Possible new 914 owner + 700 mile drive home tips Options

[Drums66]

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If I were you, I would rent a Uhaul Trailer to get it home.

Just too many variables on a car that has not been maintained by yourself

Ditto..........Echo!! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/idea.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)
....have a bag of popcorn? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/bye1.gif)

[bembry]

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If I were you, I would rent a Uhaul Trailer to get it home.

Just too many variables on a car that has not been maintained by yourself

Absolutely agree. Or just ship it.

[bembry]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

[1973tii]

Gonna have to stick with the drive it home plan, albeit with some spare parts and a checkup by the shop. I'm still OK with surprises. It's been my experience that deviating from the plan -- intentionally or not -- makes for the best memories! Thanks for the comments, I'll report back and let everyone know what happened.

(bembry -- if the wife was anyway involved with this, you can bet I'd be having it trailered up! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) )

[ArtechnikA]

It's been my experience that deviating from the plan -- intentionally or not -- makes for the best memories!

Good judgment comes from experience.
Experience comes from bad judgment...

I only did San Francisco -> Portland once - in a 914/6 as a matter of fact, for the 1980 Parade. (Actually we started in San Diego, but only the San Francisco north leg is relevant here.) No issues - but we knew the car pretty well and the brakes and tires were new.

This was before cell phones (but we did have a CB...) and these days - have a spare cell battery.

Seriously - old tires can delaminate, throw their belts, and generally mess up your day (or night). I'm sure it'd be memorable.

[PBC914]

I picked up my 1st 914 in between my softmore and junior year of college in the summer of 95. I found it in Hemming's Motor News. My dad had a 76 that he sold in 83 (for a Toyota Camry of all cars). I vowed that day I would buy my own 914. And so I flew out to Racine, WI with a ticket back just in case. The owner picked me up at the airport and I drove back to his home. I knew NOTHING about what to expect. The car was in good shape from what I could tell. I flew out with a duffel bag full of stereo equipment (a new Blaupunkt CD changer for the front trunk, and a new Blaupunkt stereo inside with tape deck to control everything) and a change of clothes and my wallet. We took the car to a Mobil garage (still didn't know anything) and really all they did was check the tires, check that the spark plugs were...um sparking and that there was oil. We went back to the owner's home, I wrote a check and I was off to a mall parking lot to install the stereo for the ride home. It was a sunny day, I drove with the top off all the way home to Minneapolis. I had a smile on my face the whole way, and car ran beautifully (about 28-29 miles to the gallon).

Use common sense, good judgement, change and check your oil and for leaks often and stop periodically to check over the car for any issues. Just buy new tires if they aren't already new and you will have a great lifetime memory. I won't forget my trip it was a blast!

[iamchappy]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

Been there done that, from Buffalo Wyoming to Thermopolis around 100º and up to Dubois. i figured out how to jump the relay on the fuel pump and traced the problem to the temp sensor. But it took a full day out of my travel plans to finally troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road. There really are rattlesnakes in rattlesnake canyon ask me how i know...

Dropped a valve driving back from Hood river Oregon to Minneapolis, had to Uhaul it all the way home truck and trailer.
Check the tires make sure they can make it also.

Dont listen to Rick he is a glutton for punishment........

[PBC914]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

Been there done that, from Buffalo Wyoming to Thermopolis around 100º and up to Dubois. i figured out how to jump the relay on the fuel pump and traced the problem to the temp sensor. But it took a full day out of my travel plans to finally troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road. There really are rattlesnakes in rattlesnake canyon ask me how i know...

Dropped a valve driving back from Hood river Oregon to Minneapolis, had to Uhaul it all the way home truck and trailer.
Check the tires make sure they can make it also.

Dont listen to Rick he is a glutton for punishment........

I'll bite-how do you know?

[rick 918-S]

What a bunch of chickens! Where's the fun in having the car shipped or getting a trailer. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif) If the car runs and drives I always ask the owner if the car will make to it's next oil change. Grow some, get in it and enjoy the thrill! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The thrill went wrong for me in the desert between Bakersfield Ca and Phoenix (500 mi total) with my wife with me, back in 1997. Car was running REALLY hot, and wouldn't do over 45 MPH, punctuated with "cooling stops" where it just stopped running at all. "Not fun" is the biggest understatement ever. Made it home at 4:00 AM after leaving around noon the day before. There aint shit out there in the middle of the night except cars hauling ass by you and swerving at the last minute/few inches.

"new" 914s should be low on the list of cars you'd try to wing it several hundred miles in.

I'm not new to old cars either--been driving old-ass cars since I was 16.

Been there done that, from Buffalo Wyoming to Thermopolis around 100º and up to Dubois. i figured out how to jump the relay on the fuel pump and traced the problem to the temp sensor. But it took a full day out of my travel plans to finally troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road. There really are rattlesnakes in rattlesnake canyon ask me how i know...

Dropped a valve driving back from Hood river Oregon to Minneapolis, had to Uhaul it all the way home truck and trailer.
Check the tires make sure they can make it also.

Dont listen to Rick he is a glutton for punishment........

I'll bite-how do you know?

