My Dad Bought A Buffalo. What Would You Buy Instead?

"Taylor Martin" (tjmartin) 11/03/2020 at 15:14 • Filed to: None

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Not this exact buffalo. Allow me to explain:

My dad is dating a fine art connoisseur (you know, the fancy collectors who think everything has a meaning). Well, his girlfriend had been eyeing a painting of a buffalo, and as a suprise my dad bought it for her. All fine by me...

Until I was told it cost $ 13,000 dollars. That’s enough money to buy like ten project cars and to a college student like me trying not to spend 13,000 dollars a year, that came out of left field.

So here are my questions to you Oppo:

If you were handed 13k right now to buy something (or some things), what would you invest in?

Or if you’re not in the mood to buy cars, how about this:

What art (automotive or otherwise) might you fill your home with if you had 13k to blow ?

Thanks Duck Duck Grey Duck for enlightening me with this site, I’ll be spending quite a while on it today: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! There’s some cool stuff on here in case you want to try and find cars that way.

Post many pictures please, I want to see all the art and learn about all the project cars/actual cars (13k is enough to invest in the Kandi K27 after federal tax cuts, while still having 3k to spare... I’m watching that car with great interest). Who knows, maybe looking for car art will keep your mind off the gloom and doom of this election (if I could drink, I would be).

Take care!

A Boy and His Longtail > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:16

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You could start a balling Lemons team for that

lone_liberal > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:19

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I don’t know if it counts as an “investment” but a nice crate engine and maybe some paint would be my purchases if we rule out silly things like saving it, paying off debt, or actual investment. 

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:21

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Buffalo? Sure... just have to Bait-and-Switch him over to a real buffalo.

feather-throttle-not-hair > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:21

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S2000, there’s one on my local CL for 12.5k that needs a new top. 

vondon302 > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:21

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Half way to a nice garage. 

Maxima Speed > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:21

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Down payment on a house.

For Sweden > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:22

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I don’t know NP or CP until I know how large that painting is.

Arrivederci > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:23

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If I had $13k show up in my bank account today, I’d set aside funds to turbo the Miata and put the rest in my investment account.

Mid Engine > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:24

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Spend all of  it on weed, stay baked until January 21st?

WilliamsSW > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:26

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Not enough money, but I think I could scrape together another $10k and buy this:

https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/oldsmobile/442/2361003.html

Then when I saved a few more pennies, I would replace the Jetaway with an M21 or Super-T10.

CobraJoe > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:26

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I’ve been wanting a small lathe and/or mill for quite some time now. $13k would be a huge budget for the amount of room I have, nearly CNC level of money.

Seriously though, I’m going to buy one of these once my project money account gets big enough.  Hopefully I can get it delivered for under $1000.  That’ll be a fun thing to learn on.  

E90M3 > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:28

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I’d replenish what I just spent on a ring, then probably spend the rest on doing the rod bearings in my M3, for peace of mind. 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Maxima Speed 11/03/2020 at 15:28

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This is a good answer.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:29

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2 years ago I went on a 30 day vacation, and it cost m e about 6 grand, so I’d go on a 2 month vacation to somewhere tropical and isolated.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:29

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I already have a big chunk of change set aside for future car down payment. Can I add this to that? If so, Mustang GT350 goes from stretch goal to downright reasonable purchase.

If I can’t combine it with existing funds, hmm. I could pretty much do everything I wanted with my project Volvo wagon with that money (junkyard ford 8.8 rear, used T56 trans, Volvo V8 engine, nice radio, reupholster the seats, get the body sprayed). So that’s probably what I’d do with it.

Otherwise I might do something really silly like import a Lada Niva because why not?!?

DC3 LS, Fuck Hyundai, now and forever > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:31

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If we’re talking strictly investing, half in Bitcoin and half in XRP.

Not actual investing, El Camino and upgrades!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CobraJoe 11/03/2020 at 15:31

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I’m looking to buy one in maybe the next year or two, once I get the garage finished (should mostly be complete this fall) and I also recoup some funds in the project account.  I was thinking one of the Grizzly “Gunsmith” mill/lathe combo units.  It’s got a 36" throw lathe, and a mill head, and could pretty much do everything I think I’d need it to do. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:31

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Also, is anyone else disappointed that his dad didn’t buy an actual, live buffalo? I know I am. 

punkgoose17 > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:33

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Isuzu Bellett Sedan

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:34

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A used Mazda 3 and some body work on my Datsun 240Z. 

