Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

snakeweasel

ab348 said:

I have long believed that Canada needs a warm-weather province, territory or principality to which Canadians can flee during winter while still retaining the rights of citizens. At least you guys in the US already have such places. We have nowhere to go.

I would be willing to let you have California. Let Canada deal with the lunatics.

carnaught

oldfarmer50 said:

26”



Anybody got a couch in Florida I can sleep on?

Ohh boyyy.....

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Hopefully, we are getting near to the end of my backup camera story. I called an indie shop today, they get 5 stars. I asked the guy about a wireless camera and using a monitor that would be the rear view mirror. He said he would advise hard wiring in, more reliable. Takes 4 or 5 hours, estimated cost $600!

Decided to check Best Buy, they seem to have the best choices and they do the installation. They had 3 to choose from, they are wireless, the monitor is a rear view mirror, when they install it no wires will be visible.

The one I chose was regular $129, and was on sale for $80. The nice lady didn't tell me it also has a dashcam built in. Dashcam will stop if it is jarred in an accident and record if bumped from the rear even if car is parked.
Installation is $160, 2 hours work. Here is a short video of what it does;
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/rexing-m1-front-and-rear-camera-dash-cam/6342103.p?skuId=6342103


The other 2 backup cameras were $199, did not have a dashcam. The Metra and the Echomaster were $199, the Echmaster did not have lines on the backup camera.

It sounds too good a deal to be true....hope this story has a happy ending. Installation is a week from Thursday.

Driver, why not just trade that old car in for a new model with all the nanny-tech goodies. It would save you time and at the same time, save the rest of us from going through this agonizing process as you add a backup camera to you old C class. 🤪😜😛

I love this car....it just needed the backup camera. Looks better than the new ones, 30k miles on it, put 6000 a year on it....why trade it in and spend $15000 to trade up when a $250 camera will make me happy?

To save us all from shopping with you for a backup camera! 😜🤪😛

You just don't want to see anyone keep a car for more than 3 years!

driver100

imidazol97 said:

The only way I'd do the one tapping into the car's systems would be if the Mercedes store can add one because the car originally has the wiring or connections and the software ability for the camera to be in it. They would have the computers to activate the software and even to update to the version which had backup camera ability if that's what is needed.

A backup camera that is built into the current infotainment system and installed by the dealer would cost at least $600 probably more. One installer said it would take 4 or 5 hours to wire the car properly...and then the cost of the equipment and if putting it into infotainment screen that has to be programmed....more $$$$s.

We are talking about a car that is 6 years old. I'd rather put that $1000 into doing maintenance or repairs on the car. People seem very happy with their aftermarket cameras....most get 4 1/2 stars and good comments. This one cost $250 installed...my limit would be about $400 to $500 for this item.

driver100

I feel really badly for you people who are experiencing S-N-O-W!
Just seeing the pictures of people dealing with it on TV is enough for me.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

I feel really badly for you people who are experiencing S-N-O-W!
Just seeing the pictures of people dealing with it on TV is enough for me.

Why do I get the feeling you have your fingers crossed as you say that! --from sunny warm Florida ! LOL

fintail

Isn't that the lower mainland of BC? Same mild weather as the western side of the PNW ("warm" is relative) with the same inflated housing costs and residency purchasing/money laundering found in metro Toronto, so people will feel at home. Those I know in BC love to complain about transplants, just as native PNWers complain about the same swarm of locusts, there are a lot of similarities. Heck, most here have more in common with those directly across the border (both ways) from a socio-political standpoint than with fellow citizens from locations to the east. Vancouver is your Miami/San Diego.

ab348 said:

I have long believed that Canada needs a warm-weather province, territory or principality to which Canadians can flee during winter while still retaining the rights of citizens. At least you guys in the US already have such places. We have nowhere to go.

ab348

My sense of that area (totally based on zero actual experience) is that in winter it is not warm so much as just less cold. So, damp and gray, but without snow usually. I am talking sun, warm temps, drinks with umbrellas, and a need for SPF40.

