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Post by johnb on Jun 15, 2024 14:28:16 GMT -5
I watch a few car guys on various social media platforms, and all say that used car prices are starting to drop. Fingers crossed; we might be in the market for one in the next 12 months. Likely a RAV4 or Highlander.
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Post by brp on Jun 15, 2024 14:37:35 GMT -5
Used car prices still seem to be quite high around here. I know a lot of people who normally would buy two or three year old cars have on the buying new simply because the price difference wasn't enough to make used worth it. I like the way this 1998 model is old enough that it doesn't have any of those shenanigans like auto-shutoff at stoplights and cylinder deactivation and all that junk they do now. I didn't even realize that that was a thing until recently. I wondered why people were turning off cars and restarting them. Really seems a bad idea from a reliability standpoint, possibly pollution (although I haven't researched that. My ICE car is a 2009 Saturn convertible with minimal bells and whistles. The 2023 Hyunda Kona EV has more, but that is expected. And mrs. brp's Honda Accord Hybrid is pretty nifty with features. Not too many, but good ones.
Cheers.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jun 15, 2024 14:38:16 GMT -5
Likely a RAV4 or Highlander. I will say that we did a lot of researching/looking/driving of 2018-up Mazda CX-5 and the build quality is excellent and it definitely feels more upscale (to me anyway) than similar RAV4 vehicles. (This coming from a born-and-raised Toyota guy) Sister-in-law has a 2018 Highlander and it's very nice but I felt like the Mazda was a little more "luxury" than the Highlander. Mazda still uses a traditional automatic transmission, while the RAV4 uses a CVT (not a fan). Mazda definitely a smaller car though. The newer CX-9 and -90 are more like the Highlander in size. Worth putting on your radar, I think. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jun 15, 2024 14:44:21 GMT -5
Really seems a bad idea from a reliability standpoint As an engineer/lifelong "shade tree mechanic" I would say you nailed it. Also possibly pollution, as you mentioned...emissions are highest upon startup and while yes it's true that you only shut the thing down for a minute, it has still cooled down. Also parts/batteries wearing out faster, which is also a source of pollution. |
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Post by brp on Jun 15, 2024 14:47:46 GMT -5
Really seems a bad idea from a reliability standpoint As an engineer/lifelong "shade tree mechanic" I would say you nailed it. Also possibly pollution, as you mentioned...emissions are highest upon startup and while yes it's true that you only shut the thing down for a minute, it has still cooled down. Also parts/batteries wearing out faster, which is also a source of pollution. The mechanical reliability issues seemed pretty apparent. Wasn't sure about the pollution tradeoff since most of the startup stuff is from cold start. so, it is possible that the engine is still warm enough to make that less than keeping it on and idling. But likely so close as to be outweighed by the reliability issues.
Cheers.
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Post by snystedt on Jun 15, 2024 17:48:02 GMT -5
Have there been any updates on advance ride reservations for genie +? Seemed to be a topic a few months ago but have not heard any updates.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jun 19, 2024 10:33:49 GMT -5
We have lived in this house for 17 years now, and unlike the stories my mom tells about moving their refrigerator across the country twice, our fridge came with this house and dates from probably the late 1990s.
The lightbulb burned out! My brain couldn't even comprehend it.
Wife said, "The bulb burned out!"
I said, "What!!"
Then I messed with it, I'm like "It can't be!"
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Post by bakerworld on Jun 24, 2024 8:29:44 GMT -5
I've opened the windows. Fresh Air! It feels so good. NEPA has been in a heatwave for the last 5(?) days and I'm tired of AC prison - LOL.
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Post by brp on Jun 24, 2024 8:40:05 GMT -5
I've opened the windows. Fresh Air! It feels so good. NEPA has been in a heatwave for the last 5(?) days and I'm tired of AC prison - LOL. One thing I love about here in Norcal is that, even though it's been mid-90s during the day, night and early morning are 50s-60s. I have the door open and the whole house fan on to cool for the start of the day. Can go running and hiking if early rhough.
Cheers.
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jun 26, 2024 22:23:28 GMT -5
 Bam! So, to recap, the vehicle suffered total transmission failure at 296,300 mi, I ended up drilling a hole in the transmission and tapping it for a plug, now I'm about $100 in with fluids and filters and we crossed 300,000 tonight. If I figure 296,300 is the actual end-of-life and the $100 was to milk it out to 300k, that means I'm now driving a free car and every day is extra. I figured for its birthday I would give it another trans fluid change and a new external filter. Yay! |
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Post by Brian5581 on Jun 27, 2024 20:55:47 GMT -5
I've opened the windows. Fresh Air! It feels so good. NEPA has been in a heatwave for the last 5(?) days and I'm tired of AC prison - LOL. No ma’am. Air conditioning is simply amongst the best inventions ever. You can keep your fresh air until November… Bam! So, to recap, the vehicle suffered total transmission failure at 296,300 mi, I ended up drilling a hole in the transmission and tapping it for a plug, now I'm about $100 in with fluids and filters and we crossed 300,000 tonight. If I figure 296,300 is the actual end-of-life and the $100 was to milk it out to 300k, that means I'm now driving a free car and every day is extra. I figured for its birthday I would give it another trans fluid change and a new external filter. Yay! Congratulations on 300,000! Damn impressive. Not something I ever would even come close to attempting. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jun 30, 2024 0:53:02 GMT -5
Well 100 miles into 300,000 miles and the car is out-of-service. I kept noticing this puddle on the ground under where the a/c drips, except I knew it was different. I checked it and sure enough it was the unique clear antifreeze. So I'm looking at the plastic expansion tank / coolant reservoir and the hose connection just pretty much breaks off. There's a date code on the plastic tank that says October 1999 so, well I can't complain.
Removed the part, plugged the hoses enough so I can start it and move it to another part of the driveway, ordered new part off ebay for a total of $22 and put insurance on that 98 Honda I just bought. I had different plans for the evening but what do you do. Luckily I caught the leaking plastic part because if that hose connection had gave way on the highway, it would have ruined my (or wife's, or both) day and very possibly ruined the engine, right after I was bragging about getting to 300,000.
This reminds me of a story about a Crown Victoria I had, that was sent to the junkyard because a $5 plastic linkage on the transmission broke and killed the trans. That's good engineering right there
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Post by captjacksfamily on Jun 30, 2024 8:04:16 GMT -5
Congrats on 300K! How’s the suspension and steering links holding up? I did a quick scan back through the thread but didn’t see what kind of car it was could you state again?
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Post by bakerworld on Jun 30, 2024 8:31:22 GMT -5
Well 100 miles into 300,000 miles and the car is out-of-service. I kept noticing this puddle on the ground under where the a/c drips, except I knew it was different. I checked it and sure enough it was the unique clear antifreeze. So I'm looking at the plastic expansion tank / coolant reservoir and the hose connection just pretty much breaks off. There's a date code on the plastic tank that says October 1999 so, well I can't complain. Removed the part, plugged the hoses enough so I can start it and move it to another part of the driveway, ordered new part off ebay for a total of $22 and put insurance on that 98 Honda I just bought. I had different plans for the evening but what do you do. Luckily I caught the leaking plastic part because if that hose connection had gave way on the highway, it would have ruined my (or wife's, or both) day and very possibly ruined the engine, right after I was bragging about getting to 300,000. This reminds me of a story about a Crown Victoria I had, that was sent to the junkyard because a $5 plastic linkage on the transmission broke and killed the trans. That's good engineering right there I can't help thinking that you drive looks like a used/surplus vehicle lot. LOL. Hopefully you have a really large garage. |
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Post by Adelard of Bath on Jul 3, 2024 14:40:14 GMT -5
Congrats on 300K! How’s the suspension and steering links holding up? I did a quick scan back through the thread but didn’t see what kind of car it was could you state again? It is a 2000 Volvo V70. I have recently replaced just about all of the front suspension, the back could use new shock absorbers I think but given the transmission, I don't plan on doing that. |
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