The Return of the Sedan?

[Max Rockatansky]

My rental (from Enterprise) did not include a manual.

I mean, I'm not at all surprised that it was an automatic...

I don't even know if Enterprise has a manual transmission offering?  Even if they did I wasn't willing to pay extra to slog around downtown Vancouver. 

Come to think of it, I can't recall the last time I've seen an owners manual in the glovebox of an Enterprise vehicle.  I'll have to ask my sister (a district VP) what is up with that the next time I talk to her. 

[ZLoth]

Let see here.... so many items, so little time....

I like boring cars.

There is nothing wrong with a dullmobile.

Manual vs automatic transmissions.... From what I can see, about two percent of vehicles sold nowadays come with an manual transmission. I know that historically, manual transmissions offered better milage, modern automatic transmissions now have better MPGs.

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose When I moved to Texas seven years ago, I told my mother that our cars live in the garage, not in the driveway, and that was due to the threat of large-sized hail. Also, garaging your vehicle means less threat of criminal activity including car break-ins, drilling a hole in the gas tank for gas theft, catalytic converter theft, and, oh yeah, vehicle theft. Garaging your vehicle also means a slightly better insurance rate.

As for technology within cars... I am constantly using the Bluetooth in my car to listen to music and audiobooks. When I get my next car, it better have Android Auto. Yes, I realize that technology is a two-edged sword as automakers are trying new ways to make money post-sale on your vehicle. '

 

[Plutonic Panda]

Personally, I love cars either way, but I'm thankful for any car as long as that means I don't have to take public transportation. But still in a weird way I'm also grateful for public transportation when I don't have a car. I know that sounds crazy and I don't know how to further explain that point. But that's one of the reasons why I think having a good public transportation system is imperative.

[1995hoo]

My rental (from Enterprise) did not include a manual.

The first time I rented a Tesla, I had to look up the instructions online just to figure out how to turn it on before leaving the airport.

[1995hoo]

Let see here.... so many items, so little time....

I like boring cars.

There is nothing wrong with a dullmobile.

Manual vs automatic transmissions.... From what I can see, about two percent of vehicles sold nowadays come with an automatic transmission. I know that historically, manual transmissions offered better milage, modern automatic transmissions now have better MPGs.

....

I think you meant the opposite?

[ZLoth]

Manual vs automatic transmissions.... From what I can see, about two percent of vehicles sold nowadays come with an automatic transmission. I know that historically, manual transmissions offered better milage, modern automatic transmissions now have better MPGs.

I think you meant the opposite?

Posting on a early Saturday morning after a too-long day yesterday. It's fixed.

[Max Rockatansky]

It would be substantially easier to siphon gas out of a tank versus trying to use a drill.  Even with older vehicles getting the siphon going wasn't exactly a breeze.

I don't recall an insurance person ever asking me if my car was garaged or not.  The Corolla (and previous the Impreza also) get left outside since our garage spaces are occupied.  I'll probably be parking the Forester out on the street mostly once my wife buys a new vehicle. 

Automatic transmissions only recently became quicker and more efficient at shifting due to advances in onboard computers.  For much of the world though there is a much higher rate of manual transmission usage in the vehicle population.

Speaking of that Corolla, I need to get around to hitting with some clay bar and a good wax.  Bug season recently ended and that clean up is something I never look forward to.

[Dirt Roads]

Manual vs automatic transmissions.... From what I can see, about two percent of vehicles sold nowadays come with an automatic transmission. I know that historically, manual transmissions offered better milage, modern automatic transmissions now have better MPGs.

Even though modern-day automatic transmissions are supposedly programmed to improve fuel efficiency, I still believe that [some] humans can outperform the best computer programmer in this area.  My sister-in-law continues to get incredible gas mileage driving stick.  All that being said, it my opinion that most folks driving stick are doing to show off, either for: (A) loud muffler noise; (B) intense speed; or, in a few cases: (C) crazy low-end torque for jerking heavy loads.  None of those applications ring out as fuel efficient.

[SSOWorld]

speaking of TRON lines...

2020(?) Camaro SS Convertible

IMG_3065(1) by Scott O, on Flickr

[kkt]

Let see here.... so many items, so little time....

I like boring cars.

There is nothing wrong with a dullmobile.

Manual vs automatic transmissions.... From what I can see, about two percent of vehicles sold nowadays come with an manual transmission. I know that historically, manual transmissions offered better milage, modern automatic transmissions now have better MPGs.

When automatics are tested, the transmission is allowed to shift when it's programmed to, which is usually to shift to the lowest RPM that won't stall.  For manuals, however, the driver is not permitted to shift at their discretion - the driver of the test car must shift at certain set RPMs which are usually higher than an automatic would select on its own.

[vdeane]

cat break-ins

Let see here.... so many items, so little time....

I like boring cars.

There is nothing wrong with a dullmobile.

Manual vs automatic transmissions.... From what I can see, about two percent of vehicles sold nowadays come with an manual transmission. I know that historically, manual transmissions offered better milage, modern automatic transmissions now have better MPGs.

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose When I moved to Texas seven years ago, I told my mother that our cars live in the garage, not in the driveway, and that was due to the threat of large-sized hail. Also, garaging your vehicle means less threat of criminal activity including cat break-ins, drilling a hole in the gas tank for gas theft, catalytic converter theft, and, oh yeah, vehicle theft. Garaging your vehicle also means a slightly better insurance rate.

As for technology within cars... I am constantly using the Bluetooth in my car to listen to music and audiobooks. When I get my next car, it better have Android Auto. Yes, I realize that technology is a two-edged sword as automakers are trying new ways to make money post-sale on your vehicle. '

 

Indeed.  I'm very careful when it comes to parking overnight and aim for spaces that have good visibility of surrounding areas to deter break-in attempts.  Whenever I have to leave my car at work for overnight travel I always get nervous because that lot doesn't have anywhere where a break-in attempt would likely be noticed in real time.  If I got a house or condo I would definitely want a garage.

In fact, at least for a while, there was a time when anyone who drove a Kia or Hyundai was practically guaranteed to have people attempt to steal their car if it was left somewhere - sometimes not even overnight, just during the day (my cousin has a story of one of her physical therapy patients watching his car get stolen in real time during one of his appointments!).  Even if the attempt was unsuccessful due to having the fix installed, they would still be left with a smashed window that would need to be repaired.  And it was just a couple years ago that catalytic converter theft was extremely common.

I'm not a fan of the connected technologies because of how poor cars are with cyber security and privacy.  When you connect your phone, the car scoops up a ton of data, and if you get rid of the car for any reason, whoever has the car after you can get all that data.  Cars are just like computers and phones in that they need full drive wipes before you get rid of them, but I'm not clear on how easy it is for average people to do that.

Come to think of it, I wonder if the phone connections play a role in how automakers track modern cars and sell the data to whoever will pay for it.

[Max Rockatansky]

Speaking of cat car break ins, I stopped one recently at work.  The tomcat named Boots who hangs out (lives?) by the back retention pond took a liking to our Operations Manager's 1976 MG Midget this past April.  On the day in question, our Ops Manger didn't have the zip-up windows closed on her Midget which got Boots curious.  He jumped up on the hood and was having a look into the driver side window.  Fortunately, I saw what going on via camera and went outside to shoo him away. 

I haven't found it unusual for feral cats to take an interest in open car windows.  They often hide under cars for shade, and it isn't uncommon to see their footprints on dusty vehicles. 

[1995hoo]

My brother-in-law near Miami has six cats and a dog. The newest cat is a rescue he and a neighbor found hiding in the engine bay in a neighbor's car. Took them at least two hours to get the cat out of there. At the time it was a kitten and they assume it was abandoned or just plain lost. Around here I've seen occasional warnings that during the winter, if you park outside and haven't driven your car in a while you should thump on the hood to try to scare away any animal that might be hiding under there.

[Rothman]

In fact, at least for a while, there was a time when anyone who drove a Kia or Hyundai was practically guaranteed to have people attempt to steal their car if it was left somewhere - sometimes not even overnight, just during the day (my cousin has a story of one of her physical therapy patients watching his car get stolen in real time during one of his appointments!).  Even if the attempt was unsuccessful due to having the fix installed, they would still be left with a smashed window that would need to be repaired.  And it was just a couple years ago that catalytic converter theft was extremely common.

Owned a Hyundai Elantra from about 2014-2019 (may have been earlier, but definitely sold it in 2019).  Never had a problem with a possible break-in, despite driving it everywhere.  When was your cousin's experience?   

[gonealookin]

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose When I moved to Texas seven years ago, I told my mother that our cars live in the garage, not in the driveway, and that was due to the threat of large-sized hail.

You'd think living in a place where we can get two feet of snow overnight would cure the garage-as-a-hoarding-room problem, but there are a fair number of people who apparently prioritize hoarding.

