On Losing a Friend

"Nauraushaun" (nauraushaun12) 01/26/2016 at 08:50 • Filed to: 300ZX

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I sold my Z today.

It’s a complicated mixture of feelings. It’s great that it sold, I hate trying to sell things. I’m glad it’s got a home and my MR2 can have free reign of the car port. I never quite loved this Z like I did my first, it’s just a car right?

One of many, many beach trips with its old friend the Evo 6 TME

Driving home from a friends’ at 3am, pulled over under an overpass to put the roof on as it started raining

Wrong, dammit. I’ve been treating it as a car for too long. I drove it around, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on one of many holidays. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I contemplated trying something new, I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I listed it for sale. It wasn’t until someone actually bought it that I realized how much I’d miss it. All those years of it looking beautiful and never letting me down left a bigger mark than I knew they would. All the memories, the fixing things when I first got it, trips to the beach, driving with the roof off in day, night, rain, cold whenever, they’re all tied to the car. It’s like an old friend at this point, it’s a part of me that I should never have to let go of.

One of many 300ZX cruises

I felt it when I took it to get a Roadworthy Certificate, required for sale where I live. The last time I’ll ever drive it. I hadn’t driven it for a few weeks, so every little difference to the MR2 stood out vividly. I was acutely aware of how luxurious the interior was by comparison, how the V6 sounded, and how the feedback of every input was a world apart (for better or worse). These are things you forget when you drive a car for too long, it all just sinks to the back of your mind as you accustom to it and you can’t even remember how it feels compared to other cars. In this case, all it did was foreshadow the longing I’d feel when it was gone.

As a wedding car for my best friend’s wedding

There was a distinct reality shift when I saw my Z drive away for the last time, when I went from being a 300ZX owner to not being a 300ZX owner. I felt myself trying to commit to memory how it looked inside and out, how it felt with the roof off, how it drove. Just minutes earlier it was my car that I was trying to sell, that I could’ve driven at any point and chose not to. But after that critical point it became a memory, a thing I’d owned in the past, with memories I could no longer relive and that would only fade.

This was my third 300ZX, my second Z32, but I don’t think it will be my last. I think I’ve developed too much of a love for these cars to never buy another. I predict that one day in the distant future it’ll hit me and I’ll have to get one. Hopefully I can keep it forever, it’s not such a bad car for reliving your youth.

Edit: I woke up to find this was shared on the front page and I had 100+ comments. This has never happened to me before, thanks Oppo/Jalopnik!

Meatcoma > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 09:30

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this looks like a toy car here for some reason. Pretty cool pic.

Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 09:39

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Soon...soon i will have one. Posts like these just make me wish it was spring already

Kat Callahan > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 09:46

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I still see these around sometimes in Japan, but not as many as I once thought I would.

Doth I spy Victoria plates?

d15b > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 09:52

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Targa top is the way to go.

PartyPooper2012 > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:09

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you and I... we can’t be friends anymore

T off the New > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:10

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Tilt shift always looks cool to me

fintail > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:12

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Pornographer’s convention? :)

Cool cars, very few designs have aged as well.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:14

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Great write -up! Reminds my why I shouldn’t take my car for granted, especially with it being my first.

Also, did you own a Z31? How was that?

delongedoug > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:14

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Ahh to see life through an Instagram filter.

Dat TME doe...

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:15

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I love T tops

Garrett Davis > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:20

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My take away from this is... don’t sell my Z. Got it!

Great write up.

TheCraigy > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:21

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Great post.

Try to tell yourself that it’s time for the next guy to enjoy it.

It doesn’t make you feel a lot better, but it takes the edge off. ;)

Treemendous > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:26

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This Johnny Cash cover seems appropriate.

Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead. > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:28

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I know that feel bro.

With a Z as well, no less. This was my Lucy:

Had it for 8 years and life forced me to let it go. Keep the faith.

Hollywood Speed: I don't know what I'm doing > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:28

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This articles depressing. I think this is the only time an automotive hobbyist would deliberately cut themselves outside of working on a window regulator. This reminds me of way to many cars I miss.

AntodenA > Meatcoma 01/26/2016 at 10:29

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Thought exactly the same. And I needed a good 30 seconds of heavy brain concentration to understand it was not a toy car. I’m so tired now. I need to rest a little. Excuse me.

Daryl > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:29

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Regretting selling a car later on...I know the feeling. When I was 16, my parents paid the down payment on a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup for my Christmas of ‘94 Christmas gift. I was responsible for the payments and insurance. In 2001, I traded the pickup off for my next car. At the time, I felt it was a fair deal and I needed something that had a back seat that looked more professional. Within a year, I started missing the truck. Now, it’s 2016 and I have no way to track it down. I need the VIN, but all of the government records (tax office registrations, plate numbers, etc.), financing records, and insurance records have all been purged from their respective systems. I have my old plate number, but no way to associate it with the VIN. Of course, I no longer have the original Maroony, the truck dealership doesn’t have the sales records, the car dealership doesn’t have the trade in records. I have no way to get that VIN. So I have no way of tracking down my first vehicle. I don’t know it’s fate. It could be in a salvage yard, it could be crushed, parted out, sitting in a field, being used as a daily driver, someone else’s beloved first truck, turned into some sort of weird low-rider mini-truck monstrosity. I have no idea. I don’t even know if it’s still in the state. Or in the country. The truck itself is probably worth about $1500 (based on average pricing for a SWB, 4 cylinder, 5 speed manual regular cab, 2WD XLT), but to me, it’s worth a lot more. If I could only figure out a way to get the VIN, I’d buy it back, and probably end up over-paying for it just to do so. So I know your angst. It might be a good idea to sell, but you’ll still regret it.

Karfreek > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:36

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I know the feeling bro. This is my 1989 Trans Am WS6/L98 just a few days before the new owner showed to take it to Erie, PA. I owned it for 13 years. I miss it, but I ran out of time for it when the Kids showed up. I wont replace it, its not replaceable.

El-Verde > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:37

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Thank you for sharing this.

My first car was the 1970 El Camino I still own. She’s pretty and runs great, but between my long commute, the 911, and general business I just don’t make time for her.

I often think about selling, but emotionally can’t bring myself to do it. Am I being selfish? Should I let her go be more appreciated?

AspenRS > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:38

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I have always wanted one of these. They have aged so well. (Really all of the 90's Japanese “supercars” have when I think about it)

Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves* > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:42

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Hear you. Even the thought of selling my e36 sedan causes physical pain.

JayCee-Arg > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:42

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So you sell your dearest friends often?

...

The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:48

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I feel your pain. I sold mine a few years back, and I regret it daily.

bopacker > Meatcoma 01/26/2016 at 10:49

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I thought the same thing, but blamed it on mixxing coffee and benadryl. Glad it wasn’t just me.

Low Range and Chill > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:50

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I had a white 91' with 32k miles which I sold 5 years ago. I regret it every single time I see one.

MikeyEvo > fintail 01/26/2016 at 10:50

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Only the rx-7 fd looks better from that era but different cars.This still looks good.

S_Hunt > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:57

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Sorry for your loss, Sir. We understand.

BTW: is that Evo playmate seeing someone, er, what?

Paullubbock > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:58

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If you loved the Z and have always had Z’s and you think it won’t be the last one......, why sell it in the first place? Just to turn around and replace it later on.

I have an old 5sp Porsche928S, I have had for decades. It needs work and currently not running but I haven’t given up on the old dog. I once thought of selling it but was jaded by the people who came out of the woodwork and felt none of them deserved the car because they would never appreciate it like I did. I now have a 911 Carrera 4 that is a much better car but that doesn’t mean I’m getting rid of the that old 928S. We had to many years and good miles between us.

Love My V8 Finder of Paths > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 10:58

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Great writeup. I have always loved these rides. Would like to see an SR-71 in person someday

Hayden Lorell > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:01

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Zs, especially Z32s are something special. They’re a lot like FD RX-7s and BMW 8-Series in that they are majorly flawed. However its the flaws that give them so much character and make them so freakin cool to own. You always develop a love/hate relationship with them and some of the best memories I have with my Z car are when it broke lol. Good write up :)

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:05

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And that is how I ended up with 4 cars.

Sorry for your loss. The memories stay. (And oil stains in the driveway, what a mess)

Over the years I bought several cars to drive around a few month and then sell them with a minimal loss (or maximal profit!) and for some of them, I felt like shit when they left my driveway.

For some of them, I still regret selling them. For three of those I have, I can’t imagine selling them, there has been too much blood, sweat and tears involved in repairing them, too much joy driving them, and too many memories attached to them. I know I’m gonna have to eventually let them go, but until then, I’m gonna enjoy the shit out of them!

