On the way into work this morning I was driving my leasurly 70 MPH. As I took a ramp to merge into another major highway, two headlights grew large in short notice in my rearview mirror. Until, they vanished once again - too close to my bumper to see them, that is.
I always enjoy this part. Usually it's just a sudden decelleration that fixes this problem. But this time, I was playful. I signalled my intent to change into the left lane once the merging ramp completed. I love 'shooting holes' and this was my opportunity. The problem with being on someone's ass is that you can't gain speed BEFORE attempting a pass. So, this guy was at a disadvantage for a second or two.
I immediately shot back to the right (signalling my intent all the way) and floored it.
KEEP IN MIND THAT I DRIVE A FOUR-CYLINDER DODGE CARAVAN BASE (only option: Air Conditioning).
I hear the rumble of the exhaust of my taunter behind me. That person probably laughed at the pedestrian-looking DODGE CARAVAN FOUR-CYLINDER!
As the strained exhaust started to creep past my passenger side, I took note that it was a competent foe: Ford Mustang Convertible.
My tires have been out of balance for a week or so now so I was worried about what could happen at warp speed. But, I'm a risk taker.
That little THREE SPEED AUTOMATIC, FOUR CYLINDER DODGE CARAVAN BASE ('cept A/C) did me proud. I let the Mustang overtake me, but it never got more than 15 feet ahead of me. My BASE DODGE CARAVAN (Aquamarine sans racing stripes) matched his accelleration. Then, I passed him at about 115 MPH. I cannot really relate the fever pitch that the engine and the out-of-balance tires made at that point. But, as I passed the Mustang, I imagined what behind that tinted glass, the driver's face must have looked like. OH, I'm sure they had passed many an innocuous looking DODGE CARAVAN on the way to work while exceeding 100 MPH.
BUT NOT THIS DODGE CARAVAN!
I am just most thankful that my little tires overachied into Z-RATED territory; an area that on past cars relied upon Gatorbacks, P7000Zs, and Yokohama rubber to accomplish. This little one did so on not more than balloon-animal quality rubber.
Thank my lucky star(s).
This isnt' the first time I've bested a Mustang Convertible with a four-cylinder, though. I have raced another on what now is the south-bordering road to Ameritech's headquarters in Hoffman Estates, IL. Yes, my trusty DODGE DAYTONA SHELBY, with exactly 1/2 the cylinders and displacement of the Mustang (2.5l vs 5.0l), and one less gear, not to mention auto vs manual tranny, would dash out the lead, get passed slightly, then pull away in a fit of overboost!
Which brings me to the next point. Dodge will be turbocharing this 2.4l DOHC 4 cyl engine soon and placing it in the PT Cruiser and a souped-up Neon. I can only DREAM that I can one day buy a turbo-2.4l DODGE CARAVAN BASE!
But, I will OPT for the better rubber!</strong><hr></blockquote>
I drive a 1995 Mazda Rx-7 with intake and exhaust modifications and some custom cooling jobs I've put together. For all of you rotorheads out there, it was built in 12/95, and I think it has the Japanese 96/97/98 engine as well. (95 was the last US model)
I blow the doors off of your silly BMW M3, Jonathan, on the straight away or around the curves. As for you alliance, I'll invite you as well.
The interesting thing about Rx-7 owners is that we trash talk everyone. There's no Japanese car brootherhood with us at all, and of course we're not going to side with Detroit steel. (1.3 Liters of pure power baby). In regard to european cars, I'll admire the prestige and then remind the Germans that they should have held on to Mr. Wankel.
