HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: 854mesik@gw.wmich.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Street Sleepere
Date: 20 Nov 92 11:23:02 EST
Organization: Western Michigan University



	Everyone is writing about how an SHO Tauras wagon
would be great. It would be cool, but how about this?
1992 300 hp LT-1 350 in a Caprice Wagon? It would be a sure
headturner to see that leave you behind in a puff of smoke eh?

					-Steve
  ** Rear Wheel Drive = More fun **
From: c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com (Spiros Triantafyllopoulos)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Safety inspections (was Re: Raising the limit)
Date: 19 Nov 92 17:46:39 GMT
Organization: Delco Electronics Corp.

In article <19NOV199209334042@csa3.lbl.gov> jtchew@csa3.lbl.gov (Ad absurdum per aspera) writes:
>Safety inspections are mandated, if at all, by the individual States.
>I don't have a tally but my feeling is that a majority of states do
>not have them.  The American highway features a lot of marginal cars
>and a few that look like studio props for "Mad Max IV."  You might

I think less than half the states have safety standards. And statistics
indicates (from what I remember) that accident statistics in 'inspected'
states are not different from 'not inspected' states, i.e. the inspection
makes no statistically significant difference in accident rates.

>Emissions checks are more prevalent, but again are done on a state-by-
>state basis.  Tighter regional standards are on their way as well. A
>number of states have no emissions checks whatsoever.

Or even area-by-area. In Detroit, only the tri-county area (Wayne, Oakland,
Macomb) counties were required to have emission inspections, and 
sufficient loopholes were left in the system for most clunkers to still
stay on the road (i.e. if income < xxxxx, no inspection, if clunker older
than 1980 or so, no inspection, if it fails and you spent $100 and still
fails, fine).

Spiros
-- 
Spiros Triantafyllopoulos                    c23st@kocrsv01.delcoelect.com
Software Technology, Delco Electronics       (317) 451-0815
GM Hughes Electronics, Kokomo, IN 46904      [A Different Kind of Disclaimer]
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Stick VS Auto.
Date: 18 Nov 1992 19:30:30 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: 140.239.3.202
Keywords: HOW STUPID CAN A MAN BE

mshar@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Mike Mshar) writes:
>> P.S Am I the only one who is annoyed from the lack of engine brakeing while
>>     driveing automatic?

>Well, did you ever try using the D2 and D1 positions on an automatic?? It
>appears not. If you shift into low gear at 40 mph or so, believe me, you
>will get all the engine braking you need.

The owner's manual probably even recommends using lower gears for long
downhill grades.  It has in every one I've looked at....

jim frost
jimf@centerline.com
Xref: sparky rec.autos:27478 alt.autos.rod-n-custom:169
From: gc4403@col.hp.com (hpctdfh)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,alt.autos.rod-n-custom
Subject: Re: Who's gotta Low Rider?
Date: 20 Nov 92 21:08:54 GMT
Organization: Network Test Division


Don't know if it really is a low rider?
From: K.Buck@ma30.bull.com (Ken Buck)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Seat Belts Releasing in Crashes: Institute for Injury Reduction
Date: 20 Nov 92 19:32:45 GMT
Reply-To: K.Buck@ma30.bull.com
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Bull HN Information Systems Inc.
Originator: buck@granite.ma30.bull.com

In article <lgq8jsINNf62@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM> chrisp@regenmeister.Sun.COM (Chris Prael) writes:
>The 300ZX is a 2-seat vehicle.  It is also generally considered a high
>performance car.  Anyone who has one of those who does not rip out the
>3-point crap and install 4-point has an open trace on his/her mother
>board.

uh, not necessarily.  in some states, it's illegal to remove the
safety equipment that the vehicle is originally sold with.
i believe it's usually all right to install _new_ belts, but you're
not supposed to remove the _original_ ones (sounds stoopid, i know).
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jnielsen@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (John F Nielsen)
Subject: Re: Japanese Full Size Trucks
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 19:11:44 GMT


>In 1990 I paid about $19K for an F350 Crew Cab with dual wheels, diesel engine,
>E4OD auto transmission, and most of the options you list.  I have a GVWR of 
>10,000 lb and am rated to tow a fifth wheel up to 12,500 lb.  I can have up to
>6 adults sit in comfort in the cab for long trips, and get over 12mpg while
>pulling my 11,000 lb fifth wheel.  Mileage around town with no load is over 18
>mpg.  Tell me which is the better truck...

