My automotive year in review

"interstate366, now In The Industry" (interstate366)
12/28/2018 at 11:00 • Filed to: None

My year started off inauspiciously, with my stable being a TSX and two Preludes, only one of which ran and drove at all. I don’t drive the other one much either anymore because it makes my back cramp when I do. (I’m only 32. I’m too young for this.)

The only time the 3rd gen was out of the garage in 2018.

In February I went with my friend to the Richmond auto show. There we saw a whole bunch of stuff including my first Civic Type R sighting. (We’d see another one later that day.)

I think the Si sedan looks more sensible. Especially in blue.

I quite like this BRZ.

The TSX was due for a major service in March, and the fine folks at Crown Acura gave me a loaner 2018 TLX FWD V6 for the day. I wasn’t impressed, though I loved the Bellanova White Pearl paint.

The TSX was a good car, but I can’t say I miss it. Had some good memories in it, though.

A few months later, I took the TSX back to the dealer for another service (getting a wheel stud replaced and an electrical issue that had developed since the previous service). I was given another 2018 TLX loaner, this time with SH-AWD. I liked it a lot better.

Around the same time, I experienced a major personal loss as well as got a significant pay raise. These, combined with the enjoyment I got from the AWD TLX, caused me to start car shopping. By the end of July, I’d traded in the TSX in, and, aided by the cash I had been saving for a ring and a vacation but was no longer going to be used on those things, I brought home a 2012 TL SH-AWD.

I get a lot of hate for trading a manual in for an automatic, but it really is a fun car even with only two pedals. A more valid question would be why I traded in a car that gets 30 MPG for one that gets 20 on premium, but still, I bought the right car.

Later in the year I went to a couple car shows...

Cars & Coffee Richmond

Japanese Classics fall open house, not long after the R33 became importable to the US again

I love JZX90s

R32s are not a particularly rare sight in Virginia, but GT-Rs are still cool to see.

...and attended the first NASCAR cup race on the new Charlotte Roval.

This was my second time in Charlotte in 2018, the first time going to see Lana Del Rey in January.

I met aperson for the first time at the Japanese Classics show (despite us being in a group chat since 2016 and living less than two hours from each other), bringing my total of Oppos met to a whopping 3.

He took better photos than me. I’m not ashamed to admit it.

Also got my first ever speeding ticket in November. I launched the TL from a red light, not realizing there was a cop right beside me. No, it wasn’t an unmarked car. Yes, I deserved it.

DISCUSSION (11)

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/27/2018 at 21:15

What I really learned from this post...

...you need a first, second, and fourth generation Prelude.

Also, the TL is still handsome.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
12/27/2018 at 21:27

I’ve owned 2 4th gens. One was totaled and I bought the second one with the payout . I sold it to my stepbrother when I bought the TSX in 2017.

scoob > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/27/2018 at 21:28

I met aperson for the first time at the Japanese Classics show (despite us being in a group chat since 2016

Hey this group chat sounds pretty cool

arl > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/27/2018 at 21:46

Sorry for the personal loss. It was a year like that for me as well.

Nice Acura.

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > scoob
12/27/2018 at 21:56

Kinja'd!!!

Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now) > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/27/2018 at 21:57

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a clean one tbh.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/27/2018 at 22:29

I was at the Roval too! Best race I’ve seen at Charlotte

interstate366, now In The Industry > Bman76 (hates WS6 hoods, is on his phone and has 4 burners now)
12/27/2018 at 22:31

They’re few and far between, but they’re out there. My second one was long past its glory days, but 5-6 years ago it had lots of rare parts.

interstate366, now In The Industry > arl
12/27/2018 at 22:31

Thanks. Hope you’re doing all right.

interstate366, now In The Industry > jvirgs drives a Subaru
12/27/2018 at 22:34

It was my first time at any track other than RIR (or I guess RR is its name now). I liked it. NC in general has a slightly different vibe than VA. People seemed nicer, smoking was more frequent in public, etc. It’s about the only state I’d consider moving to.

jvirgs drives a Subaru > interstate366, now In The Industry
12/27/2018 at 22:41

That was the first NASCAR race I’ve seen outside of Richmond. I’ve done a few IndyCar races. I literally bought my ticket that Friday night and hopped in the car the next morning haha