Richard Wallace

Gear Ratio's changed in 06, shorter, helping with acceleration. As mentioned Egear updates much improved with 06 over 04/05. Different Exhaust (and more emissions) in 06 and up. The HP upgrade mentioned to 520. I do not believe there was an ECU update that added the 20HP on the 04/05 to be more like the 06/07. I may be wrong, but I had not heard of that. There were also several cosmetic upgrades and options between 04/05 and 06 and up. Nav, comfort option, lift system became available in 05 over 04.

I think the GTO is a great beast but for 400+, I think for that price I would do a normal 599 and a bull. So I am thinking just the standard 599 I have loved it since it came out, and not that thrilled with any other car right now. The price point is pretty nice - great examples for just around 200k.

I agree on the color, however I will say that my 04 couple that I had bought at the auto show, keep it for 1.7 years (put 7K miles on it) and sold it for 30K more than I bought it for... I like the grey and more muted colors... Next car I already know what color it is going to be... Red and the numbers add up to 23. More later when I find the right one.

Stephen Hawkings actually predicted this many years ago (actually many have since about 1960 or so) They called them Tachyons (yep like startrek). Hawkings actually (with data) predicted that black holes emit certain levels of radiation (albeit very small trace amounts). He goes on to describe that if a black hole en-captures all light and particles, yet radiation escapes - they for a brief time of instability or burst of speed will travel beyond the speed of light, thus escaping the black hole. As right as Einstein was on nearly everything, and as one of my hero's - I and other people of physics believed this one is where he was probably wrong. Now there is proof. Actually opens up a lot of cool things for string theory and how some of the hypothesis held within this area of theoretical physics may be proven correct - with hard data, rather than speculative data.

I don't think that is that stellar of a deal. I just sold my 07 Spyder with 8K miles (mint and every option) for 5K less than than what they are asking. Also - with the economy pulling back, guess what - prices will be pulling back (if the economy keeps being shaky). Though I think the buyer of my car got a heck of a steal, and it was tremendously painful for me to sell it that low (after paying 236K 3.5 years ago), the reality is that the market is soft, and there are deals such as mine out there. On the flip side - I now get to buy something new! And I am betting I will get a pretty good price!

Replace when Tread is worn down. Modern tires will last much longer than 5 years. ** If the car has been sitting in one place for 5 years, and the tires has flat spots - then that would warrant a change. **

Now that the hood has the primer on it - what color are you going to paint it?

Weren't the car mags reporting this about 6 months ago? I thought I read about this when they were updating the 8 as well... I do like the old model as well, was there an upgrade in engine specs or just cosmetic... But I do understand, the dealer should have made mention to it, they should have an idea a month or so before.

I think the reverse light can trigger that error code as well. I am betting you have either a bulb or two out, or that a relay is loose/off of one set of lights. All you need to do is check all of them first - have someone stand outside the car when you are testing them...

Double post...

Not a problem. Interesting I find my 07 Spyder more roomy than my 04 Coupe..

Unfortunately it is all those people that think they want a lambo, think they can afford it, talk about it for months - then when they go to pull the trigger their credit scores are in the basement and they can't afford a dime to put down in the first place. I just love people wasting others time. I will do a thread on this, I have been meaning to. But why would you even be looking, if you don't have the money. This has happened two times in the last 4 months.. One guy even flew out to see it, gave me a deposit, then working with his bank - the bank told me he wasn't approved. Nice.

If you are in the market for an 07, mine is for sale - as the last buyer could not get financing (yet again). Why do people even look if they can't get or don't have the money... I will save that for another thread Mine is an 07 Spyder (in my avatar), 8K miles, perfect condition = 125K. There is no better deal out there for equal miles and options. (has all options and is a manual, which is not easy to find!)... Just throwing an idea out there, rather than buying an auction car which you will not have history on. Many members know me and my cars, so lot less risk factor in what you are getting!

