Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

I did guys.. his email is in his profile.  

ab348

I swapped lamps in the Cutlass cluster a couple of years ago for LEDs. Much more light and they are still dimmable with the switch rheostat. The one thing I found is that the place I got them from had a lot of different lamp choices for a given bulb type and it was challenging to find which ones worked best. Some actually put out less light than the standard incandescent lamps. In my case the speedo and gauge clusters used one type of lamp while the clock used a different style and it was hard to find ones between the two styles that gave equivalent light output.

andres3

You have to have some real thick skin in these forums. Otherwise.... well...

venture

mjfloyd1 said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had.

I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working.

I only ran out of gas once.

I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

tjc78

Hey all Sandy is fine and will be back after his trip this weekend.  

pensfan83

@graphicguy TLX looks great inside and out. Regarding the interior I was admittedly skeptical how the Alcantara would wear but after 18 months it looks perfectly fine.

mjfloyd1

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had. I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working. I only ran out of gas once. I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

tjc78

andres3 said:

You have to have some real thick skin in these forums. Otherwise.... well...

Agreed and we all get on each other from time to time.... but there is a fine line between heated banter and just flat out rudeness.

What makes this group of people different here is 99% of the community is helpful and speaks online like you would speak in person. On many other forums people act like a$$holes and children.

That must be why we all stick around.... well that and see what car @breld is buying this month.

tjc78

HA !! I replaced the two S's after the A with dollar signs and the software still caught it. That made me laugh.

ab348

Would the word "[non-permissible content removed]" be an acceptable substitute?

Edit: apparently not. The New Puritans must have authored this software.

Edit #2: the word in quotes was filtered the first time but not after the edit. Perhaps a loophole has been found.

kyfdx

Maybe, we should stop looking for loopholes, and just watch our language?

(that is a rhetorical question)

rayainsw

2019 Jetta GLI DSG test from C+D:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a27103455/2019-volkswagen-jetta-gli-by-the-numbers/

ab348

kyfdx said:

Maybe, we should stop looking for loopholes, and just watch our language?

(that is a rhetorical question)

Well, it appears the loophole has been closed again, so no matter.

ab348

rayainsw said:

2019 Jetta GLI DSG test from C+D:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a27103455/2019-volkswagen-jetta-gli-by-the-numbers/

Slightly less luxe than the GTI but more room and less money for about that same performance sounds like a winner to me. I would only question why VW fitted Hankook tires on the thing, which have never impressed me much.

stickguy

Sounds fine to me. I don’t have any issues with the interior in my daughters Jetta, so that won’t be a concern.

corvette

The Hankooks on my old GLI were abysmal in snow. They were okay on dry pavement, but prone to sidewall bubbles if you hit a pothole. 

tjc78

We had Hankook on our 08 Elantra.  No problems, at least on that car. 

corvette

I think I understand the issue the author had with the gauge cluster on the base model - the recessed areas where the turn signal indicators are looks cheap, like the original Cadillac ATS. I’m guessing a monochrome multifunction display is also out of place in a premium car nowadays? Finally, the gas gauge that has tick marks for each 1/16, but they’re not larger for 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4, makes it difficult to discern how much gas is actually left. 

ab348

tjc78 said:

We had Hankook on our 08 Elantra.  No problems, at least on that car. 

I'm sure they'd be fine on a car like that.

breld

With the GLI finally on the same platform as the GTI, I think all can be forgiven with regard to some cost cutting on the interior. Just like @stickguy mentioned, I don't find anything offensive in my stepdaughter's Jetta, though the discrepancy is apparent compared to a Golf/GTI. If it didn't come with a price savings, that'd be one thing, but the price difference between the Autobahn GLI and GTI is significant.

Part of the "problem" in comparing the two is the Golf/GTI interior is so darn good. The Jetta is VW's value offering, so it's not like they're gonna go in and change out interior components for the GLI version, though they did add in the GTI steering wheel, which is SO nice!

I'd take the Jetta interior over Subaru's WRX all day long.

I don't think it'll be long before we start seeing $3k discounts on the GLI - an Autobahn for $27k-ish is a nice package.

breld

$2k off advertised already...

https://www.lhmvw.com/new/Volkswagen/2019-Volkswagen-Jetta+GLI--d10bf2000a0e0a6b668801d48e5e289e.htm

Though I should disclose this dealer is notorious for advertising large discounts and then adding back in inflated fees for theft protection, window tint, clear bra, etc.

I love it in white. I do wish VW would offer the GTI plaid seats though. I seem to remember them doing that at one time on a GLI, maybe some limited edition version.

breld

Speaking of VWs, I've recently noticed a wide availability of Alltracks with the manual trannie. I knew they were made, but there's a large inventory of them at my local dealers.

This one dealer has 57 Alltracks with the manual!

https://www.emichvw.com/new-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&model[]=Golf+Alltrack&page=1&transmission_description[]=6-Speed+Manual

And what I didn't realize is the availability of the stick on the top of the line SEL trim.

It caught my wife's attention while we were browsing recently - gotta give VW credit for offering a nicely optioned AWD wagon with a stick.

Michaell

breld said:

Speaking of VWs, I've recently noticed a wide availability of Alltracks with the manual trannie. I knew they were made, but there's a large inventory of them at my local dealers.

This one dealer has 57 Alltracks with the manual!

https://www.emichvw.com/new-vehicles/#action=im_ajax_call&perform=get_results&model[]=Golf+Alltrack&page=1&transmission_description[]=6-Speed+Manual

And what I didn't realize is the availability of the stick on the top of the line SEL trim.

It caught my wife's attention while we were browsing recently - gotta give VW credit for offering a nicely optioned AWD wagon with a stick.

Oh that's mean. Though, I do like the grey over brown SE.

I think the idea is to provide an alternative to the Outback, but with a stick.

breld

Yeah, I don't suppose there's any chance Subaru revives the manual trannie Outback XT.

Mr_Shiftright

mjfloyd1 said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had.

I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working.

I only ran out of gas once.

I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

pensfan83

The GLI is the 4th sedan I've added to the list of potential replacements for the TLX (others are G70, S60, 2nd gen TLX). It is by far the cheapest and a very compelling option for under $30K. The Mazda 6 may have the nicer interior, better materials, and more power but I think I would rather have a 6 speed GLI in my garage.

In other news C&D gave the new 3 series a pretty lukewarm review. Granted a RWD model with the driver centric packages may have acquitted itself better but it doesn't seem to be a home run either. Optioned properly I would probably still give it a look, especially if it leases well.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a26990610/2019-bmw-330i-xdrive-by-the-numbers/

marcogallo1986

 Bro, is that your next ride and all track wagon with the stick top of the line? I see it in your future soon, can’t remember if you’ve had one in the past already or not. I know Andries three his wife has one if I’m remembering correctly. 

marcogallo1986

 My friend and I change the battery cables on the Thunderbird yesterday, I made sure the battery was charging, close Saturday I just had started it up for a little bit but wasn’t driven, and went Monday actually was Tuesday people started up again because I could and the battery went completely dead a brand new battery that was a little over a week all, so obviously there’s some kind of parasitic lost or something, I think it was just when it idols alternator obviously is not spinning fast enough to charge, which we figured out yesterday but when it drives it’s charging so that’s probably more my own doing so I said I can’t us  so I said I guess I can just start this up anymore but it anal, has to be driven when I turned it on to make sure there’s someone here that wants to drive ha ha. Anyway we did that and then return the battery that I had, but I was going to return it regardless then 100% fit in the battery tray, so AutoZone took it back, told him I didn’t use it at all and then once we had to jump it yesterday they know about all of that. Then order a battery from elsewhere should be here Monday. Correct size found what it was. Then you put a temporary battery in there for an out that he had, and went to a car show 20 minutes or so away last minute thing couple of people there nothing really interesting. So that was my day yesterday very entertaining and all round good day. Job searching to still here in there, looking forward to the auto show starting a week from tomorrow in the city at the Javits Center, not sure what day I’m going to go. Hope everyone’s having an awesome week too as well. 

marcogallo1986

 Love all the VW stuff posted above in here too as well. 

marcogallo1986

 Love the interior color of your car graphic guy, I hope Sandy is doing well too as well, I hope he didn’t let the comments of that one random poster turn them away. We’re all in awesome bunch in here, and a very helpful with one another, and like other commenters said above, would be this way when we all meet one day in person to wanna be any different. This is a rare form this is why it’s one of the only ones I go on on Edmunds don’t bother with any other ones anymore like I used to. 

marcogallo1986

 Hey if you want to change the gauge lights and headlights and stuff to LED lights, go ahead and do what makes you happy, eventually want to do that with my Thunderbird they have a headlight and taillight kit forget how much it cost wasn’t terribly expensive but down the road. And the gauge lights eventually too, but I might even just change out the gauge cluster 12 model one dimensionally too. Even though when I had was changed last year with another used one that works. I could even see   Difference when it comes to a new LED light and older style it looks like a brighter white to me. Of course when it’s in my face ha ha Ha. My cousin put them in his crown Vic really cool. 

venture

mjfloyd1 said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had.

I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working.

I only ran out of gas once.

I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

Yes. That's the main thing. I heard him talking a few people into it. The other thing was replacing the '63 headlight buckets, which were made of fiberglass, with the new ones made out of metal. Of course he replaced a gazillion of those "goofy looking" grills on the hood too.

mjfloyd1

I mainly like the uniqueness of the 63 coupe

venture

Mr_Shiftright said:

mjfloyd1 said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had.

I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working.

I only ran out of gas once.

I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

You're kidding, right?

rayainsw

BMW's ultimate driving event info is out -

https://udeot.bmwusa.com/site/

sda

I stopped at a VW dealer and looked at several GLIs. Too bad the 35 Anniv edition doesn’t have a sunroof. The dealer marked them up with the add on addendum of just under $2k. As such, all were stickered over $30k. Groan.

mjfloyd1

venture said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had. I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working. I only ran out of gas once. I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

You're kidding, right?

