Mondo

Bought my first Ford in 2002; an Expedition. I have to admit it has been very trouble free. Besides brakes at normal intervals, I've only replaced the alternator, battery and cupholder in the last 6 years. Of course I live in a pleasant flat part of California (with nearby foothills for fun); no snow and only about 6 inches of rain a year:cool:

Having worked in government it is often frustrating to go by all the rules that get piled on and sometimes conflict. I understand the rules are there because somewhere/sometime things went wrong... For example, having to accept the lowest bid can end up causing problems, especially when it comes to service, parts, warranty etc.. I have to admit getting burned when first learning the system (thankfully nothing in the hundreds of thousands). It takes a lot of effort to get an exemption for certain rules (guess that's how it should be) and some employees are too complacent or get bamboozled by the salesmen etc... Keep in mind the ones ripping off the taxpayer are private companies, it's not the government itself (unless it's something illegal). There's a balance between oversight and beauracracy.. several have pointed to the ramifications of when it's not done right. Often head's should roll but trying to get a civil servant fired is a whole other topic that I'm familiar with:mad:

check it out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1963-Lotus-Seven-SB1503-Chassis-1818_W0QQitemZ230304647906QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item230304647906&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C65%3A7%7C240%3A1308&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I'll bite.... Seems for Republicans (stereotyping) that there is never a time to raise taxes.... bad economy, not a good time... good economy, give it back. We're at war and Bush only wants the soldiers to bear the burden. If going over there is worth it than let's pay for it, not our children/grandchildren. Infrastructure is crumbling since we won't contribute to the common good like our grandparents did. In California, the only time Republicans have power is during the budget as it takes 2/3rd majority to pass. The mantra of no new taxes while using smoke and mirrors to not make the necessary cuts to balance the budget(along with Democrats) is really sending this State into a tailspin. I say we'd be better off paying taxes to truly balance the budget and then the uprising over the true costs would require politicians make the required cuts that democrats don't currently have the nerve to make. And yes, it's nice that everyone is playing nice on this topic.

Don't you have to be a dealer or in sales to get in?

Nice:thumbs: Great price, shouldn't take long to sale.

Had a Europa in the 80s... first taste of the benefits of light weight vs HP:yesnod: Welcome to the site

If the Lotus 7 is registered in another state as a 1976 or earlier than your probably ok (DMV is on the lookout for cobra kits that try to register as a 60s car). But most likely you'll have to do as Al said. The problem is the 500 exemptions go very quickly; in a matter of hours on Jan 2nd and it's just luck of the draw if your local DMV gets thru to Sacramento before they're gone. It's best to find one already registered here but I'm not trying to scare you. My DMV was kind enough to keep giving me temps all year(didn't get thru to Sacramento last January but 4 out 5 of us on this site did so odds aren't too bad). Happy hunting, there's some great cars out there to be had

Looks like great fun was had. I'm pretty sure that one car you can't identify is from RCR, called a superlite (they make an awesome GT40 and some other nice replicas). http://www.superlitecars.com/

Welcome. Nice car... especially like the color combo;)

:thumbs:

It was funny watching McCain talk about voting for this and the next sentence talk about how he would veto these type of things:skep:

Yep, The way we elect these guys is so polarizing that we get politicians that promise things to their far right or left and no one will compromise for fear of it ruining their re-election (which they start working on as soon as they're in office). In California, at least, we really need some redistricting and/or open primaries to get politicians to pander to majority of moderates (most of us our not conservative or liberal on all things).

I have State Farm and they got insurance for me thru another insurer https://new.bristolwest.com/bristolwest/Home.aspx It's the same coverage as my other cars (no mileage limits etc..) but I'm going to check with Hagerty as I don't think I drive it enough to justify $130 a month. I do have a million dollar umbrella that requires higher dollar coverage on my cars so that might be why it's so high.

I totally agree wih this guy. Am I wrong? Warning... it's about 20 minutes long http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/09262008/watch.html

I think he should do the opposite and build a 7 twice it's normal size;)

Yeah, I heard the plan would cost about 10 grand per person... guess it shows how many of us really take more than 30 seconds to figure anything out nowadays.

Had a Lotus Europa in the 80s.. I really, really, really wanted a GT40. Was going to try my hand at building it as it was the only way I could afford it. Well the price kept going up so that was out. My other choice, which I couldn't afford as well, was to try and get a used Noble. Actually saw one go in the $40s a few months back. I was satisfied for about 5 years with a sportbike but it's just too dangerous and my right wrist seemed to always give it full throttle... had to get off for self preserverance. I'm not a big convertible fan but this car is definately the most bang for the buck and I really wanted something that handled, was quick, and different. It fits the bill quite well. But if I win the lotto:leaving:

Though Brian gave me the weather kit, I plan on having a top for shade made as it gets HOT here.... only 6 inches a year in Bako town.

Just think of the $700 billion plan I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG. Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a We Deserve It Dividend. To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.. So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00. My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend. Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let's assume a tax rate of 30%. Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam. But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00. What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family? Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved. Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads Put away money for college - it'll be there Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs. Buy a new car - create jobs Invest in the market - capital drives growth Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces. If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( "vote buy" ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President. If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+! As for AIG - liquidate it. Sell off its parts . Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up. Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't. Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work." But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! How do you spell Economic Boom? I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC . And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam. Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest. Kindest personal regards, Birk T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

love it! Really like the seats and knee pads:thumbs:

I saw a guy that blew up his Quaife sequential shifting Caterham because he wasn't used to which way to push/pull the lever and downshifted by mistake:ack: On motorcycle engined 7 you can put in a slipperclutch which will help downshifting into corners and would save the motor in the above case.

Best drivers in the world, no doubt:thumbs: I loved when SpeedTV had it on. Can't find it on TV anymore. I'll never forget one race with them driving in the clouds... that's when I appreciated the navigator, there's no way they could of gone that fast just looking thru the windshield; it was scary just watching.

This is kind of how I felt when Kevin gave me a ride (except I didn't have the seatbelt on). And I'd do it again in a heartbeat:thumbs:

I had a little datsun PU with a camper shell at 16... Them kids (like us back then) can find plenty of places to knock one out. So far she's still a princess. Our little talk was "be a virgin in high school so you can go back to reunions with your head held high.... experiment in college, where what you do isn't so judgemental and no employers ask your grade point average". Maybe that was just my experience:o