Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

suydam

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

isellhondas

oldfarmer50 said:

isellhondas said:

stickguy said:

They only thing I want from the salesman is a price. And a baseline level of personal hygiene. I pay no attention to anything he says otherwise.

With a comment like that, I bet you would just be a joy to deal with!

Don't you remember? Stick is the one who wrote a book no how to grind for hours over $50. He even suggests bringing a sandwich.

Yeah, I had forgotten. I try to forget people with that kind of an attitude.

Once in awhile (not often) I would run across a shopper like that and I would drop them like a bad habit. Didn't need that. I treated everyone like family and friends and I expected at least a bit of friendliness and respect in return. It must have worked since in the last few years much (most) of my business was from repeat and referral customers.

isellhondas

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

Lifetime warranty???????????

Yup! Don't know if they still offer it, but it was an option in June 2014 when we bought the new T&C. Cost me $2400, IIRC, which I think is a pretty damned good deal. I don't see how it would not pay for itself as long as we KEEP the vehicle. I don't remember if it is a $50 or $100 deductible. Anyway, it covers EVERYTHING on the vehicle, which is the only reason I got it. Blu-ray players? Power doors? Power seats? Stereo? Yup, all covered.

The "end date," if you will, is when the repair will exceed the FMV of the vehicle in good working order, in which case Chrysler can opt to pay us the value of the vehicle rather than fix it.

Ah, so THAT's it!

So when the engine fails on your 12 year old 150,000 mile Chrysler and the book value after the deductions for
high miles, body damage etc is 1000.00 they give you a grand? Now it makes sense!

isellhondas

cdnpinhead said:

With a comment like that, I bet you would just be a joy to deal with!

Well, given that any salesperson isn't going to be at the dealer for more than a few months, what else do you expect?

In an earlier time, I could keep a vehicle for 8-10 years and go back to the dealer to work with the same sales person. Those days are so, so gone.



Not really. The store where I worked has several sales people who have been there close to 20 years.

Usually if they make it past the first couple of years they stay.

qbrozen

isellhondas said:

Lifetime warranty???????????

Yup! Don't know if they still offer it, but it was an option in June 2014 when we bought the new T&C. Cost me $2400, IIRC, which I think is a pretty damned good deal. I don't see how it would not pay for itself as long as we KEEP the vehicle. I don't remember if it is a $50 or $100 deductible. Anyway, it covers EVERYTHING on the vehicle, which is the only reason I got it. Blu-ray players? Power doors? Power seats? Stereo? Yup, all covered.

The "end date," if you will, is when the repair will exceed the FMV of the vehicle in good working order, in which case Chrysler can opt to pay us the value of the vehicle rather than fix it.

Ah, so THAT's it!

So when the engine fails on your 12 year old 150,000 mile Chrysler and the book value after the deductions for
high miles, body damage etc is 1000.00 they give you a grand? Now it makes sense!

Yes.
But I'm betting it will need many other repairs before then.

isellhondas

No doubt but suppose a main computer failed and the car's value was 2000.00. Would you want a check for 2000.00 or would you want your computer replaced on your otherwise nice car?

Since they CHARGED you for this warranty and since they have this opt out clause I can now see how they
were able to offer it. I know they didn't do this for very long.

isellhondas

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

fintail

FL is crazyland for drivers, but at least they move along. If you want to see inept and slow, come to the Seattle area. Isell will attest to this. Lot of drivers who are new both to driving and the western world, combined with distracted passive-aggressive locals. Nobody has ever visited Seattle and enjoyed the high caliber of the local motorist.

Winners this morning: Old guy in an early 00s Regal backing out of a divided turn only lane, and a woman in a rented Altima varying her speed by ~20 mph and making a last second 3 lane exit - on a suburban arterial. From what I can tell, little enforcement outside of revenue-based speed stuff, too.

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

fewer than 50% of drivers down here in Southeast Florida use their directional signals to indicate they are turning or changing lanes on a highway or interstate.

I'm surprised it's that high. I'd guess about 30% here. Worst ones are the distaff drivers who have a cell phone up to their ear and can't be bothered to use turn signals because they might miss something on the phone. Some even have a cigarette in another hand. Some of them even have a "Baby on Board" sign in their car window while their own driving is putting their little one at risk. Hmmmm.