No pictures. . . (no digital camera, too lazy to develop pictures)
In europe you can easily drive 100 mph, that's NP. The cars here don't drink gas as the do in the US. They aren't that big eihter. They are fast compact and beautiful. There are some good US cars and Japanese cars, but the most are from europe. My favourite is the TOyota supra from JAP. That car, you can tune untill you have 1000 BHP. The last 2 years there have been some concepts of the Bugatti (1001 BHP, 254 MPH and 0-188MHP =less than 13 sec's), but it costs 1 milj US dollar (BTW inc.).Porsche's are nice too and Ferarri's are the best out here. Voila you see US cars aren't that good compared to the one's in Europe. Even the Family cars are faster, economical and beautiful. I'm just 16 but ,I'm a carfreak, just like my brother who works for Toyota Belgium.
This is my opinion. Your comment won't influense me.
[quote]Voila you see US cars aren't that good compared to the one's in Europe. Even the Family cars are faster, economical and beautiful. I'm just 16 but ,I'm a carfreak, just like my brother who works for Toyota Belgium.
This is my opinion. Your comment won't influense me.<hr></blockquote>
You can have any european car under US$120,000 and I'll take a Corvette Z06, which lists for US$52,000. Prepare to be beaten.
As for that 1000bhp Supra, I agree that that's impressive, but make sure you're using race gas (114octane leaded) with it or you'll kill the engine running that much boost. It's not streetable anyway, though.
I like European sedans because they're not so big like most GM's, but all that's supposed to change with the new suits in town, and in my experience lately GM's have been much more reliable than the European brands I've been around.
My car: Jaguar XJS V12 Coupe. Such a Bond car (just look at the back). These are not pictures of my own car but this car is EXACTLY THE SAME as mine, except mine has a black interrior and a hood ornament.
Below is a picture of what my 3 series will look like when it arrives this summer (ordered it on import as car prices in the UK are astronomical). It's the biggest purchase of my life!! Before I ordered it, the most expensive thing I had bought was this tricked out PowerBook G3 I'm typing on.
Insurance for this puppy is £2390.45 (go on, work that out in your currency... i dare ya ) as I'm only 18 and have no bonuses.
<strong>Below is a picture of what my 3 series will look like when it arrives this summer (ordered it on import as car prices in the UK are astronomical). It's the biggest purchase of my life!! Before I ordered it, the most expensive thing I had bought was this tricked out PowerBook G3 I'm typing on.
Insurance for this puppy is £2390.45 (go on, work that out in your currency... i dare ya ) as I'm only 18 and have no bonuses.</strong><hr></blockquote>
another 18 year old w/ a bimmer...
*sigh*
either everyones completely spoiled, or everyone has a very high paying job...
or theyre alot cheaper in england than here in the states...
sh*t, i thought the kids i went to high school w/ are spoiled...
but apparently everyone gets that deal, eh?
im happy w/ my affordable honda, ty very much.
which model is it btw? the only one that can compete w/ my Teg is the 328, and thats twice the cost. and the only one that competes w/ the S2k is the M3...and u all know what that costs in comparison, dont u?
oh, i might be upgrading from the S2k to an M3 shortly to reboot my racing career.
have fun w/ yer bimmer. they make fine quality autos. but dont have too much fun and try to kill yerself like i did.
oh and anything that sounds negative in this post please dont take seriously. im just messin. i have more respect for BMW than any american POS company and most japanese companies.
either everyones completely spoiled, or everyone has a very high paying job...
or theyre alot cheaper in england than here in the states...
sh*t, i thought the kids i went to high school w/ are spoiled...
but apparently everyone gets that deal, eh?
im happy w/ my affordable honda, ty very much.
which model is it btw? the only one that can compete w/ my Teg is the 328, and thats twice the cost. and the only one that competes w/ the S2k is the M3...and u all know what that costs in comparison, dont u?
oh, i might be upgrading from the S2k to an M3 shortly to reboot my racing career.
have fun w/ yer bimmer. they make fine quality autos. but dont have too much fun and try to kill yerself like i did.
oh and anything that sounds negative in this post please dont take seriously. im just messin. i have more respect for BMW than any american POS company and most japanese companies.</strong><hr></blockquote>
lol, thanx, i will try and enjoy it! I actually drive a Honda Accord right now and apart from the fact that it's very old and expensive to maintain I quite like it. I love the S2k but I couldn't get insured on it.
