A car is more than just a hunk of steel, plastic, and rubber. A car is and rightfully should be part of it's owner.
It took me until last year to get my wish. On a shining may morning I got a phone call from my father saying he had seen a Firebird for sale and was wondering if I was interested. I asked him where it was to take a look at it.
This was the beautiful machine that sat there waiting for someone take her home. I knew as saw as I saw the car, that some way I was going to buy the car. The rational and calm part of my brain explained calmly that there's a reason it's on a car lot. People don't just give up Firebirds, especially ones like this willingly without some catastrohpic damage. I was greatful that my logical and calm side was dead wrong. It drove as if it had just rolled off the assembly line and I knew I had to get it.
Five years of looking for the right car, and here it came to me. I bought the car and got a steal on it. The car salesman thought it was a salvage title, and he didn't find out otherwise till the day the money changed hands. Not only that he got the year wrong by 3 years.
Relearning how to drive a stick in that car, and taking it around. I couldn't believe it was mine. She hadn't yet gotten a name and people ribbed me about it. I told them I would know the right name when the time was right. Months and months went by, and then the car got her name. A hose that had been on the car since 1996 finally let go, gushing radiator fluid all over the street by my best friend's place. Panic hilarity and two dealership related mess ups later, I looked at the car which I had just gotten back from a long trip to Charlotte at and I knew the car's name. Christine. I joked and said "you suckered me in girl. Now you have me and wanna bleed me." The car and I never had a problem since. I bought new rims and tires for the car, giving it a massive aesthetics upgrade that left me wondering why GM ever put those fugly factory wheels on the car to start with that surely started life on a Bonneville's design team. (and they probably didn't want them)
The car and I were making progress and life moved forward, new parts were ordered to upgrade my brakes. Finally my life was turning the corner. Finally I could start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and maybe the worst days of my life were over. That came to a crashing halt early this morning while I slept soundly on the couch. Some newspaper delivery man, driving on the wrong side of the road on a 20mph street going at least 30, ran head long into my dear Christine. I laid awake, just before it happened knowing that I should get up and head home, just as I pondered getting out of bed, my best friend gave me news that short of telling me that my family had died in a fire, could not have wrenched my soul asunder more completely. "Aaron you have to get up. Someone hit your car"
It didn't truly hit me until I came home, without my beloved car. I sit here weeping like a girl, trying to articulate to you, to all of you how I feel and I know I'm coming up horribly short. I have lost something today that represented the last hard five years of blood sweat and tears, I have lost something that isn't even just a material thing. I have lost something that I truly loved, perhaps as much as the first woman I ever fell in love with. I know it's silly to get so attatched to "just a car" but the car was more than that. That car mirrored me.
That sucks, Micha.
I am assuming its totalled?
I lost my beloved Stealth to a flood in '99.
What'll happen next is that everytime you see one (a Firebird in your case) on a lot or on the street you'll want one again. And this won't pass. So start saving.
for what it's worth Christine stayed true to her solid attitude. she took that ****s car to hell with her. his car had to be hauled up the wrecker from cables. she was able to be driven up the wrecker. That's the only hope I have they drove it up the wrecker. Maybe some how it's not totaled but I'm not a gambling man. I know what kind of damage is done to my car. I know the costs involved.
I just wish I had been the one to drive it up the wrecker.
Five years to find one that nice, and one in that price range. Five long years. My mom is telling me that she is sure we'll find another one once the insurance comes in. But I know better, something like what I had doesn't happen that often. If you are lucky you get one, like that once.
Hang in there man and just be happy you weren't in it when it got torn up.
I keep looking out the driveway to see my car and it's not there
It's like the last five years of my life never happened.Anyway, after that I swung by to see my agent who then directed me to the soul killer's insurance company. Called them, and I don't think they had even heard from him yet she was entering everything for what sounded like the first time.
So I've been more prompt than he was up to this point. Not good.
I'm supposed to get a call from the insurance adjuster soonish, if no one has heard from the adjuster by 10 am tomorrow I'm going to give the adjuster a call. In the mean time I'm going to most likely be riding my bike back and forth to work which means now I have to adjust my brake, and shifter cables. As well as hope I can get on the bike cold, and make it to and from work. Yay.
I have a body shop in mind at least, courtesy of the guy that owned the building the wrecker service uses.
Bad enough that today at least I have to ride a bike to work... and it's frigging cold.
I've readjusted my cables. But guess what? I can't find the adapter so I can inflate the tires. Oh goody. Now I'm totally useless.
EDIT
Still nothing. Gawd. This is slowly killing me inside.
Oh it turns out, the worthless sack of fecal matter, let his coverage expire a year ago.
He better hope I never see him again. He won't survive it.
It's even better in my state insurance is mandatory just to drive.
The vehicle was probably unregistered then. You can't register without insurance, and registration should be suspended if insurance lapses. Did the cops come?
It's even better in my state insurance is mandatory just to drive.
The vehicle was probably unregistered then. You can't register without insurance, and registration should be suspended if insurance lapses. Did the cops come?
Yep.
He gave them expired insurance #s apparently his registraton was some how good (wtf? is he in jail now and I don't know it? what's going on? why didn't they put him in the back seat?).
The hell.
I just hope -my- insurance is going to cover this. I've heard sometimes insurance companies don't cover this sort of thing. Crap.
Geico.
Oh it turns out, the worthless sack of fecal matter, let his coverage expire a year ago.
He better hope I never see him again. He won't survive it.
You could sue him and the company he was working for delivering papers.
By the way guess how fun it was to walk/run Six Miles in the rain, while wearing jeans and loafers?
If I had seen that turd bucket on the road I'd have probably killed him.
[...] And yes, this happened to me once. I didn't hit anyone, though. I was pulled over for a noise ordinance violation.
