Has Anyone Else Ever Bought a Car Without Driving It?

"Jay Lauer" (thefaultinourcars) 02/23/2014 at 21:03 • Filed to: None

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Because I have, and the curiosity is killing me. If you have, I'd love to hear the stories.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:07

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I just bought a prepped lemons car and the only times I've driven it so far is loading it on and off the trailer...

dogisbadob > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:07

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Not me, but someone I know, bought a car from one of those curbstoners. He wouldn't let you drive the car, so he drove it. What he was hiding was that the speedo and odometer didn't always work.

getchapopcorn > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:09

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Interesting conjugation there

Carl (@stuffcarlsays) > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:10

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Bought a 1991 Saab 900 Turbo that sat for 3 years out of a guy's yard some time ago... 4 years ago, if I remember correctly. Car hadn't been driven, only started. Ended up towing it home, threw a fresh battery in it, removed the rusty exhaust system and took it right up on the I-95 into Maine after rattling all the windows in my neighborhood. (Used to live right off Exit 7 in Portsmouth, NH)

Drove that car for 4 months before the cooling system erupted and took the rest of the motor with it.

daender > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:13

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Yes, sadly, three times by my parents. An HHR that was an ex-rental my parents bought at night so they didn't see all the scratches, also my mom refused to test drive it and later complained she was uncomfortable driving it (she's quite a character, trust me ). A 1983 El Camino my dad bought with a supposedly "rebuilt" V6 that was done on the cheap and began a blackhole before my dad sold it after 6 months, still a good-looker. Finally, the '02 Miata I drive currently, didn't test drive it long enough to know about the worn out shifter boot, the shuttering clutch, and the rust inside the gas tank.

Pixel > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:13

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Yes & yes.

Though I paid $1000 & $500 respectively, so it was a reasonable risk in both cases.

Clown Shoe Pilot > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:18

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boughten?

LeadfootYT > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:18

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Bought my Sixer site unseen in WV, drove down, and drove it straight back up 400 miles to Vermont. It was one of the greatest memories I have, and it remained the solid car it was promised to be despite some slight mishaps - after about 3 hours of driving, the clutch master would plug up, so you would lose the clutch (I got it fixed in VT after I returned, but luckily we did the return trip in two days).

Still, helluva time and the best long-distance car anyone could wish for. And turning back to look at it at rest stops, parked next to the field of blandness that is the modern automotive production, gave and still gives me the best feeling in the world.

404usernotfound > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:20

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My dad got his (and now my) Infiniti I 35 on eBay. First drive was when he went to pick it up. It had like 60k at the time, now has close to 140,000 and still going strong.

Dsscats > daender 02/23/2014 at 21:22

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*Facepalm*

vdub_nut: scooter snob > getchapopcorn 02/23/2014 at 21:23

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It's a PA dutch thing.

HammerheadFistpunch > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:24

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I bought my cruiser long distance, i had to do some work on it that was unexpected, but i had a high degree of confidence that they i bought it from was trying to give me the whole truth as he knew it, good and bad. It wasnt a bad experience at all...aside from transporting it

Slow4o > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:25

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I bought my SVT Focus from New Hampshire sight unseen without having driven it. The only other SVT I had driven was at a dealership in town, and I literally took it around the block, but I was buying it more based off what a lot of people told me about its characteristics, so I believed them. I PayPal-ed a guy from one of the Mustang forums to go check the car out, and he reported back to me that everything was good with it. Next week I wired the money and it was put on a trailer to bring it down here. The only problem really was a small rust spot on the passenger door which I still need to take care of (I need to look up how to), but besides for that it was a great (and most likely really lucky) experience.

getchapopcorn > vdub_nut: scooter snob 02/23/2014 at 21:25

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Used interchangeably with the adjective?

lonestranger > Clown Shoe Pilot 02/23/2014 at 21:28

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Yeah, I don't think that I've ever "boughten" anything.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:29

