Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

roadburner

As far as security goes, I was FBI trained/certified on my Ruger P85 9mm semi-auto; its 15 round magazine is filled with Winchester 9mm Luger Subsonics(Law Enforcement Use Only) as well as a Colt Agent .38 Special snub nose. My son prefers the Colt because it's loud and obnoxious.

imidazol97

It had to happen with the TP hoarding panic going on:

https://www.13abc.com/content/news/Woman-gives-birth-in-toilet-paper-aisle-of-Mo-Walmart-568960321.html

fintail

I've heard of lines at local gun stores before opening in these freakout times - this is usually an area not obsessed with gun ownership.

If something really hits the fan, well, numbers might not be on the side of paranoid suburbanites with 1000 rolls of TP and 100 rounds at their side.

imidazol97

Nursing homes are especially dangerous places for transmitting these viruses.

Saw our family doctor and he said he thinks he's been seeing patients with China virus because
they tested negative for A and B along with negative for another virus with similar symptoms.

The nursing homes are like cruise ships. That's how the stuff has spread and simmered from person to person like Norovirus on a cruise ship.

A friend of ours is in an apartment type building for older people in Plymouth MI. They were told to stay in their apartments. No going into the hallways and common areas. Ugh...

This is local to us. 31 people showing symptoms now.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/news/local/coronavirus-showing-symptoms-connection-troy-nursing-home/W2Yz5vd12fhPpzBg06nw4I/?utm_source=newspaper&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=12172535&ecmp=newspaper_email&

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

my random friday thought: i bet the suicide rate is skyrocketing during this lockdown time.

So is the pregnancy rate.

28firefighter

You know, I thought that, too. But a good friend pointed out that watching our healthcare system become overwhelmed and millions head for the unemployment line combined with economic instability, is not exactly a turn on for those cooped up at home. If anything, it serves as birth control.

jmonroe

pensfan83 said:

Sam's Club trip survived. Lots of water, no TP, meat was plentiful for the most part. Signs everywhere limiting people to only one high demand item. Most people were keeping their distance from one another, even when waiting in line. We got everything we need to sustain us for awhile so no trips will be needed hopefully until this is all on the downswing.

We also went to Sam's today which was a little unexpected since all Mrs. j wanted was a few books of stamps, but you know, since we were out, might as well make it a real outing. No, we didn't need TP, still have plenty of that but I decided to get some rib eyes. They were out of those even with a limit of one package of that item so I got a two pack of porterhouse steaks and a four pack of filets (only had 2 packs left) and a guy right behind me grabbed one of those.

Here's the best part of our outing:

While I'm waiting for the butcher to get a package of fresh chicken breasts for Mrs. j, I see a guy pick up 4 rump roasts and put them into his empty cart. I guess that was legal since they didn't have a sign of only one for that item, but still four? However, there were 3 left in the case after he did his grabbing. Those suckers have to weigh at least 10 pounds each. I just shook my head. Just about then a big guy at least 6' 4" and built like a linebacker says to me, "do you see that"? I said, "yeah, I just saw that". He said, "if I wanted one of those and there weren't anymore left, I'd take one out of his cart, that's ridiculous". To have some fun I said, "do you think he'd let you do that". He replied, "if he objected, I'd stuff him in his cart with his other roasts". Given the mismatch in the size of those two guys, I'm sure he could have done it. If that happened, that would have been my most memorable shopping experience, dammit.

Hey, @venture there are plenty of eggs in my neck of the woods. If I go out again should I grab you an 18 pack?

jmonroe

qbrozen

1. Why should anyone care or even pay attention to what someone is putting in their shopping cart?
2. If there were none left and he wanted one, big man should try asking nicely. If the roles were reversed and a smaller man nicely asked me for one of the remaining 4 roasts in my cart, I’d give it to him.
3. Only he knows what he needs 40 lb of roast for. Maybe he is feeding the homeless. Judge not lest...

jmonroe

qbrozen said:

1. Why should anyone care or even pay attention to what someone is putting in their shopping cart?
2. If there were none left and he wanted one, big man should try asking nicely. If the roles were reversed and a smaller man nicely asked me for one of the remaining 4 roasts in my cart, I’d give it to him.
3. Only he knows what he needs 40 lb of roast for. Maybe he is feeding the homeless. Judge not lest...

