Car Thread

[Joey Quinn]

Thanks! Illinois doesn't require a front plate so we can get away with it here. A few near by states do but I carry the spare plate and mount for it in the trunk as a "I just haven't had time to add it yet" excuse, never been given a ticket or written warning for it, only verbal warnings.

You guys are lucky.  I wish we didn't require a front plate here.  I never run one, but yeah...)  Haven't put my plates on the S4, yet. Trying to see how long I can get away with it.

Have you ever used one of these?

[Sent]

Yeah, I thought about it before when a friend showed his off. It's pretty slick but I prefer to live dangerously, Joey. )

It's really not that bad, anymore.  When I had my Evo's, it was a nightmare and gave cops an excuse to pull me over.  Now, they mostly just ignore me, to be honest.

[Joey Quinn]

Yeah, I thought about it before when a friend showed his off. It's pretty slick but I prefer to live dangerously, Joey. )

It's really not that bad, anymore.  When I had my Evo's, it was a nightmare and gave cops an excuse to pull me over.  Now, they mostly just ignore me, to be honest.

Probably the cop's line of thought.

Audi = successful

Evo = probably drugs in the car or breaking some other law

[katushkin]

Have you ever used one of these?

I've seen those before, but they look better if you have a grille with big openings and it comes out of there rather than out from underneath.

As an aside, Kat, where are you finding coils for that cheap?   Holy moley, lol. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-Golf-Mk2-Mk3-JOM-Coilovers-Kit-741000-/400488244015?hash=item5d3ef5a32f:g:gTEAAOSwnDZT70LX

[noisyturtle]

After 11 years of not driving I'm retaking my driver's test next month. Hopefully car ownership will soon follow.

[smithyithy]

Good luck man

[katushkin]

After 11 years of not driving I'm retaking my driver's test next month. Hopefully car ownership will soon follow.

Good luck dude. How come you haven't driven for so long?

[Joey Quinn]

Have you ever used one of these?

I've seen those before, but they look better if you have a grille with big openings and it comes out of there rather than out from underneath.

Totally agree, that was just the first video I found that was only the plate moving instead of a long into or a few min of install.

I think R8s look decent with a front plate, or at least better than most other sports cars.

[noisyturtle]

After 11 years of not driving I'm retaking my driver's test next month. Hopefully car ownership will soon follow.

Good luck dude. How come you haven't driven for so long?

Sold my truck when I decided to move and go to school. I lived and worked so close by I haven't really needed one, but the inconvenience is really wearing thin at this point.

Plus it's really difficult to date w/o a vehicle.

[katushkin]

Totally agree, that was just the first video I found that was only the plate moving instead of a long into or a few min of install.

I think R8s look decent with a front plate, or at least better than most other sports cars.

Yeah, I think the older one looks better than the new one with a front plate. But then we also have a lot larger plates than you guys do.

Sold my truck when I decided to move and go to school. I lived and worked so close by I haven't really needed one, but the inconvenience is really wearing thin at this point.

Plus it's really difficult to date w/o a vehicle.

Well that's fair enough. Probably saved you a ton of money not having one as well. But I can imagine especially in America that not owning a car can be pretty ****.

[xantiema]

After 11 years of not driving I'm retaking my driver's test next month. Hopefully car ownership will soon follow.

Good luck dude. How come you haven't driven for so long?

Sold my truck when I decided to move and go to school. I lived and worked so close by I haven't really needed one, but the inconvenience is really wearing thin at this point.

Plus it's really difficult to date w/o a vehicle.

Ain't that the truth  )

[TacticalCoder]

Have you ever used one of these?

I dreamed of using one since forever but sadly in my country (and several european countries) there's a tricky law that if " a device hooked to the car" (or some wording like that) is used to hide the plate (plate hiding like in your example, or bright light saturating the plate on pictures, or stuff put on top of the plate to make picture impossible to read, etc., then your car can be confiscated and sold : (

[Jae-3soteric]

This is my weekend runabout.


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[funderburker]

This is my weekend runabout.

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[UsualSuspectXXX]

This is my weekend runabout.

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Hell yeah! I've always wanted a old school Z

[Jae-3soteric]

[/quote]

Hell yeah! I've always wanted a old school Z
[/quote]
Thanks man we have been having some sun here in the Uk for a change so I've actually managed to drive her! Sat in the work car park now just waiting for 5pm!!


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[Sent]

This is my weekend runabout.

