C4 Timeless Machine
10-29-2014, 10:49 PM
#22
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
10-30-2014, 09:25 AM
#23
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Corvette may end up being the exception to the rule, as they have a need to keep the car relatively small, to keep it a sports car.
In general, however, the marketing for any model car is to give you more for your money each successive model year. The best example I can think of, at this moment, is the Ford Taurus. It started out a "mid-sized" sedan... relatively small and positioned beneath the LTD. They phased out the LTD and grew the Taurus..... and grew the Taurus. Now, it is Ford's "large" sedan. The Fusion is now replacing the Taurus as the mid-sized car and the Focus will eventually take its place. Some cars, like the Corvette, don't function in quite the same market model, but I find it interesting how other models are manipulated by the manufacturers.
In general, however, the marketing for any model car is to give you more for your money each successive model year. The best example I can think of, at this moment, is the Ford Taurus. It started out a "mid-sized" sedan... relatively small and positioned beneath the LTD. They phased out the LTD and grew the Taurus..... and grew the Taurus. Now, it is Ford's "large" sedan. The Fusion is now replacing the Taurus as the mid-sized car and the Focus will eventually take its place. Some cars, like the Corvette, don't function in quite the same market model, but I find it interesting how other models are manipulated by the manufacturers.
10-30-2014, 11:03 AM
#24
Melting Slicks
I think it's funny you are 4 spaces away and you consider that parking next to him
I over heated my car 4 different times when I first got it together while working out the cooling system bugs twice it buried the 250* gauge. Not had any problems since
I over heated my car 4 different times when I first got it together while working out the cooling system bugs twice it buried the 250* gauge. Not had any problems since
10-30-2014, 11:11 AM
#25
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Yeah, I never thought about it much.I always tell my wife, after parking in the back of the parking lot and listening to her complain, " I would rather spend 20 seconds walking than have a dent".
Here is a nice video of the carnage.
10-30-2014, 03:35 PM
#27
Personally I have a STOCK 88 verte. and I am going to leave it that way. I am 67 and at my age the "speed demon" inside has disappeared. Back in the 60's we all wanted something that roared and burnt rubber all the way down the street. Those days are gone and now they want to sell you a vehicle with 500+ HP. and when it needs tuning or work done on it, you are supposed to take it to the dealer and spend $!00-125 per hour just to have them analyze them. No thank you! If I can cruise at 70-75 mph on the freeway I am happy as a clam. Besides I have 2 Model A's that are my main cars in use as my Vette is my "going on a trip" car. Comfortable for cruising and enjoying the sunshine when the top is down. Just MHO!
Tommy
Tommy
10-30-2014, 03:45 PM
#28
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Personally I have a STOCK 88 verte. and I am going to leave it that way. I am 67 and at my age the "speed demon" inside has disappeared. Back in the 60's we all wanted something that roared and burnt rubber all the way down the street. Those days are gone and now they want to sell you a vehicle with 500+ HP. and when it needs tuning or work done on it, you are supposed to take it to the dealer and spend $!00-125 per hour just to have them analyze them. No thank you! If I can cruise at 70-75 mph on the freeway I am happy as a clam. Besides I have 2 Model A's that are my main cars in use as my Vette is my "going on a trip" car. Comfortable for cruising and enjoying the sunshine when the top is down. Just MHO!
Tommy
Tommy
Last edited by ch@0s; 10-30-2014 at 03:49 PM.
10-30-2014, 11:39 PM
#29
Racer
10-31-2014, 10:23 AM
#31
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
100% Was glad to see someone else feel the same way. I posted this on another thread...
you have a car of today...which ends up looking like an appliance, a caricature of a car from 20 years ago, or a combination of both.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; 10-31-2014 at 10:41 AM.
10-31-2014, 10:36 AM
#32
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
Actually, I think it starts w/crash standards.
Gotta raise the hood height to protect people who like to walk in front of moving cars.
Gotta raise the doors for side impact protection. Then, to maintain the lines of the car, somewhat, and keep visibility, up goes the roof, and then too, the rear of the car. Now the rear 1/4 panel is a HUGE SLAB, so you're pretty much forced into using a 18" wheel or larger, so the wheel doesn't look ridiculously tiny.
Keeping things to scale. add HUGE tail light fixtures, big headlights and grills...and you have a car of today...which ends up looking like an appliance, a caricature of a car from 20 years ago, or a combination of both.
Gotta raise the hood height to protect people who like to walk in front of moving cars.
Gotta raise the doors for side impact protection. Then, to maintain the lines of the car, somewhat, and keep visibility, up goes the roof, and then too, the rear of the car. Now the rear 1/4 panel is a HUGE SLAB, so you're pretty much forced into using a 18" wheel or larger, so the wheel doesn't look ridiculously tiny.
Keeping things to scale. add HUGE tail light fixtures, big headlights and grills...and you have a car of today...which ends up looking like an appliance, a caricature of a car from 20 years ago, or a combination of both.
10-31-2014, 10:39 AM
#33
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
10-31-2014, 11:49 AM
#34
Almost bought Challenger
When I bought my '94 this summer, it was a tough decision. My other choice was a '12 Challenger. The deciding factors were: no drop top on the Challenger, I have wanted a vette since I was 12 years old, and I could buy the vette with no monthly payments. But I think the Challenger is the best looking New/old design.
C
C
10-31-2014, 12:17 PM
#35
Melting Slicks
The young guys can go watch Taxi to know what they are.
10-31-2014, 12:59 PM
#36
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
10-31-2014, 01:09 PM
#37
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
One time (long time ago) I was helping a buddy move from Mass to Maine, towing a trailer w/my Trans Am. Pulled into the Hookset NH toll booth and BOOM! Water pump goes out in my car. I pay the toll, pull of to the right into parking area. On the trailer I'm towing is (among other things) a SBC w/a water pump on it. Sweet! Tool box was in another car that was miles ahead. Not sweet.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; 10-31-2014 at 01:12 PM.
11-03-2014, 06:25 AM
#38
Safety Car
11-03-2014, 10:32 AM
#39
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I took the water pump off this weekend when I had a few minutes. It took me longer to get dressed in old stained clothes and back out than it did to remove the pump. Two heater hoses, two radiator hoses and 6 10mm bolts that apparently are torqued to like 20 foot pounds. I hope it goes in just as easily. 