I really didnt care, I just observed. Hard to miss somthing like that. I never would have thought you'd be that pleasant in a situation like that. As for feeding the homeless, if you truly believe that, I have a nice bridge you might be interested in.

jmonroe

suydam

Doesn’t sound like anyone in the store was practicing much social distancing! I’m ordering online now.

stickguy

I ordered out for pickup tonight at Iron Hill. 2 pizzas and a full growler. Good deal! no curbside delivery. This was a new concept, so some bugs to work out. about 6 people waiting their turn including me, in the entryway. everyone naturally tried to keep some distance from each other, so not too worried about unintended contact.

what a hassle.

qbrozen

jmonroe said:

qbrozen said:

1. Why should anyone care or even pay attention to what someone is putting in their shopping cart?
2. If there were none left and he wanted one, big man should try asking nicely. If the roles were reversed and a smaller man nicely asked me for one of the remaining 4 roasts in my cart, I’d give it to him.
3. Only he knows what he needs 40 lb of roast for. Maybe he is feeding the homeless. Judge not lest...

I really didnt care, I just observed. Hard to miss somthing like that. I never would have thought you'd be that pleasant in a situation like that. As for feeding the homeless, if you truly believe that, I have a nice bridge you might be interested in.

jmonroe

Me? I’m always pleasant. I’m a freakin delight, dammit!

jmonroe

qbrozen said:

jmonroe said:

qbrozen said:

1. Why should anyone care or even pay attention to what someone is putting in their shopping cart?
2. If there were none left and he wanted one, big man should try asking nicely. If the roles were reversed and a smaller man nicely asked me for one of the remaining 4 roasts in my cart, I’d give it to him.
3. Only he knows what he needs 40 lb of roast for. Maybe he is feeding the homeless. Judge not lest...

I really didnt care, I just observed. Hard to miss somthing like that. I never would have thought you'd be that pleasant in a situation like that. As for feeding the homeless, if you truly believe that, I have a nice bridge you might be interested in.

jmonroe

Me? I’m always pleasant. I’m a freakin delight, dammit!

You otta show that side of yourself more often.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

pensfan83 said:

Sam's Club trip survived. Lots of water, no TP, meat was plentiful for the most part. Signs everywhere limiting people to only one high demand item. Most people were keeping their distance from one another, even when waiting in line. We got everything we need to sustain us for awhile so no trips will be needed hopefully until this is all on the downswing.

We also went to Sam's today which was a little unexpected since all Mrs. j wanted was a few books of stamps, but you know, since we were out, might as well make it a real outing. No, we didn't need TP, still have plenty of that but I decided to get some rib eyes. They were out of those even with a limit of one package of that item so I got a two pack of porterhouse steaks and a four pack of filets (only had 2 packs left) and a guy right behind me grabbed one of those.

Here's the best part of our outing:

While I'm waiting for the butcher to get a package of fresh chicken breasts for Mrs. j, I see a guy pick up 4 rump roasts and put them into his empty cart. I guess that was legal since they didn't have a sign of only one for that item, but still four? However, there were 3 left in the case after he did his grabbing. Those suckers have to weigh at least 10 pounds each. I just shook my head. Just about then a big guy at least 6' 4" and built like a linebacker says to me, "do you see that"? I said, "yeah, I just saw that". He said, "if I wanted one of those and there weren't anymore left, I'd take one out of his cart, that's ridiculous". To have some fun I said, "do you think he'd let you do that". He replied, "if he objected, I'd stuff him in his cart with his other roasts". Given the mismatch in the size of those two guys, I'm sure he could have done it. If that happened, that would have been my most memorable shopping experience, dammit.

Hey, @venture there are plenty of eggs in my neck of the woods. If I go out again should I grab you an 18 pack?

jmonroe

At the market today there was a woman behind me who had at least 10 packs of pork chops with maybe 8 chops in each pack.

Big family maybe?

suydam

The odd shortages are weird. My old dog can only eat chicken and mashed potatoes with some specialty dog food added. We buy large bags of cheap frozen chicken breasts. It’s not tasty — kinda stringy stuff not good enough to sell really except as a desperation measure. There is always plenty in stores — until now. Suddenly I can’t find any anywhere. Bizarre. Olive oil disappeared from Trader Joe’s. Olive oil! These are not items generally hard to get.

jmonroe

I've been thinking about take out from a sports bar not even 2 miles from us. I mean something other than pizza. Have done the sit down in that place many, many times, even breakfast. That place is just plain good. Best wings I've ever had. Their buffalo sauce is really good. Mrs. j won't go near those wings. Also their Philly Cheese Steak is pretty good too. If nothing else, I'd like to do my part to make sure that place stays around. Although I doubt they'll have a problem when everything settles down.

jmonroe

suydam

We were talking about that too. Ordering takeout from our favorite restaurants so maybe they’ll still be in business when this is all over.

qbrozen

Was attempting to order groceries for delivery last night with no luck. Unable to get a delivery date to complete the checkout process. Wife is talking about making a grocery store run. When attempting online shopping, we have found that cereal and bread are apparently in short or no supply. Not sure who all is stocking up on bread, given its relatively short shelf life. You can freeze, but, if you are stocking up on things, wouldn’t your freezer space be for far more precious items?

ab348

suydam said:

Doesn’t sound like anyone in the store was practicing much social distancing! I’m ordering online now.

