HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: kokerj@vccnw05.its.rpi.edu (James Matthew Kokernak)
Subject: Re: Before Buying Japanese.
Organization: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 14:56:56 GMT

In article <issa.726456551@cwis> issa@cwis.unomaha.edu (Issa El-Hazin) writes:
>hhm@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (herschel.h.mayo) writes:
>
>>In article <issa.726379958@cwis>, issa@cwis.unomaha.edu (Issa El-Hazin) writes:
>>> hhm@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (herschel.h.mayo) writes:
>>> >2. They will raise the price of replacement parts 500% so you can pay 
>>> >   $350 for a muffler.
>>> 
>>> Not always the case. Breaking less often, more complicated parts, shipped
>>> across the world, and smaller volume could explain some of this.
>
>>funny that the Germans don't seem to have nearly as large a markup on their parts,
>>but then, they ship by tunnel through the earth.
>
>German cars cost less (on average) than Japanese to fix??
>Go and check your data. You read it upside down.

The above statement does not imply that German cars cost less to repair,
it simply states that the parts are not marked up as much (% wise). 
Incidentally, I did a front brake job on my '87 VW about a month ago, 
including new rotors. All the OEM parts cost as follows:
2 rotors @ $12.95 each
1 set of pads @$14.95
1 caliper bolt @$1.80
---------------------
      total:   $42.65
The car had ~95k miles on it and it had the original brakes with about 30%
of the pads left. Even if it cost me $200, it would still be a deal.

>Yea, the Samurai rolled over easily. But, does this mean every Japanese car
>roll over easily. Geez, the big 3 are known for building major junk in
>their days. Do I need to name a couple of hundereds for ya? 

Many Jeeps, Blazers  etc. are also prone to roll over quite easily. I believe
my mechanic friend who has been owned 3 different blazers over the past 15-20
years described them as tending to "flip on a  dime".

>>> >4. A portion of the profits from every car will be paid to car magazine 
>>> >   writers in the form of "consultation fees" to insure that they will
>>> >   ignore any flaws in the Saturn, inflate performance figures, and 
>>> >   create a big hoopla about any minor problem with cars built by
>>> >   other companies. 

And I'm sure Honda can't afford to do the same. That statement is a bit
paranoid.


If it's not German, it's not worth driving.
--Jim



Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: josh@Happy-Man.com (Joshua_Putnam)
Subject: Re: Why is US engine technology so retrograde?
Reply-To: Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com
Organization: Happy Man Corp., Vashon Island, WA 98070-7399
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 18:56:51 GMT

In <30075@castle.ed.ac.uk> wbg@festival.ed.ac.uk (W Geake) writes:

>The statement about a big lazy V6 being just right for a trip to the
>shops with the kids makes European blood boil.  That's an awful lot of
>surplus mass to cart around for the sake of smoothness or longevity. 
>How many people keep the car until the engine is really shot (I mean
>average people; not you great folks out there in net land)?

Using 1990 figures, the average age of cars in use in the U.S. is
7.8 years, while 25.1 million of a total 123.3 million are 12+
years old.  This is partly because of the rapidly increasing cost
of new cars.  In 1980, the average new car sold for a price equal
to 18.7 weeks of median family income.  By 1990 this had risen to
24.5 weeks of median family income.  MVMA estimates put the cost
of mandatory safety and emissions equipment added since 1967 at
4.0 weeks of median family income, while the rest of the increase
covers other improvements, taxes, inflation, etc.
-- 
 Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com    Happy Man Corp.  206/463-9399 x102
 4410 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Vashon Island, WA  98070-7399  fax x108
 We publish SOLID VALUE for the intelligent investor.  NextMail OK
Info free; sample $20: Send POSTAL addr: Solid-Value@happy-man.com
From: crash@hal.COM (Chris Craddock)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Anti-Lock Brakes makes stopping SAFER?
Date: 5 Jan 93 19:58:25 GMT
Organization: HAL Computer Systems, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: sydney.hal.com

