...and totally deserving of its own thread

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7ZzqBPz4sY

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In a way it's not surprising. The fiasco with the tranny explosions certainly hurt the reputation of the car. Someone who was looking to buy a sports car for $75-100k certainly would've thought twice about buying the car after that whole drama.

But I have to think part of the depreciation hit is because the GT-R simply doesn't look exotic. It's not the kind of car that sets panties on fire, if anything, it only sets the underwear of fanbois aflame. I know what the car is, but if I didn't I could just as easily think it's a 2-door Maxima or something. Not what you want for pimping through campus.

To be fair though, an ex-press car has usually lead a harder life than most so I imagine that played a pretty big factor too.

Well, at least if you were thinking about buying a GT-R you might be able to afford one sooner than later. Anyone here thinking about buying one in the future?

EDIT: Actually they had put 30,000 miles on the car in one year...maybe that depreciation wasn't so bad after all.

Wanted to make this so that I didn't hijack Jeff's thread. Am I the only person who thinks that these (along with plastic thermostat housings, plastic water pump blades, plastic valve covers, etc) are a bad idea / a shortcut that car manufacturers are taking that will cost people down the road? I understand that they don't heat-soak, weigh less and are cheaper to make, but won't they warp after 5 to 10 years of use?

As of Friday last week Woodstock Garage Inc. was approved to receive the Jeep franchise. This makes us a Genesis dealership holding all 4 major Chrysler brands: Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, and now Jeep. We have one year to begin a renovation to make the facility completely Genesis compliant. This process has another 24 months to be completed. It will include a complete reface of the building to meet the current design for Genesis dealers (the aluminum arch and individual signs). Also we will be reconfiguring the show-room, office, and service areas for more interior volume for sales. The last changes to the building were made in the early 1960's, my Great Grandfather chose the flooring after seeing it in a hotel in Florida in 1961. Our first wrangler, a Red Rock 2dr Sport-S should be here in the next day or so, pics to follow. :thumbup:

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CR-Z = slow. 9.7 seconds 0-100 km/h about 128 PS combined with the gas engine and IMA. Can't say I'm surprise but disappointed just the same. It would be one thing if the car was really light but judging from the 0-100 kmh time it probably isn't. One could always hold out hope for a Si version but I won't care if it's heavy in the first place. Oh well.

Many of you race, drive or help out at Summit Point MP. Bill Scott was the owner of the track and had been ill for a while. He finally succumbed to his illnesses this morning. Figured a few of you may have known him or of him. He will be missed....

House is a 6br on East elizabeth st. roomie bed rooms, 2 kitchens (1 upper 1 lower), one room will be turned into an office/study area, big backyard, plenty of parking, front and (small) back porch, 360 a month, 2 full bathrooms. one more will take it off the market. if anyone needs a place to live this is a great place.

For all of you considering the E36 M3 - why not this instead: newer, nicer, and (imho) better looking

Car is on consignment at Mid-Atlantic Motorwerkes in Harrisonburg, VA.

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2003 BMW 330i
* ZHP (Performance Package)
* ~97k miles (driven weekly)
* 6-speed manual transmission
* Leather interior, power driver / passenger seats
* Sunroof
* Harman Kardon stereo

Upgrades
* Factory Bluetooth phone integration (voice dialing, steering wheel controls, address book transfer from phone, etc)
* Factory Sirius module (no current Sirius subscription, can be activated by buyer)
* DICE Silverline iPod/iPhone integration
* Euro-spec storage compartments under front seats

Recent Maintenance
* 9/2008 - Replaced front tires
* 1/2009 - Replaced alternator, battery
* 10/2009 - Replaced fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs, cabin air filter
* 11/2009 - Replaced rear tires
* 11/2009 - Replaced passenger side outer tie rod
* Regular oil changes with Mobil 1 and OEM filters
* Current VA state inspection through 11/2010

The car is in excellent condition, with three minor exceptions. There is a blemish on the driver's side side skirt, where the car slipped off of the jack (within an inch of the ground). Also, the alcantara steering wheel is worn. There are no rips, tears, or stains, but the material itself is simply worn down. Frankly, I'd be shocked if there was a 97k mile ZHP out there with an original steering wheel in as good of shape. Lastly, there is a small retouched area just below the driver's side door handle, where a previous owner missed the keyhole and scratched the paint.

