Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

pensfan83

ab348 said:

After about 6-8 months elapsed total time (about half of that actually working on it) the neighbors up the street abandoned their DIY attempt at building a stacked stone wall at the front of their property and hired pros. Man, these 4 or 5 guys did an impressive job in just a few days. The result looks beautiful enough that I'm wondering if I should do the same. No idea how much though I am presuming it isn't cheap.

I assume Versalok or comparable material? If so it really does look nice but it gets pricey quick. We have a block wall lining the one side of our driveway and a block wall in the backyard as well. The front was already done when we moved in and we just give it a yearly power wash to keep it looking fresh. The backyard we did on our own (with help from my dad and FIL) and I think the savings we netted was it least a few thousand dollars.

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

After about 6-8 months elapsed total time (about half of that actually working on it) the neighbors up the street abandoned their DIY attempt at building a stacked stone wall at the front of their property and hired pros. Man, these 4 or 5 guys did an impressive job in just a few days. The result looks beautiful enough that I'm wondering if I should do the same. No idea how much though I am presuming it isn't cheap.

There are stone walls around lots of properties near me in CT, including our house (on the side yard that faces the main road). Mason work is very labor intensive and hence quite costly. The results are incredible

qbrozen

I think my mistake was buying the widest one I could. Figuring, of course, to get more done on each pass, and not counting on the extra drag.

Michaell

I also have a corded electric snow blower. Works well for the driveway and sidewalk I'm responsible for, except when we get the real heavy and wet snow. That happens maybe once or twice a year, however.

ab348

pensfan83 said:

I assume Versalok or comparable material?

No, this is actual split stone, random sizes, big and not so big, but no piece appears thicker than 5 inches tall or so. It is the color of bluestone but I don't know if that is actually what it is. Back late last year a truck delivered a big pile of it after the DIYers had the perimeter excavated, and formed/poured a concrete footing for the wall (this was after he hired then fired a different crew, who had done a compacted stone/stone dust base that he apparently found unacceptable). They also formed and poured new concrete steps up from the street, 5 or 6 of them. Then a truckload of gravel was dumped for backfill behind the wall and they began the wall themselves. It was suspended for the winter with all the materials in piles in front of the house then began again about 6 weeks ago but they suddenly gave up - I don't know if there are some health issues involved in that decision but I suspect so, for the husband, who was the main force behind the DIY stuff, and has become invisible lately (unless there was marital discord but I don't think so). Today the crew is there pouring and forming the concrete cap for it.

omarman

driver100 said:

What weenies....you guys need one like mine;

Again with the horizontal stripe theme.

driver100

omarman said:

driver100 said:

What weenies....you guys need one like mine;

Again with the horizontal stripe theme.

If you got it.....flaunt it!

fintail

Great movie, maybe slowly being forgotten now. One of the few 21st century releases I've enjoyed.

I recall my dad used a push reel mower until I was maybe in 3rd grade or so - I think I recall him saying it was good exercise. Ours was an antique thing maybe with a cast iron frame, or at least it looked like it. My dad wasn't fanatical about yardwork though, so it probably wasn't kicking his butt. I recall getting our first gasoline mower, and a few years later, lawn duties were given to me. Initially I liked the fun of operating a machine, and then OCD took over and I got into being meticulous with the lawn, so my dad played that one well. I haven't had to deal with a lawn since I lived at home, due to the unaffordability of reasonably sited detached houses here.

oldfarmer50 said:

I remember my grandparents having a push reel mower. The trick was to get some momentum going. But that was in the days of real (or is it reel) men.

venture

ab348 said:

qbrozen said:

I was dumb enough to buy a manual mower. Just needed something small to take care of the 500 sq ft or so of grass that is fenced in with the pool. Gave up on that after 2 attempts. Never knew they were so tough to push around.

It seems odd that they all seem so tough. I remember when I was just a little kid, probably 10 years old or so, we had one of those push reel mowers. It wasn't exactly easy, but 10 year-old me could use it without killing myself. I remember being impressed at how fast the reel spun with just a little movement of the wheels. Of course you have to use them often when the grass is growing quickly as they do not like tall grass.You would think that 50 years of development would have improved the breed but perhaps not.

This is what I used to cut the infield grass with. It got harder and harder to start every spring so I finally gave up on it.



I use one of the tractors now. Not nearly as nice or as good for the grass, but much easier and quicker.

tjc78

Anyone know golf carts?

I’m thinking electric is the way to go, but, interested In experiences.

There are a few guys at our campground who sell custom ones with lift kits, rims, lights etc.

I’ve seen those advertised for around $5000 or so and most are 2014-16 models with “tested good” batteries.

There is a 6” lifted 2007 Yamaha electric with brand new batteries ($1000) for $3500. I thought that was a touch high for the age and was thinking more like $2800 or so.

Thoughts?

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

Anyone know golf carts?

I’m thinking electric is the way to go, but, interested In experiences.

There are a few guys at our campground who sell custom ones with lift kits, rims, lights etc.

I’ve seen those advertised for around $5000 or so and most are 2014-16 models with “tested good” batteries.

There is a 6” lifted 2007 Yamaha electric with brand new batteries ($1000) for $3500. I thought that was a touch high for the age and was thinking more like $2800 or so.

Thoughts?

Make sure the batteries are good before you buy it. They aren't your regular car batteries.

When my kids were little I inherited an old (and I mean O-L-D) golf cart that my father’s club was junking. It was built out of steel and resembled a military half track. The kids and I had a ball bouncing through the fields. The batteries finally gave out and it wasn’t worth replacing them. I gave it to my son’s friend who ran a scrapping business. He practically broke his truck springs hauling it away.

I guess my point is that those things can go a long time as long as the batteries are good.

ab348

All I know about golf carts is from using them when I used to play golf. Most places here have electric which are quieter and probably less of a maintenance headache. But the course I used to be a member of used gas carts. The reasoning was that the course was hilly and the gas carts handled that better. They gave faster turnaround too in that if one ran out of gas, a minute to refill and it was back in service, whereas an electric needed a long charge.

Just from a user point of view, I much preferred electric carts.

stickguy

tjc78 said:

Anyone know golf carts?

I’m thinking electric is the way to go, but, interested In experiences.

There are a few guys at our campground who sell custom ones with lift kits, rims, lights etc.

I’ve seen those advertised for around $5000 or so and most are 2014-16 models with “tested good” batteries.

There is a 6” lifted 2007 Yamaha electric with brand new batteries ($1000) for $3500. I thought that was a touch high for the age and was thinking more like $2800 or so.

Thoughts?

Run down 9 to Avalon CC and grab one of theirs. Drive it home!

This to putt around the complex? Is it that big? How about a small gator instead?

imidazol97

My experiences with electric and gas golf karts have been blocked from my memory. My days of trying
to play golf convinced me I can never be anything but what I am. A non-golfer.
But some of the area courses are absolutely beautiful, or they were before the current downtrend in
golf participants.

Should be lots of used golf karts out there with all the courses that have closed recently, including
2 of 3 courses owned by the City of Dayton. Why the city should have owned and operated golf
courses is beyond me... Well I think I've figured most of it out with one word, political connections.
But they announced they can't afford to subsidize all 3. LOL

stickguy

My son just closed on his first house today. Did a face time video tour. I’m guessing his next car will be less expensive than his current one! At least he held out for one with an attached garage.

ab348

Was just up at a local home improvement place picking up a few things and saw not just one but two of these in their lot, identical down to color. Regular-cab short-bed pickups look almost too small compared to the mastodons you see here most of the time, and are a rare sighting. This was refreshing.

stickguy

Even fits in the parking spot!

tjc78

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

Anyone know golf carts?

I’m thinking electric is the way to go, but, interested In experiences.

There are a few guys at our campground who sell custom ones with lift kits, rims, lights etc.

I’ve seen those advertised for around $5000 or so and most are 2014-16 models with “tested good” batteries.

There is a 6” lifted 2007 Yamaha electric with brand new batteries ($1000) for $3500. I thought that was a touch high for the age and was thinking more like $2800 or so.

Thoughts?

Run down 9 to Avalon CC and grab one of theirs. Drive it home!

This to putt around the complex? Is it that big? How about a small gator instead?

Lol that would be funny.

Yes it’s huge about 900 sites. Roads are tight and when it’s in full swing very difficult to park by the pools etc.

It’s a want not a need. Who’s knows when all the amenities will be open anyway.

I just figured if we could snag a decent one right at or under 3K we would get one.

Woman just told my wife she is “pretty firm”. Going to look at it tomorrow and see what kind of shape it is in. Wife agrees not paying over 3K. To be honest she wants it more than I do.

tjc78

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

Anyone know golf carts?

I’m thinking electric is the way to go, but, interested In experiences.

There are a few guys at our campground who sell custom ones with lift kits, rims, lights etc.

I’ve seen those advertised for around $5000 or so and most are 2014-16 models with “tested good” batteries.

There is a 6” lifted 2007 Yamaha electric with brand new batteries ($1000) for $3500. I thought that was a touch high for the age and was thinking more like $2800 or so.

Thoughts?

Make sure the batteries are good before you buy it. They aren't your regular car batteries.

When my kids were little I inherited an old (and I mean O-L-D) golf cart that my father’s club was junking. It was built out of steel and resembled a military half track. The kids and I had a ball bouncing through the fields. The batteries finally gave out and it wasn’t worth replacing them. I gave it to my son’s friend who ran a scrapping business. He practically broke his truck springs hauling it away.

I guess my point is that those things can go a long time as long as the batteries are go.

Thanks! This particular one has our interest since they just installed new batteries.

explorerx4

@tjc78.
Which one of you is going to limp when you go look at it?

driver100

I have one all picked out;

tjc78

explorerx4 said:

@tjc78.
Which one of you is going to limp when you go look at it?

Apparently someone is coming to look at it and is willing to pay asking tomorrow at 5.

We are at least going to look at it tomorrow early afternoon and see what happens with the other guy.

I’m not in a big rush.

explorerx4

@drvier100,
Does it have a backup camera?

qbrozen

If I ever had need of a golf cart, and I can't imagine why, I'd just go with one of these. 25hp, 4wd, dump bed, and a winch. Why mess around with mere toys? ;b

andres3

dino001 said:

The problem is that the distancing worked a bit too well, it seems in most places. People see sick people on TV and see the statistics, but majority of citizens still don't know anybody who actually got gravely ill, so it's like with car accidents, smoking, or other causes of large number of sickness/death/injury. Everybody knows it's there, many will behave to avoid it, but many others will act like rules of conduct (any rules) and laws of science don't apply to them. I already heard so many people saying some most dumb.ss things, it's hard to imagine they could come from mouth of [non-permissible content removed] sapiens. While it's fine with smoking (kill yourself if you like), or even driving (well, there is only so much damage you can do even in a large vehicle), with a contagious disease even a single person's reckless behavior can bring a lot of misery. Like that women in Korea that knowingly went socializing and was later traced as patient zero for something like half (or so, don't remember exact number) of the cases. In that case it really takes just one dumb.ss.

Here are my criticisms of "social distancing" as I don't necessarily view that it worked all that great.

1. If it worked so great, why didn't work within 14 days? Why must we social distance more than 14 days if that's the incubation period and it "works so great?"
2. Why didn't they tell us we'd be social distancing for 2-1/2 or 3 (or more) months to begin with. Initially, it didn't seem we'd have to social distance for so long. No one seemed to really know the time frames involved, and it all seems like a bunch of guess work.
3. What defines "works great?" My view is that theoretically all patients either die or get over it, and the Virus is gone forever. Made extinct from social distancing. Why is extinction too high a bar? What is the bar at all?

The problem with alternative realities is that one can make the alternate world seem as scary as possible (think a world where we didn't bailout banks for those pro bailout proponents, or even the current regime saying things could have been a lot worse without all the genius implementations. One can always argue that "things would have been much worse, but for....."

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

explorerx4 said:

@tjc78.
Which one of you is going to limp when you go look at it?

Apparently someone is coming to look at it and is willing to pay asking tomorrow at 5.

We are at least going to look at it tomorrow early afternoon and see what happens with the other guy.

I’m not in a big rush.

That sounds like a car salesperson’s trick. The “other buyer” ploy to put you in a bidding war with some imaginary buyer. Why would they have you look at it if they have a buyer willing to pay asking price?

When I bought the Mercury Sable from the 92 yo sharpie I ran into something similar. I negotiated a sale price a few hundred less than she was asking and paid her the money. When I came the next day to pick up the car she mentioned that another buyer had called and said he would have paid more. Nice try grandma, I’m not competing with some ghost on the phone who might not actually exist.

Offer what you can afford and if the seller doesn’t want to accept, walk.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@drvier100,
Does it have a backup camera?

lol....doesn't really need one except if I get a stiff neck.

driver100

What happened to GGs car?

andres3

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/column-sorry-had-cancel-trip-120056408.html

Insurance companies don't want to pay for refunds due to Covid-19; no surprise to me.

tjc78

oldfarmer50 said:

tjc78 said:

explorerx4 said:

@tjc78.
Which one of you is going to limp when you go look at it?

Apparently someone is coming to look at it and is willing to pay asking tomorrow at 5.

We are at least going to look at it tomorrow early afternoon and see what happens with the other guy.

I’m not in a big rush.

That sounds like a car salesperson’s trick. The “other buyer” ploy to put you in a bidding war with some imaginary buyer. Why would they have you look at it if they have a buyer willing to pay asking price?

When I bought the Mercury Sable from the 92 yo sharpie I ran into something similar. I negotiated a sale price a few hundred less than she was asking and paid her the money. When I came the next day to pick up the car she mentioned that another buyer had called and said he would have paid more. Nice try grandma, I’m not competing with some ghost on the phone who might not actually exist.

Offer what you can afford and if the seller doesn’t want to accept, walk.

Exactly!

tjc78

qbrozen said:

If I ever had need of a golf cart, and I can't imagine why, I'd just go with one of these. 25hp, 4wd, dump bed, and a winch. Why mess around with mere toys? ;b

Pretty cool. We need four seats and speed limit is 5 MpH!

abacomike

It's been raining heavily here for 4 days - today and this evening being the worst of it. 14" of rain in 4 days is the estimate from the National Weather Center. Streets are flooded almost everywhere here in Southeastern Florida. Hopefully this tropical moisture will move northeast and give us a break.

abacomike

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

28firefighter

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

Just had it a month ago. I feel your pain.

abacomike

28firefighter said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

Just had it a month ago. I feel your pain.

It's no fun, that's for sure. It's like a burning pain along the nerves on the lower left side of my spine with skin irritations. Horrible!

28firefighter

abacomike said:

28firefighter said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

Just had it a month ago. I feel your pain.

It's no fun, that's for sure. It's like a burning pain along the nerves on the lower left side of my spine with skin irritations. Horrible!

I sent you a PM

abacomike

28firefighter said:

abacomike said:

28firefighter said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

Just had it a month ago. I feel your pain.

It's no fun, that's for sure. It's like a burning pain along the nerves on the lower left side of my spine with skin irritations. Horrible!

I sent you a PM

Got it and I responded.

nyccarguy

You can fight this Mike. You always find a way!

venture

tjc78 said:

qbrozen said:

If I ever had need of a golf cart, and I can't imagine why, I'd just go with one of these. 25hp, 4wd, dump bed, and a winch. Why mess around with mere toys? ;b

Pretty cool. We need four seats and speed limit is 5 MpH!

My son used to live in a complex where the speed limit was 17 MPH. There were signs all along the roads.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

Geeesh! You ought to rent yourself out to medical schools. I can’t believe one person can have such bad luck.

abacomike

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

Geeesh! You ought to rent yourself out to medical schools. I can’t believe one person can have such bad luck.

BELIEVE IT!!!😡🥵

imidazol97

Big sympathies on the shingles.

suydam

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

I am so sorry! I was so happy when a vaccine was available that transplant recipients can take. My mother thought it was one of the worst experiences of her life. Hang in there! I hope you’ll be lucky and have a mild case.

driver100

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

OMG...sorry to hear this Mike. You didn't need this, hope it is a milder version.
I was surprised one of the ads on TV said 1 adult in 3 gets shingles sometime in their life. Checked it out and it is true. Hope you are on the mend soon.

snakeweasel

venture said:

tjc78 said:

qbrozen said:

If I ever had need of a golf cart, and I can't imagine why, I'd just go with one of these. 25hp, 4wd, dump bed, and a winch. Why mess around with mere toys? ;b

Pretty cool. We need four seats and speed limit is 5 MpH!