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yes and no. I drove a 2008 and a 2014 WRX at dealer #1. They wanted to play games and waste a couple weeks of my life arguing over a few grand (which is a lot of diapers and other baby stuff) so I went the next day to dealer #2. They asked if I wanted a test drive. I said I don't want to waste anyone's time and lets just make a deal. They did. The first time I drove the car was to go home. I had been talking with dealer #1 for a couple months. My truck was in the shop getting a new engine and I was interested in an 08 WRX w/ 65000 miles for $18,000. At first since they are sooooo rare they said they wouldn't negotiate. Two weeks later they said they could knock $200 off for me. Two weeks after that it was $1000. My wife said no to the used and I should go new even though it was above budget. Not having my truck for 3 months was very frustrating especially for her since I was taking her Escape to get to work and back. So I got my truck back, went to dealer #1 and said forget the 08 lets talk about the 2014 base model. They started with the same thing they are sooo rare blah blah blah. I said I dont want to go through this again and they said said they wouldn't deal. I went to Dealer #2 the nest day and ended up getting the premium for 1000 more than I would have the base model at the first place. It never felt so good to tell someone they shouldn't play games when dealer #1 called back a few days later asking if I was still interested. My first 5-speed hatchback rocket!

vdub_nut: scooter snob > getchapopcorn 02/23/2014 at 21:29

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It's a verb.

CAcoalminer > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:30

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Gun Metallic Gray 2009 Nissan GT-R Premium Edition in December 2008

and

Midnight Blue Metallic 2006 Ford GT (4 option car) in January 2006

You can probably guess which one still maintains a place in my garage.

getchapopcorn > vdub_nut: scooter snob 02/23/2014 at 21:31

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Yes, I can see that. I was asking if it's used interchangeably with the adjective "boughten" or if there were another word for the adjective.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > getchapopcorn 02/23/2014 at 21:34

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Use it in a sentence as an adjective please. I'm just lost now.

Bandit > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:34

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My first car. I bought my trans am without driving it (my dad did around a block once without me). When we got it home the steering column broke and I wasn't able to drive it for 2 or 3 months until I bought a new column.

getchapopcorn > vdub_nut: scooter snob 02/23/2014 at 21:37

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v - v - adj

buy - bought - boughten

of or having the qualities of being store-bought, as opposed to homemade

Similar progression from v - adj as below

forget - forgot - forgotten.

Jay Lauer > CAcoalminer 02/23/2014 at 21:37

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Holy Jesus man.

Well I've driven the GT, but not the GTR. But oh my god, the GT is a hairy chester man's car.

Jay Lauer > getchapopcorn 02/23/2014 at 21:39

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Fuck me, you guys know your Shirley Method

Jay Lauer > HammerheadFistpunch 02/23/2014 at 21:41

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PT Cruiser?

Jay Lauer > dogisbadob 02/23/2014 at 21:41

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I have a hard time believing one couldn't look over and see that not working

Jay Lauer > OPPOsaurus WRX 02/23/2014 at 21:43

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Nice! As much as I disapprove of buying new or buying from a dealer, it's always great to tell dealermen to shove it.

Jay Lauer > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 02/23/2014 at 21:44

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tales of a true Jalop.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:49

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I would have bought used but I went through hell with my truck and that had a huge influence to buy something new so that I wouldn't have to go thought something like that again. I didn't really know where else to go. If it makes you feel better, even though dealer #2 was much better I hated buying from a dealer. I love having a new car but hate paying for it.

HammerheadFistpunch > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:49

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Land Cruiser.

gamefreak32 > CAcoalminer 02/23/2014 at 21:50

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One day I will own that exact Ford GT. That wheel/color/stripe combo is my dream car. It matches nicely with my Mustang and dad's F350.

Jay Lauer > OPPOsaurus WRX 02/23/2014 at 21:51

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Well you could do my method of strictly buying fixer-uppers of the Doug DeMuro approved 'unreliable car with CarMax warranty option'

Bought the car in the picture straight up with cash, done deal, no payments.

Jay Lauer > HammerheadFistpunch 02/23/2014 at 21:52

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Thank god. Pheew

JasonStern911 > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 21:53

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I bought my previous RX-8 from a dealership that was going out of business without test driving it. However, I had looked at RX-8s prior, and the one I purchased only had 3,800 miles and the remainder of its factory warranty.

Jay Lauer > JasonStern911 02/23/2014 at 21:57

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As a former RX8 owner, I try to deter anyone I can from buying them. Hated that piece.

I'm sure yours was great, though.

JasonStern911 > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:02

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Good man.

Excluding the motor, transmission, ECU, coil packs, motor mounts, starter, heater switch, and sun visors, it was great. The happiest days were the day it was first dropped off at my door, and the day a dealership was stupid enough to give me a solid trade in value for it.

CAcoalminer > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:04

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Yeah the GT definitely does take some getting used to. The standard tires are terrible in the cold and being supercharged means the car has plenty of power to make the rear step out at any RPM. However, the steering and braking is incredible even by modern supercar standards and the manual transmission is an absolute peach.

