Lane sold his coupe.

And its Lane red!  Just need to get wheels powder coated red!

@Alan Merklin posted:

Living in West Virginia, every single road is driving adventure, on one particular evening I did 35 miles of continues mountains and twisties never coming up on another car. That cost me a set and pads and cutting the vented rotors on our previous 328xi but it was an intense and memorial 50 minute BMW driving experience. Three different directions out of Elkins, WV is a 100 mile loop trip to return unless, you do a U turn :~)

My daughter lived in Edmund WV - just outside Beckley near the New River and Galley Bridge.  We were driving a back road to her house and a car came the other way as we crested a hill.  She yelled put a wheel down?  Huh?  Went off side of the road as other car did.  In that area of WV only the center (single lane) of the road is paved.  Shoulders are potholed and gravel (if lucky). Fortunately, I was in my 4Runner.

@DannyP posted:

Which is why maybe you should pause and wait for a minute. You still have the Bimmer.

And to every person who suggests an open car to Lane, he isn't buying one. He has skin issues and needs to stay OUT of the sun.

Besides, a Cayman is BETTER than a Boxster in every way: lighter, faster, and stiffer. Believe me, I've driven both. The Caymans all have a more raw driver's car edge to them.

Good luck with your search, Lane.

I'd forgotten that. Not all of us know Lane personally either ....

My inyterest is in coupes or Speedsters with hardtops for that reason; my Dad ended up with a lot of skin cancer on his noggin'

I spent a fiar amount of time in WV riding motorcycles, sometmes solo, sometimes with my BIL and sometimes in a group of 30 riding a similar brand/model, met on a site like this.

People there are salt of the earth and the best, shirt of their back type if they like you. The alternative would not be near as enjoyable. Beautiful country.

I went to a hillbilly wedding *there words for it) where my motorcycle was in the wedding party and photos, I kid you not

@Marty Grzynkowicz posted:

Lane, I put a deposit for you.  You can thank me later

Gee, thanks Marty!!!

In a serious note, does anyone know of a Porsche dealer that will sell at sticker and is not restricted from selling to folks from out of their "district"?

@Lane Anderson posted:

Gee, thanks Marty!!!

In a serious note, does anyone know of a Porsche dealer that will sell at sticker and is not restricted from selling to folks from out of their "district"?

Here on the west coast (SoCal) - very doubtful. Even low mileage used ones are selling above new MSRP...

@WOLFGANG posted:

And its Lane red!  Just need to get wheels powder coated red!

My daughter lived in Edmund WV - just outside Beckley near the New River and Galley Bridge.  We were driving a back road to her house and a car came the other way as we crested a hill.  She yelled put a wheel down?  Huh?  Went off side of the road as other car did.  In that area of WV only the center (single lane) of the road is paved.  Shoulders are potholed and gravel (if lucky). Fortunately, I was in my 4Runner.

When I first moved here, the memorable quote was similar but all one word  " Gityeroverendaleafruttnowson!" Oddly enough, there are many WV different dialects: straight laced perfect English then it wanes from the other side of town and so forth. The majority of people here are well educated, ( Still, (no pun) don't know how they all have the $80k pick up trucks) they're super warm hearted and will do anything to help a friend and or neighbor. People will call just to ask how we are doing a few days after seeing them and ask if we need anything, that's just the way it is. Even I have been well received and somewhat a-dopted. I can get any flavor quart of good Shine" delivered to your door overnight like the milkman did years ago and it's on the honor system too... you pay the next time "y'all happen upon them or their family member". ~ Almost Heaven applies here in song and good living ~

@Stan Galat posted:

Agreed. His commission was pretty stiff when it was IM, but he always had buyers waiting in the wings.

It still is...but he'll get you a good deal.

@Lane Anderson posted:

Gee, thanks Marty!!!

In a serious note, does anyone know of a Porsche dealer that will sell at sticker and is not restricted from selling to folks from out of their "district"?

@Lane Andersoncheck out this dealership they have shipping options for all their new and used cars.

