Calling all Georgia Pelicans

[Mex]

Hi all , I just moved down to the Columbus/Fort Benning area from upstate New York, my god it's hot down here! I was hoping some of you locals could give me the lay of the land a little bit (before I drown in my own perspiration preferably). Are there any good mechanics in the area or good events to go to? Any places to avoid? Thanks as always

[rattlsnak]

Oh, you're way down in southern Georgia. (which is anything south of Atlanta..)

[scooterp7]

It is not really hot yet!! Give it a month or so. I am in Augusta, so no help on mechanics or shops. Welcome to Georgia. Are you Military?

Scott

[Justin@Athens]

I will be in Columbus tomorrow in fact, dropping a transmission for a boxster. I'd love to tell you there were some good shops down that way but I am afraid that the bulk of the good ones are in atlanta/north. Rylands, Terry at Performance in Alpharetta, http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/575188-atlanta-repair-shops-northside.html

As far as event go, the big one is Caffeine and Ocatane: Caffeine and Octane Atlanta's Best Car Show

but a new meet has recently emerged don't remember the details, but mostly older stuff--also NW atlanta though\

Amelia Island is great every year though!

[tirwin]

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.

[whiterabbit]

Some nice roads around the Pine Mountain area which is not too far from you.

[tirwin]

Some nice roads around the Pine Mountain area which is not too far from you.

oh yea! Calloway Gardens in the spring!

[Michael T]

I used Jim Roberts at Roberts Automotive for my PPI. Good communication and fair price.

[bfunke]

Tirwin - what's the name of the seafood place in Mexico Beach?

[tirwin]

Tirwin - what's the name of the seafood place in Mexico Beach?

Killer Seafood. Everything is good but I love their fish tacos.

Get a jar of their Simmerin' Sauce to go. It makes a great Bloody Mary mix. Or you can heat it up and throw some shrimp and andouille sausage in it and grab a loaf of French bread to sop it up. Good stuff!

Are you going through the area?

[NickCG]

Welcome to GA, there are some nice lakes also up north (carter, nottely) on the way to the dragon. On Florida 30A there is an amazing little restaurant near Santa Rosa beach called stinky's fish camp.
Nick

[fred cook]

Originally Posted by Mex

Hi all , I just moved down to the Columbus/Fort Benning area from upstate New York, my god it's hot down here! I was hoping some of you locals could give me the lay of the land a little bit (before I drown in my own perspiration preferably). Are there any good mechanics in the area or good events to go to? Any places to avoid? Thanks as always

Yes, it does get hot here, but on the other hand, it does not get that cold in the winter! There is not a Porsche Owners Club on this end of the state, but there are a few Pelicanites scattered around. I live in Colquitt County (about 2 hrs drive from Columbus) and I think there are a couple up in the Macon area, etc. As for events, probably the best annual event is the concourse at Amelia Island at the end of March. Expensive, but worth every nickel. If you are in need of a Porsche shop, you will probably need to look in the Tallahassee, FL area. Anyway, welcome to the area and good luck with your Pcar!

[super80]

Welcome to the south
I moved my family down here from NY in 2004, took a while to get used to the heat but IMO it is far more tolerable than those insane northeast winters.

[tirwin]

Quote de Mex

Hi all , I just moved down to the Columbus/Fort Benning area from upstate New York, my god it's hot down here! I was hoping some of you locals could give me the lay of the land a little bit (before I drown in my own perspiration preferably). Are there any good mechanics in the area or good events to go to? Any places to avoid? Thanks as always

Yes, it does get hot here, but on the other hand, it does not get that cold in the winter! There is not a Porsche Owners Club on this end of the state, but there are a few Pelicanites scattered around. I live in Colquitt County (about 2 hrs drive from Columbus) and I think there are a couple up in the Macon area, etc. As for events, probably the best annual event is the concourse at Amelia Island at the end of March. Expensive, but worth every nickel. If you are in need of a Porsche shop, you will probably need to look in the Tallahassee, FL area. Anyway, welcome to the area and good luck with your Pcar!

Another cool event is the Hilton Head show in November. I think Porsche was the features marque last year.

[yazhound]

Originally Posted by Michael T

I used Jim Roberts at Roberts Automotive for my PPI. Good communication and fair price.

I agree wholeheartedly!

Welcome - hmm Benning from upstate.. were you at Drum? 10th Mtn?

[turbobrat930]

Warner Robins here!!! I have my own shop and usually do all my own work (with some help from a few good friends).. but I also will put a plug in for James Roberts at Roberts Automotive in Boilingbroke, GA Serge is his master mechanic, and does a fine job!!!

Yaz, need to talk to you!!!!

[Mex]

Wow thanks for all the replies guys, I really appreciate it. I had forgotten the Dragon was down here, I'll have to check it out one of these days. The one shop visit I need to make ASAP is to get the A/C fixed; Roberts looks to be the closest, I think I'll give them a call...


Also just out of curiosity, how hot do your cars usually run down here? I'm looking to beef up my cooling, but I don't know what I should reasonably expect as a "normal" temperature.

[NickCG]

Check the griffiths Kuehl systems for a/c upgrade. Complete rebuild or selected components. Plenty of info on this site of this and other systems such as retro air and rennaire. You will need it down here.

[Unobtanium-inc]

I left Georgia in '02 and have not looked back. You guys can keep your heat and humidity, and the rest of it. But I have to admit, I DO miss some good Southern cookin.'
- Matt

[tirwin]

Originally Posted by Mex

Also just out of curiosity, how hot do your cars usually run down here? I'm looking to beef up my cooling, but I don't know what I should reasonably expect as a "normal" temperature.

My car normally does not run hot at all as long as the car is moving. The exception is stop and go Atlanta traffic. The previous owner of my car installed a Mocal oil cooler to replace the stock trombone cooler. It's wired to the rear wiper switch (no rear wiper installed).

On the A/C... My car is all black. I've owned it 3 years now and the A/C was not working and leaked refrigerant. It has been tough driving it in the heat. Really limited my enjoyment so I broke down and recently bought the complete Griffith's system. It's about to go in. The spring has been cooler than usual so I haven't been in a rush and I have a couple of other small projects in the queue that need to get done first.

The stock system is pretty weak for this this climate. If you're going to be down here for any length of time, you might want to think hard about your options. A/C is a religious debate around this forum.