Sapphire, Taycan or E-Tron GT

[RM-S8]

Regarding the Sapphire, I don't think Lucid offers any test drives.
Buy me a good, a very good single malt and I'll let you test drive mine

 

[xponents]

Buy me a good, a very good single malt and I'll let you test drive mine

I was going to take you up on the offer, but I got arrested in the process. Can you bail me out?

 

[RM-S8]

I was going to take you up on the offer, but I got arrested in the process. Can you bail me out?

If that would be your only offense, driving without DL...always.

 

[PaulS]

Probably fairer to say the E-Tron GT is a rebadged Taycan. But either way...the Audi is usually the less expensive way to go. Interestingly, I see a number of Taycans on the road but very few E-Tron GTs. Since they are essentially the same car, I would think that the difference is badge engineering.

VAGs production numbers, before the release of Taycan and E-Tron GT was 4x Taycan to E-Tron GTs.
As we have really dug into the J1 platform more, the only difference with the Taycan and E-Tron GT is software tuning. They are the exact same hardware

 

[PaulS]

If you will only test drive the Sapphire on 800HP mode because you're worried that it will ruin the other cars, that means you have already made up your mind and consider the Sapphire to be the better car. All of these cars are a bad financial investment, so why not buy the one you want most?

If I had a lot more money, I wouldn't mind losing that much money on a car. I really want a GMA T50, but can't afford it.
I've been wholesaling cars for a while and all of these Evs including the Sapphire will only lose more value in time. I prefer to hedge this by leasing at a reasonable rate, but I would prefer the Sapphire over the Porsche and Audi

 

[PaulS]

Yes!

It's the exact same hardware. The new 2 chamber suspension is developed by Porsche, including the new hydraulic active suspension competent.
This suspension is for the luxury segment of VAG, including Taycan, E-Tron GT, Panamera, Bentley. It will make it's way into other VAG cars as well.

Interesting enough the J1 platform which is the EV sports sedan platform used by the Taycan and E-Tron GT, is a highly modified Panamera chassis, with a ZF 2 speed transmission

More R&D will be done by Porsche and will trickle down to the rest of VAGs products, including battery/electric propulsion development through Rimac

 

[Unh00ked]

The new 2025 Taycan /e-Tron do look nice esp with the increased range.

 

[hmp10]

I know this is a factor for us. Walked into Porsche post-crash of our GT in a Kia Soul rental with the family. They made it abundantly clear that we were not wanted through complete disinterest of engagement.

I gave them a pass and came back several months later in our GT-P. They allowed me to sit in the Taycan 24'. That was about it. No offer of a test drive, and I didn't bother asking after almost 10-15 minutes in the car.

About ten years ago I was driving a Honda Odyssey when I decided to stop by a Mercedes dealership to check out a new AMG model I had read about. I was completely ignored by the sales people. A couple of weeks later I went back in my Audi R8 V10 Spyder. I could hardly get through the door for the sales people greeting me.

It's one of the reasons I love buying cars without having to deal with a dealer.

 

[Unh00ked]

About ten years ago I was driving a Honda Odyssey when I decided to stop by a Mercedes dealership to check out a new AMG model I had read about. I was completely ignored by the sales people. A couple of weeks later I went back in my Audi R8 V10 Spyder. I could hardly get through the door for the sales people greeting me.

It's one of the reasons I love buying cars without having to deal with a dealer.

It also irks me when they ask you, "so what do you currently drive?"

 

[translux]

If I had a lot more money, I wouldn't mind losing that much money on a car. I really want a GMA T50, but can't afford it.
I've been wholesaling cars for a while and all of these Evs including the Sapphire will only lose more value in time. I prefer to hedge this by leasing at a reasonable rate, but I would prefer the Sapphire over the Porsche and Audi

Yah I’d sell body parts and family members for a T.50. Speaking with Bruce Canepa a T.33 will really be the only possibility for the US. The T.50 is highly desirable and will require a Show or Display permit which from my experience takes the patience of a saint to acquire. Really none of this matters as there’s nothing available. My guess is after they’re delivered in 2025/2026 you’ll be able to acquire one for 2-3x on the secondary market. Which given the likely appreciation would still be a sound investment.

