Automotive Thread v1 - Stuff that geeks drive

[BJZilberman]

Welcome to the first edition of the automotive discussion thread. Surely many of us Minties enjoy some form of vehicular transport outside the daily commute. Well for this, I present you this thread, where we discuss, post pictures and adore automotive transportation devices.

I drive a 1998 E36, a 2008 Yamaha motorcycle and a 1994 Subaru Libero micro-camper. At times, I take out the spanners and take care of whatever needs fixing in these oldies.

Here are a couple of pics of the '94 Subaru in action:

[DAMIEN1307]

Here is my contribution to your new automotive thread.

I live in a desert environment here in Alamogordo, NM, (1st test, atomic bomb explosion July 1945 known as "Trinity").

I am able to ride all year round due to the weather here with hardly any snow and little rain.

It has solar panel powered rechargeable headlights, (Lithium Ion Batteries), with horn built into the units, (dual headlights and horns), three tail lights also solar powered rechargeable, Mag wheels rather than spoked, front and rear disk brakes, memory foam shock absortion seat for my wide toushy...lol...custom made front engine mount, speedometer, K & N type airfilter, Powered by a Zeda 80, 66/80 engine, Kevlar tires and double thick self sealing tire tubes, built on a Hyper Beach Cruiser frame, etc.

It gets around 100 miles to a gallon of gasoline mixed with full synthetic 2 cycle oil at 32:1 mix, it has seen 47 MPH speed with my fat butt on it...lol.

I built this myself...Enjoy...DAMIEN

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[Portreve]

If I was rich like Jeff Bezos, I would buy a crawler just like NASA has. I would drive it everywhere, taking up the entire road.

Seriously, though, I haven't ever owned anything exciting. With luck, the next vehicle I own, or the one after, will be electric. Actually, this raises a question I'd love to pose to this community, particularly since it is international.

Most Americans do not know how to drive manual transmission cars. At least with Europeans, the reverse is true (so far as I am aware). Electric cars do not use transmissions. The world is going towards an eventual all-electric-vehicle future. Therefore, manual transmission skills are eventually going to be a thing of the past.

How does everyone here on LMF feel about this?

[Moonstone Man]

...

[RollyShed]

Ford Econovan.jpg (11.84 KiB) Viewed 1184 times

Most Americans do not know how to drive manual transmission cars. At least with Europeans, the reverse is true (so far as I am aware).

Do you have news items where someone has accidentally driven into a shop, foot on the accelerator instead of the brake? Are they often old?

My contention is everyone over 60? 70? is only allowed to drive a manual drive car. Why? Because you have to switch your brain on first.

From memory the first time in the States I was given a manual drive Volvo(?) to drive. Easy.

My vehicle(s)? A Ford (Nissan) Econovan, a couple of bicycles (not electric, real ones) and half a dozen sea kayaks that I've built.

[Moonstone Man]

My contention is everyone over 60? 70? is only allowed to drive a manual drive car.

lol - my car up there has an automated manual gearbox so how you would you deal with that?

[AndyMH]

Been driving automatics for nearly 30 years, a lot less hassle. I do occasionally forget to change gear when driving the other half's Saab convertible. Fan of Mercedes, on my fifth, four C class all 3 litre diesels and before that an SLK320. Not environmentally friendly but can't justify (or afford) changing it now I'm retired.

First time driving in the states was a white knuckle ride, early 80's, airport rental, after dark, raining, wrong side of the road.

[Pjotr]

Two of those, one for the wife and one for me:


Toyota Yaris (aka Vitz or Echo), first generation, manufactured in 1999/2000 in Japan (later on they were manufactured in France, which reduced their quality a bit). 1.3 litre engine, 4-speed automatic transmission. Best little car that Toyota ever built. Sturdy, almost indestructible even, and capable of incredible mileage.

I do the oil changes myself, by means of a turkey baster Pela pump. Also changed the transmission fluid and the power steering fluid once for each car with that (by means of repetitive flushing), even though Toyota says those fluids need never be changed.

Although the driver's licenses of my wife and me are also valid for manual transmissions, we vastly prefer automatic transmissions. Just for the heck of it I drive a bit in a car with a manual transmission once or twice a year; doesn't hurt to maintain the skills.... But it's old-fashioned ado. Nowadays, manual transmissions only make sense for off the road driving.

[RollyShed]

First time driving in the states was a white knuckle ride, early 80's, airport rental, after dark, raining, wrong side of the road.

I've driven there a few times and no problems. It was a few months back from the first trip, walked out to the firm's van after going to a supplier, about mid day, opened the door and "Where's the steering wheel?" A hot dry day and as if I was back in Silicon Valley.

[BJZilberman]

Here is my contribution to your new automotive thread.

I live in a desert environment here in Alamogordo, NM, (1st test, atomic bomb explosion July 1945 known as "Trinity").

I am able to ride all year round due to the weather here with hardly any snow and little rain.

It has solar panel powered rechargeable headlights, (Lithium Ion Batteries), with horn built into the units, (dual headlights and horns), three tail lights also solar powered rechargeable, Mag wheels rather than spoked, front and rear disk brakes, memory foam shock absortion seat for my wide toushy...lol...custom made front engine mount, speedometer, K & N type airfilter, Powered by a Zeda 80, 66/80 engine, Kevlar tires and double thick self sealing tire tubes, built on a Hyper Beach Cruiser frame, etc.

It gets around 100 miles to a gallon of gasoline mixed with full synthetic 2 cycle oil at 32:1 mix, it has seen 47 MPH speed with my fat butt on it...lol.

I built this myself...Enjoy...DAMIEN

IMG_0353.jpgIMG_0348.jpgIMG_0352.jpg

That's pretty cool! With so much solar potential, why not convert it to a rechargeable e-bike? (apart from the love for internal combustion engines)

Two of those, one for the wife and one for me:


Toyota Yaris (aka Vitz or Echo), first generation, manufactured in 1999/2000 in Japan (later on they were manufactured in France, which reduced their quality a bit). 1.3 litre engine, 4-speed automatic transmission. Best little car that Toyota ever built. Sturdy, almost indestructible even, and capable of incredible mileage.

I do the oil changes myself, by means of a turkey baster Pela pump. Also changed the transmission fluid and the power steering fluid once for each car with that (by means of repetitive flushing), even though Toyota says those fluids need never be changed.

Although the driver's licenses of my wife and me are also valid for manual transmissions, we vastly prefer automatic transmissions. Just for the heck of it I drive a bit in a car with a manual transmission once or twice a year; doesn't hurt to maintain the skills.... But it's old-fashioned ado. Nowadays, manual transmissions only make sense for off the road driving.

Ah yes.. Small japanese cars. I used to own a '95 Suzuki Swift, the fuel economy is great, the power-to-weight ratio is great, although it was a manual. I do understand the comfort of driving automatic, my BMW is automatic and it's just a simple sit-and-drive situation, when you don't feel like you have to be very involved with the driveline of the car

(pic of my BMW E36)

[ivar]

Most Americans do not know how to drive manual transmission cars. At least with Europeans, the reverse is true (so far as I am aware).

Over here in Norway, auto always had a minor market share - possibly due to our high vehicle taxes. Ppl wanted manual transmissions to try to get the most out of the dismal, tax-friendly engines put in cars coming here.
But now, it seems auto is taking over - and EV's
I have no problem riding both, as soon as I enter a car with auto trans my "clutch foot" is disabled. For commuting I'd love auto, for open backroads blasting I find manual more involving

My car - boring as it gets - and ugly too, lol! But my 1998 Corolla just works for 99% of what I need it for. It also "helps" that there's only around 30 miles of roads to drive where I reside

For recreation I find more fun in 2 wheels, 3 wheels - and riding snowmobiles in the winter. And boats

My soviet-built Dnepr MT-16 - the opposite of my Toyota. Seldom works but neither ugly or boring

[BJZilberman]

For recreation I find more fun in 2 wheels, 3 wheels - and riding snowmobiles in the winter. And boats

My soviet-built Dnepr MT-16 - the opposite of my Toyota. Seldom works but neither ugly or boring

That's hell of a cool motorcycle! I'd love to get me one day a bike with a sidecar, always thought it could be cool to have a passenger in a separate compartment rather than breathing down your neck

[DAMIEN1307]

First time driving in the states was a white knuckle ride, early 80's, airport rental, after dark, raining, wrong side of the road.

