Design Element

Do you know what make, model and variant this is? Hover over the image with your mouse to confirm or deny your answer!

Cheap Jeeps

Word's trickled out of Jeep, the off-road aficionado branch of FCA, that they'll finally kill off the unloved Patriot or Compass. No word which one but CEO Michael Manley has declared, "Why would we spend all that money to develop two names and then get rid of both of them?"

Maybe because they're not associated with good, reliable vehicles...? Why not bring back the Gladiator name? Surely that cost more than a dollar, too. And the Liberty nameplate...no, too yesterday?

Regardless of what happens and which nameplate survives, imagine if they decided to merge the two names; introducing the new Jeep Pompass!

Also, I have to wonder what they need either of these vehicles for with the new Renegade and Cherokee  now on sale in full force and doing quite well, from the reports. Seems to me they've got the bases covered, if not actually overlapped a bit; four-door S/CUVs...Grand Cherokee > Cherokee > Renegade.

What do you think? Too many pristine poseur utility vehicles on the road or not enough, there needs to be more?

Hyundai Vision G

Have you seen the new Hyundai Vision G concept coupe yet? I can't find a copyright free image to post here but you can see it here. When I first saw images of it, I figured that it might be the next Genesis Coupe. Pretty good, I thought, and a decent follow up. But no...look again, Buffy...it's a mess. The lines are horrendous and there's too much concept car frippery to make it real. Let's not even discuss the bunker-like window openings. Word is that it actually displays design elements for the next Equus. What the...really?!? Yes, really.

But all of that smoke and mirror action didn't hide the real wig-flipper. No, it was the door handle...which isn't actually on the door! Take another look at the linked image, if you haven't already and then come back for the punchline. I'll wait.

See it? Pretty kooky, huh. Yup and apparently it doesn't even work like a door handle, it's more of a swipe your hand over it and the darn thing opens automatically type deal.

So why go through the trouble of making it look like a door handle? Why not just wave your hand over the side mirror or something?

Ah, the stupidity of concept cars...it's fun but it's stupid at the same time.

PS. Now would not be the time to purchase a used 2011-2012 Hyundai Sonata. Wait till they've all had their engines replaced.

What IS A Car Enthusiast?

Query of the day; should you listen to a person that claims to be a car enthusiast but drives a stock Toyota Corolla that hasn't been modified or customized in any way, shape or form...and it isn't the first one that they bought? Would it make it worse that they bought the 'Rollas brand new?

What cars do you not associate with car enthusiast ownership?

VW's Diesel Meltdown Update

My pals over at DTW nailed it, once again!

Factory Four-Door Convertibles

How many factory (OEM) four-door convertibles that had an MSRP under $40K can you think of? Here's what I came up with.

Lincoln Continental

VW Thing

Jeep  Wrangler

Citroen 2CV (suggested by Bobbinott - thanks!)

Show me what you got!

Ford Escape Limited

Don't even try it.

1959 Simca P60 Aronde Oceane Convertible

Here's something a bit different; a 1959 Simca P60 Aronde Oceane Convertible. The little (well, actually not all that small for the time and country of production) Flash Special 1290cc OHV 4 cylinder pumped out anywhere between 57 and 70 bhp, depending on setup. Though the seller is correct and these are rare here in the States, they aren't everywhere else because 11,560 were produced and sold worldwide.

K2's Buy Prognosis: Thumbs down unless you're looking (and prepared) for something rare and difficult to maintain. In other words, you must have a personal mechanic or a garage filled with tools. Parts availability is extremely poor, so the buyer should be on the outlook for one or more parts cars. A really neat car, though.

A Car for Peter: Update #1

Peter took a look at the list I created for him and narrowed it down to these vehicles.

