Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

My Acura dealer had one. They had it for a couple of months, but eventually sold it for the sticker price. It wasn’t $156K, though. It was $120K something, though.

Is yours like this one?


I thought that was a pretty good price relatively speaking.

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright said:

I just read where a rutting moose in Alaska destroyed a Toyota Prius by butting it repeatedly. What can we learn from this?

A Moose will not tolerate a slow moving car that blocks its path during mating season.

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright

Well certainly he couldn't have been jealous of his rival's looks.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

So here is a quick story about driving aids... 

We took the kids to a members only event at the local Aquarium and we were done around lunch time.  I had to drop an old cable modem off at the Comcast store.   While there I decided to stop into Wegmans (Stick knows the center it’s in)... the place is pure bedlam.  I leave the wife and kids in the car and while walking into the place a brand new (and I must say gorgeous) white 5 series nearly hits me while standing to cross the street into the store.   Driver’s head buried in her phone while the car stopped itself.  She sat there stunned for a second then flipped me off.  Nice.  

Probably so clueless she figured you made the car stop. Idiots like that don't deserve nice cars.

imidazol97

It would be even more common if the vehicle were a Sienna or Odyssey and the driver had a "Baby on Board" sign in the window reminding YOU, the other driver, to drive carefully around the precious cargo while the driver holds the phone in one hand and drives with other while sitting turned sideways 30 deg to read phone easily.

nyccarguy

murphydog said:

So here is a quick story about driving aids... 

We took the kids to a members only event at the local Aquarium and we were done around lunch time.  I had to drop an old cable modem off at the Comcast store.   While there I decided to stop into Wegmans (Stick knows the center it’s in)... the place is pure bedlam.  I leave the wife and kids in the car and while walking into the place a brand new (and I must say gorgeous) white 5 series nearly hits me while standing to cross the street into the store.   Driver’s head buried in her phone while the car stopped itself.  She sat there stunned for a second then flipped me off.  Nice.  

That is the crazy part, 15 years ago you would have got a wave and an "I'm sorry". Not any more, usually I see a finger and more. Sad reflection of where we are going...

Agreed (for the most part)

stickguy

TJC< I try to avoid that center like the plague. Horrible access. Certainly not on a Saturday.

I would have fallen onto the hood and started screaming. If nothing else she would get a nice dent out of the deal!

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

I just read where a rutting moose in Alaska destroyed a Toyota Prius by butting it repeatedly. What can we learn from this?

Moose don't like Prius's either.

oldfarmer50

Can one of you Florida car experts help me out? In some ads a car s listed as salvage title and others say rebuilt. From what I can see if a car is flooded or wrecked beyond it's value it gets a salvage label but if it is repaired the title becomes rebuilt. Am I right?

These designations don't by themselves indicate if the damage was from flood or accident?

I don't think I would buy a totaled then repaired car regardless of cause but I was curious about the difference.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

I just read where a rutting moose in Alaska destroyed a Toyota Prius by butting it repeatedly. What can we learn from this?

That we will soon be getting a new Farmer's Insurance commerical.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I just read where a rutting moose in Alaska destroyed a Toyota Prius by butting it repeatedly. What can we learn from this?

That we will soon be getting a new Farmer's Insurance commerical.

There's already one with a moose.

houdini1

Mr_Shiftright said:

I just read where a rutting moose in Alaska destroyed a Toyota Prius by butting it repeatedly. What can we learn from this?

Mooses aren't very smart? Or maybe climate change deniers?

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

Can one of you Florida car experts help me out? In some ads a car s listed as salvage title and others say rebuilt. From what I can see if a car is flooded or wrecked beyond it's value it gets a salvage label but if it is repaired the title becomes rebuilt. Am I right?

These designations don't by themselves indicate if the damage was from flood or accident?

I don't think I would buy a totaled then repaired car regardless of cause but I was curious about the difference.

I am not sure of the difference but don't ever buy a car that was totaled and then repaired. The tolerances are such that the body has to be within 100ths of millimeters or it won't drive right......you can't put a totaled car back together properly. There are unscrupulous people who will do it, and they do it all the time...but, that car should never be put back on the road.

berri

Bullwinkle

stickguy

well, it depends on the reason for salvage. It can be on a cheaper car relatively minor (normal) damage. Or, a theft recovery. Not certain that whatever was done would compromise structural integrity.

abacomike

jmonroe said:

I just read where a rutting moose in Alaska destroyed a Toyota Prius by butting it repeatedly. What can we learn from this?

A Moose will not tolerate a slow moving car that blocks its path during mating season. jmonroe

I heard that Moose bulls have a crush on car exhausts pipes - at least that’s what Farmers Insurance advertises that they paid out a claim to have the Moose detached from the car’s exhaust - or was it a swing set?  My memory isn’t as good as it used to be.  

stickguy

moose ad was with a swing set. the other scenario sounds a little racy for network TV!

tjc78

driver100 said:

Can one of you Florida car experts help me out? In some ads a car s listed as salvage title and others say rebuilt. From what I can see if a car is flooded or wrecked beyond it's value it gets a salvage label but if it is repaired the title becomes rebuilt. Am I right? These designations don't by themselves indicate if the damage was from flood or accident? I don't think I would buy a totaled then repaired car regardless of cause but I was curious about the difference.

I am not sure of the difference but don't ever buy a car that was totaled and then repaired. The tolerances are such that the body has to be within 100ths of millimeters or it won't drive right......you can't put a totaled car back together properly. There are unscrupulous people who will do it, and they do it all the time...but, that car should never be put back on the road.

I wouldn’t buy a salvage car either, but I do disagree with being able to repair a vehicle properly.  

I had a car with significant frame damage and it was repaired properly and drove perfectly after the accident.   I put 50k miles on it and the service manager of the dealership I traded it ran it for years until he junked it.  

It it can be done.  

bwia

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

A Concord man was arrested in New Hampshire Saturday morning after officers caught him allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a Porsche on Interstate 95, police said.

Clifford Bates, 53, was charged with reckless driving, operating after suspension, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement.

An officer monitoring traffic from a State Police aircraft spotted Bates speeding while traveling southbound in Greenland around 8:30 a.m., according to the statement. The 2005 Porsche Boxster that Bates was driving was clocked in at 109 m.p.h. in a 65-m.p.h. speed zone, police said.

Bates was pulled over after he passed another state trooper.
When asked why he was speeding, Bates said he thought he was traveling 68 m.p.h. and said he “was just trying to get home,” according to police.

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

driver100

tjc78 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Can one of you Florida car experts help me out? In some ads a car s listed as salvage title and others say rebuilt. From what I can see if a car is flooded or wrecked beyond it's value it gets a salvage label but if it is repaired the title becomes rebuilt. Am I right?

These designations don't by themselves indicate if the damage was from flood or accident?

I don't think I would buy a totaled then repaired car regardless of cause but I was curious about the difference.

I am not sure of the difference but don't ever buy a car that was totaled and then repaired. The tolerances are such that the body has to be within 100ths of millimeters or it won't drive right......you can't put a totaled car back together properly. There are unscrupulous people who will do it, and they do it all the time...but, that car should never be put back on the road.

I wouldn’t buy a salvage car either, but I do disagree with being able to repair a vehicle properly.  

I had a car with significant frame damage and it was repaired properly and drove perfectly after the accident.   I put 50k miles on it and the service manager of the dealership I traded it ran it for years until he junked it.  

It it can be done.  




FYI
One of the most important safety features of your car is the one you can’t see – the car’s structure*. A car’s structure is the foundation on which the entire car is built; therefore your safety depends on it. Vehicles used to have a body-on-frame construction, which were built for durability; today most vehicles are built on an integrated unibody structure that is built for safety, but is not the most durable. This can be an issue because if a vehicle has been in a moderate to severe accident, its structure could be severely compromised.

Can I Buy a Vehicle with Repaired Structural Damage?

If you’re shopping for a used car, you want to make sure that the vehicle’s structure is sound. Vehicles with previous structural damage that are not properly repaired, in addition to causing other mechanical issues, often do not hold up as well in a subsequent accident. Be diligent about researching any used vehicle before buying.
**************************************************************************
This is from a Carfax website/ad but it is accurate. There is lots of information that shows it is hard to repair a car with structural damage. This one said it clearly and briefly.

