The Car Thread ... !

[0388631]

Ugh fine. People use the terms apartment and condo pretty interchangably here. Oftentimes I feel like Condo and Townhouse are even more interchanged for some reason.

Buy a condo or rent an apartment or get a townhouse... anything to get out of the parents house. He's got the car to pickup a woman, just nowhere to bring them

Oh. No it's just because in the UK you can buy an apartment and I know you can in NYC, too. It's a foreign concept to us Westerners. Personally, I think townhomes/townhouses are a better realty investment. Just quasi interview the HOA before you sign.

Good point. Buying the mother's Equinox makes much more sense now.

 

[quagmire]

Good point. Buying the mother's Equinox makes much more sense now.

I know my post was a bit confusing when you asked if I planned on upgrading from my SS to the ZL1, but to put it in clearer terms, no I have no plans to. The ZL1 is way out of my price range on my current and short term projected salary. So it is not on my radar at all.

And like I said, the Equinox thing won't happen until 2019 when its value won't be that high. If it happens at all. It's all just ideas going through my head. And we will see how the Camaro handles this winter with 18" rims plus Blizzak's or nokian hakkapeliitta R2 winter tires( the two winter tires I am looking into). But I know anything more than 5" of snow, Camaro won't be going anywhere or it would be plowing snow.

 

[0388631]

I know my post was a bit confusing when you asked if I planned on upgrading from my SS to the ZL1, but to put it in clearer terms, no I have no plans to. The ZL1 is way out of my price range on my current and short term projected salary. So it is not on my radar at all.

And like I said, the Equinox thing won't happen until 2019 when its value won't be that high. If it happens at all. It's all just ideas going through my head. And we will see how the Camaro handles this winter with 18" rims plus Blizzak's or nokian hakkapeliitta R2 winter tires( the two winter tires I am looking into).

Yeah. As I said in another thread to Golden today, I'm very out of touch with what most people in their 20s and early 30s can afford. The ZL1 isn't going to produced in large numbers. A fair amount will be crashed. You could always pick one up secondhand down the line until you get to your ATP and pay off loans.

What makes Blizzaks special? I keep seeing these popping up in posts on the net. And that Hakka whatsit? Being where I am, people either get all season generals or performance orientated tires like summer Potzenas with soft compounds meant for 12-15K miles or PSSs.

 

[quagmire]

Yeah. As I said in another thread to Golden today, I'm very out of touch with what most people in their 20s and early 30s can afford. The ZL1 isn't going to produced in large numbers. A fair amount will be crashed. You could always pick one up secondhand down the line until you get to your ATP and pay off loans.

What makes Blizzaks special? I keep seeing these popping up in posts on the net. And that Hakka whatsit? Being where I am, people either get all season generals or performance orientated tires like summer Potzenas with soft compounds meant for 12-15K miles or PSSs.

Oh I have my ATP and working at a regional airline already. Just building hours and seniority until I can upgrade to captain. Then trying to get to one of the legacy airlines and the big bucks.

Blizzaks and the Nokians are dedicated winter tires meant to grip in snow and ice. They are the top performing winter tires too. Leaning towards the Nokians due to the better traction in said conditions and a run flat version is available. All Seaons are a compromise tire and not the best choice to ask to be able to handle the snow and ice.

 

[0388631]

Oh I have my ATP and working at a regional airline already. Just building hours and seniority until I can upgrade to captain. Then trying to get to one of the legacy airlines and the big bucks.

Oh. Hmm, I figured you were in your mid 20s. What do you usually fly; what are you rated on?

Blizzaks and the Nokians are dedicated winter tires meant to grip in snow and ice. They are the top performing winter tires too. Leaning towards the Nokians due to the better traction in said conditions and a run flat version is available. All Seaons are a compromise tire and not the best choice to ask to be able to handle the snow and ice.

Ah, and that's why I've never seen them before. Blizzaks I've heard or rather read here and there. I did not think they were a real tire model and something out of a song for a long time before I looked them up.

