Miscellaneous Stuff

[speedpimp]

Ouch. How long ago?

[MR2 Fan]

I didn't know this existed!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTPb0UOG2EQ

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwE1nv4XgAAFfAT.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwE1nv1XoAIjnDm.jpg

[dodint]

How do you tow the racecar? Sling?

[speedpimp]

How do you tow the racecar? Sling?

Exactly!

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-MGUXwAAtGq0.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-MP0XwAAhSEH.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-MYVWAAA3TQp.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-MgvXoAE10sT.jpg

Oldsmobile's flagship Ninety-Eight Regency adopted front-wheel-drive for 1985, with a significantly downsized body featuring the formal styling enthusiastically embraced by both GM and Chrysler at the time, characterised by a very upright rear window. (https://twitter.com/addict_car/status/1658800424298729472)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-MyiX0AETjbF.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-M_EXgAAmVSC.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-NGyWYAEj-Dl.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-NPHWIAYq795.jpg

In the complicated GM hierarchy in North America, Oldsmobile firmly occupied the middle ground. The latest Ninety-Eight (the 11th generation) came in standard (3.0 V6) and Brougham (3.8 V6) models, with coupé or sedan body styles.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-NkWWcAAUFsa.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-NtPXsAIXr2q.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-N1qWwAEm0PD.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwU-N_hXoAAa2pI.jpg

While these new generation GM models outwardly looked far more modern than their predecessors, they had some very typically American interior features, including a strip speedometer (even in optional electronic form) as well as divided full-foam velour or leather seats.

[Tom Servo]

That's right about the same time all the coolest watches also had calculators. The calculator lobby must have been very powerful back then.

[George]

Youse don't mess wit organized math, capiche?

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fwa9VhTXgAI6wWc.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwZT5efWYAAEQJq.jpg

Happy Birthday to us! J.H. Haynes & Co Ltd was founded by John Haynes #OTD in 1960. #Didyouknow the first new title published by the company was High Speed Driving…

[Tom Servo]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fwa9VhTXgAI6wWc.jpg

What's the X axis? Number of vehicles sold?

[Godson]

Polestar sold as many as Alfa Romeo...

Woof

[Tom Servo]

If that is number of cars sold, Volvo's doing way, way better than I thought they were. That said, I'm getting the same vibe I got when we bought the RAV, we didn't realize how commonplace they were until we had one. I see XC90s and XC60s all over the place here.

[MR2 Fan]

I didn't realize Lexus numbers were so far down vs the competition? Just "too boring"? or is the really bad spindle design that only works on the LC500?

[TheBenior]

Lexus is not especially big outside of the North American and Chinese (which was surprising to me) markets. (https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/lexus/36815721.html)

[MR2 Fan]

I suppose that does make sense, in Europe it's probably a lot less competitive due to the more "domestic" regional competition. I don't know if there's a big cost difference also due to imports etc.

[TheBenior]

Lexus reliability is also probably less of a selling point in countries with drivers averaging far fewer miles than Americans do. A VW/Audi 2.0T FSI cam follower wearing out and causing camshaft/fuel pump damage by 60k miles is a less frequent problem if you only drive 5k miles per year.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwuRDeuWwAEkLh5.jpg

Aston, Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche produce legendary vehicles. But they are quite different when it is about their financial situation. Will the Saudis revert the red figures from Aston Martin and McLaren? Source: OEMs financial statements 2022 (https://twitter.com/lovecarindustry/status/1660580972209881088)

[Tom Servo]

I'm trying to figure out how you can lose money on each car sold in that situation. If you're losing 25K per car but it's already outrageously expensive, why not just charge 30K more for the car? Is anybody buying these cars really being price-conscious?

[Kchrpm]

I think it's because a lot of that is fixed costs, which doesn't go up or down much based on the number of cars manufactured. Maybe if they sold 50% more cars, that would flip the negative to positive.

Conversely, if they charged 30 grand more, maybe the volume would go down 20% and the fixed costs would be even more of a problem.

[MR2 Fan]

Yeah, I think with small manufacturers, they can't just increase production if costs are higher than expected. Also, that makes the cars less rare, and less appealing if hundreds more are produced (for those who purchase based on a car's rarity)

I would guess someone like McLaren shares a lot of components between their various cars though, it certainly seems that way in their lineup!

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwzoNfAX0AAVXCT.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fwyx2CEXwAA3vgZ.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fwxv75bXoAUOwAd.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwhRsvxXgAEPed2.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwhRs6wXwAAccq9.jpg

Very little info but apparently an AMG One caught on fire while on a tow truck (https://twitter.com/aKellyBrand/status/1659666296366149633)

[Godson]

Would it be called and AMG -One

?

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxNXDjGWYAAlLwO.jpg

When motorsport photographers shoot buses @xynamic (https://twitter.com/BritishGT/status/1662772512357228545)

[Godson]

Paging russ!

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxX8B39WAAMOcsW.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FxcaXLrXsAAeQMT.jpg

https://twitter.com/Seancockram/status/1663827574814916609

[Yw-slayer]

Ah, when I see old ads like that I think of the days of, uh, magazines. Of various types.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyIPI7cWwAAp7ep.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyQGHGaWAAA799B.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FyVKQGqXwAAOeiZ.jpg

Just a little note to all the nay-sayers out there. I managed a huge 300 miles without fault in my new Range Rover! (https://twitter.com/ListerLawrence/status/1667820957069606913)

[MR2 Fan]

Random thought: Saw something that said if Marty from Back to the Future went back in time from today, he'd go back to 1993 which is scary.

However, my thought was, if Doc Brown wanted to choose a stylish car from the modern era instead of the DeLorean (and for the sake of argument, let's ignore the "new" DeLoreans), what might he choose?

I don't know if there's any GOOD answers here that could replace the original but just wanted to see people's thoughts.

[Kchrpm]

Stylish yet relatively slow 2 door?

Miata? Toybaru?

[MR2 Fan]

Stylish yet relatively slow 2 door?

Miata? Toybaru?

2 door and 2 seater? (which makes it funny when they were stuck with Marty's girlfriend for the sequel)

Alfa Romeo 4C?

Lotus Elise?

BMW i8? (Would work better if it wasn't already in Mission Impossible) but it has funky doors, unique look, sort of rare

[TheBenior]

Out of those, I'd say BMW i8. They look futuristic, and may not be as rare as the other two, but are still pretty rare in most of the US.

I think I saw at least as many BMW i8s on my 2017 SoCal trip than I have in Chicago since then.

[Kchrpm]

The i8 just seems too expensive to me, but it does tick many other boxes.

[Tom Servo]

The i8 is one of those cars that was absolutely everywhere here when it first came out, and less than a year later you never saw any of them. A little like the Lamborghini Urus, that suddenly was commonplace and just as suddenly, you almost never see it.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fy0urwRXsAI2YLE.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fy0u7W2XgAEjLPR.jpg

A very happy 120th birthday to Ford Motor Company from #DavesCarIDService! It was 39 year old Henry Ford's 3rd try at starting a car company, after the failures of Detroit Automobile Co and The Henry Ford Co, but this one was the charm. A company that truly changed history. (https://twitter.com/iowahawkblog/status/1670079287678976000)

*pictured above, the two earliest Ford ads I know of, both for Ford's first production model, the 1903-04 Model A (not to be confused with the later 1928-31 Model A). Various prototype and production models cycled thru the alphabet until the game-changing 1908 Model T.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fy0xpz0XwAIuLZg.jpg

Yep, that script "Ford" logo has been used almost from Day 1. The cheap, reliable Model T revolutionized the car market. 15 million units were sold in its 20 year run, capturing at its peak 50% of global car sales, which means half of my pre-1930 car IDs are kind of a layup.

Henry Ford was far from the "inventor" of the car; in 1903 Detroit was already awash in fledgling car makers. His true innovation was the moving assembly line, inspired by his time as engineer at an Edison light bulb factory. Created economies of scale and affordable cars.

[neanderthal]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fy0urwRXsAI2YLE.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fy0u7W2XgAEjLPR.jpg

A very happy 120th birthday to Ford Motor Company from #DavesCarIDService! It was 39 year old Henry Ford's 3rd try at starting a car company, after the failures of Detroit Automobile Co and The Henry Ford Co, but this one was the charm. A company that truly changed history. (https://twitter.com/iowahawkblog/status/1670079287678976000)

*pictured above, the two earliest Ford ads I know of, both for Ford's first production model, the 1903-04 Model A (not to be confused with the later 1928-31 Model A). Various prototype and production models cycled thru the alphabet until the game-changing 1908 Model T.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fy0xpz0XwAIuLZg.jpg

Yep, that script "Ford" logo has been used almost from Day 1. The cheap, reliable Model T revolutionized the car market. 15 million units were sold in its 20 year run, capturing at its peak 50% of global car sales, which means half of my pre-1930 car IDs are kind of a layup.

Henry Ford was far from the "inventor" of the car; in 1903 Detroit was already awash in fledgling car makers. His true innovation was the moving assembly line, inspired by his time as engineer at an Edison light bulb factory. Created economies of scale and affordable cars.

Ostensibly also created the American middle class by paying his workers more.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Fwg18RWWIBIu6Jk.jpg

[dodint]

That's my favorite button in the car.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FziOBJTakAYFVbV.jpg

[speedpimp]

4124

[Phil_SS]

Wow!

no way that is legal.......

[XHawkeye]

The internet says you can do it 30 of 50 states.

[dodint]

Generally the flat ones.

[Leon]

far out, that is a massive accident waiting to happen!

[George]

Someone has more money than common sense.

[dodint]

We studied a case in law school about trucks that carry triple trailers. They have lots where they'll stop and deposit the third trailer when crossing into a state that outlaws them. Pretty interesting. I don't see them as often anymore.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0XuQ1FWYAkuzEI.jpg

[Phil_SS]

We studied a case in law school about trucks that carry triple trailers. They have lots where they'll stop and deposit the third trailer when crossing into a state that outlaws them. Pretty interesting. I don't see them as often anymore.

I used to see the extra trailers parked when I was a kid at the exit off the Ohio turnpike for Geneva, OH, old exit 14, Exit 209. There was a big parking lot there because the next couple exits didn’t have the space and PA didn’t allow them.

Thus when we would drive to my Aunt and Uncle’s place in Detroit we would see them going that way all the time.

I can’t tell you the last time I saw one when I traveled that direction. Have to wonder if the insurance companies killed them.

[dodint]

Hah, neat.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FwqXbQDWcAEx3qR.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1A4SkEacAAl4Sq.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1A4SkEaQAE5giK.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1A4SkGaUAAoty9.jpg

[Kchrpm]

Wow.

[MR2 Fan]

wonder if they're planning to modify the rear of it too...I think that would help, but not bad

[Godson]

I uh.....


Hard pass

[CudaMan]

Yeah it's only half done so it's two completely different things happening. Odd.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1QZbKiWAAAKfUr.jpg

[TheBenior]

Big Altima Energy confirmed by IIHS.

4128

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1W2khUagAMzqmj.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1PBKXpX0AA9aha.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1K9B_tWcAEaZHj.jpg

https://oldmachinepress.com/2014/12/06/christie-v-4-engine-1907-racer

[pl8ster]

That thing is batshit insane. I love it.

[dodint]

If Steampunk was a car.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F0KL1D5XsAEUQ9z.jpg

[MR2 Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN_QUdy_aqU

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F1q1tw5WIAQmGmu.jpg

Piccadilly Circus, London, 1910.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FpPE_0IXoAEws9q.jpg

Designed by Italdesign, the Lancia Orca was presented in 1982 on the mechanics of the Delta and its style anticipated that of the medium-sized sedans of the following years.

[XHawkeye]

Fun video if you're a Honda fanboy.

EP3 Type R chasing an EF with a B18C

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PtUjgDqacM&t=199s <--- Click link to watch the lap and skip the preliminaries.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PtUjgDqacM&t=201s

==========

the EF lap


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62pACef2BHI

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2DBG7hb0AQiZhP.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2DDA9PagAE03DG.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2DDF9LaEAI384D.jpg

Top of the US Ford Granada range was the GLX, with a facia featuring 'dark walnut woodtone appliques'. The 2-door is shown here with turbine wheel covers. The brochure added its 'rich exterior blackout trim brings out the full flavour of GLX's classic low-profile appearance'. (https://twitter.com/addict_car/status/1684563167954051080)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2DF1TsagAA4v9C.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2DF9QXb0AIRUkI.jpg

The 2.3-litre Granada range started off with and L trim level, and there was also a GL. The range proved short-lived, being dropped after the 1982 model year, perhaps because buyers could see it was little more than an slightly more upmarket version of the cheaper Ford Fairmont.

[pl8ster]

I forgot about that last Granada. Now it looks like something straight out of GTA.

[Yw-slayer]

Surely you mean *THE OTHER WAY AROUND* DUN DUN DUN

[Phil_SS]

Fun video if you're a Honda fanboy.

EP3 Type R chasing an EF with a B18C

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PtUjgDqacM&t=199s <--- Click link to watch the lap and skip the preliminaries.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PtUjgDqacM&t=201s

==========

the EF lap


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62pACef2BHI


1: VTEC! Oh shit that’s fast!
2: Wonder what a EP3 Civic Type R goes for nowadays. The EK3 Type R are now importable and the EP are not far behind.

[MR2 Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCzCqqVGQYE

[JoeW]

https://youtu.be/rf9jL7UgiDo

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F2x4KGZXUAAWfCG.jpg

[MR2 Fan]

Finally an EV I can appreciate!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggjoFyA_V68

[Phil_SS]

Yeah, that is all kinds of hot.

Unfortunately it probably won't be sold in America.

[MR2 Fan]

:(

[Yw-slayer]

But freedom?

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3Esol-WIAAfPCG.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3JtUEVWcAMcqGY.jpg

[retsmah]

Apologies if this is a repost, I'm like 90% sure I initially found these links via youtube, but I've been scanning the last few pages of this thread nervous that I'm just reposting something I initially saw here a day or two ago!


I recently found Resolve-EV (https://www.resolve-ev.com/ev-conversions), they sell a really interesting aftermarket controller that works with Nissan Leaf components to allow you to do a pretty affordable EV conversion without needing to be an electrical engineer, or having to deal with swapping every single sensor and screen over to get a stock control unit to be happy.

I've had my 1987 MR2 since 2003 or so, it's been off the road for several years now and I've recently started working on getting it road worthy again. I've been bouncing around a lot on what direction I want to go with it, the short term is I'd like to just get it moving under it's own power with the 4A-GE so I can get it in and out of the garage. Longer term I've looked at lot at Honda K series conversions. A Leaf based conversion is obviously a very different direction, but also interesting.


Also on the Leaf front, this Leaf (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVlMxQaAf-k) with the stock powertrain driving the front wheels and a Kawasaki ZX-10R engine driving the back wheels is, I think, pretty brilliant.

[CudaMan]

An interesting idea! Leafs are not fast, but in an AW11 that powertrain is probably sufficient and as quick or quicker than a stock 4AGE (but you would miss out on the lovely sound when T-VIS kicks in ;)).

The 2AR-FE is also a good option for these cars without getting too crazy.

[retsmah]

Russ mentioned that as well over on Facebook! Without knowing all the details it seems like the 2AR-FE would be about the same mount of work as a K series, it must be less expensive though.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4OtrGPboAAG-gf.jpg

[Tom Servo]

ATBGE.

