The Car Thread ... !

[JT2002TJ]

Lol. In the house we have a no outdoor shoes rule. Maybe I should implement the same for the car!

You might find yourself walking beside your own car... Just sayin'.

I don't go in my wife's car... It will be a fight. I gave her my A4, that looked brand new, it took all of 2 months for the car to look like it was someone else's car. I had the car 6 years before it became her DD (it was our 3rd car). It was immaculate. Was...

Cars mean nothing to her... I LOVE cars, all cars... I love working on them, restoring them.

 

[Apple fanboy]

My pharmacy, ATM and Starbucks are my regular drive throughs. But I'm in an urban suburban area unlike you country peeps...

Since the pandemic I switched to Apple Pay for just about everything. So rarely go to an ATM. But I don’t think they have drive through ones here.
Went to the pharmacy today. But it’s definitely not a drive through!
As for Starbucks I’m more of a tea drinker.

 

[Apple fanboy]

You might find yourself walking beside your own car... Just sayin'.

I don't go in my wife's car... It will be a fight. I gave her my A4, that looked brand new, it took all of 2 months for the car to look like it was someone else's car. I had the car 6 years before it became her DD (it was our 3rd car). It was immaculate. Was...

Cars mean nothing to her... I LOVE cars, all cars... I love working on them, restoring them.

Mrs AFB has a Kia Picanto. It’s not very new. I wash it for her and that’s about it. She does about 4 miles a week.
We were supposed to sell it and just have the one car when I bought the BMW, but she says she’s not ready to drive that yet. Worried she might scratch it.

 

[daneoni]

Another new BMW design that strips all the signature design cues, and now looks like something else entirely.

Currently a F30 owner and none of the new designs are compelling at all. If anything the G20/G30 are the last palpable designs for me.

May have to get those before they disappear.

 

[maflynn]

My lease is coming to an end, and while I leased this on Halloween,

Whelp, I did it - I bought out my lease. I've been debating for some time, and the US defaulting topic pushed me to pulling the trigger now. As it stands, we're still looking at one or two more rate hikes and with only 4 payments left it made more sense to do this now.

I also added a Softopper that will be used primarily for my camping/hiking trips. This makes life a lot easier for me and unlike a traditional hard top, this is easily folded down and even removed if the need arises. Plus its significantly cheaper then a hard shell.

So in a weird sort of way, I have a new truck
I still have a few hoops to jump through. While its officially bought out, I'm waiting for General Motors to send the title, and then I go to the registry (the DMV here in Massachusetts), to register the truck, and pay the sales tax.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Whelp, I did it - I bought out my lease. I've been debating for some time, and the US defaulting topic pushed me to pulling the trigger now. As it stands, we're still looking at one or two more rate hikes and with only 4 payments left it made more sense to do this now.

I also added a Softopper that will be used primarily for my camping/hiking trips. This makes life a lot easier for me and unlike a traditional hard top, this is easily folded down and even removed if the need arises. Plus its significantly cheaper then a hard shell.

So in a weird sort of way, I have a new truck
I still have a few hoops to jump through. While its officially bought out, I'm waiting for General Motors to send the title, and then I go to the registry (the DMV here in Massachusetts), to register the truck, and pay the sales tax.
View attachment 2211017

Enjoy your payment free months!

 

[maflynn]

Enjoy your payment free months!

More like my payment free month - I did have to finance the truck. Sorry if I wasn't exactly clear on that. I'll be paying the bank in July.

The issue is, if I re-leased I would need to give the dealership 4,000 bucks. I don't mind putting 1,500 or 2k towards a lease but giving 4,000 (or more) seems wrong. I don't mind doing that when I buy a truck, because I'm working towards owning it but that much money for a lease? I don't see the value.

Secondly the cost of 2023 trucks are outrageous, my payments will be in the mid-300 range, that's 200 hundred less then a similarly equipped 2023 Colorado. That's just crazy, give the dealership 4,000 dollars AND have a payment of 550?

 

[sunapple]

Another new BMW design that strips all the signature design cues, and now looks like something else entirely.

Currently a F30 owner and none of the new designs are compelling at all. If anything the G20/G30 are the last palpable designs for me.

May have to get those before they disappear.

View attachment 2207076
View attachment 2207077
View attachment 2207078

At first I thought it looked more familiar than expected, but looking closer and seeing those higher rear and front ends it really does look odd. Granted I’d love to own one but purely design wise I haven’t been very impressed these last few years.

Actually save for the 7 series side and rear, I do think it’s sleek. Saw one on the street the other day in black and it was impressive. Almost drove in a ditch when I saw the front but was calmed down by the minimal sides and elegant rear lights. It’s also a massive car.

Can I just say though, E Class looks even worse?

 

[daneoni]

At first I thought it looked more familiar than expected, but looking closer and seeing those higher rear and front ends it really does look odd. Granted I’d love to own one but purely design wise I haven’t been very impressed these last few years.

Actually save for the 7 series side and rear, I do think it’s sleek. Saw one on the street the other day in black and it was impressive. Almost drove in a ditch when I saw the front but was calmed down by the minimal sides and elegant rear lights. It’s also a massive car.

Can I just say though, E Class looks even worse?

Agreed the W213 E-Class looks better than the W214. Especially the Coupé

 

[sunapple]

Agreed the W213 E-Class looks better than the W214. Especially the Coupé

I’ve never been a big fan of the upside down banana shape that’s in most Mercedes designs, but with the EQ models they removed so many lines and details that it sort of looks like an inflated banana.

I saw a first gen EQC the other day and I do not think it’s aging well.

 

[Apple fanboy]

More like my payment free month - I did have to finance the truck. Sorry if I wasn't exactly clear on that. I'll be paying the bank in July.

The issue is, if I re-leased I would need to give the dealership 4,000 bucks. I don't mind putting 1,500 or 2k towards a lease but giving 4,000 (or more) seems wrong. I don't mind doing that when I buy a truck, because I'm working towards owning it but that much money for a lease? I don't see the value.

Secondly the cost of 2023 trucks are outrageous, my payments will be in the mid-300 range, that's 200 hundred less then a similarly equipped 2023 Colorado. That's just crazy, give the dealership 4,000 dollars AND have a payment of 550?

Well one day you’ll be payment free! I don’t make a car payment as I paid cash. So I just take a monthly hit on the depreciation!
They get you one way or another.

 

[daneoni]

I’ve never been a big fan of the upside down banana shape that’s in most Mercedes designs, but with the EQ models they removed so many lines and details that it sort of looks like an inflated banana.

I saw a first gen EQC the other day and I do not think it’s aging well.

Haven't been a fan of the EQ models. Especially the EQS.

I think BMW and Merc EQ designs have left a lot to be desired. Audi are palatable...just.

 

[Huntn]

​

Any Mini-Cooper geniuses here?
2020 John Cooper Works Mini-Cooper Convertible that I purchase used. It's in good shape, overall I'm happy, but I'm trying to figure out some things about it. The sales people did a lousy job getting me up to speed, as in they did nothing at all. It was a madhouse at the dealer when I was there .

Door Locks- First off this is the first car I've owned that as I am exiting the vehicle, that I can't open the door, and push the door lock button, and have the door lock so I don't have to push the button on my key fob. Is there a programming way to accomplish this?

Automatic Unlock- The other confusing thing is that the manual that came in the car talks about the car being able to sense that you have the key fob on you and will unlock the door for you. Nope that is not happening. The manual also shows some sensor on the door, but my door handle does not have this sensor. It does have a blank plate, the looks like you'd have to pry that off, to stick the key in to key unlock the door.

So I'm confused about the "S: on the front of the car and the keyfobs with a JohnCooper Works icon on them. So are there different variations of JohnCooper Works editions? Any help appreciated, thanks!

One other note, this car was designed for short people... I'm comfortable in it, but I noticed because I'm average height.. Let me know if you want details.

 

[Apple fanboy]

View attachment 2219085​

Any Mini-Cooper geniuses here?
2020 John Cooper Works Mini-Cooper Convertible that I purchase used. It's in good shape, overall I'm happy, but I'm trying to figure out some things about it. The sales people did a lousy job getting me up to speed, as in they did nothing at all. It was a madhouse at the dealer when I was there .

Door Locks- First off this is the first car I've owned that as I am exiting the vehicle, that I can't open the door, and push the door lock button, and have the door lock so I don't have to push the button on my key fob. Is there a programming way to accomplish this?

Automatic Unlock- The other confusing thing is that the manual that came in the car talks about the car being able to sense that you have the key fob on you and will unlock the door for you. Nope that is not happening. The manual also shows some sensor on the door, but my door handle does not have this sensor. It does have a blank plate, the looks like you'd have to pry that off, to stick the key in to key unlock the door.

So I'm confused about the "S: on the front of the car and the keyfobs with a JohnCooper Works icon on them. So are there different variations of JohnCooper Works editions? Any help appreciated, thanks!

One other note, this car was designed for short people... I'm comfortable in it, but I noticed because I'm average height.. Let me know if you want details.

Automatic unlock on my BMW is enabled or disabled in the vehicle menu. A lot of people disable it. I’ve gone a step further and bought one of those shields for my keys as the car kept unlocking with the keys in my pocket in the house or office.

As for locking the car using the button on the door, I haven’t done that in decades. I need my keys out to open the door so they are in my hand anyway.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

View attachment 2219085​

Any Mini-Cooper geniuses here?
2020 John Cooper Works Mini-Cooper Convertible that I purchase used. It's in good shape, overall I'm happy, but I'm trying to figure out some things about it. The sales people did a lousy job getting me up to speed, as in they did nothing at all. It was a madhouse at the dealer when I was there .

Door Locks- First off this is the first car I've owned that as I am exiting the vehicle, that I can't open the door, and push the door lock button, and have the door lock so I don't have to push the button on my key fob. Is there a programming way to accomplish this?

Automatic Unlock- The other confusing thing is that the manual that came in the car talks about the car being able to sense that you have the key fob on you and will unlock the door for you. Nope that is not happening. The manual also shows some sensor on the door, but my door handle does not have this sensor. It does have a blank plate, the looks like you'd have to pry that off, to stick the key in to key unlock the door.

So I'm confused about the "S: on the front of the car and the keyfobs with a JohnCooper Works icon on them. So are there different variations of JohnCooper Works editions? Any help appreciated, thanks!

One other note, this car was designed for short people... I'm comfortable in it, but I noticed because I'm average height.. Let me know if you want details.

Normally it’s a case of just touching the door handle to lock and unlock. Not just walking up to it and expect it to happen automatically. The covered door handle/lock is one of the signs of keyless entry; often has a little line on the handle where the sensor it. It will become second nature to touch the handle when walking away; more like tapping it. And just grab it when opening.

If it’s a works it should have a works grills badge. Although it may be different in different regions. In the UK it definitely has a works badge.

 

[Clix Pix]

My Honda Civic Sport Hatchback has the automatic locking/unlocking feature and I love it! When I have the key fob in my pocket and approach the car she knows I'n coming but it isn't until I touch the door handle that she actually unlocks herself. After I've run errands and then returned home, when I get out of the car, I simply shut the door and walk away and after I've gone a certain distance from her, I hear the doors lock and she beeps softly and the headlights briefly flash. In the house I keep both key fobs in a small black box (called a Faraday Cage) which blocks the RFID signals so that someone driving through my condominium parking lot cannot attempt to pick up the signal and thus unlock my car without me even realizing it.

I have a smaller pouch-like protective Faraday bag as well, for times when I am traveling and would be parking the car overnight in a hotel parking lot, for instance. I'm not taking any chances with RFID signals.

Along a similar line, a few days ago I realized how strong BT signals can be. I have both my iPhones paired with my car's stereo system, and normally I only have one of them with me when I'm going somewhere. The other day I needed to move the car from one parking space to another, and so just quickly ran out to do that, got in the car, moved her to a space adjacent to my unit. My bedroom windows overlook the parking lot, and suddenly I was hearing music coming from the car's stereo system. Huh?

I didn't have either iPhone with me; both were in the condo apartment and one was actually still in the master bedroom (which faces the parking lot). After a moment I realized that, yes, I was hearing music because it was being transmitted via BT to the car from the iPhone which was still sitting on my chest of drawers in the master bedroom! The windows were open, but the iPhone wasn't right in the windows, it was all the way across the room deeper into the condo unit.

This made me profoundly thankful that I have that Faraday Cage box for my key fobs and that I keep it in another room in the house. Maybe I need to get another Faraday Cage box for my iPhones, too.....

 

[cyb3rdud3]

Good implemented keyless entry keys will go to sleep when they aren’t moving so the signal can’t be intercepted.

 

[vipergts2207]

Over 7 months after ordering, my Hellcat has finally been scheduled for production.

 

[maflynn]

So the lease buyout process is complete and I registered the truck, got new plates and paid the sales tax - yaay me. The final step is to get the truck a new inspection sticker since its technically a new sale with new license plates. I'll probably drop it off sometime this week at my local mechanic. Better to do this sooner as we're getting close to the end of the month and inspections will only increase.

 

[Huntn]

Automatic unlock on my BMW is enabled or disabled in the vehicle menu. A lot of people disable it. I’ve gone a step further and bought one of those shields for my keys as the car kept unlocking with the keys in my pocket in the house or office.

As for locking the car using the button on the door, I haven’t done that in decades. I need my keys out to open the door so they are in my hand anyway.

I remember this idea that using the keyfob to lock the car can be picked up by a scanner. 🤔

Normally it’s a case of just touching the door handle to lock and unlock. Not just walking up to it and expect it to happen automatically. The covered door handle/lock is one of the signs of keyless entry; often has a little line on the handle where the sensor it. It will become second nature to touch the handle when walking away; more like tapping it. And just grab it when opening.

If it’s a works it should have a works grills badge. Although it may be different in different regions. In the UK it definitely has a works badge.

There is no sensor on the door handle, but there does seem to be a metal plate which looks to me like if removed the keyfob key can go though that and reach the lock in the door?

 

[iGeneo]

Just found this thread.... added a new car to my stable.

 

[InvertedGoldfish]

Since the pandemic I switched to Apple Pay for just about everything. So rarely go to an ATM. But I don’t think they have drive through ones here.
Went to the pharmacy today. But it’s definitely not a drive through!
As for Starbucks I’m more of a tea drinker.

If you’re worried about germs it’s good to avoid ATM 👍

 

[vipergts2207]

Just found this thread.... added a new car to my stable. View attachment 2225023

Be cool if they still offered structural blue.

 

[iGeneo]

Be cool if they still offered structural blue.

Why when you can have Infrared?

 

[vipergts2207]

Over 8 months after ordering, my car was finally built this week.