The tariffs on Chinese EV's is a smokescreen, as several Chinese EV manufacturers are planning to open plants in Mexico where they will "build" EV's for the US market that will neatly avoid the supposed tariff.
I heard a remarkably stupid NPR host (but I repeat myself) say that a 100% tariff was the same thing as a ban. Actually, by the chuckle and hesitation in her voice when she said it I don't think she was stupid. I think there was a PLA officer in the studio with her telling her what to say.
Yep and a double for Biden. He, or the Puppet Master, are in full election heat. Every week/day is another bone for the base. Full political whore mode now to November. This week something for the UAW and the manufacturers. Last week supposedly witholding ammo shipmets from Israe lto please the wackjobs for Gaza. Both these are strictly for show. The Chinese Mexican plants won't be up until well after November and Israel is getting everything it needs back channel. Bullets don't know the difference between offensive or defensive use.
Every week something else to secure votes by screwing with National Security, Economy, Societal norms .... nothing is out of bounds so long as this load of crap can extend for 4 more years.
A whore is a whore. Tricking on the corner or in the Oval office.
Even before he ran full speed through some tall bushes I realized it was a _very_ bad idea and once I got out of there I've never worn shorts again except to swim .
I started to buy lightly used Under Armour golf shorts off of eBay for everyday wear. $15 and I just throw them away after. Their shit is garbage and not worth 50% of retail, but for the cost of a Big Mac meal I’m a buyer.
In my experience Air Monarchs typically develop a squeak between the sock liner and the sneaker within a couple weeks. Real middle-age sneaker guys choose New Balance.
Fix your diet and do stronglifts 5x5 for 16 weeks and you'll be in the best shape of your life. I did that at your age and got laid like umm vark naruth. No one will figure that one out.
I found stronglifts 10 years ago, I wish I found it 25 years ago. I struggled with fitness when I was younger, but when I am on program I can get a better score on the pft now then when I was 20, without age correction.
I have it on good authority the best way is to have your parents buy you a Huffy White Heat bike for your 12th birthday (approximate weight: 50lbs) and then have the girl you have a crush on live at the bottom of the hill in your neighborhood. Ride your White Heat between her house and yours, up a giant hill, approximately 80 times every afternoon.
Even fat cyclists have good calves. You're flexing and extending your ankles every revolution a lot farther then they go when you are walking or running so the calves get a good workout.
I went a long way in life without knowing my shoes and belt are supposed to match. So what footwear am I supposed to wear with my shorts? I now only wear Topsiders when I am actively boating, so those are out.
I received Ugg fur-lined moccasins as a Christmas gift. 3/3 would buy again. Just don’t be stupid enough to wear them on a layover where you have to walk across two terminals.
Topsiders (even for work--sockless down to temps into the 30s, past that, dress walking shoes with socks), sandals, flip-flops with a sandal sole, e.g., Tevas.
I've got a pair of Johnson & Murphy cordovan oxfords for real dress-up, along with a pair of Bostonian cordovan penny loafers. That's it--Imelda Marcos I ain't!
I had AE Maritimes for years. Split the soles and bought topsides in a pinch. The Sperrys are superior, I hate to admit it but I get why they’re the default boat shoe choice.
Shoes and belt?? Skip the belt and just wear only pants with elastic waistbands like I do and then you can wear any shoe you want, up to and including Saucony trail runners in the most garish color available. (current Sauconies are blue and gray, I haven't worn bright yellow or orange since I was teaching in Japan)
so BYD is bringing their Shark PHEV pickup to Mexico. No plans to bring it to US, so far. Looks like exactly something I want. But they plan to price it starting at $53k!!! WTF! for a Chinese designed built in Mexico small/medium pickup? Insanity.
This Seagull would be every bit of $40k under the same regime. It's ridiculous for people to ignore the effect of exchange rate, but the media does it all the time.
I think you're confusing exchange rate gimmicry with outright subsidy, at the manufacturer and raw material and labor level. I, Sir, shall not allow you to make such mistakes.
I found that out while explaining to a coworker that the '07 and newer Odyssey has the four-shaft tranny from the Pilot/Ridgeline, while the older ones had a weaker three-shaft tranny.
I saw what you did there. As one of those someone-elses I'd just like to say it should have said reason 400-455...how fare you bring and Oldsmobile engine displacement into a Pontiac discussion sir! 🤣
Mine is blown up, nothing inside the bottom of that engine will support any real horsepower and torque, I think for normal cars it’s a good engine, but not great for performance.
Recently I was standing outside a hotel in central america when a hatchback similar to the one pictured pulled up. I thought someone put BYD wheels on an ICE car because I could hear the engine running. After a few minutes I walked around it only to discover it was in fact BYD and there was no exhaust. I guess the HVAC was so loud it sounded like an idling small displacement engine.
Anyone that believes BYD will make a reliable product is fooling themselves. It's amazing how far back people are willing to take progress wise just to "save the planet". I drive a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. I miss pontiac very much. Buick if anything should have taken the axe but it is what it is.
Why not? LS1 powered with huge aftermarket. Modern touchscreen infotainment can be installed. With a budget, you can build it to out handle almost anything new.