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:36

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LMAO you’re welcome!!! Well since Zimmer is the whole reason I was on there...I would low ball at $13k and buy THIS!!!

https://classiccarsbay.com/for-sale-1983-zimmer-golden-spirit-in-monroe-new-jersey-18586

Cash Rewards > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:36

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Can I buy an actual buffalo?

OPPOsaurus WRX > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:37

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a new pool liner

A gas powered off road gocart ($10 00)... for my son of course

An Allroad ($4 000)

“Moral Support” for the Allroad (remainder )

TheRealBicycleBuck > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:38

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Ya know, Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.

And if you don’t understand what I’m saying : https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buffalo_buffalo_Buffalo_buffalo_buffalo_buffalo_Buffalo_buffalo

Taylor Martin > For Sweden 11/03/2020 at 15:38

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All I know is it’s 6 feet long. It was too big to store in his place. However, the real kicker is it’s an oil painting with minerals sprinkled in before it got coated with finisher. I’ll take a picture of it tonight, but it isn’t your average watercolor.

Taylor Martin > CobraJoe 11/03/2020 at 15:40

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Looks rather industrial! Which is something I know very little about truth be told. What kinds of projects are you hoping to use it for? And maybe a better question, what exactly does it do haha

Taylor Martin > Maxima Speed 11/03/2020 at 15:41

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The equivalent for me would be about 20 months of rent (10 if I’m not splitting it with my roommate). Still, great answer.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:41

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THIRTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS? How long have they been dating?

SBA Thanks You For All The Fish > For Sweden 11/03/2020 at 15:43

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Knowing you?  I figured it would hinge on more details about the GF...

PowderHound > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:43

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An actual Buffalo or two?

nerd_racing > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:43

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I’d have to go with importing a Eunos Cosmo.

Or a 4wd Early 90s Mazda MPV.  

ibRAD > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 15:43

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That sounds interesting.

Taylor Martin > A Boy and His Longtail 11/03/2020 at 15:44

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The most expensive cheapest team ever made haha.

I almost went to the Lemons Block Party this year, had a team lined up, but didn’t because I ended up on a VERY professional team and... well I didn’t know enough to be of any actual help. They were all about the real racing experience and were contenders to win the whole thing (I’m not sure how they did). The leader of the team, Jay, sunk in a sizeable chunk of change to get the team going, but I don’t know if it was 13k (maybe over the course of many repairs and such).

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:46

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13 grand on a girlfriend...

She really  puts the con in connoisseur

My bird IS the word > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:47

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On a car? 90s trans am. 13k would also be just short of what I would need to get the body totally restored on my T/A, so realistically that.

But TBH that 13k would go to my loans, so I could move out, and hopefully get a caterham 7 later.

For Sweden > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:50

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That’s a NP on a painting larger than anything I would buy

CobraJoe > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:51

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That top one is a mill/lathe combo, so it can spin the material it’s cutting, or spin the tool, or possibly both? I’m not completely sure, I know they’re more expensive than I was wanting to spend, especially for my uses as a hobby tool .

The mini lathe I posted at the bottom is what I’m planning on getting. It’s basically a standard metal lathe, but small enough to fit on a bench top. That will give me a lot more precision on some of the things I need to finish for my big project, and maybe let me do some side projects like shift knobs.

Sovande > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 15:52

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I’d invest it in an IRA.

Just Jeepin' > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 11/03/2020 at 15:54

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I think after two months I’d be incapable of leaving.

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Just Jeepin' 11/03/2020 at 15:55

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Yeah. that’s kinda the idea....

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ibRAD 11/03/2020 at 16:01

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They are cool little machines and you can do a lot with them.  

ItalianJobR53 - now with added 'MERICA and unreliability > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:08

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Base C5 + drift build...should be about 10k, so 3k reserved for tires!

Jb boin > OPPOsaurus WRX 11/03/2020 at 16:12

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The moral support is a second one for when the first will break ( your heart) ?

