Personal computing discussed
Moderators: askfranklin, renee, emkubed, Captain Ned
End User wrote:My experience was odd too. I had already decided that I wanted a Hyundai for the best-in-the-business warranty; as I mentioned earlier in the thread I was mostly interested in buying new because I was tired of the constant maintenance and problems on my previous vehicles, especially the Focus SVT I had at that time. I had been in once to look at the brand-new Veloster, which had just arrived that day coincidentally. I went home immediately after and configured a Veloster on the website, which required putting my zip code into the configurator. When I went to the dealership a few days later, the Veloster I had configured -- literally, exactly -- was waiting for me right there on the lot. I walked in by myself dressed up nice (business casual with a handbag; I normally don't carry one) and said "I want to buy the Veloster I ordered" kinda half-seriously and they asked if my parents were there with me. Fantastic. (・へ・) Even though I had so much cash in hand and even though I had already picked out my car they made me wait for AGES before I was able to even TALK to someone about buying it. If I were a smarter person -- or less determined to have that specific vehicle -- I would have walked out. If something like that ever happens to me again, I definitely will.The day I walked into the dealership to buy my current car I was ignored. A couple that came in after me received attention immediately. When I finally sat down with the salesperson I actually had to persuade him that I was buying the car in full right then and there. It took forever as well. I found the experience tremendously odd.
End User wrote:Oh wow. With my previous car (2003 Focus SVT) I had my oil changed at a local dealership who advertised $9.99 oil changes, and when I started the car to leave it immediately started knocking. I quickly switched it off and popped the hood -- bone dry. They drained my car and gave it back to me! Unbelievable. That engine later developed serious rod knock and I think that dealership is ultimately at fault but I could never prove it.With my previous car I took it in to get a head gasket replaced at my local Ford dealer. They failed to seal the engine head properly and smoke came billowing out when I drove off. What a nightmare.
End User wrote:No no! I am on my third set of tires (OEM tires lasted ~25k -> replacements that barely lasted 20,000 miles -> current set of OEM-alikes which were very cheap, $45 apiece). I should probably suck it up and buy some actual nice tires for my car but ... money! It's really tough right now with me being unemployed. I'm fortunate enough to have living conditions where my monthly living expenses are very small, but even that is hard to pay with no job! I've been looking for months now and nobody seems to want to hire me. Not that I blame them, but that's another topic for another post.As far as I am aware tire warranties are between us and the tire manufacturers. If you have been using just one set of tires on your Veloster (very nice car BTW) since you bought it (2011) then you have no reason to complain.
auxy wrote:especially the Focus SVT I had at that time.
End User wrote:No, it was horrible. The traction control it supposedly had barely worked and it was almost impossible to launch the thing in first gear without spinning the tires, yet it was super sluggish to start in 2nd gear. I went through so many tires in that thing and I don't drive fast. My DAD was the one who picked it out and bought it for me; I certainly appreciate it but what kind of car is a heavily used Focus SVT for a 17 year old girl? Even as tomboyish as I was/am. I barely could see over the steering wheel too, which was annoying. And the clutch was so mushy... I hated that car honestly. All black exterior and interior, with a custom audio system and chrome steering wheel and shifter, which meant it was incredibly uncomfortable in the Texas summers, and it got so much attention from boys, which I'm sure was part of my dad's plan, even though he didn't realize at the time (nor, really, did I) that I REALLY wasn't interested in that. We had to replace the alternator twice, the fuel pump 3 times, the fuel tank, the distributor, the power steering ... pump? twice, the entire exhaust (because what it had wouldn't actually pass inspection), and then it blew the head gasket and we had to replace the whole head... I don't even know how much money my dad put into that car for me and I don't want to know, but it was a mess. I hated it. I still hate it. lol.auxy wrote:especially the Focus SVT I had at that time.
I had a Focus ZX3 back then. I would have killed for a SVT.
just brew it! wrote:The only Ford I've ever owned (a Tempo, early 1990s model year IIRC) was an unmitigated disaster as well. Ford earned a permanent spot at the top of my "avoid" list as a result of that vehicle. Never again! It was purchased used, and within a year I ditched it by trading it in.
auxy wrote:End User wrote:No, it was horrible. The traction control it supposedly had barely worked and it was almost impossible to launch the thing in first gear without spinning the tiresauxy wrote:especially the Focus SVT I had at that time.
I had a Focus ZX3 back then. I would have killed for a SVT.
End User wrote:auxy wrote:No, it was horrible. The traction control it supposedly had barely worked and it was almost impossible to launch the thing in first gear without spinning the tires
Auto or manual?
just brew it! wrote:The only Ford I've ever owned (a Tempo, early 1990s model year IIRC) was an unmitigated disaster as well. Ford earned a permanent spot at the top of my "avoid" list as a result of that vehicle. Never again! It was purchased used, and within a year I ditched it by trading it in.
CampinCarl wrote:Also, what's with everyone replacing tires CONSTANTLY?