All maintenance is current (as noted above), and this has been my go-to vehicle for road trips and extended driving. I'm selling it because it just doesn't get driven much anymore, now that I'm walking / biking to work. We only need one vehicle, so we're keeping our WRX instead, because it's paid for, the dogs can ride it it without me worrying about a leather interior, and it has roof racks and a tow hitch for transporting my SV.

Anyhow, long story short - great car, sad to sell it, but it needs (and wants) to be driven. The MM price is $14,000 firm - I think that's a fair winter price for a very nice, no "stories" BMW with some tasteful factory upgrades.

I'll have more pictures up this week - but I want to get the word out amongst MM.

The following is written by my girlfriend, Caitlin. Her niece, Jade (whom IÔÇÖve known longer than my own nieces, making her sort of a niece to me), is truly an amazing kid. If youÔÇÖre able to contribute anything (thoughts, prayers, a dollar or two), itÔÇÖd be greatly appreciated. Also, read on for an invitation to a fundraising event on Tuesday. If youÔÇÖre interested in sending a more personal gift, details can be found at the website I set up at http://www.jadesjourney.com.

----

As you all know from my email a few weeks ago, I've joined a small group with the lofty goal of raising $30,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in honor of the fantastic Jobi Jones. I'm writing you again because I now have another, even more personal, reason that makes raising this money so important to me.

On Sunday, my five-year-old niece, Jade, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7049">http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=7049</a><!-- m -->). Her symptoms started the day before Thanksgiving with what was thought to be an abrasion on her abdomen. By Sunday, she had a rash that resembled purple freckles spreading over her abdomen. She was taken to Prince William Hospital and transferred to Fairfax Hospital in the evening. She is now in the hands of some fabulous doctors from The Children's Hospital who work out of Fairfax Hospital. After spending a couple of days in the Pediatric ICU, she's now back in her own room equiped with a Wii, making her big sister, Hailey, a bit jealous. Jade will remain in the hospital for the next month and continue treatment for several years to come.

For those of you who have not had the extraordinary experience of meeting Ms. Jade, let me enlighten you. I have never met a person, adult or child, with more personality than Jade. How so much energy, confidence, and fearlessness can be in such a tiny package is beyond my understanding. Jade is the center of the show; always the entertainer. Her sense of humor and her keen understanding of how to make people laugh are well beyond her five years of age. Jade is THE energizer bunny and a fierce competitor (she MUST be number 1!). She has a tough road ahead of her, but if anyone can beat this, it's Jade.

The LGD Joggers for Jobi are proud to now be the LGD Joggers for Jobi and Jade (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.lgdjoggersforjobiandjade.com">http://www.lgdjoggersforjobiandjade.com</a><!-- m -->)! Thank you to all who have donated already. It is very much appreciated! As described on the LLS website, "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $600 million in research funding." This research has helped improve the quality of life and the success rates in the battle against blood cancers dramatically over the years. Today, I am even more grateful for LLS than when I commited to raising this money over a month ago.

If you haven't yet donated and would like to, you can do so by going to http://www.LGDJoggersforJobiandJade.com. All of Jade and Jobi's supporters will be so grateful for your help.

For those in the DC area, we're having an awesome fundraising happy hour next Tuesday, December 8th, downtown at Masa 14 (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.masa14.com">http://www.masa14.com</a><!-- m -->) from 5 to 7:30 (1825 14th Street NW). Come on out for some tapas, free wine and beer, and door prizes, and support a good cause in the process! Invite as many people as you'd like as we have the whole restaurant reserved, but please RSVP to liz@lorigrahamdesign.com by December 6th so we can make sure we are well stocked.

Please keep Jade in your thoughts and prayers. If you'd like to keep up with her progress or show Jade your support, you can visit her special blog that will include postings from her mom, dad, grandma, sister, aunt, and others: http://www.jadesjourney.com. (Special thanks to Uncle Mikey for setting this up.)

Thanks for your support! Feel free to pass this email along to others.

So I don't even know what the event was called but I rolled out with my boy to watch his friend drift at Summit Point today. I've never been to a live drift event so it was fairly novel. His friend, Dan Savage, ended up winning the contest that I saw so I guess that's a good thing.
Didn't see any MM that I know but there was a shorter guy rocking a purple Madison hoodie so?



















Sorry my camera sucks.

-T