Car Thread

[Claydon]

no.


we're the retards and they are correct(er).

gps means simply that. global positioning blah blah. but it's not WHAT IT DOES because it does a lot more. tells us where to go, how to get around etc, therefore 'satellite NAVIGATION' is actually a more proper way to describe what the gadget in the car does instead of what system (gps) it uses to do that task.

actually i was just trolling, i do not care what they call gps.

[satandole666]

If you don't care too much about looks/miles grab a Accord or Civic for $2-3k and save the rest of your money for something else.

The 1989 Accord I got rid of 2 years ago had 240000 miles on it...the guy who bought it from me has put 50k more on it with routine maintenance only. The cars are beasts for reliability.

[Claydon]

If you don't care too much about looks/miles grab a Accord or Civic for $2-3k and save the rest of your money for something else.

The 1989 Accord I got rid of 2 years ago had 240000 miles on it...the guy who bought it from me has put 50k more on it with routine maintenance only. The cars are beasts for reliability.

so true, just like that 87 camry I had that cost me $500.

fucking bullet proof.

[NOTKyle]

If you don't care too much about looks/miles grab a Accord or Civic for $2-3k and save the rest of your money for something else.

The 1989 Accord I got rid of 2 years ago had 240000 miles on it...the guy who bought it from me has put 50k more on it with routine maintenance only. The cars are beasts for reliability.

My Buick 88 just isn't doing the trick. I'm going to ride her till she dies completely, but it's getting to the point where I should start considering new options.

[Hoser]

there's no need for heel-n-toe operation (used only when braking/downshifting) when you have flappy paddles and only two pedals. and, as mentioned, launch control does it for you.

I just meant to try and keep revs up, not when launching. But I guess that wouldn't work to well. And since you can shift so quickly it would be no problem to down shift.

[Hoser]

You can get a way newer car then that for the money. Just do a search for cars in that price range.

http://usedcars.overstock.com/cars/location-New-York--NY/price-4000.5000

[Trident]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7829475.stm

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45376000/jpg/_45376603_cadillac_466.jpg

Obama's 'Beast' of a car revealed


It looks like something out of a James Bond film.

But the presidential seal on the side marks this hulking limo out as something not even the superspy will be able to get his hands on.
These are the first pictures of the new armoured limousine which will be used to ferry Barack Obama around.

Nicknamed "The Beast", the Cadillac will make its debut on 20 January, as part of the inaugural parade. It is traditional to show presidential cars off for the first time in this way.

'State of the art'

The Secret Service said the 2009 limo would provide it with a "valuable asset" in providing its occupant with the highest level of protection.
As expected, they are not giving too much away about the car, but Nicholas Trotta, their Assistant Director for the Office of Protective Operations is quoted in their news release:
"Although many of the vehicles' security enhancements cannot be discussed, it is safe to say that this car's security and coded communications systems make it the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world."

Observers say the car is likely to include bullet proof glass, an armoured body, a separate oxygen supply, and a completely sealed interior to protect against a chemical attack. Some joke the car is so tough it could withstand a rocket-propelled grenade. Its tyres are said to work flat, so the vehicle will keep going even if shot at.

While the car's interior is a closely guarded secret, there is no doubt "The Beast" has been kitted out with the best and most up-to-date equipment. David Caldwell, a spokesman for General Motors which makes Cadillac, told the BBC that the car is made to specifications that the company is given by the federal government.


"One of the specifications is that we don't talk about the specifications," he said.


But Mr Caldwell did reveal that the car has been made in keeping with the design of a contemporary Cadillac, and would include a hand-crafted interior.


When asked if it included such extras as an ipod dock, he said he could not comment specifically, but added that the limo would have "state of the art electronics".

[Claydon]

i always enjoyed the look of the lincoln presidential limos vs. cadillac.

[Trident]

I prefer what Her Majesty cruises in:

http://inel.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/royalbentleywindsorcastle25mar08o.jpg

Or for even more special events:

http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/Photos/Mews_StateCoach.jpg
http://k43.pbase.com/u11/ibecks/upload/2373495.statecoach1.jpg

[Claydon]

i prefer what the president cruises in....


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/Air_Force_One_on_the_ground.jpg




a heavily modified 747.....oh god (fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap)

[Trident]

Meh, that's nothing compared to ours...

http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ZE700_RS_050506.jpg

[Claydon]

Meh, that's nothing compared to ours...

http://www.ringwayreports.co.uk/ZE700_RS_050506.jpg

thats a joke....yes?

[Trident]

Perfectly fine for getting around the UK, further afield a chartered 777 from British Airways is used.

Oh, here's a car. Guess which one...

http://www.doobybrain.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/princess-diana.jpg

[Archangel]

You know, I could never stand Diana, and my stance on nouveau riche Arabs (is there any other kind?) is well known.


But DID THEY HAVE TO DESTROY A PERFECTLY GOOD S600, for fuck's sake?

[}{arlequin]

I just meant to try and keep revs up, not when launching. But I guess that wouldn't work to well. And since you can shift so quickly it would be no problem to down shift.
the paddle shift cars have electronics that blip the engine for you automatically when you downshift

[Trident]

Well, if it was better made...

[Claydon]

In honor of Ricardo Montalban.... (i did post this in another thread)


vIL3fbGbU2o

[Hoser]

A GM interior that doesnt make me fall asleep

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/cadillac.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/5130605/the-top-ten-concept-interiors-of-the-2009-detroit-auto-show

Add a Chrysler one to the list too

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/chrysler.jpg


They will probably end up making them out of cheap plastic and ruining them.

[}{arlequin]

they'll never make them in the first place. this is a classic case of corporate masturbation. let's make something cool but for a car show only

[}{arlequin]

vw might build a modern version of karman ghia
(and possible mx-5 competitor)

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/233454/vw-bluesport-roadster.html

http://i43.tinypic.com/v8hgmh.jpg

[Hoser]

Looks like a redesigned TT

[}{arlequin]

except it's mid engine and rwd. win win.

[Claydon]

A GM interior that doesnt make me fall asleep

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/cadillac.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/5130605/the-top-ten-concept-interiors-of-the-2009-detroit-auto-show

Add a Chrysler one to the list too

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/chrysler.jpg


They will probably end up making them out of cheap plastic and ruining them.


let acdelco and mopar get ahold of those designs and they will fuck them up.

need i remind you of that so called ground breaking buick lacrosse that i posted?

[TylerDurden]

vw might build a modern version of karman ghia
(and possible mx-5 competitor)

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/233454/vw-bluesport-roadster.html

http://i43.tinypic.com/v8hgmh.jpg

that looks fan-fucking-tastic. kudos to vee-dub for attempting a much-neglected market. a fully-loaded mx-5 can be had for around $26k... let's see if vee-dub can represent the deutscheland properly.

[Gary_Busey]

Looks like a Spyder.

The only recent GM interior that I've seen and have actually noticed was the new Malibu's interior.

[BIG PIZZLE]

i prefer what the president cruises in....


http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/Air_Force_One_on_the_ground.jpg




a heavily modified 747.....oh god (fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap fap)


I dont think Obama is going to rock a 747.

[Gary_Busey]

Yes, he will.

http://www.ohgizmo.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/soulplane.jpg

[Hoser]

I hope he gets an A380 pimped to the tits.

[}{arlequin]

i'd be rocking in a squadron of identically built raptors. all 2-seaters, filled to capacity. and me hitching a ride in one of them.

[Hoser]

1000 HP from Boltons (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/09/tuner-creates-1000-horsepower-porsche-911-with-bolt-ons/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/sledgehammer_1.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/sledgehammer_6.jpg
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/sledgehammer_8.jpg
Most stock components in a production car can only be pushed so far. Keep adding horsepower and torque, and eventually...well, something is going to break. Some people, however, are all about exploring the limits. Take Tym Switzer, for example. His tuning company, Switzer Performance Innovation of Oberlin, Ohio has come up with a bolt-on tuning package for the Porsche 997 911 Turbo that offers Bugatti Veyron aping performance. So, how much power can the stock internals in Stuttgart's 3.8-liter flat-6 take? Apparently, quite a lot.

The shop has recorded 850 horsepower and 727 lb-ft of torque on the rolling dyno, equating to over 1000 horsepower at the crank. Real world performance should be mind boggling, with the car reportedly reaching 60 miles-per-hour in the mid two second range, blowing through the 1/4 mile in just 9.79 seconds at 146 mph. Pricing looks to be just as fierce, with the Sledgehammer package retailing for $49,990. While that's a lot of coin for a suite of bolt-ons, the performance would appear to speak for itself.

9jLsbjgbJkIr5xMyVaqtkU
mmLyfg97w1UI5OMJgMKBqE

I want this.... NOW!!!

[TylerDurden]

that's some sick shit right there. i just got a little hard.

[Archangel]

}{ just wrote a check...

[}{arlequin]

i hate how it makes me sound but there's simply no use for a car like that. an engineering exercise? sure. flagship advert for a tuner? yup.

too heavy for the track. too much car for the roads. but when you absolutely positively have to have 'the most', this is your car.

personally, i'd take a ruf but that's porsche snobbery talking

[TylerDurden]

i hate how it makes me sound but there's simply no use for a car like that. an engineering exercise? sure. flagship advert for a tuner? yup.

too heavy for the track. too much car for the roads. but when you absolutely positively have to have 'the most', this is your car.

personally, i'd take a ruf but that's porsche snobbery talking

i do agree that this car is extremely decadent and excessive, but i do also appreciate the engineering merits that it brings to the table. they've been rocking the four-digit horsepower mods for my car for a while, but to be honest i just don't see a need to install something so crazy as to make my car almost unstreetable. still... there's something to be said for having your chest contents pushed back to your spine.

ruf... mmmmm.

[Gary_Busey]

That much horsepower is scary. It's cool that they're pushing the limits though.

[}{arlequin]

what's really cool is that a stock engine from the dealership will take that kind of punishment. talk about building stuff w/ OVERengineering in mind.

[Hoser]

i hate how it makes me sound but there's simply no use for a car like that. an engineering exercise? sure. flagship advert for a tuner? yup.

too heavy for the track. too much car for the roads. but when you absolutely positively have to have 'the most', this is your car.

personally, i'd take a ruf but that's porsche snobbery talking

Thats the thing, this car is built by Switzer Performance innovation, who's goal is and has always been to push cars to the limit and keep them streetable. This car could probably be driven to work everyday with no problems.

[TylerDurden]

Thats the thing, this car is built by Switzer Performance innovation, who's goal is and has always been to push cars to the limit and keep them streetable. This car could probably be driven to work everyday with no problems.

with an appropriate change in driving style, and a preparedness to use fuel like its water. to achieve the stats this car does would mean that staying out of the boost is damned near impossible.

[Hoser]

That all depends on the dyno sheet. We dont know where it makes the power. It may look like a cliff (which I doubt). Also depends on gearing, but I assume it is a stock tranny.

Like I said, these guys are known for making streetable high power cars. I don't see why this one would be any different other then the 1000 HP.

When I say streetable I don't mean by just anyone. Your average driver would go through a wall within 30 seconds. But most good drivers could handle it as long as they were smart.

[Gary_Busey]

Spent part of my day at work reading this:

http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/0,28757,1658545,00.html

Time's Top 50 Worst Cars of All Time.

Pretty interesting and funny read.

[Ethix]

Honestly, 850whp isn't really all that impressive from a 997 when you consider that Supras, Skylines, LSX powered cars, etc all are capable of that. If it was 1000whp, that would be a different story.

It's impressive, but not for $50,000 on top of the price of a 997.

On the subject of high horsepower, here's a video of the Boostlogic Supra doing 242mph at the Texas Mile.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/SWs-Boostlogic-supra-Mile_194667.htm

[Hoser]

Wow... just wow.....


do you understand what bolt ons are??

[Hoser]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/Corvette-Competition-Sport.jpg
Chevrolet will introduce a limited production Competition Sport package for both the 2009 Corvette coupe and the Z06, bringing the look of Corvette's racing team to their non-ZR1 offerings, if not quite the performance.

Both the Z06 and Coupe 1LT Vettes ordered with the Competition Sport package will get a track focus, which includes competition stripes, wheels and headlamps, an ebony interior, Corvette racing pedals and a special engine cover. As a special treat, the vehicle will also get the Corvette Racing "Jake" and CSR logos.

Any Coupe 1LT ordered with the package will also get the Z51 performance package, performance exhaust, differential cooler, HUD, Z06 spoiler and other goodies, bringing the power to 436 HP and actually increasing the performance. The Z06 will maintain the same mechanicals, including the same 505 HP LS7 V8, making this primarily an aesthetic package.

Given the bad economy, offering these kinds of special packages is probably a decent way to get customers to pay a premium on cars they're already interested in buying. Of course, just looking like you're ready for the track doesn't mean a 2009 Corvette ZR1 won't still smoke you on the track.


Chevy you are awesome...

[}{arlequin]

Chevy you are awesome...
will get a track focus, which includes competition stripes, wheels and headlamps, an ebony interior, Corvette racing pedals and a special engine cover. As a special treat, the vehicle will also get the Corvette Racing "Jake" and CSR logos.
yup, these things just scream performance and competition


everyone knows stickers and pedals are good for 20hp

[Hoser]

It looks like a damn hotwheels car.

[Archangel]

Yeah, "scuderia", it ain't.

[Ethix]

Wow... just wow.....


do you understand what bolt ons are??


Bolt ons are anything that is not internal to the motor. Turbo's, manifolds, injectors, electronics, etc can all be termed bolt on.

On a car that makes something like 450 hp stock, the motor is obviously going to be overbuilt, so it really isn't all that impressive to me. For $50,000, you could probably rebuild the same motor with forged internals and all that jazz and still have money to spare. It just seems like a ripoff just like the Hennessey cars.

