Ongoing General Automotive Thread 2.0

[woob]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

IMO, the best road for this is Chain Lakes road from Nanton across to the 22.

Lots of curves and hills, very little traffic, and more importantly tons and tons of visibility so you can have fun safely. Cops/animals and other traffic can be seen from a huge distance on that road because it's not forested. One of my absolute favourite roads, and I will always choose this route on the way to Highway 3.

Yeah, thats a great road.

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

I wish more car makers made wagons.

Saaaaame. I love my VW and wish I could buy a newer version of it. Or an R model of it.

[woob]

Originally Posted by TorqueDog

Don't know what vehicle woob's got, but just make sure if you're going to size down that your model/trim can fit a smaller wheel over the brakes. If they didn't offer a factory wheel in that reduced size, check around and get confirmation that you can run a 17".

Confirmed I cannot run 17s due to callipers, so thank you for that TD.

Research was humorous. Came across one guy who made the mistake and asked if he could just grind down the callipers. Of course he got lit up in the responses.

[Bill Bumface]

I need a starter. On the car in question, it's 1 hour of labour. After suffering through a starter job that was 8 hours of book time myself (I choose not to admit how long it took me), I was thinking at that amount of labour it's worth it to take a flyer on an aftermarket starter instead of OEM. Am I dumb?

[TorqueDog]

Woob, sometimes you can swing it with wheel spacers depending on where the wheel and caliper are contacting, but yeah, you're better off sticking with a wheel that fits without them.

[bigrangy]

Originally Posted by speede5

Hopefully not the actuator, but it sure sounds like it is something in the cam timing. There is one on each side, under the valve /cam cover, and they are expensive. I'm fixing up a Boxster right now and the one side actuators cable was severed right at the solenoid so I have no choice but to replace it. Haven't found one less than 1K. I'm taking one from a parts engine and hoping it is good. Also they are position specific L/R. Coils would be easy to diagnose, swap some from left to right and see if the problem migrates but since they are coil on it would be odd for a whole side to go. Same for injectors.

Also I was thinking of the solenoid not the actuator, but either is a significant issue.

Update:

The solution to the problem ended up being ignore it for 3 weeks, then try just letting it idle again.

I’n thinking maybe resetting the codes also reset the throttle mapping so it just needed some time to re-learn. I started it for the first time in a couple weeks today and it was idling like before, but then I let it just idle poorly for a few minutes and then it seemed to clear up a bit for a short time, then went back to a poor idle, then went back to good, and then i gave it a bit of throttle and it bogged down again. So i waited some more until the idle was good then I gave it some throttle and it rev’d to 2k before bogging. Then i let it recover again, then throttle to 3k, then bog, let it recover then 4k, then bog, let it recover and now it’s got full throttle range (at least to 5 or 6 k haha, not gonna redline it in the driveway it the middle of the neighborhood. ) Took it for a drive and it’s running like normal, which isn’t necessarily good but at least it’s driveable.

It’s overspeeding when the auto is trying to shift up from 2 to 3 so if I have the throttle hammered it’ll give a big clunk when it finally drops into 3 which I am sure is not appreciated by the internals. So just have to be a bit delicate.

[curves2000]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

I need a starter. On the car in question, it's 1 hour of labour. After suffering through a starter job that was 8 hours of book time myself (I choose not to admit how long it took me), I was thinking at that amount of labour it's worth it to take a flyer on an aftermarket starter instead of OEM. Am I dumb?

Compare OEM to aftermarket, if it's pretty close in cost, I would go with OEM. If OEM is stupid expensive and your saving hundreds of dollars, would a new OEM one really last 2,3,4/10 x as long as an aftermarket? That is the way I look at it. Knock on wood, I don't think I have ever changed a starter on any of the dozens of cars I have had so they last.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

IMO, the best road for this is Chain Lakes road from Nanton across to the 22.

Lots of curves and hills, very little traffic, and more importantly tons and tons of visibility so you can have fun safely. Cops/animals and other traffic can be seen from a huge distance on that road because it's not forested. One of my absolute favourite roads, and I will always choose this route on the way to Highway 3.

No it's not, that road sucks. It's interrupted by a stop sign, that slows everything to a painful crawl. Nothing anybody should have to partake in.

Highway 540, that's where you wanna go. It's mostly straight, predictable and safe.

Or for you crazy risk takers, another easy one to remember is 520. Make you think you're a Duke boy, racing through hazard county on that dirt road.

Or slip through Okotoks for a Costco run, and jump on the ol Coal Road to Longview.

But yeah, Chane River road, or whatever you call it. Yeah, don't take that one, it has poor cell service too I bet.

[cam_wmh]

ACTUALLY, what you should do, is just take 2 all the way to Fort Mcleod, and enjoy the faster 110 speed limit for those extra 80 clicks. Plus, have YOU BEEN to Ft Mcleod? That place rules.