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Very sexy.  :thumb:

[Sent]

Being one of the first ones to have a car is always fun.  Test-fitting some parts that are more or less production ready.

[katushkin]

This is my weekend runabout.

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Daaaaaaamn Daniel. That's beautiful. How do you get away with the silver and black plate in the UK?

Being one of the first ones to have a car is always fun.  Test-fitting some parts that are more or less production ready.

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Mate. That's perfect. The rear fitment is on POINT.

[Jae-3soteric]

Daaaaaaamn Daniel. That's beautiful. How do you get away with the silver and black plate in the uk?
[/quote]


Legal now once the car is 40 years old due to rolling tax exemption.


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[katushkin]

Oh ****, i didn't realise it was that old!

[Jae-3soteric]

Oh ****, i didn't realise it was that old!

Yeah it's a 1976 car


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[jonathanyu]

Being one of the first ones to have a car is always fun.  Test-fitting some parts that are more or less production ready.

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usually i dont like aftermarket rims, but i think this one match your car really good

[Sent]

Mate. That's perfect. The rear fitment is on POINT.

The set up is actually bit more sunk in than I'd like.  I'm going to see if I can run some wider rubber.  We went a bit conservative since basically no one has wheel specs on this thing, yet.  Well, there's some, but they're all over the place.  

usually i dont like aftermarket rims, but i think this one match your car really good

Thanks!

[Sent]

I love foam cannons.

[katushkin]

So I'm going to fit my new wheels this month, and I've just looked at all the spacers I have for them. One of the spacers threads are ****ed so I might have to get completely new ones which are like £63 a pair. Not too bad but then that's £200 on tires as well, and my car needs a service as it sounds like ****...

[vivalarevolución]

I bought a scooter last fall.  It's only 150cc, but it's been fun for getting around town.  I attracted my first scooter groupie today, as I attempted to politely allow a woman to cross the street in front of me, but instead she took off her headphones and mouthed "I like your bike".  So I just took off from the stop because I wanted to get to the store sooner rather than later.

But scooters don't fit the need for speed, so looks like I have to get a motorcycle now.  Addictions are tough to beat.

On a related note, anybody want a 150cc scooter with 120o miles and less than a year old?

[smithyithy]

Been having some fun on this the past few weeks:



MINI goes back in 5-ish weeks 

[katushkin]

Been having some fun on this the past few weeks:

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MINI goes back in 5-ish weeks  :(

It's been bloody lovely for a bike cruise recently. I was in Snowdonia yesterday and was very jealous of all the bikes that were out.

I had to order an exhaust for my car after I smashed it off a friend's drive a few weeks ago. My garage couldn't find it from any of their suppliers so i had to order it for them hah. That on top of the service I wanted to put it through means I don't know if i'm going to be able to get tyres for my wheels this month but I bought some bolts for my spacers which I just discovered one of them has ****ed threads... So i'm going to have to buy some more... Even more money...

[kishy]

So, uh. I have a problem lol. Bought another one:

[katushkin]

Duuuude, what on earth is that?

[kishy]

Duuuude, what on earth is that?

1985 Ford LTD Country Squire. Mechanical sibling of Ford Crown Victoria/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Car.

There are a few on your side of the pond, but they're few and far between for obvious reasons.

[UsualSuspectXXX]

So, uh. I have a problem lol. Bought another one:

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Looks like a fine fixer-upper. Now chop that top and slam the suspension ;)



/s

[smithyithy]

Been having some fun on this the past few weeks:

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MINI goes back in 5-ish weeks  :(

It's been bloody lovely for a bike cruise recently. I was in Snowdonia yesterday and was very jealous of all the bikes that were out.

I had to order an exhaust for my car after I smashed it off a friend's drive a few weeks ago. My garage couldn't find it from any of their suppliers so i had to order it for them hah. That on top of the service I wanted to put it through means I don't know if i'm going to be able to get tyres for my wheels this month but I bought some bolts for my spacers which I just discovered one of them has ****ed threads... So i'm going to have to buy some more... Even more money...

Yeah there were loads out the other day, pretty cool.

I need 1 - possibly 2 new tyres for the MINI before it goes back, and they're stupid runflat things that cost like £130/each  :eek:

I need to find out if I definitely have to fit the same tyres for when it goes back, or if I can get away with something cheap.. Budget brand are £40/each in the same size  :confused:

[katushkin]

Is it a lease? Yeah I would check deep in your contract, because that would suck if you have to put run flats back on. How much was it setting you back if you don't mind me asking? Did you have any mileage limitations and did you have to pay for your own servicing?

My dad just got a new car.



After test driving a Passat and a Lexus saloon, he went for a Scirocco.

Also got a new exhaust. Stock but I really want to take my car off the road soon so I didn't fancy getting an expensive one I was just going to change at a later date.

[smithyithy]

Is it a lease? Yeah I would check deep in your contract, because that would suck if you have to put run flats back on. How much was it setting you back if you don't mind me asking? Did you have any mileage limitations and did you have to pay for your own servicing?

It's on PCP finance, it was a kinda weird setup because I specced the car quite expensive and didn't pay any deposit up front, so it was all put into the monthly repayment, which is £440/month, but I get £350/month car allowance in lieu of a company car. Still have to pay my own insurance and road tax, but overall it doesn't cost me that much each month. I included 'MINI TLC' in the purchase which is 4 years standard servicing for like £350. Mileage limit is decided when buying and factors into the price, mine is 15k per annum.

But if I factor in how much I pay each month, say £90 for the car, £12 tax, £50 insurance, £120 petrol, plus tyres (I got 3 punctures in as many months - talk about bad luck!), call it £270, it does add up. Compared to a company car which you simply pay tax out of your monthly salary which averages at about £60/month for the cars in my band, and they're a lot more economical so estimate £80/month fuel.. So about £140/month.. That's £130/month saved, straight into my house fund.

I'm cutting back wherever I can now, gotta move out eventually. I think as I get closer to being able to buy, hobbies and other expenses will have to be dialled down, but I'm starting with the car. There's only a couple that interest me of the ones available tbh.

I couldn't find anything in the paperwork about the run-flats, so I spoke to BMW Financial Services who the finance is through and kinda played dumb but basically asked if I need to replace the tyres like-for-like and he basically said it doesn't matter, the inspection is just to make sure the car is roadworthy and not damaged, he was really casual about it.. So I've bought a cheap brand non-run-flat. Fingers crossed it's okay. Took the personalised plate off and put it on retention certificate (£80 privilege, lovely..).

Cars look sweet by the way dude, always liked Sciroccos, my sister was looking at them recently, we viewed a white one with saddle brown leather, very smart.

[katushkin]

Ah yeah, I just assumed when you said you were giving it back that it was on a lease, but if you are going full company car then it makes sense. I've looked a lot into PCP as I thought that's what I was going for next year, but that's cheap for a PCP with no deposit.

Good news you didn't have to put run flats on! And also you only have to pay the one off fee for the plate now, and not a retention fee every year which is good i guess.

Yeah, he wanted a car within a pretty short time window, like a few weeks, and fortunately VW just had a Scirocco get off the boat a couple of weeks ago so he went for that. Its only a GT with no added extras but he's going to get them to put cruise control on and he will be happy.

[vivalarevolución]

So, uh. I have a problem lol. Bought another one:

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Hu

So, uh. I have a problem lol. Bought another one:

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Hubba hubba.

I'm hoping the station wagon makes a comeback.  America is currently CUV/ SUV obsessed, but an inevitable rise in gas prices will change the car market, like it always does.  Wagons/hatchbacks just aren't a good seller in America, unless it's a Subaru Outback.

[funderburker]

So, uh. I have a problem lol. Bought another one:

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Hu

So, uh. I have a problem lol. Bought another one:

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Hubba hubba.

I'm hoping the station wagon makes a comeback.  America is currently CUV/ SUV obsessed, but an inevitable rise in gas prices will change the car market, like it always does.  Wagons/hatchbacks just aren't a good seller in America, unless it's a Subaru Outback.

Is the prices really so low that everyone can drive a SUV? I gotta say that the SUV trend in EU is starting to annoy me. I'm more of a estate car (soon to be husband/dad) and I just can't see me getting a SUV unless I live in the middle of nowhere. I get that other US states need them because of being rough terrains but an SUV for a city lad/-y is just stupid both size and gas wise. Especially when a lot of the city SUV's (Toyota Rav4 or BMW X4 for example) is a lot less spacious than any estate car.
 

[vivalarevolución]

Is the prices really so low that everyone can drive a SUV? I gotta say that the SUV trend in EU is starting to annoy me. I'm more of a estate car (soon to be husband/dad) and I just can't see me getting a SUV unless I live in the middle of nowhere. I get that other US states need them because of being rough terrains but an SUV for a city lad/-y is just stupid both size and gas wise. Especially when a lot of the city SUV's (Toyota Rav4 or BMW X4 for example) is a lot less spacious than any estate car.

