HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: alan@lancaster.nsc.com (The Hepburn)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Caprice vs. Dodge Grand Caravan
Date: 7 Apr 92 15:06:23 GMT
Organization: National Semiconductor Corporation

In article <1992Apr3.195432.19047@icf.hrb.com>, jek@icf.hrb.com (Joe Karolchik) writes:
|> Recently, my friend and I were returning from lunch when we both saw an
|> interesting comparison.  Has anyone seen a late model Caprice parked
|> next to a late model Dodge Grand Caravan?  Not only is the Caprice wider,
|> but it appears to be over a foot longer and is not much shorter.
|> 
|> I guess I didn't realize how completely HUGE this car actually is.

... or how SMALL the Caravan really is?...

-- 
Alan Hepburn           "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain
National Semiconductor       a little temporary safety deserve neither
Santa Clara, Ca              liberty nor safety."
alan@berlioz.nsc.com                              Benjamin Franklin
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: scocur@auto-trol.com (Scott Currier)
Subject: Re: How's that new Duster?
Organization: Auto-trol Technology Corporation
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 21:00:15 GMT

In article <1992Apr9.162857.21641@progress.com> matth@progress.COM (Matthew J. Harper) writes:
>
>  About the "new" Duster.
>
>  I new it would happen.  First Chevy brought back the "Nova"...
>
>  The original Nova was great.  Nice bug V* that just woudn't die.  I figured
>they brought the name back because it had such a great rep.
>
>
>  Now the Duster and Plymouth.  Sounds like the same thing.
>
>  Ah, my old Duster.  Slant 6, went for over 200K miles.  Those things just will
>not die.  (It did have that blind spot though...)
>
>  I cannot help but wonder if the American car manufacturers have yet to wake
>up and smell the coffee and realize they cannot live on their old reputations.
>
>  Naahh.
>


As it so happens, I just saw the new Duster yesterday at a Jeep dealer in
Denver.  The Duster (dressed down turismo) that plymouth has been peddling
these past few years, was an insult to the original Duster (my first car was
a new '71 Duster) But this new Duster was a pleasant surprise.  It is in fact
based on the Sundance, but rebadged.  The fit and finish were very good, the
color was a deep turquoise metal flake, and the V-6 was a real screamer.

I haven't had that much fun driving a car for awhile now. And it's relatively
inexpensive too!

Maybe it's time to buy one for my daughter, so I can bug HER about borrowing
the car :-)

Later.

Disclaimer: Dis Claim is mine, all mine...

scocur@auto-trol.com
From: jcyuhn@brchh467.bnr.ca (James Yuhn)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Two questions about tires...
Date: 15 Apr 92 14:34:21 GMT
Reply-To: jcyuhn@brchh467.bnr.ca (James Yuhn)


 Hi folks,
  
 I'd like to tap the collective net.wisdom on some tire issues. 
 
 First off, my fiance's automobile is now due for new rubber. It's
 a 1990 Miata. I'm looking for recommendations on an all season 
 high performance tire for it. Wet performance is very important,
 mud and snow handling are unimportant. (Despite the address, I'm
 in North Texas.) The Miata came from the factory with Yokohama 
 Y-221s, with which I have two issues. First off, these tires are
 downright dangerous in the rain! The Miata can hydroplane over a
 mud puddle at 20MPH. Also, despite good care and gentle driving
 habits, they are well into the wear bars at 24K miles. I'm looking
 for recommendations of tires to remedy these two problems. Currently
 I'm leaning toward a set of Dunlop D60A2s. These are all season
 rated, and carry a 40K mile treadwear warranty. Anyone have any
 comments, recommendations, or alternatives?

 Now for a question on my automobile. I drive a 1989 Taurus SHO. 
 I have been having problems with the alignment and resulting 
 uneven treadwear for some time now. I currently have a set of
 Dunlop D40M2s in 225/60ZR15. All four corners of the car are 
 wearing out the inner tread rib at a good clip. Any ideas on 
 what can cause this? The Taurus has a fair amount of negative
 camber, about -1.0 degrees front and -1.7 degrees rear. Will
 this cause it? I have it aligned with just a slight amount of toe
 in, front and rear. I have also had problems with the car not 
 holding an alignement very well - every 4 or 5 months the toe 
 seems to need adjustment. Any Taurus / SHO owners out there 
 have similar problems, or a solution. Any and all help is greatly
 appreciated.  
 
 BTW, I can recommend to all the SHO owners out there, don't go
 to 225 section tires - it seems to accentuate the wear problem.
 Also, the steering is heavier, and the car has less of a sense
 of "straight ahead."
 
 Jim
From: dean@cbmvax.commodore.com (Jeff Dean - LSI Test)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Sales tax on cars
Date: 14 Apr 92 12:58:30 GMT
Reply-To: dean@cbmvax.commodore.com (Jeff Dean - LSI Test)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <2400036@hp-vcd.vcd.hp.com> johne@hp-vcd.vcd.hp.com (John Eaton) writes:
><<<
>< While purchasing a new car I noticed that one has to pay state
>< sales tax only on the difference between the new car price and the
>< trade-in price.
>----------
>This is known as the "Auto Dealers Relief Act". Think you can get a better
>deal by selling your trade-in yourself? Think again sucker.
>

Who's the sucker?  I was offered $3000.00 for my trade recently, which
gave me back $180.00 in PA (6%) sales tax.  I sold my own car for
$4000.00.  So I wound up with an extra $820.00 after the tax, and the
state has a little more cash to play with too.  Sounds like everybody got
a good deal.

jd


-- 
==============================================================================
|   |\ /|                                               Commodore Technology |
|   'O O`   Jeffrey Dean                                   1200 Wilson Drive |
|   > v <   VLSI Test and Design Assurance            West Chester, PA 19380 |
|     ^                                            dean@cbmvax.commodore.com |
==============================================================================
From: commisso@kodak.com (Susanne Commisso)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Sexism in the sale of cars.... A Quick Questionaire...
Date: 7 Apr 92 19:48:52 GMT
Reply-To: commisso@kodak.com (Susanne Commisso)
Organization: Image Processing Algorithms Laboratory, Eastman Kodak Co.

In article <5APR199220011430@vx.acs.umn.edu>, ae01045 writes:
|> In article <1992Apr3.163151.2388@SSD.intel.com>, cfj@SSD.intel.com (Charlie Johnson) writes...
|> >One year my wife and I went to the Portland Auto Show and were walking
|> >through the Toyota display.  Not really interested in looking, just passing
|> >through.  My wife was walking in front of me and this salesman basically 
|> >stepped between us and started a hard sell.  He acted like my wife was 
|> >a non-person!  
|> 
|> I am afraid I had the same feeling with some dealers when I bought a
|> car. They were absolutely ignoring my wife. Only when it came to buying
|> and my wife wanted something different than me and they had that, 
|> suddenly they noticed her. 
|> 
|> Most of the time I got mad when they didn't even shake my wife's hand 
|> when we left.
|> 
|> Peter


Well, as a woman I can tell you that this angers me more than anything.  I
have been looking for a car and a friend of mine has been coming with me
shopping.  I had a Chrysler dealer actually step between the two of us and
turn his back to me and start talking to my friend.  When he finally told
this guy that I was buying the car he decided to talk to me.  By that point
he had already lost my business.

I have a friend who will send his wife in alone to buy a car and if the salesman
talks down to his wife and treats her like she doen't know anything, they 
won't do business with him!!!

susan
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: kenb@atg2.dadd.ti.com (Ken Butler)
Subject: Re: All Season radials
Organization: Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas, TX
Distribution: rec
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 1992 14:53:07 GMT

Earlier I posted a request for information and recommendations on
relatively inexpensive tires that would perform well in the rain.  I
received two replies:

	The Dunlops on my '86 MR2 seem to be good all season tires.
The reason that I say this is because when I first bought the car
everyone warned me against driving in the snow or the rain.
Practically everyone I knew guarranteed me that I would hydroplane and
spin out come the first rain shower.  Since then I have never slid in
the rain, even at speeds of 90 mph.  I slide a little in the snow, but
have only gotten stuck once, when I stopped the car on a sheet of ice.  
	I think my  Dunlops are called D40s. They should cost $50-60
each.  I hope I have been of some help to you.



I have Goodyear GT+4 on my 90 Cutlass, they work great.  I suspect that
your tires are just old, I went through this on a previous car, a new set
of generic all season tires did wonders.

Just in case you're interested.

Thanks for the replies.
--

*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Kenneth M. Butler                           (214) 997-6370 (office)
Texas Instruments                           (214) 997-2049 (FAX)
P.O. Box 655303 MS 3683                     kenb@dadd.ti.com
Dallas, TX 75265
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: D1SAR@AKRONVM.UAKRON.EDU (Steve Rimar)
Subject: Ford Explorer
Organization: The University of Akron
Date: Thu, 9 Apr 1992 17:51:09 GMT

If anyone has an Explorer please let me know how you like it and if you have
had any problems.
 
