The Car Thread ... !

[44267547]

D-Day.

(Once I have the car ceramic coated with a paint/wheel, I’ll talk about the mods later it has.)

The preliminary details is this, one owner/5000 miles only and garage kept, never driven in the rain with about $20,000 in modifications both performance and aesthetics.
*********************

The backstory to this car is really unique:

So I was perusing for Camaros online when I accidentally found this fifth GEN Camaro SS from an owner who is 81 years old down in North Carolina. The ‘list price‘ he had was kind of ridiculous (As in he was asking $40,000), but he had some very high-end performance modifications, so I called him on this to find out where was he coming up with this price point. After talking to him on the phone for a little while, I realize that he has zero interest in keeping the car, mainly because I think he is starting to suffer from dementia, his overall age and he is recently widowed from his wife, and he mentioned he wasn’t comfortable driving it anymore. (I felt really bad for him.)

I asked him if he had any other inquiries on the car and he said no, and I told him it was probably because of his price point.😁

Altogether, I worked a price with him, paid for the shipping and had it delivered here in about a week sight-unseen. And let me just say this, it literally looks/drives factory new, which I’ll post extensive photos later. But I’m glad I could find a home for this car, given it was evident that he was not in a position to take care of this car, let alone drive something with 600+ horsepower.

I asked him if he would be sad when the car was not in his garage anymore, (being that he’s had it for nine years), and he mentioned it was kind of bitter-sweet. So I sent him a photo of me standing next to the car On the delivery day with my thumbs up and told him I carry-on maintaining this car forever.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Eeeh … okay. ?

But now I'm curious as to how they found out. You're not going to tell me that it's part of your MOT to measure the size of the letters on the number plates? Are you?

Yup. Apparently it is.

 

[Apple fanboy]

View attachment 956116

D-Day.

(Once I have the car ceramic coated with a paint/wheel, I’ll talk about the mods later it has.)

The preliminary details is this, one owner/5000 miles only and garage kept, never driven in the rain with about $20,000 in modifications both performance and aesthetics.
*********************

The backstory to this car is really unique:

So I was perusing for Camaros online when I accidentally found this fifth GEN Camaro SS from an owner who is 81 years old down in North Carolina. The ‘list price‘ he had was kind of ridiculous (As in he was asking $40,000), but he had some very high-end performance modifications, so I called him on this to find out where was he coming up with this price point. After talking to him on the phone for a little while, I realize that he has zero interest in keeping the car, mainly because I think he is starting to suffer from dementia, his overall age and he is recently widowed from his wife, and he mentioned he wasn’t comfortable driving it anymore. (I felt really bad for him.)

I asked him if he had any other inquiries on the car and he said no, and I told him it was probably because of his price point.?

Altogether, I worked a price with him, paid for the shipping and had it delivered here in about a week sight-unseen. And let me just say this, it literally looks/drives factory new, which I’ll post extensive photos later. But I’m glad I could find a home for this car, given it was evident that he was not in a position to take care of this car, let alone drive something with 600+ horsepower.

I asked him if he would be sad when the car was not in his garage anymore, (being that he’s had it for nine years), and he mentioned it was kind of bitter-sweet. So I sent him a photo of me standing next to the car On the delivery day with my thumbs up and told him I carry-on maintaining this car forever.

Teaser photo! I can’t imagine ever giving up driving. But when I’m 81, I think something a little less responsive might be the way to go.
Enjoy.

 

[Nütztjanix]

Yup. Apparently it is.

That's crazy.

 

[44267547]

Teaser photo! I can’t imagine ever giving up driving. But when I’m 81, I think something a little less responsive might be the way to go.
Enjoy.

He was as nice as could be to. Just super genuine and honest. He even replaced a tire for me that had a minor leak, which he easily could’ve just sold the car to me and not even saying anything about it, but he did. I think that says a lot about his character. In a way, I feel kind of bad, because he truly loved the car, but realized it was just too much for him anymore given his age, and now he’s got an empty void in his garage where it used to be for all of those years, but it’s in a good home with me and I told him how meticulous I am, as he was.

By the way, I see you purchased your first Apple Watch in the Watch forum. You’ll love it. Loads of potential.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yup. Apparently it is.

