Need Encouragement - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

I have a 2001 Boxster...my first Porsche. Bought it late 2015, got excited, started working on little enhancements, putting some work in...you know, falling in love with the vehicle. THEN - I let her fall into the hands of a bad mechanic. He's a good guy but with horrible business practices. I actually bought the car from him so I've trusted him with the care of the car. I have had the car for about 8-10 months and only had the chance to drive it about 10-15 times?????? WTF. This "mechanic" seems to be knowledgable but at this point I believe that he has truly taken advantage of me. The last round - was a CEL that caused him to put in a new air pump and a few other things (new rotors, CV Boot, etc) to the tune of $3300!!! WTF, I don't mind spending money on my cars but damn. I drive a Maserati so I expect costly repairs at times but I haven't had the chance to ENJOY the car. He already beat me on the sale price ($11,000), but now I feel he's beating me on the repairs....so I have DISCONTINUED my relationship with this jack ass! I need a good mechanic in Atlanta that will truly take good care of the car or I'm going to fall out of love with it. I'm already considering selling it and getting a Jaguar XK as a "drop top fun ride". Please advise Porsche Family......I'm hanging on by a thread.

Can't help with an Atlanta Mechanic but someone here may eventually chime in. If you are not a DIY type, your only alternative is a mechanic, but if you at least get yourself a Durametric code reader you can at least get an idea of what is going on and through the codes narrow the solutions to something more tangible to prevent you from being taken advantage of. With codes and thorough symptom descriptions the members here can probably narrow your problem to 1 or 2 things and save you lots of grief. Maybe you should join your local PCA chapter and go to some events. That will put you in contact with all the right kind of Porsche folks and turn your experience around in short order.

Just an OBDII reader and an android will get you can read and clear codes. For all 4 rotor and pads it's like $700 to do your own brakes. I get lots of personal satisfaction from doing all my own work. Zero labor charge, parts at cost. What's the breakdown of a CEL turning into over $3000???? Every time I think sell, I just drive it. Then there's no way I'm selling. Oh, get that Vespa off your sig line!!!!!!

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+1 on joining the local PCA. They will be able to hook you up with good mechanics. Don't give it up just yet.

The PeachState PCA is having our monthly social next Monday at The Mill Kitchen & Bar, 590 Mimosa Blvd in Roswell at 6:30pm. Nothing fancy, just a bunch of great people who are into their Porsches getting together for dinner and socializing. I'm sure if you show up you can get lots of great info about who the club members trust with their cars. I believe there are a number of guys who come to the meetings who are mechanics, so you might find one there.

I dont know. Air pump? Reset that CEL and have a nice day. CEL keeps coming back? Replace it yourself. Basic stuff that most folks can handle themselves. Rotors? Basic stuff that most folks can handle themselves. I wish I had more encouraging words but all I can come up with is; buying these P cars used, Maserati too, and NOT being willing to do much of your own basic repair work is just begging for financial hardship. Theyre cheap to buy but expensive to own from the word go. If you are considering a Jag as a replacement then I would also consider you a glutton for punishment. I feel your pain, and I sympathize but thats the time that you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and learn to not be at the mercy of another to repair your ride. Otherwise be prepared to pay to play.

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Agree The only reason anyone sells a Porsche is to get another one...period! Some may depart the fold for a short while, but they always come back sooner or later. Hence the Supply and Demand whirlwind and ridiculous prices people are willing to pay for their favorite Porsche version. Not worried about your Jag venture, it will just make the Boxster that much more attractive to you after you have grown tired of Boots, Tyres and Fascia's. And do you see my signature saying? Its probably just begging for an upgrade, not telling you its going to rollover and die. You need to talk to a Porsche Whisperer.

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Second this -- then track down the guys who race -- AND aren't rich -- they'll know how or who can maintain a Porsche on the 'reasonable' (there's no cheap maintenance) -- They'll all know the local scenes -- or help you DIY. Don't give up -- they are reasonably reliable once sorted -- and tons of fun to drive. M

There's a really good porsche independent mechanic near Atlanta. Search the forum for the recommendation. How far are you from Raby?

Decatur Garage, 189D sams Street Decatur GA 30030 [phone removed] John Bacon is the owner. Its a small shop, doing 90% Porsche's. From 356 to brand new. John and I have worked on professional IMSA race teams for the past 15 years together. Daytona 24HR, Laguna Seca, VIR, etc.. He has worked on teams since 1973. Usually 1 to 3 boxsters there all the time. Tell them Ronnie Satell sent you.

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Hey Ronnie, I actually took it to John last Thursday and he's finishing the work tomorrow. Decatur Garage is right around the corner from my house. I totally trust his work and his wife is the nicest person you'll meet. All good...I'll be back rollin my BlackBox this week. I mentioned MAYBE selling and buying a Jaguar XK, well I'm not going to sell but I AM going to get a Jag convertible (for my wife).

I know your car. Davis the assistant tech sent me a picture of your head lights. I purchased a 2002 Boxster S for my oldest daughter as a college graduation present from John last spring. He and I did a quick clutch, IMS, etc.. on it before she picked it up. She has been wanting to upgrade the lights and Davis said he liked yours. Next time your there, on the wall of racing pictures that's John and I in front of the Porsche before the ALMS race at Laguna Seca in 2011.

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Obviously! Because jaaaaaaag... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eWIrBOc3zE

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Hilarious!!!! Point taken....I'm going to get one for my wife then

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Awesome...I picked it up today before I saw this post. They're great over there~!

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I definitely want to join the club. I should have come by there this evening but I'm JUST realizing the time and date is "right now" - please keep me posted on anything going on as I would like to join. I feel better about things now...I wasn't so much "the car" as it was the guy working on it.

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LOL! Thanks for the recommendation. I actually used to do my own repairs back in the day (just don't have the time these days)...but I guess if I'm going to save some money I gotta get dirty huh? I got the BlackBox back and it's looking good - not going to sell, I'll RIDE OUT this Summer and fall back in love. HEY - what's wrong with my Vespa bro??? Looking at your sig line we BOTH have a Porsche, a VW (wife's car) AND a Ford - so why you hatin on me??? lol

When all else fails, we won't.

I live in Roswell.....if you don't mind telling me who your mechanic was I would appreciate it so I know to stay away from him. You can email me if you don't feel comfortable telling it over the forum.........Also how do you like your QP ? I think they are beautiful and wouldn't mind having one as a daily driver. They seem to depreciate a lot and can be bought at a reasonable price,.