http://community.cartalk.com/categories/general-discussion/feed.rss Thu, 23 May 2013 22:02:46 +0000 General Discussion - Car Talk en-CA http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292412/what-do-you-think-about-fords-ecoboost-problem Sat, 18 May 2013 19:29:16 +0000 General Discussion jtsanders 2292412@/discussions
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/05/16/ford-ecoboost-engine-problems/2168865/
]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292473/oklahoma-tornado-devastation Tue, 21 May 2013 17:13:09 +0000 General Discussion Triedaq 2292473@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292507/need-a-tiny-reliable-city-car Thu, 23 May 2013 15:50:18 +0000 General Discussion StormFireKitty 2292507@/discussions /del> Seattle...

And now my beloved '93 Toyota T100 is far too large for the narrow streets, and impossible to parallel park.

I need advice on a very small, easy to park, incredibly reliable car. I'd prefer to stay with Toyota if I can (every non-Toyota I've ever driven was a maintenance nightmare), and am eyeing something in the late 90's, early 00's (used enough that I'm not fretting about cart-dings, new enough that I'm not expecting to replace the engine and/or tranny any minute now).

The problem is that it seems like there is a gap in that age range for a tiny hatchback. The Tercel hatchback was discontinued in 1991, and the Yaris hatchback didn't debut until 2005.

Edited to add:
I commute with mass transit, and just need something for running errands to places the bus doesn't go easily, and for picking up groceries heavy enough that I don't want to shlep them on the bus]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292352/1997-accord-catching-its-breath Wed, 15 May 2013 23:58:38 +0000 General Discussion Lilred 2292352@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292503/brake-noise Thu, 23 May 2013 08:33:53 +0000 General Discussion MKMD 2292503@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292501/who-killed-the-sealed-beam-headlamp Thu, 23 May 2013 00:37:16 +0000 General Discussion WheresRick 2292501@/discussions
Sure at first Composite headlamps are brighter but in MY experience the edge only lasts as little as 1-3 years. It doesnt take long for the polycarbonate lenses to get faded or blasted by road debris to the point they underperform the old standby, the sealed beam.

I remember in the good ol days you could get a new sealed beam for 4.99 at an Osco. Sure the stryling advantages of the composite cant be argued, and there are some headlamps like the honda crx and my caprice which have glass lenses that last a long time, but really, I liked the sealed beams.

Yes I know they make restoration kits, but restoration is for 68 camaros, not 2 year old headlamps.


Opinions, Debates?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292455/too-old-to-drive Mon, 20 May 2013 21:18:45 +0000 General Discussion cwatkin 2292455@/discussions
The same thing happened at a local liquor store. It was an older guy and he hit the gas thinking it was the brake so he pushed it harder. He burned out and plowed right through the front of the store. Unfortunately a liquor distributor was inside stocking and his legs were badly crushed. I happened to stop at this place a few days after it had happened and the had it open with plywood over the front of the building. I told the owner that the fellow must have had way too much to drink. He said it was early in the morning and that the guy had NOTHING to drink as they tested him at the accident scene. He was simply too old too drive. Again, there were prominent skid marks leading right into the front of the store so he must have really burned out.

Anyway, who else has seen similar problems like this? It seems people become unable to drive well and are unaware that they are a hazard to themselves and others who use the road.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2291005/carfax-exposed-by-abcs-2020 Sat, 16 Mar 2013 03:54:42 +0000 General Discussion MG McAnick 2291005@/discussions CARFAX does not know everything about every accident any given car may have been in. It is unfortunate that many people think CARFAX is in-fallible. Tonight on 2020, ABC proved it beyond a shadow of a doubt. Here is a link to the segment. http://abcnews.go.com/Business/trust-car-fox-hidden-camera-shows-clean-carfax/story?id=18731208 ]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292497/seeking-recommendations-for-quiet-awd-wagon-or-suv-with-low-road-noise Wed, 22 May 2013 19:41:48 +0000 General Discussion haricot 2292497@/discussions
I'm thinking what I need is a car with a lot of insulation in the wheel wells and undercarriage, plus low noise tires. I need a wagon or SUV (becuase I have a dog that sheds that I like to keep out of the passenger compartment) and AWD (because I regularly drive to a cabin where the roads are often icy.)