In my townhouse neighborhood, perhaps 70% of the properties do not have garages; we have widened private streets with parking in the middle.  On a snowy morning I smugly sip my coffee as I watch those people digging their cars out.  Pro tip:  if you move to a ski town, don't even consider a place without a garage or at minimum a sturdily-constructed carport.  For me, this was a big benefit of trying out the area as a renter for a couple years before I bought; I was shown another place, about the same asking price, where the interior was nicer than the one I wound up buying, but because that one had open street parking I didn't seriously consider it.

[ZLoth]

It would be substantially easier to siphon gas out of a tank versus trying to use a drill.  Even with older vehicles getting the siphon going wasn't exactly a breeze.

Maybe.... I'm sure there is anti-siphoning mechanisms out there.

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/metro-mechanics-seeing-more-drilled-gas-tanks/
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-thieves-drilling-holes-stealing-gas-parked-vehicles/
https://www.fox9.com/news/across-twin-cities-thieves-using-electric-drills-drain-gasoline-prices-rise

I don't recall an insurance person ever asking me if my car was garaged or not.  The Corolla (and previous the Impreza also) get left outside since our garage spaces are occupied.

My insurance agent did ask when I transferred my vehicle insurance from California to Texas.

[Scott5114]

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose When I moved to Texas seven years ago, I told my mother that our cars live in the garage, not in the driveway, and that was due to the threat of large-sized hail. Also, garaging your vehicle means less threat of criminal activity including car break-ins, drilling a hole in the gas tank for gas theft, catalytic converter theft, and, oh yeah, vehicle theft. Garaging your vehicle also means a slightly better insurance rate.

It really depends on the house. I am increasingly coming to the conclusion that my house was designed and built by Martians who had heard of the idea of a house but had never once lived in or visited one themselves and had no idea how a human lives their life in one. Accordingly it's tempting sometimes to kick one of the cars outside so I can use the space to have some place to put things like...you know...dishes, since the people who designed the house apparently didn't see fit to provide adequate space to put those.

I haven't actually done it because of the advantages you list. But I'm certainly tempted, you know?

[vdeane]

In fact, at least for a while, there was a time when anyone who drove a Kia or Hyundai was practically guaranteed to have people attempt to steal their car if it was left somewhere - sometimes not even overnight, just during the day (my cousin has a story of one of her physical therapy patients watching his car get stolen in real time during one of his appointments!).  Even if the attempt was unsuccessful due to having the fix installed, they would still be left with a smashed window that would need to be repaired.  And it was just a couple years ago that catalytic converter theft was extremely common.

Owned a Hyundai Elantra from about 2014-2019 (may have been earlier, but definitely sold it in 2019).  Never had a problem with a possible break-in, despite driving it everywhere.  When was your cousin's experience?   

This was a post-pandemic problem and the scale varied by metro area.  Rochester was IIRC the worst in the country; I don't remember hearing anything remarkable about it for Albany and am not sure what it was like around Syracuse, so you were safe from the "Kia Boyz" by both time and geography.  As for what my cousin observed, I think her patient managed to get down to the parking lot before they ran off with his car, but I don't quite remember.

[Scott5114]

In fact, at least for a while, there was a time when anyone who drove a Kia or Hyundai was practically guaranteed to have people attempt to steal their car if it was left somewhere - sometimes not even overnight, just during the day (my cousin has a story of one of her physical therapy patients watching his car get stolen in real time during one of his appointments!).  Even if the attempt was unsuccessful due to having the fix installed, they would still be left with a smashed window that would need to be repaired.  And it was just a couple years ago that catalytic converter theft was extremely common.

Owned a Hyundai Elantra from about 2014-2019 (may have been earlier, but definitely sold it in 2019).  Never had a problem with a possible break-in, despite driving it everywhere.  When was your cousin's experience?   

This was a post-pandemic problem and the scale varied by metro area.  Rochester was IIRC the worst in the country; I don't remember hearing anything remarkable about it for Albany and am not sure what it was like around Syracuse, so you were safe from the "Kia Boyz" by both time and geography.  As for what my cousin observed, I think her patient managed to get down to the parking lot before they ran off with his car, but I don't quite remember.

I heard that the problem was pretty bad in Las Vegas, although it was tapering off about the time that I moved here.

[GaryV]

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose

Then what do you do with the "clutter" that you've removed? Unless you have a shed, you need space for your lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, ladder, toys, etc.

