i managed to put 17000 miles on the malibu last year.... perhaps i should coin a new phrase and call it a pro-commuter

I'm still one of the guys that likes to drive them more than wrench. However, I know to much for my own good. I can't get away with the same things most guys can. Everytime I've ever tried to cut a corner, it's back fired on me because I know better. So I've just learned to build to my expectations. Do I need a road race pan and an accumulator? Doubt it, but I sure don't want a rod through the side of my new block. Do I need a rear end and tank vent through the trunk? No, but I don't like a mess underneath. Is the heat exchanger necessary in my radiator. Aluminum blocks sweat more than steel blocks so it's nice to bring the oil up to temp faster. Not a neccesity. Do I need a clutch rated for 1000hp? Maybe not, but I dont' want any problems on the track. Do I really need different brake pads that are coming next week? Nope, but I hope it improves the performance on the street and track. Did I have to spend countless hours working on the minute details. Nope, but the car has my stamp on it. Every change I've made and I'm leaving out about 100 of them has improved the car. To me it all comes down to your expectations. I'm chasing the best driving and suited car for me. I want it to feel like it was custom tailored and fits me like an armani suit. I'm no where close.:lol:

For insurance purposes 2500 :_paranoid

atta boy :thumbsup:

you just have the sickness BAD. :lol: You strike me as one of those guys thats more involved and interested in tinkering/wrenching that actually beating on that beautiful black paint job. I don't blame you. You've done a fantastic job with your car.

But you're definitely amongst those that have the 'i need this' disease when you don't 'need' anything. A rental corrolla and a full day of instruction at the track will make you a lot faster than any part or mod you can do. ;)

Its taken me a bunch of track events and owning the mini to realize this. An epiphany of sorts. My mini will walk every car on this forum at an autox, and it costs less than most people have in their subframes and brakes.

It really put my own pro-touring project in perspective....

sorry for the babble.

Ok..the better the car is the worse I can be. :lol: I'm not worried about any paint job. I'd rather scuff and chip it up than not drive it. It's only paint.

But you look like an idiot....:willy: sorry I just had to say something:wow:

I know you guys don't know me on here because I just lurk and learn. But I love this thread. It started out dealing with someone stuck in an era and now it's about people stuck in a situation (cars too nice to drive, or cars never being nice enough). I'm seeing parallels.

My car's a mopar.... it is lowered, stiff suspension and has 205/70R14's ... yup they make tires in that size. I just haven't pulled the trigger on a modern combination. I don't drive it much because I've only had it about a year and it needs a lot of love...and seat belts.

My friend that got me into this stuff has a 68 Camaro that is barely street legal (he just got his car teched for SCCA (?)). He used to drive it 150miles to the race track (Button Willow, Willow Springs, etc) until he blew his engine racing and had to have AAA help him back. Now he trailer's it there. He still probably drives it a minimum of 3 days a week just around town and upgrades/works on it constantly.

My room mate has a 69 C10 show truck on air bags. He's got a full kit of crap to polish his car with, which takes him 3 or 4 hours to get it ready for a show. The only power tools he has at our house are for his wheel polisher!

I'm slowly understanding and accepting all faces of this hobby. Everyone gets enjoyment from their cars in different ways. Either you love the G's your body feels accelerating or pulling through a turn, passing someone on a race track (on or offroad), the challenge of rock crawling or mud bogging, the thumbs up you get when your driving down the street, the sound of car alarms going off as you idle by, the compliments at a show or the satisfaction of having a certain car in your garage, even if you don't drive it. However you roll is fine with me.

Cheers!
-Dave

Great point Dave....

It's whatever turns you on. Waxer or greaser - tech check in guy - or cone replacer...

I like spending time in my shed "improving" (aka: destroying stuff)... half my friends can't figure that out... I don't try nor have to explain it to them.

Personally i love the pro street cars, I tend to build pro street style cars. You throw some 18's and 20's on a tubbed car looks killer.