Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

It's like a spreadsheet spread across multiple hosts, all of which are instantly updated. So there's no one vault anywhere and no way to manipulate it (in theory). I suppose some aliens could provide the computing power necessary to actually do it.

I think bitcoin appeals to people in countries with high levels of gangsterism, fraud and instability, like Russia or Africa.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

A few months ago, I posted here as well as in "CCBA" about my Father-In-Law's 2017 Outback. The good news is that he got the car back and it seems to have been fixed "good as new" or "good as previously undamaged 7-8 months old & 14K miles." He doesn't notice any strange rattles and is happy how they matched the color.

The bad news is that my In-Laws are POd (they have every right to be). According to the police report, the insurance company deemed the driver of the Outback 100% at fault. 2 people in the Civic they hit were taken to the hospital. They are not sure of the extent of the injuries or how much damage was caused by the other car. The dealer had the car fixed at their body shop, paid the cost for the parts and labor, but billed insurance for "the full boat." My Father-In-Law was given a loaner car (Crosstrek) when he brought the car in for service, but once they brought his car to their body shop, they started charging his insurance company $30/day for a rental car. As a result of this accident, USAA said they are going to raise my In Law's rates when their policy comes up for renewal (they will NOT tell them how much until the time comes). I hope to god that the people that were in the other car were NOT seriously hurt and they have sufficient coverage and DO NOT SUE my In-Laws (they happen to be wonderful people)

They've retained a lawyer who will try to sue the dealer for diminished value in small claims court.

Crazy though. The dealer forces you to sign a waiver when you bring your car in for service so they are not liable to any damages caused to or by YOUR car during a test drive. Then YOU are forced to provide proof of insurance in order to drive THEIR loaner car. If anything happens to THEIR loaner car in YOUR possession, it is YOUR responsibility. Seems like they are covered BOTH ways and the consumer loses out. Can a consumer walk into a dealer with a typed up "waiver" and force the dealer to sign it? The dealer can choose NOT to service your vehicle because of this, right?

So let me get this right. The dealer drove the in-laws car into the Civic. They weren't involved in any way. Now the dealer is trying to hit the in-laws insurance for nickels and dimes. The in laws are expected to swallow DV, insurance hikes and possible lawsuits? What would happen if they only had minimal insurance and got sued for millions?

I would sue the dealer six ways to Sunday and walk in front of the store with a picket sign! :@

jmonroe

imidazol97 said:

jmonroe said:

Thanks guys for you input about the going rate for SiriusXM.

I just got off the phone with them and told them if I couldn't do better than the all in rate of $228.53 for the year that I received via the mail yesterday, I wanted to cancel as of next month when my subscription ran out. Low and behold Bob (he gave me his name) quoted me their promotional rate of $99.85 per year just like they always have done. When I told Bob that I heard of better rates than that he told me to hold on. I did and he came back with, "I see you have 2 cars with us and have been with us since 2009 (Genny #1). We don't want to lose a good customer like you so I can give you our best long time customer rate of $52.06 for one year all in including the normal $2.00 billing fee". Needles to say I almost fell off my chair and asked him to repeat that price. He did and it didn't change, still $52.06 for a year.

I guess all I have to do is wait for the invoice. As we have always said in here, "if you don't ask you don't get". Well, I asked but I got more than I asked for.

All I can say is, give Bob a call and tell him you want the @jmonroe price.

jmonroe

I feel like I've been cheated. This is like when someone buys a car and then comes on Edmunds to ask if they got a good deal only to have someone else say, for real or not, that they got the same car for $3000 less.

The $52.06 price I mentioned is for real but until I get the invoice for that amount I guess it ain't a completely done deal. If it shows up for more, I'll let you guys know that but I don't expect that to happen.

Some of our poster buddies don't like XM but I always have. It's not too expensive for me, I use it all the time. As for the sound quality, I don't buy cars for the radio sound quality. My ears are not what they used to be so any noise is good enough for me as long as it is the type of noise that I want to listen to.

