911 Roadtrip Adventure

[Calspeed]

Hello,

I just returned from a roadtrip from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC in my 1985 911 Carrera Cabriolet. This trip was a total of five days at 2038 miles at an average of appx 25mpg.

Well the trip started out great with a blast up Hwy 5 at 10pm. Things were going well and the car was running excellant. Not to many things better then setting the cruise control at 85-90 and just blasting along an empty highway with very limited traffic. One of the things that I found very convenient about the 911 was its incredible range. I was able to travel over 400 miles before I needed to refill the tank. Anyway, after a stop at the Chevron in Albany, OR I ws unable to restart the car. I systematically went over the symptoms and what the car was doing while not starting. I did a quick test on the coil but was unable to see a strong spark so I made the assumption that was the culprit. After many cell phone calls to parts houses in the immediate area I was unable to locate a coil. By the way this was on a Sunday afternoon.

The next step was to call AAA to arrange a tow to the nearest Porsche Dealer. Well, the nearest one was in Beaverton, OR which is just outside of Portland. I had the car parked in their lot and then the next morning I was back at the dealership via the Metro Railer. To make a long story short the car was diagnosed and the problem was actually a relay located underneath the front drivers seat. After a quick replacment the 911 fired up and all was good again. Well, almost everything. The fine technician found that my clutch cable cable was in need of adjustment and proceeded to do what was necessary. Well, two blocks away from the dealership as I continued my journey to the interstate my accelerator pedal went straight to the floor. Oh no... a broken cable? Popped the lid and everything looked fine. I put the car in first and idled the car to the dealership for a quick look. Immediately they put me on the lift and found it was simply a disconnected throttle rod. In less then 15 minutes I was back on the road.

I must convey my appreciation to Sunset Porsche in Beaverton, Oregon for all of their hospitality. From Sunday late afternoon I was treated with respect as well as with the utmost in customer service. The sales staff provided me with a ride to the Portland Marriott Hotel. And a short sight seeing tour of Portland was given to us on the way to downtown. And the next morning Mike McCarthy of the Service Dept was extremely helpful with making sure that I was taken care of quickly. Then again the service technician was friendly and extremely proficient as he figured out the problem quickly. But of course it just doesnt end there. Because I was so happy with the service that I received I went over to the parts dept to buy a Porsche Peddle car for my daughter. The parts guy even gave me a discount on the purchase which saved me about 20 percent off of the catelog price. Then he and one of his associates pulled up a map on the internet to show me the quickest way back to the Marriott in downtown Portland. I dont have all of the names handy but I do have it written down as well as in business cards. And I will post it shortly. Yes, this may sound like a commercial advertisement and I guess it is sort of. But I think this is the best way for me to thank Sunset Porsche for their wonderful customer service. Thanks guys!

The trip further north took me to Seattle where we stopped for a quick Micro Brew and then a few pictures of the sights. From there it was straight to Vancouver BC. Well, I also must add that crossing US/Canada border was an adventure in patience. The Canadian Border lady was the most unfriendly and rude person I ever had the pleasure of meeting. This 30ish in age somewhat short lady with brownish hair was an incredible tyrant that grilled me as if I was some sort of known criminal. Yes, I understand the necessity of border control through interview and questioning. This was beyond that....! This lady was just plain rude and obnoxious. Okay, okay... she was a *****. But we made it through and Vancouver BC was wonderful!

We stayed at the Westin Towers at the Harbour on the 18th floor. And of course, I utilized the valet parking. I must say that the exchange rate was certainly in our favor. At this time we were looking at over 1.55 : 1.00usd. Well, after alot of eating and drinking and shopping on Robson street we worked our way back to the hotel for a wondferfully restful stay. The next morning a quick run along the marina and then to Starbucks for caffienated nutrition. Once again, back in the Carrera for a cruise through the city and then more shopping. By the time 530pm rolled along we were back in the 911 for the long trip home.

Leaving Canada was easy as the US border was quick yet thorough. Made a tank fill up just across the border and then blasted down the highway. Soon enough we were back in Seattle for a late dinner of Fish and Chips at Ivar's on the waterfront. Food was okay but the rest was certainly needed. Further on down Hwy 5 at roughly 230am I was finding that I was getting alittle tired so I pulled into one of the T/A Truck Stops for a cup of coffee and apple pie a la mode. In the convenience shop I saw a "trucker" product that was apparently used to keep you awake for the long haul. I was about to become a "Maverick!" Well, I sucked down the sugar concoction and it perked me up right away. Then in fifteen minutes I ended up crashing big time. I needed to pull over immediately for a two hour nap. That stuff sucks!

