OT: "Give Us A CHEAP/BASIC Car...!!!" [ Michael Trew ]

[GM]

TOTALLY OT, but an interesting article about how cars are now too "complicated"...

"Part of my plea stems from my age. I am 50 now, and I shake my
fist at more things every day. So having an iPad build into my
dashboard is annoying. If it is cold in the car, I want to turn a dial
to make things warmer. One dial. Not fifty-eight buttons and a
different zone for each person..."

The gal in the pic is seated in a c. 1960 Mopar convertible, I cannot make out the model:

https://www.theamericanconservative.com/in-defense-of-stupidity/

In Defense of Stupidity

Our cars have gotten too smart.

Sam MacDonald - Apr 1, 2023

"Mr. Musk, abandon Twitter. Forget about SpaceX. For the love of all that is holy, turn your attention to a more pressing matter. Please, Mr. Musk; build me a stupid car.

I don’t mean just kind of dumb, like it won’t drive itself to Whole Foods and cook me a nice beef bourguignon on the way home. I mean flat out stupid, dumb as a box of rocks. I don’t want my car to tell me when the tires need air. I will know it when they are flat. Or even what the temperature is outside. If I can’t remember what the weather was like when I got in, I probably shouldn’t be driving anyway.

One of my teenagers just wrecked my family’s 2017 Chevy Traverse. (He’s fine. The Traverse is not.) That car was already way too smart. My wife and I had to go find another one and, gadzooks, things have gotten way worse over the past six years. Mr. Musk, or anybody else out there with a factory, listen to what I say; if you follow my suggestions here you will sell at least a billion cars in the next year. And quite likely save democracy in the process.

Don’t even bother designing a new vehicle. I don’t care what it looks like. Get the specs from a 1974 International Scout, a 1978 Monte Carlo SS, or whatever. Make the engine lighter so it gets better mileage. Or hell, make it electric. I don’t care; I’m Catholic. (Yay, Laudato si'!) For the body, use something that doesn’t rust out in six months. (Boo, 1974 International Scout.) Throw in some seatbelts and airbags and then—

Nothing. That’s all.

What would such a car cost? Maybe $10,000? Twice that? Fine. Put me down for two.

Part of my plea stems from my age. I am 50 now, and I shake my fist at more things every day. So having an iPad build into my dashboard is annoying. If it is cold in the car, I want to turn a dial to make things warmer. One dial. Not fifty-eight buttons and a different zone for each person. I have nine kids. (Yay, Humanae vitae!) They are accustomed to being ignored.

Worse, I am cheap. The Traverse made it six years before my kid demolished it, but we only had it for about a year before an obnoxious light on the dashboard started screaming at me about the tire pressure system. My mechanic informed me that a sensor was bad and fixing it would cost $300. Are you kidding me? I could outfit each of my kids with an old-school tire gauge and press them into service like some kind of indentured NASCAR pit crew for way under $300. So I refused to get it fixed—or the other fourteen things the stupid dashboard lights were soon complaining about. To be honest, I think there is a good chance my poor kid demolished the car because he was blinded by the glare from all the warning lights I refused to address.

Several years ago we lost a set of the fancy, super-smart keys, and lived in constant fear of losing the other ones. A new set, complete with the fob, cost $300. Everything on the car, it seems, cost $300. I was prepared to hot wire that bastard before paying $300 for a key fob.

Everybody has their own consumer preferences, of course. I don’t really care what you drive. But you should be aware that your preference for a smart car will only hasten the arrival of a bleak dystopian future, in which busy-body authoritarians will decide where you go and when.

Bloomberg recently reported that “Ford Motor Co. has filed for a patent on technology that could remotely shut down your radio or air conditioning, lock you out of your vehicle, or prompt it to ceaselessly beep if you miss car payments.” The report adds, “Ford said it has no plans to use the technology.”

In that case, carry on. I couldn’t get the Traverse to stop telling me to spend $300 on a sensor I didn’t want. But sure, add a ceaseless beeping feature. How long until I am driving to the local beer distributor for a thirty pack of Hamm’s and the car tells me, “Hey, sorry, your wife says that you should go to the gym instead”? Or perhaps I will be trying to get to a Megadeth concert (I told you I’m 50) and the car will say, “Sorry sir, but Dr. Fauci mandates that you stop off at this vaccine clinic along the way. Don’t mind the beeping, sir; we can proceed once you put down that donut.”

It all sounds crazy, but not really. People across the political spectrum have issues with America’s car culture, but all of them agree that it stems, at least in part, from our desire for independence. Tom Wolfe was one of the first to highlight the notion that “the car symbolized freedom, a slightly wild, careening emancipation from the old social order,” in his seminal 1965 Esquire piece, "The Last American Hero Is Junior Johnson". Yes!

Got that? Cars are slightly wild. And careening. Not collection agencies for Ford..."

[Michael Trew]

On 4/1/2023 14:56, GM wrote:
> TOTALLY OT, but an interesting article about how cars are now too
> "complicated"...
>
> "Part of my plea stems from my age. I am 50 now, and I shake my fist
> at more things every day. So having an iPad build into my dashboard
> is annoying. If it is cold in the car, I want to turn a dial to make
> things warmer. One dial. Not fifty-eight buttons and a different zone
> for each person..."

I agree. I don't care for any over-priced over-featured car... which is
nearly every post 2010 model or so. There's no such thing as a cheap
stripper car. Even the bottom-barrel cars now MSRP for over $16k each,
and come standard with power everything and automatic transmission.
I'll just keep hoarding old cars, and they'll probably only go up in
value. ;)

I saw a recent article about Hyundai, who promised to continue to use
real buttons in their cars, instead of all touch-screen controls, for
safety. That's very true; when you're fiddling on a touch screen to
start the windshield wipers in heavy rain (look at Tesla), that's a
safety hazard.

[Bryan Simmons]

On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:21:35 PM UTC-5, Michael Trew wrote:
> On 4/1/2023 14:56, GM wrote:
> > TOTALLY OT, but an interesting article about how cars are now too
> > "complicated"...
> >
> > "Part of my plea stems from my age. I am 50 now, and I shake my fist
> > at more things every day. So having an iPad build into my dashboard
> > is annoying. If it is cold in the car, I want to turn a dial to make
> > things warmer. One dial. Not fifty-eight buttons and a different zone
> > for each person..."
>

I like the separate temperatures for passenger and driver in the
Infiniti. It also has separate settings for the butt warmer.

>
> I agree. I don't care for any over-priced over-featured car... which is
> nearly every post 2010 model or so. There's no such thing as a cheap
> stripper car.
>

I bought my first car from a stripper, and it was only $75. It
was a 1969 AMC Javelin.

--Bryan

[GM]

I'd think a revival of a basic 'c. 70 Dodge Dart/Plymouth Valiant would do well...

It's a "modern" car, very robust, and has good pax space...

There are still a few as daily drivers, that Slant 6 and Torqueflite combo is cast iron - indestructible...

--
GM

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:32:58 PM UTC-5, Bryan Simmons wrote:
>
> > On 4/1/2023 14:56, GM wrote:
> > >
> > > "Part of my plea stems from my age. I am 50 now, and I shake my fist
> > > at more things every day. So having an iPad build into my dashboard
> > > is annoying. If it is cold in the car, I want to turn a dial to make
> > > things warmer. One dial. Not fifty-eight buttons and a different zone
> > > for each person..."
> >
> I like the separate temperatures for passenger and driver in the
> Infiniti. It also has separate settings for the butt warmer.
> >

> --Bryan
>
Lots of new cars have the separate temperature controls for passengers
as well as the butt warmers. Mine does. It also has USB ports for the
rear passengers.

[Bruce]

My car has 2 doors that can be locked. I think it's an anti-theft
feature.

[dsi1]

I'll bet you'd like something like this. I sure would. Of course, if you hit anything, the odds of being crippled or killed are higher than a being in fancy, schmancy, modern car i.e., the entire vehicle is a safety hazard. I think the wheels are totally boss!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/kxY4pUAzFurL7zrZ9

[Bruce]

On Sat, 1 Apr 2023 16:38:57 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 <dsi...@hawaiiantel.net>
wrote:

That looks like my car.

[GM]

Isn't that the Pilipino "tuk - tuk" kind of vehical that Honolulu Rapid Transit uses, instead of modern buses...???

--
GM

[Bryan Simmons]

We've never bought the sort of car that had butt warmers.
The Infiniti belonged to my son, and when he moved to
Mexico, he sold it to us. My name was already on the title,
so we just took over the payments, though within a couple
of months we just paid it off. It's nice, but it sucks down
premium gas; it costs twice as much in gas per mile as
our Chevy Spark, which doesn't even have power windows,
much less butt warmers.

--Bryan

[dsi1]

On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:00:43 PM UTC-10, Bruce wrote:
> That looks like my car.

That truck is owned by our resident manager, or the condo association. Actually, I don't know who owns that that. It looks like a lot of fun. That gas tank on the side insures a quick, somewhat painful, death if you get T-boned. Also your survivors won't have to spent any extra money to have you cremated. All they'll have to do is transfer your ashes to a little box using a small whisk broom. Super convenient!

https://japanesenostalgiccar.com/grand-touring-new-use-for-a-toyota-hiace/

[dsi1]

That Infiniti is a pretty awesome car. I would like to get a car like that or a Lexus one day. My ass needs a comfortable ride. My dentist had a G35 coupe - it was totally boss. He gave it to his son when he got his driver's license. That's not so good, I think.

[Ed P]

In my younger years I had plenty of cheap basic cars. They served the
main purpose of transportation. Life changed, worked had, now have lots
of goodies and like the comfort of them, especially on a long trip.

Not only butt warmers, but cooled too. Nice in a hot climate.

[GM]

Fred Flintstone got it right:

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/cc-tv-cars-of-the-flintstones/#more-469375

Fred’s car is The Flintstone’s main automotive star. In a lot of ways the simplest of all, being just a ‘roller.’ For
carmakers to get buyers to pay hard cash for feet-propelled-vehicles (not even pedals!), shows those were
much simpler times. Yet, we can assume that to offer a seat and a canopy was an enticing enough ‘sales pitch.’...

On the other hand, the technology used on those ancient wheel bearings has never been surpassed; once in
motion, that boy rolled nonstop! Miles and miles of kinetic energy used in the most efficient of ways...

There were additional pluses to Fred’s basic machine; as episodes progressed, a novel ‘modular’ capability
was revealed. There’s no mention ever as to how complex these conversions were, but Fred’s car could switch
from two to four seater, and to roadster as well. The dashboard would also switch from wood to stone, but
it’s hard to tell if they were replaced due to wear, or were updates á la Fiero...

In recent times a few cynics have pointed out to the similarities between The Flintstones and The Honeymooners, a
mid ’50s comedy show starring Jackie Gleason. Oddly, it’s another series about pals sneaking around their spouses
to get into some convoluted scheme or another, always ending in hijinks. That after centuries such similarities
can be found in both shows is only proof that regardless of lifestyle, human behavior is a constant...'

</>

[Bruce]

I prefer old basic cars, but with working brakes.

[Bruce]

On Sat, 1 Apr 2023 17:19:57 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 <dsi...@hawaiiantel.net>
wrote:

>On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 2:00:43 PM UTC-10, Bruce wrote:
>> That looks like my car.
>
>That truck is owned by our resident manager, or the condo association. Actually, I don't know who owns that that. It looks like a lot of fun. That gas tank on the side insures a quick, somewhat painful, death if you get T-boned. Also your survivors won't have to spent any extra money to have you cremated. All they'll have to do is transfer your ashes to a little box using a small whisk broom. Super convenient!

My car runs on diesel.

[GM]

When we were young even stuff like a heater, a dial - tune AM radio, an outside rear view mirror,
and electrical wipers (instead of vacuum) were options on even more expensive cars... plenty of
cars I remember had "radio delete" spaces in their dashes, and some did not even have front
armrests... rubber floor mats were very common on cheaper models...

Now we have all the goodies, and I much prefer our modern cars (though you often have to do contortions
to get in and out of some models - TESLA...!!! )...

Although I miss the color of the old boats. Like this '59 Pontiac Bonneville interior - dig those crazy upholstery stripes,
the glaring and hard metal surfaces - including the dashboard, the snazzy A/C vents and other controls... and
don't forget the superb visibility with that famous GM wrap - around windshield... without seat belts you might
even find your head bloodily crashing through that expanse of glass...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikedowd/5851796986

No safety seats for us kidz in those daze - we'd stand up in the back, no seatbelts, and "brace" ourselves
for "hard" stops against those lethal metal dashboards, lol...

Farm kids would merrily ride around in the back of pick - up tricks, now you'd be arrested for allowing that...

--
GM

[jmcquown]

The thing I'll never understand is Michael's "hoarding" of old cars.
It's all well and good to have a car for transportation; mine is very
basic. But some of the old cars (barely any brakes, cracked
windshields, etc.) he seems so proud of owning doesn't make sense to me.
Is there that much money in junkers?

Jill

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

I think a lot of the new cars come standard with the butt warmers and they
are nice. My car also takes premium gas, but it gets grrrrrreat gas mileage.
The bonus points I get at Kroger help immensely with the price of gas.

[dsi1]

That's most unfortunate. Your car probably does not have the automatic self-immolation feature that most gasoline and electric have as standard feature. If you get into an accident, that chances are higher that your family will have a carcass of dead meat to dispose of. If you care anything about your family, you need to get a gasoline car pronto! If you really care for you family, I'd recommend a early 70's Pinto.

[Bruce]

On Sat, 1 Apr 2023 23:58:43 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 <dsi...@hawaiiantel.net>

I'll try if it will also run on gasoline.

[dsi1]

Now you're using your noggin. Good luck!

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-04-02, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> The thing I'll never understand is Michael's "hoarding" of old cars.
> It's all well and good to have a car for transportation; mine is very
> basic. But some of the old cars (barely any brakes, cracked
> windshields, etc.) he seems so proud of owning doesn't make sense to me.
> Is there that much money in junkers?

Parts cars. He can cannibalize the junkers to keep his daily driver
running.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Gary]

Bryan Simmons wrote:

> I like the separate temperatures for passenger and driver in the
> Infiniti. It also has separate settings for the butt warmer.

Both such silly and unnecessary features.
How did you ever survive the "old days?"

[Bruce]

I agree. Men are becoming pussies.

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-04-02, Gary <g.ma...@att.net> wrote:
> Bryan Simmons wrote:
>
>> I like the separate temperatures for passenger and driver in the
>> Infiniti. It also has separate settings for the butt warmer.
>
> Both such silly and unnecessary features.

I suppose if I ever had a back-seat passenger, I might care. The
front-seat passenger gets what I want.

I think there might be some sort of ducting for heat to the back seat,
but that might have been some other car that I owned. The back seat
and its floor are storage for emergency supplies. Blanket, jumper
cables, tools, extra jacket, that sort of thing. And now a small bin
with stuff for when I'm out with my mother: a sweater, kleenex, masks,
maybe one or two other items that she typically needs but never seems
to have.

> How did you ever survive the "old days?"

There's more to life than surviving. Otherwise, we'd still be looking
underneath rocks for our lunch.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Ed P]

It has been downhill since the invention of electricity!

[Bryan Simmons]

We did fine until my son got my wife spoiled on the
butt warmer. Our 3 previous cars were a 2017 Chevy
Spark, 2011 Chevy Aveo5 and a 2009 Toyota Yaris.
All of them were inexpensive, small, and got good
mileage. The next one will likely be a used Lexus or
Infiniti hybrid, after we are retired and only need one
car, and will likely be putting a lot of miles on it
seeing the USA.

--Bryan

[jmcquown]

I get that. I'm just not sure why someone needs so many extra cars (he
used the word "hoard" in some other thread, which is why I used it)
simply to keep one car running. Surely it costs more money in the long
run to buy say, 10 old beaters at $200 each, than it would cost to go to
a pick-a-part salvage yard.

Jill

[Bruce]

On Sun, 2 Apr 2023 11:53:47 -0400, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net>
wrote:

Why don't you just ask him? He's here.

[Cindy Hamilton]

Don't ask me. I can't fathom why anybody would want to work on their
own car.

I think he just likes having them. Parts cars are just an excuse to
own a bunch of junk.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Bruce]

On Sun, 02 Apr 2023 16:45:38 GMT, Cindy Hamilton
<hami...@invalid.com> wrote:

>On 2023-04-02, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> On 4/2/2023 5:38 AM, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
>>> On 2023-04-02, jmcquown <j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The thing I'll never understand is Michael's "hoarding" of old cars.
>>>> It's all well and good to have a car for transportation; mine is very
>>>> basic. But some of the old cars (barely any brakes, cracked
>>>> windshields, etc.) he seems so proud of owning doesn't make sense to me.
>>>> Is there that much money in junkers?
>>>
>>> Parts cars. He can cannibalize the junkers to keep his daily driver
>>> running.
>>>
>> I get that. I'm just not sure why someone needs so many extra cars (he
>> used the word "hoard" in some other thread, which is why I used it)
>> simply to keep one car running. Surely it costs more money in the long
>> run to buy say, 10 old beaters at $200 each, than it would cost to go to
>> a pick-a-part salvage yard.
>
>Don't ask me. I can't fathom why anybody would want to work on their
>own car.

Some people work on their car, others on their house. It's not that
hard to understand.

>I think he just likes having them. Parts cars are just an excuse to
>own a bunch of junk.

I'd love to be able to buy an old clunker, of a type you rarely see
anymore, fix it up completely and sell it for enough of a profit. But
one at a time.

[Ed P]

You can save a lot of money and often get better work. Labor rates are
well over $100/hour. I've done all of it when I was younger.

Of course these days my cars are better and less prone to breakdown but
I have a very expensive repair done last week. Evap coil for the AC,
Michael could have bought 10 cars for the cost of repair.

[Ed P]

On 4/2/2023 12:49 PM, Bruce wrote:

>
> I'd love to be able to buy an old clunker, of a type you rarely see
> anymore, fix it up completely and sell it for enough of a profit. But
> one at a time.

Can be profitable. My brother did that but he also collected them and
at one time had 28 cars. Restored. To give you an idea of the quality
of his work, he restored a '66 Mustang. It was bought by Ford Motor
Company for a museum.

[GM]

Cars are much more robust now, but also their systems are quite complex... as
you note, when repair is necessary it is expensive...

When we were younger, the term "grease monkey" was common...

Now that role is "computer diagnostician"...

"Plus ça change" and all that jazz...

;-)

--
GM

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Sunday, April 2, 2023 at 6:11:00 AM UTC-5, Gary wrote:
>

Says the man who doesn't even own a vehicle.

But I do appreciate the butt warmer in the winter and if you've got a sore
hip that can be beneficial. I suspect those in more northern climes such
as where Greg, Cindy, and Dave live really appreciate that 'luxury.'

[Cindy Hamilton]

On 2023-04-02, Ed P <e...@snet.xxx> wrote:
>
> You can save a lot of money and often get better work. Labor rates are
> well over $100/hour. I've done all of it when I was younger.

Nope. There's no amount of money that would induce me to work on my own
car. Oh, sure, change a battery or light bulb or something. But not
an oil change or work on the brakes or anything really messy.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Graham]

On 2023-04-02 11:59 a.m., Ed P wrote:

>
> You can save a lot of money and often get better work.  Labor rates are
> well over $100/hour.  I've done all of it when I was younger.
>

As did I but cars were a lot simpler to repair in those days before
computer chips.

[Dave Smith]

My wife used to rave about the seat warmers in her friends car and
wanted me to make sure our next car had that option. I didn't see the
point, but when I bought my Honda is was part of the package. I ended up
using it lot more than I had expected to. It's nice on a really cold day
when you get in and it's going to be a couple of miles before the engine
warms up and starts giving you some heat. By that time my butt is
starting to get hot and I have to turn it to low.

[Dave Smith]

An oil change is easy.... as long as you have a ramp or some some other
safe means get room to get under the front end. You slide something
under the pan to collect the oil and use a wrench to loosen the bolt. As
soon as the bolt is off the oil drains out. While it is draining you
unscrew the oil filter and dump the oil in that into the pail. Grab
the new filter. put a little clean oil on the gasket and spin it on
hand tight. Put the oil pan plug back in and tighten up... not too
much. Then pour the new oil it. Start the engine and have a look
underneath to make sure it's not leaking.

It used to take me about as long to do an oil change on my pickup truck
as it would take me to get over to the garage and the cost for oil and
filter at that time was about $15, compared to $40 plus at the garage.

[Dave Smith]

I am lucky to have a reliable mechanic nearby. He will accurately
diagnose problems and repair/replace what is needed for a reasonable
price, unlike dealerships who use their franchise as an excuse to rip
you off. For instance, if you have him check the brakes he will do
the fronts or the backs and if calipers are a little worn he will turn
them rather than automatically replace. A dealership with do a complete
brake job and charge you through the nose.

[dsi1]

My current project is our washing machine. I replaced a part but found that the water didn't fill because of clogged water inlet filters. Then the machine made a funny grinding noise when the drain pump turned on so I ordered a new pump in anticipation that it was going to fail. Then the machine kept going off balance because it needs new suspension rods. Rods were ordered. Then I realize that the machine wasn't agitating and didn't spin the clothes dry. I realize that the water pump is probably okay and the noise is probably coming from the gear box. The faulty suspension rods probably put a lot of stress on the drive shaft and damaged the transmission. I'm going to have to order a rebuild kit for that. For some reason, the kit is called a "neutral drain" kit. I have no idea why it's called that. Luckily, the parts for the washer are pretty cheap. Thanks Amazon and eBay!

[Ed P]

Remote starter.

[Bruce]

Nice. Unfortunately, I'm lucky if I can change a tire.

[Bruce]

I can take the key out of the contact of my car without turning off
the engine. Does that count?

[Cindy Hamilton]

If I had it, I might. My 2004 Highlander is pretty barebones.

I don't think Greg has a car.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Michael Trew]

I hate working on cars, believe it or not. However, I *hate* paying
someone exorbitant prices to work on cars, even more than I hate working
on cars. Example: $1,800 to do a head gasket job. I can get the parts
for $100, give or take, and spend a few weeks chipping away at it, with
the help of YouTube, thus saving $1,700 -- which could be more than the
total value of the car on the fair market.

[Michael Trew]

On 4/2/2023 5:38, Cindy Hamilton wrote:
> On 2023-04-02, jmcquown<j_mc...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> The thing I'll never understand is Michael's "hoarding" of old cars.
>> It's all well and good to have a car for transportation; mine is very
>> basic. But some of the old cars (barely any brakes, cracked
>> windshields, etc.) he seems so proud of owning doesn't make sense to me.
>> Is there that much money in junkers?

It's more of a "hobby". The word "hoard" was followed by a winky-face.
I mainly buy/sell/trade vehicles for my own amusement, but I usually
make money on them. Buy a car for $1,000, drive it for three weeks, put
$100 into it, and sell it for $1,500... rinse and repeat when I find
something else cheap enough to pique my interest.

Sometimes, the reactions of others are enough to keep me going. You
should have seen the looks I got when I drove a '94 Geo Metro 16 hours
to Minnesota with *no* hood. People from Illinois state and on would
see the Ohio license plate, and ask me how on earth my car made it so
far... LOL.

> Parts cars. He can cannibalize the junkers to keep his daily driver
> running.

That's part of it.

[Michael Trew]

On 4/1/2023 19:38, dsi1 wrote:
> On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 9:21:35 AM UTC-10, Michael Trew wrote:
>>
>> I don't care for any over-priced over-featured car...
>> which is nearly every post 2010 model or so. There's no such thing
>> as a cheap stripper car.
>
> I'll bet you'd like something like this. I sure would. Of course, if
> you hit anything, the odds of being crippled or killed are higher
> than a being in fancy, schmancy, modern car i.e., the entire vehicle
> is a safety hazard. I think the wheels are totally boss!
>
> https://photos.app.goo.gl/kxY4pUAzFurL7zrZ9

I've seen those little Japanese-import micro-trucks before. I'd have a
lot of fun with one of those, but unfortunately, they sell for well more
than I'm willing to pay (usually $10k+).

I don't buy the excessive safety features on modern cars sales tactic.
US citizens are conditioned to believe that large SUV's are more safe,
while in reality, the solid-frame vehicles mean that *you* are the
crumple zone to absorb the impact. Thick A-pillars and tiny rear
windows make rear visibility difficult, and make for large blind-spots.
SUV's are more likely to roll over.

The safest car is a small sedan with large windows so you can adequately
see your surroundings. A rear-view camera does *not* suffice.
High-hoods on SUV's and trucks severely impact front-visibility, and
greatly increase the risk of running over children. There are lots of
studies on this -- SUV's are no bueno.

[Bruce]

If I had to choose between doing work I hate for a few weeks and
paying someone $1700 to do it for me, I know what I'd choose.

[songbird]

itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:
...

> But I do appreciate the butt warmer in the winter and if you've got a sore
> hip that can be beneficial. I suspect those in more northern climes such
> as where Greg, Cindy, and Dave live really appreciate that 'luxury.'

i like it for a few moments and then i turn it off as the
heat can aggravate my lower back.

the funny thing is though that with the seat warmed up i
often forget to turn on the heat for the air in the cabin
and then eventually have to turn it on to defog the windows.
froggy winders ain't good in deerland.


songbird

[dsi1]

I have a small SUV, not a real one. My sister-in-law has a Suburban. Is that an SUV? I suppose that hardly matters.

[Ed P]

On 4/2/2023 7:32 PM, Michael Trew wrote:

>
> The safest car is a small sedan with large windows so you can adequately
> see your surroundings.  A rear-view camera does *not* suffice.
> High-hoods on SUV's and trucks severely impact front-visibility, and
> greatly increase the risk of running over children.  There are lots of
> studies on this -- SUV's are no bueno.

Those cameras save lives though. No matter how big the rear window,
there is a blind spot right under the trunk. Sure, SUVs and trucks are
worse but every car has a blind spot. Plenty of kids have been killed
by all types.

