Wtf!!!

ND13

Brock,
When a convertible, like the Stang, has been made by chopping the top off of a coupe, there tends to be the issues that you mention. That's why the Sebring has been so successful(best selling Convertible in the US for years), because it was designed as a convertible, not a modified coupe.

What BIZILL suggests will help.

I'll try to get some pics posted later today. I haven't had the chance to go pick it back up.

Guys, I'm sorry about getting upset. It's just really tiresome to hear all the American car bashing. It isn't warranted these days. I'm in no way wearing rose colored glasses, either. Yes, I work for a Dodge dealer, but I'm the used car manager and rarely deal with the new side, now. I go by personal experience, not what some magazine says. All of you should know that stats can be twisted and how polls work.

Hell, I'd even buy one of the newer Kias. The Sorento suv is a well made truck and so is their Sedona minivan. I will admit that GM has issues that need to be addressed, but there are still a few vehicles they make that I'd own. I own 2 Datsun 280ZXs, still. I just sold a 95 Chevy ck1500 that had over 270K on it and I would have driven it to Cali without hesitation.

You are all smart enough to know better than to limit your possibile candidates for your next vehicle to just one brand or nation's products. Open your minds and give the Big Three a chance. They have woken up, for the most part(GM is still resisting, but Lutz is trying..he helped turn Chrysler around) and are building great cars and trucks again.

Judge for yourself. Don't let the rags make your decision for you when you go out and spend to what equates to the second largest purchase most people will ever make. the largest being their home, of course.

I've had a bad experience with a Toyota and a Honda, but won't let a single car deter me from buying another of their cars. What would deter me from them today is their styling, especially Toyota, blah!!!! The new Civic looks too much like a Saturn Ion, imo. I've had a bad expereince with a GM, but have given them another chance which turned out to be a pleasant one.

I've never had a bad experience with Ford, Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Datsun/Nissan, or VW. I've owned quite a few of each, so it wasn't a one time thing with any of them.

ND13

a few pics of the Mustang GT. And one of the culprit(harmonic balancer) :mad:

BIZILL

so what was wrong with the balancer?

ND13

Ummm.....it went kaput.

disneyjoe7

What wrong with the balancer, look at the rubber ring in the middle. See it's in and out some loose, looks old dry why since Noel said it was replaced before.

ND13

The harmonic balancer was never replaced. I never said that. It's the original part.

**** happens, just seems to happen to me alot lately :rolleyes: :mad:

disneyjoe7

Noel,

Ok sorry the balancer was never replaced.

ND13

No problem. I have replaced a few parts whether they needed to be or not, but they were cost effective. The only parts that HAD to be replaced were the radiator(small leak), the harmonic balancer, hoses, distributor cap and rotor, and a power window motor that was real sluggish.

See that was the reason for the thread, I had never had to replace a harmonic balancer on any car I've ever owned, traded for or even heard of someone needing to replace one. Just weird.

disneyjoe7

Hey Noel,

You may need to replace some other parts also, so your's could be like this..... Not an American Fan but I liked this.......


<a href="http://videos.streetfire.net/iPlayer.aspx?fileid=A08D0B73-3E76-4E94-B9F1-8B09CCFF7728&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://thumbs.streetfire.net/A08D0B73-3E76-4E94-B9F1-8B09CCFF7728.jpg&quot; width="115" height="86"></a><br><a href="http://videos.streetfire.net/iPlayer.aspx?fileid=A08D0B73-3E76-4E94-B9F1-8B09CCFF7728&quot; target="_blank">Click to see Video</a>

halo

ND13 wrote:

Guys, I'm sorry about getting upset. It's just really tiresome to hear all the American car bashing. It isn't warranted these days. I'm in no way wearing rose colored glasses, either. Yes, I work for a Dodge dealer, but I'm the used car manager and rarely deal with the new side, now. I go by personal experience, not what some magazine says. All of you should know that stats can be twisted and how polls work.

Noel,

I respect your opinion but as a used car manager you get all the cars that people don't want anymore - that's why they trade them in. I heard a saying once about buying a used car - when you buy a used car you're buying someone else's problem(s).

As far as the american car bashing goes I agree that everyone has they're own experiences to draw from and should consider that in order to make an informed decision.

I wonder, though, if you worked for an import dealership would'nt you be happy about the american car bashing as it would be to your benefit?

Just my $.02 on the subject - I'm not trying to start a fight, attack you, or ruffle your feathers brudda.

heiney9

peersool wrote:

Noel, I respect your opinion but as a used car manager you get all the cars that people don't want anymore - that's why they trade them in. I heard a saying once about buying a used car - when you buy a used car you're buying someone else's problem(s).

Peers, I have to respectfully disagree, not all used cars are someone else's problems. Buying a good used car is a very sensible financial decision. Sure some out there are going to be abused, but proper research and patience is needed to make a good used car purchase. I'd almost alwasy prefer a 2-3 year old used car to having to take the depreciation hit on a new one, just my POV and MHO.

Have a good one

H9

ND13

Nope, I 've sold Hondas, Nissans, Kia, amd Mercedes and I don't let where I work determine personal opinions about automobiles. I let my personal experience determine that and so should everyone. I trade for Japanese cars every week, too. I can't count how many Odysseys, Maximas, Camrys, Accords, and so on I've traded for in the last few years. The lot I worked at before here was a Nissan, Kia, F-L-M, C-D-J dealer and I was the used car manager there, too. When I was still selling, I sold vehicles I believed in. If it was crap, I wouldn't sell it. I've been successful in this biz without having to lie, cheat and steal. I quit the last place, where I made quite a bit more $$$ because the owner wouldn't pay my vendors and payoff cars ina timely fashion. I couldn't lie to the customers when they'd call and ask why their trade in hasn't been paid off yet and it was like 6-8 weeks afterward. The people that know me, know that I have strong ethics. Not everyone in the car biz is a crook. The crooks are being weeded out month by month and year by year. You can't get away with those types of business practices in today's world and be successful.

ND13

heiney9 wrote:

Peers, I have to respectfully disagree, not all used cars are someone else's problems. Buying a good used car is a very sensible financial decision. Sure some out there are going to be abused, but proper research and patience is needed to make a good used car purchase. I'd almost alwasy prefer a 2-3 year old used car to having to take the depreciation hit on a new one, just my POV and MHO.

Have a good one

H9

Bingo!!!!

While I still get a new car every once in a while, I lease them. If you knew what I know about how cars depreciate, you would too. There's an old saying......buy what appreciates and lease what depreciates.

In my area we have a shitload of Chrysler employees and retirees, so we get alot of good trades, because they get new cars all the time.

The cars that people don't want anymore because of age, mileage or mechanical problems get wholesaled. I don't keep them to retail. The majority of my inventory are 2-3 years old with under 60k miles on them. people outgrow cars and need minivans or suvs, people have kids and need to get rid of the sports car for a sedan. Most are still under some sort of warranty.

halo

heiney9 wrote:

I'd almost alwasy prefer a 2-3 year old used car to having to take the depreciation hit on a new one, just my POV and MHO.

Have a good one

H9

A valid point for sure but if you buy new and hang on to it for 5 - 10 + years you really aren't taking a hit. Shack's had his stang since new and it's still going strong. My brother in law bought a '92 Jeep Grand Cherokee new and it just died this year.

BIZILL

ND13 wrote:

I've been successful in this biz without having to lie, cheat and steal..... Not everyone in the car biz is a crook.

yes dear?

heiney9

ND13 wrote:

Bingo!!!!

While I still get a new car every once in a while, I lease them. If you knew what I know about how cars depreciate, you would too. There's an old saying......buy what appreciates and lease what depreciates.

