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05-11-2020, 09:13 AM
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#41
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Dec 2016
Posts: 411
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 1242Vintage
We are the opposite of a nice car family.
We still have the 2004 Toyota Solara convertible. Has 150k miles on it and is very tired inside and out. Second car is a reject kid college car, a 2011 (I think) Mazda 3. Went through university with two kids and definitely feels all of it’s 140k miles.
Our “best” car, a 2012 VW Jetta is actually on the other side of the country with our youngest daughter. She is in university so scored the best of the breed.
We tend to suck every mile out of a car!
Oh and I still have my old 1955 VW bug in my shop to get me around should any of those “new” cars crap out and a restored 1970 Triumph motorcycle as a back up if that VW ever dies.
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I can appreciate the old "dubber" - - I had an old '60 Kharmen Ghia (unfortunately not the convertible) ages ago
The problems with the old 36 hp VW was that it was:
-- a 6V system
I had to almost totally replace wiring as it had an almost 1 1/2 V drop from corrosion. The generator (not alternator as on new systems) commutator only held up so long (it had to be ground and new brushes put in) and you really can't find the 6V ones (and sometimes neither the battery nor the 6V light bulbs). When I finished, I actually had the blinkers working at idle and (thanks to some extra wiring and special tuning for altitude) I could start it under almost all weather conditions with a couple of cranks! (but still not fond of the old Solex carburetors)
-- The 36 hp engine had some quirks
The 36 hp engine had cam follower directly attached to the push rod tube; and it was more likely to fail on the (notorious) third cylinder. For parts, I had to go to Brazil back in the day. (even the cylinder sleeve was different then the more common (and later) 40 hp engine. I ended up slapping a 40 hp engine in after the second blown engine; I could almost pull and rebuild/replace it in a day if no machining on crank or cam was needed.
-- the 36 hp was incredibly underpowered
I had to find the flattest way around as it couldn't take long hills (this was in CO); only an old Fiat Spyder was worse ( never had one, but helped someone else, and that was a pathetic car, hence the beginning of "Fix It Again Tony")
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05-11-2020, 09:14 AM
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#42
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County
Posts: 1,431
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To the OP: Of course it's a vice. It wouldn't be any fun if it wasn't.
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05-11-2020, 09:15 AM
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#43
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gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
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2018 Audi RS5
2017 SS 1LE Camaro
hiatus
2006 Subaru STI
2003 BMW Z4
2000 BMW M5
1998 Corvette Mallett 435
1996 Porsche C4S
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05-11-2020, 09:28 AM
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#44
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Dryer sheet wannabe
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Dublin
Posts: 18
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I love cars, guns and motorcycles, I saved all my life and I'm going to spend it all before I die.
2015 Lexus RCF
2016 Audi S5
2017 Jeep Wrangler Rubican
2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure
2019 Harley Street Glide.
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05-11-2020, 09:30 AM
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#45
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tampa
Posts: 11,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider
Yes, one of the last made, 2003 Lotus Esprit V8 Twin Turbo with addies… Methanol Injection and custom Programming (By Me). 0 - 60 in under 3.5s. with me driving, so I am sure it could have done a lot better.
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Impressive 0-60 time. Not sure the current Evora gets down to 3.5 sec.
We looked at the Evora at one time, but wasn't convinced that the company would survive, plus parts, etc.
Beautiful lower end exotic though.
__________________
TGIM
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05-11-2020, 11:12 AM
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#46
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 5,774
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2015 Toyota AvalonXL Limited Edition
2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid LE
Nicest cars we've ever owned, we tend to keep cars until they drop, so plan to have them for awhile.
__________________
Give a Man a fish, he will eat for a day.
Teach a Man to fish, he will eat for a lifetime.
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05-11-2020, 11:20 AM
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#47
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 7,514
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr._Graybeard
We're from the same school. I bought a well-tended 1995 BMW 540i about 15 years ago. I habitually drive cars till the wheels fall off, but this one won't cooperate. Two hundred ninety three thousand miles and counting. Rust probably will kill it before the drive train gives up.
A couple years ago a buddy wanted to get a 1995 525it (wagon) out of his garage. I bought it with the intention that it would eventually replace the 540i. For now I use it to haul the dog around, mostly.
