Our first Porsche. Finally got one!

andyt11 · 08-01-2010, 10:13 AM

So after thinking about it for years and seriously looking for about 9 months, I have finally been able to fulfil the dream and buy an 80's 911. I've always wanted one, as long as I can remember and although I know there are faster cars and better handling cars in the world, there is just something about this little car that shouts quality. I think its the way the doors shut with a solid clunk.

I've been lurking on the forum for a while now, reading and asking questions. Its a great resource and I should really say thanks to all the good people here who have chimed in. One person in particular, the previous owner of our car is Howard (plymouthcolt). He is a credit to the forum and a really nice guy to deal with. It was easy to buy Howards car because he provided so many good quality photographs and answered any questions so quickly and clearly. Something many potential vendors cannot be bothered to do. We were able to know exactly what we were buying, which I think is really one of the most important things when buying a car like this. And so an 88 coupe was purchased. Its beautiful!! (in my humble opinion!)

Bonnie and I flew down from Manitoba, Canada and found our way to Maryland. Howard was kind enough to pick us up at the hotel and took about 3 hours off work while we messed around with faxes to customs and temporary insurance permits. He also helps us make a few final adjustments before we hit the road and showed us how to dip the oil, where the tools were, how to charge the AC (should we need to) etc etc... He sent us away with a spare quart of oil and a Bently manual. What a stand up guy.

So we left Maryland for Connecticut to visit some friends for a couple of days. We don't get down to this part of the world very often and since we were so close we figured it made sense to stop in.

About half an hour in the blazing sun got the better of us and I simply had to charge the AC! Once that was done we were a lot more comfortable and made the 350 miles to CT in good time. The car cruises great on the highway and just eats up the miles. After a quick two day visit and a load of hassle trying to get the toolkit back from the airline (in the usual lost suitcase) we were on the road again, this time for 1750 miles back to canada. Of course taking the manditory pictures of "welcome to your state" signs.

After all the hassle of getting the toolkit back we didn't actually need it in the end. The car ran flawlessly and in the first two days we ate up 650 miles a day. Then the final 450 home to canada. Customs was a breeze (key there is to do everything by the book, smile and be pleasant) although they did question the price and they did ask for copies of the original ad and correspondance with the seller. Fortunately we had all of this as I'd read this might happen. I think customs officers all think because its a Porsche it must be worth a fortune. A quick photoshoot with the car in front of the welcome to Manitoba sign and we were away for the last hour back to Winnipeg.

A week on and I'm loving the car. The smell of leather, fuel and oil are just fantasic. I spent the whole day yesterday waxing and polishing and I'm planning a ride out to the local PCA meeting next week.

So thanks to everyone for all the answers to all the questions and thanks again to Howard for being such a good guy to deal with. It was a pleasure.

Hope you all like photos.....sorry if they are a bit dull!

andyt11 · 08-01-2010, 10:14 AM

Heres a good shot of the car that Howard had taken. (I know that number one rule is that you guys like pictures)

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

Welcome, nice car. Yes we do love photos!

86 911 Targa · 08-01-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyt11

So after thinking about it for years and seriously looking for about 9 months, I have finally been able to fulfil the dream and buy an 80's 911. I've always wanted one, as long as I can remember and although I know there are faster cars and better handling cars in the world, there is just something about this little car that shouts quality. I think its the way the doors shut with a solid clunk.

I've been lurking on the forum for a while now, reading and asking questions. Its a great resource and I should really say thanks to all the good people here who have chimed in. One person in particular, the previous owner of our car is Howard (plymouthcolt). He is a credit to the forum and a really nice guy to deal with. It was easy to buy Howards car because he provided so many good quality photographs and answered any questions so quickly and clearly. Something many potential vendors cannot be bothered to do. We were able to know exactly what we were buying, which I think is really one of the most important things when buying a car like this. And so an 88 coupe was purchased. Its beautiful!! (in my humble opinion!)

