HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: sharen@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (Sharen A. Rund)
Subject: Re: Aftermarket sunroofs - are they any good?
Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 92 15:26:44 GMT

In article <1992Oct3.173609.2733@leland.Stanford.EDU> nathanc@leland.Stanford.EDU (Nathan Chan) writes:
>Hello netters:
>
>I am interested in the new Nissan Altima. When I went to the dealer
>and looked at the GXE model, he said that a factory sunroof was
>not available, but that a company called "American Sunroof" could
>put one in. (power tilt/slide with sunshade)
>It would be done before I took delivery and would cost
>about $1000. Has anyone out there had experience with this company
>or with aftermarket sunroofs in general? Is the quality the same
>as a factory-installed one? If I put one in, does that void any
>part of the new-car warranty? Any comments would be appreciated.
>
sounds like the same company my sister had put a sunroof in her
car - they did a good job...one comment, call the company itself
and see if you can get a better price....

-- 
________________       __        ________________   "They that can give up
\_________      \     /_ \      /      _________/  essential liberty to 
 \_________      \_____/  \____/      _________/  obtain temporary safety
  \___________________      __________________/  deserve neither liberty 
                     /______\                   nor safety."  
ALL disclaimers apply ....                           --Benjamin Franklin
	  
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: summ50@cse.unl.edu ()
Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero problems?
Keywords: Fiero, problems
Organization: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 15:55:30 GMT

ammann@cs.sfu.ca (Ammann Manuel) writes:

>I've been offered two Pontiac Fieros.

>84 4cyl., loaded, emergency brake broken, 102,000km
>for about Can$2500

>87 4cyl, 5speed, NOT loaded, some scratches,
>109,000km for about Can$3000

>Both cars have no obvious other problems than the
>ones mentioned above.
>The prices look ok to me. Other opinions?

>NOW:
>How good are Fieros mechanically? Are they 
>high-maintenance cars? Not reliable?
>What are typical problems?

>Would be great to find out about these things
>before buying one. Your  help is appreciated.

>Manuel

>Since I have no idea 


	My girlfriend has an '87 Fiero that isn't loaded - sounds similar
	to the one you are looking at.  She has 50,000 miles on hers, and
	has had no problems whatsoever.  The earlier Fieros, however, had
	many problems.  

	My advice if you are looking for a Fiero is to hold out for an
	'87 or '88 Formula or an '88 GT...  the V-6 engines are much 
	better, and the '88 GT had an newly redesigned suspension.
	
	However, if you are going to choose between the two you are looking
	at now, I would stay away from the '84.


                                                                   __
/-----------------------------+---------------+-------------------///-------\  
|    ___  __   ___  __   __   |               | Multitasking __  ///        |
|   |    |  | |    |__   __|  |  Unsafe at    | my life      \\\///  Amiga  |
|   |___ |__| |     __| |__|  |  any speed... | away !!!      \XX/   3000   |
|-----------------------------+---------------+-----------------------------| 
|    Eric Elliott            summ50@cse.unl.edu         GEnie: E.ELLIOTT7   |
\---------------------------------------------------------------------------/

--
 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bdd@tyrolia.cs.princeton.edu (Brandon Dixon)
Subject: Re: downforce and cornering g's (was which car handles the best?
Organization: Computer Science Department, Princeton University
Date: 28 Sep 92 17:51:31

There is nothing which prohibits a car (even with 0 downforce) from
generating more than 1G.

Brandon Dixon
From: pete@introl.com (Pete Ikusz)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Mustang GT vs. Mustang LX 5.0
Date: 6 Oct 1992 18:05:13 -0500
Organization: Introl Corp.
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: introl.introl.com

I think the difference is more with the LX 5.0 notchback rather
than the hatchback. That is where a lot of the weight is lost.

-Pete
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------
Pete Ikusz	Introl Corporation	pete@introl.com
From: dlou@ECE.UCSD.EDU (Dennis Lou)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero problems?
Date: 6 Oct 92 21:07:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: zapruder.9210062107.AA07541
Distribution: na
Organization: University of California, San Diego

In article <Bvps2y.EDC@waterloo.hp.com> enns@waterloo.hp.com (Roger Enns) writes:
>
>>
>>    That's why Ford is #1 in the domestic car market !!!
>>     
>
>Ford is #1 in the domestic car market because they are pedalling
>rebadged Mazdas... :-)

I thought Ford is #1 in the domestic car market because of rental
agency and fleet sales.  I would venture to guess that rental agencies
and fleet buyers look for the low bidder and care little for longevity
and servicability (since they keep their cars for only a year or two).


