Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

abacomike

andres3 said:

jmonroe said:

Yes, they showed me the paper physically on a clipboard and after gave me a hard copy with my signature printed on it but that still creeped me out. Lots of potential for mischief. A nurse at a major local medical center was arrested recently for multiple identity thefts. I might trust the doc but who knows who's working in the office. Life is tough for dinosaurs.

Well I hope he enjoys his 3-year enlistment in the Marines.

Do you really think they'd want him? And if by some chance they accepted him (man, would I ever feel protected with that move), he'd probably never get his hooptie on the base, and another if by chance, he did it would be in a special section in the parking lot. jmonroe

In basic training you would never be allowed to have your car there, there is no need for it. Everywhere he goes he would either be walking or running. 

On a related note when I was about to get out of boot camp they cautioned us about getting on our cars and driving when we got home. 9 weeks of not even being in a car messes with your perception of speed and distance. My first day back I got in my car and got on the Interstate and got up to what I figured was 70 or so and was amazed at how fast everyone else was going as they zipped by me. That was until I looked at my speedometer and saw I was only doing 45.

It's amazing how fast skills deteriorate when not used. For example, after breaking my right arm some months ago, I pretty much have lost a ton of strength and flexibility in my right arm/elbow. If someone mugged me, I would be defending myself as a 1-armed man basically.

Let’s pray you don’t have to live through an assault!

abacomike

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

Temperature dipping to 32 tonight in Tampa area. We got the electric blanket out

We’re going into the mid to low 40’s with highs in the low 60’s.  This has been one of the coldest winters i’ve ever lived through here in south Florida.  My brother said they are having frost because they are going into the high 20’s tonight near Jacksonville.

Mike, hasn't been this cold....27 last night......in Tampa since 1981! But, back to normal by Saturday. I get it about fixed income investments too. You need a certain amount of income to pay everyday expenses, you can't risk that. If your pension and investment income are covering expenses....that money has to be preserved.

When I opened the verticals in my bedroom this morning at about 6:30 AM, the insides of my windows were covered in condensation.  Outside temp was 42 degrees.  For us in south Florida, that is very cold.  Indoor temp is 72, so no heat for me yet.

Wearing a sweatshirt and jeans when I go for my walk this morning.  That should be OK as it is supposed to climb to the 60’s later.

As for investment income, I don’t use any of that money for my monthly living expenses.  My pension and Social Security are more than enough to cover my nut and I still save money every month.

graphicguy

@driver....thanks for the vote of confidence on financials. But, I had my fair share of nail biting months where investments scared me. The one startup that was successful back in the mid ‘90s (which I was one of the founders) emboldened me to try others. Had another that was mildly successful. But, two of them bombed during the “dot com” bust. I was still raising my family at the time, so I wasn’t in as deep as others. Still got stung. That said, the two winners made that investment period lucrative, all things considered.

I was able to “flip” some real estate without having to go to the banks for a loan. So, I didn’t have the burden of the financial community as part of my real estate investments. The bad news, a couple of those properties I didn’t make any money on. The good news, I was in the Mid-West, where the real estate boom/bust wasn’t nearly as severe as other areas of the country. Again, all totaled, I was able to come out in the black during that period.

I still own some rentals (small 4 family units). Although, once they become more bother than their worth, I’ve got my money out of them. I’ll sell!

So, some good and some scary times. I got lucky a lot, too.

@venture .....don’t take advice from me on investing. I fired my advisor(s) long ago when I was able to easily outperform on my own, instead of paying him a commission during some lean investment times. I came out ahead charging in my own direction.

I hope the DOW does hit 30K. I just pulled out last week (except for a small amount I’ll mess with on stocks that catch my eye). The Fed is raising rates, again. In some areas (from what I hear of you guys in WA), real estate is becoming overheated, again. I think inflation will heat up. I believe in the next 18 mos, after the coroporate tax breaks are absorbed into business balance sheets, we will realize their effect was temporary.

We’re seeing the beginnings of the blue chips starting to falter (GE and P&G are just two of the biggest who are teetering right now). MAnufacturing is NEVER going to come back to the U.S. unless wages plummet to where they match wages overseas. That ain’t happening.

REstrictions on the financial and banking community have been loosened (for me, too much, too soon after the last financial re-depression). That always spells bad news, sooner or later.

Oil prices are creeping up, again. That affects trucking, transportation stocks, and a host of other industries. It will probably hasten the already break neck speed for electric and alternative fuels. Oil companies don’t seem to care. Their fall is going to be hard. And, that entire industry will look nothing like it does today in the next 10 years. Those stocks will plummet.

See, you got me started. I’ll keep the rest of my theories to myself.