In my area we have a shitload of Chrysler employees and retirees, so we get alot of good trades, because they get new cars all the time.

I agree on all but the leasing and that is only because I live in Illinois. We have to pay tax on the entire selling price of the car if it's leased, not a portion of the car that we are actually using like in almost all other states. Then to piss on us consumers more if we decide to buy the lease out at the end because the residual $$$'s are actually lower than the fair market price of the vehicle we get to pay tax on that amount too. So in a situation other than what we have here in Illinois (like the way it is in Indy) I would agree leasing makes sense if you don't plan on keeping a vehicle and want a new one every 24-36 mos.

Peers, yes there is much truth to your POV IF you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long period of time. Most Americans can't stand NOT to have a new car every 3 or 4 years. If you buy new on 60 or 72 mos. term your upside down for a long time, because in most part to depreciation.

H9

ND13

heiney9 wrote:

I agree on all but the leasing and that is only because I live in Illinois. We have to pay tax on the entire selling price of the car if it's leased, not a portion of the car that we are actually using like in almost all other states. Then to piss on us consumers more if we decide to buy the lease out at the end because the residual $$$'s are actually lower than the fair market price of the vehicle we get to pay tax on that amount too. So in a situation other than what we have here in Illinois (like the way it is in Indy) I would agree leasing makes sense if you don't plan on keeping a vehicle and want a new one every 24-36 mos.

Peers, yes there is much truth to your POV IF you plan on keeping the vehicle for a long period of time. Most Americans can't stand NOT to have a new car every 3 or 4 years. If you buy new on 60 or 72 mos. term your upside down for a long time, because in most part to depreciation.

H9

The average trade cycle has been determined to be 39 months. that's why you're starting to see 39 month lease terms.

The US is an automobile culture. You're right Brock. Most Americans grow tired of their vehicle after a 2-3 years and want to get a new/newer model. If that weren't the case, the manufacturers woouldn't change the styles as often as they do.

shack

As a finance guy....leasing for personal use is absolutely the worst thing you can do. Business maybe...but never a personal lease. Too many issues and pitfalls and it simplly doesn't make financial sense.

ND13

Only if you plan on keeping the car for 5-6 years. If you can't afford to put 25-30% down on a car, you will be upsidedown in that car for at least 3.5 years. Depending on the term, rate, and particular vehicle.

or unless you drive more than 18K miles per year.

I appraised a 2003 Accord EX two days ago. The man carried no negative into his loan and said he put $2K down. He was still $4K to the bad.

When I leased my Dakota, I traded in my 2001 Sebring Coupe. I still owed $3500 more than even I appraised it for, had 2 1/2 years of $390 to go. I got a $29K Dakota on a 24 month 15kmiles/yr lease and put no money out of pocket and lowered my payment $45/month and for 6 less months. That Sebring was a great car and I miss it, but it already had 83K miles on it and would have had over 100k on it by now and I'd be out of warranty and still owe 2 years on it. I never claimed leasing was for everyone. It's a case by case kinda thing.

ND13

Shack,

I'm seriously looking into getting those Cobra heads. Thanks again for the links.

BIZILL

noel, i see you'd rather ramain naturally aspirated, eh? have you decided totally against supercharging?

cmy330go

One of the best trade deals I received was on my BMW.

When I got my 330i in Aug of '01, I only put $8k down and financed the rest (72mo). After about 1 year I refinanced for a lower interest rate. (4.6% 72mo again). When I traded it about 8 months ago with 76k miles on it I still got 4k toward my new car.

It feels really good to come out of a trade on the plus side. That's one of the main reasons I tend to prefer foreign cars. Many just flat out hold value better.

BTW: Glad you got the stang fixed OK. Enjoy.

ND13

BIZILL wrote:

noel, i see you'd rather ramain naturally aspirated, eh? have you decided totally against supercharging?

I want it to be a sleeper. That faint whine from a SC is a dead give away that something's not kosher. I have nothing against huffers or turbos, just not this car. I'd really need to overhaul the whole engine to SC it. I can get just as much HP out of the 5.0 with exhaust, cam,cold air induction, chip, mass air, and heads and for the same or less $$$ when you consider the overhaul.

disneyjoe7

Did you check out the Stang with the above link by me / DisneyJoe7 it's a 2000+ hp engine with turbo really nice.

BTW I think it's a Honda motor..........

















NOT
















It a Ford 302 sweet.

cmy330go

ND13 wrote:

I want it to be a sleeper....

Is that really a GT...or the Cobra in disguise? Reason I ask is I had a teacher in college that had the '94 GT with the 5.0. One day I was chatting with a classmate about my new '97 Grand Prix GTP sedan. He overheard and sorta jokingly challenged me to a drag race. To his surprise I accepted. We ran them twice and both times I edged him out. He was little mad about it, but got over it.

Please don't take that wrong. I'm not trying to bash you or your car in any way.

My point is that now-a-days it seems to take a lot more than it used to for a car to be a "sleeper". For god sakes my old man's Lexus LS430 (aka land yacht) will run to 60 in only 6.1 seconds. And that thing couldn't look any more like a grandpa car if you taped a compass to the dash. :rolleyes: It just seem that cars running in the sub 7 or 6 second range is nothing anymore.

ND13

Completely 100% bone stock. Not even a K&N filter. Borg Warner Select D-cap, rotor, plug wires and coil are the only things that aren't original in the drivetrain, besides the clutch and harmonic balancer.

I wish it was a Cobra in disguise.

The SHO Taurus(V6/5speeds) were really cool sleepers. Very cool Yamaha heads and 140+ top end. That started the whole grocery getter sleeper car thing, imo.

By sleeper, I mean, it looks stock, except for the exhaust note, no dead giveaways to any mods.

audiobliss

First off, I'm glad you got your 'Stang fixed relatively cheapley. I also agree with your stance on wanting to make a naturally-aspirated sleeper; that'd be awesome! What performance numbers are you wanting to eventually reach, and over how long a period are you planning on doing this?

ND13 wrote:

The SHO Taurus(V6/5speeds) were really cool sleepers. Very cool Yamaha heads and 140+ top end. That started the whole grocery getter sleeper car thing, imo.

What does that 'SHO' stand for? And you're talking about the Ford Taurus? It had Yamaha heads?!?! Who's ever heard of such a thing...Yamaha stuff on a car. That's just weird. That's like a '69 Camaro in perfect condition with a bi-turbo'd Honda B16 motor. :eek: I'm shocked...

shack

Super High Output

read about it:

http://www.shoregistry.com/SHO%20History/SHObasics.html

http://home.pon.net/hunnicutt/SHOpage.htm

disneyjoe7

audiobliss wrote:

That's like a '69 Camaro in perfect condition with a bi-turbo'd Honda B16 motor. :eek: I'm shocked...

You know me thinking about that image is giving me a Woody

cmy330go

ND13 wrote:

The SHO Taurus(V6/5speeds) were really cool sleepers. Very cool Yamaha heads and 140+ top end. That started the whole grocery getter sleeper car thing, imo.

Those were pretty cool. That is one of the only Ford products I ever seriously considered. Almost bought a purple '94 5spd back in the day. That 3.0 liter Yamaha was a sweet engine. But Ford sure doomed the SHO with the introduction of the V-8 in the new body.

That car reminds me of another story concerning that same teacher in college. He was a huge car nut and SCCA racer, and one of the things he loved to do is hop up odd cars. For example when I was there he was in the process of putting the 3.0 liter Yamaha from an SHO into a 1980 Mercury Capri. I remember one of the last days of class he came in glowing because he had finally chased down a bell-housing that would allow him to bolt it right up. When I left he was just about to finish the car. I just wish I had been around long enough to see the finished product. Talk about a strange combo. :rolleyes: