HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Goodyear Eagles GT+4 / GA
Date: 20 Jan 93 21:26:00 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: The Cutting Edge - Houston, TX - 713-466-1525
Reply-To: david.bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us (David Bonds) 

  >I know what the GT+4s are like.  If I change to GAs, what will I be 
  >giving up?  What will I be gaining?  The local Goodyear guy says the GA is 
  >quieter, is comparable in cornering and in the rain.  The GT+4 is rated 
  >240/A/A, while the GA is rated 300/A/A.

When I bought my '89 SHO used with 68.5k miles on the clock, the previous
owner was on his third set of tires.  The first two sets were GT+4s, and 
were replaced after approx 30k miles on each set.  The GAs he bought showed
little wear after the 8.5k miles on them, and they are still going strong
at 72k.  I can't really compare, but the previous owner swears they are quieter
and a better ride then the GT+4s, while the handling only suffered in hard
cornering.  

I'd say unless you do a lot of hard driving, go with the GAs.  You get a
smoother, quieter ride for less $$$, and it lasts longer.

- David Bonds                                      The Cutting Edge  -
- Internet : David.Bonds@cutting.hou.tx.us          (713) 466-1525   -
---
 . KingQWK 2.00 .6 # 145 . Virus Scanner: Windows Found, Remove? [Y] 
                                                                  
----
+---------------------------------------------------------------------+
| The Cutting Edge BBS (cutting.hou.tx.us)    A PCBoard 14.5a system  |
| Houston, Texas, USA    +1 713 466 1525          running uuPCB       |
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Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bill@uluru.tandem.com (Bill Norcott)
Subject: Re: Honda perfection management
Reply-To: norcott_bill@tandem.com (Bill Norcott)
Organization: Tandem Computers, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 23:57:13 GMT

In article <minor.728003206@coal8>, minor@rtsg.mot.com (Kevin Minor) writes:
|> surge@en.ecn.purdue.edu (PhD-in-Training) writes:
|> 
|> |>So I paid $125 (after 50K miles).  I rather have that than several
|> |>special dealer visits that would have totalled more than that.
|> |>You Honda owners sound like all you've done is put gas in and
|> |>change the oil (and filters, etc).  I think this was the point of
|> |>the original poster.
|> 

The guy spent about $400 in repairs over 60,000+ miles in his 1988
Ford Tempo (including new water pump) and is still driving it.  So
this is about 2/3 of a cent per mile.

|> 
|> I've put a fair amount of maintenance in my Hondas both at home and
|> at the shop. But I'd rather those minor expenses which I can easily budget
|> than those major unexpected ones. I'd say I had about $3000 total in 106K
|> on my first Honda and that included timing belt, clutch and several brake 
|> jobs. Not too bad...
|> 

You spent $3000 on maintenance and kept the car only 106,000 miles?!?  
This is over 35 cents a mile for maintenance.  Can this be a typo?  

I guess we each have a limit to the amount of risk we are willing to
assume, but three thousand bucks is a heck of a lot, on top of the top
dollar sticker price people are already spending for the "reliability"
of a Honda.  

A healthy amount of fear and loathing of mechanics is only natural,
but..  I bet you could become an ASE certified mechanic YOURSELF for
three grand, and buy a full set of tools to go with it.

-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------|
Bill Norcott			GUARDIAN POSIX project
Tandem Computers, Inc.		
10600 N. Tantau Avenue		PHONE:  (408) 285-3253
Cupertino, CA   95014		EMAIL: norcott_bill@tandem.com


Newsgroups: rec.autos,alt.autos.rod-n-custom
From: rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade)
Subject:  1994 Pontiac GTO)
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 16:13:07 GMT

>
>  I may be way off here, but the last time they made Impala SS's was in the
>late '60's?  And were'nt they mostly 2-Dr Sedans or Hardtop coupes or something
>like that?  Would they be possilbly making a 2-dr Caprice?  And while were on
>the subject I'd be willing to bet the farm that GM gets lazy and builds the GTO
>off of the Grand Prix platform, then just adds some plastic spoilers, boosts it
>up in horse power a little, Maybe beef the suspension, add fat tires and
>"special" rims and voila a GTO...for an extra 3-5k of course, just my 2 cents.   
oh, i hope not...how lame if they do.  grand prix is already a bloated boat.
surely they can slip the 3.4 twincam or the 3.8 v6 into a grandam!
From: aland@informix.com (Colonel Panic)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Is it OK to wash off the engine?
Date: 27 Jan 93 09:25:51 GMT
Organization: Helen Keller Bondurant's Performance Driving School for the Blind

