The Car Thread ... !

[D.T.]

Resale value is only relevant to me if I am looking to buy something cheap. As @bunnspecial and @quagmire point out, when I buy a vehicle I tend to keep them until the wheels fall off. Of course my last few vehicles were leases so that's a different situation. But I've never looked at a car as an investment or what it's resale value is. Cars that are investments are usually going to be far outside my price range anyhow.

Yeah, we always lease the family ride, because I don't want to be concerned about resale, maintenance, warranty, and I want the car purchased to always be as safe and reliable as possible when I'm driving my family on a 900 mile road trip We just passed 2 years on the DD/RT in May, so I'll probably start serious shopping next January - it's been flawless, has exceeded my expectations, but I'll likely change things up (just to change things up )

I tend to want to get rid of my car every 3-4 years, so while I wouldn't purchase on resale value alone, I do factor that into the TCO, and the purchase price up front. Which is why I went with a lightly used car this time around, it was an incredible deal, and it puts me ahead of the depreciation a bit. I also factor in possible no-warranty expenses, since I do mod

 

[bunnspecial]

Well, my mechanic called with a report from the machine shop.

Fortunately the block and crank magged out fine. Crank needs a 10-10 grind, and they're saying 30 overbore on the block. I'm probably going to have them take it to 40. Currently desperately trying to get pistons and a few other parts ordered as the shop will cut and grind next week, but has a general "only cut with piston in hand" policy(which a lot of shops do).

 

[S.B.G]

but has a general "only cut with piston in hand" policy(which a lot of shops do).

Seems like a prudent policy to me, no?

 

[D.T.]

Decided to DIY my oil change this time! In fact, it's my first on this car. Scored Castrol Magnatec, full synch, $19.95 per 5 quart container (car takes 10 quarts), Motorcraft Ford FL500 filter, a backup extra drain plug (these modern Fords use a composite, cam lock type plug, pretty neat, no way to strip, cross thread. I haven't done this myself since I did a full cam swap on a Corvette I owned, it's kind of fun

Besides not having to deal with people / C19 exposure, and spending about half as much, I'll know it's actually done correctly, so many tales of poorly executed oil changes (drain plugs not seated / cracked, wrong oil spec, etc.)

It's on Rhino ramps in the garage, I have a 4g oil pan with a spout, easily put the used oil in the new containers and drop it off at the parts store reclamation.

Since I've only put about 2000 miles on the car in almost a year, I assume I won't have to think about this again for a _long_time_.

 

[bunnspecial]

Seems like a prudent policy to me, no?

Oh, no question about it at all.

It's a good thing too, as I talked to my parts guy probably a half hour ago, and he has 30s on hand(so can ship tomorrow) but NOT 40s, so I'm glad the shop didn't cut on my word.

So far, the bill(not final) is:

$1250 ported+polished cylinder head
$900 Machine Work
$318 in parts(a lot more to go-that's just the first bite of "have to have them now" parts)
And a 74 Austin Marina(valued at ~$1500) in partial trade for labor

 

[quagmire]

Decided to DIY my oil change this time! In fact, it's my first on this car. Scored Castrol Magnatec, full synch, $19.95 per 5 quart container (car takes 10 quarts), Motorcraft Ford FL500 filter, a backup extra drain plug (these modern Fords use a composite, cam lock type plug, pretty neat, no way to strip, cross thread. I haven't done this myself since I did a full cam swap on a Corvette I owned, it's kind of fun

Besides not having to deal with people / C19 exposure, and spending about half as much, I'll know it's actually done correctly, so many tales of poorly executed oil changes (drain plugs not seated / cracked, wrong oil spec, etc.)

It's on Rhino ramps in the garage, I have a 4g oil pan with a spout, easily put the used oil in the new containers and drop it off at the parts store reclamation.

Since I've only put about 2000 miles on the car in almost a year, I assume I won't have to think about this again for a _long_time_.

