Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

venture

qbrozen said:

My iphone 6+ is still going strong. I'll wait it out. 

@abacomike, that is really interesting. I was not aware they could break down IQ scores that way. I'm very curious how both my sons would score. The funny thing with my son is that, when he was a toddler, folks were constantly telling us how amazed they were at his communication skills. He has always been much better with adults than kids his own age. He could have full conversations with adults since he was 2 yrs old. It is the emotions he doesn't comprehend. And, as we all know, kids can be cruel. I tell him several times a week that it will only get worse as he gets into his teen years and he needs to get used to it and block it out.

@venture, how old are these kids? Did the parents call the cops or did someone else? I will never do that, personally. Then again, I'm 6'5" and 220lb and well trained, so my child will likely never be too much for me to handle. So I suppose I should be a bit forgiving for those who may not be so lucky.

Also brings up a sore spot in our history. When he was in 1st grade, before the school classified him, the principal of his first public school was a grade A [non-permissible content removed] (I'm being nice) who once called the cops to come get him. A FIRST GRADER!! It took everything in my power not to hurt that man. He is very lucky that the police officer was the nicest and most understanding one possible. He let my son ride up front and play with the lights. Still brings tears to my eyes when I think of that day. Anyway, he was taken to the ER where they evaled him and told us they have no idea why he was sent there because he seems perfectly fine. I of course thanked the policeman but not nearly as much as I wish I had. I was too distraught to think straight though.

@oldfarmer50, what age was he when this happened? Was it a suicide attempt? I'm happy to hear he made it to adulthood. If he likes to read, may I suggest the book? It is not directly about autism but the idea of high-reactive vs low-reactive is applicable and helped me understand more, not only about my son, but about myself, and our interactions with those around us who process stimulation differently.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307352153/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s7.8zb6FHA4S3

The boy was about 14 and he is a big boy. The parents are both below average size. I suspect he is adopted as many of our kids are, but that's none of my business so I don't ask. The parents called the police.

We didn't even know anything was going on until the police cars showed up so it was all inside the car. The mother wanted to apologize the next week, but I didn't let her since there was nothing to apologize for. The description she gave made it seem like calling for help was the only way out.

As I said though; the next week you would have never know anything went wrong.

abacomike

qbrozen said:

My iphone 6+ is still going strong. I'll wait it out. 

@abacomike, that is really interesting. I was not aware they could break down IQ scores that way. I'm very curious how both my sons would score. The funny thing with my son is that, when he was a toddler, folks were constantly telling us how amazed they were at his communication skills. He has always been much better with adults than kids his own age. He could have full conversations with adults since he was 2 yrs old. It is the emotions he doesn't comprehend. And, as we all know, kids can be cruel. I tell him several times a week that it will only get worse as he gets into his teen years and he needs to get used to it and block it out.

@venture, how old are these kids? Did the parents call the cops or did someone else? I will never do that, personally. Then again, I'm 6'5" and 220lb and well trained, so my child will likely never be too much for me to handle. So I suppose I should be a bit forgiving for those who may not be so lucky.

Also brings up a sore spot in our history. When he was in 1st grade, before the school classified him, the principal of his first public school was a grade A [non-permissible content removed] (I'm being nice) who once called the cops to come get him. A FIRST GRADER!! It took everything in my power not to hurt that man. He is very lucky that the police officer was the nicest and most understanding one possible. He let my son ride up front and play with the lights. Still brings tears to my eyes when I think of that day. Anyway, he was taken to the ER where they evaled him and told us they have no idea why he was sent there because he seems perfectly fine. I of course thanked the policeman but not nearly as much as I wish I had. I was too distraught to think straight though.

@oldfarmer50, what age was he when this happened? Was it a suicide attempt? I'm happy to hear he made it to adulthood. If he likes to read, may I suggest the book? It is not directly about autism but the idea of high-reactive vs low-reactive is applicable and helped me understand more, not only about my son, but about myself, and our interactions with those around us who process stimulation differently.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking https://www.amazon.com/dp/0307352153/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_s7.8zb6FHA4S3

Actually, IQ’s can now be broken down in several ways.  The WISC-R (Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children - Revised) breaks IQ’s down to VERBAL, NON-VERBAL (also called Performance IQ) and FULL SCALE.  The most current version is the WISC-V (5th Edition).  It was developed by David Wechsler and is widely used in schools to determine abilities in children.  Another test used is the Stanford Binet, but not as widely used as Wechsler.

In the real world, all three IQ’s should be within 3-10 points of eacother.  It’s when there are differences of 1 or more standard deviations between the scores that can determine, with additional testing, learning disabilities and/ or communication disorders (autism).  A standard deviation of the mean (mean is an IQ of 100) of 15 points +/-.  So 85-115 IQ’s are low average to high average.  Giftedness is determined by 2 standard deviations above the mean of 100 or an IQ of 130 or higher.

The WISC takes about an hour to administer and can be given in two sittings.  

qbrozen

LOL. I just now noticed the filter removed a word from my post. I intentionally chose a non-curse word that anyone would consider mundane. Oh well. Guess we dare not talk about the Steve Carell and Paul Rudd 2010 film that uses this nonpermissable word in the title. ;b

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I drive 85 on I-75 because 80% of the people do it and I like to keep up, but, I think it is too fast for most people.

I suspect if drivers were polled, 95% would say their driving skills at higher speeds far above the limit set by the professionals for that road were much better than average.

True...80% of drivers think they have above average skills. Think about that!

abacomike

abacomike

That’s my brother’s new S Coupe.  Gorgeous vehicle - but for $135,000+ MSRP, it better be!

abacomike

ab348

We should start a pool on how long he keeps it. I predict less than a year.

abacomike

ab348 said:

We should start a pool on how long he keeps it. I predict less than a year.

I predict less than 6 months!

abacomike

He compared the ride and handling of the Mercedes to his 740i - he said the Mercedes is more of a high speed road car - less steering input needed to keep the car going straight.  I know I have to use more steering input on my 740i on the highway which I did not have to do on the CLS I had.  That’s why I use “auto-steer” more when on the interstates.  I can use auto-steer independent of the adaptive cruise control which I really like.

roadburner

cdnpinhead said:

roadburner said:

Civic Boy roared past with the usual loser fly-by...

Yup -- seen it many times. What I normally say to myself is: "Does that make your **** swell all up does it?" . . . or not.

LOL!

roadburner

abacomike said:

That’s my brother’s new S Coupe.  Gorgeous vehicle - but for $135,000+ MSRP, it better be!

For that money I'm buying a new M2, a new Wrangler Rubicon, and a new GTI Sport...

houdini1

pensfan83 said:

dino001 said:

$58 in the summer? You must be living in a small shack, Mike I have 1600 sf townhome and paying that in winter. My summer bill is usually $110-$120, if I'm not on vacation. We have Teco here, which I believe is now part of Duke.

I think Florida is no longer a "cheap" state to live in. My property tax is low, because the assessed house value drop to a quarter of initial value and this low number was locked in against the future increases (it can only go up by 2 percent a year, I believe), so my bill is less than $1000 per year now. However, insurance costs are certainly high and what's worse they often don't cover you for some things. For example, sinkhole coverage is now a very expensive rider, the basic insurance only covers a collapse. In other words, it's better for you that the house is swallowed completely by a sinkhole than if it opens 100 ft away and the walls and foundations just cracked. For that you're on your own.

When we bought our house we also bought mine subsidence insurance through the state to hedge against damage since regular homeowners will not provide coverage as the result of mine subsidence. The majority of our borough and neighboring ones are almost entirely undermined with mine shafts that have been abandoned for 60-70 years. Back in the late 80's my parents almost built a house in the very neighborhood we now live in but the fear of building over abandoned mines scared them off. Fortunately we have not had any issues, nor have our neighbors who have lived here since the beginning.

