Dexter

aka Wheeljack@retro.pizza
previously Wheeljack@mas.to

Glass: https://glass.photo/dexter
Pixelfed: https://pixelfed.social/dex

Public Key

npub1dlqvjsuznanmc09t8g8gj384sdt4z6mem5wea253wvgysxx7mnmqxevugj

NIP-05 Address

wheeljack_at_weird.autos@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsxlsxfgwpf7eau8j4n5r5fgn6cx463ddua68v742ghxyzgrr0deasprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntcnrazj

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1dlqvjsuznanmc09t8g8gj384sdt4z6mem5wea253wvgysxx7mnmqxevugj

Show more details

Last Notes

2026-06-15 19:30:28 UTC

- reply

I suppose maybe a Macan could work, but that still falls under transverse nonsense.

2026-06-15 19:29:47 UTC

- reply

Insofar as cool, an inline 6 RWD or RWD-based AWD is -way- more cool than any transverse nonsense.
I can't see anyone who thinks they want an X5 being convinced to settle for a RAV4, and definitely not a Crosstour.
Maybe you can convince them to look at an X3 instead of an X5? Smaller, lighter, better handling, still likely ticks all their boxes.
Maybe you can nudge them into a Macan?

2026-05-04 23:23:55 UTC

- reply

I was involved in a collision with a motorcyclist that was both drunk and angry when I was 17. He didn't make it.

2026-05-04 19:27:15 UTC

Well that's embarrassing. I rashed the FUCK out of my front passenger wheel leaving the parking garage the other night. I was in a -mood- and just not paying attention.
Not sure what I'll do about it, if anything.

2026-03-12 05:37:52 UTC

- reply

I'd ask for a new 912 (with no expectation of getting it.) NA 4-cylinder in a stripper 911 chassis with an emphasis on light weight.
I'd like to see a new 928. Something positioned against the AMG GT. Could probably just be a Panamera coupe.
I want to see a sporty EV that weighs under 2800 lbs. Can we just cut a Taycan in half?

2026-02-18 18:50:46 UTC

- reply

Sad to hear, but I get it. Hopefully your situation chnages to allow you to keep it or you're able to find a buyer who can appreciate that car for what it is.

2026-02-10 17:30:53 UTC

- reply

C'mon now, you know that's not what they're mad about.

2026-02-08 21:41:09 UTC

- reply

Thanks Mark, I'm in the process of buying the Kia, will post some pics later 😁

2026-02-08 16:16:05 UTC

Any reason to avoid a Kia Stinger GT2 AWD? I'm looking at an '18 with 77k on it. I watched a bunch of videos and it sounds like the only common problem is rotor warp, which is easily fixed with new pads and rotors.
Maybe the test drive will make the decision, but I'm stuck between this or an ND2 RF, and as much as I desperately want the latter, I need something that won't suck on hour-plus drives in 80mph traffic and can handle snow in a pinch.
@npub1klz…zg63 @npub1wew…7wgm, any insight?

2025-12-18 17:21:26 UTC

- reply

Booooo. Thank you for filtering that kind of stuff. Your work is appreciated. <3

2025-12-18 06:37:11 UTC

- reply

Hi Beth! Welcome!

2025-12-13 16:43:32 UTC

- reply

Woe, that is... really bad. 😬

2025-12-08 03:23:38 UTC

- reply

But did they ruin it with fake shifts?

2025-11-23 04:51:01 UTC

- reply

So like a CVT?

2025-11-23 04:48:49 UTC

- reply

If I understand your question correctly, Mazdaspeed3. First through fourth have a different final drive ratio than 5th and 6th. It's wacky.

2025-11-20 19:13:17 UTC

#QOTD Connoisseur edition:
What's the best pairing of car and road you've had the joy of experiencing?
#WeirdCarMastodon
(EDIT: s/paring/pairing/ )

2025-11-11 21:24:13 UTC

I kinda want to pick up an SVX. Looking forward, I want an '80s/'90s AWD GT car, and I always was enamored of their aesthetics.
I'm also not sure of other options. Something Audish? All the Nordics of that era I can think of are 2WD. I'm not importing a Skyline. An -ix BMW? Are those at all decent?

2025-11-07 23:18:21 UTC

- reply

So, uh, what's the conspiracy? :confused:

2025-10-26 18:54:03 UTC

- reply

That was exactly where I was thinking it might live; we just need a design 😊

2025-10-26 05:41:04 UTC

- reply

Can we get this as official weird.autos merch?

2025-10-02 19:38:56 UTC

- reply

I don't read Japanese, but I do see "900kg" in there. If they can shave 500 lbs off a Miata, I'll... probably still not be able to afford one but hot damn is that a huge step in the right direction.

2025-10-02 03:40:51 UTC

- reply

I sent them an email. Schitt is notorious for not wanting to do phone support and having done phone technical support, I agree with them.
This is the third time I've had a left-channel issue. They warrantied it out when I first got it, it caused the issue I just got repaired, and it was doing it again before it popped.
At this point I'm hoping that either they offer me some sort of credit on a different amp or refund the cost of the repair. I'm not paying to fix it again so soon.

2025-10-01 19:45:33 UTC

#WeirdAudioMastodon
Goddamnit. I JUST got my Asgard back and it took a shit. It had been having some noise in the left channel again, and last night I came home to a house that smelled like the magic smoke (the electronics kind) and an amp that won't power on.
Do I try to send it back again? I did just drop $100 having them repair it, but I really don't want to deal with shipping this thing again, and I sure as hell don't want to pay for another repair.

2025-09-24 18:50:00 UTC

- reply

100%. It's one of the reasons why I've fallen completely out of love with modern sports cars. The only ones I can think of that are even under 3k are the twins and the Miata.

2025-09-24 18:34:32 UTC

- reply

Wait, what? The E30 M3 wasn't turbo, it was NA.

2025-09-17 23:51:03 UTC

- reply

Hey man, can you spare a couple nyuks?

2025-09-16 05:46:32 UTC

- reply

Got the notification it's fixed and being shipped back. FedEx says it should be here Thursday, but as FedEx typically overestimates their ability I'm guessing I should have it back this weekend.

2025-09-11 19:02:57 UTC

- reply

It ended up being $100 plus shipping:
* Replace two current sense resistors in the power supply.
* Replace three transistors, seven resistors, and one diode in the left channel output.
* Replace the power and input switch.
* Replace the transformer.
I'm not well versed in electrical, but I'm guessing there was some part that failed and its failure took out parts downstream, as all this seemed to happen at once.
All said and done, $130 is still cheaper than replacing it.

2025-09-10 16:52:54 UTC

- reply

I'm just not sure who this car is for.
There's a lot to like here; a proper LIFTBACK hybrid coupe with decent suspension sounds like a pretty fantastic daily driver.
But the normies -hate- a 2-door. They act like it's as impractical as a sport bike and owning one is as irresponsible as lane-splitting at triple digits during rush hour. They're going to see 200hp and call it slow (and therefore pointless as a sports car). They're going to see a crossover for the same price or less.

2025-09-05 17:32:34 UTC

- reply

Got an email back from Schiit; they estimate $30-50 for a repair, and then I'm assuming I'll need to pay for shipping both directions. That seems mostly reasonable to me. 🤷‍♂️

2025-09-04 21:32:46 UTC

- reply

Just as a headphone amp. And I'm guessing Schiit is much more likely to say ship it to them for repair than tell me to crack the case and DIY it. Which I don't mind, I'm not super experienced with soldering and was already considering dropping the coin for an Atom stack before I had the idea to see if Schiit might do repairs.

2025-09-04 20:31:51 UTC

- reply

I think it's a -fantastic- looking car, and I'm all about a 2-door in this market. The Throttle House review killed any interest I might have had in it when they showed how ungodly terrible the handling is.
I'm curious if the handling will be better with the Hurricane Six. Losing the weight will certainly help, but I'm not sure if that's the crux of the issue or if it's got outright garbage suspension design/tuning.

2025-09-04 18:47:10 UTC

#WeirdAudioMastodon
Well, my Asgard finally took a shit. I grabbed my headphones yesterday and the left earcup was hot, there was noise in the left channel, and when I unplugged the headphone the jack was oily(??) and it looked like there was a burn-mark on the tip of the plug.
I've sent Schiit an email to see if repair is an option. It's old enough that I'm certainly out of warranty, but I'd rather spend some to get this repaired than throw this out and spend more to get something new.

2025-09-01 17:59:24 UTC

- reply

I usually see those stickers on Cummins Rams, paired with a blue line Punisher skull.

