Hooniverse Asks – What Automotive Myths and Legends Do You Know?

When exploration expanded to the distant edges of what was then the known world, stories returned about mythical creatures, places and events. Today, the world is a much smaller place, but even in our small tiny of it, where cars rule, there exist myths and legends, some of which may even be true.
One myth is that the Edsel’s failure was due to its lady bits nose styling, while in reality a confluence of marketing and positioning mistakes doomed Ford’s mid-tier offering from the get go. There’s also the egg in the radiator myth, the car battery on concrete legend (I believe that one) and the story of how Hitler designed the VW Beetle, the Autobahn, and the Hostess Ho-Ho all by himself. I’m not buying that one, however.
So, are there any automotive myths and legends that you have heard? And more importantly, are there any to which you ascribe?
Image source: [modernmechanix.com]

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  1. muthalovin Avatar

    German cars can be affordable to own post warranty.

    1. highmileage_v1 Avatar
      highmileage_v1

      Hah! You have made my day with that comment.
      I've had my own German ownership issues but the best I've heard lately was when I overheard my boss talking to his Audi dealer the other day, "HOW MUCH FOR THOSE ROTORS!?". After a period of ranting the next best comment was, "You say the turbo is leaking oil…", followed by a long drawn out sigh (or whimper maybe). Snort.

    2. M44Power Avatar
      M44Power

      Exactly!

    3. B72 Avatar
      B72

      Ain't it the truth! I used to own an Audi. My mechanic told me it was a great looking, comfortable car that was really fun to drive. I got to drive 10 year old GM products from the local low budget rental guy.

    4. JeepyJayhawk Avatar

      Remind me not to go German for a Commuter

      1. Smells_Homeless Avatar
        Smells_Homeless

        I generally don't go German for anything but beer or racetracks.

    5. TurboBrick Avatar
      TurboBrick

      This is something that I see people forgetting all the time. Just because you can get a $60 thousand dollar car now for $10 thousand, that doesn't mean that servicing it costs only 1/6th of what it did in the first place. This was why I skipped on buying a Mercedes W123 coupe years ago and bought a Swinger instead. I'm sure the Benz would have been a million times better car, but total cost of ownership for that Dodge (not counting gas or insurance) ended up being about $30 per month for 2 years.

  2. OA5599 Avatar
    OA5599

    The car battery concrete prohibition was correct back when your granddad was turning wrenches, but no longer applies with modern battery case materials.
    http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&a

    1. JeepyJayhawk Avatar

      Thank you, I am now smarter.

      1. OA5599 Avatar
        OA5599

        Glad I could help. Don't spill any acid on your garage's floor, though.

    2. GTXEliminator Avatar
      GTXEliminator

      And i've h ad a battery sit on concrette for a couple weeks, droped it in a car and bam! Started fine.

  3. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    My father insists to this day that unnecessary disassembly of older, high-mileage cars will foster additional mechanical problems. Or, in his words, "You start go in there and start tearing things apart after all those parts have worn into each other, you're going to have nothing but trouble from there on out. Just leave it alone."

    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      He's probably also of the mindset that synthetic oil causes leaks.

      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        He has no idea what synthetic oil is.

    2. mad_science Avatar
      mad_science

      He's probably more right than wrong, but for the wrong reasons.
      "Worn into each other" no, but older plastic and rubber bits tend to handle minor changes in orientation or connection/disconnection poorly. There's also the obvious problem that, the more you take apart, the more there's a chance you'll screw it up putting it back together.
      We take this very seriously on the UberBird. Almost never do we take something apart just to check it out or spruce it up.

    3. Smells_Homeless Avatar
      Smells_Homeless

      I dunno man. Put fresh ATF (and the attendant detergent) in a high mileages automatic and I totally believe you're asking for trouble. Some of those passages are small and it doesn't take much of a chunk of dislodged muck to wreak havoc.
      It's possible that I'm paranoid, and likely that I'm a bit dim, but I'm not changing the fluid in a 180k mile AOD.
      *Dammit, Smells. Read the whole thread before you respond, you slacker.