--
Dennis Lou             || "But Yossarian, what if everyone thought that way?"
dlou@ucsd.edu          || "Then I'd be crazy to think any other way!"
[backbone]!ucsd!dlou   |+====================================================
dlou@ucsd.BITNET       |Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak went to my high school.
From: hsd@swl.msd.ray.com (HERBERT DASILVA)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: facts on Dodge intrepid, Eagle Visoin, Chrysller whatever
Date: 1 Oct 92 20:05:47 GMT
Organization: Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA

jlysagh@hubcap.clemson.edu (james joseph lysaght) writes:

>I am interested in facts on the Dodge intrepid and similar Eagle and
>Chrysler cars.

  There have been a LOT of recent magazine articles about these cars, so if
  want printed details, they're out there, this is from memory:

>I saw some yesterday on a lot stickered at 18,000 and I liked the looks
>unfortunately the dealer was not open at the time.  I am interested in
>facts like engine size,

  The base engine is 3.3L 150hp.  Optional engine is 3.5L-4V 210hp.

>0-60,

  don't know

>ABS,

  available, possibly standard equipment, don't remember

>Airbags,

  driver's AND passenger's airbags standard

>available options,

  the usual power goodies, stereos, CD player, etc...
  don't remember them all

>Gas mileage,

  EXCELLENT for a car this size:  22mpg city, 28mpg hwy for the 3.3L

>type of seat belts (passive, active),

  Normal 3-point belts (Amen!)

>spare (full size or temp)

  Full size spare standard

>and all that sort of stuff.

  - Separate A/C & heat controls for the rear seat passengers
  - Low lift-over trunk sill

>Has anybody test driven or purchased one, what did you think?  I would
>prefer facts about the car but I am open to subjective opinions of ride
>quality, noise and such.

  Most Chrysler/Dodge/Eagle dealerships are so proud of this car that
  getting a test drive is a piece of cake.  Go for it!

>Jim 

	Herb "Mopar Maniac" DaSilva
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: summ50@cse.unl.edu ()
Subject: Re: PC's vs. Mac's... was: FWD vs. RWD, Which is best.
Organization: University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 06:54:09 GMT

eliot@lanmola.engr.washington.edu (eliot) writes:

>In article <1992Oct4.014725.5606@unlinfo.unl.edu> summ50@cse.unl.edu () writes:

>>	Also, the AWD (or 4WD ) BMW 3-series actually had a "4x4" badge
>>	on the grill...

>are you sure you are not referring to the "325ix" badge?  i have never
>seen 4x4 badges on 325ix's ever.


>eliot

	Yeah, on the FRONT grille...  on the driver's side, between the
	kidney and the headlights... I thought it was just an emblem that
	the owner stuck on (it looked kind of stupid), but I have seen
	SEVERAL 325ix with that damn '4x4' emblem on the grille

	go figure...


                                                                   __
/-----------------------------+---------------+-------------------///-------\  
|    ___  __   ___  __   __   |               | Multitasking __  ///        |
|   |    |  | |    |__   __|  |  Unsafe at    | my life      \\\///  Amiga  |
|   |___ |__| |     __| |__|  |  any speed... | away !!!      \XX/   3000   |
|-----------------------------+---------------+-----------------------------| 
|    Eric Elliott            summ50@cse.unl.edu         GEnie: E.ELLIOTT7   |
\---------------------------------------------------------------------------/

--
 
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving
From: kiyer@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Karthik A Iyer)
Subject: Need advice on 89 Accord LX and Prelude
Organization: The Ohio State University
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1992 19:40:16 GMT


I am looking at the  two cars mentioned above. Both are 89s, have about 40k 
miles
and are loaded. The 2.0L S also has a sunroof. The dealer is will to sell
either of these cars for ~$10,500 with a 2yr./24,000 miles warranty. I would
like to know the following:
1. Is the quoted price "fair"?
2. How does the reliability of the Prelude compare with that of the Accord. I 
would like to keep the car I choose for 3-5 years.
3. What about the ressale value of these cars
and 4. What I should look for in each of these car before I choose one ?
Thanks for the replies in advance.

Karthik A. Iyer
From: awds_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (ClarkKent)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: SHO Engine
Date: 29 Sep 92 19:49:29 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York

-another word on the Taurus SHO v6-

I got my Ford Motorsports catalogue recently:-)  
You can BUY a complete SHO engine, including the acc. pulleys,
a/c compressor, wiring harness, and computer.  The price?  
Gee, they didn't list any prices in the catalogue.  Call Lou
Fusz wholesale parts, they usually carry parts at about 20% less
than Ford retail, maybe more if you give them a number from the
Motorsports catalogue.  I'm sure we'd all love to hear from someone
who successfully installs one of these in a Probe!

