Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

Mr_Shiftright

It's not Jaguar/Range Rover cars that I'm worried about--they're doing pretty well--it's the parent company TATA that is cause for concern. Jaguar is doing very well in China.

laurasdada

Jaguar: I like the car so much, that I bought the company!

Such rumors abounded about Audi, too, not too long ago...

I'm not sure I'm understanding your concern about Tata, are they in financial trouble?

Mr_Shiftright

Well their CEO apparently ?? committed suicide this past January by taking a flying off a hotel, amid depressing sales results:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-27/tata-motors-troubles-go-well-beyond-top-execs-shocking-death

As the article says at the end, Jaguar is the only good news for the company so far.

laurasdada

Well, while certainly not an uplifting story, I'm not sure I'd yet panic about JLR pulling out of the US in the near future.

GG: Take your sis to the Jag dealer. See if they have a Buy One Get One sale going. If so, if she buys an XF, I'll give y'all a few $ for the F-Type they throw in...

fushigi

@bwia said:
The Galaxy S-5 is more than a smart phone. It handles all your communication and navigation needs and the 1080p and 4K video camera is amazingly brilliant. However, battery life stinks. I have to recharge at least twice a day.

It may be due to the carrier & not the phone. On modern smartphones some carriers configure them to aggressively seek out WiFi hotspots so the carrier can lessen the use of their cellular data network. They're managing their network at the expense of your battery life/user experience. Example: Sprint used to call it Connection Manager but may be calling it Smart Mode now. On my S4 it's in Settings under Wi-Fi. Disabling that meant my end-of-day battery was at least 30% higher.

ab348

@driver100 said:
I have a feeling GGs sister won't be interested in a Genesis. The Genesis would appeal to a very value conscious buyer who doesn't care what the rest of the world thinks.

Speaking of such things, I was behind a white Equus in traffic yesterday. Surprised me, first one I have seen here. Didn't know they were even selling them locally - maybe one got on the car carrier by accident with a shipment of Accents. From the rear at least, it is totally unimpressive-looking and very generic. This one was in livery service, maybe that's its niche now that Ford is no longer making Town Cars.

ab348

@‌ jayrider

My 2012 LaCrosse is still clear. For now. I pick my cars like I pick slot machines. Always a winner.

My 2011 Regal has not come up on the list yet either. Recall-free!

driver100

@laurasdada said:
Actually, that is a Jag XF Shooting Brake, not a MB. I'd buy one in a heartbeat over an SUV...

Actually, I had a hard time finding a picture of the car I saw. Now, I think I have it, a 2014 Mercedes Benz Shooting Brake.

Another picture...they look quite dramatic in real life.

btw, that Jag Estate Wagon looked pretty nice too.

driver100

@Mr_Shiftright said:
It's not Jaguar/Range Rover cars that I'm worried about--they're doing pretty well--it's the parent company TATA that is cause for concern. Jaguar is doing very well in China.

He can always get his car serviced at a dealer in China.

bwia

@fushigi said:
It may be due to the carrier & not the phone. On modern smartphones some carriers configure them to aggressively seek out WiFi hotspots so the carrier can lessen the use of their cellular data network. They're managing their network at the expense of your battery life/user experience. Example: Sprint used to call it Connection Manager but may be calling it Smart Mode now. On my S4 it's in Settings under Wi-Fi. Disabling that meant my end-of-day battery was at least 30% higher.

Hmmn, interesting, and thanks for sharing that information. My carrier is AT&T and they hit me with a $244 international data charge for only 102 MB of data usage. That's how they make up for their unlimited phone and text messages.

robr2

@Mr_Shiftright said:
Well their CEO apparently ?? committed suicide this past January by taking a flying off a hotel, amid depressing sales results:

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-27/tata-motors-troubles-go-well-beyond-top-execs-shocking-death

As the article says at the end, Jaguar is the only good news for the company so far.

Well it's a bit of a stretch to say his suicide had anything to do with poor sales. The poor economy created a difficult environment to sell cars - even the Nano.

