OT - Talking Cars Tuesday is BACK
Well, it's not quite full OT season, so we won't (I won't) be starting threads every week yet, but while we wait for the Northwestern game, here's some #content.
So - who has car questions? Who needs (probably, maybe accurate) advice? Who went to auto shows and saw awesome things? Is anyone else as excited for New New Top Gear? I think Reid, Harris and LeBlanc could be pretty great. Grand tour?
Who's hitting a milestone birthday and convincing their spouse that a midlife crisis on 4 wheels makes more sense than one on two legs?
As for me, I'm just sad that every car Porsche brought to the Chicago Auto Show was black, white or gray (as are 93% of new car sales. People are boring.) Give me a Miami Blue 911 Targa GTS and I'll be happy forever
February 28th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
My bad, I understand now. Bring-A-Trailer.com, BarnFinds.com...... might not necessarily be the place to find your project, but sites like that sometimes have unusual cars that are cool. These days BringATrailer is more like an auction site, but BarnFinds still seems like it shows a wide variety of cars that could be projects.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
For fun and ease of use, Miata is probably your answer in that price range. NAs get about that cheap now.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:02 AM ^
So I've asked this question before, but no response, so I'll try again. The paint job on my Mustang has developed tiny pinholes in a lot of the forward-facing sheet metal (fenders, fascia, etc.) I need to fix these because the exposed metal, tiny as it is, has rusted. I intend to eventually use Dr. Color Chip to cover up the little holes, but don't want to paint over rust. The website recommends using a sanding pen, but only on chips that are 1/4" or more, because you don't want to sand away adjacent paint. Any advice on removing little bitty pinholes of rust?
February 28th, 2017 at 10:15 AM ^
I think Dremal has some tiny sanding bits that might work.
quick google search says yes.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
2006. It's in beautiful shape except for the aforementioned tiny chips, and it needs a wax job, and the wheels have some scaling on them. I'm clueless about what to do about that last thing, but I'll figure it out after I deal with the paint.
February 28th, 2017 at 3:23 PM ^
Out-freaking-standing. I've just printed that and emailed myself the link, too.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^
Although I have been to the NAIAS many time in my life (and every year while my dad still worked at GM), this year was the first year that we took the kids to it and they had fun, my son in particular, as he seems interested in being the next in a long line of motorheads. He has sensory difficulties so we tend to shy away from larger events sometimes, but he handled himself fairly well since he was distracted by cars.
I do enjoy these threads, incientally.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
Not so much the American version.
And the Porsche colors... Not sure what's going on across the pond, but Audi has the same problem. 90% of the Q's and A's. are white or black.
I am excited to drive the new Mustang with the 10-speed automatic gearbox. I currently drive a 2015 GT Convertible... May be time for an upgrade.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
But I've got content in that Mustang too. Should be fun for you.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^
what works best for a 1 ton rig, what is better for mileage, for snow, for mud, etc.?
i have had good luck with cooper tires in the mix of price and longevity. my favorites over the years though are michelins, now made in america. one of our rigs has some very aggressive 'mastercraft' tires that came with it brand new when i bought it. they are wide and tall, and loud. they have worn fairly well over the 3+ years i've been driving them though.
and who knew mastercraft made tires. i thought they were all about cool ski boats. different co, same name?
February 28th, 2017 at 10:22 AM ^
are not coincidental. Mastercraft is a subsidiary of the Cooper Tire Company.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:26 AM ^
I have experience with tires! And mud. I had Cooper ATs for a bit on my first Jeep, they did just fine. I then had 31x10.5x15s on my 2nd Jeep, Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. Good in mud, on dry pavement, and snow. Terrifying in rain.
Hate to say it, but the tires I had when I sold the Jeep were the best all-around tire I had - BFG ATs. They were pricey, but very good in wet, dry, sand, snow, and decent in mud. For a daily driver, I haven't seen a better tire.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 10:27 AM ^
Ben - The Wifey and I are thinking about a used ragtop in our older age. I need it to be on a budget and would only be driven in the summer.
-I'm to large for a Miata.
-I was thinking about a PT Cruiser, but I worry about the repair costs.
Do you have any ideas of what make/model could be purchased for a decent cost and not cost a ton in parts/maintenance?
