Speaking of my sense of taste, I'm opening the flames up in this thread (Because hey, why not hijack the shit out of this thread, eh?)
My Scooby doo is up on the lift at the Subaru specialist here in town. I rent, and can't work on my cars where I am now(I still have my tools and equipment all in storage, so I'm not out of the game). The rust got so bad on the Wagon that it's breaking in two and no longer seems to appreciate being on a lift.
So I have it up there to swap in the new trans that I had in storage (I have 3 more), put in the new axles (I have a collection 8, in new boxes) and brakes (I have about 12 complete brake sets for the car, in the box). I also decided that maybe it's time to swap out the carb for something. I wanted to sit down and do a dual cadron carb setup, but I lack the funds and time right now. So we are looking at installing a single Weber and removing the emissions control stuff.
And I looked at a quote for about $4000.
That doesn't include the new wheels I need to put on (I have to get Wagonwheels (American racing stamped steel) in 6x140 Ford, then punch out two holes for the 4 lug setup. Then I have to cut and roll the fenders to make them fit, and add fender flares. Then the 8 gauge air tank front and rear bumpers, the 8 gauge nerf rock sliders (Because, again, the car broke in fucking HALF) and some sort of paint job.
I'm looking at a serious bill here.
To add: I now commute 135 miles each way to work, and the Subaru is so tired that it tops out at 60mph, shakes like Michael J Fox in a freezer, and spits fire out of it's side-exit exhaust pipe (Illegal in 2 of the 3 states I drive through to get to work). It's a total cop magnet (Which also doesn't help that I commonly transport my own firearms through New York State evertime I go).
So I'm putting the wagon into deep storage, and getting a new car. Looking at some 2000-2004 BMW 330CIs.
So I'm bracing for the uncomfortable threads when I announce such a purchase. Here is a sampling:
"y u no finish cobra?"
"you're always moving from project to project, just finish one and be done with it" (This is gonna be my fuckin' epitaph.)
"I thought you hated german cars?!"
"Oh, you finally bought a car made in the past 20 years lol"
The list will go on.
Project Number #1 for the Celerity Think Tank is well underway. Building a SHTF homestead that me and the ol' lady can finally retire to. I retired last year, and then lost 7 contracts, got hit with monthly $700 electric bills, it's been snowing here everyday since December 23rd (Seriously. I drive a Mustang through upstate NY for shit's sake.) I was named VP at the startup company I have been fostering for over a year, and signed on some new clients for 12 month contracts.
And I used to enjoy showing up at client sites with an 84 subaru with a smiley face on the hood and flames spitting out the side dumps, but I'm starting to think that it's a good idea to work within a certain image. I mean our company has employees now, company cars, an inventory and retail space.
Still undecided whether I'm cutting my hair or taking out my earrings. I really, really do not want to. I'm retired, dammit.