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Comments
I hope that Lenova box does NOT have a Lenova inside.... it's crushed.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Yeah, well, somehow I don't think that is the only think you picked up there, Steve!
@imidazol97, just a little corner smoosh. Forgot to label that box - there's some metal stuff rattling around in there but I think it's just some tools that didn't sell at the garage sale last month that I had room to toss in..
@explorerx4, we lived in Mad Town for ~6 months back in the 80s and have revisited several times since we moved to the UP. Nice place, good schools (and UW), lots of good neighborhoods. So far the tire is holding its own.
My pride and joy.
Ack! Somebody stole your springs!
Looks like a fun car!
Ack! Somebody stole your springs!
That comment cracked me up. I like the low look, but at 64 wouldn't even try to get in one.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I talked with some of the product development guys at Koni and they recommended that I keep the Mazdaspeed within 1.5 in. of the stock ride height if I lowered it at all. Their opinion was that there was little to no handling improvement to be gained by tweaking suspension height.
But to each his own, I you like it low, it's YOUR car...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
When the suspension gets lowered that much, aren't you going to run into problems hitting bumps, potholes, and such? And, what about sharp turns?
Years ago, I had an '89 Gran Fury ex police car, and made the mistake of putting 235/70/R15 tires on it, which were just a little too big (stock was either a 215 or 225/70). If I hit a bump while making a sharp turn, the tire would grab on the trim surrounding the wheel opening. While my car wasn't lowered, I would think it would be sort of the same principle...not enough clearance?
There can certainly be issues with that, but a lot of engineering goes into these aftermarkets, and I see many lowered vehicles around here (hell, in terms of ground clearance issues), so they must do it right!
Cars like that little Fiat, Jettas, etc., can pull off the lowered look pretty well. I'm the anti-fan of lowering cars, and I don't even find them offensive to behold!
I found Chip's post particularly timely, because I had just installed heavy duty springs on my Forester that ended up increasing the ride height by over an inch (despite their claim to be "factory height"). I suspect it is due to their reduced compression, because they are the same overall uncompressed height (maybe even a little bit shorter) as the OEM units they replaced.
Oh, and, funny enough, I know what you mean about the wheel openings on older cars. I have the same size tires on my '69 Econoline, which, if you can believe it, is an up-size from the stock 14" rims (I think the stock size is like 215/75R14 or something). They are large enough that the tires on the front axles will hit the top of the wheel well under compression before the suspension contacts the bump stops. So, driving to Alaska on the frost-heaved roads required a bit of navigating. I knew I was overdoing it when I would launch over a huge heave followed by the tell-tale "whomp, whomp" as the tire rubbed the metal at speed. LOL!
Here's that sexy old beast.... Hahahahahaha!
Those are all issues with an extremely lowered car- and that's not even getting into how lowering can screw up the suspension geometry. With my Mazda I've tried to follow BMW tuner Steve Dinan's philosophy; he tests a modification by letting his wife drive the car- if she can't notice the change he considers it a success. In my case I've added about 40 bhp and significantly improved the handling of the MS3, but when driven conservatively it is indistinguishable from a dead stock 2007...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
There is a laptop in the Lenova box this trip, but it's up high, behind the infamous Edmunds chair on the left side of the pic.
There is a laptop in the Lenova box this trip, but it's up high, behind the infamous Edmunds chair
LOL. I have getting one of those Edmunds chairs on my bucket list.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I'll have to roll that green Edmunds towel out in the pic soon and show that off. Ah, there's nothing like swag.
I recently got pics of a 67 Camaro I sold 5 years ago. The guy called me to ask for before pics and sent me after pics. I think he did a really nice job on it (going from white to Mist Green).
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
BEAUTY!
Totally agreed. The guy did a very tasteful job on it.
The wheels... everything just looks right (to me) on the car.
That is a beautiful Camaro. I've always been a sucker for a nice shade of green.
Shifty's Mighty Mini:
Nice. I wish my Mini dealer wasn't a joke...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
If you can't build yourself a network of independent MINI repair shops and parts outlets, don't buy one.
As it is, parts, maintenance and repairs are costing me about $1000/$1200 a year. To be fair, I drive a lot and I drive hard.
These early MINIs are like little skateboards--with the short wheelbase and very stiff suspension and tires, when you hit really rough patches in the road, you're not sure which way the car will end up pointing. Requires attention but WAY fun.
I drove a 2012 the other day and it is a considerably "tamer" car in all respects. Not sure I'd like it as much.
I think I'll stick with my Mazdaspeed(especially since I added the Pilot Super Sports, FSDs, and 1.25" rear anti-roll bar). I don't think I spend $1200 per year on the Mazdaspeed, Club Sport and 2002 combined...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
So, I gave the truck (1969 Chevy C20) a light workout this week. It's good for it.
Lumber for my shed (unsure of weight... probably about 3,000#?):
Unloaded:
Current progress (half of that pile, more or less; the rafters and whatnot are still to be done):
got a permit for that thing?
Well sure you'll spend less on a Japanese car---but to be fair, I drive the MINI up to 18,000 miles a year and whatever Lola wants, Lola gets--the car gets top notch maintenance.
A what? What language is that word, "permit?"
I average 20,000 miles per year on the Mazda- and I also go over and above the recommended maintenance- Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil, transaxle oil changed every 30,000 miles(with the über-expensive Motorcraft XT-M5-QS), brake fluid every year, etc.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Yeah but you started out with a new car. I inherited whatever the dealer and previous owner did for 50,000 miles.
Yes- that can make a HUGE difference...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Might be better said you inherited whatever the previous owner DIDN'T do for the first 50K miles.
I had a rental Mazda 3 (plain) once and got the lets go old man by a few guys in Supras and other fast looking cars. They must have thought I was in a Speed 3. It was a yellow hatch with a great stereo and I liked driving it.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
My car has 2nd Generation MS3 wheels, which are 0.5 inch wider than 1st Generation wheels. The main visual differences from a regular Mazda 3 are wider front fenders, a higher hood line, a larger rear wing, and a larger exhaust tip. I like the sleeper look and feel; nothing gives away the added power or increased handling limits until you hammer it.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
buy thatafter you're done upgrading everything that doesn't meet your level of endurance. OOps, belay my last as I don't do stick shift.2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Next scheduled upgrade is an Electric Focus/Focus ST rear motor mount.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
In fact, you can replace all three mounts with various aftermarket pieces, but you run the risk of turning your Mazda into a rolling paint shaker. I'm trying to make my car faster without having to compromise comfort or practicality- threading the needle, if you will...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I replaced the motor mounts on my '98 Escort when it had around 150K on it. I just used OEM replacements, but WOW what a difference that made to the engine vibration that made it into the cabin....
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Cars of that era wear fender skirts better than others, too.
And here's Dana's apartment building/"Shandor Building"/"Spook Central" - also notice the church stepped on by the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man
And the library from the opening scene:
Classic movie that's still fun.
Those old Buicks were wonderful cars that were more than capable of cruising at 80 MPH for hours at a time without effort.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Seriously though, looks like a nice car. What are the details on it?
yes, we let it stay. Wife has become quite attached to it already.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.