What would it take to open a classic Porsche shop?

[kenzinger]

I like to daydream. I often find myself dreaming up elaborate business plans to quit my corporate job and follow my dreams - A dive shop in the Caribbean, a restaurant in NYC, a luxury mountain top retreat, you get the idea.

I once had 60% of a business plan for a craft distillery but now I'm more interested in cars than liquor...

I've also seen posts about the current generation of Porsche experts starting to retire and know that many of the members here own garages or Porsche related businesses.

So, help me distract myself from writing performance reviews - what would it take to open a classic Porsche garage?

Here's one of the big open questions I have, I'm not nearly skilled enough to be the head technician, how hard is it to find and hire someone to fill that role?

[Showdown]

I have a client who did just this- he wasn’t a mechanic but a lover of vintage sports cars and opened his own shop- he’s very successful now but that was a nearly 20-year hustle. And cost him a lot of capital, time away from his family and stress.

I’d say don’t do it just based on how it nearly killed him but who knows, maybe you have the Midas touch.

An alternative approach is to buy or invest in an existing shop and inject new blood/capital into it.

[Locker537]

Your daydream sounds familiar. I think about it often.

A wise friend and family member once said to me:

"Don't make your avocation your occupation, as you probably won't be happy for long."

It always resonated.

[Hi_Fi_Guy]

Why not interview other shop owners? That would give you at sense of the prose and cons.

[lelix]

To open- a business name.
To keep open: A person to run and grow the business and a good mechanic(the two are mutually exclusive).
Money, patience, a good knowledge base, competitive suppliers etc go without saying.

[Rtrorkt]

If you would be interested in the Phoenix metro I may have an idea

[Gianni at Pelican Parts]

A lot of capital.

[OldSpool87]

You’d definitely need to know what the best motor oil is. That’s for sure.

[dw1]

Interesting idea. There is a need, but I really wonder if the market size (i.e. customer volume) can make for a sustainable cash flow.

Since so many of us are "do it yourselfers" that could work against you.

My local Porsche independent service shops have maintained their business as cost-effective alternatives to dealers for newer cars in addition to servicing the older ones. I've seen the same for the independent Mercedes shop I use.

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by dw1

Interesting idea. There is a need, but I really wonder if the market size (i.e. customer volume) can make for a sustainable cash flow.

Since so many of us are "do it yourselfers" that could work against you.

My local Porsche independent service shops have maintained their business as cost-effective alternatives to dealers for newer cars in addition to servicing the older ones. I've seen the same for the independent Mercedes shop I use.

For potential market size you could look a local PCA membership #s and get to know the membership composition (old versus new cars). Keep in mind people will drive a good distance for a shop more so than they would for their Camry. Also on DIY, there’s the super hard core DIYers with ample garage space, lifts, tools, skills and time. Then there’s guys like me who take on projects but know when they are time and/or skill constrained and happy pay a local expert.

[PFNog]

And be prepared for the huge hassle of getting approved by the local municipality… NY is probably as bad as CA. Business permits, hazardous waste disposal plan, fees to companies that come take away your used chemicals, motor oil, etc. There’s a huge amount of cost that you never even think of as a DIYer… plus rent! It’s really hard to make it pencil out unless you already own a suitable space or can acquire an existing shop w a good lease at a good price.

[dw1]

Originally Posted by PFNog

And be prepared for the huge hassle of getting approved by the local municipality… NY is probably as bad as CA. Business permits, hazardous waste disposal plan, fees to companies that come take away your used chemicals, motor oil, etc. There’s a huge amount of cost that you never even think of as a DIYer… plus rent! It’s really hard to make it pencil out unless you already own a suitable space or can acquire an existing shop w a good lease at a good price.

Great point. I can't speak to NY, but in NJ getting and maintaining the environmental approvals for hazardous material storage and disposal are a major hassle. I saw that with my former company. In your case this would include oils, fuels, refrigerant (for a/c systems), coolant (for the newer water pumpers), parts cleaning solvents, etc., etc.

And then there are the OSHA requirements.

