POLL: Pagoda Idiosyncrasies

[Mike Hughes]

Just the nut behind the wheel - and each one of those IS unique!  ;^)

[peterm]

Sorry - I couldn't resist-  but my pagoda has 2 nuts behind the wheel.  Mike is there something you need to tell us?

[Mike Hughes]

Not in polite company!

[Rolcan]

Just read through seven pages of idiosyncrasies and can't believe that no one mentioned that on the automatics the "Park" position is at the bottom of the gate and not at the top as it is in most cars.  One more for MERCEDES. 

[hill]

Just read through seven pages of idiosyncrasies and can't believe that no one mentioned that on the automatics the "Park" position is at the bottom of the gate and not at the top as it is in most cars.  One more for MERCEDES. 

This has bitten me in the A$$ a coulpe of times jumping from Pagoda to SEC. Fortunately not while driving just when putting it in to park. 

[Mike Hughes]

Personally, I don't consider the reversed quadrant arrangement on our Pagodas to be idiosyncratic at all!  Rather, I think that it is a genuinely useful and practical feature that adds to my enjoyment of the car:  One can manually downshift the autobox out of fourth into third with the same motion one would use with a manual gearshift lever.  Likewise, the shift from third to fourth is a familiar "snick" of the gear lever.

[dseretakis]

I've never driven an automatic pagoda but I've always wondered if I would ever get confused and shift into the wrong gears.

Personally, I don't consider the reversed quadrant arrangement on our Pagodas to be idiosyncratic at all!  Rather, I think that it is a genuinely useful and practical feature that adds to my enjoyment of the car:  One can manually downshift the autobox out of fourth into third with the same motion one would use with a manual gearshift lever.  Likewise, the shift from third to fourth is a familiar "snick" of the gear lever.

[Mike Hughes]

No, no confusion at all.... it just seems perfectly normal when driving.  One just accepts it as part of the control layout and forgets about it.  That's probably why nobody thought to mention it, even though this topic has been open for two years now!

[abe280SL]

Maybe its been mentioned but here are a few more:

-when I put gas in the tank I always have to rotate the gas nozzle 180 degrees so that I can still stand up as I am filling up.  Or else, I   
 would be kneeling on the floor pumping gas.
-when I turn on the fan I have to reach over to the right side of the car turn that knob that seems to rotate forever
-the incredible amount of leg room and head room compared to other cars of the same size 
-how my adjustable seat eventually ends up touching the back bench...the back rest never stays upright
-how you cant get your door windows adjusted to seal properly with the softop AND the hardtop
-how much money one spends to get that clock working right...and it never does
-how incredibly beautiful that clock mechanism looks...someone spent alot time on a clock that can't keep time
-how many cutts and scrapes I end up everytime I try to take a dash instrument out
-how you have to get that glove box in an open or closed position to take it out so that the spring doesn't scrape the side
-how unique that little glove box reading light is...its cute and girly
-finally, how I think of my car as a young woman and name it such...you don't think the same way of an american muscle car or porsche
 
abe

[dseretakis]

Good to know.

No, no confusion at all.... it just seems perfectly normal when driving.  One just accepts it as part of the control layout and forgets about it.  That's probably why nobody thought to mention it, even though this topic has been open for two years now!

[awolff280sl]

(This MUST have already been mentioned, but I didn't see it)
The way the fuel gauge needle hangs at 4/4 for up to 90 miles, then begins to creep down to 2/4, then picks up quite a bit of speed on the way to empty.

[glenn]

Door window tracking -(Might be a repeat)  (I) like the way the window regulator keeps the forward glass edge closed and the rear edge open as it moves-and the resultant air flow.

[Douglas]

(I) like the way the window regulator keeps the forward glass edge closed and the rear edge open as it moves-and the resultant air flow.

Glenn,

If I understand you correctly, your window is out of alignment. It's supposed to be completely flush all the way around. You'll need to open up the door panel and align the glass.

[JPMOSE]

I thought I'd bring this back to life after 3 years!  Maybe there's some new ones not thought of yet....

[Bonnyboy]

Great thread.. I noticed comments from J.P. Mose:

"... just thought of a very current and major idiosyncrasy of the Pagoda.  It's the cost of possessing a Pagoda!  Have you noticed shops and restorations sources stating "it will cost you more JUST because it is an SL!"  I discovered the truth in this statement when I inquired about the re-chroming cost of my rear bumper.  They asked me immediately "what type of car is this off of?"  I stated it shouldn't make a difference if they provide the same quality of work across the board.  I then told them for grins, "It's off a Pinto!"   They immediately stated it appears to be a Mercedes bumper....It turned out that they have a fixed price for each auto manufacturer.  Guess how Mercedes pans out!   I guess all services rendered will be based somewhat on the perceived escalation value and the willingness to spend of the typical upscale Pagoda owner!"

As a low scale pagoda Owner I have been noticing this more and more when go to the shop to order parts I swear that they have two prices.   I found a shop in an out of the way location and when they asked for the type of car I have I replied a Rusty old 280.    I looked at the receipt the other day and it said my name and "Rusty 280".     

[49er]

Thanks for bringing this thread back to life. It was fun to see all the comments and  I have to agree with them all. I would like to add the uniqueness of the chromed vents on the back of each seat and the little green dot on the side of the steering wheel hub. My car has a manual 4 spd transmission and I never had a complaint until I  drove a car with a five speed then a 6 speed. When ever I drive the car now I am always reaching for that elusive "5 th gear":-)
Still enjoying the ride after 43+ years

John

[Louiehenry]

Oh my god right?!
Also, I have to say, the soft top is kind of a pain to secure in front :/

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

What about your Pagoda being your Mistress and you never told your significant other about your love affair? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BSygup1XI4

Right … now back to the topic … great thread let's keep it going

[Louiehenry]

That's a nice collection, I love my DBS, but I prefer my sl

[Basil]

Let's not forget the wide gutter where we can put our delicate tools for high tech repairs

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Basil,

Speaking of "forgetting" ...

Let's never ever forget to leave any of the tools behind and then slam the hood down ... just ask Dan (Benz Dr.) he will describe the end result