I think that's happened to me like three or four times. It's when I was in college and still on my parent's insurance and they weren't always... timely... in getting me the updated insurance cards. And my small town was a bit fond of their traffic stops where they stop everyone and check drivers license, insurance and sobriety. And I got hit by them for not having my current insurance card a bunch of times. Fortunately each time I just drove up visit my parents, got the current card, then headed over to the courthouse and sorted it out.
Anyway, Micha... you should be able to call your own insurance company and find out what they can do for you. If you just went for the minimum coverage then you're probably SOL (as minimum coverage is typically to cover someone elses vehicle in case you get in a wreck, not your own) but it's better to call and find out for sure.
Christine may need those more (not that hugging a salvageable machine will miraculously repair it to the specifications of a previous, structural integrity).
Christine needs hugs. and a blood sacrifice.
I need a knife to do said sacrifice with
Anyway, Micha... you should be able to call your own insurance company and find out what they can do for you. If you just went for the minimum coverage then you're probably SOL (as minimum coverage is typically to cover someone elses vehicle in case you get in a wreck, not your own) but it's better to call and find out for sure.
If he was makin' payments and didn't have the actual title, most banks require that you have full coverage - and that means it would be covered.
My insurance company did make it sound like I'm covered most likely so, we'll see what happens.
So in all likelyhood I'm going to be out of a job come Monday cause of this.
That... that...
...
Sue the ever-loving **** out of the company for which he worked. They were responsible for making sure they didn't put him on the road without insurance.
If he was makin' payments and didn't have the actual title, most banks require that you have full coverage - and that means it would be covered.
Moot now but... that would get him off the hook for the remainder of the loan, but not necessarily much help in getting a new set of wheels.
And geez, what kind of unsympathetic **** of a boss do you have that they can't accept "my car got totalled, I need a few days to get a new set of wheels" as an acceptable excuse to miss work?
I am more interested in the national reflex that is to suggest to sue, than anything else.
My reflexes are even slower than I thought. It took me at least two (and I think three) posts in this thread; all the the way to post #40, even, to suggest suing anyone. And I'm not suggesting that he sue the guy who did it, because... he won't get squat. I'm suggesting he sue the company, because they actually have the money and the responsibility to have their drivers insured. It would not be a frivolous lawsuit like "I'm suing McD's because they didn't warn me that the hot coffee I ordered was hot!" or "Snacks are too expensive in a movie theater".
Don't worry Geico is owned by a little critter. Us critters are very helpful.
Why am I liking this all the suddin
Mitcha I know this wont say much but I wish there was somthing we could do to help I know how you fell in a way you see I really want this guitar waited for a long time if somone just came into my house and broke it I would be crushed espeacally( sorry that the spelling is bad) since there wher onley 2'000 made I know you can't compare this to a car but it still would stink fell really bad for you
Man up and buy another car.
With the won money!
Seriously RM, you're not making any sense. I would sue in this situation and our judical system is horrible.
Man up and buy another car.
That's going to happen whether he sues the guy or not.
It's like not even 3 years old has less than 30k miles on it. My buddies RS 98 Cavalier, drives much better than this. I didn't even know what the car was when I saw it. Didn't care, till I started driving it. I thought something was honest to god Wrong with the car. I stopped had to get out and look it over.
It handles poorly, it's got okay -at best- brakes. Has one of the worst cabins I have ever had the misfortune of sitting in some how the steering wheel is both too close to the dash, and my legs are bent too far due to a severe lack of legroom, to comfortably sit for more than a twenty minute trip Oh did I mention it does funny things under throttle? It wiggles.... and not in the fun way, it's also heinously underpowered to go 65 mph on the interstate I was at 3500 rpm. My Firebird? Would do 75 at 2800. My Buddy's Cavalier? 3000. I made the mistake of turning on the AC on the Interstate and the car felt like it was thinking seriously about stalling as I was going up a hill so off it went.
The steering feedback is almost non existent (just like that friggin Camry I drove a few years back). Oh the arm rests.. also are completely Useless due to how narrow they are, and how stupidly forward the steering wheel is.
You sit too high up in the car, making you feel as if you were in a truck... without the legroom, arm rests or comfortable steering wheel. It's also Wrong Wheel Drive (ie Front wheel drive) so woe be unto you should you need to get on the throttle in a corner.
This thing scares me. I am serious when I say it is the third or fourth worst thing I have ever driven. #1 being the Doom Truck, #2 being a ford F150 that had just hit a tree a week before which bent the frame. #3/4 is the Camry or Corolla.
The Stereo nobs are on the Wrong side of the car (to adjust the station.. I have to reach across the friggin center console completely) same with the Climate controls. The steering column has a headlight stick on the side... and I'm not even sure if the high beams actually work. The window wipers have their own arm (wtf! you only need -one- stick on the steering column) and the adjuster for them is way off, that or the variable settings is a complete Lie. The next time I see Car and Driver gush over a Toyota Interior I'm going to write a very angry letter. They have no room to bitch about Chevy interiors with cars like This running around. (camrys are laid out the same way too)
I am seriously considering taking this thing back tomorrow and asking for something like a Truck.
This thing is going to get -worse- MPGs than my Firebird did, let alone my friend's Cavalier. So there goes intelligent or pragmatic.
It's in a higher RPM, than either of those cars 45mph and up.
I also forgot to mention this car has also no throttle response to speak of.
Honda makes some phenominal cars, I've had the pleasure of driving a CRX, Accord (late 90s V6) and I know for a fact the NSX is still seen as one of the best vehicles ever made. This thing is an Abomination.
It is a car. An object design to take you places. Objects have no souls and certainly aren't design to elavate you. ..
You're thinking about Hippie girl again aren't you
Owning a Japanese car is intelligent and pragmatic, driving one is a souless experience.
It is a car. An object design to take you places. Objects have no souls and certainly aren't design to elavate you. Maybe if it were compared to a money draining vampire...
Yeah, I can't argue with that. Cars are objects. I just don't like the feel of some Japanese cars, and a fun car makes me enjoy driving more. I have been suspecting that my car is a vampire for some time now.
