The Car Thread ... !

[A.Goldberg]

Sadly I agree. I wonder if Craftsman tools still have a lifetime return policy? I suppose not.

I believe part of the deal was to continue the warranty. The only thing is if you bring in your old American made tool, you'll end up with a Chinese one.

Cheaply made tools tend to have lower tolerances and less strength... more prone to damaging themselves or whatever you're working on.

Craftsman was a good, affordable US option for those not looking to shell out the big bucks for brands like Snap On where a complete tool set will cost you as much as a car. SK is a good brand to check out if you want some quality, American made sockets at a price a bit lower than Snap On, Mac, or Proto.

I have a 3-teir Mac tool chest, picked up second hand super cheap ($80?). It was in good shape but required a couple of the drawer slides to be replaced... $25 (magically you can actually get replacement parts unlike most things these days). The thing is built like a tank though and the ball bearing drawers slide like butter but feel super rigid. The stuff you find at Home Depot and Sears for the most part is made out of cheap 1 micron thick metal and hobble around before you weigh it down with some tools. You can spend a more and get ball bearing drawers and a heavier build, but it's nothing like the stuff the premium brands put out.

Unfortunately living in the city I don't have space for much more than some screw drivers, pliers, and a cordless drill. I'd love to change my own oil and save $200, but I don't have space for the equipment. It might be more doable when if I buy an SUV.

One thing I commend BMW on is how easy they make it to change the oil. The drain plug is right there and the oil filter is basically on top of the engine. There's no reason cars should have these crazy inaccessible oil filters on he middle-side of the engine and oil drains shrouded by 10sq ft of plastic shielding (eh hem Audi). Even GM is crazy with some of these cars where you have to remove the bumper to change the battery or Nissan where you literally might have to remove the wheel to change the headlight (or VW/Audi remove the air intake )

 

[A.Goldberg]

There is always the Fiat 500 Abarth, turbocharged. Small car, great for city driving with some oomph. I've been talking about this Alpha Romeo 4C but in reality the most I've ever spent on a car was $30k for a Toyota Highlander and I hate car payments. I did lease a Mercedes SUV for 3 years so that does not count. Honestly I don't see myself wasting an additional $30k for a fun, but limited purpose sporty car. Not even a back seat or bench to store groceries. Maybe I should check out the Mazda convertible instead but I suspect no space behind the seats there either.

Regarding tools, I had a complete Snap On set, but sold them as I did not need them. Harbor Freight is another outfit which used to sell good tools but then went, I suppose like most, the cheap China route, to stay competitive.

Oh jeeze, I'm not sure a Fiat is exactly my speed. I'm sure it's great for downtown parking but it's a bit small for my needs. I can only imagine how terrible those are in the snow. How's the Fiat reliability treating you?

Price is the thing I keep debating. Do I go out and blow $65,000 on a new car when I can get a decent, low mileage, CPO luxury car for $35,000. I should really run the numbers on leasing since I don't even drive 10,000mi/year. I could always put the long trips on my (owned) GF's car, who I think uses even less mileage than I do.

I must say we got a steal on her S60 T6 AWD... loaded except for a few features like autonomic braking. She got it a couple years old with 34k for just over $23,000 if I remember... CPO through the dealer (family friend owned granted). Looking at prices of S60's these days a couple years later from the same dealer a similar package would be quite a bit more.

 

[Huntn]

Oh jeeze, I'm not sure a Fiat is exactly my speed. I'm sure it's great for downtown parking but it's a bit small for my needs. I can only imagine how terrible those are in the snow. How's the Fiat reliability treating you?

Price is the thing I keep debating. Do I go out and blow $65,000 on a new car when I can get a decent, low mileage, CPO luxury car for $35,000. I should really run the numbers on leasing since I don't even drive 10,000mi/year. I could always put the long trips on my (owned) GF's car, who I think uses even less mileage than I do.