Travis M. Cotton > Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead. 01/26/2016 at 11:09

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Starred this to get it out of the greys. Also because it was cool.

MallardDuck > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:15

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Don’t worry, it was a non-turbo. Better things are yet to come.

Professor Infinite Scroll Troll, Master of the Blogosphere. > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:16

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needs a bigger spoiler

Ike B > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction 01/26/2016 at 11:16

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Yeah stuff like this is probably why it takes me about 5 minutes to decide to buy a car, and about 2 years to decide to sell it. I have five cars now, all of which I’ll surely sell one day, but not today.

NW_Eagle > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:23

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Well, great. Thanks a lot. Now I miss my E30 again. Who’s cutting onions in here?

I kid, of course. Great post—you really captured that feeling of loss when our old mechanical friends depart.

Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead. > Travis M. Cotton 01/26/2016 at 11:23

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Thank you sir.

Cool, it most definitely was.

Syscrush > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:24

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I had an ‘84 GSL-SE with a street-ported S4 EFI 13B, custom stainless exhaust, RB springs and Tokico shocks lowering it about 1.5", Centerline wheels, tinted windows, etc. That thing was a terrible money pit. Fun to drive, but just not dependable. It was so harsh and loud that I wore earplugs for any drive over 20 minutes. I have no idea how many times it left me stranded before the rear suspension rusted away and I decided to sell it.

I dropped it off with a friend of mine who parts out RX-7's for fun, and at that time I was glad to be rid of it - glad to have all that hassle and heartache behind me. A few months later he told me that he managed to sell it as a complete car before parting it out, and he’d send me a cheque. At the time I got the call, I was just glad to have a (very little) bit of money coming.

Then that night, I had a dream about that car. I had some emotional attachment to it that I wasn’t even aware of.

REO Jackwagon > Meatcoma 01/26/2016 at 11:30

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It might be tilt-shift photography, which is intended to create that effect

JaredTheGeek > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:41

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I always loved the looks of the 300z

1995droptopz > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:43

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I still miss my 1995 Z28 convertible I sold about 7 years ago. I had owned it for 9 years, the longest I have ever owned a single vehicle. Problem was I was always concerned about keeping it really clean and nice, so I put less than 20,000 miles on it over the 9 years I had it. By the end, it had just depreciated a bunch, needed more work from sitting, and I didn’t truly get to enjoy it as much as I could.

Moral of the story: Drive it to the ground and never sell anything.

wiffleballtony > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:52

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I have had remorse of losing much worse cars.

CaptDale - is secretly British > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:54

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Makes me really want a Z again....

silenceofthemuffler > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:56

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Open hatch - so much possibilities..

silenceofthemuffler > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 11:58

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LongRoof68 > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:05

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Finally I realize I’m not alone. My wife and I have 5 cars. I never want to say those horrible words, “I never should have sold it.” With that said, I know I’m missing out on so many other driving experiences. We should start a therapy group...Maybe we just did! Hang in there brothers!

REO Jackwagon > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:06

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Koopa Troopa > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:15

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It’s tough. I sold my loyal companion of 1.5 decades not long ago. I replaced it with a newer sports car so that eased the transition.

But you’ll enjoy the MR2. It is a fantastic car and I’ll gladly buy a 4th gen (if they’ll ever make it) so long as it is anything like the 2nd gen you’ve got. Mid-engine is the way to go.

iChopStick > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:17

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Was it the turbo version?

dannyzabolotny > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:34

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I feel like this with selling my 2003 BMW 540i/6. It’s such a nice car, but I just don’t drive it as much anymore. I have a 750il that has become my daily driver, it’s a lot more comfortable and the V12 feels super nice.

OhAlbanianKar > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:35

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I sold my 300ZX 4 years ago, and I never knew how much I have missed it until I visited this shop specializes in 300ZX. They constantly have more than a dozen 300ZX’s waiting in the shop to be dyno’d, tuned, upgraded, or simply maintained.

Steve in Manhattan > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:51

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Should have bought one of those instead of an SHO in 1997. Still, I missed that sweet little V8 when I sold the car in 2001 and moved here.

Surprised that a car with that sort of power didn’t have a timing chain, just a belt. Nissan can be weird sometimes.

Jonee > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:54

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Well said. We’ve all been there, and it never gets easier to sell a good car. I’ve owned around 50 different cars and I think I want at least 40 of them back.

