Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

We seem to be veering into the political Dark Side, so once again please take the hint and pay attention to your Lane Departure warning.

Hate leads to fear.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to suffering.

Is that from the Buddha or from the Land Rover Owners' Association?

fintail

How much more would a Sonic or a Forte really cost, in the long run?

If you want to be a real minimalist, search for an old Datsun once you get back out here

iluvmysephia1 said:

Nice. You guys are all just jealous. Come on, admit it! It's loaded with everything you need and nothin' you don't need. Perfect car for a minimalist like myself.

Michaell

@iluvmysephia1 - that Spark is actually not a bad car. 98HP, so perhaps not the best on the open road, but certainly enough for rural 2 lanes and around town.

IIRC, these are pretty well equipped, even in base LS trim.

But, I'll join the chorus and suggest that the Forte is a much nicer car, all around, for a little bit more money.

Getting something new for the sake of something new often leads to regrets. Ask me how I know!

qbrozen

That Yaris thing you were looking at is far better. I'm not bashing on the Spark for its size. I have been in one though and it is a tin can. Plus, my cousin has not been pleased with the reliability on hers. I believe last I spoke with her, it was headed to the junkyard.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

That Yaris thing you were looking at is far better. I'm not bashing on the Spark for its size. I have been in one though and it is a tin can. Plus, my cousin has not been pleased with the reliability on hers. I believe last I spoke with her, it was headed to the junkyard.

Was this the 1st gen Spark? That I can understand.

The 2nd gen, IMO, is a much better car all around, for an entry level vehicle.

iluvmysephia1

I actually like the Toyota Yaris, too. A friend of our next door neighbor drives a burgundy Yaris - a 2016-17 one, and the car looks great in that color. I'm just looking, doubtful I'll buy anything at tall.

driver100

iluvmysephia1 said:

Nice. You guys are all just jealous. Come on, admit it! It's loaded with everything you need and nothin' you don't need. Perfect car for a minimalist like myself.

Surprising, most reviews give it 4 or 5 stars out of 5, including Edmunds. This kind of sums it up:

The 2017 Spark hasn't received any NHTSA ratings at all, and only two from the IIHS, although its predecessor got the best IIHS scores among 11 different small cars. And it offers an array of optional active-safety systems (only on the top 2LT trim level) that are very rarely found on smaller cars, making it by far the most advanced minicar on the market.

The base Spark LS with manual gearbox starts below $14,000, including delivery, and every 2017 Spark comes standard with with power windows and door mirrors; air conditioning; a built-in wi-fi hot spot; OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity capability; and the MyLink display system. The CVT adds a substantial $1,100 to the sticker, however.

The mid-level Spark 1LT version adds power locks, cruise control, steering-wheel audio controls, satellite radio, remote keyless entry, and a theft-deterrent system. Above that, the Spark 2LT includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhanced driver-information display between the gauges, rear park assist, and chrome body trim

I prefer having a little more metal around me, and a bit more space inside. The Forte is about $3000 more, over 6 years that is $500 a year, plus it will be worth more at trade in time. The extra size, room and comfort are well worth it.

stickguy

Driver, I love that MB hatch. exactly the kind of car that pushes my buttons.

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

We seem to be veering into the political Dark Side, so once again please take the hint and pay attention to your Lane Departure warning.

Hate leads to fear.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to suffering.

Is that from the Buddha or from the Land Rover Owners' Association?

Yoda 

murphydog

The rules are a little different down here in Arizona. For example this is street legal

Not sure about "all the bells and whistles" but I bet it is fun to drive. It would be chilly in the winter in eastern Washington

roadburner

Today I had a guy in a newer Lincoln Fusion MKZ try to beat me at a Stop Light Grand Prix; I let him pull over a car length ahead before I annihilated him.
He wasn't amused.

oldfarmer50

You must have a look about you that brings it to you.

On the other hand it could just be the car. Yesterday I had the Mustang out for a long drive because to my shame I still haven't broken 10k. On the highway I had a contemporary Mustang GT pull up and then fly past. He had such a sweet sounding exhaust system that I almost gave chase to ask him about it but this was heavy Labor Day traffic and I'm not stupid. Later a Camaro SS did the same thing. Of course there was the occasional kid in mom's Volvo weaving in an out of lanes which generated just a chuckle.

oldfarmer50

Here's somebody who drives his car less than me:

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/1985-chevrolet-corvettemiles/6291121798.html



You see cars like this from time to time and I wonder why buy it if you don't drive it?

PF_Flyer

Here we go again. GM promised me flying cars at the 1964 World's Fair in NY. Still waiting

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/business/dealbook/lilium-flying-car.html

driver100

stickguy said:

Driver, I love that MB hatch. exactly the kind of car that pushes my buttons.

Stick, at one time I was a very practical person too, and I still am in some respects. But, I have had impractical cars, 1960 Austin Sprite, 1984 Camaro, 2008 328 Cabriolet, and I have had practical cars....a few Jeeps and the X3. When it comes to cars, I have to be practical enough to be able to carry passengers, and have a good highway car....but, I don't want just a work horse or a grocery getter.........I want the driving part to be part of the fun.

What were those cruise ship ads........Getting there is half the fun!

(Of course Mad magazine had one of those fold ins that made the ad say "Getting her is half the fun)

driver100

PF_Flyer said:

Here we go again. GM promised me flying cars at the 1964 World's Fair in NY. Still waiting

Popular Mechanics promised them in 1951:

driver100

Some of those old Popular Mechanics covers bring back memories. I'd buy a car magazine in July or August to see the new cars which came out in September...all of them, none of these new car release dates all through the year. Often, we would go to the dealers showrooms to see the cars on the first day on sale.

This cover brought back memories;

qbrozen

Michaell said:

That Yaris thing you were looking at is far better. I'm not bashing on the Spark for its size. I have been in one though and it is a tin can. Plus, my cousin has not been pleased with the reliability on hers. I believe last I spoke with her, it was headed to the junkyard.

Was this the 1st gen Spark? That I can understand. The 2nd gen, IMO, is a much better car all around, for an entry level vehicle.

Yes, a fairly early one. Did they do an update? I can't tell from the outside.

PF_Flyer

driver100 said:

PF_Flyer said:

Here we go again. GM promised me flying cars at the 1964 World's Fair in NY. Still waiting

Popular Mechanics promised them in 1951:

I'm sensing a trend of pie in the sky thinking

Maybe with traffic levels of the 50's we'd have room for flying cars. Given today's population and the seeming lack of desire to actually have to DRIVE, I'm not sure I want very many everyday drivers coming at me from above!!

driver100

It's chaos on the roads now....what will it be like with people flying in every direction?

PF_Flyer

Around here, red lights seem to be more like "suggestions"

fintail

Now that I look at it, that new Spark really resembles the Mirage. Iluv, why don't you want a Mirage? It's probably even cheaper (although probably not better - when costs are cut at this level, you feel it).

Flying cars - with licensing standards already far below a lowest common denominator level, no thanks.

85 Corvette, maybe not the best year to preserve. I see it has 88-90 wheels, for a newer look.

houdini1

driver100 said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

Nice. You guys are all just jealous. Come on, admit it! It's loaded with everything you need and nothin' you don't need. Perfect car for a minimalist like myself.

Surprising, most reviews give it 4 or 5 stars out of 5, including Edmunds. This kind of sums it up:

The 2017 Spark hasn't received any NHTSA ratings at all, and only two from the IIHS, although its predecessor got the best IIHS scores among 11 different small cars. And it offers an array of optional active-safety systems (only on the top 2LT trim level) that are very rarely found on smaller cars, making it by far the most advanced minicar on the market.