[Ethix]

That Corvette is why no matter how hard I tried, I just could never really get interested in American cars. It has to be the fact that I was born in the 80's which was arguably one of the worst periods for the American car market.....at least in terms of styling and performance.


At least with the pre-80's cars, a performance package typically included more than stickers and engine covers.

[}{arlequin]

On a car that makes something like 450 hp stock, the motor is obviously going to be overbuilt, so it really isn't all that impressive to me.
yeah but there's overbuilt and then there's overbuilt by a 100%-more-than-it-needed-to-be. that should be a clue as to why they cost more than others in the first place

try to more than DOUBLE the hp numbers on any other stock car and see how long the engine lasts.

btw, don't bother mentioning supras and 3rd gen rx-7's etc... all those cars needed stronger head studs, gaskets, cams etc to run, and that means opening up the engines.
For $50,000, you could probably rebuild the same motor with forged internals and all that jazz and still have money to spare.
you could not.


you could... on any other 'normal' car. problem is, porsche knows what they're doing, and wherever there is a place to maximize the performance, chances are it's already been done.

so, waking up one day and thinking that you can cheaply and effortlessly improve on what their entire racing/engineering department came up with is just silly.

[IdiotBrain]

well, it's not the same type of car, but for 10,000US you can turn a stock chevy 350 into a 383 stroker with all kinds of horsepower.

Granted, very few chevy's could ever even dream of handling anywhere near what a stock porsche does...

Personally, I'd rather have an evo IX MR with between 400-500 AWHP. Still perfectly streetable, and with a bit of extra tuning and some new parts included in the suspension you can take corners at truly obscene speeds.

[Hoser]

BTW Ethix, do you know what a 700HP Supra and a 1000HP Supra have in common?














They both run 11's.

[Ethix]

I'll be honest, I don't know a lot about Porsche engines so I can't argue the cost of building the motor. I'll just have to take your word on that.

Doubling the HP on most stock engines is really not that big of a deal, but they don't make huge horsepower to begin with. I've had friends with stock VW's and Nissans more than double their HP with upgraded turbos and other bolt ons and not run into any problems. I guess it just depends on what kind of car we're talking about. I would expect a car like a Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo, etc to be bulletproof motors for how much they cost.


As for the switzer kit, I went to their site and they don't say anything about what they actually do to the car. The pictures they posted on the site basically shows turbo upgrades, intercoolers, manifolds, and a muffler, but they don't actually tell you what was changed. They just say "Bolt ons" which is a little vague.

[Ethix]

BTW Ethix, do you know what a 700HP Supra and a 1000HP Supra have in common?











They both run 11's.

No they don't. They would have to actually go to the track to run 11's.

[Hoser]

On a car that makes something like 450 hp stock, the motor is obviously going to be overbuilt, so it really isn't all that impressive to me. For $50,000, you could probably rebuild the same motor with forged internals and all that jazz and still have money to spare. It just seems like a ripoff just like the Hennessey cars.

What are you talking about??

Yes every motor is built to handle more power then it comes with stock. Some more then others. The starting HP has nothing to do with what it can handle. Very few cars can handle double the power without internal work being done.

And no YOU couldn't build a more powerful 997 with the same money. There is a reason these guys are at the top of the game, because they do the best work.

These cars also are not a ripoff. Most people do not have the knowledge or skill to build cars like these, that is the reason they cost so much. you do not just pay for parts, you pay for the service as well, and that service costs a lot of money with the R&D and other testing involved.

Why do you think you could build a better car for the money?? Porsche has put countless millions into these cars, Switzer Performance Innovation has one job and that is it make fast and powerful cars.

BTW not many 850WHP Supras are running 9's.

[Ethix]

And no YOU couldn't build a more powerful 997 with the same money. There is a reason these guys are at the top of the game, because they do the best work.



I'll be honest, I don't know a lot about Porsche engines so I can't argue the cost of building the motor. I'll just have to take your word on that.

[Hoser]

Oh I didn't see that post, never mind then.

[}{arlequin]

the point is, these cars are already built up to such a fine level of tune (their base cars' internals START at a level where chevy's high end engines 'finish'), that improving upon that (WITHOUT sacrificing longevity/driveability) is significantly more difficult than on a mopar product which has engine tolerances on par w/ ak-47's internals.

sure, if you've got millimeters of gap between piston and cylinder, it can be improved. when you've got microns, it gets a little more expensive. and difficult.

[Ethix]

It's cool.

EDIT: I think the most impressive thing about the Porsche is the strength of the transmission (or would it be called a transaxle on a Porsche?) and clutch.

Anybody else think the new GTR Spec V is a let down?

$160,000
520hp (over the stock 480ish hp)
Something like 200lbs lighter.
Some different suspension, wheels, and racing seats and stuff.

All good stuff, but not for almost $100,000 over the stock car.

[}{arlequin]

new suspension could easily cost $20k, but i agree, i can take out 200lbs out of that car myself.

problem is, the entire car is a whole lotta fail to begin with... sprucing it up is akin to polishing a turd

[Ethix]

new suspension could easily cost $20k, but i agree, i can take out 200lbs out of that car myself.

problem is, the entire car is a whole lotta fail to begin with... sprucing it up is akin to polishing a turd


The only problem I have with the GTR is the lack of a 6speed option. It's not a beautiful car, but I like the fact that it's fast and easy to drive. If I had the cash I'd buy one just so I could take it to a track day and feel like a race car driver. On the other hand, if you bought a car that's comparably fast and tried the same thing you'd probably kill yourself.

New suspension from Nismo or Nissan or whoever is tuning the Spec V is definitely going to cost $20k. I think I read somewhere that they Nismo exhaust kit for it was around that price. Thankfully, there are some extremely good tuners in Japan who have nothing better to do than tune GTR's and they've already come out with some really nice parts for it.

Southside performance already has an 820hp bolt on turbo kit for it. It's not 1000hp, but it's also only like $6500. Those trannies are going to get destroyed.

I can't wait for people to start crashing these so motor swaps become available.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/16/south-side-performance-introduces-820-hp-turbo-upgrade-for-nissa/

[}{arlequin]

this is why nissan is a fail imo

http://blog.andibaritchi.com/2008/11/class-action-lawsuit-for-gtr-warranty.html

http://www.zimbio.com/Nissan+Skyline+GT-R/articles/122/Nissan+Drops+Launch+Control+Warranty+Issues

give the people (and BRAG about) launch control and then void warranty when you use it too much or when it breaks??? and this is on a supposedly overenginneered and nurburgring-developed supercar? are you fucking kidding me??

for 80k you can get a twin turbo 996 and beat on it all day long w/o a worry. for years and years.

[Hoser]

That is my only problem with the GTR. It is complete bullshit and shouldn't be happening. Other then that it is a great car.

They dropped it from the 2010 GTR.

They should look into this rather then dropping it. http://jalopnik.com/5119439/aussie-hoons-develop-nissan-gt+r-launch-control-fix

[}{arlequin]

They dropped it from the 2010 GTR.
if they keep on dropping any more electronic driver aids and gadgets, they're gonna get rid of everything that car has been known for!

after that it will become a japanese version of the mustang. big and dumb, heavy and powerful, but w/ awd.

[Ethix]

Yeah, the launch control issue is definitely BS. They shouldn't have added it if they weren't going to warranty it's use.

I just want them to make a proper 6 speed manual version.

[}{arlequin]

They should look into this rather then dropping it. http://jalopnik.com/5119439/aussie-hoons-develop-nissan-gt+r-launch-control-fix
the might of japanese engineering admitting they fucked up and a local shop has figured out how to fix it?? never gonna happen.

[}{arlequin]

I just want them to make a proper 6 speed manual version.
flappy paddles are easier for the ricers to operate

[Ethix]

flappy paddles are easier for the ricers to operate


Ricers can't really afford these, but the old guys that can afford these have brittle bones and using 1 foot is easier than 2.

[Hoser]

1100HP, 260 MPH top speed... time to change my pants
http://www.supercars.net/carpics/4273/2008_9ff_GT9R1.jpg
http://www.supercars.net/cars/4273.html

Rolls Royce Z4??
http://www.supercars.net/carpics/4185/2008_RollsRoyce_PininfarinaHyperion1.jpg

Or

Rolls Royce SC430
http://www.supercars.net/carpics/4185/2008_RollsRoyce_PininfarinaHyperion3.jpg
http://www.supercars.net/cars/4185.html

[Ethix]

That Porsche is pretty rad. I'm not really liking the RR though.

Did anyone post the Aston Martin One-77 yet?

http://www.gigafrag.net/users/mcmike/aston177.jpg



------------------------------------------------



http://www.one-77.com/the_car_files/front.jpg

http://www.one-77.com/rear_files/rear.jpg

http://www.one-77.com/front_files/one77.jpg

http://www.one-77.com/up_files/up.jpg




Episode 1
One-77 (http://www.one-77.com/flash_episode_two.html)
Episode 2
One-77 (http://www.one-77.com/flash_episode_two.html)

[Hoser]

Posted a few pages back.

[Penguin Rick]

All right guys, give me some advice.

I have a 2008 BMW Z4 that I'm seriously considering selling. My parents are moving to India, for financial reasons that I don't really feel like discussing. Basically, we're putting the house up for rent and so the cars are getting cleared. My parents want to ship the Z4 up to me here, so I can use it, since me and some friends are considering getting an off campus house at university, and having a car is necessary. But with the 2WD and low profile, I don't think it's the best solution out here in Chicago. I mean, it's basically going to be buried in snow for most of the year anyway. I made some modifications to it, so I figure I can sell it for ~$35K.

I want to spend around $20-$22.5K on a car, and give the rest to my parents (they did buy me the Z4 anyway). But what are my best options out there? I'm strongly considering the Saab 9-2x or the Audi A3. They are AWD cars and incredibly practical. Plus, I think I can buy a used one of those models in my price range. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[TylerDurden]

All right guys, give me some advice.

I have a 2008 BMW Z4 that I'm seriously considering selling. My parents are moving to India, for financial reasons that I don't really feel like discussing. Basically, we're putting the house up for rent and so the cars are getting cleared. My parents want to ship the Z4 up to me here, so I can use it, since me and some friends are considering getting an off campus house at university, and having a car is necessary. But with the 2WD and low profile, I don't think it's the best solution out here in Chicago. I mean, it's basically going to be buried in snow for most of the year anyway. I made some modifications to it, so I figure I can sell it for ~$35K.

I want to spend around $20-$22.5K on a car, and give the rest to my parents (they did buy me the Z4 anyway). But what are my best options out there? I'm strongly considering the Saab 9-2x or the Audi A3. They are AWD cars and incredibly practical. Plus, I think I can buy a used one of those models in my price range. Anyone have any other suggestions?

you're right on the money in your choice of cars, however it only snows for maybe two or three months (max) in chicago; illinois as a whole.

do you not drive very often? while awd is great to have when it works, it's a pain in the ass to have when it's not. and when put side-by-side with a FWD or RWD platform you'll get much more consistency out of a tried-and-true drivetrain. you won't have as much drivetrain issues with the saab or audi, but it's something to keep in mind. but unless you just plain suck at driving, there's no reason to insist on an awd solution.

also, be careful for what you attempt to sell that z4 at. installed parts does not warrant increased price, particularly on a used car with non-factory-installed parts with mileage on it. bmw's hold their value amazingly, but they don't defy common sense.

[}{arlequin]

what happens to a large majority of the population when it snows is that they simply do not drive when it snows. yes, there are some who either insist b/c they can/want to, and others b/c they simply *have to*, but for the most part people don't drive. if it snows for 3 days non-stop, it'll be declared an emergency and then no one has to drive anywhere since offices/schools close down. at least that has been my experience in boston.

like tyler said, w/ proper snow tires any car can be made to go well in snow, but i can see how awd would give that extra margin of assurance.

i do agree that it's silly to have a convertible in chicago. it could be done, but unless you've got some kind of hardon for convertibles, it's pointless.

i haven't looked into them lately, but i'm pretty sure that the saab is built on a subaru chassis. so it's just an appearance change. i'd rather get the subaru itself then a subaru that's made to look like something else.

i'd go w/ audi. they've been doing quattro as long as subaru, if not longer. they're both good at it, i just like the audi's looks better.

[TylerDurden]

what happens to a large majority of the population when it snows is that they simply do not drive when it snows. yes, there are some who either insist b/c they can/want to, and others b/c they simply *have to*, but for the most part people don't drive. if it snows for 3 days non-stop, it'll be declared an emergency and then no one has to drive anywhere since offices/schools close down. at least that has been my experience in boston.

like tyler said, w/ proper snow tires any car can be made to go well in snow, but i can see how awd would give that extra margin of assurance.

i do agree that it's silly to have a convertible in chicago. it could be done, but unless you've got some kind of hardon for convertibles, it's pointless.

i haven't looked into them lately, but i'm pretty sure that the saab is built on a subaru chassis. so it's just an appearance change. i'd rather get the subaru itself then a subaru that's made to look like something else.

i'd go w/ audi. they've been doing quattro as long as subaru, if not longer. they're both good at it, i just like the audi's looks better.

...on the head.

[POO POO CANNON]

The Z4 won't be that bad is snow. Back when I used to drive the M3, we threw some snow tires on that thing and I never got stuck once. Even when you'd parallel park and an awful man in a snowplow would dump a mountain of snow on you, you'd just take DSC off and shimmy/drive away. If I were you, I wouldn't be so hasty in dumping the Z4.

