Ongoing General Automotive Thread v2

[photon]

Only reason I'm still maybe wanting staggered is how the rear end will look if the tires are too narrow, the rear wheel wells are very flared and that "tucked in" look is kinda gross.

Yes I realize my last thoughts while dying after an accident will be "at least my tires look phat"

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by photon

Hm good to know. It's not an SUV it's a sportier car (Cadillac CTS Coupe). Yeah I don't think I could deal with that.

I guess it's just buy a roadside assistance membership somewhere... So many cars now have no spare!

Mine is an ATS black series

Go square and you’ll get a few extra seasons out of the tires and you will save money in the long run. I have tried blizzacks, federal Himalayas and Xice 3. I liked the x ice by far the best (current winter tire). I had Hakkas back when I had my Subaru and had no complaints.

[photon]

"ATS black series"

Ooo nice!

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by photon

Only reason I'm still maybe wanting staggered is how the rear end will look if the tires are too narrow, the rear wheel wells are very flared and that "tucked in" look is kinda gross.

Yes I realize my last thoughts while dying after an accident will be "at least my tires look phat"

I would assume you are buying new rims for winter so just get a larger offset in the rear to account for the back spacing.
I’m going off memory here and will double check when I’m back in Calgary but I believe I went +30 front and +40 rear.

Bottom line is smaller rims and winter tires won’t look as good, I get depressed when I take off my summer rims and raise the coil overs 1.5-2” every fall.

[Ashasx]

car pics pls

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by photon

Hm good to know. It's not an SUV it's a sportier car (Cadillac CTS Coupe). Yeah I don't think I could deal with that.

I guess it's just buy a roadside assistance membership somewhere... So many cars now have no spare!

Hmmm, this gives me an idea....A spare tire trailer. I little dolly with 2 wheels, carrying your spare tire. Huge market for it, too! BRB, going welding.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by zamler

I can't tell by your pic if the clear is damaged or the scratches are deeper. Your car also looks like it could desperately use paint correction I'm thinking a detail shop could do the touch-up or tell you where to get it done.

I'm getting another car detailed this week so I'll probably talk to him about it. The scratch depth is deep enough that you can feel it, but generally not deep enough to go through to the primer.

As for paint correction, you're probably right (I dunno about desperately but it would ordinarily be a good idea), except that the amount of small gravel rash makes it seem like a waste of money as it's not going to fix that. I think where I'm landing is that I need to touch up what I can and just live with it until I want to do a full repaint. At the end of the day, it's all just cosmetic and I didn't buy it for show or to be a garage queen.

[GordonBlue]

Originally Posted by calumniate

Anyone recycle a car before and get cash for it, and if so recommendations on places? Putting to rest a 91 town car. RIP!

Edit - if you auto guys are interested, 205k on the engine (4.6 v8) and seems perfect. Air suspension light goes on, electrical gremlins causing headlights to not work. Tires prob have 10k on them.. Goodyear graspics?

no, but I've given cars to the kidney foundation and received a nice sized tax receipt.

[photon]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

I would assume you are buying new rims for winter so just get a larger offset in the rear to account for the back spacing.
I’m going off memory here and will double check when I’m back in Calgary but I believe I went +30 front and +40 rear.

Bottom line is smaller rims and winter tires won’t look as good, I get depressed when I take off my summer rims and raise the coil overs 1.5-2” every fall.

Hm ok that makes sense, I'll check it out. Thanks!!

[hesh329]

Anyone here know a good place in calgary to find a reconditioned alternator? Looking for one for a 2009 Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix.

[Sliver]

I have a transmission idea I wish a manufacturer would invent. It's instead of paddle shifters because I hate those - you always have to remember what gear you're in or look down to see what number the gear indicator is showing.

Instead of paddles, I think it would be cool to move a stick from drive into its gear number. Just like in a manual where you row through one, two, three, etc. This would be good so you'd know what gear you're in just by the feel of the physical position of the stick. When you get tired of shifting, just shift it into drive. That would be a better compromise for automatic car buyers that still want to shift since so many cars don't have a manual option.

[Nufy]

Originally Posted by hesh329

Anyone here know a good place in calgary to find a reconditioned alternator? Looking for one for a 2009 Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix.

I would try for a boneyard find first.

Would be way cheaper.

Bucks auto has a 2007 and a 2010 Vibe model in their yard right now...
and a 2006 Toyota Matrix.

[GreatWhiteEbola]

Originally Posted by hesh329

Anyone here know a good place in calgary to find a reconditioned alternator? Looking for one for a 2009 Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix.

https://www.altstart.ca/

I've been using them for years.

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by Sliver

I have a transmission idea I wish a manufacturer would invent. It's instead of paddle shifters because I hate those - you always have to remember what gear you're in or look down to see what number the gear indicator is showing.

Instead of paddles, I think it would be cool to move a stick from drive into its gear number. Just like in a manual where you row through one, two, three, etc. This would be good so you'd know what gear you're in just by the feel of the physical position of the stick. When you get tired of shifting, just shift it into drive. That would be a better compromise for automatic car buyers that still want to shift since so many cars don't have a manual option.

That seems like a pretty far step back from the current systems. When I’m running manual mode I actually cannot remember the last time I had to look what gear I was in.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

That seems like a pretty far step back from the current systems. When I’m running manual mode I actually cannot remember the last time I had to look what gear I was in.

Huh, I think I have to go for a ride at some point with someone who gives 'er with the paddles. I just can't make them fun no matter how hard I try. I use them to gear down on a hill and that's about it. They're no more exciting than shifting my mom's old Tempo with the lever from 3 to 2.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by Sliver

Huh, I think I have to go for a ride at some point with someone who gives 'er with the paddles.

It won't help. I think we've had this discussion before, but if a track day in a 458 Italia couldn't convince me paddle shifters are fun, nothing will.

Beats a shift button on the stick at least, but still very little excitement. I would have killed for a standard that day.

[speede5]

Speaking of shifters, has anyone put a short throw in a mustang (2003)? I have the stock shifter and 2-3 is a long reach and I come up a bit short occasionally when I'm really givin er.

Or I could just take the cheap option and move the seat fwd.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by speede5

Speaking of shifters, has anyone put a short throw in a mustang (2003)? I have the stock shifter and 2-3 is a long reach and I come up a bit short occasionally when I'm really givin er.

Or I could just take the cheap option and move the seat fwd.

I have installed a short-throw shifter in an '87 Mustang. Probably doesn't help you, but I'm not that handy and I found it to be easy. Maybe it's a similar process? Was a worthwhile upgrade for sure.

[speede5]

I've driven several fox bodies, the stock throw is very similar. I'm not concerned about the install, just wondering if it shortens up the distance the knob travels between shifts enough to be worth it. Or if it becomes annoying in day to day driving with the shorter handle.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by speede5

I've driven several fox bodies, the stock throw is very similar. I'm not concerned about the install, just wondering if it shortens up the distance the knob travels between shifts enough to be worth it. Or if it becomes annoying in day to day driving with the shorter handle.

It definitely makes a noticeable difference and it is worth it. You will be happy.

It isn't annoying at all. The 3.73s I put in could be a bit annoying as I was shifting all the time, but the short-throw shifter won't bother you at all. I say go for it.