2025-08-04 17:26:38 UTC

Got to play a bit with a C7 convertible on an onramp and exit last night.
I was just excited for someone who actually got up to speed and didn't try to merge at 45mph.
He didn't pull me as bad as I was expecting, so I'm guessing he wasn't going 10/10ths (like I was).
Tried to give him a thumbs up when we parted ways, but I don't think he saw me.

2025-07-25 18:10:33 UTC

- reply

What's the current state of LibreOffice vs OpenOffice? I seem to remember a kerfluffle around pull requests and bug fixes, but that was years ago.

2025-06-28 02:22:37 UTC

- reply

That's actually a pretty common design for AWD cars. Toyota used it in the Alltracs, Mitsubishi used it in the DSMs/Evos... more I think about it, I'm pretty sure that's just how every FWD-based AWD system is set up.
The alternatives are having the entire engine ahead of the axle like Audi and Subaru, putting the diff in the oil pan like the Skyline GT-R, or having a second transmission hanging off the crank nose like the Ferrari FF.

2025-06-28 00:40:53 UTC

- reply

They also refuse to sell it in the awesome yellow they initially advertised it in and you can't get both PHEV and AWD.
I want the PHEV for the tons of short drives I do, and the AWD because I occasionally need to go up into the Sierras and I refuse to deal with chains again in my life.

2025-06-22 01:02:24 UTC

- reply

Aw damn, best color Vehicross and NSX!

2025-05-31 02:41:49 UTC

- reply

Location, location, location!

2025-05-28 01:31:09 UTC

What's your preferred chain parts house?

2025-05-08 19:22:18 UTC

- reply

🤔

2025-03-19 21:01:41 UTC

- reply

The old service manual I had for my '68 Mustang was pretty dang good. I imagine anything pre-internet, and especially pre-desktop computer, is going to be solid.

2025-02-05 00:20:46 UTC

Just saw that Sweden had a shooting at an adult school with a current estimate of 10 people dead.
If this had happened in the US, it wouldn't have made the news; in Sweden this is the worst school shooting in history.
#USpol

2025-01-30 18:13:53 UTC

Might be old news, but you can get the new Prius in a Good Color(tm)! You have to get the Nightshade edition and it's not available for the PHEV, but Karashi (this yellow) doesn't even have an upcharge.
#GetItInTheGoodColor
https://weirdautos.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/918/650/419/344/664/original/d654e16bc41c7fc0.png

2025-01-27 21:37:00 UTC

- reply

Love this, but where did it come from? I don't see any alt text on it.

2025-01-22 18:56:24 UTC

- reply

This is Song Cher, named after the Tears for Fears album.

2025-01-19 22:13:58 UTC

- reply

I have a soft spot for manual Focus ZX3s. Just a solid little 3-door hatch with decent suspension and drivetrain that comes in at a reasonable 2600ish lbs.
I'd be pretty excited to see a clean Ford Probe GT or SVT Contour.

2025-01-19 18:11:50 UTC

- reply

To bluetooth headphones, not a speaker, but same idea. I see that they exist, I'm more looking for suggestions as to which ones don't suck.

2025-01-19 18:08:56 UTC

- reply

I don't want to stream anywhere from my house, lol. I want to listen to vinyl at a reasonable volume while the teenager is sleeping past noon. 😛
I'll look into the steamer idea. I thought those were for taking online streams and making them input for a stereo, I didn't realize they took output and turned that into a stream.

2025-01-18 22:09:32 UTC

#RecommendMe
With the kid in the house, I'm looking for a bluetooth transmitter to add in to my home stereo. Give me the ability to use my wireless headphones to listen to CDs and records.
I want something that runs on outlet power (i.e. not a battery to recharge), and that I can just run speaker-out from the receiver to input on the device.
I checked Monoprice, but the one they have is battery-powered.
@npub1klz…zg63 do you have anything you recommend here?
#WeirdAudioMastodon

2025-01-15 19:32:22 UTC

- reply

That shouldn't be a problem when fewer people are having kids?
(Consider me a proud dad who's probably one of <1% of ZZW30 owners to have ever used the LATCH system in its passenger seat.)