Did you contact the dealer who fitted the plate to inform them they are using non road legal characters on their plates? They might not realise themselves. I know the police are hot on plates with incorrect spacing but I’ve never known the heights of characters to be measured! Wow.

 

[Apple fanboy]

He was as nice as could be to. Just super genuine and honest. He even replaced a tire for me that had a minor leak, which he easily could’ve just sold the car to me and not even saying anything about it, but he did. I think that says a lot about his character. In a way, I feel kind of bad, because he truly loved the car, but realized it was just too much for him anymore given his age, and now he’s got an empty void in his garage where it used to be for all of those years, but it’s in a good home with me and I told him how meticulous I am, as he was.

By the way, I see you purchased your first Apple Watch in the Watch forum. You’ll love it. Loads of potential.

I hope so. When it eventually gets here!
I think we can all vouch for your meticulousness! Hope you enjoy the car.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Did you contact the dealer who fitted the plate to inform them they are using non road legal characters on their plates? They might not realise themselves. I know the police are hot on plates with incorrect spacing but I’ve never known the heights of characters to be measured! Wow.

No not yet. I might this week as I’m off. But this was the same VW dealer who wanted to charge me £1000+ to take the dash off because the actuator wasn’t working on the heating/AC selection. I found a YouTube video showing me you can recalibrate them by holding down two buttons for 5 seconds.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

No not yet. I might this week as I’m off. But this was the same VW dealer who wanted to charge me £1000+ to take the dash off because the actuator wasn’t working on the heating/AC selection. I found a YouTube video showing me you can recalibrate them by holding down two buttons for 5 seconds.

Having owned VW’s myself I wouldn’t trust them from my experience. Great cars but the dealerships are hit and miss. I remember when my Passat went in for remapping after the emissions scandal a few years back and I had a health check video to look through with a load of work they said I needed done on what was a 3 year old car. My local garage checked it all over for me and said nothing in the video was correct. Scamming swine

 

[Apple fanboy]

Having owned VW’s myself I wouldn’t trust them from my experience. Great cars but the dealerships are hit and miss. I remember when my Passat went in for remapping after the emissions scandal a few years back and I had a health check video to look through with a load of work they said I needed done on what was a 3 year old car. My local garage checked it all over for me and said nothing in the video was correct. Scamming swine

The one in my new town I took it to suggested I get the cam belt replaced. What at 30,000 miles I enquired? They said because it’s recommended every 5 years. I declined. Let’s have it done when I’m closer to 100,000!

 

[cyb3rdud3]

That's crazy.

Why? Those are the rules. Having wrong sized number plates doesn’t help with plate recognition etc.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Why? Those are the rules. Having wrong sized number plates doesn’t help with plate recognition etc.

Absolutely. But these plates were standard sized fitted by a VW main dealer and been on the car since new (5 years). The letters were 5 mm short. I’d never noticed. Neither had the people who did the test for the last 4 years.

 

[Nütztjanix]

Why? Those are the rules. Having wrong sized number plates doesn’t help with plate recognition etc.

You seem to have misunderstood my post. It’s crazy that they measure the size of the letters at MOT.
We certainly don’t do that over here - at least not without them looking extremely off (which I doubt at missing 5mm, especially without direct comparison).

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

You seem to have misunderstood my post. It’s crazy that they measure the size of the letters at MOT.
We certainly don’t do that over here - at least not without them looking extremely off (which I doubt at missing 5mm, especially without direct comparison).

It’s probably better it’s picked up on an MOT though rather than a keen traffic Copper who loves handing out £130 fines. Very weird though as this was a number plate from a main dealer who you’d expect to be in accordance with the DVLA.

 

[Nütztjanix]

It’s probably better it’s picked up on an MOT though rather than a keen traffic Copper who loves handing out £130 fines. Very weird though as this was a number plate from a main dealer who you’d expect to be in accordance with the DVLA.

True.

As I don't think the dealer produces the plates himself, I'd guess it's a problem with the supplier of those plates. I think your lettering is printed, whereas ours is embossed (and at the same time colored). The machines that do this are normed (and standard supply), so I don't think it could happen over here that easily - at least not without intend.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

True.

