Let's talk about cars
Oct 22nd 2017, 2:26 pm
#6451
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Belle Isle, Florida
Posts: 594
Re: Let's talk about cars
Honestly, you make a totally logical argument, and much of my decision was out of sheer curiosity as to how much longer a clutch could possibly last. If the service rep had reported that the clutch was badly worn, I trust him enough that I would have agreed to replace it, but he said it looked OK, and more than two years later he was obviously correct. When it hit 100,000 miles I started worrying about the clutch failing, but by the time it 200,000 miles I had given up worrying. Now I am just wondering how much longer is possible? 
That said, we bought another Accord back in May of this year, and during the "presentation" by the finance guy about all the additional warranties and service plans we could purchase, while discussing one of the options he told us that as we were buying a car with a manual transmission the clutch would probably last upto around 60,000 miles!
When I told him that we already had an accord with 325,000 miles on the clutch his face was a picture; he moved swiftly on to the next warranty option. 
That said, we bought another Accord back in May of this year, and during the "presentation" by the finance guy about all the additional warranties and service plans we could purchase, while discussing one of the options he told us that as we were buying a car with a manual transmission the clutch would probably last upto around 60,000 miles!
When I told him that we already had an accord with 325,000 miles on the clutch his face was a picture; he moved swiftly on to the next warranty option. 
Oct 23rd 2017, 5:09 pm
#6452
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Let's talk about cars
I'm not sure if Holden is now dead or if they have just stopped producing them in Australia.
https://www.thecarconnection.com/new...lding-business
https://www.thecarconnection.com/new...lding-business
Oct 24th 2017, 12:12 pm
#6453
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Rural Virginia
Posts: 1,076
Re: Let's talk about cars
Honestly, you make a totally logical argument, and much of my decision was out of sheer curiosity as to how much longer a clutch could possibly last. If the service rep had reported that the clutch was badly worn, I trust him enough that I would have agreed to replace it, but he said it looked OK, and more than two years later he was obviously correct. When it hit 100,000 miles I started worrying about the clutch failing, but by the time it 200,000 miles I had given up worrying. Now I am just wondering how much longer is possible?
That said, we bought another Accord back in May of this year, and during the "presentation" by the finance guy about all the additional warranties and service plans we could purchase, while discussing one of the options he told us that as we were buying a car with a manual transmission the clutch would probably last upto around 60,000 miles! When I told him that we already had an accord with 325,000 miles on the clutch his face was a picture; he moved swiftly on to the next warranty option.
That said, we bought another Accord back in May of this year, and during the "presentation" by the finance guy about all the additional warranties and service plans we could purchase, while discussing one of the options he told us that as we were buying a car with a manual transmission the clutch would probably last upto around 60,000 miles!
When I told him that we already had an accord with 325,000 miles on the clutch his face was a picture; he moved swiftly on to the next warranty option. Keep us posted, we just pulled the engine on a 92 Defender with 280,000km on the clock which drove fine but with clear wear on the clutch plate. We will be fitting a new plate, operating arm, release bearing and slave cylinder.
Oct 24th 2017, 5:10 pm
#6454
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Let's talk about cars
Oct 24th 2017, 6:15 pm
#6455
Sad old Crinkly Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 807
Re: Let's talk about cars
I'm not sure if Holden is now dead or if they have just stopped producing them in Australia.
https://www.thecarconnection.com/new...lding-business
https://www.thecarconnection.com/new...lding-business
Oct 25th 2017, 9:55 pm
#6456
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Let's talk about cars
Does anyone have a good recommendations for car insurance that aren't the usual big players such as Geico?
Cars we're wanting to insure are my 2015 Volkswagen GTI and my wife's 2012 Mini Clubman. We pay a reasonable rate with Geico but just curious to see what other options are out there.
Cars we're wanting to insure are my 2015 Volkswagen GTI and my wife's 2012 Mini Clubman. We pay a reasonable rate with Geico but just curious to see what other options are out there.
Oct 25th 2017, 11:33 pm
#6457
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: Let's talk about cars
Make sure to ask the dealer if floor mats are included
Oct 25th 2017, 11:40 pm
#6458
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Feb 2015
Location: Denver, CO.
Posts: 1,523
Re: Let's talk about cars
Oct 25th 2017, 11:47 pm
#6460
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: Let's talk about cars
This is how they all screw you into paying hundreds more just when you think you've got a great deal
Oct 26th 2017, 12:04 am
#6461
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2016
Location: Northern California
Posts: 2,277
Re: Let's talk about cars
I have quasi manual with paddle shifters. I thought they would be cool but I rarely use them. Handy for entering the freeway merging with traffic.
Oct 26th 2017, 12:29 am
#6462
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Lauren's Co. SC by way of Palmetto, Florida
Posts: 3,265
Re: Let's talk about cars
The kickdown feature on an auto is a pretty cool feature too, most people seem unaware of it...
Oct 26th 2017, 2:46 am
#6463
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Let's talk about cars
As it happens Mrs P owned a manual when I met her, so sticking with manuals hasn't been any challenge at all so far, at least not in persuading Mrs P. ..... The problem these days is that the number of manuals available is declining.
A few years ago my MIL described us as "weird" for having three vehicles, all manual. We have since added a fourth!
Last edited by Pulaski; Oct 26th 2017 at 2:48 am.
Oct 26th 2017, 3:17 am
#6464
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Belle Isle, Florida
Posts: 594
Re: Let's talk about cars
I think that modern automatics have become so sophisticated and fast reacting, that they have become viable - even to purists.
I have a 2015 392 Challenger with an 8 speed ZF transmission that is remarkably good. I'd have preferred a manual, but the clutch was just too heavy for my wife to comfortably manage (she drives the car more than I do).
That said, I'm a weekend drag racer and my auto is noticeably faster than it's manual counterpart over a quarter mile - purely down to it's lightning fast shifts, that keep the car in the power band pretty much all the time when in sport mode.
I get that some drivers feel that auto takes involvement out of the driving experience, but as others have stated, I can paddle shift when I choose to (an involved process with 8 gears) or just rumble along in full auto.
Electronic control, multiple (up to 10) ratios, locking clutches, trans brakes, rev-matching and variable stall torque converters are a far cry from the old 3 or 4 speed valve-body actuated slush-boxes of the past.
I have a 2015 392 Challenger with an 8 speed ZF transmission that is remarkably good. I'd have preferred a manual, but the clutch was just too heavy for my wife to comfortably manage (she drives the car more than I do).
That said, I'm a weekend drag racer and my auto is noticeably faster than it's manual counterpart over a quarter mile - purely down to it's lightning fast shifts, that keep the car in the power band pretty much all the time when in sport mode.
I get that some drivers feel that auto takes involvement out of the driving experience, but as others have stated, I can paddle shift when I choose to (an involved process with 8 gears) or just rumble along in full auto.
Electronic control, multiple (up to 10) ratios, locking clutches, trans brakes, rev-matching and variable stall torque converters are a far cry from the old 3 or 4 speed valve-body actuated slush-boxes of the past.
Oct 26th 2017, 4:53 am
#6465
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2013
Location: Mission Viejo, CA
Posts: 255
Re: Let's talk about cars
After 25yrs of manual gearboxes there is zero chance I'd buy one over here with the stop start driving.
Perhaps if I lived out in the sticks with some nice twisty roads to have fun on, or maybe for trackdays, but even with an auto you have the flappy paddles.
I have no idea why Europe is still so keen on manuals...?
Perhaps if I lived out in the sticks with some nice twisty roads to have fun on, or maybe for trackdays, but even with an auto you have the flappy paddles.
I have no idea why Europe is still so keen on manuals...?