smooth1

LOL!!, idk, I'm thinking those are pretty suggestive and abstract issues don't you think? There is no way on God's green earth, any car manufacturer could design a single vehicle that would absolutely please every detailed finicky person. I mean, come on, I've heard everything from the gas tank door is too high for a petite woman to it's too low for a 6'4 man. the front doors don't open wide enouph to let my fat a$$ in the driver side to the driver door swings to far out and dings the cars next to it to easily. I have a friend that owns a Bugatti Veyron, paid over a million dollars for the car, and complains all the time!! He wished the suspension was easier to adjust. The car is too loud inside. "You'd think for million bucks it could have auto a/c." LOL!! When does it end? "I cried because I had no shoes, until I saw a man that had no feet." And you know, if you want to be that detailed about it, it's just a switch right? Why don't you move it? Go to you local parts store, find a switch that you like and will carry the proper electric load, find a place on your dash that you think it would look good and be functional, drill a hole , put the switch there and move the wires. There, now your part of "The Pursuit of Perfection."! :)

Well, I'm sure you can imagine that the media mixes with propoganda alot these days. But as you and I know, the internet can also expose truths as well. Most americans don't hate other countries as the media might think. Even though the news says things, here in america, we usually know or think there is more going on that what they talk about. Which is why I wanted to ask you about it. Can I also ask how you feel about Gladimir Putin? and how does your country feel about the job he is doing? So what is your opinion of the truth? Here in the news the politicals have been mostly quiet about it. The election is over and now I am sure they will get together over this. I think alot of america has heard of this as "The Georgia Invasion by Russia." But, beleive it or not, most americans I know, don't really beleive everything they see in the news anymore. I think we all know why. So most will use the internet and other sources to find out the truth on thier own and then make desicions for ourselves. Russia has much improved it's image and relations with the US over the last 10 years I would say. Recent events have put some strains on it, but I think it's still much better than when everyone thought of Russia as the Evil Empire. I think that you and I having these talks are awsome. Something no one would have ever even thought possible just a couple of decades ago!

Well, there could be a couple of issues going on here. The RX's ECU over time learns your driving habits, and how you use the accellerator and braking. So as the time passes it adjusts and changes some of the settings to accomodate your driving style. You have only had it for 2 months, and I don't know how many miles you have put on it since you got it, but I'm sure your not driving it the way the owner did before you. Those differences in driving habits could be partly to blame. So you can give it more time for the computer to learn you, or you can do an ECU reset and start the learning process all over again just based on your driving habits alone. To do this, you'll just need to remove the negative battery cable for about 20 minutes. Your going to lose your radio presets and seat settings and so on, but you should see better gas mileage right away. Another thing to do is maybe inspect and clean the MAF, and while your there, just make sure it has a good air filter in there, and all the air ducting is connected and not clogged or anything. And when you say the tires are properly inflated, properly inflated to what> and what tires are on the car?

I thought it wasa 3500 miles on the IS300's and the warning light came on at 3100 as a prewarning time.

Schlitz

I own and operate a small business here in Orlando. I have 6 employees, and yes, I have felt the economic effects of what is going on. It's a tough time here in America right now, but the overall feeling is that while this will hurt, we will get thru this and everything is going to be ok. I think some of the problems we were facing were not able to be solved until the election was over, and now that it is, hopefully we will see some good decisions made quickly to help get things back on track again. Can I ask how you feel about Georgia and what is going on there?

How much money you have? :) A few hundred will get you about an inch drop, more than that would mean cutting springs,(which usually sucks.), or coilovers. What wheel size and offset were you planning on going with? or were you going to keep the stock rims on the car?

I passed a gas station the other day and I noticed something about how some of the gas stations are breaking up the prices. A Mobil station had Regular at $2.22. (Not bad), mid grade was $2.52, and premium was $2.74! Right down the street a Shell had it for $2.24 regular, $2.34 mid and $2.49 premium. .02 higher ends up being .25 cheaper!

Eibach's are in the top 5 for sure. I've never heard a complaint about any of thier products. Tons of people here are on Eibach springs. And Tirerack is a good place to do business.

kvas has a nice car. It's funny to think that your so far away. And that even though our cultures are different, and have been kept very seperate, yet, we are very much alike. We do have alot in common.

Right. :)

70's

I watched the video, and theres some things going on there I may not understand. Is that on the autoban? where there is no speed limit? I see the car speedometer is almost topped out, but they aren't passing other cars all that fast it seemed like. Like everyone was doing 100 mph, ( 160 kmh ). And so driving like that is not illegal? That's a nice project! Alot of fiberglas work there that's for sure. Looks like he has along way to go before he gets that one done. I just wish I could read Russian so I could understand everything they were saying in thier posts! What car does kvas have in his avatar? Here is our local scene in Florida:

Here ya go Flop:

Go here: LTuned .com

Actually, yes..... go to your phone book and look up a glass/mirror mfgr in your area. The ones that can do custom size glass and mirrors for your home. They have a pink powder stuff that you mix in with water to make a glass polishing paste. They use it for pilshing the edges and for removing scratches on mirrors and glass all the time. (It's better than just throwing scratched glass away all the time.) Then you apply it with a polishing wheel on your drill. Be careful though, that stuff can be aggressive. Just keep the pressure light and stay patient. I've fixed some glass scratches before with great results.

Yeah, here in the US we have stupid kids like this to deal with: M5 trajedy 5 people were killed. So we have the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) that set up at the local racetracks and provide a safe and controlled environment for people who want to race and just go fast. Anyone can enter, and it usually only costs 10-15 US dollars. We have test and tune nights regularly and they also have some regional meets and so on. And because we have that, racing on the street is even more stupid. I have been guilty of it in the past, remembered what my dad had taught me, (Just do the right thing allways.) So I took my car off the road. Do you have something like the NHRA in Russia? I have a request if you don't mind. I love seeing unique and different make cars from forign countries that I would never have seen here. I understand you probably may not know what cars we have here and which ones we don't, but you post pictures of cars that you have there and maybe some of your local favorites? Maybe show us some of your friends efforts? I would really like to see some of the motors your have there. Russian built hot rods? or Luxury cars?

another way is to go to Tire Rack.com. Look up the Blizzacks and go to "spec", click on it, and they will have all the sizes the tire comes in, and the outside diameter of all those tires. SO, if your stock 18'' 255-40-18 is say 25'' tall, then just look up the 17'' size that has the same outside diamter, in this case it would be the 225-45-17, but the 235 and 245 would all work just fine.

I'm still waiting to hear any feedback. Does the 09 IS x50 come with the 8.1 or the 7.1?

I'm looking right at the report and it has a big check mark in the corner with CR recommended in bright red. And as for the sales history, most car mfgrs are down right now in car sales. That's no surprise, and of course the luxury brands are going to feel the initial brunt the most. That has nothing to do with the car itself. I wouldn't say the 300 is a sports sedan, but whatever. I do tend to like performance, which is what Hyundai is promoting with the "375 hp V8 Tau motor. No? I mean if it had a 275 hp. V6 and a 5 speed auto, then we wouldn't even be having this conversation as it would be relegated to the Honda Accord, Toyota Camery class then. No, you mean that's not how car magazines do comparisons. I'm a real person, with a real budget. And yes people do look for cars like this. Most people going in have a either a total price they can afford, or a monthly payment they are looking to stay under. And the first thing they do is look at whats in that price range. I don't know anyone that selects a car based on some class qualification assigned by a magazine. Not at all. I'm not really influenced by name much at all. I am influenced by what I know about Hyundai's history, it's perceived place in the market, and the car in front of me at the time. Even though they are getting better, I know they are producing better cars then before. I know the Azera and Sonata are becoming and evolving into a pretty descent looking car as well as a better build. It's just not about that. It's about "perceived value and desire". I just don't put the Genesis on a "desired car " list. And if I'm spending 36-40K on a car, it's not just about being "budget minded" anymore. I want a car that fulfills my desire as well. I drive by a Hyundai dealership everyday on my way home from the shop. I see it up on thier raised platform and the big spotlight on it. From just looking a the car, I even like the look of the Chevy Malibu over the Genesis. I just might stop in this week and test drive a Genesis for myself and see. I have driven alot of cars. In fact, of the list I put up, I have driven every one of those cars, 2007 and newer. I think it would be you who is changed if you drove all those as well. I think you would see the point I'm trying to make much better atleast.

the same consumer report you quoted from has the Chrysler 300 a CR recommendation. It has actually had as good a reliability history as any of the Hyundai line up. I'm sorry, but the type of car buyer that would be looking at spending 36-40K in the first place, would never buy a car from a sheet of paper. It's done when metal touches skin. And maybe it's just me, but I think I would take a Chrysler 300C or SRT over a Hyundai Genesis any day of the week! I would also love the new 2009 Cadillac CTS over the Genesis. Never mind this pidly comparison stuff, go to a car site like auto trader and put in, sedans between 36-40K. I get this: Cadillac CTS ( I really think they have come a long way with this car and it's current design.) Infinity G series ( Another great car with a very solid reliability background. And it's sooo hot looking!) Lexus IS ( I should just not comment on this one as it would be completely biased and unfair.) Volvo S80 ( The new design is getting better.) Volvo S60 (This is the Volvo to have. Great motor and drivetrain. This car is built to haul the family around in for along time. And it looks cool, yet family mannered) Acura TL ( Another proven performer. Acura has really established itself with consistancy over the years.) BMW 328i ( The weekend drivers car. Long history and evolution. Theres actually alot to connect with.) Mercedes Benz C300 ( Nothing like saying "I drive a Mercedes Benz." And it actually does look like a nice car.) Chrysler 300( Hugely american, oh so loved by many from afar. This car has allways appealed to my darker side. And I can still take mom to a resturaunt in it with out hearing about it.!) Hyundia Genesis ( I honestly have no love for this car. I don't hate it either, it's just numb. I doesn't look bad, it's just not identifiable.) So if I went to each of these car lots, and test drove them and started putting it all together, on my list anyway, it would look just like the one I put above. And if I coudn't choose the Lexus, off the list, I would have a hard time choosing between the BMW 328i, the Cadillac CTS, maybe an Audi A4. And we haven't even discuseed 1-2 year old used car options. Suddenly a BMW 5 is within reach, and a whole slew of others that have tons to offer come up to the table.

Guess what?? I saw 2.19 today also! :P

I know that Russia has seen some pretty hard economic times over the last 15 years. I met someone who later became a friend, from Russia. He was trying to become a US citizen. He had come here with some friends, all from Russia, and he told me about alot of the crime and difficult times there. Is it like that where you are also? Do you have any other car owners? maybe a car club going? I have a thread that chronicles a recent build up I did. If you want to read it :Click on me I can post a few pics for you later as well.