Hey guys the AutoX group is trying to get some feedback, so if you have attended any NASA-MA AutoX events lately please fill out this short survey. It is completely anonymous so feel free to voice your opinions.

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Thanks!

A lot of 2012 Schedules are up, and it's almost time to put my 2012 evil schemes in motion. For me the main things I wanna do in 2012 are:

*Buy 600 cc race bike -> do some racing
*Do Level 4 of the California SBK School, get my slide on
*Do the Ariel Atom Experience at VIR
*Upgrade the WRX's brakes, do some car track days, possibly instruct
*Go to the Indianapolis GP, possibly do a flyaway round in Europe
*Do more karting

How about you guys?

1990 Miata Parts car (missing engine, trans, diff, fenders, hood and drivers door). Make me an offer and come and get it. Scott you know you want it!

I have a ton of stuff left over from my now sold SM. Blocks, heads, clutches (even found a lightweight ACT flywheel and clutch setup on a parts car I just sold), interior parts. Either come out and make me offers on stuff or let me know what you need. I want all this stuff gone.

This is a perhaps-more-detailed version of what's in my E34 project thread. Hoping someone will have some ideas (thanks, Adam, for yours - will check battery terminals)

My ignition switch had been failing over the summer. I wired in a push-button start that essentially crossed the two wires to run the starter. Worked fine. Finally bought an ignition switch from a parts car so I was planning to install it last week.

Starting procedure had been insert key, turn to Run, press/hold button.

Flash back to last Monday. I go with Joey to lunch. We eat, get back in the car and I put the key in. Turn to Run, dash comes on as it always does and says Fasten Seatbelts. I hit the starter button and IMMEDIATELY everything electronic cuts out.

Tried cycling the key, no dice. After a few minutes, the Brake Fluid light came back. Then the other lights and electrics came on - OBC was reset, radio was reset, like the battery had been disconnected.

We had the same song-n-dance go on for a few minutes until I finally push-started the car once the electrics came back for the umpteenth time.

Disconnected the switch and manually crossing the wires worked fine. Installed the parts-car ignition switch and it worked fine too.

This past Saturday rolls around and I get gas. Fill up, insert key and twist, and nada. Everything goes. I wait a few minutes, push the car backwards to get ready for a push start, and BOOM they come back on with everything reset.

I've had some hesitant starts over the course of the week, like the switch wasn't totally engaging the starter or something. But, with all of those, it was one hesitant clunk of the starter and then everything was fine.

So, I'm not sure if it's the starter going bad or what it could be. Some people have suggested a bad ground somewhere. I checked the fusible link under the back seat and it's fine.

I'd think a failing starter would cause the hesitant starts, but not the total loss of electricity. Am I right, or is that what I likely need?

I love this lens but I haven't been in a situation to make good use of it for at least two years. I could really use the money at the time, and the value of this kind of camera stuff is pretty solid and predictable, so I figure if I miss it I can grab another one in a year pretty easily. I've barely used this thing, and it's spent most of its life in its little storage bag so as you would imagine, the condition is excellent. Pretty much all there is to say, 'tis what it 'tis. This will fit almost any Canon SLR or DSLR body as far as I know. Price is $460 for MMers. Not $425, not a PBR and a reach around. Its a lens not a gadget, its worth what it's worth. Other people are selling them for around $480, and you can get a new one for ~$600, so its a pretty good deal IMO.


Product Description Copy and Pasted from Amazon:

Capture the far-off action of fast-paced sports or zoom in for an intimate portrait with the Canon EF 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens. This high-performance, L-series telephoto zoom lens is distinguished by such features as an f/4 maximum aperture, an inner focusing system, and a ring-type ultra-sonic monitor (USM). The last two features combine to deliver quick and quiet autofocusing--a priority for many amateur and professional photographers. In addition, photographers can attach and use a circular polarizing filter without difficulty because the front lens element does not rotate during focusing. Compatible with the same tripod collar (sold separately) used with the EF 300mm f/4L USM lens, the lens carries a one-year warranty.

Focal length: 70-200mm
Maximum aperture: 1:4.0
Lens construction: 16 elements in 13 groups
Diagonal angle of view: 34 to 12 degrees
Focus adjustment: Inner focusing system with USM
Closest focusing distance: 3.9 feet
Zoom system: Rotating type
Filter size: 67mm
Dimensions: 3.0 inches in diameter, 6.8 inches long
Weight: 25 ounces

Found a buyer for my aftermarket wheels and sways, so now I need a set of stockers to sell the car on. I want the original equipment ones, so the daisys, not the hollow spokes or anything else. I'd like them to be in reasonably good condition, a few scuffs would be acceptable, crinkle painted lime green would not. Don't give a crap about the tires except that they have tread and not be rotting.

They are about the least desirable wheels ever manufactured for a miata, so getting a cheap set shouldn't be rocket science.

So after much delay (been trying to get this done since July) I have finally come into possession of a 2011 Evo X. I was able to sell my Ralliart and actually transfer a lease to my name for the Evo. I have full intentions of buying it out as soon as I can because the buyout value is extremely low.

So on the car itself is a Phantom Black Lancer Evolution GSR. It had roughly 10K on the odometer when I picked it up in Connecticut. As with all GSRs it is a 5 speed manual, no more twin clutch. Car is in pretty good shape as would be expected with only a slight dent on the driver side passenger door and slight curb rash on a rim. For those who remember my question about the wheels fitting, I wound up having to include the stock Ralliart wheels with the Blizzacks as part of the sale and my black rims fit the back of the Evo and not the front. I thankfully just sold those today as well. Anyway, here's a pic of the car after giving it a quick wash, apologies for the shotty Cell phone pic but it's all i got.



So planned modifications so far:

Me - Yeah so i bought this car with all of about 20 minutes under my belt of trying to drive a manual. I had my uncle teach me yesterday and after 2 hours i felt confident enough to drive around town. Thankfully Long Island is fairly flat but i also tackled a hill for about 45 minutes and felt pretty good about it towards the end. So anyway, my first major modification will be me actually driving this car well. I'll continue to just go out to practice and hopefully keep getting better.

Snow Tires - Have to purchase these ASAP, cause otherwise i can't get around when it snows

Side Mount Plate

Remove spolier and place a lip on instead, or possibly trade for a Ralliart spoiler.

No stereo this time around... yet anyway. Fosgate stereo is pretty good but who knows how long that will keep me happy. All my old stereo stuff sold pretty easily thankfully.

So that's it for now, will be sure to get better pics up soon.

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Pretty much says it all. I'm a little flexible on price, but we'll see what kinda bites it gets at that level first

100$ to anyone who sends the buyer my way, since im doubting this is up the alley of any MMer

I have finally talked my wife into letting me get a bike (it was always I could if I sold the race car..). So, any suggestions for a sport bike for a 1st time rider? I've never been on a bike and I'm just starting to research them now. I;m just looking for something to take on back roads and I have no desire to track it.