Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

driver100 · November 2015

graphicguy said:
Thanks for the well wishes on the cruise. It was cheap.....going out of NJ in December. First day to day and a half will probably be chilly until we get further south. But, I can park myself in the casino, go see a show, etc. It's a bigass ship. Plenty to do.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/anthemoftheseas/?ECID=ps_br_agt_gl_11845&kwid=43700008553577718

RB....I know you're a HT fan. Pretty good deal on this Harmony.....

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-Control-Smartphone-Simple/dp/B00BQ5RYI4/ref=sr_1_8?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1447285800&sr=1-8&keywords=harmony+remote

My old Harmony needs upgraded, so I like this one. Right price, too!

So, Cadillac dealer called and asked if I had seen GM's letter yet. I haven't. They said they received notice to prepare for the return of my old CTS and return it to Cadillac engineering.

Cadillac engineering

Isn't that an oxymoron?

Just joking, couldn't resist

roadburner · November 2015

That's a great deal GG- tempting...

stever · November 2015

ab348 said:
Question about using the Forums software: on the previous software there was a way to go to next unread posts in all the discussions you were subscribed to - I forget the name of the command - which let you catch up on all your subscribed discussions without going back to the main list of discussions or bookmarks. I didn't use it very much, but with this software I think that might be handy. Is there an equivalent commend here?

Sorry, no equivalent with this forum software. About the best you can do is bookmark your favorite discussions and use the My Bookmarks link* to filter the rest out a bit.

[*edited from Recent Discussions]

houdini1 · November 2015

stickguy said:
Just read the CR article on the diesels. I found this particular piece interesting: " it is a matter of shifting resources from commercial truck emissions—as big rigs are the source of most on-the-road pollutants"

Sounds typical to me. spend lots of time and money chasing after what gets the most attention, instead of what makes the most impact.

Couldn't agree more. If they ran the same real world tests on all cars, like they did on the TDI, my bet is at least 50% of them would not pass due to defeat codes or some other reason. VW should insist on this.

imidazol97 · November 2015

Winterkorn quits Audi.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/12/us-volkswagen-emissions-audi-idUSKCN0T10MR20151112

bwia · November 2015

Latest James Bond flick

I saw SPECTRE last night on an Imax screen. Weak story but lots of action; for example the obligatory chase, where the DB10 is chased by what looked to be a mystery car. I looked it up this morning and it is a Jaguar C-X75. What an incredible car, it put the DB10 to shame. Here are two short videos, the C-X75

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwFlcEaT5lQ
and the DB10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC2D2hUuZ1U

Enjoy

imidazol97 · November 2015

@houdini
"Couldn't agree more. If they ran the same real world tests on all cars, like they did on the TDI, my bet is at least 50% of them would not pass..."

Are you referring to checking all diesels or diesels only? Or do you include gasoline engines?

I am in favor of thorough testing of all recent gasoline burners for pollution as well as mileage. We have the Kia/Hyundai scandal with high EPA mileage figures having to be corrected. A friend is so happy he gets a check once a year or something from the company based on his miles driven as compensation for their having lied about the mileage on his Elantra.

I put having a car from a company like that in the same bag with one who's had transmission problems where they replaced the transmission twice at 80K miles and they've extended the warranty to 100,000 miles so that the next failure after that of a problematic transmission likely to fail at 120K miles would be at owner expense. And worse, like a religion, the owners taut the brand as the best thing since sliced bread. They all put their wheels on one lugnut at a time.

.

stever · November 2015

houdini1 said:
Couldn't agree more. If they ran the same real world tests on all cars,

Don't forget vacuums. Sounds like a lot of EU cheating there too.

Our movie last night was Meet the Patels. Pretty fun clash of cultures.

Thanks for the Winterkorn link @imidazol97 - wonder if the prosecutors are homing in on him.

driver100 · November 2015

imidazol97 said:
Winterkorn quits Audi.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/12/us-volkswagen-emissions-audi-idUSKCN0T10MR20151112

From the article you posted imid I saw this article:

Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is the only carmaker whose diesel engines have been found so far by a U.S. regulator to be using illicit emissions-control software, German magazine Wirtschaftswoche reported.

"Up until now we have found no fraudulent defeat device in vehicles of other brands," the magazine quoted Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as saying in an interview published on Tuesday.

houdini1 · November 2015

imidazol97 said:
@houdini
"Couldn't agree more. If they ran the same real world tests on all cars, like they did on the TDI, my bet is at least 50% of them would not pass..."

