JCCS 2013

[elwesso]

There's two of us now. We'll sort it out.

Was hopeful about getting to the movie since we landed at 8:45 but I was stuck in a LONG rental line and didn't hit the road to the hotel until 10:15, and at that point all I wanted was food and booze.

Did the rental place have the Prius you reserved?

No but I got a Prius. Next time ill ask for a bike instead.

[Bubba1]

No but I got a Prius.

[Jesda]

Brother got a Cruze LTZ and I got a Focus SE. The Cruze is a noticeably nicer car. His rental rate was a couple bucks cheaper too. Same agency (Avis). We both used Priceline.

:|

Anything beats a Prius, almost.

[frapjap]

Brother got a Cruze LTZ and I got a Focus SE. The Cruze is a noticeably nicer car. His rental rate was a couple bucks cheaper too. Same agency (Avis). We both used Priceline.

:|

Anything beats a Prius, almost.

Had a Cruz earlier this week. My note to you, everything that is decent about it in the front seats is AWFUL in the rear. You sit right over the wheels, you feel EVERY bump, expansion joint, contour in the road, and its noisy as FACK. I almost got car sick in the back seat. The front is a-okay though.

Sure wish I was with you guys and not running 13 miles for "fun" tomorrow.

[ADDirishboy]

Just for the record guys, not every brown guy is Jesda. Don't make the same mistake I did.

[ADDirishboy]

Ban me

[ADDirishboy]

Kristina is waking up in the pool. Just sayin.

[VMP]

A pool of AWESOME.

[ADDirishboy]

I just liked the handicap thing by the pool. It was highly amusing.

[EZcheese15]

I just liked the handicap thing by the pool. It was highly amusing.

The NASA underwater test station?

[Ozzie]

Where the photos at?

[ADDirishboy]

Andy, hurry the hell up and get to AZ.

Torry, how the hell did you wake up so early? You were drunk as hell!

[EZcheese15]

Andy, hurry the hell up and get to AZ.

Torry, how the hell did you wake up so early? You were drunk as hell!

I'm a a ninja.

[ADDirishboy]

If you were a ninja, Kristina wouldn't have been able to sack tap the s*** out of you.

[EZcheese15]

If you were a ninja, Kristina wouldn't have been able to sack tap the s*** out of you.

I am a ninja. She's just apparently a better one.

[ADDirishboy]

So you're a s*** ninja. Glad we got that cleared up.

In other news, I'm alone at NICO HQ. Do you have any idea how hard it is to not grab a handful of keys and go have a field day out on the streets right now?

[Bubba1]

I'm a a ninja.

I believe that...

[ADDirishboy]

^HAHAHAHAHA

[VMP]

[AZhitman]

A couple of our rides made it onto Jalopnik:

http://jalopnik.com/take-a-tour-of-the- ... 1428271051

[danfiveten]

Was awsome meeting u in person greg, and meeting a few others. Was also awsome seeing my stock 510 able to do 80 mph on the freeway when a few months ago she wouldnt go over 65, shows my love and care ive put into her is really paying off, i was getting so many thumbs up and seemed almost every car that passed would just stare, hell one person almost rear ended another staring at my dime LOL. Till next time.

[skydragoness]

Hey guys!
Photos are uploading to Flickr as I type this. I would have posted sooner but last night I made the mistake of drinking beer while photo editing (9% Pumpkin Imperial Ale to be exact). Monday night I was just spent. Anyway. I had a GREAT time and loved seeing my NICO/second family again and with such great weather and a really good turnout...as good as the first year I visited! Next year I plan to make a week of it.

I'll post up a link to my Zenfolio account if anyone wants to buy prints.

For now, here is a link to my Flickr gallery ( I really hate the new layout SO much):

http://www.flickr.com/photos/skytigress ... 072493943/


Also, I have to extend a special thank you to Becky and Greg for making JCCS possible for me this year

[AZhitman]

Chris, your pics are AMAZING.

[Jesda]

I have rented or been driven in rentals consisting of, so far:
Ford Focus
Chevy Cruze
VW Beetle
Mazda 5

The New New Beetle is surprisingly roomy and handles well. The 6-speed auto is too eager to save fuel but the engine makes a neat sound. I'd only have one with a manual.
The Focus has a mushy, delayed-acting 6-speed dual-clutch auto.
The Mazda 5 (midsize category) has a surprising amount of room. I relaxed in the middle row with the front seat forward and my seat slid back, keeping the sun out of my eyes as we cruised down to San Diego.
The Cruze has a fantastic infotainment system, sharp steering, a respectably responsive automatic, nice materials inside, an excellent sound system, and a pleasingly firm ride.

I'd take the Chevy and Mazda home if I had to choose.



Also bought a 1993 Lexus GS300 at the auction in Riverside this weekend with only 52,000 miles. I'd call it a semi-classic, designed by Giugiaro in Italy. The firm suspension, quick steering, and nimble chassis are very un-Lexus-like. Has Nakamichi audio! Hopefully someone back home in Missouri will appreciate it.


Sorry I couldn't make it to Surprise to hang out. Business got in the way. Was nice seeing Andy and finally meeting Cathy!

[Bubba1]

nice pics, Sky. I need to get out there next year. I'd almost forgotten how sexy those old Isuzu Impulses looked. I noticed some pics of extended vertical fart can exhausts. Is that the newest hot thing now?

[frapjap]

I have rented or been driven in rentals consisting of, so far:

The Cruze has a fantastic infotainment system, sharp steering, a respectably responsive automatic, nice materials inside, an excellent sound system, and a pleasingly firm ride.

Its also PAINFULLY SLOW. Like. real. f***. slow. Back seat is awful and the rear passengers damn near sit on the rear tires. Hate that car. I'd take Wes' Prius over that one.

[skydragoness]

Chris, your pics are AMAZING.

Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks
I had fun taking them

nice pics, Sky. I need to get out there next year. I'd almost forgotten how sexy those old Isuzu Impulses looked. I noticed some pics of extended vertical fart can exhausts. Is that the newest hot thing now?

Thanks Joel. You definitely have to come out. It's so worth it.
Google Bosozuku and you'll get the idea. It's slowly making its way to the east coast. Meh.

[Jesda]

Its also PAINFULLY SLOW. Like. real. f**king. slow. Back seat is awful and the rear passengers damn near sit on the rear tires. Hate that car. I'd take Wes' Prius over that one.

Never had that problem. I drove a loaded LTZ though and I'm not sure what the powertrain differences are across the range. It moved adequately and shifted promptly with good mid-range power but a weaker top-end. The Focus had noticeably stronger acceleration (especially while passing) but you had to trudge through the mushy DCT and keep it on boil to wring the power out.

With these recent VWs, the engine wants to give a -lot- more than the automatic transmission will permit.

[skydragoness]

Some photos of NICO peeps:


"Dat shine"

The approach:



Greg moving Shiela around:


Torry:


Tyler:


Watching that guy trying to load his car on a trailer from a slope:


Kenny:


My personal favorite, Johnny telling a story with the banner in the background:


Tyler explaining to Kristina: "I am not a terrorlst" as James and Torry look on:


Aaron, his brother (far left), Zac and Bex!

[AZhitman]

Teh Zac is awesome.