  4. Tom Avatar
    Tom

    Tanshanomi – Actually, your father is correct. We see this often in bearing saddles when the torque of re assembly closes the tolerance on the bearing, causes it to spin which blocks the oil passage causing catastrophic failure. Of course all the plastic parts on modern engines get oxidized, brittle and break more easily as they get older.
    Also have to dispute the use of Marvel Mystery Oil as a legend. It is very good stuff. We use it to prolong the life of fuel bladders in aircraft. It also helps lubricate valve guides as a fuel additive. Also we have gotten better service from lifters. Scientific tests reveal it is an octane booster and a solvent (cleaner). Similar chemistry is used in Techron. It would have little to no benefit in a cutting edge direct injected engine, but on an old carburetor or mechanical fuel injection a little cleaning and lubrication might be just what the engine needs to run longer and smoother.
    If you work on old stuff, MMO is a terrific product to get things un stuck. Gets my 35 year old lawn tractor going every year.

    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      So, I'm supposed to want octane booster and solvent in my engine oil???
      I'm wary of anything claimed to work both in the fuel system and the crankcase.

      1. B72 Avatar
        B72

        I was once told to put Marvel Mystery Oil down the spark plug holes of my Triumph Bonneville, and let it soak a while to dissolve the carbon deposits. Silly me, I tried it, kicked the engine over to get the oil out as best I could, and reassembled.
        James Bond would have been proud. It left a smokescreen so thick you couldn't see more than a few feet. I'm sure the only reason I didn't get a ticket for that is because no one could follow me. I could own a Prius for 10 years and still not make up for the environmental damage of that youthful indiscretion. Not that I will own a Prius mind you – I just could.

      2. dmilligan Avatar
        dmilligan

        It's good to be wary on lots of engine additives, but MMO does lots of good things for your oil and fuel systems when used properly. I saw our mechanics use it many times to help breath new life into older engines. And it's a very good penetrating oil for rusted and seized parts. I wouldn't drink any, though.

      3. mdharrell Avatar

        "I'm wary of anything claimed to work both in the fuel system and the crankcase."
        Hey now, I've got four cars with two-stroke engines and, um, one of them runs…. Maybe you're on to something there.

      4. B72 Avatar
        B72

        >Poof!<

        1. ZomBee Racer Avatar
      5. B72 Avatar
        B72

        I was once told to pour Marvel Mystery oil down the spark plug holes on my Triumph Bonneville, to loosen up carbon deposits in the combustion chamber.
        Foolishly, I tried it. After letting it soak and getting what I could out of the motor by kicking it over with the plugs out, I reassembled it and fired it up. James Bond would have been proud, as the resulting smokescreen coming out of the tailpipes was impenetrable. It took about 5 miles of riding to make it go away.

        1. Alff Avatar
          Alff

          Another legend – ATF used the same way will work. I'd say it's more than legend, as I have an old school wrench neighbor how has done it many times on his beaters.

          1. B72 Avatar
            B72

            I don't think I accomplished much beyond fumigating the neighborhood. Does your neighbor claim to notice a difference after treatment?

          2. Alff Avatar
            Alff

            Yes, but keep in mind that the cars he's given this treatment to have been tired heaps that were heavily choked with carbon to begin with.

          3. zaddikim Avatar
            zaddikim

            A friend used to put ATF into the fuel tanks of his Peterbilt every once in a while as a detergent, claiming that it basically 'hosed everything out", like getting rid of carbon deposits and the like. I obviously can't claim that his statement is true, but he's been a Diesel wrencher for over 30 years, and that ol' Pete worked awesome for him until some twat smoked the truck (he was OK – the truck was parked).

    2. dmilligan Avatar
      dmilligan

      Yeah, we used to use it at the M-B dealership where I used to work. Especially on older cars with engines gunked up with old oil buildup, and fuel systems that were clogging with varnish. You don't want to use it with every oil change or fillup (normally), but now and then keeps things working better. It's good stuff when used correctly.

    3. MattC Avatar
      MattC

      MMO is a good product. It's uses as top cylinder oiler are mostly negated by today's far superior oils. However, it does have some lubricating factors that do help lifter noise. It also is a good product to add (misting small amounts in spark plug holes) to keep cylinder walls (although I have to laugh at B72's post below) lubricated for prolonged sitting. My old boss bought a Porsche 914, removed the spark plugs, misted MMO in the holes and let that vehicle sit for 2 years before he restored it. It also helps with lubricating fuel pumps.

  5. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    The Jeep name came from the acronym GP, for "general purpose" (a designation it never held).
    …and the government will sell you one for 50 bucks.
    <img src="http://www.olive-drab.com/images/jeeps_50dollars_300.jpg"&gt;

    1. mad_science Avatar
      mad_science

      GP was the internal Willys designation for the prototype: G for government and P for 90" wheelbase 1/4 recon/patrol vehicle.

      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        Actually, GPW was Ford's nomenclature. Willys tagged it MB.
        But "jeep" was already a common generic term in use by soldiers at the time, meaning a newfangled gizmo or gadget.

    2. tonyola Avatar
      tonyola

      While the $50 Jeep as advertised was mythical, the government would on rare occasions auction off war surplus materials including Jeeps as late as the 1970s. My dad, who worked for McDonnell Douglas as a defense contractor, got in on a bid in 1976 to purchase a number of brand new 1944 Willys Jeeps still packed in grease in tropicalized crates minus tires and batteries. He was going to buy four for $500 – one for himself and one for each of the three sons. Unfortunately, it was not the winning bid. A shame – a brand new military-issue Jeep would have been awesome.

    3. dmilligan Avatar
      dmilligan

      Oh no! You mean it was all lies? My faith in humanity is destroyed….

    4. SSurfer321 Avatar
      SSurfer321

      JEEP = Junk Each'n Every Part
      I kid. I kid.

  6. HycoSpeed Avatar

    You don't need a tach on a small block, just rev it until it starts to pop, then shift.
    Putting moth balls in the gas tank will give you a serious octane boost. But if you put in too many you can blow the muffler off.
    Speed holes.
    And my personal favorite, tree spiders make a sound that is very suspiciously similar to a fart.

    1. alcology Avatar
      alcology

      Tree spiders definitely fart, my uncle told me so. And there are invisible ducks scattered everywhere so you have to watch where you step.

  7. JeepyJayhawk Avatar

    The four cylinder Jeep is a gutless wonder – actually the key is gearing and an understanding of how to use it

    1. Maymar Avatar
      Maymar

      I have (or had) a comparison test that Automobile Magazine ran in the early 90's between a bunch of small offroaders – they had two YJs, and actually preferred the I4 over the I6 because it didn't have freight-train like momentum. Of course, they also picked their winner as the Geo Tracker (likening it to a 4WD Miata).

    2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      The AMC 150 was actually a strong motor for the time. The Jeep Comanche had a pretty impressive career in the old SCCA Truck Series, which restricted trucks to 4-bangers.
      <img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l171/Team_Blitz/JeepCommancheStrohsLight1988TArcher.jpg&quot; width="500">

  8. Maymar Avatar
    Maymar

    The one myth or legend (because of its unverified truthiness) I fall back on is the story of how the GT350 got its name. Sitting it a boardroom, debating on what would be suitable, Shelby eventually tells some guy to walk to some point down the road, counting his steps. When he came back reporting 347 steps, Shelby decrees that they're naming it the GT350.

  9. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Murilee is a chick
    Drifting is a sport
    Toyota builds great cars

  10. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Murilee is a chick
    Drifting is a sport
    Toyota builds great cars

  11. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Murilee is a chick
    Drifting is a sport
    Toyota makes great cars
    Hoonibbles acts randomly

  12. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    The GMC Twin Six was actually made from surplus V-6 crankcases welded together.

    1. dmilligan Avatar
      dmilligan

      Where do you find this stuff? You've found some good ones. The Porsche-Ramblers is a really good one.

  13. rkw Avatar
    rkw

    Don't fill up at a gas station while the tanker is resupplying the underground tanks because it "stirs up all the sediment and gets in your gas tank"
    In the winter, keep your tank no less than 1/4 full because the extra space "allows condensation to build up" which leads to water in your fuel system
    Hydrogen generators can boost your fuel economy.

  14. skitter Avatar
    skitter

    I've seen the one about transmission fluid. The thing was literally held together by sludge and had to be replaced (that much sooner).

  15. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Murilee is a chick
    Toyota makes great cars
    Drifting is a legitimate motorsport
    Hoonibbles acts randomly

    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      That that, Hoonibbles!

