Picture of your car (2012)

[steviem]

My grandmother-in-law is giving me her 2001 Ford Focus SE when I pass my NY State Driving test.

(not the actual car, but just like it)

It's not been on the road for a couple of years now, though, and needs a little work to run (tried doing a mini service and starting it, but it starts, runs for 10 seconds and dies, not taking any notice of the throttle) and then pass an inspection, but it only has 38,000 on the clock, so could be good as a part exchange once it's up and running - I have been spoiled by the Fusions, Camaros and Explorers that I've rented over the last few months!

Need to go for the 5 hour class and then a lesson or two before I take the test, so hopefully I'll be passed by Easter.

 

[leftywamumonkey]

My grandmother-in-law is giving me her 2001 Ford Focus SE when I pass my NY State Driving test.

Image
(not the actual car, but just like it)

It's not been on the road for a couple of years now, though, and needs a little work to run (tried doing a mini service and starting it, but it starts, runs for 10 seconds and dies, not taking any notice of the throttle) and then pass an inspection, but it only has 38,000 on the clock, so could be good as a part exchange once it's up and running - I have been spoiled by the Fusions, Camaros and Explorers that I've rented over the last few months!

Need to go for the 5 hour class and then a lesson or two before I take the test, so hopefully I'll be passed by Easter.

Hasn't been on the road for years.

I wonder how the oil is.

 

[steviem]

Indeed! Well, I drained and replaced the oil, before I started, it wasnt creamy and was viscous and fairly clean in the oil pan. Was a pain to undo the drain plug though!

 

[puma1552]

If I were by myself and only needed one car I would probably go back to leasing a nice BMW.

Problem is, they've gotten so ridiculous for what you get that they just aren't worth the money compared to other comparable brands IMO. The other issue is I've seen horrendous amounts of orange peel on most of the newer three series cars I've seen, which there is no excuse for on a car hitting $50k+. I'm talking orange peel visible from 10+ feet. The dealers blame it on modern paints being water based, but any good body man will tell you it's just poor finishing, orange peel has absolutely nothing to do with the paint and everything to do with the technique. Many other dealers offer cars with water-based paints with substantially less orange peel at much, much lower price points. My neighbor's new black 335i is so bad I likely would've refused delivery at first look.

Just looking online though, a Z4 sDrive35iS now starts at a ridiculous $64k+. $64k for a Z4? Come on, even the base Z4 starts at $48k, and BMW will nickel and dime you for everything. Even leather isn't standard in a $50k car, they charge another $1250, and another $550 for any run of the mill metallic paint; a tricoat I could understand, but paying extra for regular metallic paint that's been around for decades?

I think BMW, over the last ten years, has really pork rolled themselves and doesn't care at all about making the ultimate driving machine like they very likely did 20 years ago. It seems like they are the status quo and they know it, so they do the bare minimum and just sell as many as they can. Still nice looking and nice driving cars when they run right, but just not the value they were even a decade ago IMO.

 

[codymac]

I'm talking orange peel visible from 10+ feet.

BMWs have been this way for over a decade now.

I had a black one in the body shop about 10 years ago and asked the shop to match the factory orange peel on a panel they were respraying.


They managed a pretty good match.

 

[puma1552]

Have they? I have just noticed this over the past couple years, seems every three series I look at it is plagued with it, badly. A hint of orange peel is ok for a factory paint job since they aren't $10k show paint jobs, but the amount I've seen on the threes is way too much to be acceptable on a car that expensive, let alone any car. Haven't looked too closely at other models though, so I can't speak for them, but the threes seem to have some real cosmetic issues. Neither my E30 nor E36 had any at all, they had quite nice paint from the factory.

 

[codymac]

Neither my E30 nor E36 had any at all, they had quite nice paint from the factory.

Yup. Mine was a black E46 which made it even more noticeable. My girlfriend at the time drove a E36 and the paint on her car was considerably better (met all expectations).

 

[puma1552]

Well, the E90/E92s certainly aren't any better. I'd be curious to take a close look at a 1 series and see how it fares. I do like those, but again, overpriced for what you get. Over $30k for a 128i, $1450 for leather, $1000+ for a roof, $1000 for power seats (seriously?), another X hundred for heated seats, another 800 for the HK stereo, the list of nickel and diming goes on, before you know it you have a $40k 128i that still has halogen headlights, lol. Unless of course, you want to throw another thousand or so in the hat to get them. The packages aren't much better, the premium package is like $3,500 and Msport another $2,500, ouch.

 

[macquariumguy]

I hate the orange peel that so many cars have these last 10 or 15 years. Ugly++ but the manufacturers are trying to sell it like its a good thing.

 

[Beutelkatze]

My daily driver:

`00 Audi A2:

Navigation, aircon, ESP/ABS/traction control etc.

55mpg isn`t too bad for a 12 year old petrol

 

[SK360]

It's sad that your employer pays you enough to lease a $4,000 per month car when you don't even know the difference between there, their, and they're. So much for your "good education."

+1, was going to post the same thing.

 

[TheNewDude]

It's sad that your employer pays you enough to lease a $4,000 per month car when you don't even know the difference between there, their, and they're. So much for your "good education."

Is it really that sad?
I'm very happy actually.

