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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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I started watching the CR video below to find out more about the Honda Prologue.
It's the same platform/technology as the Chevy Blazer EV and Cadillac Lyriq.
Not meant as a shot but more of a PSA.
Don't let the battery run down to zero, it takes a long time to charge up to make the vehicle functional.
If you pay some attention to your battery charge percentage, it shouldn't be a problem.
Started changing the plugs on the QP today. With what little spare time I have, it may take a few days. Anyway, found out something kind of interesting. Folks apparently don’t think gapping plugs is a thing anymore. I’m searching for the proper plug gap for the car, the popular opinion seemed to be “they come out of the box properly gapped.” Someone claiming to be a mechanic even said coworkers of his don’t have plug gappers. Hell in a handbasket, I tell ya!
The proper gap, from what I found, is .028. The OEM plugs even said they come as .028. Since I never assume anything, I checked and the first one I opened was .035. And, sure enough, the old one I pulled was .035. Not looking too good, either. And longer threads than the new OEM. Hmmmm. They are NGK laser platinum, and they are compatible, per the NGK Website, but not OEM, from what I have found. Interestingly, the one time I tried NGK in my Volvo T5, the car was not happy with them and I had to swap to OEM. Wonder if that is happening here, too.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Nice….Thanks!!!! Very helpful!
I’m with you, I don’t like, “they come out of the box already set”. As far as I’m concerned they’re not set until I set them.
Back in the day I remember folks saying GM points for their V8 engines came out of the box already set for a dwell angle of 30 degrees. If true that is the exact mid point of the points spec range of 28-32 degrees and 30 degrees is what I set the dwell to with my dwell meter. Problem is, the points were set well enough to get the car started but using my dwell meter to check the factory setting, l never once found them set for 30 degrees out of the box, more like 34/35 degrees. Like I said the car ran but not to my liking.
Longer spark plug threads would scare the hell out of me. That being the case, I’d stick with OEM plugs.
As for mechanics not having a spark plug gap tool tells me not to go to that garage for anything….maybe not even air.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Shockingly, so is the Acura ZDX electric.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Sister is suffering from paralysis by analysis. She's taking a break for a week or so.
I'm having fun with her doing test drives, though.
Dont intend to run it out of juice completely (it would have to be towed), but good to know.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
This is a new world for me. Getting thrown into the deep end doing research on a whole different category of vehicles.
Best I can tell, most EVs, regardless of brand, come all loaded up. And, they seem to be more of a bargain than even the deals we all saw during the Covid days.
Not a leasing customer, per se. But, I'm slowly trying to convince myself it might be a cheap way to try an EV.
Might be a buyer of one of the established marques, however.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I keep my eye on used E-tron GTs. For something that stickers at over $100k, there are lightly used ones easily in the $60k's. I suspect the steep depreciation still isn't over though.
I'm a little obsessed with this one. I believe it's a custom order color, and I've never owned a purple vehicle!
https://www.audidenver.com/used/Audi/2022-Audi-e-tron+GT-c912e96cac18188190c4986565a130e3.htm
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
They then offered $20K. I will counter.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Back then, it didn't make much financial sense unless you were using the car for work (which I was) and could write some of it off on taxes.
EVs are a different "deal" from my perspective. New(er) models...relatively unknown durability..huge incentives. I can see leasing, again.
By the way, since I'm in research mode, I just read that the GM Ultium architecture is modular, meaning you don't have to replace the entire battery suite when something goes bad. You can just replace one cell at a time, which is must less costly.
I’m pretty sure if I do jump into the EV pool it will be as a subsidized lease.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I love the color combo on the Audi
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So far, from what I’ve heard and read, EV leases seem to be reasonable right now. Therefore, since it’s new technology with some learning to be done, especially getting used to planning ahead regarding charging it up, for me at least, leasing one is the only way I’d consider having one in my garage these days.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Wife got some Cheez its. I wondered about the choice with the tan interior😂
Hmm.... when I bought our Q7, I found some of those under the drivers seat. Maybe its a thing with the owners of luxury cars.
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Probably. Have you checked out the price of those goodie’s lately? I’m considering buying the Aldi knockoff.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Based on that experience, I recommend you go for it!
I’m a big Aldi fan. I really like their flavored soda water and their slow cooker kits with meat and veggies. A lot of their house brand condiments are really good, and their weekly finds often have random useful things—I got some cheap mid-grade furnace filters there once.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
This was the color:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Should have save some coin and used JB Weld😂
OK, but if they turn out to be in the 2% category, I foresee a trip to Ohio to discuss it with you.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Just an old beat up E30

With an S50 swap
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Just looked at my picture and realized that the clamshell hood was open, but it doesn’t show it in the picture. Optical illusion. It was there though.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I really like the exterior design of the Lucid. I would be hesitant to ever pull the trigger on one though given the total dependence on its proprietary and initially quite buggy software (not unusual for EVs) and the amount of money they have been losing.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I doubt I’d but any of these low production brands since their future is questionable.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I can see it. Looks almost purple
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Not sure I can get over not having Apple Car Play, though. You can't get to my much loved Podcasts, nor sort my music on I-Tunes. Google maps on the Blazer is pretty basic.
But, it's done well aside from that. I think it was a very large mistake taking away Car Play and Android Auto.
There are times when GM can’t get rid of screw ups. It’s almost as though when one or two departments gets it right another one, probably the bean counter guys, get involved and screw up the end product.
Until GM stops the one step forward and two steps back mode, they won’t shed the image they’re trying to overcome.
This from a guy, who at one time, never bought anything other than a GM product.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
No snacks. I'll do what I can on beverages but I feel like I've failed.

Play and I’ve never seen a single review complain about it. So it seems a little odd that every single review of the Blazer has to beat that drum. Me, I mostly listen to Sirius XM so I don’t care. I do know that Alex of Alex on Autos found some workaround, if it is important to you.
They also follow Tesla in not having a start/stop button. I’m so used to it now that when I’m in the Kia I have to remember it won’t start automatically!
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Open the cabinets and look for them.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I use CarPlay for the google maps. I do run Spotify through it too but would not care if the cars system ran that instead.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I fear that you have chosen poorly.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Cons
Lackluster acceleration and handling
Infotainment system doesn't include Apple CarPlay smartphone integration
Obstructed rear visibility
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The rear view is pretty teeny. But, the camera based rear view mirror mitigates much of that.
Wouldn't call the acceleration lack luster. It feels quicker than my Accord, for certain. Handling....kind of have to remember you're in what is essentially a heavy SUV (not even a CUV). Putting it in that frame, it's not nearly as ponderous as something like a Tahoe or Explorer.
Drove a Honda Prologue this afternoon. It solves most of the issues I had with the Blazer. Apple Car Play is there. It handles better than the Blazer. It had a nice sunroof that the Blazer didn't have. Even the stereo is better.
Lot's of Chevy in it...window switches, door handles. The HVAC controls are the same in both. The screens are different. The UI is different. Suspension tuning is different. I know they are built in the sam factory, but perhaps the QC with Honda is better than Chevy as it felt better put together and didn't squeak like the Blazer. The power outlet is way better on the Honda. It's a simple push to open vs Chevy's push and wait for a little electric motor to open the door for you.
Pricing is similar. Of course, that all goes out the window if leasing is the goal.
One thing I don’t get is that a review stated that you can’t use an iPhone to stream high-quality audio to the Blazer’s system, which I really don’t understand. Don’t know how true that is.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6