 

[bunnspecial]

How do you buy an apartment?

I live in what you would call a townhouse or a condo, I guess depending on where you're from and what definitions you use. Basically, each unit is individually owned, two or three units share a common roof, we have a common(covered) parking area, and an HOA that maintains ALL the exterior. I basically don't have to touch anything beyond my front and back door, aside from changing exterior bulbs that I control.

In any case, I rent it directly from the lady who owns it. She bought it for her daughter when her daughter was in medical school, and I've lived there now for close to 6 years. With that said, my plan in the next 2-3 years is to buy it. I have an agreement that any rent I've paid will go toward a down payment on it, which almost makes it a no-brainer for me to turn around and buy even though I don't see it as any kind of a permanent residence for me(I'd rather buy a house in the next county over even if I stay in my current job).

None the less, I refer to it as my "apartment" since I rent it and don't own it.

 

[0388631]

I live in what you would call a townhouse or a condo, I guess depending on where you're from and what definitions you use. Basically, each unit is individually owned, two or three units share a common roof, we have a common(covered) parking area, and an HOA that maintains ALL the exterior. I basically don't have to touch anything beyond my front and back door, aside from changing exterior bulbs that I control.

In any case, I rent it directly from the lady who owns it. She bought it for her daughter when her daughter was in medical school, and I've lived there now for close to 6 years. With that said, my plan in the next 2-3 years is to buy it. I have an agreement that any rent I've paid will go toward a down payment on it, which almost makes it a no-brainer for me to turn around and buy even though I don't see it as any kind of a permanent residence for me(I'd rather buy a house in the next county over even if I stay in my current job).

None the less, I refer to it as my "apartment" since I rent it and don't own it.

Interesting. Yeah, they're not terribly common here. Usually you'll see them near the central part of any city near businesses. In terms of the condos, which have a narrow definition, they stand out due to their materials usage and manicured trees and flower beds. You'll find townhomes in the suburbs, but they're not terribly popular here as opposed to other places like San Diego county, which has small cordoned off "towns" of townhomes with central amenities. Condo high rises are going to be more and more common in city centers.

Your agreement and plan are solid.

 

[quagmire]

Oh. Hmm, I figured you were in your mid 20s. What do you usually fly; what are you rated on?

I am in my mid(ish) 20's( 27). I fly the ERJ145 and also rated on the Dash 8( though only flew it for a month before moving over to the 145).

 

[AustinIllini]

When do you get to fly the Dreamliner?

 

[0388631]

I am in my mid(ish) 20's( 27). I fly the ERJ145 and also rated on the Dash 8( though only flew it for a month before moving over to the 145).

Don't see a lot of Dash8s or ERJs. A few fly out of a regional airport here and they're very loud taking off, but also very cool because the departure path is right above some shopping areas so the planes are about 400-500 feet up as they roar past your head. Sometimes you can catch a whiff of the exhaust fumes. Great times.

Lots of 737s, though, Mostly SWA. These suckers scream as they fly over you. Very deafening stuff.

When do you get to fly the Dreamliner?

He'd want to wait for an airline to pay for his training to get his rating on those.

 

[quagmire]

He'd want to wait for an airline to pay for his training to get his rating on those.

Most if not all US airlines will pay for you to get type rated on the planes you will fly for them. Only one that didn't was Southwest, but they just recently dropped that requirement. I did not have to pay for the Dash 8 or ERJ type rating.

As for when I fly the Dreamliner, when ever I can get hired at a major airline and then build enough seniority to bid over to that aircraft. Getting to one of the legacy airlines( AA, Delta, United) is tough. Despite the media reports you read, the majors don't have a shortage of pilots. They can still be picky and choose who they want. It's the regional airlines that have the shortage and that is due to years of paying dirt to first officers. Doesn't make sense to go into all this debt to only make $16,000 to $25,000 a year for the first few years. Pay has finally risen, maybe not to our true worth, but gotten better none the less. But the damage has been done.

