Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

stickguy

What happens when the self driving uber needs gas? Robot gas pumps?

fintail

I didn't claim make money - with generous public sector bennies, that would be difficult indeed. But it is still a revenue stream, and I suspect also an ego issue at play. If it is removed, something will need to compensate for it.

I wonder if an autonomous car is pulled over, if the LEO will check the little box telling a judge to not go easy.

snakeweasel said:

The vast majority of municipalities lose money on issuing traffic tickets. There is the salary of the officers involved in issuing a ticket as well as the support staff that handles the paoerwork, all their benefits and all the infrastructure to support them and their jobs really add up. 

Now if you go to court you have to cover the judges, bailiffs, court clerks, city attorneys salary and benefits as well as the infrastructure that supports their job duties. 

So unless a town writes a lot of tickets they can't make money issuing tickets  

houdini1

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

interesting thing happened to me last night. First a little background, my grandparents were hoarders and when they passed on we threw a lot of stuff away but we all ended up with some stuff, some keepable others questionable. Somehow I ended up with an old ledger book that I never opened and forgot about until last night.

In it were three hand written speeches that my great grandfather gave when he was a school teacher in Iowa dated in the 1880's. there was also a letter dated in the 20's offering to see him 100 shares of an oil company drilling in west Texas. Plus the stock certificate for the 100 shares. 

Well I will be doing some research tonight  

Well it could be looking up at the snakeweasel household soon. I hear you rich oil guys love buying classic cars.

Don't count on it, I can't find any info on the company so it was either a scam my great grandfather fell for or the company folded. Either way it would mean that I have a 90 year old piece of paper which only has value due to the fact that it gives off heat when burned and is big enough to wrap fish.

On the other hand if it is worth something it is in my great grandfathers name so it would have to trickle down to me through estates. Not sure how it would end up in my father's estate but his will gives all his stock holdings to his grandchildren. 

So either way I get a whopping $0.00

.

My brother was a stock broker, and people continually brought him old stock certificates. 99% of the time they had no value. Companies go out of business all the time, and when you are dealing in gold mines, oil etc they drill about 1000 holes and are maybe successful once....so all the shares become worthless.

I have to tell you snake, before I forget. I love your story about New Years. You lived in Chicago on Central time, your family would let you watch the ball fall in NY at midnight...and you would think you stayed up until midnight to see it...but it was 11 p.m. in Chicago. I have told that story to a few people who found it really cute.

houdini1

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

interesting thing happened to me last night. First a little background, my grandparents were hoarders and when they passed on we threw a lot of stuff away but we all ended up with some stuff, some keepable others questionable. Somehow I ended up with an old ledger book that I never opened and forgot about until last night.

In it were three hand written speeches that my great grandfather gave when he was a school teacher in Iowa dated in the 1880's. there was also a letter dated in the 20's offering to see him 100 shares of an oil company drilling in west Texas. Plus the stock certificate for the 100 shares. 

Well I will be doing some research tonight  

Well it could be looking up at the snakeweasel household soon. I hear you rich oil guys love buying classic cars.

Don't count on it, I can't find any info on the company so it was either a scam my great grandfather fell for or the company folded. Either way it would mean that I have a 90 year old piece of paper which only has value due to the fact that it gives off heat when burned and is big enough to wrap fish.

On the other hand if it is worth something it is in my great grandfathers name so it would have to trickle down to me through estates. Not sure how it would end up in my father's estate but his will gives all his stock holdings to his grandchildren. 

So either way I get a whopping $0.00

.

My brother was a stock broker, and people continually brought him old stock certificates. 99% of the time they had no value. Companies go out of business all the time, and when you are dealing in gold mines, oil etc they drill about 1000 holes and are maybe successful once....so all the shares become worthless.

I have to tell you snake, before I forget. I love your story about New Years. You lived in Chicago on Central time, your family would let you watch the ball fall in NY at midnight...and you would think you stayed up until midnight to see it...but it was 11 p.m. in Chicago. I have told that story to a few people who found it really cute.

Yeah as soon as I saw it my thoughts were it was likely worthless. But even if it's worthless I still want to research it due to it being part of the family story. 

