Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

pensfan83

There was a ZDX Type S in the showroom. $73,500 sticker

carnaught

The dash looks disappointing at least from the picture.

stickguy

it is nice in person. and the steering wheel is great. Actually seemed to me like a nice update on my RDX.

stickguy

so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

nyccarguy

Speaking of the Acura dealer, my parents stopped by and test drove an RDX Advance as a possible replacement for Mom’s ‘22 RX 350. The lease isn’t up until March. She’s got 50K miles on it. The interior needs a thorough cleaning. The outside is beat up from when the cyclist hit her and my Dad backed into it in the driveway.

corvette

I guess Honda learned its lesson about volume knobs after they attempted to delete them, but it looks out of place sticking out of what is otherwise a flat display on the ZDX. Like the camera warts on every cell phone and many tablets nowadays (I tolerate those on my phone because I use it as a camera, but I can't stand them on tablets, because who in their right mind is using an iPad for serious photography?).

corvette

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK_EJ3DyiiA

Can't remember whether someone posted this here... The styling of the Cybertruck may be controversial, but it is surprisingly explosion-resistant, especially compared to an aluminum bodied F-150.

oldfarmer50

Is that an important feature to you?🤗

jmonroe1

corvette said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK_EJ3DyiiA

Can't remember whether someone posted this here... The styling of the Cybertruck may be controversial, but it is surprisingly explosion-resistant, especially compared to an aluminum bodied F-150.

————————————————
I wonder how many clicks you need to buy two expensive trucks only to destroy them with unreal, not even close to normal road tests.

jmonroe

laurasdada

No matter the vehicle, the iPad stuck to the top of the dash is a near dealbreaker for me.

tjc78

No CarPlay is a deal breaker for me in any vehicle. Not having smartphone integration is a major step backwards.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

It looks like that's the direction they're moving. Probably the reason they dumped Android Auto and Apple Car Play (which are free with your phone). They want to go to a subscription revenue stream, like they did with "OnStar".

graphicguy

stickguy said:

it is nice in person. and the steering wheel is great. Actually seemed to me like a nice update on my RDX.

It's obviously similar to the Prologue. The steering wheel is nice (as is the one in the Blazer EV).

Admittedly, I do like the Blazer EV's screens vs the Honda/Acura version.

ab348

graphicguy said:

stickguy said:

so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

It looks like that's the direction they're moving. Probably the reason they dumped Android Auto and Apple Car Play (which are free with your phone). They want to go to a subscription revenue stream, like they did with "OnStar".

That's part of it. But given the other manufacturers who are doing the same thing in dropping CarPlay, there seems to be more to it than that.

I don't know the answer, but since an iPhone can also act as a wifi hotspot, couldn't your non-CarPlay vehicle connect to that I wonder?

Michaell

ab348 said:

graphicguy said:

stickguy said:

so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

It looks like that's the direction they're moving. Probably the reason they dumped Android Auto and Apple Car Play (which are free with your phone). They want to go to a subscription revenue stream, like they did with "OnStar".

That's part of it. But given the other manufacturers who are doing the same thing in dropping CarPlay, there seems to be more to it than that.

I don't know the answer, but since an iPhone can also act as a wifi hotspot, couldn't your non-CarPlay vehicle connect to that I wonder?

Data sharing?

tjc78

Yes you can connect your car to your hotspot. I used to do that with my Volvos

28firefighter

We’re on the east coast this week for a family wedding. Did a few days in Philly, then 4 days in Ocean City, now stopping in Pittsburgh for a short stop to see my favorite places before we go to Ohio.

Have a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer LT for our one way rental from Avis. I want to hate it. It is slow, makes a weird use of space for cargo, and is all plastic. But I can’t. It is phenomenally equipped for the $$ - CarPlay, heated seats, heated steering wheel, high res digital dash, backup sensors, power hatch, and AWD. It gets north of 40mpg on the highway and is a comfortable ride, yet small enough for urban areas. Would not have been my first choice, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

Sandman6472

Drove a couple of entry level Kia's and Hyundai's and was unable to listen to Apple CarPlay through my iPhone 12. Seems in this day & age, all vehicles would be able to connect to both AA & Apple CarPlay as not everyone wants to get Sirius/XM. A serious omission to be honest and will make sure my next vehicle has both when that time does come. But since I like my Sirius/XM that much, will probably still subscribe even though I no longer drive much anymore.

Got a question for OF...did you folks get the dollar raise we did on the 11th? Since we've been a bit slow these past few weeks, nice to get the extra buck going forward. Still enjoying the job even though not sure how much longer I'll continue. I fell out of the 15 packer last week and had a few very sore days afterwards. But maybe it's time to go down to two days a week and see how that goes.

ab348

Sandman6472 said:

I fell out of the 15 packer last week and had a few very sore days afterwards.

Hopefully it wasn't moving at the time. -

Hope you're feeling better, Sandy.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Drove a couple of entry level Kia's and Hyundai's and was unable to listen to Apple CarPlay through my iPhone 12. Seems in this day & age, all vehicles would be able to connect to both AA & Apple CarPlay as not everyone wants to get Sirius/XM. A serious omission to be honest and will make sure my next vehicle has both when that time does come. But since I like my Sirius/XM that much, will probably still subscribe even though I no longer drive much anymore.

Got a question for OF...did you folks get the dollar raise we did on the 11th? Since we've been a bit slow these past few weeks, nice to get the extra buck going forward. Still enjoying the job even though not sure how much longer I'll continue. I fell out of the 15 packer last week and had a few very sore days afterwards. But maybe it's time to go down to two days a week and see how that goes.

Ouch! I hope you didn’t hurt yourself too bad. Be sure to report that to HR just in case you find some unknown injury later on.

As to the raise, for the last few years any raise we would have gotten was overtopped by mandated minimum wage raises by the state. A/O this January we would have been up to $15 but Enterprise got proactive and bumped us to $16 and $16.50 for me. Then, at my annual review in late January I got bumped again to $17. Seems they gave the non-goof off non-car wreckers a little extra. Plus they gave me a few thousand in profit sharing and increased the 401k match to 4%.

From what I gather, the company is very interested in retaining workers at our level so they are spending a little more to keep us happy. The assistant boss just got a promotion and it was mainly because of her high retention rate.

Sandman6472

Wow, you make more than I do but guess that's New York vs. Florida. I started at Enterprise on December 3rd of 2019 but had been at Hertz from January of 2014 till the end of November in 2019. Hertz was not very good to their employees with really no perks to speak of while Enterprise is a much better company to work for. All I know is that right after I left Hertz for Enterprise, five other drivers left and as of July, only one original driver is still there.

I did go report the accident at work just to cover my butt. This getting older stuff is a bit harder then I thought!

corvette

Drove my parents' Ranger with the transmission concern. It doesn't appear to be exhibiting the behavior described in the TSB (delayed/harsh engagement and harsh shifts), but it does do the extremely aggressive upshifting resulting in borderline engine lugging that has been common on many modern cars since 2000 or so. I think it's operating as designed, it's just that the design has it trying to cruise on level ground at 1,100 RPM instead of downshifting or trying to climb a hill at 1,500 RPM instead of downshifting. Giving it a little more throttle triggers a downshift and stops the behavior.

That transmission is also used in the F-150, and I suspect that behavior is less noticeable in that application due to the heavier vehicle having more isolation, plus the larger engines having more torque down low. From what limited research I have done, the behavior can be worse in some Rangers that have been tuned, but the tuner then changed the shift maps to eliminate it.

pensfan83

@28firefighter said:
We’re on the east coast this week for a family wedding. Did a few days in Philly, then 4 days in Ocean City, now stopping in Pittsburgh for a short stop to see my favorite places before we go to Ohio.

Have a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer LT for our one way rental from Avis. I want to hate it. It is slow, makes a weird use of space for cargo, and is all plastic. But I can’t. It is phenomenally equipped for the $$ - CarPlay, heated seats, heated steering wheel, high res digital dash, backup sensors, power hatch, and AWD. It gets north of 40mpg on the highway and is a comfortable ride, yet small enough for urban areas. Would not have been my first choice, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

Pirates game AND Steelers game today. Getting to places away from there aren't bad though. We're in the Strip District now and it's not crowded at all.

graphicguy

tjc78 said:

Yes you can connect your car to your hotspot. I used to do that with my Volvos

Good idea. I wonder how you could project it on the vehicle's screen? I don't know the size of it in the. Blazer EV but it's BIG!

imidazol97

@28firefighter said:
We’re on the east coast this week for a family wedding. Did a few days in Philly, then 4 days in Ocean City, now stopping in Pittsburgh for a short stop to see my favorite places before we go to Ohio.

Have a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer LT for our one way rental from Avis. I want to hate it. It is slow, makes a weird use of space for cargo, and is all plastic. But I can’t. It is phenomenally equipped for the $$ - CarPlay, heated seats, heated steering wheel, high res digital dash, backup sensors, power hatch, and AWD. It gets north of 40mpg on the highway and is a comfortable ride, yet small enough for urban areas. Would not have been my first choice, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

Is that one of their 3-cylinder turbos?

stickguy

tjc78 said:

Yes you can connect your car to your hotspot. I used to do that with my Volvos

that sounds like way too much hassle.

stickguy

I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

Drove my parents' Ranger with the transmission concern. It doesn't appear to be exhibiting the behavior described in the TSB (delayed/harsh engagement and harsh shifts), but it does do the extremely aggressive upshifting resulting in borderline engine lugging that has been common on many modern cars since 2000 or so. I think it's operating as designed, it's just that the design has it trying to cruise on level ground at 1,100 RPM instead of downshifting or trying to climb a hill at 1,500 RPM instead of downshifting. Giving it a little more throttle triggers a downshift and stops the behavior.

That transmission is also used in the F-150, and I suspect that behavior is less noticeable in that application due to the heavier vehicle having more isolation, plus the larger engines having more torque down low. From what limited research I have done, the behavior can be worse in some Rangers that have been tuned, but the tuner then changed the shift maps to eliminate it.

Could it be that the transmission was programmed to meet milage standards at the price of drivability? Would the dealer be able to do a reflash of the TCM? I had some issues with shift quality on my PT Cruiser and the dealership did some reprogramming.

suydam

@stickguy said:
I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

Which car are we talking about?

stickguy

for sure they program the tranny to get the best result on the EPA tests for MPG ratings, and emissions. My guess, the dealer won't (likely not allowed, and probably couldn't anyway) reprogram the trans mapping. But, the aftermarket certainly can! Just need to find the right tuner.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

for sure they program the tranny to get the best result on the EPA tests for MPG ratings, and emissions. My guess, the dealer won't (likely not allowed, and probably couldn't anyway) reprogram the trans mapping. But, the aftermarket certainly can! Just need to find the right tuner.

The tune I bought for the Mustang had some transmission remapping as part of the package. It was a Ford performance part installed at the Ford dealer so some adjustment may be possible.

graphicguy

I may have to buy a Prologue just to get one of those nifty little scooters....

laurasdada

Friend's vacationing in Clearwater, Fla. He just texted us that his Chevy Equinox is being flat-bedded, awaiting a replacement.
Well, it is a GM product...
But at least they didn't have to leave it in the middle of a field, waiting for it to explode.

Have been tinkering with the idea of a Motocompacto, because... well, because.
Shoulda done it last weekend here in MA, it was the annual tax-free weekend. I did buy an inexpensive watch, but not from Rite-Aid.

jmonroe1

graphicguy said:

I may have to buy a Prologue just to get one of those nifty little scooters....

————————————————-
It’s not like Honda to resort to gimmicks to sell their cars. They must envision some pretty slow sales already to do something like that.

jmonroe

ab348

stickguy said:

I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.

ab348

laurasdada said:

Friend's vacationing in Clearwater, Fla. He just texted us that his Chevy Equinox is being flat-bedded, awaiting a replacement.
Well, it is a GM product...

Well, it is a rental car, I presume…

Up here, H/K rental vehicles seem to keep the towing companies in business.

stickguy

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.

still have to deal with the cars interface for setting a destination.

ab348

stickguy said:

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.

still have to deal with the cars interface for setting a destination.

suydam

Blazer’s interface is “Hey Google!”

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

laurasdada said:

Friend's vacationing in Clearwater, Fla. He just texted us that his Chevy Equinox is being flat-bedded, awaiting a replacement.
Well, it is a GM product...

Well, it is a rental car, I presume…

Up here, H/K rental vehicles seem to keep the towing companies in business.

The Hyundais and Kia’s in our fleet seem to hold up pretty well, in fact it was driving a Kia Soul around that impressed me enough to go buy one. The only problem I ever had was a 2023 Soul with a CVT that blew the transmission at 5000 miles.

explorerx4

@corvette.
The main reason I traded my 2020 Explorer(2.3 four cyl/10 speed trans) was that I felt it was in too high a gear in the type of driving I did.
I did try different fuel grades to see if that would improve things.
Using PUG, i was getting 25 mpg local driving, so I mainly used that.
Didn't do a whole lot of experimentation with RUG.

tjc78

@oldfarmer50 said:
The Hyundais and Kia’s in our fleet seem to hold up pretty well, in fact it was driving a Kia Soul around that impressed me enough to go buy one. The only problem I ever had was a 2023 Soul with a CVT that blew the transmission at 5000 miles.

I had a loaded Sonata 1.5T that had 40k miles earlier this week. It had obviously lived a rough life and drove like it had more like 80K IMO.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@corvette.
The main reason I traded my 2020 Explorer(2.3 four cyl/10 speed trans) was that I felt it was in too high a gear in the type of driving I did.
I did try different fuel grades to see if that would improve things.
Using PUG, i was getting 25 mpg local driving, so I mainly used that.
Didn't do a whole lot of experimentation with RUG.

Maybe you know the answer to this. I know the 2.3L and the 3.7L when used in the Mustang would run on Regular gas but would give more horsepower with Premium. Would that also be true on the 3.7L when used in a pickup truck?

My owner’s manual is very vague on the subject.

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

Could it be that the transmission was programmed to meet milage standards at the price of drivability? Would the dealer be able to do a reflash of the TCM? I had some issues with shift quality on my PT Cruiser and the dealership did some reprogramming.

Yes and (apparently) no. The TSB only talks about reflashing in case of harsh shifts, not engine lugging.

explorerx4 said:

@corvette.
The main reason I traded my 2020 Explorer(2.3 four cyl/10 speed trans) was that I felt it was in too high a gear in the type of driving I did.
I did try different fuel grades to see if that would improve things.

They've always run premium because (like my Maverick), the Ranger's turbo engine makes more power and gets better MPGs on premium. Thinking out loud, wouldn't it be a bear if running regular in the Ranger would reduce the HP enough that it would have to hold lower gears longer, eliminating the lugging?

stickguy

naturally aspirated big V6 boat anchor? I would highly doubt it.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
Timing is everything.
We took my Son In Law's Explorer to Detroit and back today, just over 300 miles.
It has the 3.5, slightly smaller version of 3.7.
I put gas in it a couple of times.
My daughter showed up with less than half a tank, so I filled it up when we took a comfort break.
After we got back I topped it off so her husband would start the week with a full tank.
If I had read you post before I left, I could have reset one of the trip meters and put some MUG or PUG in there and measure the MPG's.

roadburner

This week's MPG numbers:
X1- 21.7
C43- 23.6
4xe- 100.2

roadburner

stickguy said:

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.

still have to deal with the cars interface for setting a destination.

The Jeep and Mercedes phone apps send the address to the car and it pops up in the display as soon as you start the car. The only reason I want CarPlay is to have it as a backup system to use when/if the car's navigation system is no longer supported.

corvette

@roadburner - the C43's MPG is quite impressive compared to the X1.

corvette

https://youtube.com/shorts/9H0hFOjARuk?feature=share

The Ariya makes angry robot noises if the driver's door isn't fully latched when you put it in gear, but the display won't tell you why it's making angry robot noises.