AudioCircle
Community => Non-audio hobbies and interests => Cars and Bikes => Topic started by: TheChairGuy on 26 Jan 2011, 10:02 pm
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....it sucks like their home speakers and systems :lol:
I bought the car anyhooch - it had over-riding virtues other than sound system.
John
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Black out the Bose logos. It won't piss you off as much.
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Does Bose use midbass drivers and tweeters in their car systems, or is it "full range" drivers + subwoofers only, as in their home systems?
Steve
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Conversely... the sound system in my Subaru Outback was the deciding factor that sold me on the vehicle - McIntosh!
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Not real familiar with Bose are you?
It's a legitimate question, but thank you for that helpful response.
While many people might be very happy with the sound of full range drivers in the home, IMO that doesn't work as well in an automobile environment due to the masking effect of additional road and mechanical noise as well as the often encountered sub-optimal driver placement.
Steve
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....it sucks like their home speakers and systems :lol:
I bought the car anyhooch - it had over-riding virtues other than sound system.
John
BAH! you just don't know what's good. Bose knows how to make exciting sound. You see, frequency response should be like a roller coaster; it should have lots of scary peaks and valleys and make you nauseous.
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If you have money to blow , best bet is go to a shop like a friend of mine owns and have him design you a system that has won him awards at various shows. Plus you will have some coin to put towards it since you didnt get ripped off on the so called upgraded stereo. Of course most luxury cars come with there best effort or just group it together with alot of stuff you might want.
Ive got a bose stereo in my infiniti truck and the sound sux, but thankfully ony for only 5minutes til i get to the train station :lol:
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Conversely... the sound system in my Subaru Outback was the deciding factor that sold me on the vehicle - McIntosh!
you mean Clarion? :wink:
http://www.clarion.com/jp/en/company/profile/enterprise/mcintosh/index.html (http://www.clarion.com/jp/en/company/profile/enterprise/mcintosh/index.html)
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....it sucks like their home speakers and systems :lol:
I bought the car anyhooch - it had over-riding virtues other than sound system.
John
What make and model car? I recall some Bose factory systems sound decent for factory car audio--the older Maxima's for one.
I replaced my 02 Acura MDX's Bose with an Alpine head and amp, Polk speakers, and JL sub. It sounds way better but has been problematic/erratic. I'd rather have all that money back to spend on home audio where it is easier to make adjustments and changes. :banghead: In future cars, I'm just going to make do or do a minimally invasive upgrade instead of a full tear out. Of course, I can shame the wannabe gansta cars round here, so there's that. :uzi:
My wife's Lexus 430 SC has a wonderful sounding Mark Levinson factory system. Repaired a degraded speaker surround, I saw the actual speakers were nothing fancy looking. But, it was obviously well tuned to the car with very nice sound. I realize this is just a marketing rebadge but someone at least put some thought into the factory design. Can't say the same for the MDX Bose.
Just my two cents. Best to ya. Rock on! :rock:
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Does Bose use midbass drivers and tweeters in their car systems, or is it "full range" drivers + subwoofers only, as in their home systems?
Steve
The Bose system in my car has A-pillar mounted tweeters and I am assuming 6-1/2" full range drivers in all four doors. It also has two 6"x9" deck mounted speakers and a sub in the trunk. There is an amplifier in the trunk and one under the dash plus the head unit. It is not soo bad, probably better than the standard radio option. The best factory units I have heard were those Monsoon systems that GM used to put in some of their their late 90's cars.
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My wife's Lexus 430 SC has a wonderful sounding Mark Levinson factory system.
Did it have a tape deck? :lol:
I think this was the last production vehicle in the United States that had a tape deck as an option. Lexus finally discontinued the option in 2010.
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John Congrats on the new wheels!!!!and those speakers :dance:
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Conversely... the sound system in my Subaru Outback was the deciding factor that sold me on the vehicle - McIntosh!
Dude, that must have been an after factory system right? I chose to upgrade trims on my Outback 2011 in order to get leather and an HK system, which is not bad at all.
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....it sucks like their home speakers and systems :lol:
I bought the car anyhooch - it had over-riding virtues other than sound system.
John
So you buy a bose stereo now and you get a car built around it....lol
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Congrats John.... :thumb:
Let me know if you need any 8 Tracks.... :wink: :lol:
(http://blog.wfmu.org/.a/6a00d83451c29169e201157030a196970b-300wi)
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Does Bose use midbass drivers and tweeters in their car systems, or is it "full range" drivers + subwoofers only, as in their home systems?
Steve
I don't know Steve - I only have the car 2 days and haven't delved into the sound system other than to say I'm underwhelmed :(
I'll try to report back when I get a handle on it.
My prior SAAB '99 9-3 5-door hatchback had 4 gawd awful speakers, very little power and a tape deck (!)....so although I'm underwhelmed with the system here, it's actually leagues better than the system my old car had.
This is what I bought....a SAAB 9-3 again, only updated by a decade and in AERO form now. It has grey leather (white not offered in US it appears), exactly this color Fusion Blue Metallic with the roof rails and no NAVI (not needed - it's on my iPhone now).
It's a 2008 (SAAB went bankrupt in late 2008 and didn't produce any 2009's while GM tried to dispose of them) with 15,500 miles so 45% of the sticker got whacked in so few miles (still on warranty) 8). It has a twin-scroll turbo V6 sourced from GM's Aussie Holden division...good for 250HP+. It's a helluva' lot more refined than SAAB's normal 4 cylinder offerings, but comes with precious little mpg penalty 'cause it has an automatic 6 speed tranny.
Don't ask me to translate this :lol: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ATkMpXHTh_k
I gots me a Johnson every time I start her up :) Def the most fun driving I've had since 1991 and my long lamented VW GTI 8 valve. In between was a totally forgettable Honda Accord and the aforementioned '99 9-3...which I tried dearly to love in 11 years but it's had too many handling issues.
In the end I liked it a lot, but it gave me no Johnson's :wink:
John
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Congrats John.... :thumb:
Let me know if you need any 8 Tracks.... ;) :lol:
(http://blog.wfmu.org/.a/6a00d83451c29169e201157030a196970b-300wi)
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
That sure brings back a bunch of smoke-filled memories!
Congrats, John. I snagged an '00 BMW 7 series recently that has a Harmon Kardon "premium" sound system that, IMO, sucks the big rutabaga! It has some sort of DSP eq that I just don't get. Playing around with it I set all the eq flat and it sounded just like a '60s pocket transistor radio! I soon learned that all the eq setting needed to be maxed out for it to sound any less than cringing. Oh, and it's got hall effects! What the... If it wasn't so heavily integrated I'd have the head yanked and put in something aftermarket. But it ain't worth it.
Now when it comes to spirited driving and the associated "wood" that results, well, let's just say I can relate, brother!
Oh yeah, pics or it isn't real!
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Now when it comes to spirited driving and the associated "wood" that results, well, let's just say I can relate, brother!
Oh yeah, pics or it isn't real!
A-okay, Big Jake...pics from the prior owner, not me (but they're good)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=42010)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=42014)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=42015)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=42016)
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=42017)
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Very nice, John. Me likey the color! Oh and a white leather interior is so gay, be glad it's gray.
My beast -
(http://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=38422)
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Lovely ride John. GM did their best to suck the soul out of them, but that one looks (and must sound) very cool. Sport wagons rule!
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John, good luck with the new ride......with regards to the audio system as a few others have said....if it really bothers you and you spend alot of time in your vehicle it would then behove you to replace the system with something else.
Look at it on the bright side.....it will make you appreciate your home rig all the more !
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Dude, that must have been an after factory system right? I chose to upgrade trims on my Outback 2011 in order to get leather and an HK system, which is not bad at all.
Yep... the factory McIntosh rig that was supposedly "Tuned for Subaru" (according to the label). It was on the Outback VDC model from 2001-2003.
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Does it really suck that much? It's just a car stereo.
