F$@K YOU, I'M NOT CRAZY, YOU'RE CRAZY!!!

Well, Ive been holding off on sharing this until I knew everything was in order, but I think that time has come, so here we go...

GM is buying the car back from me.

It went in for the final inspection in April, before I went to Bahrain, where a GM engineer allegedly went over the whole car and could find nothing wrong with it. I got it back and immediately noticed something new wrong with it - a developing exhaust leak because it was missing header bolts, which probably traces back to the original engine replacement. I also noticed another issue - only 2 bolts out of about 10 to 12 are holding the undertray on.

I called GM and explained these issues that their engineer didn't catch, further reinforcing my belief that the repair work was shoddy and I have no faith in this vehicle and believe I will continue ro uncover more problems. I had an attorney online and we were planning to go to arbitration, but GM decided to come through with an offer to take the car back. And the best part is, because of Virginias aggressive lemon laws, they will refund 100% less about $200 to adjust for mileage on the car.

So all the paperwork is in place, just waiting on GM to wire the money and give me instructions on which bridge to push this thing off where to turn it in.

I haven't given a replacement much thought yet. I've got a lot going on between this, work travel, and getting ready to change jobs. I figure Ill give it a few months to let the dust settle while I think about it.

A 2021 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE in Riverside Blue! That's right, I've joined our very own @Arch-Duke-Maxyenko in going full mullet with one of the baddest Camaros to ever hit the street!

I've wanted a Camaro since I was a kid. Posters of IROC-Zs adorned my walls. It's always been my attainable dream car, and today the dream was attained! It feels so good! Im giddy just thinking about it sitting in my driveway!

If you're not well versed in Camaros, the SS denotes that this car is propelled by the 5th Generation of the legendary Chevrolet Small Block V8 displacing 6.2L and making 455 HP and 455 ft-lbs.

The 1LE is the more interesting bit - the term is an RPO code (how GM internally denotes different options and packages) that originated with the 3rd Gen Camaro. Its a track pack that increases cooling and handling for sever duty use.

In this case it adds a multitude of features including larger radiator, larger oil cooler, trans cooler, and rear diff cooler, 1LE specific springs and sway bars with Magnaride shocks with performance tuning, an electronically controlled torque vectoring differential (eDiff), massive brakes with 6 piston Brembo monobloc calipers up front and 4 pistons out back, special light weight forged wheels, 20x10 up front and 20x11 out back, short throw shifter, Recaro performance bucket seats, and the black wrapped hood, spoiler, and mirrors.

This particular car came with a dealer installed GM Performance Parts front strut tower brace in black.

If you can't tell from my pictures, its a crappy day today so I will get more pictures later, along with a more detailed write up of features, specs, and driving impressions. Suffice to say, it's awesome!

... and in my heart.

The Camaro went back to the dealership today to be re-released into the wild. If anyone on here ends up looking at a blue 1SS 1LE, let me know the VIN so you can make sure you don't buy my old headache.

I think this pretty much sums us up

(Shamelessly stolen from ExtremePSI FB group)

That makes 38 laps complete for me. I had to work today, but now I'm getting ready to go get tacos and margaritas with my family. Post pictures of whatever you want!

that you take a pic as you're walking away...

and when you're walking back.

Some of you may recall that back in 2020 when I got this:

I also ended up with this:

That was Blizzard, aka Princess Blizzy, our 2 year old Husky / Shepherd foster doggo. We had this nut for 3 weeks, which is a whole week longer than Camaro worked.

Fast forward to this week and on Tuesday I got the call that this had arrived and would be ready to pick up the next day:

That same day we got an email from the rescue that they had an urgent need for fosters. I made the mistake of teasing that Mrs. Snuze that we ought to make it a tradition, new car & new (foster) doggo. We could even see which one sticks around this time.

Well she took the bait and yesterday afternoon I picked up this sweet lovebug:

Oppo, meet Dolly. Shes a 2 year old Red Heeler (Australian Cattle Doggo) who was surrendered to a kill shelter in SW Virginia and saved 2 days before she was supposed to be put down. Dolly loves people, she likes Ozzy (she really wants to play, but hes having none of it), and is an all around wonderful girl. If any Oppos in the DC area want to adopt her, hit me up!

This is both figuratively and literally.

First, on the literal side we went up to the top of Mt. Yumihari. We were planning to get brunch but the spot was closed. But the drive up was fun, the roads were very steep and curvy. The view was cool, although it was quite hazy today. But you should still be able to make out the harbor, Navy base, and SSK shipyard. I learned the large rectangular basin was built back between 1906 and 1917 and it was Japan's largest civil construction project up to that point. On an unrelated note, apparently some scenes from The Last Samurai were filmed up here (though I've never seen it).

