The Peckish Synapse

customboss · June 26, 2025

9 hours ago, OnTheReel said:

It seems to me more and more that dealers simply don’t want to service their cars anymore. Dunno how else to explain this. You can walk in and drive out with a new car in an hour. But replacement radiator for the same new car? 6 months! I mean there’s just no effort to even be competitive. Maybe some people fall for it but can’t be many.

Dealers aren’t owned by car makers by law. Specifically GM,post bankruptcy and reorg. This is not the GM of our youth.

diyer2 · June 26, 2025

Customer service across the board just isn't what it used to be, period. My $40k Kawasaki side x side, including a plow has a door problem that is well documented on forums. They have dropped the ball on a simple problem. I fixed it while a big corporation with engineers couldn't do it.

An expensive piece of stereo equipment has software issues that the manufacturer has not fixed.

They got your money which is the goal.

KARNUT · June 26, 2025

All business are in it for the money. Are there businesses that provide excellent service? Yes especially in smaller selling areas. Sometimes even the smaller businesses will get an over ambitious service writer or servicer. You have to be informed. That’s easier now than ever. We have a local neighborhood watch sight. Business know this. I use the dealer’s that I’ve researched. I have a local shop I can use too. I have a list of plumbers, electricians and carpenters I use too. All before I have problems. I’ve been told that service and repairs are a must for dealers to stay in business. As well as selling parts. The only time I use non original parts is if I’m not keeping a vehicle. When original parts last like they do. I’m buying original parts put on at the dealer. Especially since most of my vehicles go to family members. My experience for the most part is positive. I suffer no fools.

Grumpy Bear · June 26, 2025

19 hours ago, OnTheReel said:

Most motors will get there but not every motor with 168k is equal. Some have very little wear and will do another 168k easily. Others are on their third cam, use a quart every 1k and are just about ready for the bin. But yeah, it made there I guess.

“High mileage” on its own doesn’t impress me. I’ve rolled plenty of odometers.

Now, high mileage vehicles that look and function like they aren’t? Yeah, that’s pretty cool. Takes effort.

Well said. I've done 300K a few times and 200K isn't that hard with decent maintenance. Not even stellar, just decent. But your first line nails it. I get in Pepper and check the gas gauge, turn the key an go where ever without a thought. Across town or access country. Dizzy on the other hand is now about 278K or so and been an absolute nightmare to get it there and has been since it stuck its first ring at 80K. I put in the key and hope the 25 miles to town is going to be okay. I even leave the dog at home in bad weather so he won't have to walk. But hey, it starts, it goes down the road and we get there so...success? Not really. So yea, miles are nothing. Shape is something. I spent near the cost of the vehicle on maintenance to get Dizzy to 200K. I've spent $20 on Pepper. But yea, it's the same.

Why I asked him about what success looks like. He knew what I was asking. He earned his Ignore button.

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Comments not attached to the quoted post.

You guys know I've seen family million mile GAS motors that lived on period oils and were as clean as Pepper inside and you also know that those motors NEVER accumulated more than 1,500 on a oil change and the target was 1,000 miles. The Flathead was 500 mile OCI's and made that mark without a rebuild and still didn't smoke. You can do it on DEXOS just not at 7.5K plug OCI's. Not even 3K will be that clean by 200K but vastly better.

What I'm looking for is diesel like miles and reliability from a gas motor in a modern machine. I don't even know if it is possible but what I do know is that 300K isn't that. Triple that number. People have such low expectations for things that cost more than my first few houses. :wtf: Creating the experience burning my house down does not interest me.

I might be too old to even get the next one to 300K but I do think I've got a good start with Pepper and gave enough receipts to say the program IS working and on solid footing. That's PROVEN.

Look, I don't get upset when someone's bar is so low a pig on roller skates getting over a snakes belly in a wagon rut at the bottom of Death Valley is still a higher bar. His business, his machine, his wallet. I don't need them to be 'impressed'.

What burns my bacon are those that don't want anyone else to have any opinion but theirs. All they want is to hear their voice coming out of your mouth or worse, for you to remain silent so they don't have to listen. They don't. Change the channel. :idiot: Don't want anyone to know it is possible, practical and affordable. I just don't understand that kind of hate.

Have a different opinion. Debate the value of your opinion. That's welcome. Peeing on another's is not. Being hateful is not. If you don't know the difference then sit at the kids table. :mad:

Atlas · June 26, 2025

16 hours ago, OnTheReel said:

Yeah, I did a lot to my Cummins back in the day. Stupid easy to make power with those, and they just don’t care. New diesels I won’t touch. They make triple the power of mine right out of the box but far too much complexity. Same with pretty much anything today.

Think that’s some of Grumps point. There aren’t any 5.9s or Vortec 5300s being sold in new cars anymore. The engines that replaced them are more complicated and typically built much worse to boot. So you have to adjust maintenance to get more longevity, or just bury your head in the sand like some here. Pretend nothing changed.

Cylinder deactivation has been in use by GM for the last twenty years (and there was another, less successful stint before that). 2005-ish was about the time also started using the LBZ diesel in its fullsize pickups, with SCR and advanced emissions following a few years later. At what point will the old guys accept that their world has changed? Minds become inflexible with age, so there is that....

Considering direct injection was in use back then, really not a whole lot has changed with ICE tech other than a shift to using turbochargers on smaller displacement engines, but, turbochargers aren't new either.

I love it when they get so mad they take themselves out of the discussion. Bye bye, Grumpy.

newdude · June 26, 2025

9 minutes ago, Atlas said:

Cylinder deactivation has been in use by GM for the last twenty years (and there was another, less successful stint before that). 2005-ish was about the time also started using the LBZ diesel in its fullsize pickups, with SCR and advanced emissions following a few years later. At what point will the old guys accept that their world has changed? Minds become inflexible with age, so there is that....

Considering direct injection was in use back then, really not a whole lot has changed with ICE tech other than a shift to using turbochargers on smaller displacement engines, but, turbochargers aren't new either.

I love it when they get so mad they take themselves out of the discussion. Bye bye, Grumpy.

2006 and 2007 classic was LBZ. 2005 was LLY. DPF and SCR setup came to LMM for 2007 new body until 2010. 2011 added DEF.

KARNUT · June 26, 2025

5 minutes ago, Atlas said:

Cylinder deactivation has been in use by GM for the last twenty years (and there was another, less successful stint before that). 2005-ish was about the time also started using the LBZ diesel in its fullsize pickups, with SCR and advanced emissions following a few years later. At what point will the old guys accept that their world has changed? Minds become inflexible with age, so there is that....

Considering direct injection was in use back then, really not a whole lot has changed with ICE tech other than a shift to using turbochargers on smaller displacement engines, but, turbochargers aren't new either.

I love it when they get so mad they take themselves out of the discussion. Bye bye, Grumpy.

I’m on the ignore list too. I point out him not practicing what he preaches. Pointing out early on that he was spending too much on his problem vehicle. Put an engine in it. So now he admits that he doubled the price of the car. So after that exercise he buys probably the or one of the worst cars made. And keeps throwing money in the problem car. He’s very proud that is truck is closing into 200K miles. Well I have about 5. Some my kids and grandkids drive. I point it out to him and how that was accomplished. He calls me names and puts me on ignore again. And here’s the kicker. He has a low mileage regular Buick they rarely drive. So what’s the goal? Where’s the savings? High mileage vehicle to save money. His high mileage vehicle (the problem one) costs him double. His truck? That mileage is nothing. So after all his preaching. He really has nothing to show for it. He admitted as much. 500K miles, where’s the beef?

Atlas · June 26, 2025

9 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I’m on the ignore list too. I point out him not practicing what he preaches. Pointing out early on that he was spending too much on his problem vehicle. Put an engine in it. So now he admits that he doubled the price of the car. So after that exercise he buys probably the or one of the worst cars made. And keeps throwing money in the problem car. He’s very proud that is truck is closing into 200K miles. Well I have about 5. Some my kids and grandkids drive. I point it out to him and how that was accomplished. He calls me names and puts me on ignore again. And here’s the kicker. He has a low mileage regular Buick they rarely drive. So what’s the goal? Where’s the savings? High mileage vehicle to save money. His high mileage vehicle (the problem one) costs him double. His truck? That mileage is nothing. So after all his preaching. He really has nothing to show for it. He admitted as much. 500K miles, where’s the beef?

