A Perpetual Picture Of Your Car Thread

[Arasirsul]

We got a little snow last night, so I took a picture of the WL in its element this morning. It's not a great picture, but it gets this thread off of page-2 purgatory, so...

The black wheels with the snow tires give it a very different look. I occasionally don't recognize my own car...

Or maybe that was because I was driving the ZJ for so long...

 

[yd]

Mmmm, looks like proper winter tires!

 

[Semi On]

I like the black on black. Looks great.

 

[heySkippy]

Safelite came yesterday and fixed the BMW windshield for realz this time. Since we're in Florida I'm gonna treat it to a proper detail job outside & in next. That car has given us nothing but excellent service over the years. Approaching 70,000 miles on it now. Looking forward to springtime with the roof down on mountain roads in a few months.

 

[Arasirsul]

I like the black on black. Looks great.

That's part of how different she looks-- without the black wheels, it's easier to tell that she's blue!

 

[Norrick]

I replaced my paid-off, high-mileage 2007 Lexus with a financed, low-mileage 2018 Lexus because I was told I'd be returning to the office, which was a 50-mile commute. It made sense to get a fresher vehicle; the 2007 was juuust beginning to show it's 200k miles in terms of repair frequency.

I ended up not returning to the office. Now I have a car payment again. Ffffffffff.

Note: this is a commercial photo of an identical ES 350, not a picture of my actual vehicle. I can't shoot a decent car photo to save my life.

 

[continuum]

Hope the new ride is worth the upgrade in spite of the car payment!

 

[Semi On]

I ended up not returning to the office. Now I have a car payment again. Ffffffffff.

This is why I haven't pulled the trigger on a second car yet. There's a directive to come in 4x/wk, but those of us that signed up for hot-desking early are still being told there isn't enough space if we all come in so continue on as we were.

I almost bought a car at the first announcement. Glad I did not as that was like a year ago at this point.

 

[Diabolical]

So, whent he Fuji Motorsport Museum sends out one of their cars? Instead of a note on the empty display, they do this:

.. Which is bloody adorable.

I unashamedly love this, and laughed out loud when I saw it on the internet.

Image stolen liberated SOURCED from Twitter (nitter link -> https://nitter.1d4.us/na8crabbit/status/1732431047340785976#m )

Article on The Drive:
https://www.thedrive.com/news/fujis...eal-cute-when-its-race-cars-are-out-of-office

 

[Norrick]

Hope the new ride is worth the upgrade in spite of the car payment!

It totally is. I love the car. Just...my inner cheapskate is crying a little.

 

[MorsePacific]

Once my bonus comes in, we are getting a new car. Our 2012 Subaru Legacy is on 102000 miles now and, whilst I know they'll run forever if treated right, it's getting really old being in an old car.
But what to replace it with?
My wife's only ever had the Subaru (though has driven other cars) and really loves it, because it's familiar.
I've come to respect it as a tool, but can't see past its inherent flaws relative to our needs. For a start, it's TARDIS-like in its ability to swallow luggage, but you have to TETRIS before you can TARDIS. We've been travelling a lot this year between Boston and Long Island for family troubles which are likely to stretch on for the next few years, and trying to fit all the stuff we have to take, plus the dog and his things is getting very old.

I'm opposed to SUVs, but they seem to be the only thing that make sense, given the dearth of wagons on the market these days.
We Ubered in a Mazda CX60 on Monday night, and I was impressed how nice it was inside - and roomy too. It's a bigger one though, and the smaller SUVs are more in my ideal budget range (leasing, between 450 and 600 a month) but they seem to have middling-to-poor luggage space, considering their size.

This is all internet browsing so far, and eventually we'll go to some showrooms and test something, but it's hard to decide what.

Personally I would love something with a ZF 8-speed, 300+ horsepower and a BMW roundel on the nose, but I think I need to wear my sensible pants.

 

[Leaping Gnome]

Why would you lease if you need to take a lot of trips and also are ok keeping cars for a while? Seems like not a good combo.

 

[Diabolical]

A suggestion for helping to see which vehicles might work in regards to luggage space (feel free to ignore!):

Spoiler

1) Load up Subaru with typical amount of luggage - empty, but you know what I mean. Bags and cases and such.
2) Schedule a bunch of test drives for an afternoon or a morning at a local CarMax. Queue up a bunch of recent model years for the vehicles you are interested in. You aren't going to be buying anything - these'll be used cars, and a model year or two older than current, but still good enough for this test.
3) All you're doing is seeing which ones will suitably accomodate the luggage (and analogs for the puppers & the puppers' things). To the parking lot where your Legacy is parked and back. Have you drive it over to the parking lot, get out and load the luggage, have your wife sit in the driver's seat and see if it'll adjust to her preferences. Both of these could be immediate deal breakers for a vehicle right off the bat.