Jaguar and Land Rover aren't going anywhere. Tata is a huge conglomerate. Tata Motors is just 1 of over 100 subsidiaries that the Tata Group has and Jaguar and Land Rover are important brands to them.

fezo

Enough of that. What am I going to do with my Mazda 6? Looking for things like shocks and springs. The performance tires will come as the current ones, which are perfectly nice, wear down a bit.

stickguy

I linked to a nice suspension set up the other day. Springs struts shock tower brace and tires, and ready to auto-X. Senior division.

oldfarmer50

@fezo said:
Enough of that. What am I going to do with my Mazda 6? Looking for things like shocks and springs. The performance tires will come as the current ones, which are perfectly nice, wear down a bit.

Don't forget to get some cool wheels to go with the suspension upgrades.

http://www.driveaccord.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=68970&d=1372439059

abacomike

@driver100 said

"Actually, I had a hard time finding a picture of the car I saw. Now, I think I have it, a 2014 Mercedes Benz Shooting Brake."

Driver, if you added a wagon back to my CLS 550, you'd have a "Shooting Brake" Mercedes. Same rear lights, side and front styling (quarter panels), etc.

fezo

Farmer - I have enough eye trouble without adding that to it!

Stick - don't suppose you could repost that link? I'll find it otherwise.

fezo

Never mind. Found it.

driver100

@abacomike said Driver, if you added a wagon back to my CLS 550, you'd have a "Shooting Brake" Mercedes. Same rear lights, side and front styling (quarter panels), etc.

I thought about that when I saw it...I said, that's just like Mikes only as a wagon!

They look pretty awesome in real life.....but, of course it doesn't make much of a wagon, with that low roof and sloped rear end. It says, I am a practical person who drives a very utilitarian station wagon.........but, it doesn't mean it has to be a dull old station style wagon.

fezo

This is all stick's fault - http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Koni&model=FSD+Damper+Set&group=FSD+Damper+Set&partNum=2100-4052&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA6+s+Wagon&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=

But, dear, they were on sale.....

imidazol97

@fezo said:
This is all stick's fault - http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Koni&model=FSD+Damper+Set&group=FSD+Damper+Set&partNum=2100-4052&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA6+s+Wagon&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=

But, dear, they were on sale.....

They look like an interesting theory for strut/shock adaptation. BUT, I would think there needs to be some electronic active control. I just can't see a passive system actually working.

explorerx4

I was glad to see the 97-04 Malibu finally made the recall list, not because I wanted it to, but because it needed to be on that list.
My mother had to replace the ignition in her '03. Her problem was a no start condition and it was due to a 'heavy' key chain, according to the dealer.
There were a lot of keys on the key chain, but no more than were on it when she had her Lebaron for almost 10 years.
Got my Fusion back after 2 weeks at the dealer, so I'm out of car shopping mode for now.

isellhondas

I can see a person buying ONE Jaguar but to want another?

Maybe GG's sister lucked out and found an exceptional one.

houdini1

@driver100 said:

That is one big ugly car !

oldfarmer50

@driver100 said:

That's a pretty cool wagon but I can't help think MB lifted the idea from the Dodge Magnum during the Chrysler days.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/dodgemagnum.jpg

oldfarmer50

@fezo said:
This is all stick's fault - http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?make=Koni&model=FSD+Damper+Set&group=FSD+Damper+Set&partNum=2100-4052&autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MAZDA6+s+Wagon&autoYear=2006&autoModClar=

Bu

t, dear, they were on sale.....

That sounds intriguing. I'd like to see the results of that installation.

oldfarmer50

@explorerx4 said:
I was glad to see the 97-04 Malibu finally made the recall list, not because I wanted it to, but because it needed to be on that list.

I would think they would recall that generation Malibu and corporate twin Olds Cutlass because of the design defect that caused gaping rust holes around the fuel door. Almost bought one of those and am glad I didn't.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/media/complaints/images/3e0718c2-21dd-1031-83d1-a6ebaa90d167r.jpg

http://cdn2.armslist.com/sites/armslist/uploads/posts/2013/06/13/1757805_03_2001_chevrolet_chevy_malibu_4__640.jpg

ab348

@oldfarmer50 said:
I would think they would recall that generation Malibu and corporate twin Olds Cutlass because of the design defect that caused gaping rust holes around the fuel door. Almost bought one of those and am glad I didn't.