Both cars are E34 chassis, of course. I do most of my own wrenching and like the way this model is put together. I'm less enamored of modern bimmers. The E39 still qualifies as a classic, I believe. My wagon-selling friend has a small fleet of them.
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Inspiring!
I do not drive them much, just because hey, retired! The 2003 has 115k. Going strong. The larger issue is non-mechanical things like pixel fade and the dreaded power seat twist.
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05-11-2020, 11:22 AM
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#48
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,366
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I've always loved cars. I don't mind paying more for one I want, but I keep them a long time.
My early Porsches enabled some track days with the Porsche Club and never failed to bring a smile when driving. They were totally worth the money, usually about 2/3 of my annual salary.
Current cars:
Tesla Model X - enables road trips, which was fun until now. Always a pleasure to drive and Autopilot/Full Self Driving is fun to babysit on long trips.
Tesla Model 3 AWD - Our local driving car. The fastest car either of us has owned and a blast to drive. It also has all of the tech we get to play with. We've been trying out the new "stops at stop signs and stop lights" feature.
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05-11-2020, 11:26 AM
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#49
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,328
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Even though I worked a whole career as an automotive engineer, I consider vehicles to be appliances. As far as owning expensive vehicles to be a vice, to me, they are just another discretionary expense - if you can afford one and want it, go for it.
The vice, to me, is the attitude of the driver. If you think driving an expensive vehicle makes you hot sh!t and above the normal rules and courtesies of the road, then yeah, that is a vice and you are just another azzhat, but driving an expensive vehicle.
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05-11-2020, 11:34 AM
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#50
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Florida's First Coast
Posts: 7,652
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As I have got older, my attitude has changed, since leaving the UK and moving to North America. Having owned probably so many sports and exotics over the last 40 years or so, I do not have photos of all of them. (Being a Lotus dealer and tuner in the UK did help with this) After selling my share of the business in the late 80's, we always had nice cars, and a few exotics.
Fast forward to now, still like and own new cars every 3 years, but resolve myself to know I can buy "Virtually" any exotic or car without denting the nest egg too much, but choose not to.
__________________
"Never Argue With a Fool, Onlookers May Not Be Able To Tell the Difference." - Mark Twain
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05-12-2020, 12:33 AM
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#51
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: central California
Posts: 1,134
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2003 Lexus 430 sport coupe
2014 Tesla S
2015 Toyota Highlander, mainly to tow a 2018 Airstream
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05-12-2020, 04:17 AM
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#52
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,577
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DawgMan
Damn things make no sense... other than personal fulfillment! My last car was a 2015 BMW 650 Gran Coupe. Once you taste the sugar, it's hard to go back!
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I drove a BMW for 25 years. First a 733, then a 740 (my favorite) and then a 550. Then after that I just bought a Ford! I think just getting older I wasn't getting the thrill anymore. Old age I guess [emoji23]
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05-12-2020, 05:54 AM
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#53
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Fair Lawn
Posts: 2,936
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There is nothing wrong with any legal vice if one can afford it. Just enjoy.
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05-12-2020, 05:54 AM
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#54
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,518
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W2R
My idea of ultimate luxury in a car, is a car that doesn't break down and seldom if ever needs repairs. I like not having to waste my time getting repairs done.
My car is a 2009 Toyota Venza that I bought new in January of 2010. I haven't seen any new car (at any price) that I would like better. It has all the features I want, it is easy to drive, it has lots of cargo space, and it only has 32K miles on it. Presently my plan is to drive it a while longer.
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Ooh! W2R, Is that a pic of your forever home in the background and Frank's beside it? Nice!!! I must confess to curiosity about this forever home you bought a few years ago.
Regarding the thread topic, we just bought a 2020 Mercedes GLB 250, all tricked out to replace our 2010 Mercedes ML 350, with 95,000 miles on it. The 2010 was tricked out as well, but so much has changed in the 10 years that have passed. The new car has so much tech installed that I haven't figured it all out yet. I absolutely love the ability to manage the vehicle remotely from my phone.
