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Dealership Service Department Experience Makes a Good Argument for Electric Cars
I have had my share of new car dealership service department experience in the last 12 months, mostly because the vehicles involved were under warranty (small miracle). I'll try to be brief but all three incidents were complex.
The first was the valvetrain issue diagnosed on our 2014 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Eco boost engine. Ford would only replace one of the heads under warranty and the passenger side was "within spec" so it would not be replaced. I did not want to get stuck with a Frankenstein motor with one brand new head and one 50K mile head so I paid to replace the second head. The service took four weeks to complete and when I got my car back there was a crack in the cowling above the radiator which the technician had obviously tried to repair with super glue. When I pointed this issue out to the service manager I emphasized that if the technician would take that type of shortcut with a minor piece of trim that could have easily been replaced for $18 then my confidence in the level of work performed had been greatly diminished and did not earn any level of confidence in proper engine assembly. This observation was validated 7500 miles later when an engine misfire was caused because the original spark plugs were re-installed in the new heads ad besides being torqued in way too tightly, were badly worn and the gap was grossly out of spec. C'mon, $7 spark plugs? I would have easily stepped up and paid for those had I been given the option but it was not mentioned.
Episode number two happened with our 2016 Nissan Rogue when the CVT transmission decided to lunch itself while on a trip to central California. Luckily the extended warranty provided under the Nissan Certified Pre-Owned program did pay for the repair but a major transmission issue at 38K miles is not a positive attribute for a long term relationship. We were stuck for three days while the work was completed, notified by the dealer only 30 minutes before they closed on Friday, never trust work that was rushed. Sure enough we now had exhaust noise like a straight pipe exhaust. Our local Nissan dealer would only look at the car for a diagnostic charge of $170. After managing a back and forth between the SLO Nissan dealer and our local dealer the improperly installed exhaust donut was corrected and the car was now fixed. There is no way that the technician didn't hear this issue on his test drive when he was checking out the replacement CVT transmission for proper operation. Again simply a case of a mechanic that wanted to get home on Friday and did not have the courtesy to correct his mistake. Can't get an exhaust donut installed correctly but we're supposed to trust that he replaced the transmission and didn't end up with any spare parts.
The last issue was a faulty gas cap on a 2017 Mercedes which cost $240 to diagnose and $30 for the part. Mercedes certified pre-owned but not covered under their warranty.
All these issues make a good argument for transitioning to electric vehicles. Besides replacing tires, what service is there to perform?
2020 Starts off big
After participating in one of the many New Year's Day car tours in SoCal, by the way the weather was perfect, Bench-Racing is off and running for 2020. Mecum Kissimmee Florida set a torrid pace selling selections from the renowned Wellborn Muscle Car Museum achieving sell through prices on Mopar's that we have not seen in recent memory possibly signaling a future trend. Of course everyone was waiting to see what #TheRealBullittMustang would bring and now we know that number is $3.4 million ($3.7 with commission). Next stop Scottsdale for a handful of world class events and then straight to the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona (January 24-26). Follow Bench-Racing as we will be posting photo albums and Instagram updates.
Has the Classic Car Market Turned the page?
If recent classic car auctions and social media activity are any indication, there is a strong chance the Classic Car market has turned the page. What does that mean? It means that a whole new batch of enthusiasts and Classic Car buyers have entered the market. The broad acceptance of not so vintage Japanese cars, limited edition performance and super cars, and a noticeable selection of 80’s and 90’s cars have entered the “collectible” realm.
Let’s start with Japanese cars. For several years one of my favorite car shows of the year has been the Japanese Classic Car Show (JCC) in Long Beach. This year will be the 15th annual and it has grown and improved every year. FYI recently at the Classic Car Show held at the OC Fairgrounds, a special display of Japanese Classics promoted the upcoming September show and I see the La Jolla Concours now has a Japanese car category. Not to mention the JAI or Japanese Automotive Invitational at Pebble Beach and “The Roots of Monozukuri” exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. All very popular with an upward trajectory among the car crowd.
The arrival and popularity of “RADwood” themed events is basically a celebration of the 80’s anchored by car culture. 80’s Ferrari Testarossas, 928 Porsches, Lamborghini Countach, Mercedes SLC (full aero kit and everything painted white) and of course the DeLorean are staples found on display.
Just look at the results from the most recent Barrett-Jackson auction held in Palm Beach. While the highest price paid was for a 1948 Buick (serious HIPO restomod) the next several auction results indicate the attraction of these “Next Gen” collectibles:
A 2012 Lexus LFA was in second place at $352,000.
A 2018 McLaren 720S was third at $324,500.
These popular Next Gen cars sold:
A 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Cabriolet at $143,000.
A 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra R sold at $132,000.
A 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo Liftback sold at $62,700.
Late model, limited edition exotics are now commonplace at all the major collector car auctions. Interest in these newer cars is bringing along with it a newer crowd, one that may not be attending because of the "classics" but for the opportunity to purchase virtually a new car but with major street and road course cred. Certainly not for everyday use but occasional use and certainly "track day" activities with other well to do's.
What does this all mean? It means we don’t have to worry about the Next Generation of car guys. They are out there, they get it, and they’re stepping up for some pretty pricey rides. We may not agree with them but it would be in the Collector Car Hobbies best interest to welcome them and appreciate their enthusiasm for special vehicles.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles recently opened their third exhibit featuring the iconic Lowrider, the High Art of Riding Low. Although we tend to think of Lowriders as a Southern California phenomenon, specifically Los Angeles & East Los Angeles, San Diego and New Mexico also claim to be early hotbeds of the culture. Recognized by the Smithsonian, Lowriders and "Bombs" are culturally significant art therefore it is appropriate for this current exhibit to be housed in the Armmad Hammer Family Foundation Gallery.
If you are going to the Petersen to admire Lowriders stop right there. Guest curator Denise Sandoval (Cal State Northridge) has slanted the current exhibit towards art including sculpture, framed wall art and a full size Lowrider pinata. Need a broader review of all things Lowrider, click HERE
The Petersen is also launching a strategic alliance with ClassicCars.com.
George Barris 1925-2015
"The King Of The Kustomizers"
Just a couple weeks shy of his 90th birthday, George Barris, iconic car designer, customizer and builder passed away on Thursday November 5th 2015. He is most widely recognized for three high profile customizations – Ala Kart, the only two time winner of the AMBR award and used in multiple movies, The Batmobile from the original television series Batman (which was recently auctioned off for $4.6 million), and the custom vehicle that put him on the map internationally, the Hirohata Merc.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, George Barris grew up in Roseville, California, and became interested in model making while in high school. His model aircraft projects were especially successful and he won multiple awards. After he and his older brother were given a rundown car to use, they began rebuilding and customizing it. They sold the car for a profit, and began another custom job. Their work gained popularity, and after George's brother returned from a stint in the Navy, the two began customizing cars in earnest, creating custom vehicles for private buyers, and then for film and television productions. George Barris also wrote a column on customization for Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines.
