Car Talk

[sadchild]

Aside from a hand-me-down car or two, every car I've gotten is a stick (12 of them).

Every new car I've bought was a standard until my latest. I didn't have much of choice. I was car shopping during the time you walked onto a lot and they said "Well, we're expecting one new car in a couple weeks. After that we might have a few next month and one is already spoken for. Technically mine wasn't new, someone bought it to use for a few months while they waited for the actual car they wanted to arrive. But it was barely used.

 

[HecticArt]

I've had some sticks. Part of the time I have a stick, I think an auto would be better, part of the time I have an auto I think that a stick would be better.

As for my current car, the battery died yesterday when I was out running errands. I stopped at the butcher shop and it took a second to turn over. My next stop was the gas station and it didn't start after I gassed up. One click was all I got out of it. I called AAA and sat in the car at the pump for an hour while I waited. Fortunately they were slow, so people weren't trying to get to the pump I was parked at, but no radio was the worst part of the wait.

The guys showed up and hooked up his computer. Said the battery still tested as good, but just needed to be recharged. It's only a year and a half old, so it's still under warranty, He jumped it and I drove it home and left it running for about an hour and a half which should charge it up. I'm about to go out and see if it starts.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I've had some sticks. Part of the time I have a stick, I think an auto would be better

I used to sit in traffic on a regular basis during my commute, and the stick is a bit of a pain. But it's nothing like my last bike, a BMW K75. That had a high-tension hand clutch that required a full hand spread to reach. I'd take it to work on a Friday, and the afternoon commute home was always a hand-breaker.

 

[HecticArt]

I just know I'd kill myself on a bike,
I'd get distracted by something shiny and forget which one is the clutch and which one is the brake.

The car started just fine, Need to watch it for a few days. I'm due for an oil change soon, so I'll have them give it a thorough check-up when I take it in.

Or I'll get stranded somewhere and have to call AAA again. At least it's in the upper 50s / low 60s for the next week.

 

[JHDK]

I was a typical (for the time) car nut as a kid. Car enthusiasts and racing fans would never drive an automatic in the 70's. Might as well just sit in the back and have someone drive

I totally get this. And this is what I've heard before. Like car people are not about automatic. Also it's something you loved as a kid that you get to live now in real life. And while I said I thought sticks were only for like super fancy cars, I was talking like Ferraris and shit like that, but you have a pretty fucking cool car too so it fits.

It's not that dissimilar to me and Disney. When I was a kid and my mom and dad would take me once or twice a year from Philly I would always say to myself when I'm an adult and I can do this whenever I want I'm going to be here all the time. And now I'm 40 and I go there like 15 times a year so hah.

Yes, it gives me control. It sounds good. It gives me something to do. And it has advantages. I use the brakes less. It's better for on/off ramps, or passing, or driving back-roads. It's good for gas mileage. And it's a good excuse not to be on the phone all the time.

Okay that's all very good to know. So there are a bunch of practical reasons as well. I knew there must be something besides what I just talked about in the first quote.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I just know I'd kill myself on a bike,
I'd get distracted by something shiny and forget which one is the clutch and which one is the brake.

It's no different than operating a meat slicer, or bandsaw, or milling machine. You can get maimed if you don't pay attention, so you do. Also, there's no radio or touchscreen or knobs or buttons to distract. And with cars and trucks around, it keeps you occupied.

I didn't buy a bike until I hit 30, mostly for the reasons you mentioned. And I got out at 40. The world was getting too dangerous.

 

[JHDK]

I just know I'd kill myself on a bike,
I'd get distracted by something shiny

It's no different than operating a meat slicer, or bandsaw, or milling machine. You can get maimed if you don't pay attention, so you do.

I've said the exact same thing as hectic posted many times in the past. One cute girl in a tank top walking down the sidewalk and I go head first into a phone pole.

Meat slicers and band saws are something very rarely used by most people, and if you're using a milling machine, it's likely because you're some sort of farmer that's grown up using it your entire life. What I'm trying to say is that yes, there are tons of things that could be dangerous and get you very hurt. But I don't need to add to that list by buying a motorcycle even though it would be super fun.

 

[sadchild]

Part of the time I have a stick, I think an auto would be better, part of the time I have an auto I think that a stick would be better.

I can relate. Part of why I said ok to the auto this time (aside from the only car available in six dealerships near me at the time) was I was getting tired of stop and go traffic with a stick....at my age!

 

[HecticArt]

Band saws, table saws, lathes, and all of that kind of machinery is a lot easier. I've had mishaps on those before, and they aren't on the same level as flying through the air, or getting rolled over by a semi truck,

Clutch, throttle, break, center of gravity, wet pavement, momentum, distracted/careless drivers, etc., and so forth.

When I was a kid, one of the guys in the neighborhood lost control of his mini-bike and knocked out his two front teeth on a tree.

A current friend of mine lost his leg in a motorcycle accident years ago.
He got another bike and got cut off by a semi truck making a wide right turn a couple of years ago. The truck driver was in the wrong, but my friend slid under the trailer and it was a miracle that he didn't get rolled over. The bike wasn't so lucky.

 

[JHDK]

A current friend of mine lost his leg in a motorcycle accident years ago.
He got another bike and got cut off

He got "cut off"???... Tell me that turn of phrase was on purpose when talking about your peg legged friend.

