HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Fast Japanese Sports Cars
Date: 24 Nov 1992 00:17:45 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, jtteh@borland.com (J.T. Teh) says:

>aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer) writes:
>
>
>>In a previous article, kiisaka@csi.uottawa.ca (Ken Iisaka the mad pianist)) says:
>
>>>Oh, shut up and get a Honda NSX.  End of discussion.
>>                       ~~~~~~
>>Acura..
>>(yeah..i know, i know..couldn't let it slide though...:-)
>>(it being the slip up..i know referring to the closeness
>>of HONDA and Acura)
>
>Well, it is a Honda NSX everywhere else in the world except the USA.
>Seeing that kiisaka is posting from Canada and is presumably Japanese,
>he's correct.
>
>>DREW 
>
>- J.T.
>
JOKE**SMACK**JOKE**SMACK**JOKE**SMACK**JOKE**SMACK**
(yes, that IS your face hitting an OBVIOUS wall!)
DREW
-- 
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????-----whatever!
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: greg@cherokee.b23b.ingr.com (Greg Moritz)
Subject: Stats on Auto ownership - selected nations
Reply-To: greg@cherokee.b23b.ingr.com (Greg Moritz)
Organization: Dazix, An Intergraph Company
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 13:19:52 GMT

Car ownership - cars per 1000 population:

      US          575
      Germany     475
      UK          390
      Japan       280
      Brazil       75
      Mexico       60
      Indonesia    60
      Chile        50
      S Korea      40

I took these numbers from a graph, so they are probably off by a little.
They are materially correct for comparison purposes.

These were all the nations that were listed.


On a related note:  There was some debate/question as to how many cars
                    were on the road (new and used) in the US and Japan.

Based on the above numbers and a population of 250 million, US and
125 million, Japan, the number of cars on the road in each nation
would be:

      US          143.7 million
      Japan        35.0 million
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: tedebear@leland.Stanford.EDU (Theodore Chen)
Subject: Re: Survey impartiality
Organization: DSG, Stanford University, CA 94305, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 17 Nov 92 08:31:26 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.154624.4093@oakhill.sps.mot.com> rvkl60@aus18a25.sps.mot.com (Tom Mathes) writes:
>I DID check.  Look at the April 1992 issue of "Consumer Reports".  This
>is what I found:
>-Ford Explorer - Worse than average
> Mazda Navajo- Average
[etc...]
>All of these cars are "badge engineered".  As far as I know, these cars 
>have the same mechanicals but differ in trim and/or accessories at most 
>(typically the only difference is the name).
>
>In each case, the American nameplate got a worse overall rating than
>the Japanese nameplate.
>
>I stand my my assertion that the C/U survey is biased.

not to defend consumer reports, but does this overall rating include
dealer service, etc.?  it's possible that the japanese dealers
were better about doing stuff under warranty and so forth (though
my experience was that the import dealers were dicks and the domestic
dealers were nice people).
i don't have much faith in consumer reports, anyway.  they did
a review of some popular mountain bikes and it's fairly obvious
that as far as mountain bikes are concerned, they don't know their
ass from a hole in the ground.  (yes i bike a lot.)  ditto for the cars.
-teddy
Xref: sparky rec.autos:27569 misc.consumers:19359 misc.kids:28946 talk.politics.medicine:80 sci.med:21349
From: gunning@cco.caltech.edu (Kevin J. Gunning)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,misc.consumers,misc.kids,talk.politics.medicine,sci.med
Subject: Re: Seat Belts Releasing in Crashes: Institute for Injury Reduction
Date: 22 Nov 1992 01:33:04 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Expires: 12/10
NNTP-Posting-Host: alumni.caltech.edu

>
>I don't think I want a car with an air bag because I've heard they can
>blow your ear drums in certain situations because of the explosive inflation
>rates inside a closed area.  I don't know how true this is, but it is 
>something to consider when choosing between the mandatory passive
>restraint or air bags...

Don't bother considering it because it is absolutely false.I've been 
designing airbag systems for six years now, and have had the chance to
witness many crash tests.  You do NOT even hear the airbag inflate over
the noise of the crash. While the sound of an airbag deploying by itself
is quite loud, it is lost in the crash noise.  Don't worry.

