HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: brooks@mcnc.org (Ted Brooks)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.sport,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos.vw
Subject: Re: reliable cars
Date: 19 Aug 92 13:18:36 GMT
Organization: MCNC Center for Microelectronics, RTP, NC

In article <1992Aug18.190956.27177@phri.nyu.edu> roy@alanine.phri.nyu.edu (Roy Smith) writes:
>tgpt_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Tom Guptill) writes:
>>I _HIGHLY_ recommend an '81 or later Rabbit Diesel.  I know someone who has
>
>You see a lot of people with Rabbit Diesels who are fanatics about their

VW owners, back from the early days of the beetles, have always been fanatics.
VWs just seem to be a love 'em or hate 'em kind of car.

>cars.  How many Dodge Dart fanatics do you see?
>-- 
You obviously haven't run across too many Dart owners. They were popular among
many taxicab companies and lazy owners because the slant 6 engine was virtually
indestructible. I only know of 2 people who killed a Dodge/Plymouth slant 6 
before 150,000 miles - both had a habit of neither changing nor checking their
oil. The only odd thing about them was the solid valve lifters. Nobody ever
adjusted them (at least till they met up with me :-) ). You could always tell
a slant 6 going down the road from the tap of misadjusted tappets, but it
never seemed to hurt them very much.
 
Ted Brooks
 ______________________________________________________________________
| Disclaimer: The opinions expressed are my own, and do not reflect    |
| those of my employer. Advice is free, but you get what you pay for.  |
|                               ________                               |
|                         _____|  1955  |_______                       |
|                        /      Chevrolet      /                       |
|                       /______  BelAir  _____/                        |
|                              |________|                              |
|______________________________________________________________________|
From: leonglaw@hpsgm2.sgp.hp.com (Lawrence Leong)
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1992 16:13:26 GMT
Subject: Re: Demo Cars..
Organization: HP Singapore
Newsgroups: rec.autos

In rec.autos, mjk@icf.hrb.com (Michael J. Kelley) writes:

|My wife was looking at a 1992 Pontiac Bonneville. The car is a Demo car with
|13,000 miles on it. I was wondering if a few people might comment on pro's
|con's or past experiences with demo cars. The dealer wants 17k for the car.
|I told my wife no way!! The cars are low 20's brand new. The car also has some
|paint missing/scrapped on the front bumper. So, for all we know, the car may 
|have been wrecked. 
|
|I told her that a good price to offer would be the book value for a used 1991.
|If they want to sell the car bad enough they'll take it. 
|
|Any comments??
|
I understand most of the time they're sold at discounts to the distributor's 
scum, er, staff.  

Demo cars tend to get trashed, especially during the run-in period.  They are
also used by salesscum to demo ABS to potentials "ok, we at about 100, now
stomp on the brakes hard.  Don't worry, it's got ABS".  Are you sure you *really* want this car?

lawrence
From: lauro@kauai.esd.sgi.com (Lauro B. Manalac)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Michelin MXV tire and its competitors
Date: 17 Aug 92 20:24:38 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA

I have to put in a yes vote for MXVs as far as wear goes. I've had the same
set on my Legend for 4 years and 85,000+ miles. I will probably finally
replace them this weekend, though. I can't comment on handling since my
commute is mostly on the freeway. As far as traction, it was ok the last
time it rained here many moons ago. 
-- 


Lauro Manalac				lauro@esd.sgi.com
Silicon Graphics Inc.			415-390-3420
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.sport,rec.autos.tech,rec.autos.vw
From: gbg@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (gerald.b.green)
Subject: Re: reliable cars
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 18:02:12 GMT

In article <1992Aug18.202616.22716@walter.bellcore.com> jyri@faline.UUCP (Jyri Virkki) writes:
>>>I am graduating from school and am interested in purchasing a small reliable c
>>>- preferably hatchback.
>>
>>>Do you have recommendations of cars to consider buying and cars to consider NO
>>>buying.
>>
>>I _HIGHLY_ recommend an '81 or later Rabbit Diesel.  I know someone who has
>>	.
>>	.
>>	.
>
>My father had a '81 Rabbit Diesel, and it was absolutely the worst car I've
>	.
>	.
>	.
>
>Jyri
>
>Jyri J. Virkki - Bellcore, Morristown, NJ - jyri@thumper.bellcore.com - DoD#561
>(201) 829-4213 - jyri@rummat3.upr.clu.edu - jyri@rmece47.upr.clu.edu

For furhter discussion on this topic, PLEASE EXCLUDE rec.autos.sport
from the included newsgroups. It is not appropriate for our forum.

