fu@K, Sh!+, CR^P! DAMAGE!!!!

[m3m750]

What's that in Kuanglong's AV? A memory of his first kiss?

[TerrapinFlyer88]

First of all, Kuanglong, the various shades of green you are turning is amusing. Get a life, please.

Also, let me first say this: I am not, nor will I probably ever be, a Lotus owner. I tend to be harsh on vehicles, and I'd brobably break one rather quickly. That being said, they are neat, fast, fun cars.

I first saw the photos and story on another web forum (as others who have posted in this thread probably have as well) and my initial reaction was this: "That sucks. But why's he bummed about having to drive the Porsche?"
I'm a hard-working individual. I drive, constantly, all over the East Coast of the US. My normal workday is about 15-17 hours. Business is just starting to take off... success is going to be a few years off. I've struggled with my life for the past 6 years- Divorce, homelessness, dragging myself up from the pits, etc. It hasn't been easy. So at first, I had very little, if any, sympathy for qball. Especially when he made a comment that, to me, seemed a little snobbish. Being raised old fashioned and blue color, this rubbed me the wrong way. However...

I'm in a situation of dealing with the loss of a beloved vehicle, myself. My 1991 Chevy G20 Conversion van, which had earned the affectionate nickname of "Althea", blew her engine this past Saturday due to an oil change gone bad. This van was one of my first steps into improving my life, starting my business, and making something of myself. I have slept in it during shows that I work, I've loaded her down well beyond her weight capacity, and she kept plugging along happily. In the past month, I've put over 3200 miles on her. She's taken me all over the place, we've seen many happy and sad times together in the past 2 years. Thinking about this, and how devestated I was to see my hard work, love, and livelihood loaded onto the back of a flatbed and dropped onto my front yard, dead as a doornail, I can understand COMPLETELY how q feels. And he's right. People do not know his situation. I, for example, have no idea what kind of hard work and struggle he may or may not have gone through to EARN the Lotus and the Porsche. So after my initial reaction, I realized... who am I to judge?

So perhaps it's apples and oranges here- I'm a blue-collar, Chevy guy with a love for long distance travel and music, Talking to a group of probably mostly white-collar speed freaks in fragile little sports cars. It seems weird for me to even be here. But everyone can relate, on some level, through memories of vehicles past, that ONE car that they absolutely loved to pieces, and were broken-hearted to see it damaged or die. We all have that as one of many common bonds. Mine happens to be a 3/4 ton heavy-duty van. My sympathies to your car, there may be a silver lining to this yet. If we ever met on the road, I wouldn't bother to race you, as it's a no-brainer as to who would win... but... let's see ya load the weight!

Also, some thoughts for your situation- get as MUCH documentation about the Elise together as humanly possible. Precision engineered cars are touchy, and whereas a fall like that probably would have just put a few nice dents in my van, they destroy sports cars, and any documentaion about how precise and touchy they are can help your case immensely. Although I think the case is a no-brainer. 100% shop negligence. Give 'em hell.

Peace, Good vibes,
TF

[nugg_dawg]

Originally Posted by TerrapinFlyer88

First of all, Kuanglong, the various shades of green you are turning is amusing. Get a life, please.

Also, let me first say this: I am not, nor will I probably ever be, a Lotus owner. I tend to be harsh on vehicles, and I'd brobably break one rather quickly. That being said, they are neat, fast, fun cars.

I first saw the photos and story on another web forum (as others who have posted in this thread probably have as well) and my initial reaction was this: "That sucks. But why's he bummed about having to drive the Porsche?"
I'm a hard-working individual. I drive, constantly, all over the East Coast of the US. My normal workday is about 15-17 hours. Business is just starting to take off... success is going to be a few years off. I've struggled with my life for the past 6 years- Divorce, homelessness, dragging myself up from the pits, etc. It hasn't been easy. So at first, I had very little, if any, sympathy for qball. Especially when he made a comment that, to me, seemed a little snobbish. Being raised old fashioned and blue color, this rubbed me the wrong way. However...

I'm in a situation of dealing with the loss of a beloved vehicle, myself. My 1991 Chevy G20 Conversion van, which had earned the affectionate nickname of "Althea", blew her engine this past Saturday due to an oil change gone bad. This van was one of my first steps into improving my life, starting my business, and making something of myself. I have slept in it during shows that I work, I've loaded her down well beyond her weight capacity, and she kept plugging along happily. In the past month, I've put over 3200 miles on her. She's taken me all over the place, we've seen many happy and sad times together in the past 2 years. Thinking about this, and how devestated I was to see my hard work, love, and livelihood loaded onto the back of a flatbed and dropped onto my front yard, dead as a doornail, I can understand COMPLETELY how q feels. And he's right. People do not know his situation. I, for example, have no idea what kind of hard work and struggle he may or may not have gone through to EARN the Lotus and the Porsche. So after my initial reaction, I realized... who am I to judge?

So perhaps it's apples and oranges here- I'm a blue-collar, Chevy guy with a love for long distance travel and music, Talking to a group of probably mostly white-collar speed freaks in fragile little sports cars. It seems weird for me to even be here. But everyone can relate, on some level, through memories of vehicles past, that ONE car that they absolutely loved to pieces, and were broken-hearted to see it damaged or die. We all have that as one of many common bonds. Mine happens to be a 3/4 ton heavy-duty van. My sympathies to your car, there may be a silver lining to this yet. If we ever met on the road, I wouldn't bother to race you, as it's a no-brainer as to who would win... but... let's see ya load the weight!

