HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tcuhl@crchh483.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Thomas Uhl)
Subject: Re: Seat Belts Releasing in Crashes: Institute for Injury Reduction
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 02:33:23 GMT
Organization: BNR, Inc.

In article <1emo0gINN1ek@gap.caltech.edu>, gunning@cco.caltech.edu (Kevin J. Gunning) writes:
|> >
|> >I don't think I want a car with an air bag because I've heard they can
|> >blow your ear drums in certain situations because of the explosive inflation
|> >rates inside a closed area.  I don't know how true this is, but it is 
|> >something to consider when choosing between the mandatory passive
|> >restraint or air bags...
|> 
|> Don't bother considering it because it is absolutely false.I've been 
|> designing airbag systems for six years now, and have had the chance to
|> witness many crash tests.  You do NOT even hear the airbag inflate over
|> the noise of the crash. While the sound of an airbag deploying by itself
|> is quite loud, it is lost in the crash noise.  Don't worry.
|> 
|> This story has been around for about 20 year since the first airbags came
|> out.  :-)  Alt.folklore may be a good place to move this discussion
|> 
|> kjg
|> 
|> 

I read an article recently about a design for a rear-seat air
bag, yet the article mentioned that this could not be used
in conjuntion with two front-set airbags, because the simultaneous
inflation of all three airbags would cause an 'unacceptable
pressure rise' in the car. Why this was unacceptable, the article
did not say, however, I would guess that one's eardrums would
be most susceptible to this sudden pressure increase. I'd bet you
could hurt your ears if two airbags in a small two-seat car 
inflated simultaneously. I sure as hell am not giving up my air
bag because my ears might get hurt, though.

-- 
================================================
Tom Uhl @ Bell Northern Research    tcuhl@bnr.ca
Dallas TX
my opinions are my own.
================================================
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: Mark-Tarbell@suite.com
Subject: Toyota Sera
Reply-To: suite!tarbell@uunet.uu.net
Organization: Suite Software, Dallas, Anaheim, La Mesa.
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 21:33:41 GMT

Has anyone heard of a small Corolla-like car named the Toyota Sera?
It has two forward-hinged doors (not gull-wing), is a sporty-styled 
passenger car priced at what looks to be around $15,000 or so.

Apparently, it's being sold overseas, but not in the US. It would
sell like hot cakes here in Southern California.

Does anyone know anything more about the Sera?
(not gull-wing), is a sporty-styled 
passenger car priced at what looks to be around $15,000 or so.

Apparently, it's being sold overseas, but not in the US. It would
sell like hot cakes here in Southern California.

Does anyone kno
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rra21220@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Rae R. Aranas)
Subject: 1992 > Prelude/ BMW 318/325is Mailing Lists?
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 16:30:59 GMT

Is there a Prelude Mailing list for
1992 and up Preludes?

How about one for the BMW
3 series coupes?


Thanks for the information.

Rae.
From: byrd@mscf.med.upenn.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Toyota Sera
Date: 26 Jan 93 20:02:34 GMT
Organization: Univ of Penn - Med School Computer Facility

In article <1jngc6INNmpk@uwm.edu>, qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Aamir Hafeez Qazi) writes:

About the Toyota Sera:

> --It was on the auto show circuit a couple of years ago.  I believe it
>   is based on the Tercel platform.  The Sera is on sale in Japan only,
>   I think, although I believe some specialty importers in the UK sell
>   them there.
> 
>   Unfortunately, we get the Toyota Paseo.  Can you think of living with
>   boredom on wheels?

Paseos are not nearly as boring/ugly as Saturns which seem to
have a big following on this newsgroup. Interestingly I have
yet to hear anyone say much about how Saturns look an awful
lot like Olds Cutlass Supremes. So much for the so call "new"
GM car.


	Karen Byrd, VAX Sys. Manager
	University of Pennsylvania
	Medical School Computer Facility
	Philadelphia, PA 19104 (USA)
	Internet: byrd@mscf.med.upenn.edu
From: c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Spiros Triantafyllopoulos)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: mail order a car through car/puter acceptance corp.
Date: 26 Jan 93 20:55:17 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Delco Electronics Corp.

In article <1993Jan26.184502.8243@asl.dl.nec.com> doan@aslws01.asl.dl.nec.com (Duc Doan) writes:
>I plan to buy a Ford XLT Explorer via the mail with car/puter International
>Corp. I would like to know if anyone have experience with this concept of
>buying a car through the mail. Is this a good or bad way to buy a car. They
>advertised that they can buy you a car for only a $100.00 over invoice.

Don't know, but their 'car buying service' has just about the most pathetic
radio advertisments I've ever heard. (the one with a female voice claiming
that the most important thing about a car is price, not cylinders etc))

There's lots more (and cheaper) ways to get dealer cost for a given
car; and while I have no problem with the service itself, the ads are
terrible.

Spiros


-- 
Spiros Triantafyllopoulos                    c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com
Software Technology, Delco Electronics       (317) 451-0815
GM Hughes Electronics, Kokomo, IN 46904      [A Different Kind of Disclaimer]
From: v064mb9k@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (NEIL GANDLER)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Lexus Commericals
Date: 23 Jan 93 05:34:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


  I think Lexus commercials are so unique and successfull that many
automakers including Chrysler with their Lh commericals are doing 
the same. Instead of Lexus talking about how great their cars are
they demonstrate their technology with interesting special effects
and crazy apparatus like they used when doing the pinball test
and with the alarm clocks with the baby sleeping in side. There are
a few that I feel are overexaggerated. A while back they bragged that
their airbag terminals are plated in gold well thats a standard that I
believe is the law. Also I just finished watching the commerical with the
musician playing along with a CD player. First of all the difference between
two musical sources is not easily seen on a spectrum anaylizer and how
is she keeping in sync with the music on the disk.
From: parkerg@osshe.edu (Greg Parker)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Maxima
Date: 27 Jan 1993 17:06:32 GMT
Organization: Oregon State System of Higher Education
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: osshe.edu


Sorry for the blank message.  Let me try again.
In the market for a new car, after my Mazda 626 was stolen last week.
I usually prefer late model cars in order for someone to eat the
depreciation.  Looking at a 1992 Maxima.
Any experiences?]
Any idea of a good price for such a car?


A
Thanks!
Greg Parker
parkerg@osshe.edu




Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jnielsen@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (John F Nielsen)
Subject: Re: Worst Car Award
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 14:55:42 GMT


>
>>This should generate some healthy debate...
>From Consumer Reports the leading candidates would seem to include

[stuff deleted]

Also surprised you didn't mention the Jeep Grand Wagoneer.

>My personal "favorite" would be the Excel. (The above list is based on the 
>trouble index in Consumer Reports, and so misses out on some cars that are
>simply too low volume.) 


You are giving the wrong impression that CU thinks they are the
worst cars. The results are not based on what CU says but what
people respond with(which you may or may not agree with). Using
trouble index to indentify the worst car, is at best a very skewed
approximation. Some cars may not be very reliable but can be
very fun, pleasant, a pratical(depending on your desires) to have.
And, CU considers that for cars as well. 

I'd give a vote for the Olds. Achevia with those stupid door locks,
stodgy looks, attack belts, and crash test rating that would smash
anyone's brain.  I'd be tempted for the Excel, but I am not sure if
they had been updated since I last saw one.

john
-- 
John Nielsen   MAGNUS Consultant            ______   ______   __  __	
jnielsen@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu         /\  __ \ /\  ___\ /\ \/\ \
                                           \ \ \/\ \\ \___  \\ \ \_\ \
  Back off man, I'm a Scientist!            \ \_____\\/\_____\\ \_____\
From: Harv@cup.portal.com (Harv R Laser)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: >>> how do i get taurus' antenna down? <<<
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 11:28:33 PST
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
  <74148@cup.portal.com> <1993Jan25.160446.23797@ryn.mro4.dec.com>

>
>   Harv,
>
>   >If it's not a power antenna, and it's the stock 1-piece steel "whip" style
>   >Taurus antenna, it does NOT go down. It'll go thru a car wash just fine.
>
>       Are you sure it will survive the car wash?  My '92 Taurus GL's antenna
>   is the "fixed" type and yes, it is flexible, but I've been afraid to take
>   it through the car wash...it doesn't seem that flexible.
>
>       GM now makes a metallic compound antenna for their "fixed" antenna that
>   are very flexible and will endure car washes.  Ford is yet to sell these.
>
>   FWIW,
>   Tony
>--

Nah.. who can be sure of anything :) but I've never unscrewed the
antenna before running gmyg Taurus thru an automatic car wash, and
this includes both the kinds that are fully automatic, and gthge kinds
that have been converted to semi-automatic "hand wash" with human
beans installed in the tunnel using spray guns and soapy mits. The
antenna is still fine. Since I"m an apt. dweller I don't have a private
driveway to pamper my wagon in so it's either the $6 automatic 
washes (when I'm feeling rich or in a hurry) or the quarter-sucking
DIY washes (when I'm feeling poor or have more time). 

One of the automatic ones once nicely bent my ex-Capri's retractable
antenna in half.. the manager of the wash came out and installed
(for free of course) a new one with a huge coiled spring at its
base. It just fit over the stub of what was left of the original
antenna. 

The steel one-piece whip on the Taurus has nicely survived being
brushed by low-hanging roadside tree branches and such many times.
I've seen it bent over almost at a 90 degree angle and just spring
right back. 

I guess if folks are real concerned about the one-piece antennas
getting damaged, then they should unscrew them before heading into
the car wash. If not, not. 

Park and lock it - not responsible. :)

Harv
From: mchaffee@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu (Real Life?!?! HA!!)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Worst Car Award
Date: 26 Jan 93 17:56:28 GMT
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana

It's ironic that, while one thread is arguing whether the Audi 5000 or Ford
Taurus was the first popular car with aerodynamic styling, another thread is
debating the aesthetics of Citroens.

As some of us I'm sure know, Citroen has been in the business of making
aerodynamic cars for longer than most of us have been alive.  Whether or not
Citroen was influential to the Audi 5000 or the (yecch) Taurus is another
matter; however, neither the Taurus nor the 5000 broke any new ground aero-
dynamically, except in sales.

$0.02

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael T. Chaffee       | mchaffee@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu  |  ______    
"It has been said - mostly by illiterates and conserv-|  \    /   HATE
atives - that the belief in God is at the base of the |   \  /  is not a
American system, and that the United States is a prod-|    \/  FAMILY VALUE
uct of Christian piety."  -  Leonard Peikoff          |
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: SHO Problems
Date: 22 Jan 93 23:20:50 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

In article <1993Jan22.145225.1478@tellab5.tellabs.com>, mikes@tellabs.com 
(Michael D. Schwartz) writes:
> This happened to my SHO after the battery died. (The tach was all the way
> around underneath the stop pin at 0 RPM). If yours is in that condition, try
> romping on it a few times, getting the revs into the stratosphere. Mine 
suddenly
> came to life when I revved it to around 6,500 rpm (estimated - the tach 
wasn't
> working until then :-).
> 
> Same thing happened to a friend's Mustang after his battery was 
disconnected as
> well. Good luck.
> -- 


My Ford dealer has agreed to fix it on Monday while I wait.  They are
embarrased.  In the meantime I'll try the rev to 6k that you have 
suggested... Guess I can't do any harm the ignition will cut out before
I hurt the engine...


Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com or 74616.2237@compuserve.com
SHO  GOZE
From: dwsmall@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Derek 'Enzo' Small)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Worst Car Award
Date: 25 Jan 93 06:12:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: miavx1.1993Jan25.111233.15253
Organization: Miami University Academic Computer Service"

>>I'd like to conduct an informal poll here: what do the gentle readers of this
>>group think is the WORST car being made today???  (And why?)  It must be a 
>>car still being manufactured, so a 1975 Dodge Dart doesn't count.  :-)
> 
>>This should generate some healthy debate...
> From Consumer Reports the leading candidates would seem to include
> Chevrolet Blazer
> Chevrolet Camaro
> Chevrolet Cavalier
> Chevrolet Corsica
> Dodge Daytona
> Dodge Spirit
> Eagle Premier
> Hyundai Excel
> Jaguar XJ6
> Pontiac Firebird

I'll never understand Jaguar's thinking on the new XJ6.  Apparently sales
were suffering so they took an upscale car made it cheaper and less powerful
then tried to sell it for about the same thing. 

Personal favorites:
most overpriced        - Honda  Del Sol
ugliest                - Hummer  (though I'd buy one in a second)

-- 
*******************************************************************************
* Derek "Enzo" Small                   [san.dwsmall]@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu    *
*                                      Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056   *
*******************************************************************************
*                                                                             *
*  " Work hard but know your limitations.  Your dog can do things that would  *
*    break you neck."                                                         *
*				Johnny Carson				      *
*									      *
*******************************************************************************
From: ajm9230@hertz.njit.edu (Anthony J. Messina)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Manual to Power Brake Conversion
Summary: Need to find someplace that will do this.
Date: 26 Jan 93 21:18:40 GMT
Distribution: nj
Organization: New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, N.J.

