HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: exucad@exu.ericsson.se (Charles Dobbins)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Nissan Pathfinder - Performance info wanted
Date: 29 Dec 92 22:03:15 GMT
Distribution: rec
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Inc.
X-Disclaimer: This article was posted by a user at Ericsson.
              Any opinions expressed are strictly those of the
              user and not necessarily those of Ericsson.

In article <BSINGH.92Dec25160928@cad619.intel.com> bsingh@cad619.intel.com (Balraj Singh ) writes:
>From: bsingh@cad619.intel.com (Balraj Singh )
>Subject: Nissan Pathfinder - Performance info wanted
>Date: 26 Dec 92 00:09:28 GMT

>Hi,

>I am thinking of getting a 93 Pathfinder, 4x2/X6-V6/Manual with the power
>package.  Could someone with such a vehicle please post some information 
>on your experience with it, specifically what kind of gas mileage does it
>really give.

Well my '92 SE-V6 4X4 is really strange, I drive it pretty easy and always 
get right at about 20mpg. I went out of town once and only got nearly 21 so 
it doesn't seem to vary much. I would have to say the couple of time when I 
have driven a bit faster and harder (off-road) my mileage suffered 
signifigantly. I personally can't say much bad about mine that wouldn't be 
considered nit-picking such as maybe a power sun roof option instead of a 
pop-up, and an easier opening spare tire mount on the back like the 4-
Runners. Good luck
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Charles Dobbins                                 Ericsson Network Systems, Inc
Systems Programmer                                            P.O. Box 833875
                                                    Richardson, TX 75083-3875
                                                               (214) 997-0982
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xref: sparky rec.autos:30552 ba.market.vehicles:4386
Newsgroups: rec.autos,ba.market.vehicles
From: rchilder@us.oracle.com (Richard Childers)
Subject: Re: Impact is DEAD [was: Electric Vehicles]
Keywords: electric battery car vehicle solar
Organization: Memes-R-Us
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 23:51:49 GMT
X-Disclaimer: This message was written by an unauthenticated user
              at Oracle Corporation.  The opinions expressed are those
              of the user and not necessarily those of Oracle.


bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser) writes:


>GM is killing the Impact.  Dead.  Gone.  Kaput.
				.
				.
				.
>- Engineers/marketers/etc. are having a hard enough time keeping the
>  cost of the vehicle below $25,000.

This is utter BS. I subscribe to an EV list full of electrical engineers.
Here's what you need to have an electrical vehicle :

	(1)	24 VDC airplane starter motor
	
	(2)	a decent number of large-capacity, deep-cycle batteries

	(3)	an intermediary controller ( optional )

The intermediary controller adds considerable value - it can be matched
to the battery and engine profiles to get better acceleration, as well
as convert de-acceleration into battery charge, and is quite expensive,
but does much to extend the vehicle range and component life.

An internal combustion engine has in excess of 200 moving parts. Whereas
a battery has none and an electric motor damned few - what, the rotor and
that's all.


>- Performance/utility wouldn't be as good as what most drivers have
>  now or expect to have.

Wait until they don't need a tuneup for ten years ...


>- Technology is expensive and isn't really paying off (read:  Only the
>  government can afford it).

As usual, the people will have to lead, and the leaders, follow.


>Since this was to be pretty much the premier, mass-produced electric
>vehicle in this country (or the world, for that matter), I'd be willing
>to bet that other manufacturers are having the same problems and coming
>to the same conclusions.  What does this mean will happen to GM in CA?
>Zero emissions is gonna be pretty tough to beat without electric
>vehicles.

I understand there's a conversion kit available for GM Impacts that is
about $800 or so, another $800 or so for the batteries ...


>Not that I'm upset about the whole thing; long live the internal
>combustion engine!
>
>Flame away, eco-freaks!  Electric cars aren't gonna solve the problems,
>just make some tree-huggers feel good about themselves.

This is not an intelligent thing to say and adds no value to the exchange.