Also, from personal experience with a large 4x4 SUV (in a place where it snows for 4-5 months a year), 4WD/AWD doesn't really help you that much in snow other than to get moving when you're absolutely buried. Even then, I've never really been in a situation when 4WD would have prevailed over throttle modulation in RWD mode, other than to tow a friend out of a snowbank (who ironically had a quattro A4).

Oh, and off-campus housing+car = supreme win.

[TylerDurden]

The Z4 won't be that bad is snow. Back when I used to drive the M3, we threw some snow tires on that thing and I never got stuck once. Even when you'd parallel park and an awful man in a snowplow would dump a mountain of snow on you, you'd just take DSC off and shimmy/drive away. If I were you, I wouldn't be so hasty in dumping the Z4.

Also, from personal experience with a large 4x4 SUV (in a place where it snows for 4-5 months a year), 4WD/AWD doesn't really help you that much in snow other than to get moving when you're absolutely buried. Even then, I've never really been in a situation when 4WD would have prevailed over throttle modulation in RWD mode, other than to tow a friend out of a snowbank (who ironically had a quattro A4).

Oh, and off-campus housing+car = supreme win.

well-stated. in short: there's no need to sell a vehicle that's just fine in the weather and climate you're in, so long as you know/learn how to drive.

[Penguin Rick]

That's the thing though. I lived in Southern California for 18 years before I moved up to Chicago. I've never driven through snow, and I'm told it's kind of tricky, especially for those who don't know what they're doing.

[Ethix]

Biggest things with driving in the snow:

Good tires, preferably snow tires.


Be smart. Basically, just go slow. Stay in the well traveled lanes and out of the unplowed snow. If you're going through a snowy corner, try to find the straightest line through it. Be gentle with the throttle and brakes. Give yourself more car lengths than you feel you need to stop when you drive behind someone.

It's really not that hard to drive in the snow if you're careful and you pay attention. Hardest things with RWD in snow is probably getting up steep hills. When I had my 240sx, I'd adjust my driving route to avoid the biggest ones.

[Hoser]

The Stig is revealed.

Fans of Top Gear might want to prepare themselves for another Stig death soon. When "Black Stig" Perry McCarthy revealed himself, Clarkson, Hammond and May offed him. Now, according to the UK's Telegraph, the "White Stig" has apparently ended the mystery, revealing himself as 33 year-old Ben Collins. Collins has raced professionally in everything from NASCAR to LeMans, and most recently served as Agent 007's double for sequences of Quantum of Solace that required fancy wheel work. It's been such a secret for so long, how did the veil of silence come to be broken? Collins himself apparently revealed his day job to the owner of an art gallery in Bristol, England when asking for help producing a limited-edition print of The Stig plying his trade.

A builder had also come across the famed white suit and gloves on display in a cabinet while doing work at Collins' home, and there has been conjecture in the past that Collins is The Stig. Now that the cat is out of the bag, we wonder if there's much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the halls of Top Gear's offices. Secret identity or no, Collins has proven himself as a fantastic driver as The Stig, and with this latest revelation, he potentially faces "The Sack" as they say in Merry Old.

No confirmation yet from Clarkson, Hammond or May on this revelation, and the only word out of Top Gear is that they "...never comment on speculation as to who or what The Stig is." Hmm. In any case, we are left to wonder... what color will a new Stig be? Red? Gold? Blue? Thanks for the tip, Richard!
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/19/top-gears-stig-revealed/

If they want to keep him and keep some mystery they should should do a bit where they have Ben Collins come out and say "I am the stig" - and then the stig comes out and just stare at him with the helmet on, shake his head, and walk away.

[Ethix]

Supposedly it's in The Stig's contract that if his identity is revealed, he's fired. So goodbye white-stiggy.

Too bad, but it'll definitely be interesting to see how they kill him off.

[}{arlequin]

take any 20 professional (or not) drivers, ie: people that know what they're doing, and they will all be within 1 second of each other in lap times*. if you average it out over a span of 20 laps each, it'll be a wash

meaning: plenty of people can post up the same laptimes as any of the 'stigs'.



*on top gear's track.

[POO POO CANNON]

Biggest things with driving in the snow:

Good tires, preferably snow tires.


Be smart. Basically, just go slow. Stay in the well traveled lanes and out of the unplowed snow. If you're going through a snowy corner, try to find the straightest line through it. Be gentle with the throttle and brakes. Give yourself more car lengths than you feel you need to stop when you drive behind someone.

It's really not that hard to drive in the snow if you're careful and you pay attention. Hardest things with RWD in snow is probably getting up steep hills. When I had my 240sx, I'd adjust my driving route to avoid the biggest ones.

yep, all great tips. also remember, that with the advanced traction control that DSC offers, you're slips and slides will be somewhat more limited. I always left it off, though. That way, you know what the RWD car is going to do every time you turn -slide it's ass end out, so you could be ready to counter steer as necessary. With DSC on, you'd never know when it'd decide to let go of the car and you'd find yourself in a shitty situation. Also, if you start skidding around a corner, don't be afraid to give it more gas to get it to turn sharper, as if you let off the gas completely, you'll stop skidding, but maybe not complete the turn.

When accelerating from a dead stop (if you're in an automatic) let the drive gear start moving the car slowly and then accelerate, the more gradual the acceleration, the better. Braking is quite different too, a lot of people think ABS will help them brake and swerve around on snow covered roads, but this isn't the case. You'll slide just like if you weren't touching the brakes at all (in some cases), with your wheels turned. So it's essential to leave a lot of braking distance.

A little tip, if you can't go up the hill in drive, try doing it in reverse (only if it's a seldom traveled hill so you don't scare/hit people, as this is super dangerous). I often see people doing it around campus (as there's a hill right where people come in). I've done it once or twice, but I don't need to do it anymore because of 4HI/4LO <3.

[mirt]

That's the thing though. I lived in Southern California for 18 years before I moved up to Chicago. I've never driven through snow, and I'm told it's kind of tricky, especially for those who don't know what they're doing.


its not that hard. i grew up in florida. i live in a city that doesn't plow or salt busy roads regularly and depending on which office i have to go to i drive up and down large hills in a shitty 96 saturn sc2. just use common sense and drive defensively

[TylerDurden]

its not that hard. i grew up in florida. i live in a city that doesn't plow or salt busy roads regularly and depending on which office i have to go to i drive up and down large hills in a shitty 96 saturn sc2. just use common sense and drive defensively

huge difference between a front-wheel-drive saturn and a rear-wheel-drive bmw. the saturn is much more forgiving. it's a night-and-day comparison. the bmw, on the other hand, will step out on you every time if you show even the slightest hesitation.

it's going to require a light touch and lots of attention. get used to the feel of the car through your fingertips. you'll be able to "feel" what the tires "feel". drive the car without the radio on for a week and you'll be a better driver.

[Hanover Fist]

Just a question for anyone that owns a hybrid.

How does a hybrid warm up in the wintertime? Almost everyone around here starts their cars 10-15 minutes before going anywhere in the wintertime so they are warmed up.
I thought a hybrids gas motor doesn't kick in until the speedo goes over 40mph or the battery is depleted. If that's the case is there any way to warm up a hybrid?

[TylerDurden]

Just a question for anyone that owns a hybrid.

How does a hybrid warm up in the wintertime? Almost everyone around here starts their cars 10-15 minutes before going anywhere in the wintertime so they are warmed up.
I thought a hybrids gas motor doesn't kick in until the speedo goes over 40mph or the battery is depleted. If that's the case is there any way to warm up a hybrid?

hybrids do not need to be warmed up in the conventional manner. the battery operates them almost immediately, negating that need.

on internal combustion engines you'll get varying responses. from 30 seconds to 15 minutes.

[Hanover Fist]

hybrids do not need to be warmed up in the conventional manner. the battery operates them almost immediately, negating that need.

on internal combustion engines you'll get varying responses. from 30 seconds to 15 minutes.

I don't mean warming up for the cars sake, I'm talking about warming up for the occupants sake. We haven't been above freezing here for 3-4 weeks now.
Defrosting windshields as well.

[TylerDurden]

in conventional cars the heat from the engine is filtered and pushed through to the cabin, thus requiring the engine to be not only running, but within normal operating parameters as they pertain to temperature.

obviously cars like the prius can't follow conventional technology in this sense. instead, (for the prius at least), there's a heat storage tank that essentially holds hot coolant with its own water pump. it pumps this hot coolant through your heater core, and thus you have heat in the cabin. but this also requires the car to be running, so i'd guess that for comfort's sake you'd want to let the car run/warm-up long enough for you to be comfortable.

[Hanover Fist]

in conventional cars the heat from the engine is filtered and pushed through to the cabin, thus requiring the engine to be not only running, but within normal operating parameters as they pertain to temperature.

obviously cars like the prius can't follow conventional technology in this sense. instead, (for the prius at least), there's a heat storage tank that essentially holds hot coolant with its own water pump. it pumps this hot coolant through your heater core, and thus you have heat in the cabin. but this also requires the car to be running, so i'd guess that for comfort's sake you'd want to let the car run/warm-up long enough for you to be comfortable.

But the gas motor won't run unless the car is over a certain speed or the battery is low and calling for recharge. In that case how can you warm the car up in sub-zero temps?
I ask this mainly because I want to know and also because my buddy asked the guy at the hybrid display at the Detroit Auto show and the guy looked at him like he was crazy for a bit, and then told him he didn't actually know.

Is there some sort of gas power override switch or is there like an automatic temperature when the car will run strictly on gas? If there is, that kind of negates having a hybrid for like 4-5 months of the year in cold climates.

[TylerDurden]

But the gas motor won't run unless the car is over a certain speed or the battery is low and calling for recharge. In that case how can you warm the car up in sub-zero temps?
I ask this mainly because I want to know and also because my buddy asked the guy at the hybrid display at the Detroit Auto show and the guy looked at him like he was crazy for a bit, and then told him he didn't actually know.

Is there some sort of gas power override switch or is there like an automatic temperature when the car will run strictly on gas? If there is, that kind of negates having a hybrid for like 4-5 months of the year in cold climates.

no, i mean that the battery needs cooling, too. the heat carried away from the battery is then stored/cycled through the heating element.

[Hoser]

take any 20 professional (or not) drivers, ie: people that know what they're doing, and they will all be within 1 second of each other in lap times*. if you average it out over a span of 20 laps each, it'll be a wash

meaning: plenty of people can post up the same laptimes as any of the 'stigs'.



*on top gear's track.

I don't like The Stig for his skill, it is the mystery around him that makes it fun. There are alot of drivers that could do his job just as good.

[TylerDurden]

I don't like The Stig for his skill, it is the mystery around him that makes it fun. There are alot of drivers that could do his job just as good.

true story, although the rumor that it was fernando alonso for a while was laughable. had it been true i'd have stopped watching top gear altogether and completely lost faith in the hamster.

[Hoser]

Free M3, tyler get it before it is gone

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sdo/968512408.html

[Will-Kill]

2 problems with my car

1. I have trouble putting the key in the Driver side lock....I need to try a few times before it goes in....the key...not the penis....

2. The Plastic shield under the engine broke off on the Driver side, Doesn't seem to be a big problem but odds are ignoring a problem tends to become a bigger problem.

That is it.

My friend got a HD Radio for his car, the whole 2 stations in one and AM stations sounding as good as FM stations is really nice.

[Gary_Busey]

Anyone ever heard of a problem where, when it's cold, it's hard to get the key out? My girlfriend has this problem and she has to warm her car up before it'll come out, if it does at all. Only happens in winter, never in summer.

[Archangel]

I don't like The Stig for his skill, it is the mystery around him that makes it fun. There are alot of drivers that could do his job just as good.

Um, when Lewis says that a guy is good, odds are, he is. Also, if you will, recall that special about the Silverstone 24hrs where Stig tore up the field like nobody's business, or the time he did the lap in the Renault F1 (http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Top-Gear-The-Stig-drives_100747.htm)on a damp track in under a minute, or 20 secs quicker than the Enzo. And as Hammond demonstrated in much the same car, being used to driving cars quickly counts for shit when it comes to Formula 1 cars.

The man knows what he's doing.

[TylerDurden]

Free M3, tyler get it before it is gone

http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/sdo/968512408.html

i lulz'd but then i cried. i'm so conflicted.

that car is fucked. there is not one single redeeming quality to that heap that would make it worth picking up. even the fucking steering rack is mush.

1. I have trouble putting the key in the Driver side lock....I need to try a few times before it goes in....the key...not the penis....

Anyone ever heard of a problem where, when it's cold, it's hard to get the key out? My girlfriend has this problem and she has to warm her car up before it'll come out, if it does at all. Only happens in winter, never in summer.

sounds like you need some lock de-icer and lubricant (http://www.autobarn.net/chv500.html). put some of this shit into your locks ten or so minutes before you leave and the lock should work just fine.

2. The Plastic shield under the engine broke off on the Driver side, Doesn't seem to be a big problem but odds are ignoring a problem tends to become a bigger problem.

some people will say you can live without this part. others will say that it serves a much more useful purpose than just falling off after 60,000 miles. i say you should get it replaced. it's not a part that needs fixing immediately, but it's not one you should forget about either. it keeps road grime and dirt from getting up into and coating your engine bay. this is basically the part that determines whether your motor/engine bay will look like shit after five years or whether it looks like the owner took care of the car... your choice. this also makes doing your own maintenance a lot cleaner as you won't have to contend with the grime.

Um, when Lewis says that a guy is good, odds are, he is. Also, if you will, recall that special about the Silverstone 24hrs where Stig tore up the field like nobody's business, or the time he did the lap in the Renault F1 (http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Top-Gear-The-Stig-drives_100747.htm)on a damp track in under a minute, or 20 secs quicker than the Enzo. And as Hammond demonstrated in much the same car, being used to driving cars quickly counts for shit when it comes to Formula 1 cars.

