non-interference engine

I'd believe that. I've only ever seen one die - buddy's '69 Valiant threw a rod
doing aboud 100km/h on the freeway. Thankfully the engine didn't seize on the
spot... #6 had a lovely gaping hole with the bottom of of the rod sticking
through about an inch below the sleeve...

 

Yeah, it's an interference engine. Uses a timing chain to reduce risk
of catastrophic failure. Keep that oil clean.

 

Right. Google "saturn timing chain"
I'm not saying Honda's as bad. But timing chains do fail.

 

But that is Saturn, which is crap to begin with. I believe I mentioned
elsewhere that Toyota's 4-cylinders, for example have been chain-driven for
almost a decade, and I am not aware of timing chain failures on those.

 

The manual doesn't mention the timing belt or chain at all, so far as I can
tell.

I have never expected a salesman to be extremely knowledgeable about cars.
It really isn't their job. That article is pretty good, but to be honest,
this was my first time at a Honda dealership, and the salesan was the best
auto salesman I have ever dealt with (from a buyers point of view). Didn't
push anything, was helpful in every respect.

I wasn't able to bring the price down, but I didn't expect to considering
it was a Civic Si in a year where they were named car of the year, and the
Si has had so many favorable reviews. They don't last long at sticker, and
true to my expectations, when I tried to negotiate a better price, they
were more than willing to walk away from the sale.

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 8/17/2006 3:33:40 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

"If you were waiting for the oppurtune moment ... that was it."
--Jack Sparrow, "Pirates of the Carribean"

 

Thanks.

Does this mean that there is no scheduled maintenance for the chain?

If so, it looks like just fluids, brakes and 100K tune-ups. Not bad for
maintenance costs...

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 8/17/2006 3:37:06 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

Scarecrow (Ray Bolger): I haven't got a brain... only straw.
Dorothy (Judy Garland): How can you talk if you haven't got a brain?
Scarecrow: I don't know... But some people without brains do an awful lot
of talking... don't they?
Dorothy: Yes, I guess you're right.
~ "Wizard of Oz "

 

Of course it is their job. It's just easier to guess or make stuff
up.

 

That depends on the technicality of the questions.

Salesmen are not mechanics. A good salesman will often have you wait while
he gets the answer for you, but there are very few of those in the world.
Especially with the fear that you'll leave while waiting, or consider their
need to seek help a problem.

In my industry (server/networking engineer), we find this all the time.
Our salespeople often sell things that are damned near ridiculous, and rely
on us to make it happen. We try to make them better, but the allure of the
almighty buck is a great barrier.

As I said, this was the best sales experience I have ever had. And Honda's
always had a belt before. So his not knowing off-hand about a single
technical change, from a sales standpoint, is inconsequential. Especially
since he got the sale, anyhow... ;-)

--
Joseph M. LaVigne

http://www.thelavignefamily.us/MyPipePages/ - 8/19/2006 1:42:12 AM
Tobacconist Brick and Mortar Database: http://bam.tobaccocellar.org/

¡§I never trusted a man who never smoked or drank.¡¨ ¡V Abraham Lincoln.