[jmertz55]

Thanks to all of you who answered my questions over the past few months. I had been looking for a 987.2 but as one of you suggested (THANK YOU VERY MUCH!), my budget got me into the category of 981s and I found a very nice looking 2013 manual with low miles and full leather in Irvine CA. I fly out there next Tues to pick her up. The car is Amaranth Red over black. I've not seen the color in person but my best friend and long time Porsche owner says it's stunning. I also checked out some of your comments on the color here at P9 and consensus seems to be that it is well liked. I do have pictures (I'll try to attach one here) but the seller says the pictures don't do it justice, a sentiment echoed on this site as well. It's a one owner car w 10k miles, serviced at the local dealer, so it is still basically new. This is my first Porsche and needless to say I'm SUPER excited to make the trip and pick up the new car. Thanks again for all your advice during the search.

As to the trip itself, after seeing a few old work friends and a college buddy, I've planned a road trip from SoCal to Evanston, IL via Houston TX to see my middle daughter. Roughly it will go like this - day 1 from Sherman Oaks to Payson AZ, just north of Phoenix. I was thinking Tucson but I noticed Hwy 87 north out of Phoenix into the Tonto National Forest and thought that squiggly little line looked a lot more inviting that the superslab, so I picked out a bnb in Payson. From there to Las Cruces. From Las Cruces to Houston (a 12 hour long superslab slog). Stop over for a few days to buy dinners and stuff for the kids. Then hopefully a day of fishing south of Dallas with another friend, then to make my way home through Arkansas to IL. I haven't mapped past TX but I assume there will be some roads I'll want to take through the Ozarks if I have the time.

I'm also busy reading the PDF version of the owners manual! I welcome any suggestions for things to pay attention to or to know about on the new car, advice on road-tripping, roads I might want to try to take along the way, etc....

Thanks again to everyone

John

 

[Jerry V]

Sounds like an amazing bonding trip with your new car. Take some time to enjoy the drive.

I picked up my pre-owned car with only 3,000 miles on it in Saskatoon Canada and drove it to our home near Toronto in 2015.

That is a beautiful car!

 

[CinciOH]

Congratulations! Very nice road trip ahead, you have all the right to be stoked. I will just say something, but please do not let that make you worry and enjoy the trip any less. Stay away from the Interstates as much as possible. If the car is not protected (clear bra), that is fine but be aware all the time and stay away from the trucks (all trucks) as much as possible and at least protect headlights - it is incredible how easily they pit from debris on the roads. I am suspecting that a 2013 car with 10,000 miles is probably still pristine even if not protected - miles might be all local without Interstate driving.

Other than that, enjoy it as much as you possibly can. Make sure oil was changed recently and be patient for oil to reach about 180 degrees F before you really step on it. That's about it.

Have fun!

 

[Hoboken]

Congratulations. Enjoy the road trip. I've really enjoy my time on the road with my son.

I'm also busy reading the PDF version of the owners manual!

I did that as well before picking up...

 

[ELP_JC]

Good advice on interstates, especially around my neck of the woods (El Paso, TX, where you'll pass by), where road debris and high winds can put 20K-miles worth of body damage in a single trip (don't ask me how I know). Not to mention possible encounters with washers, dryers, mattresses, crates, etc. DO NOT drive behind trucks, or where you cannot see well ahead. Now, I'd like to suggest other simple precautions. I'd make sure your car doesn't have any outstanding recalls, and if the oil wasn't changed recently, do it before your trip. And on that subject, make sure your oil level is at full (4th segment on the indicator), plus I'd take an extra quart, just in case, since you don't khow your car yet. Also check coolant level. If previous owner didn't top it off when new, it's almost at the point of triggering a warning. All 981s have significant 'burping' after leaving the factory. My car took about 3/4-qt total, and it had all of 10 miles on the clock. Hasn't dropped since it stabilized, but most owners neglect that simple maintenance chore. Also make sure your car had a brake flush. In fact, it should have TWO already. I'd get that done if needed too. Maybe not enough time, but buying a jack kit and flat tire plug kit would have been a good idea as well, but a good roadside assistance would be fine. Make sure car is under warranty still, or buy one from AAA or your insurance company. Stupid things, but better to plan things well. Good luck.

