Doc1647545523

The broker I used was excellent but has retired. A friend on CR recommended someone to me, but I did not have a very good experience with him. He claimed to have expertise in the field, but I found I had to walk him slowly through the basics. He was rather secretive about his costs, and in the end, couldn't deliver on his promises. When he stopped communicating (for weeks) on a bid he was supposed to place for me in an auction, his only excuse was that he does taxes on the side and he's been busy because it's tax season. There are a couple of JDM importers in Virginia that people on CR have used and were satisfied with. The advantage to that is you can inspect the car in person, and it's already imported and legally titled. BIGGU on here had a good experience getting his Soarer, and I'm sure he can give you his broker's info if you PM him. The happy ending for me was that my old broker who had retired did me a solid and found a suitable car for me, which he is importing now. I had been looking for over 6 months for a Figaro to import under the 25 year rule. "Figgy" should be here in about 4 weeks: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Figgy/Fig%202_zpslqnrjcuf.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Figgy/Fig%202.5_zpsrqlx9ziw.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Figgy/Fig%202.1_zpszmyfymrv.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Figgy/Fig%203.5_zpse0bk6feo.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Figgy/Fig%203_zpsqndl5ke9.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/Figgy/Fig%204_zps1br9atod.jpg

Beautiful car. I hope it brings you many years of enjoyment.

Thanks, again. Today's the birthday, but the staff here seems to think it's like Mardi Gras or the Twelve Days of Christmas or something. Another banquet lunch I really don't need plus gifts and cards. I've declared Wednesday the official post-birthday celebration, so there's still time if you haven't purchased an expensive gift yet. :masturboy:

In fact, it would have to be better. With a fiery crash, the suffering ends quickly ........

Thanks for all the well-wishing. I still have a couple of days to be in my 50's. Yeah, I work with some great people. It's the major reason I've stayed so long at the one location. Fortunately, I don't have to go to a BMV location for renewing .... I do it through OPLATES. Can you imagine being in line behind me? It's about a grand each year. That may seem like a lot, but compared to the overall costs of maintaining, insuring, preserving, storing, and driving the cars, the registration fees are the least of my worries. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/regs_zpslqysjwob.jpg

made out of adult diapers! http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/birthday%20cake/front%20of%20d%20cake_zpspwoagoq8.jpg Yep. Some of you may have heard of diaper cakes, usually presented to mothers after they give birth. Well, the nurses on my team at one facility decided they would put a twist on that by making me a "cake" with adult diapers: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/birthday%20cake/diaper_zps2pzvlftx.jpg racing trophies, checkered flags (made from duct tape), matchbox cars, denture cleanser, hemorrhoid ointment, laxatives, hair restorer, Ben Gay ... you get the picture. They managed to get some of my current cars, and even one they heard me talking about recently (the Aston): http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/birthday%20cake/aston%20martin_zps13kgxoio.jpg It was all a surprise, five days before my 60th birthday, but a second cake commemorated my premonition that I'll die in a fiery crash (in the distant future, I hope). The actual cake had the checkered flags and plenty of flames: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/birthday%20cake/white%20cake_zpsmqwkowvb.jpg I guess when you dish-out plenty of ribbing, you've got to be able to take some ribbing, too.

Ave atque vale, my friend. I hope you find the car scene there bigger and better than it is here. Send us pics!

Given at the right time, I'll bet the watches will be special to your sons, and that will be worth more to you than what ten or fifteen bucks would be.

And before, anyone else posts this: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/up-his-ass_zpsu5c6c8ce.jpg

