Purdue University

[OstTrefftWest]

I think Mike gets a modest finder's fee from the dealer from which he sources your car, though his real money comes from extended warranties, gap insurance, and that sort of thing. Basically, he offers good enough deals on those products that he sells enough of them without having to pressure anyone.

As for the size of his network, it must at least cover the whole Midwest, since I know my mom's '02 Mazda MPV came from Michigan. Still, I think that's just a matter of which dealers he knows the best; I think he can look as broadly as he needs to to find your car, subject to whether the shipping costs can fit into your bottom line.

Once you tell him what you're looking for, he looks for the two or three best ones that meet your criteria and lets you pick one. I don't know how test-drives would work -- I'm confident that if a test drive showed that something was wrong, he'd be the first one to put it back on the truck and send it back, but I don't know whether you could send one back if everything worked fine but you just didn't care for it.

I'll PM you my info tomorrow (the old version of Netscape on my old laptop doesn't like Vortex PMs), but feel free just to give Auto Purchasing a call and ask for Mike Gerard, and tell him I referred you. He's a good, friendly, personable guy, and he'll be happy to talk with you.

[OstTrefftWest]

Bump for news about Adam's car shopping....

[heysuperman]

i know off a sweet used 2001 Jetta VR6 that's loaded and a manual and forsale too

[vw fiend]

alright, i've talked to my parents, and found that a new-to-me-car for, at the most, $8k probably. i've been a little random on what i want, but i've found two ginster VR6's for $7000 and $7800 respectively, and thats the type of car i have settled on. i can play with it, its yellow, it has a VR6, comes loaded, and most importantly, i can play with it.

[OstTrefftWest]

Quote, originally posted by vw fiend »

alright, i've talked to my parents, and found that a new-to-me-car for, at the most, $8k probably. i've been a little random on what i want, but i've found two ginster VR6's for $7000 and $7800 respectively, and thats the type of car i have settled on. i can play with it, its yellow, it has a VR6, comes loaded, and most importantly, i can play with it.

...and don't forget -- you can play with it. Sounds very cool -- what kind of mileage do they have on 'em? Have you had Mike Gerard look around for you yet?

[vw fiend]

I filled out his form last night, and got an email from him this morning. I have a little loan that I need to pay off before I jump into a car, unless the perfect one comes along. I need your last name (I'm having a brain freeze) so that I can tell Mike exactly who refered me The two that I found had 93k on it for $7000 and the other had 82k for $7800. Both of those mileages are high though, just a tad... http://autotrader.com/findacar...&y=19

[perf311]

good news. starting tomorrow the speed channel has been added to standard cable. can't wait.

[TurboMakesItBetter]

This in Lafayette, or WI? 'Cause I sure as hell miss WRC!!

[perf311]

west laf.
we got MTV2 also in case you're interested

[perf311]

question in case anyone knows. how often do motorcycle dealers deal with trade-ins, and do they have a network for that sorta stuff? can i goto a suzuki dealer and have them get me a mid/late 90's gs500? or do i hafta do private sellers.

[TurboMakesItBetter]

ahhh hellz yeah...What channel is Speedvision?

[TurboMakesItBetter]

Go down to Phoenix Cycles and talk to some of the people there. They usually do a pretty good job of hunting down used bikes from what I hear.

[perf311]

Quote, originally posted by TurboMakesItBetter »

ahhh hellz yeah...What channel is Speedvision?

channel 72
and where's phoenix sport cycle at. i'm not really in the market yet right now, funds are tied up in other things. but come march/april i'll definatly be willing to throw down a couple g's

[TurboMakesItBetter]

If you take SR38 towards I-65 passed the mall, Phoenix is just a little passed Creasy Ln. on the right side just after the gas station. I'd like to get a bike as well, but funds are tied up in my damn car right now...

[PUJetta2001]

GET the new 04 R1
or R6 you will love it...