Yes, I am spoiling myself, I agree, but I worked hard for it and I'd like to think that I'm kinda entitled to it.
And no, it's not cheap in England. It's the 318 2.0 litre 16v engine (yep, that's all I could get insured on but it's good enough for me) and it's gonna cost me twenty three.
As someone who made the decision to buy a brand new car at a young age - and it was certainly no BMW! - , I can only say I hope you don't plan on enjoying your life very much over the next few years. Unless you plan to live with your parents for the next 5 years. Even then...
I've worn that t-shirt.
I got that damn car, had to pay rent and could hardly enjoy myself doing anything else. Took a loss and sold it a year later.
A couple years later I was finally able to save a little money, got the expensive used car bug and got stuck working to pay the bank again. Decided a new car with a warranty was the deal for me, traded the used car in, at a small loss, on a new car which I had to pay off over 5 years. Come this April my 97 Wrangler will finally be all mine.
Screw buying fancy new cars. Especially at a young age - unless you're getting some serious help from outside sources like the lotto or wealthy family (no such luck in my case). Or unless you have saved enough for a huge down payment so that the monthlies don't suck the life out of you.
Take that money and travel, save it, do whatever. Trust me it won't get you as laid as you might think. Well, it might but you really don't want the kind of girls who you'd get because of your car anyhow - that's a whole other kind of enslavery.
On the other hand, the new 2003 Nissan 350Z is available for preorder as of yesterday. The base model is around $25,000. The fully loaded "Track" model I spec'd was around $37,000. Now let's see if I trade in my trusty ol' jeep and put $5000 down....
Yeah right. Like I said, I've worn that t-shirt.
Saw a cool 71 240Z in the paper for $1500 today. It had a little rust though.
Get a cheap, reliable car and go for a long, long, long drive. It's more fun and after a while the view through the windshield is the same no matter what.
But, if you've already ordered it. Get back to work!
(Don't mean to down on ya for getting the Beamer - it's cool - just throwing in a little perspective from a guy who just turned 30 in December and is wondering what I've been doing the last 12 years is all - it sure went by fast. We live by our own choices.)
If you're attached to nothing. You lose nothing. - Tao Tse Lun (I think)
A bad thing happened to me when I left work yesterday. I went out to the parking lot and my car was not there. The space was empty. I freaked out, of course, because I work in Massachusetts but live in New Hampshire.
Any way, I calmed myself down enough to go talk to the security guys that would know if my car had been towed, had surveilance tapes, etc.
Turns out that they said that my car was parked in a spot that was marked for 'snow removal' and that I shouldn't have parked there. They told me where my car was and to go pick it up.
I asked him how I was supposed to know about this 'snow removal' (there wasn't that much snow) and why there weren't signs posted. He said that it was 'common knowledge' (wtf?) and that I shouldn't have been parked there. Any way, he then says it might have been towed because I was parked in a 'limited time' space (ie, two hour parking). But two hour parking isn't in effect during the winter because of the lost spaces created by plowing the snow into giant hills which cover spaces. That means you can park where ever you can find a space. I mentioned it to him, and he said, "Oh, it must have been the snow removal thing then'.
So I finally found my car (an hour later), and when I was leaving the lot, I saw a co-worker leaving. She had arrived at the exact same time as me and was two spaces over (in the 'snow removal' area). I asked if she had moved her car at any point in the day. She told me that she hadn't. I was confused. It was then that I realized that all of the 'towed cars' that were in the lot were fairly old or not in the best shape (my car has some bondo on the door to cover some rust from the New England winter, and with only 1 hub cap, it doesn't look so great).
