Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stever

imidazol97 said:

There were a few posts recently in that thread again from Mr. Mechanic. But I think it laid down and died again.

You can find him listed as the Top 30 days Expert over in Answers and all over the maintenance discussions helping people out. Some medical issue has kept him out of the shop for the last month or so, so he's been posting a lot.

stickguy

he definitely was a wealth of knowledge on technical stuff. Can't argue about that.

abacomike

stickguy said:

he definitely was a wealth of knowledge on technical stuff. Can't argue about that.

Stick, it's not always just what a person knows, it's also how that individual's knowledge is communicated/shared.  It's a matter of attitude and being open to criticism if that criticism is justified.  In both cases, he was lacking a bit of tact and diplomacy.  A bit ragged around the edges if you know what I mean.

But as to his technical knowledge and skills, it is obvious he knows his stuff, for the most part.  Just a bit defensive at times.

driver100

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

oh, you got the new design V sport? I thought it was the real V with the 556 V8 rolling on the old design.

Nah. Nicer car and a bit tamer. Heck, it may even handle better with the smaller engine in the nose. That would be an interesting comparison. 420hp seems to be plenty in this car. How often do you need to get to 60mph faster than 4 and a half secs anyway?

found this comparison, although it lacks any objective tests

Good article. Car looks beautiful and sounds impressive. The interior sounds really nice too, and I really like it in red!

imidazol97

Who doesn't believe in Santa Claus now?

Go Bucks. O. H....I. O.

stever said:

imidazol97 said:

There were a few posts recently in that thread again from Mr. Mechanic. But I think it laid down and died again.

You can find him listed as the Top 30 days Expert over in Answers and all over the maintenance discussions helping people out. Some medical issue has kept him out of the shop for the last month or so, so he's been posting a lot.

imidazol97

stever said:

You can find him listed as the Top 30 days Expert over in Answers and all over the maintenance discussions helping people out. Some medical issue has kept him out of the shop for the last month or so, so he's been posting a lot.

Sorry to hear he's having physical problems.

I didn't know that answers format was still here about the changeover to the new platform. I had been answering questions on the link that shows in the info block on each page and doing a search in car topics for Buick and Pontiac and answering those where I thought I had relevant knowledge.

I see I'm still 4th or 5th on Buick answers in the answers forum you linked. I feel silly answering questions from 2008, but I realize those may show up in searches people do on the net.

houdini1

imidazol97 said:

Who doesn't believe in Santa Claus now?

Go Bucks. O. H....I. O.

stever said:

imidazol97 said:

There were a few posts recently in that thread again from Mr. Mechanic. But I think it laid down and died again.

You can find him listed as the Top 30 days Expert over in Answers and all over the maintenance discussions helping people out. Some medical issue has kept him out of the shop for the last month or so, so he's been posting a lot.

As Urban said, "A sledgehammer game". Good description. Congrats on a great win.

stever

imidazol97 said:

I didn't know that answers format was still here about the changeover to the new platform.

Yeah, it's a bit redundant with the "Q/A" option in the forums now and most people find it with the search engines. One of these years we may get it merged. Meanwhile, there's lots of people out there driving ten year old cars who can use mechanical advice so feel free to jump back in. Your GM expertise is always appreciated!

Here's the landing page.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

oh, you got the new design V sport? I thought it was the real V with the 556 V8 rolling on the old design.

Nah. Nicer car and a bit tamer. Heck, it may even handle better with the smaller engine in the nose. That would be an interesting comparison. 420hp seems to be plenty in this car. How often do you need to get to 60mph faster than 4 and a half secs anyway?

found this comparison, although it lacks any objective tests

Man does that make my little turbo feel inadequate........;)

Mr_Shiftright

Been working on the '98 Dodge truck I bought.

Usually I'm advising people "don't buy without a pre purchase inspection" but with California labor rates hitting $100/150 per hour even in the funkiest repair shops, it seems imprudent to spend $300 a pop to check out vehicles that are selling for a few thousand dollars. And equally difficult to bring a jack and jackstands to someone's driveway and start taking their vehicle apart.

