Fly and Drive prep for a 5 year old car?

HI Everyone, 

I just purchased a 1 way flight from Seattle to San Francisco to possibly purchase a 2017 911 (997.2 manual, which was the hard part) for this coming Friday.  I'm have a PPI done today or tomorrow at a local shop that I found (not the dealer) and as long as that goes well, I feel like this will be a done deal.  I've already negotiated what I can for the car, because of course this is not the time to be buying but either way I am comfortable with the price.  

The drive back is 13ish hours according to the googles, and I don't plan on making it all in one drive and will stop somewhere in Oregon I think.

What I'm hoping is that the trip will be flawless and that this time will allow me to get to know the car.

Being as new as it is, my plan is just to bring my AAA card if really needed and an overnight bag. But, should I bring anything else with me? Tire pressure gauge, wrenches, get an oil change before leaving? I'd love to know your thoughts. 

I did a fly and drive for a 7 year old car earlier this year, and all I did was show up and drive (12 hour drive). I brought no tools, just a backpack. I got an oil change the day after getting home, but otherwise yes - plan for the luxury of a new car. Plan for the luxury of certainty you'll get where you're going in style and comfort!

Any 5 year old car should be able to do a cross-country drive with no notice. If it has overdue maintenance, get that done but that's true pretty much all the time :)

If I was going out to pick up my new 997 911 I would need looser fitting trousers and some whitening toothpaste for the E36 M3-eating grin that would be on my face the whole way back.

It should handle it no problem. Waive on your way by exit 14 in WA!

The car only has 30K on it, I would think that maintenance would be fine.  I asked the shop to check brake pad wear and fluids as part of the inspection, and they said it was already a part of their list.  They are a porsche only shop and have good reviews out there, so I believe I can trust them. 

I'm pretty damn excited, after having automatics for the last 5 years, it will be nice to row my own again! This will also be my first Porsche which is going to be fun as well. Already found out that you can get the base model with an ecu tune to surpass an S (without a tune) so that may be on the list of things to do shortly.

For fun, here is a dealer pic

Boy that is a great looking car!  Congrats to you!

LifeIsStout said:

Being as new as it is, my plan is just to bring my AAA card if really needed and an overnight bag. But, should I bring anything else with me? Tire pressure gauge, wrenches, get an oil change before leaving? I'd love to know your thoughts. 

I agree with Keith that you're not likely to encounter any major mechanical problems on a 5-year-old car.

That said, I like to have enough stuff with me to make dealing with a potential tire change easier.  Some gloves, a flashlight, a pressure gauge, one of those little 12 volt compressors, and maybe a breaker bar and socket that's the right size for the lugs (TSA might not like those if you're only bringing a carry-on).

There are a few mountains en route, and it's December.  Check the weather before you depart to see if snow and chain controls are likely.  A 997 probably has summer tires on it, so chains won't do you much good (IIRC they require M&S at chain controls).

If you fuel up just before you get to the state line you can probably go all the way through Oregon on one tank and avoid having to let someone dribble gas down your paint. :)

I would buy some extra wiper blades , just because , 

But sounds like a fun drive , 

Ohh and check that if there is a spare tire and if there is  a lug wrench ......ohhh and the key to the wheel locks if it has them......

If current tires are questionable (via PPI),  you'll want to order a set from a GRM sponsor and have them shipped to an installer.  Local shops may have limited inventory. Also, summer tires & mountain passes could be concerning if there is ice/snow.

Congrats'.  Nice looking 911.

A backpack with a change of clothes and a toothbrush? 

In 2010, when I drove a '91 318is from Newark, NJ to Tulsa, OK, I had a tape adapter for my Discman so I could listen to music on the drive home. 

*To be fair, one of my buddies shops had just given it a nice going through. 

bring a bat to try and ward off all the attractive people who will suddenly want a ride. 

For a 5 year old car? Unless it's done the Paris-Dakar rally drive it home.

Wow. One of the best shifting cars I have ever driven to boot. Congrats!

