20 Years Ago Today

"WilliamsSW" (williamssw) 02/26/2020 at 13:00 • Filed to: Birthday, Happy Birthday to me

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I walked into Patrick BMW and placed an order for a brand new BMW convertible- going through the colors, options, etc and checking almost all the boxes (except for the automatic transmission duh).

Pictured is that car - photo is a year or two old, but the car is still in my garage.

52 years ago today I came into this world. Within about 3 years I was able to identify cars by make and model (So my father claims).

So post car things, or don’t. Whatever.

fintail > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:06

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Happy Birthday.

I’m approaching a similar car milestone - although birthday isn’t for a few months, in about 4 weeks I’ll be at 25 years with the fintail. My dad enabled my car interest, and I think if anything I did pleased him when I was a kid, it was that I could point out the year, make, and often model of many cars by the time I was a teen, as he could do similar.

Here’s a BMW cabrio that was new when you were new:

Nibby > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:09

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happy birthday! how’s ownership been on your E46?

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:09

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Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:11

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Happy anniversary of your hatching. I’m 52 next month (3/28) but don’t have a fun convert anymore. Or a motorcycle.

I blame the kids.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:13

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I’d rather post a Sergeant Pepper reference* .

* SW Williams’ Lov ely Parts Club Bim.

Tripper > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:32

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Wowzers! I knew you had that a long time (longer than I mine) but had forgotten you bought it new! So flippin’ cool.

You gonna get the car anything for the occasion, or just take it for a spin? 

Tripper > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:35

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Also Bravo for the quality of the soft tops on these cars!

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove 02/26/2020 at 13:49

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Lol that’s awesome thanks!

WilliamsSW > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 02/26/2020 at 13:57

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I was conceived shortly after that album came out. Coincidence?  I think not.

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 13:57

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If your  friends don’t support you in your old age, who will?

WilliamsSW > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom 02/26/2020 at 13:59

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Before we got married, I made it clear that the car was part of the package. She hates convertibles, but has never pushed me on it.

I t helps that it's not worth much, and doesn't cost us much, either.

vondon302 > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 14:04

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Congrats on another lap of the sun!

WilliamsSW > fintail 02/26/2020 at 14:05

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Ooh, I love that BMW!

Thanks!

It’s funny how memories of simple little things like that become such fond memories.  My dad still tells the story of me pointing out cars and naming them at a young age. 

And wow- 25 years is a long time with tat car!

WilliamsSW > Tripper 02/26/2020 at 14:07

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Snow today, so nope- it’s not leaving the garage.

I'm getting it new airbags next week, so it doesn't kill me.  Apparently the first replacement was a "temporary fix".

WilliamsSW > Tripper 02/26/2020 at 14:09

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Ha - mine is on its 3rd.  One under warranty (hydraulic failure) and one was vandalized.  Current top is aftermarket and doesn't fit as well as I would like. 

Nauraushaun > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 14:12

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Haha. So about that quality...

Ash78, voting early and often > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 14:13

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Happy birthday!!

I’m still dragging my feet on a new/fun car at 41. I had no money at 25-30 (early marriage) and then kids, you know the rest. Now that I have gone from “no money” to “a little money” in the past couple years, I just don’t need a new car. My practical side keeps winning — and I’d have little time for fun driving anyway, so it’d mostly be a waste right now.

I think my “easy out” here is a project car of some kind for my son and I to work on, which he can eventually drive in 6-7 years.

And I’m sure it will be overruled at that point due to lack of safety :D

Long story short, folks: Buy your fun car as early as you can, then keep it forever so you can say “Depreciation is basically zero, it’s so cheap to own!”

WilliamsSW > Nibby 02/26/2020 at 14:14

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Thank you!  It’s been very good, really.  I’ve always kept up with maintenance, and the only drivetrain trouble I’ve ever had was when the throttle cable went south.   That’s in 20 years and 110k miles.  I’ve spent a few $ fixing things here and there, but not too excessive.  

