but some of you guys are over reacting. Porsche obviously makes a great product (which is why you probably bought your car) but at the end of the day, it's still a machine. Plastic and metal... You can't predict when a car's going to break down, that's why there's warranty. Just be glad your dealership and salesperson are bending over backwards and giving you great service, after all, it could be worse.

 

Very sorry to hear about your troubles. Best of luck getting it resolved. Please post outcome.

On the manual quips above -- isn't it pretty much the same transmission this time around?...

 

Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

I'm really sorry to hear that you had an issue with your new 991; it must be quite frustrating. Good advice above.

First, let me say that I have owned 14 Porsches over 40 years and have never heard, nor experienced anything like this with a Porsche. Second, you can probably count on this being fixed but it will probably take some time unless it’s one of those “sensor” issues that just shut it down for safety sake. Even then since the car is so new they will probably have to get the sensor flown in. The new car has a new, very complex “Thermal Energy Management” system with lots of sensors and one of them could have gone bad, causing the system to shut down to avoid further damage to expensive components. If they can’t fix it so it stays fixed you will end up using the lemon law process.
All that said, I had a new Honda Accord and went through the lemon law process. Here’s what I found out:
1. Get the owner’s manuals out of the car and in the Warranty book it will go through the steps to take. Each state is a little different so you will have to follow the requirements for that state and in most cases, you will have to submit a card in the book designed for that state to Porsche Cars of North America (I recommend registered, return receipt, etc.).
2. Most manufacturers use BBB, but my 2009 warranty book says Porsche uses the National Center for Dispute Settlement's (NCDS). If they tell you that you can use BBB or another process, take BBB. If Porsche can’t fix it within the number of attempts the lemon law allows, you will want to call the BBB or the NCDS's number in the book (mine says (866) 767-7244) and get a case officer assigned.
3. BBB /NCDS will offer you a couple of approaches. You want to take the arbitration approach because:
a. If you lose in arbitration you can take it to court
b. If the manufacture loses they cannot. They have no appeal process.
c. If you take it to court and win, they can appeal and you may be dead before they schedule the appeal court date. An acquaintance of mine took his Honda Accord to court, won and had this experience with the appellate court.
4. BBB / NCDS will guide you through the process very well and set you up with an arbitrator in your geographical area.
5. Make a log of each time it happens and keep the repair records. Ensure that the records describe the issue correctly and the fix attempted. Most lemon laws require that the issue be attempted to be repaired 3 times, but like I said BBB / NCDS will assign a person to your case that will guide you through the issue and answer any questions in that regard.
6. As soon as you qualify to take it to an arbitrator, do so. That is to say; if it takes 3 events don’t wait until 4. Make them close out the work order each time. Don't just take it home and try it out for a while.
7. When you go before the arbitrator the only thing you trying to get across is that the same event happened the required number of times and here’s the proof by showing him the repair records (and giving him a copy). You also want to tell him what you want in compensation (a new car, money, etc.). The manufacturer will have a technical representative there who will state their case, but if you have done your case correctly they will have no case.
8. At that point it’s over. He will take a couple of weeks or so to make the decision and then if he agrees with you they will buy your car back. There are very definitive rules about how much they will pay you, but in my case it was very satisfactory and just charged me a reasonable fee for the miles driven. I know it’s still very disappointing, frustrating and time consuming but at least you know you’re not going to lose $100K.

Again, I don’t expect you will need to use the Lemon Law process, but you will want to have your ducks together by making sure the repair order and attempted repairs documentation is correctly described each time you take it in.

ChuckJ

 

I have dealt with Champion(and Larry) in the past and I am sure your situation will be resolved. It definitely sucks that you had a problem but it will allow Champion(and Larry) to show what customer service is all about.

 

I agree with this. Out of the many thousands of transmissions that will be produced there will always be a number that will sneak through quality control. It's an unfortunate reality. Porsche relies upon the quality of their selected manufacturers to produce the best quality product for them and would not intentionally use a faulty transmission if they could help it. Sure it's not a great start to owning a new car but thats one good thing about dealing with a company like Porsche. They will look after you.

OP, hope it all works out to your satisfaction... as I'm sure it will.

 

Bummer, but don't let it get you down. Much worse things can happen in life.

Let them fix it and hope for the best. You have plenty of warranty, so your risk isn't high.

Hopefully this is just bad luck and not indicative of a more general problem with the launch 991s.