Whatever that design was, it wasn't just limited to those models. My Olds Intrigue had a similar problem and I often see Luminas, Aleros and many other GM cars of that era with rust there. I know on my Intrigue you could not get at the area from under the car to apply rustproofing. I was apparently an unsealed double-panel area of some sort that let water and road salt get into the area.

fezo

I'm checking the Mazda dealer for OEM springs. If they don't have them I'll live.

explorerx4

Fezo, Check Rock Auto. I got the rear lift gate struts for my Explorer delivered under $50 for the pair. Dealer price was around $80 EACH. They were an exact replacement (same manufacturer).

henryn

Rock Auto is good. Sometimes Amazon is even better if you have Amazon Prime and get free 2 day delivery.

roadburner

@imidazol97 said:
I just can't see a passive system actually working

It does- at least in my experience with FSDs on the MS3. Quite well, in fact.

stickguy

Fezo, my wife is always yelling at me about something, so I won't even notice yours doing it too. So feel free to point the bus my way!

don't forget the strut tower brace.

driver100

@oldfarmer50 said:

That's a pretty cool wagon but I can't help think MB lifted the idea from the Dodge Magnum during the Chrysler days.

You have to be joking:
This:

Compares to this;

It's like saying a a Lada Niva

Started the SUV craze:

roadburner

I wouldn't mind a 2008 Magnum SRT8 for a cruiser. The '08 facelift was a huge improvement:

oldfarmer50

@driver100 said:

I didn't say they didn't make a prettier car, just that the concept of the swoop-back wagon was created by Chrysler. Just like the PT Cruiser started the crossover trend.

The SUV craze was started by Jeep and Land Rover.

Like or not Chrysler came up with some pretty good ideas that were built upon by others. Think minivans.

driver100

@oldfarmer50 said:
Like or not Chrysler came up with some pretty good ideas that were built upon by others. Think minivans.

Also K - Cars which were big sellers at the time. One big mistake was the 1934 Chrysler Airflow...designed on airplane engineering. A great car technically, ahead of the others, just that people thought it looked peculiar.

houdini1

@oldfarmer50 said:
Like or not Chrysler came up with some pretty good ideas that were built upon by others. Think minivans.

My family had a "Jeepster" back in the early 1950's. Can't remember if it had 2 or 4 doors, but it was a hard top. My mom learned to drive in it.

ab348

@oldfarmer50 said:
I didn't say they didn't make a prettier car, just that the concept of the swoop-back wagon was created by Chrysler.

I would suggest it was started by AMC in the '70s with the Hornet Sportabout.

While there is no denying Jeep was an early SUV pioneer, the vehicle that normalized SUVs for the American public was the original Ford Explorer.

stever

@oldfarmer50 said:
Like or not Chrysler came up with some pretty good ideas that were built upon by others. Think minivans.

I remember getting excited about the concept Caravan back in my Tennessee days, late 70s, early 80s. Probably because the previous minivan that had been in the family had a big bump in the rear over the motor, which hampered the usability. That was a 1969 VW Bus, complete with an otherwise flat floor and a sliding door.

oldfarmer50

AMC Hornet Sportabout

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4126/4841798372_6296bc15a4_z.jpg

"While there is no denying Jeep was an early SUV pioneer, the vehicle that normalized SUVs for the American public was the original Ford Explorer."

How about the Bronco?

http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2010/01/02/00/08/1966_ford_bronco-pic-5658710960964872793.jpeg

graphicguy

LD....Mr Shiftright and all the rest of you miscreants (as he types sarcastically)....not sure what my sister didn't like about the new Jags. Personally, I think they're a whole ton better looking and performing than her "S". Plus, she likes the brand. It may be her dealer (she lives in Indianapolis). I told her the dealer in Cincy has a good rep. Buy it here, service it there.