Laziness and cheapness. Project cars are not my thing and I'm too old to want to be mechanically inclined at this point. Barely enough hours in the day already. And as cool as I think trans ams are, I'd probably pick up a c6 or c7 if I was gonna spend some money. Or more likely, another motorcycle I'll never ride.
I have a C7 and would love to also have a 2001-2 Trans Am. 325 hp, 6 speed manual, a back seat, and lots of low mile examples out there for a fair price. Jay Leno has a great video on his. Last car with T-Tops!
If we’re playing the “car mastubatory fantasy” game, it’s a Hugger Orange 99 M6 car with a HCI LS1 and whatever suspension Sam Strano recommends. Nothing too crazy, but the ideal pony car IMO.
A c7 will just cost you more money and be a headache. First there is the Mexican made wheels that crack if you so much as look at them. The #7 cylinder gets less air volume from the intake due to packaging in the engine compartment. Then the early Z06 models had inefficient cooling for the high strung supercharger. There are screens instead of real gauges. And the outside does not resemble a Corvette anywhere, no pop up headlights, no square round tail lights, and an insect looking front end.
A 4th Generation F-Body is the car where it has modern fuel injection, parts are available for every component, it looks different than anything made today and you don't look like you're a sad man who sits in the departure lounge in an airport with an underwater laptop to cover up your deficiencies.
I don’t mean to be THAT guy, but all the LS has the same basic faults engine wise. Most notably the #7 and it’s a lean condition so it runs hotter. Mine vette is currently in need of a short block due to it when I had a catastrophic ring land event.
Poor balancers, lifter tick / failure, piston slap (most prevalent on earlier cars) etc. The fbody is the same headache in a more cramped bay. About the only saving grace is not having to pull the steering rack for balancer work / cam swaps and a traditional T56 layout. Same garbage clutch hydraulics…
I sold my 02 WS6 in favor of my 03 Z51. In retrospect I wish I’d kept the TA but the chassis improvements and overall better vehicle of the vette was undeniable. The weight difference is real too and don’t think you’re getting away with not breaking that 10 bolt.
Vettes are just non service friendly hot rods and unfortunately a bit on the fragile side themselves. Diff failures have an unwanted tendency to snap transmission input shafts. $$$$$$
I think they kept Buick mostly because some sort of Chinese Emperor / Dictator drove one about 100 years ago, which still gives it brand equity in China.
When you mentioned selling “Monsters”; I immediately thought Ducati. Color me disappointed.
Nobody would give a damn about “cheap Chinese EVs” if the Western World would end the war on fossil fuels and let the market decide.
I find it funny that most folks have no idea that Volvo and Polestar are Chinese. (Polestar is a term that could easily refer to some strippers. Others have probably said that before.)
I ain’t stupid, poor or racist. I am old, have some “backward opinions”, don’t always like “getting on with the program”, and find shorts and sneakers practical on hot days. Further, I’m not convinced about the popular notion of the “reality” of climate change. Doesn’t make me a bad person. And my money is worth the same as everyone else’s.
I still don't know how to pronounce Velostar. A guy working in product management for Hyundai told me that once the Koreans make up their minds, it's hard to convince them otherwise.
IIRC the government initially wanted GM trimmed to just Chevy and Cadillac. GMC was saved based on just pure profitability, and Buick only because of how popular it is in China.
I remember this as well. Then and now, I think only Chevy and Cadillac should have survived. GMC is a strategic distraction, profitable or not. Both Buick and Pontiac were irredeemably wrecked after the 2000s.
Too bad they couldn’t have kept a couple models from Pontiac and Oldsmobile as sub-brands to be sold in dealers in certain markets without having to have an entire dealer network and division within GM.
Although by now you’d have all xUVs anyway! Still, could have been something to try. No reason that a limited number of Trans Ams couldn’t have gone down the same line as Camaros, for instance.
GMC is a cash cow that fills up assembly plants by building more expensive Chevrolets for customers who think they deserve more than a Chevrolet and GM should keep milking that for as long as customers will let them get away with it.
Those may have been distressed brands but the brand names and related IP for Pontiac and Oldsmobile stayed with the reorganized General Motors and not bundled into the RACER Trust used to sell off former assets. Steven Rattner still knows nothing about the car business.
Anyway, Marc Marquez (and Brad Binder) qualified poorly, with Marc starting from 13th. A disappointing position given how well he's been qualifying of late.
The sprint race had quite a few people drop out and DNF including second place in the championship Bagnaia who had an awful start and then just gave up (? broadcast indicated "no feel" but I haven't gone and checked news sites). Bezzecchi, who won last year's LeMans GP wrecked out for no points despite running well in second place. Aprilia continued to look strong both in qualifying and in the running with Vinales finishing with another sprint podium. Marc Marquez' vision had him jump from 13th to 5th (or 6th?) in lap one. He would then take advantage of crashes and be aggressive enough to win second place. Jorge Martin set a lap record during qualifying, and led the sprint more or less the entire time. He looks incredibly strong.