Ever thought about tunneling down to an old mine and having a secret cave all your own?

berri

Well, the German myth got hit by diesel cheating. Now Subaru is admitting like Nissan to improper inspections along with Kobe steel, so the Japan Inc. is starting to get hit too. This might help Detroit in the long run (except for the Ford Fusion steering wheels).

houdini1

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

qb, I was thinking more about the parents who will never accept blame....I see them on Judge Judy all the time. They believe what their kids tell them, though the kid rarely tells the truth, and has been in all kinds of trouble before. I once taught school and I thought (probably was wrong) that autism was not so volatile....I thought it was more a communication and socialization problem.
Sorry to hear about your son living with it, that must be a lot for you to contend with. Parents that give so much of their own energy and time to a situation like yours are on the other end of the scale - they deserve a lot of praise for all they do.

I hear what you are saying (or reading what you are writing). But I also think many folks want to blame the parents when they are really helpless in a large way (in some cases). There are both situations, of course. I have met those parents who are just in denial and it is heartbreaking.

We KNOW our boy lies constantly, so we can never believe anything he says, which is tragic in its own right. You are correct that it is a communication/socialization issue, but that is exactly what causes great frustration and sometimes violent outbursts from such children. Think of a frustrating conversation you have had with someone who just isn't on the same page as you and made you want to pull your hair out. Now multiply that by 10 and imagine having that EVERY DAY and I think maybe then we can start to understand what it may be like for these poor kids.

There are varying degrees, of course, which is why they call it the Autism Spectrum. My child is very high functioning. He is in mainstream classrooms, does OK with grade-appropriate work (B student), has kids he calls friends, etc.... as long as everything is calm and level. Add a bit of stress, sadness, excitement, or any other emotion that changes the balance and it is possible he'll lose his s***.

I know I'm so far off on a tangent here, so my apologies. Anyway, there is a movie that I found SO INTERESTING that touches a tad on autism from this angle. I know it is going to sound crazy, but The Accountant has glimpses in it that resonated with me. They do a pretty darned good job of demonstrating the frustrations of Ben Affleck's character as a child. The father's "solution" was quite an interesting one. Not terribly realistic but the idea is there. My child actually excels at martial arts, but he is way too sensitive to compete (meaning both emotionally and physically -- any kind of sensory input can be magnified in autism). And the character's regimented lifestyle to keep an even keel and his pattern of overstimulating himself each day in a controlled environment so he can function in public are other aspects that is fascinating to me and make alot of damned sense theoretically (although, again, probably unrealistic in practice).

The show The Good Doctor has been pretty good thus far, too. I think it was the 2nd episode where they showed his morning routine and how he has to have an alarm for EVERY little step so he can keep himself on track. That is 100% my son right there.

GB, sounds like you are fully involved with and love your son very much. Can't do better than that. I wish all parents had your attitude and good sense. Just keep going, keep the faith and try to find something that your son enjoys and is good at. Besides being brilliant in some particular field he could enjoy a satisfying and fulfilling life.

houdini1

berri said:

iPhone has too much bureaucracy requiring an Internet account and different passwords, etc. to make changes to it. The local Sprint store can't work on a problem or change because it has to go through the Apple site. Apple genius bars are far apart and usually require appointments. I think I'm going to move over to Android with the next phone. My kids have already done that and don't seem to have any interest in going back to an iPhone. Don't have lots of issues with my iPhone, but you never know down the road.

Someone needs to do for smart phones what Chromebooks did for laptops. Something simple that works.

fintail

Nice car. Not my first color choice, but it has endless style, and I like the wheels. I see it has HUD too. I assume he got it for at least 10% off MSRP, easy to deal as you work up the price ladder. Depreciation will be fierce, but what a way to go.

abacomike said:

That’s my brother’s new S Coupe.  Gorgeous vehicle - but for $135,000+ MSRP, it better be!

jmonroe

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I drive 85 on I-75 because 80% of the people do it and I like to keep up, but, I think it is too fast for most people.

I suspect if drivers were polled, 95% would say their driving skills at higher speeds far above the limit set by the professionals for that road were much better than average.

True...80% of drivers think they have above average skills. Think about that!

Yeah, and to think, us guys in here have to share the planet roads, with the rest of them. :@

jmonroe

driver100

berri said:

Well, the German myth got hit by diesel cheating. Now Subaru is admitting like Nissan to improper inspections along with Kobe steel, so the Japan Inc. is starting to get hit too. This might help Detroit in the long run (except for the Ford Fusion steering wheels).