I don't question other people's vehicle choices, but I cannot fathom buying a new Mitsubishi, personally. The joke for the last 10 years has been, oh, they still make cars? Mitsu dealerships are virtually nonexistent. I actually don't think they make bad cars on the whole, but if I were to buy one, it certainly wouldn't be a Mirage. Not coming from a fullsize pickup. One, my ego wouldn't fit inside one, and two, despite safety advancements, mass still wins. There's a lot of people I don't trust to be on the road and I want a fighting chance, which is one reason I love fullsize vehicles.

I have to laugh at the accusations of being small/petty and hateful(?), unsuccessful(?) or somehow wrong that regular maintenance isn't adequate, only Grumpy's way works? Man, getting old must be hell.

KARNUT · June 26, 2025

3 minutes ago, Atlas said:

I don't question other people's vehicle choices, but I cannot fathom buying a new Mitsubishi, personally. The joke for the last 10 years has been, oh, they still make cars? Mitsu dealerships are virtually nonexistent. I actually don't think they make bad cars on the whole, but if I were to buy one, it certainly wouldn't be a Mirage. Not coming from a fullsize pickup. One, my ego wouldn't fit inside one, and two, despite safety advancements, mass still wins. There's a lot of people I don't trust to be on the road and I want a fighting chance, which is one reason I love fullsize vehicles.

I have to laugh at the accusations of being small/petty and hateful(?), unsuccessful(?) or somehow wrong that regular maintenance isn't adequate, only Grumpy's way works? Man, getting old must be hell.

In business I bought a new truck about every two years. I drove lots of miles and depended on my truck. I’d modified them and ran them hard. My company paid for them. My at home cars and trucks were hobby vehicles. I turned them over about every three years. Usually collector cars. The wife’s car was five years or more. The last one is a 2011 Genesis. In retirement I’m still about every two years. Most of the time I give them to family members. My vehicles in the last 11 years have been our trip vehicles. After 2017 I started buying used. What changed I got given a CRV when my mother in law quit driving. I never would have bought one. My wife’s toy is 2001 Acura Type R we still have. My last toy a stroked blown lowered 92 Chevy was the last toy. I’m now a Honda guy. Along with my old Avalanche. I have 3 Hondas. They don’t age. 200K miles is nothing. Just like the 2000-2006 GM trucks. I know maintenance I have the iron. Pushing a vehicle that’s down by throwing money at it is not smart. If you want to drive them forever isn’t hard. Is it smart? That’s the question.

Atlas · June 26, 2025

30 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

In business I bought a new truck about every two years. I drove lots of miles and depended on my truck. I’d modified them and ran them hard. My company paid for them. My at home cars and trucks were hobby vehicles. I turned them over about every three years. Usually collector cars. The wife’s car was five years or more. The last one is a 2011 Genesis. In retirement I’m still about every two years. Most of the time I give them to family members. My vehicles in the last 11 years have been our trip vehicles. After 2017 I started buying used. What changed I got given a CRV when my mother in law quit driving. I never would have bought one. My wife’s toy is 2001 Acura Type R we still have. My last toy a stroked blown lowered 92 Chevy was the last toy. I’m now a Honda guy. Along with my old Avalanche. I have 3 Hondas. They don’t age. 200K miles is nothing. Just like the 2000-2006 GM trucks. I know maintenance I have the iron. Pushing a vehicle that’s down by throwing money at it is not smart. If you want to drive them forever isn’t hard. Is it smart? That’s the question.

There can be financial sense in keeping vehicles long term, and/or high mileage vehicles can become a headache and a pain in the wallet. That's where I don't really understand...if one has the funds, cut it loose and drive something else. There are no awards for adding more miles, only personal satisfaction if that's a source by which someone derives satisfaction.

The opposite can be true... Maybe a little of that going on here... My father, he's getting up there. Has an older Ford Edge. It's having all sorts of problems, well over 100k, nothing drivetrain-related, it's all piddly stuff with accessories. He has more than enough resources to go down and buy a new car if he wants, today. And he talks about it... he's talked about it for the last 5 years, longer than some people own their cars!

I often wonder if the talking about it, doing research, and dealing with the existing vehicle's problems and arguing about it isn't just...something to do. Fills time and brain cycles. If he bought a new car, he'd have to give back all that time, and then what?

KARNUT · June 26, 2025

8 minutes ago, Atlas said:

There can be financial sense in keeping vehicles long term, and/or high mileage vehicles can become a headache and a pain in the wallet. That's where I don't really understand...if one has the funds, cut it loose and drive something else. There are no awards for adding more miles, only personal satisfaction if that's a source by which someone derives satisfaction.

The opposite can be true... Maybe a little of that going on here... My father, he's getting up there. Has an older Ford Edge. It's having all sorts of problems, well over 100k, nothing drivetrain-related, it's all piddly stuff with accessories. He has more than enough resources to go down and buy a new car if he wants, today. And he talks about it... he's talked about it for the last 5 years, longer than some people own their cars!

I often wonder if the talking about it, doing research, and dealing with the existing vehicle's problems and arguing about it isn't just...something to do. Fills time and brain cycles. If he bought a new car, he'd have to give back all that time, and then what?

I put my vehicles on a mental spreadsheet. My last new vehicle was 500 per month. I always bought leftovers at deep discounts so if I got tired of them I could just trade them in. The last new one the Camry I paid off. Like I said before my Grandaughter has it. The used ones I pay cash then the clock starts ticking at 500$ a month plus regular maintenance until I get my investment back. After that I build a mental fund. Once that fund got built up a start looking for a deal. I then buy a backup. I have 5 now. My upkeep for those is less than one new one. All my vehicle desires are now covered. Utility truck, sport car, sports sedan and a minivan. All together being high mileage vehicles except the sports car. It will take awhile for any of them to hit 250K miles. I drive about 12-15K miles a year. If one gets expensive it can sit until I make a decision to fix it or replace it. All while my vehicle fund grows. My maintenance costs are very low. My fun is very high.

Atlas · June 26, 2025

55 minutes ago, KARNUT said:

I put my vehicles on a mental spreadsheet. My last new vehicle was 500 per month. I always bought leftovers at deep discounts so if I got tired of them I could just trade them in. The last new one the Camry I paid off. Like I said before my Grandaughter has it. The used ones I pay cash then the clock starts ticking at 500$ a month plus regular maintenance until I get my investment back. After that I build a mental fund. Once that fund got built up a start looking for a deal. I then buy a backup. I have 5 now. My upkeep for those is less than one new one. All my vehicle desires are now covered. Utility truck, sport car, sports sedan and a minivan. All together being high mileage vehicles except the sports car. It will take awhile for any of them to hit 250K miles. I drive about 12-15K miles a year. If one gets expensive it can sit until I make a decision to fix it or replace it. All while my vehicle fund grows. My maintenance costs are very low. My fun is very high.

I've preferred to keep newer vehicles around, but it wasn't always that way and I've owned some higher mileage stuff. I've always found that ~150k is the point at which the car starts falling apart around an otherwise good (with clean internals!) engine/transmission. Nowadays I don't have patience for that, it's just time to replace it with something newer if I'm driving regularly/rely on it. That's a privilege and I know it.

I've done what you described - my new vehicle purchases tend to be leftovers/aged inventory in configurations that aren't always appealing to payment shoppers (lacking things like uplevel wheel/stereo/leather/tech packages) so they tend to languish on dealer lots and collect big cash incentives on the hood. That way, if I want something else, I can usually turn something over for the cost of a very cheap lease all said and done.

I maintain them like I intend to keep them long term, however. I use good quality oil (but not botiques) and I change fluids/filters on a schedule that aligns with my preference, which is always earlier than suggested, but I also firmly believe someone can follow the manufacturer's recommended intervals and still achieve reasonably long service life. My TB will see its first oil change at 500 miles....

KARNUT · June 26, 2025

3 minutes ago, Atlas said:

I've preferred to keep newer vehicles around, but it wasn't always that way and I've owned some higher mileage stuff. I've always found that ~150k is the point at which the car starts falling apart around an otherwise good (with clean internals!) engine/transmission. Nowadays I don't have patience for that, it's just time to replace it with something newer if I'm driving regularly/rely on it. That's a privilege and I know it.