2025-01-15 18:56:55 UTC

- reply

<heavy sigh>
What would it take for this to not be the way of things?
Like, I know that any statement that starts with "if everyone would just..." is worthless as everyone won't just.
But there's gotta be something we can do on an individual level, right? More transformers and hot wheels for the littles? More racing games for the tweens? Drag the teens out for AX and rides on track days?

2025-01-15 06:21:44 UTC

- reply

The Lotus Elan, Lotus Elise, Lotus 7, and a B18-swapped EG Hatch?

2025-01-10 22:39:41 UTC

Lol, I found my missing SD card after it being -gone- for the last two weeks.
It had simply flipped over and landed sticker-side down on my full-width mousepad. The color and texture of the plastic perfectly camouflaged it against the neoprene.
#photography

2025-01-02 00:58:14 UTC

- reply

I've had a smoked tea once before, though I don't know if it was lapsang sochung (I *think* so, but it's been over a decade). That's awesome your boba shop was able to make you a drink with it!

2024-12-22 22:24:06 UTC

- reply

So far my favorite car in GT7 has been the EG Civic Type R. With stage 3 weight reduction, the 2-way LSD, and some light engine work to open up the top end this thing rips. And it's super stable, unlike that damn Subaru.

2024-12-22 07:46:47 UTC

What the heck is with the 22B STi in GT7? This was my favorite car in the earlier games, but in GT7 it's got this snap oversteer and once it starts to go the damn thing becomes inconsolable. I've had to restart so many races because it just decided it wanted to swing the ass around. I finally gave up and ran the stupid R32 GT-R.

2024-12-06 01:31:59 UTC

- reply

That’s what I run on my PS5 and that’s a -stupid- good deal on it. I’d jump on it.
I echo the sentiment about skipping the shifter. I bought it and tried to use it for about 15 minutes before giving up and living the flappy paddle life.

2024-12-02 01:08:22 UTC

- reply

Emergency Call Ambulance! I used to play it back when arcades were a thing. I don’t know of it ever got ported to a console.

2024-11-25 22:34:46 UTC

- reply

She has a type. And founding father issues.

2024-11-25 16:26:52 UTC

- reply

Sounds regal, I guess Buick

2024-11-22 05:27:57 UTC

- reply

I've literally done that with my speed3 when someone blocked the lane to exit a parking lot.
Except I went all the way over the curb and didn't just tire up on it.

2024-11-21 17:56:52 UTC

The Paul/Tyson fight was an experiment by mutltiversal scientists to establish which timeline we're in.
Unfortunately, the data gathered supports the model that has us in the dumbest possible one.

2024-11-18 16:32:10 UTC

- reply

Yes and we’re those dozens of people. The normies have the entire market that caters to them and their lack of interest in driving dynamics.

2024-11-15 18:55:20 UTC

- reply

Aw, damnit. I was shortlisting these with the expectation it would have the Mazda steering feel. Seemed like a best of both worlds, but if it drives like a Toyota what’s even the point?

2024-11-11 02:43:35 UTC

- reply

No thanks, I’m all rage-baited out.

2024-10-25 16:33:18 UTC

- reply

Wait... who're the pirate and the dude in the middle of the fry guys?

2024-10-24 16:17:07 UTC

- reply

The biggest thing for me is that 99% of my driving is sub-5 mile jaunts that use a freeway to get across a river. It's about the worst possible scenario for a turbo car. Fire up, hard accelerate up an onramp, immediately exit, park, sit long enough to cool down completely.
So, what I want is something I don't feel like I'm absolutely destroying to drive that way. In my head, that's a PHEV, as that's something where short jaunts are PERFECT for the EV-only range they have.
<con't>

2024-10-24 05:42:06 UTC

- reply

I think the ideal thing would be keeping it as my fun car and adding a daily. But I'm not sure I can swing that financially.

2024-10-24 03:33:10 UTC

- reply

I don't know what I'm doing just yet, other than having an existential crisis about it. 😂

2024-10-22 04:36:49 UTC

- reply

I'm definitely not ready to go full EV.
I did have the thought to maybe pick up a cheap Leaf or i3 as a local runabout, though.

2024-10-21 17:42:45 UTC

- reply

The 330e being sedan-only is a bit of a disappointment as I REALLY like having a hatch. The X3e is the same drivetrain and has a hatch, but then I'm looking at an SUV and taking a hit on range, economy, and handling. I certainly feel safer in a car that will do a flat spin instead of a barrel roll.
I'm not even sure what other options would be that aren't supercars like the i8 and NSX. Prius Prime, maybe?
Well, hell, anything I should know about the 330e that would make me want to avoid it?

