Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

tjc78

jmonroe1 said:

explorerx4 said:

I've watched many of these 'cars being towed' from a particular lot videos.
#Drumbeats is the best part(they all have #Drumbeats after a certain date) and usually funny comments added.
I found one where nobody pees in the lot when they park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob4P7zWhSXs

Just found this one. It looks really funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QtzyWHjQA

Sorry guys, I don’t buy it. Looks like more fluff made for the internet to me. Why? Because there are too many perfectly placed camera angles. On top of that the video quality rivals that of a good movie or TV production. Anytime I’ve seen security video’s the picture quality was very grainy and as a result, it would have been difficult to tell the color of the vehicles being towed let alone the model.

FWIW, for those that buy into this stuff, I have a nice bridge I’m trying to dump.

jmonroe

Man you are crabby lately!

Still upset you bought a gray car or something?

driver100

tjc78 said:

Good review Mike!

+1
.....but, I often see over the long term the little flaws that make it $10000 less start to show up. Might not be as nice handling, seats might not be as comfortable on a long trip....things it takes time to notice.

When I bought the 2015 E400 I tried an Audi A6. I mentioned I wasn't ready to buy yet, had a few cars to test drive....such as a Jag and MB. Salesman who seemed very honest said some of his Audi customers moved to Jaguar, saved $10000, but came back...it wasn't the same as their Audi.

Could be true, might not be..........but, it has a very possible sound to it.

driver100

tjc78 said:

jmonroe1 said:

explorerx4 said:

I've watched many of these 'cars being towed' from a particular lot videos.
#Drumbeats is the best part(they all have #Drumbeats after a certain date) and usually funny comments added.
I found one where nobody pees in the lot when they park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob4P7zWhSXs

Just found this one. It looks really funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QtzyWHjQA

Sorry guys, I don’t buy it. Looks like more fluff made for the internet to me. Why? Because there are too many perfectly placed camera angles. On top of that the video quality rivals that of a good movie or TV production. Anytime I’ve seen security video’s the picture quality was very grainy and as a result, it would have been difficult to tell the color of the vehicles being towed let alone the model.

FWIW, for those that buy into this stuff, I have a nice bridge I’m trying to dump.

jmonroe

Man you are crabby lately!

Still upset you bought a gray car or something?

I find JMonroe 1 has a much better sense of humor....but, he also has a very argumentative side to him too.

ab348

Mike, don't I recall that you tested a Genesis before you decided to buy and found it's ride too firm? Or am I hallucinating?

jmonroe1

What some folks won’t do for hits. Like I said, made for the internet fluff.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

Hey guys, I’m really the same old me. Never liked it when someone tried to insult what little intelligence I have. That’s just downright cruel. As for the old mans gray colored car, I’ll live with it and it seems to be the preferred color for that car and keeps it from depreciating too much. FWIW, I got that info from a salesman and the SA when the Genny was in for it’s last oil change. Sure hope those guys weren’t trying to insult my intelligence. Come to think of it, it was a Hyundai store...dammit. :@

jmonroe

stickguy

abacomike said:

My best friend just bought a new Genesis G80 3.3 liter V6 Sport with Twin Turbo AWD in Siberian Ice (Silver) with Gray Nappa interior. Car is fully loaded with just about everything I have on my E450 4MATIC. He paid $53,000 +++. I drove it this morning and these are my impressions:

Car is really attractive and has a nice stance. Body fit is excellent and the wheels are quite nicely done. The interior is roomy except for the rear headroom - I felt my head against the roof when I sat back there. Audio system is above average and the screen is large. Quite powerful and handled beautifully around town. I took it onto the Turnpike and it held the lane with almost no need to adjust the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line. The seats were comfortable and luxurious.

For a net cost of $10,000 less than my E450 cost me, not including tax, fees etc., it is well worth the money. If I was getting the G80, I would have leased it because resale value on the Genesis line is not very strong - but then again, neither is the Mercedes, BMW and Audi at the higher ends.

He wanted the AWD because that's what he has been driving for 12 years. He bought a 2008 Infiniti M35X back in 2008 and has 110,000 miles on it. It still runs perfectly with no issues, so he decided to give the Infiniti to his grandson because the trade value from several dealers was less than desirable. At least his grandson will enjoy the car for many more years the way my friend takes care of his cars.

All in all, I give it a thumbs up for anyone looking for a luxury, powerful AWD sedan that is priced well below any of its competitors.

You forgot the most important test. How were the wipers?

houdini1

venture said:

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

watching that period XKE test, they got IIRC 6.2 0-60. and said that it had too much power for the street.

The idjits at Consumer Reports thought that the first Fox body 5.0 Mustangs might have too much power- and I quit listening to Car Talk when the Magliozzis announced that the first M Roadster had too much power and that they thought the government should limit horsepower.

My wife should work for Consumer Reports.

We were out last evening looking at building lots. I accelerated quickly once all the way up to.....45 mph. She went nuts.

Sounds like my wife. If she see's taillights come on half a mile ahead she lets out a squawk (scares the hell out of me) and screams, SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN like an imminent collision is about to happen.

tjc78

You forgot the most important test. How were the wipers?

Penalty... Unsportsmanlike conduct.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

abacomike said:

My best friend just bought a new Genesis G80 3.3 liter V6 Sport with Twin Turbo AWD in Siberian Ice (Silver) with Gray Nappa interior. Car is fully loaded with just about everything I have on my E450 4MATIC. He paid $53,000 +++. I drove it this morning and these are my impressions:

Car is really attractive and has a nice stance. Body fit is excellent and the wheels are quite nicely done. The interior is roomy except for the rear headroom - I felt my head against the roof when I sat back there. Audio system is above average and the screen is large. Quite powerful and handled beautifully around town. I took it onto the Turnpike and it held the lane with almost no need to adjust the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line. The seats were comfortable and luxurious.

For a net cost of $10,000 less than my E450 cost me, not including tax, fees etc., it is well worth the money. If I was getting the G80, I would have leased it because resale value on the Genesis line is not very strong - but then again, neither is the Mercedes, BMW and Audi at the higher ends.

He wanted the AWD because that's what he has been driving for 12 years. He bought a 2008 Infiniti M35X back in 2008 and has 110,000 miles on it. It still runs perfectly with no issues, so he decided to give the Infiniti to his grandson because the trade value from several dealers was less than desirable. At least his grandson will enjoy the car for many more years the way my friend takes care of his cars.

All in all, I give it a thumbs up for anyone looking for a luxury, powerful AWD sedan that is priced well below any of its competitors.

You forgot the most important test. How were the wipers?

DARN! YOU BEAT ME TO IT!

jmonroe1

houdini1 said:

venture said:

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

watching that period XKE test, they got IIRC 6.2 0-60. and said that it had too much power for the street.

The idjits at Consumer Reports thought that the first Fox body 5.0 Mustangs might have too much power- and I quit listening to Car Talk when the Magliozzis announced that the first M Roadster had too much power and that they thought the government should limit horsepower.

My wife should work for Consumer Reports.

We were out last evening looking at building lots. I accelerated quickly once all the way up to.....45 mph. She went nuts.

Sounds like my wife. If she see's taillights come on half a mile ahead she lets out a squawk (scares the hell out of me) and screams, SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN like an imminent collision is about to happen.

Damn, there were triplets.

jmonroe

stickguy

my wife does the same thing. Grabs the Oh **** handle, gasps, all that. so of course I jump and start looking around to see if I missed something important. So far, has not been the case.

tjc78

I think we all are in the same boat. I took the on ramp to 42 last night in the Volvo at a pretty good clip and was called a maniac.

Didn't help that I nailed it when I hit the straightaway too.

We didn't have the kids and I hadn't driven the car for 3 weeks so I felt it was necessary.

venture

jmonroe1 said:

houdini1 said:

venture said:

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

watching that period XKE test, they got IIRC 6.2 0-60. and said that it had too much power for the street.

The idjits at Consumer Reports thought that the first Fox body 5.0 Mustangs might have too much power- and I quit listening to Car Talk when the Magliozzis announced that the first M Roadster had too much power and that they thought the government should limit horsepower.

My wife should work for Consumer Reports.

We were out last evening looking at building lots. I accelerated quickly once all the way up to.....45 mph. She went nuts.

Sounds like my wife. If she see's taillights come on half a mile ahead she lets out a squawk (scares the hell out of me) and screams, SLOW DOWN, SLOW DOWN like an imminent collision is about to happen.

Damn, there were triplets.

jmonroe

Try this one on for size.

I had to stop behind someone waiting to turn left. There was a car coming the other way that was in sight. Without exaggerating I could have turned, backed up to where I started and turned again before the oncoming car got there.

Of course, because I never learn, I commented on it. I was told, "I would have waited too".

venture

stickguy said:

my wife does the same thing. Grabs the Oh **** handle, gasps, all that. so of course I jump and start looking around to see if I missed something important. So far, has not been the case.

