Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

my son sent a picture of his driveway that he shoveled by himself. took 2.5 hours and it is pretty short and only 1 lane. The walls look higher than his car most likely.

they got 23". My BIL in Saratoga got 35". I would be researching rentals in SC instead of shoveling.

It took me and my younger son about an hour to shovel out this morning. We got 21” according to the TV station but they did a report from a city just to the west and measured 31”.

Then my older son popped in and thought he was going to just drive away. His jaw dropped when saw what was involved. We shoveled for about 20 minutes before I felt sorry for him and gave him my car.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I would be researching rentals in SC instead of shoveling.

I'm getting fixated on southern New Mexico - Las Cruces or Alamogordo.

Real estate is about 1/3 cheaper, taxes look to be about the same, and maybe a couple of dustings of snow each winter (< 6" total).

Oh, and most of the yards are xeriscaped, so I can retire the lawn mower.

Las Cruces is bigger (about 200,000), but I'd have to go to El Paso (45 minutes away), if I wanted to shop a luxury brand.

Like you, @stickguy, I've got to get the wife on board with the plan.

stickguy

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

nyccarguy

I had to use Low Range to get out of my parking spot after work today.

qbrozen

My cars didn’t move today. Much like 9/10 days. Driving the john deere was the most wheel time I have had in weeks.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
Toyota does not put on good OEM tires. Ordinarily, no need to use it in that situation.

abacomike

Over the past 3 years, I have budgeted $175 a month for gasoline. Over the last 12 months, I have spent an average of less than $80 per month on gasoline. Some of the decrease is due to low PUG prices but a majority of the decrease in gas expenses is due to driving significantly less.

My new car also gets 3-4 mpg more due mainly to the weight reduction since the engine is the same as the S450 had.

I’ve owned the car for 7-1/2 months and just registered 4000 miles on the odometer. Truly amazing how little I drive. Impaired to other years.

stickguy

our RDX turned 9 months old (well, with us) earlier this week. I think we are now at 3,400 miles.

our daughter makes up for it. She got her Jetta 8/2018 and when I got it aligned this week, it was sitting at about 39,400 miles. At least she is putting them on a lot slower these days.

driver100

bwia
I just logged in to check out the Genesis GV70 but suddenly I founded myself having a man-crush on this Korean reviewer who calls himself "Asian PetrolHead"

I like the looks of the GV70. It looks more car like than most SUVs, even a bit of a Porsche Macon look. But Petrohead does nothing for me.

suydam

We have only run the Volt on electric as we have driven so little since March. The other day it would only run on gas even though fully charged. I was sure there was a problem, but it turns out it has to cycle some gas through occasionally. Once it did that we were fine. We hadn’t bought gas since April.
Regarding the snowstorm I checked with my friends back East — sounds like Columbus, Ohio got its usual 3 inches. My kids in Connecticut got much more. They got to try out the snow blower they bought from their house sellers and sounds like it worked fine. I saw pics from a former student in Binghamton — crazy!
Love seeing the pretty pics but I do not miss it AT ALL!

kyfdx

stickguy said:

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

I’ve seen that listed as one of the 5 biggest financial mistakes to derail a secure retirement.

cdnpinhead

abacomike said:

Truly amazing how little I drive. Impaired to other years.

Freudian?

Michaell

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

I’ve seen that listed as one of the 5 biggest financial mistakes to derail a secure retirement.

Shhhh! Don't tell @driver100

stickguy

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

I’ve seen that listed as one of the 5 biggest financial mistakes to derail a secure retirement.

it has to be lower on the list than freezing to death in a snowbank.

I actually have it figured out. Main house in snow country, so airBnB it during ski season, and go rent a place in a summer shore area when it is off season.

hey, it isn't worse than most of my car plans.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

I’ve seen that listed as one of the 5 biggest financial mistakes to derail a secure retirement.

it has to be lower on the list than freezing to death in a snowbank.

I actually have it figured out. Main house in snow country, so airBnB it during ski season, and go rent a place in a summer shore area when it is off season.

hey, it isn't worse than most of my car plans.

Renting is better than owning two homes, I think. Easier to adjust as life and finances dictate.

stickguy

yes. I have no desire really to own a 2nd house, especially since I would really need to rent the winter place out when we aren't using it (since I am not expecting to be rich when I retire!)

Oh, house related. If anyone remembers, I have been waiting forever on my refi. Applied August 9th. Finally have a closing scheduled for 12/23. Not even going to check how much rates dropped since then and just roll with what I was locked at!

I was starting to think that I would sell this place before that refi finally got done. And recently the wife has actually been telling people at work about possibly moving, assuming in the spring her company is OK with staying virtual permanently. So I may have gone through all this for maybe a year to year and a half. Though just getting her to say start looking is the simple part. Deciding where to go, that probably won't be too bad.

Cleaning out all the stuff in this house to get it ready to sell and move, that is going to take a while.

roadburner

If someone ever offers me an obscene amount of money for the farm we are headed to Seabrook Island, SC. We'll just need to find/build a house with a a four car garage...

stickguy

easier to build when you want something unique. I figured that out early on after looking at listings in different areas!

We were(pre-covid) looking at 7 years or so before being able to pick up and go (our target retirement date) since the wife's job expected her to actually go into the office. Now, after 9 months and counting of FT WFH, there is a pretty good chance we can go elsewhere and she will never have to go back in. Actually a few people in her area did that, without bothering to mention it in advance. If she does get the OK to leave the area (with promise that she can come down whenever needed for a meeting) we will start actually planning.

I do want to build if possible, but not sure we will work that out. Finding a place we like (possibly a fixer upper) with room for a 2nd stand-alone garage would be next best option! or I would settle for a place with 3 car attached.

Michaell

stickguy said:

easier to build when you want something unique. I figured that out early on after looking at listings in different areas!

We were(pre-covid) looking at 7 years or so before being able to pick up and go (our target retirement date) since the wife's job expected her to actually go into the office. Now, after 9 months and counting of FT WFH, there is a pretty good chance we can go elsewhere and she will never have to go back in. Actually a few people in her area did that, without bothering to mention it in advance. If she does get the OK to leave the area (with promise that she can come down whenever needed for a meeting) we will start actually planning.

I do want to build if possible, but not sure we will work that out. Finding a place we like (possibly a fixer upper) with room for a 2nd stand-alone garage would be next best option! or I would settle for a place with 3 car attached.

I've been looking at new construction in NM - some have 2 car garages, some have 3. Given that we have one car at the moment, the issue is whether I add a second car or we flip the Outback for something more luxurious (GLC? X3?)

abacomike

cdnpinhead said:

abacomike said:

Truly amazing how little I drive. Impaired to other years.

Freudian?

Absolutely!🤪😜🤓

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

bwia said:

I just logged in to check out the Genesis GV70 but suddenly I founded myself having a man-crush on this Korean reviewer who calls himself "Asian PetrolHead". I like his voice, accent, sense of humor, and his 6' 2" handsome physique. Please don't tell my wife; but am I suddenly becoming gender fluid in my senior years? or just an innocent man-crush. Still, he offers a very nice (but very long) review. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a24MKHXxCi0

Can’t help you with your identity crisis. 6’2” is pretty impressive for a native Korean and from the license plates it appears to be a Korean production. Asian cars have often been criticized as being too small for tall (or fat) Americans. Maybe if the Korean population is trending larger they’ll adapt.

South Korea has the highest average height of all far east countries, they are a few inches shorter than those of us here in North America so 6'2" for a South Korean wouldn't be all that unusual, not at all the norm but not unusual. As for cars I do have a Sonata and that is very roomy in both the front and back seat.

qbrozen

abacomike said:

Over the past 3 years, I have budgeted $175 a month for gasoline. Over the last 12 months, I have spent an average of less than $80 per month on gasoline. Some of the decrease is due to low PUG prices but a majority of the decrease in gas expenses is due to driving significantly less.

My new car also gets 3-4 mpg more due mainly to the weight reduction since the engine is the same as the S450 had.

I’ve owned the car for 7-1/2 months and just registered 4000 miles on the odometer. Truly amazing how little I drive. Impaired to other years.