Thanks,

GBG

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bingrassia@vax.clarku.edu
Subject: Any opinions on GEO METRO? Please.
Organization: Clark University
Date: 18 AUG 92 18:18:49 GMT

I'm looking for a late model small car which delivers good gas mileage. GEO 
METRO seems to have good mileage at good price,  but CONSUMER REPORTS readers 
give it a "not so great" repair record in the annual car buyer's issue (no full 
length report/review yet published in that publication.)  Any 
opinions/experiences you can 
share about this relatively new model would be greatly appreciated.  THANK YOU. 
BCI
bingrassia@vax.clarku.edu
From: johns@trident.datasys.swri.edu (Stephen Johns)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Performance of CAMRY LE V6
Date: 13 Aug 92 13:12:13 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio

In article <1992Aug12.194041.7663@devildog.att.com> root@acpy01.att.com (System Administrator(CXNIXCN1)) writes:
>
>In July issue of MOTOR TREND there was a comparison test between the 
>CAMRY 4cyl. and ACCORD 4cyl, but they also looked into CAMRY LE V6.
>According to them CAMRY LE V6 has all the performance characteristics
>that are equal or better of sports sedans that cost over $30.000.
>Since CAMRY LE V6 can be bought for about $18.000, that made me wonder.
>The numbers MOTOR TREND had, made it better performer that ES300,
>525i, Legend, J30 etc.
>
>What do you think about it ???

I don't know if anyone else has ever noticed this, but MT performance numbers
mystically change as time goes on.  I noticed the 0-60, 60-0, skidpad, etc
numbers change from issue to issue.  Maybe they retest cars that they are
not doing articles on?  I remember when then Eclipse/Eagle/Laser first came out
MT had 0-60 at 6.2, it has now climbed to something like 6.9.  I have also
watched the Mustang and Supra numbers, though they have been getting better.

I am not sure whose numbers to believe, MT, RT and CD they all end up quite
different, of course the DRIVER is a big consideration, as is the weather
and such things as CA emissions.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: aalis@sfsuvax1.sfsu.edu (Al Bundy)
Subject: Re: Looking for wider tires/wheels for '90 Accord
Organization: San Francisco State University
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 08:26:45 GMT

In article <1992Aug21.064319.3256@mr.med.ge.com> bednarek@picard.med.ge.com (Dennis Bednarek Mfg 4-6971) writes:
>
>Keep the hieght of the tire stock, to avoid problems with speedometer
>readings as well as changes in performance.  Same height but wider
>tires are
>   200/65R14
>   215/60R14
>   255/50R14
>   195/60R15
>   235/50R15
>   205/50R16
>I would not go drasticly wider but consider the 15 inch wheels as they
>reduce the cushion of air between the rim and ground causing much more
>stability.
>
>Dennis
>#

Just curious if Accord can be fitted with 17 inch wheels ?
My roomate has one fitted with 205/50VR16 on a 16 X 6.5 MOMO
QUASSAR wheels, but it seems that it has plenty of room left 
for 17 inch, even after he lowered it 1.5 inch.  I saw an
article in European Car magazine about a BMW 325 (new one)
fitted with 18 inch Wheels !!!! (+ 3 modification, since
the original wheels are 15 inch).


Xref: sparky rec.autos:19942 rec.autos.driving:4889
From: seanr@lobo.rmhs.colorado.edu (Sean Reifschneider)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors and regular people
Date: 14 Aug 92 15:55:58 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, CO

In article <14006@auspex-gw.auspex.com> tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:
>This weekend I encountered an interesting opinion on radar detectors
>as it happens from my parents and my mother-in-law.  Both thought that
>
>Has anyone else gotten the same kind of response?  I think this is bad
>news for those of us desiring protection from the revenue collection
>many cities and counties engage in -- there will be no cry of outrage
>when they are finally banned from the US all together.

I seem to have noticed it the other way around.  I've never had any folks
I knew think that detectors were illegal.  My parents and grandparents
haven't said anything.  I have a friend who's parents don't look like the
kind who'd want or use a detector, but once I heart them talking about taking
the detector on a trip.

Sean
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving
From: jimb@access.digex.com (Jim Brooking)
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors and regular people
Organization: National Commitee to Keep Slower Traffic Right
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 14 Aug 1992 16:38:37 GMT

In article <BsxHGy.LFE@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu> msingh@copper.ucs.indiana.edu (The Supreme Commander) writes:
>
>But, the worst thing is the fact that everyone slams on the brakes as
>soon as they see a policeman. This causes more accidents and grief
>than anything, all for catching some guy going 60. Worse, they usually
>ignore the fools weaving in and out of traffic at 80!

