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My heart felt condolences. I cannot imagine how you must feel.
Mike, you have had more sad events than any person should have to deal with. Words cannot even begin to express the sorrow I feel for you.
So very sorry to hear this, my thoughts are with you.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Oh no, that's terrible Mike. No one should outlive their kids. Very sorry for you.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I am so sorry Mike; you will be in my prayers.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mike,
Let me add my condolences on your loss. I'm so sorry that you didn't get to have one last visit with your daughter; even though there was nothing you could do, they should have given you the opportunity to say goodbye.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
So sad Mike. I couldn't imagine having to go through that. Prayers with you.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So sorry to hear of your loss, Mike, Please take care of yourself,
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I am so behind in posts that I gave up and went to the end. I was looking forward to congratulating GG on his wedding, and instead I just read Mike's sad news.
Mike, I'm really sorry for your loss. I can't even imagine what you're going through. My condolences.
Mike, I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences and may your daughter's departed soul rest in eternal peace.
Interesting point about the ethanol added to 87 and 89 octane in Canada. I would switch to the 91 octane just because of this. You will get better mpg and the engine will love it.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Mike, my prayers are with you. She will live on in your heart.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I'm so sorry to hear, Mike. Too young.
'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
Houdini...I have a few questions for you...I am not that knowledgeable about fuels. Why is ethanol a problem? Also, it seems that ethanol is also in regular and mid range gasoline in the USA too. Here is a bit of the article I found regarding Shell:
Shell, for example, uses more volatile fuel here in winter “to provide better cold starts and driveability.” Shell and other mainstream refiners are constantly adjusting their fuels on an almost weekly basis, one of the reasons I am constantly recommending the use of fresh fuel.
The fuels also differ geographically. Shell typically only uses ethanol in regular grade fuels, in specific markets including the Lower Fraser Valley and Southern Ontario; ethanol is used in all regular grade fuels in the United States, regardless of the refinery of origin.
You can read the detailed article at:
is-canadian-gas-better-than-american-gas
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I am no expert either, but this is my understanding. The more ethanol that is added the poorer your mpg because ethanol has less energy or some such. It is very hard to find ethanol free gas in the U.S. Virtually no ethanol free reg. You can find ethanol free prem. but you have to look for it and it costs more. Also the ethanol is supposed to be very hard on things like gaskets, hoses, and such...and recently many are saying ethanol is worse than gasoline on the environment, etc. Moving to ethanol was more a political thing in the U.S.
It sounds like ethanol free gasoline is easier to find in Canada. I try to use it here whenever possible. I have also heard that some car companies will void your warranty if you use over a certain percentage of ethanol. Maybe 15%? Hopefully someone else knows more about this.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
ethanol has more issues with water in the system, and gunk gumming up the works.
it was supposedly implemented as a way to reduce dependency on foreign oil. At this point, it is mandated because the huge agra conglomerates make a fortune out of it, and they own enough of congress that common sense or real science will never take over.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I got a tank of ethanol free gas for my last van last year - hard to say just from one tank, but in my case it made no difference at all.
So sorry to hear that news Mike. My sympathies.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Thanks to all those who chimed in on my social security question. I will pass your wisdom and sentiments to my friend and hope it helps him make an informed decision. For me, I plan to take SS benefits as soon as I reach full retirement age.
And for my Canadian bloggers, what is the full retirement age in Canada?
Same here. Station down the road went over to ethanol free premium. 20 cents more, no difference in performance or milage.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
I was able to find some ethanol free regular for my test tank; seems to be a pretty rare item around my home stations.
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Thank you to you and stick for that info about ethanol...I hadn't even considered it before. I was thinking though, my 535 is made and tuned for the Canadian market, they know what gasoline has in it here, they have a sign on the inside of the gas door that says to use at least 89 octane gas....so if they think it is ok it should be ok....I would think they want to keep the value of the cars high and have good trade in cars, so I don't see why they would tell you to do something that would not be good for the car.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mike -- What a blow. I can't imagine the death of a child. As you can see by now, our thoughts are with you.
Right now retirement age is 65. You can get a reduced pension starting from age 60 if you apply. There is a plan to make retirement age 67 in 2023, because people are living longer.