What kind of mileage we talking here? To travel an average of 533 miles in my Charger would just barely touch $80 at FL prices.

oldfarmer50

My father was 6’4” and when General Electric sent him to Japan he towered over his business associates. At the end of his trip all the business people gathered for a group photo. All the Japanese businessmen stood on boxes for the photo so he wouldn’t look out of proportion.

abacomike

I average 22 mpg. Highway is 33.2 mpg and around town is 20 mpg. I don’t drive on the Turnpike or the interstates much any more but for a 6 cylinder with 362 hp, that’s pretty good fuel economy.

I gas up at Costco 2-3 times a month at $31-$35 each gas up. I usually get gas when I am at 1/2 tank or less.

tjc78

I would have to look but I don’t think I’ve averaged more than $100 for gas in two cars for the last three months.

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

My father was 6’4” and when General Electric sent him to Japan he towered over his business associates. At the end of his trip all the business people gathered for a group photo. All the Japanese businessmen stood on boxes for the photo so he wouldn’t look out of proportion.

I'm 6'2" and my wife is Filipino and she comes from a large family (7 siblings) and all her siblings are married to Filipinos. All the family photos early on had me towering over all of them it's sort of awkward. Now its many decades later and the nephews and nieces have grown up and most have married westerners so now I don't stand out as much.

kyfdx

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

My father was 6’4” and when General Electric sent him to Japan he towered over his business associates. At the end of his trip all the business people gathered for a group photo. All the Japanese businessmen stood on boxes for the photo so he wouldn’t look out of proportion.

I'm 6'2" and my wife is Filipino and she comes from a large family (7 siblings) and all her siblings are married to Filipinos. All the family photos early on had me towering over all of them it's sort of awkward. Now its many decades later and the nephews and nieces have grown up and most have married westerners so now I don't stand out as much.

Except they are all prettier than you are?

snakeweasel

kyfdx said:

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

My father was 6’4” and when General Electric sent him to Japan he towered over his business associates. At the end of his trip all the business people gathered for a group photo. All the Japanese businessmen stood on boxes for the photo so he wouldn’t look out of proportion.

I'm 6'2" and my wife is Filipino and she comes from a large family (7 siblings) and all her siblings are married to Filipinos. All the family photos early on had me towering over all of them it's sort of awkward. Now its many decades later and the nephews and nieces have grown up and most have married westerners so now I don't stand out as much.

Except they are all prettier than you are?

Yes but I set the bar low on that one.

tjc78

Back at my old company, the gentleman who ran our Chinese office used to visit us a few times a year. Several people used to be shocked the first time they met him because he was about 6’6” or so. I’m 6’ and he was much taller than me.

It was always fun when he came in. We used to take him to lunch and he always ordered hot dogs. Said they couldn’t get good ones in China.

laurasdada

So, the Jag went in for oil change/tire rotation/inspection Wednesday. The good news is that all checked out well, no need for a new battery, brakes, tires, etc. Although it is the original battery, I know I'm playing Russian Roulette with it, maybe I'll preemptively replace after Xmas. The bad news was the price, being British and all, only certain oil filters fit, normally not an issue, but with Covid, supplies are tighter than normal. So, they used a wicked expensive filter (and 7 qts synth oil), which they charged me their cost. I was told that they could have gone cheaper, but the car would have had to come back a day or two later; plus lower quality. I'm ok with it, I think my last same service was a total of $6 thanks to loyalty points and coupons.
Bad news: The "Hood is open" warning light won't extinguish, even after ensuring the hood was secure. I'll be going back this afternoon for them to review. Hopefully, it won't be a Lucas Xmas!

jmonroe1

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

easier to build when you want something unique. I figured that out early on after looking at listings in different areas!

We were(pre-covid) looking at 7 years or so before being able to pick up and go (our target retirement date) since the wife's job expected her to actually go into the office. Now, after 9 months and counting of FT WFH, there is a pretty good chance we can go elsewhere and she will never have to go back in. Actually a few people in her area did that, without bothering to mention it in advance. If she does get the OK to leave the area (with promise that she can come down whenever needed for a meeting) we will start actually planning.

I do want to build if possible, but not sure we will work that out. Finding a place we like (possibly a fixer upper) with room for a 2nd stand-alone garage would be next best option! or I would settle for a place with 3 car attached.

I've been looking at new construction in NM - some have 2 car garages, some have 3. Given that we have one car at the moment, the issue is whether I add a second car or we flip the Outback for something more luxurious (GLC? X3?)

