[Jim Richards]

How large or small?
I never really consider size. Instead, I look at how backlogged the shop is and how organized they are with the work they have.

Owner–mechanic, owner–manager with good techs, or well run, savvy Dealer?
Probably owner-manager with good techs. No way I'd let a dealer touch my cars.

Lots of equipment & high-tech stuff or a mechanic’s tool box?
They have to be better equipped than my home garage, otherwise I wouldn't see any value.

Prime location or off in some obscure industrial location?
Not an issue for me, as long as they have a safe place to keep my car if it needs to stay there overnight.

Is appearance and cleanliness important?
Yes! Indicative of their workmanship.

Owner/crew involved with PCA, POC, SCCA, NASA, etc. or not?
I used to think this was important, but I'm seeing to many people's cars waiting on the hot-hot-hot problem(s) that the shop's regular racer customers' have.

Just mechanical service or more (alignment, tire mounting, engine/trans rebuilding, dyno ….)? This is the only outsourcing I've done so far.

Parts and accessory sales important or not?
Yes, it sure helps when you need a widget and you need it now.

Upholstery and convertible top/Targa service or not?
I'd sure like to get my sport seats recovered.

Paint and body or not?
Yes.

Buy and sell used Porsches or not?
Not interested in that from a shop.

An authorized Porsche dealer or not?
No. Unless I can afford a new Porsche to send it to the Dealer for regular service (unfortunately, not in this lifetime).

Social; is being able to “hang around” important?
OK, but as long as they are pleasant and trustworthy, that's enough.

Other - I am most impressed by shops run by folks that'll give you advice about what not to do, i.e., advise against unnecessary work or mods to my car. They have to be able to do this in a manner that shows they understand the customer's plans for the car and level of understanding.