My son used to live in a complex where the speed limit was 17 MPH. There were signs all along the roads.

I once came upon a SL sign that read 2.5 MPH at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie many years ago. It has long since been removed.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

OMG...sorry to hear this Mike. You didn't need this, hope it is a milder version.
I was surprised one of the ads on TV said 1 adult in 3 gets shingles sometime in their life. Checked it out and it is true. Hope you are on the mend soon.

And this is a good time to remind anyone who hasn't gotten the newer two shot shingles vaccination which is better than the earlier version to get their shot. One shot. Then wait at least 60 days IIRC to take the second shot. The second shot had more of a reaction next day. Shingrix. Age 50 and over. I got mine at Kroger one of the first as soon as it was available. No charge for my particular Medicare insurance plan with Aetna.

Years back my doctor kept telling me the stories of the Catholic nursing rest home where she had worked and how much of a threat shingles can be especially on the face and near eyes and optic nerves. After a year I got the first vaccine. Then later I got the newer Shingrex 2 shot series.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

OMG...sorry to hear this Mike. You didn't need this, hope it is a milder version.
I was surprised one of the ads on TV said 1 adult in 3 gets shingles sometime in their life. Checked it out and it is true. Hope you are on the mend soon.

And this is a good time to remind anyone who hasn't gotten the newer two shot shingles vaccination which is better than the earlier version to get their shot. One shot. Then wait at least 60 days IIRC to take the second shot. The second shot had more of a reaction next day. Shingrix. Age 50 and over. I got mine at Kroger one of the first as soon as it was available. No charge for my particular Medicare insurance plan with Aetna.

Years back my doctor kept telling me the stories of the Catholic nursing rest home where she had worked and how much of a threat shingles can be especially on the face and near eyes and optic nerves. After a year I got the first vaccine. Then later I got the newer Shingrex 2 shot series.

Unfortunately I can't get the vaccine now - too late obviously. I have to be Shingles free for 6 months before getting the vaccine. So I may have to wait until December/January, depending on how soon I can get over this.

I just don't seem to get a break from this constant onslaught of health issues. Enough is enough! 😫😩

suydam

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

Found out this morning from my doctor that I have Shingles. The pain is murder. He is ordering some anti-viral medication for me but he said this could last for weeks. Just what I needed - something else to add to my already long list of ailments. 😩😫😤😒

OMG...sorry to hear this Mike. You didn't need this, hope it is a milder version.
I was surprised one of the ads on TV said 1 adult in 3 gets shingles sometime in their life. Checked it out and it is true. Hope you are on the mend soon.

And this is a good time to remind anyone who hasn't gotten the newer two shot shingles vaccination which is better than the earlier version to get their shot. One shot. Then wait at least 60 days IIRC to take the second shot. The second shot had more of a reaction next day. Shingrix. Age 50 and over. I got mine at Kroger one of the first as soon as it was available. No charge for my particular Medicare insurance plan with Aetna.

Years back my doctor kept telling me the stories of the Catholic nursing rest home where she had worked and how much of a threat shingles can be especially on the face and near eyes and optic nerves. After a year I got the first vaccine. Then later I got the newer Shingrex 2 shot series.

I couldn’t get the first shingles vaccine because it’s a live virus vaccine. The two-shot Shingrix is not, so it’s safe for nearly everyone. I got both shots last year. I seem to remember it was kinda expensive though.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

venture said:

tjc78 said:

qbrozen said:

If I ever had need of a golf cart, and I can't imagine why, I'd just go with one of these. 25hp, 4wd, dump bed, and a winch. Why mess around with mere toys? ;b

Pretty cool. We need four seats and speed limit is 5 MpH!

My son used to live in a complex where the speed limit was 17 MPH. There were signs all along the roads.

I once came upon a SL sign that read 2.5 MPH at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie many years ago. It has long since been removed.

In our Florida complex the speed limit is 14 mph. They thought that would stand out more than 15 mph.

ab348

Oddly enough I asked my doctor about the vaccine a few years ago and she discouraged me from getting it, so I didn't. Not sure why but she didn't seem to think highly of it.