Cloud's car stuff
 

whether or not I can get my flippin' check engine light fixed or NOT; it's clear to me . . . the writing is on the Wall . . . that it's time to think about getting a new car. But Lee! you say, your car is only 9 years old . . . and you only have 54,000 miles . . . and you still haven't learned to change the tire. Tough, I say. It's time if I can swing it. So: this is a thread for me to talk about cars and car buying. I hope you'll be patient with me, because it's likely to take me a long time.

First: What's up with all the recalls? I'm reading the car news, and there are recalls or inquiries on Hummers, Corvettes, Dodge Calibers, Toyota Sequoias, Nissan Infinitis . . . and more. My own Honda had a recall on the side airbag.

In terms of the Toyota recall, Consumer Reports says:

That may be fine, but it seems like they've been having lots of reliability trouble spots in the past few years. So maybe I should scratch Toyota off my list? And are there that many more problems? I thought cars in general were more reliable these days. Does that mean the watchdogs are doing a better job?

In Toyota, these recalls are because Toyoda took over. Then announced Toyota was at step three in a five year corporate failure process. Started demanding transparency and corporate corrections. So a year later, stuff came out.

IOW Toyota is suffering from a mismanagement problem from four and nine years ago. Toyoda is simply cleaning out the closet AND fixing problems created by his predecessor - who was an economist, who never developed a car, and who never worked outside of corporate offices.

Whereas Toyota news is this cleanup, other manufacturers (Hummer, Saturn, Chrylser) continue to have the same problems that have always had.

In about five years, view Chrysler to see if Marchionne has finallly eliminated that automaker’s #1 problem - their management. Toyoda has addressed it in Toyota. GM still is lying. Here we are half way through 2010 and the Volt - their first hybrid - is still not selling. 16 years after Clinton gave them $millions to design one, they still do not have a hybrid.

Your error code says the IACV is defective. The tech has replaced four computers - and still will not replace what would be defective - the IACV? Who is that guy’s boss? Call the Honda regional office. That is why Honda has corporate specialists whose job is to address such problems.

Thanks, TW. The light is off today. oy!

Second: Car Porn! I'm having lots of fun surfing the car manufacturers' sites, viewing the 360 views, the interiors, and all that. Not quite ready to test drive, but I'll get there. I'm just not sure what kind of car I want. For the last 18 years I've driven small Honda coupes/sedans. I miss having some cargo space-I want more versatility. So I'm focusing mainly on the small SUV/wagon sector.

I see you in a Subaru Outback Wagon
http://static.images.carracing.com/nctdi/02outback.jpg

going 30 in a 45MPH zone in front of me.

yeah; or a Forester. Outbacks are more expensive, and they pretty much look the same to me (and the Foresters are better rated).


i'm going to take this opportunity to drive a few different styles--a bigger suv, a very small car maybe, even a truck. I kind of miss having a manual transmission--even after all these years, I sometimes find my hand near the gearshift wanting to shift.

I've always really like the Element, and may look at stuff like the Scion XB etc. too; the quirkiness appeals to me.

Nope! not that old yet . . .

Do I need to make an appt for a test drive? Should I?

If you know specifically what you want to drive, it would save you some time. Then again, most dealers will make the appointment, and do nothing to prepare. ...because they don't really believe you'll show up when you say you will or that they will be free when you do arrive.

we have a Mitz Outlander , Nice little Suv-ette , plenty of room in the back
Snappy Mivec 4 cylinder , hi 20s Low 30s MPG

I woke up this morning dreaming of a black Chevy Equinox in my driveway.

I did mention car PrOn, didn't I?

The Nissan Rogue is sexier and its transmission will be a CVT, not a GM slushbox.

the Equinox is on the high end of what I might be able to afford, too. Neither the Equinox or the Rogue are "recommended." But the HHR is. And so is the Nissan Murano (too expensive), the Nissan Versa Hatchback (too small?) but not the Cube. I'm talking about the CR recommendation, which is only one criteria I'm looking at, but it's a place to start.

The CVT -- that's the transmission, right? Supposed to be good? What about going for a manual transmission? Cheaper, more fun (I don't typically drive in stop-and-go traffic), sometimes more fuel efficient, but you have to replace the clutch in 4 yrs?

Why would you have to replace the clutch?

CVT = Constant Velocity Transmission

also comes with a 10 yr 120,000 mile warranty

The manuals are fun, yes indeed, but CVT can actually be a little more efficient than manual because it always picks the right gear. Gear being the wrong word for CVT... it has thousands of gears really...

The not speeding up going down hills is pretty cool.

Just curious, but doesn't that put more wear on the engine?
(ADMITTEDLY NOT A CAR GUY)

I thought clutches wear out after several years, no?

I live on top of a big steep hill, so that's a test drive up and down right there. Up the hill with the air conditioning going full blast; down the hill either shifting down or seeing what it does by itself.

I've never heard of that -is that in a particular car? Our Focus in nearly 10 years old with over 100K and no clutch problems.

But if you're not a stick fanatic, why would you consider one? In the UK it's the norm and we enjoy driving stick, so one of our cars is manual transmission, but here it's not the norm, it's not going to save you a bucketload of money, so unless you're really into it....?

I have an 01 Subaru outback. I'm happy with it.
I don't know if this applies to the new models, but for the older ones, the 5 speed manual comes with a low-range option, while the 4 speed auto doesn't.

Don't forget to take a look at the Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo. They are in their own category, the wagon/tiny minivan category. Only these 2 cars on the market in that category, and both are recommended by CR, if that's what you value. The Kia has more power and seats 7, and the Mazda seats 6. Both fold down their seats for tons of cargo room. They are small on the outside (for example both have a smaller footprint and shorter wheelbase than a Honda Accord!) and big on the inside. Small enough for driving around every day by yourself, and when you flip the back seats up, you can haul around all the grandkids when they visit. The 3rd row of seats is small in each, but the kids will be back there, so it's fine.

Not gonna turn any heads though. They are both pretty average to look at.

You could always paint go-faster stripes on them

re: clutch -- I'm not a stick fanatic, but I just miss it occasionally. Sometimes you can get a peppier engine and better gas mileage with a standard tran-but not always. Idk where I heard that you have to replace the clutch--something I read.

Probably the Mazdaspeed3 is what I'd be looking at from Mazda. I think the 5 is not what I'm looking for. The Kias . . . if I were to look at any of those, it'd be the Soul. I like the "boxy" segment

would you go for a more expensive car with a cheaper trim? or a cheaper car with a more expensive trim?

If the expensive trim was stuff I wanted (more cyl/hp, sport susp, leather etc) I'd go that route. Sometimes that stuff is standard on a more expensive car though, just have to compare.

Clutches do wear out, depends on driving style, vehicle etc., but you should be talking well over 100K miles, if not 200+, not 'every few years'

Manual transmissions also require less maintenance, no fluid flush and change every 30K

went to a Chevy dealer today and looked at (did not drive) an Equinox and an HHR. Wasn't terribly impressed with the Equinox (rear door heavy, huge blind spot), but liked the HHR--a lot! Much more "me." It's staying on the list.

http://autobash.com/wp-content/uploa...san-cube-1.jpg

http://2010chevy.org/images/2010_chevy_hrr.jpg

yes. pretty pictures. I like the funky cars and the boxy cars. My present car is so bland as to be almost invisible--I'd like to change that.

Cicero had one, you should ask her how she liked it.

Saw one in a pretty color the other day, a darker red. Looked like my old "chili pepper red" Jeep.

My hairdryer has more power than the Cube I drove. With the 4 of us in it I wanted to open the door and push with my foot...

Here ya go. ;)

yah.... ok, miss 'turns the A/C off in her Hemi powered Jeep' to pass minivans.....

I think Jinx regains the hotness points she lost with the ear thingy. :driving:

They make a vacuum switch that does that automatically. :yesnod:

So you are A after all!!

http://cellar.org/2010/personalitytest2.jpg

:blush: busted...

That was back in my modeling days.... when I was much taller.

ear thingy? you mean Bluetooth? they passed a law in our town you're not even supposed to hold your cell phone in the car, so that's pretty much required now, no matter how dumb it looks

I don't like engines that are too wimpy--they don't seem to age well. The powerful engine on the HHR is only on the highest trim level, and may be out of my price range. And I live on the top of a steep hill.

Don't forget that gas prices might be increasing significantly within the next year or two.

The wholesale price of gasoline went down 25 cents in the last week.

Yes, but she didn't own the car last week.

She did own A car last week. :eyebrow:

I think smaller cars are the way to go in the long run. In the short term, I'm more concerned about power than gas mileage, because of t he hill and my work commute is 5 miles. round trip. I know that could change someday, though.

As far as the HHR goes, there's an intermediate engine too, and the mileage is competitive "in its class." It also has a "flex" fuel ethanol engine thing--not that it's helpful around here (or practical-I don't really know anything about that). And it's ideal for customization, should I be so inclined.

still early days, though! I'm trying not to fall in love with a particular car.

Flex fuel is a scam. Done only because the automaker gets 'government welfare' for each flex fuel vehilce sold. It has no useful purpose to you. And can result in more expensive future maintenace.

Question: Car nose covers (aka car "bras"): helpful? or stupid?

Car nose covers, extraneous spoilers, things that make your car make sounds like your bike made when you put playing cards in the spokes, and poorly done flames or other decorations that look like you scraped your car down a dividing wall = Teh Gheys.

Has your current bra-less car ever needed maintenance on the front bit of the hood? Perhaps the repeated impact of gigantic mosquitos threw it out of alignment over the years? No? I think you're safe without it.

maintenance? no, but it does show a bit of extra paint wear on the front.

lol - @ Clod. Took the thoughts right outta my head.

so, you would think I was "ghey" -- whatever that means -- if I got a HHR and got some custom paint detailing? Like . . a white one with black stripes (and/or a black nose guard) or something?

Just dreaming. I think it could look pretty cool, frankly.

Well then here's what you do: get your new car, and drive it around bra-less for about ten years (show off the knockers while you got 'em, knowhatI'msaying?) When the extra paint wear eventually shows up, then put a car bra on it to cover it up--and the bonus is it won't look all douchebaggy at that point, because putting it on a 10-year-old car will be all postmodern and ironic.

Aww no...I just see some really bad paint jobs sometimes. I have to look twice to determine if the car is scraped. It's like a bad tattoo that looks like someone kicked someone in the calf.

And YOU wouldn't be Teh Ghey...the car would. ;)

That sounds like a lovely combo you're talking about.

(lafs)

nothing worse than a 10 year old bra flyin in the breeze.

no purple swirls? (pouts)

If I had to spend my own money for a brand new (realistic) car, I'd have to look hard at the Mazda 3. Wagon.

You can have anything you want can afford.

Or a 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom. Brand new? 8 grand. $8,000. Pretty damn smooth for a ricer.

The Mazda 3 wagon and Mazdaspeed3, as well as the Mazda5, are all on my look list.

I've got three words for you, Cloud.


G

T

I

of which there are NONE in my town or within 75 miles. I'm kinda out in the boonies. Makes it kind of hard to evaluate and obtain.

Cloud, I'm in Minnesota this week on business. We have an HHR as our rental car. I'll give you my opinion of it at the end of the trip. (Unfortunately I'm not the driver so I don't know if that will be worth much.)