Our garage door is offset a little from the line of the driveway. There's a chip in a brick on the corner of the house right at bumper height. Apparently the previous owner didn't make the chicane successfully.

[Rothman]

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose

Then what do you do with the "clutter" that you've removed? Unless you have a shed, you need space for your lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, ladder, toys, etc.

At my house, we had room enough for all the tools, lawn stuff, ladder and whatever else maintenance-wise and our two cars.  My brother's house, with his toys and other stuff, with a smaller garage than mine, yep, could still fit his two cars.

My in-laws have filled their garage with all sorts of stuff they never will use and some they've probably forgotten about.  They can still fit a car therein, but barely.

In my experience, garages that have so much stuff to where a car can't be parked within is due to owners having the perception that junk has value ("I might need or use this" when it doesn't.

Decluttering is hard, even if it's just finding a place to take the stuff (dump or charity), the transportation to do so, or even affording the time/fiscal cost (dump permits or my annoying experience yesterday just getting rid of a few gallons of antifreeze at the County's free service location).

People just hold onto too much stuff, yours truly included.

[Scott5114]

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose

Then what do you do with the "clutter" that you've removed? Unless you have a shed, you need space for your lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, ladder, toys, etc.

Our garage door is offset a little from the line of the driveway. There's a chip in a brick on the corner of the house right at bumper height. Apparently the previous owner didn't make the chicane successfully.

It should be noted that to squeeze every last dollar out of a plot of land, developers have been making lot sizes smaller and smaller. Setbacks stay the same and buyers still demand so much for the backyard and living space, and they have to take that space from somewhere...so it comes out of the garage.

Recently the average garage length built nationwide dipped below average car length sold nationwide.

My house was built in the 1990s and the garage barely has enough room to walk around with the cars and trash bins inside, to the point that my wife has to leave the house for me to be able to take the trash out. I have a rolling toolbox I'm currently keeping in a storage unit; I'm not quite sure where it's going to go if I actually get around to taking it to the house. Thank God I have no need for a lawnmower because there's no conceivable place to put it.

[ZLoth]

I also don't understand why some people don't declutter their garages and use the garages for the intended purpose

Then what do you do with the "clutter" that you've removed? Unless you have a shed, you need space for your lawn mower, garden tools, bikes, ladder, toys, etc.

I have a grass allergy that is exasperated by actually cutting the lawn. Thus, I have a lawn service cut my lawn. I also have a shed that is outside the fence line (smile, you're on camera), and a storage area in the space above my garage for the Christmas items. One thing that I purchase is a 60"W × 24"D × 76"H Rolling Five Shelf Unit with wheels so that I can easily move it when sweeping out the garage.

My in-laws have filled their garage with all sorts of stuff they never will use and some they've probably forgotten about.  They can still fit a car therein, but barely.

In my experience, garages that have so much stuff to where a car can't be parked within is due to owners having the perception that junk has value ("I might need or use this" when it doesn't.

Decluttering is hard, even if it's just finding a place to take the stuff (dump or charity), the transportation to do so, or even affording the time/fiscal cost (dump permits or my annoying experience yesterday just getting rid of a few gallons of antifreeze at the County's free service location).

My mother and I had to go through a severe decluttering process in late 2018 when we moved from a two-story home which we lived in for 40 years in Sacramento to a single-story home in North Dallas. It was not fun in the first place plus I was dealing with a compressed timeline. I wonder how many boxes of old clothing have been stored for years in boxes that are falling apart, or broken electronics that somehow, don't magically fix themselves in the garage. While there is some "broken-electronics" saving in my home, off it goes during the next e-waste program. As for household hazardous chemicals, my city has an agreement to utilize the City of Dallas facility.

[Max Rockatansky]

For someone who talks a lot about tight budgeting I'm kind of surprised you use a yard service. 

Converting a yard to rocks isn't super difficult.  I got rid of the grass in my back yard this past winter since one my dogs has a skin allergy to it.  I even made my owner scraper to level the grade for the weed block.  The hardest part was the annoyance of having to drive to Home Depot three times to restock on rocks.  I spent less than $200 on the whole project and I might do the same to the front yard this winter.

[Scott5114]

Converting a yard to rocks isn't super difficult.

It is in that part of the country. Prairie weeds are pretty aggressive about trying to establish themselves. I had a planter in Oklahoma I wasn't using so I wanted to just convert it to rocks. Put plastic down, put the rocks down...the weeds grew anyway and just punched holes in the plastic.