Madman's Shed of the Week

[TheIntrepid]

I'm digging the holes for where the headrests are supposed to be

[Raghavan]

horrid shed o' the week, Madman.

[CALL_911]

horrid shed o' the week, Madman.

I'm gonna have to agree.

[93JC]

I'm also puzzled as to why Chrysler offered three different V6 engines simultaneously?  Evidently, the 3.3 V6 produced considerably more torque than the 3.0 did.  If that's the case then why did they even bother with the 3.0 in the first place, especially when the 2.4 litre I-4 was already the base engine?  Was the 3.8 much more powerful than the 3.3 and was an engine that big really needed?

The 3.0 V6 and I4 had similar peak power and torque output (actually I think the V6 had less power than the I4...), but the six 'felt' torquier, with more usable power.

Toward the end of the run Chrysler Canada ditched the four-cylinder altogether, and the 3.0 V6 became the standard engine. (the subsequent '01-'07 Canadian models featured the 3.3 as standard equipment)

The 3.3 had only 8 hp more than the I4 (158 vs 150), but far more torque (203 vs. 167 lb-ft). The 3.8 added another ten or so horsepower, but sometime near the middle of the run it was boosted to 180 hp.

Since '01 the 3.3 has made 180 hp, and the 3.8, 215 hp.

All in all it compared favourably with its competition of the day: the GM minivans had a 175 hp V6, the Windstar had a standard 150 hp 3.0 'Vulcan' V6 and optional 200 hp 3.8 L Essex (Canada) V6, the Odyssey puttered around with a 140 hp four-banger out of the Accord, the Nissan Quest made do with a 150 hp VG V6, and the old Mazda MPV soldiered on with one of Mazda's old V6s. In fact, the only real stiff competition they had didn't come about until the Toyota Sienna was introduced in '98 or '99, which had around 210 hp.

[the Teuton]

This van is a perfect candidate for an SRT-4 swap.

[Madman]

horrid shed o' the week, Madman.

Apologies to all.

That's what I get for trying on IFCAR's Mr. Sensible hat!  I still have burns on my scalp from where my brain tried to resist evil, hypnotic effect produced by that horrible device!

When I had it on, words like "practical", "economical" and "rational" kept entering my brain.  I could feel that damned hat sucking away all the passion, enthusiasm and excitement out of my mind.  It was horrible, I tell you, HORRIBLE!!!!!!!

How does Iffy stand wearing that soul-sapping contraption all the time?  If there's one thing I've learned from this experience, it's that I hate being sensible!

Fear not, fellow 'Spinners, this will never happen again.  The madness brought upon by wearing that hat was only temporary.  The Shed will be back to it's slightly illogical and irrational self next week.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[the Teuton]

How does Iffy stand wearing that soul-sapping contraption all the time?  If there's one thing I've learned from this experience, it's that I hate being sensible!

He's a robot.  That's all you need to know.

[TheIntrepid]

He's a robot.  That's all you need to know.

He's in need of a software update; he's been making too many errors as of late.

[the Teuton]

He's in need of a software update; he's been making too many errors as of late.

It only started after he updated to Vista.

[TheIntrepid]

It only started after he updated to Vista.

XP Service Pack 2

[Morris Minor]

Two sheds can be better than one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLjS3gzHetA

[The Pirate]

Wow, I thought my car had low miles for a 2004, and I'm just a cross-country road trip away from catching up with that car's odo.

Doesn't look like that van has a/c, though

Look at the button with the snowflake on it.  It's directly below the heat end of the climate control.  That is Chrysler's A/C button.

[Vinsanity]

ohh wow don't I feel dumb

I was even scanning that pic for a snowflake button

[Madman]

18-24 November 2007:

No so-called "sensible" sheds this week.  This one gets horrible mileage and has a dodgy reputation for reliability but is still strangely interesting.


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It's a 1996 Land Rover Discovery SE.  The 4.0 litre V8 will suck entire oilfields dry and replacements parts cost an arm and both legs.  However, with an asking price of only $3,800 OBO, it's almost worth it.  This one has leather upholstery, twin sunroofs, premium stereo with CD changer, keyless entry, new tyres, 4-speed auto and towing package.  It looks in good nick and only has 142,000 miles.

Now all I need is the big country manor house and maybe a boat and/or horsebox to tow behind it.  At least the 4WD would come in handy for the two or three times a year when the hill I currently live on gets a bit snowy.  Yeah, that's how I can justify this purchase!



Cheers,
Madman of the People

[TheIntrepid]

I have a soft spot for this generation Discovery.

[the Teuton]

I would love to beat the hell out of that Disco.  That's a great buy.

[ChrisV]

It's only a year newer than my Range Rover, and uses the same chassis and running gear...

I get 16mpg with mine, even towing things. And they are actually rather reliable, with the exception of some quirky electronic bits that can be lived with-without-with-without....

[CJ]

Hey Madman, I sent you a PM....about a week ago.

[CALL_911]

Oooh, I like the Disco. That thing can sure offroad. 

[Madman]

25 November - 1 December 2007

Wimmer will like this one.


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1996 Mercedes Benz C280.  It has a sunroof, alarm and power assisted everything, naturally.  No mention of a CD player, but that's not a deal-breaker.  It's got 173,000 miles on the clock and looks very clean for it's age.  I'm not really a fan of the hearing-aid beige colour but I could live with it.  Somehow, it seems to work on a stately old barge like this.  This was the last of the old-school Mercs to be introduced before quality took a big nosedive in the late 1990's.  (M Class and 1996-on E Class being the worst culprits.)  Like all great Mercs before it, this one should last long enough to pass down to your grandchildren.
A bargain at only $3,900 from a private seller.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Vinsanity]

wow! that's a great deal!

[the Teuton]

I wonder what some of these cars are like to drive and how well they hold up over time.

[Madman]

2-8 December 2007

Another bargain Benz this week.



Here we have a 1993 Mercedes Benz 190E 2.6.  Auto, tan leather, CD player and air-con.  Ad says it also has a new radiator and shocks.  Just 113,000 miles, which is appealingly low for a car this age.  A steal at only $2,750 from a private owner.  Even in Refrigerator White this car looks good!

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[J86]

Needs a gold grill

[Vinsanity]

haha that car looks like it's raised for some rock crawling

I've been seeing quite a few 80's-era nice condition Benzes on the cheap lately. They seem very tempting.

[Madman]

haha that car looks like it's raised for some rock crawling

I've been seeing quite a few 80's-era nice condition Benzes on the cheap lately. They seem very tempting.

I think (and hope) the raised suspension look is just because it's parked on the lawn at a funny angle.  Then again, the ad does mention it has new shocks.  Did they fit the high-lift ones from a 4X4 Jeep Cherokee by mistake, I wonder?

Yeah, there sure seems to be a glut of Yuppie-era Benzs out there.  Most look to be in good nick but I'm sure many of them are hiding a multitude of mechanical horrors underneath.  Luckily, I live in an area full of "Old-Money" types who only buy a new car every fifteen years or so.  As a result, there are lots of clean one-owner early-to-mid 90's Mercedes which haven't been crashed and thrashed by seven previous owners.  I'm hoping this is one of them.

Cheers,
Madman of the People

[Raghavan]

Madman, your sheds need more manuals.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Madman, your sheds need more manual Audi V8 Quattros.

[Raghavan]

That too.

[Madman]

Madman, your sheds need more manuals.

I agree.  Finding them is the problem. 

Cheers,
Madman of the People