Kogyik's Car Talk

[Kogyik]

Right now I drive a 1993 toyota tercel. It cost me $600 dollars US four years ago. I love it! I took the muffler and Catalytic converter off so that my carbon footprint and gas mileage are better. Tried to get a voucher for a newer car (1995 Geo Metro that gets 45 miles a gallon,but apparently you can only by New American cars that only get 30 miles a gallon).

Edited July 7, 2009 by ImperialShadows
I applied a little tongue in cheek title adjustment. Eventually, this will be merged into car chat, but it might get interesting here for a while.

[Emperor Claudius Rome]

Theres already a topic for this, in the community.

[5150 Lego]

Right now I drive a 1993 toyota tercel. It cost me $600 dollars US four years ago. I love it! I took the muffler and Catalytic converter off so that my carbon footprint and gas mileage are better. Tried to get a voucher for a newer car (1995 Geo Metro that gets 45 miles a gallon,but apparently you can only by New American cars that only get 30 miles a gallon).

What do mean by voucher? I'm also a little confused by your last statement.

[Shadows]

This isn't a culture and multimedia topic, and it's one we've already got, but for the sake of a potentially interesting discussion, I'm just going to move it, rename it slightly and leave it open. I'm kind of curious about this ...

What do mean by voucher? I'm also a little confused by your last statement.

I was wondering the same thing myself, especially considering his sig, they seemed contradictory.

[Modulex Guy]

Its called "Cash for Clunkers" its a recent bill that was passed here in the United States to boost new car sales while trading in your gas guzzling car or truck.

To sum up the basics of the deal is that you would go to the dealer to buy a brand new car, you can trade in a gas guzzler with poor gas milage and get a 4300$ voucher towards a new car with more than 30 mpg.

So...

If I would trade in a 82' Chevy Pickup with 15 mpg, to get a Honda Civic Hybrid, I would get 4300$ towards the Civic.

Or a lesser amount may be given if the gap between old and new milage is less than 6 mpg.

Old car: 26 mpg New car: 30 mpg = 2300$

http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/

Hope that answers it for all of you.

And to answer OP:

This is my car:

2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T

Unitronics Stage two Chip

NeuSpeed full Stainless exhaust

Evolution Racewerks Test pipe

Custom built Intake

Audi S4 OEM Intercooler

Samco Turbo inlet hose

Forge 007 Diverter Valve.

Bridgestone Potenza RE01-R race compound summer tires

17 inch Enkei lightweight rims

Edited July 7, 2009 by Polish Guy

[Shadows]

Its called "Cash for Clunkers" its a recent bill that was passed here in the United States to boost new car sales while trading in your gas guzzling car or truck.

To sum up the basics of the deal is that you would go to the dealer to buy a brand new car, you can trade in a gas guzzler with poor gas milage and get a 4300$ voucher towards a new car with more than 30 mpg.

Figured it was something like that, just seems to go against his "The gov is not here to take care of you. You must take care of yourself" policy, if you ask me.

2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T

Nice car. Gotta love some classic European quality.

[Modulex Guy]

Nice car. Gotta love some classic European quality.

More like, every panel in my car rattles, already shreded a turbo, blew the exhaust, suspension creaks (have to replace it soon), radio is going out, electrical nightmare ( almost all warning lights on my dash, but there is no problem), second turbo starting to go, a complete pain in the butt to work on, parts cost a fortune, only runs on 93+ octane, or 102 octane (my car loves race gas!).

Yup, fine quality... but that is why I love this car, It always surprises me!

[Freddie]

I took the muffler and Catalytic converter off so that my carbon footprint and gas mileage are better.

I don't agree on removing the catalytic converter, since right now your car is emitting carbon-monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which is worse, compared to what it should emit: carbon-dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen (!). And on a car such as yours, removing the catalytic converter won't help anything, since by the 90's catalysts should be high-flow and back-pressurized enough, that a car should perform worse when its removed (no, don't point out what US car-makers did in the '70's, those were a different type of catalytic converters).

You sure it's not the louder sound of the car that makes it feel as if it goes faster than it did?

I drive a fairly mundane '96 Mazda 626 1,8. Not a fast car, not a luxurious car either, but at least a comfortable and quiet car, and it does everything it needs to do with much less drama compared to my previous daily, a '91 Nissan Primera 2.0. It's a downgrade performance-wise (-10 hp and 200+ kg more), but I prefer the Mazda, altough the Nissan was a blast to drive. And as for giving the impression that it was faster when it was just louder; I lost its primary muffler twice because of rust - nothing is louder than a car which only uses the manifold-end of the exhaust system! Sounds fantastic when you open the throttle, but embarrasing when driving trough town.

Edited July 7, 2009 by Freddie

[Modulex Guy]

I don't agree on removing the catalytic converter, since right now your car is emitting carbon-monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which is worse, compared to what it should emit: carbon-dioxide, nitrogen and oxygen (!). And on a car such as yours, removing the catalytic converter won't help anything, since by the 90's catalysts should be high-flow and back-pressurized enough, that a car should perform worse when its removed (no, don't point out what US car-makers did in the '70's, those were a different type of catalytic converters).

You sure it's not the louder sound of the car that makes it feel as if it goes faster than it did?

I drive a fairly mundane '96 Mazda 626 1,8. Not a fast car, not a luxurious car either, but at least a comfortable and quiet car, and it does everything it needs to do with much less drama compared to my previous daily, a '91 Nissan Primera 2.0. It's a downgrade performance-wise (-10 hp and 200+ kg more), but I prefer the Mazda, altough the Nissan was a blast to drive. And as for giving the impression that it was faster when it was just louder; I lost its primary muffler twice because of rust - nothing is louder than a car which only uses the manifold-end of the exhaust system! Sounds fantastic when you open the throttle, but embarrasing when driving trough town.

Exactly! Removing the Cat is possibly the worst thing you can do for a car, not only does it emitt CO, and NO2, it also uses more fuel, it causes the engine to run lean as the O2 sensor will notice an increase in un-burnt fuel. Unless you are running an O2 sensor fouler, or have engine management, you are doing more damage to the engine than benefit, as well as the environment.

But I have to admit, on my car, I run straight pipe from the Turbo back, no resonator, no Catalytic Converter, but I compensated for that by running an aggressive tune on the ECU, all my Fuel ratios are changed and amount of boost the turbo makes.

If I'm doing an AutoX event or road course, I unbolt the entire exhaust all together, and just run open downpipe.

[5150 Lego]

Figured it was something like that, just seems to go against his "The gov is not here to take care of you. You must take care of yourself" policy, if you ask me.

Agreed. I never quite understood the "Anti Government" attitude.

Exactly! Removing the Cat is possibly the worst thing you can do for a car, not only does it emitt CO, and NO2, it also uses more fuel, it causes the engine to run lean as the O2 sensor will notice an increase in un-burnt fuel. Unless you are running an O2 sensor fouler, or have engine management, you are doing more damage to the engine than benefit, as well as the environment.

But I have to admit, on my car, I run straight pipe from the Turbo back, no resonator, no Catalytic Converter, but I compensated for that by running an aggressive tune on the ECU, all my Fuel ratios are changed and amount of boost the turbo makes.

If I'm doing an AutoX event or road course, I unbolt the entire exhaust all together, and just run open downpipe.

I Was going to say the exact same thing, but you beat me too it. On a stock car, doing such modifications and hurt performance and mileage. Especially when done to a vehicle that wasn't designed with performance in mind.

Now vehicles that are designed with performance in mind, and are properly tuned with said modifications in mind, extra power can be had, as well as possibly getting an increase in mileage. Though that usually isn't going to be the case. It might just be a bonus in addition to the added power.

[Modulex Guy]

On the highway, my car does get a bit better mileage due to the higher air to fuel ratio, and the turbo spools up better with the catalytic converter removed, but under city driving or track my mileage is awful, mostly due to wide open throttle most of the time.

now, with OP's tercel, its a 1.5L I4 right? you should probably put the exhaust back on, put the cat back in, and just do a tune up fresh fluids and a clean filter, you will then probably see a good gain in fuel economy.

You can easily get the Tercel with that small of a motor up o 35-37 mpg. just give it a good tune up.

[Kogyik]

Hey Polish Guy nice ride. My original sacastic point was the irony and hypocrisy involved in the whole cashforclunkers deal. It doesn't make sense to make people buy new cars when there are perfectly efficient older cars. Another thing is I consider my car a clunker, it's 16 years old ! my car doesn't qualify for clunker status under the new bill. I didn't actually take out the exaust or the catconvert, but it is rusted off at the engine and it does get about 5 miles more to gallon like it is. Another thing I do to squeeze an extra 2-3 miles a gallon is add a teaspoon of acetone( fingernail polish remover) to the fuel. This might not be good for fuel injecter, but it does help on gas mileage. Heck my car is 16 years old and I only paid $600. Thats what most people pay per month or two on a new car. And going on four years it can't be beat. I'm sort of a minimalist/ Ascetic so I try to keep all my expenses low. Some of my close friends call me a Neo Luddite, Which I dispute with enthusiam. Point me in the direction to car talk forum thanks.

