PetrolHead
When's the next track day
I've been trolling much more lately than the past. Dumptrolling via tapatalk combined with a slowdown at work does that to someone. Instead of clogging up other's threads with postwhoring and OT trolling, I figured I'd start my own. I don't take this place as seriously as others, so if I offend you, get over it, this is just a way for me to pass some free time.
I talk big, and many may think I'm a keyboard testdriver. I've been in the auto industry my entire career, 4 of which I was an automotive journalist. I've driven pretty much everything in a high performance environment current to about 3 years ago. I still have connections that let me drive the stuff I want, just not to the same degree as before. That said, I'm picky as fuck about what I drive.
I've had more cars than I can count. I'm just like Plac, I just don't ever re-buy the same car. The average ownership period of a car for me is around 6 months. I tend to prefer German cars, especially old ones. Every single one has had a 3rd pedal. Here's a taste of what I've had in the last 3 years (in no particular order):
2009 GTI 2-door base (got this whole VW thing started)
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (still kick myself for selling this one, biggest regret yet)
1991 318is (bought from original owner, insane story I may share one day if my post count needs bumping)
1993 Volvo 240 Wagon (My one and only "stance" car...chopped 3 coils from all springs. Rode like shit, looked cool)
1995 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Awesome truck, couldn't stay cool to save its life)
1980 Jeep CJ7 (restored with my father, had a Corvette LT1 in it)
Not Pictured: 2010 A3, other crap I'm forgetting, garbage I drove before I got the illness
Nice trip down memory lane, I wonder how many haven't been wrecked yet?
Currently, I have:
2012 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (wife's driver mainly)
1993 Chevy K1500 (The beater dubbed "Ol Blue" bought from the original owner to move from California to Michigan, love it too much to get rid of it)
1978 AMC Pacer (My first car. Started the sickness, too ridiculous to get rid of. Restored it with my father, AMC 401 around 400hp, 5-speed T5, too much other shit to list)
2012 GTI (Turbo Yaris)
The last of which is the source of most contention. It's the reason I'm here in the first place. I love to hate to love it. I've owned it for an astonishing 8 months now (should have been sold 2 months ago) and bought it from a guy on here actually. This is my third on the platform, and my favorite. 4-door's great, Golf R ramz, and Revo Stage 1 is much fast. I bought it to replace the e30 when my commute lengthened in California. Moved to Detroit, and had to commute 80 miles a day round trip. Life was good. We moved to Detroit within a few miles from work, and the car ADD set in. Why have a practical driver when I don't have to drive far? I've got a beater...I should get a C5Z since I've never had one. Plus, insurance in MI on the GTI is more than it would be on a Vette (damned kids), so it made no financial sense to stick with it considering they're the same value.
CSB, right?
Well, I came to the conclusion to keep it. Today I was going to meet a craigslist flaker, first time I'd driven the car in a week. 31 degrees outside, seat heaters on, stroking the dash of the superior interior. Stopped at a light and a Focus ST pulls up. Light turns green, cold dense air pushes through the turbo down the intake's throat, modulate the throttle for wheel spin, chirp 2nd, had him by 3rd. I cut it off at 70 mph (I don't live life a quarter mile at a time, obey the speed limitz kidz), but damn...what a fun car. There's an on-ramp to the highway from my house with a progressive 90-degree right followed by a much tighter 45-degree left. Take that without lifting. Car stays neutral, no plowing. On the throttle early, bit a wheel spin, XDS kicks in to pull me through. Why do I hate this car again?
I'm sitting in the parking lot of the agreed upon meeting place, doubting my decision. The time comes, he doesn't show. Text him, nothing. 10 minutes later I get a text "something came up, can we do it tomorrow". Fuck you, I'm keeping this thing.
I know it's a disappointment on the track. I know I'll be cursing this decision at my next track day, but for the few times I can make it out per year, I can deal. The rest of the time this is a near perfect car. I'll use this thread to contain my postwhoring, and OT trolling (kinda). I'll post CL ads during moments of weakness, but in total I'm going to document what it takes for a person with my level of car ADD to keep committed to this thing. I'll be the one crazy person that keeps a stupid turbo Yaris econobox in the garage through the winter. Mods will be few:
1.) The biggest rear bar I can find (anyone selling an H&R 28?)
2.) Lightweight 17" wheels with sticky tires
3.) DG springs
If I get serious:
1.) Downpipe and stage 2
2.) Clutch and LSD
I probably won't make it, but I'll give it my damnedest. If I can keep this thing for one more year, it'll be my longest car (other than the Pacer). It's gonna get interesting, bitches.
Oh, and balls. Always balls.
I talk big, and many may think I'm a keyboard testdriver. I've been in the auto industry my entire career, 4 of which I was an automotive journalist. I've driven pretty much everything in a high performance environment current to about 3 years ago. I still have connections that let me drive the stuff I want, just not to the same degree as before. That said, I'm picky as fuck about what I drive.
I've had more cars than I can count. I'm just like Plac, I just don't ever re-buy the same car. The average ownership period of a car for me is around 6 months. I tend to prefer German cars, especially old ones. Every single one has had a 3rd pedal. Here's a taste of what I've had in the last 3 years (in no particular order):
2009 GTI 2-door base (got this whole VW thing started)
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo (still kick myself for selling this one, biggest regret yet)
1991 318is (bought from original owner, insane story I may share one day if my post count needs bumping)
1993 Volvo 240 Wagon (My one and only "stance" car...chopped 3 coils from all springs. Rode like shit, looked cool)
1995 Jeep Cherokee XJ (Awesome truck, couldn't stay cool to save its life)
1980 Jeep CJ7 (restored with my father, had a Corvette LT1 in it)
Not Pictured: 2010 A3, other crap I'm forgetting, garbage I drove before I got the illness
Nice trip down memory lane, I wonder how many haven't been wrecked yet?
Currently, I have:
2012 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon (wife's driver mainly)
1993 Chevy K1500 (The beater dubbed "Ol Blue" bought from the original owner to move from California to Michigan, love it too much to get rid of it)
1978 AMC Pacer (My first car. Started the sickness, too ridiculous to get rid of. Restored it with my father, AMC 401 around 400hp, 5-speed T5, too much other shit to list)
2012 GTI (Turbo Yaris)
The last of which is the source of most contention. It's the reason I'm here in the first place. I love to hate to love it. I've owned it for an astonishing 8 months now (should have been sold 2 months ago) and bought it from a guy on here actually. This is my third on the platform, and my favorite. 4-door's great, Golf R ramz, and Revo Stage 1 is much fast. I bought it to replace the e30 when my commute lengthened in California. Moved to Detroit, and had to commute 80 miles a day round trip. Life was good. We moved to Detroit within a few miles from work, and the car ADD set in. Why have a practical driver when I don't have to drive far? I've got a beater...I should get a C5Z since I've never had one. Plus, insurance in MI on the GTI is more than it would be on a Vette (damned kids), so it made no financial sense to stick with it considering they're the same value.
CSB, right?
Well, I came to the conclusion to keep it. Today I was going to meet a craigslist flaker, first time I'd driven the car in a week. 31 degrees outside, seat heaters on, stroking the dash of the superior interior. Stopped at a light and a Focus ST pulls up. Light turns green, cold dense air pushes through the turbo down the intake's throat, modulate the throttle for wheel spin, chirp 2nd, had him by 3rd. I cut it off at 70 mph (I don't live life a quarter mile at a time, obey the speed limitz kidz), but damn...what a fun car. There's an on-ramp to the highway from my house with a progressive 90-degree right followed by a much tighter 45-degree left. Take that without lifting. Car stays neutral, no plowing. On the throttle early, bit a wheel spin, XDS kicks in to pull me through. Why do I hate this car again?
I'm sitting in the parking lot of the agreed upon meeting place, doubting my decision. The time comes, he doesn't show. Text him, nothing. 10 minutes later I get a text "something came up, can we do it tomorrow". Fuck you, I'm keeping this thing.
I know it's a disappointment on the track. I know I'll be cursing this decision at my next track day, but for the few times I can make it out per year, I can deal. The rest of the time this is a near perfect car. I'll use this thread to contain my postwhoring, and OT trolling (kinda). I'll post CL ads during moments of weakness, but in total I'm going to document what it takes for a person with my level of car ADD to keep committed to this thing. I'll be the one crazy person that keeps a stupid turbo Yaris econobox in the garage through the winter. Mods will be few:
1.) The biggest rear bar I can find (anyone selling an H&R 28?)
2.) Lightweight 17" wheels with sticky tires
3.) DG springs
If I get serious:
1.) Downpipe and stage 2
2.) Clutch and LSD
I probably won't make it, but I'll give it my damnedest. If I can keep this thing for one more year, it'll be my longest car (other than the Pacer). It's gonna get interesting, bitches.
Oh, and balls. Always balls.