elmarco

Sadly Mercedes got burnt with too many computer controlled systems and them not talking to each other reliably. Scary bit is they were actually using brake by wire for a while there - not sure if thye have abandoned that idea or not.

Haha - she may have my cojones locked up the handbag, but I still have a vote! You know chicks - "a car is a car - I just want one to match my handbag" where we all know not all cars are created equal. It isn't about being a car that I want (or else there would be no debate and I wouldn't be putting it out to the masses for suggestions) - but as it will live in my driveway and I will have to drive it sometimes, I have to at least not be offended by it (I see bad things happening if a Daewoo or Kia was ever to grace my concrete). I'm an equal opportunity hater of Korean cars (although I will admit to being more impressed by Hyundai lately), Hondas, Nissans and used japanese imports....

Its more around the startup of the HID burners. They don't get to full brightness for 20 seconds or so, and can suck quite a bit of juice at startup. Work well for low beam as it is not flicked on and off, but don't work for high beam. When you want high beam, you don't want to wait 20 seconds.... Newer cars use a bi-xenon system where it is one burner with an electrically operated shade for low beam (low beam is the default by gravity, power on the actuator lifts it to give high beam). The next generation is AFS (advanced front lighting system) that varies the light pattern and direction based on GPS input, speed, steering input and oncoming traffic etc. That sh*t is super cool.

Sorry Graham - I would rather slam my cock in a fridge door than have to look at the dash/interior of an Astra.... I am liking the Focus idea though. The proof will be in the pudding when we have an actual look at some of these (hopefully this weekend).

A few truths about fog lamps.... The LTSA says it is illegal to use fog lamps (front or rear) in anything except adverse weather conditions (fog, heavy rain, snow etc). They do make a big difference in bad weather but are nothing but an assault to the eyes in other conditions (no surprises there). If you want to run lamps during the day, get approved daytime running lamps. Don't use your front fogs. Fog lamps cannot be used without the position lamps (and preferably headlamps) operating - however, they must be wired separately so as they can be turned on and off indepently of the headlamps themselves. As for rear fogs, technically they require a minimum intensity of 150 candela with a maximum of 300cd. As a comparison, stop lamps are min 60cd, max 185cd. And plain old tail lamps are min 4cd, max 12cd. So yes, they are damn bright (the minimum is close to the maximum allowed for a stop lamp) and intended to make you visible in bad weather conditions which we don't normally see in NZ - plain common sense really. I say normally, as the conditions actually requiring fog lamps are pretty rare in NZ although not unheard of. I have seen conditions in Europe where the only thing I could see was a rear fog lamp (and that was pretty dull) - the tail lamps were non existant. The sticking point is the common sense bit - sadly in this country we have too few people with this trait. And sadly, it is left to the Police to well Police it where common sense says don't do it. Some people either don't take responsibility for their actions, or just plain don't give a sh*t about other road users. my 2c

I read that super1 is waiting for parts from Singapore - not a Singaporean import. Wonder if this bad boy is one of the ones that they had masses of electrical gremlins with in the US a couple of years back?

Thanks for the feedback team. A lot of good ideas in there. Will try to line up a test of a couple of these this weekend - should be interesting to see what she likes, and how they compare. 1. Mini Cooper 2. Peugeot 206 3. A3 4. A beetle if I can find one 5. Peugeot 307 6. Focus 7. Swift edit: pushed the damn button before I was finished - dumbass!

Did I read somewhere that the NZ Police were looking at introducing this here? Pretty cool stuff!

They can already do that! Electronic park assist is an option on Lexus (and maybe BMW as well) in the US if I remember correctly. And lane departure / radar controlled cruise control is also an option overseas (Lexus as well I believe). I'll take a trunk monkey over that any day though.

Quote of the week methinks!

Hmmm - seems to be a general consensus that autos = bad. Unfortunate as the Mrs doesn't drive stick - so it will be a compromise one way or the other. If it is a performance issue, we can probably live with it (based on a test drive obviously). But if it is a reliability problem, then that really is a problem - I don't want a liability on my hands.

