Life as I know it is over

[bcooke]

Who said anything about leaving the top on?

And you northerners are plumb crazy. I think your brains must have frozen years ago.

[Tim]

Who said anything about leaving the top on?

And you northerners are plumb crazy. I think your brains must have frozen years ago.

Hey, don't lump me into this. I'll get my frostbite in other ways, but not while inside a car.

Nathan can ride around in the open Jeep to his heart's content while the rest of us enjoy the warmth inside the restaurant.

We crazy northerners are still waiting to hear about the planning of this big event. Wassup?

Of course, the way winters have been of late in New England, it'll probably be 60 in January.

[Figment]

aren't many websites where a guy north of boston calls other folks "northerners". :)

[dasein668]

We crazy northerners are still waiting to hear about the planning of this big event. Wassup?

Yeah! When are you souterners gonna get off yer collective duffs and provide us with some details? Ya bums!

;-P

[Tim]

aren't many websites where a guy north of boston calls other folks "northerners". :)

Funnily enough, there aren't many websites that contain a Britton, either! :<)

[bcooke]

Figment wrote:
aren't many websites where a guy north of boston calls other folks "northerners". :)

Funnily enough, there aren't many websites that contain a Britton, either! :<)

uh... coincidence?

Hey, don't lump me into this

Nathan, I think your buddy just left you standing holding the bag.

Obviously, you "morenorthernersthanmeguys" haven't been reading your emails. I am pretty sure we discussed a date in early January to be confirmed in December. While close, it isn't December yet. The second point is that the reason for the meeting is to plan the "Big Meeting" aka The Grande 50th Anniversary Triton Rendezvous. If I understand you correctly you would like me or someone to plan the planning party? How about meet at a restaurant, drink alcohol until we come up with some really good ideas, perhaps harass the staff at the Herreshoff museum and go home.

I think some of you need to find some projects to occupy your obviously delirious-with-boredom minds.

-Britton

[dasein668]

Hey, don't lump me into this

Nathan, I think your buddy just left you standing holding the bag.

He'll be sorry when I buy up all the Mount Gay next summer and don't share!

Obviously, you "morenorthernersthanmeguys" haven't been reading your emails. I am pretty sure we discussed a date in early January to be confirmed in December. While close, it isn't December yet. The second point is that the reason for the meeting is to plan the "Big Meeting" aka The Grande 50th Anniversary Triton Rendezvous. If I understand you correctly you would like me or someone to plan the planning party? How about meet at a restaurant, drink alcohol until we come up with some really good ideas, perhaps harass the staff at the Herreshoff museum and go home.

Hey, I'm on my way out for xmas tree shopping. That's December in my book.

Plan sounds good. I just want a firm date so I can tell my wife. Or, more to the point, she can't tell me that she has something else scheduled!

[Figment]

I think some of you need to find some projects to occupy your obviously delirious-with-boredom minds.

Clearly, they need to go out and buy an old jeep.

[dasein668]

I think some of you need to find some projects to occupy your obviously delirious-with-boredom minds.

Clearly, they need to go out and buy an old jeep.

You seem to have us confused with people who actually work and earn money....

[Tim]

He'll be sorry when I buy up all the Mount Gay next summer and don't share!

Oh yeah, as if that'll happen...

If I understand you correctly you would like me or someone to plan the planning party? How about meet at a restaurant, drink alcohol until we come up with some really good ideas, perhaps harass the staff at the Herreshoff museum and go home.

Now, was that really so hard? This is all we asked for.

With that difficult planning out of the way, get out there and work on your boat. You do realize that the northern contingent Triton Inspection Management League (that's TIML for short) will be expecting to view your progress on the way down to this meticulously planned event.

[dasein668]

You do realize that the northern contingent Triton Inspection Management League (that's TIML for short) will be expecting to view your progress on the way down to this meticulously planned event.

And the TIML will expect the boat to be warm with that nice heater you've got. And do-nuts. Don't forget the do-nuts! hehe

[bcooke]

Oh-oh...

[Figment]

21-0.

[Figment]

....and a followup for the holiday spirit:

[bcooke]

Kinda destroys the macho Jeep image don't it?...

