The Car Thread ... !

[D.T.]

With GM, I can go on their website and add a maintenance record myself which I did when I changed my oil. Which is nice as I believe follows the car too and the dealer can see it, etc.

Right, I know, most/all manufacturers have that, but there's MUCH better validation through a dealer. They don't know that you followed all the proper procedures, only that you claim you did.
[doublepost=1523623787][/doublepost]Over on Jalopnik they have a series called Nice Price or Crack Pipe Generally a pretty fun read (and a vote!), but this one I find extra interesting because of the car:

https://jalopnik.com/at-5-750-could-this-2003-toyota-mr2-spyder-be-your-ba-1825203956

MR2 Spyder! (aka, MR-S in Japan)

I came so close to buying one of these in like '05/'06, yet another small, "pure" roadster that failed to gain traction (vs. the unstoppable Miata), mid-engine, Toyota build quality, pretty decent aftermarket.

I voted NP

 

[bunnspecial]

And this is why I am willing to eat the depreciation on new cars. I would be too concerned about the previous owner not doing basic maintenance on the car or taking it to the el cheapo quick lube places where they can’t even tie their own shoes let alone do an oil change.

Just going to comment that the ~25% or better depreciation on 2 year old car vs. a new one will easily buy an engine and transmission if something happens to them.

Also, just be smart about looking. If you see a factory oil filter on a car with 30,000 miles, it's probably a good idea to run away from it. Jiffy lube and places like that have their faults, but if I saw a Jiffy Lube filter on a car I'd at least know the owner had made an effort to maintain it. There are MUCH worse things you could do to an engine than drain it and fill it with whatever bulk drum oil Jiffy Lube managed to get on special that month.

 

[44267547]

With GM, I can go on their website and add a maintenance record myself which I did when I changed my oil.

Which is absolutely worthless and is unsubstantiated. Just because you can add your own service records to the website, doesn’t actually validate specifically what has been completed to the vehicle. I’m not indicating the owner should not conduct their own maintenance on the vehicle or have the opportunity to enter it in manually, but having the service department validate specifically what has been completed (i.e Dates, times, Tech who completed the labor, general observations/comments, recommendations, parts used, ect) leaves a hard copy and history of the vehicle throughout the ownership.

All my vehicles I have sold in the past, I bring a file with all the hardcopies of all the invoices completed of the entire work history on that specific vehicle that was validated by the dealership, which is all itemized and timelined for the new owner to see it. I can’t tell you how many times that has been a huge selling point for selling my vehicles, providing the owner a piece of mind that they are condident they know exactly what was repaired/maintained on the vehicle versus somebody saying they enter their own work on the website without any way of knowing specifically what was actually completed or when it was actually completed “Just because You entered it manually.”

In case the new potential owner has any questions or concerns any of specific details, repairs or general maintenance, I can easily have a hard copy in my hands with the time stamped receipt/dealer invoice confirming. Any used Sport vehicles I purchased in the past, if they don’t have Evidence of what was completed to the vehicle that was validated by a dealership and a Carfax report, there will be no car sale. I don’t Expect everybody else to share my expectations, but being stringent with having verified hardcopies versus anecdotal entries into a website doesn’t hold value with me. I understand everyone is different, but to each their own when it comes the importance of vehicle historic records with actual evidence supporting the purchase/resale of vehicle.

 

[quagmire]

Which is absolutely worthless and is unsubstantiated. Just because you can add your own service records to the website, doesn’t actually validate specifically what has been completed to the vehicle. I’m not indicating the owner should not conduct their own maintenance on the vehicle or have the opportunity to enter it in manually, but having the service department validate specifically what has been completed (i.e Dates, times, Tech who completed the labor, general observations/comments, recommendations, parts used, ect) leaves a hard copy and history of the vehicle throughout the ownership.

All my vehicles I have sold in the past, I bring a file with all the hardcopies of all the invoices completed of the entire work history on that specific vehicle that was validated by the dealership, which is all itemized and timelined for the new owner to see it. I can’t tell you how many times that has been a huge selling point for selling my vehicles, providing the owner a piece of mind that they are condident they know exactly what was repaired/maintained on the vehicle versus somebody saying they enter their own work on the website without any way of knowing specifically what was actually completed or when it was actually completed “Just because You entered it manually.”