Drive my car with surround cameras and you will agree.

[Leonard Blaisdell]

Because I did so, I claim that every young man should completely rebuild
one engine. I rebuilt one single-stroke motorcycle engine several times
and one Jeep engine, once. I broke that Jeep engine down to a single
block and had a machine shop hone the cylinders, and I replaced all the
crankshaft bearings. I rented a cherry picker to help with the heavy stuff.
Now, a caveat. Back then, the engine wasn't covered with weird
electronic stuff, and the components were identifiable.
Nowadays, I would start with a degree in electrical engineering. Then,
be a man, and get after it!

[Bruce]

On 3 Apr 2023 02:09:14 GMT, Leonard Blaisdell

I know what the front and the back are and I can drive a car, but
that's about it. I wish it was different, but it's a bit late to start
now.

[Leonard Blaisdell]

On 2023-04-02, GM <gregorymorr...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Farm kids would merrily ride around in the back of pick - up tricks, now you'd be arrested for allowing that...


When I was in high-school, My friends and I created a fun-time. One
friend had access to his dad's Model-T pickup.
After dark, we'd drive to "where the jackrabbits were" with a couple of
us in the pickup bed. It was about twenty miles.
Then, the driver drove down the dirt road with two of us in the back
with .22 rifles. When a rabbit made the mistake of running in front of
us, it met it's demise or we missed. We seldom missed.
Nighttime jackrabbit hunting! Raise your hand if you've done it.
I regret no part of my childhood, where I grew up or how I turned out.

[Dave Smith]

We didn't live far enough in the country to be able to get away with
stuff like that. FWIW I didn't think we even had jack rabbits around
here until I happened to see one on my way home after an afternoon
shift. Was probably about 1 am and I was driving a Datsun 1200 when I
saw thus giant rabbit. His head was just about level with mine. I often
thing about that jack rabbit when I drive by that spot but never saw one
again. I have to wonder if a .22 would even take down a critter than big.

[Bruce]

On Sun, 2 Apr 2023 23:01:16 -0400, Dave Smith
<adavid...@sympatico.ca> wrote:

>On 2023-04-02 10:49 p.m., Leonard Blaisdell wrote:
>> On 2023-04-02, GM <gregorymorr...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Farm kids would merrily ride around in the back of pick - up tricks, now you'd be arrested for allowing that...
>>
>> When I was in high-school, My friends and I created a fun-time. One
>> friend had access to his dad's Model-T pickup.
>> After dark, we'd drive to "where the jackrabbits were" with a couple of
>> us in the pickup bed. It was about twenty miles.
>> Then, the driver drove down the dirt road with two of us in the back
>> with .22 rifles. When a rabbit made the mistake of running in front of
>> us, it met it's demise or we missed. We seldom missed.
>> Nighttime jackrabbit hunting! Raise your hand if you've done it.
>> I regret no part of my childhood, where I grew up or how I turned out.
>
>We didn't live far enough in the country to be able to get away with
>stuff like that. FWIW I didn't think we even had jack rabbits around
>here until I happened to see one on my way home after an afternoon
>shift. Was probably about 1 am and I was driving a Datsun 1200 when I
>saw thus giant rabbit.

Keep those useless details coming, Dave Smith. So it wasn't 2 am and
it wasn't a Datsun 1300?

[Ed P]

On 4/2/2023 10:09 PM, Leonard Blaisdell wrote:

>
> Because I did so, I claim that every young man should completely rebuild
> one engine. I rebuilt one single-stroke motorcycle engine several times
> and one Jeep engine, once. I broke that Jeep engine down to a single
> block and had a machine shop hone the cylinders, and I replaced all the
> crankshaft bearings. I rented a cherry picker to help with the heavy
stuff.
> Now, a caveat. Back then, the engine wasn't covered with weird
> electronic stuff, and the components were identifiable.
> Nowadays, I would start with a degree in electrical engineering. Then,
> be a man, and get after it!
>

Yeah, I know what a cam shaft does. Can you show me how to assemble an
engine with variable valve timing? And four valves per cylinder, of course.

Only reason I lift the hood now is to check the oil and fill the
windshield washer fluid.

[Bruce]

Oops.

[dsi1]

My friend used to have a Datsun 1200. I thought it was a good looking car. A fastback car usually looks cool. It had some unusual trim pieces on the flanks, which was a nice touch.

https://www.curbsideclassic.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/CC-7-017-500.jpg

[Cindy Hamilton]

I can't remember the last time I needed a head gasket. 1980, perhaps.
Since I stopped buying American cars, my repair costs have been fairly
low.

Looks like my 2004 Highlander might be worth $5000. I certainly would
be willing to sink another $1800 into it, since it would cost around
$30,000 to replace it. I bought mine used in 2008, so a comparable
car would be a fairly low mileage 2019 Highlander. There are a
few listed nearby ranging from $27,930 to $33,850.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[cshenk]

itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:

> On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 7:07:28 PM UTC-5, Bryan Simmons wrote:
> >
> > On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 6:23:23 PM UTC-5,
> > itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:
> > > >
> > > Lots of new cars have the separate temperature controls for
> > > passengers as well as the butt warmers. Mine does. It also has
> > > USB ports for the rear passengers.
> > >
> > We've never bought the sort of car that had butt warmers.
> > The Infiniti belonged to my son, and when he moved to
> > Mexico, he sold it to us. My name was already on the title,
> > so we just took over the payments, though within a couple
> > of months we just paid it off. It's nice, but it sucks down
> > premium gas; it costs twice as much in gas per mile as
> > our Chevy Spark, which doesn't even have power windows,
> > much less butt warmers.
> >
> > --Bryan
> >
> I think a lot of the new cars come standard with the butt warmers and
> they are nice. My car also takes premium gas, but it gets grrrrrreat
> gas mileage. The bonus points I get at Kroger help immensely with
> the price of gas.

In an oddity here, Krogers marks up their gas just enough, you are
better off using 7-11.

[Michael Trew]

I wouldn't hesitate to tear into an old American V8 engine and pull the
heads, replace the gaskets, etc. Moving forward, even 1990's Geos, once
you get into over head cams, things get more complicated. So many
vacuum lines and wires... any car in the last decade, open the hood, and
all you see is plastic and electronics.

[Michael Trew]

On 4/3/2023 4:28, Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> On 2023-04-02, Michael Trew<michae...@att.net> wrote:
>>
>> I hate working on cars, believe it or not. However, I *hate* paying
>> someone exorbitant prices to work on cars, even more than I hate working
>> on cars. Example: $1,800 to do a head gasket job. I can get the parts
>> for $100, give or take, and spend a few weeks chipping away at it, with
>> the help of YouTube, thus saving $1,700 -- which could be more than the
>> total value of the car on the fair market.
>
> I can't remember the last time I needed a head gasket. 1980, perhaps.
> Since I stopped buying American cars, my repair costs have been fairly
> low.
>
> Looks like my 2004 Highlander might be worth $5000. I certainly would
> be willing to sink another $1800 into it, since it would cost around
> $30,000 to replace it. I bought mine used in 2008, so a comparable
> car would be a fairly low mileage 2019 Highlander. There are a
> few listed nearby ranging from $27,930 to $33,850.

My example was also a real-life one. I bought a 1989 Toyota Corolla in
impeccable condition with decades of maintenance records, about a month
and a half ago. I drove all the way to Virginia for it. Not even a
week ago, it was blowing steam out of the tail pipe, coolant bubbling,
and the temperature gauge was running warm. It didn't over-heat
either... this was supposed to be a reliable car to keep, so I always
have something dependable.

I've hardly put over 2,000 miles on it since I bought it. What a
bummer! Normally, 90's imports and old Toyota's are really reliable. I
have no clue what happened. I paid $1,000 for the car, so I don't feel
like sinking $1,800 into it. I guess we'll call this a learning
experience, and since I now have a garage to park it in, I can walk away
from the project for a day when I get irritated.

[Graham]

My D-I-L is driving my 2001 Highlander and is looking for another car
as this one is on its last "wheels". She has looked and used cars are,
commanding ridiculous prices.

[cshenk]

Michael Trew wrote:

> On 4/1/2023 19:38, dsi1 wrote:
> > On Saturday, April 1, 2023 at 9:21:35 AM UTC-10, Michael Trew wrote:
> > >
> > > I don't care for any over-priced over-featured car...
> > > which is nearly every post 2010 model or so. There's no such thing
> > > as a cheap stripper car.
> >
> > I'll bet you'd like something like this. I sure would. Of course, if
> > you hit anything, the odds of being crippled or killed are higher
> > than a being in fancy, schmancy, modern car i.e., the entire vehicle
> > is a safety hazard. I think the wheels are totally boss!
> >
> > https://photos.app.goo.gl/kxY4pUAzFurL7zrZ9
>
> I've seen those little Japanese-import micro-trucks before. I'd have
> a lot of fun with one of those, but unfortunately, they sell for well
> more than I'm willing to pay (usually $10k+).
>
> I don't buy the excessive safety features on modern cars sales
> tactic. US citizens are conditioned to believe that large SUV's are

> more safe, while in reality, the solid-frame vehicles mean that you

> are the crumple zone to absorb the impact. Thick A-pillars and tiny
> rear windows make rear visibility difficult, and make for large
> blind-spots. SUV's are more likely to roll over.
>
> The safest car is a small sedan with large windows so you can

> adequately see your surroundings. A rear-view camera does not

> suffice. High-hoods on SUV's and trucks severely impact
> front-visibility, and greatly increase the risk of running over
> children. There are lots of studies on this -- SUV's are no bueno.

I have a very small SUV. Nissan Rogue. 2018. In my mix of
city/highway driving, I get 36mpg. I have rear view but would have
liked sideview cameras, heated side mirrors, and probably would enjoy a
heated seat. I use a TomTom for navigation, that plugs into the
lighter socket.

Not too big to park.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 7:49:16 AM UTC-5, cshenk wrote:

>
> itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:
>
> > My car also takes premium gas, but it gets grrrrrreat
> > gas mileage. The bonus points I get at Kroger help immensely with
> > the price of gas.
>
> In an oddity here, Krogers marks up their gas just enough, you are
> better off using 7-11.
>

No, I would not be better off buying gas from 7-11.

For months Kroger has been giving 4x extra fuel points when you shop on Friday
plus the regular extra 50 points you receive when you complete the weekly survey.
It's rare I buy a gift card from there but they're always running 4x extra fuel points
when you purchase one. I will fill up this week and I have enough points to receive
$1.65 off each gallon of high test I purchase. I don't think 7-11 can beat that.

[Dave Smith]

Tell me about it. I got my wife a replacement for her old Toyota. I had
heard that used car prices were up, but I was not prepared for how much
they had gone up. A lot of them were about the price I was expecting to
have to pay for a new car.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 9:40:51 AM UTC-5, cshenk wrote:
>
> I have a very small SUV. Nissan Rogue. 2018. In my mix of
> city/highway driving, I get 36mpg. I have rear view but would have
> liked sideview cameras, heated side mirrors, and probably would enjoy a
> heated seat. I use a TomTom for navigation, that plugs into the
> lighter socket.
>
> Not too big to park.
>

The Nissan Rouge is comparable in size to a Ford Explorer, neither are
that small or are they super large. The Explorer has a slightly larger
wheelbase. If you'd said you have the Nissan Juke, I'd say yeah, you do
have a small SUV.

[Dave Smith]

On 2023-04-03 8:49 a.m., cshenk wrote:

> itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:

>> I think a lot of the new cars come standard with the butt warmers and
>> they are nice. My car also takes premium gas, but it gets grrrrrreat
>> gas mileage. The bonus points I get at Kroger help immensely with
>> the price of gas.
>
> In an oddity here, Krogers marks up their gas just enough, you are
> better off using 7-11.

Around here Esso tends to be the most expensive but usually only 1-2
cents per litre more. I watch my fuel efficiency ratings. When I get the
cheapest gas around I use about 11 litre/100km. Most of the others get
9-5 - 10.5. Esso gets me 8-9. The 10-15% decrease in consumption more
than makes up for the 1-2% savings per litre.

[Dave Smith]

I have a Honda CRV which is supposedly compact sport utility. I got my
wife a Nissan Qashqai which is also a compact CUV, but significantly
smaller than mine. I noted that when I took my friends to the airport in
the Nissan we had trouble fitting their large suitcases into the back
and had to put one of the seats down. When I picked them up in my CRV
they both fit in nicely in the "trunk" with the seats up.

[Gregory Morrow]

In article <8199cd2d-b2e9-47c5...@googlegroups.com>, itsjoan...@webtv.net says...

Whatever you do don't buy your gas here -

https://vidmax.com/video/218852-the-only-thing-more-insane-than-this-gas-station-brawl-is-the-camerawork

--
GM

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

I'm guessing good used cars are being held onto by the owner since the pandemic,
the economy, and the job market.

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

All the gas stations around here, and I guess there where you live David,
are all within 2-3¢ of each other minus bonus points I receive. I don't think
filling up at 7-11 and saving about 35¢ is going to make all that great of
a difference in my bank account.

[dsi1]

The Nissan Qashqai is pretty much unknown in the US because it's called the "Rogue" in this country. Americans probably won't know how to pronounce "Qashqai" anyway. My wife and daughter want one - I don't know why, since they've never driven one. I didn't realize how small they were until I was waiting behind one at a stop light. My step-mom has one. Unfortunately, it's in Las Vegas.

[Graham]

Supply-chain issues and shortage of chips has caused a backlog of orders
for new cars.
This has trickled down to affect the price of used ones.

[Graham]

I always buy my gas from the local C0-Op where the price is competitive.
Then I get my annual dividend:-)

[itsjoan...@webtv.net]

You've probably nailed down the problem.

[Dave Smith]

I have heard all sorts of reports about low inventory of new cars and
shortages of computer chips. Cars are so heavily computerized these
days so they need a lot more chips than are available.

[Graham]

It appears to be a wait time of ~6 months for many models. My Nephew, in
the UK, wants to replace his Porsche but will have to wait over a year.

[Dave Smith]

On 2023-04-03 12:58 p.m., dsi1 wrote:
> On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 6:36:59 AM UTC-10, Dave Smith wrote:

>>> The Nissan Rouge is comparable in size to a Ford Explorer,
>>> neither are that small or are they super large. The Explorer has
>>> a slightly larger wheelbase. If you'd said you have the Nissan
>>> Juke, I'd say yeah, you do have a small SUV.
>> I have a Honda CRV which is supposedly compact sport utility. I got
>> my wife a Nissan Qashqai which is also a compact CUV, but
>> significantly smaller than mine. I noted that when I took my
>> friends to the airport in the Nissan we had trouble fitting their
>> large suitcases into the back and had to put one of the seats down.
>> When I picked them up in my CRV they both fit in nicely in the
>> "trunk" with the seats up.
>
> The Nissan Qashqai is pretty much unknown in the US because it's
> called the "Rogue" in this country.

They are different models. They look a lot alike but the Rogue is bigger.

>Americans probably won't know how
> to pronounce "Qashqai" anyway. My wife and daughter want one - I
> don't know why, since they've never driven one. I didn't realize how
> small they were until I was waiting behind one at a stop light. My
> step-mom has one. Unfortunately, it's in Las Vegas.

It handles nicely. The only problem I have with it is that my foot hits
the accelerator at an angle that is uncomfortable after a while.

[dsi1]

You're right about the Rouge being a different model. In the US it's called the "Rouge Sport." It was probably one of those that I thought was so small. My bad.

[Cindy Hamilton]

In fact, if my car outlives my mother (which will mean we won't need two
cars anymore), I'll just not replace it. If it predeceases her, I'll
probably get a hatchback something-or-other. Maybe a crossover SUV.

I think my climate control system is getting a little weird. Sometimes
it's hotter than I expect from the dial setting when it's heating.

--
Cindy Hamilton

[Mike Duffy]

On 2023-04-03, Cindy Hamilton wrote:

> I can't remember the last time I needed a head gasket.
> 1980, perhaps. Since I stopped buying American cars,
> my repair costs have been fairly low.

The last time I needed one, I drove the car to the garage
in three trips of 5 minute driving with 2 hours cool-down
in between. I figured they would need to clean the
anti-freeze out of the crankcase anyways and I saved
paying for a tow.

[Bruce]

Ghe ghe. Poor diddums!

[Bruce]

On Mon, 3 Apr 2023 09:58:45 -0700 (PDT), dsi1 <dsi...@hawaiiantel.net>

wrote:

>On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 6:36:59 AM UTC-10, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2023-04-03 12:29 p.m., itsjoan...@webtv.net wrote:
>> >>
>> > The Nissan Rouge is comparable in size to a Ford Explorer, neither are
>> > that small or are they super large. The Explorer has a slightly larger
>> > wheelbase. If you'd said you have the Nissan Juke, I'd say yeah, you do
>> > have a small SUV.
>> I have a Honda CRV which is supposedly compact sport utility. I got my
>> wife a Nissan Qashqai which is also a compact CUV, but significantly
>> smaller than mine. I noted that when I took my friends to the airport in
>> the Nissan we had trouble fitting their large suitcases into the back
>> and had to put one of the seats down. When I picked them up in my CRV
>> they both fit in nicely in the "trunk" with the seats up.
>
>The Nissan Qashqai is pretty much unknown in the US because

nobody can pronounce its name.

[Thomas Joseph]

Bruce wrote:

> My car has 2 doors that can be locked. I think it's an anti-theft
> feature.


Driving cab in L.A. I got a call to pick up a guy at a bar in
West Hollywood. He was going to another bar a good
distance away. I was glad to get the ride. He was in
the back seat, not saying much. I mentioned something
about the ride costing an awful lot and wondering if he
does it all the time, or more directly why. He said his car
had been stolen. He was glum. Also drunk. Now that the
subject of his stolen car was in the open he opened up in
the back seat. He kept moaning over and over, "I don't
understand it - I had "The Club." They still have them. They
are steering wheel locks. "The Club" was the most popular
one around that time. He kept saying it like he was losing his mind,
"I had 'The Club', I had 'The Club'", over and over. I openly sympathized
with the guy but did not go too far. Inwardly I was laughing. Not at
the guy, more at the insane degree of faith he had in the device.
I wanted to tell him "The Club" was worthless but felt that might make
him feel worse, so I kept my mouth shut.

It was funny the way the guy put all the blame on "The Club".
This is the way mass murders start, a guy in the back of a cab
muttering, "I had 'The Club", then later festering over it and
vowing revenge before finding out where the company is located
and loading up his arsenal for some well deserved pay back.

[Thomas Joseph]

Michael Trew wrote:
GM wrote:


> > "Part of my plea stems from my age. I am 50 now, and I shake my fist
> > at more things every day. So having an iPad build into my dashboard
> > is annoying. If it is cold in the car, I want to turn a dial to make
> > things warmer. One dial. Not fifty-eight buttons and a different zone
> > for each person..."


> I agree.

You damn well better agree. If I had the cash I would love a car
with zero features. Not even a paint job. Gun metal or whatever.
Low to the ground. The kind of car that when you drive it you
can feel the road. If you want music and air and other features
you can always have them installed separately. I only drove a
sports car once. A guy loaned me his so I could go to the food
stamp office 10 miles away. It was a convertible. Put your
hand out the door, you can almost touch the ground. I really
enjoyed it. We've been through this before - I remember. But
I'll say it again. Of all the cars I owned, 11 in total over time - not
all at once (I am not a collector) - very few had dashboard features
that worked. I had no idea what a defroster was. Now maybe it's
because I was younger and didn't care, but I never seemed to notice
the windshield getting majorly fogged over because back then we
had the small triangle windows in front of the larger ones. I believe
they worked. They would let rain in now and then, but not much.
I can't say I'd stick with it for long, but just a chassis with tires and
an engine that works would be nice.