Where did you guys get that old picture of the houdini family heading to town on a Saturday. Good memories !

driver100

If you have a limit of about $30k the TLX is a great buy;

From US News: The 2018 Acura TLX is now available with a starting price of $33,000, making it one of the least expensive cars in the luxury midsize class. You can upgrade to a more powerful V6 engine for $3,200 and add all-wheel drive to V6 models for an additional $2,000. The available Technology package ($3,700) and Advance package ($10,750, V6 models only) add features like a 360-degree-view camera, heated outboard rear seats, navigation, and voice command.

Michaell

houdini1 said:

suydam said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

explorerx4 said:

Sedans are out of favor, so it's probably a good time to buy one.

At this point/stage of my life, comfort is the paramount variable in the selection of my car.  Sedans are the most comfortable in terms of easy-in, easy-out; width and thigh settings; elbow room and comfort for my derrière; trunk capacity for shopping; left and right arm rests; and the physical height of the car.  

I used to to drive only coupes with 4, 5, and 6 speed stick transmissions.  Those were the good old days.  Now, sedans completely meet my needs for a daily driver.

I never understood the lure of SUVs. A truck hauls more stuff, a minivan hauls people just as well, a sedan gives you more comfort and better handling.

I drove a Ford Expedition yesterday and didn't like it at all. Felt like I was sitting up on a bar stool and the internal ergonomics were poor. It actually had less driver room than some small sedans I've driven.

Some people claim SUVs are a way to flaunt your wealth. I suppose.

An Expedition is not really a typical SUV these days. More people are opting for compact, car based versions like the CRV and Rogue. They have higher and more comfortable seating than their sedan counterparts, but aren’t ginormous. Hardly wealth flaunters!

If everyone bought only the most "practical" vehicle, we would all be buying 3 year old minivans.

Or Chevy Sparks.

Mr_Shiftright

I wish they'd make SUVs out of glass so I could see through them when I drive.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

My dad was like that - the last new car he bought was mom's '03 Hyundai Sonata GLS V6. I think he paid something like $17K for it (before TT&L) and was astounded at how expensive it was.

Mom still drives it, 15 years and less than 40,000 miles later.

Let me know when she wants to sell it.

With these autonomous pizza cars I bet you're glad to be out of that business.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

What happens when the self driving uber needs gas? Robot gas pumps?

It drives to NJ for full service.

graphicguy

@stickguy ....here are the standard features on the base TLX 4 Cyl. Pretty extensive....


https://www.acura.com/-/media/Files/2018_TLX_Fact_Sheet.pdf

tbirdmarco

Ok Michel.  I will try not to lol lol 

tbirdmarco

Dam sorry messed up your name above lol lol 

tbirdmarco

Nice g g  on your sons frend going with the 2018  t l x 

driver100

graphicguy said:

@stickguy ....here are the standard features on the base TLX 4 Cyl. Pretty extensive....


https://www.acura.com/-/media/Files/2018_TLX_Fact_Sheet.pdf

I think Blind Spot Warning would be the big one I would miss....but, still, a pretty nice car for $30k. And, if you didn't have it before, you probably won't miss it.

28firefighter

For those keeping track, Sam ended up getting his ear tubes put in today. He came through with no issues and is already back to himself.

We consulted with a second pediatric ENT as well as my GI physician as I have Crohn’s disease and one of the things we are worried about is Sam developing it later.

We settled on moving forward with the procedure for two reasons: (1) The constant antibiotics were putting him at a substantially higher risk of developing GI issues, and (2) we had reason to believe it was starting to affect his hearing and speech.

In case we were questioning our decision, they found another ear infection cooking which would be his 6th since September and 3rd of the year.  They also drained a substantial amount of fluid. 

Appreciate everyone’s input!

nyccarguy

I've got different ideas about vehicle costs. For my own daily driver (that I put about 20K per year on) I'd like to keep the cost down below the $30K mark. I'd definitely go the used/cpo route again. I'm happy with the money I spent (about $25K) and the car I got for it. I also like the shorter term loan I took out on the Infiniti. It had 7,500 miles on it when I bought it. By the time it is paid off it will have somewhere around 67,500 miles on it and hopefully lots of life. I'd like to drive it for at least another 2-3 years after it is paid off while continuing to pay myself the car payment.

