How (and why) to Ramble on your goat sideways
There are a few MT.netters in the suburbs, plus a pretty vibrant overall Miata community in the area. Become a member of Windy City Miata Club for $35/yr. WCMC is one of the largest Miata clubs in the country. We (MT) or general Miata community will take care of you.
Last edited by Chiburbian; 08-26-2016 at 02:38 PM.
Supporting Vendor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Posts: 7,949
Total Cats: 1,003
It looks alright, but really is kindof a disaster. It doesn't matter much though -- I believe this is the last year of production for the 200 and Dart. Somehow, FCA has decided they no longer want to build cars (only trucks and SUVs) that aren't Fiats, alfas, or Ferraris.
Boost Pope
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,020
Total Cats: 6,588
In the mid 90s, while in college, I owned a Pontiac Grand Am with an automatic transmission. Long story, but the short version is that my '76 Beetle caught on fire one evening while I was about two hundred miles from campus, and so I had to walk to the nearest "we finance anyone" used-car lot and buy the cheapest thing they had available. Mind you, this was well before college kids had cell phones, much less Google Maps and Craigslist.
The torque converter lockup solenoid failed in the open (locked) position. After a few weeks, I got tired of having to rev the engine while shifting from N into D (and thus chirping the tires and doing god-knows-what-harm to the drivetrain) at every stoplight, and as I view automatics as something just south of satanic wizardry, I did pay a transmission shop to replace that part.
It was a shameful moment which I've done my best to forget.
Last edited by Joe Perez; 08-27-2016 at 08:14 AM.
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Huntington, Indiana
Posts: 2,885
Total Cats: 616
90s Pontiacs are the best.
I bought this gem in Alaska when I realized that a rental would be $1700 for the week.
I bought it from a felon for $300 American.
It had obviously been disassembled and poorly put back together by a narcotics search team.
The drivers window didn't roll up all the way, which was good because none of the door handles worked, inside or out.
The drivers seat was propped up by a broom handle in the back so you didn't have to suffer needlessly in the event of a crash.
In the end, this piece rolling probable cause took me from Anchorage to Seward and beyond, and i only got stopped once for a missing front license plate.
At the end of the week, I sold it to the very same felon's cousin for $300.
I bought this gem in Alaska when I realized that a rental would be $1700 for the week.
I bought it from a felon for $300 American.
It had obviously been disassembled and poorly put back together by a narcotics search team.
The drivers window didn't roll up all the way, which was good because none of the door handles worked, inside or out.
The drivers seat was propped up by a broom handle in the back so you didn't have to suffer needlessly in the event of a crash.
In the end, this piece rolling probable cause took me from Anchorage to Seward and beyond, and i only got stopped once for a missing front license plate.
At the end of the week, I sold it to the very same felon's cousin for $300.
Got that cheapo Clarion mech-less head unit installed today. Looks fine, I'll probably just fold a piece of ABS or something to fill in the gap since I didn't bother getting a mounting kit.
However, the old Pioneer 6.5" speakers I was planning on using don't have the extended mounting tabs, so they won't fit without an adapter ring or something. I have another set of 6.5" speakers, but they are Infinity Kappas (the green ones) that I've held onto forever so I don't want to stick them in a car I'm about to sell. I ordered a $13 set of Boss speakers on Amazon to use instead. As long as they don't blow before I sell the car, they should be fine.
However, the old Pioneer 6.5" speakers I was planning on using don't have the extended mounting tabs, so they won't fit without an adapter ring or something. I have another set of 6.5" speakers, but they are Infinity Kappas (the green ones) that I've held onto forever so I don't want to stick them in a car I'm about to sell. I ordered a $13 set of Boss speakers on Amazon to use instead. As long as they don't blow before I sell the car, they should be fine.
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,593
Total Cats: 1,259
Anyone know if wasp/hornet spray will harm polycarbonate (lexan)? I have a wasp nest in the hot tub gazebo, but it's right next to the poly skylight. Hate to ruin the skylight just to kill the little bastards.
Check this here, first paragraph or so. The part about hydrocarbon stuff leaching, pretty sure wasp spray has some of that stuff mixed in there from the smell. I wouldn't leave it sitting on there, but it should be fine if it's washed off.
https://www.researchgate.net/file.Po...01468422615811
https://www.researchgate.net/file.Po...01468422615811
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,593
Total Cats: 1,259
Well, the stinging menaces had to go, so I gave it a shot. Wasp spray did not seem to harm the plastic, although it did leave an oily film, which I hosed off. I will clean it off better in daylight. Thanks, deezums.