#3875589 - 07/04/09 07:59 PM
Trackable daily for 3k?
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ReplicaR
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 7093
Loc: E.E.B.
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I'm looking for a car for my girlfriend. First and foremost the vehicle should be a daily driver, which should get good on gas, reliable, and fairly modern, because she does not want an old car. Something in the 90s plus. The second requirement is that it must be trackable. I've taken her for a ride along in my car and several others, and she loved it, so I'm looking to get her involved in HPDE at least, and we'll see where to go from there.
Few requirements:
1. Must be reliable, easy to fix if something breaks, and good on gas (thinking mostly Japanese cars here) 2. Must have ABS, preferably factory LSD, so it's easy to drive 3. Must have some decent potential and decent aftermarket support, so it's not a dead end from the factory like many cars are.
Some vehicles we've considered so far were the 200SX SE-R, maybe an E36 325is. Can anyone help out with some more suggestions for the budget given?
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'94 Mustang GT Acceleration.... -------+-- Handling......... -------+-- Speed............ ------+---
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#3875597 - 07/04/09 08:08 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: skierd]
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ReplicaR
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 7093
Loc: E.E.B.
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Did Miatas come with ABS? lol on the mustang, I said good gas mileage.
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'94 Mustang GT Acceleration.... -------+-- Handling......... -------+-- Speed............ ------+---
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#3875617 - 07/04/09 08:20 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: skierd]
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ReplicaR
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 7093
Loc: E.E.B.
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I've been thinking Miatas as well, just because they are oh so everywhere at the track, but I want her to have something safer, because we will not be able to put a roll bar into the car for a while probably, if at all.
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'94 Mustang GT Acceleration.... -------+-- Handling......... -------+-- Speed............ ------+---
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#3875674 - 07/04/09 09:18 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: ReplicaR]
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neonmike22
Post Master Sr
Registered: 11/04/00
Posts: 3150
Loc: Nashville, TN
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we will not be able to put a roll bar into the car for a while probably, if at all.
Solution: buy one with a rollbar.
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Mike Carpenter '03 Civic Hybrid
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#3875984 - 07/05/09 02:05 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: S13kid]
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ESQ88
Post Master Jr
Registered: 11/08/03
Posts: 1604
Loc: Chicago
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Id say a 1st gen DSM but that totally voids requirement#1, OR Miata for sure. They are great cars if you don't mind the homosexual comments thrown here and there by your friends. I'd def. rock the tits out of one tho.
240s are wayy the fuck over priced now and its hard as hell to find one with clean frame rails now that drifting is popular.
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#3876111 - 07/05/09 07:53 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: skierd]
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CommonGutterTrash
This user is more useless than a half-baked compost pile.
Post Master Sr
Registered: 09/16/02
Posts: 6437
Loc: Boston MA
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94-97 Miata. /thread
edit - OR another mustang. Having two of the same cars means you always have spares available and you/her only have to get familiar with the same car.
sadly, I'm with this guy
although.. you may want to get her into a car that's not as competitive, to start? (I always picture learning in a popular car to be pretty frustrating) miata/civicSi/wrx/evo/dsm all of these were pretty popular, and I'm sure their classes are quite competitive.
what about a 4-cyl e30? some are cheap, no? volvo 2/7 series?
oh.. wait... a daily driver.
yeah... miata.
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Craig R. 2000 9-5 Gary Fisher Wagon 1995 850 T-5R 1996 Galant AIM = gclipse96
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#3876238 - 07/05/09 11:25 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: madmatt]
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southjerseyTSI
Post Master Sr
Registered: 08/07/04
Posts: 3611
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neon acr?
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#3876659 - 07/05/09 05:52 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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neonmike22
Post Master Sr
Registered: 11/04/00
Posts: 3150
Loc: Nashville, TN
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I was thinking neon acr too, but miata > neon acr, at least in the reliability and RWD categories.
Not to mention the "finding one" category these days. I couldn't find a nice neon in 3 months of looking before i got the miata.
