Which one would break down more and which would cost more to fix?
Doesn't matter......it is worth the extra cost and inconvenience.
Interesting...I actually saw an Aztek today.....and it was ugly!!!!!!
I think they are around, out of mind out of sight kind of thing.
As amazing as it seems, I saw a yellow one, like the one in the previous picture, backing out of a garage down the street from me this morning. I never knew they had one - or never noticed before. I tried to get a picture, but was unsuccessful.
I was roundly poo pooed by less forward thinking minds but just for refference, consider that this is the second time the Aztec has come up for discussion.
yeh but when it comes up it is always in relation to being one of the ugliest cars ever built.
It is a REAL gamble, that it will be in demand one day in the future....I doubt it.
there is a 55+ neighborhood across from mine that we walk through most days, where one of the houses has a white Aztec in the driveway. Later model, monochrome, so not as bad looking. I think they also have a Kia Soul
Which one would break down more and which would cost more to fix?
Doesn't matter......it is worth the extra cost and inconvenience.
Interesting...I actually saw an Aztek today.....and it was ugly!!!!!!
I think they are around, out of mind out of sight kind of thing.
As amazing as it seems, I saw a yellow one, like the one in the previous picture, backing out of a garage down the street from me this morning. I never knew they had one - or never noticed before. I tried to get a picture, but was unsuccessful.
I floated the idea some time ago of buying up every Aztec you could find and storing them until the world changed enough to appreciate them. Sort of like the Edsel or the Cord which were not popular in their day.
I was roundly poo pooed by less forward thinking minds but just for refference, consider that this is the second time the Aztec has come up for discussion.
It comes up, but not in a good way. I think it's the most hideous car I've seen.
Just thinking about residuals and resale value and was wondering why certain domestics are always higher priced as used cars. Corvettes and other halo types I can see but prices for old Jeep Wranglers and any pickup are much higher than a similar aged car. I'm talking pretty miled up vehicles (150k miles +). I've got my own theories but why do you folks think that is?
As driver stated, trucks serve a larger purpose. Commercial users are always in need of them. I can't explain Wranglers. It baffles me.
its a Jeep thing! LOL - they are iconic, and it is a lifestyle if you own a Wrangler, like motorcycles, they wave at each other as the pass on the highway.
Simple vehicles that don't over promise or deliver.
I think it's the most hideous car I've seen Not pretty, that's for sure. But wait, do some of those Aztec lines remind you of the big Nissan and Infinity crossover/SUV?????? I think its called something like an Armada (maybe because it is a boat)
Just thinking about residuals and resale value and was wondering why certain domestics are always higher priced as used cars. Corvettes and other halo types I can see but prices for old Jeep Wranglers and any pickup are much higher than a similar aged car. I'm talking pretty miled up vehicles (150k miles +). I've got my own theories but why do you folks think that is?
As driver stated, trucks serve a larger purpose. Commercial users are always in need of them. I can't explain Wranglers. It baffles me.
its a Jeep thing! LOL - they are iconic, and it is a lifestyle if you own a Wrangler, like motorcycles, they wave at each other as the pass on the highway.
Simple vehicles that don't over promise or deliver.
My first vehicle was a CJ7, and I totally get the comradarie thing. But "simple vehicles that don't over promise or deliver" should not cost so damned much!
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I think I mentioned a talented photographer went with our group in the last Angeles Crest Spirited Cruise for the car group. Well, here are some rolling motion shots of the TTS:
'18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
Which one would break down more and which would cost more to fix?
Doesn't matter......it is worth the extra cost and inconvenience.
Interesting...I actually saw an Aztek today.....and it was ugly!!!!!!
I think they are around, out of mind out of sight kind of thing.
As amazing as it seems, I saw a yellow one, like the one in the previous picture, backing out of a garage down the street from me this morning. I never knew they had one - or never noticed before. I tried to get a picture, but was unsuccessful.
I floated the idea some time ago of buying up every Aztec you could find and storing them until the world changed enough to appreciate them. Sort of like the Edsel or the Cord which were not popular in their day.
I was roundly poo pooed by less forward thinking minds but just for refference, consider that this is the second time the Aztec has come up for discussion.
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds." - Albert Einstein
Just thinking about residuals and resale value and was wondering why certain domestics are always higher priced as used cars. Corvettes and other halo types I can see but prices for old Jeep Wranglers and any pickup are much higher than a similar aged car. I'm talking pretty miled up vehicles (150k miles +). I've got my own theories but why do you folks think that is?
Trucks are always useful....even older one's....cars not so much. There are always people who can use a truck to haul stuff around....some want a cheap one some a newer more expensive one....but, always a demand. One friend wants an older 50s type truck with the 3 windows in the back...middle one straight, side ones curve around the sides of the roof. Also, trucks are tough....frame body and higher up, not as prone to rust......last longer and hold up better.
Agree on everything but he rust. The ones in see here are just as rusty. They still command a premium.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Here's a couple pictures of the group of cars participating (not the complete group).
So it's not just Jeeps that have that club feeling going on.
I've had a few Mustang owners wave at me but in the Corvette I mainly got stupid kids in C6s who didn't realize they were trying to race a 25 year older C4 with half the horsepower. Kind of like trying to prove their manhood by starting a fight with an old man.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Jeeps stay popular for at least 2 reasons; 1) iconic name. It isn't just an SUV, it is a JEEP, the original 4X4. When I bought my 95 Jeep it was close between choosing a Jeep or a Blazer........I chose the JEEP because it was a JEEP, the one and only! 2) Image. For men and women who can drive over rocks and fields or want the image they can do these things. A feeling of being invincible.
There are lots of 4X4s, and SUVs, there is only one JEEP.
Here's a couple pictures of the group of cars participating (not the complete group).
So it's not just Jeeps that have that club feeling going on.
I've had a few Mustang owners wave at me but in the Corvette I mainly got stupid kids in C6s who didn't realize they were trying to race a 25 year older C4 with half the horsepower. Kind of like trying to prove their manhood by starting a fight with an old man.
Interesting. I didn't have that experience in my Mustang. Just too many of them, I think. Would involve constant waving. I only ever had that experience in the aforementioned CJ and then in my 350z. When I'm in the Coronet, I'll wave to just about any other classic car on the road.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
When I had my 69 Plymouth Satellite I always wanted an "upscale" Coronet. Liked the looks better.
Those old cars were pretty basic with only the radio as a distraction. These days they are doing studies on all the ways that car electronics will get you killed:
I can only imagine how upset the folks would be upset by toyota's having finally agreed to fix the safety issue with frames on the toyota tacomas after noting how upset a few were about dropping the engine in a CTS to access the cable bundles and eventually to modify the exhaust. Removing the whole truck and reassembling it on a new frame, hopefully one spec'd by toyota to be rust resistant, is a major process.
I can only imagine how upset the folks would be upset by toyota's having finally agreed to fix the safety issue with frames on the toyota tacomas after noting how upset a few were about dropping the engine in a CTS to access the cable bundles and eventually to modify the exhaust. Removing the whole truck and reassembling it on a new frame, hopefully one spec'd by toyota to be rust resistant, is a major process.
On my Toyota pick up the only thing that didn't rust was the frame.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Here's a couple pictures of the group of cars participating (not the complete group).
So it's not just Jeeps that have that club feeling going on.
I've had a few Mustang owners wave at me but in the Corvette I mainly got stupid kids in C6s who didn't realize they were trying to race a 25 year older C4 with half the horsepower. Kind of like trying to prove their manhood by starting a fight with an old man.
The BMW CCA has over 70,000 members; if I see a CCA decal or similar I'll give a thumbs-up or a wave. The wearers are oblivious...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I don't think electronics are killing anyone. Lack of self-control might be hurting people, however. These nanny orgs, often connected to the insurance cabal, often ignore the idea of personal responsibility. Many areas have distracted driving laws now, but virtually no enforcement.
I also like the "difficult to navigate" bit in regards to ICE. Heaven forbid someone read the manual and learn before using. The user is 100% liable for their actions.
When I had my 69 Plymouth Satellite I always wanted an "upscale" Coronet. Liked the looks better.
Those old cars were pretty basic with only the radio as a distraction. These days they are doing studies on all the ways that car electronics will get you killed:
Some Edsels are quite cool, but buying a bunch of them and sitting on them for 40 years would likely have been a very poor investment. Open Cords would have been something to hoard, but I think one would have needed to get in to that market by the early 70s, they have had value for a long time.
That being said, if someone found a pristine low mileage Aztek with all of the fun accessories, and held on to it for a little while longer, it might have enough curiosity value to be worth it. I think they will fare better than ordinary cars of the era in terms of value.
I floated the idea some time ago of buying up every Aztec you could find and storing them until the world changed enough to appreciate them. Sort of like the Edsel or the Cord which were not popular in their day.
I was roundly poo pooed by less forward thinking minds but just for refference, consider that this is the second time the Aztec has come up for discussion.
Nice shots. But I can't help but think with the Audis and BMWs that "no turn signals were harmed that day", and maybe am thankful that the Mustangs didn't hit any bystanders or other cars
It's a lifestyle thing. Every bearded millennial in the Seattle area who lives in the suburbs and hikes and skis once a year needs one dearly. Bellevue office workers often have the really fancy ones that are usually kept cleaner than my fintail.
I have a Costco Visa. 4% back on fuel, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, 1% on everything else. I initially got a Costco branded card when I first had a membership, to subsidize the fees. It more than does that, I end up clearing $150-200 a year.
@ab348. A bank credit card that gives 1 or 2(restaurants) or 3%(gas) back, plus the bonus. You have to be a top tier customer. Can't remember what the criteria for that is.
We got yer push bar, we got yer tow hooks.... wait, don't you need a snorkel and some plow lights on the roof? And a winch...you gotta have a winch....
Pretty close. Needs about 5 more LED lights, a larger bumper extender/bullbar, and a little more lift. And at least a couple stickers, gotta have stickers (generally not political ones, so I guess that's a good thing). It's a thing around here, and I think in many or most other places. In terms of image, Jeep has it and has kept it up more than most.
Nice shots. But I can't help but think with the Audis and BMWs that "no turn signals were harmed that day", and maybe am thankful that the Mustangs didn't hit any bystanders or other cars
What kind of rewards card is that and what are the usual rewards if you don't take this special deal? Never heard of such a thing before.
This is a fairly new (two years or so) Bank of America Preferred Rewards program for their checking customers. They have three tiers, 25K, 50K and 100K in qualifying assets (e.g. CDs, brokerage, including IRAs, etc.). Those tiers produce several type of benefits, one of them is the bonus on their cashback or travel reward Visa credit cards (25%, 50%, 75%, respectively) on top of those cards own bonuses (e.g. 2% supermarket, 3% gas up to $2500/quarter for the cash back card). There are other benefits, interest rate rebate on car loan, reduction in mortgage origination fees, no-fee ATM transactions, etc. What's more, it's bundled with generous Merrill Lynch free stock/etf brokerage transactions (more generours than I'd ever need). Essentially, my investments feed into the rewards and the rewards feed into lowering my investment costs. I don't want to sound like an advertisment, but it's quite good, if you have some savings or investments.
Some Edsels are quite cool, but buying a bunch of them and sitting on them for 40 years would likely have been a very poor investment. Open Cords would have been something to hoard, but I think one would have needed to get in to that market by the early 70s, they have had value for a long time.
That being said, if someone found a pristine low mileage Aztek with all of the fun accessories, and held on to it for a little while longer, it might have enough curiosity value to be worth it. I think they will fare better than ordinary cars of the era in terms of value.
I floated the idea some time ago of buying up every Aztec you could find and storing them until the world changed enough to appreciate them. Sort of like the Edsel or the Cord which were not popular in their day.
I was roundly poo pooed by less forward thinking minds but just for refference, consider that this is the second time the Aztec has come up for discussion.
You'd have to be lucky too. If an Aztek appeared in a Mike Myers movie like the AMC Pacer or the Eclipse in Fast & Furious it might bump the value.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Here in Washington I would have a Jeep to enjoy as a 4 seat convertible. Yes it would be handy in the snow too, but not a lot of "Jeep" trails on the west side of the Cascades. That would help keep the price down as I would not need all the bells and whistles.
Now if I lived in Arizona I would also enjoy using the Jeep for what it is designed for, getting out and about, and you can pretty much do that year round...
Though truthfully with the huge difference in housing I likely would get a Raptor as my "explore the state car" in Arizona
I have a Costco Visa. 4% back on fuel, 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% on Costco purchases, 1% on everything else. I initially got a Costco branded card when I first had a membership, to subsidize the fees. It more than does that, I end up clearing $150-200 a year.
@ab348. A bank credit card that gives 1 or 2(restaurants) or 3%(gas) back, plus the bonus. You have to be a top tier customer. Can't remember what the criteria for that is.
I can send you the after I'm done reading it.
My cc gives 1% in general and maybe 3% on gas or restaurants but since I use cash for almost everything it doesn't matter. My paranoia doesn't want them tracking my purchases and selling the info to Equifax to be stolen.
Nothing is ever really free.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
What kind of rewards card is that and what are the usual rewards if you don't take this special deal? Never heard of such a thing before.
