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Flappy Paddle is the one true shifter. [Car] Thread.

ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
The Car. For some it's a method of transportation. For others it's the fusion of art and engineering. This is a thread for all of those people. Things we'll discuss in this thread:

The History of the car:
It's said a Jesuit Priest made the first one for the Emperor of China. But we don't care, it didn't survive and it had low horse power. Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot generally gets credit for the first modern one. But being a Frenchman he promptly crashed it into a wall while attempting to corner at 3 mph. Apparently brakes were just too plebeian. Hobbyists experimented with electric cars but along with steam just couldn't scale well. Karl Benz gave us the first car that was designed with parts meant solely for a car. Later on he would merge his company with Gottlieb Daimler car company.

And while everyone was making electric cars, Rudolf Diesel invented the Diesel engine. But only truckers care. Ford is often credited with the creation of the production line, but Olds did it first. Ford did manage to improve it, dropping assembly time from 12 and a half hours to 1 and a half. which is why Model Ts only came in black, other colors took too long to dry. On the other side of Detroit GM was busy working out the modern dealer network, the idea of product lines and struggling not to go bankrupt. Europe was busy as well in the 1920's as well. Companies like Citroen, Peugeot and Morris sprang up. The last one is mostly regretted.

After WWII it went even further. Porsche stopped committing war crimes and started making amazing sports cars, starting with the 356. Ferrari gave us the 250. Cadillac gave us the V-8 engine. During the 60's the Pony car and the Muscle car came onto the scene and Americans suddenly forgot about turning. The 70's came and Japan burst onto the scene with well made cars that were fuel efficient but as exciting as watching paint dry. The 80's are best forgotten except for the Diablo which is apparently terrible to drive but so pretty to look at.

Classic cars/Car Porn: (May cause scroll rape)
Late_model_Ford_Model_T.jpg

The Model T. Not so much a pretty car but a revolution.

BugattiRacingCars.jpg

The Bugatti Type 37.

Cadillac_V-16_Roadster_1930.jpg

The Cadillac V-16 Roadster.

1935_duesenberg1.jpg

The Duesenberg SJ Mormon Meteor Speedster

1925%20Rolls-Royce%20Phantom%201%20Jonckheere%20Coupe%201.jpg

The Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe of 1925.

1962_Ferrari_250_GTE.jpg

Ferrari 250 GTE.

53_Corvette.jpg

First generation 1953 Corvette.

mump_0809_01_z+1965_mustang_gt_fastback+front_view.jpg

1965 Mustang.

Dodge.383.magnum-black.front.view-sstvwf.JPG

1971 Dodge Charger. And my dream car.

1962Ferrari250GTO.jpg

1962 Ferrari GTO.

lamborghini-diablo-vt-6.0.jpeg

Lamborghini Diablo.

Car based sports:
NASCAR: Cars always turning left. Except sometimes they always turn right.

F1: Cars turning left and right but no passing.

Indy: Like F1 but no one cares.

Rally: Racing for people who like mud.

Drag Racing: For people who find the turns of NASCAR too difficult.

How to build, repair and maintain your car or truck:
Step 1 is always buy a Hanyes manual.

Cars in Media:
Top Gear. If you're reading this then most likely you already know it. If you don't, your missing the finest car show on television. I know what you're thinking. You're thinking it will be like that lame ass Car and Driver show where they review cars like the Civic. It's nothing like that. It's three guys trying to cross the English channel in hybrid car/boats. Or trying to launch a Reliant Robin into space. And it has some of the finest car porn you will ever see.

Car and Driver Magazine. It still exists. Damned if I know why.

Jalopnik. It's a Gawker Blog. Interesting car stories, but a community that doesn't like any car tech made after 1969.

The Speed Network. It exists. Don't know anything else about it.

Things we will not be discussing:

Manual vs Automatics. It's a silly argument. No, really it's stupid. No, I promise, everyone involved in the argument looks silly.
Ralph Nader is Satan. He's not. Cars are safer because of him and the companies in Detroit made tons of terrible decisions on their own.
Modern Safety equipment makes people bad drivers. It doesn't, bad driver training does.
Demonic possession of cars. Goes in the D&D Reading thread. Or the Movies that are old thread.

Thomamelas on
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Posts

  • JakarrdJakarrd In the belly of OklahomaRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    You know, I've never watched Top Gear but I did catch a portion where they had patrick stewart on. I liked the banter I saw between the host and the guest.

    Jakarrd on
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  • firewaterwordfirewaterword Satchitananda Pais Vasco to San FranciscoRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Yay car thread!

    I need to get my oil changed. Also coming up on 45K. Should probably have it serviced.

    firewaterword on
    Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
  • PeccaviPeccavi Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    I watched Top Gear for 3 hours today. Hadn't seen the actual show before, just various clips on Youtube.

    Peccavi on
  • JustinSane07JustinSane07 Really, stupid? Brockton__BANNED USERS regular
    edited September 2010
    Hooray! Cars! Everyone loves cars!

    JustinSane07 on
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Jakarrd wrote: »
    You know, I've never watched Top Gear but I did catch a portion where they had patrick stewart on. I liked the banter I saw between the host and the guest.

    It's really about three guys fucking around with cars. And making a celebrity race around their track. And doing silly challenges.

    Thomamelas on
  • zilozilo Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    I may trade my '08 VW R32 in on a new Focus ST 5door, pending its debut at the Paris auto show in October. Or I may wait even longer and trade it in on a Fiesta ST, assuming one is brought to the States as is the rumor.

    Why do I love Ford all of a sudden?

    zilo on
  • JustinSane07JustinSane07 Really, stupid? Brockton__BANNED USERS regular
    edited September 2010
    A "celebrity" most of the time. They occasionally get a real celebrity.

    JustinSane07 on
  • PeccaviPeccavi Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    zilo wrote: »
    I may trade my '08 VW R32 in on a new Focus ST 5door, pending its debut at the Paris auto show in October. Or I may wait even longer and trade it in on a Fiesta ST, assuming one is brought to the States as is the rumor.

    Why do I love Ford all of a sudden?

    Because Ford didn't take bailout money?

    Granted, neither did VW...

    Peccavi on
  • zilozilo Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Nah, I couldn't care less about who's taking free government loans. I think the taxpayers are actually going to make some money on the deal, anyway.

    I think it's because of the new design style (the old 500/Taurus, Focus, and Fusion were so ugly), combined with the techniness of the cars. Being able to talk to my car is pretty sweet, and I don't think it would get old. Plus I hear the fit-and-finish have come a long way since the last Ford I drove (a late 90s Mustang Cobra, it was not a good car).

    If they'd just ship us the Focus RS...

    zilo on
  • cncaudatacncaudata Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    You forgot the best kind of motor sport.

    Le mans - cars racing on a track with actual corners AND passing.

    cncaudata on
    PSN: Broodax- battle.net: broodax#1163
  • descdesc Goretexing to death Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    In on the ground floor.

    Speaking of thread title, I love the DSG tranny in my '07 GTI. Pull paddle -> receive gear. I wonder if I love it because I subconsciously associate it with playing Forza with the little Microsoft wheel.

    desc on
  • OrganichuOrganichu poops peesRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited September 2010
    i am all about interiors

    sleek center consoles, futuristic radio controls

    whirring and lighting up speedometers and tachymeters and fuel gauges

    i am all about the car of the future

    Organichu on
  • Donkey KongDonkey Kong Putting Nintendo out of business with AI nips Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Basically you want an Audi.

    Donkey Kong on
    Thousands of hot, local singles are waiting to play at bubbulon.com.
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    cncaudata wrote: »
    You forgot the best kind of motor sport.

    Le mans - cars racing on a track with actual corners AND passing.

    I thought about it but I figured the joke would put people to sleep kinda like the race. :mrgreen:
    I have to.. I have to teach my wife to drive manual. On my car.

    If you don't mind a suggestion and have some time, perhaps a driving wheel controller with shifter and clutch paired a racing game? It might be a little less stressful for everyone involved.

    Thomamelas on
  • descdesc Goretexing to death Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Organichu wrote: »
    i am all about interiors

    sleek center consoles, futuristic radio controls

    whirring and lighting up speedometers and tachymeters and fuel gauges

    i am all about the car of the future

    In that case, I'll bring your Lexus around to the front:

    (h-scroll!)
    2007-Lexus-LF-A-Sports-Car-Concept-Interior-1280x960.jpg

    desc on
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Organichu wrote: »
    i am all about interiors

    sleek center consoles, futuristic radio controls

    whirring and lighting up speedometers and tachymeters and fuel gauges

    i am all about the car of the future

    mercedes_maybach_09.jpg

    mercedes_maybach_7541.jpg

    mercedes_maybach_7539.jpg

    mercedes_maybach_7536.jpg

    How does that work for you Chu?

    Thomamelas on
  • OrganichuOrganichu poops peesRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited September 2010
    Basically you want an Audi.

    well i don't want to spend twice my annual income on a car

    but yes

    i basically want an audi

    i like the civic's interior for its price

    Organichu on
  • OrganichuOrganichu poops peesRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited September 2010
    yessssssss

    oh my god

    all of those

    god

    why do nice things have to be expensive

    it's a terribly difficult conundrum

    Organichu on
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    adytum wrote: »
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    I have to.. I have to teach my wife to drive manual. On my car.

    If you don't mind a suggestion and have some time, perhaps a driving wheel controller with shifter and clutch paired a racing game? It might be a little less stressful for everyone involved.

    I don't mind suggestions at all. Have you tried it before? She likes games and I'm sure will be amenable to the idea. Any recommended setups / games? We have a PS3.

    Logitech has one for the PS3 that runs around $100 to $150 I think. I don't know the PS3 library but I'm sure there is a good racing game for it. It doesn't need to be too exacting, you just want her to get in the habit of working the clutch. Once she's cool with that then with the real car and dealing with stop lights and normal driving.

    Thomamelas on
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Organichu wrote: »
    Basically you want an Audi.

    well i don't want to spend twice my annual income on a car

    but yes

    i basically want an audi

    i like the civic's interior for its price

    Technically the car I posted would be well over twice your annual income. I mean it's just a $400,000 Maybach.

    Thomamelas on
  • TehSlothTehSloth Hit Or Miss I Guess They Never Miss, HuhRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    adytum wrote: »
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    I have to.. I have to teach my wife to drive manual. On my car.

    If you don't mind a suggestion and have some time, perhaps a driving wheel controller with shifter and clutch paired a racing game? It might be a little less stressful for everyone involved.

    I don't mind suggestions at all. Have you tried it before? She likes games and I'm sure will be amenable to the idea. Any recommended setups / games? We have a PS3.

    Logitech has one for the PS3 that runs around $100 to $150 I think. I don't know the PS3 library but I'm sure there is a good racing game for it. It doesn't need to be too exacting, you just want her to get in the habit of working the clutch. Once she's cool with that then with the real car and dealing with stop lights and normal driving.

    Also, I'd highly recommend checking out Test Drive Unlimited, as I think it's one of the only racing games I've seen where you can turn off Auto-Clutch, so you can't shift gears without pressing the clutch, and it'll stall out if you're in gear and not really going anywhere.

    @Zilo: It'd be pretty nice if the U.S. got some of the hot hatch love that everyone else gets with the new Fiesta. I was going to the movie theater the other night and their happened to be this weird Ford Fiesta tour thing going on in the parking lot. Didn't get to check much of it out, the headlights scare me a little and I was gonna be late for my movie D:

    EDIT: Gran Turismo 5 is finally coming out in a month, and I wouldn't be surprised if it had something like this too.

    TehSloth on
    FC: 1993-7778-8872 PSN: TehSloth Xbox: SlothTeh
    twitch.tv/tehsloth
  • descdesc Goretexing to death Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Also, Test Drive Unlimited is just a cool-ass unique driving game!

    TDU2 supposedly coming Jan 2011. I better not be driving around Ibiza alone, people.

    desc on
  • zilozilo Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    TDU was indeed the hotness. Hauling ass in a Caterham never felt so relaxing.

    zilo on
  • JoolanderJoolander Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    zilo wrote: »
    I may trade my '08 VW R32 in on a new Focus ST 5door, pending its debut at the Paris auto show in October. Or I may wait even longer and trade it in on a Fiesta ST, assuming one is brought to the States as is the rumor.

    Why do I love Ford all of a sudden?


    because Ford's making lots of good decisions lately? and making cars that actually stop on command?

    Joolander on
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    So I watched Love the Beast and once you get past the narration at the beginning, and the pop psychology bits with Dr. Phil, the rest of it is a nice story about a man's love affair with his car.

    Thomamelas on
  • FCDFCD Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    1925%20Rolls-Royce%20Phantom%201%20Jonckheere%20Coupe%201.jpg

    The Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe of 1925.

    Holy mother of God. I'm not normally into cars, but this is beautiful. It's like something Bruce Wayne would drive.

    FCD on
    Gridman! Baby DAN DAN! Baby DAN DAN!
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    FCD wrote: »
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    1925%20Rolls-Royce%20Phantom%201%20Jonckheere%20Coupe%201.jpg

    The Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe of 1925.

    Holy mother of God. I'm not normally into cars, but this is beautiful. It's like something Bruce Wayne would drive.

    It is incredibly beautiful. It some how manages to convey a sense of power and speed at the same time.

    Thomamelas on
  • variantvariant Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Absolutely nothing beats the Jaguar XF interior, not even the Rolls' or Maybachs'.

    jaguar-xf-interior1.jpg

    variant on
  • VeritasVRVeritasVR Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    variant wrote: »
    Absolutely nothing beats the Jaguar XF interior, not even the Rolls' or Maybachs'.

    jaguar-xf-interior1.jpg

    I never like wood finish on car interiors.

    Also, are they driving through the Matrix?

    VeritasVR on
    CoH_infantry.jpg
    Let 'em eat fucking pineapples!
  • The DeliveratorThe Deliverator Slingin Pies The California BurbclavesRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    All this talk of fancy dashboards and no mention of the Reventon? Shame on you all.

    It looks like this:
    2928530885_d0f5afeab4.jpg?v=0

    Or if you're in a different mood, this:
    Reventon_Dash_1.jpg

    Yeah, the rest of the cockpit isn't as fancypants, but it's not bad:

    2008-lamborghini-reventon-dashboard.jpg

    But hey, It looks amazing from the outside:

    2008-lamborghini-reventon-front-top.jpg

    The Deliverator on
  • descdesc Goretexing to death Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    You know Cactus, for all the spank pics I've seen of the Reventon's exterior, that's the first time I've seen shots of the dash.


    ... Gimme.

    desc on
  • CommunistCowCommunistCow Abstract Metal ThingyRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    Ralph Nader is Satan. He's not. Cars are safer because of him and the companies in Detroit made tons of terrible decisions on their own.

    I don't think I've ever heard anyone argue this in reference to cars. Is this a common problem on car forums or something?

    In other news one of my friends/coworkers is getting a Brammo Empulse (electric motorcycle) when they come out next year.
    100 miles range with top speed of 100+mph, ~60 lb/ft of torque, 420lbs. I am excited to see / ride it.

    2011-brammo-empulse-sportbike-preview.jpg

    CommunistCow on
    No, I am not really communist. Yes, it is weird that I use this name.
  • SkannerJATSkannerJAT Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    My Jeep Cherokee just hit 260,000 miles. I want to buy a new one but sadly it sounds like they are crap. Heard of the back ends going out on them constantly.

    Rubicons look sexy though.

    SkannerJAT on
  • JustinSane07JustinSane07 Really, stupid? Brockton__BANNED USERS regular
    edited September 2010
    Some people hate the safety features of cars today because they bloat the weight and size up considerably making the car less...pure, I guess. It also hinders fuel efficiency. A good example would be this story. This car made it from the Canadian border to the Mexican border on just one 14 gallon tank of gas. That's almost 120mpg. It did this by being incredibly lightweight (1300lbs) and aerodynamic.

    But here's the thing, it's a custom made car. It lacks much of the safety features demanded by the DOT. To add those features in and make it production worthy, it would add about 400-500lbs and utterly kill that 120mpg. It would also add size and ruin the aerodynamic properties.

    There's a lot of people that are bitter about that. They believe they should be able to drive in a car regardless of mandated safety features.

    JustinSane07 on
  • CommunistCowCommunistCow Abstract Metal ThingyRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Those people are stupid and should die in a car crash. :P

    CommunistCow on
    No, I am not really communist. Yes, it is weird that I use this name.
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    Thomamelas wrote: »
    Ralph Nader is Satan. He's not. Cars are safer because of him and the companies in Detroit made tons of terrible decisions on their own.

    I don't think I've ever heard anyone argue this in reference to cars. Is this a common problem on car forums or something?

    In other news one of my friends/coworkers is getting a Brammo Empulse (electric motorcycle) when they come out next year.
    100 miles range with top speed of 100+mph, ~60 lb/ft of torque, 420lbs. I am excited to see / ride it.
    2011-brammo-empulse-sportbike-preview.jpg

    Yeah actually it does pop up on car forums a lot. Mention him on Jalopnik sometime and see the reaction. There are a lot of people who seem to hold him solely responsible for the decline of American automobile manufacturers in the 70's. And he did highlight a lot of safety problems in Detroit. I love the styling of the cars of the 50's but putting pointy bits on the steering wheel wasn't a good idea.
    Some people hate the safety features of cars today because they bloat the weight and size up considerably making the car less...pure, I guess. It also hinders fuel efficiency. A good example would be this story. This car made it from the Canadian border to the Mexican border on just one 14 gallon tank of gas. That's almost 120mpg. It did this by being incredibly lightweight (1300lbs) and aerodynamic.

    Eh, the safety features do increase the weight but that can be compensated for. An Elise weighs almost nothing for a car but has all of the modern safety features. As does the Smart car. But what has happened is that we don't really see car manufacturers playing in the Pony/Muscle car space anymore. You get a few cars here and there like the Miata that are cheap, fast, somewhat pretty but you don't see a lot of other cars in that space.

    Thomamelas on
  • fshavlakfshavlak Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    I was replacing a starter in a 2001 Ford Explorer (5.0, AWD) last weekend. It's a PA car and so all the parts underneath get pretty attached to each other and don't like to go their separate ways.

    Wound up purchasing an air ratchet (I already had a compressor that can run simple air tools) and oh my god, why is this not something every driveway mechanic has? It makes everything so much easier.

    fshavlak on
  • ThomamelasThomamelas Only one man can kill this many Russians. Bring his guitar to me! Registered User regular
    edited September 2010
    fshavlak wrote: »
    I was replacing a starter in a 2001 Ford Explorer (5.0, AWD) last weekend. It's a PA car and so all the parts underneath get pretty attached to each other and don't like to go their separate ways.

    Wound up purchasing an air ratchet (I already had a compressor that can run simple air tools) and oh my god, why is this not something every driveway mechanic has. It makes everything so much easier.

    Mostly it's the lack of a decent compressor. But air ratchets are awesome for working on a car. The speed difference on something like a tire change is amazing.

    Thomamelas on
  • SarksusSarksus ATTACK AND DETHRONE GODRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    But Jeremy Clarkson hates the flappy paddles!

    Sarksus on
  • CorvusCorvus . VancouverRegistered User regular
    edited September 2010
    VeritasVR wrote: »
    variant wrote: »
    Absolutely nothing beats the Jaguar XF interior, not even the Rolls' or Maybachs'.

    jaguar-xf-interior1.jpg

    I never like wood finish on car interiors.


    Also, are they driving through the Matrix?

    Same here. It always looks like a silly anachronism to me.

    Corvus on
    :so_raven:
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