Ramblings from an old Babbler

Hey Babblers, don’t know if many if you remember me. But back in the day I was Jay in SF, now Manila Jay is really a more apt nick.

While I am manila my garage queen sleeps soundly in South City. Unfortunately this means I only get to drive her once a year if I’m lucky. I was in town again for two weeks having only left last sunday. I wish I had time to meet up with the Babblers again but as usual the schedule was too tight.

Did get Diana serviced though, 9980 on the odometer. Not bad for a 2000 I did the 50,000 service just to make sure. Ouch! Freaking expensive but I finally got my detachable tip button replaced.

It was good to drive her again after so long. She still handles like she’s on rails and her acceleration is still what I would call deliciously violent. although It seemed quicker in my memory. Could be me, could be an old boxster. But the sound.. oohh the sound when you start her up. Just thinking of that burble gives me chills.

Took her for a drive on 84 from 280 going through skyline (?). those curves are still sweet and swooshy as I remember them- I’d cruise there at night when I needed time to think and clear my mind.

Anyway I just wanted to say. Thanks for the memories and I miss you guys and the camaraderie. I guess a lot of the old names and faces that I remember have moved on to other things. Hey ten years is a lot of time, I’ve put on and lost some weight, I’ve been through many “cupholders” (sorry old joke) but still havent gotten that permanent one, and I spend more time on my local muscle and benz forums. Wish I could hang here more often but its gets depressing knowing my Diana is far away from me.

Regardless, its good to see the enthusiasm still here on the board. To you old members you were still a big part of my life. Miss you guys.. Tom, Catalog Guy, Magic Mountan Dan, X99Shark, toolpants and the rest. Hope your all doing well, Godspeed to us all.

Aaaanyway.. to you newer members who have the luxury of having a Boxster in the garage. Savor every single minute of it for you are one of the lucky ones. Nothing beats that feeling when you open the garage and you see those sensous curves calling you for a ride.

Keep on babbling in the free world guys.

Gq...

Ha! "Old Babbler," that's funny!

I am from time to time reminded how I put 40k miles on my 2000S in the first 3 years of ownership (as my second car) and only 10k more in the subsequent almost 7 years since. It still brings me the same fun it always did! It's partly that time and location don't allow the same opportunities, but it's more what you mentioned: Babblers getting together. How many weekends was I up early enough to get to the meeting place in Fremont after leaving my house in Walnut Creek early enough to have coffee talk in the Borders parking lot before a day of group driving and to wash the car before heading out!

I think there is a core group still getting together, but I haven't been able to participate and not sure I will have the opportunity before summer, but I would like to then. I don't know many of the current people posting, but overall I have found Babblers to be some of the most fun, interesting and friendly people I have known.

At least you still have the GQ. Cupholders break and can be replaced.

This one from Dec 2000 Toys for Tots Event:

My first Babblers event was the Birthday Bash and Summer BBQ. We still have the occasional drives, See The World - Mt Diablo, WCBF, car care days and few show up at the Boxster Brunch at Alice's.