Also, some thoughts for your situation- get as MUCH documentation about the Elise together as humanly possible. Precision engineered cars are touchy, and whereas a fall like that probably would have just put a few nice dents in my van, they destroy sports cars, and any documentaion about how precise and touchy they are can help your case immensely. Although I think the case is a no-brainer. 100% shop negligence. Give 'em hell.

Peace, Good vibes,
TF

Hey Terrapinflyer88,

Did you goto Maryland?


John

[TerrapinFlyer88]

Passed through it on my way back from Georgia the monday before last. Mostly on the interstates. I also worked the York Fair this past year, which is near the Maryland/PA border.

[nugg_dawg]

Originally Posted by TerrapinFlyer88

Passed through it on my way back from Georgia the monday before last. Mostly on the interstates. I also worked the York Fair this past year, which is near the Maryland/PA border.

Heh, I didn't mean pass through it. I meant did you goto University of Maryland thus the "Terrapin" in your name.

BTW, your quote about us being white collared speed freaks is not correct. Most of the members are down to earth and smart. I originally came here because of the huge knowledgebase it contains about our cars. But after a while I came to find the members are amusing as hell so it's fun to tard around.


John

[Randy Chase]

It would actually be hard to categorize the typical Elise owner, IMO. Owners run quite a range. Those who ate Ramen for a long time saving up for the car, because they wanted it that bad. Those that bought it to park next to the Gallardo or in a bubble on their yacht. White collar. Blue collar. Military. Students.

[TerrapinFlyer88]

Ah, well, my apologies, then.

And as far as Terrapin goes, it's a dual reference- one is that Terrapin Flyer is actually a section of a Grateful Dead tune, and also, it was the name bestowed upon my first car (a 1988 Buick Century... FUN!) by a good friend who has since died.

As far as the white-collar speed freaks comment goes, it was more or less a reference to every Lotus owner I have met IRL thus far. Doesn't apply to all. And I use the term affectionately.

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by TerrapinFlyer88

Ah, well, my apologies, then.

And as far as Terrapin goes, it's a dual reference- one is that Terrapin Flyer is actually a section of a Grateful Dead tune, and also, it was the name bestowed upon my first car (a 1988 Buick Century... FUN!) by a good friend who has since died.

As far as the white-collar speed freaks comment goes, it was more or less a reference to every Lotus owner I have met IRL thus far. Doesn't apply to all. And I use the term affectionately.

Welcome Terrapin! Doesn't matter whether it's a Lotus or a beloved van; the value most on this board attach to their vehicles is sentimental first. The loss of a vehicle such as your van that has seen you through many a day is a sad thing.

Terrapin Station was the first Grateful Dead album I bought as a kid. Good times, great memories.

[TerrapinFlyer88]

Thank you! And, I don't let my vehicles die easy. I'm thinking she's going to get a remanufactured V6 before spring rollls around...

[theanswriz42]

I saw the URL to this thread on a corvette board I frequent and will say that your situation truly sucks. I hope you get a fair settlement out of the deal. Good luck.

Cheers

[Serebo1]

Originally Posted by TerrapinFlyer88

Thank you! And, I don't let my vehicles die easy. I'm thinking she's going to get a remanufactured V6 before spring rollls around...

Absolutely! Keep her rollling, or should we say, "truckin, like the do-dah man..."

[p17fld]

sorry but

[fishguy]

63,309

[smoseley]

Originally Posted by Serebo1

Doesn't matter whether it's a Lotus or a beloved van;

Or an Isuzu Vehicross?

[Dusterdude]

awww,its a shame you have to drive the 911 to the lotus show,how gauche.i do hope the lotus boys let you in.

[sonza68]

Originally Posted by transio

Or an Isuzu Vehicross?

Nope, there is no love for the Vehicross.

[delise]

Originally Posted by TWCNY

So where is the link to the thread on Fark?

www.fark.com and look at top of yesterday, the "link" to the article would actually bring you right back to this thread hehe.

And I think to modify the demo of the average Fark member, 20ish - 30ish not middle aged, white midwest, college educated, in the computer biz , IT.

So that is why so much hate I guess, bunch of frustrated youngish geeks living with mom in the middle of no where, of course they are going to hate anything that is unique or faster than their Honda Accord.

[ZTEC]

Originally Posted by Dusterdude

awww,its a shame you have to drive the 911 to the lotus show,how gauche.i do hope the lotus boys let you in.

To Quote my good friend Kermit "It ain't easy bein Green"
Seriously Dusterdude, you have no idea about any of us or what we do for a living - I bust my Ass as a Contractor and have earned the priviledge of ownership through Blood and Sweat - no silver spoon here! Be happy for other people and if you are unhappy with your life Change it!

[ssstupid]

Congratulations. You all drive girl-cars. True story.

[MyElise]

I feel really bad. When I saw your post about taking it to your father-in-law's Goodyear shop I was thinking of mentioning to you to be very, very clear about the lift points for this car. But someone posted the correct points and I figured it would be overkill.

This is why I take the wheels & tires in my pickup to the tire shop for mounting.