Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

fintail

Michaell said:

Specifically for @fintail - life imitates art!

That's a good one. Also tough to replicate when the Bueller (filming location) house is in Long Beach CA and Cameron's is in Highland Park IL.

cdnpinhead

Seal drag and wear on rotaries is a huge deal, with a much higher percentage of parasitic loss than piston ring drag on conventional engines, besides which the 3 (usually) piston rings seal better than the rotary seals, which is why rotaries use a lot of oil and foul plugs -- smooth, though, and very space and weight efficient. For awhile years ago people were putting them in small aircraft for that reason. They may still be, though finding engines and parts might be a much bigger problem these days.

andres3

henryn said:

I am not a mechanical engineer, or automotive engineer, or any kind of engineer at all. But it always seemed to me that a rotary engine should be much more efficient than a reciprocating piston engine. I am aware that didn't work out so well in actual practice, but it still seems to me that it should have.

I actually owned a Mazda with the rotary engine way back when. An RX3 if I recall correctly. It was a lot of fun to drive, but I didn't keep it very long. The car was sporty, but only at high RPM, and you had to clean the spark plugs once a week in order for it to achieve those high RPMs. Then one day I checked the oil, which I did fairly often, and it was d____ near bone dry. No leaks, no nothing, just suddenly ate all of the oil. Which scared the bejusus out of me, and I sold it soon after.

Did you warn the prospective buyer it might drink 1 qt. of oil per mile?

driver100

Not so sure if they made the front on the 2023 RX500h F Sport worse:

The side rear view flows nicely:

snakeweasel

@ab348 said:
That seems like those meme pics you see on FB and the like where some smart fellow has a portable generator strapped to the roof or trunklid to power his electric car.

Well that is basically how trains work. Diesel engines running a generator that produces electricity to run the train.

snakeweasel

@qbrozen said:
That's how the Volt worked (but with ecotec engine)

But neither is really a hybrid, per say, since the ICE doesn't power the wheels directly.

But it is a hybrid, it's actually a series hybrid as you have one fuel generating electricity to power the car. Hybrids where both gas and electricity directly move the vehicle are called parallel hybrids.

andres3

People should just walk; reduced speeds will save lives.

sda

andres3 said:

People should just walk; reduced speeds will save lives.

Dude, really? lol

fintail

There's a weird forehead/prow. Dynamic! Aggressive! Edgy! Not boring! Not beige!

Nice to see they are staying with the faux floating C-pillar.

driver100 said:

Not so sure if they made the front on the 2023 RX500h F Sport worse:

qbrozen

@snakeweasel said:

@qbrozen said:
That's how the Volt worked (but with ecotec engine)

But neither is really a hybrid, per say, since the ICE doesn't power the wheels directly.

But it is a hybrid, it's actually a series hybrid as you have one fuel generating electricity to power the car. Hybrids where both gas and electricity directly move the vehicle are called parallel hybrids.

Not saying some don’t see it that way, but my personal take is to disagree. It is an EV with a backup generator. To call it a hybrid is no different, IMHO, than calling a Tesla a hybrid because a coal-fired plant provides the electricity.

snakeweasel

@qbrozen said:

@snakeweasel said:

@qbrozen said:
That's how the Volt worked (but with ecotec engine)

But neither is really a hybrid, per say, since the ICE doesn't power the wheels directly.

But it is a hybrid, it's actually a series hybrid as you have one fuel generating electricity to power the car. Hybrids where both gas and electricity directly move the vehicle are called parallel hybrids.

Not saying some don’t see it that way, but my personal take is to disagree. It is an EV with a backup generator. To call it a hybrid is no different, IMHO, than calling a Tesla a hybrid because a coal-fired plant provides the electricity.

Well it is known in the industry as a serial hybrid and has been for over 100 years. They were the original hybrids.

As for the Tesla, if the coal fired plant was integrated into the car then yes it would be one.

Sandman6472

Stick, you'll love it once the mortgage is done! Felt so good wen the wife told me we were finally all paid off on the house. Felt like a real adult and even though we had less savings in the bank, we owned the property, free & clear, just had the monthly overhead which wasn't bad at all. Gosh, in a few years, it'll have been ours freely for 30 years! Now, I'm feeling old.
Speaking of housing, was talking with the middle child about her forthcoming housing plans and instead of telling me we need to start looking to buy, she has decided to rent for another year and re-locate to Orlando if her plans work the way she thinks they will. Which means our plans will be changing also. But just going to take a wait & see approach here as it may not play out the way she thinks. And not sure I'm ready to move yet either after being here so long!

driver100

I remember when I got my statement after one year, when we bought our first house.
The only thing I owned was the front door!

