I am not Tom McParland. But that doesn’t stop people from asking me for auto buying advice. Over the years I’ve sold plenty of Honda Fits, a few Civics, and some other things I don’t remember. I even sold myself on a Mazda Miata.
...“rotary Miata”
My coworker offered me an amazing deal on a 996 non-S. Gorgeous car that’s been enthusiast-owned since the day it rolled off the lot. I’ve seen it in action and it’s the real deal.
I left work early on Thursday to take the Miata down for a new top. I asked for a loaner and the dealer let me pick between a 3 or a brand-new CX-5 with all the trimmings.
Since we’re all doing it. No, this isn’t as long & glorious as the rest of yours, but it’s pretty interesting.
it really do be like that sometimes
Me: This old car should be a fun restoration project, I can’t wait to learn new mechanical skills!
I managed to patch the Volvo together until I could get it to a rent-a-lifts where I work and that was where the easy part ended.
I dressed the Miata up for Halloween a few days ago. Yes, I’ll be ordering black number plates once I stop shoveling money at the Volvo. But I kinda want to leave the little fang on. It’s a silly car anyway.
I was too tired after the Hornet move to really tear into the Volvo, so I decided to just remove the floor and really go to town on the clean-up. Gave it a detergent & water scrub followed by a hose down and the final product is way cleaner than it was when I bought the car.
If you thought moving a project car was hard, try moving a non-functioning airframe through town.
I went ahead and ordered the last of the necessary parts to hopefully get the Volvo roadworthy. One upgraded in-tank fuel pump and OEM filter, please!
Not only did the shop refuse to smog the Volvo due to the oil leak, the mechanic is convinced that there’s a misfire, which is not unreasonable.
For a long time I’ve rolled my eyes at David Tracy’s heaps and his various misadventures.
As a follow-up to the Volvo: The CA DMV indicates I need smog certification to register a change of ownership. Is this a physical piece of paper? I don’t recall getting on when I smogged my 2009 Camry because that was electronically submitted.
I agreed to buy the Volvo for $1950 after some minor back-and-forth over the past week.
I didn’t expect to buy a Volvo wagon when I left the house yesterday morning.
The Volvo exists.
Somebody talk me out of this, it’s cheap enough to almost be an impulse purchase. Even if it does shit the bed when the smog tests come around, I can get $1500 back from the state (but it won’t!)
...so enjoy it while you can.
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