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Comments
DaveM
Even if it's not legally mandated, it is still recommended.
Funny to see all the Baja and Element ads actually focusing on the beach, when they're not allowed on many of them. Subaru even donated some to the NJ beach patrol. I wonder if they retrofit full size spares?
-juice
The intro was cool, techno music blasting and a presentation about the C class. They had frou-frou foods that neither she nor I liked much. Drinks were good, hand massage booths, video games, and a cable channel all co-sponsored the event.
Outside, pro drivers gave took you for a spin in AMG models of the C class sedan and coupe (hatchback). We did that first. Nice drifts, fun.
Then we drove the 230 Kompressor, the new 1.8 supercharged engine. Impressive. I'll save the full review for the Test Drive Team topic. But I'll tell you, it is night-and-day better than the coarse 2.3 supercharged it replaces.
She liked the "coupe", i.e. hatchback. I liked the 230 sedan, it's lighter and quicker. More front/rear balance too.
A 3rd area had the 4Motion models. We tried a C240 4Motion, and my main complaint is it's slow. Not enough power to overcome all that weight and drag. Over a wet/soapy tarp, it did not spin its wheels, while the C240 RWD in front of us did, even with traction control. But still, it felt too slow to break traction. Let's just say I'd recommend the 320 4Motion instead.
That's the first time I've ever preferred a RWD model over an AWD model, but then they had different engines. Interesting that the 2.6l V6 has less power and less torque, yet it costs more, about $2 grand more than the 1.8l.
My wife loved it. She said she'd come again in a heart beat. We each got a free hat, some of those disposable cutting boards, and a fun time.
-juice
4Motion = VW
4Matic = MB
DaveM
I think hybrids have a real future in minivans, mid-size and full-size SUVs and pickups. I believe Honda is working on a hybrid pickup.
Bob
-juice
DaveM
Let's see if VW ups New Beetle quality now that they can focus on that model.
-juice
I really think hybrids (of some sort) are the wave of the future for larger vehicles. I bet within ten years hybrid minivans, SUVs, and trucks (of all sizes) will be commonplace.
Bob
Range is the selling point. And the green factor.
-juice
Want better gas mileage? Ride a motorcycle. 50 MPG even when I'm arsing about.
-Colin
Too many stolen bikes, I've lost 3 personally. Not unless I had an enclosed garage at the start and end of most every ride.
-juice
I won't have a pension to worry about, odds are very slim I'll be here long enough to qualify. Although 5 years is coming up quick... but nah.
-Colin
2003-07-15 15:49 (New York)
July 15 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. regulators began an inquiry into whether brakes of late-model Nissan Motor Co. Xterra sport-utility vehicles generate excessive heat that makes them prone to warping.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started the inquiry July 11 after receiving a complaint from a North Carolina consumer about a 2002-model year vehicle, the agency said. NHTSA said it decided to include the 2001 and 2003 model years for comparison. The probe is the first in NHTSA's three-step process, which can result in a recall.
As many as 300,000 Xterra sport utilities were made during the model years. NHTSA will decide whether to pursue a more detailed investigation or drop the case. The agency has received one other complaint about the Xterra's brakes.
Nissan spokesman John Schilling said the company isn't aware of any problems with Xterra's brakes. Tokyo-based Nissan's U.S. operations are located in Gardena, California.
Separately, the agency said it's investigating Subaru of America Inc.'s 2002 and 2003-model Impreza WRX sports cars for possible loss of brake power on uneven terrain. The probe covers about 20,000 vehicles.
NHTSA began the evaluation on July 8 and has received 45 complaints about the loss of braking or extended braking distance needed, which has resulted in five crashes. Subaru spokeswoman Lisa Fleming said the automaker will provide the agency with additional information, declining to elaborate.
Subaru of America, based in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is a unit of Japan's Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
Hutch, are you out there?
Bob
Ken
other AWD manufacturers have somehow tuned ABS around this tendency...
-Colin
-juice
And is anyone else getting a box every page load here in TownHall? I'm using IE6, it says "stack overflow at line: 64" but everything seems fine after I close it. Very annoying...
-Colin
Ross
-Brian
I have recently acquired a 93 A-package miata with 146K miles. I'm intending to do the tranny drain and refill, as well as servicing the shifter turret and diff in the next week or two, but am not sure which brand to go with. What are your suggestions? I'm looking at Royal Purple or Redline MTL. I think the appropriate weight is 80w90, will check the manual to be sure. Any of your insight would be helpful. Thanks, Rachel
-Colin
;-)
Ross
I used Mobil 1 synthetic in both the tranny and the rear diffy. Why? Because it's available in stores, and I didn't have to mail order it, plus I could always go get more in a pinch, if it spilled or something.
$7 per quart IIRC. Smells nasty too.
If you DIY, 2 options: get a funnel and a long tube, and feed it down through the engine bay into the filler hole. Or #2, get a hand pump for the oil (sold next to the gear oils). I used #2.
No magic here, remove the upper bolt first (VERY important, if it's stuck and you've drained it, you are screwed). Then remove the lower bolt, and let it drain. Replace the lower bolt. Fill until it begins to spill over. Replace the upper bolt. Voila.
You'll have the wonderful smell of "gear oil cologne" all day. Do it on a hot day because the oil is *thick* and it'll be easier to pump.
The instructions are the same for the rear diffy.
My tranny fluid was clean, but the diffy fluid was dark and clowdy, so it was definitely spent. The car had 8 years and 29k miles, so I'm sure yours isn't any better now! :-)
BTW, I think most of this applies to Subarus, too. The drain bolts are glued on somehow so it's much harder to remove Subaru's bolts.
-juice
Ron
-Frank P.
Yes, I've been lured to the dark side. Shhh...don't tell Bill!
re: stack error. I was getting it earlier, but it seems to be working now.
As for the spare... I always like my spot, right on the rear of the door, no mud in the vehicle, no suitcases to remove, and most importantly? If y it's in mud up to the axle, you can actually get it out, whereas the ones you lower, are real hard to get out when it's in deep mud.
-mike
You sun burned? Good weather for boating.
-juice
Was quite enjoyable to rip on a modded WRX on the backroads a bit, I was driving a sedan with headers, exhaust, mbc, and some 17" rims with S03s and 4-pots. Good fun.
-mike
-Dan-
-juice
Jon
-Frank P.
-juice
Ken
I'm assuming you're getting rid of 'just' the car, and not the car and your wife?
Bob
Ross
Ken
-Dan-
Automotive News says the used car market is finally picking up, though it had just recently hit bottom. You might want to try listing your Jetta to see if it sells. It's easier to buy than it is to sell right now.
-juice
Geez, you're not including the kid too!?!?
Bob
They want 90k for that thing? <Actually I read that they are selling for 8k off sticker>. I didn't like the pictures of the Porche SUV but I was thinking that it would look better in person. I was wrong....
Frank