HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: wades@uts.amdahl.com (Wade Scheckla)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: looking for suggestions....
Date: 16 Oct 92 20:15:56 GMT
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

Hi,

I am thinking of buying a car in the $10K-$11K (or less, of course :-)) price
range, and I'm trying to open to the possibilities.  Rather than buying a new
car, I am leaning towards buying a recent used one (nothing earlier than '90).
My list of requirements are:

	* A/C
	* about 25mpg or better on highway
	* comfortable for a long commute
	* not a two-seater
	* 5-speed preferred
	* somewhat of a sporty look and feel 
	* has some zip (say, 110 ponies or better under the hood)

I realize that that is sort of a vague description, but then I'm trying to be
open.  Some cars I have thought of initially are the following:

	* Acura Integra LS or GS (don't think I can afford the latter)
	* Toyota Celica GT or GTS (don't think I can afford the latter)
	* Toyota Corolla GTS
	* VW Cabriolet
	* Saab 900
	* Nissan Sentra GXE
	* Nissan 240SX
	* Dodge Spirit/Plymouth Acclaim
	* Honda Accord LX or EX (don't think I can afford the latter)
	* Honda Civic 
	* Ford Escort (not really high on that, though)
	* Ford Probe/Mazda MX-6
	* Mazda 626

Please educate me if you can on any of these vehicles, or email me suggestions
for other cars to consider.  I realize I am tempting the posting gods to fall
upon me, but you can never have too much knowledge, or can you?

Many thanks in advance,

	Wade Scheckla
	wades@uts.amdahl.com

Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: tmkk@uiuc.edu (Khan)
Subject: Re: FWD vs. RWD, Which is best.
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 21:00:14 GMT


In article <13401@texsun.Central.Sun.COM> dbernard@thewho.Central.Sun.COM (Dave Bernard) writes:
>
>>>>On the other hand, there's something to be said for small, light cars in the
>>>>snow.  Best 2WD snow car I ever had was a 77 Corolla, when they were still RWD.
>>>>It "floated" over the snow,
>
>>That sounds great, as long as you don't want to stop or make any
>>direction changes! ;-)
>
>>You seem to be equating "sinking in" with "bad handling in snow." This
>>is incorrect. As a general rule of thumb, the more weight you have over
>>your drive wheels, the better your traction will be. Compare the
>>traction of a semi to that of a Geo Metro. Why do you think people with
>>RWD cars put 100 lbs. of kitty litter in their trunks in the winter? So
>>they can sink in and get stuck in the snow? ;-)
>
>	Think of a snowmobile scudding quickly over a ten-foot deep snowbank.
>	Then think of an M60 tank trying to plow through the same snowbank.
>	Extreme examples, same principal, if you catch my drift.

Unfortunately, your drift reeks mightly of both apples and oranges.

If you had a 10 foot deep snowdrift, both your 77 Corolla AND the RWD
car with kitty litter in the trunk would sink.

Xref: sparky rec.autos:23989 misc.consumers:17811 alt.activism:17482
From: kemasa@ghost.hac.com (Kemasa)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,misc.consumers,alt.activism
Subject: Re: Dangerous Truck Safety Proposals
Date: 14 Oct 92 15:26:22 GMT
Organization: Natural Order Nature Experiments (N.O.N.E.)

In article <1992Oct14.002537.26919@samba.oit.unc.edu> Nigel.Allen@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Nigel Allen) writes:
>...
>   CRASH also will detail the administration's other dangerous
>regulatory changes to wipe out or weaken important truck safety
>regulations.  These include efforts to:
>...
>   -- allow insulin-dependent diabetics to drive commercial motor
>vehicles in interstate commerce; and,

Let me ask you a question, Why should insulin-dependent diabetics be
prevented from driving commercial vehicles? Are you diabetic? Are
the people deciding that they should not drive diabetic?

This is a form of discrimination. There are diabetics who control
their disease very well and might be far safer than others.

For the record, I am not diabetic, but my brother is. He has driven
for many years without a problem, although he had a tough time getting
a license because he is diabetic. He has also told me of many ways
that diabetics are mis-treated by doctors, the public and even
their own family. Diabetics have to deal with things that many of
us who are not would have a hard time imagining.

Because of these problems my brother has been involved with getting
self-help groups together where diabetics can get together and learn
to deal with their problems (like above I would guess). Although I
do not have all the details, I think it is a good idea since
because of the above stuff it seems it would promote diabetics
thinking that they are second class people.
-- 



						 Kemasa.

Insanity is the best defense.

Sierra Club Leader	NRA Life Member		Pro-freedom	Pro-choice

e-mail address: kemasa@ghost.hac.com
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: essbaum@rchland.vnet.ibm.com (Alexander Essbaum)
Subject: tires?
Date: Fri, 09 Oct 1992 14:23:06 GMT
Disclaimer: This posting represents the poster's views, not necessarily those of IBM
Organization: IBM Rochester

time has come to replace my tires.  suggestions?  i'm currently using
255/60R15 GT+4's.  i have no complaints about these, but if there's
something newer/better, i'm interested.  someone mentioned something
ending in HR (comp TA HR's perhaps? i can't see back far enough in the
old messages...).  i'm concerned about performance more than long wear.
i also need something that doesn't totally suck in the rain and snow
(i hear there's snow here in minnesota :).

sorry if this was recently discussed, i haven't been following rec.autos
recently...

axel
From: brad@buck.viewlogic.com (Bradford Kellogg)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: ignorant question - THANKS!
Date: 16 Oct 92 20:31:38 GMT
Organization: Viewlogic Systems, Inc.
Originator: brad@buck


In article <1blda8INNlv1@agate.berkeley.edu>, shyguy@ocf.berkeley.edu (David S. Shy) writes:
|> 
|> I just want to thank everyone for answering my question of adding 
|> salt to snow to prevent it from melting...
|> 
adding salt to snow to prevent it from melting...

Green arsenic smeared on an egg-white cloth, crushed strawberries!
Come, let us feast our eyes.

- Ezra Pound
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: aefron@cornerstone.com (Andrew Efron)
Subject: Re: Good/Bad Mazda Dealers?
Reply-To: aefron@cornerstone.com (Andrew Efron)
Organization: Cornerstone Research, Cambridge, Mass.
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 14:04:20 GMT

In article <183723@pyramid.pyramid.com>, lstowell@pyrnova.mis.pyramid.com 
(Lon Stowell) writes:

> In article <1992Oct1.004309.29074@adobe.com> ayers@adobe.com (Robert Ayers) 
> writes:
> >I'm interested in opinions, war-stories, experiences, good or bad, 
> >about the sales and service departments of the nearby south-bay 
> >Mazda dealers:
> >
> >    Sunnyvale Mazda
> 
>    Rip-off.  Or just let's say "over-agressive" in pushing "the
>    extra's".  But I will admit they've never actually screwed up my
>    car.
> 
> >    Peninsula Mazda (redwood city)
>   
>   Never tried them....may just do so.

When I lived in the Bay Area I took my 626 to Peninsula Mazda several times.  
The last time I went there was just before a long trip, and they were 
supposed to repack the rear wheel bearings.  Well, a few days into the trip 
some strange noises started coming from the rear end and, lo and behold, the 
bearings had been repacked incorrectly and were shot.  I was just about to 
move out of California so I never got the chance to go after them for this, 
and consequently can't speak to their response to bad repair claims.

In general, however, try to stay away from dealership repair departments if 
you can help it.  There's little incentive for the mechanics to do a good job 
and their labor rates tend to be higher than those of independents.

Andy


Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.audio.car
From: nataraja@rtsg.mot.com (Vel Natarajan)
Subject: Re: Passaport radar detector
Keywords: DSP radar detector
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 13:00:11 GMT

sliberm@nyx.cs.du.edu (Sergio Liberman) writes:


>I will be in NY in the Oct. 17-24 week,
>and I am interested in buying the DSP-based
>Passaport radar detector. I think that the
>Passaport is produced by Cincinnati Microwave.

>Where I can find the Passaport in NY, preferably
>in Manhattan? How much does it cost?

>Are there alternatives to it? High performance and
>small size are much more important than cost.

>Please reply by email to sergio@msil.sps.mot.com

>Thanks,
>Sergio

If it's performance you're looking for, the Valentine 1
is supposed to be the way to go.  It's made by the guy who
co-designed the original Escort.  I'm looking into one myself.

Vel
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vel Natarajan                    Motorola, Inc.
nataraja@rtsg.mot.com            Cellular Infrastructure Group
                                 Arlington Heights, IL
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: pacyga@rtsg.mot.com (Jim Pacyga)
Subject: SHO mailing list
Organization: Motorola Inc., Cellular Infrastructure Group
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 14:52:07 GMT

Is there a SHO mailing list out there??? If so how do I jump on board?  Also,
anyone have any input about the "SHO REGISTRY"?  Any good?  Worth it?

Also, I saw a nasty rumor about a possible FORD paint recall.  Has anyone had
any problems with major paint chipping on those plastic airdams?  I have an
inordinate amount of chipping right in front of the rear wheels.  

Thanks for the help...

