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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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Messages Page 2 of 2

#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.

#11 of 16 VENT WINDOWS by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Nov 29, 2009 (11:55 am)

But vent windows are still very practical, especially in temperate climates. Living in the SF BAy Area, one doesn't really need AC except to keep diesel fumes and traffic noise at bay perhaps----many a time I have yearned for a vent window to bring in that cool ocean air.
 
I wonder how many barrels of oil vent windows would save us? I wonder if anyone besides me is crazy enough to figure out a way to calculate that.
 
Hey how COULD we calculate it. We'd have to figure out what % of the time vent windows would substitute for AC, ,and then of course we'd have to know the amount of time the AC was on prior to vent window use.
 
I think vent windows would be great between 55 and 80 degrees.
 
I wonder if non-smoking in cars also killed vent windows?
 
There's a theory that cars killed the American front porch you know.

#12 of 16 Re: VENT WINDOWS [Mr_Shiftright] by andre1969

Nov 29, 2009 (1:54 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 29, 2009 11:55 am)
I think vent windows would be great between 55 and 80 degrees.
 
Well, at those speeds, you could just crack the windows. Usually I wouldn't turn on the a/c until temps were at least high 80's and high-humidity...but then I've always preferred fresh air to a/c.
 
One thing I do miss though, is being able to open the vent windows and the rear windows, but leave the main window in the door closed. That would get a nice breeze going, without it buffeting you. I used to do that all the time in my '68 Dart.
 
Also, they say that a/c has a minimal effect on fuel economy nowadays, because the systems are so efficient. However, even on my old Mopars with the mammoth V2 compressors and such, I never really noticed a drop in fuel economy when I used it.
 
The vent windows in my '85 Silverado sure came in handy though, when the power window in the driver's door quit working.

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

Nov 29, 2009 (4:26 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 29, 2009 11:46 am)
"I know some larger GM cars had them in the 90s...but they didn't open."
 
Yeah, I've wondered about the purpose of those vent windows that didn't open, but I don't know why some GM cars featured these.

#14 of 16 Re: VENT WINDOWS [Mr_Shiftright] by hpmctorque

Nov 29, 2009 (4:49 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 29, 2009 11:55 am)
"Hey, how COULD we calculate it?"
 
I think it would be very difficult to calculate it, considering all the variables. For example, open vent windows increase air drag slightly, and the exact amount of draf depends on the car's design, how much, how frequently and how long the vents are open, and more. Also, average speed varies all over the place, depending on traffic, speed limits, roads and terrain, enforcement, etc.

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

Nov 29, 2009 (6:10 pm)

Replying to: hpmctorque (Nov 29, 2009 4:26 pm)
Maybe it was some kind of internal sabotage to make people hate GM cars a little more ...of course, the cheapo interiors and wheezy powertrains of that era could do the job by themselves. But they got good mileage, so I guess someone will like them.
 
I drove my old car which has wing windows, today. They don't seem to make any wind noise until highway speeds are reached - but this is a nearly 50 year old car with original weatherstripping, so I can't hold that against it. I do remember the passenger side one would leak in the rain, too.
 
That car has such superior ventilation to modern cars. In a modern car, I have to turn the fan on to the lowest or second lowest setting to be comfortable - I can't stand to have it off. In the old car, I can just open the fresh air intake, or maybe crack a wing window if it is stuffy, and everything is good.

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

Nov 29, 2009 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: fintail (Nov 29, 2009 6:10 pm)

That car has such superior ventilation to modern cars. In a modern car, I have to turn the fan on to the lowest or second lowest setting to be comfortable - I can't stand to have it off. In the old car, I can just open the fresh air intake, or maybe crack a wing window if it is stuffy, and everything is good.
 
My 2002 is very similar. The vent windows compensate for a true integrated fresh air ventilation system.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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