Or...  How about when an occifer is on a multilane road and NOBODY
goes around him?  This big herd of cars bunches up behind the patrol car.
I've passed squad cars MANY times and not been given the time of day.
People is stupid...  "Oooh, the big bad policeman is gonna pull me over!"
8^)


--
jimb@access.digex.com  | (Cage) 1991 323se     ZCP-710   |     Comus Road
Merry Land (MD) U.S.A. | (Bike) 1986 GSXR750    (sold)   |     ClarksBURG
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
           GE: We lay off the people who bring good things to life.
From: rrusk@ssd.csd.harris.com (Bob Rusk)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: How Accurate is the Blue Book?
Date: 20 Aug 92 14:57:10 GMT
	<1992Aug19.200050.22808@udel.edu>
Reply-To: rrusk@ssd.csd.harris.com
Organization: Harris Computer Systems Division

On 19 Aug 92 20:00:50 GMT, dan@seismo.noname (Dan Hagedorn) wrote:
>Nntp-Posting-Host: seismo.pnl.gov

>Auto dealers lying to you ??? NEVER!!! They are THE MOST HONEST and
>TRUSTED professionals!!!

>Actually, I have caught several of these sleazebuckets in bold-faced
>lies, pointed their errors out to them, and told them where to put
>their lying mouths.

>Consider:  Last year I wanted to trade my 1985 VW Quantum in on a new
>car.  The VW was in excellent condition with about 35K miles, new tires,
>new this and that.  At every dealer I was given a LOW price, quoted
>from the Bluebook, and ocassionally shown the page in the book to 
>backup their offers.  No dealer would give me (on a trade-in) more than
>the book price.  One even called the local VW dealer and got a price
>from him.  When I later checked with the owner of the VW dealership, I
>found out that the price he told the other dealer was about $1000 higher
>that the other dealer told me was given to him!

Reminds me of what I went through with the dealers in Homestead, FL in 1984
when I was considering trading in my '81 Toyota pickup on a small Japanese
hatchback (Tercel, Civic, Colt, etc.).  I went first to the Toyota dealer,
who offered me a price well below book wholesale on my truck, and $500.00
off on a new Tercel.  [ I should mention here that the dealerships were
all named differently, and gave no indication of being related. ]  I then
went from dealer to dealer looking at their comparable offerings.  Every
dealer offered me an identical "deal".  The same low price on my truck, and
the same $500.00 off on the car.  I found out what was going on when I
went to the fourth dealer (Dodge, I think).  When the sales-jerk went into
the manager's office to find out what my truck might be worth, somebody
else came out and forgot to close the door.  The manager was talking to 
the Toyota dealer on a speaker phone with the volume way up.  Not only did
they discuss what the Toyota dealer had offered me on my truck, they also
discussed the other vehicles that I had looked at, and the prices I had
been quoted!  About halfway through this, they suddenly realized that the
door was open and that I was listening.  With red faces, they interrupted
the guy who was talking to them on the phone, telling him to wait, and
rushed over to close the office door.

I now make it a point to look at cars in several different suburbs, if not
in different metropolitan areas.

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Bob Rusk			    | An egoless acceptance of stuckness is a
 rrusk@ssd.csd.harris.com	    | key to an understanding of all Quality.
 My thoughts, probably not Harris'. |			   - Robert M. Pirsig
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: junck@okra.fnal.gov (Kevin Junck)
Subject: Request for info on Farmers Auto Insurance
Organization: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 16:19:23 GMT


The subject line pretty much says it all.  My auto insurance is up for
renewal and I've been looking at switching to Farmers from AllState.
Any comments (both pro/con) would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!

--
Kevin L. Junck     a.k.a. Junck@okra.fnal.gov            708-840-8368
Fermi National Accelerator Lab                 Batavia, Illinois, USA
#include <std.disclaimer.h>                 ** HAIL TO THE VICTORS **
Xref: sparky rec.autos:20424 rec.autos.driving:5065 rec.autos.tech:11527
From: rrusk@ssd.csd.harris.com (Bob Rusk)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Re: Recommendations for Mini Van
Date: 21 Aug 92 17:35:26 GMT
	<1992Aug21.142317.26287@Arco.COM>
Reply-To: rrusk@ssd.csd.harris.com
Organization: Harris Computer Systems Division

In article <1992Aug21.102726.5173@mr.med.ge.com>, bednarek@picard.med.ge.com (Dennis Bednarek Mfg 4-6971) writes:

> Why don't you consider a full size van.  The price dif is not that great
> and the room is great.  Remember you have one in the popper now but ho
> w do you know that is yhe last one.
> 
> Seriously I have a 20 series Chevy van that pulls 20 miles to the gallon
> and wouldn't complain about it after 130,000 miles.  Lets see someone
> pull that off a min van.


