Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

roadburner

Election Fun on Facebook:
One of my friends is the husband of the office manager that my opponent fired(via email)- and who needed just 9 more months of service in order to retire. Anyway, he has been a thorn in my opponent's side on Facebook since I announced. He's pointed out her mistakes as well as a couple of times that she lied outright- but there has been no name calling or mudslinging.
So... last night a guy posts an extended diatribe on my Facebook campaign page demanding that I condemn my friend because he is breeding "hate and anger" in the community. I check the guy's profile and it looks like he's only been on Facebook for less than 24 hours. My friend decided to run the new guy's picture though Google image search and it turns out that the picture and name were taken from an obituary of a guy who died in Utah in 2015. Needless to say; I responded that I would not engage in a debate with a fake Facebook profile that was based on a Utah resident who died 3 years ago- and also included the link to the obituary.

As one of my supporters told me today, win or lose we sure are having a whole lot of fun!

roadburner

In other news, I took the 2 Series in for an oil and coolant change today and I was given a new X2 for a loaner. I really like it. It needs about 50 more hp but aside from that it is an engaging drive. I'd like to try one with the M Sport suspension but the base suspension isn't bad. Car and Driver said that the M Sport X2 handled like a loaded GTI with a lift kit, and I think they are probably pretty much spot on. Here's hoping for an X2 M30i model...

driver100

Great 1 minute video....Alexa in new Lexus Models; (Ellen)
https://youtu.be/0HugGCoK7m0

nyccarguy

roadburner said:

In other news, I took the 2 Series in for an oil and coolant change today and I was given a new X2 for a loaner. I really like it. It needs about 50 more hp but aside from that it is an engaging drive. I'd like to try one with the M Sport suspension but the base suspension isn't bad. Car and Driver said that the M Sport X2 handled like a loaded GTI with a lift kit, and I think they are probably pretty much spot on. Here's hoping for an X2 M30i model...

That's a ringing endorsement from you @roadburner.

abacomike

tbirdmarco said:

 And Mike thank you for the kind words trying to always talk slow keep these postings someone readable enjoy your day all 

I don’t know about “readable” marco.  It’s more like being a cryptographer like what my Dad did in WWII.  I find that if I try to decipher one or two words by themselves, I fail at understanding your post.  But if I try to get an idea of the basic theme of your post (looking at phrases rather than words) I can decipher what your dictation software composes.  G Munro is easy to figure out, but G mongrel is not as easy.  I thought you were trying to describe a mixed breed dog at first. 

abacomike

I started UV laser treatments for my psoriasis on my fingers, knuckles and elbows Monday,  Blisters form from the areas treated.  My primary care physician authorized 10 weeks of treatments three (3) times a week.  So I go MWF at 1:00 PM.  I sure hope it works.

There are Rx drugs that can treat this condition but because of my compromised liver and immune system, they won’t prescribe them for me.

Like I always say - it is what it is. 

abacomike

I am at the mall doing a little walking.  They have, on display, a Karma.  It’s a 4-door vehicle whose height is about as tall as my navel - about the same height as a Corvette.  How the heck does a 73 year old like me get into that car?  And if I managed, with a shoehorn, to get in, how in the world do I get out of the darn thing?

I believe it’s made by Fisker- 400+ hp, MSRP is $104,000, or so.  Just thinking about the ride in that car with your derrière inches off the ground is mind boggling.  

abacomike

bwia

imidazol97 said:

I never cease to be amazed at how many people recognize Buick and the ventiports as the penultimate in automobiles.

Buick's new branding direction is to drop the name Buick from its automobiles. Instead, only multi-colored tri-shield logo will be used on the front grill and rear trunk as is done in the Chinese market for the Lacrosse and the envision. They claim that most can recognize a Buick by the tri-shield so need to spell it out.

Mr_Shiftright

oldfarmer50 said:

Saw this ad from a local dealer. Don't know how this makes sense.

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/2012-ford-fusion/6552895260.html

Almost $17k for a 3 year lease on a 6 yo car? Couldn't you get a better deal on a new one? The money factor is 6%. Sounds like the dealer makes out the best. Leases for the car's full value then gets it back with less than 70k miles to sell as a low mile 9 yo car.

This is what they call a "Mouse House" deal. The dealer is the bank (his "mouse house" aka a hole in the wall).
So the target is someone who is broke and is only looking at the monthly. This car has probably already been re-poed a couple of time. I read of one dealer who has repossessed and sold the same car 9 times.

Mr_Shiftright

andres3 said:

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50 You're getting the salvage title discount, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Can anyone explain why 45% of the Facebook car ads with "salvage title" in the ad also says something like "minor damage/minor accident."

Do they think people are stupid?

Yes, they do think that, and sometimes they are right.

carnaught

@abacomike, yesterday’s Fisker Karma is today’s Karma Revero. Now it’s about $140k, but sure is purty.

breld

roadburner said:

In other news, I took the 2 Series in for an oil and coolant change today and I was given a new X2 for a loaner. I really like it. It needs about 50 more hp but aside from that it is an engaging drive. I'd like to try one with the M Sport suspension but the base suspension isn't bad. Car and Driver said that the M Sport X2 handled like a loaded GTI with a lift kit, and I think they are probably pretty much spot on. Here's hoping for an X2 M30i model...

That’s very interesting - there was a blue X2 msport in the showroom last week when we took the i3 in for a repair.  The interior with blue stitching was very attractive.  My wife took a liking to it.  

Thanks for sharing your impression of the car.  

jmonroe

abacomike said:

I started UV laser treatments for my psoriasis on my fingers, knuckles and elbows Monday,  Blisters form from the areas treated.  My primary care physician authorized 10 weeks of treatments three (3) times a week.  So I go MWF at 1:00 PM.  I sure hope it works.

There are Rx drugs that can treat this condition but because of my compromised liver and immune system, they won’t prescribe them for me.

Like I always say - it is what it is. 

I have an idea about how you can get some help. Ask our poster buddy @tbirdmarco to concoct a new drug for you. He has an excellent track record for creating new names; maybe he can apply that knowledge to a break through drug so you don't have to get the old fashion UV treatments 3 times a week.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Election Fun on Facebook:
One of my friends is the husband of the office manager that my opponent fired(via email)- and who needed just 9 more months of service in order to retire. Anyway, he has been a thorn in my opponent's side on Facebook since I announced. He's pointed out her mistakes as well as a couple of times that she lied outright- but there has been no name calling or mudslinging.
So... last night a guy posts an extended diatribe on my Facebook campaign page demanding that I condemn my friend because he is breeding "hate and anger" in the community. I check the guy's profile and it looks like he's only been on Facebook for less than 24 hours. My friend decided to run the new guy's picture though Google image search and it turns out that the picture and name were taken from an obituary of a guy who died in Utah in 2015. Needless to say; I responded that I would not engage in a debate with a fake Facebook profile that was based on a Utah resident who died 3 years ago- and also included the link to the obituary.

As one of my supporters told me today, win or lose we sure are having a whole lot of fun!

I think I mentioned before that my dad was part of an insurgent independent party that ousted a corrupt city regime in the early 60s. The party in power didn't like that. We would frequently get threatening calls from their operatives and they didn't care if it was a 10 year old kid answering the phone.

Politics brings out the worst in people.

It's a shame that honest people like you have to put up with that nonsense.

cdnpinhead

abacomike said:

How the heck does a 73 year old like me get into that car?  And if I managed, with a shoehorn, to get in, how in the world do I get out of the darn thing

You don't. Your ship (and mine) has sailed.

dino001

Anybody, who followed recent Facebook hearings, should see this. The picture is funny, but I thought Zuckerberg did well, considering his previous issues with having patience to people who considered intellectually inferior (which is probably 99.9 percent of the population).

cdnpinhead

dino001 said:

. . . considering his previous issues with having patience to [deal with] people who [he] considered intellectually inferior (which is probably 99.9 percent of the population).

In his opinion; not so much in others'.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HLPJaW039XY

explorerx4

@tbirdmarco,
Hoping the best for your job situation. Keep posting those videos and coming up with new names for us.
G mongrel was a good one.

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

@tbirdmarco,
Hoping the best for your job situation. Keep posting those videos and coming up with new names for us.
G mongrel was a good one.