You'll get some weird looks, but most of the time whoever you are dealing with is going to be game for it. And you should be able to schedule a bunch of specific vehicles in advance.

I did something similar when I was roadster shopping. Completely different segment, but similar concerns with luggage space - granted, my concern was "any" versus "lots" .

In other news, I saw the unicorn again today on the way to work. I would have tried to get a shot of it, but I was just flabbergasted at hearing then seeing it in the mirror and then watching it zoom away. And it was just a yellow blur on the dashcam. And besides, much better glamour shots exist of yellow LFA's than the blurry mess that I captured. But holy shit what a sound to hear go by on a beautiful sunny day with the top down on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Edit: This is an example of "a" unicorn. Not necessarily THE unicorn I saw, but a good representation at least!

Spoiler: Picture for Picture Tax!

 

[JiveTurkeyJerky]

Subaru Crosstrek? They also have a PHEV version. Or is that too small?

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Cover me, I'm going in...

Among other things, I'm installing a 996 gauge cluster. Looks like I'm good to send it off for coding.

 

[continuum]

Never noticed there are actually four nubs at the top of the cluster, I see the larger two, what are the two smaller ones at the edges?

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Those all help the cluster line up into the gauge pod. I'll take some more pics while I'm wrenching today. I'm going after/installing:

• Air Oil Separator
• Crankshaft Underdrive pulley
• Oil pressure sending unit & wiring
• Buttons for the onboard computer & wiring
• Radio rewire (adding a line out converter to eliminate alternator whine)
• Engine air filter

I have a retrofit labs headlight rebuild kit as well, but I may want to get the car back on the road first as I miss driving it.

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Here's more pics of the tabs:

 

[Jables]

My two chonky bois

928 needs a brake fluid changeout…project for next weekend.

 

[continuum]

Those all help the cluster line up into the gauge pod. I'll take some more pics while I'm wrenching today. I'm going after/installing:

• Air Oil Separator
• Crankshaft Underdrive pulley
• Oil pressure sending unit & wiring
• Buttons for the onboard computer & wiring
• Radio rewire (adding a line out converter to eliminate alternator whine)
• Engine air filter

I have a retrofit labs headlight rebuild kit as well, but I may want to get the car back on the road first as I miss driving it.

Ah, nice. Yeah the screw holes at the sides made sense, did not -- but should have -- occurred to me that the angled ones were also for installation/alignment.

Which crankshaft pulley are you doing? Does Fluidampr or anyone make anything?

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

I am installing the LN Engineering underdrive pulley.

Just finished tapping the DME for the oil temp sensor, now to route that wire and the oil pressure sending unit's wire up to the console. I have to remove the center console first, though. Great day tinkering!

928 looks great Jables!

I got a power bleeder and will never go back for break bleeding/changeout.

 

[continuum]

I got a power bleeder and will never go back for break bleeding/changeout.

Jelly that those work on your car!!! Found that on mine they seem to introduce more bubbles that are a pain. :/

 

[fitten]

So... who's going to run out and buy an Avtotor Amber ?

 

[continuum]

Signs of life!

Yes that's parked and at idle. Oil pressure over 90psi load, so it's healthy. Billet high volume oil pump FTW.

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Love a good gauge.

 

[continuum]

It's not ideally placed, but trying to balance stock/stealth appearance vs. knowing I would like to have some amount of additional information on how the car is running available...

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Where do you have it mounted? Let's see more pics.

 

[Mordac]

Am trying to muster the enthusiasm to get in the workshop and make 2zz mr2 run. But christmas food and warm inside.

 

[continuum]

Where do you have it mounted? Let's see more pics.

Where the ashtray was, down by the shifter. It’s fine where it is, I think if I want more gauges I’ll just splurge on a full on digital dash. Another project car at the same shop, they did the gauge in the cupholder.

I’ll dig up more pics after Christmas… although maybe I have some still on the camera - will check!

 

[CUclimber]

I'm taking delivery of a new car tomorrow (there will be pics!) and I've been wondering about all of the various paint protection products out there. I think for right now a full PPF is out of the question (dropping $4k on that probably wouldn't do my marriage any good, despite how sexy it'd look) and I can't make heads or tails out of all of the various ceramic coating products and services out there.

It seems like the word "ceramic" is used for everything from a $3 add-on at the car wash, to $200 kits, to $xxx professional services.

Are DIY solutions worthwhile for that sort of thing? Or is a proper ceramic coating only something that an experienced/pro installer can do?

 

[continuum]

PPF is good especially if you expect to deal with rock chips and whatnot.

There's a ton of ceramic coating comparisons including accelerated aging on YouTube, please don't trust my memory here but I want to say professional preparation and application (and at least one a year care if memory serves) had the best results. Again I could be remembering incorrectly...

 

[Backstop]

It's a couple years old but I saw a video where the guy used several polishes on a car hood and checked in on them over some time. NuFinish came out looking pretty good for one of the lowest prices.


View: https://youtu.be/j2fhQmtR2NQ

 

[CUclimber]

=0======0=

Because if there's one thing that we need 'round here, it's an 835hp SUV for driving to soccer practice every day, amirite?

R1S, quad-motor with the normal road wheels, plus the underbody shield. Color is Limestone, and I went with the Ocean Coast interior with dark wood accents. I had the pre-price-hike price, and on top of that I can still qualify for the full Federal tax credit by amending my 2022 return, so it nets out to a fairly reasonable final cost even before the fuel savings.

I've just driven it around a little in town but so far my impression is really positive. Handling is great and although I haven't put it into Sport mode yet, highway onramps are... exciting. Infotainment is solid although I'm still getting the hang of it, and overall I'm just thrilled to finally have it sitting in my driveway.

 

[.劉煒]

=0======0=

Because if there's one thing that we need 'round here, it's an 835hp SUV for driving to soccer practice every day, amirite?

R1S, quad-motor with the normal road wheels, plus the underbody shield. Color is Limestone, and I went with the Ocean Coast interior with dark wood accents. I had the pre-price-hike price, and on top of that I can still qualify for the full Federal tax credit by amending my 2022 return, so it nets out to a fairly reasonable final cost even before the fuel savings.

I've just driven it around a little in town but so far my impression is really positive. Handling is great and although I haven't put it into Sport mode yet, highway onramps are... exciting. Infotainment is solid although I'm still getting the hang of it, and overall I'm just thrilled to finally have it sitting in my driveway.

Congrats, nice ride. The rear seems bigger in person, though.

 

[Leaping Gnome]

Very nice, congrats! How are you finding the seat comfort? I'd be interested to hear for your first 2 hour trip.

On the ceramic or paint protection... I have decided these days I just don't care enough to bother. And I once spent almost $4K getting opticoat ceramic film done on a car and used to be hand wash only. The longest I have ever kept a car is 4-5 years and I have decided it is just not worth stressing about if it has swirl marks or little chips that I can touch up if they bother me too much. I have better things to spend time and money or worry about. Kind of like trying to have a perfect lawn, it just doesn't matter that much.

 

[MorsePacific]

Why would you lease if you need to take a lot of trips and also are ok keeping cars for a while? Seems like not a good combo.

I'm less OK with keeping cars for a while. My wife has the same car she's always had, because she's not a 'car person' and hasn't had the money to swap it out.
I've also not had the money to swap it out until now. I would much rather refresh it every 2-3 years and stay current.

Our trips are pretty much confined to Boston - New York and back every few months. We're hoping that cadence slows down next year as some family health problems stabilize (or worst case, and the trips stop altogether).

 

[MorsePacific]

Subaru Crosstrek? They also have a PHEV version. Or is that too small?

Crosstrek seems too small. We knew someone who had one, and it just seemed to be a lifted Imprezza.

 

[MorsePacific]

=0======0=

Because if there's one thing that we need 'round here, it's an 835hp SUV for driving to soccer practice every day, amirite?

R1S, quad-motor with the normal road wheels, plus the underbody shield. Color is Limestone, and I went with the Ocean Coast interior with dark wood accents. I had the pre-price-hike price, and on top of that I can still qualify for the full Federal tax credit by amending my 2022 return, so it nets out to a fairly reasonable final cost even before the fuel savings.

I've just driven it around a little in town but so far my impression is really positive. Handling is great and although I haven't put it into Sport mode yet, highway onramps are... exciting. Infotainment is solid although I'm still getting the hang of it, and overall I'm just thrilled to finally have it sitting in my driveway.

Very nice!

I'm enjoying seeing what the new manufacturers are doing with their designs, and to my eye Rivian have nailed a really smart and elegant design language so far.
Probably helps that the legacy manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes are producing some of the most goppingly awful looking machines they've ever done, but either way, that's a nice ride!

 

[Diabolical]

I'm enjoying seeing what the new manufacturers are doing with their designs, and to my eye Rivian have nailed a really smart and elegant design language so far.

On the road to go see my folks (I-10, LA to Phoenix, out between Indio and Blythe), I was passed by a Cybertruck, then passed by a Rivian R1T. A green one.

They passed me back to back, maybe 40 seconds between them.

The contrast in design language, aesthetics, style, direction, paint, et cetera, was just astounding.
One of them looks like it more than justifies its price point. And it’s not the musk-mobile.

 

[jschmeling]

I'm still very happy with my CLS 450 and its interior in particular (red Nappa leather is awesome), but I'm hating both the depreciation and the regular need to replace the 20" wheels when they get bent. And tires with bulges. But I do think about a nice, big, SUV with proper wheels and tires from time to time.