Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

Somehow the word "Mazda", when translated into Australian, came out sounding like "Yugo".

That's a lot of money for a geranium planter, O.F.

Don't worry, I'm going to pass. For all the reasons mentioned here but mainly because of "the look" I got from my wife.

Mr_Shiftright

Evil eye from wife trumps all of us.

stever

Housekeeping note - not sure which discussion we were talking about the back button and Recent Discussions. That feature is back so you can now use the back arrow keys in your browser to go back to the discussion list and the list will automatically refresh.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Somehow the word "Mazda", when translated into Australian, came out sounding like "Yugo".

That's a lot of money for a geranium planter, O.F.

I thought they spoke English in Australia!

driver100

Getting all payments caught up so you never have to make a payment again is like reading everything on the internet, and not having to go on it again.

I think catching up on car payments is great, but, it just prolongs the need for a newer car sometime down the road. It may even make it harder to come up with the difference!

driver100

Read in the paper today....VW might be ready to buy back some diesels. They think they may be having a problem coming up with a solution.

I am thinking they could ship them to countries with lax pollution laws....maybe even come out ahead. Kind of like when they turned new Coke into a big win when people demanded their Old Coke back again, and Coke Classic did better than ever.

Mr_Shiftright

Retrofitting would be a colossal task, except for the newer models that can be corrected with software. But on most of the TDIs, they'd have to install a UREA tank (somewhere), a pump and plumbing to the exhaust system, and all the electronics to make it compatible with the rest of the car's emissions systems.

driver100 said:

Read in the paper today....VW might be ready to buy back some diesels. They think they may be having a problem coming up with a solution.

I am thinking they could ship them to countries with lax pollution laws....maybe even come out ahead. Kind of like when they turned new Coke into a big win when people demanded their Old Coke back again, and Coke Classic did better than ever.

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Somehow the word "Mazda", when translated into Australian, came out sounding like "Yugo".

That's a lot of money for a geranium planter, O.F.

I thought they spoke English in Australia!

I was being poetic

driver100

ATTN MIKE:

I need some help if you can answer this one;

The warning light for air pressure came on, and I filled the tires as stated, 38 lbs front, 44 rear.

I just don't know the steps to get the warning to go off. The warning light still comes on when I start the car. It mentions resetting and you can put in a new level for the warning. Should I set the warning to about 2 pounds less?

abacomike

driver100 said:

ATTN MIKE: I need some help if you can answer this one; The warning light for air pressure came on, and I filled the tires as stated, 38 lbs front, 44 rear. I just don't know the steps to get the warning to go off. The warning light still comes on when I start the car. It mentions resetting and you can put in a new level for the warning. Should I set the warning to about 2 pounds less?

First, you have too much air pressure in your tires - are you using psi?  Mine was 33 front and 35 rear COLD.

Next, go to tire pressure on your settings menu using steering wheel controls (the one that shows in you speedometer menu area). Once pressures show up, press the OK button.  It will bring up a prompt - reset tire pressure YES NO.  Press the YES.  That will reset the values.

abacomike

driver100 said:

ATTN MIKE: I need some help if you can answer this one; The warning light for air pressure came on, and I filled the tires as stated, 38 lbs front, 44 rear. I just don't know the steps to get the warning to go off. The warning light still comes on when I start the car. It mentions resetting and you can put in a new level for the warning. Should I set the warning to about 2 pounds less?

The reason the warnings came on was because of low pressure from the colder weather.  Make sure you are putting the proper air pressures in your tires.  38/44 is sure a lot of pressure.  Are you using metrics or US measures?  

Also, once it warms up in a day or two, your air pressures will jump to near 50 lbs, way too high, driver.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

ATTN MIKE:

I need some help if you can answer this one;

The warning light for air pressure came on, and I filled the tires as stated, 38 lbs front, 44 rear.

I just don't know the steps to get the warning to go off. The warning light still comes on when I start the car. It mentions resetting and you can put in a new level for the warning. Should I set the warning to about 2 pounds less?

First, you have too much air pressure in your tires - are you using psi?  Mine was 33 front and 35 rear COLD.

Next, go to tire pressure on your settings menu using steering wheel controls (the one that shows in you speedometer menu area). Once pressures show up, press the OK button.  It will bring up a prompt - reset tire pressure YES NO.  Press the YES.  That will reset the values.

