365 Days of the Dragon

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02/21/2009, 08:06 AM
snowtrooper1966

365 Days of the Dragon

Greetings!
Today marks the 1 year anniversary of owning my Dragon. I had it shipped from New Jersey to California, but the last leg was to be interrupted by a snow storm and delay delivery by a few days. So being the patient man I am, I drove a few hundred miled to Reno to pick it up and drive the Dragon home in the snow storm. What better way to get to know the Dragon?

I posted the following a few weeks ago in response to Cyronman's thread about the possibility of selling his VX, and for some reason, it just seemed appropriate to repost it here today:

Thanks for the nod, Cy!
I can relate. I am close to clocking 10K on the Dragon in the year that I have owned it.
I almost cringe when I think about the milage, but I choose to think about it this way....
I did not (and have a suspicion it's the same with you) buy my VX as an investment. I bought it because I thought it was one of the most unique vehicles ever produced!
I had wanted one since I saw a clip on Car & Driver, but was not in a position to get one until last year. It was worth the purcahse price alone just to sit in my Dragon for the first time!
When I went to pick up the Dragon in Reno last February, TWO Vx's showed up @ the shipping transfer point with little more than 20 minutes notice and a phone call from Bart! Clearly a very special group of people, and that has been proven true time and again on every occasion I have had the pleasure to meet someone here or when I had the great fortune to actually host a Mammoth meet/camp/off road adventure!!
Sure it's resale value goes down every day that it must sit ungaraged in the snow or when I drive 700+ miles round trip to San Diego to visit friends and family. But in the end, it's priceless that that is MY Dragon parked in the snow! And what better way to make that long drive than in the VX, instead of being in yet another homoginized "for the masses" vehicle. Not to metion getting stopped frequently and asked about the Dragon, as well as having so many cars going by with the WTF looks. Couple that with the great friends I have made here on this forum, and it comes down to this:
I don't care if I ever see a return on this purchase. With everything I have experienced in the short time I have owned my Dragon, it was one of the best buys of my life!

Thanks again to Bart, Clint and Beau for making me immediately feel like one of the family, as well as all the others I have met along the way!
This forum rules!
Best,
02/21/2009, 08:33 AM
TheGanzman

That is very well-said, and worthy of a "repeat" on your 1st anniversary! While I've only been an "owner" for a very short time, I feel much the same way. I purchased an '88 Porsche Carrera Coupe w/40K miles (a garage queen) ~6 months ago; it's now "for sale" and has been replaced by the "cooler", rarer, and MUCH more practical (Proton) VX! From where *I* sit, it's a better vehicle on ALL counts:
- Cheaper to own and repair
- Actually turns more heads; you can't swing a cat w/out hitting a Porsche out here in SoCal!
- Infinitely more practical - I can haul stuff, including my bicycles; not afraid to drive it in the rain; automatic is much more "liveable" than the 5 speed here in SoCal
- IMHO, the VX will be overall easier and "friendlier" to work on than the Porsche. Both marques have GREAT Forums to help the DIY'er, which to me personally is critical.

Honestly, I wish that the VX had "resurfaced" on my own personal radar about 7 months ago, BEFORE I had bought the Porsche. I'm gonna take it on the *ss when I sell the P-car; but it costs $ to change your mind! In the long run, I'll be WAY the hell ahead!
02/21/2009, 09:38 AM
snowtrooper1966

Thanks!
Perhaps we can hook up next time I go visit the fam down south. The Dragon has not met a Proton yet....
Best,
02/21/2009, 10:21 AM
TheGanzman

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowtrooper1966

Thanks!
Perhaps we can hook up next time I go visit the fam down south. The Dragon has not met a Proton yet....
Best,

Sounds like a photo opportunity to ME!;)
02/21/2009, 10:13 PM
snowtrooper1966

Also, consider yourself invited to the 2nd annual Mammoth campout this summer. Check the link on the hompage.....
Best,
02/22/2009, 12:26 AM
Gussie2000

My 1rst VX anniversary

I'll like to join your S.trooper on this same matter;I bought my VX on january the 28th of january last year (officially) although i inked the deal on november the 18th 2007.

When i decide to have a VX i didn't even though about the possible price if ever i got to sell it.

We are a selected group of drivers that step ongrounds for something different,for something that others might/might not even consider to drive because its looks,appearance & complexity.

I've enjoy every drove mile on my VX the last 13 months & god's spare i'll enjoy it for years to come because i don't see my self driving another car but the VX.

Investment ? I don't think so,cars wasn't developed for "investment" purposes,it's just a luxury that losses value down the years ( with no expections ) because is all cars destiny to be like that
02/23/2009, 09:59 AM
nfpgasmask

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowtrooper1966

Thanks again to Bart, Clint and Beau for making me immediately feel like one of the family, as well as all the others I have met along the way!
This forum rules!

Hey James!!! Yes, it's all good! Glad you are still loving your Dragon. We need to get together again soon. Camping season is just around the corner!

I'm almost to 3 years of VX ownership and I am not in the least bit tired of it!!

:) Bart