In article <1993Jan26.214541.11236@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser) writes:
>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.
>
>Brian

No, really, it OK -- you just have to coat the hose with Slick 50 first.     [-:


--
Alan Denney       aland@informix.com        {pyramid|uunet}!infmx!aland

"Feel free to hit 15-pound jackrabbits with your Saturn."  - Charles Guest
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: sgupta@pint.ecn.purdue.edu (Sameer Gupta)
Subject: Michelin Tire Rotation
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: 28 Jan 93 22:26:39 GMT

Hi,

I have a question about rotating Michelin tires.  On my last alignment,
the mechanic told me that I needed to rotate the tires to fix the problem
of my car drifting to the left.  (Rotating the tires did indeed fix the
problem).  Here is the question -

Is it best to rotate tires diagonally or just swap the front to back (ie.
mount the tire on the same side as before) ?

By the way, the tire is Michelin MXL 175-70-R13.  The tires have not
been abused and have about 1/2 life left.  I am surprised that the problem
occured in the first place.  Any explanations as to why ?

Thanks,

Sameer Gupta
sgupta@ecn.purdue.edu
From: sharen@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (Sharen A. Rund)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Tail light LENSES: 3rd Party Source?
Keywords: autos lenses price lens
Date: 26 Jan 93 17:17:17 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.

In article <1993Jan25.230203.20031@donner.SanDiego.NCR.COM> john.holmes@SanDiegoCA.NCR.COM (John Holmes) writes:
>Does anybody have a source for tail/parking light lenses other than
>the new car dealers?  Our 1980 Mercury needs new lenses but I was 
>astounded to find the rear lenses (fancy) are $85.00 each and the 
>front lenses (simple) are $45.00 each!
>
try some junkyards, swap meets, misc forsale in newspaper, hemmings

-- 
________________       __        ________________   "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: cbh@windsurf.scd.ucar.edu (Cris Hannu)
Subject: Re: 1984 Ford Bronco II (advice sought)..
Keywords: Ford 4wd, Bronco
Organization: NCAR/UCAR
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 20:52:30 GMT

In article <1juga9INNbk1@CS.UTK.EDU>, larose@cs.utk.edu (Brian LaRose) writes:
> 
> I am looking at a 1984 Ford Bronco II and I'd like to hear experiences
> from anybody, (good & bad).  I'm thinking of buying it as a second vehicle 
> to drive to work, (& a little offroading on weekends).  
> 
Speaking as a current owner of the afore-mentioned vehicle:

> 1)  How bad is the gas mileage?

I used to get around 20-22 when it was new, now it's down around 15.  This
was before and after the engine rebuild (see below), and I still haven't
quite figured out why it has dropped.

> 2)  What are experiences with 2wd/4wd setup on a bronco II.  This one
>     requires that I get out to lock in 4wd mode, I'm not sure, but I bet
>     this is better for gas mileage & wear than the "flip on the fly 4wd".

Back in '84 the "flip on the fly 4wd" weren't worth s--t anyway, but I
prefer the manual locking hubs (at least you *know* it's in).

> 3)  Ford V6 engines?   Can I get 150K before I need a rebuild?

Possibly.
The 2.8L in this one is *way* under-powered.  Mine was still doing okay, but
I rebuilt it anyway to try to get some more power out of it (this was at
86,000) but found out that the engine is pretty much max'd out as it is.
A new cam and a re-bore gave me a little more ummph, but not much.
I drive mine pretty hard also, so that hasn't increased the life expectancy
any.

> 4)  5-Speed Manual trans?

So-so.  Don't try to load down 5th gear too much or very often, it's
pretty whimpy.

> 5)  brakes?  I tapped them and they grabbed real hard.
> 
Sounds like it might need a brake job.

> Additional info you might need is the following:
> *  The truck has 99k miles on it.
> *  He was asking $4400, I offered 3900 and he said he'd take it.

Sounds like the going rate around here, Denver.

