PCA Membership - Worth it?

[VaSteve]

So I joined PCA's "Quest Program" - basically a $40 membership that lets you browse the forsale listings. So I buy a car, and want a regular membership, but they won't transfer it. Had I known that a regular membership was only $42, I would have joined (or maybe I couldn't join with no car).

Anyway, do you think a membership is worth it? Please post thoughts.

Thanks
Steve

[ubiquity0]

That sounds pretty lame on PCA's part. Do they have a reason why they won't transfer the membership? If they won't the program is useless. Anybody w/ half a brain would just pay an extra 2 bucks & give PCA a fake VIN # to get a full years membership with all the benefits.

Oh, I'm a member. I think its worthwhile- 12 issues of Panorama ... etc

[Schrup]

If nothing else it's worth the magazines, especially the local one. I think it is one of the more worth while clubs to belong to, especially if you plan to go to the track or do autocross.

[jpachard]

I'm very happy with the PCA but it's very region specific. I'm in CVR and they run a bunch of DE's which is what I'm into, plus it's a really nice bunch of folks. I used to be in my local region(Northeast) but they didn't offer as many DE's and the folks who are members didn't seem as close as the CVR guys and gals. I see alot of the CA regions don't have many DE's which surprises me. I guess the point I'm trying to make is look at the regions websites that are near you and pick the one that is active in the things you like to do( autox, concours, DE etc.) I know I'm a bit lucky in this respect since I do have a few choices in regions due to geography.

Cheers, James

[DByers]

Being worth it depends on where you are and what region/chapter you join. Pano alone is not worth it to me but my chapter has alot going on and is family freindly. The people are also very nice and accepting for the most part. So for me its worth it. YMMV

[kstylianos]

Steve,

It's worth it for the DE prices (discounts) alone, if you are into that type of thing. Try doing a similar DE in this area with another club and you'll spend about double for the same track/time as with the PCA.

BTW: I just filed my PCA membership yesterday as now I'm ready for TRACK TIME!! Didn't really feel there was a pressing reason to do so prior as the car was laid up for a year.

[dad911]

Have a chat with your local region's officers, perhaps they can do something. I will bring up the issue with my region's officers. IMO that policy doesn't promote membership.

[VaSteve]

Originally posted by kstylianos
Steve,

It's worth it for the DE prices (discounts) alone, if you are into that type of thing. Try doing a similar DE in this area with another club and you'll spend about double for the same track/time as with the PCA.

That's worth considering. I'm really torqued about the non-transferibility so I wanted to see what others thought.

[911SCfanatic]

Can't get a regular membership unless you have a car. Why they won't transfer it--who knows? I think the membership is worth it. I just had them do a free insurance valuation on my car based upon a rolling sales average over the last 11(?) months. Plus they have a very extensive for sale section IMO, which is free to list in.

[Dantilla]

I joined before buying a car. Used a buddy's VIN from his '86 951. I ended up buying an '86 951.

I like all the driving opportunities- track and autocross. I've also met a great bunch of people.

Looks like you flushed $40 down the drain. Get ready to start adding zeros to that figure.

[CHILI]

Plus some Insurance companies require you to be a member. Leland West does.

I agree with some of the others: the mags are worth $40, so why not!

[Harlan Chinn]

I just up'd my membership for another year. Great group of people up here, lots of activities socially and at the track

[NY65912]

Well worth it, it opens up a new venue in which you can socialize and learn.

[Jcon]

If you want track time or autocross, it's an outstanding value. At least it is in my region.

Jeff C

[Kevin G.]

The national magazine is pretty, but not the type of reading I do. Looks good on the table though. Our local region (Santa Barbara) is the reason I continue to pay the dues. Great people and fun to drive with - makes it well worth the dues. It would be nice if we could run DE's and autocrosses like the San Diego region, though. Problem in Southern Cal is a lack of adequate venues, not desire.

[B D]

Speaking of PCA is anyone doing the Toy Run with the Orange Coast Bunch over to CHOC?

I am going, got a bunch of toys, say hello if you are fellow Pelicanite.

[Jeremy Wood]

I've been a member for 29 yrs. Our local region (Lone Star) is active in all areas, paticularly DE, AutoX, concours. It pays to be active .. . at something. New friends, contacts & much more fun than just hanging out on a BBS. But if you're not active, then I'd question the value of Panorama alone (although it's a great club mag).

[widebody911]

You needed a choice for "am a member, not worth it"

I'm a member, but overall, the interests of the local PCA region (SVR) and mine just don't seem to intersect very often. The seem to be all about wine tasting and other sedentary activities; I wanna hit the track. I guess that's why most of the track junkies in the Sacramento area leech off the GGR region.

FWIW, I've heard the exact same complaints from BMWCCA people.

Fortunately there's enough independent track junk organizations that I can get my track fix without the help of PCA.

I like Pano for some of the bits on older race cars and historical stuff, but that's about it. The classifieds are fun - it's cute to see the people trying to get $35k for a '77 911 targa.

[rcwaldo]

Its kinda funny as the PCA requires P-car ownership to join, but anyone can run in their events with almost any car????

Well worth it though, many great people and fun events to include your significant other...

Go for it!

[CarreraS2]

Overall it's been worth it to me, I've been a member for around 12 years now. For a lot of time during the mid 90s I was active in the Orange Coast region, served on the board for a number of years, did rallies, autocrosses, concours, etc.

Met a lot of really cool people, went to a lot of cool tech events (at Andial and other shops), etc.

At least out here, it can offer a whole lot to a Porsche nut. There is always something going on, for just about every interest (social, tech, racing, etc.).

That being said, I haven't done squat with PCA for the last 5 years or so. Still, since I've been a member for so long, I stay joined up. As Thom says, it is cute seeing how highly people think of their own cars in the classifieds!