In article <16218@auspex-gw.auspex.com>, tpickett@auspex.com (Tom Pickett) writes:
|> In article <C0D8GM.BBB@news.cso.uiuc.edu>, mchaffee@ux4.cso.uiuc.edu (Real 
|> Life?!?! HA!!) writes:
|> > No, ABS does not affect the handbrake.  ABS modulates line pressure in the
|> > hydraulic service brake system, while the handbrake uses a mechanical cable
|> > which is regulated only by the handbrake lever/parking brake pedal.  So on
|> > an ABS-equipped car, the rear can be made to skid using the handbrake.
|> 
|> Anyone know how the handbrake is actuated on a four wheel disk brake 
|> system?  Is it the same as with drum brakes?
|> 
|> Tom Pickett

Most cars with rear disks have a small drum brake *inside* the center
hub of the disk brake. Like so...
				||
				|| 
				\\---+
				 --- |
			here ->	     |
				 --- |
				//---+
				||
				||

(Appologies for cheesy ascii-art). There are exceptions to this of
course, particularly on older cars, but just about everyone does it
this way now.

Chris
--
"sometimes I think that the surest sign that intelligent life exists
elsewhere in the universe is that none of it has tried to contact us"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
crash@hal.com   		HAL Computer Systems Inc.
(408) 379-7000 x1163		1315 Dell Ave. Campbell CA 95008
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: aland@informix.com (Colonel Panic)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Before Buying Japanese.
Date: 13 Jan 93 04:59:29 GMT
Organization: Helen Keller Bondurant's Performance Driving School for the Blind

In article <issa.726379958@cwis> issa@cwis.unomaha.edu (Issa El-Hazin) writes:
>>They are trying to make them more like Japanese cars :
>
>>1. The body will be made of soft steel that will show outer rust within 
>>   two years, and major rust holes in three, and life- endangering structural
>>   corrosion in four.
> 
>Mostly pre 1984??, older models weren't build for this country. 

Hmm.  They must've magically sprouted EPA-spec emission controls and had
their driving positions transmorgrify from right-hand-drive to left
while on the boat, then.

>A Toyota now can go over 200k miles and many years without major problems.

In the cargo bay of the space shuttle, perhaps...  (ever see a 1980s Toyota 
fuel pump last 200K miles?)

>>3. They will narrow the wheel base so that the car will roll over 
>>   more easily. 
>
>.97g on the skid pad with these narrow wheel base cars (and narrow tires).
>(93 RX-7)

P225/50R16 is a narrow tire?!?!   


--
Alan Denney      aland@informix.com      {pyramid|uunet}!infmx!aland

 "My head can't tolerate this bobbing and pretending
  Listening to some bullethead and the madness that he's saying."
      - "Your Racist Friend", They Might Be Giants
From: cdodson@beast.cac.stratus.com (R. Craig Dodson)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Before Buying Japanese.
Date: 8 Jan 1993 18:53:51 GMT
Organization: Stratus Computer Inc, Marlboro MA
Distribution: na
Reply-To: cdodson@beast.cac.stratus.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: beast.cac.stratus.com

>Misc Saturn vs. Honda stuff deleted . . .


> A one or two year life time *proves* nothing.  Wait until they've been around
> for 10 years like the Accord, and we'll see what they prove.

It proves that they are at least on the right track. I'm not going to drop  
names, but there are many cars that have had problems from the moment they
hit the showroom floor. 
> 
> |> But I like my Saturn (SL2) because it's *fun to drive* - handling,  
> |> acceleration, braking, steering feel, lateral seat support all combine
> |> to make the Saturn infintely more exciting that the "please everyone"
> |> Accord and Civic "blandmobiles".
> 
> I don't know about the SL2, but the 2 door model is pathetic when it comes
> to handling, acceleration, braking and steering feel.  Up here it Canada they
> sell for $15,000 + options, which is the same price as an Eagle Talon, Isuzu
> Impulse, Acura Integra and MX-3, all which easily out handle and perform it - 
> no contest (check ANY magazine and drive them).

