I got into this in part as a cure for insomnia, but ultimately I tend to geek out on subjects within a narrow space on a Venn Diagram.

The Hell with it, I’m just a geek.  This is my review of Four Peaks Imperial Hazy IPA:

Inflation is a subject of much debate.  Some believe it is significantly higher than what is reported by government officials and the media.  They often cite methodologies used by past administrations and compare the likely inflation rates to those used now.  This is intended to convey the idea the 400 pound gorilla in the room of economic discussion is much bigger than we realize.  They are correct in doing so.

To take a different tack on the usual discussion of inflation affecting necessities, lets look at how it affects luxuries.  The short answer is the same way:  things just cost more.  The long answer is a bit more interesting.

How to buy a Rolex

You go to an Authorized Dealer (AD), drop down an enormous, sweaty wad of cash you might otherwise be free to spend on a cocaine binge in Bankok and leave with one of the most recognizable status symbols in the world, right?  No. The AD will put you on a waiting list.  All Rolex watches are built by hand to extreme standards, and are released in limited number.  As such, the AD will very likely not have one on hand to sell to a walk-in customer.

“Rolex would like to perpetuate the image that there’s a shortage and that there’s such high demand that they can’t produce enough to satisfy the demand, but I think in reality it’s just very controlled release in order to keep that demand super high,” he said.

Limiting supply is nothing new for luxury goods, after all nobody would want it if anyone could get it.  Speculation from within the industry Rolex does this on purpose is often downplayed.  Limiting supply does have another predictable effect on the market:

Another result of this constrained supply of new watches is the absolute explosion of prices on the resale market where some timepieces now command far higher prices used than they do at the retail counter.

So the actual way to get one is either wait out your turn on your AD’s queue or buy on the “gray market.” This is subject to supply and demand like any other.  Since it is not subject to meet the margins of the manufacturers, coupled with an auction-like business model, the price for a “used” watch can get to ridiculous levels.  For example, a very basic Rolex Datejust lists for $10,000 on their website.  The same watch is $11,390 from a retailer on the gray market.  A 12% markup, but this is only an entry-level model and often accumulated by collectors.  This increases for highly sought models like the Submariner.

Its to the point where flipping barely used watches on the gray market is a lucrative business in of itself.  So much so, Tim Stracke the CEO of online retailer Chrono24, was interviewed by Bloomberg regarding a proposed IPO.  He said in April 2022:

“What we are seeing now is more a fear of inflation and a general strong demand for watches, which translates into higher sales but also higher average order values,” Stracke said.

In other words, Rolex is no longer a symbol of status, victory, aspiration, or whatever reason one buys a Rolex—its a hedge against inflation that has performed at the same level as the S&P 500 and on pace to exceed it.


Screwy world we live in.  So I’ll just leave you with this.

 

This beer though, if you are into IPA, delivers but sadly is unable to beat inflation.  Made in the unfiltered “New England style” with a high abv (8.8%) so there is plenty of body.  More fruity than bitter, so you can share it with your girlfriend! Assuming you can still afford a girlfriend in this economy.  Anything is possible, I suppose.  30 IBU.  Still just another IPA, but at least it will make you too drunk to notice.  Plus it is available locally in tall canz! Four Peaks Imperial Hazy IPA: 2.8/5

About The Author

mexican sharpshooter

mexican sharpshooter

WARNING: Glibertarians.com contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. https://youtu.be/qiAyX9q4GIQ?t=2m22s

176 Comments

  1. Animal

    Does Rolex make pocket watches?

    I don’t like anything on my hands or arms. No watches or rings.

    • The Bearded Hobbit

      Just have an orphan following you around carrying a clock.

      • Name's BEAM. James BEAM.

        A grandfather clock, if you’re really doing it right.

    • Sensei

      They used to do so. Without checking I’m not sure if there are any current models in production.

  2. Tundra

    I’m good with my G-Shock.