Lets use the 5k to 8k range for purchase price.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:40 AM ^
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-2000-Chrysler-Sebring-JXi-Converti…
Here's some good info on the Sebring if you're interseted:
February 28th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
It got horrible reviews; but I never understood why, at lest for the convertible.
Sure, its not a sports car, but for a nice top down cruiser, its just fine.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:41 AM ^
So my first question is - would you be good with a 2 seater? If so, that gives you more options.
There are 28 used convertibles < $8K within 30 miles of Ann Arbor.
Of these, if you want something fun and sporty, get a Mustang or the Solstice. The Stang is plenty big, and they made tons - there's lots of aftermarket and part support.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/684575097/overview/
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/692676678/overview/
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/684514243/overview/
The solstice is a little more niche, but that's not always a bad thing.
If what you really want is top down, easy to work on, maintenance free driving... get a Jeep Wrangler. They're wonderful toys, if horrible real cars. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/691424436/overview/
That one's $4K, and when you sell it you'll sell it for $4K. You'll fit, your wife will fit, you'll be able to drop the top, and tehy make 250K of these per year, tons of parts support.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:43 PM ^
I appreciate the input. Yes, a two seater would be fine, but as small as the Miata. I have consdered the Mustang. I love the little BMW 2 seater, but I hear the parts and service will kill you.
I never considered the Jeep. That might be fun! I'm open to more affordable used ragtop ideas.
February 28th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^
I just had a Volvo S60 T5 for a loaner car over the weekend and fell in love. It was so damn quick. I know why they give out the loaners and I might fall into that trap.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:54 PM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 10:46 AM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
I'm proud to say that I taught my 16 year old son how to drive a stick shift. He went out by himself for the first time over the weekend. The lost art of the manual transmission will not die with my line. The downside? He now has access to a GTI. I'm more of a "yes" person than a "no" person, so I'm going to have to practice saying "no" more often, as in, "No, you can't take the GTI today."
February 28th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
Save the Manuals!!
And well done. My wife has had many lessons, but still isn't interested in driving on road. I even took her autocrossing in the GTI and still, she's not interested.
If you and your son need to bond over the GTI some more, I can't recommend this enough. I went last year, dates this year (april 1/2) don't work, but you'll appreciate the car that much more:
http://scca-chicago.com/chicago-scca-solo/the-learning-curve/
February 28th, 2017 at 11:20 AM ^
Wow - that looks awesome. Great birthday present for his 17th birthday (after baseball season and junior year grades). He will become obsessive about this and want to go to every event.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
I'd recommend the school before just going to an event. Also, the class the GTI is in is ridiculously competitive (not me, I'm on all season tires. There's a guy in a GTI who won national PAX two years ago, finished top 10 this year. A guy in a Focus ST finished 3rd in PAX this year. They both run out of Chicago).
I'll be at probably 3 events this year.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:37 AM ^
I feel I'm so much more connected to the car. I'm thrilled Jeep put one as an option on the new Compass.
I'm befuddled as to why people refuse to drive them. But, I'll admit to being a driving zealot.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
Agree to a point. I learned how to drive in a pickup with a 3 speed on the column, first car was a manual 4 speed Z28 and also drove a GTI manual. Recently however I am in a 328i with the 8 speed auto and I must say I love the transmission. It's really the first auto I have driven (other than the "single speed" Tesla) in which I do not miss a manual somewhat. It just shifts effortlessly and always seems to find the right gear. I think these modern automatics are becoming quite good with less of a trade-off.
February 28th, 2017 at 2:01 PM ^
My first car was an automatic in high school, but I was very influenced by my high school boyfriend, who was British, and his best friend, who was French. This was back in the early 80's, and they did it the european way. They even made it cool to wear seatbelts. In the 80's, seatbelts were not a thing in the US. They both drove sticks (both VW's) and so I wanted to drive one, too. Once I really got the hang of it, I never looked back. There was one period when I didn't have a stick and it honestly made me feel old, and like I was driving a living room around. I promptly went back to manual.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:46 AM ^
Ahh the memories.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
I've got our topic for next week. What did you learn to drive on? Pictures are better.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
I don't know of one, but I know a guy who really, really wants another 89 suburban. Of course, he lives in chicago and works with me and has no space for it. But still.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/ctd/6002856119.html
I'm not sure how that's in Salem Oregon, but on Detroit craigslist. There are a few 80s vintage Suburbans around the Detroit area. A '76 in Toledo.
