Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

snakeweasel · February 2016

stever said:

abacomike said:
Still waiting for Morgan Stanley and Charles Schwab 1090's!
I got the "late February" notice from Schwab the other day. Oh well. Did get my health coverage form in the mail today.

Scored a tank of gas tonight for $1.37 a gallon.

Speaking of the price of gas, I pick up the wife at Midway airport here in Chicago. Driving down Cicero Ave. I noticed that the price of RUG was between $2.05 and $2.10. A half hour later we were back in a suburban neighborhood in the next county and the gas was just slightly under $1.50. What a difference location matters.

Filled up the ragtop for under $20 yesterday, had between 1/8 and 1/4 tank left.

snakeweasel · February 2016

henryn said:
+1 to that. In downtown Houston, where I work, they have crazy parking rules. One block will have street parking, the next block doesn't. Inevitably when you come to a block with no parking, there will be some jerk who will whip over in that lane, floor it to pass 5 or 6 cars, and then try to force his way back into the regular traffic stream.

I really think it should be legal to shoot at them. After all, this is Texas, and everybody has a gun anyway, so might as well get some use out of them, right?

In the western burbs of Chicago there is route 53 going a north south direction, for quite some distance it was one lane in each direction widening to two lanes at major intersections with stop lights then going back down to one lane right after the light. You should have seen some of the "races" that would happen there as people jockeyed for positions further up the line of traffic.

They have since added a second lane for most of the distance except for one town the fights widening it tooth and nail. They say that a wider road will bring more traffic down the road (which is 100% residential in the town), like people will make the extra trip or go out of their way just because that road is wider. Especially since it parallels a nice wide interstate.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2016

The Prius, even though it was a ground-breaking kind of car, accidentally has occupied another marketing niche formerly held by Volvo at one time--it's a car for people who hate cars, and will only drive one if it pretends to be something that rose above mere crass automobility. Volvo, once dubbed "the flying brick" would broadcast to the world that the owner didn't need the vanity of styling nor the recklessness of speed. He was driving something "practical" and "sturdy".

The irony is that a speeding Prius totally negates what a Prius was built for.

abacomike · February 2016

For the first time since I got the CLS400, I opened up the sunroof/moonroof (whatever the glass window above my head is called). It is a perfect day for opening the sunroof - 75 degrees, no wind or breeze, no clouds in the sky - just pure perfection. I was amazed that with the sunroof open, I did not fill the car with wind, even with my driver's window opened slightly. Was on the Turnpike and it was also quite quiet.

nyccarguy · February 2016

Mike - I'm glad you are enjoying the CLS & the nice weather!

abacomike · February 2016

nyccarguy said:

Mike - I'm glad you are enjoying the CLS & the nice weather!

First beautiful day in a month. It's been cold, rainy, windy. But finally, all those hundreds of thousands of tourists coming to south Florida are getting some nice weather.

berri · February 2016

Forget that piece of glass stuff, go rent a convertible and enjoy it all

explorerx4 · February 2016

It was 20 degrees when I went to the post office, so I didn't bother putting the heat on and had the window partially down.
Possible low of -12 degrees tonight though.

roadburner · February 2016

Speaking of slow drivers, I think that Town Cars and full size Cadillacs must have a circuit that illuminates the brake lights any time the steering wheel is turned more than 10 degrees from straight ahead.

imidazol97 · February 2016

roadburner said:
a circuit that illuminates the brake lights any time the steering wheel is turned more than 10 degrees from straight ahead.

That's also on the Camry and Accord in this area along with the Corolla and Civic. They became popular replacements in this area.

houdini1 · February 2016

imidazol97 said:

roadburner said:
a circuit that illuminates the brake lights any time the steering wheel is turned more than 10 degrees from straight ahead.
That's also on the Camry and Accord in this area along with the Corolla and Civic. They became popular replacements in this area.

In most of them, the brake lights come on when you put it in drive.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2016

It's a safety device to prevent those 10 mph rollovers.

driver100 · February 2016

houdini1 said:

imidazol97 said:

roadburner said:
a circuit that illuminates the brake lights any time the steering wheel is turned more than 10 degrees from straight ahead.
That's also on the Camry and Accord in this area along with the Corolla and Civic. They became popular replacements in this area.