I really wanted to lease the Pilot as I didn't want to have another 60 month car loan (on a $40K plus SUV). As you all know, that wasn't in the cards as the Pilot lease programs are average at best. Originally I wanted to bank the $10,500 and put $0 down to lease. I ended up putting $10,500 down (on a 0.9% 60 month loan) and my payments are reasonable. I know the Pilot will hold up until the end of the loan and hold its value very well. We put about 15K per year on the Pilot, so it will have about 75K miles on it by the time it is paid off. I know I will be able to trade it in and at least get my $10,500 back plus if prior results are any indicator.

I'm also not opposed to leasing at some point after the Infiniti is paid off. I know my wife likes it and isn't a huge fan of driving her Pilot around all over town if she doesn't have to. If I could get something with 10 or 12K per year for under $300 per month like a Civic Si, Challenger R/T, or even an F150 XL(T) with a 2.7L Ecoboost V6 that would be cool too.

If I had the financial means, I'd break the bank for something like a 911 C2, Cayman, or Macan GTS (CPO).

stickguy

yeah, the only thing that I really insist on that it is missing is the BLIS. The other stuff in the tech package is all nice to have but not essential. If you don't care about that feature, the base car is still pretty well loaded up.

Needs a spare tire though. That used to be an option, at least on the ILX it was, and the well was still there. normal tires and a can of fix a flat ain't doing it for me at this price point.

isellhondas

28firefighter said:

For those keeping track, Sam ended up getting his ear tubes put in today. He came through with no issues and is already back to himself.

We consulted with a second pediatric ENT as well as my GI physician as I have Crohn’s disease and one of the things we are worried about is Sam developing it later.

We settled on moving forward with the procedure for two reasons: (1) The constant antibiotics were putting him at a substantially higher risk of developing GI issues, and (2) we had reason to believe it was starting to affect his hearing and speech.

In case we were questioning our decision, they found another ear infection cooking which would be his 6th since September and 3rd of the year.  They also drained a substantial amount of fluid. 

Appreciate everyone’s input!

It sounds like you did a lot of research before making your decision! Tubes have worked very well for many people without any ill effects. May the problems be gone forever!

venture

28firefighter said:

For those keeping track, Sam ended up getting his ear tubes put in today. He came through with no issues and is already back to himself.

We consulted with a second pediatric ENT as well as my GI physician as I have Crohn’s disease and one of the things we are worried about is Sam developing it later.

We settled on moving forward with the procedure for two reasons: (1) The constant antibiotics were putting him at a substantially higher risk of developing GI issues, and (2) we had reason to believe it was starting to affect his hearing and speech.

In case we were questioning our decision, they found another ear infection cooking which would be his 6th since September and 3rd of the year.  They also drained a substantial amount of fluid. 

Appreciate everyone’s input!

For what it's worth...my grandson, when he was younger, had a similar problem with ear infections, antibiotics, and tubes. It did affect his speech. He went to speech therapy once a week for almost a year before he was normal.

jipster

driver10

Driver: I am a very medium player, but I can play with better players....I just need a really good partner. I am so glad I took up tennis, with good health you can play into your 80s, and it is easy to convert to pickleball when you can't run as much. I started at 36 but didn't start playing a lot until about 8 years ago. When I started playing in Florida aboiut 6 years ago i really had to get better if I wanted to play with my group here, so I play 3 to 6 times a week. If you can play the net you are doing well, that is one of the hardest things to learn. You need fast reactions and it helps if you can slam. I like the long shots from the baseline and I am very good at lobbing....they call me The Lobster. I love tennis, you will never get to the point where you can say...I am as good as I can be...always room to improve. For driving....when i enter an intersection I don't assume anything....except that one of the cars is going to end up in my path. It isn't nice, but I don't trust any other drivers, especially in Florida where anything goes. I am always planning my escape from a car that can cause a collision. Maybe one day we will have a tennis match...if you come to the Tampa area Nov to April let me know.  


