Random Thoughts Thread

[ocnblu]

3 hours ago, dfelt said:

Who knew, the Prowler was originally built using a Wrangler body for testing the mule. Called the Prangler.

 

https://www.thedrive.com/news/31826/that-should-fit-how-chryslers-legendary-jeep-wrangler-plymouth-prowler-test-car-came-to-be

I did, this is old news to car guys.

[Robert Hall]

1 minute ago, balthazar said:

Mercedes owned the Euro van segment in the U.S..

Then the US brands entered product and now mercedes Commercial --still trying to push a price premium for a cargo box-- is hemorrhaging market share. Ford has killed the sprinter.

Someone a couple streets over from me seems to be getting into the package delivery game...has two late model Sprinter high top cargo vans in his driveway, one dark blue, one white, no markings, temporary tags.

Just now, ocnblu said:

I did, this is old news to car guys.

I remember seeing a pic of it in one of the car magazines decades ago..

[ocnblu]

Did anyone ever get the feeling they should shed as much debt as possible, as quickly as possible?

[balthazar]

'84 toyoter, 120K miles. "The more things change...." : 

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, ocnblu said:

I did, this is old news to car guys.

Considering I have never seen one in the wild on the west coast and only at the autoshow, I guess it is an East coast auto. ? 

12 minutes ago, balthazar said:

'84 toyoter, 120K miles. "The more things change...." : 

Toyota Quality! ? 

[balthazar]

[ocnblu]

7 hours ago, balthazar said:

'84 toyoter, 120K miles. "The more things change...." : 

Probably eligible for a frame replacement.  Someone should check into it.

[daves87rs]

16 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Speaking of vans, the blue Amazon Prime delivery vans around here tend to be Rams or Ford Transits...but I did spot a Mercedes badged newest generation Sprinter in my driveway this morning...

Most of them tend to be Fords around here as well.....

[ykX]

https://www.hotcars.com/pickups-that-are-notorious-rust-buckets-that-never-rust/

10 Pickups That Are Notorious Rust Buckets

1997 – 1999 Ford F250

2006 Dodge Ram 1500

1997 Chevrolet K2500

2005 – 2015 Mitsubishi L200

2005 - 2008 Nissan Navara D40

2005 - 2010 Toyota Tacoma

2007 - 2008 Toyota Tundra

1999 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71

2014 GMC Sierra SLT

2005 Ford F150

Hmm, I see Chevy and Ford on that list too, not just Toyota ....

[balthazar]

^ “...with only 5000 miles on the dashboard” ?

[trinacriabob]

Here's a YouTube of the QM2 navigating some big North Atlantic swells during the winter with ease.  The background voices seem to be those of UK and US types.  There is probably alcohol involved.  They are not too wigged out by the heavy seas outside.

 

[Robert Hall]

I would like to take a ship across the Atlantic at some point, though not in the winter. 

[G. David Felt]

1 hour ago, Robert Hall said:

I would like to take a ship across the Atlantic at some point, though not in the winter. 

But rock n roll is so much fun. ? 

[Robert Hall]

15 minutes ago, dfelt said:

But rock n roll is so much fun. ? 

I get kind of sea sick riding on the car ferry out to the islands on windy days...

Edited February 21, 2020 by Robert Hall

[balthazar]

Tragic : 

[G. David Felt]

13 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Tragic : 

Wonder what the circumstances were, did they not set their brakes? Seems maybe they were expecting auto parking and just drove on and left it in drive? So weird as it looks very calm. RIP

[ccap41]

2021 F150 sees a little light. 

[G. David Felt]

4 minutes ago, ccap41 said:

2021 F150 sees a little light. 

Wonder how close the EV version will look to this? ?

[balthazar]

^ Its not bad, but it certainly appears to have ditched a lot of the 'big truck' look.
Feels sorta like 1997 2.0.