My Top Picks:

Acura TSX; 6.0 0-60

Honda Accord Coupe; 6.6 0-60

Mazda3 s; 7.4 0-60

Mazda6; 8.2 0-60

Volvo C30; 6.9 0-60

The Rest of the List:

Acura TL

Cadillac CTS

Honda Civic

Honda CR-Z

Honda Fit

Hyundai Azera

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Forte Coupe

Kia Optima

Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5

Nissan JUKE

Nissan Maxima

2003 Phase II SBIR

You will never see yourself coming and going in this 2003 Phase II SBIR.

K2's Buy Prognosis: A fascinating vehicle with an amazing backstory. I think the buyer of this car will need to be someone who is interested as a piece of unknown car history, never driving it other than the occasional foray into the real world, assuming you could work out the details to get it back on the road. But why? That would make very little sense and cost an arm and a leg. Or, this car could be used as a template to build similar vehicles...but again, why do that? No, this is a super cool bauble that will never leave the rich boy's toys man cave. Somebody call Jay Leno, who probably already has one.

VW Admits 11 Million Vehicles Had Fake Pollution Controls

 

Further proof that German cars are just not your best bet.

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/volkswagen-admits-11-million-vehicles-had-fake-129635341557.html

Subaru STi Used Engine Values

In a discussion on June 16, 2015 regarding the current values for a used Subaru EJ207 turbocharged engine, I wrote...

Looking on eekBay, I see that used turbo motors are going for $3,200+. Is that what you guys consider not too expensive? Can I borrow some money?

The response back was...

"K2 -- compare the price of a used STi engine to most anything else that is turbocharged/intercooled and pushing 300 hp and it isn't bad at all. It isn't as a cheap as a junkyard Ford 5.0, but it is 1/8th the cost of a Porsche flat-6 and probably 1/2 the cost of a BMW N54. For what you get, prices aren't bad."

To which I added...

I suppose that's true. But a 300-hp Volvo R turbo motor can be had used for around $2,000. A 300-hp VG30DETT can be had for under $1,500. I don't get why the 'Baru turbo engine is so much more money. Because it's a boxer? Or is it because they can and these engines blow up far too often, especially when you consider Subaru's reputation for building long-lasting cars? There's a disparity going on here.

And then I added...

I've done plum gotten myself uninvited to Sunday dinner but I should have also added the 2JZ-GTE, which can be picked up for around $2K. Pouring salt into the wound, I'd also point out that all three of the engines that I mentioned have even more cylinders than the Subaru. It wouldn't even surprise me that I could pick up an M44 for less than the Subaru, though I can't be sure. I haven't kept track of those for a long time and I'm too lazy to look it up.

There was no reply or further discussion, after that. What's sad here is the utter refusal to be open to another point of view. By being closed to new information or, in this case, an update to current data, there's no possibility of furthering  or increasing knowledge. Isn't that the behavior of a person that's comfortable in the bubble that they've created, trapped by ego? How can a person like that truly consider themselves to be a car enthusiast? Maybe they were once but now they've stopped all growth.

I've got to make a mental note not to do that myself.

A Car For Peter

One of my many useless talents is to help folks research buying a used car. Here's a recent example.

Specifications

1. Budget = $15,000; prices are based on Kelly Blue Book private party values, in good condition and ignoring options, what is available in your neighborhood may or may not match these values, but this is a good guide and a great place to start your search
2. Model year 2011 or newer; some of the cars listed below will only meet your specs if you look at that particular year or luck into a great deal (they’re out there!) but many can be had within your budget in a newer model year 
3. 20K to 30K miles optimal, 50K max
4. Fun to drive; I can’t tell you what you think is fun and what is not but I’ve focused on cars that I thought were fun to drive, for various reasons
5. Around 30 mpg highway; some cars will be a little less, some significantly better
6. Reliable long-term and relatively inexpensive to maintain; all cars are a gamble and you may get a lemon but with the proper care, you can hedge your bets and minimize your exposure to high-maintenance cost vehicles
7. No German cars
8. Most of these vehicles will have an automatic (preferred), a few may only have a manual (would consider)

My Top Picks

Acura TSX; 6.0 0-60

Buick Regal CXL Turbo; 7.5 0-60

Chevrolet Camaro; 5.9 0-60

Honda Accord Coupe; 6.6 0-60

Hyundai Genesis Coupe; 7.0 0-60

Mazda3 s; 7.4 0-60

Mazda6; 8.2 0-60

Volvo C30; 6.9 0-60

The Rest of the List

Acura TL

Cadillac CTS

Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet HHR

Chevrolet Impala

Chevrolet Malibu

Chevrolet Sonic

Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Volt

Dodge Caliber

Dodge Dart

Ford Fiesta

Ford Focus
Ford Fusion

Ford Mustang

Honda Civic

Honda CR-V

Honda CR-Z

Honda Fit

Hyundai Azera

Hyundai Elantra

Kia Forte Coupe

Kia Optima

Kia Soul

Lexus CT200h

Lincoln MKS

Lincoln MKZ

Mazdaspeed3

Mercury Milan

Mitsubishi Eclipse

Mitsubishi Lancer

Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5

Nissan JUKE

Nissan LEAF

Nissan Maxima

Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V

Nissan Rogue (26 mpg hwy)

Scion tC

Scion xB

Scion xD

Subaru Impreza

Subaru Forester (27 mpg hwy)

Subaru Legacy

Suzuki Kizashi

Toyota Corolla

Toyota Matrix

Volvo S40

Volvo V50

1997 Ford F-350 7.3 Turbo Diesel Centurion

Centurion [sen-too r-ee-uh n, -tyoo r-] noun

1. (in the ancient Roman army) the commander of a century.

2. (initial capital letter) Military. Any one of various British battle tanks in service from 1945 to 1967.

Don’t judge me. Like many of my fellow DTers, I peruse the Craigslist car ads for hours. It’s like crack, I tell you and when you get the itch it’s hard to stop scratching. It’s a wonderful place to find hidden treasure and horrible horrors; all equally entertaining. So, it will come as no surprise when I share with you this 1997 Ford F-350 7.3 Turbo Diesel Centurion.

Living on a G-String Budget: 2010 Stripper Pony(ish) Cars Market Report

Evolution is a cruel mistress; it creates fearsome predators that devour every tasty morsel in their path. And then, something funny happens…the razor-toothed dinosaur that’s born with tiny legs, the lightning-quick tiger who can’t see more than two feet in front of its nose and other oxymoronic natural creations that boggle the mind.

Like those natural mistakes of yore, automakers have offered similar combinations; hot cars with feeble engines, the better to make a fast buck from a buyer who wanted the look but couldn’t afford the power. Known for their lack of features and a lackluster power plant, these are “stripper” cars, decontented to serve the almighty dollar and service the painfully poor enthusiast.

Not many have fond memories of Camaros and Firebirds saddled with Iron Duke four-cylinder motors and Lima-engine Mustangs. But times have changed; the efficiency of most engines on the market today have increased significantly; there’s even excitement surrounding turbo-charged four-cylinder examples of those very cars. Gone are the low horsepower ratings and the embarrassment of driving a sporty car that can be out-gunned by a family sedan from the stoplight. Enthusiasts now revel in a higher level of simplicity, better mileage and less weight, though these days the last two factors are no longer as significant as they once were in comparison to their upgraded engine model mates.

So maybe you’re interested in what’s happening in the used pony car market, you’d like to enjoy lower insurance rates and you don’t really have the need for a million-horsepower monster under the hood for a quick zip down to the grocery. Other than the obligatory Mustang-Camaro showdown, I’ve added three cars that came quickly to my mind as competitors. Why haven’t I included other cars in this comparison, you may ask? Well for no other reason other than random choice and we all know what happens when you poke the GCG (German Car Groupies).

Here’s where we’re at currently with values, assuming a car with 60,000 miles, in “average” condition and not factoring in any options. Pricing in your neighborhood will be different; these numbers should be used for comparison only and were obtained by averaging the retail values provided by Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds and NADA.  See those websites for more detailed information.