I pointed out that there was another handle to grab right by her head. That turned out to not be a good thing to say.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

I think we all are in the same boat. I took the on ramp to 42 last night in the Volvo at a pretty good clip and was called a maniac.

Didn't help that I nailed it when I hit the straightaway too.

We didn't have the kids and I hadn't driven the car for 3 weeks so I felt it was necessary.

Sounds more like entitled.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

venture said:

stickguy said:

my wife does the same thing. Grabs the Oh **** handle, gasps, all that. so of course I jump and start looking around to see if I missed something important. So far, has not been the case.

I pointed out that there was another handle to grab right by her head. That turned out to not be a good thing to say.

I don’t have to tell her about that handle. It’s the most used accessory in both of our cars. Always have to wipe off sweaty prints from those things. At least I can handle that. Will probably have to go to a trim shop at trade in time to see if they can piece in some carpet in the passenger foot well, though. Would hate like hell to have to replace all of that carpeting. :@

jmonroe

explorerx4

jmonroe so quickly dismissing the tow videos and questioning the camera quality got me thinking when I saw this one. Hmmm...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcLAoZLWhc4

ab348

That strikes me as a very well-organized grift.

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

jmonroe so quickly dismissing the tow videos and questioning the camera quality got me thinking when I saw this one. Hmmm...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcLAoZLWhc4

well, if it is staged, it is AWFULLY BORING!!

explorerx4

It isn't staged, there are No Parking you will be towed signs all along the building and it is a 24 hour business.
Many of the tows are at night, so that has kept a lot tipsy drivers off the road.

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

jmonroe so quickly dismissing the tow videos and questioning the camera quality got me thinking when I saw this one. Hmmm...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcLAoZLWhc4

Hmmm, anyone else notice it’s always the same lot. Might not be able to convince other businesses to join in on the fluff. But, the video quality is top notch.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

It isn't staged, there are No Parking you will be towed signs all along the building and it is a 24 hour business.
Many of the tows are at night, so that has kept a lot tipsy drivers off the road.

Oh, so now the guy provides a great social service. This gets better all the time.

jmonroe

roadburner

The M3 I looked at is not a player. The new "Ultra High Performance" Chinese tires were just one example of owner neglect...

ab348

explorerx4 said:

It isn't staged, there are No Parking you will be towed signs all along the building and it is a 24 hour business.
Many of the tows are at night, so that has kept a lot tipsy drivers off the road.

Clearly it must be a money-maker for them or otherwise they would just install a gate.

abacomike

ab348 said:

Mike, don't I recall that you tested a Genesis before you decided to buy and found it's ride too firm? Or am I hallucinating?

You are hallucinating as you usually do after some scotch - but yes, I drove a G80 and yes it was stiff - but as I found out, so is the E450 4MATIC because it comes with the sport package. So when I compare both cars, they are both a bit stiff. But I do miss the ride and handling of the S450 - but it was too big a nut for me to crack this time.

snakeweasel

tjc78 said:

I think we all are in the same boat. I took the on ramp to 42 last night in the Volvo at a pretty good clip and was called a maniac.

Didn't help that I nailed it when I hit the straightaway too.

We didn't have the kids and I hadn't driven the car for 3 weeks so I felt it was necessary.

My wifes the same way. However yesterday when we were out in the BMW with the top down on a beautiful day in the country we hit a couple of curves where the little yellow speed sign stated a recommended 45 MPH speed. However I didn't slow down for these curves and impressed the wife as the car took the curves perfectly.

abacomike

stickguy said:

abacomike said:

My best friend just bought a new Genesis G80 3.3 liter V6 Sport with Twin Turbo AWD in Siberian Ice (Silver) with Gray Nappa interior. Car is fully loaded with just about everything I have on my E450 4MATIC. He paid $53,000 +++. I drove it this morning and these are my impressions:

Car is really attractive and has a nice stance. Body fit is excellent and the wheels are quite nicely done. The interior is roomy except for the rear headroom - I felt my head against the roof when I sat back there. Audio system is above average and the screen is large. Quite powerful and handled beautifully around town. I took it onto the Turnpike and it held the lane with almost no need to adjust the steering wheel to keep it going in a straight line. The seats were comfortable and luxurious.

For a net cost of $10,000 less than my E450 cost me, not including tax, fees etc., it is well worth the money. If I was getting the G80, I would have leased it because resale value on the Genesis line is not very strong - but then again, neither is the Mercedes, BMW and Audi at the higher ends.