[MR2 Fan]

1987 MR2? Northstar V8 like the former owner of MR2OC was attempting....don't know if he ever got it finished though (and I know some Northstar V8's are crap....also, mostly a U.S. engine)

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4U4c_ObIAABY5Y.jpg

Porsche 914 Gas Saver Edition (Despite the way this image might look, this photo was taken today.) (https://twitter.com/CPAutoScribe/status/1694822912589488543)

https://www.carsforsale.com/used-car-dealer/dennis-buys-classic-cars-los-angeles-ca-d718642/inventory/details/92463325

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4TvGeRXIAA3dE0.jpg

[MR2 Fan]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4TvGeRXIAA3dE0.jpg


I wonder what the drag co-efficient is on that thing

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4iQgzqXkAAACw6.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4twnzuXcAATA6R.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FnlgJ_4WYAEWRbp.jpg

[neanderthal]

58XX mile road trip just concluded in the BMW 535i. Fantastic car for long road trips. 32.1mpg for the whole trip (would've been 32.2 but I got stuck in really bad traffic just hours from home.) McKinney TX to Edmonton AB, about 40 hours. Edmonton to Hamilton ON about 40hrs. Back home from Hamilton about 26 hours. Fantastic car. Did all the driving in one sitting each time, stopping only for gas and bio breaks. Took several naps when I was tired, and had to rest my right eye. It's sensitive to long days and light entering it, so long drives at night (opposing traffic) and even movies are a chore now.


Car; not so great to sleep in.

[XHawkeye]

Did you get any Hutchins BBQ while in McKinney?

That's a road trip. I can't sleep in a car, have to get a hotel.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5UcrPRXcAA0_jy.jpg

[George]

I can't sleep in a car, have to get a hotel.

I wouldn't even try anymore, between what happened to Michael Jordan's father and cops looking to charge people with drunk driving for NOT driving.

neanderthal, just curious - how old is the 535i? I don't remember you mentioning it before. I probably missed a whole thread about it...

I have a neighbor with an older (1980s) 5-series. I only ever see the taillights in his garage, but I got a glimpse of it once in front of his house and it looked really sporty. I've been looking forward to seeing him again so I can ask him about it. We've talked cars before, as he has a 1969 Firebird garage queen he bought in 1980 for...darn, I forget now, but it was cheap in today's money. $1500? I forget, but he told me the number once. It was his first car and he still has it. I've never even asked him about his BMW.

I never thought I'd become a BMW nerd, but I suddenly see them everywhere. They used to be fairly invisible to me, like most newer American cars. Love the classics, but don't know a Chevy from a Ford these days, other than pickup trucks. Was behind a new-looking American SUV recently at a red light and noticed the very "open" license plate area, as I've seen before on other newish Ford Explorers. Yup, that's a Ford Explorer, all right. Rented one while traveling a couple years ago and hated that it kept stalling at red lights. But then I saw the bowtie when the light turned green and I still don't know what it was. Or care.

But lately I've been thinking of throwing caution to the wind, ditching my Honda, and getting a mid-life crisis car with the proceeds. I'll probably never do it, but it strikes my fancy often these days when I should be doing more serious things.

[dodint]

Get a Z3 or Z4. :rawk:

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5hwUxFbAAE5pDU.jpg

'Tasteful' spec

[MR2 Fan]

Sometimes I wonder if people should take color blindness tests before choosing paint/interior colors

[JoeW]

Resale multiplier!

[Godson]

It looks like a god damned ball mix of starbursts...

[neanderthal]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F5UcrPRXcAA0_jy.jpg

That is a hell of a long exposure and an incredible picture.

[Tom Servo]

It might be taken at the only time where you don't just spend the whole time stuck behind RVs and tour buses trying to negotiate the corners. I doubt I ever broke 10mph descending that.

[neanderthal]

I wouldn't even try anymore, between what happened to Michael Jordan's father and cops looking to charge people with drunk driving for NOT driving.

neanderthal, just curious - how old is the 535i? I don't remember you mentioning it before. I probably missed a whole thread about it...

I have a neighbor with an older (1980s) 5-series. I only ever see the taillights in his garage, but I got a glimpse of it once in front of his house and it looked really sporty. I've been looking forward to seeing him again so I can ask him about it. We've talked cars before, as he has a 1969 Firebird garage queen he bought in 1980 for...darn, I forget now, but it was cheap in today's money. $1500? I forget, but he told me the number once. It was his first car and he still has it. I've never even asked him about his BMW.

I never thought I'd become a BMW nerd, but I suddenly see them everywhere. They used to be fairly invisible to me, like most newer American cars. Love the classics, but don't know a Chevy from a Ford these days, other than pickup trucks. Was behind a new-looking American SUV recently at a red light and noticed the very "open" license plate area, as I've seen before on other newish Ford Explorers. Yup, that's a Ford Explorer, all right. Rented one while traveling a couple years ago and hated that it kept stalling at red lights. But then I saw the bowtie when the light turned green and I still don't know what it was. Or care.

But lately I've been thinking of throwing caution to the wind, ditching my Honda, and getting a mid-life crisis car with the proceeds. I'll probably never do it, but it strikes my fancy often these days when I should be doing more serious things.

I don't remember making a thread about it. Might have posted something.
<edit> turns out I did make a thread. (https://gtxforums.net/showthread.php?2111-Mo-s-automobiles&highlight=535i)

It's a 2013 BMW 535i. Doesn't have all the fancy stuff, but it has a bunch of nice stuff. (My vehicle have all been from the 90s until this one- if you don't count the motorcycles.) I went home to bury my dad 2 years ago. My brother couldn't go and had use of my car (1991 Mercedes 250TD- wagon, diesel, 5 speed) while he was here in Texas. I got a message from him that there was something wrong with my car. Came back to the US took my car to the mechanic, $1600 or so. Rode my bike a few days then it snowed, so I drove the car. Which was now leaking Exxon Valdeez type oil deposits everywhere I parked. Decided to not drive it, just park it, because I can't sink more money into this car right now. Still had my 95 Merc E320 that I intended to donate (donated it last year) so i drove that in the snow. One day, driving home, all the lights on the dash come on, and it dies as i'm parking it. Tried the bike- wouldn't start.
So, now I have 3 out of commission vehicles: Honda Africa Twin (bike) won't start, Merc 250TD is leaving huge puddles of oil everywhere, and my 1995 E320 which just died and I need to donate (it's paint got burned parked outside my cousins house.) So I rented a car and started looking at used cars. January 2022 *EVERYTHING WAS OVERPRICED.* I'm talking 10 year old Accords and Camrys going for near $20k. Cars that would've been closer to $5k. Anything in my price range (remember, I just came from burying my dad in Zimbabwe. Dad was a public figure so it was expensive!) was clapped out or ancient. I upped my budget to $10 and still, nothing of interest or value. Or ridiculous pricing.

OK ... may need to finance. My brother suggested the rental car places. I looked at a 2 year old VW Jetta that had 90K miles on it, and they wanted $19k for it. It didn't drive like a German car though. It drove cheaply, for lack of a better word. Didn't have any heft or substance to it's controls and feedback through said controls was numb. Drove a Passat or two and meh is the best descriptor. A DSG diesel Jetta that had epic milage, and was scared off by the first year DSG in it. Saw a few 3 series BMWs in my new price range so I started looking at those. And 5 series. Noted a couple, couldn't get there in time, found one dealer who was open late who had a 2015 BMW 528i for $14k. Black with tan interior. I got there a 1/ 2 hour before they closed. Sales guy listened to my tale of woe and said "I know exactly what you mean. So, the car you're here for is being worked on, it needs new brakes and an oil change, but I have the same bodystyle 535i here. Take this out for a drive and if you like it, come back tomorrow and try the 528i and see if you like that."

Yeah. Homie knew what he was doing.
I came back the next day and drove the 528i, but that 535i from the previous day had me smitten. For a thousand dollars more I got a grey color car with a black interior (I like black interiors) and the satisfaction of knowing 400hp is a turbo and downpipe (charge pipe as they call it in BMW speak) away.

Love the damn thing. Mind you, I love my Benz wagon too- it fits me like an old glove, has visibility for days, gets 30 mpg almost no matter how I drive it, and is mechanically simple. But it's AC doesn't work so I drove the BMW because we are in the midst of an extended heat wave here in TX.

[neanderthal]

Did you get any Hutchins BBQ while in McKinney?

That's a road trip. I can't sleep in a car, have to get a hotel.

I've been there a couple of times- stupid long line each time. The one time I decided to stay and get something it wasn't worth the long wait times. Been meaning to go back and I might try that when someone comes to visit me and we're going to chat and catch up. It's literally 15 minutes away from me.