__________________
"Luck favors the prepared mind"
Pasteur
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05-12-2020, 06:14 AM
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#55
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tampa
Posts: 11,196
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Golden sunsets
Ooh! W2R, Is that a pic of your forever home in the background and Frank's beside it? Nice!!! I must confess to curiosity about this forever home you bought a few years ago.
Regarding the thread topic, we just bought a 2020 Mercedes GLB 250, all tricked out to replace our 2010 Mercedes ML 350, with 95,000 miles on it. The 2010 was tricked out as well, but so much has changed in the 10 years that have passed. The new car has so much tech installed that I haven't figured it all out yet. I absolutely love the ability to manage the vehicle remotely from my phone.
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Perhaps in this Corona environment, one could program the cars to drive to the grocery stores without drivers for pickup and bring it home.
__________________
TGIM
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05-12-2020, 07:50 AM
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#56
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gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
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I also has an 89 BMW 735iL. Drove it maybe 10 years and gave it to DS as his first car, but the cost to maintain will drain your bank account fast, unless you do everything yourself.
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05-12-2020, 09:51 AM
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#57
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gone traveling
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 309
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DawgMan
So like most here, I worked the blue color ethic and lived a life of frugality to hit my RE number. I have been fortunate along the way and while still practicing a T-shirt and jeans mentality, I have a big vice... I like nice cars. While my practical frugal gland is always pumping, my "you deserve this, you worked hard for this" little devil gets the best of me with cars. For my DW, it's shoes and clothes, me, I am a softy for nice sled. I do check to make sure my indulgence does not not wreck the master plan, but I do like to "justify" my purchase in the end. Hey, I do pay cash so financing/leasing is not an option for me. I know this goes against the culture here, but don't be a hater... come on Robbie!!! I will start...
Bought DW mid 2019 a new BMW X5 all tricked out (I justified it with the fact that she keeps a her cars 5 - 8 yrs and I the new tax laws give me 100% write off)
Two days ago, I bought myself a 2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 (Hey, it had 6K miles on it so it was "used" so I saved over $25K off the MSRP!)
What is your car(s)?
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I like that little jab . Dave Ramsey has some good thoughts on the subject, essentially if you pay cash and you can afford it enjoy.
I have a hard time justifying the costs of something so frivolous but I have three motorcycles so perhaps it's not so frivolous .
Currently I have a 5 y/o domestic car and 12 y/o midsize truck that are a bit or the boring side but so practical, I got such great deals that I couldn't pass them up.
I like "older classics" (by my standards) such as a 2004ish Pathfinder and 2010ish Maxima, Avalon or G37 these vehicles are on my current short list.
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05-12-2020, 10:01 AM
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#58
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Florida's First Coast
Posts: 7,652
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Must confess, I have been looking for a nice chrome bumper MGB in British Racing Green. Do you think I can find one that is not over priced?
I just keep looking, as a young man I had a dozen or so different MGB's, Roadsters, Coupes, MGC and MGB V8. I miss the little drophead.
__________________
"Never Argue With a Fool, Onlookers May Not Be Able To Tell the Difference." - Mark Twain
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05-12-2020, 10:13 AM
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#59
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Northern Ohio
Posts: 3,180
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I'm still driving my 2014 Mercedes E-250 diesel - broke 100K miles this year. We picked it up in Germany the first week that model rolled off the assembly line and got to break it in on the autobahn (and some fun alpine roads). Best road trip ever!
Our second car is a (relatively) cheaper and more practical 2015 VW GTI. The manual transmission and decent engine is fun. While not a proper sports car, it's a blast to drive. And because it's a hatchback, it's practical.
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05-12-2020, 10:41 AM
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#60
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Conroe, Texas
Posts: 18,593
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ShokWaveRider
Must confess, I have been looking for a nice chrome bumper MGB in British Racing Green. Do you think I can find one that is not over priced?
I just keep looking, as a young man I had a dozen or so different MGB's, Roadsters, Coupes, MGC and MGB V8. I miss the little drophead.
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Check on Bring A Trailer (website) as many show up for auction, usually in nice condition. I've had a few "B's" and other British iron over the years. There's a nice later 60's BSA motorcycle for sale on there this week.
__________________
*********Go Astros!*********
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