Mr_Shiftright

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

ab348

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

fintail

I suspect the stat can be partially explained by oldsters who cut back on driving but still maintain a license.

The data also emphasizes fatalities rather than "accidents" as claimed. One can be an awful and dangerous driver yet not die.

Mr_Shiftright said:

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

qbrozen

isellhondas said:

No doubt but suppose a main computer failed and the car's value was 2000.00. Would you want a check for 2000.00 or would you want your computer replaced on your otherwise nice car?

Since they CHARGED you for this warranty and since they have this opt out clause I can now see how they
were able to offer it. I know they didn't do this for very long.

I would take the check. By the time it is worth that little, I'll be happy to see it go.

gotta keep in mind that minivans have a bit of a value floor. For example, an '08 Limited with 150k miles is still worth $6500-$7k on the open market. Mine is a '14, so by 2023, I'll probably be crossing my fingers for an $8k failure. Haha.

abacomike

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.



https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853



http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

What we need are statistics for older drivers who "cause" accidents but are not involved in the accidents they cause!  That would be some interesting stats.  I'm talking about drivers who drive 10-20 mph under the speed limit and hog the left lane so you have to go around them. Or drivers who are legally blind or can't see very well.  Ugh! 

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

Maybe by that time they are only driving a wheelchair down the nursing home corridor.

driver100

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

Sorry, I guess it is a British term. Should have said sofa.

Chesterfield sofas are large couches with rolled arms the same height as the back, and typically with deep button tufting and nail-head trim. The lore around the Chesterfield is that it was invented when the fourth Earl of Chesterfield, Philip Stanhope (1694-1773), commissioned a similar sofa in the mid-18th century.Oct 21, 2009

driver100

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

Thanks ab....better than my answer.
Sometimes in the US I forget and ask for a "serviette" and I get a funny look, and I have to think fast and say napkin. I think serviette sounds nicer and sounds more like what it is.

driver100

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

Great chart. 70+ year olds don't take chances and they don't drive lots of hours, they also don't drive at night too much. Teens are inexperienced and the danger part of their brain hasn't developed....that is a factor in those numbers.

venture

fintail said:

FL is crazyland for drivers, but at least they move along. If you want to see inept and slow, come to the Seattle area. Isell will attest to this. Lot of drivers who are new both to driving and the western world, combined with distracted passive-aggressive locals. Nobody has ever visited Seattle and enjoyed the high caliber of the local motorist.

Winners this morning: Old guy in an early 00s Regal backing out of a divided turn only lane, and a woman in a rented Altima varying her speed by ~20 mph and making a last second 3 lane exit - on a suburban arterial. From what I can tell, little enforcement outside of revenue-based speed stuff, too.

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

fewer than 50% of drivers down here in Southeast Florida use their directional signals to indicate they are turning or changing lanes on a highway or interstate.

I'm surprised it's that high. I'd guess about 30% here. Worst ones are the distaff drivers who have a cell phone up to their ear and can't be bothered to use turn signals because they might miss something on the phone. Some even have a cigarette in another hand. Some of them even have a "Baby on Board" sign in their car window while their own driving is putting their little one at risk. Hmmmm.

Speaking of new to the western world - My son lives near Baltimore. He said he was next to such a person, they were drifting over into his lane, and he had nowhere to go. He said he gently sounded his horn and the guy panicked and ran up over the curb.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

Thanks ab....better than my answer.
Sometimes in the US I forget and ask for a "serviette" and I get a funny look, and I have to think fast and say napkin. I think serviette sounds nicer and sounds more like what it is.

And to us folks in the lower 48 it sounds like someone with their nose in the air...Aye ?

jmonroe

jmonroe

venture said:

fintail said:

FL is crazyland for drivers, but at least they move along. If you want to see inept and slow, come to the Seattle area. Isell will attest to this. Lot of drivers who are new both to driving and the western world, combined with distracted passive-aggressive locals. Nobody has ever visited Seattle and enjoyed the high caliber of the local motorist.

Winners this morning: Old guy in an early 00s Regal backing out of a divided turn only lane, and a woman in a rented Altima varying her speed by ~20 mph and making a last second 3 lane exit - on a suburban arterial. From what I can tell, little enforcement outside of revenue-based speed stuff, too.

