I was looking into newer diesels and if I do get one I was planning on deleting it. I barely realized that most shops in the states will not delete trucks anymore due to the EPA fines. And I noticed that most of the delete kits are coming from Canada. I feel like I have to know a guy who knows a guy to delete a truck.
It's because the EPA has made it illegal to tune a diesel at all, even to enhance emissions would be illegal).
Deleting the physical parts is easy. Bypassing the code is harder. I hope you've got a farmer friend who knows someone.
ETA:
Yeah there's been a crack down on that stuff even if your state doesn't care the fed says no so shops don't do it. TBH I don't know what all is in a current era delete kit if it's something you could do with some friends and tools or what.
The physical parts are illegal is retarded law, retarded as in like a block of aluminum being "conspiracy to manufacture a fully automatic firearm".
Hard part is getting the programmer to bypass the sensors on the ECU. I think it's encrypted nowdays.
Are Mazda3s any good? I never hear anything bad about them online, but I also never met anyone that owned one before.
I am debating on getting one between a Toyota Camry and a Honda Civic. Trying to find a CPO (do not want to deal with private sellers or used dealers) that I can drive for 30 years with basic maintenance.
Are Mazda3s any good? I never hear anything bad about them online, but I also never met anyone that owned one before.
I am debating on getting one between a Toyota Camry and a Honda Civic. Trying to find a CPO (do not want to deal with private sellers or used dealers) that I can drive for 30 years with basic maintenance.
The N/A engine ones seem to be solid, but I did hear some stuff about the Turbo engines having possible issues with oil leaks due to bad valve stems, and Mazda reached a settlement last year for that issue. The current generation Mazda3s do have a torsion-beam rear suspension, which people disliked because it was done to cut costs.
It's because the EPA has made it illegal to tune a diesel at all, even to enhance emissions would be illegal).
Deleting the physical parts is easy. Bypassing the code is harder. I hope you've got a farmer friend who knows someone.
ETA:
I've considered myself a car guy for years, I never knew emissions testing for diesel was required.
I do a lot of deep diving into code for security in cars. A friend in the same industry tells me about a similar guy tuning diesel for all the Bro-dozer guys, custom reflash .bin files mostly by mail and etc. I say ah cool shit, whats he making? he says "idk at least like 250K a year or something" I said wtf seriously? Good thing they don't emissions check diesel, he corrects me "oh they do emissions on diesel, the diesel tuner guys either re-flash to OEM before test then right back or just find the "right emissions guy". That's a solid fucking hustle right there, gotta tip my hat to that guy modifying a few .BIN files making 250K a year.
Semi-related story: Everyone remember when VW conspired to lie to produce emission test results for IDK... 2 million VW Tauregs was it? I finally crossed paths with an owner of one. He went through the factory recall. Now I don't know if they replaced his ECU/DME whatever VW calls engine management but, ELECTRICAL ISSUES FOR YEARS.... one after the other. Car became a 4,000lb money pit of random no start failures every 2k miles. dealaer only fixes diagnositic/repairs. I hate the VW auto group so much.
Diesel performance shops brought the EPA crackdown on themselves, they are total fucking retards. They could have just stuck with the old formula of disclaimers for off road use and ordinary performance tuning but for the entirety of the 2010s they were doing obnoxious smoke tunes for brotruck douchefags who were driving around in their PSDs and Cummins trucks smoking out people at bus stops, spandex squad cyclist groups, cars with their windows open. Videos of it were everywhere, people were sperging over it, the diesel guys put a big ass target on their backs by being such a nuisance. I think late 2010s a couple of larger shops that sold stuff online and did deletes and tunes got hit hard by fines and they were the canary in the coal mine, now it's hard to even find someone who will do a basic delete. Right now "tuners" are doing the same thing to themselves with the crackle/pops and bangs tune fad. Flagrantly flouting the law and making it obvious they are doing so, it invites attention. You know the maxim about criminals committing misdemeanors or civil offenses while in the process of committing felonies? Like speeding while transporting 25lbs of coke? That's what you're doing if as a tuning company/shop you're giving your customers the means to be endlessly annoying faggots with smoke tunes or tunes that pull timing and dump fuel so the exhaust emits gunshot like bangs on overrun. The regulatory environment will likely be a little more loose for the next 4 years, but if/when the pendulum swings back, expect a full ban on "off road use" performance tuning that could put a major hurt on the aftermarket/shops. Look at what happened with Cobb a few years ago.
