| Mark E. Gunnison | www.MGCPA.com |
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| I have never been a huge car fan. Over the years, I have typically driven my cars under 1,000 miles per year. Sometime during the year 2000, I decided to make room in my driveway by selling my large 1977 Cadillac and replacing it with a small 1971 Porsche 914. I had a blast driving the Porsche but unfortunately part of the rear suspension rusted through and broke. While waiting for tax season to end so I would have time to fix the 914, I asked an auto broker client if he had a cheap (under $3,000) small car I could purchase. He said he had an MGB and due to it being a boring rubber bumper, the price was right. The MG was not as fast as the 914, it did not corner as well as the 914, it was a lot smaller inside than the 914, it did not carry as much luggage as the 914, it was noisier when driving down the highway than the 914, and, it was heavier than the 914. However the MG was strangely more fun to drive - much like my old Harley was more fun to ride around town than my newer Honda. So, I decided to sell the Porsche 914 to my brother and keep the MG. After owning the MGB for a number of years I sold it to get something more practical for our family. From that point on my autos became boring. I now drive an auto around 6,000 miles per yeaer although much of that is pulling a trailer with motorcycles to a riding area. |
The Jeep JKU Rubicon is an amazing vehicle. Shortly after purchasing it, I took it
off-road on some OHV trails that would be difficult on my dirtbike. The Rebicon
handled the trails without any issues. It is also a fun vehicle to drive around town.
One of the charms of the Wrangler is its basic/old school option package. It may seem
outdated to some, but to a Jeep person it is what helps makes the Jeep a Jeep.
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This is an amazing car. I purchased it for my wife but loved to drive it myself.
It would take all day to list all of the options found on this car. It is like my old Cadillac but much nicer! After she passed away, I drove
it for a year or so before selling it.
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The Montero was purchased as a my car but my daughter used it most of the time. Once my
daughter moved out, it became my car. I used it to hall my dirtbikes to the offroad riding area.
It was a great car and I enjoy driving it.
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I purchased this car to drive while my daughter drove my Montero when she was a teen.
It replaced the MGB. It was a good basic car. I gave it to my daughter when she got married and moved out.
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I purchased this car to have something to drive when I was not riding my motorcycle.
I replaced the carburetor and exhaust manifold with a
Weber and headers. I installed a catalytic converter at the end of the header and plumbed
in all of the smog equipment. The car runs much better with the new setup and easily
passed DEQ.
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I purchased this pickup for $400 thinking I would only keep it for a year or so - I kept
it for many years. Although it looks ugly, it ran great. I rebuilt the top end of the
engine, replaced the carburetor, exhaust system, transmission along with many other repairs.
I eventually gave it to a friend.
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A bad thing about having a wholesale auto broker as a client: If you mention that
you love your Audi but wish it was a stick shift... Two weeks later he will call you up to see
if you would like to trade your automatic for a manual!
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This was my first Audi. While looking for a car for a friend, my auto broker client came
across this 1997 Audi A4. After driving it, I fell in love with Audis and decided to get it
for myself. Had it been a stick shift, I would probably still be driving this car.
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This was actually a 914 that had been converted into a 916. When I purchased it the engine
was full of water and nothing worked. After about a year of work, I ended up with a really fun car.
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I purchased the Cadillac to pull my racing motorcycle to racetracks out of state. Although
it was 20 years old when I purchased it, it was like a new car. I installed a remote entry system and modern stereo.
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When I purchased the Impala the engine was full of mud, the car was rusted and full of moss.
I rebuild and installed a smallblock 400 with high compression heads and many other goodies.
I also welded in new floorpans and made many other improvements. I sold the car to purchase a new racing motorcycle.
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This was my (non-motorcycle) transportation while I was in college. The pickup had a smallblock 400 with a four bolt main that ended up in my Impala.
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This was one of my favorite cars. I once drove it into the river and it is true what they say about
Volkswagens floating - at least for a while. Of all my prior vehicles, I miss this one the most.
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This was my transportation while in high school. It was known as the "Gunn Funn." My Mom and I both managed
to roll the pickup (before this picture was taken) during two winters. I had a lot of fun in this pickup.
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| My first car was a 1970 Ford Maverick. After purchasing it I discovered I could not afford the insurance so I ended up selling it. My second car was a 60s Ford Galaxy 500 that I purchased for $25. I ended up selling it after fixing it up to pay the insurance on my parents' cars. I also owned a 1995 Ford Escort that had belonged to my wife. After she passed away, it was too depressing to drive so I sold it to my neighbor. |