I've learned how to drive in a toyota.
God, never again. My mom's little ford's much better.
Aren't those the same?
Nope. Wheels are the metal part, tires the rubber. Think of it like this: The wheel is the [Section 2 Violation] and the tire is the [Section 2 Violation]. Like, if the road were, like, all diseased and nasty an' stuff, the tire would protect the wheel from it. That's not the actual reason, of course, but I think it describes the situation graphically (as in 'visually') enough.
Damn it man zombie! I am an alternative poster, not a car doctor!
he's just poiting out that you where wrong about tires can't argue with that right?
Damn it man zombie! I am an alternative poster, not a car doctor!
he's just poiting out that you where wrong about tires can't argue with that right?
You must be new round these parts.
Damn it man zombie! I am an alternative poster, not a car doctor!
he's just poiting out that you where wrong about tires can't argue with that right?
You must be new round these parts.
Not really
Damn it man zombie! I am an alternative poster, not a car doctor!
he's just poiting out that you where wrong about tires can't argue with that right?
You must be new round these parts.
Not really
Drunk?
Damn it man zombie! I am an alternative poster, not a car doctor!
he's just poiting out that you where wrong about tires can't argue with that right?
You must be new round these parts.
Not really
Drunk?
aarrrgggggg
NO NO I'M NOT!!!!!!!!We are close to a breakthrough.
Talk to me about your relationship with your mother.
I ain't telling you anything!
Damn it man zombie! I am an alternative poster, not a car doctor!
he's just poiting out that you where wrong about tires can't argue with that right?
You must be new round these parts.
Not really
Drunk?
aarrrgggggg
Cracked out?
we should be talking about mitcha not ME
The captain won't mind. In any case, don't listen to RM, he doesn't know what he is doing.I, on the other hand, do. Now...
[Section 2 Violation Image Macro]
Dude! You've awaken all sort of repressed memories in GJ.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and therapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
Represses memories... pffft... shows what you know.
GJ, I'm going to call you Gigi from now on. I like the way it sounds.
Gigi, I'm much more qualified than RM is to treat you. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. Also, I charge a much more reasonable fee for my services. Now sit down and let's start at the biginning. Tell me about your conseption...
Um... did you mean analyst? I'm kinda hoping this is one of those "English as a second language" things.
Don't lie, you're giddy with hope that it isn't.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and the rapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
It should also be noted that he has one of those "The Pen is Mightier" things.
Dude! You've awaken all sort of repressed memories in GJ.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and therapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
Represses memories... pffft... shows what you know.
GJ, I'm going to call you Gigi from now on. I like the way it sounds.
Gigi, I'm much more qualified than RM is to treat you. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. Also, I charge a much more reasonable fee for my services. Now sit down and let's start at the biginning. Tell me about your conseption...
Shows what you know. We only need to talk about him posting in OTT and how I can help him deal with the new hurges this places awakens in him.
EE, take off your kilt. GJ, what do you see?
See, you know nothing! His conception has everything to do with his posting in the OTT. I want to see your license.
See, you know nothing!
And how does that make you feel?
That'll be $250.00.
See, you know nothing!
And how does that make you feel?
That'll be $250.00.
/writes down "patient still thinks he is a professional therapist"
So tell me, why do you want this money if you are the legitimate heir to France's throne?
That was totally uncalled for. I'm not playing with you anymore.
EE, take off your kilt. GJ, what do you see?
... is this a way to try and trick me into saying what I wear under my kilt?
I'll be going through this step again I think... I really do not want to drive this rental much longer. It's starting to scare me.
I've got shopping list started of possible new vehicles, which consist of Firebirds, Firebird Formulas, and Trans Ams of the same year set, Camaros (of all trim levels post 96 and pre 2010), and Corvettes from 88-96.
Any car guy reading this probably just scratched their head at the year set for the Corvette. "Didn't that body style start in 84?" Yes yes it did. However, the rear suspension was Horrible from 84-87 and GM had to redesign it from the ground up.
I might add Mustangs to the list of possible cars as well. But I would really prefer to stay with GM if possible. I have so many performance goodies laying around for GM cars.
Second: Corvette? I dunno, man. Parts for that ain't cheap and I bet you'd get more power out of a Formula right off the bat, too. Er, a newer Formula, of course - not one of the same year. Corvettes didn't start bein' worth the money again 'til the C5. So I'd look for a late 90's Z28 or Formula and pump that up. Cheaper base means more potential. Oh, I'd really look for a WS6 but I'm pretty sure those are still kinda costly relatively speaking.
An 85 Corvette is as quick as a 95 Camaro Z28 in the 1/4 mile. 95 Vettes run in the 13s pretty easy in the 1/4 mile and handle really well.
I can score a C4 for anywhere from 4k to 6.6k around here. It's not my first choice, but if I can't get another Bird, I'll probably go to the upgrade.
The LT1 isn't exactly cheap to work on regardless of what I end up with if something goes wrong. (I would really love to score an LS1, but no one in their right mind gives those cars up)
Every simulator I've tested a 88-96 C4 with, handles really well. They aren't barn burners but then, a mid 90s Camaro and Firebird aren't exactly barn burners right now either (at least not in the face of the new Mustang, and Camaro... they can still embarass the Challenger though
) That rear suspension redesign that they did in 88 really did help that car's handling tremendously.Right now the priority is a 94 Formula that's fairly nearby. She's even Red. So she's just like Christine, but an Automatic with a V8 engine. I can get her for 3k. So that's my most likely prospect, but should the car be sold by the time I get the check from statefarm (I could probably get the Formula now but I -still- haven't checked my bank account), there's 4 C4s in what is most likely going to be my price range. There are a couple things that scare me about the Formula though it's not a 4L60 E (which is MUCH stronger), it's the 4L60 aka 700-R 4 with a slight gear ratio retune. Unfortunately if I get an auto in this year set (which it's starting to look like that's what I am going to end up with) it's going to have that stinking trans that I don't trust a V8 to. I'm really hoping to find a stick nearby if I end up with a V8 through these years. (At least the C4's 4L60 was abit tougher than the Camaro and Firebirds)
/writes down "patient still thinks he is a professional therapist"
So tell me, why do you want this money if you are the legitimate heir to France's throne?
