Tesla Warranty

[adorshki]

You know I'm extremely impressed with the Milan Al. Please do not miss a chance to remind me its performances.

Groans like a hive of angry frogs at redline?

How you like the beamer?

The cars are "Bimmers''. The motorcycles are "Beamers".
How many times we gotta remind you 'bout that? :highly_amused:
Not that I'm gonna turn into one of those BMW fetishists.
I just got peeved at the Milan when it developed a power steering leak (105k) and decided to see what was out there in the category I'd consider owning: Beautifully styled rear wheel drive with IRS that I could pay cash for.
BMW was on the list and lo and behold, there's a low-mile BMW (115k on an '01) at a dealer. With a decent-looking CarFax.
So it's a pleasure cruiser, at least until I develop more confidence in it, and the Milan's daily reliable transportation and who cares if it just gets used up? It'll never have the intrinsic desirability (resale value) of the BMW.
How do I like it? It's like a cross between my top two all time favorites, the T-bird Supercoupe and the '81 RX-7. But if I had to settle on just one I could have back it'd still be the T-bird. Although I heard recently the original Tokico electronic shocks just aren't made anymore, sooo.....I guess all good things must pass.
Amazingly somehow the BMW didn't get the adjustable lumbar support in the seats and they're rock-hard, and for that reason alone I'll probably wind up replacing it at some point, but I got to check BMW's off the bucket list cheap.

Is it auto or manual? Speaking of 4 banger,

5 speed auto, fine with me. Actually has a manual override mode too. I got 29mpg in my first week on winter gas.
The "25" in 325 is a 2.5 liter inline 6. Actually develops better torque at a lower rpm and over a flatter/broader curve than the Milan which actually develops higher peak ouputs. If you can stand to listen to 1000 groaning bullfrogs.
So the BMW has better throttle response, subjectively if not actually...
Plus it stays flat in corners. THAT's my single biggest criterion these days, handling.

I test drove the new 2015 Mustang (after I saw how hot she looked now, I got curious about this 305HP turbo 4 cylinder) tell you what. I loved it.
Never felt a 4 that "torquy" before. Huge low and mid range push, really fun to drive in city.

In general I'm not a fan of turbos as traditionally you had to wind 'em out to get into the torque, which puts 'em right at their thirstiest. Both Ford and GM have addressed that with twin sequential turbos which allow development of boost more smoothly starting at lower rpms.
Still I think I'm gonna wind up preferring the quieter low-end grunt of a 6, especially a supercharged as opposed to turbocharged.
It's not that I want to hear the rumble of a V8, I just don't want the "buzz" of a turbo 4 cylinder, but I'm open-minded about it until I try one of the newer generation.
Back when Ford first put out a V6 GT in '93 I think it was, I always felt it was the perfect balance of weight to output especially for handling. So I'm assuming the current V6 GT is gonna be the right fit for me.
Just like the Supercoupe, tool around all day at super-economical low rpms knowin' the big gun's in the holster if I need it. :chuncky:

felt that the loss of weight in the front (compared to the V8 GT) combined with the now independent rear suspension was a enormous improvement in handling. That thing is tight!

Comin' from you that's high praise and you probably remember it's been on my list ever since they annouced they were finally gonna give it IRS.

Reminds me my good ole' 3000GT will be up for replacement soon.... hmmmm...... damned cars! :biggrin:

Oh I thought you already sold it? Oh, I guess "replacement" doesn't neccessarily imply "still own it"...

 

[adorshki]

Hey, looks like a good time to tell you all about my new purchase.
2015 Ford Escape, 4WD, 240 HP Turbo 4-Banger. Of course I'm a rumble of the V-8 sports car kinda guy, but tell ya what, this little all-climate and conditions spit fire rocks! Darn good gas mileage too!

While I already mentioned my preference for the quieter properties of the bigger motors, I congratulate you especially since I think Ford's the king of the quality hill these days, and that from a guy who didn't "get" Ford until I got that '90 Thunderbird.
My opinion has only improved with the Milan (Mercury's version of the Fusion). Reliability has been magnificent, power steering leak notwithstanding. Even that could be blamed on unusual stress:
I have to lock up the rack and pinion twice a day just to get it into/out of the parking stall at home.
Even then it was only a $100.00 part but a couple hundred labor, one of the other drawbacks of FWD architecture.

Actually, to be fair, the high-revving, lower-torque engines that appeal to me are not the ones that are converting the general public. It's the turbochargers that seem to make them palatable to folks. Bah, I say!

Right, and S2000's are notorious for needing to be revved up to get into the power band.
I loved RX-7's but and they love to be wound out, but my first one, the '81, could cruise at about 80 at only 3800 rpms which was still pretty quiet.
The second one had limited slip but a lower axle and a different overdrive ratio so it needed about 4100 to cruise at 80 and I started disliking the noise/vibration/hashness at that rpm, at least for steady cruising. Then I really got spoiled by the Supercoupe....80 only needed about 2200 rpms and that was the beginning of the torque curve.....it was actually all in but flat all the way to 5500rpm redline. I never took it over 100 but once though. A Ford mechanic had it redlined in 3rd once, doin' about 110 "IIRC", he was testing the tranny.

Eh eh.... keep in mind that the self consciousness around fuel consumption is a relatively new phenomenon for the US.

"Relatively" being the critical term here. WE starteed getting a clue back in '73 when a bunch of wild and crazy Arabs decide to give us a little surprise by turning off the spigot for a couple of days.
And it's tough to get grandma to give up her comfy and safe ol' landyacht for an uncomfortable and buzzy eco-dinghy when gas reverts to cheap. And here we are being the world's top oil producer again thanks to shale oil. 'Course that could change on the whim of OPEC if it hasn't already.
What is really driving the market going forward is a whole generation who never experienced the genteel joys of traditional v6 and v8 land yachts but were weened in the FWD Economy era ushered in after the first great oil embargoes.

I'm shopping for a Honda Accord.

I rest my case. :highly_amused:
(It's ok JC, we understand it's not your fault)
BUT have you considered this engine option?:
[video]http://world.honda.com/motorsports/video/20141006/[/video]
AND say, Chaz, it just occurred to me that might be right up your alley, too!
:biggrin-new:

 

[adorshki]

On our recent trip through the Scottish Highlands, we rented a Hyundai i30 (Elantra here in the states) with a 1.6 turbo diesel and a six speed manual...I honestly don't know why we can't get that engine here. I'd much rather have that than a hybrid.

One word: diesel.
Thought to be a magic bullet for the fuel-economy thing back in thet '80's but never gained any traction (no pun intended) for the average American consumer, due to noisy, smelly, and increasingly hard to find fueling stations.
All "fixable" or even fixed (noisy, smelly) but it'll still need to be much more readily available, especially since its historic role as a cheaper fuel has been reversed.
But even if all those were "fixed", "consumer acceptance" is a fickle beast.
Personally one of my worst nightmares is being stuck behind or next to an idling diesel, especially an "old-tech", even with the newer fuel. I have a severe nauseous reaction. But I seem to be more sensitive than the average, there.

 

[bluesypicky]

What is really driving the market going forward is a whole generation who never experienced the genteel joys of traditional v6 and v8 land yachts but were weened in the FWD Economy era ushered in after the first great oil embargoes.

And don't forget......................................<rimshot>..................................................... EV's!
And BOOM! Just like that, back on topic.
Man I'm good.

 

[bluesypicky]

One word: diesel.
Thought to be a magic bullet for the fuel-economy thing back in thet '80's but never gained any traction (no pun intended) for the average American consumer, due to noisy, smelly, and increasingly hard to find fueling stations.
All "fixable" or even fixed (noisy, smelly) but it'll still need to be much more readily available, especially since its historic role as a cheaper fuel has been reversed.

Reliability and low maintenance-durability is what really separates the diesel from the Gas engines.
Not a coincidence that Le Mans is won by Diesel (now hybrid) engines.
Thanks to the self lubricating properties of diesel fuel, these engines last for millions of miles.
The same fuel efficiency can be reached on gas engine with the best fuel injection systems leaving close to zero unburned fuel through the exhaust valves....

The power band however is delivered in a much more linear form with a diesel engine. Lots of low end torque too.