		Adam Edwards
awds_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu
From: james@koko.csustan.edu (Jonas Grumpy)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Whats a Geo Metro (explained)
Date: 6 Oct 92 03:58:10 GMT
Organization: CSU Stanislaus

In article <1992Oct5.222314.10111@bsu-ucs.uucp> 01ksdavis@bsu-ucs.uucp (Rebel without a clue.) writes:
>In article <3TN7RB1w164w@cellar.org>, blu@cellar.org (Dan Reed) writes:
>> Geo Metros
>> ^^^^^^^^^^ - Please Explain This!
>> 
>> A Geo, is a car comany here in the states, that sells several small, crummy, 
>> magot shit box cars under the Chevy name.  The cars are made by Isusu, 
>> Toyota, and Diahatsu (sp?).  All sold under the Geo name.  One such car, the 
>> Geo Metro, is a small, 4 person car.  The car, is *Very* small, and sports (I 
>> think) a 3 cyl. engine, and gets 56Mpg.  Needless to say, this car, does not 
>> have that much power...
>> 
>> ----- 
>>  Dan Reed (Blu-Max) blu@cellar.org - AutoCad Geek - VW Lover - InlineSkater 
>> 68 Cougar XR-7, 89 VW Golf, 72 Honda CL360Twin, Ti/99/4a, Vextrex, Timex
>-- 
>	Indeed, the air-conditioning and an automatic tranny on this car puts so
>much strain on the engine it won't move.  
>
>	Another thing about the metro-I have seen the afters.  Can you say
>death-traps?  Can you say I feel safer in my unsafe-at-any-speed VW BUG or Chevy
>Corvair?  Can you say Ralph Nader only persecutes cool cars?
> ______________________________________________________________________________


This summer I saw an accident where a late model Metro was rear ended by
a late model Camry or taurus. The sedan had light damage to the bumber and
no visible deformation to the hood or fenders. The metros' rear bumber was
where the backs of the front seats was. I just hope there was no one in the
back seats. Have any of you noticed that this car has no crumple zone?
-- 
C MYSIG  ASIG4U 1RADSIG 2BADSIG SIG U 2     U R SIG   1SIGDOG    ADOTSIG

Vanity .sigs, now only $35
From: hacker@cco.caltech.edu (Jonathan Bruce Hacker)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Anybody know anything about Shocks?
Date: 30 Sep 1992 17:56:48 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: punisher.caltech.edu

welty@cabot.balltown.cma.COM (richard welty) writes:


>if you want bilstein type ride, and you can get them for the car,
>then look for KYBs; they are very similar to bilsteins in that regard.
>they aren't as well quality controlled, and will last about 1/2 as long,
>but they cost about 1/3rd as much.  also, you're far more likely to
>get a bad shock out of the box, but the KYB warranty will cover that.


Anyone know a place where KYB's can be mail ordered?

-- 
Jon Hacker
Caltech, Pasadena CA
hacker@tumbler-ridge.caltech.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: brad@buck.viewlogic.com (Bradford Kellogg)
Subject: Re: Ultra-high?   Was Re:  FWD vs RWD
Originator: brad@buck
Organization: Viewlogic Systems, Inc.
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 17:43:15 GMT


In article <1992Oct1.171536@usho21.hou281.chevron.com>, hhtra@usho21.hou281.chevron.com (T.M.Haddock) writes:
|> 
[stuff deleted]

|>  IMHO, it would be something like this:
|> 
|>      Level      0-60   1/4          Examples 
|>   -----------   ----   ---   ------------------------
|>   Performance    <8    <16   Most Sports Models (not Sporty)
|>   High           <7    <15   Mustang, Camaro, Eclipse
|>   Very High      <6    <14   Vette, 300ZX, Porsches
|>   Ultra High     <5    ~13   Ferraris, ZR1, Porsches 
|>   Mine           <4    <12   F40  (I just have $999,999 to go) :)
|> 
You can have 0-60 times of <4 for only a few thousand. I don't 
remember the make or model, but a recent incarnation of one of
the Japanese sport bikes does this very easily. If you want 
inexpensive mega G force acceleration, motorcycles are it.
From: terst1+@pitt.edu (Timothy E Rapp)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Will dealerships deal on a Saturn?
Keywords: deal, saturn
Date: 28 Sep 92 17:50:12 GMT
Followup-To: terst1+@pitt.edu
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Pittsburgh

The local Saturn dealer told me that they have a "no-haggle" sales 
policy - ie. you pay sticker.