The base Spark LS with manual gearbox starts below $14,000, including delivery, and every 2017 Spark comes standard with with power windows and door mirrors; air conditioning; a built-in wi-fi hot spot; OnStar with 4G LTE connectivity capability; and the MyLink display system. The CVT adds a substantial $1,100 to the sticker, however.

The mid-level Spark 1LT version adds power locks, cruise control, steering-wheel audio controls, satellite radio, remote keyless entry, and a theft-deterrent system. Above that, the Spark 2LT includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, enhanced driver-information display between the gauges, rear park assist, and chrome body trim

I prefer having a little more metal around me, and a bit more space inside. The Forte is about $3000 more, over 6 years that is $500 a year, plus it will be worth more at trade in time. The extra size, room and comfort are well worth it.

In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

We seem to be veering into the political Dark Side, so once again please take the hint and pay attention to your Lane Departure warning.

Hate leads to fear.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to suffering.

Is that from the Buddha or from the Land Rover Owners' Association?

Yoda 

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

nyccarguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

We seem to be veering into the political Dark Side, so once again please take the hint and pay attention to your Lane Departure warning.

Hate leads to fear.  Fear leads to anger.  Anger leads to suffering.

Is that from the Buddha or from the Land Rover Owners' Association?

Yoda 

I've heard that any news of Yoda's comeback is Ultra Top Secret at Skywalker Ranch.

oldfarmer50

PF_Flyer said:

Here we go again. GM promised me flying cars at the 1964 World's Fair in NY. Still waiting

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/05/business/dealbook/lilium-flying-car.html

With today's computer technology I can see a flying car being feasible but I bet the regulations would make that a non starter. Wonder who has $90 million to put behind that long shot?

ab348

houdini1 said:

In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king.

Given my cueball status, I prefer "In the land of the bald, the one-haired man is king".

Mr_Shiftright

Chances are it will be a lousy plane and a lousy car.

graphicguy

So, yesterday had an interesting encounter. I was on the interstate (275 around here) on my way to a picnic at the Cincinnati Nature Center, which is about 40 minutes from where I live.

Anyway, I'm in the TLX with my date. Getting off the interstate, a Mitsubishi something (not sure if it was an EVO) pulled up beside me and wanted to do some stop light bragging.

I love my car. I know what it can, and can't do. It's not a Porsche. It's not a 3/440i. It's not an S4/5/6. So, I know how to decide flight or fight. This one, I wanted to fight.

Of course, my date thought I was being juvenile. Of course I was. Made no apologies.

Anyway, surprisingly to me, I pulled two car lengths ahead right when the light turned green. The Mitsu driver, was making more noise than speed as he gallantly tried to make up the distance. A short time later, I saw him drop way behind with the knowledge of his abject failure and humiliating defeat.

I was smug in the knowledge that I had vanquished a Mitsubishi of unknown origins.

The picnic was fun, too!

28firefighter

In case anyone is curious what a GTI looks like when it is raining ash.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

So, yesterday had an interesting encounter. I was on the interstate (275 around here) on my way to a picnic at the Cincinnati Nature Center, which is about 40 minutes from where I live.

Anyway, I'm in the TLX with my date. Getting off the interstate, a Mitsubishi something (not sure if it was an EVO) pulled up beside me and wanted to do some stop light bragging.

I love my car. I know what it can, and can't do. It's not a Porsche. It's not a 3/440i. It's not an S4/5/6. So, I know how to decide flight or fight. This one, I wanted to fight.

Of course, my date thought I was being juvenile. Of course I was. Made no apologies.

Anyway, surprisingly to me, I pulled two car lengths ahead right when the light turned green. The Mitsu driver, was making more noise than speed as he gallantly tried to make up the distance. A short time later, I saw him drop way behind with the knowledge of his abject failure and humiliating defeat.

I was smug in the knowledge that I had vanquished a Mitsubishi of unknown origins.

The picnic was fun, too!