I didn't do much sleeping in the car; it was more of a rest my eyes thing. I stopped probably 10 times in total to rest my eyes and I think I only slept twice. And both of those times I was dog tired. So i'd stop at a gas station, fill up, park somewhere on the lot where there was the least amount of light, and shut my eyes for a little bit. And truck stops.

Sleeping on the side of the road, big no no.

Paradoxically, road trips on my bike are hotel stays.

[neanderthal]

Get a Z3 or Z4. :rawk:

The latest Z4 (the one the Supra is based on) is NICE!!!!! Of course, there is the mega nice Supra too!!!

(We are the worst enablers!!!) :lol:

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F56jy9XXIAAeLrs.jpg

[Yw-slayer]

Why didn't the agency hire a decent Sub Editor? Or was it UK Mad Men tingz?

[Tom Servo]

Lusty, indeed.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6boYRXXcAEKMXq.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6boYRXXsAAB1GN.jpg

M850CSi

[dodint]

That's one of my lottery cars.

[MR2 Fan]

same...as long as I have a full-time electrician on standby

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F6gerHsbkAAKrrB.jpg

[XHawkeye]

Many car brands claim that they are global. Among the premium brands, there is the expected pattern of selling most of their cars in the developed economies: USA-Canada, Western Europe, Japan, Korea, Australia and China. Some are more exposed to China than others.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7BXcY2WAAAy0A6.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7BXcY2XsAAtDiZ.jpg

[Kchrpm]

I had heard of Cadillac being popular in China, but was not expecting to have the highest percentage of its international sales, compared to other companies' percentages, there.

[dodint]

And that's why BMWs look horrendous. Get bent, China.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7GtCdcWgAAy_8I.jpg

[dodint]

The demon rust.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F62tbWKXUAEGfFl.jpg

[George]

I've been listening to Lalo Schifrin's music on YouTube this afternoon and this came up as a suggestion. I don't know the story behind it, but it was kind of fun to watch.

Skip to about 3:13 for the chase itself.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hW6S4bSyUk

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7Yh9wObgAA3vlD.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7gxSCBWMAA073m.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7ghrRHWsAAdsz-.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F7iKVQIW4AERSBN.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F70lbf7X0AATl3f.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F70lcB3XYAAEYs3.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F70lcxcX0AAJopJ.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F70ldVJWgAAhSll.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F783o2pWMAAFBEy.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8JihxRWMAA6YWB.jpg

[JoshInKC]

Wow. I haven't even thought of D-50s in probably 30 years, let alone seen one.

[balki]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F4twnzuXcAATA6R.jpg
OMG, absolute gem. Literally lol'd.
Thank you for this!

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8rhXsSWMAArQ8V.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oGiqAXQAArICJ.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oGjQzXAAA8CUR.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oGkDIXcAACcBw.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oGkk1XgAAfQ5X.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oGlbMXoAEpzpC.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oGl8VWcAArqgv.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8oTDqPXwAAdfWe.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8wNdgoXIAAG2Nb.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F8phV6sa8AAywJS.jpg

[Tom Servo]

This seems as good a spot as any, my review of the Peugeot 5008 GT I had as a rental for the past couple of weeks in Europe.

We went planning on getting a BMW or Merc Estate, but given the amount of luggage four of us had for a two week trip, Sixt eventually recommended we go to the 5008 as it's a three-row SUV with lots of luggage space with the rear row down. That said, it still had a hard time fitting all of our stuff. Admittedly, I think part of the reason they asked us to take it in Rome was that we were dropping our car off in Marseille and the Peugeot had French plates, I think we were doing them a favor all for the extra cost of 1,000 Euros over the initial price.

It looks like the GT has a 1.6 liter turbocharged petrol engine. It was surprisingly peppy for 1.6 liters, but it still had a hard time hauling the beast up to motorway speeds. Italian onramps are very short and the only reasonable way to rejoin the motorway from a service area was to really whip it through the final set of turns aiming for as much exit speed as possible. I could usually get it at least to 100kph to try to merge onto a 130kph motorway. It could make it up to 130kph, but it felt like it took a fairly heavy foot to stay there. It also was in the upper 2k RPM at that point despite being in 8th gear, which lead to fuel usage being higher than I would expect from such a small engine. We ended up finding a lot of gravel/dirt roads in Italy, some with pretty significant climbs, and the front-wheel drive plus small engine often lead to wheelspin and a real struggle to climb some of the hills. There was at least one where we couldn't make it up without taking a running start at it.

It was a reasonably capable people hauler, but I think it's biggest problem is that it was trying to compete with other cars in the segment by punching above its weight in features. It had all the features you'd want, but almost without fail they were half-assed.

It has rear view and 360 cameras, but it's like they were all smeared with butter. They were so low resolution and with such horrid optics that they were nearly useless, especially the 360 camera. It had sensors but not on the sides (more on this later) but also would warn you incessantly even when it wasn't necessary. Case in point, you start the car in a parking spot, put the car in reverse, and the thing would lose its shit over something in front of you. Yeah...I know about it, that's why I'm backing away from it. It just beeped constantly about anything remotely nearby even if you were headed away from the object. It had cruise control but as far as I can tell, it forced assisted steering as part of that which had a penchant for driving towards things you don't want to crash into. There might have been a control for it but I couldn't find it in the manual and the cruise control stalk was positioned in such a way that it was almost always completely obscured by a steering wheel spoke, so you couldn't see at all what you were trying to do.

Speaking of, the controls were a big crowded mess. Between cruise control, flappy paddles, and the usual windshield wiper/turn signal stalks, there was *so much* going on behind the wheel. The windshield wiper stalk had the nice feature that if you pushed it slightly too hard when trying to do a single wipe of the windshield, you would turn on the auto mode which would promptly try to wipe a now dry windshield and smear any dirt nearby all over the windshield.

The car had an interior light sensor that would transition the displays to dark mode, but that was ignored if you turned on the headlights. We hit heavy fog at one point and I wanted to turn the lights on so that the rears would illuminate, but doing that dimmed the displays so much they were almost unusable, meaning I could barely see such things as my navigation or how fast I was going. One bonus for the car though, if the windshield wipers were turned on or the auto mode started using them regularly, it would turn the lights on without dimming the displays, which was handy. Headlights seemed borderline useless most of the time, they did a terrible job of illuminating the road especially when raining.

It has a stop-start mode that kills the engine when you stop. You can turn it off, but you have to do it every time you start the car, it resets itself to on between drives. It likes to try to turn the engine off before you actually stop, which leads to a nasty kick from the transmission every time you get down to 5kph or so. This was very exciting at the numerous toll booths I came across. Also, when the engine does turn off, it kills the power steering and suddenly you're at low speed in a toll booth trying to get close enough to grab a ticket and you can barely turn the thing.

The engine stop/start button is not exactly a new thing and yet somehow this button didn't respond about half the time. It took 2-3 presses to get it to actually do anything.

All the interior bits felt cheap. Shitty feeling plastic bits everywhere that felt like they belonged in a car twenty years older. Even the gauges, which were just part of a display screen, looked old, dated, and shitty. The nice, wide infotainment screen rattled over anything but the smoothest roads. Android Auto was handy though, as were all the notifications about speed cameras (the one big benefit to the TomTom software that the car came with, which admittedly still warned you about cameras even if you had Android Auto going).

It felt like they tried so hard to make it compete with more expensive cars but just nothing worked quite right. Just bizarre choices about control placement or the way certain things work. Poor cameras that really didn't help much at all. An underpowered engine that didn't seem all that efficient. Incredibly uncomfortable interior. And, finally, the one time one of those screaming sensors might have helped, managed to catch the right-rear panel on a rock wall in Tuscany going through a very tight corner but never got a warning because there are no sensors there.

[Yw-slayer]

That sucks. At least it was new or newish? The Sixt fleet is generally so. Not much one can do about the underlying car.

[Tom Servo]

It was pretty new. About 20K kilometers on it, so I'd guess no more than a year old or so.

Nothing quite like trying to navigate something that size through the tiny streets of Cetona and Avignon.

