When the original Mini arrived in late 1958, the first thing enthusiasts did was find ways of adding performance. They knew it went around corners like a housefly and defied larger cars on twisty roads with gusto.
So back-street tuners sprung forth and placed ads in newspapers for twin-carb conversions, special exhaust systems and, if you were really serious, ways of increasing the engine's size, its compression ratio or both.
Along with a shorter, stubby gearshift and a rev counter they were what you ticked on your must-have list if you had a Mini and it wasn't quite enough for you.
Within a couple of years, of course, John Cooper signed a deal with British Motor Corporation that would see over-the-counter higher-performance Minis available for anyone visiting a showroom, in the form of the first Mini Cooper, which was followed by the Cooper S - the ultimate of all original Minis and the scourge of racetracks and rally stages the world over.
Lexus RX 2013 model was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show which opened its doors on March 6th 2012 and will remain open till March 18th 2012. The Lexus RX was seen with a host of features which gave it a bolder and sportier countenance. Among those features was a new front bumper, new headlights, LED daytime lights and fog lights and even the tail lamps and license plate got a makeover.
It is its interior that deserves a mention. Customers are more demanding where luxurious interiors are concerned and auto companies pay as much attention to interiors as they do to external features and engine options. The center console has been redesigned while the steering wheel offers better grip. The leather trimmed interior is done up in contrasting stitching, seen on its seats, console and door arm rests.
Engine features of Lexus RX 350 include a 3.5 liter V6 engine with six speed Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence offering 270 hp at 6200 rpm. All RX models have been offered with superb suspension, handling and a host of security and safety features which have all come together to make the new Lexus RX one of the most desirable in its class.
Installed: Cadillac Escalade Spohn Adjustable Panhard Bar, Rear Upper and Lower Control Arms
If you have ever lowered or bagged a Chevy Tahoe or Cadillac Escalade, at least pre 2007, you know they come down at some strange angle that makes ...
What could cause the lower control arm to bend on my 2006 Rav4?
Feb 06, 2010 by dave | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
My rear passenger wheel was tilted in, when the shop took the wheel off they said the Lower control arm is bent. This is a 4wd 2006 rav with 59,000 miles on it. Is there any kind of mechanical failure which could explain the bend or are they right that I must've hit something? I would think that would have to be some crater of a pothole to bend the arm, and I would've noticed that. Over the past week I felt some play in the rear of the car (thought it was just a tire problem) and on the trip when it finally gave out i was hearing a knocking in the rear.
Hoping this is a mechanical failure that's covered under warranty.
I'm sorry to say that your bumper to bumper warranty evaporated @ 36,000 miles. The remainder of your warranty is power-train related which includes engine and transmission. A lower A-arm is relatively inexpensive and quick to replace. I can't think of any mechanical drive-line issues that would cause your lower A-rm to bend. As side-ward skid into a curb would have bent a front wheel, possibly the arm. Up and down pot-holes would not bend it either.
Country Boy | Feb 06, 2010
will not be covered by your warranty. sounds as if you curbed a wheel on the rear or drove over a tree stump or was out 4wheelin and got hung up. its not that expensive just replace the part, do the alignment replace the tire your out 550.00 could be worse.
Tony G | Feb 06, 2010
Sorry, bent components are not warrantable, and someone slid into or hit
something a little on the hard side to start bending things. Most potholes
will not bend anything even though it sounds like its coming through the car.
Pat | Feb 06, 2010
yep... sounds like you drove over something.
JB | Feb 06, 2010
Why does my car "pop" when I release the brake pedal?
Dec 16, 2006 by msgreeniez | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
I have a 1997 Buick Skylark. The car was making a LOUD popping noise while turning and also braking.. The mechanic replaced 2 front sway bar links and 2 lower control arm bushings. I brought the car home and the next day noticed the car popping, sometimes loudly, when I release the brake pedal. It almost seems like something is sticking.. Sometimes it comes from the rear passenger side and other times it comes from the front passenger side. When the noise comes from the front, I can see and feel the passenger side of the car pop up. What could the problem be? I recently bought this car. It has automatic enhanced traction control, but the off light has been on since I purchased the vehicle. The traction control never comes on. Could this be part of the problem?
I believe this vehicle has struts on front and rear....they act as a shock absorber inside a coil spring sometimes they will stick because they are getting worn and need to be replaced.... the sticking will cause a popping noise.... take the car to your local mechanic and have him/her check it out.....hope this helps....
good luck
truckindad | Dec 16, 2006
It probably does that because you pressed it to fast
hotie | Dec 16, 2006
Need help please buying first car ever?
Mar 18, 2010 by Marioqwe | Posted in Honda
So I am about to buy a used car and it's gonna be my first car ever!