That was totally uncalled for. I'm not playing with you anymore.
Shhh. He's projecting.
*pats RM on the head sends him off to his padded room with a
*You think it'd be easier to find a manual when you get to the more performance style models like the Z, Formula and Vette. Then again, people are dumb.
Not really surprising. The type of people that generally buy, and can afford, those higher end performance cars aren't buying it because they are purist.
we should be talking about mitcha not ME
The captain won't mind. In any case, don't listen to RM, he doesn't know what he is doing.I, on the other hand, do. Now...
[Section 2 Violation Image Macro]
Your right HE DOES NOY KNOW WAHT HE IS DOING!
Dude! You've awaken all sort of repressed memories in GJ.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and therapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
Represses memories... pffft... shows what you know.
GJ, I'm going to call you Gigi from now on. I like the way it sounds.
Gigi, I'm much more qualified than RM is to treat you. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. Also, I charge a much more reasonable fee for my services. Now sit down and let's start at the biginning. Tell me about your conseption...
Ah yes some sort of toe/Squirrel thing and yes rm I would really like it if we could all just be friends
has multiple personality disorder.
Doesn't everyone who post in the taveren or atleast post regularly? ;)
Dude! You've awaken all sort of repressed memories in GJ.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and therapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
Represses memories... pffft... shows what you know.
GJ, I'm going to call you Gigi from now on. I like the way it sounds.
Gigi, I'm much more qualified than RM is to treat you. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. Also, I charge a much more reasonable fee for my services. Now sit down and let's start at the biginning. Tell me about your conseption...
Ah yes some sort of toe/Squirrel thing and yes rm I would really like it if we could all just be friends
Toe/Squirrel thing? Gigi, if we are going to all be friends, we are going to need you to be more clear. Now, do you have a girlfriend, and are there any pctures that we might find "interesting?"
Fine, get treated by HS. Just remember he hasn't made ZB any better. He still think he is a zombie and has multiple personality disorder.
Well duh...
I get to charge each personality for treatment. See, you know nothing about ripping off your clients being a therapist, n00b!!!
has multiple personality disorder.
Doesn't everyone who post in the taveren or atleast post regularly? ;)
Take off your pants and bend over. I'm going to implant another personality in you.
Dude! You've awaken all sort of repressed memories in GJ.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and therapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
Represses memories... pffft... shows what you know.
GJ, I'm going to call you Gigi from now on. I like the way it sounds.
Gigi, I'm much more qualified than RM is to treat you. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. Also, I charge a much more reasonable fee for my services. Now sit down and let's start at the biginning. Tell me about your conseption...
Ah yes some sort of toe/Squirrel thing and yes rm I would really like it if we could all just be friends
Toe/Squirrel thing? Gigi, if we are going to all be friends, we are going to need you to be more clear. Now, do you have a girlfriend, and are there any pctures that we might find "interesting?"
When I mean friends I mean't on the forums I wont tell you anything personal
Dude! You've awaken all sort of repressed memories in GJ.
GJ, HS is a quack. As your analist and therapist, I recommand you do not talk to him again.
Represses memories... pffft... shows what you know.
GJ, I'm going to call you Gigi from now on. I like the way it sounds.
Gigi, I'm much more qualified than RM is to treat you. Ask anyone, they'll tell you. Also, I charge a much more reasonable fee for my services. Now sit down and let's start at the biginning. Tell me about your conseption...
Ah yes some sort of toe/Squirrel thing and yes rm I would really like it if we could all just be friends
Toe/Squirrel thing? Gigi, if we are going to all be friends, we are going to need you to be more clear. Now, do you have a girlfriend, and are there any pctures that we might find "interesting?"
When I mean friends I mean't on the forums I wont tell you anything personal
That's what they all say. By the way, this is going to cost you $250/hr. I do not accept personal checks.
Now they know so much about me and my love life it is ridiculus. Watch yourself.
You do realize most of us don't really care, right? Unless it's an opportunity to make you feel bad.
/internetcommunityinanutshell
Damn it. You happy now ADH?
I won't be until this lecture is over. One of the compulsory ones. Ugh.
You go back to sleep.
Not really surprising. The type of people that generally buy, and can afford, those higher end performance cars aren't buying it because they are purist.
True. And they're usually old and lazy, too.
Fine, get treated by HS. Just remember he hasn't made ZB any better. He still think he is a zombie and has multiple personality disorder.
It's Dissociative Identity Disorder you rooster. When's the last time you looked at a DSM, n008?
No! Stop! I won't tell you that I will see the proto-type of the coffee table she is making for me. 600$ is a bit much. I hope it will be good.
So ... is the design ... is it ... Sophie's choice?
Ha ha ha. Lamez.
We talked about the design. What I need and want, what is possible, what would look good, mesurements, the wood used.
You're movie refence has nothing to do with reality. Now apologize.
Ok. I'm sorry your broad's name is Sophie and that she makes choices.
Now admit you laughed. It was funny, dammit!
No. It emplied I have no backbone and that hurt.
wouldn't it hurt more to get backboned?
So ... is the design ... is it ... Sophie's choice?
We talked about the design. What I need and want, what is possible, what would look good, mesurements, the wood used. And then she just decided to make it how she wanted.
You're movie reference has an amazing resemblance with reality. I apologize.
I think ZB knows.
No. It emplied I have no backbone and that hurt.
dood, people getting hurt is, like, the definition of funny.
Repair itself and then go after the one that did the damage.
By the way the ***ery still continues. The adjuster is -never- answering his phone and gets off work at 4:15. I told them they could speak with a family member, since I go to work at 11am (and don't come home till 7pm, and my job? yeah kinda requires more or less my full attention).... yeah apparently that won't work.
