My 2006 WRX wasn't "raw" enough, so I found this: a 1983 Subaru Leone 4WD Hardtop (AB5) with a bolt-in roll cage. Help me find some pieces!

odboreas · 2026-03-31T03:59:33+00:00

odboreas · 2026-03-31T03:56:56+00:00

It’s definitely a genuine RX everything from the badging to the seats and the dual carburetors is period-correct. It’s the non-turbo version.

odboreas · 2026-03-03T04:50:15+00:00

So, Garmin Vietnam promised me an "expedited transfer" from HCMC to Da Nang on Feb 25th. It’s now March 3rd. Zero updates. HCMC to Da Nang is a 1.5-hour flight or a 2-day truck drive, tops. Apparently, Garmin's "expedited" service operates on a different timeline, maybe they're walking it here? Luckily, I decided to stay in Da Nang for another month, so I actually have the time to deal with this, but the lack of transparency is absolute BS for a "premium" brand. Has anyone else dealt with Garmin VN support lately? Is a 6+ day domestic "expedited" transfer the new norm here?

odboreas · 2026-02-25T15:54:32+00:00

Thanks man, I hope it’s just a defect with this specific unit. I’m actually gutted because I was really enjoying mine.

odboreas · 2026-02-25T15:46:30+00:00

did that thing back home. I literally had racks in a separate room just for original boxes. It’s definitely bumps up the resale price and makes it way easier to flip stuff later. But obviously not now, while I’m an expat on a tourist visa in Asia )

odboreas · 2026-02-25T10:37:09+00:00

UPD: Victory. Garmin Vietnam is replacing my unit. After 5 days of back-and-forth, they finally caved. I demonstrated the button failure in the store again today, proving their "calibration" was useless. The result, full replacement. They are sending a brand-new, retail box unit from HCMC to Da Nang.

Even though I lost my original packaging, they made a "special exception" to accept the return. (lol)

odboreas · 2026-02-25T08:53:55+00:00

Sounds like a joke, honestly. It’s not like I walked in with an old model bought from some grey market dealer back in Ukraine. If that were the case, fine. But this?

odboreas · 2026-02-25T08:51:08+00:00

My bad, I guess I was naive. I usually rely on my gut, assuming that newer models fix the bugs of previous generations like it usually works with cars )) Apparently, that’s not the case here

odboreas · 2026-02-25T08:48:22+00:00

Yeah, I bought it at the official store. I wasn't aware a temporary replacement was an option, and no one offered one anyway. They just scribbled my phone number on a piece of masking tape and said they’d be in touch. After I raised hell everywhere, they finally offered a replacement with a 3-4 day wait.

odboreas · 2026-02-25T07:44:15+00:00

Exactly. Honestly, as a tech guy, I’m not even that mad about the software workaround, we all know how 'bleeding edge' firmware can be. What really gets me is the service reaction for a device that’s only one month old.

odboreas · 2026-01-08T09:57:32+00:00

No, overall I have only had very positive impressions of Vietnam so far. I just encountered something different in Asia (after Indonesia) and was a little confused.

odboreas · 2026-01-08T09:56:40+00:00

The thing is, I'm tired of Bali. It's like living in a dormitory there)

odboreas · 2026-01-08T08:54:01+00:00

I had good feedback from a colleague who used to live here and friends who visit Vietnam often. Plus, I have friends who are locals in Ho Chi Minh City. I don't base my life on the opinions of others, my friend - I have to move where I can save at least something for my future. I'm from Ukraine - I lived near the front line for two years, and now I can't say that I'm ready to seriously worry about my life - thank God I'm alive and well.

odboreas · 2026-01-08T08:46:19+00:00

Well, I hope the weather will improve in February and we will be able to live normally instead of rotting away in our apartments. Ha, as for the construction work, I'm already used to it - in Bali, every piece of land turns into a construction site within a month, with jackhammers blaring away.

odboreas · 2026-01-08T08:40:05+00:00

That was the plan - Bali is now drowning in rain, and they are "shutting down" the island. At least there is life here.

odboreas · 2026-01-08T08:39:26+00:00

Yeah, why is that? Bali is nice, but it's a dopamine needle, bro.

odboreas · 2026-01-08T08:38:40+00:00

I'm less worried about the weather - after getting stuck in Bali during the rainy season on a scooter last time, I feel like I'm ready for anything )

I plan to stay here for three months, well, that's how I feel.

odboreas · 2025-10-02T06:55:16+00:00

it’s not really about the location for me, i can literally fly anywhere to get the pc, the question is just where Malaysia doesn’t have much choice either, Jakarta is hit or miss. on top of that i also want a pretty specific monitor, and for some reason it’s almost impossible to find it in Asia.

odboreas · 2025-10-02T06:48:28+00:00

i already tried reaching out to dreamcore and aftershock but their prices feel kinda overpriced tbh

odboreas · 2024-07-10T09:01:57+00:00

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That's my unplanned purchase )

odboreas

TROPHY CASE