Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[CarlLester]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Another vote for the NOCO series of battery tenders. I used an old Genius 1100 to keep the Aston’s battery topped up over its first winter, and I upgraded to a Genius 10 model for its ‘supply mode’ this past year.

The NOCO stuff is all on sale right now during Amazon Prime Day Deals. In case anyone didn't already get peer pressured into one.

[TorqueDog]

In my quest to torture myself until I cave and get a new car payment I don't need, I test drove a 2020 Jaguar F-Pace SVR today.

Mother of god. That thing f-cking rules, and the noise is unreal.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Any recommendations on where to get a windshield replacement for a 2021 Highlander? Dealership quoted over $1000, which seems insane

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Any recommendations on where to get a windshield replacement for a 2021 Highlander? Dealership quoted over $1000, which seems insane

Cal-Alta is the best deal you’re gonna find. Bring in a food bank donation to get their discount price.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda

Any recommendations on where to get a windshield replacement for a 2021 Highlander? Dealership quoted over $1000, which seems insane

Safelite in the states is quoting me $1200, so you are getting a much better deal.

[Table 5]

I usually use Windshield Surgeons, and for my SUV (also Toyota/Lexus) is around $250-300. Does the Highlander have some fancy radar that you need to calibrate?

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by DownInFlames

Cal-Alta is the best deal you’re gonna find. Bring in a food bank donation to get their discount price.

They also do better work than some of the other outfits from my experience.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

They also do better work than some of the other outfits from my experience.

That chick that runs the front is insanely good at her job. She's in beast mode every single day.

[bagofpucks]

Any recommendations for steering wheel peel repairs/replacements? My 2020 F150 has one bad spot and a few potentially starting. Of course, weeks outside of warranty.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Any recommendations for steering wheel peel repairs/replacements? My 2020 F150 has one bad spot and a few potentially starting. Of course, weeks outside of warranty.

Couldn't hurt to try for some goodwill from the dealer under warranty...

[burn_this_city]

You could try ebay used one in good condition.

[Table 5]

Steering wheel peeling after 3 years? That's some quality build, Ford.

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by you&me

Couldn't hurt to try for some goodwill from the dealer under warranty...

I’ve gone back and forth we with the dealer and they’ve decided it’s a no. It sounds like it’s a bit of a grey issue even if it’s within the warranty period as they can say it is from regular wear and tear.

[bagofpucks]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Steering wheel peeling after 3 years? That's some quality build, Ford.

Yes, it’s pretty frustrating. Sounds like it can be an issue on some of the higher trim levels of this year model, which is even more frustrating…haha.

[Nufy]

Time for some viral marketing videos tagging Ford in the process...

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by bagofpucks

Any recommendations for steering wheel peel repairs/replacements? My 2020 F150 has one bad spot and a few potentially starting. Of course, weeks outside of warranty.

Something like a stich on cover? https://a.co/d/2ycbHNu

[TorqueDog]

Originally Posted by DoubleF

Something like a stich on cover? https://a.co/d/2ycbHNu

From experience: if you're going to do that, get one actually designed for your specific wheel, not those universal jobs off Amazon.

For genuine leather or alcantara options: https://www.redlinegoods.com/SteeringWheelCover.php

If you don't mind "Eco" Leather at a cheaper price: https://www.eastdetailing.com

I used East Detailing to order the steering wheel cover on my RRS since the factory wheel didn't even have a leather wrap, just a standard wheel with moulded stitching. They can be installed with the wheel on the vehicle, you just have to be willing to spend a good hour in the vehicle stitching it, but it looks great when it's done.

[Ironhorse]

So KIA Canada gets busted for artifically limiting car sales in order to "protect its 2024 marketing budget".

https://jalopnik.com/kia-canada-accu...-it-1851110842

While customers wait months for the delivery of their new vehicles, Kia Canada has decided to lock up its inventory in warehouses to game sales figures and avoid looking too successful in front of the big bosses, a CBC report reveals.

The solution, per Capicotto, was to lock up plenty of Kia inventory in various warehouses to prevent distribution until 2024; only a small amount of inventory would head off to dealer lots during the final six weeks of 2023.

I've been wondering how much other "gaming" of the system is going on with manufacturers in order to keep demand and prices high...

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

So KIA Canada gets busted for artifically limiting car sales in order to "protect its 2024 marketing budget".

https://jalopnik.com/kia-canada-accu...-it-1851110842






I've been wondering how much other "gaming" of the system is going on with manufacturers in order to keep demand and prices high...

This is a complete nothing burger and entirely common, not only in the car business, but a lot of businesses; hit the target for this quarter and pump the brakes to make sure the numbers for next quarter look good too.

Admittedly sucks for anyone waiting on an ordered car.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by you&me

This is a complete nothing burger and entirely common, not only in the car business, but a lot of businesses; hit the target for this quarter and pump the brakes to make sure the numbers for next quarter look good too.

Admittedly sucks for anyone waiting on an ordered car.

So basically like government department budgets? Spend your entire budget even if you would come in lower this year. Otherwise they might cut you back to something reasonable or lower next year. It's a game!

Free staplers (and other nonsense) for everybody!