Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

carnaught

"GM has some really nice cars, it is a shame they are priced as they are."

True especially with most of today's Cadillacs. I think that is the major reason why their sales are down, even though they're nice cars.

graphicguy

I think Cadillac tried to stem the big discount tide when they tried to hold the line on pricing their cars as a function of where they positioned the models. That did not take into consideration the years and years of non-competitive vehicles and big discounts as a way to move them off the dealers' lots.

Gonna take more than a few years for that trend to move in another direction. They're trying to educate an entirely new demographic that's younger than the one they've courted for all these years.

That doesn't take into account the engineering shortfalls that I've experienced.

dino001

One huge problem Cadillac has is too big dealer network - by factor of 3. Their network has a size from heydays in 60s and 70s, when Germans were small and Japanese premium brands were non-existent. That's essentially mutually exclusive. You can't have a small volume luxury brand and the same time some Chevy dealers in small towns selling those things. Even in big cities you can see 3 dedicated Cadillac dealers per one BMW, MB, or Audi dealer. How to get out of those multiyear franchise deals, I don't know. To me, Cadillac is boxed in and there is not much they can do. They want (have to) sell a lot of units, yet they want to be premium brands. Pushing price of CTS to 60K+ did not help to achieve that goal. It might have if ATS was selling well, but it does not. They only real seller is Escalade. That's probably until next fuel price crisis.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

sda said:

stickguy said:

my Hondas (Accord and Odyssey) both had lousy OEM batteries that did not last all that long (4 years max, one might have been 3).

one problem is that sometimes it is not a gradual fade out that gets you (so you get warning). Rather, something just lets go internally (I guess a cell failing) and you go from good to dead like flipping a switch. No real way to predict that.

That has been my experience as well. Battery lasted 4 years on the Civic and 3 on the Accord. No warning at all with the Civic. Started up just fine and went to Publix. Came back less than 10 min later and it hardly made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I hadn't started the Accord for about 3 days and it cranked slowly, started, stalled (a first) and then was completely dead. I had to pry the cover near the shifter off so I could stick a key and manually override the Park lock out to get the car in neutral. I drafted my wife to help push it out of the garage so I could position the Pilot to jump it off. Fun times!

I sold our next door neighbors a new Accord in 1996 and the original battery lasted 13 years! that has GOT to be a record!

My experience is that OEM batteries are better than aftermarket batteries.

My first car, a 1956 Chevy that I got used in 1961, had a 6 volt Delco battery that was literally tortured and was still in the car in 1963 when I sold it.

That is a looooong story. Nobody would read all of that so I'm not going to even try. I get tired of just thinking about what that battery went through.

jmonroe

Ah...not to be nitpicky but Chevy went to a 12 volt system in 1955.

Yes, you are correct. I was going to correct it but let it go since it was past the EDIT period and I didn't want to repost the correction. What I do remember for sure is that my '56 Chevy had a generator not an alternator. I'm not sure when GM made that change but I think my '62 Chevy that replaced the '56 had an alternator but since I never had to do any charging system work on the '62, I'm not positive about that.

jmonroe

It seems Chev started using alternators on the 62 models:

ALTERNATORS ON CHEVS))

(notice the brevity, the simplicity of the post, the getting to the point!)

Anyone can answer an easy question. Some answers only require a YES or a NO. The question I asked could have been answered by just saying, "1962". You were wordy with your answer.

Now go find out why cars replaced generators with alternators. I know the answer. And don't just tell me, "they are BETTER".

Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first?

HINT: Keep it short.

jmonroe

driver100

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

Which reminds me, it is likely VW will have the highest sales of any car company for 2016. Just GM hasn't reported in and it seems they won't beat VW as there large market North American sales are down a bit. Although VW sales are off in some markets like the USA, they are strong in China and other countries.

Around here, GM's mid-size and large cars are nailed to the showroom floor. I have yet to see the new model Lacrosse on the road here and even though the new Impala has been out for a few years they remain a rare sight. A few new Malibus are around but not many, and yesterday I saw a newish Regal (the refreshed model) for the first time in 3 years. Even though I'm a GM fan I concede that the money they ask (pre-incentives) for the equipment level they provide often seems noncompetitive, especially with the Korean makes.

I love my ATS but I will need to make a decision in a few months when the lease ends.

