General Car Talk Discussion Thread

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Old 08-15-2014, 10:51 AM
  #9801  
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
Don't even bother. 70k on an Avalon is just getting broken in. A base or even mid model Kia would be a downgrade. What's her reason for wanting a new car anyway?
It's a boat and she doesn't want to be associated as a hoe.
Old 08-15-2014, 11:27 AM
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I'll see what I end up doing, not making any moves yet.

Anyway..

Morgan Stanley is expecting the Model X to outperform the Model S in terms of sales. Thats a pretty big statement. I'm curious how this will do against other high end SUVs. Normally I'd think, if you want an SUV, you can take it for road trips and such. Go camping, etc. But if you have a model X you would need to think twice. Now I dunno if this is how the high end SUV market people think. If they do then the Model X may not do so well, but if they dont and they mainly want a car with a lot of room with luxury, the model X will probably be the best selling high end SUV.

My uncle who has the Model S has a deposit on the Model X to replace his Sienna. He only has the Sienna for when his family is in town, since they have grand kids now, they needed a bigger car. So the Model X will do him good.
Old 08-15-2014, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by speedemon90
Now I dunno if this is how the high end SUV market people think. If they do then the Model X may not do so well, but if they dont and they mainly want a car with a lot of room with luxury, the model X will probably be the best selling high end SUV.
The Model X makes a lot of sense as I think most of the GL550 and Range Rover Sport owners don't go offroad. Plus, think of all the English Premier League WAGs that will want one
Old 08-15-2014, 12:02 PM
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also I think with higher-end SUV's costing so much already, it's not as tough a sell
Old 08-15-2014, 12:15 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I don't know how that's possible. Unless there's something wrong with my car or I'm using some other tune setting than you
Actually, it's interesting. Back in the middle of June I started see a string of lower MPG tanks. 26.0, 26.1, 24.5, 28.7 (better), 23.8 (I think my all-time worst), and 25.1. After that last one, I did some reading and decided to reset my KAM with the AccessPORT. After I did that, my MPG went to 27.9, 29.6, 26.8, and now 29.4.

I think it definitely helped.
Old 08-15-2014, 12:23 PM
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Originally Posted by rphilman1
after that last one, i did some reading and decided to reset my kam with the accessport. After i did that, my mpg went to 27.9, 29.6, 26.8, and now 29.4.

I think it definitely helped.
kam?
Old 08-15-2014, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
kam?
Keep Alive Memory.

Originally Posted by Accessport User Manual
Reset KAM

Reset keep alive memory (KAM). More specifically this resets LTFT (Long Term Fuel Trim) and ETC (Electronic Throttle Control) learning. This feature is handy as it allows you to reset adaptive learning when making certain hardware changes, repairs, or fuel changes.
http://www.accessecu.com/support/doc...UserManual.pdf

http://www.focusst.org/forum/cobb-tu...reset-kam.html
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Old 08-15-2014, 12:39 PM
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Thanks man. I'm going to get the latest tune from Randy and I'll reset all that and see what happens.
Old 08-15-2014, 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
Thanks man. I'm going to get the latest tune from Randy and I'll reset all that and see what happens.
No problem!
Old 08-15-2014, 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by speedemon90
I'll see what I end up doing, not making any moves yet.

Anyway..

Morgan Stanley is expecting the Model X to outperform the Model S in terms of sales. Thats a pretty big statement. I'm curious how this will do against other high end SUVs. Normally I'd think, if you want an SUV, you can take it for road trips and such. Go camping, etc. But if you have a model X you would need to think twice. Now I dunno if this is how the high end SUV market people think. If they do then the Model X may not do so well, but if they dont and they mainly want a car with a lot of room with luxury, the model X will probably be the best selling high end SUV.

My uncle who has the Model S has a deposit on the Model X to replace his Sienna. He only has the Sienna for when his family is in town, since they have grand kids now, they needed a bigger car. So the Model X will do him good.
If one buys a Model X for a family car and takes it on road trips I'd imagine it wouldn't be as big of a deal. The family will need to stop often for various things and with the supercharger network ramping up quickly, they should be able to stop to both charge and take care of whatever family needs as well.

I'm guessing it'll outsell the Model S easily simply because it does so much better for economy vs any other mid size SUV and doesn't cost a whole lot more than most upmarket mid size SUVs. With the model S, you can get other cars that offer high fuel economy and a premium interior for a lot less (example BMW 328d, Audi TDI, etc), they just don't come with the performance.
Old 08-15-2014, 01:40 PM
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
Don't even bother. 70k on an Avalon is just getting broken in. A base or even mid model Kia would be a downgrade. What's her reason for wanting a new car anyway?
It was her grandmother's car. She wants something "younger." But the Avalon has been perfect. It's had zero issues. All it needs is brakes as the pedal is feeling a little soft.

