HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jeff@tct.com (Jeff Witzer)
Subject: Re: sales tax rebate?
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 13:00:28 GMT
Organization: TC Telemanagement, Clearwater, FL

In article <1992Aug25.181915.2041@cbnewsl.cb.att.com> dpl@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (douglas.p.linden) writes:
>In article <1992Aug24.201750.22541@fid.morgan.com>, joec@fid.morgan.com (Joe Collins) writes:
>> Some years back, I purchased a new car for $17000 and paid some $1020 in sales
>> tax. I just sold this same car for $6600. Since this reduces my net cost,
>> should I not get a rebate on the overpayment of sales tax?:
>> 							      
>> [...]
>>
>> In effect, I think the government owes me .06+6600 or $396 in sale tax 
>> overpayment. 
>> 							      
>> [...]
>> 
>> Any thoughts?

If you want to only pay tax on the part of the vehicle that you actually USE...
lease.  Leasing's basic premise is that you only pay for the fraction of the
car you use...  Of course at the end of it all you have nothing (or a residual
to pay (plus tax) if you wish to buy the car outright)...

Any comments on leasing vs. buying?

>
>Here in MA at least, we do get some benefit of your proposal in as much
>as we are able to offset the tax of the selling price of the new vehicle 
>by the value of the car used as a trade in.
>
>Private, used car sales here is another story.  Although the tax law
>specifically states the tax is to be based on the "selling price" the
>tax department now will compare the "selling price" of the car to the
>"blue book" and tax you on the higher amount.  THAT SEEMS FAIR - NOT!

When I lived in MA (ah, home) not so long ago, you DID pay tax on the selling
price.  I remember that the tax law changed and agreed with the principle.
It was becoming common (or had been common for a while) to sell a car, which
you bought new for, say, $20,000, for $10,000.  You would write $1 on the Bill
of Sale (which is the amount they'd tax the buyer on), calculate what the tax
WOULD have been (on $10,000), and get half that from the buyer.  You get an
additional XXX dollars and he saved XXX dollars.  Although "blue book" is
about as accurate as a blindfolded sharpshooter, it does keep the playing
serface even for all.  If you're buying a classic, though, you can still play
the game.  A 1969 Mach 1 blue books for what, $500?  A cherry one can cost
you over $20,000!  Put anything less than $500 on the Bill of Sale, and you're
taxed on the $500.  They may soon become aware of the true value of cars like
this, though.

From: rjs@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Bob Schneider)
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 14:49:33 GMT
Subject: Re: Honda Civic Bashing continues...
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.autos

mikeq@aspen.CNA.TEK.COM (Mike Quigley) writes:

>I have a VX that gets an honest 55 mpg and cost me less than 9 k (through
>an auto broker). Top that, Detroit!
>
>Mike
 
	The Geo Metro XFI is still the winner in the highest EPA city and
	highway MPG figures. It is higher than the VX. Since Geo is sold
	by GM, in a sense, Detroit did "top that" and has for several
	years.

Bob Schneider     rjs@fc.hp.com
Xref: sparky rec.autos:21185 rec.autos.tech:12044 misc.consumers:15939 sci.environment:10961 talk.environment:3484
From: ashwin@gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram)
Subject: Minivans
Reply-To: ashwin@cc.gatech.edu (Ashwin Ram)
Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology, College of Computing
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 20:47:33 GMT

It looks like there are four "good" (i.e., Consumer Reports "recommended";
April 1992, p. 224-225) minivans on the 1992 market:
  - Toyota Previa
  - Mazda MPV
  - Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager
  - Pontiac Trans Sport
The Mercury/Nissan minivan might be worth considering in 1993.

Ok, now for the questions --
  - Can anyone point me to articles where one or more of these minivans were
    reviewed?  Consumer Reports "recommendation" does not really say anything
    about the pros and cons of the four minivans they recommend.  Recent
    issues of auto magazines, perhaps?
  - Any personal recommendations for or against any of the above?
  - Safety issues - how safe are these minivans?  Any particular safety
    features that distinguishes one from the rest?
  - Anyone know what will be new in 1993 for these minivans?  Is it worth
    waiting for the 1993 models?  Any major changes/improvements on the
    horizon?

