Asper's Automotive Corner.

[Asper Sarnoff]

what's your view on the auto parrell park Feature in newer cars?

Another gimmick which will ensure nothing but making people unable to parallel park by themself the day the fancy sensors and electronics don't work. And believe me, that day will come. The more complex programming and hardware you put into an object, the sooner something of it will break.

I view driving as a privilege, not a right. If one can't do something as relatively simple as parallel parking, one isn't really fit for having a lisence.

And while I must say I did find it cool the first time I watched it in action. (Look mah! No hands!)

The reversable power steering system which turns the wheels, also adds more weight, and with cars becoming heavier and heavier as it is, I don't view that as progress.

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"

Leonardo Da Vinci, famous genius, artist and inventor.

"Simplify, and add lightness"

Colin Chapman, founder of Lotus.

"Keep it simple, stupid!"

Kelly Johnson, lead enginer at Lockheed Skunk Works.

[Eagle Kammback]

"Keep it simple, stupid!"

Kelly Johnson, lead enginer at Lockheed Skunk Works.

Yep, this is the phrase every engineer should work by.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

Be carefull there mate, we don't take lightly to that kind of talking around these parts...

Mine's lasted for 33 years so far, and still in great condition mechanically.

I'm just kidding, dude...

Te reason why American cars break down in 5 years is so the auto makers can make and sell more of 'em.  Studebaker made the mistake of constructing cars that could last a lifetime.  As a result, they saturated the market, and with no one needing to buy a new Studebaker, production shut own, and the company went kaput.

Sadly, though, the US auto industry crashed anyways.  I blame the unions, though part of the fault may also rest with "the suits", too.

[Asper Sarnoff]

Te reason why American cars break down in 5 years is so the auto makers can make and sell more of 'em.  Studebaker made the mistake of constructing cars that could last a lifetime.  As a result, they saturated the market, and with no one needing to buy a new Studebaker, production shut own, and the company went kaput.

Sadly, though, the US auto industry crashed anyways.  I blame the unions, though part of the fault may also rest with "the suits", too.

There where other reasons as well. Chief among them being that they started to sell their cars long before they had started producing them. Such a radical design caused many, many delays in the developement and production process, and the customers eventually grew impatient and many cancelled their orders. With no money to finance the build of enoguh cars, they went bankrupt.

Important lesson to learn there. Don't sell a product before you know for sure you can deliver it.

And there was many issues that caused the downfall of the D3. Much of it can be blamed on the unions I think personally, but also the guys on top did their best to cause their downfall.

Anyway, things are looking brighter now. GM is at least doing good, and have repaid the outstanding debt to the government, though still being owned largely by them. Ford's in debt, but delivers good, competive products, and they've had a peak in popularity since they didn't need to be bailed out with taxpeyers money.

Chrysler on the other hand I'm not that sure about. If anyone of the D3 is going down in the next couple of years, I'll bet it's going to be them.

[Guest Julius Quasar]

There where other reasons as well. Chief among them being that they started to sell their cars long before they had started producing them. Such a radical design caused many, many delays in the developement and production process, and the customers eventually grew impatient and many cancelled their orders. With no money to finance the build of enoguh cars, they went bankrupt.

Important lesson to learn there. Don't sell a product before you know for sure you can deliver it.

And there was many issues that caused the downfall of the D3. Much of it can be blamed on the unions I think personally, but also the guys on top did their best to cause their downfall.

Anyway, things are looking brighter now. GM is at least doing good, and have repaid the outstanding debt to the government, though still being owned largely by them. Ford's in debt, but delivers good, competive products, and they've had a peak in popularity since they didn't need to be bailed out with taxpeyers money.

Chrysler on the other hand I'm not that sure about. If anyone of the D3 is going down in the next couple of years, I'll bet it's going to be them.

Oh, okay...good to know.

Chrystler got bought out by Fix It Again Tony, how could they be in trouble?  Is FIAT in trouble?

[Asper Sarnoff]

Chrystler got bought out by Fix It Again Tony, how could they be in trouble?  Is FIAT in trouble?

FIAT's been subsidized by the Italian state to survive for as long as I can remember. They are improving now, but they're in my opinion not the best suited to help Chrysler out of the pinch.

[Eagle Kammback]

Fiat plus Chrysler, This sounds verrry familiar

Anybody remember when AMC Joined with Renault in 83 I think it was?

AMC was bought out by Chrysler only 5 years later

And from what I've heard, GM paid off their government loans with more gov loans

[Guest Julius Quasar]

FIAT's been subsidized by the Italian state to survive for as long as I can remember. They are improving now, but they're in my opinion not the best suited to help Chrysler out of the pinch.

Ahh, I see, thanks...

