Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

stickguy said:

Car and Driver had a road test of the Si this month, that I read last night. made me want it more actually. I was never big on high revving engines that needed to be wound real high to get any power, so the new motor suits me. The rest of the car sounds like a dream.

I agree - the likelihood of me getting into a Civic Si is very strong.

So @kyfdx - how serious are you about the right of first refusal on the GTI?

xwesx

You're still doing far better than me. At least you're in one piece!

My back spasm from Sunday has turned into nearly intolerable pain as of last night. It's hard to even think.

xwesx

breld said:

Boy, I wish I had your know-how (and courage I suppose) to work on a car. Even if you choose not to do the work yourself, at least you're aware of what needs to be done and won't be taken by a mechanic (which I'm somewhat susceptible to).

Yeah, right! When is the last time you needed to take a car to a mechanic?!

breld

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Uh oh.

Gingham seats? Will you ever drive it?

Only if he turns in his man-card first.

If it's blue, does that help?

Silk Blue Beetle Convertible

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

Update on the weekend work on the Coronet:

In any case, I figured I was OK to start her up. No go. Lots of cranking, but nothing happening. I could not smell fuel, so I pulled the lines and checked for fuel when cranking. Nothing. Ugh. So somehow while sitting still, my fuel pump gave up the ghost. Purchased a $45 electric pump from Autozone yesterday but have not had a chance to put it in yet.

And, you are officially initiated. That actually didn't take as long as I expected it would.....

Initiated into ...?

xwesx

Some photos from the weekend's activity. These are a couple shots of the circulating block heater on the Q7. I took these to demonstrate just how tight the clearance was, but they actually make it look roomy! This is from under the vehicle (the shaft on the left side is the front drive shaft, next to the transmission (which is out of frame)). These are looking up and toward the back of the engine.




This photo shows the connection points I used for the block heater:

xwesx

Yesterday (Tuesday) proved a bit more frustrating of an experience. First, the new FB25 engine block has some major design differences from the old EJ25 in terms of how things connect and where they're located. One distinct change is the location of the freeze plug to install the block heater! I quickly started thinking about how nice it would be to install an external heater on this unit as well.... !

Turns out, the old style heater won't fit on this vehicle due to clearance issues with the exhaust system, so I have the engine drained of coolant and the exhaust headers w/ front cat removed, but now have to find a compatible heater. And, my special 14mm hex tool for removing the plug, which I last used in 2009 to install the heater on our 2010 Forester, has gone AWOL in the intervening years. Figures....

I did manage to get the oil changed (no surprises from the oil filter this time!), replaced the gear oil, and installed the oil pan heater, though. That's at least something.



See that big round plug on the far right? That's the little devil!!!


New oil pan design requires attaching the pan heater to the side rather than the bottom:

xwesx

So, that was phase one. Second phase was replacing the trailer hitch (it had a little class I/II on it, so I installed a class III) and putting my King springs on. I didn't make it through the springs before my back was hurting so badly that I just couldn't walk anymore.





Springs:




My wife hates seeing her car like this (hehehe):

xwesx

qbrozen said:

And, you are officially initiated. That actually didn't take as long as I expected it would.....

Initiated into ...?

The constant needs of the "classic" hobby car! If it isn't one thing, it's a half-dozen others....

stickguy

This all makes leasing look better and better. Plus not living in an extreme cold climate. I could never do it now.

ab348

breld said:

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Uh oh.

Gingham seats? Will you ever drive it?

Only if he turns in his man-card first.

If it's blue, does that help?

Silk Blue Beetle Convertible

Makes it worse, actually.

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

@breld - this might help tip the scales towards the Si:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/07/2017-mazda-mx-5-miata-rf-review-how-much-extra-will-you-pay-for-less-convertible/#more-1577953

Typical targa maladies there---the wind turbulence can really be bothersome, as can the noise.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

breld said:

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Uh oh.

