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Things I'm Confused About - READ ONLY

16 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 9:26 PM

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#1 of 16 Things I'm Confused About by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 28, 2009 (7:25 pm)

This topic is to discuss concepts, trends, or even theories on the workings of the automobile, that you just don't quite understand.
 
This topic is NOT to discuss why your Fiat doesn't start. NOBODY understands that.
 
Possible ideas:
 
1. Why would someone buy a car that parks itself?
2 What makes auto glass suddenly shatter?
3. How can a car accelerate unintentionally?
4 What's the difference between a recall and a TSB?
5. Why don't cars have vent windows anymore?
6. Why don't all cars depreciate at the same rate?
7. Why do mice like electrical wiring?
 
RULES:
 
1. Please, no "my car doesn't start" questions---we want BIG PICTURE questions.
 
2. Put your question in the HEADER so that we can run 3-4 questions at once, and we'll know which one we're addressing
 
I'll start off with a genuine example of my current puzzlement, in the next post.

#2 of 16 SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 28, 2009 (7:26 pm)

Why do Subaru Outbacks get speeding tickets at 2.2 the national average?
 
These cars aren't sexy, or fast, or driven by 16 year olds. What's the deal? What am I missing?

#3 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [Mr_Shiftright] by steve_ HOST

Nov 29, 2009 (12:14 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 28, 2009 7:26 pm)
I have an Outback and I've never gotten a speeding ticket (never in any car though). Mine's red too.
 
I was going to guess that Outback owners pass everyone in snow storms, but if that were true, the cops could never catch them anyway, unless they were in a WRX perhaps.
 
Flaky source.

#4 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [Mr_Shiftright] by andre1969

Nov 29, 2009 (7:06 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 28, 2009 7:26 pm)
Why do Subaru Outbacks get speeding tickets at 2.2 the national average?
  
These cars aren't sexy, or fast, or driven by 16 year olds. What's the deal? What am I missing?
 
I know the reason. It's because Outbacks are primarily driven by women. And if the driver doesn't mouth off at the cop, her girlfriend in the passenger seat will.

#5 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [steve_] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 29, 2009 (8:34 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Nov 29, 2009 12:14 am)
I get one ticket a year it seems, and I never used to get speeding tickets. No, something IS going on here....!

#6 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [Mr_Shiftright] by fezo

Nov 29, 2009 (9:56 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 29, 2009 8:34 am)
I like one of those sample questions - why DON'T they have vent windows anymore? Is it one of those deals where it's just cheaper not to have them?
 
No idea on the Outbacks. They are a fun little ride but no invitation to speed.

#7 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [fezo] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 29, 2009 (11:04 am)

Replying to: fezo (Nov 29, 2009 9:56 am)
Maybe vent windows don't find into today's trendy styling? I sure miss 'em.
 
Maybe they are too expensive to build--separate glass, frame, mechanism, etc.

#8 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Nov 29, 2009 (11:06 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 29, 2009 8:34 am)
That's easy; speed limit enforcement has been stepped up in many places in recent years. More speed cameras, police radar, helicopters, etc. Even if your infractions are constant, the the probability of being ticketed has increased. It may be related more to budget deficits than safety.

#9 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [Mr_Shiftright] by andre1969

Nov 29, 2009 (11:22 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 29, 2009 11:04 am)
Plus, as vent windows age, they're more prone to wind noise, leaks, rattles, etc. I wonder if those vent windows that Ford used in the 70's and 80's were any better in that regard, though? They would actually roll down into the door, rather than flip out.
 
I think the vent window was pretty much killed off by air conditioning, in a fashion similar to roll-down rear windows in coupes. That's another thing I miss, but I guess it's gotten to the point that these days, how many coupes even have an adult-sized back seat anymore?

#10 of 16 Re: SPEEDING TICKET ATTRACTION [hpmctorque] by fintail

Nov 29, 2009 (11:46 am)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 29, 2009 11:06 am)
That is likely part of it, especially in a place like California. I have no doubt the speedtraps are more common there today than in previous times.
 
Also maybe for Subaru, maybe the WRX/STi and the fast drivers they attract have made revenue enforcement officers keep more of an eye on Subarus in general. Probably a good speeding ticket profit margin in those vehicles.
 
For wing windows, I am sure it is a cost issue - carmakers don't seem to care much about future quality/rattle issues. What was the last car to have them? I know some larger GM cars had them in the 90s...but they didn't open.

Messages Page 1 of 2

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