First Speeding Ticket

So with the new plates freshly installed. Spring in the air. I dropped the Targa and took the 911 out for a spin. I had a great time. Only killed it once (mistakenly put it in reverse at a red light and spazzed trying to get it into 1st). Some things I noticed during the drive:

- There is play in the steering wheel (I am thinking the tie rods are shot)

- vibration at 50+ mph (the previous owner said the tires needed to be balanced again...I think it may have to do with the tie rods being shot as well)

- It does not react to corners The body does not roll, but it does not "dig" in either. Subsequently, it feels like it about to come off during moderate cornering. (I am wondering if the torsion bars are so shot that they do not respond. This one honestly has me a bit flustered because the shocks check out and the ride is stiff like I would expect it to be, but it corners really hard and I constantly feel close to terminal oversteer.)

- Although I have never have driven a Porsche before power seems to be lacking to a noticeable degree. (I am still trying to find a place to do a leak down test for under $200)

- Brake pad sensor light will not shut off, but the previous owner said the brakes were changed 6,000 miles ago so it may be the sensor ($6 part). I plan on measuring them and having replacements on hand just in case.

- GOOD NEWS- Oil temp stays cool. Actually I really had to run it a while before it got up warm enough to really run it. Also my oil pressure is rock solid. Druck pressure at highway speeds is in the 5-6 range.

- The engine does not smoke anymore. I think it was overfilled with oil and was just burning off the excess. I did a "by the book" (done at operating temp on a flat surface) and it was above the full line...so I think it was just burning off oil.

Once I had put her through the paces, I took an easy stroll back to my place. On the way back I pass a Po-Po in the opposite lane. Now I am speeding but not by much. I see brake lights. He turns around. Then Christmas lights. First thing I think is that the speedometer is broken. The officer is a nice fellow...we chat...I hand my information. Just then I realize that I forgot my license..CRAP! He does not make a big deal of it. Anyway, he comes back with my ticket and lo and behold he pulled my over for doing 5mph over. Seriously. Our taxes dollars at work. 60 in a 55...are there not greater misdemeanors he could be stopping? Oh well.

Some work I did on the car: Took off the storage bins on the driver's and passenger door (they were tired and I want to give the doors a much simpler look), and tried to fix the seat switches to no avail.

New purchases for this installment of the blog:

- Chrome windshield washer covers $7

- Speeding ticket $141 (for just 5 MPH over...unnnh)

Finally plated

Well, I finally have plates for the lady. I stand in awe of the bureaucratic process it required to register a car in the state of my residence. Fortunately, I work in a bureaucracy so I know how to overcome such systems.

Sadly, I have not figured out how to get the driver's door to lock nor have I acquired a functioning driver's side seat. Hence, it will probably sit in the garage a bit longer. I am working on bypassing the malfunctioning switch for the drivers seat so I can push it back. I figure next weekend I will crack open both the driver and passenger door and fix all the subtle problems in them. While I am there I will examine the moisture seals in the doors. I am not replacing the door seals yet but that is definitely on the horizon if I ever want to risk getting caught in the rain. I also just dropped an order for all the parts to update my brake system: pads, rebuild kits for the front calipers, ATE brake fluid, and a power bleeder. Also I bought a set of heavy duty deck lid shocks for the rear deck on eBay for cheap so I got those. I will probably be completing many of these projects at home in my garage throughout the week and leaving the brakes for the weekend.

The previous owner also gave me a window wiper motor with a car and the current one is in desperate need of replacement. This project is not high priority because I use Rain-X and have little need of wipers.

Cost during this installment:
Decklid shocks with shipping: $34
Brake overhaul equipment: $217
Registration and plates (not personalized yet): $174
TOTAL: $425