He wanted the AWD because that's what he has been driving for 12 years. He bought a 2008 Infiniti M35X back in 2008 and has 110,000 miles on it. It still runs perfectly with no issues, so he decided to give the Infiniti to his grandson because the trade value from several dealers was less than desirable. At least his grandson will enjoy the car for many more years the way my friend takes care of his cars.

All in all, I give it a thumbs up for anyone looking for a luxury, powerful AWD sedan that is priced well below any of its competitors.

You forgot the most important test. How were the wipers?

I do know - it wasn't raining this morning. But this evening, it poured.

stickguy

if the signs are big and obvious, i have no sympathy for the people getting towed. But there are a lot of places (certainly in Philly) where the signs are very obscure and hard to find (and often totally hidden or missing) intentionally, by the tow companies, specifically to reel in suckers. It has nothing to do with keeping a businesses lot open, and all about revenue for the tow company (I assume the lot owner gets a cut of the action of course).

Sandman6472

Yes, it poured this afternoon here in northern Broward County, Florida. I was getting petrol at the local Cumberland Farms and luckily, I had cover over my head as it was booming out there. Wanted to stop at Walgreens on the way home but since it seemed to get a bit worse, I just went home and pulled in the nice dry garage. Something to be said for a clean garage where it's used for it's intended reason, not a storage closet!

snakeweasel

A week or so ago I purchased an air fryer, well tonight I decided to give it its first workout and made some chicken strips and french fries. They turned out pretty good and I am looking forward to trying out other things with it. Anyone else use an air fryer?

fintail

It's alongside a building in a publicly accessible alley. Probably expensive to put up a fence and a gate. This way makes for funny videos and punishes entitled idiots ("park where I want" is a serious problem in cities), and probably helps keep someone employed. Sounds fine to me.

ab348 said:

Clearly it must be a money-maker for them or otherwise they would just install a gate.

ab348

Many private lots have staff deputized by local police to issue parking tickets. Seems a more appropriate punishment than a megabucks towing/impound fee.

stickguy

snakeweasel said:

A week or so ago I purchased an air fryer, well tonight I decided to give it its first workout and made some chicken strips and french fries. They turned out pretty good and I am looking forward to trying out other things with it. Anyone else use an air fryer?

we have one. It works well. Try homemade onion rings. Those really come out well. And garlic Parmesan potato wedges.

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

I’ve seen a bit of the stop light wars in my Stinger. Surprising, as my former Cobra was slower than the Stinger, but no one wanted to test it.

Mostly, it is the guys in the terrible sounding JC Whitney exhaust systems, or even worse lighting schemes for the front and the rear. They’ve ranged from Cobalts to Civics...even a 6 cyl Mustang or two (pretty easy to tell those as they have GT badges glued all over them and sound anemic, to boot).

Depends on my mood, sometimes I engage, sometimes I lead them on a little bit letting them stay relatively even, until I get tired of the game and take off. Sometimes, I let them get way ahead of me, and then blow past them. Sometimes, I just leisurely go about my merry way without engaging them.

One thing’s for sure, those who only see the KIA badge and have no idea what it really is, are shocked at the end of the run (if they even pull even with me to see me gloat).

I can’t imagine a more fragile ego than someone who would glue GT badges on a V6 Mustang. And then to get smoked by a Kia must be the ultimate humiliation.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

explorerx4 said:

I've watched many of these 'cars being towed' from a particular lot videos.
#Drumbeats is the best part(they all have #Drumbeats after a certain date) and usually funny comments added.
I found one where nobody pees in the lot when they park.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob4P7zWhSXs

Just found this one. It looks really funny.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1QtzyWHjQA

Sorry guys, I don’t buy it. Looks like more fluff made for the internet to me. Why? Because there are too many perfectly placed camera angles. On top of that the video quality rivals that of a good movie or TV production. Anytime I’ve seen security video’s the picture quality was very grainy and as a result, it would have been difficult to tell the color of the vehicles being towed let alone the model.

FWIW, for those that buy into this stuff, I have a nice bridge I’m trying to dump.

jmonroe

I’m pretty sure it’s legit. The company deals in sophisticated electronics which is why the quality and coverage is good. They are adjacent to an entertainment district so people are always parking illegally. I think the guy who makes those videos works the night shift and has lots of time on his hands.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

my wife does the same thing. Grabs the Oh **** handle, gasps, all that. so of course I jump and start looking around to see if I missed something important. So far, has not been the case.

