10/6/09

I really wish I didn't have to start out today by saying I've got nothing to say today. However, I've got nothing to say today. I guess I'll tell y'all what John and I discussed during lunch yesterday. We talked a little about Shichi and how he feels it needs a bit of a “tune-down.” We know the thing is jetted for top end power. Marty as much as said, “Why tune the carburetors to run below the power band of the cam?” So, having said that, we’re thinking the engine is set up for balls-out, over 3,500 revs, and might not be very “streetable.” I'm not 100% sure that I couldn't learn to live with that. John's biggest complaint is that the carburetors didn't want to idle down quick enough. He’s worried that I won't be able to live with that aspect. I'm not sure how we can get around that though. We both agree that Juan could learn to drive the car in such a way as to “drag” the idle down when coming to a stop. I think that is what is going to have to happen because I don't see leaner jets fixing it. He also suggested that if I can learn to “roll into” the throttle under 3,500 revs, never “punch it” below that or it will bog, it will be drivable. We’ll see I guess. The other thing we discussed was the fact that I think I want to sell Ms. Clio. His response was, “It depends on how much of a bath you are willing to take.” We know CarMax will buy it back at wholesale price if we return it to stock. Unfortunately, the difference in the wholesale price and what I owe would have to come out of my pocket. We’re looking at about a $4,000.00 difference. That is quite a bath. But I'd be saving at least $450.00 a month by getting rid of it. I checked, and dropping that car would cut my insurance in half. Now if a private party were willing to take it off me for what I owe, I'd walk away smiling. No, I would not look at it as giving the car away, as some might, mom for instance. I got quite a bit of enjoyment from the car, it did get me to and from work respectably, and... well, I'm sure there are other things to say about the money already spent on it. Anyhoo, the point it, I need to try and get out from under Ms. Clio, I think. Perhaps I'll put it up on e-Bay with a reserve of what I owe right now. If it makes it to that, I'll be happy. If it doesn't, I'll be OK. If it makes more, I'll fart rainbows! I wonder if John would be willing to list it for me, like he did for the GMC truck. Said GMC truck being one of the few vehicles I've ever made a profit on, on e-Bay or anywhere else. Of course there’s also Craig’s list, but I don’t know how to use that. I suppose, if I were less of a Luddite, I could also post it up on some “Car-Fancier’s” websites and see what happens. Alas, I am quite the Luddite and don't frequent those sites enough to do that. Woe is me. If only there were someone out there willing to do that for poor little old me. You can't see it, but I'm batting my eyelashes right now. No, I don't expect it to work, but I find it amusing nonetheless. Well, I guess I've said enough to consider it a successful rant. We’re planning to go to the shop tomorrow evening, if John's schedule permits, so you may or may not get a rant. We’ll see.