I had to look up what you meant by estate car.

Yea, gas is about $2.00-$2.50/gallon in my part of the country, which I figure is way under a euro per litre in European terms. Even then, the automakers are squeezing decent mileage figures out of the SUV/CUV. In addition, the prices of the SUV/CUV are competitive with sedans, the automakers are always offering big sales.  In the USA, SUV sales actually were greater than sedan sales for the first time ever last year.

But these are not really SUVs, in the traditional sense.  They are built on unibody car frames, not the body-on-frames that traditional SUVs are built on, and have all-wheel drive rather than true four-wheel drive. The SUV/CUV you see on the road these days are essentially elevated sedans with shorter, taller bodies.  For the rougher terrain that you speak of, these car-frame SUVs cannot handle a rough road for an extended distance.  And most of the population lives in cities and suburbs, so they don't need the extra ground clearance except for the occassional heavy snow.  Even in that situation, it's questionable whether an SUV is needed for city driving.

Americans buy SUVs because the higher riding position makes them feel safer (despite the fact that other things will increase their safety), they think that they need the ground clearance for snow, and the extra interior space.  Truth is, most of these people would be perfectly fine with a hatchback or station wagon or minivan for extra space, get a set of snow tires for the winter months, and learn how to drive safer.  But we don't buy the vehicle for what we need; we buy the vehicle what we want and think we need.  Personally, I think the modern SUV/CUV suck to drive and are a compromising mish-mash of the characteristics of sedans, station wagons, vans, and traditional SUVs.  They do a mediocre job at everything, but not a great job at anything.

I can't comment on what the car buying habits and trends are in Europe, but I imagine it's a bit more practical.

[dante]

Americans buy SUVs because the higher riding position makes them feel safer (despite the fact that other things will increase their safety), they think that they need the ground clearance for snow, and the extra interior space.  Truth is, most of these people would be perfectly fine with a hatchback or station wagon or minivan for extra space, get a set of snow tires for the winter months, and learn how to drive safer.  But we don't buy the vehicle for what we need; we buy the vehicle what we want and think we need.  Personally, I think the modern SUV/CUV suck to drive and are a compromising mish-mash of the characteristics of sedans, station wagons, vans, and traditional SUVs.  They do a mediocre job at everything, but not a great job at anything.

You should stop buying mechanical keyboards.  You would be perfectly fine with a rubber dome.

[katushkin]

I think SUVs are a status thing. There's also the thought (often wrong) that SUVs are safer for all occupants, but in reality some of the smaller passenger cars are just as safe. In Europe though they've started putting smaller, less powerful engines in them meaning that the fuel economy is better. My Mum used to have a 2L naturally aspirated petrol engine in her Honda CRV and it was truly, truly awful. Just so wimpy and lacking in power that it shouldn't have been in a car that big at all.

Also a guy I work with has a Range Rover and it's tiny inside. I have more legroom in my Golf in the front passenger seat.

[dante]

I think SUVs are a status thing. There's also the thought (often wrong) that SUVs are safer for all occupants, but in reality some of the smaller passenger cars are just as safe. In Europe though they've started putting smaller, less powerful engines in them meaning that the fuel economy is better. My Mum used to have a 2L naturally aspirated petrol engine in her Honda CRV and it was truly, truly awful. Just so wimpy and lacking in power that it shouldn't have been in a car that big at all.

Also a guy I work with has a Range Rover and it's tiny inside. I have more legroom in my Golf in the front passenger seat.

Regarding SUV's being a status symbol you could make the same argument that any car - luxury or not - could be a status symbol.

Yes the interior of the Range Rover is small ...... and?  Are you saying you are taking the interior dimensions of the RR and applying it to every SUV out there?

Let people buy what they want to buy.

You are not everyone.

[katushkin]

Regarding SUV's being a status symbol you could make the same argument that any car - luxury or not - could be a status symbol.

Yes the interior of the Range Rover is small ...... and?  Are you saying you are taking the interior dimensions of the RR and applying it to every SUV out there?

Let people buy what they want to buy.

You are not everyone.

Huh? Have I touched a nerve with you or something? I'm joining in with the discussion about why I think there's a trend in buying SUVs.

You really think a Range Rover or a BMW X6 is a comparable status symbol to this?



I think SOME people buy SUVs because of a perceived sense of status that surrounds them.

