Acura TLX 25,000 Mile Update: A Fender Bender and Some Comments on Interior Quality

With just over 5k miles remaining on my first ever leased vehicle, and first-ever leased Acura, I can confidently say that it has been a rock-solid car since it rolled off the lot 2 years back. The engine and drive train are sound, I haven't made any unplanned stops to the dealership for any gremlins, and I have been managing fairly good fuel economy despite my somewhat lead-foot-esque driving habits as of late. But there are a few issues that have come up since our last update.

The first of which was a minor fender bender back in early May. Though the damage was minor and I had insurance cover the repair costs, it was also the day I learned that the automatic forward collision warning system won't work below 5 mph. The damage required a replacement bumper and passenger's side headlight, but otherwise all was sorted within 2 weeks. Additionally, it should be noted that if you lease a vehicle from Acura, you are bound by the OEM parts clause in the contract which essentially states that in the event of parts needing replacement following a collision, that the parts MUST be Acura OEM parts ONLY.

This is important, because if you've ever had an accident, you probably dropped your car off at one of your insurance agency's "approved" collision centers and you didn't think much after seeing the damage repaired on your car. Well, as I learned, chances are that unless you specifically asked for OEM parts, that the insurance agency more than likely used "Like-Quality" parts - which basically are the off-brand parts made for your vehicle (Think OEM PS2 controller vs MadCatz). Doing this was a no-no for me thanks to the leasing contract, which meant a bit more money was paid up front in addition to my deductible to have the car fixed.

The second issue has to do with the overall interior fit and finish. While the overall look and quality is nothing to write home about, the interior is starting to show unusual age for how new the car itself is. For example, the steering wheel leather is starting to suffer from rubbing-off thanks to the frequent contact it gets from daily driving - a quirk that I find unusual given Acura/Honda's rep for elevated standards of interior quality. On top of that, the car's infotainment system continues to be difficult to use for simple things such as changing the sound settings on the ELS sound system. It also struggles to find many of the destinations that I enter into the system, either suggesting a completely different address or simply not giving me any results period. To see such quality issues on such a new car is disappointing, to say the least, but again, it should be noted that these issues don't directly affect the driveability or overall reliability of the car itself.

The third issue I'm having is in the fuel economy area. Now, many of the TLX owners I've talked to have been successful in achieving the EPA estimated 34mpg in their 2.4 cylinder TLXs. I've even seen in rare cases some topping out at 40+mpg highway on long journeys. But, despite daily highway driving, my TLX tells me that I'm only averaging a paltry 26.3mpg. While I do place some of the blame on my enthusiastic driving style, it's not like I do it enough to plummet the overall mileage averages (I typically commute to work in econ mode and on occasion will switch to sport+ mode if I feel a bit jaunty for the commute home). Overall, gas expenses are still right on par with what I'm expecting to spend at the pump on a weekly basis.

Overall, these issues are all minor and as such I have nothing but praises for the TLX's reliability, practicality and comfort over the past 25k miles. From weekly grocery runs to hauling my snowboard through snow-covered roads for a weekend at the mountain, the TLX has and continues to uphold Honda's standards for practicality and reliability. It handles my aggressive driving with ease, and it still has enough get-up-and-go for merging onto highways in econ mode. It's a refined sedan with a quiet interior and a spunky motor with plenty of low-end torque to push you back in your seat when you feel like putting your foot down.

Milage: 25,500
Repair + Maintenance costs: $540 
Overall Rating: 3/5

Pros: Quick, Comfortable, Refined, Fuel Economy, Practicality. 
Cons: Fit/Finish issues, infotainment system, rear leg room 
 

2016 Acura TLX update: Interior Follies, AMGs, and Range Rovers

Since we've hit the 20,000 mile mark on the 2016 TLX, I figure it would be time for a little update on how things are going. Now, this being a Honda developed vehicle, and much like previous updates, I haven't had any real mechanical complaints other than the lurchy ZF 8 speed transmission, which still acts up periodically; but there have been some issues on the interior quality. Also, we'll hit on the overall experience and just what will happen once the lease is up in 2019.

We'll start by addressing the "Interior Follies" section of the headline. Now, let's start off by saying some nice things about the TLX. It's comfortable, easy to drive, and in sport mode, a fun little kick to your coffee when you really can't stand the commute and want a pick-me-up to remind yourself you'll be home soon. However, I have noticed that in a couple areas, the TLX is starting to suffer a bit in terms of the quality of materials they used for this model year - starting with the driver's side door:

That, ladies and gentleman, is a divot caused, apparently, by my arm. You see, when I drive, the arm rest is too low to rest my elbow on comfortably, so, I usually opt for the door sill instead, since it's better for taller guys like myself. But apparently, the TLX doesn't like this, and has managed to form this small divot in the leather finish. If the car had over 100k on it, I might not be so upset - however, this aesthetic quality issue arises just shy of 23k miles into the car's life, which worries me that the materials in the car might not stand the test of time if it succumbs to simple things like resting my elbow on the door sill. This wasn't as worrying to me, however, as what I noticed on the steering wheel one morning recently.

