Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

Hoping for the best possible results......but taping a lemon on your back! There must be something else that won't squish if you accidentally lie on your back....a squeaky toy maybe.
You did an incredible job with your business, you filled a niche market. And you did it in a very efficient and professional manner. You were growing the business at a pretty fast rate too....great marketing and smart thinking.....that is not an easy thing to accomplish.
Nice to let your customers know too....a lot of people aren't that respectful.

carnaught

@graphicguy, we’re all pulling for you. All the best....

stickguy

Most people use a tennis ball.

abacomike

So unfortunate, GG. Second opinion might be in order here, GG. You are being blamed for the bad outcome by the ophthalmologist who accuses you of sleeping on your back. Sounds awfully defensive to me - like he’s trying to avoid potential liability.

I wonder if another surgeon agrees with your current doctor.🤓

jmonroe1

@graphicguy, needless to say we’re all hoping the upcoming surgery is successful.

About this lemon thingy, maybe you can start a lemonade stand while you’re in this shut down mode.

Good luck and keep us informed how it’s going and that goes for the lemonade stand too.😎

jmonroe

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

Most people use a tennis ball.

You gotta keep your posters straight. @driver100 would use a tennis ball, @graphicguy is more suited for the lemonade biz.🤣

jmonroe

ab348

I'd lemon law that eye doc if I were you, GG. :laughing:

explorerx4

When did gas prices drop so much?
Filled up 3 weeks ago with RUG at my usual station 2.199.
Today, I drove by and RUG was 1,899(includes 6 cents for credit).
A couple of miles later I saw stations at 1.719 and 1.699.
I filled up at 1.1719, same price cash or credit.

Sandman6472

Saw $1.91 for regular here this morning. Has been under $2/gallon for a few weeks here in South Florida. Family joined BJ's this past weekend so think we'll be going there as they are usually the lowest in town. I usually go to Cumberland Farms and use my fleet card to save $.10/gallon which undercuts BJ's so unless I'm not near a BJ's, will continue to use Cumberland. The other night, with the discount, paid $1.859 at Cumberland which ain't to bad!

stickguy

I get gas maybe once a month at this point. So hardly even notice what it costs.

explorerx4

I didn't need to fill up after over 3 weeks, but saw it as an opportunity.

nyccarguy

explorerx4 said:

When did gas prices drop so much?
Filled up 3 weeks ago with RUG at my usual station 2.199.
Today, I drove by and RUG was 1,899(includes 6 cents for credit).
A couple of miles later I saw stations at 1.719 and 1.699.
I filled up at 1.1719, same price cash or credit.

I had to get gas in Manhattan the other night. $3.19 per gallon. Cost me $60 to fill up my truck.

sda

nyccarguy said:

explorerx4 said:

When did gas prices drop so much?
Filled up 3 weeks ago with RUG at my usual station 2.199.
Today, I drove by and RUG was 1,899(includes 6 cents for credit).
A couple of miles later I saw stations at 1.719 and 1.699.
I filled up at 1.1719, same price cash or credit.

I had to get gas in Manhattan the other night. $3.19 per gallon. Cost me $60 to fill up my truck.

Is gas typically that much higher in the city? wow

kyfdx

$2.75 for PUG, at my local Shell station today. That's $0.70 higher than RUG.

driver100

At that price difference should risk RUG!

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

Most people use a tennis ball.

You gotta keep your posters straight. @driver100 would use a tennis ball, @graphicguy is more suited for the lemonade biz.🤣

jmonroe

JMonroe suggests using a ball-peen hammer

kyfdx

driver100 said:

At that price difference should risk RUG!

I'll remember to avoid your used car sales...

Michaell

RUG starting to encroach on the $2/gal threshold, but since I use mid-grade in the Outback, I generally pay .30 to .40 more per gallon.

Still, under $40 for a full tank isn't bad. Now that the wife has taken a new job, the car gets driven more, and we're filling it up every couple of weeks.

explorerx4

@michaell.
I think your Mid Grade is the same as out RUG, 87 octane?

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

@michaell.
I think your Mid Grade is the same as out RUG, 87 octane?