Bzzt. Thanks for playing pocket-rocket trivia. We have some lovely parting
gifts for you . . .

Pathetic handling acceleration and braking ? Are you kidding ?  I'll give you
the fact that the Talon (in turbo awd form) would make an SC look silly, but
at least down here it's a few more $1000's for one. As for the Integra,
I regularly "rat race" a friend with a '90 RS and I have *no* trouble
out accelerating, out braking and *way* out handling him. The MX-3 ?
Sorry, it can't even break into the 8's in 0-60 (R&T 9.3 sec), compared to the
SC's 8.6.  And the Impulse ? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA You think the Saturn has
a noisy engine ? 

Craig Dodson (Stratus Computer)
cdodson@beast.cac.stratus.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: kuyper@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (what is the alcohol content of malt liquors)
Subject: gas gauge problem
Followup-To: rec.autos
Organization: Northwestern University
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 13:59:36 GMT

I have an 89' Jeep YJ and the gas gauge is bouncing around. Al of the
gaboingidaboingida is driving me nuts, not to mention I don't know exactly
how much fuel I have left. It seems to be more pronounced when it is close
to E or F. This leeds me to think it is in the mechanics of the dial, but I
am not sure.  I am open to all suggestions.

                        -ed
From: paul@eye.com (Paul B. Booth)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: pop-up lights
Date: Thu, 7 Jan 93 00:39:48 GMT
Organization: 3D/EYE, Inc.  Ithaca, NY

In article <1993Jan6.155939.26088@fcom.cc.utah.edu> bbarkey@lark.utah.edu (Brian Barkey) writes:
>
>>What are their advantages/disadvantages?
>
>	advantages: looks cool, attracts members of the opposite sex
>                    Increases aerodynamic efficiency slightly
>                    Easy to tell if you've left your lights on
>
I'm told that the original reason for pop-up's was to meet headlight _height_
requirements.  No other way to do it in a low-nosed car.  The rest of the
advantages are side-effects.

Regards-
-- 
Paul B. Booth  (paul@eye.com)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3D/EYE, Inc., 2359 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, NY  14850    voice: (607)257-1381
                                                             fax: (607)257-7335
From: jice@echo.asd.sgi.com (John Eisenman)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Tires of the Integra
Date: 7 Jan 93 01:34:43 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: echo.asd.sgi.com

I just got an additional recommendation for the 
Perelli P44 as an inexpensive tire to consider.

Any comments?

--
John Eisenman (jice@sgi.com)

Silicon Graphics Computer Systems
7U-550
2011 N. Shoreline Blvd.		
P.O. Box 7311		
Mt. View, CA 94039-7311		

(415) 390-1551
From: jwithana@phoenix.princeton.edu (Janaka Withana)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Car dealers (Toyota)
Date: 11 Jan 93 20:31:02 GMT
Reply-To: jwithana@phoenix.princeton.edu
Organization: Princeton University
Originator: news@nimaster

if anyone wishes to buy a Toyota Corolla but ends up being insulted by the dealer,
remember that yopu have a viable option in the Geo Prizm. it looks sleeker from the
outside but is the same car under the skin. aslo, with MSRP starting at $9995, it
is a lot cheaper than the Corolla.

sorry if this sounds like a commercial, but i found nothing better about paying
more for the same car at a Toyota dealership.

j

---
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
| jwithana@phoenix.Princeton.EDU                 janaka@lucille.Princeton.EDU |
| janaka@ee.Princeton.EDU    JWITHANA@PUCC.bitnet   mjw@clarity.Princeton.EDU |
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: dspencer@mproj.retix.com (David Spencer)
Subject: Balance wheels with every rotation?
Organization: Retix, Santa Monica CA
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 01:34:29 GMT

I have a '91 300ZX w/ 20k miles on it and I just got my wheels rotated
but I *did not* have them balanced...should I have and what is the general
rule on this - and does the rule vary for sports cars?

		Thanks,
			Dave Spencer
			dspencer@retix.com

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: Carr-C10973@email.comm.mot.com (Eric Carr)
Subject: Re: Car Phones
Organization: Motorola LMPS Engineering
Distribution: rec
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 13:22:11 GMT
Followup-To: rec.autos

In article <1993Jan05.184714.2162@sco.com>, garyh@sco.COM (< Gary H >)
wrote:
> 
> 
> Anyone know how to get rid of the whirling chime noise that is caused by
> wind going through the wire tunnel of a phone antenna? I put a plastic bag
> around it, but that looks too tacky.  I saw a car that had a plastic tube
> around the circular part of the antenna.  That may help.  Any suggestions
> or comments?


What you might have seen was a piece of "heat shrink" tubing cut to length
and appied to the loading coil of the antenna.  Look for it in an
electronics store e.g. Radio Shack.
From: johna@psdcae1.gvg.tek.com (John Abt)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Taurus #1 in US
Date: 11 Jan 93 05:10:41 GMT
Organization: Grass Valley Group, Grass Valley, CA

In article <16B4FB8BA.R1004@vmcms.csuohio.edu> R1004@vmcms.csuohio.edu writes:
>>could not Ford just say that in fact they had held the position all along,
>>if you include Taurus clone Sable?  But probably not, brand twinning is
>>a sacred cow.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>     Glad to see an American car back in the number one slot,  As for
>brand twinning - Ford might like to, but then GM might combine Chevy
>and GMC truck sales and Ford would no longer be #1 in trucks.

Good point. While the Tauras and Sable have slightly different sheet
metal and interiors, the Chevy/GMC C/K (and S10) trucks are exactly
the same - except for the badges. The combined Chevy/GMC full-size
truck sales beat Ford by about 120,000 units in 1992.

There are a lot of old farts out there who think that GMC is still
a "heavier duty" truck. 

GM is kind of stuck. If they dis-continue the GMC badge and dealer
network, they probably would not transfer all of the market share
over to Chevy.

John Abt
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jimbo@socrates.umd.edu (Jim Bogard)
Subject: CRX Si revs - Help!
Organization: University of Maryland University College
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 20:17:48 GMT


Well, my '86 CRX Si was wrecked (Rear ended! Not my fault!) and 
I thought I'd kick in some extra $ and get a newer one.
Can anybody tell me what changes were introduced to the Si
since '86?  I know '88 started the new body style and bigger 
engine, but that's about it...

Thanks a lot.

J-.

-- 
Jim Bogard  (jimbo@socrates.umd.edu)
                                            "Implement now, tweak later."
Tech at large / gigging daemon

Xref: sparky rec.autos:31534 rec.arts.movies:37209
From: eliot@lanmola.engr.washington.edu (eliot)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.arts.movies
Subject: Re: Lotus Esprit in 'Basic Instinct'
Date: 12 Jan 93 06:33:01 GMT
Article-I.D.: engr.Jan12.062550.18458
Organization: clearer than blir
NNTP-Posting-Host: lanmola.engr.washington.edu

In article <1993Jan12.044653.7549@netcom.com> esprit@netcom.com (Alan F. Perry) writes:
>>	just kidding, i loved that movie. by the way, did they
>>	actually trashed/crashed that black lotus in the movie,
>>	or was it just camera trick/illusion? latter one is more
>>	possible?