Are you referring to checking all diesels or diesels only? Or do you include gasoline engines?

I am in favor of thorough testing of all recent gasoline burners for pollution as well as mileage. We have the Kia/Hyundai scandal with high EPA mileage figures having to be corrected. A friend is so happy he gets a check once a year or something from the company based on his miles driven as compensation for their having lied about the mileage on his Elantra.

I put having a car from a company like that in the same bag with one who's had transmission problems where they replaced the transmission twice at 80K miles and they've extended the warranty to 100,000 miles so that the next failure after that of a problematic transmission likely to fail at 120K miles would be at owner expense. And worse, like a religion, the owners taut the brand as the best thing since sliced bread. They all put their wheels on one lugnut at a time.
.

Diesels and gas.

stever · November 2015

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

From the article you posted imid I saw this article:

"Up until now we have found no fraudulent defeat device in vehicles of other brands," the magazine quoted Mary Nichols, chair of the California Air Resources Board (CARB), as saying in an interview published on Tuesday.

Interesting, the EPA and CARB accused Audi of using a defeat device ten days ago in some Audi models. Haven't spotted an EPA statement or exoneration yet.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Might be time for me to renew my patent on my Gerbil-Amphetamine engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZLkWADEYM

driver100 · November 2015

Mr_Shiftright said:
Might be time for me to renew my patent on my Gerbil-Amphetamine engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZLkWADEYM

Does it meet with EPA standards?

explorerx4 · November 2015

After a bit of prompting, I got a quote back from the dealer who actually responded to my request for one and it looks pretty good, so I'm test driving tomorrow.

imidazol97 · November 2015

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:
Might be time for me to renew my patent on my Gerbil-Amphetamine engine.

Does it meet with EPA standards?
Probably fails the flatulence standards like cows fail.

Based on real, currently measured scientific data we are starting a mini cooling period.
Real data. Based on real science.

"A study presented at the British Royal Astronomical Society’s recent annual meeting confirms that the sun may go into a “hibernation” mode around 2030 called the “Grand Solar Minimum” that could cause another “Little Ice Age.”

"Breitbart News warned in May that the sun’s normally violent X-ray output had flat-lined. We pointed out that with 99.86% of the mass of our solar system, the great ball of violent fire in the sky was going quiet in the weakest sunspot cycle in more than a century."/

http://www.breitbart.com/california/2015/11/12/little-ice-age-more-evidence/

explorerx4 · November 2015

This guy is the alter ego to those VW execs who caved in to the boss and ended up producing the fraudster diesels.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/11/11/how-one-man-defied-gm-to-keep-the-corvette-alive-in-the-1990s/?refer=news

stickguy · November 2015

I'm definitely heading south

Michaell · November 2015

explorerx4 said:
This guy is the alter ego to those VW execs who caved in to the boss and ended up producing the fraudster diesels.
http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/11/11/how-one-man-defied-gm-to-keep-the-corvette-alive-in-the-1990s/?refer=news

I would recommend the book "All Corvettes are Red", which chronicles the development of the C5 Corvette, with all the starts and stops and financial skullduggery needed.

berri · November 2015

I'm definitely heading south

Well, if that little ice age prognosticator is correct, going south might get a little too hot. The "devil" is in the details.

snakeweasel · November 2015

abacomike said:

28firefighter said:

@abacomike I agree. I think VW will come out on the other side of it, it'll just be a question of what they look like, who they're owned by, and what their product strategy looks like.

FWIW, day 4 with the GTI and I find myself trying to find excuses to go for a spin...they know how to build a fun ride.

I've owned two VW's in the last 18 years (2003 and 1996). Both were outstanding vehicles and the resale value was excellent.

But the question now is what will their resale values be after all of this stuff coming out?

snakeweasel · November 2015

stever said:

houdini1 said:
You should get her that new 12" ipad. They are only about $1,100. with the keyboard.
I sent her the WSJ review of that one a couple of hours ago - the sketching aspect was interesting, and she's been drawing and pastelling a bunch lately. But mostly all I do is enjoy what I gave her, once I find out what that is. We (over) consult on houses and cars and the little stuff just gets purchased as wanted.

About universal languages, Esperanto was vigorously attacked by Klingon in the 60s and neither language made much headway after that decade long battle. The phrase I use most frequently is nuqDaq 'oH puchpa''e'.

About a universal language that all should learn, it should be an existing language that has a very large number of users where it is their primary or secondary language.

snakeweasel · November 2015

stickguy said:
Just read the CR article on the diesels. I found this particular piece interesting: " it is a matter of shifting resources from commercial truck emissions—as big rigs are the source of most on-the-road pollutants"

Sounds typical to me. spend lots of time and money chasing after what gets the most attention, instead of what makes the most impact.

Actually it's following the course of least resistance.

stever · November 2015

We've been down the road with the semi's before.

How The EPA Won $1 Billion From Diesel Cheaters Long Before VW (Jalopnik)

snakeweasel · November 2015

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:
Might be time for me to renew my patent on my Gerbil-Amphetamine engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZLkWADEYM
Does it meet with EPA standards?

Only if you feed it special food just prior to the EPA guy (or gal) coming around to sniff the little guys poop.

driver100 · November 2015

snakeweasel said:

stever said:

houdini1 said:
You should get her that new 12" ipad. They are only about $1,100. with the keyboard.
I sent her the WSJ review of that one a couple of hours ago - the sketching aspect was interesting, and she's been drawing and pastelling a bunch lately. But mostly all I do is enjoy what I gave her, once I find out what that is. We (over) consult on houses and cars and the little stuff just gets purchased as wanted.

About universal languages, Esperanto was vigorously attacked by Klingon in the 60s and neither language made much headway after that decade long battle. The phrase I use most frequently is nuqDaq 'oH puchpa''e'.

About a universal language that all should learn, it should be an existing language that has a very large number of users where it is their primary or secondary language.

That means the universal language would be "American"...today. If it is decided by actual numbers of people who speak it probably Chinese.

By having one universal language that is simple to learn and use (no exceptions and exceptions to exceptions) the language chosen would be neutral, so everyone could learn it and not feel their own language isn't as important. Makes it an even playing field.

I guess one big problem is their won't be any great literature or history to the new language...major obstacle!

driver100 · November 2015

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:
Might be time for me to renew my patent on my Gerbil-Amphetamine engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ZLkWADEYM
Does it meet with EPA standards?
Only if you feed it special food just prior to the EPA guy (or gal) coming around to sniff the little guys poop.

Probably put the hamster on a vegetarian diet just before the test.

snakeweasel · November 2015

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

stever said:

houdini1 said:
You should get her that new 12" ipad. They are only about $1,100. with the keyboard.
I sent her the WSJ review of that one a couple of hours ago - the sketching aspect was interesting, and she's been drawing and pastelling a bunch lately. But mostly all I do is enjoy what I gave her, once I find out what that is. We (over) consult on houses and cars and the little stuff just gets purchased as wanted.

About universal languages, Esperanto was vigorously attacked by Klingon in the 60s and neither language made much headway after that decade long battle. The phrase I use most frequently is nuqDaq 'oH puchpa''e'.

About a universal language that all should learn, it should be an existing language that has a very large number of users where it is their primary or secondary language.
That means the universal language would be "American"...today. If it is decided by actual numbers of people who speak it probably Chinese.

By having one universal language that is simple to learn and use (no exceptions and exceptions to exceptions) the language chosen would be neutral, so everyone could learn it and not feel their own language isn't as important. Makes it an even playing field.

I guess one big problem is their won't be any great literature or history to the new language...major obstacle!

If we take the number of native speakers it would be Chinese (Mandarin), if we take the number of people who speak it as either a native or second language I do believe it is English. However Spanish would also work in this respect as IIRC it has the second highest number of native speakers. The rational of using a widely used language is that fewer people would have to learn it and it is already ingrained in large areas of the world. If we create a new language then everyone would have to learn it.

graphicguy · November 2015

Was flying home after a conference yesterday. Irritating, to say the least.

I like an aisle seat. That's what I book. While I'm "exposed" for when the flight attendants come flying down the aisle with a beverage cart, I also have one side open to me so at least a portion of my body has a little room.

Anyway, I'm boarding. Get to my seat. A lady is already in it.

GG: Excuse me m'am but I believe you're in my seat.
Lady: No, this seat is mine. I have the aisle seat.
GG: (showing her my ticket) Perhaps you're in another row?
Lady: (looking at my ticket and "harrumphing") Oh...OK! (moves to the window seat).

Another lady comes up and questions the same lady about her seat. Well, as expected, she had the middle seat. So, she rearranges herself again, complaining to me and the window passenger that she's claustrophobic. I suggest she see the flight attendant for another seat.

Flight is full, so no new seat for her. Two hour flight. She starts the "whine" while we're still at the gate. I put my ear buds in, plug into my iPhone to listen to music and read a bit on my iPad. Now that means the only person she can whine to is the lady in the window seat. I see her animanted conversation, not really hearing what she was saying. Except, once airborn, the flight attendant makes a special trip to our row. I pull out my ear buds to hear the flight attendant politely but firmly, chastise my middle row seatmate if she doesn't quit, they will detain her at the end of the flight.

This lady was probably in her mid 30s. Not sure what her deal was. I don't think she was drunk, but clearly unsuited for modern air travel. She tried to recline her seat, until she did so with such force, she spilled the drink of the passenger behind her. She was constantly up and down, going to the lavatory. In general, she was a nusiance, to the point where we were deplaning and the security personnel whisked her away to some very loud protests by her, and hand clapping by her fellow passengers.

I fly a lot. First time I've seen that.

I used to do a little work on my laptop while on a plane. But, given the airlines have decided to make the amount of room you have equal to a two hour stay at Guantanamo, I don't even try anymore. I get Car and Driver on my iPad. So, I like reading it while flying.

They blasted VW in the latest issue....mentioning what most of us were thinking, why did they do it? Bottom line, they thought they could get away with it. And, since much of their world wide business is based on diesels, it was worth the risk. Lots of open ended questions and concern over their future viability once fines are levied and law suits are settled.

Same issue, they blasted the 40,000 mile test drive of the newest Corvette...saying they couldn't remember a more trouble prone long term test. I guess the engine self destructed at one point. They also pointed out that it was unsuitable for cold climates as they had a heck of a time getting it to start when cold. Electrical glitches galore and some fit foibles. They mentioned how long it took to fix and diagnose, too. They said for the money, it's a great bargain. But, not worth it for the quality issues.

Sounds like GM has issues spread throughout all of their brands. And here I thought my problems were limited. GM is going down the same path they went in the '80s and '90s. That's not a good thing.

robr2 · November 2015

I'll counter the single opinion of C&D with the single opinion of Automobile who were quite smitten with their long term Corvette. Although not perfect (fuel system issue X2), their engine performed flawlessly.

nyccarguy · November 2015

Edmunds had a long term C7 as well that they thoroughly enjoyed.

driver100 · November 2015

GG, one of the reasons I hate air travel these days. They keep making it worse. At least the airline staff are trying to do something, but, I feel a bit sorry for the stewardesses and other staff who have to deal with the weirdos.

It seems i in 3 Corvettes was a lemon.....so, it shows some people are happy with their CTS's, but other people could have got the lemon.

imidazol97 · November 2015

Just finished a good book, Killing Reagan by Bill O'Reilly. Thorough, containing
good and bad. I had enjoyed Killing Patton when I read it earlier. The book
mentions Alzheimers a lot.

I believe someone asked about symptoms of Alzheimers in this topic. The
epilogue mentions that. As far as vocabulary, there may be 3 early hints to the sharp
readers or listeners. First, is use of repetitive words. Second, increased
substitution of pronouns instead of specific nouns, such as "it" or "thing."
And third, use of unique words declines. These were observed by analyzing
Reagan and his use of words in press conferences looking for early signs.
Also anesthetics can increase risk of Alzheimers.

Several weeks ago I was at lunch by myself at ChickFilA. I observed a worn out
appearing gentleman in his 70s assisting a woman across the traffic lanes from the parking.
She appeared to be an age to be his wife. He seated her in a booth near the cash registers.
He then approached the end register ahead of a line of 6 people and I was first in line.
He walked up to the cashier to place his order, jumping the line. She had looked at me,
but when he moved in she winked. I am on a first name basis with most of the cashiers and managers.
We both saw he was frazzled and in poor health; the lady he assisted in
looked to be in great condition, physically.

Later I walked by where they were sitting and he was entertaining her playing
a repetitive hand game much like one would with a child in younger years, and
she was laughing. I'm certain she was typical of the Alzheimers patients and
he was the caregiver who was endangering his health taking care of her. So sad.

driver100 · November 2015

Looking for a solution.
I do my exercises 3 times a week at home, and I do it to a DVD which I have next to the TV set.
There isn't too much on the TV when I do my exercises so I was thinking I could record a show I do want to watch, and then I could watch it as I do my exercises.
All I need is a VCR but they are almost impossible to find these days, don't even know if I can get tapes.
Not practical to record using a DVD player.
Is there a DVR device that can just be used to record, and is set up the way a VCR unit would be set up?

We have a cable DVR on our main TV, but that isn't in the exercise room.

What is easy, inexpensive, and would do the job.

abacomike · November 2015

driver100 said:

Looking for a solution. I do my exercises 3 times a week at home, and I do it to a DVD which I have next to the TV set. There isn't too much on the TV when I do my exercises so I was thinking I could record a show I do want to watch, and then I could watch it as I do my exercises. All I need is a VCR but they are almost impossible to find these days, don't even know if I can get tapes. Not practical to record using a DVD player. Is there a DVR device that can just be used to record, and is set up the way a VCR unit would be set up? We have a cable DVR on our main TV, but that isn't in the exercise room. What is easy, inexpensive, and would do the job.

Why not hire an out of work traveling acting troup to perform for you, live, three days a week. Instead of paying them money, provide room and board for them - sort of like a B&B? Better than 3D TV, no?

imidazol97 · November 2015

Are you wanting to record over the air TV signals--not from cable?

I just bought a digital converter box that some had suggested as a
route to do what I need to do. It uses an antenna to record OTA
and converts it to analog to send to your TV set via cables or HDMI.

But it is capable of recording programs onto a USB thumb drive OR
to an external hard drive. People typically use a 32GB thumb drive which
can store a few hours of recording. Box can be set to record automatically.
It picks up a program list from the station's signals showing programs and
times in advance so I can be sure I'm setting it for the right time.

I have NOT opened the box. I've been too busy to enjoy setting it up.
Amazon, roughly $35. Digital Converter Box Iview 3500STBII

http://www.amazon.com/3500STBII-Multi-Function-Converter-Recording-Playback/dp/B00GOILYB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447426797&sr=8-1&keywords=iview+3500

graphicguy · November 2015

driver100 said:
GG, one of the reasons I hate air travel these days. They keep making it worse. At least the airline staff are trying to do something, but, I feel a bit sorry for the stewardesses and other staff who have to deal with the weirdos.

It seems i in 3 Corvettes was a lemon.....so, it shows some people are happy with their CTS's, but other people could have got the lemon.

Driver....I've traveled a million plus miles on one airline (Delta) and probably that many miles again with the other airlines I fly. I think the current situation with airlines is untennable and are going to swing back the other way shortly.

In Cincinnati there's a charter company that flies to NYC, as an example. They do it out of an older, but easier to navigate airport. Prices are competitive with the big airlines and no hassles whatsoever. No inept TSA to deal with, either. I use them when I can.

I used to fly about 100K miles/year with Delta. Now, that is spread across several different airlines, including charters. So, Delta ultimately loses. They don't see that, though.

Corvettes.....I know if I had just dropped $70K on a new Covette, and the engine self destructed, no way I would want it fixed (C&D had Chevy put in a new engine, but they don't own the car). I'd be all over Chevrolet for a buy back.

Cadillac update...still no word directly to me, but apparently the dealership is getting quite a bit of paperwork. They may have a buyer for the car I wanted. That's OK with me. But, it did bring up another proposal that the dealer actually made. If I took a "luxury" CTS instead of a "Performance" CTS, and Cadillac reimbursed me for the price difference, would that work for me?

Something to think about, especially given I probably won't keep the car that long to begin with.

Michaell · November 2015

driver100 said:
Looking for a solution.
I do my exercises 3 times a week at home, and I do it to a DVD which I have next to the TV set.
There isn't too much on the TV when I do my exercises so I was thinking I could record a show I do want to watch, and then I could watch it as I do my exercises.
All I need is a VCR but they are almost impossible to find these days, don't even know if I can get tapes.
Not practical to record using a DVD player.
Is there a DVR device that can just be used to record, and is set up the way a VCR unit would be set up?

We have a cable DVR on our main TV, but that isn't in the exercise room.

What is easy, inexpensive, and would do the job.

