An introduction to the world of Upshift

"Upshift" (Upshift) 10/11/2013 at 20:04 • Filed to: Introduction, New, Newbie, Upshift, Honda, Ford, Mustang, Fit, Manual, Canada, Eh, Canadian

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I figured I'd introduce myself a little and give you all a chance to know a bit about this Jalop, before I start posting more on here.

I am Upshift (Shocking, I know!), a young Canadian man in his mid-20s who works on computers for a living but lives to enjoy everything that is automotive or otherwise powered by an ICE. I call the National Capital Region my home. This is where I live, work, enjoy summer drives and do some winter wonderland hooning. I also only own manual transmission cars. My girlfriend is also part of the stick driving crowd, I will marry her someday!

I own two cars, both of which I consider to have some jalop cred. There are more enthusiast-grade cars out there, but I still think they hit the right notes, at least for moi!

The Toy

What it is: 2012 Mustang 3.7L V6 with a 6-speed manual transmission. I call her Athena, a quick Google search on ancient Greek mythology will explain why. She currently has 47,000 miles on the clock. Used to be my daily driver, but is now a weekend driver that will only be driven in summer months as well as my drag strip warrior.

Why I bought it: Starting price, at the time, of $23,000(before options, fees and taxes) for a 305hp RWD manual sports car is a damn good deal in Canada. She cost me $32k all in pretty much (Almost*) fully loaded with the luxury options. For reference, this is what it would cost me for a Honda Civic Si or a ToyoBaru twin all in, is cheaper than a mazdaspeed 3 and a heck of a lot less expensive than a VW GTi with similar equipment, which gets awefully close to the $40k mark and V8 musclecar territory. Yes I call it a sports car, it's rear-wheel drive, lighter than all the other pony cars and has handling, reflexes and turn-in like you would not believe. It's one of those "you need to try one to believe it". She's a real blast!

*The leather option was 1800$ just for the material, so I opted out. Bought the take-offs from a well-known Mustang tuning company on e-bay for 1/4 of the price and have done 3 out of 4 seats myself so far. Sadly, I never find the time to do the driver's chair.

Mods: An e-mail engine computer tune from a reputable specialty mustang shop, a Cold Air Intake and a Borla cat-back exhaust (zero power gains, but the sound!). Interior

The Daily Driver

What it is: 2013 Honda Fit LX with a 5-speed manual transmission. Has about 5000 miles. This is my new daily/winter driver.

Why I bought it: Winning every single comparison test in it's class and getting stellar reviews from all the major automotive publications is very convincing. Winning a spot on Car and Driver's 10 Best cars every year since it's introduction is also eye-opening. I always read about how it was the sportiest drive of it's class, and I can attest to this after test driving every subcompact in the market and then getting behind the wheel of this one. Having the most cargo space, the second best reliability record (after the immortal Yaris) and amazing resale value was the cherry on top. It's a real blast to drive in the city. Also 5-door hatchback is a good reason in my book.

Mods: None and it will stay that way.

What kind of posts to expect from me

Anything! It will usually be car related, however. It could range from random finds in the NCR, to track videos, to more educational content or even just random blurbs of thought I may just feel like sharing, like driving adventures or automotive ideas. Maybe even a few how-to's.

This is all I can think of for now. If you have more questions, or have any comments, feel free to sound off below!

pdthedeuce > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:08

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welcome to the loony bin .

Decay buys too many beaters > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:13

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Welcome, Upshift!

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:15

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Nice to meet you Upshift!

I'm 190e30 (or Danny), and have never owned neither a 190e cosworth nor an e30. I mad emy account prior to purchasing my first car, and the name has stuck despite my lack of ownership. I'm 16 (17 in November) and am in Connecticut, USA. I'm only on my second car, (first was an ex-SCCA racecar, a 2002 Dodge Neon ACR that went to SCCA national championships in 2010 prior to being brought back to da streetz. Lots of fun, but my parents decided the cage was a head injury waiting to happen, so it had to go. I now happily DD a 1991 Audi Coupe Quattro, my second car) but grew up/am growing up in a very car-rich household. My dad used to rally a bit here and there, and is a huge gearhead, typically switching up his cars every few months. Our current stable consists of my Audi, his Saab 9000 Aero, and his '82 Mustang GT, along with my mom's Land Rover.

