718 Life: A New Beginning

[lukesward]

Morning all,

Well this is it, the moment when my retrospectives become more introspective…or more precisely, more real-time. The past has caught up to the present and so I shift from re-posting, to just posting.

Finally. Finally. Finally. (October 13, 2023)

I’m awake before the alarm.

The long-awaited day has arrived. On a train departing at 5:55 am, we head to London to pick up our cars.

It’s a civilized way to travel, and though the rail infrastructure in Canada pales in comparison to Europe, it’s a nice callback to the train ride from Stuttgart to Leipzig. That part of the ‘chronicle’ seems far away now, and my focus turns to the Canadian element.

1205 days. That’s how long it’s been from conception to custody here in Canada. 40 months! But what a journey it’s been. In the context of global events, just two guys setting out to buy two sports cars. But personally, a huge part of our lives these past three and a third years!

Sitting on the train writing this I’m reflecting on that journey and the fellow beside me; my long-time (and long-suffering) companion on this adventure, and on many others over our 38 years of friendship.

Feels to me like I’m kicking off the next ‘great adventure’ - that of owning this car here, at home. Not some far-flung (and amazing) highways and byways of Europe, but here - on the streets where I live. There will be new avenues to explore. Like the first drive to work. The first outing to Calabogie Motorsports Park. The first day trip to the Adorondacks. The first wash in my driveway. The first trip to New Brunswick. Or Wolfville. Or California.

Friends to share this with. Family too. Sharing this is what makes it, and I can’t wait to get on with it. Three plus years ago Andrew kicked this off, and I’m indebted to him for the experiences to date. His encouragement, gentle prodding, outright direction - all of it has brought me to this point. Sitting on a train heading to pick up MY Porsche. If I go back and look at that first note I made after I committed to the endeavour:

Nov 13, 2020
Wow. Can't believe it. I just bought a Porsche. A Porsche. I. Just. Bought. A. Brand. New. Porsche. Wow.

Yep, the feeling still holds true. Wow indeed. So much lies ahead. This is just the beginning.

8 hours to go.

~ Luke

http://718life.blogspot.com

[blueline]

Congrats! Looking forward to more Luke and Andrew Adventure Posts - always a good read!

[WillyDaP]

The Canadian Conspirators commit to a cavalcade of concrete conquests culminating with written conversations as they careen around the North American Continent in their Caysters!

...........................we shall stay tuned to your witty wanderings and the next Chapter of the Porsches from the Provinces!

[Larry C]

Luke,
I can’t wait to hear about your further adventures. “What a long strange trip it’s been.”
Best,
Larry

[Stormy_Monday]

exciting day!

[Rosyposy]

Curious why you went to London for your car?

[lukesward]

Long story, spanning multiple years and multiple dealerships, but the coles notes are as follows:

• Summer 2020 began exploring getting a P-car, talking to multiple dealers about possibilities and prices
  Mark Motors in Ottawa wanted to charge us for European Delivery, and offer no discounts at all (remember, this was Summer 2020).

• Ended up ordering from PFAFF Motors in Toronto as they offered a 5% discount and no ED charge

• Gave up allocations with PFAFF in the midst of COVID as we could not travel to Germany summer 2021

• Miscommunications resulted in us being at the 'back of the line' (rather than just getting the next allocations)

• We explored moving up to GTS models - PFAFF had no interest in us

• Porsche London had met with us early and we had a good feel from them

• Ended up signing with PL and then waiting....and waiting.....

• All [came good in Nov 2022 with allocations for us together for ED

The rest is history...

[WillyDaP]

I imagine the PR you have given Porsche Centre London is beyond value and I know if I was part of that Dealership I would be documenting the story of you two on the company website. I hope pictures of both your cars and your adventure is soon to be hanging on their walls, and great to hear how well they took care of you guys.

[lukesward]

You would think so, wouldn’t you? But, no, that’s not really the case. I’ve given the wrong impression if it comes across that way. They got us the two allocations, at the same time for European Delivery, and in this day and age, that’s a good thing. Beyond that though…

[WillyDaP]

Well too bad they are asleep at the wheel, because Marketing wise they could not only reap rewards from such a unique story, they could even host a " Meet the Driver's Event " and if someone is even slightly awake it would take little effort to get the local Newspaper to do a big article on the Dealership and the trip you two took. I was in the automotive field for a long time and definitely no smarter than the next guy, but when I saw opportunities right in front of my face I shared or pushed them with the Dealership I was at , or even with Corporate. A Goldmine of free advertising and PR is apparently being lost because they don't want to use the pan lying in their hands ------ and the stream is already flowing with little sifting needed!!