PPI (Post Purchase Inspection) L.A. area
 

I may (I stress “may”) be buying an ’82 on ebay, and taking the risk of not doing a PPI.
I am in NY, the car is in FL, and I would be having it shipped to CA.

My question (if I were to win the auction) is:
Can anybody recommend a good Los angeles area service shop to check out the car upon reciept, and probably perform a few services at that time?
I’m looking for someone whithin the area from, say Torrence to Santa Monica. I know there’s porobably a fair number of shops, but I’m hoping to find sombody who isn’t absolutely crazy with their prices, and also someone who can actually take the car. I know some places have months before they can see you.

Also, I would appreciate any recommendations on a shipper Fort Meyers area to Los Angeles.

Thanks.

TLG - North Hollywood - worth the drive.

Don't have a trucker but figure roughly $1000 open and $1750 enclosed.

Best of luck.

I use Rob at Dutch Treat Porsche in Lawndale, and have taken my cars to him for years. Lawndale is about 6 miles south of LAX airport, near Manhattan Beach.

If you want a shop in The Valley, then TLG and TRE are recommendations.

Callas rennsport is also another option you have, they have a great rep. As for shipping, prices are insane rite now because of gas, i'm getting a car shipped from Indiana to CA & it will cost $1550 on an open trailer.

Callas has a good rep, but they're known to be expensive, and super-busy, so you might not get in when you want to.

1) You are out of your mind.
2) A PPI is PRE purchase, not Post.
3) Why would you risk it? I bought a 911 on eBay, shipped from Florida to San Diego - the floor was gone. It was a hurricane car. I should have done my homework and had a pre-inspection. It was all on me. Never again.
4) You are worried about people who are crazy with their prices for a POST inspection? Let me tell you what you should be worried about. All the POST repairs you will be doing and those crazy prices when the car arrives.
5) Fort Meyers isn't exactly a rich town. There are many scammers there. Ask me how I know.
6) Good luck, you're going to need it. With all the better cars in California, you're crazy.

Very sound advice

Within your defined geographical area, you have quite a few choices.

Dutch Treat and Callas have already been mentioned, but Swiss Motors in Culver City is a Porsche specialty shop I use for some work on my cars. There's also Redline Service in West Los Angeles. Depending on what you're looking to buy, you may be interested in a car I just put up on the Porsches For Sale Forum:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-cars-sale/997786-1983-911sc-coupe-black-black-mechnics-discount.html#post10051770

Sal,
Thanks for sharing. My sentiments as well, the OP is asking for trouble here.

OP,
And the PPI cost, a recent SoCal receipt shows couple hundred for a look see and "test drive". Good luck to you.

You need to be shopping for your long term mechanic. Whomever you pick will fix the found problems for you. You don't need a point. You need a guy.

Thanks for all the replies.
I didn't win the auction, even though it went for a very good price.
I had gotten as much additional info from seller, including extra photos and engine / drive videos.
There simply wasn't time for me to find someone to do a PPI in FL before the auction ended.
I knew it was still a risk (South FL near a swamp) but It was the car I wanted.
I'll try again.

To answer some of various peoples questions;
I know PPI stands for "pre". It was tongue in cheek, given my situation.
As to reasonable prices and availability, that was regarding finding a long term service / upgrade guy to work on the car.

I am familiar by name and rep, many of the garages you all have listed, but many are also what I am, at least, 'hoping' to avoid. I know places like TRE and Callas are top notch. But they're expensive and hard to get into (gotta get in line behind "Jerry") ;-). Dutch sounds great. (and perfect location for me) So when I do land a car, they will be high on the list, but I'll check the others as well.

Thanks again to everyone.