Did that Mitsu looks like this?

graphicguy

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6f/71/9a/6f719a632531185c2cad7a9eaebae4b2.jpg

MOre like this (and yes, it was yellow)!

qbrozen

probably a regular Lancer with a body kit and fart pipe. Pretty common in my area (well, those that are still running, that is).

fintail

I've never seen anything like this. Easily the smokiest summer around here in my life, and ash flurries are just icing on the cake. The sky has a weird hue today with the smoke, and even though I am battling off a summer cold, I can smell it.

suydam

A friend is traveling by train from Idaho to LA. The pics she posted of the Columbia River Gorge were unreal. She said it is very hard to breathe. And the train stopped because at one point the fire jumped the tracks. Hope everyone stays safe there.

28firefighter

For the detailing fanatics, I've never dealt with ash on a car before. I would imagine the ash itself when it is dry is not corrosive, but I'm a bit worried about the car getting wet. (1) How corrosive is this stuff if it gets wet before I get a chance to wash the whole car? (2) Any recommendations for making sure I really get this crud off?

tifighter

Yeah, I didn't know Ash Tuesday was a thing. It was falling like snow in our neighborhood this morning.

Michaell

tifighter said:

Yeah, I didn't know Ash Tuesday was a thing. It was falling like snow in our neighborhood this morning.

Everybody stay indoors!

We had a lot of haze here in CO over the weekend from the fires in your neck of the woods.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6f/71/9a/6f719a632531185c2cad7a9eaebae4b2.jpg

MOre like this (and yes, it was yellow)!

That doesn't look like an EVO. They usually had some badging but that one is a least a dozen years old so who knows. Even the genuine EVO last generation isn't that much compared to today's muscle. IIRC the last generation got up to a tad over 300hp with a 4.5 sec. 0-60. Pretty fast but a Mustang or Camaro would keep right up.

I saw the English Top Gear show that featured a Euro spec EVO with something like 440hp. Pretty cool as it was shown doing a four wheel drift around another car. Shame Mitsu decided to focus on grocery getters.

fintail

I suspect if the car has relatively fresh wax on it, that the wax should offer protection, especially a modern synthetic. My cars are garaged, so I am not too worried, but I don't think this stuff will cause harm.

28firefighter said:

For the detailing fanatics, I've never dealt with ash on a car before. I would imagine the ash itself when it is dry is not corrosive, but I'm a bit worried about the car getting wet. (1) How corrosive is this stuff if it gets wet before I get a chance to wash the whole car? (2) Any recommendations for making sure I really get this crud off?

ab348

We have some Ford Fusion owners on here, do we not? I'd be interested in impressions of the car... I'm looking at one.

pensfan83

ab348 said:

We have some Ford Fusion owners on here, do we not? I'd be interested in impressions of the car... I'm looking at one.

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/comment/5355960#Comment_5355960

I test drove a Fusion Sport a few months back. It's quick, equipped well, and though it stickered north of $40K USD I think the last offer the dealer made was somewhere close to 20% off, inclusive of incentives. There isn't much "Sport" in that model though (my opinion) and going from that to my A4 was like night and day. On the other hand my brother leased a Fusion SE (non-Ecoboost) in April and absolutely loves it. I think @explorerx4 has one and likes his. The Titanium model might be worth a look if you don't need a twin turbo V6 but still want a well equipped sedan.

driver100

ab348 said:

We have some Ford Fusion owners on here, do we not? I'd be interested in impressions of the car... I'm looking at one.

My rental stalled while going up a hill. I had to reboot it twice (restart) to get the engine going again....rental car guy said they have had a few of them do that, Ford has a fix. Other than that, it seems a pretty fair car for the money. I was surprised at the power the 4 has, comfort and content pretty good. Feels secure on the highway. Personally, I would do a comparison with a Honda Accord, just to see which felt better overall. I'd also consider an A4 in that range, but riskier as far as reliability and upkeep, but, it will probably be superior if the joy of driving matters.

stickguy

Snag a loaded 2017 accord V6 when the new model shows up. Could be some killer deals.

pensfan83

Not to change the topic but as someone who flies out of PIT at least once/month I'll be interested to see how this plays out and whether it will be rolled out to other airports. My wife and kids are already planning to greet me at the gate at the end of the month, something I didn't think would ever happen again.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/08/30/pittsburgh-airport-will-allow-non-flyers-past-security-for-first-time-since-911.html

abacomike

I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.

28firefighter

pensfan83 said:

Not to change the topic but as someone who flies out of PIT at least once/month I'll be interested to see how this plays out and whether it will be rolled out to other airports. My wife and kids are already planning to greet me at the gate at the end of the month, something I didn't think would ever happen again.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/08/30/pittsburgh-airport-will-allow-non-flyers-past-security-for-first-time-since-911.html

I think its a great idea for helping keep the airport alive and kicking with great facilities for flyers. When US Airways closed PIT as a hub, it majorly hurt the airport. I was always shocked at how nice an airport it was given how few flights it had - the added revenue should help keep it that way.

pensfan83

28firefighter said:

pensfan83 said:

Not to change the topic but as someone who flies out of PIT at least once/month I'll be interested to see how this plays out and whether it will be rolled out to other airports. My wife and kids are already planning to greet me at the gate at the end of the month, something I didn't think would ever happen again.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/08/30/pittsburgh-airport-will-allow-non-flyers-past-security-for-first-time-since-911.html

I think its a great idea for helping keep the airport alive and kicking with great facilities for flyers. When US Airways closed PIT as a hub, it majorly hurt the airport. I was always shocked at how nice an airport it was given how few flights it had - the added revenue should help keep it that way.

It's a very nice airport that is severely underutilized and has capacity in spades. It will never be a hub again but I've always been a little surprised it hasn't been turned into focus city that could absorb some of the air traffic from the congested NYC/Newark/PHL airports.

I'm with you in that I think it will be beneficial and give some life to a complex that has needed it for years now.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5hblAYBprFQ

Michaell

pensfan83 said:

28firefighter said:

pensfan83 said:

Not to change the topic but as someone who flies out of PIT at least once/month I'll be interested to see how this plays out and whether it will be rolled out to other airports. My wife and kids are already planning to greet me at the gate at the end of the month, something I didn't think would ever happen again.

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/08/30/pittsburgh-airport-will-allow-non-flyers-past-security-for-first-time-since-911.html

I think its a great idea for helping keep the airport alive and kicking with great facilities for flyers. When US Airways closed PIT as a hub, it majorly hurt the airport. I was always shocked at how nice an airport it was given how few flights it had - the added revenue should help keep it that way.

It's a very nice airport that is severely underutilized and has capacity in spades. It will never be a hub again but I've always been a little surprised it hasn't been turned into focus city that could absorb some of the air traffic from the congested NYC/Newark/PHL airports.

I'm with you in that I think it will be beneficial and give some life to a complex that has needed it for years now.

In all the years that I traveled (1989-2003), I only had one occasion to use the PIT airport. I'm pretty sure it was for a layover, when it was a hub. I remember it being really nicely equipped for its size.

Denver Int'l is looking to enact a "public-private" partnership that will see the Jeppensen main terminal completely gutted and remodeled. City Council approved the contract (over 1000 pages long!) a week or two ago, so now the final negotiations are to take place.

The idea is to consolidate the security screening area to one end of the terminal, and build out the rest of the "main hall" with shops and restaurants and such. The customer check-in area would shrink, as well, since so many folks are using 'self serve' kiosks.

When the airport opened in 1994, it was designed to handle a maximum of 50M passengers a year. Last year there were over 58M passengers. They also have land appropriated for a 7th runway, which may also get built in the near future.

PF_Flyer

abacomike said:

I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.

Keep your head down, and get out if you need to!