If you’re a Porsche enthusiast, you know very well what the “Porsche experience” is all about. 

It’s not just the precision engineering or the iconic sculpted design that turns heads.  It’s the feeling of getting behind the wheel and hearing that signature growl of the engine and the feeling of being connected to something greater.   To many, it’s an experience like none other.

 

Now Porsche Bakersfield plans to take that experience to the next level … from “dream to driveway” so to speak.  If you haven’t had a chance to discover their New Porsche Destination Center in the Bakersfield Auto Mall, you’re in for a real treat when you do.  And believe me, you won’t miss it when you get close.  It’s next door to their previous dealership on the corner of Wible Rd. & Auto Mall Drive.  The sleek, modern behemoth of a building stands out and seems to shout, “a completely redesigned experience.”  

 

Every element of the dealership has been thoughtfully designed to create a seamless, immersive experience that mirrors the sophistication and excitement of Porsche itself. You will quickly discover that the focus isn’t just on the car—it’s on you.   From the moment the front glass doors open for you, you’re going to step inside and say, “wow!”  The cavernous interior is three stories tall … yet another indication of a whole new experience.  

 

You’ll likely be greeted by Leah, their Porsche Pro, who will quickly engage you in friendly conversation to assess what your particular needs—or desires—are.  Need a sales consultant (they’re not waiting there to pounce on you as soon as you walk in)? She’ll call someone to the front for you.  Just want to linger and perhaps drool over the newest models on the showroom floor? She’ll offer you a refreshment and let you relax and explore.  Have a question about a service need?  Their Porsche service experts are a mere few feet away in their beautiful, air conditioned service department that you can actually observe from the showroom floor.   Before I get back to the rest of the experience, let me just divert for a minute to give a shout out to Dennis Arriola, their Gold Level Master Porsche Technician who has been with them for 46 years … you heard that right … 46!  He knows these cars inside & out as if they are his own kids.  Porsche regularly turns to him to tackle some of their more complex service “challenges” from around the region and he's right here in Bakersfield.  He is definitely part of the Porsche experience and wants to make sure that your car, however new or old, is everything you want it to be.

 

Porsche has been on a mission in recent years to expand the models and selection that is available to just about any kind of Porsche driver … be it a new-to-the-brand buyer, a long-time Porsche Club enthusiast, or even a Porsche collector. They have everything from their iconic 911 and Boxster sports cars, to grand touring and performance sedans like the Taycan, and SUVs like the Macan and Cayenne … from gas powered, to hybrid, to fully electric. 

 

Beyond the cars, the team at Porsche Bakersfield, from Director of Operations, Ren Briones (one of your Seven Oaks neighbors), to sales consultants, to service experts, the emphasis really is on the overall experience.  This is not one of those situations where you’re handed the keys after a purchase and sent on your way. They understand the thrill of owning a Porsche and as Sal Ahmed, General Sales Manager explained to me, “It’s an exciting moment, so we do a lot of surprising delights. We’ll break out the celebratory cake, or if a customer tells us that it’s his wife’s birthday or their anniversary, we’ll make sure to get some champagne & balloons for the occasion.”

 

The sales experience doesn’t end at the dealership either. It includes a detailed walk-through of the car’s features, and a follow-up visit at your home from Leah, their Certified Porsche Pro, to help you program the car’s operational controls—like your garage or gate—so your life is easier from the moment your Porsche comes home.

 

I could go on and on here in this story, but it is by far best experienced in person. Simply drop by the dealership one of these days, walk in and say hi to Leah (tell her you read this story), and let her show you around.  It will be an unmistakable surprise.  As Ren said to me recently, “we’re here —and you can’t miss us.”  He’s right. There is no mistaking the intentions of Porsche Bakersfield and the Porsche brand.  They’re here—and they’re ready to welcome you into the Porsche experience for yourself.