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you mean Clarion? :wink:
http://www.clarion.com/jp/en/company/profile/enterprise/mcintosh/index.html (http://www.clarion.com/jp/en/company/profile/enterprise/mcintosh/index.html)
Yeah, I was surprised when I heard that Clarion bought McIntosh back in 1990... seemed like a strange fit. Not sure what that meant for their car audio offerings, though supposedly they kept the McIntosh ops operating independently. Clarion sold McIntosh in 2003 to the same holding company that owns Marantz, Denon, Snell, Boston Acoustics and others. But evidently they still handle "retailing of McIntosh Car Audio"... whatever that means :scratch:
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I was fortunate enough last year to purchase a preowned Porsche Cayman S. When I test drove it I left the radio off to get "connected to the car/road interface". What a great driving machine it is. Unfortunately, the bose system in the car was quite literally the worst car radio I have ever heard in my life. It bothered me so much I sold the car!! I thought about changing out the stereo but it would have cost almost $2500 and would have bastardized the layout and dropped the value of the car and I wasn't willing to do that.
David
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John, good luck with the new ride......with regards to the audio system as a few others have said....if it really bothers you and you spend alot of time in your vehicle it would then behove you to replace the system with something else.
Look at it on the bright side.....it will make you appreciate your home rig all the more !
Twitch: Only about 8000 miles a year for me (I work from home).....so I'll probably leave the so-so stock system. I'm MUCH rather put additional money into the home system as needed :)
JakeJ: Sweet Bimmer! Very nice.
TomS: I have found that for the 3x a year one might need a pick-up....having a 5 door at hand (hatchback, wagon, minivan or SUV/CAV) is priceless. Hatchbacks and wagons offer the most for the least among 5 door choices (lower weight, better aerodynamics, often lower cost and better mileage and handling) and I tend towards thrifty 8)
John
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My 03' Mercedes truck comes with premium Bose Navigation system. It is decent sounding. Its' 24valve V8 sounds and feels much better.
I love the sound system in our Mercedes S550 because the interior is so quiet and the seats has massage. XM Satellite radio is truly Excellent for long distance cruising. :thumb:
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Good choice with the wagon John, similar tastes. Mine comes with what they call a "Monsoon" audio system, Don't know what that is, but it sounds great.
(http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/pictures/VEHICLE/2004/Volkswagen/100348578/2004.volkswagen.passat.26058-300x189.jpg)
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Nice set of wheels John :thumb: Hey, with a ride like that you're better off listening to the twin turbos spool up than tunes anyway. Enjoy the feel of the road. 8)
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Good choice with the wagon John, similar tastes. Mine comes with what they call a "Monsoon" audio system, Don't know what that is, but it sounds great.
Indeed, similar :thumb:
I drove the VW Jetta Sportwagen (an obvious competitor to the SAAB), but it was the 5 cylinder one and a bit underwhelming for $26K new. Had I tested the turbodiesel wagon (at closer to 29K), the results may have been better.
I drove the new 2011 GTI, too.....what a sweet performer that is for ~ $27K, but just too small (short) for longer hauls with the family and yearly Christmas Tree pickup :)
The Audi A-3 (wagon) TDI was nice...but small and I didn't value it at $35K it was asking.
I drove the BMW 328i wagon, too....tho I TOTALLY get the fascination with the brand, it just doesn't resonate with me. The seats are not comfy, for one matter.
I bought the SAAB for only $22K with 15,500 miles and lotsa' warranty left. I was fully prepared to write a check for $24, 600 (with tax and tags, etc)....but I got a dang 2.99% promo interest rate for 48 months.
It was only $1550 in interest over 48 months - or $32 a month to save my capital and pay it down over 4 years. Helluva' deal - thank you Federal Reserve for contriving US interest rates ever lower.
The next best vehicle I drove and caught my fancy was a Lexus RX hybrid. Supremely comfy, eerily quiet and handled better than you think 4900lbs could or would. It's so big tho, parking is a pain especially in crowded San Francisco near where we live. Good sound system in there, too :wink:
btw, I just read they disco'ed the Passat Wagon....
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You wanna hear crap. Trying listening to the stereo Toyota saddled me with. Didn't buy my Sienna for sound. Its good enough for the car, kids are crapping all over it anyways....
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I have a Bose system on my 2010 Infiniti and I am very happy with the sound. I've had "premium" sound systems on numerous other models but I think the Bose is the best so far. I'm sure there are better systems available but I enjoy listening to music on mine. I also like the 9gb hard drive for copying CDs.
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<snip>
I drove the BMW 328i wagon, too....tho I TOTALLY get the fascination with the brand, it just doesn't resonate with me. The seats are not comfy, for one matter.
<snip>
The reason I went for the 7 series is because I asked my mechanic what their opinion was and they said, "Do not waste your money on a 3 series. The higher you go up in series the better built the car." <ducks in anticipation of flames> They also felt the only 5 series to look at are "M" and 540i sport package cars. As usual YMMV.
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You wanna hear crap. Trying listening to the stereo Toyota saddled me with. Didn't buy my Sienna for sound. Its good enough for the car, kids are crapping all over it anyways....
My sound system in my wife's "New Beetle" sucks. Boomy, recessed, compressed, and the car is worse. But she loves it.
Because it's cute. :duh: :scratch: :duh: :duh: :scratch:
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I once didn't buy a Nissan Pathfinder largely because no matter what I did I could not make the Bose system listenable. Which was too bad because in many ways it had superb sound. It just had that blased Bose "you're going to regret buying this tomorrow bass boom". Though the one in the Mazda I test drove several years later was clearly less objectionable.
I seem to remember that there are some fairly pricy equalizers made specifically to adjust for factory systems that sound like, well, Bose.
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The Bose speakers in my 2003 Acura TL Type-S suck. I recently replaced the head unit because the Bose CD changer broke about 2-years ago. I can't believe I went that long without a CD player. Now, my new player has a USB input for an iPod, touch screen, etc. The speakers still suck, however. I put the stereo in myself, which saved me quite a lot of money. I may put new speakers in soon, but I think I can tolerate them for a bit more.
My transmission just started having trouble shifting into first gear when it was VERY cold out. If this turns out to be a continuing/major issue, I probably will soon be in the market for a new car, damnit. :banghead: Car payments suck worse than the Bose speakers. :lol:
Paul
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I have a Bose system on my 2010 Infiniti and I am very happy with the sound. I've had "premium" sound systems on numerous other models but I think the Bose is the best so far. I'm sure there are better systems available but I enjoy listening to music on mine. I also like the 9gb hard drive for copying CDs.
At least on my SportCombi ('wagon' to the rest of us not Swedish :lol:) maybe it's harder to design a quality sounding sound system in a vehicle without a solid back shelf? The Bose speakers are mounted in the front dash on mine....and on the rear doors (less room than placing them on rear shelf maybe)
Or, am I trying to give Bose squiggle room when the real problem is they suck :icon_lol:
JakeJ - I've never tested anything but the 3-series....the 7 series too large for my tastes, but one day hope to try a 5-series as it's more the right size for me. My wife has a 2004 325ci (convertible) and she says her thoughts wander to the more fun she had with her old VW Cabrio. But, it's a vault and I kinda' appreciate she and my daughter are fairly safe in the BMW.
I tested lots more cars before getting the SAAB, too:
Mini Clubman - Fun, fun, fun...but a wee too small to downsize our life into....hard, uncomfy seats front and rear and lousy, crashy ride, tho (maybe ALL due to run flat tires). When I saw the (still small) Countryman S top $34K for well equipped 161" car....I knew that wasn't going to work for me, either.
BMW X3 (2005) - I found this a lot more comfy that similarly configured 2008 325i wagon. Handled just fine, too. Definitely made me think.
Mercedes-Benz E320 (2005) - I never drove a Benz...much to like, but again, hard seats not fit for long travel. Nice wagon, tho. I don't think I want to drive a Benz....maybe the badge is too conspicuously snooty in the US. In Europe, they're everywhere and maybe less snooty brand appeal.
SAAB 9-3 SportCombi (non-AERO, but with larger 17" wheels) - The 6 cylinder with the auto 6 speed just overruns the 4 cylinder / auto 5 speed. It made me think as it was 20% cheaper....but the one I got was worth the premium for the AERO parts.
Anyhow...all my opinion only. Please, no flames - if you like what you drive than it's good :wink:
John
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The Bose speakers in my 2003 Acura TL Type-S suck. I recently replaced the head unit because the Bose CD changer broke about 2-years ago. I can't believe I went that long without a CD player. Now, my new player has a USB input for an iPod, touch screen, etc. The speakers still suck, however. I put the stereo in myself, which saved me quite a lot of money. I may put new speakers in soon, but I think I can tolerate them for a bit more.
My transmission just started having trouble shifting into first gear when it was VERY cold out. If this turns out to be a continuing/major issue, I probably will soon be in the market for a new car, damnit. :banghead: Car payments suck worse than the Bose speakers. :lol:
Paul
Paul,
Can't help you with the Bose speakers...they simply suck :(
However there IS a ray of hope for your tranny (I assume you mean automatic?)
Try this stuff / Lubegard: http://www.autobarn.net/auttranprotb.html
It's the closest thing to chicken soup for your tranny that exists...it's pretty much the standard in the tranny rebuild industry. It's AUTOMATICALLY recommended by tranny rebuilders to use. It makes a lot of auto tranny issues evaporate, apparently.
AutoBarn has $50 free shipping now going on....so another $40 in doo-dads gets it to you in without shipping. Hope the $10 fix saves your $$$$ in car payments. Sad that your Acura has a crappy tranny at only 7 years - that's just not right :cuss:
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My transmission just started having trouble shifting into first gear when it was VERY cold out. If this turns out to be a continuing/major issue
I am assuming you have a AT, if so the soft rubber seals and o-rings in the transmission are getting brittle, the cold makes the seals more rigid so there is little flex. This causes internal valves to leak making for sloppy shifts and possible slipping. The good news is you can get the transmission rebuilt and it will run like new. I thought Hondas lasted forever. :)
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I think it's all about noise floor. I always liked every car stereo I had when it was standing still. Once you get moving you're in trouble. It's actually not that different from home audio come to think of it. The dirtier your canvas is the less vibrant your painting looks. hmph.
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Nathan is right. It's all about the noise floor.
I've been doing 12V since I started driving (35 years ago) and you can do a stunningly good system....at a cost. When it comes to the noise floor there is only one way to treat it, lot's and lots of sound damping. You have to completely disassemble the interior of the car and treat the floorpan, doors (skin and inner panel), firewall and back seat supports with deadening material. By rights you should do the roof too.
In my latest hooptie (Lincoln Continental) I installed a Pioneer AVH 5200BT head unit that feeds the Butler TBD475 tube driver that I use as the cab amp. The cab speakers are the Polk SR6500 component that use the ring radiator tweeter. The subs are a pair of 12" Adire Shivas (sealed) which is driven by a Pioneer 800watt something or other amp (I cheaped out on the sub amp). I use the crossover in the head unit which works and sounds FAR better than I was told it would.
The great thing about this head unit is it takes a USB thumb drive, SD card, iPod, 1/8" external (Pandora on my phone), CD, DVD and DVDA (24bit). This is by far the best sounding 12V system I've had to date and I've had quite a few custom installs over the years.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516eM9-S1WL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
(http://www.butleraudio.com/img/tdb475_335.jpg)
(http://www.polkaudio.com/images/site/sr/sr6500.jpg)
I say if you spend enough time in your car and can swing it, go for a new rig in your car. For me, it's worth it. I spend at least two hours a day in my car, sometimes five.
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Scott,
That's basically the same head unit I got, except mine is the non-flip up one (double sized).
Also, you got the wrong Tube Driver. THIS is the one you should have bought (for me): Tube Driver (http://www.butleraudio.com/tubedriver.php).
8)
(I've got enough pedals, though. . .)
Paul
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Also, you got the wrong Tube Driver. THIS is the one you should have bought (for me): Tube Driver (http://www.butleraudio.com/tubedriver.php).
8)
:lol:
Hey, if you ever make it over on this side of the state again, you'll have to check out the ride. It's pretty cool 8)
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Trust me. . .I want to move back ASAP. Need to find a job there, first.
Paul
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John...John...John..... You bought a used SAAB without contacting me with the VIN first. (http://www.maanclan.com/images/smilies/smiley_-_spanked.gif)
:wink: Enjoy the new ride brother. I suppose I can throw away the SID I've been saving for you. I'll start a new collection of used SAAB parts for your new car. :lol:
Bob
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John...John...John..... You bought a used SAAB without contacting me with the VIN first. (http://www.maanclan.com/images/smilies/smiley_-_spanked.gif)
:wink: Enjoy the new ride brother. I suppose I can throw away the SID I've been saving for you. I'll start a new collection of used SAAB parts for your new car. :lol:
Bob
Yo Bob...I thought about it....but the dealer pulled the CarFax for me before I bought it.
Yes, SID no more needed....a little different system on this one (hopefully less problematic)
I really love the way this one handles and rides. As much as I tried, I never could outright love 'Helga' (my old 9-3) tho I tried mightily for 11 years. This one is fine from the start.
I should list the add-ons I made to the old 9-3 trying to make it more lovable (I certainly didn't hate it, but I never fell in love with it due mostly to handling issues)
Mostly bought from GenuineSAAB:
* Rear anti-sway bar
* Poly bushing all around up front
* Special Sport suspension from 2002 9-3SE (an option that year)
* 6 point undercarriage cross brace
* Poly sport mount for 5 speed box
* Rear hatch brace
* Steering rack brace
* Bridgestone RE960AS tires (an upgrade upwards on the stock touring Michelins) 2000 miles ago
For driveability/speed I added:
* K & N air filter (I tried the open box, too, but it was whiney and I though the std K&N filter gave the engine more breathing, not less, than the $200 open box)
* Stratmosphere diverter valve replacing Bosch unit
As you see...I dang well tried to love it, but couldn't quite get it to drive the way I wanted.
John
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SAAB is so far to the left John. Taurus to the right. CD to the right...... and vinyl to the far left. It all makes sense now. I bet you have a ss pre and a tube amp. Ha! I bet you put the interconnects with the arrows backwards at times as well. Do you watch the sunrise over the pacific occasionally? Thanks for the nonconformity. Such a breath of fresh air. Consumer reports can kiss my fire engine red Suburban.
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+1 but I hardly drive my car because I live in NYC. :)
It is over $6K on a car stereo when it was all said and done. :duh:
My McIntosh system and Focal Audio K2 speakers doesn't even have an iPod connection or FF/RW music search. It is as plane as Jane.
Sounds truly good when it is warmed up. :thumb:
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/ofier/Honda%20Accord/Stereo/IMG_3073.jpg)
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/ofier/Honda%20Accord/Stereo/P1010001.jpg)
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/ofier/Honda%20Accord/Stereo/IMG_1010.jpg)
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/ofier/Honda%20Accord/Stereo/IMG_3164.jpg)
(http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/ofier/Honda%20Accord/Stereo/IMG_3040.jpg)
Nathan is right. It's all about the noise floor.
I've been doing 12V since I started driving (35 years ago) and you can do a stunningly good system....at a cost. When it comes to the noise floor there is only one way to treat it, lot's and lots of sound damping. You have to completely disassemble the interior of the car and treat the floorpan, doors (skin and inner panel), firewall and back seat supports with deadening material. By rights you should do the roof too.
In my latest hooptie (Lincoln Continental) I installed a Pioneer AVH 5200BT head unit that feeds the Butler TBD475 tube driver that I use as the cab amp. The cab speakers are the Polk SR6500 component that use the ring radiator tweeter. The subs are a pair of 12" Adire Shivas (sealed) which is driven by a Pioneer 800watt something or other amp (I cheaped out on the sub amp). I use the crossover in the head unit which works and sounds FAR better than I was told it would.
The great thing about this head unit is it takes a USB thumb drive, SD card, iPod, 1/8" external (Pandora on my phone), CD, DVD and DVDA (24bit). This is by far the best sounding 12V system I've had to date and I've had quite a few custom installs over the years.
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/516eM9-S1WL._SL500_AA300_.jpg)
(http://www.butleraudio.com/img/tdb475_335.jpg)
(http://www.polkaudio.com/images/site/sr/sr6500.jpg)
I say if you spend enough time in your car and can swing it, go for a new rig in your car. For me, it's worth it. I spend at least two hours a day in my car, sometimes five.
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Levi,
I've seen pics of your system a few times and have always been in awe of it. I bet it sounds great especially with the Focals.
Big Blue Meters in a car...very cool 8)
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Levi,
I've seen pics of your system a few times and have always been in awe of it. I bet it sounds great especially with the Focals.
Big Blue Meters in a car...very cool 8)
Ya aughta hear it sing Scott,,, very too cool! 8)
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SAAB is so far to the left John. Taurus to the right. CD to the right...... and vinyl to the far left. It all makes sense now. I bet you have a ss pre and a tube amp. Ha! I bet you put the interconnects with the arrows backwards at times as well. Do you watch the sunrise over the pacific occasionally? Thanks for the nonconformity. Such a breath of fresh air. Consumer reports can kiss my fire engine red Suburban.
PMAT.....my genius local friend...good to hear from you!
The nonconformist list gets only deeper from there with me :wink:
Forgot to mention... I drove a Chevy HHR, too. That is one decent vehicle for $22k with everything in the 2LT package. Engine a bit coarse, but lots of room, quiet beyond expectations for the price, great use of space, fine mileage and decent seats.
I was pushing for it early on but the wife felt it was too 'trucky' (an odd comment given she liked the BMW X3). Women - go figure 8)
So there's another 'left' field play for you as you profile me :thumb:
Ciao, John
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Women - go figure 8)
To quote Spongebob Squarepants, " Well...good luck with that."
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Forgot to mention... I drove a Chevy HHR, too. That is one decent vehicle for $22k with everything in the 2LT package.
Interesting, because I thought it was the worst rental car ever. Perhaps the stock tires on the base model are what made it constantly wander on the road needing constant correction, but I also questioned the ergonomics of reaching down to find buttons at the very bottom of the console to roll the windows up or down.
Steve
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Interesting, because I thought it was the worst rental car ever. Perhaps the stock tires on the base model are what made it constantly wander on the road needing constant correction, but I also questioned the ergonomics of reaching down to find buttons at the very bottom of the console to roll the windows up or down.
Steve
I REFUSE to take them as rental cars any more. Yuck
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I REFUSE to take them as rental cars any more. Yuck
Forgot to mention the sick groaning base engine.
Steve
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Both engines snarl more than they should under load....but, the extra 20HP on the 2LT/2.4 liter versions is decidedly better with little downside in mileage.
The (heated) leather seats of the 2LT version are better than the cloth ones of the rental variety...and the rear camera assist is a nice touch for an inexpensive vehicle.
My views dovetail with the majority on Edmunds and elsewhere...it's a very decent car with abundant room, very quiet, comfy highway ride and overall comfort for little outlay. The brakes groan a bit too much (drums in rear...price points need to be met...so does a new VW Jetta today, and others) and s-bend handling a bit wanting even with taller wider tires and sport suspension of the 2LT.
http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/hhr/2010/
Keep in mind...the rental cars offered to Hertz and others may be stripped of some features by GM to keep the cost keen. Stripping out pricey passenger side (front) airbag is not uncommon...I wouldn't doubt other corners are cut that aren't as apparently unless you have a trained eye (or ear) for it.