FWIW, I'll probably blow more than $52.06 for dinner at the nice Italian place we are going to tonight and that will be gone and only a remembrance by tomorrow. XM radio will be with me for an entire year. I know XM is not for everyone but it's plenty good enough for me especially at the price I got.

EDIT: I just got an email confirming the $52.06 price. I'm starting to feel pretty good about this already.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

A few months ago, I posted here as well as in "CCBA" about my Father-In-Law's 2017 Outback. The good news is that he got the car back and it seems to have been fixed "good as new" or "good as previously undamaged 7-8 months old & 14K miles." He doesn't notice any strange rattles and is happy how they matched the color.

The bad news is that my In-Laws are POd (they have every right to be). According to the police report, the insurance company deemed the driver of the Outback 100% at fault. 2 people in the Civic they hit were taken to the hospital. They are not sure of the extent of the injuries or how much damage was caused by the other car. The dealer had the car fixed at their body shop, paid the cost for the parts and labor, but billed insurance for "the full boat." My Father-In-Law was given a loaner car (Crosstrek) when he brought the car in for service, but once they brought his car to their body shop, they started charging his insurance company $30/day for a rental car. As a result of this accident, USAA said they are going to raise my In Law's rates when their policy comes up for renewal (they will NOT tell them how much until the time comes). I hope to god that the people that were in the other car were NOT seriously hurt and they have sufficient coverage and DO NOT SUE my In-Laws (they happen to be wonderful people)

They've retained a lawyer who will try to sue the dealer for diminished value in small claims court.

Crazy though. The dealer forces you to sign a waiver when you bring your car in for service so they are not liable to any damages caused to or by YOUR car during a test drive. Then YOU are forced to provide proof of insurance in order to drive THEIR loaner car. If anything happens to THEIR loaner car in YOUR possession, it is YOUR responsibility. Seems like they are covered BOTH ways and the consumer loses out. Can a consumer walk into a dealer with a typed up "waiver" and force the dealer to sign it? The dealer can choose NOT to service your vehicle because of this, right?

So let me get this right. The dealer drove the in-laws car into the Civic. They weren't involved in any way. Now the dealer is trying to hit the in-laws insurance for nickels and dimes. The in laws are expected to swallow DV, insurance hikes and possible lawsuits? What would happen if they only had minimal insurance and got sued for millions?

I would sue the dealer six ways to Sunday and walk in front of the store with a picket sign! :@

Correct.

stickguy

Same here JM. We love it and use it all the time.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's Tulipmania all over again. The idea, apparently, is to buy your bitcoins asap and then sell them to the next sucker----unless of course, you are the next sucker.

Actually the IDEA of alternative currencies is appealing, and in the USA, in the past, many states in fact had their own currency, which you would exchange as you went from state to state.

I have tried my damnedest to understand bitcoin, but to no avail. I simply can't wrap my head around a totally made up non-tangible fantasy is worth actual money. I might as well pick up a rock off the ground and declare it worth $1000. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well the actual paper money in your wallet is the same thing--you are essentially trusting that everyone who takes your cash actually thinks it's worth what it says on the paper. You give them 5 pieces of paper, you get a new TV.

Could be gold, could be frog pelts.

Never heard of frog pelts before.

It would take a lot of them to make a coat.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

It's Tulipmania all over again. The idea, apparently, is to buy your bitcoins asap and then sell them to the next sucker----unless of course, you are the next sucker.

Actually the IDEA of alternative currencies is appealing, and in the USA, in the past, many states in fact had their own currency, which you would exchange as you went from state to state.

I have tried my damnedest to understand bitcoin, but to no avail. I simply can't wrap my head around a totally made up non-tangible fantasy is worth actual money. I might as well pick up a rock off the ground and declare it worth $1000. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well the actual paper money in your wallet is the same thing--you are essentially trusting that everyone who takes your cash actually thinks it's worth what it says on the paper. You give them 5 pieces of paper, you get a new TV.

Could be gold, could be frog pelts.

Never heard of frog pelts before.

It would take a lot of them to make a coat.

