Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

And even Sandman checked in.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Drove home yesterday - 5+ hours. Did not hit any traffic and I was driving at 75 mph most of the way. Averaged 31+ mpg at that speed. Car responded beautifully. The weather was very cold in Ponte Vedra before I left yesterday morning - 48 degrees. Did most of the trip without air conditioning in the car - but as I approached Ft. Pierce, the temps climbed into the low 80's and I turned on the A/C. Right now, I have the terrace sliding glass door wide open and the windows open - weather is perfect - no humidity and in the upper 60's, heading for the upper 70's. We call it resort weather. Great to be home.

Are you near the shooting road rage incident near Miami? Road Rage near Miami

Winter Garden is no where near me.  

abacomike

I’m really worried abou fezo.  His health was improving the last two year, but the last few times he posted, he was experiencing some setbacks.  Does anyone have his contact info? 

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

So I’m the proud owner of a ten year old Sony 50” set for our playroom.   Like new with stand ..$75 craigslist find.

Safe, quick local transaction.  You can find some deals on CL.  
 
Certainly nothing like a new set but perfect for what I’m using it for.  

And you didn't get robbed or murdered buying off CL. That's a bonus.

Michaell

@fezo has been posting on FB. His health seems to be holding up.

qbrozen

breld said:

@nyccarguy - as for gaming consoles, my boys have both the PS4 and the Xbox One. There are a few titles that are exclusive to the Sony, like MLB The Show, but overall they seem to like the Xbox better. I think it mostly has to do with what their friends have, since they tend to play online with them quite a bit.

So, I have been a diehard PS fan since I got the original on release day. I now have a PS3 and xbox one. The reason I chose xbox for the newest system is because Sony angered me by not making the ps4 backwards compatible. However, if I was starting from scratch at this point, it would be ps4. My biggest gripe with xbox is the online component. I just don't want to pay a monthly fee. Sony was always free with their online platform. That is a huge plus.

oldfarmer50

carnaught said:

What ever happened to @fezo? Haven’t seen him on any of the boards in some time.

Wasn't he or a family member having health problems?

oldfarmer50

sandman_6472 said:

Think most folks are pretty good, it's those few that ruin it for the rest actually.
We have two Samsung's now and we love 'em. Samsung makes a good product which isn't super expensive. One can't go wrong with a Samsung product.
Love Florida this time of year as the humidity is down and the daytime highs stay in the high 70's. Prefer the mid 50's at night but that will come in a month or two with mid 60's to low 70's in the day...paradise actually. It's the months of April through October that I can live without here. Since I only plan to work through the end of 2018, when I'll be 64, hoping to move north a bit to get the four seasons. Think I'll be more than ready by then. Just wish I didn't care about pleasing my wife so much as I'd retire again next month if I could, I am just tired of working! But since she's taking on a new position starting next week, a six month full time one with Turbo Tax, have agreed to do one more year at Hertz. After that, all bets are off!

The Sandman

I think 10% of people do about 90% of the evil in the world so it looks worse than it is.

Funny how you're trying to get out of working and I'm looking to get back in. One option that's been offered to me is a car transporter job with Hertz in NY. Sounds like moving cars at the airport at night or possible longer trips during the day to reallocate units to different cities.

I'd probably prefer the latter.

After working there for some time would you recommend them as an employer?

stickguy

what about the local dealers, driving the service shuttle? Should be a piece of cake after doing the school bus!

cdnpinhead

Line haul (long trips) almost always pays better than local. Either way, I've paid attention to Sandman's situation over the years with some interest.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

what about the local dealers, driving the service shuttle? Should be a piece of cake after doing the school bus!

Oh there is no shortage of driving jobs if you're willing to work for peanuts. Transporter for dealerships (swap driver) or shuttles for colleges are available. Then there are the Medicabs taking people to doctors.

At that level there are a plethora of jobs.

Just have to decide which one fits my ambition level. I certainly don't need the money and with two semi-disabled people in the household I'm not bored.

iluvmysephia1

I just verified that Larson Toyota of Tacoma is taking the Toyota $2,000 cash incentive off and offering 0% financing, too, on the 2017 Yaris iA Chromium 6-speed stick. Makes it even more tempting to me.

That is a lot of small car for $14,634.

oldfarmer50

iluvmysephia1 said:

I just verified that Larson Toyota of Tacoma is taking the Toyota $2,000 cash incentive off and offering 0% financing, too, on the 2017 Yaris iA Chromium 6-speed stick. Makes it even more tempting to me.

That is a lot of small car for $14,634.

That sounds like a killer deal as long as your wife doesn't make you sleep in it.

nyccarguy

iluvmysephia1 said:

I just verified that Larson Toyota of Tacoma is taking the Toyota $2,000 cash incentive off and offering 0% financing, too, on the 2017 Yaris iA Chromium 6-speed stick. Makes it even more tempting to me.

That is a lot of small car for $14,634.

$2K plus 0% financing? nice! There's the extra money you want for your Soul! See if they'll use the $2000 to make it look like your trade-in is worth more!

abacomike

Was out walking this morning at the Boca Raton Town Center Mall and I noticed something different about the shopping deals and sales - there didn’t seem to be as many this year as there were last year.  In the last few years, every store had 25%-40% storewide sales in order to boost sales.  Not this year - at least not yet.  

With today being Cyber Monday, one would think anchor stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Saks, Sears, etc., would be doing everything they could to attract business.  Yesterday’s newspaper was thinner than usual which also surprised me.

Reports about Black Thursday/Friday sales were up substantially this year over last year and they expect internet sales  today to be 3%-4% higher than last year.  Maybe the economy is better and stronger than people think.

Strong auto sales have also helped strengthen the economy along with electronics (TV’s, Smart Phones, Tablets, etc.) sales up several notches.

The only stores where I’ve seen sales are at Target, Walmart and BestBuy.  The Walmart where I shop was jammed yesterday.

iluvmysephia1

Exactly, nyccarguy. I already was letting the idea creep back into my brain and now this. Besides, the car looks even cooler in Chromium. 

driver100

iluvmysephia1 said:

I just verified that Larson Toyota of Tacoma is taking the Toyota $2,000 cash incentive off and offering 0% financing, too, on the 2017 Yaris iA Chromium 6-speed stick. Makes it even more tempting to me.

That is a lot of small car for $14,634.

It's a great deal....but, that is the nature of advertising and special promotions. They make it sound like it is a one time thing and you better grab it while it is being offered. It is a great deal, depending on trade-in value and if Mrs iluv is on board........she must be getting worn down by now........but, it is still probably better to wait until probation is over and you pay the Soul down more.

iluvmysephia1

You're such a party pooper, driver100. She'll get over it. Really. 

And if I don't buy the iA and my job does the unthinkable and lets me go, I still have three more years of Soul-sucking payments.

Michaell

Let's start a list of pros and cons, shall we, @iluvmysephia1 ?

Pros:
2017's are getting thin on the ground; eventually, they will be gone
Trade in value of the Soul will only go down
0% financing and $2000 rebate are not forever

Cons:
Mrs. iluv isn't on board with the idea
You are still in your probationary period at work
Mrs. iluv isn't on board with the idea

I invite everyone to add to these lists ....

tjc78

@iluvmysephia1

Only you know if "she will get over it"

The "deal" is certainly solid, doesn't seem like the issue.

ab348

@Michaell , I think you left off the Cons list:

Just purchased new expensive snow tires for the Soul
Mrs. iluv isn't on board with the idea

carnaught

Add to the pros, iluv will eventually need a new replacement either way the probationary period ends. Add to the cons, Mrs. iluv isn't on board with the idea.

isellhondas

driver100 said:

isellhondas said:

fintail said:

Yep, people wanting a work car or a "beater with a heater". Took no time for my uncle to sell his LeSabre, but I guess it makes sense when a 65 year old guy is selling a white Buick with a mountain of records for under 2K. The buyer got a decent deal, I think.

I remember I listed my old MB W126 back in 2005 just to get a feeler, before the buyer committed to it. The responses were mystifying - instant lowballs, someone wanting me to deliver the car to them for a test drive (considerable distance), etc. I am glad the car went to an enthusiast owner who didn't hassle me after the sale.

stickguy said:

Fin, IMO CL is best used for cheaper cars that people can bring cash to pay for. A clean but well used $3K car is a quick sell. Something newer and expensive enough to probably require a loan are a much bigger hassle and harder sell.

Over the years I was asked maybe three of four times if I could drive a car to a customer's house and show a car or pick them up. Usually it was in Seattle of some distance away. I always gave them the same answer. I would tell them to take a taxi. I would tell them that if they bought a car that we would deduct the taxi charge.

Guess how many took me up on that? ZERO!

Because you are going to add the taxi charge to the price of the car.

You just had to say that, didn't you?

isellhondas

abacomike said:

I’m really worried abou fezo.  His health was improving the last two year, but the last few times he posted, he was experiencing some setbacks.  Does anyone have his contact info? 

I'm concerned about fezo too. Staying away this long isn't like him.

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

Let's start a list of pros and cons, shall we, @iluvmysephia1 ?

Pros:
2017's are getting thin on the ground; eventually, they will be gone
Trade in value of the Soul will only go down
0% financing and $2000 rebate are not forever

Cons:
Mrs. iluv isn't on board with the idea
You are still in your probationary period at work
Mrs. iluv isn't on board with the idea

I invite everyone to add to these lists ....

"Fine, then, Mr. iluvmyspehia1...go buy it!"

Translation: It's not fine.
Alternate Translation: "now let's see, what BIG THING can I buy to get even up?"

iluvmysephia1

She used a $10,000 diamond ring for that one, shifty. Oh yeah, we've run the gamut.

Oh, OK you guys, you twisted my arm. I'll go buy it this Wednesday.

abacomike

Whenever I used to say to myself that, "... my wife will get over it... " if and when I was about to buy something that she was dead set against, it always cost me more in the end - whether it be the silent treatment, sleeping in the guest room or on the sofa in the family room, my having to buy her something to "get over it" kind of present, or the arguments and stress my purchase(s) caused me and the whole family.

Now it must be remembered that every spouse is different - but when my wife said "no", even after many hours and days of my trying to present the facts and logic, it was no! I always remembered the costs involved in buying something without her agreeing to it - so in the latter years of my marriage prior to her untimely death at 48 years old, I would always ask her - and if she said no, I didn't even try to convince her of the benefits of the purchase - whether it be for a new car for her or me or the kids, a new TV, a redwood deck for a patio - no matter what - it remained no.

stickguy

I say wait until spring when you move. Soul much more useful for that. And Michael, I don’t think the value of the Kia will change much in that time.

So ride out the winter on your new snow tires, get resituated in a new house, then get new car.

roadburner

If I was going to risk causing a huge amount of marital discord over a vehicle purchase it would have to be something a LOT more outrageous than an iA. To make it worth enduring the spousal disapproval I'd be thinking GT350R/M2 at a minimum.
YMMV...

stickguy

By June, it will be used with close to 10k miles on it too. So a that point, would either get a “fresh” one new, or a used one for even less money if you wait.

I can see mrs Iluvs point though. With so many balls in the air in the next 6 months, and a car working fine with new snows, safer (and way less stressful) to hold off until you get your house, and job is permanent. Especially if you might move to a new work location too!

andres3

thebean said:

I haven't seen any posts from @andres3 lately. Did he get a bunch of speeding tickets and is now residing in the pokey?

No, just 2K+ posts behind on this thread. I have caught up on most of the others, but this is a case where a huge number of posts has kept me indecisive about what to do about it. I suppose I'll have to skip over some large number.

And I have received a speeding ticket lately, but as we all know, it is merely an allegation without substantiation until a conviction is reached in a Court of Law. County Seat was requested

I was going about 5 MPH over the 85th percentile where the speed limit is posted at 55 MPH (which is under the 85th percentile).

iluvmysephia1

Which equates ta you were doing "what" in a "what" zone, andres3?

andres3

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

thebean said:

I haven't seen any posts from @andres3 lately. Did he get a bunch of speeding tickets and is now residing in the pokey?

Funny, I was thinking about Andre today too. I think it was because of oldfarmers post that said "ignore"

I missed him when I posted about the State of Ohio DOT lowering speed limits to see if that reduces accidents. I also posted about Dayton firing up red light cameras again and speed cameras They see that as a way to fix their budget instead of spending less when they are failing as a city.

He hasn't logged on since November 16.

Ohio should just adopt a "copy Michigan" traffic policy. While not perfect, it seems clear to me they have some people in power there that "get it" regarding traffic laws and enforcement that actually benefits society.

andres3

iluvmysephia1 said:

Which equates ta you were doing "what" in a "what" zone, andres3?

70 MPH is the alleged speed of my vehicle.

I'll concede to 69.5 MPH tops.

Still, with the use of radar enforcement in a location where I already know and am familiar with the Traffic & Engineering Survey from many years ago, that shows the people in power ignore the 85th percentile, in my opinion that makes the "speed trap violation" the more egregious offense.

My defense will be to put the City on trial. Probably won't work, but it's worth a shot.

tjc78

CA doesn't have a "pay a fine, get no points" type of thing like NJ?

In NJ (at least it always was) if you went to court the prosecutor gave you a BS ticket, that carried a fine the same as your speeding ticket but didn't affect your driving record.

On another note, 70 in a 55 will usually yield a ticket in most places

andres3

tjc78 said:

CA doesn't have a "pay a fine, get no points" type of thing like NJ?

In NJ (at least it always was) if you went to court the prosecutor gave you a BS ticket, that carried a fine the same as your speeding ticket but didn't affect your driving record.

On another note, 70 in a 55 will usually yield a ticket in most places

No, in CA your only option to get rid of the "point" affecting insurance rates is to either do traffic school (only allowed once every 18 months), or beat the ticket.

I thought I had the Santee Sheriff's trained not to ticket safe motorists coming down this particular grade, but apparently they hired a young new hotshot rookie, who's out to save the world by writing a healthy amount of tickets to show he isn't as lazy as the veterans on the force.

I agree that 15 over will usually give someone enough reason to pull you over (although that is becoming questionable in CA). However, in this stretch of particular roadway, I know the limit is under-posted, and he probably should know that too. Not to mention the safety record is either 6 or 8 times better than the average roadway, so why the concentrated enforcement in this one section?

I think my request for the County Seat will be my biggest advantage. Santee Sheriff's are used to going into Rubber Stamp El Cajon Courthouse, but to meet me he'll have to make his way to Kearny Mesa, home of some reasonable judges/traffic referees.

imidazol97

I was at the Chevy store this morning getting my son's Cruze some new oil and an alignment. The salesman at the cubicle near where I hang out was working a deal that had come in by internet. That made me think of IluvmyScion and his ordeas here. The salesman was very carefully working up his numbers and his written responses to some things about options for what must have been a pick-em-up truck.

Later I was at the regional tire store getting the Michelins put on so the Cruze has sticky sneakers for the next 3 winters. The T&H Defender has a more winter-friendly tread rubber from what I can tell than the Defender did. I want speedy to be safer on his trips to work in ice and snow and to and from NW Columbus (OH). He has to go in and he's on call if something comes up in the off hours.

I'm expecting normal snow and icing this year since the last two years have been better than average. But no hurricanes sighted here yet so there is a slight advantage over Florida weather. LOL

driver100

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

isellhondas said:

fintail said:

Yep, people wanting a work car or a "beater with a heater". Took no time for my uncle to sell his LeSabre, but I guess it makes sense when a 65 year old guy is selling a white Buick with a mountain of records for under 2K. The buyer got a decent deal, I think.

I remember I listed my old MB W126 back in 2005 just to get a feeler, before the buyer committed to it. The responses were mystifying - instant lowballs, someone wanting me to deliver the car to them for a test drive (considerable distance), etc. I am glad the car went to an enthusiast owner who didn't hassle me after the sale.

stickguy said:

Fin, IMO CL is best used for cheaper cars that people can bring cash to pay for. A clean but well used $3K car is a quick sell. Something newer and expensive enough to probably require a loan are a much bigger hassle and harder sell.

Over the years I was asked maybe three of four times if I could drive a car to a customer's house and show a car or pick them up. Usually it was in Seattle of some distance away. I always gave them the same answer. I would tell them to take a taxi. I would tell them that if they bought a car that we would deduct the taxi charge.

Guess how many took me up on that? ZERO!

Because you are going to add the taxi charge to the price of the car.

You just had to say that, didn't you?

YUP

jmonroe

andres3 said:

tjc78 said:

CA doesn't have a "pay a fine, get no points" type of thing like NJ?

In NJ (at least it always was) if you went to court the prosecutor gave you a BS ticket, that carried a fine the same as your speeding ticket but didn't affect your driving record.

On another note, 70 in a 55 will usually yield a ticket in most places

No, in CA your only option to get rid of the "point" affecting insurance rates is to either do traffic school (only allowed once every 18 months), or beat the ticket.

I thought I had the Santee Sheriff's trained not to ticket safe motorists coming down this particular grade, but apparently they hired a young new hotshot rookie, who's out to save the world by writing a healthy amount of tickets to show he isn't as lazy as the veterans on the force.

I agree that 15 over will usually give someone enough reason to pull you over (although that is becoming questionable in CA). However, in this stretch of particular roadway, I know the limit is under-posted, and he probably should know that too. Not to mention the safety record is either 6 or 8 times better than the average roadway, so why the concentrated enforcement in this one section?

I think my request for the County Seat will be my biggest advantage. Santee Sheriff's are used to going into Rubber Stamp El Cajon Courthouse, but to meet me he'll have to make his way to Kearny Mesa, home of some reasonable judges/traffic referees.

In a previous post you mentioned that you were going to take the city to court and you even acknowledged that probably isn't going to work but you are willing to give it a shot anyway. I guess that's because you can't afford the points which brings with it higher insurance premiums. C'mon man, you know that ain't going to work so why not just slow down and avoid tickets altogether?

As for going 15 over the posted limit, yes, it will usually get you pulled over and you'll suffer the consequences that go with it unless you do it like my Son #1 did it. This shouldn't take up too much of anyone's time.

Two weeks ago today I went with Son #1 to do work at a Habitat for Humanity House that he volunteered me to do. OK, no problem I was glad to help. On the way to this place he tells me that he was taking Grandson #4 and a friend to a hockey game about a month previously and got a ticket on the road we were on.

Son #1: I gotta be sure to slow down when I get to this speed trap in about a mile. I don't want to get another ticket, if you can even call it that, I'll explain that later. They really patrol that stretch. The speed limit used to be 50 like it is right here but they now post it at 40 and to be honest the sign is in a spot where it is easily seen. There's no reason for the 40 MPH limit other than to collect some money.

Me: So, if you know about this speed trap, why were you speeding?

Son #1: I thought I knew where the cops sit along this stretch but that time the cop sat a little further back off the road and by the time I saw him he nailed me.

He then tells me his conversation with the cop.

Cop: Do you know how fast you were going back there?

Son #1: No, but I know I was doing more than 40.

Cop: More than 40 is an understatement. I know this is a nit-picking speed trap and if I pulled everyone over that went over 47 or 48 I'd have writer's cramp. I allow 59 through this area but you beat the hell out of that. You were doing 69 when I got you on my screen. I just can't let you slide with that speed.

Son #1: WOW, I didn't think this van ('16 Kia) was that smooth riding along a road like this but I'm not going to argue with you.

Cop: That's refreshing to hear because almost everyone I pull over argues and has tons of excuses. All of which I have heard dozens of times.

Son #1: Well, I know I was over the limit but I didn't know I was over your generous allowment. Can you help me out on this?

Cop: I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Since you aren't belligerent, I'm going to write this up at 46 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. You won't get any points, just a small fine. Wait for the township to send you the notice about what you owe. I'm not sure what it's going to be since I haven't written a ticket like this for a long time. So just wait for the notice.

Four days later he got a notice that said since the speed was not excessive, he was not going to be fined. Now that was pretty good of the township and VERY lenient on the cops part. You otta try Son #1's method sometime.

One more thing that I thought was pretty funny.

Grandson #4 tells his friend that this is the second time he was with his farther when he got a ticket. His friend said, "my father never got a ticket but my mother got 3 of them and my father got REALLY mad when she got the third one. She might be a relative back East that you didn't know you had.

jmonroe

andres3

jmonroe said:

andres3 said:

tjc78 said:

CA doesn't have a "pay a fine, get no points" type of thing like NJ?

In NJ (at least it always was) if you went to court the prosecutor gave you a BS ticket, that carried a fine the same as your speeding ticket but didn't affect your driving record.

On another note, 70 in a 55 will usually yield a ticket in most places

No, in CA your only option to get rid of the "point" affecting insurance rates is to either do traffic school (only allowed once every 18 months), or beat the ticket.

I thought I had the Santee Sheriff's trained not to ticket safe motorists coming down this particular grade, but apparently they hired a young new hotshot rookie, who's out to save the world by writing a healthy amount of tickets to show he isn't as lazy as the veterans on the force.

I agree that 15 over will usually give someone enough reason to pull you over (although that is becoming questionable in CA). However, in this stretch of particular roadway, I know the limit is under-posted, and he probably should know that too. Not to mention the safety record is either 6 or 8 times better than the average roadway, so why the concentrated enforcement in this one section?

I think my request for the County Seat will be my biggest advantage. Santee Sheriff's are used to going into Rubber Stamp El Cajon Courthouse, but to meet me he'll have to make his way to Kearny Mesa, home of some reasonable judges/traffic referees.

In a previous post you mentioned that you were going to take the city to court and you even acknowledged that probably isn't going to work but you are willing to give it a shot anyway. I guess that's because you can't afford the points which brings with it higher insurance premiums. C'mon man, you know that ain't going to work so why not just slow down and avoid tickets altogether?

As for going 15 over the posted limit, yes, it will usually get you pulled over and you'll suffer the consequences that go with it unless you do it like my Son #1 did it. This shouldn't take up too much of anyone's time.

Two weeks ago today I went with Son #1 to do work at a Habitat for Humanity House that he volunteered me to do. OK, no problem I was glad to help. On the way to this place he tells me that he was taking Grandson #4 and a friend to a hockey game about a month previously and got a ticket on the road we were on.

Son #1: I gotta be sure to slow down when I get to this speed trap in about a mile. I don't want to get another ticket, if you can even call it that, I'll explain that later. They really patrol that stretch. The speed limit used to be 50 like it is right here but they now post it at 40 and to be honest the sign is in a spot where it is easily seen. There's no reason for the 40 MPH limit other than to collect some money.

Me: So, if you know about this speed trap, why were you speeding?

Son #1: I thought I knew where the cops sit along this stretch but that time the cop sat a little further back off the road and by the time I saw him he nailed me.

He then tells me his conversation with the cop.

Cop: Do you know how fast you were going back there?

Son #1: No, but I know I was doing more than 40.

Cop: More than 40 is an understatement. I know this is a nit-picking speed trap and if I pulled everyone over that went over 47 or 48 I'd have writer's cramp. I allow 59 through this area but you beat the hell out of that. You were doing 69 when I got you on my screen. I just can't let you slide with that speed.

Son #1: WOW, I didn't think this van ('16 Kia) was that smooth riding along a road like this but I'm not going to argue with you.

Cop: That's refreshing to hear because almost everyone I pull over argues and has tons of excuses. All of which I have heard dozens of times.

Son #1: Well, I know I was over the limit but I didn't know I was over your generous allowment. Can you help me out on this?

Cop: I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Since you aren't belligerent, I'm going to write this up at 46 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. You won't get any points, just a small fine. Wait for the township to send you the notice about what you owe. I'm not sure what it's going to be since I haven't written a ticket like this for a long time. So just wait for the notice.

Four days later he got a notice that said since the speed was not excessive, he was not going to be fined. Now that was pretty good of the township and VERY lenient on the cops part. You otta try Son #1's method sometime.

One more thing that I thought was pretty funny.

Grandson #4 tells his friend that this is the second time he was with his farther when he got a ticket. His friend said, "my father never got a ticket but my mother got 3 of them and my father got REALLY mad when she got the third one. She might be a relative back East that you didn't know you had.

jmonroe

Going 69-70 was my version of "slowing down" to avoid a ticket. It just wasn't quite good enough for hot shot eager beaver rookie cop. Remember, I was barely over what the speed limit should be according to the engineering survey, so I was by no means over cooking it!

You have to realize that the speed limits have merely become suggestions in the State of CA. Or maybe I've just been lucky with the CHP lately, and unlucky with the Sheriff's.

Either way, I'm trying to get to work in the morning, I have places to go, places to be, things to do. Getting tickets while on the way to work? Yes, it sucks. Wish I could retire. I may find an alternate route to work that doesn't require skimming the edge of Santee.

andres3

jmonroe said:

andres3 said:

tjc78 said:

CA doesn't have a "pay a fine, get no points" type of thing like NJ?

Me: So, if you know about this speed trap, why were you speeding?

Son #1: I thought I knew where the cops sit along this stretch but that time the cop sat a little further back off the road and by the time I saw him he nailed me.

He then tells me his conversation with the cop.

Cop: Do you know how fast you were going back there?

Son #1: No, but I know I was doing more than 40.

Cop: More than 40 is an understatement. I know this is a nit-picking speed trap and if I pulled everyone over that went over 47 or 48 I'd have writer's cramp. I allow 59 through this area but you beat the hell out of that. You were doing 69 when I got you on my screen. I just can't let you slide with that speed.

Son #1: WOW, I didn't think this van ('16 Kia) was that smooth riding along a road like this but I'm not going to argue with you.

Cop: That's refreshing to hear because almost everyone I pull over argues and has tons of excuses. All of which I have heard dozens of times.

Son #1: Well, I know I was over the limit but I didn't know I was over your generous allowment. Can you help me out on this?

Cop: I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Since you aren't belligerent, I'm going to write this up at 46 MPH in a 40 MPH zone. You won't get any points, just a small fine. Wait for the township to send you the notice about what you owe. I'm not sure what it's going to be since I haven't written a ticket like this for a long time. So just wait for the notice.

Four days later he got a notice that said since the speed was not excessive, he was not going to be fined. Now that was pretty good of the township and VERY lenient on the cops part. You otta try Son #1's method sometime.

One more thing that I thought was pretty funny.

Grandson #4 tells his friend that this is the second time he was with his farther when he got a ticket. His friend said, "my father never got a ticket but my mother got 3 of them and my father got REALLY mad when she got the third one. She might be a relative back East that you didn't know you had.

jmonroe

Actually, I think the cop did say something to the effect of "I'm going to cut you a break and only write you up for 65 in a 55, which will lower the fine amount as compared to 15 over.

However, this doesn't work for me. Anything short of a "warning" is an all-out declaration of WAR to me.

I don't like being fined for driving perfectly safe. So I'll fight it even if he writes me for 60 in a 55. I don't think any amount over the limit results in reduced points. From 56-99 MPH it's the same 1-point violation, but I do think they have several fine amount increments. The fine is a pittance compared to insurance surcharges. Also keep in mind that 69 or 70 is a legal speed in CA. He should have to argue I was a hazard or danger in some way to prove the prima facie limit was exceeded at the location I was in at the time and date I was there.

I can afford the fine and insurance surcharges, but I'd rather avoid them, and fight them to the hilt. I dislike insurance companies as well.

To me, for this stretch of road, the citation is utter non-sense. And I would like to make the State continue the political theater and comedy in a Courtroom with the Officer present if they have to have their money so badly.
Lastly, I'll feel I did my good deed for the day in preventing any other poor souls from falling victim to this over-eager young law enforcement officer, at least for a couple hours while he's in court.

ab348

@andres3 , how much is that ticket going to cost?

andres3

ab348 said:

@andres3 , how much is that ticket going to cost?

Don't know yet, as I haven't received my courtesy notice yet.

Based on this website which is probably only ball park accurate:
https://www.myimprov.com/how-much-is-a-speeding-ticket-in-california/

I'm looking at about $234 instead of the usual $360 for 15+ over. That $360 figure seems about right based on previous experience.

Just when you think they've learned their lesson about not enforcing this stretch of road they come back in full force. The last time I was ticketed in this spot they didn't show up to the County Seat (but they also didn't respond to my Informal Discovery Request), which also led to a Motion to Compel Discovery, which the Court granted, and then led to them disobeying a Court Order signed by the Judge as they still didn't provide Discovery materials requested (which means I could ask for sanctions or dismissal in lieu of sanctions if they bothered to show up at trial).

andres3

By the way, I was driving the supposed to be cloaked white Kia when ticketed.

TTS has passed 19,000 miles; front brake pads shot after a track weekend, but in the early morning cold air session I was passing fast Porsche's.

I need to find a brake pad maker that'll custom fit me some pads that are a bit more durable to abuse.

Kia has crossed 14,000 miles and finally got close to 29 MPG again the last tank after 3 or 4 subpar tanks in a row.

VW has crossed 9,000 miles. There might be a problem where the heater is always on. Almost like the temperature dial is always 2 settings higher than it shows.

isellhondas

Talking about tickets, I just realized that I was in my 20's when I got my last "hard" ticket. I did manage to get one up her about ten years ago but I paid a fine and got it suspended.

However....from age 16 to about age 25 I think I got at least a dozen tickets. Some were beat in court because the cop
didn't show up! Better knock on wood I guess.

explorerx4

@iluvmysephia1,
Your wife is really excited about looking for a house.
Don't mess that up.
Save buying a new car until after that.
Drive the Soul through the winter, it won't be worth much less after that and you will have paid the loan down some more. Plus save a winter on your next car.

isellhondas

Your advice makes perfect sense!

stickguy

Explorer, you made my prior points in a much more concise and clear way. I agree 100%. Worst time to get the new car is going into heavy abuse (commute and weather) season, when the old one is just about bottomed out in market value. Let the Soul serve as the "winter beater" this year.

stickguy

my daughter's boyfriend is a local cop, so she now has one of the magic "family PBA" cards in her wallet. Though she would be afraid to use it, so would stick with her old standby. Cry. Hey, a cute 5'2" blond girl can usually pull that off. Though she is quite safe locally now, since she seems to know half the local police forces (and has many names to drop). Might not help her much in NC of course.

iluvmysephia1

Your wife is really excited about looking for a house.
Don't mess that up.
Save buying a new car until after that.
Drive the Soul through the winter, it won't be worth much less after that and you will have paid the loan down some more. Plus save a winter on your next car.

You guys are way too logical. It won't work with this hunt. Besides, remember the part where the mortgage loan officer said "I don't see a problem." Green light ta andres3 means a green light ta iluvmysephia1. Only in a different way. The house will be there and we'll get it. It will be a fine house. It must have a fenced yard for the pups, too.