Are US Dealers drowning in Base Macan?

25688 Views 110 Replies 41 Participants Last post by synergize, Oct 14, 2016

trusted

Discussion Starter · Sep 22, 2016

I'm not going to lie, I was never a fan of the introduction of the Base model in the US (and neither was my dealer as far as I can tell).
I feared that it was not going to sell, hurt the brand image and overall resale value of the Macan. What happens when $50K Base owners come in for their first $500 service and oil change? I can see some run screaming for the Audi, BMW or Benz dealerships across the street.
Although I have no hard evidence for the latter it sure as heck looks like Porsche is flooding dealer lots with the Base Macan. I can tell when looking at my local dealers. They usually don't have a lot of cars on the lot but both lately have a couple dozen Base just sitting around.
Finally looking at cars.com and seeing 1,350 new Base listed right now honestly worries me. Compared to 457 S, 375 GTS and 111 Turbo that just seems like an awful lot. Looks like they are not selling as expected by Porsche.

Thoughts anybody?

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Arnold_T

· #2 · Sep 22, 2016

I checked inventory online and the dealer in my town has 23 new 2017s in stock.

21 of those are the new 4-cyl base model! one is a Turbo, one is an S, and they have zero GTSs. I guess this means the new base model is going to be the biggest selling Porsche ever.

Too soon to tell, but I think they will have a hard time selling all those base models at the list prices, and will end up having to give big discounts to move them.

Reactions: 1

Cyclesafe

· #3 · Sep 22, 2016

The four cylinder certainly makes sense for countries that tax by engine displacement. The US is not one of them.

One reason given for the Cayman historically not selling is that the consumer didn't want to be perceived as not being able to buy a 911. Going to 4 cylinders with the 718 aggravates this. So also with the Macan "base"?

Perhaps we just too readily associate 4 cylinder cars with the ones that we drove (because we had to) when we started out in life?

Reactions: 3

PMSA7

· #4 · Sep 22, 2016

trusted said:
Thoughts anybody?

I keep noticing ads in the Boston Globe for base Macans.

Don't recall ever seeing ads for Macans in the past.

WHT TGR

· #5 · Sep 22, 2016

I think there are other more important things for me to worry about than a base Macan. Most will be optioned to the $55/$60K range and it still keeps the Macan less ubiquitous than the competition.

When the dust settles all will be balanced out. In the big picture of car life, Porsche is and will still be more of a niche brand and if not, I either stay with Porsche or I won't. Not going to loose sleep over it.

That's my two....

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Reactions: 4

Buckfever

· #6 · Sep 22, 2016

Looks that way to me too. And there's a lot of competition down there. The Q5 has a huge price advantage and is wildly popular around here.

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Magatama

· #7 · Sep 22, 2016

When the updated Q5's finally come out, you're going to really have to want the badge to get the base Macan over a Q5 or even an SQ5. Only reason I'm bothering with the Macan now is the GTS is pretty nice, and I'm tired of waiting for a new Q5 to replace our 2009. (Especially since I recently sold my R8)

Reactions: 2

bcgreen

· #8 · Sep 22, 2016

Magatama said:
When the updated Q5's finally come out, you're going to really have to want the badge to get the base Macan over a Q5 or even an SQ5. Only reason I'm bothering with the Macan now is the GTS is pretty nice, and I'm tired of waiting for a new Q5 to replace our 2009. (Especially since I recently sold my R8)

Have you seen any spy photos of the upcoming Q5?

vwgrrc

· #9 · Sep 22, 2016

Wait...WHAT??? $500 service and oil change? ------- Macan S owner's screaming

Reactions: 1

Panzerman

· #10 · Sep 22, 2016

bcgreen said:
Have you seen any spy photos of the upcoming Q5?

From what i know the updated Q5 will look exactly like the 2017 Q7 on both the exterior and interior. It will look more aggressive and muscular but in a subtle way.

As far as the base Macan not selling, i have to say IMO if they offered the Diesel it would sell like crazy. I drove one this summer in Vienna and was AMAZED at the torque!!!

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DenverDucati

· #11 · Sep 22, 2016

My local lots have tons and tons of the 2.0 models and virtually nothing else. It could go either way - make the S, GTS and Turbo a little stronger on the resale because they're harder to find (ideal), or they could end up diluting the model so much with the 2.0 it reduces overall demand for the Macan (and if they need to use discounts to move them that hurts all Macans). Only time will tell.

Reactions: 1

Arnold_T

· #12 · Sep 22, 2016

interesting article at First Drive: 2017 Porsche Macan | Driving

the author figures "The target demographic for this base Macan is fairly pegged as a 52- to 55-year-old woman. She’s got money – likely a household income in the CDN$350,000 range – and is a prestige buyer."

there a probably a fair number of empty-nester former-soccer-moms driving Audi, BMW, and Mercedes SUVs looking for something new. the challenge that Porsche has is getting the marketing machine going to reach that target demographic.

Buckfever

· #13 · Sep 22, 2016

Arnold_T said:
interesting article at First Drive: 2017 Porsche Macan | Driving

the author figures "The target demographic for this base Macan is fairly pegged as a 52- to 55-year-old woman. She’s got money – likely a household income in the CDN$350,000 range – and is a prestige buyer."

there a probably a fair number of empty-nester former-soccer-moms driving Audi, BMW, and Mercedes SUVs looking for something new. the challenge that Porsche has is getting the marketing machine going to reach that target demographic.

That targeting worries me. Because I don't know that the Porsche DNA resonates so robustly above an Audi to justify the premium for that segment, at least in the USA. Just based on my completely anecdotal POV.

Skinsfan

· #14 · Sep 22, 2016

Magatama said:
When the updated Q5's finally come out, you're going to really have to want the badge to get the base Macan over a Q5 or even an SQ5. Only reason I'm bothering with the Macan now is the GTS is pretty nice, and I'm tired of waiting for a new Q5 to replace our 2009. (Especially since I recently sold my R8)

I'm pretty sure this is why MOST of us bought a Porsche Macan over the competition in the first place.

If it was about the cost then maybe folks should buy something else (I almost got a 2017 C63S) since everything else in it's class is cheaper by far. If they are looking for performance and handling then this is the vehicle for them but if it's the cost then well maybe they are looking at or driving the wrong vehicle. :crying: I have seen a lot of folks buy a Macan and after a few months bail for various reasons but the main reason is because they couldn't afford the payment.

Reactions: 1

Hokie

· #15 · Sep 23, 2016

At my dealer, 14 out of 15 Macans are 4 cyl. I admit I'm a little 'queasy' about a 4 cyl 252 hp Macan. The 14 in inventory locally go up to $64k. I may sound like a P snob, but I think a Porsche Macan should represent something well above a well- optioned Audi Q 5 in luxury and performance - that's what we're paying for, right? I'm not sure the Base Macan does this. JMHO.

Reactions: 3

Thunder

· #16 · Sep 23, 2016

Maybe it was a good idea for countries where folks are taxed on displacement (frankly, I still think not), but I don't think that the base Macan was a good idea for the US market.

Actually, sorry, but I still think it was a colossally bad idea all the way around.

Reactions: 4

Hokie

· #17 · Sep 23, 2016

WHT TGR said:
I think there are other more important things for me to worry about than a base Macan. Most will be optioned to the $55/$60K range and it still keeps the Macan less ubiquitous than the competition.

When the dust settles all will be balanced out. In the big picture of car life, Porsche is and will still be more of a niche brand and if not, I either stay with Porsche or I won't. Not going to loose sleep over it.

That's my two....

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

@WHT TGR, you're selling yourself short; that's worth at least three...

Reactions: 1

Nylon

· #18 · Sep 23, 2016

Arnold_T said:
interesting article at First Drive: 2017 Porsche Macan | Driving

the author figures "The target demographic for this base Macan is fairly pegged as a 52- to 55-year-old woman. She’s got money – likely a household income in the CDN$350,000 range – and is a prestige buyer."

C$350k household income for a $50k car seems a little out of whack.

Reactions: 1

Arnold_T

· #19 · Sep 23, 2016

Nylon said:
C$350k household income for a $50k car seems a little out of whack.

Yeah, that's what I thought too, probably is lower. though in Canada the base starts at CDN$52500, but likely options up to $65K. And then there's the fees, and 13% sales tax(ouch!) which takes it up to $76K.

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Macanuck

· #20 · Sep 23, 2016

Only thing I can think of is that the Macan won't be the only car in the $350k household (which in Canada means a $200k take home). A $76k third car is about what you'd expect for that income bracket. A sports car and a winter car for the primary bread earner and a prestige grocery getter for the spouse.

My dealer lists a dozen 2.0 litre Macans but only 1 picture. I know they plan to use them as part of their fleet of service loaners, in addition to the Cayennes that we now get.

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