Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

Since the quote button doesn't work maybe replies should be in "Bold".

Sounds like a plan.....oh, never mind.

snakeweasel

berri said:

I always find it interesting that no insurance company or body shop will give you a straight answer on diminished value when you have a car accident repaired. Yet go to trade it in and - wham, its like it is ruined

Well for one your insurance policy isn't for diminished value it is to repair your car to proper working order and cover any liability in case you do damage to others. 

Secondly diminished value is a moving target.
 

carnaught

driver100 said:

carnaught I will give you a choice.....(I still have it btw), the horizontal striped shirt or my Superman outfit?

(Eww), that’s quite all right, driver.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
The Focus has the 2.3, so pretty peppy.
If it's a PZEV model, it has a very expensive air filter unit that costs $400/$500 for the part.
There is a green/red gauge on it that shows if it is still ok.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

I always wanted to try that but I worry that I’d pick up a clinker and scratch up the clearcoat. I know they say to use a lubricant to avoid that but I don’t trust myself.

One is always very careful not to drop the clay bar and pick up grit on it. I usually work with half the bar of clay. If I drop part it goes in the trash. 

I have a cheap "fix" for being a butter-fingers with the clay bar. 

I put down 2 layers of newspaper around the perimeter of my car and I spray it lightly from the hose. This holds it down so it doesn't blow away if I am in the driveway. It works well in the garage too. Of course, after I came up with this "fix", I don't think I have dropped a clay bar in 8 years. At one time I thought I was so good at holding onto it that maybe I shouldn't waste my time with newspaper anymore but I chickened out.

jmonroe 

ruking1

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The Focus has the 2.3, so pretty peppy.
If it's a PZEV model, it has a very expensive air filter unit that costs $400/$500 for the part.
There is a green/red gauge on it that shows if it is still ok.

Geezzzz! IF I’ve paid $40. for that MB air filter @ the MB dealer are TOO rich for my blood! It’s specified to last @ least 120,000 miles. Given the math, the money cited ($400-$500.) would buy me a 12.5 air filters. @ 120,000 miles per that gives me 1,500,000 miles of good filtering. The 12 VW Touareg TDI air filter is way cheaper @ $15.00. It does last 120,000 miles.

One can also install a caterpillar gauge/part that also measures how clogged it is. It also can be verified by a or multiple UOA/‘s. It’s not commonly known (in general) that a slightly used air filter (10,000 to 20,000 miles) actually filters better than a NEW one.

oldfarmer50

ruking1 said:

So if one’s done the research on any vehicle and its competitors, and it’s a choice between getting a vehicle whose value drops like a rock or has good to great after market value....(anyone’s choice here? )

Depends on how long you plan on keeping it. If you plan on reselling in a few years buy a Honda. If you plan on running it into the ground buy a Toyota. If the prices are too high on either buy a Buick.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The Focus has the 2.3, so pretty peppy.
If it's a PZEV model, it has a very expensive air filter unit that costs $400/$500 for the part.
There is a green/red gauge on it that shows if it is still ok.

Interesting, every car has it’s quirks. Still that Focus claims only 27k miles so I assume the filter would have some life in it.

ruking1

oldfarmer50 said:

ruking1 said:

So if one’s done the research on any vehicle and its competitors, and it’s a choice between getting a vehicle whose value drops like a rock or has good to great after market value....(anyone’s choice here? )

Depends on how long you plan on keeping it. If you plan on reselling in a few years buy a Honda. If you plan on running it into the ground buy a Toyota. If the prices are too high on either buy a Buick.

Honda & Toyota’s (my) indicate $.028 per mile driven depreciation (CPMD) is one # to beat. I’ve not/never owned a Buick.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer50,
From I recall from the similar one I had, it didn't need replacement unless the gauge went into the red.
It was warrantied for 100k miles.
my comment was meant as something to check if your friend was actually interested in it.

ruking1

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the state sales taxes due on used cars. In CA, they approach 10 % NEW & 10% USED.

abacomike

@carnaught

Any insight?  Measles outbreak!

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

@carnaught

Any insight?  Measles outbreak!

Stay away from kindergartens.

qbrozen

ruking1 said:

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the state sales taxes due on used cars. In CA, they approach 10 % NEW & 10% USED.

Are there states where new and used differ? Shouldn’t sales tax be sales tax regardless?

henryn

qbrozen said:

ruking1 said:

I’m surprised no one has mentioned the state sales taxes due on used cars. In CA, they approach 10 % NEW & 10% USED.

Are there states where new and used differ? Shouldn’t sales tax be sales tax regardless?

-=-=-=-=-=-=--=- end quoted material =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Yes and no. Here in Texas, the sales tax is 6.25% on new and used cars. In the stores, it's 8.25% (additional 1% for the city, and 1% for Metro, as I recall).

abacomike

oldfarmer50 said:

@carnaught

Any insight?  Measles outbreak!

Stay away from kindergartens.

When I was a school principal, a student could not be admitted to a public school in my school district without proof of immunization vaccines being administered showing dates and if any boosters were not administered.

If a parent claimed it was against their religion or that they just refused to immunize their child, the child was barred from attending public school in our district.  The district provided funds to educate the child in an alternative environment.

I don’t know if that is still the policy of the school district today.

carnaught

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

@carnaught

Any insight?  Measles outbreak!

Stay away from kindergartens.

And don’t go out in public where the anti-immunization zealots hang.

abacomike

carnaught said:

@carnaught

Any insight?  Measles outbreak!

Stay away from kindergartens.

And don’t go out in public where the anti-immunization zealots hang.

The anti-immunization movement zeroes in on the constitutional rights granted them.  But if a measles epidemic threatens the public at large or if polio rears its ugly face again, God forbid, the government has a responsibility to protect its population from the spread of diseases.  Children not properly immunized should be barred from public schools where children become susceptible to diseases from unimmunized children.  Just because children received vaccinations does not guaranty they are 100% protected.  In some cases, the vaccines do not work as effectively as they should in some children - so that places them in harms way from those who have had no vaccines.

jipster

dino001 said:

jipster said:

If I paid $500 over private party....you guys......wouldn't kick me out.of the club?
.

I know you're joking, but it's really nobody's business, but yours. But since you have asked, in my opinion it's better to overpay for a good car than get a great deal for a piece of junk. The only thing that matters there is if the car is really alright - the price at that level is really secondary, in my opinion, as long as it remains in realm of reasonable.

Thx. Don't feel like paying $500 over book for a 2010. I have a timeline of another 2 months to buy something. Then my son is off to college. So I WILL have a sales story at some.point.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/mount-washington-2010-mercury-milan/6850643954.html

explorerx4

Your son is taking the car to school? Some schools don't allow freshman to park cars on campus.
If for commuting, never mind.

abacomike

explorerx4 said:

Your son is taking the car to school? Some schools don't allow freshman to park cars on campus. If for commuting, never mind.

My grandson had to leave his car back in CA because freshmen are not allowed to bring cars onto campus.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@oldfarmer50,
The Focus has the 2.3, so pretty peppy.
If it's a PZEV model, it has a very expensive air filter unit that costs $400/$500 for the part.
There is a green/red gauge on it that shows if it is still ok.

Air filter that costs $500! And you were complaining about the cost of servicing a Mercedes?

dino001

Anti-vaccine people are worst kind of parasites of modern society - use the herd’s immunity, don’t contribute or bear any risk (it exists, albeit much smaller than those internate scare artists try to make you believe). This parasite attitude is semi-rational, its only problem is, when everybody else does the same thing.

driver100

explorerx4 said:
The Focus has the 2.3, so pretty peppy.
If it's a PZEV model, it has a very expensive air filter unit that costs $400/$500 for the part.
There is a green/red gauge on it that shows if it is still ok.

For another thing....what the heck is that filter made out of.........spun gold or kryptonite (talking about Superman)?

explorerx4

@driver100,
If you had comprehended one of my previous posts, you would realize it may never need replacement.
It's just something that should be and can easily be checked if you are looking at one of those cars.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
If you had comprehended one of my previous posts, you would realize it may never need replacement.
It's just something that should be and can easily be checked if you are looking at one of those cars.

In all likelihood my guy will probably shoot down any car I come up with. When people say they want help picking out a car what they really mean is they want you to approve of whatever they pick out.

venture

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
If you had comprehended one of my previous posts, you would realize it may never need replacement.
It's just something that should be and can easily be checked if you are looking at one of those cars.

In all likelihood my guy will probably shoot down any car I come up with. When people say they want help picking out a car what they really mean is they want you to approve of whatever they pick out.

I won't go with people to look at cars any more. Some because of what you said, and others because you get no recognition if a car works out OK, but you get blamed if it's not a good car - like you knew that and kept it from them.

ab348

More news about Renault and Nissan - now according to the Financial Times there are reports that they are seeking a full merger of the two companies and then want to swallow up FCA.

https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/renault-seeks-merger-nissan-and-fca-report-says

Renault is seeking to restart merger talks with Nissan within 12 months as the first step toward the creation of a bigger auto conglomerate that will involve a bid by both companies for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Financial Times reported.

The creation of a new alliance board led by Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard has improved confidence that the two sides can push ahead with merger plans, the newspaper reported Wednesday, citing unidentified people familiar with both sides' thinking.

A combination of Renault, Nissan, Fiat and Chrysler would create an automaker that could better compete against global competitors such as Volkswagen and Toyota.

Carlos Ghosn, the former chairman of Renault and Nissan who was arrested in Tokyo in November on charges of financial wrongdoing, had held talks about merging Renault with Fiat Chrysler two to three years ago, the Financial Times reported, citing two unidentified sources. Ghosn’s proposal was stopped by the French government, the newspaper said. Ghosn, who is free on bail pending his trial, has denied the charges against him.

Fiat Chrysler itself is seeking a partnership or merger, and Chairman John Elkann has met with other rivals including PSA Group to gauge the possibility of a deal, the newspaper reported.

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

More news about Renault and Nissan - now according to the Financial Times there are reports that they are seeking a full merger of the two companies and then want to swallow up FCA.

https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/renault-seeks-merger-nissan-and-fca-report-says

Renault is seeking to restart merger talks with Nissan within 12 months as the first step toward the creation of a bigger auto conglomerate that will involve a bid by both companies for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Financial Times reported.

The creation of a new alliance board led by Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard has improved confidence that the two sides can push ahead with merger plans, the newspaper reported Wednesday, citing unidentified people familiar with both sides' thinking.

A combination of Renault, Nissan, Fiat and Chrysler would create an automaker that could better compete against global competitors such as Volkswagen and Toyota.

Carlos Ghosn, the former chairman of Renault and Nissan who was arrested in Tokyo in November on charges of financial wrongdoing, had held talks about merging Renault with Fiat Chrysler two to three years ago, the Financial Times reported, citing two unidentified sources. Ghosn’s proposal was stopped by the French government, the newspaper said. Ghosn, who is free on bail pending his trial, has denied the charges against him.

Fiat Chrysler itself is seeking a partnership or merger, and Chairman John Elkann has met with other rivals including PSA Group to gauge the possibility of a deal, the newspaper reported.

A conglomerate of poor quality brands? Yeah, what could go wrong with that?

According to driver100’s best friend Scotty Kilmer, that’s like putting all the bad eggs in one basket.

https://youtu.be/CbqibbNaNuQ

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
If you had comprehended one of my previous posts, you would realize it may never need replacement.
It's just something that should be and can easily be checked if you are looking at one of those cars.

