HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: wiryaman@riscee.pko.dec.com (Santa Wiryaman)
Subject: Re: How Accurate is the Blue Book?
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation, Maynard MA
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 21:45:01 GMT

Although I am not an expert in the used car market, here is my view of the
NADA book value.  Please correct me if I am wrong.

The NADA book value of a particular used car have 3 figures, the wholesale
value (i.e, the price dealers buys/sells used car from/to wholesalers), the
retail value (the price end customers buy used cars) and the loan value
(the loan banks will agree to give, a percentage of the retail value).  These
three figures are supposedly an average over this particular car transactions
throughout the US.

How accurate are these figures?  This is what I find the most interesting.
Currently many dealers use these figures for used car transactions, banks use
them for approving used car loans, and auto insurance use them for claim
purposes.  Because of this, end customers tend to use them because they have
to deal with them.  The more people use them as a guide to purchase a car, the
more accurate the figures become.  Sure some people buy below the figures, and
some above, but on the average it will be close to the figures.  So, even if
NADA arbitrarily pick the figures initially to be say a percentage of the
sticker price of the car when it is new, these figures will still become
accurate after some time.  Nice, huh?  This is price fixing at its finest.

For buying a used car, first I would say you have to have your view of the
value of the car.  Take into account the blue book value because the bank will
only approve 80% of this value for the car, insurance will pay only the
blue book value for claims, and dealers most likely bought the car around the
wholesale value.

Ask the dealer for the previous owner's phone number if it can be tracked down.
Then call this person asking for the history of the car, from the point of
maintenance and driving style, general opinion of the car, and the price it was
traded-in to the dealer.  The price can be tricky, since in general it is much
better than the wholesale value because the discount of the new car purchase
is usually bundled in.  Reputable dealers should be willing to give this
phone number, especially if the car is in good condition.

Also check for similar cars other dealers are offering or listed in the
classified ad.  Once you take all these into consideration, you can determine
your view of the value of the car.  Use this figure (or slightly below) as a
starting point of your negotiation.  Remember to consider profit for the dealer,
don't think they will sell a car at a loss.

Equipped with your view of the value of the car, the bargaining process can
start with a reasonable but firm offer.  For example you can say this is what
banks will loan me or this is what the maximum insurance will pay claim or
this is what other dealers/class add are offering to defend your reasonableness.
This makes the bargaining more pleasant.


-- 
Santa Wiryaman

INTERNET : wiryaman@riscee.pko.dec.com
UUCP     : ...!decwrl!riscee.pko.dec.com!wiryaman
Xref: sparky rec.autos:19924 rec.travel:11754
From: meb4593@galileo.rtn.ca.boeing.com (Michael Bain)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.travel
Subject: Re: Northern Lights en Route to Alaska on the Alcan
Date: 13 Aug 92 20:59:42 GMT
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Boeing Commercial Airplane Group, Seattle

rajiv@hilltop.mitre.org (Rajiv Kohli) writes:
>
>Has anybody actually seen these Northern Lights on the Alaskan Highway?

Yes.

>Are they visible during the summer? I plan to travel on this route next
>month and I just saw a beautiful picture of the lights.

I saw them in a June.  Usually they are seen in Alaska during the
winter.  (Of course, in Anchorage it doesn't get dark enough in the
summer to even see the stars ...)



-- 
Michael Bain                                            (206) 234-6942
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group           meb4593@icdfs.ca.boeing.com
Seattle, WA 98124
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: gong@cbnewsc.cb.att.com (jiechen.james.gong)
Subject: New Volvo 740 or the end of 740
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1992 18:35:35 GMT

Hi,

Does anyone know when they will redesign (or replace) Volvo 740 and
740 wagen?  A saleman told me that Volvo will discontinue the 740
saden next year.  Is that ture?

Thanks,
James
From: cc433336@LANCE.ColoState.Edu (Constantinos A. Caroutas)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Care to comment on Alfa vs. Miata?
Date: 20 Aug 92 21:24:10 GMT
Organization: Colorado State U. Engineering College

In article <SYNTH.92Aug18162545@deepthought.unm.edu>,
synth@deepthought.unm.edu (Synth F. Oberheim) writes:
>
>Many, many cars in production today have their speedometers calibrated high,
>whether intentionally or unintentionally.  Well, so much for slander ...

I believe it is intentional. Better to show a bit more than a bit less
since to be exact is not possible.
--
Constantinos A. Caroutas

"It's easy to make mistakes when others will be held responsible."
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.auto
From: lrf@genrad.com (Larry R. Forest)
Subject: dodge cummins turbo
Followup-To: poster
Keywords: diesel
Organization: GenRad, Inc.
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 16:57:11 GMT

Do any of the auto netters have any first hand experience with the Dodge
Cummins Turbo Diesel pickup trucks? What kind of actual mileage can one
expect from it? What kind of performance does it have verses say a
GM 350ci truck? What about base price? It might be a stupid question
but I'll ask. Can I get the Dodge 3/4 ton w/turbo cummins power plant
in a 4x4? I have seen 4x2s on the street but no 4x4s.

Thanks for any responses and information

Larry


Newsgroups: rec.autos
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Red vs. amber turn signals
From: derek@nezsdc.icl.co.nz (Derek Tearne)
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 92 21:16:47 GMT
Organization: Fujitsu New Zealand

In article <1992Aug13.223439.45251@datamark.co.nz> tfarmer@datamark.co.nz (Thomas Farmer) writes:

>If a car has red rear flashers, what does it use at the front? I guess
>it has to use amber because otherwise it could be even more confusing.
>
>It must be confusing - what happens if a car has it's headlights on at
>night (so the rears are lit up) and then they indicate to turn a
>corner and start braking at the same time? Can you tell what it's
>doing?
>
>I have only ever seen two cars that used them, and they were both
>American imports. (We normally don't get American cars here.)

Yet I recently followed home a Holden Barina with RED direction indicators...
(A Holden Barina is a small australian hatchback).


-- 

Derek Tearne. -- derek@nezsdc.icl.co.nz --  Fujitsu/ICL New Zealand --
From: harling@pictel.com (Dan Harling)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Locking Lug Nuts & Broken Key: Suggest
Date: 17 Aug 92 16:14:02 GMT
Organization: PictureTel Corporation

In article <1992Aug13.141539.29208@ra.msstate.edu> mrr1@Ra.MsState.Edu writes:
>
>>I have a set of locking lugnuts (McGuard brand) that uses a squiggly shaped key (no
>>serial number).
>>
>>The key is broken (shattered, but I have most of the pieces).  
>>
>>Any Suggestions for removing the locks?
>>
>Go to a Tire place, most of 'em have "Unlocking" kits...
>Depends on a a few things though, like if there is space
>                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^   
>around your nuts for the "tool"...
>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>Nope - no room.  Slightly more than 1/8 inch

Weld a regular hex nut to the top of the locking nut and use an
ordinary wrench to remove it.  It'll ruin the locking nut, of course,
but that's obviously not a problem for you in this case.
____________________________________________________________________________
Daniel A. Harling                        (harling@pictel.com)
PictureTel Corp.             Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of
Peabody, MA  01960                 PictureTel, but they ought to be!
From: rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: $758 for an oil change?
Date: 21 Aug 92 21:43:12 GMT
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network

In article <1992Aug21.185029.15472@julian.uwo.ca> wlsmith@valve.heart.rri.uwo.ca (Wayne Smith) writes:
>
>I'm sure that there are others on the net that, like myself, take care
>of our own car repairs (and other house-hold stuff) and live by the motto:
>
>It's not done right unless you do it yourself.

oh, and why not have your son/daughter/spouse/friend help you so they can
learn something and not get ripped off in the future!   
Xref: sparky rec.autos:20275 rec.autos.driving:5020
From: russotto@eng.umd.edu (Matthew T. Russotto)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors and regular people
Date: 20 Aug 92 02:46:28 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: College of Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park

In article <Bt8L06.GEs@acsu.buffalo.edu> getman@acsu.buffalo.edu (Steven R. Getman) writes:
>
>Yes, but I think the point as to newer cars being able to travel faster is a
>function more of brakes and handling than just being able to get up to
>cruising speed.  Your Grand Fury may be able to fly along at 100+ without any
>difficulty.  It may even handle OK (relative to that speed.)  My question is,
>how long would it take you to stop?  :)

