Car Talk

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Jono

Manual for LIFE!!!! I will never buy an automatic vehicle as long as I can move my left leg. Automatics suck! For many reasons. Manuals are just so much fun! And us manual drivers are a dying breed.

Well never say never. My girlfriend felt the same way until her commute changed. Daily rush hour traffic on the hills of san francisco will have a huge impact on your mindset.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Originally Posted by DarC

With those as the only stipulations I would go with a Ford GT..and I would probably run a compound turbo+s/c by the end of things. Me and modular fords go wayyyy back.

Are you referring to Ford's supercar, the Ford GT? Or are you talking about a Ford Mustang GT? I wouldn't mind either one if I could afford them.

[Jono]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Well never say never. My girlfriend felt the same way until her commute changed. Daily rush hour traffic on the hills of san francisco will have a huge impact on your mindset.

I don't live in San Fran and don't plan to. So hopefully I will never have that problem. Oh and many new manual cars now have Hill Start Assist for people like your girlfriend. I don't have problems with hills. I don't get why people are scared of them when they first drive a manual car. It is a great way to feel the clutch. IMO.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Jono

I don't live in San Fran and don't plan to. So hopefully I will never have that problem. Oh and many new manual cars now have Hill Start Assist for people like your girlfriend. I don't have problems with hills. I don't get why people are scared of them when they first drive a manual car. It is a great way to feel the clutch. IMO.

It's not a matter of clutch control. We're both able to drive the hills with no problem in a standard without rolling backwards. It's more about being able to relax a little bit on the way home after a 10 hour day. The hill assist is just a safety feature I think. Not something to rely on. Even most new automatics have passive hill assist on >5% grade.

We both still prefer to drive 5 speed, but it loses the its appeal when you're just fighting traffic and not having fun in the twisties.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

I understand where you're coming from, @CynicalC, but I still love manuals, even when I'm dealing with stop & go traffic.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

It's more about being able to relax a little bit on the way home after a 10 hour day.

+1. My car is a manual, and I'll continue to buy 'em as long as I'm not commuting in traffic each day. A few weeks back I had to drive into SF, and was stuck on 1st street heading uphill to the bridge, for > 45 minutes. Stop and go uphill a few feet at a time to go 1/4 mile in 45 minutes? The most ardent manual fans will want to put a bullet in their brain as well.

The best car for that is one with automatic cruise control that works down to zero mph and creeps along in traffic with the car in front. Anyone own one with that feature yet?

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by DarC

With those as the only stipulations I would go with a Ford GT..and I would probably run a compound turbo+s/c by the end of things. Me and modular fords go wayyyy back.

Speaking of "modular fords," check this out!

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/ford-rei...5-mustang.html

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Alex

+1. My car is a manual, and I'll continue to buy 'em as long as I'm not commuting in traffic each day. A few weeks back I had to drive into SF, and was stuck on 1st street heading uphill to the bridge, for > 45 minutes. Stop and go uphill a few feet at a time to go 1/4 mile in 45 minutes? The most ardent manual fans will want to put a bullet in their brain as well.

The best car for that is one with automatic cruise control that works down to zero mph and creeps along in traffic with the car in front. Anyone own one with that feature yet?

You mean one that senses the distance between you and the car in front of you and keeps up with it? Or just regular old cruise control that lets you creep at 1mph?

[Alex]

The former. It was one of the lux brands that was supposed to come out with it last year. Basically "traffic mode". Stay 3 feet off the bumper of the car in front of you automatically with no driver input until speeds reach 15 mph (or thereabouts).

Here is BMW's system. Not quite the full package, as if the stop is more than 3 seconds, you have to hit the accelerator to get it moving again. I wonder if there is a cheat code to get it to ignore that time restriction.

Here is Delphi's system, which sounds very close to BMW's system. Also may require input to get the car moving again after a full stop.

[Heed]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

You are fighting a losing battle. Your claims are a bit absurd.

You can have a perfect launch in a manual just the same as an automatic. And your claims about emissions need to be backed up.

It's not a claim. It's a concrete fact.

Originally Posted by Alex

I've heard the emissions issue with manuals come up more than a few times. When the engine goes from load to completely no load (with the clutch disengaged), the nitrous oxides and other contaminants go up to very high levels for that short time period. As the emissions controls get more and more stringent, that is starting to become an issue.

basically this^

[THE BIG SITT]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Link to original page on YouTube.

Ok while you guys were having your little discussion, I watched this video three times. The first time, I was in shock. The second time, I went to the bathroom afterward to grab a towel. The third time, I was like the guy in the background. Then I laid in bed and smoked a cig.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by Heed

It's not a claim. It's a concrete fact.

Do you have a source on this? Because even if the emissions are higher, I can't see them being them high enough to not meet emissions standards when there are still 35+ year old cars on the road that do.

[rockNroll]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Do you have a source on this? Because even if the emissions are higher, I can't see them being them high enough to not meet emissions standards when there are still 35+ year old cars on the road that do.

A 35 year old car does not have to meet the same emission output requirements that a 5 year old car does. The requirements change through the model years. You do get runs of several model years that have the same requirements as they have to meet the current standards of the time and the standards don't change every year. Often times vehicles are made meeting future standards not yet implemented. I have no links for you, sorry. I used to do emissions testing and used to interact with the EPA.

Auto vs standard for emissions is too open of a question. Neither wins with just that information, there are a lot of variables.

[Lil_Green_Demon]

What's everyone's dream car? I guess that's a good car topic, right?


For me, this is a tough question to answer.
I love the Honda S2000. I've owned two in the past, & if I'm able to keep my money right, I should have a 3rd in a few years.
The Ferrari F50 & Enzo are both cars I'd love to own.
Pretty much anything exotic, from Aston Martin down to Lotus, I'd love to own.
If there is only ONE car, though, can I can choose as my all-time favorite, I'll give that nod to either the S2000 CR or Lotus Exige S260.
I've driven a Lotus Elise SC before & it was amazing. I can only imagine the Exige must be much better.

[Heed]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

Do you have a source on this? Because even if the emissions are higher, I can't see them being them high enough to not meet emissions standards when there are still 35+ year old cars on the road that do.

If you're interested in automotive business you probably know who Bob Lutz is. If not, he's the former Vice Chairman of GM and has one hell of a resume.

8:38-

Link to original page on YouTube.

But by 2016, emission regulations are going to be so much more strict than they are today. You can count on that.

Originally Posted by rockNroll

A 35 year old car does not have to meet the same emission output requirements that a 5 year old car does.

This is correct.

You might have noticed that there are some older Hondas or Toyotas which get especially good gas milage for their age when compared to today's models, and people wonder why the numbers on the sticker haven't improved greatly 35 years later. That's because the bar keeps being raised.

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

What's everyone's dream car? I guess that's a good car topic, right?


For me, this is a tough question to answer.
I love the Honda S2000. I've owned two in the past, & if I'm able to keep my money right, I should have a 3rd in a few years.
The Ferrari F50 & Enzo are both cars I'd love to own.
Pretty much anything exotic, from Aston Martin down to Lotus, I'd love to own.
If there is only ONE car, though, can I can choose as my all-time favorite, I'll give that nod to either the S2000 CR or Lotus Exige S260.
I've driven a Lotus Elise SC before & it was amazing. I can only imagine the Exige must be much better.

It's a tough question for me too. There's just too many -- I can't pick an absolute favorite. I prefer Jaguars to Aston's, though. :P

[Lil_Green_Demon]

Originally Posted by Heed

It's a tough question for me too. There's just too many -- I can't pick an absolute favorite. I prefer Jaguars to Aston's, though. :P

If you're referring to the Jaguar XK, it's pretty much a knock off of the newer Aston Martins.

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

If you're referring to the Jaguar XK, it's pretty much a knock off of the newer Aston Martins.

Same designer =/= knockoff

[DarC]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

Are you referring to Ford's supercar, the Ford GT? Or are you talking about a Ford Mustang GT? I wouldn't mind either one if I could afford them.

The 5.4L mid rear Ferrari killer of course

I've already done pretty much every naughty thing you can do to a Mustang GT

[Heed]

Ford, GM, or Chrysler?

I like Ford.

GM seems to be getting their asses in gear so to speak.

And Chrysler still sucks.

[DarC]

I agree, lol. It depends on what it is for my favorite. I used to be a die hard Ford guy until I started test driving cars for fun on Saturdays in college.

Ford: Mustang (all years...even the sucky ones) and trucks, and surprisingly the Focus (did some autocross in a s/c'd Focus in Germany...super fun!)

GM: Gotta say I am a Corvette fan.

Chrysler: wtf

I also am a big fan of Audi, Volvo, Nissan, and am impressed with the NEW Hyundai.

I've owned all the above except the Chrysler....duh.

[Heed]

Yeah, I used to doubt Hyundai but they improved quite a lot.

[THE BIG SITT]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Genisis Coupe 3.8 was my next car... Sweet car and a great price!

[Heed]

Originally Posted by THE BIG SITT

I wouldn't be surprised if the Genisis Coupe 3.8 was my next car... Sweet car and a great price!

The 2.0 has 210 horsepower.. Not bad for 2 liters.

[THE BIG SITT]

Originally Posted by Heed

The 2.0 has 210 horsepower.. Not bad for 2 liters.

And my Mazda 3 with a 2.5 only pushes out 167 :/.... Embarrassing!

[Lil_Green_Demon]

GM & Ford have really revved up their games, but Chrysler just seems to be putt-putting along at a much slower pace.

[CynicalC]

Originally Posted by THE BIG SITT

And my Mazda 3 with a 2.5 only pushes out 167 :/.... Embarrassing!

Forced induction is one hell of a thing.

[THE BIG SITT]

Oh yeah! I forgot the GenCoupe 2.0 was turbocharged...

[CZroe]

I've always owned manuals and I enjoy the fact that they are cheaper and let you have more fun.

[PsychoNinja]

I've owned 4 Automatics, 1 Dual-Clutch, and 2 Manual cars and I enjoy the Manual cars the most and the Dual-Clutch second most. Only complaint with driving Manual is heavy, stop and go traffic.

Dual-Clutch is nice, but expensive to repair/replace if anything goes wrong with it.

[PsychoNinja]

Originally Posted by Lil_Green_Demon

What's everyone's dream car? I guess that's a good car topic, right?

Depending on the type of car, my dream car(s) are the following:

Exotic:
Lamborghini Murcielago or Aventador LP 700-4

Luxury:
Bentley Continental GT

Sport: (This is a tough one)
Corvette Z06 or Corvette ZR1
Nissan GT-R
Mitsubishi Evolution X GSR
Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4

Muscle:
Camaro SS or Camaro ZL1

[Lil_Green_Demon]

^^^What's your favorite minivan?

[PsychoNinja]

LOL

I guess I don't have a dream minivan.

Give me a 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited instead!

[Heed]

Forget a mini van.

Just get me a 3/4 ton Silverado and I'll be able to haul anything I'd ever need.

[Heed]

What are your guy's thoughts on trucks?

I know it's a long time from now, but I think I might want to buy one eventually long after buying a Ninja.

Would probably be a good idea for the winter and for hauling parts and whatnot.

IDK why, I always wanted a truck but there's no practical reason why I should now. They just look fun and manly. O.o


3/4 ton trucks - Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?

People say Dodge is only good for their trucks, but I hear RAMs have terrible transmissions, though.

I like Ford and Silverados seem alright.

[THE BIG SITT]

Originally Posted by Heed

What are your guy's thoughts on trucks?

I know it's a long time from now, but I think I might want to buy one eventually long after buying a Ninja.

Would probably be a good idea for the winter and for hauling parts and whatnot.

IDK why, I always wanted a truck but there's no practical reason why I should now. They just look fun and manly. O.o


3/4 ton trucks - Ford, Chevy, or Dodge?

People say Dodge is only good for their trucks, but I hear RAMs have terrible transmissions, though.

I like Ford and Silverados seem alright.

As far as I know, Dodge's reputation for poor transmissions has been fixed in the recent history. I've heard their new trucks are much better in that particular field.

With that being said, the transmission in my 2000 Durango went out with less than 115k, and was starting to slip when I sold it with ~130k.

[THE BIG SITT]

P.S.- Check this out:

http://autocarsmodified.com/2011/10/...in-hd-concept/

[DarC]

Trucks wise...I like Ford but Chevy also has a very nice truck. My brother drives a new ext. cab. silverado 4x4 and it's a very nice cage on roids. It would probably come down to interior comfort, colors, and price, otherwise they are both great performers. I've had F150 lariat and still have, albeit back home, a 99 F-150 V6 with 200K+ miles on it....still kickin.

Dodge...well I had a friend with a new Dodge with the bells and whistles and it still felt like a...well Dodge. They feel cheap, look OK, but just don't do it for me.

[CynicalC]

NSFW.

Who likes drifting?
http://www.yapfiles.ru/show/307936/7...6b72d.flv.html

[DarC]

Originally Posted by CynicalC

NSFW.

Who likes drifting?
http://www.yapfiles.ru/show/307936/7...6b72d.flv.html

THAT, my good sir, is full of win.

[CynicalC]