Johnny Leanos > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 12:56

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Chasaboo > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 13:05

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You’re better off for it. It’s just a Tool’s car.

BimmerBlinkerUser > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 13:06

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This is why I deliberately make mental notes about the negative experiences I have with each car. It seems like we tend to remember our old cars more fondly than they actually were.

prizrak > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 13:08

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Z31 Turbo > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 13:18

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They tried to warn us in the 80s: Once you get inside a Z, the Z will get inside of you.

In all seriousness though, the Z cars really do get inside of you, they have always been great and amazingly fun cars. I’ve driven plenty of more powerful, better handling, much faster cars, but none of them compare to a Z car, any generation. They truly do get inside of you!

QCGoose > AspenRS 01/26/2016 at 13:20

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Agreed. It’s just such a clean design. Other than the T-Top feature, I’d pretty much call the Z32 “ageless”. Over 26 years old and it still looks phenomenal.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 13:50

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Always sad to see a car go, but you can always get another one. I was sad to let go of my Cayman, but they are common enough that I will always be able to find one in a given price range.

Will you have just the MR2 now?

Deletham_Tomalak > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 13:58

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As a fellow Z owner I feel your pain. For every frustration these cars give you remember the twenty or thirty fantastic moments provided.

SP23 > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 14:05

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Friggen dusty in here.

NeedforSwedeNYC > Ike B 01/26/2016 at 14:19

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YES! This has been my MO for the last 4 years. most of my free time and “play money” was spent buying cars. In the past 4 years I’ve bought 7 cars and sold 2. Well, thats a lie. One was totaled and the other was eaten by rust so I turned them into parts...which now live in my basement...and my parents garage. I can sell them anytime I want...its just that one is the daily driver, one is the summer car, one is the dog’s car, etc, etc...

KingPiggums > Meatcoma 01/26/2016 at 14:25

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DoF is a beautiful thing. Look up tilt shift photography for more. It’ll make you question reality.

Nauraushaun > Meatcoma 01/26/2016 at 14:40

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The magic of filters

Nauraushaun > fintail 01/26/2016 at 14:40

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Huehuehue

Nauraushaun > MikeyEvo 01/26/2016 at 14:42

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The FD came a few years later too. Things changed a lot between 89 and 93, the Z was one of the earlier cars to step away from the wedgey 80s. I think they did a great job :)

Nauraushaun > Hollywood Speed: I don't know what I'm doing 01/26/2016 at 14:45

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Semi related: I paid a guy to do my window regulator when it went. A fellow Zedder tried it himself and nearly severed his thumb, I didn’t need that in my life.

Nauraushaun > El-Verde 01/26/2016 at 14:46

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No. If my pain is worth anything, yours would be enough to cripple the bravest man

dcs2211 > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 14:47

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Sold my 2000 white Impreza RS coupe a month ago after 13 years and 140k miles, and i still feel terrible. How i miss that AWD and the grunt of that motor.

Nauraushaun > Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever 01/26/2016 at 14:47

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Just the MR2. I don’t have room for more than one car, I don’t like them sitting in the weather. One day perhaps I’ll start down the slippery slope of cheap Japanese cars from the 90s

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 14:47

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I had the very same remorse when I sold my Z32

Out of the 14 cars I’ve owned it’s the only car I ever regret selling.

I’ll have another one day and I’ll keep it forever.

There really is something magical about these.

Nauraushaun > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 01/26/2016 at 14:51

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Never take them for granted! It’s something we only think about in times like these. Even the shitty cars tend to earn a place in your heart.

I did a few years ago, after I crashed my first Z32 (that was some pain I tell you), before I had this one. It was awesome and dripping of 80s. I’d have kept it longer but it wasn’t in such great condition.

Nauraushaun > TheCraigy 01/26/2016 at 14:51

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I’m trying I’m trying

Nauraushaun > Jonee 01/26/2016 at 14:52

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Fifty!? I’ve had 5! I don’t know how you get through the day.

66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 14:54

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I long for a car with as much 80s appeal as one of those (always wanted an R30/R31 RS Turbo), sucks to hear about the crash, good luck with the MR2!

Nauraushaun > Kat Callahan 01/26/2016 at 14:56

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That’s because they’re all over here ;) Australia gets quite a few grey imports from Japan. This Z is Aus-spec, but my MR2 is an import. It’s comforting to know there are still some Zedding around the motherland :)

You do. I’m from southern Victoria. Have you been?

