Monterey Car Week + 8/28/09
#1
08-28-2009, 03:22 AM
Monterey Car Week + 8/28/09
Newsletter for August 28, 2009 
Monterey Car Week Highlights of all the events leading up to the Pebble Beach Concours, including the Monterey Historics, Concorso Italiano , auctions and more.
Complete CoverageBest of ShowThis Week on MSN Autos
Drive a Custom, Topless Camaro You don't have to wait until 2011 to drive a convertible Camaro. Read Article
Last edited by Space; 08-28-2009 at 04:55 AM.
#2
08-28-2009, 03:24 AM
Exhaust Notes Blog MSN Autos' new Exhaust Notes helps you to make sense of your automotive world. Read Blog
#3
08-28-2009, 04:52 AM
Tales of repair woes 
I wish I would've 
Last reviewed: September 2009
This article appeared in
September 2009 Consumer Reports Magazine.
Engine replacement: $6,000
Reason for repair
Sludge buildup due to not having motor oil changed for at least 11,000 miles.
What it would have cost
About $30.
What happened
Bruce Archuleta, a mechanic in Phoenix, had to replace the engine on a 2003 Jeep Liberty because a buildup of oil sludge blocked lubrication passages, causing the engine to fail.
How to prevent it
Change the oil according to the maintenance schedule (about every 7,500 miles for normal driving conditions or 3,000 miles for severe conditions). Failing to do so can cause excessive engine wear and create sludge in some engines, which forms when oil breaks down.
Engine replacement: $3,500
Reason for repair
Timing belt was not changed on schedule.
What it would have cost
About $600.
What happened
Mike Mikulski, a Haddam, Conn., mechanic, had to replace the engine on a 2000 Subaru Outback after its timing belt broke after 150,000 miles, allowing the pistons to collide with the valves. A used engine with a new timing belt was installed, keeping the cost from being much higher.
How to prevent it
The timing belt should be replaced as prescribed by the manual, usually around 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Many cars use a chain, which never needs changing.
Brake replacement: $400
Reason for repair
Owner ignored brake noise from worn pads.
What it would have cost
$100 to $200.
What happened
John Ibbotson, our own senior mechanic, had to replace the rear brakes on a friend's 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe because the pads had worn down to bare metal and damaged the discs. Had the job been done earlier, it might have been limited to replacing the pads and perhaps smoothing the discs on a lathe.
How to prevent it
On many cars, when a pad wears thin, a metal tang rubs against the disc and makes a squeal, warning that it needs to be replaced. Other signals include steering-wheel shake or noises when braking. A pad inspection at each tire rotation (about every 6,000 to 7,000 miles) should also be performed.
Engine replacement: $6,000
Reason for repair
Oil level was too low because of a leak.
What it would have cost
$100 to $1,000.
What happened
Steve Ouellette, a Higganum, Conn., mechanic, told us of a 2004 Acura TL that had to have its engine replaced because a lack of oil kept it from getting enough lubrication. A used engine kept the cost from being much higher.
How to prevent it
Check the oil level once a month, or every week if the car has a leak. Take your car in for service if the check-engine light is accompanied by another warning light or a change in performance. A leak caught early can be an inexpensive fix.
Transmission rebuild: $3,000
Reason for repair
Fluid was too low because of a leak.
What it would have cost
About $300 to $500.
What happened
Lance Wiggins, technical director for the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association in Oxnard, Calif., told us of an owner whose Mazda Protegé had a leaking axle seal. But instead of having his shop repair it, he decided to keep topping off the fluid. He overfilled the transmission, which made the leak worse. Eventually, the transmission's internal clutches burned out.
How to prevent it
If the transmission fluid is too low, it's probably because of a leak, which should be fixed. If you add fluid, don't overfill the transmission; that can make things worse.
New catalytic converter: $900
Reason for repair
Engine was not tuned.
What it would have cost
$300.
What happened
Auto-repair shop technician Frankie Jaquez in Middletown, Conn., replaced the catalytic converter on a 1999 Honda Accord—twice. The customer declined a $300 tuneup when it was first replaced and was back after 20,000 miles. The new catalytic converter became overtaxed because a dirty sensor caused the untuned engine to run too rich and it poured unburned fuel into the exhaust system.
How to prevent it
Regular tuneups are vital for optimizing the life of drivetrain elements and producing low emissions. The catalytic converter should have lasted 100,000 miles.
Windshield replacement: $430
Reason for repair
Windshield crack.
What it would have cost
About $60.
What happened
Bob Simpson, district manager for an auto- glass shop in Belleville, Ill., replaced the windshield on a 2005 Ford F-150 because a small chip grew into a long crack over time.
How to prevent it
Chips can be fixed for around $60, but in some states it's illegal to repair one in areas swept by the wipers.
New tires: $250 to $400
Reason for repair
Tires were not rotated.
What it would have cost
About $20 per rotation, or $100 over 30,000 miles.
What happened
Clint Dalton, manager of a Leesburg, Va., tire and repair shop, replaced a Nissan Sentra's tires after less than 30,000 miles because they had never been rotated. Those tires, with a 65,000-mile warranty, should have lasted much longer.
How to prevent it
Rotation is generally recommended every 6,000 miles by manufacturers. Also, check the tire pressure at least once per month; underinflation can cut a tire's life by as much as half. If your car pulls to one side, its wheel alignment is probably off, which also hastens tire wear. An alignment runs $50 to $100.
I wish I would've Last reviewed: September 2009
This article appeared in
September 2009 Consumer Reports Magazine.
Engine replacement: $6,000
Reason for repair
Sludge buildup due to not having motor oil changed for at least 11,000 miles.
What it would have cost
About $30.
What happened
Bruce Archuleta, a mechanic in Phoenix, had to replace the engine on a 2003 Jeep Liberty because a buildup of oil sludge blocked lubrication passages, causing the engine to fail.
How to prevent it
Change the oil according to the maintenance schedule (about every 7,500 miles for normal driving conditions or 3,000 miles for severe conditions). Failing to do so can cause excessive engine wear and create sludge in some engines, which forms when oil breaks down.
Engine replacement: $3,500
Reason for repair
Timing belt was not changed on schedule.
What it would have cost
About $600.
What happened
Mike Mikulski, a Haddam, Conn., mechanic, had to replace the engine on a 2000 Subaru Outback after its timing belt broke after 150,000 miles, allowing the pistons to collide with the valves. A used engine with a new timing belt was installed, keeping the cost from being much higher.
How to prevent it
The timing belt should be replaced as prescribed by the manual, usually around 60,000 to 100,000 miles. Many cars use a chain, which never needs changing.
Brake replacement: $400
Reason for repair
Owner ignored brake noise from worn pads.
What it would have cost
$100 to $200.
What happened
John Ibbotson, our own senior mechanic, had to replace the rear brakes on a friend's 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe because the pads had worn down to bare metal and damaged the discs. Had the job been done earlier, it might have been limited to replacing the pads and perhaps smoothing the discs on a lathe.
How to prevent it
On many cars, when a pad wears thin, a metal tang rubs against the disc and makes a squeal, warning that it needs to be replaced. Other signals include steering-wheel shake or noises when braking. A pad inspection at each tire rotation (about every 6,000 to 7,000 miles) should also be performed.
Engine replacement: $6,000
Reason for repair
Oil level was too low because of a leak.
What it would have cost
$100 to $1,000.
What happened
Steve Ouellette, a Higganum, Conn., mechanic, told us of a 2004 Acura TL that had to have its engine replaced because a lack of oil kept it from getting enough lubrication. A used engine kept the cost from being much higher.
How to prevent it
Check the oil level once a month, or every week if the car has a leak. Take your car in for service if the check-engine light is accompanied by another warning light or a change in performance. A leak caught early can be an inexpensive fix.
Transmission rebuild: $3,000
Reason for repair
Fluid was too low because of a leak.
What it would have cost
About $300 to $500.
What happened
Lance Wiggins, technical director for the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association in Oxnard, Calif., told us of an owner whose Mazda Protegé had a leaking axle seal. But instead of having his shop repair it, he decided to keep topping off the fluid. He overfilled the transmission, which made the leak worse. Eventually, the transmission's internal clutches burned out.
How to prevent it
If the transmission fluid is too low, it's probably because of a leak, which should be fixed. If you add fluid, don't overfill the transmission; that can make things worse.
New catalytic converter: $900
Reason for repair
Engine was not tuned.
What it would have cost
$300.
What happened
Auto-repair shop technician Frankie Jaquez in Middletown, Conn., replaced the catalytic converter on a 1999 Honda Accord—twice. The customer declined a $300 tuneup when it was first replaced and was back after 20,000 miles. The new catalytic converter became overtaxed because a dirty sensor caused the untuned engine to run too rich and it poured unburned fuel into the exhaust system.
How to prevent it
Regular tuneups are vital for optimizing the life of drivetrain elements and producing low emissions. The catalytic converter should have lasted 100,000 miles.
Windshield replacement: $430
Reason for repair
Windshield crack.
What it would have cost
About $60.
What happened
Bob Simpson, district manager for an auto- glass shop in Belleville, Ill., replaced the windshield on a 2005 Ford F-150 because a small chip grew into a long crack over time.
How to prevent it
Chips can be fixed for around $60, but in some states it's illegal to repair one in areas swept by the wipers.
New tires: $250 to $400
Reason for repair
Tires were not rotated.
What it would have cost
About $20 per rotation, or $100 over 30,000 miles.
What happened
Clint Dalton, manager of a Leesburg, Va., tire and repair shop, replaced a Nissan Sentra's tires after less than 30,000 miles because they had never been rotated. Those tires, with a 65,000-mile warranty, should have lasted much longer.
How to prevent it
Rotation is generally recommended every 6,000 miles by manufacturers. Also, check the tire pressure at least once per month; underinflation can cut a tire's life by as much as half. If your car pulls to one side, its wheel alignment is probably off, which also hastens tire wear. An alignment runs $50 to $100.
#4
08-28-2009, 07:21 AM
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Nubraska
Posts: 7,082
Another site im on, full of talent lol, and awesome. Either way heres the pics they all got from monterey.
http://apexforums.freeforums.org/mon...56k-t5392.html
http://apexforums.freeforums.org/mon...56k-t5392.html
#5
08-28-2009, 07:33 AM
...`Brock, that's a super link with super cars...Thanks for sharing 4- Sure....Where do these people get all that money to have & keep these awesome rides...One of the seniors in Vero Beach has one like the below...
Looks like a Baby`Space Ride
lol 
I'd drive it 4 Sure : )
#7
08-28-2009, 11:02 AM
`Lou, it's a Isetta by BMW : ) I think they would sell 2day if they could pass the safety requirements : ) I'd drive one around the beach area, but not on a InterState Highway....
One of the Senior's has a Mini that I've driven & they are small & fun little GoKart Car : ) I really liked `Amy's Mini, but like her Silver Monte SuperCharged more : )
<LI class=g>isetta history
BMW scouts had seen the little Isetta at the 1954 Geneva and Turin car shows and almost ... Iso also licensed the car to Isetta Automobiles of Brazil. ...
www.whirlingpool.com/isetta/history/history.htm - Cached - Similar
<LI class="g s">YouTube - 1958 BMW Isetta Profile - Sports Car Market Magazine
4 min 30 sec - Oct 6, 2006 -
Editor Martin gets in and out of this Isetta microcar while discussing its heritage and driving experience. See more at http://www.sportscarmarket.com.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk-WbG4suwI
1957 BMW Isetta 250
The egg-shaped Isetta can be said to be the very best microcar of its time. Certainly it is the archetypal "bubble car", and is today recognized and loved ...
microcarmuseum.com/tour/bmwisetta250.html - Cached - Similar
Image results for isetta car
Isetta - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
By 1952 the engineers Ermenegildo Preti and Pierluigi Raggi had designed a small car that used the scooter engine and named it Isetta—an Italian diminutive ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isetta - Cached - Similar
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General Monte Carlo Talk
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