    Like with many things I once aspired to, an expensive watch just fell off my radar once I could actually afford it.

    Buying as an inflation hedge makes some sense, though.

    • Toxteth O'Grady

      I was given a nice watch for graduation, and it was a pain to wear daily. The battery frequently needed replacement and the lizard strap about monthly.

    • mexican sharpshooter

      I had one in Iraq, that I bought at AAFES shortly before I left. It died on me a few years ago, but I still have it.

  3. DEG

    In other words, Rolex is no longer a symbol of status, victory, aspiration, or whatever reason one buys a Rolex—its a hedge against inflation that has performed at the same level as the S&P 500 and on pace to exceed it.

    Interesting.

    Apropos beer news: America’s only Trappist brewery is shutting down.

    • kinnath

      sad news

    • Tundra

      Pssst, monks: maybe you just sucked at making beer.

      • DEG

        I’ve had Spencer beers. They’re good.

      • Ted S.

        Overpriced novelty gift beers?

      • Ownbestenemy

        This is going to be a hot topic

      • db

        I just love your piercing pagoda wit.

      • Chafed

        You may be right. Their beer sounds great but I never heard of it.

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        Hhey now, thems some great beers!

  4. The Late P Brooks

    “Rolex would like to perpetuate the image that there’s a shortage and that there’s such high demand that they can’t produce enough to satisfy the demand, but I think in reality it’s just very controlled release in order to keep that demand super high,” he said.

    Like de Beers, but with better inventory control.

    • cavalier973

      And fewer wars in the Congo

  5. The Late P Brooks

    I don’t like anything on my hands or arms. No watches or rings.

    I used to carry plastic Mickey Mouse pocket watches. They weren’t very durable.

    • Ted S.

      I bought a Raketa when I was studying in Russia back in 1992; with the exchange rate I paid about $6. It lasted me a good ten years, and each time I replaced the wristband it cost more than the watch.

  6. LCDR_Fish

    Was Rolex always a “limited, handmade” thing? I thought when I was a kid they were more common – although that might have just been knockoffs and using the name as a synonym for other watches…

    Don’t think I was just conflating with TIMEX, but who knows at this point.

    • Fatty Bolger

      I also remember them being more common, but I was in Miami, so that may explain it.

    • Sensei

      Rolex watches were simply a quality Swiss watch. Expensive with the “oyster” waterproof case being a notable feature that took others a while to both clone and/or get around patents.

      In the 1980s they started become more a fashion statement.

      In the late 90s Rolex realized what they had and started clamping down on supply.

    • dbleagle

      I think the story is BS. I got a great “Rolax” in Itewon for a good price.

      • Gender Traitor

        I can sell you a gen-yoo-wine Rolodex, baby!

      • Toxteth O'Grady

        (I like my Rolodex. It doesn’t pocket-dial.)

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        Heh

    • mexican sharpshooter

      Yes they were. They used to sell them at the Base Exchange in the 60’s.

  7. Chafed

    That fake Omega watch commercial is great MS. Whoever put that together deserves an award.

    • mexican sharpshooter

      Fuck yeah its awesome.

  8. Sensei

    Rolex has always held their value quite well. Prior to Brandon – on a generic Datejust you’d eat depreciation on a new model and after that you just get slow price appreciation.

    So essentially buying a used model in good condition and state of repair is a no lose proposition. Problem is authorized service is expensive and Rolex tightly controls parts so quality unauthorized service is hard to find.

    • mexican sharpshooter

      The other problem is having the discipline to not actually use it.

    • Spudalicious

      Cost me $900 to have my Rolex refurbished, and they had it for four months.

      • mexican sharpshooter

        Damn.

    • dbleagle

      I have my grandfather’s retirement pocket watch. It will lose 5m in the first 24h and then stay there for as long as it runs.

      • Sensei

        That’s likely fixable with a regular service.

  9. The Late P Brooks

    Extrinsic value

    Paul Newman was once the most bankable movie star in the world and tonight at Phillips auction house in New York, he became the undisputed king of the watch world when his 1968 Rolex Daytona sold for $15.5 million. (Including the buyer’s premium of 12.5%, the final price comes to $17,752,500.) After 12 minutes of bidding, the watch was sold to a bidder on the telephone, setting a new record for the highest price ever achieved for a wristwatch at auction. More than 400 people from all over the world gathered at Phillips’ New York headquarters at 57th and Park Avenue for the Winning Icons auction. The previous record for a Rolex at auction was set in May when the Bao Dai Rolex sold for more than $5 million, also by Phillips, and the previous record for a wristwatch at auction was $11 million for a Patek Philippe ref. 1518 timepiece, also by Phillips.

    Newman’s own ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona—a gift from his wife, actress Joanne Woodward—has long been considered the Holy Grail among watch collectors. “Many people are saying this is the greatest watch on the planet,” said Geoff Hess, a vintage Rolex collector and CEO of Analog Shift. “This watch transcends watch collecting, it transcends the watch community,” he continued.

    The Rolex Daytona has an unusual “exotic” dial design, and was dubbed the ‘Paul Newman’ in the 1980s because he was always seen wearing it, according to Paul Boutros, Phillips Senior Vice President and Head of Watches for the Americas. “It’s a whimsical, art deco style dial,” he said, “there are about 2,000 to 3,000 of this type of dial in the world.” Since the 1980s “everyone has been searching for Paul Newman’s Paul Newman,” Boutros noted. And it found its way to Phillips through another collector. “In this case, the watch found us. The current owner, James Cox [a former boyfriend of Newman’s daughter Nell, below], has owned the watch since 1984 when Paul Newman gave it to him,” Boutros explained.

    ——-

    “At the time that Newman gave the watch to James Cox, the watch was selling for about $200,” Boutros noted. At today’s selling price of $17.8 million, that’s quite a return on investment.

    Not too shabby.

    I thought thought Newman won a Rolex at Daytona for a class victory. Maybe not.

    • R C Dean

      “The current owner, James Cox [a former boyfriend of Newman’s daughter Nell, below], has owned the watch since 1984 when Paul Newman gave it to him“

      Dayum.

  10. Yusef drives a Kia

    I still like IPAs, so that beer looks pretty tasty,

    • mexican sharpshooter

      Its a Yusef beer, after all it comes in tall cans.

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        ?

  11. Ownbestenemy

    I can’t wear a watch. Just doesn’t sit right and annoys me. I used to love wearing my dad’s Rolex (one of his mid-life purchases along with a TR-7) when I was a wee lad.

  12. Grumbletarian

    Daily Quordle 124
    8️⃣6️⃣
    7️⃣9️⃣

    Got as close to Chumptown as possible.

    • one true athena

      4 7
      8 6

      Another day on the wrong side of the tracks in Quordleville

    • Chafed

      Best comment: You can’t possibly expect anything less. It’s Portland

    • Gustave Lytton

      He’s parked at Best Western Inn at the Meadows. There is no residential anywhere close around. That vandal is either a bum living in the homeless encampments or (more likely) intentionally went there to fuck certain cars up. What Portland needs is RWDS targeting the zero consequence scum that have flourished there.

      • Sensei

        For sure. You’d need to authenticate it more than the TV show did.

        You’d have to pull it apart as well confirm dates and the like. An auction company that deals with watches that are that expensive would have to go to good lengths to authenticate it further before putting it up for auction.

    • Sensei

      I’d never seen that, but as soon as I saw the watch I knew what was coming.

      It’s in amazing shape and having it be complete like that is also incredible.

    • Sean

      Neat.

    • Ownbestenemy

      Alice in Chains

      • kinnath

        Pet Shop Boys
        Monkeys
        Police
        Garbage
        Radio Head
        Smashing Pumpkins
        Guns and Roses
        Oasis
        T. Rex

      • Ownbestenemy

        Red Hot Chili Peppers

      • kinnath

        Flock of Seagulls

      • kinnath

        Lonestar is pretty obvious, but I had to google to see if it really was a band.

      • UnCivilServant

        Where? And is that even a band?

      • kinnath

        Texas state flag — the lone star state.

        And yes there is a band.

      • UnCivilServant

        I’m talking about the seagulls.

      • kinnath

        I Ran

        I actually have that album, and I liked it.

      • kinnath

        And I am guessing that the shitty resolution photo is showing with the four birds in front of the police van.

      • UnCivilServant

        I thought those were Scorpions

      • kinnath

        And google says there is a bewitched group as well.

      • db
    • Toxteth O'Grady

      Arctic Monkeys

      • kinnath

        Oops, didn’t know them

      • Toxteth O'Grady

        Killing it otherwise!

    • UnCivilServant

      Who knows pop bands?

      No, I’m not going to tell you how many I found (hint, it wasn’t 30)

    • The Hyperbole

      Ackshually, Thomson and Thompson aren’t twins. I can’t even, it ruins the entire thing.

      • Toxteth O'Grady

        triplets?

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        One is black too!

    • Gender Traitor

      Because it’s a gun show. Duh!

      • Sean

        I just bid on a rifle on gunbroker.

        #lazy

  13. hayeksplosives

    I became a Bulova watch lover a couple of decades ago. They’re a fine quality product and still affordable.

    • Sensei

      I thought they were part of Swatch Group. Quick check and it is Citizen.

      Originally American of course.

      • hayeksplosives

        I do don’t know Citizen had bought them in 2008. Looks like they’ve left them more-or-less alone to continue doing their thing in America.

        Quite a history! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulova

      • Toxteth O'Grady

        Sorry about the feline mishap.

      • Gender Traitor

        ?!? ?

      • hayeksplosives

        I too am unsure of the reference.

        I do mention my silly cat’s antics from time to time, but he’s fine. I was worried about him when we were gone to Imperial Beach for three days and left him alone, but he was surprisingly chill about it when we got home Thursday.

        He’s currently chilling out on the back patio.

      • Gender Traitor

        Glad to know he’s OK. I could stand for our boys to be a tad more aloof. They come running and won’t let us be after we’ve been gone any length of time.

    • Gender Traitor

      I’m partial to my Movado (a special gift!) but I think I should seasonally replace the black leather band with an appropriately high-quality gold-tone band so I’ll be more inclined to wear it with light-colored clothes in spring and summer. Maybe a trip up the street to my favorite local jeweler is in order this weekend… (Very dangerous!)

  14. mexican sharpshooter

    In case anyone was wondering, Angela McCardle won the vote at the LP convention for LP Chair. She got 69% of the vote.

    • kinnath

      Should I be happy or sad?

      • Sensei

        Shouldn’t you just say 69 niiiiice.

      • kinnath

        right

      • mexican sharpshooter

        She’s one of the Nazi anarchists trying to defeat Nick Sarwark.

      • UnCivilServant

        I orignally read that as “Nazi Archeologists”

      • hayeksplosives

        BELLOQ!!

      • Chafed

        Indiana Jones 5 is in production.

      • Stinky Wizzleteats

        Oh lord…

      • kinnath

        So, Happy! then.

      • Toxteth O'Grady

        A Tom Woods ally and guest.

    • Urthona

      She definitely has what it takes to get .3% of the vote.

    • creech

      For all those apprehensive about this, the LP has survived lots of turmoil and factionalism in it’s 50 year existence. It will survive again. But will it ever prosper?

    • DEG

      🙂

  15. Gender Traitor

    During a caution in the NASCAR Xfinity race, the drivers calling the race in the booth debated pineapple on pizza! Lurkers?? ?