Good analysis ab. I do see a lot of Cruzes though. So what are you thinking when your lease ends? Do you think it would cost more to lease a BMW, MB, AUDI, Lexus.....when you consider the higher trade in value the lease is based on. Would you buy your car at the end of the lease? I know you are happy with your car, but you must be thinking about your next car....a bit.

abacomike

jmonroe said:

my Hondas (Accord and Odyssey) both had lousy OEM batteries that did not last all that long (4 years max, one might have been 3). one problem is that sometimes it is not a gradual fade out that gets you (so you get warning). Rather, something just lets go internally (I guess a cell failing) and you go from good to dead like flipping a switch. No real way to predict that.

That has been my experience as well. Battery lasted 4 years on the Civic and 3 on the Accord. No warning at all with the Civic. Started up just fine and went to Publix. Came back less than 10 min later and it hardly made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I hadn't started the Accord for about 3 days and it cranked slowly, started, stalled (a first) and then was completely dead. I had to pry the cover near the shifter off so I could stick a key and manually override the Park lock out to get the car in neutral. I drafted my wife to help push it out of the garage so I could position the Pilot to jump it off. Fun times!

I sold our next door neighbors a new Accord in 1996 and the original battery lasted 13 years! that has GOT to be a record!

My experience is that OEM batteries are better than aftermarket batteries. My first car, a 1956 Chevy that I got used in 1961, had a 6 volt Delco battery that was literally tortured and was still in the car in 1963 when I sold it. That is a looooong story. Nobody would read all of that so I'm not going to even try. I get tired of just thinking about what that battery went through. jmonroe

Ah...not to be nitpicky but Chevy went to a 12 volt system in 1955.

Yes, you are correct. I was going to correct it but let it go since it was past the EDIT period and I didn't want to repost the correction. What I do remember for sure is that my '56 Chevy had a generator not an alternator. I'm not sure when GM made that change but I think my '62 Chevy that replaced the '56 had an alternator but since I never had to do any charging system work on the '62, I'm not positive about that. jmonroe

It seems Chev started using alternators on the 62 models: ALTERNATORS ON CHEVS)) (notice the brevity, the simplicity of the post, the getting to the point!)

Anyone can answer an easy question. Some answers only require a YES or a NO. The question I asked could have been answered by just saying, "1962". You were wordy with your answer. Now go find out why cars replaced generators with alternators. I know the answer. And don't just tell me, "they are BETTER". Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first? HINT: Keep it short. jmonroe

Alternators work better!  

driver100

Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first?

HINT: Keep it short.

I didn't look up...Chryco about 60.

(Valiant)

abacomike

Wasn't it Chrysler that went to alternators - 1961?  I had a used 1961 Chrysler Newport Coupe and it had an alternator.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first? HINT: Keep it short.

I didn't look up...Chryco about 60. (Valiant)

Cummon driver - you look everything up - that's one of the things we like about you! 

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those *look* like real bagels but do they have the hard crust and chewy innards?

Indeed they DO

PF_Flyer

abacomike said:

Michaell said:

abacomike said:

I have a complaint for the Moderators to handle - are you listening? I usually use my iPhone to read posts as well as "post" posts. This afternoon, I can no longer read the posts on this site because the print got so small, it is almost microscopic. Every time Vanilla (or whatever the name of the site developer is) tries to enhance one thing or fix one issue, it creates another.

Even with "zooming", it is impossible to read the posts - you can't get the entire post onto the screen. So you are constantly moving the screen back and forth. Is there anything you guys can do to help those of us who use phones with this?

It sure would be much appreciated. I had to come on to my PC to post it has gotten so bad.

I just looked at the forums on my iPhone ... same text size as I've had since the "fix" was made a week or two ago.

Before this happened this afternoon, when things were working fine, just the posting side of the page would show up in larger letters. Now, the entire page with advertisements is on the page. Just doesn't fit any more and the print is so small, I can't read it. What can I say?

Thanks for trying to get this corrected. Much appreciated.

Just checked on my phone as well and things seem normal. Any chance a setting on your phone got accidentally changed? I do that now and then and the kids are out of the house so I have to flail until I figure it out

nyccarguy

Hey @abacomike - what is your preferred MB dealer?  Del Ray or Coconut Creek?

Mr_Shiftright

PF_Flyer said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those *look* like real bagels but do they have the hard crust and chewy innards?

Indeed they DO

I am a certified Bagel Authenticator, so be careful. I have been known to diss some bagels with a dismissive wave of the hand, not unlike a French king.

Do you use baking soda instead of baking lye?

driver100

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

sda said:

stickguy said:

my Hondas (Accord and Odyssey) both had lousy OEM batteries that did not last all that long (4 years max, one might have been 3).

one problem is that sometimes it is not a gradual fade out that gets you (so you get warning). Rather, something just lets go internally (I guess a cell failing) and you go from good to dead like flipping a switch. No real way to predict that.

That has been my experience as well. Battery lasted 4 years on the Civic and 3 on the Accord. No warning at all with the Civic. Started up just fine and went to Publix. Came back less than 10 min later and it hardly made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I hadn't started the Accord for about 3 days and it cranked slowly, started, stalled (a first) and then was completely dead. I had to pry the cover near the shifter off so I could stick a key and manually override the Park lock out to get the car in neutral. I drafted my wife to help push it out of the garage so I could position the Pilot to jump it off. Fun times!

I sold our next door neighbors a new Accord in 1996 and the original battery lasted 13 years! that has GOT to be a record!

My experience is that OEM batteries are better than aftermarket batteries.

My first car, a 1956 Chevy that I got used in 1961, had a 6 volt Delco battery that was literally tortured and was still in the car in 1963 when I sold it.

That is a looooong story. Nobody would read all of that so I'm not going to even try. I get tired of just thinking about what that battery went through.

jmonroe

Ah...not to be nitpicky but Chevy went to a 12 volt system in 1955.

Yes, you are correct. I was going to correct it but let it go since it was past the EDIT period and I didn't want to repost the correction. What I do remember for sure is that my '56 Chevy had a generator not an alternator. I'm not sure when GM made that change but I think my '62 Chevy that replaced the '56 had an alternator but since I never had to do any charging system work on the '62, I'm not positive about that.

jmonroe

It seems Chev started using alternators on the 62 models:

ALTERNATORS ON CHEVS))

(notice the brevity, the simplicity of the post, the getting to the point!)

Anyone can answer an easy question. Some answers only require a YES or a NO. The question I asked could have been answered by just saying, "1962". You were wordy with your answer.

Now go find out why cars replaced generators with alternators. I know the answer. And don't just tell me, "they are BETTER".

Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first?

HINT: Keep it short.

jmonroe

Alternators work better!  

Good answer, and if he says why, say "because".

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first?

HINT: Keep it short.

I didn't look up...Chryco about 60.

(Valiant)

Cummon driver - you look everything up - that's one of the things we like about you! 

I was looking up something about 2 days ago and I believe that was what I read......so, technically I didn't look it up for JMonroe.....I looked it up before.

Mr_Shiftright

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories.

SHORT: They just DO!

abacomike

PF_Flyer said:

I have a complaint for the Moderators to handle - are you listening? I usually use my iPhone to read posts as well as "post" posts. This afternoon, I can no longer read the posts on this site because the print got so small, it is almost microscopic. Every time Vanilla (or whatever the name of the site developer is) tries to enhance one thing or fix one issue, it creates another. Even with "zooming", it is impossible to read the posts - you can't get the entire post onto the screen. So you are constantly moving the screen back and forth. Is there anything you guys can do to help those of us who use phones with this? It sure would be much appreciated. I had to come on to my PC to post it has gotten so bad.

I just looked at the forums on my iPhone ... same text size as I've had since the "fix" was made a week or two ago.

Before this happened this afternoon, when things were working fine, just the posting side of the page would show up in larger letters. Now, the entire page with advertisements is on the page. Just doesn't fit any more and the print is so small, I can't read it. What can I say? Thanks for trying to get this corrected. Much appreciated.

Just checked on my phone as well and things seem normal. Any chance a setting on your phone got accidentally changed? I do that now and then and the kids are out of the house so I have to flail until I figure it out

Is there a chance I messed up a setting?  I would say it was more than a chance - I did it and I plead guilty as charged.  

What I need is the geeky, techie abilities of a 9 year old - a 9 year old body wouldn't be bad, either!  

abacomike

nyccarguy said:

Hey @abacomike - what is your preferred MB dealer?  Del Ray or Coconut Creek?

If I was buying a new MB right now, I'd buy at Coconut Creek - I know the GM there.

abacomike

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those *look* like real bagels but do they have the hard crust and chewy innards?

Indeed they DO

I am a certified Bagel Authenticator, so be careful. I have been known to diss some bagels with a dismissive wave of the hand, not unlike a French king. Do you use baking soda instead of baking lye?

I always keep a dozen or so bagels in my freezer.  I buy them at the Deli in the casino where they make them fresh every morning.  They use water and an oven - I see them making them when I pass by in the window.  I usually buy sesame bagels.  Once I made the mistake of buying poppy seed bagels - had those little black seeds all over the place.  Sesame seeds aren't that much less messy - but their bagels can't be beat.