So I'm calling tomorrow, and if I get no answer I'm going in hell for leather into the local branch of that jack wad's insurance company and yelling at someone.
I will not have a car come Monday at this point (since that's when the rental has to be back). So I'm looking at having to take time off of work AGAIN at this point.
Someone really needs a beating for this. This is exactly why assault needs to be legal. The jackwad has completely ruined my life and his insurance company isn't doing squat.
And the owner, and the owners insurance company.
By the way the ***ery still continues. The adjuster is -never- answering his phone and gets off work at 4:15. I told them they could speak with a family member, since I go to work at 11am (and don't come home till 7pm, and my job? yeah kinda requires more or less my full attention).... yeah apparently that won't work.
So I'm calling tomorrow, and if I get no answer I'm going in hell for leather into the local branch of that jack wad's insurance company and yelling at someone.
I will not have a car come Monday at this point (since that's when the rental has to be back). So I'm looking at having to take time off of work AGAIN at this point.
Someone really needs a beating for this. This is exactly why assault needs to be legal. The jackwad has completely ruined my life and his insurance company isn't doing squat.
It's ok mitcha i'm sending you a doll of this guy so you can do whatever you want to him whats you adress? lol
Oooh a new guy. Hello new guy. I'm piggles. I've been here since the beginning. Ask piggles any questions you have.
He's right he has been here since the start post another pic of sleeping pigs! yeah yeah yeah yeah
;)
:shockedThat ones for you and mitcha
hope this made you all fell better
Shame it's not like the other car Christine, eh?
Repair itself and then go after the one that did the damage.
Creepy. I get home and turn on the TV, and Christine is on AMC.
Someone's getting a yelling at least. Maybe a beating. It'll be worth the jail time.
May she rest in pieces.
That really sucks.
I'm looking at cars... and there's my literal #1 dream car on a lot... problem.. it's $10k. Sure I have about 6k to put down on it, but I really really do not want to make car payments.
It literally has everything I want though... 2002 WS6 Trans Am. Complete with 6 speed trans. But it's 10k
My more minor gripe is that it's black and not Red or Yellow.Allegedly I'm getting the check today. 1100 more than I paid for the car.
I'm looking at cars... and there's my literal #1 dream car on a lot... problem.. it's $10k. Sure I have about 6k to put down on it, but I really really do not want to make car payments.
It literally has everything I want though... 2002 WS6 Trans Am. Complete with 6 speed trans. But it's 10k
Get it anyway. You could have it paid off in 2 years with only $200/month. And black only sucks because it shows dirt & dust too well. You can get it repainted after you're done paying it off. If you don't get it, you'll end up hating yourself....
There's a 94 Red Formula not too far away that I really should look at.. my only bitch is it's an automatic, and doesn't have the LS1 it has an LT1. The brakes package I -know- I can upgrade. Hell I have the spindles and brakes off of a 98-02 WS6 already sitting in my living room waiting for a car to put them on. (I never got around to putting them on Christine)
The engine... there's still tons of goodies for the LT1... but the LS1 is a miracle engine. The LT1 was kind of a stepping stone between the L98 and the Wonder Engine that revolutionised the chevy small block. The Formula is only 3k.. and the 93-97 Birds well... they are the second best looking car GM ever made and still made my Top 10 list for cars I want to own.
Allegedly I'm getting the check today. 1100 more than I paid for the car.
I'm looking at cars... and there's my literal #1 dream car on a lot... problem.. it's $10k. Sure I have about 6k to put down on it, but I really really do not want to make car payments.
It literally has everything I want though... 2002 WS6 Trans Am. Complete with 6 speed trans. But it's 10k
Buy it! Buy it nao! WS6s are epic. And black? dood, that's the only color a TA should be. ;)
I love the looks of the WS6... but 10k... vs 3k? (and some change or hell 3k in parts that I could invest into the car with? Hard to justify that 10k)
This Formula has 163k on it. The LT1 is still a pretty tough engine.
The WS6 had 78k on it.
I should also point out, with some basic bolt ons, and some body work changes I could make the Formula into a WS6 :-p (better if I shelled down another 3k)
The bugger had to be an automatic though
I just can't justify that cost factor. Here's the car by the way www.motortrend.com/ni/used_cars/14/2002/...
Well, I opened a new bank account, and am going to get the old one closed. I set as my custom debit card picture, the only road trip I ever did with Christine up the parkway. I also went about finding a higher paying job. If change is going to be forced into my life, might as well go all the way.
Can we say Dash Rattle over bumps?
At any rate, I went out shopping today before work. There's a 95 Z28 that's a dark red color. (the burgundy I'm not too fond of it's pretty but it's so not F Body material) 6 Speed trans. 4.5k What stopped me from driving and consequently buying? No it wasn't the leaking t tops and worn interior. (that I could work around)
No, the first words out of the guy selling. "Are you from Maryland by chance?" Someone was coming down from Maryland to buy the car. I'm checking with him tomorrow to see if the guy ever showed. Cause the seller said he'd probably sell it to me if the Maryland guy is a no show.
Sure it's not a Bird... which I really really want. But it's still a Gen 4 F body. Still one of the best cars ever made. It has the V8 and the Six Speed, with four wheel disc brakes. Still immensely Desirable.
I am about to call the guy that has the Formula in Newton. And see if I can't get directions to see the car. I did some mental math today while working and figure for about 2 grand I can have a 6 speed put in.. giving me a Bright Red, Formula, with a 6 speed transmission. I can put my WS6 spindles and brakes on the car. Giving me pretty much everything I want in a Gen 4 in very short order. if I get the Formula, first thing I'm doing? Putting Christine's wheels on it. And putting another set of fender scoops on it like I put on Christine. Then I'm naming the car Crystal.
UPDATE. Just called the guy with the Formula.. he's decided not to sell it. He loves the car too much. I told him the story, and he said he's saving my phone number incase he decides to change his mind.