Thanks,
Ashwin <ashwin@cc.gatech.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: aefron@cornerstone.com (Andrew Efron)
Subject: Re: US CARS FOR SALE IN UK
Reply-To: aefron@cornerstone.com (Andrew Efron)
Organization: Cornerstone Research, Cambridge, Mass.
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 23:44:41 GMT

In article <1992Sep3.132816.1@sdl.mdcbbs.com>, lorena@sdl.mdcbbs.com writes:

> CARS FOR SALE - UK

> Pontiac Firebird Formula 400
> 1978
> 405 cu inch or 6.6 litre
> extensively modified, properly de-smogged
> excellent inside and out
> UK import/spec from new
> 
> must be seen!
> 
> 5,500 pounds - no bartering here...;)
> 
> 
> Lorena
>
 
Just curious, but how can you folks afford to run a car like this out there?  
It's bad enough here, but aren't your fuel prices two or three times ours??

Andy

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
"I didn't do it to make history.  You do something that you want to 
do or feel you have to do, because you like it and love it.  And if 
it turns out to be history, well, so what?"

			--Carroll Shelby, from "The Cobra-Ferrari Wars, 1963-1965"
From: dtn@po.CWRU.Edu (Donald T. Noda)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: REGAL PARTS
Date: 26 Aug 92 18:37:26 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, (USA)


	I own an 81 Buick Regal.  I want to know where I can get 
catalogs for aftermarket parts for this car and all it's 
variants i.e. SFI, T-Type, Grand National.  Primarily, I am 
interested in getting a spoiler and sunroof.  Also, I am 
thinking about getting a GM 350 Perhaps with fuel injection to
replace my old, worn 231.  
	Who can I write to?  I need addresses too. 

	Thanks in advance!

		Don

	E-mail prefered.

-- 
           __    _______       _        |
      ----/  \  /__  __/  /\  / /------ |216-754-1981
    -----/ /\ \   / /    / /\/ /-----   |dtn@cwns4.ins.cwru.edu
 ------/_____/  /_/    /_/  \/----      |   
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: welty@cabot.balltown.cma.COM (richard welty)
Subject: Re: BMW M3 VS. BMW 325
Organization: New York State Institute for Sebastian Cabot Studies
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 17:08:25 GMT

In article <9342.74.uupcb@cutting.hou.tx.us> erich.lim@cutting.hou.tx.us (Erich Lim)  writes:
>       No joke!, the M3 is a totally diff. car and is raced in
>autocross, Solo, Escort, and all those events.  I was just making a
>simple explanation to the guy that an M3 is faster than a plain 325.  If
>you didn't know that much about cars and the technical stuff about it,
>wouldn't you just want a simple explanation of which model is faster,
>etc..??

well, if he's asking the question, it might be nice to give him
a more quantitative answer than ``a is faster than b''; he might be
trying to decide which to buy, and that answer doesn't really give
a lot of useful information.

besides which, normal 3-series cars race autox, solo, etc., as well.
i've teched far more regular 3-series cars than M3s for autox and
track events i've done tech inspection at.

richard
-- 
richard welty                            518-393-7228
welty@cabot.balltown.cma.com
  ``if you can read this, mario, you're too close''
    -- bumper sticker seen on a CART safety truck
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: dilmore@cray.com (Robert J. Dilmore)
Subject: Re: THE DOOR HORROR
Organization: Cray Research, Inc.
Distribution: na
Date: 4 Sep 92 07:57:24 CDT

In article <1992Sep03.191242.16031@bnr.ca> Peon w/o Email priv (Eric Youngblood) writes:
>In article <1992Sep3.072555.23907@csus.edu>, aalis@sfsuvax1.sfsu.edu (Al Bundy) writes:
>|> In article <1992Sep02.181220.29653%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu> mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu (Mike Suter) writes:
>|> >>THE ANSWER:  Get a theft deterrant system like James Bond had in a Lotus - the car
>|> >>blows up along with the cretin who touched it!  (Expensive, but fun!) :^)
>|> >
>|> >Or, a theft deterrant system like that on the Batmobile--arm the
>|> >system, and the car is instantly covered in armor!
>|> >
>|> >Mike
>|> >-- 
>|> >mike%jim.uucp@wupost.wustl.edu
>|> 
>|> Someone posted the cars/types of driver to avoid parking next to 
>|> in order to protect your car from dings
>|> 1. Any dirty old clunker
>|> 2. Yuppies who treat their cars like appliance, change cars
>|>    every so often, and don't care about yours
>|> May I add
>|> 3. Cars with rental sticker on it -> It happened to mine :(
>|> 
>|> Regarding the Batman car armor, it would be nice if someday
>|> somebody make an invisible shield around your car, like the
>|> Star Trek movie.  It will make a great theft deterrent too !
>|> BTW, is this possible at all ?  You can say that you read about
>|> the idea here first when somebody finally come out with it :)
>|> 
>
>Perhaps some kind of magnetic strip could be placed on exposed areas that would
>act like the factory protectors, but be much wider. You could stick them to the
>underside of the trunk lid when not in use and pull them out when you have to
>park in a crowded mall parking lot.
>
>
>Any inventive types out there?
>
  There are allready two devices on the market that do this. One is a 
inflatable tube that has two strings that get closed in your door that
hangs over the "trouble zone". This is the one I use on my XJS convertable
since it has no door edge gaurds, and it looks like hell with them. This 
one is less likely to be slolen than the other kind which is a foam strip
about 4.5 feet long that has magnets on the back to affix to the "trouble
zone". On my Passat for some reason I have found door dings not a problem.
Please don't ask where I got them, they were a present. Check the rags.

