Anyone in SoCal (OC) have a Beck Subie I can check out?

Unfortunately I no longer have a dog in the  *****, however... from experience I can honestly tell you that you can not go wrong with a Suby Beck

Why would you even think about JPS

Suby Beck!  It doesn't get much better than that.

You will not be disappointed.

What do you mean? has anyone here ever had a bad experience with John? 

You need to spend some time searching older posts.

Devin,

x2 what Tom suggested!!!

 

I've learned some time ago to run through any and all pertinent SOC subject searches first to see if my questions have already been answered.

 

Tom... Carl... 

 

My comment was meant purely as sarcasm in response to the dig on JPS. I've read way more of these forums than a normal person (non-owner) should, and certainly much more than my wife thinks is healthy. I've reviewed nearly every positive and negative thing on here about the various builders. That's exactly why I stated up front that I had no intention of starting a "which builder is better" debate.

 

All I was asking, which i thought was clear, was whether there was anyone in my area passionate enough about their Beck Subie to share that experience with me. 

 

I figured that's what a community like this was all about. 

But if y'all want to turn this into a JPS flamewar, don't let me stop y'all. I don't have a horse in this race anyway. 

 

Anyone want to talk about the Green Coupe?

Devin,

 

I will assume that no Beck Subi owner in your area has contacted you.  Of course, not all replica owners are on this site.  You may want to consider contacting Beck with your request and email address.  Carey may know a SoCal owner and forward your email to the owner.  

I think Devin may be my new favorite non-owner. 

Devin, Simply you rock!

-=theron

Great idea. Thanks Jim. I'll do that.

Glad you've done your homework.  Contacting Carey is your best bet. Visiting him in Bremen would be even better.  I'm having Carey convert Natalie to Suby this winter.

I've driven her 5 years with a CB 2054, but want to make the change now.  I've confirmed what u already knew....I'm no mechanic.

You're welcome to come to Detroit and drive her next spring ;-).

 

If i had that kind of patience, this wouldn't be so damn challenging. 

Now this is just my opinion and many will not necessarily agree but it is based on a short ownership experience with a JPS suby powered car.    

 

My opinion is that while the suby power is nice nothing wrong with it I don't think it's essential to have a really nice car.   If you could compare my Suby coupe say to Paul Mossbergs IM (with an air cooled engine) the difference in performance is not that significant (in my opinion) so what I am suggesting is if money requires a compromise I believe a well sorted air cooled car might be a lot more satisfactory over compromising other aspects of the car in order to obtain the suby engine for the same money.   

 

I've got a pretty good idea as to what I think would be a perfect replica 356 and it probably would include a suby engine but the entry fee would be pretty steep.   AND when you get in to the $50K and up numbers for these cars and we all know you can get as much or more then $75K in them are they really worth that kind of green.   

 

What I am suggesting is a nice used air cooled car might very well float your boat.   It would mine after owning the JPS coupe.    Oh and if you are considering a water cooled car I believe Beck as a better set up for the radiator (among other things)

 

My opinion based on my individual and somewhat limited experience.     Me?  If the madness returns it will be a used air cooled Beck or IM.   Something owned and sorted by a knowledgeable owner.    Or one purchased thru Beck or IM.   That's what I'd do.    (today tomorrow who knows)   I believe you can find a very nice car for between $25K and $35K and that's enough maybe $40 couple K if you're talking IM's   I personally question whether any replica can justify $75K and up.   Notice I said question.  For some it's a given and that's OK, just my opinion to consider for what it's worth.

 

Just to add.  The difference in power is noticed at the high end of the performance curve.  These cars are not (again in my opinion) at their best pushed to the limits.   If you want a high performance experienced I'd suggest a modern porsche not the replica's.  Now don't get me wrong they are a fun drive but I just don't think they should be expected to handle power plants in excess of 100 hp.   (My opinion)  If you want to run with the big dogs buy a Cayman (similar money)  

DEVIN, where in so cal do u live? I have had two JPS vehicles and have never had a problem with them. But I live 20 miles from the shop. I do understand the farther u are from JPS the more complaints u hear. And many are valid complaints. I would not do a Suby engine.

John, thanks for all the information. I really appreciate it. Everyone selling speedsters in my area has heard from me, trying to do just what you've described. So far i haven't found anything that hits the sweet spot, but i'm not done looking.

 

GERD, I'm down in Laguna Beach. North Hollywood is a bit of a haul, but much more manageable than those who book flights and hotel rooms. I think the back up on the 101 is worse than the security line backup at LAX, but those things not withstanding...