So I didn't have the Dodge inspected--I just used the "Shiftright Pre-Purchase Procedure" which is to drive the crap out of it for 1/2 hour and see what protests, starts hopping on one foot, begs for mercy, or starts to bleed.

In this case, a few things showed up---steering wandering (aha, "front end work" methinks), a random ABS light going on and off (funky sensor), remote fob not working on one door (actuator motor no doubt), squeaky serpentine belt (probably a worn idler pulley and belt) plus the usual oil weepage on a high mileage vehicle.

Ran really well, shifted well, tires good, brakes good, exhaust good, all fluids up and clean, had a smog cert already---so what the hell, I bought it on the spot.

Turns out my guesswork on the road test was pretty good, although the front end was a bit more in distress than I thought--with all 4 ball joints showing excessive play, and both tie rods.

So we'll have $3.2K in the truck by the time I'm done, but still not bad for a pretty decent looking 4X4.

It's hard to find trucks in this price range that don't need a bunch of SOMETHING. Some may look better and run worse, or vice-versa, but you aren't going to come up with anything perfect. You could spend $5K on an old truck and still need as much work as if you spent $2K.

Every day is a roll of the dice with a 15 year old vehicle, seems to me.

ray80

As young as the new year is I just saw the first good news I've seen so far . Hold open clips are now legal once again for fuel pumps in Massachusetts (been banned since the 70's). Now I won't have to wait for fill-up to finish before washing windows and such

driver100

ray80 said:

As young as the new year is I just saw the first good news I've seen so far . Hold open clips are now legal once again for fuel pumps in Massachusetts (been banned since the 70's). Now I won't have to wait for fill-up to finish before washing windows and such

I am surprised they would make it legal. I have seen so many cars overflow with the clip. Attendants were getting tired of cleaning up the gas spills.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Been working on the '98 Dodge truck I bought.

Usually I'm advising people "don't buy without a pre purchase inspection" but with California labor rates hitting $100/150 per hour

It's hard to find trucks in this price range that don't need a bunch of SOMETHING. Some may look better and run worse, or vice-versa, but you aren't going to come up with anything perfect. You could spend $5K on an old truck and still need as much work as if you spent $2K.

Every day is a roll of the dice with a 15 year old vehicle, seems to me.

$3.2K for a truck that runs pretty well sounds like a good deal. Good luck, keep us posted as to how it all works out. $100/$150 hr for labor is scarry.

My IT friend is a minimalist, so he hates spending money if he doesn't have to, but since his 2002 Civic was hit he is forced to buy a new car....Honda Fit.

I think he will be better off getting a new car now.....it suits his needs, it will have a warranty, he can claim it as a tax deduction, he got money for his old car from the insurance company - no major repair, and it is important for him to have a new car for his business - people have more confidence in you if you drive a car thet looks new. His lease payment will be $295 a month for 48 months.....I said that is less than the cost of a pack of cigarettes a day, or a good bottle of wine a day, which many people have, but he doesn't use either of those. So, don't feel guilty.

I advised against getting an extended warranty for year 4, at $600. He can use that money now, and he will be making more money by then, and he'll probably come out ahead without the warranty, he only drives about 6k miles a year anyway.

robr2

driver100 said:

ray80 said:

As young as the new year is I just saw the first good news I've seen so far . Hold open clips are now legal once again for fuel pumps in Massachusetts (been banned since the 70's). Now I won't have to wait for fill-up to finish before washing windows and such

I am surprised they would make it legal. I have seen so many cars overflow with the clip. Attendants were getting tired of cleaning up the gas spills.

They were legalized as part of Massachusetts' acceptance of the National Fire Protection Association's 2012 Edition. MA has now joined 20 other states in adopting the code.

It's a bit ironic since NFPA is based in MA.

fezo

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

oh, I remember that thread. You got real testy in there.

You bet I did; the guy would simply refuse to admit that incompetent and/or dishonest mechanics existed- and anyone who thought otherwise was a liar...

Oh. Him.

isellhondas

I don't know why you guys are ragging on this guy. Like a lot of auto techs he's a bit cocky and kind of a know it all but he DOES have vast knowledge when it comes to fixing cars and he has helped a lot of people out in these forums. Like many in his trade, I'm sure he is sick of some people that think a lot of shops are dishonest and out to chat the public.