Circling back to autos, I do think anyone who invests in electric vehicle infrastructure will have a very good investment, for a very long time.

oldfarmer50

sda said:

In NY we take pictures like that in July.

nyccarguy

@graphicguy

I'm far from a financial wizard, but I didn't like the DOW at 17,000 and I sure DON'T like it at 26,000. It shot up something like 5,000 points LAST YEAR alone. It has to stop at some point. Until it corrects itself, I'm afraid to leap in. The NASDAQ was up over 7,000. It was up over 5,000 before the dot com bubble and took 17 years to get back to it, then 2,000 points in a 2 year period. Something's going to happen.

I remember before the dot com bubble burst when you could basically throw darts at wall and whatever you would hit would go up.

fintail

Yeah, real estate here is off the hook. Average income to price ratios don't support it - it is hugely driven by transplants, and by sketchy offshore money (so much for "vetting" and other garbage vomited up by the authoritarians). Of course, nobody wants to talk about that here. We are Vancouver Part II.

I smell inflation on the horizon, and all it will take is a relatively modest increase in oil/gasoline prices to cancel out any benefit given to average consumers via the ill-advised new tax plan. We might be in 1927-28 right now.

graphicguy said:

@

I hope the DOW does hit 30K. I just pulled out last week (except for a small amount I’ll mess with on stocks that catch my eye). The Fed is raising rates, again. In some areas (from what I hear of you guys in WA), real estate is becoming overheated, again. I think inflation will heat up. I believe in the next 18 mos, after the coroporate tax breaks are absorbed into business balance sheets, we will realize their effect was temporary.

Oil prices are creeping up, again. That affects trucking, transportation stocks, and a host of other industries. It will probably hasten the already break neck speed for electric and alternative fuels. Oil companies don’t seem to care. Their fall is going to be hard. And, that entire industry will look nothing like it does today in the next 10 years. Those stocks will plummet.

See, you got me started. I’ll keep the rest of my theories to myself.

Circling back to autos, I do think anyone who invests in electric vehicle infrastructure will have a very good investment, for a very long time.

houdini1

jmonroe said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

bwia said:

Perhaps Ghana is not known for its affluence and car culture but I was awestruck by the number of high end luxury automobiles at the parking lot at the Accra Polo Club. To the best of my knowledge, Ghana is not an oil producing state but that opulent lifestyle rivals even the oil barons on Banana Island in neighboring Nigeria.

That is probably foreign aid money at work.

Surprising how many luxury cars you see in St Petersburg Russia....I would say 1/3, the rest are Ladas. Corrupt governments make sure they pay themselves first and well (probably almost all government).

Foreign aid--Where the poor people in a rich country send money to the rich people in a poor country.

Not to change the subject but I almost had a good deal for you on a battery powered snow blower:

As I was whisking away about 4 inches of snow from my driveway this morning with my Sears 22 inch 3 HP gas powered snow blower (20 years old), my across the street neighbor came over and said, "for years I have watched you use that thing so I finally decided to get a snow blower but mine doesn't seem to be as powerful as yours. Mine is a brand new 40 volt electric job and so far I'm not too pleased with it". I asked him what was wrong with it and he said it didn't throw the snow as far as mine. I asked him if he adjusted the chute properly and he said he played with it several times and it's adjusted as best as he could get it. I then asked him if he waxed the chute. I got one of the "huh" looks. I told him to wait a minute and I went into my garage and got my can of silicon spray. That improved the operation but still not as good as what my old beauty does. I told him to keep the can which was about 1/3 full and he offered to buy it. I told him I had 2 more unopened cans in my garage so, "don't worry about it".

I think he said he paid around 500 bucks for it and at one point during his frustration he said, "for 5 bucks I'd sell this thing". I offered him 10 if he threw in my used can of silicon spray and he gave me one of those looks then said, "I'll bet you would too". :@

I tried but I think that deal is dead but if he changes his mind I'll have a slightly used, almost powerful enough, 40 volt snow blower that I can sell to my poster buddy for only 200 bucks.

jmonroe

LOL. Throw in a couple of cans of that silicone and I would be interested. Let me know when you can bring it down.

Mr_Shiftright

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

I think it's called "corona" or "visual halo"--anyway, this is what I was referring to:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/corfog.html

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

@graphicguy

I'm far from a financial wizard, but I didn't like the DOW at 17,000 and I sure DON'T like it at 26,000. It shot up something like 5,000 points LAST YEAR alone. It has to stop at some point. Until it corrects itself, I'm afraid to leap in. The NASDAQ was up over 7,000. It was up over 5,000 before the dot com bubble and took 17 years to get back to it, then 2,000 points in a 2 year period. Something's going to happen.

I remember before the dot com bubble burst when you could basically throw darts at wall and whatever you would hit would go up.