The man knows what he's doing.

perry mccarthy was the original stig, and a formula one driver. ben collins, while accomplished enough, only made it to formula 3. every f1 guest on the show since the inception of the white stig has had some reference made towards them being the stig (notable exception being jenson button, who, after jeremy clarkson pointed out that all f1 drivers took a different line than the stig said, "then he couldn't be a formula 1 driver," to which clarkson responded, "could be"). furthermore, ben collins has been in more than a few episodes as both a star guest and as a collaborator in some of their stunts (jump from a plane into a moving mercedes, etc.). why would they make it so obvious?

i'm just not feeling this. it's been far too secret for far too long for someone to "accidentally" screw up now. i suspect they'll issue a statement that collins is not the stig, and that this is all a ploy to grab some headlines for the show.

[Hoser]

Um, when Lewis says that a guy is good, odds are, he is. Also, if you will, recall that special about the Silverstone 24hrs where Stig tore up the field like nobody's business, or the time he did the lap in the Renault F1 (http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Top-Gear-The-Stig-drives_100747.htm)on a damp track in under a minute, or 20 secs quicker than the Enzo. And as Hammond demonstrated in much the same car, being used to driving cars quickly counts for shit when it comes to Formula 1 cars.

The man knows what he's doing.

I didn't say he is not an amazing driver. I said that his skill wasn't the main reason I liked him. The Mystery is what makes The Stig, The Stig. Sure it is way better that he kicks some serious ass on the track, but not knowing who he actually is makes it way better.

[Ethix]

The more I think about it, the more I think that there were more than 1 Stig. They could've just brought in an F1 driver to drive the F1 car around the test track. Ben Collins probably was the Stig in a few episodes or something. After what happened with Black Stig, it would make sense for them to do it a different way to insure that they didn't run into the same problem again.

[TylerDurden]

The more I think about it, the more I think that there were more than 1 Stig. They could've just brought in an F1 driver to drive the F1 car around the test track. Ben Collins probably was the Stig in a few episodes or something. After what happened with Black Stig, it would make sense for them to do it a different way to insure that they didn't run into the same problem again.

i'd be more inclined to go for that if it weren't for the absolute consistency that the stig has... too consistent and too similar to be more than one guy.

[Ethix]

It's true that he is consistent, but you'd have to go frame by frame to see how they hold the steering wheel, how they change gears, how they use the pedals, etc. Most F1 or even just racing drivers are pretty consistent with lines.

We'll probably never know.

[Hanover Fist]

Didn't they say somewhere that Stig most likely wasn't an F1 driver because of the way he drove completely different lines from actual F1 drivers they've had on? I recall hearing more than once that they thought he might actually be a stock car driver.

[Claydon]

So get this.......


a good female friend of mine has a standard 2003 civic ex with 74,000 miles on it and she said "it is making a funny noise." So she brought it over and I was listening to it and it sounded like some kind of metal on metal sound....like some bearings are taking a shit. I wasn't sure...I asked her when she last had it serviced...she didn't remember (uh oh). So i checked the engine oil.....it is blacker than black and really viscous (hmmm)....all the hoses were old and cracked looking, battery was leaking, belts were so frayed im surprised they haven't given out. I looked through her service receipts...she last had the car serviced in dec. 07 and has put on 11,000 miles on it. There is NO record of anything ever being done on this car since 2002 except for the VERY infrequent oil change.

Bottom line... powersteering pump was going out (metal on metal sound), water pump going out (other metal on metal sound), timing belt has never been changed, plugs are worn to nubs, all the struts are shot to hell, complete brake jobs on all four, fuel injectors are clogged, oil change, transmission service, radiator is cracking and needs to be replaced along with the hoses/flushing, throttle body needs servicing, 4 bald tires (factory issued tires still on the car), standard tune up is needed, belts need replacing, brake lines need to be flushed, fuel filter, air filter (both factory issued), battery replacement, alignment and...windshield wipers!!!!

I was able to do a few of these things...I am not as talented under the hood as most of you are, i did the battery, fuel filter, plug and wires (I DO NOT DO OIL OR ANYTHING REQUIRING DRAINING)...saved her a couple hundred bucks. Cost? $2200 for everything. I think she has learned a lesson, the mechanic was stunned that the vehicle was still running and had not seized up from the lack of oil change, or that the transmission was still functioning within normal limits. A testament to the engineering at Honda.

[Gary_Busey]

Maybe I'm just an ignorant slut, but that doesn't seem that impressive to me.

[Claydon]

Maybe I'm just an ignorant slut, but that doesn't seem that impressive to me.

an engine that has not been maintained AT ALL after 74,000 miles of the north south US 101 in traffic 5 days a week is still functioning somewhat normally.....yah I am somewhat impressed.

[Gary_Busey]

Sounds like my car.

[Claydon]

i was a bit surprised at the price, when i spoke to the shop (same shop i go to) I began to realize the amount of labor we are talking about.

[Hodge]

an engine that has not been maintained AT ALL after 74,000 miles of the north south US 101 in traffic 5 days a week is still functioning somewhat normally.....yah I am somewhat impressed.
That sounds really unimpressive...for a Honda.

The timing belt doesn't need to be changed until ` 170000km (`105000 mi). 11000 miles without an oil change is a long time but it shouldn't be black as sin. I've gone as much as 11000km (`7000 mi) and mine is still relatively golden. My car does burn about 1/2 litre between changes so topping er off does keep it somewhat cleaner.

My power steering pump has never been changed and neither has my power steering. Nor have either failed or showed any signs of failure.

I drive a 2001 civic with 225000km on it. The only noticeable thing that is wrong with my car is a knocking sound when I go over bumps (3 different diagnosis by three dealerships) and I need to change all of my fluids plus a crack in my rear bumper. I still get around 46 mi/us gallon and can keep up to a Hemi until about 90 km/h.

Either she got a dud or she has really driven the piss out of that car. Some things needed to be maintained (oil/tires) and some things should run for a long, long time.

[Claydon]

That sounds really unimpressive...for a Honda.

The timing belt doesn't need to be changed until ` 170000km (`105000 mi). 11000 miles without an oil change is a long time but it shouldn't be black as sin. I've gone as much as 11000km (`7000 mi) and mine is still relatively golden. My car does burn about 1/2 litre between changes so topping er off does keep it somewhat cleaner.

My power steering pump has never been changed and neither has my power steering. Nor have either failed or showed any signs of failure.

I drive a 2001 civic with 225000km on it. The only noticeable thing that is wrong with my car is a knocking sound when I go over bumps (3 different diagnosis by three dealerships) and I need to change all of my fluids plus a crack in my rear bumper. I still get around 46 mi/us gallon and can keep up to a Hemi until about 90 km/h.

Either she got a dud or she has really driven the piss out of that car. Some things needed to be maintained (oil/tires) and some things should run for a long, long time.

ive seen her drive, she abuses the fuck out of that car. the oil was down to a minimal level and yes black as sin. I guess I am in the minority here...i was impressed.

[Ethix]

Honestly, I'm not that impressed either. You should easily be able to do 80k miles on a Honda with just oil changes and maybe an air filter and tires. She definitely had to have beat the hell out of it.

My family has owned 5 Hondas (4 Accord's and a civic hatch) and they were all extremely durable.

[Claydon]

Honestly, I'm not that impressed either. You should easily be able to do 80k miles on a Honda with just oil changes and maybe an air filter and tires. She definitely had to have beat the hell out of it.

My family has owned 5 Hondas (4 Accord's and a civic hatch) and they were all extremely durable.

I was in no way suggesting they are not a well built, well designed car, what I was suggesting is that it took a fucking beating for the last several years with only a handful of oil changes (if this paper work is correct, she has averaged an oil change about ever 10-12,000 miles) and the damn thing was still running reasonably well.

I just picked it up with her, and WOW...it is like a new car.

[POO POO CANNON]

So, I'm seriously looking into lifting my truck, and I was wondering what the difference will be between lift springs front and rear, or lift springs in the front and blocks in the rear?

Help?

[Hoser]

Not impressed. I had a 94 MX6 that had the piss beat out of it nearly everyday for 8 years. I went 15,000km between oil changes sometimes. I reved it to 7300, I use to race it. you name it, it happened. It finally died with 420,000 km on it and it only died due to a mistake I made when doing the clutch (didn't have the alignment tool and pushed the gears out of alignment with the drive shaft and put the gears through the bell housing) and blew the tranny for the 2nd time so I scrapped it.

[Hoser]

Who do I kill??

http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/01/medium_3220439206_f413976555_o.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/01/medium_3219588425_f6c6bbc587_o.jpg

[Hoser]

Car sex,

LS430 and CLS seem to have made a baby... and it is hot

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/e500_title_01.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/5137967/2010-mercedes-e500-coupe-first-photos

[Hoser]

This isn't a street car made for the track, this is a track car you can drive on the street.

http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/01/medium_3217289125_e5d1195a07_o.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/01/medium_3217289175_f25d3f9000_o.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/assets/images/gallery/12/2009/01/medium_3218138746_2e74caf0bd_o.jpg

The 2009 GT3 RSR is very loosely based on the production 997 GT3 RS and has received a few updates for this year’s racing season. The angry 3.8-liter boxer-six from last season’s car is replaced by a batcrap-crazy 4.0-liter boxer-six capable of producing 450bhp at 7,800 rpm and 317 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm. The rev-limiter kicks in at 9,000 rpm, but compared with the previous car, the rev limit for a given power was significantly lowered allowing for an optimized torque curve and better drivability. The engine output is limited based on the class the GT3 RSR runs in, but it’s surely capable of more when properly opened up. The rear wheels are fed this power via a six-speed sequential gearbox along with a limited slip differential.

The exterior has received minor changes in appearance. However small the changes are, they allow for a better optimized aerodynamic profile which we all know means that it’s getting closer and closer to a greased pig. The front hood receives new louvers, an indication of the redesigned air ducting for the radiators. The rear wing features a wider range of adjustment and the brake system was weight-optimized to improve handling over the previous model.

Porsche has begun to ship the 2009 911 GT3 RSR, but if you’ve yet to receive yours (we think ours got lost in the mail) then you can call up Porsche and order one for the low entry price of $493,392.

[}{arlequin]

^massive wood

[Archangel]

A wee bit pricey, though. For the price, I'll take a Carrera GT, thank you. It may "only" be 90% as focused as the RSR, but it's probably just as fast, and much more usable IRL.

Oh, and everything about the new E Class smacks of brilliance. The only question is whether at its size and finish, it won't create in house competition with the S...

[Archangel]

porsche knows what they're doing, and wherever there is a place to maximize the performance, chances are it's already been done.

so, waking up one day and thinking that you can cheaply and effortlessly improve on what their entire racing/engineering department came up with is just silly.

Reminds me of Brucie's tuning commercial in GTA IV. You know, somewhere along the lines of "we take a $250,000 sports car built by the finest engineers in the world, and then we let some immigrant from Brooklyn work on it so it's worth LESS! That's player style, baby!"

EDIT: BUT, with Porsche, there are people who know what they're doing. Guys at places like TechArt (saw a TechArt 997 GT2 not too long ago, instant boner), Ruf, Strosek etc, they're pretty good German engineers themselves.


Speaking of which, a former classmate of mine (total douche, dropped out of 11th grade, but his dad - who died crashing a 906 on the 'Ring - left him fucktonnes of money) drives this monstrosity.

http://i40.tinypic.com/2qxwdj6.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/4g6sug.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/dbgyti.jpg

Methinks he hath a small penis.

[}{arlequin]

i think the people that try to turn suv's into sports cars completely forgot that people already make sports cars.

that's one ugly mofo. and that hood...

ruf has been the only one that seems to make tasteful looking cars all along. sometimes gemballa gets it right, but often they do not. 'avalanche' from the 80's comes to mind

[Hoser]

9ff makes some nice cars

http://www.supercars.net/carpics/4273/2008_9ff_GT9R1.jpg


Techart makes some real nice cars as well.
http://i39.tinypic.com/auzgxe.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/2im80zs.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/mc9dti.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/99qtra.jpg

and in black the Cayenne doesn't look as bad.
http://i42.tinypic.com/rku4n8.jpg

[}{arlequin]

i lose interest very quickly when i see extraneous number of air scoops and vents, especially when they serve no purpose

that profile pic of techart 911 for example, what's the point of the vents behind the front wheels and in front of the rears (other than to break up the lines of the car)

[Hoser]

You of anyone should know why they have them in front of the rear wheels.

Why are they behind the front wheels, My guess would be cooling, but can't say 100% for sure.

[}{arlequin]

You of anyone should know why they have them in front of the rear wheels.
the turbo has them for intake/intercoolers. and then they serve a purpose. but on the non-turbo? i have my doubts. it's certainly not for cooling... new 911's that are watercooled have radiators in the nose of the car so that's out

maybe to shoot cold air at the differential/transmission but without seeing more i can't say.

as for the fronts, same thing. can't see any real purpose. the air going through the radiators is made to exit ahead of the front wheels not behind

[Hoser]

I was going more for break cooling on non-turbos.

[}{arlequin]

I was going more for break cooling on non-turbos.
fancy bodywork seems like a very expensive way to get some brake cooling. as far as i know, only racecars go for the ram-air effect when it comes to brakes.

for all of their street cars, gt3 and gt3RS included, porsche has a much simpler and more elegant solution. deflectors: http://www.renntech.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t12348.html

http://i39.tinypic.com/28kt62s.jpg

[Hoser]

I agree, it is a very expensive way of doing it, but if you are getting a car built by Techart, 9ff or any of the other highend builders money isnt really an issue.