In most of them, the brake lights come on when you put it in drive.

And, I am pretty sure in Florida the left signal light starts flashing when you put it in drive.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2016

Being a bicyclist, I'm all in favor of THAT feature!

driver100 · February 2016

In today's Ray Maglozzi's Car talk column a fellow is looking for a used Suburu. One used car dealer who specializes in used Suburu;s tells him piston slap is normal, and a car with 150k miles on it could be better than a car with 75k miles.

It might make an interesting car buying story....:
CAR TALK....Should this guy trust this used car dealer?

driver100 · February 2016

I saw an ad for a brand new Fusion for what seems a very low $16795. It does say "includes trade assist", but doesn't explain what trade assist means. Does it mean with a used car trade in?

abacomike · February 2016

driver100 said:

I saw an ad for a brand new Fusion for what seems a very low $16795. It does say "includes trade assist", but doesn't explain what trade assist means. Does it mean with a used car trade in?

There is no other possibility - trade in a car or pay more than $16,795!

suydam · February 2016

Mr_Shiftright said:
It's a safety device to prevent those 10 mph rollovers.

I actually had one of those happen. In my driveway. Some 80 year old managed to roll a Camry (is that even possible???) failing to make the easy turn at my corner and took a chunk of the concrete out. She was fine fortunately.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2016

Yeah I suppose if you hit the curb just right you could do that, but you'd probably be going faster than 10 mph, or maybe sliding sideways.

suydam · February 2016

There's no curb. It's a country road. There is a fairly good size drainage ditch. But no evidence she went into it. One of those head scratchers.

stickguy · February 2016

spontaneous flipping to go along with unintended acceleration?

dino001 · February 2016

Guys, I just joined an ID victim crowd. Got a letter from The IRS with unrequested tax transcript, called them and learned somebody attempted to file "for me". Fortunately, they got smarter and rejected the attempt based on numbers that didn't make sense. They put an alert there now, which means I can't file electronically and have to a send paper return with an affidavit. If all goes well, they'll issue me a pin for next year. I checked my credit records all three bureaus, no new accounts, no inquiries, so at least my credit is OK, for now. Placed a fraud alert there. Filed a complaint at the FTC, need to file one locally, too.

You guys watch it - I was as careful, as it was possible, it still happened. My guess it was most likely Anthem (I was a customer with my employer), or a doctor's clerk. Those are two most vulnerable points, couple of new places I exposed my SSN and other personal data.

Hopefully, it will all end for me in just a hassle, not real financial damage. Probably will have to pay for some credit monitoring service, just to be sure. Signep up for 2 years free from Anthem, but will have to bite the bullet later. I know now somebody has my data out there, who knows when they will try to use it again.

imidazol97 · February 2016

driver100 said:
I saw an ad for a brand new Fusion for what seems a very low $16795. It does say "includes trade assist", but doesn't explain what trade assist means. Does it mean with a used car trade in?

Years ago when I shopped for the Cobalt, a local Ford store took $2500 off for trade on the large sign in every windshield of the used cars. Then the big price at the bottom was lower than many would have expected. Sometimes there was a discount. So the sign had original price $18,850 - $1300 - $2500 trade =$13050 in bold numbers at bottom.

abacomike · February 2016

I just realized - Monday is yet another holiday! For some strange reason, I did not consider the fact that just about every retail establishment is running tremendous sales (especially furniture, autos and department stores) this weekend and that President's Day on Monday is the impetus for this barrage of sales. Not only that, but schools, the post office, government offices and banks are closed.

Only an individual who is retired would miss all this evidence of something very special occurring this weekend. Top it all off with the fact that tomorrow is St. Valentine's Day.

I just feel totally "left out" of all this hooplah! I don't need a new car, I don't need or want any furniture or appliances, I don't need any clothes, I do not need to go to the bank, and I don't have a Significant Other to buy flowers or candy for.