The race race had even more DNFs, with Pedro Acosta finally wrecking out of a race during an ill advised maneuver, and Bez crashing out from a good place again. Bagnaia was back in form and ran in first place for most of the race and looked quite strong. Marc Marquez had a worse start but still made up some places going into the first few turns. He would work his way through the field in impressive form to sit in third for much of the race. Jorge Martin was patient and took a shot, but couldn't make it stick at around the halfway mark of the race. In the latter third he passed Bagnaia again and this time got away. A short while later he would have a minor error that brought Bagnaia back on his rear tire and their dicing had Marquez just behind them and biding his time. In the last few turns of the race Marquez would put a move on Bagnaia and ensure that Pecco's chance to win, but secured Marquez' 2-2 and Martin's 1-1 for the race.
Brad Binder, in the race proper, went from DFL to 8th! Unfortunately this was not really televised.
MotoAmerica will be at Barber this weekend, so remember to tune in*.
*I will be farting around on my new-to-me infinity miles ST1100 for part of the weekend.
Last month I rented a FJR1300 instead of a car on to do a bit of fun riding as part of a trip.
It was my first time on a proper street touring bike and I don't really understand the appeal of the bike. Compared to my very street oriented 'ADV' bikes (Multistrada, XB12X) it managed to feel both more ponderous on fun roads and less comfortable for longer rides. The only place it felt a little better than those bikes was straight highway bombing, but I have to imagine a full on touring bike like a Goldwing would be even better there.
Any idea if the FJR is notably bad in this space or am I just firmly not the target demographic for these things?
I have no idea! Buying the ST1100 was spurred by three things and one of which is the same as you - 1) discovering if I want to have a big-ass bike with fairings for commute 2) it was super cheap; by far the cheapest with the nearest FJR being $3k+ more money, and the Kawi Concourses being about the same C) the bike I have puts me in physical discomfort after about 30minutes and my commute is half again that amount of time.
I do note that some people mentioned the FJR felt particularly top heavy with the battery and gas tank mounted high which wouldn't help puttering around.
Nice - hope it works out well for that. Not having commuting as an excuse to ride is my main regret for my current WFH bugman lifestyle. Even if it wasn't a great ride there's still something cathartic about just being out on a bike.
Listen, you're not wrong about any of that. But you have to understand a few things about Gen X sportbikers:
0. It's called a Yamaha FJ which means more to a lot of us than "911" or "Mustang GT"
1. It's not an ADV bike. I will never own or ride an ADV bike. I don't give a shit if they do 9 second quarters and get 100mpg and do their own service while you sleep. I can't live with the way they look.
In all seriousness, an FJR is a good way to cross a state or commute to work. And it's an easy transition from a Blackbird or Hayabusa.
See the trick is if you've never owned a traditionally good looking motorcycle, owning one that looks like crow t robot after slamming into a brick wall isn't a downside - it's just unique.
On the more practical side - ADV and dirt bikes/supermotos are about the only bikes that don't feel way too cramped in the legs for me
We'll see if "gt" chimes in here, but he's having a crisis of conscience caused by riding a V-Strom 1000. Could it tug his heart away from the mighty Yamahas and Kawasakis of the Eighties?
Shh, just ride the ADV bike. It's fine. No one's impressed by riding motorcycles anyway.
For gt: no experience with the 1000 Vstrom, but my first bike was a 650 Vstrom. It was fine, but pretty boring. I'd probably put it at the bottom of the list of bikes I've owned.
Funny, cause I own a V-Strom 650 and I love it. Maybe in the way that people say they love their Toyotas, but I really do enjoy the thing. I've ridden more than 50 other bikes over the last 7 years or so and there are only a handful I liked more than what I have. All of them were 3x the cost.
My XS1100 being on month two of endless troubleshooting (I think I've finally got it sorted, pending some spark plug and wire swapping), had my mind wandering quite a bit. I've got 4 riding buddies that have owned/own first gen DL1000 Vstroms, and I finally got to ride one of these rigs earlier this week. The ergos, somewhat longer travel suspension, fairly punchy L-twin motor, were all fantastic. It fits the sort of riding I do to a "t." But, like a KLR650 I owned back in college, it's just kind of all around boring, starting with the looks. It's right at the crossroads of bland and ugly. One of those bikes where as you own it long term you bond with it and grow to really appreciate it. But given my limited opportunities to ride these days, I want something that more stimulating for my short commutes to work and occasional weekend trips. I told myself no new bikes in 2024, but if I do cave, I think I'll be back in the Harley fold with either a 90s solid-mount sportster 1200 or a 90s Dyna (Evo or twincam 88). The other really annoying thing with all DL1000/DL1050s is the infamous clutch "chudder" for which there was a one man shop here in the US that sold remachined clutch baskets to permanently fix the issue, but he literally just retired at the end of April. The one I rode had the "chudder" issue and it was annoying as hell.
The long travel suspension is really what makes ADV bikes worth it, IMO. The roads are so bad where I live that I feel like I can go faster when the bike isn't popping me out of the seat several times a mile. Same in cars with smaller wheels when I'm not slowly picking my way around frost heaves and raised metal grates and plates.
How bad is the "chudder" that a solidly mounted Evo engine is less intrusive?
