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The Car Thread ... !

bunnspecial

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,353
6,496
Kentucky
I need to try and do some serious legwork this week on getting the Marina here, as I'm sort of stuck now and honestly don't have time go and get it.

In the mean time, I have this to keep me interested

IMG_6223.jpg


This is the real, honest to goodness US spec factory service manual-note that it says "Austin" on the cover. Also, the Marina was available in the UK with a few different sizes of "A" series engine plus the 1.8L B engine in both single and dual carb-this manual only covers the 1.8L single, which was the only US spec available.

Of interest, I'm getting a "GT", which is the 2 door/hatchback. As per the service manual, the GT also gets you a tachometer-all the others I'd looked at with 3 gauges only showed a clock where I'd EXPECT a tach(the center is temp and fuel, plus a few warning lights), so it's nice to know that I'm actually getting one.
 
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0388631

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Sep 10, 2009
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Spy shots of the upcoming redesigned F-Type look awful. Don't see many on the road. A mix of rapid depreciation, typical Jaguar reliability, lack of manual on the V8, watering down via 4 cyl. engine, etc. On a daily basis, I'm more likely to see up to three dozen G Wagons. Blegh.
 
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0388631

Cancelled
Sep 10, 2009
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Mk8 Golf spy photos look interesting... Not sold on the interior if it's what it'll look like in its final form. VW is really following the VAG design language of a swooping horizontal dash with level info visual paths.

AustinIllini said:
The R8 is an amazing vehicle but the new one has some very odd curves and body lines.
Click to expand...
Interior is nice, though. I like it a lot more than its sister car, the Huracan. The same engine sounds better in the Audi, too, IMO.
 
quagmire

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,986
2,493
I have been window shopping sort of speak, and I have been digging the Volvo XC40 and XC60. Anyone check them out in person?
 
Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
May 5, 2008
24,004
27,088
The Misty Mountains
I think I’ve asked this before, but when you rotate tires, should they stay on the same side or go to the opposite side? (front to back, or back to front is a given)
 
quagmire

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,986
2,493
Huntn said:
I think I’ve asked this before, but when you rotate tires, should they stay on the same side or go to the opposite side? (front to back, or back to front is a given)
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Depends on if the tire is directional or not. Some tires can only do same side rotations due to tread design.
 
Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
May 5, 2008
24,004
27,088
The Misty Mountains
quagmire said:
Depends on if the tire is directional or not. Some tires can only do same side rotations due to tread design.
Click to expand...
If they are not directional can they go to either side? I’ll have to check my tire make and model. Or would you say it is always safe if you stay on the same side?
Thanks!
 
quagmire

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,986
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Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
May 5, 2008
24,004
27,088
The Misty Mountains
quagmire said:
Yes, if they are non-directional tires they can be rotated anywhere on the car. Now what is the best way to rotate them also depends on the drivetrain setup( FWD, RWD, AWD/4WD). Here is an article explaining it.

https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/tire-talk/tire-rotation
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Right, but if they are directional or non directional, keeping them on the same side, I assume is ok. This will alleve (sp?) me of researching my tires and it make the rotation easier, just jacking up one side at a time. :)
 
A.Goldberg

A.Goldberg

macrumors 68030
Jan 31, 2015
2,549
9,715
Boston
quagmire said:
I have been window shopping sort of speak, and I have been digging the Volvo XC40 and XC60. Anyone check them out in person?
Click to expand...

An XC60 could very possibly be my next car... or maybe an XC90. I’m just waiting for my E60 to become not worth fixing. Unfortunately it’s now quite reliable... funny how that works.

I’d go with a T6 inscription Model. It’s too bad they don’t use the T6 3.0 6-cyl Turbo found on my GF’s S60. Typically Volvo has very solid engines however a turbo + supercharged engine worries me about long term reliability... especially considering Volvo’s lack of experience with superchargers.

I’m not a huge fan of the XC40. It’s an interesting car but but the quality isn’t quite up to par with the more expensive models.
 
