Sad day
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
A/C is the Mercedes nemesis on those cars- even when it worked right.... it was a kinda/sorta proposition. But those were the cars mercedes made their reputation on. the new ones are just a shadow of their former selves.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
Father in-law has a 77 240D with 311,000 miles on it. Runs like a top. I had to replace the front driveshaft joint. It's not a u-joint, but a coupler just like the one on my 77 F150 steering shaft. It wiped out 2 of the 3 shifter rods when it grenaded., but the a/c still works.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Yeah, I never understood Mecedes' use of a rubber joint in the driveshaft.
There is a lot you can do to that car to perk it up, the most signifigant is adjusting the full throttle fuel and compensator settings on the fuel pump. It'll smoke a little at lower rpms with high throttle, but will scoot. Of course, you could always take off that big turbo and throw on a wastegated T03- faster spool up, higher boost at midrange rpms, but it'll cost about a grand to do.
There is a lot you can do to that car to perk it up, the most signifigant is adjusting the full throttle fuel and compensator settings on the fuel pump. It'll smoke a little at lower rpms with high throttle, but will scoot. Of course, you could always take off that big turbo and throw on a wastegated T03- faster spool up, higher boost at midrange rpms, but it'll cost about a grand to do.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
Originally Posted by milan
I am looking at Jetta TDI (diesel): 41mpg, better warranty, and quite lower cost than Camry hybrid...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,574
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Originally Posted by DOHCmarauder
.......the biggest diesel hater on these boards....
One year ago you were asking me how I could stand owning one ".....the smell, the rattle......no friggin way!"
Who would have ever thunk it?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by RocketScience
Hahaha.......
One year ago you were asking me how I could stand owning one ".....the smell, the rattle......no friggin way!"
Who would have ever thunk it?
One year ago you were asking me how I could stand owning one ".....the smell, the rattle......no friggin way!"
Who would have ever thunk it?
We're all whoores....LOL!!!
The lure of free fuel out weighs the obnoxiousness of the beast.
Are those $90 fill ups getting to you yet, Mr. Gates
And the Duramax is still the only pick-up truck diesel I'd consider.....if only the truck around it wasn't so...............nevermind.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster, CA
I will buy only Ameican vehicles. Ford, and Chevy make some nice small cars. I will not take part in making Toyota number one. They have their own little problems too.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 1
From: Everett, Wa
I have always said that when you compare cars you buy what is best for you. Now I would not think of owning a hybrid because the cost difference is at best only a break even proposistion. I like the tech but until battery life and cost comes down it is just not worth it.
Now the VW TDI is another story I think that is a very good car. But gas prices have not made me think small yet and with the mileage I get in the Vette it will be sometime before it does. Then I will probably buy a Honda. A Goldwing that is. Miss not having a bike in the stable.
Now the VW TDI is another story I think that is a very good car. But gas prices have not made me think small yet and with the mileage I get in the Vette it will be sometime before it does. Then I will probably buy a Honda. A Goldwing that is. Miss not having a bike in the stable.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by edgl
I will buy only Ameican vehicles. Ford, and Chevy make some nice small cars. I will not take part in making Toyota number one. They have their own little problems too.
Useless trivia time;
The Ford Escape (basically a rebadged Mazda unlike the Mazda trucks which are rebadged Rangers) has a hybrid version that uses Toyota's synergy drive (licensed from Toyota of course)
It's a global economy, ESPECIALLY concerning the automobile industry.
Almost forgot............Chevy's highest MPG car is the Aveo.......made in Korea
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 18,787
Likes: 30
From: Melbourne, Aus
Ford actually exchanged the knowledge on the Hybrid system from Toyota in exchange for the direct petrol injection system that Mazda developed for the Mazda MPS 6.
So it wasn't used under license, Ford and Toyota hold equal rights in it
So it wasn't used under license, Ford and Toyota hold equal rights in it
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by tmyers
I have always said that when you compare cars you buy what is best for you. Now I would not think of owning a hybrid because the cost difference is at best only a break even proposistion. I like the tech but until battery life and cost comes down it is just not worth it.
Now the VW TDI is another story I think that is a very good car. But gas prices have not made me think small yet and with the mileage I get in the Vette it will be sometime before it does. Then I will probably buy a Honda. A Goldwing that is. Miss not having a bike in the stable.
Now the VW TDI is another story I think that is a very good car. But gas prices have not made me think small yet and with the mileage I get in the Vette it will be sometime before it does. Then I will probably buy a Honda. A Goldwing that is. Miss not having a bike in the stable.
I was actually looking at a Vette (mostly on your accolades) and I finally came to the realization that for me a car is just a car when commuting to work is concerned.
So far with the TDI at 5000 miles we've gotten an OVERALL 38 MPG.........and touching 40MPG on a 90MPH roadtrip.
I still have the bike(s) for my adrenaline rushes and the Mustang will have 500HP.....
The other thing that swayed me to the VW is the unbelievable re-sale at the private party level.........whether that's just a temporary feeding frenzy or will continue as fuel prices increase is yet to be seen.
First time I've ever bought a car thinking about the TOTAL ownership experience....not just on a whim.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
Likes: 1
From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Originally Posted by BigF350
Ford actually exchanged the knowledge on the Hybrid system from Toyota in exchange for the direct petrol injection system that Mazda developed for the Mazda MPS 6.
So it wasn't used under license, Ford and Toyota hold equal rights in it
So it wasn't used under license, Ford and Toyota hold equal rights in it
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 1
From: Everett, Wa
Originally Posted by DOHCmarauder
I was actually looking at a Vette (mostly on your accolades) and I finally came to the realization that for me a car is just a car when commuting to work is concerned.
LOL, DOHC, I was just like you at one time. But every morning I get in the Vette and every afternoon I leave work there is this very big grin on my face. But overall I agree with you. If and when I ever decide to by a commuter car it will be based on cost of ownership.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
Originally Posted by BigF350
Ford actually exchanged the knowledge on the Hybrid system from Toyota in exchange for the direct petrol injection system that Mazda developed for the Mazda MPS 6.
So it wasn't used under license, Ford and Toyota hold equal rights in it
So it wasn't used under license, Ford and Toyota hold equal rights in it
What the hell is "petrol"....LOL!!!
Thanks for the correction, I swear that every article I have read on the Escape hybrid has neglected that "small" fact.
But I believe that technology sharing goes further to bolster the fact that it's a global economy concerning automobiles.