If you spend your time working hard instead of trying to find small errors in someone's macrumors post, you might be rewarded too.

 

[HellDiverUK]

It seems there's lots of people who are "dyslexic" now. Back when I was at school in the 80s, you were "stupid" or "lazy".

When I was at university, there were people taking an English degree who were dyslexic. WTF? English degree and can't spell?!? They also got an extra hour at each exam. Doesn't seem fair on those of us who bothered to learn to spell, read and write.

Anyway. Post your car...

2008 Vauxhall Vectra SRI.

DIY audio upgrade (Kenwood head unit with Bluetooth):

 

[steviem]

Is it really that sad?
I'm very happy actually.

If you spend your time working hard instead of trying to find small errors in someone's macrumors post, you might be rewarded too.

Hopefully they're an editor for a publishing company and then goes on forums to proofread posts... I kinda doubt it though.

 

[TheNewDude]

Hopefully they're an editor for a publishing company and then goes on forums to proofread posts... I kinda doubt it though.

Yeah I really don't get it.
It's a forum. So I made a mistake when I was typing. What's the big deal?
I know the difference between the words. Just because I made a mistake, some people like making a big deal about it. As if they've never made a mistake before.

It's about cars here. I have been following this thread for a very long time as I'm a HUGE car fan and then finally decided to post thinking people would appreciate it. Then this guy comes along and ruins it...

 

[newsushi]

Yeah I really don't get it.
It's a forum. So I made a mistake when I was typing. What's the big deal?
I know the difference between the words.

You do not know the differences between "there," "their," and "they're;" the product of knowledge in this case would be automatic word choice. Rather, you are simply aware of the differences. Think of this as an opportunity.

 

[codymac]

Well, the E90/E92s certainly aren't any better. I'd be curious to take a close look at a 1 series and see how it fares. I do like those, but again, overpriced for what you get. Over $30k for a 128i, $1450 for leather, $1000+ for a roof, $1000 for power seats (seriously?), another X hundred for heated seats, another 800 for the HK stereo, the list of nickel and diming goes on, before you know it you have a $40k 128i that still has halogen headlights, lol. Unless of course, you want to throw another thousand or so in the hat to get them. The packages aren't much better, the premium package is like $3,500 and Msport another $2,500, ouch.

It's almost as crazy as the E9x M3's curb weight!


Just rode to lunch in a 135i that one of my coworkers owns. It's equipped with the "factory orange peel" package too. The roof looks best while the trunk, hood, and sides are a disaster - Montego Blue car on a very overcast day and it still stands out.

 

[tytanic11]

Was this taken on the Blue Ridge Parkway? Those stone guard walls look familiar

Yes it was went on vacation to VA last summer, even though it was foggy and raining the whole time the Parkway was still beautiful.

 

[TheNewDude]

You do not know the differences between "there," "their," and "they're;" the product of knowledge in this case would be automatic word choice. Rather, you are simply aware of the differences. Think of this as an opportunity. Power is always watched; it is always critiqued. Your subordinates (because they want your power), peers (because they want more power), and seniors (because they must delegate power) constantly critically evaluate your work. Knowing these types of differences not only eliminates careless grade school errors, it also closes one window of opportunity for others to take something away from you.

You're an idiot!

Did I use that one correctly??
I would also suggest you read what you wrote. I'm sure you will find at least one error in your grammar.

 

[BlueGummiBear]

Not really a car but it is one of my methods of transpotration. I just picked her up off eBay last week

 

[steviem]

You do not know the differences between "there," "their," and "they're;" the product of knowledge in this case would be automatic word choice. Rather, you are simply aware of the differences. Think of this as an opportunity. Power is always watched; it is always critiqued. Your subordinates (because they want your power), peers (because they want more power), and seniors (because they must delegate power) constantly critically evaluate your work. Knowing these types of differences not only eliminates careless grade school errors, it also closes one window of opportunity for others to take something away from you.

Please see me after class

*The point is - people take less care in grammar on forums than they do when they are in real life, important situations. You would probably see the tonality of their writing differs between work email, personal email, IMs, text messages, and forum posts.

Get over your grammar hangups and you'll have a much nicer time on here, and hey, at least he didn't write:

Dis iz my car, innit

or just as infuriating:

Look At My Car, Dont You Think It Looks Nice?

Mods, please give him time to read this and then obliterate the off topic stuff, thanks.

 

[TheNewDude]

Mods, please give him time to read this and then obliterate the off topic stuff, thanks.

Thanks Steviem!

Can we get back to the cars now??

 

[RaceTripper]

Have they? I have just noticed this over the past couple years, seems every three series I look at it is plagued with it, badly. A hint of orange peel is ok for a factory paint job since they aren't $10k show paint jobs, but the amount I've seen on the threes is way too much to be acceptable on a car that expensive, let alone any car. Haven't looked too closely at other models though, so I can't speak for them, but the threes seem to have some real cosmetic issues. Neither my E30 nor E36 had any at all, they had quite nice paint from the factory.

I've had a '99 323i, '02 530i, '03 330ci, '05 M3, and a '09 MINI JCW. Not one had any problem with orange peel effect. The paint on all of them was mirror like. No problems.

 

[MattZani]

 

[Christopher387A]

Mine. 2011 Chevy Camaro. Love it!