Compared to most people, I actually really liked the GT-R. The traction and speed it could achieve was simply incredible. In fact, because the car in its stock form is so quiet (save for road noise), then I would consistently achieve triple digit speeds without any drama at all and that's what I think most people dislike about it. It truly is a car that, to me at least, never really feels like its trying. I could time and time again throw it in to corners at speeds that I thought were way too fast and yet it would just stick and go. It was simply amazing. However, I soon grew tired of the, in my opinion, excessive road noise and entirely too stiff suspension even in its "comfort setting" and used the car as a down payment for a McLaren 12c.

How was your experience with the GT?

midnightautoparts > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:05

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A few times. My record was when I bought a 1993 GMC Jimmy. I saw them unloading it off of the transporter. I bought it and drove away 15 minutes later.

CAcoalminer > gamefreak32 02/23/2014 at 22:12

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If you work your tail off like I did, I have no doubt that it won't be long until you own one. However, hopefully you can get yours at a much younger age than I did so you have more time to be young and enjoy it. Do you prefer Midnight Blue Metallic (first post) or Mark II Black (below)?

promoted by the color red > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:16

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Yes. I live 75 miles away from my family who brokered the deal through the people trying to sell cars via my uncle's gas station.

I read enough 1990s Car and Driver magazines to know that the Acura Integra GS-R is/was the hot ticket and I would be a moron to basically pass up a unicorn (adult driven, low mileage, and otherwise unmolested). So I picked that one.

Yeah, the car was pretty filthy and managed to gain an extra 4,000 miles, but it's been lots of fun without any real surprises.

Jay Lauer > CAcoalminer 02/23/2014 at 22:19

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My experience was fast.

It was a friend of my dad's car because I can you can see, I drive things like 9 year old Subarus. A lot of it felt surprisingly familiar. I've driven lots of Mustangs, and there was a lot of similar feels. The seats were surprisingly not as comfortable as I hoped, and the width of it was insane. But the motor was just a train, and everything else was so easy about it. Light steering, light clutch, easy gear changes.

I completely see why values haven't gone down. There's nothing in there that's outdated, even today. No stupid 05-era technologies. I can't honestly say I wouldn't spend my money on a F430 or a Pantera, but I'd be completely happy spending my money there.

gamefreak32 > CAcoalminer 02/23/2014 at 22:23

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Midnight blue. Didn't notice the black one in the background.

Conor Flynn > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:24

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I recently purchased a Mazda B3000 pickup without ever driving it.

It was about the time it was being dropped off on the back of a Flatbed that I thought, "Hey, Maybe this was a bad idea."

Best of luck bud!

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:32

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Did someone say stories?

Here are the cars I bought without test drives, some even non-running:
Porsche 944 S:
http://apidaonline.com/index.php/arti…

Mazda RX-7 FD
http://apidaonline.com/index.php/arti…

Mercedes S500
http://apidaonline.com/index.php/proj…

Let me know what you think.

Jay Lauer > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 02/23/2014 at 22:35

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Haha I've read these. I talked to you on your M cars post about flipping Subarus and Bimmers.

B_dol > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:35

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My Scion FR-S, bought it the first day they came out in 2012. Deal fell through and I was on the waiting list so I scooped it up before I even knew how to drive manual.

evil2win > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:35

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Back in 1996 when you accessed the internet via dial-up modem I was searching the country for an odd car. My wife wanted a minivan, but not just any minivan; she wanted a Toyota 4wd LE van. It had to be 4wd. I lived in Mendocino California, and found just the van my wife wanted advertised on the internet for a reasonable price. Though the van was in Albuquerque New Mexico. Me and the seller exchanged emails. He had the van checked out and scanned and emailed me the results. I agreed to buy it, and he agreed to drive it out to me in exchange for a plane ticket home. So he drove out stopping to camp in Yosemite, and the like along the way. He shows up in Mendocino and I paid him, gave him his plane ticket, drove him to a hotel near the airport, and continued to drive that van for the next 14 year racking up the odometer to almost 250,000. I used it to haul around the kids and their friends till they all grew up, then I stripped out the seats and use as a work truck for years. All in all it was a great experience.

Dusty Ventures > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:39

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I bought my desert truck without so much as seeing it in person.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:39

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Yup, I remember! What was wrong with this Legacy you bought?

Jay Lauer > B_dol 02/23/2014 at 22:40

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Jesus, that's dedication. Did you have to pay extra to have one early?