[Hoser]

I need some opinions.

I am going to be finishing school at the end of April. I will be working and bringing in some good money and will have a little to play with. I want to pick up a track car. I want something light that isn't going to take a ton of power to make fast. Yeah lots of power is a blast, but I am going more for handling, power can always come later. So whatever it will be will be fully striped with just some basic bolt ons to start. I dont want ot spend a ton on the car at first.

What do you guys (Tyler, }{) recommend??

I was thinking something along the lines of a mid 90's MX6 again (I loved my first one and they can handle like a dream), or an early 90's 240. Any other cars you would recommend looking into?

This guy makes me want my mx6 again.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Porsche-Trackday-Mondello_130622.htm

a bit of engine work done, fully striped, lots of suspension and break work done.

[}{arlequin]

how fast you wanna go = how much you wanna spend

is this a dedicated track car or you want to have it 'dual use'? it is always much cheaper to buy someone else's project or fully built car than to do it yourself. good handling and rwd, not to mention cheap, automatically bring spec miata to mind. race ready turn key cars for under 10k

http://www.racer-net.com/scarnf01.htm

neon?
http://www.racer-net.com/scassc01.htm

honda
http://www.racer-net.com/scaita07.htm

pretty much everything under the sun
http://www.race-cars.com/carsales/complist.htm#modrace



NASA hosts a lot of races, w/ enough car classes to suit everyone.
http://www.nasaproracing.com/proracing/index.html

i'd troll each class' forums to go through the classifieds. lots of cars for sale

honda challenge
http://www.hondachallenge.com/
quick glance shows a '89 civic for 2.5k
http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=25167
or
an s2k for 15k
http://www.nasaforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24413

spec miata
http://www.nasaproracing.com/proracing/sm.html

spec e30 is an insanely fun and competitive class
http://www.spece30.com/

[}{arlequin]

anybody else watching the 24hrs of daytona? on speedvision right now.

[}{arlequin]

anybody else watching the 24hrs of daytona? on speedvision right now.
holy shit... 28min to go in a 24hr race and montoya and donohue are running nose-to-tail! might be a photo finish

[Ethix]

I wish I could fit in a Miata. I used to go to Limerock every year to see the Speed GT series and they always had the Miata Cup and they were the best cars to watch. They're definitely a good car to start with to make something fun and fast.

[}{arlequin]

there's a racecar out there for every budget.

nasa has an 'american iron' series which may suit you (v8's) but then you're stuck running camaros, mustangs, and firebirds

[Archangel]

there's a racecar out there for every budget.


Yeah, mine are called "Hot Wheels"... :(

[Gary_Busey]

You could try truck racing.

ZZF8AWXKlxo

[Pax Britannia]

Yeah, mine are called "Hot Wheels"... :(

Gran Turismo 5 is coming. Patience.

[Gary_Busey]

Gran Turismo 5 is comming. Patience.
Can't fucking wait. I need to find a stand for my G25.

[Hoser]

Stand??

Fuck the stand, do it right

http://www.vrx.ca/images/mach3/m3s.jpg

http://www.vrx.ca/images/g25s.jpg
Polished chrome chassis with powder coated wheel mount, pedal mount and seat wings.
Front and rear non-slip aluminium vibration dampeners.
3M automotive chrome trim concealed edges.
Italian Sparco Racing seat.
Sparco automotive seat slider.
Suspension seat base.
3/D epoxy coated graphics.
10" diagonal and 8" horizontal wheel adjustments.
Logitech G25 steering wheel.
Wireless keyboard and mouse.
fully adjustable Keyboard and Mouse Trays.
CNC machined shifter bracket with leather arm rest.
1500 watt tactile vibration feedback system.
1900 watt tactile power amplifier.
5.1 digital surround sound amplifier.
3 digital inputs, 1 analog, 1 USB 1.1 device port.
Polished Aluminum Speaker Mounts.
Cutting edge Omnipolar satellite speakers.
8" Cellulose Matrix Subwoofer.
Infra-red display/receiver unit.
Infra-red remote control.
Comes fully assembled (Plug and Play)
http://www.vrx.ca/new_products.php

[Archangel]

I'm afraid to ask: Does that thing have a price?

[Ethix]

You could probably buy a race car for less money.

[Hoser]

The Mach 4 which is a step up from this is $25K.

http://www.vrx.ca/images/triple/triple-main.jpg
The VRX MACH 4. The Triple LCD Display provides a true visual sense of speed by surrounding the driver with in the driving environment, allowing racing fans and automotive enthusiasts to experience the thrill of virtual racing like they never have before!

Turn-key setup includes:
4 Microsoft Xbox 360’s
4 Copy's Forza Motorsport 2
Xbox 360 Wireless Networking Adapter
Microsoft Force Feedback Steering wheel
3 Sharp Aquos 37" LC-D62U 1080p HD LCD displays
Adjustable rear view Power Acoustik (PTM 750) 7" LCD display
Bose Acoustimass 10 series surround sound system with subwoofer
Harmon Kardon AVR-144 Surround Sound receiver
1500 Watt Tactile Vibration Feedback System
1900 Watt Tactile Power Amplifier
Virtual Wind System powered by 2 dual Honeywell fans with chrome shroud
1" CNC machined polished aluminum foot assembly that connects to the front of the VRX
Universal triple screen aluminum mounting bracket that excepts LCD displays from 20" to 40"
Adjustable aluminum and tinted acrylic component shelves
On board power bar and unique wire way system conceals cables
Polished chrome chassis with powder coated wheel mount and pedal mount
CNC billet aluminum Speaker Mounts and Seat Wing
Front and rear non-slip aluminum vibration dampeners
3M automotive chrome trim concealed edges
Italian Sparco Monza racing seat (choice of Red/Black or Black/Silver)
Sparco automotive seat slider
Suspension seat base
3/D epoxy coated graphics
Velcro and machined rubber grip blocks "prevents wheel and pedal movement"
10" diagonal and 8" horizontal wheel adjustments
Polished Aluminum Speaker Mounts
LED Lighting effects
Beverage Containment System

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/gaming/xbox360/news/article_1384634.php/VRX_MACH_4_redefines_hardcore

[Gary_Busey]

The wheel they use sucks ass.

[Hoser]

Well yeah, just mount your G25 on it.

[Gary_Busey]

Fuck, if I'm spending that much money on a rig, I'm getting one of these:

MNhfulLJPcY

Plus, best game of SMK ever?

nBVOnT36Qw4

[Hoser]

That is awesome, but I am thinking it is a bit more then 25k

[Gary_Busey]

I have no clue really. I pondered buying one and taking it to races. Maybe charge $10-20 bucks a pop to take a few laps around whatever track.

[}{arlequin]

You could probably buy a race car for less money.
bingo!


race ready chixster:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_Race-Cars-Not-Street-Legal__1999-PORSCHE-CLUB-RACER-BOXTER-FAST_W0QQitemZ140297087184QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ2 0Q26Q20TrailersQQadiZ2792QQddiZ2828QQadnZRaceQ20Ca rsQ20Q28NotQ20StreetQ20LegalQ29QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Race_Cars_Not_Street_Legal_?hash=item140297087184&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ht_25 53wt_1328

[canto iv]

I try to be more of a walking/biking/public transportation mindset, but I REALLY want a Smart Roadster Brabus: http://www.smart.com/-snm-0135035552-1170358118-0000021037-0000000000-1171489178-enm-is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/WFS/mpc-uk-content-Site/en_UK/-/GBP/SVCPresentationPipeline-Start?Page=issite%3A%2F%2Fmpc-uk-Site%2Fmpc-uk.com%2FRootFolder%2Fsmart%2Fmodelle%2Fsmartroads ter%2Fausstattung%2Fbrabus%2Fhighlights.page

[Gary_Busey]

I don't think I could fit in that.

[Hoser]

bingo!


race ready chixster:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Other-Vehicles-Trailers_Race-Cars-Not-Street-Legal__1999-PORSCHE-CLUB-RACER-BOXTER-FAST_W0QQitemZ140297087184QQddnZOtherQ20VehiclesQ2 0Q26Q20TrailersQQadiZ2792QQddiZ2828QQadnZRaceQ20Ca rsQ20Q28NotQ20StreetQ20LegalQ29QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ Race_Cars_Not_Street_Legal_?hash=item140297087184&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A317|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318#ht_25 53wt_1328

Reserve isn't met. I can't see that car going for less then 25k.

[}{arlequin]

It's nicely prepped so i'm gonna go with 18k

[Gary_Busey]

You two should have an AV bet on the final price.

[ElemenoP]

I don't think I could fit in that.
But you're a hobbit.

[Gary_Busey]

And you're fat.

[Hoser]

They go for about 14-18k used, so if you factor in everything that comes with this car I am going to go with 23k. If someone really wants it I could see 26k being possible. hell it comes with 5 sets of tires and 2 sets of wheels.

[TylerDurden]

They go for about 14-18k used, so if you factor in everything that comes with this car I am going to go with 23k. If someone really wants it I could see 26k being possible. hell it comes with 5 sets of tires and 2 sets of wheels.

i'm going to go with 20 - 22k tops. the seller's feedback rating alone will scare away more than a few potential buyers. sure, 85% sounds like a decent feedback, but the guy's not even done fifty transactions yet and this is a car. who's going to dick with anything less than 100% or a much larger amount of transactions?

also... it's a boxster. that's like buying a six-cylinder mustang; the stepped-down version of a great car. just sayin'.

[Okie Medicvet]

Well, my 2005 Jeep Liberty was totaled out December 18th. My son's friend was driving (Ronny had a permit and could only legally drive with someone over 21 in the car, so he let his friend driving. They were on their way home, less than six miles to go, when the jeep hit a patch of black ice, and the driver turned into the slide, but then it slid the opposite direction hard, and before he could correct it, it rolled over twice, then slide up to a tree by the side of the road, and litrally bounced right off of it, leaving the car bent, crumpled, and dinged, but amazingly, no one was hurt outside of a few bruises.

I had to wait and wait to see what my insurance company would do, and I found out only at that time, not any time earlier that I needed to have gap insurance. Neither the dealership nor the insurance poeple what gap insurance was and why I should get it, because if they had, I most definitely would have gotten it.

My insurance said the car was totaled. I still owe 14 grand on it, and the insurance is only covering 10grand of it. So I went to the place where I had bought my jeep and the next year Nicki's cobalt (and checked and was relieved to find that her car does have gap insurance.), to see about getting another car for myself, now that I knew how much I still owed on the jeep. The dealership said that since I had 'customer' loyalty, that they would work with me, but actually they more like worked me over.

I went there hoping to get a Colorado, a small pickup truck that replaced the S10's, but they wanted to put me in an equinox, which, while it handled well, and I really liked it, so I wasn't too bummed out about that part, thinking I will at least be able to get a car. Then came the kickers: the payments were a lot more than I had expected..they wanted $561 a month for six years, and the interest rate was an ungodly 23.99%. Then they said that they would need the thousand dollars I was expecting for the refund on the extended warranty I had been buying for the jeep, for an additional amount down, even though they said they were using the rebate money from it to use as a down payment. They said that they were going to be able to roll the 4grand I owed into the car payments, which was good, but the final kicker and deal breaker for me was finding out that this brand new car wouldn't have gap insurance..that is, unless I could find an insurance company willing to do it, since the dealership wouldn't. Not only that, but I was concerned about my car insurance going up becuse I have now had an accident on my record, and a son that is about to get his license in the next week or two. When they tried to tellme that my insurance wouldn't rise, I knew for sure then that they were just trying to feed me anything to get me to sign on the dotted line.

I walked away from it. My daughter was planning on just going back down to Tahlequah from Tulsa, but had to drive me all the way home, which is about an hour extra there and an hour back and she wasn't too happy because she didn't get to sleep until one am and had classes early the next morning. I just couldn't see getting into a car for six months paying that much out and not even having gap insurance, which could potentially put me in a bigger financial hole than I have ever been in my life.

So the next day, I get the $900 I had been waiting for and my mom took me to a used car dealership that I have bought cars with before. I drove half a dozen trucks, none of which were what I was looking for, then went to the cars and found this 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. That baby handled like a dream. Now I put the 900 down, and will be paying $361 for only 24 months. And while I am paying for the car, if something major goes wrong with it, they will allow me to switch out to another car, making the same payments..it might extend the time frame I have to make said payments, but at least I have the peace of mind knowing that no matter what happens I will be able to have some wheels.

The Galant is really easy to turn and a lot easier to handle than the jeep did on sharp curves, that is for sure! Also gets better gas mileage. Had the mechanic here in town look at it before I signed on the dotted line, and the mechanic said that she was cherry, and would probably just end up needing some cosmetic repairs pretty soon. I don't know if it counts as cosmetic or not, but the drivers side windows power window motor broke, but I have ordered the part, and when it comes in, my son and/or his friends are going to try to put it in themselves.

I still have the four grand I owe citifincial for the jeep that was totaled, and have been trying to get ahold of them to see about rearranging and lowering the amount I would have to pay each month. I am hoping it will end up being in the $225-250 price range, which means that in two years, I will be debt free for the wrecked jeep and the 'new' mitsubishi. I tried to talk to them yesterday, got shuttled around a lot, and am going to give it another shot today.

My Galant is navy blue four door with grey cloth exterior. It's got a nice stereo system in it, which I don't think came original with the car, but that's fine, because it's nicer than what the car would be if it had the original manufacturers stereo system, whatever that would have been.

I am really dreading next week, taking him up to get his license, because then my insurance is going to be jacked up so high it's going to be unreal. Okay, I'm done, now all that is left is to find a pic on line that looks close to it:

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y261/femvetsrule/imageCAFG2M4G.jpg

Now my scanner isn't working so I can't post the pics of the wrecked jeep I have, but hope to figure something out so you can see that too.

Oh yeah, and the day after I got the Galant, the chevy dealership called saying I could get into a colorado which is what I had been asking about, and that they could bring the payment amount each mont down some too. Oh well, you snooze you looze. Besides, I like the idea of having most bills, including the car, paid off within two years. Now I know life happens when you are making other plans, but if all goes well, I can have no back debts, and just my regular monthly bills to pay.

[TylerDurden]

Well, my 2005 Jeep Liberty was totaled out December 18th. My son's friend was driving (Ronny had a permit and could only legally drive with someone over 21 in the car, so he let his friend driving. They were on their way home, less than six miles to go, when the jeep hit a patch of black ice, and the driver turned into the slide, but then it slid the opposite direction hard, and before he could correct it, it rolled over twice, then slide up to a tree by the side of the road, and litrally bounced right off of it, leaving the car bent, crumpled, and dinged, but amazingly, no one was hurt outside of a few bruises.

that's good news. it's great that no one was hurt. with that said... why the fuck did you let your son's friend drive that vehicle?! why, why, why? if you didn't know until after the fact i'm guessing that your son stole the whip and let his buddy drive it. based on some of your other posts i'm guessing that he simply took the vehicle out of lack of respect. fuck that.

I had to wait and wait to see what my insurance company would do, and I found out only at that time, not any time earlier that I needed to have gap insurance. Neither the dealership nor the insurance poeple what gap insurance was and why I should get it, because if they had, I most definitely would have gotten it.

if they don't offer gap insurance, they're not going to tell you. you must be proactive and ask. if your current insurance does not offer gap insurance, go elsewhere. you see the damage that not having it does. don't get it from the dealership. they exist to rape you. do not let them. again, if your current insurance company does not offer gap insurance go elsewhere.

My insurance said the car was totaled. I still owe 14 grand on it, and the insurance is only covering 10grand of it. So I went to the place where I had bought my jeep and the next year Nicki's cobalt (and checked and was relieved to find that her car does have gap insurance.), to see about getting another car for myself, now that I knew how much I still owed on the jeep. The dealership said that since I had 'customer' loyalty, that they would work with me, but actually they more like worked me over.

i'm pleasantly surprised they even gave you 10k on that shit. just sayin'.

I went there hoping to get a Colorado, a small pickup truck that replaced the S10's, but they wanted to put me in an equinox, which, while it handled well, and I really liked it, so I wasn't too bummed out about that part, thinking I will at least be able to get a car.

fuck yes they did. they want to give you the vehicle that they need to get rid of the most. honestly, regardless of "customer loyalty" you're still a fucking woman (no offense; it's just that dealerships love when the ladies come in with a need) and you let them smell blood when you walked in the door. you just bought two vehicles from them; why the fuck are they seeing you already unless one of your vehicles are totaled. you're bleeding out all over their floor and the sharks smelled a free meal. next time go in there and tell them that you want a cheap fucking beater for your son, and that's the only reason you're there. the tune will change.

Then came the kickers: the payments were a lot more than I had expected..they wanted $561 a month for six years, and the interest rate was an ungodly 23.99%.

welcome to 2009.

the final kicker and deal breaker for me was finding out that this brand new car wouldn't have gap insurance..that is, unless I could find an insurance company willing to do it, since the dealership wouldn't.

fuck them. you don't want your gap from them anyways. srsly. don't get the gap from the $tealership.

Not only that, but I was concerned about my car insurance going up becuse I have now had an accident on my record, and a son that is about to get his license in the next week or two.

accident on the record: definitely an issue. insurance follows the vehicle, not the driver.

your son shouldn't be an issue, because he shouldn't be driving your fucking car. after hearing the disrespect he showed with his pals at x-mas, that it was his buddy who wrecked your car (truthfully: did you let this happen?), and the fact that no child without sufficient experience should be driving the vehicle that supplies the income of the house... fuck that. i'm shocked that he's even in contention to drive your next vehicle, rather than eating his meals through a straw for his blatant absence of respect. he sounds like he doesn't have a healthy fear of the local law (you).

When they tried to tellme that my insurance wouldn't rise, I knew for sure then that they were just trying to feed me anything to get me to sign on the dotted line.

exactly. they're not certified insurance agents for any company, and every company is different right along with every driver/vehicle combination. fucking lying cunts. like i said, dealerships are simply a place of employment for legal rapists.

I walked away from it.

good for you. good decision.

So the next day, I get the $900 I had been waiting for and my mom took me to a used car dealership that I have bought cars with before. I drove half a dozen trucks, none of which were what I was looking for, then went to the cars and found this 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. That baby handled like a dream. Now I put the 900 down, and will be paying $361 for only 24 months. And while I am paying for the car, if something major goes wrong with it, they will allow me to switch out to another car, making the same payments..it might extend the time frame I have to make said payments, but at least I have the peace of mind knowing that no matter what happens I will be able to have some wheels.

good decision. it'll last even longer with your son and his idiot fucking friends on the side line. srsly, rule of the house should be, "touch me keys, i break your face". if the rule gets broken, tell the cops he fell down the fucking stairs.

The Galant is really easy to turn and a lot easier to handle than the jeep did on sharp curves, that is for sure! Also gets better gas mileage.

you owned a jeep... not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. you just bought a hovercraft after owning the titanic.

Had the mechanic here in town look at it before I signed on the dotted line, and the mechanic said that she was cherry, and would probably just end up needing some cosmetic repairs pretty soon. I don't know if it counts as cosmetic or not, but the drivers side windows power window motor broke, but I have ordered the part, and when it comes in, my son and/or his friends are going to try to put it in themselves.

do you know the mechanic personally? if not you need to, or start learning this shit for yourself. mechanics are like dealers: they love preying on the ladies, because nine times out of ten they're uneducated. it's not a sexist remark, it's the truth. you need to either befriend a good mechanic or start frequenting forums other than this one for a specific vehicle. they're out there. google search for "galant forums" or "mitsubishi forums".

do not let those kids touch that vehicle. you're setting yourself up for one clusterfuck after another. which one of them gave you the idea that he could fix it? the bell-ringer for me was the word "try". there is no trying on a fucking car... you do it or you don't. it's not some mystical hit-or-miss thing. it's very cut and dry.

I still have the four grand I owe citifincial for the jeep that was totaled, and have been trying to get ahold of them to see about rearranging and lowering the amount I would have to pay each month. I am hoping it will end up being in the $225-250 price range, which means that in two years, I will be debt free for the wrecked jeep and the 'new' mitsubishi. I tried to talk to them yesterday, got shuttled around a lot, and am going to give it another shot today.

not bad. stay on the horse and keep trying. persistence is key. don't be afraid to ask questions. don't be afraid to admit when you don't understand something. make sure you repeat to them exactly what you think something means for verification. it's no skin off their nuts to properly explain something to you over the phone, and it's fucking sad to accept an answer without understanding rather than appear dumb to get a more understandable answer.

I am really dreading next week, taking him up to get his license, because then my insurance is going to be jacked up so high it's going to be unreal.

nah, no reason to dread it, because your son, nor his friends, are going to drive your vehicle. srsly, say it loud, "my son, nor his fucking friends, are going to drive my vehicle."

look in the mirror, repeat it fifty times, then grab him up by the front of his shirt, look him dead in the fucking eye, and give him number fifty-one.

[Claydon]

ok car nuts...

driving to the campus, at like 35 mph as i approach 40 the transmission is suppose to go into 3rd gear, it tried and was basically in neutral sending the rpm through the roof. I limped the car back to the shop and the damn thing cannot go into reverse or 3rd gear. NO warning of this at all, the fluid is clean and nothing is burning.

So what do you all think? Solenoid?

What do you think im looking at? $700-1000?

[TylerDurden]

ok car nuts...

driving to the campus, at like 35 mph as i approach 40 the transmission is suppose to go into 3rd gear, it tried and was basically in neutral sending the rpm through the roof. I limped the car back to the shop and the damn thing cannot go into reverse or 3rd gear. NO warning of this at all, the fluid is clean and nothing is burning.

So what do you all think? Solenoid?

What do you think im looking at? $700-1000?

solenoid? don't think so. sounds more like the fuckin' synchros are shot. if it was every gear, i'd say clutch is shot, but on only a couple of gears... nah, son, that's trans probs. you'll pay more for the labor than the parts on this one.

[}{arlequin]

U should be looking for a car with manual transmission next time



broken cv joints sometimes act that way but then again there's a lot of complex stuff in an auto tranny

[Limp]

I love it when }{ talks about trannys

[Claydon]

solenoid? don't think so. sounds more like the fuckin' synchros are shot. if it was every gear, i'd say clutch is shot, but on only a couple of gears... nah, son, that's trans probs. you'll pay more for the labor than the parts on this one.

I know it is the tranny, i was under the impression that this transmission has solenoids in it for electronic gear shifting.

Yah I know it is gonna be pricey, but at the same time the fact that there was NO warning signs and the fluid is clean as can be (nothing is burning) leads me to think that it is electronic (maybe).


harlequin, it is not the CVJs.

[Limp]

Just don't use 3rd and reverse.

[TylerDurden]

I know it is the tranny, i was under the impression that this transmission has solenoids in it for electronic gear shifting.

Yah I know it is gonna be pricey, but at the same time the fact that there was NO warning signs and the fluid is clean as can be (nothing is burning) leads me to think that it is electronic (maybe).


harlequin, it is not the CVJs.

i'm not too certain on the electronics, but from what i gather there's error-catching in the ecu (for those that don't have a separate trans computer on board). it's possible that the trans couldn't engage those particular gears for some reason and skipped them altogether. so i wouldn't say the issue is the electronics. on the contrary, i'd say the electronics probably did their job.

you say you just had a trans fluid change? who did it? what does that trans call for? and what was used? i'm just tossing this out there, but perhaps the viscosity of the fluid is off, the gears aren't meshing correctly, the ecu is tossing an error code and the trans is (smartly) skipping the offending gears.

[Claydon]

i'm not too certain on the electronics, but from what i gather there's error-catching in the ecu (for those that don't have a separate trans computer on board). it's possible that the trans couldn't engage those particular gears for some reason and skipped them altogether. so i wouldn't say the issue is the electronics. on the contrary, i'd say the electronics probably did their job.

you say you just had a trans fluid change? who did it? what does that trans call for? and what was used? i'm just tossing this out there, but perhaps the viscosity of the fluid is off, the gears aren't meshing correctly, the ecu is tossing an error code and the trans is (smartly) skipping the offending gears.

Tranny fluid is up to spec, the mechanic checked the records to ensure that the correct fluid was used. Either way, I know there will be a shit ton of labor on this because it is a damn transmission. Stay tuned!

[Hoser]

More then likely they are going to have to rebuild it. There is probably a leak in the veins somewhere. Auto tranny's work on fluid pressure to change the gears and if there is any lose of pressure you will start to lose gears. The shitty thing is they charge a ton to do it, but all they do is open it up and either re gasket it or put down a silicon type gasket (not sure exactly what they use for it)

If the fluid was clean like you said it is then this is most likely what happened. But as }{ said, they are very complex and it could be alot of things causing it.

It could also be the valve that opens/closes to help changed gears. If it was only 3rd I would think that is it, but since it is reverse too it is hard to see 2 valves going at the same time.

[Claydon]

A rebuild on a well maintained transmission at 65,000 miles?! I am not disregarding your knowledge but it seems a bit extreme. I had a transmission rebuilt on another car because, well, all the fluid leaked out and the damn thing seized up.


hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......just have to wait and see.

[Pax Britannia]

I guess Toyota's arent that reliable.

[Claydon]

I guess Toyota's arent that reliable.

nissan sentra actually

[TylerDurden]

I had a transmission rebuilt on another car because, well, all the fluid leaked out and the damn thing seized up.

interesting. the simplest answer is the most likely. i don't suppose the same people touched both transmissions?

[Hoser]

A rebuild on a well maintained transmission at 65,000 miles?! I am not disregarding your knowledge but it seems a bit extreme. I had a transmission rebuilt on another car because, well, all the fluid leaked out and the damn thing seized up.


hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......just have to wait and see.

If it is broke it's broke.

It is an easy money maker for a tranny shop.

Not saying it is normal, but things happen.

[Pax Britannia]

nissan sentra actually

Do you gravitate to boring Japanese cars?

[Claydon]

Do you gravitate to boring Japanese cars?

no, however 3 years ago when i purchased the vehicle it was all I could afford.

To our european and british members.........souless cars are affordable and boring. for a car with soul and beauty it costs money. 3 years ago I could not get a car for more than $12,000. I have now paid it off and I love not have a monthly note. However, i do have to admit if this thing needs a new tranny to the tune of $3000 I will just purchase another vehicle.

[Pax Britannia]

no, however 3 years ago when i purchased the vehicle it was all I could afford.

This might be a good opportunity to part exhange it for something else then.

[Claydon]

This might be a good opportunity to part exhange it for something else then.

i would rather be saving up to purchase a home thank you very much. However, if it requires more than 3k in repairs then yes I will be purchasing another vehicle. The Jetta TDI is interesting.

[Claydon]

no answer until tomorrow...........ghey

[Limp]

There's a few corners in Houston you can get a tranny for $20.

[Pax Britannia]

There's a few corners in Houston you can get a tranny for $20.

Claydon lives in LA. I guess he's gonna have to ask Eddie Murphy for advice.

