What's the DIFFerence?

pikespeakgtx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah I need to get some good suspenders... but
> it's just LIFE getting in the way.
>
> I put an offer on a house on Monday (and you know
> they don't come cheap here in the bay area), still
> waiting to hear on that.
>
> On top of that the girlfriend put me on the hook
> to buy a 1900 freaking dollar dog this weekend...
>
>
> Which has to fly with me to Maryland for my good
> ol' buddy's wedding on saturday. Which I get to
> loose a week of work to go to. Yippie.
>
> aaaaaaaaaaaand.... that carro in question.... has
> a tranny leak that spilling 16 dollar a quart
> fluid all over the ground daily. I replaced the
> drivers side axle seal and the retaining clip, but
> that didn't fix it. The fluids comming from above
> that... It's either where the shifter goes into
> the housing on top the gearbox or it's the seal
> around the 5th gear cover. It's so hard to tell
> cos the body is in the way. Last night after work
> I pulled the battery, bat tray, and tranny mount
> to get a look from the top and of course it hadn't
> leaked.
>
> But this morning I get to work and the case is wet
> again.
>
> Michael LeCompte


1900 dollar dogs, flying to weddings --53% of which end in 3.2 years....

Fists fulls of dollars, shovelfuls even....

For this I crack my skull to try and hold prices down.....Oi..

Hmmmmmm seeems like playing rally is at the bottom of the to-do list...

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

Shit you don't have to tell me. The whole wedding scene is a crock. All my friends and family in the 20-30 age range are doing it and then getting divorced, and I'm like why the hell did I have to spend money on this crap.

I've been doing 3-4 weddings a year for the past 3 years.

The dog thing... long story, but you gotta keep the woman happy, or my life will be a misery.

The top of the to-do list is getting a house so I'll have a real place to work on the car and I get get all my tools out of storage and start living a real life again.

I've been on a temporary squaters lifestyle for going on 8 months now.

The freaking banks and realors just love to jerk you around, all those people who lied and abused the mortgage system 5 years ago really fucked things up for the rest of us.

---

Michael LeCompte



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2010 11:42AM by pikespeakgtx.

A buddy of mine has a wedding coming up (no date yet) i'de probably skip his wedding to attend a rally though .. hope the dates don't conflict. hehehe


Good to know about the Diff upgrade order. I already own a Torsen Front LSD, ($370 new) if my choices are Open Front diff, or Torsen Front diff (already own it) I just don't see leaving it as open.

unless its muddy or snowy i can't spin up a tire with the torsen. I've climbed up a snowy loose rock hill before and started spinning "the tire" with the torsen but i lightly applied the brakes and climbed right out of it (think the tire was fully in the air actually)

The torsen provides great forward bite, and infinite turn in. BUT its a drift killer. i actually could drift my car more consitantly when i had an open diff, versus the Torsen. the torsen pulls me out of corners faster but at times its impossible to be WOT and keep your drift angle (it seems to correct drifting).

Would a rear Torsen make that behavior worse? (ie during a good drift power gets put down sometimes by the inside tires a bunch or outside and it flip flops during the middle of your drift, making it hard to stay on your line with the slip angle you had) ??

I bought the torsen for the front because it was 1) super cheap, and 2) i daily dive the piss out of my rally car. think i put on 20,000 miles last year. yes 20,000 miles (non rally)

Is a 1.5 way rear diff going to last me longer assuming i daily drive it a bunch? or will there be no difference in how long it lasts (2way versus 1.5) ?

and one last one, Cusco or Kaaz? which one is easier to rebuild/tune/matiance on ?


Now that i've had the Torsen in for a while... i'm sorta wishing i had a 1 way in the front, but i'm a horrible mechanic and never needing to open up the transmission to adjust the front diff is Gravy to me.

I skipped a family reunion and wedding in order to go to NEFR to film Max Attack.
If a wedding requires a flight or serious monetary investment and you aren't an immediate sibling, I will not be in attendance most likely.

Why are you paying so much for a dog? Seriously, search for a rescue for that breed. Most likely there is one because most people treat dogs as disposable accessories. Shit, want a free dog, become a foster home for that rescue. I did that for years for the Mastiff rescue and it was a very rewarding experience, not to mention made me realize that the breed is in fact perfect for me.

---

Grant Hughes

I don't have any brothers or sisters, and theres very few people that I would go through all of this trouble for and this guy happens to be one of them.

I never really thought about getting a dog either of those two ways but it doesn't sound bad. I've never had my own dog, and I figured that by buying a champion blood line dog, as a puppy, raising it myself I'd get the best experience possible out of it. I haven't seen any bernese mountain dogs in any of the rescues around here, and i've seen them for a few hundred less, but this seems to be what they cost.

---

Michael LeCompte

$1900 for a Bernese Mountain Dog is probably a bit high, but could also just show that they are a current fad breed, which I've definitely observed over the past two years or so in the more affluent area I used to bus tables in and still occasionally ride bike or scooters through. The light haired golden retrievers are another. The problem is that when you get a fad, you get irreputable breeders that are simply cashing in on the fad, and with that can come problems. Medical problems for dogs can get insane. I've heard of $6000 hip surgeries or $4000 cataract surgeries for dogs.

Bernese is a larger breed dog, which means a higher affinity for problems like hip dysplasia. That's really what you are paying for at a breeder, is a clean bill of health, especially if your not showing or breeding (neither of which you should do). Do some research on the breeder before you buy. Some breeders even offer pseudo-warranties against degenerative health problems. There should be a ton of info available on how to pick a breeder. If the breeder doesn't have a detailed application process and just wants money in exchange for dog, I'd not consider them personally.

Does your wife have previous experience with large breed dogs? I'd suggest reading on what your committing to before jumping if not. There's a reason why there are so many large breed specialist rescues out there. That cute puppy if not properly trained and paid attention to and exercised can be a destruction machine. I wonder if I still have the video from the worst day of seperation anxiety and the destruction that a pair of 120 lb dogs can do to the inside of a house. Crate training from a young age is also a definite must. Quality dog food can have a huge effect on health. Our dog food for our mastiff runs around $100 per month or so. Toys and treats can get up there too. We usually buy our girl a bison femur or knuckle bone for $30-40 each month or two as a special treat, but other than that it's mostly nylabones.

12 kg diffs are cool!

---

Grant Hughes

12kg??... I thought it was 20kg.What was I thinking.

Thanks for the advice. The breeder I'm going through isn't a puppy mill type. Like you were warning against. I've done my research and I've been on a waiting list for the little guy since February.The bitch has good rated hips and the sire has excellent rated hips. The xrays of the puppies show large healthy bones. The dogs went through confirmation last week and that all went well. Obedience and confirmation classes for the little guy start @ 6 months.

Mitchell, the new dog, gets to ride and hangout at work with me to everyday. There's 17 acres of tree farm here at work in the santa cruz mountains for him to run around and a nice bed for him to lay on by my desk, which I bet is where he'll spend most of his time.

What would you recommend food wise for the puppy thats comming on sunday at 8 weeks old?

---

Michael LeCompte

I've been a big fan of Taste of the Wild.
http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/

$1900 may seem like alot for a dog, but it can easily be worth it if it means a healthy dog! Glad to hear you have made an informed decision! Also sounds like your pup will have a great lifestyle!

---

Grant Hughes

$1900 for a dog? That's one of the most unfathomable thigns I've ever heard of.

Growing up farming, we had a Saint Bernard, golden Retriever, German Shepard, Collie, a couple Spitzes, a Black Lab, and a Blue Heeler, and a Cocker/Springer spaniel. Not all at the same time, this was stretched out over probably about 30 years or so.

Every single one was free. Every single one, except for Sparky (the white ball of Evil Fuzz (aka Spitz)) died of old age. He died of Old Truck. All had great bills of health whenever we needed to do a checkup. We had great times together.

To me, paying someone anything more than 100 bucks for a dog (locating, transporting, grooming, making sure they're medically fit) is utterly absurd. I can't even think of a suitable analogy for it, it's that much of a ridiculous concept to me.

Plus, $1900, that's like two new cars, maybe three!!

---

---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

SgtRauksauff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> $1900 for a dog? That's one of the most
> unfathomable thigns I've ever heard of.
>
> Growing up farming, we had a Saint Bernard, golden
> Retriever, German Shepard, Collie, a couple
> Spitzes, a Black Lab, and a Blue Heeler, and a
> Cocker/Springer spaniel. Not all at the same
> time, this was stretched out over probably about
> 30 years or so.
>
> Every single one was free. Every single one,
> except for Sparky (the white ball of Evil Fuzz
> (aka Spitz)) died of old age. He died of Old
> Truck. All had great bills of health whenever we
> needed to do a checkup. We had great times
> together.
>
> To me, paying someone anything more than 100 bucks
> for a dog (locating, transporting, grooming,
> making sure they're medically fit) is utterly
> absurd. I can't even think of a suitable analogy
> for it, it's that much of a ridiculous concept to
> me.
>
> Plus, $1900, that's like two new cars, maybe
> three!!
>
> ---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
> Jorden R. Kleier
> Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
> 1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
> 1973


Umm... ever heard of paying for genes? With certain breeds you have to pay to get a dog that is not going to have genetic problems that plague the "free" dogs

---

-Jason

mack73 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SgtRauksauff Wrote:
>
>
> Umm... ever heard of paying for genes? With
> certain breeds you have to pay to get a dog that
> is not going to have genetic problems that plague
> the "free" dogs

Au contraire, mon sewer.
As I understand it, the typical American tendency for exageration (the same idiot disease that compels boys driving low hp street cars to whine on every forum how they NEED!!!! 8-9 x 18" wheels and they can't find any for 50 bucks whaaaaah!) has led to serious problems in about every "bred breed".
Fuckin idiots want all the features exagerated: narrower hips, closer set eyes, longer snout etc ad nauseum.

The boy should slap the woman around, grab her by the shoulders and scream in her face "TELL ME (before a smack you again) TELL ME WILL YOU HAVE 20 TIMES THE PLEASURE with a $1900 DOG? Will every walkie in the park, EVERY FETCH THE BALL, EVERY FAWKING EAR SCRITCHIE BE 20 TIMES MORE SOUL SATISFYING THAN WITH A NICE ORDINARY POOPSIE???
What sort of fawked up m,aterialist values system do you have---AM I JUST BUYING YOUR ______________?


Or maybe throwing away $1900 to pacify a girl-friend just means the boy has mountains of dough from the grow operation he ran up in the woods round Arcata, sorta 'splains flying around to weddings, whats a grand to go satnd around for an afternoon?
>
>
>
> 94 Golf
> www.Mack73.com

---

John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

mack73 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Umm... ever heard of paying for genes? With certain breeds you have to pay to get a dog that is not going to have genetic problems that plague the "free" dogs.

Yes, Jeans should only cost about 20 bucks. Definitely not the 40+ that they commonly go for. But what do pants have to do with dogs?

The only reason dogs of certain breeds have genetic problems in the first place is BECAUSE of people's manipulation and inbreeding of them. The term 'purebred" really couldn't be farther from the truth. Sort of like the term "Stock Car" these days.

---

---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973

john vanlandingham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mack73 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > SgtRauksauff Wrote:
> >
> >
> > Umm... ever heard of paying for genes? With
> > certain breeds you have to pay to get a dog
> that
> > is not going to have genetic problems that
> plague
> > the "free" dogs
>
> Au contraire, mon sewer.
> As I understand it, the typical American tendency
> for exageration (the same idiot disease that
> compels boys driving low hp street cars to whine
> on every forum how they NEED!!!! 8-9 x 18" wheels
> and they can't find any for 50 bucks whaaaaah!)
> has led to serious problems in about every "bred
> breed".
> Fuckin idiots want all the features exagerated:
> narrower hips, closer set eyes, longer snout etc
> ad nauseum.
>
> The boy should slap the woman around, grab her by
> the shoulders and scream in her face "TELL ME
> (before a smack you again) TELL ME WILL YOU HAVE
> 20 TIMES THE PLEASURE with a $1900 DOG? Will every
> walkie in the park, EVERY FETCH THE BALL, EVERY
> FAWKING EAR SCRITCHIE BE 20 TIMES MORE SOUL
> SATISFYING THAN WITH A NICE ORDINARY POOPSIE???
> What sort of fawked up m,aterialist values system
> do you have---AM I JUST BUYING YOUR
> ______________?
>
>
> Or maybe throwing away $1900 to pacify a
> girl-friend just means the boy has mountains of
> dough from the grow operation he ran up in the
> woods round Arcata, sorta 'splains flying around
> to weddings, whats a grand to go satnd around for
> an afternoon?
> >
> >
> >
> > 94 Golf
> > www.Mack73.com
>
>
>
>
> John Vanlandingham
> Sleezattle, WA, USA
>
> Vive le Prole-le-ralliat
>
> www.rallyrace.net/jvab
> CALL +1 206 431-9696
> Remember! Pacific Standard Time
> is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.


Geeeeeeezus Chirst John. Tellin' it like it is eh?

Hey though, in all fairness, I really can't see how you can knock someone for spending any amount of money on whatever the hell they want to spend it on.

It's especially crazy to me, to hear that from a life-long rallyist who takes perfectly good machines and thrashes and destroy brand new parts every time they go out. $1900 for a dog or $1900 for one weekend of rally.

It's just one less rally I get to do in my lifetime.

Besides, going back to the old homefront to my buddies wedding over the weekend, also gives me a chance to see my parents, which I've gotten to see about 3 times a year for the past 7 years. And it wasn't a grand to fly out there. I scored round trip tickets to DC for $330 US American dollerz.

And what Jason said is true. I want that breed of dog in particular, if you don't get a good one, it's gonna end up costing 5x times that in the long run.

---

Michael LeCompte



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2010 08:05PM by pikespeakgtx.

SgtRauksauff Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, Jeans should only cost about 20 bucks.
> Definitely not the 40+ that they commonly go for.
> But what do pants have to do with dogs?
>
> The only reason dogs of certain breeds have
> genetic problems in the first place is BECAUSE of
> people's manipulation and inbreeding of them. The
> term 'purebred" really couldn't be farther from
> the truth. Sort of like the term "Stock Car"
> these days.

I don't think I own a pair of jeans that I spent less that $100 on. I just yesterday spent the most I ever have for a shirt at $65. Retail on it was $200 though and it's a very pretty shirt.

The reason dogs of certain breeds have genetic problems is the same reason you can buy a brand new Garrett replica turbo for $150. Create a market and cheap versions of the same things will proliferate. Ever been to a third world country? I've been to a few and I always notice that the dogs always look the same. Usually midish sized, no more than 40-60 lbs. Small dogs would be eaten by the bigger dogs. Large dogs would starve to death.
My next dog is going to be a potcake. I almost brought one back last month.

---

Grant Hughes

Well, if it's a pretty shirt, that's Ok then. I guess if the dog's pretty, then it might be worth it, provided the drool doesn't ruin the pretty shirt.

---

---** To be in compliance with the Anarchy **---
Jorden R. Kleier
Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA
1990 Mazdog Protege 4WD
1973