Jay Lauer > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 02/23/2014 at 22:41

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This.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:42

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EJ255 block?

Jay Lauer > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 02/23/2014 at 22:44

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It's the 2.5 turbo from the STi. I really don't the know the alphabet soup of Subaru engines. The whole thing is already fixed, just waiting on a throwout bearing so I can put it back in the hole.

Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:46

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Sounds good. Hope you got it for a steal.

Matthew Keyser > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:47

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Yes, Yes I have , I know what you mean, the curiosity is torture

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

XJDano > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:48

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$750 MK1 GTI

I have another MK1 GTI so this one was to be for parts and stuff, but it ran and drove, I drove it home, got a windshield installed, had a shop install tie rods because I didn't have the right wrenches or something, then ti only turned left when I went to pick it up. Stayed at the shop for a couple months, I bought a steering rack for it, and it has sat at my house since about April 2011. Other GTI is sitting at rental house is pieces as well.

CAcoalminer > B_dol 02/23/2014 at 22:51

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How have you liked your FR-S? I ask because my son is trying to decide on a car for his 16 year old son and the FR-S/BRZ is one of the options. Ofcourse, my grandson, being the young, testosterone filled male that we all were at some point, wants my son to give him his C63 Black and just buy something else but that's not likely to happen. Personally, I feel like 200 hp is enough for him to have fun but not enough for him to get in too much trouble.

Mathias Rios > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 22:53

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My current project car, my 1982 924, I didn't drive it before buying it. I drove it a little afterwards though.

Jay Lauer > Freddy "Tavarish" Hernandez 02/23/2014 at 23:01

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A supreme steal. I'll disclose all the details after it's been sold.

shop-teacher > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 23:03

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I bought a '93 Legacy wagon at a small rural auction house several years ago. I at least got to inspect it and sit in it, and I saw it run up to the auction block. It had new tires and a manual trans, so I figured $600 was worth the risk. It was a good solid car to teach myself to drive stick in. Definitely got moneys worth out of it.

icyhot > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 23:09

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Ordered my 2009 335i 6mt without test driving it, or even knowing how to drive stick. Learned stick on a friends 328 for about 15 minutes. 8 Weeks later my car arrived and I was able to drive it home from the dealer without stalling once. Getting out of my neighborhood on the steep uphill we have was a different story the next day.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/23/2014 at 23:13

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Oh shite, you ordered an MP4-12C? WE HAVE ROYALTY AMONG US!!!! Seriously though, let us know how it is.

Santiago of Escuderia Boricua > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 23:34

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I may have a caged rolling lemons car without an engine coming in the near future. Depending on price you can take a chance

 > Jay Lauer 02/23/2014 at 23:43

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I have but I only bought it because I needed a rust free body.

Ferrero1911 > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 00:50

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Yep. Bird and I have a Lada in Estonia. We'll have owned it a full year before the first time we drive it. We'll be taking it on a road trip through Europe.

Here's the story

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

And check out our Facebook page to get the updates: https://www.facebook.com/restoroadtrip

Ferrero1911 > Ferrero1911 02/24/2014 at 00:53

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Also, I bought my Abarth without driving it. I preordered it without knowing how to drive a stick. I signed the papers, drove it around the block and then Bird drove it home for me.

911e46z06 > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 01:44

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I ordered my Z06 before I drove one. I pretty much read the performance figures on the press release, drove a thousand mph to the nearest Chevy dealership wearing nothing but socks and boxers, crashed my car through the window of the showroom, and just started tearfully screaming gibberish and throwing money at everyone wearing a name tag.

They knew exactly what I wanted. I was like the third guy that afternoon to do that.

It worked out fine.

B_dol > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 02:04

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The FR-S is the first "sports car" I have owned after testing out a 370Z, S2000, Miata, Mustang and the like. It has yet to upset me in its value for the price, agile handling, gas mileage, and great platform capable of being a true daily driver and canyon carver. Since it is not the fastest car on the block, it teaches you how to be a better driver and enjoy a car for the experience it offers, not solely the 0-60 stats.

Not to mention, the aftermarket has taken a liking to it. So in the event your grandson wants to make it "his own", there are plenty of routes to go. The BRZ has a bit more exclusivity and creature comfort built into it (now equivalent to the Scion "Monogram Series"), which is nice.

Happy to answer any other questions you may have.

B_dol > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 02:06

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Luckily the dealer was offering it at MSRP, half the reason I jumped at it so quickly. It was neat driving it around for a couple months before it became more commonplace.

