Car lovers?

The new Indy cars look so rad:

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We moved to Western Colorado in March and quickly figured out that my Focus ST, while a blast to drive, wasn't going to cut it for all the places we want to go out here. Traded her in last week for a brand new 2017 Raptor. This truck is a beast, and a blast to drive. The 0-60 time is actually quicker than the ST! I've had her for 7 days now and put 1400 miles on her, about 200 of that off-road.

Now I just need a good pressure washer to clean off all the mud!

Canyonero!

IMAGE(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PI_Jl5WFQkA/hqdefault.jpg)

I dig your Raptor, don't dig your EPA.

I'm not sure what EPA means in this context?

Estimated payment amount or enviromental protection agency? :p

It's got that eco boost, totally safe for the environment!

Only like 10 mpg, but who cares when it's so pretty!? I seriously want one, but can never justify it.

I averaged 16.8 mpg on the highway driving from Illinois to Colorado. Could have gotten higher but, you know, lead foot and all.

Anyone here interested in joining a bunch of Goodjers in some friendly not too serious Project Cars racing? We will be starting up season 3 soon. We will be driving the Formula Gulf this season.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

Anyone here interested in joining a bunch of Goodjers in some friendly not too serious Project Cars racing? We will be starting up season 3 soon. We will be driving the Formula Gulf this season.

I'd probably load it up and run last place. Using an aging 360 pad to steer.

mrtomaytohead wrote:
EverythingsTentative wrote:

Anyone here interested in joining a bunch of Goodjers in some friendly not too serious Project Cars racing? We will be starting up season 3 soon. We will be driving the Formula Gulf this season.

I'd probably load it up and run last place. Using an aging 360 pad to steer.

I'm using a Dualshock 4. I'll be right there with ya.

I just pulled the trigger on one of these.

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I was considering the CRV, but the combination of the road noise and the 1.5L high compression, direct gas engine made me opt for the Acura. The J-type engine is an engineering masterpiece.

My SO loves Acuras, but in order to budget for the house she opted for:

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/8KPpdK1.jpg)
Not ours, but looks just like this.
2017 Mazda CX-5

I am about to sell my 2008 Mazda 3 and have already picked up a used 2011 Kia Sorento:

IMAGE(http://3-photos7.motorcar.com/used-2011-kia-sorento-2wd4drv6sx-6713-16524136-3-1024.jpg)

Loving having the higher sight-line and auto transmission in rush hour!

I looked at and drove the CX5 and was impressed. Of the "budget" ones, it had the best road feel and soundproofing. I also thought the electronics were a lot better thought out than those on the Honda.

I was still concerned about direct injection and my brother in law the 25 year master mechanic told me that he wasn't as convinced about reliability on that car as he was on the Acura. Consumer Reports and USNews confirmed (3 vs. 5 stars). Though 3 is still above average, a 5 star rating seemed imperative to me considering I drive cars until they beg for the sweet release of the automotive hereafter.

I do love that grill though.

Yeah, we test drove the 2016 CX-5 as well as the 2017 and we opted for the Grand Touring 2017 because of the discernible road noise difference not to mention the more updated infotainment system and I love the aggressive front end with the "angry" headlamps.

If there is any knock on the RDX it has to be its VERY conservative styling. Whereas everyone on the planet seems to be going the Lexus fishnet direction, they have opted to stay with the bird beak for the third year in a row.

As a mechanic by trade at a GM dealer, Direct Injection hasn't been that big of an issue, we see about the same amount of issues if not little less then when the cars had regular injection. I personally wouldn't hesitate buying a direct injected car.

Pretty ballsy to name a car after an explosive.

Quintin_Stone wrote:

Pretty ballsy to name a car after an explosive.

Yup.

It is a lot bigger than I am used to driving and it will be bittersweet to let go of my CooperS.

My wife and I are talking about getting rid of the minivan for a SUV. She really likes the CX-9, but I think it is too big. There is a rumor that Mazda is going to make a 3 row CX-5, which to me just sounds like a CX-7. I am going to try to hold off for a while longer. I told my wife that we wouldn't be replacing the minivan until we no longer needed car seats, which is still a few years off.

If they do put a 3rd row in the CX-5, then it most likely would be suitable only for children. Since we own a Grand Touring CX-5, I can see how much cargo capacity it has and a 3rd row would make that tight and leave very little legroom for people in that row.

Does anyone know how much getting a slot hitch installed should cost?

cartoonin wrote:

If they do put a 3rd row in the CX-5, then it most likely would be suitable only for children. Since we own a Grand Touring CX-5, I can see how much cargo capacity it has and a 3rd row would make that tight and leave very little legroom for people in that row.

What I read is that it would have a longer wheel base. It would be stretched out to not have the half-moon in the rear door.

Wow, this is really cool and a simple upgrade to brake tech:

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2017/08...

IMAGE(https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/PP_Conti_New_Wheel_Explosion_300x217mm_300DPI_RGB-980x709.jpg)

Neat idea but couple thoughts as a mechanic,
I would be concerned about what happens when the wheel bends from a pot hole.
Second in order to remove a wheel for service or a flat would you only remove the outer rim with tire?
I would be concerned about how long an aluminum rotor would last, being that aluminum is a softer metal then steel.

For the past few months I've been thinking about trading in my old car while it still has some value in it. I've been hankering after a rear wheel drive sports car, and have been pondering Toyota GT86s, Mercedes C-class coupes, BMW coupes and sports cars, and - of course - Porches.

I finally bit the bullet this week. Picked up a 7-year-old Cayman with only 23,000 miles on the clock.

IMAGE(https://img.pistonheads.com/LargeSize/porsche/cayman/24v/porsche-cayman-24v-S3015567-5.jpg)

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Very nice! I have always thought the Caymans are prettier than the 911s.

Thanks, LeapingGnome! I always thought the same until I began to look seriously into buying one or t'other. Then I got sidetracked by thoughts about 'the classic 911 shape' and the pseudo-practicality of the rear seats.

But once I saw them side-by-side in a dealership, there was no competition. The Cayman just looked right, inside and out.

Must admit, though. I've not actually tried putting any luggage in it yet...

Lovely! How much does a low mileage 7 year old Porsche typically cost?

They put the steering wheel on the wrong side.