WOW, that was fast service. I will try that right after dinner. Should the engine be going?
The pressure sounded high to me, but, that is what was printed on the door.
I'll let you know how I do.....Thanx.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

ATTN MIKE:

I need some help if you can answer this one;

The warning light for air pressure came on, and I filled the tires as stated, 38 lbs front, 44 rear.

I just don't know the steps to get the warning to go off. The warning light still comes on when I start the car. It mentions resetting and you can put in a new level for the warning. Should I set the warning to about 2 pounds less?

The reason the warnings came on was because of low pressure from the colder weather.  Make sure you are putting the proper air pressures in your tires.  38/44 is sure a lot of pressure.  Are you using metrics or US measures?  

Also, once it warms up in a day or two, your air pressures will jump to near 50 lbs, way too high, driver.

Using US....I stopped at a Circle K. I did 3 tires for $1, then it ran out and spent another buck for 1 tire....what happened to the good old days....free air.

abacomike

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

ATTN MIKE: I need some help if you can answer this one; The warning light for air pressure came on, and I filled the tires as stated, 38 lbs front, 44 rear. I just don't know the steps to get the warning to go off. The warning light still comes on when I start the car. It mentions resetting and you can put in a new level for the warning. Should I set the warning to about 2 pounds less?

First, you have too much air pressure in your tires - are you using psi?  Mine was 33 front and 35 rear COLD.

Next, go to tire pressure on your settings menu using steering wheel controls (the one that shows in you speedometer menu area). Once pressures show up, press the OK button.  It will bring up a prompt - reset tire pressure YES NO.  Press the YES.  That will reset the values.

WOW, that was fast service. I will try that right after dinner. Should the engine be going? The pressure sounded high to me, but, that is what was printed on the door. I'll let you know how I do.....Thanx.

You have to drive the car a couple of blocks first before pressures come up on the monitors.  And YES, the engine should be running.  You should really drive the car until the tires warm up a bit.

stickguy

if you are using the PSI from the sticker in the door jamb, good to go. Mike has different sized tires than you, so that could be the difference.

abacomike

stickguy said:

if you are using the PSI from the sticker in the door jamb, good to go. Mike has different sized tires than you, so that could be the difference.

No - tire size makes no difference - I spoke to MBUSA about that.  They said whatever the pressures listed on the fuel filler door are, that is the recommended pressure, no matter what sizes the tires are.

abacomike

I was referring to my E400's pressures, not my CLS400.  My CLS400 recommends 33/35 F/R, which is close to what the E400 recommends.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

I was referring to my E400's pressures, not my CLS400.  My CLS400 recommends 33/35 F/R, which is close to what the E400 recommends.

Why does MB recommend different front/rear tire pressure? I assume it affects handling but how?

abacomike

oldfarmer50 said:

I was referring to my E400's pressures, not my CLS400.  My CLS400 recommends 33/35 F/R, which is close to what the E400 recommends.

Why does MB recommend different front/rear tire pressure? I assume it affects handling but how?

I have different sized tires F/R - the E400 did as well.

255/35ZR19 and 285/30ZR19.

driver100

Thanks guys. I will try resetting later this evening.
I do think stick is right...you may have had different tires on your E400 Mike.
I think mine are the same size, but I will check.
OF....if MB says rear tires have different pressure they no what they are doing -there will be a reason for it.

imidazol97

Monday our appliances from Whirlpool/Lowes were delivered and installed. 13 out of 10 for the installers; 7 out of 10 for the salesman at Lowes.

Then after putting things back in place in the hallways that had been moved, we headed for Chick Fil A and on to a car dealer to see about a slightly used Cruze that I liked. Negotiated a deal for it. Salesman must get a bonus for delivering the same day..., talked us into waiting on it. At 4:30 we headed home in a slightly used 2LT Cruze 2015 for our son to replace his Cobalt he had driven since high school.

Great car. Peppy.