 

[0388631]

Most if not all US airlines will pay for you to get type rated on the planes you will fly for them. Only one that didn't was Southwest, but they just recently dropped that requirement. I did not have to pay for the Dash 8 or ERJ type rating.

Does SWA still block access to the AP or similar systems so pilots don't get used to them and mess up on older equipment that lack those amenities? I vaguely remember a cruddy photo from 02 or 01 where there was a tiny cage over the AP controls. I'm likely not remembering the photo as it was. Or it could have been a third world airline and I'm attributing the memory to SWA.

I take it based on your location you've had plenty of experience with hairy landings? I've got an old college friend who flies for Cathay. Says he loves when he flies back home because the weather is predictable. His oldest son flies 135s for a regional airline out of state, IIRC.

 

[quagmire]

Does SWA still block access to the AP or similar systems so pilots don't get used to them and mess up on older equipment that lack those amenities? I vaguely remember a cruddy photo from 02 or 01 where there was a tiny cage over the AP controls. I'm likely not remembering the photo as it was. Or it could have been a third world airline and I'm attributing the memory to SWA.

I take it based on your location you've had plenty of experience with hairy landings? I've got an old college friend who flies for Cathay. Says he loves when he flies back home because the weather is predictable. His oldest son flies 135s for a regional airline out of state, IIRC.

Airlines actually prefer you to engage the autopilot as soon as practical. The Asian airlines go as far as only teaching how to use the automation and not how to fly the plane( how that AirAsia crash happened. Something went wrong, crew had no clue how to handle it once the automation quit).

 

[bunnspecial]

Airliner and living talk aside, I got this box of goodies in the mail yesterday.

I don't have any immediate plans-I'll probably rebuild the HIFs and stick them on the shelf for "one of these days"-especially if I ever get a 74 1/2 GT with a Weber like the one I'm kicking myself for not buying. It doesn't have the linkages, but otherwise is a full and mostly usable set. HIFs have replaceable throttlebushings so they can be rebuilt without machining equipment-I just need to buy and swap parts. They could also end up on my other car when I take the original HS-type carbs off and send them to be rebuilt(I'm not set up to ream/bush the throttle shafts myself). With the correct(early double-Y) exhaust manifold, this is a drop-on set-up for any MGB engine since-as you can see-I also have the intake manifold and heat shield. I need linkages, but they're easy enough to find.

The single HS4 looks like a good candidate to drop onto the end of a late intake manifold in place of the single Z-S carb. The Z-S isn't a problem per se-the issues are mostly in the intake manifold design-but it's considered mechanically inferior to the SU and also has that pesky problem of rupturing fuel diaphgragms and dumping gas on the catalytic converter. Also, I could convert to manual choke(get rid of the awful Z-S water choke) without any of the caveats and work-arounds associated with doing that on a Z-S. The only question would be if a single HS-4 can flow enough-the supercharger kits use a single HIF-44 which is about the size of an HS-6.

 

[puma1552]

Comparisons like this have never made sense to me. The average R8/570S buyer isn't considering a Chevrolet. Same with all the Camaro versus M3/4 nonsense.
[doublepost=1501802356][/doublepost]

That's unfortunate. What's the logic behind this?

A lot of guys who aren't closed-minded do cross shop when they realize that they are enthusiasts first and not badge whores who are too good to sit in a filthy American slob car. What the comparisons show is that the Americans have worked extremely hard and are churning out utterly fantastic product while the Germans have continued to sit on their ass. Please, do spare us the inevitable "fit and finish" excuse that's surely incoming, there's been enough of that over on Bimmerpost and every other forum full of people who can barely hobble over to the shoulder in limp mode for the last 6+ years.

An enthusiast appreciates everything that's good. An elitist or badge whore is just that. Personally, I'm glad I'm not closed-minded and can appreciate cars wherever they come from. Personally I don't think my a$$ is too good for any seat, but YMMV.

Blizzaks and the Nokians are dedicated winter tires meant to grip in snow and ice. They are the top performing winter tires too. Leaning towards the Nokians due to the better traction in said conditions and a run flat version is available. All Seaons are a compromise tire and not the best choice to ask to be able to handle the snow and ice.