I take them from the freezer and put them in the microwave for 40 seconds.  Then, I slice them and put them in the toaster for a few minutes.  Then it's cream cheese or margarine - mmmmmm good!  

stickguy

We have family up on Long Island. They know to never come visit without bringing a dozen bagels. Those are the real ones. Best ones by us (a local store that makes on site) are good, but not quite as good as the NY ones.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

We have family up on Long Island. They know to never come visit without bringing a dozen bagels. Those are the real ones. Best ones by us (a local store that makes on site) are good, but not quite as good as the NY ones.

Bagel Boss on Long Island - The bagels are just phenomenal!

stickguy

Not sure the name of the place but it is in Oceanside.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories.

SHORT: They just DO!

Sounds like logical answers. Count on JMonroe to ask a question and then leave us hanging while he picks up one of his deli sandwiches.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Another question that can be answered with a shorty answer, what Big 3 maker did it first?

HINT: Keep it short.

I didn't look up...Chryco about 60.

(Valiant)

Cummon driver - you look everything up - that's one of the things we like about you! 

I was looking up something about 2 days ago and I believe that was what I read......so, technically I didn't look it up for JMonroe.....I looked it up before.

Prove it !! :@

jmonroe

qbrozen

dino001 said:

One huge problem Cadillac has is too big dealer network - by factor of 3. Their network has a size from heydays in 60s and 70s, when Germans were small and Japanese premium brands were non-existent. That's essentially mutually exclusive. You can't have a small volume luxury brand and the same time some Chevy dealers in small towns selling those things. Even in big cities you can see 3 dedicated Cadillac dealers per one BMW, MB, or Audi dealer. How to get out of those multiyear franchise deals, I don't know. To me, Cadillac is boxed in and there is not much they can do. They want (have to) sell a lot of units, yet they want to be premium brands. Pushing price of CTS to 60K+ did not help to achieve that goal. It might have if ATS was selling well, but it does not. They only real seller is Escalade. That's probably until next fuel price crisis.

Quite different than my area (NJ). I've got 4 Caddy dealers to choose from within about an hour's drive and 9 BMW.

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright said:

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories.

SHORT: They just DO!

Your LONG explanation could have just said, "more output for a given size".

And everyone knows that a cars alternator is a 3 phase electrical thingy.

@driver100 is going to have a ball looking this up.

jmonroe

jmonroe

abacomike said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those *look* like real bagels but do they have the hard crust and chewy innards?

Indeed they DO

I am a certified Bagel Authenticator, so be careful. I have been known to diss some bagels with a dismissive wave of the hand, not unlike a French king.

Do you use baking soda instead of baking lye?

I always keep a dozen or so bagels in my freezer.  I buy them at the Deli in the casino where they make them fresh every morning.  They use water and an oven - I see them making them when I pass by in the window.  I usually buy sesame bagels.  Once I made the mistake of buying poppy seed bagels - had those little black seeds all over the place.  Sesame seeds aren't that much less messy - but their bagels can't be beat.

I take them from the freezer and put them in the microwave for 40 seconds.  Then, I slice them and put them in the toaster for a few minutes.  Then it's cream cheese or margarine - mmmmmm good!  

I also like Bagels. There are so many types today I could not name them all. I'm more traditional, I like egg, garlic, onion and everything. As far as I'm concerned, when you add blueberry's, it's no longer a Bagel, it's a pastry. :@

FWIW, I put my frozen Bagels in the microwave for 2 minutes on Power Level 2. I think 40 seconds, if you are using the high setting, is too long.

jmonroe

abacomike

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those *look* like real bagels but do they have the hard crust and chewy innards?

Indeed they DO

I am a certified Bagel Authenticator, so be careful. I have been known to diss some bagels with a dismissive wave of the hand, not unlike a French king. Do you use baking soda instead of baking lye?

I always keep a dozen or so bagels in my freezer.  I buy them at the Deli in the casino where they make them fresh every morning.  They use water and an oven - I see them making them when I pass by in the window.  I usually buy sesame bagels.  Once I made the mistake of buying poppy seed bagels - had those little black seeds all over the place.  Sesame seeds aren't that much less messy - but their bagels can't be beat.

I take them from the freezer and put them in the microwave for 40 seconds.  Then, I slice them and put them in the toaster for a few minutes.  Then it's cream cheese or margarine - mmmmmm good!  