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

fewer than 50% of drivers down here in Southeast Florida use their directional signals to indicate they are turning or changing lanes on a highway or interstate.

I'm surprised it's that high. I'd guess about 30% here. Worst ones are the distaff drivers who have a cell phone up to their ear and can't be bothered to use turn signals because they might miss something on the phone. Some even have a cigarette in another hand. Some of them even have a "Baby on Board" sign in their car window while their own driving is putting their little one at risk. Hmmmm.

Speaking of new to the western world - My son lives near Baltimore. He said he was next to such a person, they were drifting over into his lane, and he had nowhere to go. He said he gently sounded his horn and the guy panicked and ran up over the curb.

C'mon man, that doesn't sound "gently" to me.

FWIW, I hardly ever use my horn. I never found it helpful in stopping my car. My horn will never wear out but the breaks usually need replaced around 30K miles. Except my '09 Genny that was used almost exclusively as a turnpike car. The proof is that I got just under 72K miles out of them.

@isellhondas has told us that a lot of his flakes told him that and his eyes just rolled. In my case it was true but I had no way of proving it.

jmonroe

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

Maybe by that time they are only driving a wheelchair down the nursing home corridor.

Not me. I'm over 70 and I race trucks whose owners think they are fast.

jmonroe

isellhondas

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

Thanks ab....better than my answer.
Sometimes in the US I forget and ask for a "serviette" and I get a funny look, and I have to think fast and say napkin. I think serviette sounds nicer and sounds more like what it is.

Thank you for your answers! See how much I learn here!

fintail

I can believe it. The things I see here make my head spin, and I have been here for ages. Diversity is great and fun and makes for interesting friends and food - but seems to create a bit of chaos on the road.

I have a good story about someone who works in my office, a 20-something who I think is an intern, relatively new both to here and to driving, who recently went on a test drive. For now, I will just say that when the drive was over, the car wasn't driveable. She told the story without real shame, so I don't think it is bad to share, but I will wait for later

Honking here is seen as some kind of secret social faux pas, and is uncommon compared to virtually everywhere else. I do notice it seems to be a more frequent act, and I am helping it along

venture said:

Speaking of new to the western world - My son lives near Baltimore. He said he was next to such a person, they were drifting over into his lane, and he had nowhere to go. He said he gently sounded his horn and the guy panicked and ran up over the curb.

houdini1

An Audi dealer close by has a 2016 Lexus LS that I am interested in. One owner, clean car fax, 12,500 miles. Has approx. $10,000. in options, so fairly loaded. Atomic silver, black interior. Looks brand new. Priced at $57,800. If our local Lexus dealer had this car it would be priced closer to $67,000. I haven't driven it yet, but if it passes the butt test I might take the leap. This Audi dealer has an excellent reputation. Good buy or not?

isellhondas

fintail said:

I can believe it. The things I see here make my head spin, and I have been here for ages. Diversity is great and fun and makes for interesting friends and food - but seems to create a bit of chaos on the road.

I have a good story about someone who works in my office, a 20-something who I think is an intern, relatively new both to here and to driving, who recently went on a test drive. For now, I will just say that when the drive was over, the car wasn't driveable. She told the story without real shame, so I don't think it is bad to share, but I will wait for later

Honking here is seen as some kind of secret social faux pas, and is uncommon compared to virtually everywhere else. I do notice it seems to be a more frequent act, and I am helping it along

venture said:

Speaking of new to the western world - My son lives near Baltimore. He said he was next to such a person, they were drifting over into his lane, and he had nowhere to go. He said he gently sounded his horn and the guy panicked and ran up over the curb.

Microsoft, Amazon and the other tech companies up here love to import employees from other parts of the world that simply do not know how to drive! If they came in with an International Driver's License it was terrifying. we used to wonder how, exactly were they able to pass their Washington's License test but somehow, they did!

It got so bad most of us kept them on surface streets. Seriously some test drives were downright frightening!

ab348

fintail said:

Honking here is seen as some kind of secret social faux pas, and is uncommon compared to virtually everywhere else. I do notice it seems to be a more frequent act, and I am helping it along

Here, honking is seldom heard as it is seen almost as a personal insult or something even worse. People take great offense.

houdini1

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

Maybe by that time they are only driving a wheelchair down the nursing home corridor.

OK you guys. Just remember that the only way to stay alive is to grow old !

fintail

The young woman in my story went to UW, so not a direct import - I don't think my employer does that (although I find ire in EB5 much more than H1B), but maybe not much different in terms of driving. She has a DL, but as you know, testing has been privatized, and I have strong suspicion licenses are effectively for sale now.

Long story short - she test drove a small SUV at a domestic dealer to the north of here. They had her sign a slip that said she had a license and insurance, but didn't verify it (more on that soon). Test drive started OK, but sometime during the drive she had a panic situation, left the roadway, hit a tree. Not at high speed, no airbag deployment, but it pushed the bumper cover into the tire, flattening it. Cops came, gave her tickets for leaving the roadway, and for not having insurance. Yes, the dealership let her drive a car without actually looking at an insurance card. She's hired a lawyer about the tickets (these kids seem to have endless money from their mysteriously monied parents), but knows she'll be paying for the damages.

I suspect you had similar situations, but I bet your insurance rules weren't as lax.

isellhondas said:

Microsoft, Amazon and the other tech companies up here love to import employees from other parts of the world that simply do not know how to drive! If they came in with an International Driver's License it was terrifying. we used to wonder how, exactly were they able to pass their Washington's License test but somehow, they did!

It got so bad most of us kept them on surface streets. Seriously some test drives were downright frightening!

fintail

Seattle people get offended too, which just makes me laugh a little more. Get offended and do something dumb, look for your plate and your face on youtube, you're on camera

ab348 said:

Here, honking is seldom heard as it is seen almost as a personal insult or something even worse. People take great offense.

fintail

That might be a good deal, lots of car for the money, and promises of years of hassle-free driving. Maybe get a PPI just in case, and find what you can about the prior owner.

If I was after one, I might wait though - new style coming soon, and I think that will accelerate the depreciation - something maybe the Audi dealer is already thinking about, or the market is starting to account for.

houdini1 said:

An Audi dealer close by has a 2016 Lexus LS that I am interested in. One owner, clean car fax, 12,500 miles. Has approx. $10,000. in options, so fairly loaded. Atomic silver, black interior. Looks brand new. Priced at $57,800. If our local Lexus dealer had this car it would be priced closer to $67,000. I haven't driven it yet, but if it passes the butt test I might take the leap. This Audi dealer has an excellent reputation. Good buy or not?

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

Maybe by that time they are only driving a wheelchair down the nursing home corridor.

Not me. I'm over 70 and I race trucks whose owners think they are fast.

jmonroe

Maybe it was just the meds and you were really racing the food cart.

abacomike

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

Thanks ab....better than my answer.
Sometimes in the US I forget and ask for a "serviette" and I get a funny look, and I have to think fast and say napkin. I think serviette sounds nicer and sounds more like what it is.

Thank you for your answers! See how much I learn here!

I don't know about that, isell. Ye Olde Educator's AXIOM goes something like, "...Everything I ever needed to know I learned in Kindergarten! The rest is just a lot of window dressing!!!"

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

Thanks ab....better than my answer.
Sometimes in the US I forget and ask for a "serviette" and I get a funny look, and I have to think fast and say napkin. I think serviette sounds nicer and sounds more like what it is.

And to us folks in the lower 48 it sounds like someone with their nose in the air...Aye ?

jmonroe

Especially if you are used to using paper towels!

There is a very popular restaurant near Tampa called the Oyster Bar and they have paper towels hanging from a coat hangar that is just above the table.......that is what I call casual dining.

driver100

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Email update from my buddy in the boonies today. Still no usable water from the new well. $17K into it so far and no water. Yikes.

That is another reason I didn't want to stay in the country. Our well water was actually exceptional, but that could change instantly as more homes got built, there was a cement factory that had a quarry and that kept expanding, and you could get run off that could potentially contaminate the water.

City water could be a problem too....as in Flint, but moving to a town just seems to have fewer hassles.

Another problem we had at the farm....it was just a tree farm was some guy would park in our driveway, drink buttermilk for some unknown reason, and throw the carton onto the lane when it was empty. Others would leave old tires or chesterfields in the trees near the road. Lots of reasons for moving, a big one was as we got older we wanted to be closer to doctors, hospitals and ambulances.

Some things look ideal......but, you really have to live it to find out!

OK, I have to ask....what besides a cigarette is a "Chesterfield"?

A sofa like this. The one they dropped off on @driver100 's estate probably wasn't quite as nice.

Thanks ab....better than my answer.
Sometimes in the US I forget and ask for a "serviette" and I get a funny look, and I have to think fast and say napkin. I think serviette sounds nicer and sounds more like what it is.

Thank you for your answers! See how much I learn here!

We try, it ain't easy teaching you guys the Queen's English!

houdini1

fintail said:

That might be a good deal, lots of car for the money, and promises of years of hassle-free driving. Maybe get a PPI just in case, and find what you can about the prior owner.

If I was after one, I might wait though - new style coming soon, and I think that will accelerate the depreciation - something maybe the Audi dealer is already thinking about, or the market is starting to account for.

houdini1 said:

An Audi dealer close by has a 2016 Lexus LS that I am interested in. One owner, clean car fax, 12,500 miles. Has approx. $10,000. in options, so fairly loaded. Atomic silver, black interior. Looks brand new. Priced at $57,800. If our local Lexus dealer had this car it would be priced closer to $67,000. I haven't driven it yet, but if it passes the butt test I might take the leap. This Audi dealer has an excellent reputation. Good buy or not?

Thanks fin, all good points. I have seen pics of the 2018 and I am not impressed. No v8 option, and the '18 grill is way over the top. '16 has a much more conservative grill. From the carfax it was a one year corporate lease. You are probably right on the depreciation. I plan on a test drive next week.

Mr_Shiftright

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

suydam said:

Some interesting stats on age and accidents. There's a reason insurance rates are so high for teenagers.

https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/810853

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics/t/general-statistics/fatalityfacts/gender

I would have expected a spike around 70 years old or some such.

Maybe by that time they are only driving a wheelchair down the nursing home corridor.

Not me. I'm over 70 and I race trucks whose owners think they are fast.

jmonroe

Like I said, I would have expected a spike around 70 years old.....

fintail

Yeah, the upcoming new grille is quite flamboyant, and I don't know what they are thinking by eliminating the V8 when the competition has yet to do so and might not be planning to anytime soon. Almost an admission that many LS buyers want an LS and might not cross shop much.

If you want it, you probably can't go wrong, you worked hard for the money, enjoy it

houdini1 said:

Thanks fin, all good points. I have seen pics of the 2018 and I am not impressed. No v8 option, and the '18 grill is way over the top. '16 has a much more conservative grill. From the carfax it was a one year corporate lease. You are probably right on the depreciation. I plan on a test drive next week.

ab348

My neighbor across the street came over today wondering if I had a battery charger, because his new-to-him Subaru Outback wouldn't turn over. Looking at it upon arrival last month I thought it was new but it's actually a 2011. He said the battery showed 7 volts. I suggested that sounded like bad cells but offered my charger. He said that if it didn't work quick he would have to bicycle down to the nearby parts store with it and have it tested. I was heading that way anyway so offered to drive him and it there, which he was happy to accept.

They tested it and thought it was shot, so he bought a new battery and I took him home after I ran my errand. I was otherwise occupied for a while but emerged to see him instructing his wife trying to start it after he installed the new cell, with no luck. Still not even turning over. Poor devil might be looking at having it towed come Monday.

graphicguy

isellhondas said:

fintail said:

I can believe it. The things I see here make my head spin, and I have been here for ages. Diversity is great and fun and makes for interesting friends and food - but seems to create a bit of chaos on the road.

I have a good story about someone who works in my office, a 20-something who I think is an intern, relatively new both to here and to driving, who recently went on a test drive. For now, I will just say that when the drive was over, the car wasn't driveable. She told the story without real shame, so I don't think it is bad to share, but I will wait for later

Honking here is seen as some kind of secret social faux pas, and is uncommon compared to virtually everywhere else. I do notice it seems to be a more frequent act, and I am helping it along

venture said:

Speaking of new to the western world - My son lives near Baltimore. He said he was next to such a person, they were drifting over into his lane, and he had nowhere to go. He said he gently sounded his horn and the guy panicked and ran up over the curb.

Microsoft, Amazon and the other tech companies up here love to import employees from other parts of the world that simply do not know how to drive! If they came in with an International Driver's License it was terrifying. we used to wonder how, exactly were they able to pass their Washington's License test but somehow, they did!

It got so bad most of us kept them on surface streets. Seriously some test drives were downright frightening!

Craig...being employed by one of those tech companies, we're actually HQ'd in the Bay Area, there's a general belief that we go to other countries to hire our labor, or send jobs overseas, because labor is less expensive or we can pay them less.

That perception is not true. We do have to go to different countries to recruit, and often send some jobs overseas, not because it's less expensive, but because we try and can't fill those jobs with QUALIFIED people in the U.S. It's much less expensive to hire people locally rather than deal with work visas, remotely managing people overseas, relocating workers, etc, than it is to hire locally. It's just too difficult to find qualified people here.

I know when I'm hiring for an open slot, I MUST recruit from my local geographic region (North America) and have to extensively justify expanding a search outside of my Region. On top of that, my internal personnel budget takes a substantial "hit" when I'm forced to recruit outside of North America.

In short, would love to hire from here.

I don't doubt for a moment your experiences with the driving skills (or lack thereof) of those from different parts of the world with international driver's licenses. I've seen what you're saying first hand. I've also seen firsthand their negotiating skills (or lack thereof) when buying cars. You have my sympathies.

Shifting to water woes for a moment, there were plenty of reasons I didn't settle in my hometown. It was basically a blue collar, industrial driven city, until the industry moved out. So, it hit hard times, but has rebounded nicely in recent years.

But, water is something they've always been proud of....mostly derived from underground wells and the Great Miami River.

http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-water-named-best-tasting-the-world/1I3CRPMtOvBxKjrA1iAPwN/

After living in other places (including Silicon Valley for a few years), I don't live too far from where I grew up these days.

driver100

GG, That water sounds good....you should bottle it and sell it. Our city water is better than most places, but, didn't win any prizes.

driver100

It looks like the 2018 Lexus LS will be radically different. The front grill looks a little over the top, but, it will probably look nicer when you see it from the angle you actually view it at...not a picture that is taken too close too the ground making the grill look larger and taller than it is.

The 2017 seems like a bargain with about $10000 off, but I would find out what the 2018 actually offers, as there may be a lot of options and new things offered all built into the price. My friend got a 2014 Genesis (I might have the wrong year but the next years car was very different) at the end of the year for about 30% less, but when he found out the car lacked any element of fun, he wanted to trade it for the much better newer model, which had way more features and was the same price....so his trade in dropped even more in trade in price.

driver100

One more:

stickguy

definitely a lot more stylish than the original versions. The grill, Toyota is all-in on that polarizing style. They have it on everything at this point.

imidazol97

But it's not on the c-hr which I saw previewed on MotorWeak yesterday.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

My neighbor across the street came over today wondering if I had a battery charger, because his new-to-him Subaru Outback wouldn't turn over. Looking at it upon arrival last month I thought it was new but it's actually a 2011. He said the battery showed 7 volts. I suggested that sounded like bad cells but offered my charger. He said that if it didn't work quick he would have to bicycle down to the nearby parts store with it and have it tested. I was heading that way anyway so offered to drive him and it there, which he was happy to accept.

They tested it and thought it was shot, so he bought a new battery and I took him home after I ran my errand. I was otherwise occupied for a while but emerged to see him instructing his wife trying to start it after he installed the new cell, with no luck. Still not even turning over. Poor devil might be looking at having it towed come Monday.

Maybe he put the battery in backwards.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

My neighbor across the street came over today wondering if I had a battery charger, because his new-to-him Subaru Outback wouldn't turn over. Looking at it upon arrival last month I thought it was new but it's actually a 2011. He said the battery showed 7 volts. I suggested that sounded like bad cells but offered my charger. He said that if it didn't work quick he would have to bicycle down to the nearby parts store with it and have it tested. I was heading that way anyway so offered to drive him and it there, which he was happy to accept.

They tested it and thought it was shot, so he bought a new battery and I took him home after I ran my errand. I was otherwise occupied for a while but emerged to see him instructing his wife trying to start it after he installed the new cell, with no luck. Still not even turning over. Poor devil might be looking at having it towed come Monday.

Maybe he put the battery in backwards.

Excuse the repeat. Site is glitching again.

houdini1

driver100 said:

One more:

driver100 said:

One more:

Thanks for the info Driver. I have no doubt that the '18 LS will be a better all around car, but it usually takes me a couple of years for most any new car to grow on me. The '16 that I am looking at has 2 1/2 years 38,000 miles remaining on the factory warranty. It can't be "certified" at this point because it is not being sold by a Lexus dealer, but I think I could get it certified after I buy it. This will be my 3rd LS and I have never had to use the warranty for anything.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

isellhondas said:

fintail said:

I can believe it. The things I see here make my head spin, and I have been here for ages. Diversity is great and fun and makes for interesting friends and food - but seems to create a bit of chaos on the road.

I have a good story about someone who works in my office, a 20-something who I think is an intern, relatively new both to here and to driving, who recently went on a test drive. For now, I will just say that when the drive was over, the car wasn't driveable. She told the story without real shame, so I don't think it is bad to share, but I will wait for later

Honking here is seen as some kind of secret social faux pas, and is uncommon compared to virtually everywhere else. I do notice it seems to be a more frequent act, and I am helping it along

venture said:

Speaking of new to the western world - My son lives near Baltimore. He said he was next to such a person, they were drifting over into his lane, and he had nowhere to go. He said he gently sounded his horn and the guy panicked and ran up over the curb.

Microsoft, Amazon and the other tech companies up here love to import employees from other parts of the world that simply do not know how to drive! If they came in with an International Driver's License it was terrifying. we used to wonder how, exactly were they able to pass their Washington's License test but somehow, they did!

It got so bad most of us kept them on surface streets. Seriously some test drives were downright frightening!

Craig...being employed by one of those tech companies, we're actually HQ'd in the Bay Area, there's a general belief that we go to other countries to hire our labor, or send jobs overseas, because labor is less expensive or we can pay them less.

That perception is not true. We do have to go to different countries to recruit, and often send some jobs overseas, not because it's less expensive, but because we try and can't fill those jobs with QUALIFIED people in the U.S. It's much less expensive to hire people locally rather than deal with work visas, remotely managing people overseas, relocating workers, etc, than it is to hire locally. It's just too difficult to find qualified people here.

I know when I'm hiring for an open slot, I MUST recruit from my local geographic region (North America) and have to extensively justify expanding a search outside of my Region. On top of that, my internal personnel budget takes a substantial "hit" when I'm forced to recruit outside of North America.

In short, would love to hire from here.

I don't doubt for a moment your experiences with the driving skills (or lack thereof) of those from different parts of the world with international driver's licenses. I've seen what you're saying first hand. I've also seen firsthand their negotiating skills (or lack thereof) when buying cars. You have my sympathies.

Shifting to water woes for a moment, there were plenty of reasons I didn't settle in my hometown. It was basically a blue collar, industrial driven city, until the industry moved out. So, it hit hard times, but has rebounded nicely in recent years.

But, water is something they've always been proud of....mostly derived from underground wells and the Great Miami River.

http://www.journal-news.com/news/hamilton-water-named-best-tasting-the-world/1I3CRPMtOvBxKjrA1iAPwN/

After living in other places (including Silicon Valley for a few years), I don't live too far from where I grew up these days.

Interesting take on the foreign hiring topic. To what do you attribute the lack of quality local talent? Is it lack of work ethic or are our universities failing to train them in marketable skills? What are you thoughts on solutions?

One of my concerns is that there is no coordination between the education system and potential employers in the training of students for real world jobs.

I remember one college that got sued by students because the IT training they recieved was on systems that were obsolete making them unemployable.

qbrozen

houdini1 said:

...but I think I could get it certified after I buy it. This will be my 3rd LS and I have never had to use the warranty for anything.

Then why bother with certification?

carnaught

Wow, that '18 has quite an impresive interior, but never a fan of that touch-pad mouse. Wish they'd tone down that spindle Darth Vater grill. I've had two LS's in the past with not an iota of any problems.