The Car Thread ... !

[realtuner]

Ok, so.....

Here is a scattered/not very well thought out game plan on what I want to do, but don’t know quite yet what I will do.

I recently Watched the local unveiling of the new C8. I’m gonna be honest, I really want it, [like kinda obsessively]. I always make very calculated moves when it comes to purchasing my cars, taking months of making sure I’m making the right purchase that’s best suited for me. But this car would be an impulse buy (Yes, I have a problem), but what I think I might contemplate in doing, is selling the Mustang GT outright for the new C8 with money down.

I absolutely want this car. I can't think of any car in recent memory that's got me as excited as the C8 (excluding non-attainable supercars). Unless something really bizarre happens (like reviewers find it's not that great of a car) Iplan on getting one. It's only a question of when, and how long I'll have to wait. Which, given conversations I've had with my local dealers, might be quite a while.

 

[44267547]

I absolutely want this car. I can't think of any car in recent memory that's got me as excited as the C8 (excluding non-attainable supercars). Unless something really bizarre happens (like reviewers find it's not that great of a car) Iplan on getting one. It's only a question of when, and how long I'll have to wait. Which, given conversations I've had with my local dealers, might be quite a while.

Yeah, I had a similar discussion with my dealer, and the chance of scoring one looks rather bleak, like they don’t even have a time-table of when to expect fulfillment. I just think this is a really stout car that offers so much for the price, GM put it in a segment where it’s not unattainable either, (aside from being backordered).

I don’t mind waiting, Plus as you said, it gives me time to reflect off what others first impressions are. I have no doubt this car will check off my list of standards. Pretty excited myself moving forward.

 

[D.T.]

@realtuner I was going to PM/DM you something, but I guess you're configured to disallow private messages

I got in some splash guards, inexpensive, but really well executed - clever design, high grade SS fasteners, neat little collar washers for the exposed components (I always say, if you can't hide a fastener, make it look good ). I just love small companies that produce nice aftermarket products for a terrific price

 

[44267547]

I did some thinking today and decided to ‘test the market’ by putting the GT up for sale. I’m not really wanting to sell it quite yet (Or maybe not at all, it depends), so I’m gonna price at a bit higher at $25,200 (It only has 16,000 miles). More or less, I’m sure someone will try to haggle me down through private resale, which is another tactic why I placed the price higher. The car is fully paid off, so I don’t owe anything on it. So I can take that money towards the C8 if need be when the time comes, the only downside I’m facing right now, is I don’t have any of the OEM parts from all the modifications I added, which I know potential buyers typically want the OE parts included with the sale.

On a side note:

I really want the C8, and it’s completely doable in my situation. But there’s a big part of me that doesn’t feel right about selling the Mustang GT, but I think the new C8 offers something so distinct and cutting over the other muscle car class, that really is it’s own entity, where I won’t look back at the GT if it sells.

 

[bunnspecial]

I think the new C8 offers something so distinct and cutting over the other muscle car class,

I don't think anyone has ever realistically considered the Corvette a muscle car. It's always been a sports car-in fact some argue the only true American sports car(discounting some disappointments like the Fiero).

 

[44267547]

I don't think anyone has ever realistically considered the Corvette a muscle car. It's always been a sports car-in fact some argue the only true American sports car(discounting some disappointments like the Fiero).

That’s fair. The Corvette is in a different segment of cars from the other competition. I just see it as the ‘American V8’ segment kinda all goes hand-in-hand. The main difference for me, this will be my first Corvette of all the V8’s I’ve owned, but the back-history really intrigues me, obviously the C8 being the future for GM. Pretty stoked for this car.

 

[bunnspecial]

That’s fair. The Corvette is in a different segment of cars from the other competition. I just see it as the ‘American V8’ segment kinda all goes hand-in-hand. The main difference for me, this will be my first Corvette of all the V8’s I’ve owned, but the back-history really intrigues me, obviously the C8 being the future for GM. Pretty stoked for this car.

I'm also admittedly nit-picking as the lines have gotten REALLY blurry in the past few years.

Some will claim that there aren't really any true muscle cars anymore since full-size 2 doors are pretty much a thing of the past, although cars like the V8 Chargers, the Chevy SS, and the SHO have as good of a claim to that as anything else. Stretching back a few years, cars like the Mercury Marauder and B-body Impala SS were big body-on-frame live axle cars, although they're a bit lacking in power vs. current offerings or muscle cars of the 60s.

Pony cars(Mustang, Camaro, Challenger) have also really stepped things up since many of them-in the right trim levels-pack a lot of power and have also REALLY stepped up their handling. Even though Ford was criticized for holding on to live axles as long as they did, they managed some impressive things with the last live axle Mustangs.

Still, though, the Corvette really is in a world of its own. It packs a lot more power than something like a Miata, which is the best current analogue of a "classic" sports car, and the C8 manages that kind of power and handling in a mid-engine package that you really previous had to pay Italian(or at least Boxster) prices-and more importantly maintenance costs-to get. I'm as excited as anyone to see how it does in the real world, even though I'm not likely a customer for one any time soon if ever.

 

[D.T.]

I'm as excited as anyone to see how it does in the real world, even though I'm not likely a customer for one any time soon if ever.

I could possibly be a customer again, I'm currently at a place where I wanted a full out convertible (side note: convertible MEs are actually a bit odd, it's more targa-ish, that hasn't been announced for the C8 yet anyway) and semi-usable back seats, while sticking with a V8 powered domestic performance car, that put me back in another Mustang (with the ZL1 being in strong contention for a few weeks), which is pretty fantastic in this iteration, so no complaints.

I'm definitely WAY more interested to see where they go when they drop the LTx family, move on to DOHC (I think there are going to be a lot of folks who wished they waited a couple of years ...). Of course, there's also the TT V8 flavor that might wind up in the next gen ZR1 (the Z06 might go back to NA, but with a much higher performing design vs. any of the OHV engines of the past). I'd love to see a 5.5L DOHC that spins to 8000 RPM puts out ~600HP, that mated with the 8-speed DCT could be geared to be a stunning performer (*ahem*, again, 5.5L DOHC, you know, like that is actually the motor <insert_sneaky_eyes>)

2020 C8 Corvette cruising around. Spotted it while visiting a coworker.

Nice photos! The one I quoted is the really weird angle for the C8 (where the C7 looks much better and I wasn't even a fan of the C7 rear/quarter), it's got a bit of a proportion funkiness with the canopy and the waistline (it almost needs a 21/22" wheel out back to balance it out).

 

[0388631]

My impression of GM's LT engines is that they're super cheap to engineer and build, and built to last even under high pressure. True or not? I'm not liking the Corvette's exterior in some angles and I definitely don't like the interior. Everything else is impressive.

It's interesting you bring up wheel size, @D.T. when I was reading the articles on the new RS6 Wagon coming stateside, it's supposedly going to have 22" wheels all around, which are giant sized for a wagon. At the time, the MY18 Panameras we were looking at maxed out at 20", IIRC. The A7... no idea. I want to say between 18 and 20 inches, much like the MBZ counterpart. I'm really curious if the RS6 will have low profile tires or regular tires except very big. LPT really destroy ride smoothness with some cars.

 

[bunnspecial]

So, I am not officially the owner of a 1974 Austin Marina GT(I love that they called the hatchback a "GT" to give some illusion of sportiness). I should have it here in ~2 weeks. If all goes well, I might be able to take a maiden voyage in it in 3 weeks.

To sort of get myself ready to dig in to it, I decided to dig a pair of HIF carbs out of my parts box. I've never worked on HIFs, and they're somewhat different from the HS type carbs I'm familiar with. The Marina has a single HIF-6 rather than the dual HIF-4s used on ~72-74 MGBs, but the basic design is the same(-2 SU carbs have 1.25" throats, and adding 2 to this number adds .25" to the throat, so a -4 is 1.5" and a -6 1.75").

In a fit of desperation, I'd tossed these HIFs on my MG a while back, only to turn to the fuel pump on and find them leaking like a sieve. I tossed them back in the parts box.

When I pulled the bottom off the float bowl of one tonight, I saw the pretty obvious problem(s). Can anyone else spot it?

 

[0388631]

Corroded contact points that make no difference if a quality gasket was used or not? Just got done watching an X6 video using a space age paint. I really find it interesting and creepy at the same time. I've known about the material since its public announcement many years ago but each time I see it in use it creeps me out because I know what it is but my brain goes into overdrive trying to comprehend the visuals my eyeballs are sending to it.

 

[Matz]

Mating surface could use some cleaning, would be my first guess as well.

 

[bunnspecial]

The brass pin at the top is the hinge pin for the float. The brass nut is actually the needle valve seat.

So, this was missing both the float and the needle valve. I think the float chamber was actually sealed okay-there's a gasket on it, and it took a bit of effort to get the cover off. I just had gas pouring out of it because there was nothing there to stop it when the bowl was full.

 

[D.T.]

If anyone is an actual buyer for 2020 C8, there's a TON of allocations left in the large volume dealer channels (talked to some of my people today ), and many of those don't have any ADM. FWIW, the "popular spec" (Z51, Magneride, a few other options), is coming out to around $77K (~$82K OTD).

 

[0388631]

I feel that if you didn't get Magnetic Ride Control, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you ever planned on really driving the C8. Hopefully the rear gets updated when a refresh comes along. Otherwise, apart from its visual faults, I have a hard time judging the C8. I've been reading some stuff in the rumor mill and blown away by power estimates for higher end packages.

Also, apparently one has already been in a car accident.

 

[D.T.]

I feel that if you didn't get Magnetic Ride Control, you'd be doing yourself a disservice if you ever planned on really driving the C8.

Agreed, it's a spectacular tech, now I'm driving a car with it, I can't imagine not having it (in some reasonable time where some new tech doesn't displace it).

GM pulled a Ford (or vice versa / versa vice ...) and only offer the MR with the performance package (the $5K Z51), so to get it, it's another $6895 (it's $3995 Perk Package + $1795 on a GT)

It's great just cruising around on typical city roads, the way it dynamically dials things in, it's semi-magical, including controlling things like rebound on the fly so the car stays perfectly settled, switch modes and it gets serious

 

[0388631]

Taycan looks good!

 

[D.T.]

So I really sealed up the garage, that's the been the only thing really impacted by hurricanes/flooding, but inside the garage I made "bags" for the cars. Get some 10mil spec visqueen, in 20' wide in 100 or 200 foot rolls, put it down in the garage, drive onto it, but leave a good 5 feet of extra material around the perimeter. Then just tuck and/or tape it all around, forming a "bag" around the car, we could've taken 2-3 feet of water in the garage and the cars would've been protected.

 

[44267547]

Taycan looks good!

Really good article posted by the Verge on the Taycan:

https://www.theverge.com/platform/a...taycan-turbo-ev-photos-mission-e-car-hands-on


But...... Look at dem’ brakes

 

[0388631]

Really good article posted by the Verge on the Taycan:

Yep. I had to check out a few "competitor" boards and I loved reading some of the dumb replies. One in particular was something about Audi cars using superchargers and still calling it turbo. Audi used to use superchargers, but their upcoming TDIs will still be turbos aided with an electric supercharger to reduce waste and increase performance. No idea what that person was smoking, but a lot of the other replies were less dumb... or the R word, if you prefer.

Obviously two very different price points from the Model S, but the people who want something excellent overall with pedigree will be going for the Taycan. To naysayers, I tell them to look at boards for the 996 gen and the Cayenne, and the Panamera around the time they were released or announced. You see the same stuff on this board if you go back to when the first iPod was announced. That **** sells.

The way this is designed should be fun for tracking even if it isn't meant for that. Fit, finish, interior quality is going to be leagues ahead than anything else. I suspect the Audi electric sedan is going to look great, too. Thing is, sure, Tesla is ahead by a decent margin in performance, however, these companies can spend billions upon billions if and when they want to. I wouldn't be surprised if VAG gave Porsche a "blank check" and told them to go wild.


MBZ spends something north of $10M a day on R&D customers won't see for years. No idea what's spent elsewhere, but I imagine it's roughly the same for luxury vehicles. BMW is close behind. VAG spends probably $12-17B in total for their entire group of cars, I imagine. Though with their lower end economy brands for central and eastern Europe, it's mostly reusing cars to cut down costs for consumers.
[doublepost=1567649825][/doublepost]

So I really sealed up the garage, that's the been the only thing really impacted by hurricanes/flooding, but inside the garage I made "bags" for the cars. Get some 10mil spec visqueen, in 20' wide in 100 or 200 foot rolls, put it down in the garage, drive onto it, but leave a good 5 feet of extra material around the perimeter. Then just tuck and/or tape it all around, forming a "bag" around the car, we could've taken 2-3 feet of water in the garage and the cars would've been protected.

View attachment 856113

I see you've got a Johnny on your banana.

 

[bunnspecial]

The new toy is here...

Haven't had time to do much yet. I tried to get it started yesterday since the transport company wouldn't drop it off where it needed to be, but ended up having a coworker come and rig up a tow strap to the back of his minivan.

I tried to start it with a jump pack and ether, and even though it cranked-reluctantly at first but it freed up-it wasn't sparking. I tried a quick clean up on the points since I couldn't see them arcing when cranking, but that didn't get me anywhere. I won't be able to tackle it again until Monday, but hopefully the no spark is something simple.

I did, however, go ahead and buy a new battery today. I tried to get Autozone to charge the old one, but it was completely open circuit on their charger. I considered using a bench PSU to try and "jump" it at high voltage(24V or so) since that can sometimes clean the plates off enough to get it to take charge, but that would have probably left me with seriously reduced capacity so a replacement was a smart choice.

 

[circatee]

A wrap:

Morning all.

I think it is time to wrap my 2018 Mustang GT PP.
Alas, I would like ideas on the ‘better’ wrapping material.

I will be taking the car to a professional in Kennesaw, or Marietta, GA, to have this installed, and such. But, it is a rabbit hole on choices of types of wraps, etcetera.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

PS: mainly trying to prevent any more scratched to the black paint. I should have gone with Magnetic again.

 

[D.T.]

ATMOMO

A wrap:

Morning all.

I think it is time to wrap my 2018 Mustang GT PP.
Alas, I would like ideas on the ‘better’ wrapping material.

I will be taking the car to a professional in Kennesaw, or Marietta, GA, to have this installed, and such. But, it is a rabbit hole on choices of types of wraps, etcetera.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

PS: mainly trying to prevent any more scratched to the black paint. I should have gone with Magnetic again.

I was looking into this, funny enough for the same reason (i.e., dealing with black paint - even more to your point, I originally wanted magnetic too!)

When I talked to several companies around Florida and did some research, a few brands came up over and over. 3M shouldn't be a surprise, and also other film/printing type companies like Avery and Arlon. Then you get into some more boutique companies that supply wrap materials like VViViD and ATMOMO who do all sort of crazy finishes (and make products for light tinting, etc.)

Personally, I'd research shops first, a good shop is going to use good materials, and if they've been around a while, warranty that material (3M for example has authorized installers).

I was getting quotes under $3K with a more standard wrap material, but high quality from 3M or Avery, and that's a known shop, central Florida area (and no roof wrap on a convertible). I mention the location as this service is very location/labor related.

My thoughts were something in a satin finish to make it stand out a little more, but keep it in a darker/gray scale color, something kind of near Magnetic Gray, but maybe more of a medium gray, in a slightly flatter finish (see Porsche).

You also might think about a quick, thorough detail on the paint before the wrap, I'm sure the shop will mention this, they want a perfect surface.

 

[44267547]

A wrap:

Morning all.

I think it is time to wrap my 2018 Mustang GT PP.
Alas, I would like ideas on the ‘better’ wrapping material.

I will be taking the car to a professional in Kennesaw, or Marietta, GA, to have this installed, and such. But, it is a rabbit hole on choices of types of wraps, etcetera.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

PS: mainly trying to prevent any more scratched to the black paint. I should have gone with Magnetic again.

Are you having the whole car wrapped or various sections?

I can’t really offer much assistance in terms of wraps/materials, and nor I am trying to stray you away from having the car wrapped, but the only thing I would be Leary of, is when they wrap your car, they obviously have to remove various parts, (i.e door-handles/decals/emblems/ect.) The big thing to make sure of, is that you inspect the car thoroughly if you have the car post-wrap, in another words, make sure the decals/emblems are perfectly aligned when they reattach them, the doorhandles (If removed) function normally. When they remove the hood, make sure there’s no gaps when they re-position the hood back on the car, the bumpers have no gaps, trunk alignment, etc.

Shops aren’t perfect, but you can address those issues right away before you leave the shop if something doesn’t seem right, a lot times when they remove parts, sometimes they don’t put them restore exactly to OEM spec, and the slightest gap will show.

And of course, just do your homework and what shop you plan on using in terms of customer satisfaction/reviews. Usually it’s a minimum of a ‘two-man’ job to wrap a car, it’s a timely process, but that’s most crucial part, taking the time to make sure it’s executed right the first time.

Good luck.

 

[44267547]

@bunnspecial. Found this MG on my travels on Sunday afternoon. Now, I don’t have knowledge on MG’s, but it looks similar to your model/color, but this was a really clean ‘MG’ when I found it. (I had to hurry with these photos, as there was other tenants lurking around this apartment building, and I illegally parked my Sonata in the third picture down ).