Why I love my car 

"Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2" (pompei426) 01/15/2015 at 12:31 • Filed to: None

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The people. Yes, the car is pretty great and a ton of fun, but it's all almost meaningless without other people. Now, what I mean by this is all the encounters and conversations initiated just by the 22oolbs of metal I can call my own.

I frequently have people see my car and confront me with stories. And, luckily, they've all been good stories. Had a couple in their 70s come up to me and say this car saved their lives in an accident when they were in California. Had a wife run up to the car and take a picture of it because her husband used to have one. I've had numerous (dangerous) conversations with people while driving on the road I've been offered to buy cars just because people assume I want to or have the means to. I've had countless offers and inquiries. After less than a week of ownership I was chased down on the highway. A guy came up to me on the right, rolled down the window, rubbed his fingers and yelled "HOW MUCH?" And, just like everyone that has asked, I answer "No way." But, when I can actually talk to the people, I point them in the right direction and tell them that the cars are affordable, and with patience and some research they too can enjoy a 2002.

Two weeks ago I was at my girlfriend's house. Her aunt, whom I've never met, from up north starts telling me that her first car was also a 2002. Then, her brother (gf's father) starts telling stores of adventures had with the car. Great way to meet the family and introduce yourself. BTW, I wasn't being an ass and talking about it. I don't usually like to talk about my car unless someone brings it up.

Today, an insurance adjuster came to the house to estimate the water damage from our burst pipe, or two, or FIVE. Anyway, open the garage door, and before it's up to his head he's already telling me his first car was a 2002. Naturally, the conversation turned more towards cars than home repair. He mentioned that he tells his wife he wants another. I told him not to hesitate and get one sooner than later.

So, in essence, my car, Jessica, is a blast to drive. A pretty (cute) money pit. A noise maker/screamer. And an on-ramp attacker. But, most of all she's a catalyst to wonderful human interaction.

Just throwing this quick story in too. Was at a stop light at school, 4 lanes wide. A guy on a BMW bike gives a thumbs up. I return the gesture, then give the engine a little rev. He also revs. A minivan behind me starts honking at me, but I pay no attention. Light goes green, he flys off. I drop the clutch higher than I ever had and do a quick burnout before the car lurches forward. Meanwhile, a lifter Chevy 2500 is in the far left lane and joins in. I, of course am left in the dust, but laughing my ass off. At the next light we all smile/give a thumbs up and carry on with our lives.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 12:38

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This was a good read, another example of how its more than the sum of its parts.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 12:40

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Mine is sort of the same way. The funny thing is, being how many Beetles they made, every single person has a story about one.

ly2v8-Brian > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 12:45

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I can't imagine anyone hating a 2002. It's such a nice little car.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 12:51

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I love the weird encounters that odd cars bring. With my MR2, it seems like every time I go out in it, someone is asking about it or telling a story about how they used to have one. Sometimes I get parts offers. I'm probably going to be getting a free LSD for it pretty soon from a guy I know with a heavily modified supercharged one. I've also had people offer to do engine swaps for me. Seriously, it's surprising how many people want to get under the hood engine lid on this thing.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 12:56

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I bet you have 100x more confrontations than I do, but I'm still really surprised how many I've had. I didn't think 02s were that popular, especially in the northeast.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 12:57

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Also, here's a size comparison of our cars. The 02 is smaller, but looks bigger by itself.

RallyWrench > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 12:59

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Well said. I volunteered for 2002 Fest West for many years, before my '68 went into long term storage. The car is wonderful, the people even better. Now it's home in the garage & I'm looking forward to getting it back together. When I was towing it home from storage, a guy in a beat up Astro van followed me home for several miles, which seemed weird at first. Then he started telling me all about his nice Malaga (burgundy) '74, and it made perfect sense. It's a funny tribe.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:07

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I almost had one. :'(

I was a BMW guy before I was an ACVW guy. But yeah, mine don't drive yet (one is soooooo close, it just needs to not snow all the damn time), but even working on them in the yard people stop and tell me stories.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:07

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Oh yeah, it really does.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > RallyWrench 01/15/2015 at 13:08

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The scary thing as an 02'er is you need not clarify the colors. I'm pretty sure I know the names of all of them now. But yah, makes sense. The worst is when you spot an 02, but can't reach out to them. Two years ago I was driving down to NC and there was a small road right off 95 and all of the sudden I spot a 2002 that looked just like mine. After a few seconds it was gone, but how awesome.

Cé hé sin > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:10

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What's this extra light for? Rear fog light?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 13:16

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You'll find one if you want one. They're everywhere. Also, I know you have a girlfriend, and so do I, but shit. Do an oil change in front of a girls softball, or any sports team, and you've made a few friends. Not that I would even think about dating.

Another question. Don't think I'm a creep for remembering, but what are the most effective ways to communicate with your SO while she's in Australia? And, how long does mail take?

*If you're not still in this relationship I'm extremely sorry for brining this up. And, if I mixed you up with someone else, ignore everything.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Cé hé sin 01/15/2015 at 13:19

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One on the rear is simply a reflector. The one on the side lights up because the earlier/round taillights did not shine any light towards the side.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:24

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Nah, you got the right guy. Mail would take a lot less time if Australia post didn't excel at fucking every thing they touch up. I sent her Christmas gift Nov. 28th and it got there Dec. 5th, but because she was having surgery (fairly minor, I still freaked out, but she's fine) they decided to send it back to me, and I still haven't got it back. I think she sent hers like the 22nd of December and it got here two days ago.