She feels like she needs to get rid of it before something goes wrong and while it's worth something. I told her nothing will go wrong as long as we keep maintaining it the way we do.
Old 08-15-2014, 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by RPhilMan1
Actually, it's interesting. Back in the middle of June I started see a string of lower MPG tanks. 26.0, 26.1, 24.5, 28.7 (better), 23.8 (I think my all-time worst), and 25.1. After that last one, I did some reading and decided to reset my KAM with the AccessPORT. After I did that, my MPG went to 27.9, 29.6, 26.8, and now 29.4.

I think it definitely helped.
Ahhhh playing with AP was back then. It was one of the best mods I've ever done for any of my previous cars.

And it DID increase my MPG on MS3 by a lot, like A LOT.

Originally Posted by crazyasiantl
It was her grandmother's car. She wants something "younger." But the Avalon has been perfect. It's had zero issues. All it needs is brakes as the pedal is feeling a little soft.

She feels like she needs to get rid of it before something goes wrong and while it's worth something. I told her nothing will go wrong as long as we keep maintaining it the way we do.
Dude, she's just telling you to get her a new car.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:02 PM
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lol @ thinking the Avalon is going to crap out. Tell her to drive it for the rest of her life, save ~$400/mo that she would have put into a new/er car + insurance.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:31 PM
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In her defense that car is so boring if you put soldiers in it, it violates the Geneva Convention:

Old 08-15-2014, 02:33 PM
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To be fair, the Optima is sort of a boat to drive as well. Even as far as family sedans are concerned.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Aman


To be fair, the Optima is sort of a boat to drive as well. Even as far as family sedans are concerned.
But it's a new boat!
Old 08-15-2014, 02:39 PM
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Trust me ( i had an Avalon as my first hand down car)

nothing is as bad as driving an Avalon (maybe town car)

soft brake + soft suspension = scary when you brake
soft suspension + turning + bench seat = you can't even call that bodyroll anymore. It is more like a Car-roll
soft suspension + uneven pavement on the FWY at 80mph = you will get motion sickness similar to when you are on a small fishing boat

did i mention the braking was scary?
Old 08-15-2014, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Aman


To be fair, the Optima is sort of a boat to drive as well. Even as far as family sedans are concerned.
You obviously don't understand what it means to be a boat.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
Trust me ( i had an Avalon as my first hand down car)

nothing is as bad as driving an Avalon (maybe town car)

soft brake + soft suspension = scary when you brake
soft suspension + turning + bench seat = you can't even call that bodyroll anymore. It is more like a Car-roll
soft suspension + uneven pavement on the FWY at 80mph = feels like flying

did i mention the braking was scary?
^this

I hit a dip in the road in an Avalon.. almost lost my shit.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:42 PM
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As long as you don't crash it.. it'll run forever.

Ensure the brake fluid is changed regularly and get the master cyl and brake booster checked periodically..

Last edited by Majofo; 08-15-2014 at 02:51 PM.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:51 PM
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That is one of the few cars that i wished it would break faster so i could get a different car.

it was so bad that i had not considered ANY Toyota cars since 1998.



Normally i slow down at the railroad track because either my car is too low or the dip is too deep. However, in Avalon it was because the car will feel like it is launching into the space.

Last edited by oonowindoo; 08-15-2014 at 02:56 PM.
Old 08-15-2014, 02:58 PM
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I had a 94 Camry that was super fucking fun.. especially when it decided brakes were appropriate or nah.

Like.. hey Camry.. the lights red, now would be a good time to stop.. pumps the fuck out of the brake.. soft to the floor.. last second whiplash, tire and pad smoke billowing in a cloud 30 feet in front of me.. stopped right at the line. fantastic.

The family Avalon didn't have brakes that bad, but spongy doesn't even describe the pedal nor soft desrcibe the suspension.

I could sit on the front end and it would dip.. no not fat ass.
Old 08-15-2014, 03:00 PM
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Both cars still in the family.. running well. Drove the Camry a couple years back. I had to change the radiator and flushed the transmission but it still ran smooth. I tap the brake once in a while out of paranoia.
Old 08-15-2014, 03:04 PM
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we had a 94 Camry too. it had a really nice stereo, for stock.

got a ticket in it once.

something stupid like a 54 in a 45.

other than that it was pretty boring.
Old 08-15-2014, 03:16 PM
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i had the 97 Avalon XLS... it was pretty expensive at the time $30k in 1997

Other than being reliable, everything that i can recall about that car were all negatives.
Old 08-15-2014, 03:18 PM
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You'll die before it dies.