Left all the emissions stuff on and plugged in a banks tuner, set it on 3 and drive worry free with a little extra power. Thing will spin tires so easily, don't see myself wanting much more than that.
Are Mazda3s any good? I never hear anything bad about them online, but I also never met anyone that owned one before.
I am debating on getting one between a Toyota Camry and a Honda Civic. Trying to find a CPO (do not want to deal with private sellers or used dealers) that I can drive for 30 years with basic maintenance.
They're fine, a bit poserish with how they're trying to be upscale FWD BMW but not really. If you want a dead reliable car to keep that long, look into the outgoing Chevy Spark in a manual. It's a small hatchback with a super simple inline 4 with port injection. Cute little car, great fuel economy, and super simple engine to work on with not much to fail. It's a bit of a hidden gem in the sea of rabid Toyota fanaticism when it comes to reliability.
"oh they do emissions on diesel, the diesel tuner guys either re-flash to OEM before test then right back or just find the "right emissions guy". That's a solid fucking hustle right there, gotta tip my hat to that guy modifying a few .BIN files making 250K a year.
Some states (obviously cali) test, others don't... Commercial can get tested in any state (I have never seen a trooper outside CA and Nevada (CA brainrot) cite a commercial vehicle for deleting though.
For example:
Texas doesn't test private (non-commercial) diesels even with EPA federal testing counties (This is why you see coal roller white trash shit in TX a lot).
Utah tests in Salt Lake county (the valley is a smogfest in the winter) for diesels 2013+ or 2007+ depending on GVWR.
NM doesn't test private-use diesels in EPA mandated counties.
Idaho used to test gas only vecs in Ada county.
Colorado tests are for 1976+ on diesels
Nevada tests in Clark/Washoe county only for opacity.
AZ test in Maricopa (Phoenix) for opacity 1997+, CMVs have some weird shit I won't understand.
Tards north of the Mason-Dixon test everyone in the original 13 I think. NH mandates testing for all gas vehicles. Something something about live free or die...
but if/when the pendulum swings back, expect a full ban on "off road use" performance tuning that could put a major hurt on the aftermarket/shops. Look at what happened with Cobb a few years ago.
The fundamental issue is that there's no will to reform CAFE standards (and US automakers use it as a protectionist crutch).
I'd rather have it track as the total carbon footprint of the manufacture (and parts shipping) plus the expected emissions of the vehicle (Kinda like Euro 5 but not as stringent) within the lifespan of the vehicle for 68% of vehicles (1 standard deviation).
I'm not too smart but making more vehicles to replace perfectly good running ones seems to be more energy expensive (ahem, cash for clunkers).
Of course, the typical retard government logic applies in that if they enact what I suggest it causes the exact opposite.
That and like 99% of DEF urea is from China. FDA forbids the reharvesting of pig urine in the USA.
Looking for a new old car. Mrs Minto's car was totaled so we've been sharing but I'm ready to go back to being a two car household.
In order of importance:
No rust
Reliable
Cheap to maintain
Comfortable
Little to no road noise
Under $10k
Nice to haves:
Smaller
Hatch or Lift-back
Looks cool or cute (beauty is in the eye of the beet holder and all that)
Decent in the snow
Not super old (see points one and two)
I've been looking at used 2nd gen Honda Fits but Mrs Minto said that since we already have a more utilitarian vehicle we should look for something more comfortable for long trips. Not ruling out the Honda Fit or a Chevy Spark yet though.
I've also been keeping an eye out for:
6th gen Celicas as per Scotty Kilmer
7th gen is too transformer-y for my tastes
2dr Honda Accords
Early 2000s Lexis is300s
Seemingly impractical but I like how they look, especially the Sport Cross hatchback
What are your thoughts? Am I missing anything? Should nut up and just get a Camry?
Side question: Manual or auto? I've had a few manuals but I've never used one as a daily driver before. Seems like it would get annoying in a hilly or snowy area, but the sportier cars I'm looking at really fit better with one. Not to mention the econocars in my area that are manual tend to be cheaper / in better condition.
Looking for a new old car. Mrs Minto's car was totaled so we've been sharing but I'm ready to go back to being a two car household.
In order of importance:
No rust
Reliable
Cheap to maintain
Comfortable
Little to no road noise
Under $10k
Nice to haves:
Smaller
Hatch or Lift-back
Looks cool or cute (beauty is in the eye of the beet holder and all that)
Decent in the snow
Not super old (see points one and two)
I've been looking at used 2nd gen Honda Fits but Mrs Minto said that since we already have a more utilitarian vehicle we should look for something more comfortable for long trips. Not ruling out the Honda Fit or a Chevy Spark yet though.
I've also been keeping an eye out for:
6th gen Celicas as per Scotty Kilmer
7th gen is too transformer-y for my tastes
2dr Honda Accords
Early 2000s Lexis is300s
Seemingly impractical but I like how they look, especially the Sport Cross hatchback
What are your thoughts? Am I missing anything? Should nut up and just get a Camry?
Side question: Manual or auto? I've had a few manuals but I've never used one as a daily driver before. Seems like it would get annoying in a hilly or snowy area, but the sportier cars I'm looking at really fit better with one. Not to mention the econocars in my area that are manual tend to be cheaper / in better condition.
Can't get any better than a E53 X5 if your budget is under 10k. There are still many good examples of late model E53 with the M54 engine. Don't get the V8 is reliability and cost is a concern. The auto is the only one you'll find for under 10k as the manuals are super rare and have skyrocketed in price. That said the auto is a trusty and reliable GM 5L40 and parts and rebuild services are easy to find. Factor in about an additional 1200USD in parts if you buy a neglected example, which most are hence the low resale. Nonetheless they're the best bang for the buck compared to any similarly priced Japanese car.
How important is mpg. Diesel or gas? Rust is general a "how well maintained" issue outside of Toyota and your buying location.
Diesel option:
Pre 2010 VW TDI if you want MPGs and not living somewhere insanely cold.
Pros:
High mpg
09G automatic isn't bad
Ride isn't bad
Cons:
VW maintaince is odd to the American (Special tools)
09G valves like to fail (jerking trans).
Multi-link rear suspension is hard to diy at times and can be out of aligment (cupping wheel issues)
Extremely cheap option:
Isuzu Trooper 2 door 4WD
Pros:
MUA-5 and MSG-5 are reliable (as long as you don't lug 5th gear)
Generally came with 4WD, manual hubs, LSD (G80 code on panel)
2.6 and 3.2L are reliable
Can swap a diesel in it easily (4JBT or C223)
Cheap (like $1000 running cheap)
Cons:
Auto trans is garbage
20-40 years old and Isuzu left the US passenger market
Auto lockers maintaince is compliated and nessisary unless you want to shred splines
Large and low MPG
3.5L eats oil to where you need to check every gas fill
Timing belt replacement ~<60,000mi as with all Isuzus unless you want to nade the engine.
Isuzu Vehucross. Only 4k in the USA made, bitch to find parts for but fun to drive with AWD and 4WD. Oh and it looks cute and was designed by the designer of the Lotus Elan. Has the garbage 3.5L on the trooper though so burns gas and oil (~15MPG).
How important is mpg. Diesel or gas? Rust is general a "how well maintained" issue outside of Toyota and your buying location.
Diesel option:
Pre 2010 VW TDI if you want MPGs and not living somewhere insanely cold.
Pros:
High mpg
09G automatic isn't bad
Ride isn't bad
Cons:
VW maintaince is odd to the American (Special tools)
09G valves like to fail (jerking trans).
Multi-link rear suspension is hard to diy at times and can be out of aligment (cupping wheel issues)
Extremely cheap option:
Isuzu Trooper 2 door 4WD
Pros:
MUA-5 and MSG-5 are reliable (as long as you don't lug 5th gear)
Generally came with 4WD, manual hubs, LSD (G80 code on panel)
2.6 and 3.2L are reliable
Can swap a diesel in it easily (4JBT or C223)
Cheap (like $1000 running cheap)
Cons:
Auto trans is garbage
20-40 years old and Isuzu left the US passenger market
Auto lockers maintaince is compliated and nessisary unless you want to shred splines
Large and low MPG
3.5L eats oil to where you need to check every gas fill
Timing belt replacement ~<60,000mi as with all Isuzus unless you want to nade the engine.
