:: nothing in particular ::

:: Monday, February 20, 2006 ::

What the fsck is this? That isn't a Greek flag. Someone needs to be beaten. This was part of an advertisement on facebook. I'm debating whether or not to find out who runs the ad, and then tell them they are stupid.

:: Nick 5:33:00 PM [+] ::
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Why I Would Never Buy A Car From Country Hill Motors

I went car shopping with my friend Allwyn this weekend. At the dealer in Merriam, KS, we drove several cars. I was not impressed with the quality of the dealer's stock. We drove a Pontiac Grand Am that started up with the "Coolant Low" and "Service Engine Soon" lights on. Later we drove an Oldsmobile Alero with a faulty coolant temperature sensor or gauge. Last, but certainly not least, came my experience with a certain 1986 BMW 325e that they are selling.

The exterior of the car isn't that great. There is a dent in the right side front fender, and the inappropriate "M" badge on the trunk lid is faded. The weatherstripping was not correctly installed. The interior is a disaster: the center console is falling out of the dashboard, and part of the front passenger seat fell off during the test drive. The power steering is either damaged, failing, or very low on fluid. To top it off the car has 217,000 miles on it. Guess how much these people want for the car? $4,000! Why? I was told that it was a very rare version of the 3-series, and that it was a BMW "M" through and through. I told the dealer that I didn't believe that, since the manufacturer's badging on the door pillar indicated that it was a 325e and manufactured in a year before the M3. He shrugged off my observations and told me I was wrong. When I requested a Carfax report on the car for verification, the dealer refused my request. I got the VIN for the car and proceeded to run my own Carfax, which corroborated my observation that the car is not, in fact, an M, as they claim. First, it has an M20 engine. Second, the instrument cluster is missing the M logo. Third, the shifter is missing the M logo. Fourth, the M wasn't made until model year 1987, and this car is a model year 1986. I then contacted BMW to verify my findings. I spoke with Baron BMW, the major dealer in Kansas City. They confirmed everything I found out about the car, that it was not an M. Interestingly, the car was a trade-in to Baron which was then sold to Country Hill. In conclusion, Country Hill Motors refused to discount their price for the car below $3,000. Trust me, the car is maybe worth $1,000 in its condition. Given the concerted effort to deceive me, I will never trust that dealer, and I will tell everyone I know to avoid them.

:: Nick 4:50:00 PM [+] ::
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No Sugar Coated Crap Today.

I know a whole bunch of people came here today expecting some sort of vicious and scathing valentine's day post. Sorry. As some of you know, I've been dating someone for the past nine months. Unfortunately, theres a few hundred miles between us, and its been a while since I've seen her. We care about each other a lot, and it will be tough not seeing her today.

Yesterday I was convinced that Der Panzerwagen has again saved my life. I was in a four-car accident at rush hour on Bob Billings. The SL looks ugly as sin now, but it was well enough to drive away and park somewhere safe. I ended up having it towed back to my apartment since the radiator was leaking. I didn't have a scratch on me; I didn't feel a thing. Nobody else was hurt either. I'm lucky, I guess.

Looks like its time to bite the bullet and do the valve adjustment on the SD. I think that I am at a point in my life where I shouldn't own any more SLs for a while.

So, on valentine's day, I know there's a girl out there who thinks of me, misses having me around, and I'm ok. There isn't much more I can ask for.

:: Nick 1:35:00 PM [+] ::
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(16:35:53) Jason Weinberg: my tongue is the ugliest thing ever
(16:36:09) Jason Weinberg: it looks like it's covered in raw sulfer and feta cheese

I agree. Ugliest thing ever.

:: Nick 4:38:00 PM [+] ::
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(19:56:10) Me: you know, ford's kuhneutson valves are only good for 25k miles, you might need yours replaced soon
(19:56:38) Efthimios: kuhneutson?
(19:56:56) Me: they are very important
(19:57:17) Me: it is part of the engine block oil bypass system
(19:59:10) Efthimios: how do you know about ford's?
(19:59:24) Me: dude, I know damn near everything
(19:59:38) Me: or at least a lot closer to everything than most people

:: Nick 9:02:00 PM [+] ::
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