Random Thoughts Thread

[ccap41]

Hey for those of you who do weight lift out there( mostly looking at you dfelt! ) I came across this website who sells wrist wraps and depending on the color/name they donate 20% to the given charity(and the give you a free shirt and shipping). A few of the charities I remember off the top of my head are; Boys and Girls Club of America, Defenders of Wildlife, and E-Nable(make and give free prosthetic limbs to those who cannot afford their own). There are three or 4 more and they give a little description of the charity as well. It's a really cool idea. The wraps are a little pricey but free shipping, shirt, wraps and 20% goes to a charity..seems like a reasonable price to me. I lift every day with wrist wraps on and I plan to order a pair of these in the next week or two. I'm just not sure which charity I'd like to help out. 

 

You guys should check them out:

https://manimalstrong.com/collections/wrist-wraps

 

Oh yeah, and they have a gnarly logo! 

 

Here are a couple of the ones they have.

Little bump for the top of the next page!

[ccap41]

Very Cool CCAP, thanks for sharing. 

 

That is a very cool Paw logo! 

 

DawgGif.gif

 

Drew we need some Dawg Emoticons.

Hahaha

 

Yeah I thought it was a pretty cool idea and knew others worked out as well(mostly you).

[ocnblu]

I brought a new CX-3 Touring AWD Premium Package home for the night from work.  For a miniature CUV it really skews far toward the car side of the scale.  Starting from like 6 MPG (3 miles on odo), I made it up to 29.9 avg MPG (per the DIC) so far.  Interested in seeing how high the MPG average goes before I return it tomorrow.  Seems zippy enough.  Throttle is a little jumpy on it, and the ride is somewhat busy.  Very good NVH management in the Mazda.  TINY cargo hold turned me off.  Non-intuitive controls... who can get used to the multi-function controller down on the console?  Plus the radio touch screen is immobilized when the vehicle is in gear.  At least a redundant volume control is on the steering wheel.

 

Then I stopped at a local Jeep dealer, parked the CX-3, and took out a Renegade Trailhawk.  As far as CUVs go, it was night and day different.  A much more solid and substantial vehicle to drive, while also seeming quieter, even with the bluff front end and windshield.  Less road noise than the Mazda.  I detected no problem with the 9 speed auto, and the visibility is great... it even has comparable MPG ratings (I understand that some rigs do better or worse than the ratings) to the much tinier Mazda.  One thing on the Jeep, the anodized red interior trim bezels are a little garish, I would have done with a regular silver aluminum finish there.

 

I would definitely go with the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk over the Mazda CX-3 Touring, but of course I'm more of a country boy, so that might skew my perception.  About $2k higher in price than the Mazda, but worth it based on the initial drive.  I take back every comment I made about the Renegade being too cheeky.  It drives like a big boy Jeep to me. 

Edited May 20, 2016 by ocnblu

[G. David Felt]

I brought a new CX-3 Touring AWD Premium Package home for the night from work.  For a miniature CUV it really skews far toward the car side of the scale.  Starting from like 6 MPG (3 miles on odo), I made it up to 29.9 avg MPG (per the DIC) so far.  Interested in seeing how high the MPG average goes before I return it tomorrow.  Seems zippy enough.  Throttle is a little jumpy on it, and the ride is somewhat busy.  Very good NVH management in the Mazda.  TINY cargo hold turned me off.  Non-intuitive controls... who can get used to the multi-function controller down on the console?  Plus the radio touch screen is immobilized when the vehicle is in gear.  At least a redundant volume control is on the steering wheel.

 

Then I stopped at a local Jeep dealer, parked the CX-3, and took out a Renegade Trailhawk.  As far as CUVs go, it was night and day different.  A much more solid and substantial vehicle to drive, while also seeming quieter, even with the bluff front end and windshield.  Less road noise than the Mazda.  I detected no problem with the 9 speed auto, and the visibility is great... it even has comparable MPG ratings (I understand that some rigs do better or worse than the ratings) to the much tinier Mazda.  One thing on the Jeep, the anodized red interior trim bezels are a little garish, I would have done with a regular silver aluminum finish there.