As I don't think the dealer produces the plates himself, I'd guess it's a problem with the supplier of those plates. I think your lettering is printed, whereas ours is embossed (and at the same time colored). The machines that do this are normed (and standard supply), so I don't think it could happen over here that easily - at least not without intend.

They are printed in the U.K. indeed as standard, although if you want you can pay extra and have them embossed on metal plates. The printing is done on official machines to official lettering standards.

However there is a keen scene for “show plates” where plates are personalised and often Mis spaced to make words. To me that is often done by “cheapskates” who can’t afford to purchase the actual plate that has some meaning. It all got a bit out of hand and thus laws were tightened.

But you still see a lot of show plates on the public road.

 

[Nütztjanix]

They are printed in the U.K. indeed as standard, although if you want you can pay extra and have them embossed on metal plates. The printing is done on official machines to official lettering standards.

However there is a keen scene for “show plates” where plates are personalised and often Mis spaced to make words. To me that is often done by “cheapskates” who can’t afford to purchase the actual plate that has some meaning. It all got a bit out of hand and thus laws were tightened.

But you still see a lot of show plates on the public road.

"Show plates" which form words or other meaningful things are a thing here, too. But any illegal ones would be very easy to spot on public roads, as every number plate has to bear an official seal. Plates not conforming to the rules would obviously not get one. Also, it's a crime to alter an officially sealed number plate (some people like to change the blue background of the EU star circle to black, for example. Or add custom stickers to the plate.), as it's legally an official document.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

They are printed in the U.K. indeed as standard, although if you want you can pay extra and have them embossed on metal plates. The printing is done on official machines to official lettering standards.

However there is a keen scene for “show plates” where plates are personalised and often Mis spaced to make words. To me that is often done by “cheapskates” who can’t afford to purchase the actual plate that has some meaning. It all got a bit out of hand and thus laws were tightened.

But you still see a lot of show plates on the public road.

Indeed and it’s also law to have a postcode on a number plate from where the plate is supplied. You can be fined for this not being present too I believe.

If it doesn’t have this then it is deemed to be a show plate.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

"Show plates" which form words or other meaningful things are a thing here, too. But any illegal ones would be very easy to spot on public roads, as every number plate has to bear an official seal. Plates not conforming to the rules would obviously not get one. Also, it's a crime to alter an officially sealed number plate (some people like to change the blue background of the EU star circle to black, for example. Or add custom stickers to the plate.), as it's legally an official document.

Hehehe guilty as charged ? Although the rules are different in each EU member state My plates are fully road legal and officially made.

 

[bunnspecial]

I find it interesting how different plates are in the UK/EU from the US.

We have standards for size and mounting, and AFAIK standards now for reflectivity/readability. Plate designs are very much a state-by-state thing. Some states require front and rear plates, some both front and rear. In the UK at least, I understand that the number/plate is there for the life of the car. In the US, at least in the states I'm familiar with, if you bring a car into the state and you're just getting the normal, state standard design the clerk at the DMV will quite literally just walk back a rack in the back of the room, grab the next one there, key in its number to tie it to your registration, and hand it to you. At least in Kentucky, there's a sticker at the bottom of the plate that tells the county of registration, but it fades after a few years. Of course, there's also an expiration sticker, which shows that you've paid your taxes for the year and stick it on.

Aside from that, you have two different things. One of them is vanity plates, which are what you request that's different from the standard 3 number/3 letter arrangement. Once you request, I think the process is the same in every state-it gets a quick check to make sure that it's not in use, and then gets a "human review" to make sure it's nothing obscene or otherwise inappropriate(or could be read that way). I think the cost varies by state-almost no one has them in Kentucky, while I see them everywhere in Illinois.

The other is the "special issue" plate. Usually it's for a college, a non-profit, or some other recognized cause(e.g. breast cancer). They usually have their own unique number, a design that's proposed and the state agrees to, and an extra fee that normally goes to the organization(usually something like $50-100 in Kentucky).

Most states cycle through a new plate design every handful of years. The current one in Kentucky is showing its age, as it's from 2008 or 2009. The prior one was much-detested and only lasted about 2 years. I think most people really liked its immediate predecessor(in fact I have a few socked away for future use under the 25 year rule*) and it was around 8 years. I suspect the current one will last at least a few more given how quickly its immediate predecessor was cycled out. In any case, when the plate design changes, at least in Kentucky, you're handed a new one when you do your annual renewal. I see enough of an older design in Illinois that I'm guessing maybe it only changes when the registration changes.

BTW, on the 25 year rule I mentioned above-if you use "Historic Motor Vehicle" plates(which any car other than 25 years old that is not used as a daily driver can get), you are permitted to display any plate that's 25 or more years old as long as you have the correct plate in the car. Back before the sticker system, you replaced the plate every year at renewal(and they're easily visually differentiated-Kentucky even-numbered plates are white with blue numbers, while odd years are blue with white letters) so it's possible to have a specific year plate. I run a 1970 plate on my MG.

 

[fridayxiii]

@Relentless Power just curious, who do you use for car insurance, and how do you handle the subject of modifications?

I use GEICO and have been a customer for years. With my first MINI, I was "careful" with how I approached the subject. My mindset: if I ever had a catastrophic event with that car, I wanted to recoup some of the investment I'd made in modifications. I had things like aftermarket rims, a cold air intake, exhaust, reduced diameter supercharger pulley, dampened main pulley, and some other goodies. When I called GEICO, I described them as changes that enhanced fuel economy (not the wheels, obvi). GEICO covered the mods without a problem (with a reasonable increase in my premium of course). I really haven't done much to my new MINI, so I haven't insured the mods.

But I was wondering, with your 'Stang and the new Camaro being such high HP rockets, what your experience is/was.

 

[Huntn]

How I spent $190 when I could have spent $0 on my 2012 Fiat 500.

Late last week, I walked out to my Fiat to discover it would not turn over.

• So I charged the battery overnight and it started! Then removed the charging cable and it would not turn over.
• Then had the battery tested, it checked good. It would still not turn over.
• I noticed that the negative cable was not a tight as it could be. I played with it and it would not turn over, although I noticed a little spark when I connected it to the post.
• So I called my insurance company USAA and arranged for a tow. They informed me that to tow it to the Fiat dealership (where I have a warranty) 15 miles away would cost me $55. Why? It was not the “closest suitable“repair place, (where it would be zero to me) ie another repair shop that was within 10 miles.
• The dealer charged me $140 for a diagnostic and decided it was this negative cable, because the battery post was slightly too small. I told them I did not want a new cable, because the problem could still be there With this battery.
• So I picked up the car brought it home and took a closer look at the cable. It turns our the way the battery is, the posts are slightly recessed as compared to the top of the battery and by just moving the cable over, I could slide it down a tad farther onto the battery post and get a snug fitting. No issue now with it starting. Lesson learned, if I’ll remember it.

 

[iMi]

How I spent $190 when I could have spent $0 on my 2012 Fiat 500.

Late last week, I walked out to my Fiat to discover it would not turn over.

• So I charged the battery overnight and it started! Then removed the charging cable and it would not turn over.
• Then had the battery tested, it checked good. It would still not turn over.
• I noticed that the negative cable was not a tight as it could be. I played with it and it would not turn over, although I noticed a little spark when I connected it to the post.
• So I called my insurance company USAA and arranged for a tow. They informed me that to tow it to the Fiat dealership (where I have a warranty) 15 miles away would cost me $55. Why? It was not the “closest suitable“repair place, (where it would be zero to me) ie another repair shop that was within 10 miles.
• The dealer charged me $140 for a diagnostic and decided it was this negative cable, because the battery post was slightly too small. I told them I did not want a new cable, because the problem could still be there With this battery.
• So I picked up the car brought it home and took a closer look at the cable. It turns our the way the battery is, the posts are slightly recessed as compared to the top of the battery and by just moving the cable over, I could slide it down a tad farther onto the battery post and get a snug fitting. No issue now with it starting. Lesson learned, if I’ll remember it.

You couldn't have known. Everything is clear in hindsight.

