Xcelr8to1320
Member
- :
- 01 MP3 and 03 WRX Wagon
I have been on these forums for quite some time. I have participated in the SE-MI Fun Runs riding shot gun in the blue 474 MP3. When doing this I was riding with my best friend, Erik, who is known as winty87 on the boards.
Erik sold the car to the member who came to be known as martispeed. Erik sold the car because he couldn't keep up with the payments and insurance at the time, but he loved that car.
Erik then bought a 1998.5 SVT Contour which I helped him to work on the numerous times that it needed help. We would both often bring up how he should have found out a way to keep the Mazda as it was his favorite car which shared many memories.
On July 13, 2009 Erik was involved in a accident, no irresponsible driving, truly a textbook accident. This was one day before his 22nd birthday. When I received the phone call that he had been in an accident my heart dropped as Erik and I had been best friends since we were 4 years old. Over the next two weeks I spent every second I could at the U of M hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. I was there all day and spent many nights sleeping in the ICU lobby to stay by my best friend's side.
On July 29, 2009 Erik was taken off of life support as his injuries and infections had become too much for his body to fight on his own. It was the worst day of my life and not a day goes by where I do not miss him. We grew up together and couldn't have been any closer.
As time went on I sold one of my vehicles and began car searching. After weeks of looking and sellers that fell through I saw an MP3 for sale on a local forum and I thought to myself, "Maybe, just maybe I can find Erik's MP3 and buy it." This is where the searching began as once I had that thought I had to, at the very least, see Erik's car again. After hunting around for his car's build number and luckily finding the owner, Anthony (martispeed), I contacted him asking if he still owned the car and that there was a story behind it. Anthony kindly replied to me with a PM and his phone number in which I called immediately. I told Anthony my story and he said that we should meet in person. I was very happy that he suggested this idea. The next day (4-12-2010) I met Anthony in Lansing, MI. I expressed my interest in the car, what it meant to me, and that I wanted to buy it. Anthony told me that he wanted some time to think it over, which I understood and was fine with.
I then sat patiently checking my phone for a message, looking at email, and checking the boards for a PM every second I could. Then it happened, Anthony called me the next day (4-13-2010) and tells me that he will sell me the car. Words cannot explain the feeling that I had when he told me this. Within 3 hours I was at Anthony's house buying the car my best friend once owned. I have a large piece of his life back with me, back home.
I can't even begin to explain how much this means to me. To have this car back after it was sold so long ago. I still fight Erik's death in my mind every day and the only thing to help me through it are to collect and cherish the things and memories Erik and I had over his amazing life. This car is one of the largest pieces that I could have ever thought to get back in my life. This car will be taken car of, fixed/restored, and kept alive for as long as I own it, which will be the rest of my life. It is far more than just a car to me, it is the car that went on so many trips, so many fun runs, and caused so much mischief with my best friend. This car is a piece of history and memory of my best friend.
Anthony,
As I have said before, I cannot explain how much it means to me that you've sold me Erik's car. It shows that there are exceptional people in this world that are understanding. It shows that there are people who still have a heart for others that are in pain. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Alex
Rest In Peace Erik Mitchell Wint
You are loved and missed every day.
These photos were taken by Erik when he owned MP3 #474
Erik sold the car to the member who came to be known as martispeed. Erik sold the car because he couldn't keep up with the payments and insurance at the time, but he loved that car.
Erik then bought a 1998.5 SVT Contour which I helped him to work on the numerous times that it needed help. We would both often bring up how he should have found out a way to keep the Mazda as it was his favorite car which shared many memories.
On July 13, 2009 Erik was involved in a accident, no irresponsible driving, truly a textbook accident. This was one day before his 22nd birthday. When I received the phone call that he had been in an accident my heart dropped as Erik and I had been best friends since we were 4 years old. Over the next two weeks I spent every second I could at the U of M hospital in Ann Arbor, MI. I was there all day and spent many nights sleeping in the ICU lobby to stay by my best friend's side.
On July 29, 2009 Erik was taken off of life support as his injuries and infections had become too much for his body to fight on his own. It was the worst day of my life and not a day goes by where I do not miss him. We grew up together and couldn't have been any closer.
As time went on I sold one of my vehicles and began car searching. After weeks of looking and sellers that fell through I saw an MP3 for sale on a local forum and I thought to myself, "Maybe, just maybe I can find Erik's MP3 and buy it." This is where the searching began as once I had that thought I had to, at the very least, see Erik's car again. After hunting around for his car's build number and luckily finding the owner, Anthony (martispeed), I contacted him asking if he still owned the car and that there was a story behind it. Anthony kindly replied to me with a PM and his phone number in which I called immediately. I told Anthony my story and he said that we should meet in person. I was very happy that he suggested this idea. The next day (4-12-2010) I met Anthony in Lansing, MI. I expressed my interest in the car, what it meant to me, and that I wanted to buy it. Anthony told me that he wanted some time to think it over, which I understood and was fine with.
I then sat patiently checking my phone for a message, looking at email, and checking the boards for a PM every second I could. Then it happened, Anthony called me the next day (4-13-2010) and tells me that he will sell me the car. Words cannot explain the feeling that I had when he told me this. Within 3 hours I was at Anthony's house buying the car my best friend once owned. I have a large piece of his life back with me, back home.
I can't even begin to explain how much this means to me. To have this car back after it was sold so long ago. I still fight Erik's death in my mind every day and the only thing to help me through it are to collect and cherish the things and memories Erik and I had over his amazing life. This car is one of the largest pieces that I could have ever thought to get back in my life. This car will be taken car of, fixed/restored, and kept alive for as long as I own it, which will be the rest of my life. It is far more than just a car to me, it is the car that went on so many trips, so many fun runs, and caused so much mischief with my best friend. This car is a piece of history and memory of my best friend.
Anthony,
As I have said before, I cannot explain how much it means to me that you've sold me Erik's car. It shows that there are exceptional people in this world that are understanding. It shows that there are people who still have a heart for others that are in pain. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sincerely,
Alex
Rest In Peace Erik Mitchell Wint
You are loved and missed every day.
These photos were taken by Erik when he owned MP3 #474