My stepfather owns an '88 or '89 Dodge Grand Caravan with the 3.0L V6
and the infamous early UltraDrive automatic.  Aside from the transmission
(which postings to rec.autos.tech indicate has been fixed), the van has
been virtually trouble-free in its 95K miles.  He did have to put in new
valve seals recently, but he drives hard.  And yes, he still gets 24mpg
on long drives.  And this from a minivan that drives, rides, and handles
like a car.  The front seats are wonderful, and the others aren't bad.
Being the long-wheelbase model, there is plenty of legroom for all, and
luggage room besides.  The engine has plenty of power.  And it doesn't 
wander in the wind.  He says he has a friend with the non-stretch model
who has over 140,000 miles on it, and it's still going strong.

We have had two other Caravans in the family, both of which have been
dependable and comfortable.  On the other hand, the Chevy G20 conversion
van that my father had wouldn't hold an alignment and would go through a
set of GM or Monroe front shocks in 15K miles.  It was also uncomfortable
for the front passenger, who had nowhere to put his feet.

To each his own!

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Bob Rusk			    | An egoless acceptance of stuckness is a
 rrusk@ssd.csd.harris.com	    | key to an understanding of all Quality.
 My thoughts, probably not Harris'. |			   - Robert M. Pirsig
Xref: sparky rec.autos:20148 rec.autos.tech:11292
From: thomas@bit.UUCP (Thomas Walter)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
Subject: Monthly Posting - DATSUN ROADSTER MAILING LIST
Keywords: Datsun Roadster Great Fun Fairlady
Date: 18 Aug 92 18:20:33 GMT
Article-I.D.: bit.404
Organization: BIT, Portland, OR


Monthly posting regarding the DATSUN ROADSTER MAILING LIST.

If you own, or are thinking about buying, a Fairlady, 1600,2000 
Datsun Roadster, join the mailing list! We are a group of Datsun
roadster owners/enthusiast who share technical, restoration,
and ownership information.

To join, or ask, about the mailing list, contact:

		datsun-roadsters-request@hoosier.cs.utah.edu
					         ^^ (new as of June 92)
To post to all on the list:

		datsun-roadsters@hoosier.cs.utah.edu
				         ^^ (new as of June 92)

Cheers,

Thomas Walter			Internet:  bit!thomas@cse.ogi.edu
Beaverton, Oregon		(punt it)  thomas%bit@cse.ogi.edu
'67 & '68 2000 owner
From: geoffm@purplehaze.Corp.Sun.COM (Geoff Miller)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Purple tail lights?!? (was Re: Red vs. amber turn signals)
Date: 20 Aug 92 16:01:04 GMT
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Menlo Park, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: purplehaze.corp.sun.com



Something else I've noticed along these lines is some kind of mirror
coating that's applied to headlights.  What is that stuff, and is it
legal in most places?  



Geoff


-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Geoff Miller                    + + + + + + + +        Sun Microsystems
geoffm@purplehaze.Corp.Sun.COM  + + + + + + + +     Menlo Park, California
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
Xref: sparky rec.autos:19827 rec.autos.driving:4867
From: aland@chaos.cs.brandeis.edu (Alan D.)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.driving
Subject: Re: Radar Detectors and regular people
Date: 12 Aug 92 20:18:20 GMT
Reply-To: aland@cs.brandeis.edu
Distribution: na
Organization: As little as possible

tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:

>It seems that most of the people I've talked to who are not car-nuts,
>regard radar detectors as interfering with enforcement, and see them
>as a way to get away with speeding.  Not that I would ever use it to
>avoid a ticket.  I explained that it reminded me of the speed limit
>and provided protection from speed-traps designed to collect money for
>the local municipality.  She was shocked to find out that they are legal
>in most places.

>Has anyone else gotten the same kind of response?  I think this is bad
>news for those of us desiring protection from the revenue collection
>many cities and counties engage in -- there will be no cry of outrage
>when they are finally banned from the US all together.

Banned from the US altogether?  Radar detectors are currently illegal
in Washington, DC and (I believe) parts of Virginia, and Connecticut.
The radar detector law in Conn. has been repealed, effective (I
believe) October 1.

How does a radar detector remind you of the speed limit?  When my
radar dector goes off, it tells me that there is (probably) a police
officer around, and that I should be aware that other cars might start
braking for no apparent reason.  I wouldn't know whether I should slow
down unless I knew what the speed limit was in that area...  Something
which the detector couldn't tell me...