I'm not trying to kill your dream, but I had a friend who used the inheritance he got from his grandmother's passing to open his own body shop and he couldn't keep it going despite being very experienced in that specialty.

On the flip side, there are many areas that want small businesses because they see that as good for the local economy. The breaks that may be available (small business loans/grants?) may help as well.

To the largest extent, it all comes down to the experience and reputation of the mechanics. IMHO, lots of people can run a pot still (going back to your original idea), few mechanics/technicians can do truly good work fast enough to be cost-effective.

And man, do I NOT miss writing performance reviews. My condolences.

[1QuickS]

I recommend seeking Porsche shops in your area that you like and talk to the owner(s) to see if they are interested in selling. A bank would probably provide financing and the owner could be retained as a consultant. If the owner is not interested in selling then ask if they know of another, the Porsche world is surprisingly small and interconnected. Buying an existing business means all the local codes and vendors have been sorted and you would have an established staff to provide the services you need.

If interested in relocating then I know of such shops in Phoenix & Portland and who knows, perhaps the Caribbean?

[Coastr]

It can be done. I know of someone who has been running and indepdent mercedes service and repair shop for 30 years and is now winding down. He had a wait list for customers and ran the business at his own pace. His biggest customers owned older benzes and had a ‘keep it on the road’ approach. Any attempt by customers to ignore his recommendations got you back onto the wait list - invited to find a new tech, essentially. He never employed anyone and owned his own building. This was in a regional town of maybe 15,000 people. Realistically you only need a customer base of a few hundred people to stay in the game.

As mentioned what you need is capital, skills and time, and a location that has enough customers. I think the supplier relations etc are less important as that can be quickly developed. Reputation will be everything so being honest and forthright with everyone, no matter how much it hurts their feelings is key.

If it were me I would start with location first and look for an existing building to buy, with equipment thrown in to get started. If the business fails you can always rent or sell the building. I would also look outside a big city for cheaper buildings, but in an area that has relative wealth. Any device business thrives when it puts itself in the middle of customers who value their time higher than their money. If you find customers who value their money more than their time, they’ll take all your time and you won’t get any money.

[group911@aol.co]

Given the fact that about 80% of the current air cooled mechanics out there are nearing or actually beyond retirement age, it may be an ideal time to step into one and take over at a relative bargain.

[Bill Douglas]

Why?

You won't be contributing anything. To open, and survive the first year, in a business you need to be better or have an edge over anyone else who is doing it.

Unless you are the man you will spend most your time trying to hire the right people, then the rest of your time trying to pay them less to maximise your profits.

[Cajundaddy]

Anyone can follow their dreams and open a business. The really successful ones all have a few things in common:
1. They offer a product or service you can’t easily find elsewhere.
2. There is significant demand for their offerings.
3. Their potential clients can afford their offerings and see value in it.

Singer might be one good example. They took a somewhat less desirable 964 and reimagined it with uncompromising exquisite detail. Essentially lots of shops do pretty nice restorations but you can spot a Singer at 100 yards and you know it is a special car.

Pelican Parts might be another highly successful business that filled a niche no one else was offering.
Lots of other highly successful businesses with variations on this theme.

You need a clear vision and the determination to see that vision come to life. It sounds easy enough, it isn’t easy.

A business startup might be the hardest job you ever do but it might just be worth it. Good luck!

[Dpmulvan]

Just give me your money or burn it. Bad idea especially with the globalist agenda of putting us all on bikes with straw hats. Maybe start a lab to find a replacement for lithium.
As far as Caribbean dive shops been to many no money there.
NYC restaurant are you crazy
Auto shop in NY Crazy ever used a water based parts cleaner?
Stick with the beard oil for now.

[T77911S]

a great, meticulous mechanic

customers

[il Pirata]

There is a shop for sale in the current issue of Panorama page 151 in southeast Michigan. euroatuowerks.com. They service a wider range of European cars so may not be a fit but might give you a better sense of what running a garage entails by talking with the seller. No affiliation.

As to your question, I would think it's very hard to get a hands on shop foreman. The really good ones that I know either want their own shop or work for a very high end shop. I don't know what the number is but your going to need a lot of volume to pay for the mechanics AND make a good living.