Author Topic: Cars (Read 64661 times)

spolia optima · « **Reply #50 on:** Sat, 02 January 2010, 15:08:22 »

I will buy one of these when I'm stable enough to buy a fun car willy nilly. hopefully within the next year or two

iMav · « **Reply #51 on:** Sat, 02 January 2010, 15:39:35 »

I assume that is a Buick Regal Grand National?

bigpook · « **Reply #52 on:** Sat, 02 January 2010, 16:17:23 »

that grand national is pretty sweet. And I am not even a car guy.

ricercar · « **Reply #53 on:** Sat, 02 January 2010, 16:29:49 »

My first car was a 1981 Buick Regal, burgundy, silver roof, velour seats, screamed PIMP when I drove it at night. I paid $200 in 1990 only because the guy left his Alpine stereo installed.

bigpook · « **Reply #54 on:** Sat, 02 January 2010, 16:34:27 »

I never owned a car until I got married. Living in NY I didn't need one. I was also something of a broke ****.
My wife had a '79 Buick Regal when I met her. It was one of the guido cars available at the time. I think the Monte Carlo was the preferred guido car though.

ricercar · « **Reply #55 on:** Sat, 02 January 2010, 16:41:58 »

Quote from: bigpook;147365

I never owned a car until I got married.

Word. Best reason in the world. Gotta ride with the babe.

spolia optima · « **Reply #56 on:** Sun, 03 January 2010, 05:24:15 »

Not just a Grand National, a GNX. The X is for performance.

Love the mav, mav
and the falcoln

geekhackers have three car types, it seems: the POS "spent all my money on keyboards" car; the really sweet new car with taste, class, and utility; and the vintage car, because many uf us prefer a finely aged piece of machinery- auto, keyboard, and probably libation too.

ricercar · « **Reply #57 on:** Sun, 03 January 2010, 15:25:10 »

My wife-made-me-buy-it was a Saturn Ion Redline. I had to give up my MR2 turbo for a 4-seater. She wouldn't let me carry any kids in the trunk.

spolia optima · « **Reply #58 on:** Sun, 03 January 2010, 15:29:37 »

The Ion Redline is a pretty kick-ass ride: for a chick car, that is. They're quick.

itlnstln · « **Reply #59 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 08:10:28 »

Quote from: bigpook;147365

I never owned a car until I got married. Living in NY I didn't need one. I was also something of a broke ****.
My wife had a '79 Buick Regal when I met her. It was one of the guido cars available at the time. I think the Monte Carlo was the preferred guido car though.

The I-ROC Z is the ultimate Guido car.

bigpook · « **Reply #60 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 08:17:48 »

Quote from: itlnstln;147748

The I-ROC Z is the ultimate Guido car.

: ) not in my neighborhood.

'74 monte carlo

itlnstln · « **Reply #61 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 08:30:58 »

That Monte Carlo is sweet. Is that yours?

bigpook · « **Reply #62 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 08:36:21 »

no. but there were a bunch of guys in the 'hood that had one. I think they are all dead now.

I should mention that the Monte Carlo has aged well. For me though, if I was so inclined, would be the Pontiac Fiero. Most people laugh when I mention that, but I really liked the look of it. Never drove one though.

itlnstln · « **Reply #63 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 09:17:25 »

I sort of liked the Fiero when I was a kid. These days, though, the Fiero seems liked an under-powered 80's sports car wannabe. I think they were prone to catastrophic mechanical failures, too.

bigpook · « **Reply #64 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 09:20:27 »

Quote from: itlnstln;147764

I sort of liked the Fiero when I was a kid. These days, though, the Fiero seems liked an under-powered 80's sports car wannabe. I think they were prone to catastrophic mechanical failures, too.

lol, yeah. I think the first model year ( '84?) was particularly bad. I think it red lined at 4K and had a tendency to burst into flames. The '87? '88? model had the kinks worked out but it was too late to save the brand.

If not the Fiero, a DeLorean would be nice too. The stainless steel body was nice. And John DeLorean the coke dealer added a certain something to the brand.

itlnstln · « **Reply #65 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 09:33:43 »

I would love to have a DeLorean; not just for the geek factor, either. They were pretty sweet cars. There was a Modern Marvels on the History Channel that talked about the DeLorean. It was pretty interesting. IIRC, they said that the high price of development (and, ultimately, the car) led to the failure of the company (moreso than the drug trafficking charges).

bigpook · « **Reply #66 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 09:40:24 »

Quote from: itlnstln;147773

I would love to have a DeLorean; not just for the geek factor, either. They were pretty sweet cars. There was a Modern Marvels on the History Channel that talked about the DeLorean. It was pretty interesting. IIRC, they said that the high price of development (and, ultimately, the car) led to the failure of the company (moreso than the drug trafficking charges).

I haven't seen that, need to check it out. The drug thing just made it more interesting. DeLorean was an interesting character; he had the balls to produce the car. I think the coke was to be sold, as he needed the money to continue operations?
I used to see them around in the '90's not so much anymore.

itlnstln · « **Reply #67 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 09:49:17 »

Wikipedia has a little more info on it, but it had something to do with selling company stock to get money to invest in a drug operation. He never "touched" the drugs, but was entrapped to finance the operation as an investment. The chargers were dropped due to entrapment.

bigpook · « **Reply #68 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 09:54:52 »

Quote from: itlnstln;147777

Wikipedia has a little more info on it, but it had something to do with selling company stock to get money to invest in a drug operation. He never "touched" the drugs, but was entrapped to finance the operation as an investment. The chargers were dropped due to entrapment.

yeah, I wasn't trying to paint him as the bad guy. It was 'interesting' if only because of his position. Normally, you get your underlings to handle the transaction with no possible trace back to you. If the underling gets busted, than you can have plausible deniability. I guess he was a take charge kind of guy.

bigpook · « **Reply #69 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 10:11:58 »

Quote from: ripster;147782

Guy at work had a DeLorean. The Stainless Steel didn't age well. Developed a weird patina.

I suppose that is possible. Maybe he needs some of this:

crappy pic

ricercar · « **Reply #70 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 10:45:35 »

I considered a $40K used DeLorean in 1997. Had a volvo engine, and that made me hesitate. Call me a purist. Also, during my due diligence, I read an article that quoted Delorean saying what amounted to "Whenever I got behind the wheel of a Porsche, I felt I could never match my skill to the machine. I made my car simpler so I wouldn't feel inadequate." That killed the deal for me. Who wants to buy a dumbed down car?

Looked at the Boxster for a nanosecond, bought my MR2 instead and saved $50,000. Vroom-vroom.

Shawn Stanford · « **Reply #71 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 10:49:49 »

Quote

Looked at the Boxster for a nanosecond, bought my MR2 instead and saved $50,000. Vroom-vroom.

There is no substitute...

Shawn Stanford · « **Reply #72 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 10:54:19 »

Quote from: ricercar;147800

Quote from: spolia optima;147483
Not just a Grand National, a GNX. The X is for performance.

The GNX should have a different grill badge, like so:
Show Image

I drove a new GN once; it was scary fast. The suspension and brakes were never meant to handle that sort of power.

itlnstln · « **Reply #73 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 11:10:07 »

The Monte Carlo SS felt the same way to me. Too much power for that car.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #74 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 11:20:33 »

Quote from: Shawn Stanford;147803

There is no substitute...
Show Image

that is, if they still made the cars that made them

D-EJ915 · « **Reply #75 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:02:33 »

I always have thought toyota's cowboy hat logo is the dumbest of the car companies

ricercar · « **Reply #76 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:09:50 »

I always thought Toyota stole Saturn's logo.

itlnstln · « **Reply #77 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:23:23 »

I thought Toyota had their logo before Saturn (I am probably wrong, though).

ricercar · « **Reply #78 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:39:17 »

Yes, the Toyota rings were around before Saturn, but not by much. 1987? I'm too lazy to google, and too forgetful to be certain.

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #79 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 17:29:21 »

Quote from: D-EJ915;147938

I always have thought toyota's cowboy hat logo is the dumbest of the car companies

now it is ruined for me

SCTony · « **Reply #80 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 18:29:20 »

"The Toyota logo is comprised of three ellipses, representing the heart of the customer, the heart of the product, and the ever expanding technological advancements and opportunities that lie ahead. Another interpretation is that it represents the three interlocking aspects of the culture of the company - freedom, team spirit, and progress. Also, in Japanese 'Toyo' means an abundance of, and 'ta' is rice (though the name Toyota was chosen as it was the founder's name, not for its literal meaning). In some Asian cultures, those blessed with an abundance of rice are believed to be blessed with great wealth."

Auto logo origins is interesting. Mercedes 3-pointed star: Land, Sea, Air

AndrewZorn · « **Reply #81 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 18:43:23 »

(in addition to the circles forming a T, of course)

yamaha is three tuning forks

Input Nirvana · « **Reply #82 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 18:50:20 »

Quote from: Shawn Stanford;147803

There is no substitute...
Show Image

I wholeheartedly agree that's mostly true, but the Boxtser isn't much of a Porsche (former owner/lease).

datamonger128 · « **Reply #83 on:** Mon, 04 January 2010, 22:23:03 »

I drive a 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis LS.

