Boston --> Denver !
04-24-2015, 08:14 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Asheville
I am indeed headed that way. I just heard from my friend that he's in town, so that's my next stop from Virginia. I'm just not sure if that'll be Saturday or Sunday.
Since today's drive was only 60 miles, not much to report except that spring is here in central Virginia. Flowers and trees abound!
Spent part of today prying into the 928's systems. Unfortunatley, I'm operating blind bc my pal isn't at his shop... so I can't find his vacuume tester to properly test the HVAC system. One of the connectors seemed very loose, so I snugged it up and will see if that improves function.
Otherwise, it was a trip to the DMV and a new set of plates for the Porsche today. It now wears fully legal Virginia plates - I just need to decide on custom tags once I'm back to Denver.
More this evening - I think.
Jonathan
Since today's drive was only 60 miles, not much to report except that spring is here in central Virginia. Flowers and trees abound!
Spent part of today prying into the 928's systems. Unfortunatley, I'm operating blind bc my pal isn't at his shop... so I can't find his vacuume tester to properly test the HVAC system. One of the connectors seemed very loose, so I snugged it up and will see if that improves function.
Otherwise, it was a trip to the DMV and a new set of plates for the Porsche today. It now wears fully legal Virginia plates - I just need to decide on custom tags once I'm back to Denver.
More this evening - I think.
Jonathan
04-24-2015, 09:20 PM
#18
Rennlist Member
I highly recommend Rain-X. There are a few circumstances in which it's way sub-optimal, but for your journey it'll be great 90% of the time. And wiper blades, well ... they're pretty much available everywhere, even the good ones.
I'm still way jealous, though I'm confused by your route - Boston to Denver via Pittsburgh then Virginia?? Isn't that backtracking? Not that there's anything wrong with that.
04-25-2015, 12:38 AM
#19
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
944S2 et al
No internet, so slow typing from my cheap cellphone tonight!
I had the chance to drive my pal's 944S2. This car is in fabulous shape, with recent head work & great koni shocks. It has razor sharp handling with none of the mushiness I feel in my 928. I think my shark needs shocks.
The 944S2 also has nice power, but a completely different experience. More zingy, less rumble. More high strung rocket, less cruise missle. Very fun car.
My route is crazy bc I needed to visit Virginia after Pittsburgh bc of work stuff for Holly & schedules of friends.
I have decided that my defroster actuator is prob failed or stuck, but no fix before getting home.
Recent word is Grandmom in NJ sick, so that could cause some real backtracking! New wipers obtained tonight for am install. RainX is awesome... another thing I could not find in my friend's 1890 era garage.
Sorry about the typing & gibberiah below - I can't seem to erase it!
Hfun car fun car.
I had the chance to drive my pal's 944S2. This car is in fabulous shape, with recent head work & great koni shocks. It has razor sharp handling with none of the mushiness I feel in my 928. I think my shark needs shocks.
The 944S2 also has nice power, but a completely different experience. More zingy, less rumble. More high strung rocket, less cruise missle. Very fun car.
My route is crazy bc I needed to visit Virginia after Pittsburgh bc of work stuff for Holly & schedules of friends.
I have decided that my defroster actuator is prob failed or stuck, but no fix before getting home.
Recent word is Grandmom in NJ sick, so that could cause some real backtracking! New wipers obtained tonight for am install. RainX is awesome... another thing I could not find in my friend's 1890 era garage.
Sorry about the typing & gibberiah below - I can't seem to erase it!
Hfun car fun car.
04-26-2015, 03:16 AM
#21
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Lynchburg VA --> Ashville, NC
Rain. Fog. Grey. Blah.
I started the day with tea and breakfast talking with my friend's 87 year old mother. Suddenly I was 2.5 hours into the day and hadn't turned a wheel of the car. But sometimes people are more important and interesting than miles, and that was today's theme.
Today I installed new wiipers all around, added about a gallon of wiper washer fluid, a quart of oil, and then burned some more gasoline. I headed south on Rt29 through southern VA and into NC, then cut across Rt 158 toward Winston Salem. Then I gave in and used the interstate to get the rest of the way to Ashville.
Rt158 was a mixture - the ends of it were frustrating, especially getting ON the road and the first two miles. Then it opened up into a great country road with a couple really wacky traffic lights that seemed to turn red if a squirrel walked through the nearby woods. But it was cruising through farmland on 1 lane and really pretty despite the grey fog day. Near the Winston Salem end it became busier, but was a good shortcut to avoid Greensboro and get on smaller roads.
Even the fellow at the gas-and-sip in Hickory was interesting and friendly!