Because of the altitude, that is correct - we get 85, 87 and 91 at most stations here in Colorado.

qbrozen

I don’t think we get gas even once a month. I’ll basically drive a car till it gets near empty, then start driving another car. Lol. Wind up having to fill them all near the same time, but it is seriously maybe since August that I last stopped at a pump.

fintail

I think I've been paying around $2.65 for PUG at Costco, been driving a bit the past month, and I am one of those who starts getting a little itchy below 1/2 and will definitely be looking to refuel by 1/4. Far fewer Chevrons in this area, I filled up the fintail last time at Costco, next time might seek out a Chevron, as I've been putting Chevron in it almost exclusively for eons.

sda

Locally we are $1.78 RUG, $2.38 PUG.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

fintail said:

Many MBs are old man (or woman) cars lol. I don't think I've seen anyone under 60 in a late model SL, even AMG variants. S-class is similar, although for these models the demographic was maybe not much different even 30-40 years ago.

driver100 said:

MB knows they have to capture the younger buyer too. That is why they have AMGs and BMW has Ms and Audi R/S's. Cater to a younger demographic. Once my 76 year old neighbor was very proud he bought a new MB. His 30 something girlfriend told him he should have got a BMW, the MB was an old man's car. She said it after quite a few drinks at a neighbors barbeque. They broke up shortly after that.

Agree, but lots of younger people buy CLA's and C Class MBs. But, that was the idea, get them in at a younger age and they will move up to a larger, more expensive, more comfortable MB later in life.

Average ages: The global average age of a Rolls-Royce customer is 45 years old, down from 56 seven years ago. That's lower than the average age of car buyers over all, which hovers around 52, and younger than the average age of luxury car buyers, too, which is 50, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. Buick has an average new-buyer age of 59. At Cadillac it's 52, at Mercedes-Benz it's 51, and at BMW it's 50. (from 2017)

Buick, for instance, has an average new-buyer age of 59. At Cadillac it's 52, at Mercedes-Benz it's 51, and at BMW it's 50,

So a bunch of whipper snappers, huh?

jmonroe1

sda said:

Locally we are $1.78 RUG, $2.38 PUG.

You’re going to be incarcerated for stealing gas. I’m pretty sure I saw $2.229 for RUG this morning and around a buck more for PUG. When we don’t see you posting anymore we’ll know what happened to you.☹️

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

So, quick update...... Couple more surgeries scheduled as pressure in my eye continues to run high. Plus, either the surgeon put too much oil in my eye to hold the retina in place (which has detached 3 times), or according to him, I insist on sleeping on my back, which I assured him I don’t. I never have been a back sleeper. And to make totally certain I don’t sleep on my back inadvertently, I tape a lemon to my back so I’ll wake up if I roll onto my back. It’s to the point where I’m getting very annoyed with him trying to blame me for his screw up.

So, now we’re pushing for me to be able to see shapes and colors out of the eye. May take a couple more surgeries to remove some scar tissue. Plus, the continued needles in the eye to relieve pressure. But, getting the retina healed and in place is the goal so far. Further surgeries won’t be until the Christmas/New Year time frame.

In the meantime, my transport business has tailed off....mainly because I’m not out there talking to SMs/GMs/owners of dealerships all the time keeping my finger on their pulse. I offered it to my friend who who’s been keeping things afloat during my recovery. He doesn’t want to work that much, though. No blame...he’s retired and likes staying that way.

As a result, I’ve sent out letters to those I’ve either done business with, or those who might be planning to use my transport services that I would cease operations as of November 15.

It was fun while it lasted. Enjoyed meeting a ton of new people and got a peak into the different dealerships in and around my general area. Plus, I had more than one offer to “talk to the manager personally” if I want to get a “deal” on a car. I even had a couple of offers to join their sales management staffs.

Want to thank those of you who offered to help. Truly appreciate your generosity. Y’all are a bunch of really good people.

Sorry about that, I hope the surgeries improve your sight. On the optimistic side maybe you can resume your business if things turn out.

explorerx4

@jmonroe1,
I'm glad my car can make it from CT to OH without filling up in PA.
PA gas is expensive.

oldfarmer50

sda said:

nyccarguy said:

explorerx4 said:

When did gas prices drop so much?
Filled up 3 weeks ago with RUG at my usual station 2.199.
Today, I drove by and RUG was 1,899(includes 6 cents for credit).
A couple of miles later I saw stations at 1.719 and 1.699.
I filled up at 1.1719, same price cash or credit.

I had to get gas in Manhattan the other night. $3.19 per gallon. Cost me $60 to fill up my truck.

Is gas typically that much higher in the city? wow

In upstate the price is hovering around 2 bucks. The city is a world of it’s own.

fintail

Yep, and those cars (A/C/CLA etc) have some false pretense of sport, too. Funny, many bemoan the CLA, I've known a couple people who had one, and loved it. Style can forgive some sins, especially if one isn't a traditionalist. When the CLA debuted around 7 years ago, some predicted the death of MB cachet, hasn't happened yet. The key is to keep your highline cars desirable, a case of something actually trickling down.

I'll wager the youngish Rolls-Royce age is due to the propensity of dirty/blood money dynasties and real corruption in a few locations.

driver100 said:

Agree, but lots of younger people buy CLA's and C Class MBs. But, that was the idea, get them in at a younger age and they will move up to a larger, more expensive, more comfortable MB later in life.

Average ages: The global average age of a Rolls-Royce customer is 45 years old, down from 56 seven years ago. That's lower than the average age of car buyers over all, which hovers around 52, and younger than the average age of luxury car buyers, too, which is 50, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. Buick has an average new-buyer age of 59. At Cadillac it's 52, at Mercedes-Benz it's 51, and at BMW it's 50. (from 2017)

Buick, for instance, has an average new-buyer age of 59. At Cadillac it's 52, at Mercedes-Benz it's 51, and at BMW it's 50,

stickguy

last weekend was the last time I drove past a station, and I think the lowest was about $2.09 for RUG. I keep forgetting that our gas tax went up again (back in late summer I think) so we aren't as low as used to be. But most likely this weekend I will see under $2.00. I just won't bother to stop to put 2 gallons in (though I did run out in the mower can today!)

next week maybe. Making a road trip Saturday to see the kid, that is about 100 miles RT so probably about 4 gallons, so might be sitting at about 2/3 or a tank when I get back.

driver100

driver100 said:
At that price difference should risk RUG!

kyfdx said:

driver100 said:

At that price difference should risk RUG!

I'll remember to avoid your used car sales...

I wouldn't ruin my car by doing it....just suggesting others could save a few $bucks doing it

driver100

fintail said:

Yep, and those cars (A/C/CLA etc) have some false pretense of sport, too. Funny, many bemoan the CLA, I've known a couple people who had one, and loved it. Style can forgive some sins, especially if one isn't a traditionalist. When the CLA debuted around 7 years ago, some predicted the death of MB cachet, hasn't happened yet. The key is to keep your highline cars desirable, a case of something actually trickling down.

I'll wager the youngish Rolls-Royce age is due to the propensity of dirty/blood money dynasties and real corruption in a few locations.

driver100 said:

Agree, but lots of younger people buy CLA's and C Class MBs. But, that was the idea, get them in at a younger age and they will move up to a larger, more expensive, more comfortable MB later in life.

Average ages: The global average age of a Rolls-Royce customer is 45 years old, down from 56 seven years ago. That's lower than the average age of car buyers over all, which hovers around 52, and younger than the average age of luxury car buyers, too, which is 50, according to data from Kelley Blue Book. Buick has an average new-buyer age of 59. At Cadillac it's 52, at Mercedes-Benz it's 51, and at BMW it's 50. (from 2017)

Buick, for instance, has an average new-buyer age of 59. At Cadillac it's 52, at Mercedes-Benz it's 51, and at BMW it's 50,

It seems that MB sometimes rushes new models to market. The first G SUVs weren't great....MB designed and produced them quickly so they could jump into the hot SUV market. The CLA was rushed to market.....the first edition didn't get good reviews, but, the latest edition gets good reviews.
Porsche made a smart move making a more affordable SUV for the masses. It would be nice if Rolls Royce did the same.....A baby Rolls that people could actually afford to buy.

nyccarguy

sda said:

nyccarguy said:

explorerx4 said:

When did gas prices drop so much?
Filled up 3 weeks ago with RUG at my usual station 2.199.
Today, I drove by and RUG was 1,899(includes 6 cents for credit).
A couple of miles later I saw stations at 1.719 and 1.699.
I filled up at 1.1719, same price cash or credit.

I had to get gas in Manhattan the other night. $3.19 per gallon. Cost me $60 to fill up my truck.

Is gas typically that much higher in the city? wow

There aren’t THAT many gas stations in Manhattan. A couple of them are actually decently priced. There Re a few that are higher.

fintail

Customers are beta testers, been that way for some time - the W220 S-class for MY 2000 was probably the ultimate example (and early ones are now getting scarce, due to some problem areas). Also relates to why Toyolex is so reliable - they don't tend to introduce cutting edge tech, especially in terms of in-car electronics.

The Macan isn't exactly a budget machine, starts in the 50s IIRC and goes up fast, more of an upper middle class thing. I can't imagine any new Rolls having a sticker under 200K, too much competition with Bentley at that point, and it would tarnish the exclusive aura.

driver100 said:

It seems that MB sometimes rushes new models to market. The first G SUVs weren't great....MB designed and produced them quickly so they could jump into the hot SUV market. The CLA was rushed to market.....the first edition didn't get good reviews, but, the latest edition gets good reviews.
Porsche made a smart move making a more affordable SUV for the masses. It would be nice if Rolls Royce did the same.....A baby Rolls that people could actually afford to buy.

venture

explorerx4 said:

@jmonroe1,
I'm glad my car can make it from CT to OH without filling up in PA.
PA gas is expensive.

I filled up yesterday. $2.499 for regular.

abacomike

At my local Costco, $1.81 for RUG and $2.29 for PUG. It hasn’t been that low in quite a long time. I filled up Monday and it was $2.35 for PUG. So the price dropped 6 cents in 5 days.

I read in the paper that oil prices are stabilizing. Summer gasoline is always higher in price due to emission standards and the chemical additives. Refineries are now producing winter blended gasoline which reduces the cost of production.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

. Refineries are now producing winter blended gasoline which reduces the cost of production.

Winter gas? In Florida?

imidazol97

Will Eta hit east coast or west coast of Florida? Only 2nd hurricane to hit Florida this season--if it hits at all?

driver100

I was driving by a Chev dealer yesterday and I saw a gold Camaro....real gold like this. That looked pretty ugly, why would they do that! Does it appeal to anyone?

ab348

In other news, feeling down in the dumps because your Bugatti or Koenigsegg just isn''t fast enough for you? Well, fret not, as there is a new fastest road car now:

https://spectrum.ieee.org/cars-that-think/transportation/advanced-cars/the-tuatara-is-the-worlds-fastest-production-car

carnaught

I guess we should enjoy the low gas prices while they last.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

I was driving by a Chev dealer yesterday and I saw a gold Camaro....real gold like this. That looked pretty ugly, why would they do that! Does it appeal to anyone?

I can think of a number of celebrities who would like it. Although you'd expect they'd start with something more expensive than a Camaro.

driver100

carnaught said:

I guess we should enjoy the low gas prices while they last.

We have low gas prices....but, nowhere to go!

graphicguy

I think over the course of the few months I was doing transports, there were some cars that I liked, and others that I wouldn’t waste money on. I drove the ILX, RDX, TLX (both old version and new version), MDX, Corolla, Camry, Avalon, Civic, CRV, Accord, Altima, Maxima, Impala, Malibu, Traverse, Cruze, Bolt, Silverado, F150, Explorer..

My faves? The ones I’d consider spending my own money on?

-Bolt-just a well executed electric car. It even has a fun quotient, which I didn’t think I’d ever believe.
-Accord 2.0t...just a fun family car. Extremely well executed and a bargain for what you get
-Camry XSE V6....a little strange looking, but like the Accord, a fun family car and a bargain for what you get
-Avalon....like the Camry, just a little more of everything. Can’t understand why someone would pay more for a Lexus over the Avalon
-RDX...tough to consider any other CUV/SUV, especially for the price. It’s quick. It handles. You can stuff a lot of “stuff” in it. It’s totally loaded (the one I drove). Explorer over the RDX? No way!
-CRV...can’t pull the trigger on the RDX price? This is just a small step down.
-F150...boy, have these things ever crossed into luxury land. Pricey as hell, but if you need to haul lots of stuff, and you want to do it in comfort, these are the ticket.

Everything else? Wouldn’t waste my time, nor my money.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

carnaught said:

I guess we should enjoy the low gas prices while they last.

We have low gas prices....but, nowhere to go!

You could drive to Vancouver and then turn around when the locals start chasing your “foreign” car down the street.😢

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

. Refineries are now producing winter blended gasoline which reduces the cost of production.

Winter gas? In Florida?

Gasoline is shipped in to Ft. Lauderdale on tankers from the Gulf of Mexico refineries. Yes, we get the same “winter” gasoline as the rest of the country.😜🤓

snakeweasel

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

. Refineries are now producing winter blended gasoline which reduces the cost of production.

Winter gas? In Florida?

Florida has winters, of course a really cold winters day there is a nice warm spring day here.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

Will Eta hit east coast or west coast of Florida? Only 2nd hurricane to hit Florida this season--if it hits at all?

Forecasts down here indicate that we will get hit with a tropical storm or low category 1 hurricane if it intensifies. As to where, the “cone of uncertainty” shown by the hurricane models is huge once it hits Cuba. It could hit anywhere from Ft. Myers to Palm Beach (including southeast coast). Won’t know for certain until tomorrow or Sunday. This is extremely late in the hurricane season for a hurricane to develop and strengthen.

Welcome to South Florida! 😜🤓

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

I was driving by a Chev dealer yesterday and I saw a gold Camaro....real gold like this. That looked pretty ugly, why would they do that! Does it appeal to anyone?

My bet is that it's vinyl wrap.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

I was driving by a Chev dealer yesterday and I saw a gold Camaro....real gold like this. That looked pretty ugly, why would they do that! Does it appeal to anyone?

My bet is that it's vinyl wrap.

I truly hope so!