I bought my car a couple of years ago. Mercedes does the most complicated, weirdly put together package options I've ever seen. When it was all said and done, I drove off certain it had the premium sound package I requested (which it did) and the nicer sound system (which it did) and was sure it had CarPlay. Well, turns out it did not. It was standard in 2018 on the basic sound system, but if you upgraded to the Command or whatever it was called, then it wasn't included unless you also bought that separately for $200. Drop in a bucket that I would gladly pay. Now there is no official way to add it. I really like my car, but still... Lesson learned.

 

[44267547]

@Relentless Power just curious, who do you use for car insurance, and how do you handle the subject of modifications?

I use GEICO and have been a customer for years. With my first MINI, I was "careful" with how I approached the subject. My mindset: if I ever had a catastrophic event with that car, I wanted to recoup some of the investment I'd made in modifications. I had things like aftermarket rims, a cold air intake, exhaust, reduced diameter supercharger pulley, dampened main pulley, and some other goodies. When I called GEICO, I described them as changes that enhanced fuel economy (not the wheels, obvi). GEICO covered the mods without a problem (with a reasonable increase in my premium of course). I really haven't done much to my new MINI, so I haven't insured the mods.

But I was wondering, with your 'Stang and the new Camaro being such high HP rockets, what your experience is/was.

Ok, So with the Cobra, that one was a bit tricky. There was about $25,000 in upgrades as I mentioned, and my local insurance company was hesitant On how to appropriately insure this car given everything included. So I actually had to have that professionally appraised (Which was actually extensive, I had to send over photos, videos, a ‘paper trail’ of all the modifications, VIN reports, etc.) once I had the appraisal completed, I considered Hagerty insurance, because the vehicle is approaching 20 years old and they seem to be far more knowledgeable on how to properly insure a vehicle given the history/age behind my Cobra and everything included. My Cobra was also Model 1-of-1 with the build with a 4R70W 4-speed automatic Trans straight from the factory (Which Cobras were manual only and autos were not an option). The owner who was before me, was a Ford engineer who built the car from ground up with the upgraded Mahle pistons/Manley connecting rods, Vortech supercharged and everything else that I documented.

Anyways, depending on the age of the vehicle, and how rare it is, there’s no real better option than Hagerty and they have been in the industry for a long time.

As for the Camaro, that one was a bit easier to insure with my insurance company (Statefarm), as it’s approximately six years old with 5000 miles with $20K in mods (Which I’ll get into later). I still had to have that one appraised, [which I voluntarily wanted anyways], and provided my insurance company all the modifications, therefore they supplemented everything the car has on the declaration page along with the premiums.

Also, my 18’ SRT Scat-Pack I also just use locally for insurance and then I drop that to comprehensive only during the winter for storage, but I also have no other modifications to the Scat Pack other than what was included when I purchased it.

Oh, FWIW, I have an immaculate driving record, so my insurance rates really didn’t increase that much even given two highly modified performance cars, but they also are not ‘driven daily’ either, which is something that you can notate and does make a difference on your insurance plan. But being your mini I believe you said is your daily driver, that’s probably something your insurance company would consider.

So my advice anytime if you have a car that you’re not sure or your local insurance company isn’t sure how to handle everything, you almost have to have it appraised (Take your time to find a reputable, veteran Appraisal that knows the auto industry) because if something goes wrong, you need to know exactly what the net cost/worth is with the modifications and the overall value of the vehicle. Plus, When/if you go to sell the vehicle, you have proven documentation in writing what your vehicles worth exactly when you ‘play the game’ when selling or trading in your vehicle.

 

[Huntn]

Feb 2019 I bought a Budge car Titan car cover (5 layers of material) with a 5 year warranty. They may have discontinued that name, but there are equivalent 5 year warranty covers at the link. It has been on my Miata mostly for the last year and a half. Yesterday, I moved the Miata into the garage in anticipation of Tropical Storm Betsa and was placing the cover on my 82 Fiat Spider* when it split, not at a seam, but in the middle of the fabric.

* anyone interested in an 82 Fiat Spider?

Fortunately so far, no hassle getting a free replacement other than sitting on the phone for 45 minutes, but it’s a little shocking this material can break down so fast sitting in the weather, mostly sun for just 18 months.