Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 5:45 am
Classic Line Insurance


All times are UTC [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
 Post subject: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:29 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:03 pm
Posts: 527
Location: N/E Herts
TIPEC membership: 5565
Skype ID: ukmastiff
Pull up a seat,

Being as I am looking for one of several Porsche includng a 968 , I decided to go and look at one in stock at Adventure Autos of Nothamptonshire.

" All our cars are prepared fastidiously well, both mechanically and aesthetically. They are only presented for sale when we are confident that they can meet the very high standards necessary to be on display at our showroom. Each car is offered with the following: RAC inspected , serviced , 12 months MOT "

The car in question is an import J-reg silver collour tiptronic with about 115,000 miles on the clock ( all be in in KMS). THe car has been in their showroom for at least 2 months to my knowledge I think far longer.

I am not put off by imports and have had a jap import before which was a well looked after car and I still believe you can get abargain because of other folk being put off of them. Anyway I e-mailed a few questions and got a few polite replies and since import in 1993 i was mailed the following.

23.4.2003 @ 77367 km porsche engineers in essex
29.4.2004 @ 93600 km same as above
27.5.2005 @110625 km porsche specialist
23.5.2006 @130592 km as above
15.6.2007 @ 149287 km as above
5.6.2008 @161723 km as above
27.5.09 @ 178462 as above (last service)

A quick HPI check showed that the service was done on the date of registration and since the car has had only 2 owners in the U.K this was a sign to me that the car may have been looked after. Worth a view and possibly a punt for the price.

I made an appointment to visit the dealers today and made eit clear I was coming over an hour and a half drive and if the car was straight as described I would lkely purchase
( 100 percent true in my case) , anyway having had wrong directions
(from Googlemap believe it or not) I ebventually got there and had a look over the car.
It seemd very clean indeed inside and out , the engine looked steam cleaned or similar and the oil was clearly 'as new' like it was striaght out of the can. Strange as it hadnt been serviced for 200km and several months I have never seen this before.

The service history was ALL by stamp with a little circular stamp that said " porsche specialist no name or town just " Porsche Specialist " , I also noticed that the words to say belt change done were written over the stamp not the other way round !

Not one bit of paper with the service book for so much as a tyre , just the book and some MOT's , I thought this a little strange together with the stamps mentioned, would someone who services the car every year without fail since import keep nothing ? , must have been lost ( but not the book).


Well even so it looked great so ready to drive the car having travelled 2 hours in the end and pre booked my appointment. No says the sales lady and owners daughter.
You didnt ask for a test drive , hold on I said I told you I was driving up to 2 hours to view and would buy the car if it was good and you dont expect me to drive the car.
" No most of our customers commit buy and pay a deposit without having driven the car " you pay a deposit now and drive it when you pick it up. When I pointed out it was 18 years old and I would be mad to commit to buy without hearing the gearbox drive etc the two ladies changed their tone and tried to pressure me , no one has successfully done that since I was about 7.

Also I was told the car had MOT until June 09 and I noted it had not been RAC inspected, however one of the attractions to this car and dealer was a proud boast on their website " All cars RAC inspected , serviced and a full years MOT "

Did I buy the car ? , no I walked away.

Regards Mas

_________________

~~~ 1985 Zermatt 944 Turbo , She's back ~~
~~~ Black 1987 944 Turbo (sold) ~~~
~~~ 1985 Zermatt 944 Turbo (sold) ~~~
~~~ Volvo V70 T5 ~~~~

~~~~ MG ZT cdti manual Silver ~~~
http://hertsclassics.blogspot.com/


Last edited by Mas on Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:02 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 4:36 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 5:05 pm
Posts: 755
Location: Hartlepool
TIPEC membership: 1007
Skype ID: stepa1007
Mas

I think you were 100% right to walk away mate!

Stephen

_________________
Stepa1007
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)
1995 928 GTS auto (Ameretti Violet)
Member since 1996
Club Chairman 1999 - early 2005
North East RO 1996 - 2002
North East ARO 2002 - 2005
TiPEC LIFE MEMBER


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 5:36 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:56 pm
Posts: 841
Location: Henstridge, South Somerset
TIPEC membership: 4468
Too right Mas, what a way to do business. I take it it's the silver car on PH @ £6k. The blue one at RPM should be better as they have a very good reputation from other posts on here or the black one at Strasse as I've dealt with them on some bits they had for sale and they were very very helpful. Think JMG still has his black 968 sport for sale aswell :wink:

_________________
JMG tuned Baltic Blue 944 turbo SE
Just got it running right after 3 years then crashed it AAAAARRRRRRRRGH
Now gone but at least I owned my dream car. R.I.P Blue Rocket
Nissan R33 GTR V-Spec now sits where Blue Rocket once stood


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:20 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:03 pm
Posts: 527
Location: N/E Herts
TIPEC membership: 5565
Skype ID: ukmastiff
The blue one at RPM was left hand drive m8ee , I was there the other day as per my post they seemed decent people to me I agree. I want a coupe not a sport or club sport TBH, though I have to say I'm genuinely so miffed with all these people and all this shinanigens I'm thinking is it really worth it I genuinely am.

I've booked my tickets for Sunday at the classic show at NEC now too :blackeye:

Cheers Mas

_________________

