The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

_So it starts_, again:

That Cadillac Deville that I purchased months ago, I sold that to somebody that wanted it more than I did, and I am trading the Taurus SHO in as well. I Was doing some research the other day, with the discontinuation, the resale has dropped considerably on the SHO, even though I have enjoyed my experience with it, aside from my gripe about the cheaper plastics Ford used in the interior cabin, and rather small digital cluster .

That said, here are my options I’m considering:

1.) 2017 GT350

2.) 18/19 Charger Scat Pack SRT

3.) Corvette Stingray (2016)

4.) Chevy SS (2017)

I personally have wanted a GT 350 for quite some time, the downside, is I already own another Mustang GT, I’m not sure that I want two of them. But that Flat-Plane Crank (FPC) with the 5.2 Voodoo is a noteable difference/experience with sound over the 5.0 Coyote. (FYI, the new GT500 also uses a 5.2l-[Code name: Predator]-is a Cross Plane Crank (CPC).

(Reference Bolded #2 and #4 were strong considerations before I purchased my SHO, so they’re back on the list.)

The 6.4L/8 Speed Torqueflite on the Scat Packs are amazing, but the 6.2l from the Chevy SS would be an automatic, as the 6-Speed manuals are very difficult to come across, and more expensive.

Anyways, I already looked at a Stingray at a local dealer last week, I personally just like the look of this particular Corvette and it would be my first Corvette if I decide on this: 4,000 Miles/1 Owner/Red interior with black contrast, rather tempting for $40,000.

 

[AustinIllini]

Corvette is the best but also probably the most difficult to live with.

 

[Mr Kram]

What is the purpose if this car? If nothing matters, it would be GT350 for me.

 

[quagmire]

How long do you plan on keeping this car? GT350 and Corvette could easily become cars for life sort of speak. But long term reliability of the Voodoo is a concern( though most seem to be failing from track events than those who are just street driven).

The C7 is special. I love the design of it. I sort of regret not at least considering a used C7 instead of my Camaro( I have always wanted a 'Vette, but Camaro was in my budget new). And the C7 now appears to be the end of the road for the Corvette as we know it. Is the 'Vette the M7 or A8? Z51? Does it have the NPP exhaust?

SS sedan is probably the best livable vehicle with a V8. Charger does not attract me at all.

 

[0388631]

I'd get it. One day you'll be married, have kids, and then wait until you're too old to properly enjoy it. Besides, you could be run over by a commuter bus tomorrow and you'd have never experienced it.

 

[Huntn]

Well, there's always this one, albeit at a bit more than your price point

https://mossmiata.com/2016-2017-mx-...re/silverguard-plus-car-covers-by-coverking-2

​

This is the car cover I ended up buying, (https://www.empirecovers.com/car-covers/mazda/miata/2016) 5 year warranty, $100. The products at Amazon priced at $70 and below had high levels (15-20%) of warnings of how poorly those covers held ups in an outdoor environment, along with the pictures to illustrate.
Thanks for your interest!

 

[Apple fanboy]

​

This is the car cover I ended up buying, (https://www.empirecovers.com/car-covers/mazda/miata/2016) 5 year warranty, $100. The products at Amazon priced at $70 and below had high levels (15-20%) of warnings of how poorly those covers held ups in an outdoor environment, along with the pictures to illustrate.
Thanks for your interest!

What’s to stop someone stealing your cover?

Here in the UK we have to cover our cats due to frost rather than sun.
I used to cover the top, but it was too cumbersome when it was wet. So now I just have a special quilted cover for the windscreen you tuck into the doors.

 

[0388631]

What’s to stop someone stealing your cover?

Here in the UK we have to cover our cats due to frost rather than sun.
I used to cover the top, but it was too cumbersome when it was wet. So now I just have a special quilted cover for the windscreen you tuck into the doors.

What kind of cat molestation goes on in your neck of the woods?

 

[Apple fanboy]

What kind of cat molestation goes on in your neck of the woods?

 

[Huntn]

What’s to stop someone stealing your cover?

Here in the UK we have to cover our cats due to frost rather than sun.
I used to cover the top, but it was too cumbersome when it was wet. So now I just have a special quilted cover for the windscreen you tuck into the doors.

