Coming Up: Another MacRoadTrip™

[Scott Baret]

As some of you are aware, I have two hobbies--Macs and road trips--and I like to combine them at times.

Last year, I went to Cleveland for a Mac II and then to Detroit for a Color Classic. Keep in mind I live in Pittsburgh, so it's not like I'm just going up the street for these conquests. (The Pittsburgh Craigslist has been pretty dry for Macs since I scrubbed it clear of them in early 2012--picked up two Classics and an LCIII within a few months of each other).

It's been a while since I've randomly traveled somewhere, for a Mac or otherwise, so I figured it was about time to grab this little guy I found about four hours away from me.

It's a Mac SE/30 and it has some sort of expansion card which looks like it's for a video device of some sort. It does boot up, and since uniserver recapped an SE/30 logic board earlier for me, I think I'll just toss the new logic board in once I get it, especially since my other SE/30 isn't in the greatest of shape.

I'm going for it on Saturday and will update on the adventure. The million dollar question--are turnpike tolls better than paying for shipping? (I actually think they are since nothing will get damaged).

 

[Schmoburger]

Very nice! I'll be heading on a 2hr drive soon to rendevous with a friend picking up a 9600MP for me... I, like you, like road trips, and it's definitely worth the fuel to add such an awsome piece of kit to my power tower collection.

 

[EvilCapitalist]

I'm right there with you on road trips for Macs, they can be quite a bit of fun.  This is of course providing the weather is cooperative.  The most recent road trip I went on was last weekend (21st) and everything was going great to start.  Picked up a Color Classic that instead of having a Presto Plus (how the guy described it) really had a Mystic board with a full 040, and a 1GB HD.  Then, on the drive back down the snow that no one was really sure if we were going to get actually happened, which turned what should have been a 3 hour drive home into a 10 hour drive home...mostly because Maryland sucks and doesn't understand that you have to actually plow the roads for them to stay clear.

There was a large lot of LCIIIs on eBay recently that I (thankfully) talked myself out of getting.  The NYC area isn't too far away but it's been freezing rain all day today and everything here is covered in ice.

Tolls are absolutely better than shipping since, barring a car accident, it's guaranteed the machine will make it safely.

 

[Hotdog Zanzibar]

My most recent trip was last year when I drove to Cincinnati to pick up a Quadra 660AV... although on the way down, I developed a cough which had turned into full-blown flu by the time I got home.

 

[TheWhiteFalcon]

I guess you can count my trip last year as a MacRoadTrip lol. I went to Phoenix with my sister to get out for the day, hit some junkyards, and went to a computer store I'd seen on CL. Didn't end up picking up any Macs but I did get my Cube speakers, a white Apple keyboard and Mighty Mouse, and Airport card for $20.

 

[MJ313]

This would be a good poll... how far have you traveled for a Mac?

Farthest I've gone is 1.5 hours into northern Massachusetts (3hrs r/t), which isn't saying a whole lot. I'd be willing to go farther for the right machine. Craigslist in NH and VT... stinks for old Macs. Some good ones in Boston tho.

 

[EvilCapitalist]

Easily the longest for me was the trip to TN (~1200 miles round trip!) but I generally try and keep things within an eight hour round trip.  Of course, I'm willing to travel farther for the nicer things, or just regular things in larger quantities.  I certainly wouldn't drive more than say 50 miles for something like a single SE or an LC. 

 

[Scott Baret]

BAD NEWS--the guy texted me and said it's no longer available...this comes after we agreed to make the deal!!

Ugh...and it was a really good looking SE/30, too!!

Might as well look around for another road trip idea!!

 

[EvilCapitalist]

That sucks, especially since you'd already made a deal with the guy.  Though, better that you found out ahead of the road trip than after you're on your way, or worst of all, after you arrive and there's no machine to pick up.  I've had the best luck with not telling people that I'm coming from out-of-town to get something as I've had a few deals turn south because of that.

If you're not already using it, SearchTempest is wonderful for finding new road trip worthy items.

 

[techknight]

He probably found ebay, or if you told him you were making a long trip, it makes people think.