KARL MEYER
Anyone wanting to buy a new GT3 RS will know the frustration of trying to secure a build slot through a Porsche Centre. Unfortunately, questionable selection processes exercised throughout the network are threatening to cause serious damage to the Stuttgart brand’s reputation...
In the quarter often renowned in the motor trade for being a ‘slow start’, I’m surprised and delighted to report the year has kicked off with a hive of activity. A number of the trusted independent specialists I work with have shown a very encouraging beginning to 2024. In the business of selling cars, where units grow, margins follow. Porsche Centres have also shown encouraging signs for a good year, with increased footfall and an up-tick in inbound enquiries for new and used vehicles. It seems whatever it was many of us were waiting for before taking the plunge has been magically green-lit. If things continue in the manner, normality in the car sales market looks achievable for the first time in a long time. It may well be the reason I’m able to report on another phenomenon I’ve observed heating up in recent weeks: allocation for Porsche’s GT products.
In the run up to writing this column, I’ve been asked to advise no less than four unhappy private customers with Porsche Centre GT allocation concerns. I note a couple of Youtubers touched on this sensitive subject within the same timeframe, not least Mark Mccann, whose now viral video outlines the difficulty in securing allocation of a new GT3 RS. In the past, I have been open and honest about this problem. I’ve even tried to balance the scales of fairness by shining a light on what an impossibly horrid task the whole business is for sales executives and managers of Porsche franchises, as much as it is for us as customers. On the whole, the Porsche dealer network is filled with good people who love the brand as much as we do, but in my observation, there is a lack of direction from Porsche itself, leaving Centre sales staff to do as they please when it comes to choosing who gets on the GT hit list. Porsche really needs to take a look at this problem with fresh eyes — its customers are thirsty for clarification on how GT product allocations are made.
As a market insider, why am I commenting on this topic? Well, put simply, I’ve been receiving calls from upset Porsche enthusiasts frustrated by the lack of transparency surrounding the issue, which is causing damage to Porsche’s reputation. Despite a healthy start to the year, the manufacturer allowing the problem to persist has the potential to create great turmoil within the sales space of new and used cars. Zuffenhausen makes the world’s best sports cars, but it’s important for buyers of these products to feel the manufacturer is setting the highest standards of customer care, too.
Make no mistake, this problem also exists with Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mclaren and Aston Martin. Having round-tabled the issue myself, I can assure you a fair solution is trickier to determine than many prospective GT Porsche purchasers might expect. Even so, Porsche needs to revolutionise this space — it’s clearly not working for franchisees or their customers, and it is hurting our favourite brand in the process. I don’t see why Porsche can’t take the lead. As is always the way, other sports car makers would follow suit.
On the subject of GT Porsches, I know you love to know where the real numbers are on these cars. Here we are, then. Current transactional data on the new GT3 RS suggests £339,000 retail for Weissach-kitted cars with ceramic brakes and cages. You might pay a tickle more for no miles and heavier specification, but the days of these cars shifting for anywhere near £400,000 are done. My prediction is they hold at between £330,000 and £349,000 for the remainder of the year. My reasoning is that these are current products, the next iteration of GT3 RS is a long way off and we have a summer season of trackdays and road trips on the horizon.
Values of GT3S have crystallised between £159,000 and £185,000. Paint to Sample and Vat-qualifying cars are priced higher, but the majority of transacted numbers sit within the above range. Moreover, these 911s are staying in stock for more than thirty days if not priced aggressively. Porsche Centres might be willing to listen to an offer, but bear in mind many GT3S will represent a loss on the sales manager’s balance sheet. In other words, don’t expect miracles when trying to do a deal, but act before the arrival of spring.
718 Cayman GT4 RSS have now dropped to list price. Many of you have asked where 718 RS Spyders sit, but at theporschebuyer.com, we don’t yet have enough transactional data (onor off-market information) to make that call. My sense is that RS Spyders will sit in equity alongside the GT4 RS.
Lastly, defying expectation, January saw my team take multiple calls from Porsche Centres asking for more Taycan stock. As readers of my commentary about the worrying surplus of Taycans in Porsche Centre showrooms will know, this is something I certainly didn’t see coming. Is the tide finally turning? ●