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The Dilemma of Finding a Used Performance Sedan

Brian
Modified Chevrolet Impala SS
A supercharged Chevrolet Impala SS makes for an impressive grocery-getter. Courtesy Eric Anderson

I actually enjoy shopping for a new (to me) car. Creating spreadsheets comparing horsepower, torque, MPG and available options is exciting. The problem, sometimes, is finding vehicles to put on those spreadsheets.

Currently, I’m considering a more high-performance sedan. Something along the lines of a Cadillac CTS-V. However, the field is relatively small based on price, miles or both. I have found a few interesting options, though.

Cadillac CTS-V

Basically a Corvette in sedan (or wagon!) form. Depending on which year you choose you get a naturally aspirated V8 or one with a supercharger slapped on it.

This car is probably at the top of my list. The only downside is that the ’09s and newer are still commanding strong prices on the used market. I could go older, but then I’m looking at only manual transmission cars (not totally terrible) that aren’t a huge step up from my C5. The wagon is a bucket-list car for me.

Pontiac G8 GXP

Another great product from Holden, er, Pontiac! Seriously, the G8 GXP is like a newer, better GTO (which I’ll get to later). The only problem is they made like five of them and resale values can sometimes be pretty out of whack.

I could go for a G8 GT, but I would much prefer the LS3 versus the L76. Plus, I like the styling of the GXP more.

Chevrolet SS

Ah Chevrolet. You just love slapping that SS badging on things, don’t you? Another fine Holden vehicle that made it here, it was equipped with the LS3 and lived a short life.

Again, production numbers were relatively low and resale values remain high. I actually like the styling of the GXP slightly more as the SS looks sort of like the mid-grade rental car they give you after you wait in line forever even though you have a reservation.

Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG

You’re probably wondering what the heck this thing is doing here based on the previous cars. Like Doug DeMuro, I just like it. The E55 AMG offers gobs of power and torque and a smooth ride. The downside? Maintenance costs. If people think the “Corvette Tax” is bad, the “AMG Tax” could put a shop owner’s kids through college and buy them homes.

Surprisingly, this might be #2 on my list right now. From some early searches it seems like there are a few out there with decent miles for a decent price. Though, a 13-year-old Mercedes does make my wallet nervous.

What’s Missing

The cars above are my preferred choices, but there are certainly other options out there. Let’s go over a couple that are missing!

BMW M

As someone who’s always been a fan of the M cars and loved the older 840 and 850 vehicles, the M5 should probably be here. Yet, for some reason I just don’t have a huge desire to own one. I love looking at them and listening to them, but right now that’s about it. Weird, I know.

Subaru WRX STi

I may slide this up to the possibles list at some point. After owning a Volvo 740 Turbo for a few years I fell in love with turbo cars. The transmissions concern me a bit and I would sort of rather have a hatch, but this one has serious potential.

Volvo S60

Speaking of Volvo. I’m sure the S60 is a fine car, but I will always be a fan of the old “turbo bricks.” A black Volvo 850R? Yes, please. Maybe I should just buy one of those, or find one with an LS-swap and call it a day.

Non-Sedans

Pontiac GTO

Big enough and heavy enough to be considered a sedan! Seriously, these are fun cars. Interior is much improved over the typical GM fare, plus you get rear-wheel drive and a solid V8. The trouble is finding a used one in nice shape that isn’t listed for more than it’s likely worth.

Chevrolet Camaro

The price for a fifth-gen Camaro has steadily come down over the years. Sort of like the G8 in that the LS3 is only available in the manual cars. The differences aren’t that big, but I would prefer the LS3 over the L99.

Ford Mustang

As a lifelong Chevy fan, it pains me to admit that the Coyote-powered Mustangs are in some ways better than the Camaro. I think the Mustang looks slightly better, and that 5.0 is pretty stout. My biggest gripe? They are everywhere!

Dodge Challenger

I do really like these cars. I’ve ridden in them, driven them and they’re nice! I may take a hard look at them. My main problem is similar to that of the Mustang. I see these, in varying trim levels, everywhere.

