Addiction
01-30-08, 05:04 AM
#1
Addiction
This Is probably going to get comments about being in the wrong section, but since I'm a proud FD owner, and this section is the main part of this forum that I visit, I figured I will share this with my fellow FD owners, plus my girlfriend wouldn't understand, so I can't vent to her.
It’s currently 2:30 am and I can't sleep. I've been lying in bed for over an hour and you may ask why. Well yesterday was the 2 month marker of my car not working and its getting to me.(should be up and running in the next few weeks, fingers crossed)
I have lived an experimental life you can say. Enjoying some things, wishing I didn't do others. But I have never understood how people could get to the point of needing something to easy their nerves. However, this last month has made me realize a little bit of what those people go through. Yes - I'm saying that cars and driving are my addiction. No, this is not a joke. Heck I'm writing this thread at 2:30 in the morning.
You see like many of you, I have been working on my cars and spending weekends going for drives since I was 17. I have become that person that takes that long drive to no where as long as the roads are winedy. I'm the type of person that has a separate savings account at my bank just for car stuff.
I do believe that theirs others out there that can sympathize with me, while the rest just think I'm crazy. Nevertheless in the last two weeks I have come to the conclusion that this is not a hobby for me, but an addition. Though its not one that will cause me to loose my family, house or job (especially not my job since without that I won't be able to put money it my car account); however it has made me lose focus in my daily activities since I haven't been able to get my fix in 2 months. I know this addiction like most is going to be an expensive on throughout my life, but I wouldn't want to be addicted to anything else.
I hope that this thread is ignored by the critics since this was just me expressing the thoughts that have been tumbling around in my head for the last few weeks.
For those who read this thank you for your time.
It’s currently 2:30 am and I can't sleep. I've been lying in bed for over an hour and you may ask why. Well yesterday was the 2 month marker of my car not working and its getting to me.(should be up and running in the next few weeks, fingers crossed)
I have lived an experimental life you can say. Enjoying some things, wishing I didn't do others. But I have never understood how people could get to the point of needing something to easy their nerves. However, this last month has made me realize a little bit of what those people go through. Yes - I'm saying that cars and driving are my addiction. No, this is not a joke. Heck I'm writing this thread at 2:30 in the morning.
You see like many of you, I have been working on my cars and spending weekends going for drives since I was 17. I have become that person that takes that long drive to no where as long as the roads are winedy. I'm the type of person that has a separate savings account at my bank just for car stuff.
I do believe that theirs others out there that can sympathize with me, while the rest just think I'm crazy. Nevertheless in the last two weeks I have come to the conclusion that this is not a hobby for me, but an addition. Though its not one that will cause me to loose my family, house or job (especially not my job since without that I won't be able to put money it my car account); however it has made me lose focus in my daily activities since I haven't been able to get my fix in 2 months. I know this addiction like most is going to be an expensive on throughout my life, but I wouldn't want to be addicted to anything else.
I hope that this thread is ignored by the critics since this was just me expressing the thoughts that have been tumbling around in my head for the last few weeks.
For those who read this thank you for your time.
01-30-08, 05:48 AM
#2
omg man...
i read this thread and said to myself, thats me! i can understand EXACTLY how you feel. i have not driven my fd for 3 months now, and i am going into withdraw. its still at the body shop being fixed from somthing that happend that was out of my control. they keep telling me "a week..a week", for 2 months now. getting my hopes up, then shotting them down after i find out there's more work to be done. every bit of extra money i muster up is devoted to my rx7. its sad though that every time i get in a relationship, i end up having to choose between her or the car. and obviously the car, in my mind, ends up being more important. i'll just have to see now if we can make it to 4 months....
i read this thread and said to myself, thats me! i can understand EXACTLY how you feel. i have not driven my fd for 3 months now, and i am going into withdraw. its still at the body shop being fixed from somthing that happend that was out of my control. they keep telling me "a week..a week", for 2 months now. getting my hopes up, then shotting them down after i find out there's more work to be done. every bit of extra money i muster up is devoted to my rx7. its sad though that every time i get in a relationship, i end up having to choose between her or the car. and obviously the car, in my mind, ends up being more important. i'll just have to see now if we can make it to 4 months....
