[Laminar]

I saw a few test mules on the road when I was in Bloomington last year, they took over the old Mitsubishi plant. I saw one on the road here recently, and also somehow a Hummer EV. The local Ford dealer has an F-150 Lightning demo truck as well.

[MacNNFamous]

I hate Rivians. Entire thing looks okay but those fucking headlights make me think of Mr Krabs

[ShortcutToMoncton]

A neighbour of mine somehow got a Rivian. Looks pretty cool but I don’t know much about them. Hopefully I can finagle a test drive.

[Brien]

Saw one in the wild recently. Looks… fine.

[diosretrieve]

Everything that Ford makes is worth special attention. These cars are famous for their reliability and their ability to reach speed. Those who are into cars know that Ford was originally positioned as a sports car. So for me, it's surprising what models are produced now. I would like to see more sports models. So I started to monitor other brands. For example, now I am trying to study Other Brand more because it is the most comfortable car for a city, and at the same time, it is fast. To learn everything I need, I use spamsite. I think you may also be useful. Tell me, what car do you like the most?

[Thorzdad]

Someone has obviously never spent time in a Pinto.

[andi*pandi]

This should be interesting.
My 'NN membership is almost older than our new poster.

[Laminar]

Spam post incoming?

[Thorzdad]

Probably a link inserted into the post.

[subego]

My first memory of a car is my dad’s Pinto. He traded that up to a Bug.

When I was buying my van I test drove the Ford version. It was ugly and had no pickup whatsoever. To be fair to the van, I was test driving the low horsepower model. To be fair to the giant Ford dealership, if you want me to buy one, maybe have a non-shit model on your lot somewhere.

[subego]

My favorite car memory from my youth is my great aunt’s pimpin’ Fleetwood.

She owned a bar… where there were multiple shootouts. My dad was at one. She may or may not have been having an affair with a mobster.

She was the cool great aunt. Kicked my ass at OG Asteroids.

[Brien]

Originally Posted by subego 

My first memory of a car is my dad’s Pinto. He traded that up to a Bug.

When I was buying my van I test drove the Ford version. It was ugly and had no pickup whatsoever. To be fair to the van, I was test driving the low horsepower model. To be fair to the giant Ford dealership, if you want me to buy one, maybe have a non-shit model on your lot somewhere.

When I went to buy my first “I have a decent job now” car, the Ford dealership refused to let me test drive any of the ‘fun’ cars. Really wanted to sell me an SUV though.

[Doc HM]

Well another season, one last chilly rally. Quite muddy and very slippy but noting broke or exploded so that's always a win. Some pics of the car in action. There were some lovely other competitors out as well. Can upload some of those pics if anyone is interested.

IMG_2661 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2676 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2703 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2707 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2708 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2706 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

[Laminar]

Awesome!

[reader50]

Doc, you're going to need an upgrade. I see at least two cars with more headlights than you have.

[subego]

Didn’t it catch fire awhile back?

If so, glad to see the recovery!

[Thorzdad]

Oh, man. That Quattro!

[andi*pandi]

That looks fun. Aside from not exploding, was there a winner?

[MacNNFamous]

Originally Posted by Thorzdad 

Oh, man. That Quattro!

Right? I win the lottery, something like that is one of my first purchases.

[Doc HM]

Originally Posted by Thorzdad 

Oh, man. That Quattro!

Yes. Sport Quattro Pikes Peake replica. Pushing 800 Brake. Owner was too scared to use it in anger. Pah!

Here's a few more highlights

IMG_2701 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2684 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2670 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2653 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr
(definitely NOT scared to use this)

IMG_2645 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr
(fave car of the day)

IMG_2667 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

IMG_2697 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr
(asked the crew how this was on the night stages. "Shit" apparently. Brave though.

[subego]

Originally Posted by Doc HM 

IMG_2667 by Andrew Stephens, on Flickr

I’m a total sucker for all hood and no ass.

[MacNNFamous]

My driveway a few weeks ago

[Thorzdad]

3.0 CSi?

[MacNNFamous]

Bavaria

[Thorzdad]

Nice! That explains why I initially thought it was some odd/early 7-series, which is what followed the Bavaria. They really loved that funky maroon color, didn’t they.

I have a real soft spot for BMWs of that era. Properly upright, 3-box, german designs that you can drive the snot out of all day long, then go pick-up the kids at school.

[MacNNFamous]

Color is called "Malaga" and I adore it. I had a 71 Bmw 2002 in this color a while ago, saw this and had to buy it, doesn't work at all, bad engine. Already picked up something else to shove in there.

[Thorzdad]

Please keep with a proper i6 and not shoehorn some smallblock chevy v8 in it.

[MacNNFamous]

Picked up an M35B35 out of a 91 5 series, fuel injected, an extra .5L of displacement. More power and torque. Rawrrr.

[subego]

You spelled “bastard” wrong.

[Waragainstsleep]

My old X-Type Jag has the common turbo fault and my mechanics want me to get shot of the car instead of chasing faults on it. I'm tempted to try and fix it myself though. I love that car and having hunted a little for another there are very few around which match its spec. Gonna be a lot of work though.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by subego 

You spelled “bastard” wrong.

Yeah if that license plate means what I think it means... 😬

[Thorzdad]

It appears my GTI has unilaterally decided that the power steering fluid belongs on the pavement and not in the pump.

Anyone know someone looking for a cheap, bone-stock MkIV GTI to do a build on? Or use as a donor?

[MacNNFamous]

Or... just replace the power steering hoses. Pumps rarely leak. MkIv were ... 2005 at the latest? So almost 20 years old?

You do you tho, consume, get a brand new car because a hose is leaking. Capitalism!

[Thorzdad]

Nah. I’m too old, stiff, sore, and tired to crawl under/around/in a car and wrench around on it in a crowded garage anymore. I was never into doing much else on cars beyond simple maintenance, anyway. It’s got other things that need worked on, so I’ll try and find someone looking for a project. Or parts.

The plan will be for me to go carless until we find something used (and affordable) for my wife, at which time I’ll inherit her Fit.

[subego]

Perhaps a dumb question… mechanic?

[MacNNFamous]

That's what I meant. Spend $200 fixing the car's power steering hoses, or throw it away and buy a brand new depreciating asset, that makes sense.

[MacNNFamous]

Aka that is the dumbest take, Thorzdad. Get it fixed. Having to get an entirely new car over a leaky hose is retarded AF.

[andi*pandi]

But he says there are other issues, so perhaps the hose is on top of other things all coming due at once for $2k.

[Laminar]

"I'm smart, everyone else is dumb."

[MacNNFamous]

Throwing away a car because a $100 hose failed is objectively stupid.

[reader50]

I don't believe Thorz ever said it was a hose. You're assuming a simple / inexpensive issue, without having set eyes on the problem. Also ignoring whatever the other issues are.

My guess is he's tired of this car, and doesn't want to invest more time/money in something he no longer likes. I know the feeling - you're just ready to move on.

[OreoCookie]

I reckon that it might also not be the only tired part that needs replacing. Just have a look at M539’s YouTube channel to see what a proper refurbishment of an old car means. Bushings, bearings, etc.

Last year I sold my old mountain bike after 9.5 years. Basically most parts were tired and needed replacing, brake rotors, trigger shifters, rear derailleur, cassette, chainring and chain. My wheels were also no longer true. Oh, the fork and damper needed a major service, too. Each part individually would not have been a big deal. But in sum total it was way beyond worth it.

I gave it to a buddy’s friend for some beers.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by MacNNFamous 

Throwing away a car because a $100 hose failed is objectively stupid.

"I spent three total seconds thinking about this and the world NEEDS to know my opinion."

[MacNNFamous]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

"I spent three total seconds thinking about this and the world NEEDS to know my opinion."

"I will disagree on literally everything because my penis is small"

[Laminar]

"I try and hurt other peoples' feelings because I'm short."

[subego]

This is cute.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

For the life of me I can’t understand why so many companies use those angled pieces that block the back corners of the bed from side access. Are there can braces inside those, or something?? Why?? It feels like no one has actually used a pickup before…..having to get into the bed every time to grab something in the corner (instead of reaching over the side) would drive me bonkers!!!

[subego]

IIRC, I was told it’s the lowest weight way to give it structural integrity.

[Laminar]

On the Avalanche and Ridgeline, it's because the bed and body are one piece, so that area carries a huge amount of load as the bed is loaded or as the frame twists due to towing loads or suspension twist. For a standard truck, the bed and body can flex separately so it doesn't matter.

When Honda redid the Ridgeline for the second generation, they added a fake bodyline to make it look like the bed was separate (more like a traditional pickup, since people hate "those angled pieces"), and they made significant changes to the structure of the frame and the body/bed attachment points to carry the load without the buttresses.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

I have a 2nd-gen Ridgeline! Thanks for the info, makes sense.