The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

What? You’re from Michigan? Well I’ll be damned, just let me know we can meet for coffee, that’s how close I am.😁

Anyways, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Lincoln Continental on the road yet, (And I’m one that pays fairly close attention to all makes and models being a car enthusiast.)

Stock pic:

First thoughts: This car makes me think of the SHO. The size, headlights, just the overall frame resembles a SHO. Except this particular Continental probably takes luxury to another level over the SHO.

 

[S.B.G]

What? You’re from Michigan? Well I’ll be damned, just let me know we can meet for coffee, that’s how close I am.😁

I'm down for that.

Anyways, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Lincoln Continental on the road yet, (And I’m one that pays fairly close attention to all makes and models being a car enthusiast.)

Well even I don't see many on the road here unless I drive into the affluent areas like Rochester, Troy or Bloomfield Hills where I also get to see Ferrari's, Lambo's, Porsche's and whatnot.

In 2019 Lincoln only sold 6,500 units of the Continental, so that's why we don't see many on the road. They're still producing the car through the 2021 model year but I'm not holding my breath that it will last much longer than that with the ever declining sales figures.

First thoughts: This car makes me think of the SHO. The size, headlights, just the overall frame resembles a SHO. Except this particular Continental probably takes luxury to another level over the SHO.

I just looked up the length of the 2019 SHO and the 2020 Continental and I was surprised that the SHO is actually almost an inch longer! I didn't expect that to be the case at all.

Of course, if one opts for (and can find one) the Coach Door edition Continental, it gets stretched another 6 inches and has the rear hinge suicide doors. But I don't have $120,000 to spend on one. If I did, I would!

Normal Edition:

Coach Door Edition:

 

[44267547]

I’m a fan of Doug Demuro, His insights are usually on point. [Looking at those wheels on the Continental, those would be a total P.I.A to clean!] Unfortunately with a vehicle like the Continental, it probably see’s such a select crowd given the price and with sedans being pushed to the wayside in favor of crossovers.

But, in the same respect, those price tags on vehicles like continentals, SHO’s, will drop because they don’t sell very well and dealers want to move (Actually need) inventory. So given your game plan of trying to find the right vehicle at the right price, will probably pay off long-term, especially if you’re looking to purchase towards the fourth quarter when new inventory is moving in.

 

[S.B.G]

Yeah I like Doug Demuro too and follow his channel.

Ok y’all, what are some of your favorite car care products?

Today I spent some time detailing my MKZ and trying to fix a couple of things. I had to go to two different Ford dealerships to get what I was looking for.

The first one, down the street from me I picked up a touch-up paint thingy, color code UG for my car. The other dealership, 30 miles away, had the other two items I needed and my local dealership checked the computer and told me the other one had the stuff.
ZC-14 Motorcraft Spot & Stain remover
ZC-54 Motorcraft Professional Strength Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

I also stopped off at AutoZone and picked up some Meguiar’s Hot Shine Tire Shine Spray.

I used the ZC-54 on some salt stains in the carpet and it seemed to work fairly well. I’m probably going to have to go over them a few times to really get it out.

I got the ZC-14 to attempt to get out some stains on the leather drivers seat. I had noticed that the blue dye in my blue jeans (Levis 505) had gotten into the Cappuccino color. But I hadn’t looked that closely in a while and today when I went to clean it, I couldn’t find it. Seemingly, the dye must have rubbed off the seat and back on to my dress pants at some point!

So I used some regular leather cleaner and conditioner I got from Gardner-White furniture store for my leather sofa. That worked nicely.

As for the touch-up paint, last winter I ended up tagging the the bottom lip of the right-front bumper on a tall curb. I couldn’t see it well because it was covered in snow and it took a good piece of paint off. It’s not really noticeable if you’re standing up straight and don’t know it’s there. But I know it’s there and it bugs me. I don’t have to fix it because Lincoln will take care of it under the “Wear Care” coverage I have when I turn the lease in, but I want to fix it anyway.

I started applying the paint in small dabs in several layers every so often While I detailed the rest of the car. I’m probably going to keep applying a few more layers over the next couple of days. Once I have enough built up on it, I’m going to wet sand it down. Then I’ll get some buffing pads and compound and buff it all out and see how it looks.

I’ve never done anything like that before so if anyone has any tips for me, I’d appreciate them.

I also cut out a round piece of cardboard to cover up my wheels while I sprayed the tire shine on. I could have used a rag and rubbed it on, but I didn’t feel doing that.

 

[bunnspecial]

I was about to comment on the Continental and SHO being on the same platform, but that's not correct.

The Continental is on the CD4, which has also been used for the MKZ since 2012(my MKZ is on its immediate predecessor, the CD3). I'd thought that the Continental was basically a revised/spiffed up MKS, but the MKS is on the same D3 platform as the Taurus(and SHO). That explains the length difference.

In other news, supposedly my block is going to be done by the end of this week. I'm dropping a check off tomorrow to pay for the machine work(nearly $1K) and will also be ordering ~$500 worth of bottom end parts. There weren't any big surprises-I saved a few bucks since we tore down the oil pump and it was all in spec(and the old ones are better than new production) got arm twisted into buying a new clutch disk.The one in it has maybe $10K and realistically probably has a lot more life, but it doesn't make any difference to my mechanic to put it back together with a new disk or the one that came out, and $50 now is cheap insurance against another engine pull down the road.

The car really sits funny without an engine

And it looks awfully empty under the hood now

If they'll let me(I think they will) maybe I can spend a few hours down there doing a bit of clean-up and rattle canning where it's showing rust. At the same time, given that this shop does bodywork also and the owner is an absolute perfectionist on that, he might scream in terror if I use the words "rattle can" around him

 

[0388631]

Run and hide, SBG!

 

[44267547]

Ok y’all, what are some of your favorite car care products?

Oooh, me...me...(Raises hand vigorously)😁

I could spend hours talking about car care products (No, I don’t care if others don’t understand that), as detailing is one of my favorite passions on the side. I take it very seriously. As a Matter of fact, I even installed new LED track lighting in my garage just to see the paint from a different spectrum when polishing.

Anyways....

Behold (This is just a few of my products)

Quick overview:

Carguys is by far my favorite and I see impressive results and any color of car I have owned. Pricey, but I purchase everything off Amazon usually in bundles.

Invisible Glass is from a company known as ‘Stoner’, based out of Pennsylvania. Excellent product thats been around for years and they don’t use any dies, ammonia’s and it’s ‘streak free‘ for cleaning glass. [Available at your local auto depot stores.]

Coverall is a tire shine product. It Doesn’t leave any greasy/oily residue on the tire. I also use it on my wheels as for a ‘higher gloss’ shine. [Available at auto depot stores.]

Chemical Guys scratch swirl remover and polishing compound. Excellent products, highly recommend. Again, pricey, but delivers results. [Amazon]

* Griots Polishing compound remover is another great alternative

Meguiars Plastix for headlight/taillights. This product has been around for at least 20 years. If you have any type of film residue on your headlights/taillights, this literally will restore and remove baseline scratches. Also, you can use it to remove scratches off various ‘plastic like’ surface trim pieces in your vehicle as well.

Oh, and I don’t use any orbital handtools, I do everything by hand with quality microfiber cloths (80% polyester-10% Polyamide/300 TC), that way I can control the pressure, movement and direction at my leisure.

[Yup, I told you I take detailing to another level.😁]

 

[S.B.G]

Oooh, me...me...(Raises hand vigorously)😁

LOL
I used to use PlastX on my '03 F-150 to remove the yellowing of the headlight lens. It worked well but I'd have to do it every so often as it's not a permanent fix.

My favorite glass cleaner has been ArmorAll Glass Cleaner, also ammonia free.

I'll have a look at some of these other products too. Thanks.

 

[S.B.G]

$%@!$%!

Ford confirms it is ending production of Lincoln Continental

Lincoln Continenal says goodbye.

www.freep.com

 

[S.B.G]

Sigh.

I went to my nearest Cadillac dealer this afternoon and test drove a CT5. It was a nice car. I won't say it was better or worse than my Lincoln, just that it was different. It was a different experience than what I am used to.

If in 6 months I can't find the MKZ of my dreams or a Continental, then my third option will probably be a Cadillac.

At least GM is still making sedans and in several different models too.

 

[quagmire]

Sigh.

I went to my nearest Cadillac dealer this afternoon and test drove a CT5. It was a nice car. I won't say it was better or worse than my Lincoln, just that it was different. It was a different experience than what I am used to.

If in 6 months I can't find the MKZ of my dreams or a Continental, then my third option will probably be a Cadillac.

At least GM is still making sedans and in several different models too.

Which engine/trim did you drive? From reviews the 2.0T and 3.0T models appear to have different personalities. The 2.0T appearing to be the more comfort oriented driving experience and the 3.0T is the sportier and more engaging type of drive.

 

[nquinn]

Annoyance: I want to buy a used Lexus IS (2015-2016). Why is this annoying? Lexus didn't make Carplay available until 2019, while even the lowly Honda Civic had it in 2016.

 

[44267547]

Annoyance: I want to buy a used Lexus IS (2015-2016). Why is this annoying? Lexus didn't make Carplay available until 2019, while even the lowly Honda Civic had it in 2016.

Toyota/Lexus was one of the last manufacturers to implement CarPlay, when every other manufacture virtually had theirs available, forcing them to do so with 18+ models. Their Proprietary system with Entune is garbage, I don’t know how they were able to get away with that for as long as they did.

 

[S.B.G]

Which engine/trim did you drive? From reviews the 2.0T and 3.0T models appear to have different personalities. The 2.0T appearing to be the more comfort oriented driving experience and the 3.0T is the sportier and more engaging type of drive.

It was the 2.0T. They didn’t have any of the 3.0T models on hand.

 

[D.T.]

$%@!$%!

Ford confirms it is ending production of Lincoln Continental

Lincoln Continenal says goodbye.

www.freep.com

Oh no! Hahaha, well, at least you know where they stand. I mean, it doesn't prevent you from buying one, even new assuming there's a few on lots.

Get a Hellcat Charger, all the [I think] 2020 models are also widebody, 707HP, roomy, a pretty darn good interior, looks fantastic (in wide form) and Dodge has been solid (the perks of using the same platform for a long while).
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Toyota/Lexus was one of the last manufacturers to implement CarPlay, when every other manufacture virtually had theirs available, forcing them to do so with 18+ models. Their Proprietary system with Entune is garbage, I don’t know how they were able to get away with that for as long as they did.

Yeah, we briefly cross shopped another 4Runner, I was really into the TRD package (even though I'd be a posure ...), but a 5-speed auto? No CarPlay?? In 2018 ???

Insanity.

 

[0388631]

Yeah, we briefly cross shopped another 4Runner, I was really into the TRD package (even though I'd be a posure ...), but a 5-speed auto? No CarPlay?? In 2018 ???

I'm really glad you decided against that Acura I kept pushing you to look into. IIRC the Jeep you guys got covered everything you wanted and you're not stuck with the vehicle after next year, was it?

 

[D.T.]

I'm really glad you decided against that Acura I kept pushing you to look into. IIRC the Jeep you guys got covered everything you wanted and you're not stuck with the vehicle after next year, was it?

I don't really recall you specifically suggesting an Acura, I had mentioned considering an MDX Sport Hybrid, but the tow capacity was very mediocre. We did not get a Jeep

 

[Matz]

A Durango Hellcat.

 

[D.T.]

View attachment 930333

A Durango Hellcat.

Yep. Apparently one year only, and it's got a new interior design with UConnect V5 on a 10.1 display!

Also this (paging @SandboxGeneral):

2021 Challenger Redye, 797HP, yes please

 

[Apple fanboy]

Yep. Apparently one year only, and it's got a new interior design with UConnect V5 on a 10.1 display!

Also this (paging @SandboxGeneral):

View attachment 930338


2021 Challenger Redye, 797HP, yes please

Love the two tone.

 

[S.B.G]

Yep. Apparently one year only, and it's got a new interior design with UConnect V5 on a 10.1 display!

Also this (paging @SandboxGeneral):

View attachment 930338


2021 Challenger Redye, 797HP, yes please

I’ll see your Redeye and raise you a Jack Roush Mustang.

2020 Jack Roush Edition Mustang Is A 775 HP Hellcat Killer: Video

The 2020 Jack Roush Edition Mustang is a 775 horsepower Hellcat killer that can do the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds and pull 1.14 gs on the skidpad.

fordauthority.com

 

[D.T.]

I’ll see your Redeye and raise you a Jack Roush Mustang.

2020 Jack Roush Edition Mustang Is A 775 HP Hellcat Killer: Video

The 2020 Jack Roush Edition Mustang is a 775 horsepower Hellcat killer that can do the quarter-mile in 10.7 seconds and pull 1.14 gs on the skidpad.

fordauthority.com

Hahaha, yeah, the Roush stuff is pretty well, done, our huge local dealer is a Roush distributor. They also sell / install the Roush supercharger system, warranty, ~700HP, I may need to do that.

The Hellcat is a beast, it's a tune + pulley away from ~850HP, and that's in a 4-door sedan with a ton of room.
[automerge]1593812397[/automerge]

Love the two tone.

It's a very cool callback to classic domestic muscle cars - I love that Dodge is building unapologetic, beastly cars, because 95% of drivers are never going to wring the handling performance out of a car, so you might as well be insanely fast and comfy.

 

[44267547]

Saw the Durango Hellcat. (Looks like it’s only available for a year). A lot of criticism on the front end of it, but my only issue is I can’t stand ‘racing stripes’. But I won’t get into that.

A Jack Roush 2020 Mustang? I didn’t even know they produced that.(Fords shades of ‘red’ are some of the best over any other manufacturer on the market with Race red, Torch Red, Ruby red...)

Anyone see the new Ford Mustang Mach 1?

Let me add I have always been a fan of the Mach 1, but the fact that Ford couldn’t even incorporate the ‘shaker hood’, [which actually is the key element to the Mach], is an ultimate fail to me.

if I was somebody actually considering the Mach 1 aside from the ‘appearance package’, it’s an immediate dealbreaker the fact that they didn’t use a shaker hood, which easily would separate this particular Mustang from any other S550 on the market.

 

[D.T.]

Anyone see the new Ford Mustang Mach 1?

Of course, but since you don't see my posts

For the last 35-40 years, my hot-rodder / builder Dad and I would've just referred to it as a valve / valve adjustment tool. Hahaha, searching the internet != Batman ...
[automerge]1592311562[/automerge]
Ford dropped this yesterday, pretty cool, a new Mach I. 480HP, with the GT350 Tremec 6-speed (with rev match and dual clutch added), a revised 10-speed auto, tons of coolers (including a new secondary cooler for the automatic option), unique fascia, using the Bullit flavor of the 5.0L (480 HP / 420 TQ), all sorts of handling recalibration to the Mag ride, etc., and a Handling Pack option with 10.5/11 wheels (assuming a 305/315 tire setup), the SWing (rear wing) from the later gen GT350. Plus all the expected Mach I livery and little interior touches you'd expect.


View attachment 924546

 

[S.B.G]

@D.T. Did I read a few days ago that you had (have) a Corvette(s)?