Off to Victoria B.C. to see family. Might be on at times or else the fan club gets upset. I'll try my best to keep up.

tjc78

Personally I think it’s different today with the lower interest rates the want to pay it off quickly just isn’t as high.

For our primary residence my goal (maybe not my wife’s) is to be out of there before the mortgage is paid off anyway.

stickguy

That was my thinking on the last house. we refinanced a few years ago (had a 7 year arm that was getting close to ending the 7 year lock period so I did a no cost Refi into a 15 year note at a lower interest rate, something in the 2's). But once I knew we would be definitely moving (if not now when we did, another few years at most) there was zero reason to keep paying it off early.

this place, I had to take out a mortgage to buy it before selling the old place (new loan was another 7/23, best combo of lower rate (3 5/8 I think) and payment). Once we got that equity I paid off the bulk of it, but keeping some balance for now. But getting close to retirement, we want that paid off (along with the cars) to be more comfortable with doing it! Plus like Sandy mentioned, even if it is not the most logical thing from financial planning standpoint, mentally it is a big deal.

Cars I would pay off but that make no sense at the current loan rates of .9 and 0. They both have less than 2.5 years to go anyway, so if everything goes according to plan, 2 cars and the house will be all paid off by the end of 2024. At least the cars. and if the new Maverick deal finally happens and the 0% financing disappears, would probably just pay that off in cash.

graphicguy

My RX8 had a 9K redline. And, I had to use every bit of it. Was fun doing so, though. Sounded like a million angry bees under the hood.

Rotary’s advantage would be its light weight, low mass, small size. As you guys point out, at least up until this point, it’s not very fuel efficient. It uses oil (by design). And, it does not lend itself to be “clean” running.

Be interesting to see if Mazda is able to bring it back to life, in any iteration.

graphicguy

driver100 said:

Not so sure if they made the front on the 2023 RX500h F Sport worse:

The side rear view flows nicely:

CAn’t really wrap my head around that. It seems Lexus is in a race to see how ugly they can make their vehicles from one generation to the next.

stickguy

at least you notice them. maybe they are going with the concept of "even bad publicity is better than no publicity"?

qbrozen

@snakeweasel said:

@qbrozen said:

@snakeweasel said:

@qbrozen said:
That's how the Volt worked (but with ecotec engine)

But neither is really a hybrid, per say, since the ICE doesn't power the wheels directly.

But it is a hybrid, it's actually a series hybrid as you have one fuel generating electricity to power the car. Hybrids where both gas and electricity directly move the vehicle are called parallel hybrids.

Not saying some don’t see it that way, but my personal take is to disagree. It is an EV with a backup generator. To call it a hybrid is no different, IMHO, than calling a Tesla a hybrid because a coal-fired plant provides the electricity.

Well it is known in the industry as a serial hybrid and has been for over 100 years. They were the original hybrids.

As for the Tesla, if the coal fired plant was integrated into the car then yes it would be one.

Doesn’t make it right.

I know I am in the minority and going against the grain. I know this is pedantic, and I feel bad about it, but the word “hybrid” is just wrong in this use. A hybrid is the blending of 2 different things to make something with attributes of both. Adding a backup generator doesn’t change how it functions anymore than gluing fins on a dog will make it a dogshark. Did the person who carries a genny on top of their Tesla successfully make it a hybrid? No.

explorerx4

Description of Volt powertrain.
The Volt operates as a pure battery electric vehicle until its battery capacity drops to a predetermined threshold from full charge. From there, its internal combustion engine powers an electric generator to extend the vehicle's range as needed. In rare circumstances, such as speeds in excess of 80 mph (129 km/h) or the need for quick acceleration for high-speed passing on the highway, if it reaches maximum output of the electric motors, the engine may briefly be mechanically linked (by a clutch) to a generator set, adding a 10% to 15% boost in power to the drive train and improve energy efficiency

tjc78

Enjoying “local’s summer” at the shore. Nice and quiet. Beach is pretty empty, water is warm. In other words perfect.

Heading on vacation in a few weeks to Beaches Turks and Caicos for our ten year anniversary. Will be the first time our kids are on a plane. They are excited.

Has anyone ever been? If so, any tips or must dos?