"everyone is a genius in a bull market".

suydam

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

It is called a corona or ocular halo effect. I had them both before and after my cataract surgery, but they are smaller after. I do not do much night driving.

imidazol97

suydam said:

It is called a corona or ocular halo effect. I had them both before and after my cataract surgery, but they are smaller after. I do not do much night driving.

I'm glad to see you mention that you have the coronas after the new lenses were in place. I've had that with mine. BUT I don't have the hazing effect from light clouding my vision.

The effects of the cataracts crept slowly into my vision and I didn't realize how bad it was getting. Then it was like getting a new television with the best colors and replacing an old worn out Sony tube TV from the 60s when the new lenses went in. Now if only they could do similar miracles with hearing...

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

nyccarguy said:

@graphicguy

I'm far from a financial wizard, but I didn't like the DOW at 17,000 and I sure DON'T like it at 26,000. It shot up something like 5,000 points LAST YEAR alone. It has to stop at some point. Until it corrects itself, I'm afraid to leap in. The NASDAQ was up over 7,000. It was up over 5,000 before the dot com bubble and took 17 years to get back to it, then 2,000 points in a 2 year period. Something's going to happen.

I remember before the dot com bubble burst when you could basically throw darts at wall and whatever you would hit would go up.

"everyone is a genius in a bull market".

Ain’t that the truth!!!!!!

stickguy

I’ve noticed too that I don’t see as well after a few Coronas. Or stand...

Mr_Shiftright

The corona effect is very annoying because it blurs distinct lines around things, of course. The trick is, as you age, to adjust your driving accordingly. This requires a bit of humility but nothing wrong with that.

One trick I've learned is yoga! How's that? Well, there are these body twisting exercises that keep you more limber when looking to the extreme left or right. It really helps!

I'd love to see some better-developed night vision technology in cars.

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright said:

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

I think it's called "corona" or "visual halo"--anyway, this is what I was referring to:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/corfog.html

Spoken like a knowledgeable ophthalmologist. Do you provide discounts to Edmunds contributors to this forum to remove a cataract from a left eye?

jmonroe

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

bwia said:

Perhaps Ghana is not known for its affluence and car culture but I was awestruck by the number of high end luxury automobiles at the parking lot at the Accra Polo Club. To the best of my knowledge, Ghana is not an oil producing state but that opulent lifestyle rivals even the oil barons on Banana Island in neighboring Nigeria.

That is probably foreign aid money at work.

Surprising how many luxury cars you see in St Petersburg Russia....I would say 1/3, the rest are Ladas. Corrupt governments make sure they pay themselves first and well (probably almost all government).

Foreign aid--Where the poor people in a rich country send money to the rich people in a poor country.

Not to change the subject but I almost had a good deal for you on a battery powered snow blower:

As I was whisking away about 4 inches of snow from my driveway this morning with my Sears 22 inch 3 HP gas powered snow blower (20 years old), my across the street neighbor came over and said, "for years I have watched you use that thing so I finally decided to get a snow blower but mine doesn't seem to be as powerful as yours. Mine is a brand new 40 volt electric job and so far I'm not too pleased with it". I asked him what was wrong with it and he said it didn't throw the snow as far as mine. I asked him if he adjusted the chute properly and he said he played with it several times and it's adjusted as best as he could get it. I then asked him if he waxed the chute. I got one of the "huh" looks. I told him to wait a minute and I went into my garage and got my can of silicon spray. That improved the operation but still not as good as what my old beauty does. I told him to keep the can which was about 1/3 full and he offered to buy it. I told him I had 2 more unopened cans in my garage so, "don't worry about it".

I think he said he paid around 500 bucks for it and at one point during his frustration he said, "for 5 bucks I'd sell this thing". I offered him 10 if he threw in my used can of silicon spray and he gave me one of those looks then said, "I'll bet you would too". :@

I tried but I think that deal is dead but if he changes his mind I'll have a slightly used, almost powerful enough, 40 volt snow blower that I can sell to my poster buddy for only 200 bucks.

jmonroe

LOL. Throw in a couple of cans of that silicone and I would be interested. Let me know when you can bring it down.

Can you believe this guy? Now he wants delivery, next he'll want to test drive my Genny when I get there. :@

jmonroe

jmonroe

imidazol97 said:

suydam said:

It is called a corona or ocular halo effect. I had them both before and after my cataract surgery, but they are smaller after. I do not do much night driving.

I'm glad to see you mention that you have the coronas after the new lenses were in place. I've had that with mine. BUT I don't have the hazing effect from light clouding my vision.

