About Us

BY ENTHUSIASTS FOR ENTHUSIASTS

Founded by an automotive engineer and staffed by enthusiasts, Response Motors understands performance. With our many years of building, driving, racing, restoring and re-engineering Porsches, BMWs, Lamborghinis and other performance brands, we are experts at finding and servicing these marks as well as understanding our enthusiast clientele.

OUR STORY

Founder Graham Doorley started building cars with his father back in the day and has dreamed of running his own shop ever since. Getting behind the wheel of these performance cars is what life is all about and being able to share that passion with other people makes it even more exciting.

VIEW INVENTORY

OUR STORY

A graduate of Carnegie-Mellon and Stanford with degrees in Physics and Engineering, Graham worked for aerospace and automotive companies involved in vehicle design. Coupled with his lifelong interests in working on, racing, redesigning, and upgrading cars, Response Motors is a natural extension of his passions.

After leaving Tesla, where he worked as a chassis engineer on the Model S, Graham sold his Porsche for seed money and discovered an underutilized garage space to set up shop. Starting with just one car, Response Motors has grown to become one of the most recognized specialty independents in Northern California, with both national and international clients.

What Graham enjoys most about Response Motors is, “the thought of opening the door to my dealership, turning on the lights and seeing several lines of gleaming dream cars silently waiting to be driven and enjoyed. Plus, meeting and working with our enthusiast clients and supporters who come by the shop for service, to see our latest offerings or just to “bench race” with my team. It’s a great place to be.”

WHY WE LIKE PORSCHE 997’s

All 911s have a dedicated and passionate following. The 997 (2005–2012) is gaining in stature with enthusiasts who appreciate the refinements offered by the water-cooled engine and computer management systems, while still experiencing the analogue driving characteristics of older 911s. The 996 (1999–2005) forms the underpinnings of the 997 but lacks the finish and visual appeal of its later sister cars. We like the 997s because they offer a wide range of options tailored to driving habits and expectations, as well as the craftsmanship and reliability that Porsche owners have come to expect. Plus, we feel they offer the best value of any Porsche on the market today. There are 24 distinct models to choose from in the 997 line. Here are a few of our favorites:

2005

2006

2009

2011

2005 911 C2/S

Introduced in late 2004, and offered in coupe and cabriolet forms, both the base 911 and S models offered a better interior, fit and finish, and markedly better looking design. The S model added more horsepower, torque and usual bigger tires, as well as special "lobster claw" wheels, though most features were available as special order on the base model.

2005 C4/C4S

AWD, electronically controlled, electromagnetically operated multiple-plate clutch (PTM), offered in either manual or Tiptronic transmissions. Features a wider, "turbo style" flared body greatly enhancing its visual appeal. More predictable handling, particularly in cornering.

2006 911 Turbo/TurboS

Looking the part, the AWD Turbo upgraded the body of the C4S with new front facia, cornering lights, air intakes on the quarter panels, larger speed activated read wing and special tires and wheels. 0–60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 193 mph. Turbo S, in contrast to the regular Turbo, was configured to operate with a higher boost pressure level, which means that maximum torque was available for an unlimited period. Offered in both coupe and cabriolet, manual and Tiptronic.

2006 GT2/GT3/GT3 RS

These are the ultimate drivers' cars. The turbocharged 997 GT2 uses a rear wheel drive layout for reduced weight (primarily for competing in GT2 class racing as with its predecessors), and boasts a power increase from a newly designed expansion intake manifold, and shorter turbo intake manifolds. The GT2 accelerates in 3.6 seconds to 60 mph and in 7.4 seconds to 100 mph, and has a top speed of 204 mph. The GT3 has the same displacement as the Turbo and uses AWD, but is normally aspirated and uses a variable intake system instead. It has a redline of 8,400 rpm (the same as the Carrera GT), forged pistons, lightweight valves and hollow camshafts in order to make the engine light weight and higher revving, and a special 6-speed manual transmission with shorter gear ratios in order to feed optimum power to the rear wheels. Total downforce was also doubled.

2009 - 2012 997.2 (Gen II)

The 997 received a mid-cycle refresh in 2008 for the 2009 model year. The update included many changes: New engine with direct fuel injection, revised suspension system, revised front bumper with larger air intakes, LED running lights and newly optional dual HID projectors, revised rear bumper with new LED tail lights, Porsche Sports Exhaust (PSE), redesigned PCM system with touch-screen and Bluetooth. The biggest change is the replacement of the Tiptronic S transmission with Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)—an incredible usability and performance upgrade.

2011 911 GTS

The GTS is always the best, and the last, of the line. Porsche combines everything they've learned over the run and produces a final model that personifies what the breed is all about. The 997 GTS fills the bill: Engine output raised to 408 bhp/310 pound-feet and 4.4 to 60, new damper/spring combination, 19-inch, center-lock wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s, Sport Design steering wheel, Alcantara-coated interior, painted console, and much more. Lots of nice touches over the 911S.