Today I investigated the rattle in the front of the Cobalt at low speeds on manhole covers. I found the axle's CV inner joint seems worn. So it's off to the dealer for a replacement. I hope it's covered under the extended warranty I had bought! No wonder Imid Jr said the new Cruze was really 'quiet' compared to the Cobalt. I hadn't driven the Cobalt for quite a while and I should have taken it for an extended drive. I assumed he would notice anything that wasn't quite right. LOL.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

Monday our appliances from Whirlpool/Lowes were delivered and installed. 13 out of 10 for the installers; 7 out of 10 for the salesman at Lowes. Then after putting things back in place in the hallways that had been moved, we headed for Chick Fil A and on to a car dealer to see about a slightly used Cruze that I liked. Negotiated a deal for it. Salesman must get a bonus for delivering the same day..., talked us into waiting on it. At 4:30 we headed home in a slightly used 2LT Cruze 2015 for our son to replace his Cobalt he had driven since high school. Great car. Peppy. Today I investigated the rattle in the front of the Cobalt at low speeds on manhole covers. I found the axle's CV inner joint seems worn. So it's off to the dealer for a replacement. I hope it's covered under the extended warranty I had bought! No wonder Imid Jr said the new Cruze was really 'quiet' compared to the Cobalt. I hadn't driven the Cobalt for quite a while and I should have taken it for an extended drive. I assumed he would notice anything that wasn't quite right. LOL.

Congratulations Imid!  I hope the almost-new Cruze gives you many enjoyable and trouble-free driving years of pleasure!

dino001

abacomike said:

No - tire size makes no difference - I spoke to MBUSA about that.  They said whatever the pressures listed on the fuel filler door are, that is the recommended pressure, no matter what sizes the tires are.

At BMW it definitely does. It should for all cars. In general terms, the required pressure is a function of supported weight, suspension (sports/non sports), wheel size, expected vehicle speed and riding surface. My BMW manual has not just different recommendations for different wheel size/suspension combinations, but even even same tires when driving at speed above 100 mph (they are quite a bit much higher, presumably to increase stiffness and reduce resistance) and you may want to use lower tire pressure, when going on sand or other soft surface on country roads. My door sticker is very specific, it lists wheel size and tire pressure for front/rear (I have staggered sizes). Benz may use one single value for a generic recommendation, when wheels are similar size of touring variety, travelling at speeds that are not extreme, which obviously is the case in the US.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

Monday our appliances from Whirlpool/Lowes were delivered and installed. 13 out of 10 for the installers; 7 out of 10 for the salesman at Lowes. Then after putting things back in place in the hallways that had been moved, we headed for Chick Fil A and on to a car dealer to see about a slightly used Cruze that I liked. Negotiated a deal for it. Salesman must get a bonus for delivering the same day..., talked us into waiting on it. At 4:30 we headed home in a slightly used 2LT Cruze 2015 for our son to replace his Cobalt he had driven since high school. Great car. Peppy. Today I investigated the rattle in the front of the Cobalt at low speeds on manhole covers. I found the axle's CV inner joint seems worn. So it's off to the dealer for a replacement. I hope it's covered under the extended warranty I had bought! No wonder Imid Jr said the new Cruze was really 'quiet' compared to the Cobalt. I hadn't driven the Cobalt for quite a while and I should have taken it for an extended drive. I assumed he would notice anything that wasn't quite right. LOL.

Congratulations Imid!  I hope the new Cruze gives you many enjoyable a trouble-free 

suydam

Congrats on the Cruze! That looks like a great car for a college student or a little older.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Thanks guys. I will try resetting later this evening. I do think stick is right...you may have had different tires on your E400 Mike. I think mine are the same size, but I will check. OF....if MB says rear tires have different pressure they no what they are doing -there will be a reason for it.

Driver, just drive into the Mercedes dealer - they will check your tires for correct pressures - add or reduce air pressures if necessary - and reset your tire pressure monitors at no charge.

I would reset your tire pressure monitors as I explained, but tomorrow, have the dealer check pressures.  I still say that 38/44 is way too high, driver.

dino001

The quote tool is terrible with nested quotes on my iPad. Buggy. Leaves off last layer, the one that's actually most important, making it look like my words, not quoted ones. I hate it, too much work.

dino001

Question to the Canadians - when is best time to buy a sleeper ticket on VIA rail? Is their pricing rigid (whatever is now, it won't get lower, can only get higher), or is it like airlines, dynamic?