Apparently the valve cover gasket had a leak. I was thinking "that's not that bad". Outloud I said nothing. after some finageling I got him to let me test drive it.
I'm glad I did. Mechanically the car -felt- great. The interior is total basket case material (to the point that I was very glad I had a spare interior left over from one of my previous cars). I started smelling oil burning not even after a full couple of miles driving. As we pulled back into the lot I swear I smelled coolant as well.
Cracked open the hood, and the guy selling the car looked like he was about to get ill. Sure enough, it's vomiting coolant all over the front of the manifold. I all but said "and you are expecting to sell it like this? For Four and a Half Thousand? Seriously?".
Told him there were a few other cars I'd go take a look at.
Went out to Hickory via highway 70. Stumbled upon a Red Corvette. Pulled into the lot, figuring "well this should be interesting" Cause I know the car goes from 5k to 6.7k if the car is in absolute mint condition.
We go to fire up the corvette.... only it won't turn the key cause the built in security system is going fritzy, like they sometimes do when they are that old (car was made in 94). We finally get it fired up, it idles perfectly, gave it some test revs. The interior was also pretty torn and stained so I was thinking "well there's another chunk off the car right there" figuring I'd get a vette for 4k easy enough... Then the Suspension Tuning system light started going off letting me know it needed more or less immediate service.. Immediately one word came to mind Expensive. I start talking about what's wrong with it the guy selling looked like he was about to crap himself.
I asked him "how much for it?" (figured hey 3k I could get a vette that needs some service... but after about 2k I'll really have something) He asks "how much do you have?" I say "I've got around five and a half ready. At this point he looks like he's about to cream his pants. Then I completely burst his bubble by going "But really this car isn't worth but maybe three and a half in the shape it's in. Blue book on this car ranges 3.5 to 7k." He starts stammering and makes a call to his boss.
"Well I got good news and bad news... Good news is... we can get you in this car for 6700."
"We can get you a good set of payments on it with that kind of $ down"
I looked at him and let him have it. "And just how much over 6700 are we talking exactly?"
"10grand"
Then I really let them have it. I laughed and said "yeah I know what this car's worth, in Mint condition it's not worth 10 grand. Also I can just go home to Rooster Bush in Morganton and pick up a 2002 30,000 mile WS6 Trans Am which will stomp a mud hole in this car, and walk it dry for 10 grand and still have a 2 year warranty on the car. This is way too steep. Good luck trying to sell it"
And then left them standing there.
There's a car in Vale I'm going to look at tomorrow and 2 more corvettes in Hickory that are listed at the high end of what the car's worth but I think I can negotiate with them.
If you've never seen it, you should check out a movie from the 1980's, Used Cars.
There's a Camaro that also came up in my search totally tricked out, top to bottom and instantly grabbed my attention. There's only 2 sins against it... it's a V6, and automatic. But the price is SO VERY RIGHT at $3850. I might get it, if the Vettes fall through on me. You couldn't even tell the thing was a Camaro looking at it, at first. To my very trained and expert eye I -still- had to take a minute to identify what I was looking at... and gawd it was drop dead sexy.
But we'll see what happens in Vale tomorrow. the list of parts he's replaced on this car is extensive which makes me feel pretty good about it, and he told me upfront of it's -one- thing he just didn't get around to fixing which was the targa top having a crack in the glass. If this thing, is in as good as shape as the pics, and parts replaced list suggests, I'm probably going to be coming home with a Vette by the end of the week. Wed or Thursday at the latest.
If you've never seen it, you should check out a movie from the 1980's, Used Cars.
Test drive for Tobey.
She's got a leak down in the rear main seal, or the oil pan. Not sure which.
And I'm taking the god forsaken rental back today.
The one I am looking at today is a Gray Metallic 1989 with the glass roof option. It's also got an automatic, and cd player. I don't know about which RPO codes it has, till I see the car. It's being advertised as a base model, but IIRC Cd players and glass roofs are not Standard equipment in 1989 vettes.
It has 139,000 on the odometer, which means it had about 40k less miles than my Bird had when the bird got destroyed. Not bad at all for the age of the car. Pics are very detailed and show a very clean car. We'll see when I go see it in about an hour or so.
The funny thing is when I started this search, and before I knew how much $ I'd have this was the car that caught my eye initially. It's got the right rear bumper and side quarter panels (the 91 -96 looks abit more -civilized- not as sporty), the color's fine. We'll see
I am now the proud owner of a 1989 Chevrolet Corvette. There was not a stain on the engine, it ran like it just came out of the box, the interior is almost mint, it held temperature, oil pressure etc perfectly.
This is an Amazing car. It handles -at least- as well as the Firebird did too and stops much better. It also has the badass awesome looking L98 Tune Port Injection.
This was not the kind of Corvette you should find for 5800 dollars. (I got 500 off the price since I had cash in hand)
This is a hero car. Holy Hell. It's a grey metallic, that almost changes color with the light outside. In direct sun it's almost a goldish color, in indirect sunlight it's silvery gray.
The tires are -massive- in width. They are bigger than the aftermarket wheels I even bought for the Bird.
The frigging seats are even amazing. well beyond anything I have sat in support wise. Not only that but there are -airbags- in the seat that you can inflate to adjust seat firmness, vary the seat levels (say you want more support at your thighs vs your butt or vice versa) you can do it. Damn thing even has working AC... 1989 with working AC. Not only that it has automatic climate control.
There's only 2 flaws with this car. 2 cracks in the polycarbonate roof, and a tear on one seat.
It's also. Retardedly Fast.
But allegedly I can score Better than New aftermarket ones for about 300-400 dollars.
This car is almost the old story about finding some "old chevy" in a barn somewhere and having it turn out to be a Corvette. Except better. Cause it's a kick ass car out of the gate.
It needs some door seals too I think, theres some serious road noise in the cabin at 70mph. I was expecting that with it being an 89. I have yet to see -any- car's door seals stand up to almost 30 years of aging no matter how well kept.
I think I'm the second or third owner of this car as well and the people that had her before me, kept it clean and in a garage and definitely kept up with the maintaince.
I'm not worried about anyone stealing the car, as like my firebird it has the computerized ignition system and will only accept a specific key. You can't actually hotwire the car.
Not worried about newspaper men, cause when I'm at my buddies the car is getting parked next to my buddy's car at the bottom of his driveway, and the parking space in my driveway is a good distance fromt he road. Even if someone hooks the corner and loses control they should still miss my car with plenty of room to spare.
Pics, or it didn't happen.
The car is amazingly servicable as well. I open the hood, and I have access to -everything- including suspension. such a contrast from my Firebird. The Firebird was one of those cars I was thankful that GM put together very well, cause had it been made a POS it would bleed you dry cause to really work on it, you all but needed a Lift to take the engine out by dropping it out the bottom.
After the roof fix, I'm probably going to save for a magnaflow exhaust system. This one actually has what appears to be the factory pipes on it which means, it's losing some precious mpgs, and ponies. Also, Magnaflows sound -awesome- on small block chevys. They are also fully stainless steel so no rusting out.
So far with the car I've -averaged- (counting city driving, interstate, and highway driving) 24 mpg.
Nice car, though it doesn't need to be said.
It's going to be one of those cars, that I park far far away from everyone else in parking lots.
If you find a beat-up, deer-impacted Impala parked as close as humanly possible to your driver-side mirror, it just might be mine. I love to do that to people who park some stupidly far distance from the store thinking no one would ever park near them.
If you want I can see if I can turn one up for you. I'm sure if I shake the automotive christmas tree that is known as the south abit I can find you one in your price range.
And on that note, I feel your pain. Puttin' decent all terrains on my truck will be ... expensive. Heh. One of the reasons I was happy the previous owner had recently put new BFG ATs on it. Cuz that was over a grand I didn't have to immediately spend. ;)
Considering he makes $10.50 per hour (excluding the $1 shift differential), I am not given much leeway in companionship agreements.
Klir:
Heh, you make more than I do at the moment. But I had the benefit of some very careful saving, and an insurance check.
Honestly with the cars I keep finding, I should probably just make a Help Desk thread to find people their dream cars on this forum.
Can we say Dash Rattle over bumps?
At any rate, I went out shopping today before work. There's a 95 Z28 that's a dark red color. (the burgundy I'm not too fond of it's pretty but it's so not F Body material) 6 Speed trans. 4.5k What stopped me from driving and consequently buying? No it wasn't the leaking t tops and worn interior. (that I could work around)
No, the first words out of the guy selling. "Are you from Maryland by chance?" Someone was coming down from Maryland to buy the car. I'm checking with him tomorrow to see if the guy ever showed. Cause the seller said he'd probably sell it to me if the Maryland guy is a no show.
Sure it's not a Bird... which I really really want. But it's still a Gen 4 F body. Still one of the best cars ever made. It has the V8 and the Six Speed, with four wheel disc brakes. Still immensely Desirable.
I am about to call the guy that has the Formula in Newton. And see if I can't get directions to see the car. I did some mental math today while working and figure for about 2 grand I can have a 6 speed put in.. giving me a Bright Red, Formula, with a 6 speed transmission. I can put my WS6 spindles and brakes on the car. Giving me pretty much everything I want in a Gen 4 in very short order. if I get the Formula, first thing I'm doing? Putting Christine's wheels on it. And putting another set of fender scoops on it like I put on Christine. Then I'm naming the car Crystal.
UPDATE. Just called the guy with the Formula.. he's decided not to sell it. He loves the car too much. I told him the story, and he said he's saving my phone number incase he decides to change his mind.
Apparently the valve cover gasket had a leak. I was thinking "that's not that bad". Outloud I said nothing. after some finageling I got him to let me test drive it.
I'm glad I did. Mechanically the car -felt- great. The interior is total basket case material (to the point that I was very glad I had a spare interior left over from one of my previous cars). I started smelling oil burning not even after a full couple of miles driving. As we pulled back into the lot I swear I smelled coolant as well.
Cracked open the hood, and the guy selling the car looked like he was about to get ill. Sure enough, it's vomiting coolant all over the front of the manifold. I all but said "and you are expecting to sell it like this? For Four and a Half Thousand? Seriously?".
Told him there were a few other cars I'd go take a look at.
Went out to Hickory via highway 70. Stumbled upon a Red Corvette. Pulled into the lot, figuring "well this should be interesting" Cause I know the car goes from 5k to 6.7k if the car is in absolute mint condition.
We go to fire up the corvette.... only it won't turn the key cause the built in security system is going fritzy, like they sometimes do when they are that old (car was made in 94). We finally get it fired up, it idles perfectly, gave it some test revs. The interior was also pretty torn and stained so I was thinking "well there's another chunk off the car right there" figuring I'd get a vette for 4k easy enough... Then the Suspension Tuning system light started going off letting me know it needed more or less immediate service.. Immediately one word came to mind Expensive. I start talking about what's wrong with it the guy selling looked like he was about to crap himself.
I asked him "how much for it?" (figured hey 3k I could get a vette that needs some service... but after about 2k I'll really have something) He asks "how much do you have?" I say "I've got around five and a half ready. At this point he looks like he's about to cream his pants. Then I completely burst his bubble by going "But really this car isn't worth but maybe three and a half in the shape it's in. Blue book on this car ranges 3.5 to 7k." He starts stammering and makes a call to his boss.
"Well I got good news and bad news... Good news is... we can get you in this car for 6700."
"We can get you a good set of payments on it with that kind of $ down"
I looked at him and let him have it. "And just how much over 6700 are we talking exactly?"
"10grand"
Then I really let them have it. I laughed and said "yeah I know what this car's worth, in Mint condition it's not worth 10 grand. Also I can just go home to Rooster Bush in Morganton and pick up a 2002 30,000 mile WS6 Trans Am which will stomp a mud hole in this car, and walk it dry for 10 grand and still have a 2 year warranty on the car. This is way too steep. Good luck trying to sell it"
And then left them standing there.