 

[twocorgis]

One word: diesel.
Thought to be a magic bullet for the fuel-economy thing back in thet '80's but never gained any traction (no pun intended) for the average American consumer, due to noisy, smelly, and increasingly hard to find fueling stations.
All "fixable" or even fixed (noisy, smelly) but it'll still need to be much more readily available, especially since its historic role as a cheaper fuel has been reversed.
But even if all those were "fixed", "consumer acceptance" is a fickle beast.
Personally one of my worst nightmares is being stuck behind or next to an idling diesel, especially an "old-tech", even with the newer fuel. I have a severe nauseous reaction. But I seem to be more sensitive than the average, there.

Al, modern common rail, direct injected diesel engines in passenger cars (and even my last two Sprinter vans) are nothing like the noisy, smelly ones of yore that you're thinking of. In fact, I've driven modern, direct injection gasoline engines that have every bit as much clatter at startup and idle that their diesel counterparts have. Yes, the fuel is more expensive, but that's pretty much offset by the minimum 30% increase in fuel economy. Try a TDI VW sometime, or better yet, a Mercedes or BMW oil burner.

 

[bluesypicky]

Try a TDI VW sometime, or better yet, a Mercedes or BMW oil burner.

Yeah, you won't find the best turbo diesel engines here. They're made by Renault. :loyal:

 

[adorshki]

Try a TDI VW sometime, or better yet, a Mercedes or BMW oil burner.

My main point was "fickle consumers", but I will NEVER live with a diesel, even if it was available at every gas staion.
Even the fumes on the new ones kill me. I've been behind a new Mercedes.
It's as bad as the old ones, "Blutech" and all.
But again that's just me.

 

[twocorgis]

Yeah, you won't find the best turbo diesel engines here. They're made by Renault. :loyal:

Speaking of bad perceptions Pascal, when you average American thinks of Renault, they think of this late and very unlamented beast.

Personally, there were some that I thought were cool, like the R5 turbo. But as you know, French cars are pretty much a non-starter with us ugly Americans.

 

[adorshki]

The power band however is delivered in a much more linear form with a diesel engine. Lots of low end torque too.

And why Ford went with a Supercharger on the Supercoupe. Their highest output motor in '90-91, even over the vaunted 5.0 for 2 years. With a corresponding economy benefit.
It appealed to my sense of elegance in egineering especially since I wouldn't have wanted to wind out a V8 to get to the 300ft-lb mark anyway.

 

[bluesypicky]

French cars are pretty much a non-starter with us ugly Americans.

And as an ugly American, I concur. They have traditionally been ugly (with a few exceptions) but when it comes to motors, Renault can make a decent one,
Ask Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve and Sebastian Vettel.

And btw.... guess who's joining in the fray at Le Mans 2015 to fight against Toyota Porsche and Audi?....

:applause:

 

[adorshki]

Personally, there were some that I thought were cool, like the R5 turbo. But as you know, French cars are pretty much a non-starter with us ugly Americans.

My favorite Renault:

Gordini Dauphin.

 

[adorshki]

And btw.... guess who's joining in the fray at Le Mans 2015 to fight against Toyota Porsche and Audi?....
:applause:

Ferrari?

 

[bluesypicky]

Ferrari?

Yes, them too. (But only in GT)

 

[rampside]

Ya didn't think for a second this thread was dead did ya? Was just a matter of time.

Hey Pascal, it took awhile, but once (we know who) got his RPMs up, here we are 32 posts or so later.:encouragement:

By the way, I'm most impressed with the low end torque on my new Escape's 2.0 turbo and along with the 4WD, it sure makes winter driving all the more tolerable.

 

[fronobulax]

Why do I feel the need to veer by reporting that my knee jerk response to "turbo" is to recall the software development environment known as Turbo Pascal? Why do I feel like I am making a pun that was better left unsaid?

 

[walrus]

Well, if it makes you feel better, I got the pun! Good one!

But there's clearly a small audience for it...

walrus

 

[chazmo]

Count me in that audience. The question is, does bluesypicky know what we're talking about?

 

[rampside]

The question is, does bluesypicky know what we're talking about?

Something tells me,.....we're gonna find out.:smug:

 

[twocorgis]

By the way, I'm most impressed with the low end torque on my new Escape's 2.0 turbo and along with the 4WD, it sure makes winter driving all the more tolerable.

Terry, there's an old car guy saying that goes something like "People buy horsepower, but drive torque", and in day to day driving, that's very true.