We pretty much communicate through Facebook messenger 99% of the time. Obviously you can do text type messaging through that, but you can also call on the phone with it. Bit laggy, enough that I got international calling for a bit, but we didn't use it enough to justify it. You can do Skype-style video chat with it as well.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 13:32

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Good. Yah, I pretty much assumed Facebook and Skype would be optimal. Thanks for sharing about the mail. I just wanted to know how far in advance I should mail her birthday present. I think I'll just send it a few weeks early to play it safe.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:32

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You have an Aussie too?

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 13:37

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Well, come February 9th she'll be at James Cook U for about 4.5 months.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:41

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Heh, that's the day before my birthday. Hope it works out well for you, man.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 13:44

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It should, she's a great girl and I know we'll make it through.

E92M3 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:50

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The 2002 is THE next e30/aircooled 911. One of the last analog drivers cars that's still reasonabably priced.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 13:51

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That's how I feel about this one, honestly. Pretty much every spare penny I make goes to trying to get a plane ticket. Makes me wish I hadn't bought my FoST.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > E92M3 01/15/2015 at 13:57

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Very true, but I still want them to be relatively cheap. It makes the community much more enjoyable. I like the fact that people can pick up cars for $1000 and part them out. I have a group of older, wiser 02 guys that practically give parts away for free along with a ton of advice. It's a cheap car to keep running and I think that's why so many people like them. They were always underrated, but still very good cars.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 13:59

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Yep, I know how you feel. I have stopped all spending on my car just to take care of school and treat my girl the way she deserves to be treated. You'll find a way to get that ticket.

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 14:00

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I actually have two of my cars for sale.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 14:01

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Oh nice, good luck with that. Just advertise all over. Does she have plans of moving to the US?

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 14:02

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We've talked about both. We're not sure where we'll end up, really.

Jonee > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 14:07

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Great story and car. Nothing will make you friends like driving an old car.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > Coty 01/15/2015 at 14:08

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As long as you end up together, not much else matters.

Hahayoustupidludditeshutupandgohandcrankyourmodeltalready > ly2v8-Brian 01/15/2015 at 14:20

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*cough*benjaminjrolland*cough*

ly2v8-Brian > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 14:22

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They can be had for that cheap? I may have to look into this...

Coty > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 14:32

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That's my thinking.

VonBelmont > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 15:01

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I'm with us on that. To me, the most interesting thing about cars is not the car itself, but the people inside and around them. Without people, cars are just appliances.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > ly2v8-Brian 01/15/2015 at 15:08

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$1000 is also knowing the right person and buying a hunk of shit. But, for $4-7k you can find a good car. Might not be clean, but that doesn't really matter.

Just from a quick search, here are a few deals.

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2

3

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5

ly2v8-Brian > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 15:30

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Option #5 looked really nice, but I see what you mean. I've found nicer e30s in that lower pricing (<$3000) so I'll just have to check out listings in my area.

Quattro-luvr, Powered by Datsun & Stinger > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 15:43

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Great short read.

I've had a very similar experience in my 280Z. I was at a light not paying attention to who else was around me. Light turned green and I turned right and ran my car hard up to 60 mph. A gentleman, in his late 50's I'd guess, pulled along side in a very nice MB S500 and gave me a big grin and thumbs up.

I've had lots of stories told to me of people who've had and old Datsun Z in college or whatever. Very fun to be in the car culture.

I desperately hope my next toy is a Roundie 2002.

Big Bubba Ray > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 18:19

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Awesome write up, man. A 2002 is first on my list of classics I'm going to own next.

Stef Schrader > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/15/2015 at 18:37

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I want a roundie so bad!

Gizmo - The Only Good Gremlin, but don't feed me after Midnight > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/16/2015 at 01:24

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Great article! I, too, own an unusual rare uncommon car and have experienced much of the same. Hell, even my mom exclaimed after her first ride, "This is it, this is the one, you've finally found a car that matched your personality."

One thing you only sorta insinuated that has occurred to me since owning my car is I've made a lot of new friends. I can't really say its made me more outgoing although I do go to more car events than I used to, but that's because my friends are there (and the circle just keeps getting bigger). I joined a car club and have made lifelong friendship for not only me but my gal as well (never saw that coming). The car club sends all the invites to her with a note about "letting" me chauffeur her there. One event leads to new friends and new car events. Wash, rinse, wax, repeat. I love it.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/16/2015 at 05:48

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I love this little aspect of car culture :) jsut speaking to complete strangers/having complete strangers speak to you purely because of the cars involved.

It's a bit like this with my Spitfire project. Everyone I speak to above a certain age has either owned one themselves, or known someone who owned one. My dad's first car was a Spitfire that had been rolled (which he fixed and drove). He also had a mate who took a corner too hot, the wheels tucked under and he span it into someone's garden. Luckily, the guy whose garden he ruined was a Spitfire owner himself and helped him fix the car (and even gave him a lowering block for the rear to help tame the handling a little) :)

Oh, and the Jag's not exempt from this either :) I had a stop-light drag with a Talbot Lotus Sunbeam the other day :) started with us both beaming at each other then nailed it from the lights. My GF was not impressed...