Not kidding. Gas gauge didn’t work and they didn’t tell me

sda

mjfloyd1 said:

venture said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had.

I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working.

I only ran out of gas once.

I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

You're kidding, right?

Not kidding. Gas gauge didn’t work and they didn’t tell me

Didn’t you have some other issues they didn’t disclose and you sent it back to them to address? I can only imagine the level of frustration you experienced.

sda

I just read that a prized Porsche collection, the Ingrahm collection, may have experienced severe damage due to a gas explosion in a building close to them. The collection is located in Durham, NC. No one was hurt in the building where the collection was held but there were injuries and a death related to the blast. Sad.

marcogallo1986

 About the explosion above, as long as no one was seriously seriously hurt. Sorry to hear about the one death in the explosion, the cars can always be replaced even though on the car it was used ha ha. 

mjfloyd1

sda said:

venture said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had. I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working. I only ran out of gas once. I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

You're kidding, right?

Not kidding. Gas gauge didn’t work and they didn’t tell me

Didn’t you have some other issues they didn’t disclose and you sent it back to them to address? I can only imagine the level of frustration you experienced.

Yes. Ended up with better business bureau and got a check. Replaced radiator, voltage regulator, battery and starter Rebuilt alternator 

venture

mjfloyd1 said:

venture said:

venture said:

I pulled out the clock, gauge cluster and wiper motor from the 63 split window coupe to have rebuilt and refurbished. I will put in a new dash wiring harness and speedometer and tachometer cables while I'm at it. Should I replace dash lights with LED while it is out or is that heresy???

I was going to do that in my '65 coupe, but never got around to it. I wish I had.

I remember that the gas gauge didn't work so I crawled under the dash and found a wire hanging down. I connected it to the gas gauge and it worked. The only problem then was the radio had so much static that it was unusable. I had to decide which one I wanted working.

I only ran out of gas once.

I mentioned here before how I used to work at a Corvette body shop. Some of the things that were done to the '63's was borderline criminal; especially the coupes.

I assume that you mean cutting out the fiberglass piece between the split windows and putting in a single piece rear window so it looked like a “new” 64??

I ran out of gas the first time that I took my wife out in it.   I had just commented that the gas tank was 3/4 full. Then sputters and it died. Wife was duly impressed. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

You're kidding, right?

Not kidding. Gas gauge didn’t work and they didn’t tell me

That the gas gage didn't work I totally believe. I was referring to the statement that some enthusiasts wouldn't object to changing the back window. The quote thingy was (is) messed up.

corvette

So, the new 330i is basically a RWD/AWD Jetta GLI with a nicer interior and slightly better 0-60 time, for twice the price? 

Michaell

corvette said:

So, the new 330i is basically a RWD/AWD Jetta GLI with a nicer interior and slightly better 0-60 time, for twice the price? 

Ouch

cdnpinhead

It's what's called calling a spade an MFing shovel. You can like it or not.

The sun comes up in the East.

corvette

cdnpinhead said:

It's what's called calling a spade an MFing shovel. You can like it or not.

The sun comes up in the East.

As someone who has owned both Jettas and BMW 3-series and 5-series, it is still a point worth making. I remember grabbing full throttle on the way home from picking up my new Jetta GLI and thinking to myself how it felt as fast as my old BMW 540i. The 540i weighed more and felt more solid overall (despite doors that sounded tinny when closed, like a mid-1990s GM product), but also had a penchant for leaking random fluids on my garage floor. Dealer service from VW was every bit as terrible and frustrating as the stereotype, so it's not like there's a silver bullet.

roadburner

The problem with the GLI and the G20 3er is that they are both about 18" too long. Give me a GTI or a 2er any day over them.

corvette

roadburner said:

The problem with the GLI and the G20 3er is that they are both about 18" too long. Give me a GTI or a 2er any day over them.

While I'm bashing... Whenever I see the designation G20, this comes to mind:

Michaell

corvette said:

roadburner said:

The problem with the GLI and the G20 3er is that they are both about 18" too long. Give me a GTI or a 2er any day over them.

While I'm bashing... Whenever I see the designation G20, this comes to mind:

My sister and BIL had one of those when they first got married. BRG over tan interior. I really liked it, but would rather drive her '84 RX-7 that they also had at the same time.

Mr_Shiftright

There are many Corvette enthusiasts who would not object to doing that. It's a very controversial styling features in the Corvette World, to this day.

You're kidding, right?

Not kidding. Gas gauge didn’t work and they didn’t tell me

That the gas gage didn't work I totally believe. I was referring to the statement that some enthusiasts wouldn't object to changing the back window. The quote thingy was (is) messed up.

@venture -- I didn't mean that a '63 Corvette owner would do that (that would be silly, because a '63 is worth considerably more than a '64)---I meant that many Corvette enthusiasts didn't like the split window when it came out and many don't like it now. Even the "father of the Corvette" objected to it, but he was overruled.

The issue is rearward visibility.

I personally am on the "yea" side. I like the split window.