"Alright, alright, so it's got the most reliable engine of all time - all
I want to know is, "Does it have air?"........."

[Ed P]

My daughter had a Chevy Spark. After one year she sold it to Carvana
for more than she paid for it new. Some dealers were selling new cars
as much as 5k over sticker.

[Ed P]

On 4/3/2023 12:40 PM, Gregory Morrow wrote:
> In article <8199cd2d-b2e9-47c5...@googlegroups.com>, itsjoan...@webtv.net says...

>>

>> For months Kroger has been giving 4x extra fuel points when you shop on Friday
>> plus the regular extra 50 points you receive when you complete the weekly survey.
>> It's rare I buy a gift card from there but they're always running 4x extra fuel points
>> when you purchase one. I will fill up this week and I have enough points to receive
>> $1.65 off each gallon of high test I purchase. I don't think 7-11 can beat that.
>>
>>
> Whatever you do don't buy your gas here -
>
> https://vidmax.com/video/218852-the-only-thing-more-insane-than-this-gas-station-brawl-is-the-camerawork
>
> --
> GM
>
>

Given the price of gas now, they should provide entertainment. I'd go
there to watch the show.

[Dave Smith]

My former neighbour had a diesel tractor and it started burning/leaking
a lot of oil. I was talking to him one day as he was topping it up with
some special diesel crankcase oil. After dumping the contents into his
crank case he showed me the container and I realized that what he had
put in was coolant, not motor coil He panicked. Not a problem.
advised him to stop everything, get a pain, pull the oil drain plug and
let it drain. Do not start it up yet. Let it drain for a few hours. All
the coolant would drain out. After an hour or so, he could turn it over
to allow any other fluids up there to drain down. Let it sit some more.
No worry about if getting into the filter because there wasn't enough
oil to make it into the pump. He went over to get some new oil,put the
plug in, added the oil and the engine ran fine for several more years.
He took the tractor to his new place and it is still working.

[Gary]

Did I read this right?
So you spent 4.25 hours to get your car to the mechanic 15 minutes away?
And then needed a ride home. I would have called a tow truck.

[Mike Duffy]

On 2023-04-04, Gary wrote:

> So you spent 4.25 hours to get your car
> to the mechanic 15 minutes away?
> And then needed a ride home.
> I would have called a tow truck.

Toronto has excellent bus service.
I had a sci-fi book and my car stereo.

[Michael Trew]

My father ordered a new Camaro for the 2021 model year... the 2022's are
out now, and they are so behind that they still haven't built his car yet.

[GM]

ISTR that those ICE muscle cars are an endangered species, thus the rush to buy
and the resulting shortages...

--
GM

[Leonard Blaisdell]

On 2023-04-03, Michael Trew <michae...@att.net> wrote:

> My example was also a real-life one. I bought a 1989 Toyota Corolla in
> impeccable condition with decades of maintenance records, about a month
> and a half ago. I drove all the way to Virginia for it. Not even a
> week ago, it was blowing steam out of the tail pipe, coolant bubbling,
> and the temperature gauge was running warm. It didn't over-heat
> either... this was supposed to be a reliable car to keep, so I always
> have something dependable.

> I've hardly put over 2,000 miles on it since I bought it. What a
> bummer! Normally, 90's imports and old Toyota's are really reliable. I
> have no clue what happened. I paid $1,000 for the car, so I don't feel
> like sinking $1,800 into it. I guess we'll call this a learning
> experience, and since I now have a garage to park it in, I can walk away
> from the project for a day when I get irritated.


Here's the thing about old vehicles. Even without much mileage, things
rot. I ran a '86 Forerunner for 27 years. At least twice, I took it to
the dealership to replace belts and hoses, for the hell of it.
I practically gave it away, for three hundred bucks, to a buddy in 2013,
because I finally thought I needed something new. That was a expensive
mistake. The brand spanking new truck I bought then, has less than five
thousand miles on it now. It's rotting on the driveway.

Which reminds me, my 2010 Forester is due for belts and hoses, for the
hell of it. That might include tubing in the engine compartment.
Rubber rots, all by itself. No assistance needed.

[Thomas Joseph]

Gary wrote:

Mike Duffy wrote:

> > The last time I needed one, I drove the car to the garage
> > in three trips of 5 minute driving with 2 hours cool-down
> > in between. I figured they would need to clean the
> > anti-freeze out of the crankcase anyways and I saved
> > paying for a tow.


> Did I read this right?
> So you spent 4.25 hours to get your car to the mechanic 15 minutes away?
> And then needed a ride home. I would have called a tow truck.

On the basis of what I see from the posts in this group money appears
to be no object for most. Lots of threads filled with who owns what. But
not everybody can afford the same thing. And even if they can they may
want to save the money. I have been in Trew's shoes - many times. More
than Trew himself I'll guaran-god-damn-tee ya.

In my teens and 20s I was always on the edge. Driving cross
country with bald tires and no spare, the gas meter always near
the "E" - when it worked.

One time in L.A. shortly after my arrival at age 21 I ran out of
gas on Los Feliz Blvd. It was chugging, stop and go. Then I
hit a slight incline that turned left onto a really long steep hill
heading down to the business area. I was out of gas completely.
From the time I ran out till I was able to coast into a gas station
I went over a mile and a half. Lucky. Lots of lucks in some
break downs. Sure, when it happens it's the worst. But think
about all the times you've broken down, you know it could always
have been worse. Like running out of gas or the engine just quits -
it could happen on a bridge at rush hour. Everyone blowing their
horns and screaming and there's nowhere to go. The car I drove
to L.A. was a Studebaker Lark, 1959 station wagon. It started
over heating and I had to go sometimes an hour or so before it
would accept water.

[Michael Trew]

Yes, he's afraid that he won't get one before before they cut them...
they are talking about cutting all V8 Camaro's next year, and probably
all ICE Camaro's shortly after. They will still be available in
expensive Corvette's, for now.

[Michael Trew]

It's a shame, because my car in question was meticulously maintained,
with well over 20 years of maintenance records. I drove a long way for
it, because I figured that it would be a long term reliable car. I
suppose it's worth fixing the head gasket, but as you say, I should
probably replace the belts, hoses, vacuum lines, and anything rubber
while I'm in there tearing it all apart. Wish me luck.