The effects of the cataracts crept slowly into my vision and I didn't realize how bad it was getting. Then it was like getting a new television with the best colors and replacing an old worn out Sony tube TV from the 60s when the new lenses went in. Now if only they could do similar miracles with hearing...

HUH?

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

I think it's called "corona" or "visual halo"--anyway, this is what I was referring to:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/corfog.html

Spoken like a knowledgeable ophthalmologist. Do you provide discounts to Edmunds contributors to this forum to remove a cataract from a left eye?

jmonroe

Having replaced the clutch on a Mini Cooper, I regard eye surgery as relatively easy and straightforward. Each surgery carries the famous Shiftright "Driveway + 50 Feet" guarantee.

abacomike

Today on the way home from the mall, I decided to put the transmission into "SPORT" mode for the first time. The change in the ride, handling, steering and performance were truly remarkable - much more so than when I would put it into sport mode in the BMW or any of my previous Mercedes Benz vehicles.

The first thing I noticed was the steering - it became taut and firm. Next, I noticed the change in the ride - no longer smooth and subtle - more like the BMW rode in what they called Sport+ - firm and responsive. The next thing I noticed was the power curve - right from the light it took off like a rocket, changing gears much more slowly and holding the lower gears longer. Finally, when I got on the Turnpike, I noticed that it did not shift into 8th or 9th gears when cruising at 70 mph. It held in 7th gear for the ride home and was super responsive to my pressure on the accelerator.

This is the very first car I have ever driven that had comfort, economy and sport modes for the transmission that I actually noticed a substantial difference in the car's performance/handling/steering.

andres3

fintail said:

Yeah, real estate here is off the hook. Average income to price ratios don't support it - it is hugely driven by transplants, and by sketchy offshore money (so much for "vetting" and other garbage vomited up by the authoritarians). Of course, nobody wants to talk about that here. We are Vancouver Part II.

I smell inflation on the horizon, and all it will take is a relatively modest increase in oil/gasoline prices to cancel out any benefit given to average consumers via the ill-advised new tax plan. We might be in 1927-28 right now.

graphicguy said:

@

I hope the DOW does hit 30K. I just pulled out last week (except for a small amount I’ll mess with on stocks that catch my eye). The Fed is raising rates, again. In some areas (from what I hear of you guys in WA), real estate is becoming overheated, again. I think inflation will heat up. I believe in the next 18 mos, after the coroporate tax breaks are absorbed into business balance sheets, we will realize their effect was temporary.

Oil prices are creeping up, again. That affects trucking, transportation stocks, and a host of other industries. It will probably hasten the already break neck speed for electric and alternative fuels. Oil companies don’t seem to care. Their fall is going to be hard. And, that entire industry will look nothing like it does today in the next 10 years. Those stocks will plummet.

See, you got me started. I’ll keep the rest of my theories to myself.

Circling back to autos, I do think anyone who invests in electric vehicle infrastructure will have a very good investment, for a very long time.

That's a pretty pessimistic doomsday outlook.

Should I just take all of my retirement accounts and put them into Bitcoin now? How about gold?

I suppose I'm far enough from retirement that I can handle another depression recession. I have a locked in 27+ years left on my below 4% home loan. High interest rates mean depressed housing prices though.

Anyone want to do the math on how much a half million dollar home value at 3.75% is valued if the loan rate is only doubled?

houdini1

jmonroe said:

imidazol97 said:

suydam said:

It is called a corona or ocular halo effect. I had them both before and after my cataract surgery, but they are smaller after. I do not do much night driving.

I'm glad to see you mention that you have the coronas after the new lenses were in place. I've had that with mine. BUT I don't have the hazing effect from light clouding my vision.

The effects of the cataracts crept slowly into my vision and I didn't realize how bad it was getting. Then it was like getting a new television with the best colors and replacing an old worn out Sony tube TV from the 60s when the new lenses went in. Now if only they could do similar miracles with hearing...

HUH?

jmonroe

I was playing golf last fall and one of the guys said, "It sure is Windy", the other guy said, "No, I think it is Thursday". I chimed in with "Me too", let's go get a beer". So it goes.

andres3

abacomike said:

Today on the way home from the mall, I decided to put the transmission into "SPORT" mode for the first time. The change in the ride, handling, steering and performance were truly remarkable - much more so than when I would put it into sport mode in the BMW or any of my previous Mercedes Benz vehicles.

The first thing I noticed was the steering - it became taut and firm. Next, I noticed the change in the ride - no longer smooth and subtle - more like the BMW rode in what they called Sport+ - firm and responsive. The next thing I noticed was the power curve - right from the light it took off like a rocket, changing gears much more slowly and holding the lower gears longer. Finally, when I got on the Turnpike, I noticed that it did not shift into 8th or 9th gears when cruising at 70 mph. It held in 7th gear for the ride home and was super responsive to my pressure on the accelerator.