No, i'm saying that i'm taking the interior of a particularly large SUV that i've previously sat in, and saying that it's tiny. The Audi Q7 is big inside, and my Mum's CRV was pretty big inside too, did I make it sound like I was applying the size inside a RR to all SUVs?

I've not told anyone they shouldn't buy an SUV. I've stated some of my experiences and I think that from my experiences with MOST people who buy SUVs, they don't need them for practicality purposes, they dont need them for safety purposes, they get them for other reasons. What could those reasons be? Maybe they like the look of the cars. They aren't fuel efficient, they aren't practical on European roads if you don't need the space or go off road, so what else would be the reason?

I'm just stating my opinion and not telling anybody else what to do so what's your ****ing problem?

[kishy]

Wow, all that because I posted my new wagon?!

SUVs, CUVs, bleh. I like very large vehicles, but in different proportions...long, wide and low* with a level belt line front to rear and large greenhouse.
*: "Low" referring to the overall height of the vehicle, not specifically to ride height

As for status symbols, I don't think typical SUVs serve that purpose...unless "soccer mom" is the intended status you want to convey...minivans, SUVs and 4-door-cab-pickups all say "soccer mom" to me even if that generalization is poorly founded. Put an expensive badge on it and I just think "soccer mom with disposable income".

Anyway, I picked up that wagon for free* (*: assorted fees and costs associated with trailering it home, aside). It isn't running and hasn't ran in 5 years, give or take. South Carolina car, moved up to Ohio, then here to Ontario where I bought it from the previous owner. Underside is pretty decent considering it was never oil sprayed. Trunk pan needs body work but at least it's not totally rotted out so I have something to start with. Interior needs to be powerwashed and the carpet is now sitting on the roof awaiting me getting around to it. I'm thinking $1200 from current to road-ready. No rush, though. I'm currently at 6 vehicles and the project list is long, long, long.

[smithyithy]

Bit of a project you've got yourself there dude, I do like the wood-panel American cars though, there's something charming about them..

Regarding the SUV thing, I do see the trend, I don't really know why they're so popular but they are everywhere, I think the Nissan Qashqai is like the best selling car in the UK, if not one of the best.. I don't necessarily mind cars like that, but you do notice how much bloody space they take up, when you've got a tiny narrow English street packed full of X-Trails, Q7s, XC90s etc, there's no bloody room left  )

I prefer the Japanese approach of tiny cars, in fact I've never owned anything bigger than a 5-door hatch, I had a Renault Captur for a couple months from work and it was noddy. Basically a bloated Clio on stilts.

But regarding the status thing I tend to see it more with badges than car size. It's really apparent when you work with or around a lot of 'professional' types but there's quite a funny mindset that the German brands are superior to all.. I mean I don't mind them, they make some nice cars, but y'know... it's a badge, who cares?  )

I've pushed my changeover back so I'm keeping the MINI for another month, at least I get to blast around the summer for another month 

[kishy]

Bit of a project you've got yourself there dude, I do like the wood-panel American cars though, there's something charming about them..

Don't I know it. They don't come up often near me though, so I figured one way or another I'd spend the [time or money].

Buy locally in good shape for too much $
vs
Buy locally in bad shape for little $ but invest a lot in effort putting it on the road
vs
Buy far away in good shape for little $ but incur large transport costs

I'd rather put the effort in myself. As for cosmetics, I kind of like the "distressed" look so I don't mind that it looks a little rough. I've made the mistake previously of buying a cosmetically perfect car and realized quickly that it's a chore to keep them nice. Winters are not kind to them, and other drivers in parking lots just love to slam their doors into them.

[dgneo]

Is it a lease? Yeah I would check deep in your contract, because that would suck if you have to put run flats back on. How much was it setting you back if you don't mind me asking? Did you have any mileage limitations and did you have to pay for your own servicing?

My dad just got a new car.

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After test driving a Passat and a Lexus saloon, he went for a Scirocco.

Also got a new exhaust. Stock but I really want to take my car off the road soon so I didn't fancy getting an expensive one I was just going to change at a later date.

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Still jelly they never brought the new 'roccos to USA

And here's a shot of my buddy's MINI

[Zobeid Zuma]

I've explored opposite ends of the automotive spectrum.



2010 Tesla Roadster and 1949 Dodge Power Wagon

[tristinDLC]

An old photo that doesn't show some current updates (including new wheels), but it's one of the nicer images I have of her...

My 1969 Datsun 510 Bluebird