Thinking about taking a trip from Vancouver to Jasper and then Edmonton, or reverse. The alternative is stay in the US and take Amtrak to Glacier, so far much cheaper. Canada looks really expensive there, even after the CAD crash. Can only imagine how bad it was when USD/CAD was 1.2, not 0.7. Alberta/BC prices look high even now. I'm set on going to that part and seing those mountains and glaciers in June/July.

ab348

It isn't uncommon at all to have different tire pressures front and rear. Remember the Corvair, with its rear weight bias and tendency to oversteer, had something like 15F/25R. Lower front pressure than rear induces some understeer and vice-versa. Nascar racers do that all the time for that reason.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

Congratulations Imid!  I hope the almost-new Cruze gives you many enjoyable and trouble-free driving years of pleasure!

Thank you! For the first time in 35 years or so there's no Buick in our fleet.

I was amazing how hard it was to keep from speeding in the Cruze. It is really nice driving.

Imid Jr now has a car to last for several years after we purchase a bumper-to-bumper extended warranty for it. And he has instructions on replacing it in the future in the event I'm not around to guide him. He's not into cars other than whether they run nicely or not, LOL. He was planning to purchase in a couple years after more pay raises and time in his Cobalt but I was ready to replace the leSabre.

I traded the Buick while it was running well although with 210 K miles. It owed me nothing. I always have liked the Cobalt. I'll get it fixed up as much as I can after the OSU college parking bruises to the plastic bumpers and probably sell it myself to a new driver and replace it with a new '17 or '18 Malibu or Cruze.

I have to keep my wife away from the Buick Encore because she will want one of those especially since her long time friend is leasing one in a few months when she turns in her Equinox lease.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Thanks guys. I will try resetting later this evening.
I do think stick is right...you may have had different tires on your E400 Mike.
I think mine are the same size, but I will check.
OF....if MB says rear tires have different pressure they no what they are doing -there will be a reason for it.

Driver, just drive into the Mercedes dealer - they will check your tires for correct pressures - add or reduce air pressures if necessary - and reset your tire pressure monitors at no charge.

I would reset your tire pressure monitors as I explained, but tomorrow, have the dealer check pressures.  I still say that 38/44 is way too high, driver.

Imid...you've been busy keeping the economy humming, congrats on the new Cruze (that is another car that always passes me on the highway) and the new appliances.

Mike....got the air pressure done thanks to your very clear instructions. I checked and rear tires are same as fronts...but recommended pressure in the gas filler door are 36 front 38 back. I suppose things like the gas tank might make a difference in weight. It is possible the monitor would not go back to normal was one tire was way under filled....at 32, so it might not be within parometers.

A good digital tire pressure gauge was a huge help. I think the air pump at Circle K was really off.....those pumps aren't that great and take a lot of abuse.

Closest MB dealer would be about 40 minutes away...so glad you gave me those instructions. Tires are set now and gauge is working....thanks again.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

Monday our appliances from Whirlpool/Lowes were delivered and installed. 13 out of 10 for the installers; 7 out of 10 for the salesman at Lowes.

Then after putting things back in place in the hallways that had been moved, we headed for Chick Fil A and on to a car dealer to see about a slightly used Cruze that I liked. Negotiated a deal for it. Salesman must get a bonus for delivering the same day..., talked us into waiting on it. At 4:30 we headed home in a slightly used 2LT Cruze 2015 for our son to replace his Cobalt he had driven since high school.

Great car. Peppy.

Today I investigated the rattle in the front of the Cobalt at low speeds on manhole covers. I found the axle's CV inner joint seems worn. So it's off to the dealer for a replacement. I hope it's covered under the extended warranty I had bought! No wonder Imid Jr said the new Cruze was really 'quiet' compared to the Cobalt. I hadn't driven the Cobalt for quite a while and I should have taken it for an extended drive. I assumed he would notice anything that wasn't quite right. LOL.

Congrats on the Cruze. Must be a good back story on why a 2015 was traded. What milage? Take a look in that engine bay and tell me there isn't room for a 6cyl. in there.

Ford dealer did the same for me. Almost desperate to make delivery the same day. Maybe they fear you'll back out if you leave. Took my guy about 3 hours for registration and financing.

abacomike

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

Thanks guys. I will try resetting later this evening. I do think stick is right...you may have had different tires on your E400 Mike. I think mine are the same size, but I will check. OF....if MB says rear tires have different pressure they no what they are doing -there will be a reason for it.

Driver, just drive into the Mercedes dealer - they will check your tires for correct pressures - add or reduce air pressures if necessary - and reset your tire pressure monitors at no charge.

I would reset your tire pressure monitors as I explained, but tomorrow, have the dealer check pressures.  I still say that 38/44 is way too high, driver.

