December 2021 Marin C&C photos

I had not been to a car show in forever and the boy wanted to go to one. So I found a sort-of-local show (45 minutes away), woke up early, and went. It was worth it. We both had fun.

The first thing we checked out was this dune buggy getting reverse winched out of a travel trailer. The badge said Cox, which appears to be a toy company. Later we saw this buggy wearing huge sunglasses. You read that right.

E28 M5.

FC RX-7.

SWB Land Rover truck. This was my son's favorite car at the show.

Unrestored(?) Corvette.

Celica GT.

Saleen Mustang.

V8-powered Volvo.

1968 Mark II Cortina.

Why does this Aston Martin look so unusual? Is it a hardtop? I don't think I've ever seen one like this. This was my favorite car at the show.

Another rad Mustang.

Dirty 968.

I told my son I learned to drive in one of these. He was distracted by the van.

Another old Merc.

Monza coupe.

This classic was just non-chalantly parked.

My Daily Driver: @julkinen's Volvo XC70

1. How did you come to the decision of buying this car?

I bought this car over the phone over Christmas. I needed a dependable daily driver diesel for my hour-long commute, and since some of my friends from the UK were coming over to northern Finland in mid-January, we did a deal where I’d locate a car somewhere near them, cover the costs for the car and some initial roadtrip-proof maintenance and they would divide the fuel costs among themselves. It was basically this, a Multipla, a Frontera or a Discovery with a coil conversion, as I wanted something I could use for hauling garbage in the countryside as well as driving to work. I chose the Volvo as they’re the easiest to repair here due to good parts availability. It would also cost a fraction of what similar Volvos cost here. The car is RHD, too, but that’s another story.

2. What has your ownership experience been like?

So, the guys bought the Volvo after determining it was beat and needed servicing but it wasn’t too beat to make it here. It’s far from mint as the paintjob is severely scratched here and there, the interior trim is coming off as a bunch of clips are broken, and the all wheel drive doesn’t actually work as it’s chewed up a sleeve next to the angle gear. “They all do that sir”, I believe, and on my commute it doesn’t really mean anything except wheelspin where there should be none. I’ll have it fixed as it’s not exactly desirable for a jacked-up crossover wagon Volvo to be FWD, but since the car runs and drives fine without any warning lights, I’m not too bothered about it. At least the car is a stout 6-speed manual, as I’ve let myself be told the automatics are more breaky.

I taxed and plated the car here soon after getting it and proceeded to drive it to work every day for months. It quickly proved its worth as it’s really quite frugal for such a big wagon, and really comfortable and capable. The seats are excellent, the leather is in good shape, and the entire car feels like it’s designed to be driven around here. The engine seems to be in alright shape for 160,000 miles, but I want to get some use out of the car before I invest into overhauling the AWD. There’s a lot of “While I’m here” parts that are adjacent to the angle gear, and I’ll have it done at a specialist anyway.

3. What is your fondest memory with this car?

The Volvo is probably the most appliance-like out of any cars I’ve ever bought, so I’ve been happiest just driving it to work and back and filling it up with increasingly cheap diesel. In the future, I plan to do more roadtrips in it, as I’ve only really driven it when necessary and not for fun’s sake. I’d love to chuck some bags in the back and drive to Lapland in it, where it belongs, make some memories. But it’s the one car I’ve bought out of need instead of the more usual “Let’s see if I can get away with buying one of these” approach that has led me to owning the project cars I have in the barn, or roadtrip cars like the one-liter Fiat Panda which I dailied last winter after driving it home from Slovenia. I couldn’t see myself commuting in anything else I own or have owned.

Right now, the Volvo’s declared off the road as keeping a diesel car taxed here is easily double the cost of a comparable gasoline car, due to the higher road tax which needs to be offset with getting use out of the car. As I now work from home instead of doing 100 miles per day, I’m running errands in my dad’s hand-me-down Mercedes S203 M271 C-Class which I initially used for commuting, but which I wanted to replace with a more beat wagon that would offer more countryside capability. The Merc is about the same age as the Volvo, but far better kept, and I don’t want to subject it to too much wear and tear. It’s also factory lowered where the Volvo has a factory lift, low profile tires where the Volvo rides on taller rubber, and it’s also an automatic. Great car, but it would go to waste just racking up the miles on a straight road to work and back. The Volvo’s better for that, and my fondest memories in it come from the countless hours of comfortable commuting.

4. Why do you love cars?

I’ve always loved cars, like many of the others who have taken part in this blog series. I don’t really remember a time in my life where I haven’t strictly been about cars, but of course you have to separate the idea of a car and the reality of owning several. In my life, cars are also linked to movies, music, brochures, adverts, roadtrips, photographs, the car aesthetic where it’s in the center of the frame but there’s either a million things happening around it or because of it or nothing at all, like in a sterile ‘80s brochure shot seemingly set up in a vacuum. I never seem to think about cars as constantly degrading hulks of defunct engineering ideals that gather rust and maladies, but as the way they were depicted in period marketing material and movies. The fact they are quite often a bit beat and broken by the time I get to own them is just a minor inconvenience. This is probably also why I can more readily champion cars that in actuality completely failed on the market. But it’s easier when you have known good, dependable cars that get you to work and then the cars that are fine as they are, working or not, and you can haul parts for the latter in the former.

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If you would like to participate, just answer the above four questions and submit one to three photos of your daily driver to milhousevanh at geemail. Thanks and have fun!

My Daily Driver: @markmitchellbro's Volvo S80 3.2

1. How did you come to the decision of buying this car?

In December 2019, I was working as the Sales Manager for my local Kia dealer when an excellent job opportunity I had not been seeking out came and found me, taking me out of the auto industry.  In retrospect, with all that's going on today it was good timing!  Anyways, before I knew the job offer was coming, I had a demo vehicle, my wife drives our family Sorento, so just about a week before the job offer, I sold my beloved but superfluous 2005 BMW 330Ci, which was starting to get a bit frustrating with repairs/maintenance.  Fast forward a week, I'm putting in my two weeks notice (on good terms), and now I need a car again because my demo's going back!

Any reasonable, practical person would have simply chosen any one of the vehicles from the excellent selection of reasonable, practical cars we had on the used lot at the time, but I'm a moron, so I spent the next week scouring used car ads for my next vehicle.  My gut was telling me to get an old pickup truck plus a cheap classic or sports car, but several people (not least of whom was my longsuffering wife) dissuaded me.  I found this Volvo in the as-traded inventory of our nearest Volvo dealer and found myself continually revisiting the ad.  I'd always liked the S80 - it's a bit uncommon, and I always find myself lusting after big comfy sedans.  I had never experienced one, but reviews convinced me it would be a fine vehicle.  The car was about 100km away, and I didn't really have a chance to go see it, but I know the GM there and trusted my interaction with him regarding the car.  My GM at the Kia dealer kindly allowed me to purchase the vehicle through the Kia dealer so that I could write my own deal, control rates, and avoid fees, so I'm still satisfied with the deal I got.  The Volvo dealer drove it down for me, I had a remote starter installed as well as new winter alloys + tires, and I took possession a couple days before new job time.

2. What has your ownership experience been like?

Well, here's the problem - I'm discovering I really don't care that much for it.  The car itself has been mostly fine - details to follow - but I just have no love for it, no bonding.  I just keep wishing I'd gone with my gut and bought a truck + a classic or sports car.  The car did arrive with a "park assist system" error, which I was not told about and which irked me a bit, but I had it scanned and it said three rear sensors and one front sensor were bad.  I ordered replacements and fitted them myself (more on that later) but the error persists.  Front right strut bearing seems to be shot as well, need to get that addressed.  Otherwise, the vehicle is comfortable with an outstanding ride and superb seats.  Engine is plenty powerful, and the stereo sounds great.  It's one of the only S80s in my town, which I kinda like.  Steering isn't amazing but it does the job.

What I'm coming to realize, however, is that, despite years of reading about big sedans in magazines, and agreeing with those online in love with the things, I just don't think I'm a big sedan kind of guy!  Having never had a history of being a truck guy, I now can't stop thinking about experiences I had with them when working in the industry.  Additionally, after ending up with a rental Mustang Ecoboost in Florida earlier this month (long story), I was reminded how much I also enjoy sporty vehicles/coupes, and how I really just want those two types of vehicles in my life.