I am 67 but my wife and I took our retirement payments starting at age 60. You never know. Also, it is like having an allowance.....extra income we hadn't really put into the retirement equation.
An interesting article in yesterdays National Newspaper, This generation of retired people are the most affluent by far....in Canada. House prices rose at rates we will probably never experience again (we haven't had a crash) and the stock market has surged like never before. It said luxury cars used to make up 5% of the total market, today they make up 10%, and seniors by 1/3 of them. Todays seniors are working longer than ever, and have the highest employment rate. They are big consumers, if the product is right. They love to travel, and will spend on clothes and jewellery etc., and they are learning to spend and enjoy their money.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Mike.....thoughts, prayers and sincere condolences sent your way.
To all my poster-buddies and ab348, thanks for your condolences. I've been up to my neck in getting things settled up in Chicago and down here in South Florida.
My Dad was in bad shape when I got back. I had called a company that cares for the elderly and bedridden to send 2 shifts of caretakers every day (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM) to my condo to watch over my Dad while I was in Chicago. They did an awful job of caring for him - he was frail and thin as if he had not eaten in weeks. He was shaking life a leaf when I walked in last night from the airport.
I spoke to him several times a day, but he never indicated to me that he was not being well cared for. He had related to me that everything was OK. He said he did not want to worry me while I was with my family and friends back home in Chicago. Good grief. Who can you trust now-a-days?
I just got back from shopping for groceries and cooked him a great lunch. It's going to take me weeks to get him back to where he was before I left for Chicago.
At least I got to meet my son's SO and her children as well as my grandsons. I was really impressed with the grandson who has Asperber's Syndrome with AD/HD. I was able to understand most of what he said. He is an extremely bright boy who possesses delays in socialization skills and language skills. He was very patient with everyone and sat quietly throughout the memorial service at the funeral home and at the cemetery. The schools have obviously done wonders for him since I last saw him.
My SIL was in pretty sad state, needless to say. My other two grandchildren were pretty shaken up, with reason. Losing their mother while still in their early and mid teens is very traumatic. They are going to fly down in August so I can spend some quality time with both of them. I'm going to take them to Disney World for 4 days. It will also give my SIL some private time to settle financial and business affairs.
My son is flying in tomorrow with his SO and the 2 grandsons and his SO's 2 kids. They are going to stay at a hotel that just opened up a short distance from here. My son wants to see his grandfather (my Dad) while he still can and wants both boys to spend some time with him as well.
Hopefully, I can get back to normal sooner rather than later.
Again, thanks to all for your kind thoughts, prayers and words. It means more to me than you know.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
*driver, I would assume the same is true for the U.S., yet auto makers tend to neglect this senior market niche. They all seem to pursue a younger demographic and basically ignore the folks who have the real wealth and can afford premium level vehicles.
Case in point, Buick dropping the Lucerne and Cadillac moving to an edgy and performance oriented brand image. Fair enough, but why be surprised when sales of the domestic near luxury brands shift to the foreign marques. Mary Barra, I hope you are listening?
Oh yeah, I forgot about the SS question. Traveled over the weekend, and working off the ipad makes it hard for me to post links.
anyway, this is one site that has a really good estimator. And no personal info (as in your SSN0 required. Easy to model different scenarios, and takes into account what is important to your situation.
troweprice.com/socialsecurity
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I actually agree about traditional "old people" brands straying too far. Fine to have some entry level models to attract younger buyers, but keep some of the traditional stuff for the repeat buyers that keep you in business. But sadly, these days it seems to all be about branding and projecting an image.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I am not sure American brands are neglecting seniors....they seem to attack it a different way. There is no doubt Cadillac is catching on. They are aiming for seniors who want more performance and better handling from their cars....they know just because a car is a Cadillac doesn't mean it will impress anyone. I don't think there was much of a market left for cars like the Buick Lucerne. That is the old style barge, wrong image. But the newer smaller Buicks with turbos could win back some seniors. Then there is Lincoln...you would have to be an older senior who is looking for a car that used to impress people with it's name. Lincoln just isn't a younger seniors kind of car.
