Draco-REX

It is fun. It's like an unholy combination of pool and pinball and checkers. I've only ever played it on a rectangular table though. The octagonal sides must make for some crazy shots.

No kidding.

I might try to make it out for this. Haven't seen the hangout yet and Nova sounds good.

So has anyone found out how much power will actually break one of those blocks?

Ahh, didn't realize the cars would be so far apart. Never mind then. Only HAM radio (via relays) or cell will work in that application.

Well, a CB can contact multiple people instantly without needing to dial or set up a conference call. Also, a CB doesn't rely on cell towers so they work well for car-to-car comms in hilly areas where cell reception is spotty. Also, the ability to hear truckers warn of speed traps miles ahead is nice too.

Part breaks, accident happens. NASCAR response: OMG! WTFBBQ! We need to make more regulations! These cars are unsafe! Those EVIL EVIL teams are doing something we don't know about. If one part breaks, they're ALL going to break. Cars will be crashing everywhere, people by the millions will die. Get an inspector up everyone's ass until this pandemic of broken parts is stopped! Think of the children! What probably happened: A flaw in one part's construction caused it to fail leaving the other part to do the job of two so it failed as well. Shit happens.

The car's body acts like a Faraday Cage. A cheap CB and megnetic antenna from Radio Shack will work just fine. Or pick up a cheap Cobra CB and a Little Wil antenna for about the same price as that hand held if you want a higher quality unit.

I had no idea Ken Gushi sounded so... gay!

I went by Telhio today and after discussing their online banking I set up an account with them. Things are definitely different with a credit union, but not enough to matter. It'll be nice having a single digit rate on an auto loan...

Really trying to get the crown back, huh?

Ok, so 600tq from 3L is pretty good for a stock engine. But it's still a lot of complexity for just driveability.

It is sequential, it just has 3 stages. Small variable vane for low end spool -> a big one for midrange grunt -> a second variable vane to fill out the top end. Seems kind of overkill for driveability. 381hp/585tq isn't a crazy amount for a multi-turbo diesel unless it has a tiny displacement. But doesn't 550 mean it's roughly a 5L engine?

No price yet. When I go tomorrow to put my deposit down, it will be with the agreement that I can get it back if the price is higher than expected. But I don't think it's going to be an issue. Subaru has stated at multiple auto shows that the BRZ will start at $25K. Assuming a $2K difference in trim levels, that puts the Limited at $27K.

It will be. If I can get the time off from work.. It was always going to be a small displacement aluminum block. I think 600whp is a bit much to ask. Considering the concept from the start has been a spiritual successor to the AE86, big power was never the goal. But a Supercharged and/or turbo variant will likely be in the future. We'll see. I'll happily meet you at an AutoX. I think 2770 is a fair weight. Later this month Vorshlag will have one on a set of corner weight scales. So we'll get some true numbers and a lot of other info to boot.

The BRZ is smaller, between a Miata and the Genesis, and comes in at 500lbs less than the Turbo, and 600lbs less than the V6. I think the Genesis would be easier to live with day-to-day, but the BRZ should be more fun to drive and handle a LOT better. Subaru has a list of cars they expect people to cross-shop: Honda Civic Si Hyundai Genesis Coupe Mazda MX-5 Miata Mini Cooper Coupe S Volkswagen Golf GTI Personally, the Honda, Mini, and VW are off my list because they are FWD. The Miata is too small and only a 2-seater, with half the cargo space. And the Genesis is too big and heavy, not to mention a Hyundai (parts are a bitch to get). Even if only the Scion FR-S came to the states, I'd want it. It hits all the right points in my opinion.

The rattles let you know it's working! Yeah, I hate roped-off cars. If I just want to look at a car I can look at a picture. Cars should be sat in. The good news is that Subaru is touring a few BRZs. There will be one at the Columbus Auto Show, so it should make an appearance at a nearby Subaru dealership.

:dumb: Subarus don't look good. Subaru styling is like a fungus.. it grows on you. In fact, I think they use pictures of the original B9 Tribeca as a form of anesthesia; sometimes euthanasia in dire cases. http://www.buickcarpics.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Subaru-B9-Tribeca-2.jpg

Good to hear. I'm leaning towards Telhio. I'll drop by after work and see if I can get a solid answer on the online banking. If they don't pan out, I'll probably go Chase for the convenience.

I will, but I'll probably be bringing out the BRZ for the first few AutoXes I go to.

And for the $2,000,000 elephant-in-the-room question: Does having personal accounts at 2 different banks impact your credit score negatively? I'm sure closing my long standing accounts would, which is why I'm keeping the out of state ones. I just tipped the scales into "Excellent" credit and don't want to backslide.

Chase's mobile check deposit app would be really convenient... But I'm looking at getting an auto loan this year, and a house in the next couple years, so it sounds like Telhio might be the better choice. Telhio's online banking... If I have both a Savings and a Checking account, can I access both online and freely transfer between them?

Happily. I'll usually do the last run solo, but the other runs I always welcome passengers, no matter what I'm driving. Just don't expect much. It's been a while since I've driven a RWD car, and I've never AutoXed one. I foresee hitting cones with both ends of the car.

Lots of good info, thanks. The mobile deposit feature for Chase is a big plus as I do everything else online. But then, I've heard some stories about chase.. But then, there are horror stories for every bank, I'm sure. Hmm..

So, school me on the difference between a Bank and a Credit Union. Why would I choose one over the other?