Quick West Coast Trip

[KarlCarrera]

All

We're moving the daughter to Chapman University on Monday, (8-1-11) for her Masters degree. Out and back in just 5 days, so not much time to look around, the next trip will be longer...I'm sure.

While here in the state (Co.) I have always taken care of all the kids vehicle maintenance/needs. Now that she will be in the Orange County area, I'm looking for a reputable tech that could help her out should something come up with her little Saturn. (1999 SL2). As it stands it has served her very well, through H.S. and then 4 yrs in Boulder at C.U.
It needs nothing now, except to check the oil every couple weeks or so, but **** happens.
Any references would be mucho appreciated. As this degree is on her, dealerships are pretty much out....unless they were very fair.

Thanks for the help

Karl
88 Targa

[kinein]

i know a guy literally around the corner from her school he is off batavia and collins automart he is actually a porsche mechanic

Porshaw - Porsche Parts, Service and Used Car Sales - Orange County, CA here is his website

[Grady Clay]

Karl,

I’m sure our SoCal brethren can put together all the necessary connection to keep her car safe and reliable at very low cost.

Come on guys – step up with connections.
We all send off our sons and daughters into the ‘big world’.
Those ‘family & friends’ connections are invaluable.
Make it happen.

I'm willing in Colorado.

Best,
Grady

[KarlCarrera]

Kinein,

Thanks! As long as he doesn't mind looking at a Saturn that would be great. Please send the info.

Grady,

Thanks!!


Karl
88 Targa

[kinein]

the owners name is randy shaw known him for over 5yrs he is fair and reliable straight shooter.......

[kinein]

95% is porsche 5% other cars

Phone: (714) 771-6120
Address: 940 N Batavia, Orange, CA
Email: info@porshaw.com

randy shaw is his name

[aigel]

Sorry I can't help with mechanic references, but I suggest that it is time to show her how to check fluids on the car. Take her moving away as a chance to grow more independent and simply enable her.

George

[KarlCarrera]

Kinein

Thanks for the info! Sorry I passed right over the link in your first post. Much appreciated!


George

Your right, so I started this at a young age. (couldn't even drive by them selves until they showed me how to change a flat tire)

Changing a flat tire no problem, fluids, no problem, battery, air filter...in and out, no problem. Heck if she had the ramps and something besides her little car tool kit an oil change wouldn't be a problem. She even did the plugs (with dad's help) 3 weeks ago as we were prepping her car for the trip, but....someone that can be trusted for diagnostics and then repair is a biggie, specially w/ dad 1,100 miles away.

Other thoughts/suggestions?


Thanks
Karl
88 Targa

[Grady Clay]

Karl,

George hit the spot.

Now is the time for her to become her own ‘best mechanic’.
You (Dad) have given her the education.
You can be the instructor with a SoCal shop (and Pelicans) the means.

Every ‘kid’ needs to understand auto mechanics, plumbing, electricity, medicine, astrophysics and much more.

Only part of this adventure is the path to her MS and PhD.
It is LIFE.

Yes, we can help to prevent some of life’s more serious abuses - getting screwed by crooked car repair.
As a ‘Dad’, I’m sure you are there.
A good start will be to call Porshaw - Porsche Sales and Service - Contact Us, Directions to Orange County, CA tomorrow morning.
I suspect the Pelican connection will give Randy Shaw incentive to take good care.
Even if his shop can’t provide the (non-Porsche) necessary information and service, I suspect he can properly direct your daughter.
Having an independent local advisor (possibly Randy) available is invaluable.

It looks like everything is going in the ‘right’ direction.
I suspect your daughter may integrate into the SoCal Porsche community far better than you anticipate.
What is the ‘trade-in value’ of a Saturn on a 911? Just you wait.

Best,
Grady

[KarlCarrera]

I just sent an email to info@porshaw.com I'll follow up with a phone call once we clear Glenwood. Fingers crossed it works out.

Kinein, Thank you.

Grady and George, your right, and thank you

And after another daughter's boyfriend picked up a beautiful Caiman, (hmmm, don't have one and obviously can't spell) who knows, after grad school, this one just might show up in one....:>) Lord knows they love to ride in Dad's

Karl
88 Targa

[Jim Bremner]

I can help with the BEST brake shop in the area. there's a week or so wait and it's 30 miles away, but the best.


Best MEXIICAN FOOD is Enrique's at PCH & Lyons. in Long Beach.

Do not order a burrito,taco or enchilada! read the menu well. Listen to the specials and you will not be disapointed. Their Creme' Brulee is the second best I've ever had. the best that I've ever had is now out of biz.

Come early or wait 1-2 hours in prime time.

[KarlCarrera]

Thanks Jim!

We just did the brakes so life (in that regard) should be good for awhile....

However, food is another matter, I'm only good for about 16 hrs. max. I'm thinking PCH is Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach doesn't seem that far away. If we can make it, this sounds like an excellent place for lunch on Wed!

Thanks for the heads up!

Karl
88 Targa

[Jim Bremner]

Originally Posted by KarlCarrera

Thanks Jim!

We just did the brakes so life (in that regard) should be good for awhile....

However, food is another matter, I'm only good for about 16 hrs. max. I'm thinking PCH is Pacific Coast Highway. Long Beach doesn't seem that far away. If we can make it, this sounds like an excellent place for lunch on Wed!

Thanks for the heads up!

Karl
88 Targa

Enrique's Mexican Restaurant - Long Beach, CA
Come HUNGRY, ech of the party order a seooerate plate and share

If you leave unhappy pm me!

[kinein]

you want a good mexican restaurant or cuban actually one right down the street from the college at the chapman circle its called Felix's

Welcome to Felix Continental Cafe

it is literally down the street from the college my family has been goin there for 20yrs excellent cuban food

as far as mexican Mi Casa restaurant in newport beach, president bush sr. ate there back when paid a visit to orange county, my family has been goin there for over 25yrs its off newport blvd.

http://www.micasa1.com/

...in that area is porsche shop european collectibles awesome collection of porsches mostly 356 large inventory great place to see i bought my first porsche from them...they are right down the street from mi casa

Los Angeles Porsche Speedster Dealers Los Angeles Used Porsche Dealer

european collectibles is a must stop if you are in orange county beautiful cars there

[Jim Bremner]

I will head over to booth restaurants!

[mikester]

Got my BS from Chapman - good school. Small school feeling - referred to as 'Chapman high' by the locals.

I'm considering it for my own kids depending on their own direction...

[kinein]

they great places to eat at

[E38Driver]

If you like German food this is a must go to and eat. It is right down the street and has real German sausages that are the best.

Mattern Sausage & Meats - Orange, CA

Dave

[KarlCarrera]

Thanks folks.

Quite a drive yesterday, little warm, but not bad. 650 miles to Cedar City, Ut. We ran pretty easy as the old Z71 truck is pretty loaded, 65-75 for about 10.5 hours. Neither vehicle burned a lick of oil so that was great. This AM it's through Vegas and on to Chapman. Today is going to be HOT

Karl
88 Targa

[KarlCarrera]

Whew...what a 'quick' trip. 2,201 miles. Colorado Springs to Orange County, Ca. 117.6 gals. of fuel, average price of $3.67/gal. 11 fuel stops, 18.7 mpg in the old 97 Chevy truck...



loaded to the gills. $433.00 in fuel cost. Mostly ran the speed limit, sometimes a little under, sometimes a little over. Zero problems with either vehicle, the truck or the 99 SL2 Saturn. Both vehicles have about 95,000 on them. Between the two, we shared a quart of 10w-40 (mechanics rec. due to the proposed heat and distance) Valvoline.

Man was it HOT! I thought Ca was 'moderate' in temps. As we sat stuck in traffic on 'the' 91, I noticed a business sign that read 96 degrees...Whoa!

Your never to old to learn, and even this old conservative picked up a few valuable life lessons. The first was in Victorville, another in a Sushi bar across from the hotel, another @ the Home depot, and finally while picking up the daughter a new (used) dresser at the furniture store. Suffice to say I was amazed. Maybe just lucky, but we ran into some VERY nice folks in Ca. (Including the Russian liquor store owner)

A little Wednesday P.M. tour of Chapman was very cool, nice University.

The 'kid' has her took kit, and a mechanic thanks to this board.

Two new roommates and a budget that should support a pauper, 'cause that is now her classification...

Well the kid is in, the wife and I are back home (alone)

If you see a little gold colored Saturn (with a spoiler, of course) square paint repair marks on the hood, Co. license plates, and just one working stereo speaker...I know, I know,........GET OUT OF THE WAY.. she's prolly messin' with the new GPS to find out where she is, or where she needs to be.

Karl
88 Targa