There you go...thinking Canadian again. US frogs are a LOT bigger and in Florida they are even bigger due to year round warm temps. Catch one, you'll see.

jmonroe

driver100

Just watched SpaceX Falcon Heavy take off. After take off I went outside and could see the rocket flame to the South East. Quite a sight, and I came in and watched the rocket boosters land.

The Tesla they put in space could be up there for billions of years.

driver100

NYC, I don't get why the dealers insurance shouldn't pay for damage done to your car, when it is in their hands. You may check with a dealer association to see if their documents are legal. I know I signed all kinds of documents that released the dealer from lots of responsibility when we bought the C250 at Auto Nation.....one being we couldn't sue them I believe.
Normally, if you leave property with a business...then they become responsible for it....it is in their care. Sometimes, their disclaimer may not be valid....they should be responsible if the car is in their care!

driver100

JMonroe, What a bargain....XM Radio for about $1 a week. I have a USB stick but, XM is still preferable, nice to just turn it on and have the options of different stations.
I am jealous. I would do that deal for sure...just not practical for 5 months here and 7 months in Canada...that would become a mess.

driver100

There you go...thinking Canadian again. US frogs are a LOT bigger and in Florida they are even bigger due to year round warm temps. Catch one, you'll see.
jmonroe

Maybe I could make 2 into a nice wallet........just hope it doesn't keep want to expanding and make noises.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

Just watched SpaceX Falcon Heavy take off. After take off I went outside and could see the rocket flame to the South East. Quite a sight, and I came in and watched the rocket boosters land.

The Tesla they put in space could be up there for billions of years.

Man, I wonder what an extended warranty is for that sucker. I imagine the paint will have faded out in 2 or 3 months for sure.

jmonroe

imidazol97

jmonroe said:

The Tesla they put in space could be up there for billions of years.

Our (US) tax money at work.

tjc78

fintail said:

No voice remote here either. Not too paranoid about data mining (they will be sorely disappointed with what it hears around me ), but I suspect it works no better than voice commands in a car. Regarding the market today, I'll be lucky to retire in 25 years, and as I am in the private sector and must play in the 401K/IRA casino, I will just continue to buy and hold.

The voice remote is awesome.  Works just as advertised and gets it right 99% of the time in my experience.  

Heck my 5 year old nephew can get it to play PAW Patrol.  

abacomike

I guess I got taken by S/XM.  I renewed for 1-year for $119++ (taxes and fees) for their full access subscription which includes all channels, internet online listening radio, traffic, weather, etc.  I guess I overpaid.  I could have gotten a limited plan for $50, but I do use traffic and weather and I listen to online on my phone with earphones before I go to sleep.

Live and learn! 

explorerx4

The answer to one of life's mysteries.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/video/what-dilly-dilly-means-—-and-how-bud-light-came-up-with-its-viral-campaign/vi-BBG6Uj5?ocid=DELLDHP

tbirdmarco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47kZ9D7Iftc&sns=em

jmonroe

abacomike said:

I guess I got taken by S/XM.  I renewed for 1-year for $119++ (taxes and fees) for their full access subscription which includes all channels, internet online listening radio, traffic, weather, etc.  I guess I overpaid.  I could have gotten a limited plan for $50, but I do use traffic and weather and I listen to online on my phone with earphones before I go to sleep.

Live and learn! 

Mike, I wouldn't go to the edge of the cliff just yet. I'm sure your plan provides more than mine. My plan is the "Select Plan". Not sure all of what that provides but it is what I have always had. I know I get more channels than I have ever used. In the Genny I think I have seen a traffic map but I don't pay attention to that nor do I use it to sing me to sleep. As for weather, I just roll down the window.

Having said all that, the more I think about your plan I'm sure they screwed you out of 10 or 15 bucks easy.

jmonroe

abacomike

jmonroe said:

I guess I got taken by S/XM.  I renewed for 1-year for $119++ (taxes and fees) for their full access subscription which includes all channels, internet online listening radio, traffic, weather, etc.  I guess I overpaid.  I could have gotten a limited plan for $50, but I do use traffic and weather and I listen to online on my phone with earphones before I go to sleep.

Live and learn! 

Mike, I wouldn't go to the edge of the cliff just yet. I'm sure your plan provides more than mine. My plan is the "Select Plan". Not sure all of what that provides but it is what I have always had. I know I get more channels than I have ever used. In the Genny I think I have seen a traffic map but I don't pay attention to that nor do I use it to sing me to sleep. As for weather, I just roll down the window. Having said all that, the more I think about your plan I'm sure they screwed you out of 10 or 15 bucks easy. jmonroe

Then you don’t think it was a “Royal” screwing - just your “everyday” screwing.  Boy, that’s a relief!  

As for weather, it shows actual radar on a map showing rain, winds, wind direction and wind speed.  Down here, that’s important due to the severe summer storms we get every afternoon.  I’ve often diverted my route so as to avoid those thunderstorms.

The traffic shows green, yellow and red routes.  If I am using GPS, it will re-route me to avoid heavy traffic congestion and the voice explains the re-routing was due to traffic congestion.  So I do use those features.

jmonroe

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

I guess I got taken by S/XM.  I renewed for 1-year for $119++ (taxes and fees) for their full access subscription which includes all channels, internet online listening radio, traffic, weather, etc.  I guess I overpaid.  I could have gotten a limited plan for $50, but I do use traffic and weather and I listen to online on my phone with earphones before I go to sleep.

Live and learn! 

Mike, I wouldn't go to the edge of the cliff just yet. I'm sure your plan provides more than mine. My plan is the "Select Plan". Not sure all of what that provides but it is what I have always had. I know I get more channels than I have ever used. In the Genny I think I have seen a traffic map but I don't pay attention to that nor do I use it to sing me to sleep. As for weather, I just roll down the window.

Having said all that, the more I think about your plan I'm sure they screwed you out of 10 or 15 bucks easy.

jmonroe

Then you don’t think it was a “Royal” screwing - just your “everyday” screwing.  Boy, that’s a relief!  

OK, if that makes you feel better.

jmonroe

fintail

I don't mind subsidizing space games, better use for it than helping with tax breaks for those who can afford 100K cars.

And a better use for reprehensible insanity like this

imidazol97 said:

Our (US) tax money at work.

fintail

Interesting. My mom has it, so it probably isn't too tough to learn

But I have an old large display Harmony One remote I bought in like 2010 that I am somehow attached to, not going to replace it til it or the TV (Samsung LED bought at the same time) crap out.

tjc78 said:

The voice remote is awesome.  Works just as advertised and gets it right 99% of the time in my experience.  

Heck my 5 year old nephew can get it to play PAW Patrol.  

suydam

Our cable company has voice remote. Works very well. But I have to use a different remote to access Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Just watched SpaceX Falcon Heavy take off. After take off I went outside and could see the rocket flame to the South East. Quite a sight, and I came in and watched the rocket boosters land.

The Tesla they put in space could be up there for billions of years.

True but the cosmic rays will do a number on the paint. I can just see the aliens finding it floating in space a billion years from now:

Ork: "nice little sports car"

Mork: "yeah but the transport charge makes it unaffordable"

stickguy

fintail said:

I don't mind subsidizing space games, better use for it than helping with tax breaks for those who can afford 100K cars.

And a better use for reprehensible insanity like this

imidazol97 said:

Our (US) tax money at work.

yeah, that can go wrong on so many levels. The internet and late night TV fodder, will be huge.

abacomike

fintail said:

I don't mind subsidizing space games, better use for it than helping with tax breaks for those who can afford 100K cars. And a better use for reprehensible insanity like this

Our (US) tax money at work.

If your comment above was meant as a slap across my face - it worked!  Thanks for the slap- I needed that!

fintail

Wait, did you buy a Tesla?

abacomike said:

If your comment above was meant as a slap across my face - it worked!  Thanks for the slap- I needed that!

isellhondas

fintail said:

No voice remote here either. Not too paranoid about data mining (they will be sorely disappointed with what it hears around me ), but I suspect it works no better than voice commands in a car.

Regarding the market today, I'll be lucky to retire in 25 years, and as I am in the private sector and must play in the 401K/IRA casino, I will just continue to buy and hold.

You are on the right track. Max out your 401k if you can and try not to pay attention to the ups and downs. You'll do fine.

28firefighter

Maxing out our retirement right now makes things a bit tighter than I would like, but we are doing it now while we are young so we are in the habit of doing so in the future. 

I made the mistake of logging into my 401k portfolio a couple days ago....

andres3

abacomike said:

Just got my Condo insurance renewal premium for another year - up from $685 to $828.  This is all thanks to hurricane Irma.  Couple that with a a $276 increase in auto insurance rates, it getting pretty hard for many people to afford adequate coverage for their cars and homes/condos.

Maybe this will encourage people to drive more safely? One can hope. It seems to me that good drivers are subsidizing bad drivers though.

Sometimes I hear Pro-Autonomous driving technology people say that the computers need to have humans out of the equation so they can drive most safely. I OBJECT your Honor, as good drivers have to deal with bad human drivers, why shouldn't the computers have to do the same? Why lower the bar? My view is if you could get rid of all the bad drivers on the road there would no longer be a safety reason for the technology.

andres3

dino001 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well the actual paper money in your wallet is the same thing--you are essentially trusting that everyone who takes your cash actually thinks it's worth what it says on the paper. You give them 5 pieces of paper, you get a new TV.
Could be gold, could be frog pelts.

I heard a good definition of money, as something that government accepts as tender for payment of taxes (or in general any settlement of debt toward and from the government). There may be some additional conditions, but it sounds just right. So gold coins, chickens, goat, or now bitcoin could be a form of stored value (durable or not), just like money is, or they could subject of speculation about their future value, just like money is, but to settle our debt to the government, we would have to exchange them to their money (here US dollars).

My favorite is the stories of people dumping thousands and thousands of pennies at the desks of clerks at Courts that collect traffic fines. They get upset, but it is legal tender. If the clerk or cashier doesn't like it, perhaps they should get a different job?

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

Maxing out our retirement right now makes things a bit tighter than I would like, but we are doing it now while we are young so we are in the habit of doing so in the future. 

I made the mistake of logging into my 401k portfolio a couple days ago....

I make it a habit of only checking my investments on up days.

graphicguy

OK.....I need some advice from the peanut gallery about an appliance, as I know how you guys love that topic almost as much as you do car topics.

More specifically, trying to decide what to do about a refrigerator.

Background....I bought a fancy Samsung French Door fridge with water and ice availability through the door about 6-7 years ago. IIRC, it wasn't cheap...I think it retailed just shy of $3K.

Fast forward to the last 12 months. First, the ice maker takes a dive....to the tune of about $250. Next, some sort of issue with the water dispenser, which causes it to make jack hammer sounds cost another $200 to fix. Now, there's a groan emanating from it. $75 just for a repair guy to take a look, before the cost to fix it.

Question #1.....is this something that will act like a Maserati and be a constant source of wallet emptying behavior until I get rid of it for scrap? Or, will one final fix keep it running for another 10 years, or so? I'm used to my refrigerators lasting decades with no more than a peep or complaint. That ain't one of them.

Question #2.....if I decide (based on your recommendations) to just get a new one, Samsung will not be on my list. Plus, being an empty nester, not sure I need a fridge with ice and filtered water through the door. Moreover, I am NOT going to spend $3K again, as that netted me headaches. So, what brand(s) do you guys like, or had success with?

I know GE is now owned by Haier. But, their plant in KY has been updated and their appliances are made in the good old U.S of A. Shouldn't be a parts issue, given they're just one state away from me.

Samsung makes great phones and TVs....appliances...not so much! But, I have an LG washer and dryer pair. They've been bullet proof. So, I'm open to LG. I think they make appliances for Sears/Kenmore (which are heading straight into the annals of Chapter 7). Not sure if that makes any difference.

I know the "others" under the Whirlpool brands (Maytag, Kitchen-Aid, Jena-Air, Amana, etc) are more or less about the same. I know they had a big design and manufacturing area near Dayton, OH. I think during the consolidation of brands, some of that manufacturing capacity was shipped overseas...not sure of that, though. Moreover, not sure it matters.