It seems Cadillac and to a lesser degree Buick are on the right track. The big problem is turning around their images. I know our Mercedes 1999 and 2003, all our bmws and the Audi are all fun cars to drive and they have a level of handling and performance that please a huge part of the luxury market. Why would I risk going back to a brand that I left many years ago...to give them another try? I don't change just for the sake of change or to save a few dollars. The D3 have to earn my business and I don't see it happening anytime soon. More than that, I'd have to be very unhappy with our current bmw or audi to make me change brands....or, much better alternative has to appear on the market.
I have done the GM, Ford, Chrysler thing, and I liked those cars at the time, but, there would have to be a very good reason for me to go back.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Very astute observation bwia. The problem with the older demographic from a marketing view is that, while they have the wealth, they just don't buy cars as often as younger people. I think that is one of the reasons for GM's marketing change. It will be interesting to see if this works for them.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Mike, keep us posted, our hearts are with you.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is true, and the article mentioned that. Seniors will buy the car they have always wanted, and they know they can now afford it (empty-nest, no mortgage, pension they can live on), but, they don't put a lot of miles on their cars, and as the article said, todays cars can last a long time.
That means the seniors who do buy luxury cars and who buy 1/3 of those cars, are buying them less often. If they bought more often they would be an even larger percentage of the total.
Some cars like the 535 are a little softer to attract the older demographic, however, there is enough handling and performance to make the car fun to drive. Maybe the problem is, how do you get seniors to buy more often. Possibly better technology and easier to use technology (rear camera, cars that park themselves, easier to use GPS, bluetooth etc.).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
RORY MCILROY wins "THE OPEN". Unless you have played this treacherous game, it is hard to realize how hard it would be to lead this tournament for 4 days and win at the young age of 25. My hat is off to him. What a fine young man.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I guess that depends on how you define it. Canada Pension Plan is something you pay into while you are working, cost-shared by the employer. You can begin to withdraw it as early as age 60, at a reduced rate. It used to be that full amounts started at 65, but they are increasing that now to 67 and you supposedly get more if you wait to start until then. Then there are the other govt pensions that are not employment-related, which kick in at age 65 IIRC. I need to learn all about this stuff now. I admit to total ignorance on the subject.
I an lucky in that I get a decent work pension after 32 years of employment, so I am retired now at 57. I have had some health issues so that colors things a bit, but I honestly don't think I could have lasted working much longer. The last couple of years I felt tired and bored at work, and I know I wasn't as productive as I once was. Handling the same issues over and over again just wears you down. I'm so glad I no longer have to do performance appraisals, business plans, etc.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I think that there is a lot of truth to the adage, "You can sell an old man a young man's car- but you can't sell a young man an old man's car."
That said, more than a few of my friends who were car nuts in their youth have become 100% old farts, buying a depressing succession of appliances and geezer-mobiles. Me, that's my textbook definition of Hell- especially if you throw in a few minivans...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
speaking of Canada, did they expand national health care to include a travel trailer for every family? I came down from upstate NY (Albany) Saturday, back to Jersey, and we saw so many large trailers with Quebec tags that it seems the entire province evacuated. I assume many of them were headed to the Jersey shore.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I don't know much about BMW, especially M3 type, but this one lookd good to me and is going to expire in a couple of hours, 1998 M3 BMW 75k miles,
ebay.com/itm/BMW-M3-M3-CONVERTIBLE-NO-RESERVE-NO-RESERVE-M3-74K-CONVERTIBLE-Z3-Z4-COUPE-328I-MERCEDES-SLK230-/271545471382?forcerrptr=true&hash=item3f395f1196&item=271545471382&pt=US_Cars_Trucks
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
There are pockets in the US that are favored by Quebecois. I remember when I was a kid learning that Old Orchard Beach in Maine was one of those, and later heard about some others.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
well, I like that generation. Probably too labor intensive for a rookie, but looks nice and clean. Love the color combo, but oh my, an M3 automatic? heresy. Just, no.
and only 10K put on it in the last 10 years. Hopefully a pampered garage toy, but maybe not enough to even keep it loose.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My brother and sister in law just took delivery of a new Audi A3.
Pretty impressive. Hopefully Audi has improved in the reliability issues.