Oh, I did forget that it also developed a neat little whistling noise above 120kph. Not quite sure where it was coming from, but it was just a sustained high pitched noise every time you were up to speed on the motorway.

[Tom Servo]

Oh, also, my dad got into a conversation with me re-iterating his stance that European drivers are better than American drivers. I used to think this too. I no longer do.

They're better in some ways. They tend to get out of the left lane when not passing. They are massively worse in other ways. The tailgating is out of control. Drivers in Italy and France have an incredible inability to stay in their lane even on long straightaways. Turn signal usage might be even less common than here. Nobody stops at stop signs. Nobody stops for people in crosswalks.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9CkXaWW8AA33k1.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9EpciuWAAI594O.jpg

[dodint]

Jeannette is only two towns down the road, Ashie was born there.

[George]

Granted, only two rental cars doesn't mean my experiences are typical, but I was not impressed with either of the cars I've rented from Sixt.

Both were missing floor mats, which isn't a big deal, but seemed odd.

One, a Toyota 4Runner that was quite enjoyable to drive, had license plates that expired in December of 2021 when we rented it in June of 2022. I would have refused it, had I noticed before a couple days later when we were already far from where we picked it up. I was not amused, as I believe I could have been issued a moving violation for driving an unregistered vehicle, had I been pulled over, and then been forced to pay higher insurance rates for the next three years because of Sixt's negligence. I mean, it's a CAR RENTAL company. Wouldn't they have a whole department making sure everything is registered on time and a national database of which cars are coming due for renewal and in which states?

This is more location-specific, but they made us wait forever while they got the car ready for us. We stood around in the hot sun with our luggage for more than an hour waiting. When they finally brought us a car, the inside of the windshield was greasy and streaked. I asked the surly attendant to please clean it again, but he just wiped it again with the same greasy old rag and walked away. That filthy windshield bothered me for days, especially at night and when the sun was low in the sky. I realize that's just one guy, but he and the sloth-like counter attendants soured me on the company before we even left in the car.

The second was just a couple months ago - a Mazda CX30 that just plain sucked in every way. It was a horrid little car that seemed to always be searching for the right gear. It had a message in the center of the instrument cluster saying something like "This vehicle is malfunctioning. Take it to the dealer for service." Huh? What's wrong? Is this car unsafe, or likely to leave me stranded, or both? Thankfully I was in and our fast on that trip (another funeral; sigh...) and didn't have to suffer with it long, but it also had a big screen sticking up out of the dashboard that that I couldn't figure out how to turn off and fold away. It constantly displayed an advertisement for some new navigation system update or something. It basically said, "Go give the dealer some money to make this message go away."

Once again, it seemed to me that Sixt isn't concerned about details. Just rent the cars and take the money, right? Who cares if they have crypic messages to make customers wonder if the car will survive the trip or aren't legally registered to drive on public roads?!

It's kind of like going into a restaurant that has dirty bathrooms. If they don't care about those, how bad must the kitchen be?

[dodint]

In PA almost everyone's license plates are 'expired' because we switched to a system without stickers. So folks are driving around with stickers from 2019 or whatever. Maybe that happened in the jurisdiction the 4Runner was registered?

I tried to rent a Jaguar F-Type from Sixt and a few days before the rental they said they couldn't find a car. So I cancelled and rented a C7 Corvette from Budget and had a blast.

[TheBenior]

IME, rental cars with expired registration stickers are all current on their registration, they just didn't put the stickers on them.

Also, non-moving violations aren't even reported to insurance in Illinois. Your state may vary.

[Tom Servo]

It kinda seemed like Sixt (btw, is this pronounced "Sixed" or "Sixty"?) is one of the bigger games in town when renting a car in Europe. Especially when renting a car in one country and dropping it off in another (admittedly Schengen) country. Most other companies like Hertz and the like just told me there were no such vehicles to be rented, Sixt is one of the only ones that actually gave me any options at all to work with.

They seemed overall fine, but it wasn't cheap. I guess at least I didn't get arrested for stealing a car, which seems to be a thing that Hertz customers are dealing with lately.

[MR2 Fan]

Honda Prelude returns? but as an EV (of course)

I'm having difficulty getting excited about "sporty" EV's right now because EV's typically weigh a ton. Beyond that, not being an expert but have they made some kind of proper "sport" shifting feel by now in EV's?

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a45633444/honda-prelude-concept-revealed/

https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/honda-prelude-concept-653887e2b69fb.jpg

[George]

Nice 'lude. The back half is giving me Mitsubishi Eclipse vibes, but that's okay.

I guess kids today don't know what Quaaludes are, but that used to be what we called those Honda coupes in high school.

And for you two troublemakers who tried to soften my perfectly cromulent rant my providing reasonable facts, well, all I can say is... :thppt:

:)

[dodint]

I would buy that. Maybe. I'm generally looking for utility out of an EV. But if I were going on looks alone that is pretty, pretty good.

[MR2 Fan]

I've heard a lot of "looks like a Prius" comments, but it's a new design language, Ferraris also have a similar front end look...just what is becoming popular this era.

[dodint]

I showed it to a non-car guy and he said the front looked like a Porsche.

[Tom Servo]

It does have a little bit of that Taycan vibe to it.

[Kchrpm]

Beyond that, not being an expert but have they made some kind of proper "sport" shifting feel by now in EV's?
I thought most of them only had one gear, or am I misinterpreting the question?

[MR2 Fan]

I thought most of them only had one gear, or am I misinterpreting the question?

They do, but I've heard they can replicate gearing

[Godson]

I would buy that. Maybe. I'm generally looking for utility out of an EV. But if I were going on looks alone that is pretty, pretty good.

They really did an excellent job on the design. I hope that is the Honda design language going forwad.

[Kchrpm]

They do, but I've heard they can replicate gearing

Why would you want that? If a car only has one gear, the only way to replicate gearing would be to play fake noises and artificially slow down the acceleration of the car for a split second.

"Ok, so now when the car crosses 70 mph, stop accelerating for three quarters of a second and rewind 3 seconds on acceleration.mp3"

[Tom Servo]

Doesn't Subaru do this with their CVTs?

[Kchrpm]

CVTs started faking gear ratios, but at least with a CVT they were already changing gear ratios. You're just reprogramming how it does that. Instead of just constantly adjusting the gear ratio so that the engine stays at the optimum power/efficiency RPM, you're making the transmission stay on set ratios along the way.

But if your car currently only has one ratio that never changes, you're faking it even more. Instead of changing the way it transitions through different gear ratios, you're just completely faking it, and reducing performance to do so.

[MR2 Fan]

Why would you want that? If a car only has one gear, the only way to replicate gearing would be to play fake noises and artificially slow down the acceleration of the car for a split second.

"Ok, so now when the car crosses 70 mph, stop accelerating for three quarters of a second and rewind 3 seconds on acceleration.mp3"

I'm recalling the original Tesla Roadster, a reviewer said they had trouble with handling on track because they couldn't shift to increase torque out of the corner or something like that. I don't know which reviewer it was though

[Kchrpm]

You still can't do that if the car still physically only has 1 gear. You could maybe set up a fake geared mode where torque and speed are artificially limited based on the "gear" you select.

[MR2 Fan]

I found this:

https://www.electricmotorengineering.com/transmissions-electric-cars-with-gearbox/

[CudaMan]

They do, but I've heard they can replicate gearing

"Let's fake everything!"
-The modern, mistaken world.

_

George, I once stopped at Walmart shortly after renting a car, bought a few bucks worth of supplies, and cleaned the interior of the car myself. Under the circumstances (which included an epic line) it seemed the quickest way to solve the problem.

Related, I got a rare win at the rental counter this past week. A Challenger "Last Call" edition. It made very nice noises. :D Even if it was 'only' the 5.7L Hemi.

_


That Prelude body style screams "modern day Integra" to me, actually. Much more so than the Integra redux we got.

_


I want more technical details on the FT-Se (mid engined Toyota EV) idea shown at the Tokyo Motor Show (I'm not calling it by its soft generic new name).

