I take full responsibility and blame it all on my parents :)
Raised up in an Asian household, my formative years were spent in the classroom with my head in the books. Fortunately, there was usually a copy of Road and Track, or Motor Trend wedged within the thick binding. My parents never understood my obsession with all things cars... I imagine the less they understood the more I became obsessed. I would memorize random stats, hp figures, read reviews of cars that I had great interest in (the Toyota Supra turbo comes to mind) and even those I had no interest in (The Hyundai Scoupe which my dad told me would be my first car). Through bribes by obtaining good scores on exams I got my first car: a 1968 911L. Now before the eggs get thrown on me for being a silver spoon kid, this car was the neighbor's and the money we spent on it was as much as a Geo Metro. That being said, it was absolutely gorgeous. Beautiful lines, wonderful motor... unfortunately horrible brakes. After totalling it, the rest of my high school was spent in non-descript but functional transportation.
Upon entering med school, I was finally able to choose a new car. Got a 2004 Subaru WRX. First new car that I chose, and I loved it. I literally spent hours on web forums, reading, researching, and investigating. I probably invested about 5k into that car. I'm sure that some can drop that in a day, but I could never get over the frugal guilt of spending all that money at once. The car got me through blizzards, rainstorms, autocross, and track events. When I got married and had our first child, I figured it was time to grow up. I sold that car to one of my colleagues, who loves it just as much as I do. I definitely had the chance to sell it for more $, but it was great to find her a good home.
I then ordered my 2012 Avant. The plan and agreement with the wife was... "Pick the car that you want, but quit wasting time tinkering with it!" I told myself I had to do a little research to order it, so I got it in Ibis, Sport Pack, Prem +, and Adv Key thanks to all of your photos/posts. So far I have got winter rims/tires (17" Elbrus: the economical choice), tint (my excuse was our baby had "sensitive eyes"), an Xcarlink (for the reverse camera.. safety yet again). Took it to an autocross and decided to get Eurocode sways (hey, a GB is a deal right?) and APR Stage 1.
My wife thinks I am a lunatic, but being the love of my life is tolerating things. I'll rush to show her pics of one of your posts (Blake, Miracle whips, quattro, anthony, etc) and she'll look at me with the "so what?" look. Aah, must be the Y chromosome. Anyways, here's some pics, thanks for being my support group!
Now you all will have to give me reasons to justify the following:
- New set of rims (I can't explain this one as I have my stocks with summer rubber and a winter set)
- Stage 2 with TP
- Spacers/drop (probably the silliest thing to do in the MidWest, but it looks so good!)
I'm seriously thinking of just getting a weekend car to satisfy the urge to tinker (cheap Miata), but must refrain as I'm sure it would open up a whole another world of sickness.
In 15 years, someone remind me to indulge my boy and share the passion for whatever the need for speed is then!
Following are some pics
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