Nokian R2s. Zero reason to buy anything else. Mine are stock size 255s and it's almost comical how I could stop on a dime like it's completely dry pavement.

 

[0388631]

I don't think that's what AU was going for. The only one who's ever touted German over domestic has been me. Fair points, though, Pumes. The Corvette does suffer from a limp mode due to high engine temperatures. The Camaro does not.

Regardless, I wouldn't say no to a Corvette. I think they look amazing and they're very fun to drive. Certainly more attention grabbing than an AMG or M.

 

[puma1552]

I don't think that's what AU was going for. The only one who's ever touted German over domestic has been me. Fair points, though, Pumes. The Corvette does suffer from a limp mode due to high engine temperatures. The Camaro does not.

Regardless, I wouldn't say no to a Corvette. I think they look amazing and they're very fun to drive. Certainly more attention grabbing than an AMG or M.

It's all good, I know AU mainly just trolls this thread. It's just that the stale attitudes in general from people who more or less will advertise at any chance that they haven't even looked at an American product in 20+ years have gotten old. If you haven't looked at something, you really have no place criticizing.

 

[0388631]

It's all good, I know AU mainly just trolls this thread. It's just that the stale attitudes in general from people who more or less will advertise at any chance that they haven't even looked at an American product in 20+ years have gotten old. If you haven't looked at something, you really have no place criticizing.

To be honest, most American products now are lacking. Chevy vehicles for the most part are blah. Though the Bolt and Volt are possibly the best bang for your buck economy cars at the moment. Something like a base Malibu requires a ton of options to be similar in terms of features to an import. It also does not look like a Tesla E Class M3 or whatever the stupid commercials say.

It really depends on what you're looking at. Some are crap, some are worth it.


Anyway, I was reading this morning and Toyota's invested in Mazda. Hopefully they can address the shortfalls in each other's company and possibly bring some sweet bipartisan effort vehicles. Hopefully it isn't the turd that is the Subaru-Toyota relationship.

 

[puma1552]

I'll agree with you that Chevy cars (GM in general) are super blah, sans Corvette and Camaro, but I won't dismiss that they are good cars now even if they do nothing for me whatsoever (and yes the commercials are awful).

Though I will disagree with you on the feature part, you get virtually nothing on a base model German car. Look at a base 3 series, you don't even get a split folding rear seat unless you pay $475 (wtf?) and at least up til a couple years ago (and maybe still) you got a gimped bluetooth that only did phone calls unless you paid extra for "enhanced" bluetooth.

Germans are actually the worst in terms of standard features I'd argue.

 

[0388631]

BMW is the exception, not the rule. We've been over this before. The Malibu goes for 22 base, but with the real people commercials, the car is usually set at 36-38K. That's a lot of money for stuff that's perceived to be standard but isn't. I'd categorize 3 series buyers under 2 groups. One's who just want for the badge, so they'll opt for an entry model. And then the driver who doesn't want many frills but wants that 'beefy' engine in the 340i. The old N54 motor was very tuneable. pump and wastegate issues aside, it could make impressive numbers with bolt ons. The N55 improved reliability but it didn't make power as easily. The new B58 engine in the higher 3 series is impressive. Expect some interesting tunes once the warranties end on these cars.

I were to get a 3 for a weekend car, I'd opt for the 340i with the MPPSK and a few extra options, including the dakota upgrade. Even with the dullness BMW instills these days, the products do drive great. I don't know if you were around when I posted my sentiments on the new 5 series. It'd be fair to compare an A4 with Premium Plus to a domestic.


Anyway, I've found another 997.1 Turbo in silver on black. Low miles, under 18K but the price suggests there's something funky going on. For the price involved, I could grab a similar mileage 991.1, but I really want a manual. I hope Porsche offers a manual in the next iteration, the "992." I've seen a couple 991s with wood trim. I think it looks beautiful. Thankfully, it's easy to swap out trim for the aluminum or the carbon fiber if you grow tired of it. Probably even replace the shift knob head with a wood piece.

