10 Years of American Motoring – Audi/Morris/Porsche

10 Years of American Motoring – Audi/Morris/Porsche

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Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
Finally in late 2010 I managed to source some Cup 1 rims in 17”x 7 & 8’s
Big improvement in looks over the 16”s



So good its worthy of another.



Front plates mandatory in this state.
Many exotics run without one, preferring to pay a nominal fine if pulled over.
Personalized vanity plates cost a staggering $80.00.
Providing its 7 or less character’s, unissued and clean anything goes.
‘Mein11’ seemed subtle enough but I never got around to it.

Fed up tripping over the chrome D-90’s in the garage I decided a quick blow over in satin black was in order. 2 hours and 2 coats of Rustoleum later.



Still not quite sure about the final effect.



Late October saw the Autocross season draw to a close.
Never could collect enough Tiger Tokens to complete the set though.




One last drive out on Christmas Eve before another three months enforced hibernation.
My little Jersey Ho (Ho Ho) xmas




Cheers, Whatty.




Edited by Whatty on Wednesday 20th August 04:20


Edited by Whatty on Thursday 19th February 06:05

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Wednesday 20th August 2014
quotequote all
At this point, faced with enforced automotive inactivity, proper PH’ers withdraw to the comfort of their fully equipped garage and make good use of their time.

Me? Faced with NJ winter temperatures averaging -2.7c plus an ill equipped 1920’s garage lacking any comfort bar two 100w lightbulbs I retreated into the house.

Ms. Whatty once more delivered on the Xmas pressie front.

964RS in 1:18 by CMC.
Door mirror needs repair. Dealership waiting on parts.



An increasingly rare trip back to the UK revealed one of my brothers was showing signs of a growing addiction of his own.

All that glitters is not Pork.



A quick drive made for a humbling experience. Hardcore.
Stupidly he sold it, got a 993 tiptronic. Underwhelmed.
Sensibly he then bought the Zed3Em back again.

Thanks for reading.




Edited by Whatty on Sunday 22 February 09:18

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Here we are again.

February 2011.

Ms. Whatty’s ML320 got hit again in 2010, side impact this time, lighter than the first but the damn thing seems cursed.
Vowing never to buy another black Mercedes again she draws ups a shortlist of replacements. It’s a short list.

Honda Element.

Ms. Whatty is very much an A-to-B car person.
Practicality trumps driving satisfaction so the Honda floats her boat.

I get charged with finding a used one.
Must be red or green. 3 years old or younger.
Under 40k miles. AWD.
A month of searching finds nothing under 60K miles.
Hmmm. Strong residual values suggest a new one might make sense.

Welcome to New Jersey new car shopping.



Route 22, home to car dealerships, Go Go titty bars, furniture and appliance stores.
They all have something in stock you can take home today.
Plus the biggest flag in the world at this particular Chrysler Dodge RAM JEEP place.



No time to describe a typical dealership operation.
Suffice to say they have high volume turnover – both stock and staff.
High pressure sales tactics - they hate to see you leave empty handed.
Not for the weak willed or fainthearted.

Some haggling later.

Hello 2011 Honda Element EX AWD
Tango Pearl Metallic
2011 last model year. No longer made.



Based on the Honda CRV platform.
More recreational appliance than driving experience.
Dog friendly rubber flooring.



Spacious interior –seats 4.



Venerable 2.4 VTEC



5 speed automatic with overdrive.



Cool removable cool box.



Ms. Whatty loves it.
She’ll miss it. Lots.

Roo

11,503 posts

206 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Not seen one of them before.

Curious looking thing.

croyde

22,701 posts

229 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Nice thread. Interesting, thanks. Is that Element meant to be a mini Hummer biggrin

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Good point re. the HUMMER.
Honda probably better built laugh

Spring 2011

Audi still being pedalled daily,
Lease ends in June
Office move means longer commute.
Decisions to be made.


U.S Economy at its lowest point.
Neighbouring town nicknamed the Wall St. Ghetto.
Empty retail stores abound.

964 looks great out of winter hibernation.
Trickle charger would have been a good idea.



Flying the flag



Trip to upstate Connecticut for a PCA club racing event.
Low key, great atmosphere, Pork aplenty.



Limerock Park. Lakeville CT
2 hours North of New York City.
Undulating, think Brands Hatch or Oulton Park.



Onboard. Patrick Long.
911 GT3 RSR. Different event.
http://youtu.be/3Iz2fEfr9bg

Nice TAG Heuer 964




Really nice early longhood 911’s



Nice Boxster
Flying Squirrel livery homage to the Flying Lizard pro team.



Nice local Porsche dealer provides circuit test drives during lunch break.
I pulled the short straw with 3 laps in a Panamera.
After the 964 (now sporting RS spec alignment) it felt a bit barge like.

Thanks for reading.





Edited by Whatty on Monday 23 February 08:11

alpha channel

1,386 posts

161 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Highly entertaining and an enjoyable read, the porker definitely looks better on the 17's, not so much on the blacks (personal taste there though, just don't like black/black-ish alloys) looking forward to further updates.

dr_rallye

121 posts

180 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Great read. Looking forward to the next instalment.

dr_rallye

121 posts

180 months

Saturday 23rd August 2014
quotequote all
Great read. Looking forward to the next instalment.

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
alpha channel said:
Highly entertaining and an enjoyable read, the porker definitely looks better on the 17's, not so much on the blacks (personal taste there though, just don't like black/black-ish alloys) looking forward to further updates.
Appreciate your kind comments, the black rim/tyre combo probably works better with colours other than white.

Wot? No wheels at all?



Older sibling ivory 911 not all it appears to be.
Beautifully backdated SC on a budget.
Period details reflect the owner’s passion.

More info on this great car here.
http://www.excellence-mag.com/issues/214/articles/...

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Kerchunk, kerchunk, kerchunk, kerchunk, Oww…

That’s the noise my 964 and I made driving at speed on NJ’s deteriorating concrete highways in the Spring of 2011.

Even with the H&R Green springs as a compromise, comfort was becoming secondary to autocross competitiveness. Solid engine mounts, RS geo didn’t help.

Dilemma, my undinged and undented Garage Queen had arrived at a crossroads.

Straight on for the full strip and prep programme, barebones interior, decat exhaust system, etc.

Turn right for the use it as a daily driver route when TT lease ends.
Watch 964 deteriorate while praying that the occasional annoying small oil leaks don’t become expensive big ones that cause sleepless nights. Top end rebuild inevitable.

Turn left and sell it while its still pristine.
Consider the 911 boxed ticked, enjoy the memory of 15 months trouble free fun.



For sale: 1991 Porsche Carrera 2, 3 careful owners, never raced or rallied. Much.



Cheers, Whatty.

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
I like selling cars. While others cringe at the prospect of dealing with the picture collectors and test pilots I like the disposal as much as the acquisition.

For me a career selling intangibles means the sale of a hard product is pretty straightforward.

Good pictures, informative text, price to reflect value, control the transaction.



While aware that the 2WD 964 market was buoyant I was still taken aback by the number of enquiries and before you could say ‘Internationalbankwiretransfer’ the car was off to a new home in Canada sight unseen.

Must be the accent.


Edited by Whatty on Wednesday 25th February 05:42

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
August 2014.

405 hours to departure.
House sale agreed.
Household pretty much packed.
Time to kill.

Start them young.
Whatty Jr.
Monkey Harris & 911 ST.
1000km Nurburgring.



Volume. All the way up.
http://youtu.be/crZHTvXbkPw

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Late May 2011

Last 4 weeks with Audi TT.
Compared to the 964 it’s a pleasant place to be.
Like the 964 its days are now numbered.

Take it to PCA autocross event. Compromised.
Run flat tires don’t help matters.
R53 Mini Cooper S’s in same class laugh at it.

Whatty

Original Poster:

598 posts

180 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all

New car needed.
Fiscal belts being tightened.
Bye bye company car.
Cash is king in Obamaland

The brief:
Manual + 160 bhp minimum.
Reliable commuter @ 15K miles minimum
Comfortable but competitive round the cones at AX.

The contenders:
E46 M3: Only high milers in budget.
American kit: Piano out of window depreciation.
Subaru: Stateside, for college kids and sandal wearing lesbians.
R53 MINI Cooper S.


Absolutely no old cars, flawless garage queens or Porsche things.


To the MINI dealer we shall go.
R53 2005/6 Cooper S
Colour immaterial.


But wait, what is this trade-in lurking yonder in back of lot?



Oh FFS.











Edited by Whatty on Wednesday 25th February 05:48

alangtt

278 posts

161 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Your a cruel man for stopping there,
Bookmarked for next instalment. Great read

Chr1sch

2,585 posts

192 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Great reading thanks for taking the time to write it!

elephantstone

2,176 posts

156 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Best thread on PH.

elephantstone

2,176 posts

156 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Best thread on PH.

crox

126 posts

228 months

Sunday 24th August 2014
quotequote all
Brilliant thread!