Completely?  A second or two.  This of course depends on the
availability of a convenient solid object :-)


-- 
Matthew T. Russotto	russotto@eng.umd.edu	russotto@wam.umd.edu
Some news readers expect "Disclaimer:" here.
Just say NO to police searches and seizures.  Make them use force.
(not responsible for bodily harm resulting from following above advice)
From: gt7391a@prism.gatech.EDU (PREMINGER,JOHN)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Mazda Miata Info
Date: 14 Aug 92 21:30:12 GMT
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology

Does anyone know if Mazda has any plans to offer another engine
in the Miata for the U.S. market?  I believe Mazda offers a turbocharged
version in Japan, but is there any talk about offering a bigger or
better four (or maybe even the V-6 from the MX-3) in Miatas bound for
the U.S.?  I know there's been talk about this since the Miata first
came out.

Any other information on new colors, options, or special edition
packages (after the "black-tie" version) coming up for the Miata?
A while back, I read about Mazda planning to put a Shelby Cobra type
body on the Miata, and more recently I've heard some special group at
Mazda is bringing out a souped-up (whatever that means) version of the
car.

Thank you.

-- 
PREMINGER,JOHN
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
uucp:	  ...!{decvax,hplabs,ncar,purdue,rutgers}!gatech!prism!gt7391a
Internet: gt7391a@prism.gatech.edu
From: mrr1@Ra.MsState.Edu (mark r rauschkolb)
Subject: Locking Lug Nuts & Broken Key: Suggestions?
Reply-To: mrr1@Ra.MsState.Edu
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 14:17:07 GMT


I have a set of locking lugnuts (McGuard brand) that uses a squiggly shaped key (no
serial number).

The key is broken (shattered, but I have most of the pieces).  

Any Suggestions for removing the locks?

Thanks

Mark
mrr1@isis.msstate.edu

Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: sankar@Xenon.Stanford.EDU (Sriram Sankar)
Subject: What do you think of the Saab 9000?
Originator: sankar@Xenon.Stanford.EDU
Organization: Computer Science Department, Stanford University.
Date: Thu, 20 Aug 1992 19:25:37 GMT


I'm considering buying a 1992 Saab 9000S or 9000Turbo 5-speed.  I'm looking
for feedback on what you feel about this car and also where I can look for
more information.  Some questions:

1. What is a good price to go for - translate this to: "Are these cars
   selling well or are they trying to get rid of them before the 1993
   models arrive?"

2. What are the differences between the 1992 and 1993 models?

3. How reliable and useful is the turbo?  I drove the 5-speed non-turbo
   version and it seemed to have all the acceleration I cared for on
   a flat road.

Thanks,

Sriram.
sankar@cs.stanford.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bednarek@picard.med.ge.com (Dennis Bednarek Mfg 4-6971)
Subject: Re: Looking for wider tires/wheels for '90 Accord
Organization: GE Medical Systems, Magnetic Resonance
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 92 06:43:19 GMT


Keep the hieght of the tire stock, to avoid problems with speedometer
readings as well as changes in performance.  Same height but wider
tires are
   200/65R14
   215/60R14
   255/50R14
   195/60R15
   235/50R15
   205/50R16
I would not go drasticly wider but consider the 15 inch wheels as they
reduce the cushion of air between the rim and ground causing much more
stability.

Dennis


--

  
###############################################################################
###NEVER - NEVERMORE###########################################################
###############################################################################
####################################What are the contents of the oblong box?##
###############################################################################
  The usual disclaimer of self and employer applies to all above comments.
#
Xref: sparky rec.autos:20141 rec.autos.driving:4978 rec.autos.sport:8894 rec.autos.tech:11284 rec.autos.vw:4745
From: roy@alanine.phri.nyu.edu (Roy Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.sport,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos.vw
Subject: Re: reliable cars
Date: 18 Aug 92 19:09:56 GMT
Organization: Public Health Research Institute (New York)

tgpt_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Tom Guptill) writes:
>I _HIGHLY_ recommend an '81 or later Rabbit Diesel.  I know someone who has
>750,000 miles on one he drives daily, I had one that I sold with 305,000
>miles on it (it still got 40-45 mpg on the hwy) and I currently own one with
>about 125,000 miles on it.