  16. TheRedCar Avatar
    TheRedCar

    This might be more of a automotive superstition than a myth, but none the less. I heard that you can stop rotors from warping by religously tightening the wheels in the star pattern and torquing the lugs to 70lbs. Since I started following that rule 10 plus years ago, I've haven't had a rotor warp since. I've also been careful to avoid letting a shop take the wheels off the cars either though to avoid the high torque air impact wrenches.

  17. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    That front wheel drive is superior in the snow.
    Honestly, it comes down to personal preference, methinks. Me? I go rear wheel.

  18. engineerd Avatar

    You need to change your oil every 3,000 mile or 3 months.
    That reminds me, I need to get my oil changed.

    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      If you drive a car that leaks/burns oil fast enough, the oil changes itself when you top off the crankcase.

    2. lilwillie Avatar

      That one is argued constantly in my technician forums. I am of the belief you take the car, owner, and their use into account and structure a LOF schedule that suits them best.
      /every 2,500 on everything I own. Oil is cheap and I don't get many miles on all of them in one year.

    3. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      I've known people who changed at 2500 miles "just to be on the safe side".
      Even those who should know better still believe in the 3/3000. My local Dodge dealer for example. My Challenger's schedule is 6 months / 6000 miles / when the oil life indicator goes off, whichever comes first… but in October when I brought it in with a free coupon for the 1st oil change with 60xx miles, I got it back with a windshield sticker reminding of a "scheduled" oil change this January at 90xx miles.

    4. ptschett Avatar
      ptschett

      >Poof!<

  19. engineerd Avatar

    And the best one? The Chrysler Turboencabulator.

    1. OA5599 Avatar
      OA5599

      Please explain the turbo encabulator, in simple, non-engineering terminology.

    2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      That's no myth; I'm rebuilding one in my garage now. (The real myth is that they were all sent to the crusher.) But I'm having trouble finding the proper replacement marzel vanes. I'm ready to give up and try using non-hydrocoptic ones, but they would take a lot of effort to make work.

  20. Tim Odell Avatar
    Tim Odell

    Early Broncos, Land Cruisers and IH Scouts are, in stock form, especially capable offroad vehicles.
    Adding stiffer sway bars will change the amount of weight transfered in a corner.
    All manner of "horsepower sells cars, but torque wins races" nonsense.

  21. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Murilee is a chick
    Hoonibbles acts randomly
    Drifting is legitimate motor sport

    1. YankBoffin Avatar
      YankBoffin

      …a HOT chick at that! -the persistence of that one always fascinated me.

  22. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Preston Tucker was the victim of a conspiracy by the Big Three.
    All wheel drive always makes cars handle better.
    Front wheel drive cars have lousy handling and are no fun.
    American cars were fastest in the 1960s.

  23. YankBoffin Avatar
    YankBoffin

    The Nova one is my favorite, since it's still used as a lesson in college-level marketing classes, but from what I've read it is completely untrue.
    The last one is completely true!…at least for me, because I've never run out of gas while driving (but I have run so low that I couldn't start the car until pushed it onto a different grade).

  24. YankBoffin Avatar
    YankBoffin

    "There's no substitute for displacement."

  25. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    Preston Tucker was the victim of a conspiracy by the Big Three.
    All wheel drive always makes cars handle better.
    Front wheel drive cars have lousy handling and are no fun.
    American cars were fastest in the 1960s.

  26. YankBoffin Avatar
    YankBoffin

    Here's one mentioned on Car Talk a while back that even they danced around on: Changing the fluid in high-mileage automatic transmission will often cause it to fail shortly thereafter.

  27. K5ING Avatar
    K5ING

    You can add 5 horsepower for every STP sticker you add to your car. 10 horsepower for a Hooker Headers logo.
    Zoom!!!

    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      White gauges also add 5 VHP

    2. dmilligan Avatar
      dmilligan

      Yeah, and you elevate your car's coolness by 10 points for every Moon eyeballs sticker you add, too.

  28. Scoutdude Avatar
    Scoutdude

    The Pennzoil of old did sludge up engines bad, as did the Quaker State of the time.

  29. dmilligan Avatar
    dmilligan

    I've heard all of those except the Olds 350DX one, especially the one about how German cars are the best engineered. The Germans can screw up just as good as anyone, usually by over-engineering a product. For example, Becker radios and the vacuum system on the M-B W123 series. They generally make really good stuff and I like most of what Germany produces, but they don't bat 1.000 either.

