Another Newbie

[ManiacLachy]

One step closer to being ready to purchase, I finally finished paying off my current car!

Next step, get my manual license. I can drive a manual, though I've never owned one. Time to book the exam.
After that, convince the girlfriend that I should get the MX-5 I want, not the station wagon she wants.
Then sell my current car.

Know anyone looking for an Audi A3?

[doc]

Oh Boy ManiacLachy, You've got a real problem there!
My Girl friend wouldn't even sit in mine for about 3 months!
Boy was she pissed off at me for buying the little MX.
Still grumbles about the lack of boot space and anything else she can think to grumble about.
Of course, When she didn't like the idea, I just went out and bought it anyway.
The theory was, "She'll get over it".

[ManiacLachy]

We had a brief chat yesterday, I think she realized it's important to me, so she's coming around. Her issue is the money, my case is my budget is the money I'd get for the Audi, which should cover the purchase easily, and then on maintenance and running costs are cheaper.

Nobody mention the mods budget!

[Nevyn72]

Nobody mention the mods budget!

That would probably be a bad idea.....

[doc]

I agree!
Just tell her how Cheap the Little Mazda is to run compared to the Audi!

[ManiacLachy]

Another step closer, passed my manual test today! Had an auto license for 15 years, about time I stepped up!

Now to put the hard sell on the missus... Wish me luck

[Nevyn72]

Another step closer, passed my manual test today! Had an auto license for 15 years, about time I stepped up!

Now to put the hard sell on the missus... Wish me luck

Congratulations for finally becoming a real driver!

As for the second part?..... A wise man once said to me (ok, it was in someone's forum sig, but the effect is still the same) "It's easier to seek forgiveness than to ask permission"

[Vat]

Another step closer, passed my manual test today! Had an auto license for 15 years, about time I stepped up!

Congrats - no small measure of commitment there. Pretty easy to put sh!t on someone with an auto license, but to front up 15 years later and do it all again so you can run three pedals - tip of the hat, sir.

[ManiacLachy]

Thanks guys. Glad to have finally ticked the box!

Nev, I don't think the forgiveness will be forthcoming if I don't ask for permission. For the car at least.

[doc]

took several months before my lady friend would even sit in mine.
Now she has even borrowed it and drove around with the top down.
They either get over it or they don't!

[ManiacLachy]

I think the ball is starting to roll now!

My Audi just cost me a mint in service and maintenance (a/c fan replacement - $680 fitted! , PCV valve replacement, breaks, tires and the service). Time for it to go!

Had the car chat with my girlfriend on the weekend, I think she's resiging herself to the fact that I've made my mind up, but she's still hung up on the ecconomics and practicalities. You very rarely make money when trading cars, but I think it will work out almost even. In one breath she says cars are a tool and in the next complains that I will have the fun car and she'll have the boring car .

So now I need to show her how much I can expect for my car, how much I'll spend on the new one, and the expected profit/loss. But I think it's just a formality.

This weekend a buddy and I are going to go test driving. Hard to find NBs in dealerships around Brisbane though, and I don't want to screw around a private seller just to try on their car. The SE's that I'm serious about are are in Sydney, so not really on hand. Going to find an NC or two though, and I'm going to have a play on an 86 too, just to see what they're about.

If any body in Brisbane is willing to let me look at and sit in their NB or NA, I'd much appreciate it. I don't expect to drive your baby, but I would like to see how I fit in the cockpit.

[Mr Morlock]

One does not buy an MX5 for practicality but it can be quite suitable for some-but not exactly a shopping jeep or when you have more than one passenger and a lawn mower probably will not fit in the boot. Ladies often don't like sports cars and do not see what is the attraction. Men can ignore this but eventually find that they take on the hobby with a spare seat. Terrific if a partner enjoys a sports car and that often means not throwing the thing at warp speeds into corners.

[ManiacLachy]

Oh, I'm definitely aware of the practicality limitations of an MX-5 and other sports cars. Infact, it's singluar purpose quite appeals to me. There'll be no tow-hooks, bike racks or others going on my car!

[cookie]

regarding the better half/handbrake/bank, ive found that If only one sacrifice comes at a time, its much easier to live with. i.e. buy impractical mx5, then add stiff suspension (on softest setting, gradually increasing it over a period of weeks) then soften again and add even more impractical seats, and slowly stiffen it up after the grumbles about seats has died down...then add a noisy exhaust and a hardtop at the same time. so she doesnt notice the exhaust as much... then add boost ;) its a long process. and everything always costs $100.

[ManiacLachy]

Like cooking the lobster in the pot by slowly increasing the heat ;)

She's a smart one, she'll catch on to all of that, safer for me to just be up front I think. But it'll still be a go-slow road of mods for me.