Acura wins!
1981
Mazda RX-7 GS (Black)
100 hp, 0-60 in 8.6 sec, 12B Rotary engine, top speed: 115 mph
1988-1989. My first car and, of course, the car that I would keep
forever. Unfortunately, forever got a lot shorter when an eighteen wheeler tried
to eat it for light lunch. In a true testament to Mazda engineering, I was able
to drive this car off the road despite the direct hit to the engine.
Club Link: RX-7 Club of Houston
1981
Delorean (Silver)
130hp, 0-60 in 7.8 sec, V6, top speed: 130 mph
1990-2002. When I drove this car home, it had the license plate 920-REK.
Over the first year, I grew to fondly love the numerous mechanical and electrical
"challenges". Over the dozen years, I ascended to the pinnacle of
"dreaded previous owner" status. Luckily, I was able to sell the car
to two absolutely wonderful Delorean enthusiasts in England, who are now restoring
this car to its full glory. These guys are true miracle workers in restoration,
and I'm happy that Delorean 2292 will have a new chance at life!
Club Link: Delorean Owner's Association
Favorite Shop: Delorean One (Houston)
1982
Mazda RX-7 GSL (Rust)
100 hp, 0-60 in 8.6 sec, Rotary 12B engine, top speed: 115 mph
1993-1996. I missed the sweet purr of the rotary engine so much,
I had to go for number two. This isn't my car , but it's the right color. (I
think it's a 1979 actually from the very large front bumper). This car, which
I nicknamed "the Bosnian War RX-7" went through hell and back as my
daily workhouse while the Delorean was in its periods of "waiting for repairs".
I had a fairly major front end accident in this car, which I fixed with spare
parts from a junkyard. Later,when my brother moved to California, I passed this
car to him, where it was repeatedly broken into in San Francisco. Before the
car was sold at auction, the sun roof and passenger windows were broken, and
the radio stolen by the criminal element. I guess nothing says "high dollar"
like a $1500 RX-7.
1991 Acura
Legend (Bronze)
200 hp, 0-60 in 7.9 sec, V6, top speed: 135 mph
1999-2004. When I moved to California, my brother replaced the Bosnian
RX-7 with this car for my daily driver while the Delorean continued to languish,
awaiting a garage for its much needed full-scale restoration. This is the only
car I didn't buy, and the only automatic, go figure! The victim of a mountain-side
curve crash, this workhorse that took me over more of the state of California
than I dare think has now sadly been crunched to a chunk of iron the size of
a baseball. RIP.
1999
Lotus Esprit (Titanium)
350hp, 0-60 in 4.8 sec, V8 Twin Turbo, top speed: 176 mph
2001-Now. The holy grail, the Lotus Esprit was a car I'd been thinking of getting
since 1990 and after 8,000 miles of drive time, I can say... it really is as
fast as it looks!
Club Link: Golden Gate Lotus Club
Club Link: Bay
Area Esprit Group
Club Link: Autozotica
Local Shop: Bentley of
Silicon Valley
Pictures
2001 BMW M3 (Silver)
335 hp, 0-60 in 5.3 sec, Inline 6, top speed: 155 mph
2004-Now. The latest addition, replacing the deceased Acura Legend. This "sedan"
can hang with the uber sports cars!
1995
Mazda RX-7 Turbo
239 hp, 0-60 in 5.2 sec, Rotary Twin Turbo, top speed: 155 mph
Third time, third gen, maybe it's the charm for the never-ending
rotary obsession. The last of the true Mazda sportscars (please don't show me
that X-Man RX8!) -- just the perfect mixture of supreme performance and slick
looks! And I might actually save enough money to get one before I'm 210!
1995
Toyota MR-2 Turbo
225 hp, 0-60 in 6.2 sec, Inline-4 Turbo, top speed: 145 mph
Another car I've long loved the styling of -- I wonder why. I guess
Toyota and Mazda shared some styling hints in the mid '90s.
2003
Maserati Spyder GT
390 hp, 0-60 in 4.8 sec, V8, top speed: 176 mph
My only chance at a convertible! After a test drive in the Geo Metro
convertible, I decided I needed something with a bit more pep. This should do
fine ... just fine. What a bargain at only $87000!
2003
Lamboghini Gallardo
500 hp, 0-60 in 4.0 sec, V10, top speed: 190 mph
Sometimes when you're driving 2.1 miles to work, you need to do it
in 40 seconds. And for those days, there's Lamboghini. And I heard this one
has a rear wing that extends more the faster you go! And we all know wings make
cars go fast. If only this car came with some stickers; then it would truly
be the bomb. Rumors have it that this beauty can be yours for "only"
$200,000.