Nauraushaun > Supreme Chancellor and Glorious Leader SaveTheIntegras 01/26/2016 at 14:57

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I’m waiting with bated breath

Nauraushaun > 66671 - 200 [METRIC] my dash 01/26/2016 at 14:59

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Those are damn cool, especially the hot plate lights and the huge TURBO stickers on the side. Thanks!

Nauraushaun > The-Ever-Socially-Apathetic TBAL 01/26/2016 at 15:00

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Very nice!

Nauraushaun > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 01/26/2016 at 15:00

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There really is. The feels bro

Nauraushaun > wiffleballtony 01/26/2016 at 15:01

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Same. It’s a pain you can’t avoid

Nauraushaun > CaptDale - is secretly British 01/26/2016 at 15:01

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It makes me want a Z again lel

Nauraushaun > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 01/26/2016 at 15:02

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Same. I’ve been planning on writing a post on why they’re better than everything.

Nauraushaun > d15b 01/26/2016 at 15:02

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Definitely

Nauraushaun > REO Jackwagon 01/26/2016 at 15:06

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I’m no photographer. I don’t know what you’re talking about

Nauraushaun > dcs2211 01/26/2016 at 15:06

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Good luck with the feels :(

Jonee > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 15:07

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Tell me about it.

Nauraushaun > NeedforSwedeNYC 01/26/2016 at 15:07

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Sounds like you have a problem on your hands. And I’m grape jelly I am

Nauraushaun > AspenRS 01/26/2016 at 15:10

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I really agree. I think they do a great job of being unique and interesting, without being offensive or garish. I was taking the rubbish to the bin outside a few days ago, after I’d signed its life away but before the buyer came. I caught myself staring at it, trying to appreciate its beauty while I could. *le sigh*

Nauraushaun > Zed's dead baby, Zed's dead. 01/26/2016 at 15:11

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DAMN, that’s glorious. I’ve owned a Z31 which is closer to this in a lot of ways, I’ve always loved these too. I love those tunnel gauges in the dash, for some reason the Z32 was the first Z to lose those. The condition looks excellent!

Nauraushaun > Love My V8 Finder of Paths 01/26/2016 at 15:11

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A...what?

Nauraushaun > Love My V8 Finder of Paths 01/26/2016 at 15:11

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Thanks!

Nauraushaun > Wolc *grammar nazis go f*** yourselves* 01/26/2016 at 15:12

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We’re on the same level bruh

Nauraushaun > Chasaboo 01/26/2016 at 15:12

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You’ve never owned one I see

Nauraushaun > T off the New 01/26/2016 at 15:13

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I don’t know what you’re saying I just filtered it using Aviary I’m sorry. The pics here are from my folder of phone wallpapers that get rotated through, I had to jazz them up since I look at them all day :)

Nauraushaun > OhAlbanianKar 01/26/2016 at 15:14

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Every car needs shops like this. There’s one in Melbourne that specializes in Zs, I took the Z31 there for RWC when I sold it. I got some awesome pics of Zs laying around in a huge dingy area under a building, places like this are awesome

Nauraushaun > Karfreek 01/26/2016 at 15:16

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That’s fantastic. Quite a strange design, very much of the late 80s. I’m sorry for your loss.

TwoFortified > Nauraushaun 01/26/2016 at 15:18

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...and this is why my cars will be sold by those that survive me. The S13 ain’t going anywhere. The R32 sure as shit won’t go anywhere (I’m as likely to be buried in it than I am to sell it) (Don’t have it yet. Still saving them ducats). The S12 I want to buy, the RX-7 FC I want to buy, the Mark 3 Supra I want to buy, those won’t go anywhere either (including, in all likelihood, my garage. It’s fun to talk about buying a billion cars...I kind of doubt it will be fun to actually do).

Anyway, sucks man, but I’m having trouble dredging up sympathy. You shouldn’t have sold it. If, for reasons, you had to sell it...well, I can be sympathetic to that.

Nauraushaun > 1995droptopz 01/26/2016 at 15:19

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That’s a shame. I’m sure you enjoyed it as much as you could. You say you didn’t drive it enough, but I’m sure every drive felt more special since you didn’t drive it every day.

Unfortunately life always intervenes. And keeping a car that life is telling you to get rid of is pain in its own way. One day we’ll all be old and retired and we can waste our time and money on what we want!