The shops and techs that are incompetent or dishonest don't last very long. Yes, they do exist but they are few and far apart.

The people who go the quickie lubes and discount chains are the most likely to run into the bad guys out there.

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

Been working on the '98 Dodge truck I bought.

Usually I'm advising people "don't buy without a pre purchase inspection" but with California labor rates hitting $100/150 per hour even in the funkiest repair shops, it seems imprudent to spend $300 a pop to check out vehicles that are selling for a few thousand dollars. And equally difficult to bring a jack and jackstands to someone's driveway and start taking their vehicle apart.

So I didn't have the Dodge inspected--I just used the "Shiftright Pre-Purchase Procedure" which is to drive the crap out of it for 1/2 hour and see what protests, starts hopping on one foot, begs for mercy, or starts to bleed.

In this case, a few things showed up---steering wandering (aha, "front end work" methinks), a random ABS light going on and off (funky sensor), remote fob not working on one door (actuator motor no doubt), squeaky serpentine belt (probably a worn idler pulley and belt) plus the usual oil weepage on a high mileage vehicle.

Ran really well, shifted well, tires good, brakes good, exhaust good, all fluids up and clean, had a smog cert already---so what the hell, I bought it on the spot.

Turns out my guesswork on the road test was pretty good, although the front end was a bit more in distress than I thought--with all 4 ball joints showing excessive play, and both tie rods.

So we'll have $3.2K in the truck by the time I'm done, but still not bad for a pretty decent looking 4X4.

It's hard to find trucks in this price range that don't need a bunch of SOMETHING. Some may look better and run worse, or vice-versa, but you aren't going to come up with anything perfect. You could spend $5K on an old truck and still need as much work as if you spent $2K.

Every day is a roll of the dice with a 15 year old vehicle, seems to me.

Tell me about it. Just replaced the air ride on my Lincoln with regular springs. Problem was leveling sensors. Don't make em any more and I went through a bunch of eBay junk with each being worse than the one before. Got tired of paying installation charges. I shouldn't complain, car went 12k miles before a big problem occurred.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

Tell me about it. Just replaced the air ride on my Lincoln with regular springs. Problem was leveling sensors. Don't make em any more and I went through a bunch of eBay junk with each being worse than the one before. Got tired of paying installation charges. I shouldn't complain, car went 12k miles before a big problem occurred.

Is it a big operation converting from air ride to springs? Sounds messy but what do I know...

graphicguy

isellhondas said:

I don't know why you guys are ragging on this guy. Like a lot of auto techs he's a bit cocky and kind of a know it all but he DOES have vast knowledge when it comes to fixing cars and he has helped a lot of people out in these forums. Like many in his trade, I'm sure he is sick of some people that think a lot of shops are dishonest and out to chat the public.

The shops and techs that are incompetent or dishonest don't last very long. Yes, they do exist but they are few and far apart.

The people who go the quickie lubes and discount chains are the most likely to run into the bad guys out there.

As the saying goes...it's nit what you say, but how you say it. It's just as easy to make your point nicely vs making it with an attitude.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Tell me about it. Just replaced the air ride on my Lincoln with regular springs. Problem was leveling sensors. Don't make em any more and I went through a bunch of eBay junk with each being worse than the one before. Got tired of paying installation charges. I shouldn't complain, car went 12k miles before a big problem occurred.

Is it a big operation converting from air ride to springs? Sounds messy but what do I know...

A lot easier than going the other way around because you're basicly just disconnecting an electronic system and installing a mechanical one. Too complicated for me but the labor at the shop was only a few hours. Mark VIIIs were similar to Cougars and T-birds of the era which were coil spring suspensions so conversions are common.

The job was only expensive relative to what I paid for the car.

isellhondas

Some early 60's GM cars were available with air ride suspension. It was very troublesome and most were converted.

stever

isellhondas said:

he DOES have vast knowledge when it comes to fixing cars and he has helped a lot of people out in these forums.

