Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

nyccarguy said:

"

The manager from his local MB dealership calls him back.

"Take the car by the end of the month."

He gives him a price of $3500 less than the dealership in NJ.

Interesting one for a few reasons NYC. Original dealer broke the trust barrier, and now will pay for it....which is what can happen easily in these cases.

When we traded in my wifes 2008 bmw for a 2013 bmw, they only offered $20k for the trade, though I knew it was worth $24K. Now the trust is gone, and I doubt if I would go back to that dealer unless I had to.

I have to say, this Mercedes dealer gave me exactly what I wanted for my trade, they took off the discount I wanted, and they seem to stand on their head to please me. The forgot to download the manual. They offered to drive to my house to do it. I said I would go there. They gave me a coupon for a detail wash I can use anytime....for my trouble. Free car wash 6 days a week. They seem pretty smart, building loyal customers....I think they know Mercedes customers are probably very loyal, and they want to build up a solid relationship.

driver100

venture said:

driver100 said:

venture said:

THIS DOESN'T SOUND RIGHT

Now here's the weird part. She said they had a price negotiated which was awesome what with end of year pricing, customer cash, etc. When they told the saleslady that they were not trading in their convertible nor financing the truck, the price went up $3,000.

Comments?

I don't know if the dealer was entirely in the wrong. Is it possible these people led the dealer to believe they were trading in their car, and they were going to finance the truck?....or, possibly the dealer assumed they would do that. These nice people may have misled the salesperson too, or done a bait and switch themselves.

Sometimes money off has to come from somewhere. There may be $1000s off, but higher finance rate or lower trade-in amounts. My guess is most people probably don't know what an extra 1% could add up to over time, and most people have no idea what their trade in is really worth.

They didn't lead the dealer to believe they were going to trade nor did they say they were going to finance the truck. I already mentioned that. If the saleslady assumed that, she shouldn't have. Many people who sell cars, at least some of the ones I know, are nice people and pretty smart. Then there are the others.

I doubt very much they misled the dealer at all or did a bait and switch.

Take a few minutes and look at the incentives on 2014 Fords. It's enough to cross your eyes.

All I am saying is there are usually two sides to a story, and we don't really know why the salesperson would change the price without a trade or financing. She may have made an assumption, but, she would have to be very foolish to jump to that conclusion without thinking what the people had in mind.

I'm not saying these people are not telling the truth, there may have been a misunderstanding even, but, I think you would have to hear the salesperson side of the story to really know what happened.

Mr_Shiftright

Test Driving Boxsters Boxster Ss and Caymans: 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011 models.

For anyone who is interested, if you have long legs you are not going to be doing any 3-pedal work in a Boxster or Cayman anytime soon.

Why cars of this caliber do not have steering wheels that tilt *AND* telescope is beyond me. Really? For $60K you can't afford to do that?

graphicguy

driver100 said:

nyccarguy said:

"

The manager from his local MB dealership calls him back.

"Take the car by the end of the month."

He gives him a price of $3500 less than the dealership in NJ.

Interesting one for a few reasons NYC. Original dealer broke the trust barrier, and now will pay for it....which is what can happen easily in these cases.

When we traded in my wifes 2008 bmw for a 2013 bmw, they only offered $20k for the trade, though I knew it was worth $24K. Now the trust is gone, and I doubt if I would go back to that dealer unless I had to.

I have to say, this Mercedes dealer gave me exactly what I wanted for my trade, they took off the discount I wanted, and they seem to stand on their head to please me. The forgot to download the manual. They offered to drive to my house to do it. I said I would go there. They gave me a coupon for a detail wash I can use anytime....for my trouble. Free car wash 6 days a week. They seem pretty smart, building loyal customers....I think they know Mercedes customers are probably very loyal, and they want to build up a solid relationship.

See,,,this is what I don't understand about some dealers. Some really take customer service seriously (like your dealer, Driver). Others just don't get it. It seems like they really don't even care about repeat business. Just get the deal immediately in front of them, by hook or by crook.

I see less of it than I did 20 years ago. But, then again, I'm not shopping at the Toyota/Honda stores that had such high demand it was a take it or leave it proposition, as it was in the '80s.

All that said, the level of customer service is much better today overall than when I first started buying new cars 25+ years ago.

Some dealers still don't get it, though. They're looking for the uninformed and easily manipulated buyer as their target. Just by the mere fact the regulars here know the market for any given model, pricing info, rebate and incentive info, etc probably only makes up 10% of the buying public. The rest walk in, figure they have to horse trade a little bit, and at some arbitrary point, give in, to feel they got a good deal.

Does it really cost any more to give good customer service to a knowledgeable buyer?

jayrider

Cadillac appears to be looking at a possible downsizing in the number of dealers. More in line with Audi, BMW etc. Any dealership at risk wants great customer satisfaction ratings.

abacomike

jayrider said:

Cadillac appears to be looking at a possible downsizing in the number of dealers. More in line with Audi, BMW etc. Any dealership at risk wants great customer satisfaction ratings.

What I believe is necessary is for GM to make Cadillac dealerships solely Cadillac and rid itself of dealerships that sell Chevy, Buick, Cadillac and GMC.  The only exception should be in towns and villages with low population thresholds which would make combined division dealerships practical.

Another approach could require separate showroom buildings for each division.  This is the only way I can foresee Cadillac becoming more elite and exceptional - kind of like Mercedes, BMW, etc.  When a customer brings his/her car to service, it should be exclusively Cadillac and not a romper room for Malibus, Cobalts, Veranos, Enclaves, CTS, XTS, etc.

The Cadillac is truly a great aotomobile once again and is becoming more and more desirable among the $50,000 - $75,000 automobile populous strata.  I would definitely consider the XTS for my next car assuming Cadillac continues their movement toward outstanding styling, quality, performance, handling and quality control.

As for the numbers of dealers, I don't know how these should be distributed around the country.  Here in Southeat Florida, within a 50 mile radius of where I live, there are 8 Mercedes dealerships, 6 of which are owned by AutoNation.  If you expand that distance to 75 miles, there are a total of 11.  For BMW, there are only 6 within 75 miles.  For Audi, there are only 5.  Cadillac has 18 dealerships - significantly more than the other luxury dealerships with most being stand-alone.

venture

..."romper room"...lol

abacomike

venture said:

..."romper room"...lol

LIKED THAT ONE, venture, HUH!!!

henryn

jayrider said:

Cadillac appears to be looking at a possible downsizing in the number of dealers. More in line with Audi, BMW etc. Any dealership at risk wants great customer satisfaction ratings.

The problem with that is how they (the car manufacturers) handle the customer surveys. We have discussed that issue before, here in these forums. Anything less than perfect is a failing grade, which is insane to start with. And if the manufacturers start with an insane position, is it any wonder the dealers behave badly?

explorerx4

Let the games begin! I just paid off the note on my Fusion.

explorerx4

@Venture, The $3k isn't really a mystery, but kind of a 50/50 deal.
Dealer was not specific about what the conditions for the cash incentives are, and your friends did not do their homework.
Not sure where the zip code I used is, but on a 2014 F150, there is a $1500 trade in incentive and a $1000 Ford credit incentive. That's $2500 right there if you don't trade something in and pay cash. Some incentives are regional, so those numbers may vary depending where you are shopping.

abacomike

@driver100

So, driver, you've had a chance to drive the E400.  Would be nice to hear your opinion of the vehicle compared to the BMW 5 series.

explorerx4

Last week we got a Ford magazine in the mail. My wife has left it open to the pages featuring the new Mustang for the past few days. Is that a hint?

abacomike

explorerx4 said:

Last week we got a Ford magazine in the mail. My wife has left it open to the pages featuring the new Mustang for the past few days. Is that a hint?

Explorer, it sounds more like a mandate!

imidazol97

Congratulations to GG and Drive100 on their new cars. I've been off and not posting for couple days while in hospital with wife who had her leg cut off and new knee inserted. Amazing what they can do. One night in hospital and she's home by 4 pm after surgery at 8 previous day. Someday this may be an outpatient procedure!

However, I'm exhausted from all the sitting and then being in the room and sleeping on a convertible sofa meant for overnight bedding for significant others.

I'm really glad to see the Cadillacs being considered by people and that they are finding them to be capable vehicles for their needs. Just pleases me to no end to see the stereotypes broken.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

Congratulations to GG and Drive100 on their new cars. I've been off and not posting for couple days while in hospital with wife who had her leg cut off and new knee inserted. Amazing what they can do. One night in hospital and she's home by 4 pm after surgery at 8 previous day. Someday this may be an outpatient procedure! I'm really glad to see the Cadillacs being considered by people and that they are finding them to be capable vehicles for their needs. Just pleases me to no end to see the stereotypes broken.

Imid, could you explain more about you wife and her knee?  I had a full knee replacement and was in hospital for 1 week (horrific pain) and rehab inpatient for 2 weeks followed by therapy for months.

"Had her leg cut off....?"  Somewhat flabbergasted.

Mr_Shiftright

Suddenly, salesmen's ears all over America spring to the wolf-like erect position.

explorerx4 said:

Let the games begin! I just paid off the note on my Fusion.

explorerx4

@abacomike, After my Mustang passes it's last emissions test, I'm hoping to sell it. I need something to drive in the snow. Not sure how much money I want to put into my old Explorer.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

;I had a full knee replacement and was in hospital for 1 week (horrific pain) and rehab inpatient for 2 weeks followed by therapy for months.

"Had her knee cut off....?"

I did take a little poetic license in describing that essentially your leg is useless after they take the knee joint out. But they slide the new metal replacement in. They used a spinal block, various anesthesias. After the new knee is in, they also put in a drip into the leg above the knee which will weep in anesthetic to block certain nerves through a fine hairsize tube. That comes out Saturday at home. They described that nerve block as similar to how they put a nerve block on your arm to do the repair on the thumb joint where they take a sliver of tendon from your arm to line the socket of the thumb joint to replace the cartilage that's gone due to arthritis.

That block along with oxycodone and tramadol every 4 hours has given her pain level from 4 down to 0 through last evening and parts of today. Also has an ice cooler pumping water through a butterfly maize laid over her knee since surgery to reduce swelling.

This morning at 8:30 she walked, using a walker and alternating her legs almost normally, 160 feet to the therapy room where they train you on stairs, bathtubes, and other things you'll have to do at home with a new knee. Yesterday she could bend her knee back 126 degrees. Today it's about 120 due to swelling. She starts therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks starting 2 weeks from yesterday. We have certain exercises to do to strengthen her ability to lock the knee joint straight and to keep the ability to bend and not let the muscle scarring set in.

For the previous knee replacement the pain meds didn't work right after surgery (no leg block) so she had terrible pain and could do the first several stretching sessions which are critical to slowing scar tissue formation in the muscles. Two years ago the first knee she had so much pain for first exercise sessions that the scar tissue started and had to work to painfully tear through it over 5 weeks to get up to 120 degrees.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

;I had a full knee replacement and was in hospital for 1 week (horrific pain) and rehab inpatient for 2 weeks followed by therapy for months.

"Had her knee cut off....?"

I did take a little poetic license in describing that essentially your leg is useless after they take the knee joint out. But they slide the new metal replacement in. They used a spinal block, various anesthesias. They also put in a drip into the leg above the knee which will weep in anesthetic to block certain nerves through a fine hairsize tube. That comes out Saturday at home. That block along with oxycodone and tramadol every 4 hours has given her pain level from 4 down to 0 through last evening and parts of today. Also has an ice cooler pumping water through a butterfly maize laid over her knee since surgery to reduce swelling. This morning at 8:30 she walked, using a walker and alternating her legs almost normally, 160 feet to the therapy room where they train you on stairs, bathtubes, and other things you'll have to do at home with a new knee. Yesterday she could bend her knee back 126 degrees. Today it's about 120 due to swelling. She starts therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks starting 2 weeks from yesterday. We have certain exercises to do to strengthen her ability to lock the knee joint straight and to keep the ability to bend and not let the muscle scarring set in. The first knee she had so much pain for first exercise sessions that the scar tissue started and had to work to painfully tear through it over 5 weeks to get up to 120 degrees.

OK, now I understand.  The way you first described her experience sounded more like a Halloween trick or treat story.

I guess they do those knee replacements very differently today than 6 years ago.  I was on such pain I would never do it again.  

Please give your wife a hug for all of us with wishes for a pain-free and speedy recovery.

jayrider

Mr_Shiftright said:

Suddenly, salesmen's ears all over America spring to the wolf-like erect position.

explorerx4 said:

Let the games begin! I just paid off the note on my Fusion.

And the finance guys are salivating.

stickguy

one hospital near me runs TV ads touting their fancy new procedure where they somehow avoid cutting the quadriceps tendon. Supposed to vastly reduce recovery time. Sounds like what Imid is talking about?

[Deleted User]

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

;I had a full knee replacement and was in hospital for 1 week (horrific pain) and rehab inpatient for 2 weeks followed by therapy for months.

"Had her knee cut off....?"

I did take a little poetic license in describing that essentially your leg is useless after they take the knee joint out. But they slide the new metal replacement in. They used a spinal block, various anesthesias. After the new knee is in, they also put in a drip into the leg above the knee which will weep in anesthetic to block certain nerves through a fine hairsize tube. That comes out Saturday at home. They described that nerve block as similar to how they put a nerve block on your arm to do the repair on the thumb joint where they take a sliver of tendon from your arm to line the socket of the thumb joint to replace the cartilage that's gone due to arthritis.

That block along with oxycodone and tramadol every 4 hours has given her pain level from 4 down to 0 through last evening and parts of today. Also has an ice cooler pumping water through a butterfly maize laid over her knee since surgery to reduce swelling.

This morning at 8:30 she walked, using a walker and alternating her legs almost normally, 160 feet to the therapy room where they train you on stairs, bathtubes, and other things you'll have to do at home with a new knee. Yesterday she could bend her knee back 126 degrees. Today it's about 120 due to swelling. She starts therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks starting 2 weeks from yesterday. We have certain exercises to do to strengthen her ability to lock the knee joint straight and to keep the ability to bend and not let the muscle scarring set in.

For the previous knee replacement the pain meds didn't work right after surgery (no leg block) so she had terrible pain and could do the first several stretching sessions which are critical to slowing scar tissue formation in the muscles. Two years ago the first knee she had so much pain for first exercise sessions that the scar tissue started and had to work to painfully tear through it over 5 weeks to get up to 120 degrees.

Thanks for that, Imid. At 37 years old and following my fourth knee surgery, I was informed I immediately needed a partial replacement eventually followed by a full replacement....but I was too young. They hoped for another 5 years, which is up in 2 more years. It's always on my mind and every day is a painful experience living with my knee in its current condition. I've been looking for as much information I can get before my 5 years is up, and personal accounts are very important to me.

snakeweasel

Been away for a few days, all I can say is nice Benz and nice Caddy.

Now to a sort of car sales story from me. Back in 2002 we bought a basic commuter car just for me to commute to and from work, a Hyundai Accent. Well about a year later the son totaled his car (it wasn't worth much so it didn't take much to total it) so we gave him the Accent to use.

Fast forward 11 years and he just bought a Ford Fusion (nice car with leather interior) but instead of turning in the accent he gave it back to us. So now we have a 12 year old Accent with 215K miles in the garage that I want to get rid of. So I did some research online and found out the following.

1.) A local auto wrecker quoted $200 for the car if they came out to get it (they would basically chop it and sell the parts and scrap the rest)
2.) Same wrecker would pay us $275 if we bring it to them.
3.) KBB Trade in value $298 to 571 based on slightly more miles and fair condition
4.) KBB private party sales $1060

Since the car runs and I don't want to deal with private party sales I plan on eliminating the first and last choices. So what I am thinking of doing is to take it to carmax to see if they would offer, if it is close to the auto wreckers (or hopefully more) they can have it. If not just drive it to the auto wrecker. Any thoughts.

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100

So, driver, you've had a chance to drive the E400.  Would be nice to hear your opinion of the vehicle compared to the BMW 5 series.

Yesterday was kind of a blur, so at random these are my thought;

I am getting to really love this car. Handling, cornering and steering are not quite as good as the 535, but for a combination of comfort, quietness, solidness, luxury, quality, attention to detail, intuitive media system, feeling of safety, the car has it all.

There are only two modes to drive in, Economy and Sport. Economy is a bit boring, but OK if you are just driving somewhere. Sport brings it close to bmw for handling and steering, but on top of that the comfort, quiet and general ambiance is hard to beat. Stitched instrument panel, choice of 3 colors for airline lighting, the fit and finish, the way things work, are as well thought out as possible. Seats are more comfortable than any car I have been in, and controls are in the best places possible. Even having the twin sunroofs is nice, lets some light in but the tinting protects. It will take time to learn all the controls but they are as easy to use as they could make them. I love pressing on the gas in Sport mode and the engine growls and is very responsive.

I have to check on the height compared to a 535. Seats seem to be higher so you are sitting more upright, and the windshield is large so sightlines and forward vision is awesome.

There is a tiny gearshift that you move slightly, down for Drive and up for Reverse, it's good but I kind of like the floor shifter, but, I'll get to like this even more.

Mike, I think you are going to love this car, it's about as good as it gets.

houdini1

abacomike said:

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

;I had a full knee replacement and was in hospital for 1 week (horrific pain) and rehab inpatient for 2 weeks followed by therapy for months.

"Had her knee cut off....?"

I did take a little poetic license in describing that essentially your leg is useless after they take the knee joint out. But they slide the new metal replacement in. They used a spinal block, various anesthesias. They also put in a drip into the leg above the knee which will weep in anesthetic to block certain nerves through a fine hairsize tube. That comes out Saturday at home. That block along with oxycodone and tramadol every 4 hours has given her pain level from 4 down to 0 through last evening and parts of today. Also has an ice cooler pumping water through a butterfly maize laid over her knee since surgery to reduce swelling.

This morning at 8:30 she walked, using a walker and alternating her legs almost normally, 160 feet to the therapy room where they train you on stairs, bathtubes, and other things you'll have to do at home with a new knee. Yesterday she could bend her knee back 126 degrees. Today it's about 120 due to swelling. She starts therapy 2 times a week for 4 weeks starting 2 weeks from yesterday. We have certain exercises to do to strengthen her ability to lock the knee joint straight and to keep the ability to bend and not let the muscle scarring set in.

The first knee she had so much pain for first exercise sessions that the scar tissue started and had to work to painfully tear through it over 5 weeks to get up to 120 degrees.

OK, now I understand.  The way you first described her experience sounded more like a Halloween trick or treat story.

I guess they do those knee replacements very differently today than 6 years ago.  I was on such pain I would never do it again.  

Please give your wife a hug for all of us with wishes for a pain-free and speedy recovery.<

Ditto !

stickguy

this would be a quick and easy flip for cash.

ab348

snakeweasel said:

1.) A local auto wrecker quoted $200 for the car if they came out to get it (they would basically chop it and sell the parts and scrap the rest)
2.) Same wrecker would pay us $275 if we bring it to them.
3.) KBB Trade in value $298 to 571 based on slightly more miles and fair condition
4.) KBB private party sales $1060

Since the car runs and I don't want to deal with private party sales I plan on eliminating the first and last choices. So what I am thinking of doing is to take it to carmax to see if they would offer, if it is close to the auto wreckers (or hopefully more) they can have it. If not just drive it to the auto wrecker. Any thoughts.

Maybe just keep it until a dealer runs one of those "We'll give you a minimum $xxxx for your trade" deals?

stickguy

driver, sounds really nice. And about perfect to drive the haul to Fla.

nyccarguy

@explorerx4‌

Since you've paid off your Fusion, can I forward you my Subaru bills to pay until you decide what you are going to do? Ha!

Looking for something to drive in the snow? How 'bout a Subaru? Or a Wrangler? This way you can still have a Convertible next summer.

What's your take on our fair state's upcoming gubernatorial election?

abacomike

@driver100

So, driver, you've had a chance to drive the E400.  Would be nice to hear your opinion of the vehicle compared to the BMW 5 series.

Yesterday was kind of a blur, so at random these are my thought; I am getting to really love this car. Handling, cornering and steering are not quite as good as the 535, but for a combination of comfort, quietness, solidness, luxury, quality, attention to detail, intuitive media system, feeling of safety, the car has it all. There are only two modes to drive in, Economy and Sport. Economy is a bit boring, but OK if you are just driving somewhere. Sport brings it close to bmw for handling and steering, but on top of that the comfort, quiet and general ambiance is hard to beat. Stitched instrument panel, choice of 3 colors for airline lighting, the fit and finish, the way things work, are as well thought out as possible. Seats are more comfortable than any car I have been in, and controls are in the best places possible. Even having the twin sunroofs is nice, lets some light in but the tinting protects. It will take time to learn all the controls but they are as easy to use as they could make them. I love pressing on the gas in Sport mode and the engine growls and is very responsive. I have to check on the height compared to a 535. Seats seem to be higher so you are sitting more upright, and the windshield is large so sightlines and forward vision is awesome. There is a tiny gearshift that you move slightly, down for Drive and up for Reverse, it's good but I kind of like the floor shifter, but, I'll get to like this even more. Mike, I think you are going to love this car, it's about as good as it gets.

I agree - I sit up nice and high so I can see over the hood. Front, side and rear windows are nice and large a visibility is outstanding. Mercedes called me again today - they said the car is in priority 1 status to be built, but that still means mid December. I asked why they couldn't just add my csr to be manufactured at the end of a daily run - just add a car for the last unit produced. If the car can be produced this week or the beginning of next week, it could be here at the end of November. She told me she would bring up my request to her team to see what could be done to further expedite the build. I am not hopeful at all. It is scheduled for manufacture on or about November 18th. Thus, it would be midto late December before I got it. Getting back to your comments comparing BMW w/ Mercedes, yes - the Mercedes is a bit looser, softer, etc. but definitely more luxurious. If you had put on the 19" performance tires, it would handle more like the BMW.

abacomike

@driver100

So, driver, you've had a chance to drive the E400.  Would be nice to hear your opinion of the vehicle compared to the BMW 5 series.

Yesterday was kind of a blur, so at random these are my thought; I am getting to really love this car. Handling, cornering and steering are not quite as good as the 535, but for a combination of comfort, quietness, solidness, luxury, quality, attention to detail, intuitive media system, feeling of safety, the car has it all. There are only two modes to drive in, Economy and Sport. Economy is a bit boring, but OK if you are just driving somewhere. Sport brings it close to bmw for handling and steering, but on top of that the comfort, quiet and general ambiance is hard to beat. Stitched instrument panel, choice of 3 colors for airline lighting, the fit and finish, the way things work, are as well thought out as possible. Seats are more comfortable than any car I have been in, and controls are in the best places possible. Even having the twin sunroofs is nice, lets some light in but the tinting protects. It will take time to learn all the controls but they are as easy to use as they could make them. I love pressing on the gas in Sport mode and the engine growls and is very responsive. I have to check on the height compared to a 535. Seats seem to be higher so you are sitting more upright, and the windshield is large so sightlines and forward vision is awesome. There is a tiny gearshift that you move slightly, down for Drive and up for Reverse, it's good but I kind of like the floor shifter, but, I'll get to like this even more. Mike, I think you are going to love this car, it's about as good as it gets.

I agree - I sit up nice and high so I can see over the hood. Front, side and rear windows are nice and large a visibility is outstanding. Mercedes called me again today - they said the car is in priority 1 status to be built, but that still means mid December. I asked why they couldn't just add my csr to be manufactured at the end of a daily run - just add a car for the last unit produced. If the car can be produced this week or the beginning of next week, it could be here at the end of November. She told me she would bring up my request to her team to see what could be done to further expedite the build. I am not hopeful at all. It is scheduled for manufacture on or about November 18th. Thus, it would be midto late December before I got it. Getting back to your comments comparing BMW w/ Mercedes, yes - the Mercedes is a bit looser, softer, etc. but definitely more luxurious. If you had put on the 19" performance tires, it would handle more like the BMW.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

Congratulations to GG and Drive100 on their new cars. I've been off and not posting for couple days while in hospital with wife who had her leg cut off and new knee inserted. Amazing what they can do. One night in hospital and she's home by 4 pm after surgery at 8 previous day. Someday this may be an outpatient procedure!

However, I'm exhausted from all the sitting and then being in the room and sleeping on a convertible sofa meant for overnight bedding for significant others.

I'm really glad to see the Cadillacs being considered by people and that they are finding them to be capable vehicles for their needs. Just pleases me to no end to see the stereotypes broken.

ab348

I've created a folder with a few pics of the new 2014 ATS. More to come once the weather improves around here.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B5ur3BZejEHGTkg2b3JuNE9RaFU&usp=sharing

driver100

stickguy said:

driver, sounds really nice. And about perfect to drive the haul to Fla.

imidazol97

tyguy said:

Thanks for that, Imid. At 37 years old and following my fourth knee surgery, I was informed I immediately needed a partial replacement eventually followed by a full replacement....but I was too young. They hoped for another 5 years, which is up in 2 more years. It's always on my mind and every day is a painful experience living with my knee in its current condition. I've been looking for as much information I can get before my 5 years is up, and personal accounts are very important to me.

Shop for your doctor, just like you'd shop for a car. Her doctor comes recommended by other doctors. He's part of a large hospital group that specializes in sports medicine (one office is adjacent to Wright State University. He's young and very patient empathetic. He does everything by the scientific data. E.g., he uses Xarelto for 12 not 10 days after surgery. His prime physical therapist showed us the changes in the 4 exercises in a book to be done post surgery from what they were two years ago. They've learned by studying their results. One is the stretch routine. Instead of 10 repetitions to pull to as far as the knee will bend and hold, he is doing 5 partial pulls holding for 30 seconds to stretch the swollen tissues, then one hard pull at the end to determine the total flex available. Statistics show better results that way, probably less trauma to the muscle fibres while the one last hard stretch stops the scar tissue and keeps the muscle thinking it's working rather than shutting down.

driver100

My quote replies aren't working, I am going to give it a rest.

Briefly, Imid, thanks for congrats, hope your wife is happy with the surgery. And, nice to see Caddie coming back.

Stick...the E400 is a super highway car, comfortable, solid, quiet, great H-K sound system too.

Mike, The bmw is lower to the ground, so the seats are lower and the front window area is narrow....better than a lot, but the E400 windshield seems much taller. Sitting is much higher too. The more I drive it the more I enjoy it.

stickguy

now you just need to update your profile signature line Driver. False advertising!

imidazol97

abacomike said:

I guess they do those knee replacements very differently today than 6 years ago.  I was on such pain I would never do it again.

That's exactly what she said after her first knee--all caused by the inability of the oral painkillers to give enough relief. She had been on 1 Vicodin per day average for a few years because of back pain.

Shortly after her surgery they started using the pain pump ball which slowly puts anesthetic into that nerve bundle for a block of part of the knee area.

Her other knee was actual the worst of the two with arthritis and was crooked in the joint. The first one she had done kept letting go on her when walking, causing her to almost fall. So she did it first. But it took 2 years for her to go back.

henryn

I had a total knee replacement in 2008. 5 days in the hospital, another 7 days in the rehab hospital. But I was lucky, very lucky. I was at the very high end of the bell curve, everything worked for me, after the first two days I had very little pain. When I was in rehab, they kept offering me oral pain meds, and I kept refusing, as I didn’t need them.

Sooner or later, I will have to do the other knee. I just hope that I will be lucky once again. My grandfather told me when I was just a child, “It’s better to be lucky than to be good.” The older I get, the more I appreciate the wisdom behind that saying.

abacomike

Looks like the radiation treatments on my son's brain tumor are not having positive results as of yet.  He's had these higher doses now for a few weeks now.  He has another this Friday afternoon. 

I feel so helpless.  I wish I could do something to ease his pain after the radiation exposures - but the severe headaches persist.  Oh well, I hope God is listening to my prayers and heals him.

stickguy

so sorry to hear it Mike. Just hang in there, and offer support. It is out of your hands, as hard as that is to accept. Hope for the best, or miracle if needed.

venture

explorerx4 said:

@Venture, The $3k isn't really a mystery, but kind of a 50/50 deal.
Dealer was not specific about what the conditions for the cash incentives are, and your friends did not do their homework.
Not sure where the zip code I used is, but on a 2014 F150, there is a $1500 trade in incentive and a $1000 Ford credit incentive. That's $2500 right there if you don't trade something in and pay cash. Some incentives are regional, so those numbers may vary depending where you are shopping.

Yeah. I think you're right on both counts. I went back and looked at the incentives again. I also was at that dealer yesterday and mentioned it to a friend who sells there. He said the same thing.

Granted they were uninformed, but the salesperson still should have explained it to them and not just assumed they knew the ins and outs of buying a vehicle, nor assumed they were trading or financing. After all isn't that what she is there for? Otherwise you could just go online and pick a vehicle and have it delivered to your house.

The bottom line is they lost a sale and created hard feelings that may never go away. They still have 125 2014 pickups sitting on their lot. It would have been nice to move one.

driver100

venture said:

explorerx4 said:

@Venture, The $3k isn't really a mystery, but kind of a 50/50 deal.
Dealer was not specific about what the conditions for the cash incentives are, and your friends did not do their homework.
Not sure where the zip code I used is, but on a 2014 F150, there is a $1500 trade in incentive and a $1000 Ford credit incentive. That's $2500 right there if you don't trade something in and pay cash. Some incentives are regional, so those numbers may vary depending where you are shopping.

Yeah. I think you're right on both counts. I went back and looked at the incentives again. I also was at that dealer yesterday and mentioned it to a friend who sells there. He said the same thing.

Granted they were uninformed, but the salesperson still should have explained it to them and not just assumed they knew the ins and outs of buying a vehicle, nor assumed they were trading or financing. After all isn't that what she is there for? Otherwise you could just go online and pick a vehicle and have it delivered to your house.

The bottom line is they lost a sale and created hard feelings that may never go away. They still have 125 2014 pickups sitting on their lot. It would have been nice to move one.

I have worked in retail for a number of years and I have my own saying;

"The customer is usually mistaken". Customers will always interpret signs or advertising to suit their needs. Often it is an honest mistake, but, they will often believe what they want to believe.

venture

driver100 said:

venture said:

explorerx4 said:

@Venture, The $3k isn't really a mystery, but kind of a 50/50 deal.
Dealer was not specific about what the conditions for the cash incentives are, and your friends did not do their homework.
Not sure where the zip code I used is, but on a 2014 F150, there is a $1500 trade in incentive and a $1000 Ford credit incentive. That's $2500 right there if you don't trade something in and pay cash. Some incentives are regional, so those numbers may vary depending where you are shopping.

Yeah. I think you're right on both counts. I went back and looked at the incentives again. I also was at that dealer yesterday and mentioned it to a friend who sells there. He said the same thing.

Granted they were uninformed, but the salesperson still should have explained it to them and not just assumed they knew the ins and outs of buying a vehicle, nor assumed they were trading or financing. After all isn't that what she is there for? Otherwise you could just go online and pick a vehicle and have it delivered to your house.

The bottom line is they lost a sale and created hard feelings that may never go away. They still have 125 2014 pickups sitting on their lot. It would have been nice to move one.

I have worked in retail for a number of years and I have my own saying;

"The customer is usually mistaken". Customers will always interpret signs or advertising to suit their needs. Often it is an honest mistake, but, they will often believe what they want to believe.

Uncle!

driver100

venture said:

driver100 said:

venture said:

explorerx4 said:

@Venture, The $3k isn't really a mystery, but kind of a 50/50 deal.
Dealer was not specific about what the conditions for the cash incentives are, and your friends did not do their homework.
Not sure where the zip code I used is, but on a 2014 F150, there is a $1500 trade in incentive and a $1000 Ford credit incentive. That's $2500 right there if you don't trade something in and pay cash. Some incentives are regional, so those numbers may vary depending where you are shopping.

Yeah. I think you're right on both counts. I went back and looked at the incentives again. I also was at that dealer yesterday and mentioned it to a friend who sells there. He said the same thing.

Granted they were uninformed, but the salesperson still should have explained it to them and not just assumed they knew the ins and outs of buying a vehicle, nor assumed they were trading or financing. After all isn't that what she is there for? Otherwise you could just go online and pick a vehicle and have it delivered to your house.

The bottom line is they lost a sale and created hard feelings that may never go away. They still have 125 2014 pickups sitting on their lot. It would have been nice to move one.

I have worked in retail for a number of years and I have my own saying;

"The customer is usually mistaken". Customers will always interpret signs or advertising to suit their needs. Often it is an honest mistake, but, they will often believe what they want to believe.

Uncle!

Thanx, you're a good sport venture.

I managed a bookstore for a few years. An author would be on television toting a new diet, and say go to the bookstore and buy my diet book. The book would be in hardcover and cost $30. But, people would come in and say, I know it's out in paperback....don't you have the paperback one?

No one in the world has the paperback version, but somehow it got in their brain, that the book was available in paperback.

bwia

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

I guess they do those knee replacements very differently today than 6 years ago.  I was on such pain I would never do it again.

That's exactly what she said after her first knee--all caused by the inability of the oral painkillers to give enough relief. She had been on 1 Vicodin per day average for a few years because of back pain.

Shortly after her surgery they started using the pain pump ball which slowly puts anesthetic into that nerve bundle for a block of part of the knee area.

Her other knee was actual the worst of the two with arthritis and was crooked in the joint. The first one she had done kept letting go on her when walking, causing her to almost fall. So she did it first. But it took 2 years for her to go back.

Imid, thanks for sharing your wife's successful knee surgery. I wish her a speedy recovery and hope she makes it to the Boston marathon next spring.

graphicguy

Mike....hoping for the best with your son.

IMID....good news on your wife's knee surgery. Talking to some friends of mine over the weekend, two had had heart attacks in the last year, the other had a knee replacement. Knock wood, I'm still relatively whole (sans one appendix).

Point being, some of what was considered major surgeries not so long ago, are now becoming much more routine (like the knee replacement). While not minor surgeries, they are more common and carry much less risk.

My late Father's open heart surgery 15 years ago had him convalescing for a month, probably closer to two months, truth told. Today, my friends were back in the saddle in less than a week. Same for the knee replacements.

My wife likes watching a cable series called "The Knick". It is about the early days of Drs who were the pioneers in advancing surgery as a medical specialty. Pretty gruesome compared to today, but it makes you realize how far we've come.

BTW....took a trip yesterday for work to Purdue U. Up and back same day. CTS (if the car computer is to be believed) got 29.6 MPG. Pretty darn good.

abacomike

@graphicguy‌

I was at the shopping mall this morning for a walk with my Dad and stopped by the Cadillac display by a local dealer.  The guy who demonstrates the vehicles at the mall allowed me to sit in the car.

Outstanding quality in in the fit and finish of the CTS.  Definitely a luxurious feel throughout the car.  Plenty of space, although it was a bit snug for me (6'2" and 240 lbs) when I compare it to the MB.  Great trunk space and plenty of power for city and highway uses.

you knew what you were doing, gg, when you bought that car, that's for sure!

stickguy

Dang. Now I want one.

Who knows, maybe a year end lease offer pops up and they get desperate, and my wife increases my allowance!