:carrie:
Old 08-15-2014, 03:23 PM
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Avalon's were super expensive. You could buy an ES300 or SC300 for near the same money.
Old 08-15-2014, 03:24 PM
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Probably i think there was a common problem for all Toyota's V6 at that time.

There will be a shit load of blue smokes coming out of the exhaust when you start the engine and you can turn on the engine but the moment you let go the key, it will die.

I had those in my Avalon but did not bother to fix it...magically it healed itself after a few months.
Old 08-15-2014, 03:36 PM
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They are designed to be comfortable and boring but run forever. They do all those things quite well. I didn't think the Avalon suspension was that bad but could be bad springs/shocks/both that are causing the crappy ride. In any case, keeping the grandma car and saving the cash for something better than an Optima in the future would be what I'd do. An 07 Avalon with 70k miles is probably worth right around ~$10k. Is that really worth it to you to pay $30k to save $3-4k in resale value in the next 5 years?

If you want halfway engaging and run forever, buy an Accord.
Old 08-15-2014, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by SamDoe1
..I didn't think the Avalon suspension was that bad but could be bad springs/shocks/both that are causing the crappy ride..
It's a boat. /case
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Old 08-15-2014, 05:15 PM
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There is one feature on the current avalon that needs to move throughout the rest of the industry. Wireless charger mat for phones in one of the compartments.
Old 08-15-2014, 05:31 PM
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The Lexus NX will have a wireless charger in the center console.

Old 08-15-2014, 05:37 PM
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ohh nice!

But I think this placement is better because you have access to your phone without opening it up. I guess it doesnt look as luxurious though. I also like how they use an iPhone that doesnt have a wireless charging case on it even..

Old 08-15-2014, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by speedemon90
ohh nice!

But I think this placement is better because you have access to your phone without opening it up. I guess it doesnt look as luxurious though. I also like how they use an iPhone that doesnt have a wireless charging case on it even..

now you have your own dual stacked screens.
Old 08-15-2014, 06:00 PM
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damn, hot model. (not official, this was done by an independent Italian designer)

http://hiconsumption.com/2014/08/fer...ercar-concept/
<section id="primary">


<aside role="home-widgets">



</aside>
Ferrari F80 Supercar Concept

Most automotive enthusiasts are always looking for the next big thing, and Italian designer Adriano Raeli is no exception. Although Ferrari debuted their LaFerrari not too long ago, Raeli thought it was due time to pull the curtain back on his Ferrari F80 Supercar.


Sure it’s nothing more than a concept, but the idea is certainly one worth taking a look at. The vehicle will be powered by a hybrid drivetrain that pairs a KERS system with a combustion engine to produce 1,200 horsepower. While this sounds pretty awesome, the manner in which it’s handled might ruffle more than a few feathers. The Art Center College of Design graduate has ditched the iconic V12 in favor of a 900 horsepower twin-turbo V8 setup (paired with the 300 horsepower KERS system). The vehicle’s proposed weight of 1,763 pounds means the 2-seater would sprint to 62 mph in just 2.2 seconds with a top speed of 310 miles per hour. While many of us would have liked to see this thing powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine, it’s worth noting that the legendary Ferrari F40 was also powered by the same twin-turbocharged V8 power plant. Not to mention this thing is drop dead gorgeous.















</section>
Old 08-15-2014, 06:55 PM
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i can see that side skirt being replacing on a weekly basis.
Old 08-15-2014, 08:32 PM
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Looks like an F1 car is hiding underneath. I like it a lot.
Old 08-15-2014, 09:05 PM
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yeah, that's a striking feature -
Old 08-15-2014, 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by CLtotheTL32
The Lexus NX will have a wireless charger in the center console.
NX will come with a lot of nice features (safety & what not) right out of the box. That's definitely one of the coolest, though.
Old 08-16-2014, 12:06 PM
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Originally Posted by crazyasiantl
What are your guys thoughts on a '15 Optima?

My fiancée wants one as her next car to replace her boat 06 Avalon with only 70k. She doesn't want the turbo or a higher optioned SX, she said she would be perfectly happy with a 2.4 (non turbo) EX (mid level)model.

I sat in one yesterday, dealer didn't offer a test drive, and it was nicer than what pictures suggest. The pano roof was nice.

Anyone know of someone with higher mileage on these cars and how it's holding up?

My buddy has an '11 Sonata that he drives the shit out of, and it's had zero issues, so I figured the Kia would hold up the same.

She initially wanted a Fusion SE, but I almost talked the Accord EX-L on her
My uncle has an Optima EX with about 65k-75k on it. It has no problems. I would try to get her to go for an SX though, and if not, get her into a fusion or a Chrysler 200. They're both very nice cars. Look at the 200, you'll be surprised.


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