Anyone in the OC area with a 997 Carrera S that wants to take me for a quick spin in their car? I was planning on going for a test drive at a dealership this weekend but talking to an owner might be more informative.

Thanks

 

Maybe. Costa Mesa. Might go to Cars and Coffee in Irvine this weekend.

 

Ok, let me know if you have time . I live in HB. I wish I could rent one of these cars for a day. A 10min test drive at a dealer is kind of lame to judge an expensive sports car purchase.

 

By lack of response here, I went to a dealer and test drove a 997 S (2010) today. Probably haven't been in a 911 since the 80s and it still sounds and feels the same . They are still the driver's car they used to be. I also test drove a 2008 M3. Nice car but I was a bit turned off but the size of it; feels pretty big and heavy and surprisingly not that quick for having a 414hp V8. A good candidate for a comfortable sedan but not if you want a small and nimble sports car.

I'll shelf the M3 idea for now and hold out for a nice 997 S or 996 turbo.

Does anyone have experience with both (i.e. 997 S and 996 turbo). Wonder how they compare?

 

Go to Circle Porsche. They threw me the keys and let me take it as long as I wanted. No ride along either.

That was the best selling strategy ever.

I bought it that day.

 

Wow, that's pretty cool! I pretty much just went around the block at the Newport dealer.

 

Those guys treated me like poo. I was looking at a Boxster S they had for sale before I bought my 911 and I couldn't get them to return a call or email. I was paying cash as well. When they finally got around to calling me back and started discussing price, I distinctly got the feeling I was being looked down upon. So, I went and bought a 911 the next week at a local store. I know there is a ton of money in newport beach, but come on...

 

Similar experience with Newport. The Long Beach dealership is small, but the staff there are very helpful, totally down to earth, really good customer service. No arrogance at all.

 

Pretty much the same treatment I received. They gave me a remark along the lines of "you know this is a 80k car, right" ? I was like "sooo what??". Worst thing you can ever do is make an assumption about someone. Yes, I'm only in my 30s but for all they know, I could be loaded...

My experience at Sterling BMW was really good on the other hand.

 

A little out of the way, but Rusnak in Pasadena is terrific.

 

I've read that Walt's Porsche out there is pretty good as well? No idea, but the name has come up a few times on the boards for So Cal dealers. The Riverside store.

 

I know Walter's is active with Porsche Club and autocrossing.

You should check out the PCAOC calendar and come out to the meet up this Saturday AM. I'm going to Irvine Cars and Coffee early AM, then the Pclub thing. You'll get PLENTY of opinions. Everyone has 'em.

 

Walt and Pacific both were cool to deal with. Just made a copy of my drivers license and handed me the key. I ended up buying at Auto Gallery but it was purely because of they had the car I wanted.

Newport Import is a joke. I don't know how they can stay in business so long. I could go to soup **** and get better service.

 

We didn't buy from Newport, but their service center had been solid for warranty work. We checked Phillips on PCH, told them our not unrealistic budget, and to keep an eye out for what we were looking for. Never got a call. they must have Ferrari's flying off the floor or something.

 

PM me. I can hook you up with a solid contact at Newport. You won't be dissapointed.