Beware the phony "invoice". Some stealers have an official looking document they claim is the invoice, when they actually paid far less. There are websites that can tell you approximately how much tge dealer really paid. Factor that into a "fair offer". ... View more

I lusted after the original when it was new, but as I age, the new one, with reliability and modern conveniences and performance would win out. ... View more

I vote for a more contemporary pair... the Scion FRS (nee Toyota 86) and the Subaru BRZ.   Snappy handling and sprightly performance at a pricepoint many could afford.  I saw the prototype drawings and they would have trounced the Miata.   We can dream.... ... View more

I, too, have a weakness for stray racecars...I have dragged home a couple, and wistfully wished I could have saved many others. (Thankfully, I dont have space for more, or my yard would look like a wrecking yard.) Due to advancing age and a motorcyle wreck, my racing and wrenching days are over. Now I have to release a couple old racecars into the wild myself. A 1964 Aurodynamics FV and a semi race prepped 78 Mazda GLC, sitting forelorn but not forgotten in my race trailer. I will miss them, but as the author illustrates, another lucky soul will have the opportunity to start the cycle anew. ... View more

I have found the joy lies within the challenge. Driving a slow car fast is much more satisfying than driving a fast car slowly. I agree, there is within me, the pride of being able to use all of my driving talent in an ordinary car, on an ordinary trip, without really causing anyone else to notice my glee. I'm in my own world when I do that. Clipping the apex at every turn, braking as late as possible, then standing on the gas, all while getting marvelous mileage and nary a glance from the authorities. Fast cars are great, but we have little opportunity to really exploit them. They serve our egos more than our actual desires. Here's to the "underpowered" and those of us that they make "empowered". ... View more

Generally speaking, any car I buy thinking it may someday gain value, is pretty much guaranteed to be in the liser ranks.   .....until I sell it, then within 5 years, its worth more than my house! ... View more

That is a sweet and useful ride! I had my eye on a late model (2003 to 09) Mini Cooper truck conversion. Red Bull had commissioned a fleet of them for promotions. They must have retired them by now, but where are they?? ... View more

I M surprised how close the Vantage is in performance, finish and production numbers to my Maserati 138 Spyder, yet Maserati prices, even with the 6 speed manual remain fairly flat. Hopefully the grace and oerformance of tgese modern classics will win over enough followers to push the needle to a higher price. ... View more

What have you got against Nevada (that state west of Arizona)? lol ... View more

Add to the list the Maserati M138.  Sexy styling a genuine Italian exotic but without tge finicky engines. Ferarri built V8 power made reliable by chain driven cams rather than the expensive to msintain Ferarri belts. Comfortabke, fast, composed and regular service items like an oil change can be done by a home mechanic for about $70 bucks.   Yet, due to the faulty and hugely expensive to repair, Cambio Corsa semi automatic  tranmission found in most of them, their price has plummeted.   But if you locate one with the true manual 6 speed, they are almost bullet proof.  As with mist exotics, tgey are usually pampered drive to the mall cars with low mileage, or hard driven beat up cast offs.   Its easy to find a low mileage, pampered manual trans example for used Honda money. ... View more

I had a similar issue when starting out on a roadtrip in my 66 Datsun roadster. I was in the middle of the desert on a busy highway when the engine suddenly died.  I went through the same list of possibles and, after checking the points, came to the conclusion that the condenser had quit.  I hitchiked to a lonely, dusty old desert garage, and luckily they had a condenser that cross referenced to the Datsun.  The gas pump jockey was nice enough to drive me back to my car, where a 2 minute condenser install brought the little gem back to life.  After that, I never drove it without a spare set of points and condnser in the glove box.    Surprisingly (or perhaps not) that car developed an appitite for condensers, including one side of the road change out where I accidentally dropped the condenser nut down into the distributor....which meant pulling the distributor by the side of the road and shaking it to dislodge the nut...I must have looked like a witchdoctor dancing around and shaking the distributor at the open hood! ... View more

You do, of course, realize that the luggage cart (like grocery carts) actually cost fairly large dollars to their rightful owner. They don't put them there for you to take away, and that you commit larceny when you appropriate one.   Other than the larceny aspect, an interesting story. ... View more