Intrepidation

Acura still hasn't figured out how to style a car I see. They used to be so good at it.

I love the 308 GTS, but even if I could afford to take care of it, I'd be afraid to drive it I think. The Cutlass you could enjoy cruising in and not be nervous a scratch would cost thousands to fix. Also it would likely making to its destination and back.

Money and maintenance costs no object, the 1986 Ferrari 308 GTS all day every day. To be able to realistically afford to live with? Cutlass.

Having not been on here in a while, I can say that its exactly the same as the last time I browsed here. A thread gets posted, and then the same group of people getting pissing and voting matches with each other. The thread gets derailed, and any semblance of discussion devolves in to trash. It'd be one thing if this was once in a while, but this is daily, and involves most threads. Case in point.

I have noticed that.

His cylinder appears to be firing alright.

What an ass.

This thread, explained in one simple graph.

AH, the old C&G Curse strikes again. Credit to the crash structures and safety systems modern cars have though. The passenger compartment looks undamaged, the crash structure absorbed all of the impact.

Now if you (or that Caravan driver) had been in a Chevy Venture for example...

While it is marketing, its not technically untrue. The military does use aluminum is its equipment, from aircraft to weapons to ships. Tanks don't solely make up the US Military. For example, they use 5000-series - 7000-series aluminum. The F-150 is made with 6000-series aluminum. This grade of aluminum  would technically be used in military applications, thereby, according to Ford, making it "military grade".

First one belongs in an 80's car commercial, second one feels like it came out of a Sonic game.

The best thing about the car is the front seats.

Fun fact: two very expensive niche vehicles sold more than half of the total of what six Fords did in September.

Lincoln -8,797

Tesla - 4,864

Let's see some Autumn imagery incorporating the foliage (if applicable) and your ride.

I'll kick things off.

Styling wise its a big improvement over the previous model(s). The powertrain is meh, but its always been meh in this CUV. The target audience won't care and Honda will sell millions.

Also replaced the tie rod and seized adjusting sleeve recently.

Since last Spring, the trunk lid has come down with a case of Chrysler clear coat peel. Started out with just a couple small spots, but quickly got worse to the point where it became very unsightly. Even was enough, so over my vacation I took a couple days to correct this.

Here's the problem:

Here's the solution:

I used SEM high build primer, sealer, Diamont base coat, mixed to the paint code, and cleared it with 2k Glamour clear coat.

SEM primer is superior to Duplicolor primer.

Likewise, Diamont is a high quality base, like Chroma-base, which are better quality than Nason base.

The clear coat is special. Unlike any other clear coat product in a spray can, this contains hardener. This stuff is more on par with what a body shop would actually use. Once you activate it (pressing the plunger at the bottom of the can in), you get 48 hours to use it. This stuff means business, so I got a respirator for applying the chemicals.

I removed the trunk lid to make it easier to work on and not have to mask off surrounding areas. This worked out, because it got cool that night, so I brought the lid inside to cure overnight.

Sanded down. Really wish I had a DA sander (and a compressor). Had to make do with a drill and 3M Stikit attachment. Better then hand sanding, because even this method took a couple hours, but I couldn't it perfectly smooth because of the radial action and difficulty keeping it stable on a drill.

Primed.

In the garage for paint.

Finally, clear.

One thing I learned while experimenting with the left ever clear I had, is that this, unlike most paints, like to go on heavy. I did medium coats and got noticeable orange peel. Being that I really only had one shot at this, I didn't want to make runs and hadn't used the product before. However, I used it on an old Matchbox (1988) I had test painted, and applied it heavily. very glossy.

Learning experience for when I do the Prizm's roof. Also not doing that project without a DA sander.

The lid needed to dry overnight, so the Intrepid slept with no trunk. Luckily the rain held off.

That was Friday. Today was the perfect day to wet sand and buff. Cool, cloudy, but dry.

I wet sanded starting at 1000 grit, then moving to 1500 > 2000 > 2500 and finally 3000 before buffing it with 3M rubbing compound and 3M polishing compound with my radial buffer.

Like a mirror. Until I get to buff the rest of the car, its currently a better finish than the factory paint (its due for a good detailing).

As you can see, there is a hue difference up close, no doubt due to the 16 year difference in paints. However, from a few feet away its hardly noticeable, which is impressive considering I didn't blend any panels.

So from start to finish:

While not perfect, I'm very happy with the results. Its a damn sight better than it was, and it keeps the car presentable until such time as I can have the whole thing repainted.

On rotation.

2 hours ago, bigpoolog said:

lol i'll take removing the cord from my tesla and briskly hanging it every few days versus changing oil ever again

Listen, operating a power cord can be very difficult for people. That's why Dell has an entire division dedicated to reminding people to "unplug it and plug it back in".

The Rouge was the last Nissan to not have any weird styling elements and in turn both the most cohesive and arguably best looking of everything currently in the lineup.

This refresh is change for change's sake, and while its better than the Murano, the newest front end is still BOLD FOR BOLDNESS BECAUSE MORE BOLD AND ALSO BIGGER.It's not bad but its not better.

Its time to Adam down you Jensen.

I like the new look except the way unread content. Seems less intuitive and more busy than the old one.

Critically though, it works well on mobile devices. The old site ran like a drugged, drunk, quadriplegic horse.

Seriously, in the last several years he's gone from being a leader to admire to one you can't figure out what on earth he's doing and how that seems like a good idea.

FCA's already killed the 200 and Dart, I've heard rumors the 300 may not get redesigned. On their latest five year plan update there's mention of Chrysler getting a couple crossovers. That leave just the Charger, Challenger, and apparently a convertible (Barracuda) for cars.