California cars in Calabasis?

[pbs911]

Anyone ever deal with them or know of someone who did? I would appreciate any experiences. Thanks.

[Harold_89_911]

I have looked at their cars a couple of times when I was looking for one. They usually have a nice selection but their prices were on the high side. I prefer to through a PP, get a car with few PO, check records, and get a PPI. Will give you a better idea about the car than the opinion of somebody who is trying to sell it to you. My 0.02. Never actually did business with them.

[MMARSH]

I have had good experiances with them in the past. I bought a 84 Carrera that I was completely happy with. I kept the car for a couple of years and sold it back to them for a very reasonable price. My dad also bought a Turbo look SC that runs like a champ. So for me I really cant say anything bad about them.

On the other hand, I believe that Kurt B bought his Cab from them and was not very happy with them, so maybe he will pipe in.

[Joe Bob]

IMHO....VERY expensive.....

[Ronbo]

Their cars tend to be high priced, and look better in pictures than in person. They also refuse to allow a PPI...

[speeder]

They probably get some good cars, but from checking their website when I was looking, prices were not good. Since you are in So. Cal., you have the largest selection of pre-owned Porsches in the world at your disposal. Best deal is almost always going to came from private party. Don't know what you are looking for, but if it's a primo car, private party w/ records, etc. is best. PCA ads are excellent source of creampuffs, these cars command top $, but you get what you pay for.

I bought my '82 SC coupe in 2001, paid under $10Gs for 106k miles really nice car. From 10 ft. away in broad daylight, it looks like a new car. It needed front brakes and some service and updates, but it's a no-accidents or rust beautiful car w/ good options and highly desirable color. At CA. cars, same $ would have bought me a *****box SC w/ high miles. Shop around, don't be too anxious, but also have $ ready and be ready to pull the trigger when right car surfaces. Also get a good PPI no matter what. My .02.

[Efrain68912]

A buddy of mine asked me to go check out a 912E that California Cars was selling. When I pulled up in my own 912 the guy didn't jerk my chain, allowed me to look around the car and prod and check for rust, and allowed me a test drive. The car drove well, had passed smog and had all of its emissions equipment in place (important on 912Es, as that equipment is a rare as a 911R). It was priced a bit on the steep side, but it seemed like a reasonably solid car. (No PPI, thus I had no compression or leakdown numbers). My friend and the salesman agreed on a price, and my friend told him he would be back on Monday. We were there on a Friday. Come Monday, he went back and the 912E had been sold. I understand that they are in buisness to make money, but since they had already discussed the terms and agreed on a price, I figured the salesman at the very least owed my friend a phone call to discuss what was happening.

Thus, I don't ever plan on doing buisness with them. The cars are way too expensive for what you pay for.

Efrain
68 912 Coupe

[Joe Bob]

A deposit would have made the salesman call you back....

[speeder]

Uh, I'd have to back the dealer on that 912 story. I used to sell cars for a living, if I had a dollar for every person who was going to be "back on Monday", I'd be a millionaire. We used to joke about the "beback bus- when is it supposed to arrive?"

Talk without $ is quite cheap in car,(or other), business. Next time tell your friend to leave deposit and get price in writing- this is what is known as a win-win situation in CA.- dealer now cannot sell car to another in agreed period of time, must sell it to you for what is written, and,(this is the best part), only legally obligates dealer. If you change mind and have not taken delivery of vehicle, dealer CANNOT keep any part of deposit. CA. DMV puts padlocks on doors of dealers dumb enough to try this. For this reason, however, no smart dealer will take deposit on desirable merchandise for any length of time. Car is either sold or not, w/ deposit it is not. Hope that helps.

[Saffs]

Originally posted by Ronbo
Their cars tend to be high priced, and look better in pictures than in person. They also refuse to allow a PPI...

Howcome they won't allow PPIs? Sounds unethical....

[Ronbo]

Their reason for not allowing a PPI is the concern the mechanic performing the PPI will cross-thread a spark plug. They say that all of the cars on the lot have been checked by them, and are in good operating condition unless otherwise disclosed. I decided to purchase elsewhere.

[robertinla]

I'm relatively new here and I see great discussion about something that's very local and it feels like being at a local club!

I used to work across from California Cars a long time ago and always wondered about them. They've sure been around a long time. Great to see a lot of members local in the area.

[Joe Bob]

They also have a repair shop onsite....I do not know if they do customer repairs which would require registration with the Bureau of Automotuve Repair (BAR) or not....but they do "prep" the cars onsite and it's assumed they know what they are selling.

They also have a race program that has the cars prepped onsite....that being said...I really get a bad feeling on the cars sold there. I will look and drive by, but that is it....as to buying experience. My friend bought a 74 with a credit card....paid top dollar, but he wanted a Porsche NOW....not later, they obliged.

[speeder]

The cross-threaded plug worry is a legitimate concern, but obvious solution is to only allow PPIs to be done by reputable Porsche specialist, (of customer's choice of course), there are a ton of them in L.A.; this place is not in No. Dakota for Chrisakes. Salesman from Cal. Cars goes with car to shop of choice, stays with car, this is professional way it is done. All legit dealers allow PPIs, provided you have a solid DEAL on car pending successful PPI. Otherwise it is a waste of precious time.

[movin]

Bought my '87 Carrera from them 3 1/2 yrs. ago. 77,000mi. Fair deal, although the price seemed a few thou. high. I would consider them again if in the market. At the time they had a good/knowledgeable wrench. Installed new front shocks and turbo tie rods at a very reasonable price.