Well, try a Mazda 5, if you're looking at used.Caretaker wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 3:56 am ah the joys of coming up with ways of squeezing out more mpgs out of a machine that isn't radically different from a '69 Valiant with a slant 6 engine.
Will the manufacturers keep lowering the roof line until all cars look like Lotus' propelled by CVTs? I'm shocked that they haven't implemented ultra low rolling resistance tires on all vehicles, forcing winter drivers to take their chances or forcing them to buy a separate set of snow tires. But in the end, as I sit in dozens of cars to find my next purchase, I am constantly reminded of Homer Simpson, the common man, designing the perfect car for his brother Herb. The more cars I try out, the more I keep looking.
Weird. We're getting perfectly reasonable gas mileage. It's not quite as good as my Vibe, but considering what it is (plus living in "Summer Weight Pollution Reducing Fuel" Houston), it's far better than the last two vehicles she's had. I'd have to go back and have her check the logs, but I think she's getting at least 24-25 mpg.Caretaker wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 12:13 pm agreed. I thought it would be a perfect car until I sat in the driver's seat. There isn't enough leg room for tall drivers. I wish they would let the seat travel back a bit further. Also, the 5 gets very poor gas mileage. Otherwise, the utility of the vehicle is fantastic.
Still, I do want something that gets better mileage than a CanyoneroCaretaker wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 3:56 am ah the joys of coming up with ways of squeezing out more mpgs out of a machine that isn't radically different from a '69 Valiant with a slant 6 engine.
... I am constantly reminded of Homer Simpson, the common man, designing the perfect car for his brother Herb. The more cars I try out, the more I keep looking.
Honestly, I didn't notice the emergency brake handle. Between banging my head getting into the driver seat, and having no legroom in the back, I didn't spend much time in it. Also, the crosstrek I was in didn't have rear seat back adjustment. I don't ride in the back much, but it does happen. My 03 Vibe has plenty of room in the back, but on a long haul it would be a lot more comfortable if the seat backs reclined, even a little. Another major gripe of mine about the Vibe rear seat is what I refer to as the "ratcheting seat belt of doom", which only tightens over time, like some inquisition tool. but I digress.Caretaker wrote: In the Crosstrek, didn't you find it goofy to have the emergency brake handle right there in the way? They just seem so pointless in this day/age. Does anyone completely lose their brakes and need to rely on the emergency brake?? Seems so 1960's.
That's weird, I had no idea they were down there too. I see there's even a wikipedia page about Fitzgerald auto Mall ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fitzgerald_Auto_Mall ), which currently says Jack is the CEO. Hopefully he's still alive, maybe there's still time to get into his will Unlikely though, I've never done any business "the Fitz way", whatever that isCaretaker wrote: By the way Joatmon, there's a Fitzgerald Auto Mall down here too. I found that kinda funny. Is Jack still alive?
The emergency brake is also the 'Use on an incline' brake. If you park on a slope, you set the brake to keep your vehicle from rolling off if the transmission pawl should break, or someone knocks a standard into neutral.Caretaker wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:13 pm The Forester is an outstanding vehicle for sure. The visibility is unparalleled. I'm assuming Subaru fixed the software glitch in the steering (jittery on almost all their new models). I just don't want to buy something that "big" to hold my umbrella. I've been a small car guy all my life. I'm hoping the CX-30 will have large enough glass for viewing out. In the Crosstrek, didn't you find it goofy to have the emergency brake handle right there in the way? They just seem so pointless in this day/age. Does anyone completely lose their brakes and need to rely on the emergency brake?? Seems so 1960's. By the way Joatmon, there's a Fitgerald Auto Mall down here too. I found that kinda funny. Is Jack still alive?
What is it with people forgetting that electronics _fail_? I'm in IT. I'm intimately familiar with the known fact that if all of your systems depend on electronics, or power, when you have no power, you have nothing.
I agree. They're putting a lot of people at risk. However, remember that this is also the group of people that allowed Congress to mandate explosives in front of people's faces in a passenger vehicle. (The same group in Congress that seem to think that a backup camera is better than a large rear window)Caretaker wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 1:13 pm ...he, he....can't be off topic when there are only 10 active people on the site..........
As for the e-brake, all I can say is that there are a LOT of manufacturers producing $25,000 and higher vehicles that are putting a LOT of people at risk then. The electric brake seems to be the way all cars are going. Just an observation of someone who sits in a lot of vehicles.
You bought a -tool- to do it? I always used a bent screwdrivers.ColonelPanic wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2019 7:04 am I will admit my knowledge about how these systems work isn't the greatest. But I've read things on the internet about DIY serviceability with electronic parking brakes so it must be true.
For now, when doing a brake job I prefer my $20 caliper wind-back tool over the several thousand dollar scan tool that is apparently required on some vehicles with electronic parking brakes.
They are convenient though, and certainly save some space (along with those pushbutton/joystick/rotary shifters! )
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweel
I don't know how it is in brand new cars, but my first gen vibe has both power and manual door locks. No juice, I can still unlock the door from the inside.
Yeah sounded like my first car .... '72 Plymouth Duster, slant six/auto At only five years old the undercarriage rusted out so bad that I lost both of my torsion bar supports. Within 10 years the entire car was scrap metal I agree with all others here about a "true" emergency brake. By definition EMERGENCY should have workable devices when all power, electric, hydraulic fail, thus allowing you to have very limited (but still) control of the vehicle.
oh dang, i didn't realize it was a plug in... they are using the plug in from the prius prime (which is a great option too)Caretaker wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 9:51 am That is good news. When is it coming out? The current "hybrid" is a plug in hybrid according to cars.com. I'm assuming you are referring to a self regenerating hybrid version? For me, the best news is that it will end my monthly searches as to whether Toyota is going to come out with a 2020 Prius V as the spy photos from last year seemed to indicate.
Yeah, for the minimal range, I would pass. The prius prime electric only range is something like 27 miles, My daily commute is 24 miles. In theory, I would commute all week long on battery only. However, they are designed to start the engine up and cycle through on occasion, to keep things from gumming up. Either way, the massively improved 50+mpg vs. the 04 GT at 30mpg on a nice day, makes me highly consider it when prices come down in a few years.Caretaker wrote: ↑Tue Oct 29, 2019 12:07 pm yeah, the word from the auto press is that the Crosstrek's plug in technology is pretty bogus and not worth the hassle for 17 miles of battery only travel and a ton of storage space taken up by the batteries. I'll pass. Still clicking my heals for the Prius V......bring it Antie M.........