This developing blemish on my steering wheel scares me for two reasons: 1) it's gotten this bad so early on in the car's life and 2) how bad it might be when the car hits the 100k mile mark. Obviously, this car is my daily driver, but this is a concern in that with the car being as young as it is, it makes me wonder what else in the TLX interior is of this kind of, well, put frankly, poor material quality. No buttons have started fading, the wood grain is flawless and I make sure to avoid touching the gear selector at all costs out of fear that the same leather fading will develop in relatively little time.

Moving out to the exterior, I am happy that I don't have to butter you up with good sounding things before dropping quality bombs, because things are holding up nicely after 2 Chicago winters. The paint is still glossy and rich, the door trims are good and the headlights are still crystal clear. After a good wash and detail come the first warm day of the year, it'll look showroom new.

With the engine, the TLX continues to be sporadically plagued by lurchy transmission issues - something that has been noted to have a look at during the next service. But all of this brings me to my next point -

What's Next? Over the past 2 years, the TLX has proven to be a reliable and dependable car, and I never have had any uncertainties when it came time to drive. However, despite these things, and along with the quality issues I mentioned, I'm still on the fence about whether or not I want to keep this car once the lease is over, and that's because I'm in a place now where I will have the ability to afford one of my dream cars come next June; and the choices are between two iconic vehicles that I have idolized since childhood: The L320 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, and the Mercedes W211 E63 AMG E Class.

In short - these are my two dream cars, each for very different reasons. The Range Rover Sport takes me back to my child hood with all the road trips we took in my parents 99 Range Rover HSE model, whereas the E63's beefy V8 motor and iconic pedigree as being the fastest production sedan in the world back in the early - mid 2000s, had been sort of a poster child for me growing up.

Oh, the Range Rover. I can remember going to Wisconsin to visit my dad when he was stationed at Fort McCoy back in his military days; going off roading in the hills and just enjoying the tranquility of nature with my family as the Range Rover made seamless work out of the mud, rocks and grass of the Wisconsin terrain. I even remember my first driving experience in it, when my Dad taught me the ins and outs of proper off-roading before he'd put my 13 year old butt in the driver's seat, drop the gear box into 4 wheel low and tell me to 'Drive up that embankment!" I remember the feeling of accomplishment I had as I trundled it up a 30 degree incline full of mud and grass - the Range Rover barely shrugging its shoulders while I broke a nervous sweat as I piloted this high end SUV over every bump and dip. This was the moment I fell in love with the Range Rover, and it was the moment I promised myself I'd buy one when I had the money. It was great, and to be able to be within reach of owning one is nothing short of a small life goal of mine coming to life - BUT there is one critical thing about Land Rover ownership that is keeping me at bay -

The reliability - OH the reliability!

I can remember the short time span in which a number of things went wrong. From power steering pumps, to oil leaks, exhaust and emissions issues, to the power seats sporadically going out of order, the Land Rover Range Rover was not without its British Engineering roots - and this being a 90s Range Rover, that meant that every part was almost twice as expensive, and took twice as long to do, thanks to the fact that every nut and bolt, down to the screws that held the license plate in place, had to be special - ordered from her majesties kingdom. It was this almost - constant stream of issues that lead my parents to sell their Range Rover in 2006 for a much more reliable (and still in the family) 2003 Nissan Xterra, of which I am currently in the early planning stages of turning it into an overland adventure truck (more on that later).

As much as I want to pull the trigger and get a Range Rover in my life, I simply can't be enticed to just do it, and a lot of that hesitance comes from my memories of how unreliable our Range Rover was. And when I say unreliable, I don't mean trivial things, but rather the kind of things that very quickly turned my parent's love affair with the Range Rover into a money pit.  Now, don't get me wrong, the L320 Range Rover sport is leaps and bounds from the old Range Rovers of the 90s, but don't be fooled - this generation of Range Rover came with its own demons that don't make it a much more appealing option. So, with that said, we turn our attention to the much more bullet-proof and German-Engineered Mercedes Benz W211 E63 AMG.

 

When it came out as the E55, the W211 AMG E Class was, for a time, the FASTEST production sedan in the world; that's right. IN THE WORLD. With 430+ HP and 500lb-ft of tourque, the AMG E Class stomped just about any and all competition, and managed to look damn good doing it thanks to the long and low profile, the nice lip spoiler, those huge AMG shoes, and the amazing panoramic sunroof. Now, for the longest time, the same fears of reliability that I had with the Range Rover kept me from pulling the trigger on getting one - in fact, it was in the line up when I decided on the TLX. However, after researching, forum reading and a bunch of digging through the maintenance histories of the ones I was able to find online, I've discovered that my perception of the W211 AMG E has been completely unjustified and out of line in terms of the important stuff - the engine and transmission. Hell, even my fears of electronic gremlins were over-exaggerated as they are ranked among the most bullet proof cars on the road - and with prices falling well within my price range for a clean low-mileage example, I've decided to give it some serious consideration, but, this being an AMG, the drawbacks don't come in the form of reliability - but rather through the regular maintenance of this car.