Why an 81 or later?  My 1980 Rabbit Diesel just reached 148,000 miles and
still runs fine.  Sure, the electrical system flakes out sometimes in the
rain, and random bits of the body are deteriorating, but the important
stuff still works just great.  And, yes, I'm still getting over 40 MPG.

The latest bit of non-essental gear to break just happened this morning.  I
parked where I couldn't open the driver's side door, so I was schooching
over to the passenger's side door when my knee hit the cigarrette lighter
and took out the knob.  Oh well, it's probably the one part of the car
that's never been used.

You see a lot of people with Rabbit Diesels who are fanatics about their
cars.  How many Dodge Dart fanatics do you see?
-- 
roy@wombat.phri.nyu.edu (Roy Smith)
Public Health Research Institute
455 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
"This never happened to Bart Simpson."
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: barry@geovision.gvc.com (Barry Comer)
Subject: Re: small 6 cylinder engines
Organization: Not officially GeoVision Systems Inc., Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 22:13:26 GMT

I think the V6 in the Pinto was a 2.8L.

later
Barry

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: matth@progress.COM (Matthew J. Harper)
Subject: Re: Northern Lights en Route to Alaska on the Alcan
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 13:50:33 GMT

meb4593@galileo.rtn.ca.boeing.com (Michael Bain) writes:

>rajiv@hilltop.mitre.org (Rajiv Kohli) writes:
>>
>>Has anybody actually seen these Northern Lights on the Alaskan Highway?

>Yes.

>>Are they visible during the summer? I plan to travel on this route next
>>month and I just saw a beautiful picture of the lights.

>I saw them in a June.  Usually they are seen in Alaska during the
>winter.  (Of course, in Anchorage it doesn't get dark enough in the
>summer to even see the stars ...)

  Well, not *all* summer.

  I was up there this time last year.  Granted it takes 'till about 9:00pm
for sunset, but the stars do come out.  

  I was also able to see the Northern lights from Anchorage first week of Sept.
last year.  However, it was much better up in Denali National park where it
gets nice and dark ar night.  (It also got down to 16 degrees F, but that's
another story!-)

  From what I recall, they tend to start towards the end of summer with white's
and greens.  The other colors of the specturm show up later on in the season.

  Have a nice trip.  Someday I'll make that drive myself.

-Matth


          Matthew J. Harper ! Progress Software Corp. ! {disclaimer.i}         
   God created heaven and earth to grow barley and hops. Now he homebrews !-)  
--
          Matthew J. Harper ! Progress Software Corp. ! {disclaimer.i}         
   God created heaven and earth to grow barley and hops. Now he homebrews !-)  
Newsgroups: rec.autos,or.general
From: drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com (Devin Ben-Hur)
Subject: Mazda rotary mechanic
Organization: Are you kidding?
Distribution: or
Date: Sun, 23 Aug 1992 03:55:06 GMT

It's time for the 60K mi maintenance on my RX-7.  I'm looking for
recomendations for a mechanic in the Portland, OR area experienced
with Mazda rotary engines.
--
Devin Ben-Hur        [drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com]
"So, I rewired it!"
-- 
Devin Ben-Hur        [drazil@qiclab.scn.rain.com]
"So, I rewired it!"
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.sport,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos.vw
From: brims@bnkl01.astro.ucla.edu (George Brims)
Subject: Disgusting diesels (was:Re: reliable cars)
Organization: UCLA Dept of Astronomy
Date: 20 Aug 92 11:09:17 PDT

In article <1992Aug19.160444.4189@microplex.com> hsk@microplex.com (Harjeet Kalsi) writes:
>For those who think that they're slow, rough, and smoke, these are things 
>of the *past*.  Just try a new Mercedes diesel and the gas model and see if 
>you can tell the difference!  
Just try letting someone else drive your new Merc diesel and follow it in
another car. The only difference between a new one and an old one is the
quantity of soot. They ALL smoke. They put out less volatile unburnt
hydrocarbons than a petrol (gas - that's what you use for cooking!) engine
so they don't contribute as much to our infamous LA smog, but that's
small consolation if you're five feet behind in the rush hour.
If anyone still feels like buying one - select a dark color!!!