I like it! Well done!

Couple of updates from my management company. Looks like still a Cat 2 at 105mph winds - looks like it is going to hit directly on top of the outerbanks. They said it will be an in and out hit. Outerband hitting to the east of the Outerbanks, bringing 28 - 40 foot waves from the Atlantic side. Then the eye will go just toward the sound on the west side of the outerbanks - causing the surge from the sound side as well. So both sides of the OBX looks like it will get hit. The surge is the killer for barrier islands. Right now they are reporting 20 foot waves in Kill Devil Hills (just about 30 miles south of our beach house). And the worst should be coming in the next 6 hours or so. Ugghhh will know tomorrow morning on what it is looking like.

I am not sure about a dud. Those that know the area around northern North Carolina (like I do)... One thing got me thinking they are not just being overblown (no pun intended)... They took all the ships in Newport news and moved them out of the harbor into deep sea, including all the submarines... They also dry docked several smaller vessels. They never have done this with any of the storms I have seen in the last 15 years. I have seen 80+ miles per hour tropical storms, and they don't even blink on moving larger destroyers that are in the port. This time they sent them all out. Remember that a Cat 2 (specifically a high one is still 100+ miles per hour) and with sustained winds with this slow moving hurricane (14 miles per hour) - that means that an area hit will be sustained high winds, waves, etc for up to 12 - 16 hours. That is a long time to take that type of punishments. To top it all off - I am insured with Firemans fund which is one of the premium insurers of beach properties, they called to verify my contact info, for once the storm abates and if they need to get with me. That has also not happened in 15 years. Now that is all about the outerbanks which is just an small island, how it will effect other areas up north once it slows down - maybe and hopefully not much.

I figured I would post some "before" pics of our place in the Outerbanks - Our beach house is in Corolla (just north of Duck). We are about 100 yards from the beach (so there is a row of houses just in front of us). Our house has no houses directly in front of us, which actually is bad in this case, since there will be no slowing the surge if there is one. 9 - 11 foot surge will put the lower level of our house with water - anything above 15 foot would be really really bad. I will post pictures once the storm has passed. It is pretty odd sitting here in Ohio getting updates from the company we use for managing the property - waiting to hear the prep work, status of securing items, etc. etc. Fortunately our home is newer and has the high impact windows and siding, etc. and well insured We have had our place in the Florida Keys for 16 years, and I haven't even had to replace a roof tile after a storm. Go figure, in North Carolina which hasn't had a major storm in 50 years will be the place I have to worry about. -- We have a few friends staying their this week, and they just got the mandatory evacuation notice - so they are heading out tomorrow morning. Looks like they have to be on the road by 9am for ample lead time. I have attached a pic of the beach and what the dune looks like, as you can see it is built up for protection from a pretty decent surge, so we will see if it holds.... More when I have it. Rich

Your question on the S&W... I think if you are looking for something to have fun and go out and shoot (target work). I would get something with either a 4" or 5" barrel. Once you get down to the Sub and Ultra Compacts (3.6" - 3.0") you will loose a lot of accuracy. I would look at a Tactical set up which is typically 5" or look for a nice full size 4" barrel. You will have much more fun shooting longer targets, etc. I personally am not a fan of the S&W polymers. I love their 1911's. I think for the price you can have a Glock or Spring field (550 - 600 price range) and you would have 140 left over for ammo for what you spend on a S&W poly. If you are going to the 700 range, you can do much better than the S&W. As others mention, if this is your first handgun, or one that you just want to have some fun with - go with Glock or Springfield. PS. I bought my springfield XD tactical came with 2 mags, etc. for 550 a few years back. Earlier this year, I hadn't really used it much at the range compared to some of my other HG's - so I traded it in to buy a new Kimber 1911, the dealer gave me 550 for my springfield - AKA they hold their value and are in high demand. Same would go for Glocks, high demand guns that if you decide on something else, you will get a good trade in/up for your next purchase.