Thanks

tjc78

And I am a knucklehead didn’t take my Firefighter edition truck this weekend and it’s fireman’s convention. I did see an identical model to mine except without Etorque. First one I’ve seen besides mine.

ronsteve

driver100 said:

Not so sure if they made the front on the 2023 RX500h F Sport worse:

The side rear view flows nicely:

The hood looks unnaturally high... then again, so does the new MDX, which I wonder if that wasn't channeling the previous generation Pilot with its square/truck lines.

tjc78

Yeah the front end is atrocious as all Lexus models. Doesn’t matter it will sell. The interior is very nice and there are several models and powertrain choices. If there was a decent lease on one I wouldn’t throw it out of my garage to replace the XC.

ab348

The not-so-smart key on this rental RAV4 continues to confound me. On every GM car I've had for the last couple of decades, when you pressed the unlock button on the remote it unlocks everything. On this, it just unlocks the drivers door (I just had to look it up in the owners manual). It takes a second press within 5 seconds to unlock the other doors and the rear hatch. I was out there yesterday trying to open the hatch with the remote in my other hand and could not get it to open for the longest time until finally I must have hit the button twice within the allotted time. Cripes!

I'm starting to wonder if the woo-woo driveline noise is more than just the tires. There seem to be 2 components to it, one of which only comes on above 40mph and drowns out the other. It really does not sound healthy.

I looked up the dimensions for it and compared them to the ATS. They are almost exactly the same size as it turns out. The ATS is an inch or two longer, but 2 inches narrower. It's odd because the RAV feels much bigger and bulkier.

imidazol97

On my GM cars that I can recall they each gave a choice of setting the remote key to open just the driver's door on the first push or to open all the doors. The setting was in the Driver Information Center for my leSabres and Cobalt. The Cruze and Malibu (15/14) have it in various menues on the infocenter.

I always set mine to open just the driver door for putting in purchases without opening all the doors as I get into the car in case there's a hijacker around.

tjc78

That keyfob behavior is pretty standard. Most cars I’ve owned have been like that, the later ones like @imidazol97 mentioned have a setting to change it.

I don’t notice any odd noises in my Mom’s RAV, it’s a little coarse sounding but nothing that I would say sounds unhealthy. Like you, I have little love for it.

ab348

Maybe my old key fobs were configured differently. Certainly on the two ATS models I’ve had the locking is very different than this.

I don’t hate it although the infotainment seems very kludgy. I figure the driveline sound has to be unique to this vehicle. So much of just using it feels foreign to me.

fintail

My mom's Camry is configured the same way, one press = driver's door. The car is nearly 20 years old, wouldn't surprise me if Toyota is using the same fob (and probably the antebellum cruise control switch they made for eons, too).

ab348 said:

The not-so-smart key on this rental RAV4 continues to confound me. On every GM car I've had for the last couple of decades, when you pressed the unlock button on the remote it unlocks everything. On this, it just unlocks the drivers door (I just had to look it up in the owners manual). It takes a second press within 5 seconds to unlock the other doors and the rear hatch. I was out there yesterday trying to open the hatch with the remote in my other hand and could not get it to open for the longest time until finally I must have hit the button twice within the allotted time. Cripes!

I'm starting to wonder if the woo-woo driveline noise is more than just the tires. There seem to be 2 components to it, one of which only comes on above 40mph and drowns out the other. It really does not sound healthy.

I looked up the dimensions for it and compared them to the ATS. They are almost exactly the same size as it turns out. The ATS is an inch or two longer, but 2 inches narrower. It's odd because the RAV feels much bigger and bulkier.

ab348

One thing I suspect they removed is a distinct trunk release button on the key fob. It has just 3 buttons: lock, unlock, and alarm.

tjc78

@ab348 said:
One thing I suspect they removed is a distinct trunk release button on the key fob. It has just 3 buttons: lock, unlock, and alarm.

Nah that’s just a low spec model. My Mom’s has a dedicated button for the power hatch.

If it has auto headlights locking it a second time will turn them off immediately and kill the delay.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

The not-so-smart key on this rental RAV4 continues to confound me. On every GM car I've had for the last couple of decades, when you pressed the unlock button on the remote it unlocks everything. On this, it just unlocks the drivers door (I just had to look it up in the owners manual). It takes a second press within 5 seconds to unlock the other doors and the rear hatch. I was out there yesterday trying to open the hatch with the remote in my other hand and could not get it to open for the longest time until finally I must have hit the button twice within the allotted time. Cripes!

I'm starting to wonder if the woo-woo driveline noise is more than just the tires. There seem to be 2 components to it, one of which only comes on above 40mph and drowns out the other. It really does not sound healthy.

I looked up the dimensions for it and compared them to the ATS. They are almost exactly the same size as it turns out. The ATS is an inch or two longer, but 2 inches narrower. It's odd because the RAV feels much bigger and bulkier.