I DIY my oil changes with the Camaro. The Camaro was the first time I ever DIY oil change( or any kind of work on a car) mostly for the reasons you listed. You know it was done right. I spent about a year on Camaro6 just seeing what is going on with the car prior to buying it and you just hear those tales of oil changes gone wrong. Most common was the dealer only putting 5-6 quarts of oil in( when the LT1 takes 10 quarts) and lifting the car improperly causing damage to the side rockers and/or the aluminum components on the under body. I am thankful GM kept oil changes on the Camaro very simple and easy with a right side up vertical oil filter, no panels to remove to get to either the filter or plug, and plenty of space to work with. Watching guys like savagegeese on youtube where they do a technical dive of the under body, manufactures( including GM) are making it a hassle to do something as simple as an oil change.

Even though it had no influence in why I do my own oil changes and it was all about minimizing the times my car has to go to the dealer, it does feel great after you're done that you did it yourself. Good sense of accomplishment.

 

[bunnspecial]

Even if you don't do it routinely, there are a few things that I think every "car guy"(or gal) should do on their car at least once.

Changing your own oil is at the top of that list. Aside from it being weirdly satisfying to crack the drain plug and watch the oil drain out, you also know EXACTLY what's going in, know that the drain plug isn't getting over-tightened, get to pick the exact filter you want, and don't have to worry about it getting wrenched on so tight that it takes a hammer and chisel to get it off. My dad's a big Valvoline Quick Lube user, and the first time I changed the oil on the car that's now my daily, I managed to crush the filter like a tin can with my filter wrench, and ended up doing the old hammer the screwdriver through to get it off. Every change since then, with a NAPA Platinum(Wix) put on with an oiled gasket hand-tight has come off with the lightest tug on a wrench, and hasn't leaked a drop of oil.

One of the other jobs that I think everyone should do at least once is brakes. Disks are dead simple to do yourself(provided you don't have to swap calipers, or have to deal with a screw in piston, although the latter is easy with a purpose made tool), and it makes you appreciate just what is going on in them.

Spark plugs and other tune-up items use to be a good DIY job also, but they're buried deeply enough these days that it can be a bear of a job especially for the rear bank of a V engine in a front wheel drive car. Even the back two plugs on a V8/RWD can be tight on a lot of cars.

 

[Matz]

My Charger is about due for an oil change, and I’m looking forward to using the Fumoto ball valve drain plug I installed at the last oil change. I’ve had them on other vehicles, and really like how they eliminate a couple of potentially messy steps in the process.

 

[S.B.G]

I used to change the oil myself on my F-150's. I stopped doing all the DIY stuff once I began leasing cars. But before that, I owned my trucks and took care of as much of the routine and simple things I could do.

Doing the oil changes on the F-150 was easy and I liked how I didn't have to jack the truck up either. There was plenty of room for me to slide under it and drain the pan and get to the filter.

I did have one accident though when I changed the filters. When I finished the job and started the truck, oil blew out all over the place from the filter and I shut it down right away. What happened was as I reached up to put the new filter on was the O-ring fell off and I didn't realize it. So there was no seal there!

It was mostly a blind reach and feel to get my arm and filter up there and I've never had a problem before until that one and only time. After that I was much more aware of that ring and ensuring that it made on correctly.

 

[D.T.]

One of the other jobs that I think everyone should do at least once is brakes. Disks are dead simple to do yourself(provided you don't have to swap calipers, or have to deal with a screw in piston, although the latter is easy with a purpose made tool), and it makes you appreciate just what is going on in them.

Oh I had a "Come to god" moment with allowing the dealer to do my brakes one time.

I was (as usual) running short on time to get on the road for a track even at Roebling, I always toss on a set of cheap, but high quality rotors from Napa (call them a consumable for the weekend), track spec pads.

Anyway, I dropped my car off at the Chevy dealer (had a Z06 at the time), in / out, pack up the cars, hit the road. I do a quick tech inspection, everything _looked_ fine, put a wrench on the lugs, check, so I clear safety, run a couple of morning sessions - something feels a little off. I get to my area, pulls the wheels - a caliper had loose bolts.

Not to say this isn't dangerous in any driving situation, but when you're standing on the brakes coming down from 135 into a tight right hander, a brake letting go wouldn't be pretty.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I haven't changed the oil on one of my cars since I was in my twenties. Back then I had the time and couldn't really afford to get someone else to do it anyway.