CobraJoe > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 16:12

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I completely wrote off the mill/lathe combo units from my consideration because I assumed they’d be too expensive, and I guess $1600 isn’t horrible for the low end model, but it is bigger and twice the price.

Someday I might upgrade, but I’ll take my time learning on a cheaper machine first.

After all, so many reviews of these tiny machines keep saying that “The best lathe is the one you have”.  

promoted by the color red > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:17

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I’d get a quality paint job and bodywork done to my Volvo wagon and enjoy that thing.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:26

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what would you invest in?

I’m confused, I thought I was supposed to spend it on cars.

If I did have $13k to drop on vehicles I’d be off to Arizona or California on the next flight to buy a squarebody Suburban . Then I’d buy a car trailer for a few grand. Then I’d find something fun for shits and giggles with the remaining cash and drive home.

Pickup_man > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:27

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The dreamer in me would either spend it on parts for my ‘50 F3, or buy a, or several, motorcycles.

Realistically I’d put it in savings and add it to the house down payment which I’ll need here in 6 months.

Mark Tucker > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:31

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Thirteen grand?

First, quickjacks. Second, a free-standing carport to cover our newly paved side yard. Third, a Tamiya Bruiser RC truck, because I’ve always wanted one.

All t hat is about $5k, which would leave me with $8k to look for a period-correct tow vehicle for our trailer. Gotta be some cool mid-Sixties iron available for that, right? Fury or Galaxie or something? Doesn’t have to be perfect, just able to tow...

jeepoftheseus > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:32

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Car-wise? I’d spend around $4,000-5,000 on my TJ (regear, lockers, odds and ends) and then spend the rest on an MGB GT/repair fund. Instead of the MGB I might find the cleanest manual 350Z in that nice blue they came in that I can and add that to the fleet. I believe that both of those will at least break even over time if you take care of them.

I could also be responsible and hand it off to our financial dude... but you can’t drive a stock portfolio.

BigBlock440 > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:37

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Thanks Duck Duck Grey Duck for enlightening me with this site, I’ll be spending quite a while on it today: https://classiccarsbay.com/ There’s some cool stuff on here in case you want to try and find cars that way. 

https://classiccarsbay.com/2019-nissan-frontier-svnissan-of-st-albans-355304

I guess a 2019 Frontier could be considered a classic?

Future next gen S2000 owner > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:38

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I’d buy a stuffed albino buffalo. I have no idea what it costs as I’ve only seen one.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CobraJoe 11/03/2020 at 16:44

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Absolutely, I think the best machine is whatever you have, so long as it’s servicable. We had a really cheap chinese mill  in the race shop when I was doing FSAE that couldn’t hold a tolerance worth a shit. I had a friend who was a machinist in the University’s space systems lab, and I asked him if he had any thoughts, he came over to our shop and did a bunch of routine maintenance that had been neglected, and then shimmed up a few things and did a few other tweaks, less than an hours worth of work, and the thing was amazing after that. 

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:48

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Right now, it’d be a new roof, windows, furnace and A/C for the house, as well as some repairs to the concrete drive, which needs some of the areas replaced. Anything left over, I’d update the kitchen and bath.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 16:50

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A Porsche Boxster driveline to fit into our VW T4 Transporter dual cab....

ibRAD > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 16:55

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I am. It looks like he could have got about 10 calves for his 13grand.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ibRAD 11/03/2020 at 17:00

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My uncle was an investor in a buffalo farm for a while. Every summer he would get a huge hunk of meat (like 20+ lbs) as part of his dividends. So he’d get his spit out and roast it and have a big cookout. It was awesome!

CobraJoe > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 17:00

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I have already been looking up some vids on how to set them up and improve accuracy. With a little care, I should be able to get results a lot more precise than I’ll ever really need.

Also, I’m jealous, FSAE wasn’t an option when I was in college, and mini-baja seemed a little half-assed.  

ibRAD > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 17:02

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Nice!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > CobraJoe 11/03/2020 at 17:02

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My school ran both teams, but I only did Formula. Baja looked like fun, but also significantly less interesting or challenging.

My cousin is a gunsmith and does some awesome stuff with a really cheapo lathe that he’s setup and modified (I can’t remember what brand it is).  

