My new wheels

[The Heretic]

Nice second choice to a vette

I considered a 'Vette, but they don't usually get 30 MPG and a C5 or C6 costs more than I wanted to spend right now.

 

[The Heretic]

I just went for a drive - I waited until dark to see how well the lights work. For halogens they are pretty good, but I am going to upgrade to HIDs, preferably retrofit the adaptive driving lights (they turn when you go around corners). Very sharp cutoff of the low beams, high beams are good and the fog lights are good but no fog to test them on.

I took it on a back road I like to ride, a bit bumpy and curvy, and just lazed along at 50 MPH in fourth on a 35 MPH road. Felt good.

Then I turned off onto Seattle Hill Road. As you can tell

http://home.comcast.net/~the.heretic/images/car/seattlehillrd.GIF

It's got a pretty good little jig and jag character going for it for a short little stretch. Great for a quick test - especially since it is uphill from the direction I usually approach it and you can scrub off speed real quick if you want.

I forgot just how tight the hairpin was and underestimated the speed, so I had to correct, but even with the factory tires (Continentals - not well known for their road handling) the car went around the corner like it was on rails - not a single bit of lean or slide. It was great!

I also did some other speed runs elsewhere - only got up to about 100 MPH, but the brakes work well and the car handles well. It is a pleasure to drive in traffic too - the engine is set up so that it can creep along at idle and doesn't protest when you do it.

It just takes some getting used to and an effort to be smooth, especially when shifting in first and second. But it is very confidence inspiring.

 

[Ham Murabi]

Sounds like a fun ride.

 

[Veruca_Salt]

Which is it?

 

[Angel]

Blah, it ain't even new enough to have Angel Eyes.

 

[Cherry]

The lawn looks mowed in those photos.

 

[The Heretic]

The lawn looks mowed in those photos.

It is! Can you imagine? LC mowed the lawn twice in one month! I about fell over dead when I saw that!

 

[The Heretic]

Holy shit!

Full coverage on this thing is expensive!

Geico wants $2600 per year, Progressive wants $1700 - I have yet to call my current company, but I am guessing they will be a little more reasonable. I was expecting twice to three times what I pay now (under $400 per year) for liability only. Darn that cop for giving me that ticket! I don't think 110 MPH is too fast for downtown Seattle do you??

 

[ksmybuttons]

Looks like you made a fun decision. Took long enough, but then, when you really want it, the right thing just seems to come, doesn't it?

Now for the house, and the woman...

 

[The Heretic]

Looks like you made a fun decision. Took long enough, but then, when you really want it, the right thing just seems to come, doesn't it?

I resisted getting the BMW because I work in Bimmerville, but after seeing and driving one I couldn't resist the logic that, for me, this was a better car for the money than the Mercedes. I spent most of the weekend learning about all the little gadgets and tips and tricks it has.

Now for the house, and the woman...

The house is being saved for as we speak, and I am still looking for a better rental. After I move then maybe having a better nest will attract a local female of my liking.

 

[Angel]

Holy shit!

Full coverage on this thing is expensive!

Geico wants $2600 per year, Progressive wants $1700 - I have yet to call my current company, but I am guessing they will be a little more reasonable. I was expecting twice to three times what I pay now (under $400 per year) for liability only. Darn that cop for giving me that ticket! I don't think 110 MPH is too fast for downtown Seattle do you??

I pay $312/yr.

 

[The Heretic]

I pay $312/yr.

You don't get out an have fun often enough. There is nothing like a high speed run through the middle of a metro area to get the juices flowing.

 

[Guest]

 

[The Heretic]

High speed? I think she drives a bug.

Exactly - now if she had a Bimmer - just imagine what trouble she could get into. She might even be tempted to fill up her gas tank while talking on the cell phone!

 

[honeylick]

I pay $312/yr.

on what planet?

my bug runs me about $1800 a year.

100/300/100

 

[plasticman33]

Ya done good! Only problem I've found with a BMW is they cost a fuckin' fortune when something breaks down on them. I just had a new catalytic converter put on my 528, that a a couple of other odds and ends came to $2,300.

 

[BeWeBoy]

I am past midlife idgot and I have never had a nice car before so I decided to get myself something nice for once. I have sacrificed for decades so my daughter could have a decent life despite the terror other people put her through, now I want something for myself.

For once I wanted something with a little performance, a little luxury and comfort. This was what I found.

Hey I think you did the rigth thing

And made an excellent choice of chariot

But wait where are the plates ????

 

[Lost Cause]

It's more gorgeous in person!

I'm going to get the Pan back and ride while I try to sell it....I'm going nuts not riding...

You got to kind of envy The Heretic, a German auto, and an Italian motosickle....fast! fast! fast!

Now, spend your retirement and go for that GT-40! http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?id=15732

 

[MaggieH]

It's more gorgeous in person!

I'm going to get the Pan back and ride while I try to sell it....I'm going nuts not riding...

You got to kind of envy The Heretic, a German auto, and an Italian motosickle....fast! fast! fast!

Now, spend your retirement and go for that GT-40! http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/autoreviews/index.cfm?id=15732

Dammit, LC, where the hell have you been? I haven't talked to you in ages! Call me, dammit! I mean, please?

 

[The Heretic]

But wait where are the plates ????

In the mail - it was brought in from out of state (just for me ) so it needs new plates. I am thinking vanity plates, but haven't decided yet.

Took the old beater to emissions today as a condition of a sale, it didn't pass. Oh well, I guess I can sell it to someone for parts.

 

[The Heretic]

Ya done good! Only problem I've found with a BMW is they cost a fuckin' fortune when something breaks down on them. I just had a new catalytic converter put on my 528, that a a couple of other odds and ends came to $2,300.

This one comes with over 3 years left on the warranty and maintenance program where all scheduled maintenance is paid for (including oil changes, wiper blades, that kind of stuff). So I don't have to worry about it for a while. I just have to put gas in it.

 

[The Heretic]

I pay $312/yr.

Is that full coverage (coll/comp)?

I just got my current insurance company quote - $820 per year - for full coverage. That will probably go down when I move closer to work, but it sure beats what Progressive and Gieco wanted.

 

[-geisha.grrrl-]

I am past midlife idgot and I have never had a nice car before so I decided to get myself something nice for once. I have sacrificed for decades so my daughter could have a decent life despite the terror other people put her through, now I want something for myself.

For once I wanted something with a little performance, a little luxury and comfort. This was what I found.

I feel bad for parents like you. I think everyone should have nice things and not have to sacrifice for their kids but it goes to show what kind of heart you have that you would do those things for your daughter so that she would have what she needed and what she wanted. Good on you for getting yourself something nice, fuck what anybody else says, if you feel happy riding in it, good on you.

 

[landslider]

They handle well, but keep an eye out for carjackers.

 

[The Heretic]

They handle well, but keep an eye out for carjackers.

Thanks for reminding me - I forgot I left my Glock in the trunk.