So...It's been awhile...but I am back in a Lexus!

[ArmyofOne]

Many of you may not remember me.  It's been a LONG time.

I first joined here back in 2004? I think?  I had a 1990 ES250.  That was some years ago.   I had a blast with that car.  Restoring it, going to meets, it was so smooth to drive.  I loved it.  Then, one day in 2005, I totalled it in a collision in Fort Worth TX.  Shortly after that I joined the army.  I still stuck around the forums, but couldn't get back in a Lexus for awhile due to monetary constraints, deployments to combat, and getting married.  

Fast forward to January 2014.  I am Medically retiring from the US Army after 8.5 years of honorable service.  I got hurt on my 3rd combat tour (IED Strike, broke L1-L5, T11, and T12, shattered my right hip, broke 3 ribs on my right side and broke my right shoulder) and after many months of rehabilitation I was retired.

I returned home to Texas, and I was given a home by a wonderful organization called Military Warrior's Support Foundation.  They buy, renovate and donate homes to Combat-Wounded Veterans and Gold-Star Families. Shortly after that, my wife left me.  There were many reasons for that I wont get into here, but both of us were at fault, and now both of us are better off.  I have since remarried and I am happier than I have ever been.  

And now, I am in school, completely retired, but my degree has always been a dream of mine so I am going to pursue it, even though I can't ever work again due to my issues.  My Bachelor's of Applied Arts and Science in Organizational Leadership and Management is just around the corner!

In my stable, I currently have a 2015 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4:

 

My new wife has a 2014 Honda Civic EX:

I recently acquired a 1964 Chevrolet Biscayne for $300 I am going to restore.  It has 20,452 original miles and is all #'s matching.  I found it in a barn in Gainesville TX:

 

But, the real reason I am here...is because I finally, after nearly 15 years...have come back to my roots.  We are now the proud owners of a Crystal White Tri-Coat 2002 Lexus ES300.  One owner, clean carfax, all services performed on-time at Sewell Lexus-Fort Worth.  Price paid was $4800+TTL ($5500 OTD):

^the night we brought her home, before I cleaned the headlights.

^That gorgeous white pearl paint was nearly flawless!

^as was the interior!

^151,260 miles when we bought it.  We had to drive 3 hours to get it!

^It had new Michelins on it!

^Full service history with a timing belt/water pump/tensioner done at 89,557 miles!

^has all the keys and books, even the window sticker!

^After I polished the headlamps

^got a 5% strip on the windshield and 5% tint on the moonroof.  Ever since my Traumatic Brain Injury in the IED strike my eyes are really photosensitive.

^LED Reverse Lamps and Plate Lamps

^LED Puddles

^LED Dome Light

^Replacement HID bulbs.  The originals were beginning to show their age, they were almost a pinkish color?  So I replaced them with some OEM type bulbs from XenonDepot.com.  I also upgraded the Fogs to 55w 3000k HID, and put 5500k Philips LED's in the upper right corner of the headlamps.

^they really dont glare that bad, my phone just took a bad pic

 

[Spartan0536]

Very nice, and for a good price... Sorry to hear about the IED, I have a few friends that have dealt with that crap, one of whom is a retired combat engineer. I was in ROTC and suffered an eye injury outside of ROTC playing a pickup game of basketball, ended up with a retinal detachment which caused me to be medically disqualified before my ROTC training was completed.

I wish you the best of luck with your new Lexus ES300 and that 1964 Chevy Biscayne!

[TrevC]

Welcome back Josh...and what a fine collection of cars you have there.

I particularly like the Biscayne...got to be getting rare now?

Cheers  Trevor

[ArmyofOne]

On 3/7/2017 at 2:21 AM, Spartan0536 said:

Very nice, and for a good price... Sorry to hear about the IED, I have a few friends that have dealt with that crap, one of whom is a retired combat engineer. I was in ROTC and suffered an eye injury outside of ROTC playing a pickup game of basketball, ended up with a retinal detachment which caused me to be medically disqualified before my ROTC training was completed.

I wish you the best of luck with your new Lexus ES300 and that 1964 Chevy Biscayne!

Thanks bud!  I am a retired CE as well!  Was also a Diesel Mechanic/Heavy Equipment Recovery Operator (HERO).  The Biscayne is a relic.  No other word for it.  I can't get it to turn over.  We are in the very beginnings of the restoration.  Its out back under a cover, I don't even have a plan for it just yet.

13 hours ago, Trevor Catt said:

Welcome back Josh...and what a fine collection of cars you have there.

I particularly like the Biscayne...got to be getting rare now?

Cheers  Trevor

Very rare.  There are probably less than a hundred original examples left in the world, and probably less than 10 of them are bare bones like mine (no power brakes, no AC, 3 on the tree, inline 6, AM radio.)  On the one hand I want to keep her original, but on the other hand, a big block and a turbo-400 would make her much more streetable.

[lenore]

Oh Josh, I have wondered about you for a couple of years, Thank God you are well.  Love your continued passion for these rolling pieces of Steel....Like your new wheels and look forward to your post on the Chevrolet Biscayne.  Hey it is just a sister to your family of cars....May your day be great.

[lenore]

Hey Administrators, Josh is not just a regular Member, he is our Honored Army guy...

[ArmyofOne]

Yes I am doing very well, Thank you!  Glad to see you are still here lenore!

[lenore]

Yup moved on to a used RX400h but love it and the challenge to learn hybrid stuff.Hey Administrators, Josh is not just a regular Member, he is our Honored Army guy...

[pj8708]

Hi Lenore,

Your right and thanks for your reminder regarding Army One. He has been a long time member and has been a source of technical knowledge. We also want to thank Army One for his service in Afghanistan, and if I remember right he made two deployments to Afghanistan.

Thanks Army and good to have you back!!

Paul

[ArmyofOne]

Actually it was 2 to Iraq, and 1 to Afghanistan, but close enough LOL.  Seen inside one trash can, seen 'em all.