Road Trip, I'm back. With a new ride.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Most of you guys don't know, but on tuesday I bought a 4th Gen Camaro. The only problem was it was in Indiana. I struck the deal about a week ago, but didn't want to jinx anything until I had the car in my posession. I had a member here, Casey check out the car for me last week, and at 7:40AM on Tuesday morning I flew down to Indiana and bought the car. After the lay over, and getting everything sorted out with the owners and the DMV, we finally got on the road at around 3PM. 790 miles, and 13 hours later, at 5:30AM, we arrived home. Tired, but it was well worth it. The car did great and averaged 30mpg on the way home. I'll get some pics this weekend, but here are the details:

'01 Camaro SS, 6spd.
32K miles, Black on Black.

The car is like brand new, the previous owner babied it. Absolutely no sqeaks or rattles (4th gens are sometimes known for that). Only dislike-- CAGS sucks, I need to disable it immediatly, but for now I'll just disable it with my right foot. :3gears:
Anyways, I've been in contact with a lot of you guys about the purchase so I wanted to let you all know how it turned out.

P.S. For those that are wondering, I haven't sold Fantom. I'm currently waiting on parts (rear susp) and I haven't had a chance to update my site in a long time.

[Bill Howell]

Great deal Ralph, I am glad you finally found what you wanted and are satisfied with it once you got it home. :icon996:
Now, point that sucker south and lets see it next weekend :naughty: All it will cost you is gas money, come on down :drive1:

[blackbeast]

Ralph-

glad to hear it worked out, got your check a couple of days ago, i was gone for the weekend and my apt. was burglarized and laptop stolen so i have limited internet till i get that mess taken care of.

I was actually going to send you an email, i picked up an auto/rv trader the other day and there were 3 98+ ss's.. hadn't heard if you settled on that one or not.

Glad to hear everything worked out. Seemed like a really nice car, wish i could afford it, although it'd probably get me into more trouble than i really need, like my truck isn't bad enough.

at least someone had a good weekend. Have Fun!
-casey

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Thanks Bill, I'm real happy with the purchase. 5 months of searching finally paid off!

You've got a PM.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Hey Casey,

I'm glad to hear ya got the check okay, but that sucks about your aparment being robbed. I hate thieves. I hope they didn't get much more than the laptop(as if that isn't bad enough). Thanks again for checking the car out for me.

[Nine Ball]

sweet! Those 1-way flights are always worth it when you get the exact car you are looking for.

Sounds like a nice ride.

[MrQuick]

Nice Ralph, your gonna love it....dumb question but how is Fantom coming along?

[CAMAROBOY69]

Congrats on the new purchase Ralph but..............
:postpics:

[Steve Chryssos]

Congrats Ralph. Now you have two hot rods to play with.

[trapin]

Congrats Ralph, sounds like a great car. And post some pics ASAP.

I'd be interested in hearing what the insurance is going to be for that little angel. How's your driving record? I hear they're a bear to insure.


P.S. For those that are wondering, I haven't sold Fantom. I'm currently waiting on parts (rear susp) and I haven't had a chance to update my site in a long time.
Ummm......what site? Did you get your site up? Or are you talking about the page I put together for you? :hmm:

I'd be interested in hearing whats going on with Fantom too....been a long time since we heard anything about it. Although....you could say the same about my car. :doh:

[Steve68]

Yea, a very LoooooG time..................

But you know what I'm ragging on you, and noone here is ever seen a picture of my car :guilty:

[Ralph LoGrasso]

sweet! Those 1-way flights are always worth it when you get the exact car you are looking for.

Sounds like a nice ride.


Yeah, the flight was definitely WELL worth it. I just got home after putting another 50 miles on her. The car definitely gets looks wherever it goes, and as of right now, it's totally stock appearing.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Nice Ralph, your gonna love it....dumb question but how is Fantom coming along?


Fantom is progressing very slowly. The car is currently sitting on blocks with the frame off and blasted waiting for me to weld in the DSE c/o kit, and assemble the front end. I may hold off on that though, because I'm waiting on the rear susp, and I may just do the rough bodywork first, then the susp. It's taking a looooong time, but it will be well worth it in the end. I think the car is just going to handle amazing with the 3-link.

Adam,

I know, I know. I need to get pics up ASAP. I haven't been able to keep my ass out of the seat long enough to take pics, lol!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Congrats Ralph. Now you have two hot rods to play with.


Thanks!!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Congrats Ralph, sounds like a great car. And post some pics ASAP.

I'd be interested in hearing what the insurance is going to be for that little angel. How's your driving record? I hear they're a bear to insure.


Ummm......what site? Did you get your site up? Or are you talking about the page I put together for you? :hmm:

I'd be interested in hearing whats going on with Fantom too....been a long time since we heard anything about it. Although....you could say the same about my car. :doh:


Since I'll be taking the car off the road in the Winter, I've got it insured as an occasional driver, 5k mile per year policy. The rates are amazingly low, but I'm sure with regular insurance, I'd get killed. I got quoted for an '01 GT about 3 years ago (before I bought fantom) and it was going ot be 5400 per year full coverage. My record is currently perfect. (Knock on wood)

As for the site, I have a website that is currently being built. It's been on the backburner now for several months though, since pt.com is getting a redesign.

Here is the site: www.projectfantom.com It's being built by Christopher Walden aka camarorider, he does excellent work, highly recommended. Keep in mind though, the site isn't done!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Yea, a very LoooooG time..................

But you know what I'm ragging on you, and noone here is ever seen a picture of my car :guilty:


Ahh c'mon, if you post pics, I will. What about that tutorial I gave ya on posting pics!! lol, jk, let me know if you need any help posting pics.

[Steve68]

Maybe after I get the spindles and hubs put on this Sunday, then well see,

[CDJr]

Whats your URL, Ralph? Or did I miss it somewhere? (Im blind at times)

P.S. Hope his check dont bounce, Casey, and sorry to hear about ya bein burglarized...I hate thieves too!!!

[zbugger]

Congrats Ralph. You seem to always take forever to find a car. Good thing this one was easier to find and get then Fantom. Just don't wreck it like someone else we know....

Oh, and if I can do bodywork, so can you. Although mine is currently just replacing sheetmetal. Hopefully that will be done this weekend too. No pics though. It's not worthy.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

CDJr,

URL is www.projectfantom.com

Bug,

Thanks! I know, I take terribly long to find a car, usually because I pick rare cars and only in a single year or color that I want. Took me 3+ years to find, and get fantom delivered, 4 months for the Tahoe, and 5 months for the SS. I'm not to worried about the bodywork, I just need to find some time to get it to the shop and get there to work on it. Working 5-6 days a week isn't helping anything, lol.

P.S. On the pictures--I spent about 4 hours today with a photography guru buddy of mine taking pics. We got about 250 pics at various locations, so once he loads 'em up and edits them, I'll post them up. Hopefully by Monday Night. Until then :3gears:

[gen3bu]

CAGS sucks, I need to disable it immediatly.


22k ohm resistor. @ $0.59 at radio shack for a pack of 5!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

22k ohm resistor. @ $0.59 at radio shack for a pack of 5!


Damn, I thought they were $1.99. I might have to get the resistor instead of waiting on one of the plugs. I'll have to do some research on the resistor method tonight. Thanks!

[Nine Ball]

just use a resistor. Thats all that those "skip shift eliminator" plugs are anyways. Stick a resistor in the harness end, and tape it up. DONE

[David Sloan]

Congrats on the new toy !!!
your site is looking good too!!!

Were's the pic's of the new camaro!!!! LOL!!!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Looks like I'm heading to radioshack after dinner. Hopefully I can catch them before they close. Resistor in harness end, taped up--check!

David, thanks!!! The pics of the new camaro are still on my friends comp, I haven't even seen them yet, lol. I'm hoping to get to his hose tomorrow night to get them from him, I keep missing him.

P.S. David, shoot me a PM when you get a chance.

[toxicz28]

Ralph,
I know you'll love it! I love my '02SS! It's a blast to drive. The CAGS was one of the first things I did to it. (got tired of goosing the throttle when the light came on).
Rob

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Rob,

Yeah, I love the car, but I've been goosing it as you said, and gas mileage is hurting to say the least. Between driving around skip shift, and spirited driving, it's using a lot of gas. I picked up the resistors at Radio shack yesterday, though, so hopefully I'll get a chance to kill cags over the weekend.

[trapin]

Alright Ralph...........

:postpics:

Sorry....had to do it. :pics2:

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Alright Ralph...........

:postpics:

Sorry....had to do it. :pics2:


:( I know. I've got over 200 pics, and I haven't had a chance to get my friend over with his camera to load the pics onto my computer. Working 10-12 hours a day is killing me! The car already looks different then in the pics, too. I did the painted headlight mod the day after we took them. Hopefully he'll be around on Saturday to load them up.

[68RallySport]

Got to love the fourth gens! Nice steal hope she treats u well....

David

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Thanks David,

I hope she treads me well, too! God knows, I've been treating her well, lol.

[hides behind desk]I still need to get those pics up[/hides behind desk]

[Steve Chryssos]

Alright Ralph...........

:postpics:

Sorry....had to do it. :pics2:


:pics2: :pics2: :pics2: :pics2:

:idea:

:pics2: :pics2: :pics2: :pics2:

[redsand]

Sorry, I will post in the correct area

[Steve Chryssos]

Here are pix of Ralph's new ride.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Steevo,

Thanks for posting those up! I should have the other ones up sometime in the next millenium, so now the pressure is gone. The first pic is a great shot of all of our cars, I didn't see ya snap that one.

[[email protected]]

nice :camaro: what mods do you have in store for it?

[parsonsj]

Wow, Ralph. It looks just my old 2001. Except for the t-tops, the 17" wheels, the hood scoop, the seat coverings, the power windows and locks, the exhaust tips, the grill, and the SS insignia. :)

Enjoy your toy, but remember: you are a marked man. Recall my ticket horror story? It never would have happened if I'd been driving a Durango or a Tahoe.

Congrats!

jp

[MrQuick]

Sweet score Ralph, that thing is BAD ASS. Yes Ralpgh, remember drive nice...theres a place and time to be reckless...well controlled reckless that is.
I got popped for no front plate...F*#@in sucks with a plate. :pat:

[yody]

vince, just put one on, get it signed off, and off it goes again.

Lower it already!@!!!!

[MrQuick]

If it was me driving yes, But Gina drives the car, passes the same cop, the same intersection, the same time every morning...I hate for her to loose her job over my vanity.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Ron Jr.,

As far as performance mods, definitely all bolt-ons, and I may do h/c this summer, maybe not. Depends on how things pan out. Definitely atleast a cam, though.

JP,

Lol. Did you have a stripper Z? I know it was a Z, but guessing by the no power locks/windows I'm guessing stripper? I've been watching for the cops, the car currently has a flowmaster (slowmaster on these cars) catback and it's pretty loud under accel, so I've been keeping an open eye. I'm hoping I can go atleast a few months without getting pulled over.

Vince,

Yeah, the front plate does kinda break up the lines, but it's not too bad. I've seen some guys attach the plate to the spoiler. Not that you can see it, but I guess you can tell the cop that you do actually have the plate there? LOL.

Yody,

My wheels should be here by the end of the week, and I'll order the tires probably next monday, once I get 'em on I'll be lowering the car.

[parsonsj]

Stripper? I like the sound of that.

Actually, Ralph, mine had one option: rear window defroster. That was it. Well ... two if you count the ash tray and cigarette lighter.

jp

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Hmm, I don't know if it's a true stripper Z if it had a rear window defroster. Actually I'm lying--I'm not totally sure what constitutes a stripper Z. I know they had no pwr windows/locks and cloth interiors, but not too sure on the rest of the specifics. You've got a PM, btw.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Thanks for getting the pics up of Ralphs ride Steevo. Looks great Ralph. Ive always loved those LS1 firebirds and Camaros especially with a 6 speed and T-tops and yours is extremely clean. Great purchase. Makes me miss my 96 Formula again.
However Fantom is not going to be happy if you keep putting money into the new Camaro. So when you least expect it Fantom is going to give you one of these. :wedgie:
So if you thought this (http://server5.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=wedgie.3.jpg) pic hurt just imagine whats coming ahead. ATOMIC wedgie!!!

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Thanks for getting the pics up of Ralphs ride Steevo. Looks great Ralph. Ive always loved those LS1 firebirds and Camaros especially with a 6 speed and T-tops and yours is extremely clean. Great purchase. Makes me miss my 96 Formula again.
However Fantom is not going to be happy if you keep putting money into the new Camaro. So when you least expect it Fantom is going to give you one of these. :wedgie:
So if you thought this (http://server5.theimagehosting.com/image.php?img=wedgie.3.jpg) pic hurt just imagine whats coming ahead. ATOMIC wedgie!!!

LOL on the atomic wedgie!! I hope not. Fantom has been a bit upset lately, but I just haven't had time to work on her. Fantom is pretty much on hold until the end of the summer. Hopefully by then I'll have the parts I need, and I can get into my uncle's shop and do the body work. He's too busy right now for me to get in there. Fantom will ride again, though. :D