Bonnie and I flew down from Manitoba, Canada and found our way to Maryland. Howard was kind enough to pick us up at the hotel and took about 3 hours off work while we messed around with faxes to customs and temporary insurance permits. He also helps us make a few final adjustments before we hit the road and showed us how to dip the oil, where the tools were, how to charge the AC (should we need to) etc etc... He sent us away with a spare quart of oil and a Bently manual. What a stand up guy.

So we left Maryland for Connecticut to visit some friends for a couple of days. We don't get down to this part of the world very often and since we were so close we figured it made sense to stop in.

About half an hour in the blazing sun got the better of us and I simply had to charge the AC! Once that was done we were a lot more comfortable and made the 350 miles to CT in good time. The car cruises great on the highway and just eats up the miles. After a quick two day visit and a load of hassle trying to get the toolkit back from the airline (in the usual lost suitcase) we were on the road again, this time for 1750 miles back to canada. Of course taking the manditory pictures of "welcome to your state" signs.

After all the hassle of getting the toolkit back we didn't actually need it in the end. The car ran flawlessly and in the first two days we ate up 650 miles a day. Then the final 450 home to canada. Customs was a breeze (key there is to do everything by the book, smile and be pleasant) although they did question the price and they did ask for copies of the original ad and correspondance with the seller. Fortunately we had all of this as I'd read this might happen. I think customs officers all think because its a Porsche it must be worth a fortune. A quick photoshoot with the car in front of the welcome to Manitoba sign and we were away for the last hour back to Winnipeg.

A week on and I'm loving the car. The smell of leather, fuel and oil are just fantasic. I spent the whole day yesterday waxing and polishing and I'm planning a ride out to the local PCA meeting next week.

So thanks to everyone for all the answers to all the questions and thanks again to Howard for being such a good guy to deal with. It was a pleasure.

Hope you all like photos.....sorry if they are a bit dull!

Nice Porsche and "Pretty Lady!"

Good luck,

Gerry

Drisump · Drisump's Garage

Another Porsche in the Great White North.... good stuff and hope you enjoy her. Isn't the road trip home great? Cheers

Dueller · 08-01-2010, 10:58 AM

C'mon...tell the truth. How many times did you get up in the middle of the night and look at it in the motel parking lot?

Welcome to the madness.

andyt11 · 08-01-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dueller

C'mon...tell the truth. How many times did you get up in the middle of the night and look at it in the motel parking lot?

Welcome to the madness.

Only once, early in the morning..... note miles away from door bangers....

widgeon13 · 08-01-2010, 11:24 AM

Great smiles, great car, have fun with it.

Buckterrier · 08-01-2010, 11:46 AM

Congrats and welcome

WIL84911 · WIL84911's Garage

Hey you passed by me (Mahwah, New Jersey). Congratulations.. nice car! So what year is it? I'm guessing 85 on...

Paul K · Paul K's Garage

Great story!

kach22i · kach22i's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyt11

A week on and I'm loving the car. The smell of leather, fuel and oil are just fantasic.

Oh you are hooked, welcome to the game.

Winter · 08-01-2010, 04:24 PM

Cool story, welcome!

---

Tom '75 targa

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Congrats on the purchase and happy motoring.

jimbauman · 08-01-2010, 05:10 PM

Manitoba eh? Enjoy driving your Porsche during the 6 weeks of non-winter!! Wait... does it have a block heater?

JB

jlex · jlex's Garage

Do you have to change the speedo from miles to Km's?

andyt11 · 08-01-2010, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlex

Do you have to change the speedo from miles to Km's?

No - none of that to do because the car is over 15 years old and does not enter Canada under the RIV program. There is a huge thread somewhere on this forum regarding the process of importing cars from the states.

Mike Andrew · 08-02-2010, 09:00 AM

Did you get a chance to flog it on 29 passing through the several hundred miles of absolutely flat real estate from Fargo to Winni?

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyt11

WOW, so there really is a "North Dakota" !

welcome!

andyt11 · 08-02-2010, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Andrew

Did you get a chance to flog it on 29 passing through the several hundred miles of absolutely flat real estate from Fargo to Winni?

No there are way to many plods up there, especially with all the construction right now. Its pretty flay mind. You can let your dog run loose and still be able to see it tomorrow, 20 miles away.