For now, I was reading back through my old posts and remembered how crappy of a job I did on Zach's E36 post. He's my room mate and friend and deserves a real post. No history, no technical crap, just what I think. The first thing I should address is the statement I made about wanting one for a track car. That statement would be true if I had money to build a multitude of other track cars first. It's not a bad car, but not my cup of tea. Which makes it perfect for my room mate. I can drive and respect it from the next parking spot over... and make fun of him for it at the same time.
Riding in Zach's car makes for a very spirited game of "what's that noise?" It could be the shocks groaning, or the shock mounts cracking even more, or the interior panels falling out, or the body panels rattling around, or the zip ties rubbing against each other, or a bevy of other discouraging things. Oh yeah, and his computer is constantly dinging about "low coolant levels" and all sorts of other things. As the old saying goes, "it's german = it has electrical problems". It has studs on one wheel, the e-brake only works on one wheel, the worst sound system I've seen in a "well maintained" car, the suspension settings are different at every corner, the shift knob falls off if you breathe on it too hard, and the front end is held together with zip ties and optimism. So why does he like it so much?
...well, I'd be lying if I said it didn't have some redeeming qualities. It has heated seats and a nice intake sound, and doesn't look too bad. That's it though. I can't find any reason why I would hold onto it if it were my car. But it's not, it's Zach's. He's had it for long enough, screwed up enough in/with it, and fixed it enough to never give up on it. It's his security blanket, and he needs it just as much it needs him. But is that reason to keep it instead of selling it for something more reliable?
Zach and I have had the "super-car moment" conversation many times. It's the idea that no matter how much time a car spends in the shop or on jack stands, how much money we spend on them, how many times they let us down, or how many times we are reduced to sulking depressed lumps of regret from driving them too hard, there are those infinitesimal moments when it all comes together and everything works and all the hardship is worth it. Those moments when our simple little street machines transcend their humble mechanics and make their driver, no matter what age, giddy with delight. Zach has those moments with his E36, and that is reason enough for me. I can't wait to see how far you go with it dude.