Here is a link to a very good article about Georges life
Passenger Side Air Bag Seat Sensor Malfunction Affects Too Many New Cars.
Why are the internet message boards filled with documented "Passenger seat air bag sensor" failures yet no major manufacturer has come forward with a solution or recall? Known as, " Child seat recognition seat sensor", " Seat occupied recognition control unit", or " Passenger seat occupancy sensor", it is basically a pressure sensor mat that sits beneath the passenger seat upholstery. The purpose of the sensor is to sense between a child and an adult occupant and control deployment of the passenger frontal and/or side air bag by determining occupant weight. If the occupants weight is below a certain threshold then the airbag is disabled. Put an adult of the "correct" weight in the same seat and the airbag is enabled. A malfunctioning pressure sensor, besides illuminating the annoying red Air Bag icon and flashing "Service Air Bag" on your dash, may result in failure to deploy the passenger frontal and side air bag in case of a collision. BMW, GM, Mercedes, Mini, & Volkswagen are just some of the manufacturers affected. GMC Acadia, Pontiac Solstice, VW Golf & Jetta, the new Mini, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe/Equinox are just some of the most often mentioned vehicles on a very cursory internet search. The only legitimate fix is to purchase a new pressure sensor for around $500 but installation is another hurdle. The seat needs to be deconstructed to have the sensor replaced and then reconstructed. Normally the whole bill comes to around $1200. A cottage industry of DIY bypass modules and in-line resistors has emerged to address the issue. These "fixes" can "fake out" the system to believing their is an adult passenger in the seat therefore enabling the passenger frontal and side airbag and turn off the SRS lights and warnings from your dash. The downside is it could endanger a smaller person, which was the purpose of the sensor to begin with. This condition affects so many vehicles and the repair cost is substantial enough that manufactures will avoid a solution until injuries and/or death from a disabled air bag bring the media to full attention. This unfortunately is the all too common "MO" in the car manufacturer industry. Meanwhile vehicle owners have an issue which may have more serious consequences then an annoying dash light.
NHRA Motorsports Museum Salutes Cobra/Shelby
April 21st & 22nd 2012 the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona California hosted a huge gathering of cars and enthusiasts celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cobra, Ford, and Carroll Shelby. Named the "Ford/Cobra/Shelby Reunion", events included two days of vintage cars on the historic Pomona Road Race course, a massive show & shine featuring Shelby's and Fords (GT40's, Cobras, GT 350 Mustangs, Cobra Daytona Coupes, vintage Ford race cars, and modern era Mustangs), a panel discussion with Shelby employees and drivers, and culminating in an evening banquet honoring Carroll Shelby.
Almost a year ago, NHRA Museum director of marketing Tony Thacker sent Bench-Racing an email notifying us of their plans to host this big Shelby extravaganza. What caught my attention was the announcement of two days of track events on the old Pomona road race course. Several years ago I had built a re-creation of the1964 FIA East Africa Safari Comet that Ray Brock* had driven in "the world's toughest race" back in April of 1964. The car was built with the intention of entering multi-day vintage car rallies and to date has successfully completed a half dozen of these rallies and traveled 6500 miles since the build was completed. What remained was my curiosity to see how well this Comet performed on the race track and my long time desire to drive the old Pomona course.
Thanks to the generosity and hours of hard work by the owner Oscar "Oz" Marlen, staff, friends and family of Marlen Motorsports, 60+ vehicles took to the track at Pomona on Friday and Saturday for several sessions of wheel to wheel celebration of Cobra, Shelby, and Ford. Thankfully the Mercury Comet fell under the Ford banner and was graciously accepted into the event. After adding a couple of safety items to the car and procuring dear old Ray Brocks' ex-La Carrera driving suit and gloves FIA Comet #73 was ready to go road racing.
Of course since the Comet is a street legal rally car no trailer was needed for the half hour trip to Pomona. No butterflies during the drivers meeting but being gridded with Shelby Cobras, Sunbeam Tigers, a Cale Yarborough Taladega NASCAR and a pair of race prepped Thunderbirds was a little intimidating. Luckily the guys in my group were very experienced and graciously tolerated the drum brake & manual steering (power steering by "Arm Strong") Comet with lifted suspension & mud flaps (some commented that they wished they had the Comet's additional road clearance for the bumpy course) and both days went off without incidents. Check that off the bucket list.
Saturday's tempo picked up as the cars and crowds descended on the museum and the track. Dave Kunz from KABC television added his enlightenment to the race event spectators with his interviews and insight especially during the celebrity parade of cars and special guests. The media was out in force taking both photos and video of the track & museum events including Meguire's Car Crazy. The panel discussion was a sell out and the opening of the Cobra exhibit at the NHRA museum did not disappoint. Great cars and a collection of factory photos lining the wall behind the cars, don't miss it.
*So what is the Ray Brock and Carroll Shelby connection? Shelby credits Brock with suggesting he talk to Ford about their new small block V8 after Shelby was spurned by GM and the rest they say is history. Brock's Shelby connection HERE & HERE
If you did not get a chance to attend these events we have several click-able links below to online articles and photo galleries. Plans are for this to become an annual event so look for news of the 2013 event.
Bench-Racing online photo album & video of Saturday's Celebrity Laps.
New York Times Blog
Speed Hunters Part 1
Speed Hunters Part 2
Car Buzz
Bang Shift
R Gruppe De-mystified
Story by Paul Kramer
The Auto Kennel
There isn’t a week that goes by without several of my friends and clients asking me, “how do I become an R Gruppe member?” They ask me with a tone of reverence, as if they were trying to be accepted to Yale’s Skull and Bones Society. This makes me chuckle because in the early days the reason “membership” to this group was so difficult was mostly due to lack of organization. It was like asking a bunch of kids in a bounce house who’s in charge. They would probably just ignore you or, if you’re lucky, just laugh at you. In the end, there was really only one way to become a member: just show up. The original idea of R Gruppe was for membership to be reserved for enthusiasts who wanted to participate and NOT for those “arm chair/internet forum” gossipmongers. Nowadays, it is definitely more organized with a website, emails, regular updates and dues.
A little over 10 years ago, a friend of mine was thinking about selling his 1973 911 RS Clone. I had just sold my 1971 911 T and was dying to buy an RS Clone. I wanted one so badly that I was borderline obsessive. It was all I talked about. My friend recognized my passion and said that I had to go to this “duck tail” car show in Cambria, CA. I gave him a lost look. He clarified by telling me that, once a year, a bunch of Porsche RS clones meet along the coast of central California for a car show of sorts that lasts the whole weekend. It sounded great, but at first, I couldn’t imagine being at a car show for more than a few hours let alone an entire weekend. He then showed me some pictures of more than a dozen RS clones all lined up in what they called the “ducks in a row” photograph. I was hooked! I had to be there.
