Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

[Deleted User]

Question for the group: how many of you have clear bra or similar protection on your cars? I'm debating whether or not to cover the front end of the Tesla. I've put it on the last 5 vehicles we've purchased but there are pluses and minuses, and I haven't made up my mind. I'd appreciate your input.

oldfarmer50

tyguy said:

Question for the group: how many of you have clear bra or similar protection on your cars? I'm debating whether or not to cover the front end of the Tesla. I've put it on the last 5 vehicles we've purchased but there are pluses and minuses, and I haven't made up my mind. I'd appreciate your input.

Never had one. On my good cars I didn’t want any uneven fading between bra and non bra areas if I kept the car for 10years or more. On the cheap cars I didn’t care about nicks. I just avoid closely following trucks.

henryn

I try not to be too OCD about my cars. I expect the front end to develop a few rock chips, possibly some areas where the acid in the bug splatters have marred the finish. Just a part of life.

explorerx4

Just got back from Ohio.
Nice Thanksgiving trip, actually included going up to Michigan on Thanksgiving Day.
We took my daughter's car(Ohio plates). Drove on the way back to Ohio from Michigan on Thanksgiving night.
Got tailgated a lot until we got to Toledo.
Went to a couple of high school JV hockey games. My SIL is the head coach and a good one, encourages/teaches players during the game(doesn't just cuss then out for mistakes).
The won all 3 tournament games they played before the final. The team they were playing totally dominated in their wins and he wasn't optimistic about beating them, but they won 4-3 in a shootout.
Took the wife's MKC. It has plenty of power, which comes in handy on those I-80 PA hills.

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Pulled the trigger tonight on the 55” TCL Roku Smert 4K TV. Supposed to be here in a week or so. Biggest thing I’ve bought from Amazon so we’ll see how it goes. Biggest issue might be finding a way to move my old Panasonic plasma.

I bought my Smart TV on Amazon---no problem at all, except getting rid of the packaging!

abacomike

My grandson just got back to campus - 9-1/2 hours of driving from Denver which is usually a 7+ hour drive.  I am relieved. 

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

ab348 said:

Pulled the trigger tonight on the 55” TCL Roku Smert 4K TV. Supposed to be here in a week or so. Biggest thing I’ve bought from Amazon so we’ll see how it goes. Biggest issue might be finding a way to move my old Panasonic plasma.

I bought my Smart TV on Amazon---no problem at all, except getting rid of the packaging!

I spend half my life cutting up boxes from Amazon. I hate when they put a small box of vitamins in or something in a big huge box. If Amazon could make dis-solvable boxes we would buy more from them.

driver100

tyguy said:

Question for the group: how many of you have clear bra or similar protection on your cars? I'm debating whether or not to cover the front end of the Tesla. I've put it on the last 5 vehicles we've purchased but there are pluses and minuses, and I haven't made up my mind. I'd appreciate your input.

My friend is OCD and he bought one for his 2012 7 Series BMW. He talked me into getting one for my 2012 535.
When he got his next car the guy who put the bra on, told him don't get one if your car is white, they do tend to yellow. He also said, it is kind of a waste of money. If a stone or something flies through the air it will probably dent the hood anyway. You might as well use the money you use for a bra to get the hood touched up if something like that happens.
My friend didn't buy another one on his next 4 cars, and I haven't bought one for my next 3 cars, and I don't miss it and I don't wish I had one.

I think it is psychological....you think you are buying protection, I don't think it does much. Now, I would maybe change my mind if I lived in an area where stones were constantly flying around....but, then, I would be more concerned about windshields.

imidazol97

tyguy said:

We're going to have those filled first thing tomorrow morning before they have a chance to spread, and before we drive down to Denver to pickup the Tesla.

Too bad about the windshield. Those chips can spread with change in temperature. I had one crack from a hit on way home in snow from Michigan. Parked in garage which is warm. Then next morning back out in subfreezing for wife's outpatient hand surgery. Crack spread all the way to top because of temp change.

imidazol97

Had emergency call for service from son and DIL. Seems the Cruze went to red on gauge just as she got home from day at clinic. Didn't boil water out on ground.

But I refilled reservoir. Started engine. No leaks. Then I checked other side near belts and saw coolant on frame member where it had been dripping out and blowing back with air around engine while driving. Could see coolant run down front edge of block in slow drip with engine running.

Diagnosis: water pump seeping. I was afraid to drive it home and to dealer for service with the drip. Had it towed and left Junior the 08 Cobalt to drive to work tomorrow. Should be covered under warranty. 70 K miles.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

We're going to have those filled first thing tomorrow morning before they have a chance to spread, and before we drive down to Denver to pickup the Tesla.

Too bad about the windshield. Those chips can spread with change in temperature. I had one crack from a hit on way home in snow from Michigan. Parked in garage which is warm. Then next morning out in freezing for wife's outpatient hand surgery. Crack spread all the way to top because of temp change.

In the last 18 months, I have had to replace a windshield on my 2017 740i and on my 2018 S450.  It cost $2300 a pop for Geico and Liberty Mutual, the two companies that insured my cars.

Chip turned into several long cracks in each case.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

Pulled the trigger tonight on the 55” TCL Roku Smert 4K TV. Supposed to be here in a week or so. Biggest thing I’ve bought from Amazon so we’ll see how it goes. Biggest issue might be finding a way to move my old Panasonic plasma.

I bought my Smart TV on Amazon---no problem at all, except getting rid of the packaging!

I can relate. The Dyson vac I bought got assembled yesterday and I couldn’t believe the amount of packaging it had. All kinds of cardboard to hold lots of parts in place, and every part was in its own plastic bag. The other thing about it was that although it came with a decent-size manual, the only useful parts were all very vague pictographs that we’re hard to understand. Thankfully it it together and works well though I have 4 or 5 attachments that were not identified in the manual and am unsure of their purpose. 

abacomike

I was checking out pricing on a new 2019 S450 sedan on mbusa.com today.

My 2018 MSRP’d at $105,750 - a 2019 equipped the same way MSRP’s at $108,750.  That’s a $3,000 jump in pricing, or just under a 3% increase which correlates closely to the inflation rate.  I wonder what the price on a 2019 would be if tariffs are imposed on imported German automobiles.  Should be interesting.

henryn

abacomike said:

In the last 18 months, I have had to replace a windshield on my 2017 740i and on my 2018 S450.  It cost $2300 a pop for Geico and Liberty Mutual, the two companies that insured my cars.

Chip turned into several long cracks in each case.

Da-yam! Just how much electronics are embedded in those windshields?

Michaell

henryn said:

abacomike said:

In the last 18 months, I have had to replace a windshield on my 2017 740i and on my 2018 S450.  It cost $2300 a pop for Geico and Liberty Mutual, the two companies that insured my cars.

Chip turned into several long cracks in each case.

Da-yam! Just how much electronics are embedded in those windshields?

Which is why I've got a rider on my auto insurance policy for a $0 deductible on windshield repair.

In Colorado, we don't use salt on the roads - we use Magnesium Chloride, plus a fair amount of gravel. Stone chips on your windshield are a fairly common occurrence around here.

driver100

abacomike said:

I was checking out pricing on a new 2019 S450 sedan on mbusa.com today.

Oh oh, this does not sound good!
Pricing out a new car?

graphicguy

sda said:

graphicguy said:

Got an email from the Kia sales manager......offering the new Stinger GT2 for $39K even. That’s $13,845 off MSRP.

Wow, are they going to reel you in?

Nah....as mentioned, I really like my TLX, and won't really look at anything seriously until I see the upcoming TLX S-Type. Just interesting data point on pricing for a car I think competes well with every other lux/sports sedan on the market, most cost at least $10K more than the Stinger.

graphicguy

driver100 said:

I don't recommend too many movies because tastes really differ, especially with car guys. But, The Green Book was incredibly good, and the 50s and 60s cars were magnificent. About a tough guy who chauffeurs a black pianist on a tour through the South in the early 60s.


They used 3 similar Caddies and made it seem like one. The article gives you an idea of how hard it must be to keep these vintage cars running. I could see in some scenes the door didn't open too easily.
The 3 Caddies

@driver100 ...had a date Saturday night and we saw The Green Book. I concur with you.....excellent movie!

graphicguy

In the past month I've received two recall notices on the CTS which Cadillac bought back. Last I heard, they still owned it. One for some wiring issue....the other for some steering rack and bolts issue that sounded serious, and called for an immediate trip to the dealership for a fix.

Clearly, Cadillac doesn't keep very good records on who owns their cars, particularly ones they own.

[Deleted User]

Michaell said:

Which is why I've got a rider on my auto insurance policy for a $0 deductible on windshield repair.

In Colorado, we don't use salt on the roads - we use Magnesium Chloride, plus a fair amount of gravel. Stone chips on your windshield are a fairly common occurrence around here.

