What did you do today?

[MadDuck]

^^ Which, between the rain & the wind, is why I didn't head out on the Seven last night after work. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[MadDuck]

So no rain tonight after work and I put 20 miles in the hard way. The wind was interesting to say the least.

[Speed 3 Pilot]

So no rain tonight after work and I put 20 miles in the hard way. The wind was interesting to say the least.

Good for you!...

[whackie]

So no rain tonight after work and I put 20 miles in the hard way. The wind was interesting to say the least.

hard way meaning bicycle? can't imagine what that's like.

[DRKWNG]

hard way meaning bicycle? can't imagine what that's like.

It's hard.   

[MadDuck]

It's hard.  

And it get's harder. I'm trying to get back in shape to do the Kailua Makapuu Town Pali back to Kailua loop. Then I can go ride with the boss on his easy ride days.    Seriously.

[eltristo]

And it get's harder. I'm trying to get back in shape to do the Kailua Makapuu Town Pali back to Kailua loop. Then I can go ride with the boss on his easy ride days.    Seriously.

Oof.  Easy days those are not.


On a completely different tack:

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/2286677454.html

Thoughts?

[DRKWNG]

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/2286677454.html

Thoughts?

It's a car.

[eltristo]

It's a car.

Remind me to thank you for your insight next time I see you. 

We are thinking of trading the beetle for something that seals out the rain, etc a little better.  And, oddly, gets better gas mileage.

[Speed 3 Pilot]

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/oah/cto/2286677454.html

Thoughts?

M3 convertibles are generally not the enthusiast's choice...in it's favor it's a 5-speed and has the Dinan upgrades, so it could be a fun car...if you look at it, make sure that the water pump, radiator, hoses & belts have been replaced, and it would be nice if the RSMs (rear shock mounts), LCABs (lower control arm bushings) and RTABS (rear trailing arm bushings) have been replaced...other problem areas would be window regulators/motors, leaky power steering fluid hoses, etc...other items/systems should be good if regular maintenance has been performed...

Mac may have more to add...

[eltristo]

M3 convertibles are generally not the enthusiast's choice...in it's favor it's a 5-speed and has the Dinan upgrades, so it could be a fun car...if you look at it, make sure that the water pump, radiator, hoses & belts have been replaced, and it would be nice if the RSMs (rear shock mounts), LCABs (lower control arm bushings) and RTABS (rear trailing arm bushings) have been replaced...other problem areas would be window regulators/motors, leaky power steering fluid hoses, etc...other items/systems should be good if regular mainenance has been performed...

Mac may have more to add...

Thanks for the maintenance info.  I am not too concerned about the speed factor (I'm assuming you mean that convertibles are not the enthusiasts choice due to added weight and decreased rigidity), I am mainly looking for an upgraded convertible from my 73 beetle.  And this thing, no matter the performance, will be faster in reverse than the car I am looking to replace 

[Speed 3 Pilot]

I've had my '97 M3 coupe for 10 years now have been autocrossing it from the beginning, most well balanced and connected to the road car I've ever owned (that's why I still have it)...it was Car & Driver's best handling car in 1997 and will last a very long time with proper maintenance and cooling system replacement every 60K or so...and for the DIYer, they're fairly easy to work on...

[MadDuck]

It's a car.

I don't know about the rest of you but I sleep quite well at night knowing that the intell specialists of our country are right on it and don't miss a thing. 

The only real downfalls of that model would be the rear subframe mounts into the body, or more accurately the frame floor paneling that the rear subframe mounts to. That and the convertible top mechanism, linkage, whatever, is very fragile and will require regular repair if you are working the top a lot.

The B32 definitely had the least engine/trans maintenance of the lot.

[hadesducati848]

 Let For a10 work trip in kentucky and ohio so no  [moto] for me for a few weeks

[eltristo]

I don't know about the rest of you but I sleep quite well at night knowing that the intell specialists of our country are right on it and don't miss a thing. 

The only real downfalls of that model would be the rear subframe mounts into the body, or more accurately the frame floor paneling that the rear subframe mounts to. That and the convertible top mechanism, linkage, whatever, is very fragile and will require regular repair if you are working the top a lot.

The B32 definitely had the least engine/trans maintenance of the lot.

Glad to hear the engine/trans issues are minimal.  I drove the car yesterday.  It was... underwhelming.  It didn't occur to me at the time, but it seemed a little reminiscent of the ti when the cat was shot.  Put the pedal down, listen to the too-loud-for-my-taste exhaust let everyone know you've put  your foot down, and feel, well, not much.  Oh, and your warning about the power top mechanism was spot on - it requires a "nudge".   That said, it's decent overall, he seems to have kept on top of maintenance - preventative and otherwise.  Not sure about this one.