Hello everyone. I am looking for someplace in New Jersey where I can
have the manual 4 wheel drum brake system replaced with a front disc
power system. The car is a 1966 Pontiac Tempest and I know it takes a
lot of work and time to do the job, therefore I need to find someplace
dependable that will do quality work. Any hints in the right direction
or whether it's worthless to do this, let me know at:
ajm9230@hertz.njit.edu

thanks for your time.
Anthony Messina

-- 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Random quote: "There is no sexual act that is not dangerous" | Michelle Slung

email address: ajm9230@hertz.njit.edu
From: so0z+@andrew.cmu.edu (Sang-Yoon Oh)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Taurus now #1 seller?
Date: 24 Jan 93 19:32:17 GMT
Article-I.D.: andrew.wfMrhV200WBM86MWo8
	<1993Jan22.171808.23368@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com>
Distribution: usa
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA

On 22-Jan-93 in Re: Taurus now #1 seller?    
user Sharen A. Rund@iscnvx.lm writes:
>Harv - you missed a thread on this right after the 1st - during December
>Taurus & Accord were neck & neck for first, then Ford put on a big promo
>to shove past Accord and won (in fact of the top 10 selling cars in the
>US, 5 of them were fords - the ford truck was also #1 in sales)
>Sharen (89 Taurus wagon owner)

I have a question on this number one selling car in the US.
According to the articles I have read, Ford gave a big promo to rental
car companies(dumping may be the right word here) in order to beat
Accord.
I don't know what the percentage of new Taurus is sold to rental car
companies but must be a huge number.  
What is the point of having or checking who sold the most number of car??? 
To inform public that which car is the best liked by majority, isn't it??
I don't think rental car purchase is contraled by consumers(rental car
customers).    I go to rental car agent and I basically get no choice. 
(for example, I rather drive Accord or Maxima than Taurus or Lumina
which only cars offered by major rental car companies.  You don't have
to flame me for this, I just have had bad experience with Ford and GM
cars.  It is just a my personal preference)
I felt that some of big rental companies cannot/don't buy import
cars.(one of those stupid rule or that domestic companies give big, I
mean big discounts??)
Big three are accusing Japanese car companies on dumping sale on minivans.
Looks like they are not looking at themselves before accusing their
competitors.

In my opinion the cars sold to companies(with those ridicules discount)
shouldn't be counted in top ten selling cars list.  They should have
separate list "top ten company cars".  or give customers like me a same
deal(price wise) which those rental car companies get.

--Sang
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: dharma@vccsouth23.its.rpi.edu (Andreas Budi Dharmawan)
Subject: RE: BMW M3 Inquiry
Keywords: BMW M3
Reply-To: dharma@rpi.edu
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 20:46:37 GMT

>suspension, etc. Actually, you can't compare the two, they are for
>different buying segments of the population. I would compare the
>performance of the RX-7 to a Porsche 968, or even Carerra 2, and
>the Nissan 300ZX twin turbo, and the Mitsubishi GTO (3000GT in the
>US).

I agree, but Porsches are in different price range. Even, Nissan 300ZX,
and the Mitshubishi 3000 GT have higher prices than the RX-7. The new
price of RX-7 is close to the new price of 1991 M3, though. 

I found out that BMW don't make 1992 M3. It's ashame!

Thanks to all who responded to my posting. It is very informative. 

-dharma@rpi.edu
From: qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Aamir Hafeez Qazi)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Toyota Sera
Date: 27 Jan 93 21:36:19 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4

In article <=tq3zwp@rpi.edu> kokerj@rpi.edu writes:
>
> ...stuff deleted...
>
>saying), but the Paseo is pretty stupid looking...as is the mx-3 and
>the nx2000. But then again, people don't buy Japanese cars for their
>looks. There must be some other reason but i haven't figured it out...8)
>
>--Jim
>"If it's not German, it's not worth driving"