Yeh, well, what if some poor moron takes his car in for service and they tell him he should replace his air filter, so he says sure go ahead. And then he gets the bill with a $100 air filter on it. And, I still don't get what that filter could possibly made out of to make it worth that much....probably not corrugated cardboard I hope!

sda

The Milan looks clean. What is the foil like wrapping on what appears to be an a/c pressure hose? Is that original to the car or some Mickey Mouse fix?

stickguy

I love Scotty. He's fun.

abacomike

We are under a “gale warning” effective at 4:00 PM this afternoon until tomorrow afternoon with small craft advisories in effect through Friday morning.  There is a front moving down the peninsula and is expected to pass through South Florida this afternoon.

I would think Driver100 is experiencing some windy conditions now.  Weather this year sure has been strange.

abacomike

A merger of Renault and Nissan with Fiat-Chrysler close behind reminds be of “...The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly...” with Nissan being the good, Fiat-Chrysler the Bad and  Renault being The Ugly!  I wonder if Clint Eastwood is considering “Directing” that merger? 😋😜🤪

ab348

It is interesting to ponder what could occur in the NA market if the mergers occur. I can't see very much from Renault doing much here. I suppose the Fiat products that they are attempting to sell here could be replaced by Nissans which have a slightly better image. But for me, none of the three manufacturers produce much that appeals to me.

snakeweasel

ab348 said:

It is interesting to ponder what could occur in the NA market if the mergers occur. I can't see very much from Renault doing much here. I suppose the Fiat products that they are attempting to sell here could be replaced by Nissans which have a slightly better image. But for me, none of the three manufacturers produce much that appeals to me.

Interesting indeed. Currently the only thing that interests me in that line up is Jeep. But I am worried what that merger would do to Jeep.

jipster

sda said:

The Milan looks clean. What is the foil like wrapping on what appears to be an a/c pressure hose? Is that original to the car or some Mickey Mouse fix?

I was wondering the same thing, sda. Sure doesn't look original. Any ideas people?

stickguy

that Milan does look like a nice, safe, reliable car for a kid to take through their school years, at a reasonable price.

tjc78

jipster said:

The Milan looks clean. What is the foil like wrapping on what appears to be an a/c pressure hose? Is that original to the car or some Mickey Mouse fix?

I was wondering the same thing, sda. Sure doesn't look original. Any ideas people?

Looks like from a quick Google image search the early Milan’s didn’t have it but later ones do.  I bet there was a TSB on AC performance and this was the “fix” 

imidazol97

With all the talk about polishes here, I remembered that there was a topic, now closed, that said "No Zaino" in the discussion of polishes and waxes.

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/890/general/x/store-bought-waxes-part-ii-no-zaino-posts

I assume it's like the Amsoil folks pushed Amsoil in any early discussion of synthetic oils. Some of those pushing were devotees but many seemed to be the distributors and local sellers who made money from the Amsoil product.

I react the same way to Scotty Kilmer. Bless his mouthy little heart.

ab348

tjc78 said:

Looks like from a quick Google image search the early Milan’s didn’t have it but later ones do.  I bet there was a TSB on AC performance and this was the “fix” 

Made me look at the listing. What is that bright red thing under the hood? Looks strangely out of place.

We never got the Milan up here so all I know about them is from seeing the Jill Wagner commercials for them on TV from the US. They seemed to have been trimmed more nicely than the Fusion, and to me, look better outside.

jipster

stickguy said:

that Milan does look like a nice, safe, reliable car for a kid to take through their school years, at a reasonable price.

Agree. Nice car. Owner said he would email the carfax. It's the premier model. Heated leather seats.

Here's one I test drove a couple weeks ago. Too powerful. Not the cleanest. It started out at $7,800. Now at $6,800.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/louisville-2012-chevrolet-impala/6848956821.html

ab348

I had a lot of those Impalas as rentals before I retired. Could never warm up to them.

jipster

explorerx4 said:

Your son is taking the car to school? Some schools don't allow freshman to park cars on campus.
If for commuting, never mind.

He's been accepted at the University of Kentucky. Pretty sure they allow on campus parking. But, his girlfriend lives in Bardstown, Kentucky. He started working at Wal-Mart a couple months ago. With wife and myself work schedules, getting by fairly easily with just 2 cars. But tight at times and getting tighter.

abacomike

jipster said:

that Milan does look like a nice, safe, reliable car for a kid to take through their school years, at a reasonable price.

Agree. Nice car. Owner said he would email the carfax. It's the premier model. Heated leather seats. Here's one I test drove a couple weeks ago. Too powerful. Not the cleanest. It started out at $7,800. Now at $6,800. https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/louisville-2012-chevrolet-impala/6848956821.html

Love his comment, “...I DON’T NEED HELP SELLING THIS CAR!”  Maybe, maybe not. 😛

abacomike

ab348 said:

I had a lot of those Impalas as rentals before I retired. Could never warm up to them.

You don’t warm up to them because Canada is where we get our cold weather from - move south to Florida and you might warm up to them! 

oldfarmer50

ab348 said:

It is interesting to ponder what could occur in the NA market if the mergers occur. I can't see very much from Renault doing much here. I suppose the Fiat products that they are attempting to sell here could be replaced by Nissans which have a slightly better image. But for me, none of the three manufacturers produce much that appeals to me.

I really like some of the Nissan offerings like the Rogue and especially the Altima but everything I’ve heard about the brand indicated that they wouldn’t be the best choice for long term ownership. What’s the deal with the Jatco CVTs? They’re used in multiple car brands besides Nissan but seem to be junk. One of the reasons I bought my Kia this year instead of next is that they were putting the Jatco CVT in it for 2020. Is that company getting a bad rap? Otherwise why would so many companies use them?

jipster

ab348 said:

I had a lot of those Impalas as rentals before I retired. Could never warm up to them.

Yep. Owner said he thought it had been a rental. Car has an exhaust rattle until it warms up.

jipster

abacomike said:

jipster said:

stickguy said:

that Milan does look like a nice, safe, reliable car for a kid to take through their school years, at a reasonable price.

Agree. Nice car. Owner said he would email the carfax. It's the premier model. Heated leather seats.

Here's one I test drove a couple weeks ago. Too powerful. Not the cleanest. It started out at $7,800. Now at $6,800.

https://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/d/louisville-2012-chevrolet-impala/6848956821.html

Love his comment, “...I DON’T NEED HELP SELLING THIS CAR!”  Maybe, maybe not. 😛

Yeah, owner might be wanting help fairly soon. Think that car's been listed on Craigslist for around 2 months. Owner let my wife and I take it on the road solo for a test drive. But, that Impala had toooo much power for a teenager.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

More news about Renault and Nissan - now according to the Financial Times there are reports that they are seeking a full merger of the two companies and then want to swallow up FCA. https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/renault-seeks-merger-nissan-and-fca-report-says

Renault is seeking to restart merger talks with Nissan within 12 months as the first step toward the creation of a bigger auto conglomerate that will involve a bid by both companies for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Financial Times reported. The creation of a new alliance board led by Renault Chairman Jean-Dominique Senard has improved confidence that the two sides can push ahead with merger plans, the newspaper reported Wednesday, citing unidentified people familiar with both sides' thinking. A combination of Renault, Nissan, Fiat and Chrysler would create an automaker that could better compete against global competitors such as Volkswagen and Toyota. Carlos Ghosn, the former chairman of Renault and Nissan who was arrested in Tokyo in November on charges of financial wrongdoing, had held talks about merging Renault with Fiat Chrysler two to three years ago, the Financial Times reported, citing two unidentified sources. Ghosn’s proposal was stopped by the French government, the newspaper said. Ghosn, who is free on bail pending his trial, has denied the charges against him. Fiat Chrysler itself is seeking a partnership or merger, and Chairman John Elkann has met with other rivals including PSA Group to gauge the possibility of a deal, the newspaper reported.

A conglomerate of poor quality brands? Yeah, what could go wrong with that? According to driver100’s best friend Scotty Kilmer, that’s like putting all the bad eggs in one basket. https://youtu.be/CbqibbNaNuQ

On his best day Kilmer is a blithering idiot.