This is the very first car I have ever driven that had comfort, economy and sport modes for the transmission that I actually noticed a substantial difference in the car's performance/handling/steering.

That surprises me that your previous BMW's and MB's didn't have truly different personalities in "sport" modes until 2017/18.

I suppose slush-box automatic transmissions have improved. You can pick up a 12 year old Audi A3 with DSG and see a car's personality change from just the switch to "S-mode" on the transmission. I believe it included engine, throttle, exhaust and transmission shifting program changes.

In the S4 from 2014 they added steering tightness variability and launch control to all of the above.

In the TTS from 2016 they added adaptable damping suspension to all of the above, including a faster idle speed (and enhanced engine/exhaust notes - albeit some might be produced electronically through the speakers).

Launch control, when used correctly, could make you a formidable stop-light racing opponent.

roadburner

abacomike said:

Today on the way home from the mall, I decided to put the transmission into "SPORT" mode for the first time. The change in the ride, handling, steering and performance were truly remarkable - much more so than when I would put it into sport mode in the BMW or any of my previous Mercedes Benz vehicles.

The first thing I noticed was the steering - it became taut and firm. Next, I noticed the change in the ride - no longer smooth and subtle - more like the BMW rode in what they called Sport+ - firm and responsive. The next thing I noticed was the power curve - right from the light it took off like a rocket, changing gears much more slowly and holding the lower gears longer. Finally, when I got on the Turnpike, I noticed that it did not shift into 8th or 9th gears when cruising at 70 mph. It held in 7th gear for the ride home and was super responsive to my pressure on the accelerator.

This is the very first car I have ever driven that had comfort, economy and sport modes for the transmission that I actually noticed a substantial difference in the car's performance/handling/steering.

Just wondering, but when you engaged the Sport modes on your 7 Series did you also move the shift lever into the Sport gate(over to the left)? That's what really puts the autobox in assault mode.

nyccarguy

@abacomike

I used to LOVE (DS) Sport Mode on my former 2011 BMW 328xi. It didnt change any of the suspension settings, but did make the car accelerate and shift much more aggressively and higher up in the rev range. What I didn't like was the fact that it locked out 6th gear. So Instead of leaving it in DS on the highway, I'd always nudge the shifter back into D.

Now (DS) on my Infiniti is everything it was on the BMW, only better. It holds upshifts until the redline (or whenever I lift off the gas pedal), it blips the throttle when it downshifts, and it will go all the way to 7th gear on the highway. The Q40's acceleration goes from strong to ferocious.

Captain America: "Dr. Banner. Now might be a really good time for you to get angry."

Bruce Banner: "That's my secret Cap. I'm always angry."

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright said:

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

I think it's called "corona" or "visual halo"--anyway, this is what I was referring to:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/corfog.html

Spoken like a knowledgeable ophthalmologist. Do you provide discounts to Edmunds contributors to this forum to remove a cataract from a left eye?

jmonroe

Having replaced the clutch on a Mini Cooper, I regard eye surgery as relatively easy and straightforward. Each surgery carries the famous Shiftright "Driveway + 50 Feet" guarantee.

Gee, I'm not feeling too confident with that guarantee.

Before I get back to you I want to try your yoga thingy first.

jmonroe

abacomike

roadburner said:

Today on the way home from the mall, I decided to put the transmission into "SPORT" mode for the first time. The change in the ride, handling, steering and performance were truly remarkable - much more so than when I would put it into sport mode in the BMW or any of my previous Mercedes Benz vehicles. The first thing I noticed was the steering - it became taut and firm. Next, I noticed the change in the ride - no longer smooth and subtle - more like the BMW rode in what they called Sport+ - firm and responsive. The next thing I noticed was the power curve - right from the light it took off like a rocket, changing gears much more slowly and holding the lower gears longer. Finally, when I got on the Turnpike, I noticed that it did not shift into 8th or 9th gears when cruising at 70 mph. It held in 7th gear for the ride home and was super responsive to my pressure on the accelerator. This is the very first car I have ever driven that had comfort, economy and sport modes for the transmission that I actually noticed a substantial difference in the car's performance/handling/steering.

Just wondering, but when you engaged the Sport modes on your 7 Series did you also move the shift lever into the Sport gate(over to the left)? That's what really puts the autobox in assault mode.

No I did’t, RB.  Just pressed the sport mode twice for sport +.  When I select sport mode on the S450, everything changes.  It’s like driving a totally different car.

jmonroe

houdini1 said:

jmonroe said:

imidazol97 said:

suydam said:

It is called a corona or ocular halo effect. I had them both before and after my cataract surgery, but they are smaller after. I do not do much night driving.

I'm glad to see you mention that you have the coronas after the new lenses were in place. I've had that with mine. BUT I don't have the hazing effect from light clouding my vision.

The effects of the cataracts crept slowly into my vision and I didn't realize how bad it was getting. Then it was like getting a new television with the best colors and replacing an old worn out Sony tube TV from the 60s when the new lenses went in. Now if only they could do similar miracles with hearing...

HUH?

jmonroe

I was playing golf last fall and one of the guys said, "It sure is Windy", the other guy said, "No, I think it is Thursday". I chimed in with "Me too", let's go get a beer". So it goes.

With a suggestion like that you probably got some takers from the adjacent fairway.

jmonroe

venture

suydam said:

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

It is called a corona or ocular halo effect. I had them both before and after my cataract surgery, but they are smaller after. I do not do much night driving.

Yeah. I had them too. Much, much better now.

I was looking at the corona effect from an engineering standpoint where it is an electrical discharge. A cornea effect as when the fluid thickens and blurs vision. I can't help it.

dino001

I drive my 430 mostly on "Comfort" mode. Change to "Sport" is rather subtle, but noticeable. "Sport+" is truly "a different car", even though it doesn't change the suspension (I don't have adaptable suspension). It turns off the traction control (or rises its threshold).

There is also "Eco" (or whatever) mode, which makes the car really latent and lazy. I quite dislike that mode. It also messes up with the the AC system.

fintail

History may not repeat, but it can rhyme, or some other cliche. I won't touch Bitcoin, but that's just me, I am not the best risk-taker out there.

If you are locked in, you have nothing to worry about. If you're not going to sell, you have nothing to worry about. Back in the day of high rates, one could easily get houses in decent areas around here for 3x average income, maybe even a little less. Today they are 10x or more. I'd take the high rates over insanely high prices.

andres3 said:

That's a pretty pessimistic doomsday outlook.

Should I just take all of my retirement accounts and put them into Bitcoin now? How about gold?

I suppose I'm far enough from retirement that I can handle another depression recession. I have a locked in 27+ years left on my below 4% home loan. High interest rates mean depressed housing prices though.

Anyone want to do the math on how much a half million dollar home value at 3.75% is valued if the loan rate is only doubled?

imidazol97

Mr_Shiftright said:

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

venture said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I had my car's windshield replaced, headlight lenses polished, headlights re-aimed, new bulbs, and added two driving lights--this helps a lot!

Of course, I can't use all that lighting in everyday traffic as it must look like a 737 coming at you, but when there is no oncoming traffic at night, man, it really makes a difference.

I think, as we age, it's our eyes' inability to gather light. Also, for some, there is a "corona effect" when looking at headlights or streetlights. That's annoying.

I assume you meant cornea effect. A corona effect would be shocking.

Cataracts contribute to the glare a lot. Before I had mine removed driving at night was rather bothersome.

I think it's called "corona" or "visual halo"--anyway, this is what I was referring to:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/corfog.html

Spoken like a knowledgeable ophthalmologist. Do you provide discounts to Edmunds contributors to this forum to remove a cataract from a left eye?

jmonroe

Having replaced the clutch on a Mini Cooper, I regard eye surgery as relatively easy and straightforward. Each surgery carries the famous Shiftright "Driveway + 50 Feet" guarantee.

Where do you buy your tools for the eye surgery? Snap On?

bwia

andres3 said:

fintail said:

Yeah, real estate here is off the hook. Average income to price ratios don't support it - it is hugely driven by transplants, and by sketchy offshore money (so much for "vetting" and other garbage vomited up by the authoritarians). Of course, nobody wants to talk about that here. We are Vancouver Part II.

I smell inflation on the horizon, and all it will take is a relatively modest increase in oil/gasoline prices to cancel out any benefit given to average consumers via the ill-advised new tax plan. We might be in 1927-28 right now.

graphicguy said:

@

I hope the DOW does hit 30K. I just pulled out last week (except for a small amount I’ll mess with on stocks that catch my eye). The Fed is raising rates, again. In some areas (from what I hear of you guys in WA), real estate is becoming overheated, again. I think inflation will heat up. I believe in the next 18 mos, after the coroporate tax breaks are absorbed into business balance sheets, we will realize their effect was temporary.

Oil prices are creeping up, again. That affects trucking, transportation stocks, and a host of other industries. It will probably hasten the already break neck speed for electric and alternative fuels. Oil companies don’t seem to care. Their fall is going to be hard. And, that entire industry will look nothing like it does today in the next 10 years. Those stocks will plummet.

See, you got me started. I’ll keep the rest of my theories to myself.

Circling back to autos, I do think anyone who invests in electric vehicle infrastructure will have a very good investment, for a very long time.

