OT: Talking Cars Tuesday
So, getting the thread up early today, I've got a busy day with one of the Big 3 visiting. Today, let's be honest. It was just valentines day, and as we all know, nobody is perfect. We all have that favorite. The greatest car EVER. except... it has one thing wrong. It could be nothing. Like the 10 with Man Hands, or the low talker - there's at least one thing that while you're happy to look past, you'd love to "fix".
So - your favorite car that you've owned/spent lots of time in and what was wrong with it?
February 16th, 2016 at 8:43 AM ^
So, I absolutely love my MkVII GTI. It's damn near the perfect car for me at this point in my life - 210HP, 6 speed manual, room for 4 adults, lots of hatch space, I'll get 36-38MPG between Chicago and Detroit... (Brian-as-Stephen-A-Voice) HOWEVA, the gas tank and gage are dumb. The tank is 13.6 gallons. That should be fine. The gas light goes on when 10 gallons are gone. There's still a 1/4 tank left!!! It says 0 miles to empty when there's still a gallon in there (Most I've ever put in is 12.5 gallons). As an engineer, I understand that people are dumb and if it was too "lax" people would run out of gas and blame the car, I just wish it was a little more "true".
February 16th, 2016 at 8:52 AM ^
Gotta be a euro thing. My 06 Saab is very similar. The gas light comes on just after the needle drops below quarter tank.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:04 AM ^
As an engineer, I get it. People are dumb. Warnings have to be early because people will ignore them. I just wish I could sign a form, say I won't badmouth the car online, just make my gage accurate.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:07 AM ^
I would sign that as well. Sadly, Sally and Steven Homemaker are note as bright and need the idiots lights. hence the "check engine light".
February 16th, 2016 at 11:49 AM ^
Every time that light comes on I open the hood and draw a check mark on one of the valve covers.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:48 AM ^
By the time it goes on, the oil is either gone or baked into your block. I've been shocked to find people who relied on it.
February 16th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
that moving the fuel pump to the gas tank has driven the trend of early low fuel warnings. You need some fuel in the tank to cool the pump, so it's not good to take the tank down to "E". I've owned several Audis and BMWs and they all give you an early warning and it would be very German to engineer this into a car.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:47 AM ^
Head, leg, and overall cabin room for a big guy like me is always an issue. I've never owned a sports car but every one I've sat is was like sitting on a crowded plane. As your question pertains to the cars I have owned, I hate sunroofs for two reasons: 1) why cut a hole in a perfectly good roof, and 2) MUH HAIR. I recently bought my second straight Ford Fusion because it's as roomy a car as I've ever had. (Also gets hella good gas mileage for the traveling salesman who racks up the miles).
In lieu of sports cars I've owned some motorcycles. Head and leg room has never been an issue.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:50 AM ^
Ever thought of a pony car? My boss is probably about 6' 3" 215# and he fits just fine is his Mustang GT convertible. Sure the back seats are unusable, but it's a V8, RWD, 6-speed fun car.
Might take a mileage hit though...
February 16th, 2016 at 8:54 AM ^
I was going to say the same thing. I know the new S550 mustangs are great on head/leg room in the front. not so much in the rear unless you're an amputee midget. Super fun to drive and can have acceptable gas milegae with the ecoboost engine.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:56 AM ^
I spend too much time on the phone to fully enjoy a convertible. I'd hate to have to pull over every time I had to take a call.
Besides....MUH HAIR.
lol j/k
February 16th, 2016 at 9:01 AM ^
A V8 won't be great if you're a traveling salesman - this could have been a fun side car.
I mentioned the mustang and as mentioned above they should be great on space. As would a Challenger. The Camaro less so - it's got a tiny greenhouse and has become more of a sports car. Still, there are options if you can make some compromises!
When I had my TJ Wrangler and would take my now-wife out on dates she used to have to wear her hair a certain way because of the convertible. I buzz my hair to a 1 all over, so it's a non issue.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^
of the new Camaros. Fast. Handle great. The greenhouse is ridiculous.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
With the 6 speed that could be a ton of fun.
And honestly, at my age, 400 odd hp is plenty.
February 16th, 2016 at 12:02 PM ^
His is a 2005, got it new when the retro came out. only 300HP, but still. He had a '69 Mustang and sold it to get "whatever was next" (which I believe was a 240Z) and always told his wife he was getting another one. When the '05s came out, he jumped on it.
And yeah, 300HP is plenty. I have 210 (with a lot less weight than a mustang) and it's plenty to get me in trouble
February 16th, 2016 at 8:53 AM ^
I have an '01 Audi TT Roadster that I adore. It is getting a bit long in the tooth but still has low miles and is a hell of a lot of fun to drive. There were a number of problems that this model were known for (the biggest were the dash display losing pixels, and the Bose sound system crapping out). I was never a convertible guy until I got this car.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
Great choice. I've always liked the Beetle's edgy younger brother.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:07 AM ^
I thought that was the 356 and/or 911? Isn't the TT like the great-grandnephew?
February 16th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:03 AM ^
My mom had a Gen 1 TT Quattro - coupe. She still misses it. I tell her that my GTI is basically a new TT (non-quattro) but with practicality!
February 16th, 2016 at 8:55 AM ^
A 1997 and a 1999. Both were great cars in nearly every way, especially the 99.
However, when a man owns a Miata, many people assume that he's a homosexual. So I'd fix that. Also the trunk was really small.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:59 AM ^
Individuals with that sterotyping point of view are super misinformed. Miata is one of the best bang for the buck track day cars you can get. Thankfully the overall stigma of owing a Miata is changing. Slowly, but changing none the less.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:17 AM ^
to buy another one when my daughter goes to college next year. Maybe a mid 00's MazdaSpeed model with the turbocharged engine.
That was my only real gripe with the car; it was just a bit underpowered for my tastes.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:05 AM ^
My problem with the Miata is that when I sat in it it felt like an Under Armour thermal undershirt. Never in my life have I felt like I was wearing a car until I got into that thing. (While I'm pretty tall, I'm not overweight or anything.)
So my egocentric view is that the car is designed for wee little folk. NTTAWWT - those folks live longer on average, and make better plumbers and jockeys.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:09 AM ^
You think that's bad? Try sitting in a Honda S2000. I'm 5'11" and wasn't sure I could unwedge myself once I sat down.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^
"I'm not gay but my car is"
NTTAWWT
February 16th, 2016 at 9:06 AM ^
I love that new Mazda commercial. Driving DOES matter
February 16th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
that commercial!
February 16th, 2016 at 9:27 AM ^
When I was in the Air Force one of the other pilots in my squadron had to drive his wife's car into work for a couple of days. It was both A) a Miata and B) covered with Hello Kitty accessories. It was pretty much over for him at that point, we immediately went and grabbed his flight helmet bag and Visor cover and got Hello Kitty patches(we were in Japan and thus they were really easy to find) embroidered in pink sewn onto both of them. We also ordered Name Tags with Hello Kitty made with a tag line below them saying "Ask me about my Miata." Cost about a hundred bucks all told split between myself and four other miscreants and worth every penny.
So it's a long way of saying I hear you on the Miata fix.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^
It was like being in project Gemini.
Great experience though.
When we were driving I'd call ahead and get a Holiday Inn room on points I had accrued. At one point I called and they just had one king sized bed. I asked my buddy and he said he was fine with it. We'd just put 12 hours on the road.
Then I asked what road it was on. 'Cumming street'.
I told my buddy we'd have to go to the next city.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:57 AM ^
For me it's my current car. An 06 Saab 9-3 Sportcombi. For all the great features it has like automatic heated seats and sensors for everything, the rear liftgate is manual. Really wish GM could have pulled out some parts bin stuff and made it an automatic opener.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:22 AM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:29 AM ^
I legit laughed out loud at this. I imagine Kia selling a step ladder as an option rather than adding automatic opening/closing.
February 16th, 2016 at 1:22 PM ^
I really dug the Ford 'sweep your foot under the bumper' gizmo. That was nice.
February 16th, 2016 at 8:59 AM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:00 AM ^
Dang! That's one hell of a design flaw.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:26 AM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 9:31 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 16th, 2016 at 9:00 AM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
February 16th, 2016 at 9:01 AM ^
Bought it at Rick's through an employee for a low amount, and since that was all my money he threw in a pitcher of beer. Restored it twice.
The second restoration was major - done right as the Great Recession was kicking in, but top shelf. New top, new seat covers, and changed the paint inside and out. I probably spent more on the restoration than the car is worth, but so be it (I did restore it to be a "driver" rather than a show car, because these things should be used). I don't really spend much on myself, and my wife was on board for the restoration.
The fatal flaw is that it is inherently unsafe and unreliable. It has spent nearly as much time inoperable as operable.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:05 AM ^
I think my wife's parents are going to buy her a brand new car. As to which one, I don't know.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:11 AM ^
#FirstWorldProblems
February 16th, 2016 at 9:19 AM ^
My in-laws have some money, but they sure as shit aren't buying us any cars. Or really anything else for that matter.
Assholes.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:30 AM ^
you in their wills at least?
February 16th, 2016 at 9:51 AM ^
They're getting buried in pine boxes. I may or may not have told them that on Thanksgiving a few years ago.
February 16th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^
LOL, yeah seriously. FWIW, we never ask for anything. They just give a lot because they're extremely generous.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:08 AM ^
February 16th, 2016 at 11:14 AM ^
Bummer not knowing dude. That will really wreck your week.
February 16th, 2016 at 11:41 AM ^
If it isn't a Porsche, I will throw a hissy fit.