Chevrolet Trailblazer SS

Not a car at all! An LS2-powered SUV? It hearkens back to the Typhoon and Syclone that captured my attention as a child. Again, it’s difficult to find ones in good shape that don’t have inflated resale values.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8

Chrysler’s version of the TBSS. Stuff a 400+ horsepower engine into an SUV, and call it a day. It’s like a modern-day 850R wagon that’s taller but more powerful and with modern conveniences.

I think that’s about it for now. There are other vehicles I could add to the list, but these are the one I go to the most when firing up AutoTrader, eBay, Craigslist, etc. Hopefully, with enough patience and research I’ll be able to find one!

Five Signs of an Improved Recreational Boating Industry

Brian

The recreational boating industry has been through its shares of ups and downs throughout the years. Today’s industry is certainly different than it was pre-2008 recession. Yet, it might be better than it ever has been.

While one of the earliest trends post-recession was bigger, faster center-console fishing boats, some of the latest innovations point to a broader strengthening of the recreational boating industry.

SOLACE 345 FishThru transom
The SOLACE 345 features an innovative FishThru transom. Courtesy SOLACE

SOLACE 345

Tired of fishing boats all looking the same? SOLACE recently unveiled something that may interest you. Its 345 features what the company is calling a “FishThru” transom.

Thanks to that unique transom design, the aft-seating, typically a bench across the back of the cockpit, is made of two seating units set at an angle with livewells and rod holders behind them. It’s certainly eye-catching, and helps to set the 345 apart from other fishing boats. It comes from the family that founded EdgeWater and Everglades Boats so you know the quality will be top-notch.

Aviara AV32 running along waterfront
Aviara’s AV32 serves up sleek styling more typical of European runabouts. Courtesy Aviara

Aviara AV32

While MasterCraft has been known as an industry leader in the watersports realm, it’s their new Aviara line that’s catching some attention.

The new AV32 packs MasterCraft’s fit and finish into a craft that more closely resembles a European bowrider than most of what’s being built stateside these days. It can be equipped with either sterndrive or outboard power so possible uses are fairly versatile.

Some of the more unique features include heated seats and bar stools on the transom. There is also a wealth of color combinations available.

Chaparral 300 OSX running offshore
The Chaparral 300 OSX is set up for maximum entertainment. Courtesy Chaparral

Chaparral 300 OSX

An outboard-powered, center-line-helm equipped Chaparral? Yep! The 300 OSX offers that and much more.

If you enjoy entertaining, the 300 OSX’s helm seat swivels to the starboard side to create even more spots for party-goers. Combine that with the full-length sunpad that the company calls Vista View, and you’ve got a multitude of social spaces.

Evinrude E-TEC 1.9-liter 115 H.O.
Evinrude’s new 1.9-liter outboards share features with the G2 V-6 engines. Courtesy Evinrude

Evinrude 1.9-Liter Outboards

Outboards pumping out huge amounts of horsepower have been the trend for many years now. Seven Marine is probably the most well-known with their 527, 577 and 627. Mercury has its 400hp Verado and Mercury Racing line which currently features the 450R at the top. Even Yamaha exceeds the 400hp threshold with the XTO Offshore. Yet, Evinrude’s latest outboards cater to boaters with slightly lower horsepower requirements.

The new 1.9-liter, three-cylinder motors are available in 115 H.O., 140hp or 150hp models. They share some of the features found on the company’s larger G2 outboards, and there’s even a digital tiller available for the 115 and 140.

Valhalla Boatworks V41 rendering
The V41 from Valhalla Boatworks looks ready to run and gun. Courtesy Valhalla Boatworks

Valhalla Boatworks V41

You might not have heard of Valhalla Boatworks just yet, but chances are you’re familiar with the company that created it. Viking Yacht Company.

The trend of new center-consoles surely isn’t going away, but the space below the 50-foot and larger boats appears to be getting filled by some very nice offerings. Currently, Valhalla has a 33, 37 and 41 listed as upcoming models. The V41 can be equipped with a tower, and looks like it will be an offshore beast.