 

[44267547]

I haven't changed the oil on one of my cars since I was in my twenties. Back then I had the time and couldn't really afford to get someone else to do it anyway.

I haven’t changed the oil on my cars.....like ever. 😁 It’s not so much that I don’t have the tools to do it, it just scares the hell out of me to crawl under A car that is ‘supported’ by jack or ramps. I just don’t like the idea of it, and I have no problem paying someone to do it for me.

Side note:


One thing I have kicked the idea around of, is actually having a hydraulic lift installed in my garage, where it would create more room for one car is lifted in the air during my ‘off-season‘ where the car isn’t driven (Scat for example) and I can park another car under it. I got the idea from Richard Rawlings from Fast N’ loud. (It’s a popular show here in North America) The guy is an entrepreneur genius.

 

[D.T.]

Rolled up on my Rhino ramps (I put then on thin rubber mat sections that held them nicely from slipping), front first in the garage (so I could close it up), first time with one of the nylon drain plugs - super nice, comes out easy, and goes back in with a really positive "click" when it's locked. My big 4g drain tub was easy to position since that first release is a bit of a geyser Left it to drip for an hour or so - then pulled the filter, was batting 1000 for no oil on the floor Left that to drip for a few.

New filter, slightly pre-filled, hand tightened, but very snug, plug in, topped off with 10q, did a couple of level / start / drip checks. GTG!

My tub has a lip and a spout so it was a piece of cake putting the old oil into the two container. Yikes, it was pretty cooked.

Engine is much quieter, I mean, this car has a whole slew of fun sounds, from the DI, to the exhaust actuators, but running so much better. Three click through the digital dash to the oil reset
[automerge]1593097322[/automerge]

I got the idea from Richard Rawlings from Fast N’ loud.

FWIW, hundreds of people have been doing this for decades, including tons of commercial garages, heck, there's a guy right around the corner from me with a 4 post and his '67 Vette stacked on top.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I know just about everybody has one of these but they are still fun to drive and everybody assumes you are a moron anyway

 

[D.T.]

I know just about everybody has one of these but they are still fun to drive and everybody assumes you are a moron anyway

Underlined ==

Where specifically was that photo taken?

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Underlined ==

Where specifically was that photo taken?

It’s true though but not sure if that stereotype exists for BMW drivers outside of Europe?

The pic was taken in Rhigos, South Wales, not far from where I live.

Not my pic above but on the same stretch of road. It’s a mountain road and it’s common to see test cars using the road from the likes of JLR and Aston Martin due to it’s windy theme. The likes of Top Gear and car magazines often shoot footage in the area too.

 

[D.T.]

It’s true though but not sure if that stereotype exists for BMW drivers outside of Europe?

The pic was taken in Rhigos, South Wales, not far from where I live.

Not my pic above but on the same stretch of road. It’s a mountain road and it’s common to see test cars using the road from the likes of JLR and Aston Martin due to it’s windy theme. The likes of Top Gear and car magazines often shoot footage in the area too.

Holy smokes! The roads look amazing (for some driving) and the landscape/view is stunning.

I'm from Florida, where a 10 foot elevation change is a mountain But my wife is from Pennsylvania, which itself is pretty mountainous, but we also drive (er, when used to drive up there a good bit) through some spectacular mountain areas in the VAs, and I was always just flabbergasted over the views.

I spent some time in Wales, took a over to the Portmeirion area (yes, I'm a huge fan of The Prisoner )

 

[44267547]

I know just about everybody has one of these but they are still fun to drive and everybody assumes you are a moron anyway

In my area, no one cares what you drive. The cars that stand out the most are usually vintage muscle cars and a few exotics with Maclarens rolling around. I’d say BMWs are fairly common just from the lower class 3 Series standpoint in N.A. I know you’re in the UK [I believe you drive a Mercedes from A previous Photo] , but in terms of BMWs overall reliability, it seems it’s not what it once was. More so, the interiors are kind of cheapened with average ride quality. I’d personally opt for an Audi If I was in a German market.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Holy smokes! The roads look amazing (for some driving) and the landscape/view is stunning.

