Or: How I announced, in a deadpan way, that I am no longer a Marauder owner.
The Marauder is gone. I've alluded, in other threads, how the Hulk's mechanical state and my own frustration levels went in some highly inversely proportional directions (read that "different ways" for those of you not versed in nerd-speak), and I'd had enough.
So...what'd I get? Here's the hints...not surprisingly, TripleTA figures prominently in at least 2 of them.
1) Not built by Dodge. I know I'd said that I was going after a Charger; fate intervened in the form of the fiancee, who said she wanted something that she could drive too and she wasn't comfortable with the big Dodge.
2) Not built by FMC or any of it's subsidiaries.
3) TripleTA owns three cars from this company.
4) TripleTA also showed us once in one of the threads here that he used to own one of these cars, made by the same company that also made his three "ladies".
5) It could have been grounds for industrial espionage charges from L-M against said car company; the specs on it read EXACTLY like the Marauder...until you get to the drive wheels, which are the front end.
6) Not really a hint...more of a declaration that no, I haven't lost my mind completely; I DID make my color selection Black. It's the Son of Hulk.
Meanwhile...I have some final dispositions to make. I have a few small Marauder things that I'd just as soon part with; as the line from the Bob Dylan song goes, "I can't use them...anymore." I've got the following that I'll discuss terms of sale on:
1 2XL Marauder jacket---will be willing to go about $30 and cover the cost of shipping charges.
1 Marauder-specific nose bra and hood cover---bought the kit from Ray last year, used it for maybe 1000 miles or so. Make offer; include shipping charges in same.
For the local HI-based MM types: I got 1 rear tire. The mate to it was punctured in shipping the Hulk over here and this one's sat in my garage since September. I guesstimate the mileage on it at about 7,500, give or take a bit. Price: Only the cost of the gas to come out here to Hawaii Kai and get it.
My head's a real mess right now; I'm sorrowful that the Marauder had to go....I'm happy as hell with the replacement and so is the fiancee...and I'm still shaking from having to deal with the dealer for 5 hours this afternoon...and I'm feeling heavily the emotional "crash" that happens after a big life-changing experience like this---in other words, I'm really beat.
The Hulk did not go in vain; I did learn one big lesson out of it that got applied today: I bought the extended warranty. I'm covered now for the next 6 years or 70,000 miles, which will cover me for the length of the loan.
Now for some elaboration:
While it has not always been a pleasant experience being here in the Marauder community, it has never failed to be both stimulating and educational. I came to realize this afternoon just how much I'd learned about this car; as we were making our way to the dealer, my fiancee was asking me questions: "What's that creak?" "that's just the front swaybar dear..." and I was able to explain why. "What's that popping noise?" "That's the front shock mounts honey..." and again I explained it. "Why are you at only 1000 rpms at 40 miles per hour?" "Well, sweetie, it's like this..."and went into about 10-15 minutes of explanation about transmission shift schedule programming.
These were all things that I never knew 3 years ago. I have this community to thank for improving my education on the subject. You see, I never had the fun (and yes, I do actually mean "fun") of an automotive shop class in high school. I've never taken any real education on automotive mechanicals; all of you, in some way or another, have become my de facto teachers on the intricacies of modern auto technology. For this, I am obliged to offer to each and every one of you a very humble note of thanks.
I commented just a little above this on how it hasn't always been fun. Anybody remember the Darkside? I think I can point to that as the starting point for the chain of events that ended today. There are not words enough or adequate to express my supreme frustration (and some real feelings of betrayal) when the one site that I count heavily on for support with a super-unique vehicle instead turns me into an unwitting guinea pig. (To this day, I'd still like to see Logan's doctorate in Human Psychology, the one that allows him to conduct such experiments.) I made up my mind at that point that the Marauder was going to have to go, because my one source of any help at all was now closed to me.
We all know the rest of the history from here; the Darkside closed, Menace got *****canned, and things settled down to a dull mutter---albeit an uneasy one. For my part, I eventually got over it...not without some difficulty, but I dealt with it in my own way.
And then the Hulk started falling apart along some very serious seams, and I had a new problem on my hands...for a while there, around late November/early December, it seemed like for every one thing I'd fix or have fixed, 3 more things would break. At one point I was limping along on busted front control arms, a bad A/C, a gross misalignment, and severely weakened shocks. The car felt like it would fly apart at the seams any minute. Not good. Even worse, really, because I'm out here literally on the edge of the civilized world...and they don't know too much about Marauders out here.
I even considered putting out an SOS to Lidio; actually considered the idea of asking the man to ship his tools out here, get on a plane, and come out to try and alleviate some of the suffering. My sanity reasserted itself after a while.
Faced with a crumbling vehicle, and not being too sure about my source of aid, I found myself in a tough situation and having to make the call: The Marauder was going to have to go. I didn't really want to do it, but as I've said before, there comes a point in any endeavor where you just have to ask yourself "Is this really worth it?"
And so here I am. When last seen, the Hulk was on the back lot of the dealership, looking weathered and beaten under a rusty lean-to shed. The replacement is enjoying its new home in the garage. I don't have Homelink in this one, so I'm back to using the clicker like anybody else.
I wish to extend sincere notes of thanks to Donny Carlson, TripleTA, Mac, MartyO, dwasson, wchain and the STOMP boys, Cruztaker, Bob Mathis (good to see you back!), Petrograde, Maury, Gunslinger, vpalhories, HwyCruiser, Dennis Rinehart, and Lidio; I enjoyed conversing with all of you at various times during my Marauder days. Should I ever encounter any of you on the road, the left lane is yours, gentlemen, and I will be most happy to give it up for you. If I forgot anybody, the fault is mine and mine alone, and I deeply apologize.
A special note to jabird56: Might see ya again in STL in a few years...we'll see. I'm really bucking for a Florida assignment though. Keep a tight grip on that "little red button", sir....may need ya out here sometime. Al says hi and he's doing well.
For Logan himself: You've a fine site here, even if you are an ogre about managing it sometimes. To be fair, as I stand back and look at the big picture, I guess such an approach is a necessary evil in this territory. Thank you sir!
My final note for the evening: One last note of thanks to MM03K, aka "The Bunny Lady". Mary, you've been remarkably kind and helpful to this old burrhog. Without ever having met me, you've helped me out on at least a few difficult spots, and been the very picture of cheerfulness and assistance. I'm sure we won't see "BurninRubber" again anytime soon....please allow me to extend a heartfelt and humble thank you.
That's it. If you ever hear a throaty V-8 rumble, look around...might be me.
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Originally Posted by SergntMac