So here are the aspects:
"this civic is DRIVES GREAT & ITS VERY FAST
HANDALS LIKE A RACE CAR
SPECIAL FUTURE'S: SKUNK2 full coil-overs $643
BLOX rear lower control arms$135
UNIVERSAL RACE MUFFLER
MODIFIED INTAKE
THE CAR IS for sale AS-IS DEAL
98 civic is a fast CAR and very clean inside and outside
New timing belt & recent oil change
AUTOMATIC
Moon roof
Non-smoker owner, pet free
2 door
Mileage - only 76K
Color - dark green peral
Interior Color - Gray
Installed Options: Anti-Lock Brakes, Cruise Control, Driver Air Bag, Keyless Entry, Passenger Air Bag, Power Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Windows and Sunroof
price is firm
Please only serious inquirys"
I saw some pics and it looks fair.
I'm gonna meet with the guy that's selling the car tomorrow. What should i ask him?
The price is $3250. Is it too high? any advices?
Thanks!
It should be 4-door, 4-cyls, not sporty. I would prefer Honda or Toyota... First time drivers usually have much more expensive car insurance, and it depends from car. You should compare insurance rates while choosing the car - for example here - carquotes.sinfree.net
Antony | Mar 19, 2010
It sounds like pretty good deal and Honda Civics are great cars. Go to Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com) and check the value there. Also go to Autotrader.com and see what they are going for there. And finally, get a mechanic to have a look at it. You choose and pay for the mechanic (don't let the seller choose one); but insist on that. If the seller has a problem with that then walk; since they are probably hiding something. You might also want to run a carfax report to see if anything dramatic has happened to it.
The mechanic and carfax report will cost you a little but its well worth it since no such thing as a warranty on a used car. Also, be slow and careful in checking it out... its easy to get excited with your first car and since you WANT it to work out you might be quick to buy it even if there is something nagging you about it. My first car was a diesel rabbit... big mistake that thing was a nightmare. I though it seemed under powered but I was 16 and want a car NOW so pulled the trigger. Thing died shortly after.
Good luck!
Republican Brownshirt | Mar 18, 2010
i am also looking for a modified civic also as my first car
the civic is a great car to modify since it is cheap which is one of the great things about it
it was good until i got to the automatic transmission part lol :) i drive manual only
uh just dont go crazy with it. for example ill us me. i am looking for a modified civic 98-01 coupe or si because of the style. i love to use modifications but i wont street race.
for the question, ask him has it been in any accidents, any problems with the car, take a good look at the car, check the internet to see the price of the civic of the same year at today's price and finally since it was pet free and smoke free, take that into consideration with the price also.
hope you get the car and enjoy your civic!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Braden | Mar 18, 2010
Vibration in my car when I drive over 60 mph?
Oct 03, 2009 by Phillip E Hernandez | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
Hello fellow yahoo'ers
I have an '04 BMW 545 with about 90k mi on it. One day I woke up and walked to my garage to have the surprise of my passenger/rear tire being completely flat. I always keep a can of fix-a-flat for this specific reason and put it in, drove to the corner gas station, and filled it up with air. I knew i wasn't going to be able to fix it that same day so i took my other car and went on my merry way. The next day when i was taking Alice (thats my cars name) to get her tire fixed I noticed that if i drove above like 50 - 60 mph she started getting an intermittent vibration (like it vibrated every 1 sec or so for like half a second or something). Talking to my friend on the phone, he said it was probably because i left the fix-a-flat without driving it a whole bunch and that it hardened on one side. seemed logical enough i guess. Anyways so i took her to the shop, explained this to the friendly people, and got the tire to get repaired. So leaving the shop I jump on the freeway, hit 60, and there I am again feeling a vibration that left my bottom feeling like i had sat on one of the jacuzzi jets too long... ok maybe not that bad. Well so I turned around and took it back to the shop and they said that most likely reason was that the wheels were out of balance.
Anyways long story short, had them balanced. It still vibrates. I have an appointment on monday to take to my usual mechanic, but am curious to see if you guys would have any idea as to what it could be. I was thinking maybe a slightly bent rim because when i drove to the gas station the tire was not fully inflated. Mechanics at the shop i took it too said the lower control arm was loose (and tightened it up) but said that maybe it was bent and i would need to replace.
IDK, so I leave this know in your experienced hands.
Thanks in advance and let me know if you need more deets
Car pulls to the right even AFTER alignment... details below?
Dec 11, 2008 by abnOrmal | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
Briefly, I slid on some ice and hit the curb... fairly hard. I ended up replacing upper control arm, lower arm and strut rod on the front wheel passenger side. Mechanic also noticed the tire on that side was closer to the back of the car than it should be (not centered in the wheel well) Anyways he sent me to get an alignment (who apparently did toe in toe out) and noticed the same thing. The car still pulls.
He then said I might need to pull the suspension or something like that because something might have been bent (beyond the control arms which were replaced)
DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEA IF THIS IS TRUE?
WHAT COULD BE MY PROBLEM?
WHAT IS THIS SUSPENSION PULLING PROCEDURE?
(EXTRA INFO- tire pressures are fine, the front passenger side wheel was switched with driver side rear wheel at the body shop.)
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