_

Yes, I am old man yelling at clouds today, but dammit the clouds actually suck. :lol:

[MR2 Fan]

Toyota FT-SE concept car. Lots of journalists jumping on calling this the next MR2, or the next Celica, or the next Supra...

I don't know if you can call it an MR2 without it having a mid-engine...unless there's a motor that sits behind the driver?

The design is...very concept car-ish so I'm not too concerned. I don't love the front end, it has some odd angles.

https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/XBGJVp/s3/toyota-ft-se-concept.webp

[Crazed_Insanity]

Don't know much about this concept car, but looking at the layout, it certainly makes mid-engine a possibility? Supras and Celicas usually have a much longer nose and short tail?

Anyway, I think toyota design is slowly improving. This car isn't gorgeous, but at least I kinda like it. Most Toyotas and Lexuses are hideous to look at IMHO.

[CudaMan]

If you look at the A-pillar and roof section, and the "low point" near the door handles that juts up to begin the rear fender bulge, the FT-Se concept car really looks like it could be a rebodied Evora.

That might make EV packaging more challenging, between not having space to sandwich a battery layer beneath the seats, and possibly no room in the shift cable tunnel either. However with free reign to design a "mid engined" EV chassis, they could arrange the batteries in a kind of T shape, with some of them in the center console area, and the rest right behind the passenger compartment where an ICE engine would be (but perhaps batteries could be more like half the height of an engine, to help improve center of gravity). And then of course an electric motor (or two) powering the rear wheels keeps the MR characteristics.

[MR2 Fan]

"I Drove Toyota's Manual Transmission For EVs. It's Much More Fun Than You Think"

https://insideevs.com/features/693877/toyota-ev-manual-transmission-tested/?fbclid=IwAR01qgmGyf2NpRvsIMv5BGCQvBwK6ydi5elXm0VM 5NY9yyYkYAsJrFn-Fb8

[Kchrpm]

Well shit, they went even further than I was speculating and gave it a fake clutch and stick shift, too.

[MR2 Fan]

It's real if you believe........j/k, but seriously it would definitely be interesting to try. Maybe if they actually put this into that FT-SE

[Crazed_Insanity]

This is pretty crazy.

It’s like while transitioning from horse carriages to horseless carriages, the coachman refuse to learn to use steering wheel and pedals and insists on controlling the automobile using just a strap and a whip. :lol:

[CudaMan]

I would imagine the only EVs that would have any real take rate on a fake manual would be cars like the FT-Se that are primarily for fun and the experience. Makes sense to me that that's where such a technology would debut.

[retsmah]

I'm recalling the original Tesla Roadster, a reviewer said they had trouble with handling on track because they couldn't shift to increase torque out of the corner or something like that.

A little late response, but early Tesla Roadsters had two speed transmissions. I think they didn't actually end up selling any with them, but I think early reviewers did drive them.


Actually on the mid engined EV topic, when I was googling to verify the above I saw that the Tesla Roadster had a 35/65 weight distribution, that's a rear engined EV as far as weight distribution goes!

[SportWagon]

Could a gearshift type control be used to allow you to select how economically you want to drive in certain situations? Sort of a power-consumption rate limiter? Might be more precise than just controlling how deeply you press the accelerator. Maybe EVs should go back partially to hand throttles? Or perhaps acceleration rate would be a cruise control setting? And you might end up driving a lot of the time using the foot brake only? (With acceleration implicit). (Er, and speed limited by cruise control setting).

[Tom Servo]

A little late response, but early Tesla Roadsters had two speed transmissions. I think they didn't actually end up selling any with them, but I think early reviewers did drive them.


Actually on the mid engined EV topic, when I was googling to verify the above I saw that the Tesla Roadster had a 35/65 weight distribution, that's a rear engined EV as far as weight distribution goes!

I remember them having two speeds when they first showed up in some racing games too.

[retsmah]

"I Drove Toyota's Manual Transmission For EVs. It's Much More Fun Than You Think"

https://insideevs.com/features/693877/toyota-ev-manual-transmission-tested/?fbclid=IwAR01qgmGyf2NpRvsIMv5BGCQvBwK6ydi5elXm0VM 5NY9yyYkYAsJrFn-Fb8

I'd really like to try driving this, would be interesting to see how good it is. A manual transmission is usable in sim racing but it's a pretty different experience not getting the feedback of getting the car accelerating or decelerating.

This seems like it wouldn't be an expensive option to add since the only mechanical things you've got are a pedal, which is mechanically similar to a throttle pedal with no hydraulics needed, and then a shifter, which again has no mechanical linkages. Everything else is just in software. The biggest thing is designing the car with the space for the optional third pedal and shifter.


I don't know if they have them at all locations, but the K1 Speed go kart track in Carlsbad had electric 'shifter karts'. Maybe others have more experience with them, I've only driven the shifter version once. I used the manual mode and it was nonsense, in that whatever it was simulating was not how a shifter kart or any manual transmission operates.

[XHawkeye]

:rolleyes: :erm: :?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9z07pMbwAArSMF.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9z07pMbwAEtWTs.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F9z07pNaEAAOn5H.jpg

[dodint]

No thank you.

[MR2 Fan]

It's.......unique

[speedpimp]

The cut down windshield gives it a Mach V vibe.

[dodint]

The completely empty dash with the tablet tacked on directly behind the wheel is the highlight for me.

[speedpimp]

Well it's Gas Monkey Garage and they only had fifteen minutes to finish the build.

[retsmah]

That thing is giving me family fun center go kart vibes.

https://www.sandland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Gokart1.jpg

I've never been inside / driven one so maybe my opinion would change in person, but the Testarossa already seems strangely proportioned and way too wide, fitting three seats across really highlights that.

[MR2 Fan]

The completely empty dash with the tablet tacked on directly behind the wheel is the highlight for me.

So, like a Tesla

[Godson]

I'd prefer the flat twelve.

[speedpimp]

That's what she said.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-MQQFhWcAEDzgp.jpg

the sublime to the ridiculous

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-PVtcoW4AAbl3W.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8D21aYAAbqlN.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8EGXaAAEeavt.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8ESZbwAAgq25.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8Ewka4AArj9J.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8E8ZacAAqp2M.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8FePbcAAthde.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8FppbsAA0ioo.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8F1wbUAATgj3.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-a8GBsbQAA4r3L.jpg

[neanderthal]

So, the new Ramcharger is an EV, sort of.

It's an ... EV with an ICE Pentastar V6 as a range extender/ generator. The engine runs, and powers a generator that charges the battery. There is no mechanical connection to the wheels from the engine.

626 miles of range. 36 gallon fuel tank. (or something.) um, how far off is that from the regular Pentastar V6 model I wonder. It doesn't seem much more efficient.
And why not throw in a significantly smaller engine to power the generator? A 500cc parallel twin from Hondas CB500(40ish hp) would power a generator easily. I guess the generator needs X amount of power and a barebones pentastar (denuded of accessories and adjustable valve timing, etc) could be run in it's most efficient rpm to generate the power required to drive the generator. And that V6 has been paid off for 10 years at least.

[Crazed_Insanity]

Same idea as freight trains. Powerful diesel engines are actually used to power electric motors… electric motors have way more torque and doesn’t need transmission… ICEs can also run at whatever rpm that’s the most efficient.

Truck EVs are having difficulties towing far distances. So I think that’s why Ram decided they need a range extender onboard to make it work.

[Phil_SS]

I think the the diesel electric drivetrain like freight trains is the way forward for any truck or semi.

And going back a few pages, F' the fake H pattern shifter for an EV. I don't need the clutch pedal. Give me a Sequential. Give me that gear box whine and big handle to smack forwards and backwards. I want full on GT3!

[Crazed_Insanity]

I am skeptical with Tesla Semis..., but sounds like Pepsi is happy with their Tesla Semis.

So will Cyber truck do better than other EV trucks?

Will be interesting to see how that works out in the future.

[Godson]

So, the new Ramcharger is an EV, sort of.

It's an ... EV with an ICE Pentastar V6 as a range extender/ generator. The engine runs, and powers a generator that charges the battery. There is no mechanical connection to the wheels from the engine.