Snuze: Needs another Swede > promoted by the color red 11/03/2020 at 17:09

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This is what I’d do as well.  Fix up the Jankwagen. 

Captain of the Enterprise > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 17:42

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I’d pay off my car which has $2, 700 left on it, then pay off my credit card debt which is about $2,000. I’m in college and am in my last semester and am unemployed right now. So I’d save the remaining $8,300  for now and would use it to help keep me going until I get a job and can afford to move out. 

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 17:55

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Even with recent used car prices creeping up I think I could get a good  fiesta s t for that kind of money.

just-a-scratch > CobraJoe 11/03/2020 at 18:05

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I was looking at those mini-lathes pretty hard for a bit. I didn’t pull the trigger though I found this website pretty helpful.

http://www.mini-lathe.com/

There are bunch of different upgrades for them too, like upgraded metal (not plastic) drive gears.

smobgirl > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 18:37

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Wow. That would get me another Abarth and maybe a few big preventive maintenance items on the Camryvan...

Or fix pretty much every major problem with my house at the moment. Not all of them, but all of the most pressing ones.

CobraJoe > just-a-scratch 11/03/2020 at 19:35

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Thanks for the link, I haven’t found it before, and I was struggling to tell the difference between all of the options.

I know there’s a ton  of upgrades, but I was going to hold off as long as I can, I already have a few money pits in the garage.

Taylor Martin > For Sweden 11/03/2020 at 21:16

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Actual Picture of the Buffalo:

Taylor Martin > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 21:19

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I was a little disappointed my dad hadn’t bought a buffalo too, but they’re kind of endangered so I would feel bad eating them.

Can you seriously get 10 real baby buffalos for 13k?

Taylor Martin > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 11/03/2020 at 21:20

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Two months away from the world sure would be something... something marvelous.

Taylor Martin > OPPOsaurus WRX 11/03/2020 at 21:21

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Yeah, a gocart... for your son... I mean, you’ll never use it, that things for kids anyways...

Interesting choice on the Allroad, but from the looks of it you’d have enough “moral support” to keep yourself sane haha.

Taylor Martin > Pickup_man 11/03/2020 at 21:22

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Smart move, but there ain’t no shame in dreaming.

Taylor Martin > Snuze: Needs another Swede 11/03/2020 at 21:24

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I mean hey, if you’ve got 13k to spend, why not a Lada? Though I have massive respect for your Volvo project, that sounds like a lovely wagon you put together.

I’m not a huge modern muscle guy, but the GT350 is nothing to gloss over. Very nice.

Taylor Martin > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 11/03/2020 at 21:25

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I’ve been single my whole life... It’s much cheaper that way.

Taylor Martin > TheRealBicycleBuck 11/03/2020 at 21:26

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The English language makes no sense. That’s why I’m getting a degree in it.

Taylor Martin > jeepoftheseus 11/03/2020 at 21:29

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You can’t drive a stock, but you can stock up on cars that you know will depreciate in value. One is much lower risk...

Taylor Martin > Mark Tucker 11/03/2020 at 21:31

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That sounds like a big brain move man. Get a garage without getting a garage. As for a period appropriate tow truck, I don’t know enough about them to know of any 60s trucks that could tow other heavy cars, you’ll have to enlighten me on that one haha.

Taylor Martin > BigBlock440 11/03/2020 at 21:32

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Uh... yeah... 2019 feels like 20 years ago, so I guess it’s a classic back when things were normal?

Taylor Martin > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s 11/03/2020 at 21:33

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You’re right, the wording was odd. Invest meant spend on either art stuff or car stuff or both.

So you’d be getting a tow vehicle, and a new project? Sounds like a fun adventure, and I’m sure the 13k would help pay for accommodations and gasoline of that fuel chugging chonker.

Taylor Martin > Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! 11/03/2020 at 21:34

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I don’t know why, but I really like the horns on the front. Bring back exterior horns please! I want to see the toots!

Taylor Martin > Captain of the Enterprise 11/03/2020 at 21:35

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Incredibly smart. What are you studying, and where do you think you’ll end up with your degree?

