A Derp's random thoughts

"daender" (daender) 01/24/2017 at 22:35 • Filed to: None

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‘02 Miata and a ‘17 86. They’re almost identical in size minus the 86 being a few inches taller.

These are just random tangents my mind has been off of as of late, all of them are related to automobiles.

Pop’s ‘08 Mustang GT has been up for sale for the past month and I’m not really that bummed about him selling it. Both he and I have issues with our left knees and while that Mustang is a fun car, that heavy clutch isn’t great for us in stop-and-go traffic during our daily commutes. I never really had an emotional attachment to it like what I have with the Miata...maybe it’s because we never really did much work on it other than maintenance stuff. We have a potential buyer for the Mustang but I’m worried about the fate of its future owner, not the really the car itself. Buy the sounds of it from pops, a semi-rich father is buying it for his son as a sort-of high school graduation gift and for being valedictorian of his class. However, the son used to drive a ‘02 Mustang GT automatic that he crashed in the rain. His father is going to teach him how to drive manual on this thing? I’m not too sure this is the smartest idea giving a irresponsible young adult 300 hp of go. I’m going to do my part and encourage the father to take his son to an autocross so this kid can learn how to control pop’s Stang.

I thought about a silly idea if I ever won the lottery; I want to buy a Vector W8 and then commission Christian von Koenigsegg to update it with a longitudinally-mounted twin-turbo V8, one-speed hybrid drivetrain setup, refined aerodynamics, lightened body panels, and, most importantly, I would gladly offer my car to be a test subject for his camless engine designs. I don’t care how rare it is, I want to modify one and make it into an 80s futuristic machine that only Koenigsegg would be able to create.

I’m thinking of buying a Scion/Toyota iM once I get my own place later this year (hopefully). It’s going to be an automatic (CVT) since I worry I’m on limited time with my bad knee and it would be nice to have a dependable and easy-to-drive DD that isn’t the Miata. Anyone have one with the TRD lowering springs?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender 01/24/2017 at 22:59

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1. I had a friend who let me drive his ‘09 GT in HS, and that car rarely saw below 100. It’s a terrible car for someone who has already not proven themselves.

2. Have you thought about a GTI with a DSG?

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/24/2017 at 23:08

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1. Pops and I both believe that if I can’t convince the father to get his son to auto-x the Stang in the hope of learning proper car control, then it’s only a matter of time before it’s wrapped around a tree.

2. I’ve made the decision to not buy anything sporty this time around. I’m keeping the Miata so this future DD needs to be not become a project car by any means necessary. That said, I have looked at the Mazda 3 and it offers a lot of performance and interior positives over the iM but I think it’s all down to me test-driving them to make that final call. Also, VW maintenance is not something I want to deal with for a while.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > daender 01/24/2017 at 23:26

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I love Toyota, but most modern Toyota cars only should be bought if driving dynamics is #124 on your list, and reliability is #1.

If non-sporty reliability is in your sights, may I suggest the Elantra Sport? Hyundai has topped Toyota in reliability standings, and their warranty is the best. Also, the Veloster Turbo and Kia Forte SX are decent buys, especially CPO.

NojustNo > daender 01/24/2017 at 23:42

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I went from a manual Kia Spectra to Honda Accord and then a Toyota Camry both automatics to be smart. I was so bored by them that I traded them both away within a year lol. If not a manual model, test drive several cars similar to iM but more fun like a Mazda 3 or Ford Focus hatch

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > daender 01/25/2017 at 07:35

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You really think the 86 and Miata are the same size? The FRS I drove last year just felt huge, like Mustang size, in comparison to my own NB. It might not have actually been much larger but everything about it felt that way. It still drives as nimble as can be and is way smaller/lighter than a lot of other modern things. But I certainly felt like the FRS and the Cayman I later drove were of similar size, both much larger than my go kart miata.

daender > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 01/25/2017 at 20:03

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I meant more in exterior dimensions. I haven’t sat in one in a long time so I don’t remember how different the interior was.

daender > NojustNo 01/25/2017 at 20:10

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Mazda 3 is a good idea. and is certainly in the exact same price range as the iM. I’ve thought about suggesting it to my mother when she finally lets go of her dying Murano but I never thought about getting one myself until you mentioned it! I’m weary on the Focus due to issues with their automated manual transmission and then there’s too-thin paint issues popping up with Oppo FiST owners. I think it’ll be down to 3 vs iM unless I find something attractive in a Kia or Hyundai.

daender > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 01/25/2017 at 21:09

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I have now added the Elantra Sport and Forte SX to my comparison list! It’s going to be a 5-way showdown between similar cars for similar money. The only way I’m going to decide this is to log some miles behind each and every one of them!