Then there are the "others"....Fisher-Paykel and Bosch.....EU brands. Haven't heard anything bad about them. And, from what I understand, for Bosch at least, they make some mighty fine dishwashers.

Minimum needs......33" wide, 70" tall, don't care if it's counter depth or not. I don't need French Doors. Fridge on top, freezer on bottom would work just fine (as they seem to be less expensive). Ice maker. Filtered water would be nice (as I use it in my coffee maker and to cook with), but not a "must have".

Lots of questions.......need some answers as I'm betting my current fridge is going to spew fluids at the most inopportune time.

ab348

I would avoid Samsung refrigerators, I have heard a lot of horror stories.

I've had a LG front-load washer/dryer pair for about 7-8 years. Like them and they work well. The only issue is that the display panel on the washer went a bit wonky a year or two back. Doesn't affect how it works so I didn't bother getting it fixed. Don't know about their refrigerators.

Kenmore brand can be any one of a number of manufacturers these days. I have a Kenmore refrigerator and it is made by Electrolux/Frigidaire. OK though I've had some issues with the plastic hardware (shelf rails, etc) inside the compartment breaking. I've had a couple of pre-Haier GE appliances (dishwasher, range) for over 15 years with no issues. I would be tempted to put them at the top of my list. Fisher & Paykel are very expensive (Australian IIRC) and I have heard mixed reviews though they are nicely styled.

Refrigerators are weird these days. Used to be easy to get 20-30 years out of one in th epast, now 10 years seems the max. Simpler is probably better as I suspect it is the options like icemakers and water dispensers that tend to fail.

stickguy

I went though same process a few years ago with a GE. After a 2nd occurrence of same problem, got fed up. Bought a nice mid level LG. We love it. French door, bottom freezer, ice and water in door. Cost just under $1,000 from local appliance store. Works way better too. IMO not worth repairing a dog over and over.

fintail

Regarding fridges, all I know is they don't make em like they used to.

My grandma moved into her house more than 50 years ago, and when they moved in, bought a garage fridge for beer etc. It's still there (a Coldspot), still works fine. The kitchen fridge was replaced only because a shelf broke and they couldn't find parts, and that really irritated my grandma - but the machine itself worked fine.

I went to an estate sale last weekend in a 1977 house, and it appeared to have the original fridge, a built-in Kenmore in a very 70s style kitchen.

My mom bought a new fridge (Whirlpool I think) around 2005, 2 years ago it conked out, and she had to replace it. My place has the original fridge (2003) and it seems to be fine, maybe as I am a gentle user, but one can't be certain.

nyccarguy

7 years (give or take) seems to be the life of modern appliances. I moved into my house back in July 2010. We got all new Appliances when we moved in (Fridge, Microwave, Dishwasher, & Electric Stove/Oven. The only one that hasn't been replaced is the Stove. Fridge/Microwave, & Dishwasher all conked out last year at some point.

I actually bought the 10 year extended warranty (parts/labor/full replacement) for the dishwasher. It cost me $349 on top of the $500 or (plus $150 installation). So I basically bought 2 dishwashers. PC Richards sells a 5 year ($150) or 10 year ($350) warranty. My best friend bought a dishwasher with the 5 year warranty and it crapped out on him in 5 years/3 months.

stickguy

Fridges are like TVs now. Work way better, cost way less for what you get. And you throw them out when they break

suydam

According to Consumer Reports, the most likely source of repairs for ANY fridge are the iceman ER and water dispenser. So if you opt out of those your chances of a trouble free refrigerator of any make improve. We do have a Samsung and like it very much, but we got ice maker only. We have a small kitchen and need a counter depth refrigerator so our choices are limited. Get whatever you like. You should be able to get a decent one for $1500 or less. There will be major sales around Presidents Day if you can wait a couple of weeks. A basic fridge with top freezer is the cheapest. Any reputable brand should last around 10 years. They don’t last as long because we ask them to do more (humidifiers and other controls), but the savings in energy cost are remarkable even from a few years ago.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

OK.....I need some advice from the peanut gallery about an appliance, as I know how you guys love that topic almost as much as you do car topics.