Probably his best but he was working with a good one to start with.

jmonroe

tbirdmarco

 Thank you explore yes hoping to best to as well I think still wanna get out of there and get into the automotive field you only live once we get the state involved to assist me in finding a job but always best to do as much as you can on your own which I am working on putting no rush we shall see what happens all up to God and the higher powers ha ha Ha 

tbirdmarco

 Yes explore I definitely will keep posting videos and commenting in here without a doubt hopefully this coming up summer will be able to go with my 61 Thunderbird to some shows just need someone reliable who likes this stuff to drive my cousins if he I don’t know we shall see main problem ha ha Ha can just put the car in one of my parents names and make it easier leave me out of the equation because the DMV can be a pain in the neck realizing ha ha Ha have to bring it home from the shop where it’s been 

tbirdmarco

 Just was waiting for the winter to be over with in the roads not have any crap on them anymore think we’re good to go tensional he will be getting it Saturday going to be really nice outside this weekend at least half of it from what I hear I will take it 

tbirdmarco

Got to Mike on how you decide for my postings Ha ha ha

tbirdmarco

 Was pretty nice outside today that’s for sure next few days gonna be beautiful but one had an awesome day my son bringing your two series in from oil change and coolant flush cool cool glad you like your loaner car even though it was a bit under powered 

tbirdmarco

 Enjoyed reading everything else above to everyone Mike I won’t even touch that karma Fisk are karma that you saw at the mall when you went walking today ha ha 

tbirdmarco

 Just was waiting for the winter to be over with in the roads not have any crap on them anymore think we’re good to go tensional he will be getting it Saturday going to be really nice outside this weekend at least half of it from what I hear I will take it 

explorerx4

@tbirdmarco,
Weather is supposed to warm up over the next few days. so I'm going to start the Mustang and maybe change the oil. Not putting insurance back on just yet.

tbirdmarco

 Sorry about that driver 100 I will talk super slow and explain what’s going on with my company that I work for there’s a lawsuit against them for millions of dollars from Fannie Mae claiming that we overbilled them since 2009 up until now. Don’t know if it’s true or not. who knows. There’s a few sides to every story but we shall see. We lost a few clients already hopefully no more  otherwise our jobs are really in jeopardy 

tjc78

breld said:

roadburner said:

In other news, I took the 2 Series in for an oil and coolant change today and I was given a new X2 for a loaner. I really like it. It needs about 50 more hp but aside from that it is an engaging drive. I'd like to try one with the M Sport suspension but the base suspension isn't bad. Car and Driver said that the M Sport X2 handled like a loaded GTI with a lift kit, and I think they are probably pretty much spot on. Here's hoping for an X2 M30i model...

That’s very interesting - there was a blue X2 msport in the showroom last week when we took the i3 in for a repair.  The interior with blue stitching was very attractive.  My wife took a liking to it.  

Thanks for sharing your impression of the car.  

I give it two weeks....

tbirdmarco

 So many people vent to me that they’re worried I’m pretty cool about the whole thing I tell people it’s all in cons hands the truth will come out whether they say will prevail like they been saying they could be just them talking because they’re scared who knows big company the office I mean is the biggest close to 200 people or I work alone they have a few more offices in upstate New York Batavia fish kill and also a process serving company to they have a few different companies these people 

tbirdmarco

 Also they own a winery they have tons of money these people so chances are they won’t fully go under but have to downsize big time they clean no wrongdoing but the truth will come out and prevail they seem like nice people when I see them but I really don’t know them I’m just saying they seem pretty nice for rich people ha ha Ha so that’s pretty much the whole story 

tbirdmarco

Rosicki rosicki p c 

tbirdmarco

 That’s the name of my company  that I work for 

tbirdmarco

 Sounds like a good plan explore for you to do that with your Mustang how long has it been off the road and on insured 

oldfarmer50

Just saw a Volvo commercial where they call it "the car you subscribe to". Is this another deal where if you don't own a smartphone you can't operate the systems?

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@tbirdmarco,
Weather is supposed to warm up over the next few days. so I'm going to start the Mustang and maybe change the oil. Not putting insurance back on just yet.

I've had mine out on the road a whopping 2 times so far this year. I think I burned more fuel idling in the driveway to keep the battery charged than I did on the highway.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

Just saw a Volvo commercial where they call it "the car you subscribe to". Is this another deal where if you don't own a smartphone you can't operate the systems?

no. it is like a rental. Includes the car, maintenance (not that there is any) and insurance. And you can swap for a different car on some regular basis. Not cheap though, but good for someone that needs a car short term.

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

 Sorry about that driver 100 I will talk super slow and explain what’s going on with my company that I work for there’s a lawsuit against them for millions of dollars from Fannie me clean that we overbilled them since 2009 up until now don’t know if it’s true or not who knows there’s a few sides to every story but we shall see lost a few clients already hopefully no more than our jobs are really in jeopardy 

That is what I thought but I wanted to be sure. Sorry to hear......I suppose that is Fanny May and I understand your jobs could be in jeopardy. I am hoping it gets sorted out and you will come out of this alright.

Sorry to hear about this problem in your life.....you still have a positive attitude so that is a big step.
Good luck, hoping for the best.

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

 Also they own a winery they have tons of money these people so chances are they won’t fully go under but have to downsize big time they clean no wrongdoing but the truth will come out and prevail they seem like nice people when I see them but I really don’t know them I’m just saying they seem pretty nice for rich people ha ha Ha so that’s pretty much the whole story 

Marco, you have great insight. I have been through many downsizings, sometimes I survived, sometimes I didn't. But, one thing I noticed, when companies downsize or combine, they always say....don't worry, things will continue the same as they were, but, slowly people start disappearing. When two companies combine....they only need one Human resources Dept, one Payroll dept etc. They all seem so nice and like they are your friends, but, they aren't. Same with some people, they act nice but that is what con men do.....act charming, and then take advantage. You know all that Marco, I just wanted to confirm your thinking.

snakeweasel

explorerx4 said:

@tbirdmarco, Weather is supposed to warm up over the next few days. so I'm going to start the Mustang and maybe change the oil. Not putting insurance back on just yet.

It warmed up here and I got the bike out, cleaned and oiled the chain and went out for a little fun. 

driver100

fintail said:

He has some patience - I can't imagine being grilled by a bunch of cranks who can maybe spot the computer in the room, on a good day. There'd be a few snarky words. The grilling by semi-sentient sack of atoms Ted Cruz was especially lame.

It amuses me to no end that those who 20 years ago preached to not believe everything on the internet are often the ones now falling for fb-based fake news and other schemes.

dino001 said:

Anybody, who followed recent Facebook hearings, should see this. The picture is funny, but I thought Zuckerberg did well, considering his previous issues with having patience to people who considered intellectually inferior (which is probably 99.9 percent of the population).

So, you use this free service, and they use your information to find out what kind of ads to send you. Is it much different than companies that have loyalty points? I know of a hotel that has beautiful views and people take photos from the windows....so the hotel etched their logo onto the windows so that when you take pictures people will know where you stayed.

Just saying....that is the way it works..........
Agree though, it has to be monitored or really bad things can happen.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

@tbirdmarco, Weather is supposed to warm up over the next few days. so I'm going to start the Mustang and maybe change the oil. Not putting insurance back on just yet.

I've had mine out on the road a whopping 2 times so far this year. I think I burned more fuel idling in the driveway to keep the battery charged than I did on the highway.

Have you ever considered a battery tender?

tbirdmarco

 Thank you driver 100 for the compliments yes think that way correct 

tbirdmarco

 Positive is the way to be regardless even when times are tough you think negative you will make it that much worse in my opinion and leave all up to God to as well we shall see thanks driver 

tbirdmarco

 I got one of those battery tenders probably two years ago for the battery for the car take the battery out and put it on the shelf love so simple to use I got the battery tender Junior I think it’s called small compact has a red cable to put on the positive battery terminal in a black cable to put on the negative battery terminal which is good for me 

isellhondas

jmonroe said:

venture said:

jmonroe said:

snakeweasel said:

tbirdmarco said:38p0

 Set the Sears is pretty much gone here the last few stores closed down so that the auto center that was around since I was a kid wow guys when off with that crazy snow already where is the spring it’s supposed to be here crazy 

at one time Sears was the top retailer in the world. At one time you could buy just about anything through sears, including cars and houses. The mighty do fall. 

And that is truly sad. We all remember the saying, "solid as Sears". Like I said, SAD.

While I never bought a car or house from Sears, I think I bought just about everything else over the years. More tools than I can count. In 1989 when we wanted to replace the carpet in our family room, we couldn't find what we wanted at any of the carpet places (Home Depot and Lowes were not around yet), so out of frustration I said to Mrs. j, maybe we ought to try Sears. She said something like, "I wanted to get a better grade carpet. What makes you think Sears has that"? I said, "they probably have lots of grades of carpet. It won't hurt to look". We bought from Sears and were totally satisfied.

Again, what a shame they screwed up a great company.

jmonroe

All true, but I would imagine, when Sears was growing and moving stores into a lot of places, the owners of small hardware stores, clothing stores, etc. were not very happy as Sears was putting many family owned places out of business.

It's interesting that you say Sears got rid of a lot of mom and pop places and they did, but in the community where I lived back in the late 50's and still live today, everyone "back in the day" seemed to do alright, not so today though.

When my parents moved from the Burgh to the community where I live today back in the mid 50's, there were 2 very well known hardware stores and they were across the road from each other (gone now) and they both did well. I went to both of them. One was the type where you bought bolts, nuts and nails by the pound. The one across the road was in a major outdoor shopping center, was more modern but still had real hardware items. I still hear the old timers talk about those places with fond memories. But business is business and life moves on. Oh for the "good old days of Sears and real hardware stores".

@driver100 you can tune out now because a tale is coming:

I also remember the day when my community had an appliance parts place. The guy that worked behind the counter in this old run down house was amazing. If you walked in with the part you wanted, he would say, "timer for a Whirlpool/Kenmore washing machine. I have that in stock", or "door handle for a GE freezer. I'll have to order that for you", or "door gasket for a Westinghouse fridge" and on and on. I walked in one time with the part in my hand and he said, "you again? What did you break this time? I think that's a cycle switch for a GE washer. How the hell did you break that? They last forever. I'll have to order that for you". For the record it wasn't me it was Mrs. j.

There was always a line of about 5 or 6 guys in there and we just laughed when the next guy walked in with a broken part that he identified within seconds. One time, by the time I got to the counter his helper was at the counter and Sam was at a workbench in the back of the room. I said, "where's Sam, he knows what I need"? His young helper said, "He's rewiring a waffle iron for a lady that is picking it up in about and hour". I said, "so you actually have the Nichrome heating element wire for those. That's good to know. I might need some of that someday". At the time, our waffle iron was at least 15 years old. Got it as a wedding gift. Still have it and it still works. I hope I didn't jinx it by bragging about it. If I come up one waffle short the next time I use that thing, you guys are getting blamed for that. :@ I don't think the common man can get that wire anymore. Well, maybe via the internet but not right away like years ago.

There aren't any more appliance parts places like that around me anymore either.

jmonroe

A friend recently bought a brand new still in the box 1948 Waffle Iron. I forget the brand but he paid something like 150.00 for it on I think EBay. I picked it up and inspected it and I have to say it was a work of art. So well made and so heavy. Put together with nuts and bolts, screws and washers. Meant to be totally serviceable by one of the small appliance stores that used to populate every town. Of course, it didn't have Teflon coating or much cheap plastic. What a piece of equipment and I have to say I think it was well worth what he paid!

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

This "collective wisdom of the elders" is shaping up to be a major crisis in the vintage car world, and especially in the vintage racing world. There are just no, or very few, young people with the knowledge or motivation to support some of these older vehicles. Possibly car clubs will take up some of the slack, but they can't possibly act as a substitute. And even car clubs for vintage stuff are drying up.

The "old timers" who knew how to perform certain tasks are dying off. Who knows why the differential fluid in an old Chevy flows through the closed driveshaft when parked on a hill and overfills the manual transmission and who knows how to fix it? they used to make a kit that rebushed and sealed the driveshaft. Are they made today? Who knows how to adjust the bearings on a car with splash lubrication? Who knows how to adjust a Fluid Drive so they don't CLUNK when shifting?

Who knows how to work on Huck brakes or install kingpins? Yeah, there are books but the "tricks" and "tips" learned by a generation or two ago are fading away.

I recently had a mid sixties Ford pickup pull up next to me at a light. It was a 3/4 ton so it had Split Rims. Try finding a tire shop that even knows what they are much less having the equipment to change one!

Showing my age again....

isellhondas

andres3 said:

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50 You're getting the salvage title discount, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Can anyone explain why 45% of the Facebook car ads with "salvage title" in the ad also says something like "minor damage/minor accident."

Do they think people are stupid?

Actually it takes very little to earn a Salvage Title. On a ten year old car a very minor accident can well exceed the value of the car so the insurance company totals it. Here is a great car that can be easily fixed perhaps by using used parts and bingo, it has a salvaged title!

I know of a nice Honda S-2000 that was a theft recovery. They stole the hardtop and most of the interior and a few under the hood parts- TOTALLED- SALVAGE TITLE! A smart buyer bought it as is and was lucky to find a wrecked one. He had no use for a hardtop but for less than 1000.00 he was able to make himself a great S-2000. Forever marked with a Branded Title but he doesn't care! He took photos before and after and when it's time to sell he will have no trouble selling it. The older the car and the less the value the less a branded title hurts it! No, a lot of people aren't stupid!