626 miles of range. 36 gallon fuel tank. (or something.) um, how far off is that from the regular Pentastar V6 model I wonder. It doesn't seem much more efficient.
And why not throw in a significantly smaller engine to power the generator? A 500cc parallel twin from Hondas CB500(40ish hp) would power a generator easily. I guess the generator needs X amount of power and a barebones pentastar (denuded of accessories and adjustable valve timing, etc) could be run in it's most efficient rpm to generate the power required to drive the generator. And that V6 has been paid off for 10 years at least.

Everything I'm reading is saying 26 gallon tank, 145 miles of electric only, and a combined of up to 690 miles.

That's actually pretty good, combined with the hybrid system, that's 26.5mpg.

They likely stuck with the pentastar V6 because they wouldn't need to redesign or develop as much new things.

This setup is honestly the ideal build for our current architecture, and what the massive earth movers use. Same for trains, etc.

[Godson]

I am skeptical with Tesla Semis..., but sounds like Pepsi is happy with their Tesla Semis.

So will Cyber truck do better than other EV trucks?

Will be interesting to see how that works out in the future.

Will they do well? That entirely depends on what you consider well.


They will not unsettle the big 3, as Ford already has the lightning that I could go and buy today. Dodge and GM offerings will be out soon, and Dodge is honestly the most flexible.

The main people who want an electric truck will likely choose those options over Tesla, especially with the acceptance of the Tesla supercharger network among MANY of the legacy automakers.

[speedpimp]

The contrast between the Brick 'Bird and the Aero 'Bird is astounding.
Love that Lister LeMans.
I've seen one Nikola EV semi and that was on a flatbed leaving South Bend, IN, where I guess it had been doing testing at the Navistar(originally Studebaker) proving grounds. I find it interesting that they went with a cabover design.

[CudaMan]

And going back a few pages, F' the fake H pattern shifter for an EV. I don't need the clutch pedal. Give me a Sequential. Give me that gear box whine and big handle to smack forwards and backwards. I want full on GT3!

If it's all imitated shift feel anyway, it's possible to have your choice. Think automotive-grade Logitech G25 shifter. :)

[Crazed_Insanity]

Will they do well? That entirely depends on what you consider well.


They will not unsettle the big 3, as Ford already has the lightning that I could go and buy today. Dodge and GM offerings will be out soon, and Dodge is honestly the most flexible.

The main people who want an electric truck will likely choose those options over Tesla, especially with the acceptance of the Tesla supercharger network among MANY of the legacy automakers.

Electric semis may be good if the trucker is making multiple stops/deliveries, but if it's doing long distance hauling, I'm not so sure electric is the way to go. Sustained high speed runs can easily drain batteries and charge time will definitely take longer than filling up gas.

Anyway, for common folks, if they're driving their trucks just as daily drives, then EV trucks are very similar to any other trucks. The problem is once you have to load up your truck or towing something heavy, then EV trucks simply won't measure up. Pretty sure majority of big 3 truck buyers won't be switching to EV trucks any time soon. Also automakers probably would not want to spend billions investing in EV trucks and then sell them at a discount compared to their ICE trucks.

That new Ram truck is probably more practical for those who really need their trucks to do truck things... However, although I always thought plugin hybrids are the best compromise between the 2, but one reason or another, these cars never ever catches on. I don't think it's really due to lack of demand. I suspect automakers just didn't want to deal with such complexity. Ram/Dodge/Jeep are also not really known for their reliability! :p

[speedpimp]

One Pepsi driver's opinion on the Tesla semi. (https://bradmunchen.substack.com/p/scoop-the-tesla-semi-from-an-insiders?utm_campaign=post)

[Crazed_Insanity]

That sounds about right or at least more 'realistic'...

However, given today's political climate, one can't tell if those are real criticisms or just them taking shots at Elon.

I do recall 2017 prior to Model 3 launch, Tesla was again near bankruptcy and lots of folks were doubting Elon could truly mass produce affordable EVs..., I was telling my wife to not buy tesla stocks at the time, but I'm glad she didn't listen to me! :p

Clearly, when your rockets can't fly or when you couldn't make your EVs, it'll be up to your trouble shooting ability to overcome problems. Elno couldn't solve everything, but clearly he has solved a lot of issues so far... I still hope he can succeed. The best I can do to help him now is to get that cheap model 3 lease I guess. ;)

If 3 years later, he could get cybertruck and his megachargers working, maybe I'll consider buying a cybertruck.

I'd happily convert to EVs if and only if they are more affordable and can do what I need them to do. For now, I'm just hoping car market can return to normal within 3 years... cause I can't really afford to buy anything right now!!! :p

[Godson]

Car and driver just had an article on why the Pentastar was used. Surprise, it's the same logic I had.

Probably a bigger component I didn't think about, they won't need to change a ton of tooling around to make the switch. If the frame is of a similar design, it could possibly even simpler to incorporate.

So it's a REALLY smart move. Which isn't something I usually say for Stellantis products and/or ideas.

[MR2 Fan]

insane work, and no they didn't get this from an MR2 chassis....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rT8Ycr1BpM

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-wO645WkAAzWg6.jpg

[neanderthal]

Imagine climbing the stairs in that thing.

[MR2 Fan]

Don't show Elon, he'll probably try to build it

[dodint]

And then he'll claim he invented it.

[Godson]

A "Pleasure tower" that's 0.5mile tall.


Dunno where y'all come from, that sounds less than pleasant.

[retsmah]

It's crazy the totally not feasable ideas that get reported as though they could actually happen. (e.g. pleasure tower, tesla tunnels)

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-5Anf0XkAAey7i.jpg

[dodint]

11.3 seconds you say.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-_fAmNXsAAyHHW.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F-zgUL4WMAAe-3b.jpg

Have a look at the latest update about the automotive industry composition by car groups and their origin: 31 main OEMs + 70 other minor brands. Many of these brands make part of Chinese OEMs, followed by Japanese, European, and Americans. (https://twitter.com/lovecarindustry/status/1724000589493817404)

[Tom Servo]

I'm wondering why so many automakers mount their screens landscape. I've never seen someone with their phone on a mount for navigation mount it landscape, it's always portrait. You want to see ahead of you, not off to either side. I imagine it's just easier to fit the big screen, but for every use case I want while driving, portrait makes more sense.

[Kchrpm]

Now that Android Auto has a Maps+audio view, the landscape orientation works better at least for me, but I'm still mostly fine with it in the old configuration. I figure between the size of the screen compared to a phone, and the ability to move text and menus to driver's side, landscape works well.

[dodint]

What is that Jetta sub-brand?

[speedpimp]

Nate, here. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jetta_(marque))

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F_PMRnzWsAABrCi.jpg

At the reopening of the Goodwood Motor Circuit in 1998, the great Ray Hanna performed a famous low pass. However, this image is from the 'press day'... and from the opposite direction! A rare glimpse of the maestro at work, photo probably by the legend that is Jeff Bloxham.

https://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/low-flying-legend-ray-hanna-13-images.html

[XHawkeye]

https://photos.smugmug.com/MISC/i-tHDNjLZ/0/bf5581c6/X2/Capture215-X2.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/MISC/i-fj66mmp/0/bedc5127/X2/Capture214-X2.jpg

Screen shots from a Misha video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdJW65oGMjQ) of a E30 M3 with a F20.

https://live.staticflickr.com/902/41640063114_f0ec641a3a_b.jpg

The F30 is set back 11.8" [32cm] from the stock location.

[Yw-slayer]

I'm wondering why so many automakers mount their screens landscape. I've never seen someone with their phone on a mount for navigation mount it landscape, it's always portrait. You want to see ahead of you, not off to either side. I imagine it's just easier to fit the big screen, but for every use case I want while driving, portrait makes more sense.

Fortunately with the new BYD cars you can rotate the screen between landscape and portrait mode!

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAMyq3lboAAwLCT.jpg

[XHawkeye]

Another mechanic crash (https://www.reddit.com/r/AlfaRomeo/comments/1898nfq/rip_my_alfa_pt_2/)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAYS6tZaMAAQzRn.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAYS6tkbUAArIAB.jpg

[speedpimp]

Tech finished the work, took it for a test drive, had a few drinks, then the photo happened. There's also a Hellcat on the other side of the Mercedes.