>Sorry, but I am pretty sure that they killed an Esprit for the movie.  There
>was definitely an upside down car with severe damage to the nose in the 
>close-up shots.  The damage is correct for an Esprit coming down on its
>nose like that.

x-posted to the movies group.  my reaction is:  don't underestimate filmakers
ingenuity at building props.  on the other hand, i won't underestimate
filmakers budgets.  anybody in movie land knows for sure?  :-)

eliot
From: chapman@centerline.com (Scott Chapman, (Scott Chapman x233))
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: GM Paint peels!
Date: 7 Jan 1993 16:37:46 GMT
Organization: CenterLine Software
Distribution: world
Reply-To: chapman@centerline.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: divine.centerline.com

I head in the news the other day, that many (and I mean MANY) of GM cars model
years between '88 - '92 are prone to having their paint delaminate (just
peel right off). 

Consequently GM is doing a "silent" recall (meaning if you complain about it,
they will fix it, but they will not tell you about it otherwise).

Just thought you would like to know...

P.s. Fixing the problem sounds expensive to me!

---
                                  |
                    Scott Chapman | chapman@centerline.com
              CenterLine Software | (617) 498-3230
                   10 Fawcett St. | (617) 868-6655 (FAX)
              Cambridge, MA 02138 | (Centerline was formerly Saber Software)
                                  |
From: hm002b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (PRIMUS SUCKS!)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: next generation Nissan Maxima ??
Date: 4 Jan 93 22:41:39 GMT
Organization: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)

In article <C0CKxE.K5n@cs.columbia.edu> ratner@cs.columbia.edu (Michael Ratner) writes:
>
>Hi !
>
>Does anyone have any info on next generation Nissan Maxima ? I figured
>it should appear in '93 but could not find any actual references to
>when, what, and how much...
>
>							-- Mike Ratner

Could you also forward any information to me at
"hm002b@uhura.cc.rochester.edu"
Thanks!
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: des@helix.nih.gov (David E. Scheim)
Subject: Re: Mini-van or utility vehicle...4WD vs gas mileage
Organization: NIH
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 14:53:03 GMT

  
>I'm also thinking about purchasing a general purpose vihicle like a 
>suburban or a van to pull a boat and take on trips, etc.   I was intrigued by 
>one person's comments about gas milage not being so important.  I'll have to 
>put  pencil to it.  Obviously, the real cost issue is total cost over the 
>life of the vehicle:  depreciation + maintanence + insurance + fuel   
>+ (frustration - happiness w/ vehicle :).

Please also consider environmental pollution and resource utilization when 
looking at gas mileage figures.  One does not have to be an activist, simply 
a responsible global citizen, to know that the costs to all of us in gas 
consumed are more than the current American price of the gas.

Your comments on 4WD are helpful and are steering me back to a regular small 
station wagon.  I just wish there was something with a little more ground 
clearance than my old Honda Civic so I don't damage the exhaust system every 
time I drive on a rough country road.

/*********************************************************************/
/*                      --- David E. Scheim ---                      */
/* BITNET: DES@NIHNEI31                                              */
/* INTERNET: desl@helix.nih.gov          PHONE: 301 496-2194         */
/* CompuServe: 73750,3305                  FAX: 301 402-1065         */
/*                                                                   */
/* DISCLAIMER: These comments are offered to share knowledge based   */
/*   upon my personal views.  They do not represent the positions    */
/*   of my employer.                                                 */
/*********************************************************************/
Newsgroups: rec.autos,misc.wanted,ny.wanted,nj.wanted
From: wesf@boi.hp.com (Wes Fujii)
Subject: Re: *** IS THERE A FORD MAILING LIST? (TAURUS) ***
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 20:17:36 GMT
Organization: Hewlett-Packard / Boise, Idaho
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1.4 PL6]

I'm interested, too.  Please post...