3. What is your fondest memory with this car?

My first reaction to this question was "I don't have any fond memories with this car."  But then I remembered the parking sensor replacement (I know, a weird memory to be fond of).  After watching way too much Car Wizard and WatchJRGo on YouTube, I had a hankering to wrench again for the first time in many years, so I ordered up some replacement parking sensors.  On a nice, sunny, social-distancing weekend, I went out to replace them, and my 7-year-old son wanted to "help."  Well, he actually was a legitimate help, removing wheel bolts (after I loosened them) and helping me remove and later re-fit the bumper covers.  We had a great time together, and I was able to show him the different components of the braking and suspension systems on the car.

4. Why do you love cars?

No idea!  I got my first toy car when I was 6 months old (a Renault 5, since I can already hear you asking) and that interest has just been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  Not sure where it came from - although my family members certainly don't dislike cars, there's no one else who's really into them (until my boys came along).  But when I was 5 or so, I was already naming all the cars in the parking lots, devouring magazines and buyer's guides, and I once pointed out to the owner of the local Mercury store (at the time) that his vehicle had the wrong hubcaps on (they were his winter set)!  My interest in cars has never waned or been usurped by other hobbies.  I'm just a car guy through and through.

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If you would like to participate, just answer the above four questions and submit one to three photos of your daily driver to milhousevanh at geemail. Thanks and have fun!

My Daily Driver: @thenickdallshow's Volvo V70R

1. How did you come to the decision of buying this car?

I have always loved Volvos, especially wagons, and this has always been a unicorn that I've needed to own. I searched for a couple of years and found this one in my own back yard.

2. What has your ownership experience been like?

As with any Ford-era Volvo, I have dealt with more than my fair share of electrical quirks and somewhat costly maintenance. That being said, it is an amazing family hauler that (I think) looks fantastic, sounds great with the aftermarket exhaust, and gets me through the Utah snow with aplomb.

3. What is your fondest memory with this car?

My fondest memory is my mother-in-law complaining that it rode too harshly, was too noisy, and the windows were too dark.

4. Why do you love cars?

Cars have always been a large part of my family. My paternal grandfather owned a few old MG's; I have a Porsche enthusiast uncle (who passed his love of Porsches on to me, and I'm now the proud owner of a couple myself); and my father has always loved Volvos. They are satisfying to every sense and provide me with great enjoyment and pride.

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If you would like to participate, just answer the above four questions and submit one to three photos of your daily driver to milhousevanh at geemail. Thanks and have fun!

Carspotting in Austria, Denmark, and Sweden

S went on vacation and shared these photos with me/us. Thanks, man, and welcome home!

Reindeer Wrap at Oslo Airport

Falco (Rock Me Amadeus) Special Edition of the famous Austrian Mozartkugeln

Lots of cool Land Rovers and Range Rovers in the greater Copenhagen area

A rare original G-Wagen Convertible

 Radwood Ford Probe in Copenhagen

An old French van in Copenhagen (plus a Passat Wagon cop car)

An old Volvo C303 Laplander in Copenhagen or actually in Freetown Christiania which considers itself totally independent and NOT part of the EU, it’s like a commune

‘70s Opel in Copenhagen

’80s Mercedes van in Ystad (Sweden), yes it’s that Ystad used in the Inspector Wallander movies, cool town (Ed.: This is my favorite.)

Street  parked very clean yellow 944 in Malmo, Sweden. I saw it parked in a different location again later in the day so I guess it’s a DD.

Volvo XC60 ad

I can't decide if this is a touching ad or permission to drive while distracted.

Avicii's Volvo ad

I am so old. Until Avicii's passing, I had not even heard of him. But he's huge, apparently. And to this day, I just know he was a DJ. Was he that great? The Economist even did an obituary on him. Young/hip people, feel free to chime in and educate me.

5 least reliable new cars in America

Volvo Australian road train

These Volvo Truck videos on YouTube are beautiful. I had always assumed the Outback was dry. Never realized it was humid.

Tiff N races a Koenigsegg with a Volvo truck

Blog 10 Year Retrospective: Four Eras of Cars

This blog, obviously, is mainly about cars. My car ownership experience over the last ten years can be divided into four eras: the TSX Era, the Phaeton Era, the No Car Era, and the White Wagons Era.

