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Muffinpox posted:I think most insurance companies in the US have discounts if you take a "defensive driver" course or do a HPDE. That said, I know people who have wrecked at HPDE, been 100% up-front about it, and had GEICO fix their car. So, inconsistency is the rule, but you're rolling the dice if you try it.
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Dec 11, 2010 22:51
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DropShadow posted:A4's don't have Haldex AWD; A3 quattros, TT's and R32's do. Oh that's right they have the better Torsen system, my bad. So then the question becomes why get a Golf R which from what I can see online only weighs 225lbs less than an A4, 3300 vs 3525, when the A4 offers better AWD and more interior amenities for the same price? Not to come off like an Audi fanboy but they're from the same development group and it seems like a reasonable question.
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Dec 12, 2010 00:28
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travisray2004 posted:I thought TTs had the same system the A4 has? Nope. VAG cars with transverse-mounted engines like the A3, TT and R32 all have Haldex-based AWD systems. Cars with longitudinally mounted engines, like in the A4 and up, have Torsen-based quattro AWD. edit: /\/\/\ The Golf R has the newest version of Haldex which is supposed to be a big improvement. I'm with you, though, and would choose quattro over Haldex for the money. DropShadow fucked around with this message at 00:33 on Dec 12, 2010 |
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Dec 12, 2010 00:30
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grover posted:I called GEICO last year, and asked this question. Turns out, they only give "defensive driver course" discounts to elderly drivers. And not only do they NOT give discounts for HPEE, but they will not cover any damage that occurs on a racetrack, and insurance companies across the board (GEICO included) are renowned for dropping people the moment they discover they've done HPDEs. I guess, demographically, people who do HPDEs are agressive drivers who get in a lot of accidents or something. It might vary by who runs the program, my insurance offers a discount to go to BMW club high performance drivers training which is just a HPDE at NHMS. My friend said allstate is the same. Muffinpox fucked around with this message at 00:49 on Dec 12, 2010 |
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Dec 12, 2010 00:47
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grover posted:I called GEICO last year, and asked this question. Turns out, they only give "defensive driver course" discounts to elderly drivers. And not only do they NOT give discounts for HPEE, but they will not cover any damage that occurs on a racetrack, and insurance companies across the board (GEICO included) are renowned for dropping people the moment they discover they've done HPDEs. I guess, demographically, people who do HPDEs are agressive drivers who get in a lot of accidents or something. This seems counter-intuitive. You'd think someone that pays for, and participates in, training of actual driving courses, which to get the most out of should teach you to be keenly aware of your surroundings, driving conditions and your understanding of what your car is and isn't capable of, would more likely be a better driver compared to your average Joe. Also, you'd think someone that pays for a class like this is also interested in, and enjoys, driving, so they're more likely to be paying more attention when they're driving compared to someone that just sees it as a chore. Then again, I'm not an insurance adjuster and I can only wager a guess at what the demo is for a HPDE course. That being said, I'd love for there to be a way to "test out" and substantially lower my liability coverage.
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Dec 12, 2010 02:44
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I'd love to, too!Muffinpox posted:It might vary by who runs the program, my insurance offers a discount to go to BMW club high performance drivers training which is just a HPDE at NHMS. My friend said allstate is the same. Insurance companies do really odd things in the name of demographics. For instance, full liability and collision coverage on a $30k Porsche costs less than on a $15k Honda Civic because Porsche drivers are, as a demographic, far less likely to get into accidents. Completely counterintuitive, but per GEICO, that's the way their rates are structured. grover fucked around with this message at 03:04 on Dec 12, 2010 |
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Dec 12, 2010 02:56
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Muffinpox posted:It might vary by who runs the program, my insurance offers a discount to go to BMW club high performance drivers training which is just a HPDE at NHMS. My friend said allstate is the same. Are you sure they weren't confusing a BMW club run HPDE day with with the actual BMW performance driving school located in SC? http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Cont...+9Dx86T6xGhQQ== zamin posted:This seems counter-intuitive. You'd think someone that pays for, and participates in, training of actual driving courses, which to get the most out of should teach you to be keenly aware of your surroundings, driving conditions and your understanding of what your car is and isn't capable of, would more likely be a better driver compared to your average Joe. Also, you'd think someone that pays for a class like this is also interested in, and enjoys, driving, so they're more likely to be paying more attention when they're driving compared to someone that just sees it as a chore. The insurance company is concerned with you going out and driving at a very high rate of speed and greatly increasing the possibly of smashing your car into something. They don't want to pay for that. To them its one thing if you accidentally plow into another car during your morning commute and another if you willingly go somewhere and push your car to the limit and possibly wad it up.
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Dec 12, 2010 03:59
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I posted a link up in the Deals subforum, but this is really compelling, if you need to buy a new car, today or tomorrow: http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3373824
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Dec 15, 2010 18:11
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kill me now posted:Are you sure they weren't confusing a BMW club run HPDE day with with the actual BMW performance driving school located in SC? Yep, they specifically mention NHMS.
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Dec 15, 2010 18:32
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Would you like more government in your car? http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/03/nhtsa-proposes-mandatory-backup-cameras-by-2014/5
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Jan 5, 2011 04:19
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article posted:Will making rearview cameras mandatory help curb this? Is it possible but is this another case where drivers are moving further away from knowing actual driving skills and closer to reliance on digital assistance? Now we're worried about that? Seems like reverse cameras are the last thing that should trigger that reaction.
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Jan 5, 2011 05:17
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I heard about this bill on the radio today and there was a woman on who was from an organization for saving the 300 some odd children whose parents run them over every year backing up.
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Jan 5, 2011 06:08
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Yeah pretty sure that this mandate won't stop any of that from happening. That sort of thing happens because people are idiots not because they can't see behind them enough.
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Jan 5, 2011 07:33
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Someone backed into me as I walked through a carpark yesterday. They were blindly staring in front of them; with one of those cameras I'd imagine they would still be doing exactly that.
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Jan 5, 2011 10:13
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This will be like that frustrating "feature" on my riding lawnmower that forces me to push a button before backing up, isn't it? Not that pushing a button forces me to look backwards... in fact, quite the opposite. I end up looking at the button instead of looking at what's behind me. Now, people are going to be looking at the camera, and not actually looking BACK where their peripheral vision would see kids running towards them, etc. These had better be some damned good cameras.
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Jan 5, 2011 11:39
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grover posted:This will be like that frustrating "feature" on my riding lawnmower that forces me to push a button before backing up, isn't it? Not that pushing a button forces me to look backwards... in fact, quite the opposite. I end up looking at the button instead of looking at what's behind me. If the cameras come with fisheye lenses on them I will be supremely happy. I love fisheye lenses.
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Jan 5, 2011 20:43
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Blocko posted:If the cameras come with fisheye lenses on them I will be supremely happy. All the backing-up cameras I've used have been very much fisheye, allowing you to see the pavement under your bumper, the wall right behind the camera, and things pretty far off to the side. I think it'd be a lot safer if all cars were required to be Miatas or other short and low-slung cars with minimal blind spots.
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Jan 5, 2011 21:03
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Blocko posted:If the cameras come with fisheye lenses on them I will be supremely happy. I think you can fit your own for not much effort. http://cgi.ebay.ca/Mobile-Phone-Digital-Camera-Jelly-Lens-/190368210192?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item2c52d45d10 You know what I want? OEM onboard video recorders that continuously record a video loop from the onboard cameras, one in the front and back, maybe on the sides too. This would be great for evidence in the event of an accident, or for performance driving. The incremental cost to implement this should be trivial as 90% of the hardware needed is already on the car. I could cobble together a system myself for probably a couple hundred bucks worth of parts, why can't I get it as an option on a new car that can already send text message via voice recognition and do all this other dumb poo poo that no one should ever need?
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Jan 5, 2011 21:07
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MetaJew posted:So am I a complete tool for really wanting a 4 door Golf R when it comes out in mid-2011? Of course, it's not a fancy AWD system like the one found in Subies, but I bet it's fun. It's also not really AWD - most of the time it's FWD and occasionally it'll shuttle 10% of the power to the back wheels. Evo compared it to the new STI and an Evo and came away wondering what the R really added over the regular GTI.
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Jan 5, 2011 22:06
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BonzoESC posted:I think it'd be a lot safer if all cars were required to be Miatas or other short and low-slung cars with minimal blind spots. Only works with the top down - Miatas (well NAs at least) have massive blindspots with the top up.
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Jan 5, 2011 22:15
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dissss posted:Only works with the top down - Miatas (well NAs at least) have massive blindspots with the top up. 
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Jan 5, 2011 22:30
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BonzoESC posted:Why would you drive a convertible with the top up? Because everyone else is driving with the top down.
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Jan 5, 2011 22:33
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grover posted:Now, people are going to be looking at the camera, and not actually looking BACK where their peripheral vision would see kids running towards them, etc. These had better be some damned good cameras. We need smaller cars or taller kids
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Jan 6, 2011 01:14
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grover posted:Now, people are going to be looking at the camera, and not actually looking BACK where their peripheral vision would see kids running towards them, etc. These had better be some damned good cameras.
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Jan 6, 2011 02:00
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Saukkis posted:I would expect mandatory reverse radars to be much more useful. You wouldn't need to actively watch, just react if they beep. Would probably be cheaper too. You'd think traction control would be higher up on the list than this or the camera.
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Jan 6, 2011 02:09
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^^^ Traction control has been mandatory since MY 08.grover posted:This will be like that frustrating "feature" on my riding lawnmower that forces me to push a button before backing up, isn't it? Not that pushing a button forces me to look backwards... in fact, quite the opposite. I end up looking at the button instead of looking at what's behind me. You use a Cub Cadet, don't you? Start the mower, move the key to "reverse" mowing, push the button, mow forward or reverse at will. It won't pop the PTO. It's a little harder (make and install shorting jumpers) if you have a zero-turn. Regardless, that poo poo is the dumbest thing ever. Commercial units aren't "required" to have it and allow you to mow over children at 12 MPH in reverse. I suggest you get one of those. japtor posted:With the visibility of a lot of larger cars you wouldn't be able to see the kids running towards you if you tried looking back. When driving my truck, it is impossible to see a Corvette passing to my right except for the antenna. I have since readjusted my towing mirrors to view that blind spot, but those mirrors are an uncommon option. I can't see a GOD damned thing behind me. I'd actually like to install a rearview camera, and the truck is all wired for it. However, putting in a screen to display the video would cost $400-$2000 or look like complete rear end.
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Jan 6, 2011 02:12
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Skyssx posted:You use a Cub Cadet, don't you? Start the mower, move the key to "reverse" mowing, push the button, mow forward or reverse at will. It won't pop the PTO. It's a little harder (make and install shorting jumpers) if you have a zero-turn.
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Jan 6, 2011 02:25
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grover posted:John Deere. I disabled the dead-man switch under the seat so that I can stop and move something out of the way without the engine dying on me. I haven't been bothered to disable the reverse cutout relay, though. Would be trivial, I'm sure. Ehhh. Probably the same thing. The control systems are all made by Delta any more.
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Jan 6, 2011 02:37
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I read some really good reviews of the Mazda 2, so I went and test drove one this weekend. It was very fun! The ergonomics are nice, and it wears that big Mazda grin pretty well. But most importantly if felt good. The switchgear was awesome, the shifter was really, really sweet. The clutch felt good, and throttle response was nice, especially at higher revs. Mostly, though, it corners extremely well for a front driver. It is genuinely a joy to toss around. Next car I still think is going to be a Fiat, but this Mazda certainly joins the shortlist as a competitor if dealers start asking $20k for a 500, though.
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Jan 10, 2011 18:04
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That's the best way to describe the 2. On paper, it comes up short all over the place even compared to its platform mate, the Fiesta; but it's just fun. If they ever slap a turbo on it, or even a 2.0/2.3 NA, I'd loving buy it in a heartbeat.
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Jan 10, 2011 18:54
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IOwnCalculus posted:If they ever slap a turbo on it, or even a 2.0/2.3 NA, I'd loving buy it in a heartbeat.
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Jan 10, 2011 23:17
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Mr. Wiggles posted:I read some really good reviews of the Mazda 2, so I went and test drove one this weekend. It was very fun! The ergonomics are nice, and it wears that big Mazda grin pretty well. But most importantly if felt good. The switchgear was awesome, the shifter was really, really sweet. The clutch felt good, and throttle response was nice, especially at higher revs. Mostly, though, it corners extremely well for a front driver. It is genuinely a joy to toss around. Next car I still think is going to be a Fiat, but this Mazda certainly joins the shortlist as a competitor if dealers start asking $20k for a 500, though. You should look at the Fiesta too, better engine and transmission same basic chassis
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Jan 11, 2011 00:21
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dissss posted:You should look at the Fiesta too, better engine and transmission same basic chassis Everyone who's reviewed the American Fiesta says it feels much deader than the 2, unfortunately. They managed to tack 200lbs onto it from the Euro model.
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Jan 11, 2011 01:28
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kimbo305 posted:Everyone who's reviewed the American Fiesta says it feels much deader than the 2, unfortunately. They managed to tack 200lbs onto it from the Euro model. Typical. I'd still check it out and see whats what with it though.
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Jan 11, 2011 01:29
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Hold on Hyundai, I don't think some people are done reeling from the Juke yet: http://jalopnik.com/5728965/hyundai-curb-tries-too-hard-to-be-cool Actually, I like the Juke and don't mind this one, except for that godawful C-pillar.
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Jan 11, 2011 04:01
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Porsche 918 RSR was unveiled this morning.   http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/detroit-2011-porsche-918-rsr-2011-01-10 Topgear.uk posted:Detroit 2011: Porsche unveils 918 RSR   Lots more photos here: http://www.gizmag.com/detroit-world-premiere-porsche-918-rsr/17529/picture/127643/ grover fucked around with this message at 05:05 on Jan 11, 2011 |
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Jan 11, 2011 04:14
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kimbo305 posted:Hold on Hyundai, I don't think some people are done reeling from the Juke yet:  
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Jan 11, 2011 05:10
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Ughhh I hate that styling trend where they make the window glass nice and big, but don't actually cut it out so your visible area is comparably tiny. Just make the window that big! e: Wait, am I retarded? I think that's just the other side's window showing through. I wonder how it looks in person.
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Jan 11, 2011 06:23
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Also introduced at Detroit: the new A6, which looks like every other Audi today. Except for the rear. Dear god that rear. What the hell were Audi designers thinking? Click here for the full 1280x853 image.  Click here for the full 1280x852 image.
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Jan 11, 2011 06:49
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Raluek posted:e: Wait, am I retarded? I think that's just the other side's window showing through. I wonder how it looks in person. Yeah, it looks like the driver and passenger doors are different sizes, with the driver getting a larger door. It makes sense, but it does throw off the visuals a bit.
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Jan 11, 2011 06:55
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