In case the new potential owner has any questions or concerns any of specific details, repairs or general maintenance, I can easily have a hard copy in my hands with the time stamped receipt/dealer invoice confirming. Any used Sport vehicles I purchased in the past, if they don’t have Evidence of what was completed to the vehicle that was validated by a dealership and a Carfax report, there will be no car sale. I don’t Expect everybody else to share my expectations, but being stringent with having verified hardcopies versus anecdotal entries into a website doesn’t hold value with me. I understand everyone is different, but to each their own when it comes the importance of vehicle historic records with actual evidence supporting the purchase/resale of vehicle.

If I was to privately sell my car, I would also bring the receipts of the oil and filter. Heck I’ll bring them the receipts to the equipment I bought to do the change if that will help to ease their mind.

I just don’t want my car at the dealer unless it has to. Dealers have only put 6-8 quarts of oil in the LT1 when it takes 10 quarts. Dealers have improperly lifted the car resulting in damage. And I used to work as a lot attendant at a dealer and I saw how the techs and other lot attendants drove any hot car that came in.

 

[2298754]

And I used to work as a lot attendant at a dealer and I saw how the techs and other lot attendants drove any hot car that came in.

Automatic Camaro ≠ hot car

We're not talking about some limited production Corvette or Camaro. Why would any lot attendant or dealer tech care about a grey automatic Camaro? They probably have a dozen other Camaros like yours on the lot from the local Enterprise/Hertz/Avis/Budget locations to service.

 

[quagmire]

Automatic Camaro ≠ hot car

We're not talking about some limited production Corvette or Camaro. Why would any lot attendant or dealer tech care about a grey automatic Camaro? They probably have a dozen other Camaros like yours on the lot from the local Enterprise/Hertz/Avis/Budget locations to service.

So you are disputing my observation when I worked at a dealer whenever they drove a corvette, Lotus, or Camaro around the lot, they would hoon around in it?

Sorry if you don’t call my car a hot car. But I meant by that as a car with high horsepower or extremely lightweight in the Lotus case and not the typical Cobalt/Malibu/impala.

And here are techs not giving a crap about their plenty of ‘Vette’s and Camaro’s.

 

[AustinIllini]

Automatic Camaro ≠ hot car

That's besides the point. We all get what he means.

 

[bunnspecial]

extremely lightweight in the Lotus case and not the typical

Which is why...if I ever bought a Lotus(something I could see myself doing) it would be regularly driven to Indianapolis so that the Lotus dealer there could take care of anything I couldn't do myself.

It's just another day for a dealership who regularly deals in those sort of cars, so there's no need to joy ride.

 

[2298754]

So you are disputing my observation when I worked at a dealer whenever they drove a corvette, Lotus, or Camaro around the lot, they would hoon around in it?

You're right. We should paint every dealership with a broad brush because you found a few YouTube videos and worked at a location where the techs/lot guys beat on their customer's cars. They're all evil!

 

[quagmire]

You're right. We should paint every dealership with a broad brush because you found a few YouTube videos and worked at a location where the techs/lot guys beat on their customer's cars. They're all evil!

I don’t doubt there are good dealers out there, but the reputation they have is well earned.

 

[bunnspecial]

Some British highlights from the auction today:

Really nice '51 MG TD in BRG for $24,200

Big Healeys are only going up, up, up in price, and it will be interesting to see if and when they stop. They use to have a reputation as a "Poor man's XK", but now in some cases they're going head to head with XKs and E types in price.

There were 5 Healey 3000s sold today. The cheapest brought $43K, and it was more of a "resto-mod" with some additional grilles in the wings and a 5 speed transmission. A $45K one looked to be a solid driver, but really needed some work and had a few originality issues and a paint scheme that likely turned off a lot of buyers. A BJ8(roll up windows) brought $85, and someone told me(although I couldn't find it in the results) that another BJ8 brought $120K today.

I'd love to own some sort of Big Healey one of these days, but that money would let me do something like import an MGB GT V8 from England-something that would get me a car that is both more fun to drive and a LOT more unusual. Of course, the 100-4, 100-6, and 3000 really are a different sort of car than the MGB. The 700lb lump of cast iron driving them is nice, smooth, and responsive but you can get the same feel for a fraction of the price in an MGC.

When describing the difference between an MGC and a 3000 to me, one friend said "The MGC is a solid feeling car that is nice and smooth in a straight line, but don't expect it to turn like you would an MGB." The same person said that the 3000 "Feels like a bunch of parts that just happen to be moving in the same general direction, while also singing the hair off your legs. Despite that, it still drives like a sports car."

Aside from all of that, you can't beat how they look. The 100-6, Triumph TR3, and MGA all pretty obviously go for the same "look" although the Triumph is ugliest(big surprise there) and IMO the MG is the best looking (there's a reason why there's a 1958 MGA title in my safe, even though I haven't seen the car in several months, have the engine intended for it in pieces in my garage, and it won't even be ready FOR that engine for a few more years). Still, though, the Healey IS a close second in looks to the MGA in my book, and certainly is faster(even if the MGA feels a lot more refined to me).