More specifically, trying to decide what to do about a refrigerator.

Background....I bought a fancy Samsung French Door fridge with water and ice availability through the door about 6-7 years ago. IIRC, it wasn't cheap...I think it retailed just shy of $3K.

Fast forward to the last 12 months. First, the ice maker takes a dive....to the tune of about $250. Next, some sort of issue with the water dispenser, which causes it to make jack hammer sounds cost another $200 to fix. Now, there's a groan emanating from it. $75 just for a repair guy to take a look, before the cost to fix it.

Question #1.....is this something that will act like a Maserati and be a constant source of wallet emptying behavior until I set rid of it for scrap? Or, will one final fix keep it running for another 10 years, or so? I'm used to my refrigerators lasting decades with no more than a peep or complaint. That ain't one of them.

Question #2.....if I decide (based on your recommendations) to just get a new one, Samsun will not be on my list. Plus, being an empty nester, not sure I need a fridge with ice and filtered water through the door. Moreover, I am NOT going to spend $3K again, as that netted me headaches. So, what brand(s) do you guys like, or had success with?

I know GE is now owned by Haier. But, their plant in KY has been updated and their appliances are made in the good old U.S of A. Shouldn't be a parts issue, given they're just one state away from me.

Samsung makes great phones and TVs....appliances...not so much! But, I have an LG washer and dryer pair. They've been bullet proof. So, I'm open to LG. I think they make appliances for Sears/Kenmore (which are heading straight into the annals of Chapter 7). Not sure if that makes any difference.

I know the "others" under the Whirlpool brands (Maytag, Kitchen-Aid, Jena-Air, Amana, etc) are more or less about the same. I know they had a big design and manufacturing area near Dayton, OH. I think during the consolidation of brands, some of that manufacturing capacity was shipped overseas...not sure of that, though. Moreover, not sure it matters.

Then there are the "others"....Fisher-Paykel and Bosch.....EU brands. Haven't heard anything bad about them. And, from what I understand, for Bosch at least, they make some mighty fine dishwashers.

Minimum needs......33" wide, 70" tall, don't care if it's counter depth or not. I don't need French Doors. Fridge on top, freezer on bottom would work just fine (as they seem to be less expensive). Ice maker. Filtered water would be nice (as I use it in my coffee maker and to cook with), but not a "must have".

Lots of questions.......need some answers as I'm betting my current fridge is going to spew fluids at the most inopportune time.

We have a Frigidaire that's at least 10 years old. No repairs other than the water filter. Cheaply made interior plastic which breaks but fixable DIY. Cost maybe $500 but not sure.

I think most appliances today are throw aways after 10 years and like with cars, the more tech, the more stuff that can break. Why would you want a refrigerator that tells your weight or the weather?

snakeweasel

andres3 said:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well the actual paper money in your wallet is the same thing--you are essentially trusting that everyone who takes your cash actually thinks it's worth what it says on the paper. You give them 5 pieces of paper, you get a new TV. Could be gold, could be frog pelts.

I heard a good definition of money, as something that government accepts as tender for payment of taxes (or in general any settlement of debt toward and from the government). There may be some additional conditions, but it sounds just right. So gold coins, chickens, goat, or now bitcoin could be a form of stored value (durable or not), just like money is, or they could subject of speculation about their future value, just like money is, but to settle our debt to the government, we would have to exchange them to their money (here US dollars).

My favorite is the stories of people dumping thousands and thousands of pennies at the desks of clerks at Courts that collect traffic fines. They get upset, but it is legal tender. If the clerk or cashier doesn't like it, perhaps they should get a different job?

While it may be legal tender they don't have to accept it as payment  

graphicguy

Thanks! I knew I could count on all of you to guide me in the right direction.

I do think that repairs are going to keep piling up. I don't want to lose the $300 or so in food I have in the fridge/freezer. So, going to coax the current one along. Never thought about the President's Sales. Hope I can make it until then.

