The General Car Thread.

[Arkinesia]

Go for the good brands. Toyota and Honda both have a legendary status of being dead reliable in nearly all aspects and are fairly easy to repair. I would recommend a Civic or Corolla in this case as excellent choices for a first car.

I would say avoid the Corolla, the 5S-FE motor is absolute crap on a cracker. You have to go full synthetic on oil after 100,000 miles or it WILL sludge up by 200k and the motor will seize. It's inevitable. It's a poorly designed motor.

Just get a mid-90s Civic hatch, with a manual. Honda automatics are bad news, they'll crap out at 150k.

[Corrian]

You know, one thing I thought about in electric cars, is the concept of gears goes out the window...I know in auto pilot they have it on Tesla's, but are there just normal speed limiters in general? Because you still need a way to limit your speeds going down a steep ass hill to make sure your car isn't riding the damn breaks the whole way down. Just thinking about these things for some of these hiking trails, like the one that screwed with our trucks transmission fluid. 2,200 foot elevation (I think) drive in 6.8 miles. You gotta get UP that, then back DOWN it without completely riding your brakes.

[Petrolheadia]

Imagine it's 1975. You are a 26-year-old French legal advisor, searching for a replacement fot your 1967 425 cc Citroen Dyane. It would be another cheap city car, reliable, relatively spacious and well-equipped, and with cheap parts. The options you are considering are:
- Citroen Dyane 5-door 602 cc,
- Renault 4 5-door 845 cc,
- Daihatsu Fellow Max 4-door 360 cc single-carb.


Which one would you buy? I'd get the Citroen.

[Petrolheadia]

Go for the good brands. Toyota and Honda both have a legendary status of being dead reliable in nearly all aspects and are fairly easy to repair. I would recommend a Civic or Corolla in this case as excellent choices for a first car.

I would say avoid the Corolla, the 5S-FE motor is absolute crap on a cracker. You have to go full synthetic on oil after 100,000 miles or it WILL sludge up by 200k and the motor will seize. It's inevitable. It's a poorly designed motor.

Just get a mid-90s Civic hatch, with a manual. Honda automatics are bad news, they'll crap out at 150k.

This person wants something more sophisticated.

A Lincoln Town Car or Lexus LS400 (the latter would probably be in a worse condition for $3k) is a better choice for them.

[East Fredonia]

We've hit 427 pages, so here's a gorgeous Yenko 427 S/C '69 Nova.

[Auzkhia]

You know, one thing I thought about in electric cars, is the concept of gears goes out the window...I know in auto pilot they have it on Tesla's, but are there just normal speed limiters in general? Because you still need a way to limit your speeds going down a steep ass hill to make sure your car isn't riding the damn breaks the whole way down. Just thinking about these things for some of these hiking trails, like the one that screwed with our trucks transmission fluid. 2,200 foot elevation (I think) drive in 6.8 miles. You gotta get UP that, then back DOWN it without completely riding your brakes.

Cruise control?

[Arkinesia]

You know, one thing I thought about in electric cars, is the concept of gears goes out the window...I know in auto pilot they have it on Tesla's, but are there just normal speed limiters in general? Because you still need a way to limit your speeds going down a steep ass hill to make sure your car isn't riding the damn breaks the whole way down. Just thinking about these things for some of these hiking trails, like the one that screwed with our trucks transmission fluid. 2,200 foot elevation (I think) drive in 6.8 miles. You gotta get UP that, then back DOWN it without completely riding your brakes.

Cruise control?

Most modern cars have smart cruise control that can control the transmission much like in a truck, that engine brakes for you.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

You know, one thing I thought about in electric cars, is the concept of gears goes out the window...I know in auto pilot they have it on Tesla's, but are there just normal speed limiters in general? Because you still need a way to limit your speeds going down a steep ass hill to make sure your car isn't riding the damn breaks the whole way down. Just thinking about these things for some of these hiking trails, like the one that screwed with our trucks transmission fluid. 2,200 foot elevation (I think) drive in 6.8 miles. You gotta get UP that, then back DOWN it without completely riding your brakes.

Define speed limiter, because there are speed limiters (also called governors) which put an artificial cap on your vehicle's top speed, but I don't think you mean that.