Gingham seats? Will you ever drive it?

Only if he turns in his man-card first.

If it's blue, does that help?

Silk Blue Beetle Convertible

Makes it worse, actually.

There's a new accessory for men driving VW convertibles:

kyfdx

breld said:

stickguy said:

Car and Driver had a road test of the Si this month, that I read last night. made me want it more actually. I was never big on high revving engines that needed to be wound real high to get any power, so the new motor suits me. The rest of the car sounds like a dream.

I agree - the likelihood of me getting into a Civic Si is very strong.

So @kyfdx - how serious are you about the right of first refusal on the GTI?

Maybe serious... the Tacoma lease makes it a little more complicated.

Sandman6472

X, welcome to the club! Dealing with that 24/7 and some days can not get out of bed. Been bad lately which has me thinking of retiring earlier than I had planned. Without my meds, I am useless!!

The Sandman. 

xwesx

Oh, and I completely spaced the fact that my son installed the subwoofer into the car while I was working on the trailer hitch. He did it completely solo, which was pretty cool for me because it involved a lot of trim removal and install, driver seat, etc. Just turned thirteen, and I am completely confident in his ability to do this sort of thing.

xwesx

sandman_6472 said:

X, welcome to the club! Dealing with that 24/7 and some days can not get out of bed. Been bad lately which has me thinking of retiring earlier than I had planned. Without my meds, I am useless!!

The Sandman. 

That sounds like a horrible hand, Sandy. Life takes its toll on the spine, that's for sure!

I used to have chronic back pain from the time I was in my mid teens, but I managed to kick it with lifestyle changes about ten years ago. Overall QoL is way better now, but bouts like this are just difficult to manage....

qbrozen

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

And, you are officially initiated. That actually didn't take as long as I expected it would.....

Initiated into ...?

The constant needs of the "classic" hobby car! If it isn't one thing, it's a half-dozen others....

Oh, I've been a member of that club for a long time.
This just happens to be the most valuable one I've ever had.

qbrozen

xwesx said:

So, that was phase one. Second phase was replacing the trailer hitch (it had a little class I/II on it, so I installed a class III) and putting my King springs on.

So what exactly are you towing with that poor little 4-cyl?

xwesx

qbrozen said:

So what exactly are you towing with that poor little 4-cyl?

Oh, it doesn't tow much. We mostly use the hitch for a cargo tray, and the 1.25" hitch receivers are particularly ill-suited for that duty because they aren't designed to handle much "tongue weight." This Class III receiver is designed for 400# tongue weight, which works great with the cargo tray.

We do have a little 8'x8' ATV trailer, but it is also pretty light duty, so it definitely doesn't stress the car on the few occasions we use it (usually for trips to The Home Despot).

qbrozen

Ah. Got it.


My F150 has that backup trailer assist or whatever it is. Probably something I'll never use.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Ah. Got it.


My F150 has that backup trailer assist or whatever it is. Probably something I'll never use.

Never say never! I think your Coronet is pretty light weight, so I could see you trailering it for a track day down the road.... Even the 1/2" tons have pretty decent towing capacity for stuff like that.

pensfan83

I can't speak for the towing performance of the 2.7L but I've used my father's F-150 with the 3.5L Ecoboost for towing firewood and fully loaded U-Haul trailers and I have had no problems in Western PA's hilly terrain.

breld

Mr_Shiftright said:

ab348 said:

breld said:

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Uh oh.

Gingham seats? Will you ever drive it?

Only if he turns in his man-card first.

If it's blue, does that help?

Silk Blue Beetle Convertible

Makes it worse, actually.

There's a new accessory for men driving VW convertibles:

cdnpinhead

xwesx said:

My wife hates seeing her car like this (hehehe):

Wow. When I did my circulating block heater on the MGB, it was back in the days of heater hoses that could easily be tapped into with the heater. I loved the thing, since it made it possible for the heater to begin working immediately, even at 20 or 30 below.

xwesx

cdnpinhead said:

xwesx said:

My wife hates seeing her car like this (hehehe):

Wow. When I did my circulating block heater on the MGB, it was back in the days of heater hoses that could easily be tapped into with the heater. I loved the thing, since it made it possible for the heater to begin working immediately, even at 20 or 30 below.

When I realized that the block heater I had on-hand was not going to work for this car, I briefly thought about doing a circulating heater instead, but figured, "naw; I already have it torn apart." Then, I bought the new heater this morning to the tune of $150!!!! Yeah, definitely should have done the circulator.

I have high hopes for the circulating heater on the Q7. I tested it on Tuesday morning, and it had the hoses warm enough within about 20-30 minutes that I nearly burned myself when I touched one. I assumed it would feel warm; this puppy was flat out hot!!! When I started the car, it initially showed the temperature as being close to operating, but then dropped off rapidly as the fluid started flowing through the radiator. However, it only took a couple minutes to rise back up again. Granted, it was about 55 degrees outside and not 100 degrees colder than that, but it is a start, anyway!

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen slolly getting done. want to come and help out hear to! could use the help big time. might get my selfe an elictrick fule pump to. to go along with the fule injection system I have summing ordered it on munday! edalbrock is way to much money this one is almost the same price as the holy system!

tbirdmarco

@breld sounds good the mosda

tbirdmarco

@xwesx feal better man! you will get it all done just might take an bit longer! than could use the help hear! have to take an road trip to new York one day!

qbrozen

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@qbrozen slolly getting done. want to come and help out hear to! could use the help big time. might get my selfe an elictrick fule pump to. to go along with the fule injection system I have summing ordered it on munday! edalbrock is way to much money this one is almost the same price as the holy system!

Switching to FI is a big move. More than I want to spend right now. Good luck with it.

tbirdmarco

the fule injection system I am getting is bye an company y called fioteck did hear of this one before! looks like an carb but is not has an controller plug and play!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx all looking good from the little little little I can see! lol lol lol

xwesx

What.... DRIVE all the way to New York? I can't imagine such a feat.....


I'm really not sure what the plan is for our next trip, but I suspect it will be a visit to Pennsylvania (and the surrounding area).

qbrozen

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

the fule injection system I am getting is bye an company y called fioteck did hear of this one before! looks like an carb but is not has an controller plug and play!

Yup, throttle body injection. My dad's '87 Blazer had that. It is an easy add on. I do wonder what it would do for performance and efficiency. Oh well, still about another $700-$800 over what I paid for my carb, so I can survive for now.

stickguy

here is an OldFarmer special. Nice and cheap, and look at those low miles!

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Chrysler/1994-Chrysler-Lebaron-Cherry+Hill+NJ-edd103ed0a0e0a6b406901004246c47b.htm?searchDepth=4:52

stickguy

and I like this one. Too bad no interior pics, price, or tranny listed.

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=51:52

qbrozen

stickguy said:

and I like this one. Too bad no interior pics, price, or tranny listed.

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/Volvo/2012-Volvo-C30-Cherry+Hill+NJ-11bf77bd0a0e0a171b325feb69a3dbe0.htm?searchDepth=51:52

Well, we at least know it is an R design, which means leather and t tec comination seats in 1 of 2 color combos. 

stickguy

all nice. But how many pedals and how many shekels? Probably too few of the first, and too many of the 2nd.

tbirdmarco

@xwesx yes! lol lol I no that is sum crazy trip! was just throwing that out there for an road trip lol lol! PA sounds nice when you do go! injoy your day talk later on.

