Convertibles

[Hardwrkr13]

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I took a quick look last winter and they can be found at a good discount in the off-season. She commented that she likes the neighbours recently bought Audi TT (older model) but a Miata is likely more reliable/lower cost to maintain. No turbo or mods needed, just a easy car for her to drive and suitable for us to do daytrips/weekends away.

 

[-D-]

Not really any differences just different suspension setups

Turbo kits for the the car sell for upwards of 5gs. Then you gotta get a tune, exhaust, Labour for installation. Probably like 7-10 all in. Sometimes even more depending on how properly you want it done.

For that hassle I'd rather just get a wrx.

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But the WRX is not a 2 door sportster and look different, but heck yeah to a WRX STI...just wish Subaru would but a nice design around the car.

 

[Brian P]

Re convertibles ...

I don't like them because I sunburn in no time, in addition to the wind noise.

My current car has a fixed panoramic roof which is heavily tinted and made of lexan so not much of the heat (or UV) gets through. It's great. It has a shade that can be pulled over, but I never use it - it's always open.

 

[cool]

But the WRX is not a 2 door sportster and look different, but heck yeah to a WRX STI...just wish Subaru would but a nice design around the car.

I think Subaru WRX design is right on. Its not a sport car. I like the fact that it can beat other sport cars but WRX is a beast that can be a daily driver.

 

[inreb]

I knew a guy with a convertible. He angled the seat back so he could barely see over the dash. I said are you trying to emulate a Harley? He said hardly.

 

[Neil_V]

While my hardtop e93 was better in the winter, the metal roof is heavy (and really high on the car), the mechanicals are far more complicated, and when top down, all you had room for in the trunk is a sandwich and a credit card.

.....And a rag top is heavier than a regular coupe (not to mention flex) .. If weight and performance are deciding factors, I say don't buy a convertible. Anyway, when I think convertible I think summer toy; when I think summer toy I think motorcycle. Decision is easy for me....

Speaking of trunk space, my summer toy has literally no trunk. I'd have to cut a credit card into little pieces, then maybe it'd fit.

 

[Neil_V]

Another peeve with BMW I had was you had to replace the whole control arms. You can't just pop the ball joints in there. They were made of aluminum... What a waste

I find newer cars also start to do this. ( not just BMW)

Probably so the service industry can charge more while doing less.

More often than not, the extra price of the arm is offset by less labour to install, so kinda a wash unless you do all your own service. And yes, this is something much of the industry has moved to. Nissan Altima's have some of the most expensive lower control arms I can think of.

Edit @cool the service industry has nothing to do with it. We too are at the mercy of the manufacturer's design decisions

 

[cool]

More often than not, the extra price of the arm is offset by less labour to install, so kinda a wash unless you do all your own service. And yes, this is something much of the industry has moved to. Nissan Altima's have some of the most expensive lower control arms I can think of.

Edit @cool the service industry has nothing to do with it. We too are at the mercy of the manufacturer's design decisions

I meant the design and engineering take service industry into consideration. Take fiat for examples, most of their design is to make it less workable and require a shop with do even simplest stuff.

Reason i said the service industry is notorious for overestimating the labour hrs. If it take less labour then while they still quote the same hrs ? I know shops go by the book, but still.

 

[Neil_V]

I meant the design and engineering take service industry into consideration. Take fiat for examples, most of their design is to make it less workable and require a shop with do even simplest stuff.

Reason i said the service industry is notorious for overestimating the labour hrs. If it take less labour then while they still quote the same hrs ? I know shops go by the book, but still.

The engineering decisions have nothing to do with making a car less workable for the consumer. It's all down to consumers wanting more car with more efficiency (Regulators on the efficiency front as well) and getting that requires ever more complex systems in increasingly compact packages. You think I don't curse at some of the **** I have to do to change a simple filter on some cars.. Sure I benefit from the increased complexity, but it's you the consumer who wants bluetooth, nav, awd, heated this, cooled that... don't like it, buy a pinto

On the second part, no offense I hope, but if you're upset at good a tech getting a job done faster than the book time, why not go find a less skilled tech who needs the entire allotted time to complete the work? Would that make you feel better?

 

[cool]

The engineering decisions have nothing to do with making a car less workable for the consumer. It's all down to consumers wanting more car with more efficiency (Regulators on the efficiency front as well) and getting that requires ever more complex systems in increasingly compact packages. You think I don't curse at some of the **** I have to do to change a simple filter on some cars.. Sure I benefit from the increased complexity, but it's you the consumer who wants bluetooth, nav, awd, heated this, cooled that... don't like it, buy a pinto

On the second part, no offense I hope, but if you're upset at good a tech getting a job done faster than the book time, why not go find a less skilled tech who needs the entire allotted time to complete the work? Would that make you feel better?

If it happens almost all the time then the book time is an overestimate no?
I do have my own mechanic and i'm happy to say he doesnt quote me based on book time. He runs an independent shop thats well known in my car community. Guess why?

Now my turn, i hope no offense, but you would have a biased opinion regarding the engineering aspect of the car so the shop can charge more, wouldnt you?