You are talking 2 different numbers here. Did you pay MSRP for the
F350? Probably not. Well, take probably 1.5-2 grand off those Toyota
prices for comparison.

The Toyota is not designed to compete with the F350 Crew Cab. Not
everyone wants to drive such a huge truck.

john
-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------
John Nielsen   MAGNUS Consultant            ______   ______   __  __	
jnielsen@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu         /\  __ \ /\  ___\ /\ \/\ \
                                           \ \ \/\ \\ \___  \\ \ \_\ \
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Rotary vs. Piston Engines
From: murthy+@EDRC.CMU.EDU (Sesh Murthy)
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1992 16:47:47 GMT
 <184132@pyramid.pyramid.com> <1dut97INNjb5@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu> <1embmsINNi16@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University

In article <1embmsINNi16@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer) writes:
|> and, i imagine, never will be...but we shall work towards that gaol.
                                                                  ^^^^
Did you spell it that way on purpose. 

   gaol -------------------------------+
 | gaol ()                             |
 |     (chiefly Brit var of JAIL)      |
 +- WEBSTER7-(c) G. & C. Merriam ------+

Sesh
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: wesf@boi.hp.com (Wes Fujii)
Subject: Re: Experiences with Pickups
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 15:34:14 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Hewlett-Packard / Boise, Idaho
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]

michael.e.carey (mcarey@cbnewsb.cb.att.com) wrote:
: >
: >Diesels:
: >
: >Go with the Cummins (I understand Ford will be going with that motor, too)
: >if you can afford it.  The International engine in the Ford trucks is okay
: >but lacks the all-out-power of the Cummins.  I know several people that 
:   <stuff deleted> 
: 
: Woa!  I would like to know your source on Ford using the Cummins instead
: of the IH?  I haven't heard of this.  This would spell bad news for
: an already troubled Navistar.  As for the power of the IH, back when
: ford first started putting them in there trucks (then it was a 6.9 liter
: Diesel), the rear-ends could not take the power of the engine and they
: kept dropping out.  If they are going with the Cummins for power reasons,
: I hope that they are a little more prepared this time.

Heard it from a friend that is shopping for a diesel truck.  I admit that
my source is not all that great.  I'll try to pin him down on his source...

Wes Fujii

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* Wes Fujii               *           JAPANESE BUSINESS MOTTO           *
* Boise, Idaho            *        You can buy anything you want        *
* wesf@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com *             with a lot of money             *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Xref: sparky rec.autos:27184 misc.consumers:19244
From: hhtra@usho21.hou281.chevron.com (T.M.Haddock)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,misc.consumers
Subject: Re: What radar detector should I buy?
Date: 19 Nov 92 00:00:07 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Chevron

In article <1992Nov17.175219.28272@nmsu.edu>, thearn@nmsu.edu (Tom Hearn) writes:
|> I used to have a MAXON radar detector I got from DAK.
|> It has saved me countless times but last year I got
|> nailed by a cop with the instant on radar.
|> There wasn't much I could do about it.

 Against instant-on radar at close range, nothing 
 can be done, no matter what detector you have.

 Just smile and wave to the nice officer.

 TRAVIS
From: jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Safe at any speed?
Date: 24 Nov 1992 01:38:05 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: 140.239.3.202

The following article is reprinted without permission from _The Boston
Globe_, Saturday November 21, 1992.  I haven't run across the original
study that prompted the article yet.

		   "Should Speed Limits Be Raised?"

			   By John R. White

In 1987, states began raising the speed limit along portions of the
interstate highway network to 65 m.p.h. from the 55 m.p.h. once
mandated by the feds.  Immediately, the green gestapo warmed up the
copier and began issuing dire warnings of carnage on the nation's
highways.  After all, hadn't the death rate fallen when the nation
adopted the 55-m.p.h. limit?

Well, yes, the death rate certainly did drop -- of course people had
curtailed driving, too, in the face of rising fuel prices and a
national move to automobile austerity.

So, what _did_ happen when the speed limit was raised?  The American
Automobile Associate Foundation for Traffic Safety reports that
fatalities continued to _decline_ as the interstate speed limits went
up.

Deaths on rural freeways, the areas most affected by the 65-m.p.h.
limit, totaled 2,870 in 1988, 2,775 in 1989, and 2,728 in 1990, the
foundation reports.  More to the point, states that adopted the higher
limit showed greater improvement in their overall fatality rates than
those states that maintained the lower maximum, the foundation
reported.

Why would fatalities diminish even with higher limits?  Doesn't speed
kill?  Sure, but only if you hit something.  And, if you get bored to
sleep driving at 55 on a road designed for 85 you are very likely to
hit something.

Raising the limit accomplished a couple of things, the most important
of which is probably the elimination of variations in speed among
drivers using the same roadway.  Disparate speeds constitute an unsafe
condition on a highway; eliminating the 55 m.p.h. limit brought more
uniformity to the speed traveled by drivers on those sections of
highway thus eliminating a potential for accidents.

Of course, if you actually take the trouble to notice, on roads such
as Interstate 95 -- although the speed limit in Massachusetts is still
55 and the limit in New Hampshire is 65 -- the average speed traveled
is closer to 65 in the Bay State, nearer 67 along the northern reaches
of 95 (above Exit 55) and in New Hampshire, and 70 when you cross into
Maine where the limit is also 65.

A 65-m.p.h limit reflects more closely what most people actually drive
on the interstates than does 55.  The 55-m.p.h. limit has more to do
with revenue enhancement than safety these days anyway: Post 55,
enforce 65, and collect fat fines from anyone venturing beyond 66 or
67 m.p.h.  There's a theory of traffic control that says post the
limit 10 miles below what you really want to enforce -- maybe that's
why they zip along at mostly 75 out West.
From: K.Buck@ma30.bull.com (Ken Buck)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Probe in the Snow?
Date: 23 Nov 92 17:15:43 GMT
Reply-To: K.Buck@ma30.bull.com
Organization: Bull HN Information Systems Inc.
Originator: buck@granite.ma30.bull.com

ellisk@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Michael K. Ellis) writes:
>When you actually get snow or very heavy slush on the roads, though,
>things change.  On the highway, with slush, I was okay. Once I hit city
>streets, particularly ones that hadn't been plowed, I was in a great
>deal of trouble.  Acceleration went all to hell (no real traction) and
>Tire size is P225/50 and a 16" wheel.

In article <1992Nov22.164943.29691@unixland.natick.ma.us>
   bill@unixland.natick.ma.us (Bill Heiser) writes:
>I think this would be reason enough for me to buy the Probe and NOT the
>Probe GT.  For those of us who live in the snow belt, a car that can't
>handle a little snow isn't of much use about 2/3 of the year.
>Another reason not to buy the GT.  That size tire is *very* expensive!

i disagree a little bit with this philosophy.
(for the record, i drive rear wheel drive sports cars in
New England on a year-round basis.)

i *do* agree that buying any car with large tires (like 225/50-16's)
can get to be an expensive proposition when it comes to replacing the
tires, whether it be for summer, winter, or whatever.  that's
something worth considering when you buy a car.

but i wouldn't avoid buying a car solely because of the stock _tires_
that it's sold with.  after all, the stock tires offered on most cars
are a compromise that are weighted as much towards cost-to-the-manufacturer
as anything else.  performance-oriented cars often come with high performance
tires that are useless in the snow.  and some cars come with tires that
are just plain all-around-mediocre.  that doesn't mean the rest of the car
is bad (and if you really don't want the stock tires, it may be possible to
do a trade at purchase time).

