Conversation with co-worker

"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut) 08/23/2019 at 00:30 • Filed to: Dumb things I heard today

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B ackstory: I work with an elderly individual (70+), who for many reasons makes a series of poor finacial decisions. he drives a german luxury car with 200k miles, and everything, and I mean everything is halfassed or done by the cheapest mechanic he can find. Given noone wants to touch his car with a 10 foot pole, its worthless. So he keeps shopping “it needs AWD and a turbo, so I can crank up the boost”. He keeps looking at GTIs, but because he “ needs” AWD, is now looking at used R’s.

So today, “Hey i see you can run the R on regular”

me: why the hell would you do that?

him” well premium costs too much”

me: but that will decrease performance, and fuel economy. Also its a really terrible idea with a turbo

him: Well I do it now...

me: why would you pay a premium for a hot hatch and then not have it live up to its potential?

him: so you have the power when you want it...

..... hey this company will do a tune to get 50 more HP and 10% better fuel efficency.

me: all of these require premium.

him: ah they all say that, the ecu nowadays will figure it out.

At this point I give up. I want to see him drop 30k on a used R, plus the cash for the tune to see it grenade in a month on cheap gas.

gettingoldercarguy > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 00:38

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I have a family member who goes through life trying to 10% ass things to save as much as possible, stick  others with the bill, cheap on tips, etc.  We don't talk too much more anymore.

smobgirl > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 00:56

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Ugh. If you can’t (or won’t) pay money to take care of it, just buy a Camry.

Chariotoflove > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 00:57

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I won’t defend this guy’s life choices or his decisions with these particular cars. I will say it’s a legitimate choice with many of today’s engines to save money by using regular. You lose a little performance, but it doesn’t matter for most daily driving. You can use the high octane stuff on track day.  My car, for example, is rated at 420 hp. I get less I’m sure by using regular, but it’s still plenty, and Kia specifically says the engine is fine with 87.

Edmunds actually recommends doing this, provided your car doesn’t actually require premium. They have a list of premium recommended and premium required cars.

MrSnrub > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 01:05

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it needs AWD and a turbo, so I can crank up the boost

It’s hard to imagine a 70 year old person saying those words, though the cheapness I can imagine

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Chariotoflove 08/23/2019 at 04:03

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Most of the cars I buy deliberately ask for premium or explicitl y ask for it. I don’t want to put my car’s fate in the hands of how well the knock sensor and ecu work together to retard timing.

I’m sure regular is fine and that they test for it, especially if they don’t require it, but I don’t want to give another reason for a mechanism that I regularly depend on to have a problem from a choice I made.

I freely acknowledge that it is your right to do however you please, though, and don’t think of any less of you for it.

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove 08/23/2019 at 08:13

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All true, but if you actually spend money on a tune and use regular, you’re pulling on both ends of the rope.

And it’s possible that the tune will make the engine less tolerant of 87, depending on the tune. And let’s face it, this guy is just going to get the cheapest tune he can find. 

Tripper > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 08:39

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Too cheap to spend an extra $5 per fillup, but will go $30k on an out of warranty performance car that requires premium fuel? 

I’m at the other end of the spectrum where I’m anal retentive about the slightest details regarding cleanliness , performance, and maintenance. So this guy is my actual nightmare.

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW 08/23/2019 at 10:41

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That’s what I mean by not condoning this guy’s choices. It’s stupid to tune your engine for more hp and then use a fuel choice that will reduce your hp. I recognize that an aftermarket tune may  change the tolerances of the engine, and I wouldn’t take extra chances with it.

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove 08/23/2019 at 11:06

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Yeah there are cars that they recommend premium for, and cars that require it.

I think very few actually “require” it, and even those should be fine on regular on occasion.

My wife’s last two cars were an X3 and an RX 350. Both recommend it, and she never buys premium, ever. They’re fine — but I will say that turbo cars tend to have a little more lag on regular, which I don’t like. Otherwise no big deal.  

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Chariotoflove 08/23/2019 at 11:30

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What car do you have that’s 420hp?

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW 08/23/2019 at 12:24

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Every car recommends premium that I’ve ever seen in my adult life. But I think all modern NA engines don’t really need it. The big thing Kia did was outright advertise that their engine is rated fine for regular. I’m guessing it’s marketing more than engineering. If I’m wrong though, someone will tell me. 

Chariotoflove > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M 08/23/2019 at 12:26

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Kia K900 with the Tau V8. Its a peach of an engine, if a little thirsty. 

WilliamsSW > Chariotoflove 08/23/2019 at 12:29

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You really can’t be wrong if Kia is telling you it’s fine.

Tbh even the few cars that “require” premium should be okay without it but I think it’s more of a CYA move by the maker’s attorneys.

But if you buy a new turbo car, tune it, AND run regular, you’re begging the OEM to reject any warranty claim involving detonation.  

Chariotoflove > WilliamsSW 08/23/2019 at 12:33

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Precisely. If I tune my car, I know I’m going off the reservation without a canteen. If anything goes wrong I’m SOL with the dealer. Then I’d become real persnickety with fuel, oil, etc. that’s why gmctavish is right that this guy’s an idiot.  

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > WilliamsSW 08/23/2019 at 12:41

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Even money says it will be from jackssuperfasttune Llc

WilliamsSW > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 12:45

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Oh you mean Jack’s Superfast Tune and Bait Shop, down that dead end alley, over the abandoned railroad tracks? The place that floods every time it rains?

Yep that’s it.  

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > gettingoldercarguy 08/23/2019 at 21:09

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This guy had a cv joint stat making noise, went to a shop, then swings in to work complaining that they would only replace it vs just the boot. E ven when we all ageed with mechanic he wouldn’t stop that he was getting scammed. 

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Tripper 08/23/2019 at 21:13

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yeah in no way does it make sense. 

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > MrSnrub 08/23/2019 at 21:22

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he knows enough about technology to be dangerous. perfect example of dunning kruger

gettingoldercarguy > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 08/23/2019 at 21:23

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Dementia?

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > gettingoldercarguy 08/23/2019 at 21:28

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MIT degree + dunning kruger

AdverseMartyr > smobgirl 09/09/2019 at 03:45

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I hear those never need their oil changed.