01-30-08, 06:55 AM
#6
Registered User
iTrader: (6)
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: LongIsland, NY
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I found this a long while ago while cruising around on the internet. It sent shivers down my spine because like many others we all share a passion. This passion is known respectfully as the Rx-7. You will either love or hate this, but enjoy the read none the less.
This was NOT written by me and the original site where i got it from no longer exists.
RX-7 Therapy
by: KS
So I've been watching all the coverage today and just couldn't take it anymore. I went outside and went for a walk. It helped a little bit, but my brain kept replaying the day’s events. Tried to do some online stuff, but everyone is talking about what happened today. Time for a drive. Yep, the cure for the tension, the anger today has spawned: RX-7 Therapy.
I hopped in my GTU, started it up. She purred to life, and I flicked the headlight switch. Up come the Hella lead-crystal Euro headlights from Germany, with Piaa Super Whites. I back the car out of the garage, and head on out. I putt until she gets up to temperature, and hit Watt Ave. Get stuck at a light, but I take the free lane, which merges after crossing the intersection. So I've got to dog the guy next to me, a truck, no big deal. I get my revs up a bit, and the light turns green. I'm out of the hole and winding out 1st. Give him a nice sharp backfire, and get over. I see a 240SX (S13) in front of me, I keep my foot in and pass him. He doesn't chase.
Hit the onramp for 50 East, keep it in second with the revs up. No one's in front so I can push it. Let the car push out at the bottom of the ramp as the right foot goes down. Under the overpass, shift into 3rd. Listen to the backfire echo off the walls. Get bunched up behind a truck merging, keep it in 3rd. Merge in 3rd, winding it out. Shift short at 7K, into 4th, 90mph. Let the car coast down to 80mph. Mellow out a bit, take the Bradshaw exit, take Bradshaw to Jackson Highway.
Get caught up in slow traffic, feel the tension build as the eyes strain for an open stretch of road. Dotted yellow, 3rd gear spinning up. Pass one...dive back in...wait...pop out again...BUZZER shift BACKFIRE. Start hitting around 90mph on Jackson. Flick the highs on, the Piaa's light up the world. Pass Excelsior, where Sac Raceway is. It's dark. Put the hammer down in 4th on the downhill towards a distant light. 90...100...110...coming up on traffic for the red light. See a big rig 3 cars up, I get left behind at the red but the truck and following cars make it. I sit at the light pondering my passing strategy on the big rig and conga line. Watch more cars make the left onto Jackson and two dumptrucks, and I ponder how I'm going to dig through all of them.
The light turns green. Wind out first, backfire, wind out second, backfire, keep it in third and look for holes. Again, the tension rises, watching the long line of traffic winding ahead of me. I wait, and am rewarded with the dumptrucks pulling off. Now just to take care of the conga line. I gobble them down by ones and twos, 3rd gear spinning up to 8000rpm+. It's the big rig's turn, and the two cars in front of it. Huge straightaway. Drop the hammer, pop out into the suicide lane. The buzzer lingers as I shift into 4th at 100+, the big rig is rewarded with flames and backfires. The two cars in front get to see the 4 small red circles of my tailights get progressively smaller as I keep it hammered. Flick the brights, and settle in for some traffic free motoring.
The German Glass and the Japanese Bulbs team up to push back the night. Reflectors light up from seemingly miles away, I feel like I'm playing Night Racer. Keep it in 4th, let the rotary spin spin. Try to judge sweeping corners at 100+ in the inky black. Shift into third when the corners tighten, let the 13B drag the speed down. Straightaway, into fourth and hammer again. This is repeated over and over, no one in front, seemingly no one coming. Get into the groove, listen to the Racing Beat downpipe and HKS 50mm exhaust throw flames. Feel the tension ease, the day's terrible events pushed back, the only thing that's important is the line, the apex.
See tailights far ahead, reel them in. Come up with all kinds of closure, flit by them in the suicide lane. Show them your tailights, your dual tips barking flames as you disappear into the night. Back into the groove, note the haze, the light fog in the flats. Smile as you think of that dense air getting sucked into the GReddy Airinx and down into the hungry maw of the 13B that just keeps spinning and spinning. Follow the road into the foothills, into unknown territory. Keep the hammer down, note the 45mph signs as you're well above that. Lift, let the car begin to slow as you roll into some small town.
