Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

explorerx4

My kids are between 25 and 30, so lots of weddings going on this year.
Wife and I are going to one in St Louis in April.
Then a coupe of local one's.
Another one in MI between Traverse City and Mackinaw here:
https://www.castlefarms.com/
Also, Chicago in September.

snakeweasel

explorerx4 said:

My kids are between 25 and 30, so lots of weddings going on this year. Wife and I are going to one in St Louis in April. Then a coupe of local one's. Another one in MI between Traverse City and Mackinaw here: https://www.castlefarms.com/ Also, Chicago in September.

When in Chicago feel free to say "Hi".

abacomike

isellhondas said:

And, yes, the business did

Gas tends to go bad in well under a year so unless you are using a gas stabilizer I would use the gas up a lot faster.

I can count on one hand the number of times one of us has run the battery down far enough to activate the gas motor; the car is designed to start and run the engine for a ten minute "Maintenance Cycle" every 90 days or so if it has not been activated. As a matter of fact, the only reason I filled it up the second time was because the Maintenance Cycle wouldn't start because the tank was down to 50%(one gallon).

Ok that's all well and good but the fact remains that gas has a rather short shelf life and will start to go bad after 3 or 4 months unless you have a stabilizer added to it. And a stabilizer only extends the life about a year or so. I would seriously consider using a stabilizer in the gas.

The smell of bad gas is something you won't forget. Just acrid and nasty!

That’s just what my wife used to say when I would inadvertently let one go!  

explorerx4

Might be easier if I could get you invited to the wedding.

explorerx4

Made an appointment to look at the truck tomorrow.
Internet dept responded quickly and even knows which salesperson I worked with most recently(Oct 2016).

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

Might be easier if I could get you invited to the wedding.

I doubt that is going to be possible. Most reputable places have a ban on snakes and a lot will also ban weasels.

jmonroe

graphicguy

http://flip.it/N25djm

Heard rumblings about MB getting caught up in this. More info!

stickguy

Fin may be having a different decision to make about his leased car if this is true.

stickguy

explorerx4 said:

My kids are between 25 and 30, so lots of weddings going on this year.
Wife and I are going to one in St Louis in April.
Then a coupe of local one's.
Another one in MI between Traverse City and Mackinaw here:
https://www.castlefarms.com/
Also, Chicago in September.

my son turns 27 this year. He is more likely to get a new car than married. At least that won't cost me anything. The 22 YO, she is serious with the BF so who knows. At least she inherited the frugal gene, so might be receptive to the "save money and get married at the Vegas Elvis chapel" plan.

stickguy

finally broke down and did my taxes today. Nice to have them done. once again, was close to scratch on the federal (owed $70, last year I think it was about $30). But, I realized that I am probably getting hammered next year.

so, need input from the accountants. I most likely will lose my daughter as a deduction (since she starts working in July and should make enough to take that herself). And I just took the last year of the $2,500 tuition tax credit. So I think I need to jack up my withholding now, or I am going to get a really nasty surprise 12 months from now!

I don't think the tax law changes for 2018 are going to change that any. So I probably should figure out how to get my payroll deducts upped (haven't touched them in many years).

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

 Anyone doing any car looking this weekend Presidents weekend? 

I'm always looking but sadly it's just window shopping.

My aunt has requested my shopping help on Monday. She has yet to answer my long list of questions to narrow down what she may be looking to buy. She merely said "used suv."

Be ready to quantify "cute".



I'm wondering what is going on here. This is really cheap and good carfax. This place is typically $4k-$5k over auction and doesn't negotiate. This one is priced only about $1k over. Hmmmm...
https://www.autolenders.com/used-car-inventory/Honda-CR-V-EH605541



Here's one similar price and milage:



https://sarasota.craigslist.org/cto/d/2014-honda-suv-lx-model/6496584041.html

that one OF is only a FWD. Probably not that common up there. Not that 90% of the buyers would ever notice most likely.

abacomike

graphicguy said:

http://flip.it/N25djm Heard rumblings about MB getting caught up in this. More info!

They’ve been under suspicion for a while now.  When regulators implement stringent (if not unattainable) restrictions on emissions, the result is often undesirable as an understatement.  

Forcing manufacturers to do the impossible results in bankruptcy or fraud - tough position to be in.

fintail

I think Der Spiegel has been trying this one for awhile, yeah. Still no results, so I will need to see some real smoke before I scream fire. The cars in the latest article have an engine not sold here, so it would not be relevant here. And even one was, I wouldn't care, I am fairly pragmatic when it comes to emissions. I'll just drive my old car, and cancel out several dozen Prius

For the lease, if a buyout isn't possible at a fair market price, I will move on. If some kind of MB cheat scandal comes up, it may either further depreciate the cars (residual is very high compared to real world), or may make buyback impossible if a fix is needed.

