Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[frapjap]

I say go with 10w30. It wont harm anything and is more robust.
Thanks for the link, that is a pretty damned easy job.

I'm going to have a looksie at this car today:
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/4556811420.html


I have never seen one in that color, let alone a convertible, let alone a 6 speed. Its a single owner, maintained, just over 100k on it. I'd have to sell my T/A and the Miata, but that one there is a solid dream car for me.

[Kompresshun]

Man, that would be a sweet ride. It would be worth letting go of the Miata for that for sure.

I call dibs on the turbo kit if you decide to take it off!

I may actually be selling the 500 sooner than I planned. I all of a sudden have 3 people asking about buying it from me, so I may be in the market for a new car sooner than expected. I'm not even sure what i'm going to buy at this moment if I do, but i'm not opposed to selling it.

I started browsing over the past few days and I may pick up a G35 or a GTO if I can find one for a reasonable price. I'm gonna also look at MS3's.

[frapjap]

Is your 500 AWD? I keep seeing them that way here and didn't know they could come with that option. They're a cool car for sure. I don't know that I'd get rid of it unless you got exactly what you wanted for it. However, entertaining a GTO would change my mind drastically. It isn't the fastest thing out there, but it sure as hell isn't lame. I see one with snow tires every time I go skiing- the owner gets it done in the winter!
The MS3 is a sweet ride too. But I'd be more wary of that being abused than a GTO since the GTO is still a fairly pricey car.

I don't know whether or not I'd take the turbo kit off the car as it might be worth more in a sale to the folks in a couple of surrounding cities who love hot cars. However, I do have everything to bring it back to stock, so if I did remove it, you have ROFR!

Headed off to see that 4th gen. I'll low ball at $6,500. He'll probably tell me no. I'll ask for his best price which I guess will be about $7,500. I don't want to spend that much at all, but I'll counter with $7,000 out the door, pick up some financing, sell the other two and then pay it off.
If he bites, great. If not, screw it. I still have a classic and a fast 'vert. If it get it though, I expect that it will appreciate in value as the years go on. Likely more than my '88.

[Kompresshun]

No, the AWD Five Hundreds and Mercury Monetegos are junk because it was one of the few cars Ford though it would be a great idea to put a CVT in. It was a horrible idea. Even better though - the CVT they used costs about $5,000-6,000 to get replaced when it fails and it typically only lasts 50-60k miles.

The problem is, I honestly know what I want, but i'm concerned about how much the wife will let me spend right now. I'm pulling my budget back to $10,000, compared to $20,000 I was planning on spending next year. It probably would be better though, because we could pay it off quicker and I can still buy something plenty interesting for that much money. It's just finding something I like, because i'm not buying anything boring this time.

Good luck Ray!

[frapjap]

Bummer to hear about the CVT. I swear, they're everywhere! Lindseys Subaru CVT is just fine, but man, some of the others on the market are god awful hunks of crap. 50-60k is insanely awful. Too bad there wasn't ever a recall on those Fords.

At 10k you can get a pretty solid sedan that won't need major repairs. You'll have to hold out for the right one, but I bet you can make it happen with ease. Does the 500 have a lien, or will you at least come out ahead?
Either way, so long as you're happier, thats what will count.

Well Chris, your wishes of good luck must've worked because I'm the owner of a 6MT electron blue Trans Am convertible. The car checked out- solid vehicle, 100k, no rust anywhere, has maintenance records, and even FSMs in the trunk (cool!). Top is like brand new, interior is mint. A few scratches here and there in the paint, but totally fine and nothing that needs any kind of attention. You could eat off the engine. A/C blows cold. I kept to my guns and stuck with my offer of $6,500. After about 15 minutes of hemming and hawing, they agreed and took it! s*** got real, I wasn't expecting them to take it what-so-ever. Called the lady, talked a bit, made a decision.

Much like you said, Chris, I decided to pull the trigger because its an all stock & very fast car, not abused, everything is in great condition. I've been putting off rust repair on my own T/A for a while now and I know that it'll keep getting put off. As much as I love it, its time for something that won't require attention and can just be enjoyed. Call it growing up. I'm going to miss the old ones when they're gone, but hopefully I'll live.

There is a turbo miata and a nice third gen Trans Am for sale in MA, tell your friends.

[sx moneypit]

Mornin' folks!
Congrats on your new car Ray!Good move on your part.
One of the reasons i bought my Z was to have something i didn't have to f*** with all the time.When you work on cars for a living it is hard to get motivated to tinker with project cars.