Gravel? Is that what we call those boulders?

[Deleted User]

imidazol97 said:

tyguy said:

We're going to have those filled first thing tomorrow morning before they have a chance to spread, and before we drive down to Denver to pickup the Tesla.

Too bad about the windshield. Those chips can spread with change in temperature. I had one crack from a hit on way home in snow from Michigan. Parked in garage which is warm. Then next morning back out in subfreezing for wife's outpatient hand surgery. Crack spread all the way to top because of temp change.

Good point about the changing temperature. Temps were about 1 to 5 degrees F when the cracks occurred, and our garage was about 60 F when we pulled in last night. Now I'm a little nervous. My wife is going to have the Subie's cracks filled in today but I didn't check the windshield before I drove to work this morning in the Audi. Crossing my fingers they can still be repaired.

[Deleted User]

imidazol97 said:

Had emergency call for service from son and DIL. Seems the Cruze went to red on gauge just as she got home from day at clinic. Didn't boil water out on ground.

But I refilled reservoir. Started engine. No leaks. Then I checked other side near belts and saw coolant on frame member where it had been dripping out and blowing back with air around engine while driving. Could see coolant run down front edge of block in slow drip with engine running.

Diagnosis: water pump seeping. I was afraid to drive it home and to dealer for service with the drip. Had it towed and left Junior the 08 Cobalt to drive to work tomorrow. Should be covered under warranty. 70 K miles.

Good timing for it to overheat and it sounds like no damage. Good news there, and even better about the warranty. Let us know how it turns out and I'll be hoping for the best.

imidazol97

I signed up for "informed delivery" by the USPS. I had seen this feature a few months back and thought it would be interesting.

I get an email each morning showing the scan face of mail coming to my mailbox, both the PO Box and the street address. I had to sign up different times for each. I had a legacy email that rolls into the current one so I have two emails besides the ones for forums and junk website signups.

It also is supposed to show packages which is the real feature I wanted. They sometimes show up without tracking or ahead of their tracking predicted delivery date--usually Amazon gets things here faster than expected due to our easy location.

What's funnier is that many people never realized that the scanning of addresses as the USPS processes the mail is actually saved, at least for a time period. Think of the number of items that involves each day. People sending things that are illegal don't realize the record is there with lots of metadata.

I also made use of USPS's ability to suggest the standard arrangement for addresses on items when I look up the Zip Code for a street address. I often addressed things in a way that the scanner computer has to translate the address on the letter to the USPS format before writing the bar code on the face. I verified addresses for the wedding rehearsal invitations we sent out. Some people use an address that's much modified from what the Postal Service wants.

Ordering items from Amazon sometimes would get a suggested address correction by USPS or UPS or FedEx to what is the standard.

abacomike

Was doing my weekly laundry in my GE Spacemaker Washer/Dryer combo yesterday (28 years old) when I heard, what sounded like, rocks hitting the inside of the dryer.  I opened the dryer and found two pieces of copper fittings - broken obviously - corroded and green in color.  My guess it broke off in the washer (nozzles where hot and cold water enter the washer) and I scooped the pieces up when I loaded the dryer.  

I decided not to take a chance and continue using the antique unit and went over to Lowe’s where they stock these units for use in confined laundry space.  All they had were GE units, which I was not thrilled with - GE is not what it used to be!  I would have preferred Whirlpool but I think Whirlpool now owns GE - IIRC.  The combo unit was $1213 including tax, dryer venting extender, electrical cord (couldn’t believe it didn’t come with one) and removal of old unit.  It includes installation and the unit comes with steel hoses and couplings which is required now by code.

Best of all, after I applied for Lowe’s credit card, I became eligible for 18 months interest free on the entire purchase from Synchrony Bank.  So, that’s what I did this morning.  They are delivering and setting up the new unit this Wednesday.  This was one of those purchases where it was a necessity as well as essential for quick action.  I think I did good!

ab348

Yeah, GE stuff only lasts 28 years, so it must be junk...

Just kidding. Anyway, GE Appliances is now owned by Haier of China, not Whirlpool, and they still build at least some stuff in the USA.

abacomike

ab348 said:

Yeah, GE stuff only lasts 28 years, so it must be junk... Just kidding. Anyway, GE Appliances is now owned by Haier of China, not Whirlpool, and they still build at least some stuff in the USA.

