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The Car Thread ... !
- Thread starter D.T.
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I believe Alfa would have the best success if they advertise as true Italian performance. Fiat messed up by making the 500 look like a toy.I think it's basically going to be priced on par with the 3/A4/C Class. The pictures that we've seen are the top-spec M3 competitor (the one with the carbon ceramics). I want to see pictures of the base stripper model that will be going up against the lease-spec 320i with vinyl seats and halogens
Unfortunately for Alfa, this segment is tough. The LCI 3 series will be out this fall. The new A4 is around the corner. Everyone else (besides Cadillac) has a more established brand name/dealer network. Hopefully, they know this and price it accordingly.
Advertising can only go so far, but I agree. There's a certain mystique to Italian performance that the German cars lack. They need to advertise the hell out of this.
Hopefully, the product lives up to the hype though!
I agree 100% with this. It needs to be a great car, which is something Fiat-Chrysler has struggled with outside of Ferrari.
IF Alfa figures out how to capture some of that Ferrari intrigue, Alfa may have some success. Fiat needs to get more exotic in the US, because it is being handily killed by GM and Ford in the American car realm.
FCA could take a page out of the GM book.
Dump Chrysler, make Dodge straight entry level and performance (a la Chevy).
Keep Jeep exactly the way it is. Fiat can stay or leave.
Make Alpha Romeo your Audi/Cadillac/BMW fighter.
Give @AustinIllini a free Alfa 4C for coming up with this awesome plan.
Not sure I've ever seen halogen tail lights anywhere in a car.
The high-mount brakelight in my car is LED, but all the others are plain old incandescent. The only tungsten-halogens I have are the high and low beams.
Honestly, halogens aren't a great choice for lights that are used intermittently like many tail lights. They really need to be used for at least a couple of minutes to get up to operating temperature.
I agree with all of this. Alfa (and even Maserati) have to have some of that Ferrari magic. They don't right now.
I don't get the point of Chrysler and Dodge. I think the original plan was to make Chrysler into a Buick competitor, but they have failed hilariously at that. One brand needs to stay, that's it.
Jeep and RAM are fine.
Honestly, there was no reason for Fiat to even come back to the US. It's not like Americans are clamoring for a cute little car. The 500/500L/500X are pretty useless to the American market.
If FCA is trying to make huge profits, Alfa + Maserati are the perfect play. Alfa is your BMW/Audi/MB fighter and Maserati goes after Porsche. As long as they don't screw it up, they can mint money with both brands.
VAG makes unreal profits off Audi and Porsche, but the Germans are good at execution. The Italians don't know what that is.
No no no.
Sergio should give me a free Alfa 4C first! (I can't guarantee I won't go trade it for a Cayman GTS though)
1. Its red CHROME hits the sun looks pink just like Metalic cars look one colour in the sun and a different colour when no in sun.
2. I accept and own it. I own the fact i have a zip tied mirror, I own that I have aftermarket pedal covers and a shifter, I understand and own to the fact of adding DRLs and Fogs may not be the best. If i had 7W LED fogs they WOULDNT be used with the headlights.
BUT, A zip tied mirror is NOT illegal. What I have done is NOT that big of a deal so stop making it one.
"Least Use of Freeways" to me more precise.Totally. I always take the toll road (417 I believe) to Orlando International, you'd be _insane_ to go through the city to save ~$4.00
Well, he did say, no highways, no toll roads, assuming all the roads he uses look like this:
there is a BIG difference from being critisized and making a big deal out of minute things.
Did any of you give bunns **** for his reattachment of the mirror? No. But make it seem like me having mine zip-tied on is a crime punishable by death.
3rd brake like is LED but the reverse lights have halogen bulbs.
The Malibu has the H4 style or "Low beam" shroud around the reverse light bulbs just like Halogens.
CAR UPDATE: THE MECHANIC FOUND NOTHING WRONG LOOKED OVER THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM. PERHAPS IT'S IN MY HEAD AND PARANOIA FROM DRIVING IT WITH A DRAG FOR 3 YEARS. THERE IS AN EXHAUST LEAK IN THE FLEX PIPE AND THE CAM SENSOR IS THE ONLY THING BAD. CAR GETS 27MPG SO FAR (PRETTY GOOD FOR A CAR WITH 26MPG CITY MILEAGE). NOW IF ANYONE COULD TELL ME IF MY EXPANSION TANK SURGING IS A THING TO WORRY ABOUT.....
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I'm really not sold on the cooled seats personally. My mother's previous car, a Lexus, had them. The first time I tried them was accidental. I was wearing athletic shorts (mesh-like material), the dial was unknowingly turned up to hi on cooling mode, and it created a very surprising and therefore uncomfortable feeling when I sat down.
