Worldwide list of Pelicanites

[turbo6bar]

I've been searching for a 911 and had 2 Pelican Parts Members review two cars for me. Their opinions were invaluable. As was suggest in another thread, we need a listing of PelicanParts guy and gals who would be interested in donating time to see cars for other members.

So, who would be interested in joining that list, and how should it be formatted, presented, etc.?

I had one idea for the list. Let's say Jack, Joe, and Jill live in Detroit, MI. Jimbob in Dallas is considering purchasing a car in Detroit. Jimbob goes to the web site and punches in "detroit, MI.' Then, the web site emails Jack, Joe, and Jill stating that Jimbob likes the '76 turbo. Can you go look at it? If so, contact Jimbob at email@email.com. This way, Jack, Joe, and Jill retain their privacy. If they don't wish to or cannot make the time, it's not a problem. Maybe this is too formal. I dunno.

Suggestions. Can anyone help me get this off the ground?

Jurgen

[emcon5]

This actually came up once before, I think when Nostatic was looking for a car. I'll dig through the archives and see if I can find it.

Tom
(who wouldn't mind looking at east SF bay area cars, for what that is worth)

[pwd72s]

Jurgen, in this age of nearly zero privacy anyway, I wouldn't mind giving you my email for such a clearing house...but I have to admit, my knowledge of 911 models is pretty well restricted to the early (pre '74) years. Of course, by looking I could tell if a car is a creampuff or a beater, any car reflects the care, or lack of, by it's PO...but perhaps just a listing of guys willing to help, a location, and areas of knowledge are all we'd need...Oh, and I have no digital camera, would have to give only a word description...

[turbo6bar]

Ok, maybe keeping it simple is best.

As far as the differing levels of expertise, hey, you get what you pay for. This networking allows buyer to weed out the bad examples or see if that gem is for real. After the buyer receives an unbiased opinion on the car, she can either drop the car off the list or proceed with a PPI.

I feel pictures are very useful. One solution I could envision is a rent-a-camera deal. I could buy a good digital camera. If a buyer is really interested in a car, and pwd72s has no digital camera, I could FEDEX the camera to Oregon. The past two weeks, I've received dozens of pics from sellers. Pictures that are 600x400 pixels are OK. Pictures that are 1280x1024 and take up the entire computer screen are super. It's as if I'm standing 10 feet away from the car. I know there are complications to this idea, but it can work.

I know this can really work, and I can donate whatever time necessary to make it work.

Jurgen

[stealthn]

I would be willing to look at cars in Alberta (Canada) if I can get the dog team hooked up

I think it's a great idea, but a PPI should be mandatory so there is no guilt/blame. Anyone looking for a 993 TT I can take for a rat around here

[makaio]

I know they are few and far between, but any cars North of Sacramento, in California, I would take a drive to look at.

[pwd72s]

Seems like we have a volunteer army...may we survive the negative feedback from the travel and motel industries...true, there would need to be some kind of agreed upon non liabilty for those doing the initial look-over...then let the prospective buyer decide if he wants to go forward with a PPI...I remember worrying about Evren getting mad at me after seeing the car, even tho I did say it looked as if it's body & paint work was done by a high school shop class...

[real550A]

Having "local scouts" doing preliminary walk-arounds (drives) for a first impression is a valuable tool that we all can benefit from. I'm sure most reaches of the world will be covered before long. If needed in MPLS.. don't be afraid to ask! I'm always looking for an excuse..... Mike

[jmohn]

This seems like a great idea. While there certainly will be people who are capable of doing a complete PPI on this list, I think most of us (at least this was true of me) just need someone local to "look it over", take a couple of pictures and give an unbiased opinion to the perspective buyer; then they can decide to pursue with a visit or PPI or write it off as not suitable. I know I would have appreciated this type of assistance a few years ago when I was considering cars some distance from my home area. There should be no question of "liability" as this will be done for no fee and should be considered a "preliminary" examination, sufficient only for deciding whether to take the next step (i.e. PPI and personal visit). BTW, I'm also in the south-central Minnesota area (Twin Cities), I'm no expert, but I do know junk when I see it

Jerry M
'78 SC

[JeremyD]

Count me in. Always willing on going on adventure. Turbo6bar - I'll take plenty of 4 meg pictures of Micheal's car for you - hope you have the bandwidth...

I think armed with an initial walk through - a set of digital pictures - and a location of a place to do a mechnical PPI- could sure take the willies about buying a car from afar.

I know I could not have bought a car in Chicago with out all the help.

[turbo6bar]

In my opinion, jmohn/Jerry has captured the idea. These are essentially preliminary inspections by Porsche enthusiasts; nothing more or less. The individuals who perform this great favor should not be liable for misrepresentation.

I'll start a spreadsheet tomorrow. Let me know if you'd like to be on the list.

Jeremy, my computer is locked and loaded. I'm ready for pics.

Jurgen

[jmohn]

Count me in.

e-mail: jmohn@isd.net

Jerry M
'78 SC

[JDaniel]

I'll look at cars in Vermont, some parts of upstate NY, NH, and Mass. If it's within 1.5-2hrs I'll check it out.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have done it before for a fellow pelicanite and will do it again.

It's great fun inspecting and driving other 911's.

I'm in St. Louis and would go anywhere - as long as its a nice day - within a couple of hours just for an excuse to get the '87 out of the garage. The only downside is that if its a nice car and the price is right, I always get that 'if you don't buy it - I will' feeling.

[83911sc]

Count me in - I can screen garbage in NJ ( OK, no pun intended).

kotlar@hotmail.com

[hilandscott]

Count me in, for Atlanta and vacinity that is...

Always nice to enjoy a vicarious Porsche purchase!

[tmctguer]

count me in for orange county, CA. i could also be talked into going to san diego or maybe even WAY south LA.

[john70t]

One option is getting a PPI shop referal from the local PCA, but I suppose everyone has different opinions about what qualifies as "go/nogo" in a vehicle.
Having several people looking at the car at once might fill in the gap of period corectness and some of the extent of mechanical wear.
Might even scare the seller to see a crowd at the doorstep all wanting to take a test drive, but the official engine tests will tell the real story of the big-money gamble.
A vacuum gauge does come in handy for a cursory glance and show some of the gremlins.

[nick-moss]

Count me in for the south of England, how about someone in Germany?

[jyl]

OK for SF Bay Area, either East Bay or SF or Marin.