The entry below is classified as a LEGACY post, meaning that it was written (well) before the current version of Avalonstar was released. Although these posts have survived the numerous moves over years, there is no guarantee that they've survived the trip unscathed (especially the links).

LEGACY–

November 25, 2006

One Year Strong

A year ago today, I drove home with my first "real" car, my Mazda RX-8. (Like, one I pay for myself.) It's been one of the coolest (and most expensive) years, obviously, when it comes to automobile related stuff. I've washed it countless times, "wasted" a whole bunch of money on parts (and have stopped for the time being), and killed a few too many ricers. Nah, you can't kill too many of them. ;)

Time for the stats!

Odometer Reading: 16,000 (I predicted 20,857 when I hit 10,000 miles.)
Average Miles Per Day: 43
Average Miles Per Month: 1,333
"Major" Modifications: 5 (Cold Air Intake, Front & Rear Strut Bar, Front & Rear Sway Bars)
Useless Purchases: 4 (B-Pillar Appliques, Seat Covers, Tire Valve Caps, Sun Visor)
Car Wash Visits: at least 75 (one visit cost me over $200 - for a wax)
Times Waxed: about 5 (including the one I just mentioned)
Number of Dealer Visits: around 25 (including the "recall")
Number of Ricer Kills: WAY too many to count.
Number of Potatoes I Wish I Had: I'd need more than are grown in the state of Idaho.
Times I Hit Redline: I also lost count of this.
Average Amount Spent on Gas: $45.00
My Least Favorite Place to Drive: San Franscisco (god damn hills.)
Average Miles per Tank (16 gallon tank): 290 miles (up from 216... o_O;)

Although I have taken a break from buying things for the car - and although I don't drive it as much as I used to - it's still a purchase I don't regret making. There are times I think to myself that it was too much, that I could have gotten something a little more affordable. Ultimately, that course of action would have been one that I'd regret.

Well, four years of payments to go, and a hell of a lot more modifications to do. ^_^;