General Car Talk Discussion Thread
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 88,888
Likes: 11,846
From: Waffles, BU
Yeah brah all that marketing bullshit.. can withstand +1000F temps, hard coat like diamonds, forever coating, warrantied
Plus the price of entry on some bottles is crazy and their multilayer application..
I thought you couldn't recoat, have to compound off.. that alone is like fuck no.
Plus the prep to actually apply.. hell nah.
If you're paying someone to prep your shitty paint, then it might be worth +500.. but otherwise pass.
$1300.. wtf.
Plus the price of entry on some bottles is crazy and their multilayer application..
I thought you couldn't recoat, have to compound off.. that alone is like fuck no.
Plus the prep to actually apply.. hell nah.
If you're paying someone to prep your shitty paint, then it might be worth +500.. but otherwise pass.
$1300.. wtf.
Seriously...I seen guys get a full PPF on their Golfs (typically around $2k for the full car) and then have it ceramic coated 
Waste of money. Just use the PPF. It's more protective. And yes, you'll need to compound it off, which would be a bitch. I've got to compound one spot because my buddy (who was buffing the ceramic coat off after I applied it) missed a small spot. You can't see it unless the lighting is perfect and you know where to look, which is why I haven't done it yet.
It also makes body work a pain in the ass. If you don't tell the shop that the car is coated, they will try to blend the paint, and it won't stick properly. The surface will need to be prepped differently to get a good finish, and they need to use different equipment to do it because the ceramic can fuck shit up quickly.
But yeah I like my coating
Waste of money. Just use the PPF. It's more protective. And yes, you'll need to compound it off, which would be a bitch. I've got to compound one spot because my buddy (who was buffing the ceramic coat off after I applied it) missed a small spot. You can't see it unless the lighting is perfect and you know where to look, which is why I haven't done it yet.It also makes body work a pain in the ass. If you don't tell the shop that the car is coated, they will try to blend the paint, and it won't stick properly. The surface will need to be prepped differently to get a good finish, and they need to use different equipment to do it because the ceramic can fuck shit up quickly.
But yeah I like my coating
Your Friendly Canadian
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17,447
Likes: 1,506
From: Toronto, Ontario
Maybe I'm just lazy, but the biggest pro of ceramic coating to me is longevity. Nothing else can touch it. Washing cars for me is kind of a PITA (apartment), so the less I need to do it the better.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
Likes: 4,430
From: Mooresville, NC
Cost wise, I think the professional coatings are bullshit. Most professionals charge around $1300 to do it. They say it lasts 5-7 years, but I have a hard time believing that. Also, you should use a specific soap to maintain the ceramic coat. With that said, the consumer line is a bit more worth while in my opinion. If you're comfortable polishing a car, then you should have no problem applying the coating. Something like CQuartz UK is around $100 to coat a car. Theoretically, CQuartz says the coating is good for 2 years, which is less then the pro line, but its also costs $1200 (on average) less. You can recoat with the consumer line every year for 10 years and still pay less then the pro coating that - theoretically - lasts 7 years.
I've had my car coated for 13 months with the consumer line product. I wash it using their soap, which is around $27 for a bottle. I use a 1:9 soap:water mixture and it lasts me around 15 washes. I've not recoated the car in that time at all, but water still beads like it did early on, and - most importantly in my opinion - the car is way easier to clean as the dirt and grime just rinses off the paint. It's amazing on wheels as well, since brake dust just wipes off.
The biggest misunderstanding I see on forums is that people think ceramic coating will protect from scratches and rock chips. Get PPF if you're looking for that level of protection. Think of ceramic coating as harder clear coat.
I've had my car coated for 13 months with the consumer line product. I wash it using their soap, which is around $27 for a bottle. I use a 1:9 soap:water mixture and it lasts me around 15 washes. I've not recoated the car in that time at all, but water still beads like it did early on, and - most importantly in my opinion - the car is way easier to clean as the dirt and grime just rinses off the paint. It's amazing on wheels as well, since brake dust just wipes off.
The biggest misunderstanding I see on forums is that people think ceramic coating will protect from scratches and rock chips. Get PPF if you're looking for that level of protection. Think of ceramic coating as harder clear coat.
