2014 Resolution: A Car-Related Hobby

"wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series" (wpudvah) 01/07/2014 at 15:13 • Filed to: New Years Resolutions

4

27

First post!

The new year is here, and along with it comes another list of ambitious resolutions. Of course there's the requisite "get into shape/lose weight/eat better," but this year I've decided to include something that I've wanted to do for quite some time now - discover a car-related hobby. Not just the monthly arrival and reading of Motor Trend/C&D, but something tangible .

I'm 20 years old, going on 21 in just over three weeks (!!!). Born and raised in Minneapolis, MN and currently a Junior at Washington University in St. Louis studying Accounting and Entrepreneurship. I'm patiently awaiting word from Enterprise about a summer internship program. Yes, that Enterprise - I'll pick you up (if I get the position!). A college student obsessed with cars, I've always wanted to take my passion to the next level. Thus, this resolution was formed.

Now the question is how do I tackle it. Is this the year I attempt to fully understand how Kinja works? Is this the year I join the formidable ranks of Opponauts? Is this the year I finally stop scrolling and perusing and actually buy that Craigslist gem? It's unclear as of now, but one thing I know for sure is this... 2014: the year of the Jalop.

* Photo up top: dad's 1985 911, my summer DD :) photo cred: my lovely sister, Annie

EDIT: Can now post to Oppo!!! That was quick! H/T to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! !

EDIT EDIT: I GOT THE POSITION AT ENTERPRISE! I'll pick you up!

FlipperB > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 15:37

2

Here's one I wish I'd done when I was your age:

Buy a crap engine. Tear it down. Rebuild it.

Since I now own a Porsche 914 and I've seen the availability of VW parts, I'd recommend an aircooled flat 4. You'll get experience and confidence that will serve you well in the future.

And if the rebuild goes swimmingly, you might have something to sell when you're done. Or drop into a dune buggy. Your call.

911e46z06 > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 15:38

0

Cool car. I have an '87 widebody.

Just gotta jump in man. Spend some money on an e30 or Miata or really anything you love, and go racing.

Stupidru > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 15:41

0

Go to an Autocross event and learn how your car handles at the limits. Replace parts that need replacing and *snap* become a certified Opponaut

BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 15:42

1

Please wait two to three business for a reply regarding the Oppositelock summer internship program, thank you for the continued interest in joining our community!

Nah, I'm kidding, welcome aboard bro! There are few cars that scream Summer to me as much as a Classic Porsche, and those would be a Classic Ferrari, Classic Vette and Classic Cobra, all ragtop. Or a good old hardtop Muscle Car, for all the late night drag racing.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > FlipperB 01/07/2014 at 16:00

0

My family also has a '79 Super Beetle cabrio, which has been with us since 1990. I absolutely love that car. It's the reason I live, breathe, and sleep cars. It could use a little TLC and I REALLLLLLLLLLLLY want it to become my first little project!

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > BlazinAce - Doctor of Internal Combustion 01/07/2014 at 16:01

1

One can dream, right? Boy wouldn't that look great on a résumé.

And thanks for the warm welcome!

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > 911e46z06 01/07/2014 at 16:01

1

* currently accepting donations *

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Stupidru 01/07/2014 at 16:06

0

Sadly, my "car" right now is an 09 Matrix S :/

FlipperB > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 16:06

0

Awesome.

Even though you've got an engine to work on, here's my patronly advice: Buy a Type 1 engine for your first rebuild. That way you can take your time and mistakes won't be ruining your Super Beetle.

When you're done, take the newly built engine and make it the "interim" engine while you pull the Super Beetle's original motor and build it into a monster.

I just spent a ludicrous amount of money getting my stock 2.0L Type IV built into an upgraded 2056cc because I didn't have the experience or confidence to do it myself.

911e46z06 > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 16:09

0

Yeah. Get used to it now. There's never enough money to blow on your cars.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > FlipperB 01/07/2014 at 16:22

1

Would love a practice engine. Wouldn't ever wanna ruin this baby!

jamisparker > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 16:37

2

So what?

Stupidru > jamisparker 01/07/2014 at 16:42

0

What he said. So what? Run what you brung. Autocross isn't all about having the fastest car. It's about learning your car's limits and becoming a better driver, all while having the most fun you legally can in your car

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Stupidru 01/07/2014 at 16:44

0

good point - I'm lucky enough to even have a car. Thanks!

TA4K > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 16:45

0

For a cheap car hobby, go down to your local racetrack and ask to help out. They will probably be delighted to have someone new to put on a flag marshalling point, and motorsport volunteering is great fun. Awesome people, awesome view of the track, and you get to see some awesome cars sometimes. Go along to a couple, meet some people in your area and you might be able to carpool down too.

Source: I have been volunteering since I was 10, I now am 2ic of timekeeping and startline and I do just about every motorsport event throughout the year at my 2 local tracks.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > TA4K 01/07/2014 at 16:58

0

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll have to check out what's in STL this summer and see what I can come up with.

CAFIFTY > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 18:07

0

www.chumpcar.com find a team looking for members nearby and join.

Big Bubba Ray > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 20:28

0

Hey! Glad to see another St. Louis Opponaut, even if you're only here part of the year haha. If you see a loud, rusty, yellow Baja Bug cruising around by Wash U sometime, that'll be me! Say hi!

Mathias Rios > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 20:38

0

Buy a crappy project car! I'm 18 and my current project is an 82 Porsche 924.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Mathias Rios 01/07/2014 at 22:41

0

Sounds sick! Got any pics to share?

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Big Bubba Ray 01/07/2014 at 22:42

0

Hey I'll be around from January 13th through the fall - just got offered an internship position at Enterprise in Ladue. I'll be on the lookout for the Baja! Hopefully sometime before the summer I can find something cheap and jalop enough off Craigslist

Mathias Rios > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 22:43

0

I've got a bunch over at the post I made about it... My 500 dollar 924

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Big Bubba Ray > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/07/2014 at 23:11

0

Very cool, I actually work in Ladue so I'm sure you'll see my car around some time. Good luck with the internship, I've heard Enterprise is a great place to work!

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Big Bubba Ray 01/07/2014 at 23:35

0

Thank you!

FlipperB > wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series 01/08/2014 at 10:47

1

Nice color. We almost match.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > FlipperB 01/08/2014 at 20:41

0

want.

wpudvah: GTI, Super Beetle, now with more 80-Series > Mathias Rios 01/08/2014 at 21:31

1

That's awesome. Seriously making me want to pick up something like that!