	-=Alan
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: schapple@mozzarella.journalism.indiana.edu
Subject: Re: Does anyone like the new Prelude?
Reply-To: schapple@ucs.indiana.edu
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 21:18:31 GMT

In article <1992Aug12.203715.9712@qualcomm.com>  
ganapath@tahoe.qualcomm.com (Chinnappa Ganapathy) writes:
> In article <1992Aug12.020216.4757@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>  
mperlman@nyx.cs.du.edu (Marshal "Airborne" Perlman) writes:
> >
> >Well..being a mostly american car lover <the only jap cars I like are  
the 
> >300zx and Q45...both are Nissan's ya know> I'd ahve to say the new  
Prelude
> >is a piece of crap. It doesn't corner well...it's engine sounds like a  
baby
> >crying..and the body is ugly...the dash is SICK. I remember the auto  
mags
> >saying 'the US cars dashes are simple..and thats why they suck'...but
> >then they turn around and day 'the Prelude's dash is simple...and thats
> >why they are nice'.........GO FIGURE!
> >
> >Worst of all..the damn tail lights are stolen from oldsmobile!  
hahhah..and
> >what are those notches on the inside of the headlights? fly catchers?
> ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
> 
> Did you notice that one of the new Chrysler LH sedans have "fly  
catchers"
> stolen from the Prelude?
> 
> 
> >
> >sheesh
> 
> Yeah!



I think it is an utterly disgusting piece of sh-t.

I loved the old prelude, but the new one just sucks!
The dash is just simply horrible, remember that this is Honda's idea, the  
once darling of the industry for it's user friendliness oops I mean  
ugliness.
From: ahh@moji.uucp (Andy Heffernan)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Celica dealer markup
Date: 19 Aug 92 04:02:29 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Something or other


	I'm shopping around for a new Toyota Celica here in New York
state.  Does anyone know what a typical dealer markup is for this car
(assuming no trade-in)?  Is there any other way to find this out
besides risking being zombified by the salespeople?

Thanks.

-- 
Andy Heffernan		$BJ8;z(J	ahh@moji.uucp (uunet!glyph!moji!ahh)
From: philg@zurich.ai.mit.edu (Philip Greenspun)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Ford litigation news
Date: 20 Aug 92 18:48:19 GMT
Reply-To: philg@martigny.ai.mit.edu
Distribution: rec
Organization: M.I.T. Artificial Intelligence Lab.


Today was my big day in court with Ford on their motion for summary
judgment.  Ford's general tactic seemed to be "overwhelm the consumer
with fancy legal motions".  To this end, they successfully had the
case snared in real district court rather than small claims last week.
Their attorney refused to give me an extension for this motion so that
I could have time to consult an attorney.  Thus, after waiting around
for an hour or so, the first thing I did when we went up to the judge
was to ask for a continuance.

The judge is a real nasty hardboiled guy who had been very nasty to
all the individuals who had preceded us and cordial to the
corporations (i.e. he was always granting motions made by landloards
and/or big businesses to screw tenants and/or customers).  He clearly
disliked me but didn't have much choice but to give me some time to
talk to an attorney.  He allowed one week and I'll let you know what
happens after the hearing on Wednesday the 26th.

Philip Greenspun
MIT Department of Electrical Engineering

P.S.  Meanwhile, of course my Ford is in the shop for the 13th time to
get the brakes and engine control system fixed, along with nagging
alarm system, gas gauge and other assorted problems.  My rented Nissan
Maxima is pretty darn nice, though.
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: ss@wpi.WPI.EDU (Scott Streeter)
Subject: Re: INTEGRA SUSPENSION.
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA 01609-2280
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 16:29:16 GMT

>>>>> On 19 Aug 92 00:32:00 GMT, erich.lim@cutting.hou.tx.us (Erich Lim)  said:

-> I was told that the front caster on my Integra is off and there is
-> no way to correct that.  Is this true or is there some adjustment
-> to the front struts when the time comes to replace them.
->
-> I have 65K on the car and on the original struts, should they be
-> replaced soon, the ride is decidedly on the rough but not too bumpy.
-> Any good aftermarket replacement like from Jackson Racing ??

lim> Well, you probably should replace the struts since factory ones
lim> start giving way at about 20,000 miles 

Well if this is the case, how can you tell the struts have given way.
I have 33K on my 89 LS, and the ride is still fine, as far as I can
tell.
--
                        Scott Streeter
                        ss@wpi.wpi.edu