--People buy Japanese cars for their exceptional reliability and quality
  control, not for the way they drive (in general!!).  Yes, the Nissan 
  NX 2000 looks weird, but find me a car in that price range that drives
  better!  The steering is firm, meaty, and direct; the shifter is one of
  the best you'll ever experience (can't say that about a GTi), the brakes
  are excellent, and the handling is almost unreal for a fwd car.  German
  cars, like the GTi, handle very well.  However, the Nissan handles well,
  AND it feels racy, i.e. light on its feet, yet glued to the ground.  
  GTi's are very stout, but they don't seem to want to fly thru the corners,
  although they will with no hesitation.  German cars nowadays, from VW's 
  to Mercedes and BMW's, seem to have teething problems now (read
  rec.autos.vw  and see what I mean);
  it wasn't like that too long ao.  BMW and Mercedes are becoming quite
  Mitsubishi-like, now that they are offering ludicrous electronic gadgets
  and gizmos to "improve" their cars, especially European market models.

  Go drive an NX 2000 for an hour.  You'll be very surprised by how well
  it drives.

--Aamir Qazi

-- 

Aamir Qazi
qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
--Why should I care?  I'd rather watch drying paint.
From: theckel@col.hp.com (Tim Heckel)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: LUMBAR SUPPORT is a pain in the .... er..back.
Date: 21 Jan 1993 23:13:10 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
NNTP-Posting-Host: tbone7.cs.itc.hp.com

FYI for those of you (like me) with back problems while
driving.  I found a wonderfully useful inflatable pillow
that is infinately adjustable and solved my lumbar support
problems.  It's just the right size and you can adjust the
thickness by adding/deleting air.  And, being flexible, it
conforms to your car seat and human shape...

Mail order from "the Back Shoppe" in Monterey, CA for
about $8.  It's called "back aid". Sorry, I don't have
the phone#.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: tmr@wdl1.wdl.loral.com (Tim Ryan)
Subject: Re: Rain-X?
Organization: loral western development labs
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 20:36:24 GMT

In article <C1Iyny.5Ds@utdallas.edu>, goyal@utdallas.edu (MOHIT K GOYAL) writes:
> 
> Does this product really work?
> 
> If so, are their any side-effects, or consequences?
> 
> Thanks.
 

It works great for a while. It doesn't seem to last that long during heavy
rain fall.  About a week at best. The windows appear to be much clearer 
after the first application. I haven't been using it all that long though
six months or so, applying it twice a month after washing. I'm happy with 
Rain X, its a rare treat to buy a product that does what the marketing said 
it did!

So far no side-effects!  I put in on my new truck the first week I had it,
I'll wait and see if there are any problems in the future.

Later,
Tim
(The above opinions are mine, the company I work for doesn't pay me to 
a have opinion!)
From: bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Is it OK to wash off the engine?
Date: 26 Jan 93 21:45:41 GMT
Organization: The Ohio State University

rvn@icd.teradyne.com writes:

>    Here is what I do (most is in the instructions for the spray):
>
>    1) warm the engine up for at least 20 mins.
>    2) shut it off, seal air intake...
>    3) spray the stuff..
>    4) 5 mins. later rinse it all off real well..
>    5) open up the intake again, and run the engine for another 20 mins.

Take me out back and shoot me the day I spray cold water on
my hot block and heads.

Yikes.

Regards,

Brian

bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am the engineer, I can choose K.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Engineering Mechanics
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
Newsgroups: rec.autos


I have a 1989 Toyota pickup with xtra cab.
Due to a manufacturing defect, I'm going to get my truck repainted by
the dealer. This gives me a second chance to get a bedliner, which I regret
not having done when I originally bought the truck.

Does anyone have any recommendations for good brands of bedliners, or any 
advice about which ones to stay away from?

Thanks !!

Tom  (using Tristan's account) 

   _____________________________  ____________________________________
 
   Lisa Tristan Colson            e-mail  : tristan@hp-ptp.ptp.hp.com
   Hewlett-Packard                HPDESK  : Tristan Colson / HP2200/UM
   Integrated Systems             US Mail : 1266 Kifer Road MS 102F
     Division                               Sunnyvale, CA 94086            
   Phone : (Telnet/408) 746-5322            
   _____________________________  ____________________________________

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: msyed@hilbert.coe.northeastern.edu
Subject: Import from Europe
Originator: msyed@hilbert
Organization: CDSP Computing Lab, Northeastern University
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 17:56:08 GMT


Would any of you net folks know what is the procedure is to 
import a car from Europe for personal use. I would appreciate
information about customs (the various taxes), the standards 
the car would have to conform to etc.

Thanks

Newsgroups: rec.autos