Canada BS thread

Mine is the Koup SX with the 6 speed. I have studded no name brand winter tires that the dealer said I had to take because someone else ordered them and the car then backed out of the deal.

I love the car, though, to be fair, I would probably love driving a Corolla XRS with its own 2.4L I4 and 6 speed manual. The clutch is so smooth and nice on the Kia - better than the one on the VW GTi I test drove that was $10k more and needed premium.

 

I've actually heard good things about Kia, apparently they've really stepped up their game. My mother-in-law has a Soul that she loves.

 

I had the same engine and I’m pretty sure a group 35 is the same length and width but just slightly taller (and there was room). An H5 would likely fit as well.

For my money, it’s Costco batteries all the way. With the exception of the AGM in the truck which is Odyssey.

 

They sure have upped it. The Kia family SUVs really do give the other brands a run for their money, especially if you like technology.

With that said in the family we went Honda, Hyundai, Honda for our SUVs over the years and it will be hard for us not to go Honda again. Honda just makes a great family hauler.

 

I bought my '22 Tundra as the family hauler and drive the Corolla as my commuter. My brother has a Honda minivan and he's really happy with it. Honda is solid.

 

So how do you like the 22? Was it with the upgrade?

 

Well, I've only put on about 300 of the 1100 kms it has on it but it's been great for us. Lots more room in the cab so the car seat for baby girl fits better, way more storage, more comfort and the tech is nice to have. My only complaint is the Toyota Connected Services app doesn't work worth a damn, so unless they fix it next week I'll be scrapping it an installing an aftermarket smartphone remote starter.

 

With my Hyundai experience (and many others seeing as there's a class action lawsuit) on the small theta engine architecture (2.0l and some 2.4's) I will never buy another Hyundai or Kia. 10k kms in and it started burning oil, 60k km in and it needed a new engine. Lost a ton of money in that car and had to get a huge loan on the replacement vehicle my wife wanted for it. There's no way I'd ever be able to trust another Hyundai or Kia.

 

At 65k km, mine doesn't burn a drop between changes every 6k km. I think they want me to bring it in for some recall about catching fire or something, though.

 

Well, I got home from Battery World, put the new battery on the charger and, as I was walking in the house from the garage, Mr Lube called me to say my battery was in. Screw 'em. They should have started looking for it on Saturday when I first called them and had it by Monday like they said they would.

 

Maybe try a spritz of Fluid Film on the terminals/leads if you haven’t already? Usually will keep them shipshape.

 

Hi. I’ve ordered the Valhalla cat plate for my not yet delivered Tundra hybrid and I’m shopping for bolt head protectors. Have any of you bought the Rock Hard Rock Dome bolt head protectors for your cat plate bolts? If so, how did you get them to Canada? Their website shows delivery in the USA only. Alternatively, have any of you purchased other bolt head protectors you’d recommend? Thanks.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/granite-a-third-gen-story.110822/

 

Very nice! Love that diamondback cover!

 

Thanks. I love the cover, can't say enough good about it so far.

 

I had forgotten how much I love driving the Forte. It's like a rocket ship compared to the wife's Corolla.

 

I don't feel like getting in a big war of words by posting this in a review on Google so I'll just warn you guys: Do not go to RV Mobile Edmonton for repairs. They don't want your business but would rather string you along than man up and tell you that straight up.

 

I live in a typical Calgary suburb. Two car driveway and some sidewalk. For past few years, I also take care of of my neighbours place which is a triple car garage and corner lot.

So I'm thinking of a snow blower for this winter.

Anyone have experience with the single stage blowers from Ariens, Toro, etc? Something smallish that I can fold up the handles and keep in the garage, but enough power for the bigger days.

 

I've heard good things about Ariens. I ended up with Honda HS720CS though since the price was about $100 different and Honda is well...Honda. It's been great for us here in GP and handles the half dozen or so big dumps we've gotten pretty well. I will say though that if the snow is wet and heavy it struggles a bit but I think every single stage blower will. It also doesn't chew through compacted snow and ice very well, so try to get out before anyone walks on the sidewalk or drives on the driveway. Again though, that's something single stage blower will struggle with. My Honda doesn't have powered drive wheels, so you rely on the spinning auger to help pull it along.

My friend has a two stage Ariens with powered wheels and handwarmers. It's a beast that eats up whatever you throw at it and a pleasure to use, but the price tag comes along with it. I think he was north of $2500 where I paid around $1000 out the door.

 

I really like that Honda! That's exactly the size I wanted. How is the noise level and how well do the rubber paddles scrape?

 

The noise is about the same as my Honda lawnmower. I wear ear pro, but depending on your level of deafness you may not need too. The rubber paddles do scrape the ground and I was told by the sales guy they may need replaceing every 5 years or so depending on usage. I've run my for a season so far and they show no signs of wear. It's $150 job iirc. They won't scrape off compacted ice or snow very well though, just not enough power in the unit to really dig. As long as I can get to the driveway and sidewalk before they get compacted, I can clear down to dry pavement easily.

Oh, and I dunno if I'd pay the extra $100 for electric start. I think I've used it once so far. It pulls starts really easy. I got it because The Woman was pregnant at the time and I work out of town. Figured it'd be easier for her, but my neighbor ended up clearing our drive for us while I was gone.

 

My 2016 Honda Pilot is awesome, in all the years I have owned it, I have had zero issues.

 

I also have a 2016. Love it. Did you get the hood latch recall? It always did have some hood vibration issues.

 

You've convinced me to go down to the local Honda dealer and take a look. Toro may be cheaper (and I am generally happy with my Toro lawn mower) but the extra $200 for a Honda product has always been worth it.

 

You really can't go wrong with Honda. If I remember right, the warranty was better on the Honda than the Ariens at the time I looked, though it may have changed now. I honestly have no experience with Toro but have heard mostly positive things.

I have a few brands I stay loyal to when it comes to certain items because they've always served me well. Oddly enough, most of them are Japanese.

Power equipment - Honda

Outboard motors - Yamaha

Chainsaws - Stihl

Vehicles - Toyota

 

My dad's 1986 Suzuki outboard still runs like a watch but I don't know how prevalent they are. I think the only other option at the time on the boat he bought was a Mercury or Johnson or something crappy like that.

 

Suzuki are still out there, just not as common. Mercury are super common and overall not bad, I just think the prices are a bit high for what they are. They're not as quiet or good on fuel as the Yamaha in my experience. I think Johnson went out of business, but they were a popular north american manufacturer back in the day. Evinrude is still around too, but they're like Suzuki in being pretty rare.

 

I was very intrigued by the 4 stroke outboard Evinrude came out with a few years ago that was supposed to have the torque and hole shot of a 2 stroke with the quietness and fuel economy of a 4 stroke. Not sure if they ended up being any good.

 

My brother is a forester. Here's his opinion on chainsaws.