I am having a really hard time finding reliable information on noise levels anywhere online.

What would you recommend?

Thanks!

J]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292339/mpg-changes-on-long-trips Wed, 15 May 2013 04:29:07 +0000 General Discussion jxp7280 2292339@/discussions I often take 250 to 600 mile trips and track my MPG between gas fill ups/rest stops about every 2-3 hours.
I use cruise control and maintain the same speed as much as possible on each trip.
What happens is my MPG varies from 16.8 to an all time best, 24 MPG between fill ups.
What could be causing this?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292271/do-small-4-seater-gasoline-airplane-engines-use-a-transmission Sat, 11 May 2013 23:26:53 +0000 General Discussion GeorgeSanJose 2292271@/discussions
Then -- before I could decide one way or the other -- I got to thinking "Do these small 4 passenger airplane engines, like Cessena 172's and the like, do they have transmissions? There's a lot of problems reported here on transmissions, so it seems like a good idea that airplanes wouldn't have them. And I've ridden in a plane like that, and I don't recall any operator control for the transmission.

Just curious, anybody know? Do these small airplane drivetrains have a transmission? Is there even any fixed gearing between the crankshaft and the propeller? Or does the crankshaft simply drive the propeller directly?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292415/the-underappreciated-drum-brake Sat, 18 May 2013 22:28:10 +0000 General Discussion WheresRick 2292415@/discussions
Drum brakes are better in my opinion because......

1. drum brakes are smaller than disc brakes
2. drum brakes don't need a hydraulic system for activation though now they all are hydraulic.
3. disc brakes at the rear axle of the car never reach their "self cleaning temperature". So you have to change the brake pads of disc brakes quite more often than the brake pads of brake drums
4. drum brakes are always dry, even if it's raining (constant brake force)
5. drum brakes are really simple
6. no brake dust on wheels

But you say rick....


What about pedal feel?

Well drum brakes are self actuating so they have a great pedal feel. You need to adjust the drums so there is drag, if the wheel moves freely its too loose.


But drums are soooo heavy.....

Drums are 3 times lighter than discs. Calipers are 4 times heavier than wheel cylinders, and the brake surface area of a drum brake shoe is 6 times larger than a disc pad.


But I like my cross drilled rotors.....

There is a company that will drill your drums with all of the same benefits of disc brakes.



Well they just don't last as long as discs......

I have got 50k miles on drums no problem, and if you need to get a few extra months out of a drum brake you can "trick" the adjuster and scrape by a while. or you can even rotate your shoes if the design allows sometimes getting an extra 10k miles from your shoes.


If drums are so great why dont big trucks use them?

Most big trucks use 4 wheel drums to this day.



What about mountains?

Downshift. That easy.



Relining shoes is an expensive propsition......

Well....Diy reline kits are an easy way to using the same brakes for a longer period of time. You can do the process yourself by buying an online brake relining kit or you can ask a technician to do the job for you. The process involves pulling the brake pads off the drum, and then covering the brake shoes with fresh friction material. Asbestos, wool or steel are commonly used to reline the old shoes, and most garages will buy the material in bulk to get a good deal. Internet-based relining kits are affordable too. OR I take my shoes to a shop that will reline them for a case of beer. They will use asbestoes also so they last longer.



If you get a disc brake too hot you will boil the fluid and warp the rotor, I have has a camaro barreling down a mountain pass standing on the brake pedal with smoke rolling out of the drums and once the cooled off they were as good as new. Try that with discs.

Heres to the drum brake! So lets give em a little respect.






]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292269/whats-a-gal-to-do Sat, 11 May 2013 19:44:36 +0000 General Discussion LizNOLA 2292269@/discussions
I have never purchased a car that was newer than 10 years old or cost more than $1500. But, I just retired a debt and got a good job. I am having problems finding the right car. Here are the parameters:

1) I haul a couple of animals (pets) around and am a beginning beekeeper. I have to have room for a couple of boxes and a medium sized dog.
2) I told my self that I would never own a car that did not have room for me get horizontal and sleep. I know, it is weird, but it is a post-Katrina thing due to sleeping several nights sitting upright in my car in a coffee shop parking lot in Baton Rouge. I just need to be able to sleep in my car if I have to. I know, I know. I need therapy. But I still need it. I have a twisted mind.
3) 75% of my driving is under 30 miles. I drive less than 2 miles a day - bike or walk to work. So, an electric car was my thought.
4) I have to be able to evacuate with a couple of boxes and some animals - so I need to get out of the Gulf Coast at least a couple of hundred miles. So, I thought a hybrid would be good.
5) The VOLT is the ugliest car in the world. Why would they put such a good engine idea in a piece of stoopid like the Volt body? I am so miffed that I almost have an activist's mentality about that mistake. Making us buy ugly for a good design inside. Besides I can't sleep in it or haul parts of hives.
6) Toyota does not sell the PHEV Prius along the Gulf. And none of the dealers are interested in the extra work to special order it. Should I just fly to one of the coasts?
7) I have not seen a small pick up that would work and the SUVs with hybrid are usually gas hogs brought back down to reasonable. I loved the Ford Transit but it is either gas engine or EV, not a mixed PHEV. If it was a plug-in hybrid I would jump in one and drive away. I have to have the flexibility to evacuate a long way yet be electric.

Where can I get a small van/truck/car with a flat area in the back that is a PHEV without getting a prototype with no mechanical history? Anyone have a solution? Or am I just another gal with a dream...]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292319/wind-power-costs Tue, 14 May 2013 13:19:19 +0000 General Discussion texases 2292319@/discussions apnews.excite.com/article/20130514/DA692DEG0.html

"And PacifiCorp, which operates coal plants in Wyoming, paid more than $10.5 million in 2009 for electrocuting 232 eagles along power lines and at its substations."

So wind farms should be paying about $3.8 BILLION a year in fines. Actual amount paid? $0.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2287680/hail-to-the-chief Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:06:16 +0000 General Discussion kmccune 2287680@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292395/rubber-band-timing-belt-car-or-a-tough-truck Fri, 17 May 2013 23:06:25 +0000 General Discussion WheresRick 2292395@/discussions
I drive a 2000 silverado and it has 200k miles on it and never had a problem with its chain, and it probably will go another 200k miles. She had been driving my truck to work but it gets 17mpg on highway and last month it cost her over 500 in gas, she says she can get a new car for that money, but as I told her it will be another junk rubber band timing belt car.

So I bought her a 2003 trailblazer because we need 4 wheel drive here in indiana because it snows, and it gets 20mpg. Well as one could expect it has 130k on it and the transmission broke and it will be 2000 to rebuild it. She wants to fix her civic because it will only be 1800 to fix it.

To me saving getting 18mpg better in the civic isnt worth it when it has a junk rubber belt and it doesnt have 4wd. She says it will still cost 400 in gas to drive the trailblazer, well you get what you pay for...... SHould I fix the rubber band car or the truck


rick]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292396/which-is-the-better-car-to-lease-honda-fix-or-honda-civic Fri, 17 May 2013 23:16:52 +0000 General Discussion karencandy 2292396@/discussions
Also, any feedback on leasing....I've never done it before.....

Thank you all!!]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292460/one-more-thing-to-check-off-of-my-bucket-list Mon, 20 May 2013 23:38:59 +0000 General Discussion DrRocket 2292460@/discussions
Anyone else here going?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2292450/hybrids-ford-c-max-se-hybrid Mon, 20 May 2013 19:03:50 +0000 General Discussion VegetableNerd 2292450@/discussions Who can explain this car to me? Will be stuck forever with no where to charge my vehicle because society hasn't caught onto the electric car charging stations yet? Can I charge it with a really long electrical cord running out of my window? Is it worthwhile to buy if I'm only going to run it on a gas until I can live in a place with an electric car charge near buy? I am willing to be that person that shops at Lunds for 3 hours while my car charges... Anyone have pros or cons about this, or any other Hybrid?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2290494/honda-crv-mpg Thu, 21 Feb 2013 14:57:49 +0000 General Discussion eric e 2290494@/discussions
What can I do to help my mpg?]]>