COMPLETE EXPLANATION

mlevine

oldfarmer50,
I would stay away from a salvage or rebuilt car. I have also recommended to some co-workers about staying away from used or preowned cars. I am concerned with the resent flooding form the hurricanes and bad weather that some of these cars will get to car lots.

driver100

This is a real life example. Though a bit long for some to read, it is interesting and it explains the situation very well.


Our 2009 Honda Pilot was hit from the rear by another SUV that was probably going approx. 70 mph. Our vehicle was coming to a stop at the time that it was hit and we were probably going 20-30 mph. We have been told that our vehicle's frame had damage and that it has been repaired/straightened by a professional frame shop. Still, I am concerned about keeping the vehicle because we have 4 children and are constantly on the road. One of our children goes to school 2 hrs away, so we make frequent long-distance trips via interstate highway. I am wondering how safe the Pilot is should we keep it and then get into another wreck. How would the repaired frame hold up in another collision? Thanks.

It depends on who did the body repair and if it was done correctly.

The Honda Pilot doesn't have a traditional frame. But is a unibody construction. Which means the body construction is the frame. Unibody construction has what are called crush or crumple zones. These are areas built into the unibody that allows energy to be absorb in the event of an accident to protect the passengers. Once these crumple zones are used, there's no way to repair the unibody back to the point where the crumple zones will react exactly the same way in the event of the same type of accident.

The speeds you indicate is as if the Pilot was hit at a speed of 40-50 MPH. And I'm surpised the vehicle wasn't totalled.

If you want to make sure the vehicle is safe for you and your kids, take it to another body shop. And ask them to check for any collision damage because you're thinking about purchasing the vehicle.

COMPLETE STORY</a*********************************************

One thing I would ad. I would bet a lot of the cars sold on CS have had severe structural damage. I have seen cars literally mended with parts from another damaged car....almost glued together again. Not worth the risk!

roadburner

bwia said:

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

A Concord man was arrested in New Hampshire Saturday morning after officers caught him allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a Porsche on Interstate 95, police said.

Clifford Bates, 53, was charged with reckless driving, operating after suspension, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement.

An officer monitoring traffic from a State Police aircraft spotted Bates speeding while traveling southbound in Greenland around 8:30 a.m., according to the statement. The 2005 Porsche Boxster that Bates was driving was clocked in at 109 m.p.h. in a 65-m.p.h. speed zone, police said.

Bates was pulled over after he passed another state trooper.
When asked why he was speeding, Bates said he thought he was traveling 68 m.p.h. and said he “was just trying to get home,” according to police.

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

He deserved to get caught; due to the alcohol he missed seeing the timing marks that aircraft use to determine a target's speed. I once got caught the same way, but I was only going 80 in a 55. I wasn't drinking, however- just talking instead of watching for bogeys.

roadburner

roadburner said:

bwia said:

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

A Concord man was arrested in New Hampshire Saturday morning after officers caught him allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a Porsche on Interstate 95, police said.

Clifford Bates, 53, was charged with reckless driving, operating after suspension, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement.

An officer monitoring traffic from a State Police aircraft spotted Bates speeding while traveling southbound in Greenland around 8:30 a.m., according to the statement. The 2005 Porsche Boxster that Bates was driving was clocked in at 109 m.p.h. in a 65-m.p.h. speed zone, police said.

Bates was pulled over after he passed another state trooper.
When asked why he was speeding, Bates said he thought he was traveling 68 m.p.h. and said he “was just trying to get home,” according to police.

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

He deserved to get caught; due to the alcohol he missed seeing the timing marks that aircraft use to determine a target's speed. I once got caught the same way, but I was only going 80 in a 55. I wasn't drinking, however- just talking instead of watching for bogeys.

driver100

bwia said:

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

I can top that one....only in Florida!


Florida Woman on Horseback Charged With DUI
by ASSOCIATED PRESS

LAKELAND, Fla. — A Florida woman may have to pony up after police busted her for riding a horse down a busy highway while intoxicated.

Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Polk City woman for DUI on a horse in Lakeland, Florida.
Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested a Polk City woman for DUI on a horse in Lakeland, Florida. Polk County Sheriff's Office
Polk County police arrested 53-year-old Donna Byrne and charged her with drunk driving after multiple drivers called 911 to report a woman on a horse was hoofing it down the highway.