I think I'm going to go the "simpler is better" route. No through door ice/water (although I do want an ice maker...just not in door).

Don't need French Doors. So, save some money their, too!

Looking around a little on line. Based on your experiences, kind of narrowed it down to a GE or an LG. Probably poke around a little at Best Buy and Lowes tonight and see what these things look like in person.

Thanks again!

dino001

oldfarmer50 said:

Why would you want a refrigerator that tells your weight or the weather?

I want one that tells me I'm awesome every time I open the door. :laughing:

imidazol97

I suggest spending some time comparing products between Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAide. The feature and trim are better on the higher line products. In the past the quality of things like motors was higher giving more efficiency and lower operating cost.

Then browse a busy Lowes store with your measurements. Ignore the hype of "fingerprint proof" finish from Fridgidaire and so on. Just open and look at the various drawers and arrangements inside. Look at door sealing methods. The French door freezer on the bottom worried me the most when we shopped 2 years ago.

Our Whirlpool side-by-side has been perfect. The one online comment was noise from ice dropping in the ice maker. That's located in the door right next to the front. When EMPTY, the cubes hitting make noise. When there's a bed of ice on the bottom of the holder, the ice is relatively quiet.

Can't hear the motor operating or turning on and off for the cooling. Side-by-side. 36" wide, 68" tall or so. Depth is standard and it sticks out into our kitchen walkway some. But have no choice. Our home was built in 1975.

I'm with Suydam about pick a model and watch for sales. Lowes will have sales for Presidents' Day. Have had great delivery and install from Lowes. They offer a 5-year warranty for a moderate price to extend the bumper-to-bumper 1 year from Whirlpool. Anything goes wrong, it's all covered.

I'm not sure where the refrigerators are made. I feel better that many of the Whirlpool line is made here in Ohio even if the fridge is made in Mexico using US-designed parts.

We were able to rearrange the 3 bins and glass shelves to suit our refrigerator arrangement. Then I could move the two sizes of plastic shelves in the door to avoid interference due to depth and I bought an additional door shelf, increasing the storage in door.

Easy to buy new parts from online sellers after determining the parts numbers from various online Repair Clinics.

Repairmen know the brand and like working on them more than working on foreign brands. I learned that while getting son's Maytag washing machine repaired when the computer burped on it under warranty.

snakeweasel

graphicguy said:

OK.....I need some advice from the peanut gallery about an appliance, as I know how you guys love that topic almost as much as you do car topics. More specifically, trying to decide what to do about a refrigerator. Background....I bought a fancy Samsung French Door fridge with water and ice availability through the door about 6-7 years ago. IIRC, it wasn't cheap...I think it retailed just shy of $3K. Fast forward to the last 12 months. First, the ice maker takes a dive....to the tune of about $250. Next, some sort of issue with the water dispenser, which causes it to make jack hammer sounds cost another $200 to fix. Now, there's a groan emanating from it.

Either you need to clean it out or your refrigerator is haunted  

graphicguy

Just thought of a couple more questions.

Anyone buy these things on line?

There's a company called AJ Maddison that sells on line. Seems like they carry just about every brand.

Brand Smart, which used to be associated with Sears (maybe they still are). There are a couple of other ones out there, too. They all tout delivery and "low prices".

Experiences?

Michaell

@graphicguy - we bought a new refrigerator a few months back. Frigidare, side by side, about $1000 or so from Home Depot. Cubed and crushed ice, plus water, in the door.

Wife loves it.

graphicguy

Thanks again, everyone.

Imid....I know that the Whirlpool factory/design center is up near Dayton. But, didn't know how much they're actually making there, given the massive consolidation a few years ago.

Lowes is now on my "must stop by" list.

nyccarguy

If you open up a LOWE'S card, they give you 5% off

stickguy

I like to buy locally. Preferably a “mom and pop” appliance store that also does service. They will match, or come close, to the big box stores but often a much better experience. That’s how we bought ours. But, got washer dryer and stove through Lowe’s. Good price and good service (delivery and install).