-- richard

-- 
=====
-- richard childers		rchilder@us.oracle.com		1 415 506 2411
         oracle data center  --  unix systems & network administration
                    Klein flask for rent. Inquire within.
From: lancer@bigwpi.WPI.EDU (Stephe Lewis Foskett)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: what can make a click and a squeak?
Date: 1 Jan 93 15:13:18
Organization: ZikZak Corporation
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: bigwpi.wpi.edu

Hey, all...

I've got an '83 Accord and it's making clicking noises around corners
and a constant (and loud) speed-sensitive repetative squeak on the
road.  I was sure it was CV joints (and it may well be) but when I
crawled under the car to investigate, the boots were intact and there
was not a sign of a grease leak.  Can CVs "go" without cracked boots?
What else could this problem be?

Thanks for any responses...  Please email and I'll summarize...

.s.
--
- so spake lancer@wpi.wpi.edu -         - Horses are fine, so are books -
-Official culture still strives to force the new media to do the work of-
-the old media; but the horseless carriage did not do the work of the   -
-horse, it abolished the horse and did what the horse could never do.   -
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Theft/vandalism (was: cutaway Saturn)
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 05:23:02 GMT

    The point is that one could probably vandalize a Saturn for parts with
    the same degree of ease that could be applied to most other cars - or 
    lack of ease for that matter.  If you're a professional car thief,
    and really want a vehicle, NOTHING will protect it.

Gack.  Somebody stole the front grille from my 83 Nissan Sentra
a week or so ago.  Left the mounting screws sitting on the front
bumper.  I have no idea what s/he wanted with the grille.  First
thing I thought when I saw the grille missing was that the battery
had been stolen (it hadn't).  Takes all kinds.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: alc@gdstech.GRUMMAN.COM (Al Chang)
Subject: Re: '87 Daytona Questions
Organization: Grumman Corporation
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 18:54:39 GMT


In article <1992Dec19.172232.8089@news.weeg.uiowa.edu> rahayden@news.weeg.uiowa.edu (R Andrew Hayden) writes:


   I recently purchased an '87 Daytona Shelby Z (4 banger w/ Turbo).  And
   while I'm sure that I paid too much for it (but this is a college town
   and it only had 49k miles on it), it seems like a pretty solid car and I'm
   happy with it.  This is also my first manual transmission I've had since I
   learned to drive on the family wagon years ago (which was an '81 VW dasher
   diesel :(

   In any case, I have a couple questions about this car.

   1)  As a whole, what things seem to be the most prevalent problems with this
   vehicle? (yes, I do all of the sched. maintainence and oil changes every
   2500 to 3000 miles).  I have heard horror stories about the transmission
   but all of the stories dealt with the automatic, not the manual.  Anyone
   have good or bad things to say?

Shifter cables has a design problem, it pops off (newer design seems
better) or cable breaks. Seems to only last ~40k. And there's two of
them.

Speedometer tends to stick, I disassembled mine and lubricated it. A
co-worker didn't get his fixed yet.

Shelby Z has a very powerful brakes, becareful of panic stops on
slippery roads. I became a strong believer of ABS brake after owning a
Daytona. Two accidents on it was possibly avoidable if I did.

Use quality premium gas with hi detergents to keep the injectors
clean. 

Insurance is very difficult to get on this car (w/ collision.)

Vehicle is hefty (compared to imports,) but quality (sorry to say)
isn't quite there. You should still get a long life out of it.


   2)  Bras:  the front of the car is a little dinged up and I am wondering
   about the benefit of a bra.  It is a black car so it would "blend in"
   somewhat I just don't if it is worth the investment.

I don't like them. You can ruin the paint under it, and you still get
chips on the hood where its not covered.

   3)  This is my first "turbo" and I'm wondering if there are any special
   things I should be aware of in terms of operating this vehicle.

Stick to hi-quality oils and filters and keep up the oil changes. Some
people believes in brief cool down before shutting off the engine
after a hard drive.

   That's about all right now.  I'll say this much though, this car is a heck
   of an upgrade from my old car, which was an '82 Merc Capri w/ inline-6
   cyl. (mustang wanna-be).

   I appreciate your comments.

