The Automotive Thread

[blybrook PE]

With the additional information, I'm gonna suggest adding in a system bleed to be safe. Rebleeding can be done solo if you have a mighty vac hand pump. Those things are great!

Just remember to start at the rear passenger wheel and work way closer to the master with the front driver being the last wheel to get bled.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Anyone want a B-model Mack? It'd make a great commuter around town!









http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/4145850473.html

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Pretty sure Mrs Dex is going to kick my ass when she finds out I just bought a bunch of new suspension parts for the Camaro...

 

[envirotex]

pretty sure...unless it's a safety thing...

 

[blybrook PE]

Pretty sure Mrs Dex is going to kick my ass when she finds out I just bought a bunch of new suspension parts for the Camaro...

Just have them delivered to the office and pay with cash. Then she wouldn't know until she went for a ride or watched u install them. Otherwise u might be screwed. Better be prepared fer offering bigger boobs (or ??) to make up for it.

 

[Supe]

Any recommendations on a fun to drive 5/6 speed manual station wagon that I can get in the $15k used range? My father wants to buy my Saturn to carry a dog around in since they now have an Accord Coupe as their main car, and I want something with 4 doors and more space than that.

I can't deal with the super firm sporty seats, so right now it looks like I'm probably going to be stuck with an Audi A4 Avant.

 

[Road Guy]

Subaru (cause its all about the love man).

 

[Road Guy]

Folks- I need to upgrade my shitty factory stereo for my (new to me) 02 Tahoe

I have been looking at crutch field. I ha e heard nothing but good things about them, but was going to get one of there rasps plus kits that comes with "everything" you need to self install..

Anyone used one of their kits before an are they pretty simple?? I am an average wrench turner but have just not had that great of luck with car stereo crap in my life!

Also the Tahoe has onstar and the website for crutch field is telling me I need to get a $69 part to make it work. I don't care to keep onstar but I wonder if the radio will work without the connector?

I don't want to go to best by for install and I went by a couple of small car audio shops but they all are usually fairly un ethical in my opinion...

 

[Supe]

Crutchfield kits are very good. 9 times out of 10, its an inline plug to keep OnStar/door chimes/alarms, and then its a matter of just crimping like-colored wires together. I installed one of their in dash DVD packages in about 30 minutes. If you call them and ask, I guarantee they can answer the OnStar question. Their tech support is actually pretty dang good.

As for the Subarus, I can't take the WRX seats. If I could find a Forester that has been done up a bit (lowered, decent wheels/tires) I'd consider it.

 

[MA_PE]

Crutchfield kits are very good. 9 times out of 10, its an inline plug to keep OnStar/door chimes/alarms, and then its a matter of just crimping like-colored wires together. I installed one of their in dash DVD packages in about 30 minutes. If you call them and ask, I guarantee they can answer the OnStar question. Their tech support is actually pretty dang good.

I'll second this. They give you installation instructions for your specific car. IMHO finding out how the damn trim is attached is one of the biggest challenges and they have exploded views showing how to take it apart. If you have any issues you can call their tech support and they'll work it through with you. They list compatible vehicles and specifically tell you if it's a direct swap or if you need to modify things.

As for DIY and get parts from BestBuy, etc. they don't have all the connectors, etc. on sale out front but they do in the installer's area. I was putting a radio in and I biought the compatible connector from the store. When I finally got things apart the connector was wrong. I went ot the store and talked to the installer guy and he got me the correct connector from his parts area, it was a semi-hassle. I put a radio in another car and walked through what I was doing and what I needed with the crutchfield guy. I had all the correct parts and it went in pretty easily.

Lastly, I got my son a radio for Xmas and paid BestBuy to install it (I did not want to deal with it). They did a good job for relatively short money. I think it was less than $100.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Any recommendations on a fun to drive 5/6 speed manual station wagon that I can get in the $15k used range? My father wants to buy my Saturn to carry a dog around in since they now have an Accord Coupe as their main car, and I want something with 4 doors and more space than that.

I can't deal with the super firm sporty seats, so right now it looks like I'm probably going to be stuck with an Audi A4 Avant.

Older WRX wagon, but most I've seen have been modded/abused.

A practically unknown mechanical twin was a Saab 9-2.

Good luck finding an A4 or Subie that isn't automatic. They exist, but rarely cross the sales lots.

 

[Supe]

Any recommendations on a fun to drive 5/6 speed manual station wagon that I can get in the $15k used range? My father wants to buy my Saturn to carry a dog around in since they now have an Accord Coupe as their main car, and I want something with 4 doors and more space than that.

I can't deal with the super firm sporty seats, so right now it looks like I'm probably going to be stuck with an Audi A4 Avant.

Older WRX wagon, but most I've seen have been modded/abused.

A practically unknown mechanical twin was a Saab 9-2.

Good luck finding an A4 or Subie that isn't automatic. They exist, but rarely cross the sales lots.

Can't deal with WRX seats. Too hard, kill my back. Finding manuals are tough. The other one I've been considering is the Forester XT. WRX suspension parts, turbo motor, readily available with a stick. Most haven't been beaten like the WRX/STIs, but they're good looking cars when lowered a bit with decent wheels. They also carry considerably more than most other wagons.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Any recommendations on a fun to drive 5/6 speed manual station wagon that I can get in the $15k used range? My father wants to buy my Saturn to carry a dog around in since they now have an Accord Coupe as their main car, and I want something with 4 doors and more space than that.

I can't deal with the super firm sporty seats, so right now it looks like I'm probably going to be stuck with an Audi A4 Avant.

Older WRX wagon, but most I've seen have been modded/abused.

A practically unknown mechanical twin was a Saab 9-2.

Good luck finding an A4 or Subie that isn't automatic. They exist, but rarely cross the sales lots.

Can't deal with WRX seats. Too hard, kill my back. Finding manuals are tough. The other one I've been considering is the Forester XT. WRX suspension parts, turbo motor, readily available with a stick. Most haven't been beaten like the WRX/STIs, but they're good looking cars when lowered a bit with decent wheels. They also carry considerably more than most other wagons.

You consider an HHR SS?

 

[Supe]

Any recommendations on a fun to drive 5/6 speed manual station wagon that I can get in the $15k used range? My father wants to buy my Saturn to carry a dog around in since they now have an Accord Coupe as their main car, and I want something with 4 doors and more space than that.

I can't deal with the super firm sporty seats, so right now it looks like I'm probably going to be stuck with an Audi A4 Avant.

Older WRX wagon, but most I've seen have been modded/abused.

A practically unknown mechanical twin was a Saab 9-2.

Good luck finding an A4 or Subie that isn't automatic. They exist, but rarely cross the sales lots.

Can't deal with WRX seats. Too hard, kill my back. Finding manuals are tough. The other one I've been considering is the Forester XT. WRX suspension parts, turbo motor, readily available with a stick. Most haven't been beaten like the WRX/STIs, but they're good looking cars when lowered a bit with decent wheels. They also carry considerably more than most other wagons.

You consider an HHR SS?

NO.

I sat in one at the NYAS the year it came out. Not only was it one of the crappiest interiors I'd ever seen, but the door handle trim came off in my hand as I exited the car.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

Camaro. There is a ton of space under the hood for gear to help you haul ass. Plus there are 4 doors: drivers, passenger, hood, & trunk.

It's not a station wagon, but the 2009 Pontiac G8's are awesome (essentially a 4-door Camaro). Only way to get a manual is to get the fully-loaded GXP package though...

 

[Capt Worley PE]

Any recommendations on a fun to drive 5/6 speed manual station wagon that I can get in the $15k used range? My father wants to buy my Saturn to carry a dog around in since they now have an Accord Coupe as their main car, and I want something with 4 doors and more space than that.

I can't deal with the super firm sporty seats, so right now it looks like I'm probably going to be stuck with an Audi A4 Avant.

Older WRX wagon, but most I've seen have been modded/abused.

A practically unknown mechanical twin was a Saab 9-2.

Good luck finding an A4 or Subie that isn't automatic. They exist, but rarely cross the sales lots.

Can't deal with WRX seats. Too hard, kill my back. Finding manuals are tough. The other one I've been considering is the Forester XT. WRX suspension parts, turbo motor, readily available with a stick. Most haven't been beaten like the WRX/STIs, but they're good looking cars when lowered a bit with decent wheels. They also carry considerably more than most other wagons.

You consider an HHR SS?

NO.

I sat in one at the NYAS the year it came out. Not only was it one of the crappiest interiors I'd ever seen, but the door handle trim came off in my hand as I exited the car.

But it goes like stink.

 

[Supe]

Camaro. There is a ton of space under the hood for gear to help you haul ass. Plus there are 4 doors: drivers, passenger, hood, & trunk.

It's not a station wagon, but the 2009 Pontiac G8's are awesome (essentially a 4-door Camaro). Only way to get a manual is to get the fully-loaded GXP package though...

I wish I could get a G8 GXP, but they're not puppy or budget friendly.

 

[Road Guy]

why does though want a wagon?

 

[Master slacker]

If you want a project at the same time:

Buick Roadmaster ($3k)

T56 six speed ($4k)

4.10 10-bolt rear end ($2k)

Save the rest for hookers and blow.

 

[MA_PE]

why does though want a wagon?

'cause wagons are cool. B-bodies for FTMFW.

how about a Dodge Magnum