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

My father was 6’4” and when General Electric sent him to Japan he towered over his business associates. At the end of his trip all the business people gathered for a group photo. All the Japanese businessmen stood on boxes for the photo so he wouldn’t look out of proportion.

I'm 6'2" and my wife is Filipino and she comes from a large family (7 siblings) and all her siblings are married to Filipinos. All the family photos early on had me towering over all of them it's sort of awkward. Now its many decades later and the nephews and nieces have grown up and most have married westerners so now I don't stand out as much.

Ahhhh...don’t feel bad you’re still a standout in here. ☺️

jmonroe

qbrozen

laurasdada said:

So, the Jag went in for oil change/tire rotation/inspection Wednesday. The good news is that all checked out well, no need for a new battery, brakes, tires, etc. Although it is the original battery, I know I'm playing Russian Roulette with it, maybe I'll preemptively replace after Xmas. The bad news was the price, being British and all, only certain oil filters fit, normally not an issue, but with Covid, supplies are tighter than normal. So, they used a wicked expensive filter (and 7 qts synth oil), which they charged me their cost. I was told that they could have gone cheaper, but the car would have had to come back a day or two later; plus lower quality. I'm ok with it, I think my last same service was a total of $6 thanks to loyalty points and coupons.
Bad news: The "Hood is open" warning light won't extinguish, even after ensuring the hood was secure. I'll be going back this afternoon for them to review. Hopefully, it won't be a Lucas Xmas!

I had to rig the sensor on the wife's Land Rover to make that light go away.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Back at my old company, the gentleman who ran our Chinese office used to visit us a few times a year. Several people used to be shocked the first time they met him because he was about 6’6” or so. I’m 6’ and he was much taller than me.

It was always fun when he came in. We used to take him to lunch and he always ordered hot dogs. Said they couldn’t get good ones in China.

Looks can be deceiving. Your story reminded me of this one I heard a long time ago:

A Jewish worker was informed that he had to go to China because of a big problem they had with their Chinese customer. When the guy heard this he told them he couldn’t go because the Jewish High Holidays were at that time. His boss told him they knew that and they had made arrangements with a near by Chinese synagogue so he could attend the High Holiday services. He was told once he got there he should let the usher at door know about this and they would have a seat for him. When the guy showed up the usher knew nothing about this and told the guy to wait at the door while he went to check it out. The usher then goes to a few of the higher ups at the synagogue and tells them the story. They all started talking amongst themselves and finally one guy said to the usher, “who are you talking about”? The usher being quite upset that it’s taking so long said, “the guy at the door, can’t you see him”? Another guy said, “OK, but he doesn’t look Jewish to me”. 😳

jmonroe

tjc78

qbrozen said:

laurasdada said:

So, the Jag went in for oil change/tire rotation/inspection Wednesday. The good news is that all checked out well, no need for a new battery, brakes, tires, etc. Although it is the original battery, I know I'm playing Russian Roulette with it, maybe I'll preemptively replace after Xmas. The bad news was the price, being British and all, only certain oil filters fit, normally not an issue, but with Covid, supplies are tighter than normal. So, they used a wicked expensive filter (and 7 qts synth oil), which they charged me their cost. I was told that they could have gone cheaper, but the car would have had to come back a day or two later; plus lower quality. I'm ok with it, I think my last same service was a total of $6 thanks to loyalty points and coupons.
Bad news: The "Hood is open" warning light won't extinguish, even after ensuring the hood was secure. I'll be going back this afternoon for them to review. Hopefully, it won't be a Lucas Xmas!

I had to rig the sensor on the wife's Land Rover to make that light go away.

Probably wasn’t the only thing ....

jmonroe1

laurasdada said:

So, the Jag went in for oil change/tire rotation/inspection Wednesday. The good news is that all checked out well, no need for a new battery, brakes, tires, etc. Although it is the original battery, I know I'm playing Russian Roulette with it, maybe I'll preemptively replace after Xmas. The bad news was the price, being British and all, only certain oil filters fit, normally not an issue, but with Covid, supplies are tighter than normal. So, they used a wicked expensive filter (and 7 qts synth oil), which they charged me their cost. I was told that they could have gone cheaper, but the car would have had to come back a day or two later; plus lower quality. I'm ok with it, I think my last same service was a total of $6 thanks to loyalty points and coupons.
Bad news: The "Hood is open" warning light won't extinguish, even after ensuring the hood was secure. I'll be going back this afternoon for them to review. Hopefully, it won't be a Lucas Xmas!

