Help! Need a mechanic!

Hi Everyone! Well, I did it, I made my first foray into the 356 replicar realm. I just purchased one from a 2nd owner in Philadelphia, Pa and I absolutely love it. However, I'm not much of a mechanic and really don't have the time to spend to work on it so I'm in need of a mechanic in the Washington DC metro/Northern Virginia area. I've called approximately 25 auto centers and they fall into the 4 following categories:

1) If I can't hook a computer up to it, I can't work on it.
2) We don't do work on air cooled, German engines.
3) I'd love to work on it, but this is more of a hobby for me and I won't be back in town for another 4 months.
4) Replicated cars are junk and I won't stoop so low as to work on one.

Can anyone out there help me with finding a mechanic? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Jim

there are plenty in your area. what issues are you having? I would tell you the best way to get it done is to do it yourself and learn along the way. If you describe your issues/symptoms someone on this site will be able to tell you exactly what to do. I learned leaps and bounds when asking for help here. You will be surprised how easy it becomes to think through the problem first, then at last resort go to a mechanic. Owning one of these car should be considered a hobby, and along with any hobby... the wrenching is half the fun.

Congrats! what did you get? Post picts, sit back, strap yourself in and hold on... it is a great ride~!

Jim,
Get ahold of Cory Drake (he posts here all the time). He's endowed with knowledge of most excellent air cooled wrenches!

angela

I do know a few. However, I believe Wolfgang has Northern Virginia quite well wired.
If you don't mind traveling a bit east of the beltway, we'll set you right up. Three spring to mind right away. PM for specifics?

Jim, the reason some of these guys have so many problems with their cars, is because they work on them themselves, and think that because they happen to be a grease monkey, everyone should be.
I like getting into my cars and not worry if it will get me to point "B"....I am also mechanically impaired (and a southpaw)
Don't let these guys make you feel guilty for not wanting to get all greasy....Most of the fun is driving them, not crawling underneath them.....
By the way they are VW's not Porsche's....There should be a VW repair shop close to you no matter where you live....

Vince,
Wrench this...
angela

Hold the phone -- Vince, you're right. Odd ...
I took the sloppy jalopy to the VW joint where I take my "reliable" cars, and the mechanics who had been there long enough to know what they heard driving up all stuck their heads out of the bay.
I betcha you'll find a veteran VW mechanic who does side work at any VW shop.
Why is Vince right most of the time?
Jim, I can be reached at (443) 995-0576.

CORY IT WAS ME

Ah-ha. All is clear now. ...

Everyone,

I can't thank you all enough for your responses (Corey, I just left you a voicemail). I really appreciate everyone's input. Unfortunately, I really don't have the space, tools, or time to work on my new toy by myself. As soon as I can get batteries for my camera, I'll post pictures. Of course (like every new father) I feel like my new baby is the most beautiful one in the world :).

Thanks again everyone!

Jim

Jim -

Do you find it hard to stop yourself from staring at your new Speedy from every conceivable angle while spending way too much time in the garage while doing so?

If you are - then 'WELCOME TO THE MADNESS'!!

Have fun with your new toy!

And its OK if you walk into the garage a couple of times a day and think..."Wow, something THIS cool lives with me?"

angela

It's all well and good, unless you're Kelly. He's got Morton Thiokol on the horn asking about fuel delivery and oxygen mixture settings for his new solid rocket boosters.
He's about had it with his carb setup.

No, no, no, I'm one of the guys w/ grease/dirt under the nails. This owes to having had some P-cars back during my mispent youth, while basically very poor. Paying someone else to fix/adjust/tune what was needed was just not an option. DIY or stay put was about the size of it. My current gas-leaking carb problem on a brand new unit (300 mi) is a major annoyance because it means I am not driving, not because it is an insurmountable problem I don't understand. Besides, as you have seen here, these cars really are sort of simple, at least compared to the electronics and computer ladden machines available today. Anyone w/ a little inclination to fiddle can get on to just about everything associated w/ these cars, short of rebuilding the engine or tranny. Once you learn it, it's yours. It ain't rocket science, although if it were, that would still be OK by me, 'cause that's what I am. There are ACVW folks around, and I am sure Cory or others can get you hooked up.

I had a nice chat with the young lad this evening, hooking him up with the right numbers and a brief explanation of the type, quality and levels of work associated with the folks I recommended.
I think he'll be set, now. Incidentally, he needs a top. Anybody wanna donate one to his cause? He was going to drive by the firehouse, but it was threatening rain.

Jim, I'm quite sure your car is better looking. If you're able to come by some time next week, call ahead to make sure I'm at work -- and also to let me cover this thing up first so I'm less humiliated.

Ohhh...My Eyes....My Eyes!!

"Hello, Pot? This is Kettle, over. How do you copy?"

Call Sean @ Peek Performance Seabrook MD...
.......right Cory?

Yup.

Jim -

Don't listen to Cory. He won Hoopty on 'Pinks'!

Peace - Out!