Has anyone had any luck buying a Saturn SL2 sports sedan for below
sticker?

The car has to be ordered as their lot is empty, and delivery takes
6-8 weeks!

Thanks!

-Tim


Organization: Senior, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Date: Sun,  4 Oct 1992 23:59:12 -0400 
From: "Russell E. Hoffman, II" <rh2y+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Hood for 1970 Camaro sought - PA area

      Hi folks... I'm looking for a hood for a 1970 Camaro. Preferably
from somewhere in Pennsylvania or surrounding states. I need one to cut
for a two-fours and tunnel ram setup. (since the one that's on is is in
perfect shape, I'd hate to cut it) If you have one already cut, that
might be okay, too. 



Thanks,
Russell Hoffman                 | 1970 Split-Bumper Camaro SS
rh2y+@andrew.cmu.edu            | 406 Small Block   13.5:1 CR 
Carnegie Mellon University      | Tunnel Ram 2x650cfm 4bbl  2B-STREET-DRIVEN
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

-rwx        1 joe_user                   806 May  1 23:38 file

r - indicates you can look at the file
w - indicates file can be hosed
x - indicates file contains bugs

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: paulman@hkmeg1.enet.dec.com (Paul Man)
Subject: Cooling problem
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: 28 SEP 92 14:17:14    


I hope here is the right place to post my question.  Recently I
bought an 85, manual transmission, Honda Civic.  Don't know if 
it's my imagination or what, I think my car has some cooling 
problem.  The water in the plastic cooler tank dries out very 
fast.  There would be less than 1/5 of water remaining in the 
tank after a 200 km (or so) drive, so I have to fill it up again 
every two or three days.  I had an 81 Ford Escort before and it 
never have this kind of problem.

The reading of the temperature meter is also funny.  The reading
stays at the 1/3 position (normal position) if I am driving on
highway, that means high speed and non stop.  However, if I go to
places with lots of lights and traffics, that means low-gear, start
and stop very often.  The reading will go up to 2/3 position.  If
the meter is functioning properly, does that mean the engine is
running hotter in low speed???!!!

Except these, my car seems to be normal.  Can anyone of you tell
me if my car is really in trouble?  Minor or serious?

Please answer by e-mail, thank you.

Paul

---
Paul P. Man                      Internet: paulman@hkmeg1.enet.dec.com
Digital Equipment Corporation    UUCP:  ...!decwrl!hkmeg1.enet.dec.com!paulman
---
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bernie@metapro.DIALix.oz.au (Bernd Felsche)
Subject: Re: FWD vs. RWD, Which is best.
Organization: MetaPro Systems, Perth, Western Australia
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 92 04:09:27 GMT

In <1992Sep28.202018.444@sol.UVic.CA>
   atovorni@engr.UVic.CA (Andreas  Tovornik) writes:

>   This is a subjective can of worms you're opening up. I personally prefer
>rear wheel drive because the weight of the car is more balanced between
>the front and rear of the car. When road adhesion decreases and you want to slow
>down, with RWD all you have to do is threshold brake (in heavy rain or snow.)

It really does depend on a lot of things, not just the
location of the driving wheels. Suspension geometry, the
actual mass distribution, braking system, drivetrain, etc., etc.

>   It's trickier with FWD. Since the center of gravity is concentrated more
>to the front of the car, and if the road gets slick, the rear of the car
>has a greater tendency to lose grip on the road and the car will swap ends,
>that is, spin out.

Well, I've *never* in 200,000+km of front-wheel driving
experienced a spin-out, more of a mild plow-on understeer.
Mind you, I've avoided the FWD toys because of their
inherent stability and tinniness.

>   Another typical FWD problem is the tendency to have torque steer with
>higher horsepower engines (>180 roughly), and since the weight of the car
>is more concentrated to the front, you get understeer or front end plow
>around corners and in curves.

Torque-steer? Wossat? Oh, that thing when a Honda rips your
hands off if you plant your foot around a corner. I thought
it was just a bad setup in that type of car --- never in my
Audi or VW.

>   Try driving two cars of roughly equal weight (like a 4cyl Mustang and
>a normally aspirated Probe), and drive them hard on twisty roads you know
>well. Make a few panic stops and accelerate on the curves. I let you come
>to your own conclusions.

Well, if you go scraping the bottom of a barrel for
examples, you could tell horror stories about either! I've
driven some local Ford and GM RWD models and none have gone
anywhere near the predictability of the FWD's I could afford
and want to buy.