A few years ago I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in a sports car and it was fabulous if at times slow. The views were often stunning, and we even saw a rainbow over some craggy peaks. This year there was nothing but fog and rain and clouds all day, so I skipped the parkway and came a more direct route. Not as fun, but getting here in a timely manner let me enjoy dinner with my college room mate and his family. Somehow I missed the last few years of his life, so it was excellent to catch up. I love people who live what they believe, not just spout theory. Gregg and Cindy are truly good people.
That said, I'm skipping driving tomorrow. I'll wash up the car if the rain lets up. I'll check tire pressures, do laundry, and enjoy catching up with my pals. Perhaps my friend will let me give his kids a ride in the 928...
Then Monday to Memphis.
Today's Porsche Puzzler
When I bought the car the rear glove box opened and closed. When I left Boston it was locked - but I don't have the key (and never did). How did it get locked without the key? I tried to "pick" the lock with a couple super small screwdrivers but was unable.
For those following, Grandmom was reported to be improving and more chipper today.
Also, the plate thing is convoluted, but it is to legally avoid the 10% sales tax on used vehicles' book value in Denver. Instead I pay the 4% tax on actual purchase price in VA. All upfront and legitimate.
A couple photos - the 944S2 I got to drive, the LOVE shoe in Lynchburg, and feeding the shark/flounder in NC! The rain (all day!) washed a lot of the evil salt off the 928 - who knew it preferred fresh water?
Jonathan
I started the day with tea and breakfast talking with my friend's 87 year old mother. Suddenly I was 2.5 hours into the day and hadn't turned a wheel of the car. But sometimes people are more important and interesting than miles, and that was today's theme.
Today I installed new wiipers all around, added about a gallon of wiper washer fluid, a quart of oil, and then burned some more gasoline. I headed south on Rt29 through southern VA and into NC, then cut across Rt 158 toward Winston Salem. Then I gave in and used the interstate to get the rest of the way to Ashville.
Rt158 was a mixture - the ends of it were frustrating, especially getting ON the road and the first two miles. Then it opened up into a great country road with a couple really wacky traffic lights that seemed to turn red if a squirrel walked through the nearby woods. But it was cruising through farmland on 1 lane and really pretty despite the grey fog day. Near the Winston Salem end it became busier, but was a good shortcut to avoid Greensboro and get on smaller roads.
Even the fellow at the gas-and-sip in Hickory was interesting and friendly!
A few years ago I drove the Blue Ridge Parkway in a sports car and it was fabulous if at times slow. The views were often stunning, and we even saw a rainbow over some craggy peaks. This year there was nothing but fog and rain and clouds all day, so I skipped the parkway and came a more direct route. Not as fun, but getting here in a timely manner let me enjoy dinner with my college room mate and his family. Somehow I missed the last few years of his life, so it was excellent to catch up. I love people who live what they believe, not just spout theory. Gregg and Cindy are truly good people.
That said, I'm skipping driving tomorrow. I'll wash up the car if the rain lets up. I'll check tire pressures, do laundry, and enjoy catching up with my pals. Perhaps my friend will let me give his kids a ride in the 928...
Then Monday to Memphis.
Today's Porsche Puzzler
When I bought the car the rear glove box opened and closed. When I left Boston it was locked - but I don't have the key (and never did). How did it get locked without the key? I tried to "pick" the lock with a couple super small screwdrivers but was unable.
For those following, Grandmom was reported to be improving and more chipper today.
Also, the plate thing is convoluted, but it is to legally avoid the 10% sales tax on used vehicles' book value in Denver. Instead I pay the 4% tax on actual purchase price in VA. All upfront and legitimate.
A couple photos - the 944S2 I got to drive, the LOVE shoe in Lynchburg, and feeding the shark/flounder in NC! The rain (all day!) washed a lot of the evil salt off the 928 - who knew it preferred fresh water?
Jonathan
04-26-2015, 09:35 AM
#22
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Adirondack Mountains, New York
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I like the road warrior, miles-weary look to the car. Now, about those wheels....
An interesting thing about Virginia plates - if you drive down from New York with the newer old-style orange plates, you'll be ID'ed as a Tea Party guy when you get to Virginia, where there are special Tea Party plates made with the same orange. A clever poke in the eye to us Yankees?
Wait - your antique plates are orange, too. Huh.
And all Porsche owners in Virginia need to know that you can be ticketed for misdemeanor reckless driving ($$$, maybe jail time) if caught doing 20 mph over the limit, or over 84 mph anywhere. Radar detectors are illegal, too.
An interesting thing about Virginia plates - if you drive down from New York with the newer old-style orange plates, you'll be ID'ed as a Tea Party guy when you get to Virginia, where there are special Tea Party plates made with the same orange. A clever poke in the eye to us Yankees?
Wait - your antique plates are orange, too. Huh.
And all Porsche owners in Virginia need to know that you can be ticketed for misdemeanor reckless driving ($$$, maybe jail time) if caught doing 20 mph over the limit, or over 84 mph anywhere. Radar detectors are illegal, too.
