As fast in a straight line as the Mustang was, I never really "jelled" with it. It was a bit too heavy, too cumbersome, and the seats never quite fit me right. I was always playing around with aftermarket backrests and couldn't find a good seating position.

I decided to see what Carvana would offer for the GT. Holy smokes used car prices are crazy! I got a smoking offer from Carvana, but ended up heading to my local Honda and Subaru dealers to test drive some vehicles. I tried a Civic Sport. Again, my back said no bueno. Then I tried a Forrester premium. It was OK.

Then. Then it happened.

I test drove a base WRX manual. My God, where have you been all my life WRX?! This is the most fun, comfortable, and good looking car I've driven in a loooong time. Automotive love at first sight drive. Subaru matched the Carvana offer, and out the door I went with a Subue!

It's a base WRX, so no fancy bits like heated seats, a sunroof, etc. But it has the great driving bits; all wheel drive, summer tires, great manual trans, decent radio. Oddly enough I've become less and less of a fan of electronic and other fancy tidbits over the years. And I like it just the way it is with great looking 17" wheels and a perfect stock stance.

Anyway, that's all the news from Lake Woebegone. Be well, do good work, stay in touch, and save the manuals!

Steeda springs, struts, bumpstops, and camber plates installed. It handles sooo much better. And she is grounded to the ground.

It’s free today.

Your bank account however is probably humming with anticipation.

Despite it being cold outside, and despite me getting over a cold, I just had to wash the WRX. It was getting too dirty for my liking.

2021 WRX base, manual.

Boring-car silver with 2 mods; a roof rack which was supposed to carry bikes, but hasn't since my tennis elbow flared up and I haven't been riding outside, and four Michelin all season tires (or "tyres" as they say in England, or "tarz" as they say in the south).

Washed with ONR rinseless wash and a bunch-o-microfiber. Loves me some ONR.
https://optimumcarcare.com/product/optimum-no-rinse-wash-shine1

Topped off with Meguiars quick wax.

Quick vacuum and I was done and laying on the couch watching Lord of the Rings.

Now I'm torn between having a vacation beer, because vacation dammit! Or not having a beer as I was just sick as a dog 2 days ago.

Pics for you good people, or it didn't happen.

Monday: I love driving light Japanese cars! Builds a Civic R at Honda.

Tuesday: I love pickups! Builds a manual Toyota Tacoma Off Road at Toyota.

Wednesday: I love diesel Benz's! Shops ancient diesel MB's on Craigslist.

Thursday: I love a comfy car! Shops used Lexus at Carmax.

Friday: I love a cheap car! Shops lease deals for basic Subaru Impreza's at Bluebook.com

Saturday: I love muscle cars! Shops superchargers for Mustang in driveway at American Muscle.

Sunday: I just want something reliable! Shops Camry XLE's at Toyota.

Monday: Repeat as needed! Add browsing Singer Porsche and BaT after buying lottery ticket at 7-11.

Amazing how much crud comes off of a new car with clay. I tossed the clay, so there's no exciting pic to show. But knowing that many cars are stored near rail yards before delivery, I guess it makes sense that a new car with almost no miles on it would be covered in dirt, dust, and rail road fall out.

Anywhoo, after clay was a single pass with Wolfgang swirl remover, then Poorboy's black hole glaze, and topped with 2 coats of Collinite 476 wax.

Then I mowed the lawn and cooked steak for dinner. I'm officially exhausted. Is it Friday yet?

The weekend means house projects and this is the beast that's been taking up a lot of my time. Ten foot long, two inch thick maple countertop from Lowes. I'm building built-in's in our den and this will installed on top of a row of shallow cabinets. It's such a heavy beast that it wouldn't run through my Bosh portable table saw. I had to get out the circular saw and cut very slowly to rip it down. Maple is like iron.

I got the summer wheels out the shed and used Sonax cleaner and Sonax rim protector on them. They're not perfect, but they still look pretty good after a couple seasons of three season daily use. Still rocking the stock Pirelli's, which are known for being kinda' crappy. I'll probably swap them out for Michelin AS3's this fall.

BMW meets Ranchero?

If I fold the front passenger seat way back, fold the rear seats down, and accidently scratch the hell out of the dashboard, I can fit 10 foot long 1x8 poplar boards into my wife's Rogue - and close the hatch!

Luckily it's a beater or else I'd be a dead man with the scratches. I did get a disapproving look, but at least I'm building her some nice shelves for the den. And cooking garlic paprika chicken legs for lunch - so there's that.

Life lesson? Use a towel when loading long stuff into a Rogue to save a dashboard, and possibly a marriage. Isn't there a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy quote about towels? I think everyone who travels through space and time needs one.

This is some serious 1984 crap. Not that I'm for drinking and driving, but this is just silly.

@Highlander Yep, that description is how I feel about the Stang vs. the WRX. The 2019 Mustang GT was a heavy beast. It felt as heavy as my old 2011 Dodge Charger RT. The WRX just goes where I point it!

@Highlander I know what you mean. I had a 460hp Mustang. Yea, it would go like hell in a straight line, but it didn't "dance" and it wasn't exactly fun to drive. I'm in a WRX now and it's a lot more fun to toss around.

@GibbsEmphasis No big plans for the weekend. Lots of house work in prep for family coming into town soon. Yard work, touch up painting, etc.

Disappointing, but not unexpected (the pricing, that is).

It's weird, but as I'm nearing retirement, I'm wondering if I'll ever buy another new car again. The prices are just too astronomical.

Weekend was meh.

And now it's Monday. Is it Friday yet?

@HillRat Oh man, sorry to hear that. I moved out of DC years ago after I chased a robber out of our apartment building.

I've been in Northern VA for many years now, but crime in Alexandria/Fairfax is definitely on the rise.

Well, congrats. Report back on its condition and all your whacky adventures on the Vespa.

@BicycleBuck said in Filled up my 4-cylinder family sedan this morning.:

@lokerola said in Filled up my 4-cylinder family sedan this morning.:

I feel you. Almost $70 to fill up my WRX with 93.

The pain is real.

You're getting hit harder than I. Last fillup on my WRX:

And the previous one (just realized there's one of those goofy stickers on the pump!):

Yea, in the Northern Virginia area it’s over $5 a gallon. No bueno for getting into boost.

I feel you. Almost $70 to fill up my WRX with 93.

The pain is real.

Popemobile!