Wow...

[Operator]

2A372 (Though I only worked 16's) but now I'm trying my hardest not to go back, that's why I'm at FE Warren doing a Special duty. I've been stationed at Cannon, Osan, Luke, and Sheppard (Tech Instructer), and now FE Warren.

[speedjunkie]

So is that Crew Chief or Weapons or what? I don't know it off the top of my head haha. I didn't realize you were still in. I've been TDY to Osan from Okinawa for an exercise and I got the wear the green armband so I was a non-player, thank goodness haha. I've been to Luke too and it wasn't too bad, but it was only to visit so I don't know what it's like to be stationed there. And of course I've been to Sheppard a couple times but not as an instructor. I didn't know it when I was in tech school but they have some really good restaurants there, I discovered that in 7-level school haha.

What Special Duty are you in right now?

[Operator]

My bad, I'm "Fighter" Avionics (F-117, F-16, F-22, JSF, and sadly the drones too [WHUT, why!!!!!!]). I'm up here as a Facility Manager. I plan to put in for OTS this spring, we'll see how that goes. And yeh, I got to spend one exercise in Osan as a role player (the guys that get fake blood put on them and have to play hurt or dead) so I didn't have to play in that one, the rest I at least didn't have to wear the mask due to a medical issue. Cannon was well, Cannon not the worst but for sure not the best. Luke was dang HOT!!!!!!! And had way too many jets, 9 squadrons most of the time I was there. Oh, and did I mention it was HOT!!!!!!!! Sheppard overall wasn't too bad, the main thing was there was no active flightline, just retired jets. No 9+ hour shifts either!!!! And of course I've been to Nellis TDY a couple times. The burrito lady that drove the flightline ver there rocks, she even gave me a ride once. But so far this has been my favorite assignment.

[speedjunkie]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Avionics haha. You're there as a Facility Manager?? LOL I had no idea that qualified as a special duty haha. Good luck with OTS. I thought about trying that several years ago because I've always wanted to fly but I just never got off my butt in time to go to school before I turned 28. I know Luke had to be hot, because it was seriously hot in Vegas too and they were basically the same. I never got anything from that burrito van, but I hit the one up on Kadena all the time when I got there.

Oh hey, I've been looking into getting an Audi for my winter car. What do you recommend? I'm not looking for anything too expensive but I've been falling in love with the newer Audi's like yours. Last weekend I discovered that some guys we know get Audi's at auctions, fix them and sell them, and they had an '01 A4, 1.8L turbo with heated seats for $4500 but that one sold already. Now they have a 2000 A6 (which I like because of more room), NA V8 that they'll be selling for about $6000, and while I would love to have heated seats I've never had them before so I won't really be missing out on anything. But I still kinda want to wait to see what else they get. And like I said, I really like the newer Audi's even more so I kinda want to check into that as well haha.

[Operator]

I wouldn't go any lower than a 2000. And even that seems a bit, long in the tooth, but if it's just a winter car, then you might be ok. I played it safe for my commuter to Cheyenne, and got a 98 Ford Escort, so far the only mod is a intake (I had to do it...). But since I know the mod bug will still bite you a bit, I'd got for a 1.8T. Personally, I've never been a huge fan of the older V8 cars. Oh, and I've got the heated seats, and half the time I forget to use them.............. If you can manage a B6 A4, then I'd go for that 1st.

And when you say newer Audi's, do you mean the B7's (mine) or the newer B8's. If you want either of the 2, your best bet might be to hit up cars.com and autotrader and use a Dallas zip code and put your range at 200 miles. Texas seemed to have the lowest prices when I was looking, and I actually got mine in Arlington for an awesome deal. As you know, people in CO are all over AWD cars, so that keeps the price up, while Texas, is all about trucks, and Muscle cars (stereotyping I know) and really have no use for AWD cars. Let me know what you find at the next auction.

[speedjunkie]

OK you'll have to break down the chassis codes for me haha. When I said newer I meant B7 like yours, I believe haha. I really like the model around 06/07, but I think they were made all the way back to 04 or 05 right? I don't really know. I've been looking on Autotrader.com the last couple days just to see what deals are out there.

The only thing about the A4s though, unless they got bigger with the B7, it's a bit small for me if I want to put people in the back. I'm 6'3" and if I have the seat all the way back it's kinda cramped in the back, at least it was in the B6 A4 anyway. But I'll check out TX next time I look to see what they have to offer. Thanks for the input!

And I won't dog you for doing the intake on the Escort, I understand completely haha.

And yes, it's near impossible to find a good deal on a good AWD car around here.

[Operator]

My chassis started in 05.5, but I've heard there are more issues with year (1st batch of B7's). But it may be worth a look in your case. And yeh, I didn't know you were 6'3. An A6 might be better for you room wise.

[speedjunkie]

Yeah I usually try to stay away from first model year of any car for exactly that reason, but sometimes you just find a deal too good to pass up haha. Well I can fit in an A4, but part of the reason I want this car is because it's 4 door and I can haul other people easily, and they can't really easily fit behind me in an A4 I don't believe haha.