WilliamsSW > vondon302 02/26/2020 at 14:14

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That’s awesome !

WilliamsSW > Nauraushaun 02/26/2020 at 14:17

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Lol though to be fair I can only fault BMW for the first one. Second was slashed with a knife, and I cheaped out  on the third.

CalzoneGolem > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 14:21

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I’ve got some hazelnut spread for you for your birthday.

TheRealBicycleBuck > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 14:26

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Happy New Year!

WilliamsSW > TheRealBicycleBuck 02/26/2020 at 14:38

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Lol thanks!

WilliamsSW > CalzoneGolem 02/26/2020 at 14:38

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I don’t think they’ll let you back into the US with those 55 gallon drums though

WilliamsSW > Ash78, voting early and often 02/26/2020 at 14:41

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Truth. Get it before marriage, or wait until the kids are out of college. Those are the choices.

I do have approval to replace it with my dream car, eventually.  But that won’t be any time soon (and I have about 25 dream cars so I also have to make up my mind).

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Ash78, voting early and often 02/26/2020 at 14:51

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And that’s why I got the Vette at 25. It’s not the most practical option, but I may never have the chance again. 

CalzoneGolem > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 15:05

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I’ll just fill my pockets nbd

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 15:09

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You remember seeing my fun car - bought right after my son was born. Wife even approves still . And still  have it!

WilliamsSW > MiniGTI - now with XJ6 02/26/2020 at 15:16

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Nice that you’ve still got it- and even better that your son can ride in it!  I can haul 1 child in mine, but then my wife can’t ride (child in rear passenger seat requires the front seat to be all the way up)

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 15:23

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Happy birthday!

Tripper > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 15:34

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Bummer. Happy Birthday! By the way. I had the same “temporary air bag” on mine. Real annoying.

shop-teacher > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/26/2020 at 15:40

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That was very smart of you. I bought my ‘04 GTO when I was 25 for that exact reason. Unfortunately I had the exact opposite experience as you have had, in terms of reliability. It was so bad I went full practical immediately.

I still miss that GTO, even though it was such a pile of shit.

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 15:41

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Happy birthday!  Have a RallyMetro pic.

WilliamsSW > shop-teacher 02/26/2020 at 16:14

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Best picture of the day!  Thanks!

arl > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 16:26

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Happy Birthday fellow 52 year old! Nice BMW. 

Here’s a non- car pic of my old Dynaco tube amp. It’s probably close to 52 years old. With proper maintenance  all us old guys, cars, and amps can keep on running.

shop-teacher > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 16:28

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You’re welcome!

WilliamsSW > CalzoneGolem 02/26/2020 at 16:29

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Sounds tasty?

fintail > WilliamsSW 02/26/2020 at 16:38

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If my dad gave me anything, it’s an appreciation and at least intermediate knowledge of old cars. He also indulged me, letting me get any book or magazine I wanted, along with plenty of model cars.

Time flies, I was 18 when I got the old dear.  Kind of scary to think about :)

WilliamsSW > arl 02/26/2020 at 16:40

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Wow! That is neat!

And yeah, good maintenance is critical for old cars, old amps, and old guys!

Thanks!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > shop-teacher 02/26/2020 at 17:05

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A late friend of my parents did that, except it wasn’t reliability that got him. It was his wife. He didn’t talk to his wife before buying it, and she told him when he got home that they were expecting. 

shop-teacher > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 02/26/2020 at 17:29

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LOL!

The back seat is actually a nice size, and it’s genuinely pretty roomy back there.  The trunk, however, not so much.  

pip bip - choose Corrour > WilliamsSW 02/27/2020 at 03:08

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happy birthday

CalzoneGolem > WilliamsSW 02/27/2020 at 05:13

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Then a bargain is struck!

WilliamsSW > pip bip - choose Corrour 02/27/2020 at 08:02

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 Thanks!  That’s about how I feel