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I've uploaded it to my prettty 7 collection: https://picasaweb.google.com/drsms22/MostBeautiful7S02#

Start by fixing Wisconsin, then the Middle East. Thanks.

That's because it isn't a Mac.

Thanks. This is very helpful.

Still thinking about a Porsche as a daily driver instead of my M3. Looking for something lighter to throw around. Any good books on Porsche? I'm thinking of an 80's 911, or a Boxter S, Cayman S, air-cooled 993 from the late nineties or an early 996. Thought I'd read up on them.

Topic redirection and modification. We've been listing cars. That's fun, but let's find out the most favorite Sports Car daily driver, purchasable for, say, under $35,000.

Keep the 7. Don 't include winter with more than 3 inches of snow. So, 4 seasons. Under $50,000. Used cars ok.

OK Scannon. If you were first to choose one to three daily drivers, what would be your top pick(s)?

Actually a BMW, if you have the right model, and have it well maintained from new, can be quite reliable. Regular maintenance does not have to be done by a BMW dealer. The thing with BMW's is the little electronic glitches, turn signals, warning lights, etc. They can be annoying. But, the engine and transmission can go for a long time with proper maintenance. I don't know about Porsches. I'm asking.

A great spiritual leader, His Holiness Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj, once said, “Our soul is overshadowed by our mind, which is attracted to the outer world. When it begins to desire things of this world that are temporary, it is headed for disappointment.” As a person who has been on a spiritual quest I know this to be true. I know that perfect happiness that is lasting cannot be found through drugs, sex, rock and roll (or jazz) or perfect chemistry in romantic love. Most pleasures are temporary. The soul is always longing for lasting perfect union, that, for many, can only be satisfied by some higher connection.. For those of us, like me, who are still attached to the world, I have always been on a quest for the perfect daily driver in a car. For me, besides love and playing music, driving a car is my favorite earthly pastime. I have owned 44 cars and still have not found the perfect daily driver. I have also driven a lot of them that weren’t mine. My father had nearly 100 cars in his lifetime and, like myself, rarely owned more than 2 at once. So I know that the perfect worldly fit between a person and a car is a very individual quest; but I am interested in other people’s experience. For me, driving is an important way to put a smile on my face during daily transport. As I enter the winter of my life, it matters to me to have quality of life, and that includes the most satisfying daily driver. Some of the better ones for me and why they weren’t perfect for me: 1. 1990’s Corvette …. Overly powerful and still felt like plastic. 2. 1996 Mazda Miata … Came close to feeling perfect but was underpowered. Maybe if I had driven the 2004 Mazdaspeed with a turbo I would have been happy. 3. 2004 MINI Cooper S. One of the best overall driver’s experience but I wanted a convertible. 4. 2006 MINI Cooper S John Cooper Works Convertible… near perfection but the rear visibility (before they got rid of the roll bars in 2008) and side blind spots irritated the wife so much she made me get rid of it , and I must admit the visibility problem bothered me too. 5. 1999 BMW E36 M3 convertible. Probably the most integrated and satisfying machine I have ever driven, but mine was an automatic and I didn’t find a reasonably priced 5 speed that was in the condition I was seeking at the time. 6. 2001 BMW E46 M3 Convertible. Probably the best car I have ever driven but it is schizophrenic. Unlike the E36, it is not an integrated automobile. It doesn’t know if it is a luxury car or a performance car and can’t seem to reconcile the two. Also, while it has awesome power and handling, it is too heavy to throw around easily. The rear end will go out on you after about 80 mph. You may need driving lessons to know what to do with it when the rear end surprisingly breaks away, especially in the wet. 7. I thought the car of my dreams was an Elise. It seems to be the move-up vehicle for both 7 and MINI owners. I was very disappointed with the visibility in front with the targa top on, and the rear visibility was awful too for a modestly taller person (5’11”). I recently spoke to a 7 owner who had owned over 100 cars. He was my age (68). Unlike me, his budget was not really very limited. He has owned Porsche 911’s, Ferraris, Boxsters, classic English cars, etc. I asked him “If you could only own one car as a daily driver, what would it be?” His answer surprised me. “Without a doubt a Porsche Boxster S!” My brother has a 2001 Porsche 911 AWD twin turbo and he has been urging me to try a 911. I have never driven one. Every tesimonial I have read says that 911's are the best. They keep recurring, for example, on "Top Gear" as the ultimate machine. I am concerned that late model 911's are pricey and they aren't cheap to maintain. Still, I am aiming to test drive a 911 and a Boxster S. I was wondering what other people drive on a daily basis that puts a smile on their face every time (besides a 7, which is impractical in the cold weather, even with a heater). Sorry for the length of this post, but I thought it might invite an interesting discussion and reminiscence by old folks like me of the highlights of their driving careers. By the way (BTW) I don’t count vans and SUV’s as daily drivers, because they are mostly chosen due to family obligations, weather or terrain. Also, exhilarating race-only cars don't count, because they aren't daily drivers.

$12,500 without the body. $5200 with the body.

If you haven't seen this before... gotta love it

From another thread, here's a slideshow of some pretty 7's. These were taken of cars without people or license plates unless I had express requests by USA7 members. Many of these are member cars, some from this thread, and many aren't. If you want your car in the show, just drop me a pm or email: Drsms22@gmail.com http://picasaweb.google.com/drsms22/MostBeautiful7S02#

My friend's daughter is a dancer in New York. She earned her first NY paycheck stuffing into a MINI Cooper with 25 other people. This is what it takes to make it in New York. I hear the apartments are even smaller. YouTube - EMC Breaks Record with Pilobolus - 26 People in a Mini Cooper

I think it would be great if Rob had the time since he has compiled so much information about Rotuses (Roti?), including parts lists, articles, and has tracked down a number of owners. I know he is very busy at work, but if he doesn't have time I'd be happy to assist. He's the first person I thought of. Rob??? Of course you, Mazda, know a bunch about them too, though Frankn7 would require a car detective to recognize that it was actually, originally a Rotus. I probably am one of the few people who has had the fortune or misfortune of owning two of them.

John.This is really funny. Warren, the guy who started this thread, and I have been talking about going to visit Dennis in the spring. We were thinking about starting a car company based on the Rotus concept. I have a possible very well positioned investor with significant business experience but my dream of doing this is weakening the more I think about the complexities of the endeavour. It sure would be great to own the jigs, parts, and plans though, since I want a new bonnet and could use a bunch of other parts. PM me to talk about it. I'm in Silver Spring, MD. .

I guess one of us needs to call Dennis and ask him to explain the code. I have his number. I was hoping to go up to see him in West Virginia when the weather breaks. He still has the leftover gigs, parts, and plans from the Roti.

I"m not sure that the Rotus number 57 is correct. If it was built in 1989 and there were only about 60 cars made, then that means Chris Custer and Dennis Hedges only made about 3 more cars, but mine is a rotary also that was produced in 1990 and there were still the Rover V8s that were produced. Dennis once explained the production number code to me but I really didn't understand it, like a guy asking for directions. Maybe I wasn't listening.

When I bought Old Yellow, aka "Killerbee" she had an awkwardly formed hump in her bonnet from accommodating a large Weber carb. The current Holley carb setup might fit under the originally shaped bonnet. Or I was thinking of getting a scoop put on there. Also, the paint on the bonnet does not really match the rest of the car. So, I am looking for a good fiberglass and paint person in the DC metro region. Any suggestions?

No affiliation http://www.cafepress.com/SpinningWheels/7027771

Double ditto on the Stalker. Very strong track car and easy parts availability. One of the most popular 7 variants currently made in the U.S.

Maybe I'm a cheapskate but I find the mirrorsforsevens a little pricey even though I am sure it is a good product. I need a good clip-on type. My center rear-view mirror rests on the dash. Anyone using anything else? There's lots of panoramic clip-ons out there but wondering if anyone has one they like.

I have a 13B in mine also, but no supercharger. Just sent you a PM on documentation. Steve

Wow. Another Rotus owner. That's like maybe #14 of the 50 to 60 built that are known to exist. Can you tell us all about it and post pics on the Member Rides section? Mine is a later Rotus also (1990) and has the same brakes but is powered by a Mazda RX-7 engine.

Ok. What in addition to a cell phone and a AAA card?