Robert
From: dlou@ECE.UCSD.EDU (Dennis Lou)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Broken seat back ('86 Mustang LX) Ford in general
Date: 4 Sep 92 00:16:09 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: University of California, San Diego

In article <1992Sep3.225350.26814@wlbr.iipo.gtegsc.com> simon@wlbr.iipo.gtegsc.com (Mark Simon) writes:

[details about a cracked floorpan]

>Wrongo.  I got a letter back from Ford stating that this was not a
>life threatening problem, and since the NTHSC wasn't forcing them to
>recall the car, they (Ford) wasn't under any obligation to pay for
>repairs.  I don't know about you, but personally I believe having the
>driver held to the car by ONE bolt to be life threatening in any
>accident. 
>
>Well, if Ford doesn't care if I die in one of their cars, I don't care
>if the company dies trying to sell self-destructing cars.

I think I said this before, but it really stinks of the Pinto
incident.

Back then, they knew that a rear impact would cause a bolt to hit the
gas tank causing it to ignite.

Ford decided that a recall was more expensive than litigation so they
put the cars on the road knowing that they may blow up.

Anyone see the movie "Class Action"?


--
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.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: tonyg@spock.retix.com (Tony "Salty Dog" Goulding)
Subject: Dreadfull service from local Isuzu dealer
Organization: Retix, Santa Monica CA
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1992 18:32:19 GMT

I'm wondering if anyone else out there has had dreadfull adter-sales
service from an Isuzu dealership?  My particular case (which I won't
recount here as its too long winded) involved A/C and cruise control
work done by Westoaks Isuzu in the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall.

Any takers - I'd be interested in hearing your experiences.  Please mail
direct - I'll follow up if warranted.


-- 
Tony [All views expressed are mine - if anyone is to blame its me]
==================================================================
"What a waste it is to lose one's mind.  Or not to have a mind is
being very wasteful.  How true that is" Vice President Dan Quayle
From: aalis@sfsuvax1.sfsu.edu (Al Bundy)
Subject: Re: These weird "Twilight Zone" lights under cars....
Keywords: They're really weird....
Organization: San Francisco State University
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 06:26:16 GMT

In article <1992Aug25.214937.15484@metter.fmpmis.metter.com> virgo@metter.fmpmis.metter.com (curious vIRgO) writes:
>
>The past few weeknights,as I happily cruise the streets of Takoma Park,MD,
>I've noticed quite a few cars sporting a neon glow underneath theier chassis.
>Is saw a Mustang GT with green neon, a white Laser RS Turbo with a lavender
>haze neon,and an Audi 5000 happily rolling along while all the wile it's `
>underbelly diffused a bright pink light....
>
>Personally, as a fad, it has some use. YOU CAN NEVER SAY "I didn't see it
>coming in the dark.."when you come upon it(and hit it...hopefully not!)
>What are these new creations called,these under-the-chassis lights?? Where
>do you get 'em?? What's the cost????
>
>The curious virgo wants to know....
>
>
>-- 
I haven't seen one here in SF, but last time I read about this stuff
in AutoWeek magazine, probably around June issue, I think it cost
around $ 400 installed, can someone correct me on this, I didn't
take much attention because the article mentioned about the 
legality of this stuff in some states (especially Calif), and
I hate to be stopped by a cop just because I want to look 'cool' :(
I can go look it up if noone else replies, BTW, maybe the manufacturer
is based in Miami, but don't count onme on that :)


Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: rcrandall@sc9.intel.com
Subject: Re: Moving a car to California!
Organization: Intel CTD
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 17:22:38 GMT

In article <1992Aug26.160027.25180@news.iastate.edu>, txa95@isuvax.iastate.edu writes:
> 
> I am going to move my 84 Honda Accord from Iowa to California. I heard that
> there is some strict smog check in California and no out-of-state car can
> survive it. What will happen if my car fails? Can anyone in California give
> me some hint? Thanks in advance.
> 
> -Martin