Road Sander

So this is one of my Holy Grails of Cardom, a real unicorn and I am a unicorn hunter...For years I've heard that Packard offered a rare option for an automated "sander" system controlled by the driver. When stuck in snow or on ice, drivers could dump sand in front (the attached photo is not of an exhaust!) of the rear tires via a switch.

But I couldn't find any proof and resigned myself to the fact that it was just an urban legend. A while ago, I made an acquaintance online and we got to discussing rare options and it came up. They said it was real and they could prove it! Well, they were right and sent me actual pictures of the system.

Cold Wire A Car

Would it be possible to make the stuff about how to kill a car permanently without leaving and signs of tampering a feature? I've got a part in my book where a car needs to be quickly permanently disabled but other than making the engine inop, it can't hurt any person in or near the car and the result is that the car just won't start. So no fireball explosions and you can keep your C4 in your basement. Pour something into the gas tank? Puncture the oil pan? That last one is no good because it would take too long; can't have the driver walk up to the vehicle and notice a river of dinosaur juice draining into the azaleas. So my character would have to flop on his back, punch a hole in the pan and stand there waiting for the oil to drain. Won't work. Flattening the tires won't work because that doesn't permanently and massively damage the ability to drive the car. Messing with the brakes would be dangerous to a driver and any passengers, as well as any innocent third party.

Virtual Cars & Coffee with Gianni and K2

The sun had just begun to warm the Spring air when Gianni and K2 sat down to breakfast at the diner. Both of their wives were sick and tired about hearing about cars, so they’d sent their husbands off to get it out of their systems on this beautiful Saturday morning.  Gianni’s 1991 Mariner Blue and K2’s 1996 Montego Blue Mica Miatas were still ticking as they cooled down from a canyon run when the waitress brought the food; waffles for Gianni and an omelet for K2.

Tales of a Tailgating Party

As hardcore enthusiasts, we are the knights of the road. We follow a creed that pledges allegiance at the altar of the automobile. It’s our duty to uphold and demonstrate this creed. We are the few, the proud, the gearheads! What do you do when you've got somebody trying to ride in your trunk, trying to inspect the condition of your rear bumper paint? I like to employ various legal and less than life-threatening strategies for rascally road rapscallions, and today we discuss a few.

NeedThatCar.com Talks Volvo C30, Mini, & Hot Wheels

Your intrepid reporter here, K2 Mystery Car, this time with a Volvo C30 owner’s experiences and thoughts.

Images via Creative Commons

K2MC: Hello needthatcar.com, thanks for taking the time to share your experiences with your 2008 Volvo C30. Tell us a little about yourself.

Needthatcar.com: I've been into cars since I first started playing with Hot Wheels back when. I grew up loving the Dukes of Hazzard and Knight Rider. When I was 7 years old, my dad put a 231 aluminum block Buick V8 in a 1952 Willy's Jeep and the family went wheeling at Canyonlands National Park. I guess that Jeep really got me started. I've owned hundreds of old cars from junkers to full-on show cars. As for my daily drivers, I go through them like socks though I've had the C30 for three years. It's such a brilliant little car.

K2 Dreams Of A Seedy Eye: Musings About The Mercedes Benz W211

Nothing is absolute, with the debatable exceptions of this statement and death.
– John Ralston Saul

I sleep like a rock. Maybe it’s a reflection of my IQ or maybe it’s connected to my shoe size but when my head hits the pillow, I’m out like a light. And I dream. Oh boy, do I dream. Now, they’re very rarely some risque jive. No, mostly they’re intricate, detailed short films that contain characters I’ve never met or are vaguely familiar on some sort of adventure. Sometimes they’re frightening, occasionally they’re full of action and sometimes they’re awe inspiring.

