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It's sad how some businesses take advantage of customers An acquaintance of mine is in a tough spot. I'm sure you'd recognize his "type." He knows very little about cars but is quite smart in many tech fields, no parental support whatsoever, has been trying to live independently, work a full-time job, go to college. Basically he has no money and no one to fall back on. He's the owner of the 92 Regal and has been taking it to a local Delaware shop for any work it needs to keep in running. It's his only transportation to work and to school, so he always waits on it until they get around to working on it ..... sometimes all day. The prices he told me they've charged him sound to me like they are double what it should be. Latest thing is that they said he needed new rear brake calipers. He couldn't afford their quote. He had a college friend who knew basics about cars and said he would help him change the calipers himself. With friend's help, he got the parts and successfully changed one caliper. However, he couldn't get the other side caliper bolt broken free. Took car back to his shop, and they realize that he's starting to work on the car himself ..... they tell him they want $160 to break the old caliper free and install his part. This sounds ridiculous to me. Do you think I'm missing something? Recommendations on where the work can be done reasonably? At this point, I'm willing to pay for the fix myself rather than see him pay a penny more to his current shop. Can someone hook me up?

Yeah, he's still local, but much of his work has him out of town, going to clients' locations. He's also working with another high end auto business in Ohio, although I don't remember the name of the other company. Here's Todd's info: http://www.esotericdetail.com/

Best wishes to ya, buddy. Enjoy all the new toys. :thumbup: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/phone-pistol-phone-guns-demotivational-poster-1274366172-1.jpg

Most of you have thought about this a lot more than I have, but that won't stop me from posting That seems to be the norm now. I once heard a very simple test of telling what is and what is not a sport: If a 75 year old can beat you at it, it's not a sport. I believe this was said in reference to golf IIRC. Do you think the concept of teams has any bearing on the distinction? In my mind, if there aren't teams, taking to the field at the same time, it's not a sport. I guess it's a weird way to think about it. To my way of thinking, it makes capture the flag, laser tag, and dodgeball sports, but not track or downhill skiing. Baseball prolly not either, since most of one team stays off the field. Interesting thought, BC.

That's not how bail bonds work, my young friend. All she needed for a $25,000 bail bond was for a friend, relative, or group to give 2-3k to a bondsman. I guess it's a good thing that you haven't yet had to learn about posting bail. http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/41571_56951013508_5855632_n.jpg

At least the old boxy designs had a purpose ..... http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/633492530893559110-volvo-500x400.jpg

Oops. I forgot to mention, we have a "Rip Yer Oil Pump Out From Under Your Car" competition each year. Since you own a GTI, you're automatically entered. Here is the current champ: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/better.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/back.jpg http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/quarter.jpg And his most recent victory: http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/oilpump.jpg So, as you can see, you've got a bit of lowering to do before next year's competition.

Nope. Drag racing is about 3-4 events per year where CR rents the whole track for the day (National Trail, Dragway 42, KilKare). We have a National Trail rental May 13th, BTW. People here compete in lots of events. Autocross, track, spec, rallycross, cruises. There are motorcycle events, even a powerboat crew. A number of CR members hold records .... for example, earlier this month a member here was the first person to get into the 7's in the quarter mile with his street C6 Z06. CR hosts car shows, evening meets, and a member here is a founder of Columbus Cars & Coffee, a weekly Saturday morning meet. The site sponsors dyno days and an annual road rally. There are many more informal events and gatherings set-up through the site as well. I'm sure I'm forgetting other major things that CR does, but I think you get the picture that it isn't just drag racing. I invite you to explore the threads once your membership is approved. And, since you're the new guy, you really should introduce yourself to people when you come to an event. Hope you make it out soon. :thumbup:

Welcome to CR. Good looking cars. Hope to see you at some CR events this spring and summer. BTW, the lemon-colored dub needs more low. +rep

I could only stay a few hours, but a big turnout. Great job, Brian and OhioLSX. Thanks for the invite!

Even if the rain takes a break for a few hours, there are so many mud puddles between Delaware and Columbus that there's no way for me to bring a clean car. Sometimes, you just have to say WTF. See you there around 8:15 or so. Camera moratorium?

We're on to you.

Per Anthony's email at 4:38 a.m., event is on See you all at Jeg's!

Welcome, Ian. I enjoyed talking with you at C&C. You've got a great car .... pics don't do it justice. I hope you make it to some Columbus Racing events. +rep

Only if you give me a chance to feel what it's like to be you and be breaking all the time.

Ummmm, I think Gabe spoke in jest, Patrick.

I think Piada would be fun, but it's so packed at lunch that it might take a 1:30 time if we wanted to sit together. http://www.mypiada.com/

I've got nothing against riding with you Scott, but frankly, I don't think you could keep up. (How long I've waited to say something like that to you!)

If I'm getting this straight, Scott Cordell is saying he prefers his Honda over driving any of his four Chevys. What's next ..... a Toyota work truck? A huge wing and vinyl graphics for the Camaro? I'm proud of ya, man. CR has had a profound influence on your evolution!

I'm so grateful you've put me onto this app. Three of my cars (the Viewt, the Century, and the GT-Four) have speedometers that were WAY off. In each of them, the speedo would show 100 when this phone app showed that the true speed was only 60. And for years I've been thinking these JDM cars were so frickin' fast. So weird that all three are off by the same amount. Any sponsors on here willing to try to fix these defective speedos? Gimme an estimate?

Weather permitting, I'm meeting up with the Fast & Furious group (real name: Sport & Import Car Club of Columbus) on Sunday, May 1st, at 9:00 a.m. at Cup o' Joe to drive together to the event. This club is the group that sponsors the Fast & Furious Friday night meets at Quaker Steak. http://www.meetup.com/Columbus-import-car-club/events/16900391/ Last year we won the best club participation trophy and club members won 5 or 6 trophies. I won best Import-Luxury with the Mercedes. This year I have to decide whether to race or show because the same car now can't do both. I'm sure anyone from CR would be welcome to join the convoy down to Cincy. They've promised to show us the secret tunnels.

Welcome, Nate. Better intro, this one. What's your interest in joining Columbus Racing? Any further plans for the Caliber?

Thanks .... glad you liked it. Just ask and I'll let ya drive it. Good to see you and your wife and little one make it out. Nice turn-out on a very windy day. I enjoyed seeing some new cars and new faces. I hope you can make it out to some of the CR events planned for the spring and summer. Christian--great idea. Thanks! :thumbup:

No offense taken. I was just saying that there's certainly no need to apologize for "only" being able to run in the 11's. 11's are quite respectable in my book, even though you've achieved a lot more with your know-how, hard work, and resources. I can think of a few members here who have worked hard to get into the 13's, but I still admire what they've accomplished, considering their platforms.

Congrats, Mark. Quite an accomplishment.