Lovely day today, around 60F, no need for heat. Took the car on maybe a 25 mile drive earlier, ran fine with no issues, started right up as usual. Had 3 or 4 people approach me when I stopped asking the year, etc. Gratuitous pic taken from a distance and some elevation, showing a fun two tone effect in the sun:
Those are the base Cadillac wheel covers for 1980. People typically sprung for the wire wheel covers, turbo vane covers and genuine wire spoke wheels were available.
@lemko1968 you must know my dad. When he bought his 78 Sedan DeVille d’elegance and later his 79 Eldorado diesel, he wouldn’t consider them if they didn’t have the Cadillac wire wheel covers. He bought both cars used. I replaced several of the spokes on the wheel covers on the Eldorado, a fairly easy job. Those wheel covers, especially on the Eldorado were quite heavy.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Only comparable the insurance company could find was 25K (which my friend knows is more than his car is/was worth), so it got the nod. Wreck apparently damaged a tie rod, and the car has a couple other issues that will be dealt with while it is being repaired.
Any update on your friend’s car? Hopefully it will be repaired.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
No news is good news, I just sent a request for an update.
I know it was greenlit - with the only comp at 25K, it should absorb some work. I suspect paintwork will be the only real delay - good body shops in the Seattle area can be booked out weeks or more.
Didn't plan to take the old dear out today, but other plans fell through, so I had the time and desire. Got a few approving nods/thumbs up, and at a parking lot, a younger guy in a late run Town Car asked if he could take pics of the car. Something I have noticed, I think the car is smoking less - maybe the long drive in October helped it. Usually, when the car moves away from sitting for a long time at a hot idle, it'll puff just a little smoke - haven't noticed it lately. Also when the car is cold/warming up - no smoke (but ample fumes). Gratuitous pic because of course:
Had to take the car in today for a check scan on the infamous CEL light that went on when I was about 75 miles from home coming back from Pahrump the Sunday before last.
Apparently the car thought it ran slightly "lean" one time and that kept the CEL on for at least 3 starts since it came on 8 days ago. Runs fine; we decided to clear it and then monitor if it happens again.
Total Cost $0.00 for now.
'15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Had to take the car in today for a check scan on the infamous CEL light that went on when I was about 75 miles from home coming back from Pahrump the Sunday before last.
Apparently the car thought it ran slightly "lean" one time and that kept the CEL on for at least 3 starts since it came on 8 days ago. Runs fine; we decided to clear it and then monitor if it happens again.
Total Cost $0.00 for now.
Which one of your fleet triggered the dreaded CEL?
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Had to take the car in today for a check scan on the infamous CEL light that went on when I was about 75 miles from home coming back from Pahrump the Sunday before last.
Apparently the car thought it ran slightly "lean" one time and that kept the CEL on for at least 3 starts since it came on 8 days ago. Runs fine; we decided to clear it and then monitor if it happens again.
Total Cost $0.00 for now.
Which one of your fleet triggered the dreaded CEL?
The TTS, not during the track weekend event, but coming home from Pahrump, NV, to San Diego, CA, in Menifee, about 4/5 the way home after some serious stop n' go crawl through the mountain pass due to LA traffic going home from Vegas on Sunday afternoons and evenings. LA folk can't drive. The CEL has since not been retriggered. Might have been a one time event.
Someone said the VP Racing station in Pahrump was watering down their gas.... could that cause a lean mixture?
'15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Nice thing about the old dear living across the street is that it is convenient to go out for a spin. Went out earlier, no issues, even got to honk at a dingbat in a Sequoia who blew a 4way stop. Today's question from a bystander was about the YOM plates - he remembered they were issued by county back in the day, and wanted to know where they are from. Gratuitous pic:
Shortly after I got back on the road, the leading edge of a predicted storm started impacting the area - high winds, blowing dust, the car got dusty, I cleaned it off after I parked. Visibility now probably under a mile.
Long Island 3 grand challenge: was talking to friends recently about how much do you have to spend for a decent beater. Here are some contenders: Presentable Maxima
Accord is probably the best buy (explains why it was sold). 4runner might be good too at that price (those seem to get silly money). The VW is probably the nicest car, as long as you don't mind constant problems. At least the CEL is already on, so you won't be getting surprised the day after you buy it!
As nice as the VW CC is, I would avoid one with that kind of mileage. The 2.0t can be a real trouble maker and expensive to repair. They also tend to burn a lot of oil.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
As nice as the VW CC is, I would avoid one with that kind of mileage. The 2.0t can be a real trouble maker and expensive to repair. They also tend to burn a lot of oil.
That's all true, but for $2000 it could be a 'junk it if it breaks' buy, assuming it's in good running shape right now. A PPI definitely in order.
ad mentions it needs a throttle (which is reason for CEL and ESC lights being on). I have no clue how expensive that part(s) is, or hard to put in. And of course, if that is all it needs!
Here's an interesting project. This early/1959 fintail was just recommissioned after being off the road since 1973. Owner claims it is an original paint car, interesting tires with the whitewall close to the wheel. Looking at this car, it might have seemed pretty modern and elegant by 1959 standards. It is in Switzerland, where things indeed look like that:
2
ab348Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, CanadaMemberPosts: 16,853
Speaking of such things, here is a period pic I came across online with a Fintail sporting that same style of whitewall tires.
@lemko1968 you must know my dad. When he bought his 78 Sedan DeVille d’elegance and later his 79 Eldorado diesel, he wouldn’t consider them if they didn’t have the Cadillac wire wheel covers. He bought both cars used. I replaced several of the spokes on the wheel covers on the Eldorado, a fairly easy job. Those wheel covers, especially on the Eldorado were quite heavy.
My aunt had a '78 De Ville with those covers. They were expensive, too!
The trunk badge is a little fuzzy, but is that one of them neck-snapping diesels? I make the fuzz out as 200D.
Yes, that would be consistent. My mother's cousin had a 190D fintail (about '62 I think). Shortly after he bought it, he drove it up from Northern California to our house in Seattle to visit us. Must have been a interesting trip. I think that predated diesel pumps in most service stations, so you got to know the truckers who drove that route. You also got an unhurried chance to enjoy the scenery.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
A friend hat a 240 D with automatic from the late 70s for a while... this was in 1985 or so. It wasn't fast but not problematic. I had the pleasure of riding in a mid-70s 200 D with a 4 speed.. THAT was pretty slow. I remember it had 55 hp then, making the 50-55 for a 190D seem high. Of course, I'm talking Euro horsepower ["PS" in German], which I think are not quite the same as US hp of that era. For what it's worth 75 PS = 55 kW in socialist units.
I think they'd cruise all day at 65-70, but it would take awhile to get there, and getting to such a speed in an automatic might be measured on a calendar, 0-60 in 25-30 seconds I suspect.
Yes, that would be consistent. My mother's cousin had a 190D fintail (about '62 I think). Shortly after he bought it, he drove it up from Northern California to our house in Seattle to visit us. Must have been a interesting trip. I think that predated diesel pumps in most service stations, so you got to know the truckers who drove that route. You also got an unhurried chance to enjoy the scenery.
A friend hat a 240 D with automatic from the late 70s for a while... this was in 1985 or so. It wasn't fast but not problematic. I had the pleasure of riding in a mid-70s 200 D with a 4 speed.. THAT was pretty slow. I remember it had 55 hp then, making the 50-55 for a 190D seem high. Of course, I'm talking Euro horsepower ["PS" in German], which I think are not quite the same as US hp of that era. For what it's worth 75 PS = 55 kW in socialist units.
I know I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but my folks had a ‘72 220D for a few years when I was in HS and college. I think it had 65hp, and you needed an hourglass to measure 0-60.
We drove it to visit friends in Northern California, and my dad let me drive a stretch of I-5. No cruise, and the throttle spring was as tight as I’d ever driven, before or since. Loved driving it, however, and I took it to LA with friends a couple of times, surreptitiously.
Of course, it helps to destroy the evidence of said behavior - I left the parking ticket from the Bonaventure hotel on the dash, where my mom found it.
A friend hat a 240 D with automatic from the late 70s for a while... this was in 1985 or so. It wasn't fast but not problematic. I had the pleasure of riding in a mid-70s 200 D with a 4 speed.. THAT was pretty slow. I remember it had 55 hp then, making the 50-55 for a 190D seem high. Of course, I'm talking Euro horsepower ["PS" in German], which I think are not quite the same as US hp of that era. For what it's worth 75 PS = 55 kW in socialist units.
As a (pretty rough) estimate, figure net hp = 0.8*(gross hp).
As another Mercedes "D" story, I got my first god-I-spent-a-long-time-in-college job in the LA area. I decided that if I lived on hot dogs and tuna helper for a couple of years I could afford a 240D. I went down to the localest dealer and took a test drive. It was a 4-speed, and I loved it. But on sober reflection I realized that I had to merge onto the 210 at rush hour twice a day. So I gritted my teeth and passed on it. If spending another year or so on hot dogs and tuna helper would have allowed me to pull off getting a 300D I would have done it.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
.MBs were known for the heavy throttle. I remember my W126 also had a very stiff spring.
The Bonaventure is another famous movie filming location, I think several were set there. One immediately comes to mind, the cult classic comedy "Midnight Madness", which I probably watched about 300 million times in the 80s even recorded it on VHS. There's a little evidence on YT:
I recall seeing an early W115 220D at a Seattle MBCA event years ago, I think this car is a 71, it was a low mileage time capsule and I think it won an award, never saw it again:
I know I’ve mentioned this elsewhere, but my folks had a ‘72 220D for a few years when I was in HS and college. I think it had 65hp, and you needed an hourglass to measure 0-60.
We drove it to visit friends in Northern California, and my dad let me drive a stretch of I-5. No cruise, and the throttle spring was as tight as I’d ever driven, before or since. Loved driving it, however, and I took it to LA with friends a couple of times, surreptitiously.
Of course, it helps to destroy the evidence of said behavior - I left the parking ticket from the Bonaventure hotel on the dash, where my mom found it.
Good chance that 240D is still roadworthy somewhere (although maybe not in daily use anymore).
My friend with the still-being-repaired coupe also had a 240D 4-speed, he bought it as a neglected car where he could see the potential in it. He gave it a tune up and tended to deferred maintenance issues, spent about a week giving it an intense detail, and it then presented like a 30K mile car, even though it had ~250K on it. The body and interior were extremely straight and intact, just needing TLC. Here it is with the coupe at a show some time ago - he later sold the 240D, as storage was an issue. As one can see, he's a fan of accessories, especially vintage ski racks (he encouraged me to get one for the fintail):
I rode in it several times, it was fine around town, but highways required planning, and mountain passes were stressful. Funny thing, he drove it back and forth to LA several times for school, never had an issue, just kept to the right lane.
As a (pretty rough) estimate, figure net hp = 0.8*(gross hp).
As another Mercedes "D" story, I got my first god-I-spent-a-long-time-in-college job in the LA area. I decided that if I lived on hot dogs and tuna helper for a couple of years I could afford a 240D. I went down to the localest dealer and took a test drive. It was a 4-speed, and I loved it. But on sober reflection I realized that I had to merge onto the 210 at rush hour twice a day. So I gritted my teeth and passed on it. If spending another year or so on hot dogs and tuna helper would have allowed me to pull off getting a 300D I would have done it.
Another nice spring day for a cruise, started and drove as well as usual. The old dear received a few waves and compliments, and when I took a couple pics, an older guy out for a walk wanted to know all about it. I've found my good cruising route too, much of it along this scenic residential road with many parking areas, good road surfaces, and not a ton of traffic:
Another nice spring day for a cruise, started and drove as well as usual. The old dear received a few waves and compliments, and when I took a couple pics, an older guy out for a walk wanted to know all about it. I've found my good cruising route too, much of it along this scenic residential road with many parking areas, good road surfaces, and not a ton of traffic:
Are you sure your car isn’t Christine? Each new picture the car looks newer and transformed. Careful with that girl.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Probably the over-processing from the quirky camera on my Note 20, which produces inconsistent results. And I do give the car a quick wipe down detail before every drive.
How I've wished I could say "show me" and have the car restore itself
Out on the road again, hard to resist when the car is across the street and the weather is dry more often than on the west side. Temps close to 80 today - unseasonably warm, car seemed like an oven if sitting still, not used to the warmth. Car ran fine , got a lot of attention, a few waves, including from a guy in a white 356, and another from a guy in a Speedster (assumed reproduction, had no plates). Stopped at a yard sale where an older guy wanted to talk about the car, his prior MB, and his old Porsches (has a 914, just sold a 912), and while there a lady asked if she could take a pic of the car, I should be flattered. Highlight was a little girl who spotted the car from maybe a block away, I could see her eyeing it, and as I approached, she pointed at the car and waved, yes I waved back. Color looks different in bright light:
The white interior of the Mark is so typical as they get older, they just don't age well. Dingy even when clean. I kind of like the Peugeot wagon. Looks clean overall, needs paint or perhaps a good polish, clay, wax. The 86 Olds, I really like the interior, dull color on the exterior. Dark blue or medium blue exterior with the gray interior would have been better.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Seller gets a lot of donated estate type cars. If it really checked out, an offer of 7500 or so would probably be fair. I haven't seen the car in person, but it looks good in pics (stock head unit, interior looks clean, wood not faded, etc).
I suspect the MB sat for awhile. Interior wear supports the miles from what I have seen - the left bolster on the driver's seat can show wear as the miles rack up, and the wood doesn't look faded. Stock stereo also helps. I'm almost tempted to look at it, if I had money burning a hole in my pocket and a place to keep it. I think it would be too nice to ruin as a DD, especially with some of the rough roads around here.
I suspect the white interior on my mom's big T-Bird looked similar, as the car was used a lot and there were kids in the house. You'd need to be a meticulous single person to get away with that one. I like the 505 too, never see those anymore, especially the wagon, and that one is from the end of the run.
The white interior of the Mark is so typical as they get older, they just don't age well. Dingy even when clean. I kind of like the Peugeot wagon. Looks clean overall, needs paint or perhaps a good polish, clay, wax. The 86 Olds, I really like the interior, dull color on the exterior. Dark blue or medium blue exterior with the gray interior would have been better.
Comments
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
I know it was greenlit - with the only comp at 25K, it should absorb some work. I suspect paintwork will be the only real delay - good body shops in the Seattle area can be booked out weeks or more.
Apparently the car thought it ran slightly "lean" one time and that kept the CEL on for at least 3 starts since it came on 8 days ago. Runs fine; we decided to clear it and then monitor if it happens again.
Total Cost $0.00 for now.
Which one of your fleet triggered the dreaded CEL?
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Someone said the VP Racing station in Pahrump was watering down their gas.... could that cause a lean mixture?
Shortly after I got back on the road, the leading edge of a predicted storm started impacting the area - high winds, blowing dust, the car got dusty, I cleaned it off after I parked. Visibility now probably under a mile.
Presentable Maxima
96 Accord with 74k Paint is poor but besides that...
Don't know about a V-dubs with 160k but always thought these were nice looking and this looks clean
4runner
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
Seems like a good car for a guy like JRGo
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
Run away!!!
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
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2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
Funny to think the fintail has more than twice the hp - it also accelerates more than twice as fast, so there's that.
We drove it to visit friends in Northern California, and my dad let me drive a stretch of I-5. No cruise, and the throttle spring was as tight as I’d ever driven, before or since. Loved driving it, however, and I took it to LA with friends a couple of times, surreptitiously.
Of course, it helps to destroy the evidence of said behavior - I left the parking ticket from the Bonaventure hotel on the dash, where my mom found it.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4
As another Mercedes "D" story, I got my first god-I-spent-a-long-time-in-college job in the LA area. I decided that if I lived on hot dogs and tuna helper for a couple of years I could afford a 240D. I went down to the localest dealer and took a test drive. It was a 4-speed, and I loved it. But on sober reflection I realized that I had to merge onto the 210 at rush hour twice a day. So I gritted my teeth and passed on it. If spending another year or so on hot dogs and tuna helper would have allowed me to pull off getting a 300D I would have done it.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
The Bonaventure is another famous movie filming location, I think several were set there. One immediately comes to mind, the cult classic comedy "Midnight Madness", which I probably watched about 300 million times in the 80s even recorded it on VHS. There's a little evidence on YT:
I recall seeing an early W115 220D at a Seattle MBCA event years ago, I think this car is a 71, it was a low mileage time capsule and I think it won an award, never saw it again:
My friend with the still-being-repaired coupe also had a 240D 4-speed, he bought it as a neglected car where he could see the potential in it. He gave it a tune up and tended to deferred maintenance issues, spent about a week giving it an intense detail, and it then presented like a 30K mile car, even though it had ~250K on it. The body and interior were extremely straight and intact, just needing TLC. Here it is with the coupe at a show some time ago - he later sold the 240D, as storage was an issue. As one can see, he's a fan of accessories, especially vintage ski racks (he encouraged me to get one for the fintail):
I rode in it several times, it was fine around town, but highways required planning, and mountain passes were stressful. Funny thing, he drove it back and forth to LA several times for school, never had an issue, just kept to the right lane.
road surfaces, and not a ton of traffic:
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
How I've wished I could say "show me" and have the car restore itself
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2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Snapped a pic of the rear, too, which somehow makes the car look bigger than it is:
A certain someone here had one of these, tragically lost it, maybe should replace it
Lots of mass/size per dollar
A bit scarce
Looks lovely, excuse me on the price
Sad, maybe some bits if cheaper
Aero
Where we're going, we don't need crumple zones
Probably easy to live with
Surprised these have a 6 digit odo, looks like grandma's baby
Seldom-seen
Mine still haven't melted out of their snow prisons....
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD , 2022 Ford Maverick Lariat Ecoboost FWD.
2009 BMW 335i, 2003 Corvette cnv. (RIP 2001 Jaguar XK8 cnv and 1985 MB 380SE [the best of the lot])
2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech, 2006 Acura TL w/nav
That 380SE - only 70,000 miles in 37 years? Less than 2,000 miles/year? Maybe odo was replaced.