[Corrian]

You know, one thing I thought about in electric cars, is the concept of gears goes out the window...I know in auto pilot they have it on Tesla's, but are there just normal speed limiters in general? Because you still need a way to limit your speeds going down a steep ass hill to make sure your car isn't riding the damn breaks the whole way down. Just thinking about these things for some of these hiking trails, like the one that screwed with our trucks transmission fluid. 2,200 foot elevation (I think) drive in 6.8 miles. You gotta get UP that, then back DOWN it without completely riding your brakes.

Define speed limiter, because there are speed limiters (also called governors) which put an artificial cap on your vehicle's top speed, but I don't think you mean that.

Actually, that might be what I mean. I just know in normal cars, you put it into lower gears for stuff like going up a hill (I think?) and then down it, but gears don't exist in electric cars, so there must be something else you can do to get a similar thing.

[The Two Jerseys]

(Image)
We've hit 427 pages, so here's a gorgeous Yenko 427 S/C '69 Nova.

Define speed limiter, because there are speed limiters (also called governors) which put an artificial cap on your vehicle's top speed, but I don't think you mean that.

Actually, that might be what I mean. I just know in normal cars, you put it into lower gears for stuff like going up a hill (I think?) and then down it, but gears don't exist in electric cars, so there must be something else you can do to get a similar thing.

My guess would be regenerative braking.

[Corrian]

(Image)
We've hit 427 pages, so here's a gorgeous Yenko 427 S/C '69 Nova.

Actually, that might be what I mean. I just know in normal cars, you put it into lower gears for stuff like going up a hill (I think?) and then down it, but gears don't exist in electric cars, so there must be something else you can do to get a similar thing.

My guess would be regenerative braking.

Ah yeah, I forget that's a thing now. I did watch a video on someone going down a hill with that and they gained energy instead of losing any on the hill. Probably only a few more miles, but effectively you spent no energy going down a hill..

Of course, getting up a hill, you spend a ton.

[NeoOasis]

Go for the good brands. Toyota and Honda both have a legendary status of being dead reliable in nearly all aspects and are fairly easy to repair. I would recommend a Civic or Corolla in this case as excellent choices for a first car.

I would say avoid the Corolla, the 5S-FE motor is absolute crap on a cracker. You have to go full synthetic on oil after 100,000 miles or it WILL sludge up by 200k and the motor will seize. It's inevitable. It's a poorly designed motor.

Just get a mid-90s Civic hatch, with a manual. Honda automatics are bad news, they'll crap out at 150k.

Interesting. I'll have to keep that in mind. I've found factory recommended oil changes the best prevention of sludge. Other than generic transportation appliance, I would not recommend the Corolla at any point. Even with a manual transmission, it was the dullest, limpest car I've ever driven. Zero personality, period. (Seriously, less fun to drive than a diesel Chevy LUV.)

As for Honda automatic transmissions... they're excellent as long as you avoid their larger cars post 1998. The automatics in the Accords were bad enough to have led to lawsuits and extended warranties. (Was doing fine when I left my car to my family with 150k on the odo) At this point I'd say the bad autos are dead at this point, buuuuut I've heard of other serious issues in the 5 speeds in both the Odyssey AND Acura products. Your best bet is to go manual regardless thanks to better fuel economy in ye olde days, better performance, and more reliable/durable. A manual Civic would be a good way to go. The 2001-2006 was a super fun generation. Almost felt like a go-kart.

However, the Town Car? I call BULLSHIT. Panther platform cars are THE most robust, THE most longlasting, one of the most reliable cars ever and one easiest cars in the universe to work on. Don't go trying to imbue japanese bias against it just because you're afraid of leather seats. The electric doodads in it can fail, yes, but even if all of them fail you're left with a better looking Crown Vic, which is already a great car - especially for the microscopic budget they can be had for.

Call what you want, accuse of me what you desire. I've seen plenty of Town Cars with collapsed rear air suspension. Suspension is rarely simple, easy, or cheap to fix.

I have to say... if you are going to accuse me of bias, try using a better attack than leather seats, and try to be less aggressively biased for the Panther Platform. You claim it's the most robust, the most long-lasting, and one of the most reliable cars ever. Prove it. Cause I call bullshit on everything you just said.