Me too, though for things like produce, milk and bread I still need to go out. But I ordered Lucy's cat food online and got it in two days delivered to my door, and am trying to do the same for whatever else I may need, which likely isn't much given what I have here already.

One of the things I fail to understand is why people persist in going to places like Costco, Sam's and Walmart in the midst of all the crowds. I am doing just the opposite. When I need to make a periodic grocery run I go to smaller stores at what should be less busy times and scout the location even before I get out of my car. If it looks slammed, I go elsewhere.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

At the market today there was a woman behind me who had at least 10 packs of pork chops with maybe 8 chops in each pack.

Big family maybe?

Probably gonna sell them on ebay.

driver100

qbrozen said:

Was attempting to order groceries for delivery last night with no luck. Unable to get a delivery date to complete the checkout process. Wife is talking about making a grocery store run. When attempting online shopping, we have found that cereal and bread are apparently in short or no supply. Not sure who all is stocking up on bread, given its relatively short shelf life. You can freeze, but, if you are stocking up on things, wouldn’t your freezer space be for far more precious items?

Some stores also do pick-up...that seems to be a quicker way to get groceries. We needed some items faster than the home delivery guys could do...so use Walmart to fill in. Once you get a delivery you almost have to start your next one to slot a time....we are pretty well doing 2 a week of home delivery, and one or two pickups......finding we don't need to go to an actual store any more.

qbrozen

Wife took a chance on Target this morn and found pretty much everything except fresh veggies. Asked me to run to the farmers market. Hmmmmm

venture

jmonroe said:

pensfan83 said:

Sam's Club trip survived. Lots of water, no TP, meat was plentiful for the most part. Signs everywhere limiting people to only one high demand item. Most people were keeping their distance from one another, even when waiting in line. We got everything we need to sustain us for awhile so no trips will be needed hopefully until this is all on the downswing.

We also went to Sam's today which was a little unexpected since all Mrs. j wanted was a few books of stamps, but you know, since we were out, might as well make it a real outing. No, we didn't need TP, still have plenty of that but I decided to get some rib eyes. They were out of those even with a limit of one package of that item so I got a two pack of porterhouse steaks and a four pack of filets (only had 2 packs left) and a guy right behind me grabbed one of those.

Here's the best part of our outing:

While I'm waiting for the butcher to get a package of fresh chicken breasts for Mrs. j, I see a guy pick up 4 rump roasts and put them into his empty cart. I guess that was legal since they didn't have a sign of only one for that item, but still four? However, there were 3 left in the case after he did his grabbing. Those suckers have to weigh at least 10 pounds each. I just shook my head. Just about then a big guy at least 6' 4" and built like a linebacker says to me, "do you see that"? I said, "yeah, I just saw that". He said, "if I wanted one of those and there weren't anymore left, I'd take one out of his cart, that's ridiculous". To have some fun I said, "do you think he'd let you do that". He replied, "if he objected, I'd stuff him in his cart with his other roasts". Given the mismatch in the size of those two guys, I'm sure he could have done it. If that happened, that would have been my most memorable shopping experience, dammit.

Hey, @venture there are plenty of eggs in my neck of the woods. If I go out again should I grab you an 18 pack?

jmonroe

LOL. Mrs. Venture was able to get some. Thanks though.

pensfan83

My 9 year old asked us this morning at breakfast if he's still going to be able to have his friends over for his birthday party. His birthday is in December *sigh*

qbrozen

trip to farmers market was OK. Not terribly trusting of the loose products, but I suppose with proper washing, I shouldn't worry. Filled 2 bags with green beans, got 4 mangos, 2 bags of spinach, and a bag of lettuce for $12. Unexpectedly cheap. No bananas to be seen anywhere. There were maybe 20 shoppers, most wearing masks. I just took one of the bags off the roll and used that to scoop the beans and mangos and put them directly into another bag. Then disinfected the bags when I got home. Pretty sure that is way more caution than my wife took with Target.

stickguy

stopped at BJs about an hour ago to get my spare propane tank filled (hoarding gas?) that was super quick since the guy was outside when I pulled up and came right over. While I was in the tire shop paying, he pointed to someone behind him in the store and said that was the line for registers. Glad I did not go in, since the line was almost to the back of the store. They must have had ever lane open and people expediting, because he said the rumor was it moved fairly quick.

stickguy

was going to stop at Lowes for some light bulbs, but based on how crowded the parking lot was, decided to pass. the Aldis lot was also quite full. My guess, not much social distancing going on at either place!

jmonroe

I don't have a problem with social distancing. I've been practicing that for years when doing laps around the dining room table.

jmonroe

laurasdada

GF and I are kinda polar opposites, she's Type A extrovert, loves people, has to be around them. All the world population are her children, friends and relatives. Me, I disagree for the most part with the poet, Three Dog Night; one is not the loneliest number.

snakeweasel

andres3 said:

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

benjaminh said:

Two charts from a piece in today's New York Times. There are different charts in this article based on different scenarios.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/13/opinion/coronavirus-trump-response.html

I think those death projections are wishful thinking on the part of the NYT.

I did read a biased article in the NYT about how Germany should vote to put speed limits on the Autobahn, and they are like Americans clinging to the 2nd Amendment in regards to having no speed limits.

Then they said something to the effect of: 70% of the Autobahn is limitless, 30% is limited, and that the safety is clear, because the limited sections have 26% lower fatalities!!!

Little do they know that anyone that can do a little math would know that they just made a very compelling and powerful argument for no speed limits. As 70/30 would indicate that the limited sections should be 57% lower in fatalities, assuming they were EQUALLY safe. Since their own data and argument stated it was only 26% lower, it is clear which method is working to save lives better!

Of course, this doesn't take into account traffic and miles driven, but neither did their evidence or poorly written opinion piece, so I'm only using their own figures against them. Strange how they used word and number play to try and convey a conclusion the opposite of what the figures and data show to be true.

The problem with your post is that the limited sections don't have 26% lower fatalities, they have a 26% lower fatality rate. Big difference there. That means that for an equal number of miles driven there will be fewer fatalities on the limited sections then on the unlimited sections. Completely the opposite of your conclusion.

Where do you get that information as the word "rate" wasn't used in the article, so you must have another source? Or are you just inventing things? I find when fatalities are talked about the word "rate" is deliberately left out, not accidentally left out. Is this the one exception of all-time? We shall find out.....

Drumroll....

P.S.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/03/world/europe/germany-autobahn-speed-limit.html?action=click&module=RelatedCoverage&pgtype=Article&region=Footer

Quoting "The number of deadly accidents on stretches of autobahn that have a speed limit is 26 percent lower than on those without."

You might have different English comprehension than I do, but my language skills indicates "the number of deadly accidents" is most definitely a figure, and not a rate.

So based on this I'm going to say you pulled your post out of your behind with no substantiation or support, much like the way most of the speed limits in the USA are decided in the first place.

I didn't read that article but I have researched the issue and I am going off of a German Government statistic that gave the fatality rates separated by limited and unlimited sections of the autobahn. Those statistics showed a marked decline in the fatality rate in the sections with a speed limit. A quick web search revealed only overall fatality rates but I will do a more complete search when time permits. I do recall we discussed this before and I'll see I'd I can find the posts on it.

Also there is anothe flaw in your argument, can you figure it out?

snakeweasel

suydam said:

snakeweasel said:

suydam said:

fintail said:

My cousin, who can't work from home, is using her days off to go on shopping trips for people she knows who can't get out of the house. Observation from a local Costco this morning:

"FYI due to social distancing, they are limiting the store to 400 people. Every other check out open. Currently they are out of rice, pasta, hand sanitizer"

So nothing is calming down. Hoarding specific food seems to be the new fad.

And speaking of Costco and working from home, This has particularly bad optics, seeing as a Costco office worker recently passed away due to COVID

Plenty of rice at Asian markets if you have any. No lines either. Oddly, CVS also sells some brands of pasta. Hopefully this will balance out soon as there is no reason for these shortages except panic.

But the rice in asian markets are in 25 pound bags.

The markets near me look basically like World Market, only better stuff. Everything is normal size. I can get 20 lb bags of rice at Albertsons too but I don’t.

The ones near me are in store fronts a little bigger than your average 7-11 with very cramped aisles. Stores that are owned and frequented by immigrants and 1st generation Americans.

snakeweasel

stickguy said:

I am not worried about doing better. More like not being able to afford it at all, or needing a 2nd car for the next 6 months. And in a depressed market at the height of a recession (or worse) would not be looking at something like this anyway.

I probably won't put 50 miles on both cars combined in the next 6 weeks. that is just depressing.