Taylor Martin > WilliamsSW 11/03/2020 at 21:36

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It’s a little out of your price range BUT it’s certainly pretty!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 21:36

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On the other hand, my wife just brought me home  Cinnabon, so it works for me

Taylor Martin > My bird IS the word 11/03/2020 at 21:37

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Lots of smart people who initially want to spend it on cars, but then realize they’d actually put it towards a stable life. Still, nothing wrong with dreaming of a C aterham later on.

Taylor Martin > smobgirl 11/03/2020 at 21:38

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I’m not sure I’ve heard of your Camryvan project. Is it a Camry camper or something totally different?

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 21:38

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I don’t know, but that’s what ibRAD said. Seems legit to me. I think a full grown cow is worth about $5k, so I imagine calves are worth less money, so 10 for $13k doesn’t seem unreasonable .

Also, they are endangered in the wild, but not in captivity, if that makes sense. As I understand it, farms raise them, but they couldn’t just release hundreds or thousands of buffalos into the wild, because the ecosystem has adjusted to having significantly fewer buffalo, and it would tip the balance the other way.  So they release a few, slowly building things back up in the wild, while also slowly building up the farm, and then eating the balance that aren’t needing.  It’s basically a win for everyone!

Taylor Martin > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus 11/03/2020 at 21:38

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Ah the joys of home ownership...

Taylor Martin > E90M3 11/03/2020 at 21:39

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Rings are that expensive?!? Holy moly, marriage is a scam (totally kidding, and I’m super stoked for you, but that’s pricey).

Taylor Martin > nerd_racing 11/03/2020 at 21:41

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I like those MPVs, they’re good for multiple people lol, but the Cosmo is absolutely beautiful.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 21:42

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Well right now the wagon is janky , it needs a lot of work. I’m trying to finish some house projects in the next couple weeks, and then I’ll be able to jump in with both feet.

Like many of us, I like odd cars, and I like old soviet bloc jank as well, so a Lada would be fun.

And the GT350 would be a hoss. I might do a Camaro SS, that’s more reasonable (about $10k less). I don’t know, but I do want to get something new in the next 6 months or so.

Taylor Martin > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 11/03/2020 at 21:42

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Like five  months... and started while he was in the middle of the divorce process ...

I’m just as surprised as you are.

smobgirl > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 21:43

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Lol, sorry. It’s actually a 2003 Sienna that was converted to a camper  and I just call it the Camryvan because it is by far the dullest beigest vehicle I’ve ever owned. But it’s also absolutely perfect for what it is and I’ve put 20k miles on it this year without a second thought. 

Taylor Martin > Mid Engine 11/03/2020 at 21:43

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I don’t know much about druuuugs but I feel like 13k would get you either 1.) a couple months of some legendary doobies or 2.) a lifetime’s worth of mediocre grass.

Taylor Martin > Cash Rewards 11/03/2020 at 21:44

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I mean, if you can find one for 13k

Taylor Martin > vondon302 11/03/2020 at 21:44

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The garage is one’s safe space. I can’t wait to have one so I can work on cars in private/nobody can see me botch it up.

Taylor Martin > punkgoose17 11/03/2020 at 21:45

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Outstanding choice.

My bird IS the word > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 21:58

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I have a plan, provided absolutely nothing goes wrong.

E90M3 > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 22:09

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They can be expensive, I opted to get something she would be happy with for life and not something we’d upgrade later. While it was a good chuck of change, I didn’t spend 13K but it almost touched 10k, she's a doctor and I'm an engineer, so it's not something that'll finically ruin us.

Captain of the Enterprise > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 22:14

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I’m a public health undergrad major. I will probably get a masters degree in the future but want to work and move out ASAP after graduating. I want to work doing something related to mental health. I like doing research so that would be really cool. I’d like to stay in Michigan too, 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 22:22

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Well, I hope that painting ends up in their shared home at some point, I guess?

Hey Dad, don’t blow it all on this chick, m’kay...?

For Sweden > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 22:23

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Great execution

Mark Tucker > Taylor Martin 11/03/2020 at 22:26

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We have a 1966 Aristocrat travel trailer. Weighs about 2000 pounds. I keep thinking about what sort of cars would have towed it when it was new, and something like a Ford Galaxie seems most likely.

And we already have a 2 car garage, but 4 cars plus the trailer...