During our travels I saw this neat house that was built up on stilts with parking below it. Waiting there for it's owner was a nice little Suzuki Alto and a scooter.

A neat little factoid is that in Japan all new drivers must display this new driver symbol on their cars for the first year they drive. There's also a symbol for elderly drivers over 70, but I haven't seen one yet.

Below is a Mazda Flair Wagon that I saw while out and about and I really like the color. The Flair Wagon is actually a rebadged Suzuki Spacia, similar to the one I posted yesterday.

I also got this shot in the military park with some interesting cars. In the foreground is a Toyota Noah van, similar to one I've been riding around in (when we're not using the Hiaces). Behind it, barely visible, is a WRX. Beyond that is an Alfa Romeo Mito and the small white car on the far right is a first generation Daihatsu Copen kei roadster.

Now the figurative part of going to the mountain top. Tonight, I went to Lemon Steak Salon. It's a little hole in the wall place in Sasebo, had seating for about 12. It's run by a husband and wife, and he's apparently a classically trained chef who has won many accolades. He cooks right in front of you and his wife helps and waits the one table and the bar.

I went all in and got a full set which included a creamy squash soup (not pictured), a salad that contained everything:

As well as a fabulous dessert of orange custard, raspberry sherbet and vanilla ice cream, and coffee:

And the most important part, 3/4 of a pound of Kobe steak!

This is one of, if not the, best steaks I've ever had in my life. It was soft, tender, perfectly cooked, and perfectly seasoned. I really can't say enough about how good this steak was. It's worth a trip to Sasebo just for this steak.

With that, I'm off to meat coma land.

My dad works in construction and earlier this year he was involved in a full kitchen tear out / remodel and was able to score me a bunch of cabinets. Well today he came over and we hung them, and I gotta say, they look great! The big pantry cabinet needs a support base built underneath which I will do myself, but the hard work is done.

I also got the air compressor mounted on its isolators. I need to shim it up, its a bit crooked, and then get my regulator mounted on the wall. But I gotta say, I'm pleased and the garage is coming together nicely.

@FourMalibus I went to a lot of small local shows as a teenager. My first big event was either Warped Tour or HFStival when I was in high school. My first (relatively) major label band was Dimmu Borgir (norwegian black metal). This was went I still considered myself a punk rocker. It must have had a profound effect on me because now Im a metalhead.

@ttyymmnn Well Mrs. Snuze sure has a lot to complain about! Haha

@tophercrowder was it needed? Probably yes.
Could they have done better? Also probably yes.

@ttyymmnn Mrs. Snuze and I are going to an Oktoberfest party at a local brewery with a neighbor and his wife. This guy and I have become friends - he works for my "former employer" (Navy). My wife has only met his wife once, briefly, and is concerned they won't get along or have much to talk about. I think it will be fine.

@atfsgeoff My wife was going to fly down and join me on this trip and we were going to spend a few days in FL together, in which case Id have had to get my own rental. So I looked into it and it was too much for me. Tbh I don't remember the exact number, but I want to say it was around $300/day.

@HillRat @Cash-Rewards Yeah, this is totally the 180 of my experience. But as I said before, good for you if you found someone there you like and can work with. I'm happy for you.

I am very much "vote with my wallet" and my experience at Koons was so bad I would never do business with them again. Ever. They are one of a handful of companies where I feel so strongly Id rather die in nuclear apocalypse than accept one iota of anything from them. And I don't get to that point lightly.

But I can also only live my life and tell my story. Similarly, we bought our GMC Terrain from a dealer who I think is fantastic. I bought my new Camaro from a different dealer who I had previously done business with and had another great experience with. Read their google reviews, they both have plenty of detractors. I won't fault anyone for doing business with a business I don't like if they are happy and being treated well.

@NKato claymore is clearly fake. The grenade I'm 99% sure is an inert training one, but not sure I'd be willing to take the chance. Then again I'm not a meth head who steals catalytic converters. So my guess is the deterence factor is low.

@Snuze Just a bump to put this at the top. You all lose. Its a 2020 Kia Sportage. Hey, at least its a color!

@Esotericars Id rather not go through all that hassle. But it would be interesting to see what would happen...

I am in Florida for 2 days and work booked me through Hertz (gov policy is always pick the cheapest provider at time of booking). I don't think I'm getting the Mustang GT500H, so post your guesses below!

Update: my fine chariot for this adventure is...

This 2020 Kia Sportage.