-- 
******************************************************************************
Al Chang (516)346-6757,  FAX: (516)575-0965, email: alc@calvin.grumman.com
Grumman Data Systems, 111 Stewart Avenue, MS D12/25, Bethpage, New York 11714
******************************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: antkasx@gsusgi2.gsu.edu (Ken A. Sturrock)
Subject: Re: Do SPOILERS Really Work???
Organization: Georgia State University
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 05:57:40 GMT

tquinn@heartland.bradley.edu (Terry Quinn) writes:



TQ> 
TQ> I have a 1988 Dodge Lancer Shelby with spoiler mounted above the 
TQ> rear window at the tail of the roof, like the Supra.   
TQ>

Hell, my first car (1969 Plymouth Fury III Station Wagon....A serious child
killer!) had one of these, it was there to keep the rear-window clean.


						-ks


On a side note, Where's the "Torque Monger" these days....it seems that he
would *surely* have something to say about "wimp wings" and more engine power
as a better solution <GRIN>.

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jmh@Turing.ORG (Jeffrey M. Hoffmeister)
Subject: Re: Honda struts
Organization: The Turing Project, Public Access Internet Host
Distribution: austin
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 18:35:33 GMT

In article <1992Dec28.184620.493@pencom.com> stecz@pencom.com writes:
>In article <1992Dec21.133805.5398@mwhhlaw.uucp> jim@mwhhlaw (James P. Cavanaugh  
>III) writes:
>> 
>> 	Don't get me wrong - this Honda has been a wonderfully reliable  
>> car, with not a single non-scheduled repair.  But this experience fits  
>> with what has become my belief: Although US cars may be somewhat less  
>> reliable than their Japaneese counterparts, this advantage is  
>> outweighed by the higher costs of maintenance and repair.
>> 	REAL cars have 4 shocks that cost maybe $15 apiece, and I can  
>> install all 4 in an hour (or pay $10 each to let the mechanic do it).   
>> REAL cars DO NOT cost $500 to replace such mundane things as shocks.   
>> To one raised on US cars, $500 is the range of a major repair, not  
>> routine maintenance.  Jeeeze, I once got a whole Torqueflite rebuilt  
>> for $350 (and that was at well over 100k miles).  I guess the only good  
>> news is that this car doesn't have ABS.  Arrrrgggghhhh!
>
>Let's keep this in perspective...name 5 four door sedans ('88 or newer) that  
>DON'T have Macpherson struts on at least 2 corners.  My point is practically  
>all cars, foreign and domestic) use strut type suspension.  Your Honda costs  
>about the same as any other car to replace the struts.
>
>--
>  John Steczkowski                        stecz@pencom.com
>  "Achilles raised his spear, took careful aim, and hurled."
>  					    from the Iliad


Well I can't give you the names of 5 cars but I do own a 92 Honda Accord
EX Sedan, and believe it or not it still has 4 shocks.

I was very surprised whrn I found this out, ut was grateful when I 
considered the maintenance savings.		


-------
Jeff
.sig to be determined at a later date


















Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: alc@gdstech.GRUMMAN.COM (Al Chang)
Subject: Re: Rustproofing Propaganda?
Organization: Grumman Corporation
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 20:07:20 GMT

In article <1h4etjINNq38@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> ah190@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Stuart Pearl) writes:

   Does galvanized metal become more susceptible to corrosion when it is
   bent, twisted or welded?  

   I recently got into a discussion with a local rustproofing salesman
   who was (naturally) trying to make a case for his business.  I cited
   the fact that new cars today were made with more corrosion resistant
   materials and therefore did not need to be rustproofed.  I also discussed
   how incompetents in the field of rustproofing had actually hastened
   rust on some cars: blocked drain holes, the drilled "application" holes
   themselves actually rusting, etc.

   He responded by saying that even though more galvanized metal is used
   in today's cars, the galvanization is either weakened or lost wherever
   a weld occurs, or where the metal is is bent.  Is this true?

Back in the late 70's, I use to work in a sheetmetal shop that used
galvanized steel. They used US Steel ( the company ) and steel from
Japan which was a lot cheaper. The US Steel used virgin steel where
Japan used what ever they can find. Anyway, when I would bend the
Japanese steel, the galvanized coating would sometimes crack.
Sometimes, its so bad that after it cracked, I could peel it off. Now,
I've been told Japan is number one in the steel industry, maybe they
got the manuefactuering process down. 

I've not seen any steel that did not crack have problems with rust.

I won't get the rustproofing on my cars.


 
-- 
******************************************************************************
Al Chang (516)346-6757,  FAX: (516)575-0965, email: alc@calvin.grumman.com
Grumman Data Systems, 111 Stewart Avenue, MS D12/25, Bethpage, New York 11714
******************************************************************************
From: dbernard@clesun.Central.Sun.COM (Dave Bernard)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: LH test-drive results (by a buyer)
Date: 30 Dec 1992 14:41:43 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: dbernard@clesun.Central.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: clesun.central.sun.com


>5) [Stingy dealer]: May be I was expecting too much, but I was only
>allowed to test-drive in an area that was less than 3 blocks! The reason
>given was to maintain a low mileage on the test cars. Was that being a
>little stingy or what?  In addition, no attempts were made to "sell" the
>car or even tell me or "remind" me of the strengths of this car.
>Instead, the salesperson was telling me about his son's life in school
>and everything else except the car. May be it was Christmas eve but I
>mu

I would walk from these guys.  My normal driving involves freeways, both
in passing and acceleration from on-ramps, and an extended drive at different
speeds to get a feel for the ride.  If they're not willing to "allow" this,
why should I want to plop down $14-20K on an unproven vehicle from a company
with a terrible quality and after-market servicing record?  If they are so
unreasonable before the sale, what would they be like afterwards?  Their
claim of wanting to maintain low miles is their own problem, and a part of 
doing business.  What's next, my family can't come along for a test ride, 
because kids might put their feet on the rear seat?

	Dave
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: yu@physun.physics.mcmaster.ca (Fan Yu)
Subject: Re: Emblems, names and meanings...
Organization: Dept. of Physics & Astronomy, McMaster University
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 19:46:35 GMT

In article <18DEC199222023980@csa3.lbl.gov> jtchew@csa3.lbl.gov (Ad absurdum per aspera) writes:
>In article <BzHo3t.BEq@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, cka52397@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Slartibartfast) writes...
>>In article <JTCHEW-181292085436@b50-afrd4.lbl.gov> JTCHEW@lbl.gov (Ad absurdum per aspera) writes:
>>>
>>>Mitsubishi uses three diamonds on most or all of its products, from cars to
>>>consumer electronics.  I forget what they are supposed to symbolize, but 
>>>they have some meaning, or at least one was retrofitted by an ad agency. 
>>>
>>	
>>	The Mitsubishi name means "Three Diamonds" in Japaneese, hence the logo.
>
>Thanks to everybody who pointed this out, but what do the three diamonds
>symbolize?
>

I don't think they have any particular meaning. Just like the cross of 
Chevy, the tri-star of Mercedes-Benz, etc, they are beautiful geometric
figures that are eye-catchers. You can interpret them any way you want.
That's their beauty.

FY
From: GFCARDINALE@poppy.ucdavis.edu (GEOGORY F. CARDINALE)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Wanted:  Info on Head Gasket Replacement/'86 Escort,1.9L
Date: 3 Jan 93 23:42:12 GMT
Organization: University of California, Davis
X-News-Reader: VMS NEWS 1.20

Greetings.  

My SO has a 1986 Ford Escort which has a coolant leak (external).  I checked
out the hoses and the core and couldn't find any obvious leaks there.
The coolant seemed to be coming from the block, around the exhaust
manifold (uh-oh).  The only things around there (according to the manual)
are the drain plug, the "monolithic timing plug" (whatever the Hell that
is), and the head gasket.  I was going to take the exhaust manifold off
but of course that involved removing about four other things to do so.
Anyway, we took it to a garage and paid them $35 to check it out.
Here's the damage...

They claim that the head gasket is shot.  To fix it, it will cost $600
and may even run more if the head is warped.  I doubt this since it
never overheated, although it is possible.  My questions are as follows:

1.  Is this estimate too much?  I figure that the gasket is about
$50 so that means almost 14 hours of labor at $40/hr (their rate).

2.  If I try to do it myself, do I have to get a vavle spring compressor
or can I take the head off with everything (i.e. valves, camshaft,
rockers, etc.) in tact?  That is, can I just take everything off the
head e.g. the intake manifold, then pop the head off by removing the
head bolts, then scrape the gasket off, and put a new one on, then
bolt the head back on.  I have done work on cars before, mostly on old
Dodges and Novas (when cars were cars) but nothing this involved.


Thanks to all respondents in advance.
(please respond via e-mail)
                          
Greg C.
gfcardinale@ucdavis.edu
        
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade)
Subject: Re: Rustproofing Propaganda?
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 14:03:14 GMT

In article <1h4etjINNq38@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> ah190@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Stuart Pearl) writes:
>
>Does galvanized metal become more susceptible to corrosion when it is
>bent, twisted or welded?  
>
>I recently got into a discussion with a local rustproofing salesman
>who was (naturally) trying to make a case for his business.  I cited
>the fact that new cars today were made with more corrosion resistant
>materials and therefore did not need to be rustproofed.  I also discussed
>how incompetents in the field of rustproofing had actually hastened
>rust on some cars: blocked drain holes, the drilled "application" holes
>themselves actually rusting, etc.
>
>He responded by saying that even though more galvanized metal is used
>in today's cars, the galvanization is either weakened or lost wherever
>a weld occurs, or where the metal is is bent.  Is this true?
>
>There are an awful lot of folds and welds on the average - but is this
>just marketing hype?
>
not marketing hype...but lies.  now that most all cars have 5year/100k mile
rust warranties why would anyone have their car rustproofed...that would be
a big waste of cash and potential cause problems.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi (Henri R Helanto)
Subject: Re: Emblems, names and meanings...
Organization: Helsinki University of Technology, Finland
Date: 27 Dec 92 03:33:39 GMT

In <4913@ceylon.gte.com> hhd0@newshost.gte.com (Horace Dediu) writes:

>In the home market it's quite fashionable to remove all badges from Mercedes.
>The numbers come off with a heat gun, and the car can even be ordered from the
>factory without badges.  This is especially true of the S classes.  V. Nondescript

>Since many also have the hood ornament removed (either by thieves, or in
>anticipation thereof) the cars can be without any  identification.  But everyone
>recognizes a Mercedes a mile away.

	It has been fashionable for a couple of decades now... 
	My late father always ordered his MB's without any
	badges, since the fifties (!) 

	Nowadays, only the cheapest and the most expensive
	models are ordered without badges - those who can
	afford the most expensive ones don't need the badge 
	to tell people they've got money and those who can
	only afford the cheapest models, don't want a badge
	to tell everyone about it... :-)

-Henri
-- 
Henri Helanto - SysOp
hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi m40176m@puukko.hut.fi
Call MyBBS (+358-0-485067/485068/485968/485918/488139, 24h) !
From: hugo@bluehau.bubble.org (Hugo Bueno)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Range Rovers using GM Parts
Date: 27 Dec 92 20:19:45 GMT
Organization: The Blue House

hhelanto@vipunen.hut.fi (Henri R Helanto) says:
>In <hXW=va+@engin.umich.edu> pka@engin.umich.edu (Payman Khalili) writes:
>
>>Is it true that early Range Rovers used some GM parts including a
>>GM (Buick) 8 cylinder engine?  
>>
>>Is it still true today?  I'd appreciate any info about this.
>>
>>Thanks in advance!
>
>        It is true. The Range Rover's engine is still based on the
>        Buick 221cid V8. The engine block is aluminium (Buick used
>        cast iron) and they have tuned it up a bit but it's basically
>        the same engine except for intake manifold and carburators.
>        (Rover used two Stromberg carburators, famous for their 
>        sticky actions -> a stuck carb is no exception in a 'Range).
stuff deleted....

Let's clear up the misinformation before things get ridiculous.
The original engine was used in Oldsmobile F-85's and
Buick Specials of 1961-1963 vintage.  The engine was a 215 cubic
inch, aluminum block engine.  A turbocharger was a factory option.
How do I know? My father bought the Olds model in 1967 and kept it
until 1978.

-- 
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Hugo Bueno ! Fanwood, NJ | hugo@bluehau.bubble.org