If they are all caught cheating maybe the government will have to give VW back the money they were fined.

driver100

abacomike said:

Well, you know just by looking at it that is one classy looking car. I have said it before, and maybe it is just me, but, when a car gets that large, IMO, it should have 4 doors. I think the same way about a 2 door Bentley. Just a guess, but, I think some people think of a two door car as being sportier and more fun...that feeling of being a solitary man driving the ultimate sporty car....and I understand the emotions.....I just don't think it does an S Class justice...to end up as a 2 door. Resale is really hard on it too, just not much demand for a large 2 door luxury car.

graphicguy

pensfan83 said:

I'm in the Android camp and am happy with my Galaxy S7. I've had it a little over a year and have no immediate plans to upgrade. We usually hold onto our phones long enough to skip the even numbered models.

@graphicguy does your new phone have wireless charging capability? If so you can take advantage of the car's wireless charging pad.

I have a wireless charging case on my current iPhone. Charging pad in the TLX works great. The iPhone X has built in wireless charging....so no more bulky cases. That’ll be great!

I have 4,000+ songs I stream from my iPhone in the car. I have two mail accounts (one personal, one work). I subscribe to 4 podcasts I listen to via my iPhone. I use WAZE for traffic updates. It is my primary camera....a very good one, I might add. I stream news with my phone. I text on it. I use it as a GPS in rental cars. It keeps track of my calendar....business and personal.

Oh yeah....I make and receive calls with it, too.

It is an integral assistant in my business and private life.

It’s worth it to me to get the best one I can afford.

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I drive 85 on I-75 because 80% of the people do it and I like to keep up, but, I think it is too fast for most people.

I suspect if drivers were polled, 95% would say their driving skills at higher speeds far above the limit set by the professionals for that road were much better than average.

True...80% of drivers think they have above average skills. Think about that!

Yeah, and to think, us guys in here have to share the planet roads, with the rest of them. :@

jmonroe

The guys in here are in the top 1% I am sure....not wealth....driving ability.

This morning I made a left turn on the green arrow onto a two lane busy road, and I had to get into the right lane to turn right in about 50 yards. So I go from the left turn int o the left lane like I taught my students to do for years, and signalled to go into the right lane but of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

driver100

graphicguy said:

pensfan83 said:

I'm in the Android camp and am happy with my Galaxy S7. I've had it a little over a year and have no immediate plans to upgrade. We usually hold onto our phones long enough to skip the even numbered models.

@graphicguy does your new phone have wireless charging capability? If so you can take advantage of the car's wireless charging pad.

I have a wireless charging case on my current iPhone. Charging pad in the TLX works great. The iPhone X has built in wireless charging....so no more bulky cases. That’ll be great!

I have 4,000+ songs I stream from my iPhone in the car. I have two mail accounts (one personal, one work). I subscribe to 4 podcasts I listen to via my iPhone. I use WAZE for traffic updates. It is my primary camera....a very good one, I might add. I stream news with my phone. I text on it. I use it as a GPS in rental cars. It keeps track of my calendar....business and personal.

Oh yeah....I make and receive calls with it, too.

It is an integral assistant in my business and private life.

It’s worth it to me to get the best one I can afford.

GG, and you still find time to work?

jmonroe

abacomike said:

Hard to tell from the Burgh but that color looks a lot like my '15 Genny and I don't like it. Don't tell your brother or he might decide to get a wannabe, given the price difference.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I drive 85 on I-75 because 80% of the people do it and I like to keep up, but, I think it is too fast for most people.

I suspect if drivers were polled, 95% would say their driving skills at higher speeds far above the limit set by the professionals for that road were much better than average.

True...80% of drivers think they have above average skills. Think about that!

Yeah, and to think, us guys in here have to share the planet roads, with the rest of them. :@

jmonroe

The guys in here are in the top 1% I am sure....not wealth....driving ability.

This morning I made a left turn on the green arrow onto a two lane busy road, and I had to get into the right lane to turn right in about 50 yards. So I go from the left turn int o the left lane like I taught my students to do for years, and signalled to go into the right lane but of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

That's one of the most annoying lazy driver moves. Just plain stupid. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one who still turns into the closest lane and then moves to the right.

stickguy

GG, do you stream waze to the car somehow through bluetooth, onto the display screen? Or just use the phone separate from that with a holder? I have not tried it yet, but will use Carplay for Navi in the new car, but really wish I could use Google Maps instead of apple maps! Maybe one day Apple will at least let Waze be used.

I need to check google maps via bluetooth and see if I at least get the directions spoken through the car.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I drive 85 on I-75 because 80% of the people do it and I like to keep up, but, I think it is too fast for most people.

I suspect if drivers were polled, 95% would say their driving skills at higher speeds far above the limit set by the professionals for that road were much better than average.

True...80% of drivers think they have above average skills. Think about that!

Yeah, and to think, us guys in here have to share the planet roads, with the rest of them. :@

jmonroe

The guys in here are in the top 1% I am sure....not wealth....driving ability.

This morning I made a left turn on the green arrow onto a two lane busy road, and I had to get into the right lane to turn right in about 50 yards. So I go from the left turn int o the left lane like I taught my students to do for years, and signalled to go into the right lane but of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

That's one of the most annoying lazy driver moves. Just plain stupid. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one who still turns into the closest lane and then moves to the right.

And you had to do it in a school bus...that would be really annoying.

I have a turn like that back home and most people go directly into the right lane most of the time - I guess they know they will be turning right in a block or two. Unfortunately, I have to kind of go half and half so I can still go into the left and do a proper turn, but still block the right lane or they will block me from getting into it.

berri

If they are all caught cheating maybe the government will have to give VW back the money they were fined
Hahaha

stickguy

that ain't happening.

at least VW seems to have survived the ordeal financially intact. I just got a card in the mail today that Takata finally declared BK (I am surprised it too this long!) and there is some sort of class action or settlement. But if they are not making replacements any longer, not sure what is happening with cars that were not fixed yet. thankfully back in the summer I finally got the RDX taken care of.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - Thanks for opening up to us about your son.  Raising an autistic child even in today's day & age must be extremely difficult.  My oldest is 11 as well, and just dealing with him as a 6th grade middle schooler is a challenge itself.  I'm sure you & your wife are doing an excellent job.  

A teacher where I park my car at work has a 19 year old autistic son who is completely non-verbal.  

explorerx4

The government give the money back? What??
They will just fine the other companies too.

ab348

stickguy said:

GG, do you stream waze to the car somehow through bluetooth, onto the display screen? Or just use the phone separate from that with a holder? I have not tried it yet, but will use Carplay for Navi in the new car, but really wish I could use Google Maps instead of apple maps! Maybe one day Apple will at least let Waze be used.

I need to check google maps via bluetooth and see if I at least get the directions spoken through the car.

I need to figure all this out. It bothers me that I seem to have a mental block somehow with using Apple maps, Google maps on the iPad, and nav in general. I need a good tutorial. It's odd because I could always read a paper map and find my way, and prided myself in fact on my seemingly innate sense of direction and self-navigation when traveling to unknown places. But none of the stuff I've tried to use on the phone, pad or in the car is in any way intuitive for me. I just get confused and frustrated by it.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

In this state he would be charged with an improper turn because he didn't go into the closest lane first then signal a lane change. When my son took his driver training and then did ride alongs with the local police, I was reminded of a lot of things and that was one.

berri

Ohio, like Maryland, is a continual "get the driver" police environment.

stickguy

I have no problem with google maps on the phone. Use that all the time. Just not when driving. My issue is getting the instructions from the phone, into the car! I also refuse to use a phone mount.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

In this state he would be charged with an improper turn because he didn't go into the closest lane first then signal a lane change. When my son took his driver training and then did ride alongs with the local police, I was reminded of a lot of things and that was one.

Definitely, going into the closest lane is the correct procedure. Does anyone actually get charge for making an improper turn? btw....if I was turning left on a regualar green light, then a car coming from the opposite direction should be able to to turn right into his closest lane, the right one. If I was the guy turning right I would try to time it when it seems clear, as you never know which lane the guy making a left turn will go into.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

The government give the money back? What??
They will just fine the other companies too.