Hey, Lane, if you want to work something out with that Beaverton dealer it's 2 miles from my house. I'd be happy to help. I'd also be happy to deliver it to the Carolinas with a full tank of gas and a selection of fast food wrappers in the passenger footwell.

@JMM (Michael) posted:

Hey, Lane, if you want to work something out with that Beaverton dealer it's 2 miles from my house. I'd be happy to help. I'd also be happy to deliver it to the Carolinas with a full tank of gas and a selection of fast food wrappers in the passenger footwell.

I could prob co pilot/shotgun this endeavor lol.

Can confirm that Beaverton Porsche are decent folks to deal with. I was actually supposed to head up there today to test drive a ‘22 911 Carrera S w less than 2k miles on the odometer but the wife caught wind and now we have to have a talk at dinner tonight. Sigh. Chris Carreon is the rep I’ve spoken with @ Beaverton

I can also recommend these folks that are in town as well. https://www.grandprimotors.com Lots to choose from there.

good luck with your search and congrats on your sale @Lane Anderson

I see fascination in new Porsche.  In 2016, I added up options I wanted which was nothing out of norm on many other cars.  Gulp over $130k with no discounts. No German Euro pickup anymore - and when it was available dealer wanted extra $500 to place order using his allocation.

I ended up with the new Mazda MX-5 Miata.  A small (too small for some), light weight, good power to weight ratio, nimble, reliable and great bang for buck.  Mine only 155 hp but newer ('19 up) are 181 hp (same 2L displacement).  Most new ones have LSD and Bilstein shocks - some with Brembo and BBS wheels.  In addition to a soft top convertible - there is a retractible fastback - a targa like vehicle (open or coupe) weighing only 100 more.  Fun car to drive without "get thrown in hp" of a Porsche. Car is small and many buy expecting something else (like Speedster replica?) - so lots of low mileage used examples out there.  There is an 6 speed autotrans option with paddle shifter but no LSD.  Lots of aftermarket parts - even supercharger which gives over 250 hp.

Zoom-Zoom.

.

@Kevin - Bay Area posted:

.

... Before I set out on a drive, I need to plot my course.  I review the weather, and potential traffic along the routes.  My drives are timed to miss as much traffic as possible along said routes.

My friends w/ modern sports cars with automatic transmissions and climate control laugh.  California does have some amazing drives......just getting to these drives requires some planning when you live amongst such a large population in a small area...

Kevin has found the path to Speedster happiness here on the fringes of urban sprawl.

Most of our cars just aren't too happy slogging it out in stalled traffic or on the freeway. They're lower and more open and exposed than modern sports machinery. The fan whining a foot behind your head doesn't help much. They're happy at 65, but start to sound a little stressed at 75.

I think that's why VMC's current 'normal' is a mild-tuned 2332 with gobs of low-end torque and a 3.44 final drive. Most of the driving videos I've seen of them show off how relaxed they sound on the interstate. Lane's drivetrain seemed to have that, too. I just wish the driving video showcased that a bit more.

Those of us with two liters or less choose our roads and our moments carefully. It's as much a battle against the summer sun and morning frost as it is against the War Rigs and Doof Wagons out there on The Five.

When you finally find your exit and some leafy two-lane, you breathe easy.

.

I swear I saw that rig on 101 this morning....

Cayman.  I said so a while back, and still believe. Although . . .  a Boxster might do it too, because as far as I know, it has a really nice top that would be the correct sunshield and offer climate control almost all of the time.  Then, when he hits the mountains in September, he can dance with the Speedsters with his top down and just put on an extra layer of sunscreen and wear a hat.  That's  what I do and I've been under the knife with my skin a couple of times. I have a dermatologist and plastic surgeon on retainer . . .

And Lane is surely blessed, as he has here more free advice about how to run his life than any three people could possibly use.  At least he knows he's loved . . .

Yes.  Yes I do.

@Stan Galat posted:

Agreed. His commission was pretty stiff when it was IM, but he always had buyers waiting in the wings.

As the manufacturer he controlled the market for sure.   In many ways outside of simple supply and demand he certainly influenced the selling valuation and I am sure he will return to some form of custom car café restoration or outsourcing when he is able.  