I must say we got a steal on her S60 T6 AWD... loaded except for a few features like autonomic braking. She got it a couple years old with 34k for just over $23,000 if I remember... CPO through the dealer (family friend owned granted). Looking at prices of S60's these days a couple years later from the same dealer a similar package would be quite a bit more.

You just said it. If you can buy a low mileage luxury car for half the price, you just saved yourself a pile of $$- a no brainer and my preferred outcome.

With 35k miles on it, my Fiat has performed as needed to keep me happy, reliable and outstanding gas mileage. Will the wheels fall off at 50k miles? No clue.

 

[Huntn]

I believe part of the deal was to continue the warranty. The only thing is if you bring in your old American made tool, you'll end up with a Chinese one.

Cheaply made tools tend to have lower tolerances and less strength... more prone to damaging themselves or whatever you're working on.

Craftsman was a good, affordable US option for those not looking to shell out the big bucks for brands like Snap On where a complete tool set will cost you as much as a car. SK is a good brand to check out if you want some quality, American made sockets at a price a bit lower than Snap On, Mac, or Proto.

I have a 3-teir Mac tool chest, picked up second hand super cheap ($80?). It was in good shape but required a couple of the drawer slides to be replaced... $25 (magically you can actually get replacement parts unlike most things these days). The thing is built like a tank though and the ball bearing drawers slide like butter but feel super rigid. The stuff you find at Home Depot and Sears for the most part is made out of cheap 1 micron thick metal and hobble around before you weigh it down with some tools. You can spend a more and get ball bearing drawers and a heavier build, but it's nothing like the stuff the premium brands put out.

Unfortunately living in the city I don't have space for much more than some screw drivers, pliers, and a cordless drill. I'd love to change my own oil and save $200, but I don't have space for the equipment. It might be more doable when if I buy an SUV.

One thing I commend BMW on is how easy they make it to change the oil. The drain plug is right there and the oil filter is basically on top of the engine. There's no reason cars should have these crazy inaccessible oil filters on he middle-side of the engine and oil drains shrouded by 10sq ft of plastic shielding (eh hem Audi). Even GM is crazy with some of these cars where you have to remove the bumper to change the battery or Nissan where you literally might have to remove the wheel to change the headlight (or VW/Audi remove the air intake )

$200 for a frick'n oil change? Oh boy.

 

[willmtaylor]

I know how to do very basic maintenance on my vehicles (e.g. fluids, tires, oil changes, etc.). I'm confused by something though.

I purchased a K&N air filter under the notion that it could/would improve fuel efficiency. However, I've noticed that my 2007 4Runner actually seems to get worse efficiency since installing the K&N filter. Is this my imagination? Is this normal? Is this documented elsewhere?

Thanks for any help or feedback!
Will

 

[winston1236]

I know how to do very basic maintenance on my vehicles (e.g. fluids, tires, oil changes, etc.). I'm confused by something though.

I purchased a K&N air filter under the notion that it could/would improve fuel efficiency. However, I've noticed that my 2007 4Runner actually seems to get worse efficiency since installing the K&N filter. Is this my imagination? Is this normal? Is this documented elsewhere?

Thanks for any help or feedback!
Will

K&N filters are mostly just marketing hype. I used on for around 3 years and ended up removing it and going back to factory style.

My mileage didn't change and I figured with fuel mpg standards getting tighter and tighter if an oily filter would increase mpg the manufacturers would install one at the factory. Another thing to note is if you over oil it you can ruin the mass airflow sensor.

 

[willmtaylor]

K&N filters are mostly just marketing hype. I used on for around 3 years and ended up removing it and going back to factory style.

My mileage didn't change and I figured with fuel mpg standards getting tighter and tighter if an oily filter would increase mpg the manufacturers would install one at the factory. Another thing to note is if you over oil it you can ruin the mass airflow sensor.

I'm probably headed that way. I haven't noticed any positive changes. I'm probably just reluctant because I already sprang for the filter, the oil, etc.

 

[A.Goldberg]

You just said it. If you can buy a low mileage luxury car for half the price, you just saved yourself a pile of $$- a no brainer and my preferred outcome.

