Gah. I haven't kept this blog updated nearly as much as I wanted to when I started it. Here's what's been going on:
The baby has "dropped" inside Lori Ann, which the books say is normal around this time. The doctor says that she's still on track for her due date, though (September 8). Lori Ann is pretty tired of being pregnant, though, and I know that we're both ready for him to get here.
The M3's engine blew up. Again. Head gasket. Again. I wasn't on the track; in fact, I haven't been to the track since the instructor training in June. I was driving the car home from BMW West after looking at an E46 M3 that I was considering, stopped for lunch, and when I started the car, the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. It couldn't hold an idle, and had no power. I limped the car to Bavarian Machine, and the next day they diagnosed a blown head gasket.
They then proceeded to pull the head to try to figure out why the head gasket blew on a fresh engine. Problem is, the inside of the engine looked perfect. So, it's still a mystery why it happened. They're going to button up the head with a new and stronger head gasket, and once the head goes back on, they'll test the rear knock sensor to make sure that it wasn't a detonation problem.
In other car news, I've been looking at 4-door (or at least 4 seat) cars to buy for when the baby arrives. Yes, an SUV (yuck) or a minivan would be a smarter choice, but I want a fun daily driver that may eventually take over track car duties, but can still handle a baby seat in the back. I considered the E46 M3 (see above), but eventually ruled that out due to the 2 doors and the fact that it's another German car with no warranty (or a warranty that will expire soon). The E39 M5 is out as well, for the warranty reason.
I then realized that I could get a brand new Japanese turbo charged rally special for the price of an older M3 that probably won't break down on me anytime in the next few years. Yes, I'm talking about a Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Evolution X. So, I went looking at them--thankfully the Subaru and Mitsu dealerships are right next to each other.
I drove the Evo first. Wow. It's true what I've always read about the Evo--it's a heck of a car. The best steering feel and response that I've ever felt, even in the Porsches that I've driven. Powerful engine. All-wheel-drive with tons of electronic aids that aren't intrusive. Brembo 4-piston brakes. Recaro seats. And, the interior of the new X is actually pretty nice, with an intuitive nav system and hard drive-based media storage system. I loved the car.
Next, the Subaru. I owned a 2003 WRX before I bought the S2000, so I'm familiar with Subarus. Great car. I liked the idea of the 5-door hatchback in the new Impreza family even more. Unfortunately, the car, even the new STI, didn't live up to my expectations. It was fast, sure, but it had more turbo lag than the Evo, the interior wasn't as nice, it seemed somehow smaller inside, and it just didn't have the same overall handling sharpness as the Evo.
So, it's going to be the Evo. Even though I test drove a GSR, with the 5-speed manual, I'm going to buy the MR, with the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (so my wife can drive it), the leather & suede seats, and some other goodies. I figure I can drive it as a daily driver while it's in warranty, and then, once the M3 wears out, the Evo can become my next track car. The agreement is that once the baby is born, I can go buy it.
Only problem is: do I get rid of the S2000, or is the M3 proving unreliable enough to ditch it instead? I enjoy the M3 more on the track, and I have all of the race tires, brakes, etc. for the M3, but let's face it, the S2000 is going to be much more reliable in the long term. I wish I could keep both, but I don't have anywhere to store a 4th car.
The baby has "dropped" inside Lori Ann, which the books say is normal around this time. The doctor says that she's still on track for her due date, though (September 8). Lori Ann is pretty tired of being pregnant, though, and I know that we're both ready for him to get here.
The M3's engine blew up. Again. Head gasket. Again. I wasn't on the track; in fact, I haven't been to the track since the instructor training in June. I was driving the car home from BMW West after looking at an E46 M3 that I was considering, stopped for lunch, and when I started the car, the dash lit up like a Christmas tree. It couldn't hold an idle, and had no power. I limped the car to Bavarian Machine, and the next day they diagnosed a blown head gasket.
They then proceeded to pull the head to try to figure out why the head gasket blew on a fresh engine. Problem is, the inside of the engine looked perfect. So, it's still a mystery why it happened. They're going to button up the head with a new and stronger head gasket, and once the head goes back on, they'll test the rear knock sensor to make sure that it wasn't a detonation problem.
In other car news, I've been looking at 4-door (or at least 4 seat) cars to buy for when the baby arrives. Yes, an SUV (yuck) or a minivan would be a smarter choice, but I want a fun daily driver that may eventually take over track car duties, but can still handle a baby seat in the back. I considered the E46 M3 (see above), but eventually ruled that out due to the 2 doors and the fact that it's another German car with no warranty (or a warranty that will expire soon). The E39 M5 is out as well, for the warranty reason.
I then realized that I could get a brand new Japanese turbo charged rally special for the price of an older M3 that probably won't break down on me anytime in the next few years. Yes, I'm talking about a Subaru WRX STI or Mitsubishi Evolution X. So, I went looking at them--thankfully the Subaru and Mitsu dealerships are right next to each other.
I drove the Evo first. Wow. It's true what I've always read about the Evo--it's a heck of a car. The best steering feel and response that I've ever felt, even in the Porsches that I've driven. Powerful engine. All-wheel-drive with tons of electronic aids that aren't intrusive. Brembo 4-piston brakes. Recaro seats. And, the interior of the new X is actually pretty nice, with an intuitive nav system and hard drive-based media storage system. I loved the car.
Next, the Subaru. I owned a 2003 WRX before I bought the S2000, so I'm familiar with Subarus. Great car. I liked the idea of the 5-door hatchback in the new Impreza family even more. Unfortunately, the car, even the new STI, didn't live up to my expectations. It was fast, sure, but it had more turbo lag than the Evo, the interior wasn't as nice, it seemed somehow smaller inside, and it just didn't have the same overall handling sharpness as the Evo.
So, it's going to be the Evo. Even though I test drove a GSR, with the 5-speed manual, I'm going to buy the MR, with the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox (so my wife can drive it), the leather & suede seats, and some other goodies. I figure I can drive it as a daily driver while it's in warranty, and then, once the M3 wears out, the Evo can become my next track car. The agreement is that once the baby is born, I can go buy it.
Only problem is: do I get rid of the S2000, or is the M3 proving unreliable enough to ditch it instead? I enjoy the M3 more on the track, and I have all of the race tires, brakes, etc. for the M3, but let's face it, the S2000 is going to be much more reliable in the long term. I wish I could keep both, but I don't have anywhere to store a 4th car.
