Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

imidazol97

Harley Davidson's demographics of income levels of buyers in other countries may be more resistant to price increases than we would think and would buy anyhow. Sort of like Mercedes buyers used to be here. In the last many years my impression is Mercedes has pushed their vehicles to buyers with less disposable income and a lot are on leases where a few dollars more per month might scotch the deal.

iluvmysephia1

I like salt and vinegar potato chips. As for tariffs, I think it's jumping the gun a bit of Harley Davidson to already decide to build a plant in Europe. I understand that Harley Davidson will be able to offer the bikes for less to European customers that way and be able to make more profit per sale, but for now I would think that they're going to make plans to build a European plant but not cast the idea to stone quite yet.

Ahh...potato chips. We're not drinking pop right now (for about a week now) and we're trying to eat right constantly. It's an ongoing battle.

graphicguy

https://www.flickr.com/photos/97396424@N08/shares/5y7fNk

graphicguy

https://www.flickr.com/photos/97396424@N08/shares/93LoN9

iluvmysephia1

https://www.flickr.com/photos/97396424@N08/shares/5y7fNk

That '65-era Mustang fastback is gorgeous!

graphicguy

I saw the news about Harley moving manufacturing out of the U.S.

I'm sad to hear this given their long and storied history here. And, it's so unnecessary, but their hand was forced.

iluvmysephia1

I saw the news about Harley moving manufacturing out of the U.S.

I'm sad to hear this given their long and storied history here. And, it's so unnecessary, but their hand was forced.

I don't know if they're planning on building for their worldwide motorcycle customer market and selling to the world market from the European factory or if the European factory is just for the EU market. I would guess the latter of the two.

iluvmysephia1

Speaking of food and restaurant and diets, apparently 1 in 8 American people are or have worked for McDonald's.

graphicguy

iluvmysephia1 said:

I saw the news about Harley moving manufacturing out of the U.S.

I'm sad to hear this given their long and storied history here. And, it's so unnecessary, but their hand was forced.

I don't know if they're planning on building for their worldwide motorcycle customer market and selling to the world market from the European factory or if the European factory is just for the EU market. I would guess the latter of the two.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/06/25/harley-davidson-moves-work-offshore-to-limit-blow-from-trumps-trade-war/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.96c81a68d622

abacomike

Has anyone noticed the stock market today? Harley Davidson stock is down a bunch as are many other stocks that might be affected by the EU and other tariffs put on American goods. All we can do is pray that the powers at be know what the heck they are doing. Deep down inside, I have a sinking feeling about all this mess.

fintail

Which trading partners, when, and what are the sources if the mainstream media is not good?

Remember, FOX is also mainstream media. The art of the deal = BKOs, failed product lines, embracing dictators, usw.

Still no examples in economic history of these trade wars producing positive results, but maybe it will be different this time

imidazol97 said:

"Tariffs are backfiring.
That sounds like the political analysis by the MSM. They seem surprised other countries might do additional tariffs. To me this all is part of negotiating. There will be posturing, verbalizing, bluffing, making mistakes--sort of like an aggressive basketball player trying to talk his/her way into the opponents head with comments close up and low volume so the ref doesn't hear. The art of the deal.

We've been abused by _some_ of our trading partners for so long, now it's time to even the playing field. They take a little. They give a little. Usw. Just like negotiating for a vehicle.

I tried to explain that to my son a few weeks back when his fiance, her parents, and he were all working on getting a straight out deal on a slightly used GM that she wanted. She needed the car because she started at a job in a few weeks. Her parents were going to give her their Equinox. I explained to Imid, Jr., if she didn't need the car soon, they could have just kept watching new vehicles of that brand and made offers at dealers who could take them or leave them. Eventually, they'd hit the right day and would have a new car for not much more than the price of a one year old cute SUV. He understood. She understood. At least they didn't buy the CPO which is an add on at that dealer. My son knows they can buy a GMEP warranty bumper-to-bumper up to the end of the original warraty, 50/5 year.

All in negotiating.

fintail

What's the US distribution?

suydam said:

According to the article, that’s in the UK, and it’s because the UK gets half of its electricity from coal and gas.

fintail

Lease culture, it is big for all highline cars. Few cars are more exclusive than they were a generation or two ago, even Rolls-Royce and Bentley are a lot more common. I think H-Ds are purchased through HELOC culture, which could be just as impacted by a downturn.

imidazol97 said:

Harley Davidson's demographics of income levels of buyers in other countries may be more resistant to price increases than we would think and would buy anyhow. Sort of like Mercedes buyers used to be here. In the last many years my impression is Mercedes has pushed their vehicles to buyers with less disposable income and a lot are on leases where a few dollars more per month might scotch the deal.

iluvmysephia1

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2018/06/25/harley-davidson-moves-work-offshore-to-limit-blow-from-trumps-trade-war/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.96c81a68d622

That paints a picture of worry and layoffs and actual companies producing nails and companies producing motorcycles cutting back, closing completely or moving production out of the U.S. Yikes. I didn't know that Harley-Davidson had to import steel to the U.S. to build their motorcycles here. Is that not what you guys got out of that Washington Post article?

suydam

fintail said:

What's the US distribution?

suydam said:

According to the article, that’s in the UK, and it’s because the UK gets half of its electricity from coal and gas.

Varies by state. Calif has only 1 coal fired plant. I believe they get around 30% from natural gas and nearly 70% from renewables.

abacomike

Harley Davidson is just one manufacturer of motorcycles - there are many others including Honda, Kawasaki, Indian, Ducati, BMW, to name a few.  But Harley Davidson is by far the largest manufacturer of American bikes.

I owned a Harley FatBoy and several Honda bikes.  To be quite frank, I preferred Hondas due to lower cost and, in many ways, better reliability and performance.  Today, a Fat Boy “starts” at almost $19,000 and after options and accessories, you’re looking at $25,000+.  I am not familiar with what Honda offers that is equivalent to a Fat Boy, but I venture a guess that it would be $4000+ less.

stickguy

They can buy US steel instead. It will just cost more.

And this might shock some people, but if import prices rise, guess what tends to happen to the domestic stuff? Up too, can’t let easy profit go to waste.

fintail

What I would worry about in the EU and elsewhere is consumer backlash as much as tariffs. There's a definite "abandon your allies" feel out there right now, and some may simply choose to buy other makes and not buy American just because of the recent tone - I believe this is happening already with other products. Aging demographics won't help, either.

abacomike said:

Harley Davidson is just one manufacturer of motorcycles - there are many others including Honda, Kawasaki, Indian, Ducati, BMW, to name a few.  But Harley Davidson is by far the largest manufacturer of American bikes.

I owned a Harley FatBoy and several Honda bikes.  To be quite frank, I preferred Hondas due to lower cost and, in many ways, better reliability and performance.  Today, a Fat Boy “starts” at almost $19,000 and after options and accessories, you’re looking at $25,000+.  I am not familiar with what Honda offers that is equivalent to a Fat Boy, but I venture a guess that it would be $4000+ less.

fintail

For the country as a whole, I suspect this is as authoritative as possible:

https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=427&t=3

I suspect we have more hydro than most places here.

suydam said:

Varies by state. Calif has only 1 coal fired plant. I believe they get around 30% from natural gas and nearly 70% from renewables.

houdini1

imidazol97 said:

"Tariffs are backfiring.
That sounds like the political analysis by the MSM. They seem surprised other countries might do additional tariffs. To me this all is part of negotiating. There will be posturing, verbalizing, bluffing, making mistakes--sort of like an aggressive basketball player trying to talk his/her way into the opponents head with comments close up and low volume so the ref doesn't hear. The art of the deal.

We've been abused by _some_ of our trading partners for so long, now it's time to even the playing field. They take a little. They give a little. Usw. Just like negotiating for a vehicle.

I tried to explain that to my son a few weeks back when his fiance, her parents, and he were all working on getting a straight out deal on a slightly used GM that she wanted. She needed the car because she started at a job in a few weeks. Her parents were going to give her their Equinox. I explained to Imid, Jr., if she didn't need the car soon, they could have just kept watching new vehicles of that brand and made offers at dealers who could take them or leave them. Eventually, they'd hit the right day and would have a new car for not much more than the price of a one year old cute SUV. He understood. She understood. At least they didn't buy the CPO which is an add on at that dealer. My son knows they can buy a GMEP warranty bumper-to-bumper up to the end of the original warraty, 50/5 year.