[heysuperman]

i have some...pictures i need to show you before you go get a bike jeff

[OstTrefftWest]

Also, Suzuki's re-releasing the GS500 again for this year -- same frame, tail, bars, etc., but with a GSXR600-style fairing and integrated front lamp. Dunno if that sparks your interest at all.

And count me in as another eventual rider -- I miss the bikes I've had, but I've got higher (or at least more-grownup-like) money priorities for now.... But man, I miss riding!

[TurboMakesItBetter]

Everyone knows the inherit risks of riding a motorcycle...there's no need to try to talk everyone out of riding. We run the same type of risk driving, only with a bike, you've got a higher chance of injury. Riding is a completely different experience than driving a car...there's no way I'd shy away from it. If everyone thought that way, we wouldn't drive our cars faster than 35mph.

BTW...yes motorcycle accidents can be nasty...
http://www.themustangsource.com/motocrash/

[TurboMakesItBetter]

That new GS500 doesn't sound to shabby...I've been eyein' the SV650's and SV1000's...I like the half fairing look. The bike I really want to get is the BMW F650CS Any bike with heated handgrips would be just too peeeeeomp!

[OstTrefftWest]

Yeah, for my money an SV650 (I'd prefer the full-naked version), or the new '04 Yamaha FZ6 are the best values out there, especially if you're specifically trying to avoid the crotch-rocket look that every frat boy is sporting (only minimal offense to frat boys intended )....

[heysuperman]

Quote, originally posted by TurboMakesItBetter »

Everyone knows the inherit risks of riding a motorcycle...there's no need to try to talk everyone out of riding. We run the same type of risk driving, only with a bike, you've got a higher chance of injury. Riding is a completely different experience than driving a car...there's no way I'd shy away from it. If everyone thought that way, we wouldn't drive our cars faster than 35mph. BTW...yes motorcycle accidents can be nasty... http://www.themustangsource.com/motocrash/

hate to post negative crap and for that i apologize.
it isn't a question of if you will get into an accident. it's a question of when. sure you could be lucky and not get into of for years...then again you could be like someone else in the thread and get into an accident with in 7 months of owning one.

it's bad enough that most drivers don't even look out for other cars most drivers definitely don't look out for motorcyclists. that's what makes it more dangerous (IMO).

i'm not here to stop anyone from getting one. just reminding them of the dangers and letting them know even in our some group, it's happened.

[OstTrefftWest]

Quote, originally posted by heysuperman »

it's bad enough that most drivers don't even look out for other cars most drivers definitely don't look out for motorcyclists. that's what makes it more dangerous (IMO).

That's the biggest thing, absolutely -- I think it's even bigger than the complete lack of physical protection when collisions happen (and, as a corollary, many riders' refusal to wear helmets to provide some physical protection to the most important body part).

As for the mustang source link, I'm glad I hadn't noticed (or followed) it until I'd been done with the lunch I was eating at my desk. Gruesome; me no likey. Makes me wonder about the circumstances -- rider at fault? big truck at fault? <shudder>

[heysuperman]

yep, those were the pics i wanted Jeff to see. i think the last picture (the fireman finishing up) is what does it for me.

[perf311]

i want a naked bike for my first bike. no need pretending my bike is a sport bike when it doesn't have the sportbike balls
my second bike will be an sv650. can't afford one now. if it comes to it, i'll pay up to 1750. hoping to stay under even that. i love the pre-03 gs's. sv is too ballsy for my first bike too

and i'll always be protected. i already have a helmet in the mail and for xmas i'm telling everyone gift certificates to a shop local to me in WI (since for some reason my family doesn't like giving straight up cash). i'm gonna get everything before i get a bike, so i'm sure to wear it.
and i don't see myself bringing the bike to college, for the simple reason that i think i'll be far to tempted to ride without full gear. at home my shortest drive anywhere is around 15-20 mins, so i'll be doing some speed-crusing. gear is a must. here, it'll be a pain to toss on helmet gloves jacket boots just to drop off homework or cruise to willowbrook

[OstTrefftWest]

Good man -- always ride protected. Always, always, always. If you haven't taken ABATE or MSF yet, do it -- best damn $30-something you'll ever spend. Plus, it's even fun because they give you bikes to ride.