Of course, they often reflect something from my past or maybe an event or experience from my current life. I’m sure a psychiatrist would say something along the lines that they’re an expression of my subconscious. But I’ve learned to pay close attention to them because they often guide my conscious life, providing direction when I need it and warning of impending doom.

I like to think it’s the universe steering me through life but that’s probably just a bunch of mumbo-jumbo.  So it came as no surprise when I was greeted by six gods seated on marble thrones as I traipsed through the gate of dreams. Caught by surprise but unable to express myself in any such way because I’m an adult male from a culture that prizes know-it-alls for some reason, I nonchalantly tossed a quick head nod and said, “Yo, what up?”

The Benefits of Hindsight: 2000 Honda Insight

Blanche placed the plate down in front of her husband with a flourish.

“I made you your favorite meal dear; rib-eye steak with a side of shoestring fries. I hope you like it!”

Nodding his head enthusiastically, Frank picked up his knife and fork and gave her a huge smile, “You’re the best, Blanche. Thanks for this.”

She winked and said, “Let’s dig in before it gets cold.”

They were both quiet for a while as they enjoyed the food she had prepared until Frank inhaled deeply
and put his fork down slowly next to his plate, “So I’ve been thinking.”

“Yes dear? About what?”

“I’m getting a little tired of the crazy gas mileage I’m getting in the F-150. It’s only getting about 14 miles
per gallon around town and it seems a little crazy. Maybe I should get something a bit more
economical.”

A fork full of cooked steak halfway to her mouth, Blanche stared at Frank, “Uh-huh. Yeah, what I really need is a two seater hybrid with less than 70 horsepower. I’m thinking that’ll fit the bill.”

The Grim Reaper Report

Goodbye.

Every year I like to make a list of the car models that are disappearing. Often, they create an opportunity for savvy car shoppers to work with dealers looking to unload undesirable cars they no longer want.

Some of these cars still exist as other variants or rebadged models, some are just on a hiatus, while many are down and out for a permanent dirt nap (cue Monty Python skit here).

The Daily Turismo Radio After Show

After the hosts have been whisked away in their limousines and the guests solemnly shown the back door out (to avoid the neighbors and bounty hunters, of course), what happens?

Once the guest is shoved out into the blinding California sun, I try to latch onto them like a homeless guy looking for a handout. So far, they've eluded my grasp. But this time my victim wasn't so lucky...

Drive, Ignore or Burn: der Lastwagen versus Torakku

In this installment of Drive, Ignore or Burn, we’re highlighting two car-based pick ‘em-ups. Whether you choose to drive, ignore or set aflame these interesting and/or repulsive vehicles is up to you. Make your feelings known in the comments!

Our first victim, I mean contestant is a 1983 VW Diesel Rabbit found here on eBay that’s been converted into a mini-truck. It features gorgeous green paint and a fabric sunroof. Here is the seller’s description:

Folding ‘Em

You've got to know when to hold 'em
Know when to fold 'em
Know when to walk away
Know when to run
You never count your money
When you're sittin' at the table
There'll be time enough for countin'
When the dealin's done
Kenny Rogers – “The Gambler”

TC's Honda Civic DL (EK) Hatchback

In my recent post exploring the current market value of the 2000-2006 Honda Insight, there was a discussion of the value of buying a good used gasoline-powered Civic in comparison to the oddball hybrid. DT member carr9146 (aka TC) commented that he’d chosen to do exactly that. Here are his thoughts and experiences on the subject.

Images by TC

Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS (Sixth Generation)

Horch 853A Cabriolet

After leaving Mercedes at the very end of the 1800s, August Horch formed a company bearing his last name. It produced several cars, including the 853A pictured below. Production numbers are somewhere around 350 and the company is notable for being the first to introduce eight cylinder engines into series production. Horch was forced out of the company and formed Audi (Audiwerke GmbH) but later returned to the company that bore his name as part of the Auto Union merger. These days, Horch cars are worth millions.

Photo: Wikipedia