Welcome to JAW-JA!
I'm not too familiar with Porsche stuff in the Columbus area but there are a whole bunch of us in the greater Atlanta area. There are a few Pelicans on here that are in the mid-Georgia area. They may know things a bit better down your way.
Franz Blam in Tucker, GA is a pretty highly regarded shop. Outside of that you will get lots of opinions.
On the first Sunday of every month is Caffeine and Octane --
Caffeine and Octane Atlanta's Best Car Show. It's in Alpharetta (on the north side of Atlanta). Unfortunately you have to get there pretty early in the morning to get a spot (like 6:30 or 7). It is pretty crazy these days. Easily 500+ cars if the weather is cooperating.
You haven't seen hot yet. We're just getting warmed up. And this has been a pretty mild spring. Welcome to the land of getting a shower, walking outside and then feeling like you never took a shower. Fortunately you are closer to the coast. Go visit the Florida panhandle area.
If you're interested in great road trip places, here are some ideas:
- The Pensacola Air Show is worth a road trip in the Porsche. Home of the Blue Angels so they always put on a great show.
- Indian Pass Raw Bar in Port St. Joe is a landmark place to eat. Then go out to Cape San Blas. Also one of my favorite restaurants in the whole world is Killer Seafood just up the road in Mexico Beach. In October they hold the Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola.
- Hop over to Auburn to see an SEC football game.
- Drive scenic highway 30A and visit places likes Seaside and Rosemary Beach. On MLK weekend in January is the 30A Songwriter's Festival.
- Visit the world famous FloraBama Lounge to see The Interstate Mullet Toss (the Gulf Coast's Greatest Beach Party). The FloraBama is "the last great American roadhouse." Unfortunately you just missed the Miss Memorial Day Bikini Contest (but there's always next year!). I have been there many times. I remember going there, but I almost never remember leaving. Thank god there is a Waffle House across the street. Or there used to be. Might not have been rebuilt after one of the hurricanes.
- Drive up to Atlanta for an event at Road Atlanta like the Petit Le Mans.
- Can you say Daytona?
- Everyone must drive the Tail of the Dragon. It's just a rule like something you put on your bucket list right after "buy a Porsche". If you don't, you punched in the head. Pretty sure that's in the fine print when you get a Georgia driver's license. It's right next to the subliminal text that says you should get in the left lane and stay there if you want to drive slow. Anyway, there are more scenic roads and more fun roads but nobody will tell you what they are until after you drive the Dragon once. It's like a right of passage. Or hazing. Hard to tell. Just try not to kill the guys on the crotch rockets. They're cop bait, so they serve a purpose. Not that you'll ever get out of 3rd gear though.
That should get you started.