It really depends on what you want it for... I assume some target shooting, and home defense? I also assume you want a handgun, probably something polymer rather than a 1911. I would look at Glock, Springfield, or a Sig - very comparable (IMO) and all great right out of the box. As someone that owns more guns that I can remember - I would stay away from Ruger from a handgun standpoint. My father just bought that very gun (about a year ago...) it is horrible. I have 2 ruger handguns, and both are awesome - but are pre-1996. Compared to my fathers new one 2010, it is like a different gun. The trigger pull on his is horrible, the sights are what I consider very cheap, the slide works like sandpaper, and I can throw stones more accurately. With that said it is inexpensive, and I understand why On the flip side - I have a couple of Ruger shotguns - and they are very good middle of the cost line shotguns - new and old... That what makes their handguns disappointing - they are known for very good quality. My only complaint on their newer Red Label Shotguns are the triggers as well - too heavy like their pistols. Spend 100 or so more and get the Glock, Springfield or Sig. Right now, I personally prefer Springfields polymer lineup from a cost/value perspective, but I have had (or have) all in various chambers, and all are awesome middle of the line cost handguns. The one thing hard to beat on a glock, is that there are a ton of dealers if work needs to be done, tons of upgrades, as well as support forums. Springfield is probably 2nd on the list from this perspective, then Sig. I would also stay away from Taurus as well, cheap piece of crap as well. 9mm is a great gun from a caliber standpoint, cheap, easy to find ammo, and you can shoot most of the day without feeling fatigue.

That is wicked... Anyone want to buy my Spyder so I can get one like that!!! Very well done!

Not to interrupt this regularly scheduled program. But saw Captain America Last weekend (did Roman do a review on that?). I thought it was fantastic. I am going to take my boys to see Planet of the Apes, one of my favorite back in the day as well!

I remember once when I had my 04 and changed the battery, the alarm system on them cut off the starter until it was reset. I think there is a switch behind the front drivers seat (iirc). I think I had to cycle the alarm with the key an maybe press that toggle to reset. The setup in my spyder is different, I have changed the battery with no issues. It was either the 04 lambo coupe I had that did this or a ferrari 355 - does anyone else know if the 04 had a starter disabler on the alarm?

I would take odds that that officer will not be carrying a badge any longer...

Paul, Nice looking handgun - but that light is as big as the gun, not sure how you fit that in a holster I used to have several Glocks, nice guns... If you haven't tried a springfield XD series, you should give one a try. Once I bought my first .45 tactical in a 5" for some stock shooting competitions - I never went back to glock. Actually the only Glock I still own is the Glock 20 (10mm) - which is probably one of the best polymer 10mm ever made. Next time you are out give a springfield a try, while I was a great shot with my glocks (mostly shot my G21) - the springfields are more balanced, and level just a bit better on the second shot - specifically if you are doing accuracy based competition shootings. My only grip with Springfield, as with Glock, the trigger pull is to hard to keep a steady base - but it is workable.

Boys - I got myself a new gun this week... I was growing tired of my Kahr CW40 (really do not like the .40 much) That is my only 40 cal and really prefer a 9mm or .45 cal from a camber standpoint. (not to mention all my other handguns are 9mm and 45's - so much more ammo laying around in those designations).So I went out and picked up a new Kimber Crimson Ultra Carry II. It is in the custom shop at kimber getting a 3.5lb trigger pull adjustment (comes around 4.5 - 5.0), as well as getting some different sights put on (trijicon). Pretty good looking gun for a sub. (I have 2 other Kimbers a 4" Pro Raptor, and a 5" gold match) Those were always a little bulky to carry, so thought I would try the ultra 3" barrels, they have had enough time to work out the hitches with 1911's in a 3 inch barrel - so hopefully will prove reliable.Here is a stock pic - not my actual gun, but should give you an idea of this little beauty... [/img]