Question:

triadie…@yahoo.com wrote in news:1133054394.497027.131430@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: > I’ve been driving a little toyota corolla around for the last 10 years. >  It’s been a great vehicle, but my job’s taken off and I’m ready to buy > something nicer.  I’m a little shy with the ladies, something I’ve been > pushing myself beyond.  I think a nice car would help me a bit, at > least get more attention and thus more opportunites. > I don’t really know that much about cars.  I’d like something that will > turn some heads, but that’s also not going to cost me a fortune. > 20k-30k is the price range I’m looking at.  Any recommendations on some > cool cars in that range?  I saw a commercial for the new dodge cruizer > that’s caught my eye.

It’s cold, hard cash[or credit] that attracts the women. Just save the money and don’t buy the car. Rather, staple a $100 bill on your shirt anytime you are out in public. This will attract them like flies to honey. Of course, once you get the girl you will have to keep her by handing over that hard earned cash so she can walk the mall on her cell phone complaining to her girlfriends about what a loser you are. You are looking to enter a player’s market my friend. My advice: stick with the Toyota! Art-Mart

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If it’s that important, make it a conversation-starter.  A line like "I love the environment, so I did what I could and bought a Prius," might work, or "I like hunting moose, so I got a new F-550" would both work, just as long as you actually do believe on one line of thinking. Look, picking a car based on how much attraction it will get from girls is not a good idea.  The car you would get because it attracts more girls takes away from other more important criteria, like reliability or lower total cost of ownership or comfort or gas mileage.  As far as the girl-hunting goes, you’ll attract the girls that are attracted to men with nice cars (Gold-digger’s line of thinking: "nice car" -> "lots of money" -> "keeper").  These are the sort of unsavory characters that you want to avoid.

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ci+ on 28/11/2005 9:11 am wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sklenge <skle…@yahoo.co.uk> in news:BFAFCE68.1EBA4%sklenge@yahoo.co.uk: >> Mad Mambo Master of Macedonia on 27/11/2005 5:46 pm wrote: >>> Sklenge <skle…@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in >>> news:BFAF764E.1EB1B%sklenge@yahoo.co.uk: >>>> JimSummers on 27/11/2005 2:23 pm wrote: >>>>>> A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me >turn my head. >>>>> Why? Is that the human equivalent of a lion’s roar? >>>> I don’t know its equivalents… it’s the most I can muster without a >>>> handy Gatling gun to speed them on their way.  [She jested] >>> That’s old school! You might want to upgrade to a 20mm Vulcan cannon, or >>> at least a minigun. >> I’ll keep that in mind at the next Armaments Fayre. > both sound like they’d be a bit noisy…

Hmm. Yes, perhaps I’ll get a silencer. — Sklenge

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Hadoken <None> in news:Xns971BDDCFCCD51None@129.250.170.81: > the snow, get an AWD.

reminding me… those subaru wagons are subniche favorable. for the 20’s-40’s women who (used to?) wear those fuzzy skiliners … — http://www.thingsinrubbers.com/2040.html missed out on another gem: http://www.creators.com/opinion_Shell.cfm?pg=biography.html&columnsna… http://www.newyorkpressclub.org/LenoreLes.jpg

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"Visi Caulk Mah Pnats" <T…@T.com> in news:dmcr7l$umd$0@pita.alt.net: > true! 99% of the time it is some old bald guy driving the hot car

oh, we know you women can’t keep your eyes offa a big bulge… on the hood of a car… — http://www.thingsinrubbers.com/2040.html missed out on another gem: http://www.creators.com/opinion_Shell.cfm?pg=biography.html&columnsna… http://www.newyorkpressclub.org/LenoreLes.jpg

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"lisa" <ms_jade…@hotmail.com> in news:1133111585.083629.312720@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: > If you want to turn heads, motorcycles are good.  Lots of chrome.

you mean like a 60’s cycle? the new ones are all dayglo > I guess it also depends on what kind of chick you’re looking for.  If > you want one who is environmentally conscious, buy a gas-electric > hybrid.

yes, that might work, if you meet one of those types of gals… and can somehow work the topic into conversation… "GODDAMN! I LOST MY COKE SPOON BETWEEN THE SEATS OF MY BRAND NEW PIMPIN PRIUS! THE NEXT DAY MY HOMIE BROKE MY BONG ON THE ELECTRIC MOTORS OF MY BRAND PIMPIN NEW PRIUS!! GODDAMN! " — http://www.thingsinrubbers.com/2040.html missed out on another gem: http://www.creators.com/opinion_Shell.cfm?pg=biography.html&columnsna… http://www.newyorkpressclub.org/LenoreLes.jpg

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a POS convertible or targa with good paint will catch the younger women’s attention. but do you really want to deal with a pos chrysler? (yugos are probably too rare these days!) boxsters are cheaper porsches but they’re german (unreliable and parts cost, eek) so stay away. otherwise, a used z should come for under 30k. whatever toy call the mr2. or the honda 2000 (might be pricey used). neither are very common. very blah looking, but definitely convertibles (or however … the tops fold or whatever). maybe someone else can think of another convertible … one that’s not as old as the last celica convertibles? maybe one of those ugly as fart suvs would attract women… Sklenge <skle…@yahoo.co.uk> in news:BFAF4569.1EAD3%sklenge@yahoo.co.uk: > triadie…@yahoo.com on 27/11/2005 9:08 am wrote: >> heh, yeah… I don’t expect my car to ask girls out for me.  But women >> like nice cars, do they not?  I’m not wanting a nice car expressly for >> impressing women or asking them out, but I am sick of being embarrased >> by the corolla.  I guess you’re right – having a nice car isn’t going >> to present any more direct opportunities, but I’ve always envied the >> guys (ugly or not) that turns heads simply because of their ride.  I >> guess I’m after a little attention, and I’d like to feel better about >> my ride.  And now that I can afford it, I think I’ll endulge my ego a >> little.  The Toyota is almost an embarrasment.  Damn good car mind you >> (250,000 miles and still running!), but not very impressive. > A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me turn my head.

  :> and cover your ears? — http://www.thingsinrubbers.com/2040.html missed out on another gem: http://www.creators.com/opinion_Shell.cfm?pg=biography.html&columnsna… http://www.newyorkpressclub.org/LenoreLes.jpg

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triadie…@yahoo.com wrote in news:1133078920.566751.18580 @g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: > heh, yeah… I don’t expect my car to ask girls out for me.  But women > like nice cars, do they not?  I’m not wanting a nice car expressly for > impressing women or asking them out, but I am sick of being embarrased

You don’t need a fancy car..just something that doesn’t scream you are a cheapskate so even an Accord or Camry is fine.  Personally, I think you should buy what fits your needs..if you like 2 doors get a coupe…live in the snow, get an AWD.  Personally I think a great car is the Lexus IS300.

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>     How does it cause more opportunities? I’ve been driving a $30,000 > dollar Lexus for 1 1/2 years now and honestly no females have ever > noticed! How could they? I’m not exactly the fantastic extrovert which > they are looking for…..

Old man’s car… MC

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"Visi Caulk Mah Pnats" <T…@T.com> wrote in news:dmdp1v$bcj$0@pita.alt.net: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Art-Mart wrote: >> triadie…@yahoo.com wrote in >> news:1133054394.497027.131430@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: >> > I’ve been driving a little toyota corolla around for the last 10 >> > years.   It’s been a great vehicle, but my job’s taken off and I’m >> > ready to buy something nicer.  I’m a little shy with the ladies, >> > something I’ve been pushing myself beyond.  I think a nice car >> > would help me a bit, at least get more attention and thus more >> > opportunites. >> > I don’t really know that much about cars.  I’d like something that >> > will turn some heads, but that’s also not going to cost me a >> > fortune.  20k-30k is the price range I’m looking at.  Any >> > recommendations on some cool cars in that range?  I saw a >> > commercial for the new dodge cruizer that’s caught my eye. >> It’s cold, hard cash[or credit] that attracts the women. Just save >> the money and don’t buy the car. Rather, staple a $100 bill on your >> shirt anytime you are out in public. This will attract them like >> flies to honey.  Of course, once you get the girl you will have to >> keep her by handing over that hard earned cash so she can walk the >> mall on her cell phone complaining to her girlfriends about what a >> loser you are.  You are looking to enter a player’s market my friend. >> My advice: stick with the Toyota! >> Art-Mart > yep get a car > cause you like it not to impress others/golddiggers

It’s kind of funny how we think that changing some external thing[buying a fancy car] will solve,or even help,these internal problems[being shy]. I’ve done it, I’ve known others who have done it. It never works. Really, work on the internal problem and then buy the new car for YOUR pure joy and enjoy it yourself. You’ll never enjoy it if it’s bought for some other motive. Art-Mart

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triadie…@yahoo.com wrote: > heh, yeah… I don’t expect my car to ask girls out for me.  But women > like nice cars, do they not?  I’m not wanting a nice car expressly for > impressing women or asking them out, but I am sick of being embarrased > by the corolla.  I guess you’re right – having a nice car isn’t going > to present any more direct opportunities, but I’ve always envied the > guys (ugly or not) that turns heads simply because of their ride.  I > guess I’m after a little attention, and I’d like to feel better about > my ride.  And now that I can afford it, I think I’ll endulge my ego a > little.  The Toyota is almost an embarrasment.  Damn good car mind you > (250,000 miles and still running!), but not very impressive.

I think the idea of hot car = hot man has done a back flip.  It’s almost as if when I see a hot car I *know* the guy driving will be a non-hot guy.  When women turn their heads for hot cars, it is to see THE CAR, not the man.  My eyes purposely avoid looking at the driver, as I don’t want him spoiling the view. If you want to turn heads, motorcycles are good.  Lots of chrome. I guess it also depends on what kind of chick you’re looking for.  If you want one who is environmentally conscious, buy a gas-electric hybrid.

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Mad Mambo Master of Macedonia on 27/11/2005 5:46 pm wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Sklenge <skle…@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in > news:BFAF764E.1EB1B%sklenge@yahoo.co.uk: >> JimSummers on 27/11/2005 2:23 pm wrote: >>>> A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me >turn my head. >>> Why? Is that the human equivalent of a lion’s roar? >> I don’t know its equivalents… it’s the most I can muster without a >> handy Gatling gun to speed them on their way.  [She jested] > That’s old school! You might want to upgrade to a 20mm Vulcan cannon, or > at least a minigun.

