2015 Washington, D.C. Auto Show Report
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
That's normal. Warmer temperatures cause parts and their seals to expand, press against each other more tightly, lessen tolerances, and prevent the rubbing and slipping that causes creaks and rattles. And not just convertibles.....all else equal, you will usually notice fewer rattles/squeaks on almost any vehicle in warmer weather.
#17
Lead Lap
That's normal. Warmer temperatures cause parts and their seals to expand, press against each other more tightly, lessen tolerances, and prevent the rubbing and slipping that causes creaks and rattles. And not just convertibles.....all else equal, you will usually notice fewer rattles/squeaks on almost any vehicle in warmer weather.
#18
That's normal. Warmer temperatures cause parts and their seals to expand, press against each other more tightly, lessen tolerances, and prevent the rubbing and slipping that causes creaks and rattles. And not just convertibles.....all else equal, you will usually notice fewer rattles/squeaks on almost any vehicle in warmer weather.
#19
Lead Lap
What mmarshall said. With current non-luxury models using more and more clips to hold plastic pieces together (instead of screws), they can become loose as the car ages (normal wear & tear since no one on this continent drives on pristine roads). At -40, the car is fine new but a few years later, rattles like no tomorrow (mostly the tonneau cover but I added two felt pieces to shrink the gap) and more recently, the centre console. trim between the console box and the shifter on my Prius (but not at -40 temps... more like 30s-40s).
That's not limited to non-luxury cars .
My point its not like temperature variances are a new concept- we've known about the effects of heat and cold on seals, metal, and plastics for a very long time. Rattles are very annoying and one of my biggest pet peeves. That being said, my current cars have been fantastic in that regard.
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
That's not limited to non-luxury cars .
My point its not like temperature variances are a new concept- we've known about the effects of heat and cold on seals, metal, and plastics for a very long time. Rattles are very annoying and one of my biggest pet peeves. That being said, my current cars have been fantastic in that regard.
My point its not like temperature variances are a new concept- we've known about the effects of heat and cold on seals, metal, and plastics for a very long time. Rattles are very annoying and one of my biggest pet peeves. That being said, my current cars have been fantastic in that regard.
Today, of course, with the exception of some Ford Crown Vic/Mercury Grand Marquis/Lincoln Town Cars still running around mostly as taxis and police cars (and they have been discontinued at the factory) virtually all new vehicles are either unibody or space-frame/body-panel in their design. In addition, computer-matched metal alloys for the frames are available for added strength...computer-engineering for vehicles, on a large scale, pretty much didn't exist back in the 60s. This helps not only with the elimination (or lessening) of rattles/squeaks in today's cars, but also in the tendency of the frames to bend/twist in a lateral or longitudinal fashion, which helps the suspension and steering mechanisms do their jobs properly. That's why, in car-ads, manufacturers like to tote numbers (in percentages) showing how much more rigid each new frame is in a redesign and how much it resists deformation.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-30-15 at 06:40 AM.
#21
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Nextourer
they can become loose as the car ages (normal wear & tear since no one on this continent drives on pristine roads).
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Hit the show for a few hours again today, though there really wasn't much to add to my previous report. I spent most of the time checking out some things for my family and friends....and one or two CL-member requests. Didn't even have to use one of my free show-passes....one of the the ticket-takers at the lower-entrance gate was half-asleep as I walked by and didn't even turn his head or check my hand for ink-prints. So, I quickly took the free entrance while I had it....that's not cheating.
Kia had their ride/drive circuit set up outside today, so I briefly tried out the current-generation Sportage (something my brother is quite interested in, since he may need an AWD vehicle soon and gets wonderful service on his Soul from one of the local Kia shops), and the all-new Sedona minivan.
Might (?) go back for the final day Sunday afternoon....I'm not sure yet.
Kia had their ride/drive circuit set up outside today, so I briefly tried out the current-generation Sportage (something my brother is quite interested in, since he may need an AWD vehicle soon and gets wonderful service on his Soul from one of the local Kia shops), and the all-new Sedona minivan.
Might (?) go back for the final day Sunday afternoon....I'm not sure yet.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-30-15 at 04:25 PM.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Glad to help. I may (?) be going back tomorrow afternoon (the show's last day), particularly if Mazda decides to set up its outside Ride/Drive circuit (Toyota, Kia, and Scion have been hogging the available space for the last several days). I'd like to briefly check out the CX-5, which I haven't sampled yet (I really wanted to see the new CX-3 and Miata, but Mazda crapped out on the D.C. show and took them both to Detroit instead, where it probably does make more sense from an international press-introduction point of view).
#25
The pursuit of F
I grabbed some lunch and started reading . Good play-by-play Mike and looking forward to some pics you have on your phone...
A couple things caught my attention:
1. Infiniti - Any mention of the next QX50? Current EX/QX50 is long in the tooth overdue...
2. Mustang - are the seat bolsters as firm/constraining as the NX F Sport's or tighter?
3. IS - smart move by Lexus to put it on stilts Would love to see an "upskirt" LOL of it.
4. Acura - TLX impressions? How about word on the refreshed RDX?
Thanks!
A couple things caught my attention:
1. Infiniti - Any mention of the next QX50? Current EX/QX50 is long in the tooth overdue...
2. Mustang - are the seat bolsters as firm/constraining as the NX F Sport's or tighter?
3. IS - smart move by Lexus to put it on stilts Would love to see an "upskirt" LOL of it.
4. Acura - TLX impressions? How about word on the refreshed RDX?
Thanks!
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
1. Infiniti - Any mention of the next QX50? Current EX/QX50 is long in the tooth overdue...
Here's my review, BTW, of the 1Gen EX35/QX50, BTW, if you haven't seen it. I did it several years ago.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...-ex35-awd.html
2. Mustang - are the seat bolsters as firm/constraining as the NX F Sport's or tighter?
3. IS - smart move by Lexus to put it on stilts Would love to see an "upskirt" LOL of it.
4. Acura - TLX impressions? How about word on the refreshed RDX?
I didn't specifically ask about the new RDX, but, as with the QX50, I'll check on that tomorrow afternoon for you. I'll come back and update both (if I find out anything) tomorrow night
In the meantime, BTW......we have a CAR CHAT thread-topic on the new RDX.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...auto-show.html
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-31-15 at 05:34 PM.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
I was entirely underwhelmed by the TSX at the show myself. Acura just doesn't do anything for me inside, and to me it felt like a nice Honda, as all Acuras do.
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I agree the styling wasn't anything out of the ordinary (it won't stand out from the pack), but it seemed well-assembled, using good materials, like most Acura products.
Last edited by mmarshall; 02-01-15 at 06:02 PM.
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by corradoMR2
Infiniti - Any mention of the next QX50? Current EX/QX50 is long in the tooth overdue...
http://www.infinitiusa.com/now/futur...0-concept.html
How about word on the refreshed RDX?
#30
Lexus Fanatic
Yeah its an okay car. Not anything I could ever have any passion for.