Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

nyccarguy

Happy Birthday @stickguy

My house is a funny set up. Yes it is a ranch, but the back of the house is high up. There is a deck there now, but it is small. I'll take some pics if I get a chance later.

pensfan83

The current deck isn't original to the house, it was replaced by the prior owner in the early 2000's I believe so figure about 13-15 years old. With care it's held up fairly well though some boards started to splinter badly last summer. Aggregate concrete requires far less upkeep and that's what I wanted instead of a lower deck in exchange for a wood not vinyl ceiling but I lost that battle too. In fact I think I was 0-3 on my "wants" for the project

driver100

jmonroe said:

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

Should I bother?

Dear ____________________,

J.D. Power is a worldwide leader in customer satisfaction research. However, keeping our clients up to date on rapidly changing consumer trends would not be possible without your help.

In short, we need your feedback on the ownership experience regarding your Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Your input will have a significant influence on the development of Canada's automotive industry going forward.

Please click the Start Survey button below to begin:

I usually do. If the questions are real, not leading, I'd fill it to the end, if I see too much agenda, I quit.

I'm pretty much the same about surveys. Most are slanted to give them the results they want to hear.

Coincidently, I just got my CR "Spring Auto Survey" today via email. Still thinking if I want to bother with that.

jmonroe

The one reason I like to do surveys is because I like using survey information - so I feel I should contribute if I can. I know CR and JD Powers aren't perfect, but they do give you some useful information. I don't think I would chance a Rover or most Chrysler cars because of low ratings......just some good general guidelines.

I use tripadvisor a lot so I have over 330 reviews on there. I feel the information I get is worth filling out a survey.

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

Should I bother?

Dear ____________________,

J.D. Power is a worldwide leader in customer satisfaction research. However, keeping our clients up to date on rapidly changing consumer trends would not be possible without your help.

In short, we need your feedback on the ownership experience regarding your Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Your input will have a significant influence on the development of Canada's automotive industry going forward.

Please click the Start Survey button below to begin:

I usually do. If the questions are real, not leading, I'd fill it to the end, if I see too much agenda, I quit.

I think along the same lines....you confirmed my thoughts.
I'll see how much time I have to give it, busy these days. An older brother moving from a 2 bdrm apt to a seniors residence.....all by June 1st. He can't do anything and he was a hoarder...........that plus tennis and pickleball and keeping my Edmunds fans happy.

Well, you could forgo that last one and spend a little more time with your brother's stuff.

jmonroe

I don't want any Edmunds subscribers leaving because of my temporary absence.

laurasdada

Happy Birthday, Stick. Mandatory punch. Screw common sense and financial responsibility. Make it a very Boxster birthday!

ab348

Couple of interesting pieces in Automotive News about Fords decision to get out of the sedan business. One talks about the question I raised yesterday, the European market, and the future for cars there like the Mondeo (Fusion). Apparently it sells about 1/3 as much as it does here so the speculation is that it will go too, but no announcement has been made there. The other question is China, which I had not thought about. Ford is in China of course, though you tend not to hear much about that, and the Chinese market strongly prefers sedans. So that raises many questions.

The other one is a blog entry that touches on that and other questions and concludes the decision is a mistake. I was going to paste an excerpt but this isn't too long a read:

"Ford Motor Co. is making a big mistake reducing its Ford brand car offerings to just the Mustang and a version of the Focus.

Here's why: Such a vacuum opens the door to more competitors, such as Chinese automakers, who will see an opening in the market and rush in to fill it.

There has always been – and always will be – a market for small, fuel-efficient entry-level cars. Though they might not be hugely profitable, they are necessary in Ford's showroom. History shows us why. In the mid-'60s, Toyota got rolling in the U.S. with the Corona, a small, fuel-efficient and inexpensive high-quality compact.

Ford, General Motors and Chrysler had nothing like the Corona. Look how that one seed grew. Toyota and Lexus are a colossus in the United States. More recently, Hyundai and Kia started off in the U.S. with small, inexpensive cars and used them to grow businesses that now compete in nearly all market segments.

Bailing out of the car market is not the right move. Finding creative ways to make money selling smaller cars at lower volumes is what Ford should be doing. Can Ford team with GM or some other company and share a plant, suppliers and maybe even a common architecture to make a simple, reliable, safe, fuel-efficient small car whose aim is to keep buyers from wandering off to other brands?

Would contract manufacturers such as Magna Steyr or AM General be able to produce cars for Ford?

Instead of bailing on cars, GM has been creative. Recognizing that car buyers are looking for utility, Buick, for example, now has a five-door hatchback, the Regal Sportback, and the TourX wagon. Instead of killing the Fusion, why isn't Ford offering the European wagon version here?

I also see trouble for the Mustang. Even with its popularity overseas, Mustang volume is still small potatoes. Ford says it sold 125,809 Mustangs in 146 countries last year. While some of Mustang's powertrain development can be shared with rear-wheel-drive SUVs and F-series trucks, it's hard to justify major investments in future generations of the Mustang with volume that low.

The hard work is not killing cars. It's finding new and creative ways to make them appealing."

http://www.autonews.com/article/20180427/BLOG06/180429789/at-ford-scrapping-sedans-is-too-easy-and-a-mistake

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

pensfan83 said:

Our home improvement project this year consists of renovating and expanding our back deck along with adding a roof. Last night the contractor informed us the start has been delayed 2 weeks from it's original start date of Monday, they are now not scheduled to get started until the middle of May. We were planning to start shopping for new furniture, grille, and fire pit this weekend. Needless to say we are very disappointed.

Just curious, a deck is on our home improvement TO-DO list. What is that going to cost? I have a meeting set up with a contractor next week.

Depends on how fancy you want to go. Lots of angles and levels will cost you. A simple box design is cheap and you can DIY.

Speaking of DIY:

Collectable? Worth restoring as a daily driver?


https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/d/1970-tbird/6563999642.html

fordfool

stickguy said:

Bradd, my opinion to your deck question? don't. Unless you have an elevated (2nd story) back to the house. If it is at roughly grade level, I would go with a patio instead. Stamped concrete of some kind. Our current house came with a huge deck. And it is a pain. Can't get under it and water collects. Have to clean and re-stain every few years. Occasional splinters.

if I was doing it from scratch, I would make a nice patio, with just a small landing coming off the house (instead of just a couple steps up

I replaced a flag stone patio on our ground level home with grey slate pattern, poured concrete and am still happy thirty years later. Low maintenance, just reseal every two years keeps it looking great. Comes in a wide variety of patterns and colors.

tbirdmarco

 Thank you Jay Monroe yes you know me another one who likes to rub it in and bust chops and corn good trouble just doing what I like to do ha ha Ha meeting today with the state agency that helps the blind and visually impaired went well today getting things moving and really trying to get into the automotive field now and follow my dreams at least start off in the BDC department I know it’s a job I can do so gonna stay positive and keep the faith alive and do what I have to do 

tbirdmarco

 Yes driver 100 I’m glad you agree maybe you should go back to Monroe and see if you could trade his 2015 for the 2009 great idea fill out that survey if you have the time I personally don’t 100% trust all those survey companies consumer reports things like that but I just me to each his own ha ha Ha 

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=37hjR2MhfiU

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

Speaking of DIY:

Collectable? Worth restoring as a daily driver?


https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/d/1970-tbird/6563999642.html

In the condition that one's in, that is about 300% overpriced. A lot (maybe most) people didn't like them when they were introduced but I loved the beak nose.

stickguy

probably collectible at this point, like any old car has some fans. Worth restoring? no way jose

fintail

Yep, T-Bird is too far gone to reclaim and not take a hilarious loss, but they do have some style.

Mr_Shiftright

Maybe?

oldfarmer50 said:

nyccarguy said:

pensfan83 said:

Our home improvement project this year consists of renovating and expanding our back deck along with adding a roof. Last night the contractor informed us the start has been delayed 2 weeks from it's original start date of Monday, they are now not scheduled to get started until the middle of May. We were planning to start shopping for new furniture, grille, and fire pit this weekend. Needless to say we are very disappointed.

Just curious, a deck is on our home improvement TO-DO list. What is that going to cost? I have a meeting set up with a contractor next week.

Depends on how fancy you want to go. Lots of angles and levels will cost you. A simple box design is cheap and you can DIY.

Speaking of DIY:

Collectable? Worth restoring as a daily driver?


https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/d/1970-tbird/6563999642.html

No, definitely not worth restoring. You could buy a nice clean one for a fraction of a restoration. Let someone else buy you the restoration, then you just buy the car from them at a huge discount.

I suppose if this one runs really well and has no mechanical needs, you could clean it up, buy some cheap slipcovers and putt around town in it. The asking price is right on the money for "fair" condition--which implies some shabbiness, but should be completely operable.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Speaking of DIY:

Collectable? Worth restoring as a daily driver?


https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/cto/d/1970-tbird/6563999642.html

In the condition that one's in, that is about 300% overpriced. A lot (maybe most) people didn't like them when they were introduced but I loved the beak nose.

Yeah, it would need everything but depending on what engine was in it might be worth fooling around with. My dad bought a used '69 with a big engine (390? 429?) and it was super nice but the seller didn't tell him it had extensive rust on the frame mounts and the car went to the junk yard pretty quick.

I love that nose too. A '70 would be the last year before the pollution stuff started robbing engine power.

tbirdmarco

 Me being a Thunderbird fan I’m not a fan of this generation but I’m sure there’s guys out there who love them prefer the one I have in the generation after 

tbirdmarco

 To each his own Ha ha ha every car has its fans and people who are not fans ha ha 

tbirdmarco

 I would take a chance honey car brand what the heck you only live once it’s all lock 

tbirdmarco

 If you like it that’s all that really matters big time 

tbirdmarco

 Happy birthday stick by them start doing some car shopping soon again ha ha Ha 

tbirdmarco

 If you like using those surgery things hey again tweet is alone whatever works for you the individual person 

tbirdmarco

 Above was supposed to say if you like using those survey things to each his own 

tbirdmarco

 Looking forward to the nice weather we’re supposed to have over here this coming up weekend 

abacomike

To add to the pain and suffering of the families and students of the Parkland Florida Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School Shootings and killings, the insurance carrier told parents of survivors and those killed that there is a $300,000 cap on the liability insurance in aggregate - that means there is only $300,000 in total available for the 17 killed and 17 injured - or less than $10,000 per student or teacher.  Parents and families cannot collect anything more from the school district or the county or the State.

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

 Me being a Thunderbird fan I’m not a fan of this generation but I’m sure there’s guys out there who love them prefer the one I have in the generation after 

Me too!

Those were the ugly years for T-Birds!

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

 Above was supposed to say if you like using those survey things to each his own 

Yeh, I was wondering who likes surgery?

driver100

ab, that was an interesting article about why Ford should stay in the car business. Some points could be disputed....like making a Fusion wagon, wagons don't sell very well in the US. Also, the article said a lot of Asian car makers nosed their way into the American market by offering smaller cars that weren't on the market at the time. But, those car makers found a niche market that wasn't covered at the time....introducing a new small car into a crowded market isn't the same....Ford would have to come up with something new that isn't offered.

Also, banding with a foreign make might help, but, they did do coops with Mazda for that very reason.....both benefit at less expense.

A lot of the article I agree with, and I think it is a mistake for Ford to abandon the car market. One of my sayings in business is you have a product, find the market, and find a way to make it profitable. Do you know how hard it is to start a car company from scratch....think of all the things you need in place....they have the most difficult part in place.....now they need the right cars. I think SUVs that are cars with a trunk would be a good market, I would consider one.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

ab, that was an interesting article about why Ford should stay in the car business. Some points could be disputed....like making a Fusion wagon, wagons don't sell very well in the US. Also, the article said a lot of Asian car makers nosed their way into the American market by offering smaller cars that weren't on the market at the time. But, those car makers found a niche market that wasn't covered at the time....introducing a new small car into a crowded market isn't the same....Ford would have to come up with something new that isn't offered.

Also, banding with a foreign make might help, but, they did do coops with Mazda for that very reason.....both benefit at less expense.

A lot of the article I agree with, and I think it is a mistake for Ford to abandon the car market. One of my sayings in business is you have a product, find the market, and find a way to make it profitable. Do you know how hard it is to start a car company from scratch....think of all the things you need in place....they have the most difficult part in place.....now they need the right cars. I think SUVs that are cars with a trunk would be a good market, I would consider one.

Sooner or later we'll have another big rise in gas prices and any company that is limited to trucks & SUVs is going to suffer.

bwia

driver100 said:

ab, that was an interesting article about why Ford should stay in the car business. Some points could be disputed....like making a Fusion wagon, wagons don't sell very well in the US. Also, the article said a lot of Asian car makers nosed their way into the American market by offering smaller cars that weren't on the market at the time. But, those car makers found a niche market that wasn't covered at the time....introducing a new small car into a crowded market isn't the same....Ford would have to come up with something new that isn't offered.

Also, banding with a foreign make might help, but, they did do coops with Mazda for that very reason.....both benefit at less expense.

A lot of the article I agree with, and I think it is a mistake for Ford to abandon the car market. One of my sayings in business is you have a product, find the market, and find a way to make it profitable. Do you know how hard it is to start a car company from scratch....think of all the things you need in place....they have the most difficult part in place.....now they need the right cars. I think SUVs that are cars with a trunk would be a good market, I would consider one.

Ditto! I'd love to see Ford make more of a commitment to EVs. A long-range, fast charging pure electric sedan might be one niche that Ford can succeed in. On the other hand, increased tariffs on aluminum and steel does not help.

tbirdmarco

 I know driver 100 ha ha damn voice dictation agree with everyone above it’s like a repeat of the late 70s again they never learn agreed should not abandon cars all together any manufacture 

tbirdmarco

 They should have a mixture of both cars and sport utility vehicles but not too too many of each 

tbirdmarco

 Wow Mike that’s messed up with the insurance companies are doing the shooting victims families 

Mr_Shiftright

abacomike said:

To add to the pain and suffering of the families and students of the Parkland Florida Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School Shootings and killings, the insurance carrier told parents of survivors and those killed that there is a $300,000 cap on the liability insurance in aggregate - that means there is only $300,000 in total available for the 17 killed and 17 injured - or less than $10,000 per student or teacher.  Parents and families cannot collect anything more from the school district or the county or the State.

Now you understand the term "regulatory capture"--when the supervisory commission of the entity being regulated is run by lobbyists from that entity.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

driver100 said:

ab, that was an interesting article about why Ford should stay in the car business. Some points could be disputed....like making a Fusion wagon, wagons don't sell very well in the US. Also, the article said a lot of Asian car makers nosed their way into the American market by offering smaller cars that weren't on the market at the time. But, those car makers found a niche market that wasn't covered at the time....introducing a new small car into a crowded market isn't the same....Ford would have to come up with something new that isn't offered.

Also, banding with a foreign make might help, but, they did do coops with Mazda for that very reason.....both benefit at less expense.

A lot of the article I agree with, and I think it is a mistake for Ford to abandon the car market. One of my sayings in business is you have a product, find the market, and find a way to make it profitable. Do you know how hard it is to start a car company from scratch....think of all the things you need in place....they have the most difficult part in place.....now they need the right cars. I think SUVs that are cars with a trunk would be a good market, I would consider one.

Ditto! I'd love to see Ford make more of a commitment to EVs. A long-range, fast charging pure electric sedan might be one niche that Ford can succeed in. On the other hand, increased tariffs on aluminum and steel does not help.

It just occurred to me that Mitsubishi has pretty much abandoned cars too. My beloved Eclipse is now a SUV. Do they still make the Lancer?

jmonroe

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

Should I bother?

Dear ____________________,

J.D. Power is a worldwide leader in customer satisfaction research. However, keeping our clients up to date on rapidly changing consumer trends would not be possible without your help.

In short, we need your feedback on the ownership experience regarding your Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Your input will have a significant influence on the development of Canada's automotive industry going forward.

Please click the Start Survey button below to begin:

I usually do. If the questions are real, not leading, I'd fill it to the end, if I see too much agenda, I quit.

I think along the same lines....you confirmed my thoughts.
I'll see how much time I have to give it, busy these days. An older brother moving from a 2 bdrm apt to a seniors residence.....all by June 1st. He can't do anything and he was a hoarder...........that plus tennis and pickleball and keeping my Edmunds fans happy.

Well, you could forgo that last one and spend a little more time with your brother's stuff.

jmonroe

I don't want any Edmunds subscribers leaving because of my temporary absence.

Well, your post has been up for many hours now and I haven't seen anyone in here complaining about your absence, temporary or otherwise. So, I think it is safe to say you can spend all the time you need helping your brother move. The members have spoken or should I say they have been silent.

jmonroe

jmonroe

abacomike said:

To add to the pain and suffering of the families and students of the Parkland Florida Marjorie Douglas Stoneman High School Shootings and killings, the insurance carrier told parents of survivors and those killed that there is a $300,000 cap on the liability insurance in aggregate - that means there is only $300,000 in total available for the 17 killed and 17 injured - or less than $10,000 per student or teacher.  Parents and families cannot collect anything more from the school district or the county or the State.

A 300K policy is pathetic. Why bother, with that kind of coverage? The district should have at least that much in the kitty for unforeseen expenditures. I think a lot of us in here have that kind of auto coverage and more. I know I do.

When the word gets out, a lot of school districts across the country will be outraged if they find their district has the same or similar type of coverage. The worst thing that can happened will be if/when the politicians get involved in this.

jmonroe

qbrozen

I don't think abandoning "cars" is such a big deal anymore considering the number of "crossovers" really are just cars.

Mr_Shiftright

That's what I was thinking. A CUV is just a sedan with cladding, a second trunk stacked on the original one, and a little lift on the suspension.

Or today's "sedans" are just CUVs or SUVs with the rear deck chopped off, slightly lowered roof, and less ground clearance.

The last REAL sedans were RWD, bench seat 6- passenger cars.

ab348

Here's a M-B driver having a really bad day. Happened locally this afternoon.

ab348

More Ford news, this time on the real estate front.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2018/04/ford-poised-take-detroits-corktown-neighborhood-report/

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

The last REAL sedans were RWD, bench seat 6- passenger cars.

A PROPER sedan too, preferably with a cast-iron lump of a V-8 throbbing under the hood and a coulmn gearshift controlling the drive to the live axle rear end.

Mr_Shiftright

Exactly. Snuggle up with wifey or GF in the front seat while driving, or if solo on a long drive, pull over for a rest and stretch out in the back seat. Trunk holds 3 bodies, small trees or paving stones. AC strong enough to freeze meat, heat good enough to make the bottoms of your shoes sticky. Panoramic views all around, 5 feet of metal to your front, 12 feet to your rear. Glovebox large enough to house a small dog comfortably. Full spare tire, with jack and tools behind it.

tjc78

Mr_Shiftright said:

Exactly. Snuggle up with wifey or GF in the front seat while driving, or if solo on a long drive, pull over for a rest and stretch out in the back seat. Trunk holds 3 bodies, small trees or paving stones. AC strong enough to freeze meat, heat good enough to make the bottoms of your shoes sticky. Panoramic views all around, 5 feet of metal to your front, 12 feet to your rear. Glovebox large enough to house a small dog comfortably. Full spare tire, with jack and tools behind it.

My kind of car. 

driver100

ab348 said:

Here's a M-B driver having a really bad day. Happened locally this afternoon.

I think the fire is actually taking place in the Cadillac parked in front of the MB. Fake news!

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I don't think abandoning "cars" is such a big deal anymore considering the number of "crossovers" really are just cars.

Crossover or CUV = Raised Station Wagon (w/ optional AWD)

driver100

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

dino001 said:

driver100 said:

Should I bother?

Dear ____________________,

J.D. Power is a worldwide leader in customer satisfaction research. However, keeping our clients up to date on rapidly changing consumer trends would not be possible without your help.

In short, we need your feedback on the ownership experience regarding your Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Your input will have a significant influence on the development of Canada's automotive industry going forward.

Please click the Start Survey button below to begin:

I usually do. If the questions are real, not leading, I'd fill it to the end, if I see too much agenda, I quit.

I think along the same lines....you confirmed my thoughts.
I'll see how much time I have to give it, busy these days. An older brother moving from a 2 bdrm apt to a seniors residence.....all by June 1st. He can't do anything and he was a hoarder...........that plus tennis and pickleball and keeping my Edmunds fans happy.

Well, you could forgo that last one and spend a little more time with your brother's stuff.

jmonroe

I don't want any Edmunds subscribers leaving because of my temporary absence.

Well, your post has been up for many hours now and I haven't seen anyone in here complaining about your absence, temporary or otherwise. So, I think it is safe to say you can spend all the time you need helping your brother move. The members have spoken or should I say they have been silent.

jmonroe

I have been out today until now....3:30 pm and there aren't too many posts, I think a lot of members left while I was helping my brother.

My brother decided he can't drive his car any more and he called the dealer to see if they wanted to buy it. They said bring it in and they would give him a check for it the same day. There is only one free site in Canada to evaluate what the car is worth....Auto Trader. It is a 2012 Hyundai Accent...lowest model an L and it has 32000 miles on it. They evaluate it at $4400 to $5100. Cars in Canada are usually about 20% more, so does that seem to be a fair price....I guess about $3500 to $4000 U.S.?

He is happy to take it to the dealer and take what they give him. I am more inclined to check an independent dealer on the phone....and see what they say as well...just as a double check.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

fintail

To be fair, that burning MB is at least 13-14 years old, who knows what might have happened over the years. Those early MLs are also not the pinnacle of MB quality.

fintail

Free markets and capitalism LOLOLOL

The FIRE sector is the most dangerous in the world.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Now you understand the term "regulatory capture"--when the supervisory commission of the entity being regulated is run by lobbyists from that entity.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

That's what I was thinking. A CUV is just a sedan with cladding, a second trunk stacked on the original one, and a little lift on the suspension.

Or today's "sedans" are just CUVs or SUVs with the rear deck chopped off, slightly lowered roof, and less ground clearance.

The last REAL sedans were RWD, bench seat 6- passenger cars.

But, Ford has an Escape if you want a Fusion CUV that rides higher and has more space. Maybe some people still want an actual car with a real trunk. If my wife goes to tennis or pickleball with me I prefer to leave her purse in the trunk where it is a little harder to get at. And, like I said before, I don't like riding around with all my junk and sloshing windshield washer fluid....I like a real trunk. I also like the rear window to be closer...not way back at the end of the car. I know...it may be different but that is what I like.