I’ll keep that in mind at the next Armaments Fayre. — Sklenge

Response:

Visi Caulk Mah Pnats on 27/11/2005 6:43 pm wrote: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> lisa wrote: >> triadie…@yahoo.com wrote: >>> heh, yeah… I don’t expect my car to ask girls out for me.  But >>> women like nice cars, do they not?  I’m not wanting a nice car >>> expressly for impressing women or asking them out, but I am sick of >>> being embarrased by the corolla.  I guess you’re right – having a >>> nice car isn’t going to present any more direct opportunities, but >>> I’ve always envied the guys (ugly or not) that turns heads simply >>> because of their ride.  I guess I’m after a little attention, and >>> I’d like to feel better about my ride.  And now that I can afford >>> it, I think I’ll endulge my ego a little.  The Toyota is almost an >>> embarrasment.  Damn good car mind you (250,000 miles and still >>> running!), but not very impressive. >> I think the idea of hot car = hot man has done a back flip.  It’s >> almost as if when I see a hot car I know the guy driving will be a >> non-hot guy.  When women turn their heads for hot cars, it is to see >> THE CAR, not the man.  My eyes purposely avoid looking at the driver, >> as I don’t want him spoiling the view. > true! 99% of the time it is some old bald guy driving the hot car

My hubby is just such an animal… are you saying I should be glad he’s not turning the heads of young bimbos as he drives past in his brown car? — Sklenge

Response:

triadie…@yahoo.com wrote in news:1133054394.497027.131430 @g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: > I’ve been driving a little toyota corolla around for the last 10 years. >  It’s been a great vehicle, but my job’s taken off and I’m ready to buy > something nicer.  I’m a little shy with the ladies, something I’ve been > pushing myself beyond.  I think a nice car would help me a bit, at > least get more attention and thus more opportunites. > I don’t really know that much about cars.  I’d like something that will > turn some heads, but that’s also not going to cost me a fortune. > 20k-30k is the price range I’m looking at.  Any recommendations on some > cool cars in that range?  I saw a commercial for the new dodge cruizer > that’s caught my eye.

Corolla, as you know, is an old man’s car.  I love mine.  I’m going to sell it (2001) and try to go no-car for a while. I’d say only from the point of view of being good for the ladies, get a used sportscar of some kind.  Not too used of course.  Not too gay either, I think stuff like Celica or Miata or especially Sunfire is out.

Response:

>I’ve been driving a little toyota corolla around for the last 10 years.

It’s been a great vehicle, but my job’s taken off and I’m ready to buy something nicer. I’m a little shy with the ladies, something I’ve been pushing myself beyond. I think a nice car would help me a bit, at least get more attention and thus more >opportunites.     How does it cause more opportunities? I’ve been driving a $30,000 dollar Lexus for 1 1/2 years now and honestly no females have ever noticed! How could they? I’m not exactly the fantastic extrovert which they are looking for…..

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heh, yeah… I don’t expect my car to ask girls out for me.  But women like nice cars, do they not?  I’m not wanting a nice car expressly for impressing women or asking them out, but I am sick of being embarrased by the corolla.  I guess you’re right – having a nice car isn’t going to present any more direct opportunities, but I’ve always envied the guys (ugly or not) that turns heads simply because of their ride.  I guess I’m after a little attention, and I’d like to feel better about my ride.  And now that I can afford it, I think I’ll endulge my ego a little.  The Toyota is almost an embarrasment.  Damn good car mind you (250,000 miles and still running!), but not very impressive.

Response:

triadie…@yahoo.com on 27/11/2005 9:08 am wrote: > heh, yeah… I don’t expect my car to ask girls out for me.  But women > like nice cars, do they not?  I’m not wanting a nice car expressly for > impressing women or asking them out, but I am sick of being embarrased > by the corolla.  I guess you’re right – having a nice car isn’t going > to present any more direct opportunities, but I’ve always envied the > guys (ugly or not) that turns heads simply because of their ride.  I > guess I’m after a little attention, and I’d like to feel better about > my ride.  And now that I can afford it, I think I’ll endulge my ego a > little.  The Toyota is almost an embarrasment.  Damn good car mind you > (250,000 miles and still running!), but not very impressive.

A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me turn my head. — Sklenge

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I drove a new grand am and it didn’t make a difference. I’m an introvert, I don’t want to attract wealth seeking extroverts.

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Sklenge <skle…@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in news:BFAF764E.1EB1B%sklenge@yahoo.co.uk: > JimSummers on 27/11/2005 2:23 pm wrote: >>> A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me >turn my head. >> Why? Is that the human equivalent of a lion’s roar? > I don’t know its equivalents… it’s the most I can muster without a > handy Gatling gun to speed them on their way.  [She jested]

That’s old school! You might want to upgrade to a 20mm Vulcan cannon, or at least a minigun. — As for the pastor, after four days of listening to science experts dismantling the case for intelligent design, he was unimpressed.   "They’re babblers," said the pastor, the Rev. Jim Grove, who leads a 40- member independent Baptist church outside of Dover. "The more Ph.D.’s you get, it seems like the further away from God you get."  (NY Times, 10-2- 05)

Response:

>A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me >turn my head.

   Why? Is that the human equivalent of a lion’s roar?

Response:

JimSummers on 27/11/2005 2:23 pm wrote: >> A noisy exhaust or sound system will make me >turn my head. > Why? Is that the human equivalent of a lion’s roar?

I don’t know its equivalents… it’s the most I can muster without a handy Gatling gun to speed them on their way.  [She jested] — Sklenge

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"Virgo Cluster" <gamma_n…@yahoo.com> wrote in news:1133060637.127372.4930 @g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com: > Hey, does anyone know what’s happened to The Babaloughesian?

No.  What about those mini BMWs.  Those look nice and probably get good gas mileage.  I think BMWs still have a rep. for reliablity, unlike Volvo. — As for the pastor, after four days of listening to science experts dismantling the case for intelligent design, he was unimpressed.  "They’re babblers," said the pastor, the Rev. Jim Grove, who leads a 40-member independent Baptist church outside of Dover. "The more Ph.D.’s you get, it seems like the further away from God you get."  (NY Times, 10-2-05)

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Make that the Dodge Charger, not cruizer.

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triadie…@yahoo.com wrote: > I’ve been driving a little toyota corolla around for the last > 10 years. It’s been a great vehicle, but my job’s taken off > and I’m ready to buy something nicer. I’m a little shy with > the ladies, something I’ve been pushing myself beyond. I think > a nice car would help me a bit, at least get more attention > and thus more opportunites. > I don’t really know that much about cars. I’d like something > that will turn some heads, but that’s also not going to cost > me a fortune. 20k-30k is the price range I’m looking at. Any > recommendations on some cool cars in that range?  I saw a > commercial for the new dodge cruizer that’s caught my eye.

Another post that got me thinking. Until 2-3 months ago, I’ve only driven 100,000+ mile cars. Each of the two cars I’ve purchased, one in 1982 and one in 1992, had almost exactly 100,000 miles on them when I got them. However, now I’m driving a 2005 Toyota Camry (google me with "Camry") and, although I’m married and not looking, I don’t see how this car would make any difference if I were. I mean, it’s not as if I’d be (or was, before I got married) asking girls out at stoplight intersections where they’d see my car. For me, at least, I don’t see how it’d change anything about my being able to get a date, since hardly any of the girls I asked out throughout the 1970’s and 1980’s knew what kind of car I drove. In fact, I didn’t have a car at all (or drive at all, for that matter) the 4 years I was an undergraduate, and to be honest, I’m not sure many others did either. I would guess a fair number of the undergraduates had cars, maybe at home at their parent’s house since parking was so difficult and everyone walked everywhere anyway, but I don’t recall this coming up in conversation very much and I can’t believe that it was something that a guy would try to work into the conversation before asking a girl out. And, as for when you get into your mid 20’s and beyond, I just don’t see how what you drive could be an issue when you’re asking a girl out, unless you expect to be asking a lot of girls out while you’re in your car or standing around your car and somehow let her know the car you happen to be standing close to is your car. By the way, I’m talking about a first date situation, not how likely it is you’ll get a second date if you take her out in a 20 year old car! (The kind that I’ve been driving until a few months ago.) Also, if it’s a girl you already know, so she would know what kind of car you drive, I still don’t see how it would matter. She would already know enough about you that I wouldn’t expect her to change her perception over what kind of car you’re driving, unless it’s way out of line with how much she thought you earned (and in this case it might just as likely backfire, since she might think you’re careless with money and self-indulgent to boot). (I’m talking about a guy who makes 20K-25K a year suddenly driving a 30K car in this last part, by the way, which is not the situation you’d be in from what I understand.) So, should you get the car? Yes, but not because it’s going to help you pick up girls. Get it because you’re going to spend 30+ minutes in it each day, not because every couple of months there will be a 2 minute window of opportunity where you can ask a girl out in the presence of your car, and you expect the car to work miracles for you in those 2 minutes! Get it because you’ll know the heater will be working when it gets below zero, get it so that you won’t have to worry about what’s going to go wrong with it this month, get it so that you can slam on the gas when merging into highway traffic and not worry about it stalling out on you, get it because you’ll feel good about your car every time you get in and out of it (I’d guess that several hundred to maybe over a thousand people are going to see you do this for every girl you ask out sees you do this), and get it so that you’ll feel confident about picking a girl up for a date in your car. Actually, this last part will probably go a long ways towards helping you "get girls", so in an indirect way I suppose having a good car will help you get that first date with someone after all. Hey, does anyone know what’s happened to The Babaloughesian? I don’t recall seeing a post by him lately. I just checked and according to google, he hasn’t posted since October 30. While I’m at it, where’s Mark Green been the past few months? He was one of my favorite posters because his way of rationalizing things was so close to how I used to view things (and probably still do, although I try to keep those thoughts reigned in some). Virgo Cluster .  Stupid Hypocrisy, Prejudice, and Lame Excuses (and Political .. Correctness, Too) in the U.S.A. .. .. Hypocrisy, prejudice, lame excuses, and political .. correctness are not uniquely American by an means. .. But, with typical American zest and zeal, Americans .. seem to have a special knack for doing them exceptionally .. well . . . . .. .. Do as I Say, Not as I Do: Great Moments in American .. Hypocrisy .. .. It seems it is easy to take the moral high ground. .. However, adhering to one’s own ethics appears to be .. not quite as easy, to judge by the following (somewhat .. stupid) examples. .. .. Teamsters Local 988, Houston, Texas .. .. What they’re supposed to say: Let’s always go union. .. .. What they actually did: Built a new union meeting hall .. using nonunion labor…since, as Local 988 officials .. said, "Union contractors cost too much." << Kathryn Petras and Ross Petras, "Unusually Stupid .. Americans: A Compendium of All-American Stupidity", .. Villard Books, 2003, pp. 89 & 90 >>

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I’ve been driving a little toyota corolla around for the last 10 years.  It’s been a great vehicle, but my job’s taken off and I’m ready to buy something nicer.  I’m a little shy with the ladies, something I’ve been pushing myself beyond.  I think a nice car would help me a bit, at least get more attention and thus more opportunites. I don’t really know that much about cars.  I’d like something that will turn some heads, but that’s also not going to cost me a fortune. 20k-30k is the price range I’m looking at.  Any recommendations on some cool cars in that range?  I saw a commercial for the new dodge cruizer that’s caught my eye.

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Question:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,  Against my better judgment, I had the timing belt/water pump replaced by a ‘friend of a friend’. Now, the engine seems to be a bit down on power and it’s got a pretty noticeable vibration at speed.  I know…I already feel stupid…  :)  I took it back to the ‘friend of a friend’ and he rechecked to see if everything was lined up. And..lo and behold…he says all is normal. UGH!  While I’d like to administer a baseball bat to his cranium, I know that it’s ultimately not worth it. So….  Any tips for a fellow Honda man?

Yes. Use an aluminum bat. For added effect, drill a hole in the handle end and fill the bat with lead.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi, Against my better judgment, I had the timing belt/water pump replaced by a ‘friend of a friend’. Now, the engine seems to be a bit down on power and it’s got a pretty noticeable vibration at speed. I know…I already feel stupid…  :) I took it back to the ‘friend of a friend’ and he rechecked to see if everything was lined up. And..lo and behold…he says all is normal. UGH! While I’d like to administer a baseball bat to his cranium, I know that it’s ultimately not worth it. So…. Any tips for a fellow Honda man? Yes. Use an aluminum bat. For added effect, drill a hole in the handle end and fill the bat with lead.

nah. sand, or water. i hate working on other peoples cars, for just that reason. if i fsck something up on my car, ive got 2 other vehicles. even a simple brake job can turn into an ordeal if i dont have the service manual for their vehicle. ive got a helm for mine, but most people done even have a haynes, and wont buy one, so they trust me to wing it.

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Hi,  Against my better judgment, I had the timing belt/water pump replaced by a ‘friend of a friend’. Now, the engine seems to be a bit down on power and it’s got a pretty noticeable vibration at speed.  I know…I already feel stupid…  :)  I took it back to the ‘friend of a friend’ and he rechecked to see if everything was lined up. And..lo and behold…he says all is normal. UGH!  While I’d like to administer a baseball bat to his cranium, I know that it’s ultimately not worth it. So….  Any tips for a fellow Honda man? — Jim

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Hi,  Against my better judgment, I had the timing belt/water pump replaced by a ‘friend of a friend’. Now, the engine seems to be a bit down on power and it’s got a pretty noticeable vibration at speed.  I know…I already feel stupid…  :)  I took it back to the ‘friend of a friend’ and he rechecked to see if everything was lined up. And..lo and behold…he says all is normal. UGH!  While I’d like to administer a baseball bat to his cranium, I know that it’s ultimately not worth it. So….  Any tips for a fellow Honda man?

It’s gonna have to be ‘opened up’ again to reset the position of the Timing belt, and the balance shaft belt is probably causing the vibration (also out of time). Don’t mess with the distributor timing to correct it. It won’t work. ‘Curly’

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Question:

I have a 91 Civic Std. HB. I have already gone through a few mufflers, they don’t seem to last too long. I decided to spend a little more and get something better this time. I have couple of questions though. I would like a muffler with dual pipes. Would an SI muffler fit my car? I wouldn’t mind some extra power (but not too loud), what aftermarket performance muffler would you recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated.

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I have a 91 Civic Std. HB. I have already gone through a few mufflers, they don’t seem to last too long. I decided to spend a little more and get something better this time. I have couple of questions though. I would like a muffler with dual pipes. Would an SI muffler fit my car? I wouldn’t mind some extra power (but not too loud), what aftermarket performance muffler would you recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated.

yes, it will fit, but 1. the twin tail is for show, not power.  it’s twin pipes /ahead/ of the muffler that help, not after. 2. the std has an under-ratioed 4-speed box, a restricted tandem valve & a low lift cam.  again, anything other than a standard muffler is pointless. if you want a cheap increase in power, dremel off the tandem valve pivot shoulder so it opens fully, go to a junk yard & get the si cam, and most trying to go faster in an std is like beating a bees nest with a stick.   noisy & painful.

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Thanks for the great information, it is very useful. I will watch out for those bees:)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a 91 Civic Std. HB. I have already gone through a few mufflers, they don’t seem to last too long. I decided to spend a little more and get something better this time. I have couple of questions though. I would like a muffler with dual pipes. Would an SI muffler fit my car? I wouldn’t mind some extra power (but not too loud), what aftermarket performance muffler would you recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated. yes, it will fit, but 1. the twin tail is for show, not power.  it’s twin pipes /ahead/ of the muffler that help, not after. 2. the std has an under-ratioed 4-speed box, a restricted tandem valve & a low lift cam.  again, anything other than a standard muffler is pointless. if you want a cheap increase in power, dremel off the tandem valve pivot shoulder so it opens fully, go to a junk yard & get the si cam, and most to go faster in an std is like beating a bees nest with a stick. noisy & painful.

Response:

I have a 91 Civic Std. HB. I have already gone through a few mufflers, they don’t seem to last too long. I decided to spend a little more and get something better this time. I have couple of questions though. I would like a muffler with dual pipes. Would an SI muffler fit my car? I wouldn’t mind some extra power (but not too loud), what aftermarket performance muffler would you recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Do you make a lot of short trips? If you don’t drive far enough to heat up the exhaust system, you can get condensation in there, and it will rust through from the inside. If this is your problem, perhaps a stainless steel muffler would be the way to go? Just a thought — A very modest collection of Honda tech info can be found at: http://www.geocities.com/ng_randolph

Response:

I have a 91 Civic Std. HB. I have already gone through a few mufflers, they don’t seem to last too long. I decided to spend a little more and get something better this time. I have couple of questions though. I would like a muffler with dual pipes. Would an SI muffler fit my car? I wouldn’t mind some extra power (but not too loud), what aftermarket performance muffler would you recommend? Any help is greatly appreciated.

On my ‘90 LX the original muffler lasted 7 years.  Muffler shop replacements lasted 3 years.  So, the last time I needed one, I bit the bullet and got an original Honda muffler.  The problem with these cars is that the muffler being way in the rear doesn’t heat up enough to evaporate the water out of it.  So you need a good muffler.  Can’t help with aftermarket, but one of the Honda dual outlet mufflers should fit (like from the SI) but as others have pointed out, that’s just for show, not performance. WW

Response:

Question:

Daryl, There are many factors that can cause vibration. Honda has joined the rest of the world in going to MacPherson strut suspension, which is more susceptible to vibration. Front wheels are more susceptible than rear wheels. Imbalance is the most obvious cause of vibration, but it can also be caused by tire and wheel defects. Suspension defects are unlikely in a brand new car. Tires can have a misaligned belt; this can sometimes be seen as a side-to-side motion when the tire is rotated slowly on the car.   Tires and wheels are not perfectly round. In the factory, the tire high spot is matched to the wheel low spot to minimize the total variation. Wheel runout can be measured and reduced by a wheel repair shop, although this is normally done only after hitting a pothole or curb. Runout of the mounted tire can also be measured, and a tire lathe used to remove rubber to bring it true. This obviously reduces the life of the tire, and is usually done only in racing or for vintage or antique cars. It can be a real challenge to find a shop that is willing and able to diagnose these problems. Mostly, dealers and tire shops just play with wheel location and tire swaps until the problem is solved or the customer just gives up, and accepts the vibration as ‘normal’. Good luck. Dan (This account is not used for email.) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

Response:

The retail price has no relevance to the quality of the wheels. What  has you convinced it’s the wheels that are your problem?The problem you have is most likely in the tires. That is where more than 90% of imbalance or vibration problems will occur. Go to another dealer if that one can’t solve your problem. I would also go to a tire store that sells the brand of tires on your car. If you have a tire problem, they can warranty your tires. Honda does not warranty tires. That is not to say they can’t warranty your tires, but often they refer you to the manufacturers representative which is the tire store selling your brand. Unless, of course the dealer actually sells tires. Not all dealers do.  Check your owners manual and papers you got with your car. You will see the warranty is with the tire manufacturer. Howard

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

Response:

The problem is most likely caused by the tires, not the rims. The last time I replaced my tires, the new ones were out of round and the tire shop immediately request a replacement to be sent. However, the replacement was also ‘out of round’. It appeared that the entire shipment from the supplier was bad… What brand of tires were they?

They’re my tried a true Toyo Proxes FZ4 195/15/50. I’ve already gone through 2 sets and in the summer, I’ll have to order another set. With my low profile setup and tight suspension, the balance on those tires have to be absolutely perfect or it’ll register. The tricky aspect about these tires that are ‘out of round’ is that they’ll appear acceptable when new, but rapidly get worst over time. So, a shady tire shop could sell these defective tires and it would take several month for the defect to become apparent (in the form of vibration), at which point, it would be too late for you to get your money back. These problems started immediately.  Some of the shaking was at low speeds

I drove on the ‘out of round’ tire while waiting for the replace to arrive. The guy at the Tire Shop balanced it so that it would only vibrate at low speeds which was less intrusive then having it vibrate at higher speeds. Pars 98 Civic Hatch – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – which could be a belt problem I guess, but I still think the wheels are f**ked.

Response:

Good advice and thanks for the info. Pars

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Daryl, There are many factors that can cause vibration. Honda has joined the rest of the world in going to MacPherson strut suspension, which is more susceptible to vibration. Front wheels are more susceptible than rear wheels. Imbalance is the most obvious cause of vibration, but it can also be caused by tire and wheel defects. Suspension defects are unlikely in a brand new car. Tires can have a misaligned belt; this can sometimes be seen as a side-to-side motion when the tire is rotated slowly on the car. Tires and wheels are not perfectly round. In the factory, the tire high spot is matched to the wheel low spot to minimize the total variation. Wheel runout can be measured and reduced by a wheel repair shop, although this is normally done only after hitting a pothole or curb. Runout of the mounted tire can also be measured, and a tire lathe used to remove rubber to bring it true. This obviously reduces the life of the tire, and is usually done only in racing or for vintage or antique cars. It can be a real challenge to find a shop that is willing and able to diagnose these problems. Mostly, dealers and tire shops just play with wheel location and tire swaps until the problem is solved or the customer just gives up, and accepts the vibration as ‘normal’. Good luck. Dan (This account is not used for email.) I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The retail price has no relevance to the quality of the wheels. What  has you convinced it’s the wheels that are your problem?The problem you have is most likely in the tires. That is where more than 90% of imbalance or vibration problems will occur. Go to another dealer if that one can’t solve your problem. I would also go to a tire store that sells the brand of tires on your car. If you have a tire problem, they can warranty your tires. Honda does not warranty tires. That is not to say they can’t warranty your tires, but often they refer you to the manufacturers representative which is the tire store selling your brand. Unless, of course the dealer actually sells tires. Not all dealers do.  Check your owners manual and papers you got with your car. You will see the warranty is with the tire manufacturer. Howard I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

Honda is dropping the ball on quality again.  A vehicle with bad wheels should never have left the plant, let alone dealership!  In this case, you’re lucky it was just wheels…

Response:

The retail price has no relevance to the quality of the wheels. What has you convinced it’s the wheels that are your problem?

The amount of weight that has been put on the wheel to balance it.  60-75g on one side of the wheel?  Of course, some of the wheels have this and exhibit no issues when rotated to the front. The dealer is going to do the road force test/matching mounting procedures next week so, hopefully, that will uncover the problem.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set. Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP). Find yourself a small shop that specializes in performance or racing. They can balance the wheel on the car with greater accuracy than the off the car type. Look for local SCCA clubs or autocross clubs, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. I had it done on a Volvo S70 that had a vibration at high speed that wouldn’t show up in the shop. Balancing the wheel on the car cured it.

What about the ‘road force’ balance check? No, this car is two weeks old…the dealer is going to fix it.

Response:

The problem is most likely caused by the tires, not the rims. The last time I replaced my tires, the new ones were out of round and the tire shop immediately request a replacement to be sent. However, the replacement was also ‘out of round’. It appeared that the entire shipment from the supplier was bad… The tricky aspect about these tires that are ‘out of round’ is that they’ll appear acceptable when new, but rapidly get worst over time. So, a shady tire shop could sell these defective tires and it would take several month for the defect to become apparent (in the form of vibration), at which point, it would be too late for you to get your money back.

Isn’t Bridgestone a relatively decent brand, though?

Response:

The problem is most likely caused by the tires, not the rims. The last time I replaced my tires, the new ones were out of round and the tire shop immediately request a replacement to be sent. However, the replacement was also ‘out of round’. It appeared that the entire shipment from the supplier was bad…

What brand of tires were they? The tricky aspect about these tires that are ‘out of round’ is that they’ll appear acceptable when new, but rapidly get worst over time. So, a shady tire shop could sell these defective tires and it would take several month for the defect to become apparent (in the form of vibration), at which point, it would be too late for you to get your money back.

These problems started immediately.  Some of the shaking was at low speeds which could be a belt problem I guess, but I still think the wheels are f**ked.

Response:

Isn’t Bridgestone a relatively decent brand, though?

Yes, but most tire brands seem to have good and bad models.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

Find yourself a small shop that specializes in performance or racing. They can balance the wheel on the car with greater accuracy than the off the car type. Look for local SCCA clubs or autocross clubs, they’ll be able to point you in the right direction. I had it done on a Volvo S70 that had a vibration at high speed that wouldn’t show up in the shop. Balancing the wheel on the car cured it. Hope this helps. jjd

Response:

I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

Response:

The problem is most likely caused by the tires, not the rims. The last time I replaced my tires, the new ones were out of round and the tire shop immediately request a replacement to be sent. However, the replacement was also ‘out of round’. It appeared that the entire shipment from the supplier was bad… The tricky aspect about these tires that are ‘out of round’ is that they’ll appear acceptable when new, but rapidly get worst over time. So, a shady tire shop could sell these defective tires and it would take several month for the defect to become apparent (in the form of vibration), at which point, it would be too late for you to get your money back. Pars

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I got a EX SE sedan a few weeks ago and it had bad vibrations.  Dealer took a shot at balancing and it didn’t work.  Today (2nd visit), they gave me the wheels off a new vehicle.  It drove great. I get home and I start thinking…hmmm, I have to be sure…so, I rotated the wheels.  Damn it!  I knew it was too good to be true…there is a slight vibration in the steering wheel.  Not as bad as before, but still there.  I have an appt at a non-Honda shop tomorrow night to do a road- force balance test on the set.  Hopefully, they can nail the exact wheel(s) in question. Some of these wheels have so much weight on them. Salesman:  "Look, you get all of this in the EX SE for a just $400 more!" Reality:  The wheels are crap, costing 1/3 of those on the EX ($428 vs $157 MSRP).

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Question:

I had send my car ( Accord 2001 V6 EX ) for 75000 mile servicing. The Technician informed me that there was some debris/congestion in the heat blower of the car, and it is possibly due to a rodent like a rat or something who has been stuffing things out there . To clean this up however the estimate is for $550. Has anyone encountered such a problem and is this estimate ok for a such a problem .

Use google to search cabin filter accord, and get the replacement instructions, then open it up yourself, and also drop the heater motor out (unplug connector, three Phillips screws) and use a piece of coat hanger and an air hose to clean it out. Have a new cabin filter (or are there two?) from NAPA ready. An hour of fun and learning, save $500. ‘Curly’

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I have a nissan that sat arouns a while until I finished the engine work. When I started to drive it one rainy day the heater motor sounded like the bearings were going out. Turns out the local mice had been using it for a bedroom and the fan was FULL of "debris" Pulling the fan on a honda is usually just annoying and not next to impossible like most US cars. I cant see $500 being a realistic estimate. -SP – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I had send my car ( Accord 2001 V6 EX ) for 75000 mile servicing. The Technician informed me that there was some debris/congestion in the heat blower of the car, and it is possibly due to a rodent like a rat or something who has been stuffing things out there . To clean this up however the estimate is for $550. Has anyone encountered such a problem and is this estimate ok for a such a problem .

Response:

I had send my car ( Accord 2001 V6 EX ) for 75000 mile servicing. The Technician informed me that there was some debris/congestion in the heat blower of the car, and it is possibly due to a rodent like a rat or something who has been stuffing things out there . To clean this up however the estimate is for $550. Has anyone encountered such a problem and is this estimate ok for a such a problem .

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Question:

I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

Response:

Well, since Honda has had issues with the V6 auto trannys, and your not needing a "hot rod" go with the 4 cylinder.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

Response:

I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

honda has more years making 4s than 6es. id tend to stick with the 4. especially the manual-shift version.

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For my money I’d go with the V6-no question. Much smoother, better power to the road. Ignore what you’ve heard-V6 is the best choice.     Of the 5 Accords sitting in my drive, only one is V6. The L4s have had no auto transmission problems at all, and the V6 is a four speed auto.Collectively accumulated over 800,000 miles.     See my collection at: http://www.odyclub.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19136&highli…

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

Response:

I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

Any decent Japanese V6 should be able to reach 200,000+ miles.  That said, an I-4 is better balanced and goes through fewer weird harmonics than a V6, so it probably will last longer.  Theoretically, you want a V8 or an I-4, not a V6. If you do push the I-4 hard on a habitual basis, the auto tranny will be doing a lot of downshifting.  All those shifts could be harder on it than a V6 (with more torque) is.  Keep that in mind before you decide that an I-4 has adequate power. I bought a 2004 V6 EX and love it.  Never even drove the I-4, so I don’t know how it does. JM

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If you want a car that will shine after 200,000 miles, a standard tranny without AC would be the best combo. If Automatic and AC is a must, the 4 cyl Honda has a better reputation when compared to the V6. However, If the car is going to pull alot of load, and/or driven in an area with extreme hills, then a V6 would be a better choice. Pars

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

Response:

After a quick google search, I found a ‘93 Accord that was traded in with over 1 million miles.  The dealership has the thing on display.  It is a 4 cylinder, manual transmission, and apparently has been driven all day every day for 13 years. Longevity is no longer correlated with power or displacement as it may have been 40 years ago in American cars. In my experience, the L4 is just fine unless you plan on towing. Honda automatic transmissions are problematic.  Choice of transmission should trump choice of motor. regards, KL

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Respect your opinions. I stick to my original statement. For my money, V6 5AT. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – After a quick google search, I found a ‘93 Accord that was traded in with over 1 million miles.  The dealership has the thing on display.  It is a 4 cylinder, manual transmission, and apparently has been driven all day every day for 13 years. Longevity is no longer correlated with power or displacement as it may have been 40 years ago in American cars. In my experience, the L4 is just fine unless you plan on towing. Honda automatic transmissions are problematic.  Choice of transmission should trump choice of motor. regards, KL

Response:

Longevity is no longer correlated with power or displacement as it may have been 40 years ago in American cars.

Odd you should mention 40 years ago as some sort of special date. My Dad’s 64 Chevy II was purchased in January of 1965.  It has 340,000 miles on it, maybe 440K.  Not enough digits on the odometer, and we tend to lose track after a while.  The two speed Powerglide automatic transmission was rebuilt at 65,000 miles, and it is vibrating pretty badly now due to a worn front bushing.  The 194 cubic inch straight six was about the smallest engine availble on a US built car at the time.   — — Clarence A Dold – Hidden Valley (Lake County) CA USA  38.8,-122.5

Response:

I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

stick with the 4.  there are some amazing mileages recorded for them. also go to a junk yard some time.  proportional to the sales volume, there are many more junked honda 6’s there than there are 4’s – that tells you all you need to know.

Response:

I have a 2001 4cyl and a 2004 6cyl. The 4cyl has very adequate power and is a very reliable engine. However for me the 6 cyl is a helluva lot more fun to drive and I get a lot more smiles per mile. If  the extra performance is not of concern to you then by all means buy the 4 cyl which will also save you quite a bit on the initial investment and the probably cost less for maintenance and repairs. For me the 6cyl was well worth the investment that I have never given a second thought. .  — Steve

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

Response:

I am about to buy an Accord and the 160 hp 4 cyl is all I really need but I plan to own this for a long time and put about 200,000 miles on it. My question is would the 6 cyl be more likely to reach that milestone than the 4 with a lot less problems along the way or doesn’t it really matter?

It wont be long before we are paying over $3.00 a gallon for gas. The end of the gas hogs is at hand. Just go to Europe and see what the average European is driving. 5 years from not you will be glad you got a car with 26/34 rather than one with 19/25.  Per tank that will be 170 extra miles of driving! Also if I am right the 4 will sell better at that time. — jerry

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Question:

I drained the fluid and was only able to get 2.5 quarts out. What is the total fluid in the transaxle and should I change it again. 98 v-6 110 k 20 k since last change at dealer.

Response:

I drained the fluid and was only able to get 2.5 quarts out. What is the total fluid in the transaxle and should I change it again. 98 v-6 110 k 20 k since last change at dealer.

That sounds about right.  I’m assuming you mean an automatic since the V6 only came with an automatic back then.  Most Honda automatics drain between 2.5 and 3.5 quarts, with the majority of the fluid remaining in the torque converter. I’m guessing the total fluid is somewhere between 5.5 and 7 quarts, although the value should be listed in your owner’s manual.

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I drained the fluid and was only able to get 2.5 quarts out. What is the total fluid in the transaxle and should I change it again. 98 v-6 110 k 20 k since last change at dealer.

That’s right.  If you wanted to get the majority of the fluid out, you should have bought a Nissan, at least in the Maxima veriety.  Much easier!  With a Honda (which is more typical), I’d change the fluid again, or at least keep it on a scheduled change once in a while along with the engine oil.  If it was just changed 20k ago it’s probably just fine, unless you’ve pounded it with stop-and-go in a high temp climate. JM

Response:

veriety…  variety….

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I drained the fluid and was only able to get 2.5 quarts out. What is the total fluid in the transaxle and should I change it again. 98 v-6 110 k 20 k since last change at dealer. That’s right.  If you wanted to get the majority of the fluid out, you should have bought a Nissan, at least in the Maxima veriety.  Much easier!  With a Honda (which is more typical), I’d change the fluid again, or at least keep it on a scheduled change once in a while along with the engine oil.  If it was just changed 20k ago it’s probably just fine, unless you’ve pounded it with stop-and-go in a high temp climate.

When I was changing the ATF in my ‘89 Integra, I’d just do it every 15K miles to be safe.  Of course I neglected it for a while, but eventually figured out that ATF changes were ridiculously simple and worth doing more often.  It was still shifting like new at 100K miles, which was actually rather crappy (but that’s another story). I don’t know of many automatic trannies where most of the fluid is drained out in a typical change – even ones where the pan is dropped. I’ve heard of some cars with a drain plug on the torque converter.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I drained the fluid and was only able to get 2.5 quarts out. What is the total fluid in the transaxle and should I change it again. 98 v-6 110 k 20 k since last change at dealer. That’s right.  If you wanted to get the majority of the fluid out, you should have bought a Nissan, at least in the Maxima veriety.  Much easier!  With a Honda (which is more typical), I’d change the fluid again, or at least keep it on a scheduled change once in a while along with the engine oil.  If it was just changed 20k ago it’s probably just fine, unless you’ve pounded it with stop-and-go in a high temp climate. When I was changing the ATF in my ‘89 Integra, I’d just do it every 15K miles to be safe.  Of course I neglected it for a while, but eventually figured out that ATF changes were ridiculously simple and worth doing more often.  It was still shifting like new at 100K miles, which was actually rather crappy (but that’s another story). I don’t know of many automatic trannies where most of the fluid is drained out in a typical change – even ones where the pan is dropped. I’ve heard of some cars with a drain plug on the torque converter.

i’ve heard of some folks drilling their torque converters to drain them!   can’t say i think that’s a good idea.

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yes some people are extremely anal and think way too much when it comes to maintenance.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I drained the fluid and was only able to get 2.5 quarts out. What is the total fluid in the transaxle and should I change it again. 98 v-6 110 k 20 k since last change at dealer. That’s right.  If you wanted to get the majority of the fluid out, you should have bought a Nissan, at least in the Maxima veriety.  Much easier!  With a Honda (which is more typical), I’d change the fluid again, or at least keep it on a scheduled change once in a while along with the engine oil.  If it was just changed 20k ago it’s probably just fine, unless you’ve pounded it with stop-and-go in a high temp climate. When I was changing the ATF in my ‘89 Integra, I’d just do it every 15K miles to be safe.  Of course I neglected it for a while, but eventually figured out that ATF changes were ridiculously simple and worth doing more often.  It was still shifting like new at 100K miles, which was actually rather crappy (but that’s another story). I don’t know of many automatic trannies where most of the fluid is drained out in a typical change – even ones where the pan is dropped. I’ve heard of some cars with a drain plug on the torque converter. i’ve heard of some folks drilling their torque converters to drain them! can’t say i think that’s a good idea.

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Question:

Hello All, We recently purchased a 2005 Uplander LS with the DVD Entertainment System. We were told (by the Salesman) that it came with wireless headphones. Well, he was mistaken as it was later found out that this is a $165.00 (each) option. So, we were wondering… Does anyone know what "aftermarket" headphones can be used with the AC/Delco DVD System???? TIA, Jesse

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What is a "Uplander"?

Response:

What is a "Uplander"?

Basically a Venture van with a truck-like front end. Kind of an ugly beast IMHO. http://www.chevrolet.com/uplander/

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and scratched on the wall: What is a "Uplander"? Basically a Venture van with a truck-like front end. Kind of an ugly beast IMHO. http://www.chevrolet.com/uplander/

Looks a lot like the new Saturn Relay, but not as nice. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/showroom/relay/index.jsp?nav=600 I like my Vue, thank you. — kai www.perfectreign.com a palm tree nodded at me last night, he said, you look so pale…

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – and scratched on the wall: What is a "Uplander"? Basically a Venture van with a truck-like front end. Kind of an ugly beast IMHO. http://www.chevrolet.com/uplander/ Looks a lot like the new Saturn Relay, but not as nice. http://www.saturn.com/saturn/showroom/relay/index.jsp?nav=600

The Saturn, Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick vans are all the same, just with different parts. Basically boils down to how much you want to pay for the same thing I’m still waiting until my current lease expires, so I can get an Equinox.

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What is a "Uplander"? Basically a Venture van with a truck-like front end. Kind of an ugly beast IMHO. http://www.chevrolet.com/uplander/

Interesting…never heard if it.

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Basically boils down to how much you want to pay for the same thing I’m still waiting until my current lease expires, so I can get an Equinox.

It’s odd that I haven’t seen many of the new Chevy model vehicles on the road yet, except a couple of the Malibu models (and only a couple).

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underwear and scratched on the wall: Basically boils down to how much you want to pay for the same thing I’m still waiting until my current lease expires, so I can get an Equinox.

I drove the equinox LT – very nice car. I really like the back end where they have the adjustible shelf. I only ended up with the VUE for two reasons (1) the Chevy dealer was being an a$$ and wouln’t give me good financing (whereas everyone else was ready to give me 1.9$% or better) (2) the engine of the VUE is a 3.5L 240HP Honda engine – and I did notice the difference It’s odd that I haven’t seen many of the new Chevy model vehicles on the road yet, except a couple of the Malibu models (and only a couple).

I’ve seen more than a few Malibu cars, several SSRs and a lot of Colorado trucks. I drove the Malibu – nice car, but way too small. I felt totally cramped in there. — kai www.perfectreign.com a palm tree nodded at me last night, he said, you look so pale…

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Question:

The oil-age will soon come to an end.

"N’attendez pas le Jugement dernier. Il a lieu tous les jours."–Albert Camus, dans _La Peste_. (Don’t wait for Judgment Day. It occurs daily." From _The Plague_). –M — "Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum."–Lucretius

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 But the real point is that America is the richest company and will be able to buy its way out of some of the problems.

Maybe, but don’t forget: you can’t eat money…. Lars

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If a  sudden decline in oil occurs, what will then happen? I suggest you put on an old white robe, carry a sign that reads "The End Is Near", and stand on a street corner howling "Doom!  Doom!"

That I leave to you Tom. If that day come (i.e. the worst scenario) I am already on the countryside – armed with bot guns and food. Lars

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The oil-age will soon come to an end. Will there be chaos in society when the oil dries up? Will the oil-based agriculture not longer be able to feed 6 billions? Dale Allen Pfeiffer thinks so and writes: "Beyond economic collapse followed by civil unrest, it is hard to say what will happen as energy production declines. But the world population will have to contract by 2/3s, and the US population will have to contract by 1/3. I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American. Actually, it’s a recognition of the impact of wealth on the coming collapse. Ugly? Maybe. But the real point is that America is the richest company and will be able to buy its way out of some of the problems.

It would? Buy what from whom, exactly?

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when oil is about to finish other sources of energy will be found. nuclear, fusion, gas hydrates, oil shales, solar, etc. there will be transitional pains of course. Yeah, right: transitional pains. No one knows for sure how big they will be.

you want future to be predicted precisely? Expert A thinks this and expert B thinks that.

freedom of expression, principle of uncertainty…. etc A sudden drop of oil will cause bigger transitional pains than a slow one ofcourse.

prices will rise and demand will fall. people will switch to coal, wood etc in the short term. like the old days. more dangerous are epidemics like the spanish flu, locusts which wipe out food supply, or crop disease (because most crops lack genetic diversity and hence are sitting ducks to virulent mutations). The problem is that many oil-countries fiddle the books about how much oil they have left due to political reasons.

the alarming fact is that the best technologies which can replace oil in the mid-term, fission and fusion energy are not being pushed as much as they should be. hydrogen is being touted but producing hydrogen requires huge amount of energy. This is an alarming fact. Better to prepare for the worst than be captured with your ass naked as we say in Sweden.

no point worrying about things you cannot solve. your politicians and scientists should be doing this. at best you can store some coal for a few years. an asteroid could wipe out life…. so better live a full and happy life now before that happens.

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http://www.sorryeverybody.com/ — "Does not matter – Need not be"

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Chaos a.d. Tanks on the streets Confronting police Bleeding the plebs Raging crowd Burning cars Bloodshed starts Who’ll be alive? ! Chaos a.d. Army in siege Total alarm I’m sick of this Inside the state War is created No man’s land What is this shit? ! Refuse/resist Refuse Chaos a.d. Disorder unleashed Starting to burn Starting to lynch Silence means death Stand on your feet Inner fear Your worst enemy Refuse/resist ~~~~~Sepultura http://www.thepetitionsite.com/?ltl=1106713108 http://www.petitiononline.com/petition.html (Where I go…) — "Does not matter – Need not be"

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The oil-age will soon come to an end. i am an automobile enthusiast and i know that fuel cell technology is already a viable alternative to oil. the only reason why it has not dominated yet is that currently oil is cheaper and that electric motors are not as fast as oil cars. honda motors already has a fuel cell car running at 70 miles per hour horse power for a distance of 170 miles. that is as good as a cheap economy car. so it is viable right now to run an entire nation off economy car electric motors. the only armageddon coming is that the middle east will no longer be able to sell oil at such exorbitant prices. You would be referring to a hydrogen fuel cell? The problem with hydrogen fuel cells is that the energy cost to charge the cell is greater than the energy you can get out of the cell. So the trick is, where does the energy come from to charge the cells?

that is like saying the problem of oil is that we have to dig it out with pumps that use oil. i thought charging a cell just used electricity and water? they can get the electricity from the fuel cell! i am pretty sure hydrogen fuel cells are very easy to charge. i’ll do some research at howstuffworks.com and i will come back in a few days to tell you about making cells

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American. Typical fucking generalization. You don’t think that expecting America to reduce it’s population less than the rest of the world (in this fantasy) is ugly? No, I didn’t say that. I didn’t like your statement re: ugly Americans. Do you think we are all that way? You really must, to make a statment so bold.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0393318672/104-0544073-9082354

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The oil-age will soon come to an end. Will there be chaos in society when the oil dries up? Will the oil-based agriculture not longer be able to feed 6 billions? Dale Allen Pfeiffer thinks so and writes: "Beyond economic collapse followed by civil unrest, it is hard to say what will happen as energy production declines. But the world population will have to contract by 2/3s, and the US population will have to contract by 1/3. I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American.

Actually, it’s a recognition of the impact of wealth on the coming collapse. Ugly? Maybe. But the real point is that America is the richest company and will be able to buy its way out of some of the problems.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The oil-age will soon come to an end. i am an automobile enthusiast and i know that fuel cell technology is already a viable alternative to oil. the only reason why it has not dominated yet is that currently oil is cheaper and that electric motors are not as fast as oil cars. honda motors already has a fuel cell car running at 70 miles per hour horse power for a distance of 170 miles. that is as good as a cheap economy car. so it is viable right now to run an entire nation off economy car electric motors. the only armageddon coming is that the middle east will no longer be able to sell oil at such exorbitant prices.

You would be referring to a hydrogen fuel cell? The problem with hydrogen fuel cells is that the energy cost to charge the cell is greater than the energy you can get out of the cell. So the trick is, where does the energy come from to charge the cells?

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when oil is about to finish other sources of energy will be found. nuclear, fusion, gas hydrates, oil shales, solar, etc. there will be transitional pains of course.

Yeah, right: transitional pains. No one knows for sure how big they will be. Expert A thinks this and expert B thinks that. A sudden drop of oil will cause bigger transitional pains than a slow one ofcourse. The problem is that many oil-countries fiddle the books about how much oil they have left due to political reasons. This is an alarming fact. Better to prepare for the worst than be captured with your ass naked as we say in Sweden. Lars Lars

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – <i am an automobile enthusiast and i know that <fuel cell technology is <already a viable alternative to oil. the only reason <why it has not <dominated yet is that currently oil is cheaper and <that electric motors <are not as fast as oil cars. honda motors already <has a fuel cell car <running at 70 miles per hour horse power for a <distance of 170 miles. <that is as good as a cheap economy car. so it is <viable right now to <run an entire nation off economy car electric <motors. What you write is true.  However the infrastructure of hydrogen driven cars and electric cars is not well-developed.

it is already possible. the only thing slowing it down is that it is more expensive than current oil based infrastructure. in a capitalist free market money governs everything so anything too expensive will not be followed. in a theoretical communism the government could change infrastructure without government grinding down to a halt. as soon as american scientists perfect the technology, we should see foreign spies quickly finding ways for their countries to adopt fuel cells. If a  sudden decline in oil occurs, what will then happen? Saudi-arabia’s public figures of how much oil they have left is not real, they are political. < the only <armageddon coming is that the middle east will <no longer be able to <sell oil at such exorbitant prices. But the energy from oil must be replaced, where will it come from??

oil won’t get replaced, all that will happen is that there will be a reduction in demand, so that the middle east will be forced to sell their oil for very low prices. if the middle east oil reserves run out, then america will be forced to use its own oil and american oil is expensive to drill so that will probably be the time america switches to a fuel cell infrastructure. the whole question hinges on cost. for instance, current solar technology can power a whole continent if you sacrificed an area of land the size of arizona usa. the us could have done this in the 80s but it won’t cause that much land generates a lot of revenue and it would be less profitable to make a solar cell state. money money money

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If a  sudden decline in oil occurs, what will then happen?

I suggest you put on an old white robe, carry a sign that reads "The End Is Near", and stand on a street corner howling "Doom!  Doom!" That’ll help.

Response:

The oil-age will soon come to an end. Will there be chaos in society when the oil dries up? Will the oil-based agriculture not longer be able to feed 6 billions?

when oil is about to finish other sources of energy will be found. nuclear, fusion, gas hydrates, oil shales, solar, etc. there will be transitional pains of course. the problem is not so much energy, or the lack of it. it is the greed, cruelty and evil in the human heart.

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I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American. Typical fucking generalization. You don’t think that expecting America to reduce it’s population less than the rest of the world (in this fantasy) is ugly?

No, I didn’t say that. I didn’t like your statement re: ugly Americans. Do you think we are all that way? You really must, to make a statment so bold. — "Does not matter – Need not be"

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<i am an automobile enthusiast and i know that <fuel cell technology is <already a viable alternative to oil. the only reason <why it has not <dominated yet is that currently oil is cheaper and <that electric motors <are not as fast as oil cars. honda motors already <has a fuel cell car <running at 70 miles per hour horse power for a <distance of 170 miles. <that is as good as a cheap economy car. so it is <viable right now to <run an entire nation off economy car electric <motors. What you write is true.  However the infrastructure of hydrogen driven cars and electric cars is not well-developed. If a  sudden decline in oil occurs, what will then happen? Saudi-arabia’s public figures of how much oil they have left is not real, they are political. < the only <armageddon coming is that the middle east will <no longer be able to <sell oil at such exorbitant prices. But the energy from oil must be replaced, where will it come from?? Lars

Response:

The oil-age will soon come to an end.

i am an automobile enthusiast and i know that fuel cell technology is already a viable alternative to oil. the only reason why it has not dominated yet is that currently oil is cheaper and that electric motors are not as fast as oil cars. honda motors already has a fuel cell car running at 70 miles per hour horse power for a distance of 170 miles. that is as good as a cheap economy car. so it is viable right now to run an entire nation off economy car electric motors. the only armageddon coming is that the middle east will no longer be able to sell oil at such exorbitant prices.

Response:

Rainey has brought this to us : I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American. Typical fucking generalization.

Typical f*cking eschatologists.. — Fb

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I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American.

Typical fucking generalization. — "Does not matter – Need not be"

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I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American. Typical fucking generalization.

You don’t think that expecting America to reduce it’s population less than the rest of the world (in this fantasy) is ugly?

Response:

I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part.

It is understandable that people will be in denial when facing such a drastic change in society. I have taken some measures to be on the safe starving-side so to speak. When there is no food in the shops, there is no food in the shops. Lars

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The oil-age will soon come to an end. Will there be chaos in society when the oil dries up? Will the oil-based agriculture not longer be able to feed 6 billions? Dale Allen Pfeiffer thinks so and writes: snip Lars

Lars, While this might fit the Jahovah Witness’ veiw of the future Yoga adepts (seers) I have read have established that this is not what’s going to happen.  So I’m good with that.  Besides there is no future, there is only now… Namaste

Response:

The oil-age will soon come to an end. Will there be chaos in society when the oil dries up? Will the oil-based agriculture not longer be able to feed 6 billions? Dale Allen Pfeiffer thinks so and writes: "Beyond economic collapse followed by civil unrest, it is hard to say what will happen as energy production declines. But the world population will have to contract by 2/3s, and the US population will have to contract by 1/3.

I’m sorry but I couldn’t read past this part. The world reduces by 2/3s but America only 1/3? Typical fucking Ugly American.

Response:

The oil-age will soon come to an end. Will there be chaos in society when the oil dries up? Will the oil-based agriculture not longer be able to feed 6 billions? Dale Allen Pfeiffer thinks so and writes: "Beyond economic collapse followed by civil unrest, it is hard to say what will happen as energy production declines. But the world population will have to contract by 2/3s, and the US population will have to contract by 1/3. The loss will not happen all at once. It will start out very gradually, but it will develop into an exponential curve, similar to the curve of population growth following the introduction of hydrocarbon energy. Once the loss of energy production passes some critical point, the population will inevitably crash. It is nearly impossible to say how the elite will play this out. It is to be hoped that we won’t be left in a totalitarian world where none of us is even allowed the freedom to seek our own sustainable balance. It is also to be hoped that human society does not break down entirely, leaving some small communities attempting to survive while surrounded by predators. Find some place or some way to grow as much of your own food as you can, where your neighbors are supportive. Plan to do without gas or electricity. Rediscover the old ways. Dust off those back copies of Mother Earth News stacked in the attic. It is time to prepare." We better prepare for the worst. The whole article: Current Situation & 2005 Projections by Dale Allen Pfeiffer December 29, 2004, 0300 PDT (FTW) -This past year we have seen how volatile the oil market has become as the world approaches peak oil production. But the recent softening of oil prices demonstrates that we have not yet peaked. What we are experiencing right now is a tight oil market. Production can still increase, but not by much and only with difficulty. The good news is that we are producing more oil than ever before. The bad news is that production is barely keeping up with consumption, and the decline is still ahead of us. In this tight situation, anything which disrupts oil production around the globe has an effect on prices. This year oil prices were driven up by the triple whammy of the Iraq invasion, civil unrest leading to production disruption in Nigeria, and hurricanes in the Gulf. Production could not increase enough to cover all of those shortages. But now the hurricane season is long over, and Nigeria is back in business. Barring further disruptions – such as the horror of a 9.0 earthquake in the Indian Ocean – prices should remain soft for the short term. 2005 Energy Picture In fact, oil prices might drop back below $20/barrel before 2005 is over – depending on circumstances. Several new large fields should come online this year, adding extra capacity. These are the last of the 500 million barrel mega fields, since none has been discovered in the past few years. Eighteen new mega projects are due to start producing this year, followed by eleven more is 2006. However, 2007 will see the opening of only three new projects, followed by three more in 2008. This will not keep up with declining production in older fields, much less the increase in demand. ODAC has announced that world production is now seeing a 1 million barrel/day depletion rate. It remains to be seen whether the new production slated to come online this year and next will be sufficient to make up for that depletion rate. And should Ghawar collapse within the next year or two, the loss of production from this one field might cancel out all gains from new fields. Increasing demand in China and India might also keep prices strong. Both countries are building strategic petroleum reserves. The additional demand of filling these reserves could account for all new production this year, driving prices higher. However, if prices climb high enough, these countries will likely suspend purchases for their strategic reserves, and might even open their reserves to help bring the price back down. So for the next two years prices will tend to be soft, though they will remain volatile due to production disruptions caused by natural catastrophe, warfare and a host of other causes. In other words, we may have a cushion for the next couple years. But how are we going to use it? If we provoke supply disruptions, the price will bounce up. Once the disruption is over, prices will drop. Likewise, our natural gas storage is full going into winter 2005. We will have no gas shortages this year, barring a major natural catastrophe. Though how long we can expect the weather to cooperate is a good question (which perhaps should be asked of those who are laying the ceiling of vapor trails in our skies). However, production is still precarious, and it is doubtful that any new production from territories recently opened to drilling will have much effect beyond broadening out the North American natural gas cliff. So it appears that we may have reached an energy breather. Soft prices will be welcomed most graciously by those in denial of peak oil. Yet this will also give those of us who are aware a chance to prepare – perhaps our last chance before the roller coaster dives down the declining slope of production, carrying all in it. The US & Iran The Bush administration may take advantage of the soft energy market to continue their oil imperialism in the Middle East and elsewhere. It appears that the neocons have their sights on Iran. Bush has made some threats against Iran recently, using the excuses of Iranian nuclear potential and alleged Iranian interference in Iraq. Over the past year, Iran has been taking aim directly at corporate interests and US dollar hegemony. Iran has been working to set up its own oil market – sort of a world trade center of oil – and to price this market in euros. Iran is doing this intentionally to break the power of the oil majors over the oil market. This cannot be tolerated by the US neocons. So look for them to try to bust the Iranian oil bourse and depose the government through some covert means. But should the covert means fail, or should they feel time is short, then we can expect Bush to bring his already beleaguered war machine to Iran. Following the 2004 US election, many foreign interests are considering taking matters into their own hands. The problem for them is that any action they take against the US will also hurt them to some extent. And nobody wants to piss off the US too openly; after all, we are the only country to use nuclear weapons in combat. But Iran has been pushed around by the US for years, and might feel that it has little to lose and everything to gain. An invasion of Iran would make Iraq look like a cake walk. And there is always the possibility that it could set off the entire powder keg known as the Middle East. The US/British imperialist gambit is growing more dangerous by the day. And the Bush administration has gone too far to stop now. They will push the conquest of the Middle East and other oil bearing or geo-strategic areas. To fail now is to cease to be a superpower. Big Brother at Home Meanwhile, the neocon TKO of the 2004 election will make it much easier for Bush to broaden the powers first granted under the Patriot Act and similar post 9-11 legislation. The neocons already have the capability to suspend the constitution in case of an emergency. They will seek to strengthen this capability over the next few years. And they will also prepare to handle the disenchanted masses back home once oil prices begin their irreversible climb. It is a certainty, with our economy ready to burst at any moment due to various bubbles and dollar devaluation, and with the irreversible decline of oil production standing no more than a couple of years distant, that we will have a crisis before Bush is due to leave office. That would give him the excuse to do away with the sham elections and assume the mantle of Emperor. Impossible, some say; people will "take to the streets." Then why haven’t they done so already? There has already been more than enough provocation to do so. The rest of the world has been scratching their heads for the last four years, wondering why people in the US have not risen up yet. Long Range Projection Oil production will begin its decline in 2007 or 2008. At that point repression, both at home and abroad, will begin in earnest. The economy will soon collapse completely (if it does not do so before 2007). People will feel the crunch, and they will become desperate. If you are not prepared in a supportive community intent on transitioning to self-sufficiency, then your chances of surviving are drastically reduced. Beyond economic collapse followed by civil unrest, it is hard to say what will happen as energy production declines. But the world population will have to contract by 2/3s, and the US population will have to contract by 1/3. The loss will not happen all at once. It will start out very gradually, but it will develop into an exponential curve, similar to the curve of population growth following the introduction of hydrocarbon energy. Once the loss of energy production passes some critical point, the population will inevitably crash. It is nearly impossible to say how the elite will play this out. It is to be hoped that we won’t be left in a totalitarian world where none of us is even allowed the freedom to seek our own sustainable balance. It is also to be hoped that human society does not break down entirely, leaving some small communities attempting to survive while surrounded by predators. Find some place or some way to grow as much of your own food as you can, where your neighbors are supportive. Plan to do without gas or electricity. Rediscover the old ways. Dust off those back copies of Mother Earth News stacked in the attic. It is time to prepare — Lars

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Question:

Seeker <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> wrote: > In article <BE145B83.352E1%erosewa…@ziplip.com>, Michael > <erosewa…@ziplip.com> wrote: > > If you’re not totally committed to a laptop, have a look at this: > > www.apple.com/macmini/ > > $499. Unbelievable. > I agree.  Very intriguing.  (note that the monitor, keyboard, and mouse > are extra, though, if I read right.)

That’s right.  I think the mini is directed at the switchers who already have monitors and keyboards and mice.  

Response:

MsLiz <care…@msn.com> wrote: > Emma Anne wrote: > > MsLiz <care…@msn.com> wrote: > > > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > > > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive. > > Can you get a Mac?  The iBooks are nice and not too expensive. > Can you tell me what an Ibook is?  What are the main differences > between a mac and not mac > Now that I’ve had this for so many years, would it be a hard adjustment > to go to a mac?

Good answer from Michael.  The lack of viruses and spyware is a huge advantage that would make up for a lot of learning curve requirements. But I don’t think the learning curve amounts to much.  The mail programs and browsers and word processors on Macs work much like they do on PCs. You just have to poke around to find out where things are and how to open things and print and so on.   If you are the timid sort (with computers) you might go to the nearest Apple store and take a class or have the genius bar guy walk you through things.

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"Ted Seeker <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com>" wrote: > I am *amazed* at how much time they spend writing about all the > tinkering they have to do with their Windows machines to keep > them up to snuff. "The Watsons <warpedsyst…@mail.net>" wrote: > But tinkering’s half the fun.

Only if you like it. It’s not unlike choosing a car.  People who like working on cars will go buy something like a 1967 Pontiac Firebird, and search the web for the chrome badges that go on the fenders, and rebuild the engine, and so on.  They like doing it, more power to ‘em. But other people don’t like working on their cars.  They want to think about where they are going, not think about the machine.  So they buy something like a Honda Accord (or Toyota Camry, etc), and when it needs an oil change or other maintenance they take it somewhere and have somebody do it.  This method is more expensive, but it’s less hassle. Well, if you like thinking about your computer and working on it, go to a local computer shop in your neighborhood and get one from someone you’ve spoken to personally.  If you have trouble, you can take it back to the shop and have them work on it for you.  Ask around and get recommendations from people who have done this.  I bought an Intel box a few years back and went over the hardware list with the tech in great detail.  One point I was picky about was "no operating system", because why pay Microsoft for Windows when I’m never going to use it?  (I installed FreeBSD on the machine when I got it home.) But if you want to think about your work, and not think about your computer, you should probably get a Mac.  It will probably be more expensive, but it will be much less hassle. Now if only people who like tinkering and people who don’t like tinkering can be nice to each other instead of thinking up new and clever insults.  8-) Darren Provine ! kil…@elvis.rowan.edu ! http://www.rowan.edu/~kilroy "This is the net.  Mac/PC/ST/Amiga wars, UNIX/VMS/OS2/… wars, my  language is better than your language, it’s not just argument, it’s a  way of life." — Richard A. O’Keefe

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Bill in Co. wrote: > The Watsons wrote: > > "Seeker" <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > > news:190120052253392282%Tedds212removethis@yahoo.com… > >> I am *amazed* at how much time > >> they spend writing about all the tinkering they have to do with their > >> Windows machines to keep them up to snuff. > > But tinkering’s half the fun. > > Jess > If you’re a TRUE tinkerer, ya gotta dip into the registry.    Ever been down > there?

I’ve tinkered "down there" only it wasn’t a computer.

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"MsLiz" <care…@msn.com> wrote in message

news:1106230777.830971.105770@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > I’ve tinkered "down there" only it wasn’t a computer.

I trust it was more than just "tinkering". — Ted

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -MsLiz wrote: > Bill in Co. wrote: >> The Watsons wrote: >>> "Seeker" <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> wrote in message >>> news:190120052253392282%Tedds212removethis@yahoo.com… >>>> I am *amazed* at how much time >>>> they spend writing about all the tinkering they have to do with their >>>> Windows machines to keep them up to snuff. >>> But tinkering’s half the fun. >>> Jess >> If you’re a TRUE tinkerer, ya gotta dip into the registry.    Ever been down >> there? > I’ve tinkered "down there" only it wasn’t a computer.

LOL!!    I can’t even remember if they had registries when I got married. I must be losing my memory..

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"MsLiz" <care…@msn.com> wrote in message

news:1106180829.716355.97890@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So many of you are brilliant in the area of computers.  I am planning > on buying a laptop (eventually).  Not being too computer savvy, I’m in > need of advice. > Basically, all I need the computer for is: > 1. Tons of work (word and excel) documents > 2. Email > 3. Digital camera and photos > 4. alt.support marriage > 5. Internet > 6. Music > 7. Printer > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive.  If any of you > have the time to be specific such as the amount of ram and all that > other stuff that baffles me, please speak up.  Also any brands that are > better than others or brands that truly suck or have bad technical > support.  I’m a regular user of technical support when I get new > anything related to computer > Thanks in advance.

If you look here, they do give a nice comparison, and tell how much each one weighs, what the dimensions are, and so forth: http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/compare.aspx/notebooks?c=us&… I see a lot of people have recommended a mac.  If you are thinking about that, I’d at least try one out first.  They are different, and that way you could get a feel for how much "unlearning and relearning" you might have to do.  I’d try it and see if you like it, first.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Michael wrote: > in article 1106182745.443268.229…@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com, MsLiz at > care…@msn.com wrote on 1/19/05 5:59 PM: > > Emma Anne wrote: > >> MsLiz <care…@msn.com> wrote: > >>> I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > >>> something not too heavy and of course not too expensive. > >> Can you get a Mac?  The iBooks are nice and not too expensive. > > Can you tell me what an Ibook is?  What are the main differences > > between a mac and not mac > > Now that I’ve had this for so many years, would it be a hard adjustment > > to go to a mac? > Macs have their own operating system, now Unix-based. It’s very intuitive > and graphic. The idea is that you should be able to pull it out of the box > and start working with it, and if you’re fluent enough in Windows to do what > you need to do, you should have fewer problems doing the same thing on a Mac > (cue the long debate). > The other differences? I haven’t been infected with a virus since 1993. I > can pull my Mac laptop out of my briefcase when I go to head office, find an > unoccupied ethernet cable, and have full connection to the network, > printers, and internet without changing a thing. > If you’re not totally committed to a laptop, have a look at this: > www.apple.com/macmini/ > $499. Unbelievable.

