California car ..... So what??????

[Mark021]

I want to open up a new discussion and see if I can buck or refute some of the common wisdom I've been given.

I've been looking at 20 year old 911's for a couple of years now and I think I'm seeing something. California cars often appear (primarily appearances here, paint, rubber, dash, interiors, etc) more "tired" than some of the other cars that may have spent much of their life in colder climates back east where they probably spent a lot of time in hibernation.

California seems a lot like West Texas at times with dust and dirt blowing ( I went to school in Austin area and was taught that the people from West Texas were easy to spot, their 3 year old car didn't have any paint on it) and the sun beating down all year long and because the climate is more moderate maybe the average California car gets a lot more overall exposure to the elements, even though they are moderate.

I'm being told that the late 80's Carerras (mid year ones too ?) were build with a different sheet metal that was less susceptible to rust hat the earlier SC's and prior cars. If the car was not driven on snow and ice and salt, etc and probably not driven much if at all from about Oct/Nov to April and then taken out and driven in a climate that you typically cannot fry an egg on the dash in August and babied from storms and generally bad weather why would a California car be so much more desirable.

I don't get it?

[ossiblue]

Being a native Californian, you might expect me to jump to the defense of California cars but, IMO, you have some very valid points--given your parameters.

By eliminating most of the elements that tend to destroy older cars ("...If the car was not driven on snow and ice and salt, etc and probably not driven much if at all from about Oct/Nov to April and then taken out and driven in a climate that you typically cannot fry an egg on the dash in August and babied from storms and generally bad weather...") you have finessed most of the advantage of living in a mild climate, and replaced it with the "negative" aspects of more road time and wear-and-tear. Under those conditions, it is quite possible that an identical California car would be more "tired" than a pampered one.

On the other hand, most would agree that these cars need to be driven and maintained. Sitting in storage is not necessarily a good thing. Yes, the body and paint will be well preserved, but mechanicals and electrical could suffer--or become a nagging PITA.

I think your thread title is appropriate, if you are shopping for a car. The California claim is a sales pitch which may or may not hold up. Because of the mild climate, however, there are more cars available out here, and they tend to be driven, and they tend to be maintained because they are driven--just generalizing, of course, but so is the claim itself. The chances of finding a decent car from California is likely higher because of the volume and mild conditions, but it is no guarantee. You must judge each car separately by inspection, not by region.

In my opinion, no serious seller or buyer puts much weight behind the car being from California. What's most important is how a particular car, from wherever it comes, was driven and maintained.

[Mark021]

I know... asked and answered.

Thanks LJ

as a side to this: what is it that makes a car that say: sat in a garage back east most of the winter and was occasionally taken out to charge up the battery on those sunny above zero days and essentially not acquiring more than 3 to 4K miles in the warmer months become a more tempermental car (mechanical and electrical).

This may be more appropriate for the tech forum but I hope it's general enough and can be answered in a general way (so that I can get it).

[techweenie]

Given the choice, I'll always go for a Californa/Arizona dry climate car over a car from somewhere else, mainly because the parts that 'fry' in the sun are replaceable. In my experience, cars that are in areas that remain humid for more than a couple weeks a year are usually corroded, and the corrosion often goes all the way down to the threads in the trim screws.

[Macroni]

I had a 87 Cab in which I only put 3 to 5k a year on. The car was perfect when I bought it and when I sold it 10 years later. On the other hand, I am now restoring a 69S that spent its life in CA & Arizona. I will post pictures of the rust. IMO more relevant to the condition is the materials the car was made of.

Your premise I think is correct. Cars that are driven limited miles annually and put away for the winter will be in better shape than a car owned in a climate where it will be driven year round. Despite what is often said wear is wear. I would prefer to freshen a low mileage East Coast car vs rebuild a high mileage car.

Flame suit secure.

[Mark021]

Thanks Mac...

[Mark021]

and thank you weenie?

the imput I've recieved here has been invaluable... I can't wait to have that emotional moment and the oportunity to disregard everything I've learned here adn acquire a gorgeous moneypit that instantly needs to be completely rebuilt from the ground up

[Mark021]

and Ossiblue (preparing for the oscars here)

seriously, if this thing does happen I have a feeling it will be a much more informed and hopefully a much better decision than it would have been had I not spent waaaayyy too much time on this site.

You know you have it bad when you find yourself giddy at 1:00 am reading about someone elses socket thread issues on a plug during a rebuild to a dual set-up.

[ossiblue]

Hey Mark021,

Notice that you, me, and Techweenie all live in O.C. I, for one, would welcome you anytime you'd like, to drop by to talk or view P-cars or introduce you to a top notch mechanic. Any questions you may have are always welcome and I could even offer some extra eyes to view potential purchases, if you'd care to use them.

[techweenie]

Originally Posted by Mark021

and Ossiblue (preparing for the oscars here)

seriously, if this thing does happen I have a feeling it will be a much more informed and hopefully a much better decision than it would have been had I not spent waaaayyy too much time on this site.

You know you have it bad when you find yourself giddy at 1:00 am reading about someone elses socket thread issues on a plug during a rebuild to a dual set-up.

I recognize the symptoms. I've owned over 40 Porsches and have helped nearly as many people locate, filter and purchase cars -- mostly 911s. And fortunately, I can still get all cranked up over a nice 'discovery.' Since you're in the area, you should drop by Cars & Coffee and chat with the longhood boys (if you can have grey hair and still be a boy) about their cars. There's a lot of collective wisdom there in Irvine every Saturday morning.

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by techweenie

Since you're in the area, you should drop by Cars & Coffee and chat with the longhood boys (if you can have grey hair and still be a boy) about their cars. There's a lot of collective wisdom there in Irvine every Saturday morning.

and this is what truly sucks about living on the east coast.......

[t6dpilot]

or the Midwest... Amen brother.