2024-10-21 17:31:41 UTC

This might be bit of mental masturbation, but hell, that's what this space is for, right?
I'm looking at the maintenance the speed3 needs and how I actually drive and am thinking that maybe it's time to change up my daily. I love this car, but a turbo hot hatch isn't ideal for doing mostly sub-5 mile drives and it'd be nice to have AWD as my 'rents live somewhere that can have chain controls.
Friend suggested a 330e and that ticks a LOT of boxes. Wish we got the wagon here.
<con't>

2024-10-17 17:50:33 UTC

- reply

"I really want to get a pivot to see what it’s like but I don’t need it."
Mark, that's the most unAmerican thing you've ever said.
[ C O N S U M E ]

2024-10-14 16:35:05 UTC

- reply

I'm picturing this as my "I'm going to Costco and don't want to be hassled" car.
To that end, probably a top-trim Odyssey with some light mods. Doesn't need the full Bisimoto treatment, just something to warm it up a bit.
There's a time I would've said Trackhawk, and it might still be the answer were I actually in the situation.

2024-09-26 00:58:58 UTC

- reply

Uh, yeah. There's no point in buying any if you're not going to make five of them that Voltron together.

2024-09-25 03:24:08 UTC

- reply

A panel gap of Cybertrukks

2024-09-24 20:04:59 UTC

@npub1klz…zg63 did you see today's Blipshift shirt?
https://www.blipshift.com/products/roll-out

2024-09-20 17:45:59 UTC

- reply

If it gets us building modern nuclear power plants, then it was worth it.

2024-09-17 19:45:40 UTC

- reply

If I had to buy a new car to replace the speed3, the Si is certainly on the shortlist.

2024-09-14 19:54:34 UTC

- reply

Were you the hot boy in the Fit? C'mon, you can say it here.

2024-09-11 17:15:26 UTC

Am I deep in the bubble, or does conservative political satire just... not exist? There doesn't seem to be any analogues to The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, Late Night w/Seth Meyer, or (god forbid) Real Time with Bill Maher.

2024-09-05 02:55:00 UTC

- reply

I'm looking to be making this very decision/purchase here in about two years. My kid doesn't have to like it, but he does have to at least learn to drive stick. Right now I'm keeping my eyes open for a ratty Miata.

2024-09-05 02:30:34 UTC

- reply

Miata is still the obvious answer here.
Not sure if you can still find any of the SC 3800-powered GM midsize sedans, but that'd be something else I'd look for.
Honda Fit
Any non-WRX turbo Subaru with 3 pedals (Outback XT)
5-speed V6 S197 Mustang
The most raggedy 3.5L Odyssey I could find
Any manual Mazda3

2024-08-29 01:05:03 UTC

- reply

Rumor is that it'll be silly expensive and ultra limited, so does it -really- count as being made?

2024-08-27 00:24:45 UTC

- reply

That's an exquisite drag name.

2024-08-26 20:41:50 UTC

Van Halen is peak van livery. I want to see this on an Odyssey.
https://weirdautos.files.fedi.monster/media_attachments/files/113/030/245/464/738/543/original/c883e47c5055cfa8.jpeg

2024-08-22 22:28:03 UTC

- reply

Jimmy Carter's gettin' wheeled up on stage and singing "If I Had a Hammer"

2024-08-22 21:58:02 UTC

- reply

Huh, so FWIW, I did a little digging and it looks like my camera should have a quiet mode, too. It limits the shots/second, not sure if there's any other side-effects, nor by how much it actually reduces the sound.

2024-08-22 21:17:26 UTC

- reply

Yeah, but then you have to use an Olympus <2ndGradeClassGoingEwwwwww.mp3>
#MegaManBusterCanon #MegatronArmCanon
#1812OvertureCanons
(I have no actual issue with Olympus,
lol)

2024-08-22 17:35:21 UTC

Had my first experience with someone asking me to "turn the volume off" on my DSLR.
Lady, the noise is mechanical. If I could make this thing silent, I would.
#photography

2024-08-19 18:43:07 UTC

Hey @npub1klz…zg63 ! So you've got me intrigued with all this meshtastic stuff, but what does someone actually -do- with it?