~~~ 1985 Zermatt 944 Turbo , She's back ~~
~~~ Black 1987 944 Turbo (sold) ~~~
~~~ 1985 Zermatt 944 Turbo (sold) ~~~
~~~ Volvo V70 T5 ~~~~

~~~~ MG ZT cdti manual Silver ~~~
http://hertsclassics.blogspot.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 6:43 pm 
Offline
User avatar

Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2007 4:15 pm
Posts: 2411
Location: BOURNEMOUTH
Hi :)

Interesting story, and when they wouldn't let you test drive it....I would have RUN away, not walked lol....

What reason did they give for not allowing you to test drive it ?

All the best Brett :)

_________________
928S2 AUTO V8 4.7 1986-XPIPES ANDERSON RACE EXHAUST,K&N, WIZARDS OF NOS MAXX RACE CONTROLLER & WON RACE REVO NITROUS KIT 2000 HP CAPABLE.
-UK 928 1/4 Mile and Top Speed Record Holder-208.10 mph- Email managingdirector@pchealthcare.co.uk


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sat Oct 17, 2009 7:35 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun Aug 23, 2009 10:03 pm
Posts: 527
Location: N/E Herts
TIPEC membership: 5565
Skype ID: ukmastiff
Apparently even though I booked the appointment to attend re that specific car and stated I would probably want to buy it if it was as described/straight I didnt actually say " I'll want to drive the car " you have to use those specific words apparently.

Strange because I'm a 44 year old professional chap who has owned cars new and old from leyland to BMW and Porsche.
( having purchased in excess of twenty cars in my lifetime including many new ones)
I have never been told you need to commit to buy and pay a deposit before test drive , I am 'apparently' out of touch with reality and unreasonable in my expectation :roll:

Never mind the lack of promised RAC inspection , 'unusually sparce service records' etc , I didnt need convincing to leave test drive or not. The sad thing is there is always someone to buy just about any dealers car if it looks the part lets be honest, it will sell and they know it probbaly o sopme young lad ( sorry young folk) excited sabout getting a 'Porsche'.
Check out my e-bay experience later in the same day astonishing that one :?

Regards Mas

_________________

~~~ 1985 Zermatt 944 Turbo , She's back ~~
~~~ Black 1987 944 Turbo (sold) ~~~
~~~ 1985 Zermatt 944 Turbo (sold) ~~~
~~~ Volvo V70 T5 ~~~~

~~~~ MG ZT cdti manual Silver ~~~
http://hertsclassics.blogspot.com/


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 1:29 am 
Offline

Joined: Fri Aug 21, 2009 12:58 am
Posts: 1296
Location: Warwickshire
IME, if you get bad service/something smells very fishy, you should walk away, despite the temptations. This hasn't failed me in most times, but once or twice it has tested me (Porsche was from a nice place, despite the major problem it's done 6,000 trouble free miles, my Peugeot 306 GTi came from a half decent guy (despite being hard on haggling!) but again that was half decent).

I've once been in that situation like you have. I was buying an Escrote XR3i Cabrio Mk4 between me and some mates for £300, and the guy refused to let me test drive it without a deposit even when I said he could come with me and his mate...). I paid for it on a risk. Besides the driveshaft and shit tyres I wasn't badly stung. But it did indicate to me that he wanted shot of it. Similar thing (I didn't buy) happened with a ropey Saab. Maybe Adventure Autos wanted shot of the car as something was pretty severely wrong with it.

_________________
The member otherwise known as Chas

Ex Owner of a 1989 944 S2 and a 1991 944 Turbo (Ex Andrew Sweetenaham (ProMax) car)

Now Porkerless! Now with a 2003 BMW M3 and 1991 Mercedes W124 250D


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 10:06 am 
Offline

Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2007 7:24 pm
Posts: 3008
Location: Halifax
TIPEC membership: 4636
They sell those service stamps on ebay. You can buy a new blank service book as well. Never trust a service record!

_________________
944 lux, Eco car. Off the road more than it's on!
Audi 2.0 TDI Good but rather boring..........
944 now sold.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:02 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Dec 24, 2007 10:46 pm
Posts: 951
Location: Doncaster
couldnt agree more, all that service record stuff can be easily faked. Best to rely on hard facts ie does it leak? does it smoke? tyre wear etc. :)

_________________
1984 944 2.5 8v The Fastest Colour


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 9:45 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2007 10:20 pm
Posts: 5427
Location: Tamworth
TIPEC membership: 4260
J.J. wrote:
They sell those service stamps on ebay. You can buy a new blank service book as well. Never trust a service record!


you can have your own stamp made up at any print shop to any design of your choice

_________________
1986 911 Supersport in Silver (the new red).
2023 Hyundai Tucson in dark grey.
2014 Mazda 2, ZOOM ZOOM, its the wifeys, honest !


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:20 pm 
Offline

Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 1:09 pm
Posts: 1
TIPEC membership: 0
Skype ID: wobblypobs
oh dear I wish I had read this sorry tail before I purchased an X5 from the shambles of a company you refer to above. However it it too late for me, they took me for a real fool. I purchased the X5 in Feb 09 and foolishly believed the story of "wollastons have just forgotten to stamp the service history book, I'll take it to them and get it stamped and posted onto you - yes we have all our cars serviced at wollastons to the highest standard, and that car will be like new when you pick it up".

I did get the test drive I asked for probably because "they saw me coming" !! :(

It has taken 8 months of emails and telephone calls and one successful court case for me to get money out of this company. They did not want to know once I had handed over my money, they didnt want to go to court either and it was very clear from inside the court room that they are a complete shambles and have not a clue how to run a business, or stand up for themselves in court for that matter.

So beware all you prospective buyers - you should not go within a mile of this company. I have now learned the hard way - what to do when buying a car - check everying twice and check with 3rd parties and if you smell a rat turn and run !!! :oops:


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:40 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:38 pm
Posts: 4
TIPEC membership: 0
Hi - just thought I'd add my comments on Adventure Autos - I too spent 4 hours in my car to go and view a car with them, only to be refused a test drive despite making an appointment. They then called me a twat. You can read my full review at http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews236120.html

I suggest you add your review to the review centre, as it'll appear on the 1st page of google and hopefully save others the bother of wasting their time with this company.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:49 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:38 pm
Posts: 4
TIPEC membership: 0
I too wish I had seen this post. My story is similar - I called on Wednesday, as made clear it was a 4 hour round trip for me to see the car (BMW Club Sport) . I agreed a price based on part ex, and made an appointment.

Got there, viewed the car, and hit a wall when asked for a test drive. It seems they expected me to buy the car before allowing me to drive it. I was also called a twat when I thanked them for wasting my time.

You can read my full review at http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews236120.html

I suggest the other posters here that had similar trouble put their review on the review centre - it'll come up on 1st page of google for their company name, and hopefull save other people wasting their time.

***oops double post - sorry! ***


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:40 pm 
Offline

Joined: Sun May 31, 2009 4:59 pm
Posts: 924
Location: Bath, UK
TIPEC membership: 5406
Very odd way to do business. Did they give an actual reason for not letting you test the car? i.e your not insured, we don't think your serious etc?

I notice the 968 is still for sale.

Amazes me these people are still in business. I worked for Autotrader many years ago and there were quite a few dealers who did it as a hobby and didn't seem to be that nothered about actually selling the cars.
I remember a story from a collegue who was in a classic car dealers showroom when a guy with long hair and scruffily dressed shows an interest in a £60k+ E Type. The dealer wasn't interested and he went on his way. My collegue then mentioned he was one of the guys from Status Quo or some other massive band from the 80's. (Can't remember who it was) .... Oh well ..

_________________
1985 928 S2 Iris Blue
2006 A6 3.0 Quattro
2003 4.7 H.O Grand Cherokee

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 944 Lux
1988 944 Lux

Location - Near Bath in South West


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
 Post subject: Re: Adventure Autos Northamptonshire, a sorry tail
PostPosted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:47 pm 
Offline

Joined: Fri Feb 12, 2010 2:38 pm
Posts: 4
TIPEC membership: 0
Hi - the reason they gave is that i made an appointment to 'view' the car and didnt' mention I wanted to drive it. i would have thought making an appointment, and driving 2 hours is pretty obvious!!

They had 2 cars in the way, and said it's too much hassle. Looking online today, I've seen various similar stories where they wont let you test drive the car. When I called them this morning, they say they need a deposit and I can drive the car once I've bought it.

It's not as if I'm a young hooligan either, I'm 32 years old, went there straight from work in my suit, in another BMW.

There's also stories online where they've faked service histories and been taken to court.

Glad I walked away.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 18 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 8 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group