I just hope it works well.  I’ll settle for 12 years.  It’s warranted by Lowe’s for 90 days and by GE for 1 year.  What I do is add the appliance to my contract with ECM, a company that handles my other appliances, plumbing, A/C HVAC and all electrical wiring and circuit breaker.  I just send them a copy of the bill of sale with brand, model number and serial number.  They charge me $21 a year to cover repairs and breakage to the unit.

abacomike

henryn said:

abacomike said:

In the last 18 months, I have had to replace a windshield on my 2017 740i and on my 2018 S450.  It cost $2300 a pop for Geico and Liberty Mutual, the two companies that insured my cars.

Chip turned into several long cracks in each case.

Da-yam! Just how much electronics are embedded in those windshields?

I know there are a couple of cameras and other gizmos attached to the windshield in the upper center section just behind the rear-view mirror. Also, rain sensors fort he rain-sensing windshield wipers. There is a heads-up display which required a specific type of windshield in order to permit functionality of the camera behind the instrument cluster on the drivers side. Those things are not cheap. I had to take the Mercedes to the Mercedes Dealership to have the sensors calibrated. Liberty Mutual Insurance took a away my accident forgiveness discount because of the large outlay for the claim. That really got me angry. I did not have an accident. But their underwriters took it away anyway. I have to wait a total of 4 more years before they restore that to my policy.

roadburner

For those of you who don't follow the CCBA topic, my wife has a new DD- a 2015 X1. It was at the BMW Center where I used to work. I had them CPO the car, which got me a $500 rebate from BMW and another $250 from the BMW Car Club. We couldn't be happier.

Mr_Shiftright

I'm rather dubious of the merits of CPO, but if it help cut you a good deal, congrats on that!

fezo

Oh, I buy CPOs all the time. Of course, I've never had to use the warranty. For a while now I stick with Mazdas.

Speaking of Mazdas, (RB, this would really interest you), my mechanic asks if I know about Mazdaspeed 3s. I say yes, even as I haven't driven one. He'd just driven a customer's one and was flabbergasted. He tells me it's coming into the shop this week. The owner is an 80-year-old woman who hates it. Says she makes the Wicked Witch of the West seem like Mother Theresa. I told him to tell her if she'd really like to be rid of it, she has a buyer in me. Would probably have to sell the 5, but I'm OK with that.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

I'm rather dubious of the merits of CPO, but if it help cut you a good deal, congrats on that!

Why? I love our 2014 C250 CPO that had 12000 miles on it when we bought it. I like that they do a 96 point inspection etc....easy to buy a car with lights burnt out, and other little things not working. You pay more but if they are willing to warranty it I think that says something....compared to, here is your new used car......good luck, you are now on your own....and what if it was a flood car or electronics don't work?

graphicguy

GM....cutting 15% of their workforce. Cutting Chevy Volt (the best car Chevy makes), Cruze and Impala....gone are Cadillac CT6 (which I feel is the best car Cadillac makes) and Buick LaCrosse.

This is certainly not good for the economy.

driver100

graphicguy said:

In the past month I've received two recall notices on the CTS which Cadillac bought back. Last I heard, they still owned it. One for some wiring issue....the other for some steering rack and bolts issue that sounded serious, and called for an immediate trip to the dealership for a fix.

Clearly, Cadillac doesn't keep very good records on who owns their cars, particularly ones they own.

GG., I think they are trying to bombard you with mail to try to get even for all the trouble you caused them.

ab348

He'll be getting those notices forever. He's on their list.

tjc78

graphicguy said:

GM....cutting 15% of their workforce. Cutting Chevy Volt (the best car Chevy makes), Cruze and Impala....gone are Cadillac CT6 (which I feel is the best car Cadillac makes) and Buick LaCrosse. This is certainly not good for the economy.

Couldn’t agree more.   

It is also amazing to me that GM won’t have a large car in the stable after this.  Wow how times have changed.  

suydam

Cutting production in the US. Will still be made in Mexico and China.

stickguy

Driver, any newer car should not need much anyway, and a reputable dealer will do that inspection to every car, and fix anything broken. And not sell flood cars. Really, for most people, the CPO is just an extended warranty, and maybe some discount financing. Which, you pay more for.