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Mike Carpenter '03 Civic Hybrid
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#3883655 - 07/08/09 10:35 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: vwkaferman]
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WeakVTEC
Jr Poster
Registered: 04/15/02
Posts: 100
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If you don't hate FWD... i suggest the Integra. Very well balanced, and it does pretty good on a track, even on a track like Sebring, mine holds its own just fine.
passed all of those cars in about 1/2 of a lap, and was running close times to my old evo. the car only has KW V3s, itr rsb, bushings, carbotech race pads, boltons, and its stripped. doesn't do bad straight line either, pulls 14.1s with only 158whp due to the weight. i got the car for $2800.
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04 EVO RS - Stock and in break-in.
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#3891782 - 07/10/09 05:41 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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nohondahere
Major Member
Registered: 06/22/00
Posts: 1457
Loc: Mentor, OH
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I would pass on a civic or integra, integra especially, because it is very likely to be stolen.
Perhaps a Celica or something sporty but not a honda.
A neon R/T can be had for cheap and would make just as good of a DD as an integra. And when it gives up the ghost, you can replace the engine for dirt cheap.
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20' Sierra 1500 14' Chevy Volt 97 Miata 00 FBP Si
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#3891834 - 07/10/09 06:07 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: nohondahere]
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NOT spotch...
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 07/25/00
Posts: 57149
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older integra > older celica... the celica makes even less power than the already weak integra and gets worse gas mileage.
A neon R/T won't make as good a DD as the integra simply b/c the hatch gives you 3x the useable space. I daily drove a neon for years and then an integra for years, and aside from the integra simply being put together 10x better and breaking less (not even counting the mistakes I made with the neon), I could haul way way WAY more crap. And it's not just a honda > dodge thing, because when I moved to the prelude i lost that ability to haul stuff again because I lost the hatch. Also, for whatever it's worth, the integra takes the cheap gas and the r/t doesn't (at least it's not SUPPOSED to). At most gas stations around here that's a 30c a gallon difference (used to be 20c ).
Though the r/t will be cheaper. I think with either the neon or the integra you're going to run into problems with the previous owners either being ricers that modified them or trashy pieces of shit that just beat on the car and don't do maintenance. Whenever I've shopped for either finding a decent one for 3k or less takes some searching, and usually they're 100+ miles away.
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#3893135 - 07/11/09 11:30 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: progressi]
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ReplicaR
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 7093
Loc: E.E.B.
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Wow, this became a pretty good thread. I feel so special
Anyway, after reading all this and making my own research, and also talking to the girlfriend, we've narrowed down the search a little bit. Many of the cars that were noticed here were either too old for her, or she did not like them.
Miata: Great car, no doubt. Has a lot of potential, is easy on the tires and everything else, because it's so light. The big problem is that you need a roll bar at least to get it on the track. The bigger problem is that my girlfriend is 5'10". To make sure that the roll bar will clear her head in the helmet is going to require too many compromises, so it's out of the question for a daily
E30/FC/B13/S13/VW: All these cars are great cars, minus VW (I swear no one I know will ever own one). I have shown all the cars to girlfriend, and she said that she wanted something newer, so they are out as well. What can I say...
Neon RT/ACR: While it could be a good track car, it's both old and neither me or her like the car as a daily. Cheap plastic dodge interior
DC2 Integra: This car seems like the best compromise out of anything mentioned above. Ton of potential on the track, with ginormous aftermarket support. It is also fairly light, so it will be fairly easy on tires and pads. It gets great gas mileage, it is reliable, it looks good, and it is built well too. Now, we just gotta see what we can find. I might throw in some of my budget too if something comes up that's too good to pass up.
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'94 Mustang GT Acceleration.... -------+-- Handling......... -------+-- Speed............ ------+---
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#3893236 - 07/11/09 12:24 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: ReplicaR]
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progressi
Post Master Sr
Registered: 06/01/01
Posts: 9133
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BOOO! You made your GF have the slow car. "She's just a girl"
You should've gone with another Mustang. You know them very well and yours has proven reliable. That wouldve been cool.
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#3893586 - 07/11/09 04:38 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: progressi]
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ReplicaR
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 7093
Loc: E.E.B.
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I was thinking another mustang, but there are a few key things that are stopping us from going that route. The clutch is a cable clutch. It will be really hard for her to drive it around city, continuously stuck in traffic. I can deal with it, but I'd rather have her not deal with shit like that. Second issue is that Mustang gets around 13MPG in the city, where she does most of her driving, which is down right terrible. Third, it will cost a lot more to run it at the track and on the street, due to more expensive rubber, pads, and other items.
I don't think that getting a Teg for her is giving up at all. It's a very good car on the track, and it's excellent around the city.
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'94 Mustang GT Acceleration.... -------+-- Handling......... -------+-- Speed............ ------+---
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#3894479 - 07/12/09 01:20 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: ReplicaR]
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progressi
Post Master Sr
Registered: 06/01/01
Posts: 9133
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I dont know about a very good track car,but I understand the practicality of it,especially considering costs and gas mileage.
I didnt know Mustangs were sooo bad with city mileage. Whats the deal with Probe V6 and the MX6s? Those are 200HP,front drive,and frugal right?
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#3894634 - 07/12/09 03:28 AM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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progressi
Post Master Sr
Registered: 06/01/01
Posts: 9133
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Thats it? Terrible. I retract that idea.
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#3895113 - 07/12/09 02:00 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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SlowKA
Jr Poster
Registered: 05/28/04
Posts: 183
Loc: Pflugerville,Texas(Austin)
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B14 SE-R or B14 SE or P10 G20
Edited by SlowKA (07/12/09 02:01 PM)
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#3895133 - 07/12/09 02:28 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: skierd]
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silentfurymm
Post Master Sr
Registered: 03/03/02
Posts: 7549
Loc: SoCal....again
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94-97 Miata. /thread
edit - OR another mustang. Having two of the same cars means you always have spares available and you/her only have to get familiar with the same car.
Late to the party, but this was my exact first thought.
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#3895152 - 07/12/09 02:44 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: progressi]
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silentfurymm
Post Master Sr
Registered: 03/03/02
Posts: 7549
Loc: SoCal....again
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I dont know about a very good track car,but I understand the practicality of it,especially considering costs and gas mileage.
I didnt know Mustangs were sooo bad with city mileage. Whats the deal with Probe V6 and the MX6s? Those are 200HP,front drive,and frugal right?
Well, to be fair some have had success with the 2nd gen Probe/Mx6 for a track car. Most noteably was the guy that took first in his class for One Lap of America using a virtually stock Probe GT with a 75 shot of NOS. If you can find a KLZE, it usually was worth 180 hp at the wheels, and you could find LSDs for it.
Modding the stock KL03 is worthless however (I ran it at the track once. 17.1 @ 80mph, I never raced anybody ever again), unless you put some sort of forced induction on it. I remember people getting away with low boost of 6psi without popping the motor, and seeing 210 or so whp. After that you needed dished pistons, and the motor didnt have oil squirters so people where fabing there own. Also, you had to lock open the VRIS intake system or you would get really bad holes in the power curve.
Stoptech (The guy who ran the One Lap Probe worked for them) made a pretty good big brake kit, and I think Wilwood had one. I bought a 20mm custom rear sway bar for my Mx6 back in the day, and that helped alot with body roll. However it was a limited run. Corksport may make one in that size now, but at the time the only other option was the Cusco bigger one that seemed to produce alot of oversteer. With the hatch on the probe you would probably want some sort of rear tower brace, the Mx6 didnt need it as much.
The automatics where shit, mine killed one at 70k, and was dieing again at 120k when it was finally sold. The manual seemed to be pretty strong on the other hand, and guys seemed to get away with a fair amount of abuse.