 

I would definitely go with the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk over the Mazda CX-3 Touring, but of course I'm more of a country boy, so that might skew my perception.  About $2k higher in price than the Mazda, but worth it based on the initial drive.  I take back every comment I made about the Renegade being too cheeky.  It drives like a big boy Jeep to me. 

Me Think Someone just might have a trade-in on a new ride!

[ocnblu]

 

I brought a new CX-3 Touring AWD Premium Package home for the night from work.  For a miniature CUV it really skews far toward the car side of the scale.  Starting from like 6 MPG (3 miles on odo), I made it up to 29.9 avg MPG (per the DIC) so far.  Interested in seeing how high the MPG average goes before I return it tomorrow.  Seems zippy enough.  Throttle is a little jumpy on it, and the ride is somewhat busy.  Very good NVH management in the Mazda.  TINY cargo hold turned me off.  Non-intuitive controls... who can get used to the multi-function controller down on the console?  Plus the radio touch screen is immobilized when the vehicle is in gear.  At least a redundant volume control is on the steering wheel.

 

Then I stopped at a local Jeep dealer, parked the CX-3, and took out a Renegade Trailhawk.  As far as CUVs go, it was night and day different.  A much more solid and substantial vehicle to drive, while also seeming quieter, even with the bluff front end and windshield.  Less road noise than the Mazda.  I detected no problem with the 9 speed auto, and the visibility is great... it even has comparable MPG ratings (I understand that some rigs do better or worse than the ratings) to the much tinier Mazda.  One thing on the Jeep, the anodized red interior trim bezels are a little garish, I would have done with a regular silver aluminum finish there.

 

I would definitely go with the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk over the Mazda CX-3 Touring, but of course I'm more of a country boy, so that might skew my perception.  About $2k higher in price than the Mazda, but worth it based on the initial drive.  I take back every comment I made about the Renegade being too cheeky.  It drives like a big boy Jeep to me. 

Me Think Someone just might have a trade-in on a new ride!

 

Haha... my weird short list includes the CX-3, the Renegade, Encore, Trax... and Spark.  I find the new Spark absolutely adorable.  I would get a Spark 1LT in Splash Blue with manual transmission, then add a set of black Enkei wheels and have a fun little ride.  If I went with the Spark, I could buy it outright and be done with auto payments altogether... something I have not experienced since... 1998!

[Drew Dowdell]

I wish they'd gear the Spark a little better and give an optional engine upgrade.  It would make it more suitable for the long distance driving you do. 

 

but I haven't driven the new one yet, so maybe the CVT makes the difference.

[G. David Felt]

 

 

I brought a new CX-3 Touring AWD Premium Package home for the night from work.  For a miniature CUV it really skews far toward the car side of the scale.  Starting from like 6 MPG (3 miles on odo), I made it up to 29.9 avg MPG (per the DIC) so far.  Interested in seeing how high the MPG average goes before I return it tomorrow.  Seems zippy enough.  Throttle is a little jumpy on it, and the ride is somewhat busy.  Very good NVH management in the Mazda.  TINY cargo hold turned me off.  Non-intuitive controls... who can get used to the multi-function controller down on the console?  Plus the radio touch screen is immobilized when the vehicle is in gear.  At least a redundant volume control is on the steering wheel.

 

Then I stopped at a local Jeep dealer, parked the CX-3, and took out a Renegade Trailhawk.  As far as CUVs go, it was night and day different.  A much more solid and substantial vehicle to drive, while also seeming quieter, even with the bluff front end and windshield.  Less road noise than the Mazda.  I detected no problem with the 9 speed auto, and the visibility is great... it even has comparable MPG ratings (I understand that some rigs do better or worse than the ratings) to the much tinier Mazda.  One thing on the Jeep, the anodized red interior trim bezels are a little garish, I would have done with a regular silver aluminum finish there.