I moved to California from New York two years ago.  I'll tell you the story.
First of all their are two different kinds of cars - federally certified
and california certified.  If you have a federally certified car only, like
I did, you have to pay a minimum registration fee of $300, which just
covers you for the non-CA status.  Theirs more on top.  I had no problem
passing the smog test at all.  In fact my readings were way, I mean WAY
below the limits. (chevy 86 2.8L V6 MFI).  They just want the cash.
If you car is in good running condition, don't worry about it.  A good
idea is to replace the plugs and put some carb/FI cleaner in a few weeks
before the test.  Take the car for a freeway ride to thoroughly heat it
before the test.  Drive it hard-clean out the engine and exhaust.
Good Luck

Rob
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: howard@chsun1.spc.uchicago.edu (Eboni Howard)
Subject: The Best time to Buy a Car?
Organization: Chapin Hall Center for Children
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 18:35:13 GMT

A while ago I read a post asking when was the best time to buy a car.  I don't
recall seeing a reply to this question.  When is the best time of the year to
 buy a car?  I heard that during December or January is a good time because
dealers are trying to get rid of the old models for the new year models.
For example, getting rid of the 92's for the 93's.  Is this true?  Can you
get a good deal on a car during this time or is there a better time of the
year?

Eboni
howard@chsun1.uchicago.edu

-- 
Eboni
howard@chsun1.uchicago.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: crum@fcom.cc.utah.edu (Gary Crum)
Subject: Mitsubishi 3000GT-VR4, Toyota MR-2 Turbo
Organization: University of Utah
Date: 28 Aug 92 13:05:41

I'd like to hear of experiences with the Mitsubishi 3000GT-VR4, Dodge
Stealth R/T Turbo, and Toyota MR-2 Turbo cars.  They look great to me.

The four wheel drive and four wheel steering of the VR4 and R/T Turbo
are particularly interesting features, to me.  Does anyone know of
other powerful car models out now or being designed with similar drive
systems?

And, for example, does anyone have purchase experiences to share,
hopefully with a detailed example of a good price that someone bought
one for?  This is the sort of thing that USENET quite valuable for.
It looks like the list prices are around $35000 for the
Mitsubishi/Dodge and $2100 for the Toyota.  What would a dealer be
willing to sell a Mitsubishi/Dodge for, say, a 1992 model given
several such cars on the lot?  $25000 by any chance?

Thanks,
Gary
From: fierro@uts.amdahl.com (Doug Fierro)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Law regarding speeding ticket ?
Date: 27 Aug 92 23:27:38 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

In article <CARL.92Aug26223444@atlantis.Cayman.COM> carl@Cayman.COM (Carl Heinzl) writes:
>
>>after 6months...the cop won't goto court...becuase in that amount of time..
>>he won't remember
>
>>worked for me..and i won <but it wasn't for reck. driving.it was speeding>
>
>Wanna bet?!  I was pulled over a couple of years ago (1988) and a
>ticket from 1979 showed up!!!  I had to go to court for it and the cop
>was there!!!  Of course it was nice that the judge was actually amused
>and so he threw out the two most serious infractions and only made me
>pay court costs on the last one.  For the curious among us (who isn't)
>the infractions were (remember, I was just a college student) 1) no
>registration 2) no insurance and of course 3) no inspection sticker).
>So, 9 years later and I only had to pay $25.  I count myself lucky.
>
>-Carl-
>--

  You probably didn't have to pay the 1979 ticket at all; there is a 
statue of limitations- I think it's 7 years in California for misdemeanors.

  Doug
-- 
                                                     Doug Fierro
                                      |\             UTS System Software
  O                         __________|_\______      CASE tools development
  \_.______________________| * * * * * * * * */      fierro@uts.amdahl.com
 __\____                   |=================/       (408)746-7102
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From: smith@ctron.com (Larry Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: VOLVO info
Date: 28 Aug 92 18:32:52 GMT
Reply-To: smith@ctron.com
Organization: Cabletron Systems, Inc.

In article <2797709659@gimli.bio.purdue.edu>, news@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (USENET News) writes:

>The combination of a good seat-belt system and Volvo's crumple 
>zones and frame construction really do work.