If they are long lasting, why do I see no record breaking mileages that surpass the legendary Volve P1800? If it's the most longlasting, pray tell... why is it Volvo 240s I keep hearing about being tank-like? (And why do I see so few Panthers on the road today?) Hell... I almost never hear of Crown Vics... when it comes to insane durablity... a lot of car people will think of the old school Mercedes 240D with it's slower than continental drift acceleration, yet Methuselah-esque lifespan.

As for reliable? The car doesn't break as often as their equivalents, but it had none at the end... let me remind you the Caprice was the more popular choice in the 1990s for cops, and I don't recall anyone stockpiling crown vics like they did the Caprices. In fact I recall quite clearly that police forces moved on very quickly to Tahoes, Explorers, and to a lesser extent Chargers.

You may have a point on ease of fixing, but I never had an issue with my Accord, then again I had no issues with any American car till I got to the Ford Contour, and that was a pain on grounds of big engine, tiny car. There are plenty of cars on the used market with spacious engine bays, and simple tech. Panther does not stand alone here.

If I buy a luxury car... I don't want the electrics to break, and I sure as hell don't want to be left with an inferior car. If I buy a Lexus, I don't care for the idea of shit breaking and leaving me with "a better looking" Camry. The idea you are trying to push a broken Town Car as an acceptable Crown Vic is ridiculous. In the end a car with broken air suspension and broken electric windows is a pain no matter what badge is on the trunk.

The Panther isn't a bad car per se, but it's wildly outdated by today's standards. They are massive, which I do not recommend for a first car for anyone. Something smaller and easier to handle is a good idea for a first car. I'd go on to say something with good fuel economy would be nice... gas may be cheaper now, but I wouldn't take chances anytime soon.

If you want something luxurious, upscale, and reliable...
-Toyota Avalon
-pre-98 Accord V6
-post 2000s Mercury Sable or Taurus
-Nissan Maxima
-and if you insist on a Panther platform... forgo the Town Car, and aim for a Mercury Marauder. Up on power, easy on breakable luxuries, and has that cool vibe doing on.

All those cars apart from maybe the Accord even came with leather seats, wow!

[Patridam]

Call what you want, accuse of me what you desire. I've seen plenty of Town Cars with collapsed rear air suspension. Suspension is rarely simple, easy, or cheap to fix.

$70 and an hour or two of work to change out the rear springs. Ridiculously easy.

If they are long lasting, why do I see no record breaking mileages that surpass the legendary Volve P1800? If it's the most longlasting, pray tell... why is it Volvo 240s I keep hearing about being tank-like? (And why do I see so few Panthers on the road today?) Hell... I almost never hear of Crown Vics... when it comes to insane durablity... a lot of car people will think of the old school Mercedes 240D with it's slower than continental drift acceleration, yet Methuselah-esque lifespan.

What rock do you live under where you haven't seen absurd amounts of ancient poorly maintained Panthers roaming the lands? I'm guessing the west coast if it's nothing but french-fry-oil Mercedes and Sweedish bricks. Come to the midwest or even the east coast countryside, you'll see no Volvos or Mercs and instead tons of Lincolns, Fords, and uh.... Mercs (the other kind).

Or, watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogB7VtxrkQI

And, for what it's worth, a Town Car is #6 in the highest mileage cars in the world list, with 1.4 million mile and going.

As for reliable? The car doesn't break as often as their equivalents, but it had none at the end... let me remind you the Caprice was the more popular choice in the 1990s for cops, and I don't recall anyone stockpiling crown vics like they did the Caprices. In fact I recall quite clearly that police forces moved on very quickly to Tahoes, Explorers, and to a lesser extent Chargers.

Who in the hell has ever horded a Caprice? I don't know what universe you are in, but police departments near me have horded and kept the remaining Crown Vics as prize possesions, pushing them up to 400,000 miles lest they get stuck with a cramped and less reliable Explorer. My local police chief drives the Crown Vic, his deputies get stuck with the Charger and the Explorer.