All in negotiating.

I am not sure if others don't understand this, or if they are just suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

laurasdada

Cape Cod Low Fat Kettle Cooked Chips. Mild addiction here...

Went to the British Car Lawn Show at the Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline Sunday. Living in the Boston area for 27 years, first time I've gone. Very interesting story of Larz and Isabel Anderson, true (turn of the 20th century) car people, an amazing display of their unrestored collection. Including a couple of electrics.

Cars on the lawn? Gorgeous, event was sponsored by McLaren. Jag, MG, Triumph, Lotus, Morgan, TVR, Rolls, Bentley, Aston Martin, Mini, all represented. An incredible silver '62 (IIRC) Rolls two door convertible originally owned by the owner of Harrod's. Several stunning Jag E-Types, Series I & II, an X-type and X-type estate (wagon, looked good!), XJ-S, F-Type, XK120 &150. In fact the first car I saw was an XF, I didn't even think to "show" my car. Lotus Exige, Evora (which I sat in, not quite the origami of entry/exiting a BMW i8, but not for the non-limber!), Elans (originals, not Isuzu) but no Esprit. More modern AMs, DB7, 9,Vantage and Rapide.

Several Triumph TR6, including a Screaming Yellow Zonker that was for sale out of RI. Spitfires. MG-B and GT. Austin Healy, a Sunbeam Tiger, Minis new and original. Really just a fantastic collection of British cars. Looking forward to the "Orphaned Marques" and "Concouse Italiano" days later this summer.

Thanks goodness the market is tanking and my 401k is sinking, otherwise I'd cash out. At least now, I don't have enough to do so. Silver lining there...

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

They can buy US steel instead. It will just cost more.

And this might shock some people, but if import prices rise, guess what tends to happen to the domestic stuff? Up too, can’t let easy profit go to waste.

I can tell you that this has already begun. I EXCLUSIVELY sell Domestic Steel Pipe (Made in the USA, NOT Canada or Mexico). There happens to be ONLY 1 manufacturer of steel pipe here in the United States (Wheatland Pipe). Back at the end of February, a Length of 2" x 10' Black Schedule 40 Pipe Threaded Both Ends cost me $25.97 per length. On June 1, that same EXACT length of pipe cost me $31.29.

fintail

Maybe the lack of data makes it hard to grasp for people with real world knowledge and credentials who will be dealing with this mess when the enablers are long gone.

I thought this place wasn't going to be political anymore.

houdini1 said:

I am not sure if others don't understand this, or if they are just suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

henryn

houdini1 said:

I am not sure if others don't understand this, or if they are just suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome.

Stop already. I get a tremendous urge to tell you exactly what I think about this, and then the moderators would have to step in, and I would probably get booted. So JUST STOP.

stickguy

I should tell me dishwasher story. Need to do some research. The little wheel on the top rack (that runs in the pull out slide arm) broke off. Not sure if can just replace the slip that holds it on, or need a whole new rack. Needless to say, not at all pleased. Unit has been fine otherwise (7 YO now) and no desire to replace it.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
I have a plumbing story for you, at least the start of one.
We have had a leaking outside faucet for quite a while.
It doesn't leak when shut off, but has been leaking a lot when you open it.
Being cheap, I ran the hose into a 5 gallon bucket, so we could save some of the water, but it just isn't working anymore.
Called a local plumber, tell him about the leak. Out of nowhere, he how about those Yankees?
I say, Everything was great until the weekend.
He says you're a Yankee fan right? Because if you are a Sox fan I'd be too busy.

jmonroe

iluvmysephia1 said:

I like salt and vinegar potato chips. As for tariffs, I think it's jumping the gun a bit of Harley Davidson to already decide to build a plant in Europe. I understand that Harley Davidson will be able to offer the bikes for less to European customers that way and be able to make more profit per sale, but for now I would think that they're going to make plans to build a European plant but not cast the idea to stone quite yet.

Ahh...potato chips. We're not drinking pop right now (for about a week now) and we're trying to eat right constantly. It's an ongoing battle.

Hint, those ain't potato chips. That's a bag of wannabes. Chips are thinly sliced potatoes fried in oil (not baked) with salt added, that's all. Lays are the best. I otta know because I'm willing to bet I've eaten more potato chips than anyone else in here. Maybe even two anyone else's. Chocolate? I can take it or leave it but you better not let me see a bag of potato chips. They're my only vice and are not safe around me.

But I think I know why you like what's in that bag you posted. Anyone who likes Nissans would like those things.

jmonroe

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d8XmryI50Lo

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

@nyccarguy,
I have a plumbing story for you, at least the start of one.
We have had a leaking outside faucet for quite a while.
It doesn't leak when shut off, but has been leaking a lot when you open it.
Being cheap, I ran the hose into a 5 gallon bucket, so we could save some of the water, but it just isn't working anymore.
Called a local plumber, tell him about the leak. Out of nowhere, he how about those Yankees?
I say, Everything was great until the weekend.
He says you're a Yankee fan right? Because if you are a Sox fan I'd be too busy.

Your valve sounds like it needs the stem packing replaced or you could just add some packing around the stem. Usually that is a lot easier to fix than a washer that has a corroded brass screw holding it in place. Maybe our plumber poster buddy has another suggestion other than getting ripped off by a Yankee lovin plumber.

jmonroe

explorerx4

@jmonroe,
I started out looking for some replacement parts, but couldn't find any.
You did inspire me to watch some Youtube videos on how to fix a leaking outside faucet.
Like me, they couldn't find any repair parts and ended up replacing the existing piece.

ab348

jmonroe said:

But I think I know why you like what's in that bag you posted. Anyone who likes Nissans would like those things.

Are you saying they are made using Japanese potatoes?

What I want to know is how those Cape Cod low-fat kettle chips @laurasdada likes can be low-fat if they are cooked in a kettle of boiling oil.

berri

You have to be very careful of timing when using negotiation tactics. Things can change in a hurry. Harley Davidson is going to move some production and likely job slots to Thailand as I understand it. Not trying to be glib, but all this tariff stuff can be good cover for a strategizing executive to move some production and fatten the bottom line. "I don't like doing this, but my hands are tied". Any jobs lost aren't likely to return to the US. Also, remember that many of the S&P large companies get 20-35% of their revenues from overseas. Small business is not as global, but tariff transfers can affect their subcontracted revenues. Some of the nasty talk in all of this and the border situation concerns me that it can potentially push the growing Latin American economies and natural resources closer to China. Bottom line: the talk may work, but it could backfire ugly.

jmonroe

ab348 said:

jmonroe said:

But I think I know why you like what's in that bag you posted. Anyone who likes Nissans would like those things.

Are you saying they are made using Japanese potatoes?

What I want to know is how those Cape Cod low-fat kettle chips @laurasdada likes can be low-fat if they are cooked in a kettle of boiling oil.

More than likely it is a lower fat oil. Not health food but not as bad as Lays.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

No offense to any Mustang GT owners(remember that I came this close to getting a 2015 GT), but I thought this was hysterical. A guy posed this comment on another board in response to a road test of an M240i:

Why would anyone pick this over a GT, youjust get more for your money with the 5.0L. Same real-world mpg (my buddies GT gets 33mpg) and for like $40k u can get a gently used GT with a tune with even more power. Besides they have permanent Sport Mode not german engineered complicated sport mode lol. Why push a button? Just step on the peddle and V8 power no hesitation. Plus it has big brakes IRS and that classic V8 sound u kno for the ladies haha. Those BMWs are so tiny and over-complicated w/turbos and over priced for what u get just stick with tried and true American V8.

The author was actually a BMW owner; it duped quite a few people-on both sides-even though he ended the post with "/s". I tip my hat to him...

I had the pleasure of driving a 2018 BMW 740i with 800 miles on the clock. What a marvelous car. It took me 5 minutes to get it in gear and only then after the car told me how. (I could almost hear a stern German voice scolding my ineptitude). Another 10 minutes to tune the radio and I was off.

Beautiful black and copper brown leather interior. Comfy seats, good visability dispite being low and sporty. A very large car with roomy interior.

Excellent driving dynamics for a large car. I had fun switching between Sport, Comfort and Eco modes. The dash display changed the gauges and color depending on mode. You could feel a stiffer ride in Sport and I assume cornering improved. Comfort was great for most of the 100 mile ride. I couldn't figure out Eco mode as it seemed to be giving me battery and voltage readings. (Is Idrive a hybrid system?)

The engine was powerful with a little turbo lag. I learned that if you just eased gradually on the throttle you didn't get the "kick" of when you jabbed it a little. When I did put the hammer down the car really flew. All in all a really nice ride.

I saw a similar BMW in our lot last week with an $88k sticker.

The only down side was some sort of lane minder nanny that vibrated when you got close to the lines on the side of the road. It went off constantly on the narrow roads I was driving. Very annoying and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off.

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

@jmonroe,
I started out looking for some replacement parts, but couldn't find any.
You did inspire me to watch some Youtube videos on how to fix a leaking outside faucet.
Like me, they couldn't find any repair parts and ended up replacing the existing piece.

What I am talking about is not a "part" per se. It looks like string that is about 1/16 of an inch in diameter (you do the metric conversion) and today it is made of Teflon not the carbon impregnated stuff like years ago. It's sold in a package that has about 3 feet of it for less then 2 bucks. Ask @nyccarguy to bring some over.


EDIT: I should have done this first. I was off by a buck but you can afford it. The price difference is probably because of the new import tax.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DANCO-3-32-in-x-36-in-Valve-Packing-80794/203193512?MERCH=REC-_-SearchPLPHorizontal1_rr-_-NA-_-203193512-_-N

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

Harley Davidson's demographics of income levels of buyers in other countries may be more resistant to price increases than we would think and would buy anyhow. Sort of like Mercedes buyers used to be here. In the last many years my impression is Mercedes has pushed their vehicles to buyers with less disposable income and a lot are on leases where a few dollars more per month might scotch the deal.

If I understand the HD issue correctly, they are only moving manufacturing of bikes being sold overseas out of the country to compensate for retaliation tariffs by those countries. Domestic sales will still be made here.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

No offense to any Mustang GT owners(remember that I came this close to getting a 2015 GT), but I thought this was hysterical. A guy posed this comment on another board in response to a road test of an M240i:

Why would anyone pick this over a GT, youjust get more for your money with the 5.0L. Same real-world mpg (my buddies GT gets 33mpg) and for like $40k u can get a gently used GT with a tune with even more power. Besides they have permanent Sport Mode not german engineered complicated sport mode lol. Why push a button? Just step on the peddle and V8 power no hesitation. Plus it has big brakes IRS and that classic V8 sound u kno for the ladies haha. Those BMWs are so tiny and over-complicated w/turbos and over priced for what u get just stick with tried and true American V8.

The author was actually a BMW owner; it duped quite a few people-on both sides-even though he ended the post with "/s". I tip my hat to him...

I had the pleasure of driving a 2018 BMW 740i with 800 miles on the clock. What a marvelous car. It took me 5 minutes to get it in gear and only then after the car told me how. (I could almost hear a stern German voice scolding my ineptitude). Another 10 minutes to tune the radio and I was off.

Beautiful black and copper brown leather interior. Comfy seats, good visability dispite being low and sporty. A very large car with roomy interior.

Excellent driving dynamics for a large car. I had fun switching between Sport, Comfort and Eco modes. The dash display changed the gauges and color depending on mode. You could feel a stiffer ride in Sport and I assume cornering improved. Comfort was great for most of the 100 mile ride. I couldn't figure out Eco mode as it seemed to be giving me battery and voltage readings. (Is Idrive a hybrid system?)

The engine was powerful with a little turbo lag. I learned that if you just eased gradually on the throttle you didn't get the "kick" of when you jabbed it a little. When I did put the hammer down the car really flew. All in all a really nice ride.

I saw a similar BMW in our lot last week with an $88k sticker.

The only down side was some sort of lane minder nanny that vibrated when you got close to the lines on the side of the road. It went off constantly on the narrow roads I was driving. Very annoying and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off.

On my wannabe it can be turned off via a button on the lower left dash panel. But with a BMW, you might have to register the driver so it doesn't think you stole it.

jmonroe

explorerx4

Decided to put the truck in the garage so the plumber doesn't see it.
I had to turn it a bit to the left so the fridge could open.
I'm ok him seeing the 'Old Man Gray' Fusion.
You can just see the windshield frame of the Mustang in the center of the lower side window opening.

fintail

I forget, are you working at an auction or rental fleet?

Idrive is the name of the infotaimment system. On a prior gen 7er I rented in Germany, the buttons to disable the lane nannies etc are at lower left, near the headlight switch.

oldfarmer50 said:

I had the pleasure of driving a 2018 BMW 740i with 800 miles on the clock. What a marvelous car. It took me 5 minutes to get it in gear and only then after the car told me how. (I could almost hear a stern German voice scolding my ineptitude). Another 10 minutes to tune the radio and I was off.

The only down side was some sort of lane minder nanny that vibrated when you got close to the lines on the side of the road. It went off constantly on the narrow roads I was driving. Very annoying and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off.

fintail

If we're talking chips, these Canadian-style ones are awfully good:



Not sure if they are available everywhere, but they are in this border state, and are now more than a treat for when I am north of the border.

These are also good:



But I have them less, as they can be dear, and I suspect are even worse for you than normal chips.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

No offense to any Mustang GT owners(remember that I came this close to getting a 2015 GT), but I thought this was hysterical. A guy posed this comment on another board in response to a road test of an M240i:

Why would anyone pick this over a GT, youjust get more for your money with the 5.0L. Same real-world mpg (my buddies GT gets 33mpg) and for like $40k u can get a gently used GT with a tune with even more power. Besides they have permanent Sport Mode not german engineered complicated sport mode lol. Why push a button? Just step on the peddle and V8 power no hesitation. Plus it has big brakes IRS and that classic V8 sound u kno for the ladies haha. Those BMWs are so tiny and over-complicated w/turbos and over priced for what u get just stick with tried and true American V8.

The author was actually a BMW owner; it duped quite a few people-on both sides-even though he ended the post with "/s". I tip my hat to him...

I had the pleasure of driving a 2018 BMW 740i with 800 miles on the clock. What a marvelous car. It took me 5 minutes to get it in gear and only then after the car told me how. (I could almost hear a stern German voice scolding my ineptitude). Another 10 minutes to tune the radio and I was off.

Beautiful black and copper brown leather interior. Comfy seats, good visability dispite being low and sporty. A very large car with roomy interior.

Excellent driving dynamics for a large car. I had fun switching between Sport, Comfort and Eco modes. The dash display changed the gauges and color depending on mode. You could feel a stiffer ride in Sport and I assume cornering improved. Comfort was great for most of the 100 mile ride. I couldn't figure out Eco mode as it seemed to be giving me battery and voltage readings. (Is Idrive a hybrid system?)

The engine was powerful with a little turbo lag. I learned that if you just eased gradually on the throttle you didn't get the "kick" of when you jabbed it a little. When I did put the hammer down the car really flew. All in all a really nice ride.

I saw a similar BMW in our lot last week with an $88k sticker.

The only down side was some sort of lane minder nanny that vibrated when you got close to the lines on the side of the road. It went off constantly on the narrow roads I was driving. Very annoying and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off.

Was it a 740e? That's the plug-in Hybrid version. There's a button on the center of the dash with a green circle. Push it and it gets you into the Helen Keller/Nanny menu. Use the iDrive controller on the console or the touch screen to turn of any those annoying "features."

snakeweasel

graphicguy said:

https://houston.craigslist.org/cto/d/2004-nissan-350z-6-speeds/6619027285.html Here's an interesting Nissan for you. A 350z with a 6 speed. Sounds nice, except for the part about "third gear is out". (smile)

What the hell does that mean? 3rd gear is out? What, no synchros? Someone lifted 3rd? What? Shifting only to 1st then 2nd then 4th? I think the seller is trying to soften the fact that the trans has to be dropped and totally rebuilt. May as well do the clutch, too. That's a $3K bill (if you're lucky). I do like that color, though. I've seen it. It's a much brighter/deeper silver than what is typical on silver cars. Lexus puts that on their cars, too.

When I was in the service in Alaska I had a camero that didn't have a second gear. Had to get the RPM's up in first then shift to third. Going down had to nearly lugging the engine in 3rd before going into first.

Now before anyone asks I knew the tyranny was bad but it only cost me a couple of hundred bucks and I was able to drive it for about three months before it fell apart. So for less than one month car payment I had a car for three months.

Anyway other than that I have been away for a little while and see that I have 500 posts to catch up on. Maybe I will just skip to the end. I am currently in Ontario (Niagara falls) and heading to Toronto tomorrow so not sure when I'll make it back here. Be home Saturday evening. 

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

Harley Davidson's demographics of income levels of buyers in other countries may be more resistant to price increases than we would think and would buy anyhow. Sort of like Mercedes buyers used to be here. In the last many years my impression is Mercedes has pushed their vehicles to buyers with less disposable income and a lot are on leases where a few dollars more per month might scotch the deal.

If I understand the HD issue correctly, they are only moving manufacturing of bikes being sold overseas out of the country to compensate for retaliation tariffs by those countries. Domestic sales will still be made here.

Europe is second largest market....40000 bikes a year. New tariff will add about $2200 to the cost of a HD....much more than the competition. HD does make bikes in other locations, but Europe adds to the bottom line. They will have to eat the difference until the plants are made.......for them to be competitive with pricing.

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

Decided to put the truck in the garage so the plumber doesn't see it. I had to turn it a bit to the left so the fridge could open. I'm ok him seeing the 'Old Man Gray' Fusion. You can just see the windshield frame of the Mustang in the center of the lower side window opening.

Why is your plumber not allowed to see your truck?

stickguy

Red Sox bumper sticker?

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Red Sox bumper sticker?

No.  He’s a Yankees’ fan!

stickguy

well, no one is perfect.

iluvmysephia1

Hint, those ain't potato chips. That's a bag of wannabes. Chips are thinly sliced potatoes fried in oil (not baked) with salt added, that's all. Lays are the best. I otta know because I'm willing to bet I've eaten more potato chips than anyone else in here. Maybe even two anyone else's. Chocolate? I can take it or leave it but you better not let me see a bag of potato chips. They're my only vice and are not safe around me.

But I think I know why you like what's in that bag you posted. Anyone who likes Nissans would like those things.

jmonroe

What'd'ya mean those aren't potato chips I posted a salt 'n vinegar picture of, jmonroe? They sure are...chips - potato chips. They are tough ta crunch, if you have a loose crown or nasty teeth, look out. Not that I'd know about that at all. It's to the point with me that I tell me dentist "if I don't feel pain, I'll skip the treatment for that tooth."
I've had more cleanings, fillings, root canals and crowns than Russell Wilson has completed passes. Now upper and lower dentures to show for all of that hard work. Watch your dentist - they can be honest, but, they'll run up a complete workup on you in about 10-15 minutes that you may not need, fully. Just my opinion. Now that I've got upper and lower dentures, the remaining teeth I just ask to get cleaned, and if I get lasting pain, I'll see what kind of fix my dentist can offer me. Or, I'll get it pulled and start considering a new upper or lower denture. Not to get things centered too much on modern dentistry, it's just that those Kettle Chips in salt 'n vinegar are tough to the chew a tad.

As for Nissan, Mrs. iluvmysephia1 and I just passed 100,000 miles on our '11 Kia Soul white 5-speed. Got her all shined up, there's a few dings and there's a cracked windshield I'll get fixed coming up one day, and I'm thinkin' I'm takin' it in tomorrow for a 100,000 mile service, to include an oil change, spark plugs and quite possibly some spark plug wires ta boot. It's doing some rough starting, I'm hoping it won't need any fuel lines or an OBII canister replaced. We live about a 1/2 mile from a very good, honest service center and it's time ta head in.

I fixed the vacuum cleaner today. I cannibalized the old vacuum cleaner for it's belt and put it on the new $46 Wal*Mart Bissell vacuum we bought a couple of weeks ago. It's already busted a belt, I grabbed the old one's belt and put it on the new one and it cleaned like a champ.

The mower is not staying running, I'm weedeating our new-to-us house's front and back yards until I can get our 3 y/o Troy-Bilt 3-in-1 22" automatic FWD pulling lawmower serviced. I may try and work on it myself, but I think it would be easier and probably smarter to just take it in to the rental place here in Alamogordo that works on lawn mowers.

Now to the part I'm pining ta tell you about, jmonroe - and all of y'all who want to hear it - my affinity for Nissan's Sentra is growing. I watched on YouTube MotoMan's 3 reviews on the 2017 Nissan Sentra SR Turbo stick today. Wow - MotoMan had the guy that designed it on there - many people have begged Nissan for a car like this - a Sentra compact that has a turbocharger and manual transmission. MotoMan gives it a thorough review, including a nice test drive that is very upbuilding. Of course, my first choice is the lowly 2017 Nissan Sentra S 6-speed stick, but, I could be tempted to try and bring back the days of the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS CVT in Rally Red. The Nissan Sentra test drives have impressed reviewers quite well so far for the car's road manners. Planet Nissan of Las Vegas has a silver 2017 Nissan Sentra S base 6-speed stick with 665 miles selling for only $12,487 right now. Wow. I could be tempted ta upgrade, I really could. Under 1,000 miles, man!

One thing I really like is MotoMan says Nissan gives the Sentra a nice, thick steering wheel. Cool. I know, small potatoes, but I like it. It's only rock and roll but I like it. One sort of surprising bad thing about the Nissan Sentra: bad headlamp ratings from the safety organization that crash tests and all that. Crash test themselves come in with 4 out of 5 stars or 5 out of 5 stars, but the headlights they don't like. I don't know what they don't like about it, and I don't know what to think about that - I really suspect that's some strong Washington state bunkweed burning, though. I really think that I'd be fine with the Sentra's headlights.

Anyone still reading this? Time ta let this resonate a bit and I'll get back to ya. Didn't you have a special Nissan rental, jmonroe?

iluvmysephia1

https://youtu.be/NtdiE3V8a78



This may be an acquired taste - it has taken a while to take it all in and pine after it. Mrs.iluvmysephia1 is willing to appease my car tastes if I choose to take my Boeing pension payment in a year and 2 months from now - save the payments up for a year and just go pay cash for my new ta me car.

She listens to Dave Ramsey and he's all about paying cash for everything. Hey, ta just get the Mrs. talking about new ta us car purchases is making real progress. I have researched pretty well on the Nissan - I can wait a year for perhaps an '18 Nissan Sentra model - a Turbo-charged 6-speed model would already have the sweet wheels on it - or a base S model I could dress up with wheels and save the $4,000 it would cost me extra. It's just that the Turbo model has the foglights and several different cool touches to it that I would definitely dig. I can wait 14 months - perhaps drive to Albuquerque or El Paso to Viva Nissan - the Nissan branch of Viva Kia that we traded in the '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS for.

Heck, I don't know if any of you on here remember how I used to promote Kia's, Hyundai's and Daewoo-Chevy's on here pretty much fully completely. I've gone Korean and now Japanese now.

And I learned to drive stick on a '66 VW Fastback that I loved dearly. I got in two accidents in that car - one a lady rushing to a pottery class in Perrinville, WA, brushed the side of Dad's VW Fastback. Her fault and she admitted it. The next accident was fully my fault. I tried a donut and acceleration in an inch and a half of Washington state snow. Dumb, goofy move. We hit a boulder and ruined the front end of Dad's '66 VW Fastback. He had it towed to a shop and they fixed it all up real well. Dad never said a word about it to me!




I really like the Sentra in red but silver or white is probably what I'll get. The gunmetal grey would also work, as is in the Sentra front view of the post of mine above. It's all about the Nissan Sentra now. It's just which color, which model and which dealership I choose ta deal with. And the timing - I bought the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS on a Saturday afternoon in March of 2007. I had already decided to deal for it - I called them and they said that they had a 5-speed '08 Lancer GTS on their lot selling for $18,995. I said "great - I'll come up and buy it."

I got there and it was a CVT automatic - the sales kid didn't know the difference in the tranny's! I still bought the CVT Lancer GTS. It ended up paying off during a Jan. 2011 move from Elko, NV, to Kellogg, ID, as far as convenience goes. I drove the Mrs. and our stuff in the '15 U-Haul truck and our son drove our '08 Lancer GTS - he can drive an automatic tranny but not a stick - he ended up doing a complete 180 degree turn on westbound Highway 90 heading west out of Montana on Lookout Pass into eastern Idaho. Luckily the approaching semitruck from behind him also going westbound came to a stop in the icy snow and waited for him ta turn around and point westward again! Oh the automobile stories!!! New automobile quality just gets better and better!

houdini1

Nice looking car iluv. Sounds like a good plan.