  30. AteUpWithMotor Avatar
    AteUpWithMotor

    Sixties Supercar engines with wild gross horsepower ratings really made that much power as installed.
    Family sedans or minivans that take more than eight seconds to reach 60 mph are slow.
    Years ago, I read some survey (probably in Motor Trend, if I recall correctly) that said that 80% of Americans consider themselves above-average drivers.

  31. tonyola Avatar
    tonyola

    A tranny that's a walking zombie?
    <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2268/2973009572_28f4792131_z.jpg&quot; width=400>

    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      She can thank Glee for reviving her career.

    2. ZomBee Racer Avatar

      MOM?!?!?!!

  32. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    I posted this earlier, but the internets machine seems to have lost it, so here it is again:
    That front wheel drive is superior in the snow. I believe it all comes down to personal preference: I choose rear wheel drive. For me, it's easier to control with the gas pedal.

  33. 2000ccs Avatar
    2000ccs

    Joe Lucas was a brilliant man.

  34. skitter Avatar
    skitter

    Myths I believe:
    Even Ariel Atoms should be used as daily drivers.
    Manual transmissions are more fun to drive, even in traffic.
    Modern racing has too many rules, and too few homologation specials.
    Any car driven hard is driven honorably.

    1. engineerd Avatar

      Strange. I believe those same myths! Although, I don't call them "myths", I call them Hooniversal Hoonitarian Truths.

      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        "And they shall live by faith, not by sight…"
        Praise be to Murilee.

  35. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    Any brand of Fuel Injector Cleaner Additive is like crack for a car. You put it in your tank once, and it won't ever run as well without it again.
    My little brother wouldn't head my advice and learned that one the hard way.

  36. SSurfer321 Avatar
    SSurfer321

    any type of Fuel Injection Cleaner Additive is like crack for your car. Once you put it in a tank, the car will never run well without again.
    Against my advice, my brother had to learn this the hard way.

  37. tiberiusẅisë Avatar
    tiberiusẅisë

    A manu-matic is a viable alternative to a stick shift.
    <img src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcToOvyNvw3oZ3sY_7tPLgSJ1QfkAjJHJuEMotTG6Ydo9f9oXwGx&quot; width="400">

  38. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    Drifting is a legitimate motor sport
    Murilee is a chick
    Hoonibles acts randomly

    1. ZomBee Racer Avatar

      Murilee is a saucy minx!

  39. Jimmy7 Avatar
    Jimmy7

    A new Corvette/Ferrari/Porsche will help you attract women.

    1. Smells_Homeless Avatar
      Smells_Homeless

      As a wise friend once said "A flashy car might get you introduced, but it won't get you in."
      Whatever that means.

  40. Jimmy7 Avatar
    Jimmy7

    Oh, and loud pipes save lives.

    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      That's true. A really quiet muffler crept into my bedroom in the middle of the night while I was sleeping, and was about to strangle me when a loud pipe came in, threw the muffler down on the floor, and pumped about five or six rounds into it. Saved my life, for sure.

  41. GTXEliminator Avatar
    GTXEliminator

    That Sea-Foam works, but I believe that.

  42. TurboBrick Avatar
    TurboBrick

    "Someone else was interested in this car and they said they were coming to take a look at it this afternoon"
    I must have great taste because every used car I've ever asked about at any dealership has always had someone else just ready to sign the papers and take it away in just a matter of hours.

  43. Eggwich Avatar
    Eggwich

    The "don't change or flush an older transmission or risk system failure" was a respected mantra in my transmission class. Hey, if wear material is holding your world together, why interfere?

  44. ZomBee Racer Avatar

    If you put Armor-All on a dashboard, as soon as you stop it will crack.
    "A friend has a friend who's car has soooo much horsepower, it will sit there and slowly spin one rear tire at idle!" (followed by drawing a circle with a finger and saying "Errrrrrrrrrr!")
    "A friend has a friend who's car has soooooooo much horsepower it will flatten the fins on the alternator every-time you rev it!"
    "A friend of a friend once made a straight 6 Gremlin do a 12 second 1/4 mile just super-sealing all the vacuum leaks!"
    Datsun Roadsters are just licensed copies of MGBs.
    Zombies only eat brains. (When in fact bacon is damn tasty!)

