Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

Our T6 Volvos “require” 91. Wife has put 87 in the XC and the computer must adjust for it because there wasn’t any pinging or check engine light.

When I had my Avalon Toyota said premium could he used for “enhanced performance”. I think it was 4 HP since on the Lexus that was the HP bump and they required premium on the exact same engine.

My opinion is any mainstream car will probably be fine on 87 regardless of the requirement. I still put premium in because with as little as we drive the cost difference isn’t much.

When new, my Ford said 87 was fine but you’d get 5% more horsepower with 91. I had it retuned and it requires 91 all the time. I’m too timid to see what happens with 87 now even with PUG at $5.

stickguy

My Maverick supposedly can make more power on PUG. but is fine with RUG.

I assume this is only being produced at higher RPM and boost levels. So unless I really wind it out I won’t come close to using the reduced output anyway. And unlikely to get the boost up very high either.

kyfdx

Checked my manual. Nothing definitive about extra power at higher octane, other than one line with "may" in it.

mjfloyd1

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a39566076/lotus-eletre-ev-suv-reveal/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=033022&utm_campaign=nl27198670&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

henryn

mjfloyd1 said:

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a39566076/lotus-eletre-ev-suv-reveal/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=033022&utm_campaign=nl27198670&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

"Considerably less than $225,000" --- as in "how much considerably less?"

Ah, here it is -- "kick-off around the $120,000 mark"

oldfarmer50

I got not one but two recall notices in the mail yesterday. The first was for the Kia concerning air bags which may not activate in a crash. The second was on the Mustang for possible problems with the back up camera.

I haven’t had any problems with either car but I guess I can take the Kia in for a computer reflash. Ford says they don’t have the parts to fix the problem but they’ll call me.

roadburner

Everything but the Club Sport and the Wrangler spec PUG- but I installed a Turner/Conforti chip in the Club Sport so now it requires PUG as well.
Such is life.

andres3

cdnpinhead said:

andres3 said:

I guess I ran over a Samurai sword in the S4. . .

How has the S4 been since the new engine? Have you put on enough miles to feel reasonably confident that it's "as good as new?" Does it feel like the original engine?

The car is as good as new, and I feel confident that in the miles I've driven it, it's behaving as it had before the fluke occurrence, and that is flawlessly. Fingers crossed I just had a fluke aberration.

These cars are solid.

The oil lab analysis showed proper break in concentrations (a bit extra copper and silicone from break-in), and 4% gas dilution from the faulty HPFP that wasn't found out until after the engine was replaced. Not concerning unless it continues, which it should not.

mjfloyd1

But the first indication of your faulty HPFP was a doozy.

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

cdnpinhead said:

andres3 said:

I guess I ran over a Samurai sword in the S4. . .

How has the S4 been since the new engine? Have you put on enough miles to feel reasonably confident that it's "as good as new?" Does it feel like the original engine?

The car is as good as new, and I feel confident that in the miles I've driven it, it's behaving as it had before the fluke occurrence, and that is flawlessly. Fingers crossed I just had a fluke aberration.

These cars are solid.

The oil lab analysis showed proper break in concentrations (a bit extra copper and silicone from break-in), and 4% gas dilution from the faulty HPFP that wasn't found out until after the engine was replaced. Not concerning unless it continues, which it should not.

I recall seeing some of those Blackstone UOI videos and I though gas dilution of over 1% was something to be worried about. Am I misunderstanding that?

mjfloyd1

@andres3 said:
The car is as good as new, and I feel confident that in the miles I've driven it, it's behaving as it had before the fluke occurrence, and that is flawlessly. Fingers crossed I just had a fluke aberration.

These cars are solid.

The oil lab analysis showed proper break in concentrations (a bit extra copper and silicone from break-in), and 4% gas dilution from the faulty HPFP that wasn't found out until after the engine was replaced. Not concerning unless it continues, which it should not.

I’m surprised that they didn’t change the oil after changing the HPFP

nyccarguy

For those who are curious, I just hand calculated the mpg for my 2022 4Xe. 24.56 mpg.

I also drove the Jeep for a little while in Low Range.

tifighter

I have a friend looking at Ford trucks, and found one in the wanted spec, in regional inventory at MSRP. Less any rebates. But it's a 2021. Thing is, there's nothing to compare it to. No one else has one like it. And dealers can't even say when/if a 2022 order would arrive, thanks to the supply chain issues. This almost looks like a fair deal in this market?

henryn

tifighter said:

I have a friend looking at Ford trucks, and found one in the wanted spec, in regional inventory at MSRP. Less any rebates. But it's a 2021. Thing is, there's nothing to compare it to. No one else has one like it. And dealers can't even say when/if a 2022 order would arrive, thanks to the supply chain issues. This almost looks like a fair deal in this market?

Under the present circumstances, I would call that a "fair deal". Not great, but fair. I have been assured by two different Ford dealers that I can order a new Ford truck at MSRP, minus any rebates or incentives. So if your friend is willing or able to wait, then ordering a 2022 would be the better choice.

But if your friend isn't willing, or able, to wait several months for delivery, then that deal is probably the best he is going to be able to do.

mjfloyd1

@nyccarguy said:
For those who are curious, I just hand calculated the mpg for my 2022 4Xe. 24.56 mpg.

I also drove the Jeep for a little while in Low Range.

I assume that you mean you drove it in “Range Low” on that indicator that means it has a short electrical range and short gas range since you have <1% electric range and are low on fuel.

Low Range, to me, means that you put the transfer case in the 4xe in the 4L (or 4 low) setting like you would use for low speed off roading.

Maybe I am misinterpreting what you mean??

nyccarguy

@mjfloyd1 said:

@nyccarguy said:
For those who are curious, I just hand calculated the mpg for my 2022 4Xe. 24.56 mpg.

I also drove the Jeep for a little while in Low Range.

I assume that you mean you drove it in “Range Low” on that indicator that means it has a short electrical range and short gas range since you have <1% electric range and are low on fuel.

Low Range, to me, means that you put the transfer case in the 4xe in the 4L (or 4 low) setting like you would use for low speed off roading.

Maybe I am misinterpreting what you mean??

I was making a joke. I know what LOW RANGE is;)-

breld

Third time's a charm...registering a vehicle purchased out of state can be challenging with varying registration requirements. But today I successfully registered the Bronco, after my third visit to the DMV in the past week.

And I was able to register my X5 at the same time.

So...all the vehicles in the garage have permanent plates on them (thundering applause).

mjfloyd1

Unheard of.

How the bumper turn out on the X5?

mjfloyd1

@nyccarguy said:

@mjfloyd1 said:

@nyccarguy said:
For those who are curious, I just hand calculated the mpg for my 2022 4Xe. 24.56 mpg.

I also drove the Jeep for a little while in Low Range.

I assume that you mean you drove it in “Range Low” on that indicator that means it has a short electrical range and short gas range since you have <1% electric range and are low on fuel.

Low Range, to me, means that you put the transfer case in the 4xe in the 4L (or 4 low) setting like you would use for low speed off roading.

Maybe I am misinterpreting what you mean??

I was making a joke. I know what LOW RANGE is;)-

I was betting on reading comprehension issues🤣

breld

mjfloyd1 said:

Unheard of.

How the bumper turn out on the X5?

It’s actually still at the body shop while they wait for approval of the supplement.

But it’s registered.

corvette

breld said:

So...all the vehicles in the garage have permanent plates on them...

Narrator: ...for now!

corvette

@tifighter - MSRP less whatever the final rebates on a 2021 were (I assume they've all been paid out by now) seems fair. Maybe try to snag a discount at least equal to whatever the doc fee is?

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
It’s actually still at the body shop while they wait for approval of the supplement.

But it’s registered.

Did they find some hidden damage?

stickguy

breld said:

Third time's a charm...registering a vehicle purchased out of state can be challenging with varying registration requirements. But today I successfully registered the Bronco, after my third visit to the DMV in the past week.

And I was able to register my X5 at the same time.

So...all the vehicles in the garage have permanent plates on them (thundering applause).

impressive. Now just need to update it to the signature line. I assume the other 3 still exist? or did one of them move along yet?

fintail

Not my punch, but my sister/BIL recently dumped their showboat Suburban, and today took delivery of this:

stickguy

good timing just based on gas prices. but IMO a particularly unattractive color combo. Made worse by the tint.

28firefighter

@fintail said:
Not my punch, but my sister/BIL recently dumped their showboat Suburban, and today took delivery of this:

My name is 28FF and I approve this message.

roadburner

28firefighter

@roadburner said:

And tell my wife. And friends. And family.

breld

@mjfloyd1 said:

@breld said:
It’s actually still at the body shop while they wait for approval of the supplement.

But it’s registered.

Did they find some hidden damage?

No…they were so backed up that it just went in last week.

sda

28firefighter said:

@roadburner said:

And tell my wife. And friends. And family.

Nope, can’t commit to that. It maybe reality, however.

corvette

Apparently Ford changed the way it sends out scheduling emails without really telling anyone. The way I understand it, now you don’t get an email until you have a specific build date, as opposed to the old system of receiving an email indicating that your vehicle had been scheduled for production in a given week. Sounds like a game of “hide the ball” to me.

stickguy

Ford can’t win. No matter what they do, the forum people complain. Much of that from people that got a first build date, which then kept changing. I got that a few times on mine.

My guess, they go back to more emails. At least notifying people when they have a VIN assigned. At that point, you can track the build yourself online.

The new system is fine, but it depends on the dealer keeping their customers up to date. And very few dealers bother to do that.

au1994

stickguy said:

Ford can’t win. No matter what they do, the forum people complain. Much of that from people that got a first build date, which then kept changing. I got that a few times on mine.

My guess, they go back to more emails. At least notifying people when they have a VIN assigned. At that point, you can track the build yourself online.

The new system is fine, but it depends on the dealer keeping their customers up to date. And very few dealers bother to do that.

Jeez…people in a car forum. What a bunch of maroons…

tifighter

@fintail said:
Not my punch, but my sister/BIL recently dumped their showboat Suburban, and today took delivery of this:

Looks like @28firefighter spec.

ab348

In local news today, another Hyundai/Kia engine goes up in flames.

au1994

ab348 said:

In local news today, another Hyundai/Kia engine goes up in flames.

Never waste a crisis. S’more’s anyone?

explorerx4

Flame broiled burgers sounds good.

andres3

mjfloyd1 said:

@andres3 said:

The car is as good as new, and I feel confident that in the miles I've driven it, it's behaving as it had before the fluke occurrence, and that is flawlessly. Fingers crossed I just had a fluke aberration.

These cars are solid.

The oil lab analysis showed proper break in concentrations (a bit extra copper and silicone from break-in), and 4% gas dilution from the faulty HPFP that wasn't found out until after the engine was replaced. Not concerning unless it continues, which it should not.

I’m surprised that they didn’t change the oil after changing the HPFP

They did the second time around after the engine was broken in.

Nothing looked abnormal but 4% is enough to keep an eye on it if you suspect you haven't found the source.

andres3

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

cdnpinhead said:

andres3 said:

I guess I ran over a Samurai sword in the S4. . .

How has the S4 been since the new engine? Have you put on enough miles to feel reasonably confident that it's "as good as new?" Does it feel like the original engine?

The car is as good as new, and I feel confident that in the miles I've driven it, it's behaving as it had before the fluke occurrence, and that is flawlessly. Fingers crossed I just had a fluke aberration.

These cars are solid.

The oil lab analysis showed proper break in concentrations (a bit extra copper and silicone from break-in), and 4% gas dilution from the faulty HPFP that wasn't found out until after the engine was replaced. Not concerning unless it continues, which it should not.

I recall seeing some of those Blackstone UOI videos and I though gas dilution of over 1% was something to be worried about. Am I misunderstanding that?

It's likely a worry if you don't know what's causing it. At 4% the indication is that it's something to keep an eye on, but we believe we know the source.

jmonroe1

au1994 said:

ab348 said:

In local news today, another Hyundai/Kia engine goes up in flames.

Never waste a crisis. S’more’s anyone?

That’ll buff out, I think.

jmonroe

tifighter

Speaking earlier of Model Y, ours just got new hiking boots-

I really need to powder coat those center caps…

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

In local news today, another Hyundai/Kia engine goes up in flames.

The owner probably didn’t bring it in for the recall notice. Kia just can’t seem to properly deburr the engine castings and the metal flecks act like sandpaper on the bearings. Their solution has been to reprogram the knock sensor so that when the engine starts to grenade it goes into limp mode. Then I guess you can drive it to the dealer and get a new engine.

henryn

My father was an auto mechanic, he worked in dealerships when I was young. Later on, he had his own independent repair shop. I don't claim to be a mechanic, not by any stretch, but I have spent quite a few hours in professional garages. I have seen my share of engines where a rod bearing or main bearing "spun", and I have seen connecting rods which broke and went through the side of the block. I have seen engines where the timing belt slipped and the valves encountered the top of the piston. And an engine overheated to the point where the head cracked. But you know what I have never seen? A car that caught on fire because the engine "grenaded".

Car fires are caused by electrical shorts. Or fuel leaks. At least, that has always been my experience. Now I did see one fire in a front wheel, apparently the brake caliper had stuck and the driver just kept on driving despite the noise and the smoke until the bearing grease actually caught on fire. I would call that "driver fault" causing the fire, rather than mechanical failure. But that's just me.

qbrozen

surf youtube for dyno mishaps and you'll find cars that caught on fire from engines grenading. Some are quite spectacular.

Michaell

Probably the wrong group to ask, but a member is considering swapping a 2021 Palisade for a 2022. Your thoughts?

nyccarguy

The GR Corolla looks promising!

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

The GR Corolla looks promising!

I've already pinged @breld about it.

Now that the WRX STi is history, this will be the go to for the hot hatch, flat brimmed crowd.

qbrozen

Too early to know for sure, but I have a feeling I’d prefer the GTI. Estimates are they will be very close in quickness at least, and I wouldn’t have to suffer a Corolla interior.

qbrozen

Tale of 2 Insurance Valuations.

Helping my friend fight with NJM on her Pilot that was taken by the fire. Oddly, they made a very fair offer on her father's Jeep that was there. $19k for a 2010 Wrangler Islander with 56k miles and a past reported accident. I told her that was honestly good enough and we could fight for maybe a few hundred more, but why bother? The Pilot, OTOH, is a few grand short. 2014 Touring AWD with Nav & RES (was that standard on Touring?) with just 73k miles. They are offering $23k. I can't find anything close to it for $23k. I wrote on her behalf an extensive email with search results from neighboring states, adjustment for miles, etc. But they are saying, even though there is only 1 within 25 miles that has even under 100k miles, we aren't allowed to use comps that are further away than 25 miles, not allowed to use any year other than 2014, not allowed to use other trims. Then they aren't using that 1 example as gospel. They are pulling up one with over 130k and one with over 150k and averaging those in, then adding $1900 for miles. From what I can see, they are calculating 4 cents per mile! Oh, hell no. Sure, sure, go ahead and find a 50k-mile SUV from the past decade and pay just $4k less than a 150k-mile SUV. Good luck.