The Car Thread

iatneH · Post by **iatneH** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 6:54 pm

I mean, I hate walking for 10 minutes because it's 2 minutes by bike :)

I would sometimes even rather bike for 50 minutes than take transit for 40.
It was about a 25 minute walk to my highschool, and 10 or 15 to university, so I always rode my bike, sun or rain or snow.

I basically only drive if I am meeting a friend outside of school/work and outside of reasonable cycling distance, which is hardly ever.

stuminator · Post by **stuminator** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:14 pm

I've got a '94 Mercury Topaz. Nothing special, but still in good shape.

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:22 pm

I own a 89 MR2 Mk1

Neon · Post by **Neon** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 3:43 am

Cars with balls: What's the deal? While driving around I've seen two cars now, not particularly fancy ones, with what are literally fake testicles hanging off the back bumper. Some macho bullshit? I don't get it.

GaijinPunch wrote: Props to bay for knowing how to dress and looking like a well-kept man. Seems it's always a crap shoot when someone from the internet posts a picture of themselves.

I hope we never meet in person then matey. I guess I look like the first picture when it's winter, if I didn't have my afro. Otherwise yeah. Band tshirts or very thrifty ones.

Shinsage = lonesage then? All this time I was wondering why you left shmups.com

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 4:01 am

Thats my ride. Totally standard, but it has most of the modcons of todays cars. Its a 5 speed manual (my preference).

landshark · Post by **landshark** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:28 am

Davey wrote: takes you from point A to B.
That's it purpose.

My thoughts exactly, which explains why I drive a Toyota Corolla. It's a great car for people who don't give a rat's ass about cars.[/quote]

Maybe in some countries, or even areas of a country. But where I'm from it's a hobby and more than "just a way to get around."

I would love to ride my bike to work on nice days, but in the winter it would be aweful - as well as on those 90+ degree days. But because of the distance and terrain between where I live and where I work, a bike ride would be 2-3 hours and most likely fatal over time due to style of traffic.

I also cannot afford a house much closer than where I am unless I head towards the ghetto so "moving closer" is not much of an option.

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:22 am

neorichieb1971 wrote: Thats my ride. Totally standard, but it has most of the modcons of todays cars. Its a 5 speed manual (my preference).

That's an Astra, right? I'm curious about what you think of it, since the Astra is supposed to be coming to the US as a Saturn later this year, and it's in the category of cars I'm looking at. I rented the the car it's replacing (the Saturn ION) and drove it for 1,700 miles on a roadtrip a couple of months ago, and found that a bit uninspiring, to be honest, but the Astra is supposed to be quite a bit better.

Battlesmurf · Post by **Battlesmurf** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:21 am

Cars with balls- used to be funny when they first came out. I'd laugh a little- but now most of hte big trucks I've seen all have em. Now- I think it'd be funny to have them on a Corolla or something..maybe one of those motorscooters?

Radiant- you have very photogenic cars

neorichieb1971 · Post by **neorichieb1971** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 1:47 pm

its a vectra 1.8 sri which is a bit bigger than a astra.

Davey · Post by **Davey** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 5:08 pm

iatneH wrote:I mean, I hate walking for 10 minutes because it's 2 minutes by bike

I would sometimes even rather bike for 50 minutes than take transit for 40.
It was about a 25 minute walk to my highschool, and 10 or 15 to university, so I always rode my bike, sun or rain or snow.

Ah, makes sense. Not so sure about the rain/snow thing, though... my wussy ass would much rather drive (or even walk) at that point.

Riding a bike around here is pretty much a no-go, regardless of weather. The roads aren't bicycle-friendly and there's nowhere to lock up (even at the university... 20,000 students, virtually no bike racks).

landshark wrote:
Davey wrote:
Michaelm wrote:takes you from point A to B.
That's it purpose.
My thoughts exactly, which explains why I drive a Toyota Corolla. It's a great car for people who don't give a rat's ass about cars.
Maybe in some countries, or even areas of a country. But where I'm from it's a hobby and more than "just a way to get around."

For me, it's just a personal thing, not a regional thing. There are plenty of people around here into cars. Most guys my age either drive nice cars or shitty cars trying to pass for nice cars. For instance, even though I drive a dorky, appliance-like car, the other guys I work with drive:
- BMW 3-series
- 350Z
- Jaguar

It's just not my bag, nice cars don't do anything for me. Even if I won the lottery I'd probably just keep what I have now as long as it's trouble-free. Probably has a lot to do with how I was raised, a lot of people in my family have that Point A to Point B mentality.

Monk 0 Nuggets · Post by **Monk 0 Nuggets** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 10:58 pm

Oh man. Cars. I love them, but I am way to poor to be able to care too much about them. I drive a super rusty 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix. To runs, but only barely. It eats brakes, has no air conditioner and has a fairly large crack in the windshield at the moment. I hope it passes inspection this month.

professor ganson · Post by **professor ganson** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 2:36 am

I have to say, I do love my car. It's old and not worth much of anything, but it's fast, dependable, looks pretty good, and (nearly) enough room for the family. A 1996 Acura Integra (4-door).

Post by **system11** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:41 am

http://www.system11.org/temp/Cars

I just sold the Capri Turbo, just wasn't using it much. Still have the Capri 2.1 and the BMW 750. Real beast, V12 engine and very comfortable.

theevilfunkster · Post by **theevilfunkster** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:05 am

Very nice

I grew up with Capri's as my step dad was into them in a big way, our last one was a 2.8i and it was awesome. But now it's gone and he has a Prelude instead (pictured in my last post) which is cool but it's no Capri.

DEL · Post by **DEL** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:26 am

Bloodflowers wrote;

I just sold the Capri Turbo, just wasn't using it much. Still have the Capri 2.1 and the BMW 750. Real beast, V12 engine and very comfortable.

I think the Ford Capri was the inspiration for the 928. Long front, rounded back. Porsche just took the Capri and beefed everything up, longer, wider, rounder more powerful. I'm also told that the 928's rear spoiler was copied from the Ford Escort. I can believe that too.

My Dad had a Gold Capri 3.0 back in the 80s, much like the one in this photo:-

The new 928.
The 928 is the only hi performance car ever to win the 'Car of the Year' Award, and with the environmental issues nowadays, it'll probably remain that way.

For the past nine years I've also had a point A to Point B car too. First a Ford Fiesta and now a Nissan Micra. The Micra has no prescence on the road. People treat me like crap in it

, cut me up, try to race up close behind me (despite the fact that I drive fast).

fl0w · Post by **fl0w** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 11:50 am

Toyota Yaris TS, first model.

The same as this one:

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:02 pm

In the USA the Capri was a Fox body car and a sister car to the Mustang.

I had myself a 1985 Mercury Carpi 5.0 - it had the bubble hatch window. Was a nice looking car but it had the TBI injection which I feel was junk. Sold it off a couple years ago.

Those 70's Capri's are nice I have seen them at car shows. Good to see love for them

Post by **system11** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 1:31 pm

I've had 9 or 10 of them now

The turbo was the fastest and rarest of them, they made a few hundred per year. Shocking speed, able to out-pace a Lotus Esprit Turbo of the same year (early-mid 80s). Mine had a balanced upgraded engine to 275bhp, you could make the rear shimmy trying to accelerate around 50 because the rear suspension and light back end just couldn't keep the axle down properly. Scary stuff.

The BMW is always fun at the infamous racing lights here - there's a junction with ONE ahead lane and 2 for turning right. Of course some git always tries to use one of the right lanes to jump ahead of the queue. Despite the 750 being absolutely gigantic, it's not something you can sprint ahead of and cut up, in anything other than a proper sportscar. And it doesn't even sound like you're trying

Purrrrrr.

PaCrappa · Post by **PaCrappa** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:25 pm

1987 Toyota Landcruiser. Pictured here with Jade alongside Highway 55 in central Idaho.

Pa

Post by **undamned** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:43 pm

FatCobra wrote:2006 Ford Focus ZX3

Nice. I've got the first release (2000). Great little get around car. Ford was doing these promo packages (mountain bike, snowboard, etc.) and I got the Kona Mountain Bike package. Came w/ larger aluminum wheels, some interior improvements, a bike rack, and a Kona mountain bike. I promptly sold the bike for $500 (nice frame, but the rest was poo) for one less payment on the thing

I actually crammed a PacMan cab in the back once (required a wee bit o' rope

) and hauled it home from Mesa.
-ud

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 4:38 am

Time to dig this up. As I alluded to earlier (and in my current for sale thread) I bought a new car today.

Out with the old...

...and in with the new. It's a 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit (a Golf, for those of you outside the US) and looks like it might be a bit of an improvement over what I've been driving for nearly 10 years now. Reverse gear went out on the transmission on my old one last night, and it was just time to go for it. I'll try to get some better pictures tomorrow.

EOJ · Post by **EOJ** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:47 am

Spiffy car there, Vexorg. Definitely an improvement.

The n00b · Post by **The n00b** » Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:20 pm

Davey wrote:
iatneH wrote:I mean, I hate walking for 10 minutes because it's 2 minutes by bike

I would sometimes even rather bike for 50 minutes than take transit for 40.
It was about a 25 minute walk to my highschool, and 10 or 15 to university, so I always rode my bike, sun or rain or snow.
Ah, makes sense. Not so sure about the rain/snow thing, though... my wussy ass would much rather drive (or even walk) at that point.

Riding a bike around here is pretty much a no-go, regardless of weather. The roads aren't bicycle-friendly and there's nowhere to lock up (even at the university... 20,000 students, virtually no bike racks).

landshark wrote:
Davey wrote: My thoughts exactly, which explains why I drive a Toyota Corolla. It's a great car for people who don't give a rat's ass about cars.
Maybe in some countries, or even areas of a country. But where I'm from it's a hobby and more than "just a way to get around."
For me, it's just a personal thing, not a regional thing. There are plenty of people around here into cars. Most guys my age either drive nice cars or shitty cars trying to pass for nice cars. For instance, even though I drive a dorky, appliance-like car, the other guys I work with drive:
- BMW 3-series
- 350Z
- Jaguar

It's just not my bag, nice cars don't do anything for me. Even if I won the lottery I'd probably just keep what I have now as long as it's trouble-free. Probably has a lot to do with how I was raised, a lot of people in my family have that Point A to Point B mentality.

I completely agree with this mentality. It used to be because I could only afford very functional cars such as civics. Of course now that I've become a respected contributing member of society, I still don't give a crap. So now I can easily afford a mustang GT but I hear that Prius calling out to me. There's just something about 48 mpg that is just sooo sexy.

Even the body design just screams "I don't give a shit what you think because at the end of the day I GET THE JOB DONE."

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:03 pm

Here's a couple of better pictures of my new car:

I'm definitely going to need to do something about the wheels at some point (none of the ones the dealer had in stock had alloys on them) but other than that it's a pretty nice car to drive, especially after years spent driving a beater.

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:43 pm

And incidental to my purchase of a new car, I wrote a few words over at my new Blog about the old one, complete with a few additional pictures showing just what a beater it truly was:

http://thesledgehammer.wordpress.com/20 ... you-there/

Sonic R · Post by **Sonic R** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 9:47 pm

Congrats on the new car Vexorg! It looks like your are very happy with it.

And already talking about some new wheels

Yes, cars can be fun as well as A to B -- may as well have enjoyment when getting about in your vehicle

Davey · Post by **Davey** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 10:31 pm

The n00b wrote:I hear that Prius calling out to me. There's just something about 48 mpg that is just sooo sexy.

Even the body design just screams "I don't give a shit what you think because at the end of the day I GET THE JOB DONE."

Yet another reason why I'm a dork: I actually like how the Prius looks. I briefly looked at them when I was car shopping, but all the ones I saw (even used ones) go for at least $24K. Even with the $3K tax credit they were giving out last year, that's still several grand more than my Corolla. Not worth it, at least given my driving habits.

Post by **system11** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 9:57 am

Sonic R wrote:Yes, cars can be fun as well as A to B -- may as well have enjoyment when getting about in your vehicle

Quoted for truth.

If you have to go from A to B, you may aswell enjoy it. I love my Capri (although I need to fix the rear brakes which have stuck on), and I love my 7 series because even though I'm not rich (5-8 year old used ones cost LESS than a basic tinbox on wheels brand new), it makes me feel pampered. You have to give yourself little treats you know

Vexorg · Post by **Vexorg** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 7:16 pm

I guess it depends on your attitude about things. When I went on vacation a couple of months ago, I drove a rented Saturn Ion for 9 days and more than 1,700 miles. Although the Ion is by no means a bad car (aside from a couple of little quirks) it is also something that I don't think I'd be happy with as a daily driver. I tend to be the type of person who will (at least on occasion) go out driving for the sake of driving, or just go out and explore stuff on the weekends.

Look at it this way: If you had to be stuck in traffic, would you be comfortable in the car you're driving? In my previous car, I'd have to say that no, I would not. It was noisy, it ran rough at idle, it had no air conditioning (and even the blower was flaky,) and if you let it sit long enough the smell of burning oil would eventually get into the passenger compartment, which probably isn't a good thing to have around. On the other hand, my new car has none of the ongoing problems I put up with on my old beater, and has some nice amenities to boot (sunroof, AC, heated seats, and a 6-disc CD changer with MP3 capability.) Even at a more basic level, there's things like actually having some traction in the rain, being able to open up the trunk, or the drivers' side window, or not having half a key broken off in the ignition. And Heaven knows how messed up I would have been if I ever ended up in a major accident in that thing.

To be honest, after driving that old beater for nearly 10 years and having it be so reliable for me, it was a little bit hard to finally give it up, but now that I'm driving a new car that I really enjoy, I realize that some things are probably best to just keep as memories. I've done the whole "point A to point B" thing for years now, and I'm surprised what I managed to put up with. Even the Saturn Ion I mentioned at the beginning of this post, which is a relatively inexpensive car, was so much of an improvement over my old one it was ridiculous. One thing I've noticed while I was out doing my car shopping was that even more affordable cars (My Rabbit ended up being just a bit under $20k) have a lot of standard features that you used to be able to get only on luxury cars. That's not to say that older cars can't be fun (If I had room for more than one car I'd love to have something like an old school Porsche or an E30 Bimmer as a weekend car) but I seriously doubt I'd ever want one for a daily driver.

Post by **nZero** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 8:05 pm

Vexorg wrote:One thing I've noticed while I was out doing my car shopping was that even more affordable cars (My Rabbit ended up being just a bit under $20k) have a lot of standard features that you used to be able to get only on luxury cars.

That's been an unfortunate trend in the market... standard features that can't be removed, along with a ton of "safety features", both of which add unnecessary weight and complexity to these vehicles. Well, revised to fortunate if you're a 16-year-old girl who cares tons more about being able to jack in her iPod than how the car drives, and her parents are happy about the 8 airbag system that will keep her safe in the accident that a more capable vehicle and a decent driving education system could have avoided.