I need to go into work two or three days every other week as long as the apocalypse lasts, that means at least 50 miles every other week just for work.

snakeweasel

houdini1 said:

abacomike said:

I cannot remember the last time oil was at $25.00 a barrel. PUG at my Costco is at $2.45 a gallon as of this morning. They expect a gallon of PUG could drop below $2.00 a gallon in the next several weeks. Unbelievable!

In 1960 a barrel of oil was around $3.00

Adjusting for inflation that would be $26.22 in today's money.

driver100

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

Not new cars but I’m looking for some hooptie bargains. Drop a hundred off the offer if it hasn’t been sanitized for my protection.

snakeweasel

qbrozen said:

No firearms at my house. But lots of other .... tools. I always imagined I should put steel shutters on the house, but I guess its too late now.

You do have to wonder if the gov would just lift the bans if things got too weird. Wouldn't that be easier? We still aren't at the levels we hit with H1N1, and we didn't go through all this trouble for that one. Yeah, I know we're trying to prevent, but, at some point, we have to weigh the cost of saving 1.5% of the population. Don't shoot the messenger.

And, ya know, maybe those with pre-existing conditions and overall poorer health should just isolate themselves?

I have three firearms at home, but they are all black powder ball and cap, think mid 1800`s weapons.

roadburner

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

I'm looking at a new 2019 GTS and a 2017 540i xDrive M Sport. I'm in no hurry, but I'm thinking it's becoming a buyer's market.

houdini1

fintail said:

I wish I could buy houses here for 9x their 1960 price.

fintail said:

I wish I could buy houses here for 9x their 1960 price.

Before this latest down turn, oil was in the $60,$70 per barrel range. Probably a more realistic price.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

I was hoping to go test driving, but looks like that is on hold. Dealerships in NJ ordered to close after today.

houdini1

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

Looking at countries and number of cases, Canada was not even on the list. Your media folks must be talking about some other news, while ours are ONLY talking about the virus.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

I have been toying with the ideal of stopping by a dealership to do a little window shopping.

ab348

houdini1 said:

Looking at countries and number of cases, Canada was not even on the list. Your media folks must be talking about some other news, while ours are ONLY talking about the virus.

No, it is literally the only thing on TV news and mostly what is on other news sites as well. There is some sense that generally we got in front of things in the nick of time and some hope that the worst of it can be avoided. But at this point who knows. Pretty much everything except essentials is closed, lots of people laid off, and I fear for the economic consequences if this goes on too long.

qbrozen

our governor just said we shouldn't be on the road at all, anytime of day or night. Of course, then went on to list a whole slew of reasons why you might be out and about. Also said all non-essential businesses must close after today. Then went on to list a number of reasons for a business to be open that could be interpreted to mean just about every business can remain open. I mean, if gas stations and repair shops should remain open, why not dealers? Might need a new car because your broken one can't be fixed, right? All construction can remain ongoing, any business with child supplies, any home improvement store, any convenience store, liquor store, grocery store, pharmacy, restaurants and bars with curbside pickup, etc. I have a hard time thinking of a retail shop completely excluded from all the exceptions.

tjc78

That was an interesting press conference he just had.

I think now it’s up to some retailers to just close voluntarily. All the malls are closed, Five Below, and Party City to name a few.

I thought the liquor stores were to be closed and ran to the local shop to grab a few things.

Heading out for a walk with the family now. Kids have been good all day playing or watching TV need to get them out before it gets bad lol.

28firefighter

The point is to send a clear message that you should be staying home unless you have to be out. Yes, there are exceptions that have to remain, but it makes it clear what is expected of folks.

stickguy

I am fuzzy on the liquor stores but will run out after a shower for more beer. Just in case.

abacomike

I am going to try food shopping at Walmart on Tuesday when they have a special time for seniors to shop - first hour of business which would be 7:00 AM. I hope I can make until then. Publix is doing the same thing.

tjc78

Mike, get there when they open and make sure you get to the “hot” items first.

I went on Friday and got there a few minutes after opening and people already were hitting things hard.

tjc78

stickguy said:

I am fuzzy on the liquor stores but will run out after a shower for more beer. Just in case.

Pretty sure they are still going to be open, but being in stock isn’t a bad thing.

abacomike

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

Does anyone feel like looking at new cars? Isolating is taking any fun out of it for me.

I have been toying with the ideal of stopping by a dealership to do a little window shopping.

As you know, my dealership ordered a spec car for me for June delivery - but with auto plants closing on Europe and the US, I might not get that car until July or August, which is OK by me. The lease programs and incentives will be mouthwatering by then.