That’s an old Jag trick when you don’t register the off brand filter.

jmonroe

roadburner

tjc78 said:

I would have to look but I don’t think I’ve averaged more than $100 for gas in two cars for the last three months.

I’m averaging $134 per month. The number skewed higher in November as my son was home for two weeks and drove the X1.

explorerx4

I haven't filled up since November 5th and the low fuel light just came on.
Makes it difficult to justify buying anything additional.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

I haven't filled up since November 5th and the low fuel light just came on.
Makes it difficult to justify buying anything additional.

We've been filling the Outback every couple of weeks, around $40-45 per tank.

driver100

Michaell said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

I’ve seen that listed as one of the 5 biggest financial mistakes to derail a secure retirement.

Shhhh! Don't tell @driver100

Yeh, well I caught it. Due to unforeseen circumstances the Florida place was a good investment. Property was at the low point when we bought 10 years ago, and the Canadian dollar was high. Rental prices have risen, so it would cost us more to rent than what we pay to maintain the place. I consider the money invested in the house just parked there. Also, it helped diversify. It is nice having your own place where you can leave all the things you need each year. If you are an American and live there for half the year you pay Florida taxes which are much lower than some states.
It definitely could be a bad investment in many situations, but, like leasing a car, sometimes it is the best option.

driver100

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

my best bet is regular house up north, winter place down south.

I’ve seen that listed as one of the 5 biggest financial mistakes to derail a secure retirement.

I sometimes think of these things this way. Some guy has to write a few articles a week to make a living....so he does some research, comes up with a few ideas that sound logical....he sends the article in and hopes they publish it and they send him a check.
When you buy a place in Florida you shouldn't buy it as an investment....you buy it for the pleasure it brings you....like a boat, a classic car, or a Skidoo. Sometimes it doesn't matter if you don't make money on it, or if you lose some...if you can afford it and you want to do it.
Some people buy a condo, rent it out because they are young, working in the North. They want visitors to pay it off so they can retire and use it one day. That might be a great investment and a great way to own a place in Florida.

explorerx4

Last fill up was less than $24.

qbrozen

So, why do so many folks choose Florida? Just curious. I mean, it is not like old folks are utilizing the theme parks, right? So what are the advantages? Vs... oh, hell, I don't know ... GA, LA, MS, or what have you.

28firefighter

Taxes is a big one.

laurasdada

As hoped, rebooting the car extinguished the hood light. Good car. Maybe now Santa will bring you a new pair of fuzzy dice and chrome spinner hubcaps for Xmas.

explorerx4

@laurasdada,
and at least a dozen stick on ventiports.

stickguy

Fla? low taxes, and so many other old people there is stuff to do. I would go to one of those other states myself. Especially if just part time (winter place) so not where I pay taxes to.

stickguy

was down to 1/4 tank of gas so threw in $20 at the gulf station, so now sitting at 3/4 of a tank. That will last me a while.

kyfdx

FL. Naples, Fort Myers, Miami, Fort Lauderdale are the only reliably warm places in January, in the continental US, other than Key West.

abacomike

kyfdx said:

FL. Naples, Fort Myers, Miami, Fort Lauderdale are the only reliably warm places in January, in the continental US, other than Key West.

People need to understand that the suburban areas of Ft. Lauderdale (West and North), Boca Raton, Miami (South only) Ft. Myers, Naples, etc., are very nice places to live.

I never go south - I go west and north - to stay away from traffic and some neighborhoods. I live in far northern Broward County adjacent to the Florida Turnpike. If I was 20 years younger and could afford a house, I would move to Parkland, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, Wellington, and other areas nearby.

I would also consider Naples and suburban Ft. Myers.

As for climate, you are correct - South Florida is the only area in the country where you are sure to have a warmish climate during the winter months.

qbrozen

Low taxes exist elsewhere, too. And in warm places.