EVERYTHING about the ADV bikes is better - the power delivery, the toys, the suspension, the ergonomics but as Jack helpfully pointed out they're HIDEOUS. I can't accept being seen on one.
100% I could do without the toys but everything else is right up my alley. I love exploring gravel roads and beat up twisty pavement, I love my UJMs' upright ergos, etc. Just can't get past the looks of these things.
The tariffs on Chinese EV's is a smokescreen, as several Chinese EV manufacturers are planning to open plants in Mexico where they will "build" EV's for the US market that will neatly avoid the supposed tariff.
I heard a remarkably stupid NPR host (but I repeat myself) say that a 100% tariff was the same thing as a ban. Actually, by the chuckle and hesitation in her voice when she said it I don't think she was stupid. I think there was a PLA officer in the studio with her telling her what to say.
Or the Chairperson of the Democrat Party!
Po-tay-to, po-tah-to
Isn’t a tariff that high a de facto ban?
Yes but then you miss his B.S. ranting point .
-Nate
We can have illegal immigrants drive them here to save on the destination charges and they won't have to pay coyotes. Win/win.
I actually Lol’ed at that one. Well played!
Yep and a double for Biden. He, or the Puppet Master, are in full election heat. Every week/day is another bone for the base. Full political whore mode now to November. This week something for the UAW and the manufacturers. Last week supposedly witholding ammo shipmets from Israe lto please the wackjobs for Gaza. Both these are strictly for show. The Chinese Mexican plants won't be up until well after November and Israel is getting everything it needs back channel. Bullets don't know the difference between offensive or defensive use.
Every week something else to secure votes by screwing with National Security, Economy, Societal norms .... nothing is out of bounds so long as this load of crap can extend for 4 more years.
A whore is a whore. Tricking on the corner or in the Oval office.
F-950 Jim Crow Edition....stick a Whipple on it and I'll buy one
fed by a pair of kkk turbos
In partnership with that world-famous hot rod brand J.P White Power & Performance.
welcome to klansman motorsports
no we dont work on hellcats
Sponsor of the #88 car driven by Billy Joe Le Petomane of Pig's Knuckle, AR.
Fun Fact: Sterling Marlin is/was sponsored by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. IIRC, he’s running Late Models nowadays.
You guys are laughing up your sleeves but the KKK turbocharger in my gray market Mercedes wagon makes it faster than my U.S. market coupe.....
Yes, a 100% tariff is *exactly* the same as Ban .
-Nate
The Master Racing Team
Group Nein Nein Nein Motorsports
I’ll buy one as long it has the Godzilla
I’m wearing shorts and sneakers, right now. I thought only ATL-resident cigar chomping ACF commentators objected to this. I’m in my own home at least.
shorts and sneakers are my everyday wear. is there a problem with that?
You need to "get with the program" apparently. As do I...
Ha! My mind's already right!
Well, same here.
I once rode a horse in shorts & sneakers .
Even before he ran full speed through some tall bushes I realized it was a _very_ bad idea and once I got out of there I've never worn shorts again except to swim .
-Nate
I infer that Jack is referencing the stereotypical Boomer Midwestern Corvette owner outfit:
T-shirt
Denim shorts
Diabetic socks
Nike Air Monarchs
I’ve got Tommy Bahama tshirt
$8 Amazon Starter gym shorts
Puma socks
Nike Air 270s (my 12y/o daughter and all her friends wear them, she assures me they are “not cheugy”)
270s are very 2000 and late. DN is where it’s at.
Trends move to the flatlands here slowly. I’ll pick up the DNs when the 270s become garage shoes in about 6 months.
Air Max 90s. I’m never without at least one pair. A design classic and they’re comfortable for my extremely cramp prone feet.
I thought we all wore new balance now. Did I miss a memo?
New Balance is too cool and on-trend right now for it to be lampooned.
Teddy Santis of ALD is the New Balance MiUSA Creative Director at the moment.
A few teenaged girls seeing me in mine will change that perception right quick
They need to be white on white NBs to really sell the look along with dad jeans.
“Dad” jeans are also on-trend at the moment.
E.g., https://www.aimeleondore.com/products/japanese-selvedge-5-pocket-denim-3
Hey, I've been wearing the 990 since 1997. I'm so far ahead I'm behind.
What happened in 1997 that you switched shoes and stopped cutting your hair?
Creed released their debut album.
Lol. I guess you embraced that with arms wide open
I’ve been wearing Sambas since I was a kid because that’s what Blink182 wore. They too have come back around.
Adidas just discontinued them.
My current pair are trashed and last I looked I couldn’t find any with the short tongues. That explains why.
They were great $45 beater shoes. At $100+ per pair, I don’t see the value unless they’re still making ones from kangaroo leather.
This will teach me to write a snarky comment before reading all the replies......
your forgot the ball cap and polarized sunglasses
And the Robin Miller mustache.
The ball cap also has to be unironically ugly / garish.
I thought it was all about the New Balance? Even my "what is out" information is out of date.
Pair of old Champion mesh basketball shorts. No shoes, no shirt!
Champion? Look at you being all fancy.
I started to buy lightly used Under Armour golf shorts off of eBay for everyday wear. $15 and I just throw them away after. Their shit is garbage and not worth 50% of retail, but for the cost of a Big Mac meal I’m a buyer.
It’s insulting that a Big Mac meal is $15. Just saying
remember when subway had their 5 dollar footlong commercials
that was far too recent as they are not even close to that price now
In my experience Air Monarchs typically develop a squeak between the sock liner and the sneaker within a couple weeks. Real middle-age sneaker guys choose New Balance.
im against shorts because im not built like a navy seal and have chicken legs
Start squatting. I have epic dad calves from years of MTB and running. Aside from a full head of hair it’s my only really admirable physical feature.
i havent got the hair so squat rack it is
Fix your diet and do stronglifts 5x5 for 16 weeks and you'll be in the best shape of your life. I did that at your age and got laid like umm vark naruth. No one will figure that one out.
Oh. And get a sportsbike.
naturally
Gixxer.
With the extended rear swing arm, mirror delete and Big Booty kit so it can't handle anymore.
I found stronglifts 10 years ago, I wish I found it 25 years ago. I struggled with fitness when I was younger, but when I am on program I can get a better score on the pft now then when I was 20, without age correction.
It’s simple and it works. I had to give up squats 3x per week as i got older but it worked amazing when i was thirty.
Dad calves. Mom jeans. Etc.
What IS IT with "mom" and "dad" this and that? You mean clothes that don't make you look like either a skank or a douchebag?
Calves are legs. Nothing to do with clothes.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT3TZuerjnw0qyI21oEHE51JGy8ePuvJ6ue2XnuFfj7LQ&s
Sure, I know, but I was referring to the use of "mom" or "dad" as a disdainful descriptor of various articles of clothing.
Dad jeans are literally the style of straight cut Levi's apparently every dad wore in the 90s, including mine.
Lift heavy and do the stair master for cardio. Will see returns very quickly.
noted
i used to bike 60kms on the weekends
should get back into that
Still need the lifts, though.
Yep.
Everyone knows the one true way to get excellent legs is to be very fat for a period of time.
That isn’t exactly prudent advice though, so next best is to lift heavy.
I have it on good authority the best way is to have your parents buy you a Huffy White Heat bike for your 12th birthday (approximate weight: 50lbs) and then have the girl you have a crush on live at the bottom of the hill in your neighborhood. Ride your White Heat between her house and yours, up a giant hill, approximately 80 times every afternoon.
Even fat cyclists have good calves. You're flexing and extending your ankles every revolution a lot farther then they go when you are walking or running so the calves get a good workout.
I went a long way in life without knowing my shoes and belt are supposed to match. So what footwear am I supposed to wear with my shorts? I now only wear Topsiders when I am actively boating, so those are out.
I received Ugg fur-lined moccasins as a Christmas gift. 3/3 would buy again. Just don’t be stupid enough to wear them on a layover where you have to walk across two terminals.
Topsiders (even for work--sockless down to temps into the 30s, past that, dress walking shoes with socks), sandals, flip-flops with a sandal sole, e.g., Tevas.
I've got a pair of Johnson & Murphy cordovan oxfords for real dress-up, along with a pair of Bostonian cordovan penny loafers. That's it--Imelda Marcos I ain't!
I wear Topsiders religiously, but for walking more than about a half a mile I need actual gym shoes because I’m old.
I had AE Maritimes for years. Split the soles and bought topsides in a pinch. The Sperrys are superior, I hate to admit it but I get why they’re the default boat shoe choice.
Quoddy makes the best “boat shoe”.
Shoes and belt?? Skip the belt and just wear only pants with elastic waistbands like I do and then you can wear any shoe you want, up to and including Saucony trail runners in the most garish color available. (current Sauconies are blue and gray, I haven't worn bright yellow or orange since I was teaching in Japan)
so BYD is bringing their Shark PHEV pickup to Mexico. No plans to bring it to US, so far. Looks like exactly something I want. But they plan to price it starting at $53k!!! WTF! for a Chinese designed built in Mexico small/medium pickup? Insanity.
This Seagull would be every bit of $40k under the same regime. It's ridiculous for people to ignore the effect of exchange rate, but the media does it all the time.
I think you're confusing exchange rate gimmicry with outright subsidy, at the manufacturer and raw material and labor level. I, Sir, shall not allow you to make such mistakes.
Can't it be both?
Making a Seagull in Mexico can't allow for an $11k transaction price.
They missed a great opportunity for a "Trans-Am Day of Visibility" joke.
A great car from an age before the Freak Show ruined yet another word for the rest of us.
Can't talk about tranny issues without earning a sideways glance from your more sensitive coworkers...
I found that out while explaining to a coworker that the '07 and newer Odyssey has the four-shaft tranny from the Pilot/Ridgeline, while the older ones had a weaker three-shaft tranny.
Tremec, not "Avalon" from Accounting.
Dibs on the ice monster!
You got it. Text me 8592856635
Sir, this is not behind a paywall
Ehhhh I’ve had this number for 16 years, do your worst
*Dials furiously*
"Is Amanda there?"
"This is Peggy!"
Who, Mandy White?
She didn't say she was... Nope, I don't know no Mandy White
It's me again, Margaret!
I saw what you did there. As one of those someone-elses I'd just like to say it should have said reason 400-455...how fare you bring and Oldsmobile engine displacement into a Pontiac discussion sir! 🤣
bop blasphemy
My trans am came with a 403, am going to replace with a poncho
I support that but found the 403 in my 78 Toronado very reliable and returned 20 MPG on regular gas
Mine is blown up, nothing inside the bottom of that engine will support any real horsepower and torque, I think for normal cars it’s a good engine, but not great for performance.
"couldn’t wait to tell you how much they despised their readers."
Well, the readers do despise them back. It is a testament to how much I like cars to put up with it.
theyre perfect for each other
Re: Hanson Nirvana…always liked this one…
https://www.flickr.com/photos/acrider/6800673214
He would've made an AWESOME Gandalf!
Recently I was standing outside a hotel in central america when a hatchback similar to the one pictured pulled up. I thought someone put BYD wheels on an ICE car because I could hear the engine running. After a few minutes I walked around it only to discover it was in fact BYD and there was no exhaust. I guess the HVAC was so loud it sounded like an idling small displacement engine.
It's cheaper to make when you take unnecessary cartridge bearings out of it!
Another reason not to be a fan of these! 😋
I’m here all week—try the shrimp fried rice!
youre telling me a shrimp fried that rice
get real
You're goddam right
They're not only involved, they're committed
Anyone that believes BYD will make a reliable product is fooling themselves. It's amazing how far back people are willing to take progress wise just to "save the planet". I drive a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP. I miss pontiac very much. Buick if anything should have taken the axe but it is what it is.
I want a trans am but I don't want a 15 year old car. I run into this issue with lots of things I want. Well, and not wanting to spend the money
Why not? LS1 powered with huge aftermarket. Modern touchscreen infotainment can be installed. With a budget, you can build it to out handle almost anything new.
Laziness and cheapness. Project cars are not my thing and I'm too old to want to be mechanically inclined at this point. Barely enough hours in the day already. And as cool as I think trans ams are, I'd probably pick up a c6 or c7 if I was gonna spend some money. Or more likely, another motorcycle I'll never ride.
I get it, better off with the C7
I have a C7 and would love to also have a 2001-2 Trans Am. 325 hp, 6 speed manual, a back seat, and lots of low mile examples out there for a fair price. Jay Leno has a great video on his. Last car with T-Tops!
Yeah but it has the Playschool plastic interior. Yuck. I’d much rather have a 73 or 74 Formula 400.
Agree, but the 2001-02 Trans Ams are now cheap compared to all other interesting V8 coupes. A nice old Formula or Trans Am is expensive these days.
If we’re playing the “car mastubatory fantasy” game, it’s a Hugger Orange 99 M6 car with a HCI LS1 and whatever suspension Sam Strano recommends. Nothing too crazy, but the ideal pony car IMO.
A c7 will just cost you more money and be a headache. First there is the Mexican made wheels that crack if you so much as look at them. The #7 cylinder gets less air volume from the intake due to packaging in the engine compartment. Then the early Z06 models had inefficient cooling for the high strung supercharger. There are screens instead of real gauges. And the outside does not resemble a Corvette anywhere, no pop up headlights, no square round tail lights, and an insect looking front end.
A 4th Generation F-Body is the car where it has modern fuel injection, parts are available for every component, it looks different than anything made today and you don't look like you're a sad man who sits in the departure lounge in an airport with an underwater laptop to cover up your deficiencies.
Fuck touchscreens. I want buttons and arming-cover switches.
I don’t mean to be THAT guy, but all the LS has the same basic faults engine wise. Most notably the #7 and it’s a lean condition so it runs hotter. Mine vette is currently in need of a short block due to it when I had a catastrophic ring land event.
Poor balancers, lifter tick / failure, piston slap (most prevalent on earlier cars) etc. The fbody is the same headache in a more cramped bay. About the only saving grace is not having to pull the steering rack for balancer work / cam swaps and a traditional T56 layout. Same garbage clutch hydraulics…
I sold my 02 WS6 in favor of my 03 Z51. In retrospect I wish I’d kept the TA but the chassis improvements and overall better vehicle of the vette was undeniable. The weight difference is real too and don’t think you’re getting away with not breaking that 10 bolt.
Vettes are just non service friendly hot rods and unfortunately a bit on the fragile side themselves. Diff failures have an unwanted tendency to snap transmission input shafts. $$$$$$
Also the Fbody FEAD system is stupid. They like to eat alternators due to location.
Singerized '88 GTA for me, my good man.
The best looking trans ams
As much as I like the LT1 cars, they're kinda fat and blobbish by comparison.
I'll take one too. Peak F-Body for me.
I'd take lots of vintage mobiles of the auto persuasion..if they're in the condition that one Adam Wade in the Detroit area seems to find!
Along with enclosed, rodent-free places to store them!
Buick was too important to China.
That's "Bruick!"
I think they kept Buick mostly because some sort of Chinese Emperor / Dictator drove one about 100 years ago, which still gives it brand equity in China.
Well it is an old person car. They were kind of hip in the 60s though.
YOU DARE FORGET THE GNX?!
Not to mention the Stage 2 GS!
And that!
Buick was/is a very popular brand in China.
When you mentioned selling “Monsters”; I immediately thought Ducati. Color me disappointed.
Nobody would give a damn about “cheap Chinese EVs” if the Western World would end the war on fossil fuels and let the market decide.
I find it funny that most folks have no idea that Volvo and Polestar are Chinese. (Polestar is a term that could easily refer to some strippers. Others have probably said that before.)
I ain’t stupid, poor or racist. I am old, have some “backward opinions”, don’t always like “getting on with the program”, and find shorts and sneakers practical on hot days. Further, I’m not convinced about the popular notion of the “reality” of climate change. Doesn’t make me a bad person. And my money is worth the same as everyone else’s.
I enjoy pronouncing “Polestar” in a way that makes it rhyme with “molester” when around car people.
I’m going to steal that!
Ditto
Thirded.
Fifthed--I need a drink! 🍸
Bye bye serial numbers!
I still don't know how to pronounce Velostar. A guy working in product management for Hyundai told me that once the Koreans make up their minds, it's hard to convince them otherwise.
Pole star is a car for strippers
Ditto
Weather permitting, I know you’re going to rock Mid Ohio this weekend. Enjoy!
I kept scrolling, looking for the Lake Ontario monster. Ah, well.
The only one I don’t have :)
Of course!
Pontiac was shut down by the government, not Buick, I think to appease the Chinese
IIRC the government initially wanted GM trimmed to just Chevy and Cadillac. GMC was saved based on just pure profitability, and Buick only because of how popular it is in China.
I remember this as well. Then and now, I think only Chevy and Cadillac should have survived. GMC is a strategic distraction, profitable or not. Both Buick and Pontiac were irredeemably wrecked after the 2000s.
Agreed, even though my rose colored glasses clamor for something otherwise.
Too bad they couldn’t have kept a couple models from Pontiac and Oldsmobile as sub-brands to be sold in dealers in certain markets without having to have an entire dealer network and division within GM.
Although by now you’d have all xUVs anyway! Still, could have been something to try. No reason that a limited number of Trans Ams couldn’t have gone down the same line as Camaros, for instance.
GMC is a cash cow that fills up assembly plants by building more expensive Chevrolets for customers who think they deserve more than a Chevrolet and GM should keep milking that for as long as customers will let them get away with it.
IIRC, GMC has/had an average transaction price on par with luxury brands.
GMC sold over 563,000 new vehicles last year at high transaction prices, it’s hard to walk away from that much revenue.
Those may have been distressed brands but the brand names and related IP for Pontiac and Oldsmobile stayed with the reorganized General Motors and not bundled into the RACER Trust used to sell off former assets. Steven Rattner still knows nothing about the car business.
US Auto Industry, not Pontiac, to appease the domestic Marxists, not Chinese.
There, fixed it for you.
Agreed
MOTOGP at LeMans BE CRAZY
Anyway, Marc Marquez (and Brad Binder) qualified poorly, with Marc starting from 13th. A disappointing position given how well he's been qualifying of late.
The sprint race had quite a few people drop out and DNF including second place in the championship Bagnaia who had an awful start and then just gave up (? broadcast indicated "no feel" but I haven't gone and checked news sites). Bezzecchi, who won last year's LeMans GP wrecked out for no points despite running well in second place. Aprilia continued to look strong both in qualifying and in the running with Vinales finishing with another sprint podium. Marc Marquez' vision had him jump from 13th to 5th (or 6th?) in lap one. He would then take advantage of crashes and be aggressive enough to win second place. Jorge Martin set a lap record during qualifying, and led the sprint more or less the entire time. He looks incredibly strong.
The race race had even more DNFs, with Pedro Acosta finally wrecking out of a race during an ill advised maneuver, and Bez crashing out from a good place again. Bagnaia was back in form and ran in first place for most of the race and looked quite strong. Marc Marquez had a worse start but still made up some places going into the first few turns. He would work his way through the field in impressive form to sit in third for much of the race. Jorge Martin was patient and took a shot, but couldn't make it stick at around the halfway mark of the race. In the latter third he passed Bagnaia again and this time got away. A short while later he would have a minor error that brought Bagnaia back on his rear tire and their dicing had Marquez just behind them and biding his time. In the last few turns of the race Marquez would put a move on Bagnaia and ensure that Pecco's chance to win, but secured Marquez' 2-2 and Martin's 1-1 for the race.
Brad Binder, in the race proper, went from DFL to 8th! Unfortunately this was not really televised.
MotoAmerica will be at Barber this weekend, so remember to tune in*.
*I will be farting around on my new-to-me infinity miles ST1100 for part of the weekend.
Last month I rented a FJR1300 instead of a car on to do a bit of fun riding as part of a trip.
It was my first time on a proper street touring bike and I don't really understand the appeal of the bike. Compared to my very street oriented 'ADV' bikes (Multistrada, XB12X) it managed to feel both more ponderous on fun roads and less comfortable for longer rides. The only place it felt a little better than those bikes was straight highway bombing, but I have to imagine a full on touring bike like a Goldwing would be even better there.
Any idea if the FJR is notably bad in this space or am I just firmly not the target demographic for these things?
I have no idea! Buying the ST1100 was spurred by three things and one of which is the same as you - 1) discovering if I want to have a big-ass bike with fairings for commute 2) it was super cheap; by far the cheapest with the nearest FJR being $3k+ more money, and the Kawi Concourses being about the same C) the bike I have puts me in physical discomfort after about 30minutes and my commute is half again that amount of time.
I do note that some people mentioned the FJR felt particularly top heavy with the battery and gas tank mounted high which wouldn't help puttering around.
Nice - hope it works out well for that. Not having commuting as an excuse to ride is my main regret for my current WFH bugman lifestyle. Even if it wasn't a great ride there's still something cathartic about just being out on a bike.
In theory, I'm in the office three days a week, 58 minutes each way.
Since March it has rained on the VAST majority of those days. I've ridden the Blackbird maybe six times. So I ride to lunch on my WFH days!
Ohio to chicago on a bike isnt that bad. Ive done it
What part of Ohio?
Toledo's okay, but I wouldn't want to try Akron-Chicago on my GSX-R750.
Listen, you're not wrong about any of that. But you have to understand a few things about Gen X sportbikers:
0. It's called a Yamaha FJ which means more to a lot of us than "911" or "Mustang GT"
1. It's not an ADV bike. I will never own or ride an ADV bike. I don't give a shit if they do 9 second quarters and get 100mpg and do their own service while you sleep. I can't live with the way they look.
In all seriousness, an FJR is a good way to cross a state or commute to work. And it's an easy transition from a Blackbird or Hayabusa.
See the trick is if you've never owned a traditionally good looking motorcycle, owning one that looks like crow t robot after slamming into a brick wall isn't a downside - it's just unique.
On the more practical side - ADV and dirt bikes/supermotos are about the only bikes that don't feel way too cramped in the legs for me
We'll see if "gt" chimes in here, but he's having a crisis of conscience caused by riding a V-Strom 1000. Could it tug his heart away from the mighty Yamahas and Kawasakis of the Eighties?
A Vstrom 1000 was in the running for me and they tend toward cheap, but the sportsy tourers are friendlier to my stubby legs
Shh, just ride the ADV bike. It's fine. No one's impressed by riding motorcycles anyway.
For gt: no experience with the 1000 Vstrom, but my first bike was a 650 Vstrom. It was fine, but pretty boring. I'd probably put it at the bottom of the list of bikes I've owned.
Counter-argument zoomer women have catcalled me on the Z, presumably because they don't know how uncool a Z400 is.
Funny, cause I own a V-Strom 650 and I love it. Maybe in the way that people say they love their Toyotas, but I really do enjoy the thing. I've ridden more than 50 other bikes over the last 7 years or so and there are only a handful I liked more than what I have. All of them were 3x the cost.
"Shh, just ride the ADV bike. It's fine. No one's impressed by riding motorcycles anyway."
The 12-year-old me, for whom I do almost everything in life that doesn't involve girls or tech work, demands a literbike.
My XS1100 being on month two of endless troubleshooting (I think I've finally got it sorted, pending some spark plug and wire swapping), had my mind wandering quite a bit. I've got 4 riding buddies that have owned/own first gen DL1000 Vstroms, and I finally got to ride one of these rigs earlier this week. The ergos, somewhat longer travel suspension, fairly punchy L-twin motor, were all fantastic. It fits the sort of riding I do to a "t." But, like a KLR650 I owned back in college, it's just kind of all around boring, starting with the looks. It's right at the crossroads of bland and ugly. One of those bikes where as you own it long term you bond with it and grow to really appreciate it. But given my limited opportunities to ride these days, I want something that more stimulating for my short commutes to work and occasional weekend trips. I told myself no new bikes in 2024, but if I do cave, I think I'll be back in the Harley fold with either a 90s solid-mount sportster 1200 or a 90s Dyna (Evo or twincam 88). The other really annoying thing with all DL1000/DL1050s is the infamous clutch "chudder" for which there was a one man shop here in the US that sold remachined clutch baskets to permanently fix the issue, but he literally just retired at the end of April. The one I rode had the "chudder" issue and it was annoying as hell.
The long travel suspension is really what makes ADV bikes worth it, IMO. The roads are so bad where I live that I feel like I can go faster when the bike isn't popping me out of the seat several times a mile. Same in cars with smaller wheels when I'm not slowly picking my way around frost heaves and raised metal grates and plates.
How bad is the "chudder" that a solidly mounted Evo engine is less intrusive?
EVERYTHING about the ADV bikes is better - the power delivery, the toys, the suspension, the ergonomics but as Jack helpfully pointed out they're HIDEOUS. I can't accept being seen on one.
They are not pretty bikes. I was riding around on a 2023 Tiger 900 on Saturday for a bit and, boy, was it a nice place to be.
Exactly the bike that made me want to close my eyes and buy one.
100% I could do without the toys but everything else is right up my alley. I love exploring gravel roads and beat up twisty pavement, I love my UJMs' upright ergos, etc. Just can't get past the looks of these things.