Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DjzKG_bo3dk

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Auk6jiToVVg

stickguy

Driver, that is the stick version of my car. We don't get that color here though. I kinda like it! Different style wheels too.

driver100

stickguy said:

Driver, that is the stick version of my car. We don't get that color here though. I kinda like it! Different style wheels too.

The one in the showroom also had SPORT written on the back of the seats.....looked really nice. When I was looking for it I saw this which looked pretty nice;

stickguy

mine has the sport script, but not the 2 tone color scheme. I like it. My wife would not.

dino001

imidazol97 said:

@dino001
I suggest Bubble Bandit for dishwasher soap. Available on the internet, Ebay, elsewhere.

Is your water hot enough since what I think you said is the dishwasher does not have it's own heater
to save energy?

I assume you're using a rinse aid as well to eliminate water spotting?

I have a big box of Cascade Platinum pods, which are supposed to be best, top of the line of top brand, or so I heard. Perhaps others are better. I know in nt years all manufacturers were forced to change the formulas and eliminate phosforans and they really struggled for a while to find proper substitutes. Never heard of Bubble Bandit, may be worth to check it out. I am using the rinse aid (Finish).

The water should be hot enough - as I mentioned, the cleaning portion seems fine, it seems the drying and the spots/streaks may be mineral, or the rinse aid itself not being applied right.

Perhaps it is the water hardness, we do have high mineral content in it. This reminds me to change my house water filter cartridge. Hope it will help somewhat. This thing could also be some bad load, or tough long-term spot residue on the particular glass. Another time glass looked quite a bit better.

dino001

fezo said:

Meanwhile, is Ford trying to go out of business?

https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/04/30/ford-ceo-jim-hacketts-decision-to-dump-cars-may-prove-fatal.html

I mean, we've seen this movie before. When gas starts popping up in price, these things will again be bargains for the people who really want such things, while the good mileage sedans will be hot commodities and Ford won't have anything on the drawing board, let alone production ready.

Even forgetting before this announcement, given a field that includes Camry, Accord, Legacy, Mazda 6, Altima, even a friggin Malibu, what on earth would possess one to buy a Fusion? Now, you're going to buy a car that they promise to stop next year? The Focus will stop production next month.

When you drop the bread and butter segment for come makers, is this not basically surrender?

It’s so funny. I just put gas in and the price for premium hit 3 bucks at my Costco. It was less than 2 bucks at oil low of 2015. Year or two of lower gas prices and people rush into big stuff and start thinking it’s here to stay forever. Three years and oil is $70 again. Don’t know where it will go, nobody really doeas, but the timing of this ditching seems really just plain bad. Almost like that Excursion they started just as the prices were about to tripple in couple of years. They may be out of sedans just as the first hysterics start dumping their SUVs again.

nyccarguy

dino001 said:

Meanwhile, is Ford trying to go out of business? https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2018/04/30/ford-ceo-jim-hacketts-decision-to-dump-cars-may-prove-fatal.html I mean, we've seen this movie before. When gas starts popping up in price, these things will again be bargains for the people who really want such things, while the good mileage sedans will be hot commodities and Ford won't have anything on the drawing board, let alone production ready. Even forgetting before this announcement, given a field that includes Camry, Accord, Legacy, Mazda 6, Altima, even a friggin Malibu, what on earth would possess one to buy a Fusion? Now, you're going to buy a car that they promise to stop next year? The Focus will stop production next month. When you drop the bread and butter segment for come makers, is this not basically surrender?

It’s so funny. I just put gas in and the price for premium hit 3 bucks at my Costco. It was less than 2 bucks at oil low of 2015. Year or two of lower gas prices and people rush into big stuff and start thinking it’s here to stay forever. Three years and oil is $70 again. Don’t know where it will go, nobody really doeas, but the timing of this ditching seems really just plain bad. Almost like that Excursion they started just as the prices were about to tripple in couple of years. They may be out of sedans just as the first hysterics start dumping their SUVs again.

It is going to take A LOT for people to start dumping their SUVs the next time around.  I seriously think it will take RUG at $5.00 + per gallon for people to start ditching SUVs for fuel sipping hybrids like they did back in the mid-late 2000s.

imidazol97

A high volume used car lot along a main road out in the suburbs here carried 90% suvs and pickups and vans for a long time. Last fall I noticed the lot emptied out and they had about 50/50 sedans and suvs/pickups.

I think the guy liquidated while the trucks had value at the auction in the area. With out prices all the way up to $2.79 for RUG compared to $2.19/2.29 a few months back, those low mileage vehicles have lost their charm used.

tbirdmarco

 Agree with all written above we shall see but I think the gas is going up again 

tbirdmarco

Wow quite the adventure. Today with your brothers car driver

dino001

nyccarguy said:

It is going to take A LOT for people to start dumping their SUVs the next time around.  I seriously think it will take RUG at $5.00 + per gallon for people to start ditching SUVs for fuel sipping hybrids like they did back in the mid-late 2000s.

Rational people won’t switch even at 6 bucks, not without a real plan, but there are many irrational people there. 4 bucks and fiirst hysterics come out of the woods.

stickguy

the numbers rarely work to make a panic move. But, if you are going to be buying anyway, going for better MPG will happen.

driver100

Gas is heavily taxed in Canada....it works out to about $5 a gallon. People just get used to it.......we have as many SUVs and trucks as you guys in proportion.
Just means less money for eating out or cutting back on other things....but, most people won't cut back on the kind of vehicle they want, unless gas prices are way out of proportion....gas at $2.90 a gallon is still a bargain historically speaking.

nyccarguy

dino001 said:

It is going to take A LOT for people to start dumping their SUVs the next time around.  I seriously think it will take RUG at $5.00 + per gallon for people to start ditching SUVs for fuel sipping hybrids like they did back in the mid-late 2000s.

Rational people won’t switch even at 6 bucks, not without a real plan, but there are many irrational people there. 4 bucks and fiirst hysterics come out of the woods.

I agree.  You made my point better than I did.  The hysterics will start switching when the gas gets to $5 per gallon.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

the numbers rarely work to make a panic move. But, if you are going to be buying anyway, going for MORE POWER will happen.

driver100

stickguy said:

mine has the sport script, but not the 2 tone color scheme. I like it. My wife would not.

This is more like what I saw....I agree with your Mrs Stick, both look good but I like the same color more than contrasting colors;

Looks really nice, nicer than some much more expensive cars.

roadburner

This year BMW is the featured marque at the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, so I was asked to submit my Club Sport for nomination. I seriously doubt it will be accepted, but I figure it's worth a shot- Munich only built 200 of them, so it is a bit of a rarity. Here are a couple of the photos I submitted with my nomination:

stickguy

those are my seats driver. Yes, IMO the interior does look like it belongs in a more expensive car.

fezo

Beauty.

stickguy

there is also another solution to higher gas prices. Just don't drive as much! I just checked the RDX, and it will be 1 year since last service on 5/25. So about 3 weeks, and right now, at IIRC about 4,500 miles. We do have a trip to NC planned in 2 weeks, so will end up at about 6,000 miles on it for the year (unless I am off and it will be 5k). In any case, not very many. Plus, this is our last time taking it on the 1,000 mile round trip, since the baby is graduating!

My car was right at 3K miles in 6 months. So needless to say, I don't get gas that often. If you are driving a guzzler 20K/miles a year, that must put a dent in the budget when gas prices spike.

nyccarguy

Beautiful Bailey!  

Michaell

stickguy said:

there is also another solution to higher gas prices. Just don't drive as much! I just checked the RDX, and it will be 1 year since last service on 5/25. So about 3 weeks, and right now, at IIRC about 4,500 miles. We do have a trip to NC planned in 2 weeks, so will end up at about 6,000 miles on it for the year (unless I am off and it will be 5k). In any case, not very many. Plus, this is our last time taking it on the 1,000 mile round trip, since the baby is graduating!

My car was right at 3K miles in 6 months. So needless to say, I don't get gas that often. If you are driving a guzzler 20K/miles a year, that must put a dent in the budget when gas prices spike.

Exactly. I've had the Jetta 20 months now, and I'm just nearing the 10,000 mile mark. I'm averaging a tank every 3-5 weeks.

The Outback has 25,000 miles in 38 months, the MINI 34,000 miles in 49 months.

tjc78

Same here 19 months and 9000 on the Elantra. Wife’s Enclave is about 8 months with 7000 or so.

qbrozen

You can get a CUV that gets 50 mpg, so why get a sedan if you don't want it?

driver100

fezo said:

Beauty.