That's why I like him - he's giving away a lot of good info left and right all over the forums and in Answers. It's fun going round and round with him over Right to Repair too.

stickguy

ray80 said:

As young as the new year is I just saw the first good news I've seen so far . Hold open clips are now legal once again for fuel pumps in Massachusetts (been banned since the 70's). Now I won't have to wait for fill-up to finish before washing windows and such

what is this pumping gas you speak of? rings a slight bell. something from the distant past.

yes, I live in Jersey.

nyccarguy

We have hold one clips here in CT. NY doesn't have em (which reminds me, I've got to go fill up the Pilot), but the gas is cheaper there so I deal with it.

ray80

stickguy said:

ray80 said:

what is this pumping gas you speak of? rings a slight bell. something from the distant past.

yes, I live in Jersey.

Ah yes New Jersery, that would be different.

@nyccarguy , Going to New york to find cheap fuel is a difficult thing to understand ( of course I am not in the SW part of state)

nyccarguy

I usually fill up at Costco on my way home (in New Rochelle, NY). Just to give you an idea, I paid $2.659/gallon for RUG to fill up the Pilot last night (with my $.10 off per gallon from Stop & Shop) in CT. On 12/30, I paid $2.479 to fill up the Legacy with RUG at Costco. I think the further up you go in CT, the cheaper the gas gets. I know in Norwalk which is about 15 minutes north of me, gas is cheaper.

fezo

Come on down! Costco RUG is $2.15 here,

sb55

Don't come to Vermont to gas up. Article last week said the Northern VT is the highest in the continental US. It's about $2.79 for RUG here. Still about a $0.50 differential for PUG.
Our taxes are less than NY, but NY is less expensive.

fezo

I remember driving across the country back in 82. Highest prices were up in Redwood country.

stickguy

Citgo by me is $2.099

Michaell

stickguy said:

Citgo by me is $2.099

My local Kroger is offering RUG for $2.079.

stickguy

And they sell joints at the check out line too, right!

abacomike

Down here in South Florida, Costco has RUG at $2.24.9 and PUG at $2.59.9. I filled up yesterday at my Chevron Station and paid $2.79.9 for PUG. I did not go to Costco because it was 5 miles out of my way which eats up most of the savings per gallon. Besides, I get 2% back from American Express at Chevron, but they don't consider Costco a gasoline station so I get no rebate. So I get back just under 6 cents a gallon if I fill up at Chevron.

I can't figure out why Costco is not considered by American Express as a gasoline station.

graphicguy

Costco Top Tier

RUG-$1.72
PUG-$1.99

robr2

abacomike said:

I can't figure out why Costco is not considered by American Express as a gasoline station.

Because they aren't a gas station. They are a wholesale club that sell gasoline. The credit card companies categorize them as "wholesale clubs." Since it's all one business, they would have to categorize the entire operation as a gas station which would allow rebates on all your Costco purchases and AMEX isn't going to do that.

It's the same reason that I wasn't able to get 5% back on groceries at BJ's this last quarter.

Michaell

stickguy said:

And they sell joints at the check out line too, right!

The town I live in has outlawed the retail sale of marijuana. However, up in Denver my wife has seen signs that advertise "Joints - $3".

Contributed a pretty penny to the tax coffers. And, I know of a number of people who have moved here specifically because of the legalization.

graphicguy

Michaell...I know of a former business colleague who worked for HP in Ft Collins, CO. He had been there awhile (say 15 years) and was a VP. He quit once it became relatively certain CO was going to legalize pot, so he filed all the paperwork, opened up a store front and says he's happier than he's ever been. I don't even think he's ever smoked pot.

Michaell

graphicguy said:

Michaell...I know of a former business colleague who worked for HP in Ft Collins, CO. He had been there awhile (say 15 years) and was a VP. He quit once it became relatively certain CO was going to legalize pot, so he filed all the paperwork, opened up a store front and says he's happier than he's ever been. I don't even think he's ever smoked pot.

It's become a huge business here, and there is certainly lots of money to be made if you are savvy enough.

The state legislature had to pass laws determining the limits of DWH (driving while high), and enforcement has been tough, as it requires a blood test to measure the level of THC in your system.

