New Orleans

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

My employer is asking if I would be willing to take a transfer to New Orleans. One of th emany items for me to consider is whether my 914 comes with me. Its a rust-free always-in-CA car.

Anyone in New Orleans have an idea how much I will actually get to drive it there? No a/c, and I hate driving it in rain. Here, I get to drive it about 75% of the time.

Also, if you have any advice at to what area to look at housing for a family with a 7 year old, I would appreciate it if you e-maill me at
rfoulds@hearst.com

Ron Meier · 12-31-2001, 09:35 AM

Can't tell you where to live in NawOrlans. You may have trouble understanding the locals (Cajun types ya know).

The humidity (spelled rust) is horrendous - I lived in Houston (ya'll) for four years (same Gulf climate). Operated my a/c feburary thru november - condensation tray never drained fully (water sounded like a giant wave at Waimea Bay rounding corners) and the passenger floor carpet was always wet. Everything sticks to something else (properties of the bi-valent water molecule).

Leaving for work after doing the morning "three step" (s___t, shower, & shave), i would immediatley start sweating and my glasses would fog over (till I made it to the a/c'ed car).

Spent a lot of time in NO, as I covered the area. One of the few places I've been that drips and your footprints in a lawn fill in with water as you walk.

BUT, the food is good and the Lousiana Chickory Coffee (French Market) will elevate your heart rate to triple in a sip. Just add a Binet (roll covered with powdered sugar) to complete the heart attack. AND, if it ain't fried, it ain't food.

Obviously didn't answer one question you asked but it was fun!!!

Joe Ricard · Joe Ricard's Garage

Exept today, Cold and humid !!!! When it rains it REALLY rains. We get more rain in 30 minutes than S.D. gets all year. You would swear Noah is going to go floating down the Bayou any minute.
This is why I have no carpets/ no tar/ no sound proofing in my car. They all hold water.
What a novel concept a 914 with no rust. HMMMM If I leave the back garage door open over night my tools will have a nice orange tint to them. So I guess your suspicions are valid.

johnco · 12-31-2001, 10:15 AM

no where here fun to drive but there is the No Problem Raceway about 45 min- 1 hr away. they have PCA events a couple times a month.
www.noproblemraceway.com
and then there's MARDI GRAS next month
hope your car floats, I've seen years with over 8 ft of rain falling. 4 inches in a few hours is just a shower here

Ron Meier · 12-31-2001, 11:02 AM

What a concept - a place where race rains are standard and you carry drys for the "off day".

How 'bout a 914 Amphibicar - replace the rocker panels with floats and the tires with paddle wheels. No need for fans, you're water cooled and you can pipe hot water from the heat exhangers for morning coffee and heat (road warrior stuff).

Oh! Black Water - keep on flowin' - Mississippi moon keep on shinin' on me (or something like that).

AAAARRRRGGGGHHH!

johnco · 12-31-2001, 11:29 AM

actually, we get long periods (days) without rain ... until I dig a hole to install a pool. then rain for weeks. I could email you when I am going to dig a hole so you can leave the Porsche at home... If you can't handle Louisiana weather, wait a few hours. 80 degrees one day, 30 the next in the winter.... but usually hot and wet in the summer. Btw, we have only one rainy season. it just lasts 365 days a year

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

SO its official. I am moving to New Orleans next month, and I am taking the 914 with me. I hope it does not become a rusted out garage queen, but its days as a daily driver are over.

I will be commuting from Mandeville across the Lake to N.O. So the 914 will have to wait for autocross days or short weekend trips.

The PCA site does not list a contact for the Mardi Gras region. Anyone here belong to that region PCA?

And why the weird name for NPR??

johnco · 01-24-2002, 02:55 PM

http://vista.pca.org/mg/

Joe Ricard · Joe Ricard's Garage

I even got my first Email from the Mardi Gras region. Thanks to Johnco I am now a member of PCA. P.S. nice new web site too.

bowlsby · 01-24-2002, 06:39 PM

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Creative idea Ron...the weight balance should be near perfect for an 914 amphibicar...but with the air cooling system it would become a waterpumper soon enuff.

johnco · 01-24-2002, 07:06 PM

the only reason I can think NPR is named that is because pretty much any answer to a question around here is "no problem"
Can we drink all that beer? "no problem" you think we could fix this car with duct tape and a screwdriver? "no problem"

bowlsby · 01-24-2002, 08:34 PM

I have no idea how the above message happened...it looks messed up somehow, not even a way to edit it, and it certainly not what I posted.

My posting was a comment in response to Ron Miers post, that the 914, as an amphibicar, would have great polar moment and be balanced at all corners due to its mid engine design so it should sink. haha.

Sorry for the crud posting.

Mark Howard · 01-25-2002, 12:13 PM

Hey man! Glad to hear of another teener moving to my area. Here's the scoop: The NPR is named that because the owner (local comedian and all around nice guy) has had is motto of "no problem" for many years and is known for it. The raceway is pretty new and still under construction, but the track is 100% drivable. The owner is building other family stuff for the wife and kids to do while you are tearing up the track. Be advised, it is a multi use track, so the drag rednecks do go there in force.

Mandeville, Eh? I have worked for the city doing consulting work for about 6 years, know all the good areas. As far as Louisiana goes, Mandeville is the wealthiest community in the state(per capita) and has a higher cost of living than other areas. Housing costs are big $$$, mostly because everyone wants to live there. Be careful, it FLOODS there. You are also a sitting duck for a Hurricane. Buy flood insurance.

I know a great real estate agent if you need one. E-mail me and I will send you her name. I am in Germany right now (yes, been to Stuttgart) so my e-mail may not be checked often.

Good luck with the move and look me up when you get here!

johnco · 01-25-2002, 04:26 PM

I think it's a 26 mile long bridge from Mandeville to New Olreans over the lake. that should be real fun driving the Porsche when the wind kicks up. and it does often hehehe, No Problem! it blew my Jeep all over the road a while back. from what I hear, the bridge is closed now and then to motorcycles and campers for high winds and the serious downpours we have. you know, the type of rain where you can't see the front of your car?

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

Made it to New Orleans. Buying a house in Fountainbleu development in Mandeville.

My 914 is lost. Dependable Auto Transport picke dit up in Monterey three weeks ago, and they don't know where it is now. Last seen in New Mexico, over a week ago. They guarunteed 7-10 days delivery.

So, I am waiting, impatiently, and will hopefully be driving my 914 in the Big Easy soon.

echocanyons · echocanyons's Garage

I hope yuor 914 is recovered soon.

If not I hope they are planning to reimburse you.

Kelly

Mark Howard · 02-19-2002, 08:40 AM

Randy - I intercepted your 914 in Baton Rouge and am holding it hostage until you unpack your house and have real QUALITY time to spend with her!

Kidding, of course. Welcome to Louisiana! Look forward to meeting you and your teener.

rfoulds · rfoulds's Garage

My 914 finally arrived today, over 3 weeks in transport. Mud all over the wheel wells and under carriage, from being left in a storage lot somewhere.

Broken front SE spoiler that I JUST PUT ON!!!!!

So, I will get a new spoiler, and clean the crud off the car's underside. Just driving it again felt great, though!!