I think they towed my car just because they could, and there was nothing I could do about it. Why would they tow my crummy car and not the fancy car two spaces over, especially if they were serious about this 'snow removal'? I'm still really angry about it.
[quote]Splinemodel, you wouldn't happen to be the Norair of old, would you? [/'quote]
Good guess. Probably an easy one, too.
In truth, I have a lot of respect for most well-made cars out there, but I just have to trash talk from time to time for a little fun. Your M3 sounds pretty sweet. Is it that slick blue color?
If you're in DC maybe I'll see you on the road sometime.
Comments
<strong>Another one bites the dust!
On the way into work this morning I was driving my leasurly 70 MPH. As I took a ramp to merge into another major highway, two headlights grew large in short notice in my rearview mirror. Until, they vanished once again - too close to my bumper to see them, that is.
I always enjoy this part. Usually it's just a sudden decelleration that fixes this problem. But this time, I was playful. I signalled my intent to change into the left lane once the merging ramp completed. I love 'shooting holes' and this was my opportunity. The problem with being on someone's ass is that you can't gain speed BEFORE attempting a pass. So, this guy was at a disadvantage for a second or two.
I immediately shot back to the right (signalling my intent all the way) and floored it.
KEEP IN MIND THAT I DRIVE A FOUR-CYLINDER DODGE CARAVAN BASE (only option: Air Conditioning).
I hear the rumble of the exhaust of my taunter behind me. That person probably laughed at the pedestrian-looking DODGE CARAVAN FOUR-CYLINDER!
As the strained exhaust started to creep past my passenger side, I took note that it was a competent foe: Ford Mustang Convertible.
My tires have been out of balance for a week or so now so I was worried about what could happen at warp speed. But, I'm a risk taker.
That little THREE SPEED AUTOMATIC, FOUR CYLINDER DODGE CARAVAN BASE ('cept A/C) did me proud. I let the Mustang overtake me, but it never got more than 15 feet ahead of me. My BASE DODGE CARAVAN (Aquamarine sans racing stripes) matched his accelleration. Then, I passed him at about 115 MPH. I cannot really relate the fever pitch that the engine and the out-of-balance tires made at that point. But, as I passed the Mustang, I imagined what behind that tinted glass, the driver's face must have looked like. OH, I'm sure they had passed many an innocuous looking DODGE CARAVAN on the way to work while exceeding 100 MPH.
BUT NOT THIS DODGE CARAVAN!
I am just most thankful that my little tires overachied into Z-RATED territory; an area that on past cars relied upon Gatorbacks, P7000Zs, and Yokohama rubber to accomplish. This little one did so on not more than balloon-animal quality rubber.
Thank my lucky star(s).
This isnt' the first time I've bested a Mustang Convertible with a four-cylinder, though. I have raced another on what now is the south-bordering road to Ameritech's headquarters in Hoffman Estates, IL. Yes, my trusty DODGE DAYTONA SHELBY, with exactly 1/2 the cylinders and displacement of the Mustang (2.5l vs 5.0l), and one less gear, not to mention auto vs manual tranny, would dash out the lead, get passed slightly, then pull away in a fit of overboost!
Which brings me to the next point. Dodge will be turbocharing this 2.4l DOHC 4 cyl engine soon and placing it in the PT Cruiser and a souped-up Neon. I can only DREAM that I can one day buy a turbo-2.4l DODGE CARAVAN BASE!
But, I will OPT for the better rubber!</strong><hr></blockquote>
mustangs are crap. pure and simple...
pick a real car, and maybe id be impressed.
Hey, I just passed a bright yellow Viper. Well, he was stopped in the turn lane and I was going straight.
To me, it's really a matter of the balls of who's driving. Many people won't exceed 100, 110, etc.
I WILL.
I've chased down a cop to get his license plate - I had to go 137 MPH to do it, too.
I blow the doors off of your silly BMW M3, Jonathan, on the straight away or around the curves.