My Kia is the same way with unlocking the doors with the fob.

sda

Mileage edging up because of my 3 day commute to uptown Charlotte. I am almost averaging 1k a month now.

stickguy

used the baby truck like a truck again today. had to deliver a china hutch (and their dog!) to my son today. so had the pieces arranged in the bed, and since it was too tall to fit under the cover, had to break out the rope and bungee collection and strap stuff down. I felt like such a trucker. and happy that nothing flew out on the highway!

might have jammed it all into the RDX (I think there would have been roof clearance) but that would have required folding down the seats leaving no room for the dog. plus a lot more of a pain to load.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

used the baby truck like a truck again today. had to deliver a china hutch (and their dog!) to my son today. so had the pieces arranged in the bed, and since it was too tall to fit under the cover, had to break out the rope and bungee collection and strap stuff down. I felt like such a trucker. and happy that nothing flew out on the highway!

might have jammed it all into the RDX (I think there would have been roof clearance) but that would have required folding down the seats leaving no room for the dog. plus a lot more of a pain to load.

You should get an air horn so you really feel the trucker part.

snakeweasel

@stickguy said:
used the baby truck like a truck again today. had to deliver a china hutch (and their dog!) to my son today.

A china hutch that has a dog, now I've heard everything.

tjc78

I have a day bed and trundle I have to bring down the shore in the next few weeks. I’m sure the Ram will swallow that up pretty easily.

It’s a shame I think I have to take it apart to get it out of my wife’s office otherwise it would fit whole.

stickguy

I do want to get a couple of bed nets. one that goes across the open tailgate (to extend the length) and one that goes over the top. a lot easier to contain loose tall stuff with one of those than lot of rope!

sda

Just say no to rain!

stickguy

I have a couple of tarps and some sheets of plastic so I could double wrap for weather protection. plus a large supply of plastic boxes to use as needed. But yes, exposure to rain can be an issue you need to work around.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I have a couple of tarps and some sheets of plastic so I could double wrap for weather protection. plus a large supply of plastic boxes to use as needed. But yes, exposure to rain can be an issue you need to work around.

Get a cargo van. They’re neat.

stickguy

too big. But I seriously thought about a transit connect as being the perfect 2nd car.

henryn

stickguy said:

too big. But I seriously thought about a transit connect as being the perfect 2nd car.

A minivan is a marvelous thing. It's amazing what you can fit in there with all of the seats folded down.

venture

I remember, about a year ago, whining about how every time I buy a new gas can it has some new-fangled dispenser/nozzle on it. I got one this evening and look at this contraption. I'm just going to use it for used oil storage, but man!

stickguy

henryn said:

stickguy said:

too big. But I seriously thought about a transit connect as being the perfect 2nd car.

A minivan is a marvelous thing. It's amazing what you can fit in there with all of the seats folded down.

oh, I know. we had minivans for about 17 years (got one when our 2nd kid was born and had one until she started to drive and my wife was tired of them and wanted something smaller. amazingly functional.

stickguy

I think there is a company that sells online replacement spouts. I would buy one.

the new house came with the old owners gas can. a giant 5 gallon beast with a weird set up. a spring loaded cap, with a funnel connected to it. Not that hard to pour, but I have yet to figure out how to get it off to refill it. I may just wait until it runs out, and buy a smaller can!

qbrozen

Speaking of hauling stuff..

Had to make a couple of trips to home depot the past week. Boy am I glad to have the Sprinter! One trip involved 6 gallons of paint and a ceiling fan. Whew! Putting that beast to good use.

venture

stickguy said:

I think there is a company that sells online replacement spouts. I would buy one.

the new house came with the old owners gas can. a giant 5 gallon beast with a weird set up. a spring loaded cap, with a funnel connected to it. Not that hard to pour, but I have yet to figure out how to get it off to refill it. I may just wait until it runs out, and buy a smaller can!

Yeah. I got a plain spout for the other 5 gallon can I use. This one I am just going to store used oil until I go dispose of it. I might put a Gatorade cap on it.

oldfarmer50

venture said:

I remember, about a year ago, whining about how every time I buy a new gas can it has some new-fangled dispenser/nozzle on it. I got one this evening and look at this contraption. I'm just going to use it for used oil storage, but man!

That looks similar to one I recently bought. I was suspicious of the design but once I used it I was hooked. That no spill design is great.

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

stickguy said:

too big. But I seriously thought about a transit connect as being the perfect 2nd car.

A minivan is a marvelous thing. It's amazing what you can fit in there with all of the seats folded down.

For utility use the Transit would be better. More headroom, not that much bigger.