Good question - I like my brain unscrambled too. The question I always ask myself about helmets is what is my head worth? How would you feel knowing that an extra $200 on the helmet budget might have made a difference between a head injury or not? I say get the absoloute best helmet you can stretch to. And while it has been a while since I bought one, I would have thought $150 was a cheapie (my last Shoei bike helmet was around $1000). Even my last cycle helmet was more like $250 if I remember correctly. Have fun!

Not sure about Sony specifically, but my previous Blaupunkts have given the option of changing the colour of the lighting, and intensity. Might be worth a look in the manual if nothing else.

We already have one E46 coupe in the family, so there is still that option when she wants style... Hmmm - that gives me another idea Greg. Tell me what you know about 206's....

Guess so - they were/are sold here as new cars aren't they?? Latest Barina is a Daewoo rebadged isn't it? Cheap junk and refer to my comment about being less of a man having it parked in my drive ...

Oh and it MUST be NZ New (which rules out the Altezza's etc). I won't touch an import on principle....

Haha - not for the girlfriend. This one is for the wife! Seriously - keep the suggestions coming. I also considered the Swift (we have a couple at work and while I haven't driven one, they look pretty funky to me). However, once she saw one on TM she wanted to rule it out on aesthetics alone (before you ask, I don't know why she doesn't like the shape!). That's not good news on the Mini automatic front though... I really don't understand why she doesn't want to drive a manual - the choice in Mini's is so much larger. Ti/Compact is no good - I'd put her into a 320i or IS200 if she were even leaning in that direction. Any comments on a Peugeot 307? Or Beetle 1.8? Focus? Looking at some of the cars on TM leaves the pickings fairly thin - the interior designers need their head read in some cases - an assault on my eyes (Holden Astra if I remember correctly)! Mazda 3 wasn't one I had seriously considered and maybe worthy of a closer look. Next weekend will be look around in person and test drive time (which should no doubt prove to be an exercise in frustration for me ) so maybe I'll try to slip a Swift into the mix then.

Right - the Mrs has decided that her mid 90's Honda has to go. So, I need suggestions as to what she should look at.... Loaded question I know, but she really has little idea of what she wants. The criteria are: ABS Multiple airbags (the more the better) Good safety ratings Traction/stability control Park sensors would be nice but not necessary Economincal for commuting and OK on the open road NZ New Less than 80,000 kms 4 or 5 doors Automatic or tiptronic only (no manuals sadly) Good sounds Climate control Friendly on servicing and reliability (I will not be spending weekends repairing it!) Prefer a reasonable spec (no poverty packs!) Smallish for easy parking in the city (as in - no Lincoln Continentals ) Stylish and something I won't feel like less of a man for having in my driveway She initially wanted a Mini Cooper (R50), but they seem to be a bit thin on the ground in automatic and pretty pricey when you can find one (would like to spend $15k or less but would stretch to $20k for a Mini). Does anyone know what to look for in these, or what the common faults are/what to be wary of?I won't let her have a Honda, Nissan, anything of Korean origin, ugly or just down right un-stylish. She doesn't want a 3 Series (says mine is too big and heavy ), and won't touch anything like a RAV4/Suzuki Vitara. Other options that have crossed my are: A3 1.8T Impreza Golf IS200 (bit expensive though for NZ new) Apart from that can anyone suggest anything else I should be considering? Any pointers or things to watch for on any of these?Any thoughts appreciated. Cheers, Mark

I didn't say specifically cars (although this is what they are most known for). It goes a whole lot deeper than that - think software (EDS now owned by HP), think robotics for assembly, think logistics (how the hell do you move 6 million cars per year to where they need to be), think engineering skills that are true industrial processes and used in many other industries. And now think how many technical people a place like GM or Ford have trained over the years that are now working in other industries. GM even had their own university (which was one of the top technical schools a while back) - now called Kettering. I stick by the statement - they are too important to allow them to fall over completely. Yes Grant - the $60 USD per hour included benefits which I omitted. This is still a high rate for what is effectively unskilled labour. The Chinese are a cunning lot - they have now bought themselves engineering expertise and experience. Oh, and a whole lot of brand collateral and recognition.

A couple of years ago, I read that ongoing medical and benefits cost Ford over $1000 per vehicle they produced. That was around $2000 kiwi for every vehicle Ford produced in North America (around 5 million vehicles from memory) spent on people that didn't even work for the company any more! I'm all for employers looking after their employees really well and making it a place people want to work - but that was just plain ludicrous. The information came from Automotive News if I remember correctly - so it was fairly reputable. Unfortunately, the American car industry has been hit with a series of crises that have ultimately taken their toll - many of them their own doing. First there is the UAW and how they have held the big 3 to ransom over labour rates ($60 USD per hour for unskilled assembly staff is crazy - no wonder people never left!). Then there was the poor management (all 3 are guilty of this I think) and poor product quality. Then there was their combative supplier management - no supplier wants to give them the best technology and secrets because the know the first thing to happen is to sign a 5% cost reduction minimum for every year of production - if they get the job. If not, their design ideas have been shopped to the competition who will do it on the cheap - which leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. I have even been told by Holden what their target buy price on an item was - which amounted to around 80% of our actual production cost price. And they wonder why top line suppliers don't want to deal with them. Then escalating fuel prices that for some reason nobody in Detroit saw coming (ironic as they all have companies in Europe and Asia and nobody in those areas would seriously consider something the size of an F150 as a family runaround/commuter). And now the credit crisis slowing sales to a crawl. I am all for a strong US auto industry (and GM was the natural leader until recently with everything from locomotives, to software services and aviation) - it feeds so many other industries and so much technology development in other areas. And most importantly, it trains loads of engineers that move into other industries - which is what NZ misses out on. For those that have never seen the inside of the industry - it is a real eye opener in technology, scale, development process and thought process. I am passionate about the industry and can't see either GM or Holden falling over completely. They are both too important to the development of technology and technical people. Now the question becomes what will the industry look like in 5 or 10 years? Hopefully not head office subcontracting everything to China Inc.

Must be an absolute nightmare getting a straight answer out of him.

Will give you a call first thing in the morning.