> *  It drives real well, except that it needs a brake job. No smoke at all, 
>    idles real quitely.
> *  this was a trade in on a new dodge truck.
> 
> Should I buy it???
> 
I bought mine new haven't had any trouble with it, other than the tranny,
since then.  I been happy with it this whole time.  I just wish they'd have
put that 4.0L engine and beefier tranny in it.  It could also stand a stiffer
suspension for anything-resembling-serious off-roading.

> thank you for your experience and advice.
> 
One other thing to check is the tie rod bushing.  The original is the cheap
plastic piece of s--t that wears out (and can't be lubed).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cris Hannu                       |  Windsurfing the high country.
Cray Research, Inc.              |
@NCAR - Boulder, CO              |         ^           ^
cbh@windsurf.scd.ucar.edu        |        / \ ___)___ / \ 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: "tom betz" <tom.betz@execnet.com>
Subject: saturn sc performance (wa
Reply-To: "tom betz" <tom.betz@execnet.com>
Organization: Executive Networks Information
Distribution: rec
Date: 21 Jan 93 02:52:40 EST

Quoth Jim Frost regarding SATURN SC PERFORMANCE (WA on 01-20-93:


JF>rvkl60@email.sps.mot.com (Tom Mathes) writes:
JF>>Oh yeah, as a former reliability engineer, if a product like a car ma
JF>>it through the first year with little glitches, the product will most
JF>>likely last a long time with little to no problems.  The 2 year track
JF>>record of the Saturns strongly indicates reliable car for the long run
JF>
JF>There are a few places where this isn't true, notably sheet metal and
JF>exhaust systems.

There remains one other known area.  There's beginning to be a bit of a 
buzz about valve oil seal problems on the DOHC engine, the primary symptom 
of which is high oil consumption.  This applies to the pre-'93 SC, as well 
as the current SC-2 up, and all the SL-2's.  My wife's car is undergoing 
the oil consumption tests that lead up to service... I'll let you know how 
Saturn deals with it in another thousand miles or so.

I'll tell you one thing... if they fix the problem with the engine, I'm 
pushing for a new catalytic converter, too.

So far, the people I've spoken to at Saturn HQ about it have agreed that 
the replacement of the CC would probably be called for.

---
  WinQwk 2.0 a#299  Diagonally parked in a parallel universe...
--
Executive Network Information System  (914) 667-4567
International ILink Host
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rizvi@ee.ualberta.ca (Syed Rizvi)
Subject: testing don't read
Keywords: test
Organization: University Of Alberta, Edmonton Canada
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 20:43:40 GMT


	JUST ATEST PL IGNORE:
-- 
Syed Rizvi                              rizvi@ee.ualberta.ca
Electrical Engineering                  
University of Alberta 238 Civil Elect   Voice (403)492-2954
Edmonton, Alberta Canada                Fax   (403)492-1811
From: dwsmall@miavx1.acs.muohio.edu (Derek 'Enzo' Small)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: 53% off Sears 4-ton jack.
Date: 25 Jan 93 05:09:21 GMT
Article-I.D.: miavx1.1993Jan25.100921.15246
Organization: Miami University Academic Computer Service"

Well here some interesting news that some of you may find interesting.  It
seams that the geniouses? at Sears have adopted the "Computer is GOD"
philosophy.  The 4-ton floor jack that Sears offers though the catalog
at $330.00 is listed in the inventory database at $169.99.  This jack
should be selling for about $350-$360 in store.  This is the very long,
high lift jack that weights about 150 lbs.  Apparently the mis-mark is
at least region wide for the Cincinnati OH. area.  Anyone who has ever wanted
a great deal on a floor jack, they don't get much better than this.  
Local management is aware of the problem but they kinda have their heads
stuck in the sand, for now, so hurry.  (Gee, now I know why Sears is 
going to be closing a bunch of their B stores...)

 
I didn't say this.... I wasn't here.....

-- 
*******************************************************************************
* 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  *
*    brake you neck."                                                         *
*				Johnny Carson				      *
*									      *
*******************************************************************************
From: qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu (Aamir Hafeez Qazi)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Worst Car Award
Date: 25 Jan 1993 23:26:45 GMT
Organization: Computing Services Division, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.4

In article <C1FJxL.2rz@ssesco.com> nau@ssesco.com (William Nau) writes:
>Ken Rothman <krothman.727987654@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu> writes:
>> With all the advances in aerodynamics and ergonomics in design in the past ten
>> years (mostly on the part of European and Japanese makers), this beast is an
>         ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>
>Apparently the Ford Taurus had little influence on the shape of cars today.
>In my opinion there is no car that has had a greater influence on the vast
>improvements of aerodynamics than the Taurus.

--Why doesn't anyone give credit to the '84 Audi 5000 S???  I thought this
  was the car that started the wave of aerosedans!!!  The Taurus merely
  copied the Audi's aerodynamic styling!

--Aamir Qazi


-- 

Aamir Qazi
qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
--Why should I care?  I'd rather watch drying paint.
From: chu@freebie.jpl.nasa.gov (Eugene Chu)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Why is US engine technology so retrograde?
Date: 28 Jan 93 08:18:45 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: SAR Systems Development & Processing, JPL
NNTP-Posting-Host: freebie.jpl.nasa.gov

Just for reference, I think gas prices (around here) 10 years ago were actually
aroung $1.00/gal for regular unleaded.  Evean as late as a couple of years ago
it dip below $1.00 for not so short periods.  The real permanent rise came
early this last summer, during the anticipated increase just before toruist
season, and I think there it stayed aroound $1.20-$1.30.  Prices will double
in 10 years IF the average inflation rate is about 7%.  In that case, I think 
we are paying MUCH LESS for gas now than we were 10 years ago, assuming our
incomes also increased at the same rate (yeah, right).

In article <1993Jan15.233526.26706@bnr.ca> dclayton@bnr.ca (Don Clayton) writes:
>
>I'm complaining about the price of gas, but only because I pay $0.62/Litre (or
>about $2.50/U.S. gallon).  Well, I'm not really complaining.  It's led to cars
>that get over 50mpg (re: Civic) and that's good for the environment.  Hell, even
>my "sporty" Talon gets over 30mpg.

You can get 30+ mpg on a turbocharged 4wd vehicle?  That's pretty good.
The best I've ever gotten on my V8 Mustang GT was about 31 on a sustained
highway cruise between 70-75 mph.  Around town, it can get as low as zero,
but with the mix driving that I do, I get between 22-26 mpg.  This is where
the small turbocharged engines have an advantage over the bigger V8s.  Even
when I take it easy in around-town traffic, my car probably won't get as
much gas mileage as one with a smaller engine.

>
>I would like to complain about the cost of my tires though.  P205 55R16s are just
>too expensive :)
>
>Don Clayton

eyc
From: mills@athena.lkg.dec.com (George Mills)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Anti-Lock blues
Date: 22 Jan 93 16:14:16 GMT

mchaffee@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu (Real Life?!?! HA!!) writes:

>theckel@col.hp.com (Tim Heckel) writes:

>>What happens is an incredibly loud grinding noise
>>that I can also feel in the brake pedal whenever
>>the antilock is engaged.  It's so violent a combination
>>of noise and grinding feel that my (involuntary) reaction is to
>>jerk my foot off the brake pedal, not good!

>>My question to you, especially if you own an SE-R or other
>>Nissan with antilock brakes, is is this "normal"?

>Not just Nissan.  All ABS systems have the consequence of a "grinding."  I
>found this very unremarkable the first time I used ABS; of course, that was
>on snow-covered gravel, and a grinding noise would have happened anyway.  So
>get used to it; you have a lot of very rapidly oscillating mechanical doo-
>dads at work and some odd noise is to be expected.

I think at high speeds if it does kick in it is much smoother.
Around 10mph the pulse information must be so slowthat things sound clunky.
I would not call it "grinding" though.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Before Buying Foreign (was Re: Before Buying
From: johns@trident.datasys.swri.edu (Stephen Johns)
Date: 22 Jan 93 23:10:41 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Southwest Research Institute

In article <C17oHK.FH5@ccu.umanitoba.ca> cshafai@eeserv.ee.umanitoba.ca (Cyrus Shafai) writes:
>In rec.autos you write:

[ lots of stuff deleted ]

>So there is a net loss of half a million jobs.

To be fair, I think most of this gets chalked up to automation.

-- 
Stephen Johns, Research Analyst
Southwest Research Institute, SA, TX 78228 (512) 522-5751
---------------------------------------------------------
Toys:  1990 Supra Turbo       1992 Suzuki DR 250
From: cm604@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (James E Allmon)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Opinion on 1993 Ford Ranger 4x4
Date: 27 Jan 1993 16:20:40 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


Well let's try this again. Does anybody have any opinions
or experience with the new Ford Ranger 4x4? I am looking
to buy a small to midsized truck that I can use for skiing
in the winter and pulling a 17 foot boot in the summer.
I want an x-tra cab v6 or bigger and the 4x4. Any suggestions
for other vehicles to look at??

