Farewell, Zonker

[nrc]

Farewell, Zonker, you were enjoyed.

http://www.offcamber.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=9&pictureid=127

Hard to believe it's been more than five years since I gave up my RX-8 for something with a little more practicality. Zonker was my homage to the Yellow Ford Fiesta that got me through college and sealed my love of small, fun to drive cars. It hit all the right notes - fun to drive, practical, and economical.

But now the time has come to say goodbye. I get too attached to cars. But the math for a three car household just doesn't add up for us and it's time for something new. Something that puts me in mind of another old automotive friend. So farewell, Zonker, I wish you many happy miles ahead.

[rosawendel]

Nicely written homage. And a nice shot.

[Napoleon]

So where did the name come from?

[SteveH]

So what's the replacement going to be?

[nrc]

So where did the name come from?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Yellow_Zonkers

[dando]

I hear ya. It was difficult to let the Bimmer go after 14 years and 125K miles. :(

-Kevin

[TravelGal]

There is something about building a history with a car that even I understand. I still remember all the ones that got away. Always from age or simple need for air conditioning (after I moved from Massachusetts to California). I hope you get a good price for the old guy. He looks in beautiful condition.

[Napoleon]

So Richard, do you always name your cars (and does anyone else here)?

[gjc2]

So where did the name come from?



"Screaming Yellow Zonkers"

[TravelGal]

So Richard, do you always name your cars (and does anyone else here)?

I named the Gremlin. Bought 'er for $2000 and never replaced anything; just normal maintenance. 1975-1997. The Brown Betsy, "Betsy" for short. The brown eventually (after the first 15 years or so or maybe it was the California sun) turned into a very pretty caramel. Since then, no names. Nothing had enough personality to bother.

[Gnam]

I have known a few cars with names but none of them were mine:

The Struggle Bus - a 196? VW van
The Station Weapon - a 1979 Buick wagon
Brown Lightning - a 1980 Oldsmobile sedan
Eugenio - a 2002 Honda Civic that thought he was a Ferrari

[TKGAngel]

So Richard, do you always name your cars (and does anyone else here)?

My Caliber is named Roy.

One of my high school classmates had a Buick station wagon named The Whale.

[WickerBill]

My cars have all been named. My current car is Rosalita.

[Anteater]

So Richard, do you always name your cars (and does anyone else here)?

All cars in the Anteater family have names (yes, we're nuts):

Ranger pickup: Strider (LOTR reference)
Nissan Maxima: Shinju (Japanese for pearl; guess what color she is?)
'69 GTO: Smoke 'Em

I bought my dad's pickup truck after he lost his license; we were supposed to sell it, but instead got attached to it. It's a Chevy Silverado with extended cab and extended bed; the thing is ginormous compared to my Maxima. I named that one Hugh Jass (say it out loud, but not if you're at work). :D

Zonker is a cutie; I'm sure he'll have a good life with his new owner.

[dando]

Mine is named Mickey...my other ride is the monroail. Some dork on this board taught me that. :gomer:

-Kevin

[G.]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3g3ey8aNQ1qjzrcdo1_1280.jpg

:p

[nrc]

So Richard, do you always name your cars (and does anyone else here)?


Only if something seems to stick. The RX-8 was Zoomix because that's the plate I put on it.

[nrc]

So what's the replacement going to be?

http://www.offcamber.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=17&pictureid=128

2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club model with retractable hard top. As much as I enjoyed the MINI and appreciated it's practicality, I missed my Miata and RX-8.

Of course this means we're bound to get record snowfall next Winter. I'll put winter tires on and if things get bad enough I'll rent a car for a few days. I figure that will be cheaper than keeping and extra car around given how little snow we get most years.

[dando]

http://www.offcamber.net/forums/picture.php?albumid=17&pictureid=128

2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata Club model with retractable hard top. As much as I enjoyed the MINI and appreciated it's practicality, I missed my Miata and RX-8.

Of course this means we're bound to get record snowfall next Winter. I'll put winter tires on and if things get bad enough I'll rent a car for a few days. I figure that will be cheaper than keeping and extra car around given how little snow we get most years.

I suggest Lightning McQueen for this one.

-Disney Dork :gomer:

[WickerBill]

I'm a big Disney guy but I'm proposing a 10 day ban on dando saying *anything* about Disney. Jeez.

[dando]

I'm a big Disney guy but I'm proposing a 10 day ban on dando saying *anything* about Disney. Jeez.

