Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

cdnpinhead said:

Well, I went back and looked, twice in fact. I don't see a rear view of the vehicle. I clearly need help.

Pretty sure you are the one who is OK in this instance. lol.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

just noticed on the WRX, that is the most hideous front plate mounting that I can recall seeing in a long time.

So, about that. Seems to be an accessory that they added. It is a bracket that is screwed into the tow hook receiver. They included the correct stock mount, along with the tow hook cover, in the trunk. Very nice of them. I agree the mount is pretty bad. I do appreciate they did not screw into the bumper, though. I have yet to look into handling it. My last few vehicles that I put plates on, I used zip ties to attach the plate to the grill.

tjc78

Nice car Q. Wears that color well.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

I believe you're talking about the thermostatic units that were on the exhaust manifolds that closed partly when the car was cold and forced air through the intake manifold under the carburetor to warm up the air and improve the evaporation of the gasoline going into the warm manifold and the cylinders?

Or the thermostatic vanes that were on the air intake for the air going into the carburetor. They closed and much of the air being sucked in was from a space over the exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifolds heated up in a few seconds after the car started, so the carb got warmer air and better fuel evaporation quicker.

Yeah, that could be it. Whatever it’s purpose, it rattled when it got worn. Maybe I’m miss remembering but it seem like the car took longer to produce interior heat as well.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

cdnpinhead said:

Well, I went back and looked, twice in fact. I don't see a rear view of the vehicle. I clearly need help.

Pretty sure you are the one who is OK in this instance. lol.

Yeah, but barely.

jmonroe

breld

Congrats Q. For a model that has been around for quite awhile, it is still so desirable.

I remember from my test drives of the WRX that is seemed sort of challenging to drive as far as the clutch uptake, but I’m sure once you get used to it, it becomes second nature and is a blast.

graphicguy

@qbrozen …Beautiful punch. Congrats!

xwesx

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

just noticed on the WRX, that is the most hideous front plate mounting that I can recall seeing in a long time.

So, about that. Seems to be an accessory that they added. It is a bracket that is screwed into the tow hook receiver. They included the correct stock mount, along with the tow hook cover, in the trunk. Very nice of them. I agree the mount is pretty bad. I do appreciate they did not screw into the bumper, though. I have yet to look into handling it. My last few vehicles that I put plates on, I used zip ties to attach the plate to the grill.

I got this idea from my trailer manufacturer....

Use 3M double-sided automotive tape. You can put the plate directly on that way, or you can use a mounting plate and then screw the license plate to that. Either way, it's pretty easy to remove without damage by prying off the plate and rubbing away the remaining tape/residue.

stickguy

the tape idea is not bad. You can also (for most cars) buy a bracket that mounts underneath (behind) the front fascia, with the arms making a U with the leading edge out in front of the bumper. The plate screws into the bracket, but nothing goes through the bumper skin. My Miata had one of these.

my cars since then, I just put on the included front plate bracket. Screws right into the bumper. Does not matter to me. I need the front plate anyway, so might as well be on the way it is designed to be. If I ever sell it and it ends up in a no front plate state, not my problem! And if I moved to one then I would just put something fun on the front.

mjfloyd1

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

just noticed on the WRX, that is the most hideous front plate mounting that I can recall seeing in a long time.

So, about that. Seems to be an accessory that they added. It is a bracket that is screwed into the tow hook receiver. They included the correct stock mount, along with the tow hook cover, in the trunk. Very nice of them. I agree the mount is pretty bad. I do appreciate they did not screw into the bumper, though. I have yet to look into handling it. My last few vehicles that I put plates on, I used zip ties to attach the plate to the grill.

The Virginia paper plate didn’t seem to fare so well though

jmonroe1

xwesx said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

just noticed on the WRX, that is the most hideous front plate mounting that I can recall seeing in a long time.

So, about that. Seems to be an accessory that they added. It is a bracket that is screwed into the tow hook receiver. They included the correct stock mount, along with the tow hook cover, in the trunk. Very nice of them. I agree the mount is pretty bad. I do appreciate they did not screw into the bumper, though. I have yet to look into handling it. My last few vehicles that I put plates on, I used zip ties to attach the plate to the grill.

I got this idea from my trailer manufacturer....

Use 3M double-sided automotive tape. You can put the plate directly on that way, or you can use a mounting plate and then screw the license plate to that. Either way, it's pretty easy to remove without damage by prying off the plate and rubbing away the remaining tape/residue.

Will that tape hold up to the riggers of the pot holes around my parts? I’d hate to go broke buying replacement plates.

jmonroe

qbrozen

mjfloyd1 said:

The Virginia paper plate didn’t see to fare so well though

nope. luckily there is one on the rear.

ab348

The British car shows/YT videos I watch seem to show their front number plates are all held on with a type of double sided tape or other similar material. They are sticklers for front plates and cars like vintage XKEs often have them on the front part of the hood, so no holes are required.

xwesx

jmonroe1 said:

Will that tape hold up to the riggers of the pot holes around my parts? I’d hate to go broke buying replacement plates.

jmonroe

Should; it is the same stuff used to attach most accessory trim, such as wheel arch moldings and door ding strips, even from the factory.

roadburner

Car and Driver just wrapped up the 40,000 mile test of their Toyota Supra- and guess what was one of the major issues?
Incompetent service from Toyota dealerships.
Color me shocked.

tjc78

Just when you think the whole grill thing can’t get any worse …

I bring you the 2022 LX600

stickguy

I think this might be even worse, considering the overall shape and front end design. Toyota must have a design competition going to see who can come up with the worst design.

fintail

Worst to us, but Karyn and Kevin will eat it up.

carnaught

qbrozen said:

@qbrozen, congrats, looks nice. You’re giving @breld a real run for the money.

roadburner

Another design department that needs to be drug tested regularly.

28firefighter

I wonder what resale would be on a 2021 base WRX. Seems like they hold value very very well.

au1994

Umm, what?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-suzuki-sidekick/

Sandman6472

Great blue on the WRX...really beautiful vehicle. Mazel tov, hopefully it'll stay around for awhile! Like the Mustang you just got rid of, saw a couple out there & they are big vehicles. Seriously thinking of going hybrid next time as don't think we're ready for an EV vehicle quite yet. Just hope this current situation resolves itself by mid 2023 or so as know I'll be ready to finally get something new.

jmonroe1

@tjc78 said:
Just when you think the whole grill thing can’t get any worse …

I bring you the 2022 LX600

Even if I was thinking about another car that would be off my list.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
I think this might be even worse, considering the overall shape and front end design. Toyota must have a design competition going to see who can come up with the worst design.

While that is bad it ain’t as bad as the LX600.

Yeah, I agree, all of those guys need drug tested.

jmonroe

carnaught

That Lexus SUV’s looks would be much improved if they took away the bottom 2-3 rows on that grill.

jmonroe1

You’ll never believe this:

I just spent over an hour snow blowing about 8 inches of snow from my driveway with a little 21 inch Sears snow blower. A glorified snow broom but it’s still better than shoveling. I no sooner get to the kitchen chair and Mrs. j said, “do you want me to make you hot chocolate?” I said, HELL no I don’t want hot chocolate. Do I look like an 8 year old? If you want to get me something, get me that bottle in our bar cabinet that says Jack Daniels”. Her reply was,”you know that isn’t good for you”. My reply to that was, “neither was doing a 55 foot double wide driveway with a toy but I did it”. 😫😫

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@carnaught said:
That Lexus SUV’s looks would be much improved if they took away the bottom 2-3 rows on that grill.

How about all of them.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

I said, HELL no I don’t want hot chocolate. Do I look like an 8 year old? If you want to get me something, get me that bottle in our bar cabinet that says Jack Daniels”.

It is only January 17, but I hereby nominate this for post of the year 2022

stickguy

au1994 said:

Umm, what?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-suzuki-sidekick/

nice looking example, even though I don't want a toad vehicle if possible. Ambitious price, but that is life today. The biggest flaw IMO is it is a total dog with the slushbox. Laughable it has a trailer hitch on it.

au1994

stickguy said:

au1994 said:

Umm, what?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-suzuki-sidekick/

nice looking example, even though I don't want a toad vehicle if possible. Ambitious price, but that is life today. The biggest flaw IMO is it is a total dog with the slushbox. Laughable it has a trailer hitch on it.

They are, by all accounts, very capable off road if thats your thing and they are on Hagerty’s (I think) list of up and coming collectibles. But man, $20k+ is nuts. They were kinda popular when I was in high school. I rode in a couple and found them dog slow but still fun with the top off.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

I said, HELL no I don’t want hot chocolate. Do I look like an 8 year old? If you want to get me something, get me that bottle in our bar cabinet that says Jack Daniels”.