Imid...you've been busy keeping the economy humming, congrats on the new Cruze (that is another car that always passes me on the highway) and the new appliances. Mike....got the air pressure done thanks to your very clear instructions. I checked and rear tires are same as fronts...but recommended pressure in the gas filler door are 36 front 38 back. I suppose things like the gas tank might make a difference in weight. It is possible the monitor would not go back to normal was one tire was way under filled....at 32, so it might not be within parometers. A good digital tire pressure gauge was a huge help. I think the air pump at Circle K was really off.....those pumps aren't that great and take a lot of abuse. Closest MB dealer would be about 40 minutes away...so glad you gave me those instructions. Tires are set now and gauge is working....thanks again.

36/38 sounds much better.  When I take my CLS in for a wash in a few days, I'll have them put 34/36 in the tires.  I'm running 30/31 right now because of the colder weather.

Always look at the inside of the fuel filler door for correct tire pressures.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

It isn't uncommon at all to have different tire pressures front and rear. Remember the Corvair, with its rear weight bias and tendency to oversteer, had something like 15F/25R. Lower front pressure than rear induces some understeer and vice-versa. Nascar racers do that all the time for that reason.

That's kind of what I thought. So does that apply to all cars? I can see it being a positive tendency in a performance car. I've read that most cars are tuned to oversteer because the average driver can't handle under steer.


Or is it the other way around?

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

Congrats on the Cruze. Must be a good back story on why a 2015 was traded. What milage? Take a look in that engine bay and tell me there isn't room for a 6cyl. in there.

I was shopping the '15 off lease, rentals, and GM cars that a few dealers pick up in this area. I had looked at the 2016 Limiteds and the options were more limited compared to the '15s because these are fillers until the new style Cruzes arrive. The price premium over a CPO 2015 with typically 20-25K miles was not worth it for us.

This car I bought has 20K and the tires look brand new--Continental ContiPro which are on the 2LTs instead of Firestones. It has 2 year oil change and rotation plan just like a new GM purchase has. It has an extended CPO bumper-to-bumper warranty to 4 years or 48K miles, which we will extend with an online purchase of a GMEP warranty just like I did for my '14 Malibu. Car is a 2LT model with heated leather seats, color MyLink screen, remote start and some other features which I believe include an acoustic package over the commonly available 1LT.

Imid Jr had looked at these 2LT Cruzes cars at a dealer close to his work location with me that was open on Sunday after he came back from Columbus. They had a large number of fleet cars too but miles tended to be high 20's and son didn't like the tan leather interior on the one in the color he wanted. Monday I went for this one that I had looked at on Sunday at another dealer while dealer was closed.

Never before have I made a car purchase within a week from decided to start looking.

Ironically, the check engine light came on second night Imid Jr had the car. The gas tank was down to 3/4 and car was restarted lukewarm when son went to Kroger and the car ran an emissions leak test--the gas cap probably wasn't tightened properly. I checked the code with my scanner and cleared the light last night.

driver100

Quick note about the train and the Rockies....I was hoping AB would know more about it. It is supposed to be spectacular and it has glass domes and gourmet dining etc...might explain the high cost. Remember, your US dollar will be worth over $1.30 so prices will be almost 1/3rd less than what is posted if in Cdn $$$s.

I haven't been on the train but people who have really love it. I have seen Lake Louise, Jasper, Glaciers and it is magnificent. Vancouver is a beautiful city and try to take the Sky train...it wonders through the city.

cdnpinhead

You will either see Lake Louise (Banff) OR Jasper, not both. "Back in the day" CP Rail ran south (Banff) and CN ran north (Jasper). Don't know how it is these days, but you'll have to exert extra effort to see both. Whichever way you go, a good idea is to get off the train in either Jasper or Banff and rent a car to drive to the other one via the Icefield Highway & back -- Canadian Rockies at their best.

Whatever you do, the bit between Thunder Bay and the Rockies isn't especially noteworthy. Rogers Pass (Calgary, Banff) is the more scenic route the rest of the way through the Rockies. I drove my 240-Z and my MGB alongside both rail lines -- good times. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I should have never left.

berri

Rocky Mountaineer or some such name of train out of Vancouver I believe. You eat on train and sleep in hotels each night as part of the tour package.

dino001

I had a bit different idea than the Mountaineer. I like more independent travel. Thought about using VIA Rail (Canadian national rail company). Their "Canadian" goes from Vancouver to Toronto, through Edmonton, Winnipeg, with both seats and sleepers. The schedule is such that part of the trip to Jasper is at night, but you still can see a lot, as it arrives around noon. Afternoon/evening is a stint to Edmonton. I was thinking to take the trip to Jasper, stay there for five days or so, also see Banff and then go to Edmonton, and fly back. The only thing I was wondering, how Canadian Rail prices its tickets. Rails in Europe and Amtrak tend to have fairly rigid fare structure, unlike airlines. So when cheaper tickets sell out, they're gone for good, unlike airlines, which play with their prices 1000 times a day. Wondered if VIA is the same.

Those Mountaineer packages (these are different trains, with domed windows, they travel during the day, include hotels, plus attractions, guides, etc.) are really pricey for a single person. Equivalent of 600-800 US dollars per each day of the trip. 5-day package for 3 to 4 grand, not including tips. I think I can find things for a bit less on my own. Plus, they seem targetted toward AARP crowd, still about 15 years away for me.

Anyway, seems like US side of Glacier may stil be cheaper for an independent type of vacation overall than the Canadian side, albeit it is much smaller and less developed (it may actually be a good thing). Canadian complex of parks, something like five, or more, is enormous, essentially impossible to see even highlights in one visit, even at this exchange. Seems like one could be coming back there for years to see all these different places, from Alberta to British Columbia.

Anyway, still bouncing around with multiple ideas i all different directions. BTW, the craziest one for a train ride I had so far was to take one from Toronto or Winnipeg all the way to Churchill to see polar bears, but perhaps not this time. Completely insane. Over 2 days through tundra each way.

roadburner

The Cruze is a nice car; I drove an Eco with three pedals a few years ago and was favorably impressed.

iluvmysephia1

Whatever you do, the bit between Thunder Bay and the Rockies isn't especially noteworthy. Rogers Pass (Calgary, Banff) is the more scenic route the rest of the way through the Rockies. I drove my 240-Z and my MGB alongside both rail lines -- good times. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I should have never left.

cdnpinhead - would you recommend an MGB that's in good shape for fun in the 2016/and on era?

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Congrats on the Cruze. Must be a good back story on why a 2015 was traded. What milage? Take a look in that engine bay and tell me there isn't room for a 6cyl. in there.

I was shopping the '15 off lease, rentals, and GM cars that a few dealers pick up in this area. I had looked at the 2016 Limiteds and the options were more limited compared to the '15s because these are fillers until the new style Cruzes arrive. The price premium over a CPO 2015 with typically 20-25K miles was not worth it for us.

This car I bought has 20K and the tires look brand new--Continental ContiPro which are on the 2LTs instead of Firestones. It has 2 year oil change and rotation plan just like a new GM purchase has. It has an extended CPO bumper-to-bumper warranty to 4 years or 48K miles, which we will extend with an online purchase of a GMEP warranty just like I did for my '14 Malibu. Car is a 2LT model with heated leather seats, color MyLink screen, remote start and some other features which I believe include an acoustic package over the commonly available 1LT.

Imid Jr had looked at these 2LT Cruzes cars at a dealer close to his work location with me that was open on Sunday after he came back from Columbus. They had a large number of fleet cars too but miles tended to be high 20's and son didn't like the tan leather interior on the one in the color he wanted. Monday I went for this one that I had looked at on Sunday at another dealer while dealer was closed.

Never before have I made a car purchase within a week from decided to start looking.

Ironically, the check engine light came on second night Imid Jr had the car. The gas tank was down to 3/4 and car was restarted lukewarm when son went to Kroger and the car ran an emissions leak test--the gas cap probably wasn't tightened properly. I checked the code with my scanner and cleared the light last night.

With all those options it sounds like it wasn't a rental car. Sounds great. Annoying to have lights going on 2 days in.

houdini1

dino001 said:

Question to the Canadians - when is best time to buy a sleeper ticket on VIA rail? Is their pricing rigid (whatever is now, it won't get lower, can only get higher), or is it like airlines, dynamic?

Thinking about taking a trip from Vancouver to Jasper and then Edmonton, or reverse. The alternative is stay in the US and take Amtrak to Glacier, so far much cheaper. Canada looks really expensive there, even after the CAD crash. Can only imagine how bad it was when USD/CAD was 1.2, not 0.7. Alberta/BC prices look high even now. I'm set on going to that part and seing those mountains and glaciers in June/July.

My wife and I took the train trip from Vancouver to Banff back in the mid 90's and really enjoyed it. Lake Louise is really spectacular and Banff, with its wonderful view of the Canadian Rockies, is a very beautiful city. We took a ferry from Seattle to Victoria, and then on to Vancouver at the beginning of the trip. Good memories.

cdnpinhead

iluvmysephia1 said:

. . . would you recommend an MGB that's in good shape for fun in the 2016/and on era?

I was much younger (and smaller) when I had my MGB, but I loved that car -- drove it in 44 states and 7 provinces. Tight steering and shifter, but of course no safety equipment whatever beyond the seat belt. By all means, give one a try and see what you think.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

Annoying to have lights going on 2 days in.

I have an Autel 619 scanner that reads live data and can read the codes and turn them off. I think the sales person or whoever in the prep building got it ready didn't put the gas cap on right. If the light comes on again, I'll switch cars with Jr and take it in to a local Chev store for them to replace cap or troubleshoot system. P0440 code--small leak in emissions. I rubbed the gas filler tube to smooth it if any granules had formed there and smoothed the rubber seal on the cap itself.

driver100

dino001 said:

Those Mountaineer packages (these are different trains, with domed windows, they travel during the day, include hotels, plus attractions, guides, etc.) are really pricey for a single person. Equivalent of 600-800 US dollars per each day of the trip. 5-day package for 3 to 4 grand, not including tips. I think I can find things for a bit less on my own. Plus, they seem targetted toward AARP crowd, still about 15 years away for me.

Anyway, seems like US side of Glacier may stil be cheaper for an independent type of vacation overall than the Canadian side

Anyway, still bouncing around with multiple ideas i all different directions. BTW, the craziest one for a train ride I had so far was to take one from Toronto or Winnipeg all the way to Churchill to see polar bears, but perhaps not this time. Completely insane. Over 2 days through tundra each way.

Dino, if you want to see Polar Bears you may consider Alaskan Cruise. Combine with trip to Lake Louise/Jasper/Glaciers and trip to Vancouver if never seen. If you like hiking try West Coast Trail Vancouver Island. I think unless you have a huge amount of time don't go East of Calgary on this Rocky Mountain trip.

Some friends did the Hudson's Bay Tour. They go by train. They had to buy $500 Canada Goose Jackets and other gear because it is -40 degrees there in the summer. There may be organizations that cater to singles...Adventure Tours or something.

driver100

iluvmysephia1 said:

Whatever you do, the bit between Thunder Bay and the Rockies isn't especially noteworthy. Rogers Pass (Calgary, Banff) is the more scenic route the rest of the way through the Rockies. I drove my 240-Z and my MGB alongside both rail lines -- good times. Vancouver is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I should have never left.

cdnpinhead - would you recommend an MGB that's in good shape for fun in the 2016/and on era?

True, not much to see between Rockies and Niagara Falls/Toronto in the East.

ab348

I don't know much about those mountain trains, Driver. Farthest west I have been in Canada is Regina. I can confirm that the stretch through western Ontario to the Rockies is not particularly fun to travel.

iluvmysephia1

I was much younger (and smaller) when I had my MGB, but I loved that car -- drove it in 44 states and 7 provinces. Tight steering and shifter, but of course no safety equipment whatever beyond the seat belt. By all means, give one a try and see what you think.


If I did get a wild hair and buy a sports car I would have garage space to keep it outta the elements, anyway!

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Annoying to have lights going on 2 days in.

I have an Autel 619 scanner that reads live data and can read the codes and turn them off. I think the sales person or whoever in the prep building got it ready didn't put the gas cap on right. If the light comes on again, I'll switch cars with Jr and take it in to a local Chev store for them to replace cap or troubleshoot system. P0440 code--small leak in emissions. I rubbed the gas filler tube to smooth it if any granules had formed there and smoothed the rubber seal on the cap itself.

I wonder how many CL curbstoners have used that tool to hide more than loose gas caps.

My Lincoln would throw a CEL for a few seconds about once a month. Never worried about it because a 95' could pass with the whole dash lit up. The computer never stored a code.

It took the enterprising mechanics at my trusted shop to finally diagnose and replace a glitchy cam positioning sensor.