Isuzu Vehucross. Only 4k in the USA made, bitch to find parts for but fun to drive with AWD and 4WD. Oh and it looks cute and was designed by the designer of the Lotus Elan. Has the garbage 3.5L on the trooper though so burns gas and oil (~15MPG). View attachment 7005130
There's an age where you get tired of shifting. You'll know when you know. If it's highway miles usually you're just stuck on 5/6th OD gear.
So the only good option as a comfortable daily driver (read no manual). you listed is a pre 2010 VAG tdi car. The BMW M54 still trumps that when it comes to maintenance, parts, documentation, and overall service costs.
I drive a manual as a daily, it's fine if it's mainly highway miles and you aren't staring down your phone, I've put 50k+ on mine in a year driving mostly highway miles.
Of course, I just spent the time to rebuild my engine, put it back in and immediately T-boned in the engine bay by someone who ran a red light speeding past 60 . There goes the money of the engine rebuild.
I don't remember well. That's a 4.6 sohc, dohc. The LS had a dope 3.9 Jag motor. Both motors take boost very well.
You'll need work esp on that trans. The long gears won't bite you too hard.
Aside that I found a nice cheap turbo kit for my wifes (mine) sexus. Roughly with a chill tune looking at 450 WHP. I'm willing to pay little more for dual BB since it won't get romped on much.
Saw a mint Diablo today dark red VT reminded me those cars suck and are cobble jobs. It was shiny like just washed but part gaps gross.
I've been having a lot of fun with turo and friends I made at autocross. I've now driven the 6cyl (987) and 4cyl turbo Cayman S in the same weekend and I'm confident in saying porsche fucked up. The new one was obviously a much faster car, but on the twisties it is no better because you're going the same speed as with the old one, the steering didn't feel as good, and the engine sounds and feels like a generic uninspiring modern turbo 4. I know they say porsche has always sabotaged the Cayman to keep it from potentially cannibalizing 911 sales, but they've ruined it now. If you spend $80,000 on a 4cyl 718 instead of buying one of the used ones with the six, you've been duped.
I can honestly say that 987 is a better drive than my RX7 and these days they're in the same price range so if you're cross shopping them and aren't in love with RX7s buy the Cayman S. I didn't buy an RX7 because it is the best driver's car for the money though, because it isn't, I did because it is incredible to look at and a truly unique car. If you drove an FD on mute with VR system on your head that replaced the interior with that of another good sports car, you'd still know what you were driving was different.
I'm incapable of lusting over anything Ford has made in the last several decades other than the V8 generation of Ford GT. I suppose a 2003 town car would make a good sleeper with a comfortable interior, but I find the early 90s town cars much better looking. A supercharged LQ9 in a 92 Town Car would have something extra.
I'm not good at practical boring family car stuff but If you want something you'll enjoy driving don't touch a camry. They're worse to drive than corollas somehow, everything is so isolated it's like a bad video game. No steering feedback, no braking feedback, laggy engine performance. Camry is the car for someone who doesn't care in the least about driving and wants a reliable sedan to drive and neglect. It's the generic car.
If you want something you'll enjoy driving don't touch a camry. They're worse to drive than corollas somehow, everything is so isolated it's like a bad video game. No steering feedback, no braking feedback, laggy engine performance. Camry is the car for someone who doesn't care in the least about driving and wants a reliable sedan to drive and neglect. It's the generic car.
This is all bang-on, but sometimes all you want is the automotive equivalent of a Maytag dryer (with a similar maintenance regime).
I'm currently dailying a lifted 4WD truck and it's more entertaining as a driver's car than the last Camry I spent time behind the wheel of. Even though the limits are ridiculously low by comparison, you're at least vaguely aware of what's happening under the front tires.
. There goes the money of the engine rebuild.