I'll take an HHR on a rental over the buckboard stiff, undulating ride of the Mazda3 as offered a few times as Economy rental choices. I'd take over a Nissan Versa, Dodge Caliber too...more mainstays in that category I've found.
John
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I want an HHR SS. 8)
(http://www.chevyhhr.net/gallery/files/4/3/4/1/HHRSS002.jpg)
(http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/node_224/gallery1281/photo_2/962529-1-eng-US/2008_chevrolet_hhr_ss_-_image_002_gallery_image_large.jpg)
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Bob, I haven't drive the (turbo) SS version...which has lower profile tires and adds disc brakes in the back, too....I think, but not certain, it was disco'ed for 2011 :scratch:
I read here and there about some issues with that engine, tho....but, it's the enthusiasts choice, for sure.
Then again, the SAAB 9-3 SportCombi I got has a sweet burbling, 2.8liter V6 from GM's Aussie Holden division.....turbocharged for 250HP+ on premium 91 octane...with all the room or more and style the HHR SS offers.
2008 with $22k with 15,600 miles and lotsa' warranty left squared the deal for me :)
4th day in and I LOVE this vehicle. So many great features. I think I'm going to subscribe to OnStar, too...I like the peace of mind it offers for $16.50 a month :thumb:
John
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Glad to hear you're lovin' it John.
I looked on the Chevy site, it appears you're correct about no turbo for 2011 in the SS HHR. :?
Not sure what problems they had, but I think it's the same engine used in the Saab, Pontiac, Saturn etc...etc... The only difference between the turbo Saab and turbo Chevy is the Saab got a higher output turbo and hotrodded ECM tuning.
I think, but it's quite possible I just pulled all that out of my butt.
Bob
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Whew! I wondered where that came from.
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:lol:
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Scott F....gotta love those Butler amps! I did the competition scene for a couple years in the mid '90's in IASCA. Both the Butlers and the Mac's that Levi has were/are very good stuff. I was sponsored by Sony and Kicker...and then later changed the front stage to Diamond. It was fairly advanced for the time...with all the crossover, eq and time delay done in the digital domain via fiber optic. Great front soundstage with height, width and depth.
John...I currently have a '07 Aero SS and love it! Great motor and yes, it is harder to get decent mileage because of that wonderful boost. The Bose system isn't bad...in fact, midrange tonality is excellent on XM radio. It needs help in the bass dept...but I probably won't change it out.
Great thread!
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What's an Aero SS? :scratch:
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What's an Aero SS? :scratch:
Sports Sedan. The SportCombi model is referred to as SC by enthusiasts.
The AERO is the priciest FWD version of the 9-3; then there is the 9-3X (all wheel drive in the wagon/SportCombi form)
hibuckhobby - I've played around with the Bose Centerpoint system a bit more. I flattened out all bass, treble and adjusted most of the sound to the rear. It still ain't great, but things improved. Bass shy, ohhhh yes. I do love the 6 CD changer in the dash...I had no idea this existed in cars today :oops: (quite slick)
I wouldn't change out even if it was worse than it is...I lived with a crappier SAAB AM/FM/Cassette since 1999 just fine. This is at least, better than that :thumb:
I totally love this car. It's passably okay around bends...but out on the highway (like my prior 9-3) it's worth shines thru.
I just got 3 months free trial of OnStar today. They send you a monthly summary of diagnostics on your car if you ask - quite trick. Not to mention the peace of mind that $200 a year brings with full monitoring of your vehicle.
John
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Sports Sedan. The SportCombi model is referred to as SC by enthusiasts.
Dammit....I knew that... :duh:
"Slang" truthfully, as Chevy doesn't have an AERO, and SAAB doesn't have an 'SS'.
But, the techs in my shop and I refer to the body style of '03 to present 93 as "Sport Sedan".
Thus meaning "SS" to the masses I suppose. My apologies, homey tries not to mix GM and SAAB nomenclature.
Thanks John.
Bob
p.s. anybody want a messed up SID? :lol: