Just wanted to share a few memories with those who will appreciate them most.
I'd been looking for a clean, low mileage 4th gen for around 12 months and just missed out on a black JDM around a month previously. Then I saw 'my lude', a 96 4th gen 2.2vtec UKDM. I was at the dealers at Wokingham at 7:30 waiting for him to open up. The car was mint. Stock silver 4th gen with full leather interior and only 31k on the clock with FSH. I bought it, returning at the weekend to drive it away.
Driving home I felt like I was driving an ultra super car! Looking at the wing in the rear view mirror and the wonderfully sculpted side rear windows through the wing mirrors. Not to mention that unique digital dash. I felt so proud and thrilled to be driving such a great car I'd wanted for so long to own.
Little did I know then how precious and special it was to become to me. In the background of photos at family occasions, visits to the beach or weekends away. I even put a white ribbon on it the day before my wedding, my mates asking who I was going to marry, my wife or the car!
I've invested as much into the car as I would have done spending to buy a newer model; typically rear arch and sunroof rust repairs; brakes, discs, pads etc. However, I've not regretted spending a single penny.
Today, driving to work it was special, in the summer rain!!!, remembering when I bought it and how it has been apart of so many key events in my life over the past ten years. A moment of happy reflection.
Hope this isn't too intense but I'm sure you guys have similar feelings for your Ludes, whichever model you have.
I remember how that day panned out all too well, sadly.