I wonder if it's too late to log on to eharmony or match.com to find my perfect mate to buy candy, flowers, furniture or a new car for? According to eharmony's founder's comments on TV ads, he is responsible for hundreds of marriages every day - but my problem with eharmony is that they are also responsible for hundreds of divorces every day!!!

I guess it's just a "Catch-22" situation.

dino001 · February 2016

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:
I saw an ad for a brand new Fusion for what seems a very low $16795. It does say "includes trade assist", but doesn't explain what trade assist means. Does it mean with a used car trade in?
Years ago when I shopped for the Cobalt, a local Ford store took $2500 off for trade on the large sign in every windshield of the used cars. Then the big price at the bottom was lower than many would have expected. Sometimes there was a discount. So the sign had original price $18,850 - $1300 - $2500 trade =$13050 in bold numbers at bottom.

Many dealers are notorious for doing this. Mostly lower end brand/model, when extra 2 grand off screams a huge bargain until you learn it's still you paying it. I use this kind of advertising as a negative selection tool. Anybody who thinks I'm this dumb, is not worth my business.

BTW, Imid, your example is 2 grand off

abacomike · February 2016

@dino:

Wow - you sure were lucky. It's scary out there, for sure. As far as someone filing a return to get a refund, it happens every day. I was the victim of ID theft about 8 years ago. Luckily it didn't cause me too much aggravation. I know it was the local BMW dealer that was responsible - they screwed up my paperwork and I ended up with a loan from the wrong bank. It was probably a secretary in the finance department who sold my SS number and a copy of my signature.

It's really getting out of hand out there!

explorerx4 · February 2016

In my area Ford has a $2,000 trade in assistance incentive.
Got $1500 for having a trade in when I bought my F150.

abacomike · February 2016

I just wanted to offer a prayer for Supreme Court Justice Scalia. He passed away last night. May he rest in peace. He was a great jurist and this country will sorely miss his interpretations of court cases and his staunch belief in constitutionality.

These next 11 months are going to be interesting, to say the very least.

I had the opportunity to meet him when I lived in Chicago. He taught law at the University of Chicago Law School. He was brilliant!

driver100 · February 2016

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

I saw an ad for a brand new Fusion for what seems a very low $16795. It does say "includes trade assist", but doesn't explain what trade assist means. Does it mean with a used car trade in?

There is no other possibility - trade in a car or pay more than $16,795!

The ad is meaningless....the "Trade Assist" could be any amount!

Like Dino that would turn me off even going to that dealer.

dino001 · February 2016

abacomike said:
I just wanted to offer a prayer for Supreme Court Justice Scalia. He passed away last night. May he rest in peace. He was a great jurist and this country will sorely miss his interpretations of court cases and his staunch belief in constitutionality.

These next 11 months are going to be interesting, to say the very least.

I had the opportunity to meet him when I lived in Chicago. He taught law at the University of Chicago Law School. He was brilliant!

God rest his soul. Today is a prayer day. Unfortunately tomorrow will be politics.

stickguy · February 2016

adding in the circus that a supreme court appointment is going to be in the current environment to the noise of an election year, and this is probably a good year to all move up to Driver's place in Canada. He isn't using it. heck, in the summer, we can all go hang out in his neighbor's pool!

suydam · February 2016

dino001 said:
Guys, I just joined an ID victim crowd. Got a letter from The IRS with unrequested tax transcript, called them and learned somebody attempted to file "for me". Fortunately, they got smarter and rejected the attempt based on numbers that didn't make sense. They put an alert there now, which means I can't file electronically and have to a send paper return with an affidavit. If all goes well, they'll issue me a pin for next year. I checked my credit records all three bureaus, no new accounts, no inquiries, so at least my credit is OK, for now. Placed a fraud alert there. Filed a complaint at the FTC, need to file one locally, too.

You guys watch it - I was as careful, as it was possible, it still happened. My guess it was most likely Anthem (I was a customer with my employer), or a doctor's clerk. Those are two most vulnerable points, couple of new places I exposed my SSN and other personal data.

Hopefully, it will all end for me in just a hassle, not real financial damage. Probably will have to pay for some credit monitoring service, just to be sure. Signep up for 2 years free from Anthem, but will have to bite the bullet later. I know now somebody has my data out there, who knows when they will try to use it again.

This happened to me last year. They actually sent a refund to the false filer so we had to prove we were the actual filers. Same deal -- paper return, took until July to get our refund. But no other financial problems and I have the pin for this year. We file through a CPA. But I read that the IRS website got hacked so maybe that's how it happened. This is getting more and more common.

stickguy · February 2016

makes me more annoyed that the investment firms take so long to get the tax forms out for the stock funds. Best defense is to file ASAP in the year (beat the crooks). Plus need the taxes filed for the FAFSA for the college kid.

suydam · February 2016

Yes. The earlier you can file the better. But as you note, many employers and mutual fund companies take their time.

dino001 · February 2016

Here is the problem - you file early, they try filing, it's rejected, so you're good there. BUT they still have your SSN, address, possibly other data, so they can try to get a loan or do other damage. The infomis in their hands, you may just have prevented to use it one wauy, but other are still open. Also, I believe, you may still have to send the affidavit to the IRS. So the only good thing is you get the money (if you owed) this year, but the potential for damage still exists.

suydam · February 2016

So far it appears whoever is doing this is mostly targeting govt refunds and nothing else. For now anyway.

driver100 · February 2016

stickguy said:
adding in the circus that a supreme court appointment is going to be in the current environment to the noise of an election year, and this is probably a good year to all move up to Driver's place in Canada. He isn't using it. heck, in the summer, we can all go hang out in his neighbor's pool!

I don't know if it would be any better....our new Prime Minister's only real jobs were as a skateboard teacher and a part-time drama teacher for 2 years. He is trying to be everybody's friend so he is promising everyone more money, and the debt keeps rising. Our dollar has sunk to about 70 cents US and there isn't much of a market for our expensive oil.

But, make yourself feel welcome at my neighbors pool, tell him your a friend of the Drivers, and you will probably find yourself out on the street. But, you can stay at my house...just $100 a night....U.S. $$$s only!

driver100 · February 2016

suydam said:
So far it appears whoever is doing this is mostly targeting govt refunds and nothing else. For now anyway.

I understand it is the easiest scam to pull off, and pays well. Send in a tax form, claim a refund, give them a phony address, government sends the refund, $100s millions lost, and no one seems to really care enough to come up with a method of doing refunds that would be more secure. Government doesn't worry too much...always more money where that came from.

Real tax payer will have a hard time trying to file their real tax as the government thinks it has been done.

Not criticizing any government in particular, it is happening back home too.

houdini1 · February 2016

abacomike said:
I just wanted to offer a prayer for Supreme Court Justice Scalia. He passed away last night. May he rest in peace. He was a great jurist and this country will sorely miss his interpretations of court cases and his staunch belief in constitutionality.

These next 11 months are going to be interesting, to say the very least.

I had the opportunity to meet him when I lived in Chicago. He taught law at the University of Chicago Law School. He was brilliant!

X-2 Mike.

Also, if someone filed my return early they would be hit with paying additional taxes. I think I am safe. Dino, I have had crooks try to charge things to my accounts in the past, and I know the sick feeling of being violated like that.
Sounds like you did everything right.

driver100 · February 2016

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:
I saw an ad for a brand new Fusion for what seems a very low $16795. It does say "includes trade assist", but doesn't explain what trade assist means. Does it mean with a used car trade in?
Years ago when I shopped for the Cobalt, a local Ford store took $2500 off for trade on the large sign in every windshield of the used cars. Then the big price at the bottom was lower than many would have expected. Sometimes there was a discount. So the sign had original price $18,850 - $1300 - $2500 trade =$13050 in bold numbers at bottom.

Imid....what went on in your head when you saw that LOW price?

It completely turns me off......that is exactly the kind of dealer I would try to avoid. Who's trade is going to be exactly $2500 anyway? I guess it could be used because then people would say, my trade is actually worth $10,000 so I will only pay $7550 for a new car ($18850-$1300 - $10000). I suppose there is a bit of feeling of scoring big time, that could appeal to a lot of people.

houdini1 · February 2016

I've also seen those ads, and to me they are insulting. I just shake my head, but with 300 million + people in the U.S., I guess some people fall for such drivel. The old bell curve.

oldfarmer50 · February 2016

dino001 said:
Guys, I just joined an ID victim crowd. Got a letter from The IRS with unrequested tax transcript, called them and learned somebody attempted to file "for me". Fortunately, they got smarter and rejected the attempt based on numbers that didn't make sense. They put an alert there now, which means I can't file electronically and have to a send paper return with an affidavit. If all goes well, they'll issue me a pin for next year. I checked my credit records all three bureaus, no new accounts, no inquiries, so at least my credit is OK, for now. Placed a fraud alert there. Filed a complaint at the FTC, need to file one locally, too.

You guys watch it - I was as careful, as it was possible, it still happened. My guess it was most likely Anthem (I was a customer with my employer), or a doctor's clerk. Those are two most vulnerable points, couple of new places I exposed my SSN and other personal data.

Hopefully, it will all end for me in just a hassle, not real financial damage. Probably will have to pay for some credit monitoring service, just to be sure. Signep up for 2 years free from Anthem, but will have to bite the bullet later. I know now somebody has my data out there, who knows when they will try to use it again.

I still file paper tax returns, even for sales tax which they claim I have to file electronically. I refuse to give doctors my SS. Pay cash for gas which takes care of card skimmers.

Thinking of moving into the woods and paying bills with animal pelts to be 100% safe.

What a coincidence. Just got this from my credit union:

Don't give scammers access to your accounts.
We have received several calls regarding a text scam. The text says your debit card has been locked and tells you to call a phone number. If you call, you are then instructed to input your full debit card number. This is a scam. If you receive this or a similar text, delete it immediately. If you did respond to the scam and gave your debit card number, please report your card as lost/stolen so we can issue you a new one. Call 800-727-xxxx.

Xxxxx has not been breached. You can rest assured knowing no personal financial information has been compromised. At this time it is not known how the scammers acquired phone numbers, but it was not from Xxxxxx. Thank you for choosing Xxxxxx as your financial partner.

murphydog · February 2016

Slightly off the recent topics, but got my dad's 73 Convertible Ghia back today. Drove it about 30 miles from the shop to home on the freeway in the rain. First I have to say that modern cars are a freaking miracle compared to older cars!

That said the car runs well for the age of the technology. Clearly needs new tires, but 15 inch skinny VW tires are $60 each at discount tire, easy peasy!

Dad had an air-ride system added to the car, can drop in all the way down to the ground. I did not drive it home like that, though I think I raised it up too high. On the freeway in the slow lane I got tossed around pretty bad where the concrete is slightly tilted from the semi-trucks.

Car is stashed in my garage, can't wait for a warm sunny day to drop the top and take a spin around town. Family is going to sell it - hopefully with summer coming we can get back half what my dad (and I!) ultimately put into it.

stever · February 2016

How to Post a Photo.

Saw a guy this afternoon cruising along in a smurfed up old 50's era pickup. I'm sure he was having fun, but his rig was wandering a bit on a 35 mph surface street. Be fun to have one in my garage ... for about two weeks.

murphydog · February 2016

Thanks Steve - was able to post picture from iPad pretty easy, but would not take the same picture from my Mac - oh well

stever · February 2016

And it even came out right side up.

Okay, I take it back. I would take a Ghia for my garage.

houdini1 · February 2016

I always liked those. Beautiful car Murph.

iluvmysephia1 · February 2016

Nice car, Murphydog. Dad taught me how to drive stick in his baby blue '66 VW Fastback. I'd love ta have that 4-speed now.

explorerx4 · February 2016

Woke up this morning around 6:30 to -10 degrees. Coldest I've seen at my house. The dampers on the storm door are completely ineffective. Door just slammed closed when I went out to get the paper.
In a couple of days, it's supposed to be in the 50's.

driver100 · February 2016

Nice car murph. You sure don't see too many of those Ghias these days......at least not on this side of the Atlantic.

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