-Britton

[Tim]

....and a followup for the holiday spirit:

hehe

[Figment]

It's even funnier going down the road. around 40mph the wind blows the "nose" upward so that it's just a bit proud of the hood.
Jaunty!

[Robert The Gray]

Is it cruel to imagine the thoughts of a deer as it is caught in those headlights? Well yes, that is cruel, but funny.

[Figment]

Of course, the way winters have been of late in New England, it'll probably be 60 in January.

64-67 degrees predicted for tomorrow.
I'm going to have to hustle with my layups because all I have is fast hardener.

I'm starting to think that Jollyboat wins Smart Guy of the Year for leaving the boat in the water this "winter"!!

We might find ourselves with topless jeep weather after all.

[Tim]

Of course, the way winters have been of late in New England, it'll probably be 60 in January.

64-67 degrees predicted for tomorrow.

And to think that I tossed that cynical thought out there never once imagining that it might actually be so! Will wonders never cease.

I miss winter. I want it. I live where I do because I actually like the change in seasons! Sigh.

[Figment]

It's entirely my fault.
I bought new snow tires for the beetle this year.

I should've known that this would sentence us all to 6 months of mudseason.

[bcooke]

...never once imagining that it might actually be so!

Tim, you are slowing becoming aware of your God-like powers. Try to retain some humility for our benefit.

... because I actually like the change in seasons

You are sick.

While we might have topless jeep weather, I am not going to take off the hard top just to find out. That will surely bring on a snowstorm. Jeeps with hardtops are just not as much fun though...

If buying a set of snow tires will prevent winter from coming I will gladly offer to buy you the new snow tires of your choice every Fall.

-Britton

[Mark.Wilme]

Phew - and I thought that the weather was my fault - my wife bought me snow shoes you see.

Oh no, that would make it her fault, right ?

[Tim]

... because I actually like the change in seasons

You are sick. -Britton

Perhaps so!

I like winter (when it's winter-like). Nothing's keeping me here other than the fact that I like it here. But really, what good does 60? do in January? All it does is turn everything to mud. Gross. We still can't truly go outdoors and enjoy things, as we know it's the off-season, and the ground is too soft to do outdoor work without ruining everything indelibly.

If you like winter sports, this weather is no good for that. Some warm days are nice for skiing and other pursuits, sure, but you need to have the snow and cold first!

I actually enjoy winter because it gives me, a person who likes to be outdoors when the weather is good, an opportunity to get things done inside without feeling intensely guilty for being inside.

Plus, you know that as you start to think you can actually do something temperature-sensitive, like work on the boat, the weather will change and it'll be cold again. So the potential for outdoor projects languishes unrealized.

About the only nice thing is that the oil bill has been low this winter so far. No complaints there.

It's entirely my fault.

I think the real cold is waiting until my new fireplace and chimney are finally done. That should be within a week or two, so get ready to hunker down!

[Robert The Gray]

Tuesday November 14, 2006

The Patriots lost two games in a row.

They are ripping out the sod at the stadium and installing artificial turf.

And they just signed geriatric quarterback Vinny Testeverde.

{sob}

Nathan,
I am going to be watching your patriotic men go up against the horses in hd tv with a good friend this weekend. Congrats on still watching your local team play, our guys are golfing in florida or something. We, here in oakland, are that car that you drive past with its engine on fire, owner talking on a cheap cell phone. Worst record in the league, and we fired our coach. YAA!! first round pick, with no vision. I maintain a mild thin wisp of hope in the silver and black and worry about becoming a 49er fan.
Enjoy the game.
Best of luck.

r

[Figment]

The Patriots lost two games in a row.

They are ripping out the sod at the stadium and installing artificial turf.

And they just signed geriatric quarterback Vinny Testeverde.

{sob}

We now return this forum to it's regularly scheduled programming...

At least you're finally out of your misery!

[rshowarth]

Figment said:

I really do love my 4runner, but after spending 17 years and 250k miles in New England winters, rust is doing what rust does and the car is clearly not long for this world. Brake lines may be next, or possibly this one funky spot on the frame, etc. It?s been rock-solid reliable until about 8 months ago, but clearly the rock is crumbling and I need to start looking for something else.

I have been driving by looking, and driving by and stopping, and driving by and looking and stopping at a 1994 Toyota 4Runner, with 109,000 advertised miles, 4 wheel drive, automatic transmission.

Asking $4,700, which just happens to be the private sale price given in Kelly's Blue Book.

I have noit driven it yet. I am still resisting, but weakening; I would like something other than my just adequate Toyota Sienna to pull my Mariner back and forth to regattas. Also as an everyday vehicle to commute to work.

So, Figment, any suggestions? Obviously you liked yours for 250,000 miles...Any particular mechanical aspects I should be sure to ask about or look for?

There is some rust on the front quarter panels to the rear of the tires. There is some rust on one corner of the rear bumper. The underside of the wheel wells look good, the exhaust is rusted.

I understand one thing to ask about is whether or not the timing belt has been replaced. Anything else?

Thanks for any comments and help,

[Figment]

Which engine? The one thing I would've changed about mine is that the 3.0 is an absolute pig. The 2.4 is much more efficient without giving away much performance, and is far easier to service. (Britton may wish to dispute this)

Rust really is the enemy of these vehicles. (PA salts the highways, right?) The minor components will disintegrate long before the major components give you a moment's hassle. Rusty exhaust is par for the course, a 6 month old exhaust will look the same as a 6 year old exhaust. Look very closely at the brake lines and fuel lines, they'll be the first meaningful things to rust out.

Mine is a stick, but a friend had a 93 with an auto. He reported alarming efficiency loss when heavily laden for a long weekend camping trips, but never any leaks or malfunctions. How heavy is a Mariner?
The 4runner never noticed the presence of my SuperCat, but I towed a 3500# boat a few times and man we felt every little move that trailer made!

It's a fun vehicle. FANTASTIC off-road, lots of ground clearance. I'd call it a "decent" towing vehicle, but not "wonderful", as it has a bit too much tail behind the axle, and a bit more body roll than I'd prefer. Rear seating is rather short-legged. I averaged 17mpg by keeping the highway speeds below 70. 75mph=14mpg. Your Sienna is a better commuter, but you sound like you're itching for a change.

A significant quirk of 4runners is that the rear springs tend to sag over time, so that it looks like it's carrying a load even when empty. Put a load on the tail, and the butt REALLY starts to drag. Air bags for the springs was the best $200 I ever spent on that car. If you buy it I'll send you pics of my installation with the air valve located behind the fuel door.

Off the top of my head, I'd say that $4700 is nuts if it's already showing body rust. The interior had better be friggin PRISTINE for that price, and I'd still want to see Lackeyesque maintenance records.

[bcooke]

The 2.4 is much more efficient without giving away much performance, and is far easier to service. (Britton may wish to dispute this)

Not at all. I have the old 2.3L 22RE in my pickup and wouldn't dream of replacing it with the six cylinder which is much bulkier and difficult to work on. If you really want power you should not be looking at a Toyota. They are slow and weak but they last a long long time.

Oh, and blue book figures are mostly fantasy in the car business. I used to pay more attention to them until I started working in a car shop last year and got to see the discrepencies between the published and real world values.

Timing belt is the only really big ticket item I can think of. Like Mikes says, it is all about the rust underneath.

-Britton

[Mark.Wilme]

We have the 4 cylinder in our tacoma and it is bullet proof. Only 50,000 miles on it but like I said bullet proof.

[rshowarth]

Well I thought I had struck a deal. I was to pick it up Friday and his brother sold it to someone else on Thursday............

I will just keep looking.

[Tim]

Only 50,000 miles on it but like I said bullet proof.

I sort of expect any engine to be bulletproof for 50,000 miles!

Oh, and blue book figures are mostly fantasy in the car business.

Just like the ridiculous BUC values for boats.

Boats, and cars, are worth what they're worth to the particular buyer at hand. It will vary from buyer to buyer depending on many circumstances. It's nice to try and generalize values, but it's pretty useless to put much stock in them.

[Robert The Gray]

This has got to be the longest thread, arrising from a stray whine.
Hey Nathan, is life over yet?

r

[dasein668]

This has got to be the longest thread, arrising from a stray whine.
Hey Nathan, is life over yet?

r

All I can say is thank gawd for cruising to get me through till football season starts again! ;-D