Car thread

[dodint]

I just changed my BMWCCA Chapter from Tarheel to Badger. To translate: I've changed my home track from VIR to Road America.

[JS©]

I see a similar thing showing up on our Living Social. I don't think they'll be doing any drives here for the next few months though.

What is the circuit where you'd do the laps?

https://www.livingsocial.com/events/134 ... rack-drive" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Pittsburgh International Raceway

The only thing I know about the place is that we were supposed to have our company's defensive driving/car control driving at this place.

[tifosi77]

I just changed my BMWCCA Chapter from Tarheel to Badger. To translate: I've changed my home track from VIR to Road America.

Have you driven Elkhart yet?

[dodint]

Nah, looks like it'll happen at OktoberFAST. Their other track is a place just across the border in Illinois called Blackhawk Farms and their summer events are held there.

[tifosi77]

If you're into historical stuff, check out the background of Road America. It's almost funny how the track came to be.

[dodint]

I love VIR, their resurrection story is pretty good given that it happened recently enough that they were able to drive the track with a video camera before starting the restoration.

[youtube][/youtube]

Astounding the work they did to that place. Hopefully I'll grow as attached to Road America.

Speaking of historical stuff, go to a VDCA race sometime. Pack a drool bib.

[MRandall25]

Is VIR the place Top Gear went to a few years back? Hammond had the Porsche, May the 458, and Clarkson had the SLS.

[dodint]

Yeah. They stopped off at Rockingham before and toasted the rubber off of the SLS first.

I've never laid eyes on the gun range from the show, though.

[Malkamaniac]

$1400 for tires . Glad I don't have a kid yet.

[mac5155]

holy carp I bought 35x12.5 R20 mud tires and spent that much.

[columbia]

holy carp I bought 35x12.5 R20 mud tires and spent that much.

Yeah, but you know a guy.

[Malkamaniac]

holy carp I bought 35x12.5 R20 mud tires and spent that much.

35's on r17's. Mount and balance and all that crap.

[mac5155]

holy carp I bought 35x12.5 R20 mud tires and spent that much.

Yeah, but you know a guy.

True. Didn't pay for mounting and balancing etc.

[dodint]

Bummer. I spent $800 installed for new shoes for the 5-series a week ago and thought that was rough.

[Malkamaniac]

Bummer. I spent $800 installed for new shoes for the 5-series a week ago and thought that was rough.

Yea I could get smaller tires, but it looks real goofy on a lifted jeep lol.

[PensFanInDC]

So MD sales tax on cars is 6%. PA sales tax on cars is 6%, 7% in Allegheny county. Is it worth it to buy the car in MD or wait until we get up there?

[ulf]

So I was looking at 2012 certified A4s and ended up going with the 2015 A3. I love this thing. It was their service loaner, so only 4k miles and it's certified. Which is awesome, because a brand new one would have a 4 year, 50k mile warranty, but the certification gives it 2 year, 50k extra on top of the balance. Almost better than buying it new, I think. And at the used price. Go me

[ulf]

So MD sales tax on cars is 6%. PA sales tax on cars is 6%, 7% in Allegheny county. Is it worth it to buy the car in MD or wait until we get up there?

Ehh say it's a $25K vehicle, you're talking $250.. I'd just do whatevers easier

[mac5155]

FWIW you pay the tax in the county you live in, not where you buy the car. If you live in allegheny you pay 7% regardless of where you buy it. If you live outside allegheny you pay 6% even if you buy it in allegheny co.

[mac5155]

So I was looking at 2012 certified A4s and ended up going with the 2015 A3. I love this thing. It was their service loaner, so only 4k miles and it's certified. Which is awesome, because a brand new one would have a 4 year, 50k mile warranty, but the certification gives it 2 year, 50k extra on top of the balance. Almost better than buying it new, I think. And at the used price. Go me

Certified pre owned is totally the way to go now a days.

[Kraftster]

The oil light flashed on in my car for 2 seconds today and is now off, but this was enough to make me realize that with the birth of a kid and a crazy end of year at work, I am like 8000 miles past my oil change date on the sticker. Even recognizing that this is a bit of a bogus date (I think they put the sticker as every 3000 miles), being that I'm going on 11k miles on this oil, it seems like I should do something here. I am very busy the next three days, so I can't do anything between now and Friday unless it is really urgent. Should I avoid adding oil to what's already in the car? That would seem like it could be a dubious thing to do, but I have really no idea. The light flickering for a second probably suggests that the oil is close to getting low?

[OutofFoil]

Use the dipstick and check it, if low add some if you know what weight is in there already. Not ideal, but will get you through until you can get it changed. It's a much better alternative than running it low and starving the engine for oil

[Digitalgypsy66]

Another recall on my Honda Odyssey - the third or fourth since we bought it new in 2008. While they were fixing the recalled fuel valve, the dealership called with a list of things they found in need of repair, primarily three motor mounts. They quoted $1200. I told them no thanks, called a local mechanic, who will replace all four for $675.

Never use a dealership service department for non-warrantied repairs.

[PensFanInDC]

A lot of recall notices are just ways for dealerships to try and squeeze money out of people.

[dodint]

Use the dipstick and check it, if low add some if you know what weight is in there already. Not ideal, but will get you through until you can get it changed. It's a much better alternative than running it low and starving the engine for oil

Perfect advice. Just did the same thing on my wife's car the other day.