    1. Eggwich Avatar
      Eggwich

      "If you put Armor-All on a dashboard, as soon as you stop it will crack."
      I love that one.

  45. Lotte Avatar
    Lotte

    How about putting the two better/new tires on the front, or in this winter season, change only the drive wheels?
    [youtube –Hb5kQCaTg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=–Hb5kQCaTg youtube]
    If put in that position, I'd personally put the tires on the front anyway because I'd probably stop better in the wet, and just hoon around deal with the oversteer.
    The 'change only the drive wheels to winters' thing I do believe is false; the family Accord's got its four Nokians and I still felt the tail coming 'round ever so slightly, and I assume a dab o' throttle would just push the front end more on a RWD.

    1. skitter Avatar
      skitter

      Drawing again from my personal experience, significantly better tires on the front means you will spin and be lucky not to crash.

      1. B72 Avatar
        B72

        True, that. It's amazing how little it takes. Back off the throttle on your front wheel drive car because you came up behind another vehicle on a straight and level road? The tail comes around? Can't hit the gas because you'll punt that damn guy in front? Game over!

        1. Lotte Avatar
          Lotte

          Catch it with a dab o' oppo. Works every time.

          1. skitter Avatar
            skitter

            Actually, it was "Use full lock to bring it through 360, downshift, and punch it straight.
            Become scared that this did not scare you.
            "

          2. B72 Avatar
            B72

            That and a little throttle works great to get the front back in front. Remember were talking a front driver here. But if the front tires want to slow down, and the rears don't care what they do because they're bald and the road is snowy, you are swapping ends, end of story.

          3. Lotte Avatar
            Lotte

            Fair enough, guys. I might be taking this a little too lightheartedly. Looking at the snowy road outside me bedroom window, I kinda want to keep the slow, peaceful calm atmosphere free of any shenanigans. At least until noon.
            …which is actually less that an hour away (at least where I am) so I'll just leave this epic FWD save here:
            [youtube gPCGnkApnDU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPCGnkApnDU youtube]

          4. B72 Avatar
            B72

            Yup, that's how you do it. As the announcer says "full throttle to bring the front around".

  46. RichardKopf Avatar
    RichardKopf

    FWD is better in the snow.
    Honestly, it's personal preference.

    1. B72 Avatar
      B72

      Also depends on what you mean by "Better". A friend with a RWD Alfa and snow tires used to have a lot of fun sliding around in the snow, but he had to get out and push a lot more often than I did with a boring front wheel drive Subaru and All Seasons.
      So yes, the Alfa was better.

  47. ptschett Avatar
    ptschett

    The "You can use Dexron instead of ATF+4" myth is supposed to be a major cause of the other myth, "Chrysler automatic transmissions only last 50,000 miles."

  48. AteUpWithMotor Avatar
    AteUpWithMotor

    The engines of sixties Supercars actually produced their rated horsepower in as-installed stock form.
    I also read a statistic from some survey (possibly in Motor Trend, although it's been a while) that said 80% of American believe they are above-average drivers. That qualifies…

  49. Eggwich Avatar
    Eggwich

    "You can either get the base interior with cloth or the premium with leather."
    And by leather we mean small sections of leather surrounded by acres of vinyl.

  50. Eggwich Avatar
    Eggwich

    "Upgrading to bigger, brand name brakes with flashy calipers is a smart way to spend two grand on your daily driver." Because brake fade is a serious problem we each encounter daily making that lightning lap to get milk.
    "I don't know, it tends to understeer when pushed in the corners." Because we all tend to push our cars hard enough in street driving to encounter problematic handling limits.
    I know, some of us go to track days, and some of us drive like maniacs, but most of us, when it comes to performance talk and what we demand of a car, are full of shit. At least I am. I mean, I know what I want from a car, but I don't confuse it with what I need or what is sufficient.

    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Only tangentially related, but I really, really want to autocross the Town Cow.

  51. Smells_Homeless Avatar
    Smells_Homeless

    "I would have bought a Corvette if it only had a nicer interior."
    "Mustangs are crap without IRS."
    Oh wait, those are just lies, not myths.