The Hunt

[Dr_Strangelove]

Wheels looks like Victor Innsbruck

Not that this matters since he passed on the car - but they were TechArt Formulas. Source: My avatar.

[FRUNKenstein]

Really no need to replace the IMS bearing on a '99.
With 155,000 miles on it, I wouldn't do a bunch of preventative maintenance - you fix stuff when it breaks.

[JohnIreland]

Well my wife got very upset with the idea that I'd get in a crowded plane and fly...the COVID19...and the latest news of residual organ damage...has her really upset. She just finished her third radiation treatment a few months ago and she doesn't want me to kill her with my Porsche hunting. I can't argue with her...she is more important to me. So I email the guy that I wasn't coming up. Low and behold, he emails back that he has to come down next week and he's happy to drive the car down, if I'm interested.

I jumped at it. Said I couldn't commit to buying it until I see it in the flesh and drive it, but that I am very very interested, and if I do buy it, I'll pay for his one way rental car home. He might even make the trip this weekend.

Well this would give me a chance to see the car hot and wet from the highway, and test drive it on my own local roads...Mulholland Drive and the canyons.

A long and well owned and driven car is exactly what I've been looking for. It could be pink and I wouldn't care as long as the bones and mechanicals are honest. I would give it new pads and serpentine belt and air filter, and a general inspection for what the future might need. Then give it a real detailing...clay bar and good wax...ect., and then just drive it.

So I'll soon have more news.

[gnat]

A long owned car and that the owner is confident enough to drive it from SF to LA are pretty good signs I'd say.

Good call listening to the wife, this virus isn't something to toy with.

[JohnIreland]

Here are pictures. He also sent me a video of the oil gauge with the engine at full temp, at idle, and then running up the revs to 5000 rpm. The pressure was great. First sold 6/1/1998 in Colorado...so I'm guessing a Mar. 98 build date.

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1999_porsche_911-pic.jpeg (129.14 KiB) Viewed 2106 times

1999_porsche_911-pic a.jpeg (82.84 KiB) Viewed 2106 times

[5chn3ll]

Good choice not flying. I drove w/ my 78-year-old father up to Napa and back a couple of months ago to keep him from flying. He's in great health, but his wife is a fragile cancer survivor...no need to take that risk.

[JohnIreland]

Well the car is gone. The seller found a buyer local to him and did the deal today. Such is life. A quick scan of the seven or so car selling websites shows nothing I'd want in a 500 mile radius. Time to sit back and wait for one to show up.

[Dr_Strangelove]

c62a8c3fe16179e0b159fcc36ebf2981.jpg (67.73 KiB) Viewed 2075 times

[FRUNKenstein]

^ This. Time is on your side. I keep telling myself that same thing now that I'm looking for a 914. The bid prices on 914s on BaT are ludicrous at the moment - and even worse is that the last 2 on there have been "Reserve Not Met."

[JohnIreland]

Cars that I've passed on, for various reasons, are still out there and for sale at their same prices. BaT is like a fluffer in porno...driving everything up. What's also amazing is that when I try to contact some of the sellers on sites like Carsguru and KBB and Cars.com, they never reply, and yet the car is still posted for sale on multiple websites. There are a couple dealers only miles away from me with truly neglected cars. They are asking just over 19k and just under 18k...and I wouldn't pay more than 10k for either.

I almost caved and went for a 99 Guards Red Cab with the hardtop...but a Cab hardtop just isn't the same as a coupe. Also, after driving a couple of cars with the short throw shift linkage, I'm trying to avoid those...at least aftermarket ones.