[Activ8]

Note from Support. Please use QUOTE+/MULTI-QUOTE when responding to multiple posts. Thanks!

Originally Posted by NinadJoshi

Thinking of buying winter tires this year. Never bought Winters before, so am kind of new to this.

Anticipated driving will be 70% highway 30% city, @ ~3000 miles a month, @ driving profile best described as defensive and un-spirited

Purchase priority is to have as best winter/snow traction, and as best noise/comfort as possible for as reasonable a price as possible...I just opened up the entire chart here, but nonetheless. For 235/45R17's, the $900 Michelin X-ice's are out of question, just as $400 unknown brand names are too.

Anyone here with winter tire purchase and usage experience care to post their opinion ?

Thanks in advance.

Bridgestone Blizzaks ..... have run with my set for 2 Michigan winters now and they can take much more yet. Best in the business.

Originally Posted by tanstaafl

I have been on all seasons (FWD) for the last few years. My town does seem to do a good job clearing the snow but I will have to get snow tires this winter because I am moving to an RWD vehicle. Do you guys get steelies or just pay for the tire transfer twice?

For your new car, just get a set of extra wheels dude - RWD too, you better get snow tyres. 10bucks swap at Livonia Walmart - free if you know the dudes.

[NinadJoshi]

Originally Posted by Activ8

Bridgestone Blizzaks ..... have run with my set for 2 Michigan winters now and they can take much more yet. Best in the business.

Originally Posted by tanstaafl

I have been on all seasons (FWD) for the last few years. My town does seem to do a good job clearing the snow but I will have to get snow tires this winter because I am moving to an RWD vehicle. Do you guys get steelies or just pay for the tire transfer twice?

3 guys from MI active simultaneously on this forum is about as good as it has gotten

I live in Rochester, work anywhere from Warren to Lansing, and school at Ann Arbor 3-4 evenings a week. Perhaps we could get together some day for nothing.

[Jeroen]

Originally Posted by NinadJoshi

Anyone here with winter tire purchase and usage experience care to post their opinion ?

When we liver in Kansas City I put Bridgestone Blizzaks on my 1998 Jeep Cherokee. Two winters we had quite a bit of snow. 30-50 centimeters. Limited snow ploughing and gritting as Kansas City only had a budget for a few days of snow. We often took to the Kansas prairies as well, where none of the country roads get ploughed or gritted.

The snow tires made all the difference in the world. Could just keep on driving and it would have to get really, really bad before I went into 4WD.

I loved my Jeep Cherokee, but it was not particularly nice to drive in wet/rainy weather. It would easily lock up the wheels when braking. Several Jeep Cherokee owner reported on forums the same and some kept their winter tires on all year round. Especially the Bridgestones did pretty good in rainy, wet conditions. Or at least better than regular all weather tires.

The Jeep did about 5-6000 miles a year, so I wasn't to concerned about wearing out the winter tires soon. Even so, coming from Europe, for me tires in the US were ridiculous cheap. So if my car gets a bit safer by running down the tires a bit quicker that's a no brainer.

Jeroen

[Activ8]

Originally Posted by NinadJoshi

3 guys from MI active simultaneously on this forum is about as good as it has gotten

I live in Rochester, work anywhere from Warren to Lansing, and school at Ann Arbor 3-4 evenings a week. Perhaps we could get together some day for nothing.

There's 2 events this month alone:

Detroit Cars, Coffee & Karts - JD Karting, Novi and Evo/STi Meet - BDubs, Novi

If you guys want, I can come up for the CCK, since the Michigan game is only at 8pm.

I'm planning to go to the other one anyways since no game and more fun.

[VLOCT]

Originally Posted by Activ8

since the Michigan game is only at 8pm.

Hmmm, I am a big BuckNut but, I'm also a great Big Blue fan. I love Big Ten.

I used to be a regular Ann Arbor visitor, a few year ago. A friend of mine used to run a reasonably hip Indian restaurant there till a few years ago, a one man show, next to the Ethiopian place, Blue Nile or something. Always loved the college town feel of the place. Not to mention some nice driving roads around the area.

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by kraft.wagen

Totally agree with TR and Jomz, getting a AWD for the budget would be a tough find. I would instead look for a newer FWD car. Having drove my Mustang in Chicago for a whole winter, I'm pretty sure its easy to drive around a FWD.
Again If you are going to be driving hills during winter I feel it makes a need for AWD, if its just regular commute stick to FWD.

I owe a response to the members who have thrown in umpteen suggestions, and I must admit that I carefully validated each and every one of them.

Considering all suggestions, and not forgetting to appease the petrolhead-heart that was gradually getting buried, let me present to you my latest possession and "obsession" since 2 weeks now...

A Pre-Worshipped 2008 Acura RL 3.5L V6.

VVT-i, SOHC
256ft-lbs@5000revs
290hp@6200revs

The RL had about 75k miles on it, but upon careful inspection and introspection, I felt it was worth the deal of 16000$ that I was getting it for.

Result - ALL SMILES, so far.

Immediate steps after the purchase were:
1. Drained the fuel that was in the tank to ensure that Premium Unleaded fuel RON91 is what's used per manufacturer specs.


2. Got the vehicle serviced at a known Acura Certified Specialist garage that a colleague has been familiar with and visiting since 17 years now. The bill was ~1400$! Frankly, this was the first (and hopefully the last) pinch. My bad, that I had overlooked this expense when I purchased the car.

Reality struck me here about the price one needs to pay on maintaining a preimum car. The RL's brake discs and rotors are manufactured by BREMBO. The front brakes were at their end of life, and it cost me about 700$ for that pair alone.

That apart, everything else was just the usual replacement of oil, belts, filters, etc.

Next Steps:
1. Get that black - BACK TO BLACK. So, detailing hobbies will need to be reinstated. (How I miss Sidhu's 3M Car Care Center in HSR!!!). Not that there are no detailers around here, but, its simply more cost effective considering I have the garage space needed!

2. Get weather-tech 3D rubber mats. Just one trip to Mount Evans yesterday was enough for the interior floor mats to get roughed up. I can imagine the extent of damage during the winter when maintenance will come to an extreme low.

3. For some reason, the previous owner seemed to have liked the de-badged look at the rear. I don't. So, need to get the LETTERS sourced from an Acura spares dealer online.

4. Cmon.. TBHP stickers for sure!

My first 6-cylinder. It's BLISS. The wife and I just cannot stop grinning every time we hit the InterState, right from the day we tested it until that last drive 3 hours ago to the office. Hopefully, all should be well.

[kraft.wagen]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

A Pre-Worshipped 2008 Acura RL 3.5L V6.

VVT-i, SOHC
256ft-lbs@5000revs
290hp@6200revs

3. For some reason, the previous owner seemed to have liked the de-badged look at the rear. I don't. So, need to get the LETTERS sourced from an Acura spares dealer online.

Congrats on the car We sure need more detailed pics. Yea I'm sure you will have tons of sellers on eBay also to get your letters.

Drive Safe

[chevelle]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

A Pre-Worshipped 2008 Acura RL 3.5L V6.

VVT-i, SOHC
256ft-lbs@5000revs
290hp@6200revs

My first 6-cylinder. It's BLISS. The wife and I just cannot stop grinning every time we hit the InterState, right from the day we tested it until that last drive 3 hours ago to the office. Hopefully, all should be well.

Congo on the new acquisition. Looks great. Is this SH-AWD or the regular FWD?

Wish you many miles of fun and memories. Update us with FE you get and any services. Just 75k miles means you have plenty of miles to go. Just make sure you drain and fill the ATF too. Honda/Acura transmission are notorious for giving up after 100k.

I thought this will have good resale in market considering it doesn't sell more but is still very reliable and big. Guess this is a victim of luxury depreciation hits too.

What services did you perform in the $1400 expense aside from the brakes?

Thanks and congo once again.

Originally Posted by gatham.psb

Hi Guys,

This comes quiet late; but as they say, better late than never.
Got myself a subaru brz. Been about a month and half into the ownership and just love it. Had been reading all the posts in this thread, but never got time to post.

Thanks,
Gautham

Hey Gautham,

Just read elsewhere there is a service bulletin for BRZ. Bulletin is to replace the shifter mechanism -- knob to lever assembly. It helps in getting rid of shifter rattle at certain RPMs on the freeway, and the revised assembly with different bushings appears to fix that. It may also get rid of notchiness associated with BRZ/FR-S manuals.

Don't know if yours is an automatic or manual. Just posting it as a FYI

[Technocrat]

Congratulations, I have always been a fan of the RL(infact the entire Acura product line).

Please post more interior shots & keep us posted

[mempheS.D]

Originally Posted by kraft.wagen

Yea I'm sure you will have tons of sellers on eBay also to get your letters.

Here's the link to what I'm looking at. Since it's cosmetic, it's probably last on the list but nevertheless it's a must-have in 2 weeks from now.

Originally Posted by chevelle

Congo on the new acquisition. Looks great. Is this SH-AWD or the regular FWD?

Just make sure you drain and fill the ATF too. Honda/Acura transmission are notorious for giving up after 100k.

I thought this will have good resale in market considering it doesn't sell more but is still very reliable and big. Guess this is a victim of luxury depreciation hits too.

What services did you perform in the $1400 expense aside from the brakes?

Thanks! Yes, the ATF was drained and replaced as part of the service. The timing belt was replaced by the previous owner at the Acura dealership in Colorado Springs. Or so, the dealer told me. SO, I rang up the Acura dealership in Colo Springs where the carfax tells me that the vehicle was serviced, and they confirmed that it was replaced upon giving them the VIN number. The specialist that I took the vehicle to, after the purchase, also confirmed the same upon inspection.

The services, apart from the brake replacement, were:
1. Engine oil flush and refill
2. Blake fliud flush and refill
3. Air filter replacement
4. AC pollen filter
5. Drive belt(which had a hole in it - strange)
6. Wheel alignment/balancing/rotation

This is the SH-AWD. I dont think the RL ever came with FWD. The RLX which has replaced the RL comes with a FWD.

The haggling started at 18k...because we were actually at the dealership for a 2012 Altima priced 15k, per their website. We went there the first day, saw the Altima, and told them that we were interested and we would get back in a day's time after checking the CarFax. However, when we went in the next day, the car was sold. Of course, the dealers are allowed to do that but my frustration started showing in my speech and they pointed me to this RL which KBB quotes about 18600, but they could give it to me at 18k for this inconvenience caused. I said, I like it. But CANNOT stretch that far as I do not have credit history.
....And then the discussions went on and on for about 3 days, until we came to a common understanding.

As far as MPG.. it's about 18MPG in the suburbs. The highways give upto 22.6MPG. I think that's good enough for a V6 ! I feel the burn, when I convert the MPG to KMPL.. Yikes.

[Technocrat]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

As far as MPG.. it's about 18MPG in the suburbs. The highways give upto 22.6MPG. I think that's good enough for a V6 ! I feel the burn, when I convert the MPG to KMPL.. Yikes.

Mileage looks fine, I have the Accord with Similar engine(3.5 V6) & city mileage I get is around 20 & worst was 15.xx. Highway 23+ with max being 29. Considering RL is heavier, you are getting decent mileage.

[josejoseph]

Hi,

Anyone using dash-cams in their cars? Thinking about installing one in the car; kindly chip in if you have any recommendations.

-- Jose

[tanstaafl]

Originally Posted by josejoseph

Hi,

Anyone using dash-cams in their cars? Thinking about installing one in the car; kindly chip in if you have any recommendations.

-- Jose

I bought a Livue LB100 recently.

http://dashcamtalk.com/livue-lb100/

Tested it on a friend's car because my power outlet was broken, but the video from the cam looks pretty decent. I plan to install it on my new car this weekend, so I can upload some videos soon.

[gatham.psb]

Originally Posted by chevelle

Congo on the new acquisition. Looks great. Is this SH-AWD or the regular FWD?

Hey Gautham,

Just read elsewhere there is a service bulletin for BRZ. Bulletin is to replace the shifter mechanism -- knob to lever assembly. It helps in getting rid of shifter rattle at certain RPMs on the freeway, and the revised assembly with different bushings appears to fix that. It may also get rid of notchiness associated with BRZ/FR-S manuals.

Don't know if yours is an automatic or manual. Just posting it as a FYI

Hey Chevelle,

I have an automatic, which i always drive in manual mode. Loved the manual transmission more, but this felt very convenient. Unlike other cars that have CVT's in this price range, this is very responsive.

Thanks for the heads up..Will help others browsing here. There is a forum called ft86club, anyone interested in getting more information on these cars can have a look at the contents.

[VLOCT]

Originally Posted by mempheS.D

I owe a response to the members who have thrown in umpteen suggestions, and I must admit that I carefully validated each and every one of them.

Considering all suggestions, and not forgetting to appease the petrolhead-heart that was gradually getting buried, let me present to you my latest possession and "obsession" since 2 weeks now...

A Pre-Worshipped 2008 Acura RL 3.5L V6.

VVT-i, SOHC
256ft-lbs@5000revs
290hp@6200revs

Congrats Memphes. Always liked the RL. Have a great many fun miles.