Rotarctica
04-26-2007, 09:29 PM
Mmkay. So. Here's just a random automotive based rant.
I am in a love/hate relationship with my Jetta. My RX-7's motor blew in October...I eventually bit the bullet and sold it, knowing I did not have the means to replace or rebuild the motor that was in there, and I did not want the car to sit and rot in my garage. I'm against that. Sold it, bought a Jetta that was somewhat of a fixer upper. Fixed it up. She's a '91 Jetta GL 5-speed 8v. Slow...but the gas mileage is amazing and she'll own the interstate.
Why do I hate her? The oil pump might be taking a crap...that or my sending units are bad and the lifters just started to tick 'cuz I was 500 miles close to my oil change interval. Dunno... I haven't done an oil pressure test yet, and I won't. I know I won't. I don't have the time or the desire. I figure I'll just replace the oil pump or both sending units. If the buzzer goes off after either one, I'll know it was the problem. Or I may just drive the car until the motor decides to do something...if it does.
By the way, I'm watching Shark on TV and Jeri Ryan looks just as good as when she was on Voyager. I'm gay, but I think she's a beautiful woman.
Back to my rant...
I want my RX-7 back. I miss having something that's at least likes to get down and dirty. I miss the precision turn-in...even though I don't miss snap-oversteer. I miss the pedal placement because it's impossible to heel/toe in an MKII Jetta without pedal modification. Heel/toe is something I use in daily driving, so it annoys me that I have to reverse the process and mash the accelerator arm rather than the pedal with my pinky toe to achieve a decent braking/downshift/acceleration transition.
I only make $7 an hour, and I can WAY more than comfortably afford a monthly payment for at least $6,000 to get myself a well looked after FC or a 944. I'd even compromise and get a Gen 3 Integra coupe`.
My parents rejected the idea of co-signing a loan for me to get something a little more reliable and something that I actually like, rather than continuing this pattern of inexpensive cars that I just grow tired of and want something new in a few months. FCs and Gen 3 Integras are my passion. That's where I need to be. It isn't like I'm asking them to put forth a cent. I always pay for my own cars.
My mom said it's debt I don't need. In my opinion, debt is only debt if you *can't* afford it. I did all the math, and even in the absolute worst case, I could VERY comfortably afford the payment.
Ugh...moving on...
My grandmother passed away a few weeks ago, and in June, we are driving up to Vermont in the CR-V with her ashes to bury her as she wished. I need to replace the front pads and rotors before we go.
The windshield really should be replaced...a pad lock fell off a trailer on the interstate and left a ripple crack (think dropping a stone in a pond) on the driver's side of the windshield about 6"x6". The cracks haven't come through the windshield yet, so my mom sees it as an unnecessary expense.
I finally forced her into forking over the money for new tires. They're cheap Hankook (Sp?) tires that have some mild roar at 65mph which changes pitch at 70mph and goes no further. Cornering stability was improved slightly, due to the stronger side wall over the OEM tires that were on the car originally. There's also slightly more grip than the old tires provided due to being worn out. Hydroplaning resistance is better than the old tires ever were.
In my opinion, she really needs to get Mugen springs and a Mugen exhaust..and a rear lip spoiler. Wider 17" wheels would be nice, too. You all are probably snickering at the fact that I'm suggesting she spend a small amount of money on performance parts...but the truth is...while the Gen 2 CR-V handles quite well in it's own, firmer springs and a lower ride height, plus a functional spoiler and wider wheels would improve on those characteristics greatly. The exhaust and possibly a more breathe-friendly filter element are for better power throughout.
A rather inexpensive head unit and some cheap pioneer speakers would be nice.
I recently drove a 2007 Civic Si Sedan. I'm impressed. That's hard to do. I dislike where the car puts it's power, but even though you know the understeer is coming, it isn't as horrible as I was expecting.
The suspension could be firmer.
The gearbox is snick-snick...easy through the gates, but the throttle-by-wire needs some serious re-tuning. Clearly, the way that the revs jump exactly 100rpm when you hit the clutch, and the engine holds on to the revs was intended for leisurely shifting. It annoyed me more than anything else about the car, because I had to actually hold myself back from releasing the clutch.
Downshifts are seamless and easily executed.
The driving position is spot on and pedal placement is good.
But enough about that. It's a good car. That's all I'll say, to avoid boring you with details.
My dad is attempting to form some sort of bond with me by having acquired tickets to the Commerce drag races this Saturday. I'm going, because I've nothing to do, but I highly doubt any bonding will occur. He and I are too much alike in our personalities, and we cannot get along that well.
I got written up at work for things that I did not do. The ignorance of the front-end people made me want to scream, but I put on a smile anyways and signed the papers, and later spoke with the owner of the clinic about it.
Anyways...that's all from me. Feel free to comment on whatever you like. I just needed to get all that out.
I am in a love/hate relationship with my Jetta. My RX-7's motor blew in October...I eventually bit the bullet and sold it, knowing I did not have the means to replace or rebuild the motor that was in there, and I did not want the car to sit and rot in my garage. I'm against that. Sold it, bought a Jetta that was somewhat of a fixer upper. Fixed it up. She's a '91 Jetta GL 5-speed 8v. Slow...but the gas mileage is amazing and she'll own the interstate.
Why do I hate her? The oil pump might be taking a crap...that or my sending units are bad and the lifters just started to tick 'cuz I was 500 miles close to my oil change interval. Dunno... I haven't done an oil pressure test yet, and I won't. I know I won't. I don't have the time or the desire. I figure I'll just replace the oil pump or both sending units. If the buzzer goes off after either one, I'll know it was the problem. Or I may just drive the car until the motor decides to do something...if it does.
By the way, I'm watching Shark on TV and Jeri Ryan looks just as good as when she was on Voyager. I'm gay, but I think she's a beautiful woman.
Back to my rant...
I want my RX-7 back. I miss having something that's at least likes to get down and dirty. I miss the precision turn-in...even though I don't miss snap-oversteer. I miss the pedal placement because it's impossible to heel/toe in an MKII Jetta without pedal modification. Heel/toe is something I use in daily driving, so it annoys me that I have to reverse the process and mash the accelerator arm rather than the pedal with my pinky toe to achieve a decent braking/downshift/acceleration transition.
I only make $7 an hour, and I can WAY more than comfortably afford a monthly payment for at least $6,000 to get myself a well looked after FC or a 944. I'd even compromise and get a Gen 3 Integra coupe`.
My parents rejected the idea of co-signing a loan for me to get something a little more reliable and something that I actually like, rather than continuing this pattern of inexpensive cars that I just grow tired of and want something new in a few months. FCs and Gen 3 Integras are my passion. That's where I need to be. It isn't like I'm asking them to put forth a cent. I always pay for my own cars.
My mom said it's debt I don't need. In my opinion, debt is only debt if you *can't* afford it. I did all the math, and even in the absolute worst case, I could VERY comfortably afford the payment.
Ugh...moving on...
My grandmother passed away a few weeks ago, and in June, we are driving up to Vermont in the CR-V with her ashes to bury her as she wished. I need to replace the front pads and rotors before we go.
The windshield really should be replaced...a pad lock fell off a trailer on the interstate and left a ripple crack (think dropping a stone in a pond) on the driver's side of the windshield about 6"x6". The cracks haven't come through the windshield yet, so my mom sees it as an unnecessary expense.
I finally forced her into forking over the money for new tires. They're cheap Hankook (Sp?) tires that have some mild roar at 65mph which changes pitch at 70mph and goes no further. Cornering stability was improved slightly, due to the stronger side wall over the OEM tires that were on the car originally. There's also slightly more grip than the old tires provided due to being worn out. Hydroplaning resistance is better than the old tires ever were.
In my opinion, she really needs to get Mugen springs and a Mugen exhaust..and a rear lip spoiler. Wider 17" wheels would be nice, too. You all are probably snickering at the fact that I'm suggesting she spend a small amount of money on performance parts...but the truth is...while the Gen 2 CR-V handles quite well in it's own, firmer springs and a lower ride height, plus a functional spoiler and wider wheels would improve on those characteristics greatly. The exhaust and possibly a more breathe-friendly filter element are for better power throughout.
A rather inexpensive head unit and some cheap pioneer speakers would be nice.
I recently drove a 2007 Civic Si Sedan. I'm impressed. That's hard to do. I dislike where the car puts it's power, but even though you know the understeer is coming, it isn't as horrible as I was expecting.
The suspension could be firmer.
The gearbox is snick-snick...easy through the gates, but the throttle-by-wire needs some serious re-tuning. Clearly, the way that the revs jump exactly 100rpm when you hit the clutch, and the engine holds on to the revs was intended for leisurely shifting. It annoyed me more than anything else about the car, because I had to actually hold myself back from releasing the clutch.
Downshifts are seamless and easily executed.
The driving position is spot on and pedal placement is good.
But enough about that. It's a good car. That's all I'll say, to avoid boring you with details.
My dad is attempting to form some sort of bond with me by having acquired tickets to the Commerce drag races this Saturday. I'm going, because I've nothing to do, but I highly doubt any bonding will occur. He and I are too much alike in our personalities, and we cannot get along that well.
I got written up at work for things that I did not do. The ignorance of the front-end people made me want to scream, but I put on a smile anyways and signed the papers, and later spoke with the owner of the clinic about it.
Anyways...that's all from me. Feel free to comment on whatever you like. I just needed to get all that out.