BTW best car I've ever driven was my brothers(He's retired and a Vet of US Airforce) 400 horsepower Subaru. Sweet ride, the handling is amazing,and I was comlpetely impressed by the way the engine shuts down if you red line it too long.

Figured it was something like that, just seems to go against his "The gov is not here to take care of you. You must take care of yourself" policy, if you ask

It's not against my gov. philosphy. I was just trying to figure out where my car stood on the governments scale for this ridiculus Bill that is so anti freemarket. You can only use it on NEW american cars that aren't necsarily[sic] more efficient on gas.

Edited July 8, 2009 by Kogyik

[5150 Lego]

It's not against my gov. philosphy. I was just trying to figure out where my car stood on the governments scale for this ridiculus Bill that is so anti freemarket. You can only use it on NEW american cars that aren't necsarily[sic] more efficient on gas.

There more to efficiency than just fuel mileage. Its also about Emissions. A newer car that might not get as good of mileage as your 16 yr old Tercel, will have half of the Emissions out put that your car has. I'm willing to bet that the 4.0 V-6 in my FJ Cruiser, that gets 19mpg, has fewer emissions than your Tercel. That's what the purpose of the bill is. To get older, more pollutant vehicles off the road. You said yourself that the Muffler and cat just rusted off. Not very environmentally friendly. No Matter how good gas mileage you get.

[prateek]

There more to efficiency than just fuel mileage. Its also about Emissions. A newer car that might not get as good of mileage as your 16 yr old Tercel, will have half of the Emissions out put that your car has. I'm willing to bet that the 4.0 V-6 in my FJ Cruiser, that gets 19mpg, has fewer emissions than your Tercel. That's what the purpose of the bill is. To get older, more pollutant vehicles off the road. You said yourself that the Muffler and cat just rusted off. Not very environmentally friendly. No Matter how good gas mileage you get.

Now it makes sense

[Kogyik]

Its also about Emissions.

Again the emisions are only a concern if you believe the Global Warming Hoax/THEORY. So when I say efficient I mean monetary cost efficient.

There are plenty of hazardous Materials that naturally occur in the world. Some are so distructive to us humans that if we get near them they will kill us in a very short time of exposier, Namely radioactive materials and sulfuric acid along with others. I think it is various government agencies around the world who wish monetary harm against the US. Everything comes down to the money trail. Follow it and you will find a wealthy group of individuals who are gaining from this.

Original scientist who came up with the theory did not take into account that Volcanic activety in the oceans is the real culprit for Global Warming. NOT MY CAR. NOT THE FACTORIES THAT I HAVE WORKED IN. NOT THE COWS EATING GRASS AND FARTING.

Truly I do believe in being respectful to the environment, but that doesn't mean that I should be forced by law to use a microwave instead of cooking over a wood fire in my backyard. I should have free choice in the matter. That seems to be the direction of these so called enviro Bills and laws that are currently being passed.

My favourite car I have owned was a '89 Honda Prelude SI. The handling was great for the time as well as decent acceleration. I live in an area with lots of curvy roads and hills. So handling is always an important feature in a car for me.

[5150 Lego]

Again the emisions are only a concern if you believe the Global Warming Hoax/THEORY. So when I say efficient I mean monetary cost efficient.

Whether or not you believe in global warming is irrelevant in this case. While you may be thinking of "momentary" cost, these bills are are designed with long term goals.

Truly I do believe in being respectful to the environment, but that doesn't mean that I should be forced by law to use a microwave instead of cooking over a wood fire in my backyard. I should have free choice in the matter. That seems to be the direction of these so called enviro Bills and laws that are currently being passed.

No ones forcing you to do anything. Just like this voucher bill. All they are doing is encouraging you and others to purchase more efficient vehicles from a companies that are in the middle of destructing. (nicewas of saying there broke).

I'll admit that many of these bills are a bit far fetched, and the new 30mpg standard is going to make it hard for many manufacturers, (especially American companies that half over there line dedicated to large trucks and SUV"S) to meet said requirements.

My favourite car I have owned was a '89 Honda Prelude SI. The handling was great for the time as well as decent acceleration. I live in an area with lots of curvy roads and hills. So handling is always an important feature in a car for me.

My favorite of mine is my current vehicle. My 07 FJ Cruiser. I love being able to just get up and go anywhere. To the snow, on the trails, to the mall! Before that i had a VW Passat similar to Polishguy's, only mine was a 5 speed manual. Had close to $10,000 in upgrades. I do miss the handling. Wish i could have kept it. But the FJ is still a better vehicle for me.