"McMike" (mcmike)
09/28/2015 at 08:11 • Filed to: Taps, McCivic, tutu153
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"McMike" (mcmike)
09/28/2015 at 08:11 • Filed to: Taps, McCivic, tutu153 | 10
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A few weeks ago, she bought a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! This morning, we said good-bye to Mrs McMike’s previous daily driver of 13 years.
She bought it in a hurry to replace the 1996 Corolla that was totaled when she was rear-ended in DC traffic. She had wanted another Toyota (she came from a Toyota family), but thanks to the asshole salesman at the Toyota dealership, she ended up with a Honda.
Neither of us were in love with it, but we both learned to appreciate it over the years. Every time I serviced it, I expected to find a rack boot, CV boot or some other thing waiting to be replaced. Nope, I would find nothing wrong every time. It never left her stranded, and aside from a transmission @65K (warranty), the head gasket @130K, and starter @140K the thing was flawless.
I don’t think I changed a single bulb except for headlamp bulbs and a dash light.
This was one of the good ones.
At 152K miles, we set it free.
Her parents took advantage of cheap flights from Houston to fly to DC and drive it back for my brother-in-law, who was buying it for our 16 year old nephew. I was looking for $3K for it, and he didn’t hesitate.
Her parents left this morning with the service history, a signed title, and 13 years of memories.
Mrs McMike wept as they started the engine and drove off.
The Civic also photobombed a lot of photos I have taken over the years. Please forgive the photo dump of these random photos. I’m going to miss that little guy.
Since it was leaving our lives for good today, I decided to take make a trip to our local Cars&Coffee on Saturday morning.
Including windows stickers and plate thumb.
Vimto
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 08:49 |
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Aww, kind of made me a little sad to read this! 13 years of loyal service, great job little Civic.
Jack Does Cars
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 09:10 |
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What year is the van? I really want a 1989 Whitestar with a Subaru swap.
Like badly.
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McMike
> Vimto
09/28/2015 at 09:13 |
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For a car that was pretty unremarkable, it ended up being fantastic. It was the benchmark for every possible new vehicle she sat in.
We looked at the ATS one year, back seat was too small. She looked at the new Civics, hated the interior, etc..
I’m touched that she teared up as she listed to the doors close and the engine start for the last time as we stood in the driveway early this morning.
Cars are more than cars.
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McMike
> Jack Does Cars
09/28/2015 at 09:19 |
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That’s my stock ‘87 Wolfsburg. I also have a ‘85 GL that I need to get rid of, scrap, partout, etc..
Maybe when I get the ‘87 back (currently in paint) , I’ll take the parts of the ‘85 I need and get it out of here.
v8corvairpickup
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 09:22 |
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Mrs v8corvairpickup has a ‘98 CR-v that she bought in 2001 with 38000 miles. It has been pretty amazing through it’s 145000+ miles with nothing more than scheduled maintenance. I am really impressed with Honda’s quality.
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Vimto
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 09:24 |
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They certainly are. The longest I’ve been able to keep a car was just over a year, it was a Mercury Grand Marquis that I absolutely loved. Unfortunately it was damaged in an accident driving back from New Orleans and I had to part ways with it. I cried at the dealership because nothing came close to replacing my Bonnie. We did 33,000 miles in a year and I didn’t want to own anything BUT another Panther. Sadly the Ford dealer didn’t have any used Vics or Grand Marquis’, so I ended up with a Fusion.
Miss you, old girl.
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Jack Does Cars
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 09:30 |
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The Central North Carolija market for Vanagon’s is practically nonexistent. Thankfully, my father lives in Seattle (where there is a large Vanagon market), and he said that he’ll ship one out...if I pay for it in full
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McMike
> Jack Does Cars
09/28/2015 at 09:59 |
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It’s understandable that there aren’t many in North Carolina.
They are all in VA
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Jack Does Cars
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 10:01 |
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Isn’t VW based in Virginia?
EDIT: And that is A LOT of Vanagons.
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McMike
> Jack Does Cars
09/28/2015 at 10:12 |
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Yes, their NA headquarters is located in the DC suburbs in northern VA.
That site in Southern Virgina is a mystery. As far as I know, he’s not selling them, he’s not selling parts, he doesn’t seem to be restoring them. The guy just collects them and pisses off the locals.
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Jack Does Cars
> McMike
09/28/2015 at 10:25 |
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There is a website that advertises vehicle and part sales, but when the link is clicked, nothing comes up.
Very mysterious, indeed. I’d love to go, but it’s three hours from where I live and a lack of car (and license) does cause issues.
Manic Otti
> Vimto
09/28/2015 at 14:24 |
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I think the last refresh of those with the fog lights looked the best.