It is only January 17, but I hereby nominate this for post of the year 2022

Agreed!

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
I wonder what resale would be on a 2021 base WRX. Seems like they hold value very very well.

That’s why I bought it and happily paid MSRP. Used values are INSANE. Yes, moreso now than ever, but they have always been high. Even totally used up 15-yr-old examples with rebuilt engines and salvage titles bring 33% of what a new one costs.

28firefighter

Driveway has a base for MSRP. Could be an interesting flip…

qbrozen

Not sure I mentioned it. I think I did. Wife was complaining the Escape’s power steering would drop out sometimes and the center console controls would sometimes lose power. Initially I tested the alternator and found it putting out 14.8. No problem. One night driving it, I saw the lights would flicker sometimes. Put the tester on again and watched it for a while. Every few mins, it would spike to over 16. I figure that can’t be good.

Today was repair day. Also decided, of course, to replace the tensioner and belts while there, and I threw spark plugs on my order for good measure.

Of course, nothing is ever easy. Short version: Removing alternator involves removing front wheel, fender liner, under shield, and dropping AC Compressor out the bottom. The rear spark plugs require removing the intake manifold, and all that entails. What used to be maybe 2 hrs work for those 2 jobs has become an all-afternoon endeavor.

sda

It’s amazing how on the surface a simple job becomes extremely involved and frustrating. I hope things went well, it’s all buttoned up and running well.

qbrozen

@sda said:
It’s amazing how on the surface a simple job becomes extremely involved and frustrating. I hope things went well, it’s all buttoned up and running well.

Thanks. Not quite done. Wife called me in for dinner and now watching the game. But everything is back together. I did not put the wheel back on, however, as that needs a new TPMS sensor. I’ll do that probably tomorrow.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

Just when you think the whole grill thing can’t get any worse …

I bring you the 2022 LX600

They stole the name from the Robo Cop movie:

oldfarmer50

au1994 said:

Umm, what?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1989-suzuki-sidekick/

Wow, there’s one of those parked at a house down the street. I always thought it would be a nice little knock around for a few thousand but not THAT!

oldfarmer50

sda said:

It’s amazing how on the surface a simple job becomes extremely involved and frustrating. I hope things went well, it’s all buttoned up and running well.

I was watching a YT video of a car repair guy today. The job he was doing required STEP 1): remove engine.

jmonroe1

@oldfarmer50 said:
I was watching a YT video of a car repair guy today. The job he was doing required STEP 1): remove engine.

And I guess, “while you’re in there just replace it”.

jmonroe

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

sda said:

It’s amazing how on the surface a simple job becomes extremely involved and frustrating. I hope things went well, it’s all buttoned up and running well.

I was watching a YT video of a car repair guy today. The job he was doing required STEP 1): remove engine.

working on an Audi?

I watched a new Rainman Ray video. Working on a Ford F150. the temp sensor in the AC went bad, so I need a new one. Book time on the job, is about 11 hours. Part 1, involved dismantling the entire center stack, removing the front seat, steering column, and pulling the entire dash out. That just to get to the heater box, which then had to come out.

Next step, opening that up to get at the evaporator. That has to be replaced because Ford doesn't sell the sensor separately, only as part of a new evaporator (I think, whatever the unit in the heater box is). Otherwise he was going to try and snake a new one into the box after cracking the case with only the glove box removed.

Actually had another Ford huge job that he did a short cut for. Had to replace bushing on the steering column on a E van. Not too hard to get to, just took off the gauge cluster and surround mostly. But, they designed it with a cover over 1bolt. And it was booked as a 5 hour job to remove the dash to get the plastic cover off. Instead, he snipped off a little square of the plastic piece to get to the bolt. 2 minutes.

It was on a well worn work van, and the panel had no structural purpose and was hidden under the dash. Just a dumb design.

stickguy

oh, on the AC sensor job, even if you could replace the sensor by itself, if you still had to pull the box it would be dumb IMO to not replace the heater core and AC stuff in the box while you had it out.

mjfloyd1

@stickguy said:
nice looking example, even though I don't want a toad vehicle if possible. Ambitious price, but that is life today. The biggest flaw IMO is it is a total dog with the slushbox. Laughable it has a trailer hitch on it.

