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Any Changes To Your "automotive Family" Soon?


knightfan26917
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Anyone else have thoughts of changing up the automotive family?

 

 

For a while, I've wanted to add the following vehicles to my car family:

1975 Caprice Classic convertible

1977 Caprice Classic sedan

1978 Caprice Classic coupe

1989 Caprice Classic 9C1

1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe

 

 

But, now ... the only vehicle I want to add to my family is a 1989 Caprice Classic (sedan or 9C1), to be the "summer" daily driver to my "winter warrior" 1979 Caprice Classic sedan.

 

Along with that, I've decided that, if the "right" '1989 CC (good shape, FI, cruise control, A/C, power, road trip worthy, etc.) comes along, I'll probably sell my 1972 MC. Why? Because my '72 MC is the only "expendable" MC I own ... the '76 is the year my parents had; the '79 is my first car; the '81 was my parents' car; and the '87 has sentimental reasons for the year....

 

 

But, even that plan could change, if my next checkup indicates I need more surgery ...and/or... I buy my own house....

 

 

 

In the meantime, my newest cars will have to do ... ~50 of them. I bought 80 cars, ~30 of which I bought for my nephew, who is learning what each car is VERY quickly!

 

I bought these 2 for Dad:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248265&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

I bought these for my nephew:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248270&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

 

And, these are mine:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248267&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248268&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248269&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

 

 

 

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_10.15.11_Volo.IL *

MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Nothing stays the same" __ Sick Puppies __ 'Maybe'

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We just traded my wife's 2003 Subaru Legacy Wagon for a 2011 Subaru Forester Touring. Better gas mileage, and our mechanic had thought the head gasket on the old one was showing signs of starting to leak. This will be our new take stuff to the campground car with better ground clearance for snow too.

 

I also just added the 2009 Vespa but just for around town. I am half way through the Motorcycle Safety Program. It was nearly 45 hours on the pad yesterday in temps between 32 and 36 degrees with a stiff breeze. I am a bit stiff today, but if I pass the course, the Vespa with its CVT will be a breeze to ride.

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Anyone else have thoughts of changing up the automotive family?

 

 

For a while, I've wanted to add the following vehicles to my car family:

1975 Caprice Classic convertible

1977 Caprice Classic sedan

1978 Caprice Classic coupe

1989 Caprice Classic 9C1

1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe

 

 

But, now ... the only vehicle I want to add to my family is a 1989 Caprice Classic (sedan or 9C1), to be the "summer" daily driver to my "winter warrior" 1979 Caprice Classic sedan.

 

Along with that, I've decided that, if the "right" '1989 CC (good shape, FI, cruise control, A/C, power, road trip worthy, etc.) comes along, I'll probably sell my 1972 MC. Why? Because my '72 MC is the only "expendable" MC I own ... the '76 is the year my parents had; the '79 is my first car; the '81 was my parents' car; and the '87 has sentimental reasons for the year....

 

 

But, even that plan could change, if my next checkup indicates I need more surgery ...and/or... I buy my own house....

 

 

 

In the meantime, my newest cars will have to do ... ~50 of them. I bought 80 cars, ~30 of which I bought for my nephew, who is learning what each car is VERY quickly!

 

I bought these 2 for Dad:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248265&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

I bought these for my nephew:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248270&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

 

And, these are mine:

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248267&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248268&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=32248269&id=1300282613&l=23a0c9524f

 

 

 

 

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_10.15.11_Volo.IL *

MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Nothing stays the same" __ Sick Puppies __ 'Maybe'

 

I can see where buying those cars would be fun....but I have already filled the available space at home my maps and stuff!

 

I did buy a couple of model buildings the other day for what may become an auto display at a local storefront I rent. A few cars may will follow.

 

Dave

 

Keep the Show on the Road!

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Cort,

I had not checked the links, so I did not realize we were talking small scale. I keep adding to the slot cars, having gotten a few more including a nice Porsche Targa in Red with a Black top in HO

 

Dave,

What scale buildings are you going with. I may have some extra HO scale buildings if you are interested. Some are built and some are kits.

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Yep, I have thoughts so serious that they're almost plans. You might even say I'm making an exactly half hearted attempt to keep up with the Reeses. Even before the purchase of the Valiant moved the Vibe outside I had thoughts of doing a two for one swap on the part of the fleet built in this century. I hadn't really considered a Mini as a long distance some-times-on-expressways traveler until Dave bought a Clubman and declared it a great road trip car. It's been on the short list since then and yesterday I finally drove one. The highway ride was indeed better than I thought it might be and, since I drove a Hardtop, I know the longer Clubman would be even better.

 

Then I drove the other top member of the short list, a Subaru Forester. Since then, I've been rotating the two cars through the number one spot just about hourly. The Mini would be a lot more fun and its gas mileage would be better (35-27) while the Forester gets the edge in practicality and would enable me to drive some of those roads that have scared me off.

 

Neither my budget nor my garage allows both a Mini and a Forester so, unlike Dave, I'll have to pick up on one and leave the other behind.

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  • 2 weeks later...

We just traded my wife's 2003 Subaru Legacy Wagon for a 2011 Subaru Forester Touring. Better gas mileage, and our mechanic had thought the head gasket on the old one was showing signs of starting to leak. This will be our new take stuff to the campground car with better ground clearance for snow too.

 

Awesome, Dave! My manager at work LOVES Subarus. About a year ago, she traded in her 2003 (?) Subaru Forester for a 2010 Subaru Impreza/Outback.

 

 

 

I can see where buying those cars would be fun....but I have already filled the available space at home my maps and stuff!

 

LOL! I really don't have the space either, but they were too good to pass up!

 

 

I did buy a couple of model buildings the other day for what may become an auto display at a local storefront I rent. A few cars may will follow.