Jip: I'm rated around a 4.0. I could play 3.5-4.5. At 4.5 it would have to be in doubles. Couldn't hang with a 4.5 in singles. But yeah, if I'm ever in Tampa I'll give you a holler to play some tennis. Maybe if Jmonroe promises to behave, we'll let him be the ballboy for us.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

I've got different ideas about vehicle costs. For my own daily driver (that I put about 20K per year on) I'd like to keep the cost down below the $30K mark. I'd definitely go the used/cpo route again. I'm happy with the money I spent (about $25K) and the car I got for it. I also like the shorter term loan I took out on the Infiniti. It had 7,500 miles on it when I bought it. By the time it is paid off it will have somewhere around 67,500 miles on it and hopefully lots of life. I'd like to drive it for at least another 2-3 years after it is paid off while continuing to pay myself the car payment.

I really wanted to lease the Pilot as I didn't want to have another 60 month car loan (on a $40K plus SUV). As you all know, that wasn't in the cards as the Pilot lease programs are average at best. Originally I wanted to bank the $10,500 and put $0 down to lease. I ended up putting $10,500 down (on a 0.9% 60 month loan) and my payments are reasonable. I know the Pilot will hold up until the end of the loan and hold its value very well. We put about 15K per year on the Pilot, so it will have about 75K miles on it by the time it is paid off. I know I will be able to trade it in and at least get my $10,500 back plus if prior results are any indicator.

I'm also not opposed to leasing at some point after the Infiniti is paid off. I know my wife likes it and isn't a huge fan of driving her Pilot around all over town if she doesn't have to. If I could get something with 10 or 12K per year for under $300 per month like a Civic Si, Challenger R/T, or even an F150 XL(T) with a 2.7L Ecoboost V6 that would be cool too.

If I had the financial means, I'd break the bank for something like a 911 C2, Cayman, or Macan GTS (CPO).

I think if I were putting 20k miles a year I'd go for a slightly used as well to save on the depreciation. Have you considered something that drops like a rock such as a Caddilac?

Your wife has quite a range of interest if she'd accept your list.

stickguy

Farmer, sounds like same situation I am in. She does not care what I get, as long as she will not be required to ride in it! Which really means that if I get something extreme, we take her car everywhere.

driver100

Firefighter: You do the best you can, you made the best decision you possibly could...hope it all works out.

NYC: You have an excellent strategy in place...you can't plan much better than that.

Stick It seems the day of the full spare are over. It is unfortunate the mileage rules are getting so tight the car makers have to try to utilize every drop of fuel. My life would be better with a full spare....and NO ON/OFF feature.

JIP, You are a much better player than I am. I play singles occasionally but I am at an age where doubles is all I can handle on a regular basis. I would love to play, and even better have JMonroe as our ball boy...he could also shine our cars while we are having our game. I just play social tennis, I am not competitive enough anymore. I played this morning and I am going back this evening for a mixed doubles social mixer.

stickguy

I just want a donut. Doesn’t seem like too much to ask.

driver100

Boston Cream is my favorite

Oh, in the trunk.....I'd prefer a "real" tire, but a donut would be better than nothing.

explorerx4

My new truck was ready today, but they called too late, so I'm picking it up tomorrow.
I took the truck to work today, hoping that would trigger the call that the new one was ready.
The call came after work on my way home from an unknown number, which I don't answer.
When I got home, after filling up the gas tank, that's when I saw the message.
Oh well, there goes $100 of premium fuel.

stickguy

heck, at this point, and with a winter storm this weekend, i would blow them off until the end of next week so you can burn up the gas.

Sandman6472

My Golf got hit this morning, just got home from the hospital and body shop. Frame is bent and suspension damaged, told me to not drive it on the freeway. Guess what I drive to work?
Gotta get my insurance involved because his is for [non-permissible content removed] body shop told me. Gonna need a rental vehicle it seems.
This really sucks!!!