I ordered it with a lock, but have no clue yet how it is secured to the car.
[doublepost=1550194963][/doublepost]

View attachment 821914

That is scary!

 

[44267547]

Quagmire-

I don’t know how long I plan on keeping this next car, as I tend to cycle cars it seems every few years or so, but that could change. This would be my second year owning the SHO, but now I think is the time to part ways with it, given that it is dropping in value and even though a great car by many means, I’m just ready for my next ride.

As for the GT350, you probably don’t recall months back, but I’ve been wanting one of those for quite some time, and there are two on the East Coast that I am keeping watch on. (Also, it has to be a 2017, as they have the coolers installed.) The 5.2 Voodoo is really something to behold, and even some GT 350s are rumored to even rise in Value over the course of time. I don’t want a ‘garage queen’ or just a Ride for car shows, I do want something I can track more.

The downfall, is I already purchased a GT last year, and put a lot of work into it in terms of upgrades, so I don’t know if I feel that I want two Mustangs, even though they are completely two different Mustangs. (If that makes any sense.)

The Stingray I looked at [M7 I believe], One thing that kind of bothered me about that specific car, was the interior had a ripple on the center console area, where somebody was resting their arm in the same spot consistently over and over, which somehow distorted the material, and it would have to be replaced, which I did not discuss with the dealership, but I found it bothersome. (But surprised that would happen only at 4000 miles on the odometer?) But it’s the little things like that that will turn me away from a car, unless I can work something out where that can be replaced.

That said, I’ve never owned a Corvette before, so this will be my first, I just generally like the look of the Stingray and I think GM did a really nice job specifically with that model that I was looking at with the white and black accents, and then the interior was immaculate, aside from that ripple. Also, the 6.2L is generally a strong motor by GM.

I really like the Chevy SS, that was also one of the qualifiers before I purchased the SHO two years back, and the Charger Scat Pack was the other. The 2017 Chevy SS I can accept with an automatic, I would prefer manual in that situation, only downside I have with the Chevy SS is the front end, but overall a really nice ride, and they are fully loaded, and I like that it’s a sedan.

As for the Scat Pack, I’m set for a test drive next week for a 2018, there are no 2019’s available in my area yet (Unless I order one), I really like what Dodge did specifically with the Scat pack, just a completely different ride in almost every aspect and for the money, they really compete. The one I’m looking at is actually black, full dynamics package, six piston Brembo’s, sport suspension, ect and loaded with the interior amenities. (One nice touch, Dodge actually used metal paddle shifters versus the cheap plastic ones.)

 

[quagmire]

I didn’t mean having the car for life as a means of it being a garage queen or a car show car. But a vehicle you don’t want to get rid of because you like it so much.

I love the Voodoo as well. It’s a great motor that sounds amazing. I just question long term reliability as quite a few have grenaded at track days.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either the GT350 or the ‘Vette. I lean towards ‘Vette since the whole car is special to me at least vs just the engine in the GT350.

 

[0388631]

Is that damage on the lip?

 

[44267547]

Option C:

I can have a 2017 Chevy SS in ‘Regal peacock green’ shipped to my house within a week from Texas (Reputable dealer). $41,000/ $2000 destination fee (Fully insured), 18,995 miles, which I’m looking for something with either 10,000 miles or less or new [This SS is in immaculate condition]. Not that the mileage Isn’t reflective of this being a solid car, I’m just very particular about mileage with any car that I purchase. This would be a ‘blind buy’ however, but that wouldn’t be my first time doing this either without test driving it, as I have purchased many auction cars without test driving those. Oh, and this is the color I wanted originally.

https://www.classicchevrolet.com/Ve...olet-SS-4dr_Sdn-Grapevine-TX/3367715223#promo

 

[0388631]

No. Don't get green. Hard to sell later and that color on that car says geriatric to me.

 

[bunnspecial]

I love the "Royal Peacock" on the SS(it's a nice BRG-type color) but the fact that it's not a manual would kill it for me.

It's also painful to me to see them going for $40K when they were available new for less than that a year and a half ago(It was a slow selling car when new, and it was possible to get ~25% or even better off the $50K sticker price around the time it was discontinued).

 

[0388631]

Thoughts on the new JLR engine?

 

[44267547]

I love the "Royal Peacock" on the SS(it's a nice BRG-type color) but the fact that it's not a manual would kill it for me.