If you ban me, you must also ban Elmo. :gomer: ;)

-Kevin

[cameraman]

And he's wrong anyway. NRC can choose either Mia or Tia.

http://gubbebil.com/B/sc/Mia%20&%20Tia.jpg

There can be no other choices.:D

[Insomniac]

I'm a big Disney guy but I'm proposing a 10 day ban on dando saying *anything* about Disney. Jeez.

At the rate Disney is going, we will get banned for any pop culture references. They've taken Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar off the table so far. :)

On topic: The car manufacturer has named all my cars so far. I haven't had anything with enough character or cool enough to name yet.

[JohnHKart]

Always have called my green escort wagon the chariot. It's at 295,000, 300k and the 20th bday in July are coming fast.

[TravelGal]

At the rate Disney is going, we will get banned for any pop culture references. They've taken Star Wars, Marvel and Pixar off the table so far. :)



Uh yeah. They won't even let travel agents who have passed their Disney specialist course use the name OR the trademarks in any of their marketing. In other words, you're not allowed to say you are a DISNEY specialist once you become one. Needless to say, the ranks of specialists declined precipitously after that ruling. I mean, c'mon.

[datachicane]

No names fit to print.

[dando]

No names fit to print.

Chrome horn? :gomer:

-Kevin

[datachicane]

More like $%*&#@! money pit, generally.

[Insomniac]

Uh yeah. They won't even let travel agents who have passed their Disney specialist course use the name OR the trademarks in any of their marketing. In other words, you're not allowed to say you are a DISNEY specialist once you become one. Needless to say, the ranks of specialists declined precipitously after that ruling. I mean, c'mon.

Wow, kinda defeats the purpose of certification.

[nrc]

And he's wrong anyway. NRC can choose either Mia or Tia.

There can be no other choices.:D


Ugh. Thanks for that. I probably would have passed on the new Miata if they hadn't restyled the front end. They changed the smile to a bit more of a maw this year.

So no Disney(R) cartoon car names but maybe I could name it after their naughty sister "Red".

[Elmo T]

If you ban me, you must also ban Elmo. :gomer: ;)

-Kevin


I keep my Disney fascination in the closet. Not that there is anything wrong with it.

[dando]

I keep my Disney fascination in the closet. Not that there is anything wrong with it.

You were outed a long time ago, yo. ;) My other car is a monorail. :D

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/5713076320_a25a60286b_o.jpg

Notes recent post on FB about Epcot restaurant. :gomer:

-Kevin

[nissan gtp]

I'm thinking about selling my MINI as well.

Dunno what the replacement would be.

[dando]

I'm thinking about selling my MINI as well.

Dunno what the replacement would be.

FWIW, I'm really liking the Focus, but getting used to the turning radias from the 328i is challenging. The Bimmer turned on a dime. Sync is also a bit of a PITA, as are most voice recognition devices. :saywhat:

-Kevin

[WickerBill]

I'm thinking about selling my MINI as well.

Dunno what the replacement would be.

Would you consider a Fiat 500? I meant to ask this question of nrc as well.

[Indy]

I was perusing the innerwebs and could not help but notice what sort of thing you can get for less than $20,000. :gomer:

http://view.admission.net/abc/carsads/_CARSADS_d15b8ee78f3f68f7b052af7b5cb1c09b/i-1.JPG?t=tr/w:640

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=113652642&listingRecNum=26&criteria=prMx%3D20000%26sf1Dir%3DASC%26prMn%3D0%26 mkId%3D20081%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D20567%26rd%3D10 0000%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-pseudoPrice%26zc%3D46077%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dpric e%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp %3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=3

[nrc]

I'm thinking about selling my MINI as well.

Dunno what the replacement would be.

I wanted another hatch right now I'd have probably gone with a Focus ST. Loved the seats, the looks, and the engine and it drives like a good sports sedan - if that's what you want.

[nrc]

Would you consider a Fiat 500? I meant to ask this question of nrc as well.

I drove the Fiat 500 Abarth and liked it, just not more than the MINI. But as a fun little hatch it's priced more reasonably than the MINI.

[nrc]

I was perusing the innerwebs and could not help but notice what sort of thing you can get for less than $20,000. :gomer:


I did test drive a used Boxster and Z3. The prospect of paying Porsche or BMW maintenance costs for an older car scared me off.

[Indy]

Yeah, Porsche repairs can be a nightmare. Trust me. :saywhat: