Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

ab348

Stick, my old Craftsman (with a mighty 1/3 HP!) crapped out in the fall of 2016. It was here when I bought the place and I'd be willing to bet it was at least 30 years old judging from the cast steel trolley track that was mounted to the joists, far heavier than what the replacement had.

I bought a Chamberlain 1/2 HP chain drive that was on sale. It is a detached garage so noise isn't an issue, otherwise I would have got a belt drive. I installed it myself and was surprised how easy most of it went. The most fiddly bits were the electric-eye sensors (old one didn't have those) & associated wiring, and initial setup of the opener itself, getting everything adjusted so it worked as it should. This one has the WiFi option but it is not enabled. Took an afternoon but now works well. Chamberlain/LiftMaster seem the best ones from what I've heard. My buddy in the boonies has their latest model which mounts on the wall next to the tension spring shaft and works on it somehow, eliminating the trolley and center track, but I know that requires expert installation.

28firefighter

Uber is not a government institution and does not receive state funds. They get quite a bit more latitude to do as they please. I believe several smaller ride sharing apps are already doing this. 

stickguy

Driver, no key any more. Heck, even neutral is just a line of code. Moving the shift lever won’t do anything if the computer doesn’t want it to.

Simple solution, drive a manual and throw in the clutch. Problem solved.

stickguy

Oh. That was a 2003 model. So likely has an actual key. Yes, turning that off was an obvious move.

fintail

And for some models from the nadir era of the early 00s, about a 99% greater chance of mechanical issues from that suspension. I am still very leery of active suspension systems.

imidazol97 said:

Mercedes-Benz vehicles with Airmatic suspensions. According to Mercedes, "Lowering the ride height at speed results in a 3-percent improvement in drag."

fintail

Large windows and thin pillars are even better. My fintail is the easiest car to park that I've driven, as visibility is so good - thin pillars and wraparound glass. Parking the modern car requires care, mirror alignment, and camera, where in the old car, you just turn your head.

I think the best somewhat modern car for visibility was the 90-93 Accord, with a recessed dash and tall greenhouse. Civics of the era are also good.

I can excuse coupes for being impractical, as they are coupes. I can also mock the Malibu commercial where the "real people" call it an Audi, BMW, and Tesla

driver100 said:

And that is another reason I like large windows. Not just for the outward view and the extra headroom, but because large windows allow more light to enter the car.

I wasn't picking on the Malibu, I just really noticed it from the rear view and from sitting in a car level. I would have said the same about the MB, Audi and BMW sport coupes.

stickguy

My 2000 Acura TL was easy to see out of too. Like an older accord.

driver100

stickguy said:

Driver, no key any more. Heck, even neutral is just a line of code. Moving the shift lever won’t do anything if the computer doesn’t want it to.

Simple solution, drive a manual and throw in the clutch. Problem solved.

You are supposed to hold the STOP/START button in for more than 3 seconds....if no key.

imidazol97

28firefighter said:

Uber is not a government institution and does not receive state funds. They get quite a bit more latitude to do as they please. I believe several smaller ride sharing apps are already doing this. 

Discrimination. Based on sex.

oldfarmer50

Interesting. But doesn't civil rights law apply to any "public accommodation"?

The way I judge these situations is by pluggin a different group into the equation. Instead of male put in woman, transgender, Hispanic etc. and see if it sounds right.

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

And for some models from the nadir era of the early 00s, about a 99% greater chance of mechanical issues from that suspension. I am still very leery of active suspension systems.

imidazol97 said:

Mercedes-Benz vehicles with Airmatic suspensions. According to Mercedes, "Lowering the ride height at speed results in a 3-percent improvement in drag."

Me neither. The first repair I made on my '95 Mark VIII was the air ride that lowered an inch at 60.

imidazol97

suydam

My best vehicles for visibility were the. ‘99 Subaru Forester and my 2013 Honda Accord. The Nissan Altima of that era was pretty good too.

cdnpinhead

graphicguy said:

. . . aside for the fact it eats light bulbs quicker than I like, it’s been fine..

I used to have that problem, but saw a pair of bulbs at HD that were labeled "for high vibration," or some such. Either way, I put them in and haven't replaced a bulb since.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

jmonroe

cdnpinhead said:

graphicguy said:

. . . aside for the fact it eats light bulbs quicker than I like, it’s been fine..

I used to have that problem, but saw a pair of bulbs at HD that were labeled "for high vibration," or some such. Either way, I put them in and haven't replaced a bulb since.

That is what I bought years ago. The ones I had were labeled "for rough service". Some off brand but they worked. I wish I had bought a dozen of them or more instead of the 6 I got. I thought I was being pretty clever buying 6 but I was proven wrong, hate that. :@

jmonroe

murphydog

I put in a Genie Stealth garage opener in 2004 when I rebuilt the garage - quiet and works like a charm. The only thing I don't like is the wireless key pad - it works fine but the cover broke off immediately and it looks junky - though I have been too cheap to by the $30 replacement on line.

It is a belt drive, which is amazingly quiet. I bought it through a local "Overhead Door" dealer - they took care of the install too. I know it was more that what I could have bought at Lowes/Home Depot/Sears - but nearly 14 years of trouble free service. Plus with the belt drive is smooth, so it does not eat lightbulbs either.

abacomike

jmonroe said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net. First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen. http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686 The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk. In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII. You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype. jmonroe

Doesn’t anyone know how to apply brakes and shut down the engine?  A press of the ignition button and shifting the transmission into neutral and applying brakes would be my inclination - or am I missing something here?

Michaell

cdnpinhead said:

graphicguy said:

. . . aside for the fact it eats light bulbs quicker than I like, it’s been fine..

I used to have that problem, but saw a pair of bulbs at HD that were labeled "for high vibration," or some such. Either way, I put them in and haven't replaced a bulb since.

Ah, excellent to know about! The bulb in my garage opener is currently burned out. I'll get one of those to replace it with.

graphicguy

cdnpinhead said:

graphicguy said:

. . . aside for the fact it eats light bulbs quicker than I like, it’s been fine..

I used to have that problem, but saw a pair of bulbs at HD that were labeled "for high vibration," or some such. Either way, I put them in and haven't replaced a bulb since.

Thanks....I’ll head to Lowe’s and see if I can find them!

stickguy

Won’t an LED bulb last better?

jmonroe

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

Doesn’t anyone know how to apply brakes and shut down the engine?  A press of the ignition button and shifting the transmission into neutral and applying brakes would be my inclination - or am I missing something here?

You'll never make it to the internet doing that.

jmonroe

qbrozen

abacomike said:

Doesn’t anyone know how to apply brakes and shut down the engine?  A press of the ignition button and shifting the transmission into neutral and applying brakes would be my inclination - or am I missing something here?

Yeah, I call BS on the driver's story. Possibly looking for a payday. But, as has been proven time and again, the engine can't overpower the brakes.

imidazol97

Buy LED bulbs. Mine have lasted a long tim exe, apparently immune to the vibration.

jmonroe said:

. . . aside for the fact it eats light bulbs quicker than I like, it’s been fine..

I used to have that problem, but saw a pair of bulbs at HD that were labeled "for high vibration," or some such. Either way, I put them in and haven't replaced a bulb since.

That is what I bought years ago. The ones I had were labeled "for rough service". Some off brand but they worked. I wish I had bought a dozen of them or more instead of the 6 I got. I thought I was being pretty clever buying 6 but I was proven wrong, hate that. :@ jmonroe

stickguy

did Not notice any mention of putting on brakes or turning key. Usually first things 911 would say to do.

graphicguy

Re UBER.....a rider, or a driver can accept or decline any driver or rider they want now. Not sure what it means to say you can request a female (or male) exclusive driver.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

fintail said:

I like some headroom, some light entering the car, and a feeling of extra space.

driver100 said:

The CLS is probably worth $20k more than my E400.....I wouldn't trade even. I have sat in one, and I find it claustrophobic, and very poor site lines. Low roofs with narrow windows don't appeal to me.

And that is another reason I like large windows. Not just for the outward view and the extra headroom, but because large windows allow more light to enter the car.

I wasn't picking on the Malibu, I just really noticed it from the rear view and from sitting in a car level. I would have said the same about the MB, Audi and BMW sport coupes.

But you didn't.

jmonroe

driver100

imidazol97 said:

I haven't seen a 2018 Camry yet....to criticize! The last ones I saw had this body style;




It was mentioned Stinger roof is low...with small rear window;

driver100

For the record, even the standard 2018 Camry's have small rear windows;


Even the windows in the 2015 and later C Class were too narrow for our needs...so we got a GLK.

roadburner

driver100 said:

I-95 driver calls 911 to tell FHP his BMW won't stop; troopers deploy 'stop sticks'

https://youtu.be/OZS2h0-PlV4

911 tells him to use emergency brake. Those are now called parking brakes and they won't help. Best to put car in neutral and turn off key.

On a BMW the parking brake-electronic or manual-will stop the car. I think these runaway car scenarios-BMW, GM, Toyota, etc. are caused by human error/stupidity 99% of the time.

roadburner

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

Doesn’t anyone know how to apply brakes and shut down the engine?  A press of the ignition button and shifting the transmission into neutral and applying brakes would be my inclination - or am I missing something here?

You'll never make it to the internet doing that.

jmonroe

You aren't missing a thing; the driver was an incompetent fool.
End of story.

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

A few nights ago I had a guy in an old Magnum SRT who wanted to play, but my wife was along. If I had been alone or with my son I would have roasted him but good...

Time to up your game:

https://www.caranddriver.com/bmw/m5

Mr_Shiftright

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

I read that whole report. IMO, time for a sobriety test. This driver, allegedly:

1. Avoided police road spikes
2. Couldn't put the transmission in neutral
3. Couldn't turn off the ignition
4. Couldn't brake the car

fintail

I smell insurance fraud or lawsuit attempt, given the location,driving maneuvers, and maybe the car.

Mr_Shiftright said:

I read that whole report. IMO, time for a sobriety test. This driver, allegedly:

1. Avoided police road spikes
2. Couldn't put the transmission in neutral
3. Couldn't turn off the ignition
4. Couldn't brake the car

fintail

The prior E is an upright somewhat boxy design - visibility is OK:

driver100 said:

For the record, even the standard 2018 Camry's have small rear windows;

fintail

To be fair, he didn't call out the H1 or Countach for poor rear visibility either - because he was talking about sedans, not sporty coupes (or trucks or supercars)

jmonroe said:

But you didn't.

jmonroe

imidazol97

I dont think I'm smarter but I stopped a runaway engine by turning off the key and that was long ago before Alfonso invented the internet so I didn't learn how to do it there. Probably 1962.

My 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 with chrome-covered posts to emulate a hardtop had its 292 cu in engine go to full revs. I turned off the key immediately. The spring on the accelerator linkage had rusted/corroded and broken so it went wide open with nothing to pull it closed against my foot on the pedal. Ford never could do anything right- LOL. I hooked the left over piece onto the linkage and drove the car home.

No fender skirts. Same color, but less brilliant looking than the picture. I don't know if the new paint on this one is zipped up for modernization or the camera did it. I had installed dual exhausts myself on the car.

abacomike

That Parkland, Florida, High School shooting situation which is active now is about 3-4 miles from where I live.  The Sandman lives very close to that school.  These “active shooter” situations at high schools is just getting worse and worse.  Terrible!

abacomike

The high school is in a very high socioeconomic area with very expensive single family homes and large estates and small ranches.

stickguy

I parked next to a late 00s sonata today. Last plain version, before it went all “high style swoops”. Huge difference. Much larger, more upright windows, and much lower deck lid. Could tell it had much better view out compared to my Elantra.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

Re UBER.....a rider, or a driver can accept or decline any driver or rider they want now. Not sure what it means to say you can request a female (or male) exclusive driver.

Not to belabor this but the story I read was that Uber was going to allow customers to choose female only. As a customer you certainly can discriminate no matter what it says about you as a person but I always thought it would be illegal for the COMPANY to be officially a part of it. Just think the outcry if the KKK wanted an option to exclude based on race. Same thing isn't it?

This only stuck with me because my son just signed up with Lyft.

It may just be an internet hoax but my sense of fair play was tweaked.

In other news....

Now that I am in the exclusive territory of you rich guys with HD TV I discovered that I now get the Velocity Channel. Was watching the Chasing Classic cars show and the guy went to an auction where they sold a 1967 Ferrari 275 GTB N.A.R.T. Spyder for over $27 million. He got to drive it before it went to auction.

I'd be wetting my pants over the thought of dinging it.

suydam

Why get all worked up about something you heard was a rumor? 

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

Doesn’t anyone know how to apply brakes and shut down the engine?  A press of the ignition button and shifting the transmission into neutral and applying brakes would be my inclination - or am I missing something here?

According to a story on tv the driver was asked to use the e brake and refused because he was going 100. They then told him to use the brakes and he again refused because his brakes were already bad.

Sounds like elaborate excuse to avoid a speeding ticket.

driver100

fintail said:

The prior E is an upright somewhat boxy design - visibility is OK:

driver100 said:

For the record, even the standard 2018 Camry's have small rear windows;

Exactly. I preferred the roofline and rear window on my 2015 E400 - similar to the picture shown - than I do the rear window on my 2017 model.


I guess we can say most cars have smaller rear windows and probably side windows and many have smaller windshield windows. I can only think it is to make the car more aerodynamic for mileage reasons, and possibly made to meet safety standards....more metal, less glass.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

I read that whole report. IMO, time for a sobriety test. This driver, allegedly:

1. Avoided police road spikes
2. Couldn't put the transmission in neutral
3. Couldn't turn off the ignition
4. Couldn't brake the car

He didn't avoid road spikes. He road over the first ones and they didn't do anything. The 2nd and 3rd pair did stop him. Last I heard it was a stuck gas pedal.

Maybe you don't think of turning off the ignition or putting the car in neutral when you are going 100 mph on a highway trying to dodge other cars......it is possible.

stickguy

911 is trained to run through those options.

fintail

Ditch those skirts, stat! At least it doesn't have a continental kit.

imidazol97 said:

No fender skirts. Same color, but less brilliant looking than the picture. I don't know if the new paint on this one is zipped up for modernization or the camera did it. I had installed dual exhausts myself on the car.

fintail

I think a lot of it is form over function, too. I can't imagine the incremental Cd or mpg gain in W213 compared to W212 is as significant as the loss of visibility. These things area headache to park without a camera or a few.

driver100 said:

I guess we can say most cars have smaller rear windows and probably side windows and many have smaller windshield windows. I can only think it is to make the car more aerodynamic for mileage reasons, and possibly made to meet safety standards....more metal, less glass.

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Here's a few "What the heck" items off the net.

First is a run away BMW on the turnpike in Florida that BMW says couldn't happen.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gas-pedal-stuck-man-tells-911-barrels-interstate/story?id=53044686

The second is an Internet rumor that Uber will soon allow riders to opt for only women drivers on pick up. This is supposedly because of women fearing attack by male drivers especially if the are alone or drunk.

In my opinion such a provision would be illegal discrimination but maybe I'm misunderstanding Title VIIII.

You folks are smarter than me so what do you say?

I don't know anything about Title VIIII but I know there is no way a car can be on an interstate going 100 MPH for 50 miles with a jammed gas pedal without hitting something. Just ain't gonna happen. But it does make for good internet hype.

jmonroe

I read that whole report. IMO, time for a sobriety test. This driver, allegedly:

1. Avoided police road spikes
2. Couldn't put the transmission in neutral
3. Couldn't turn off the ignition
4. Couldn't brake the car

He didn't avoid road spikes. He road over the first ones and they didn't do anything. The 2nd and 3rd pair did stop him. Last I heard it was a stuck gas pedal.

Maybe you don't think of turning off the ignition or putting the car in neutral when you are going 100 mph on a highway trying to dodge other cars......it is possible.

You should read/listen to the report and the audio. You might change your mind there. I did anyway.

explorerx4

I've got 20 Chamberlin door openers. Other than some occasional adjustment, they still work fine.
Most often what happens with my doors to cause open/close issues is that the bottom gasket slides out toward one side over time and binds the door when it is moving.