The DBA Commute

  • The DBA Commute

    I've written a bunch about cars here in various editorials because I enjoy the whole driving experience. Just getting into some different car and seeing how it drives, the space I have, the technology or lack thereof, has always been fun for me. After having been driving for 23 years, I've had 21 different cars I've owned or been allowed to drive on a regular basis (like my wife's BMW), and I'm looking for 2 new ones next year. New to me, not new new.

    Last week someone sent me a picture of their classic 1969 HK Monaro, shown above, and said maybe I should solicit some pictures. So ...

    What's your cool DBA car?

    If you've got pictures that aren't linkable, send them to me (or the webmaster) and I'll repost them in an editorial next week. Share if you want, just describe your car, or maybe just tell me to stop writing about cars because you don't care.

    As for me, I've had lots of cars, most boring, but fun for me since I like driving. I used to trade cars almost every year, though that's slowed with me having kids. I'm looking for a new (to me) car, but right now I've got a nice, 33-year old, Porsche 914 shown below. It's actually for sale if anyone wants it 🙂

    I got it a few years ago since it was cheap and fun, and ran well. It's been a very fun car to drive and at least my kids think it's cool 🙂

    Steve Jones

  • And you North Americans will notice that the Monaro has the steering wheel on the "right" side too

    Good to see some Aussie content.

  • haha, Thanks Steve! it was quite a shock to see Marilyn and myself on the SQLServerCentral Daily update. It's good to see that us DBAs have a life outside of work. Keep up the good work, you guys are legends!

  • 1963 EH Ute

    1963 Holden EH Utility. I've replaced the mighty stromberg with a fuel injection system (80s era Bosch L-Jetronic) off a VK Commodore.

    The car came with the retro plates UEH-063; however I've always wanted custom plates that say 'NULL', just to give other random DBAs kittens when they see it in their database!

    Cheers,

    Sam.

  • Oh, go on then, seeing as I only bought it last week.....

    Just upgraded my Mx-5 (Eunos to those of you who appear to have just woken up to the idea that just possibly Bush is a complete imbecile, well done, you caught up with the rest of the world eventually, only took 8 years  I'll enjoy watching that one unfold on the Daily Show)

    Got one of the last of the Mark 2.5s, 1.8i Sports model with 6 speed box, sports tuning, upgraded suspension, 16 inch alloys. It rocks, big style. My wife likes the heated leather seats....

    Not exactly environmentally friendly, but I guess 35mpg isn't too bad considering I could've bought a Lotus Elise, but I really really want a Tesla roadster next, better get contracting....

  • Keep posting about cars Steve!

    I love my old '93 Jeep Comanche pickup. It's sorely in need of some love and attention. I hope to get to it during the summer of '07 - it'll be a good project for me and Stevie Ray (age 3) to work on together!

    :{> Andy

    Andy Leonard, Chief Data Engineer, Enterprise Data & Analytics

  • My current beastie is a BMW Z4, put away for the winter now while I drive my beater Kia.  This vehicle allows me to quickly escape poor specs, suspect databases and optimization of silly queries.  There are much nicer ways of killing a user however.

     Tom's BMW Z4

  • In the company I work at, our breaks are always consumed with talking about cars.  As a woman, I have learned quite  a lot about cars in the past couple of months, so I say keep on writing about cars - I am slowly getting into the whole "Car" thing.

    I drive a Citroen C4 Coupe It is a fun car - but looking at the old ones, not as exciting!!

     

  • Steve,

    Nice Classic!  My buddy/coworker had the same year in the mid-seventies and he liked to go camping. He would trade for my ’73 Charger Rally for weekends so he had enough room for gear. I always looked forward to the trade finding the 914 a blast to drive.  Today however, my “DBA commuter” is a 2002 1.5 Hyundai Alliance. Although it is the least impressive car I have ever owned (including the north-country termed “Winter Car”) I still love that fact that it gets 35mpg anywhere, any conditions.  Also when I notice a new ding, I think to myself “I’m glad it was my Commuter Scooter and not my customized SUV!”.

    Dan


    MISfIT

  • The most "cool" DBA car is the one that is paid for, free and clear - currently own three of those. I've had two cars/vans given to me - one ran for two years and the other is still running three years later. I've bought another car for $50 - it ran for three more years. And I've bought three cars off eBay (not the same three).

    I'm not a big gamer - I tell my wife that we can generally be comfortable with a $400 computer (my work computer is much, MUCH nicer - and portable).

    I'm not a car person - I tell my wife that we can generally be comfortable with a $1000 car.

    It's a trade-off for things that we prefer more, like our adopted children, good food, good beds, good shoes, and travel.

  • My "Cool DBA Car". Custom built titanium frame, carbon fiber fork, dura-ace shifters, cranks, rings, and bottom bracket. Assembled and on the road, probably more expensive than some of the gasoline powered "Cool DBA Cars".

    Me and my "Cool DBA Car" in a 24 hour race:

  • I am the original owner of a 1992 Camaro RS 25th anniversary edition.  I bought it new at age 22.  It was under $14k then! 

    I never drive it in the winter, so after almost 15 years I have just under 98,000 miles which are about 3/4 highway miles.  It's a very pretty car, and I'll try to find a pic.  I would take one this weekend, but it looks like winter will be starting today in Wisconsin, so it stays in the garage.

    I still prefer my feet wherever I go.  I usually return much less angry then when I start out.

    Bwild

  • Cool DBA "car" in action:

    White Knuckle

     

    this is in Moab, UT. On an obstacle called White Knuckle Hill.  I drove it 1700 mile there and 1700 miles back last April.  Up until this spring it was my daily driver.  I now also drive the "Lowrider" an 89 Cherokee beater. But still drive this about half the time.  I get more looks with this than the Lowrider.

    Specs 2.4 liter, 4 cylinder, Dana 44 axle in the rear with Detroit Locker, high pinion Dana 44 with EZ locker in the fron, 4.88 gears, 35" tires, 9k lb winch, on board air compresser, on board welder, custom long arm suspension (not in photo), couple other dodads.

     

     


    Jay

  • In one of your thread, most DBAs are talking about telecommute and working at home. So the DBA car is just for show off?

    (Just a joke - don't get offended)

  • Yeah, just for fun. Though I do have to drive places for work on occassion.

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