+1

.........and where have you been? You just kind of snuck back in.

driver100

stickguy said:

there is also another solution to higher gas prices. Just don't drive as much!
My car was right at 3K miles in 6 months. So needless to say, I don't get gas that often. If you are driving a guzzler 20K/miles a year, that must put a dent in the budget when gas prices spike.

I think people do cut back on their driving when prices spike. We used to go to store to look for things, now they get delivered from amazon.
Like you guys said, people looking for a new car will look at more economical cars....those of us with cars will cut back 20% or 40% depending on the increase.
Speaking as a former business person, it is a necessary cost of business to use gas, but, it is a tax deduction, so increase is really cut in half.......and you find ways to be more efficient.
Airline and trucking companies....pass the cost on.

tbirdmarco

 Agree with what you said above stick guy 100% 

tbirdmarco

 Nice cars you posted above from the Concorde the elegance 

tbirdmarco

 I would be the one to buy the car that I want and I’ll back on eating out and other things sounds good to me 

driver100

tbirdmarco said:

 I would be the one to buy the car that I want and I’ll back on eating out and other things sounds good to me 

If gas goes up 20%, try to drive 20% less, one less Starbucks a week, 3 fewer beers, cheaper wine, order a hamburger instead of prime rib.

imidazol97

roadburner said:

This year BMW is the featured marque at the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, so I was asked to submit my Club Sport for nomination. I seriously doubt it will be accepted, but I figure it's worth a shot- Munich only built 200 of them, so it is a bit of a rarity. Here are a couple of the photos I submitted with my nomination:

Nice.

snakeweasel

stickguy said:

there is also another solution to higher gas prices. Just don't drive as much! I just checked the RDX, and it will be 1 year since last service on 5/25. So about 3 weeks, and right now, at IIRC about 4,500 miles. We do have a trip to NC planned in 2 weeks, so will end up at about 6,000 miles on it for the year (unless I am off and it will be 5k). In any case, not very many. Plus, this is our last time taking it on the 1,000 mile round trip, since the baby is graduating! My car was right at 3K miles in 6 months. So needless to say, I don't get gas that often. If you are driving a guzzler 20K/miles a year, that must put a dent in the budget when gas prices spike.

I put less than 1k a month on the Chrysler (10 years old with 127k on the clock) so increases in gas prices are a minor issue. Now that summers nearly here my trips when it's not raining and I don't need a lot of storage space I will be using the bike, I'm getting almost 65 MPG on that baby.

driver100

65 MPG for a bike.....do you have to drink a gallon to go that far?

bwia

Shocking! Last night on BBC America TV they featured a South Carolina woman who was imprisoned for two months for being unable to pay a minor traffic fine. The story went on to say that....

Four in 10 Americans wouldn't have money to cover a $400 (£290) fine - so many serve time in jail instead.
The BBC's Kim Gittleson explores why the US still has "debtors' prisons".

Apparently, some municipalities are using the threat of jail as a form revenue enhancement. Don't know how widespread that practice is but it is downright unconscionable to jail a person who is unable to pay a minor traffic violation or parking fine.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

65 MPG for a bike.....do you have to drink a gallon to go that far?

Motorcycle.

On a bicycle it depends on how hot it is. I go out on long rides with my camelback full and 2 bottles of Gatorade giving me about 136 ounces of fluid. I have done 50+ rides and have had some left and I have had rides where it went through it all in 35 miles.

snakeweasel

bwia said:

Shocking! Last night on BBC America TV they featured a South Carolina woman who was imprisoned for two months for being unable to pay her minor traffic fine(s). The story went on to say that.... Four in 10 Americans wouldn't have money to cover a $400 (£290) fine - so many serve time in jail instead. The BBC's Kim Gittleson explores why the US still has "debtors' prisons". Apparently, some municipalities are using the threat of jail as a form revenue enhancement. Don't know how widespread that practice is but it is downright unconscionable to jail a person who is unable to pay a minor traffic violation or parking fine.

This begs the question, when was the last time Andres posted here?

imidazol97

I thought of him last Saturday eve when I was passing a semi on I70, a two-lane road, at 72 mph in a 65 mph zone and a flying black MB came up and nearly rammed me. I infer that he thought I should have seen him coming in my mirror and speeded up to complete the pass so he wouldn't have to slow down for those going over the limit in the left lane. I did as usual and added 2 mph on the cruise control to complete my pass.

It was a C280 according to the badge when he passed me. LOL. Indiana tags.

nyccarguy

snakeweasel said:

bwia said:

Shocking! Last night on BBC America TV they featured a South Carolina woman who was imprisoned for two months for being unable to pay her minor traffic fine(s). The story went on to say that....

Four in 10 Americans wouldn't have money to cover a $400 (£290) fine - so many serve time in jail instead.
The BBC's Kim Gittleson explores why the US still has "debtors' prisons".

Apparently, some municipalities are using the threat of jail as a form revenue enhancement. Don't know how widespread that practice is but it is downright unconscionable to jail a person who is unable to pay a minor traffic violation or parking fine.

This begs the question, when was the last time Andres posted here?

He's still around

abacomike

nyccarguy said:

bwia said:

Shocking! Last night on BBC America TV they featured a South Carolina woman who was imprisoned for two months for being unable to pay her minor traffic fine(s). The story went on to say that.... Four in 10 Americans wouldn't have money to cover a $400 (£290) fine - so many serve time in jail instead. The BBC's Kim Gittleson explores why the US still has "debtors' prisons". Apparently, some municipalities are using the threat of jail as a form revenue enhancement. Don't know how widespread that practice is but it is downright unconscionable to jail a person who is unable to pay a minor traffic violation or parking fine.

This begs the question, when was the last time Andres posted here?

He's still around

Be careful what you wish for! 

nyccarguy

just answering the man's question

snakeweasel

nyccarguy said:

just answering the man's question

It was more of a wisea@@ comment than a question. 

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

Driver, the $4,000 sounds like a gift anyway. You said he paid that much a few years ago, and since then has basically trashed the car. Yet he got to drive for free all that time?

I would not get made at the dealer. They gave you a number based on a description which sounds like you told them it was basically clean and ready to go. And that the # was subject to adjustment for problems they did not know about. So seems more than fair to me.

Stick, it probably is a fair price. My brother said he paid $4000 difference between his 10 year old Civic and the Accent, but, got mixed up. By accident we came across his invoice yesterday....he paid $17000 for the Accent, and he got $4000 for his trade in.

The dealer said $6000, but if you subtract tires, the ding on the side and the bumper, wheel disc and wheel, the fact it was in two damaging accidents.......I think at least $4500 would make sense, but, my brother can't handle the tension. I guess the dealer doesn't have much choice but to give you an offer that gets you in the door, or we wouldn't have gone. When I walked out I didn't know about some of the damage...like the marks and scratches from the brick....so, $4000 isn't unreasonable....and 6 years of driving for $12000 is about as good as it gets.

It was particularly upsetting, that the sales rep told me $6000 on the phone, and then when the manager said $4000, the salesman said "I did tell you it would be between $5000 and $6000, take off the repairs it needs". He never mentioned $5000 on the phone.

Sleazy also making us go back....we can't write a check because it is the end of the month....is this a Mickey Mouse dealership?

Yesterday we delivered some cars to a Ford dealer. Our paperwork said "collect check". Manager said he didn't have one because it was the end of the month. Must be something about the bookkeeping. Maybe payments at the end of the month detract from bonus calculations or something. Just like dealers like to book sales BEFORE the end of the month perhaps they like to book purchases AFTER the beginning of the next month.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

This year BMW is the featured marque at the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, so I was asked to submit my Club Sport for nomination. I seriously doubt it will be accepted, but I figure it's worth a shot- Munich only built 200 of them, so it is a bit of a rarity. Here are a couple of the photos I submitted with my nomination:

That style holds up pretty well for a '95.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

Driver, the $4,000 sounds like a gift anyway. You said he paid that much a few years ago, and since then has basically trashed the car. Yet he got to drive for free all that time? I would not get made at the dealer. They gave you a number based on a description which sounds like you told them it was basically clean and ready to go. And that the # was subject to adjustment for problems they did not know about. So seems more than fair to me.

Stick, it probably is a fair price. My brother said he paid $4000 difference between his 10 year old Civic and the Accent, but, got mixed up. By accident we came across his invoice yesterday....he paid $17000 for the Accent, and he got $4000 for his trade in. The dealer said $6000, but if you subtract tires, the ding on the side and the bumper, wheel disc and wheel, the fact it was in two damaging accidents.......I think at least $4500 would make sense, but, my brother can't handle the tension. I guess the dealer doesn't have much choice but to give you an offer that gets you in the door, or we wouldn't have gone. When I walked out I didn't know about some of the damage...like the marks and scratches from the brick....so, $4000 isn't unreasonable....and 6 years of driving for $12000 is about as good as it gets. It was particularly upsetting, that the sales rep told me $6000 on the phone, and then when the manager said $4000, the salesman said "I did tell you it would be between $5000 and $6000, take off the repairs it needs". He never mentioned $5000 on the phone. Sleazy also making us go back....we can't write a check because it is the end of the month....is this a Mickey Mouse dealership?

Yesterday we delivered some cars to a Ford dealer. Our paperwork said "collect check". Manager said he didn't have one because it was the end of the month. Must be something about the bookkeeping. Maybe payments at the end of the month detract from bonus calculations or something. Just like dealers like to book sales BEFORE the end of the month perhaps they like to book purchases AFTER the beginning of the next month.

My guess is that someone forgot to process the check and someone made up an excuse. Either that or someone is cooking the books. Car dealerships are usually accrual based accounting. That means it's booked when the economic occurrence (in this case the delivery of the cars) happens not when it's paid.

Conversely if they paid you yesterday but you delivered the cars today it would be booked in this month. 

roadburner

bwia said:

Shocking! Last night on BBC America TV they featured a South Carolina woman who was imprisoned for two months for being unable to pay a minor traffic fine. The story went on to say that....

Four in 10 Americans wouldn't have money to cover a $400 (£290) fine - so many serve time in jail instead.
The BBC's Kim Gittleson explores why the US still has "debtors' prisons".

Apparently, some municipalities are using the threat of jail as a form revenue enhancement. Don't know how widespread that practice is but it is downright unconscionable to jail a person who is unable to pay a minor traffic violation or parking fine.

Actually you are not allowed to jail a person for non-payment of fines if they lack the ability to pay- but many jurisdictions overlook that pesky constitutional directive...

nyccarguy

snakeweasel said:

nyccarguy said:

just answering the man's question

It was more of a wisea@@ comment than a question. 

I know. Just don't say his name 3X otherwise he'll appear out of nowhere like Beetleguise

snakeweasel

roadburner said:

Shocking! Last night on BBC America TV they featured a South Carolina woman who was imprisoned for two months for being unable to pay a minor traffic fine. The story went on to say that.... Four in 10 Americans wouldn't have money to cover a $400 (£290) fine - so many serve time in jail instead. The BBC's Kim Gittleson explores why the US still has "debtors' prisons". Apparently, some municipalities are using the threat of jail as a form revenue enhancement. Don't know how widespread that practice is but it is downright unconscionable to jail a person who is unable to pay a minor traffic violation or parking fine.

Actually you are not allowed to jail a person for non-payment of fines if they lack the ability to pay- but many jurisdictions overlook that pesky constitutional directive...

I am just wondering if there is more to this story than we know. Here it will just end up in collections and they can pull your state income tax refund to cover it. It may lead to losing your license depending on circumstances which would complicate things if you get pulled over. 

driver100

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

65 MPG for a bike.....do you have to drink a gallon to go that far?

Motorcycle.

On a bicycle it depends on how hot it is. I go out on long rides with my camelback full and 2 bottles of Gatorade giving me about 136 ounces of fluid. I have done 50+ rides and have had some left and I have had rides where it went through it all in 35 miles.

What is more expensive, a gallon of gas, or a gallon of Gatorade?

driver100

imidazol97 said:

I thought of him last Saturday eve when I was passing a semi on I70, a two-lane road, at 72 mph in a 65 mph zone and a flying black MB came up and nearly rammed me. I infer that he thought I should have seen him coming in my mirror and speeded up to complete the pass so he wouldn't have to slow down for those going over the limit in the left lane. I did as usual and added 2 mph on the cruise control to complete my pass.

It was a C280 according to the badge when he passed me. LOL. Indiana tags.

Do we have to be brand specific when talking about aggressive drivers? Would the brand be mentioned if it were say an Impala?

(just joking)