All things Automobile - THE definitive car thread

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by HOT DAMN!

Flogged a '13 Maxima around for the last 4 days in Indy (3rd time I picked one), while the fit/finish and trim materials are subpar, the motor and tranny are way too much fun for a family sedan. It pulls, and pulls, and pulls...

Originally Posted by neanderthal

I recently rented a Chrysler 300; PentastarV6 and the ZF 8 speed.

My GF's uncle traded his '11 Maxima for a '12 300 with the same drivetrain. Having only sat in both cars, I still can't see giving up the interior of the Nissan for the Dodge. To each their own, I guess.

[ducnut]

Originally Posted by Jamie

My Chevy Traverse is at the dealer having a lower ball joint replaced under warranty at 30K miles. I've always heard that you should have an alignment after dinking around with any suspension or front end component, but who knows. GM saves every nickel they can on warranty coverage, so if there is any doubt, they won't provide one. Should I push for one?

As Bueller mentioned, it probably won't be necessary. You're taking out one part that is manufactured with only one way it can go in and replacing it with another. The machine tolerances of that ball joint are tighter than the alignment specs. I wouldn't sweat it.

[HOT DAMN!]

Originally Posted by neanderthal

I recently rented a Chrysler 300; PentastarV6 and the ZF 8 speed.

Interesting, I think I'll try one of those in a few weeks but I'm excited to see what all the hype is about on this new Taurus, which I'll pick up on Tuesday for the week, unfortunately not an SHO but a Limited.

[jdiaz]

My last Maxima had a Check Engine Light that never gave up. Coils, o2 sensors, and MAF, all before 85k miles.

I'm probably going to get skin cancer from the endless glow on my face.

[HOT DAMN!]

Originally Posted by jdiaz

I'm probably going to get skin cancer from the endless glow on my face.

Black electrical tape puts that light out indefinitely.

[jdiaz]

Originally Posted by HOT DAMN!

Black electrical tape puts that light out indefinitely.

I bought a bunch of rolls for my Audi friends last Xmas.

[NDEBT]

A friend/past coworker sent me this. It is very true. Working at a dealership is very unique. it is five buisnesess in one building. New sales, used sales, finance,parts and service. None can survive without the other reallly. Anyway I thought it was funny from the sales point.

[RedRocket]

Originally Posted by neanderthal

I recently rented a Chrysler 300; PentastarV6 and the ZF 8 speed.

What a peach of a car. quiet, and fuel efficient (nearly 30mpg) and while it was a little reluctant to downshift, if you hoofed it it would drop several gears, engine would scream, and it would get up and go.

Epic blindspots in the rear from the high beltline and styling. (Caveat. I drive a 95 Mercedes E320 so i'm used to excellent visibility, elegant styling, supple ride, mild understeer and a tireless silky smooth inline 6.) Ride was a little bit harsh, but when I lowered the air pressure to factory specs, it was like butter. Not quite like my car, but a reasonable facsimilie. Understeered just a smidge if you started to push, and the rear really stuck. A stiffer rear sway bar would go a long way towards neutralising the built in understeer.

Lovely interior. Uconnect was easy to use (except I had to keep constantly pairing my phone to it every time I turned it off) although it was a bit boomy and lacking in high end fidelity. Odd that. It was crying out for some tweeters and a sub for low end punch.

Honestly that running gear, the suspension, that interior, are just begging to be dropped into something about 500lbs lighter and with better visibility. I imagine a rwd Avenger redux would be a great candidate.

I was sad to give it back (Hertz said $358 a month to keep it) but glad to get into my car with its infinitely superior visibility and ergonomics.


If I ever have to give up driving the W124s i'm probably going to look at that very strongly.

No wonder you liked that 300 so much, it's a 90's E-class under the skin.

[RedRocket]

Originally Posted by NDEBT

A friend/past coworker sent me this. It is very true. Working at a dealership is very unique. it is five buisnesess in one building. New sales, used sales, finance,parts and service. None can survive without the other reallly. Anyway I thought it was funny from the sales point.

Ain't that the truth

[jdiaz]

Fuckin whiners.

Originally Posted by NDEBT

[a1fa]

What a bologna video.

[NDEBT]

Originally Posted by a1fa

What a bologna video.

Why? What do you do for a living?

[ImaPoser]

Ok you car dealer guys, what's the deal with getting a car from one dealer to another? Why is my local guy acting like it takes an act from god to get it from a dealer on the other side of town? Every dealer I talked to has said they can do it no problem, but when I go in to talk to them about it, they switch back to sell me something off the lot mode.
Should I just drive cross town and buy it there?

[Bueller]

Originally Posted by ImaPoser

Ok you car dealer guys, what's the deal with getting a car from one dealer to another? Why is my local guy acting like it takes an act from god to get it from a dealer on the other side of town? Every dealer I talked to has said they can do it no problem, but when I go in to talk to them about it, they switch back to sell me something off the lot mode.
Should I just drive cross town and buy it there?

Are they trading another dealer for it, or buying it from another dealer? Sounds like it's reducing the profit margin for the dealer to trade, therefore they want to sell you something on the lot. Go to another dealer.

[ImaPoser]

Originally Posted by Bueller

Are they trading another dealer for it, or buying it from another dealer? Sounds like it's reducing the profit margin for the dealer to trade, therefore they want to sell you something on the lot. Go to another dealer.

Hell if I know. How does it work when a dealer wants something from another dealers inventory? I'm running in to this on both the focus and jeep. Should I just say screw it, and go buy it where it sits?


Oh yeah, one of the jeep dealers who actually HAS a jeep I want quoted me $7K over MSRP for it because the color is discontinued and says the demand is so great for it.