I also like how the car in the lead pic for the story a 2000-2002 W220 S-class, would have nothing to do with this.

driver100

graphicguy said:

http://flip.it/N25djm

Heard rumblings about MB getting caught up in this. More info!

I keep telling you guys....the superiority of German engineering.

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

My first choice truck just went on sale at my preferred dealer.
Put in an email inquiry about availability.
Keeping fingers crossed.

Spring is here, everybody's getting hot pants!

Speaking of hot pants, as soon as the salt is off the road I'm putting a little more aggressive exhaust on my Ford. This is one I'm considering because I like the sound and it's got a lower price than Borla or Ford Racing.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/pypes-catback-hbox-1516gt.html

Anyone have an opinion on this particular brand?

Ordered from those guys before. Was never disappointed.

imidazol97

fintail said:

I also like how the car in the lead pic for the story a 2000-2002 W220 S-class, would have nothing to do with this.

But the car pictures looks _good_.

As to the engines where this allegation may apply, are any of them in US MB autos or trucks? I had read articles last year implying MB's involvement. But this is the first I've seen mention it over several months.

This proves that your computer is only as good as the software... for better or worse. Whoever may have put these tweaks in the MB software, knew what they were doing.

imidazol97

It has happened. My Whirlpool refrigerator has let me down. I worried that talking about it recently in a positive way would lead to this in retaliation.

Little water on the floor under the door. Occasionally. Then I found it's under the center of the refrigerator at times. And last night it seemed to occur more. Hoping it's a two-valve switch that's on the back of the box that has leaked in some instances and Whirlpool has a redesigned version in the parts bin. Covered under 5-year warranty, I hope.

The valve turns on water for the dispenser and turns on water for the fill on the ice maker with the other part.

imidazol97

I had a rental Ram cargo van last week to move a couple of things to Imid Jr's, new apartment. The engine in that van is really peppy. I didn't open hood to see if it's a V8 or V6, but I can appreciate how that engine in a Ram pickup truck would be a great change from 1.4 L turbo-charged engines in a sedan.

stickguy

Can’t wait to see what happens with Q and his aunt car shopping today. I’m putting my money on the CRV I found in Burlington since it’s certified.

stickguy

Imid, I rented a couple U Haul vans to move my daughter from one college apartment to another. Just local running around. First one was a ram, 2nd a ford transit. Did not like the ram at all, but the ford drove great. Huge improvement over the old econolines.

fintail

Nope, nothing here as far as I know. The article mentioned a 1.6 - we don't get that engine in any vehicle.

DUH, the German NGO I believe who is in charge of this, going after Daimler for years, also receives money from Toyota, take that for what its worth.

I believe the real issue regarding diesel pollution is older commercial vehicles (including pickups used as private or commuter rigs but dodging taxes with commercial registration). Nobody will touch that.

imidazol97 said:

fintail said:

I also like how the car in the lead pic for the story a 2000-2002 W220 S-class, would have nothing to do with this.

But the car pictures looks _good_.

As to the engines where this allegation may apply, are any of them in US MB autos or trucks? I had read articles last year implying MB's involvement. But this is the first I've seen mention it over several months.

This proves that your computer is only as good as the software... for better or worse. Whoever may have put these tweaks in the MB software, knew what they were doing.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Can’t wait to see what happens with Q and his aunt car shopping today. I’m putting my money on the CRV I found in Burlington since it’s certified.

She won't go that far. Anyway, didn't hear back from her, so it didn't happen.

stickguy

bummer. I was expecting some good stories. Wonder if she just decided not to look, or will just surprise you showing up with something?

snakeweasel

explorerx4 said:

Might be easier if I could get you invited to the wedding.

Last summer I flew to the south of France to crash a wedding, I could crash one on my own back yard. 

tbirdmarco

Man  an   It is what it is 

snakeweasel

stickguy said:

finally broke down and did my taxes today. Nice to have them done. once again, was close to scratch on the federal (owed $70, last year I think it was about $30). But, I realized that I am probably getting hammered next year. so, need input from the accountants. I most likely will lose my daughter as a deduction (since she starts working in July and should make enough to take that herself). And I just took the last year of the $2,500 tuition tax credit. So I think I need to jack up my withholding now, or I am going to get a really nasty surprise 12 months from now! I don't think the tax law changes for 2018 are going to change that any. So I probably should figure out how to get my payroll deducts upped (haven't touched them in many years).

The tax law changes are a big deal and almost everyone will be effected by it. Some deductions are going away or be limited, personal exemptions ate going away and standard deductions ate going to almost double while tax rates are going down.