Wes Fujii
________________________________________________________________
      ___   ___ ___ 
     /  /  /  //  /
    /  /__/  //  /    A real motor is an Oldsmobile Rocket 455
   /  HURST //  /     "This is NOT the new generation of Olds"
  /  /  /  //  /_______ 
 /__/  /__//  //  ___  \
          /  //  /   \  \       Wes "BANZAI" Fujii
         /  //  /OLDS/  /          Boise, Idaho
        /  / \  \___/  /      wesf@hpdmd48.boi.hp.com
       /__/   \_______/ 

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: sreardon@bradley.bradley.edu (Steven Reardon)
Subject: Re: Integra handles like pig on skates - what tires to get?
Organization: Bradley University
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 93 22:14:33 GMT

In <JUNCK.93Jan5132740@okra.fnal.gov> junck@okra.fnal.gov (Kevin Junck) writes:

>>   My 88 Acura Integra has just about chewed through its original Michelin MXV
>>   tires.  I was utterly unimpressed with these tires.  The steering response
>>   on dry surfaces was slow and squishy, with little warning near the breakaway
>>   point.  Traction in rain and snow was terrible.  Scary even.
>>
>>   This car is not a great handler to begin with, so it needs all the help it
>>   can get from the tires.  I would be very grateful for suggestions, especially

What?!?! Did they GREATLY improve the handling in '89?  Mine _still_ handles
like a dream on the original Goodyear Eagles.  The car has about 60,000
miles on it.

Get the Eagles.  Maybe it was your tires all along.

Steve


-- 
*   The state has a system set up whereby the only people who are       *
*   allowed to have guns are those without convictions.                 *
*  ---                                              --- Steven Reardon  *
*"Gun Control" is hitting your target. ** sreardon@bradley.bradley.edu  *
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: hsheinbl@jarthur.claremont.edu (Harrison J. Sheinblatt)
Subject: Altima/Nissan
Followup-To: -
Summary: Should I buy one?
Keywords: Nissan Altima
Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 09:14:08 GMT

I'm interested in purchasing an Altima, but can't find any information on
its quality, since its pretty new.  Does anyone have any information that
might help?  Also, what sort of service can be expected from Nissan and
Nissan dealerships?  I'm worried that the price on the car is too low for
what it claims to do:  is it that low because its going to fall apart in 5
years?  Thank you.

Harrison
From: andrew@frip.WV.TEK.COM (Andrew Klossner)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Taurus #1 in US
Date: 7 Jan 93 20:50:42 GMT
Reply-To: andrew@frip.wv.tek.com
Organization: Tektronix Color Printers, Wilsonville, Oregon

[]

	"Taurus edged out the Accord as the US's top-selling car model,
	and Ford wasted no time in giving itself bouquets."

Ford had the advertising campaign all designed and ready to go.  They
were waiting for the final word before committing their media buys.

	"i don't suppose Ford cares HOW they sold them as long as they
	sold them..."

Well, maybe.  American manufacturers are getting out of the business of
selling to rental fleets because they don't make a profit on the sales,
they're useful only for soaking up manufacturing capability.

	"it doesn't matter how much you sell if you're losing money
	hand-over-fist."

Other things equal, the one advantage to selling in volume is that you
can expect to sell more parts and service.

  -=- Andrew Klossner  (andrew@frip.wv.tek.com)
                       (uunet!tektronix!frip.WV.TEK!andrew)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: jjolly@jjolly.b24a.ingr.com (Jack G. Jolly)
Subject: Re: GM Paint peels!
Organization: Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville, AL.
Date: Fri, 8 Jan 1993 14:18:53 GMT

Yea - we have people in our Corvette club who have vette's from those
years, often times sitting in garages being used infrequently.  One
day they come out and see that their paint is coming apart!  The
explanation I heard was around that time the EPA forced car makers to
switch solvents used in the painting process, and that "they didn't get
the bugs worked out for a while."

JJ
--

  ^^^^^^^^^          Jack Jolly  @  jjolly@jjolly.b24a.ingr.com
 (| 0   - |)
  |   *   |             Intergraph Corporation, Huntsville AL
  \_______/                AEC Project Management Support