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Piston Slap: Paint Protection Possibilities?

George writes:

Sajeev,

I’m the owner of the dark green 1999 Honda Accord Coupe that appeared in prior editions of Piston Slap. Its paint is failing (clearcoat starting to peel and gray patches showing) after many years of sun exposure here in the Dallas area and it’s time to get a new car. I have a garage to protect the car at night, but my engineering career requires that my car spend the day out in the sun on a concrete parking lot. The good news is my cars never get exposed to road salt and snow, ice, frost, and morning dew are pretty much a non-issue for cars that spend the night in a garage.

Sajeev Mehta Aug 15, 2012

Recent Comments

Steve Biro At a $27K starting point - often with additional dealer discounts - the Equinox was an attractive option for many on a tighter budget. Especially when the FWD model came with a traditional six-speed automatic.Now, with a starting point of just under $30K (and discounts much smaller and/or less likely for a couple of years) and a CVT, the Equinox is suddenly much less competitive.Add to that the need to pay an extra $2K for AWD just to get a real transmission, and the Equinox isn't very competitive at all. An AWD base version will start at about $32K and an RS or Activ will be $36K and change - quite laughable. And one is still stuck with that 1.5-liter turbo powerplant.If this is what Chevy is demanding for the ICE Equinox, it's no wonder a $30K EV version turned out to be vaporware.
AZFelix I know someone who spent a night in a Dodge Dynasty. The velour interior was the best part of the experience.
MKizzy Looking at the high-nosed Equinox and its assumed huge front blind spots, I see why Mayor Pete wants to mandate improved AEB on all vehicles.In addition, GM's lack of commitment to its ICE powertrains is on full display with its continued use of its class-trailing 1.xT engines. The new Equinox may be all show/no go, but at least after a decade of shoving its 1.5T into the Equinox and Malibu, you'd think GM would've at least made it top flight reliable by now.
Daniel China can absolutely make quality products when contracted at the right prices or their car companies trying to compete. However, I doubt any of their nearly 100 EV companies would even want to try to break into the US market with a 25% tariff (Polestar pays this) and the huge service and support network needed other than *maaaaybe* BYD eventually and only then if they end up using their upcoming plant in Mexico for not just Latin America, but decide to try the US market without the tariffs. They def would need to have excellent quality and support to be taken seriously, we'll see!
VoGhost I know one commenter who would love to live in Kia towers.

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