February 28th, 2017 at 11:29 AM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 11:36 AM ^
I've got an '06 Five Hundred AWD. I actually love the car. Great family car we've driven all over hell and gone on trips. 20 cubic foot trunk. I'm shocked the Mafia doesn't buy them en masse. Anyway....
over the holidays I dodged a bullet when the timing chain sliped one notch. Engine wouldn't run. One mechanic in GR wanted to charge me 4K. I brought it up to my mechanic and he diagnosed it, replaced the timing chain and some other stuff for $1K, and we're good to go.
Recently, however, the check engine light came on and the code is for the EGR valve. It runs fine but my mileage has gone to $hit and once every couple weeks it doesn't start easily.
I thought the EGR valve was just for emissions at speed. Can it harm your mileage in the city? Could the shitty running when the timing was off have fouled it?
February 28th, 2017 at 11:38 AM ^
It's your EGR valve for sure. Engines are designed to run with a certain amount of recirculation, sounds like you're probably runing rich - using more gas than you should. Might be chain related, might not. Worth getting fixed.
February 28th, 2017 at 4:13 PM ^
I'll get it fixed. My mechanic is awesome.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:00 PM ^
My current GM lease comes up later this year and I've been wanting a pickup for awhile. The Sierra ATX may have just sealed it for me
February 28th, 2017 at 12:01 PM ^
New Top Gear was awful.
New New Top Gear will be less awful, but it's still going ot have Chris Harris yelling at me. That guy needs to cut his Monster intake by 50%.
The Grand Tour was good. I'm hoping they cut the Celebrity Brain Crash gimmick after this season and maybe replace the American. I'd rather just hear Clarkson's commentary about the lap than someone hamming up American stereotypes. It would also be great if they do some more cheap car challenges. Those always seem to be a bit less scripted. The Maserati film was probably my favorite of the season for just that reason.
On the car front, I still love my 2010 Challenger R/T. I'll have it for at least one more year, and it will probably be the last car I buy brand new for quite a long time. I'm currently shopping for sail boat in the 34-38 foot range to buy and turn into a liveaboard. Selling the car might be the difference between project boat and something that is liveable. So if you know anyone in Wilmington, NC who is looking to sell their boat, let me know.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
Chris Harris - Really good at talking about cars and still on top gear!
Chris Evans - shouty and annoying and no longer on top gear
February 28th, 2017 at 12:48 PM ^
Just because Chris Evans shouted, doesn't mean Chris Harris doesn't shout as well. Shouting is not a zero-sum game. Harris is a shouter and way over-ceffeinated. Yes, he knows a lot about cars and is a really good driver. Still doesn't negate the fact that he shouts. Especially when he is driving.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:55 PM ^
Did you ever watch Chris Harris on Cars? I think he was a bit overwhelmed by TG and was a bit more of a caricature than he was in CHOC. If those are still on Youtube, i think you'd like them. I'm expecting more of that this season than what he did last year.
February 28th, 2017 at 3:25 PM ^
I watched those after the last Top Gear season because I had heard that same sentiment from others about him. He wasn't as shouty in those videos, but you're absolutely correct that he was a caricature on Top Gear. If he's going to keep doing that, only in a more prominent position now that Evans is gone, I'm afraid I won't be watching much.
The producers were obviously desperate to capture the camaraderie that the old presenters had, and it just came across as lots of people yelling at each other with the new group. It didn't help that there were up to 6 people involved on camera in the films, so hopefully they've fixed that mess.
February 28th, 2017 at 12:13 PM ^
February 28th, 2017 at 12:08 PM ^
Sounds like y'all are far more enthusiasts than myself, but I can add to the discussion in that I just bought a car! Needed more space for car seats (now with an 's') than my Golf would allow.
Fought the wave of SUV/crossover madness to get a car I could actually feel driving. Most of the family/mid-sized sedans have moved to utilitarian to the point of dead boring (especially with CVTs in them). But I bought a Mazda 6 and love it so far. Love the handling and that I can actually feel like I'm driving (unlike the boring SUV or ultra boring CVT).
Anyone else have thoughts on the balance of practical but still fun to drive?
February 28th, 2017 at 12:13 PM ^