If I buy a luxury car... I don't want the electrics to break, and I sure as hell don't want to be left with an inferior car. If I buy a Lexus, I don't care for the idea of shit breaking and leaving me with "a better looking" Camry. The idea you are trying to push a broken Town Car as an acceptable Crown Vic is ridiculous. In the end a car with broken air suspension and broken electric windows is a pain no matter what badge is on the trunk.

What's more ridiculous is that you're pushing that somehow fixing a window regulator is open heart surgery. It's absurdly easy for even layman to do and at worst can be done cheaply by a local mechanic.

The Panther isn't a bad car per se, but it's wildly outdated by today's standards. They are massive, which I do not recommend for a first car for anyone. Something smaller and easier to handle is a good idea for a first car. I'd go on to say something with good fuel economy would be nice... gas may be cheaper now, but I wouldn't take chances anytime soon.

Every single cheap used car is outdated by today's standards. My town car has gotten 26 mpg, and never worse than 20, which is better than my parents' Subaru Forester or my first car, a VW Cabriolet. And while the town car is large, it is ridiculously easy to handle: fantastic visibility, light power steering, four corners you can see. And when that fails it has enormous bumpers and hyperactive door strips that make it invincible below 10 mph.

If you want something luxurious, upscale, and reliable...
-Toyota Avalon
-pre-98 Accord V6
-post 2000s Mercury Sable or Taurus
-Nissan Maxima
-and if you insist on a Panther platform... forgo the Town Car, and aim for a Mercury Marauder. Up on power, easy on breakable luxuries, and has that cool vibe doing on.

None of those cars are as reliable as a Town Car, especially not the Sable or Taurus. Not to mention several of them are a very sad excuse for a luxury car.

And the Marauder is a terrible choice. It has all the luxuries of a Town Car, is getting far more expensive than any other Panther, and has the comparatively unreliable 4 valve 4.6 engine.

[Auzkhia]

Those who drive, how are you perceived in your vehicles?

I think more people are courteous to me in my Grand Marquis than my C-Class. So far, it seems like people will always yield to me and never get too close to me.

[NeoOasis]

What's more ridiculous is that you're pushing that somehow fixing a window regulator is open heart surgery. It's absurdly easy for even layman to do and at worst can be done cheaply by a local mechanic.

And, for what it's worth, a Town Car is #6 in the highest mileage cars in the world list, with 1.4 million mile and going.

You seem awfully hellbent on misunderstanding everything I said. Your ability of hyperbole is impressive... you should run for office. Not sure how you got me equating windows to heart surgery, could you find that bit where I said that? I can't seem to find it.

And "for what it's worth," which car was number one on that list again, and at what distance is it now? (or number 3?)

I'm not gonna bash you for liking the old school barges of yore, but accusing me of living under rocks, bullshitting, and other things is hardly becoming. I can only speak from personal experience, I'm sure yours are different, but I stand by what I've said. I would highly recommend something Japanese as my personal experiences with American cars from the 90s/00s has been by and large bad.

Take it or leave it. I've said my bit.

[NeoOasis]

Those who drive, how are you perceived in your vehicles?

I think more people are courteous to me in my Grand Marquis than my C-Class. So far, it seems like people will always yield to me and never get to close to me.

Just another kei car in the sea of kei cars here in Japan. Been enjoying the relaxed pace at which Japan drives.

[The Two Jerseys]

Those who drive, how are you perceived in your vehicles?

I think more people are courteous to me in my Grand Marquis than my C-Class. So far, it seems like people will always yield to me and never get to close to me.

They probably think that either you're a senior citizen and are keeping their distance to avoid a wreck, or they mistook it for a Crown Vic and think you're a cop.

[Auzkhia]

Those who drive, how are you perceived in your vehicles?

I think more people are courteous to me in my Grand Marquis than my C-Class. So far, it seems like people will always yield to me and never get to close to me.

They probably think that either you're a senior citizen and are keeping their distance to avoid a wreck, or they mistook it for a Crown Vic and think you're a cop.

I never seen a cop car with a Landau top.

I guess that's somewhat accurate, it has the similar profile. Even neutral colored Explorers and Taurus set of my "Is that a Cop?" thoughts.

[Corrian]

I always love the blatantly refurbished cop cars that drive around sometimes.