For a newbie bike for under $2K, I'd recommend:

Kawasaki: Ninja 250 (my first bike, and an absolute riot while still being beginner-friendly), Ninja 500 (my last bike) or EX500 (same bike, different skin). I'm still convinced the Ninja 250 is the world's best beginner bike -- like an A2, it handles insanely well despite being unsophisticated just because it's so lightweight, plus it makes just barely enough power (about 30hp at the crank) that it'll keep you entertained for a good couple of years.

Suzuki: GS500 (duh). Not as sophisticated as the Kaws, but maybe even more bulletproof.

Yamaha: SecaII. Yeah, it's a 600, but it's aircooled and tuned VERY mildly -- still tame enough to learn on, but a little more room to grow into, also. Finding a clean one can be tricky, but if you do, give it serious thought.

Okay, enough of this -- gotta go do work now (not as much fun, but pays better than the 'Tex....)

[perf311]

ya, while it's not called "msf" in wisconsin we have a number of courses taught by anywhere from city colleges to the huge HD dealer. (all state licensed. the HD one is actually prolly the best)
also to be fully licensed i need to complete the course. i have my temps but didn't ride but once last summer, and only rode a little 100cc bike around some neighborhoods.
my biggest debate with gear is: do i get the expensive sport/race stuff, or some cheapo noob gear. i want the nice stuff, but i don't want to a) wreck it or b) look like some noob squid who bought gear to look cool, not for its intended use. i'm fully anticipating falling at least once my first season of riding.

like i once read, if you could freeze time in the middle of a fall and put on more gear, would you? i want to always be able to say "nope, i'm prepared." that's stuck with me since i first read it.

[vw fiend]

eric, will you give me a ride in your VR sometime? puh-puh-lease?

[farfromugen]

Quote, originally posted by vw fiend »

eric, will you give me a ride in your VR sometime? puh-puh-lease?

why certainly!!! just give me a time.... i'm off tomorrow

for that matter, I'll let you drive it if you want...it kinda sucks going into 1st right now, but if you want to give it a whirl...


Modified by farfromugen at 6:39 PM 11-8-2003

[vw fiend]

what time is best for you? i'm open weekday nights too, whatever fits your schedule

[GTIman1212]

everything is good with the car now, i've got some new euro bumpers on the way, not all textured this time, these have headlight washers on them, OEM headlight washers

oh btw, eric if you want to do some mk3 pics this weekend it would be great, i need to wax the new paint


Modified by GTIman1212 at 7:27 PM 11-10-2003

[farfromugen]

that sounds cool...just glad to hear you got the car back!!! i'm not sure what my schedule will be for saturday, but i should have some time...that goes for everyone else, we should have a big pic gtg

[OstTrefftWest]

Saturday is this year's Monon Bell game (Wabash vs. DePauw, making the Old Oaken Bucket look like a girly ballerina kissy-face tea party), so if I can get a hold of tickets this late in the game, I'll be spoken for on Saturday. OTOH, if I can't make it to the game, it's usually televised -- and if I can get it on my satellite this year, I'd be happy to host a football/Dub/beer/photo GTG at my place....

....And this time, I'd have no choice but to bring the GTI, no matter how nice the day, because the ragtop is now off insurance for the season, and I pulled the seats out of it to reskin 'em this winter. (For that matter, that means I have two extra seats for a GTG, and they'd even fit the car theme!)

You know, that's almost starting to sound more fun than driving all the way down to Greencastle and sitting in DePauw's pathetic ugly excuse for a football stadium. Whadd'y'all (is that a word?) think? My place this Saturday?

[GTIman1212]

i'm down for whatever the g/f is out of town, i'll need some directions

[farfromugen]

i'm cool with this weekend, maybe that can give you a chance to drive the car Adam...hopefully the weather will be ok

[vw fiend]

sunday?