Driver, I don't know who your cable provider is, but in my house we have one DVR in the family room and two "satellite" boxes. These satellite boxes can be used to program and watch shows from the "main" DVR. There is an extra cost for these on my bill each month.

Something for you to look into....

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Oh that old saw. A very dubious and speculative claim at this point in our scientific knowledge. I try to follow the Climate Change debate pretty carefully.

"The current scientific consensus is that solar variations do not play a major role in driving global warming** since the measured magnitude of recent solar variation is much smaller than the forcing due to greenhouse gases. Also, solar activity in the 2010s was not higher than in the 1950s, whereas global warming had risen markedly. Otherwise, the level of understanding of solar impacts on weather is low".

**"The Sun and the Earth's Climate ", Living Reviews in Solar Physics

So, no data and no science to speak of to change anyone's mind at this point in time. But of course, science marches on!

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:
Might be time for me to renew my patent on my Gerbil-Amphetamine engine.

Does it meet with EPA standards?
Probably fails the flatulence standards like cows fail.

Based on real, currently measured scientific data we are starting a mini cooling period.
Real data. Based on real science.

"A study presented at the British Royal Astronomical Society’s recent annual meeting confirms that the sun may go into a “hibernation” mode around 2030 called the “Grand Solar Minimum” that could cause another “Little Ice Age.”

"Breitbart News warned in May that the sun’s normally violent X-ray output had flat-lined. We pointed out that with 99.86% of the mass of our solar system, the great ball of violent fire in the sky was going quiet in the weakest sunspot cycle in more than a century."/

http://www.breitbart.com/california/2015/11/12/little-ice-age-more-evidence/

roadburner · November 2015

graphicguy said:

Corvettes.....I know if I had just dropped $70K on a new Covette, and the engine self destructed, no way I would want it fixed (C&D had Chevy put in a new engine, but they don't own the car). I'd be all over Chevrolet for a buy back.

I related this story a few months ago, but a friend of mine in our small group at church is a diehard Corvette enthusiast, and bought one of the first C7s. When he was looking at the car that he ended up buying he asked the sales guy if it had Magnetic Selective Ride Control and the sales guy said yes. He bought the car and-just like the two Car and Driver Corvettes(Lightning Lap and Long Term), his C7 needed a new engine- at 6000 miles the rod bearings were shot. To add insult to injury, while looking at his disassembled pride and joy in the service bay the tech told him his car did not have MSRC. The dealer stepped up and let him trade for a car with MRSC at an extremely good price because he was a loyal long-time customer. The new C7 has been flawless.

abacomike · November 2015

I bought a brand new blue 1967 Corvette Stingray Coupe in December of 1966. It had the 427 c.i. V8 with three 2-barrel carbs and 425 hp. It had the 4-speed Muncie Transmission with lock-out reverse. It did not have power steering - just a standard AM/FM radio. The clutch was heavily spring-loaded.

Never had a problem with that car. Drove it from Chicago to New York and back in four days with a roommate, non-stop. That car had so much power it was almost scary. It was obviously very hard-riding and had the red-striped tires with standard wheels.

When I would start the car in the morning, the deep "growl" from the engine's exhaust was awesome. I wonder what a car like that would sell for at a typical Mecum auction.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

Yeah, I read that C&D longterm review and it was discouraging. Let's hope his new one pans out!

roadburner said:

graphicguy said:

Corvettes.....I know if I had just dropped $70K on a new Covette, and the engine self destructed, no way I would want it fixed (C&D had Chevy put in a new engine, but they don't own the car). I'd be all over Chevrolet for a buy back.

I related this story a few months ago, but a friend of mine in our small group at church is a diehard Corvette enthusiast, and bought one of the first C7s. When he was looking at the car that he ended up buying he asked the sales guy if it had Magnetic Selective Ride Control and the sales guy said yes. He bought the car and-just like the two Car and Driver Corvettes(Lightning Lap and Long Term), his C7 needed a new engine- at 6000 miles the rod bearings were shot. To add insult to injury, while looking at his disassembled pride and joy in the service bay the tech told him his car did not have MSRC. The dealer stepped up and let him trade for a car with MRSC at an extremely good price because he was a loyal long-time customer. The new C7 has been flawless.

berri · November 2015

Aba - I always heard that the 67 Stingray was one of the best. Bet you were happy you bought that when you saw the 68

abacomike · November 2015

berri said:

Aba - I always heard that the 67 Stingray was one of the best. Bet you were happy you bought that when you saw the 68

Most definitely. I especially like the fact that the '67 did not have that spit rear window glass. Prior to the '67, there were two separate rear window sections with a vertical frame bar down the center. Rear visibility on the Corvette was not great, but that split rear window on the earlier models made it even worse.

The change in body styling on the '68 was a bold step for the GM design team. Some loved it - I hated it!

oldfarmer50 · November 2015

driver100 said:
GG, one of the reasons I hate air travel these days. They keep making it worse. At least the airline staff are trying to do something, but, I feel a bit sorry for the stewardesses and other staff who have to deal with the weirdos.

It seems i in 3 Corvettes was a lemon.....so, it shows some people are happy with their CTS's, but other people could have got the lemon.

You hear more and more about people going ballistic on airlines this days. I figure it's one part our entitlement culture and one part airlines sardining people into cramped quarters.

Driver100, 1 in 3 Corvettes a lemon? That's unheard off. If I paid $90k for a car and the engine blew or it wouldn't start I'd be throwing furniture around the dealer's showroom.

roadburner · November 2015

abacomike said:

Most definitely. I especially like the fact that the '67 did not have that spit rear window glass. Prior to the '67, there were two separate rear window sections with a vertical frame bar down the center. Rear visibility on the Corvette was not great, but that split rear window on the earlier models made it even worse.

The change in body styling on the '68 was a bold step for the GM design team. Some loved it - I hated it!

1963 was the only year for the split window on the Stingray.

berri · November 2015

I think the airlines have brought all this trouble on themselves by their customer attitude. But the gov has allowed a diminished competitive situation that allows this along with higher prices. Probably the only way to improve it is to allow foreign carrier competition on domestic routes, lust like Japan coming to the US ended up improving Detroit's game. However, in all fairness maybe we get what we bring on too. Some years back when the tightening legroom started, American kept extra legroom in Coach, but paid for it by charging around $10 more for a ticket each way. Guess what, they got the snot beat out of them as consumers flocked to the slightly cheaper cramped competitors.

Mr_Shiftright · November 2015

The Car and Driver report on their 2014 C7 is on page 85 of the Dec. 2015 issue.

driver100 · November 2015

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Looking for a solution.
I do my exercises 3 times a week at home, and I do it to a DVD which I have next to the TV set.
There isn't too much on the TV when I do my exercises so I was thinking I could record a show I do want to watch, and then I could watch it as I do my exercises.
All I need is a VCR but they are almost impossible to find these days, don't even know if I can get tapes.
Not practical to record using a DVD player.
Is there a DVR device that can just be used to record, and is set up the way a VCR unit would be set up?

We have a cable DVR on our main TV, but that isn't in the exercise room.

What is easy, inexpensive, and would do the job.

Why not hire an out of work traveling acting troup to perform for you, live, three days a week. Instead of paying them money, provide room and board for them - sort of like a B&B? Better than 3D TV, no?

Thanks Mike, I wonder if Circus Soleil has some time off

driver100 · November 2015

imidazol97 said:
Are you wanting to record over the air TV signals--not from cable?

I just bought a digital converter box that some had suggested as a
route to do what I need to do. It uses an antenna to record OTA
and converts it to analog to send to your TV set via cables or HDMI.

But it is capable of recording programs onto a USB thumb drive OR
to an external hard drive. People typically use a 32GB thumb drive which
can store a few hours of recording. Box can be set to record automatically.
It picks up a program list from the station's signals showing programs and
times in advance so I can be sure I'm setting it for the right time.

I have NOT opened the box. I've been too busy to enjoy setting it up.
Amazon, roughly $35. Digital Converter Box Iview 3500STBII

http://www.amazon.com/3500STBII-Multi-Function-Converter-Recording-Playback/dp/B00GOILYB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447426797&sr=8-1&keywords=iview+3500

I have a cable box for the main TV, and just regular cable to the other TVs including the one I use for exercise. So the TV works from the cable...which I could hook up to the new recording device. I don't need to pull the signal from the air.

For awhile they were selling VCRs for $40, now they are super deluxe units and are $200. I don't know how you buy tapes any more, don't see them around.

abacomike · November 2015

@driver100 said:

"Thanks Mike, I wonder if Circus Soleil has some time off"

Circus Soleil? I wonder if they are related to "Cirque du Soliel?"

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