This is a fairly new (two years or so) Bank of America Preferred Rewards program for their checking customers. They have three tiers, 25K, 50K and 100K in qualifying assets (e.g. CDs, brokerage, including IRAs, etc.). Those tiers produce several type of benefits, one of them is the bonus on their cashback or travel reward Visa credit cards (25%, 50%, 75%, respectively) on top of those cards own bonuses (e.g. 2% supermarket, 3% gas up to $2500/quarter for the cash back card). There are other benefits, interest rate rebate on car loan, reduction in mortgage origination fees, no-fee ATM transactions, etc. What's more, it's bundled with generous Merrill Lynch free stock/etf brokerage transactions (more generours than I'd ever need). Essentially, my investments feed into the rewards and the rewards feed into lowering my investment costs. I don't want to sound like an advertisment, but it's quite good, if you have some savings or investments.
Assuming the return on you investments with them are at least equal to what you could get with a low fee place like Vanguard. A net percent or two less on your investments could cancel out all your rewards.
To paraphrase Jethro Bodine I'd have to do some cipherin' before I'd commit.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
As is often the case, the deals in the US are sweeter than in Canada when it comes to rewards cards. I have a Tangerine Bank Mastercard that provides 2% cash back on 2 categories they let you choose (I use it for groceries and pre-authorized monthly bill payments) and my GM card gives 5% on the first $5000 of purchases each year and 2% after that. I've never heard of any deal like the one you guys are describing where they sweeten the deal if you take it in cash. I had a TD Bank Visa CC here that was some unpopular rewards deal (which has not been discontinued) where they offered to let you take your rewards in cash at some sort of discount, I think it was around 50%. I passed. Meanwhile you guys down there are taking them with a bonus. Gotta love it.
My primary bank is BMO and I have most of my investments with them. They are so miserable with their fees and nickel-and-diming everything that I have taken a substantial amount of my business away from them over the last year. Of course they do not care. They rely on Air Miles for a lot of their reward mechanisms and that program is not very useful nor of much value these days, at least to me. The kind of thing Dino described would be great for me but naturally they don't offer anything close to that.
Here's a couple pictures of the group of cars participating (not the complete group).
Nice shot, all it needs is a few CHP cruisers blocking the line in place as they hand out "reckless endangerment" and speeding tickets en masse.
Up here the police have a new favorite toy: the "stunting" ticket. Stunting is an awful name for a new category in the motor vehicle laws that I think was originally intended for yahoo-ish driving (weaving in and out of traffic at high speed, racing, etc) but also contains a provision for traveling 50+ km/hr over the posted limit (or just over 30 mph). Now a day seldom goes by where the press doesn't report on a news release from the local police saying that a (usually young) driver has been charged with stunting related to speed. The fine is $2400 and the car is seized immediately for some period of time, and there is an instant 7-day license suspension too. Not sure what happens after that.
It's a lifestyle thing. Every bearded millennial in the Seattle area who lives in the suburbs and hikes and skis once a year needs one dearly. Bellevue office workers often have the really fancy ones that are usually kept cleaner than my fintail.
We have that here too but I see a lot of young ladies driving the things. I also see a lot of 1 and 2 year-old ones on used car lots. I imagine after doing the daily commute downtown in one of them for a while it gets old pretty quick.
Today, Thursday, October 5th, 2017, is the day I made my biggest mistake in many, many years - I GOT OUT OF BED!
All I wanted to accomplish today was to go to Loews, buy a new toilet seat for my guest bathroom (the one I always use), install it, and then dream about the many, many years I will have to enjoy sitting on my new throne! Well, that certainly, definitely, most positively did not happen!
Everything was fine this morning - I got out of bed, made a pot of coffee, showered, shaved and got into my car and drove over to Loews. I picked a white, wooden toiled seat, and then went over to the cashier. She told me to put my credit card into the slot and wait. I did what she told me, but nothing happened. She asked me to put the card into the slot again, which I did. The terminal seemed to go into some sort of cyber-fit and for some reason, it would not process my credit card. So the cashier backed out the invoice and I went through this process once again. This time, it worked. I had my phone in my hand and it showed that my AMEX card was charged twice for the toilet seat. The cashier was unable to solve the problem, so off to customer service I went with the cashier. They were unable to issue a credit because their terminal did not show the extra charge. So, after waiting for the manager, they decided to give me back cash for the amount that was double-charged. Thus, I was at Loews for 65 minutes to buy one little old toilet seat.
