Another Two Hundred Thousand

After nearly 30 thousand miles in her possession, the Escort ZX2 is mine again. I got it back about 150 miles short of 200k. My second drive to work in it gave me the final rollover, the third car I've owned that's hit that ludicrous number -- and the second Escort to do so.

The first was my 1991 Ford Escort Pony, many years ago. Then the Miata. Now this.

I gave Amanda the ZX2 a couple years ago as a xmas gift. I have it back now because she has bought her first car. Quaint, that, since I got my first car about 10 years ago. Expect a guest post soon by her, about her new wheels.

So it's official: the Miata is my pleasure and race car; the ZX2, my daily driver. It's nice to commute in a reasonably quiet car with a compliant ride. It's not so compliant as to be infuriatingly dull -- I have an undying love of Escorts for a reason -- but it's not the torture box that the hard-steering, hard-riding, uninsulated Miata is. I have the added bonus of only having to maintain the Miata for race duty, I don't have to worry about wear from commuting as well; it can be out of service for weeks at a time while I rebuild the engine or order parts.

The down side? I won't have super-buff arms anymore, since I'm now spoiled with one of those amazing modern luxuries: power steering.

What do I do with the Escort now? Neglect washes. Do only the most necessary maintenance. Maybe do a few aero tricks and such to improve fuel economy. Treat it like the beater it has truly become. Eco-mod rat rod, anyone?

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS, LARRY.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRIVE

YOUR MIATA

IN THE SNOW.

(The header wrap starts to unravel.)

Can it be? Spell it with me!

I officially saw the Oscar Mayer weinermobile in the most boring place ever. It was in traffic merging onto the I-90 West tollway while I was commuting home from work. Covered with snow, salt, and salty snow-water.

Like seeing your favorite actress, supermodel, or musician taking a dump, it brings this magical meat machine down to the same level as the rest of us mortal machines. The majesty is gone.