The Automotive Thread

[Dexman PE PMP]

Phone conversation:

Telemarketer: Hi this is ____ from your auto warranty company, am I speaking with Dex?

Dex: Yes.

TM: I am just calling to check on your Camaro. Can you tell me approximately how many miles you currently have on it?

Dex: Do you want the mileage before or after I put the supercharger on it?

TM: *click*

 

[Flyer_PE]

^I suspect I'll eventually be using that same line regarding my truck.

 

[blybrook PE]

Had one similar to that Dex, although they woke me up on a Saturday at 5am (NOT a good way to start).

I asked what it would cost to get a warranty on my plow truck ('74 IH Scout). They hung up after they confirmed the year with me.

 

[DVINNY]

1968 Camaro Convertible

327 Engine

4 barrel, dual exhaust

(My Profile pic)

Other vehicles on the premises:

2004 Trailblazer EXT V8 (ole' faithful)

2007 Volvo XC90 V8 (Wife's)

2015 Tahoe (work provided)

 

[DVINNY]

Engine bay

 

[Supe]

I'm in awe by the sheer lack of shit in the engine bay. I've been racing too long. Good looking car, I don't see too many with a white top.

 

[DVINNY]

I replaced all kinds of electrical stuff over the last month, starter, new HEI distributor, new ignition switch, new wiring, new battery, all because I've been having electrical gremlins for a while. None of those things solved the problem.

I finally decided to take the junction box off the firewall and unbolt it from the fuse box on the inside of the firewall. Once I did, all the connectors inside it were green and corroded. I sprayed the electrical cleaner all over them multiple times and cleaned it all up, put it together, and the thing runs like a champ.

I'll try the really simple shit first next time.

 

[Road Guy]

[SIZE=medium]Man I hate to admit this……. J[/SIZE] we rented a minivan (Town & Country something or other) for our vacation (we drove around 1700 miles in it) not sure if I just have never owned a car with all the bells and whistles (DVD player, USB ports, electrical outlets, 200 cup holders, sat radio built in, etc) but that vehicle made getting around with 5 people a hell of a lot easier than I think my Tahoe would have (even though the Tahoe has more room) but it just felt like it was a bigger vehicle( must be the 2[SIZE=small]nd[/SIZE] row bucket seats) . I don’t know if I could ever bring myself to own one, but for a vacation / rental need I would definitely rent one again….

I wish my tahoe had the 2nd row bucket seats versus the 60-40 bench seat- makes it a PIA for whomever has to get in the 3rd row.....

 

[NJmike PE]

[SIZE=medium]Man I hate to admit this……. J[/SIZE] we rented a minivan (Town & Country something or other) for our vacation (we drove around 1700 miles in it) not sure if I just have never owned a car with all the bells and whistles (DVD player, USB ports, electrical outlets, 200 cup holders, sat radio built in, etc) but that vehicle made getting around with 5 people a hell of a lot easier than I think my Tahoe would have (even though the Tahoe has more room) but it just felt like it was a bigger vehicle( must be the 2[SIZE=small]nd[/SIZE] row bucket seats) . I don’t know if I could ever bring myself to own one, but for a vacation / rental need I would definitely rent one again….

I wish my tahoe had the 2nd row bucket seats versus the 60-40 bench seat- makes it a PIA for whomever has to get in the 3rd row.....

I've been torn over this. I hate, hate, HATE, the concept of owning one, but recently I was in a friends and I felt the same way. Currently I have a 12 yr old Xterra and a 9 yr old Ford Escape which both not ideal for carting around three small kids and their parents. When I say the kids are elbow to elbow in their car seats, I ain't kidding. Those vehicles offer plenty of room... and ridicule from my friends.

 

[Supe]

Sad but true - pets, kids, gear, you name it, all seems to be easier in a mini van. Hell, I once drove one from Columbus, OH back to CT with a chevy smallblock loaded through the side door! Still, I don't think I could ever bring myself to own one, unless it was the GF's car.

 

[knight1fox3]

We went with a crossover since neither of us want to drive a mini-van. Still has all the same bells and whistles. Kid & pet friendly too.

 

[Road Guy]

Those are good for basically two kids (which I recommend stopping at). But all suv's are pretty worthless for 5 people +.. Based on my experience.....

But where I live now 4wd is basically mandatory (for skiing and such) and we like the extra ground clearance of the big SUV also....

I figure I have 3-4 years when one kid will be away at college (or the circus) and I can get a smaller SUV with some bells and whistles....

 

[NJmike PE]

Those are good for basically two kids (which I recommend stopping at). But all suv's are pretty worthless for 5 people +.. Based on my experience.....

I could have used this advise a wee bit earlier...

 

[Road Guy]

I had to keep telling the rabits two only two......

 

[Lumber Jim]

I am now the proud spouse of a minivan owner... (Town and Country)

I once said "I will never own a minivan" but the recent addition to our family changed the way that we had to approach transportation. After all of the shopping and test driving that we did (BTW - ALL SUVs were terrible for installing 2 car seats and an infant rearward facing car seat) I had to swallow my pride and concede that we needed the minivan. Since the purchase, I have had to try to regain some of my pride by racing from stoplight to stoplight on numerous occasions. I have found that the 285 HP v6 is quite nimble relative to its look. (Priuses, trucks, and most SUVs beware!)

All in all though it's really not that bad. Now that we own one we wish we would have made the switch sooner. The bells and whistles are nice. The older two kids can't fight over the top of the infant like they did in the car. The stow and go seating is awesome. I can open the 2 sliding doors and the back hatch with my key fob. 6 adults fit comfortably when needed for consolidating vehicles on road trips. Storage for toys and other kid essentials is great. The price compared to an SUV allowed us to get into a model that was newer by 2 -3 years. Insurance is cheap. Brakes are really good. Maneuverability is good (there is a bit of side roll but not as bad as you would think). I could go on and on...

I still have my truck and motorcycle and won't give those up any time soon so I still have that when I need to prove to myself that my manhood hasn't faded into oblivion...

Have I sold any of you on it yet?

 

[snickerd3]

mr snicks work car is a minivan. It is convienent but I don't like driving it. I like my pilot.

 

[NJmike PE]

The older two kids can't fight over the top of the infant like they did in the car.

This is the major problem that we are having. If I had the $$ I would pull the trigger now, but unfort. I have to wait until I a) get a better paying job 2) get next years tax return (sorry, I know the topic of this is a sore spot in other threads) iii) am given my inhertiance or all of the above.

 

[Dexman PE PMP]

F*ck minivans. That is all.

 

[engineergurl]

F*ck minivans. That is all.

more room in the back of a minivan than a sports car... bet it would be more comfortable to stretch out and play games in...

 

[csb]

We have rented minivans for trips before and it they are so nice! We only have one kid, but there's plenty of times where I think, "Man, if I had a minivan..." We have a Grand Caravan for work and you can get a giant amount of stuff in one.

Had to replace the brakes and rotors on my 2006 Escape today. I keep telling myself that it's still cheaper than having a car payment, but ouch.