[Asper Sarnoff]

And from what I've heard, GM paid off their government loans with more gov loans

I don't think so. Though, what they repaid was indeed more of a symbolical sum. Since the rest of the bailout money was converted to a sizeable stake in the company.

[Showtime 1-1]

HA! YES! The dirtbike I'm putting together, the one that I had the transmission apart on, is almost finished! I got a spark today, which means I did the electrical stuff right, assuming the timing is correct. Now I just have to overhaul that carb and find that headlight... then an air filter... Then rebuild the front forks. Okay, still a little work to be done...

Also, the Bandit (my streetbike) is down for a bit, as the battery died. I picked up a new one today, but it started leaking while charging, now I have to wait a week for another one. Grr. Oh well, I really shouldn't ride it too much with that sheared off second gear.

[Vy'drach]

I want to do that with whatever car I get. And no, I'm not above using someone else's awesome idea.

[Asper Sarnoff]

^I've seen that before, and I am seriously considering it for the Corvette. It currently have one saying. "Caution: objects in mirror are closer than they appear" in the right rearview mirror.

DUH, that's not very badass. :P

[Kursed]

Objects in mirror are right on your tail!

so asper  convertable or hard top?

[Asper Sarnoff]

Objects in mirror are right on your tail!

so asper  convertable or hard top?

What about: "Fox! Get this guy off me!" 

Mostly hardtop, but it depends. My Corvette's hardtop with T-tops, and I wouldn't have it any other way either.

[Kursed]

"Can't let you follow me  Starfox!

[Asper Sarnoff]

You probably know of Pixars "Cars"? There are a couple of artists who draw cars in the same style around on the internet, and my favorite is once called Danyboz.

Here's some examples of his work, and I just love all of them!

Bullit, with Stang McQueen!

Carsky and Hutch

Carsformers

Jurassic Cars

Carstine

Batcar meets Batmobile !!!Collaborative effort

One of my 3 favorite production cars in history.

Carminator! He'll be back!

Group picture!

[Guest Julius Quasar]

What about: "Fox! Get this guy off me!" 

Mostly hardtop, but it depends. My Corvette's hardtop with T-tops, and I wouldn't have it any other way either.

T-top Corvettes have leaky roofs.

They look cool, tho...

[Guest DRL]

Jurassic Cars

That one is very well done! :)

[Eagle Kammback]

Asper, those are great, I love it!

Cars is one of my top favorite movies

Oh, and I don't think I posted this before, but I think you'll like it

Death Proof - Drive Like Lightning, Crash Like Thunder

[Asper Sarnoff]

T-top Corvettes have leaky roofs.

They look cool, tho...

Not if you take well care of the seals. I've got a full set of new ones, so that will be fixed. And I don't plan on driving it in horrid weather conditions anyway.

And thanks.

Asper, those are great, I love it!

Cars is one of my top favorite movies

Oh, and I don't think I posted this before, but I think you'll like it

Death Proof - Drive Like Lightning, Crash Like Thunder

You're welcome. I love it as well.

And that's undoubtly a fitting song for that film. :)

[Eagle Kammback]

Well, it seems Ford is killing off Merc, can't say I didn't see it coming, but it was Fords fault, they made Mercuries even more similar to their Ford counter parts than Pontiac to Chevy

And they killed the nice Rear Drive Grand Marquis, which was a great car, the Ford Panther Platform was a great platform

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-28/ford-said-to-plan-end-of-neglected-mercury-after-seven-decades.html

[Asper Sarnoff]

Crap. Can't say there have been any Mercuries I'd really fancied since the first gen. Cougar, but I hate how the D3 is sawing off bits of automotive history the way they've been doing these last years. It might be necessary for their survival, but I still disapprove.  :x

[Showtime 1-1]

AHAHA! IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVEEEE!!!!

I got the IT175 running today! The carb needs some serious tuning, and I'm gonna have to buck up for a few other things, but it does run. And there's nothing better then seeing a bike you built yourself come to life, even if it is ear-shattering loud and smokes like a chimney. But that's a 2-stroke for you!

[Asper Sarnoff]

AHAHA! IT'S ALIVE! IT'S ALIVEEEE!!!!

I got the IT175 running today! The carb needs some serious tuning, and I'm gonna have to buck up for a few other things, but it does run. And there's nothing better then seeing a bike you built yourself come to life, even if it is ear-shattering loud and smokes like a chimney. But that's a 2-stroke for you!

Great! Know the feeling.

[Eagle Kammback]

Jesse Hocket passed away wednesday from a shop accident preparing for a weekend full of racing, this is been a real downer of a weekend with him and actors that have also passed away in the past few days ....

heres a tribute video of him, kinda got choked up since I really like the song too