--Jim
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: finnegan@invader.NoSubdomain.NoDomain (Kenneth Finnegan)
Subject: Re: best car ads
Reply-To: finnegan@navo.navy.mil
Organization: Grumman Data Systems	
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 19:07:53 GMT
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-19450]: invader.navo.navy.mil

In article <ILH.93Jan27123904@chicago.lcs.mit.edu>, ilh@lcs.mit.edu (Lee Hetherington) writes:
|> In article <1993Jan26.202333.2895@osf.org>
|> kenny@osf.org (Kenneth Crudup) writes:
|>    It looks like you could have re-started it and driven away.
|> 
|> Or how about that Volvo ad after that where they drove a monster truck
|> over one with no apparent damage.  Too bad that they were later sued
|> (and lost) for having beefed up the interior with wood beams and
|> braces before the stunt.  I'll never trust another Volvo add again.
|> --
|> 
|>                                 Lee Hetherington

Actually, the ad agency structurally modified the car for the
filming without Volvo's knowledge.  I wouldn't discount Volvo's
impressive safety record because of one instance of bad judgement 
on the part of their (former) ad agency, though.

Ob best ads:  

VW's ads a few years back showing Jetta's and Golf's speeding and
stopping within inches of lab-coat clad "technicians" lined up
on a test track.

BMW's current (850i?) ad where the car appears to quickly zip
away from the camera's approach, sideways.  Slick.

And who can forget the famous "Joe Isuzu" ads?  ;-)

Kenneth

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bob1@cos.com (Bob Blackshaw)
Subject: Re: Before Buying Japanese.
Organization: Corporation for Open Systems
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 21:16:49 GMT

In <1993Jan19.083408.4345@informix.com> aland@informix.com (Colonel Panic) writes:

>In article <1993Jan15.172315.19876@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu> jnielsen@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (John F Nielsen) writes:
>>If you are going to criticize CR, take a REAL example and show how
>>stupid they are. For example, look at their rating of the Probe GT,
>>Eagle Talon Tsi AWD,Prelude Si,etc. Is it what you expect from a
>>company that is only good for rating toasters(even though they have
>>been rating cars since the late 20's).

>Actually, that's not a bad example.  A recent CR rated the Probe GT and the
>MX-6 LS in the same article.  As for repair ratings, they characterized the 
>past years' models of the Probe as "worse than average" but of the MX-6 as 
>"better than average".  Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm sure somebody will [-:),
>but even in 1992 and previous, weren't they the SAME DAMN PLATFORM with the
>EXACT SAME MOTORS?!?!

Well, I am under the impression that Ford had a hand in the design
of the Probe's suspension. Whatever, I have had only one or two
things go on my '89 Probe; spedo cable and tranny seal.

But another ratings company, J.D.Powers I think, said that the Mazda
MX-6 owners were a very unhappy group. Sort of contradicts CR.

>>John Nielsen   MAGNUS Consultant            ______   ______   __  __	

>--
>Alan Denney      aland@informix.com      {pyramid|uunet}!infmx!aland

Bob
From: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: SHO Problems
Date: 25 Jan 93 17:16:40 GMT
Reply-To: tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett)
Distribution: na
Organization: Auspex Systems, Inc.  Engineering

On Friday, Michael Schwartz suggested that I might fix my ailing
tachometer by accelerating to 6500 rpm (he has experienced the
same problem as I).  I went out and managed to find a road on which
the SHO could reach 6500 rpm (not so easy in the bay area), and 
what do you know?,  at 6500 RPM (95 mph) the tachometer suddenly sprang
into action!  It worked!  Thank you Michael!  

I might add that I greatly enjoyed calling my Ford dealer this morning
and telling him I wouldn't be in for him to fix my tach.
Of course I made the mistake of telling him how I fixed it -- at which
point I received a lecture about that being too high a speed for the 
engine (I informed him that it was substantially below the redline).

I managed to make the dealer aware of the Internet and of usenet as
well ...


Tom Pickett 
tpickett@auspex.com or 74616.2237@compuserve.com
SHO  GOZE