It’s been over 10 years since the recreational boating industry underwent some massive changes, but it appears that what emerged on the other side has only gotten stronger. Innovation is on full display across multiple segments and companies, and boaters have many great choices when it comes to boats and powering them. Hopefully, the lessons learned will be used to further strengthen the industry to the benefit of boaters worldwide.

Burned By Craigslist – Again

Brian

I should know better by now. I’ve bought and sold enough stuff on Craigslist to understand that I should set my expectations as low as possible. The last time I tried to sell an item on Craigslist I was stood up three times by three different buyers. There’s something about waiting around in a 7-11 parking lot that’s both infuriating and enlightening. If politics and sports are dividing you and your friends, I’m almost certain a universal hate of Craigslist will unite you. Seriously, try it at your next dinner party.

My most recent failure was trying to buy wheels for my wife’s car. The buyer was located about 2 hours away, but we lined up a date and time for me to come buy them. All I needed was for him to give me a contact number or address. Anything beyond his random Craigslist e-mail address. Neither came despite me asking multiple times. Then, on the morning we were supposed to meet he asked if I was still coming over. I explained that I wasn’t because I didn’t feel comfortable driving four hours round trip with a Craigslist e-mail address as the only form of contact.

He quickly realized that he had never sent his phone number or address and apologized profusely. We agreed to get back in touch later in the week to see if he still had the wheels, and if I still had time to come get them.

We again lined up a date and time for me to head over, and he offered to hold the wheels for me. I’m sure by now you can see where this is headed.

The afternoon before I was scheduled to get the wheels he e-mailed to tell me he had sold them locally. In his words, he “didn’t want to miss out on this deal.” Even after I got him to admit that he had in fact told me he was holding them for me. I do suppose it’s better to learn how poor a seller or buyer truly is before driving any great distance.

In any case, I guess it’s back to Nextdoor and e-Bay (local pickup only) for me. It’s a shame that people like this have ruined Craigslist for those of us who do what we say we’re going to do.

This Mashup Makes the Internet a Better Place

Brian

If you like a good mashup from time to time and have given up on the Internet being a place of positivity, I have just the thing to help restore your faith.

Behold, a mashup of Queens of the Stone Age and El-P (from Run the Jewels, among many other things)!

 
Personally, I love a good mashup. Though, I agree that if they’re not done well, it’s usually pretty difficult to listen to. There doesn’t seem to be much of a middle ground with this genre of music. Fortunately, this one is done right. The entire album is spot on, and I have to hand it to ToTom. This is an epic listen.

Do yourself a favor, after you’ve crawled out of the rabbit hole listening to all of ToTom’s tracks, head over to Soundcloud to check out Wick-it the Instigator. He’s also created a bunch of mashups that will make you enjoy surfing the Internet again.

Enko Running Shoes With Springs

Brian

Enko Spring Running Shoes

These running shoes from Enko claim to reduce joint stress.

I’ve seen some interesting running shoes over the years. Nike’s Zoom Fly Vaporfly 4% with its carbon fiber plate is one of the more recent ones promising performance gains. Yet, that shoe seems rather pedestrian when you check out this offering from Enko. Here’s how the company’s press release describes it:

True innovations are scarce. Even though running is a highly traumatic sport for joints, innovation in design has been limited for a long time. No steps forward to improve stride shock absorption and preserve runner’s health have been taken. No breakthroughs until ENKO arrived on the market.

I don’t know that no advancements have been made regarding cushioning in running shoes. You can easily find ones with varying levels of cushioning to suit whatever gait and mileage requirements you may have. Though, there are very few (none?) companies using materials other than foam or air bladders.

Exactly who is this for?

I haven’t been able to track down the weight which I imagine might be somewhat hefty. I also wonder how much it will affect stride length, leg turnover, etc. because right out of the gate they’ll probably be a little awkward to run in. However, when I showed my wife, who’s been involved in two car accidents (neither being her fault) and has the back and knee pain that comes with that, she was intrigued. She used to be a casual runner, but her knee joints just can’t do it any longer. I do wonder if something like this would help her be able to put down even a mile or two.

At $372 it’s a somewhat expensive experiment. Though, the company does say you have 30 days to try them, and if you’re not satisfied, you can return them for a 100% refund. I’m thinking about taking a closer look at them, and will report my findings if I do.

How to Treat a Sprained Ankle

Brian

Tips to Heal a Sprained Ankle

As soon as it happened I knew I was in trouble.

I’ve sprained my ankles many times to varying degrees and had countless close calls. I had been lucky for a long time, but that afternoon my luck finally ran out.

For about two years, I had been playing pickup basketball games with co-workers. After playing a lot of basketball in my younger days I took a few years off in favor of running and surfing. However, after my first game back I was hooked.

The competition. Working to re-sharpen skills I once had. Team camaraderie. All of it outweighed the potential for injury even as other guys went down with torn ACLs, bruised ribs and, yes, sprained ankles. Eventually, the injury bug came to take a bite out of me as well.

By this time, I was confident enough in my skills to drive to the basket instead of settling for a jump-shot. On this play I drove to the basket and was met under the hoop by the center on the other team. He outweighs me by probably 70 pounds, and when he stepped on my foot my ankle never stood a chance.

Instead of elevating to the hoop, my foot was pinned to the court and my momentum carried me forward and to the right. My right ankle performed the classic inversion, and I heard the Velcro of my ankle brace stretch. That brace had saved me numerous times before, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone, but that day it was just slightly overmatched.

I went to the ground, took a few moments to focus my breathing and then got back on my feet to assess the damage. I knew for sure it was a solid grade 2 sprained ankle, and probably more like a 2.5. I stayed on the court to close out the game, thankfully a win. Then I went to the bleachers and iced it before heading out to apply more and more ice and elevate it. I also crafted my recovery plan. One of the benefits of enduring multiple sprained ankles is that you gain knowledge with each instance.

What was my plan for healing a sprained ankle?

My first order of business was to ice the heck out of it. You’ll find all sorts of conflicting information regarding ice versus heat, how long to ice, etc. Personally, I’ve found that my body responds very favorably to icing. Plus, I knew that getting the swelling down would make it easier to walk on. I started with basic ice packs, and then, once the swelling subsided a bit, incorporated an ice pack for knee pain because it encircled the outside of my ankle perfectly.

With the swelling under control, I moved onto stability and pain relief. Due to how “loose” my sprained ankle felt I knew my regular brace wouldn’t cut it for traversing parking lots and stepping off curbs. I ended up going with one that had air bladders where I could control the pressure and a hard exterior. It worked well, though, I might recommend buying one of those shoe risers for the opposite foot because the height difference wasn’t kind to my lower back or hips. For pain relief, which was only needed after a full day of walking, I alternated between Zim’s Max Freeze and Biofreeze. I felt like the Zim’s gave better initial relief, but Biofreeze lasted longer. I never needed to take any sort of pain medication.

Next, I decided to expedite the healing process as much as I could. This came in the form of topicals, supplements, diet additives and rehab exercises. For topicals, I went with The Fay Farm Healing Hemp Salve. I feel like both their regular version and the hemp oil extract product helped reduce inflammation and improve healing. On the supplement side, I initially tried to up my collagen intake with Bulletproof collagen bars. The fudge brownie I tried wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t great. In the end, I upped my vitamin C and alpha lipoic acid doses. I also tried to increase my servings of blueberries for their anti-inflammation properties. To round out my recovery I started resistance training about four weeks after spraining my ankle. Resistance bands let me dial in the pressure applied to the ligaments and joints, so I didn’t push it too far. Once you’ve suffered a few sprained ankles, re-injury is a common occurrence.

By now, you’re probably wondering how my sprained ankle is doing.

I’m seven weeks in, and can walk briskly, get up and down stairs and flex my ankle a little bit more each day. I might be able to lightly jog on it, but don’t feel comfortable trying just yet. Based on what I’ve read and past experience, my timeline for jogging was originally eight to 10 weeks. I feel like my treatment plan has probably shaved a week, maybe more, off that original estimate.

Remember, what works for me may or may not work for you. If you’re looking at sitting out multiple weeks of athletic competition, use that time to experiment a little bit. Find what your body responds to in terms of reducing inflammation and increasing healing. A simple vitamin increase might supercharge your body’s natural healing response.

Your ankle is already sprained so you might as well focus on finding the keys to unlock your body’s healing potential.

Miami Dolphins Five Game Win Streak – Is It Ryan Tannehill?

Brian

Before the 2016 NFL season, I thought there was a realistic chance that the Miami Dolphins could start out 0-7. I figured Cleveland and Tennessee were toss-ups, but the rest were losses. Surprise! The Dolphins actually started 3-4, mostly because Cleveland is awful and Pittsburgh played like garbage.

In any case, the Dolphins recently went on a five game win streak. But is it due to their schedule, better execution or Ryan Tannehill playing like he’s worth his big time contract? Let’s take a look.

Schedule
The combined record of Miami’s last five opponents is 21-29. Yeah, not great. An easier schedule, they opened with Seattle and New England, has definitely helped them.

Execution
It’s probably no coincidence that Jay Ajayi started racking up yards beginning with that Pittsburgh win. He topped 200 yards in back-to-back games, cracked 100 yards in another and still managed 4+ yards per carry in the remaining two. Having a running back capable of that type of performance makes winning games a bit easier.

Ryan Tannehill
Oh Ryan Tannehill. My feelings about his contract and leading the Dolphins to a Super Bowl are well documented. Is his performance winning games, or is it more that he isn’t costing the team games?

Personally, I would say that of the five wins the one against San Diego can be attributed to Tannehill. He finished with a completion percentage of 70.8 for 240 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. In the other four wins, it looks like standard Tannehill. A couple of one touchdown, no interception games with average yards per completion in the five to six yards range.

Where does that leave us? Miami’s win streak probably has more to do with an easing of the schedule and Jay Ajayi’s performance than anything else. Which, honestly, was the formula I always thought the Dolphins needed to employ with Tannehill at the helm. Strong running game, aggressive defense and a quarterback that’s decently mobile and doesn’t make too many mistakes. Yes, that often means a razor-thin margin of error, but other teams have followed that path with great success.

Luckily, Miami’s remaining opponents currently have a combined record of 26-33-1 so they have a good shot at riding that formula to success for the rest of the season. Hopefully, Ryan Tannehill does his part of managing games.

LSWho? Why I Love Jim McElwain (and GMail)

Brian

Due to the unique circumstances that led to the postponement of the Florida versus LSU game, some of the narrative centered on the idea that the Gators and Jim McElwain were “scared” of the Tigers. That somehow they would do anything to remove LSU from the schedule in favor of taking an easier path through the SEC. That Jeremy Foley, one of the highest-regarded athletic directors in the country, would duck Florida’s permanent SEC West rival as one of his last decisions before retiring.

Yet, as far-fetched as it sounded at the time, that was still a big part of the conversation in the days before the game.

Somehow, Florida was able to overcome all of that fear and all of those injuries to execute a 4th down goal line stand for the ages.

Fear, and perceived disrespect, are powerful motivators.

Two things that stood out to me were: I loved Mac’s decision to put it all on that 4th down play. Earlier, it looked like he might try to preserve as much of the clock as possible, but Florida isn’t exactly a quick-strike offense. Instead, he leaned on the defense once more, and they came through again.

The second thing was that the late game push up front from the offensive line was impressive. After seeing inconsistent play there throughout much of Mac’s first year, primarily due to injuries, it was great to see running backs picking up big chunks of yards. Yes, not having to contend with Kendell Beckwith was probably a factor, but if anyone understands the importance of “next man up” it’s the Florida Gators.

