Any Porsche Club members here?

Since I'm semi-actively shopping for a Porsche (with my wife's encouragement, no less!), I have been thinking about joining the Porsche Club of America, to help find the right car. The problem is, they require that you own a Porsche to join. They have the "Quest" program, a one time, six month non-renewable semi-membership for people who are looking for one. A normal membership is $42 per year. Quest is $40. I'm wondering if the benefits (access to their info and classifieds) are worth it.

Any members out there who can offer some insight?

On the 924 board, someone asked about the PCA and the best repy was:

"I don't think I want to join the PCA, I don't own a Boxster"

Seriously though, at least in my part of the world, they seem to put on great events and tend to provide some great benefits to their members. A club of any kind is only as good as the members in it, so you may want to try and meet up with some local PCA members in your area, attend some events, etc and see if you'd like to hang out with these people.

I love autocrossing and track daying with them so much I'm thinking of buying a Porsche just to join and get cheaper entry fees! I'm thinking a 924 to drop in my AMC 401...

Obviously you have to own a Porsche to be in the PCA.

The local chapter has plenty of money for wax jobs, but not enough for cones and timing equipment, so we in the SCCA supply them for a nominal fee.

The main thing I enjoy about the Porsche Club is that they have nice cars but never practice driving them at the limit, which is why they are easy to beat at autocross; the only Porsche that has ever outrun my econobox Neon was a trailered, fully caged 911, and he only beat me by a quarter second.

Yes, it felt good.

The local PCA chapter is the best run auto-club in Sacramento. They host the best auto-x, hands-down, of any group in the area.

There are some really fast drivers in the Sac PCA. Most of them drive prepped 914s.

There are enough newbs with nice cars that it's fun to go and feel good about yourself sometimes. Have a family friend with a Boxter that I love always beating by over a second at any auto-x.

Heck, I have been a PCA member for years, although right now I don't own a Porsche. I hope to change that soon, as I like Boxsters.

NYG95GA wrote: Obviously you have to own a Porsche to be in the PCA. The local chapter has plenty of money for wax jobs, but not enough for cones and timing equipment, so we in the SCCA supply them for a nominal fee. The main thing I enjoy about the Porsche Club is that they have nice cars but never practice driving them at the limit, which is why they are easy to beat at autocross; the only Porsche that has ever outrun my econobox Neon was a trailered, fully caged 911, and he only beat me by a quarter second. Yes, it felt good.

I run with the BMW club... the fastest guys out there are in an E30 M3 and a 77ish 911. And i beat a brand new Porsche Carrera. With all 130 hp in my little convertible

Spend your shopping time on the Pelican Parts forum. Those guys will find a car for you. I don't think you need the PCA to find a decent car. When I was browsing for 911s the Pelicans were truly the most helpful and knowledgeable folks I've ever found.

ddavidv wrote: Spend your shopping time on the Pelican Parts forum. Those guys will find a car for you. I don't think you need the PCA to find a decent car. When I was browsing for 911s the Pelicans were truly the most helpful and knowledgeable folks I've ever found.

I was on the Pelican forum yesterday and I found some good stuff there.

I know the club runs good events, as I have been to Lime Rock for many of them. Sure, you'll find some timid drivers on at DE events, but I've always been impressed at how hard these guys drive on race days. It's not just a shiny bunch of expensive cars.

Right now, I'm looking for resources rather than events. Like finding good cars that owners are thinking about selling, but haven't advertised yet.

PCA like anything varies according to the local content. Some regions do have very good drivers and driving events. Regarding buying one I never saw any deals on the PCA web site or printed stuff. Stuff for sale on PCA related stuff was overpriced or scrap metal. If you want to join, PM me and I will give you a VIN for one of the 914s I scrapped over the years, they will never know the difference!

If your in the north east, hands down no question its worth joining, the monthly panorama magazine alone is worth the admission price, but they also have very active regions, metro ny, zone one, hudson valley with tons of events. look up there web pages, and go to an event, they will welcome you even before you become a member or buy a p-car, and for the most part, not allot of snob factor. these are the ones who usually know what cars are or will be for sale, so attending an event or two will improve your networking abilities, and the events are fun too. the local club web sites usually also have classified adds. Id recommend you email the region president or staff, its almost a shoe in they will make you feel at home. Some other regions arent so friendly and have higher snob contingents. Ive been a member since 98 or so, not as happy with the folks in my region here in the south, fewer events and too many "socials" which arent my thing, but still some good people involved. Buying a car from club members will often cost a bit more, but there's also a better chance that the car will be better maintained, and be worth the extra investment. Getting to know a few club members also gets you inside info on what shops are in the know as well, and that can save you thousands just finding things on a good pre purchase inspection.

Here in northern Ohio, NORPCA events are far superior to every other club I've ever been to.

The cars are nicer (you don't see billy joe in a rusted out Tempo); alot of other exotic cars end up coming to PCA events as well. You get equal or more runs per event and the courses are about 2x as long. PCA events are always over a minute and are highly technical (fast clean runs are always very difficult). Except for Toledo, every non-PCA course I've raced/watched was sub 40 secods andn pretty much just a drag strip with a couple turns. At a lot of events you can spin your car w/o touching a cone...

The PCA members are really cool and the local Porsche dealers give you VIP treatment. For ALMS / Indy 200 @ Mid-Ohio Porsche North Olmsted gave us free weekend passes, Porsche VIP passes (catered meals, A/C, free alky ), paddock passes, and also got infield parking passes for the PCA car show.