    • Stinky Wizzleteats

      Wait until they start dropping Steve Smith jokes, then we’ll know for sure.

  16. Gustave Lytton

    Back from Home Despot.

    Carried forward

    rshmnstr the terrible on May 28, 2022 at 11:14 am
    Every gun company should be looking at all available options to go private. Really, every self-respecting company should, but especially the gun companies. They will destroy you if you let them own shares of you.

    The problem is, unless you have a single wealthy individual, it’s going to be the same big money funds privatizing. And more that likely they’re going to do a LBO/strip, gut, and flip.

  17. Raven Nation

    Funky crowd control problems at the Champions League final already. Gates not working, crowd being pepper-sprayed.

    • rhywun

      One of the commentators just intimated that she wasn’t comfortable being “locked in” the stadium. I don’t blame her.

      I tried to skip as much as the pre-game silliness as I could but it seemed they couldn’t get an idea of WTF is going on.

  18. The Late P Brooks

    Angela McCardle?

    No relation to that blathering dimwit Megan, I hope.

    • mexican sharpshooter

      Maybe. Angela is known to be a Vegan.

      • DEG

        I don’t know if they are related. I heard Angela has some health problems that restrict her diet.

      • hayeksplosives

        I “follow” Angela on Facebook as a remnant of my California years. She’s pretty reasonable and has a good sense of humor.

        She also seems to have a good work ethic and pours a lot of work into the LP. A thankless job.

      • DEG

        I think I met her at FreedomFest. I was interested in a friend of hers. I only remember making some small talk with the woman I think is Angela while chatting with the friend. I exchanged contact information with the friend. It went nowhere with the friend. Kinda hard for anything to happen, the friend lives in CA. At the time, masking was required on planes so no flying for me. It’s why I roadtripped to FreedomFest.

  19. Gustave Lytton


    Count Potato
    Count Potato on May 28, 2022 at 10:06 am
    What do they deliver?

    Sensei
    Sensei on May 28, 2022 at 10:10 am
    Think UPS.

    If UPS’ service was 100x better in quality, speed, reliability, and ubiquity. They have limited US service too.

  20. Toxteth O'Grady

    Hayek, didn’t your cat knock your watch into the wastebasket, which you realized belatedly? Not sure who the maker was.

    • hayeksplosives

      Ah, that feline incident! Yeah, that was Molly cat several years ago. And it was indeed a Bulova Marine Star. Oh well. It’s all “just stuff.”

      My husband bought me a new Bulova Marine Star for my B-day last month, so I am not hurting in the pretty watch department.

  21. Toxteth O'Grady

    @Sensei: Marty Crane (Frasier’s dad) thought AR was a guessing-game* show and a drinking game. Every time they say “veneer”, ?.

    *isn’t it, kinda?

    • Sensei

      I remember that episode.

  22. hayeksplosives

    It’s approaching 85F here in the desert, with the high predicted to be 90. But the humidity is low and there’s a steady breeze.

    I’m going to finish off this fruit smoothie and get in the pool!

  23. DEG

    I just returned from this gun show. I saw no vandalized signs. I was there late. The hall (a single hall) was less than half the size of one of the halls at the Oaks, PA gun show. There weren’t a lot of guns, but according to someone I know that I ran into as I left, if I had been there earlier in the day, there would have been plenty of guns. Earlier in the day the place was mobbed with people buying guns.

    I stumbled on a copy of this book which I bought, for about the pre-shipping price listed on Abebooks.

    I signed a ballot access petition for the LPNH.

    • hayeksplosives

      I had grand plans of going to the weekly VFW swap meet this morning and stocking up on ammo but then decided some home time and marriage reinforcement were more important pursuits.

      But next week, it’s ON!!!

      If I really do take up hunting, I’m going to need to get a rifle. The only rifle I have now is my trusty .22 Browning (a real beauty—nice engraving and just slightly shorter than typical; i think it was designed for ladies). I don’t know if a 30-06 is the way to go or what. Not convinced I have the stamina for all the walking and work involved in hunting and field dressing anymore.

      • DEG

        some home time and marriage reinforcement were more important pursuits.

        Those are also good things.

        I’m not one to ask about hunting. My dad gave up hunting because “there are too many loony tunes out there” (his exact words) and had no interest in teaching any of us. Fishing on the other hand… though that’s something I’ve never gone back to.

      • hayeksplosives

        My dad gave permission for some of his buddies to hunt on his farm (where he was born and raised but just maintained as a hobby farm after he retired from the army).

        The buddies persistently asked him to go hunting along with them, so he finally had to shut them up with one simple statement: “I saw enough killing in ‘Nam.”

        That was the end of that. Dad was a real animal lover; always took in orphaned kittens, bottlefed them and found homes, even bottlefed a little raccoon! He was tough as nails, but helpless critters were his soft spot.

      • Sean

        .270 win is the answer.

      • Shpip

        (Raises finger… thinks twice… withdraws)

        Yeah, you’re probably right for southern Nevada and most of the western US. Very versatile cartridge.

      • hayeksplosives

        Ooh, some of those are purty!

        Huge variation in price though; I’m going to have to do some research.

        Thanks for the recommendation!

      • Animal

        Make Jack O’Connor proud. Find a pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in .270. A finer rifle was never made.

  24. Shpip

    Of the grey market watch firms, this is the one that I’ve used a few times (A TAG-Heuer Formula One and a Lady Datejust for The Bosslady, and a Monaco for me). They’re pretty upfront about everything, and the watch comes with hassle-free returns if you don’t like what you get.

    The way I see it, you buy a quality timepiece new, the price drops about 15-20%, then slowly creeps upward until you reach break-even in seven or so years. From there it just builds value. Of course, some brands do this more than others.

    I’ve been thinking of getting a Daytona for years, but most of the watch guys that I talk to (sample size: single digits) have complained that they have the damnedest time keeping them regulated. Maybe I’ll splurge for a Carl F. Bucherer ChronoPerpetual instead, if I can ever find a reason for a dress watch.

    • hayeksplosives

      Before Sharpy’s article and the ensuing comments, I had no idea that watches (well, luxury ones) could be an “investment.”

      You folks educate me a little more each day.

      • Shpip

        I think the typical scenario is something like this:

        Retired guy buys a nice watch, just for something to have or to impress his buddies at the golf club or whatever. Dies a few years later. His widow or kid, not willing to sell the thing for thirty cents on the dollar at the estate sale, sells it to one of the grey market firms for seventy cents on the dollar, or about half of the original MSRP.
        Grey market firm polishes and services the watch, sells it for market value. Buyer gets the watch at or near the nadir of its value and either wears it daily (like I do with the Monaco), or parks it and sees its value appreciate.

        I will say, I paid less than half of what a brand new watcho is going for, and mine’s indistinguishable from a new TAG. So for me, maybe it’s less investment and more “got a good deal on gently used,” which I’m fine with.

      • hayeksplosives

        Ooh, pretty! Very striking design; that must get some approving looks!

        Hope it brings you joy!

      • Shpip

        Very striking design

        For me, it’s a two-fer. It was the watch that Steve McQueen wore in the film Le Mans. Very iconic, well known in certain circles. So, if I’m, say, having a cocktail at a nice bar and a fellow horophile happens along, he’ll say “Hey man, nice Monaco.” And if I’m in the racing paddock some weekend chatting with other racers and instructors, one will invariably notice and say “Hey man, nice Monaco.” So I got that going for me, which is nice.

    • EvilSheldon

      Oooooooh, that Grand Seiko Elegance Spring Drive is speaking to me…

  25. DEG

    Man stopped for driving 121 MPH on I-89

    A Massachusetts man is facing reckless driving charges after allegedly driving nearly double the speed limit on I-89 in New London.

    New Hampshire State Police said around 4:40 p.m. on Friday, a trooper was northbound on the interstate in New London near Exit 12 and saw a 2021 Tesla Model 3 going at a high and dangerous speed.

    The trooper determined the car was going 121 miles per hour, 56 miles over the posted speed limit, New Hampshire State Police said.

    • hayeksplosives

      On the drive back from San Diego to Pahrump, there was a stretch of utterly empty straight state highway.

      I decided to see what the “Performance” model Y could do. Holy crap. I eased off the pedal at 112. I’m sure it could have done more, but damn, even on a nice flat highway in the desert, the instinct for self preservation kicks in.

      • DEG

        Last time I was on that stretch of I-89, it was not in the best condition.

        Not PA, MA, or MI bad, but not a nice smooth highway.

        I don’t know its current condition.

      • DEG

        I’ve had both my Mustang and my Genesis over 100 MPH before. I didn’t push them much more because of not wanting to wreck cars that I paid cash for.

      • R.J.

        100 MPH is common between DFW and Shreveport. 85 is the usual speed. Posted is 75. I’ll be doing 85 and people blow by. Just happened, in fact.

      • hayeksplosives

        What was freaky to me about the desert highway sprint wasn’t so much the absolute speed as it was the acceleration. That car is NOT messing around.

      • Sensei

        They are software and tire rating limited.

        Part of the difference is also for marketing.

      • hayeksplosives

        The Model Y “Performance” is dual motor, which makes a significant hardware-based difference as well.

        I did pay for all the bells and whistles for Full Self Driving and other options. FSD won’t let you go much above the posted speed limit, but if you don’t engage it (a very simple mode change while driving; a double pull on the right stalk puts you into FSD, and a tap on the brakes takes you out), you can put the pedal to the metal and go.

      • Sensei

        Yes. The distinction between the AWD and Performance models is mostly software.

        However, the did in later years on the Model 3 change the rear motor between the AWD and Performance. No idea on the Y.

        For example my 2018 AWD has the exact same rear motor as the Performance. If I wanted to spend $2k I can make it identical.

        https://ingenext.ca/products/ghost-upgrade

      • hayeksplosives

        Interesting! My M3 is a 2018 long range, so just single motor.

        My MY is 2022 (made in Fremont in March). Not sure what that implies about its motor, but I do know it’s got the “old school” batteries. Would have liked to have gotten the newer ones they’re doing in the Austin plant

      • Sensei

        That plant is just shipping. I believe they get higher current from the old school batteries so ALL the performance variants still use them.

      • hayeksplosives

        Thanks, but it says it’s not compatible with the long range, which is what I have.

        The M3 gives me exactly what I need as-is.

      • Mojeaux

        I drove an Olds Cutlass 120mph from Denver to Kansas City once. Wasn’t my car, so I didn’t care.

      • hayeksplosives

        ? my first car was a 1979 Olds Cutlass Supreme! It had its quirks but it got the job done. Can’t say I ever took it over 60 mph tho.

      • Mojeaux

        I had an Olds Ciera for years. My mom gave it to me after she realized that I’d been nickel-and-dimed to death on all the lemons my dad kept picking out and urging me to buy. I still miss this car. Well, I miss my little Honda CRX, too.

      • Shpip

        You want to learn how to drive fast and safely, sign up for a High Performance Driver’s Education (HPDE) event in your area, which is easy for you, since Spring Mountain is in your backyard.

        I’ll be doing an article soon about it. TL:DR version — you put your car on a racetrack and an instructor in the right seat helps guide you safely around the circuit.

        Bottom line — driving your car on the racetrack at 100+ MPH is amazingly fun. Doing the same on a public roadway is usually stupid.

