Random Thoughts... [Automotive Edition]

The X300s trunk space is larger due to the CD changer and amp placement, yes. But the X300 also has more trunk space than my Series III.
 
Spectre said:
The X300s trunk space is larger due to the CD changer and amp placement, yes. But the X300 also has more trunk space than my Series III.
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Series IIIs look utterly tiny compared to modern cars, so I could see that. Granted, my reference point for sedan trunk space is CamCords, but that's not really a valid comparison.
 
S3's have a more useful trunk than you'd think. It's relatively shallow, but it's very long. It will just swallow a 5'10" male, 5'5" female and 4' female child with a little room left over.
 
You've lived a very, shall we say, interesting life haven't you Spectre.
 
You do know it was Spectre's number listed in AC/DC's "Dirty Deeds" don't you?
 
flydiscovery said:
You've lived a very, shall we say, interesting life haven't you Spectre.
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Hey, they were alive when I let them out of the car. :mrgreen:

They did say that they'd walk the half mile in the rain to their car the next time. :p
 
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Can't be worse than when a friend decided to ride in the back of my '91 Escort GT (hatchback). He informed me it was the scariest thing he ever had done in his life. This is from someone who two wheeled a Lincoln Continental.
 
I say from looking at Jag pics on eBay (one dreams with what he can't have) i noticed they have this little button with ?Valet? on it. Taking the risk of sounding stupid, what is that button for?
 
It activates the inflatable valet in the dashboard that comes complete with hat and cockney accent.

On real cars, though, it disables the external trunk opener. I'm sure it does something else too, but I can't remember.
 
gaasc said:
I say from looking at Jag pics on eBay (one dreams with what he can't have) i noticed they have this little button with ?Valet? on it. Taking the risk of sounding stupid, what is that button for?
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Valet modes usually limit power and speed so when you have the car valet parked they can't do smokey burnouts around the corner. Nowadays it's usually a separate key that does the valet mode instead of a button.
 
It's so you can hand over your car to a parking valet or parking attendant without them deciding to go for a joyride in your pride and joy at triple digit speeds among other things.

What it actually does depends on the year and model, but among other things it can do:

Locks the trunk and disables both internal and external releases until someone turns valet mode off (either by hitting a hidden switch, some other method or putting in the regular key - post-XJ40, pre-Callum Jags come with a valet key, it has a green head on the newer cars) so nobody can pillage your stuff.
Limits the car to 50% max performance or less, 50-65mph or less, and limits range per session to 3 miles.
 
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Spectre said:
...and limits range per session to 3 miles.
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I would LOVE to be on the receiving end of a phone call from the idiot who tries to take a car out not knowing this and gets 3.01 miles from work.
 
I saw a red Ferrari California in person on the way home last night. Its actually pretty good looking in the flesh.
 
Q: Is it possible to "program" a gauge sweep to a car that doesn't have that option? I'm just curious.
 
It is theoretically possible, but only if the gauges aren't actually connected to what they're supposed to be measuring (and therefore are just controlled by the computer).
 
Valet button: I have use a similar but less sophisticated system called a chaffeur's key - will not open the glove box but allows all other functions - it's for keeping your mobile sat nav and any other valuables safe if valet parking or when handing over for a service - but lets face facts if a garage wants to get in they will.
 
We got 4 inches of snow today...
In these conditions I have to concede - Posmo is right. RWD is better.

I took the Volvo for a drive (some nice pics in my thread), and it was absolutely terrible. It wouldn't slide even with a scandinavian flick. Weirdly there is a lot of weight (thus traction) on the rear wheels.
The front however is wildly torquesteering and understeering. I don't even want to think what a Turbo would do...

The Polo back home is much easier to slide - there is no weight in the back. I did manage to do a couple of spins with the Volvo, but they were violent and unpleasant.
 
That's a lot of snow :)

It was kind of fun today though. I would shift into drive, and the car wouldn't creep. Rev above 2500rpm and I got some movement, and wild wheelspin.

I also had another observation - automatics are useless in snow!!! I'm going along in First gear, keeping it in the torque range, when the stupid thing decides to shift up to second, putting me at 1500rpm and no torque. Few seconds later, after I step on it, it shifts back to first. Grrr...

And also, unless I'm much mistaken - there is no way to do engine braking in an automatic. Even though the car has ABS, on a few occasions I could feel (with my ass on the seat) that there is very little traction and if I even touch the brake pedal I'll end up in the ditch.
 
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