I finally did it.

[96BlackRoseZ26]

Well, after much deliberation, I decided to trade in the Z26.  On the outside, she still looked very good, but on the inside, she was dying a slow death.  She either had a cracked head or a blown head gasket because she was using coolant, but not leaving any puddles.  If left to run at idle for too long, the engine would surge repeatedly, like she was starving for air or fuel.  She was leaking oil pretty bad on the rear of the engine and it was puddling on top of the transmission.  The transmission had started slipping a couple years ago, and was "band-aided" by some GM tranny conditioner.  The A/C compressor was having issues, and so forth.  She had 180K miles on her, and despite all her issues, she still was very dependable.  I just didn't know for how long.

I'm now the owner of a 2002 Monte Carlo SS.  It has the following:

3800 Series II V6(200HP)
Leather seats (Heated Fronts)
6-way Power Driver and Passenger Seats
Power Windows
Power Mirrors(Heated)
Power Sunroof
AM/FM/CD/Cassette(The cool radio that tells you the station call letters and names of the song/artist)
Stereo controls on the Steering Wheel
4-Speed automatic transmission
Driver Information Center (Tells mileage, direction, gas mileage, etc.)
On-Star(Not gonna pay for that though)
60/40 fold down rear seats
Electrochromatic mirror (auto-dimming)
Separate climate controls for driver/passenger
Keyless entry, alarm, and remote start

Anyways, she has a lot of goodies the Z26 didn't.  I will miss the Beretta for sure.  I've had a lot of fun with it, and have met a lot of nice people because of them.  I plan on sticking around and checking in here every now and then, and am still more than willing to offer any assistance to anyone with any problems I may have encountered with my car.  Hell, I may even still attend a Bfest or two

The Beretta is at Saturn of Middleburg Heights, here in Ohio.  She has the factory radio back in her, but she still has a remote start in her, and has a FULL SIZE SPARE on a Z26 rim in the trunk if someone is interested in a good project car.  They gave me $1,000 for her towards the Monte, which is what I wanted to get for her and I felt it was fair, given the car's condition, and mileage.  However, as far as they knew, the only issues were a broken driver's seat rail, and the A/C needed a can of R134a added to it.  Consider yourself warned..lol

Here's a picture of my new ride...



Well, catch you guys later.

[bonecrrusher]

You got the crappy whale spoiler on that, get the newer "Nascar" style one....

[96BlackRoseZ26]

I don't mind the spoiler it has on it.  Of course, that may change as time goes by, but I'm happy with it just the way it is right now.  I'll give her a little time to get used to me before I go fiddling with her bits  

[speedygtz]

why in the h**l would someone need or want heated mirrors?

nice ride though and good job on screwing the dealer

lol just kidding  

but i like the ride

[Chazzman]

Nice. I do hoppe to see ya at the next Bfest. Bobbie wished you and the family were there this year.  

[96BlackRoseZ26]

(speedygtz @ Aug. 20 2006,23:26)Q
U
O
T
Ewhy in the h**l would someone need or want heated mirrors?
I've had plenty of times when I was driving in freezing rain, and the mirrors get "glazed" with ice.  Not that it happens all that often, but the heated mirrors will be nice in situations like that. ÂÂÂ

[Doug96Z26]

Nice ride, Jerry.  I hope you stick around.

[yellow3800]

Yeah Jerry.  I didn't get to see ya at the fest this year.  Hope you stick around!

GET ANOTHER BERETTA!

Andy
lemon

[NuBeretta96]

Wow, small world - I was on that lot 2 weekends ago after hours to check out the Aura, and I spotted your car in the back.  Car looked great for the mileage, so I called on it - I was told they sold it to a wholesaler...good thing, I guess, based on your post!
Enjoy your new ride  

[89GTZ]

Congrats on the new car Jerry.  It sounds like it was about time for the beretta to retire.