Time Flies! My Legend GS 6-Speed 10-Year Anniversary – May 23, 2018
Odometer (Legend sedan): 158,148
There I was, minding my own business, southbound on Main Street in Logan, Utah. It was the fall of 2004. I was 22 years old, an active and busy Business major at Utah State University (go Aggies!). I don’t know where I was driving to at the time – maybe to grab a bite to eat at grandma’s house south of town. But I caught a glimpse of a car parked alongside the road that nearly made me clamp down on the brakes. It was a Desert Mist Metallic Legend GS.
Well, that called for a detour. I took the next right hand turn and circled around the block with determination and a higher heart rate than normal. I parked my (then 146,000-mile) Legend coupe right behind the GS, stationed in front of the Coppermill Restaurant – about where the black Honda Pilot is sitting in this July 2017 Google Street View image.
My heart skipped a beat even more aggressively when I peeked inside the passenger front window and saw a stick shift lever. What were the chances! I questioned whether to leave a note, or to go into the restaurant and ask around. But just then, the owner of the car came outside. I introduced myself awkwardly. “Uhh, hi, I’m Tyson. I drive the Legend parked behind yours. And if you everrrrrrrr want to sell, here’s my number.” And I got his contact information.
It took me four years until he sold it to me. It was May 2008. By then I’d graduated MBA school, moved twice, and was working full time 800 miles away in a different state. But I made an offer way beyond “book” value ($7,500) to see if I could finally get him motivated to sell. And that did the trick. That initial purchase price was just a small fraction of what I subsequently dumped into the car both mechanically and cosmetically.
My maintenance receipts since then add up to $7,790:
Add to that about $3k in paint work, a $500 wood & leather steering wheel, a full size spare, factory fog lights, lip spoiler, and tint. I’m into this car $13,000 PLUS its original purchase price, so about $20k. Yeah, I don’t think I’ll make my money back any time soon. But that’s okay. It’s been an excellent journey and every mile has been worth it.
Today, most of the 26,000 miles that the car has been driven in the last decade were for leisure travel: 3 National Legend Meets in California and Texas, some recreational weekend trips, and visits to see family and friends. It’s been a great ride. My friend Alex even drove the car to Portland. Let’s see where the next 10 years take us!
Oh, and by the way, my 1992 Integra LS sedan sold today to a lucky buyer who’s flying from Colorado this weekend to pick it up! Thanks to all who watched and commented during the auction and throughout my ownership!
First video I ever took of the Legend GS, in June 2008 when I flew up to northern Utah to drive it home.
Anniversary video, recorded yesterday, May 23, 2018.
A few years pre-purchase, paying a visit in Logan, Utah.
The “actual” test drive before I bought the car, April 2008.
Paired up with my friend Branson’s (at the time) 1994 Legend LS coupe.
Driving home to Arizona via Highway 89A through Vermillion Cliffs.
First ‘glamour’ shots thanks to my friend Dax
Reproduction window sticker thanks to my friend Chris
drivetofive 
May 24, 2018 at 8:27 pm
Did I score the first comment? Woohoo!
Congrats on 10 years with the Legend sedan. That’s a great story of how you discovered it, remained persistent with the owner, and got the car you wanted. As for the money you put into it- as long as you ended up with a car you enjoy, I say it’s money well spent!
Mechanically, is the car holding up well? Did any rust reappear?
May 24, 2018 at 9:43 pm
It really is! This is the car that I jumped into at a moment’s notice and drove 800 miles from Phoenix to San Francisco to bid on that LS Integra back in March. It’s very roadworthy. I haven’t seen any rust coming back but that does always make me nervous. What are your plans for the upcoming holiday weekend?
May 25, 2018 at 4:37 am
Traveling back and forth from MA to NJ (and hopefully catching at least some of the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500). You?
May 25, 2018 at 8:53 am
What a reliable and rare car that has become. Driving it to LA and back for NALM 2014 was a blast. Who knew we’d ever find its twin less than a year later and I would have my own Desert Mist GS 6-speed at NALM in 2015. I’m anxious to get them reunited this July now that my restoration is complete. Hope you’re ready for the showroom!
May 25, 2018 at 9:02 am
Pretty unreal that we got those cars. Looking forward to the showroom photoshoot & video. We are meeting with the dealership 2 weeks from today in Colorado Springs so we will begin to discuss logistics of how that will work out. Have a great holiday weekend.
May 26, 2018 at 5:28 am
Always happy to see a fellow preservationist not give in to the idea of “I think that’s enough I’m done…”
Guess that’s the beauty of multiple cars there’s always a milestone and your never done. Keep up the great work and have a safe memorial day weekend.
May 26, 2018 at 6:30 am
Thanks, and that’s for sure. Even 10 years later there are small things I haven’t fixed on the car. For example, the volume control buttons on the steering wheel have never worked for some reason. And come to think of it, the timing belt and water pump are now 9 years old so it’s time to get those done again! Hope you have a great weekend as well.
May 26, 2018 at 5:53 am
A beautiful car that you’ve just kept making better — congrats on the anniversary!
May 26, 2018 at 6:31 am
Thanks Brad! It’s a labor of love, I tell ya! Have a great weekend.
May 26, 2018 at 10:38 pm
Congrats on the anniversary! Your Legend sedan looks so clean and brand new, I love it. I did watch the video, it was really awesome! 🙂
May 27, 2018 at 6:57 am
Thank you Josh for always being one of my loyal viewers 🙂 I still can’t believe I’ve had that car for 10 years. Hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.
May 27, 2018 at 12:55 am
Congratulations on the anniversary, the car looks better now than it did in the original photos. Those night-time beauty shots are amazing, hope you’ve got one framed on the wall at home somewhere? Hope you’re enjoying your long weekend.
May 27, 2018 at 6:59 am
That’s a good idea. That photoshoot was done many years ago by my friend Dax. I ran into him not long ago at a local car show and he said he’s interested in doing pics of all my cars, so I’ll have to hit him up for that. He definitely has some skills. Weekend is going well here – I road tripped yesterday for lunch with Jason from Driven For Drives. Back at home now. My buyer for the Integra LS sedan is flying in this morning to pick it up!
May 27, 2018 at 7:46 am
BTW since a number of people have commented on your pics it reminded me of this site. Have you heard of Fracture?
They print your pics onto glass! I heard it looks amazing. One day I’ll have to find a worthy shot to try out unless you beat me to it. It’s not a stretch to think the Legend would be an excellent candidate…
https://fractureme.com/
May 30, 2018 at 6:01 am
I haven’t heard of that, but love the idea! I’m going to have to rearrange the artwork in the garage to accommodate a few more wallhangings.
May 30, 2018 at 5:42 am
10 years with the sedan?! Jeez. I’m not sure why, but I think the sedan might be my favorite of all that you own. There’s a certain “weird factor” in a larger sedan with three pedals. Maybe it reminds me of my E34 535i 5-speed.
Congrats and here’s to many more years and miles!
May 30, 2018 at 6:01 am
Woot woot! Thanks Jake! What’s the longest you’ve owned a vehicle?