Project Cars--You Get to Vote on "Hold 'em or Fold 'em"

fintail

Turn signals on an Audi coupe, no loss, used by maybe 3% of drivers

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

No, no, that makes sense, if you do the work yourself,--- get a used piston from a wreck in the scrapyard and bolt it in--then all you need is one side head gasket, some oil, and an oil pan gasket and some coolant--you could do all that for $180.

It might even run for a few days.

Mr_Shiftright said:

No, no, that makes sense, if you do the work yourself,--- get a used piston from a wreck in the scrapyard and bolt it in--then all you need is one side head gasket, some oil, and an oil pan gasket and some coolant--you could do all that for $180.

It might even run for a few days.

You are funny! I recently saw an ad for a late model accord on CL. The guy needed to move back to China in a hurry and was trying to dump the Accord. He said "very minor damage to front end.
I hit car in parking lot and dented hood, front fender and headlight. Headlight still work good! You should get everything fix for no more than 200.00" He posted a photo. 2000.00 MIGHT get it fixed at one of the shops that advertise on television!

fintail

Here's a rare bird at the upcoming local project car auto auction - I think these cloth interior cars were first year only, and very low production, I've only seen one or two. I believe this is a woolcloth similar to what can be found in older cars.

ab348

Toyota must have had a surplus of gray mouse-fur upholstery in 1990.

Mr_Shiftright

Not a bad ride if it was cheap. I'd imagine about $750 bucks would be all the money with the scary "weak brakes" sign on it. An ABS control module can run $600 to $1200 bucks.

stickguy

a newer, nicer looking one from a reputable dealer for cheap. Probably a better idea, if you really want one.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-1999-lexus-ls_400_luxury_sdn-ls400_luxury_sedan-used-17718776.html

fintail

Good used car deal if it runs, drives, and stops without issue.

Regarding the rare example I posted, cars seem to end up at that auction for a reason - estate, donation, or broken (which could be a reason for donation).

isellhondas

fintail said:

Here's a rare bird at the upcoming local project car auto auction - I think these cloth interior cars were first year only, and very low production, I've only seen one or two. I believe this is a woolcloth similar to what can be found in older cars.

The ad says "Buy like the dealers do" It should say "Buy like the Mouse Houses and Note Lots do"!

Weak Brakes makes me immediately think of a bad booster but who knows: You would have to assume the worst!

You can also assume it's overdue for a new Timing Belt and Water Pump job plus who knows what else?

Add 3000.00 to the 700.00 you want to bid and hope for the best!

isellhondas

Error

qbrozen

stickguy said:

a newer, nicer looking one from a reputable dealer for cheap. Probably a better idea, if you really want one. http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-1999-lexus-ls_400_luxury_sdn-ls400_luxury_sedan-used-17718776.html

Dang. $2200? Fantastic buy if, like fin said, if it all works. 

Mr_Shiftright

The dealer does say though that the price has been adjusted to compensate for needed repairs--whatever that means.

stickguy

his way of saying as is I think. If it had obvious immediate needs, would either be done or car not for sale. So it is all the little stuff an old car needs.

Mr_Shiftright

Well a quick drive around the neighborhood should reveal what you need to know.

andres3

fintail said:

Turn signals on an Audi coupe, no loss, used by maybe 3% of drivers

Hey, I always use my turn signals, must be a NW thing.

Boneheads will learn the hard way that not using turn signals 100% of the time is a very bad habit.

It isn't the traffic you see that is of concern, it is the traffic you don't see that'll bite you. Therefore, only using turn signals when there is other traffic argument is a non-starter.

fintail

It's not only Audi, but they have been competing with BMW for some time on that front. Even Top Gear laughed at it years ago:



Turn signal use here is funny. You either get the prior BMW stereotype who never use them, the overly cautious ones who will use them when the road changes direction (these people also brake for curves on freeways or when entering tunnels), or those who will use it in a turn only lane, but not to get into the turn only lane.

andres3 said:

fintail said:

Hey, I always use my turn signals, must be a NW thing.

Boneheads will learn the hard way that not using turn signals 100% of the time is a very bad habit.

It isn't the traffic you see that is of concern, it is the traffic you don't see that'll bite you. Therefore, only using turn signals when there is other traffic argument is a non-starter.

andres3

I advocate for people to use the turn signal in turn only lanes. I've found that the drivers that are capable of going straight or the wrong direction turn from a turn only lane are the ones that don't signal.

Yes, people can signal the wrong direction and turn otherwise, but that's rare. It's ultra rare they break the lane rules and turn signal rules at the same time, or at least that's what I've noticed.

xwesx

andres3 said:

I advocate for people to use the turn signal in turn only lanes. I've found that the drivers that are capable of going straight or the wrong direction turn from a turn only lane are the ones that don't signal.

Yes, people can signal the wrong direction and turn otherwise, but that's rare. It's ultra rare they break the lane rules and turn signal rules at the same time, or at least that's what I've noticed.

Well, there are times when signals in turn only are not necessary, and other times when it is advisable. If you're in a lane that offers the possibility of doing other than turning (e.g., a right turn only, but it is simply the lane next to the "straight ahead only" lane, and one could easily dart straight across if they simply did not turn), then use the signal. If you're in a single action lane, such as an exit only lane where the lane itself diverges from the rest of the highway, no signal is necessary to simply follow that lane as it departs.

fintail

Yeah, redundant signals can be funny. In turn lanes I always think to myself "well, you can't go right" (or left, or go straight, etc). Not signaling while leaving the main road to get into a turn lane, then hitting the signal in a turn only lane, takes the cake - and I see it frequently.

isellhondas

Hey Fintail….would this one work for you?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/d/mercedes-sec-600-v12/6622164755.html

tjc78

I’d take it and then cry at the first 2k repair bill! 

Mr_Shiftright

What with the fuel economy and ease of maintenance, that baby will pay for itself in a year's time.

Actually, to be fair, gas mileage isn't that bad--you'd probably average 13 mpg.

explorerx4

@isellhondas,
Are you getting a birddog fee on this?

fintail

When I was in high school, that was it, the thing, the ne plus ultra of cars, a V12 C140. That's from the wiring harness era though, and that one lacks any mention of it, so deduct 3 grand. Lots of style for little cash, the V12 will be smooth as a jet, but you'll pay to keep it running. Still, if I had a big collection, I'd probably have a coupe and sedan both.

Nice that it has records, get a PPI and if it checks out, roll the dice. As a curious detail, I think that was the last year of mechanical odometers for US spec S-class.

isellhondas said:

Hey Fintail….would this one work for you?

https://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/d/mercedes-sec-600-v12/6622164755.html

lemmer

fintail said:

Yeah, redundant signals can be funny. In turn lanes I always think to myself "well, you can't go right" (or left, or go straight, etc). Not signaling while leaving the main road to get into a turn lane, then hitting the signal in a turn only lane, takes the cake - and I see it frequently.

I think it is useful for oncoming traffic that doesn't know if you are in a turn lane or not.

fintail

I suppose in this lowest common denominator era, we can't expect everyone to understand lights.

Another fun one yesterday - signaling in a parking garage (not for pulling into a spot). One way direction of travel - signaling to essentially follow the road, I had to laugh. Why signal left when if you go straight, you hit a wall, and if you go right, you hit a wall. I suspect these people don't signal when changing lanes.

lemmer said:

I think it is useful for oncoming traffic that doesn't know if you are in a turn lane or not.

stickguy

Force of habit sometimes. Not hurting anything. I put on my seatbelt to back out of the garage, which is probably not truly necessary.

Mr_Shiftright

I'm with Stick on this one--if you just make up your mind to do something out of habit, it's much better when you do it when unnecessary, than don't do it when necessary.

fintail

I religiously signal when I need to, but I don't do it redundantly. Then again, I am really OCD about being attentive and doing things properly, so maybe I just notice it more. The amount of "drivers" in my area not signaling for normal turns, nor lane changes, seems to grow with each new day.

texases

Over the last couple of years I wish it was just 'no signaling' that was the problem. Now it's people wandering around in their lanes/my lane, getting (slowly) into the turn lane at the last possible moment while blocking traffic, blocking traffic while doing a U-turn when there's a turn lane just made for it 100 yards down the road...I could go on and one... :@

Mr_Shiftright

Me, too, but we really need to get back on topic!

isellhondas

tjc78 said:

I’d take it and then cry at the first 2k repair bill! 

That 2000.00 would probably cover an "Oil Service" as they call it.

fintail

If only the "inconsiderate drivers" thread hadn't been unceremoniously killed off without notice.

For that old MB coupe, just find a good indy mechanic - the one I patronize owns a sedan version he rescued and put back on the road, I think he'd be fair.

xwesx

Speaking of oil service.... I took my Q7 in for an alignment this morning. When the shop owner called me back a couple hours later, he said that all the mechanicals check out in good shape, and that they confirmed that it needs an alignment and will proceed. However, he also says, "your vehicle states that an oil change is due. We have the supplies on hand to perform that; would you like us to go ahead?"

I laughed and told him that I actually changed the oil only two days and ~100 miles ago, and that the service message was for the vehicle service, which comes on every 10,000 miles religiously. Since I cannot reset that reminder without a special tool, I just ignore it until I happen to have it at the dealer for something, at which point I have them reset it.

He seemed a little disappointed, but he let it go and settled for the alignment (already a $250 expense!).

----

I don't mind cars reminding their owners to look after them, though I must say that this "must have a special tool to reset" thing annoys me to no end.

xwesx

fintail said:

If only the "inconsiderate drivers" thread hadn't been unceremoniously killed off without notice.

No doubt! Signals and LLCs were regular topics there! We have to get those frustrations off our chests once in a while....

stickguy

my Elantra tells me every time I start it up that service is due in X days (well, now it is running negative!). I have yet to figure out how I can reset it myself. Will give that another try one day when parked, and if it doesn't work will just give up. just a minor annoyance. I would stop at the dealer and get them to do it, but I never go near the one that I bought it at and that did the first oil change.

tjc78

There is a setting to turn off the “service interval” altogether otherwise it should just take holding “ok” on the steering whee until it resets 

stickguy

so don't flick OK, but push and hold for a while? Have not tried that.

the interval is set, but I only see the options for time and miles (6 months, 6,000 I think). so no clue why it decided to ask for it last week, and no way apparent to change. I may try turning that off and see if it does it.

tjc78

Yes try holding it down.

isellhondas

xwesx said:

Speaking of oil service.... I took my Q7 in for an alignment this morning. When the shop owner called me back a couple hours later, he said that all the mechanicals check out in good shape, and that they confirmed that it needs an alignment and will proceed. However, he also says, "your vehicle states that an oil change is due. We have the supplies on hand to perform that; would you like us to go ahead?"

I laughed and told him that I actually changed the oil only two days and ~100 miles ago, and that the service message was for the vehicle service, which comes on every 10,000 miles religiously. Since I cannot reset that reminder without a special tool, I just ignore it until I happen to have it at the dealer for something, at which point I have them reset it.

He seemed a little disappointed, but he let it go and settled for the alignment (already a $250 expense!).

----

I don't mind cars reminding their owners to look after them, though I must say that this "must have a special tool to reset" thing annoys me to no end.

Wait a minute...are you serious? 250.00 for an alignment? Any why did he think you needed one? I haven't had a car aligned since I was in high school.

250.00! I need to open an Alignment Shop! Oh, wait.....they don't have those anymore. Remember the old Bear signs? Maybe a Radiator Shop....uh, a Muffler Shop?

fintail

I had to get an alignment due to a pothole, last year. When I hit it, I knew something was messed up:

xwesx

isellhondas said:

Wait a minute...are you serious? 250.00 for an alignment? Any why did he think you needed one? I haven't had a car aligned since I was in high school.

250.00! I need to open an Alignment Shop! Oh, wait.....they don't have those anymore. Remember the old Bear signs? Maybe a Radiator Shop....uh, a Muffler Shop?

Haha, yes, well, out-of-alignment is really a thing in this part of the world, I guess. As much as I hear complaints about roads in other areas, I have yet to see anyone's roads rival ours for "quality."

I took it in because it was pulling strongly to the right. As for price, I couldn't tell you if it is reasonable or not; that's just the price of it. This shop is good at what they do, and they are generally thorough about inspecting the ball joints, tie rods, etc., before attempting to align.

It is dreamily smooth now. I'm happy.

fintail

Had the old dear out in the warmth yesterday, no issues as usual:



This time, I had two random people come up and talk about the car, one who has an old MB 170 I have seen locally, the other a young Korean (I think) guy who had never seen one as old out on the road, and was fascinated by it, wanted a pic of the engine (of course I obliged).

Next time I drive it will be to the garage that maintains it, for its yearly service and checkup.

benjaminh

fintail said:

Had the old dear out in the warmth yesterday, no issues as usual:



This time, I had two random people come up and talk about the car, one who has an old MB 170 I have seen locally, the other a young Korean (I think) guy who had never seen one as old out on the road, and was fascinated by it, wanted a pic of the engine (of course I obliged).

Next time I drive it will be to the garage that maintains it, for its yearly service and checkup.

Really like the color. I assume that's the original factory color?

fintail

Yep, code DB 334, creatively named "hellblau", offered from the late 50s through maybe 1965 or so:





Then in the mid-late 70s through maybe 1982 or so, a similar color was resurrected:

benjaminh said:

Really like the color. I assume that's the original factory color?

berri

You'd look good in that roadster or coupe

fintail

Funny thing, the sedan is probably now less common than coupes or roadsters/cabrios.

berri said:

You'd look good in that roadster or coupe

iluvmysephia1

And I thought you just had the fintail checked out, fin!

xwesx

iluvmysephia1 said:

And I thought you just had the fintail checked out, fin!

Time flies when you're gettin' old!

fintail

Other than for random quirks, the car usually goes in for servicing and general roadworthiness inspection (I can't make it perfect, I just want it safe to drive) once a year, early summer. The car is quite reliable overall, and only asks for an unscheduled repair now and then.

iluvmysephia1 said:

And I thought you just had the fintail checked out, fin!

isellhondas

xwesx said:

isellhondas said:

Wait a minute...are you serious? 250.00 for an alignment? Any why did he think you needed one? I haven't had a car aligned since I was in high school.

250.00! I need to open an Alignment Shop! Oh, wait.....they don't have those anymore. Remember the old Bear signs? Maybe a Radiator Shop....uh, a Muffler Shop?

Haha, yes, well, out-of-alignment is really a thing in this part of the world, I guess. As much as I hear complaints about roads in other areas, I have yet to see anyone's roads rival ours for "quality."

I took it in because it was pulling strongly to the right. As for price, I couldn't tell you if it is reasonable or not; that's just the price of it. This shop is good at what they do, and they are generally thorough about inspecting the ball joints, tie rods, etc., before attempting to align.

It is dreamily smooth now. I'm happy.

Oh I used to go to Fairbanks on business trips and I totally agree with you. If you walk through a row of cars in a parking lot, at least half of them will have busted windshields. At LEAST half!