PPI in Baton Rouge / New Orleans - need recommendations

[Mike Feinstein]

Came across an 89 Targa in Baton Rouge. The car is completely stock and the owner seems like a decent guy (PCA member). 67k miles, black over tan, etc. Can anyone recommend a good mechanic to do a PPI, preferably in Baton Rouge?

Are there any Pelicans in the area that might consider having a look?

Many thanks,

[johnco]

I'll be working there in a couple of weeks installing a pool but I have to go there sooner than that to sign contracts and locate materials. I could drop by and have a look and take digital photos of anything you need if you want. I'll need address, phone number, etc. Just let me know if I can help anyway. I'm about 80 miles away but no problem.

[Mike Feinstein]

John,

Great news. I'll e-mail you off line. Would you know of any Porsche mechanics in that neck of the woods?

Thanks!

[chuckr]

I used to live in Baton Rouge two years ago and there is a Porsche dealership there.... Brian Harris Porsche on Airline Drive, it is a very small dealership and only one Porsche Mechanic, I forget his name but he is a nice guy, he works at the BMW dealership, that is where they do the Porsche service, I had my 83SC serviced there a couple of times before I moved.You also might try the Mardi Gras Region PCA web site for help, I do not know their address but you can like to it off of the Houston web site at www.lsrpca.com

[FranksPlace2]

The New Orleans best independent is Greff Motors at 504-834-6955.

Randy Greff has taken over from his father so they have been in business many years. Randy is big in racing. http://www.greffmotors.com/

He is currently rebuilding the engine on my recently acquired '77 911 S Targa. The work is good but the pace is slow.

The CO may be willing to drive down; it about 80 miles.

Let me know if you need more info.

I went to a Mardi Gras PCA open house thing today at Crescent City Porsche. The local chapter is at
http://vista.pca.org/mg/


Frank

[Mark Howard]

Hi Mike - I live in Baton Rouge and would be glad to check it out for you. I have bought 3 locally and have never been disappointed. I second the other posts about the Porsche dealership in BR, but I have been VERY unhappy with them. They screwed me twice and now I won't even buy water from them. The mechanic there is a nice guy, he just doesn't work on many 911s. I have been to Greff and they are a really good shop, but they are in New Orleans.

My mechanic did a PPI for me on my 993 last year. His name is Gary Huckaba at Moberly's Foriegn Car Repair. He is a VW guy, but knows his was around my '88 911, my 914 and my 993 pretty well. He did a good body look over for damage, leakdown, brakes, suspension and checked the function of all the systems on the computer. He made me a list of the deficiencies and cost to repair for a bargining chip. He did it for free for me because I am a good customer. His number is 225 754-7328. I called him for you and he said he could do it next week for $200-$250.

I'll be out of town this week, but you can call me anytime on my cell phone (225) 907-7683.

Good luck.

[MBAtarga]

Mike you sold the cab? Now would be an opportune time to reconsider another turbo....

[CEO]

Hey I live here in Baton Rouge also, and know of a good place to take it too. I have never been disapointed with his knowlegde and service. Ballards Motorsports 225-751-1153 tell him that Ken Hamburger sent you. I would not mind meeting up with you either. Love to meet another pelican head. if you want anymore info let me know. I would love to help.
Kenneth

[Mike Feinstein]

Thanks to all for your help. Mark Howard was kind enough to meet the owner at 8am this morning, before leaving for a business trip. He spent about an hour driving the car and gave me a very thorough evaluation.

It seems the engine and transmission are excellent, as is the interior, save for a warping glove box door. The car drove great. The disappointing news was that the car has had a repaint, has about 8 door dings (removeable presumably), a fist sized dent in the drivers rocker, a poorly touched-up key scratch, a cracked tail light lens, a warped guage lens (?), a non-functional oil pressure guage, and a variety of broken or missing minor bits and pieces.

Mark said the steering was very heavy when moving slowly (could have been the tires) as compared to his 88, and the car needs an alignment (steering wheel tilted when going straight). I'm concerned about possible front end damage although he didn't see evidence of any. Brake pedal required substantially more effort to slow the car than his does (old pads, fluid, etc?). AC didn't work well (condensor fan frozen) and heater fan wouldn't come on.

Most of the items are minor and I don't mind tinkering....but it's quite a shopping list and, although lots of minor bits and pieces normally aren't expensive, this is a Porsche. Unless he drops his price substantially, I'll probably not make the trip to see it.

A special thanks to Mark for checking out this car for me. This BBS never ceases to amaze me. If I can return the favor for anyone looking for a car in Atlanta, let me know!

For now, the search continues.

[Mark Howard]

You are welcome, Mike. I actually enjoyed it. Anytime anyone needs assistance in Louisiana, just drop me a line.