There, gave you all tons of options.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by woob

Yeah, thats a great road

Saaaaame. I love my VW and wish I could buy a newer version of it. Or an R model of it.

VW's are terrible on that road. Especially the R model. The road you're looking for is 543. It's linear, and has lots of woopy hills. Lil stomach droppers.

WAY MORE FUN.

[Sliver]

Seems to be a lot of Porsche 911 guys on here. I've been considering one, but IDK, they're pretty expensive and then you have to park them half the year. I've had so many summer cars over the years that I just kinda get annoyed with storing them. Time flies so fast now, that it feels like you're always either pulling it out of storage or getting ready to put it into storage. If I had a three-car garage I wouldn't mind, but my wife and I like to park in the double heated garage in the winter, so that necessitates me storing my summer car elsewhere. Kills the fun a bit.

When my kids move out within the next couple years I will be getting a fun car since their two cars will be gone from in front of my house and I can park my truck there without looking like a junky house with too many cars. I've been thinking hard on the RS3 lately. I came close to buying an S3 a couple years ago - they're really comfortable for tall people. An RS3 seems that much more special and fun. I really don't see them around, though. I know there are always going to be the RWD or RWD-bias-or-die crowd, but that's not me.

What do you guys think of the RS3? Expensive car, but relative to a Porsche? Peanuts. Also flies under the radar to non-car people, which I like. Super annoyed they don't have cooled seats, but I could live with that. Also wouldn't need to store it for the winter...my F-150 will be my winter DD in bad weather, but we get such long mild stretches that I'd want to use the RS3 in the winter, too, versus a parked Porsche.

Obviously the 911 is more capable, but I just can't imagine being let down with the performance of the RS3. Or is a Porsche just that fkn special that I'd be denying myself by not getting it?

[Bill Bumface]

RS3s are absolute beasts, and the 2.5L 5 cylinder is something to covet.

As of now, they are being discontinued in 2027, so there's good potential resale value protection there as well.

The only downsides are that transverse engines/Haldex is lame compared to longitudinal/Torsen (but still pretty awesome) and auto only. I used to get irrationally irked about the circular HVAC vents in the interior, but they fixed that, despite what I think of the rest of the current Audi interiors which are a bit abysmal. The interior of that car could be dog #### and I'd still have a smile on my face.

[Table 5]

Summer-only cars in Calgary are definitely kinda annoying. I spend half the year waiting to take the car out, and then the driving season goes by in a snap (especially since those are the times when we go on vacations or do camping etc). If I get 8-10 drives in a year, I consider it a win. It’s still worth it, but makes me jealous of warmer climates. It's also why I'm always on the lookout for a beater shoulder-season fun car.

RS3 definitely sounds like a hoot from what I've seen. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the looks, and $90K for an A3 is kinda nuts...but hey, who cares what I think. If you're dreaming about it non stop, and have the means (and from what it sounds like you're very successful), go for it. You only live once.

[DoubleF]

I don't think the RS3 would satisfy nor take away from the experience of a 911. But I also think the experience of owning and ripping around in an RS3 will not disappoint and how you behave and treat a RS3 vs 911 will naturally be different as well.

Weird. Half my post went missing.

I've driven the RS3 and I felt like it's a great car you can go all Leroy Jenkins in and crush pavement in all types of weather situations, and that's part of the fun part about it. Get some great winters on it and basically slalom around strugglers in a white out. I don't think I'd feel as good about doing that with a 911.

[Table 5]

One thing I will have to add, is that a 911 in the winter is actually pretty fun and capable too. Apart from it of course also coming in AWD, the engine being in the back over the real wheels is great for traction. I drove my RWD 964 through winter, and with winter tires it was totally fine.

It mainly just comes down to having a certain amount of wealth and/or IDGAF level to drive a nice car in the winter. But that is going to be true of a 911, RS3, or anything you value.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of the looks, and $90K for an A3 is kinda nuts...but hey, who cares what I think.

Agreed, but you're basically buying the power train and not caring about the rest. They're also insanely tuneable. It's very realistic to get performance well above the $ value, in a relatively small package. To me, a bigger heavier car can be just as fast, but just never feels as good or fun as something small.

The M1 was the same for me. Not exactly pretty, but would still be awesome to be in the driver's seat every day.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Table 5

One thing I will have to add, is that a 911 in the winter is actually pretty fun and capable too. Apart from it of course also coming in AWD, the engine being in the back over the real wheels is great for traction. I drove my RWD 964 through winter, and with winter tires it was totally fine.

It mainly just comes down to having a certain amount of wealth and/or IDGAF level to drive a nice car in the winter. But that is going to be true of a 911, RS3, or anything you value.

Yeah, I know I could drive a 911 in the winter, but it would go so far against the grain of my 'protect nice things' nature that I wouldn't be able to do it. An RS3 is a nice thing, too, obviously, but there is something a lot more palatable about driving an Audi in the winter versus a Porsche (for me).

Guess I won't have to decide for a bit and I'm in no hurry for my kids to move out, but while I plot and daydream about my empty-nester fun car I just wanted a reality check on the RS3 before I start getting tunnel vision, which I'm apt to do when I get a bee in my bonnet.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Yeah, I know I could drive a 911 in the winter, but it would go so far against the grain of my 'protect nice things' nature that I wouldn't be able to do it. An RS3 is a nice thing, too, obviously, but there is something a lot more palatable about driving an Audi in the winter versus a Porsche (for me)...

But why do you feel that the 911 would need to be treated more delicately than an RS3?

You haven't mentioned a specific generation of 911, but there are plenty of options around or even under the price point of the RS3... Of course, you could spend multipes of an RS3 as well... I bet the new 992.2 Turbo S would suit you

In my pre-kid days, I frequently had a 911 as my only car, year-round... Really, the only limiting factor is clearance on the residential streets when they become rutted, but that seems to be less of a problem lately. Traction is never a problem with proper tires, but that applies universaly. Angst about stone chips is addressed with PPF... Really nothing out of the ordinary to worry about IMO.

I think this is my standard answer anytime this topic comes up even vaguely... But if the answer could be 911, the answer has to be 911, at least once...

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by you&me

But why do you feel that the 911 would need to be treated more delicately than an RS3?

You haven't mentioned a specific generation of 911, but there are plenty of options around or even under the price point of the RS3... Of course, you could spend multipes of an RS3 as well... I bet the new 992.2 Turbo S would suit you

In my pre-kid days, I frequently had a 911 as my only car, year-round... Really, the only limiting factor is clearance on the residential streets when they become rutted, but that seems to be less of a problem lately. Traction is never a problem with proper tires, but that applies universaly. Angst about stone chips is addressed with PPF... Really nothing out of the ordinary to worry about IMO.

I think this is my standard answer anytime this topic comes up even vaguely... But if the answer could be 911, the answer has to be 911, at least once...

Regarding generation of 911, I left that out because I haven't memorized the bazillion little number designations Porsche nerds know . I'm knowledgeable on everyday cars, but I give exactly zero effs about exotics other than Porsche, which I don't even really consider an exotic, but it has been far enough out of reach for me my whole life that I haven't devoted a whole lot of energy or time into knowing that much about them. I know I fit in them (that's huge for me since I'm tall and literally most cars don't fit me) and I know it's capable and I know the 1984 one my dad had was an incredible amount of fun.

I want a Targa to relive what my dad had in the 90s (I'm the guy that posted the pic of his chocolate brown one a few months back). I'd get the best one my budget would allow when I'm ready to hit the button.

You know, I guess you're right about PPF, though. And I do have my work truck so I wouldn't be trapped in the Porsche on super bad days. I suppose the game plan will be to drive both cars back to back when I'm actually ready to make a move. No point doing that now since I don't have the space for an extra car...just sort of wastes everyone's time.

[DoubleF]

Originally Posted by you&me

But why do you feel that the 911 would need to be treated more delicately than an RS3?

You haven't mentioned a specific generation of 911, but there are plenty of options around or even under the price point of the RS3... Of course, you could spend multipes of an RS3 as well... I bet the new 992.2 Turbo S would suit you

In my pre-kid days, I frequently had a 911 as my only car, year-round... Really, the only limiting factor is clearance on the residential streets when they become rutted, but that seems to be less of a problem lately. Traction is never a problem with proper tires, but that applies universaly. Angst about stone chips is addressed with PPF... Really nothing out of the ordinary to worry about IMO.

I think this is my standard answer anytime this topic comes up even vaguely... But if the answer could be 911, the answer has to be 911, at least once...

I guess the RS3 is more like a concrete champion vs the 911 more a tarmac thoroughbred. I feel like people would give you side eye for not treating a thoroughbred like the 911 like a garage queen.

Idk about Sliver, but for me, since the 911 is such an identifiable car, I fear people would walk up to admire and offer their opinions on why it's out in the cold. The RS3 flies under the radar so there would be a lot less commentary.

This might be fine if someone has mastered the art of zero ####s given... I'm personally not there yet due to young kids and more people always having an opinion about their circumstances.

Y'know what, Sliver, go for the 911. Hold that fake ciggy, look those people in the eye and use laughter as a IDGAF response to their jealousy.

[you&me]

Maybe because I've been fortunate to spend enough time in cars that scream for attention more than a 911, but the grand total of non-Porsche nerds (to borrow the term) that have made a comment is... carry the 2... zero.

I feel like a broken record, because I'm sure I've said this before as well, but the true super power of the 911 is in its ubiquity... Side glances and judgement just don't (seem to) exist... They're around enough that people seem to realize they're 'nice', but really not special. Whether a base carrera or a GT3RS, they tend to be pleasantly incognito.