Buying a 1st generation, 1st year car is a risk no doubt. I am happy it has worked out well so far.

evil2win > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 02:43

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I realizes that I double posted and tried to delete it, but no luck... So here's a Cadillac

Echo51 > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 03:26

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I sure did. Started it up and had it running for a short while, checked it all around for rust and the like, then 1 year to rebuild it :)

CAcoalminer > B_dol 02/24/2014 at 07:06

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Thank you very much for the information. I'll call up my grandson today and see if he has any questions. I hope you continue enjoying your FR-S.

CAcoalminer > 911e46z06 02/24/2014 at 07:15

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She's beautiful. I'm assuming that yours is a 2006 correct? Also, is the color Victory Red?

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/24/2014 at 07:21

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Haha. Royalty? Not even close. I'm simply an other gentleman who enjoys reading about car related topics and interacting with my fellow car enthusiasts. I'll be sure to do a short write up on the 12c either at lunch or when I get home tonight.

911e46z06 > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 09:33

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Thanks man. It's actually an '07. Had some waiting-list drama with the first dealership I went to, and after getting jerked around for a few months I got fed up and went through a different dealership, which put me back on the bottom of the list. But yeah, Victory Red. Not usually a big fan of red cars, but it seemed appropriate in this case.

Love your GT by the way.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 10:17

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Good! What is your dd? There is a guy here in LA who has 2, kids and daily drives a Ferrari FF with two car seats in the back for his kids.

quarterlifecrisis > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 10:50

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I bought my TBSS having seen it once. Granted it came from a friend, but still hadn't ever driven it. Had no idea what I was getting myself into.

CAcoalminer > 911e46z06 02/24/2014 at 11:13

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That's unfortunate about the first dealership but I'm glad it worked out for you in the end. Also, thanks for the compliment about the old girl. She's one of the few cars that I have actually considered keeping for the rest of my life.

911e46z06 > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 11:19

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See, that's my problem. I get attached to all my cars and just kind of accumulate more without selling the old ones. I'm up to 11.

BJ > Jay Lauer 02/24/2014 at 13:09

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We bought our Passat wagon without ever having driven one. We sat in one in the back corner of a dealership lot and were impressed with the space, so my wife's uncle bought one at auction for us.

It was a very pleasant surprise when I hopped in and drove it home. So much more comfortable and luxurious than the Golf City we had at the time.

CAcoalminer > 911e46z06 02/24/2014 at 14:46

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Oh wow. See I like cars but I always want to try new and different ones so I keep them for 6 months to a year and a half and then trade them in.

davedave1111 > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 15:44

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I think you should think twice, three times, even more, about buying a 16 year old any kind of sporty car at all. Get him something safe and solid, because he sure as hell won't need any encouragement to hoon the crap out of it.

Let the kid spend a few years learning to drive in traffic, building the reflexes and muscle memory to make it all automatic. At that point he can divert some attention to concentrating on actually driving a car that rewards being driven properly.

It's a shame you don't get the Fiat Panda in the US, because that's basically an ideal first car - slow, but fun to drive and safe, and also quite stylish and attractive. In lieu of that, get a Fiat 500C in red, base model. It's cheap, fun to drive, pretty safe, and it's a small red Italian car so a fantastic knicker-dissolver.

Incidentally, if you go nearly-new on the 500, you could pick up a project Lotus Elan as well for the price of an FR-S. Get the grandson to put in work on fixing it up, and by the time it's done he should be ready for it. Great time to buy one.

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/24/2014 at 19:37

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Alright as promised a few thoughts on my 2014 McLaren 12c. As most publications have hailed, it is the softest riding super car I have ever owned which makes it terrific for my 80 mile round trip commute to the office. In addition, the engine is incredible with very little lag and plenty of power to firmly plant you in your seat. Also, the transmission is brilliant and works as well as the best dual clutches available with near instant shifts. On top of this, fit and finish of body panels and paint are impeccable and the exposed carbon pieces are gorgeous. Downsides? Well the standard Pirelli tires, while good, can get hot and "greasy" quite quickly when being push hard on track. In addition, while the braking performance is world class, the brake feel isn't the best I've ever experienced. Also, while it's not a bad looking car, I definitely don't set up my lawn chair in the garage to admire it like I do my Ford GT or Carrera GT. Finally and most frustratingly, the "IRIS system" can freeze or glitch at times so I guess they're still working out the bugs (though it hasn't had problems since the car's last dealership visit so maybe the problem has been fixed). Overall, I have really enjoyed the last few months that I've owned the car and am considering the 650S as it sounds like it keeps the great parts from the 12c and improves on the weaknesses.

My current daily driver is the 12c but up until about 3 months ago it was a 2011 Aston Martin DBS (terrific brakes, great manual transmission, gorgeous lines, very practical, intoxicating exhaust, terrible gas mileage, frustrating navigation) which I put nearly 40,000 miles on in less than 2 years. I absolutely loved the car but really wish that the engine had more power and I just really wanted to experience something new. Before the DBS, I briefly DDed my RS 4.0 but that was mainly to break it in before I took it to the track. However, by far my favorite car that I ever daily drove and one that I wish I had kept was my 1964 Aston Martin DB5 that I bought way back in '67. It may not have been reliable but it was just a wonderful little (by today's standards) sports car.

I'm glad to hear that the gentleman in LA enjoys the 12c so much that he has gone and bought himself two. It truly is a unique vehicle. However, I question his choice of an FF as a DD. If I was personally in that position, I would probably buy an RS7 but happily all of my children are out of the house so I get to buy fun cars.

Sorry, if I didn't cover everything but if you have anymore questions feel free to ask.

CAcoalminer > davedave1111 02/24/2014 at 19:43

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Thank you for the recommendations but I'm not the one purchasing the vehicle, my son is. Also, having vacationed in Italy (mostly around the Lake Como area in Bellagio) I saw quite a few Fiat Pandas and personally I don't think they are very stylish or attractive but that's just my opinion.

davedave1111 > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 19:49

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Honestly, it's not what you or I think is attractive that matters. Small red Italian cars are what women think are attractive and stylish :)

Trust me on this, I grew up on one of these:

All the girls loved it.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 20:11

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No, you covered everything, thanks so much! It will be fun and interesting to see how it lasts over time and miles.

CAcoalminer > davedave1111 02/24/2014 at 20:53

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I guess I'll have to take your word for it. :)

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/24/2014 at 20:57

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Your welcome and your definitely right about that. It seems to be quite well made and I already have over 6,000 miles on it and its still going strong so we'll see. If I end up keeping it past 20,000 miles, I might write an update.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 22:11

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One more thing: Pics? Pleeeeeeaseeee!

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/24/2014 at 22:45

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I'll see if I can dig some up. If not I'll post some quick iPhone photos.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/24/2014 at 22:49

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Thanks for being one of the cool supercar owners! Also, is the Ford GT as good as I imagine it to be?

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/24/2014 at 23:50

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No problem. I've been very blessed in life and love sharing what I have with others. Here's what I found. Not quite the professional quality of my GT picture but they're ok. The paint is called Carbon Black. I hope you like it.

As far as the GT, it's probably better than you could imagine. Honestly one of my favorite cars ever produced.

Edit: I don't know why the pictures didn't post. I'll work on it.

Edit #2: I'm having trouble getting the pictures to post. I'll work on it more tomorrow. Sorry I couldn't have them up tonight.

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/25/2014 at 00:13

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Hopefully the images are viewable this time.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/25/2014 at 00:24

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Wow, what a gorgeous car! Congrats!

sonoflp500 > Jay Lauer 02/25/2014 at 02:55

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I have lived in Japan since 1988. In 1991 Honda confirmed they were releasing an open top, mid-engine kei-car but did not release any pictures. I knew right away it was the car for me, went to our local Honda Primo dealer and paid a 50,000 yen (~$500) deposit sight unseen . I arranged the loan and when my car arrived I did all the paperwork then drove it off the lot for the first time. I drove the Beat for ten years and never regretted it for one second.

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/25/2014 at 10:10

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Thank you.

Dsscats > CAcoalminer 02/25/2014 at 10:20

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It's also great to find someone who actually drives these cars rather than just tucking them away

CAcoalminer > Dsscats 02/25/2014 at 10:42

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Yeah the way I see it, if you're going to own them then you might as well enjoy them.

DasWauto > CAcoalminer 02/25/2014 at 12:32

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Great choices in cars. I just made you an author on Oppositelock, in case writing something a little more formal strike your fancy.

If you ever need any help getting this site to work, just let me know.

Cheers.

CAcoalminer > DasWauto 02/25/2014 at 12:46

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Well thank you very much. However, I doubt anyone would want to read an older gentleman's views on his cars. Also, my writing abilities pale in comparison to all of you savvy writers.