It's also painful to me to see them going for $40K when they were available new for less than that a year and a half ago(It was a slow selling car when new, and it was possible to get ~25% or even better off the $50K sticker price around the time it was discontinued).

You address a good point, and in someways, I might be overpaying for this 2017, being that they were cheaper even two years ago when I first considered this before I purchased my SHO. And on top of that, then there’s the $2000 destination fee I have to add in as well. As much as I really do like the SS, the only real color I wanted was regal peacock green (It really transforms based on the lighting too), I may move this specific car to the bottom of my list for the time being, mainly because the value versus what I’m paying needs to be factored more carefully here. It’s still a great car, almost 19,000 miles isn’t a ‘make it or break it’ for me, but I definitely wanted something with less miles, which is something else to consider moving forward. The reality is, if there was an SS more local to my area, I would easily venture out to test drive it, and maybe even sign the paperwork that day, but that’s obviously not the situation here. But I don’t want to rush this either, as I generally like to do my ‘homework’ per se with car purchases.

 

[Mr Kram]

Father daughter (eventually) trucks.

 

[44267547]

New 2020 Acadia refresh. I think GM executed the new grill and hood to give it more of a staunch look. I like it, even though it kind of crosses over a little bit into the Sierra line in terms of appeal, still much better than its predecessor. Personally, I like prefer this design versus the new 2020 Explorer refresh.

And they made some changes with the drivetrain:

• Available 3.6L V6 engine with 310 horsepower
  
• New available 2.0L Turbo engine
  
• New 9-speed automatic transmission
  
• New Stop/Start technology with deactivation switch

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/amp26358738/2020-gmc-acadia-suv-photos-info/

 

[Apple fanboy]

For some time now the selector for the ventilation on my Golf hasn’t been working. So basically I couldn’t use the selector buttons to point the air at the windshield when it was misted up.
I spoke to VW about it at the last service and they said it was broken and they’d need to remove the dash to find out the problem for £1000 plus whatever the repair would cost!
I declined and was even thinking about selling it.

Anyway I googled it and found this video.

I thought that will never work. My car was a Cat D write off so I figured something must be broken as that was what VW told me.
Imagine my joy when it worked! That’s a £1000+ in my pocket! Yay.

 

[0388631]

That Acadia is ugly as sin.

 

[0388631]

For some time now the selector for the ventilation on my Golf hasn’t been working. So basically I couldn’t use the selector buttons to point the air at the windshield when it was misted up.
I spoke to VW about it at the last service and they said it was broken and they’d need to remove the dash to find out the problem for £1000 plus whatever the repair would cost!
I declined and was even thinking about selling it.

Anyway I googled it and found this video.

I thought that will never work. My car was a Cat D write off so I figured something must be broken as that was what VW told me.
Imagine my joy when it worked! That’s a £1000+ in my pocket! Yay.

Great work. You would be surprised at how much garages make doing these simple resets or diagnostics and charge a large amount for. In the era of being able to display a maps app that's regularly updated onto your car's screen, the days of charging owners to update their internal car maps with what's 10 minutes of work are gone.

There's some simple work for a lot of cars that get charged out of the nose. I don't advocate DIY for a lot of things, but changing a somewhat difficult to access filter that takes 30 minutes of your time and costs you the cost of that replacement filter is a lot better than $100-400 of labor and parts.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Great work. You would be surprised at how much garages make doing these simple resets or diagnostics and charge a large amount for. In the era of being able to display a maps app that's regularly updated onto your car's screen, the days of charging owners to update their internal car maps with what's 10 minutes of work are gone.

There's some simple work for a lot of cars that get charged out of the nose. I don't advocate DIY for a lot of things, but changing a somewhat difficult to access filter that takes 30 minutes of your time and costs you the cost of that replacement filter is a lot better than $100-400 of labor and parts.

Very true. I used to do all my own maintenance. These days I’ve got very lazy! Think I’ll have to consider what I get done and what I look into doing myself in future.

 

[0388631]

Very true. I used to do all my own maintenance. These days I’ve got very lazy! Think I’ll have to consider what I get done and what I look into doing myself in future.

Yes, and some cars have two methods or more of doing the same thing. Dealer or garage will often take the longer method.