When you buy a sport sedan that is ALSO reliable, it's important to understand that that type of mix comes at a price - in the long run, at least. For one, Oil changes won't be cheap - I expect to spend anywhere from $60-$80 each time I bring it to my shop. Also, these cars are known to need new motor mounts after about 100k, most likely thanks to the insane power and torque figures this motor puts out. The other big thing is the air suspension. In Mercedes', these units are actually fairly easy to fix on your own with a lift and otherwise pretty reliable, but they can be a little pricey, which means that I'll have to do some digging to find good deals on them when the time comes to replace, and because I love the comfort and versatility that air-ride suspensions offer, and because the original system adds value to the car, I don't think I'll opt for the coil spring conversion, though that is as-of-yet undecided.


Of course, with that decision being more than a year off, I can't definitively say what direction I really want to go. And don't worry, unlike my unsubstantiated rant back in 2015, If I decide to opt out of the TLX, I will pursue one of these two as my next daily driver and not opt for some other vanilla econo-box - because those don't normally make for good writing.

2016 Acura TLX Update - A Year In, and Still Going Strong

At A Glance:

Mileage: 14,430

Out-of-Pocket Maintenance: $250

Gas MPG: 26.8 (avg)

A Pleasant Surprise?

With just over 14,000 miles on the clock, it’s time to reflect on what it’s been like to own an Acura TLX over the past year. In short, I can say that aside from a few niggles here and there, it’s been a rather standard, but overall pleasant experience. But, when you think about it, having a standard experience with a sedan of this type that fits into the mid-size category is pretty much par for the course. But, unlike the common Camrys, Optimas and even the TLX’s Honda-based cousin, the Accord, it does pack a little extra “white glove punch” if you will.  Let’s break it down.

Things I like

Now, when I say that driving a TLX is a “standard” experience, I don't mean that it’s about as entertaining as vanilla ice cream. Think, Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. A little something extra, but not quite the whole sundae you were hoping for. With that being said, it beats out a lot of other traditional mid-size sedans when it comes to the daily driving experience. The interior, while not as flashy as, say, a BMW 3 series, is still a nice place to be. At 80 miles an hour on the highway, the interior is quiet and soothing. There is little to no tire roar, and apart from the soft, slightly optimistic and grumbly hum of the engine, the only thing you can really hear is a muffled wind noise as it flows over the hood. This amazing sound insulation – a quality that a lot of people who aren’t familiar with the Acura brand tend to overlook, actually elevates the interior and makes all of the cheap-looking plastics a bit less….artificial.

All that quietness allows me to really enjoy the crisp and clear sound of the ELS Audio System as well. Developed by Elliot Schneider, the ELS audio system that comes equipped with the 2.4 liter tech package doesn’t disappoint. Being a fan of the EDM world, you’ll find me listening to a lot of music that involves a lot of bass and sound articulation, and no matter how much I turn up the volume or want to test my hearing thresh hold, the bass doesn’t come anywhere close to distorting the overall sound while delivering a punch that you’d expect from some sort of aftermarket system. The highly customizable audio interface allows me to tune the sound to my liking with 8 channels to optimize sound quality, so even if there is too much bass, for example, I can manipulate the system settings to get the sound that I want. The Bluetooth interface is simple to use as well, and after initial setup, it can automatically sync to my phone every time I get in the car. It can even switch between multiple devices at pretty much the touch of a button, which means that in this case, I don’t have to take my eyes off the road if one of my friends wants to sync their phone up to play music. Now, in my old car, this was more of an issue, but was resolved via the use of a 3.5mm audio jack – an option that does not exist on the TLX.

 The other thing that I’ve enjoyed about the TLX’s dual-screen interface has been the fact that I don’t have to temporarily lose sight of my Navigation screen while I’m searching for a song to listen to, or setting the climate control. I can even use the TLX’s voice command system to enter an address into the Nav, further alleviating the need to focus on the screen while I’m out on the road, or having to pull into a parking lot to enter a destination address manually. This makes road trips easier and getting where I need to go less of a distraction hazard when entering a destination on the fly.

Speaking of getting where I need to go, the 2.4 Liter engine has proven to be equal parts efficient and more than adequate performance-wise. When I’m merging onto a highway, the engine never struggles with merging. Even in Econ mode, the motor doesn’t sound or feel like it has difficulty getting me up to highway speed when it comes to hard acceleration. In fact, it’s kind of a thrill since I initially didn’t expect a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Honda engine in a mid-size sedan to push me back into my seat slightly. Part of that is thanks to the 8-speed DCT transmission that the engine is mated to, which is pretty good at quickly getting the right gear to attain such confident acceleration. And when I say that the engine is efficient, I mean it’s a stop-at-the-pump-once-a-month kind of efficient. Now, I will say that this efficiency is mostly because my daily commute is maybe a few miles. But even so, on a full tank, I can make a two-hour trip out to Milwaukee and back with the needle only dipping just below the Full line at the end of the journey. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, this has been probably one of my favorite features of this car, ergonomically speaking, in that it has saved me hundreds of dollars in fuel costs over the past year compared to the thirsty V-6 of my Maxima, or the race-bred rotary in the RX-8.