for winter and FWD, the so-called "all season" tires can be sufficient,
although real snow tires will give you even better results.
for winter and RWD, there's really no substitute for True 'snow tires'.
so if you're running high performance summer tires in the snow, you deserve
what you get.  it doesn't matter if the car as-sold comes with "summer" tires,
buying a set of snows won't cost you more in the long run if you just use
them in the winter.  and it's not a bad idea to get your snows on a set
of comparatively cheap steel rims, to avoid tire-remounting hassles.
plus, getting a separate set of rims also lets you get a smaller
(i.e., cheaper) and thinner (for better traction) size tire if you want to.
From: dcg@mogun.UUCP (David Gunsul)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Ethanol blended gasoline
Date: 17 Nov 92 23:52:15 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Hotrods `R' Us, Montgomery, IL

In article <1992Nov17.052214.29099@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu (Scott Borders) writes:
> dcg@mogun.UUCP (David Gunsul) writes:
> 
> >In article <1992Nov15.060407.1359@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu (Scott Borders) writes:
> >> dcg@mogun.UUCP (David Gunsul) writes:
> >> 
> >> >In article <1992Nov5.040209.4665@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, 
> >> sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu (Scott Borders) writes:
> >> >> 
> I don't recall ever disagreeing with you.  As I recall, I specifically
> excluded well-maintained classics (what you refer to as "special
> interest" cars) from my suggestion.

Ahh, well maintained classics huh?
What about a 75-81 car that has been hotrodded?



>  Now, you tell me:  who wasn't
> listening?

You seem reasonable (so far) but I will reserve my final judgement
until you answer my question above.



> My point was that a car doesn't have to be a big-block to be
> fun and fast, and that newer cars are much more likely to have
> cleaner emissions than their ancestors.  Oh, BTW, I have no 
> delusions about outrunning one of the big-block beasts
> on a straightaway; that's why I specified a "winding country
> road" :-).

Now Scott you are forgetting that my car is a hotrod not a stocker.
Do you really think that I'd forget to change the suspension around
a little bit? :^) :^) :^)



> Scott Borders
> sborders@nyx.cs.du.edu
> borders_scott@tandem.com
> 

                      
                                          
                     
                     |                    
                     | David Gunsul       
                     | dcg@mogun.uucp      
                     |------------------------------------------------
                     |  It's amazing what $2,500 worth of big block
                     |  will do to $60,000 worth of high technology.
From: romansks@unvax.union.edu (Steve Romanski)
Subject: Re: Ford lemons
Organization: Union College, Schenectady, NY
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 15:34:27 GMT

tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:

>Seems a shame that Ford produces lemons, if they produced some
>limes, at least I could use my Ford in a gin and tonic...


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

From my experience with escort GTs and there self destructing frount
ends I would say anything with a FORD in it would leave a

very BAD TASTE in your mouth.

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: cka52397@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Slartibartfast)
Subject: Re: Whining about buying American cars
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 09:35:36 GMT

In article <1eh1bvINNmv3@gap.caltech.edu> lxrosser@cco.caltech.edu (Alex Rosser) writes:
>jimf@centerline.com (Jim Frost) writes:
>
>>WRT the Japanese vs American argument, I don't consider it relevant
>>anymore.  I pointedly avoided looking at American-built cars and
>>kicked myself later for not looking at the Saturns.  It's become
>>obvious that American cars *can* compete effectively with the
>>Japanese, it just took the big three a long time to decide to do it.
>
>
> One thing that gets me is, if American car companies can build
>cars of comperable quality to imports(and I prefer European to
>Japanese and Japanese to American) why does Saturn have to make
>such a big deal about being an American car company that is building
>cars that are on par with the Japanese quality wise?
>

	Because people are misguided in this country.  If you look at
statistics, there are American car co's in the top ten.  Saturn is
third to Lexus and Infiniti in the JD Power survey.  People don't realize
that, which is why Toyota can charge $$$$$$$ more for a Corrola than GM for
a Prizm, Mitsu $$$$$$ more for a 3000GT than Dodge for a Stealth.  Things
like that get ME.  BTW I drive a Japanese Car....


