cars

[Eppie]

Problem is that a lot of manufacturers are using 0W20 to reduce emissions. Thinner oil equals less friction but those thinner oils don't last as long and also make an engine more prone to oil leaks. Some engines it's a good idea to bump up to 5W30 after you put 100k or 200k on the engine. Gas mileage will go down a bit but less likely to leak.

 

[Dude#1279435]

Upward of $167K for a fully loaded Cadillac Escalade?
+$50K for a Ford Ranger Lariat? That isn't even a full size.
Ridiculous. I hope the dealerships get stuck with them.

 

[Dude#1279435]

Almost lost my marbles seeing a car two lanes over decide at the last moment they missed their exit. Thankfully it was on part of the interstate where it slows down a little.

I also once saw a car STOP thinking they could just move over to reach the exit. This was on the interstate. I'd never seen that before.

 

[Dude#1279435]

The Chevy Blazer ZR2. I guess that was their attempt to be a Jeep. 4.3L, and I heard the tranny wasn't that good. But if you get chunky wheels it looks pretty cool. I've heard 5-7K for a really nice one, but the guys on a show got there's for $900 and 192K. It did really well off road and on the hill they tested it went up like a breeze.

 

[NINaudio]

Almost lost my marbles seeing a car two lanes over decide at the last moment they missed their exit. Thankfully it was on part of the interstate where it slows down a little.

I also once saw a car STOP thinking they could just move over to reach the exit. This was on the interstate. I'd never seen that before.

I see both of these actions entirely too much. Like just make a u turn at the next exit instead of endangering everyone's lives.

 

[wspohn]

Have pretty much given up on the major manufacturers as far as buying a new car - everything is heavier and larger than it needs to be. Wife wants a new around town car - will likely get her a new Mazda 3, but there is really nothing out there that I'd want to own - I am happy with my 09 Pontiac Solstice coupe (lightly modded - 375 bhp) and 07 Z4M BMW coupe (my other cars are considerably older (mostly sports cars).

Not sure what is driving this trend to gigantism. Example:

see https://z4-forum.com/attachments/9233785eb2b1724b674cc94fcce41f58-jpg.281857/

 

[Mikado463]

Have pretty much given up on the major manufacturers as far as buying a new car - everything is heavier and larger than it needs to be. Wife wants a new around town car - will likely get her a new Mazda 3, but there is really nothing out there that I'd want to own - I am happy with my 09 Pontiac Solstice coupe (lightly modded - 375 bhp) and 07 Z4M BMW coupe (my other cars are considerably older (mostly sports cars).

Not sure what is driving this trend to gigantism. Example:

see https://z4-forum.com/attachments/9233785eb2b1724b674cc94fcce41f58-jpg.281857/

There all sizes of vehicles out there to fit ones needs, if you can't find one you obviously are looking in the wrongs places !

 

[wspohn]

There all sizes of vehicles out there to fit ones needs, if you can't find one you obviously are looking in the wrongs places !

Did you look at the picture I referenced? The point is that cars that were relatively light and sporty have turned into bloated hogs.

 

[NINaudio]

Did you look at the picture I referenced? The point is that cars that were relatively light and sporty have turned into bloated hogs.

The picture you linked isn't visible to anyone who isn't a member of that forum.

You can thank increasing safety requirements for a lot of that weight, as well as additional bracing, increased frame/body rigidity, etc; but to go along with the extra weight cars have gotten much more powerful. For example a 1970 Carrera S weighed 2200 lbs and made 180 hp. A 2025 base Carrera weighs 3400 lbs and makes 388 hp. You're much more likely to survive a crash in the newer car.

Current Miata's still run under 2500 lbs and the BRZ/GR86 twins come in under 2900 lbs.

 

[j_garcia]

The picture you linked isn't visible to anyone who isn't a member of that forum.

You can thank increasing safety requirements for a lot of that weight, as well as additional bracing, increased frame/body rigidity, etc; but to go along with the extra weight cars have gotten much more powerful. For example a 1970 Carrera S weighed 2200 lbs and made 180 hp. A 2025 base Carrera weighs 3400 lbs and makes 388 hp. You're much more likely to survive a crash in the newer car.

Current Miata's still run under 2500 lbs and the BRZ/GR86 twins come in under 2900 lbs.

And the base 2025 Carrera will brake, handle and obviously accelerate better than the 1970s ones by a massive margin.

Christian Von Koenigsegg, who builds some of the most incredible performance cars on the planet, also drives a Miata. FUN isn't always about outright performance.

My 93 240SX wasn't the fastest car I've owned by a large margin, but it remains one of the best handling and most fun.

 

[Dude#1279435]

When I typed Vanilla Ice....

 

[Mikado463]

The picture you linked isn't visible to anyone who isn't a member of that forum.

You can thank increasing safety requirements for a lot of that weight, as well as additional bracing, increased frame/body rigidity, etc; but to go along with the extra weight cars have gotten much more powerful. For example a 1970 Carrera S weighed 2200 lbs and made 180 hp. A 2025 base Carrera weighs 3400 lbs and makes 388 hp. You're much more likely to survive a crash in the newer car.

Current Miata's still run under 2500 lbs and the BRZ/GR86 twins come in under 2900 lbs.

yep, power to weight ratio.......

My '67 BB Corvette weighs barley over 3000 lbs, the new ZR1, over 3800 lbs, compare ALL the performance parameters, not even close ..........

 

[cpp]

There all sizes of vehicles out there to fit ones needs, if you can't find one you obviously are looking in the wrongs places !

That's for sure. PS: when I sold my C6, the arthritis in my right hip it was getting extremely difficult getting in and out. I needed a easy entrance sports car LOL

 

[Mikado463]

Hey Chris, good to see you back posting, always appreciate your contributions ......

 

[cpp]

Hey Chris, good to see you back posting, always appreciate your contributions ......

Been playing a lot of golf along with helping my step son do some housing flips.

 

[wspohn]

I'm pretty happy with older cars despite their inferior protection capabilities. I value handling and performance. I still own my 68 MGA that I raced for a couple of decades, a street 62 MGA coupe which is a comfortable touring car, a rebodied MG with a GM V6 conversion I did, and a 72 Jensen Interceptor (Chrysler big block) which is s smooth car for long distance work. I also have two modern cars, a BWM Z4M coupe and a Pontiac Solstice GXP coupe (that one is fun as I have set iy up with 375 bhp out of the 2.0 turbo engine).

 

[cpp]

The only old car I have left. At least I can still get in and out of it.

 

[Mikado463]

beautiful '69 Chris !

I went to coffee & cars today and put a For Sale sign on my '02 ZO6, time to downsize the 'fleet' !

 

[Dude#1279435]

beautiful '69 Chris !

I went to coffee & cars today and put a For Sale sign on my '02 ZO6, time to downsize the 'fleet' !

From 2 down to 1?

 

[Mikado463]

From 2 down to 1?

from 4 to 3, gotta include our DD's !