So, after another 6 months of begging and pleading, my friend sold me his RS clone and I marked my calendar for the first part of May to attend this so-called gathering. The funny thing was that I had no idea it was called R Gruppe. I thought it was called something like “duck tail reunion.” I didn’t know what it was or what to expect. The process of booking a hotel and finding the exact dates proved to be more difficult than I could have ever imagined. R Gruppe had no website. There were no phone numbers. Hell, I didn’t even know who was in charge. After much digging around and asking other Porsche friends, I found out that R Gruppe was started by a couple of guys who loved early Porsche 911’s and were especially interested in how people were hot rodding them and making them “sport-purpose” cars, just the way Porsche did in the late 60’s. Those R Gruppe co-founders are Freeman Thomas and Cris Huergas. I tried contacting them and after weeks of voice mails, I finally got a return call. I wasn’t clear on the details, but I did get the name of the hotel and weekend date. So, I was set!
When I pulled into the host hotel at the 2nd official/unofficial R Gruppe (or whatever you call it) event, I swore I almost went into cardiac arrest. I began to stutter and drool as I was pointing at all the different early 911s. I was beside myself. All the bright 70’s colors made the hotel parking lot look like a gumball machine had tipped over and spilled its contents. I double parked and nearly clotheslined myself on the seatbelt as I bolted out of the car. The next 6 hours were nirvana. Someone handed me a margarita freshly made from a 2-stroke powered portable blender. I shook hands with so many new people that I thought I was at an Amway convention. Everyone was so warm and friend. They were all some of the nicest people I had ever met. It was like all the holidays and my birthday wrapped up into one glorious weekend. I finally crawled back to my room after 2am but had a hard time going to sleep because we were planning on going on a drive the next morning.
A drive…what did that mean? Where would we go? By 6am I awoke to the smell of fuel and the familiar whine of 911 engines starting up. Who needs coffee anyway?! Within a couple of minutes, I did the 3 “S’s” (s#*t, shower, and shave) and was out the door with my key in hand. The rest of the day was a blur of beautiful scenery, great open roads and LeMans like sounds from over 50 Porsches. The next two days we did the same thing until, finally, Sunday rolled around and it was time to head home. I so didn’t want it to end. It was like parting ways with a new love. I felt empty. All the anticipation, all the excitement, all the fun, and it was over in the blink of an eye. I started asking my new-found friends when the next meet was. What do we do next? Where do we go from here? They all basically responded the same. They shrugged their shoulders and said “see you around.” That’s it? Is there a meeting where they decide the calendar of events? Who is really in charge? My questions fell on deaf ears as the cars roared out of the hotel and became a distant cacophony.
As I drove home with a sullen feeling, it all began to sink in. While I marinated in the glory of the weekend, I began to realize why this weekend was so special. I found and connected with people just like me. For a brief moment, we all came together like a family reunion. I knew that the camaraderie and bond I had with this group of people would last a lifetime.
Over the next several years, I attended the annual R Gruppe meet (which I later came to find out was called the Treffen). Also, I began to get a few email notices of a particular car show or event that the R Gruppe would be attending. Eventually (more than 5 years later), someone asked me what my R Gruppe membership number was. Membership? Number? They might as well have been speaking in tongues. I had no idea. So I asked another R Gruppe friend of mine, John Risvold, if I was a member and did I have a number? He said, “of course you are a member.” He then pulled out a stack of papers with names and he scanned down until he found my name and said, “you are number 188.” I stood there in awe. How come I didn’t know about this before? How did I become a member? Yes, I did send my $25 each year for a newsletter that maybe came out once every 18 months. Yes, I attended everything I could-but that was about it! That’s when John told me the answers to my questions. He said to me, “you just showed up.” It was so simple that it finally made sense. I came to these events because I liked the cars and loved the people. It was never about a membership. It was always about the people. They were truly like my brothers and sisters. Sometimes years would go by before I would see them but it never felt like more than a week or two had passed. We just picked up where we left off.
So, when someone asks me about becoming a member, I just tell them to show up. When they show up, they will either experience what I did and keep coming back or decide it isn’t for them and not come. If they don’t like it, why would they then want to be a member anyway? But, if they saw what I saw, one day someone would give them a membership number and they would crack a smile because they would understand that the number means so little.
The Auction Circus Comes To Town
Would you find it hard to believe that until last year, Orange County had not played host to a major annual Collector Car auction in over 14 years? From our best information, the 1997 Kruse Auction at Newport Dunes was the last time auction tents were pitched in the OC. This June, two Collector Car auctions will be held in Orange County, the second annual edition of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction at the OC Fairgrounds and the Electric Garage “EG” auction being held in conjunction with the Dana Point Concours d’Elegance.
Starting in the late 70’s, Rick Cole held an annual Collector Car auction at the Hyatt Newporter that quickly became part of the local car enthusiast scene selling up to 400 cars during these annual and sometimes twice annual multi-day events. Remember that these were the “pre-internet” days and hunting for Collector Cars meant combing the pages of Hemmings Motor News, searching classified ads in the local paper or getting up early on Sunday and pounding the pavement at the Pomona Swap Meet. A more upscale opportunity was the Rick Cole auction and it was your best local chance for viewing and purchasing a Collector Car. At this time there was just a single auction held in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours/Monterey Historics and traveling to Arizona in January for the Barrett-Jackson auction was the only other local option. For a few years from the mid 80’s to the early 90’s, Palm Springs hosted vintage car races and a Sunday concours with Rick Cole presenting an additional Collector Car auction but that event faded away around the same time the annual Newport auctions.
In 2008 two major OC based car collections, Art Astor and Joe MacPherson, both repeat exhibitors and supporters of the then “Newport Beach Concours” were liquidated by RM auctions, the world’s largest Collector Car auction house. Record prices were achieved and a very high sell-through percentage was reached validating that Orange County was a market that could again support a major Collector Car auction. Barrett-Jackson, an auction house veteran of forty years, held discussions with the OC Fairgrounds, outlining necessary infrastructure so a major auction could be held on the property. A new building with accommodations allowing “drive through access” and the addition of a temporary tent for expanded seating/viewing was erected and last year, June 2010, the first Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and Lifestyle event was held. Over 58,000 people attended the three day event and nearly 400 cars were sold reaching more than $15 million in total sales.
This year, in addition to the 400 car Barrett-Jackson event on June 24-26, Electric Garage (EG) has partnered with the Dana Point Concours and will be holding a manageable 100 car event on June 25th featuring many affordable Collector Cars and select automotive memorabilia. This will be the first time in the 29 year history of the Concours that a Collector Car auction will be held in conjunction with this premier Southern California enthusiast car show.
Collector Car auctions present a special opportunity for viewing and bidding on a large variety of cars but the learning curve can be quite steep. While the pre-auction viewing can be relaxed and executed at your own pace, the actual auction get’s very exciting and the pace picks up considerably. Many collectors enjoy the electric atmosphere of a live auction and chose to buy and sell exclusively through one of the many auction houses that host dozens of events across the county and around the world. The word “live” is used because 365 days a year eBay has hundreds if not thousands of Collector Cars being sold at auction on the internet. The internet has made searching for Collector Cars accessible to many more potential buyers and has greatly improved the opportunity to research and educate enthusiasts before they make a purchase. Besides the multitude of eBay listings, every major auction house posts most if not all of their consignments on their web sites and welcomes phone and internet bidding at their auctions. This expanded exposure and viewing audience is good for both buyers and sellers. If an individual is not comfortable bidding online or in person at a live auction, agents can be hired to consult and facilitate the purchase of a car at auction or at a private sale.
Make sure you attend one of the local auctions as they are very entertaining events. There is a social aspect and casual atmosphere while viewing the cars but the actual live auction offers unmatched drama and thrills. Great fun even if you’re just watching and have no intentions of participating. The public can purchase tickets to view the auction without being a “registered bidder” while “registered bidders” enjoy reserve seating, an auction catalog, and possibly other perks like food and beverage service. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com and www.theelectricgarage.com for event details.
Charles Rollins
Editor
www.bench-racing.com
Chief Award Steward, Newport Concours d’Elegance from 1999-2009
Remember, Buying a Used Porsche Is Supposed to Be Fun!
Paul Kramer www.autokennel.com
Purchasing a “previously owned” Porsche should be fun and one of the best experiences of your life. This isn’t like buying some boring transportation to get you from point A to point B. It’s all about the journey. This is probably one of the most emotional major purchases you will make in your life. I have heard all kinds of stories about buying a used Porsche. Many times, the process sounds more like getting a root canal than purchasing your dream car. I really try to tell my clients to have fun with the experience. For many of them, this is the realization of a life-long dream.
I think that is why people have called me in the past to help point them in the right direction. They want to purchase their dream and they are ready financially and emotionally to move forward. However, they really have no idea what to do. Usually, they first start the process by going online and looking at the popular websites. Many times, this can become overwhelming. Their eyes glaze over as thousands of Porsche ads flash before them. They begin to look like a small kid who steps into FAO Schwarz on 5th Avenue for the first time. Hours of looking quickly turn into days, weeks, months, and yes, sometimes even years. No, they don’t have OCD; they are just a bit overwhelmed and lost.
The first step is to not listen to your friends or Internet banter, but rather look at your lifestyle and figure out what will fit best. It is pointless to buy a Porsche that is going to sit in the garage and never be driven. Also, I strongly recommend that you involve your spouse in this decision. If they are on board, they are going to enjoy the Porsche with you. This is critical. I can’t tell you how much more fun it is to share this experience with your loved one. I think sharing a Porsche easily trumps marital counseling.
Ok, then what Porsche should you buy? Open the Pando and check out all the many great events that are happening. Which ones appeal to you? Which ones do you realistically think you can do? Ask yourself if you would like to drive your Porsche every day to work, a few days a week, or just weekends. You may love the romantic idea of a convertible, but is it realistic? In my case, I’m follicle-challenged! Usually (even with a hat), after a half -hour of having the sun beat down on my head, I’m done. No convertibles for me. Or, you may absolutely love convertibles. However, if your significant other can’t stand them, is a convertible really the best decision? You may be very lonely in your new toy and end up just detailing it in the garage. I strongly recommend that before you look at one online Porsche listing, you narrow down what kind of car will work for you. Many of my conversations with clients feel more like therapy sessions rather than car purchases.
Once a decision is made, then you can decide which model and year best fits your lifestyle and budget. So begins the tedious process of looking at all the Porsches in the market. The best thing about the Internet is the search capabilities. You can set specific parameters to help focus your search. In order to find the car you want, you may have to expand your search to the entire country. Also, you might consider looking at a model year before and after your ideal choice. You will be surprised how this may open your choices. Besides the major websites such as AutoTrader®, eBay®, and Cars.com®, you might consider niche sites and forums. Places like Rennlist, PCA, Early S Registry, and Pelican Parts are some great options. Of course, don’t forget our OCR website classifieds. Your perfect car may be in your fellow PCA OCR member’s garage. Some other great ways to find Porsches is to use a Google search . Many times Porsches are listed in small local markets and will never pop-up on the sites I listed. A great example of this is Craigslist®. You can type the model Porsche you want with the word “craigslist” into Google and you will see all the Craigslist® ads across the country…this is incredibly handy for some of the older Porsches.
When looking at eBay® ads, don’t be frightened by the auction style listings. Just treat them as any other classifieds. When you review the ads, carefully inspect the pictures provided as well as the description. It’s possible to learn a lot about the owner and how the car was cared for. If the car is photographed in a garage full of crap, you can pretty much guess that the car will have its share of scratches and door dings. One of my personal favorites is a Carrera photographed in the snow...hmmmm. I wonder how the bottom of that car looks?! Furthermore, the description can help you identify if the current owner understands what his car is and how passionate he is about it. Many times, either Carfaxes® or Autochecks® are attached to the advertisement. If not, I ask the seller if they have one (this only applies to cars newer than 1981). These background checks will give you further insight to the ownership history. They report items such as branded titles (salvage or lemon law buyback) as well as accidents and odometer fraud. Like anything else, these reports are not the end all. Many times I’ve found gross errors in these reports. This is like looking at the family album for your car. Just because someone had a mullet 10-years ago doesn’t mean they have one today.
Once you have a short list of the Porsches you are most interested in, a phone call with the owner is critical. If I cannot talk to the seller on the phone, I do not consider that car regardless of how “perfect” it seems. Many times fraud is involved in car listings. (Fraud will be the subject of a future article.) A good discussion with the owner will help you read between the lines and get a clearer picture of the current condition of the car. When you ask good, open-ended questions, it’s amazing what kind of information you can gather. If everything looks good from here and the car is close enough for you to see in person, schedule something sooner rather than later. Good cars sell quickly.
The final component, and probably the most important of the purchase is an inspection commonly referred to as a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). The key is to find a neutral shop (not the one that worked on the car) that is close to the seller and has a good reputation. Even if it is a newer car and under warranty, you want to verify that the body is ok. A decent inspection for a car ranges from $150-$500 depending on the area of the country and if it is being done by a dealer or an independent repair shop. With older Porsches (1998 and older), a compression test and possibly leak down test on the engine are mandatory. This is like an EKG for the Porsche’s engine. It will tell you if it is healthy or close to needing a rebuild. Also, I discuss with the mechanic doing the inspection items that are important to me. For vintage cars, you might even have a separate PPI for the mechanical and one for the body…especially since many of these cars can cost over six figures.
This discussion just scratches the surface of the process. It may sound daunting, but it really isn’t that bad and should be fun. I hope this helps and happy hunting.
Besides helping people sell their toys (usually to make room for their next automotive acquisition), I frequently help people navigate the rough waters of finding and buying the right used car.
Paul Kramer
www.AutoKennel.com
714-335-4911
Our staff of writers and photographers are actively attending the premier auto events in the United States and Europe.
Make sure you check out the “Archives” for past articles on file.
Dealership Service Department Experience Makes a Good Argument for Electric Cars
I have had my share of new car dealership service department experience in the last 12 months, mostly because the vehicles involved were under warranty (small miracle). I'll try to be brief but all three incidents were complex.
The first was the valvetrain issue diagnosed on our 2014 Ford F150 with the 3.5 Eco boost engine. Ford would only replace one of the heads under warranty and the passenger side was "within spec" so it would not be replaced. I did not want to get stuck with a Frankenstein motor with one brand new head and one 50K mile head so I paid to replace the second head. The service took four weeks to complete and when I got my car back there was a crack in the cowling above the radiator which the technician had obviously tried to repair with super glue. When I pointed this issue out to the service manager I emphasized that if the technician would take that type of shortcut with a minor piece of trim that could have easily been replaced for $18 then my confidence in the level of work performed had been greatly diminished and did not earn any level of confidence in proper engine assembly. This observation was validated 7500 miles later when an engine misfire was caused because the original spark plugs were re-installed in the new heads ad besides being torqued in way too tightly, were badly worn and the gap was grossly out of spec. C'mon, $7 spark plugs? I would have easily stepped up and paid for those had I been given the option but it was not mentioned.
Episode number two happened with our 2016 Nissan Rogue when the CVT transmission decided to lunch itself while on a trip to central California. Luckily the extended warranty provided under the Nissan Certified Pre-Owned program did pay for the repair but a major transmission issue at 38K miles is not a positive attribute for a long term relationship. We were stuck for three days while the work was completed, notified by the dealer only 30 minutes before they closed on Friday, never trust work that was rushed. Sure enough we now had exhaust noise like a straight pipe exhaust. Our local Nissan dealer would only look at the car for a diagnostic charge of $170. After managing a back and forth between the SLO Nissan dealer and our local dealer the improperly installed exhaust donut was corrected and the car was now fixed. There is no way that the technician didn't hear this issue on his test drive when he was checking out the replacement CVT transmission for proper operation. Again simply a case of a mechanic that wanted to get home on Friday and did not have the courtesy to correct his mistake. Can't get an exhaust donut installed correctly but we're supposed to trust that he replaced the transmission and didn't end up with any spare parts.
The last issue was a faulty gas cap on a 2017 Mercedes which cost $240 to diagnose and $30 for the part. Mercedes certified pre-owned but not covered under their warranty.
All these issues make a good argument for transitioning to electric vehicles. Besides replacing tires, what service is there to perform?
2020 Starts off big
After participating in one of the many New Year's Day car tours in SoCal, by the way the weather was perfect, Bench-Racing is off and running for 2020. Mecum Kissimmee Florida set a torrid pace selling selections from the renowned Wellborn Muscle Car Museum achieving sell through prices on Mopar's that we have not seen in recent memory possibly signaling a future trend. Of course everyone was waiting to see what #TheRealBullittMustang would bring and now we know that number is $3.4 million ($3.7 with commission). Next stop Scottsdale for a handful of world class events and then straight to the Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona (January 24-26). Follow Bench-Racing as we will be posting photo albums and Instagram updates.
Has the Classic Car Market Turned the page?
If recent classic car auctions and social media activity are any indication, there is a strong chance the Classic Car market has turned the page. What does that mean? It means that a whole new batch of enthusiasts and Classic Car buyers have entered the market. The broad acceptance of not so vintage Japanese cars, limited edition performance and super cars, and a noticeable selection of 80’s and 90’s cars have entered the “collectible” realm.
Let’s start with Japanese cars. For several years one of my favorite car shows of the year has been the Japanese Classic Car Show (JCC) in Long Beach. This year will be the 15th annual and it has grown and improved every year. FYI recently at the Classic Car Show held at the OC Fairgrounds, a special display of Japanese Classics promoted the upcoming September show and I see the La Jolla Concours now has a Japanese car category. Not to mention the JAI or Japanese Automotive Invitational at Pebble Beach and “The Roots of Monozukuri” exhibit at the Petersen Automotive Museum. All very popular with an upward trajectory among the car crowd.
The arrival and popularity of “RADwood” themed events is basically a celebration of the 80’s anchored by car culture. 80’s Ferrari Testarossas, 928 Porsches, Lamborghini Countach, Mercedes SLC (full aero kit and everything painted white) and of course the DeLorean are staples found on display.
Just look at the results from the most recent Barrett-Jackson auction held in Palm Beach. While the highest price paid was for a 1948 Buick (serious HIPO restomod) the next several auction results indicate the attraction of these “Next Gen” collectibles:
A 2012 Lexus LFA was in second place at $352,000.
A 2018 McLaren 720S was third at $324,500.
These popular Next Gen cars sold:
A 1989 Porsche 930 Turbo Cabriolet at $143,000.
A 1993 Ford Mustang Cobra R sold at $132,000.
A 1994 Toyota Supra Turbo Liftback sold at $62,700.
Late model, limited edition exotics are now commonplace at all the major collector car auctions. Interest in these newer cars is bringing along with it a newer crowd, one that may not be attending because of the "classics" but for the opportunity to purchase virtually a new car but with major street and road course cred. Certainly not for everyday use but occasional use and certainly "track day" activities with other well to do's.
What does this all mean? It means we don’t have to worry about the Next Generation of car guys. They are out there, they get it, and they’re stepping up for some pretty pricey rides. We may not agree with them but it would be in the Collector Car Hobbies best interest to welcome them and appreciate their enthusiasm for special vehicles.
The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles recently opened their third exhibit featuring the iconic Lowrider, the High Art of Riding Low. Although we tend to think of Lowriders as a Southern California phenomenon, specifically Los Angeles & East Los Angeles, San Diego and New Mexico also claim to be early hotbeds of the culture. Recognized by the Smithsonian, Lowriders and "Bombs" are culturally significant art therefore it is appropriate for this current exhibit to be housed in the Armmad Hammer Family Foundation Gallery.
If you are going to the Petersen to admire Lowriders stop right there. Guest curator Denise Sandoval (Cal State Northridge) has slanted the current exhibit towards art including sculpture, framed wall art and a full size Lowrider pinata. Need a broader review of all things Lowrider, click HERE
The Petersen is also launching a strategic alliance with ClassicCars.com.
George Barris 1925-2015
"The King Of The Kustomizers"
Just a couple weeks shy of his 90th birthday, George Barris, iconic car designer, customizer and builder passed away on Thursday November 5th 2015. He is most widely recognized for three high profile customizations – Ala Kart, the only two time winner of the AMBR award and used in multiple movies, The Batmobile from the original television series Batman (which was recently auctioned off for $4.6 million), and the custom vehicle that put him on the map internationally, the Hirohata Merc.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, George Barris grew up in Roseville, California, and became interested in model making while in high school. His model aircraft projects were especially successful and he won multiple awards. After he and his older brother were given a rundown car to use, they began rebuilding and customizing it. They sold the car for a profit, and began another custom job. Their work gained popularity, and after George's brother returned from a stint in the Navy, the two began customizing cars in earnest, creating custom vehicles for private buyers, and then for film and television productions. George Barris also wrote a column on customization for Hot Rod and Motor Trend magazines.
Here is a link to a very good article about Georges life
Passenger Side Air Bag Seat Sensor Malfunction Affects Too Many New Cars.
Why are the internet message boards filled with documented "Passenger seat air bag sensor" failures yet no major manufacturer has come forward with a solution or recall? Known as, " Child seat recognition seat sensor", " Seat occupied recognition control unit", or " Passenger seat occupancy sensor", it is basically a pressure sensor mat that sits beneath the passenger seat upholstery. The purpose of the sensor is to sense between a child and an adult occupant and control deployment of the passenger frontal and/or side air bag by determining occupant weight. If the occupants weight is below a certain threshold then the airbag is disabled. Put an adult of the "correct" weight in the same seat and the airbag is enabled. A malfunctioning pressure sensor, besides illuminating the annoying red Air Bag icon and flashing "Service Air Bag" on your dash, may result in failure to deploy the passenger frontal and side air bag in case of a collision. BMW, GM, Mercedes, Mini, & Volkswagen are just some of the manufacturers affected. GMC Acadia, Pontiac Solstice, VW Golf & Jetta, the new Mini, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Suburban/Tahoe/Equinox are just some of the most often mentioned vehicles on a very cursory internet search. The only legitimate fix is to purchase a new pressure sensor for around $500 but installation is another hurdle. The seat needs to be deconstructed to have the sensor replaced and then reconstructed. Normally the whole bill comes to around $1200. A cottage industry of DIY bypass modules and in-line resistors has emerged to address the issue. These "fixes" can "fake out" the system to believing their is an adult passenger in the seat therefore enabling the passenger frontal and side airbag and turn off the SRS lights and warnings from your dash. The downside is it could endanger a smaller person, which was the purpose of the sensor to begin with. This condition affects so many vehicles and the repair cost is substantial enough that manufactures will avoid a solution until injuries and/or death from a disabled air bag bring the media to full attention. This unfortunately is the all too common "MO" in the car manufacturer industry. Meanwhile vehicle owners have an issue which may have more serious consequences then an annoying dash light.
NHRA Motorsports Museum Salutes Cobra/Shelby
April 21st & 22nd 2012 the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona California hosted a huge gathering of cars and enthusiasts celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Cobra, Ford, and Carroll Shelby. Named the "Ford/Cobra/Shelby Reunion", events included two days of vintage cars on the historic Pomona Road Race course, a massive show & shine featuring Shelby's and Fords (GT40's, Cobras, GT 350 Mustangs, Cobra Daytona Coupes, vintage Ford race cars, and modern era Mustangs), a panel discussion with Shelby employees and drivers, and culminating in an evening banquet honoring Carroll Shelby.
Almost a year ago, NHRA Museum director of marketing Tony Thacker sent Bench-Racing an email notifying us of their plans to host this big Shelby extravaganza. What caught my attention was the announcement of two days of track events on the old Pomona road race course. Several years ago I had built a re-creation of the1964 FIA East Africa Safari Comet that Ray Brock* had driven in "the world's toughest race" back in April of 1964. The car was built with the intention of entering multi-day vintage car rallies and to date has successfully completed a half dozen of these rallies and traveled 6500 miles since the build was completed. What remained was my curiosity to see how well this Comet performed on the race track and my long time desire to drive the old Pomona course.
Thanks to the generosity and hours of hard work by the owner Oscar "Oz" Marlen, staff, friends and family of Marlen Motorsports, 60+ vehicles took to the track at Pomona on Friday and Saturday for several sessions of wheel to wheel celebration of Cobra, Shelby, and Ford. Thankfully the Mercury Comet fell under the Ford banner and was graciously accepted into the event. After adding a couple of safety items to the car and procuring dear old Ray Brocks' ex-La Carrera driving suit and gloves FIA Comet #73 was ready to go road racing.
Of course since the Comet is a street legal rally car no trailer was needed for the half hour trip to Pomona. No butterflies during the drivers meeting but being gridded with Shelby Cobras, Sunbeam Tigers, a Cale Yarborough Taladega NASCAR and a pair of race prepped Thunderbirds was a little intimidating. Luckily the guys in my group were very experienced and graciously tolerated the drum brake & manual steering (power steering by "Arm Strong") Comet with lifted suspension & mud flaps (some commented that they wished they had the Comet's additional road clearance for the bumpy course) and both days went off without incidents. Check that off the bucket list.
Saturday's tempo picked up as the cars and crowds descended on the museum and the track. Dave Kunz from KABC television added his enlightenment to the race event spectators with his interviews and insight especially during the celebrity parade of cars and special guests. The media was out in force taking both photos and video of the track & museum events including Meguire's Car Crazy. The panel discussion was a sell out and the opening of the Cobra exhibit at the NHRA museum did not disappoint. Great cars and a collection of factory photos lining the wall behind the cars, don't miss it.
*So what is the Ray Brock and Carroll Shelby connection? Shelby credits Brock with suggesting he talk to Ford about their new small block V8 after Shelby was spurned by GM and the rest they say is history. Brock's Shelby connection HERE & HERE
If you did not get a chance to attend these events we have several click-able links below to online articles and photo galleries. Plans are for this to become an annual event so look for news of the 2013 event.
Bench-Racing online photo album & video of Saturday's Celebrity Laps.
New York Times Blog
Speed Hunters Part 1
Speed Hunters Part 2
Car Buzz
Bang Shift
R Gruppe De-mystified
Story by Paul Kramer
The Auto Kennel
There isn’t a week that goes by without several of my friends and clients asking me, “how do I become an R Gruppe member?” They ask me with a tone of reverence, as if they were trying to be accepted to Yale’s Skull and Bones Society. This makes me chuckle because in the early days the reason “membership” to this group was so difficult was mostly due to lack of organization. It was like asking a bunch of kids in a bounce house who’s in charge. They would probably just ignore you or, if you’re lucky, just laugh at you. In the end, there was really only one way to become a member: just show up. The original idea of R Gruppe was for membership to be reserved for enthusiasts who wanted to participate and NOT for those “arm chair/internet forum” gossipmongers. Nowadays, it is definitely more organized with a website, emails, regular updates and dues.
A little over 10 years ago, a friend of mine was thinking about selling his 1973 911 RS Clone. I had just sold my 1971 911 T and was dying to buy an RS Clone. I wanted one so badly that I was borderline obsessive. It was all I talked about. My friend recognized my passion and said that I had to go to this “duck tail” car show in Cambria, CA. I gave him a lost look. He clarified by telling me that, once a year, a bunch of Porsche RS clones meet along the coast of central California for a car show of sorts that lasts the whole weekend. It sounded great, but at first, I couldn’t imagine being at a car show for more than a few hours let alone an entire weekend. He then showed me some pictures of more than a dozen RS clones all lined up in what they called the “ducks in a row” photograph. I was hooked! I had to be there.
So, after another 6 months of begging and pleading, my friend sold me his RS clone and I marked my calendar for the first part of May to attend this so-called gathering. The funny thing was that I had no idea it was called R Gruppe. I thought it was called something like “duck tail reunion.” I didn’t know what it was or what to expect. The process of booking a hotel and finding the exact dates proved to be more difficult than I could have ever imagined. R Gruppe had no website. There were no phone numbers. Hell, I didn’t even know who was in charge. After much digging around and asking other Porsche friends, I found out that R Gruppe was started by a couple of guys who loved early Porsche 911’s and were especially interested in how people were hot rodding them and making them “sport-purpose” cars, just the way Porsche did in the late 60’s. Those R Gruppe co-founders are Freeman Thomas and Cris Huergas. I tried contacting them and after weeks of voice mails, I finally got a return call. I wasn’t clear on the details, but I did get the name of the hotel and weekend date. So, I was set!
When I pulled into the host hotel at the 2nd official/unofficial R Gruppe (or whatever you call it) event, I swore I almost went into cardiac arrest. I began to stutter and drool as I was pointing at all the different early 911s. I was beside myself. All the bright 70’s colors made the hotel parking lot look like a gumball machine had tipped over and spilled its contents. I double parked and nearly clotheslined myself on the seatbelt as I bolted out of the car. The next 6 hours were nirvana. Someone handed me a margarita freshly made from a 2-stroke powered portable blender. I shook hands with so many new people that I thought I was at an Amway convention. Everyone was so warm and friend. They were all some of the nicest people I had ever met. It was like all the holidays and my birthday wrapped up into one glorious weekend. I finally crawled back to my room after 2am but had a hard time going to sleep because we were planning on going on a drive the next morning.
A drive…what did that mean? Where would we go? By 6am I awoke to the smell of fuel and the familiar whine of 911 engines starting up. Who needs coffee anyway?! Within a couple of minutes, I did the 3 “S’s” (s#*t, shower, and shave) and was out the door with my key in hand. The rest of the day was a blur of beautiful scenery, great open roads and LeMans like sounds from over 50 Porsches. The next two days we did the same thing until, finally, Sunday rolled around and it was time to head home. I so didn’t want it to end. It was like parting ways with a new love. I felt empty. All the anticipation, all the excitement, all the fun, and it was over in the blink of an eye. I started asking my new-found friends when the next meet was. What do we do next? Where do we go from here? They all basically responded the same. They shrugged their shoulders and said “see you around.” That’s it? Is there a meeting where they decide the calendar of events? Who is really in charge? My questions fell on deaf ears as the cars roared out of the hotel and became a distant cacophony.
As I drove home with a sullen feeling, it all began to sink in. While I marinated in the glory of the weekend, I began to realize why this weekend was so special. I found and connected with people just like me. For a brief moment, we all came together like a family reunion. I knew that the camaraderie and bond I had with this group of people would last a lifetime.
Over the next several years, I attended the annual R Gruppe meet (which I later came to find out was called the Treffen). Also, I began to get a few email notices of a particular car show or event that the R Gruppe would be attending. Eventually (more than 5 years later), someone asked me what my R Gruppe membership number was. Membership? Number? They might as well have been speaking in tongues. I had no idea. So I asked another R Gruppe friend of mine, John Risvold, if I was a member and did I have a number? He said, “of course you are a member.” He then pulled out a stack of papers with names and he scanned down until he found my name and said, “you are number 188.” I stood there in awe. How come I didn’t know about this before? How did I become a member? Yes, I did send my $25 each year for a newsletter that maybe came out once every 18 months. Yes, I attended everything I could-but that was about it! That’s when John told me the answers to my questions. He said to me, “you just showed up.” It was so simple that it finally made sense. I came to these events because I liked the cars and loved the people. It was never about a membership. It was always about the people. They were truly like my brothers and sisters. Sometimes years would go by before I would see them but it never felt like more than a week or two had passed. We just picked up where we left off.
So, when someone asks me about becoming a member, I just tell them to show up. When they show up, they will either experience what I did and keep coming back or decide it isn’t for them and not come. If they don’t like it, why would they then want to be a member anyway? But, if they saw what I saw, one day someone would give them a membership number and they would crack a smile because they would understand that the number means so little.
The Auction Circus Comes To Town
Would you find it hard to believe that until last year, Orange County had not played host to a major annual Collector Car auction in over 14 years? From our best information, the 1997 Kruse Auction at Newport Dunes was the last time auction tents were pitched in the OC. This June, two Collector Car auctions will be held in Orange County, the second annual edition of the Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction at the OC Fairgrounds and the Electric Garage “EG” auction being held in conjunction with the Dana Point Concours d’Elegance.
Starting in the late 70’s, Rick Cole held an annual Collector Car auction at the Hyatt Newporter that quickly became part of the local car enthusiast scene selling up to 400 cars during these annual and sometimes twice annual multi-day events. Remember that these were the “pre-internet” days and hunting for Collector Cars meant combing the pages of Hemmings Motor News, searching classified ads in the local paper or getting up early on Sunday and pounding the pavement at the Pomona Swap Meet. A more upscale opportunity was the Rick Cole auction and it was your best local chance for viewing and purchasing a Collector Car. At this time there was just a single auction held in conjunction with the Pebble Beach Concours/Monterey Historics and traveling to Arizona in January for the Barrett-Jackson auction was the only other local option. For a few years from the mid 80’s to the early 90’s, Palm Springs hosted vintage car races and a Sunday concours with Rick Cole presenting an additional Collector Car auction but that event faded away around the same time the annual Newport auctions.
In 2008 two major OC based car collections, Art Astor and Joe MacPherson, both repeat exhibitors and supporters of the then “Newport Beach Concours” were liquidated by RM auctions, the world’s largest Collector Car auction house. Record prices were achieved and a very high sell-through percentage was reached validating that Orange County was a market that could again support a major Collector Car auction. Barrett-Jackson, an auction house veteran of forty years, held discussions with the OC Fairgrounds, outlining necessary infrastructure so a major auction could be held on the property. A new building with accommodations allowing “drive through access” and the addition of a temporary tent for expanded seating/viewing was erected and last year, June 2010, the first Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction and Lifestyle event was held. Over 58,000 people attended the three day event and nearly 400 cars were sold reaching more than $15 million in total sales.
This year, in addition to the 400 car Barrett-Jackson event on June 24-26, Electric Garage (EG) has partnered with the Dana Point Concours and will be holding a manageable 100 car event on June 25th featuring many affordable Collector Cars and select automotive memorabilia. This will be the first time in the 29 year history of the Concours that a Collector Car auction will be held in conjunction with this premier Southern California enthusiast car show.
Collector Car auctions present a special opportunity for viewing and bidding on a large variety of cars but the learning curve can be quite steep. While the pre-auction viewing can be relaxed and executed at your own pace, the actual auction get’s very exciting and the pace picks up considerably. Many collectors enjoy the electric atmosphere of a live auction and chose to buy and sell exclusively through one of the many auction houses that host dozens of events across the county and around the world. The word “live” is used because 365 days a year eBay has hundreds if not thousands of Collector Cars being sold at auction on the internet. The internet has made searching for Collector Cars accessible to many more potential buyers and has greatly improved the opportunity to research and educate enthusiasts before they make a purchase. Besides the multitude of eBay listings, every major auction house posts most if not all of their consignments on their web sites and welcomes phone and internet bidding at their auctions. This expanded exposure and viewing audience is good for both buyers and sellers. If an individual is not comfortable bidding online or in person at a live auction, agents can be hired to consult and facilitate the purchase of a car at auction or at a private sale.
Make sure you attend one of the local auctions as they are very entertaining events. There is a social aspect and casual atmosphere while viewing the cars but the actual live auction offers unmatched drama and thrills. Great fun even if you’re just watching and have no intentions of participating. The public can purchase tickets to view the auction without being a “registered bidder” while “registered bidders” enjoy reserve seating, an auction catalog, and possibly other perks like food and beverage service. Visit www.barrett-jackson.com and www.theelectricgarage.com for event details.
Charles Rollins
Editor
www.bench-racing.com
Chief Award Steward, Newport Concours d’Elegance from 1999-2009
Remember, Buying a Used Porsche Is Supposed to Be Fun!
Paul Kramer www.autokennel.com
Purchasing a “previously owned” Porsche should be fun and one of the best experiences of your life. This isn’t like buying some boring transportation to get you from point A to point B. It’s all about the journey. This is probably one of the most emotional major purchases you will make in your life. I have heard all kinds of stories about buying a used Porsche. Many times, the process sounds more like getting a root canal than purchasing your dream car. I really try to tell my clients to have fun with the experience. For many of them, this is the realization of a life-long dream.
I think that is why people have called me in the past to help point them in the right direction. They want to purchase their dream and they are ready financially and emotionally to move forward. However, they really have no idea what to do. Usually, they first start the process by going online and looking at the popular websites. Many times, this can become overwhelming. Their eyes glaze over as thousands of Porsche ads flash before them. They begin to look like a small kid who steps into FAO Schwarz on 5th Avenue for the first time. Hours of looking quickly turn into days, weeks, months, and yes, sometimes even years. No, they don’t have OCD; they are just a bit overwhelmed and lost.
The first step is to not listen to your friends or Internet banter, but rather look at your lifestyle and figure out what will fit best. It is pointless to buy a Porsche that is going to sit in the garage and never be driven. Also, I strongly recommend that you involve your spouse in this decision. If they are on board, they are going to enjoy the Porsche with you. This is critical. I can’t tell you how much more fun it is to share this experience with your loved one. I think sharing a Porsche easily trumps marital counseling.
Ok, then what Porsche should you buy? Open the Pando and check out all the many great events that are happening. Which ones appeal to you? Which ones do you realistically think you can do? Ask yourself if you would like to drive your Porsche every day to work, a few days a week, or just weekends. You may love the romantic idea of a convertible, but is it realistic? In my case, I’m follicle-challenged! Usually (even with a hat), after a half -hour of having the sun beat down on my head, I’m done. No convertibles for me. Or, you may absolutely love convertibles. However, if your significant other can’t stand them, is a convertible really the best decision? You may be very lonely in your new toy and end up just detailing it in the garage. I strongly recommend that before you look at one online Porsche listing, you narrow down what kind of car will work for you. Many of my conversations with clients feel more like therapy sessions rather than car purchases.
Once a decision is made, then you can decide which model and year best fits your lifestyle and budget. So begins the tedious process of looking at all the Porsches in the market. The best thing about the Internet is the search capabilities. You can set specific parameters to help focus your search. In order to find the car you want, you may have to expand your search to the entire country. Also, you might consider looking at a model year before and after your ideal choice. You will be surprised how this may open your choices. Besides the major websites such as AutoTrader®, eBay®, and Cars.com®, you might consider niche sites and forums. Places like Rennlist, PCA, Early S Registry, and Pelican Parts are some great options. Of course, don’t forget our OCR website classifieds. Your perfect car may be in your fellow PCA OCR member’s garage. Some other great ways to find Porsches is to use a Google search . Many times Porsches are listed in small local markets and will never pop-up on the sites I listed. A great example of this is Craigslist®. You can type the model Porsche you want with the word “craigslist” into Google and you will see all the Craigslist® ads across the country…this is incredibly handy for some of the older Porsches.
When looking at eBay® ads, don’t be frightened by the auction style listings. Just treat them as any other classifieds. When you review the ads, carefully inspect the pictures provided as well as the description. It’s possible to learn a lot about the owner and how the car was cared for. If the car is photographed in a garage full of crap, you can pretty much guess that the car will have its share of scratches and door dings. One of my personal favorites is a Carrera photographed in the snow...hmmmm. I wonder how the bottom of that car looks?! Furthermore, the description can help you identify if the current owner understands what his car is and how passionate he is about it. Many times, either Carfaxes® or Autochecks® are attached to the advertisement. If not, I ask the seller if they have one (this only applies to cars newer than 1981). These background checks will give you further insight to the ownership history. They report items such as branded titles (salvage or lemon law buyback) as well as accidents and odometer fraud. Like anything else, these reports are not the end all. Many times I’ve found gross errors in these reports. This is like looking at the family album for your car. Just because someone had a mullet 10-years ago doesn’t mean they have one today.
Once you have a short list of the Porsches you are most interested in, a phone call with the owner is critical. If I cannot talk to the seller on the phone, I do not consider that car regardless of how “perfect” it seems. Many times fraud is involved in car listings. (Fraud will be the subject of a future article.) A good discussion with the owner will help you read between the lines and get a clearer picture of the current condition of the car. When you ask good, open-ended questions, it’s amazing what kind of information you can gather. If everything looks good from here and the car is close enough for you to see in person, schedule something sooner rather than later. Good cars sell quickly.
The final component, and probably the most important of the purchase is an inspection commonly referred to as a PPI (pre-purchase inspection). The key is to find a neutral shop (not the one that worked on the car) that is close to the seller and has a good reputation. Even if it is a newer car and under warranty, you want to verify that the body is ok. A decent inspection for a car ranges from $150-$500 depending on the area of the country and if it is being done by a dealer or an independent repair shop. With older Porsches (1998 and older), a compression test and possibly leak down test on the engine are mandatory. This is like an EKG for the Porsche’s engine. It will tell you if it is healthy or close to needing a rebuild. Also, I discuss with the mechanic doing the inspection items that are important to me. For vintage cars, you might even have a separate PPI for the mechanical and one for the body…especially since many of these cars can cost over six figures.
This discussion just scratches the surface of the process. It may sound daunting, but it really isn’t that bad and should be fun. I hope this helps and happy hunting.
Besides helping people sell their toys (usually to make room for their next automotive acquisition), I frequently help people navigate the rough waters of finding and buying the right used car.
Paul Kramer
www.AutoKennel.com
714-335-4911