I think I decided on a car.

When I get my tax return (I'm nearly positive I'm getting a return), I'm going to fix the Escort and trade it in. I'm going to be looking for a nice used Miata. Either a first or second generation, I like them both. I wouldn't mind a 3rd (current style) but one that new is probly going to be out of my budget. The only major requirements are relatively low mileage and a 5-speed. As far as color goes, the only colors it was available in that I don't care much for are white and yellow. A black, red or silver one would be ideal.

I'm not looking to mod it, it's going to be more of a driver. Even at that point, I'm going to be more likely to bike to work. At least I'll be able to enjoy the nightlife again. And be able to more efficiently get to places that are not work. I'm not going racing with it. I might do some minor body mods and maybe change the stereo.

I will be looking specifically at buy here-pay here type dealerships as my credit is about shot. I actually want to buy one from a dealer instead of a private seller because that will help my credit.

Last night was not the same drag

It was the drag I used to do. The kind I grew up with.

The roar of the engines. The smell of the gas, alcohol and burning rubber. The display of brute horsepower at it's finest.

I'm talking about drag racing.

My neighbors invited my to go with them along with another neighbor and her daughter. My neighbor runs his truck in the bracket races. For the uninitiated, bracket racing is about consistency, not speed. It is possible to have the slowest car on the track and win. Though I do have to say speed makes it more exciting.

I must say, I have the itch once again. When I was younger I raced my first car, a '69 Olds 442. I rebuilt a 455 for it and did some pretty serious modifications to it. My initial plans for my Beetle were to make a nice full custom show car. But it does have an 1835cc with dual Webers, ported heads and a 3/4 race cam. Harvie is a fast little one. The other thought is to race the next daily driver I purchase. My neighbor runs a Ford Explorer. It's not very fast, he still has a good time with it.

I'm not the only one that got the itch. My neighbor's daughter, she's 11, wants a Jr. dragster. Jr. dragsters are cool. Kid size rail dragster with a very modified lawn mower engine. They go almost as fast as the big boys. Or should I say girls? There were more little girls driving these little racers than boys, at least twice as many.

Was quite a few ladies racing last night too. I must say I was impressed. I'm wondering if the future of drag racing is going to turn to something female dominated. Horsepower is the ultimate accessory.

But what about your friends?

All my life I have had a preference toward small 2-door cars and sports cars. And every now and then I'll get asked "but what about your friends?" Today one of my students brought up that they saw me riding a bike. I said that I didn't have a car but would soon have one of those new Smart cars. Then another student chimed in with "but what about your friends?"

My answer has never changed. I buy cars for me, not other people. My friends can get their own cars, I'm not running a taxi service. Seriously. I'm not married, have no kids, live alone. I don't need anything bigger that a small economy car. Most of the time I spend driving, it's just me in the car. I know I sound at least a little selfish, but I don't care. For me a small car is the way to go.

I have run into a snag in getting the Smart

My credit is not very good. Smart can't finance me and now I'm trying to find someone that will.

I talked to my mom about it, she said someone should be able to do something for me because my grandfather had 7 judgements against him and he was still able to get a car loan. I reminded her that the loan was for a new AMC Gremlin and that things have changed since the '70's.

Hey, I'm getting smart

Actually I'm getting a Smart.

Dealership called while I was at work, it's due for delivery in Jacksonville on the 24th. The on it's way to the local dealer after that. I've only been waiting on it since December.

My first new car, I'm so happy!

And nearly out of debt too!

I'm thinking about selling my Escort...

...And getting one of these.




It's a Sachs MadAss. What's really appealing to me is that it looks like a mountain bike with a motor strapped to it.

Riding my bike to work is time consuming and tiring. Taking the bus is just time consuming. I have to catch a bus at 6pm and my shift doesn't start until 11pm.

Pretty sure I killed the fuel pump on my Escort

Was out running some errands today when suddenly my Escort wouldn't start. Turns over but no starting. Started checking around and found that the fuse to the fuel pump was blown. After a quick run to the autoparts store, I replaced it. Tried to start the car and it blew again. So I have a bad fuel pump. I'l have to deal with that in the morning. My roommate was able to give me a ride to work tonight with her mom's truck, but can't give me a ride home. So in about an hour when I get off work, I'm biking it home. It's a good 20 miles. Can't say that I don't need the exercise.