New guy in Austin, TX

[JonM]

I'm new to the forum, although I've lurked around here without registering for quite a while. Decided to register, as my fiancee and I just signed the papers on new construction with a 2.5 car garage. Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute to the board, when I start putting it together.

-Jon

 

[Zrexxer]

Welcome from another Austinite... well, Austin metro area, anyway!

 

[drivesitfar]

Sounds great. do you have any pictures of the new house to post or do you think that will jinx it? any hobbies? I like old tools and I'm a Retired Realtor and golf pro.

 

[930dreamer]

Welcome to the GJ.

 

[JonM]

Sounds great. do you have any pictures of the new house to post or do you think that will jinx it? any hobbies? I like old tools and I'm a Retired Realtor and golf pro.

Yeah, I suppose it would make sense to tell you guys what I plan to do with it. No pics, yet, other than the canned stuff from the builder's website. I'll definitely post pics, when I get them. I'm holding off on planning until I get the actual physical dimensions of the garage.

Hobbies are motorcycles, cars and bicycles. I did my first motorcycle race, this past summer, and hope to continue the trend in Austin. I've been doing track days with cars in cars ranging from a '93 Miata to a Porsche 996 and BMW e39 M5.

I hope to set the garage up for the usual car projects, which typically includes suspension and brake repairs and modifications, as well as the occasionally project on the drivetrain. Motorcycle projects will be similar. Current garage consists of a 2003 Porsche Carrera 2, a 2003 BMW M5, a 2009 Kawasaki ZX6R, and a 2004 Ducati ST4s. Pics of those will follow, as well.

 

[JonM]

Welcome from another Austinite... well, Austin metro area, anyway!

Thanks, I just relocated from Albany, NY, and I'm loving it. We're buying in Circle C, and the place is scheduled for completion in March. I can't wait to start building my dream garage!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Welcome Jon, congrats on you new build, looking forward to seeing how you go...

 

[drivesitfar]

Jon: Well i guess you do need a garage with that list. one thing you need to know is that if you mention cool stuff on GJ you should always post pictures of them if possible. I use the paperclip above where we write our posts to attach one picture at a time up to 7 per post sort of like an email attachment.

i'm sure you'll find a group of guys on here that have sort of what you have or want to and there are a few that have more so you can get advice on your dream purchases if you have any.

again welcome and post a few pictures if you have any. also a reminder to always have your camera handy to take pictures of before, during and after if you have a project you are working on that you want to mention on the forum.

i had a few of the old members help me when i joined last year and i thought i'd try to help a few of our new members get started so ask questions if you have any and i'll try to answer or maybe somebody else will.

 

[JonM]

drivesitfar,
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.

As for pictures, I'll do my best.

Here's my current Porsche with the SV 650 racebike that I sold on Saturday (I couldn't take everything with me).


I'll post more pictures, including my last garage, when I get a chance.

 

[drivesitfar]

Jon: you are very welcome. I think that might be the first Porsche I've seen pulling any kind of trailer. here's an upgrade that might still work if you can find a company in your area or make one.

my aluminum 4 x 8 trailer only weighs 400 pounds without the rubber horse mats in the bed and if i buy the 5 x 10 i'll probably opt for the aluminum bed instead of the replaceable marine plywood since i use the rubber mats to protect it.

post more pictures when you have time and have fun searching the threads you like and making posts with your questions or your answers if you know them.

 

[Zrexxer]

We're buying in Circle C, and the place is scheduled for completion in March.

Sigh... I remember when Circle C used to be just thousands of acres of pristine hill country ranch land.

 

[JonM]

Sigh... I remember when Circle C used to be just thousands of acres of pristine hill country ranch land.

Yeah, I know the massive influx of people has been disappointing for the real locals. Everyone here is just too damn friendly, and the climate is too nice. Change that, and you might discourage people from moving here.

 

[JonM]

Jon: you are very welcome. I think that might be the first Porsche I've seen pulling any kind of trailer. here's an upgrade that might still work if you can find a company in your area or make one.

my aluminum 4 x 8 trailer only weighs 400 pounds without the rubber horse mats in the bed and if i buy the 5 x 10 i'll probably opt for the aluminum bed instead of the replaceable marine plywood since i use the rubber mats to protect it.

post more pictures when you have time and have fun searching the threads you like and making posts with your questions or your answers if you know them.

Appreciate the recommendation on the trailer, but I already sold the HF trailer for a Kendon single bike trailer. Weight is obviously a concern, given the tow vehicle. The other concern was that the trailer fold for ease of storage. Bike and trailer are under 800 lbs, combined, and under 1000 lbs with some tools and a gas can.

With the old HF setup, it towed amazingly well. I had a 2010 Tacoma, before, and I honestly find the Porsche and trailer to be a better setup. Much better fuel mileage, more comfort, and more fun. The Tacoma was very noisy at anything over 70 mph, whereas the Porsche is great at 75-80 mph. My way of having my cake and eating it, too.

-Jon

 

[drivesitfar]

Jon: i understand the storage issue because i rent a public storage to park mine along with the kids stuff and some of my business things. i had one of those HF trailers with sides on it and honestly it pulled so easy if it was empty i had to pull off the road or change lanes to see if it was still attached.

if you can post a picture of your Kendon on your Porsche when you have time or i'll google it to see what it looks like by itself.

i think the same as you guys do about Montana. there are still a lot of good people in the world contrary to the news.

isn't it a little windy, muggy and hot in the summers in Austin or are they just saying that to keep strangers from moving there? we say it rains all the time in Seattle, but if i had 4 months to live anywhere on the planet with 75 degree weather, no bugs, no humidity and green everywhere Seattle would be up there on top of that list. it's raining today so probably will still go outside without an umbrella or a coat.

cheers

 

[JonM]

Here's the details on the Kendon.

I haven't experienced the Austin summer, yet, but I know that I'm better in the heat than the cold. I enjoy the outdoors, and the past few winters in Albany drove me inside. Everything I've read indicates that the humidity in Austin is actually lower than Albany, during the summer. I'm looking forward to firsthand experience.

Plus, working in a hot garage is easily solved with a couple of cold beers.

 

[Zrexxer]

Everyone here is just too damn friendly, and the climate is too nice. Change that, and you might discourage people from moving here.

I try to be the biggest ****** that I can, but as far as I know, no one's ever left because of it... lol Nothing I can do about the weather!

 

[rburke65]

Hello and welcome from Ohio!