[}{arlequin]

different cars do this differently (another reason why u should go manual, you maintain total control over things) but some decide on gear change based on wheel speed sensors, some take it from from the crank. then there is also a combination of both. any of these sensors shorting out (broken/exposed wire etc) or just going kaput could cause the computer controlling these things to go haywire.

that is on the positive end of things. sensors can be in the $40-$140 range. if it's anything more than that, and likely it would be internal, i'd let the car go to greener pastures. or at least, not fix an auto tranny. it makes much more sense to get one from a scrap yard but the labor of swapping them will still be very pricey.

also, transmissions from wrecked cars may potentially have other issues as results of the shock from impact which will not be apparent until you install it etc etc.. again, all of this is magnified on an auto box.

see what the diagnostic reveals and go from there.

[Claydon]

see what the diagnostic reveals and go from there.

yes, that is what i am doing.

I think if it is necessary, and the bill is in the multi thousand range i will tow it back here, put it in the paper for $4000 (4000 below blue book) and pay a visit to some dealerships.

Honda or VW both look nice.

[Claydon]

soooooooo...got my rental.

a convertible chrysler sebring. before you call me gay let me state it was all they had and they are charing 14.99/day so shut the fuck up.

this is another FINE example of why the american auto industry is fucking gay and should die.



Note the lovely cheap plastic look of the interior panels for the 2008 chrysler sebring. My god, that looks about as elegant as 1988s Yugo 2 door import for the US market. And how about that slick chronometer!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/photo-2.jpg


Next up on this phenomenal accomplishment of engineering is the steering wheel. This beautifully designed wheel came from the minds of the auto school of engineering in detroit class of tuesday at 3:30pm. It has the reassuring feel of 2-3 inches of 'give' in either direction and the plastic sturdiness of your kids tinker toys.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/photo-1-2.jpg

From the previous Tuesday class, our next desired feature is this simply FABULOUS gear shift made from a hollow plastic mold with ever so lovely cheap/shiny plastic in the center. This truly is the very essence of form and function, you will also note the wasted space of the plastic divide between the passenger and driver seats, also available in cheap shitty hollow plastic.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/photo-3.jpg

How bout those lines....EH COMRADES?!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/photo-41.jpg


In maintaing the VERY high standards of quality and durability this beautiful sebring is available in a soft top which should last at least.....3 to 6 months.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c145/idexx/photo-5.jpg



I wish it came in soft corinthian leather.


and the engine behaves like it is actually kind of pissed off that you want to accelerate.


USA USA USA USA USA!

[Archangel]

Actually, that clock is the one semi-classy thing in that car. It's not Maser, but still.

[Claydon]

Actually, that clock is the one semi-classy thing in that car. It's not Maser, but still.

i was using my iphone for these pics, the clock is a piece of shit arch.

[BIG PIZZLE]

Why the fuck do I care about your stupid rental car?

[Archangel]

i was using my iphone for these pics, the clock is a piece of shit arch.

Well, figures.

[Pax Britannia]

Looks acceptible. Since you guys have no corners or speed limits above 50 it should do ok.

[Claydon]

Why the fuck do I care about your stupid rental car?

why the fuck do we care about your whores.


GTFO

[Claydon]

Looks acceptible. Since you guys have no corners or speed limits above 50 it should do ok.

50mph on US 101 North will get you crushed by the large 18 wheelers and the average driver.

[Gary_Busey]

You keep mentioning plastic. Don't similarly priced same-year cars from other companies have just as much plastic?

[Pax Britannia]

You keep mentioning plastic. Don't similarly priced same-year cars from other companies have just as much plastic?

Pretty much. I dont think that car looks that bad, it's the shitty engine and handling that would stop me from buying it.

[BIG PIZZLE]

why the fuck do we care about your whores.


GTFO

Because, unlike the piece of shit you're fawning over, you would never be able to get inside one.

[Gary_Busey]

Reverse-birth.

[Archangel]

You keep mentioning plastic. Don't similarly priced same-year cars from other companies have just as much plastic?
Plastic isn't plastic. Touch the plastic in an Audi A4, and then the one in a Buick. Totally different tactile experience.

[Gary_Busey]

Plastic isn't plastic. Touch the plastic in an Audi A4, and then the one in a Buick. Totally different tactile experience.
But you're paying how much more for that Audi than the Buick? And yes, plastic is plastic.

[Archangel]

But you're paying how much more for that Audi than the Buick? And yes, plastic is plastic.

No, it isn't.

[Gary_Busey]

Well, you find me the plastic quality statistics for both and I'll believe you.

[Pax Britannia]

Dont make that challenge to a German. He's probably got the charts on his hard-drive.

[Gary_Busey]

I was hoping he did.

[Hoser]

But Garys price point still stands. If I pay 80K for a car it better feel better then a 40K car.

And Gary, Arch is right, plastics in a high end car will feel nicer(thicker mold, connected better ect.). The plastic itself may not be a "better" plastic, but it is used in a better way.

Claydon, it is a fucking Sebring, what did you expect. Stop the auto critiques (which is laughable at best) and stick to what you know, whatever that may be. It is exactly what it is suppose to be, a rental car.

[Archangel]

An A4 isn't 80k, and the plastics are the best-feeling you'll find anywhere.

[Hoser]

An A4 isn't 80k, and the plastics are the best-feeling you'll find anywhere.

http://i43.tinypic.com/zx8qk0.jpg

Its gone down, 2 years ago it was just over 80K

[Archangel]

The fucking convertible with the biggest standard engine. Big deal. Are you serious?

Now find me the price for a 2.0 TDI estate.

[Archangel]

Here it says, "MSRP $30,700 - $48,800 (http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2009/audi/a4/index.html)"...

You know, if I ask, "how much is an E-Class these days?", I am not really interested in the price of the Brabus V12 model.

[Hoser]

Hey you said A4's aren't 80K, I was just showing they are.

But to humor you, the bottom barrel no options is $41,200.

Those prices don't include any taxes or anything like that.

[Hoser]

Here it says, "MSRP $30,700 - $48,800 (http://www.autoguide.com/new-cars/2009/audi/a4/index.html)"...

You know, if I ask, "how much is an E-Class these days?", I am not really interested in the price of the Brabus V12 model.

Remember, I live in Canada, cars cost more.

[Archangel]

I can't be arsed to keep your worthless currencies apart.

[Hoser]

It isn't even just the currency, cars in general cost more. A lot of people go to the US to buy cars and even after exchange save a lot of money.

[Claydon]

But Garys price point still stands. If I pay 80K for a car it better feel better then a 40K car.

And Gary, Arch is right, plastics in a high end car will feel nicer(thicker mold, connected better ect.). The plastic itself may not be a "better" plastic, but it is used in a better way.

Claydon, it is a fucking Sebring, what did you expect. Stop the auto critiques (which is laughable at best) and stick to what you know, whatever that may be. It is exactly what it is suppose to be, a rental car.


I was merely pointing what passes for $25k for US autos. Spend that much with the jape you get 10x more quality handling and everything.

[Hoser]

Well yeah, but the Japs make better cars (I know that was your point). Also 25K for a car is still not getting you much, jap or not (atleast here)

[Claydon]

Well yeah, but the Japs make better cars (I know that was your point). Also 25K for a car is still not getting you much, jap or not (atleast here)

Here that will get you something worth a damn an accord a camry etc. If you want a bmw (I do) then you have to spend 35k for new.

[Hoser]

Jalpnik Mega Post

Brits will pay a lot to compensate for lack of penises

One of the many ways British males compensate for lack of sexual prowess is by purchasing extraordinarily overpriced license plates. This "1 0" plate's expected to set a record, with an auction reserve of £10,000.

....

The “1 0” plate is exceptional both for its use of only two digits and for the symbolic importance of the number “10” which could signify a perfect automobile, a perfect driver or both. As such, the plate, which will be auctioned on Friday, will be given the highest ever reserve: 10,000 of Her Majesty’s Pounds or $14,221 in freedom credits. It’s expected to achieve a far greater price, maybe even challenging the current $500,000 record.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/DVLA_10_numberplate.jpg



1 Stig, 2 Stig, 3 Stig, 4

According to the Daily Mail, "The Stig" is not Ben Collins or any one masked driver. He is, in fact, a legion of eight, including Finnish F1 racer Heikki Kovalainen. Is this another misinformation campaign?

We guess the question isn't "Who is the Stig?" No, it's more like "Who isn't The Stig?" In addition to Heikki Kovalainen, the 27-year-old Finnish Formula One McLaren driver who happens to also be Lewis Hamilton's partner, the UK's Daily Mail claims there are seven other drivers who've donned the white racing suit of The Stig on Top Gear.
Forty-one-year-old former GT world championship racing driver Chris Goodwin, from London, has also starred as the Stig. As has fellow Londoner Julian Bailey, a 47-year-old former Formula One racing driver who raced for the Tyrell and Lotus teams.
Stunt driver Terry Grant from Bushey in Hertfordshire has also slipped into the white racing leathers to become the Stig. Mr Grant's website claims he is 'one of Europe's leading stunt drivers' and as such is 'the guy who really can drive circles around you'.

Stunt driver Russ Swift is another who has become the Stig. Mr Swift's website makes no mention of his alter-ego however it does tell how he has 'performed over 8000 displays in over 50 countries including America, South Africa, Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

Finally, Dan Lang, a Swedish snow mobile racing champion played the Stig in a Top Gear stunt where he jumped a snow mobile off a ski jump."

So is it true? Well, while readers here and at FinalGear would like to believe there's some kind of vast conspiracy, with this story being yet another part of a misinformation campaign on behalf of the producers of the show, the truth is, it's probably not. While it's very possible The Stig is a single driver, like Ben Collins, he probably isn't given the needs of the variety of different types of stunt driving on the show. I makes more sense to believe he/she/it's a legion of different drivers, each brought in under different needs — whether it's taking a snowmobile off a jump or drifting around the corners at a Spanish raceway.

Of course it could still be a conspiracy. The BBC would prefer you think that anyway — it makes the producers of the show look smarter than they actually are.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/The_Stig_Top_Gear_Eight.jpg

Audi is Out, Aston is In

Aston Martin is prepping two factory-backed Gulf-liveried works LMP1 to fight for overall finish at 24 Hours of Le Mans. The last time they managed this was 50 years ago. Can they do it again?

Aston Martin will arrive in France for the 86th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in June with two new factory-backed cars. The historic Gulf Oil-liveried blue and orange cars are built upon a Lola chassis and feature the same V12 engine as is used in their successful GT1 DBR9.

There's been some fierce competition brewing between the Audi R10 (replaced this year with the R15) and the Peugeot 908 HDi and Aston Martin hopes to cash in on the fight. Audi has managed a five-year winning streak with the French 908 diesel following strongly behind, so can the Aston Martin team really pull one out of the hat?

Aston Martin chairman, David Richards, looks forward to the challenge and has this to say:
OK Audi is going to run in the 24, but thats about it.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/01/amlmp1_title.jpg
http://jalopnik.com/5140158/aston-martin-builds-two-new-factory-lmp1-cars-to-tackle-le-mans

[The Dude]

the hell is a "freedom credit"?

[TylerDurden]

heikki... lulz. to be honest this explanation makes a sort of sense. the camera angles rarely show how tall the driver is (heikki is quite short), and it's really not all that possible for one driver to excel in every type of driving. one must give credit where credit is due: no matter the endeavor the stig(s) is amazing no matter what the show is displaying. this makes perfect sense.

[Hoser]

the hell is a "freedom credit"?
It is called a lame joke. People with a sense of humour tend to get it.

[}{arlequin]

http://i44.tinypic.com/153xi6h.jpg

[misterfatt]

who would put forth that much effort without slashing the tires?

[Hoser]

Pfft its only a Carrera.

[Claydon]

http://i44.tinypic.com/153xi6h.jpg

bad break up harlequin?
;)

[Claydon]

Update....

Some of you remember I had to take my car into a transmission shop on Tuesday....

Diagnosis.... Cracked drum, clutches are shot to hell, basically a complete rebuild, most of gears/components show significant damage from metal debris being pumped through the transmission. I am fucking stunned, I maintain this fucking car and it is 7000 miles out of warranty and this happens?! When I purchased the car Nissan wanted $1000 for the powertrain extended up to 180,000 miles. Sadly at the time my finances were so fucking tight I could not afford the additional $45/mo plus interest. Oh well.....bottom line is $1950, and I get a nationwide 5 year or 60,000 miles.

Talking to the tech I outright asked if this was a failure of Nissan or a failure of the owner to improperly maintain. He said neither, and even if it was Nissan, what the hell am I going to do? So I plunked down $1000 cash deposit and will pick it up next tuesday.

Nice shop, extremely clean, i like how they steam clean the transmission to get rid of the lubricant(s) so you can work on it without working in a pool fluid.

[Gary_Busey]

Reliability defined.

[Claydon]

Reliability defined.

the difference here is that this was an usual event, can the same be said for the plastic tinker toy nightmare of US cars?

[Gary_Busey]

Sure.

[Claydon]

Sure.

driving this chrysler piece of shit that i got for a rental at the moment i can see the US automakers are failing. I can hear the power steering pump choking with only 20k on the odometer.

[Hoser]

If you look for problems, which you clearly do with all American made cars, you will always find something.

I am not a huge fan of American cars, but they aren't nearly as bad as you want them to be.

[Claydon]

If you look for problems, which you clearly do with all American made cars, you will always find something.

I am not a huge fan of American cars, but they aren't nearly as bad as you want them to be.

the trucks are great...


sebring.....................