My parents have had cars with climate control for decades and they still simply do not understand the concept. They have had cars with very well good systems. Though my old WJ Grand Cherokee, ugh, had the worst climate control system ever. The WJ climate control requires more fiddling than even a manual system. The regulation was atrocious.
Where did I say it wasn't illegal? I'm just surprised I got a parking ticket, as meter maids usually understand the context of the situation. I paid the fine, now the State is that much richer.
We're not "selectively hearing/reading", there's two parts. First, you're justifications for doing dangerous things (60 in a 30mph zone) aren't reasonable and therefore not accepted. Secondly, you are "selectively" changing my statements. I criticized your behavior and actions that endanger people (not to mention others property). Adding tacky "RED" shift knobs and floral seat covers from Kmart does not endanger other people, FYI. In the context of you believing your Daewoo is a collectors item, we said that adding these particular pieces of schmata, devalue your car. If you post your pictures with the expectation of possible praise, you also have to accept criticism.
I would argue that your reaction (yelling, swearing, etc- the last thread you made that got closed) to people who suggest that the color subjectively does appear to be pink quite immature in itself. But I think you already realize that
.Jeep and RAM are the only viable thing they have going, let's hope they can keep it up. They have proven themselves to have moved beyond the pieces of garbage (Liberty II, Compass, Patriot) they built in the late 00's. Dodge and Chrysler at this point seem quite pointless to me. I'm actually amazed at how the US, other than Ford, has been able to make a small or midsize SUV to adequately compete in the RAV4, Forester, CRV, etc arena. GM's attempt at a midsize, car-based SUV's have all been quite atrocious.
Point being It's NOT pink. I have stated it's NOT pink several times. SO that's when it becomes a thing said to just piss me off and start arguments. Secondly, you never said specifically it wasn't illegal but your previous statement made it clear that it didn't matter to you. No, you DIDN'T park in a fire lane, loading zone or what not but you did park in a NO PARKING ZONE so it's the same difference. Hazards on or as a dashcammer on YouTube said "I can park wherever the **** I want lights" on does not mean you can park there and as you learned will NOT prevent you from getting a ticket. The ONLY Time i ever parked in a no parking zone (yellow Curb) was when I was returning a redbox movie or mailing a letter both of which takes not even 1 minute to do. I have also parked in No Parking Zones while on my job. however there is 1 distinct difference. YOU have parking enforcement, knew better and did it anyway. ME, There IS no parking enforcement other than a couple of places. I park in a no parking zone sometimes when I work because i KNOW i'll be fine doing it. Is it legal? No. Enforced? Nadda. It's about KNOWING the laws in your area and KNOWING the likelihood of said laws being enforced. I know that the front plate law is not at all enforced where I'm at. I see more and more Minnesota cars with no front plate. I would never do it but in theory, I COULD, drive around town with NO PLATES on my cars at all and the likelihood of me being stopped for it is slim to none.I'm really not sold on the cooled seats personally. My mother's previous car, a Lexus, had them. The first time I tried them was accidental. I was wearing athletic shorts (mesh-like material), the dial was unknowingly turned up to hi on cooling mode, and it created a very surprising and therefore uncomfortable feeling when I sat down.
My parents have had cars with climate control for decades and they still simply do not understand the concept. They have had cars with very well good systems. Though my old WJ Grand Cherokee, ugh, had the worst climate control system ever. The WJ climate control requires more fiddling than even a manual system. The regulation was atrocious.
Where did I say it wasn't illegal? I'm just surprised I got a parking ticket, as meter maids usually understand the context of the situation. I paid the fine, now the State is that much richer.
We're not "selectively hearing/reading", there's two parts. First, you're justifications for doing dangerous things (60 in a 30mph zone) aren't reasonable and therefore not accepted. Secondly, you are "selectively" changing my statements. I criticized your behavior and actions that endanger people (not to mention others property). Adding tacky "RED" shift knobs and floral seat covers from Kmart does not endanger other people, FYI. In the context of you believing your Daewoo is a collectors item, we said that adding these particular pieces of schmata, devalue your car. If you post your pictures with the expectation of possible praise, you also have to accept criticism.
I would argue that your reaction (yelling, swearing, etc- the last thread you made that got closed) to people who suggest that the color subjectively does appear to be pink quite immature in itself. But I think you already realize that
Jeep and RAM are the only viable thing they have going, let's hope they can keep it up. They have proven themselves to have moved beyond the pieces of garbage (Liberty II, Compass, Patriot) they built in the late 00's. Dodge and Chrysler at this point seem quite pointless to me. I'm actually amazed at how the US, other than Ford, has been able to make a small or midsize SUV to adequately compete in the RAV4, Forester, CRV, etc arena. GM's attempt at a midsize, car-based SUV's have all been quite atrocious.