 

[translux]

It also irks me when they ask you, "so what do you currently drive?"

Before PC I’d tell them their mom last night. JK of course. If I don’t have a goto sales person I’ll show up in one of my work vehicles in work clothes. This usually allows me to avoid all the Jr staff and head right for a manger.

 

[Steveinarizona]

It also irks me when they ask you, "so what do you currently drive?"

Answer: a car.

I would march straight to the sales manager and tell him that I didn't want or accept bullshit and wanted a sales associate who would respond to me and not try to direct me. If he refused, or failed, I would walk (too hot right now to run) right out of the dealership.

If I were a serious buyer at the time, I would try emailing the sales manager in advance to set forth my expectations and requirements. If a dealership can't meet those requirements on the purchase of an expensive luxury item, I know I can't trust the same company to take care of me once I bought the car.

Or, of course, one could buy a Lucid (or similar) and avoid the dealership. But for many people that poses different problems as there may be no convenient service center for them. Here in Scottsdale, and some other cities, we are fortunate that we have both a design studio and a service center so we have the best of both worlds and the worst of neither!

 

[Unh00ked]

tbh, I never felt bothered, I do not expect to be treated one way or the other. If can I afford the car, I'll approach someone and get it done. I think it's just a script they follow. Eitherway I am thick skinned and don't care about judgement from others Never really cared what other folks thought about me ever. Lol

 

[PaulS]

Order in October and just got the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach. (No back seat)

I wish I could have tested the Sapphire, but it would cost me a refundable $25k.

Porsche dealer threw me the key to a Turbo GT and let me experience it by myself and I was sold.

I found out the real horse power is 1157hp to 200km, 1050hp after 200km.
I'll be upgrading it to have the full HP at all time without Attack Mode or Launch control

I love the color and the that it's a different felling experience vs any 4 door sedan

Anyone in Socal is invited to give it a spin. Just DM me

 

[knewman]

Order in October and just got the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach. (No back seat)

I wish I could have tested the Sapphire, but it would cost me a refundable $25k.

Porsche dealer threw me the key to a Turbo GT and let me experience it by myself and I was sold.

I found out the real horse power is 1157hp to 200km, 1050hp after 200km.
I'll be upgrading it to have the full HP at all time without Attack Mode or Launch control

I love the color and the that it's a different felling experience vs any 4 door sedan

Anyone in Socal is invited to give it a spin. Just DM me

Congrats man, that is an amazing machine! The color is absolutely gorgeous.

 

[boydracing]

Hands down Sapphire and would be to own. Lease for these cars are absurdly expensive. There is a reason most of the best drivers LOVE Lucid Sapphire for ultimate driving dynamics. I am down for you to give me a ride. I was a driving instructor for Porsche Club in the area.

 

[neuneleven]

Order in October and just got the Taycan Turbo GT with Weissach. (No back seat)

I wish I could have tested the Sapphire, but it would cost me a refundable $25k.

Beautiful. Enjoy, and create wonderful memories! You still need to get hands on a Sapphire so you can give us a comparo!

 

[Steveinarizona]

Porsche will never throw up good leases, even on the 2025s. They'd rather not sell than devalue their brand. They've turned into the Rolex of automakers. Make everything appear expensive and hard to attain, even if it's not (like the Taycans).

Which, as PaulS stated, is why the Audi is such an attractive alternative since it is really the same thing as the Porsche.

 

[scal_air]

There was some speculation that the Audi E-tron was being revamped to look more like the old TT than a Taycan. I posted a link in the general automotive forum...
Ah found it!

The New Audi TT Will Be The Brand's Most Important Car Since The R8

The new Audi TT, recast as an EV, will once again be the brand's design and technology halo car.

carbuzz.com