George Brims
From: jxt@calmasd.Prime.COM (Jawahar Tembulkar)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: VW Vanagons - '83 to '87 opinions sought.
Date: 21 Aug 92 19:44:21 GMT
Organization: Computervision, San Diego, CA


Anything special to look out for in Vanagons of this vintage ?

I do realize that they are not very "peppy" to say the least,
but what is the maintainence record of these vehicles ?  Are
they expensive to maintain ?

Would be grateful for any pointers.

Regards,


Jawa


-- 
* Statutory Disclaimer : These are merely my views.	*
* Jawahar M. Tembulkar, Computervision, R & D, 		*
* 9805 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA.	*
* UUCP : uunet!calmasd!jxt	voice : (619) 587-3078	*
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: esprit@netcom.com (Alan F. Perry)
Subject: Re: "Factory Air"
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 92 19:40:43 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Distribution: usa

In article <1992Aug15.125714.21469@esseye.si.com> jongsma@benzie.si.com writes:
>In <1992Aug14.075205.25453@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
>
>>As opposed to what?
>
>Dealer or aftermarket installed. Generally considered to be inferior to
>factory air because of one or more of the following:
>
>   1) Undersized engine cooling system
>   2) Undersized engine charging system
>   3) Requires rerouting of engine wiring and/or vacuum hoses
>   4) Inferior vent controls. Either uses non-air controls with
>      an "A/C" switch or replaces factory vent control with
>      aftermarket unit.
>
>Note that it used to be standard for Japanese cars to be shipped sans
>air with the importer ("X" of America) or dealer installing the a/c.
>Given that 80-90% of the cars sold in the US have air, they may be
>installed at the factory now.

As far as I know, Honda still does not install A/Cs at the factory.  They
are installed by the dealer.  My most recent data point in this a friend
who bought a 90 Integra.

alan
From: fierro@uts.amdahl.com (Doug Fierro)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: No Fault Auto Insurance
Date: 12 Aug 92 21:10:38 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <1992Aug10.174058.1391@advtech.uswest.com> kdlin@advtech.uswest.com (David Lin) writes:
>I'm confused by the no fault auto insurance here in Colorado.
>I recently moved to Boulder from Los Angeles for a job offer. I'm
>surprised by the high auto-insurance premium here in CO. I'll 
>really appreciate it, if anyone can answer my questions.
>
>(1) How does no fault auto insurance work? In particular, how do
>    I choose the liability and collision coverages? In California,
>    the liability part pays the damages to the other party and the
>    collision part pays your own damages, when you are at fault. 
>    But, under no fault auto insurance, what pays whose damages?
>    
>(2) Does no fault auto insurance always increase the premium that one
>    pays to the insurance company? I've called almost all the major
>    insurance companies here in Boulder and they all quoted me higher
>    rates than what I paid in Los Angeles. The traffic and population
>    here are no comparison to those in LA. Under no fault auto insurance,
>    no lawyers are involved when accidents occur. ( That's my understanding.)
>    Then why am I paying more for auto insurance here in Boulder?
>
>Thanks.
>
>David
>-- 
>Defend your life with style 			K. David Lin, Ph.D.
>		-- shoot a Beretta!!		Member Technical Staff
>Disclaimer: Only personal opinions.		U S WEST Advanced Technologies



  This month's Consumer Reports covers auto insurance extensively, as well
as anylize the "no fault" insurance concept, and why it has failed in some
states (New Jersey for instance).

  If I get some time I might type it in- nobody hold their breath though!

  Doug

-- 
                                                     Doug Fierro
                                      |\             UTS System Software
  O                         __________|_\______      CASE tools development
  \_.______________________| * * * * * * * * */      fierro@uts.amdahl.com
 __\____                   |=================/       (408)746-7102
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: dualist@leland.Stanford.EDU (Thomas Edward Schutz)
Subject: Care to comment on Alfa vs. Miata?
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 15 Aug 92 03:58:33 GMT

I drove a Miata a few times and had a lot of fun.  Now I'm
contemplating getting that type of machine (probably used).

Never had a chance to drive one of the Alfa models, though.
Any thoughts or experiences comparing the two, in terms of owner costs,
pure fun of driving, etc?

Thanks,

Tom S.