That's pretty much all there is to know about me. I'm a pretty frequent poster around here, so I look forward to seeing you around! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

The cars:

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:15

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Welcome to the club. You'll really enjoy being in here.

$kaycog > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:20

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Welcome to Oppo! I'm a huge Mustang fan, and yours is absolutely beautiful!

desertdog5051 > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:22

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You come well equipped for the fight. But, as I tell all, "you'll be sorrrrry" Welcome!

(You Canucks get paid way too much. I have a friend in Edmonton who makes 50% more for the same job in the States. But, I guess it all comes out even in the end. Again, welcome.

ChemicalCutthroat > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:30

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You know what makes me happy?

You have two great cars, from very opposite ends of the spectrum. But you love em'.

That is what being a Jalop is to me, to find the fun in everything with wheels. Love what ya got. Have fun. Hoon when you can.

desertdog5051 > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 10/11/2013 at 20:32

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As a gearhead from way back. It delights me to see new gearheads come into the flock.

This is not a dying breed.

Welcome.

(and fuck you in advance, For Sweden)

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > desertdog5051 10/11/2013 at 20:38

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Thank you for your kind welcome, although I have been a steady commenter since July lol. Anywho, I absolutely do not believe its a dying breed, and never will be. Just in my high school, more and more of my friends are getting into cars. There's just too much to love, from intricate design, to power, to handling, etc etc. My personal favorite is exhaust notes. I love listening to a car with a great exhaust note and realizing that's the sound of a ton of tiny, fine-tuned explosions.

PRBot II > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:48

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Nice Mustang (and nice transmission choice too)!

Welcome to Oppo!

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:48

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Tom McParland > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 20:57

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Welcome to Oppo Upshift! I would introduce myself formally but I hate typing on mobile. If you are curious just look for the tag "Automatch" or "automatchbait" and that should cover it. Looking forward to reading your adventures. :)

Klaus Schmoll > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 21:06

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Hi! Have you been introduced to the Oppo tools yet?

There's a spreadsheat with reader's rides, a google map showing where they are from and other useful stuff here: http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/welcome-new-op…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

And the fineprint, it's basically just saying "Don't be a dick." and "hide the tits behind the jump so it's SFW": http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/a-general-hand…

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

If you don't want to read 'em now. They are attached to every "Best of Oppo" post from Party-vi.

Da Fuck? I wrote all this without saying welcome. Have fun!

Upshift > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH 10/11/2013 at 21:12

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You're officially one of the most awesome 16 year olds I have ever met. Talk about jalop cred! Your car history is pretty interesting and awesome! Thank you for the welcome and nice cars :)

Upshift > Klaus Schmoll 10/11/2013 at 21:15

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Thank you for the welcome :)
And yes, those links were the first things i checked out as soon as I was made an approved author! I think the stang scored a 130! And I promise to abide by the code of conduct ;)

Lets Just Drive > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 21:18

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Welcome, Upshift, to Oppo.

It's always nice to meet a fellow Stuck-to-the-Stick kind of guy. It's also always nice to meet a fellow Mustang owner. Also, it's nice to meet another Canadian.

If this were a dating site, I'm pretty sure we'd have to get married.

Anyway, welcome to Oppo. Believe me when I say that Oppo is to the Front Page what sex is to marriage. It was once just Off Topic, a place with no name for Jalops to come and be Jalops at without always being car chatty. Now, Oppo is a haven home to some absolutely amazing bloggists, enthusicats and people who clearly have A.D.D but whom we love just the same. At a glance, I'd say you're going to fit right in (get it? because you have a Fit?) and always remember; when the FP starts getting you down you can always go, Opporound .

Mustang, huh? Facelifted S197, huh? 3.7L Duratec, huh?

I hate you.

No, not really. I'm a pre-facelift S197 owner, and also a V6 at that... but despite my hugely, massive, gigantic +.3L of displacement, it's just the Cologne. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up!

All larfing aside, I love the shit out of my car. You see, my first was also a Mustang; an '88 GT. And so, I have something of an inexplicable love of ponies. All ponies. Yes, all. Yes, even the Mustang II. Yes, Ghia bodied. Yes, I liked the '73 a lot as well. Shut up.

But I'm not insane, or broken of taste.

I bought it because I was actually shopping a couple Toyobaru's. I'd driven both; FRS and BRZ and was pretty well resolved that would be my next car. Spent the time, readied the monies, and was about to sign off when I saw it. It was black, and the sticker practically shouted at me, "I'm 1/3rd the price!"

Moments later, I was pouring over this low km, manual transmission, local driven black Mustang. I did my due diligence, researched the car and a couple days later, took delivery.

From a BRZ to a Mustang, see? It's not surprising, really, as I'd almost bought a new Mustang when comparing RWD 2+2 sports coupes. Sure, that engine wouldn't have been my first pick - the Duratec is head and shoulders better, but I figured I'd shop the rest into my Pony. Full exhaust? Of course. Bolt-on's up the whazzo? Yep! Forced Induction? DUH!

And then my wife went and got pregnant... with my help. And it all went onto the back burner.

Now, my Mustang will probably get not much at all. Why? Because, yes. It'll baby, but within a couple years I plan to make the switch to four doors and a wagon to boot (the wife has already said yes to the CTS-V!).

TL;DR? Cool Mustang Bro!

Upshift > desertdog5051 10/11/2013 at 21:19

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"Always be prepared" is one of my life mottos!
As for money, here's my secret: I don't have my own place YET and have very patient parents ;). Otherwise I can't seem to find a non-dumpy home under $200k anyways so It shall wait. I admit the salary helps but I wouldnt be able to afford a house alone with both cars.

Lets Just Drive > desertdog5051 10/11/2013 at 21:20

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In Canada, we get paid in maple syrup.

So, while we may get paid more for the same job.

It's always a sticky situation.

Lets Just Drive > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 10/11/2013 at 21:20

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Follow this guy.

It's worth it.

Lets Just Drive > $kaycog 10/11/2013 at 21:21

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You never say nice things about my Mustang, $kay.

/sadface

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:21

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Thanks man!

Lets Just Drive > PRBot II 10/11/2013 at 21:22

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So happy for more Oppostangs.

Lets Just Drive > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 10/11/2013 at 21:22

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Drink the Koolaid!

Lets Just Drive > Tom McParland 10/11/2013 at 21:22

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This guy.

Follow this guy, I mean.

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:28

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I read it all. I laughed, I cried(of laughter) and laughed again! Nice choice of car. The cologne still has 210 ponies and a huge aftermarket. 1/3 the price just made it a no brainer! I also happen to share your love of mustangs! One of my favorite aspects though has to be that no two mustangs are the same: there's always a different combination of exterior and performance mods. Each one like a fingerprint of their respective owners. Fun cars that make you smile, make kids smile and seemingly make people stare as if they just saw a lambo haha. Thanks for the great reply and nice to
Meet you :)

Also the Fit jokes just write themselves hahaha

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:28

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I read it all. I laughed, I cried(of laughter) and laughed again! Nice choice of car. The cologne still has 210 ponies and a huge aftermarket. 1/3 the price just made it a no brainer! I also happen to share your love of mustangs! One of my favorite aspects though has to be that no two mustangs are the same: there's always a different combination of exterior and performance mods. Each one like a fingerprint of their respective owners. Fun cars that make you smile, make kids smile and seemingly make people stare as if they just saw a lambo haha. Thanks for the great reply and nice to
Meet you :)

Also the Fit jokes just write themselves hahaha

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:31

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Sold!

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:31

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Done!

$kaycog > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:32

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I haven't? I'm sorry. I love your Mustang. Tell me about it. Pic?

Upshift > $kaycog 10/11/2013 at 21:33

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Why thank you $kay! Much appreciated :) though I admit it isn't as nice as a Ford GT (been lurking Jalopnik long enough ;))

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:34

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Now I'm stuck ti the ground laughing!

Lets Just Drive > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 21:36

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Mine has a BBK CAI and Flowmaster 44 axle back.

That's it, under the hood'n back. Everything, or almost everything, for the swap to dual exhaust, is sitting on the shelves in my buddies garage, including the other FM 44, custom X-pipe and so on. I just want to get the cats, as I won't run catless, before we go ahead (which will hopefully be next summer).

My plans initially included a wider TB, plugs, heads, etc but I only got as far as touching up the exterior and doing that little bit before the baby news came out. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited. I don't even care that the build has been put on hold, because it's a good enough DD for now.

And like I said, the swap will be no more than a couple years off. Used CTS, new ATS or something else in the category. If GM says they're doing a wagon version of the ATS-V, I'll sell my soul for that car.

Oh, hey, here's my car...

PRBot II > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:36

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Mkolabin! Haven't crossed paths with you in a couple days, how are ya?

Oppostangs are A-OK with me, I wish I was driving one!

Upshift > $kaycog 10/11/2013 at 21:37

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Why thank you $kay :) still not as nice as a Ford GT however!

Tom McParland > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:37

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Who Upshift? I would but I can't follow on mobile.

Lets Just Drive > $kaycog 10/11/2013 at 21:38

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Upshift > PRBot II 10/11/2013 at 21:38

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Thank you!

Lets Just Drive > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 21:39

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These hosers, eh?

Upshift > Tom McParland 10/11/2013 at 21:39

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Thank you very much and I definitely will be lurking your posts!

Upshift > ChemicalCutthroat 10/11/2013 at 21:41

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Well I'm happy you feel that way! I agree, cars of all kinds can be fun, they each have their own personality to explore and there are a ton of great fun cars out there, regardless of power output!

Lets Just Drive > PRBot II 10/11/2013 at 21:41

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Good, good.

Just found out I'm in the running for a promotion, received an award last week for excellence in security and found out my company is putting me up for additional leadership/management development.

So yeah, good.

Also, the baby's head is pointed down. Not long now. Couple weeks, give or take.

$kaycog > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:42

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It's gorgeous! It looks flawless. How long have you had it?

Lets Just Drive > Tom McParland 10/11/2013 at 21:42

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No, you dummy Automatch.

You, you dummy Automatch.

Heh.

I told Upshift to follow you, dummy.

Much love.

Dummy :)

PRBot II > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:44

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That's awesome man, congrats!

I can't even imagine being a father. Good on you, sir. Hats off!

Lets Just Drive > $kaycog 10/11/2013 at 21:45

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Just a year.

Had great hopes and expectations.

Then, wife got pregnant (hope it's mine, fingers crossed... j/k) so I put that project on the back burner.

Had planned on full exhaust, suspension and engine builds. Got a CAI on it, a Flowmaster 44 axleback (the rest of the kit for the dual swap is at a friends, waiting) and all the exterior touches you see; murdered pony, tints, louvers, stripe, shorty antenna, faux-cap delete and black caps.

Buuuut...

She's a Cologne V6. And she's not a Pony Package.

Upshift > ChemicalCutthroat 10/11/2013 at 21:47

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I agree! I have driven many a car that have been insane fun regardless of power outputs! Each car is different and that's what is so awesome about them!

Upshift > ChemicalCutthroat 10/11/2013 at 21:47

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I agree! I have driven many a car that have been insane fun regardless of power outputs! Each car is different and that's what is so awesome about them!

$kaycog > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:48

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Congrats on fatherhood! That's a life changing experience, and it's awesome. You'll get your project done, but maybe not as soon as you originally hoped. Has baby come into the world yet?

Upshift > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 10/11/2013 at 21:49

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Thank you! And i bet! The community seems great!

Upshift > Decay buys too many beaters 10/11/2013 at 21:50

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Thanks!

Upshift > Decay buys too many beaters 10/11/2013 at 21:51

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Thanks!

Tom McParland > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:51

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Haha you silly Canadians. You were responding to me to follow him...I had a confused. Derp.
:D

Upshift > Decay buys too many beaters 10/11/2013 at 21:51

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Thanks!

Upshift > pdthedeuce 10/11/2013 at 21:52

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Hope there are enough loonies to make me rich!

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 21:58

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She's gorgeous! And at least you got the basic mods in! Sounds like you had some good ideas for it. I myself want to run catless with borla long tubes and shorty c-pipe maybe next year, with a resonator of course! I've become addicted to lowering my ETs at the track. I have other long term plans but that's for another day.

Lets Just Drive > $kaycog 10/11/2013 at 22:06

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Current due date is Nov 5th.

Lets Just Drive > Tom McParland 10/11/2013 at 22:09

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Lets Just Drive > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 22:12

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We don't have a track, here in Victoria.

Okay, we do. But it's called "Western Speedway" and that pretty much tells the tale. It's an oval. Woo... and a small oval, at that. The best we have are the groups who run Autocross out there. I would kill for a circuit.

Once the wife and I are back in Vancouver, there's Mission Raceway where I'll spend my time. But for now, mine is purely street and I don't road race.

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 22:19

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I'm quite fortunate as I have Luskville dragway about 35 minutes away and Circuit iCar about 1h20 away which is built on the Mirabel airport and features a 1/4 mile drag strip, circuit track, drift circuit, skidpad, snow course in winter and a new event called tarmack attack which is a short point to point circuit that ends in a 1/8th mile straight. We also have Calabogie motorsports park about an hour away. I stick to drag racing because I don't wanna rip chunks of thread off of a 1200$ set of tires haha.

Lets Just Drive > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 22:24

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You're out Ottawa way, yeah?

I have a good friend, lives in the GTA (no, not Grand Theft Auto; Greater Toronto Area) and spends his time at the tracks out that way.

Here are a couple shots of his car.

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 22:25

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Ya. Lot of people coming literally from everywhere.

I for example, from Indonesia. Altough i'm now in dubai for some moment.

Upshift > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 22:29

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Bingo! And that's a sexy camaro!

Upshift > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 10/11/2013 at 22:31

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Yeah I noticed Jalopnik has a huge international following. Hows Dubai been treating you?

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 22:35

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Well, very amazing.

Supercars everywhere, Food is nice, and my rental car, Chevrolet Caprice SS, is really the fastest car in the world.

desertdog5051 > Lets Just Drive 10/11/2013 at 22:36

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You might get paid in Maple Syrup, but try to get a motel room in Arizona or S, Calif. in March or April. I stayed at a BW in Sedona, AZ and there was more Eh's and Yah's than I could count and they kept calling my buddy Dan, Don :). (Love you guys).

Lets Just Drive > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 22:40

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It can be found making laps at Shannonville and Mosport.

I can be found on the other side of the country, being jealous.

Lets Just Drive > desertdog5051 10/11/2013 at 22:44

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I know what you mean. Here, we have a huge tourism industry and it attracts a ton of Americans (which is like, three if we're talking weight here) and I'm all, "Hey, I'm sorry, eh, but in Canada we don't call them that "n" word. It's impolite, buddy." And then they'd shoot me with the Gun Rights before robbing me of my lumber, water and energy assets.

LOL!

Naw, I love most Americans, too. Especially the Northern ones who're almost Canadian anyway. :P

Upshift > Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. 10/11/2013 at 22:51

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Someone's been listening to Clarkson's wise words I see ;)

Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW. > Upshift 10/11/2013 at 22:53

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Ya, really.

First off, it's a rental. The Second, Caprice SS is sold in america as a Caprice PPV, and have the same 6.0L V8 producing 350bhp in very boring body. I once hit 160mph in highway, but it's scary as fuck.

pdthedeuce > Upshift 10/12/2013 at 00:11

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I see what you did there ...

Decay buys too many beaters > Upshift 10/12/2013 at 01:23

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And of course welcome to Kinja doubling your comments!

$kaycog > Lets Just Drive 10/12/2013 at 09:23

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You're really on a countdown now! Your life will never be the same and in a good way. Best wishes for a healthy baby.