Is there anything better than finding a good driver....

[jwcurry]

..........for a good price.

I picked up a straight, and largely rust-free, 72 agave car today that has probably enough issues that I don't want to restore it. So, it's going to be a nice stock driver as I start restoring my early 70 sunroof car.

It's hard for me, mentally, to think about a fully restored car. One that you wince over each and every metallic noise caused by a rock kicked up on the road.....or worry about someone opening their car door into your pristine paint job.

I love having a car, that's still well above a parts-car, to just well....um, drive.

CLANK, a rock hits it.......who cares! Drive on. I find those to be the most satisfying of 02's to own and drive.

I picked one up today and I feel pretty good about that.

Best,

Jerry

Salem, OR

[peteinjp]

I fully rebuilt my car and I use it everyday. I just don't wory about it so much. I figure in another 15 years I'll still have a good "driver." Probaably by that time I'll have another shell ready to go and I'll be crying over the fact that MT is no longet making new grills.

But one of the funnest 2002's was the one I slapped together (rusty shell) while I was rebuilding the good one. I beat the hell out of it and loved every second. And it never let me down.

[02Les]

Know what you mean. In the 6 years my Touring has been in Texas, it has gone from nervous show car to drive it anywhere, anytime. I don't worry now, but i'm hoping to start the 2nd refurbishment later this year so i'll be back to nervous again.

[Durango_Dave]

I had a lot of fun too in my first BMW, a '69 1600. Somehow it had been rained on shortly after it had been repainted so there were all these little 'puddle' marks all over the paint. Not too much to worry about there. So we used to rally it down dirt Forest Service roads at *ahem* excessive speeds and drift it around the corners. One time on a long fast straight it bottomed out on a rather large rock in the road that noticeably dented the floor in the back. No problem, just took out the carpet and gently reformed it back close to original with some gentle persuasion from a 10 lb. sledge hammer. I'd take a well running daily driver over a garage queen any day, or at least if you have a garage queen get it out for some vigorous exercise often.

[SteveJ]

Just drive the Hell out of it and enjoy yourself!

When we did the Melee, I started fairly slow down the first dirt section. After I had given up worring about each little tink, tink, tink of the gravel pounding the car, I started to pick up speed. Kicking it into the turns, hooking the wheel and sliding through...once the inhibitions were gone, we started to have a BLAST.

Don't be stupid for stupids' sake, but don't coddle the car either. Small dings, rock chips and dirt are considered badges of honor.

[heinrich]

Glad your going to stop buying cars and start driving them Jerry. Where've you been? See you next time maybe.