First, my disclaimer: I'm not a watch expert. Others on CR know more about the buying/selling of watches. Bob (Diamonds) comes to mind. Perhaps some things I've learned from my experiences could be helpful. At the most basic level, an item is worth what a buyer will pay. If you have a few of these on eBay, you get an idea what that value is. Expensive/rare/desirable watches might require some specialized marketing, but these aren't in that category. Quartz watches which were under $100 new, have routine wear & tear, and are currently not running (at least need new batteries) may not be worth the effort and annoyance it takes to complete a sale. All together, they will fit in a cigar box ... they have sentimental value ..... do you really not have room? If you still want to get rid of them, do you have nephews or other young boys you know who get use out of them? I'm not talking about substituting a non-running watch for a legit Christmas gift, but rather just giving them a watch for no special occasion, and telling them why you liked the watch and why you want them to have it. Maybe even put in a new battery for them. I still have a Timex which my grandfather wore. When it was given to me it didn't run, the hands and dial were faded, and the band was pretty ragged. I've had it fifty years. Sometimes I wore it as a daily. It needed an overhaul, and I even had it restored. It might be worth $10. But it's special to me because it was my grandpa's.

Just in the last 30 minutes I've had contact with two potentials via emails and PM's. Also, send the PayPal request to me so that I can pay my own sponsorship and registration for at least one car.

Thanks for posting to the thread, Ray. There are a pretty good number of CR people planning on going. I urge anyone considering it to register now, as Ray asked, to help show support and make this a successful meet. It's only $15. I've been a little slow thinking this all through ..... there are a few good media connected members here, and I'll ask them if they would consider involvement with this. Also, CR has some great vendor/sponsors, and I'll also approach them tomorrow to see if they'll lend support. I can't imagine how much work this is to organize, Ray. It will be great to have one of the big import meets so close to central Ohio. :thumbup:

88k as tested. Wow. That would buy quite a fleet of 1998 LeSabres.

Welcome, Jed. There's always plenty of advice at this place. Hope to see you at upcoming meets and track days. There's even a gathering in Delaware from time to time.

Beautiful images. I'm glad to see that you will be sharing them with a wider circle of people. :thumbup:

Lancaster has some beautiful older homes at about one third of the cost they would be in most parts of Columbus. I also like the pace of life there better than in Franklin County. Congrats!

I think that's called a dysphemism rather than a euphemism. Funny, all the same.

Here's my piece of unsolicited advice, not directed at anyone in particular: When your situation is so overwhelming that you feel forced into resorting to violence or threats of violence, BACK AWAY FROM THE KEYBOARD. It's better to leave people wondering why you aren't posting than wondering why you are.

I'm sure that we'll make plans as the event grows closer. As of now, the organizer has asked that I bring multiple cars, which is always a logistical challenge for me. I'm not even sure if I want to stay there overnight vs. go up in an early morning caravan.

Sept 4, 2016 (Labor Day Weekend), Milford, Michigan, west of Detroit Midwest Takeover: http://www.midwesttakeover.net/ I notice the website gallery already has some CR members' cars featured.

I think I'd be wanting to have a sit-down with the manager of the Valvoline store ..... but to your point, North End Wrench isn't far from Worthington. We know she'll be dealt with honestly there.

Forced Induction Buyer's Guide from the FT86 Club Forum: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56783 There's more real-world experience there than anyplace else (21 pages of information on the Buyer's Guide thread alone and 118,000 posts to the FI section). I've been happy with the HKS kit. I had problems with a custom pulley shredding the belt, but that's been sorted out. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/GT86_LR-39_zpslq1snkh4.jpg (photo by Mike LaNasa)

PM sent to Forrest Gump.

You're doing the right thing to shop around. I investigated all the discounts and combinations for what I insure, and as a general rule, bundling with one company helped. But, that said, I saved loads by splitting off one high-line car, the motorcycles, and the slingshot, each to different companies. My main agent told me the difference between motorcycle insurance through Progressive vs. Geico was that the underwriting at Progressive was weighted more to the performance aspect of the bike (bike value, displacement, sport vs. touring), whereas Geico weighted the factors related to the driver (age, violations). For me, Geico was one eighth the premium that Progressive quoted for the same coverage! With the 999, it was almost a thousand dollar a year difference.

What you said makes sense to me. What I had in mind was that since the FRS revisited the tradition of the old Toyota 86 (e.g., simple, inexpensive, light weight, RWD, ripe-for-mods), it should have stayed true to that and been branded a Toyota. I guess my point is pretty arcane when compared to your marketing observations.