Jim (pacyga@rtsg.mot.com)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: mac1@Ra.MsState.Edu (Mubashir Cheema)
Subject: Price of a New NISSAN ALTIMA ???
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 07:54:13 GMT



  Well the ad said it was very affordable. Well how 
  much is it ? I too would like to know if it fits my
  budget ?


Mubashir.
P.S: Did any magazine did a survet etc on it ???
From: lxrosser@cco.caltech.edu (Alex Rosser)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Extoic sightings
Date: 16 Oct 92 22:40:39 GMT
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
NNTP-Posting-Host: punisher.caltech.edu

damong@wpi.WPI.EDU (Damon Francis Gentile) writes:


>Pininfarina is probably the best design house in all of Italy.
>They have designed such as Fiats, Alfas, Lancias, and a few Ferraris.

>The only other designer in Italy that I can think of is Bertone, but
>they only have the Emotion, some Ferraris and most (if not all)
>Lamborghinis.

  And the Volvo Coupes(242C,700C,900C)...

  -Alex Rosser
   lxrosser@cco.caltech.edu
From: frans@sis.uucp (Frans Lichtenberg)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Leaded gas and older engines
Date: 13 Oct 92 15:02:16 GMT
Organization: Sheridan College, Ontario, Canada

In article <1av8omINNa1a@bigboote.WPI.EDU> walkerr@bigwpi.WPI.EDU (Robert A Walker) writes:
>In article <1992Oct7.164916.712@netcom.com> geoff@netcom.com (Geoffrey Leach) writes:
>>Here in California, leaded gas is no longer available.
>>So what does one do if the car's engine is designed for leaded (i.e., 
>>the old "regular")?
>>
>>Seems like there are three options:
>>
>>	Use unleaded regular
>>	Use unleaded premium
>>	Add "Lead substitue" to unleaded.
>>
>>Any opinions?  Any other options?
>
>	Rip off the heads and have hardened valve seats added.  I believe the
>purpose of the lead was to lubricate the valve seats so they wouldn't
>wear down, so with hardened valve seats they won't wear down and you can use
>unleaded gas.
>                                       Bob

I am driving a 1978 Austin Mini, designed for leaded gas. I use Shell
Bronce as the only gas in the car. Shell has added something to the gas
the other companies has not. This addetive is soposed the help the valve
seats in older engines.

			Frans....

C
C
seat
From: 891078p@ace.acadiau.ca (Trevor Perkins)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Chevy Kicks Fords Ass Again!
Date: 7 Oct 92 16:32:55 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Acadia University

In article <1at7qsINNf8q@introl.introl.com> pete@introl.com (Pete Ikusz) writes:

>
>Get a life. We don't need this bullshit again.
>I would rather have someone buy a new Mustang or a Camaro over a new
>foreign car any day.
>
Ain't that the truth.  But which one do you choose.  I was looking into 
these two to see how they are rated and the buyers guide I looked in 
( can't remember the name - was Canadian for 92-93 models ) rated the Camaro 
as unaccepable ( ratings - accepable, unacceptable, & recommended ) due to 
poor reliability & shoddy workmanship.  The Mustang was rated 
acceptable.  Not much better reliability, but put together much better.

   FYI: The Corvette was also rated unacceptable, and the only domestic 
sporty car recommended was the Ford Probe. ( probably because of Mazda 
influence ).     

>FYI: If you didn't know, (you probably did but are just being one sided)
>	the new Mustang is one year away. The current Cobra model was
>	done so Ford could keep the cobra name, and they increased the HP
>	on the engine to the upper 200's.
>
>PS: I also like the look of the new Firebird.
>-Pete

The new Firebirds do look nice, but I would still rather get a Mustang !

Trevor
  =======================================================================
  |                 " Have You Driven A FORD Lately ! "                 |
  |---------------------------------------------------------------------|
  |   C. Trevor Perkins                       891078p@ace.acadiau.ca.   |
  |         Acadia University                                           |
  |            Wolfville, Nova Scotia    CANADA                         |
  |---------------------------------------------------------------------|
  |   " This is FORD country ...                                        |
  |               on a quiet night, you can hear a Chevy rust !! "      |
  |      ( previous owner & faithful follower of the Mustang )          |
  |                ( '69 Grande 302 - '79 Cobra 5.0L )                  |
  =======================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: rcg1597@zeus.tamu.edu (GUYNN, RICHARD CARL)
Subject: Re: Leaded gas and older engines
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: Texas A&M University, Academic Computing Services
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1992 19:09:00 GMT

>> 
>> 	Rip off the heads and have hardened valve seats added.  I believe
>> the purpose of the lead was to lubricate the valve seats so they wouldn't
>> wear down, so with hardened valve seats they won't wear down and you can
>> use unleaded gas.
> 
>When I had my 1980 Ford Escort's engine rebuilt, I asked the mechanic if
>it was possible to convert the engine to run on unleaded petrol by replacing
>some parts with heavier duty versions.
> 
>His answer was that because unleaded fuel burns at a much higher temperature,
>converting my car to run on unleaded fuel ould be much more involved than
>this.
> 
>Any comments on this ?

