My first!

[dtsol]

Hey All, I'm excited to be the proud new owner of this beautiful '87 Carrera Cab. It's been about six years since I first sat in a vintage 911, looked down that fender line and got bit by the bug. I got some great advice in this earlier thread that helped me make the decision to buy my car (thanks, everyone!), and I drove it home today. Spent about four hours behind the wheel, driving down the Pacific Coast and through the Santa Cruz Mountains. As beautiful as these cars are, and as fun as it's been to read threads and think about getting one, I was still unprepared for how deeply soul-stirringly great driving one is. I think this is the best automotive decision I've ever made.

[Eric H]

Congrats - car looks great!

[Knockdown]

Pretty car for cruising the coast, Congrats!

[Quasimoto]

Jeez, a Pac Coast tour in your first 911...that’s living well! Congratulations!

Originally Posted by dtsol

As beautiful as these cars are, and as fun as it's been to read threads and think about getting one, I was still unprepared for how deeply soul-stirringly great driving one is. I think this is the best automotive decision I've ever made.

Well stated.

I experienced a similar weekend last Fall touring the Smoky Mountains. A great decision for me as well...financially not so bright, but a high point in my auto/moto legacy...

[49willard]

Congrats on your 911 and a great 1st drive! I prefer that the top goes down. I bought my 86
Cab 3 years ago with 58,000 miles on it and have really enjoyed it . I do like cars that the top goes down. I have 4 top down cars but only one P car.

[robertmark]

Awesome, and good for you. Driving that car will never get old. Just smelling the leather never gets old. I have a California question. If you had a choice to buy anywhere in California, with proximity to the 101, with a $500-650k budget, where would be the ideal and most affordable area. I've visited Monterey numerous times, and it's beautiful. However, a garden shed there is $400k. I know there are many Porsche shops around Long Beach, which wouldn't hurt to be near. I know there are a few California posters on the thread, so please offer some advice. Thanks guys!!

[LIRS6]

Congrats! Looks to be in great condition. As 49willard wrote, put that top down - you're in CA with the sun shining.

Jason

[pete3799]

Congrats and best of luck with your new 911.

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

Car looks great!

[dtsol]

LOL—I had the top down right before the pix!

[nene]

Great car and welcome!

[911obgyn]

Robertmark, check san Louis obispo, los Osos. anywhere near an urban center is going to be pricey!

[robertmark]

Originally Posted by 911obgyn

Robertmark, check san Louis obispo, los Osos. anywhere near an urban center is going to be pricey!

Thanks for the suggestion. The wife and I would like to have a small ranch with a 2 car garage, where we can go for several months of the year for nice drives along the coast. Also would put us closer to the awesome car events there, which we are having to always fly to. Thanks!!

[dtsol]

Regarding California locations, you could check out Pacifica. I'm not sure if it's still the case, but it used to be less insane than the majority of the Bay Area, and it's on the coast and near San Francisco, so there are good drives going North or South.

[nvr2mny]

Check out Lompoc. Basically a bedroom community an hour north of Santa Barbara. Off the 1 and 101. I lived there for 25 years before moving to Kansas City @ 11 years ago. pm me if you want more info.

[robertmark]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll research them. It's hard to know where to look, when all I've seen is Monterey for car week.

[famoroso]

I'm born and raised SF and there's great car culture to be had and driving roads. We'd often jump in the cab, depart our home in the Marina district and make the 100 mile roundtrip drive to / from the Spud Point Crab Company in Bodega Bay just for lunch. A-mazing!

That being said, you can't beat SoCal Tier 1 car culture. Weekly C&C gatherings from intimate (RSF C&C) to 600 car insane (South OC C&C) and annual world renowned gatherings like Luftgekuhlt,. etc.

I loved the access to Sonoma, Thunderhill and Laguna when I last lived in SF 2013-2017, but for weather, car culture, roads, etc., SoCal does have it beat (tough for a born & bred Northern Californian to admit).

Checkout Oceanside and a little east. That would also position you nicely between LA, OC and San Diego and make for nice road trips up to Monterey.

[dtsol]

Here's another pic of the car, for the folks who wanted some top-down action!

[Dmitry at Pelican Parts]

Congrats on the beautiful, new ride. Now it's time to learn the ins and outs with the help of this forum. Let us know if you have any questions.

Porsche 911 (1965-1989) Technical Articles

[dtsol]

Thanks, Dmitry. I'm sure I will have lots of questions, and it's great to have such a strong community as a resource.