There's a car in Vale I'm going to look at tomorrow and 2 more corvettes in Hickory that are listed at the high end of what the car's worth but I think I can negotiate with them.
If you've never seen it, you should check out a movie from the 1980's, Used Cars.
There's a Camaro that also came up in my search totally tricked out, top to bottom and instantly grabbed my attention. There's only 2 sins against it... it's a V6, and automatic. But the price is SO VERY RIGHT at $3850. I might get it, if the Vettes fall through on me. You couldn't even tell the thing was a Camaro looking at it, at first. To my very trained and expert eye I -still- had to take a minute to identify what I was looking at... and gawd it was drop dead sexy.
But we'll see what happens in Vale tomorrow. the list of parts he's replaced on this car is extensive which makes me feel pretty good about it, and he told me upfront of it's -one- thing he just didn't get around to fixing which was the targa top having a crack in the glass. If this thing, is in as good as shape as the pics, and parts replaced list suggests, I'm probably going to be coming home with a Vette by the end of the week. Wed or Thursday at the latest.
If you've never seen it, you should check out a movie from the 1980's, Used Cars.
Test drive for Tobey.
She's got a leak down in the rear main seal, or the oil pan. Not sure which.
And I'm taking the god forsaken rental back today.
The one I am looking at today is a Gray Metallic 1989 with the glass roof option. It's also got an automatic, and cd player. I don't know about which RPO codes it has, till I see the car. It's being advertised as a base model, but IIRC Cd players and glass roofs are not Standard equipment in 1989 vettes.
It has 139,000 on the odometer, which means it had about 40k less miles than my Bird had when the bird got destroyed. Not bad at all for the age of the car. Pics are very detailed and show a very clean car. We'll see when I go see it in about an hour or so.
The funny thing is when I started this search, and before I knew how much $ I'd have this was the car that caught my eye initially. It's got the right rear bumper and side quarter panels (the 91 -96 looks abit more -civilized- not as sporty), the color's fine. We'll see
I am now the proud owner of a 1989 Chevrolet Corvette. There was not a stain on the engine, it ran like it just came out of the box, the interior is almost mint, it held temperature, oil pressure etc perfectly.
This is an Amazing car. It handles -at least- as well as the Firebird did too and stops much better. It also has the badass awesome looking L98 Tune Port Injection.
This was not the kind of Corvette you should find for 5800 dollars. (I got 500 off the price since I had cash in hand)
This is a hero car. Holy Hell. It's a grey metallic, that almost changes color with the light outside. In direct sun it's almost a goldish color, in indirect sunlight it's silvery gray.
The tires are -massive- in width. They are bigger than the aftermarket wheels I even bought for the Bird.
The frigging seats are even amazing. well beyond anything I have sat in support wise. Not only that but there are -airbags- in the seat that you can inflate to adjust seat firmness, vary the seat levels (say you want more support at your thighs vs your butt or vice versa) you can do it. Damn thing even has working AC... 1989 with working AC. Not only that it has automatic climate control.
There's only 2 flaws with this car. 2 cracks in the polycarbonate roof, and a tear on one seat.
It's also. Retardedly Fast.
But allegedly I can score Better than New aftermarket ones for about 300-400 dollars.
This car is almost the old story about finding some "old chevy" in a barn somewhere and having it turn out to be a Corvette. Except better. Cause it's a kick ass car out of the gate.
It needs some door seals too I think, theres some serious road noise in the cabin at 70mph. I was expecting that with it being an 89. I have yet to see -any- car's door seals stand up to almost 30 years of aging no matter how well kept.
I think I'm the second or third owner of this car as well and the people that had her before me, kept it clean and in a garage and definitely kept up with the maintaince.
I'm not worried about anyone stealing the car, as like my firebird it has the computerized ignition system and will only accept a specific key. You can't actually hotwire the car.
Not worried about newspaper men, cause when I'm at my buddies the car is getting parked next to my buddy's car at the bottom of his driveway, and the parking space in my driveway is a good distance fromt he road. Even if someone hooks the corner and loses control they should still miss my car with plenty of room to spare.
Pics, or it didn't happen.
The car is amazingly servicable as well. I open the hood, and I have access to -everything- including suspension. such a contrast from my Firebird. The Firebird was one of those cars I was thankful that GM put together very well, cause had it been made a POS it would bleed you dry cause to really work on it, you all but needed a Lift to take the engine out by dropping it out the bottom.
After the roof fix, I'm probably going to save for a magnaflow exhaust system. This one actually has what appears to be the factory pipes on it which means, it's losing some precious mpgs, and ponies. Also, Magnaflows sound -awesome- on small block chevys. They are also fully stainless steel so no rusting out.
So far with the car I've -averaged- (counting city driving, interstate, and highway driving) 24 mpg.
Nice car, though it doesn't need to be said.
It's going to be one of those cars, that I park far far away from everyone else in parking lots.
If you find a beat-up, deer-impacted Impala parked as close as humanly possible to your driver-side mirror, it just might be mine. I love to do that to people who park some stupidly far distance from the store thinking no one would ever park near them.
If you want I can see if I can turn one up for you. I'm sure if I shake the automotive christmas tree that is known as the south abit I can find you one in your price range.
And on that note, I feel your pain. Puttin' decent all terrains on my truck will be ... expensive. Heh. One of the reasons I was happy the previous owner had recently put new BFG ATs on it. Cuz that was over a grand I didn't have to immediately spend. ;)
Considering he makes $10.50 per hour (excluding the $1 shift differential), I am not given much leeway in companionship agreements.
Klir:
Heh, you make more than I do at the moment. But I had the benefit of some very careful saving, and an insurance check.
Honestly with the cars I keep finding, I should probably just make a Help Desk thread to find people their dream cars on this forum.