It has been a very long time since i worked on my own car (you know when you're young and have time to kill), but back then things were so much straight forward. My neighbour Fiat is an out right joke. I saw him doing an oilchange and ..... he had to replace the airbox, to reach the oilfilter. I mean come on, you told me an engineer decided that its the best spot for the oilfilter because???

My other grind..... Cartridge oil filtering system is really about the environment? I got enough info to dispute that.

 

[Boots]

I think Subaru WRX design is right on. Its not a sport car. I like the fact that it can beat other sport cars but WRX is a beast that can be a daily driver.

Not to mention with the new FA20DIT engines, put a tune and some other work into it and it'll go faster than a stock sti for less the price.

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[cool]

Not to mention with the new FA20DIT engines, put a tune and some other work into it and it'll go faster than a stock sti for less the price.

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Well engine power is only one aspect of performance right?

Brakes , suspension and wheels.... all come together. Overall STi offer amazing bang for buck out of the box.

 

[FLSTC]

Mrs FLSTC owned a '06 A4 Cabriolet (3.0, quattro) from '08 to '11.

Passable rear seats and adequate trunk (for a convertible). Had a little hesitation at the start of the throttle - probably could've been improved with a flash.

As Brian P mentions - on sunny days, burn is an issue. I always insisted on all windows down when the top is down - I think driving with the top down and windows up is stupid.

 

[99CBRF4]

Anyway, when I think convertible I think summer toy; when I think summer toy I think motorcycle. Decision is easy for me....

I have one of those too, but I can't bring the SO or dog along. Different toys, for different purposes.

 

[Neil_V]

I have one of those too, but I can't bring the SO or dog along. Different toys, for different purposes.

This is exactly why I have a bike

 

[Neil_V]

If it happens almost all the time then the book time is an overestimate no?
I do have my own mechanic and i'm happy to say he doesnt quote me based on book time. He runs an independent shop thats well known in my car community. Guess why?

You base the "happens almost all the time" off his work? I guess he's quite good, and to be frank if he chooses to charge less than the standard, good for him. I have no interest in winning a race to the bottom myself.

Now my turn, i hope no offense, but you would have a biased opinion regarding the engineering aspect of the car so the shop can charge more, wouldnt you?

Would you have a biased opinion as a consumer clearly wanting more for less? Silly questions beget silly questions; move on.

It has been a very long time since i worked on my own car (you know when you're young and have time to kill), but back then things were so much straight forward. My neighbour Fiat is an out right joke. I saw him doing an oilchange and ..... he had to replace the airbox, to reach the oilfilter. I mean come on, you told me an engineer decided that its the best spot for the oilfilter because???

Platform building. That engine is likely in 10 models worldwide. Redesign cost for just that model would be passed straight to the consumer.. not good with consumers who are already bent outta shape over book times

This Fiat is one example. Go open the hood on any BMW, Merc, Hyundai V6, late model Caravan (I could go on) and they all have cartridges right on top... you know most sport bikes require fairing removal to reach the filter; they in on the service conspiracy too? lol

My other grind..... Cartridge oil filtering system is really about the environment? I got enough info to dispute that.

Not sure what you're on about, but spin ons need to be processed after use to separate the steel from the filter element before recycling, so there's that benefit right off... probably cheaper to produce as well.. You're grind is lost on me

I'll finish with the reality of the trade today. Cars are more reliable than ever, and shops see less work than ever. You want to believe we're getting rich, go for it, but the days where I could count on 20 no-starts the first cold morning of the year are long gone. That is the reality of today's engineering.

 

[cool]

snip.

Aww sounds like you've taken offense.

I dont think you're making banks. But i do believe tons of consumer getting ripped off. We have to agree to disagree here.

As for cartridge filter, why is that the spin on filter alot less expensive? Shouldnt it be more expensive with extra production cost? Reason i say environment cause is ******** because they only recycled the metal, the paper part was left in there. Happens in many other industry too, market it as being green then raise the cost.... justified by the cause. Did you know your Timmies paper cup never got recycled? They're all going to the landfill

 

[nakkers]

I know there are folks driving convertibles that didn't buy it, lease it or whatever. All good.

Like anything else, there are ideal conditions to enjoy a top down and less than ideal.

I don't have a Jay Leno garage to have my choice of vehicle for the right mood or notion.

Just like folks who own or dr e a pick up to go to Costco. They wanted a pick up. But did they really need it?




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[Joe Bass]

Yes, @nakkers. A pick up is actually necessary for proper shopping @ Costco ☺

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[Neil_V]

Aww sounds like you've taken offense.

I dont think you're making banks. But i do believe tons of consumer getting ripped off. We have to agree to disagree here.

As for cartridge filter, why is that the spin on filter alot less expensive? Shouldnt it be more expensive with extra production cost? Reason i say environment cause is ******** because they only recycled the metal, the paper part was left in there. Happens in many other industry too, market it as being green then raise the cost.... justified by the cause. Did you know your Timmies paper cup never got recycled? They're all going to the landfill

Go in the green bin round here... but I'm sure you don't believe haha

I'm guessing you've run a shop? You're quite confident everyone's getting ripped off so clearly you have some personal insight into the economics of the business? Or did you drive by one once and decide you preferred the awd version All rhetorical questions for the record

Be Cool; you'll be talking to yourself before long

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