Captain Ned wrote:CampinCarl wrote:Also, what's with everyone replacing tires CONSTANTLY?
Really quite simple. Grip and tread life are inversely proportional. There's only so much magic the petro-chemists can squeeze out of the raw ingredients of tires. Summer/all-seasons I expect 30K/40K. Dedicated snows tend to die around 25K.
auxy wrote:My experience was odd too. I had already decided that I wanted a Hyundai for the best-in-the-business warranty; as I mentioned earlier in the thread I was mostly interested in buying new because I was tired of the constant maintenance and problems on my previous vehicles, especially the Focus SVT I had at that time. I had been in once to look at the brand-new Veloster, which had just arrived that day coincidentally. I went home immediately after and configured a Veloster on the website, which required putting my zip code into the configurator. When I went to the dealership a few days later, the Veloster I had configured -- literally, exactly -- was waiting for me right there on the lot. I walked in by myself dressed up nice (business casual with a handbag; I normally don't carry one) and said "I want to buy the Veloster I ordered" kinda half-seriously and they asked if my parents were there with me. Fantastic. (・へ・) Even though I had so much cash in hand and even though I had already picked out my car they made me wait for AGES before I was able to even TALK to someone about buying it. If I were a smarter person -- or less determined to have that specific vehicle -- I would have walked out. If something like that ever happens to me again, I definitely will.
auxy wrote:No no! I am on my third set of tires (OEM tires lasted ~25k -> replacements that barely lasted 20,000 miles -> current set of OEM-alikes which were very cheap, $45 apiece). I should probably suck it up and buy some actual nice tires for my car but ... money!
just brew it! wrote:Well... "launch the thing in first gear" sort of implies manual. She also mentioned a clutch as one of the problem areas.
auxy wrote:We had to replace the alternator twice, the fuel pump 3 times, the fuel tank, the distributor, the power steering ... pump? twice, the entire exhaust (because what it had wouldn't actually pass inspection), and then it blew the head gasket and we had to replace the whole head... I don't even know how much money my dad put into that car for me and I don't want to know, but it was a mess. I hated it. I still hate it. lol.
localhostrulez wrote:The SVT had a six-speed manual, just like my Veloster, although the gearing was MUCH different; the SVT had much more aggressive gearing from 1-4, presumably owing to its heritage as a sports car, while my Veloster has an extremely aggressive first gear ... and then super-lax 2nd-through-6th. It makes it pretty boring to drive if I'm honest, but I don't care that much about that anyway.just brew it! wrote:Well... "launch the thing in first gear" sort of implies manual. She also mentioned a clutch as one of the problem areas. :wink:
Yeah, but be careful with that. I've had people assume I was talking about manuals when I mentioned downshifting on hills. Thing is, I do drive a manual, but I force a downshift for long downhills on automatics as well. Doubly so there because there's usually less engine braking on those otherwise. There's a 35MPH windy downhill road near my parents' house. In mom's automatic CR-V, your choices are ride the brakes the entire friggin' way down, or downshift to 3rd and barely hit any pedals (D3 mode, it's a 5-speed).
auxy wrote:I also overheard the service bay manager call me "that little dyke" through the wall .....
localhostrulez wrote:Thing is, I do drive a manual, but I force a downshift for long downhills on automatics as well. Doubly so there because there's usually less engine braking on those otherwise. There's a 35MPH windy downhill road near my parents' house. In mom's automatic CR-V, your choices are ride the brakes the entire friggin' way down, or downshift to 3rd and barely hit any pedals (D3 mode, it's a 5-speed).
Schmoo wrote:Kaomoji are a long tradition. If you don't like it you should simply add me to 'foes' in the forum software and you will never see any of my posts. お前はアホです。私に話しかけないで下さい。To be honest, I have to sympathise with the guy there because that's pretty much what goes through my head every time I see you misusing katakana characters to make up some poxy looking extended smiley. オークシ イズ ポクシ.
auxy wrote:Schmoo wrote:Kaomoji are a long tradition. If you don't like it you should simply add me to 'foes' in the forum software and you will never see any of my posts. お前はアホです。私に話しかけないで下さい。To be honest, I have to sympathise with the guy there because that's pretty much what goes through my head every time I see you misusing katakana characters to make up some poxy looking extended smiley. オークシ イズ ポクシ.
mdk77777 wrote:Find a professional shop, run by ethical and honest people you know in your community.
You will get 10x the work for half the price you pay at any dealership in the UNITED STATES...any car brand...it is just in the structure of the beast.
CampinCarl wrote:mdk77777 wrote:Find a professional shop, run by ethical and honest people you know in your community.
You will get 10x the work for half the price you pay at any dealership in the UNITED STATES...any car brand...it is just in the structure of the beast.
The main problem with this is that it isn't always attainable. Some areas just don't have them, sometimes you just don't know the area that well, and honestly, trying to figure it out is pretty darned hard. A lot of times, it's just more straightforward to go to the dealer and get a little bit screwed, then to risk being mega screwed by some shady dude that runs a shop (not that you can tell he's shady).