Sometimes this group literally  makes my skin crawl.  But at times like this, I am really grateful that I’ve been in this group for as long as I have been.  I’m in this grateful mode right now…wanting to look for, see, find and appreciate the positive in my life.  Right now I feel thankful that I know a lot of you.  Thank you for all of your help!!! Doug, no, I’m not in a hurry.  I have to have a bit more income before justifying spending the money.  My biggest fear is that when my daughter and her friends play around on the computer, one day it’s going to crash and I’m going to lose everything.  Yes, I back up some stuff but I often forget to do it religously.  I want my own place and space on the computer and I want to be able to only blame myself if it screws up.  Now that she uses the computer and my husband uses it, we do need another one, so guess who the next in line is!!! It’s a business expense, right?

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"MsLiz" <care…@msn.com> wrote in message

news:1106191243.476684.34900@c13g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… > It’s a business expense, right?

That it is

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"MsLiz" <care…@msn.com> writes: > justifying spending the money.  My biggest fear is that when my > daughter and her friends play around on the computer, one day it’s > going to crash and I’m going to lose everything.  Yes, I back up some > stuff but I often forget to do it religously.  I want my own place and > space on the computer and I want to be able to only blame myself if it > screws up.  Now that she uses the computer and my husband uses it, we > do need another one, so guess who the next in line is!!! > It’s a business expense, right?

It’s a good think to worry about.  One of the nice things about macs is that they keep your files separate from the system software (which can be restored from disk) and your other software (which can also usually be restored from a disk).  [I assume windows must be doing this too at this point, but if so, it is a change from the last time I used windows.] So when I’m backing up my computer, I need to back up precisely my home directory.  As long as I do that, I can restore everything should my laptop get run over by a car!

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In article <BE145B83.352E1%erosewa…@ziplip.com>, Michael <erosewa…@ziplip.com> wrote: > If you’re not totally committed to a laptop, have a look at this: > www.apple.com/macmini/ > $499. Unbelievable.

I agree.  Very intriguing.  (note that the monitor, keyboard, and mouse are extra, though, if I read right.) At home we use Macs, always have.  At work I use a PC (I think it’s been a Dell most of the time.)   I have yet to feel like I’ve ever been comfortable with the PC’s.   I’ve been interacting on-line with a small group of friends in an area of mutual interest for many years now and all but one of them also have PC’s — I am *amazed* at how much time they spend writing about all the tinkering they have to do with their Windows machines to keep them up to snuff.  (My Mac, of course, has yet to be hit by any kind of a virus or worm.  The only reason the one at work is reasonably safe is we have a whole IT department whose job is to make sure things like that don’t happen.) Ted

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"GGGNH" <GG…@nospam.net> wrote in message

news:GGGNH-BA1BBA.23254119012005@host70.newsfeeds.com… > They get the price down on the carts for that free printer yet? The last > I knew, you could buy a decent printer for their cost of a cart. And > even though it is made by Lexmark, you can’t use any cart but their own.

Likely not. We paid 127 for five carts-three black, two color. The convenience is that it’s compatible with both of our toys, and it prints faster than any of the other two printers we have. I’d only wish a home use Lex on my worst enemy-they’re cantakerous. HP printers, all the way. Jess

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Seeker <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> writes: > In article <BE145B83.352E1%erosewa…@ziplip.com>, Michael > <erosewa…@ziplip.com> wrote: > > If you’re not totally committed to a laptop, have a look at this: > > www.apple.com/macmini/ > > $499. Unbelievable. > I agree.  Very intriguing.  (note that the monitor, keyboard, and mouse > are extra, though, if I read right.)

Yep.  As soon as they’ve perfected those bio-vga ports and the USB ports into the pinky finger, that’ll be a sweet little machine! (In the meantime, it is still a pretty good deal if you already have a monitor you’re happy with.)

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"Seeker" <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:190120052253392282%Tedds212removethis@yahoo.com… >I am *amazed* at how much time > they spend writing about all the tinkering they have to do with their > Windows machines to keep them up to snuff.

But tinkering’s half the fun. Jess

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in article lYGHd.4689$hu.273@fed1read01, The Watsons at warpedsyst…@mail.net wrote on 1/19/05 10:03 PM: > "Seeker" <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:190120052253392282%Tedds212removethis@yahoo.com… >> I am *amazed* at how much time >> they spend writing about all the tinkering they have to do with their >> Windows machines to keep them up to snuff. > But tinkering’s half the fun. > Jess

Only if tinker is your primary occupation. If you’ve got contracts and a deadline, the appropriate tool is a sledgehammer.

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The Watsons wrote: > "Seeker" <Tedds212removet…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:190120052253392282%Tedds212removethis@yahoo.com… >> I am *amazed* at how much time >> they spend writing about all the tinkering they have to do with their >> Windows machines to keep them up to snuff. > But tinkering’s half the fun. > Jess

If you’re a TRUE tinkerer, ya gotta dip into the registry.    Ever been down there?

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"JWB" <jwb3333__takeou…@excite.com> wrote in message

news:358dcoF4hap7iU1@individual.net… > I have to agree with what the others wrote here about the ibook, even > though I am a PC guy. You can get word and excel for the Mac, and it’s > probably a lot easier to use for someone who isn’t that computer literate. > and I agree with the 768 mb of ram.

Although I’m partial to my Dell, and they have a couple of support programs intended for new computer users and the warranties are nice. I got mine for about 1500, but 300 of that was the extended uber warranty; I want to say the base price was right around a grand. It’s also what I use for school-online courses and all. His was about the same, but $70 less (cheaper chip and slightly heavier); we also got a free printer, which was good. ;D Dell will also help you design one just for you-all you need to do is call in and tell the guy what you’re using it for. Jess

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"MsLiz" <care…@msn.com> writes: > So many of you are brilliant in the area of computers.  I am planning > on buying a laptop (eventually).  Not being too computer savvy, I’m in > need of advice. > Basically, all I need the computer for is: > 1. Tons of work (word and excel) documents > 2. Email > 3. Digital camera and photos > 4. alt.support marriage > 5. Internet > 6. Music > 7. Printer > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive.  If any of you > have the time to be specific such as the amount of ram and all that > other stuff that baffles me, please speak up.  Also any brands that are > better than others or brands that truly suck or have bad technical > support.  I’m a regular user of technical support when I get new > anything related to computer

This would meet your needs, and I think it is very good.  Easy to use, though a small amount of new stuff to learn, reliable, and quiet, pretty and light. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/71308… The caveats: 1) it will come with a program "AppleWorks" (or if you wait a month or so, iWork) which does word and excel documents.  But it may not do them to your satisfaction, in which case you’ll need to purchase MS Office for Mac OS X. 2) You would want (IMO) 512 MB of RAM which would require an upgrade.         Doug

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in article 1106182745.443268.229…@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com, MsLiz at care…@msn.com wrote on 1/19/05 5:59 PM: > Emma Anne wrote: >> MsLiz <care…@msn.com> wrote: >>> I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, >>> something not too heavy and of course not too expensive. >> Can you get a Mac?  The iBooks are nice and not too expensive. > Can you tell me what an Ibook is?  What are the main differences > between a mac and not mac > Now that I’ve had this for so many years, would it be a hard adjustment > to go to a mac?

Macs have their own operating system, now Unix-based. It’s very intuitive and graphic. The idea is that you should be able to pull it out of the box and start working with it, and if you’re fluent enough in Windows to do what you need to do, you should have fewer problems doing the same thing on a Mac (cue the long debate). The other differences? I haven’t been infected with a virus since 1993. I can pull my Mac laptop out of my briefcase when I go to head office, find an unoccupied ethernet cable, and have full connection to the network, printers, and internet without changing a thing. If you’re not totally committed to a laptop, have a look at this: www.apple.com/macmini/ $499. Unbelievable.

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Emma Anne wrote: > MsLiz <care…@msn.com> wrote: > > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive. > Can you get a Mac?  The iBooks are nice and not too expensive.

Can you tell me what an Ibook is?  What are the main differences between a mac and not mac Now that I’ve had this for so many years, would it be a hard adjustment to go to a mac?

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"MsLiz" <care…@msn.com> wrote in message

news:1106180829.716355.97890@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So many of you are brilliant in the area of computers.  I am planning > on buying a laptop (eventually).  Not being too computer savvy, I’m in > need of advice. > Basically, all I need the computer for is: > 1. Tons of work (word and excel) documents > 2. Email > 3. Digital camera and photos > 4. alt.support marriage > 5. Internet > 6. Music > 7. Printer > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive.  If any of you > have the time to be specific such as the amount of ram and all that > other stuff that baffles me, please speak up.  Also any brands that are > better than others or brands that truly suck or have bad technical > support.  I’m a regular user of technical support when I get new > anything related to computer > Thanks in advance.

I have to agree with what the others wrote here about the ibook, even though I am a PC guy. You can get word and excel for the Mac, and it’s probably a lot easier to use for someone who isn’t that computer literate. and I agree with the 768 mb of ram.

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MsLiz <care…@msn.com> wrote: > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive.  

Can you get a Mac?  The iBooks are nice and not too expensive.

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in article 1106180829.716355.97…@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com, MsLiz at care…@msn.com wrote on 1/19/05 5:27 PM: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> So many of you are brilliant in the area of computers.  I am planning > on buying a laptop (eventually).  Not being too computer savvy, I’m in > need of advice. > Basically, all I need the computer for is: > 1. Tons of work (word and excel) documents > 2. Email > 3. Digital camera and photos > 4. alt.support marriage > 5. Internet > 6. Music > 7. Printer > I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, > something not too heavy and of course not too expensive.  If any of you > have the time to be specific such as the amount of ram and all that > other stuff that baffles me, please speak up.  Also any brands that are > better than others or brands that truly suck or have bad technical > support.  I’m a regular user of technical support when I get new > anything related to computer > Thanks in advance.

Liz, based on what you’ve said above, and you’re open to changing platforms, I think you should get yourself an Ibook – they start about $999. Spend about $200 more and load it up to 768 MB of RAM. M.

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So many of you are brilliant in the area of computers.  I am planning on buying a laptop (eventually).  Not being too computer savvy, I’m in need of advice. Basically, all I need the computer for is: 1. Tons of work (word and excel) documents 2. Email 3. Digital camera and photos 4. alt.support marriage 5. Internet 6. Music 7. Printer I don’t need anything too technical, the easier to use; the better, something not too heavy and of course not too expensive.  If any of you have the time to be specific such as the amount of ram and all that other stuff that baffles me, please speak up.  Also any brands that are better than others or brands that truly suck or have bad technical support.  I’m a regular user of technical support when I get new anything related to computer Thanks in advance.

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