should i have said something?

bell · bell's Garage

had a customer come in the shop today with a 91 cab for some simple audio, the car was new to him, we chatted a little, he didn't seem to know much about cars in general let alone 911's, but liked the car alot.
something didn't seem right about the car, as the front wheels seemed to stick out a bit.
turns out the car was repainted, good paintwork with minimal overspray in hard to see areas......however they painted right over the body seals, the badge said carrera s.....which explained the wide turbo style rear fenders........
then it clicked, the 911 had narrow body front fenders on it and a narrow front bumper, that explains the front wheels being out too far.

it also had a weird voltage problem, he said he put a new battery in it but the engine bay heater blower was staying on and we didn't see more than 12.9volts when it was charging, he was going to take it to "the shop who did the battery" but i insisted he take it to a reputible local porsche specialist, as their oil change sticker was under the decklid and they can help him more than i, he said he would get it to them before driving it anymore. i told him what to have them check (charging system, heater blower/controls, and the abs light which seemed to have a mind of it's own when the cars isn't moving.

so all in all he has a 911 that has a few problems, i directed him to a shop which can get him strait but i didn't mention the fenders.......i just couldn't drop that bomb.....

Zeke · 09-28-2007, 06:20 PM

I don't think you'll need to be the bad guy. Someone else won't be able to resist. You won't look silly for not

noticing, because you'll just say you were focused on what you do.

khamul02 · khamul02's Garage

Yeah BUT what if those fenders and bumper where on there because of damage (which is most likely the case).
Me being a newbie would want to know. Tough call on this one.
Some people can pull off dropping bad news with the least amount mental damage.
I think I would have liked to known asap about every issue with the car so I could let them go or address them immediately.

dweymer · dweymer's Garage

I agree, I would want to know asap. It is not like you are saying that doesn't look right in my opinion. It's "those are the wrong fenders dude. Easily changable, but you need to find out why."

bell · bell's Garage

it was obvious enough that i know this shop will point it out, and i'm sure this guy will make it better......either by narrower spindles (yellowbird style

) or the correct fenders.
myself and another guy went over the car pretty good, other than the painted seals and wrong fenders it looked like a nice car, as long as the electrical "gremlins" are a simple voltage problem, then he should be ok.....
i'm sure i'll see it again and will "follow up" with him.

Porsche_monkey · 09-29-2007, 04:39 AM

Tell him to join Pelican, and tell him all newbies have to post pictures. He'll get feedback within five minutes.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

He'll figure it out. If someone buys a 911 without expecting a few issues / items to solve, they're nuts anyway.

Quicksilver · 09-29-2007, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

He'll figure it out. If someone buys a 911 without expecting a few issues / items to solve, they're nuts anyway.

There is nothing nuts about being a newbie. Everyone has to start somewhere. (It may be an expensive ride though!) Lets just hope he survives his induction and comes out the other side with a dopey grin on his face.

A guy (of questionable intelligence) once told me, "When what you got wasn't what you were expecting, then what you got was an experience."
Never could figure out how he managed to pop that bit of wisdom out of his head. The guy was such a train wreck...

Danny_Ocean · 09-29-2007, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

A guy (of questionable intelligence) once told me, "When what you got wasn't what you were expecting, then what you got was an experience."
Never could figure out how he managed to pop that bit of wisdom out of his head. The guy was such a train wreck...

He read it on a bumper sticker.

I couldn't figure out for the longest time why my "twin-turbo" couldn't beat the neighbor kids' Accord...

Gogar · 09-29-2007, 08:06 AM

I think you could have said something, as long as you were careful about how you said it. You would have to just make sure he knows that it's not the end of the world or anything.

I learned (like this guy will) about stuff like that when I bought a '72 MFI filter for my '72 targa that has a 73.5 CIS motor in it. I was crushed for a day and then I went out for a drive and everything was fine.

DanielDudley · 09-30-2007, 12:51 PM

Raise your hand if your first Porsche was a disaster !

rnln · 09-30-2007, 01:33 PM

Agree, no one know everything since the begining. That's why there are instructions/teachers and there are students. There are newbies and thereare senior in here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

There is nothing nuts about being a newbie. Everyone has to start somewhere. (It may be an expensive ride though!) Lets just hope he survives his induction and comes out the other side with a dopey grin on his face.

A guy (of questionable intelligence) once told me, "When what you got wasn't what you were expecting, then what you got was an experience."
Never could figure out how he managed to pop that bit of wisdom out of his head. The guy was such a train wreck...

zotman72 · 09-30-2007, 07:13 PM

I remember once, telling a newbie at a PCA DE tech inspection, that his rear wheels were on the front the of his SC. His face dropped, and he then confided that he just had Discount Tire rotate tires that morning. Neither he nor the Discount Tire monkey lads did not know his rims were different sizes. You have some sympathy for the new 911 pilots, there is a fair amount that applies only to our cars. YMMV

Hugh R · 09-30-2007, 08:19 PM

When I bought my Targa, I went to the local porsche dealer to get a front trunk T-handle key made by code, he said he couldn't help me because it was an ROW, I said, "Ok, whats that"? Didn't know about Pelican or PPIs then.

rnln · 09-30-2007, 09:09 PM

ROW? Ok, whats that?

Danny_Ocean · 09-30-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnln

ROW? Ok, whats that?

Rest Of (the) World. Cars not originally manufactured for sale in the U.S. (?) My car is a "ROW".

rnln · 09-30-2007, 10:29 PM

so, none US car then. Thanks.

Laneco · 10-01-2007, 05:00 AM

You should have told him - discreetly. Perhaps from the direction of..."I believe you have standard front fenders on that car, but turbo rear fenders - did the previous owner put those on?"

Not critical, but opens the subject. The guy at the DE with the front tires on the rear - That was handled well, happens pretty regularly.

Whether the front wheels are on the back, or someone's fly is open, please, please discreetly mention it. You will probably save that person alot of embarassement!

In the case of the fellow discussed in this thread, we all have a pretty good idea why that car has mis-matched fenders and paint work - it is a repaired wreck. The electrical problems likely stem from that issue. We used to have a body shop. Electrical problems that are the result of accident damage are repaired by the insurance. This includes batteries, severed wiring harnesses, hot-shocked fuses and components. As he was new to the car he may have recourse against the seller or compensation due for these issues.

angela

Porsche_monkey · 10-01-2007, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielDudley

Raise your hand if your first Porsche was a disaster !

I guess there are only two of us....

Laneco · 10-01-2007, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PBH

I guess there are only two of us....

Oh no - you are FAR from being alone!!!!

angela