1st Gen. Lunch Table - General Discussion

Huh. Looks like a Saab on steroids. I don't recognize, what is it? Vega of some flavor, kit car, or ??

 

1972 SAAB 99 + 1987 Saab 900 + VERY talented metal worker + a shit ton of Aquavit over a Swedish winter.
Oh, and an expansion chamber (something snowmobile I think) just after the turbo that made it go full scalded cat.
Not to everyones aethetic, very 1985 styling - but that turbo kick...
Was his "I can do that" tribute to the Saab EV1. He got real close with the nose.

 

@Sunnier I know you said he doesn't want a truck, but I'll throw out there a 1G Sequoia. It's a tall station wagon - LOL, but in the back-east they're cheap. nice clean ones for $3k - $6k depending if you want non vvt or vvt.

 

What the heck is that?

 

FrenchToasty likes this

The car or the Aquavit? LOL

 

Okay, I get it now. Had to read ahead.

 

youth.

 

At first glance, I thought it was some futuristic Saab made for an 80s B futuristic movie but actually better looking. Whoever did it would have made bank doing those bizarre car creations for movies.

 

he finished it, showed it, won a room full of awards & Stipendiums. Sold it & quietly went poof, vanished. Ove Larsson.

 

These rock!! Son has a pair of 12’s in the stang

 

The challenge is, he wants a "car". Probably because we have trucks and he expressed certainty that I'd get him a truck because that what I like. He and I are very similar in many way, and he's made it clear he'd like to diverge a bit. My experience being me, growing up, taught me that, if I try to get him to do something he thinks he doesn't want to do, he'll focus more energy on doing the opposite just to establish that he's his own person. I know this and, left alone, he makes pretty good decisions. Also, when I don't push too hard, he'll seek my opinion on stuff (I really want this to continue). So I'll do what I can to find as safe a car as I can, and with not horrible paint, so he'll feel like I listened to what he wants.

Kid's doing well in life, and I'm realizing these are the years and decisions that set us up for the relationship we'll have when he's an adult. Also, he's shown no interest in cars. Only basketball and excels at school, likes history, rocks at math and engineering (but doesn't much enjoy engineering). The only *things* he loves are his iPhone; AirPods (previous gen, not pro); two Wilson Evolution basketballs at a time, replaced when they wear out; and a separate pair of Nike Paul George to wear on inside courts than what he wears to school-- and he understands that court shoes rotate to daily shoes.

The desire for him to have a car, and start driving sooner than later so he gets practice in familiar environs is all me, not him. I gotta keep in mind that my priorities are not his... but he may adopt them if I model it well.

 

That's a nice install! They don't interfere with each other?

 

Well played Mom.
I seem to recall the Impala & Grand Marquis having good headroom. No clue if they're any good. Buick's seem to hold up & be undervalued.

 

They interfere with my breathing and consciousness when you turn it up too loud. 500w a piece on em. Infiniti coaxials, pioneer head unit and a 5 channel Pioneer digital amp.

 

96 Impala SS. Plenty of room, safe, cool to drive and more than adequate room to work on the engine.

 

I always forget about the no re-sale value Avalon's.
2001 Toyota Avalon XLS - One CA Family Owned! - cars & trucks - by... (craigslist.org)

 

Is it just because they don't look good? Or is there something actually wrong with 'em?

 

Dang, this looks great! It's kinda got that grandpa quality that most teens would hate but, if I can fix or replace that door, he may be all good with it. And this is definitely everything else I wanted. I hoped for a brighter color while he learns that not everyone is observant, but that's a great price.

 

I think it's mostly that it's known as a big grandpa sofa with not great mpg's. Expensive to buy originally, people tended to keep them until they were too old to be in style anymore.
@empty_lord has one & likes it. My brother has his 2nd IIRC. Very happy with it. The vacuum cleaner guy has one about that age, loves it.

People don't really shop Toyota for "luxury car", so the Avalon following hasn't been strong.

 

Another plus: leather is easier to de-stink than cloth. I mentioned the basketball team angle, yeah?

 

It’s a good reliable car. Your overthinking it @Sunnier. My coworker has an 01 himself he inherited from his mother with over 200k miles on it.

 

Holy shit. As a man-child myself, I can say without a doubt you're doing it right. If my dad hadn't pushed me so hard in one direction as a teen and in my early 20's, I wouldn't have rebelled every step of the way. Maybe I'd be a solid citizen. You got it figured out.

 

Random thought, @RainMan_PNW, any interest in the bed slide I have but don't need? It's 6' and my 8' bed deserves better It's also heavy AF, no joke. I think it has the brackets to secure a fridge.

 

Yes find em a supercharged v6 buick, Sunny!

 

Good luck finding one that's affordable and not ragged out

 

Yeah, I took a look. It’s insane the prices being asked are comparable to MSRP or greater! Wow.

I almost bought one in 96 down in San Antonio; the gray-green is my favorite one.

 

Mines a 3rd gen. Fantastic car. Love it. 20mpg city, 31 highway.

 

Gonna have to pass.
I’m in a conundrum right now over racks and shit. I just put a rack on and promptly realized that I use my truck bed to haul dirt/chips/gravel/bark/debris a LOT and having a rack or permanent things in the bed just don’t work for that.

might be looking for a buyer for the rack while I’m in Sedona Flagstaff

 

'05-'07 are where it's at.