You can hear the tink tink! of the HKS mufflers as they try and bleed off the awesome heat generated by the rotary. Do a U-turn and head back the way you came. Again, no one in front, no one coming. Let the trochoids do their thing. Keep your eyes peeled for Old Sacramento Road to your right. Smile to yourself as you see all the traffic you passed finally catch up after you've already stopped at a stopsign, done a u-turn, and come back.
There's the sign: Old Sacramento Road. Fun time. Bust the right, wind out second, listen to the bark of unburnt fuel being ignited into twin ***** of expanding flame. Wind out 3rd and see the oncoming ungulations in the road being thrown into stark relief by the Piaa's. It looks like a roller coaster, and you're trying to get some "hang time". Try as you might, you can't get the car airborne, but it does get light. See the two reflector arrows shine brightly for the hairpin right you're approaching at 80+. Hard on the binders, the 4 piston aluminum calipers squeezing the Bonez pads tight to the disc, heel toe into second and back on the gas.
The AVS Intermediates grip, and you keep it in second as your headlights show every pavement irregularity ahead of you. The car squirms and you can't help but laugh as all your worries are forgotten. Lift at high rpms in 2nd as you navigate the tight, seemingly blind corners. More flames as you lift, then back into the throttle. Into 3rd and wonder what the people think as they sit in their farmhouses as a lone car shrieks by at twice the limit, flames licking at it's rear. Big 4th gear straightaways, followed by 2nd gear turns test the brakes, but its not a problem. Head into the real twisties, 2nd gear only, overcook a corner, but stay on your side. Watch the blackberry bushes reach out for you, but keep your line, follow the apex. Life is good.
Eventually come to another small town, again, a U-turn and the chiming of the mufflers. And head back the way you came, a little braver now since you made it through the first time. Again, get into the rhythm, push the car, push yourself. Come to the big straightaway, note a car waiting to merge on the right with it's headlights on. Hit the low beams, lift and squint. Is it a cop? Nope, an F-150. Perhaps an irate farmer that doesn't appreciate you making his road your own private Nurbergring. Screw him. Catch me if you can! Back hard into the throttle, wind out 3rd, get deep into 4th and you try and outrun an imaginary threat. You fly down the straightaway at 100+, getting the feeling you might be pushing your luck. Lift and take it easy, he'll really catch you if you wrap the car around one of the oaks lining the road.
He's gone, no headlights, no nothing. Thought so. Please, I'm in an RX-7. Back onto the rollercoaster straight that intersects Jackson Highway. Keep it hammered, this time grab 4th and see if you can get airborne. No dice, but damn its fun to try. Slow down for the stopsign at the end, then back onto Jackson highway. Wind out first, shift. A flash in your peripheral vision catches your eye. What was that? Look left as you shift into 3rd. Again, a yellow flash lights up the road behind you, and the bushes along side of the road. No way. Again, turn to the left as you shift into 4th at 8000rpm. A HUGE flash, almost a strobe flicks across your retinas. Flammage. Big flammage, that you can actually SEE. Let out a war whoop as you try and throw as many flames as possible. Again, that yellow flash. Possibly the coolest thing you've ever seen.
Almost wreck since your neck is constantly craned to the left and decide to mellow out, and let the car and yourself cool down. Drive back home totally relaxed, all anger/tension spent in an hour and a half orgy of mechanical self indulgence. Aroma therapy? No thanks, I'll take RX-7 Therapy any day.
KS
This was NOT written by me and the original site where i got it from no longer exists.
RX-7 Therapy
by: KS
So I've been watching all the coverage today and just couldn't take it anymore. I went outside and went for a walk. It helped a little bit, but my brain kept replaying the day’s events. Tried to do some online stuff, but everyone is talking about what happened today. Time for a drive. Yep, the cure for the tension, the anger today has spawned: RX-7 Therapy.
I hopped in my GTU, started it up. She purred to life, and I flicked the headlight switch. Up come the Hella lead-crystal Euro headlights from Germany, with Piaa Super Whites. I back the car out of the garage, and head on out. I putt until she gets up to temperature, and hit Watt Ave. Get stuck at a light, but I take the free lane, which merges after crossing the intersection. So I've got to dog the guy next to me, a truck, no big deal. I get my revs up a bit, and the light turns green. I'm out of the hole and winding out 1st. Give him a nice sharp backfire, and get over. I see a 240SX (S13) in front of me, I keep my foot in and pass him. He doesn't chase.
Hit the onramp for 50 East, keep it in second with the revs up. No one's in front so I can push it. Let the car push out at the bottom of the ramp as the right foot goes down. Under the overpass, shift into 3rd. Listen to the backfire echo off the walls. Get bunched up behind a truck merging, keep it in 3rd. Merge in 3rd, winding it out. Shift short at 7K, into 4th, 90mph. Let the car coast down to 80mph. Mellow out a bit, take the Bradshaw exit, take Bradshaw to Jackson Highway.
Get caught up in slow traffic, feel the tension build as the eyes strain for an open stretch of road. Dotted yellow, 3rd gear spinning up. Pass one...dive back in...wait...pop out again...BUZZER shift BACKFIRE. Start hitting around 90mph on Jackson. Flick the highs on, the Piaa's light up the world. Pass Excelsior, where Sac Raceway is. It's dark. Put the hammer down in 4th on the downhill towards a distant light. 90...100...110...coming up on traffic for the red light. See a big rig 3 cars up, I get left behind at the red but the truck and following cars make it. I sit at the light pondering my passing strategy on the big rig and conga line. Watch more cars make the left onto Jackson and two dumptrucks, and I ponder how I'm going to dig through all of them.
The light turns green. Wind out first, backfire, wind out second, backfire, keep it in third and look for holes. Again, the tension rises, watching the long line of traffic winding ahead of me. I wait, and am rewarded with the dumptrucks pulling off. Now just to take care of the conga line. I gobble them down by ones and twos, 3rd gear spinning up to 8000rpm+. It's the big rig's turn, and the two cars in front of it. Huge straightaway. Drop the hammer, pop out into the suicide lane. The buzzer lingers as I shift into 4th at 100+, the big rig is rewarded with flames and backfires. The two cars in front get to see the 4 small red circles of my tailights get progressively smaller as I keep it hammered. Flick the brights, and settle in for some traffic free motoring.
The German Glass and the Japanese Bulbs team up to push back the night. Reflectors light up from seemingly miles away, I feel like I'm playing Night Racer. Keep it in 4th, let the rotary spin spin. Try to judge sweeping corners at 100+ in the inky black. Shift into third when the corners tighten, let the 13B drag the speed down. Straightaway, into fourth and hammer again. This is repeated over and over, no one in front, seemingly no one coming. Get into the groove, listen to the Racing Beat downpipe and HKS 50mm exhaust throw flames. Feel the tension ease, the day's terrible events pushed back, the only thing that's important is the line, the apex.
See tailights far ahead, reel them in. Come up with all kinds of closure, flit by them in the suicide lane. Show them your tailights, your dual tips barking flames as you disappear into the night. Back into the groove, note the haze, the light fog in the flats. Smile as you think of that dense air getting sucked into the GReddy Airinx and down into the hungry maw of the 13B that just keeps spinning and spinning. Follow the road into the foothills, into unknown territory. Keep the hammer down, note the 45mph signs as you're well above that. Lift, let the car begin to slow as you roll into some small town.
You can hear the tink tink! of the HKS mufflers as they try and bleed off the awesome heat generated by the rotary. Do a U-turn and head back the way you came. Again, no one in front, no one coming. Let the trochoids do their thing. Keep your eyes peeled for Old Sacramento Road to your right. Smile to yourself as you see all the traffic you passed finally catch up after you've already stopped at a stopsign, done a u-turn, and come back.
There's the sign: Old Sacramento Road. Fun time. Bust the right, wind out second, listen to the bark of unburnt fuel being ignited into twin ***** of expanding flame. Wind out 3rd and see the oncoming ungulations in the road being thrown into stark relief by the Piaa's. It looks like a roller coaster, and you're trying to get some "hang time". Try as you might, you can't get the car airborne, but it does get light. See the two reflector arrows shine brightly for the hairpin right you're approaching at 80+. Hard on the binders, the 4 piston aluminum calipers squeezing the Bonez pads tight to the disc, heel toe into second and back on the gas.