Polk County Sheriff's officials said in a news release that someone called 911 about a woman, who appeared confused and possibly in danger. When deputies arrived they found Byrne riding her horse in the road.

Officers did a sobriety test and said she gave breath samples that registered blood alcohol level of .161 — much higher than Florida's legal limit of .08.

ab348

Here's a local-to-me one. No word here on charges but I'm sure there must be some.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/driver-rescued-from-sinking-suv-in-lunenburg-county-1.4388012

"Just before 6 p.m., Lunenburg District RCMP saw the 2017 Volkswagen Tiguan driving at 130 km/h in a 70 km/h zone on Highway 3. When the officer turned to do a traffic stop, the SUV was no longer visible.

While patrolling the area, the officer was flagged down by people who said the SUV drove off the road and into the sea.

They located the vehicle about 20 metres from the shore.

RCMP said the officer and three people got into the waist-deep water and rescued the driver who was the only person in the vehicle, which appeared to be sinking."

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

well, it depends on the reason for salvage. It can be on a cheaper car relatively minor (normal) damage. Or, a theft recovery. Not certain that whatever was done would compromise structural integrity.

On an older car that's fully depreciated a small amount of cosmetic damage could total a car. What I was asking is what is the difference between a Salvage designations and a Rebuilt in Florida. I've never seen two types of title branding anywhere else.

Here's a few more Auto Show cars.

I actually sat in this one and it was horrible. I was sitting on the floor and my head was plastered against the ceiling. Terrible visability. No matter how much power or cool handling goodies, this is off my list. Mustang is like the Grand Marquis in comparison.




This one I would squeeze into if i had to use a shoehorn. Unfortunately this was one of the few cars at the show which was locked.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

well, it depends on the reason for salvage. It can be on a cheaper car relatively minor (normal) damage. Or, a theft recovery. Not certain that whatever was done would compromise structural integrity.

I actually sat in this one and it was horrible. I was sitting on the floor and my head was plastered against the ceiling. Terrible visability. No matter how much power or cool handling goodies, this is off my list. Mustang is like the Grand Marquis in comparison.

I test drove both the Mustang GT and Camaro SS and have the same opinion.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

A Concord man was arrested in New Hampshire Saturday morning after officers caught him allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a Porsche on Interstate 95, police said.

Clifford Bates, 53, was charged with reckless driving, operating after suspension, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement.

An officer monitoring traffic from a State Police aircraft spotted Bates speeding while traveling southbound in Greenland around 8:30 a.m., according to the statement. The 2005 Porsche Boxster that Bates was driving was clocked in at 109 m.p.h. in a 65-m.p.h. speed zone, police said.

Bates was pulled over after he passed another state trooper.
When asked why he was speeding, Bates said he thought he was traveling 68 m.p.h. and said he “was just trying to get home,” according to police.

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

If you're going to screw up, screw up big I always say.

abacomike

Just got a call from my son with some exciting news.  My grandson was pitching a varsity high school game and the press box was filled with division 1 & 2 college scouts and coaches.  His first pitch was clocked at 92 mph on the gun.  All of a sudden, the press box cleared and they all congregated behind home plate in the stands.  He threw 22 pitches averaging 90 mph.  He pitched his two innings and was put at first base.  He gets up to bat in the next inning and hits a 385 foot homer into left field.

When my grandson got home that evening, he had 6 voice mails from scouts and coaches which were forwarded to him by his high school coach.  Cal State San Bernardino invited him to visit their campus as did Doane University in Lincoln Nebraska.  Doane Univ. Is going to fly my son and grandson to Lincoln in the next few days and put them up at a hotel.  They are very interested in my grandson as both a pitcher and as a first baseman to play dual positions.

There are many other colleges and universities seriously considering him as are some major league teams.  Going to be a very exciting few months.  He is 6’3” tall and has slimmed down to 217 lbs.  More exciting news to follow! 

berri

I think the NFL antics and the last several world series has made baseball interesting again. Best of luck to him!

ab348

@oldfarmer50 , seems like most people have the same reaction to the poor visibility in the Camaro. I don't know what GM was thinking when thy released that design. Also if you open the trunk, whatever space it has is compromised by an opening that isn't much bigger than a shoebox. Perplexing.