From: David Thorne Date: Monday 8 Dec 2008 11.04am To: Matthew Smythe Subject: R.S.V.P. Dear Matthew, Thankyou for the party invite. At first glance I thought it may be a child's party what with it being vibrant and having balloons but I realise you probably did your best with what little tools were available. I wouldn't miss it for the world. What time would you like me there? Regards, David. From: Matthew Smythe Date: Monday 8 Dec 2008 3.48pm To: David Thorne Subject: Re: R.S.V.P. Hi David Sorry the note was just to let you know that we might be a bit loud that night. The house warming is really just for friends and family but you can drop past for a beer if you like. Cheers Matthew From: David Thorne Date: Monday 8 Dec 2008 5.41pm To: Matthew Smythe Subject: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. Thanks Matthew, Including me in your list of friends and family means a lot. You and I don't tend to have long discussions when we meet in the hallway and I plan to put a stop to that. Next time we bump into each other I intend to have a very long conversation with you and I am sure you are looking forward to that as much as I am. I have told my friend Ross that you are having a party and he is as excited as I am. Do you want us to bring anything or will everything be provided? Regards, David. From: Matthew Smythe Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 10.01am To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. Hi David As I said, my housewarming is just for friends and family. There is not a lot of room so cant really have to many people come. Sorry about that mate. Cheers Matthew From: David Thorne Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 2.36pm To: Matthew Smythe Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. Dear Matthew, I can appreciate that, our apartments are not very large are they? I myself like to go for a jog every night to keep fit but fear leaving the house so I have to jog on the spot taking very small steps with my arms straight down. I understand the problems of space restrictions all too well. If you would like to store some of your furniture at my place during the party you are quite welcome to - if we move your cane furniture into my spare room for the night and scatter cushions on the ground, that would provide a lot more seating and create a cozy atmosphere at the same time. I have a mirror ball that you can borrow. I have told Ross not to invite anyone else due to the space constraints so it will just be us two and my other friend Simon. When I told Simon that Ross and I were going to a party he became quite angry that I had not invited him as well so I really didn't have any choice as he can become quite violent. Sometimes I am afraid to even be in the same room as him. So just myself Ross and Simon. Simon's girlfriend has a work function on that night but might come along after that if she can get a lift with friends. Regards, David. From: Matthew Smythe Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 4.19pm To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. Wtf? Nobody can come to the houswarming party it is just for friends and family. I dont even know these people. How do you know I have cane furniture? Are you the guy in apartment 1? From: David Thorne Date: Tuesday 9 Dec 2008 6.12pm To: Matthew Smythe Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. Hi Matthew, I understand it is an exclusive party and I appreciate you trusting my judgement on who to bring. I just assumed you have cane furniture, doesn't everybody? Cane is possibly one of the most renewable natural resources we have after plastic, it is not only strong but lightweight and attractive. Every item in my apartment is made of cane, including my television. It looks like the one from Gilligan's Island but is in colour of course. Do you remember that episode where a robot came to the island? That was the best one in my opinion. I always preferred Mary Anne to Ginger, same with Flintstones - I found Betty much more attractive than Wilma but then I am not really keen on redheads at all. They have freckles all over their body did you know? It's the ones on their back and shoulders that creep me out the most. Anyway, Ross rang me today all excited about the party and asked me what the theme is, I told him that I don't think there is a theme and we discussed it and feel that it should be an eighties themed party. I have a white suit and projector and am coming as Nik Kershaw. I have made a looping tape of 'wouldn't it be good' to play as I am sure you will agree that this song rocks and has stood the test of time well. I am in the process of redesigning your invites appropriately and will get a few hundred of them printed off later today. I will have to ask you for the money for this as print cartridges for my Epson are pretty expensive. They stopped making this model a month after I bought it and I have to get the cartridges sent from China. Around $120 should cover it. You can just pop the money in my letter box if I don't see you before tonight. Regards, David. From: Matthew Smythe Date: Wednesday 10 Dec 2008 11.06pm To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. What the f**k are yout alking about? There is no theme for the party it is just a few friends and family. noone else can come IT IS ONLY FOR MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY do you understand? Do not print anything out because I am not paying for something I dont need and didnt ask you to do! look I am sorry but i am heaps busy and that night is not convenient. Are you in Apatrment1? From: David Thorne Date: Thursday 11 Dec 2008 9.15am To: Matthew Smythe Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. Hello Matthew, I agree that it is not very convenient and must admit that when I first received your invitation I was perplexed that it was on a Sunday night but who am I to judge. No, I am in apartment 3B. Our bedroom walls are touching so when we are sleeping our heads are only a few feet apart. If I put my ear to the wall I can hear you. I also agree with you that having a particular theme for your party may not be the best choice, it makes more sense to leave it open as a generic fancy dress party, that way everyone can come dressed in whatever they want. Once, I went to a party in a bear outfit which worked out well as it was freezing and I was the only one warm. As it won't be cold the night of your party, I have decided to come as a Ninja. I think it would be really good if you dressed as a ninja as well and we could perform a martial arts display for the other guests. I have real swords and will bring them. If you need help with your costume let me know, I have made mine by wrapping a black t-shirt around my face with a hooded jacket and cut finger holes in black socks for the gloves. I do not have any black pants so will spray paint my legs on the night. It is a little hard to breathe in the costume so I will need you to keep the window open during the party to provide good air circulation. Actually, I just had a thought, how awesome would it be if I arrived 'through' the window like a real ninja. We should definitely do that. I just measured the distance between our balconies and I should be able to jump it. I once leaped across a creek that was over five metres wide and almost made it. Also, you mentioned in your invitation that if there was anything I needed, to let you know. My car is going in for a service next week and I was wondering, seeing as we are good friends now, if it would be ok to borrow yours on that day. I hate catching the bus as they are full of poor people who don't own cars. Regards, David. From: Matthew Smythe Date: Thursday 11 Dec 2008 3.02pm To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: R.S.V.P. WTF? No you cant borrow my car and there is no f**king 3B. I reckon you are that guy from Apartment 1. You are not coming to my house warming and you are not bringing any of your friends. What the f**k is wrong with you??? The only people invited are friends and family I told you that. It is just drinks there is no f**king fancy dress and only people i know are coming! I dont want to be rude but jesus f**king christ man. From: David Thorne Date: Sunday 14 Dec 2008 2.04am To: Matthew Smythe Subject: Party Hello Matthew, I have been away since Thursday so have not been able to check my email from home. Flying back late today in time for the party and just wanted to say that we are really looking forward to it. Will probably get there around eleven or twelve, just when it starts to liven up. Simon's girlfriend Cathy's work function was cancelled so she can make it afterall which is good news. She will probably have a few friends with her so they will take the mini van. Also, I have arranged a Piñata. Regards, David.

