Cross-Country Road Trip in an Old 911...

[ENENEN]

Hi all, I've been looking for an SC or 3.2, and I've decided that I would like to purchase a car out west, fly out, and drive it home to Ohio. Partially because a west coast car should generally be in better shape, and partially because I've always wanted to take a trip like this in an older car. Obviously, I will be having a PPI done before making a purchase, but what should I have with me (fluids, parts, tools?) to be prepared for a long trip in an unfamiliar car? Any tips or advice? Having only driven one air-cooled 911 so far, I'm not even sure what I should be looking for on all the gauges to make sure everything is ok. Thanks in advance for the help!

[Uncle Enzo]

Oil, belts, basic tools and AAA.

[KNS]

Sounds like a lot of fun, post pictures of your trip...

Try a search here under 'road trip', 'spares', 'tools', etc. Good luck on your car search!

[boyt911sc]

Originally Posted by Uncle Enzo

Oil, belts, basic tools and AAA.

Don't leave home without your smart phone and credit cards. Driving from West Coast to Ohio in a car you don't really know involves more risk. A lot of people drive their newly acquired cars thousand of miles to bring them home. I've done it the other way. Bought the car in Philadelphia and drove it to CA. Just be prepared for any unforeseen event. Wish you luck and have fun.

Tony

[Otter74]

When I was shopping for a car, I ended up finding my car in Georgia, but I not-so-secretly hoped to find it on the west coast so I could see a friend or two and do exactly what you want to do. I did drive my car home from Georgia. My priorities were for a car that was good enough mechanically to hop in and drive anywhere, and I'd suggest the same for you (e.g. possibly at the price of other factors like, say, originality or cosmetics, depending on your budget).

Fan belt, basic tools (the OE tool kit is probably fine), air compressor, maybe a tire plug kit (or make sure the spare is good), road-service card, phone, credit card, DME relay if you get a Motronic car.

[universeman]

Have fun. Join AAA. Be ready to adjust your schedule and your plan in case something goes wrong.

[ENENEN]

The plan is definitely to buy a car that I am confident will make it across the country. That's step 1. From searching, it seems like a lot of people are bringing a ton of stuff, while others keep it pretty simple. I'll be trying to pack extremely lightly, since I'll be flying out. Preferably only with a carry-on.

And same with me... I'm not exclusively looking at west coast cars, and I would have a hard time turning a good one down that was closer, but I would strongly prefer to find one out west so that I can make this trip.

[Techno Duck]

Make sure the tires are in good condition, both with tread to make it through rain and not vintage tires that are hockey pucks. Also watch a video or two on youtube about how to replace the fan belt. Just give yourself an idea how its done just incase you need to do it on the side of the highway. Ask the seller how complete the tool kit is also; in particular the spanner for holding the fan pulley and socket wrench for the fan belt.

Buy a spare DME relay to keep in the glovebox if your buying a 3.2L.

A can of FixAFlat isnt a bad idea just incase.

I bought my '88 3.2L just north of Sacramento and drove it back to San Diego, about 550 miles. I think i took a big chance on this car as i flew into Sacramento, then took an Uber 45 mintues north to where the car was located lol. It worked out well though as the car was as described. This was with no PPI... i know cars well enough i opted not to bother getting one done and trusted the seller to not waste my time with flying up. I am a hypocrite though because i always suggest having one done for a car like this!

The drive was fantastic, i took the PCH most of the way down. I took it very easy because the tires on the car were 9 years old and down to the wear bars. And to my surprise i hit a little bit of rain just north of LA on i5.

[WIL84911]

This and ezpass tag was all I had after ebay seller told me car will make it anywhere. Was a short 300 mile drive though I wished it was farther. When I was ready to go was the only time I have sat in a 911 ever.



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[Jonny042]

I did exactly what you are thinking of:

Road Trip Update - 3200 miles, home safe and sound!

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. These are pretty robust cars so with a good ppi from a porsche specialist you should be good to go.

Enjoy!!

[JacobS911]

sounds like a great trip! Watch the weather.. snow in the rockies will shut you down easily especially if the tires on the car are summer tires. Let me know if you're going i70 route and will be going through Denver! I'd meet up and gives you a chance to look over the car in a garage before hitting the plains.

[Doug&Julie]

Mention your trip to whoever is doing your PPI. You might want to invest in fresh fluids, etc. by the shop before making the trip. They might also be able to turn you on to any additional "needed" items.

Pack light, buy stuff when you fly in for the car. Really, a good 911 should make the trip with little to no problem.

Post here when you go, surely Pelicanites will offer help along the way if needed. And ditto the posting of photos.

PS - I hope you're taking a Southern route!

[ganun]

How about taking along a small drone so you can take dramatic pics of you and the car from unbelievable angles along the way. I'm going to do it next summer.

[matt930s]

I bought my 69 911 E sight unseen no PPI.....flew from Charleston to San Diego, taxi to Escondido ...paid in cash...hopped in the car found highway I10 and headed back east....lots and lots of issues along the way! But a trip to remember.

MattR

[James Brown]

roll of duct tape, credit card, go for it. i purchased a 123,000 mile SC and drove it from chicago to seattle sight unseen, no problems, but i was young and foolish. (duct tape is the coffee holder)

[Noporscheform]

When I purchased my 1994 coupe I had the shop that did the PPI do all the work it needed as a result of the inspection. It included bringing all Routine maintenance up to date, replacing any worn rubber parts, changing all fluids. I then went and had the tires replaced. I took that car on a 2000 mile trip a couple of months later and then A 4500 mile trip after owning for about six months. Never missed a beat. Never worried about taking the car anywhere.

[RSBob]

Bought an 82SC without a PPI after determining the owner was a fanatic about maintenance. He even recorded every tank of gas, new wiper blades, and adding washer fluid. Anyway drove the car 600 miles with no real issues. I did send the owner a package in advance containing a new jack, fix a flat, CDI, fan belt, fuses, relays, zip ties and tons more. I unfortunately miss addressed it and it was returned to sender so no spares but all was good. Two months after getting it home the fan belt broke and low and behold th wrench to undo the nut was missing from the tool set. If that had happened during the trip home in the high desert I would have been so screwed.

Have a ball and take pics and a spare belt.

[Driven97]

What everyone said, but also a spare bottle of oil. I drive my car to events every weekend all summer, as far as 11 hours each way.

I had a dme relay give up in my driveway while I was opening the gate on the way home.
I had a starter solenoid go flaky if it got too hot.
I lost a window regulator relay just this fall.

Other than that, no issues. Uses about a quart of oil every 1500 miles, oh and I wear earplugs when driving long distance. Lots of road / wind / tire noise, reduces fatigue.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Noporscheform

When I purchased my 1994 coupe I had the shop that did the PPI do all the work it needed as a result of the inspection. It included bringing all Routine maintenance up to date, replacing any worn rubber parts, changing all fluids. I then went and had the tires replaced. I took that car on a 2000 mile trip a couple of months later and then A 4500 mile trip after owning for about six months. Never missed a beat. Never worried about taking the car anywhere.

^^^I used this same strategy when I bought my 964 in the mid-west and drove it to the mid-Atlantic area. Network with your fellow Pelicans that are along your route home, and if you're not in too big of a hurry to get home, arrange to meet some of them for lunch or dinner. Also, get shop recommendations for your route home...just in case.

Good hunting, ENENEN!

[Arne2]

A buddy of mine did this going the other way. See ... and the journey begins