	Yes, that is a bunch of baloney.  What the above poster stated was 
correct.  The lead served to lubricate the valve seats and only did one other 
thing: it increased the octane rating because it made the fuel a little more 
difficult to ignite.  Nowadays unleaded has decent octane ratings so that isn't 
a big deal, but the lack of lead in a car designed to run on it will experience 
valve recession.
	Just have the seats replaced as stated above and everything should be 
fine.

-Rick
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: iainw@bcarh1.bnr.ca (Iain Woolf)
Subject: Re: ingnorant question...
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1992 15:42:54 GMT

Salt lowers the freezing point. Hence, if snow forms at about -1C then the salt
will cause the freezing point to be lower, and so when the -1C snow mixes with
the salt, the resultant mixture has a freezing point of (say) -10C and so is
not solid at -1C. Make sense?
 
 Iain.


--

 Iain Woolf,                      | My opinions are just that - MINE!
 BNR Europe Ltd, Maidenhead, UK   | 
 (0628) 794537                    | iainw@bnr.ca
Xref: sparky rec.autos:24183 rec.audio:13868 rec.video:12432
From: usenet@adobe.com (USENET NEWS)
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.audio,rec.video
Subject: Interesting article about Japanese trade policy...
Date: 16 Oct 92 20:40:11 GMT
Organization: Adobe Systems Incorporated
Originator: asanders@sparta

I found Andre's article very interesting, but a trifle naiive
on the questions of why people buy Japanese cars and electronics
and how the Japanese achieved domination in these markets to
begin with.

In my view, the Japanese dominated the automobile industry by
building better cars. They built cars that were safer, better
engineered, more reliable and (in many cases) less expensive than 
their American counterparts. And it's still true today, even
though Detroit has made significant improvements to its products--
primarily by imitating the Japanese. It's a fact. The sales figures 
speak for themselves.

When Honda first introduced the Civic in California, it was expensive 
and hard-to-get. People put their names on waiting lists for a chance
to buy one! These cars were also small and fuel-efficient at a time
when gasoline was becoming more and more expensive (more than it is
now, fifteen years later) and Detroit was still cranking out gas hogs.
The Japanese didn't "dump" Hondas to gain market share! They simply
built a better mouse trap.

Andre's article makes it clear that the Japanese are not above using 
hard-nosed business practices to gain an advantage. But when did
American industry become so lily white? How honest, forthright and 
above reproach American business is! Just like our government!

						-Alan
From: rambler@pnet51.orb.mn.org (Dan Meyer)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Re: Right hand drive cars
Date: 12 Oct 92 23:25:01 GMT
Organization: People-Net [pnet51], Minneapolis, MN.

johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine) writes:
>>  I'm not completely sure, but I believe the US is not nearly as strict about
>>driving right-hand drive cars as other countries.
>
>No kidding.  In the U.S. Virgin Islands, one drives on the left, a relic of
>pre-1917 Danish driving practice.  All the cards are regular left-hand drive
>U.S. models, and the driver has really lousy vision.  In the British Virgin
>Islands, about two miles away, they drive on the left, but use right-hand
>drive cars.
>
>I've also seen occasional imported British exotics with right hand drive here
>in the U.S. mainland with regular license plates and no special markings.
>
>-- 

Not to mention the privately owned, american made, us postal service van.

-- Dan
Remember: " Buffalo never Oink " Seen on a South Dakota travel brocure.
Advertisment: Try the Railway Post Office , a railfan BBS ! (612) 377-2197.
UUCP: {crash tcnet}!orbit!pnet51!rambler
INET: rambler@pnet51.orb.mn.org
Newsgroups: rec.autos
From: mark@wdcwdc.sps.mot.com (Mark Shaw)
Subject: Re: RPM vs MPG
Organization: Motorola Western MCU Design Center, Chandler Arizona
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 16:54:44 GMT

In article <3930135@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com>, pauls@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Paul Stafford) writes:
|>  The missing info is the manifold pressure, which would give you an idea 
|>  about how much air-fuel mixture is actually being drawn into the cylinders.

Still too simplistic.  For the same air-flow you could have vastly different
fuel-air mixtures.  Also the volumetric efficiency and compression ratio may
be different.  

Predicting fuel economy without a complete computer model of each car and the
driving mission is a total waste of time.   I just go by the EPA city ratings
I have found that these are about what I get over the long haul of city and
highway driving (which means my overall driving cycle mimics theirs).

Mark
From: jcf@nmitd4.sr.hp.com (Jim Fuller)
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 20:24:49 GMT
Subject: Re: Corrado SLC or 325is?
Organization: HP Santa Rosa Site (SRSD MWTD)
Newsgroups: rec.autos

>In rec.autos, cf947@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Chun-Hung Wan) writes:
>
>   I am thinking of buying either a BMW 325is coupe or VW Corrado VR6 soon. 
>   Is the Bimmer's price tag of an extra US$10,000 worth it over the Corrado? 
>   Are there any other suggestions for a sports car in this range?  My choice
>   would have been the RX-7 but it is way too impractical.
>   -- 

   Let's see... The VW is faster, handles better, is more distinctive and
   costs $10,000 less.  I don't see where there's much of a choice.  Buy
   the Corrado.

Jim
From: an685@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Chris Nalley)
Newsgroups: rec.autos
Subject: Eclipse/Talon Mailing List-Still Exist?
Date: 16 Oct 1992 21:57:15 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH (USA)
Reply-To: an685@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Chris Nalley)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


Does the eclipse/talon mailing list still exist?  I can't seem to
find it any of the mailling listings.

Chris Nalley / root@digund.uucp / an685@cleveland.freenet.edu
Newsgroups: rec.autos,rec.autos.tech
From: marcus@illusion.chi.il.us (Marcus Hall)
Subject: Re: Pontiac Fiero problems?
Keywords: Fiero, problems
Reply-To: marcus@illusion.UUCP (Marcus Hall)
Organization: Magic Numbers Software, Bloomingdale, IL
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 03:39:17 GMT

damong@wpi.WPI.EDU (Damon Francis Gentile) writes:
>Yep.... The Fiero is a cheap (but more expensive) take off on the Fiat/
>Bertone X1/9. Not to mention that the X1/9 will outcorner and outdrive
>any Fiero.... They are both similar in body style, but the X1/9 is a
>targa that gets 34 mpg. I have a 1974 1/2 and it is beautiful... I 
>make a hobby out of toasting Fieros.

In article <1992Oct6.002535.20935@netcom.com> esprit@netcom.com (Alan F. Perry) writes:
>....
>I think the 86+ Fiero GTs (sans spoiler) are the much better looking that
>the X1/9.  I got around 32 mph (highway) with the 2.8L V6.  There is much
>more storage space in a Fiero and it is easier to work on a Fiero.  (An
>old officemate had an X1/9 and we would compare cars.)  I also trust
>GM electric over Italian electrics.

Well, I had two X1/9s (a 1975 and 1979 version) and really loved the cars.
However, one reason that I had to have two was so that I could keep one
running enough of the time to always be able to get to work.  When they
were running, though, they were a blast to drive!  The 1.3l engine in the
'75 was really underpowered, and the '79's 1.5l engine was a big improvement.

Both of the cars died to terminal rust problems.  The last one died for good
when a transmission bearing burned as well as intermittent charging system
problems, an almost rusted through front suspension, and significant body
rust just made it impractical to try to save (alas...).

I replaced it with an '85 Fiero V6.  The Fiero definately has much more power
then either Fiat, but the Fiero is really bad for understeer.  I missed the
Fiat's targa top and had T-tops installed on the Fiero.  Not quite the same,
but close.

I did think that the arangement of the car was better in the X1/9.  The
Fiero's spare tire is in the front trunk and takes up soo much space that
there isn't much left there.  I could fit more stuff in the X1/9 than the
Fiero, despite the fact that the Fiero is a larger car.

The Fiero isn't as much fun to drive, but it isn't as much of a pain to keep
running either.  It's held together for more miles than both X1/9s put
together.  The Fiero's straight line performance is better, but the X1/9's
handling was far superior.  I wish that the X1/9s had lasted longer, but
since they're gone, the Fiero is "acceptable".  The body won't rust, and
parts are actually possible to get without having to wait 2-4 weeks.

To really complete this discussion, we have to consider the MR2.  I think that
it is much more the spiritual successor to the X1/9.  It's more of a sports
car at heart, has a smaller high revving engine, etc.  That is actually what
I'm looking at as a replacement when the Fiero starts getting too much of a
hassle to keep running.

marcus hall
Newsgroups: rec.autos