My first fly and drive...

Looks like we're still good to go, but they have arbitrarily changed the terms of the loan because the regional isn't available to back up what she set up.

So now they need $1400 down. Sigh. Oh well.

We may run into another issue it seems, though....

They're just now throwing a fit that the bill of sale has my name on it, but the loan is taken out through my fiancee's name. They say it has to match.

But... she can't go get it. I have to go get it because i can get the time off work, and she can't. The title also has to be signed and notarized while i'm in CA before i can drive it back. (IN won't register out of state cars unless the title is notarized.)

Here's hoping they understand that this afternoon when i go back in again to deal with it.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: Looks like we're still good to go, but they have arbitrarily changed the terms of the loan because the regional isn't available to back up what she set up. So now they need $1400 down. Sigh. Oh well. We may run into another issue it seems, though.... They're just now throwing a fit that the bill of sale has my name on it, but the loan is taken out through my fiancee's name. They say it has to match. But... she can't go get it. I have to go get it because i can get the time off work, and she can't. The title also has to be signed and notarized while i'm in CA before i can drive it back. (IN won't register out of state cars unless the title is notarized.) Here's hoping they understand that this afternoon when i go back in again to deal with it.

Arg! loans suck, eh? Sorry man.

everyone knows, cars paid for in cash last longer, make 9 more HP at the wheels, and will accept an LSX easier than financed. Lesson learned I guess

JK, GLWS, ROFLBBQSAUCE

The down payment doesn't bug me as much as the hissy fits over the paperwork. When we got the Jeep through them, they just handed us cash, then told us to bring the paperwork by on the back end.

But the fact is here... because i'm the one that has to get the car, and the title has to be notarized at the time it changes hands, my name is going to be on it, end of story. At least until i get back home. At that point, i have no problems signing it over in front of their notary at the bank if i have to. But there's no way in hell i'm driving a car 3000 miles home without my name on the bill of sale/title and title notarized.

4cylndrfury wrote: everyone knows, cars paid for in cash last longer, make 9 more HP at the wheels, and will accept an LSX easier than financed. Lesson learned I guess JK, GLWS, ROFLBBQSAUCE

I agree with you for sure. But this whole Miata thing somewhat started on a whim, and this is the right car, so i gotta get it.

Oh Man Guys Where's The Free BarBeQue?

is there a way this loan can be set up 60/40? Like 60% you, 40 her, so you can get the notarization, and the bank is happy with the names used? Just thinkin out loud. Hope it works out!

Maybe a power of attorney from the fiancee would let you sign and get the title notarized, but still have it titled in her name.

T.J. wrote: Maybe a power of attorney from the fiancee would let you sign and get the title notarized, but still have it titled in her name.

https://forms.in.gov/Download.aspx?id=5592

So that?

That sounds promising, and i could even have that notarized at the bank, but the thing that worries me is that i don't have the title number to the car, and won't have it until i arrive on Thursday.

I guess i'll print it off and bring it in with me this afternoon either way. Can't hurt.

Thanks!

Actually... that sounds like it only applies to selling cars... thoughts?

4cylndrfury wrote: is there a way this loan can be set up 60/40? Like 60% you, 40 her, so you can get the notarization, and the bank is happy with the names used? Just thinkin out loud. Hope it works out!

I think we're out of time to re-vamp the loan again. My flight leaves at 6:10am on Thursday.

Bring Visene. It's a life-saver when you're doing a lot of night driving, otherwise all you'll see is blurry lights. Music, an atlas (for when your GPS loses signal), and some snacks will help. I try to make sure I've got plenty of power cords for phones, Bluetooth speakers, etc.

I try to get on the road early and also try to do a lot of night driving. I always keep the speeds reasonable at night, but you don't have to worry about anything but truckers for the majority of the night and early hours. I try to drink a lot of water until I need some caffeine. Don't load up on caffeine when you don't need it, otherwise you won't get the same kick when you do need it.

Try to coordinate your bathroom brakes around your pit stops.

