Last Sunday I signed papers and paid deposit for new 2008 Cayman S.
I was to take delivery the following Wednesday.
Got a call from the salesman on Wednesday morning telling me he found one inch scratch on the from bumper. Talk about disapointment on my part.
Salesman told me they would have painter fix scratch on Thursday at the dealership and have it ready on Saturday.
I went to dealership to see the car after paint job. Paint job was done poorly.
Dirt in paint not a match. The car had yet to be buffed out. But salesman told me to take delivery of the car. I refused because under state law in California. Once I take delivery o the car and drive it off the lot the sale is completed. Car is Guards Red.
Dealer told me they would send car to paint shop and get it done right the second time.
I am fed up and want my deposit back and out of the deal.
Dealer has refused me.
What advice can you give me?
1) Should I have confidence in newly painted bumper the second time around?
2) I don't want a new car that has paint work on it. Not sure it will ever be right.
3) Am I over reacting here ?
4) What would you do ?
Thanks

I don't think you have anything to lose by letting them try a second time to fix/repaint the scratch. You can always walk away if the second try doesn't work. But my guess is that they will get it right. Most people would be surprised at the little repairs done to cars due to shipping and dealer handling before they are sold. Usually they cannot be detected. I wouldn't hesitate to accept the car if I couldn't see the repair. Remember that because of material differences that there will be slight differences in the color of the bumper and rest of the car so compare some other new cars before making your decision. Best of luck but don't worry to much and you should be thankful your salesperson was up front with you. Some would not have done that.

After the second paint job, have the dealer through in a clear bra on the front bumper. You can save the paint on the whole bumper and any slight color differences can be chalk up to the clear bra.

As Santa Fe has said above - there are slight color differences between the different kinds of paint used to paint the plastic on the bumper covers and the metal on the rest of the car. It's most apparent in the Guards Red and the Yellow cars. When at the dealer, take a look in the bright sunlight at other cars on the lot that are these colors and you'll see this very slight difference. Don't mistake this difference on the new, 2nd round paint job with being a bad job. If they have it done at a good body shop, I doubt you'll see the repair.

If it's not to your satisfaction, ask for your deposit back. Under CA law, they have to give your deposit back if the deal doesn't go through.

brad

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21-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

That's an excellent idea since the clear bra is pretty close to being a requirement unless you have some sort of force-field around your Cayman.

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Brett

2008 Cayman S Arctic Silver, Carrera Red full leather, Carbon Fiber package, Xenons, Carrera 19" Sport wheels, short shifter, heated seats, Mods4Cars remote, clear bra, fire extinguisher, Techart pedals

Some interior carbon fiber pics: ClickMe!

Smart on your part and a bit conniving on the salesperson's part as the vehicle should have been done correctly, and by the right people (the paint shop) to begin with and not being sent-off like now as it should have been in the first place. May I ask which dealer it is?

The tone for your next visit is already embedded and only you can change it if you decide. Right now you are not comfortable with the deal.

The dealer is violating the law, and the Porsche dealership knows it. Do not drive it off the lot even for test drive or at this point it will be legally yours. It is your choice whether you want to unwind the deal or further negotiate. If you negotiate for some goodies make sure you receive them before leaving the lot and not allow them to order them for you—even if they put it in writing.

Santa Fe is correct. Cars occasionally arrive at the dealership with scratches and dings. They get fixed. You never know it. However, I can certainly understand how you are feeling. We all want our new cars to be perfect.

As far as the clear bra goes I would wait a while to put one on the car . . . at least until the paint has cured.

And like several others have said, don't take the car until you are completely satisfied.

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Porsche Cayman 2.7
Mercedes E320 Bluetec
Ducati Paul Smart LE
BMW R1200GS

I know how you feel. My car had a tiny scratch at the door handle and the passenger seat wasn't working right. They fixed it before I took delivery, but I really wanted my car to be perfect as well.

Since then (one week) I found some tiny touch up work on the passenger door.

But I decided to let go of my OCD habits and let it be. The reality is that cars are getting handled before they sell them and sh*%t happens. And the sad truth is, that I will have many more dings and rock chips on my little baby before the end of the year.

I decided to enjoy my porsche as a daily driver (even in winter) and if I stress out every time I inspect the car for swirl marks, dings, etc I will never be happy.

Just my two cents.

P.S. The amount of brake dust on my rims is killing me!

I had a small 1 in. scratch that was pretty deep upon delivery. The dealer was very good about it and had it taken care of. You would never know it was there. The key is having it done right and not as cheap as possible (meaning the dealer.) I was told by a body shop that deals with Porsche and other new car dealers that a substantial part of their business is fixing delivery scratches, dings and dents. The dealer only has to report damge to the customer after a certain dollar amount. I forget the number but it was substantial (over $1500. if I remember correctly.) He said it is a very common occurance in the industry. I am like you and want it perfect and I hate to mess with factory paint but my 07 is fine and looks perfect!

as expected on deliveries.
most dealers do minor repairs before giving it off to you.
that's why you should always make a thorough look around before leaving the lot.

Very few dealers actually own a bodyshop, they usually have a shop they work with with the repairs. Probably one that is factory certified, mostly the certification having to do with the collision aspect of the repairs. If the car was at the dealer and was not buffed, I am guessing that they simply contracted one of those mobile paint services, which never do a decent job. In order to paint, even a scratch on a bumper, the entire assembly has to be removed and painted off the car. Dirt and some minor imperfections can be handled by color sanding and buffing. It is very difficult to get the color "perfect", even the factory can't (they also paint the bumpers - proper name is front fascia - off the car). The repair shop has to be held to about the same standards... close not perfect. One of the problems that you may have with a repainted bumper, is that most shops do not use the "flex additive" on the clear. This prevents the paint (which is mostly clear) from cracking when bumping into something. The paint "gives" with the plastic. Without it you are going to be back in the body shop anytime you slightly bump your car with large spider cracks on the clear. I would inspect the edges of the bumper for signs of masking (there should be none), and also push on it with my hands, the paint should take a minor push without leaving any lines.
A lot of new cars are delivered with repairs, that is "acceptable" what is not acceptable is a bad repair.
Why bodyshops fail to use the flex agent? : the clear takes longer to dry, and in that business, booth time is king.

How do I know this? I evoke the 5th amendment!

How can you tell if the flex additive has been included? Is there a simple way to determine which body shops take the extra time to do good work, other than simply taking their word for it?

I don't know of any good way - other than pushing on it, if it cracks = no additive. The other benefit of having it, is that prevents road chips from cracking the paint severely. There is also a special additive that goes on the hood that minimizes the rock chips. You can always tell a repaint that way - but then it is too late.

Insisting to be applied better your chances, but does not guarantee it. There is almost always a breakdown in communtication, between the service writer and the technician. The owner of the shop has to stay on top of it.

Never say never. I bought a silver Audi A6. Before I took delivery I noticed a small scratch under the rear door. The dealership said that they would fix it and if I didn't like the fix they would let me out of the deal. They brought in one of those mobil paint services. When they were finished I could not find the scratch. And I am very particular when it comes to my cars.

I still agree with you. I would just say that you hardly ever find a mobil paint service that does a decent job.

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Porsche Cayman 2.7
Mercedes E320 Bluetec
Ducati Paul Smart LE
BMW R1200GS