Huntn

Huntn

macrumors Penryn
May 5, 2008
24,004
27,088
The Misty Mountains
quagmire

quagmire

macrumors 604
Apr 19, 2004
6,986
2,493
A.Goldberg said:
An XC60 could very possibly be my next car... or maybe an XC90. I’m just waiting for my E60 to become not worth fixing. Unfortunately it’s now quite reliable... funny how that works.

I’d go with a T6 inscription Model. It’s too bad they don’t use the T6 3.0 6-cyl Turbo found on my GF’s S60. Typically Volvo has very solid engines however a turbo + supercharged engine worries me about long term reliability... especially considering Volvo’s lack of experience with superchargers.

I’m not a huge fan of the XC40. It’s an interesting car but but the quality isn’t quite up to par with the more expensive models.
Click to expand...

I will definitely have to check them out in person and keep an eye out on the forums to see the common issues with them.Seems like the most common complaint is the center screen is slow to respond during the initial boot up after starting the vehicle( something that can last for 3-5 minutes).

A T6 Inscription is as of today definitely out of my price range. Right now I think a XC40 T5 R-Design/Inscription or a XC60 T5 Momentum is where my comfort zone is right now. Either way this is at the least two years out as I want to pay the Camaro off first and not in need of a 2nd vehicle yet.

I sort of like the idea of leasing these type of vehicles so I don't have to worry about the cost of maintaining these type of vehicles when they get in the high mileage. And your concern about the turbocharger/supercharger combo is a concern of mine as well. My parents are vehemently against leasing, but it's something I would look into more.
 
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bunnspecial

bunnspecial

macrumors G3
May 3, 2014
8,353
6,496
Kentucky
So, I did a bit of legwork(or phone work, rather) on trying to get the Marina here to me, and ended up with a really great story on it plus some good progress.

I started out the morning calling a friend of mine in Philly who has worked for years as an automotive technical writer, but is also an MG mechanic and engine builder of the finest order. Since he's somewhat close to the Marina, which is in Delaware, I thought he might be able to give me some advice.

He suggests that I call another MG guy(Glenn) who is well known in the community. I've dealt with this guy in the past-he's probably best known for building MGB V8 conversions, and has managed to put over 600K miles on his personal MGB GT V8-a lot of that hauling MGBs and motorcycles all over the eastern half of the country.

So, in any case, I call Glenn and explain the situation to him. He says "Are you buying (seller's name) Marina?" When I confirmed the seller, and also the specific car, Glenn tells me that he'd about 30 years ago, he'd bought that car for $50 and resurrected it for his mother to drive. His mother tore up the road with it, then his wife after that, and eventually it came time to part with it so he sold it to the current owner. So, Glenn brought the car back to life 30 years ago and knows it well.

Glenn and I talk a bit, and he first tells me that he'd be uncomfortable pulling a car that large behind his GT, but mentioned that he needs to come to Louisville to pick up an engine. At first he said that maybe he could tow it with his brother's truck, but after a bit more chatting said that he'd REALLY love to drive the Marina again. Of course, that's a bit of a problem as it's currently not running, but Glenn is better person to bring it back to life(again) than I am. He seemed convinced that with some fresh tires and a brake job, it would be roadworthy, so he offered that perhaps he could do that, then drive it to Kentucky to pick up the engine with his brother following him.

I don't know that I'd be brave enough to hop in it and drive it 600 miles, but Glenn knows the car inside and out and is always up for an adventure. So, it sounds promising-Glenn is going to mull it over and let me know what he can come up with.
 
4

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,494
Rental for the week. 2019 Jetta.

Honestly, This Car sucks. I’m Kinda disappointed, mainly just with the performance and the AC is absolutely abysmal. I mean, I get it, it’s 94°, but it’s barely sub-par with cooling. My partner even commented how poor the AC barely cooled the cabin at the lowest setting. The seats are hard, and lots of cheap plastics. It’s unfortunate, because I think it’s a decent looking car. I don’t generally complain, just making initial observations, even though it’s a standard rental.

