Porsche Canada most graciously offered me a one-month trial of the Porsche Drive subscription plan. Having already test driven the Taycan, the Panamera and the 911 recently, it was a pleasure to ‘try-on’ this service and experience all the plan has to offer.
In a nutshell, the all-inclusive subscription works somewhat like a traditional lease, but with additional, significant benefits that we’ve all come to expect with the luxurious Porsche brand. First, you choose which Porsche model you want (and trust me, that was the hardest part, they are all so fabulous and each so unique). I went with the Porsche 911 because to me it’s the epitome of the term ‘luxury sports car’; I knew it would be fun to drive and I chose a single-vehicle subscription. Multi-vehicle subscriptions are also an option.
My single-vehicle plan was for one month in duration, which included insurance, vehicle maintenance, seasonal tire change and ‘white-glove concierge’ service. I was allowed to drive my Porsche 911 for up to 2,500 km for the month, the activation (or joining) fee was $750, and the monthly Porsche Drive subscription rate for that particular model started at $3,950 +tax. Had I chosen the Taycan the monthly fee would start at $4,700 +tax, the Panamera starts in at $3,550 +tax per month, and each model’s rate varies slightly from the next.
The three-month plan waives that $750 activation fee so, there are those things to consider when choosing the subscription plan length that works best for you.
The ’white glove delivery’ means complimentary vehicle delivery and pick-up within 50 km of the nearest participating Porsche Drive partner dealership. That means less hassle, no arranging additional transportation to or from the dealership or juggling schedules which I found to be a real perk in this plan.
Photo from Porsche
I’m a fan of apps but only when they deliver what they promise seamlessly and effortlessly, and the Porsche Drive mobile app works like a charm to schedule deliveries and pick-ups from wherever I was within the service area, during the time period that worked best for me. An easy download onto my cell phone (available for both IOS and Android), then a digital application including my driving history added and I was good to go once approved. Every driver applying must be at least twenty-five years old and provide their driving record for review. Things were in the works, and I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel in a few days.
I wanted the vehicle to be delivered to my home when I first started the plan, but needed it picked up at the office when it was time for me to hand back the keys at the end of thirty days. Two different locations were not an issue at all for Porsche, which I much appreciated. I was advised in advance to put aside about half an hour when I first received the car to allow time for the Porsche expert to walk me around the car inside and out and explain all the features. That gave me much more confidence and I learned about a number of things the vehicle offers in a short, concise period of time.
When the Porsche Drive subscription term is up, you may want to purchase the model you have, but not the actual vehicle you were driving as that goes back into the Porsche Drive fleet which is rotated through other customers after detailing and complete maintenance. You may try out an alternate model with different features by starting up a new plan as well. Or, the multi-vehicle plan is a great option that gives a person the opportunity to have unlimited car swaps (the brand calls them flips) in a month, where you can cycle between multiple Porsche models. Another bonus with the multi-vehicle plan is that only a short notice is required by Porsche to get you the vehicle you want to flip to. Sure, the multi-vehicle plan is more expensive than the single-vehicle plan, but for some the flexibility benefits outweigh any additional costs.
Unlike a traditional car lease, which tend to be years in length, the Porsche Drive program means you only commit to the vehicle lease for one or three months. When either plan is close to concluding you can decide to cancel or renew.
The Porsche Drive vehicles available to access are both new and gently used, but the used ones were never owned by a previous customer, instead they belong to the Porsche Drive fleet. If I want my husband to be able to drive my Porsche Drive car as well, he is eligible if he meets the same criteria upon registration, and I can add him as a second driver. I loved the 911 so much let’s just say some real negotiation between us took place in order to convince me to hand him my keys.
Say you fall in love with the vehicle you have been driving on the Porsche Drive plan and want to purchase it, can you? The answer is no, not when it comes to that actual car, but the Porsche team will work closely with you to buy a similar model from their showroom or by ordering, as I mentioned they keep all the Porsche Drive cars within the fleet specifically for this program.
Naturally the topic of insurance is of utmost importance, and all approved drivers are covered by the Porsche Drive subscription insurance policy. $5,000,000 liability coverage and $2,500 deductible are standard. And as for pets? They are allowed inside the vehicle but only if kept in a crate, which I found perfectly reasonable and likely much safer. If in the unfortunate event that the vehicle is damaged, perhaps the rims scratched when parallel parking or even if an accident takes place, Porsche is with you all the way. They understand that life happens, and are reasonable, understanding and ensure your safety is first and foremost.
I couldn’t help but ask myself, who is the target market that Porsche is aiming to entice with this program? From what I can see by doing a little research, the customers interested in Porsche Drive really do vary and there is no stereotypical client. For some people, it’s being able to take as many different models as possible from the brand’s line up for more than just a quick test drive. It’s the opportunity to really get to know each car by spending some significant time driving it, in all kinds of weather conditions, road types (highway vs. city driving), and more. More information and a more meaningful experience make for a better-informed decision when it comes to buying.
For other folks, it’s a special occasion thing. Perhaps a luxury vehicle for that anniversary road trip or honeymoon is a wonderful way to remember it years from now, with photos and all. For some businesspeople impressing a visiting client they may need to shuttle around the city is in order, and taxis and ride shares just wouldn’t cut it. As well, I’ve heard some people are taking advantage of the subscription program so they can drive a Porsche while they wait for their pre-ordered vehicle to arrive at the dealership.
However it suits you, the program is ideal for many, and I’m most certainly a new fan.