fintail

I am fortunate to be single and with no real debt outside housing and car - many have huge obligations and don't receive any parting gifts, due to the nature of an abusive oligocracy we still call "capitalism". It'll be a blessing in disguise, I'll eventually be better off than those who remain, under the same gormless "leadership" who I won't wish ill upon due to that being bad mojo, but at the same time won't cry if said "leadership" find themselves in adverse circumstances. If I loved my prior job or had any faith in or respect for those at the helm, it'd be different, but nope. This is the kick in the butt I needed to finally find something better.

abacomike said:

I always despise companies who lay-off employees around Christmas time. The negative impact it has on the entire family is grotesque and unnecessary. Corporate America is well-aware of this negative impact and should provide a minimum of 2-months of salary and benefits in order for the employee and the family to adjust as best they can.

Only once have I been let go because my position was eliminated (RIF), but I received a 6-month salary package along with benefits. I was lucky that the private school was sensitive my financial needs. I got a job 2 weeks after leaving which was also lucky.

I pray you guys get better jobs quickly for the sake of you and your families.

fintail

Probably some real deals out there on leftover 19 C-class right now

driver100 said:

Roadrunner advised against using the media screen, and I think it was a good point, why mess up the infotainment system if not done properly. There won't be any wires showing, it will be hardwired into electrical system. I don't see spending $600 on a 2014 car, for a backup camera. The car is like new, BUT, if I have one or two major problems the car gets traded in.....losing $250 doesn't bother me....OEM at $1000 would really bother me, rather put that money into a newer one.

fintail

Dear Leader doesn't seem to like Puerto Rico, maybe it could be traded for some oil-rich northern island?

ab348 said:

My sense of that area (totally based on zero actual experience) is that in winter it is not warm so much as just less cold. So, damp and gray, but without snow usually. I am talking sun, warm temps, drinks with umbrellas, and a need for SPF40.

stickguy

Ab, should be able to pick up a nice country in the Caribbean or Bahamas pretty cheap. Maybe one that got smacked by a hurricane and needs some help rebuilding?

imidazol97

Today I've had two false recalls on autos.

This morning I caught an incoming on the landline that has called every day for months. It's usually answered by the call blockers with no message. I thought I'd see who was there. It was a call about airbags in my Chrysler product and they wanted me to call their number about getting the dealer to fix them. I've never owned a Chrysler product. My airbags in my GM products are wonderful.

Then my mail brought a letter from an _Ohio_ office of an attorney doing individual lawsuits. The envelope had said it pertained to class action suits for my Malibu. Upon reading, lawyer says that end users usually get very little in a class action suit and he recommended filing individual suits through him.Problem? The class action was 2016 to 2019 Malibus. I have a 2014.

driver100

fintail said:

Isn't that the lower mainland of BC? Same mild weather as the western side of the PNW ("warm" is relative) . Vancouver is your Miami/San Diego.

ab348 said:

I have long believed that Canada needs a warm-weather province, territory or principality to which Canadians can flee during winter while still retaining the rights of citizens. At least you guys in the US already have such places. We have nowhere to go.

At times there has been a wish to have the Turks and Caicos Islands join Canada. That could make it a natural place for Canadians to go to winter, and to buy property. There would be lots of hurdles though...and, do we really want the extra problems and do they want our influence?

Southern B.C. is not an answer for winter. Winter can be kind of miserable.....not much snow, when it does fall there isn't a lot of it. But it is cloudy, rains a lot, has that dull gray look.

A group of Canadians should buy an island in the Caribbean, and make it a winter getaway place.....it could probably do well.

fintail

I got one of those letters yesterday for a car no longer in my possession, California-located attorney chasing the diesel whine ambulance. I suppose this is what they mean by being an entrepreneur.

imidazol97 said:

Today I've had two false recalls on autos.