If say I bought the 2YO Acura tlx, that still has 2 years BtoB warranty, then 2 more power train. So I would be getting 1 year, of whatever CPO covers, at the end, and maybe some adds to the power train coverage. Nice to have, but for a reliable brand, not hugely valuable. If they offered same car for $2,000 less without CPO, I would take the cash and self insure.

roadburner

The CPO warranty ended up costing $551. That's not counting what dealer spent bringing the X1 up to CPO standards.

stickguy

That’s a good deal, with your discounts (like BMWCCA), on a bmw. But your car was a little older with more miles, so may have needed more. Even without COO though, I would have expected the dealer to bring it up to snuff, or would have lowered offer accordingly.

roadburner

The thing is, BMW requires certain things to be replaced even if they would be acceptable otherwise. Here's the BMW CPO Inspection List.
The dealers that I have bought from have always done a thorough inspection, but I do know that some dealers cut corners- and their CPO certification is near worthless.

tjc78

suydam said:

Cutting production in the US. Will still be made in Mexico and China.

I read two sources and both said those cars are gone. CT6 may survive but only in China.

GM said it would shut operations at plants in Detroit; Oshawa, Ontario; Warren, Ohio; White Marsh, Maryland; and Warren, Michigan. The plants made sedans that have waned in popularity, including the Chevrolet Volt, Impala and Cruze, the Buick LaCrosse, and the Cadillac CT6 and XTS. GM said it will no longer make those cars.

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I'm rather dubious of the merits of CPO, but if it help cut you a good deal, congrats on that!

Why? I love our 2014 C250 CPO that had 12000 miles on it when we bought it. I like that they do a 96 point inspection etc....easy to buy a car with lights burnt out, and other little things not working. You pay more but if they are willing to warranty it I think that says something....compared to, here is your new used car......good luck, you are now on your own....and what if it was a flood car or electronics don't work?

Well the fact that your CPO is doing well doesn't necessarily mean the CPO "inspection" had anything to do with it. Having spent some time in the back door of dealerships, I don't think they really put a lot of effort into it--a cursory lift, a spin around the block.

boomchek

The Ontario Oshawa plant in Canada has been producing cars for over 100 years. At its peak it produced close to a million units a year in early 2000's. Now it's at about 125k units per year, an 86% decline. About 2500 jobs will be lost but the impact will affect more people than that who work in support roles (truck drivers, suppliers, etc).

I just watched a review of the CT6 by Doug Demuro (car reviewer) on Youtube and I think the CT6 is definately one of the nicest full size luxury sedans GM made in the last 2 decades, but even at a $100k sticker price it's a tough sell because there are so many other choices from Japanese and German luxury brands, not to mention the Koreans slowly creeping up to that level in equipment at least. Not good news for many.

explorerx4

Too much manufacturing capacity is a problem in the auto industry.

Mr_Shiftright

It's a boom and bust type of industry, and viciously competitive.

berri

Cutting production in the US. Will still be made in Mexico and China.

Or will it? If our administration's proposed tariffs take place GM will likely dump affected cars because they will cost too much. Ford has pretty much hinted those tariffs might can the Chinese manufactured Focus they were planning. Detroit is also concerned that the new steel tariffs impact may result in more marginal vehicles being cut, including some at US plants, due to cost increase impacts. I don't think anything is a done deal yet until the picture out of Washington is better clarified. If it drags on and on, odds are manufacturers will just take a worse case result into their decision making.

xwesx

Perhaps the thing that people tend to forget when it comes to tariffs is that the price of goods in general will go up for the consumer - it is an intended consequence in order to create a more competitive environment for domestic manufacturing, whether that be steel, automobiles, appliances, electronics, nails, or toys. The consumer "we" loses while the national security "we" wins (or, at least, that is the goal).

I think the immediate problem for US manufacturing is that our current situation is so decayed that the entire supply chain tends to be international. So, even if manufacturing at the end of the food chain occurs in the US (e.g., autos), when all of the supplies are also more expensive due to tariffs then the competitive disadvantage remains. These long-shuttered industries cannot start up overnight.

fintail

I think "national security" is a pretty weak argument for many of the trade decisions of late. We're not in the world of 1940. Of course, it's not like those with their finger on the button have ever really answered to anything in their lives, nor will they feel the impacts of their actions. Absolutely the wrong time for such moves given wage and socio-economic trends of the past 35 or so years. But maybe another dose of trickle down will cure it, we should be thankful some pay taxes at all lolol. Using cheap baubles to distract has consequences.

[Deleted User]

This

car

is



AWESOME

Ironic that GM announced the end of the Volt while I was driving the Tesla home after spending 2 months trying to buy one. I'm glad it worked out this way, though. The Tesla is simply incredible.

28firefighter

Congrats, @tyguy! Post some pictures when you can!