More hellish repairs/expenses involved in running my 1995 Club Sport:
The rear window washer wasn't working- that took 15 minutes to remove and clear the nozzles with a paper clip To add insult to injury, the hood struts are getting weak- after only 23 years! I had to order a new set of OEM struts from FCP Euro; with shipping they cost $20.86! :@ :@ :@ It looks like I'll be eating Ramen Noodles for Thanksgiving...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Gigi at the border: That's my support driver 100, he's got issues, just like the other 99.
Yeh, we put balloons full of you know what into Gigi when we cross the border.
btw, Gigi had her teeth removed last Monday....they left her with 8. The cost in Canada would have been $2500 to $3000 Cdn....about $2000 U.S. They did it here for $600. It is a real rip off in Canada. The main reason is they limit the number of vets who can go to vet school in Canada. More competition in the US leads to lower prices. Gigi is doing great, happier than ever and back to normal.
8 teeth left? Good grief, driver. Have you considered bridgework for Gigi? Her smile would improve, that’s for sure!
Considering dentures.....wooden ones like George Washington. Must be weird for Gigi, go to the vets, put her to sleep for 2 hours, wake up with 30 missing teeth. I can tell you one thing, she is much happier and healthier without rotting teeth in her mouth, and her breath smells a lot better too!
A White House senior aide has disclosed that the sheer number of retired Canadians amassing along the northern border is creating consternation amongst top State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
”
WOW....that was terriffic SB. Have to send a copy to my Canadian Snowbird Friends!
That was pretty good, SB.
Up here there has been a lot of chatter online about US Border Services staff asking Canadians crossing the border if they have ever used weed . Apparently if you say yes they will deny you entry. And if you lie and say "no" but they later discover you were lying, you are facing a ban from 10 years to life.
I went through U.S. Customs at Toronto Int'l Airport - so many Canadians going to U.S. Customs is in Canada. They didn't ask me BUT, they waved one of those machines on my hands and then they checked the reading on their machine. I don't know how it could register any drug unless I sat real close to a drug user, or was in a chair used by one. Once they checked the results they waved me through. I don't think I fit the profile of a user, I think I was checked because I was the random one to be tested. But, I am aware....you can't even admit to ever using drugs or you have had it.
I think that the scanner they waved on your hands was checking for nitrates which might indicate you had handled explosives.
I think they scan for drugs too. I don't think I fit the profile of a nitrate guy....71 years old, traveling with my wife, I have a dog in my hands, we have return tickets, going to our winter home, normal clothes.............
last time I was in Toronto I got the privilege of going down the close inspection line. What a drag.
One evening we landed at Heathrow in London, the next day was a holiday and all the stores would be closed. They started checking through our luggage and when they found the jar of peanut butter and bread they let us go. Who brings peanut butter and bread and is going to cause trouble?
last time I was in Toronto I got the privilege of going down the close inspection line. What a drag.
I got detained by customs in Toronto once. Was escorted by a guard to the ATM so I could pay my fine - "minor infraction of NAFTA" was on the receipt.
Once we drove back through Buffalo and I bought 12 bottles of wine....expecting to pay $5 a bottle duty. When I got to the booth (we had our Nexxus cards scanned before driving up) the agent was busy doing her paperwork so she just waved us through. I was happy to pay the $60, it still would have been half price, but, as I drove through I wondered if it was a trick. It wasn't....we kept going........
Someone sent me a few of them this morning. I chose that one because we can all probably identify a bit with something like that happening. You can see more at: http://canyouactually.com/having-a-bad-day/
A White House senior aide has disclosed that the sheer number of retired Canadians amassing along the northern border is creating consternation amongst top State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
”
WOW....that was terriffic SB. Have to send a copy to my Canadian Snowbird Friends!
That was pretty good, SB.
Up here there has been a lot of chatter online about US Border Services staff asking Canadians crossing the border if they have ever used weed . Apparently if you say yes they will deny you entry. And if you lie and say "no" but they later discover you were lying, you are facing a ban from 10 years to life.
I went through U.S. Customs at Toronto Int'l Airport - so many Canadians going to U.S. Customs is in Canada. They didn't ask me BUT, they waved one of those machines on my hands and then they checked the reading on their machine. I don't know how it could register any drug unless I sat real close to a drug user, or was in a chair used by one. Once they checked the results they waved me through. I don't think I fit the profile of a user, I think I was checked because I was the random one to be tested. But, I am aware....you can't even admit to ever using drugs or you have had it.
I think that the scanner they waved on your hands was checking for nitrates which might indicate you had handled explosives.
I think they scan for drugs too. I don't think I fit the profile of a nitrate guy....71 years old, traveling with my wife, I have a dog in my hands, we have return tickets, going to our winter home, normal clothes.............
They frisked my wheelchair bound sister-in-law at the airport in Baltimore.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I think they scan for drugs too. I don't think I fit the profile of a nitrate guy....71 years old, traveling with my wife, I have a dog in my hands, we have return tickets, going to our winter home, normal clothes.............
It's all part of the Security Theater show they put on.
I think they scan for drugs too. I don't think I fit the profile of a nitrate guy....71 years old, traveling with my wife, I have a dog in my hands, we have return tickets, going to our winter home, normal clothes.............
It's all part of the Security Theater show they put on.
I get that impression too. But, I don't think there is another option, of not at least a quick check at random.
A White House senior aide has disclosed that the sheer number of retired Canadians amassing along the northern border is creating consternation amongst top State Department and the Department of Homeland Security.
”
WOW....that was terriffic SB. Have to send a copy to my Canadian Snowbird Friends!
That was pretty good, SB.
Up here there has been a lot of chatter online about US Border Services staff asking Canadians crossing the border if they have ever used weed . Apparently if you say yes they will deny you entry. And if you lie and say "no" but they later discover you were lying, you are facing a ban from 10 years to life.
I went through U.S. Customs at Toronto Int'l Airport - so many Canadians going to U.S. Customs is in Canada. They didn't ask me BUT, they waved one of those machines on my hands and then they checked the reading on their machine. I don't know how it could register any drug unless I sat real close to a drug user, or was in a chair used by one. Once they checked the results they waved me through. I don't think I fit the profile of a user, I think I was checked because I was the random one to be tested. But, I am aware....you can't even admit to ever using drugs or you have had it.
I think that the scanner they waved on your hands was checking for nitrates which might indicate you had handled explosives.
I think they scan for drugs too. I don't think I fit the profile of a nitrate guy....71 years old, traveling with my wife, I have a dog in my hands, we have return tickets, going to our winter home, normal clothes.............
They frisked my wheelchair bound sister-in-law at the airport in Baltimore.
I have seen that type of thing too.....I don't get it. I usually have a book with me with a marker stuck inside....I feel like saying, one person who isn't going to do something bad is someone who wants to find out how the story ends.
Just read a guy was removed from a Westjet (Canadian) flight because he had taken a sleeping pill the doctor prescribed for a stroke. He took it before take off and fell asleep. Stewardess saw him sleeping and removed him since he may have a medical condition. He was checked out OK, but he will sue the airlines. Airlines says he could be removed if under the influence of alcohol or a drug.
last time I was in Toronto I got the privilege of going down the close inspection line. What a drag.
I got detained by customs in Toronto once. Was escorted by a guard to the ATM so I could pay my fine - "minor infraction of NAFTA" was on the receipt.
Once we drove back through Buffalo and I bought 12 bottles of wine....expecting to pay $5 a bottle duty. When I got to the booth (we had our Nexxus cards scanned before driving up) the agent was busy doing her paperwork so she just waved us through. I was happy to pay the $60, it still would have been half price, but, as I drove through I wondered if it was a trick. It wasn't....we kept going........
Crossing the US/Canadian boarder I have always been pretty much waved through after showing our passport cards and answering a few questions such what was the purpose of our visit. Pretty much spent a few seconds longer than I would have if it was a tollbooth.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
last time I was in Toronto I got the privilege of going down the close inspection line. What a drag.
One evening we landed at Heathrow in London, the next day was a holiday and all the stores would be closed. They started checking through our luggage and when they found the jar of peanut butter and bread they let us go. Who brings peanut butter and bread and is going to cause trouble?
What did I miss. Sigh! checked out for a few days and there are four pages of new posts waiting for me. I hope in that time GG has pulled the trigger on the Stinger and Iluv has finally closed the deal on a Sentra "Phantom."
Speaking of Stinger, Consumer Reports, in its December 2018 issue, has classified it as a entry luxury compact sedan and rated it ahead of the Mercedes C-Class, Acura TLX, Infiniti G50, etc. in terms of reliability. Other online sites admit the Kia Stinger is a little hard to classify as it is a luxury car sold by a down market dealer network.
Nonetheless, contrary to what some have said here, the Stinger is crossed shopped by BMW, Audi and Mercedes owners and a large percentage of sales are poached from the G3, less so from Porsche and Maserati. Anyway you look at it Kia and Stinger are a premium brand with the product pipeline to justify that assertion.
I'm a Million Plus miler on Deltal and AAdvantage Platinum on American. In short, I fly and have flown a lot.
Two of the worst border crossing incidences still really steam me.
One was a few years ago going from the U.S. (CVG) to Montreal. After landing in Montreal, I was pulled aside at Canadian customs and taken to a private room. Trying to be cooperative and efficient, I didn't question why, I just followed the agent's requests. Seated at a table across from the agent, who had a computer monitor in facing him, he asked if I had ever been convicted of a felony?
"No"!
Agent..."you sure?"
Now I'm wondering what's going on.
ME...."yeah....I'm sure"!
Agent...."You ever been arrested?"
ME..."no!"
Again, the agent asked me if I was sure.....Of course I'm sure.
He calls another agent to join us in the room, which took about 30 minutes.
He shows the other agent something on the screen, and finally I ask them both...."what is it that you see, that I can't? Maybe I can help clear this up if there's an issue."
They both look at each other, return my passport to me, and say I can go. I think they just enjoyed hassling the American.
Last year, I was going to Europe for 3 weeks with my son, my nephew and my sister. Great trip...went to France, Spain, Italy and Malta. After being gone for 3 weeks, and pretty tired of flights and extended layovers, we were flying home from Barcelona to Paris to NYC to home.
We get to Paris, given I have elite status with Delta, the airline we were flying, I'm pulled out of the waiting area for our flight and told to follow the agents (there were two of them) for a secondary screening. Understand, I'd already gone through screening in Barcelona and Paris upon our arrival. The "screening area" was about 10 minutes from my gate. Those who've flown out of DeGaul know how big the airport is.
Didn't put up a fight or question them, but did explain the flight was getting ready to board. Long and short of it, they took me to an area, that didn't look very official, with nothing but a card table and a chair. They asked me for my passport and my wallet, as well as for me to empty the contents of my carryon backpack. This took about 15 minutes and the flight, by this time was about ½ way through boarding. I ask them if there's something amiss perhaps I can help them alleviate their concerns.
Finally, with all the contents of my back pack on the table, my passport and wallet being inspected, they tell me I can pack up everything and go back to the gate.
I'm getting settled in my seat next to my son, as the plane is taxying for take off. I make doubly sure I have my passport (I do) and take my wallet out of my backpack to put it in my pocket. Just out of curiosity, I look in my wallet and my credit cards and gone, as well as about 250 Euros and about $300. We're in the air by now.
I complain to the flight attendant, who informs me they have no control over airport personnel. I complain to Delta once we hit NYC.
Bottom line, I was taken, and there wasn't a damned thing I could do about. Clearly it was a scam that even some airport personnel were involved in. Find the American Tourist, who is relaxed and ready to board a flight home. I thought I wasn't naive, but I was proven wrong.
The credit cards were a hassle to replace, but I didn't lose any money. Last I heard, someone was trying to use my AMEX in Tripoli.
Those who've flown out of DeGaul know how big the airport is.
When we went to France last year I swear we landed in Spain and taxied our way into Paris. Then we were herded onto bus and driven a fair distance to another terminal. Yes that place is big.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Last year I was given the rude treatment but both in the US at JFK and DCA (Washington DC) airports.
At JFK I was returning from Barbados and a TSA gent pulled me out of a slow moving line and asked me to come to a little glass room. When I told him I was waiting for my wife he said I can go.
At DCA they pulled me from a Pre-Check line and searched me. That search was conducted by two inexperienced agents who seemed like they were still in training. Thank goodness I was wearing clean underwear.
What did I miss. Sigh! checked out for a few days and there are four pages of new posts waiting for me. I hope in that time GG has pulled the trigger on the Stinger and Iluv has finally closed the deal on a Sentra "Phantom."
Speaking of Stinger, Consumer Reports, in its December 2018 issue, has classified it as a entry luxury compact sedan and rated it ahead of the Mercedes C-Class, Acura TLX, Infiniti G50, etc. in terms of reliability. Other online sites admit the Kia Stinger is a little hard to classify as it is a luxury car sold by a down market dealer network.
Nonetheless, contrary to what some have said here, the Stinger is crossed shopped by BMW, Audi and Mercedes owners and a large percentage of sales are poached from the G3, less so from Porsche and Maserati. Anyway you look at it Kia and Stinger are a premium brand with the product pipeline to justify that assertion.
Yet, per EPA classification, the Stinger is a Large car, which puts it in the 7-series class. Consumer Reports should do better homework.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
@graphicguy Like you I'm a DL guy and I will go to great lengths to avoid CDG. I swear they research new and exciting ways to make passport control slower. They're succeeding.
We came out of pickleball this morning and they were voting in the building. A judge was outside and he was asking people to vote for him. I hear your ballots are 2 pages long and both sides are filled with names, and have all kinds of various positions such as dog catcher to vote for. How could you possibly decide....choose the person who is least offensive.
Guy today who has an older Honda Civic said he had to pay $300 to have a new front headlight put it. These days of course it isn't just screwing in a bulb, it means replacing the whole light fixture. He said you had to take most of the front end off the car to get at it. I don't see that information online, online it says it will cost $90 to $170. I looked up a C Class Mercedes and this is what I got; The average cost for a Mercedes-Benz C350 headlight bulb replacement is between $605 and $818. Labor costs are estimated between $220 and $278 while parts are priced between $385 and $540. Estimate does not include taxes and fees
What happened to the days when you bought a bulb for a few $1s and just screwed them in?
I looked up a C Class Mercedes and this is what I got; The average cost for a Mercedes-Benz C350 headlight bulb replacement is between $605 and $818. Labor costs are estimated between $220 and $278 while parts are priced between $385 and $540. Estimate does not include taxes and fees
What happened to the days when you bought a bulb for a few $1s and just screwed them in?
Sounds like if your C-class blows a headlight, it's trade-in time.
On my ATS you need to remove the front bumper to change the bulb, though apparently some intrepid DIY types get away with loosening the front inner fender on whatever side and reaching in that way.
Manufacturers tend to charge exorbitant prices for Xenon Bulbs. I bought genuine Philips D2S bulbs from Amazon for over $100.00 less per bulb than BMW or Mazda charged. FWIW, Mazda listed a higher MSRP than BMW for the identical D2S bulb. If you don't know anything about your car and simply drive to the nearest dealer, hand them your credit card, drop your pants and bend over odds are that you WILL get hosed. Doing a little research on parts and on reputable dealers/indie shops can save you quite a bit of money. Better yet, learn to do simple repairs yourself. If I went to one BMW dealer I know of in central Kentucky and paid to have my hood struts replaced I guarantee you I'd be handed a bill for over $200. In my garage it will take 10-20 minutes and cost $20.86.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
One of the stupidest screening I ever witnessed was shortly after TSA came on board. The gate announced our PHX - DEN flight had been selected for an extra random screening before boarding. Well, all dozen or so selected for the screening were middle aged women. Then there was the security guy at LAS who was all worked up about my carry on. It was a pair of finger nail scissors. Now there is a nasty security threat
Talk of pulling aside a person in a wheelchair, at the Columbus airport I once saw TSA singling out a group of 90 year old veterans on their way to a WWII reunion. Unbelievable.
One of our neighbors travels to London several times per year for work and has said Heathrow is a nightmare to deal with.
We have waited in long lines for over 2 hours to clear customs at Heathrow. It was so hot and tiring they were giving out free bottles of water. The computers in some terminals were shut down so everyone had to go to our terminal. It is always busy, though about one hour is average.
Gas is coming down fast. At one station near me RUG is $2.61 and PUG is $3.00.
Of course it is coming down fast....I filled up this morning. :@
I paid on the high side at $2.55....if I drove 25 miles to Costco like some people I could have saved 10 cents a gallon = $1.20. But, I would spend about $5.00 to do it.
I looked up a C Class Mercedes and this is what I got; The average cost for a Mercedes-Benz C350 headlight bulb replacement is between $605 and $818. Labor costs are estimated between $220 and $278 while parts are priced between $385 and $540. Estimate does not include taxes and fees
What happened to the days when you bought a bulb for a few $1s and just screwed them in?
Sounds like if your C-class blows a headlight, it's trade-in time.
On my ATS you need to remove the front bumper to change the bulb, though apparently some intrepid DIY types get away with loosening the front inner fender on whatever side and reaching in that way.
Pretty well......hate to know the cost if everything had to be replaced....might as well buy that Maserati.
You may be interested in cost in USDs: The average cost for a Cadillac ATS headlight bulb replacement is between $401 and $549. Labor costs are estimated between $202 and $256 while parts are priced between $199 and $293. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.
Do a google search for any car and they tell you "how much does it cost to replace a headlight on a 2017 Cadillac ats"
One of the stupidest screening I ever witnessed was shortly after TSA came on board. The gate announced our PHX - DEN flight had been selected for an extra random screening before boarding. Well, all dozen or so selected for the screening were middle aged women. Then there was the security guy at LAS who was all worked up about my carry on. It was a pair of finger nail scissors. Now there is a nasty security threat
They were probably suspicious about the scissors....most people use clippers these days
I'm a Million Plus miler on Deltal and AAdvantage Platinum on American. In short, I fly and have flown a lot.
Two of the worst border crossing incidences still really steam me.
...
Bottom line, I was taken, and there wasn't a damned thing I could do about. Clearly it was a scam that even some airport personnel were involved in. Find the American Tourist, who is relaxed and ready to board a flight home. I thought I wasn't naive, but I was proven wrong.
The credit cards were a hassle to replace, but I didn't lose any money. Last I heard, someone was trying to use my AMEX in Tripoli.
Thanks for sharing, I'll remember to be a bit more on guard next time. I have not expected a scam being run, but I avoided Charles de Gaulle airport like a plague for years after several terrible experiences with delays in early 2000s. I finally broke my self-imposed embargo this year and it was OK. Seems like they expanded the airport (new concourses) and cleaned up some of the inefficiencies they used to have, or I was just lucky this time.
I don't have such airline status as yours, but I crossed international borders more than 30 times. I've flown to/from Europe once a year on average for last 20 years. Never had a serious incident (other than those delays at CDG), but I did have couple of not-supernice encounters. I had once a Delta's security agent sternly inspecting my passport and guitar I was carrying (this was even before Sept. 11, 2001). Another time I have US border agent looking at my green card that had a small defect (less than 1/8" corner broke off) and with a stern voice questioning me why I damaged it and did I alter it in any way. I sheepishly said no and because everything checked out on his computer, I was let in without any more ado. Next time I had a US passport already, so didn't have to worry about the damaged document anymore.
I was stopped for customs inspection just once, in Munich. They inspected my carry on only, as the checked luggage went through airport transfer same way it does here for domestic flights (US border requires you pick your luggage, go through the customs and then recheck it - it really sucks, especially in slow luggage delivery airports like JFK, or Newark). My encounters with US agents usually are rather dry (not overly friendly), but professional, regardless of my immigration status (over those years I was a scholar, student, temporary resident, permanent resident, now citizen). They almost always asked what I did for living (why is that?) and always ask how long the trip was. Now it's usually just a kiosk, so the procedure got even shorter. Scan, press, picture, print, hand it to the agent. Sometimes questions do I bring something with me. No. European border agents are even less "curious" about me - they just take the passport, scan it and let me through. Recently they also opened machine scan booths, to make it faster.
I don't have such airline status as yours, but I crossed international borders more than 30 times. I've flown to/from Europe once a year on average for last 20 years. Never had a serious incident (other than those delays at CDG), but I did have couple of not-supernice encounters. I had once a Delta's security agent sternly inspecting my passport and guitar I was carrying (this was even before Sept. 11, 2001). Another time I have US border agent looking at my green card that had a small defect (less than 1/8" corner broke off) and with a stern voice questioning me why I damaged it and did I alter it in any way. I sheepishly said no and because everything checked out on his computer, I was let in without any more ado.
I remember once I was in line at Newark Airport after arriving on an international flight waiting to clear US Customs and naturally there was a big lineup of people waiting to get to an agent. We were all jostled together and a guy ahead of me wanted to get something out of his carry-on, so he put the card you fill out on the plane between his teeth to free up one hand. A US Customs agent rushed up to him and started yelling at him to take that out of his teeth. I can sort of see why, but really, if that was all the guy had to do at that moment, maybe he should have been staffing another booth to help move people through.
Comments
The rear window washer wasn't working- that took 15 minutes to remove and clear the nozzles with a paper clip
To add insult to injury, the hood struts are getting weak- after only 23 years! I had to order a new set of OEM struts from FCP Euro; with shipping they cost $20.86! :@ :@ :@
It looks like I'll be eating Ramen Noodles for Thanksgiving...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Considering dentures.....wooden ones like George Washington.
Must be weird for Gigi, go to the vets, put her to sleep for 2 hours, wake up with 30 missing teeth.
I can tell you one thing, she is much happier and healthier without rotting teeth in her mouth, and her breath smells a lot better too!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
You can see more at:
http://canyouactually.com/having-a-bad-day/
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Just read a guy was removed from a Westjet (Canadian) flight because he had taken a sleeping pill the doctor prescribed for a stroke. He took it before take off and fell asleep. Stewardess saw him sleeping and removed him since he may have a medical condition. He was checked out OK, but he will sue the airlines. Airlines says he could be removed if under the influence of alcohol or a drug.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Speaking of Stinger, Consumer Reports, in its December 2018 issue, has classified it as a entry luxury compact sedan and rated it ahead of the Mercedes C-Class, Acura TLX, Infiniti G50, etc. in terms of reliability. Other online sites admit the Kia Stinger is a little hard to classify as it is a luxury car sold by a down market dealer network.
Nonetheless, contrary to what some have said here, the Stinger is crossed shopped by BMW, Audi and Mercedes owners and a large percentage of sales are poached from the G3, less so from Porsche and Maserati. Anyway you look at it Kia and Stinger are a premium brand with the product pipeline to justify that assertion.
Two of the worst border crossing incidences still really steam me.
One was a few years ago going from the U.S. (CVG) to Montreal. After landing in Montreal, I was pulled aside at Canadian customs and taken to a private room. Trying to be cooperative and efficient, I didn't question why, I just followed the agent's requests. Seated at a table across from the agent, who had a computer monitor in facing him, he asked if I had ever been convicted of a felony?
"No"!
Agent..."you sure?"
Now I'm wondering what's going on.
ME...."yeah....I'm sure"!
Agent...."You ever been arrested?"
ME..."no!"
Again, the agent asked me if I was sure.....Of course I'm sure.
He calls another agent to join us in the room, which took about 30 minutes.
He shows the other agent something on the screen, and finally I ask them both...."what is it that you see, that I can't? Maybe I can help clear this up if there's an issue."
They both look at each other, return my passport to me, and say I can go. I think they just enjoyed hassling the American.
Last year, I was going to Europe for 3 weeks with my son, my nephew and my sister. Great trip...went to France, Spain, Italy and Malta. After being gone for 3 weeks, and pretty tired of flights and extended layovers, we were flying home from Barcelona to Paris to NYC to home.
We get to Paris, given I have elite status with Delta, the airline we were flying, I'm pulled out of the waiting area for our flight and told to follow the agents (there were two of them) for a secondary screening. Understand, I'd already gone through screening in Barcelona and Paris upon our arrival. The "screening area" was about 10 minutes from my gate. Those who've flown out of DeGaul know how big the airport is.
Didn't put up a fight or question them, but did explain the flight was getting ready to board. Long and short of it, they took me to an area, that didn't look very official, with nothing but a card table and a chair. They asked me for my passport and my wallet, as well as for me to empty the contents of my carryon backpack. This took about 15 minutes and the flight, by this time was about ½ way through boarding. I ask them if there's something amiss perhaps I can help them alleviate their concerns.
Finally, with all the contents of my back pack on the table, my passport and wallet being inspected, they tell me I can pack up everything and go back to the gate.
I'm getting settled in my seat next to my son, as the plane is taxying for take off. I make doubly sure I have my passport (I do) and take my wallet out of my backpack to put it in my pocket. Just out of curiosity, I look in my wallet and my credit cards and gone, as well as about 250 Euros and about $300. We're in the air by now.
I complain to the flight attendant, who informs me they have no control over airport personnel. I complain to Delta once we hit NYC.
Bottom line, I was taken, and there wasn't a damned thing I could do about. Clearly it was a scam that even some airport personnel were involved in. Find the American Tourist, who is relaxed and ready to board a flight home. I thought I wasn't naive, but I was proven wrong.
The credit cards were a hassle to replace, but I didn't lose any money. Last I heard, someone was trying to use my AMEX in Tripoli.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
At JFK I was returning from Barbados and a TSA gent pulled me out of a slow moving line and asked me to come to a little glass room. When I told him I was waiting for my wife he said I can go.
At DCA they pulled me from a Pre-Check line and searched me. That search was conducted by two inexperienced agents who seemed like they were still in training. Thank goodness I was wearing clean underwear.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I looked up a C Class Mercedes and this is what I got;
The average cost for a Mercedes-Benz C350 headlight bulb replacement is between $605 and $818. Labor costs are estimated between $220 and $278 while parts are priced between $385 and $540. Estimate does not include taxes and fees
What happened to the days when you bought a bulb for a few $1s and just screwed them in?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
On my ATS you need to remove the front bumper to change the bulb, though apparently some intrepid DIY types get away with loosening the front inner fender on whatever side and reaching in that way.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
If you don't know anything about your car and simply drive to the nearest dealer, hand them your credit card, drop your pants and bend over odds are that you WILL get hosed.
Doing a little research on parts and on reputable dealers/indie shops can save you quite a bit of money.
Better yet, learn to do simple repairs yourself. If I went to one BMW dealer I know of in central Kentucky and paid to have my hood struts replaced I guarantee you I'd be handed a bill for over $200. In my garage it will take 10-20 minutes and cost $20.86.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I paid on the high side at $2.55....if I drove 25 miles to Costco like some people I could have saved 10 cents a gallon = $1.20. But, I would spend about $5.00 to do it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
You may be interested in cost in USDs:
The average cost for a Cadillac ATS headlight bulb replacement is between $401 and $549. Labor costs are estimated between $202 and $256 while parts are priced between $199 and $293. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.
Do a google search for any car and they tell you "how much does it cost to replace a headlight on a 2017 Cadillac ats"
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I don't have such airline status as yours, but I crossed international borders more than 30 times. I've flown to/from Europe once a year on average for last 20 years. Never had a serious incident (other than those delays at CDG), but I did have couple of not-supernice encounters. I had once a Delta's security agent sternly inspecting my passport and guitar I was carrying (this was even before Sept. 11, 2001). Another time I have US border agent looking at my green card that had a small defect (less than 1/8" corner broke off) and with a stern voice questioning me why I damaged it and did I alter it in any way. I sheepishly said no and because everything checked out on his computer, I was let in without any more ado. Next time I had a US passport already, so didn't have to worry about the damaged document anymore.
I was stopped for customs inspection just once, in Munich. They inspected my carry on only, as the checked luggage went through airport transfer same way it does here for domestic flights (US border requires you pick your luggage, go through the customs and then recheck it - it really sucks, especially in slow luggage delivery airports like JFK, or Newark). My encounters with US agents usually are rather dry (not overly friendly), but professional, regardless of my immigration status (over those years I was a scholar, student, temporary resident, permanent resident, now citizen). They almost always asked what I did for living (why is that?) and always ask how long the trip was. Now it's usually just a kiosk, so the procedure got even shorter. Scan, press, picture, print, hand it to the agent. Sometimes questions do I bring something with me. No. European border agents are even less "curious" about me - they just take the passport, scan it and let me through. Recently they also opened machine scan booths, to make it faster.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6