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#11
General Car Banter / Re: Found On The Internet: The...
Last post by Blueprint - Nov 26, 2025, 01:17 PMQuote from: Oliver on Nov 26, 2025, 11:11 AMNeed to ditch the roof rails for it to look really good.
Owner probably needed them. The common trick is to buy the "filler" strips used on Imprezas. You have to partially remove the headliner to get to the hardware, but that's much easier than the rest of that swap!
#12
Member Test Drives and Product Reviews / Re: 2026 Nissan Rogue Rock Cre...
Last post by Oliver - Nov 26, 2025, 11:13 AMQuote from: RRocket on Nov 25, 2025, 05:21 PMQuote from: Tortoise on Nov 25, 2025, 09:23 AMI think the Rogue and the Pathfinder are both great looking SUVs. Such a shame they are made by Nissan.
Rogue is same as Mitsubishi Highlander...which is PHEV and more interesting to look at.
You mean Outlander.
There is now a Rogue PHEV that is basically an Outlander with a Nissan badge.
#13
General Car Banter / Re: Found On The Internet: The...
Last post by Oliver - Nov 26, 2025, 11:11 AMNeed to ditch the roof rails for it to look really good.
#14
Show and Shine / Re: SLK Round 3!
Last post by Firm - Nov 26, 2025, 09:34 AMYeah, I mean, we're talking about a 22 year old German car that I bought for like like $2500 sight-unseen at an auction. I expected issues and have been pleasantly surprised.
#15
Show and Shine / Re: SLK Round 3!
Last post by Gurgie - Nov 26, 2025, 08:49 AMQuote from: RRocket on Nov 26, 2025, 04:25 AMQuote from: Firm on Nov 25, 2025, 08:12 PMComing up on a year, about 2000 miles (3200 kms) added, and absolutely zero issues.
I should hope in a grand total of 3200kms that there would be zero issues!LOL 😆
Such are the milestones when owning a FGC! LOL 😆
[/quotQuote from: RRocket on Nov 26, 2025, 04:25 AMQuote from: Firm on Nov 25, 2025, 08:12 PMComing up on a year, about 2000 miles (3200 kms) added, and absolutely zero issues.
I should hope in a grand total of 3200kms that there would be zero issues!LOL 😆
Such are the milestones when owning a FGC! LOL 😆
Hey, it is a 22yr old German car, so zero issues is great. Anything at that age could have a an issue pop with just parts aging/drying out at this point.
#16
Show and Shine / Re: SLK Round 3!
Last post by RRocket - Nov 26, 2025, 04:25 AMQuote from: Firm on Nov 25, 2025, 08:12 PMComing up on a year, about 2000 miles (3200 kms) added, and absolutely zero issues.
I should hope in a grand total of 3200kms that there would be zero issues!LOL 😆
Such are the milestones when owning a FGC! LOL 😆
#17
General Car Banter / Re: Found On The Internet: The...
Last post by RRocket - Nov 26, 2025, 04:20 AM #18
Show and Shine / Re: SLK Round 3!
Last post by Firm - Nov 25, 2025, 08:12 PMWanted to share a quick update on this car as it's been absolutely fantastic....Coming up on a year, about 2000 miles (3200 kms) added, and absolutely zero issues. Most of that mileage was with Mrs.Firm, it's become her primary ride for anytime she's going out without the kids in tow....Mostly gym runs and the odd shopping excursion. Really versatile little unit, super fun to cruise on the backroads with the top down, nice and secure with good heat/AC in bad weather, very easy to maneuver and park, good fuel economy, and a nice big trunk with the top up.
I got caught with it in an absolute monsoon the other day, leak free and handled the flooding interstate confidently. Gave it a good wash and a quick wax last weekend to clean it up.
I got caught with it in an absolute monsoon the other day, leak free and handled the flooding interstate confidently. Gave it a good wash and a quick wax last weekend to clean it up.
#19
Show and Shine / Re: 2004 Maserati Spyder
Last post by Firm - Nov 25, 2025, 08:00 PMFinally scrubbed and detailed the interior last weekend, aside from the obvious damage on the dashpad, the rest of the interior came out great....Seats and the leather wrapped console, side & door panels all cleaned up really minty. Neglected to take photos as it was getting too dark by the time I was done.
On the convertible top repair front, I need to do some more diagnostics, but I am leaning towards a bad pump and/or bad solenoid(s) on the pump valve body. A used replacement Maserati unit is about $900 USD, and reman units are $1,600+....Out of the question for a "I think it's probably the issue" situation.
So, I've been digging into the deep depths of the internet and determined that the pump unit itself is shared with a bunch of cars; Ferrari 360, BMW E46, CLK W208, etc. The valve body, which is mounted to the pump, is unique to each application and the solenoids are semi-unique with the BMW and others using different style connectors. Fortunately, it appears that the CLK W208 unit uses both the same pump and the same solenoids, just with a different valve body. So, in theory, I could re-use the Maserati valve body, and get a fresh pump and solenoids from a CLK to build myself a good unit.
Good used CLK unit is $150 USD on eBay, but the scrapyard in Memphis has two W208's with convertible top pumps for $30. So I am going to scoot by there later in the week and grab one, even if it's just to get my hands on a unit so I can start studying and testing it.
On the convertible top repair front, I need to do some more diagnostics, but I am leaning towards a bad pump and/or bad solenoid(s) on the pump valve body. A used replacement Maserati unit is about $900 USD, and reman units are $1,600+....Out of the question for a "I think it's probably the issue" situation.
So, I've been digging into the deep depths of the internet and determined that the pump unit itself is shared with a bunch of cars; Ferrari 360, BMW E46, CLK W208, etc. The valve body, which is mounted to the pump, is unique to each application and the solenoids are semi-unique with the BMW and others using different style connectors. Fortunately, it appears that the CLK W208 unit uses both the same pump and the same solenoids, just with a different valve body. So, in theory, I could re-use the Maserati valve body, and get a fresh pump and solenoids from a CLK to build myself a good unit.
Good used CLK unit is $150 USD on eBay, but the scrapyard in Memphis has two W208's with convertible top pumps for $30. So I am going to scoot by there later in the week and grab one, even if it's just to get my hands on a unit so I can start studying and testing it.
#20
General Car Banter / Re: Found On The Internet: The...
Last post by Tortoise - Nov 25, 2025, 07:03 PMThat looks so much better than a Crosstrek and a WRX. Stupid Subaru.