BTW, as someone who has at times driven my MGB enough for it to be virtually a daily driver(I've put 1800 miles on it in the last year, and that included 2 months where it was down for a new head that ended up with me chasing my tail for a while, and then another month of sporadic driving while I sorted out gas that had gone bad) it's pretty bad when I criticize OTHER British cars for feeling like they're about to fall apart at any moment

 

[44267547]

I don’t doubt there are good dealers out there, but the reputation they have is well earned.

I don’t believe those videos that you indicated from YouTube are a _majority_, that’s likely a small _minority_ who use the customers vehicle out of scope. I’m sure there are some dealerships that might joyride the customers car, however; Finding a dealership that you trust is key. I’m confident enough to know the Ford dealerships in my area would not joyride. If you’re concerned about them driving your car for purposes outside the dealership, always log your mileage before you drop your vehicle off at the dealership [Which they also do as per policy]. I understand there are times the technician may drive the vehicle to ensure the problem is rectified, then request to drive with the technician if you want.

I have had my vehicles serviced at multiple Fords in my city and I always wait at the dealership until the work is completed, and they turn the vehicle over to me immediately upon completion without any issues at all. I can understand if your car was A Zo6 or ZL1 joy-ridden, But I don’t think too many ‘Reputable’ dealerships will joyride your Camaro, when those cars are fairly common.

 

[44267547]

Barrett Jackson Palm Beach Day 2 Highlights:

1980 TurboPontiac Firebird
260 original miles
$40,000


1966 Chevelle SS
$73,000


2006 Shelby GT-H
5.0 V8
$42,000

Renter Racer from Hertz
500 cars produced for limited production.
When they were produced, they were not available for sale, which were later auctioned.


1969 Camaro SS Supercharged Resto-mod
Top speed 195 MPH
Carbon fiber dash
$62,000


2013 Viper GTS
2,800 Miles
8.4 V10
$84,000


1968 Chevelle SS Resto-Mod
Ram-Jet
Massive Baer brakes
$58,000


2014 GT500 SUPER-SNAKE
$117,00
850 HP
1,000 original miles


1971 Dodge Challenger Convertible
527 V8
650 HP
$95,000


2016 Viper GTC
14,000 miles
6 Speed
645 HP
$77,000


1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30
$130,000


1970 DODGE Charger RT Resto-Mod
Atomic Orange
$59,000


2013 Camaro ZL1 Convertible
250 Actual miles
$40,000


1969 Ford Mustang Fastback Resto-Mod
Boss 429
$77,000

 

[0388631]

I've seen one GT-H. Didn't look too special.


Edit: There's this neat story about people renting performance Mustangs in the 60s and doing an engine swap. I say story because it sounds too crazy to be real.
[doublepost=1523710292][/doublepost]

the unstoppable Miata)

A brick or stone wall would.

 

[bunnspecial]

Certain repairs are going to require driving the car. If you complain about a noise at 70mph, they can't diagnose it unless they actually take the car out and drive it at that, then do it again to make sure it's fixed.

Even for routine maintenance, a short trip might be in order to bed the brake pads or check the alignment.

Still, though, the best thing you can do is write down the mileage. If you go in for an oil change and you car comes back out with 20 more miles on it, call them on it and ask why that was necessary for an oil change. A mile be reasonable just for moving it around the lot, but much more than that would questionable.

BTW, since Quagmire knows "first hand" about how(he says) high performance cars are treated at dealerships, does that mean that he was one of the guys taking them out and flogging them?

 

[0388631]

I can see him doing that. The Mr. Nice Guy act doesn't stand a chance when scrutinized.

 

[quagmire]

Certain repairs are going to require driving the car. If you complain about a noise at 70mph, they can't diagnose it unless they actually take the car out and drive it at that, then do it again to make sure it's fixed.

Even for routine maintenance, a short trip might be in order to bed the brake pads or check the alignment.

Still, though, the best thing you can do is write down the mileage. If you go in for an oil change and you car comes back out with 20 more miles on it, call them on it and ask why that was necessary for an oil change. A mile be reasonable just for moving it around the lot, but much more than that would questionable.

BTW, since Quagmire knows "first hand" about how(he says) high performance cars are treated at dealerships, does that mean that he was one of the guys taking them out and flogging them?