[}{arlequin]

the difference here is that this was an usual event, can the same be said for the plastic tinker toy nightmare of US cars?
here's the deal... you're trying to compare a kalashnikov to an mp5. the american engine has so much tolerance built into it, that it will run forever. yes. it will. no, it will not be efficient. it will take oil as if it was gas on a bi-monthly basis. but it will go. whereas the tighter tolerance will not be tolerant of failures. or overlaps.

i hate to bring this up, but others will benefit. you take pride in taking extra good care of your car. maintenance wise. it's something to be lauded. but.... your effort is put into a car that does not care, either way. you do the 'right thing' on a civic, or you run it into the ground on the original 'break in' oil... it won't make a difference. the car cannot tell. you *feel* you made it more reliable, but you haven't. it's made that way. it will always run that way.

take that approach to a better car, and you have a payoff. but on a basic car, it's all a wash.

case in point: your car. you did all you could, maintenance wise. and yet, it failed. if you did abso fucking lutely nothing, it would still fail. at the exact same time about the exact same component. the auto tranny. unrelated to your religious maintenance schedule, but yet...

my point is, you polish a turd, at the end of the day it's still a turd. fyi... i've been driving a 1983 vw rabbit gti for the last few years. bought it on ebay for 1k, for lulz. haven't put oil in it even once. it has over 180k on the clock. not b/c i hate it. i love the car. but when it comes to doing something on a car, the racecar takes precedence, each and every time. so i'm prolly running on a quart of oil... and i'm fine w/ that. if it dies, it dies. either, i swap a motor for $400 or i trash the car. but i'm sure as hell not gonna waste my time on a car that will run or break at its whim, no matter what i do.

see my point?

i'm all for putting forth the effort... just make sure it's in the right direction.

[Okie Medicvet]

My son had a permit, so unless there was someone 21 and over in the vehicle, he cannot drive it. He went to drop his girlfriend off in another small town, and then let his friend drive the jeep because his friend was 18 with a license, so he was able to legally drive it. I told the insurance company that I would not be allowing my son to drive the car, but the insurance said that it wouldn't make any difference in the premiums, which kinda sucks. The jeep had hit a patch of black ice, then overcompensated, and rolled over twice and bounced off a tree. I was totally amazed that both boys were able to walk away from it with only a few scratches and bruises. I literally damn near passed out when I saw the condition of the jeep. It's not the fact that the jeep was wrecked so much as how poor his grades are that is preventing him from me allowing him to drive the galant. He failed nearly all his classes last semester, so I made him quit his job, and said until I see a much improved gpa next semester, the keys stay in my hands. I talked with the used car dealership about the power window motor being proken, and they said if I buy the part, they will install it free, which is cool.

I know I have been pretty lax with Ronny, but after seeing the nose dive his grades took, that ended in a hurry. Also, now that he no longer has a job, the only way he can make money is if he does a lot of chores on a long list I give him, and he only gets paid after they are all done. The boys weren't driving the jeep wildly or recklessly, but still, they don't need to be driving this car until Ronny shoes more that he can be trusted.

I talked to citifinancial, and they are processing the check the insurance gave them, and said once they do so, that making payments of $200 a month would be no problem at all, thank goodness. And yeah, I do spoil my kids a bit much..I just remember how rough it was when I was growing up, and how much I wish I had folks who would do things like that for me.

[Archangel]

I'm not reading all that.

[TylerDurden]

My son had a permit, so unless there was someone 21 and over in the vehicle, he cannot drive it. He went to drop his girlfriend off in another small town, and then let his friend drive the jeep because his friend was 18 with a license, so he was able to legally drive it.

so you gave them permission. it sounds like your son drove on the way there and his friend drove on the way back. why didn't his friend drive his car, since he has a license already? i only ask because letting your child's friend drive your vehicle seems odd to me, unless he/she is moving it in or out of your driveway for some reason.

I told the insurance company that I would not be allowing my son to drive the car, but the insurance said that it wouldn't make any difference in the premiums, which kinda sucks.

that's okay. you have peace of mind knowing that your car isn't in the wrong hands.

The jeep had hit a patch of black ice, then overcompensated, and rolled over twice and bounced off a tree. I was totally amazed that both boys were able to walk away from it with only a few scratches and bruises. I literally damn near passed out when I saw the condition of the jeep.

and a driver with more experience would probably have avoided this. here's the thing: kids get their license, they get that taste of freedom, and they don't give a shit or respect the equipment that they're borrowing to attain it. your son, nor his friend, worked for the money that bought that vehicle. the respect simply isn't there. and it might not be intentional. but it is what it is.

It's not the fact that the jeep was wrecked so much as how poor his grades are that is preventing him from me allowing him to drive the galant. He failed nearly all his classes last semester, so I made him quit his job, and said until I see a much improved gpa next semester, the keys stay in my hands.

you should help him by making him buy his own car. don't pitch in on it. make him buy one for himself. he'll either a) want something nice and discover that he has to work for quite some time to get it, or b) want to have anything, thus figuring out what the word "junker" means. either way, he'll learn the value of a car and learn some respect for other people's shit. additionally, he won't be taxing your new(ish) family car's ass.

I talked with the used car dealership about the power window motor being proken, and they said if I buy the part, they will install it free, which is cool.

good deal. better the pros do it, so you can hold them accountable and responsible.

I just remember how rough it was when I was growing up, and how much I wish I had folks who would do things like that for me.

i'll say this: when my son is of age to have his license he certainly won't be driving his ol' man's bmw. i might let him wash/wax it on the weekends, but otherwise he's going to be buying a piece of shit. just like i did when i was his age. he'll get more out of the experience of ownership, working to get what he wants, and the responsibility of care and maintenance. simply giving him what he wants does nothing but hurt him in the long run, because it's simply delaying the inevitable experience of learning those very lessons. better to just get it out of the way.

[Claydon]

here's the deal... you're trying to compare a kalashnikov to an mp5. the american engine has so much tolerance built into it, that it will run forever. yes. it will. no, it will not be efficient. it will take oil as if it was gas on a bi-monthly basis. but it will go. whereas the tighter tolerance will not be tolerant of failures. or overlaps.

i hate to bring this up, but others will benefit. you take pride in taking extra good care of your car. maintenance wise. it's something to be lauded. but.... your effort is put into a car that does not care, either way. you do the 'right thing' on a civic, or you run it into the ground on the original 'break in' oil... it won't make a difference. the car cannot tell. you *feel* you made it more reliable, but you haven't. it's made that way. it will always run that way.

take that approach to a better car, and you have a payoff. but on a basic car, it's all a wash.

case in point: your car. you did all you could, maintenance wise. and yet, it failed. if you did abso fucking lutely nothing, it would still fail. at the exact same time about the exact same component. the auto tranny. unrelated to your religious maintenance schedule, but yet...

my point is, you polish a turd, at the end of the day it's still a turd. fyi... i've been driving a 1983 vw rabbit gti for the last few years. bought it on ebay for 1k, for lulz. haven't put oil in it even once. it has over 180k on the clock. not b/c i hate it. i love the car. but when it comes to doing something on a car, the racecar takes precedence, each and every time. so i'm prolly running on a quart of oil... and i'm fine w/ that. if it dies, it dies. either, i swap a motor for $400 or i trash the car. but i'm sure as hell not gonna waste my time on a car that will run or break at its whim, no matter what i do.

see my point?

i'm all for putting forth the effort... just make sure it's in the right direction.


I completely understand what you are saying, however there is an added caveat here.

Remember when I had that rim stolen and the assholes put on a screwed up rim with a shredded tire? Remember how I dragged the rotor on the asphalt, the shop is really suspicious that this little event may have damaged the transmission....do not ask me how. Called my insurance company today and their are sending out an agent to discuss this with shop. I mentioned this little fact to the shop this morning when I spoke to them about some parts and the manager kind of let out a dramatic pause and said "wow.....that may have damaged the transmission.." Well, we will see if the insurance company wants to pick up the charges....I won't hold my breath.

[Hoser]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Balla-train.jpg

GO Train!!!!






Actually, I don't mind them that much.

Saab Wants To Be The “Apple Of Car Brands”

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/saab_aero_x.jpg
Saab, which is trying to quit GM, has revealed its plan for the future: to be the "Apple of car brands" by building cars like Apple builds computers.

Knut Simonsson, who is not related to Knut the Polar Bear but is instead Saab’s director of global brand and sales, revealed that the company wants to be,

“a special brand for entrepreneurs, dentists, doctors and agency people. We don't want to be another Audi.”
After failing to find itself a buyer when GM offered the brand for sale, Saab is now trying to take itself private with help from the Swedish government. The move could see production of the forthcoming 2010 Saab 9-5 moved from a GM facility in Germany to Saab’s home in Trollhattan. Doing that would be incredibly expensive, but could result in higher quality and the potential for future spin-off models; the ability to accept this cost demonstrates the company’s commitment to turn itself around. Despite having a reputation for innovation and quirkiness, Saab has languished for the last 20 years as GM’s forgotten brand with virtually no new model development and cars based on mediocre Opels then sold for premium prices.

Saab realizes that, in order to survive, all that has to change. Simonsson describes the brand’s future ideals as, “innovation, aircraft history and Scandinavia. Independent thinking.” It would have a small market share but would be the brand of new ideas, consumer-friendly products and credible design. In short, Simonsson says, Saab would be the “Apple of car brands.”

Simonsson says the thinking for this new direction started, “three or four years ago” with the Saab Aero-X concept. The first step is the new 9-5, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. We don't necessarily know if they can become the "Apple of car brands" just by making them white, bulbous and with lots of chrome.
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Saab_Aero-X_Concept.jpg

So they are saying they want to be a douche bags of the auto world who charge more for a product that is no better.

[TylerDurden]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Balla-train.jpg

GO Train!!!!






Actually, I don't mind them that much.

pwnt.

[Hoser]

http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/jalopnik/2009/02/Chris_Bangle.jpg
Chris Bangle, polarizing and iconic BMW chief design honcho, is quitting "to pursue his own design-related endeavors beyond the auto industry," the German carmaker said Tuesday. A gallery of "Bangle Butts" below the jump.


BMW Faithful rejoice!!!!!!!!!!


But not all his stuff was THAT bad. he made some nice cars.

[Archangel]

Oh fuck yes.


Thank you, Lord.

[Hoser]

The New R8 5.2FSI V10 sounds like pure sex

PX_RCJVJynA

[TylerDurden]

Oh fuck yes.


Thank you, Lord.

*wipes away a tear, sniffles*

we've been oppressed for so long...
GOODBYE, BANGLE BOOTY!

[Okie Medicvet]

dammit I can't afford the gap insurance to get it added to my policy for the galant. And the freakin drivers side power window motor broke. I already had to buy another motor and go get the fucking thing fixed. And since the horn on it won't work, my son can't take his drivers test in it....like, wtf?

I am going to get him his license, and this doesn't help matters at all. I found out I have to pay for the insurance on him whether he is licensed or not, so I need him to get it, that way he won't get a ticket if he is driving somewhere and gets pulled over.

And I would let him get his own car, except I am not letting him work while his grades are like they are, so he doesn't have the means to save up and get his own car right now the way things are.

I am taking the galant to the dealership I brought if from tomorrow and have them put that motor in and not charge me any labor for it, or they better not anyways.

[Trident]

If this does happen then I may very well sell one of my houses to try and buy one of these. I've always dreamt of owning an F1...an F2? Yes please.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/229938/mclarens_new_f1.html


http://img15.imagevenue.com/loc1173/th_55520_car_photo_288648_25_122_1173lo.jpg (http://img15.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55520_car_photo_288648_25_122_1173lo .jpg)

http://img15.imagevenue.com/loc711/th_55526_car_photo_288651_25_122_711lo.jpg (http://img15.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=55526_car_photo_288651_25_122_711lo. jpg)

[Archangel]

Sell one of your hou...?


Man, fuck you.

[Trident]

By houses I mean two.

I aint no landowner type.

But, the cost of insuring, driving, maintaining (the F1 costs about £30,000 per 6000 miles) might very well put a stop on this pipedream.

[Pax Britannia]

By houses I mean two.

I aint no landowner type.

Your not helping your case. Arch lives in a box of Air Jordans remember?

[Archangel]

*cries*

[TylerDurden]

actually, mercedes is very keen on not allowing mclaren to use its engines/trans in the powertrain. they want their partnership to start and stop with the f1 team, and only the f1 team.

the original mclaren f1 was a joint venture between mclaren and... mmm... bmw. a fantastic and sexy collaboration. moar!

[Archangel]

actually, mercedes is very keen on not allowing mclaren to use its engines/trans in the powertrain. they want their partnership to start and stop with the f1 team, and only the f1 team.

Ahem.

Boosted by a turbocharger, the AMG-tuned powerplant will produce at least 500bhp.

Something's not right here.

[Trident]

*cries*

Hey, should it happen I'll be taking it across to Deutschland for the Autobahns and Nürburgring, I'll pop over and collect you!

[Trident]

Ahem.



Something's not right here.

From what I gathered, Mercedes have approved the project as they've got a 40% share in Mclaren. It would seem strange for them to not supply the engine, I think they are not interested in working on the project - merely supplying the powerplant to let Mclaren work on it in-house.

[Hoser]

Ahem.



Something's not right here.

While AMG is the Benz inhouse tuner (do they actually do anything other than Mercedes??), they are not Benz. So it isn't impossible for them to tune another engine. Yeah, ok, it is grasping at straws, but nothing is impossible.

[Hoser]

http://img15.imagevenue.com/aAfkjfp01fo1i-12092/loc1173/55520_car_photo_288648_25_122_1173lo.jpg


http://www.ridelust.com/wp-content/uploads/ascari_kz1.jpg
Long lost twins??

[Trident]

Of course it's worth remembering that a lot of the article is based on theory and guesswork. There are no concrete details of the new car, except for the fact that there have been some sightings of a heavily camouflaged car around the Woking area. I cannot see any reason for hiding the F1, so it must be something new.