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Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Regional Coordinator (Southeast)
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 44,120
Likes: 4,430
From: Mooresville, NC
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,706
Likes: 3,904
From: Chicago
You can do a carnauba over ceramic, but the existing carnauba will be removed in the surface prep for the coating.
Fahrvergnügen'd
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,494
Likes: 1,569
From: Maryland
How does Alfa Romeo/Fiat make their turbo four exhaust sound so good and no one else seems to have figured it out.
I just saw a 4c drive by and the exhaust sounded great for a four banger. Throaty and deep (title of your sex tape). The 500 Abarth is the same way.
I just saw a 4c drive by and the exhaust sounded great for a four banger. Throaty and deep (title of your sex tape). The 500 Abarth is the same way.
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,869
Likes: 3,489
Gotta ditch the muffler on certain cars or go with a very free-flowing one. A turbo is a better muffler than any muffler out there for a 4-cylinder, if you're talking about sound. Probably too loud for most, though 
I agree with you on the Abarth, the 4C I have seen only a couple of times but the driver never got on it on either occasion.
CTR and Cayman, sound like trash. STI and Focus RS sound good to me.
I agree with you on the Abarth, the 4C I have seen only a couple of times but the driver never got on it on either occasion.
CTR and Cayman, sound like trash. STI and Focus RS sound good to me.
Off topic - I've been getting these ridiculous vehicle warranty calls on my work phone multiple times a day, every day, for the last 2 weeks or so. Today, I finally decided to have some fun with them. Everyone knows that telemarketers have to hit sales targets, and the longer they're on a call with someone, the worse their numbers look. So, I kept her on as long as possible
She first asked how many miles I had, I said 176,000 miles.
She asked what year it was. I said 2019 (and she didn't question it).
She asked if I had any oil leaks. I said there's a puddle under the car every day.
She asked if I knew where the leak was coming from. I said no, I don't even know the first place to look.
She asked if I change the oil every 3-5k miles. I said no, I change it every 20k.
She paused, then asked why. I said oil changes every 5-10k are too expensive, and I have to add so much oil every day because of the leak that I figure it's cleaning itself.
She said ooooooh k...well good news, it looks like you're prequalified (of course I would be!).
She then started reading off all the things that are covered. I asked what the deductible was, and she started reading all those terms too (only $100 out of pocket for repairs!)
She then said it will be covered to 3 years or 100k miles. I asked her to confirm that my car will be covered until 276,000 miles, and she paused again...then asked if it was a 2019 (yes, it is).
Then she asked how I have so many miles. I told her that I drive a lot, every single day.
She then confirmed that yes, I will be covered until 276k miles. Awesome!
Then I asked if I brought the car in to have all of the problems fixed at once, do I still only pay $100? She asked "what other problems?"
So I said that the back windows no longer work, the ac works sometimes, there's the oil leak, and the transmission clunks. If I go to the shop to have this stuff all fixed at the same time, I only pay $100?
She paused a third time. Then said "I'm sorry, it looks like your vehicle doesn't qualify for a warranty. I said "darn, that really stinks" in the most sarcastic way I possibly could. Then she hung up.
I wonder if they'll call again. I'm having fun with it
She first asked how many miles I had, I said 176,000 miles.
She asked what year it was. I said 2019 (and she didn't question it).
She asked if I had any oil leaks. I said there's a puddle under the car every day.
She asked if I knew where the leak was coming from. I said no, I don't even know the first place to look.
She asked if I change the oil every 3-5k miles. I said no, I change it every 20k.
She paused, then asked why. I said oil changes every 5-10k are too expensive, and I have to add so much oil every day because of the leak that I figure it's cleaning itself.
She said ooooooh k...well good news, it looks like you're prequalified (of course I would be!).
She then started reading off all the things that are covered. I asked what the deductible was, and she started reading all those terms too (only $100 out of pocket for repairs!)
She then said it will be covered to 3 years or 100k miles. I asked her to confirm that my car will be covered until 276,000 miles, and she paused again...then asked if it was a 2019 (yes, it is).
Then she asked how I have so many miles. I told her that I drive a lot, every single day.
She then confirmed that yes, I will be covered until 276k miles. Awesome!