 

I would definitely go with the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk over the Mazda CX-3 Touring, but of course I'm more of a country boy, so that might skew my perception.  About $2k higher in price than the Mazda, but worth it based on the initial drive.  I take back every comment I made about the Renegade being too cheeky.  It drives like a big boy Jeep to me. 

Me Think Someone just might have a trade-in on a new ride!

 

Haha... my weird short list includes the CX-3, the Renegade, Encore, Trax... and Spark.  I find the new Spark absolutely adorable.  I would get a Spark 1LT in Splash Blue with manual transmission, then add a set of black Enkei wheels and have a fun little ride.  If I went with the Spark, I could buy it outright and be done with auto payments altogether... something I have not experienced since... 1998!

 

So one of the following could be your new ride!

 

[Thed]

I brought a new CX-3 Touring AWD Premium Package home for the night from work.  For a miniature CUV it really skews far toward the car side of the scale.  Starting from like 6 MPG (3 miles on odo), I made it up to 29.9 avg MPG (per the DIC) so far.  Interested in seeing how high the MPG average goes before I return it tomorrow.  Seems zippy enough.  Throttle is a little jumpy on it, and the ride is somewhat busy.  Very good NVH management in the Mazda.  TINY cargo hold turned me off.  Non-intuitive controls... who can get used to the multi-function controller down on the console?  Plus the radio touch screen is immobilized when the vehicle is in gear.  At least a redundant volume control is on the steering wheel.

 

Then I stopped at a local Jeep dealer, parked the CX-3, and took out a Renegade Trailhawk.  As far as CUVs go, it was night and day different.  A much more solid and substantial vehicle to drive, while also seeming quieter, even with the bluff front end and windshield.  Less road noise than the Mazda.  I detected no problem with the 9 speed auto, and the visibility is great... it even has comparable MPG ratings (I understand that some rigs do better or worse than the ratings) to the much tinier Mazda.  One thing on the Jeep, the anodized red interior trim bezels are a little garish, I would have done with a regular silver aluminum finish there.

 

I would definitely go with the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk over the Mazda CX-3 Touring, but of course I'm more of a country boy, so that might skew my perception.  About $2k higher in price than the Mazda, but worth it based on the initial drive.  I take back every comment I made about the Renegade being too cheeky.  It drives like a big boy Jeep to me. 

 

You do get used to the controller on the center console. Also, the touch screen can be re-enabled in about two minutes. I did it the third day I had the Miata. 

[ocnblu]

I wish they'd gear the Spark a little better and give an optional engine upgrade.  It would make it more suitable for the long distance driving you do. 

 

but I haven't driven the new one yet, so maybe the CVT makes the difference.

Well I am not on the four lane highway anymore, I have two alternative routes to work that are relatively serene while taking roughly the same amount of time.  Plus the 2016 Spark has the NA 1.4 Ecotec with more displacement and power than before.  The CVT has been reprogrammed and improved on this new one too... but I will never own one.  5 speed stick FTW in a car like that.

[ccap41]

Just realized I've been driving on expired plates for a month. $h!.

[ocnblu]

I wish they'd gear the Spark a little better and give an optional engine upgrade.  It would make it more suitable for the long distance driving you do. 

 

but I haven't driven the new one yet, so maybe the CVT makes the difference.

Drove a 2016 Spark with manual transmission today.  2500 RPM at a little over 60 mph is actually quite good for a minicar, imo.  I was pleased with the drive.  No buzz bomb here!

[Robert Hall]

Speaking of 2016 Chevys, I just picked up a new black Malibu LT at Hertz Port of Columbus Airport. Back in Ohio for a few days...

[cp-the-nerd]

 

I wish they'd gear the Spark a little better and give an optional engine upgrade.  It would make it more suitable for the long distance driving you do. 

 

but I haven't driven the new one yet, so maybe the CVT makes the difference.

Drove a 2016 Spark with manual transmission today.  2500 RPM at a little over 60 mph is actually quite good for a minicar, imo.  I was pleased with the drive.  No buzz bomb here!

 

 

Unless you're doing all your driving in the city, do everything you can to buy a car more substantial than the Spark. 

