Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[weederr33]

Here's my $3 question of the day: is RFID blocking necessary? Is it something you make sure you have for your wallet or do you think it's all blown out of proportion?

[86-75309]

I've been searching for a single vehicle that can combine the best aspects of the two I have now. The small, fun, sporty toy never gets driven until the weather gets warmer, the roads get the salt washed off and I have free time for strictly pleasure cruising. Even the daily driver-bulky stuff hauler doesn't get driven very often. Does anyone know of a fun-to-drive vehicle that can haul large bulky cargo when necessary, has a manual transmission, and doesn't suffer from an expensive Euro luxury surcharge when it comes to parts, maintenance and repair work?

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by 86-75309

I've been searching for a single vehicle that can combine the best aspects of the two I have now. The small, fun, sporty toy never gets driven until the weather gets warmer, the roads get the salt washed off and I have free time for strictly pleasure cruising. Even the daily driver-bulky stuff hauler doesn't get driven very often. Does anyone know of a fun-to-drive vehicle that can haul large bulky cargo when necessary, has a manual transmission, and doesn't suffer from an expensive Euro luxury surcharge when it comes to parts, maintenance and repair work?

BMW Z3 Coup or Honda CRX lol

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by weederr33

Here's my $3 question of the day: is RFID blocking necessary? Is it something you make sure you have for your wallet or do you think it's all blown out of proportion?

It’s a nice option… but not necessary. Statically, you’ve more chance of your card data getting stolen online more than physically. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but chances are low.

Now, where’s my $3? lol

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by soundman98

Go half in.

The rash starts on my ankles, so I guess I would have to hang upside down.

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by 86-75309

I've been searching for a single vehicle that can combine the best aspects of the two I have now. The small, fun, sporty toy never gets driven until the weather gets warmer, the roads get the salt washed off and I have free time for strictly pleasure cruising. Even the daily driver-bulky stuff hauler doesn't get driven very often. Does anyone know of a fun-to-drive vehicle that can haul large bulky cargo when necessary, has a manual transmission, and doesn't suffer from an expensive Euro luxury surcharge when it comes to parts, maintenance and repair work?

WRX/STI? Are you basically looking for a hot hatch?

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by soundman98

I've started scrolling for a 3rd something. I like the truck, I like the car, the best way to keep them nice is to drive them less..

Trying to find something that fits in the venn diagram of cheap/different/reliable/parts-available.

A Volvo 240 manual wagon popped up locally for $1.5k, but it was a snowbelt car, and most of the underbody was 2 weeks from nonexistence.

Lol but then you are going to need a 4th something to keep whatever you get nice.

[bcj]

Originally Posted by Sapphireho

The rash starts on my ankles, so I guess I would have to hang upside down.

Sure it's not the Idaho? Environmental factors? Soy bean gas?

Sadly a sheet of aluminum foil in the wallet won't fix that.

[alex87f]

Originally Posted by soundman98

I've started scrolling for a 3rd something. I like the truck, I like the car, the best way to keep them nice is to drive them less..

Trying to find something that fits in the venn diagram of cheap/different/reliable/parts-available.

A Volvo 240 manual wagon popped up locally for $1.5k, but it was a snowbelt car, and most of the underbody was 2 weeks from nonexistence.

There's a Volvo 740 on Bring a Trailer, with a Buick 3.8 turbo swap and a 5-speed manual. Also, it used to belong to Paul Newman.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1988-volvo-740-8/

Not sure it fits the "cheap" criteria though

[pope]

Originally Posted by weederr33

Here's my $3 question of the day: is RFID blocking necessary? Is it something you make sure you have for your wallet or do you think it's all blown out of proportion?

RFID: Yes

NFC: No

So, largely no these days. Back when RFID chips were prevalent in things like credit cards, I’d use faraday sleeves or physically destroy the chip. I was also more likely to be in crowds and busy areas back then, so the bad actor possibility was higher and I wasn’t taking any chances since purse/backpack size devices cost in the low hundreds of dollars and able to read chips at dozens of feet.

Now that NFC is dominant and largely impractical to attempt covert reading at distances greater than like six inches, I don’t worry about it. I’m also very rarely in crowds large enough for the risk/reward curve justify someone attempting to harvest card data.

Originally Posted by 86-75309

I've been searching for a single vehicle that can combine the best aspects of the two I have now. The small, fun, sporty toy never gets driven until the weather gets warmer, the roads get the salt washed off and I have free time for strictly pleasure cruising. Even the daily driver-bulky stuff hauler doesn't get driven very often. Does anyone know of a fun-to-drive vehicle that can haul large bulky cargo when necessary, has a manual transmission, and doesn't suffer from an expensive Euro luxury surcharge when it comes to parts, maintenance and repair work?

Ranchero, El Camino, Holden Ute, Ford Falcon Ute. Sure the latter two would need to be imported from Australia, but there’s a company in Colorado (I think) that imports and federalizes them.

[86-75309]

Among current vehicles that could work for me are Golf GTI or Golf R, Civic Type-R or the upcoming Integra Type-S. The GR Corolla is a bit on the small side. With the exception of the Jeep Compass and possibly a Subaru, neither of which I would qualify as "fun", there are no road-oriented CUVs that offer a manual. The off-road oriented Jeeps and the Ford Bronco sacrifice a lot of on-road (where I drive) performance to be able to follow trails deep into the wilderness (where I have no intention of driving).

In the past I had Golf Sportwagens, which were fun only in the broadest sense, and Audi A3s back when they were hatches with manual transmissions.

[Sapphireho]

Originally Posted by bcj

Sure it's not the Idaho? Environmental factors? Soy bean gas?

Sadly a sheet of aluminum foil in the wallet won't fix that.

Shit.

[weederr33]

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

It’s a nice option… but not necessary. Statically, you’ve more chance of your card data getting stolen online more than physically. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen, but chances are low.

Now, where’s my $3? lol

Here: CONGRATS! You've just won three ($3) dollars! Click the link below!

www.threedollarstowin.ru.winsweepstakes.com

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by soundman98

I've started scrolling for a 3rd something. I like the truck, I like the car, the best way to keep them nice is to drive them less..



Trying to find something that fits in the venn diagram of cheap/different/reliable/parts-available.



A Volvo 240 manual wagon popped up locally for $1.5k, but it was a snowbelt car, and most of the underbody was 2 weeks from nonexistence.

A manual 240 wagon would be fun.

I am parting out my Xterra. Found a XJ for cheap I can turn into a wheeling/hunting/camping rig.