I’ve always liked frog vehicles more so than toad vehicles

tjc78

There are some clever people out there who come up with some great ways to get things fixed without having to do it “by the book”

A good example is on the Panthers. A common failure is the blend door actuator that lives behind the dash. Real procedure is to remove the entire dash to get to it. The way everyone does it is to remove the passenger side airbag and air vent. Then use a right angle screwdriver to get all one one bolt. You then break the last tab out. When you install it you cut a slot in the last tab so it slips into the bolt and then replace the bolts you can get to. This takes a 8 hour job down to an hour.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

sda said:

It’s amazing how on the surface a simple job becomes extremely involved and frustrating. I hope things went well, it’s all buttoned up and running well.

I was watching a YT video of a car repair guy today. The job he was doing required STEP 1): remove engine.

working on an Audi?

I watched a new Rainman Ray video. Working on a Ford F150. the temp sensor in the AC went bad, so I need a new one. Book time on the job, is about 11 hours. Part 1, involved dismantling the entire center stack, removing the front seat, steering column, and pulling the entire dash out. That just to get to the heater box, which then had to come out.

Next step, opening that up to get at the evaporator. That has to be replaced because Ford doesn't sell the sensor separately, only as part of a new evaporator (I think, whatever the unit in the heater box is). Otherwise he was going to try and snake a new one into the box after cracking the case with only the glove box removed.

Actually had another Ford huge job that he did a short cut for. Had to replace bushing on the steering column on a E van. Not too hard to get to, just took off the gauge cluster and surround mostly. But, they designed it with a cover over 1bolt. And it was booked as a 5 hour job to remove the dash to get the plastic cover off. Instead, he snipped off a little square of the plastic piece to get to the bolt. 2 minutes.

It was on a well worn work van, and the panel had no structural purpose and was hidden under the dash. Just a dumb design.

This was actually a Toyota on the “Customer States What?” channel. He used to work at an Audi store and I think got fired for making disparaging comments about their quality and engineering.

I recently started watching Rainman Ray’s and I saw that dashboard job but haven’t seen it yet. Ford is famous for that. I once had a minor leak in the AC system on an old 95’ Lincoln. They said if it was the evaporator which was under the dash it would be a 10 hour job just to check it.

sda

I remember Click and Clack shaming Ford for the heater core failures on the Taurus/Sable. Apparently there was a high failure rate and to replace these required labor intensive dash removal.

stickguy

I’m watching the 45 minute reinstall video. About halfway through. One thing IMO that was dumb is customer did not want to pay for new heater core too. It looked ok, but it’s 10 YO and you don’t want yo do this job again!

jmonroe1

@sda said:
I remember Click and Clack shaming Ford for the heater core failures on the Taurus/Sable. Apparently there was a high failure rate and to replace these required labor intensive dash removal.

Heater cores can be a real PITA to replace.

Son #1 got a ‘74 Omega from Mrs. j’s aunt in ‘86 when he was in high school. It had the rocket V8 350 CID engine with just a tick under 24K miles that was in very good shape. I really didn’t want him to have a car but that car was too good to let it out of the family, hence I relented.

Fast forward to when we moved to SC in ‘92. He was out of school by then and had bought his first new car, a ‘91 Grand Prix, but he still kept the Omega but didn’t have a place for it so he talked me into taking the car with me and he’d get it some time later. That never happened.

A little more fast forward to about ‘96 when the heater core went bad. The conventional way to replace it was to tear the dash out to get at it. I dreaded doing that so I decided to cut a rectangular hole in the plastic duct above the passenger foot well behind the glove box and go in that way. It worked and all I had to do was put a piece of sheet metal, attached with screws, to cover the opening and I was done. The job probably took a little over an hour to do compared to about a days worth of work. I not only saved a LOT of time but I avoided the risk of breaking something or screwing up the cables that controlled the heater and AC. No, it didn’t look original but it worked just like the original one worked.

BTW, when I picked up the heater core from the auto parts the guy said, “good luck changing that thing. I know what you’re going to be doing all day tomorrow”. Little did he know I was too lazy to do it the conventional way.

jmonroe

stickguy

Car wizard did a Jeep recently that needed a heater core or some part of that unit. Instead of ripping out the dash, the owner asked them to cut an access panel into the firewall. That way, next time it went out (apparently a common failure item) just pop that off, and quick access.