GM has halted all sales of the Cadillac CTS due to some ignition problem "they can't fix" supposedly. Does anyone know what's going on with that or why they don't know how to fix the problem?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Oh, man...just what GM needs right now!
I just called my son and told him about the A3 that's new to the family.
According to him, it's just a tarted up Jetta! Didn't know that!
45 years ago today.
We put a man on the moon and I got my driver's license. Historic indeed.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
the A3 is much more than a tarted up Jetta. Not even on the same platform at this point. The base engine is the same though, but that is normal corporate action.
look at them side by side, and I doubt you will find much commonality. Far from a Cimmeron/Cavalier arrangement!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Uh, no. What is your source for this report?
This is old news from a couple of weeks ago. From Bloomberg:
"The Detroit-based automaker issued an urgent order dated July 8 to its dealers to stop delivery of 2014 Cadillac CTS sedans that use a standard key ignition. The order didn’t apply to the newest models with a push-button start.
The notice became public after the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration posted the document today as part of its continuing investigation of GM vehicle recalls. GM, in the notice, also told dealers not to sell 2003-2013 models of the CTS and 2004-2006 models of the Cadillac SRX from their used-car inventories.
GM said in a July 16 letter to NHTSA that dealers will supply two replacement key rings to affected cars, and those with slotted keys will also receive key inserts. The letter said only 258 Cadillacs from the 2014 model year are affected by the stop-delivery order."
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
"Uh, no. What is your source for this report?"
I heard something on the news and then I just looked it up - Reuters. I've been out of touch for about a week or so, so it was news worthy to me.
"DETROIT (Reuters) - General Motors Co (GM.N) has ordered Cadillac dealers to stop selling some versions of the CTS model-range because the automaker does not have a fix yet for cars recalled in late June over an issue where engines can be shut off if the driver's knee bumps the ignition key, the company said on Saturday.
Details of incidents leading up to the June 30 recall, including three occasions where GM employees bumped the keys and shut off the engines in 2012 CTSs, were made public on Saturday by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which oversees safety recalls.
The so-called stop sale order to Cadillac dealers on the 2003-2014 CTS and 2004-2006 SRX was issued July 2 and updated July 8, according to GM documents posted by NHTSA. The recall involved about 554,000 Cadillacs in the United States.
The order "is still in effect for the foreseeable future," GM spokesman Alan Adler said on Saturday. GM engineers are "looking at one common solution" for all the recalled Cadillacs, "but they don't have it yet," Adler said.
GM so far this year has recalled about 14.7 million vehicles worldwide with switch-related issues and has linked at least 16 deaths to those issues.
Cadillac changed to a push-button starter switch on the redesigned 2014 CTS, which does not share the problem with older models. Some versions of the older CTS, including the wagon, were carried over for model year 2014 and were included in the recall.
GM in documents provided to NHTSA, said the main problem with the SRX and the earlier versions of the CTS involved the potential for heavy key rings or a "jarring event" such as a pothole to turn the ignition key out of the run position.
If that happens, the engine can shut off, causing loss of power steering and failure of air bags to deploy in a crash, NHTSA said.
GM intends to remedy that issue by giving owners a new key with a small hole instead of a slot, which GM says makes it more difficult to pull or jar the key out of position.
GM has a different problem with second-generation CTSs from model years 2008-2014, which use a different ignition switch than earlier models. Even after GM shifted to keys with the small hole in late 2010, the cars still displayed a susceptibility to being switched off because of a knee bump.
GM in late June recalled 2010-2014 Chevrolet Camaros for a similar problem, where knee bumps could switch the key out of position and turn off the engine. The solution was to replace the switchblade-type key and fob with a single, lighter key.
GM urged owners of the recalled cars to remove all items from key rings, including the key fob, leaving only the ignition key. It also warned drivers to adjust seats and steering columns "to allow clearance between their knee and the ignition key."
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Like ab says, Quebecors who generally speak French more than English find areas they prefer. In Florida they like the East coast, while the rest of us Canadians choose the West coast.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Reviews for the Audi A3 Sedan are excellent, and all reviews I have seen say it is a better built car than the Mercedes CLA.
Excellent Edmunds review: edmunds road test 2015 Audi A3 Sedanl
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250