With 35k miles on it, my Fiat has performed as needed to keep me happy, reliable and outstanding gas mileage. Will the wheels fall off at 50k miles? No clue.

Such are all things in life. Aside from eating out too often, clothing, and Viva brand paper towels I'm relatively frugal, at least compared to some of my peers... and I actually haven't purchased any clothing in months so I'm doing good.

Cars of course are a stupid investment being a depreciating asset. Short of holding onto the car for decades and it becoming a valuable classic or being a market anomoly like the Land Rover Defender, it will never maintain or gain value. I'm

I'd like to buy CPO if possible, but that's not going to happen on the F-Pace as they are so new. If I were to find one it would probably be a lower spec loaner. I supppse I could get lucky and find a 2017 demo model when the 2018's come out... but that's wishful thinking. Because there are virtually no CPO F-Paces it really drags down its rating in my head.

Good to hear your Fiat is treating you well. I've heard a lot of horror stories from recent buyers of Jeep, Dodge, and Maserati owners. Little quirky to debilitating electrical problems primarily, as well as transmission issues, but we can blame ZF for that.

$200 for a frick'n oil change? Oh boy.

Just about. Funny considering how easy it is. I will say despite the very easy oil change design it is absolutely stupid they failed to install a dipstick. Apparently having a sensor is more favorable (yes, it's already failed once).

I figure BMW made their oil changes easy because if I'm not mistaken not too long ago BMW offered basic maintainance for the warranty period of the car. In that case it saves the dealers money when oil changes are quick and painless. BMW dropped that deal recently though.

We've had this discussion here before but BMW and others like to keep their service costs down by suggesting crazy oil change intervals- 13,000 miles if I remember correctly (I may be confusing it with the Volvo). 13,000 is awfully long. Oil is cheap. New engines are not. I stick with every 5,000 (using full synthetic). It may be excessive but I'd rather play it safe.

That said, my parents friend went 40,000+ not changing the oil in her Volvo XC70 Cross Country after getting divorced. The car went 180,000mi before she traded it in, engine still running fine.

 

[joec1101]

I figure BMW made their oil changes easy because if I'm not mistaken not too long ago BMW offered basic maintainance for the warranty period of the car. In that case it saves the dealers money when oil changes are quick and painless. BMW dropped that deal recently though.

They did drop the service level down to 3 yrs/36k m from 4/50, but only on 2017 & newer models. If you have one that is pre 2017 and it's still within the 4/50 range, you still get the service deal. They also deleted the brakes being covered in that service policy, which really sucks because that's the most expensive maintenance item. They don't machine rotors on our BMW's, so both pads and rotors get replaced with a brake job - expensive! Glad mine is a 2015.

 

[0388631]

Expensive, yes, but you should see the brake and rotor costs for an M or AMG vehicle. Golden, I've taken in your thoughts, but I still stand, albeit virtually, with AutoUnion. Get the GLC 43.

 

[T Coma]

Well Pops did it again... for their 50th wedding anniversary, he managed to find a close approximation of my mom's first new car, even down to the color. So I raise a toast:

He got it from the fabled little old lady who only drove it to Church and bingo. Yes, original miles:

And here's where I managed to keep the thumbnail pictures but delete the originals. Sorry for the crappy resolution.

 

[willmtaylor]

Well Pops did it again... for their 50th wedding anniversary, he managed to find a close approximation of my mom's first new car, even down to the color. So I raise a toast:

View attachment 697535

He got it from the fabled little old lady who only drove it to Church and bingo. Yes, original miles:

View attachment 697536

And here's where I managed to keep the thumbnail pictures but delete the originals. Sorry for the crappy resolution.



View attachment 697539

View attachment 697540

...so those little old ladies do actually exist. Wow. Very nice.

 

[2298754]

Golden, I've taken in your thoughts, but I still stand, albeit virtually, with AutoUnion. Get the GLC 43.

Yeah, there's not much choice out there.