This story has been around for about 20 year since the first airbags came
out.  :-)  Alt.folklore may be a good place to move this discussion

kjg
From: rinehart@aramis.rutgers.edu (Mark J. Rinehart)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: My new Saturn in the shop for new transmission
Keywords: Saturn reliability
Date: 19 Nov 92 17:41:14 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

In article <1992Nov19.020405.28745@leland.Stanford.EDU> underdog@leland.Stanford.EDU (Dwight Joe) writes:

> In article <1992Nov19.011448.11730@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov> clee@praha.jpl.nasa.gov (Chang Lee)
> writes:
> >Two weeks ago, I put down 15K at the dealer for a new SL2.  500 miles and a 
> >week later, the car's back at the dealer for a new transmission.  Obviously,
> >I'm unhappy about the situation.  I bought the car partly because of claims
> >of quality and reliability, but this episode has me deeply worried.  So,
> >I'd appreciate feedback from Saturn owners regarding the
> >reliability of their car (or should I get a refund and buy a Civic?)
> 
> I should slap Mr. Lee for this.
>
> Mr. Lee could spend 15K, and he bought a Saturn?  Buy Saturn if you
> are pressed for money, but 15K doesn't sound like Mr. Lee is pressed
> for money. 
> My advice, if Mr. Lee doesn't mind buying 100% Japanese (but I
> personally would have second thoughts because I'm an American), then
> buy an Acura Integra. It's a much better car than the Saturn.
> 
> On the other hand if he wants to buy American-ish, then I would suggest
> a Honda Civic.  Again, it's a much better car than the Saturn.  Since you
> are obviously willing to pay the $1700 worth of pure profit (to the dealer)
> for the Saturn, I'm sure that you won't mind paying MSRP for the Civic or
> the Integra.


Dwight, first, if you're going to respond to a post, address the issue
that the original poster is asking about. Second, your response is one
of the bigger loads of crap I've seen. Third, in case you've been off
the planet for awhile - and your response certainly makes it appear as
though you have - 15K for a car these days is hardly *alot of money*.
Fourth, Mr. Lee's post was to-the-point and asked a valid question.
Why you should start off by saying *I should slap Mr. Lee for this* is
beyond me, but since I see no smileys anywhere in your response, I
have to assume your words are serious. Therefore, your comment was
totally inappropriate. Chill and get a perspective on reality before
you post again, else I may be forced to seek you out and slap YOU
around.  



					
Mark






n
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jmiller@afit.af.mil (Jeffrey C Miller)
Subject: Re: Hot rods & clunkers  (Was: Eth Bl Gas ... )
Organization: Air Force Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 15:52:38 GMT

In article <22513@drutx.ATT.COM> bdm@druwa.ATT.COM (Brian Millham) writes:
>in article <1992Nov18.123141.2123@infonode.ingr.com>, greg@cherokee.b23b.ingr.com (Greg Moritz) says:
>> I'm not interested in seeing all older cars removed.  Only 
>>  "smoke-belching mid-seventies piece of V8 iron.
>
>So how about the smoke-belching 80's Japanese 4's?  I've seen some
>mid to late 80's Toyotas and Datsuns that make a great smoke screen.

On another tangent, I heard on the radio yesterday that some "environmental"
group (civility precludes me from using the words I think really describe
them) is going to go around and place "tickets" on cars they perceive to
be "gas guzzlers".  Wonder what their heuristic for determining what is
or is not a "gas guzzler" is, and if they will bother to observe and also
"ticket" "smoke-belchers".

Dunno if this is just a local Dayton thing, or some kind of feel-good
national project...

Woe unto the eco-freak who thinks my GLH is a "gas guzzler", though...

Jeff

-- 
Jeff Miller,  NH6ZW/N8,  AFA1HE (ex WD6CQV, AFA8JM, AFA1DO)
AFIT School of Engineering, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
"You gotta expect some losses when you fly the heavies, man" -- Jeff Conn
"No brain, no pain" -- filched from some new movie promo
From: hacker@cco.caltech.edu (Jonathan Bruce Hacker)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: HOW TO AVOID HITTING THE WALL IN GARAGE
Date: 20 Nov 1992 00:58:43 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: punisher.caltech.edu

rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade) writes:

>> 
>>3.  Paint a mark on the left or right wall of the garage at about the place
>>    your body is in the car when the car is where you want it.  When you
>>    drive in and are lined up with the mark, stop.
>> 
>note: this only works if you sit in the same place every time you drive your car!

Yes, it won't work if you drive from the back seat.  ;-0


-- 
Jon Hacker
Caltech, Pasadena CA
hacker@tumbler-ridge.caltech.edu
Xref: sparky rec.autos:27362 alt.autos.antique:2239
From: rxkgre@minyos.xx.rmit.OZ.AU (Geof Evans)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,alt.autos.antique
Subject: Re: Need a car for trans USA trip.
Date: 20 Nov 92 02:06:59 GMT
Organization: RMIT Computer Centre
NNTP-Posting-Host: minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au

aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer) writes:


>In a previous article, rxkgre@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au (Geof Evans) says:

>>We are travelling thruout the US in January/February and will be looking
>>to buy a (very) cheap car to do it in. Any old Pontiac,Dodge,big ol'bus
>>will be fine so long as the brakes work and it goes. Obviously we would 
>>prefer a ragtop for when we get down south. We will be arriving in NY
>>and we know it will be *freezing* but hey...what the heck ! We want to 
>>stay under a grand (paintwork is not important 8->...) so any ideas ?
>>Really...as long as it goes for ten weeks that's all we need.
>>
>>                                          ciao for now...
>>                                                         Bigfoot.
>>
>hmm..ur just looking for trouble, huh!?!
>(or do you only own a motor cycle right now?..)
>DREW

*>>> We do own a motorcycle, and the ute of course, not to mention the
     Rover from hell but rest assured we won't be looking for trouble...
     I'm sure it will be looking for us B->. What kind of trouble do you
     have to offer ? Have wheels will travel. Feel the cool wind on your face.
     Hey Drew...is Barry more like you ?  B->.
                                             ciao...
                                                    Bigfoot.

-- 
  ___________________________________________________________________  
|| Geof Evans                 | DOMAIN: rxkgre@minyos.xx.rmit.oz.au  ||
||   If they *really* wanna know...tell 'em that God was drunk.      ||
  -------------------------------------------------------------------
From: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: LH: first drive
Date: 23 Nov 1992 23:09:26 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: aas7@po.CWRU.Edu (Andrew A. Spencer)
NNTP-Posting-Host: slc5.ins.cwru.edu


In a previous article, qazi8906@ee.uwm.edu (Cindy Crawford) says:

>I just drove a Chrysler Concorde this weekend.  It was 
>equipped with the 3.5 liter 214 bhp motor and the Touring
>suspension with Eagle GA tires.  This is a magnificent automobile,
>and it is every bit as good as it looks.  Buy one and laugh and
>point fingers at those who drive Camry V6's.  It was such a
>great feeling to drive an affordable American car with such
>thorough excellence!  Best of all, its build quality and materials
>are every bit as good as the Japanese.  Be proud, America!
>There is indeed hope for the American auto industry!
>
>--Aamir Qazi
>  mail to: qazi@csd4.csd.uwm.edu
>
But..and a HUGE one from my standpoint, and, possible, others as well, is
that i have never seen an advert for one with a stick. does anyone out there
know if they come with the 214 motor, and a stick? or are you stuck with
the auto, much like the Bonneville..beautiful car, no stick, T'bird takes 
it! if the SHO doesn't!..just curious!
DREW
-- 
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
?????????????????????????????????-----whatever!
From: jfox@hooksett.East.Sun.COM (John Fox - SunExpress IR)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: G20 vs. Altima, Fast vs. Slow
Date: 16 Nov 1992 19:15:03 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Distribution: world
Reply-To: jfox@hooksett.East.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: hooksett.east.sun.com

In article 16877@leland.Stanford.EDU, underdog@leland.Stanford.EDU (Dwight Joe) writes:
>Why would someone want to buy the Altima when he/she could buy the
>G20 for about the same price?
>
About the same price? The Altima starts at 13K. The G20 starts closer to
20K.
The real question is why buy a G20 when you could have a Maxima SE for about
the same price?
And if you're sold on the G20 engine - get a Stanza SE-R for about 6 grand
less. What's a couple of doors in a car that small?
Why anyone would buy a G20 PERIOD is beyond me.

John

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: hsd@swl.msd.ray.com (HERBERT DASILVA)
Subject: Re: Japanese Full Size Trucks
Organization: Raytheon Company, Tewksbury, MA
Date: Fri, 20 Nov 1992 22:59:37 GMT

K.Buck@ma30.bull.com (Ken Buck) writes:

>In article <1992Nov20.142912.38332@watson.ibm.com> born@vnet.ibm.com writes:
>>Has anyone seen the commercial advertising the new full-size truck
>>made by Toyota? (I believe it was Toyota.)

  There was a pretty extensive writeup about this vehicle in last Sunday's
  Boston Globe.

  It's not a full-size, but bigger than the mid-size Dodge Dakota.

  The largest available engine is a V6, and you can only get the 4-speed
  automatic with the V6 engine.

>>It will be very interesting to see how they (Ford, GM, Chrysler) respond 
>>to this new entry.

>if i recall, their first response was to try to prevent them from
>selling any (either through tariffs or other restrictions).

  There are fairly stiff tariffs on trucks imported into the U.S., and this
  vehicle is made in Japan, so it will wear a fairly high price tag.
  Totota knows this, so they are testing the waters with a fairly limited
  set of engine choices to see if the truck will sell, since it will be
  pretty expensive compared to the domestic trucks, which will out-haul and
  out-tow it pretty handily.

  The Toyota is really shooting for the market of those folks who want a
  truck, but can't afford a truck and a car, so they use it as their daily
  driver as well.  It offers the option of getting a truck that can do more
  than the mini-pickups, but be appointed (and priced) more like a family
  sedan.  This is the same market that Dodge went after with the Dakota,
  but the Dakota (or even a full size) will probably cost substantially
  less than the T100.

>hopefully the competition will ultimately inspire them to improve
>their existing vehicles, instead.
>we'll see.

  Huh?  Are you implying that people are simply 'settling' for the top two
  selling vehicles in the US (the Ford F-series and Chevy CK series)
  because Toyota wasn't around to "show 'em how it's done"?  Spare me.

	Herb "Mopar Maniac" DaSilva

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: ellisk@ucsu.Colorado.EDU (Michael K. Ellis)
Subject: Re: Probe in the Snow?
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 19:05:04 GMT

K.Buck@ma30.bull.com (Ken Buck) writes:

>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!

>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.

As something of an addendum, I just called the Tire Rack and ordered
snow tires for my Probe.  Pirelli Winter 210P in a 205/55 16" wheel
size.  Cost me $568 total, including shipping, not including remounting.
(Need to have that done here when I receive them.)  The Tire Rack
promised me that the Pirellis are great snow tires, and more
importantly, they'll fit my current wheels, speedometer, and fuel
injection settings.  Assuming they work, it SHOULD turn my car into an
awesome snow machine, given the power and balance, as well as the FWD.
Of course, given the weather (14" expected before dawn tomorrow), I'm
driving carefully in an 81 Wagoneer with 4wd, much less a FWD Probe. :)

I'll post again after I get some experience in the snow with the
Pirelli's.  I'm also going to try to find some inexpensive rims to mount
them on, but that comes later. Right now I need to be able to get the
car out of the garage. :)

Tips, recommendations, and advice appreciated.  Especially if you know a
good way to drive a stick in the snow.  For instance, is it a good idea
to start from a dead stop in 2nd gear to avoid spinning the tires?

--
Mike Ellis
ellisk@fido.colorado.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: sahul@loading-zone.Stanford.EDU (Zakir H. Sahul)
Subject: Re: Saturn with bad transmission: story continues
Organization: Stanford University
Date: Tue, 24 Nov 92 04:52:37 GMT

In article <1992Nov24.022606.11268@elroy.jpl.nasa.gov>, clee@praha.jpl.nasa.gov (Chang Lee) writes:
|> About a week ago, I posted about my brand new SL2 needing a new transmission.
|> Well, the car finally came out of the shop last Thursday.  It ran fine, and
|> I was again relatively happy.  The feeling lasted till Sunday morning.  
|> That's when I found the big puddle of automatic transmission fluid on the 
|> garage floor.
|> 
|> The dealer has agreed to a car exchange; I'm driving home another SL2
|> tonight.

Whew!  I hope things work out with your new car.  BTW, does anyone have a list
of car companies that would agree to such an exchange?  Is Saturn the only one?
From: tut@cairo.Eng.Sun.COM (Bill "Bill" Tuthill)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Mazda 626 (was G20 vs Altima)
Date: 23 Nov 1992 22:12:17 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: cairo

jnielsen@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (John F Nielsen) writes:
> 
> So what is the mazda like? And unless the fuel economy is *really*
> poor, I don't see how it can be a deciding factor in buying a car
> of this size.

Here is my comparison chart.  Cars are organized by overall size.
As you can see, the Mazda has as much legroom as the Camry, somewhat
less trunk space, but gets much better gas mileage.

	Infnti	Mazda	Honda	Toyota	Volvo	Saab	Chry
	G20	626	Accord	Camry	850	9000	LH***
	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----	-----
eng	2.0	1.991	2.156*	2.164	2.4	2.3	3.3**
len	174.8	184.4	185.2	187.8	183.5	188.2	201.7
wid	66.7	68.9	67.1	69.7	69.3	69.4	74.4
turn	35.4	35.4	36.1	35.4	33.5	35.8	37.6
front	42.0	43.5	42.6	43.5	44.0	41.5	42.3
rear	33.2	37.8	34.3	35.0	38.0	38.8	38.7
trunk	14.2	14.2	14.4	14.9	14.7	17.8	16.7
wgt	2745	2672	2778	2943	3148	3110	3335
Cd	.30	.31	.33	?	.32	?	.31
HP	140	118	125	125	168	150	153
torq	132	127	137	145	162	157	177
EPA	24/32	26/34	24/31	22/29	22/30	19/26	20/28
ABS	std	opt	bad	opt	std	std	opt

* SOHC, most others are DOHC
** pushrod V6, all others are OHC
*** manual transmission not available

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: dbr2@cec2.wustl.edu (Dhruva Bollam Reddy)
Subject: Re: Sorry, blew by the article... Re: High Speed License Possibility?
Keywords: high speed license
Organization: Washington University, St. Louis MO
Date: Wed, 18 Nov 1992 23:52:34 GMT

I think the best thing that could happen right now is for the federal 
government to relinquish control of speed limits, giving it back to the
individual states.  This country (USA) is just too damn big for a few
brain-dead, bungling beaurocrats to decide how fast each and every one
of America's licensed drivers may drive.

			Dhruva  
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rjwade@rainbow.ecn.purdue.edu (Robert J. Wade)
Subject: Re: HOW TO AVOID HITTING THE WALL IN GARAGE
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 19 Nov 1992 22:07:47 GMT

In article <19NOV199210181999@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov> kimnach@lims02.lerc.nasa.gov (GREG KIMNACH) writes:
>In article <1992Nov19.092443.11468@scott.skidmore.edu>, jreiser@scott.skidmore.edu (Jason Reiser... Asleep) writes...
>>ehsan@attila.weitek.COM (Ehsan Kalami) writes:
>>> 
>>> hi, I am sure a lot of people have a similar problem. Where can one buy
>>> blocks of cement/concrete so that we know how far to drive a car into
>>> garage. similar to one found in parking lots?
>>> thanks.
>> 
>>I don't know where to get the real McCoy, but for something that's
>>probably a lot less expensive, consider a "Park Block".  It's a
>>plastic/rubber block that you stick to the garage floor and it stops
>>the car as you roll in.  Available from Mid America Designs (Corvette
>>place) for only $12.95 at 800-637-5533.
>> 
>>Of course, you could always construct something.... perhaps some
>>wooden beams?
>
>Or you could simply suspend a tennis ball with a string from the ceiling 
>so that it touches the windshield when you're in far enough.
>
my wife forced me to set up this system above our bed!  ;)
From: sahul@loading-zone.Stanford.EDU (Zakir H. Sahul)
Subject: Re: Help! Ford service disaster!!!
Organization: Stanford University
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 92 23:18:12 GMT

In article <1992Nov16.164222.18530@rtsg.mot.com>, pacyga@rtsg.mot.com (Jim Pacyga) writes:

|> were replaced under warranty 3000 miles ago.  Now, the whole transmissiion is
|> being reworked by FORD and they are not giving me any information on what
|> is being done to the car (still under warranty)
|> 
|> Now here is the stickler, they have had the car parked outside in the open
|> (not the fenced in service parking lot) with the hood up and the engine on
|> a set of wood hoists for any wanna be vandal to come and play with.  To my
|> best guess the car has probably been this way since last Wednesday (now Mon.).
|> 

Another sad case of dealers making it difficult for anyone to buy an American
car.  When will they ever shape up?  US carmakers already are facing an uphill
battle against the Japanese and what do the damned dealers do?  They sh*t
in the face of people who buy American.

NEVER take your car for any type of service to this dealership again.  IT
does not deserve to be in business.  Tell all your friends to not to go to this
dealership!  Heck, tell all your enemies to not to go to this dealership.

All in all, too many businesses don't give a hoot about the customer. 
When will they make the connection between poor customer service and loss of
market share?  Maybe, just maybe, people flock to Japanese car makers because the
US makers mistreat their customers?