Hello all, I am new here..very nice forum.

I am about to bite the bullet on a new SE Hybrid and need advice.
Looking at a black one that will be shipped to the dealer from the port.
I have several questions..

1. Can I expect any discount off MSRP? This is my first Porsche. Do they negotiate or can I expect a "Carmax" experience? They have none on the lot currently.
2. I am buying this car without driving it. None available to test drive locally. Mistake?
3. Will I be able to get HOV sticker (for California owners)?
4. The reviews I have seen are a mixed bag. Is the SE hybrid a mistake, and should I be going for Panamera S instead? I have only driven the base, and the motor seemed anemic.

Thanks for your advice in advance!

 

You can get a discount. It really isn't that hard. If you want to come to S. Cal and order your car from my contact, I'd be more then glad to help.

Honestly, I've never been a fan of any hybrids in any model. I would go for the S instead especially since the PDK's mated with the new V6TT gets great gas mileage.

 

Thank you. I wish I could find one to drive locally .
It's difficult to tell how the S or the hybrid will drive by test driving only the base model.

 

Most Porsche dealerships are referenced by the Costco car buying service. You can use this as a starting point to break the ice. If you get stuck, start negotiating for free service for 4 years, clear bra, accessories. tire warranty, etc. Act like you are going to walk away and they may work with you.

 

Thanks. Going thru Costco is a good idea. I will investigate that.

If I end up ordering something, can I still negotiate the price?
And is negotiating the final price going to occur at the time of ordering, or at the point the car is delivered?
Do the Porsche dealerships require some payment at the time the order is placed?

Also any idea about the HOV sticker eligibility of the Hybrid (that is a big factor for me)? Half the dealers I have called say yes and the other half say no. The CA air quality board website does not list this car, but that could be because its so new...

 

I'm in N. Cal and have found that most of the dealers have at least 2-3 to test out. It's a lot of fun to drive, so you should definitely try one out. I am also wondering about the HOV sticker and am perplexed that it's not listed on the Calif site (a Cadillac plug-in is, by contrast). Got a $2,000 discount from the dealer.

 

Yes now the supply has improved. I think they were all stuck in port in San Diego when I wanted to drive one. I could not find anything positive on the HOV sticker.

Anyway, I ended up going for an SUV instead - Cayenne GTS.
The Panamera is a fun car to drive for sure. Maybe next time for me.

 

Congrats on the GTS. I really liked the Hybrid myself and would take it over a Panamera S.

Here is a review:
http://autohullut.fi/english/autohul...hybrid-review/

 

Test drove one yesterday. Impressive and disappointing. The acceleration is a little disappointing after driving a 997.2 C2S PDK for 5 years, but the transition back and forth between electric and gas modes is very impressive. The only way I could tell whether it was in all electric mode or not was to look at the tach. I was very surprised at times when it said 0 rpm.