[float_6969]

Congrats on the new addition to the stable!

[nissangirl74]

Congrats on the new ride Ray, it's beautiful!!!

[WDRacing]

Ray Ray! Congrats buddy! That is such a badass car!

[Bubba1]

Nice acquisition, Ray. I have spent a lot of time recently on track in a low mileage '97 Transam Ws6 with a 6 speed (repeat student). I was pleasantly surprised how nice they are.

[frapjap]

Thank you everyone! I'll have a new thread up when I go to receive the car.

Joel- I'd definitely like to get some driving instruction as its easily the fastest thing I will ever have owned. The Miata has a very competent suspension which makes it easier to drive, even with the added power, but this thing is just mean.

I'm looking forwards to grabbing it. It'll fill the needs for top down, comfortable & fast cruising with room for the dog.

In the meantime, heres a link to an ad for the Miata. Price is more than I'm likely to get for it, but it is summer and a fast convertible might be appealing to the masses.
http://southcoast.craigslist.org/cto/4566889630.html
Anything you'd add to the information on the car?


Theres a separate family/Friends price if you guys are interested in it.

[Bubba1]

Joel- I'd definitely like to get some driving instruction as its easily the fastest thing I will ever have owned. The Miata has a very competent suspension which makes it easier to drive, even with the added power, but this thing is just mean.

Sure. Actually If you're interested, there's a one day audi hi performance driving clinic I do every summer at Summit Point Raceway (near Westchester VA). this year it's August 2nd (Saturday) and designed for 1st time track folks. It's on their Jefferson Circuit, which is small (but I'm told recently expanded). But Its a full step up from autcrossing (you'll get into 4th gear), and features car control lessons, like skid pad, slalom, braking excercises, in addition to plenty of track time. You'll get comfortable with that t/a very quickly

Heres a vid from 2011. You'll see an old Porsche 911 in some of the scenes. I was in the passenger seat of that car.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SyAYudIzSU

the link to the event...


http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/pcc ... -na-238428

[nissangirl74]

Out of curiosity, will you attempt to drive that in the winter or will that type of driving be reserved exclusively for the Subie?

[frapjap]

Winter driving is limited only to the Subaru. That blue one is way too much of a peach to ever consider ruining in winter. I mean, unless its nice out and hasn't snowed and the salt is off the road for a few days. This assumes that I stop breaking stupid things while trying to repair the goddamned Subie.

VA is a little ways away, but I can see if Lindsey is interested in a weekend trip. I'd like to learn somewhere with run off and no fear of smashing up that car. Honestly, I don't really want to race with it regularly, but I'd like to have the knowledge for car control since it can easily put me out of my comfort zone.

[frapjap]

Morning folkses!

Signed on the car today, had a few bites on the miata, a couple of test pilots, but haven't connected yet.
Looking forwards to better weather, its rained like hell here for DAYS. Looking forwards to some top down, V8 motoring!

[Kompresshun]

Mornin' Ray!

I'm going to pick up the new Pathy here in a bit. As long as it passes the inspection, it'll be coming home with me. I've already got all the loan docs prepared and ready to hand over to the dealer. I'm ecstatic right now.

I've had a few bites on the 500 too, but i'm not too worried about getting it sold right now. I'm gonna put in on Craigslist and Autotrader tonight for $4,500. I don't see how I can't squeeze at least $4,000 out of it if i'm patient.

The weather is nice here right now. It's been in the upper 70's, but it's supposed to creep back up again today. I wish we could have upper 70's year round here.

[frapjap]

60-70 all summer would be ideal. Still need the cold for snow though!

You shouldn't have any real trouble getting $4,500 out of it. You nailed it, patience is the key. I don't expect 5k for my Miata, but I'm guessing it'll go for somewhere between 3,700 and 4,200.

I found that rattle I was telling you about!! The C clip that holds the wastegate arm on is dancing around on top of the arm at certain RPM's. Stupid thing!!

Whats the business you're planning to start?

[Kompresshun]

Wow, I would've never guessed that for the rattle but I don't have a turbo either.

I'm gonna start out doing paintless dent repair part-time, but over time I hope to expand it into a bigger business doing paint touch up and possibly working some fabrication/restoration work in down the road. Right now though the plan is part-time paintless dent repair for some extra cash. I hope to get started on it around next summer.

