[Dan]

The day finally came for me.

I picked up my car yesterday morning. The process was pretty painless since there wasn't any negotiation necessary on the price or financing, although I did have to sign my signature at least a dozen times. Handing over all that money in one sitting was not fun.

I barely avoided the 9/1 price increase, so my bank account is happier for that.

I was a little bit concerned about how the clear bra install would end up, but on my car the installation was very well done.

It was a beautiful day yesterday, great for driving. Staying off the cam and avoiding more than half throttle wasn't that difficult; the car feels plenty quick in the lower rev range.

I haven't tried driving with the top on. I haven't even tried putting the top on. I guess I'll have to try it before I wash the car.

Here's a photo of my car waiting for me next to a Spyker:

 

[Dan]

If you don't like attention, this is definitely not the car for you. On the freeway, many cars hung around the blind spot area to check out the car. Drivers looked in the mirror as they pass by. Passengers will twist and turn to get a peek. On single lane winding roads, a few cars actually did 3-point u-turns to follow me. At intersections, people would yell things, but I didn't understand what they said over the engine noise and radio.

Night driving was a little scary on the curvy mountain roads. I could see okay when curving to the right, but the left light had a low sharp cutoff. Add that to fog, making me take it pretty easy on the curves. I'll have to fiddle with the headlight alignment later.

I'm still getting used to the six-speed, that it is a six-speed, that it's angled away from the driver, that reverse is at the upper left, and that you have to lift the collar to engage reverse.

It's a bummer that the former garage queen Miata had to park outside last night. Lots of condensation on the car this morning. I still haven't gotten around to buying a cover.

Below is another photo of my car...

Enough sitting in front of my computer. Time for me to go for another drive!

 

[smoseley]

Congrats. Enjoy it

 

[mikester]

Congratulations !:clap:

 

[LNZ_YELO]

Congrats! Many miles of smiles!

 

[smoseley]

LNZ - i see you have an SLK32. Did you hapeen to see any write-ups on the new SLK55 ? Looks like it'll be a heart-stopper!

 

[MattG]

Congratulations!

 

[shay2nak]

awesome!

 

[LNZ_YELO]

LNZ - i see you have an SLK32. Did you hapeen to see any write-ups on the new SLK55 ? Looks like it'll be a heart-stopper!

Hi, Steve -

Yep, the 55 looks like it's going to be another great AMG. It won't be faster than the 32, though, since it's heavier. It's also going to be interesting to see how the pricing comes out. I had thought of replacing the 32 with a 55, but thought I'd wait until it was out for awhile. And then the Elise came in and I was able to finally see it and drive it, so at this point all bets are off.

Ellen