ExIntegra

Just got back from the chicago auto show. The new GT500 looks strong. The Raptor is also interesting - there's nothing else out there (unless you build it yourself) that can handle rough roads (or no roads) as fast. SVT does it again...

It's good to check in once in a while and see if everyone's OK. Here's some poor woos who made the mistake of trading in detroit iron for Japanese tin: http://www.carsurvey.org/review_99537.html "Sits better?" The poser poses better in a tin can? If you can't drive a car hard without it falling apart, how can you call it a performance car? :-)

And the lucky winner got it for just over $5k: Congratulations! Remember, duct tape, plumber's putty and STP are your friends! Bidder Bid Amount Date of bid Bidding Details Bidder 6Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $5,003.00 Jul-02-07 17:50:46 PDT View Bidder 5Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $4,955.00 Jul-02-07 16:44:14 PDT View Bidder 4 US $4,850.00 Jun-29-07 07:00:07 PDT View Bidder 5Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $4,755.00 Jul-02-07 16:44:01 PDT View Bidder 5Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $4,500.00 Jun-30-07 08:45:47 PDT View Bidder 1Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $4,050.00 Jun-29-07 07:02:25 PDT View Bidder 1Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $3,550.99 Jun-29-07 06:53:19 PDT View Bidder 1Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $3,200.00 Jun-27-07 18:04:08 PDT View Bidder 1Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $2,500.00 Jun-26-07 16:19:46 PDT View Bidder 3Feedback score is 50 to 99 US $2,500.00 Jun-27-07 14:26:33 PDT View Bidder 3Feedback score is 50 to 99 US $2,300.00 Jun-27-07 14:26:23 PDT View Bidder 1Feedback score is 10 to 49 US $1,200.00 Jun-26-07 06:41:55 PDT View Bidder 2 New eBay Member (less than 30 days) US $1,100.00 Jun-26-07 16:47:00 PDT View Bidder 2 New eBay Member (less than 30 days) US $1,050.00 Jun-26-07 16:46:26 PDT View

RE -> but cmon!! Starts and runs????? SRSLY???? Good thing he picked up on the knock and investigated before taking a long trip. I see hints of a possible oil leak, as well.... :-)

There's a 99 coupe on ebay that's already at $4,500. It's a theft recovery with front end damage, ripped up dash, a little rear end damage, and a con rod dangling from a hole in the bottom of the oil pan! A clear photo of the oil pan with dangling con rod is on the ebay page. Finding it must have been a surprise for the poor soul who bought the car. The radio and radiator are both missing. The car is described as - You are looking at a 1999 Ford Mustang Cobra with 5 speed trans. This car was purchased as a theft recovery. I purchased this car with no keys, I had keys made and programmed at Ford. I then discovered that the engine was knocking due to one of the pistons pushed through the oil pan. This car needs cooling system. The body is in great shape. It still starts and runs. The radio and a few pieces are missing in the interior as shown in the pictures. The miles show 130k on the odometer and the title states 150k. It's Item number: 270137445794: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-Ford-M...1QQcmdZViewItem

The last update here is almost a year old - A Consummate Car Guy's Fight to Survive a Serious Illness August 2006 “Bullitt” Points History Fast Forward to '05 The Downhill Slide: er - Make That a Crash Bong, Bong, Bong What Happened to Kenny Brown Performance What's Next To be continued... I know a lot of you are wondering just what happened to me and Kenny Brown Performance last fall. I have been told there are a lot of rumors floating around the internet and at track events, some of which are close but many are pretty fantastic and not true. To paraphrase Mr. Twain – “The rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated” http://kennybrown.com/news_health_aug06.cfm#continued

After 7+ years and ~70,000 miles with my 1999 SVT Cobra convertible, all I can say is I wish I could buy another one. The new GT500 looks great, but having a lightweight aluminum engine (to give a balanced F/R weight distribution) and an independent rear suspension are real features to me - and they're no longer available. The biggest surprise about this car has been that it's the most reliable and trouble free car I've ever owned. At just under 70k miles I've replace the rear brake pads once, changed the oil ~ twice a year and changed the tires about every 18 months. That's it. Period. Still have the original front pads, original exhaust, original clutch, original convertible top (it goes up and down ~250 times per year). I'm probably close to needing front brakes and the drip tray under the back window now has some water in it after a heavy rain, so that may be nearly it's time, too, but that's it. I had a door handle and ground strap tightened under warranty the first year I had the car, and the HP "fix" was done, too. Those have been the trips to the dealer. All this, 0-60 in ~5 seconds and 28 mpg on the highway. What a car! It's getting kind of old, and I work 12 hour days and just don't have time to deal with an old car (and I'm sure this is getting to that point). It's going to have to start needing some maintenance, with all the hassle that implies, at this point in its "life." I wish I could just buy another one.

Just thought I'd add a link to a source for Kenny Brown parts. http://www.rpmoutlet.com/machmatrix.htm If anyone's not familiar with the Kenny Brown story it's here: http://www.kennybrown.com/news_health_aug06.cfm Does anyone know if the parts from "rpmoutlet" are legitimate? Is it "OK" to buy from them (I'd hate to be part of cheating the guy who built up the business). Dan