I'm from Florida, where a 10 foot elevation change is a mountain But my wife is from Pennsylvania, which itself is pretty mountainous, but we also drive (er, when used to drive up there a good bit) through some spectacular mountain areas in the VAs, and I was always just flabbergasted over the views.

I spent some time in Wales, took a over to the Portmeirion area (yes, I'm a huge fan of The Prisoner )

Oh whatever direction you travel here there is a hill, it’s ridiculous. I don’t think our scenery rivals yours though. I’ve been to the Rocky Mountains and it’s like Wales but ten times nicer.

Only been to Portmeirion once and it started raining so bad we didn’t go in. It’s still on my list to do.

In my area, no one cares what you drive. The cars that stand out the most are usually vintage muscle cars and a few exotics with Maclarens rolling around. I’d say BMWs are fairly common just from the lower class 3 Series standpoint in N.A. I know you’re in the UK [I believe you drive a Mercedes from A previous Photo] , but in terms of BMWs overall reliability, it seems it’s not what it once was. More so, the interiors are kind of cheapened with average ride quality. I’d personally opt for an Audi If I was in a German market.

Yeah this isn’t my car, it’s one we have at work and is used by anybody for errands etc. It’s quite battered up close. It’s a 3 litre diesel though so quite pokey but not as stable and comfortable to drive as my C-Class. Good fun though but just about every sales rep drives one.

 

[S.B.G]

I dunno... I'm leaning heavily and giving priority to the notion of just getting another MKZ before I can't get them anymore (new that is). 2020 is the last model year they're being produced and that leaves the Continental as the last Lincoln sedan.... for now.

I called my Lincoln salesman the other day and asked if I can order an MKZ to lease and he said yes, it's done all the time. I didn't really know if one could or not. I know you can order to buy, and I did that with a 2002 F-150.

So now I'm seriously thinking about ordering a 3.0L V6 twin turbo, AWD, fully loaded in the next few months. The salesman is looking into when the cut off is for ordering them and hopefully that lines up with the extended delivery times due to COVID and when my lease is eligible to be turned in without a penalty.

I really do like my MKZ. It's very comfortable and still sporty enough even with the smaller 2.0L engine. But the 3.0L with 400 HP and 400 lb.ft (AWD model) is a true sleeper of a car. I think most people wouldn't give it a second look nor think it had that much power under the hood.

My current MKZ... isn't she pretty? (The windows have been tinted since the day I picked it up)

 

[bunnspecial]

Can't quite figure out what these fit, but they're a fairly scarce carburetor(early HD6). I haven't test fitted, but the spacing and flanges look right for a B series engine head. The only issue with that is that I can't find any documented use of HD series carbs on that engine, and you need a pretty "hot" B series engine(twin cam or heavily modified OHV) to make good use of 6 series with that. Someone suggested MGA Twin-Cam to me, but they use H6s from what I can find.

The 2 port manifold suggests a 4 cylinder engine, as every British 6 cylinder I can think of(Big Healey, MGC, TR-6, GT-6, XJ6) had 6 intake ports. In fact, AFAIK, the 1-2 and 3-4 siamesed intake is a peculiarity of A and B engines. This is a manifold made for 1 3/4"(6 series) carbs, as the flanges have 4 bolts(1" and 1 1/2", or 2 and 4 series, mount with two bolts).

I may call Joe Curto on Monday and see if he has any insight. I bought thinking I might put them on my car, as these were cheap and normally a pair of 1 3/4" carbs is $$$. If they're something rare, though, I first of all don't want to modify them to fit my MG, and second could hopefully reunite them with someone who can use them.

 

[44267547]

I really do like my MKZ. It's very comfortable and still sporty enough even with the smaller 2.0L engine. But the 3.0L with 400 HP and 400 lb.ft (AWD model) is a true sleeper of a car. I think most people wouldn't give it a second look nor think it had that much power under the hood.

My current MKZ... isn't she pretty? (The windows have been tinted since the day I picked it up)

View attachment 928196

She sure is!

I mean, if you’re going to start talking about true sleepers, let me introduce the new addition to the family.....

