Topic: I'm Selling The "Race Car".

[MG]

Yup, my beloved Saturn coupe is going up for sale. It has served me well. It gets 30 mpg. And it has been rock solid reliable since I bought it last September, including a track weekend at Watkins Glen and a recent track day at Lime Rock Park. But for my daily use, a manual transmission is just a huge PIA. For those who don't know, I deliver court notices as my principal paid activity. I am in Providence 4-5 days a week, where there is often a stop sign on every street corner. It all gets a bit wearying after several hours of shifting, shifting, shifting.

And so I have latched on to a one year newer Saturn wagon. It has 50,000 fewer miles and all the buttons. I have just replaced the plugs, oil, tranny and air filter and the PCV valve. I even went hog wild and replaced the plug wires with a set for $19.95 at PepBoys. The car looks and runs well, except the driver's seat upholstery is a bit tired. But I have a lamb's wool seat cover that came with the MG. It looks dopey in the the MG, so I took it off and put it in the Saturn. Talk about your bling!   

For those of you concerned that I may never do another track day, I bought my wife a ride on track when I went to Lime Rock in March. Its what NASA calls a Hyperdrive and it takes place when everyone else is having lunch. It is for rank beginners, so they can get a taste of on track driving without dropping a was of cash. 50 bux and your on the course with an instructor and a chance to go as fast as you dare.

The bride found the speeds intimidating but otherwise enjoyed herself thoroughly. She said she liked it better than the Ferrari simulator at Dave & Buster's, which is high praise indeed. She also found out that being on track does not mean running into walls or tearing up the car. So now, a roll bar in the Miata has her official blessing.

Woo hoo!   

Anyone interested in a really good, reliable used car, here's the listing:  http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1709061150.html.  I even have a clean AutoCheck report to prove it hasn't been wrecked and welded back together!   

[Arthur Dent]

Certainly sounds like you got great use out it and its gone to be sold without regret. Perfect. That Miata should be great fun on the track.

[MG]

Hey, good to see that ridiculous avatar of yours, AD!   

It has been a great car. It far exceeded all my expectations. And its no dog. I saw 100 mph on the speedo on the front straight at Watkins Glen and 99 on the front straight at Lime Rock. The car has about the hp/weight ratio of an 13B engined RX7. It also has a slick tranny that actually is far more supple than the one in the Miata, if you can believe that.

It is shod with some crappo no name tires I bought off Craig's List for $50.  Those skins have almost 600 race track, full throttle miles on them and they STILL look like brand new. I think I could get 60-70,000 miles out of them. They wear like iron, with grip levels to match!   

I am partial to Saturns because they are like MG's. Dead simple and easy to work on. Parts are dirt cheap too.

I don't get the mileage the Prius did, but then again, when I figure in depreciation, taxes and insurance on top of the monthly payment, the Prius was costing me almost $800/month. A fellow can buy an awful lot of gasoline for that kinda money.    And I was afraid to take the Prius on track, although I considered it. With all the stability control gee gaws on it, I was very much concerned the car would do something weird while on track and put me in a dangerous position.

I must say I am looking forward to driving the Miata on track someday, though. Maybe at Watkins Glen this fall. That should be a real hoot!   

[Arthur Dent]

Saturns are simple - I changed the front brakes for my sister in law on hers - was done in 10 minutes!

[MG]

I used to drive nice cars. But now I have adopted the Arthur Dent philosophy. I drive beaters that I can buy cheap and then resell for what I paid for them when they have served their purpose!   

And yes, Saturns are simple to work on and parts are cheap. Plus the plastic body panels generally don't get crapped up the way other cars do as the miles pile up, so a little love and coat of wax and you don't feel like you are driving a shitbox that everybody else is laughing at.

By and large, used ones are about 1/3 the cost of a comparable Toyota or Honda. For instance, this particular car I paid a magnificent $850 for!    I know that's more than you generally pay, AD, but it was the best I could do!   

[Arthur Dent]

My $160 LeBaron is off to the scrapyard this week or next. Lasted me six months with an investment of $40 in parts. Be part is there is a retire your ride program that promises to give $300 for it!

$850 is a great price for a nice usable vehicle.

The summer is coming (maybe - snowing today) so next car might be a cheap classic or 4x4. We'll see ...