Thursday Link Dump

[clevermanka]

Today's dump on cm.net.

Meant to get so much done today, including a post for history3_trapped about Hong Ye but instead I've been running about town (with a morning trip to a nearby town) because mckitterick decided we need a new car. Which we do, absolutely, despite the fact that there are currently five four-wheeled vehicles registered to an individual at this address, along with three and a half motorized two-wheeled vehicles (the half being an electric bike). We are absolutely Those Neighbors and if we lived in the country, yes they would all be parked in the yard.

Never expected this to be my life (my father doesn't even change his own oil--he doesn't know how and doesn't care to and that's how I am too, tbh), but here we are. I'm waiting on the couch while he tries to talk the dealership in the nearby small town down a couple hundred dollars.

If anyone's curious:
A 1966 Chrysler Newport (was running briefly, "needed something" and is now not running)
A 1969 Chevrolet Chevelle (my promised, currently strewn in pieces across the garage)
A 2005 Chrysler Crossfire (computer went out in November, still waiting on parts bc discontinued limited production car)
A (mid-2000s) Subaru Forester (in dire need of being put to pasture--the passenger door doesn't even work)
A 1995 Honda Civic (currently our best car which is Just Really God Damn Sad)

I'm not even gonna guess at the two-wheeler years, but there's an Aprillia racing scooter--the kind that looks like a tiny motorcycle (wrecked), a repro-retro Vespa (currently sporting a flat tire), and a pre-1970s BMW motorcycle.

Looking at that list and saying "we really do need another car" is such an American thing, but... we really do need another car right now. Especially since he's looking at going down to Houston again next week and I have my doubts about how many times the Civic is gonna survive that trip.

Hmmmmmm, I was kinda hoping that writing this would mean some sort of action on the "are we driving back to Linwood to get that car," front, but...

ETA: We're off to go get a car!

Comments

[naye]

Good luck with the car purchase! It really does sound like you need another one.

[clevermanka]

Thank youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu It's amazing how much the word "functional" when added to vehicle descriptions changes things. /o\

[rlyqueer]

whispers That's So Many. But that poor Civic, shouldering everything on its own right now! Best of luck finding a solid new car, they really do make all the difference.

[clevermanka]

It's So Many

So, so many /o\

Thank you.

[doctorskuld]

I wouldn't even count the '66 Newport or the '69 Chevelle (I LOVE the look of that car, by the way) as cars you actually own, because they're classics, and they're not really cars that you own and use, so much as they are project cars that you work on and occasionally take out on short spin on a nice day.

Having a functioning car that you don't have to worry about makes such a difference. My first car I bought in 2006 was an old '82 Nissan Fairlady 300ZX, and I couldn't drive it more than 60 miles in Los Angeles without worrying about it overheating, and this was after I had the radiator replaced. Finally the alternator died, and it was too much to replace it, so I opted for a 2006 Scion xA that actually worked, and wow, what a difference that made. I felt like I could actually go places and take trips without worrying about whether or not my car would die on me.

I'm glad you have a Nissan Juke, they are fun little crossovers, and Nissans are decently reliable cars.

[clevermanka]

I kinda agree about the vintage cars...especially since the Chevelle is in literal pieces. There's a picture somewhere of me crouched under the rear end, trying to blowtorch out a frozen bolt while sporting an absolutely perfect manicure. And thank you! The Chevelle is one of my favorite cars, and the '68 (sorry! I mistyped the year bc apparently my fingers are used to typing a sex joke?) is my favorite year. And yes I did slip a sex joke past the DMV when I applied for a personalized plate for it mwah ha ha ha.

My first car I bought in 2006 was an old '82 Nissan Fairlady 300ZX


I love it when people make even occasional concessions to good sense when it comes to car purchases. I just love cars and we're a vanishing breed, I think. (seriously if anyone ever wants to talk car design...)

[doctorskuld]

I had no idea that both you and Boni were car people too, and that makes me SO HAPPY.

And yes I did slip a sex joke past the DMV when I applied for a personalized plate for it mwah ha ha ha.
Now you have to tell me what your plate is. XDDDD

Oh man, the 1982 300ZX was such a bad choice, but I really, really wanted it. I mean, a T-top roadster with pop-up headlights...WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?

Driving around with the tops down during the LA summer was definitely a pleasure. I really, really miss it.

I always keep an eye out for nice cars in parking lots and on the road here in Sweden, and since we're near Gothenburg it's quite sad that every other car on the road is a boring Volvo. *sigh* When it's spring and summer it gets a little more interesting, as Sweden has an American vintage car culture, so as soon as it gets warm, you'll start seeing 50's Bel Airs, 70's vintage Chargers and Camaros.

[clevermanka]

Perhaps someday when I am not screaming with Boni about tragically beautiful men in emotionally wrenching dramas I will scream with her about cars.

The plate is a reference to my favorite sex joke we'd make during the show I used to run at our local Renaissance festival (good times!).

So it's a '68 Chevelle, and the plate reads: I O U 1

and the joke:
"How about we go back to my place and 68? That's where you do me and I owe you one."

HILARIOUS. NEVER GOT OLD.

Scandinavia has a sizable Rockabilly population (says the former Rockabilly girl) so it doesn't surprise me that the car culture there is pretty healthy, too! That's awesome!

[doctorskuld]

Perhaps someday when I am not screaming with Boni about tragically beautiful men in emotionally wrenching dramas I will scream with her about cars.
They're dropping the trailer for Fast 9 on Jan 31st, so that is as a good time as any for us all to scream.

"How about we go back to my place and 68? That's where you do me and I owe you one."
HAHAHAHAHAHA, okay, that's a great one!

Scandinavia has a sizable Rockabilly population (says the former Rockabilly girl) so it doesn't surprise me that the car culture there is pretty healthy, too!
Oh yeah, that's where it comes from. I don't know why on earth Scandinavia of all places would have a Rockabilly thing, but...*shrug* There you are.

[clevermanka]

I drifted away (HA!) from the franchise as the stunts got less... I don't want to say realistic, but you know what I mean? The last one I saw was Fast Five and I'm not sure I'll dive back in BUT I will talk cars ANYTIME! =D

[subtlegrey]

Number of vehicular-type objects is meaningless if they don't reliably start and run. SO HAPPY you might be out of those particular woods!

[clevermanka]

YES