The Rochester Autoshow is 95% cars represented by local dealerships, and 5% cars behind ropes. I go if not every year, then every 2 out of 3, and have been doing so for the last 20 years. Lately it's just been me and my wife. It's really the only auto-show experience I'm familiar with, although one year back in 2008, my friend and I drove up to the Toronto International autoshow, and that was freaking awesome! I'd love to do that again someday.

That's a touching story about your dad. I lost my parents 10 and 13 years ago, and I miss them too. My father wasn't a car guy at all. If he were, I'd probably be as much into them as you are, instead of where I am, which isn't at all where you've gone. Reading your comments over the years is like watching someone run a marathon, you just keep going and going with plans and mods and new cars. Even with a Leaf.

I think someone with an affinity for the WRX would be drawn to the Type-R and the new Teg. I don't know how you do it being so tall, but you're a skinny guy too, so there's that.

 

I drove our Q60 RS off the Milwaukee car show showroom, back to our dealership, when I worked for Infiniti. We loaded 2-3 vehicles in a cargo elevator and rode down with them, which was a little nerve racking. Also it was a very short trip back to our dealership for me .

 

The Milwaukee auto show sounds very similar where most cars come from local dealers. This year it was a bit smaller (like last year) and probably due to supply chain issues. I was disappointed that I did not get to see the new Mustang dark horse, but I did get to see the new Nissan Z and it definitely looks even better in person. First car I have looked at in a LONG time that there was not really a bad line on the car from the exterior. The doors were locked and windows tinted, but the interior looks much better than the 370Z, even with the red accents I was not very excited about in pictures.

The complete surprise of the auto show was the GR Corolla. I hated how it looked in pictures, but it looked great in person from the sides and back. (It still leaves a bit to be desired from the front.) It is a tight interior, but I fit ok in the front. Tight fit in back. I'm only 6'1" but I do sit closer to the pedals and steering wheel than most (something I learned from racing). Now I understand why people are saying this is a great replacement for an STI. Newer tech, better features, lighter weight, better on track performance, and less $$ than my STI Type RA. I'm just not sure if I want to do that all over again.

A "marathon" of recent car choices lately is true. Working at the largest dealer in the state and seeing all kinds of different cars all the time probably does not help. Nor does the fact that I can buy most new cars for less than I can sell them. A week ago Saturday I stumbled on a used '22 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 4xe (hybrid). I've had this vehicle in the back of my mind for a while always keeping an eye on lease specials. It's the perfect swiss army knife for me, but now with performance. I really liked my Gladiator, but it was not fast, it was too long, it was a pain to take the top off and had awful mpg. I discovered I can buy a brand new '23 Sahara 4xe for even less than our used one (includes fed tax credit $7,500) and it rights all the wrongs of the Gladiator. The only problem is I put all the money from the sale of the STI Type RA into a 14mo. CD so I would have to lease one. Tempting though.

Well that sounds like fun!

 

We purchased a 2022 Jeep Wrangler JLU Rubicon 392 with the Xtreme Recon package last year and absolutely love it. We already have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler JK that is set-up for Rock Crawling, but that one is a 2-door and with the big lift, large tires, PSC hydro-assist steering, etc... it just isn't a practical (or comfortable) to drive around town anymore. The new JL/JLU Jeeps are so much more comfortable, and dare I say, refined, especially when compared to all other Jeep Wranglers that came before it. And with the 392 V8, it's actually quite quick, and sounds absolutely amazing, especially with the exhaust valves fully open. My wife and I both think it actually sounds better than my Corvette. When we were looking at the 392 we also drive a 4xe and were both impressed by it. If it weren't for that 392 growl and nearly 4 second 0 - 60, we probably would have ended up with a 4xe.

 

I agree that it is hard to give up that V8 sound, but I have been driving an electric Leaf for the last two months so any engine sounds good at this point. The 4xe has the same torque as the 392, but not the same horsepower or weight so it would still get its doors blown off by the 392. However, it is still pdq for a Wrangler. I dig the 4xe because it has boatloads of power when you want it, but I can still drive back and forth to work a couple times without having to use any gas. It is the jack of all trades.

I had 2 Gladiators back in 2021 and really liked them. Like you said about the refinement, I was shocked when I first got in one how much I liked the interior. It rode pretty nice due to the long wheelbase and more street friendly tires than the Rubicon. However, the Wrangler 4xe Sahara has a smooth ride too and has a much better Alpine stereo than the Alpine I had in my Gladiator. Probably because the subwoofer is out in the open and seems to have a much larger enclosure than the Gladiator with its Alpine sub tucked behind the rear seat.

 

A guy down the street from me got a gladiator when it first came out. 2 weeks later traded in for a new tundra.

 

I my friend is giving me a complete 89 Mazda RX7 Turbo II 5 speed. When he parked it over 10 years ago it was running, but it has been sitting that entire time. It was in the garage, but it may be outside now. I am making arrangements to pick it up soon. It was a Cali car it didn't have rust when I saw it last, but it's been a long time so I'm not sure what to expect.

 

Marvel Mystery Oil and ATF mix - squirt some in the upper spark plug holes to help lube the peritrochoid camber and build compression. Also dump and refill with fresh gas, and change the oil first (or the turbo will coke up and seize).

Just PM me if you need guidance from afar. I've played out that story at least 2 dozen times...

 

That could be awesome. It could also suck.

Good luck. Those are awesome cars you just never see anymore.

 

I appreciate that. I have 3 buddies that all have FC's, two of them already beat you to that advice! I do appreciate it though, and they didn't give me that specific mixture so I will do that! I will also drain the gas and do the oil. Good thing that there is a gas tank drain bolt.

 

Here are the first set of pictures. I haven't tried starting it yet, but I did buy the oil/battery etc. I will probably do it tomorrow or Friday. Plans for this car? Red suns replica + some white TE37's sounds nice.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1imvYZUUeGsFz3hR9

 

Love it. Such a timeless design. The Poor Man's Porsche.

 

Alright here are some follow up photos, just to show you it's not as clean as it looks in the first bit of photos. Also I feel like some of the engine bay mods are pretty hack jobby. Still, to say I'm excited would be an understatement. Ignore the IC pipe, I had to get that off to access the plugs. I didn't have time to go further tonight but I'm less than an hours work from starting it I'd say.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/qULABQGK2E58Fvxp6

 

I'm guessing there's a front mount IC that the pipe goes to... still, looks a little janky especially that exhaust. OTOH, I've seen and made some real janky **** for my FCs in the day and it all worked out alright LOL...

The body condition is why I'm not still messing with FCs. Too old to get repair parts, and every bit of the inside and plastic outside pieces are brittle. I know folks still do amazing things with these, but... I'm not a bodywork guy.

I'd still prep a racecar out of one, but then the engine becomes the issue - what happens when an apex seal rocks out of its slot? NO inner engine parts; they haven't made 13BT parts since 1992. 13BREW parts are just dissimilar enough - as are the RENESIS parts.

Best of luck man - they are such fun cars.

 

Alright, this will be my last post in here about it, but I got her started! (I just used two stroke oil for the plug chambers)
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bca1siB2LMgtijQi9