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen yes bit mor money than just the carbe that is for shore. thaught about it for quite sum time! yes you can alwas get it down the road. if not the electrick fule pump and carb will be fine. now are you going to mount the new electrick fule pump you got near the carb or near the fule tank? just wondering. injoy your day

tbirdmarco

@stickguy wow lo miles!

qbrozen

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@qbrozen yes bit mor money than just the carbe that is for shore. thaught about it for quite sum time! yes you can alwas get it down the road. if not the electrick fule pump and carb will be fine. now are you going to mount the new electrick fule pump you got near the carb or near the fule tank? just wondering. injoy your day

Going to mount it on the inner passenger fender close to stock location, which is just behind the alternator, to avoid needing new fuel lines. 

You have a lovely day as well.

nyccarguy

I picked up our Pilot from the dealer yesterday. My trusted independent mechanic found the front suspension rear lower control arm bushings were cracked and leaking. Going on some information I read from a fellow poster @sda who has a Pilot very similar to mine, I rummaged through my "Pilot Folder" of repairs and receipts. I found a letter from Honda that I got about 2 years ago that extends the warranty on these "compliance bushings" for 7 years/100,000 miles. The dealer completed the repair in 1 day. Honda paid for an alignment as well. I received 701.14 worth or work at no charge on a vehicle that is over 6 years old and has close to 95,000 miles on the odometer. The 3 year/36,000 mile BtoB warranty expired over 4 years ago. It is nice to see a manufacturer stand behind its product. The Pilot literally drives like a vehicle that has maybe 15,000 miles on it. Fluids, Brakes, & Tires. I'm looking forward to pushing it well past the 100K mile mark. As with my Prelude (158K miles), the AC in the Pilot still blows ICE COLD, the cooling system hasn't even hiccuped. It just goes.

Michaell

Speaking of warranty extensions, I got a letter from Subaru this week.

The warranty on the CVT has been extended to 10 years / 100,000 miles. From what I can gather, this is purely preventative.

ab348

Michaell said:

Speaking of warranty extensions, I got a letter from Subaru this week.

The warranty on the CVT has been extended to 10 years / 100,000 miles. From what I can gather, this is purely preventative.

Well, they're not doing that out of the goodness of their corporate heart. I suspect they have had enough problems with them to force their hand.

Michaell

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Speaking of warranty extensions, I got a letter from Subaru this week.

The warranty on the CVT has been extended to 10 years / 100,000 miles. From what I can gather, this is purely preventative.

Well, they're not doing that out of the goodness of their corporate heart. I suspect they have had enough problems with them to force their hand.

In the paperwork, there was a form you could submit for reimbursement if you had spent money on CVT repairs.

cdnpinhead

Hmmm -- wonder if the rubber band transmission extended warranty is across the board for Subaru, or model-specific. I've always been a bit leery of them. Considering that the vehicle that the Forester replaced had 177K miles on it when it was totaled and that my TSX has 134K miles on it, a warranty that goes 100K is a step in the right direction, but possibly not sufficient for those of us who plan to go well over that mileage.

Michaell

cdnpinhead said:

Hmmm -- wonder if the rubber band transmission extended warranty is across the board for Subaru, or model-specific. I've always been a bit leery of them. Considering that the vehicle that the Forester replaced had 177K miles on it when it was totaled and that my TSX has 134K miles on it, a warranty that goes 100K is a step in the right direction, but possibly not sufficient for those of us who plan to go well over that mileage.

Here are the models and years that are covered:

2010-2015 Legacy & Outback
2012-2015 Impreza
2013-2015 Crosstrek
2014-2015 Forester
2015 WRX

cdnpinhead

Thanks for the quick information. Looks like we're okay for now -- probably takes a few years to determine whether they have an issue or not.

Michaell

cdnpinhead said:

Thanks for the quick information. Looks like we're okay for now -- probably takes a few years to determine whether they have an issue or not.

I will be paying a lot closer attention to the behavior of the transmission going forward, now that Subaru has implicitly admitted there might be an issue with it.

It just turned over 21,000 miles this past weekend, so I suspect we'll run out of time before we run out of miles.