This morning I caught an incoming on the landline that has called every day for months. It's usually answered by the call blockers with no message. I thought I'd see who was there. It was a call about airbags in my Chrysler product and they wanted me to call their number about getting the dealer to fix them. I've never owned a Chrysler product. My airbags in my GM products are wonderful.

Then my mail brought a letter from an _Ohio_ office of an attorney doing individual lawsuits. The envelope had said it pertained to class action suits for my Malibu. Upon reading, lawyer says that end users usually get very little in a class action suit and he recommended filing individual suits through him.Problem? The class action was 2016 to 2019 Malibus. I have a 2014.

ab348

My new cheapie downstairs TCL Roku TV came today and I just set it up. Slick, it prompts you to log in to your Roku account during setup, and once you do, it replicates your streaming channel selection on your other Roku tv. Easy setup, works great, recommended.

stickguy

My daughter bought one of those. Worked great for her too.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

Today I've had two false recalls on autos.

This morning I caught an incoming on the landline that has called every day for months. It's usually answered by the call blockers with no message. I thought I'd see who was there. It was a call about airbags in my Chrysler product and they wanted me to call their number about getting the dealer to fix them. I've never owned a Chrysler product. My airbags in my GM products are wonderful.

Then my mail brought a letter from an _Ohio_ office of an attorney doing individual lawsuits. The envelope had said it pertained to class action suits for my Malibu. Upon reading, lawyer says that end users usually get very little in a class action suit and he recommended filing individual suits through him.Problem? The class action was 2016 to 2019 Malibus. I have a 2014.

Guaranteed that the only one who makes out in either of those scenarios is the lawyer. Then the company just passes the cost onto the customer....YOU.

explorerx4

@snakeweasel,
One of my kids didn't switch their ezpass when they put Wisconsin plates on.
After a trip to Chicago, they got fined $25 for each violation of mismatched plate and account.
That was $25 times 6.

suydam

Chicago is quite vigilant in tracking EZPass infractions. Ask me how I know. My daughter went to Beloit College, which requires using tolls from Chicago North all the way to Beloit. It wasn’t pretty.

stickguy

my EZpass just works off the transponder. I am pretty sure that my account is usually out of date relative to the cars plates.

roadburner

Smitty_7 said:

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

So did the Aztec...

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Smitty_7 said:

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

So did the Aztec...

I’ve got no trouble with the looks of the Mach-E but I object to the dilution of the Mustang nameplate. It’s NOT a Mustang by any definition.

Why not just call it a Mach-E?

graphicguy

fintail said:

Dear Leader doesn't seem to like Puerto Rico, maybe it could be traded for some oil-rich northern island?

ab348 said:

My sense of that area (totally based on zero actual experience) is that in winter it is not warm so much as just less cold. So, damp and gray, but without snow usually. I am talking sun, warm temps, drinks with umbrellas, and a need for SPF40.

I’m actually looking at property/house in Puerto Rico.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

@snakeweasel,
One of my kids didn't switch their ezpass when they put Wisconsin plates on.
After a trip to Chicago, they got fined $25 for each violation of mismatched plate and account.
That was $25 times 6.

I confess I don’t understand the mechanics of EZpass since I don’t use it in my personal driving. But what would the plate have to do with the EZpass account? I’ve driven school buses and company cars using the EZpass and the plates varied every time.

qbrozen

The plate is for backup. If the pass fails to be read, the photo of your plate is cross-referenced to the ezpass database and charged to you that way rather than sending you a ticket for a toll violation.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

Smitty_7 said:

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

So did the Aztec...

I’ve got no trouble with the looks of the Mach-E but I object to the dilution of the Mustang nameplate. It’s NOT a Mustang by any definition.

Why not just call it a Mach-E?

Tesla is the leader and has brand recognition. Ford is new at the E-car game and there is a lot riding on this, Ford gets a bit of a lead in by using the iconic Mustang name on the car. If the new car is called the Ford Electrolux, it kind of gets lost in the herd.

Hopefully, it won't devalue your "real"Mustang of.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

Smitty_7 said:

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

So did the Aztec...

I’ve got no trouble with the looks of the Mach-E but I object to the dilution of the Mustang nameplate. It’s NOT a Mustang by any definition.

Why not just call it a Mach-E?

Tesla is the leader and has brand recognition. Ford is new at the E-car game and there is a lot riding on this, Ford gets a bit of a lead in by using the iconic Mustang name on the car. If the new car is called the Ford Electrolux, it kind of gets lost in the herd.

Hopefully, it won't devalue your "real"Mustang of.

Ford Electrolux? Oh not that, the jokes about that just write themselves.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

Smitty_7 said:

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

So did the Aztec...

I’ve got no trouble with the looks of the Mach-E but I object to the dilution of the Mustang nameplate. It’s NOT a Mustang by any definition.

Why not just call it a Mach-E?

Tesla is the leader and has brand recognition. Ford is new at the E-car game and there is a lot riding on this, Ford gets a bit of a lead in by using the iconic Mustang name on the car. If the new car is called the Ford Electrolux, it kind of gets lost in the herd.

Hopefully, it won't devalue your "real"Mustang of.

Ford Electrolux? Are we back to the vacuum cleaner discussion again?

As to devaluing the brand, how did Dodge fare with putting the Charger name on a 4 door sedan? Perhaps they got away with it because the real Charger hadn’t been in production for a generation. The Mustang, however, is still being made so they are obviously riding on coat tails here.

What would be better than calling it the Mach-E and introducing it as a new creation rather than ticking off people who come looking for an electric Mustang?

omarman

Toyota used to borrow from its successful model names when introducing a new line.

First Generation FWD 1980 Toyota Corolla Tercel Liftback


First Generation 1979 Toyota Celica Supra

dino001

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

@snakeweasel,
One of my kids didn't switch their ezpass when they put Wisconsin plates on.
After a trip to Chicago, they got fined $25 for each violation of mismatched plate and account.
That was $25 times 6.

I confess I don’t understand the mechanics of EZpass since I don’t use it in my personal driving. But what would the plate have to do with the EZpass account? I’ve driven school buses and company cars using the EZpass and the plates varied every time.

We have Sunpass here in Florida and it also has license plate attached to the transponder. I think it is that they still take your picture when you cross those toll gantries and match the transponder with the license plate in case there somebody would contest the charge or perhaps to catch some discrepancies. I don't know if our Turnpike Authority is as vigorous to enforce the plate with the registered vehicle. I bet there are different rules for corporate accounts with fleets, where particular transponder does not need to have a vehicle attach to it, because it would quickly become impractical and burdensome to track all the fleet turnover.

stickguy

I thought they went to DMV for plate based billing. I bet very few accounts have up to date plates. And sneaky people would always put someone else’s plate number down.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I thought they went to DMV for plate based billing. I bet very few accounts have up to date plates. And sneaky people would always put someone else’s plate number down.

If your account is not up to date, they send you the fine with pic of your plate. I assume they get your address from the DMV. What I can't understand is why, if they can cross-reference a plate IF your account lists that plate, they can't manage to do the same with the name/address. As you might imagine, I get tickets fairly often since I switch plates too often and always fail to update my account info until said ticket arrives.

abacomike

graphicguy said:

fintail said:

Dear Leader doesn't seem to like Puerto Rico, maybe it could be traded for some oil-rich northern island?

ab348 said:

My sense of that area (totally based on zero actual experience) is that in winter it is not warm so much as just less cold. So, damp and gray, but without snow usually. I am talking sun, warm temps, drinks with umbrellas, and a need for SPF40.

I’m actually looking at property/house in Puerto Rico.

As long as you keep looking, no harm can come of it. But if you act on those observations (property/house), big trouble - especially in Puerto Rico. Remember the problems with their electric grid? And don't forget their junk bonds that many people lost their life savings on! Oh - and the corruption on the island - can't forget that!

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

I thought they went to DMV for plate based billing. I bet very few accounts have up to date plates. And sneaky people would always put someone else’s plate number down.

If your account is not up to date, they send you the fine with pic of your plate. I assume they get your address from the DMV. What I can't understand is why, if they can cross-reference a plate IF your account lists that plate, they can't manage to do the same with the name/address. As you might imagine, I get tickets fairly often since I switch plates too often and always fail to update my account info until said ticket arrives.

C'mon man, when are you gonna learn?

jmonroe

qbrozen

It really just costs them. I don't have to pay any fine. You log online, provide your account number to prove you are an ezpass customer, and they waive the fine.

tjc78

qbrozen said:

It really just costs them. I don't have to pay any fine. You log online, provide your account number to prove you are an ezpass customer, and they waive the fine.

Yeah, it’s a pretty easy process to get it resolved.

I have one coming for the Volvo. When I had it on temp tags and no Ezpass tag I blew right through the lane not thinking.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

It really just costs them. I don't have to pay any fine. You log online, provide your account number to prove you are an ezpass customer, and they waive the fine.

If that's the case then that isn't actually a "ticket" is it? To me that is only a "ticket" if you don't respond to the mailing. I'd rather do the account change than be bothered by all those mailings. If I were EZ Pass, I would enforce the fine after a couple warning mailings.

jmonroe

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

Smitty_7 said:

explorerx4 said:

I'm ok with the Mach E name, but a Mustang model and styling(lights), not so sure.
Maybe it looks better in person.

There's been some photos of the Mach-E out in the public that have come out and it really stands out.

So did the Aztec...

I’ve got no trouble with the looks of the Mach-E but I object to the dilution of the Mustang nameplate. It’s NOT a Mustang by any definition.

Why not just call it a Mach-E?

Tesla is the leader and has brand recognition. Ford is new at the E-car game and there is a lot riding on this, Ford gets a bit of a lead in by using the iconic Mustang name on the car. If the new car is called the Ford Electrolux, it kind of gets lost in the herd.

Hopefully, it won't devalue your "real"Mustang of.

Ford Electrolux? Are we back to the vacuum cleaner discussion again?

As to devaluing the brand, how did Dodge fare with putting the Charger name on a 4 door sedan? Perhaps they got away with it because the real Charger hadn’t been in production for a generation. The Mustang, however, is still being made so they are obviously riding on coat tails here.

What would be better than calling it the Mach-E and introducing it as a new creation rather than ticking off people who come looking for an electric Mustang?

I think the problem is Mach isn't a name you can probably get copyrighted. Mach 1 refers to the speed of sound, about 761 mph depending on temperature. Mustang Mach-E is protected by the Mustang name....Mach is probably generic.

About the Charger name. I get the Charger and Challenger cars confused. But, the Charger was absent for decades, so people have forgotten what it was attached to.

driver100

dino001 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

@snakeweasel,
One of my kids didn't switch their ezpass when they put Wisconsin plates on.
After a trip to Chicago, they got fined $25 for each violation of mismatched plate and account.
That was $25 times 6.

I confess I don’t understand the mechanics of EZpass since I don’t use it in my personal driving. But what would the plate have to do with the EZpass account? I’ve driven school buses and company cars using the EZpass and the plates varied every time.

We have Sunpass here in Florida and it also has license plate attached to the transponder. I think it is that they still take your picture when you cross those toll gantries and match the transponder with the license plate in case there somebody would contest the charge or perhaps to catch some discrepancies. I don't know if our Turnpike Authority is as vigorous to enforce the plate with the registered vehicle. I bet there are different rules for corporate accounts with fleets, where particular transponder does not need to have a vehicle attach to it, because it would quickly become impractical and burdensome to track all the fleet turnover.

They probably take a picture in case someone gets a bill and wants to contest it......."couldn't have been my car on the road that day, we were in Hawaii. Oh, maybe my son-in-law took the car that day."

driver100

Hopefully getting near the end of the backup camera story...hoping for Mike's sake.
Remember the first installer supplied by amazon was going to charge $199 for installation. They told me to bring the car in at 9 a.m., and leave it until 6 p.m. I figured the $199 wasn't enough to work on the car for 4 hours straight....wanted to do it during a quiet time. They called today and left a message....we can't install this on a Mercedes.

I still have the wireless backup camera/dashcam that Best Buy is supposed to install next week....we will see how that goes.

qbrozen

jmonroe1 said:

qbrozen said:

It really just costs them. I don't have to pay any fine. You log online, provide your account number to prove you are an ezpass customer, and they waive the fine.

If that's the case then that isn't actually a "ticket" is it? To me that is only a "ticket" if you don't respond to the mailing. I'd rather do the account change than be bothered by all those mailings. If I were EZ Pass, I would enforce the fine after a couple warning mailings.

jmonroe

Calling it a ticket just seems easier than “an official piece of paper with a description of a violation and resulting fine.” :b

28firefighter

Finally broke the 3 mile mark today on my run. Felt like I could have pushed further, too, which felt good. I think at this point my goal is 4 miles and then I'm good, for both the sake of time and the health of my body.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

I thought they went to DMV for plate based billing. I bet very few accounts have up to date plates. And sneaky people would always put someone else’s plate number down.

If your account is not up to date, they send you the fine with pic of your plate. I assume they get your address from the DMV. What I can't understand is why, if they can cross-reference a plate IF your account lists that plate, they can't manage to do the same with the name/address. As you might imagine, I get tickets fairly often since I switch plates too often and always fail to update my account info until said ticket arrives.

Around here NY Thruway, Mass Pike you don’t need an EZpass. They happily send a bill based on the plate. I wonder what would happen if someone stole your plate and went for an interstate joy ride.

28firefighter

No EZPass in WA either - we have Good2Go. You can either get a very small transponder that sits on your windshield for the lowest toll rates, register your plate with an account for a $.25 surcharge over the transponder toll rate, or nothing and they mail you a bill for full pop.

venture

Just got back from Maryland after going down to see the new grandson. Had over 350 posts to wade through.

You guys have been busy.

venture

driver100 said:

Hopefully getting near the end of the backup camera story...hoping for Mike's sake.
Remember the first installer supplied by amazon was going to charge $199 for installation. They told me to bring the car in at 9 a.m., and leave it until 6 p.m. I figured the $199 wasn't enough to work on the car for 4 hours straight....wanted to do it during a quiet time. They called today and left a message....we can't install this on a Mercedes.

I still have the wireless backup camera/dashcam that Best Buy is supposed to install next week....we will see how that goes.

I had Best Buy install my dash cam. Front and rear view. I was skeptical, but they did a good job. I guess it depends on the individual installer.

jmonroe1

venture said:

Just got back from Maryland after going down to see the new grandson. Had over 350 posts to wade through.

You guys have been busy.

I wouldn't say we have been busier than usual unless you think one of our poster buddies is trying to get to 50K posts in half the time it took him to amass 25K posts.

jmonroe

qbrozen

jmonroe1 said:

venture said:

Just got back from Maryland after going down to see the new grandson. Had over 350 posts to wade through.

You guys have been busy.

I wouldn't say we have been busier than usual unless you think one of our poster buddies is trying to get to 50K posts in half the time it took him to amass 25K posts.

jmonroe

well, the pin is pretty sweet

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

jmonroe1 said:

venture said:

Just got back from Maryland after going down to see the new grandson. Had over 350 posts to wade through.

You guys have been busy.

I wouldn't say we have been busier than usual unless you think one of our poster buddies is trying to get to 50K posts in half the time it took him to amass 25K posts.

jmonroe

well, the pin is pretty sweet

I'm sure it is but I'll never get close enough to even smell it.

jmonroe