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

LifeIsStout said:

Being as new as it is, my plan is just to bring my AAA card if really needed and an overnight bag. But, should I bring anything else with me? Tire pressure gauge, wrenches, get an oil change before leaving? I'd love to know your thoughts. 

I agree with Keith that you're not likely to encounter any major mechanical problems on a 5-year-old car.

That said, I like to have enough stuff with me to make dealing with a potential tire change easier.  Some gloves, a flashlight, a pressure gauge, one of those little 12 volt compressors, and maybe a breaker bar and socket that's the right size for the lugs (TSA might not like those if you're only bringing a carry-on).

There are a few mountains en route, and it's December.  Check the weather before you depart to see if snow and chain controls are likely.  A 997 probably has summer tires on it, so chains won't do you much good (IIRC they require M&S at chain controls).

If you fuel up just before you get to the state line you can probably go all the way through Oregon on one tank and avoid having to let someone dribble gas down your paint. :)

 

Very good thoughts on this, I might just try to run by a harbor freight for some of the small tools since I will just be doing a carry on. 

There only is one pass I think I need to worry about, Grant's Pass at the Or/Ca border. At least for now it doesn't require specific tires, but it does said carry chains.  I'll have to see what I can do as I don't forsee changing out tires before I leave.

Just for the record that's a 991, not a 997.

Don't need a tire gauge, the car can tell you that. It doesn't have a spare, so no need for tire changing tools - there should be a compressor and a can of fix a flat under the hood.

If the PPI turns up some maintenance that's due (fluid changes, worn out tires/brakes, etc) I'd be tempted to get that stuff resolved, but otherwise bring whatever luggage you need, get in, and drive. Maybe a spare quart of oil just to be safe, but it won't need it.

In reply to LifeIsStout :

While you are at HF, pick up a tire plug kit and compressor, if the car doesn't come with them. I'm pretty sure those didn't come with a spare tire.

Just drive it. I picked up my 2008 Corvette with a AAA card and a few bottles of Diet Pepsi. It covered the 800 miles home without a care. Modern cars are pretty damn solid. 

Just picked up a 5.5 year old FJ Cruiser. Wallet, AAA card, some iced tea. Flew one way, drove home 17 hours, 1 hour was naptime. 16 hour drive. 

Im with the Just Send It crowd.  I did a fly and drive to bring a $500 1978 Mercury from Oklahoma to NJ.   Bought a cheap toolkit once I got on the road, and rolled the dice.   The adventure is part of the fun.  But I think with a 5 year old P-car you'll be having a different kind of fun.  Enjoy!

People crack me up. I've done many fly/train and drives. I think they've all been 10-15 years old, had 200,000 mes on them, and cost about as much as the rear tires for the car the OP is buying. 
never had a problem. Always made it home without issues. 

I once rented a one-way dodge Neon to buy a barn find 73 Impala with 58k, nylon bias ply tires, and it hadn't even been started since the 80s.

I took tires, gas, and starting fluid.  Seller put a battery in it.

Fired it up, filled the radiator from the garden hose, drove to the nearest tire shop to have them put the tires on, and drove it 1300 miles home.

Don't stress.  It'll be fine.  A small selection of tools would be nice for dumb things, but I find that requires that I check a bag and I'm way too cheap for that.

Something to ask yourself: "what things on this car do I expect to actually be able to fix on the side of the road with hand tools?"

For my cayman (and really most minimally modified vehicles) my answer is "basically nothing". Even for things like road tripping to a track day I don't bring much of anything beyond spare fluids, a wheel torque wrench, and the tools needed to make a sway bar adjustment. Also remember that it's pretty unlikely that an auto parts store has any parts for just about any modern german car. So even if you have the tools and ability to replace parts, you're not going to be able to get said parts unless you break down within walking distance of a porsche dealership during business hours.

fill it with gas

I love that drive. It's not a problem to do it in one go, it just isn't, unless you get unlucky with Portland traffic. Stay on 101 outta san fran and go through the Redwoods. It adds some time but who cares? Spend a bit of time in the Trees. It's also a lower road getting into Grants Pass. And if Grants Pas is snowed under, darn. You have to drive all the way up the Oregon Coast. In a 911. My heart bleeds for you....