 

 

Things I’ve noticed issue with

It goes without saying that while the TLX has many positive benefits, there are a few things that are worth noting that are not so great. There’s nothing that would be considered a deal-breaker or a reliability killer for my particular car, but these issues are still worth mentioning, nonetheless.

We start with the 8-speed DCT transmission. Earlier I did praise the TLX’s transmission for its ability to deliver a mix of efficiency and performance, however it’s certainly not perfect. In my case, the issues seem to lie within the low gears. For example, when I come to a stop at a traffic light, occasionally, the transmission will go wonky and will cause the car to lurch forward slightly and somewhat violently just before I come to a complete stop. This hasn’t been a consistent issue - in fact it’s fairly sporadic and weather doesn’t seem to be a factor since it’s happened in both hot and cold climates. But I have had to change my driving strategy, in that I always worry about whether I’ll stop too close to the rear bumper of a car in front of me, and the lurch will jerk me forward enough to love-tap that car’s bumper and cause a headache that could otherwise be avoided.

The same thing happens during acceleration, though I will say that this issue is more frequent, and I’ll be sure to bring it up to the technician at my next service appointment. What will happen is as I push the accelerator to go from a stop, the transmission will sometimes, again get clunky on me and slip a little before planting the power on the tires. There is usually a slight delay in response from the engine, but then the transmission will finally pull its head out of the clouds and remember that it has a job to do, which ultimately causes the car to again lurch forward, or even in most cases slip as it goes into first gear, causing jerky and unpredictable acceleration problems. Not enough to where I don’t feel safe driving, but enough for me to make the point that at times, acceleration can be troublesome for the transmission to handle. And I suppose I’m lucky enough to have the 2016 model, as reading through the TLX forums, there were consistent complaints of transmission related problems on 2015 models and moreso for the 9-speed ZF found on the V6 models. Hopefully Acura reads these things and really addresses the issue, since it has been shown to affect the reliability rating of the TLX, which ultimately hurts sales, and what would otherwise be considered a great car. That seems to be the extent of mechanical issues that have plagued first-gen TLX models. Let’s move on to the more technological issues.

 

 

As I mentioned in previous articles, the TLX’s dual-screen interface is great for many reasons, but, sadly, it just isn’t all that intuitive, and after a year of driving, I’m still very much of this opinion. For example, accessing common menu items like the Bluetooth or audio settings involves more fussing about than necessary. Navigating through the menus and sub-menus randomly switches my view between the duel screens frequently and supports my frustration with the fact that the menu navigation is sort of all-over the place in general. I’ve had a chance to get to know the system better over the past year, but early on, I had to sometimes pull over into a parking lot just to adjust the treble levels. It wasn’t as troublesome as it was just an inconvenience, and not something that I would think requires me having to get off the road to do. For 2018, I believe that Acura have re-worked the system somewhat and hopefully things should be easier to deal with. But for now, my ability to quickly navigate through the UI is solely based on my experience using it. Bad mark then for the TLX.

The last thing I’ll say is that, while it does have paddle shifters and the IDS allows me to select from 4 driving modes as outlined in previous updates, there’s just no real…zing. I mean, yes, the TLX is a great daily driver with an appearance that does out-pace that of similar cars in its category. And yes, merging onto highways is more fun than I’ve had with other cars but despite this, It is as I mentioned, a rather “standard” driving experience, albeit with a little extra punch. But, if you’re going to put a sport mode option and paddle shifters in, at least motivate the driver to use them every now and again. And don’t just pepper the engine with a little bit of kick, and pass it off as a different driving experience than what it’s like in normal or econ mode. It’s as if Acura only put this IDS selector module in as simply more of a marketing ploy than anything else. Now, that’s not to say that driving in sport mode is at all boring. There is a notable change in performance and it is slightly more entertaining, but sadly, for me, it’s not enough to ever consider using it for “enthusiastic” driving – in fact, 99% of the time I just leave it in Econ mode since I like the efficiency. It’s just one of those things that are “there” for being there’s sake. Let’s hope that in coming generations of the TLX, Acura really take the time to develop and fine-tune their IDS system so that it encourages drivers to actually use it more often than not.

All in all, the past year with the TLX has been a fairly good experience. Despite its small setbacks, and slight fender bender and tire patch, it has proven to be a reliable and solid choice in the mid-size car segment, and I think it will continue to do so as time progresses. Maintenance is cheap, and it has good fuel economy for a car of its size. While it is still a relatively new car, I will continue to report back on the TLX as time goes on and mileage continues to rise. Will it be just as dependable at 30,000 miles as it is now? Will there be any more transmission issues? Will I finally master the finnicky infotainment system? Only time will tell.

1/64 - The Custom Hot Wheels Community

In the world of aftermarket modification, the possibilities of how one can build and customize their car is seemingly limitless. From custom rims to engine parts, paint jobs, stereos to even custom fabrication for the more seasoned customizers – every part of a car can be made to be unique. But one drawback to all of this is that it can end up being quite expensive as the parts add up, leaving many projects stuck in limbo and in some cases completely abandoned. But what happens if you scale down the car you’re working on?

 

That’s is where I came across Instagram user and Sacramento CA native Pablo.Diecasto916 and discovered a new world of modification. His work was unique, and the detail on each of his projects was immense, from two-tone paint and custom wheels to incorporating LED lights on one of his recent builds. There are awards and conventions for this unique hobby as well. With my interest peaked,  I reached out and had a conversation with Pablo.Diecasto916 about what it’s like turning a mass-produced Hot Wheels toy into a one-of-a-kind collectible that can’t be found on store shelves. I asked about what got him into it and just what it’s like working on his projects with a little Q and A. Here’s what he told me:  

 

 

 

QUICKLAP: Tell me more about what you do. What got you into HotWheels customization? How long have you been customizing?

 

Pablo.Diecast916: I started customizing hot wheels 6 months ago. I joined a few Facebook HotWheels groups and seen people were making HotWheels super realistic and customized. I came from collecting Funko Pops and also customizing those as well.

 

QL: Where do you get your inspiration from and how do you come across the various materials (wheels, bodies, etc) for your projects?

 

P.D.: I attracted the attention of a customizing group and was asked to join their crew. There are about 20 of us who customize and talk shop on a daily basis. We teach and help each other. Kind of like a real garage. I get my paint materials from Michaels craft store and Walmart.

 

QL: Do you do this as more of a hobby or do you customize for clients by request?

 

P.D.: Right now, I make customs for myself. I’ve given a few customs out to friends as (R.A.O.K.) random acts of kindness. I'm enjoying the craft so I don't want to jump right into commissions. Some people do and end up getting burned out and forgetting why they make customs.

 

QL: How long on average does it take to complete a project?

 

P.D.: Most customs can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a day. It all depends on whether you’re doing a simple wheel swap to a complete custom. By complete custom I mean stripping the original paint, primer and adding new paint and wheels.

 

QL: Do you plan on doing models like this on a larger scale (1:24, 1:18, etc.) or do you plan on sticking to HotWheels? What’s your favorite car to customize and why?

 

D.P.: I plan to stick to hot wheels. There are a lot of different castings to choose from so there’s always something new to customize. My favorite cars to customize are Volkswagens. They’re cool and you've got a lot of options to work with.

 

QL: Are there competitions for what you do? If so, can you tell me more about them?

 

D.P.: I've heard of competitions at car shows and car meets. I myself haven't entered into any competitions. I'm doing this for the fun and fellowship with friends. Any time I'm approached about how to customize I help in any way I can. I've met a lot of great people in the Hot Wheels community.

 

QL: That sounds awesome. It’s cool that there’s this community you can work with and talk to. Do you pick up your cars new in packaging or do you ever, say, go to yard sales or flea markets and get them that way?

 

D.P.: I usually buy them new or if I can find a reasonable deal in the fb group I'll buy from members. I've got a wife and four kids so I don't usually have time to hit yard sales or the flea market. They are solid spots to find great deals though.

 

QL: Are you teaching your kids the ropes of working on Hot Wheels customization? Do they spend time with you as your work or help out?

 

D.P: My oldest is ten and she's into just about everything I'm into. I usually give her hot wheels she can paint the way she likes. My youngest daughter is 3 and she likes watching me work on customs, but my boys prefer to play with the cars rather than work on them.

 

QL: Hah. Of course they do. It’s nice to hear that they all take interest in your work in one way or another. Do you take your family to car meets when you have the time?

 

D.P: I haven't been to any car meets unfortunately. They’re trying to get some planned in the future for the fb group. For now, I meet up with a couple members from my club and go hunting for cars. Sometimes you have to hit 2-5 stores to find the cars you want.

 

QL: What stores have been considered a “gold mine” while on that hunt?

 

D.P: For me it's been grocery stores like Safeway and Bel Air, Walmart and Target are hit and miss.

 

QL: Awesome. I also noticed that one of your models had LED lighting details. Is that common in your projects or is that something you do once in a while? I imagine that might take a bit of extra work to get it to function properly.

 

D.P: That was the first time running lights. I plan on doing more with lights. You guessed right, it does take longer to get the lights just right and not all castings and fit a led setup.

 

So, a snapshot of a toy that was an integral part of my childhood growing up, and how it has evolved this unique subculture that collects and customizes them. It's nice to know that in a world full of handhelds and virtual reality, there are still people who enjoys this sort of hobby, and create some amazing things by combining creativity with a little elbow grease. You can follow Pablo’s work on his Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ford Econoline is a Good Choice When it Comes to Trailer-Hauling Destruction Derby Racing - Here's Why

This is a picture of a Ford Econoline. If you live anywhere in America, you might associate this van with being the choice fleet vehicle of everyone from your local plumber to police paddywagons and even oversized families. It has been a staple of American transportation since 1961, with Ford carrying the Econoline name all the way through to 2013, with the Transit name plate taking over following its retirement.

The recipe for the Ford Econoline was brutally simple, and that simplicity is what contributed to its success over the past 50 years. This formula of simplicity, durability, and reliability meant that maintenance was cheap, and that should something go wrong, it didn’t take a specialized tech expert to fix it. The Econoline van began with simple Ford V6 engines in the early 60s, but by 2011, you could have an Econoline (re-named the ‘E-Series’ in 2002) with a V8 from Ford’s SuperDuty Truck line, or, if you really wanted power, you could elect to have a 6.8 Liter Triton V10. That’s right. In its later years, before the Competition forced Ford to ditch the Body-on-Frame design, you could have a 15-Passenger Lamborghini.

Sadly though, by 2013, the Econoline’s old-fashioned success was falling behind the competition that had been coming from Dodge with their Sprinter series, and Nissan with the introduction of their NV Series vans in 2012. It’s safe to say, then, that the Econoline was, and still is revered as one of the most bulletproof cargo conversion vans of its time. It’s no wonder then, that when it came to choosing a car to compete in a demolition race, Mike Hillringhouse of Team83 Racing went with a second-hand Econoline to take on the competition. It would also serve as a fitting send-off for one of Ford’s most beloved nameplates, only second to the legendary Crown Victoria.  

Specifically, they obtained a 1999 Econoline panel van from a local friend. The 4^th-generation panel van was formerly part of the fleet for a local HVAC company, Montour, Inc of Shawano and Clintonville, Wisconsin. The van was decommissioned and given to Team83 Racing, provided that they kept Montour’s branding on the side, in order to get some free advertising. They agreed, and before long, they’d had the van race-ready.

Based on the picture, you could tell that this particular example had already been rather tired – its various dents and aged rust spots serving as a testament to its years of service for Montour Inc. However, Mike and his team couldn’t just get in and start plowing around the race track – there were rules for this competition that had to be followed. To understand the conditions of the race, this took us to the Shawano County Fair in Shawano, Wisconsin – a Labor Day event filled with various festivities, one of which was the annual “Trailer Race”, where Team83 and the Econoline would take the stage to prove their worth, and work to uphold the reputation of the Econoline series. 

 

The rules, much like the race itself, were quite simple. Competing cars had to essentially be stripped down to the metal. Anything that was flammable, and everything aside from the windshield and driver’s seat had to be removed from the car in order to compete. What you were left with then, was a bare-bones panel van that had the classic front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. What it was then could be equated to a sports car that had eaten one too-many big macs. Oh, and they had to carry a trailer – in this case, a simple flatbed sporting a camouflaged riding lawn mower made the Econoline race-ready. With that, the stage was set, Mike was behind the wheel, and the rest – well, just watch the video below for some in-car carnage. For more, follow THIS link to another video, which I recommend as it shows a pretty amazing kill shot from Mike as he turns a trailer into nothing more than an unrecognizable pile of twisted metal.

 

So, the race, all in all, went rather well for Mike Hillringhouse and Team83 Racing. The Econoline van held up to its name and delivered an exciting performance, and literally went out with a bang after taking out the trailer attached to an Oldsmobile, subsequently taking himself out of the running as well. The damage was done. With three flat tires, a ruptured oil pan and significantly more dents and dings, one would have thought that, like most of the other cars in the race, it would not be leaving the track under its own power. But, to my surprise, Mike noted that while some help from a payloader was needed to get the battered Econoline off the track, he was able to start it up and drive it onto the hauler trailer under its own power.

 

 

At the end of the day, this race is, as Mike put it, a “cheap adrenaline rush, and the crowd loves it.” He also told me that he’s already preparing for next year’s race, hoping to attain yet another old Econoline van from the retired Montour fleet. He also intends to do a little more prep for next year’s race, noting that he’ll be running on skid-steer tires to avoid getting flat tires. All in all, we now know that if you’re planning to enter a demolition derby style race, best go with an E-series.

 

 

 

Take Caution if you're Planning on Buying a Used Car in the Coming Months - Here's Why

With Hurricane season in full-swing down south, these massive storms have brought wind, rain, and unsurpassed amounts of flooding to much of the southern states with Texas being the most recent victim. As Hurricane Harvey dissipates, the trail of devastation left behind is nothing short of unfathomable. Buildings are leveled, families have been displaced, and possessions have been lost to this powerful natural disaster. But one aspect of this situation will carry on for years to come, and that comes in the form of flood-damaged cars. It’s why it’s been recommended that if you’re in the market for a new or used car currently, it’s important that you thoroughly inspect every car you take interest in and read up on its service history. If you see a new car being sold at a cut-rate price, there’s usually a reason for that, and it’s never a good one.