Any car with 3-pt seat belts has a "good seatbelt system", and all cars sold
in this country have crumple zones.  The NHTSA rates the all Volvos midpack
as far as crash safety is concerned, and they only do that well because they
are old designs and are therefore much heavier than is the norm for similarly
sized cars today.  The top safety performer, according to the NHTSA, is the
Mercedes 500 series sedan, followed by the other big Mercs, followed by Ford's
Crown Victoria, whose body-on-frame construction, crumple zones, and air bag,
are as safe as you can get for the price.  I am aware of Volvos constant media
barrage regarding its "safety", but the independent studies show that its only
real safety advantage is sheer mass, and a number of lighter cars can better
any in the Volvo lineup.

Only the IIHS confirms Volvo`s safety claims, but they are using insurance
claim rates, a self-selecting sample which only confirms that people who
tend to rate personal safety very highly also tend to buy Volvos, perhaps
because of the advertising hype.  As a testament to the power of the media,
it plays.  As one for the safety of a car whose virtues are undetectable by
the objective scientific criteria of actual crash testing, it does not.

Larry Smith (smith@ctron.com)  No, I don't speak for Cabletron.  Need you ask?
-
How about we all do something reasonable?  I bet that'll confuse 'em!
From: ajnash@mcnc.org (A.J.Nash)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Old Jeeps
Date: 29 Aug 92 15:44:52 GMT
Organization: MCNC Center for Microelectronics, RTP, NC

In article <Eebt2fC00Uh_E1P8ES@andrew.cmu.edu> jt3u+@andrew.cmu.edu (Janviere S Thuman) writes:
>I am in the process of restoring a 1974 Jeep CJ-5. I am having trouble
>locating a few parts. Does anyone have any advice or sources? Some of
>the things I need are:
>-skid plate for the gas tank
>-original steering wheel
>-used soft top (and doors) to fit that model year
>-original Jeep knobs and accessories for the controls eg,heat,temp,air.
>Thanks.
>Shellie


Write to: J.C. Whitney & Co.
          1917-19 Archer Avenue
          P.O. Box 8410
          Chicago, Il 60680

Ask for their catalog. It has a section that offers many parts for Jeep
and other four-wheel drive vehicles. I've ordered from them several times
in the past and have always been satisfied whith their service and quality.
Prices are reasonable....IMHO.

AJ
       -----------------------------------------------------------------
       **       TO LIVE FREE AND HAPPY... TO DIE A HERO'S DEATH       **
       -----------------------------------------------------------------
       *        A.J. Nash             * NOTE: MCNC is not my           *
       *        ajnash@alvin.mcnc.org * employer.                      *
       *        (919) 248-1937        * All expressions, ideas,        *
       *        RTP, N.C. 27511       * and opinions are my own.       *
       -----------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos.driving,alt.autos.antique,news.answers
From: david@cerberus.bhpese.oz.au (David Masters)
Subject: Re: Steering problem on FWD Car --(Alfa Romeo ALFA 33)
Organization: BHP, Newcastle, Australia
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 03:47:41 GMT

leonglaw@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com (Lawrence Leong) writes:
>In rec.autos, shiv@cs.man.ac.uk (Shiv Sikand) writes:
>|
>|Here's the problem:
>|
>|Car: Alfa 33 1.5 Flat four
>|
>|Problem: Car pulls to the left on off-camber roads, steers ok on straight
>|roads
>|
>|Observations: I've had the wheel tracking checked twice by my dealer.
>|
>|But, when I look at the front wheels, one wheel ( the left one) seems to be
>|toeing out when the right one is straight ahead.

[toe out and dealer info deleted]

>I'd check with another dealer/mechanic.  Instruments to measure toe in/out
>should be quite easily obtainable.

The alfa 33 does not respond well to wider tyres. They exhibit
the behavior you describe, as well as _tram-lining_ ( feels like
it it is following railway lines laid in the road)
So, do you have wider tyres?

I found that the front end on mine, and the 4 or 5 other Alfa 33
enthusiasts I know, have had zero trouble with the front end. The
only _wheel_alignment_ adjustment was in the steering rod, and
nothing ever used to wear or get knocked out of spec.

Check that your tyres are not damaged as well.
>|
>|Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated 'cause its bugging me real
>|bad!
>|_____________________________________________________________________________
>|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>|=   Shiv Sikand                          =  Eat, drink and be merry for     =
>|=   Department of Computer Science       =  tomorrow you may die.           =
>|=   University of Manchester             =                                  =
>|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>|------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>|			I speak only for myself 
>|______________________________________________________________________________

david

-- 
David Masters, Group Leader - UNIX, 
BHP Information Technology, Newcastle, AUSTRALIA.
Internet: david@bhpese.oz.au        	     Phone: +61 49 402132
Newsgroups: rec.autos