As some of you may know in an over reaction to the prospect of dieing and in responce to Glen placing in front of me an add for a flash little Mazda MX5 convertible "Soul Red" sports car, I did, at 75 years, buy a little MX 5. It was a bargain..
I may mention in passing that Glen is perhaps more responsible than me for me getting back into astro photography as he also suggested my first camera when thinking about getting back in the game and as I greatly respect his opinions gave me the confidence to spend the money.
He also sold me my wonderful 115 mm refractor telescope, including in the sale an absolutely beautiful wooden box in which to store it..I love that box as much as I love the scope knowing that it was hand made by Glen and it is indeed a wonderful thing to have.
Glen also put me onto my roll off observatory.
He knew I was planning a larger observatory and had noticed that Ralf from Tenterfield (he has since moved) had advertised the roll off observatory in the classifieds here..well Tenterfield was close so I saw Ralph and the observatory and talked him into delivering and erecting it on the spot where it now stands and for a price that all must envy.
Few things I will do without running it by Glen.
Anyways back to the red car...MX5.
I feared that I would be tempted to drive this car fast.. faster than perhaps the law set down as the upper limit...
Surprisingly that has not happened as it is a scarey little beast with the 2 lt motor with a "sort" feature that when engaged makes it a real handfull..for me..75 remember.
With the top down doing 100 klm/hour, low to the ground and wind in my hair it seems as if it is going 200 klm/hour and after ninety I have to push it past my illusion just to reach the speed limit..it is fun and I am more more confident...and as important a very safe car to me with rear wheel drive and 50/59 weight distribution..so it feels good to me as I can slide a rear wheel ( in a crisis) but have no idea how to manage a front wheel drive in a crisis... and although the MX5 is an auto ( a joke really in a sports car) it has "paddles" on the steering wheel that enables you to effortlessly shift up or down ...now for me autos feel a little wishy washy in a corner and somewhat higher geared than suits me..however with the paddle when it feels like it is floating I drop it down a gear (or two) and it becomes perfect..I absolutely love it as this is the best of both transmissions in my view...
But the irony is that when I drive my white car (Hyundai 1600 cc auto) which I use for shopping and the normal car stuff I find, because it is quiet, it gets to 120 klm/ hour without me noticing and that is a worry as I do not want to get booked or run out of road in a corner.
Irony for sure.
The little white car loves 120 klm/hour unfortunately.
The other funny thing...you really need an overcast day to have the top down ... I just went into Tabby with the top down and realise say if I were going to Lismore you really would need Sun screen and a hat.
You're thinking old, Alex, 75 is today's 50. I'm a lot older than you, and am as much of a leadfoot as I was in my racing days 60+ yrs ago. You only live once as far as we know.
raymo
2nd one has protection for your ears if you must...
Hi there Calton ..thanks for the lead ...I have one similar that was my fathers but with no ear flaps...I dont mind a Panama but I look like a Miami drug lord.
Alex
Quote:
Originally Posted by raymo
You're thinking old, Alex, 75 is today's 50. I'm a lot older than you, and am as much of a leadfoot as I was in my racing days 60+ yrs ago. You only live once as far as we know.
raymo
Raymo we look to you as the repository of wisdom and so I will go out and see what she can do
Alex
Melbourne has the best mainland weather for a ragtop! On a hot day (We do get those) leave it at home or run with the roof up and aircon on. When the sun goes down, so does the roof. When winter comes and unless it is raining, grit your teeth, get a jumper, scarf and beanie, drop the roof, crank the heater up and enjoy it. You can always put the roof up it you start getting frostbite. At least unlike the old MG Midget my wife and I used to have, putting the roof up on a modern convertible actually makes a difference to the environment inside the car.
If I could find a good one at the right price I have been tempted by a 370Z ragtop for years, ever since the dealer ran out of courtesy cars when I was getting a car serviced so I got the dealer principles 370 for the day. No roof, plenty of torque, nice handling, what more could you ask for in a toy.
(oh yeah and a furnace inches from the back of his head)
For me the beauty of the net is..once I felt like an odd ball as I seemed not to fit in due to my strange activities etc...whereas now seeing who is out there I feel tame and conservative..which is actually me.
AND my wild ideas when you look someone is doing it...
Looking at him made me think of my now past beard...thank goodness I dont miss it..you have to accept change and move forward.
Alex
Thanks for the complimentary words Alex, but I don't know about a repository of wisdom, I think everyone who knows me well thinks that I am
more of a suppository full of bull---t.
raymo
Thanks for the complimentary words Alex, but I don't know about a repository of wisdom, I think everyone who knows me well thinks that I am
more of a suppository full of bull---t.
raymo
With you being so humble Raymo one can be assured that you have earnt your outstanding reputation from the observations of others rather than your own words of self recommendation and I hope that I have not embarrassed you by speaking the truth for I only express the universal opinion of those who know you...and I mean that sincerely.
I watched a record breaking run by a Porsche around the famous Nurumberg circuit and witnessed that thing doing 460 klms per hour ... Doing half that top speed will be my goal...
Alex