The AVS Intermediates grip, and you keep it in second as your headlights show every pavement irregularity ahead of you. The car squirms and you can't help but laugh as all your worries are forgotten. Lift at high rpms in 2nd as you navigate the tight, seemingly blind corners. More flames as you lift, then back into the throttle. Into 3rd and wonder what the people think as they sit in their farmhouses as a lone car shrieks by at twice the limit, flames licking at it's rear. Big 4th gear straightaways, followed by 2nd gear turns test the brakes, but its not a problem. Head into the real twisties, 2nd gear only, overcook a corner, but stay on your side. Watch the blackberry bushes reach out for you, but keep your line, follow the apex. Life is good.
Eventually come to another small town, again, a U-turn and the chiming of the mufflers. And head back the way you came, a little braver now since you made it through the first time. Again, get into the rhythm, push the car, push yourself. Come to the big straightaway, note a car waiting to merge on the right with it's headlights on. Hit the low beams, lift and squint. Is it a cop? Nope, an F-150. Perhaps an irate farmer that doesn't appreciate you making his road your own private Nurbergring. Screw him. Catch me if you can! Back hard into the throttle, wind out 3rd, get deep into 4th and you try and outrun an imaginary threat. You fly down the straightaway at 100+, getting the feeling you might be pushing your luck. Lift and take it easy, he'll really catch you if you wrap the car around one of the oaks lining the road.
He's gone, no headlights, no nothing. Thought so. Please, I'm in an RX-7. Back onto the rollercoaster straight that intersects Jackson Highway. Keep it hammered, this time grab 4th and see if you can get airborne. No dice, but damn its fun to try. Slow down for the stopsign at the end, then back onto Jackson highway. Wind out first, shift. A flash in your peripheral vision catches your eye. What was that? Look left as you shift into 3rd. Again, a yellow flash lights up the road behind you, and the bushes along side of the road. No way. Again, turn to the left as you shift into 4th at 8000rpm. A HUGE flash, almost a strobe flicks across your retinas. Flammage. Big flammage, that you can actually SEE. Let out a war whoop as you try and throw as many flames as possible. Again, that yellow flash. Possibly the coolest thing you've ever seen.
Almost wreck since your neck is constantly craned to the left and decide to mellow out, and let the car and yourself cool down. Drive back home totally relaxed, all anger/tension spent in an hour and a half orgy of mechanical self indulgence. Aroma therapy? No thanks, I'll take RX-7 Therapy any day.
KS
Trending Topics
01-30-08, 11:26 AM
#8
Rotary Enthusiast
Yes, i was going to say the same thing.
Thread lightly on the term 'addiction', as it is never a positive place to be. I myself am not an addictive person, i do not consume alcohol- EVER. However i am very passionate about things that interest me, and that is what i think you are feeling.
Just get your car running and enjoy it safely
=Ben
01-30-08, 11:30 AM
#9
17 second FD
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I have had my car stored away for a couple of months now, and it pretty much makes me lose focus on other things I should want to do. I don't think about what bar I'm going to during my last hour of work; I'm thinking of when I'll have the free time to change my thermostat...
01-30-08, 11:33 AM
#10
You live in San Diego. Go surfing (Swami's maybe?...Cardiff reef?) and get addicted to something that will make you strong and healthy, then work on the FD at night.
I think about my FD all the time too, but a lot of that thinking is done in the water.
I think about my FD all the time too, but a lot of that thinking is done in the water.
01-30-08, 11:55 AM
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I kind of know the feeling, my FD is garage'd right now. Fortunately not out of any sort of mechanical failure. But because we've got snow, wind, and -40C temps...had it since mid-November and probably will have it till late-April.
If nothing else, with all the time it's spending in the garage you've got lots of time to add more toys to the car.
If nothing else, with all the time it's spending in the garage you've got lots of time to add more toys to the car.
01-30-08, 02:27 PM
#13
17 second FD
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Poughkeepsie, New York
Posts: 2,436
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
This thread motivated me to get my FD running. After several hours in the garage, I've got her running. Took her out for a quick stroll; man, it's so easy to forget how much of a head-turner she is...
