The cars and bikes thread!

[Seriously]

The gear lever is the best I've ever used.

I was meaning what it controls

[Seriously]

Seriously though.

what ?

[gnuyork]

I had a nice chat with a fellow the other day after he parked next to me in a Miata RF. It was that metallic blue that most Mazdas come in these days and it looked amazing on the Miata. Perhaps my favorite color for it yet. Needless to say, he loved the car and it was fun talking to someone who enjoyed it so much.

I almost got an RF, but the RF did not come with the Recaro seats as an option. I don't regret my choice. Glad I went with the soft top, though I had a hard time making the decision.

[Raza]

I almost got an RF, but the RF did not come with the Recaro seats as an option. I don't regret my choice. Glad I went with the soft top, though I had a hard time making the decision.

Soft top is always the right decision. Always.

Congratulations, man. Pretty great choice for a daily driver.

[happyscrappyheropup]

I almost got an RF, but the RF did not come with the Recaro seats as an option. I don't regret my choice. Glad I went with the soft top, though I had a hard time making the decision.

Good seats are important. My daily has Recaro seats - they're stiff but I love them.

Is the RF any stiffer with the partial roof? I assume there is a weight penalty compared to the soft top.

-- Wayne

[gnuyork]

Good seats are important. My daily has Recaro seats - they're stiff but I love them.

Is the RF any stiffer with the partial roof? I assume there is a weight penalty compared to the soft top.

-- Wayne

Yes, I believe it was about 100 lbs extra for the top (maybe less, I can't remember), but it was said the car did have a slight rigidity advantage, and even better 50/50 weight distribution, but very slight.

[happyscrappyheropup]

Yes, I believe it was about 100 lbs extra for the top (maybe less, I can't remember), but it was said the car did have a slight rigidity advantage, and even better 50/50 weight distribution, but very slight.

That's not bad. Although a rollbar in the softtop would add less weight and be much stiffer than the RF. Good first mod before you swap the LSx under the hood.

[I-B]

I sold my car today. I got 2K more for it than what i payed. My buddy is a carsalesman @ BMW and he was searching my model used for a client. Since he knew i haven't driven it for 3 months now he made me "an offer i could not refuse". Since i live in the city center i am not dependant of a car. It will take at least 1 or 2 months before i can start driving again anyway...

[Samanator]

This would drive me bonkers...and it does when I happen to be outside near a traffic light and I hear other vehicles doing this.

Both of my cars have it and it is the first thing I turn off when I get in. It can't be good for the starter and none react fast enough to not have a penalty off the line.

[Seriously]

It can't be good for the starter

The starter on stop/start vehicles is usually belt driven as it (usually) doubles as an alternator .... there are various acronyms used for this dual purpose motor/generator.

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1272189
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAS_Hybrid

If it was a conventional starter I agree it wouldn't last long , this is partly why they came up with this idea, there's no engagement gear wear.

It's the battery that takes all the punishment, they fit an expensive AGM type battery if there's enough in the car budget (or it's a big engine) , otherwise they've started fitting ECM on the smaller cars for cost reasons.

They both cost considerably more to replace than a 'normal' lead acid battery

Both of my cars have it and it is the first thing I turn off when I get in.....none react fast enough to not have a penalty off the line.

Get a disable device - it's like the car never had the feature afterwards .... it's like reclaiming your car .... and totally agree on the second statement.