Know anyone who wants my old car? It’s a 2002 Chrysler 300M, red, 84,400 miles (not bad for an 8-1/2 year old car), everything works, small damaged area on the left rear quarter panel where I had an argument with a cement post. Not sure if I want to get that fixed to help sell the car or not.

Keeping this car as a second car seems to be a LOT more expensive than the last time I did it. That Eagle Vision TSi only cost me $200/year extra in insurance and tags. This Chrysler will cost me $1000/year to keep around, and I don’t anticipate getting much usage out of it, since I have the bike and new car. I’d really to see it go to someone who will love it and use it gently like I did. It’s been a good, reliable car it’s whole life. I bought it brand new, and it hasn’t ever had a single problem requiring a shop visit. Handles like a dream, quick and nimble for a large car, and has lots of extra features that I wish my new car had (multiple cd changer, trip computer, automatic air temp control). I put new tires on it 10k miles ago, and new brakes 1K ago.

Kelley blue book value is around $5,600 but let’s talk! Really, let’s talk. It’s a great car, and if I hadn’t got this full blown mid-life crisis thing going, I’d have kept it for another 5-10 years. It was really nice not having a car payment. It’s been 13 years since I paid off my last car loan.

I picked up my new car Tuesday. I can’t believe it’s been more than 25 years since I owned a stick shift automobile. It took me a little while to get used to it, but I’m doing okay now.

I got the higher 3.31 ratio rear transaxle (the std is 2.97), which means I have higher low end torque and lower high end speeds. This car is really small, light and quick! A real ticket danger, if you know what I mean.

Today, I’m taking it to a shop partially owned by a friend and co-worker, where I will be getting a “clearbra” and window tinting done. The clearbra is a clear 3M plastic film they apply to the hood, front end, rear view mirrors and door handle areas to protect the paint job from damage. The window tint I chose was 3M Crystaline 40, which is the only tint approved by the Skin Cancer Institute and blocks 99% of the sun’s UV-A and UV-B rays. It also blocks about 50% of the heat of sunlight, which should help keep the car cooler here in sunny Georgia.

I’m still on the first tank of gas, but so far I estimate I’m getting about 23-25 miles per gallon. I was going to take the car up to the twisty roads of the North Georgia mountains on Sunday, but got a phone call last night from a fellow biker trying to gather a group to ride up there that day. I’d rather ride with a group, than drive alone. Looking forward to it. I can always drive up there next weekend, after I get a few more days practice with the clutch.

I’m really digging the Sirius satellite radio. Plenty of commercial free music channels I like. Not sure if it’s worth another $7-18/month yet, but it might be. At least I get 90 days free with the new car.

After I get the tint applied, I’m going to take some photos in the sun, so you can see the pretty dark blue metal-flake paint job. It’s a gorgeous car, and a blast to drive.

I got a phone call this morning saying my new Mustang was built this week, and should be arrive here in Georgia in the next couple of weeks. I’m so excited!

I saw one just like it, same color, same external options, a year older, but it looks the exact same. Just beautiful!

Spooky is turning into a real cool man’s cat. He’s constantly climbing into my arms to get attention, even more than before. He simply loves being scritched and held, and gets so jealous when I pet other cats. He wants to be MY cat. But he has to learn to share, because I do love them all, and give all of them special attention time each day. Dusty, Max and Spooky in the morning, Echo and Julius in the evening, Rocky and Lucky whenever they feel like it.

Dusty is nine years old today. Such a sweet, tiny, furry little queen kitty.

The following is from helmet cam video I shot yesterday during a pleasant ride in the north Georgia mountains. Even though it was an overcast day, and I did get sprinkled on somewhat, I had a blast.