Weekend cleanup and other fun!

[e-tek]

FINALLY! After a very messy and busy winter's worth of projects, I got the shop cleaned up!!

I've also re-thunk having my collectibles in the shop. I'm gonn amove them into the attached garage and make that my "show-area":

New FORT (has it's own thread)...

Detailed Mrs E-tek's ride as she's trading it for a BWM Mini Cooper..

 

[HOTFR8]

You have been busy with the Fort ( I looked at the other thread ) and that collection looks good. Make sure you post pics when you have it moved into your new area.

 

[e-tek]

Make sure you post pics when you have it moved into your new area.

You bet! I just did the first cleaning of the floor. Maybe next weekend I can etch it and then get er painted. Nobody told me it's like a month of weekends to epoxy the floor of a dirty garage!!

I already re-painted it white, so as to lay on some stripes and stuff. Then I'll move a bunch of the paraphenalia.

 

[1984GMC]

You will regret buying that POS mini.

 

[tdkkart]

You will regret buying that POS mini.

And I'm anxiously awaiting a long term owner's report from him, simply because everytime anyone asks about them here a whole bunch of people that have never owned them start throwing rocks.
I'll likely end up with one some day, so I'd like to hear some real life experiences.

 

[Jack Olsen]

I've rented Minis as a last minute substitution car for track days. They're a lot of fun to drive.

(Let's not share that with Hertz, though, okay?)

 

[Scramblur]

Mini Coopers are fine cars. Unforunately, the worst cars I've ever owned have been American (other American cars have been ok though...). I'd rather own a mini convertible than an American convertible priced in the same range.

 

[Boyd Who]

Looking good, E-tek!
I plan to display some of my diecast collection in the new garage, just have to figure out some kind of cabinets.

 

[e-tek]

Looking good, E-tek!
I plan to display some of my diecast collection in the new garage, just have to figure out some kind of cabinets.

Hey Boyd - have you searched ebay for die-cast shelves? There are a bunch of different plexi-glass shelves, enclosures, etc. Kinda pricey, but worth it. I'm gonna snap a pic of a friends garage - he has over a THOUSAND die casts!

 

[Boyd Who]

Hey Boyd - have you searched ebay for die-cast shelves? There are a bunch of different plexi-glass shelves, enclosures, etc. Kinda pricey, but worth it. I'm gonna snap a pic of a friends garage - he has over a THOUSAND die casts!

Thanks for the tip! I'll keep an eye out for some.
I have a couple of old IKEA glass CD cabinets that I can use for my 1:18 scale stuff, but nothing for my Hot Wheels.

 

[slicktoptt]

It's likely that you wasted your time detailing the trade in car. I worked at a dealer for a while and have never known them to give you any more money because you cleaned it up...they have a crew that does that.

I heard so many times "Oh I can't trade my car in today I want to take it home and clean it up"...Used Car Manager always told them "We won't give you any more money for it if you do...we have a crew of guys we pay $10 and hour and it will take them less than 2 hours."

 

[Striker]

First impressions are everything with it comes to trade-ins. Once you bring it up with the sales person they will take a look at it. If it is all dirty and dinged up they will think it has been abused and possibly offer a lower price. A nice clean car that looks well cared for will usually increase the trade-in offer by the dealer.

 

[e-tek]

No, No, we sell our own cars. Although I agree with striker to some extent, they generally go by "low black book/wholesale" prices on trades. I would likely take a $2-4grand hit to trade it.

 

[jwhcars]

First impressions do help when trading in your car. For the smokers on here replace your lighter element , scrub ash trays and air freshener to mask the odor. I deducted at least $500 for a vehicle that was a smoker.

I bought a 2002 Mini Cooper S when they came out as a just for fun car. I had no major problems with the car. We put over 30,000 fun run miles on it just driving the back roads. If you replace the run flat tires it will give you a better ride but then be prepared if you get a flat. I had an original Mini as a kid and this new car did more and had all the modern features an creature comforts I had grown accustomed to.
Have a good time redoing your show garage.

 

[billspit]

I love your Challenger. One of my favorite cars ever since Vanishing Point (the real one).

Good luck with the MINI. People either get great service out of them or have some significant problems. If you are getting a new one, you should be fine.

I wish I could get my garage that clean.