For me this is the last year I will be itemizing as the standard deduction will exceed what I will Dr able to deduct. The way it is working out my taxable income will go up but the tax rate is dropping so I will pay less in taxes.

one thing to keep in mind is that with the new tax bill tax withholding rates are also going down so you should see more on your paycheck. I would suggest talking to your tax pro to see what, if anything, you should do for your withholdings. all things considered it looks like with the lower withholdings my refund will drop $200 next year. 

Just off the top of my head check your paycheck with the new withholdings against one with the old withholdings and increase your withholding by about 2/3rds the difference or so.

stickguy

check with my tax pro? I just did, so thanks!

sounds like a lot of people are going to be surprised, one way or the other, next tax filing season.

Mine should be a wash actually, so I am likely to get hosed, in terms of itemizing, because the new standard will be about my total itemization. So I won't be seeing any benefit there. and I was losing an exemption anyway from my daughter.

I went in and checked my W4. I was still at 3 exemptions, so I dropped it to 1, and will see next paycheck what difference that made. If the extra withholding seems about right, will let it ride and hope for the best next year.

explorerx4

Q didn't go vehicle shopping today, but somebody did

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NGTDABIq_Wk

venture

explorerx4 said:

Q didn't go vehicle shopping today, but somebody did

OK. Let's see it.

nyccarguy

explorerx4 said:

Q didn't go vehicle shopping today, but somebody did

DON'T TEASE us like that!

tjc78

explorerx4 said:

Q didn't go vehicle shopping today, but somebody did

That’s what I’m talking about!

explorerx4

I don't have it yet. Picking up Thursday.
In the mean time, look at my sig, swap the 4 for a 7, FX4 for Limited.

abacomike

explorerx4 said:

I don't have it yet. Picking up Thursday. In the mean time, look at my sig, swap the 4 for a 7, FX4 for Limited.

Stupendous!  Enjoy and good luck!

tbirdmarco

Was it you than your school

tbirdmarco

Explorer  than

explorerx4

It's already off the dealer website, but I found a similar one, so here is an exterior picture.

28firefighter

Congrats, @explorerx4 ! Sharp looking truck!

explorerx4

Interior pic. This one even has the water bottle in the cup holder option.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

My first choice truck just went on sale at my preferred dealer.
Put in an email inquiry about availability.
Keeping fingers crossed.

Spring is here, everybody's getting hot pants!

Speaking of hot pants, as soon as the salt is off the road I'm putting a little more aggressive exhaust on my Ford. This is one I'm considering because I like the sound and it's got a lower price than Borla or Ford Racing.

https://www.americanmuscle.com/pypes-catback-hbox-1516gt.html

Anyone have an opinion on this particular brand?

Ordered from those guys before. Was never disappointed.

Do you mean American Muscle or the Pypes company?

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

I had a rental Ram cargo van last week to move a couple of things to Imid Jr's, new apartment. The engine in that van is really peppy. I didn't open hood to see if it's a V8 or V6, but I can appreciate how that engine in a Ram pickup truck would be a great change from 1.4 L turbo-charged engines in a sedan.

I drove one of those from Burlington VT back to Albany last week and I agree. It even handled pretty well on country roads considering it's so tal.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Interior pic. This one even has the water bottle in the cup holder option.

Excellent. Those F-150s really are like luxury SUVs with a box in back. Very smooth ride.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Interior pic. This one even has the water bottle in the cup holder option.

Very nice ex...inside and out. I like the way they did the seats.....nice colors too!
You know how I like large windows....I love the way Ford lowered the front part of the side front windows, really increases vision in a critical area.

This ain't your fathers truck.......this is a very luxurious workhorse.

Are you sure they are water bottle holders...look about right for tall boy beers.

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

Interior pic. This one even has the water bottle in the cup holder option.

Nice lookin seats. I just don't think I can get on board with the buckets and center console arrangement. Granted, I have used the middle of the front bench only once, but I like having it there and making the beast a 6-seater.

explorerx4

@driver100,
There is a bottle of water on one of the cup holders.
New truck is a long way from my first one.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
Now I can fit 5 real people, 6 if someone is will to lay across the floor in the 2nd row.

tjc78

Great looking truck!  Congrats 

fordfool

My wife found this "pipe" in our kid's car's glove box and grounded him.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvP2neoonPPhk_rlRSkJZ8lOQrVtBbdWGCr4nEVlKmk79Xw4u2

explorerx4

@fordfool,
I was trying to post a link to a digital tire gauge several times, some people call it a 'pipe'.
It was a link to a commercial website, so I finally noticed it needed 'approval'.
Hopefully, you get the idea.

oldfarmer50

fordfool said:

My wife found this "pipe" in our kid's car's glove box and grounded him.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTvP2neoonPPhk_rlRSkJZ8lOQrVtBbdWGCr4nEVlKmk79Xw4u2

Unless your kid is smoking tires I think she over reacted.