01-30-08, 02:36 PM
#14
Racecar - Formula 2000
I'm always looking at the weather forecast, trying to find any day I can to take mine out.
01-30-08, 02:51 PM
#15
Opossum Opatrol
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sumter, SC
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i spend every waking minute driving, cleaning, wrenching or on this site it seems like sometimes and thats almost all me and my buddies talk about....i feel it, maybe they make a patch?
01-30-08, 11:06 PM
#17
Original Gangster/Rotary!
iTrader: (213)
Great thread 
My quest to create the 'perfect' (for me anyway) street-driven tastefully modded FD has eaten up a tremendous amount of blood, sweat, tears, time and money over the last 9+ years........
Would I change a thing? Nope
My quest to create the 'perfect' (for me anyway) street-driven tastefully modded FD has eaten up a tremendous amount of blood, sweat, tears, time and money over the last 9+ years........
Would I change a thing? Nope
01-30-08, 11:27 PM
#18
+1 It gives us something to do, something to occupy ourselves with. We all have different tastes different likes and dislikes, but when we have finished what we've dreamed of doing and getting it done is a feeling like no other! Just stating what I think...
01-30-08, 11:48 PM
#19
bov ftw
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Ft.Worth, TX
Posts: 322
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I`m not a 3rd gen guy, but you don`t have to be in order to understand the car addiction. Whether it`s driving, turning wrenches, or talking cars with your buddies, it feels real good.
I sold my TII before I came here to Japan, and I`m having major withdraw. Especially since I live by Twin Ring Motegi. I also went to the Tokyo Motor Show and Auto Salon. I`ve seen some really sick cars from RE Amemiya and even bought a t-shirt.
BUT
None of this eases the pain. I get to and from those events in a three cylinder, three geared company car called a Mitsubishi Minica. As you might imagine, "Minica" is Japanese for "I wanna kill myself".
I`m saving as much as possible, and in two months will be back. Then it`s time to work on a car. Who knows when I`ll be driving one. Maybe I`ll make a phone call and drive my old car.
I sold my TII before I came here to Japan, and I`m having major withdraw. Especially since I live by Twin Ring Motegi. I also went to the Tokyo Motor Show and Auto Salon. I`ve seen some really sick cars from RE Amemiya and even bought a t-shirt.
BUT
None of this eases the pain. I get to and from those events in a three cylinder, three geared company car called a Mitsubishi Minica. As you might imagine, "Minica" is Japanese for "I wanna kill myself".
I`m saving as much as possible, and in two months will be back. Then it`s time to work on a car. Who knows when I`ll be driving one. Maybe I`ll make a phone call and drive my old car.
01-31-08, 12:36 AM
#21
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: San Diego
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just wanted to drop you a note to say I feel your pain. I also live in San Diego and my FD has not been working for 6 months now. I'm lucky that money is not a problem for me, yet I can't seem to get my car running. I too have the passion to drive my car when I need an escape. I have a Lexus SC430 convertible also but I miss my Rex. I have found that my Rex is a love hate relationship type deal. Anyway, maybe we are connected in some strange way by a Einstein Rosen Bridge wormhole. Who knows?
07-23-09, 07:46 PM
#23
Just as I finish my rehab I get a striaght shot into the vain! I felt like ewan mcgregor in the moving trainspotting. pure utopia.............for a day. After a year and a half I drove my car on tuesday night after we tuned it on the dyno. Then last night the battery died. Tried to jump it with but had a mishap. today I have a new battery installed, but the coolant light and buzzer won't go off. My Power FC is showing the temps to be good, but the indash temp gauge is being stupit! I just hope I can drive it again by next week.
Dyno Specs. 243.6 rwhp @ 7.5 psi (stock injectors are at max.)
Dyno Specs. 243.6 rwhp @ 7.5 psi (stock injectors are at max.)
07-23-09, 08:40 PM
#25
I love mine so much that I have spent the last 2 months working on her & am now in the home stretch after dropping a new engine into it. Unemployed here & it really isn`t so bad. I get to finally work on my car & take all the time I need. No pressures. No time tables. Now, if only my unemployment checks were just bigger to cover ALL of the costs of the new Mazda parts I have been buying.....