In August of 2019, I had just beaten cancer and decided to go get a car that I had lusted over for 4 years: a Porsche Macan.
I picked up a single-owner 2015 Macan S with 49k mi from Carmax that they shipped in from Cali for me. It was the blue I wanted, the options I wanted and I was in heaven when I drove it. I only hand-washed it, invested in wheels and tires for the changing seasons, some interior upgrades, added conveniences like a tow hitch for my bike rack, maintained all the servicing, etc. Basically, I invested in the enjoyment.
View attachment 251819
During the 2.5 years I owned it, I put 13k miles on it. I also racked up $10k in repairs and servicing on the car. I was out of warranty when I bought the car and really should have explored options for a long extended warranty.
I took it to my local Euro indy for the scheduled services as they are 5 min away. I wasn't late for any of them. The closest Porsche dealer is 45 min away. A number of times, I would bring it into that dealer because my indy would diagnose an issue that shouldn't have happened and suggest I reach out to the dealer to see if they could help out at all. Like when my $1300 alternator went out, the dealer would say, "No way. Bring it in because I've never heard of that in my XX number of years here." Yeah. They confirmed the indy was right every time. And charged me a bit more to do the repair. My Macan has been towed 4 times since I have owned it due to random things going out making it undrivable. Another thing was a random coolant hose fitting snapped off. All on its own. Coolant sprayed everywhere and I pulled over and had it towed before the car overheated. Since then, I carried a container of coolant and emergency repair supplies in the car. Just in case.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. My best friend since high school lost his brother suddenly, so I pack up and jump in the Macan for a planned 9-hour road trip to attend the funeral. About 3 hours into the road trip, somewhere in eastern Nebraska, I get a burst of snow on the highway. I take this pic to show my wife the crazy visibility out. Note the readings on the right gauge. All seem normal. I drive with these up all the time since I just don't trust the car after the time I've owned it. I keep an eagle eye on them while I drive since I'm paranoid.
View attachment 251815
Within about 5 min the conditions are clear as day again. About 15 min or so later, I am still on the interstate behind a vehicle doing about 60 or so. I step on the accelerator when I have a moment to pass and right at that moment my vehicle brakes instantly. Almost like someone pulled the E-brake in traffic. A semi swerves to avoid railing right into me. Every warning light and screen pops up on the dash. So many screens cycle through within 2-3 seconds that I can't read them. The car is shaking incredibly hard like the entire car is locked up until I hear a crack and then the car starts coasting and the engine cuts immediately and smoke pours from the hood. Cars go around me as I am able to safely make it to the shoulder and finally push it off the road.
I get out, look under the hood and it's smoking pretty good. I notice the coolant empty and am instantly confused. Temps were normal. I just looked at the gauge. Did I blow a hose again? I grab some water and Porsche coolant out of the hatch, mix it 50/50, and attempt to top the car off. It instantly disappears and then I hear it pouring on the ground. I look under the car and see fluids pouring out from slots in the under panel. So I push the car forward 20 feet or so to get a better look at the fluids. All that coolant I just put in. And oil. Uh oh.
View attachment 251816
After a $1250 charge of my card and 2.5 hours of waiting in 30° weather in a car without heat, the tow truck picks me and the car up to take us back to Colorado. My wife and son pick me up halfway and the car is dropped off at my indy.
View attachment 251818
The next day, I get the bad news. #2 rod failed and the piston made a nice hole in the block. No external damage to the oil pan or anything. No flooding or anything. No idea why it could have failed. With 61k mi on the odo, they suggest I take it to Porsche. Again. Otherwise, I'm looking at $22k + tax to have a used motor with more miles installed.
I have it towed to the Porsche dealer the next day. "I've never seen this happen before." They quote me $5k to pull the motor and tear it down to find out what happened. "Porsche will need to know before they offer any help. They also will not cover this procedure to find the diagnosis." Uh, what? So $5k just to see if Porsche will help me out. And how much to have another motor put in?
$42,000.00 + tax.
OMG. And will Porsche help me out? "Highly unlikely." Why? Because I didn't buy the car new from Porsche. I didn't buy it used from a Porsche dealer. I needed to have purchased 2-3 cars from Porsche and all my servicing done at Porsche. The previous owner too. I
only had $6k in repairs on file with Porsche and the rest from my indy. But, even if Porsche did help, it would be maybe 50% at best. That still left more than I owed on the car. My heart broke because I knew I would never drive the car again.
This week I sold it as is to car brain. Afterwards, I was still out about another $7k so I paid it off and have cut my losses.