That's a pretty pessimistic doomsday outlook.

Should I just take all of my retirement accounts and put them into Bitcoin now? How about gold?

I suppose I'm far enough from retirement that I can handle another depression recession. I have a locked in 27+ years left on my below 4% home loan. High interest rates mean depressed housing prices though.

Anyone want to do the math on how much a half million dollar home value at 3.75% is valued if the loan rate is only doubled?

Not sure what you mean but the monthly payment on a $500,000 loan at 3¾% for a term of 30 years is $2,316. If the interest rate is doubled to 7½%, the monthly payment on that same loan would be $3,496.

Looked at differently, if the interest rate is doubled from 3.75% to 7.50%, for the same monthly payment of $2,316 you would only be able to afford a house for $331,229. By the way, the same logic is true for stocks and bonds.

stickguy

I should probably try the sport button on my, well, sport one of these days. Will have to do it in a controlled test to see if I notice any difference. pretty sure on that car it is mostly going to change the tranny programming. Not sure about steering (should read the owners manual), but I really don't need any stiffening of that or suspension!

OK, did a quick google, and found this in a review of the car. Guess it does firm up the suspension after all.

. Sport Mode
What those powertrain specs all translate to in terms of driving delight is fun, peppy acceleration that's noticeably more so in Sport mode, selected by hitting the Drive button near the base of the shifter until the Sport light is illuminated in the gauge cluster. Sport mode also livens up the handling; inputs feel more precise, and it corners with more agility in part courtesy of the Sport's independent rear suspension

oldfarmer50

Most.y never use Sport mode on the Mustang since it's pretty fast as is. It makes a noticible difference in acceleration off the line since the up shifts are delayed. Compensates for the wimpy rear gears with higher rpm. I have to turn off traction control and switch steering to sport seperately. It's only a Ford after all.

Switching subjects, a local Subbie dealer is running ads for 2017 Imprezas with 2200 off MSRP. I'm thinking 20% would be more proper. Is there something special about that model that would warrant such a piddling discount?

stickguy

its snowy outside? Subes normally don't run the huge discounts some other brands due, but if you want one, go in and make an offer!

tjc78

Sport ,ode in Elantra does increase steering effort and changes the shift points.   I also feel on mine it takes a little less throttle to take off (they must change the ratio on the throttle)

isellhondas

fintail said:

Yeah, real estate here is off the hook. Average income to price ratios don't support it - it is hugely driven by transplants, and by sketchy offshore money (so much for "vetting" and other garbage vomited up by the authoritarians). Of course, nobody wants to talk about that here. We are Vancouver Part II.

I smell inflation on the horizon, and all it will take is a relatively modest increase in oil/gasoline prices to cancel out any benefit given to average consumers via the ill-advised new tax plan. We might be in 1927-28 right now.

graphicguy said:

@

I hope the DOW does hit 30K. I just pulled out last week (except for a small amount I’ll mess with on stocks that catch my eye). The Fed is raising rates, again. In some areas (from what I hear of you guys in WA), real estate is becoming overheated, again. I think inflation will heat up. I believe in the next 18 mos, after the coroporate tax breaks are absorbed into business balance sheets, we will realize their effect was temporary.

Oil prices are creeping up, again. That affects trucking, transportation stocks, and a host of other industries. It will probably hasten the already break neck speed for electric and alternative fuels. Oil companies don’t seem to care. Their fall is going to be hard. And, that entire industry will look nothing like it does today in the next 10 years. Those stocks will plummet.

See, you got me started. I’ll keep the rest of my theories to myself.

Circling back to autos, I do think anyone who invests in electric vehicle infrastructure will have a very good investment, for a very long time.

A friend listed their home last week and they had a Broker's Open house. House was listed at 850,000 and they had 15 offers. Sold it for 75,000 over listing price.

sda

My only gripe with Sport mode, at least those that I've experienced is the transmission not shifting to the highest gear (lowest ratio) once I am in cruise mode and maintain a steady speed. On my '90 and '06 Passat it would not shift to the highest gear, and would just rev and rev at higher speeds which I found tiring and I would give in and switch back to Normal. The Accord CVT is the same way in S, throttle response a lot more crisp and fun but once cruising the revs stay high. As a result I rarely use Sport mode.

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

The corona effect is very annoying because it blurs distinct lines around things, of course. The trick is, as you age, to adjust your driving accordingly. This requires a bit of humility but nothing wrong with that.

One trick I've learned is yoga! How's that? Well, there are these body twisting exercises that keep you more limber when looking to the extreme left or right. It really helps!

I'd love to see some better-developed night vision technology in cars.

Me too. I reluctantly admit that my night vision isn't what it once was. Especially on dark rainy streets that don't have fog lines and other clear lines. I can do it but I avoid driving much at night now.

driver100

roadburner said:

abacomike said:

Today on the way home from the mall, I decided to put the transmission into "SPORT" mode for the first time. The change in the ride, handling, steering and performance were truly remarkable - much more so than when I would put it into sport mode in the BMW or any of my previous Mercedes Benz vehicles.

The first thing I noticed was the steering - it became taut and firm. Next, I noticed the change in the ride - no longer smooth and subtle - more like the BMW rode in what they called Sport+ - firm and responsive. The next thing I noticed was the power curve - right from the light it took off like a rocket, changing gears much more slowly and holding the lower gears longer. Finally, when I got on the Turnpike, I noticed that it did not shift into 8th or 9th gears when cruising at 70 mph. It held in 7th gear for the ride home and was super responsive to my pressure on the accelerator.

This is the very first car I have ever driven that had comfort, economy and sport modes for the transmission that I actually noticed a substantial difference in the car's performance/handling/steering.

Just wondering, but when you engaged the Sport modes on your 7 Series did you also move the shift lever into the Sport gate(over to the left)? That's what really puts the autobox in assault mode.

This may mean nothing but my 2012 535 has a much stronger SPORT+ mode than my 2017 E400. The E has more horsepower and two turbos, but the BMW actually got down on it's haunches, the steering firmed up like a racing car, and the engine growled. That is something BMW does really well IMHO.

driver100

60 second video shows the precision of German engineering;
https://youtu.be/gAjBSlPnU1Y

roadburner

dino001 said:

I drive my 430 mostly on "Comfort" mode. Change to "Sport" is rather subtle, but noticeable. "Sport+" is truly "a different car", even though it doesn't change the suspension (I don't have adaptable suspension). It turns off the traction control (or rises its threshold).

There is also "Eco" (or whatever) mode, which makes the car really latent and lazy. I quite dislike that mode. It also messes up with the the AC system.

Sport+ dials back the stability control but doesn't disable it completely.

snakeweasel

sda said:

My only gripe with Sport mode, at least those that I've experienced is the transmission not shifting to the highest gear (lowest ratio) once I am in cruise mode and maintain a steady speed. On my '90 and '06 Passat it would not shift to the highest gear, and would just rev and rev at higher speeds which I found tiring and I would give in and switch back to Normal. The Accord CVT is the same way in S, throttle response a lot more crisp and fun but once cruising the revs stay high. As a result I rarely use Sport mode.

Sport mode wants to keep you in the engines power band and therefore will be in a lower gear to produce more power when needed. in the normal mode I get into 6th gear at around 38 MPH in sport mode I have to hit about 60 to get into 6th gear. But in that sport mode there is massive and instant response to throttle. 

And I can always override it with the paddle shifters. 

explorerx4

Speaking of German engineering there is this.
http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/01/17/german-navys-new-state-art-warship-sails-into-tech-trouble.html

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9GEOeZEw0Qg

cdnpinhead

Hey, OF, what's the latest on your new job? Still locked up in paperwork?

fintail

Tech manager type couple or sketchy offshore money?

A co-worker of mine lost out on a house in Columbia City of all places lately, bid 50K over ask and it went for 100, I think. Around 700K for a house in a neighborhood that is gentrifying, to put it nicely.

I am surprised the old trick of listing under market and creating a bidding war hasn't appeared here yet. Or maybe it has. It's huge in speculative Canadian markets.

isellhondas said:

A friend listed their home last week and they had a Broker's Open house. House was listed at 850,000 and they had 15 offers. Sold it for 75,000 over listing price.

fintail

I keep the Bluetec in Econ mode all the time - it's a diesel, that's where it belongs. I want the car to feel relaxed, and in traffic around here, you can only hurry so much anyway.

explorerx4

@Fintail,
You live in a real estate bubble, although not the only one.

28firefighter

fintail said:

Tech manager type couple or sketchy offshore money? A co-worker of mine lost out on a house in Columbia City of all places lately, bid 50K over ask and it went for 100, I think. Around 700K for a house in a neighborhood that is gentrifying, to put it nicely. I am surprised the old trick of listing under market and creating a bidding war hasn't appeared here yet. Or maybe it has. It's huge in speculative Canadian markets.

A friend listed their home last week and they had a Broker's Open house. House was listed at 850,000 and they had 15 offers. Sold it for 75,000 over listing price.

It has but the market moves so fast it’s hard to know what’s “under market”. We listed our townhome for $798k - a number we were happy with getting and that our agent thought was more than fair. 

We had 9 offers, ended up selling for $875k. Our agent was a little surprised but said he’s seen crazier. Right time of year, right location, right type of house.