Yeah it requires a car to be driven if it’s an issue with a car at speed. But does it require flooring it and revving it to redline? Doubt it. I have no issue with techs driving my car if the issue requires a test drive. My issue is how they drive it.

And no I did not flog other peoples cars. I respected the fact they were not my cars. I don’t like when other people touch my phone, iPad, etc. I give the same respect I do to my things to others.

Heck I felt like crap because I had to park a brand new H3 with a stick up front for delivery to a customer and I was still new to hill starting manual transmissions. I stalled it a few times trying to back it in to the spot which was on an incline. Customer saw it and confronted my manager about it. Because I would probably feel the same way if I was the customer and saw someone apparently not knowing how to drive a car. I was never yelled at about it or confronted over it. But I still felt bad and had others drive a car that came in that was a stick until I could get more experience hill starting manual transmission cars.

 

[0388631]

Actually, it can. Redlining for brief moments won't incur engine damage. Flooring the car or going near redline puts immense pressure on the engine and any hoses or other moving parts. Coincidentally, something unrelated like Windows has a similar debugging method. It's called Driver Verifier. It's a monitoring tool that stresses your system to see where a driver makes a bad call or simply causes a crash.

 

[quagmire]

Actually, it can. Redlining for brief moments won't incur engine damage. Flooring the car or going near redline puts immense pressure on the engine and any hoses or other moving parts. Coincidentally, something unrelated like Windows has a similar debugging method. It's called Driver Verifier. It's a monitoring tool that stresses your system to see where a driver makes a bad call or simply causes a crash.

If it’s appropriate to the issue at hand, again fine. If I tell them this issue only presents itself above 5000 RPM, of course I would expect them to do that in the diagnostic drive and on the post repair drive.

My point being if it’s not relevant to the issue, they don’t and shouldn’t be pushing the car hard or do speeds unsafe for the road( like the ‘Vette one above of the tech going 80 on a local road).

 

[44267547]

I've seen one GT-H. Didn't look too special.

Agreed. The GT-H was not appealing at all and I would not spend $42,000 on this monstrosity. The Grill, gold stripes, Hood pins and over for this ‘Special’ Mustang was rather lack luster. The bidding process was barely moving for the GT-H. Although there is some history behind the GT-H with the Shelby insignia.

I do commend Hertz and Ford at least innovating something fun for the driver to use the GT-H for track purposes to at least experience the Mustang, given some don’t want to own one, they just want the experience of driving it.

I despised the tail-lights during this year.




This was the exact model sold during auction.

 

[0388631]

Yeah I'm starting to think my story is legitimate unless I'm missing something. I can't even remember where I read or heard it, but it was years ago. Anyway, as @D.T. said a week ago or whenever it was, the neon green Challenger is a fantastic car and color. I love that color, as well as the neon orange, and the limited SRT colors back in 2009-2011 which was white with double blue stripes and the SRT slapped on the rear fender. I'd hate to see FCA mess up the styling of the Challenger when they get around to updating the platform. Maybe refine it a little. That's it.

I despised that era of Mustang. They looked awful. Mustang jokes aside, I don't see a lot of older Mustangs for some reason. Do people track-only them often?

[doublepost=1523738039][/doublepost]

If it’s appropriate to the issue at hand, again fine. If I tell them this issue only presents itself above 5000 RPM, of course I would expect them to do that in the diagnostic drive and on the post repair drive.

My point being if it’s not relevant to the issue, they don’t and shouldn’t be pushing the car hard or do speeds unsafe for the road( like the ‘Vette one above of the tech going 80 on a local road).

I think you're making a big deal out of something that's a minute issue. It's called confirmation bias.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Fortunately, my commute one way is only about 3.7 miles so the need for something like a 0W-40 motor oil on my Honda Fit is not necessary. The dealer recommended 0W-40 if the commute one-way was 12 miles or more, though.

By the way, given my car's sensitivity to air pressure settings on my tires, no way am I going to a Plus 1 configuration for a wheel-tire combination--it would make my Fit ride too hard.

 

[quagmire]

I probably am making a bigger deal than it is. I’m not trying to say it’s the majority case, but it’s enough for me to want to do what work I am comfortable enough to do myself to reduce when I have to take it to the dealer.

I also don’t like when I have to explain to them about something because I know more about the car than the advisor does. When we took my moms Equinox in for service, I had wanted them to look at the intake valves to see how bad the carbon build up was since it is getting up there in mileage. Advisor had a deer in the headlights look.

 

[0388631]

Autumnal or vernal?

 

[D.T.]

Autumnal or vernal?

OK, that's pretty stupid funny, +1 for you