And that, I believe is the essence of the difference. I'd
like to be able to afford a BMW, Porsche or Mercedes, but
they are two to eight times as expensive as my VW Golf GTI.
And for twice as much, I don't really believe that I'd be getting 
"twice" the car, maybe 30% more.

Meanwhile, there's this harbour bridge I'm selling ....
-- 
+-----+ Bernd Felsche                     _--_|\  #include <std/disclaimer.h>
| | | | MetaPro Systems Pty Ltd          /      \ bernie@metapro.DIALix.oz.au
| | | | 328 Albany Highway,              X_.--._/         Fax: +61 9 472 3337
|m|p|s| Victoria Park, Western Australia 6100  v        Phone: +61 9 362 9355
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero problems?
Reply-To: dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton)
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 21:18:08 GMT

In article <Bvps2y.EDC@waterloo.hp.com>, enns@waterloo.hp.com (Roger Enns) writes:
|> 
|> >
|> >    That's why Ford is #1 in the domestic car market !!!
|> >     
|> > 			-Trevor
|> >                 ( previous owner & faithful follower of the Mustang )
|> >                           ( '69 Grande 302 - '79 5.0L Cobra )
|> >  =======================================================================
|> >  |   C. Trevor Perkins                       891078p@ace.acadiau.ca.   |
|> 
|> Ford is #1 in the domestic car market because they are pedalling
|> rebadged Mazdas... :-)

Why not, it's what Chyrsler does.  At least they're making money.
If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

Don Clayton
a.k.a. Rear-Adm. Maverick, DM of the Drow
My brain, my thoughts, my words.
If I had a million dollars, I'd buy you a K-car (a nice reliant automobile),
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: louislam@iastate.edu (Louis C Lam)
Subject: What Honda is this?
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 00:41:51 GMT

I just received a coupon book from Honda and on one page, titled
"Honda Welcones Two New Family Members", it showed two new Hondas.

One of them is a Del Sol (I know this car :)) but I have little
clue on the other.  It looks like a Civic 4 door, but it has only
2 door (but not the hatch-back!), so it's a coupe.  It's got the 
door handle of a Civic, and the head looks pretty much like a Civic
(It's a side view).  But the tail is new to me.  It kinda like a ...
(Well, I dunno)  It has only plastic wheel cover, so I assume it
won't be an Accord.

Could this be a 93 Civic coupe?

It sure looks beautiful in the picture, and it's even prettier than 
the Civic 4 door.

Anyone know what car is this? (Car & Driver may have some info on 
this car, but my issue hasn't arrive yet)

Louis
From: lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Can I get out of these 2 tickets?
Date: 2 Oct 92 01:01:21 GMT
Reply-To: lstowell@pyrnova.pyramid.com (Lon Stowell)
Organization: Pyramid Technology Corp., Mountain View, CA

In article <1992Sep30.172116.23737@sei.cmu.edu> rjl@sei.cmu.edu (Robert Lang) writes:
>
>I noticed on the tickets that there's a space where I'm supposed to sign my
>name--to ackowledge receipt of the ticket. I did not sign them. My question
>is: does that mean anything?\
) 
   yeah, it means the ossifer should have ran your butt in
   immediately.

   Seriously, look at the ticket....your signature is a "promise to
   appear".  This is what allows you to drive away without being
   taken in and having to post bail until your hearing.   

   Next time you have a roadside chat, willfully refuse to sign, ans
   see what the nice ossifer does.  

   Your signature does NOT mean that you agree with the ticket,
   merely that you agree to appear to contest or accept the
   charge...and is a form of bail in effect.

   Strange, most places if you don't have your license on you, you
   can just show it to the clerk or a peace officer and get the
   charge dismissed.   Except Texas where they could care less if
   you have one, they want their $35.
From: SteveWall@aol.com (Steve Wall)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Horsepower
Date: 25 Sep 92 20:45:35 GMT
Organization: Not if I can help it.

> 
>    But any engine's capability to generate hp is directly proportional
>    to the amount of air it can breathe.  Whether its inhaled via large
>    displacement or packed in via turbo or supercharger, it's still 
>    related to the amount of air available.   
> 
>    Hmmm... how would a 5.0L V4 compare to a 5.0L V8?
> 
Horsepower is also directly proportional to the amount of rpm you can spin.
Actually, this is the same principal, since the more often a piston cycles,
the more air it moves.

Generally speaking, it's easier to spin an engine with lots of small pistons
and valves than ones with big pistons/valves.  The only limiting factor to
this is operating friction.  Friction goes up as # of cylinders go up.
A 5.0L V8 will outrev the 5.0L V4 assuming similar valve trains, so it
will produce more horsepower.

Steve Wall