[XHawkeye]

Thee Mercury Bobcat (https://twitter.com/addict_car/status/1732778709382283432)


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAwRBXqW8AEU-G7.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAwRCdLXsAAiJnf.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAwRDw8WkAAbwEV.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAwRFTPWAAA8q7C.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAwRGA4W0AEy3Za.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GAwRGiiWsAAaRvh.jpg

[MR2 Fan]

Doug Demuro finally reviews a second gen MR2 Trubo...which means prices will keep going up


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRdP2BMkdoU

[Phil_SS]

Doug Demuro finally reviews a second gen MR2 Trubo...which means prices will keep going up


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRdP2BMkdoU

The one in the video is on his car selling site and is already up to 25k. And, IMO, it is not the top version, that would be the hardtop version like Cuda's.

[MR2 Fan]

The one in the video is on his car selling site and is already up to 25k. And, IMO, it is not the top version, that would be the hardtop version like Cuda's.

I don't even know if there were any hardtop turbos imported in 1995. Literally less than 400 MR2's were imported in 95 and less than 100 turbo models, practically all were t-top and maybe a sunroof (which was also an option).

So for LHD MR2's, I don't know if any were sold in europe past that era either. If you want a JDM/RHD version they still sold til 1999

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBKTEaKX0AAvB_O.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBJJVDLXEAAdu1N.jpg

[CudaMan]

Rootes = Mopar/Chrysler? Never heard of it.

My information is all Turbo MR2s had T-tops after the early production run of 1993s where you could choose hardtop, sunroof, or T-tops. Toyota even had two MY1993 brochures printed that showed this difference in the option chart (I have both brochures). T-tops became standard partway through 1993. I believed this to remain the case for 94-95. I've never heard of a factory hardtop or sunroof Turbo car in those last two years. NA yes, you could still get a hardtop (and probably sunroof).

The 1995 is overall rare and is the last year so it has collector value in that sense. 1993 there were a lot more cars imported in general, they only have 1 airbag and the early style spoiler/lights at the back. The hardtop turbo for 1993 was a very early production run (my car was built February 1992 and was one of Toyota's press fleet cars originally). The traditional number for years has been 13 of them imported to the US. Some database sleuthing in recent years suggests there could have been more, perhaps up to 20, but the waters are muddy. There used to be a registry of them on some Texas MR2 club site for years, and there were less than 13 on that registry.

It's hard to value a '93 hardtop Turbo because they almost never come up for sale. The highest offer (unsolicited) I've received is 25k and that was before covid.

[Phil_SS]

I don't even know if there were any hardtop turbos imported in 1995. Literally less than 400 MR2's were imported in 95 and less than 100 turbo models, practically all were t-top and maybe a sunroof (which was also an option).

So for LHD MR2's, I don't know if any were sold in europe past that era either. If you want a JDM/RHD version they still sold til 1999

Yeah, I meant 2nd Gen MR2 Turbo hardtop, regardless of year. IMO, it is the ultimate version that was sold in the USA.

[MR2 Fan]

Rootes = Mopar/Chrysler? Never heard of it.

My information is all Turbo MR2s had T-tops after the early production run of 1993s where you could choose hardtop, sunroof, or T-tops. Toyota even had two MY1993 brochures printed that showed this difference in the option chart (I have both brochures). T-tops became standard partway through 1993. I believed this to remain the case for 94-95. I've never heard of a factory hardtop or sunroof Turbo car in those last two years. NA yes, you could still get a hardtop (and probably sunroof).

The 1995 is overall rare and is the last year so it has collector value in that sense. 1993 there were a lot more cars imported in general, they only have 1 airbag and the early style spoiler/lights at the back. The hardtop turbo for 1993 was a very early production run (my car was built February 1992 and was one of Toyota's press fleet cars originally). The traditional number for years has been 13 of them imported to the US. Some database sleuthing in recent years suggests there could have been more, perhaps up to 20, but the waters are muddy. There used to be a registry of them on some Texas MR2 club site for years, and there were less than 13 on that registry.

It's hard to value a '93 hardtop Turbo because they almost never come up for sale. The highest offer (unsolicited) I've received is 25k and that was before covid.


good info. For those who don't remember, I owned a '93 NA Hardtop...then after I sold it (WHYYYY?????) a friend of mine bought it and turbo swapped it. My car had all manual options except like power mirrors or something and weighed ~2,500 pounds.

[XHawkeye]

The sixth-generation Mercury Cougar embraced Ford's global push for aerodynamics in the '80s. This 1987 Canadian brochure featured 3.8 LS and 5.0 XR-7 models, with some mid-life changes including new flush headlamps and a bolder grille with cat emblem.
(https://twitter.com/addict_car/status/1734957148612809040)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOUAhXwAADtSA.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOUKJWsAAiKV_.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOUWeW4AAG7SJ.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOVHzW0AAoe0z.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOVmGWQAA5a5-.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOVymWAAAUOw2.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOWIkXoAAOA-D.jpghttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GBPOWRdXwAAgGFB.jpg

[Godson]

Those cars are badass

[JoshInKC]

Yeah, that generation of Cougars and T-birds were pretty damn good-looking for the time, and the body aged pretty well through the restyling towards the end of it's run.

[George]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kh-Y9epzhvs&t=265s

[MR2 Fan]

I'm watching the start of the restoration of the NSX that was underwater for 20 years (Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeJCKVn9Wfs&list=PLWQsyVy-lwuPYay6qGLeP0b3dzZwv1iaK)

I am definitely no expert on cleaning cars like this, other than seeing several other videos where similar cars were cleaned and it seems they're doing a lot of stuff in a weird order, not that they're doing it wrong per se.

I also wonder if they should be wearing respirators or something when cleaning out some of the stuff.

I mean I would first try to manually remove/vacuum a lot of the initial dirt buildup all over the car, not just in sections, they didn't even touch the growing plants inside of the interior until several videos down the line

Note they weighed the car and it was about 1 ton more weight than a regular NSX just by the amount of dirt/water buildup !!

[Yw-slayer]

I gotta say, whenever someone says NSX I think of Sir-mix-a-lot.

[MR2 Fan]

weird since he had a song about his Testarossa

[Godson]

When steam cleaning, polishing, etc, you are aerosolizing those particles....

So yes, you need to wear air filter protection.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/F3wtkoLawAQFOnl.jpg

I know half of you nerds will be more excited about the SVX (https://twitter.com/CLAYTRON9000/status/1692277672859320699)

[MR2 Fan]

:lol:

[Yw-slayer]

weird since he had a song about his Testarossa

Not really, since he also rapped about his NSX in Brown Shuga.

[Yw-slayer]

I know half of you nerds will be more excited about the SVX[/URL]

Hell yeah.

[JoshInKC]

weird since he had a song about his Testarossa

I know that one by heart. Dude had *a lot* of car-related lyrics, I think he's just an enthusiast

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIPr4UyiZGE

[MR2 Fan]

Not really, since he also rapped about his NSX in Brown Shuga.

Shows I haven't listened to a ton of his work

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0OVsxkXgAAH4rZ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C0jT-eqXAAEkg6V.jpg

[MR2 Fan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aTzuUrdyIc

[MR2 Fan]

S15 Silvia will be 25 years old this year for anyone who wants to bring them to the U.S.

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GC_e9noWQAAyRPI.jpg

https://twitter.com/N0TINSERVICE/status/1742856732672401862

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GDeNU-4X0AAUjwY.jpg

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEFSDG8XoAAyETZ.jpg

Porsche delivered 320,221 new vehicles in 2023. Despite the political and economic uncertainty around the world, it was able to increase its volume by 3% vs 2022. Growth was driven by its operations in Europe, North America, Middle East and some emerging markets.
(https://twitter.com/lovecarindustry/status/1747768410119766253)

[XHawkeye]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GEUlA5UXUAArfea.jpg

Don’t forget to take your bags of cement out of the boot if you put your pick-up on a two post ramp!