Steve Rimar
D1SAR@VM1.CC.UAKRON.EDU
From: sharen@iscnvx.lmsc.lockheed.com (Sharen A. Rund)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Women & Cars (Was: Re: Should I buy an Eclipse?)
Date: 9 Apr 92 21:30:10 GMT
Organization: Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.

In article <1992Apr8.174410.9917@menudo.uh.edu> kevin@taronga.taronga.com (Kevin Brown) writes:
>In article <1992Apr6.131551.14089@b11.ingr.com> lester@naomi.b23b.ingr.com writes:
>>In article <BM1wz3.Jpy@world.std.com>, kenny@world.std.com (Kenneth R Crudup) writes:
>>|> In article <CARL.92Apr1112937@atlantis.Cayman.COM> carl@Cayman.COM
>>|> (Carl Heinzl) says:
>>|> >WOW!  I disagree with this 100%.  I cannot always anticipate what my
>>|> >future needs will be and for me to buy something that is more than
>>|> >what I need right now is not waste.  It would be more wasteful for me
>>|> >to have to buy something and buy it again in 6 months because I
>>|> >outgrew it.
>>|> 

This reminds me of so many IS/MIS departments that buy a big computer
and run out of space sooner than predicted....


>>|> I  included an "out" for such conditions- "...or more than you can under-
>>|> stand to need..." which is just saying getting something way over your head.
>>|> There's nothing wrong with planning for the future, but don't get a
>>|>  [ stuff deleted ]
>>
>>The extrapolation to buying cars, etc. is left as an exercise for the
>>reader.
>
>Hmm...you mean like buying a 300ZX twin turbo because you plan on buying
>a top-notch radar detector in the future?  :-)
>
all I know is that in an emergency situation I _want_ a car that will
_perform_, e.g., I want to have the power to move out of the way, maneuver,
or whatever - I've been driving tooo long out on the roadways with way tooo
many dupas that do tooooo many dumba** things, e.g., overshoot an exit
ramp & try to back up to get to it, shoot across 4-lanes of traffic to 
take an exit ramp, start up an exit ramp and change their minds? and cross
over medians/white lines/etc to get back on the thouroughfare, loose
control of the car so one has to quickly maneuver out of the way of not 
only them but other people also trying to avoid Mr/Ms Dupas....
need I continue???
 
-- 
________________       __        ________________   "They that can give up
\_________      \     /_ \      /      _________/  essential liberty to 
 \_________      \_____/  \____/      _________/  obtain temporary safety
  \___________________      __________________/  deserve neither liberty 
                     /______\                   nor safety."  
ALL disclaimers apply ....                           --Benjamin Franklin
	  
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: nash@ucselx.sdsu.edu (Ron Nash)
Subject: Re: Jump-starting 91-92 GM cars
Organization: San Diego State University
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 18:51:35 GMT

In article <1992Apr16.174808.5408@cco.caltech.edu> hacker@cco.caltech.edu (Jonathan Bruce Hacker) writes:
>nash@ucselx.sdsu.edu (Ron Nash) writes:

>>True, but the regulator does this by swithing the alternator off and on
>>at a rate depending on the load and speed of the alternator.  At idle,
>>most cars will not run without a battery (or a battery that is open
>>internally) unless a large load, such as the headlights, is present.

>True with mechanical regulators, but electronic regulators continuously
>vary the alternator field current. Besides, a dead battery is a huge
>load anyway.

Even with electronic regulators any sudden change in load (step on the 
brakes) without a working battery can cause the car to die.  Turning
on the headlights will keep the magnetic field energised more allowing
the regulator to better handle changed in load (and get you home).



-- 
Ron Nash 	San Diego State University
Internet:  	nash@ucselx.sdsu.edu
Gin-N-Tonic	6 year old Arab/Saddlebred endurance horse
Luv on Fire	9 year old Arab, trusty trail horse
From: geoffm@purplehaze.Corp.Sun.COM (Geoff Miller)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Tempo Matador
Keywords: Tempo, Matador
Date: 16 Apr 92 23:21:47 GMT
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Menlo Park, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: purplehaze.corp.sun.com



In article <657@mtinews.mti.com> afyke@mtinews.mti.com (Andy Fyke) writes:

>The other day I saw a strange car. The badges said the car
>was a Tempo Matador. Does anyone have any information on 
>this car?


Yes; it's a rebadged version of the Albanian government-built ZVAZ Pektok
("Divine Wind"), tailored for the North American market.  Built in the
Enver Hoxha Glorious Path Of Socialism Tractor and Textile Works outside
Tirana, the car is equipped with a rear-mounted 1.4-liter air-cooled inline
two-cylinder engine.  Utilizing advanced sheetmetal fabrication technology,
this powerplant produces 53 horsepower at the front wheels at its maximum 
4350 RPM.  

The transmission is a two-speed unit with a column shifter and synchromesh
top gear; a one-speed semiautomatic is optional at extra cost.  Other 
features include vacuum-actuated windshield wipers, electric starter with 
floor-mounted button, advanced pressed-steel three-lug wheels, pop-out
semaphore turn signals, sturdy plastic sliding windows, and chrome steering
wheel horn ring.  A rope-actuated backup starter will be available midyear
if negotiations with Briggs & Stratton proceed as expected.

A factory spokesman present at the car's introduction at the prestigious
Newark AutoExpo was optimistic about the new technology expected to come
online once tooling acquired from Sachsenring Automobilfabrik AG, former
producers of the famous Trabant sedan and wagon, is installed.



Geoff


-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Geoff Miller                    + + + + + + + +        Sun Microsystems
geoffm@purplehaze.Corp.Sun.COM  + + + + + + + +     Menlo Park, California
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
From: pete@introl.introl.com (Pete Ikusz)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Driver education...
Date: 16 Apr 92 04:59:56 GMT
Article-I.D.: introl.1992Apr16.045956.23970
Organization: Introl Corp.

In article <1992Apr15.191756.22000@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com> c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Spiros Triantafyllopoulos) writes:
>
>I wonder if the average UK driver encounters the conditions we do,
>i.e.  on the average far more violent weather than in the UK, endless
>construction, congestion, many more cars on the roads, etc. Nature has
>its way of selecting who gets to live, in particular after 30 mile
>commutes on icy roads here :-). 
>
I cannot say for England, however, I have driven in Germany in a number
of different trips there, and I will say that their roads are in much
better condition, and there is constantly construction going on.
>
>I also wonder whether speed limit enforcement in the UK is done for
>revenue enhancement or for road safety. By and large in the US it
>is not done for safety.
>
In Germany they outlaw radar detectors and are using photo radar.
(Just a note.)
But from all my relatives there, until recently (within the last 2 years)
not many people have been cited for excessive speed (in speed zones).
That is until photo radar has come out.
>
>> As for drivers education, I had to take a US driving test in order to
>>obtain a PA licence and to be truthful, it was pretty lame. The English
>>driving test is far tougher and you get to drive on a real road with
>>other real drivers and real situations, not in an obstacle course (
>>again, I am quoting from personal experience...this may not be the case
>>for all states). I even went to take the advanced driver's course for
>>fun and found that pretty unchallenging. However, having said all of
>>that, the US has a far tougher written/multi-Choice test than the UK. 
>
>It depends on the state. In Louisiana, where I took my written and
>driving test the driving test was rather tough, i.e. it lasted for 20
>minutes or so and included real drivers and real situations. The written
>test on the other hand was a complete joke and had questions like:

The Wisconsin test is (or was) like that too.

From talking with my relatives. A drivers license in Germany costs in the
area of 2000-3000 marks. (1000-1500 dollars) It may have increased since then.
Their tests include knowledge of the mechanical aspects of the auto along
with road etiquette. It was supposed to be very tough.
Also insurance is through the nose there.

I love driving in Germany though. If you get a chance do it.
It fit my driving style like a glove. Unfortunately I don't fit in
around here anymore. I hate uncorteous drivers. Ex: doing 55 in the
left lane, etc. Idiots not looking where they are going switching lanes.
Writing about this gets me pissed.

I will say not all drivers are this bad, but many many are.
I wish we would have better testing, and more often. Then higher
speed limits. Higher tickets for non licensed drivers.