@Stan Galat said. :   I expect a return on a market investment and a loss on an object of affection. None of us bought these as investments. I'll never see mine as such…..

I do think if you look at the money spent though after a while most IM owners are able to get a lot of their investment/ money out of the car or at least cost per year or ownership and pleasure equation is very good and reasonable, even more so if you bought used before the market crazy set in.

Some here have recouped all of their funds depending on where they bought or sold in the inflation curve.

As to BAT they are an aberration to the market IMO and Alan and others will do well to stay away from that market where an education on our cars is required before a reasonable price is achieved.

I can assure you, Ray, that after all the monkey-work I’ve done on my car, that I could have bought 2 new ones for what I’ve burned.

I seriously don’t care.

But your a special case Stan and your allowed

@Stan Galat posted:

I can assure you, Ray, that after all the monkey-work I’ve done on my car, that I could have bought 2 new ones for what I’ve burned.

I seriously don’t care.

Ditto. $1500 for dry sump pump, tank, and hoses. What was it, $1000 or so for my EFI? I've got another 3k minimum in trans parts and it isn't built yet. What about all the time fabricating parts?

I expect to get ZERO of that back, because I'm not thinking of selling it, ever. I built it for me, not "the market". Who cares what it "could be" worth?

As to the glib comment by @Alan Merklin above (changing out his engine to a 1600/Solex mill) , I take it as such.  Alan has  wry (possibly demented) sense of humor to go along with his uncanny skilz for fabrication and design.  I did not believe for a minute that he would consider dumbing down any of his builds to satisfy any actual or perceived requirements for BAT or any other auction house.  Alan does what he does, and has done it more and better than any other single handed in-my-own-garage guy that ever lived.  He need not worry about his "market".

Back to me, because, you know, it's all about me...

Drove a buddies new-for-him '15 BMW M4 yesterday and was reminded how much I like the performance-oriented bimmers. The car fit me perfectly.   I'm leaning toward a new M240i (382hp) or M2 (453hp) or a used previous generation M2 (405hp) at the moment.

I always assumed you'd end up in a BMW coupe.

I'd counsel you to keep in mind that you traded an extremely special car for whatever you end up in.

Make it worthwhile.

I drove with Lane in that car. He was very uncomfortable. No one over 5’8” should ever get a mid engine Super Coupe. Personally I think they should dump the mid engine layout and build them all rear engine.

@550 Phil posted:

I drove with Lane in that car. He was very uncomfortable. No one over 5’5” should ever get a mid engine Super Coupe. Personally I think they should dump the mid engine layout and build them all rear engine.

Fixed it.

I've thought that from day 1- and had it confirmed in '19 when I attempted to sit in the prototype. But the groupthink of this site was absolutely bat-guano gaga over the mid-engine idea for a good solid 10 years. Carey gave the people what they (said they) wanted.

The individual that ends up with Lane's black BMW gets a great car "

Gee Lane, ever feel as if all your dirty laundry is now being washed in public...?

When I come to sell my IM6, only a chosen few will get informed by a private message, and it won't be a public sale.  And whatever I buy afterward will be a state secret.

All the members of the peanut gallery can tear apart someone else's choice in cars.

.

We’re all different, Lane, but if it were me I think I’d wait a while before getting another car - any other car.

Doing anything ‘on the rebound’ usually doesn’t end well. And, as Stan says, finding something that special will take time.

Who knows, the right GTO might just come along, and you know you want one.

Buy once, cry once, go through financial reorganization once, move into a small, efficiency apartment once.

Been looking at a BMW X3 for awhile to replace 4Runner and wife's MB C250.  Still no deals out there to be had on new.  A dealer in Mobile AL has 5 I like (mineral white with Cognac interior) that have been on the lot for over 4 months.  They still want MSRP plus ceramic coating, key protection and high documentation fees.  With the X3 we're talking a car made in Greenville, NC not Germany.  More local dealer offered me 1/2 of trade in value on low mileage clean one owner MB saying it was in fair condition.  I was insulted and promptly walked (wife crying at my side).  No accidents, great optional cost paint plus their sister MB was right next door - sales manager said they'd send it to auction!  Seems overpaying for a used car is out now.  New ones site due to no deals and high interest (6.69ish%).

