You’re Supposed to Test-Drive a Car Before You Buy It

I grew up with parents who had absolutely no interest in cars (though, ironically, my older brother is a born-and-bred Subaru enthusiast, and I write a car blog) . Even they took a car for a test drive when it was time to replace theirs, so I always thought you were supposed to test-drive a car before buying it.

But not long after Porsche arrived in our family, I often heard our Porsche dealer’s sales staff say things like:

“The new ◯◯ is coming out soon, and we’ve already taken some early orders.”

I was so surprised that I blurted out, “How can someone place an order without even test-driving it or seeing the actual car?” At the time, I assumed it was probably some wealthy person with money to burn, thinking, “I might as well buy the latest Porsche while I’m at it.”

Now that I’ve gradually come to know Porsche better, I think I understand why.

What Never Changes

I think when current Porsche owners order another Porsche without seeing or test-driving it, it’s a sign of their trust in the brand.

In a special program about Porsche’s roots that aired on BS Fuji, the director of the Porsche Museum in Gmünd, Austria, said:

“When I first bought and drove a used Porsche as a teenager, I felt something I could hardly put into words. It was as if I had become one with the car.”

That’s the same feeling people experience the first time they drive a Porsche today, 70 years later. Porsche builds sports cars that stir the driver’s soul. That hasn’t changed with time. The world has changed enormously, and people’s needs when it comes to cars have diversified. With rival automakers bringing out new models one after another, maintaining such a consistent identity is no small feat.

And What Keeps Evolving

At the same time, Porsche never stops evolving. Our family used to own a 970 Panamera Edition. It was already more than capable: a joy to drive on the Royu Driveway, smooth on the highway, and rewarding with the best possible driving experience in every situation. My husband and I had absolutely nothing to complain about.

So when the new Panamera was announced, I honestly thought, “There’s no way it can be better than the one we have now.”

Then we went to test-drive the new Panamera, and I knew within two seconds:

“This has completely surpassed the previous model.”

I could tell the new Panamera wasn’t simply an extension of the previous one. By starting from scratch, Porsche had created a car that went far beyond its predecessor.

Changing Without Losing What Makes It Porsche

Porsche preserves its identity while continually moving forward.

That’s no easy feat, but Porsche owners know the next model won’t let them down—in fact, it’s likely to exceed their expectations. That’s probably why they’re willing to place an order without a test drive. (Maybe the limited production numbers and the fact that these cars hold their value also have something to do with it.)

Apparently, people are already placing orders for the much-talked-about “new Boxster Spyder,” even though it’s not yet clear whether it will actually go on sale. And it seems my husband has quietly put in an order already, too.

Honestly, Porsche really is an incredible company.