[G. David Felt]

47 minutes ago, balthazar said:

^ Its not bad, but it certainly appears to have ditched a lot of the 'big truck' look.
Feels sorta like 1997 2.0.

I do not see 1997 myself in this truck.

[oldshurst442]

On 2/20/2020 at 3:55 PM, surreal1272 said:

Nothing like snow in the south to make me miss the desert lol. 

 

 

 

[Robert Hall]

3 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

 

 

Snow is better than sand in that it's just a form of water and eventually goes away.  Sand doesn't. 

Edited February 21, 2020 by Robert Hall

[oldshurst442]

I got a bipolar relationship with both sand and snow.  

I dont dislike sand, but I dont like it either. Yes. It IS course and rough and irritating  and it DOES get everywhere.  But I could live with it EASILY on a beach. I prefer a pebbly beach but you dont have to twist my arms for me to enjoy a nice sandy beach. 

I may not like blowing sand  in Arizona. Especially sandblasting it on my car.  

I HATE snow. I HATE the freezing weather even more.

I LOVE a good 1 foot plus snow storm from time to time. I HATE shoveling it.

I LOVE a good snowball fight. I LOVE skiing. I HATE brushing it off my car. 

I LOVE maple syrup on snow when we go to la cabane a sucre. .  I HATE slush in the springtime.

 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2020 by oldshurst442

[Robert Hall]

22 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

I got a bipolar relationship with both sand and snow.  

I dont dislike sand, but I dont like it either. Yes. It IS course and rough and irritating  and it DOES get everywhere.  But I could live with it EASILY on a beach. I prefer a pebbly beach but you dont have to twist my arms for me to enjoy a nice sandy beach. 

I may not like blowing sand  in Arizona. Especially sandblasting it on my car.  

I HATE snow. I HATE the freezing weather even more.

I LOVE a good 1 foot plus snow storm from time to time. I HATE shoveling it.

I LOVE a good snowball fight. I LOVE skiing. I HATE brushing it off my car. 

I LOVE maple syrup on snow when we go to la cabane a sucre. .  I HATE slush in the springtime.

 

 

 

I enjoy sandy beaches and pebbly beaches (like here on Lake Erie, some are a mix of both).  It's the cold I dislike more than snow.    I really don't mind snow and rain, I don't like driving on ice.   I really don't like it when it's below 20F or so with wind... (this winter has been very mild here in Cleveland, not many nights/days under 20 so far).   

[oldshurst442]

2 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

I enjoy sandy beaches and pebbly beaches (like here on Lake Erie, some are a mix of both).  It's the cold I dislike more than snow.    I really don't mind snow and rain, I don't like driving on ice.   I really don't like it when it's below 20F or so with wind... (this winter has been very mild here in Cleveland, not many nights/days under 20 so far).   

Exactly THAT myself!!!

[oldshurst442]

On 2/20/2020 at 6:35 PM, trinacriabob said:

Say a person is interested in regular passenger cars, including sports cars, and NOT crossovers,  SUVs, and trucks, what might be on the exhibit floors at the various auto shows this year?  I don't think much.  What else can you think of besides the mid-engine Corvette? 

I did the Montreal autoshow sooooo quickly this year.

In and out in a record 40 minutes.

Saw the new C8 Vette.  There were three.  A coupe on a rotating thing center stage showcased for Chevrolet.  A roadster and a Targa coupe on the floor.  We couldnt get to sit inside them.  We couldnt even touch them as there were ropes around each.  

I did stay there a few minutes gawking...

Went to Cadillac. Saw the CT4-V and CT5-V. sat inside those.  I loved both.  

Ferrari. There was a Superfast 812, a 458 Pista of some sort and the other Ferrari I forgot what model it was. Like I dont remember what it was.  Anyway. I stayed there a few minutes as well as I was mesmerized by all three.  All three with that fiery Ferrari red colour.

Lamborghini had several models.  Nothing that caught my eye as Ive seen them before with previous shows I have attended.

McLaren had several models too. Including the new GT thingy. Saw the GT one quickly. It was OK. I prefer the Vette and Ferraris over the GT McLaren. Ove ANY McLaren really.  Awesome machines. Boring exteriors.  

The Ford GT500 was there. Like the Vette C8, there was a rope around it.  I was surprised that I like it. In pictures, I dont like the front fascia. In person its GORGEOUS!!!

Both Hellcats were there. One Challenger Red Eye wide body and one Challenger regular Hellcat. sat in the Red Eye for a few minutes.

I took my time looking at the NSX. Love the NSX too.

And...that was it!

By passed BMW. By passed Mercedes, Audi, Buick...every other car maker seemed like a waste of time for me...

Even Aston Martin I by passed. THAT was a shocker to me as I ALWAYS stare at those for a few minutes...

[frogger]

Our tentative plan to reduce winter exposure is January to mid-March in Portugal/Spain/Greece once retired, spring and early fall trips to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, some Southeast Asia. Just have to be frugal to make it happen within the next ten years.

 

 

[balthazar]

[oldshurst442]

Meant to write regular Charger Hellcat...

2 hours ago, frogger said:

Our tentative plan to reduce winter exposure is January to mid-March in Portugal/Spain/Greece once retired, spring and early fall trips to Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, some Southeast Asia. Just have to be frugal to make it happen within the next ten years.

Im planning something similar for the wife and I for when we both reach that age as well.

Edited February 22, 2020 by oldshurst442

[Robert Hall]

11 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

I did the Montreal autoshow sooooo quickly this year.

In and out in a record 40 minutes.

 

It can take that long to get out of the parking lot at the Cleveland show...I find if I rush i can see everything I want to see in an hour or so, 2 hours if I don't rush as much.  There usually is a huge section of vintage cars on display which were more interesting than the new cars section last year.   The I-X Center where they hold it is a huge venue. 

[Robert Hall]

At the Cleveland auto show.  Been here an hour.  Leaving soon.  Crowds seem thinner than the last two years.  Could be the nice weather.

Nice Camaro ZL1 in the parking lot 

 

The Corvette looks great in person...looks so huge...so wide..

 

So massive...the top of the bed on the Silverado HD High Country comes to the top of my shoulder. 

New Yukon Denali looks good. 

 

Challenger R/T Scat Pack wide body. 

Charger R/T Daytona

 

Grand Cherokee Limited.  Not much changed from my '14.

 

Mustang Mach E.  Very Tesla-esque.

Edited February 22, 2020 by Robert Hall

[Robert Hall]

More auto show pics. 

The humungous Ram 5500 cab n' chassis.

 

Sprinter high top in black..they really need an AMG Black Series version.

BMW 8 series...the German Mustang

 

CT4

 

CT5-v C-pillar 

 

CT5-v

CT5

2020 Escalade

Audi A5..nice to see someone still building coupes.

Lexus LC cabrio

Love this green on the Lexus LC..great interior

Supra GR with a beeg wing..

Kia Seltos w/ off road trim

Edited February 22, 2020 by Robert Hall

[Robert Hall]

Auto show oldies on display.  Some repeats from last year. 

'70 Olds 442

 

'69 Mustang Mach 1

'68 Olds 442

 

Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

 

'73 Dodge Charger

'73 Buick Regal

 

'70 Mustang 

'67 Buick Wildcat

 

'67 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

 

'67 Cadillac Coupe de Ville

'83 Olds Cutlass Hurst Olds

Buick Riviera

'70 Torino GT

Buick Riviera

'67 Ford Galaxie convertible.  Had original paint w/ some patina

'64 Buick

'65 Pontiac Grand Prix w/ tri power

'65 Dodge 

 

'72 Chevelle  

 

72 GTO

Edited February 23, 2020 by Robert Hall

[balthazar]

Most all the new stuff looks the same; homogenized. BMW could well be a Camaro from the rear.

[Robert Hall]

7 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Most all the new stuff looks the same; homogenized. BMW could well be a Camaro from the rear.

so many CUVs of all shapes and sizes... so many shades of gray interiors.   

[balthazar]

That last blue GTO has the 'unobtanium' 'ducktail' spoiler. Reputedly, the mold to cast these broke on the first day and was not replaced, so technically there was no rear spoiler option for '72. A few originals made it out, and repros are available.

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, balthazar said:

That last blue GTO has the 'unobtanium' 'ducktail' spoiler. Reputedly, the mold to cast these broke on the first day and was not replaced, so technically there was no rear spoiler option for '72. A few originals made it out, and repros are available.

I don't recall ever seeing one of these in person.. should have read the sign board with it.  Was getting tired at that point. 

[balthazar]

I've never seen one in person either, but '72s are pretty low production; 5807 built.

[ocnblu]

No Trailblazer??

[Robert Hall]

1 minute ago, ocnblu said:

No Trailblazer??

I should have taken a pic..there were two;  a bronze one w/ white roof one and all black one.  They look good, a bit larger than the Trax.  Didn't notice the pricing.   But did notice the pricing on the top models of the Trax, Equinox and Blazer--$30k, $41k and $51k respectively for the Premier trims.

[balthazar]

[ocnblu]

1 hour ago, balthazar said:

I worked for this organization for 3.5 years at their Lancaster location.

[balthazar]

Guessing it didn't look quite so snazzy there/then.

[ocnblu]

They bought out Wiggins Chevy at the corner of Harrisburg Pike and President Ave, which had been there for decades.  They built a new place out off Rohrerstown Road and Rt 30.  The old Chevy dealer is now a plumbing/heating business in front, and an independent auto service shop in the back.  A separate service/parts building down the block has since been torn down to make way for a waste management facility.

[balthazar]

[G. David Felt]

Such a W I D E Ass!

[ocnblu]

So, the Hyundai Venue, it seems decent for a cheap car laden with features.

My mom is driving me nuts trying to help her choose her next car.

 

[riviera74]

8 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

So, the Hyundai Venue, it seems decent for a cheap car laden with features.

My mom is driving me nuts trying to help her choose her next car.

 

What is she looking for in her next car?

11 hours ago, balthazar said:

Disc brakes.  Best thing to happen in cars . . . . possibly ever. 

[ocnblu]

8 minutes ago, riviera74 said:

What is she looking for in her next car?

A high-riding hatchback.  Her choices are Nissan Kicks, Kia Soul and Hyundai Venue.  She also wants orange paint if she can get it.  That lets Venue and base Kicks out (nice Monarch Orange is only available on higher trim models), but she likes the Apple Green on the Venue.  The Honda Fit LX in Orange Fury might work, if she can get in and out OK.  Orange Fits are few and far between, and she won't be swayed to the cheaper Honda ($17,790 for LX) unless possibly I can find an orange one nearby.  She also likes alloy wheels, which lets the base models of all of the above out.  She opened a "car savings account", but I will need to help her again for the third time.  It's going to be new, and a lease.

[riviera74]

1 hour ago, ocnblu said:

A high-riding hatchback.  Her choices are Nissan Kicks, Kia Soul and Hyundai Venue.  She also wants orange paint if she can get it.  That lets Venue and base Kicks out (nice Monarch Orange is only available on higher trim models), but she likes the Apple Green on the Venue.  The Honda Fit LX in Orange Fury might work, if she can get in and out OK.  Orange Fits are few and far between, and she won't be swayed to the cheaper Honda ($17,790 for LX) unless possibly I can find an orange one nearby.  She also likes alloy wheels, which lets the base models of all of the above out.  She opened a "car savings account", but I will need to help her again for the third time.  It's going to be new, and a lease.

Has she considered a Chevy Trax?  If the new Blazer will be in orange, so should the Trax.