Finally getting mine!

[nineball]

well after ~5 months of searching i finally found a car that i like AND that passed the ppi. if nothing goes wrong (knock on wood) i will be flying out on the 18th and driving it home over the next 2 days.

1980 sc targa




thanks to everyone who helped me along the way with questions and suggestions. if you are near wichita, ks or anywhere along 70 heading back to ohio feel free to drop me a line and i just may stop by on the way home.

onewhippedpuppy i owe you a beer so you can bank on it



-edit-

as i am new to 911 ownership is there anything that i should or should not do along my trip back home? suggested speed on the highway (or varying it), items to watch for, ?????

[DanielDudley]

Nice looker. Well done.

[onlycafe]

radar/laser detector would be a good idea.
cell phone.
aaa+ and a credit card.

congratulations, enjoy the trip.
don't get caught.

[KCTarga3.2]

+1 on AAA. Maybe some protection for the front -bra/clear bra? Kansas and Missouri are the typical +10 over the speed limit and they fuzz won't bother you. Enjoy it and have fun.

[nineball]

thanks for the tips.

every time i buy a new car i buy it a new radar/laser and hardwire it in. keeps me up to date and i never have to worry about it again. knowing me i will get the "drive it like i stole it" out of me pretty quickly so i am not too worried about a ticket.

got the cell, a gps and sirius. no aaa but i do have rescue service on the cell phone. only costs $3 a month and i turn it on and off for road trips.

i was thinking about some sort of a clear protectant but it is original paint and has it's share of bumper chips already. good idea none the less and i will be looking into it.

[Mitch Leland]

I'd be sure that you have:
1. Air pump for the spare
2. Check to see that you have a jack and tire changing tools
3. Extra fan belt
4. Some basic tools
5. Know what kind of oil the previous owner was using so you have an extra couple qts. on board.
6. Check the air pressure in the tires
7. Check all fluid levels
8. I would sit down and review the owners manual so you know what does what before leaving.

I'm sure others can chime in with other suggestions... I drove my car home straight through on a 900 mile drive. Probably wasn't too smart, I was dead tired after the flight up and a late start for the return.

Oh, a bra was mentioned, if you're concerned about rock chips, a poor mans fix is the blue 2" painter's tape. It's not pretty, but it will protect the paint, 1 roll will do ya...

Good luck...

[Winter]

Nice Targa. If the car doesn't come with an original tool kit, check out what people like to have in their cars here: Porsche Tool Kit - Making Yer Own

I'm personally finding it pretty helpful as I compile my own tool kit for my '75.

Have a safe and fun trip home!

---

Tom '75 targa

[nineball]

going to be taking the car directly to the shop that did the ppi to throw it on the lift and take a good look around myself before i actually pay for it. all fluids will be checked / topped off and an oil change will be done for the drive home. i planned on checking the entire spare system and will be installing (the needed) 2 rear tires before the trip.

i guess i was a bit vague in my original post. i was looking more for tips about driving the car itself, like possibly overheating, limits on running time during long stretches of highway, items that do not like long trips, etc. i have never run an air-cooled engine before.

[snbush67]

Shift real slow and deliberate ensuring you press the clutch to the floor every time.

Once you get used to how it shifts and revs then drive it like you stole it and don't let anyone pass you.

PS don't fold the Targa Top it will bite you, just put it front facing down and top towards the front behind the seats ensuring it didn't obstruct the seatbelts and you will be good to go.

[80-911SC]

gentle warm up, don't let it idle to warm.
learn the tranny (i have an 80 911) its like a woman learn how to move it and what it wants you'll be fine just don't get in a hurry short shifting(sure you've heard that once or twice).
then drive the living sh t out of it , after all it is a PORSCHE babying it is no good , and is embarrassing . just remember it is yours enjoy it , drive and enjoy and well hell just enjoy it.

one more thing your wife (if one) will either love it or hate it, if she loves it +1 if she hates it -1 ( the wife is easier to rid of than the PORSCHE is to replace) just my opinion.