      • Mojeaux

        It is so easy when you’re on a road trip on the interstate to creep up into the 90s and 100s. I do it without noticing, but I’m also concentrating on the road and everyone around me. My mother can do it without noticing, but at the same time she’s pointing out all the pretty dogwood trees while she’s driving. This is why I drive when my mother and I road trip.

      • R.J.

        Yes. See above. My new car doesn’t handle well enough to feel safe above 90 so I just drive along about 80 in the 75 zones.

      • Mojeaux

        I *think* my last speeding ticket was in Rock Springs, Wyoming in 1991 or thereabouts. Can’t do that on I-80 now. It’s an effing parking lot all the way from Omaha to Salt Lake.

      • Shpip

        I keep forgetting that while long, straight stretches of highway aren’t really a thing east of the Mississippi, there’s about two-thirds of the country where that’s the norm.

      • UnCivilServant

        It was striking how flat and empty the southwest was.

      • hayeksplosives

        Yeah, there are all sorts of opportunities for legal vehicular fun out here.

        Im actually fairly conservative when it comes to driving. I stay in the right lane and no more than 7 miles over the limit for my long commutes. The sprint down the salt flat highway was very atypical for me.

      • Yusef drives a Kia

        I95 northbound to Vegas is one big speedtrap, I never did over 75 due to the many chippies rolling around

      • hayeksplosives

        Ah, I took mainly state highways, other than I-15 and 215 getting out of San Diego. Trajectory to Pahrump is different than that of Las Vegas.

      • Sensei

        I concur. Stupid teenage antics notwithstanding.

        Here in congested NJ that kind of delta against other cars on the major highways is not going to be a good thing. Country roads here aren’t long and straight enough for extended runs like that plus we have woods and animals. There are some open places you could pull that off, but not for any kind of extended amount of time.

      • hayeksplosives

        The “delta” comment is spot on. The most dangerous driving i see is a “very important person” (in his own mind) weaving around other cars, passing on the right, then passing on the left, rinse/repeat, never signaling, causing all the other drivers to fall back and try to figure out what’s going to happen next.

        Those guys are the ones the HiPo needs to be ticketing, not just speed limit violations.

  26. Mojeaux

    80F, 48% humidity, nice breeze, sweating like a pig, but I’m not willing to give up the ghost yet. A/C probably tomorrow.

    • Yusef drives a Kia

      65 and 74% humidity, 80 and 80 tomorrow, blech its horrid compared to my usual environs,
      now we Disc golf at night when it’s more tolerable.

  27. Yusef drives a Kia

    From yesterdays Baby blue ‘Vette, here’s a ’77 Stingray in White, one owner, mint condition, just came from a car show, for good reasons,
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/fXd778ymPCB5DnET8

    • hayeksplosives

      It’s true. I’m not sure how we should be doing things differently. We can’t go all “Minority Report” on people, but we can’t ignore this crap either.

      Red Flag laws are also potentially harmful to innocent folks who have a vindictive ex or similar.

      But mental illness is THE problem with these spree killers.

      • mindyourbusiness

        But mental illness is THE problem with these spree killers.

        True dat. But the likelihood of anyone in charge doing the harder, longer-term work to alleviate the problem is, face it, pretty dismal.
        So much easier to leap on top of a mound of corpses, scream about a need for more restrictive laws and pass another feelgood that won’t have any effect beyond making it harder for responsible citizens to defend themselves. But this time it’ll be different.

      • EvilSheldon

        It’s not, really. Very few recent mass killers have had any kind of treatable organic brain disease.

        The problem is cultural; specifically, that something in modern American culture is churning out tantrum-throwing malevolent narcissists.

    • rhywun

      Texas School Shooter May Have Been Arrested Four Years Ago For Threatening to Shoot Up the High School When He Turned 18

      And of course records are sealed so nobody’s telling.

  28. Ted S.

    The right team won.

    • UnCivilServant

      The Rightville Right-handers?

  29. The Late P Brooks

    .270 win is the answer.

    I know guys in Montana who kill elk with .270.