The Sandman :@

explorerx4

@stickguy.
It took me a month to go through the last tank!
The new truck sat outside all winter, so I'm not too worried about it.

oldfarmer50

sandman_6472 said:

My Golf got hit this morning, just got home from the hospital and body shop. Frame is bent and suspension damaged, told me to not drive it on the freeway. Guess what I drive to work?
Gotta get my insurance involved because his is for [non-permissible content removed] body shop told me. Gonna need a rental vehicle it seems.
This really sucks!!!

The Sandman :@

Sorry to hear that, are you ok? How did it happen?

Be carful signing off on anything until you're sure you have no hidden injuries. My niece in Orlando that got hit by the garbage truck thought she was ok but later they found she tore her shoulder ligaments and needs surgery.

At least you know where to go for a rental car.

stickguy

likely insurance has rental car coverage. I never had to use mine, so no clue if they set it up and just tell you were to go, or give you money to rent your own.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

JIP, You are a much better player than I am. I play singles occasionally but I am at an age where doubles is all I can handle on a regular basis. I would love to play, and even better have JMonroe as our ball boy...he could also shine our cars while we are having our game. I just play social tennis, I am not competitive enough anymore. I played this morning and I am going back this evening for a mixed doubles social mixer.

Ya know, after listening to the two of you discuss you tennis skills, it doesn't sound like either of you are all that good. So yeah, I'll shine your cars with one hand, and play both of you with the other and I'll still win. :@

jmonroe

jmonroe

sandman_6472 said:

My Golf got hit this morning, just got home from the hospital and body shop. Frame is bent and suspension damaged, told me to not drive it on the freeway. Guess what I drive to work?
Gotta get my insurance involved because his is for [non-permissible content removed] body shop told me. Gonna need a rental vehicle it seems.
This really sucks!!!

The Sandman :@

I hope you are OK.

I guess you have already asked the car gods why this didn't happen to one of the Hertz cars you drive around.

jmonroe

explorerx4

Sandman_6472,
Did you contact your own insurance company? You should do that.
Sounds like you took a pretty good bump.
Hope you wake up tomorrow feeling ok.

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

My new truck was ready today, but they called too late, so I'm picking it up tomorrow.
I took the truck to work today, hoping that would trigger the call that the new one was ready.
The call came after work on my way home from an unknown number, which I don't answer.
When I got home, after filling up the gas tank, that's when I saw the message.
Oh well, there goes $100 of premium fuel.

Man, that is some bad timing.

If I knew I was getting a new truck in a few days I'd be putting gas in by the teaspoon.

jmonroe

tbirdmarco

Fire fitter  glad all is getting sorted out for little dam 

explorerx4

@jmonroe,
Maybe it's because I'm left handed, but I have a different perspective on things.
My car/truck is mine until I sell it, so I treat it like I'm going to keep it.
Sometimes deals fall through.

There has been some hockey discussion. My sports hero in my teens was Billy Smith.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ok4JR9QVzrs

Sandman6472

My insurance uses Enterprise and though I was going to go Hertz, the lady on the phone said it's easier for me to use Enterprise since they have a working relationship. Similar to what Hertz has with State Farm, supposed to make things as easy as possible for them. So going with Enterprise as the have an office right when I go out of our subdivision, maybe 1.5 miles from the house. Was told the car will have to be stretched out or something like that to even it all out. Don't quite get it but my steering wheel is now cockeyed and the rear rim/tire is pushed in at the top at an angle. Hoping the rim and tire are o k as I have run flats on that puppy plus the alloys from a Jetta SEL, 17" size.
Pray to G-d they can fix it to proper specs and get me back to where I was this morning. Would hate to see it totaled to be honest as I love my Golf that much!! My oldest just left as she stopped by to see how I was even though I told her I was fine. Interesting to see our roles shifting a bit but obviously I did something right with her!

The Sandman :@

xwesx

driver100 said:

lol....and do you have to tip the car?

Only if you somehow set off the alarm.

xwesx

Michaell said:

tbirdmarco said:

 Michael that’s awesome on your sisters son been excepted to West Point 

lets not get ahead of ourselves, here. Not fully accepted; just a one week summer camp experience. I understand it's quite complicated to get into a service academy. I have a HS friend whose son is in his first year at Annapolis. He didn't get in the first year he applied, so spent a year at a school to help him prep.

Yes, it is quite complicated! I did it a long, long time ago. LOL

Attending as a cadet or not, your nephew will have a wonderful experience at the camp if he goes.

xwesx

fintail said:

Kids would say you already sound parental

A nice new Mustang today is maybe 30K? 9K in 1981 is around 25K in 2018, so not a huge difference, given the modern car is superior in countless ways.

In my area, houses that were 100K in 1981 can easily be 1-2MM now, so it can be worse. As one who is priced out of that racket, might as well treat myself to a car!

snakeweasel said:

The first new car I bought was an 81 Mustang that cost me a little over $9K out the door. Now we dont blink at $50K cars.

My God I am starting to sound like my parents. 

I would rather sound parental than prenatal.

driver100

Explorer...never fill your tank when you are waiting for a new car.....unless you wanted to jinx yourself to make it come sooner.

I should talk, I filled up the E400 on the day it got obliterated. Maybe it is better to never fill up.

driver100

Sandman, sorry to hear about the accident....sounds fairly serious. Once again, the innocent party is the one that goes through all the aggravation...and it wasn't your fault.

So what happened exactly.

If they fix the car it will probably be fine...except for the car fax report and the value. If it is 60 to 70% destroyed it will be a write off. I think it is better if it is a write off at this point in time....if you can find a new one.

Hopefully you have full replacement value insurance if it is a write off.

Most important though, hopefully you are OK, pains don;t start until a day or two after. I am hoping for the best.

stickguy

yeah, at a certain point, you never really trust it, or feel right, about a car after a major repair. So sometimes, a total is the best outcome, especially if you might be wanting to trade it soon after. But, that is up to the insurance company.

sounds like it needs what they used to call a frame pull. When cars had actually frames. Now I guess it is a unibody stretch?

driver100

Ya know, after listening to the two of you discuss you tennis skills, it doesn't sound like either of you are all that good. So yeah, I'll shine your cars with one hand, and play both of you with the other and I'll still win. :@
jmonroe

JMonroe...you are on...if you also pick up the balls. Do you play with a wannabe racquet too?

Sandman6472

Basically backed into a parking space at cleaners. Came out, put clothes in back. Got in, put on seat belt. Looked around like always do...left, right, left. The Accord in front of me just to my left but in his parking space and not moving. Shift into gear and proceed to pull out making a right. All of a sudden, Accord comes flying out of it's space and hits me, but for some reason, he floored it. Hits me, hit my brakes and my left part of head hits the front door and my left arm hits the door also. Hit me so hard that the rear rim/tire is knocked in at the top at an angle, frame under back driver door all bent and hear air rushing into vehicle when driving.
Cop cited him for improper backing and go to local hospital/clinic right across the street. Have no clue why the kid, 27 or so, hit the gas coming out that fast...makes no sense still. In a small parking lot where folks should go slow. Miserable now as gotta get it fixed and get a rental. Apparently his insurance is one of the worst the collision folks tell me so Safeco is taking charge now. If they are as good as the lady on the phone was, things will go smoothly. As you recall, this stuff sucks and luckily only 1/2 a tank right now. Was on my way to Publix and to get some petrol but never made it. Hoping for a good outcome here.
One thing though, am rethinking my driving something so small right now. Maybe some more iron around me is the way to go!

The Sandman :@

suydam

Just more stuff to dent. A friend of mine has an accessibility minivan — solid as an oak! — that someone slammed into (it was parked on the street). Doors blew open, the ramp started to extend and got bent — a mess! Finally got it totaled so they could replace it.

stickguy

sandy, for side impact, I would be more concerned with how well it is built. The VW is a good one for that. Adding an extra foot or 2 out the back really won't make much of a difference.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

Ya know, after listening to the two of you discuss you tennis skills, it doesn't sound like either of you are all that good. So yeah, I'll shine your cars with one hand, and play both of you with the other and I'll still win. :@
jmonroe

JMonroe...you are on...if you also pick up the balls. Do you play with a wannabe racquet too?

Why do you ask, you worried? :@

jmonroe