Now we're talking! What's the condition like Ray? I want one that requires no paint work and is for all intents and purposes in mint condition... More importantly, when are you open, and where can I find you?

From: David Thorne Date: Thursday 21 May 2009 10.16am To: Helen Bailey Subject: Pets in the building Dear Helen, Thankyou for your letter concerning pets in my apartment. I understand that having dogs in the apartment is a violation of the agreement due to the comfort and wellbeing of my neighbours and I am currently soundproofing my apartment with egg cartons as I realise my dogs can cause quite a bit of noise. Especially during feeding time when I release live rabbits. Regards, David. From: Helen Bailey Date: Thursday 21 May 2009 11.18am To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Pets in the building Hello David I have received your email and wish to remind you that the strata agreement states that no animals are allowed in the building regardless of if your apartment is soundproof. How many dogs do you have at the premises? Helen From: David Thorne Date: Thursday 21 May 2009 1.52pm To: Helen Bailey Subject: Re: Re: Pets in the building Dear Helen, Currently I only have eight dogs but one is expecting puppies and I am very excited by this. I am hoping for a litter of at least ten as this is the number required to participate in dog sled racing. I have read every Jack London novel in preparation and have constructed my own sled from timber I borrowed from the construction site across the road during the night. I have devised a plan which I feel will ensure me taking first place in the next national dog sled championships. For the first year of the puppies life I intend to say the word mush then chase them violently around the apartment while yelling and hitting saucepan lids together. I have estimated that the soundproofing of my apartment should block out at least sixty percent of the noise and the dogs will learn to associate the word mush with great fear so when I yell it on race day, the panic and released adrenaline will spur them on to being winners. I am so confident of this being a foolproof plan that I intend to sell all my furniture the day before the race and bet the proceeds on coming first place. Regards, David. From: Helen Bailey Date: Friday 22 May 2009 9.43am To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building David, I am unsure what to make of your email. Do you have pets in the apartment or not? Helen From: David Thorne Date: Friday 22 May 2009 11.27am To: Helen Bailey Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building Dear Helen, No. I have a goldfish but due to the air conditioner in my apartment being stuck on a constant two degrees celcius, the water in its bowl is iced over and he has not moved for a while so I do not think he is capable of disturbing the neighbours. The ducks in the bathroom are not mine. The noise which my neighbours possibly mistook for a dog in the apartment is just the looping tape I have of dogs barking which I play at high volume while I am at work to deter potential burglars from breaking in and stealing my tupperware. I need it to keep food fresh. Once I ate leftover chinese that had been kept in an unsealed container and I experienced complete awareness. The next night I tried eating it again but only experienced chest pains and diarrhoea. Regards, David. From: Helen Bailey Date: Friday 22 May 2009 1.46pm To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building Hello David You cannot play sounds of dogs or any noise at a volume that disturbs others. I am sure you can appreciate that these rules are for the benefit of all residents of the building. Fish are fine. You cannot have ducks in the apartment though. If it was small birds that would be ok. Helen From: David Thorne Date: Friday 22 May 2009 2.18pm To: Helen Bailey Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building Dear Helen, They are very small ducks. Regards, David. From: Helen Bailey Date: Friday 22 May 2009 4.06pm To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building David, under section 4 of the strata residency agreement it states that you cannot have pets. You agreed to these rules when you signed the forms. These rules are set out to benefit everyone in the building including yourself. Do you have a telephone number I can call you on to discuss? Helen From: David Thorne Date: Friday 22 May 2009 5.02pm To: Helen Bailey Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building Dear Helen, The ducks will no doubt be flying south for the winter soon so it will not be an issue. It is probably for the best as they are not getting along very well with my seventeen cats anyway. . Regards, David. From: Helen Bailey Date: Monday 25 May 2009 9.22am To: David Thorne Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Pets in the building David, I am just going to write on the forms that we have investigated and you do not have any pets. Helen