17D48EA6-B7C7-4B2E-90AF-1E9AC5282606.jpeg


EFFC12A4-F1CF-46CD-8A71-4780B4741DC0.jpeg
 
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0388631

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@Relentless Power You're not going to find good AC in non North American cars. I've joked about this before, but American companies tend to design an HVAC system and then the car, kind of like how people joke they designed the plane around the main gun in the Warthog. HVAC systems in European and Asian cars just aren't good enough. When I was overseas and in a hot climate, we'd usually shotgun anything American over any foreign cars on the embassy motorpool to checkout. Even right now, if you gave me a Land Cruiser, Range Rover, G Wagon, etc. just to drive in a hot environment and not take off road, I'd reach for a Tahoe or Trailblazer first. Anything General Motors is tier 1 when it comes to cooling power and efficiency at low settings. Even rattled 90s Tahoes cooled down the cabin to near ice on a low setting. Headaches abound if you increased the speed of the system.

Also, IIRC, the transmission in those rental Jettas suck. Enjoy Florida apart from the awful weather. See any large iguanas there? They've become an invasive species to some of the lower US and most of Costa Rica and Puerto Rico. Oh, and if you and your lady friend get a chance, try out the lion fish some restaurants prepare. That's also an invasive species off the coast, but the meat is safe to eat and the state pays companies to fish for them. Here's a NatGeo video on it.


 
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Apple fanboy

Apple fanboy

macrumors Ivy Bridge
Feb 21, 2012
57,012
56,029
Behind the Lens, UK
Relentless Power said:
Rental for the week. 2019 Jetta.

Honestly, This Car sucks. I’m Kinda disappointed, mainly just with the performance and the AC is absolutely abysmal. I mean, I get it, it’s 94°, but it’s barely sub-par with cooling. My partner even commented how poor the AC barely cooled the cabin at the lowest setting. The seats are hard, and lots of cheap plastics. It’s unfortunate, because I think it’s a decent looking car. I don’t generally complain, just making initial observations, even though it’s a standard rental.

View attachment 848313

View attachment 848315
Click to expand...
Give this a try.
 
J

jeyf

macrumors 68020
Jan 20, 2009
2,173
1,044
we found a neighbor working out of his house that recharges autos.
he did our car with 134
cash
 
960design

960design

macrumors 68040
Apr 17, 2012
3,795
1,674
Destin, FL
My new ride (CTS). The A/C will freeze you out. Sad to read that about the VW. I liked em.
cts.jpg


Zenithal said:
Enjoy Florida apart from the awful weather.
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You mean in the winter, right? When it gets down into the 30s F.
Running yesterday and it was a glorious 94F along the water.

See any large iguanas there?
Click to expand...
Not yet.
Oh, and if you and your lady friend get a chance, try out the lion fish some restaurants prepare. That's also an invasive species off the coast, but the meat is safe to eat and the state pays companies to fish for them.
Click to expand...
Read about it, but have yet to try it. Any recommended restaurants?
 
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0388631

Cancelled
Sep 10, 2009
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960design said:
Read about it, but have yet to try it. Any recommended restaurants?
Click to expand...
Only learned about it a month ago. It makes sense. Lionfish get sold when they're small but they grow quite fast. It's down to pure idiocy that people throw them out into the sea rather than turn it in at a pet store that specializes in tropical fish.

There's a few pet fish regarded as food in some places simply because of how tasty they are compared to regular edible fish. I'd imagine the lion fish has a soft texture with a mild natural sweetness to it. You can probably ask around and see what restaurant serves it. I can't imagine it being hard to find since lionfish "hunters" are in full swing and the bastards multiply like rats.


Personally, I'm against certain films making use of animals because it really messes with nature. Finding Nemo caused wild clown fish stocks to tank because everyone wanted clown fish. Harry Potter caused dumb parents to buy their children owls and when they couldn't handle it they released them into the wild. There was this children's movie in the 1980s about a talking pig and I recall people wanting to buy their kids piglets and so on. People still buy baby ducks around Easter time and then when they can't care for them leave them somewhere and drive off.
 
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