You should have tried driving in Boston...Forget the white knuckles, just ask for the heart specialist...lol...Im from there and know how to "drive" Boston or NYC or L.A. for that matter but people from the UK scream for mercy when they see it for themselves first hand...lol...DAMIEN

[DAMIEN1307]

That's pretty cool! With so much solar potential, why not convert it to a rechargeable e-bike?

Those solar cells are actually built into the headlights amd not nearly powerful enough to power an e-bike...They can just power the lighting setup and power up or recharge a cell phone if necessary as well.

Also, the cost of an e-bike, even building your own is three times the cost of building the gas powered unit that i built.

Prices of e-bikes or their batteries and components need to come waaaay down for most people to even consider it, if they are ever to become more popular as they are a great idea, but still needs to come to maturity in its application...They're just not practical enough yet to cover my basic needs.

They also need to have batteries that hold enough power to get by the Miles/kilometers limitations they presently have...Im in the middle of a desert and do not need to run out of battery power when im out for the day riding, running errands, shopping etc...There are vast distances to cover here and at least with gas power, i do not have those concerns...DAMIEN

[AndyMH]

You should have tried driving in Boston...

I have, many times
For over two years around 2010 I was working with a certain company in New London CT and flying out every couple of months, sometimes more often. Got to the point where I reckon I could have driven the I93/I95 blindfold. It was always a PITA getting out of Boston as I was usually leaving Logan between 5-6pm.

Also had a sister living in Burlington at the time so used the business travel as an opportunity to see her.

[DAMIEN1307]

It was always a PITA getting out of Boston as I was usually leaving Logan between 5-6pm.

I'll bet you just loved the Callahan and Sumner tunnels going underneath Boston Harbour going to and from Logan...lol...Especially during rush hours...lol...Those suckers leak worse than the Titanic...lol...Don't these pics just bring back warm memories to you...lol...DAMIEN

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[all41]

Life in the slow lane. 1955 Ford 600

great topic--I enjoy seeing these pictures

[Lady Fitzgerald]

I drive a 2008 F-150 Screw (Super Crew) with a shell on it's 5' bed. The shell has tool boxes on the sides instead of windows.

[Mick-Cork]

Ah automatics vs manual, I disagree with Pjotr on this one. Automatics tend to have a higher list price and can be more costly to maintain/repair. Personally I also like the driving experience of choosing when to change gear, I find it more engaging.

In the past I've had V6s, V8s, and a mix of other fast machines, but now I drive a 1.0 litre turbo petrol SUV. It's perfect for the type of roads where we live and I really enjoy it. I didn't think such a small engine in a mid size vehicle could be satisfying, I was proven wrong.

In terms of driving experiences, back when I was in my early 20s I went over to West Coast US with an old school mate, and as money was tight we rented the cheapest car we could find, a yellow two door Toyota Tercel hatchback. We did thousands of miles in it over a few weeks and I must admit I paid scant attention to the 55mph limit (I'm not sure I was even that aware of it!). It was the smallest car on the road and we'd be overtaking Transams, Pontiacs and all manner of muscled up motors, cheerfully flying by in the little yellow banana Never got stopped, but plenty of strange looks from local 'toughies'. The dodgy parts of LA at night were an experience, stopping at lights beside pimped up cadillacs, a third of their size, and the occupants looking at us as if to say 'what the heck are you doing here man'! Anyway, t'was brilliant fun, the trip was great and I enjoyed the sense of freedom back in those days.

Back to automatics, a friend of mine was in a traffic jam and everytime he moved forward the car behind would roll forward and hit him. After the third time he got out to question the driver, and she told him she was having a mental block and couldn't remember which was the brake and which was the accelerator, so she decided to touch neither!

[Mick-Cork]

For recreation I find more fun in 2 wheels, 3 wheels - and riding snowmobiles in the winter. And boats

My soviet-built Dnepr MT-16 - the opposite of my Toyota. Seldom works but neither ugly or boring

My brother-in-law was driving behind a motor cyclist a few years ago, and as they pulled up at some lights the bike fell over and the guy was on the ground shaking like he was having a fit. He got out of the car and ran up to the rider thinking he was having some sort of medical episode. The guy was laughing his head off! When he calmed down he explained that he normally has a sidecar on the bike!