![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Ups and downs of cars...
Oct. 18th, 2011 03:18 pmSo, today, I cleaned out my car, and found my title, prior to taking it to a mechanic for the likely writing up of the car-equivalent of a death certificate. It was sputtering and losing power whenever I put the gas down - think, 35 mph on a gentle upward grade on the highway, because any faster made really scary noises with far too much sputtering.
But, no, maybe not. While I *am* losing compression, just like I guessed, my low-compression cylinder is still within the normal range (barely). But, my spark plugs had gotten fouled... presumably because I'm burning so much oil. And the reason the car was running so rough (the mechanic says) is that the computer would cut power to protect the engine. (Greatly oversimplified, I'm sure.)
So, my lovely Akane (yes, I name my cars) might just get the extra 1200 miles she needs to pass 200,000 miles. I find that surprisingly gratifying. She *deserves* 200,000 on the odometer.
In the meantime, I've been preparing for new car shopping. I'm looking at the Honda Fit, and the Ford Focus 5-door. I also think maybe, maybe the Jetta Sportswagen TDI.
Honda is ahead on points - cheapest of the three with ridiculous amounts of room for a small car. Plus, it's *cool*. I want to see if he hidden seat compartment will hide a Walther PPK[1] (not that I *have* a Walther, nor do I particularly want one). The Ford isn't as hauling-friendly as the Fit, but it does have cruise control as an option and it's not much more expensive - plus, hey, support American car manufacturing!
The Jetta is really, really expensive as far as I'm concerned (yes, I'm a successful computer professional who thinks a car costing less than 30 grand is "really, really expensive". I'm weird. And very practical and minimalist.) But, hey, biggest car, most torque, best mileage (but it doesn't beat the Ford by much!), and biggest gas tank. And, I've heard it said that diesels typically outlast ordinary gas engines.
I'd been planning on making a fast, fast decision - probably the Fit, figuring I can pay it off quickly, and then use it as a trade-in if I fell in love with another car in a few years. The Ford is a strong contender, but being able to move stuff is really important. And, the Jetta's about half-again as much.
Now, I might have some more leisure. Anyone have any ideas on other cars that have lots of cargo space, really good gas mileage, or any reason I should run away from any of these cars?
[1] James Bond's favorite gun in several novels/movies.The magic seats are *that* cool and Q-like (or dare I say Q-ute?).
But, no, maybe not. While I *am* losing compression, just like I guessed, my low-compression cylinder is still within the normal range (barely). But, my spark plugs had gotten fouled... presumably because I'm burning so much oil. And the reason the car was running so rough (the mechanic says) is that the computer would cut power to protect the engine. (Greatly oversimplified, I'm sure.)
So, my lovely Akane (yes, I name my cars) might just get the extra 1200 miles she needs to pass 200,000 miles. I find that surprisingly gratifying. She *deserves* 200,000 on the odometer.
In the meantime, I've been preparing for new car shopping. I'm looking at the Honda Fit, and the Ford Focus 5-door. I also think maybe, maybe the Jetta Sportswagen TDI.
Honda is ahead on points - cheapest of the three with ridiculous amounts of room for a small car. Plus, it's *cool*. I want to see if he hidden seat compartment will hide a Walther PPK[1] (not that I *have* a Walther, nor do I particularly want one). The Ford isn't as hauling-friendly as the Fit, but it does have cruise control as an option and it's not much more expensive - plus, hey, support American car manufacturing!
The Jetta is really, really expensive as far as I'm concerned (yes, I'm a successful computer professional who thinks a car costing less than 30 grand is "really, really expensive". I'm weird. And very practical and minimalist.) But, hey, biggest car, most torque, best mileage (but it doesn't beat the Ford by much!), and biggest gas tank. And, I've heard it said that diesels typically outlast ordinary gas engines.
I'd been planning on making a fast, fast decision - probably the Fit, figuring I can pay it off quickly, and then use it as a trade-in if I fell in love with another car in a few years. The Ford is a strong contender, but being able to move stuff is really important. And, the Jetta's about half-again as much.
Now, I might have some more leisure. Anyone have any ideas on other cars that have lots of cargo space, really good gas mileage, or any reason I should run away from any of these cars?
[1] James Bond's favorite gun in several novels/movies.The magic seats are *that* cool and Q-like (or dare I say Q-ute?).