I really did like alot about the Mx6. It was very comfortable, you could haul alot of stuff, and it was fun to drive. It wasnt fast, but fun. But in order for it to be decently quick your going to have to turn wrenches with alot of new parts.
Edit: I averaged 26mpg mixed driving, and 29.5 on the highway with the KL03 and a auto. Manual guys got a little better.
Edited by silentfurymm (07/12/09 02:47 PM)
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#3895399 - 07/12/09 06:20 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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silentfurymm
Post Master Sr
Registered: 03/03/02
Posts: 7549
Loc: SoCal....again
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It always surprised me that miatas didn't get better gas mileage. I always felt like something that light, with an engine that small, should be getting mid 30s mixed and high 30s/low40s on the highway. s
It would if it had longer gears. Needs the short gears to keep the little motor in its power band.
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#4394776 - 01/04/10 07:52 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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ReplicaR
Post Master Sr
Registered: 05/26/06
Posts: 7093
Loc: E.E.B.
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Sorry to bring this back from the grave, but I did not want to open a new thread. Girlfriend is still saving up for a car (her tuition is priority), and thought just came into my mind. What about a Del Sol? On the paper it has all kinds of cool features. It's got a targa roof, it's reliable, it's good on gas. How would it be as a make shift weekend track car? I'd image that most of the EG civic stuff would work?
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'94 Mustang GT Acceleration.... -------+-- Handling......... -------+-- Speed............ ------+---
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#4397971 - 01/05/10 04:42 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: SEANSE-R]
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neonmike22
Post Master Sr
Registered: 11/04/00
Posts: 3150
Loc: Nashville, TN
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P11 Infiniti G20. It's a solid 4cyl. with a decent suspension design[
Double wishbones in the front, beam axle in the back. lol
/still a good car!
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Mike Carpenter '03 Civic Hybrid
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#4397979 - 01/05/10 04:46 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: neonmike22]
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NOT spotch...
Post Master Supreme
Registered: 07/25/00
Posts: 57149
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P11 Infiniti G20. It's a solid 4cyl. with a decent suspension design[ Double wishbones in the front, beam axle in the back. lol /still a good car!
Wait, I thought the later G20s still had the independent rear suspension. And if I'm reading these specs right, they weigh 2900-3000 pounds... in which case, fuck that. If it's 2900+ pounds and has a beam rear suspension I can think of a bunch of cars that would be a better choice.
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#4398499 - 01/05/10 08:27 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: silentfurymm]
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I am Jack's VR6
Sr Member
Registered: 10/31/01
Posts: 1152
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
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It would if it had longer gears. Needs the short gears to keep the little motor in its power band.
What power band?
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#4398771 - 01/05/10 09:58 PM
Re: Trackable daily for 3k?
[Re: NOT spotch...]
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JustinP10
Post Master
Registered: 09/27/01
Posts: 2280
Loc: Gilbert, AZ
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P11 Infiniti G20. It's a solid 4cyl. with a decent suspension design[ Double wishbones in the front, beam axle in the back. lol /still a good car! Wait, I thought the later G20s still had the independent rear suspension. And if I'm reading these specs right, they weigh 2900-3000 pounds... in which case, fuck that. If it's 2900+ pounds and has a beam rear suspension I can think of a bunch of cars that would be a better choice.
They basically share the same front suspension, but the rear setup on the P11 chassis (99-02) is a beam. The early models are a little lighter and drive a lot better due to the weight and IRS, imo (my old one was ~2700). The B14 SE-R's have the same beam rear suspension as the later model G20's, but due to the lighter weight (~2550), they seem to drive better.
I'd vote 91-94 SE-R or an NX2000 if you can find one. If you can't find one, then i'd say 200sx SE-R or 91-96 G20. The 94-96 G20T's have a nicer interior and a few more options, but weigh slightly more due to the options and interior changes. They're also very rare and hard to find with a manual transmission too.
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