 

Oh, cool! Be sure to post pics when it is up!!!

 

 

 

Cort,

I had not checked the links, so I did not realize we were talking small scale. I keep adding to the slot cars, having gotten a few more including a nice Porsche Targa in Red with a Black top in HO

 

We're talking large and small scale ... so you're fine ;).

 

Where do you find/buy your HO scale models? I've stopped at a few hobby shops in the area, but none of them seem to have a good selection.

 

 

 

Yep, I have thoughts so serious that they're almost plans. You might even say I'm making an exactly half hearted attempt to keep up with the Reeses. Even before the purchase of the Valiant moved the Vibe outside I had thoughts of doing a two for one swap on the part of the fleet built in this century. I hadn't really considered a Mini as a long distance some-times-on-expressways traveler until Dave bought a Clubman and declared it a great road trip car. It's been on the short list since then and yesterday I finally drove one. The highway ride was indeed better than I thought it might be and, since I drove a Hardtop, I know the longer Clubman would be even better.

 

Then I drove the other top member of the short list, a Subaru Forester. Since then, I've been rotating the two cars through the number one spot just about hourly. The Mini would be a lot more fun and its gas mileage would be better (35-27) while the Forester gets the edge in practicality and would enable me to drive some of those roads that have scared me off.

 

Neither my budget nor my garage allows both a Mini and a Forester so, unlike Dave, I'll have to pick up on one and leave the other behind.

 

That sounds like a tough decision, Denny. I have 2 other friends that bought the Clubman ... and they love it. The lone complaint (for lack of a better term) that they BOTH have about it ... it isn't as versatile as they'd like.

 

For you, Denny, I would think the Forester would be the better option of the two.

 

 

***

The only other car I want ... a 2011 Dodge Charger, Toxic Orange with tan/neutral interior trim. I wrote about it here...

http://www.motorgnomes.com/2011/03/charging-forth/

 

 

But, I can't exactly justify the expense of a new car ... especially given some additional health issues, possibly more surgery, and/or purchasing a house....

 

 

 

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_04.16.11_Dwight.IL *

MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Hood slidin' like Bo Duke"__Dierks Bently__'What Was I Thinking?'

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Cort,

On the slot cars, I get them at hobby shops, from on-line dealers, on eBay, and at slot car shows like the one we are having at America On Wheels on July 16 and 17, including racing, available track time, and vendors of new and used slot items as well as custom HO slot bodies from a dealer known as "Resin Dude".

 

As to the lack of versatility of the Clubman, it won't work well for hauling lumber or snow blowers, but it will hold several weeks worth of luggage when the rear seats are not being used. We will use our Forester for times when we need to haul lots of stuff, or in bad weather or we need ground clearance. The MINI is just plain fun to drive, and is great gad-about type vehicle around town and for shopping and two-lane road trips...

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  • 2 weeks later...

The automotive shuffle has ended and the garage overflow is no more. The Vibe and Corvette have moved on and a Subaru Forester has moved in. It's a dark red Premium model which is the lowest level with moonroof and it's an automatic. Combining its four speed with the three in the Valiant's Torqueflite, I now have seven they-pick forward gears compared to the eleven I-pick gears I had previously. That's a bit of a downer but I can change. If I have to. I guess.

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Glad to hear the change-over is complete. Does your Forester have the paddle shifters? We have that on the Mini and our Forester, but I never really use it. I had the TR3 out Monday just to get to shift gears again. Congratulations Denny. I hope you enjoy your Subaru as much as we do ours...

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Nope. No paddle shifters. It has very few options at all. Just a "magic" mirror with Homelink and some winter related stuff (e.g., heated things). The Premium model is, to my way of thinking, pretty well equipped with stuff like Bluetooth & USB connections, power driver's seat, and the aforementioned moonroof. I'm a little disappointed that the moonroof doesn't tilt but it's so big I guess I can overlook that.

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  • 2 weeks later...

On the slot cars, I get them at hobby shops, from on-line dealers, on eBay, and at slot car shows like the one we are having at America On Wheels on July 16 and 17, including racing, available track time, and vendors of new and used slot items as well as custom HO slot bodies from a dealer known as "Resin Dude".

 

Dave ... oh my goodness, I shouldn't have looked at that link...LOL! That's cool, and now I want some of my own!

 

On my road trips, I love checking out "mom'n'pop" hobby stores ... because they will sometimes, if not often always, have "hidden treasures" that not every place will ever have.....

 

 

And, Denny ... CONGRATULATIONS. Any pics ... or did I miss 'em?

 

 

 

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_07.30.11_Cold.Treat *

MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Got my pedal to the metal" __ Sheryl Crow __ 'Real Gone'

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And, Denny ... CONGRATULATIONS. Any pics ... or did I miss 'em?

The only picture of the new car I've put on line is one from the Ohio Lincoln Highway League outing. It's here. Subarus have grown over the years and, although a Forester is small as SUVs go, it feels somewhat large to me. Gas mileage on the OLHL trip was between 25 & 26 and on the NR Bells Caravan was right at 28. I was probably more conscious of mileage on the NR trip plus the caravan made fewer stops than I did on the LH.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Denny,

 

That is a GORGEOUS color. Is the interior gray or tan?

 

My manager used to have a 2003 model before she traded it in for a 2010 Impreza Outback. I think you're Forester may be a tad bit bigger than her former 2003 model, but I'm not 100% sure.

 

 

 

Cort | 37.m.IL.pigValve.pacemaker | 5 Monte Carlos + 1 Caprice Classic | * meet_05.21.11_FrnkGrv.IL *

MCs.CC + CHD.models.HO.legos.RadioShows + RoadTrips.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

"Gonna do my very best" __ ABBA __ 'Take A Chance On Me'

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