The interesting thing about Rx-7 owners is that we trash talk everyone. There's no Japanese car brootherhood with us at all, and of course we're not going to side with Detroit steel. (1.3 Liters of pure power baby). In regard to european cars, I'll admire the prestige and then remind the Germans that they should have held on to Mr. Wankel.
No pictures. . . (no digital camera, too lazy to develop pictures)
[ 01-13-2002: Message edited by: Splinemodel ]</p>
This is my opinion. Your comment won't influense me.
This is my opinion. Your comment won't influense me.<hr></blockquote>
You can have any european car under US$120,000 and I'll take a Corvette Z06, which lists for US$52,000. Prepare to be beaten.
As for that 1000bhp Supra, I agree that that's impressive, but make sure you're using race gas (114octane leaded) with it or you'll kill the engine running that much boost. It's not streetable anyway, though.
I like European sedans because they're not so big like most GM's, but all that's supposed to change with the new suits in town, and in my experience lately GM's have been much more reliable than the European brands I've been around.
Of course, My Rex isn't American, so go figure.
<strong>That Toyota supra is tuned that way that you can ride it on streets.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Out of curiosity, do you know the quarter mile time?
I'm pretty sure that in the U.S. the 1000hp Supra is not streetable, since for one thing 114 octane leaded fuel is not street legal over here.
I drove two of them when I worked at a cardealer.... :eek: :eek: that's driving...
That Toyota Supra does it in under 10sec. I assume 8,? . That car is so fast. The only thing we will ever see is the end of the car.
It has exacly 1039,9 BHP.
<a href="http://www.jaguartrader.com/xjsr.html"; target="_blank">MORE PICS HERE</a>
[ 01-15-2002: Message edited by: G4Dude ]</p>
Insurance for this puppy is £2390.45 (go on, work that out in your currency... i dare ya
[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: Evil Ed ]</p>
<strong>Below is a picture of what my 3 series will look like when it arrives this summer (ordered it on import as car prices in the UK are astronomical). It's the biggest purchase of my life!! Before I ordered it, the most expensive thing I had bought was this tricked out PowerBook G3 I'm typing on.
Insurance for this puppy is £2390.45 (go on, work that out in your currency... i dare ya
another 18 year old w/ a bimmer...
*sigh*
either everyones completely spoiled, or everyone has a very high paying job...
or theyre alot cheaper in england than here in the states...
sh*t, i thought the kids i went to high school w/ are spoiled...
but apparently everyone gets that deal, eh?
im happy w/ my affordable honda, ty very much.
which model is it btw? the only one that can compete w/ my Teg is the 328, and thats twice the cost. and the only one that competes w/ the S2k is the M3...and u all know what that costs in comparison, dont u?
oh, i might be upgrading from the S2k to an M3 shortly to reboot my racing career.
have fun w/ yer bimmer. they make fine quality autos. but dont have too much fun and try to kill yerself like i did.
oh and anything that sounds negative in this post please dont take seriously. im just messin. i have more respect for BMW than any american POS company and most japanese companies.
<strong>
another 18 year old w/ a bimmer...
*sigh*
either everyones completely spoiled, or everyone has a very high paying job...
or theyre alot cheaper in england than here in the states...
sh*t, i thought the kids i went to high school w/ are spoiled...
but apparently everyone gets that deal, eh?
im happy w/ my affordable honda, ty very much.
which model is it btw? the only one that can compete w/ my Teg is the 328, and thats twice the cost. and the only one that competes w/ the S2k is the M3...and u all know what that costs in comparison, dont u?
oh, i might be upgrading from the S2k to an M3 shortly to reboot my racing career.
have fun w/ yer bimmer. they make fine quality autos. but dont have too much fun and try to kill yerself like i did.
oh and anything that sounds negative in this post please dont take seriously. im just messin. i have more respect for BMW than any american POS company and most japanese companies.</strong><hr></blockquote>
lol, thanx, i will try and enjoy it! I actually drive a Honda Accord right now and apart from the fact that it's very old and expensive to maintain I quite like it. I love the S2k but I couldn't get insured on it.
Yes, I am spoiling myself, I agree, but I worked hard for it and I'd like to think that I'm kinda entitled to it.
And no, it's not cheap in England. It's the 318 2.0 litre 16v engine (yep, that's all I could get insured on but it's good enough for me) and it's gonna cost me twenty three.
Thank goodness for <a href="http://www.tesco.com/finance/loans/loans.aspz"; target="_blank">Tesco Personal Finance</a>
I've worn that t-shirt.
I got that damn car, had to pay rent and could hardly enjoy myself doing anything else. Took a loss and sold it a year later.
A couple years later I was finally able to save a little money, got the expensive used car bug and got stuck working to pay the bank again. Decided a new car with a warranty was the deal for me, traded the used car in, at a small loss, on a new car which I had to pay off over 5 years. Come this April my 97 Wrangler will finally be all mine.
Screw buying fancy new cars. Especially at a young age - unless you're getting some serious help from outside sources like the lotto or wealthy family (no such luck in my case). Or unless you have saved enough for a huge down payment so that the monthlies don't suck the life out of you.
Take that money and travel, save it, do whatever. Trust me it won't get you as laid as you might think.
On the other hand, the new 2003 Nissan 350Z is available for preorder as of yesterday. The base model is around $25,000. The fully loaded "Track" model I spec'd was around $37,000. Now let's see if I trade in my trusty ol' jeep and put $5000 down....
Yeah right. Like I said, I've worn that t-shirt.
Saw a cool 71 240Z in the paper for $1500 today. It had a little rust though.
Get a cheap, reliable car and go for a long, long, long drive. It's more fun and after a while the view through the windshield is the same no matter what.
But, if you've already ordered it. Get back to work!
(Don't mean to down on ya for getting the Beamer - it's cool - just throwing in a little perspective from a guy who just turned 30 in December and is wondering what I've been doing the last 12 years is all - it sure went by fast. We live by our own choices.)
If you're attached to nothing. You lose nothing. - Tao Tse Lun (I think)
[ 01-17-2002: Message edited by: seb ]</p>
Any way, I calmed myself down enough to go talk to the security guys that would know if my car had been towed, had surveilance tapes, etc.
Turns out that they said that my car was parked in a spot that was marked for 'snow removal' and that I shouldn't have parked there. They told me where my car was and to go pick it up.
I asked him how I was supposed to know about this 'snow removal' (there wasn't that much snow) and why there weren't signs posted. He said that it was 'common knowledge' (wtf?) and that I shouldn't have been parked there. Any way, he then says it might have been towed because I was parked in a 'limited time' space (ie, two hour parking). But two hour parking isn't in effect during the winter because of the lost spaces created by plowing the snow into giant hills which cover spaces. That means you can park where ever you can find a space. I mentioned it to him, and he said, "Oh, it must have been the snow removal thing then'.
So I finally found my car (an hour later), and when I was leaving the lot, I saw a co-worker leaving. She had arrived at the exact same time as me and was two spaces over (in the 'snow removal' area). I asked if she had moved her car at any point in the day. She told me that she hadn't. I was confused. It was then that I realized that all of the 'towed cars' that were in the lot were fairly old or not in the best shape (my car has some bondo on the door to cover some rust from the New England winter, and with only 1 hub cap, it doesn't look so great).
I think they towed my car just because they could, and there was nothing I could do about it. Why would they tow my crummy car and not the fancy car two spaces over, especially if they were serious about this 'snow removal'? I'm still really angry about it.
Good guess.
In truth, I have a lot of respect for most well-made cars out there, but I just have to trash talk from time to time for a little fun. Your M3 sounds pretty sweet. Is it that slick blue color?
If you're in DC maybe I'll see you on the road sometime.