Where to go for alignment?
 

Last week, on the way to work, I cut a corner close and hit the curb with my left-rear wheel. I hit it hard enough to tear a chunk out of the sidewall, and grind a bit of the wheel rim despite the shoulder on the tire to prevent that. $300 later, I got the tire replaced, but I need to get the alignment checked.

What I'm wondering is do I need to go to a Porsche mechanic for an alignment, or can I just go to a tire place? Money's really tight right now, so if I can save a bit by going to a "normal" shop rather than my Porsche shop, that would be cool.

What have you guys paid for a 4-wheel alignment?

When I was autocrossing the Miata weekly I checked out their forums and there were always a few recommendations based on satisfied customers by location. Mind you these were for spec'd alignments so obviously the tech knew what he was doing to hit the numbers. Aligning a Porsche is no more complicated than any other sports car. More often than not the SCCA and Miata guys were on tight budgets, not like the wine and cheese Porsche crowd who didn't ask for price.
I had a diagnostic done on the Boxster at the biggest Pcar dealer here in NJ and they quoted me $150 for standard specs. I'm guessing the Miata guy was probably no more than $80 or an hour of labor.

in our area $130 is a good price

OUCH! What's your area?

I just had new rear tires mounted and balanced, the fronts were also rebalanced (they needed to be broken down and remounted) and the alignment was done. The shop owner was a former Can-Am crew chief, $320. The car drives better now than it has since I bought it a few years back.......don't skimp.

The best alignment
 

The best alignment I've ever had done was done with the Smart Strings system. Here in Charlottesville, we've got a guy who's with the Flying Lizard team. He helped me set up the Smart Strings system on my car and coached me through it. The car has never driven so well. And it's really not that complicated!
If you've got a race/speed shop near you that knows the strings system, you won't be disappointed.

Coreseller,

Your signature .gif sucks. Nobody should tease a dog like that! :eek: He's hating life.

Sears $69.99

Off topic but .....


That pic above is a thing of Beauty!!

I got a quote from Fischer Motors in North Barrington for $130. Then I called Midwest Eurosport, and they quoted me $300! :eek: