http://community.cartalk.com/categories/general-discussion/feed.rss Wed, 16 May 2012 12:44:14 +0000 General Discussion - Car Talk en-CA http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285235/how-about-honest-repair-shop-experiences-now Wed, 16 May 2012 06:12:37 +0000 Bing 2285235@/discussions
One that comes to mind for me was back around 1968 when I was on my 200 mile trip back to school in my VW bug. About 100 miles out just outside of St. James, MN, my clutch wouldn't engage. I hobbled to the nearest gas station (back when mechanics worked at gas stations), and the guy put it up on the lift. He pulled on the clutch cable and freed it, lubed it, and it worked fine. Total cost was $1 and about 15 minutes of my time. I was a kid, out of town, knew not much about cars, but was treated right when I could have been taken advantage of.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285188/legal-ripoff Mon, 14 May 2012 08:52:44 +0000 kmccune 2285188@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285187/what-car-to-buy-prius-v-or-vw-jetta-tdi Mon, 14 May 2012 05:01:14 +0000 MarionTrink 2285187@/discussions Thank you for any advice you can give me. I made the mistake of test driving the 2 vehicles and the salesmen won't stop calling me- very irritating.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285221/what-kind-of-car Tue, 15 May 2012 19:29:45 +0000 taylartot 2285221@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285169/has-a-repair-shop-ever-outright-lied-to-you Sun, 13 May 2012 00:25:11 +0000 GeorgeSanJose 2285169@/discussions
Something like that happened to me one time. I had a -- coincidentally -- a VW, and I was almost certain there was a problem with the fuel pump relay. The car would stop running for no reason. Stall while I was driving it. I'd have to wait anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to get it to go again.

I had been there to the shop one time before for this problem. The first time the shop manager denied there was any problem with the fuel pump relay, and sent me away with a fuel cleaning treatment bill. But the car of course stalled the following week, stranding me on the side of the freeway. So I made an appointment with the shop the next day. Before I took the car to the shop, I marked the fuel pump relay with a deep scratch. When I picked the car up, the manager said the car ran fine, and continued to insist the relay was ok. When I got in the car, I pulled ther relay, and NO SCRATCH! The relay had been replaced with a new one! No wonder the car ran fine! I took the relay in and showed it to the manager, and he said it was the same one that was there when I brought the car into the shop! He had no explanation about what happened to the scratch.

Anyway, has a repair shop ever outright lied to you?

]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285150/baltimore-grand-prix-really Sat, 12 May 2012 01:01:49 +0000 jtsanders 2285150@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285224/any-problems-buying-a-car-in-one-state-and-transferring-to-another-state Tue, 15 May 2012 23:38:04 +0000 golfdawg11 2285224@/discussions
Bottomline, I told her when she wants to buy one, that I can search here, email her all the ones within her mileage/price parameters, go check out the ones she likes, and then buy one for cash. I know she would forward me the money, and I would have to title it in my name (I assume). Then, I would drive it back to her in MS, and I just ask her to buy me a one-way airline ticket back to Houston.

I think, even when she has to register it in MS, she will save $2,000-$2,500, even after paying taxes on it again in MS. And I assume I can just sign the title over to her. I have bought a car out of state before and done this, fly there, picked it up at the airport, drove it home, and then just paid the taxes on it.

Anyone see any problem with this? Any steps I am missing or problems with doing this? Thanks in advance.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285232/must-porsche-cayenne-suv-use-premium-gasoline-at-5200-ft Wed, 16 May 2012 03:51:16 +0000 Robert Gift 2285232@/discussions I suggested that she GENTLY accelerate, not "floor it" as it sounds that she does.
At Denver's altitude, can she use regular?
Denver's octane ratings are 85, 87, 89.
Thank you.]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2284884/pollution-abatement-who-cares Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:26:15 +0000 jtsanders 2284884@/discussions #-ft of torque. That's amazing. We've come a long way, and it seems to me to be a great time for automobiles. What do you think?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285198/my-dad-suggests-i-go-back-to-school-to-learn-how-to-either-repair-appliances-or-cars Mon, 14 May 2012 16:11:09 +0000 katidid79 2285198@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285021/interesting-story-on-electric-cars Sat, 05 May 2012 01:17:06 +0000 jtsanders 2285021@/discussions
So, who's the smart guy and who's the dope? They all made some colossal mistakes. I think that they are all pretty bright. They did the best they could and didn't let failures get in the way of their desire to get it right - eventually. Only Bob Lutz was forced to retire. BTW, he hates retirement.

Did anyone else see this documentary? What do you think?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285016/ethics-friends-other-liabilities Fri, 04 May 2012 18:13:44 +0000 Beartracker 2285016@/discussions
At lunch today, my friend was praising his daughter's initiative at submitting my repair receipts to BMW for reimbursement for the repairs that I had paid for before she bought the car. He also told me that she asked him if she should share the reimbursement money with me, to which he said, "No, you need the money more than he does." Yes, she is in her late 20's and still lives with her parents.

I don't REALLY need the $600, and if I got it, it would have been a windfall and I would give it to charity. Also, my friendship with her father is worth more than $600.

So, my questions are,

A) Will BMW reimburse her as the current owner of the vehicle, even though all of the repair receipts are in my name?
2) Ethically, to whom does the reimbursement rightfully belong?

Sincerely,

Baertracker]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2284993/does-anyone-care-to-elaborate Thu, 03 May 2012 09:07:41 +0000 kmccune 2284993@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285157/long-distance-summer-journey Sat, 12 May 2012 14:08:23 +0000 Margravemark 2285157@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285145/rip-carol-shelby Fri, 11 May 2012 21:49:44 +0000 gsragtop 2285145@/discussions
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/12/sports/carroll-shelby-builder-of-cobra-sports-car-dies-at-89.html

]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285162/towing-a-trailer-with-a-bmw-525i Sat, 12 May 2012 14:47:10 +0000 DasBeemer 2285162@/discussions
Any thoughts or warnings?]]> http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285180/wheel-fit Sun, 13 May 2012 20:07:19 +0000 Boater274 2285180@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2285118/can-an-outback-handle-a-steep-dirt-road-in-winter Thu, 10 May 2012 17:04:15 +0000 cygnus 2285118@/discussions http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2284943/the-best-all-purpose-cheap-car Tue, 01 May 2012 00:58:19 +0000 TheTricoleur 2284943@/discussions
I'm in a band and often need at least a wagon to haul gear, or haul a 4-5 people, move small furniture, and get my photo gear and an assistant somewhere relatively remote. I also would like to take the car out across the country. I'm sick of renting. The only decent rentals I had were the Toyota Sienna (newer ones are too expensive), and the Ford Escape (this car disguised as SUV seems impure).

What car/truck is the best combination of cargo room, gas mileage, reliability, and cost of maintenance?
And is having an American car truly more important once I am out away from metropolitan areas? I grew up in the Northeast where American, German, and Asian cars all lived harmoniously.

Does the safety of a passenger car for everyday driving cost too much compared to the utility of a van or capped pickup?

I am going to be buying used, around $5k, and most likely purchasing in NYC or on a mini road trip down to warmer climates.

I do not expect the car/truck to be good looking, nice smelling or desirable. I want an auto that I can go on adventures with. Age and mileage can be whatever, as long as there is some life to be had from the car.

I've thought of a buying a beat up Ford Taurus wagon, Nissan Quest minivan, Dodge Caravan, boxy old Toyota 4Runners, For Econoline vans. All seem like good choices but they all sacrifice something. Is the Chevy AWD Astrovan my soul mate? Is an old and beat up Honda Element going to cost me extra time and money if I break down in Montana (being a Japanese car)? Is a Subaru Legacy wagon going just keep going like a glacier? Is a giant boat mobile Cadillac that seats 6 the coolest thing ever(yes)? Is a manual rear wheel drive Volvo 240 the car that sees Mount Washington and San Francisco in the same month?

I love driving a manual, had one for years. Maybe a really busted old BMW 3 series wagon?]]>