[frapjap]

There is definitely a market for that!
Most customers will probably be grateful that their dent is gone for way less than a body shop. Even if you are only able to get some of the dings out, they'll still be happy because it looks better than it did. Folks love instant gratification. There will always be those awful customers who won't like anything you do, even if its perfect, but that does sound like a really good gig.

[Kompresshun]

That's been my thoughts on it too. No one wants the hassle or the price of a body shop. Plus being able to get it done on sight without having to drop the car off in most cases is an instant selling point.

I also thought it would be a great idea to show up at track events and off-road events, then just set up a tent. There's going to be plenty of kids driving daddy and mommy's car, so when they inevitably screw up and hit something they'll be happy to give me money to cover it up. That way they don't have to explain to their parents later what happened.

[frapjap]

That right there is a brilliant business strategy, I knew we hired you for a reason!
If ya'll move to a city with a large metro area, you'll get a load of calls too.

[Bubba1]

That's been my thoughts on it too. No one wants the hassle or the price of a body shop. Plus being able to get it done on sight without having to drop the car off in most cases is an instant selling point.

I also thought it would be a great idea to show up at track events and off-road events, then just set up a tent. There's going to be plenty of kids driving daddy and mommy's car, so when they inevitably screw up and hit something they'll be happy to give me money to cover it up. That way they don't have to explain to their parents later what happened.

I dunno about getting much work from track events, as the damages I see at them are not usually that minor. But you might consider hooking up with a vehicle auction or new/used car dealers. They could keep you extremely busy.

[nissangirl74]

Hey guys. Thought I'd bump this back up before it slid off page 1.

[nissangirl74]

Good afternoon to all! Hope everyone is having a good Friday.

I wonder how long it will take to make this thread a 200+ page thread.

[frapjap]

Haha, good catch Becky. He didn't even try!

Though that comment does bring back memories of seeing how many pages we could add in a day talking about uselessness and the occasional decent car information.

Looks like I have a fairly solid buyer for the Miata. But until he sells his WRX, and I have the cash in hand its still published on the forums and such.

[Kompresshun]

Hopefully he comes through then Ray. If so then it didn't take long at all to sell it!

I've had no bites on the 500 since listing it on Autotrader and CL, but hopefully that'll change soon. I don't mind sitting on it for a couple of months, but I need to get rid of it by October at the latest.

In other news, it looks like there is a good chance we're going to be moving soon. My job is working on promoting me, but it will mean having to move to the Louisville area. Thankfully it's a short move, but we will have to relocate because it's too far to commute there every day. They're supposed to give me more concrete details in a couple of weeks, but it seems like it may be a very real possibility that we will be moving.

It's both exciting and stressful at the same time, because it's a promotion to a position that I would really like to have but it adds the stress of Kristen having to find a new job, having to sell our house, buying a new house, finding new daycare, and ect.

[WDRacing]

Having moved 9 times in the last 21 years...I feel your pain. At least this last move has the potential to be our permanent residence.

Keep me in the loop with your dent repair stuff dude. I could totally do something like that out this way.

[Bubba1]

If either of you want to practice dent repairs, I'd gladly offer up my old 4 runner it has an old parking lot dent that I never fixed.

wow, you guys have moved a lot. I've been in the same place for a loooong time. I'd cringe if we had to move.

[sx moneypit]

Mornin' folks!
I am with Joel on the moving,it sucks.I've been in my house for 13 years and have accumulated a lot of s***.

[Kompresshun]

Having moved 9 times in the last 21 years...I feel your pain. At least this last move has the potential to be our permanent residence.

Keep me in the loop with your dent repair stuff dude. I could totally do something like that out this way.

Moving to KY has been the only out of state move i've done, but i've moved 5 times total. I don't mind moving, but we both would like for this to be our last move.

Kristen is ready to be somewhere to stay, because she's only 28 and has moved 26 times in her life. Most moves were across the country. Her family just picks up and leaves when things suck though, because the government will pay to move them. She doesn't like that lifestyle but she had no choice when she was younger.

Will do on the dent repair stuff. I plan on starting to dig into it sometime in the next year or so, but it'll just be on a part-time basis. It's a great little money maker for a side business though and investment is very low.

If either of you want to practice dent repairs, I'd gladly offer up my old 4 runner it has an old parking lot dent that I never fixed.

I'll be glad to practice on it if we're ever in the same neighborhood. I usually have good luck getting them out without even needing the dent repair tools