-- 
"The Clergy Dazzle us with Heaven or they Damn us into Hell"  Billy Bragg!!!!!
IIIII  L    L    IIIII NNNNN IIIII   Chintan Amin c-amin1@uiuc.edu DEPT of E.E.
  I    L    L      I   N   N   I   RUSH	YES FLOYD METALLICA PEARLJAM REM PG
IIIII  LLLL LLLL IIIII N   N IIIII   GO TARHEELS  GO CAPITALS GO COWBOYS 
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade)
Subject: Re: Extended Warranty (3rd party recommendations)
Keywords: Extened Warranty 
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 19:36:18 GMT

In article <1992Nov18.163624.12002@dsd.es.com> sbender@navajo.dsd.es.com (Steve Bender) writes:
>In article <BxoEAu.4v8@world.std.com>, sandyb@world.std.com (Sandy Bendremer) writes:
>|> I am just about to take delivery on a new Ford (Taurus SHO).  Can anyone
>|> recommend or provide a list of 3rd party extended warranty providers.
>|> 
>|> My goal would be to have as good (or better) coverage than Ford's program,
>|> at lower cost.  
>
>Like other forms of "insurance", extended warranties are only offered because
>they are money-making ventures.  A dealership or third party will not offer
>an extended warranty on your car unless they expect you to pay more for the
>warranty than it will cost them to fulfill the warranty (by a very comfortable 
>margin).
>
>If you believe that an extended warranty from a third-party is necessary, why
>not consider yourself the third-party and and open up a savings account with
>the money you'd expect to pay for the warranty... If a problem occurs with
>the car (that would be covered under the extended warranty), use the cash
>you've salted away.  Odds are that you'll never need to touch it.
>
well said.  but to make it short and simple:
*never* buy extended warranties on *anything*...it is a ripoff and waste of $!


Organization: Sophomore, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 16:13:45 -0500 
From: Brett Earl Forejt <bf0w+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: horespower/torque


i was wondering, and have always wondered. Just what does horespower and
torque translate to? i mean does horsepower give you top-end and torque
bottom, or what?  I have looked at torque and hp curves, and i still am
confused.

    Example, what would the difference between a car with 100 hp and 100
ft-lbs, and the same car with 200 hp and 100ft-lbs? or the same car with
100hp and 200ft-lbs?
 
Please explain, i know that is probably alot more complicated than i think!

thanks

Brett

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Brian J Queiser)
Subject: Re: Merkur Scorpio
Keywords: comments?
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 15:34:03 GMT

mfolivo@sactoh0.sac.ca.us (Mark Newton-John) writes:

>Does anyone have any comments on Merkur Scorpios?
>
>I've seen a few on the road, and I have alsways like the design.
>Too bad that Ford decided to drop the German Fords (Scorpio, XR4Ti)
>Were they built well? (I assume that being a German car, it should
>hold up well. Assuming of course.)  (heh heh)

The Scorpio was imported for 3 years, I beleive, '88-'90.  Occasionally
I'll see one a used lot for about $12,000-$14,000 depending on mileage
and age.  Usually, though, they're low mileage and are in excellent
condition.  The car was originally sold for About $29,000, so it
can be a good deal.  The downer is that there is the occasional horror
story about them regarding their reliability and ease of maintenance;
Phil Greenspun is currently suing Ford regarding his Scorpio.  I happen
to think that his case is really an extreme, but I'd say that it's a
gamble with those cars.  The common denominator among the Scorpio stories
is that when it rains, it pours.  Knowing this, I'd still buy one
because I love its look and personality; it's a true touring Sedan.
They're RWD, luxurious, and European.  I wish I could've afforded one
when I bought my used Sable.  Now I'm in the market for an XR4Ti.
I think, in essence, that desiring a Merkur puts you into a cult.

Regards,

Brian

bqueiser@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu
------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am the engineer, I can choose K.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Engineering Mechanics
Ohio State University
Columbus, OH
From: jthomas@video1.almaden.ibm.com (John G. Thomas)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: G20 vs. Altima, Fast vs. Slow
Date: 18 Nov 92 18:07:19 GMT
Organization: IBM Almaden Research Center

>AM/FM (400) and you are only saving 3K with the Sentra SE/R.  Now figure
                                     ^^
                            That should have been 2K (2.2K to be exact)
                            
John Thomas		Almaden Research Center K55/801
jthomas@almaden.ibm.com		(408)927-2668	650 Harry Road
                        	(Fax)927-4002	San Jose, CA 95120
Newsgroups: rec.autos