Well, that was interesting. (Bonus Toby inside)

"ImmoralMinority" (araimondo) 04/03/2020 at 20:35 • Filed to: None

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Took Toby and Mrs. IM on a little road trip to Sacramento to look at a very cheap Mazda3 manual. I found what I expected, a shady flipper selling cars of questionable provenance. It was amusing watching him try to explain why the fan for the climate control didn’t work. Some of you were suspicious of this car when I posted it earlier, and you would not have been disappointed.

The car looked good when you stood back from it, but a closer inspection revealed serious issues.

The pictures really don’t do justice to how off the hood was and the size of the gap , and don’t show the imperfections and drips in the paint . My guess is that this car had a serious collision at some point. A hard no. But worth the trip because we needed to get out of the house because we were getting stir crazy. I know many of California’s prettiest books and crannies, so we took the opportunity to visit one along that San Joaquin river where I knew no one would be.

This is the George Hatfield Recreation Area outside of the little town of Newman, California, near Hilmar. This is a dairy and farming center, and this little park is one of my favorite places to stop and find a little peace. It is perfect for that purpose. No one but us was there, as the park is remote and parking was closed, even though the park itself is open. So we parked one rural road and walked in. Toby enjoyed himself, and came within a breath of catching and killing a squirrel before the creature escaped down a hole. It was ad close as he has ever come, so close that Mrs. IM averted her eyes to avoid the impending horror. But alas, it was not to be, and the rodent lived to tell the tale.

Have one of my favorite Tom Petty songs from one of my favorite Petty albums for your time . It is a cover of a Lucinda Williams song from the late 80s.

The album has been largely forgotten, as good as it is. It got no mention in the 4 hour Petty documentary, and was not included in the 2015 high-resolution reissue of his catalog. I think only 2 albums were not included. I highly recommend it, though, it is fantastic. Avoid news and politics these days. Those are worse for your health than Twinkies. That shit will rot your brain. Hang out with a dog. You’ll be happier.

Nibby > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:36

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damn that’s like tesla levels of panel gap

pip bip - choose Corrour > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:41

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“ Hang out with a dog. You’ll be happier.”

spot on

CB > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:45

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One thing I've noted is how fit you keep Toby. Good stuff, a lot of people have overweight dogs, which is definitely not good for them.

fintail > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:48

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Wow, you could see that orange peel and junk in the paint from the moon.  I wonder how badly it was totaled.

412GTI > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:50

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Yep that thing looked too cheap for a reason. Are you thinking about picking up the 6 now? 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:52

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Ozz man has been keeping me company since Im broke dick (almost literally) at the moment . I picked the wrong time to get a groin hernia. At least this one is on the left, I had a right one 12 years ago, so now I'm symmetrical at least.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 20:56

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Your money would disappear from your wallet from repair bills as fast as the dealer would skip town. Nice little area to stop, however. Sounds like a pleasant day out 

Chariotoflove > fintail 04/03/2020 at 21:01

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I was gonna type that I saw the orange peel in that last pic clearly.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 21:11

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Fixed cheap and under the table , forgot to check if various cabin features worked. That fan may never spin again...

SmugAardvark > ImmoralMinority 04/03/2020 at 22:23

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Hey, I know where that is. I’ve got some friends that live right by there. Yeah, I wouldn’t buy a car in Northgate or Natomas either, generally speaking.

InFierority Complex > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 01:13

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A Mazda 3 hatch was a front runner before I went with a 500 Abarth for less than objective reasons. Fun enough, enough space , good looking especially in soul red. Just a good car all around.

If you can find one with the larger engine the extra power is definitely noticeable but probably not needed. I think manuals are pretty hard to come by for that level  but honestly the auto was pretty good. First thing I had driven with paddles which was interesting.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > ImmoralMinority 04/04/2020 at 09:21

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Glad you walked away....sounds sketchtacular...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > ImmoralMinority 04/06/2020 at 17:27

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Wow - that photo of the picnic tables under the canopy...