Do you let them drive your car for alignment?

Jay Laifman · 08-02-2010, 07:13 PM

So, for the over 22 years that I've owned my 911, I've let precious few people drive my car. My mechanic is one of them. My wife, well once and a while. But, also over the years, I've taken my car to the same shop for alignment. Each time, I've let the guy doing the alignment take off with my car, without me in it - on a somewhat busy street. I have no idea where he goes, if he slams on the brakes, if he pushes it into corners - or just what he does to "test" the alignment. It's also rarely the same guy. The same guy owns the shop - and he used to exclusively do my car. But, it's rare now that he is the one (once and a while).

Yeah, I know there are all types. There are those that could care less about others driving their cars or where they park. Then there are those that barely take their cars out of their garages. I'm between the two extremes, but certainly, admittedly, closer to the over protective types - and I'll definitely walk a couple blocks rather than park in any old spot in a parking lot.

Would anyone else take pause at letting some unknown alignment jockey hop in and take off with your 911? (1973 911 with original paint, but still driven regularly, and on the way up to the Historics next week).

Jay

curtisaa · 08-02-2010, 07:21 PM

I don't know who you might be taking your car to, but you might seriously think about corner balancing your car too. As far as the guy driving your car and taking it thru the courses, isn't that the purpose of a Porsche. If you drive it like a "cream-puff", then that's what it is.... sounds like you have a great car !

MysticLlama · 08-02-2010, 07:50 PM

One of the biggest "problems" I've ever had with my car was in a shop didn't drive the thing hard enough after doing work on it, and I discovered some rubbing or interference 5 miles later and had to drop it back off.

For me, the shops I go to usually have many faster and more expensive cars around they are working on, mine isn't really anything to worry about. I'd rather them hammer it and know that it's had it's shakedown when I pick it up.

But I also don't go to shops that I don't think would make it right if something bad did happen, if you have that concern, it might be the wrong place to go....

dicklague · dicklague's Garage

take it to TRE. They know what they are doing and they are Porsche guys. They are the only ones I let align my 73 and drive it. They are great!!

midnight911 · midnight911's Garage

hell no!
the mechanics who KNOW the stuff also do not like to drive cars adored by the owners. such mechanics know that you are the only one who knows what's going on with the car and you are the only who notices smallest changes made to the car.
at least that's how i see it when i see real good mechanics.

Flieger · Flieger's Garage

I just took it to Marco and Tony at TLG Automotive. I trust them with anything on the car. It came back handling great!

johnsjmc · 08-03-2010, 04:48 AM

If you are that worried ,then ask the owner of the shop if you can go along for the test ride. Most mechanics only drive a short distance to see that the steering wheel is sitting straight and there is no pull. They have paid work to do and don,t need to waste time test driving unless needed.

rnln · 09:27 AM

depend on where you take it to. If you take it to a reputable/experience porsche mech, no problem. I would even ask them to drive it for me. They drive porsche all day long, why would they care pushing your car unnecessarily. If you take your car to xyz who fix 1990 corola all day long, yes, they will have fun with your car, and if they never drive an old 911, they will probably do something you don't usually do to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay Laifman

So, for the over 22 years that I've owned my 911, I've let precious few people drive my car. My mechanic is one of them. My wife, well once and a while. But, also over the years, I've taken my car to the same shop for alignment. Each time, I've let the guy doing the alignment take off with my car, without me in it - on a somewhat busy street. I have no idea where he goes, if he slams on the brakes, if he pushes it into corners - or just what he does to "test" the alignment. It's also rarely the same guy. The same guy owns the shop - and he used to exclusively do my car. But, it's rare now that he is the one (once and a while).

Yeah, I know there are all types. There are those that could care less about others driving their cars or where they park. Then there are those that barely take their cars out of their garages. I'm between the two extremes, but certainly, admittedly, closer to the over protective types - and I'll definitely walk a couple blocks rather than park in any old spot in a parking lot.

Would anyone else take pause at letting some unknown alignment jockey hop in and take off with your 911? (1973 911 with original paint, but still driven regularly, and on the way up to the Historics next week).

Jay

scottrx7tt · 08-03-2010, 10:05 AM

i dont have a problem letting anyone drive my cars, especially if they are some kind of mechanical shop. These people are insured. I like my car, but it is replaceable if something did happen.

Rev-it 84 · Rev-it 84's Garage

Take a look at his car, if his car is up to par then OK.

wolf · 08-03-2010, 11:41 AM

Not many people drive mine but my mechanics do.

gsmith660 · 11:54 AM

The words Ferris Buellers day off and the parking garage attendant airborne comes to mind!

Took my 911 up for a safety inspection and the service manager at the Chrysler dealer come out to drive it in because I cant for liability reasons and he turn around and yells at me "wheres reverse" as he almost drives my car into a Ram 1500 He just shrugged and grinned.

Jay Laifman · 08-04-2010, 08:47 AM

Thanks for all the thoughts. It is a highly reputable alignment shop in the Porsche circles. And yes, they certainly align road and race cars far more expensive than mine (though arguably not as valuable to me!). I don't think I'd ever say anything. Just thought I'd see what others thought - and see just how nuts I am.

john walker's workshop · 11:06 AM

if someone didn't trust me to drive their car, i'd just tell them to take it somewhere else. if i can't test my work, no sense dealing with them.

Head416 · Head416's Garage

I think that's the point. It's all about trusting the place you take it to.

I've never had anybody work on my car except my brother, and he's the only one who's driven it. Except my wife. Once.

If I had to take my car to a shop I know where I would take it, and I would trust them to drive it.

KNS · 08-04-2010, 11:13 AM

I think people have heard one too many stories from dealerships where the shag boy got done washing the M5 and took it out for a "spin". My local independent techs, I encourage them to take it out, they have a much better 'ear' and 'feel' for the car then I ever will to spot any potential problems.