That Corvette has a proper red interior. Amazing these days.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

A Concord man was arrested in New Hampshire Saturday morning after officers caught him allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a Porsche on Interstate 95, police said.

Clifford Bates, 53, was charged with reckless driving, operating after suspension, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement.

An officer monitoring traffic from a State Police aircraft spotted Bates speeding while traveling southbound in Greenland around 8:30 a.m., according to the statement. The 2005 Porsche Boxster that Bates was driving was clocked in at 109 m.p.h. in a 65-m.p.h. speed zone, police said.

Bates was pulled over after he passed another state trooper.
When asked why he was speeding, Bates said he thought he was traveling 68 m.p.h. and said he “was just trying to get home,” according to police.

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

If you're going to screw up, screw up big I always say.

abacomike said:

Just got a call from my son with some exciting news.  My grandson was pitching a varsity high school game and the press box was filled with division 1 & 2 college scouts and coaches.  His first pitch was clocked at 92 mph on the gun.  All of a sudden, the press box cleared and they all congregated behind home plate in the stands.  He threw 22 pitches averaging 90 mph.  He pitched his two innings and was put at first base.  He gets up to bat in the next inning and hits a 385 foot homer into left field.

When my grandson got home that evening, he had 6 voice mails from scouts and coaches which were forwarded to him by his high school coach.  Cal State San Bernardino invited him to visit their campus as did Doane University in Lincoln Nebraska.  Doane Univ. Is going to fly my son and grandson to Lincoln in the next few days and put them up at a hotel.  They are very interested in my grandson as both a pitcher and as a first baseman to play dual positions.

There are many other colleges and universities seriously considering him as are some major league teams.  Going to be a very exciting few months.  He is 6’3” tall and has slimmed down to 217 lbs.  More exciting news to follow! 

That's great Mike, you must be very proud.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

@oldfarmer50 , seems like most people have the same reaction to the poor visibility in the Camaro. I don't know what GM was thinking when thy released that design. Also if you open the trunk, whatever space it has is compromised by an opening that isn't much bigger than a shoebox. Perplexing.

That Corvette has a proper red interior. Amazing these days.

I liked your ATS as well. Seemed well proportioned but the interior seemed roomy. This one had nice white leather with the heat/cool function. I could see myself in this.

Mr_Shiftright

berri said:

Bullwinkle

I really miss Bullwinkle

driver100

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

well, it depends on the reason for salvage. It can be on a cheaper car relatively minor (normal) damage. Or, a theft recovery. Not certain that whatever was done would compromise structural integrity.

I actually sat in this one and it was horrible. I was sitting on the floor and my head was plastered against the ceiling. Terrible visability. No matter how much power or cool handling goodies, this is off my list. Mustang is like the Grand Marquis in comparison.

I test drove both the Mustang GT and Camaro SS and have the same opinion.

Some people are very self conscious and they don't want to be seen....maybe this is the market they were aiming for. When I see one of these Camaros the windows are usually tinted very dark...I don't know if I have ever seen an actual person driving one. Kind of the Nightrider effect.

Mr_Shiftright

oldfarmer50 said:

bwia said:

Howdy partners -- after a two month sabbatical I am back with an ice breaker.

Driving 109 m.p.h. in a 65-mph speed zone

A Concord man was arrested in New Hampshire Saturday morning after officers caught him allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a Porsche on Interstate 95, police said.

Clifford Bates, 53, was charged with reckless driving, operating after suspension, and having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, New Hampshire State Police said in a statement.

An officer monitoring traffic from a State Police aircraft spotted Bates speeding while traveling southbound in Greenland around 8:30 a.m., according to the statement. The 2005 Porsche Boxster that Bates was driving was clocked in at 109 m.p.h. in a 65-m.p.h. speed zone, police said.

Bates was pulled over after he passed another state trooper.
When asked why he was speeding, Bates said he thought he was traveling 68 m.p.h. and said he “was just trying to get home,” according to police.

Bates is scheduled to appear in Portsmouth Circuit Court on Dec. 18.

If you're going to screw up, screw up big I always say.

How much you wanna bet he'll be back on the road in two weeks.

driver100

Mike, how exciting. Keep us up to date on his progress.

I once had a friend at work who's last name was Marshall. He told me how his daughter was a fabulous singer and he would take her to bars and clubs so she could perform. I thought, yeh, sure, lots of kids are good singers, what are the chances she will make a living at it. One day he told me an exec from Sony music saw her and asked her to go to audition. To make a long story short....she became famous and sold millions of records.....it was..................Amanda Marshall.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

berri said:

Bullwinkle

I really miss Bullwinkle

Me too! And what was that squirrels name?

Mr_Shiftright

Mike, be a good grandpa and make sure they don't try to lure him out of college early. The history of young talented pitchers starting their MLB career too early is not encouraging.

houdini1

abacomike said:

Just got a call from my son with some exciting news.  My grandson was pitching a varsity high school game and the press box was filled with division 1 & 2 college scouts and coaches.  His first pitch was clocked at 92 mph on the gun.  All of a sudden, the press box cleared and they all congregated behind home plate in the stands.  He threw 22 pitches averaging 90 mph.  He pitched his two innings and was put at first base.  He gets up to bat in the next inning and hits a 385 foot homer into left field.

When my grandson got home that evening, he had 6 voice mails from scouts and coaches which were forwarded to him by his high school coach.  Cal State San Bernardino invited him to visit their campus as did Doane University in Lincoln Nebraska.  Doane Univ. Is going to fly my son and grandson to Lincoln in the next few days and put them up at a hotel.  They are very interested in my grandson as both a pitcher and as a first baseman to play dual positions.

There are many other colleges and universities seriously considering him as are some major league teams.  Going to be a very exciting few months.  He is 6’3” tall and has slimmed down to 217 lbs.  More exciting news to follow! 

Great news Mike. With the numbers you cited, your grandson certainly has major league talent ! I tried out with the Cardinals almost 60 years ago. Not enough speed and not enough arm...back to school !

stickguy

Rocket J. Squirrel (Rocky).

stickguy

Straw poll time. See what y'all do about replacing tires. As background, I worry about things going wrong, and I am cheap. So interesting dynamic!

RDX has original sneakers. Now 5.5 years old (date on tires was just a few months before I bought the car) with about 62 months use. Michelin Primacy MX4s, with 42K miles now.

had them checked, and they are all even at 4/32 (checked inner and outer tread). Tire guy noted some minor cracking at the base of the tread (I guess that is dry rot). I looked, does not seem severe.

We don't normally get much snow, but if we do get stuck having to drive in it, this will be the car that gets to do it. Only wild card is our Xmas trip to the north country (upstate NY, near OldFarmer). So never know what you get up there. But most years, something. Outside of that trip, have no plans to do anything with the car other than local running around. If it snows here, normally just stay home.

So question is, at what point does everyone preemptively swap out tires that still have life? I normally would do by 3/32 (never let them hit the wear bars at 2), and if it was spring time would let them go, but debating if should just fork over the money and do them early before end of December.

suydam

If you’re like me, you’ll stay with what you’ve got — and be buying new ones by midwinter.

abacomike

Mr_Shiftright said:

Mike, be a good grandpa and make sure they don't try to lure him out of college early. The history of young talented pitchers starting their MLB career too early is not encouraging.

Definitely!  We’ve talked about that frequently - his education is paramount to athletics right now.  In his senior year at college, decisions can be made.

What’s ideal in going to a small private college is small class sizes and less motivations to stray from his studies.  This college is south of Lincoln.  He says he wants to become a teacher - Doane provides a course of study in teaching and teacher certification.  

This is college is very expensive - $40,000+ per year.  They will probably offer him a 60% - 70% athletic scholarship, we hope.  They have already accepted him as an academic student.  Through his mother’s work, he gets $8,000+ scholarship based on his GPA.  Also, he has applied for financial assistance.  The college is very well endowed.

We expect he will be offered many more opportunities, God willing.

ab348

You're not going to get much winter grip at 4/32nds. If you are expecting to drive in any kind of snow I would replace them now.

28firefighter

New tires, @stickguy. No question. 

tjc78

@stickguy
Do it now, I’m sure you’ll replace that car in the next few years.  May as well get as much use out of the new tires while you still own it.  

I love Michelin’s, but as they age they do loose a bit of wet traction. 

abacomike

abacomike

First photo was the pitch he hit for the 385 foot homer.  The second was a pitch clocked at 91 mph.  Sorry about the duplicate third photo.