 

The Sonic is a FAR superior car for not that much more money, and with the 1.4T/manual combo, it's a badass little gocart. I'm actually really into the 2017 refreshed design.

 

[ocnblu]

I keep going back to considering small crossovers.  Today I stopped by the Subaru dealership to look at a Crosstrek... with CVT ( it has "6-speed manual mode") in Hyper Blue with black interior.  Pretty sharp.

[balthazar]

Interesting times we live in when a crew cab/ long bed/ dually diesel truck can challenge a Nissan GTR and walk away from it.

[ccap41]

Interesting times we live in when a crew cab/ long bed/ dually diesel truck can challenge a Nissan GTR and walk away from it.

I would appreciate a video for this post.

[balthazar]

Witnessed last week, no video of the specific event, but there are some on Utube.

[El Kabong]

Today was a good day.

[Suaviloquent]

HERE IS MY RANDOM THOUGHT AS OF NOW READING SOME RECENT COMMENTS HERE:

 

(LOOK AT THE EYES)

 

 

Ye that's right, it's so fiery and filled with juiciness that I can only help myself by serving everyone a heaping cut of the finest there ever was.

 

 

[FAPTurbo]

[Suaviloquent]

There we go, now that there is some finest quality cut vengeance I have seen. beautiful, keep up the good work you are doing here sir.

[FAPTurbo]

I spent the past month driving a dead guy's Ford Ranger and I envied him every day. 

[Suaviloquent]

You've gone soft? Don't tell me you want to be on a fluffy bed in an enclosed space.

[ocnblu]

Political posts are not allowed in the Lounge.  It's a rule.

[oldshurst442]

 

Therefore....

 

However...you should

 

Because...

Edited May 27, 2016 by oldshurst442

[FAPTurbo]

Political posts are not allowed in the Lounge.  It's a rule.

 

[Intrepidation]

 

 

Political posts are not allowed in the Lounge.  It's a rule.

 

 

[ocnblu]

[ocnblu]

Parked at The Enola Low Grade Trailhead early this morning.

[G. David Felt]

Happy Memorial Day everyone, Have a great weekend!

[daves87rs]

Looks good there!!!

[El Kabong]

Still laughing. Because it's sooooooo easy to do.

Edited May 31, 2016 by El Kabong

[Suaviloquent]

VENGEANCE!!!

[balthazar]

After a year of seeing at least 2 Tesla Model S's per day, finally saw a Model X out in the wild. 

 

Certainly not impressive looking; perhaps if they drove around with the rear doors open...

[balthazar]

Could be Drew : 

[Drew Dowdell]

More my speed

 

[ocnblu]

I checked my control arms this morning.  Still good.  GM doesn't tell me what to do.

Edited June 11, 2016 by ocnblu

[balthazar]

Off to work, but don't forget to fuel your Gas Skates!

 

[El Kabong]

*checks in*

*chuckles*

*posts comment*

*onward*

[surreal1272]

Does the word "self absorbed" mean anything anymore?

[Robert Hall]

I have to remember to mute my speakers when I come to this thread because of the obnoxious meme $h!..

[balthazar]

ChryCo used to be VERY industrious / busy (below from 1961) ::

 

Edited June 14, 2016 by balthazar

[G. David Felt]

Can the mod please kill that MEME!

 

Thank you,

[balthazar]

TWENTY-EIGHT point FIVE liter FOUR-CYLINDER.
The land speed attempt custom Fiat; the "Beast of Turin", 1911.

 

Edited June 14, 2016 by balthazar

[balthazar]

The pistons for the above monster :

[El Kabong]

Does the word "self absorbed" mean anything anymore?

Yup. Usually in status updates.

[ocnblu]

Haha, if the Chevy Spark Activ comes to America, it is going to be very hard to resist.  Way too awesome!

[Suaviloquent]

The Hactiv?

 

The Shpark?

 

Shpark Hactiv?

[ocnblu]

The Hactiv?

 

The Shpark?

 

Shpark Hactiv?

Yup Schparky

[ocnblu]

 

Here's the Indian version, and it's so hilariously awesome!