The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Totally Off-Topic Discussions, Rants, Tire & Oil Threads, Etc. => Topic started by: Melena on February 15, 2009, 12:27:37 PM
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Toyota's are great! I've got a '91 Toyota Camry that I bought in 1996. This car has been the most reliable car I've ever had, and that's why I still have it.
Here in California, if the car is over a couple of years old it needs to have a smog check every 2 years, unless it doesn't pass, then it needs a smog check every year. And it can't be registered until it passes. I wasn't worried, because I can always ride my R65 even though I don't like to ride in the rain or at night.
I've been thinking about what car I might want if this one didn't pass its test. But I shouldn't have worried. It passed with flying colors. But once it doesn't pass the smog test on the first try I really want to be able to get a different car.
I was wondering what you would get if you had to get a new one. I've been thinking that those 3 wheeled enclosed "motorcycles" would be great. There's one that's being developed here in California that I think would be really fun to drive. And it's not as expensive as I thought it would be. They are coming out with it this year, I think.
Maybe if I save my pennies I'll be able to buy one by the time my Toyota decides not to pass the smog test any more. ;)
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We're thinking of getting a new car this spring. We have a 1999 Subaru Forester that we purchased brand new and have put over 200,000 miles on it with very few issues whatsoever. It is even on the original clutch, still, though has had new brake rotors, wheel bearings, and a few sundry items replaced. It has been a great car and we will replace it with another Forester. Where we live, we need a vehicle that has all-wheel drive for dealing with winter storms and spring mud when the sedan cannot get my wife to/from school. It has given very acceptable fuel mileage - never lower than 27/28 and often around 30/31 MPG (this is US gallons, not imperial). They make a good product, IMHO.
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Ya just can't go wrong with Toyotas or Hondas, IMHO. I bought a brand-new Honda Civic Wagon with 4WD in 1985 (just like the one in this pic), and kept it for 10 years and put 189,000 miles on it before I sold it. Damn, I had a blast driving THAT funky looking little car! It had a 5-speed tranny, and shifted and handled like a sports car! I drove the living crap out of it! Then, I bought a 1995 Honda Civic Sedan, and put 175,000 miles before I gave it to my ex when we split up, and she drove it for ANOTHER 10 years before she traded it in! I think she said the car had about 230,000 miles on it when she parted with it!
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Ive been running a Honda accord for the last ten years it has never let me down and drives like a dream i will have to change it this year as ive now got two grand kids so need a bigger car to tow my caravan to the beach!!! i see a CRV in my future im sticking with honda
I had a rush of blood in 1993 and bought a brand new Merc ,what a waiste of money that was it spent more time in the repair shop than on my drive. It was the year mercedes intoduced infra red remote locking wich was a pain in the arse (in 3 years they didnt fix it) and didnt work most of the time the problem being if you used the key to get in the car it set off the alarm. To top that at 13 months the wiper motor failed and they tryed to charge me 450(700usd) pounds to repair it, there was blood on the showroom floor needless to say i didnt pay it merc stood the bill .
Lou
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New vehicle? Hmmm - can't tell you - all the ones I want are classics. However, the most recent one that went out of production is an MG F. Ah well.
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I have one of the original Honda CRV's. I have had it for 3.5 years. Its got 113,000 miles on it but only 35,000 are mine.
Its good, reliable, and wearing well, but its a little thirsty (by UK standards) I can barely get it to do 30mpg on a run, more usually 26mpg. I have never run a car that is that thirsty - the only reason I can stand it, is because it does not do that many miles.
Usually I am looking for a car that can reliably do 40 mpg. Fuel is not cheap here (although its as cheap as its ever been for some years).
My wife runs a little Suzuki that can do 60, if driven carefully - 1300cc VVT Twin Cam - 95 bhp. Weighs less that a pair of slippers!
She loves it.
Cheers
Steve H
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One of the new hybrid Apteras, they should be going on sale in CA this fall...
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I'm pretty danged happy with my 04 Pontiac Vibe AWD (twin of Toyota Matrix). Toyota engine and drivetrain will last almost forever. Zero maintenance since I have owned it, other than regular oil changes, wiper blades and a set of snow tires. Not the quietest interior, but I just turn the radio up a bit. hehehe
With a set of Dunlop Graspic studless snow tires on it, it will plow through 6" of slushy snow/ice and never lose its grip on the pavement.
I'm not thrilled about any of the new cars out there, if I needed to get something, I'd look for a late 80's Mercedes 4Matic TD wagon. Bullet proof diesel engine and the pre-92 models were stout and well designed.
And I used to have an 86 Nissan Stanza AWD wagon. One of the ugliest cars ever built, and it was in serious need of some TLC and new parts, but it ran like a champ and dealt with the snow and my steep driveway and hauled bales of hay without complaining. Best $1500.00 I ever spend. Sorry I sold it, the guy that bought it from me ran it into its grave. :'(
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Tesla Roadster.
Hey, you didn't say I had to be able to afford it!
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Barbara is absolutely in love with the Aptera and is quite distressed they will only be offered in CA...
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I, too am starting to look, Melena. I have always leaned toward Civics, But I have had a few Mazdas in there, too. Probably my favorite of all of them was the Mazda GLC (Great Little Car) sedan. It was a 5-speed, w/cruise, and was aptly named. It was an early 80's car, I think, but what really impressed me was it had a timing chain, rather than the belts that are in every engine produced these days. It is expensive maintenance that shouldn't be ignored.
So I am looking for a 2-door Civic, built anytime since 2000, but not too new. I want to pay it off quickly. But I don't want a lot of miles, either, because I want it to last a long time.
I just heard that the Fed. gov't is going to let you deduct the sales tax on any new car bought before some date.
I'm bettin' that is 'merican cars, only...
Oh, and the last mechanic that worked on my '96 Mazda 626 informed me my engine is a Ford product!!! :o
:'(
;)
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Wow! Lots of great ideas. Actually, it doesn't have to be new new, just new to me. But much newer than my current car.
That Aptera does look pretty cool. But I like the one with one wheel in front and 2 in back that carves corners like a motorcycle. 8-)
Luckily I don't have to make any decisions any time soon.
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Wow! Lots of great ideas. Actually, it doesn't have to be new new, just new to me. But much newer than my current car.
That Aptera does look pretty cool. But I like the one with one wheel in front and 2 in back that carves corners like a motorcycle. 8-)
Luckily I don't have to make any decisions any time soon.
Couldn't I have a friend or relative in California buy one for me, and then sell it to me?
I think I could have fit more solar panels on it, too! http://www.aptera.com/look.php
Come home, and plug it into your battery pack that has been charging all day while you are at work, from your solar panels and windmill at home! Screw the grid! http://www.thekevdog.com/projects/wind_generator/
(last night I saw a website talking about making solar panels from materials at a hardware store - but you had to pay them for the materials list and instructions. now I can't find it...)'
And I'm still trying to figure out how they will heat one of those, for the northern climates?
Must be one of the reasons it is California only, right now.
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Barbara is absolutely in love with the Aptera and is quite distressed they will only be offered in CA...
Well Hell - that has to be the silliest thing I've ever heard! Why only in Ca? Tx has more sunlight during the course of the year doesn't it? Course it has more rain and snow as well me thinks....Maybe it's because of the tornadoes and the powers that be think that it may end up in Kansas.... ;)
Seriously though - why only in Ca?
And if it's just a wish list - well...don't know about late '80s Merc - the seats are just a tad hard for me - but then again I have a hard rear end so to speak (BTW there's a '52 for sale just down the road) - maybe a Caterham 7 or a Kouger Jag or even a replica Frazer Nash Le Mans? (Cor - I wish)
....Reminds me of a letter from an owner that was penned to Rolls back in the 80's. The owner complained that the front seats were just too hard. Rolls duely replied to the effect that while they appreciated the constructive criticism they normally didn't have this an issue, as the owners were usually chauffeured.... ;D Ain't that putting him in his place - without being rude?
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That Aptera looks pretty cool - like it should be able to lift off and putter through the air like the Jetson's car.
Maybe it is only in California since we all know how much they spend on road maintenance/repair out there ;)
It wouldn't work in its current configuration here in New England - we've got potholes and frost heaves that would rip those little pylon-enclosed things right off !
I'd love to see someone drive one of these into their local Pep Boy's or Discount Tire and ask for a tire rotation...
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Yeah, that'd really confuse 'em... ;D
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Hope this doesn't start some sorta enviro tree-hugger go-green flame war but I recently bought my wife a new car for Christmas. A Northstar-powered Cadillac Deville Touring Sedan. With 315 HP on tap with regular gas and 24/26 mpg on the highway. It's her third Northstar and I don't believe she would drive anything else. She has allowed me to drive it only once since purchased... to an Italian dinner on Valentine's Day. I paid, of course.
My daily driver for the past 10+ years has been my 1986 VW Cabriolet. One of those love-hate vehicles, I'm constantly doing some sorta maintenance issue with it; it's old like me, but I plan to keep it for a long time.
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I have the same relationship with my Brick - '93 Volvo 244. I sometimes wonder why I put up with it...
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Gotta love a Boxer engine and my wifelings Subaru Forrester has been quite a nice car. I'm thinking of replacing my commuter car and lately I'm giving some used Isuzu Pick ups a look. I generally hate trucks, not because of any "enviro tree-hugger go-green" sentiment but because I've made my living out of all kinds of trucks [lorry to some] for 25 years. The last gaul durn thing I want to get into at the end of the day is another damn truck! But wait. I'm starting to see the practicality of a small 4 banger with a full bed. I'm seeing it as a cheap commuter and a rescue vehicle for when one of my classic [old] bikes peters out on the road somewhere. Build in a ramp and tie downs and I'm insured. 'Honey could you bring the truck out to the Gila River on the Indian reservation, I've got a flat'. Yes I like the sound of that. A cheap commuter / recovery vehicle, I even have a custom license plate frame thought out for it: "no, you can't call me when you need to move".
rich
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You have the luxury of the option of a small, light in the rear pickup truck.
I would love one, and could get my bro-in-laws for a song - but I have snow to put up with!
It will never be anything other than a small, front wheel drive car, for me.
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I'm putting the 4th cyl head on my 1989 Pajero - thought I may as well change the head seeing as I was pulling the alt out for the 3rd time.I'm having to use my 1990 Lada 2104 while the Pajero is off the road.One of them will have to go....I'm having trouble deciding which.
What to replace them with??...?? Something broken down and not economical to repair,for a give away price.I stay in the 3 figure bracket with cars....moving into the 4 figure bracket is not value for money as far as I'm concerned.
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Thousand dollar car it ain't worth nothin'
Thousand dollar car it ain't worth sh!t.
Might as well take your $1000,
and set fire to it.
$1000 car ain't worth a dime,
You lose your $1000 every time.
Oh why did I ever buy,
a $1000 car.
$1000 car is gonna let you down,
More than it's ever gonna get you around.
Replace your gaskets and paint over your rust,
You'll still end up with something that you'll never trust.
$1000 car's life was through,
'bought 50,000 miles 'fore it got to you.
Oh why did I ever buy,
a $1000 car.
A $1000 car ain't even gonna roll,
til you throw at least another thousand in the hole.
Sink your money in it, and there you are
the owner of a 2,000 dollar 1,000 dollar car.
(guitar solo)
If you've only got a $1000.
You ought to just buy a good guitar.
Learn how to play it it'll take you farther,
than any old $1000 car.
If a $1000 car was truly worth a damn,
then why would anybody ever spend ten grand.
Oh why did I ever buy,
a thousand dollar car.
-The Bottle Rockets
;)
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I just heard that the Fed. gov't is going to let you deduct the sales tax on any new car bought before some date.
I'm bettin' that is 'merican cars, only...
Oh, and the last mechanic that worked on my '96 Mazda 626 informed me my engine is a Ford product!!! :o
:'(
;)
Nope, you can buy any new car, light truck or motorcycle. And the time frame for purchase is within one year of the day Obama signed the stimulus package. Listening to NPR this afternoon, the guy said that the 'rebate' for say the 15% tax bracket folks (me), would top out at about $150.00. I believe it was 5% of the total tax paid on a vehicle with a purchase price up to $42,000. ANd you could buy more than one vehicle as long as the total wasn't more than the 42K. (Don't quote me on the numbers, I wasn't paying that close attention to him) He said it wasn't much incentive to run out and buy a new car. I'm not interested in a new car, but a pair of Guzzi V7 Classic's and another Honda CRF230L.......or perhaps a Super Sherpa.....or maybe a TW200........ hehehehehe
And you'd be surprised at who makes what. Caravans used to have Mistubishi engines in them, the British car called the Sterling had an engine and drivetrain by Honda, Chev Colorado p/u is mostly an Isuzu and some Fords were made by Mazda, too.
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You have the luxury of the option of a small, light in the rear pickup truck.
I would love one, and could get my bro-in-laws for a song - but I have snow to put up with!
It will never be anything other than a small, front wheel drive car, for me.
Subaru used to make those cute little pickups; I think they were 4WD. Brats. No idea of their fuel economy.
My CRX with 4 studded tires (yeah, not legal in most states) does great in the snow, so long as it's not over 4" deep.
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Subaru still makes 'em, not 'nuff bed on 'em tho. GM still produces an El Camino type vehicle but I think it's only in OZ. Think it's called a Holden.
rich
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Can't get a new vehicle because the 1985 Buick Century keeps going. 2.5 liter Iron Duke 4. Turns out it gets the same mileage as the new Camry's and Regals and I can fit 5 pax plus me. (22 mpg town and 33 highway) What have the car manufacturers been doing for the last 24 years???
I don't get it.
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Pick'em Up Trucks ain't nothing but sports cars with BIG TRUNKS ;D
My Ford F150 300 c.i. straight six with a Mazda-sourced 5-speed, purchased new in March of 1995, is the most reliable and dependable vehicle I've ever owned. Fourteen years and runs like it's new.
Have not been without a pickup truck for the last 37 years. Couldn't get along without one. [smiley=thumbup.gif]
Monte
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How come most riders here drive older higher mileage cagers? Something to do with older higher milage bikes ? which comes first? I drive 1992 honda civic sedan. Odometer broke at 250000. Last time i did a serious check ... fill up fairbanks ... 370 mile to Anchorage ... fileup again ... calculates to 44.6 mpg ... and that's 1990 technology ! Where did we go so wrong in the last 16 years ... we can't do better ? Oh yeah when serious winter sets in here with deep snow and -50 to -65 F temps i drive a 1989 Jeep Cherokee with 320000 miles on it ... lucky to get 20 mpg ... alot worse if left in 4x4 all the time. I did take the 1986 R65 on the Dalton Hiway this December ... till i scared myself. Turned around after an hour ride. Had to tow it back up my driveway ... the fresh snow was too deep. Not likely to do that again ! ;D
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How come most riders here drive older higher mileage cagers? ! ;D
Must be somthin' in the water. But really one thing that sets us apart is that we all werk on our own machines. Have a glance at other groups on the internets. Posts are full of "my vehicle is in the shop" baloney. It's nice that the less able send their machines to the shop, it keeps the shop doors open so we all have a place to order parts! Pat yourself on the back for being able to run and maintain elderly vehicles.
rich