 

Since Harvey has passed, Insurance companies have already been hard at work, out in groups inspecting tens of thousands of cars already, with most having already been sent out to auctions and junk yards. From there, cars with insurance that ended up crossing the auction block are bid on by buyers and dealers from all over the U.S – which means there’s a solid chance that some of those bidders came from the Chicago or Milwaukee area. That means, that at some point, you might just come across what appears to be a shiny new Mercedes being sold for the price of a mildly used Ford Fusion at your local used car lot. It’s when you see deals like this, that you must take great caution and know your purchase before you write that check – because if you don’t you just might find yourself swindled into buying what amounts to a pile of scrap metal.

 

 To be clear, it’s important to know that cars that have been inspected by insurers will have a report pop up on the vehicle’s service history. If you see this when you run a CarFax, walk away. I don’t care if it’s a 2016 Camaro SS with 600 miles on the odometer being sold for the price of an old Ford Focus – do not buy it. The reason you’d even come across something like this, is because it was purchased by the dealer, who then might have attempted to have it repaired, or “flipped” and put back out on the lot for a cut-rate deal such as the aforementioned one above. These are easy to tell, and should be avoided at all costs. It’s the Uninsured cars that you need to worry about, as chances are an insurer won’t have inspected it – which means nothing indicating flood damage will show up in its vehicle history report.

 

When a car without comprehensive insurance is damaged, usually, the owner will take it upon themselves to “fix” it before attempting to sell it. They’ll put it on the market at an attractive, impossibly cheap price, and look out for unsuspecting buyers – such as recent college graduates, for example – and pawn it off on them. Cars like this tend to be a bit on the older side, and are prime for that budget-conscious target audience who want a nice car at an even nicer price. In this case, if you aren’t familiar with what to look out for when it comes to inspecting for flood damage – here are a few tips to help you along (shout out to Jalopnik for providing some of these tips):

 

CHECK THE VEHICLE HISTORY

This should always be done when it comes to buying a used car, no matter the circumstances. In the case of flood damage, if the car was insured prior to the flood, sites like CarFax will have this indicated on the car’s report. If you see this, it’s best not to pursue interest in that vehicle any longer. And if a dealer is hesitant to show you the Carfax, you probably shouldn’t even be giving that dealership your business anyway as this is a shady practice that has been known to exist among some used car lots.

 

SMELL THE CARPETS

It may sound a bit unorthodox, and a little weird to do, but this is a tell-tale sign that a car was involved in a flood. When a car is flood-damaged, water always gets into the cabin, and when it’s had a chance to dry off, no matter how much scrubbing and cleaning the dealer attempts to do, there will always be a permanent “watery mildew or moldy” scent when you hold your nose up to it. To give you a better idea, imagine a wet towel that’s been sitting in a backpack for a few days with no access to clean air. Once you pull it out, the towel will emit a mildew or musty odor akin to previous water exposure, and typically, even after a few washes, that stale water smell will still linger for a while afterword. In some cases, if a formerly flood-damaged car has been left out in the heat, you’ll be able to smell it as soon as you open the door.

 

CHECK FOR MOISTURE BUILDUP

Does the windshield have condensation on the inside? On the headlights or tail lights? Instrument panels? These are more indications of flood damage and if noticed, proceed with caution. Moisture buildup - especially if it comes near the electronics can be the final nail in the coffin for a car, as typically, this leads to rusty wiring connectors which will eventually lead to failed electronics, which will ultimately leave you stranded on the highway, only to be saved with an expensive repair bill.

 

CHECK THE UPHOLSTRY

A lot of times when a car is flood-damaged, the upholstery will have water stains, or in most cases, the dealer will have attempted to cut and re-upholster the interior carpeting. This can usually be an easier thing to spot since most dealers don’t pay too much attention to this aspect when they’re inspecting the car before putting it out on the lot. If you see this, there is a good chance the car is flood-damaged, and at that point, it’s best to avoid that vehicle.

 

 

CHECK FOR RUST

Everyone knows that rust is a car’s worst enemy. Flood water usually contains salt water and can lead to excessive rust on the body and, more importantly, the frame. If not detected, this can lead to the frame eventually becoming brittle and unreliable, which can lead to much more serious issues down the road in terms of safety and longevity.

 

BRING A FRIEND

Do you have a mechanic or a car-savvy buddy? Bring them along on your car shopping trip. They might be able to notice certain things that you might miss that would indicate flood damage or other related issues in the car’s history. I always recommend bringing a mechanically savvy friend along regardless, but, since it’s late in the normal car-buying season and cars are starting to make their way north from Hurricane impacted areas, this is a tip recommended now more than ever.

 

According to Jalopnik last year, CarFax estimated that there would be upwards of 800,000 cars affected by that summer’s hurricane season. With the way things are looking now, it looks like that number will be easily surpassed for this season as major auction sites like Copart and Insurance Auto Auctions take on thousands of flood-damaged cars, and individual owners attempt to “fix” and pawn off their older rides to people like you and me. In short, be cautious, ask questions, and if anything appears to be shady, turn and walk away – no car is worth burning a hole in your wallet.

 

Milwaukee Has Seen a Surge in Vehicular Crime. Now, One Man is Taking Action for his Community.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a sprawling metropolis with big-city looks, and yet a small community-like vibe. It’s home to a diverse and growing population of students, young couples, aspiring creatives, and professionals who crave the luxuries of city life without the typical off-the-chart city expenses – and the ever-dreaded issue of big-city traffic. Take a stroll out on the East Side and you’ll quickly see that good food, music and award-winning beer are what make up the heart of the public entertainment sector. What’s more, upon closer inspection, you’ll also notice something that isn’t quite found in other growing cities – a real sense of community.

Up and down the streets, you’ll see that along-side the few “big chain” businesses – the Burger Kings, McDonalds and 7-11s, that a majority of Milwaukee’s business sector is comprised of small, independently owned businesses that give the “Cream City” its unique, home-grown flavor. I went to school here for 5 years, and I can say without a doubt that Milwaukee is and always will be a second home to me. From enjoying a cold brew on one of the city’s many fine rooftop or river-side patios and breweries, to enjoying many memorable nights at Summerfest grounds jamming out to my favorite bands, Milwaukee has a feel unlike any other city. It’s big, yet quaint. Everyone you meet greets you with a smile, no matter who you are. It’s uniform, and yet so diverse that even after five years living there, I was still finding new places in and around the many communities that make this city so unique. But, recently, that crisp and unforgettable Milwaukee vibe has come under attack.

This article takes us into the issues behind the recent surge in car-related crimes around the city. Car-jackings in broad daylight; countless break-ins; countless stolen car reports – these crimes have spiked within the past couple of years, and at this point, the lack of police resources and an overall sense of fear have stricken the good people of Milwaukee, and have had the authorities so tied up in these reported crimes that it has become quite a task for Milwaukee’s police force to keep up with. With that, it seems that the future of Milwaukee might be in jeopardy. However, there is still hope, as one man has been taking the initiative to assess these crimes and rally his community together to make a difference and put a stop to the crime, once and for all. To find out how he was setting about doing this, we honed in on Walker’s Point – an up and coming neighborhood that lies just south of Milwaukee’s Downtown district; and, more recently, a community that has fallen victim to vehicular-related crime.

Bryan Garay, a Walker’s Point native, acquaintance and former rugby teammate of mine has been a victim of such crimes on multiple occasions over the past few months alone. He’s become so frustrated with thieves consistently targeting his BMW 3 series, that he’s decided enough is enough. He’s now out on a mission to alleviate his city of these crimes so that his fellow residents can stop living in fear of becoming the next victim and compromising their sense of safety. Bryan told me that the break-ins started in early spring of this year. First with thieves sifting through his interior, and eventually leading to broken windows.

 

 

“The break-ins started getting worse right as spring came around at the end of March/beginning of April. That was the first time my car was targeted as they just went through my glove compartment and car to search for whatever to steal.” But the trouble didn’t end there for the well-known Milwaukee DJ. “After the second time, that's when I reported it to the police and started tagging the police department and county officials to get some attention besides just a call or email. I started leaving my car unlocked and with no real valuables inside but they did break my windows on the 3rd time when I had actually locked my car”.  At this point, most people would consider leaving Milwaukee, but despite his car being broken into 3 times already, he stayed. And the thieves just kept coming by. After the sixth break-in – yes – sixth, Bryan decided that it was time to take action. So, he started talking to his friends and acquaintances in an effort to reach out to the city to have a face-to-face that would be the start of the battle to revive that sense of safety and community that seemed to be escaping the city. After some searching, one of his friends came through and was able to get Bryan the meeting he needed with a County Supervisor.

“What I hope to get out of the meeting is information that I can relay to others on what sort of options are available besides using the police. The police themselves are lower on resources and quite frankly can't handle the situations properly because of budget cuts.” Bryan told me. He then went on to the focus of how he hopes that this endeavor will strengthen his community and make his neighbors come together against crime in their neighborhood. “. Being able to engage the community to be proactive and help and informing them how they can do so, will be important.”

This kind of thing probably hits close to home for many of us, myself included. And its important to Bryan because, among his many passions in life, he loves his 3-Series, and only wants to ensure that he can park it at night without having to lose sleep over coming out to broken windows the next morning. After learning a little more about his taste in cars, it was clear that Bryan is somewhat of a 3-series enthusiast.

“I had previously owned a 2004 328xi and I loved the way the car rode, how it felt not only just sitting in it, but also how the car hugged the road nice and tight, in particular on the corners. I loved its style with that sleek and classy look while also having that edge to it….. Another thing was that the price [for his current 3-series] was just right, it was well maintained and a friend did a car fax that came out very clean and with one owner, so it was hard to say no to with all things included.”

So, a man with a love for his community, and his car is taking the fight directly to the city. And I believe that I can safely speak for more than just myself when I say that we, as Milwaukeeans, whether current or former, give him his full support and we’ll be rooting for him to win the fight. QuickLap will be following this story as it progresses, so be sure to check back with us for updates on this story.