jeb6294
Well-known member
Absolutely not!
It's not like I plan on taking the thing offroading or that we get horrific winters, but we do have our moments so it's 4wd for me.
The Automotive Thread
- Thread starter envirotex
- Start date
Help Support Professional Engineer & PE Exam Forum:
It's not like I plan on taking the thing offroading or that we get horrific winters, but we do have our moments so it's 4wd for me.
Master slacker
Something awesome.
Dexman PE PMP
Internationally PMP'n his PE-ness
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
Well, had some issues this weekend.
Fuel pressure regulator took a dump, so motor wouldn't spin over 6200 RPM - just sounded like it was hitting the rev limiter.
On run #2, the new splitter up front was creating so much downforce, I was bottoming out in several places along the course. Sadly, on turn 17, I hit an undulation in the pavement, the car went airborn, and darted left into the grass/wall. I probably could have escaped with minimal damage, had I not dissected a 6"-8" wide branch that was laying across there. I hit it, drove to the finish line, and when I got out to look, quite a bit of carnage had ensued. Front frame horns were bent, carriage bolts had ripped through, eyebolt heads were snapped off, splitter mounts were twisted like pretzels, and the splitter/air dam combo were shifted about a foot to the right.
Limped it down the hill, removed all the damaged stuff, put just the airdam back on (hurray for the elastic properties of ABS plastic!), removed the bulk of the grass/dirt/newly formed wood mulch, and finished the weekend on Sunday with my two best times, with the car slipping and sliding everywhere. My final run hit my goal of the 12X.XXX mark, with a 128.5XX, and was a white knuckled, adrenaline filled, completely terrifying banzai run. I think I ended up 6th or 7th fastest overall on the day, which is pretty good considering how little time I've been doing this, and with a wounded car to boot.
Fuel pressure regulator took a dump, so motor wouldn't spin over 6200 RPM - just sounded like it was hitting the rev limiter.
On run #2, the new splitter up front was creating so much downforce, I was bottoming out in several places along the course. Sadly, on turn 17, I hit an undulation in the pavement, the car went airborn, and darted left into the grass/wall. I probably could have escaped with minimal damage, had I not dissected a 6"-8" wide branch that was laying across there. I hit it, drove to the finish line, and when I got out to look, quite a bit of carnage had ensued. Front frame horns were bent, carriage bolts had ripped through, eyebolt heads were snapped off, splitter mounts were twisted like pretzels, and the splitter/air dam combo were shifted about a foot to the right.
Limped it down the hill, removed all the damaged stuff, put just the airdam back on (hurray for the elastic properties of ABS plastic!), removed the bulk of the grass/dirt/newly formed wood mulch, and finished the weekend on Sunday with my two best times, with the car slipping and sliding everywhere. My final run hit my goal of the 12X.XXX mark, with a 128.5XX, and was a white knuckled, adrenaline filled, completely terrifying banzai run. I think I ended up 6th or 7th fastest overall on the day, which is pretty good considering how little time I've been doing this, and with a wounded car to boot.
Will hopefully have some tonight. I had a couple of my early runs on GoPro (I hope), and someone else may have some footage. Usually trickles in throughout the week. I think I got the crash on video, too.
DID get the offroad excursion on video, will post a link tonight after I edit down the length. Sadly, didn't get any of my really good runs. Was trying to hot lap the car to get the tire temps up, and didn't even think about the camera.
knight1fox3
Jedi MASTER & Friend of Capt. Solo
Opinions on Carfax reports? Worth it? Scam?
Looking at a http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=111814880&listingRecNum=3&criteria=sf1Dir%3DASC%26drvTrnId%3D27102%26alMdId%3D21787%26alMdId%3D21422%26mkId%3D20070%26mkId%3D20001%26mlgMx%3D60000%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21787'>2010 Acura MDX (34k miles) that is listed at $4765 below KBB retail value. The "lure you in" part of the website claims there are 14 records. Which could be just routine maintenance. I am debating on paying to see what they are. $40 for 1 report or $50 for 5. :BS:
Looking at a http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=111814880&listingRecNum=3&criteria=sf1Dir%3DASC%26drvTrnId%3D27102%26alMdId%3D21787%26alMdId%3D21422%26mkId%3D20070%26mkId%3D20001%26mlgMx%3D60000%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21787'>2010 Acura MDX (34k miles) that is listed at $4765 below KBB retail value. The "lure you in" part of the website claims there are 14 records. Which could be just routine maintenance. I am debating on paying to see what they are. $40 for 1 report or $50 for 5. :BS:
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Master slacker
Something awesome.
Well, my Tracer has mis-matched color panels, the passenger side door doesn't open all the way, and the trunk lid was obviously replaced since the holes for a spoiler are evident and the Bondo is showing. Thus, I believe, it happened to be in at least one accident. HOWEVER, the CarFax was clean and clear! :rtft: :Locolaugh:
Dexman PE PMP
Internationally PMP'n his PE-ness
If you walk into the dealership, they will give you the report for free...
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
My Ranger was totaled in 2002, but Carfax said in 2010 or so that is was alive and well in FL with 138K miles and no reported issues,
Carfax is only as good as the databases gthat it can access for data. MS, I would also assume that the Tracer was not repaired by a reputable shop using insurance money. CW: again I assume that the Ranger did not have a clear title in SC as it would have required a salvage title. The newer the car the more likely you will get a better (read more thorough) report. The option is to believe the person selling you the car. Which is more reliable?
not necessarily, but more dealerships seem to advertise this service. (see previous comment about believeing the guy selling you the car)
not necessarily, but more dealerships seem to advertise this service. (see previous comment about believeing the guy selling you the car)
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Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
I suspect what happened is they totaled it for frame damage (this much I know to be true), but FL didn't recognize SC salvage titles at the time.
Or maybe the frame wasn't damaged like they thought. The right front wheel was popped off in the accident and it was resting on the wheel on the salvage lot, flexing the frame. Both airbags went off, soo that was some coinage, too.
jeb6294
Well-known member
That's probably part of it...I took the picture while standing on the front porch. I think there's something about the black wheels blending in with the black tires that make it seem a little lower than it actually is too because the pictures on the dealer's website gave that impression too. In reality, I am 6'2" and I have to hop in or use the steps.
When I test drove it there was a nasty squeal coming from the belt or idler pulley. Salesguy says they'll take care of it. As were working on the deal I ask about spare key (it uses one of those goofy Dodge fob things with no actual "key" sticking out of it) and floor mats. No problem, when they take it back to clean it up they'll grab all that. By the time we were done with paperwork it was almost 9:00. Guess what...still squealing, no key and no floor mats. With two tired hungry kids I just went home and sent a message the next day. I wasn't really expecting much, and honestly I could probably take care of everything for $100-150 or so. I was pleasantly surprised to get a call from the GM who offered to swap him for his demo tomorrow night so he can take my truck in Friday morning to fix everything. If he follows through on everything I will be very impressed. Nowadays it seems like they don't give a rat's @ss once you sign on the dotted line.
Hmmm, I wonder what the GM of a Dodge dealership would drive?
Dexman PE PMP
Internationally PMP'n his PE-ness
My wheels do the same thing. I've had several people ask which lowering springs I have, and I just say the car is stock.
The GM of a dealership typically drives a fully-loaded version of whatever they carry on the lot. When I worked at a dealership, the management team would either be in a Durango or a 1500.
jeb6294
Well-known member
Ooooh, or maybe...
Dexman PE PMP
Internationally PMP'n his PE-ness
^^^ The Chargers were just coming out at the time when I quit working at the dealership, so the Challengers were still a twinkle in Dodge's eye...
And typically, they don't drive anything that they can't sell as a demo (3-5k miles) since the dealership still owns the vehicle.
And typically, they don't drive anything that they can't sell as a demo (3-5k miles) since the dealership still owns the vehicle.
Yeah my dad was a car salesman for many years and he got a lot of different demos. Usually middle-of-the-road boring sedans, but he did get to drive a Fiero for a while. Fortunately it didn't catch fire.