I plan on getting it painted in 2011, when my mom goes to "Sand Land". I'm not sure if I'll get the same color or get it painted black. I also plan on replacing the motor and transmission with brand new ones. When I get the new motor, I'm considering getting it bored out to a 5.0 just so I can have an overpowered 2 ton car.

Shawn Stanford · « **Reply #84 on:** Tue, 05 January 2010, 07:33:10 »

Quote

I wholeheartedly agree that's mostly true, but the Boxtser isn't much of a Porsche (former owner/lease).

How do you mean? Rear-engine, flat 6, ass-loads of fun; sounds like a Porsche to me! Did you any specific problems, and what are you comparing it to (Porsche-wise)?

Shawn Stanford · « **Reply #85 on:** Tue, 05 January 2010, 07:38:51 »

Quote from: ripster;148020

Show Image

I see Angels.

I don't...

itlnstln · « **Reply #86 on:** Wed, 06 January 2010, 12:52:41 »

Woah. That might be taking it a bit far. Do they make hydraulic shocks so you can make your own lowrider?

megarat · « **Reply #87 on:** Wed, 06 January 2010, 18:15:47 »

Superfluous Parentheses · « **Reply #88 on:** Sat, 09 January 2010, 19:07:47 »

I've got a Koga-Miyata Randonneur (2008 model)

bigpook · « **Reply #89 on:** Sat, 09 January 2010, 19:13:34 »

Quote from: Superfluous Parentheses;149668

I've got a Koga-Miyata Randonneur (2008 model)

neat, that looks like a nice ride.

Superfluous Parentheses · « **Reply #90 on:** Sat, 09 January 2010, 19:26:12 »

Quote from: bigpook;149672

neat, that looks like a nice ride.

It is. Best road bike I've ever had.

Kostamojen · « **Reply #91 on:** Sun, 10 January 2010, 02:26:14 »

And currently restoring:

datamonger128 · « **Reply #92 on:** Sun, 10 January 2010, 13:54:49 »

Quote from: kishy;149671

While you're at it, swap for a 5-speed from a Mustang GT.

Those cars rock, I desperately want a Crown Vic.

I would put a 5-speed in it, but I don't know how to drive a stick shift.

didjamatic · « **Reply #93 on:** Sun, 10 January 2010, 14:05:28 »

Installing a Manual transmission into most cars that have had an automatic is a royal pain in the butt. Going from Manual to Auto is much easier. You'd be better off selling it and getting one with a Manual if you want one. But having a "Cop car" is great because so many fleet vehicles are out there for parts and doing swaps.

didjamatic · « **Reply #94 on:** Sun, 10 January 2010, 16:34:50 »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrSdchWmri4

1839cc · « **Reply #95 on:** Mon, 11 January 2010, 00:00:24 »

Quote from: didjamatic;149842

Installing a Manual transmission into most cars that have had an automatic is a royal pain in the butt.

Depends on the car. I did that to mine and it was much easier that I would have thought.

In my case both transmissions used cable linkage, so I only had to change the one auto shift cable for the two manual shift cables. There were mount points already in the car for the transmission itself and shifter assembly and pedals.

whininggit · « **Reply #96 on:** Tue, 19 January 2010, 11:36:56 »

I currently drive a Citroen C3 1.4HDi diesel. A bit of a 'young mum car', but very economical (65MPG @55mph motorway), and since the company pays for all servicing and repairs, I don't really care about image.

My job is probably going to come to an end in a couple of months though, and then I have to find something to buy. Thinking about an Audi A4 at the moment.

If not for the running costs for one of these in the UK, I would have considered buying this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1995-FORD-SILVER_W0QQitemZ140375857903QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item20af0d9aef
I prefer the pre-1995 rear lights with the number plate in the bumper to this style though. Even cooler would be the earlier shape (when it was still the 'LTD'), but the chances of finding one of those in the UK is virtually nill, along with the other American cars I like - 1976/77 Pontiac LeMans and 1974 Dodge Monaco. But then I think they're a bit too conspicuous in the UK, and you get some arse who thinks it's clever to key it.

1839cc · « **Reply #97 on:** Mon, 08 February 2010, 13:20:25 »

Update: my car turns 20 this month. :biggrin:

itlnstln · « **Reply #98 on:** Mon, 08 February 2010, 14:38:42 »

Quote from: webwit;157085

Are you taking it out to dinner? The most romantic thing would be to rebuy it.

At the very least, he could have sex with his SO in the backseat. Show it some love!

If he doesn't have a SO, he could always rent one for the evening.

itlnstln · « **Reply #99 on:** Mon, 08 February 2010, 14:52:34 »

Ha! That movie was the first time I had heard the phrase "you can't polish a turd." I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time.

News:

Author Topic: Cars (Read 64661 times)