 

[Tapiture]

Just picked this up on Monday. It’s my first luxury car and I absolutely love it.

It’s an Audi Q5 and the interior is really fantastic. It’s got a huge panoramic sunroof which makes it feel big and airy. Currently working on getting rid of the front license plate holder.

The parts arrived and I got the front license plate holder off and replaced it with the trim strips! Here’s a photo. I wasn’t expecting much of a difference but it looks a lot better!

 

[A.Goldberg]

I am in my mid(ish) 20's( 27). I fly the ERJ145 and also rated on the Dash 8( though only flew it for a month before moving over to the 145).

It sounds like you fly for Commutair/United Express. I took a Bombardier Q200 flight not long ago. Not the most enjoyable plane to fly on but it got me from A to B. I'm not sure how I'd feel about the Embraer... something about Brazil and Aerospace doesn't sit well with me

The old N54 motor was very tuneable. pump and wastegate issues aside, it could make impressive numbers with bolt ons.

I guess I'm lucky, my turbos are still kicking with 120k. I believe I am on fuel pump number 2- but I'll have to double check the records on that.

As for car budgets... if you consider the average American family makes $50,000/year, and the average college grad around 24-26 makes 40-50k, it seems to me like buying a $50,000 car would be a poor financial decision. But I guess it's all about what you want your lifestyle to be like.

 

[0388631]

It sounds like you fly for Commutair/United Express. I took a Bombardier Q200 flight not long ago. Not the most enjoyable plane to fly on but it got me from A to B. I'm not sure how I'd feel about the Embraer... something about Brazil and Aerospace doesn't sit well with me

They're a very reputable company. Very good aircraft. Only Fokker would be concerning since the company is defunct. Most Airlines have moved toward Bombardier or Embraer as replacements. I think most MD-11s have been retired, correct me if I'm wrong, Quag. Airbus and Boeing tend to evolve their product line instead of doing complete redesigns. Better aero and engine tech.

Most people don't enjoy those slim tubes for one reason or another. I don't mind them myself. I don't know if you've ever had the pleasure of flying in a "personal" jet, but the experience is much better. They fly faster and higher. Very smooth journey. Noise is still an issue, especially at the back.

 

[quagmire]

It sounds like you fly for Commutair/United Express. I took a Bombardier Q200 flight not long ago. Not the most enjoyable plane to fly on but it got me from A to B. I'm not sure how I'd feel about the Embraer... something about Brazil and Aerospace doesn't sit well with me

Confirm nor deny that....

Airlines are still very conservative and while I don't think I have said anything that will harm me in future job opportunities, want to remain anonymous as much as possible.

As for budgets, as I have stated before I recognize the only reason I am able to afford the Camaro is due to living with my parents right now. I am still able to save over 50% of my post-tax/benefits/401K salary during most months. That will increase even higher once I make captain hopefully next year.

They're a very reputable company. Very good aircraft. Only Fokker would be concerning since the company is defunct. Most Airlines have moved toward Bombardier or Embraer as replacements. I think most MD-11s have been retired, correct me if I'm wrong, Quag. Airbus and Boeing tend to evolve their product line instead of doing complete redesigns. Better aero and engine tech.

The MD-11 as a passenger airliner is pretty much retired, but they are the workhorses for UPS and FedEx.

 

[0388631]

As for budgets, as I have stated before I recognize the only reason I am able to afford the Camaro is due to living with my parents right now. I am still able to save over 50% of my post-tax/benefits/401K salary during most months. That will increase even higher once I make captain hopefully next year.

Teasing put aside, I'll be rooting for you.

The MD-11 as a passenger airliner is pretty much retired, but they are the workhorses for UPS and FedEx.

Yeah, and they, arguably, are more willing to dump money into the fleet. I wonder how much their bottom line will be affected once Amazon leases more freight aircraft. They entered 20 Boeing into service last fall. Think I read last year they plan on having around 60 aircraft by 2023.