Topic: What did you do to your car today?

[Weels]

Same here.  Now that we have an average fuel gauge I have confirmed that I get way better economy than my wife.  And I don't drive it slow.  When we had a manual I was convinced that she was leaving it in 3rd gear.

Like John I am pretty sure it's because I am better at anticipating traffic where she will stay on the gas right until she has to hit the brakes.

The 2 ladies in my life are polar opposites.
My wife is very patient and calm driver.
My step-daughter is ultra impatient (though she has gotten better). For her, to go = stomp on the pedal under your right foot.  To stop, stomp on that other pedal.  Repeat.

Around here, based on what I see, the ladies are the more aggressive drivers.

[valuator]

Maybe I should start a new thread, but I am test driving a 2015 Odyssey on Wednesday.  Seem to be a decent number of these around 3-5 years old.  I can't bring myself to pay $40k+ for a new one.

[dkaz]

My Mazda 3 is seeing it's fifth warranty claim with a leaking clutch master cylinder, the fourth since bumper to bumper ended (thank goodness I got extended warranty. It's already seen a engine software update to fix a lights flickering when decelerating in gear issue (when brand new), both front wheel bearings, and the front driver seat assembly. Estimated value of fixes since bumper to bumper ended so far: $2400. Makes my $1425 purchase of the warranty worth it so far. Still sucks, I had a 91 Corolla from 225k to 360+k that cost less in repairs including timing belt/water pump, clutch, and alternator.

Maybe I should start a new thread, but I am test driving a 2015 Odyssey on Wednesday.  Seem to be a decent number of these around 3-5 years old.  I can't bring myself to pay $40k+ for a new one.

Used is always a better buy. I see lots of 2011-13 Sienna SEs and Odyssey EX for $20k and it's quite tempting.

[johngenx]

I know a used Sienna is as expensive as a new low-end van, but I'd for sure go Toyota or Honda.  Personally, the available AWD on the Sienna seals the deal for me, but either is a great choice for a used van.

[dkaz]

$22k for a brand new Grand Caravan CVP or an 11-14 Sienna LE+ or Odyssey EX+, all three should offer 200k+ of reliable service, but two of the three will have substantially more features and a more comfortable interior. I know which one I'm choosing...

[Fobroader]

Has Honda ever figured the tranny problems for the Odyssey?? That alone, well and the availability of awd, would have me looking at a Sienna exclusively in the unfortunate case where I was forced into buying a van.

[rrocket]

$22k for a brand new Grand Caravan CVP or an 11-14 Sienna LE+ or Odyssey EX+, all three should offer 200k+ of reliable service, but two of the three will have substantially more features and a more comfortable interior. I know which one I'm choosing...

Yes, I had a buddy just buy a new (to him) minivan. He looked at a brand new bae Caravan. He says while cheap...it was cheap. Not many creature comforts.

He ended up getting a few years old one, loaded, for similar money.

He says the Siennas were hard to find locally, which is why he ended up in a Dodge.

[dkaz]

Has Honda ever figured the tranny problems for the Odyssey?? That alone, well and the availability of awd, would have me looking at a Sienna exclusively in the unfortunate case where I was forced into buying a van.

The Odyssey transmissions substantially improved in 2007. I'd be more worried about the new 9 speed in the 2018s.

He says the Siennas were hard to find locally, which is why he ended up in a Dodge.

Kelowna is not bad but there is more selection and better prices in Vancouver, so I'd totally drive 4 hours to Vancouver to get what I wanted.

[johngenx]

Sienna AWD models are the "second vehicle" to an RX350 in my 'burb, so there are tons of nice 4-5 year old ones to be had.

[jamie1]

Planned on taking the f-150 in this morning to get the wiper switch/relay replaced, but it seems to have fixed itself. Last thursday during the deep freeze the wipers were stuck on in the lowest intermittent setting and would not shut off.  It started thursday afternoon, lasted all day friday, and also first thing this morning when i started the truck.  Now the weather has warmed up significantly and it is back to normal operation.   

Not sure if Ford does this, but with FCA vehicles if the BCM goes off the bus, the wipers and lights come on default.

[Solstice2006]

Has Honda ever figured the tranny problems for the Odyssey?? That alone, well and the availability of awd, would have me looking at a Sienna exclusively in the unfortunate case where I was forced into buying a van.

The Odyssey transmissions substantially improved in 2007. I'd be more worried about the new 9 speed in the 2018s.

He says the Siennas were hard to find locally, which is why he ended up in a Dodge.

Kelowna is not bad but there is more selection and better prices in Vancouver, so I'd totally drive 4 hours to Vancouver to get what I wanted.

Strongly agree, I had the 2005.  Never had a problem with it.  Wouldn't touch any 9 speed right now. 

[Solstice2006]

My Mazda 3 is seeing it's fifth warranty claim with a leaking clutch master cylinder, the fourth since bumper to bumper ended (thank goodness I got extended warranty. It's already seen a engine software update to fix a lights flickering when decelerating in gear issue (when brand new), both front wheel bearings, and the front driver seat assembly. Estimated value of fixes since bumper to bumper ended so far: $2400. Makes my $1425 purchase of the warranty worth it so far. Still sucks, I had a 91 Corolla from 225k to 360+k that cost less in repairs including timing belt/water pump, clutch, and alternator.

Maybe I should start a new thread, but I am test driving a 2015 Odyssey on Wednesday.  Seem to be a decent number of these around 3-5 years old.  I can't bring myself to pay $40k+ for a new one.

Used is always a better buy. I see lots of 2011-13 Sienna SEs and Odyssey EX for $20k and it's quite tempting.

What kind of kms on the Mazda3?  Is this the 2nd gen?

[Solstice2006]

Maybe I should start a new thread, but I am test driving a 2015 Odyssey on Wednesday.  Seem to be a decent number of these around 3-5 years old.  I can't bring myself to pay $40k+ for a new one.

How long do you plan on keeping the van?  IMO, once the kids are in boosters (around 5), the van is a little less useful.  It's interesting, I have had 4 different vans, but paying $250 a month tax in ($0 down lease)  on a GC CVP is awesome.  Best van I had was an 2005 Honda Odyssey.  I bought it used, and the GC is still a better value, and has warranty...

[valuator]

I would plan on keeping the van at least 8 years.  The 3 year old one I’m looking at is right on 70k, so I’d barely reach 200k at my usual pace.  Certified used warranty from Honda, so I’d have about 3 years of power train coverage.

Realized today we pay for a 2015 Sienna Limited AWD for my operations manager....about 100k on it right now.  If he’s in the market for a new van/SUV, I’ll likely take that over, though it’s worth more than I want to spend. At least I know it was well cared for.

[johngenx]

Sienna Limited AWD is awesome.  Those second row chairs are FIRST CLASS!!  We often fight about who gets to ride in the back.  (A friend of mine has one and we sometimes take it on ski trips)

[rrocket]

Ever see the Toyota Alphard or Esquire interior?

BTW....I wonder if this size of minivan would sell here?

In Japan, these are the baller vehicles...similar to an Escalade in the US.

[Solstice2006]

Sienna Limited AWD is awesome.  Those second row chairs are FIRST CLASS!!  We often fight about who gets to ride in the back.  (A friend of mine has one and we sometimes take it on ski trips)

That the trim with the ottoman on the seats?  Thought those were cool too.  Till I realized, kids don't really use them...

[HeliDriver]

Changed the license plate bulbs on the GTI today, which is hardly worth mentioning, except for the backstory...

A few days before Christmas I got the dreaded FGC warning chime in the GTI. Took a look at the display, and it tells me that a license plate light is burnt out. Okay, no biggie, but then when I go back to check, I see that both bulbs are functioning perfectly normally. Uh, oh, have the FGC electrical gremlins finally woken up? 

But a quick check online gives me some comfort: apparently, it's normal to get that message with older bulbs, and it goes away when you replace them. Sweet. So I go buy two new bulbs at Canadian Tire (5 bucks) and forget about it for a while. It's not like license plate bulbs are my top priority. 

So this morning I start the car, turn on the lights, and get the "bulb out" message as usual. I walk back to the hatch to load some stuff, and lo and behold, one of the license plate bulbs is burnt out! So the car can predict when a bulb will burn out and let you know in advance. Take that you boring-but-reliable-Japanese-car fanbois! German engineering FTMFW!   

[KD]

Planned on taking the f-150 in this morning to get the wiper switch/relay replaced, but it seems to have fixed itself. Last thursday during the deep freeze the wipers were stuck on in the lowest intermittent setting and would not shut off.  It started thursday afternoon, lasted all day friday, and also first thing this morning when i started the truck.  Now the weather has warmed up significantly and it is back to normal operation.   

Not sure if Ford does this, but with FCA vehicles if the BCM goes off the bus, the wipers and lights come on default.

Not sure but it's been ok since.  The lights were not affected btw. 

[Bubba]

I'm going to take advantage of the warm weather and make a grill block for the Mazda.  The curve of the bottom edge might take some careful trimming, but I'm sure I can do a good job.