I don’t anyone would argue that the SEC East has been down the past two seasons, but you still have to win games and that’s exactly what McElwain has done. Securing back-to-back SEC Championship Game berths is a great way to start your tenure at the University of Florida.

To close this out, I was searching through GMail the other day looking for an old GChat regarding McElwain’s hiring when I came across something even more interesting.

Apparently, back in April of 2012 (that’s 2 years and 8 months before being hired by Florida) I sent an e-mail to the Solid Verbal (love those guys, give them a listen) regarding Jim McElwain. Here’s an excerpt:

In your opinion, which newly hired head coach(I believe there are 28 of them for 2012) will prove to have the most positive impact on their program a number of years into the future? Obviously we have the big name coaches like Urban Meyer, RichRod, Mike Leach, etc. that should have some type of positive impact, but I was thinking more about some of the “lesser known” guys that might have less talent to work with in the beginning but long term could really build a competitive program. My picks would be Larry Fedora & Jim McElwain. I believe both of those coaches are good enough to bring in a decent level of talent, and make their respective programs competitive(at least within the “tier” that their program resides). Thoughts?

At that point, McElwain had just gone from offensive coordinator at Alabama to head coach at Colorado State. Three years after that he won the Mountain West’s coach of the year award. A little less than two years after that he beat LSU to take Florida back to Atlanta for the second year in a row.

Maybe I should be consulting college football programs on their head coach hiring?

In all seriousness, I love what Coach McElwain has done with the program so far and hope he continues on this upward trajectory.

It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere: Sweet Potato Casserole Strong Ale

Brian

Sweet Potato Casserole Beer Review I’m reviving an item I used to post at the Sports Oasis that was meant to get you ready for the weekend. Over there, it was usually a music video, some type of comedy routine or sports highlights. Over here, I’m going to turn it into a food and drink piece. It will probably start mostly as beer reviews, but will hopefully branch out from there.

For the first installment in its new home, I’m reviewing Sweet Potato Casserole strong ale from Funky Buddha Brewery. These ratings will be on a five star scale, with five stars being the best. Here are the stats:

ABV: 7.9%
IBUs: 30
Style: Spice/Vegetable Beer
My Rating: 4.5/5

This is a damn good beer. To me, it’s like Shipyard Smashed Pumpkin sans pumpkin. It’s definitely a great fall beer for those who aren’t into pumpkin. I got a lot of toasted vanilla, marshmallow, spice and even a little citrus. The slightly higher ABV gives it a great velvety texture which makes it deceptively easy to drink. I will definitely be throwing this into my fall rotation, and I suggest you do the same.

Corvette Fuel Leak – Resolution

Brian

2004 Chevrolet Corvette

It’s been a little over two weeks since I got my Corvette back with a brand new fuel tank and other assorted replacement parts. The total came to just over $1,200, which I figured was a pretty good deal since it was lower than some of the independent shops quoted. Granted, I would’ve liked General Motors to cover the entire cost since I felt like it was a known defective part that presented a safety risk, but saving $2,200 off the original dealership quote isn’t a bad compromise. Hopefully (knock on wood), this is the final installment regarding my three week fuel tank negotiation with GM and the Chevrolet dealership.

Two lessons I learned:

1. It definitely pays to do whatever you can to negotiate a better price. I read and heard quite a few stories of other Corvette owners being told that their busted fuel tank wouldn’t be covered at all by GM or their dealership. Some had the work performed by an independent shop, others paid full, or almost full, price. Sure, I was without my car for three weeks, but being firm, and what I considered fair, while negotiating for those three weeks got me the best deal possible.

2. Game plan all of your possible options up front. I got stuck early on because I let my emotions dictate my decisions and allowed the dealership to take apart the car. Once that happened, it became very difficult for me to realistically consider taking it somewhere else for a second or third opinion. I got quotes over the phone, but the prices could’ve been much different once the shops saw it in person. I also had a few that wouldn’t give out a quote without the car being there. I did think about having it put back together enough to have it towed, but thankfully it didn’t come to that. Figure out your three or four best options and be ready to go with any of those when necessary.