Just a little SHOin off 😁. [Mild Tune, few cosmetic add-ons with tint/rock chip guard, slightly lowered and of course the brakes/tires/rotors you saw on the previous two pages.]

Ruby red metallic/3.5 Twin Turbo

 

[S.B.G]

She sure is!

I mean, if you’re going to start talking about true sleepers, let me introduce the new addition to the family.....

Just a little SHOin off 😁. [Mild Tune, few cosmetic add-ons with tint/rock chip guard, slightly lowered and of course the brakes/tires/rotors you saw on the previous two pages.]

Ruby red metallic/3.5 Twin Turbo
View attachment 928221

View attachment 928223

I've been loosely following your journey in deciding between the SHO and a Raptor. I've also been waiting to see photos of the car, too. Perhaps I missed it and thanks for posting it.

It's a very sharp car and clean! I love the wheels too.

Though it's less a sleeper than the MKZ since those in the know will look for the signature SHO badge on the sides and the distinct wheels also give it away. With the MKZ the only give away it has is on the rear deck-lid when it says 3.0L AWD. Otherwise, there is no indication that there is anything special about it compared to all the others. Many would probably still not "get it" and think it's just an ordinary luxury sedan. Only people like you and I know these little differences.

A professional colleague of mine has been looking for a SHO as he really loves them too. He almost bought one during COVID as dealerships were about to open again, but the place just wouldn't respond to his inquires so he never got it.

Then he made the decision to forego getting one for the time being and put some money into his other toy, an old VW Bug.

I found a SHO locally last week and texted it to him and all he replied with was an emoji with a tear drop. He still wants one, but not right now.

 

[Apple fanboy]

She sure is!

I mean, if you’re going to start talking about true sleepers, let me introduce the new addition to the family.....

Just a little SHOin off ?. [Mild Tune, few cosmetic add-ons with tint/rock chip guard, slightly lowered and of course the brakes/tires/rotors you saw on the previous two pages.]

Ruby red metallic/3.5 Twin Turbo
View attachment 928221

View attachment 928223

Nice. Can see where you’ve been practicing your burnouts in that first shot!

 

[D.T.]

I dunno... I'm leaning heavily and giving priority to the notion of just getting another MKZ before I can't get them anymore (new that is). 2020 is the last model year they're being produced and that leaves the Continental as the last Lincoln sedan.... for now.

I called my Lincoln salesman the other day and asked if I can order an MKZ to lease and he said yes, it's done all the time. I didn't really know if one could or not. I know you can order to buy, and I did that with a 2002 F-150.

So now I'm seriously thinking about ordering a 3.0L V6 twin turbo, AWD, fully loaded in the next few months. The salesman is looking into when the cut off is for ordering them and hopefully that lines up with the extended delivery times due to COVID and when my lease is eligible to be turned in without a penalty.

I really do like my MKZ. It's very comfortable and still sporty enough even with the smaller 2.0L engine. But the 3.0L with 400 HP and 400 lb.ft (AWD model) is a true sleeper of a car. I think most people wouldn't give it a second look nor think it had that much power under the hood.

My current MKZ... isn't she pretty? (The windows have been tinted since the day I picked it up)

You seem to really like the MKZ, and it seems to fit the bill for your desire for "sporty-ish" plus a decent level of luxury - it's probably a blast with the 3.0TT. As you determined, you can acquire a vehicle through any mechanism (lot stock, custom order) and lease it, heck, you can even haggle over purchase price (and you should), with a lease (we got $5K off the DD/RT, nothing down, and a money factor that equates to a ~0.25% finance rate )

We may be joining you in the Ford 3.0TT world, as I am seriously thinking that our next family vehicle is going to be an Explorer ST (but that's still ~10 months ago, and a lot could change ...)

Can't quite figure out what these fit, but they're a fairly scarce carburetor(early HD6).

I love mystery parts I kind of pack-ratted anything left over from the last several cars, and recently went through boxes, bins, etc., on a full scale clean out, and I had fun speculating on several parts. Is this a turbo shaft? Are these caliper O-rings?? Is this some kind of DSP tuning microphone for car audio???