Lexus NX: nope
Infiniti/Acura: nope
BMW X3: too old
redesigned Audi Q5/SQ5: too common
Porsche Macan: too expensive

That basically leaves the GLC43 and F-Pace...

 

[D.T.]

Yes, original miles:

View attachment 697536

Holy hell on the mileage. Very cool, amazing find.

Nice choice on the 'Nitas Pils too

 

[A.Goldberg]

Well Pops did it again... for their 50th wedding anniversary, he managed to find a close approximation of my mom's first new car, even down to the color. So I raise a toast:

View attachment 697535

He got it from the fabled little old lady who only drove it to Church and bingo. Yes, original miles:

View attachment 697536

And here's where I managed to keep the thumbnail pictures but delete the originals. Sorry for the crappy resolution.



View attachment 697539

View attachment 697540

...so those little old ladies do actually exist. Wow. Very nice.

Wow, beautiful. There is a little old lady in my parents neighborhood with an original mustang who has owned it for 50+ years or whatever (since new). It is sea foam green. They do exist.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My wife drives about 2-4 miles a week! Give it another 25 years and she'll be a little old lady!

 

[joec1101]

Beautiful car! Love the green - looks awesome on that car
If everything is all original, don't do anything to it! Don't try to "restore" it if it's in very good condition, which it does look like from your pics. Cars like that are way more valuable in their original state than being "restored".

Well Pops did it again... for their 50th wedding anniversary, he managed to find a close approximation of my mom's first new car, even down to the color. So I raise a toast:

View attachment 697535

He got it from the fabled little old lady who only drove it to Church and bingo. Yes, original miles:

View attachment 697536

And here's where I managed to keep the thumbnail pictures but delete the originals. Sorry for the crappy resolution.



View attachment 697539

View attachment 697540

 

[0388631]

Yeah, there's not much choice out there.

Lexus NX: nope
Infiniti/Acura: nope
BMW X3: too old
redesigned Audi Q5/SQ5: too common
Porsche Macan: too expensive

That basically leaves the GLC43 and F-Pace...

What's wrong with the NX other than the lower but still luxury interior? The infotainment system? I haven't paid attention to them. I see more new RXs on the road compared to the NX. The F-Pace is nice, but I've read it's become the new mom car in your region. Of course, a good friend such as yourself should push Goldy to get the GLC63, because power. After dealing with nutty patients all day, you'll need that power to scream away, or in the Benz's case, roar away.

 

[2298754]

What's wrong with the NX other than the lower but still luxury interior? The infotainment system? I haven't paid attention to them. I see more new RXs on the road compared to the NX. The F-Pace is nice, but I've read it's become the new mom car in your region. Of course, a good friend such as yourself should push Goldy to get the GLC63, because power. After dealing with nutty patients all day, you'll need that power to scream away, or in the Benz's case, roar away.

NX is pretty small and doesn't come with any 6 cylinder engines.

 

[0388631]

NX is pretty small and doesn't come with any 6 cylinder engines.

I'm surprised the 300H comes with a four pot. If he gets the Jag, it's going to have problems and poor resale. I think he's got enough stress doing his job let alone dealing with a JLR vehicle.

 

[D.T.]

I'm surprised the 300H comes with a four pot.

I feel like 'pot' needs to be placed on a car terminology embargo ...

 

[winston1236]

I'm probably headed that way. I haven't noticed any positive changes. I'm probably just reluctant because I already sprang for the filter, the oil, etc.

Yeah that was the same reason it took me so long to remove it but in the end I just had to admit it was a mistake and dump it. I donated the oiling kit to a family member that was still using one.

 

[A.Goldberg]

What's wrong with the NX other than the lower but still luxury interior? The infotainment system? I haven't paid attention to them. I see more new RXs on the road compared to the NX. The F-Pace is nice, but I've read it's become the new mom car in your region. Of course, a good friend such as yourself should push Goldy to get the GLC63, because power. After dealing with nutty patients all day, you'll need that power to scream away, or in the Benz's case, roar away.