The TSX Era (2006-11)

I bought the 2004 TSX brand new. It was rock solid and had the finest shifter in the universe. Even though it was the entry level Acura, the plastics on the dash actually felt luxurious. By 2011, the only issue was that it was somehow losing a quart of oil per gas tank fill up. The mechanic couldn't figure it out, and at around 110,000 miles, I thought it was time to part with it.

I took it on one last road trip, along the Loneliest Highway in Nevada.

I ended up selling it at Buggy Bank, a consignment shop. It was sold within a few hours, before they even had a chance to post an ad online. A fellow car nerd who collected mundane Acuras-- he even had a first generation CL-- snatched up my car. He told me later that he changed a $25 gasket and the oil problem was gone.

Many years later, I emailed him, asking to buy it back. Unfortunately, he sold it to a young couple who needed reliable (and fun) transportation.

I sometimes regret selling it.

The Phaeton Era (2011-13)

Without a doubt, the greatest car I'll ever own. Just look at the interior! It's basically a normally aspirated Bentley Flying Spur.

I bought it for my 37th birthday. I found it on Craigslist in Scottsdale, Arizona. It belonged to a moneyed car collector. Surprisingly, his daily driver was a Golf. It had low miles and was meticulously maintained. That it was a 2005 model year meant it was a bit less expensive to repair and came with cooler rims.

Nothing ever went wrong with it. But the prospect of a huge repair bill left me nervous. I just couldn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked. So when a local car nut contacted me and asked me if it was for sale, I said yes. He bought the car and I am happy that we have become friends. He has babied the car. And it is still going strong! Plus, he became so enamored with the Phaeton, he bought two or three more.

The No Car Era (2013-14)

Just like George W. Bush with Iraq, I had no exit strategy when I sold the Phaeton. For a year plus, I had no car. Imagine that! A car guy without a car. I cobbled together my transportation needs with public transportation, sharing my wife's Honda, and Zipcar. Plus, for a week, my friend loaned me his Tesla Roadster.

All I have to say is, it's a pain in the ass to not have a car in the suburbs.

The White Wagons Era (2014-Present)

Heartbreak x 2.

Chris D found this Volvo V50 T5 6M on Craigslist in Mendocino for me. It belonged to a gentleman farmer and his wife. They transported organic wool from their farm to Taos, New Mexico, once a year.

I loved this car. Loved.

One day, I switched cars with my wife so that I could get an oil change for her car. On her way to work, at a stop light, an SUV rear ended the Volvo and it was declared a total loss. Someone bought the car from the junk yard but did a poor job fixing it up. It lagged on Craigslist for months.

I broke all my rules when I bought this Saab SportCombi to replace the Volvo. It was sold by a Japanese guy in LA. When I flew down to buy it, he was conveniently unavailable and I bought it from his brother-in-law. Superficially, the 50,000-mile car was unblemished. Even a Saab expert in LA gave it a thumbs up. But it didn't come with any maintenance records and had four(!) previous owners.

The brief time I had it was bliss. But then, disaster. It suddenly wouldn't start or shift out of park. I took it to my regular Saab guy, the former Saab dealership, and another Saab specialist. All three suggested replacing three computers to the tune of $5,000, with no guarantees that the problems would be solved. Worse, one of the three computers couldn't be sourced anywhere.

I ended up selling the Saab to the third mechanic for scrap. Of course, he fixed it up and sold it for $4,000 more than what I originally paid. I see it scooting around town once a week. I just hope for the new owner's sake that it lasts.

This year, I was finally ready for something reliable. I bought this gently used TSX wagon from my neighbor, who is the general manager at Oakland Acura. His wife drove it for a year and exchanged it for an RDX. I've had no problems with it, except for a flat tire (the car doesn't have a spare). My only complaint is that it's a bit underpowered. But Cooper seems to like it.

Interesting Uber ride

Imagine my excitement when I saw on my phone that a Volvo S80 was going to pick me up. It was a 2002 with 316,000 miles! By the time we got to the bottom of a hill, it smelled of burnt brakes.

I thought Uber cars had to be new-ish, but apparently, in San Francisco, they can be as old as a 2001 model.

While in traffic, I spotted this VW from Switzerland. This model is not for sale in America. It looks like it's traveled from Panama all the way up to Canada.