 

[HecticArt]

Unfortunately not.
I should have. I’ve said things to him that would get me beat up by a stranger.
I’ve also run through the whole range of “Art, Matt, Eileen, Russel, Peg, and Bob“ jokes with him.

 

[scotchandcigar]

Clutch, throttle, break, center of gravity, wet pavement, momentum, distracted/careless drivers, etc., and so forth.

First of all it's brake. Second, putting a bike in gear is much easier than a car clutch. There's no stalling or lunging, and the shifter's sequential. Just twist the throttle and it goes. Center of gravity is a non-issue; when you're stopped, just have a foot out.

I'd ride in the dry only. But if you encounter wet pavement, just go over it straight. I'm not sure what the momentum issue would be; the bike will stop pretty quickly. Just don't hit the brakes while turning, and don't use just front brake if you're stopping from highway speed. These are all things that are second nature pretty quickly.

I've learned 2 life lessons from riding a bike, that also apply to being a safer driver in a car too:
- The speed you're going doesn't matter; it's all about visibility down the road. The first time I wiped-out, I was on a back road going at a reasonable speed. But then I encountered a turn that was much tighter than I was prepared for, which also had sand on it. I learned that whenever you can't see a good distance down the road, you have to slow down, because something may come up that you're not prepared for. And it's helped me to not hit a deer or turkey with my car too.
- When you take the motorcycle rider's course, you learn the acronym SIPDE - Search, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute. For example, if I'm on the highway, I'd try to avoid being next to another vehicle. But if I am, I need to have an escape plan, in case the guy moves into me. The escape plan may involve moving into an adjacent clear lane, or backing off if no one is behind. If I can't make a safety plan, then I'll change my situation, by changing lanes or speeding up or whatever. This has helped me with my car too, as I'm often the smallest, lowest car around.

The appeal of a bike is that for very little money, you can ride something that is quicker and more nimble than any exotic sports car. And without being an asshole who weaves through traffic, you can still move around much more easily than in a car. And you get the full al-fresco experience; the sound, the air, the smells. But like I said, the world got too crazy for me. That's why I stick to convertibles.

 

[scotchandcigar]

If you buy a brand new car today say a Toyota. How many miles do you expect to get on it before the engine dies? I had this debate with someone today. I said way lower than he was saying. I want to know what you all think

I will put in my 2 cents here. As IRBS said, rust is a factor. I would add that there are a few major problems that cause one to scrap a car. One is the rear main seal between the engine and transmission. Another is the transmission. Valve head seals are costly too. And then there's the suspension - struts, shocks, arms, steering components - that eventually all need replacement. The exhaust system and brakes go too, but are not too costly.

I'd say if all of that is still OK, and the body isn't rusted, then as long as the engine keeps running, you're good. But once you have to spend $2k or $3k or $4k on a car with 200k miles, that's when you might decide to scrap it. And then maybe someone resells it, or it just gets used for parts.

I've gotten 2 cars up over 150k miles. The first one was needing too much put into it to keep it running, even though the engine was fine. The second one was totaled, as you know. I suspect someone else is driving that.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

At some point the repair bill is greater than the cars value and then you question the repairs.

 

[HecticArt]

First of all it's brake.

I can't spell and you want me on two wheels?????

I'd ride in the dry only. But if you encounter wet pavement, just go over it straight.

Too many rules already.

I'm not sure what the momentum issue would be; the bike will stop pretty quickly.

Sure...the bike stops quickly. Not always the case for the rider.

Just don't hit the brakes while turning, and don't use just front brake if you're stopping from highway speed.

Still too many rules.

like I said, the world got too crazy for me. That's why I stick to convertibles.

So you gave it up and you're trying to sell me on it?

I tapped out before getting on.

It's like me having kids.
I chose not to. Most people thank me for making a good decision.

 

[JHDK]

The appeal of a bike is that for very little money, you can ride something

You make good points about seeing down the road and having a plan in that post. But this line is what stuck out from it and I'm going to change the subject...

Over the past couple years I've had this thought multiple times that it's really awesome how those electric scooters exist nowadays. They make it really easy for people without much money to have a means of transportation to work. A lot of those scooters are under 500 bucks and have somewhere near a 15 to 20 mile range. So if you don't have a car it makes getting to and from work so much easier than public transportation in most cities or towns.

 

[sadchild]

We got one for my son the summer before he went off to college. He uses it pretty much every day.

 

[JHDK]

If I'm repeating myself let me know guys but there's a feature on even second to base level Hyundais that cars should have had forever and I don't understand why my 2005 RAV4 couldn't have figured this out...

So apparently in these new cars, if you leave your dome light on it, shuts it off for you automatically after like 10 minutes or whatever. And your battery isn't drained the next day when you go and try to start your car.

How the fuck didn't my 2005 RAV4 figure this out. It doesn't seem like something that takes a technological revolution to figure out.

That's half the reason why I pay for AAA every year because I drain the battery by leaving the fucking dome light on or I locked my keys in my car, both of which are things that can not happen anymore with a 2024 second to base model Hyundai venue.

 

[scotchandcigar]

I think all the cars we've had (going back quite a way) have had that.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Every Toyota I have owned or driven from 1984 onwards uses a trunk design that has 2 rods underneath the trunk. This means under those rods, the trunk space is not usable as the rods will crush whatever is there or not allow the trunk to close. Other car brands all have trunks without this 'feature'. Why hasn't Toyota figured it out?