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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I'm sure a 12 year old Prelude isn't making full power, too...
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I'm glad you winked!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited November 2011
    " I'm sure a 12 year old Prelude isn't making full power too..."

    Why not?

    Those Preludes were scary fast. the V-tech kicks in and they are GONE!

    Not only that, they keep on going.

    I once had a customer scare the bejees out of me in a Prelude. I was so ticked that I made him pull over. My goal was to take off and leave him standing alongside the freeway. He knew that and he was able to get back in the car.

    I didn't say a word to him until we got back to the store. I told him get out of the &%$# car! and walked away from him.

    I only did this three times in my career. Once, a new arrival from India veered into oncoming traffic TWICE. I had to grab the wheel. When she ran a stop sign I said..." THAT'S IT!" and had her pull over so I could drive back.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,612
    I'm guessing that if the Prelude driver is also the owner, and is responsible for clutch replacement, an X3 with automatic will smoke him....

    Just my experience with street racing, in general...

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  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I didn't realize they were that fast.

    I jumped on our 325 Vert going uu an on ramp recently and I was surprised over just how much power it had.

    Still, I think I would put my money on the Prelude.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,281
    Porsche has been gouging their customers on option pricing for decades.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,496
    My Prelude is a fast car. On the highway, I can be cruising at 60, do a 5th to 3rd downshift & won't have to upshift until 80. It keeps going from there. However with 156 lb/ft of torque @ 5250 RPM, it is hardly a stoplight street racer.

    The X3's N52 I6 is both smooth & very powerful. BMW engines produce great top end power like Honda 4s. They do have something Honda engines lack, mid range torque. Our X3 also had a 6 speed automatic vs. my Prelude's 5-Speed manual transmission.

    My Prelude Type SH is saddled with a few extra pounds compared to its base Prelude counterpart. It's 0-60 mph times were consistently in the 7.0 - 7.2 second range.

    The 2 cars drive remarkably similar for being so different.

    Yes, my Prelude will get smoked by a 268 hp V6 Camry.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    And that's just the tip of it. At the Porsche event, they had the most optioned up examples you could think of on display. They had vehicles that were double their base prices! I was amazed. A base Boxster optioned up past a Cayman R! Who in their right mind would do that?!

    '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

  • au1994au1994 Member Posts: 3,701
    268 hp V-6 in the Camry. The race might be closer than we all think or would like to admit!

    2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
    2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
    2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    edited November 2011
    I was pretty serious about the Camry. Many of the car magazines have gotten right around 6 seconds to 60. I had an 06 Avalon with the same V6 that car was pretty quick, and surprised many people.

    image

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    edited November 2011
    ehhh... not a car... and I didn't actually buy it, although it is mine now...

    image

    Bet you never saw a T&C towing such a thing. That was a scary ride home, I can tell you that. Although the van and equipment are all rated to tow higher, I can't imagine it. Could be I'm just not used to towing, but I could feel every little movement back there from the driver's seat.

    '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

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Why not?

    Didn't those have some exotic nikasil coating for cylinder liners? I wouldn't be surprised if there was wear after a dozen years of high revs.

    I'd be doing a compression test before buying one, that's for sure. Likely true for any car that age, of course.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    although it is mine now...

    Well if we get a lot of snow, I'm sure it will have no problem clearing out the driveway.

    The only thing I ever towed with was my cousin's 2500 Silverado and even with that you could feel a little sway in the back. Power certainly wasn't a problem, you didn't even know anything was back there.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    Never heard of such a coating.

    The accurate way to test compression on a Honda is to do a leakdown test where you pressurize the cylinders.

    Unless a Honda has been puttering around town and is carboned up even after 200,000 miles they usually have leakdowns of under 10%.

    If they have high leakdowns, it's usually a result of carbon and not wear.

    We would do a "carbon blast" where the guys would run strong solvents through the intake systems. Thsi usually did the trick.

    Modern engines (not just Hondas) really don't seem to wear much these days. The valve jobs of the past are unheard of now.

    I've seen heads pulled off after a ton of miles and the cylinder bores have no ridge or signs of wear.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    I know that T&C is probably rated to tow that much and more but that can be very hard on the transmission of done too often.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    10% is the same benchmark used in the Miata world.

    Aren't the insides of the cylinders coated with nikasil on those? And S2000s as well, IIRC.
  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,918
    I'm sure the Camry V6 is plenty quick in a straight line. I imagine a Prelude Type SH may be able to pull on it in some corners though. :)

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,281
    Nice. The 317 and 318 are something of a legend among John Deere enthusiasts. Truly a case of "they don't build them like they used to." I've considered buying something similar so I could mow my own yard (I pay someone now), but I don't exactly relish the idea of having to do yard work when it's 95 degrees or hotter.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Top Gear USA pitted a Camry and even a Sienna minivan against 80s exotics and they crushed 'em in a straight line.

    Some would argue the DeLorean is not exotic, but I bet the Sienna would have been a match for Magnum's Ferrari, too.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    If the cylinders are coated I never heard about it.

    We once took in an Accord that was owned by an old lady. She never took it on the freeway and only drove it around town at low speeds.

    The leakdowns were over 40% in two of the four cylinders but it still ran well.

    So, the tech ran a quart of carbon blaster through it, took it on the freeway and drove the hell out of it holding it in gear at near redline for a few minutes.

    Brought it back and it was 4% in every cylinder!
  • au1994au1994 Member Posts: 3,701
    I am pretty sure that the Sienna would dust the 308 in a drag race. Of course not in the twisties.

    Funny thing about progress, huh? What was once world class (ok, a bit of creative license) in its prime can't even keep up with a grocery getter today.

    2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
    2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
    2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    took it on the freeway and drove the hell out of it holding it in gear at near redline for a few minutes.

    I call that an Italian tune up!

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    The De Lorean was actually a pretty lousy car.

    It had one of worst if not THE worst V-6 engines ever produced!

    These were used in Renaults, Peugeots and (sadly) in some Volvos!

    They were just miserable engines that some shops refused to work on!
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    In the "old days" some mechanics would spray water down a carburator to de-carbon an engine. They had to be careful or risk shattering a piston.

    I watched a guy do this to a 350 Chevy and you would not BELIEVE what came out of the tailpipe! Car ran great afterwards!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My BIL has an Accord, 93 (?) or so, it's down on power but has something like 282k miles. I'd suggest that carbon blaster but I don't think he even needs it. Still drives it daily.

    You wonder, though. Today's cars, with all the emissions and electronics - will they last as long?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Water doesn't compress, no hydro-lock?

    I've seen an Isuzu Trooper throw a rod taking in water. I'm sure the amounts were great (water crossing).
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,496
    My Prelude Type SH shines brilliantly around corners & curves!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,951
    I'm sure on a track or in the curves the Prelude would come out on top. You would be able to fy around twisties better than the understeering Camry could ever do, add in Toyota's aggressive VSC/Trac system and all the Camry would see is the Prelude's taillights (until the next straightaway that is)

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    You BIL shold have a leakdown test done. Even though he drives it daily, it's probably carboned up.

    Or, he could simply buy something that removes carbon and put in the intake system. It'll shake, smoke and stink something fierce. Then have him pour a quart of Rislone into the oil and go run the hell out of it. Be careful not to overfill the oil too much.

    I don't believe in oil additives but I have seen Rislone work many times.

    The emissions and electronics actually help. They allow the right gas/air mixtures and the cars run at the right temperatures. Cars run hotter than they used to and that is a good thing.

    Also, today's motot oils are so much better than they used to be.

    Just make sure that Accord has a good timing belt before he drives it too hard.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    edited November 2011
    You don't POUR water into the engine!

    You SPRAY it and it takes a gentle touch and skill.

    You should hear the engines when this is done. They rattle, belch and ping like crazy!

    Don't do this on a nice cement driveway or you'll make a terrible mess!
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I would think even spraying a find mist would be risky. Not for the faint of heart.
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,218
    Finally called Ford yesterday as the internet lady where I took the test drive at knew nothing about this promotion. She said she called Ford & they also knew nothing. I called & got the correct answer and it went through to be validated...yay! But it did leave a bad taste to see how incompetent those in management were at this particular dealer group. Doesn't speak well about how they'd handle a real problem...very disappointed. Will also do the Mazda test drive rebate before it expires. Does anyone know if the cars with the SkyActive engines have hit our shores yet? Supposedly they're a much better engine with much improved mpg's, just in case we end up with another Mazda3 in the stable, which I hope not. We're supposed to do some more test drives within the next few weeks. First up will be the Hyundai two then the mazda since they're right next door to each other. Nothing at Mitzubishi interests us...well maybe the small ute they have. Will also get her to drive the Focus & Jetta and then over to the BMW and MB dealers. We're lucky in that we live right near the automotive area...within 3 miles, there's most dealers except the Nissan & Buick store. Would love to buy real close as we'd use their service departments for warranty work and some oil changes etc.

    One quick question...due to the fact that I really don't drive that much and I just hit 32.6k today, when should I do the 1st radiator drain/refill service? it's an '06 model & I've already done the tranny drain/refill at about 31k last year. Car drives great now that the a/c is fixed & I do plan on keeping it for a long while...Honda called again but haven't made a decision about offering any monetary help yet.

    Thanks all, I am,

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited November 2011
    I think there was someone in the Manual Transmission thread who tried a Mazda3 SkyActiv, but I'm not 100% sure, so I'd call first.

    Check out the new Impreza Sport as well - 27/36mpg with AWD. It seems to combine the 2 different classes you're shopping - small cars and small crossovers. It's not really in yet, but a few demos are making their way around to dealers here in the Mid Atlantic area, and they are available for test drives.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    Yeah, its quite the workhorse. My dad bought it new ... well, hell, I don't know when. Had to be late '70s, I think (just checked and that model was manufactured '79-'83, so take your pick). I got a new engine at some point in its life and then a rebuild about 2 years ago. That bucket and all the hydraulics are completely custom made by him. I also have several other attachments (a plow, snow thrower, and something else i'm forgetting). He has 2 newer John Deeres now. 1 for mowing and 1 that is quite a bit larger with a diesel engine, bucket on the front, and a backhoe in the rear.

    It won't be used to mow the lawn. I have a small home depot ride-on for that task. When we first moved into this house, I tried to find a landscaper. Some guy even came and cut it once, then never came back to discuss terms or collect his money. Oh well. So after that ordeal, I went and bought the cheapest ride-on I could find. With the friends and family discount going on at the time, I paid less than $600. That thing is still going strong 6 years later, so it has easily paid for itself.

    '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

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,284
    edited November 2011
    I'm getting more and more irritated at the Buick dealer from whom I leased my Regal Turbo. Tell me if I'm totally off-base here:

    The factory sticker on the car did not include locking wheel lug nuts. The dealer added them at a cost of $185 or so, and apparently does that to any new car added to inventory that is equipped with alloy wheels as a matter of course.OK, it's a profit pack for them, but what the heck, I didn't argue when I did the deal 4 weeks ago.

    I bought winter wheels from a local tire shop I trust. They said they didn't like these particular wheel locks, and advised against using them. Trouble is, the 4 lug nuts the dealer removed to put these things on were not found in the car.

    I have been trying to get the 4 chrome lug nuts from the dealer ever since. I have never had a more frustrating experience. Phone calls not returned, feigned ignorance, multiple visits with no luck. They either have a big box of lugnuts somewhere in the service department where they do the swaps or they are adding the ones removed to their parts inventory.

    I figure I paid for 5 chrome lug nuts per wheel and should be getting that. Am I nuts (pardon the pun)?

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,347
    sure you should get them. I had a few cars where they were put on, and I always ended up with the package with the ones they took off in the trunk.

    wonder why the mechanic doesn't like them? I do know the ones on my accord are official Honda issue ones, not some cheap dollar-store brand.

    but $185? Talk about mark up!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,218
    Same thing when trying to get info about the Focus rebate...they just didn't care !

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Here's a rare bird...if it was an E63 and I was a little more optimistic about the health of my employer over the next year or two, a firm possibility of a definite maybe.
  • akanglakangl Member Posts: 3,282
    Tell me if I'm totally off-base here:

    Nope, not at all, the lug nuts they took off should be with the car.

    I totally understand your frustration, I've been fighting for almost 6 months to get the paint issues fixed on my truck. Lots of promises but so far nothing. Plan on going in there tomorrow and causing a whole lotta hell. If I could drive the issue would be already fixed since I would be camped in the showroom every single day until they finally fixed it. Six more months.....*sigh*
  • michaellnomichaellno Member Posts: 4,120
    Does anyone know if the cars with the SkyActive engines have hit our shores yet?

    I was at the Mazda dealer in Colorado Springs this past Saturday getting service done on the wife's CX-7 and saw a handful of SkyActiv equipped 3's on the lot, both sedan and hatch.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    In that past that's where I've found the spare lugs - in the trunk next to the spare. Make sure you looked everywhere in your car.

    Nice AMG wagon, they probably didn't make too many wagons. That's a lot of money for an '06, though.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Per my info, E55 wagon volume for 06 (last year of the kompressor) was a huge 64 units. I like that part. Would have MSRPd around 100K as equipped.

    E63 wagons are just as rare, I think around 50-60 units per year.
  • isellhondasisellhondas Member Posts: 20,342
    No you're not nuts. As you said, you did pay for those chrome lug nuts and you should have them.

    I can't believe they actually charged 185.00 for those locks!!

    It wasn't until we had a rash of wheel thefts in our area (and our lot!) that the
    store I worked started automatically installing them on cars that had alloys.

    I think we charged something like 75.00. We would take the factory lug nuts and place them in the package the locks came in.

    I can't imagine why they are even hassling you over this?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    64 units, well you sure won't see yourself coming and going.

    Didn't the wife on the Sopranos drive an E wagon?
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Never watched the show, but probably a non AMG car.

    I know there's at least one E55 and E63 wagon in my area, but they sell here more than other places - there's also another E55 in the same color as mine (maybe 30 units per year for that one).
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,218
    Good to hear...just in case she wants another 3. Though this time it won't be the "S" as it's a bit pricey now. Like the "S" version much better, like foggies, but to save a bit, can do without them.

    Just got home from Walgreens & the Civic almost got hit on the left front! Some a-hole woman decided the stop sign she had wasn't for her, so she drove right through it, making me hit the brakes and pull over to the right sharply...almost hit the curb also...damn! She had a big gulp in her right hand, so she must've had her left on the steering wheel. Man, my heart leaped into my throat & it's still throbbing quickly...sure got that adrenaline rush going! Told my kid that I'm done behind the wheel today...she can drive out to dinner later...damn! :mad: Would've hated for my baby to have gotten hit...I would've lost the wholr left 1/4 panel, the alloy wheel & tire and who knows what else...could've been quite expensive plus a rental car. Thank G-d the Civic has good brakes and that I saw it in time to take defensive action. Somehow I had a feeling she was gonna run the stop sign so I wasn't going real fast.

    Getting the Mazda & the Civic detailed tomorrow morning...he did a great job on the other 2...even vacuumed the trunks! I know the other 2 will look great tomorrow to.

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,218
    edited November 2011
    Yep, that's some beautiful wagon and the color's outstanding. What's it called? I'd love for my next car to be a light blue one...no more silver or charchol for awhile I hope. Nissan also has a very pleasing blue color for it's Altima...just a shade or two darker...beautiful also. Love the power seats with memory...really need that in my next one also...would be great to manipulate the seat in such a way where the pain is lessened a whole lot. That's why I might rent one if we go up north in late 2012...a nice Camry would fit the bill nicely!

    I gotta tell y'all, I've got the new car bug somethin' fierce after test driving them last week...somethin' fierce! Gotta use all my will power here to resist the calling...but I am so overdue here! Just can't get rid of a perfectly good ride just to scratch that itch though...just can't! :confuse:

    The Sandman :) :sick: :shades:

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 265,612
    ..had to wait until BMWFS had the title in their hands..

    Started the lease assumption process last Wednesday, and it was complete this Tuesday.. four business days...

    Acquired the vehicle on September 3rd, disposed of on November 8th.. :surprise:

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  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Don't look back, just forget it ever happened and move forward. :shades:
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,736
    man, that's gorgeous... but $35k for a car with 63k miles? ehh... pass.

    '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

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