I think the NX is horrendously overpriced. As I recall despite a fair looking base price, by the time you add in features you'd expect in a luxury vehicle (like a sunroof...) you're looking at $50,000+. My mom briefly looked at the RDX, MDX, NX, and RX. I think the NX ended up being close to $10,000 more for a similarly equipped vehicle. The RDX had many shortcomings, some of which have since been improved with the facelift, but a $10,000 difference is difficult to swallow. Not surprisingly there are a lot more RDX on the road. I don't recall the price difference between the MDX and RX, but I'd presume it's a similar situation and you see far more MDX. The old RX's were everywhere. The new RX is also god awful ugly.

Yeah, Jags resale value is concerning. In that case it might be a better move to buy a Porsche or Land Rover and spend a little more. I guess it depends on how long I intend on keeping the car. That's why I really wish there were some CPO F-Paces out there.

Or I just buy a CPO G550 and keep it for a decade. When I go to sell it will probably still be worth $60,000.

I feel like 'pot' needs to be placed on a car terminology embargo ...

Agreed. It's an atrocious term.

 

[0388631]

Or I just buy a CPO G550 and keep it for a decade. When I go to sell it will probably still be worth $60,000.

This isn't a bad idea. They're dependable vehicles. The only concerning factor is that they don't get up to speed fast enough and go through fuel. Ideally, you'll want a vehicle that you can use during both the winter and non-winter months. No point in getting two vehicles unless you want to. Because it'll be your G, a warm weather car and your SO's. Or you could get a wagon. The Audi Allroad, for example.

If you're not in a rush, you could wait until the X7 comes out. There's the E Wagon, the Panamara Wagon, and Jaguar's due to launch an XF Sportbrake.

Agreed. It's an atrocious term.

A lot of people don't like "banger."

 

[A.Goldberg]

This isn't a bad idea. They're dependable vehicles. The only concerning factor is that they don't get up to speed fast enough and go through fuel. Ideally, you'll want a vehicle that you can use during both the winter and non-winter months. No point in getting two vehicles unless you want to. Because it'll be your G, a warm weather car and your SO's. Or you could get a wagon. The Audi Allroad, for example.



A lot of people don't like "banger."

I've never heard particularly good things about G-Class reliability... maybe I'm conflating repair costs. I suppose considering they don't have things like air suspensions, adaptive suspensions, super technical mumbo jumbo there is a lot less to go wrong. I just wish they weren't so blingy with all the chrome work and that if the interior is going to be so luxury oriented that it wasn't so dated. For the money they charge that post-card sized infotainment LCD is a little disappointing.

My daily driving doesn't really enable me to go over 40mph. It's all stop and go, traffic infested main roads and residential back roads with stop signs every 300 yards. It's basically a 6 mile trip that generally takes 45min Like I said earlier, I don't need a rocket ship.

My significant other has an S60 T6 AWD. Is it the most dynamic sedan on the road? Certainly not, especially now considering how dated the S60 is versus the completion. It's not a bad ride though, 0-60 in sub 6 seconds and as recall not far behind the old 335i. Handling isn't quite Audi or BMW level dynamics, but it's not your mothers old Volvo refrigerator. It is faster however than my Mom's Allroad... it's too bad Audi is so limiting with their 4-series engines. Basically you're stuck with the 2.0T unless you shell out for an S (which obviously isn't an option on the Allroad). I've said this 1000 times before, but Audi really needs to bring the A6 Allroad to the states.

At the time I had hoped my GF buy an SUV, but that didn't happen. I don't expect her to be in the car buying market in the foreseeable future. She only drives about 5,000mi/year. We would like an SUV in our fleet though. As it stands unfortunately our parking is limited with only two tandem parking spaces in a garage. Overnight street parking is banned here, so a third car means finding another space to rent, which can be difficult to find in the right place dand expensive, especially if you want a garaged space. All the more reason to buy a house over a apartment/condo/townhouse.

I'm not a fan of the term "banger" either. Interestingly you only hear of 4 bangers, not 5, 6, or 8.