 

[gcurnew]

Nice ride! Enjoy the trip...the days you are about to experience will be memorable.

 

[Rosa]

Beautiful car and great road trip plan! Hwy 87 to Payson is an awesome road (just watch the locals who like to "cut corners"!) and a trip through the Ozarks would be equally as beautiful and much fun as any drivers roads you would find anywhere. Just enjoy! Still loving my '07 987 which I ordered new 11 years ago!

 

[gfspencer]

Congratulations! Have a safe trip.

 

[TLA]

You're going to have a blast! I just picked up my 2103 BS in Vegas and drove it back to Dallas last week.

 

[jmertz55]

Thanks ELP. It just had the 4 Yr / 40k mile service done by Circle Porsche in Long Beach on Jan 18, 2017. It's gotten 100 miles on it since then. I figure I should be good with most of this until I get home, though I will check fluid levels with the seller when I pick up the car. In any case, looks like they did new oil, air filters and a brake flush. What do you guys think about the clear protectors on the front of the car? I have never had one of those on any car and always thought they looked rather obvious and not good.

 

[RickH]

Honestly, If I were to drive the trip you are planning I would get the clear bra on before I left CA. I had the seller put it on as part of the deal. 3M half bra that covers the front nose, front of the mirrors, cups of the door handles, edges of the doors, and the headlights. I believe it cost around $1000 but that was in AZ. Unless the sun catches the back edge of the bra you can't even tell it is there.
BTW, the color is beautiful, one of my favorite and much more attractive than Guards Red!

 

[Llarry]

I've never see Amaranth in real life, but it sure looks gorgeous! Love the PO's Calif plates, too! Have a great trip!

 

[m3guy]

Re: Clear Bra, I would get that done locally. The better ones (3M, xpel, etc) have good warranties, and you want to be close to your installer if/when you need to use it. Installer is also very important to overall look and quality of job, so you want to know who's doing it.

Jealous of your pickup trip!

 

[jmertz55]

I know. I literally almost can't contain myself. I have to wait till Tues. This is much harder than I anticipated - I though, "oh yeah, I'll have plenty of time to get ready, play a round of golf or two, go to my guitar class Monday night, yadda yadda...." Man what was I thinking!! Actually, the seller is getting the car detailed and set up the appt for Monday, so said wait till then so it will be as clean and pretty as possible. I'm sure that's worth waiting for but this really is a bitch. So it begins....

 

[chows4us]

The car is Amaranth Red over black. I've not seen the color in person but my best friend and long time Porsche owner says it's stunning. advice on road-tripping, roads I might want to try to take along the way, etc....

Amaranth is beautiful, darker red. Good job.

Having traveled the US extensively, Do what the others said. Stay away from trucks. Get the Clearbra on the car NOW. For the rest ...

1. Take twice as much money, half as many clothes
2. Bring a small bottle of Speed shine or similar and same for the windshield.
3. Have a plan for a flat. They happen. Who you going to call? Is there cell service? Don't plan on it. Easy to find stories of flats with no spare tire. Not fun.
4. Dont get a speed ticket. Not worth the hassle.
5. Bring a tiny first aid kit.

 

[iiagdtr]

I've had my 981 Cayman for about a month, it's been a joy getting to know it! I immediately got a clear bra (SunTek) and am now on the waiting list for Ceramic Pro done locally.

It's such a beautiful machine and I want to keep it that way. The clear bra done correctly is far less noticeable than chipped paint. It isn't by any means painfully obtrusive either and I highly recommend it.

 

[Jerry V]

Hey John,

Could you take a few pictures of your trip and post them here for us?

 

[Steven E Nelson]

Drive safe and have fun. Nice color and hard to find. Excellent pick-up.

 

[Robstnr]

Amaranth Red Metallic -excellent color. I think it has a hint of gold metallic. Beautiful in the sun ( when clean)

 

[eddielasvegas]

Beautiful car and best of luck on your trip.

I bought my Cayman in IL (La Grange) and drove in back to AZ. Literally an hour after buying it, I was homeward bound. 36 hours and 1,750 miles later I made it safe and sound, and my car performed flawlessly.

Make sure to bring some sun screen and keep that top down all the way.

Safe travels,


Eddie