I've done many long-distance drives for cars, it's usually a blast:

• CT to Philly, back to CT (one day) - we also drove up to NH that night!- 99 Saab 9-3

• CT to Buffalo, NY to CT (one day) - 2006 RAV4

• CT to Virginia Beach to CT (w/in 24 hours - hit a ton of traffic on the way back) - 92 Mustang LX

• CA to CT - 2.5 days, including a 29 hour continuous thrash from somewhere in OK to CT - '91 Sentra SE-R (former SCC project car, got to meet Dave Coleman as part of the trip)

• CT to VA to CT(overnight and next day) - '97 328is

• CT to NH to CT - another '91 SE-R

I think I missed my calling to be a long-haul trucker The key is to be smart about sleep and to be patient when you hit traffic.

"Is this happening or what?! I'm dying to know." sez the guy with the boosted NA Miata.

dj06482 wrote: I always keep the speeds reasonable at night

Don't listen to the silly person. HAMMER DOWN at night... just think, that cooler air is worth at least another 10hp in the tubro miata, might as well use it!

Xceler8x wrote: "Is this happening or what?! I'm dying to know." sez the guy with the boosted NA Miata.

HAPPENING.

Cashier's check is in hand, flight is still on, just braved the heat and drove to the other side of the city to get her ring cleaned and to pick up a loaner laptop.

Oh, and got an 8gig USB thumb drive for the nice Kenwood HU that's already installed in the car, as well as a cigarette lighter splitter to power the radar detector, GPS, and phone charger.

Also: Picked up a necessity. Bob Marley - Legend.

To Do: Call Flyin' Miata and set up some motherberkeleying DYNO TIME.

I did that a few years back. I flew into Oakland and picked up a Merkur XR4Ti and drove across the bay to hang out with my cousin for a night in San Fran. Then I decided to drive down to Beverly Hills and hang with my friend Danny. Drove the Grapevine, lots of fun. From there I took off back towards Texas. No AC, No cruise control, but at least it was a stick shift. Arizona has Native American territories, which are basically their own nations. Watch out through those.

Other than watching out for cops, make sure you have some oil, coolant, and basic tools. I popped an upper radiator hose about 2.5 hours from home. Do you know how hard it is to find an upper radiator hose for an 86 Merkur XR4Ti in Coleman, TX? Universal one worked.

Anyway, it was an extremely fun and cool trip. Highly recommend it. Although I guess it could turn into a nightmare too...

Good luck!!!

Tools aren't going to happen unfortunately. Can't take any on the plane.

I'll definitely be stocking up on fluids before i hoof it to FM, though.

Don't forget some duct tape (or rescue tape) and zip ties! And I'd pick up a small set of tools if I were you. If you buy them, you're guaranteed not to need them, if you don't, well, you know...

Tools can easily go into a checked bag

Make sure you gas up before you get to the San Rafael swell (eastern Utah). There's a 100+ mile stretch of the 15 with no services on it!

jrw1621 wrote: Tools can easily go into a checked bag

He probably shouldn't need a checked bag. Unless he is using Southwest where bags fly free...

Yeah, i'm just rolling with a small backpack. All i'll have in it is a few pairs of drawers, socks, toothpaste/toothbrush/soap, laptop, GPS, music, and a few issues of GRM i haven't gotten to yet.

I may stop and get a small tool set, because that is a good idea, although i'm sure if it DOES break down, i'll have no idea what i'm looking at on this car anyways.

Codrus, thanks for the tip! Are my hopes of finding 92-93 octane all the way home pretty well not going to happen? Part of the reason i want to strap it to the dyno at FM is because i run 93 octane here, and i'm pretty sure the car is tuned (kindof) for 91 octane.

dj, duct tape and zip ties are a go!!!

dj06482 wrote: Don't forget some duct tape (or rescue tape) and zip ties! And I'd pick up a small set of tools if I were you. If you buy them, you're guaranteed not to need them, if you don't, well, you know...

duct tape, zip ties, bailing wire. i would love to see how that conversation goes at security

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: dj, duct tape and zip ties are a go!!!

Actually, for emergency car work, I find a couple rolls of electrical tape to be better than a roll of duct tape. It's much more flexible and seals much tighter. Hell, I've practically made radiator hoses out of electrical tape.

Good luck! I'm envious.

looking forward to an update once you strap 'er down at FM. FYI, the FM hairless raccoon mod is worth 9% HP at the wheels.

Somewhere in OK/TX is was very difficult to find good gas. I think something like 89 or 90 was the top option available...

Good luck!

Mine wound up being a drive and drive. Catching a ride up to the Charleston area to pick up an E46 stick wagon.