[nineball]

thanks. i read in another thread about 20-40 secs of idle warm up then slowly driving already. i also read about the tranny being picky but i have been driving a manual for so many years i find myself going through the motions when i drive an auto.

no wife yet... still collecting toys and i don't have a boat yet. once that happens then i can worry about a wife but for now i just have the bike and cars.

[Canada Kev]

Stocking up on the toys before getting the spousal unit is a sound decision, I think. It's sometimes difficult acquiring additional goodies afterward. Significant "bribes" such as diamonds, vacations or kitchen renos are often required.

Good luck with your new 911. Safe drive.

[Mitch Leland]

Other than not driving the car cold over 3 grand in low gear until it reaches the beginning of the temp marks there's not much to know about driving the car (in a straight line). I would still be more concerned about the mechanicals of driving an 18 year old car cross country that you're not familiar with. I'd drive mine coast to coast, but I know the car...

[Tut]

Did the same thing a few years ago: DFW to central PA. Suggestions: have a replacement fan belt; make sure that you have the long hex wrench to remove the battery bolt (ask me why); don't lug it, even when cold, but I agree with Mitch re 3000rpm.

Congratulations, good luck , and enjoy!

[KCTarga3.2]

How many miles does the car have? I am no mechanic, but have been told that driving in 4th at about 70mph for a while might help clean out some of the carbon buildup (if the car hasnt' been driven much). Maybe a couple bottles of techron for the drive home, but you'll need an oil change after. Staying in 4th also helps when the civic with his coffee can exhaust and neon glow pulls up behind you. Fun to do on the hwy but not at the light. If you drag the car you will have a long drive home thinking of how you will explain to the wife why you need a couple grand for a new second gear synchcros rebuild.

[nineball]

car is actually 29 years old and had 105k. already went through my tools last night and put together a little kit to take with me. good idea on the fan belt, will pick one up. i will be bringing my bently manual along for the ride just in case i need it as well as my iphone to post on here if needed.

like i said earlier i plan on getting the aggressive driving out of my system early but i have never been one who craves speed daily. after being in 3 motorcycle accidents over the years i have re-learned how to dive like an 80 year old half-blind lady. it's true, speed kills. lost my best friend in one of those accidents.

[dailyATX82sc]

NUMBER 1 RULE


DONT LIFT!!

[Deschodt]

Originally Posted by dailyATX82sc

DONT LIFT!!

Damn, how do you get out of the car then? Way till it runs out of gas ? ;-)

Seriously, the "don't lift" rule only applies if you drive like a bully (hard on/off the gas pedal), are at the limits of adhesion in a turn etc.... It's actually OK to lift if you know what you are doing (smoothly), give it a couple of track days to get a feel for it... Those statements (as well intentioned as they are, I'm not criticizing, just joking) would have you believe an SC will swap ends if the wind changes directions. Actually they are understeering PIGS by default, and sometimes you have to lift to get some front grip again !

You can steer a 911 in a turn with just with the gas pedal, no lift is killing the fun ;-) It's good to know the dangers, but don't let that scare you !

[Poresha]

Did the same exact thing as you 3 years ago ... flew out to Denver to pick up my dream, drove it back to Columbus, Ohio. Beware of Salina, KS ... they ticket anything moving over 75 MPH. Trust me, I know. Enjoy the drive back ! I sure did. Nice Targa btw, good choice.

P.S. don't be surprised when you hit Southern Illinois and the truckers are doing 100+ MPH. Evidently no-man's land. Now that was fun !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nineball]

the trip begins on tuesday and i am getting things in order. can a voice of experience give me a list, partial or complete, of the mandatory minimum tools needed? i already had the mechanic throw a few quarts of oil and a spare fan belt in the trunk but i am not sure what else to bring with me. i have to pack carefully due to weight limits on luggage so i can't bring my whole portable tool box like i would love to do.