I also like Bagels. There are so many types today I could not name them all. I'm more traditional, I like egg, garlic, onion and everything. As far as I'm concerned, when you add blueberry's, it's no longer a Bagel, it's a pastry. :@ FWIW, I put my frozen Bagels in the microwave for 2 minutes on Power Level 2. I think 40 seconds, if you are using the high setting, is too long. jmonroe

You reheat your bagels the way you like them and I'll continue doing it my way - that's what makes the world go round - diversity in reheating bagels!!! 

Mr_Shiftright

I think there's a state law in NY against putting bagels in a microwave.

andres3

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

If they lose the case, and don't get the fine reduced, then I'll be stressed! On the bright side, I haven't received any new pending citations (knock on wood!).

Well just keep it slow you'll live longer (before responding think about that and what you said that I am responding to).

Errrr.... the pending ticket isn't for speeding. Bad assumption. I rail against speeding tickets for purposes more benevolent than my own self-interests.

This one is a red light with a seemingly short yellow. I have been less reluctant to slam the brakes when the timing is bad on yellow lights, but I hate having to slam the brakes, but I may hate paying the fine even more.

suydam

That's what toaster ovens were invented for.

stickguy

I prefer to let them thaw first, then toast in the toaster oven. But if they come out of the freezer, about 20 seconds in the nuker. Just enough to thaw them enough to get the bread nice through it. Topping as desired, but I usually just put on cheese.

Mr_Shiftright

makes them soggy.

ab348

driver100 said:

Would you buy your car at the end of the lease? I know you are happy with your car, but you must be thinking about your next car....a bit.

Oh yeah, of course I am thinking...

I don't think it would make sense to buy it at lease-end. The payout is around $24K Cdn and used ones (albeit with a few more miles) go for less than that. And they don't make deals on that number, though they could probably sell me something similar out of their CPO side for less. A later model CPO of something is worth looking at, as is a new lease on something. I like the Cruze hatch a lot actually. The new Regal should be out by them though unlikely to be offering deals on that. A Toyota 86 intrigues me for some reason. So does a Mustang GT and a GTI. M-Bs here are very pricey but who knows....

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories.

SHORT: They just DO!

I always liked how the 1960s Chrysler alternators looked under the hood. Weird, I know.

stickguy

can argue both ways on a lease buy out. On one hand, you know your car and how it was maintained. But you already used up 3 years of warranty. So the CPO might be a slightly bigger risk (at least, if GG ever owned it!) but if you can pay less, and get the extra warranty coverage, it does make a lot of sense.

ab348

stickguy said:

We have family up on Long Island. They know to never come visit without bringing a dozen bagels. Those are the real ones. Best ones by us (a local store that makes on site) are good, but not quite as good as the NY ones.

Up here in Canada, Montreal bagels are our NYC bagel equivalent. They really do taste different. We had a Montreal ex-pat set up a bagel bakery here a while ago and they were really good, but it's hard to make a go of things just selling bagels here and they went under.

abacomike

ab348 said:

We have family up on Long Island. They know to never come visit without bringing a dozen bagels. Those are the real ones. Best ones by us (a local store that makes on site) are good, but not quite as good as the NY ones.

Up here in Canada, Montreal bagels are our NYC bagel equivalent. They really do taste different. We had a Montreal ex-pat set up a bagel bakery here a while ago and they were really good, but it's hard to make a go of things just selling bagels here and they went under.

Diversification - a synonym for survival!  

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

PF_Flyer said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Those *look* like real bagels but do they have the hard crust and chewy innards?

Indeed they DO

I am a certified Bagel Authenticator, so be careful. I have been known to diss some bagels with a dismissive wave of the hand, not unlike a French king.

Do you use baking soda instead of baking lye?

I substitute BAKED baking soda instead of baking lye

driver100

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories.

SHORT: They just DO!

Your LONG explanation could have just said, "more output for a given size".

And everyone knows that a cars alternator is a 3 phase electrical thingy.

@driver100 is going to have a ball looking this up.

jmonroe

I can't look it up now....my wife has scheduled me going out for dinner. But, I will look it up, if I was to guess I'd say an alternator is more efficient and produces more electricity faster..

JM, I should have been your life coach...I could have added 5 years to your useable lifetime, making briefer posts, heating bagels for less time, waxing your car less often.

berri

Bagels - I'll take a chocolate glazed donut or better yet, cruller

iluvmysephia1

Or an apple fritter, eh?

PF_Flyer

Making me hungry! Don't we have a car to have a conversation about??

iluvmysephia1

Steer this baby back towards cars, someone!