I finally did make it back in San Francisco after 22 hours on the road. Besides the earlier set backs the car ran wonderful. I did notice that I burned out a quart of synthetic. But other then that the car was great! I look forward to doing a cross country one day.

Michael "Calspeed" Carion

[JonSeigel]

good story.

J on

P.S. She's cute.

[Doug E]

Nice story and congrats on the trip.

[marcesq]

My guess it that you be adding one of them there DME relays to your First Aid kit.

Most of us do.

[Calspeed]

DME realy huh...? Yeah, that is a good idea. It is worth the $30 Insurance investment. Otherwise, the car is quite bullet-proof. I constantly hear of 180K motors out there. I only have 47K as of yet on this super low mileage "Cab". I look forward to lots of roadtrips and plenty of future stories.

Calspeed

PS: Attached pic is somewhere on Hwy 5 southbound in Oregon. Lots of cool looking trucks on the highway.

[Dana_Drury]

Did she come with car?

[RoninLB]

a Big Ride in a 911 is a tremendous/continuous/exiteing experience............Ron

[JavaBrewer]

Man that's a hell of a lot of driving in 5 days with a Carrera...Cabriolet no less. My wife and I just took a 3 day road trip to Santa Barbara over the weekend. With some scenic driving the entire roundtrip was 500 miles. Some observations from our trip:

1. The car ventilation REALLY sucks. Why I cannot get some fresh air from the vents, without need of an electric fan, directed to a useful area (not feet or windshield), is crazy. Not such a problem on short trips by myself but two adults in the car for hours it becomes an obvious design flaw.

2. Noise. This feeds off the first problem with ventilation. We alternated between open windows, cracked windows, and sunroof to get some air. Travelling at 80MPH the noise level reduced us to shouting or the occasional head nod and thumbs up. Stereo was useless at this point. Keep in mind that we were on I-5/I-405/and 101 freeways so the ambient noise level is much higher than the friendly country road.

3. My Carrera gets no respect on the road. On the way home I-5 south starting in Buena Park every econobox, pickup truck, SUV, and mini van was travelling in the 85-100MPH. Honest to God I had a Dodge fullsize truck with 3" lift and off road tires passing me at 95MPH. We stayed in general proximity all the way to Oceanside where he pulled away once I slowed to 80MPH. I made a few bursts to 110 MPH to wave the Porsche flag but few people registered my feeble hurrah's over their Starbucks latte. Time I realize that this is SoCal and to most people on the road I drive a relic of the 80's.

4. We were the best looking car on the road. We visually picked out at least 100 Porsche's on our trip (mostly Boxters) and I would trade mine for none of them. Wait a minute...do they have fresh air vents?

Overall the trip was mostly fun for me. My wife disliked the drive due to the noise level and cabin temperature. She drives a LR Discovery and is used to the "finer" things in life. To her credit she grinned when I did and put up a brave front but I know her better.

In conclusion the Porsche ran great (other than the O2 sensor that needs replacement) and got 21 mpg average with a Southbound leg from Santa Barbara to San Marcos including gas stop in 2:45. We had no failures or mechanical issues to slow us down and could instead take in the Pacific ocean while adjusting the windows and sunroof.

[Calspeed]

Originally posted by Dana_Drury
Did she come with car?

Well, you know..... With the car came her. Actually, I have known her for many years then she fell for the 911 mistique and away from the far east imports. Otherwise, she drives it well and loves the long road trips. I was nice to be able to recline the front seat for a restful nap and know that I will wake up one hundred miles further along the road. Its all good...!

Calspeed

[BW911]

Calspeed, Where's her Porsche Peddle car?

Just kidding. It sounds like a great trip. My first real roadtrip in the Pcar was about 800 miles or so to Buffalo last April for a ball game -- and I ran into snow when I got there. I guess I should have expected it. But the 911 really drove like a champ through the muck. And yes, I washed it immediately.

You're lucky to have found such a nice low mileage car even if you did have to make an unplanned visit to the dealer. Enjoy.

Bill
'88 Carrera Coupe

[twin plugged targa]

Nice story,
I did a 2 and a bit day run from Long Island NY to Ft. Lauderdale FL. when I had my 86 Cab.
Car cruised at 80-90 all day long! No problems.
-Until I got south of Virginia and wished the A/C was worth a dime! .
I have yet to gain the same confidence with my new beasty
Rgds Ben

[Sarah]

I love reading these porsche get-away threads!!
Our last get-aways have included our dogs so the p-car has had to stay home ().

RoninLB - You have such a great variety of pics from your cross country adventure!

[JEB]

I did 480 mi last Saturday in the 930. I left at 6:00 AM in a cold driving rain.

The weather report called for "clearing skies in the early morning" - but I had no such luck. The car was great. I am always a little extra cautious in the rain but it ran like a champ. The new S-03's worked really nicely in the wet.

I don't find the noise or ride bad at all in my car. The seats and driving position wonderful for long trips. I got the defroster to work OK and I had enough fresh air. As per another thread going, however, I did have a hard time figuring how to get enough heat without pulling the lever between the seats.

I averaged over 75 MPH on all types of roads and with all types of traffic (IE alot of stop and go). Top speed per the GPS was 118.6 (on a straight highway with little traffic and a break in the rain).

It was a great trip in a great car - even in an all day rainstorm.

Jeb
79 930

[Dignan]

I hear you guys.. the 911's are GREAT long trip cars .. they can make a long road trip alot more fun....


Eric
78SC

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Sarah
I love reading these porsche get-away threads!!
Our last get-aways have included our dogs so the p-car has had to stay home ().

RoninLB - You have such a great variety of pics from your cross country adventure!

Sarah...the pics I take now are to trigger the memory of the feelings that were going on at the moment..the whole US is full of beauty, but the memory is what I take serious now..have met many interesting people..I do these BigRides solo, which enhances that moment exhilaration..don't want to seem mystical on a mechanical BB..anyway, the 911 becomes my best friend on these rides..and living in a metro world makes the natural world exotic................Ron

[Calspeed]

Hey RoninLB...

I totally agree with you. On long roadtrips your 911 or whatever car you are emotionally attached too really does become your best friend. The hours of endless blacktop that continues to and pass the horizon. From dust to dawn the sound of your motor humming along when you have tired of your music selection. Your inner drive and personal finance that makes you rather spend the night in a rest area with the drivers seat in recline rather then dishing out $40 plus for a night in a flea infested dive.

Some of my fondest memories are waking to the sound of trucks an hour or so before day break. "Fully refreshed from the hug of my bucket seats. Without even returning the front seat to its upright position I grab the key and twist. I listen to my motor cranking away and then the calm explodes to the sound of exhaust as I eye the tach needle hovering 500rpm over warm idle. Then stepping out into the chilly air for a few stretches and knee bends as I watch the exhaust pipe go from puffy white to mere puffs of white." Yes... the memories are forever. Yes my car is my best friend.


June 1995 - Cross Country Trip. California to Wyoming to Georgia 4 days and 2 hours in a restored 1971 BMW 2800.

July 1998 - S.F., Calif to San Diego, Calif. to Albuquerque, NM. and back on Route 66. 8 days in a restored 1967 Datsun Roadster 2000. Appx 4000 miles.

October 2002 - S.F., California to Vancouver BC. 2100 miles in 5 days in a 1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet.

Calspeed

Attached pic is in Southern Oregon off of Hwy 5.

[Calspeed]

Hello,

Just wanted to say thanks to all that rated this thread so highly. Wow... four stars! Such an honor!

I have a very strong suspicion that my 911 will really grow on me and the relationship will be quite strong. Sounds strange...? Probably not since most of you have already established this with your Porsche.

Sincerely,

Calspeed

[RoninLB]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Calspeed

I have a very strong suspicion that my 911 will really grow on me and the relationship will be quite strong. Sounds strange...? Probably not since most of you have already established this with your Porsche.


Wait Cal...if you want to be tickled by what kind of a BigRide your 911 is capable of dial into this..............Ron

BigBig Ride/? local knowledge


BigBig Ride/ It's Over

[tight as a bull's ass]

Originally posted by Calspeed
Hello,

Just wanted to say thanks to all that rated this thread so highly. Wow... four stars! Such an honor!

I have a very strong suspicion that my 911 will really grow on me and the relationship will be quite strong. Sounds strange...? Probably not since most of you have already established this with your Porsche.

Sincerely,

Calspeed

dude, at 47K miles, you have alot more driving to do...but I know what you mean about the 911 growing on you - it's a very cool car.

anyway, drive it like you stole it

[Dana_Drury]

Weren't we rating the girl?