The honeymoon is over…
You’ve probably noticed that it has been a long time since I posted anything notable about the 900. That’s because there’s been nothing to post. While I bought the car for autocross, I haven’t made time for the sport all year. During the past two months, the 900 has mostly sat around while I drove one of the air-conditioned cars instead.
I’ve been feeling a bit blah about the 900, my excitement over the car has really waned. I was truly excited about it from the day I bought it until sometime this summer. All of the modifications and work to get the car going were really exciting. When I waxed it, it really got shiny. When I got the seat stitched, it was a nice car again, etc…
Now the wax has worn off, the seat has ripped in another location, I’m tired of all of my cassettes, and the headliner is sagging more than ever. The car needs an oil change, new spark plugs, and new plug wires. It really probably needs a brake fluid flush and maybe even new pads. And it would look much better with lowering springs and turbo’s rear spoiler. I’m having a hard time getting excited about doing any of it.
Last spring I drove the 900 to a lot of jobsites to allow it to earn me money, and as the weather has cooled the past few weeks, I’ve driven it to a couple of local jobsites. Today the 900 had its first ferry trip in my stewardship (and its second) as I took the Edmonds-Kingston ferry to a job in Silverdale and back. But I need it to be a little better car if I’m going to do that, which probably means a new stereo and a rejuvinated headliner.
I’m in kind of a transitional period with the car. I’m pretty sure I’ll keep it over this winter and attempt to autocross it next year. But I need to take the time to do that, or the car probably isn’t worth keeping around. I love having a classic 900, but I really want a cool one, a 900 turbo in great condition. Mine is a non-turbo that is unlikely to ever be in great condition.
I did get a compliment on the car this morning though. When I climbed out of the car at the bank to run to the ATM, a mid-40s guy climbing into a Dodge Caliber rental car said “I like that stripe.” I said “Thanks.” He spoke again, saying “It really makes your car look sporty. It’s really cool.” So the 900 did get a bit of love today, even though it wasn’t necessarily from me.