But if they all had to cheat in order to comply with regulations that are impossible to meet....doesn't that make that law kind of invalid. Or. do they just stop making cars until they can meet these unobtainable standards? Isn't this a case where the las is an [non-permissible content removed].

oldfarmer50

G

abacomike said:

That’s my brother’s new S Coupe.  Gorgeous vehicle - but for $135,000+ MSRP, it better be!</block quote

Very nice. At that price it better drive itself. Which S are they up to now, 500, 550, what?

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Well, you know just by looking at it that is one classy looking car. I have said it before, and maybe it is just me, but, when a car gets that large, IMO, it should have 4 doors. I think the same way about a 2 door Bentley. Just a guess, but, I think some people think of a two door car as being sportier and more fun...that feeling of being a solitary man driving the ultimate sporty car....and I understand the emotions.....I just don't think it does an S Class justice...to end up as a 2 door. Resale is really hard on it too, just not much demand for a large 2 door luxury car.

Think Coupe Deville.

stickguy

I agree that a car that big just works better as a 4 door. Even if the coupe still with kinda hidden rear doors. Just better proportioned I think. And certainly useful if you ever have passengers.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

I drive 85 on I-75 because 80% of the people do it and I like to keep up, but, I think it is too fast for most people.

I suspect if drivers were polled, 95% would say their driving skills at higher speeds far above the limit set by the professionals for that road were much better than average.

True...80% of drivers think they have above average skills. Think about that!

Yeah, and to think, us guys in here have to share the planet roads, with the rest of them. :@

jmonroe

The guys in here are in the top 1% I am sure....not wealth....driving ability.

This morning I made a left turn on the green arrow onto a two lane busy road, and I had to get into the right lane to turn right in about 50 yards. So I go from the left turn int o the left lane like I taught my students to do for years, and signalled to go into the right lane but of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

That's one of the most annoying lazy driver moves. Just plain stupid. I sometimes wonder if I'm the only one who still turns into the closest lane and then moves to the right.

And you had to do it in a school bus...that would be really annoying.

I have a turn like that back home and most people go directly into the right lane most of the time - I guess they know they will be turning right in a block or two. Unfortunately, I have to kind of go half and half so I can still go into the left and do a proper turn, but still block the right lane or they will block me from getting into it.

Don't get me started on school bus procedures. Since that was the rule we had to left turn into the closest lane. We were also required to drive in the right most lane so we had to get over. EVERY time some racer boy would be trying to pass on the right in my blind spot.

Did I mention that my blood pressure went down 30 points when I retired?

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

GG, do you stream waze to the car somehow through bluetooth, onto the display screen? Or just use the phone separate from that with a holder? I have not tried it yet, but will use Carplay for Navi in the new car, but really wish I could use Google Maps instead of apple maps! Maybe one day Apple will at least let Waze be used.

I need to check google maps via bluetooth and see if I at least get the directions spoken through the car.

I need to figure all this out. It bothers me that I seem to have a mental block somehow with using Apple maps, Google maps on the iPad, and nav in general. I need a good tutorial. It's odd because I could always read a paper map and find my way, and prided myself in fact on my seemingly innate sense of direction and self-navigation when traveling to unknown places. But none of the stuff I've tried to use on the phone, pad or in the car is in any way intuitive for me. I just get confused and frustrated by it.

Ditto.

stickguy

I just spent a couple hours yesterday reading all the manuals from the new car. A pretty simple model, and still a giant stack. pretty logical once you get the basics down. Just takes a little practice.

sda

stickguy said:

I just spent a couple hours yesterday reading all the manuals from the new car. A pretty simple model, and still a giant stack. pretty logical once you get the basics down. Just takes a little practice.

My wife would always laugh at me reading the manuals when I got a new car. She knew, like clock work what I'd be doing on the first night of ownership.

stickguy

I can't believe that everyone doesn't do it. Especially these days. how the heck do you figure out all the stuff it does otherwise?

suydam

They spend half an hour showing you everything and then say “If you forget anything just come back.” And I do!

jmonroe

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

In this state he would be charged with an improper turn because he didn't go into the closest lane first then signal a lane change. When my son took his driver training and then did ride alongs with the local police, I was reminded of a lot of things and that was one.