Enough blabbing.
Hasta la vista,
-Pete
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------
Pete Ikusz	Introl Corporation	pete@introl.com
From: ldahlmey@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Lothar Dahlmeyer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Cars under $10000 - recomendations?
Date: 15 Apr 92 23:31:22 GMT
Article-I.D.: zia.1992Apr15.233122.8779
Organization: National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Socorro NM

In article <SS.92Apr15084823@sparkplug.WPI.EDU> ss@sparkplug.WPI.EDU (Scott N Streeter) writes:
>
>>What would be a good car to buy for the first time buyer?
>>Something relatively cheap, say, under $10,000US or $12,000CA ?
>
>I would definatly recommend the Acura Integra. You can get an RS for
>about 11,000-12,000. I have an '89 LS and I love it.
>
>
>>   - Fuel Economy.
>Not bad. Never figured it out, but I only spend $10 a week on gas.
                                                 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
>Drive about 100-150 miles a week. Thats lots of city driving too, and
             ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>I tend to stay at the high end of the Tach.
>
>                        Scott Streeter
>                        ss@wpi.wpi.edu

What do you have under the hood of your car? A 454 V8?

-- 
            /MMMMMMMMMMM\             | ldahlmey@zia.aoc.nrao.edu 
          {|  /\  ~  /\  |}           | Lothar Dahlmeyer  
______nnnn_|_|_@|   |_@|_|_nnnn_______| National Radio Astronomy Observatory
      UUUU       \_/       UUUU       | Socorro, New Mexico, 87801
From: acura@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (james.r.feeney)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Passing cars on the right...why?
Date: 10 Apr 92 17:08:43 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

I travel the major highways here in N.J. (Gareden State Pkwy, Turnpike, I-287)
quite often and I've noticed that on 3-lane roads, people seem to prefer 
passing on the right instead of the left. To test my observation I went out
on the G.S.P. during mid-day with light traffic, got in the center lane, and
did 60 mph (55 mph posted). Almost without exception (4 cars in fact) every
car going faster than 60 passed me on the right! In fact 2 cars actually waited
until a slower car in the right lane was passed before they passed on the right
even though the left lane was clear!

Has anyone else noticed this? Any suggestions as to why? The only thing I
could think of was a perception that you are more likely to be stopped by
the police if you're in the left lane? Just an observation.

Jim Feeney
 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: disc5e6@rosie.uh.edu (92S00302)
Subject: Re: spark plugs
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: University of Houston
Date: Sun, 12 Apr 1992 19:13:00 GMT

In article <1992Apr10.203320.4305@auto-trol.com>, scocur@auto-trol.com (Scott Currier) writes...
>In article <1992Apr9.213700.26429@noose.ecn.purdue.edu> rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade) writes:
>>
>>bosch platinum=great and relatively inexpensive($1.68 each)
>>buy them with no reservations.
>>-king bob
> 
>Buy them with serious reservations.  They work fine in some cars,
>but foul terribly in others.
> 
>My Cherokee runs great with them, My Lincoln won't go 500 miles
>before they foul.  I switched the Lincoln to NGK V-grooves, and 
>haven't had a problem since.
> 
>Later.
> 
>Disclaimer: Dis Claim is mine, all mine...
> 
>scocur@auto-trol.com
> 

I guess its all depends on the car.
My old Toyota Carona was notorious for fouling plugs so I threw in a set
of Bosch 5k mile s ago. They still work fine.
I also use them in my Carrola sport and they work fine there too.

Just another experience.

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen)
Subject: Re: Using the horn
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 92 07:18:56 GMT

well, when i'm in a bad mood, i just whip out
a .357 and blow the bastard away.
when i'm merely pissed, i lean on the horn.  this doesn't
happen as often as the others.
when i'm in a good mood, i just toot my horn.
a couple of very short, quick honks.

-teddy
From: bill@Celestial.COM (Bill Campbell)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Using the horn
Date: 9 Apr 92 16:52:49 GMT
Organization: Celestial Software, Mercer Island, WA

I always thought the shortest measurable unit of time was the
time between the light turning green and the asshole behind
blowing his horn :-).

Personally, I will lightly tap the horn if it's obvious that the
person in front is asleep at the wheel.  More than that is rude
and obnoxious (granted the other driver isn't doing his job, but
that's not an excuse for me to act like an asshole).

Bill
-- 
INTERNET:  bill@Celestial.COM   Bill Campbell; Celestial Software
UUCP:   ...!thebes!camco!bill   6641 East Mercer Way
             uunet!camco!bill   Mercer Island, WA 98040; (206) 947-5591
SPEED COSTS MONEY -- HOW FAST DO YOU WANT TO GO?
Newsgroups: rec.autos