[Petrolheadia]

Those who drive, how are you perceived in your vehicles?

I think more people are courteous to me in my Grand Marquis than my C-Class. So far, it seems like people will always yield to me and never get to close to me.

Just another kei car in the sea of kei cars here in Japan. Been enjoying the relaxed pace at which Japan drives.

Here is the most boring car around here - so boring, the owner doesn't even say what it is.

Say what you want about the Corolla, but at least it's mentioned.

[Petrolheadia]

What's more ridiculous is that you're pushing that somehow fixing a window regulator is open heart surgery. It's absurdly easy for even layman to do and at worst can be done cheaply by a local mechanic.

And, for what it's worth, a Town Car is #6 in the highest mileage cars in the world list, with 1.4 million mile and going.

You seem awfully hellbent on misunderstanding everything I said. Your ability of hyperbole is impressive... you should run for office. Not sure how you got me equating windows to heart surgery, could you find that bit where I said that? I can't seem to find it.

And "for what it's worth," which car was number one on that list again, and at what distance is it now? (or number 3?)

I'm not gonna bash you for liking the old school barges of yore, but accusing me of living under rocks, bullshitting, and other things is hardly becoming. I can only speak from personal experience, I'm sure yours are different, but I stand by what I've said. I would highly recommend something Japanese as my personal experiences with American cars from the 90s/00s has been by and large bad.

Take it or leave it. I've said my bit.

Old Volvos are pretty much just as sturdy, they are just more likely to be well-maintained.

However, they're also a shitty idea for a luxury car seeker, having the interior space of a new Hyundai Accent, and even worse equipment. Plus, they get awful gas mileage - I have a reprint of a 1966 car magazine testing the 144 2.0. It got somewhere around 14-15 l/100 km (18-20 MPG), or what a Lincoln Town Car gets.

[NeoOasis]

Just another kei car in the sea of kei cars here in Japan. Been enjoying the relaxed pace at which Japan drives.

Here is the most boring car around here - so boring, the owner doesn't even say what it is.

Say what you want about the Corolla, but at least it's mentioned.

I'm the owner of an absolutely lovely Suzuki Cervo turbo. Small, fun, and good on gas. Based on the Alto and shared with the MR Wagon.

Pray tell... how do people perceive you on the road, and what car do you drive? I'm curious.

[Petrolheadia]

Here is the most boring car around here - so boring, the owner doesn't even say what it is.
None yet,
Say what you want about the Corolla, but at least it's mentioned.

I'm the owner of an absolutely lovely Suzuki Cervo turbo. Small, fun, and good on gas. Based on the Alto and shared with the MR Wagon.

Pray tell... how do people perceive you on the road, and what car do you drive? I'm curious.

None yet, (I'm below the driving age for now), and I don't think I stand out in my dad's Corolla.

And it mainly has good mileage because it has only 64 HP and a CVT. Japan is basically the only developed country where that's enough.

[East Fredonia]

I'm the owner of an absolutely lovely Suzuki Cervo turbo. Small, fun, and good on gas. Based on the Alto and shared with the MR Wagon.

Pray tell... how do people perceive you on the road, and what car do you drive? I'm curious.

None yet, (I'm below the driving age for now), and I don't think I stand out in my dad's Corolla.

And it mainly has good mileage because it has only 64 HP and a CVT. Japan is basically the only developed country where that's enough.

Yeah, around my area you'd end up as the filling in a Yukon sandwich if you drove a Cervo. It's why I feel bad for people who own Smarts.

I don't drive yet, but I don't stand out in my dad's truck because it's a silver Toyota Tacoma crew cab, and Tacos are crazy popular around here.

[Petrolheadia]

None yet, (I'm below the driving age for now), and I don't think I stand out in my dad's Corolla.

And it mainly has good mileage because it has only 64 HP and a CVT. Japan is basically the only developed country where that's enough.

Yeah, around my area you'd end up as the filling in a Yukon sandwich if you drove a Cervo. It's why I feel bad for people who own Smarts.

I don't drive yet, but I don't stand out in my dad's truck because it's a silver Toyota Tacoma crew cab, and Tacos are crazy popular around here.

Why feel bad? They brought it upon themselves.