Because Chappy knows I have been all over the country in a home built euro V8 hot rod and had my share of break downs. I think it's part of the experience and makes for great stories. I don't view it as the worse thing that ever happened. Ya, I'm (IMG:style_emoticons/default/screwy.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/assimilate.gif)

[hot_shoe914]

Seems Rick, Ian and I are the only three on this thread with balls. Don't listen to the wankers, drive that baby home. I did 814 miles in the middle of the night nonstop to Kansas in a car that I had only run a few miles after an engine install. Prior to that the car sat in storage 2 years. Made it there for the Buttercup build and made it back. Here's to you Rick! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[SirAndy]

Drive it over the GG bridge to McMark @ Original Customs on the way out out town. He can check it out and make sure you're good to go. That way you'll be on 101 which is the scenic route. It will be a great adventure.

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McMark's shop is just north of the SF Bay Area in Sonoma. Stop there on your way up and have him go over the car for you before you get back on the road!

http://www.originalcustoms.com/

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[rick 918-S]

Seems Rick and I are the only two on this thread with balls. Don't listen to the wankers, drive that baby home. I did 814 miles in the middle of the night nonstop to Kansas in a car that I had only run a few miles after an engine install. Prior to that the car sat in storage 2 years. Made it there for the Buttercup build and made it back. Here's to you Rick! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Ya man! Drive it like ya stole it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/MDB2.gif) And stop at McMark's. He's cool and on the way.

[Haudiosolutions]

Drove mine sight unseen and inspected for about an hour 250 miles. Still love the memory of what will be all the way home. I did find out the windshield wipers didn't work. brake lights didn't work and turn signals didn't work. Had my wife stay behind me all the way home. great times! I say check it out and drive it

[Eddie914]

Just get the phone numbers and addresses of a bunch of Teener owners along your route between CA and OR (home). If you have problems, call and ask for help ... it will be an adventure. Teener owners are the best people in the world!

When I got out of graduate school, I sold everything I still owned and bought a plane ticket to New Zealand. I bought a motorcycle and toured the Islands. I have the fonndess memories as a result of the people that helped me out as a result of crashes and breakdowns.

Enjoy your life ... it's the only one you get!

Cheers,

Eddie

[ConeDodger]

Adjust the valves, bring a half dozen quarts of oil. Watch your temperatures. Stop every 100 miles at first. Do stop at Mark's shop in Sonoma. Pay him for an hour of look see and you will be good for the rest of the trip.

[Razorbobsr]

I bought a 914 sight unseen, in Fl. Drove it back to Ind through Jacksonville Fl and SC, no tools, no 914 exp, 1500 miles with no probs. Dumb?? Some thought so...... Bob

[cary]

I bought my 911 on Ebay. Flew to Deleware.Then drove it straight home in 3 days to Montana. Was it a gamble? Yes. Could it have broke done in Ohio? Yes. Did it? No. I even brought the wife.

Life is about adventures? It will be a bonding experience with your new car. Bring the tools, belt, both cables and check to age of the tires. Then stop and see McMark. Off you go.

How about getting a wireless gadget for your laptop. Then you could dial us up from just about anywhere on the way home. Just in case.

My white 73 914 I bought out on Sauvies Island and drove it straight home to Montana. 600 miles. That was a couple days after Christmas. Didn't even have chains.

[ArtechnikA]

Just to re-iterate, never did I say not go for it. I'm really only concerned about old tires, because a lot of guys on the 356 list go through exactly this scenario, 10-year-old tires look perfect, then one throws its steel belt and takes out a quarter panel.

If you're going to go for it, proper preparation is the key. Take survival supplies - gallon of water a person a day, and food. A way to stay warm, cool, and dry. Reflectors and light-up gizmos. You may be telling yourself you won't drive at night, but if you have a mishap or a delay you may be on the road at night despite your best planning and intentions.

Put AAA on speed-dial and as silly as this sounds - always keep a good idea of where you are - pay attention to the mile markers. More than once I've had to call AAA in the middle of freakin' nowhere talking to a dispatcher who has no idea of the area, trying to figure out where to send the truck.

Don't plan on using the 914's electrical system as your lifeline. A flat battery for any reason leaves you really stranded.

Do not overestimate how many miles you can do at a time - you will be feeling and hearing things you're not used to - it is stressful. Make friends with the shift pattern before you need to rely on it in traffic.

[iamchappy]

I made several west coast trips in my 914 as well as several trips to Jackson Hole from the Twin Cities, but this was in my car that i prepared before the journeys,
and twice the car left me stranded.

700 miles on the highway is not a really long journey so i guess i would take my chances also.

You can hear the rattling of rattle snakes in rattle snake canyon, i was foolish enough to walk down to a culvert while i was waiting for the engine to cool down, i had a snake
jump out about 2 feet from me, had i been bitten ....................

[swl]

I'm really only concerned about old tires,

And rightly so. If the date stamp is greater than 6 years get uncle to put on some fresh rubber and break them in for a while.

We joke about these things being NARP. fact is they are RVW. (real volkswagens) Damn simple car. If Uncle has been driving it regularly and maintaining it I say go for it. Take your time. Take a half day tooling around in the local area then take off the top and point that baby north! Take your time, do the scenic route, don't drive at night if you can avoid it. Treat her gently and watch your guages.

I did Victoria BC to LA round trip and the car didn't give me any problems at all! .... Mind you that was back in '77 (IMG:style_emoticons/default/howard.gif)

It'll be an adventure!