What are you doing riding around with my wife! :@

She’ll gasp at a car parked in a lot a half mile away.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

The M3 I looked at is not a player. The new "Ultra High Performance" Chinese tires were just one example of owner neglect...

Speaking of tires, what have you heard about the Michelin Pilot Sport AS4?

tjc78

Something to be said for a clean garage where it's used for it's intended reason, not a storage closet!

We are in the early stages of looking to a buy a bigger home. I told my wife my one absolute non-negotiable is a two car garage that will fit our cars. There will be no junk in there either. That is what the shed is for.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

A week or so ago I purchased an air fryer, well tonight I decided to give it its first workout and made some chicken strips and french fries. They turned out pretty good and I am looking forward to trying out other things with it. Anyone else use an air fryer?

I don't know anything about air fryers. What do you use, air virgin cooking oil?

stickguy

that is my rule. rarely we have to stash something out there for a bit and one car sits out, and it annoys me something fierce.

that is the one area I won't let me wife junk up. She stuffed the basement full but she can't have my garage.

tjc78

Ha Ha @driver100 is here all night....don't forget to tip the waitresses.

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

Ha Ha @driver100 is here all night....don't forget to tip the waitresses.

2 Drink Minimun

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

The M3 I looked at is not a player. The new "Ultra High Performance" Chinese tires were just one example of owner neglect...

Speaking of tires, what have you heard about the Michelin Pilot Sport AS4?

Not a lot. They replace the Pilot Sport A/S 3+, a tire I have been very pleased with on the Club Sport and M235i. I would have put them on the 2er if the had been available. My gut feeling is that they perform at least as well or better than summer high performance tires of 5-10 years ago. I’m not looking for great snow/ice traction so much as I’m wanting a tire that is usable below 40F.

graphicguy

We all have our different “preferred” brands of cars. No secret I love Acuras. But, I’ve dabbled with Audis, Cadillacs, Chevies, Fords, in addition to the Kia. I will say this, comparing fit and finish, Kia is up there with the best of them. In some ways, their engineering is better than those others.

The gap between a Kia/Hyundai/Genesis and the rest of the crowd isn’t what it was 20-25 years ago. They’ve caught up fast. And, I’d put it up against even the vaunted Honda or Toyota vehicles, which are known to have the best build quality in the business.

As Mike points out, the G80 he test drove is quite nice. I can vouch for the drivetrain he drove, as it’s the same as what’s in my Stinger.

stickguy

I had two Hyundais in the last 5 years. Both excellent cars, and well made. Would have no qualms buying another one (and I was leaning toward the Santa Fe over the RDX this year, but, it was the wife's car).

tjc78

We have had three Hyundais. The 2008 Elantra was perfect despite my wife doing $9,000 of damage to it before the temp plates came off.

The 2009 Genesis did have some electrical issues early on but the dealer did a good job working with corporate techs to fix.

Lastly the 2017 Elantra was also flawless. I can't say that I ever really loved that car, but it was a joy to own. It took a beating and was dirt cheap to own and maintain.

I'd certainly own another Hyundai or Kia.

Michaell

I've had one Hyundai myself (the Elantra GT), and, like Tom, it was a joy to own.

My ex has a new-ish Santa Fe, and my son bought a new E-GT a couple of years ago, and handed down his Accent to his wife.

Plus, my mom has the '03 Sonata, which my sister is currently driving (and, I hope to inherit, once I can get to CA and bring it back to CO)

pensfan83

My brother replaced his Fusion with a 2020 Elantra Sport in May. He's very happy with it and I'll echo the comments about build quality, flawless all around and on par with any of the industry stalwarts.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:

The M3 I looked at is not a player. The new "Ultra High Performance" Chinese tires were just one example of owner neglect...

Speaking of tires, what have you heard about the Michelin Pilot Sport AS4?

Not a lot. They replace the Pilot Sport A/S 3+, a tire I have been very pleased with on the Club Sport and M235i. I would have put them on the 2er if the had been available. My gut feeling is that they perform at least as well or better than summer high performance tires of 5-10 years ago. I’m not looking for great snow/ice traction so much as I’m wanting a tire that is usable below 40F.

Bingo! That’s exactly what I’m looking for. Max performance without coming apart if I sneak out for a drive on a 30 degree day.

One other thing, have you noticed any whine from your A/S 3+ as they age? That’s something I’m trying to get away from.