Mr_Shiftright

I"m putting mud flaps on my Mini Cooper. Does that interest anyone.....



..........no, I didn't think so...............

Well you see, it's like this. When you have a hatchback with a wing + wide tires, you end up with a blanket of road grime on your back window in about 15 minutes.

sda

stickguy said:

We have family up on Long Island. They know to never come visit without bringing a dozen bagels. Those are the real ones. Best ones by us (a local store that makes on site) are good, but not quite as good as the NY ones.

Its been a long time since I've had a proper bagel. Most around here are like thick soft bread. No thanks.

houdini1

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories.

SHORT: They just DO!

Your LONG explanation could have just said, "more output for a given size".

And everyone knows that a cars alternator is a 3 phase electrical thingy.

@driver100 is going to have a ball looking this up.

jmonroe

I can't look it up now....my wife has scheduled me going out for dinner. But, I will look it up, if I was to guess I'd say an alternator is more efficient and produces more electricity faster..

JM, I should have been your life coach...I could have added 5 years to your useable lifetime, making briefer posts, heating bagels for less time, waxing your car less often.

You must be going out for the early bird special.

abacomike

houdini1 said:

LONG: they maintain a more stable current flow at low idle speeds, which is necessary for cars using numerous electrical accessories. SHORT: They just DO!

Your LONG explanation could have just said, "more output for a given size". And everyone knows that a cars alternator is a 3 phase electrical thingy. @driver100 is going to have a ball looking this up. jmonroe

I can't look it up now....my wife has scheduled me going out for dinner. But, I will look it up, if I was to guess I'd say an alternator is more efficient and produces more electricity faster.. JM, I should have been your life coach...I could have added 5 years to your useable lifetime, making briefer posts, heating bagels for less time, waxing your car less often.

You must be going out for the early bird special.

I live in what used to be called the "EARLYBIRD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!"  I have not seen an early bird menu in a restaurant or an ad in the newspaper advertising early bird specials in many, many years.  I wonder why that is?  What happened to them?  Did they all bypass South Florida and fly to Bolivia for the winter (early birds, that is)?  

PF_Flyer

Mr_Shiftright said:

I"m putting mud flaps on my Mini Cooper. Does that interest anyone.....



..........no, I didn't think so...............

Well you see, it's like this. When you have a hatchback with a wing + wide tires, you end up with a blanket of road grime on your back window in about 15 minutes.

Is that for your Mini off road adventures?

isellhondas

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

jmonroe said:

isellhondas said:

sda said:

stickguy said:

my Hondas (Accord and Odyssey) both had lousy OEM batteries that did not last all that long (4 years max, one might have been 3).

one problem is that sometimes it is not a gradual fade out that gets you (so you get warning). Rather, something just lets go internally (I guess a cell failing) and you go from good to dead like flipping a switch. No real way to predict that.

That has been my experience as well. Battery lasted 4 years on the Civic and 3 on the Accord. No warning at all with the Civic. Started up just fine and went to Publix. Came back less than 10 min later and it hardly made a clicking noise when I tried to start it. I hadn't started the Accord for about 3 days and it cranked slowly, started, stalled (a first) and then was completely dead. I had to pry the cover near the shifter off so I could stick a key and manually override the Park lock out to get the car in neutral. I drafted my wife to help push it out of the garage so I could position the Pilot to jump it off. Fun times!

I sold our next door neighbors a new Accord in 1996 and the original battery lasted 13 years! that has GOT to be a record!

My experience is that OEM batteries are better than aftermarket batteries.

My first car, a 1956 Chevy that I got used in 1961, had a 6 volt Delco battery that was literally tortured and was still in the car in 1963 when I sold it.

That is a looooong story. Nobody would read all of that so I'm not going to even try. I get tired of just thinking about what that battery went through.

jmonroe

Ah...not to be nitpicky but Chevy went to a 12 volt system in 1955.

Yes, you are correct. I was going to correct it but let it go since it was past the EDIT period and I didn't want to repost the correction. What I do remember for sure is that my '56 Chevy had a generator not an alternator. I'm not sure when GM made that change but I think my '62 Chevy that replaced the '56 had an alternator but since I never had to do any charging system work on the '62, I'm not positive about that.

jmonroe

OK, a little Chevrolet history...

1963 was the first year ALL Chevys came with alternators. EXCEPT if a 1962 full sized Chevy had factory air conditioning these came with a one year only (hard to find!) alternator.