Mr_Shiftright

Yes but you have the lowest crime rate in America--so you must be getting something for those taxes!

sb55 said:

Don't come to Vermont to gas up. Article last week said the Northern VT is the highest in the continental US. It's about $2.79 for RUG here. Still about a $0.50 differential for PUG.
Our taxes are less than NY, but NY is less expensive.

stickguy

But lots of heroin addicts shifty.

robr2

Michaell said:

graphicguy said:

Michaell...I know of a former business colleague who worked for HP in Ft Collins, CO. He had been there awhile (say 15 years) and was a VP. He quit once it became relatively certain CO was going to legalize pot, so he filed all the paperwork, opened up a store front and says he's happier than he's ever been. I don't even think he's ever smoked pot.

It's become a huge business here, and there is certainly lots of money to be made if you are savvy enough.

The state legislature had to pass laws determining the limits of DWH (driving while high), and enforcement has been tough, as it requires a blood test to measure the level of THC in your system.

I thought the cops carried bags of Doritos and a stop watch. Eat the bag in less than 10 seconds and you are DWH!!

oldfarmer50

sb55 said:

Don't come to Vermont to gas up. Article last week said the Northern VT is the highest in the continental US. It's about $2.79 for RUG here. Still about a $0.50 differential for PUG.
Our taxes are less than NY, but NY is less expensive.

Didn't it just get more expensive on jan. 1st? 5 states snuck a tax increase in as of new year. I think VT was the highest.

Mr_Shiftright

I found "works" once in a used car I bought.

ab348

Michaell said:

Contributed a pretty penny to the tax coffers. And, I know of a number of people who have moved here specifically because of the legalization.

It would make me move away.

Michaell

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Contributed a pretty penny to the tax coffers. And, I know of a number of people who have moved here specifically because of the legalization.

It would make me move away.

Why? I haven't noticed a big change this past year.

If anything, we're selling more pizza .... which is good for me, since I'm a part time delivery driver.

jayrider

Michaell said:

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Contributed a pretty penny to the tax coffers. And, I know of a number of people who have moved here specifically because of the legalization.

It would make me move away.

Why? I haven't noticed a big change this past year.

If anything, we're selling more pizza .... which is good for me, since I'm a part time delivery driver.

Of course you are selling more pizza. Where else can you get something that pushes all your taste buttons delivered to your door that lets you forget all your troubles while feeding your pie hole for $25.

nyccarguy

I have a very good friend who grows medical marijuana in So Cal.  He makes a very good living & has never smoked pot at all.

roadburner

The Cooper Zeon RS3-As on my son's X3 were down to the wear bars, so I bit the bullet and threw a set of Michelin Premier A/S tires on it today. Not cheap, but they have a 60k treadwear warranty and have received good reviews from all quarters. My wife drove the 168k mile truck home and once again remarked that she liked it better than her 328i; I do too actually, AWD and all. The seats are more comfortable, it feels tighter(don't know why) and handles at least as well- which may be due to the fact that our truck is one of the early ones, so it's equipped with what many considered to be an overly stiff suspension(Wimps!). My wife may yet "give" the E90 to Number One Son before he returns to SC.
Suits me...

nyccarguy

It's very funny how certain cars are equated with certain brands outside the world of us car nuts - for instance, you tell someone you drive a BMW & they automatically think it is a 3 series...

I tell people I drive a Subaru & their 1st reaction is "Outback, right?" Then when I say "no actually..." "Oh, a WRX!" Then I finish telling them I drive a Legacy which is the sedan version of the Outback. "Oh. Gotcha."

sb55

oldfarmer50 said:

sb55 said:

Don't come to Vermont to gas up. Article last week said the Northern VT is the highest in the continental US. It's about $2.79 for RUG here. Still about a $0.50 differential for PUG.
Our taxes are less than NY, but NY is less expensive.

Didn't it just get more expensive on jan. 1st? 5 states snuck a tax increase in as of new year. I think VT was the highest.

I heard that VT actually lowered it's gas tax a little, as they put on a "temporary" one on a few years ago.