It's been raining heavily all day with flooding so driving home was a difficult task. I opened the box, followed the instructions, and low and behold, when I tried to pick up the seat, both clips broke off. Back into the box, back into the car, back over to Loews. After waiting for 20 minutes at the customer service booth, they issued me a credit. I went back over to plumbing and picked out a different toilet seat - more metal than plastic, but still make out of wood and enamel. I paid for my new toilet seat with my credit card and drove home again. I got into my condo, opened the box and made sure all the pieces were there. NOPE! I was missing a nut and a bolt. I put the toilet seat back into the box, went down to my car, drove back to Loews, and the manager saw me come into the store with the box. He looked inside and said rather than issue another credit, he told me to just pick up another toilet seat and come back to him. I went back to plumbing, but no more toilet sets in stock like the one I was returning. Back to the manager - he issues me another credit (third credit to my AMEX for the same reason) and tells me to just pick out another toilet seat, come back to him and he would not charge me for all the inconveniences of 3 round trips to Loews. I picked out another toilet seat and got back into my car and drove home. I had no more energy left in my body to try to install yet another toilet seat. Since I had already taken off the old seat, I figured I would use the master bedroom toilet for anything requiring the throne.
I called the handyman service we have here at my condo complex and they charge $12.00 per half hour for light handyman services. They said they would send over a worker this afternoon to install my toilet seat.
I figured I would stay in bed tomorrow to rest up but realized I had my new cleaning lady coming which means I have to "clean up" the condo enough so she didn't think I was a total pig - which requires cleaning the mirrors in the bathrooms, cleaning up the sink in my bathroom and the vanity top, dusting off my dresser in my bedroom, straightening up the linens enough so when she takes them off to put on the new linens she will think I am immaculate. I also have to spot clean the kitchen table, countertops, etc.
The handyman came and put the toilet seat on the toilet in less than 2 minutes. I gave him he $12.00 and he left. After thinking about my trials and tribulations today, I have decided that I will chalk up the day as a painful learning experience. For some reason, nothing comes easy in my life - but these experiences make the day go by faster.
There was one in the series 'Breaking Bad', but it wasn't an idolized part of the plot.
Eventually, we will hit nostalgia for the turn of the century, just as 90s nostalgia is a thing now. Some 90s cars have definitely appreciated. Kind of a bleak time for interesting cars around 2001, which might help the Aztek at least stay solid, too.
When I was in school back in the late 90s, a shiny new Jeep was definitely a spoiled coed thing. Not sure if it is the same 20 years later.
I knew a guy who held on to his mid 90s Jeep for a long time, his wife finally got him to sell it, as trips in it were just too rough. This being the PNW, he replaced it with a Forester.
We have that here too but I see a lot of young ladies driving the things. I also see a lot of 1 and 2 year-old ones on used car lots. I imagine after doing the daily commute downtown in one of them for a while it gets old pretty quick.
The way I see it, if they want your info, they will get it somehow. If you have medical or financial records, you're out there.
I use cash for fuel when I am home, as the local Chevron gives a discount greater than the credit card. The rest is usually a card, for miles or money.
My cc gives 1% in general and maybe 3% on gas or restaurants but since I use cash for almost everything it doesn't matter. My paranoia doesn't want them tracking my purchases and selling the info to Equifax to be stolen.
What kind of rewards card is that and what are the usual rewards if you don't take this special deal? Never heard of such a thing before.
This is a fairly new (two years or so) Bank of America Preferred Rewards program for their checking customers. They have three tiers, 25K, 50K and 100K in qualifying assets (e.g. CDs, brokerage, including IRAs, etc.). Those tiers produce several type of benefits, one of them is the bonus on their cashback or travel reward Visa credit cards (25%, 50%, 75%, respectively) on top of those cards own bonuses (e.g. 2% supermarket, 3% gas up to $2500/quarter for the cash back card). There are other benefits, interest rate rebate on car loan, reduction in mortgage origination fees, no-fee ATM transactions, etc. What's more, it's bundled with generous Merrill Lynch free stock/etf brokerage transactions (more generours than I'd ever need). Essentially, my investments feed into the rewards and the rewards feed into lowering my investment costs. I don't want to sound like an advertisment, but it's quite good, if you have some savings or investments.
Assuming the return on you investments with them are at least equal to what you could get with a low fee place like Vanguard. A net percent or two less on your investments could cancel out all your rewards.
To paraphrase Jethro Bodine I'd have to do some cipherin' before I'd commit.
Would that require "times" or "gozenda" cipherin'?
Today, Thursday, October 5th, 2017, is the day I made my biggest mistake in many, many years - I GOT OUT OF BED!
All I wanted to accomplish today was to go to Loews, buy a new toilet seat for my guest bathroom (the one I always use), install it, and then dream about the many, many years I will have to enjoy sitting on my new throne! Well, that certainly, definitely, most positively did not happen!
Everything was fine this morning - I got out of bed, made a pot of coffee, showered, shaved and got into my car and drove over to Loews. I picked a white, wooden toiled seat, and then went over to the cashier. She told me to put my credit card into the slot and wait. I did what she told me, but nothing happened. She asked me to put the card into the slot again, which I did. The terminal seemed to go into some sort of cyber-fit and for some reason, it would not process my credit card. So the cashier backed out the invoice and I went through this process once again. This time, it worked. I had my phone in my hand and it showed that my AMEX card was charged twice for the toilet seat. The cashier was unable to solve the problem, so off to customer service I went with the cashier. They were unable to issue a credit because their terminal did not show the extra charge. So, after waiting for the manager, they decided to give me back cash for the amount that was double-charged. Thus, I was at Loews for 65 minutes to buy one little old toilet seat.
It's been raining heavily all day with flooding so driving home was a difficult task. I opened the box, followed the instructions, and low and behold, when I tried to pick up the seat, both clips broke off. Back into the box, back into the car, back over to Loews. After waiting for 20 minutes at the customer service booth, they issued me a credit. I went back over to plumbing and picked out a different toilet seat - more metal than plastic, but still make out of wood and enamel. I paid for my new toilet seat with my credit card and drove home again. I got into my condo, opened the box and made sure all the pieces were there. NOPE! I was missing a nut and a bolt. I put the toilet seat back into the box, went down to my car, drove back to Loews, and the manager saw me come into the store with the box. He looked inside and said rather than issue another credit, he told me to just pick up another toilet seat and come back to him. I went back to plumbing, but no more toilet sets in stock like the one I was returning. Back to the manager - he issues me another credit (third credit to my AMEX for the same reason) and tells me to just pick out another toilet seat, come back to him and he would not charge me for all the inconveniences of 3 round trips to Loews. I picked out another toilet seat and got back into my car and drove home. I had no more energy left in my body to try to install yet another toilet seat. Since I had already taken off the old seat, I figured I would use the master bedroom toilet for anything requiring the throne.
I called the handyman service we have here at my condo complex and they charge $12.00 per half hour for light handyman services. They said they would send over a worker this afternoon to install my toilet seat.
I figured I would stay in bed tomorrow to rest up but realized I had my new cleaning lady coming which means I have to "clean up" the condo enough so she didn't think I was a total pig - which requires cleaning the mirrors in the bathrooms, cleaning up the sink in my bathroom and the vanity top, dusting off my dresser in my bedroom, straightening up the linens enough so when she takes them off to put on the new linens she will think I am immaculate. I also have to spot clean the kitchen table, countertops, etc.
The handyman came and put the toilet seat on the toilet in less than 2 minutes. I gave him he $12.00 and he left. After thinking about my trials and tribulations today, I have decided that I will chalk up the day as a painful learning experience. For some reason, nothing comes easy in my life - but these experiences make the day go by faster.
I think the first problem is that you went to "Loews" (theaters) rather than going to "Lowe's" (home improvement). I've found that the toilet seats at most theaters leave much to be desired.
What kind of rewards card is that and what are the usual rewards if you don't take this special deal? Never heard of such a thing before.
This is a fairly new (two years or so) Bank of America Preferred Rewards program for their checking customers. They have three tiers, 25K, 50K and 100K in qualifying assets (e.g. CDs, brokerage, including IRAs, etc.). Those tiers produce several type of benefits, one of them is the bonus on their cashback or travel reward Visa credit cards (25%, 50%, 75%, respectively) on top of those cards own bonuses (e.g. 2% supermarket, 3% gas up to $2500/quarter for the cash back card). There are other benefits, interest rate rebate on car loan, reduction in mortgage origination fees, no-fee ATM transactions, etc. What's more, it's bundled with generous Merrill Lynch free stock/etf brokerage transactions (more generours than I'd ever need). Essentially, my investments feed into the rewards and the rewards feed into lowering my investment costs. I don't want to sound like an advertisment, but it's quite good, if you have some savings or investments.
Assuming the return on you investments with them are at least equal to what you could get with a low fee place like Vanguard. A net percent or two less on your investments could cancel out all your rewards.
To paraphrase Jethro Bodine I'd have to do some cipherin' before I'd commit.
You don't have to buy anything from "them". This is not "wealth management" account, just plain self directed brokerage accounts, taxable, or IRA, or Roth IRA. Same as Fidelity, Scottrade, TD Waterhouse, or others. The only difference - 100 stock/etf transactions per month are free (I need less than that per year). Can't speak about other transactions (mutual funds, or bonds) in terms of being free or with fee, as I don't own those. And yes, you can buy Vanguard mutual funds, if you wish.
I speak to nobody, nobody pushes any products on me, I have no "investment advisor", aka salesman. I simply have had a BoA (or their legal predecessors) account since 1998, then some time later, around 2005, I opened BoA brokerage accounts, both IRA and taxable. Then they merged with Merrill Lynch, so the brokerage was converted under new name. Then in 2015 or so, they announced this rewards program in their mailing. I already had their "premium account", as I had enough money stored on those brokerage accounts to qualify for zero maintenance fees, all I needed was a click on a website and I was enrolled. On occasion I may get an envelope inviting me to speak to an advisor, but I just ignore it. When I applied for a car loan, the guy hooked me up with one, who of course wanted me to move more money from my other account (Fidelity) in (with a bonus), but the bonus was too small, so I stayed pat. The conversation ended. Again - no product push whatsoever.
If I get poor returns, it's only because I chose wrong stocks, not because I bought something they sold me.
I figured I would stay in bed tomorrow to rest up but realized I had my new cleaning lady coming which means I have to "clean up" the condo enough so she didn't think I was a total pig -
There's an oxymoron in having to clean up before the cleaning lady comes to clean up. To heck with what the cleaning person thinks. They're being paid to clean.
Comments
It is a REAL gamble, that it will be in demand one day in the future....I doubt it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
its a Jeep thing! LOL - they are iconic, and it is a lifestyle if you own a Wrangler, like motorcycles, they wave at each other as the pass on the highway.
Simple vehicles that don't over promise or deliver.
Not pretty, that's for sure. But wait, do some of those Aztec lines remind you of the big Nissan and Infinity crossover/SUV?????? I think its called something like an Armada (maybe because it is a boat)
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I've had a few Mustang owners wave at me but in the Corvette I mainly got stupid kids in C6s who didn't realize they were trying to race a 25 year older C4 with half the horsepower. Kind of like trying to prove their manhood by starting a fight with an old man.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1) iconic name. It isn't just an SUV, it is a JEEP, the original 4X4. When I bought my 95 Jeep it was close between choosing a Jeep or a Blazer........I chose the JEEP because it was a JEEP, the one and only!
2) Image. For men and women who can drive over rocks and fields or want the image they can do these things. A feeling of being invincible.
There are lots of 4X4s, and SUVs, there is only one JEEP.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Those old cars were pretty basic with only the radio as a distraction. These days they are doing studies on all the ways that car electronics will get you killed:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-aaa-study-car-technology-distractions-20171004-story.html#
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
http://autoweek.com/article/recalls/toyota-frame-settlement-could-cost-company-34-billion
I can only imagine how upset the folks would be upset by toyota's having finally agreed to fix the safety issue with frames on the toyota tacomas after noting how upset a few were about dropping the engine in a CTS to access the cable bundles and eventually to modify the exhaust. Removing the whole truck and reassembling it on a new frame, hopefully one spec'd by toyota to be rust resistant, is a major process.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I also like the "difficult to navigate" bit in regards to ICE. Heaven forbid someone read the manual and learn before using. The user is 100% liable for their actions.
That being said, if someone found a pristine low mileage Aztek with all of the fun accessories, and held on to it for a little while longer, it might have enough curiosity value to be worth it. I think they will fare better than ordinary cars of the era in terms of value.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Like this Wrangler I saw in the Super Market lot on a Sunday:
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
But maybe you noticed that front license plate mounts, despite being the law in the Sunshine State, are not standard
https://info.bankofamerica.com/preferred-rewards/
2018 430i Gran Coupe
From what I can tell, front license plate law enforcement has a socio-economic qualifier - if you are in a nice car, you probably won't be touched.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Now if I lived in Arizona I would also enjoy using the Jeep for what it is designed for, getting out and about, and you can pretty much do that year round...
Though truthfully with the huge difference in housing I likely would get a Raptor as my "explore the state car" in Arizona
Nothing is ever really free.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
To paraphrase Jethro Bodine I'd have to do some cipherin' before I'd commit.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
My primary bank is BMO and I have most of my investments with them. They are so miserable with their fees and nickel-and-diming everything that I have taken a substantial amount of my business away from them over the last year. Of course they do not care. They rely on Air Miles for a lot of their reward mechanisms and that program is not very useful nor of much value these days, at least to me. The kind of thing Dino described would be great for me but naturally they don't offer anything close to that.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Up here the police have a new favorite toy: the "stunting" ticket. Stunting is an awful name for a new category in the motor vehicle laws that I think was originally intended for yahoo-ish driving (weaving in and out of traffic at high speed, racing, etc) but also contains a provision for traveling 50+ km/hr over the posted limit (or just over 30 mph). Now a day seldom goes by where the press doesn't report on a news release from the local police saying that a (usually young) driver has been charged with stunting related to speed. The fine is $2400 and the car is seized immediately for some period of time, and there is an instant 7-day license suspension too. Not sure what happens after that.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Stay tuned...
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
All I wanted to accomplish today was to go to Loews, buy a new toilet seat for my guest bathroom (the one I always use), install it, and then dream about the many, many years I will have to enjoy sitting on my new throne! Well, that certainly, definitely, most positively did not happen!
Everything was fine this morning - I got out of bed, made a pot of coffee, showered, shaved and got into my car and drove over to Loews. I picked a white, wooden toiled seat, and then went over to the cashier. She told me to put my credit card into the slot and wait. I did what she told me, but nothing happened. She asked me to put the card into the slot again, which I did. The terminal seemed to go into some sort of cyber-fit and for some reason, it would not process my credit card. So the cashier backed out the invoice and I went through this process once again. This time, it worked. I had my phone in my hand and it showed that my AMEX card was charged twice for the toilet seat. The cashier was unable to solve the problem, so off to customer service I went with the cashier. They were unable to issue a credit because their terminal did not show the extra charge. So, after waiting for the manager, they decided to give me back cash for the amount that was double-charged. Thus, I was at Loews for 65 minutes to buy one little old toilet seat.
It's been raining heavily all day with flooding so driving home was a difficult task. I opened the box, followed the instructions, and low and behold, when I tried to pick up the seat, both clips broke off. Back into the box, back into the car, back over to Loews. After waiting for 20 minutes at the customer service booth, they issued me a credit. I went back over to plumbing and picked out a different toilet seat - more metal than plastic, but still make out of wood and enamel. I paid for my new toilet seat with my credit card and drove home again. I got into my condo, opened the box and made sure all the pieces were there. NOPE! I was missing a nut and a bolt. I put the toilet seat back into the box, went down to my car, drove back to Loews, and the manager saw me come into the store with the box. He looked inside and said rather than issue another credit, he told me to just pick up another toilet seat and come back to him. I went back to plumbing, but no more toilet sets in stock like the one I was returning. Back to the manager - he issues me another credit (third credit to my AMEX for the same reason) and tells me to just pick out another toilet seat, come back to him and he would not charge me for all the inconveniences of 3 round trips to Loews. I picked out another toilet seat and got back into my car and drove home. I had no more energy left in my body to try to install yet another toilet seat. Since I had already taken off the old seat, I figured I would use the master bedroom toilet for anything requiring the throne.
I called the handyman service we have here at my condo complex and they charge $12.00 per half hour for light handyman services. They said they would send over a worker this afternoon to install my toilet seat.
I figured I would stay in bed tomorrow to rest up but realized I had my new cleaning lady coming which means I have to "clean up" the condo enough so she didn't think I was a total pig - which requires cleaning the mirrors in the bathrooms, cleaning up the sink in my bathroom and the vanity top, dusting off my dresser in my bedroom, straightening up the linens enough so when she takes them off to put on the new linens she will think I am immaculate. I also have to spot clean the kitchen table, countertops, etc.
The handyman came and put the toilet seat on the toilet in less than 2 minutes. I gave him he $12.00 and he left. After thinking about my trials and tribulations today, I have decided that I will chalk up the day as a painful learning experience. For some reason, nothing comes easy in my life - but these experiences make the day go by faster.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Eventually, we will hit nostalgia for the turn of the century, just as 90s nostalgia is a thing now. Some 90s cars have definitely appreciated. Kind of a bleak time for interesting cars around 2001, which might help the Aztek at least stay solid, too.
I knew a guy who held on to his mid 90s Jeep for a long time, his wife finally got him to sell it, as trips in it were just too rough. This being the PNW, he replaced it with a Forester.
I use cash for fuel when I am home, as the local Chevron gives a discount greater than the credit card. The rest is usually a card, for miles or money.
I speak to nobody, nobody pushes any products on me, I have no "investment advisor", aka salesman. I simply have had a BoA (or their legal predecessors) account since 1998, then some time later, around 2005, I opened BoA brokerage accounts, both IRA and taxable. Then they merged with Merrill Lynch, so the brokerage was converted under new name. Then in 2015 or so, they announced this rewards program in their mailing. I already had their "premium account", as I had enough money stored on those brokerage accounts to qualify for zero maintenance fees, all I needed was a click on a website and I was enrolled. On occasion I may get an envelope inviting me to speak to an advisor, but I just ignore it. When I applied for a car loan, the guy hooked me up with one, who of course wanted me to move more money from my other account (Fidelity) in (with a bonus), but the bonus was too small, so I stayed pat. The conversation ended. Again - no product push whatsoever.
If I get poor returns, it's only because I chose wrong stocks, not because I bought something they sold me.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,