Then I asked if I brought the car in to have all of the problems fixed at once, do I still only pay $100? She asked "what other problems?"
So I said that the back windows no longer work, the ac works sometimes, there's the oil leak, and the transmission clunks. If I go to the shop to have this stuff all fixed at the same time, I only pay $100?
She paused a third time. Then said "I'm sorry, it looks like your vehicle doesn't qualify for a warranty. I said "darn, that really stinks" in the most sarcastic way I possibly could. Then she hung up.
I wonder if they'll call again. I'm having fun with it
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 23,362
Likes: 4,273
From: Los Angeles
Off topic - I've been getting these ridiculous vehicle warranty calls on my work phone multiple times a day, every day, for the last 2 weeks or so. Today, I finally decided to have some fun with them. Everyone knows that telemarketers have to hit sales targets, and the longer they're on a call with someone, the worse their numbers look. So, I kept her on as long as possible
She first asked how many miles I had, I said 176,000 miles.
She asked what year it was. I said 2019 (and she didn't question it).
She asked if I had any oil leaks. I said there's a puddle under the car every day.
She asked if I knew where the leak was coming from. I said no, I don't even know the first place to look.
She asked if I change the oil every 3-5k miles. I said no, I change it every 20k.
She paused, then asked why. I said oil changes every 5-10k are too expensive, and I have to add so much oil every day because of the leak that I figure it's cleaning itself.
She said ooooooh k...well good news, it looks like you're prequalified (of course I would be!).
She then started reading off all the things that are covered. I asked what the deductible was, and she started reading all those terms too (only $100 out of pocket for repairs!)
She then said it will be covered to 3 years or 100k miles. I asked her to confirm that my car will be covered until 276,000 miles, and she paused again...then asked if it was a 2019 (yes, it is).
Then she asked how I have so many miles. I told her that I drive a lot, every single day.
She then confirmed that yes, I will be covered until 276k miles. Awesome!
Then I asked if I brought the car in to have all of the problems fixed at once, do I still only pay $100? She asked "what other problems?"
So I said that the back windows no longer work, the ac works sometimes, there's the oil leak, and the transmission clunks. If I go to the shop to have this stuff all fixed at the same time, I only pay $100?
She paused a third time. Then said "I'm sorry, it looks like your vehicle doesn't qualify for a warranty. I said "darn, that really stinks" in the most sarcastic way I possibly could. Then she hung up.
I wonder if they'll call again. I'm having fun with it
She first asked how many miles I had, I said 176,000 miles.
She asked what year it was. I said 2019 (and she didn't question it).
She asked if I had any oil leaks. I said there's a puddle under the car every day.
She asked if I knew where the leak was coming from. I said no, I don't even know the first place to look.
She asked if I change the oil every 3-5k miles. I said no, I change it every 20k.
She paused, then asked why. I said oil changes every 5-10k are too expensive, and I have to add so much oil every day because of the leak that I figure it's cleaning itself.
She said ooooooh k...well good news, it looks like you're prequalified (of course I would be!).
She then started reading off all the things that are covered. I asked what the deductible was, and she started reading all those terms too (only $100 out of pocket for repairs!)
She then said it will be covered to 3 years or 100k miles. I asked her to confirm that my car will be covered until 276,000 miles, and she paused again...then asked if it was a 2019 (yes, it is).
Then she asked how I have so many miles. I told her that I drive a lot, every single day.
She then confirmed that yes, I will be covered until 276k miles. Awesome!
Then I asked if I brought the car in to have all of the problems fixed at once, do I still only pay $100? She asked "what other problems?"
So I said that the back windows no longer work, the ac works sometimes, there's the oil leak, and the transmission clunks. If I go to the shop to have this stuff all fixed at the same time, I only pay $100?
She paused a third time. Then said "I'm sorry, it looks like your vehicle doesn't qualify for a warranty. I said "darn, that really stinks" in the most sarcastic way I possibly could. Then she hung up.
I wonder if they'll call again. I'm having fun with it
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 88,888
Likes: 11,846
From: Waffles, BU
She's a sucker.. you'd be out of warranty in 6 to 7 months..
I'd delay your claim til after or say it was preexisting..
Coverage will kick in after you get it fixed on your dime.
I'd delay your claim til after or say it was preexisting..
Coverage will kick in after you get it fixed on your dime.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 29,673
Likes: 6,512
From: Spring, TX
https://uk.motor1.com/news/352213/tu...ng-record-lap/
Think about a new lap record at the Nürburgring. What do you see? Is it something exotic? Maybe it’s Italian like Lamborghini, or Koenigsegg made a surprise visit to Germany’s legendary race track. The Nürburgring is famous as the go-to venue for supercar oneupmanship—the faster, the better. However, not everything that sets a lap record is fast. A three-wheeled tuk-tuk - a petrol-powered automotive rickshaw - recently set a new lap record at the track, completing the gruelling 12.9-mile Nordschleife course in just over 31 minutes—31:49.46 to be exact, according to The Drive.
See, not every record is fast; however, that doesn’t make it any less sketchy. The unnamed driver drove around the track with two passengers on the tuk-tuk’s rear bench seat for authenticity purposes. According to one rider, the relatively slow lap was still a scary experience, calling the tuk-tuk unstable and flimsy. The rickshaw even took a few corners on just two wheels, which sounds downright frightening regardless of speed. Some back-of-the-napkin math says the tuk-tuk travelled at an average speed of about 24 miles per hour. That’s not fast by any stretch of the imagination.
This isn’t the first time the team has attempted to set a record at the Nürburgring in a tuk-tuk. According to The Drive, Granturismo Events, the team behind the lap attempt, imported the tuk-tuk from Thailand three years ago for the sole purpose of setting the record. The team tried to set a record last year; however, it broke down. The team then turned to the company that makes engine components for Koenigsegg. They asked the company for stronger forged pistons.
While your standard, everyday tuk-tuk may not be up to the task of conquering the Nürburgring, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. A few upgrades can turn any tuk-tuk into a Nürburgring king, even if it takes half an hour. Better late than never, right?
See, not every record is fast; however, that doesn’t make it any less sketchy. The unnamed driver drove around the track with two passengers on the tuk-tuk’s rear bench seat for authenticity purposes. According to one rider, the relatively slow lap was still a scary experience, calling the tuk-tuk unstable and flimsy. The rickshaw even took a few corners on just two wheels, which sounds downright frightening regardless of speed. Some back-of-the-napkin math says the tuk-tuk travelled at an average speed of about 24 miles per hour. That’s not fast by any stretch of the imagination.
This isn’t the first time the team has attempted to set a record at the Nürburgring in a tuk-tuk. According to The Drive, Granturismo Events, the team behind the lap attempt, imported the tuk-tuk from Thailand three years ago for the sole purpose of setting the record. The team tried to set a record last year; however, it broke down. The team then turned to the company that makes engine components for Koenigsegg. They asked the company for stronger forged pistons.
While your standard, everyday tuk-tuk may not be up to the task of conquering the Nürburgring, it doesn’t mean it’s impossible. A few upgrades can turn any tuk-tuk into a Nürburgring king, even if it takes half an hour. Better late than never, right?
2024 Honda Civic Type R
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 1,520
From: Chicago, IL
I was in Germany last week for business and I just realized I was about an hour away from the Nürburgring while staying in one town... but wouldn't have had the time to go there. I at least got to drive our rental 5 series wagon on the Autobahn a lot. That was a lot of fun, and amazing car, too.
Ex-OEM King
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 17,876
Likes: 7,023
From: Minnesnowta
One on the right for me
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,914
Likes: 272
From: Bay Area, CA
I wonder if it was the tuk tuk operating I had in Thailand. He somehow managed to get it up on two wheels while speeding down a Thai freeway and not have it tip over with myself and two other passengers crammed in the back. I for sure thought we were going to lose it. He kept yelling "I'm Mario." 10/10 would probably do it again.
Your Friendly Canadian
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 17,447
Likes: 1,506
From: Toronto, Ontario
I wonder if it was the tuk tuk operating I had in Thailand. He somehow managed to get it up on two wheels while speeding down a Thai freeway and not have it tip over with myself and two other passengers crammed in the back. I for sure thought we were going to lose it. He kept yelling "I'm Mario." 10/10 would probably do it again.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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