Is it legal to have green or purple turn signals in the font of the car? NOPE! Would I EVER be pulled over for it? Most likely never at all. Is that a risk I'll take? Nope because the slim chance I get pulled over means the money spent on such coloured LEDs would be a waste.
and as they say: Laws are made to be broken. I don't break laws, I don't do things i know I'll get caught doing.
I have parked in the aformentioned No Parking Zone while working right in front of a cop and NOTHING, I drive around for 2 weeks or so with no front plate as I was waiting to get the mounting hardware for the bracket, drove past a cop, NOTHING. My car hyper-flashes with the LEDs in the back when I have my turn signals on nothing happened yet. I my or may not even GET the resistors to stop the hyper-flash
Why do I even bother addressing this? The belligerence, distorted ethics, double standards, and inability to discern danger is nauseating. I can't imagine debating common sense and nonsense actually interests anyone.
Someone please change the subject.
How is this different than going up to someone's apartment to help them carry their luggage down 2 flights of stairs in less than a couple minutes?
Using your own words, I think I made this very clear, as did AutoUnion39 (who also lives in Boston), KNOWING the area, the likelihood of something like my ticket being issued (enforced) is essentially nonexistent, especially in where I was. This is commonplace in the city. That is why I am just surprised to get the ticket. It is what it is...
I think the understanding that it's not permitted is clearly implied here? Refer here:
Someone please change the subject.
Consider it done (nice font BTW ...)
Ford released the specs for the upcoming Focus RS, and it's a little *beast*.
A friend has I think a '12 or '13 Challenger that he bought new. He actually traded in his 6-year old 5 series(after getting a $3K repair bill) to buy it. I have to say that despite my initial "you bought a what?" response, I've actually been pretty impressed with it. I've not driven it, but have ridden in it plenty of times(this friend also deals in watches, and we sometimes travel 500+ miles together for a watch show) and have been pleasantly surprised. He has the 5.7L Hemi. The first time he offered to drive to a show, I about went into panic mode(we split the cost of gas) but was also really surprised at how well it did. It has selective cylinder shut-down that's absolutely seamless(I couldn't feel it even when he told me it was happening) that really boosts the interstate mileage.
Dodge is making a killing at least around here with Charger in the police market. It's become the defacto replacement for the Police Interceptor(Crown Vic) since Ford killed the Panther platform in '09 and the ones still in service are racking some age. The officers I know speak favorably of them. One thing I consistently hear is that they are a lot "tighter" and generally handle better than Interceptors, something which doesn't surprise me. Moving to a unibody with independent rear suspension(as opposed to live axle on the interceptor) will tend to do that. The KY State Police moved directly from the Interceptor to the Caprice, but at least most local police/sheriff departments around here are buying Chargers in huge numbers.
I've never been a Chrysler group guy, but I have to appreciate the 300 for being the only current production "classic" American full size, rear wheel drive V8 "land yacht." I have a self-professed love for this style car(as I've probably said plenty of times in this thread
) and appreciate it that Chrysler continues to make it(and also in stripped down form in the Dodge). If only they'd built it as body-on-frame instead of unibody.
How much do you care about saving the lock?
Most of the lug nut locks I've seen just require a specially keyed socket to get them off.
Since I hate the darn things anyway, my inclination would be to go for the "nuclear option." I'd take and angle grinder and grind two parallel flats on the lug nut. Then, use will-fitting box wrench(adjust with the angle grinder or a course file as necessary to get as tight of a fit as possible) with a pipe slipped over it(for more torque) to break the nut loose. Just like any other lug nut, once you have the wheel up off the ground and have turned it a turn or so with the wrench, you should be able to unscrew it by hand or in the worst case use the box wrench without the pipe.
Once you have it off, but a regular lug nut on to replace it. I haven't priced lug nuts in a few years, but the last time I did I replaced all 20 on the recommendation of the tire shop. Mine are "decorative"(i.e. they are polished and have a domed end over the top of the lug, all made as one piece). I think it was around $60, or about $3 a piece, for all 20 of them. I expect that a plain nut would be $1-2.
BTW, not to digress too much, but after that initial issue I researched the problem online and found out that my lug nuts are metric. Most shops will assume an SAE socket since it's an American car, and end up either rounding off or swelling the nuts to the point where they're unusable. Since then, I've always told them to use a 19mm socket or just use the wrench in the trunk, and haven't had any more issues.
I had AAA completely destroy/mangle my locking lug nut key/socket after changing a flat. I asked him not to use a pneumatic wrench to put the wheel back on... Did he listen? When I went to the tire shop to get the tire repaired, the key was unusable, but they managed.
Luckily I had OEM wheel locks. For the remaining 3 whees, I went to the dealer who said there were (and had in their shop) about a dozen different key patterns. They found the correct key, removed my locking lugs, and sold me regular lugs (cheaper and faster than buying a new key).
A friend has I think a '12 or '13 Challenger that he bought new. He actually traded in his 6-year old 5 series(after getting a $3K repair bill) to buy it. I have to say that despite my initial "you bought a what?" response, I've actually been pretty impressed with it. I've not driven it, but have ridden in it plenty of times(this friend also deals in watches, and we sometimes travel 500+ miles together for a watch show) and have been pleasantly surprised. He has the 5.7L Hemi. The first time he offered to drive to a show, I about went into panic mode(we split the cost of gas) but was also really surprised at how well it did. It has selective cylinder shut-down that's absolutely seamless(I couldn't feel it even when he told me it was happening) that really boosts the interstate mileage.
Dodge is making a killing at least around here with Charger in the police market. It's become the defacto replacement for the Police Interceptor(Crown Vic) since Ford killed the Panther platform in '09 and the ones still in service are racking some age. The officers I know speak favorably of them. One thing I consistently hear is that they are a lot "tighter" and generally handle better than Interceptors, something which doesn't surprise me. Moving to a unibody with independent rear suspension(as opposed to live axle on the interceptor) will tend to do that. The KY State Police moved directly from the Interceptor to the Caprice, but at least most local police/sheriff departments around here are buying Chargers in huge numbers.
I've never been a Chrysler group guy, but I have to appreciate the 300 for being the only current production "classic" American full size, rear wheel drive V8 "land yacht." I have a self-professed love for this style car(as I've probably said plenty of times in this thread
I don't blame him for trading in his 5-series
. I imagine the Dodge is a decently fun car to drive with the V8 and AWD. From my experiment with my 4.7HO Grand Cherokee I know Chrysler can make a mean V8. My Jeep was an 03 with a 0-60 time of 6.7 sec (while still have variable locking diffs, low range TC, a truck-like chassis, etc). In 2003, I'm not sure how many SUVs could accomplish that. Chrysler/Dodge's styling is particularly polarizing. Quality hasn't been great. Reliability isn't great comparatively. Resale is dismal. Some of their vehicles have atrocious fuel economy. I don't think the value for money has always been there either. Their cars at this point seem quite dated. Dodge will also be dropping the Grand Caravan in 2016, leaving the Town & Country as their only van. In terms of consumer sales, I don't see too many on the road.
It seems Ford PI and PI utility (Explorer) to be the most popular in New England anyways. Ford now has AWD standard and still has 3 engine options make them competitive. Good gas mileage too. If I remember, they also have a deal with Motorola to get their tech integrated easily.
I think GM limited themselves with the Caprice by not offering AWD and building them in Australia. Other than Boston, I don't think I've really seen them used around here.
Dodge with the RWD stock and AWD + V8 options I suppose makes an attractive offer. The Ford EcoBoost 3.5v6 is a fraction faster, but I'm not sure the Twin Turbo v6 is favored in projected longevity and cost. Fords previous standard FWD is probably a bit of a turn off for some. I have to assume the Dodge is a bigger car than the others which is a benefit since I know space is becoming a problem for them. I think I remember reading GM wanted to come out with a LWB caprice?
i wish there were more mid tone interiors. The choice is almost always black or ivory leather. Ivory gets dirty quick and black is too hot in the summer.
Installed the P3 Cars VIDI in my Golf R yesterday. Lots of features (performance data, boost gauge, EGT, A/F R, IAT, shift points, clears codes, etc. Installation took 5 minutes. Had an issue with how it was reading boost, but after a few minutes of looking online, found they had a parameter for APR tuned cars, changed it, and was reading boost fine then. Pretty slick device.
Point is you give me **** and ACT like you are better than me as a person. You have admited that you are not perfect and ARE flawed in many ways, HOWEVER, actions speak louder than words.
gotta say i love the look of it! this new focus lookes better than the 2003 one my sister had.Consider it done (nice font BTW ...)
Ford released the specs for the upcoming Focus RS, and it's a little *beast*.
You can hammer on a socket and remove it that way.
I thought that was the norm. Both the Impala and the Daewoo have 19mm lugs, The Daewoo has a 19mm oil drain plug and the Impala has a 15mm. I assument metric was the norm.
You dont even know how to change a tyre?
I'd like to politely ask that we keep the drama, swearing, etc., out of this thread. It's for adult to discuss our passion and enthusiasm about automobiles.
Thanks.
The HP numbers on that thing were some 40 HP higher than anticipated. I wish it looked a little better.Consider it done (nice font BTW ...)
Ford released the specs for the upcoming Focus RS, and it's a little *beast*.