by Risks of Buying a Used Premium Car
Buying a used premium car might seem like a good deal, but a lower price often hides significant repair costs and an ambiguous experience with dealerships. The story of a Porsche Cayenne S owner is a vivid example of such difficulties.
Start of Problems with the Porsche Cayenne S
The owner purchased a 2019 Porsche Cayenne S for $90,000. Soon after the Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty expired, the first problems appeared. In October 2024, a check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The car was taken to the first dealer, who discovered a minor coolant leak. The dealer agreed to replace the water pump, thermostat, and valve, with the customer paying for the parts and the labor costs covered by a goodwill credit from Porsche.
A Staggering $37,000 Estimate
A year later, the check engine light came on again. This time, the owner went to a second dealer, who estimated the repair at $37,000. The estimate included $19,000 for two new turbos, $8,800 for a water pump (even though it was supposedly replaced earlier), and other maintenance work. The customer requested a goodwill adjustment through Porsche Cars North America, but the dealer reported a denial. When the owner contacted the manufacturer directly, it turned out no request had been made. After a repeated inquiry, PCNA rejected the request, citing a management decision.
Discrepancies Between Dealers
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When the owner pointed out the two-year warranty on the water pump, the second dealer contacted the first one and found out that they had not actually replaced the pump. The general manager of the second dealer, together with the customer, checked the invoice: the list of parts included only the thermostat housing, a coolant pipe, rings, and a vent line, but there was no part number for the water pump.
Unexpected Work and Deals
Meanwhile, the second dealer performed $3,150 worth of maintenance work that the customer had not agreed to. Ultimately, the parties agreed on a payment of $1,100. The first dealer, after reviewing the situation, offered to replace only one turbocharger, as it was the one failing. The second dealer confirmed that the water pump was not leaking and that the other $22,000 worth of work was unnecessary.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The owner was prepared to sell the car for $23,000 but ended up spending $5,100, including towing, turbo replacement, and maintenance, and returned to using the vehicle. He shares key takeaways:
- Always maintain warranty coverage for such cars.
- Get a second opinion by consulting another dealer or an independent service center.
- Porsche Cars North America was polite but provided no assistance; the executive response stated they sympathized but could do nothing.
- Porsche dealers operate as franchisees: some adhere to brand standards, others do not.
Final update: The $37,000 Porsche Cayenne S repair story! Contacted the Porsche CEO office (no result). The second dealer, after a re-inspection, reduced the bill to $22,000, claimed the $3,150 maintenance work was mandatory, and refused to return the car until payment. The first dealer resolved all issues for approximately $3,000.
byu/AdCritical9217 inPorsche
This story highlights how important it is to have a warranty when buying a used premium car, especially considering the potentially high repair costs. The difference in dealer approaches shows that even within the same brand, service quality can vary significantly. Users recommend always keeping documentation and being prepared to seek alternative solutions if problems arise.
