Ran Kizama Checking In

[Ran Kizama]

I just purchased my Yaris Liftback two days ago and am already enjoying it. It was the only 5-Speed in the area so I settle with the red, even though I initially wanted the blue. Either way, the car is a hoot to drive. Having come from a 200+ HP Mazdaspeed MX-5, it's definitely lacking in the "Get up and go" department. :tongue:

No pics of the Yaris yet, but here are some pics of my Mazdaspeed that I traded in. I used the car for drifting with organizations like DG Trials, SEDA, and Drift Fury here in Atlanta.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/DriftFury494.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/171_7119307.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/RearView.jpg

Here's my new 280Z drifter. Details in my signature. :cool:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/Datsun/Z4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/Datsun/Z3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Nismosis/Miata/Datsun/Z6.jpg

Looking forward to making some friends. :cool:

[lowkey]

Hey whats up!

[sroberts]

Looks like a fun car, which also gave you a hobby at the same time. If you don't mind me asking, how come you traded in your Mazda? Seemed to be a duel purpose ride.

[Ran Kizama]

Looks like a fun car, which also gave you a hobby at the same time. If you don't mind me asking, how come you traded in your Mazda? Seemed to be a duel purpose ride.Well, since I now have the Datsun for drifting and such, I needed a good daily. The Yaris hatch is practical and gets awesome MPG but is still fun to drive. The Miata was fast and fun, but not very good on gas or for practicality. That, and the Yaris brought done my number of payments, the cost of payments, and the insurance. So now I have a good affordable daily and a weekend drifter. :smile:

[Yaris Revenge]

Hey Ran, just ran across this topic. When I messaged you earlier, I didn't realize you were so new to the board.

Drifting... I bet you've watched Initial D, haven't you? :thumbsup: I wouldn't have the 1st clue about how to do that, at least not intentionally!

BTW, how is it that a 21 year old can afford all these cool cars??? Shouldn't you be struggling to pay for your student loans or something? :confused:
(no fair!)

~YR

[Ran Kizama]

Hey Ran, just ran across this topic. When I messaged you earlier, I didn't realize you were so new to the board.Yup, I'm a n00b. :biggrin:

Drifting... I bet you've watched Initial D, haven't you? :thumbsup: I wouldn't have the 1st clue about how to do that, at least not intentionally!Initial D is cool for a TV show, but that's all it is. There's nothing like actually competing in a legitimate competition. I'm currently driving in the local events here with the DG Trials AMS Champions series and the Drift Fury series. I just switched to the Datsun so I'm sucking pretty bad. I have no idea how to drive the car yet since it's a completely different monster than the Miata was. :redface:

BTW, how is it that a 21 year old can afford all these cool cars??? Shouldn't you be struggling to pay for your student loans or something? :confused:
(no fair!)

~YRNo student loans here. My parents started a savings when I was born so school payments are no problem. I recently got promoted to general manager at my work so pay is good and I'm also a disabled veteran of the U.S. Army. The VA disability helps me in my car funding even tho I should be saving for my inevitably painful future.

Army Story
I joined up for 6 years when I was 17. Went to basic training after my junior year of high school, then finished high school before finishing my MOS training at age 18. Two years into service, I was injured during a training exercise and permanently relocated my spine. It'll cause me some serious issues when I'm older so I'm now a 21yr old disabled veteran. Sucks. I had my whole military career planned out. :frown:
End Story

Now I'm in college and student/substitute teach at Dunwoody High School. I also volunteer teach English with the local Japanese embassy.

[Yaris Revenge]

Man! That's crazy that so much has happened so early on. Sucks that your previous plans didn't pan out, but the way things are going right now with our military, your family's probably glad you're not involved. Did you get a Purple Heart, or is that only for combat? That would be kinda' cool, I guess. Glad your spinal injury hasn't had an affect on your ability to sit behind the wheel. :biggrin:

We really should meet up at some point. I'd love to see your car(s). I told my wife about the varsity meets... she was surprised about them as well. Her parents go there from time to time, but they've never mentioned them. Guess they weren't there at the right time. Now if only I had my '72 Honda Z600 fixed up, I could fit right in.... :wink:

~YR

(This is what my Z600 would look like, if I ever fixed it up. Mine's currently yellow and in lots and lots of pieces. :rolleyes:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://allshops.org/community/CommunityAlbum/9970186801741.jpg&imgrefurl=http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/communityalbums.cgi%3Faction%3Dnext%26imageid%3D99 50186801741%26order%3D%26asc%3DASC&h=480&w=640&sz=113&hl=en&start=17&tbnid=yf1zAM-m6EGeOM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dhonda%2BZ600%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%2 6lr%3D%26sa%3DG

[mikeukrainetz]

Those Z's are very nice, wish I could find one in decent shape for a decent price. All of them around here are rusted out.

[TRD_Yaris]

Nice to see a fellow drifter here. I'm currently running a few S13's until I can find something better :P

Let us know how you do this season and GOOD LUCK!!