Plus, No 382 hp M40i (std is 248 hp) or X all wheel drive available in South.

I have an X3 as a cottage/200 pounds of dogs hauler. It's my wife's car, I doubt I'd buy one new, just don't drive enough (work from home, 1 day a week on the road or in the office) to justify it.

No complaints, has been very reliable and decent on gas, all things considered. Really good in the snow.

I figure if I get a new car I’ll have to order it.

@WOLFGANG posted:

Been looking at a BMW X3 for awhile to replace 4Runner and wife's MB C250.  Still no deals out there to be had on new.  A dealer in Mobile AL has 5 I like (mineral white with Cognac interior) that have been on the lot for over 4 months.  They still want MSRP plus ceramic coating, key protection and high documentation fees.  With the X3 we're talking a car made in Greenville, NC not Germany.  More local dealer offered me 1/2 of trade in value on low mileage clean one owner MB saying it was in fair condition.  I was insulted and promptly walked (wife crying at my side).  No accidents, great optional cost paint plus their sister MB was right next door - sales manager said they'd send it to auction!  Seems overpaying for a used car is out now.  New ones site due to no deals and high interest (6.69ish%).

Plus, No 382 hp M40i (std is 248 hp) or X all wheel drive available in South.

I assume you were speaking of those lowlifes at the dealership in Fort Walton Beach. Scum of the earth.

@550 Phil posted:

I drove with Lane in that car. He was very uncomfortable. No one over 5’8” should ever get a mid engine Super Coupe. Personally I think they should dump the mid engine layout and build them all rear engine.

Mid Engine was a neat setup but for a faint few not to mention the lack of rear seat space.

Lane

I test drove an M240i.  It was sublime.  Very fast and very comfortable.  I have not driven an M2.  I'm sure its amazingly fast.  I would just make sure the suspension doesn't beat the crap out of you.  My A3 has the sport package including the S3 suspension and 19 inch wheels.  It rode so rough I almost got rid of it.  Instead I traded out the 19 inch wheels for some new 17 inch BBS wheels and nice Vreds.  My back was so happy.  Don't sacrifice comfort for more performance.

I don’t get the fascination with BMW. I’ve owned a few. Drove a few more. To me, they’re just meh.   Especially in a world where there’s so many cars at that price point.

It’s really hard to steer away from a new or used Porsche though. They are a precision instrument. A scalpel amongst a sea of hatchets.

I would agree that a BMW won't beat the handling prowess of a Porsche.  But there's something about the intoxicating torque of that BMW straight 6.

1987 bmw 535. Awesome 6.  Torque

@IaM-Ray posted:

1987 bmw 535. Awesome 6.  Torque

And a usable back seat

@550 Phil posted:

there's something about the intoxicating torque of that BMW straight 6.

@IaM-Ray posted:

1987 bmw 535. Awesome 6.  Torque

You've both a lot more sophisticated than I am, but I've gotta' ask - you've driven things with a V8, correct? Or something boosted?

Because "torque" is not where I'd hang my hat in reference to a 6-cyl NA car.

@Kevin - Bay Area posted:

I don’t get the fascination with BMW. I’ve owned a few. Drove a few more. To me, they’re just meh.   Especially in a world where there’s so many cars at that price point.

It’s really hard to steer away from a new or used Porsche though. They are a precision instrument. A scalpel amongst a sea of hatchets.

@Stan Galat posted:

You've both a lot more sophisticated than I am, but I've gotta' ask - you've driven things with a V8, correct? Or something boosted?

Because "torque" is not where I'd hang my hat in reference to a 6-cyl NA car.

I don’t get the BMW thing either. My wife’s car is a 2017 Lincoln MKZ, twin turbo, 400hp, 400 lbs-ft of torque, AWD.  Fast, comfortable, big trunk for when we travel.  I wish Lincoln was still building cars, as I would buy another.
If I was in the market for an off the shelf fun car, it would be a Mustang GT Mach 1.