Anyway, she finally test drove the 535ix and the RLX last night. She likes both. Apparently, there is that much of a difference between how the 528i drives vs the 535i. Not really a surprise. That twin scroll turbo 3.0 6 cal is a gem. But, the "gotcha" is the price.....well into the $60s the way she wants it cooked up.

She really liked the RLX, too. My guess, that's how she's leaning.

Regarding the Mercedes E350, not sure what the issue was. I know she was put off by the fact that for the kind of money they're asking, she didn't even get leather interior. Plus, BMW wooed her with the free 4 year maintenance and wear/tear coverage. It's an extra charge (which isn't a small charge) for the Mercedes.

We'll see how this plays out. Her phone calls are coming fast and furious trying to get her to buy NOW. When is the June sales month finished?

ab348

@oldfarmer50 said:
How about the Bronco?

No. When I say normalized I mean having soccer moms drive them to school to pick up the kids or to go shopping in, that sort of thing. The Bronco never did that in any of its forms. The way the Explorer took off in the early '90s among mainstream buyers really set off the SUV craze.

laurasdada

Good luck to sis, I'm sure she'll make the right choice. I still like the "exlusivity" of the XF (read: for every 10,000 E, 5, A6 sold, one XF is sold!).

I'm sure the RLX is a nice ride. But, man, that exterior, imho, is just as dull as dishwater! My '05 TL was such a handsome design, hope Acura can find that magic again...

bwia

Is Obama really that bad? A Quinnipiac University poll found him to be the worst president since WWII. At this rate he won't be on Mount Rushmore anytime soon.

This thread is not meant to be political but presidential politics affect issues dear to our hearts, to wit: jobs, healthcare, automobiles and petrol. Obama is unfortunate to be presiding over a changing world order and America is not the sphere of influence it used to be. Let's face it folks the geopolitical challenges of our times make us look weak. No president can change that momentum shift, not even .....(fill in the blank with your favorite president.)

From all accounts I have read and seen this century belongs to China and to a lesser extent Brazil. China needs raw materials on unprecedented scale and Brazil is willing and able to satisfy their insatiable need.

jayrider

@graphicguy said:

She really liked the RLX, too. My guess, that's how she's leaning.

Acura has been posting terrible sales figures except for the MDX. I would look real hard for money on the RLX.

oldfarmer50

@bwia said:
Is Obama really that bad? A Quinnipiac University poll found him to be the worst president since WWII. At this rate he won't be on Mount Rushmore anytime soon.

This thread is not meant to be political but presidential politics affect issues dear to our hearts, to wit: jobs, healthcare, automobiles and petrol. Obama is unfortunate to be presiding over a changing world order and America is not the sphere of influence it used to be. Let's face it folks the geopolitical challenges of our times make us look weak. No president can change that momentum shift, not even .....(fill in the blank with your favorite president.)

Worst president ever but car production will surpass 16 million this year. Who the heck is buying all those cars. Must be you rich old guys because young people are broke these days.

Yikes, it's been 5 years since I last bought new.

graphicguy

@jayrider said:

Jay...there is trunk money on the Acura RLX.

oldfarmer50

@houdini1 said:

Don't go putting words in my mouth, I was just paraphrasing what bwia posted. I may (or may not) agree 100% with your statement but I come here to forget politics.

Kirstie_H

I'd like to gorget politics. In fact, I'd like to forget I saw posts here about politics. Even when intentions are good, the conversation rarely goes well, so let's drop that one.

abacomike

@Kirstie_H‌ said:

"I'd like to gorget politics. In fact, I'd like to forget I saw posts here about politics. Even when intentions are good, the conversation rarely goes well, so let's drop that one."

Thanks, Kirstie! I'd rather "gorget" politics as well "forget" politics. We were doing so well on this new thread until today.

Every time we got involved in politics on the old thread (SFTSF) it was gruesome.

Thanks for the pep talk - we all need to be reminded every so often. And I've been such a good boy of late!!!