I've done what you described - my new vehicle purchases tend to be leftovers/aged inventory in configurations that aren't always appealing to payment shoppers (lacking things like uplevel wheel/stereo/leather/tech packages) so they tend to languish on dealer lots and collect big cash incentives on the hood. That way, if I want something else, I can usually turn something over for the cost of a very cheap lease all said and done.

I maintain them like I intend to keep them long term, however. I use good quality oil (but not botiques) and I change fluids/filters on a schedule that aligns with my preference, which is always earlier than suggested, but I also firmly believe someone can follow the manufacturer's recommended intervals and still achieve reasonably long service life. My TB will see its first oil change at 500 miles....

I get bored with vehicles pretty quickly. Doesn’t matter what it is. I’m pretty cheap really. Having several new vehicles around wouldn’t be fun at all. I take good care of the appearance of the vehicles even the old ones look new. So having a few older ones around does it for me. I don’t like the new technology generally pass the 2016 model year. I’d be more inclined to refurbish rather than buy new. Luckily in my area is affluent and the weather is pretty non abrasive. Finding well cared for older vehicles is easy. If I was to go new I’d probably lease first so I wouldn’t be stuck with a disaster.

Grumpy Bear · June 27, 2025

At what point will the old guys accept that their world has changed? Minds become inflexible with age, so there is that....

When the one I live in fails. And it has not. A post I made in another forum I am part of. Different make. Same result from the same program: This motor has an EPA MPG value of 42 mpg. A OEM 0W20 requirement for the North American market.

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Rolling the first tank after the thermostat change and during a stringer of really hot humid days. Those where AC is not optional if staying married is a goal. I wanted hot but humid I can do without. That said...with the AC running and speeds of 50 to 55 mph 52 mpg is falling off a log easy. Add three to 2 or 3 more if the AC is off. This is that pennies equals dollars thing I'm talking about.

Running 5W40 oil that is slicker than deer guts on a brass doorknob. Heavier Non-Slip POA CTV fluid that runs cooler. Colder water temperatures. Running Ruthenium plugs. Running 45 psi cold tire pressure. Killer alignment. Thanks Dan at Belle Tire and a good set of camber bolts. Trained by a Scan Gauge III system to drive. Will roll over 50 mpg at 60 mph with the AC on. I haven't any interest in driving any faster than 100 KPH.

What am I doing wrong? Well I've undone pretty much everything the OEM tried to do to improve efficiency and failed at because?

Because a theoretical reduction in a fluids internal friction is more than offset by NOT dragging the piston skirts across concrete, which is what a skirt scuffing a cylinder wall is like. Look at the aluminum wear metal reports of consecutive samples from this motor. ZERO!

Physics is not interested in your generational :bs:

That was easy. :crackup:

Edited June 27, 2025 by Grumpy Bear

Atlas · June 27, 2025

9 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

At what point will the old guys accept that their world has changed? Minds become inflexible with age, so there is that....

When the one I live in fails. And it has not. A post I made in another forum I am part of. Different make. Same result from the same program: This motor has an EPA MPG value of 42 mpg. A OEM 0W20 requirement for the North American market.

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Rolling the first tank after the thermostat change and during a stringer of really hot humid days. Those where AC is not optional if staying married is a goal. I wanted hot but humid I can do without. That said...with the AC running and speeds of 50 to 55 mph 52 mpg is falling off a log easy. Add three to 2 or 3 more if the AC is off. This is that pennies equals dollars thing I'm talking about.

Running 5W40 oil that is slicker than deer guts on a brass doorknob. Heavier Non-Slip POA CTV fluid that runs cooler. Colder water temperatures. Running Ruthenium plugs. Running 45 psi cold tire pressure. Killer alignment. Thanks Dan at Belle Tire and a good set of camber bolts. Trained by a Scan Gauge III system to drive. Will roll over 50 mpg at 60 mph with the AC on. I haven't any interest in driving any faster than 100 KPH.

What am I doing wrong? Well I've undone pretty much everything the OEM tried to do to improve efficiency and failed at because?

Because a theoretical reduction in a fluids internal friction is more than offset by NOT dragging the piston skirts across concrete, which is what a skirt scuffing a cylinder wall is like. Look at the aluminum wear metal reports of consecutive samples from this motor. ZERO!

Physics is not interested in your generational

That was easy.