I Really need some help

shadowjack1 · shadowjack1's Garage

My son (His first Porsche) and I are going to Palm Springs Calif. to pick up a 1990 C4 Carrera. It has been sitting for several years and we need to do a few things before we drive it back to Louisiana.
We need to ship the items needed for the trip, filters, belts etc. just small items. I will Uber to your house to pick up the items. I will arrive in Palm Springs on the 6th of June at 11:00 am.
Also we are taking I-10 the entire way back, anybody along the way I can reach out to if we run into trouble?

71T Targa · 05-07-2019, 11:13 AM

Knowing this community I'm sure a local will offer to help.

Why don't you want to ship your items to the same place you're going to do the work?

shadowjack1 · shadowjack1's Garage

I'm going to do the work at the home of the owner. However he only uses the place as a weekend getaway, sometime. He will not be there for some time, he's in China as we speak. he lives in LA. No one there to get the package. We are taking the cheap flight, no check on baggage without adding cost. I can see the stuff getting lost too.

71T Targa · 05-07-2019, 11:32 AM

Makes perfect sense. Good luck!

URY914 · 05-07-2019, 11:35 AM

You may want to post your route back home so you can get some contacts along the way. You never know when the Pelican help is needed.....

shadowjack1 · shadowjack1's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by URY914

You may want to post your route back home so you can get some contacts along the way. You never know when the Pelican help is needed.....

Taking I-10 the entire way back.

Zeke · 05-07-2019, 12:48 PM

What airport are you arriving? Your packages can be anywhere in between your arrival point and PS. BTW, you are coming to the PS area at a good time of year. It will be windy at times so you want to plan your departure in the car well or you could lose the front paint and windshield to sand. Many times that time of day is before dawn.

id10t · 05-07-2019, 12:57 PM

How will the purchased items be shipped from seller(s) ? Or will you be shipping them yourself?

If you are doing the shipping, consider what backpackers do on long trail hikes - mail to the post office for "general delivery".

Check out https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery

Otherwise, perhaps a mailboxes-etc or ups-store account ?

speeder · speeder's Garage

Couple questions; how long has this car been sitting? Miles? Has it had the cylinders updated? I've owned the exact car, if not updated you can possibly count on significant oil leakage while driving. As in, buy it by the gallon for the trip.

It's still a 3.6 and basically unstoppable but that is a major concern on that year/model. They were updated by the factory in '91 or '92, (can't remember when exactly). Forgive me if you already know all of this.

I'm looking at buying a house in the Palm Springs area as we speak but even if I had it already, it would not be my permanent residence so the package receiving problem would be the same. I'm out there a bit and know these cars, so if you want me to look it over or anything, let me know.

As for the trip home, there are some good Pelicans in Phoenix, Houston and I'm sure other places along the route.

Eric Coffey · 01:48 PM

Unless you are confident that the car can make it from CA to LA with only the repairs intended, you might consider doing a one-way truck/trailer rental. A bit more costly, but would certainly reduce the stress factor and potential for break-downs en-route. Then you can tackle any repairs at your own pace, with your own equipment/shop, and no need to ship any tools. Just a thought...

Or, if you know it's going to be a project, and the purchase price is low enough to gamble with a sight-unseen purchase, maybe even consider having the car shipped.

vash · vash's Garage

i wish i were closer. or the car was closer. that would have been a nice fun quick project to get you on the road.

speeder · speeder's Garage

I'd have it shipped in any case, it's a no-brainer for me. Once you add up the plane tickets, gas, motels, possible break downs...it doesn't pencil-out. One flying stone into the windshield of a 964 and you just paid for shipping.

vash · vash's Garage

hahaa..

nowhere like PPOT where we love torpedoing a complete strangers plan.

i salute the OP's spirit of adventure.

i bought a used truck sight unseen. sent the seller $500 paypal to hold it until the weekend. (i think i said, at 10:00am on Sunday morning, if you dont hear from me, the $500 is yours free and clear). i flew up, test drove it to bank of america and transfered the balance into his account.

i did not post about it here, i was afraid of all the scary stories you would tell me

!@#$!!#$!@ the tires were bald as hell, but we made it, slept and the next morning i got tires.

otto_kretschmer · 05-07-2019, 02:57 PM

Dave Radmacher is in Tucson and still open for normal M-F business hours. He's close to the freeway.

Dave only works on the cars of his era, so no Boxsters or 996 or trucks.

I've known Dave since I got my first 914 20 years ago and never had a problem.

shadowjack1 · shadowjack1's Garage

I plan on drop shipping parts from Pelican. I'm flying into Palm Springs, (PSP).
I have been working on these air cooled cars for over 40 years. I can change oil on the run as they say.
.The car has been stored inside all of its life. Well maintained, but not used in 5 years.
I will change the belts, filters,oil and the like. As far as fuel goes, I will see how much is in the tank and work on it from there.
I have AAA and a cell phone If it breaks down I will rent a truck and get it home.

Thanks Vash.

wdfifteen · wdfifteen's Garage

You can do it man. The story of your journey may be more valuable to you than the car someday.

Chocaholic · 05-07-2019, 04:04 PM

"Sitting for several years"...is an ominous statement regarding a car you're planning to drive across half the country (are the tires even safe?). Airline tickets, hotels, parts/tool shiptment, roadside nightmares, etc., will likely cost you more than it would cost to simply have the car shipped to you.

Just trying to offer a bit of common sense to the discussion. If nothing else, could be a memorable adventure that your son won't soon forget.

Me? I'd ship it.

DanielDudley · 05-07-2019, 04:06 PM

Get a bottle of Techron.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Can you get a gig delivering a vehicle from Slidell to LA? Makes the balance sheet look better, and you get a two way adventure.

What sort of inspection have you done on the car? Is it going to be engine/transaxle oil bleed the brakes buy a battery and bolt? Have new tires lined up ahead of time, I think Tire Rack will ship them to an installer of your choosing. 5 Years is too old for a trip like that.

I would maybe just drain the gas that is in it, though if not doing that, Mr Dudley makes an excellent suggestion.

Denis, money isn't everything. I would gladly spend a grand extra to take a drive across the country with my son in a car like that. So what if they chip the windshield or a headlight

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

Can you get a gig delivering a vehicle from Slidell to LA? Makes the balance sheet look better, and you get a two way adventure.

What sort of inspection have you done on the car? Is it going to be engine/transaxle oil bleed the brakes buy a battery and bolt? Have new tires lined up ahead of time, I think Tire Rack will ship them to an installer of your choosing. 5 Years is too old for a trip like that.

I would maybe just drain the gas that is in it, though if not doing that, Mr Dudley makes an excellent suggestion.

Denis, money isn't everything. I would gladly spend a grand extra to take a drive across the country with my son in a car like that. So what if they chip the windshield or a headlight

I've done it both ways, more times than I can count. Fly in/drive out, trailered them myself, paid for shipping, you name it. The best is having them shipped, take my word for it. That's an ugly drive, from CA to LA on the 10.