Definitely, going into the closest lane is the correct procedure. Does anyone actually get charge for making an improper turn? btw....if I was turning left on a regualar green light, then a car coming from the opposite direction should be able to to turn right into his closest lane, the right one. If I was the guy turning right I would try to time it when it seems clear, as you never know which lane the guy making a left turn will go into.

WOW, did you really just say that?

If that were allowed, there would be many many law suits against the state. What you are suggesting is that both drivers SHOULD be doing the correct thing but as we have already discussed that is not the case nor does it come close to being the norm.

Man am I glad you're not a traffic engineer.

jmonroe

stickguy

this time I spent about 3 minutes with the sales guy looking at the car. We had bought the week before, but it was a dealer trade, so he was just doing the delivery (mostly keeping me company waiting for the finance guy to free up). About the only thing he showed me I did not know about was a fold down cargo hook in the truck (can hang a bag from it that you don;t want rolling around.

He was actually from the mazda store next to the Hyundai place. Having the Sonata, with mostly the same controls/set up, I probably knew more about how everything worked than he did.

jmonroe

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

of course the guy in the black Camry behind me went directly into the right lane at full speed....fortunately I instinctively knew he would do that so I was able to move in front of him before he got too close....and then he swung back into the left lane to get around me on that side.....I am sure he thinks he is Stirling Moss but he doesn't have a clue about how to drive properly.

In this state he would be charged with an improper turn because he didn't go into the closest lane first then signal a lane change. When my son took his driver training and then did ride alongs with the local police, I was reminded of a lot of things and that was one.

I have a story about this. I don't think this will be too long.

When Son#1 was learning to drive, I taught him to make a left turn and stay in the far left lane if he was turning onto a road that had two lanes. We did this countless times as he was learning to drive and he was very good at it. In fact, he was pretty good at everything, almost a natural.

The week end before I took him for his test, I took him to the testing track and we walk the course like a lot of folks did back then. I pointed out that when he made his final left turn to head back to the last stop sign to finish the course, he should use his left turn signal, turn into the far left lane, put on his right turn signal on after a few seconds then move over into the right lane and be sure to turn off his turn signal. His response was, "Dad, I've done that hundreds of times. I know what to do"! I also pointed out a sign that said, "Keep Right Except to Pass". His response to that was, "OK I see the sign. I know what to do".

Well the DOPE didn't know what to do. He passed everything EXCEPT pulling over into the right lane after making the left turn and because of that he failed the test.

The next week when I took him for a retry, as he pulled up in line he saw the examiner that failed him walk towards the car and he said, "this otta be good". I got out of the car and said, "it damn well better be good this time because you're not coming back again for a month, at least, if this doesn't work today".

While he saw the examiner, the examiner did not see him until he was about to get into the car. The examiner then said, "whoa, I'm not allowed to test you again because I have already failed you". The examiner walks over to another examiner and my Son sees them talking. After about a minute the other examiner gets in the car, looks at his permit that has a FAILED stamp on it and says, "I understand that you are a pretty good driver but your reading/comprehension skills need improvement. Let's try this again. Let's go".

Fortunately, he passed on his second try.

BTW, I have a tale about when I took my driver's test. I'll tell that later. Don't worry, I passed the first time but there is an interesting story that happened at the very end of my test.

jmonroe

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Well, you know just by looking at it that is one classy looking car. I have said it before, and maybe it is just me, but, when a car gets that large, IMO, it should have 4 doors. I think the same way about a 2 door Bentley. Just a guess, but, I think some people think of a two door car as being sportier and more fun...that feeling of being a solitary man driving the ultimate sporty car....and I understand the emotions.....I just don't think it does an S Class justice...to end up as a 2 door. Resale is really hard on it too, just not much demand for a large 2 door luxury car.

Think Coupe Deville.

I once drove a Coup de Ville...it was a rental and I got some kind of upgrade for the same price. That was in the 80s and I felt like all I needed was a cigar, a cowboy hat, and cow horns on the hood.
It looked something like this'


I liked the more compact next edition......and I liked it more, something like this;


Compact Cadillacs make sense to me to be 2 doors if you want...but, a big Caddie should get 4 doors.