04-26-2015, 04:08 PM
#23
Me too, kind of the way a real touring car should look sometimes. I know this is the technical section of the 928 site, but a sticky with these types of stories, regardless of length, would be very motivational and inspiring to those that are thinking about taking such a trip.
Hey now...give a chance...he hasn't even got home yet...lol.
Jonathan,
Looking forward to the next installment of your journey.
Brian.
Now, about those wheels...
Jonathan,
Looking forward to the next installment of your journey.
Brian.
04-26-2015, 09:55 PM
#24
Drifting
And all Porsche owners in Virginia need to know that you can be ticketed for misdemeanor reckless driving ($$$, maybe jail time) if caught doing 20 mph over the limit, or over 84 mph anywhere. Radar detectors are illegal, too.
04-27-2015, 12:55 AM
#25
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Memphis pending
If I can make it across from Asheville before dinner time at my friend's house and not take the interstates the entire way...
My plan for the wheels is vague. I like them polished, I like them painted, I like phone dials. I wonder if phone dials came in 16" sizes that are proper. But I like those nifty ones in 17" - though am not in love with the exposed bolts nor the high price.
The last owner said he tried to paint them and didn't do it properly. The car was advertised with turbotwist 18s, but I like the stock 16s and so we agreed upon a price for the stock instead of the twists. He warned me that the paint was peeling, and he was right - but they are straight and will look good either polished or painted.
I thought I had a set of center caps in VA and forgot to check my friend's parts stash. Ooops.
Today I set the tire pressures to the stock 36/44 per the owner manual. The car had 32/32, so I'm interested to see how the handling changes with the factory tire pressures.
Tomorrow, on to Memphis. I'm going to try my first "book on tape" and see if I can drive and listen. A long drive ahead.
The photo is the 928 in front of my friend's neato house near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The house is humble and cute, but looks grand and huge in the photograph!
If you are a runner and head up here to Asheville, the Parkway is decent to run on. The rolling hills are awesome, and the trees amazing. Some nice views as well. But there's just enough traffic that it isn't peaceful. Neither busy nor dangerous, but cars frequently enough to break the quiet. Bring your trail shoes and run the close by dirt - it looks fabulous, with little briges over streams and lots of flowering trees. Alas, all I had were my marathon race shoes which don't really like dirt trails.
Jonathan
My plan for the wheels is vague. I like them polished, I like them painted, I like phone dials. I wonder if phone dials came in 16" sizes that are proper. But I like those nifty ones in 17" - though am not in love with the exposed bolts nor the high price.
The last owner said he tried to paint them and didn't do it properly. The car was advertised with turbotwist 18s, but I like the stock 16s and so we agreed upon a price for the stock instead of the twists. He warned me that the paint was peeling, and he was right - but they are straight and will look good either polished or painted.
I thought I had a set of center caps in VA and forgot to check my friend's parts stash. Ooops.
Today I set the tire pressures to the stock 36/44 per the owner manual. The car had 32/32, so I'm interested to see how the handling changes with the factory tire pressures.
Tomorrow, on to Memphis. I'm going to try my first "book on tape" and see if I can drive and listen. A long drive ahead.
The photo is the 928 in front of my friend's neato house near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The house is humble and cute, but looks grand and huge in the photograph!
If you are a runner and head up here to Asheville, the Parkway is decent to run on. The rolling hills are awesome, and the trees amazing. Some nice views as well. But there's just enough traffic that it isn't peaceful. Neither busy nor dangerous, but cars frequently enough to break the quiet. Bring your trail shoes and run the close by dirt - it looks fabulous, with little briges over streams and lots of flowering trees. Alas, all I had were my marathon race shoes which don't really like dirt trails.
Jonathan
04-27-2015, 08:40 AM
#27
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Adirondack Mountains, New York
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04-27-2015, 11:37 AM
#28
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Site Sponsor
If you get time...
The most common cause for the full heat/no heat syndrome is a dirty (or disconnected) temp sensor connector under the left headlight. The sensor is in a short aluminum tube in the middle of the alternator cooling hose. The wires run into the engine compartment. Check the connector from the bottom, or pull the splash panel in front of the wheel. Might be worth checking...
The most common cause for the full heat/no heat syndrome is a dirty (or disconnected) temp sensor connector under the left headlight. The sensor is in a short aluminum tube in the middle of the alternator cooling hose. The wires run into the engine compartment. Check the connector from the bottom, or pull the splash panel in front of the wheel. Might be worth checking...
04-27-2015, 03:38 PM
#30
Three Wheelin'
Wow...I've lived in CO and CA but was born and have spent most of my life in VA and didn't know this. I probably go 20 mph over every time I'm out in the car. But not anymore! I did get it way up in the triple digits once. Very lucky. Can't really use these cars as designed here....it's sad.