Options

Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

1240624072409241124123158

Comments

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,365
    lemko1968 said:

    driver100 said:

    lemko1968 said:


    Been away a long time. Just bought this Lexus ES350 last month.

    Very nice. There seems to be a trend for members here to buy white cars.
    It's a general trend....white is the #1 color.
    29% white, 19% black, 17% gray, and 11% silver.

    My wife’s car is white too! Hers is a 2016 Buick LaCrosse.
    That one doesn’t look like it eats much.🤓

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,681
    Aaaah. The beautiful pearl tricoat colors! Beautiful.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,681
    Did you get to keep the bow?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,681
    Before Christmas it was continual commercials for medicare supplement plans along with toyotathon and all the Christmas buy-a-car ads.

    Now it's commercials for those who missed the medicare signup deadline and for healthclub plans along with various divices and pills that will burn away all that extra fat I've put on. And car commercials.

    If I recall by end of January the tax preparer stores, some legitimate and others shady, start their heavy commercials to get people to use them.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,238
    stickguy said:

    for no particular reason, I watched a video on Youtube about new electricity generating methods (geothermal) which led to a bunch on battery and storage technology. There is all kinds of neat stuff going on in that field. If some of the real exciting stuff works out, there will be good options to store from renewable (solar or wind) and batteries with way more capacity. Exciting stuff.

    if batteries can get cheap while jacking up capacity, EVs really will take over (especially if the new tech allows for quicker recharging). And mass storage capacity certainly helps renewables.

    our local commuter train operation (also run the bridges, and must be hemorrhaging money right now with ridership down) recently put huge solar arrays in the station parking lots (side benefit, covered parking!). Considering the trains are electric, I imagine their utility bill was quite high. If they can get most of their power from the solar, should really be cost effective.

    That’s assuming that the solar panel energy is competitive with fossil. It’s getting better, up to 21% efficiency but I think natural gas is still cheaper for producing electricity.

    I designed my house to accept solar panels but back then the ROI just wasn’t there. In a few more years, who knows.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • omarmanomarman Member Posts: 2,702
    venture said:

    I don't know if the Steelers are ready for tomorrow night, but the rhino is:


    For anybody not watching the Steelers game, it's already 28 to 0 in the 1st quarter. New NFL record for post season game score. Btw it's Cleveland 28. :)
    A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    jmonroe1 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    driver100 said:

    lemko1968 said:


    Been away a long time. Just bought this Lexus ES350 last month.

    Very nice. There seems to be a trend for members here to buy white cars.
    It's a general trend....white is the #1 color.
    29% white, 19% black, 17% gray, and 11% silver.

    My wife’s car is white too! Hers is a 2016 Buick LaCrosse.
    That one doesn’t look like it eats much.🤓

    jmonroe
    I'll fix it for you "That one doesn’t look like it eats AS much."

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,321
    omarman said:


    For anybody not watching the Steelers game, it's already 28 to 0 in the 1st quarter. New NFL record for post season game score. Btw it's Cleveland 28. :)

    Yes, enjoyable game so far. Another half to go though.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    I still say the front end of a Lexus looks really nice if seen from the right angle.....should be about grill level;

    I saw a black one in my rear view mirror the other day and you could just see the chrome outline of the grill and that looked really nice.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111

    This is the car the Lexus replaced. It’s a 2007 Toyota Avalon Limited. It’s currently on the Lexus dealers’s pre-owned lot. It will be an excellent choice for whomever buys it as I babied this car. I have all the service records going back to the beginning. I hope whomever buys it treats it as well as I did.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    edited January 2021
    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,127
    @lemko ...so, the obvious (to me, anyway) question is how does the ES350 compare to your wife’s Buick? They sort of compete in the same space (or, they used to).
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    The Lexus has a lot of stuff my wife’s car doesn’t. Several years separate them, so that is to be expected. They took an hour to show me all the things the Lexus does, but I’ve got to figure them out on my own some time. They are roughly the same size and have similar engines: mine a 3.5 @ 302 hp hers a 3.6 @ 304 hp. My wife was joking that at a glance our cars now look alike.
  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    I wanted to get a Toyota Avalon Limited that matched my old car, but at that point, I was looking at $46K. Might as well go ahead and instead get a Lexus. We test drove an Avalon Limited with the 2.5 four and even my wife said it didn’t have the pep of my 2007 with the 3.5; that it seemed to struggle going uphill.
  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    This was a certified pre-owned 2017 LS460 we looked at. We both LOVED this car but I was ambivalent about spending $43K on a car four model years old and had 38K miles on it. We also looked at a GS350, but I didn’t like the way it drove. Seemed harsh and uncomfortable compared to my Avalon. At the last minute, the salesman showed us an ES350. I always thought of the ES as a glorified Camry, so I was skeptical, but politely tried it out. It just seemed right the second I sat behind the wheel as it felt just like my Avalon. I found out Lexus moved the ES to the Avalon platform in 2019. I even parked my old car next to it to compare and they are roughly the same size.
  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    Early in our car shopping adventure, we considered a Chrysler 300.
  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    edited January 2021

    The one that got away: a low-mileage certified 2018 Cadillac CT6. It was sold right before we got there.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    You likely would have found the CT6 too rough and sporty for you.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    Yeah they were late to the party with that and Bluetooth connectivity. They didn’t get that until the 08 refresh.

    My Avalon was an XLS with a few packages, essentially a base Limited without Smart Key. In hindsight wish I had sprung for the Limited.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,806
    Second COVID-19 vaccination is in the books!
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,519
    mjfloyd1 said:

    Second COVID-19 vaccination is in the books!

    AWESOME NEWS!

    My wife got her 1st this AM!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,450
    I got my name on the NJ list! I just don't want to know how far down on it I am.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,751
    stickguy said:

    I got my name on the NJ list! I just don't want to know how far down on it I am.

    I'm in 1-C designation for KY. (over 60, no health issues).

    I'm thinking June.. maybe, May with all the dilweeds declining. :o

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!

    Edmunds Moderator

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    ours are active as long as its free.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    I have 4 SIRIUS subscriptions, was 5 until I sold my truck.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    qbrozen said:

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    ours are active as long as its free.
    Same here. I can’t justify the expense for how often we drive. I know it can be had cheap if you call and haggle, but with all the other alternatives it’s not worth it.

    I just realized that with our AT&T plan we get a choice of service for free. Many of the offerings we already have so I think I’ll take Pandora Premium.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    tjc78 said:

    qbrozen said:

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    ours are active as long as its free.
    Same here. I can’t justify the expense for how often we drive. I know it can be had cheap if you call and haggle, but with all the other alternatives it’s not worth it.

    I just realized that with our AT&T plan we get a choice of service for free. Many of the offerings we already have so I think I’ll take Pandora Premium.
    yeah, we use Amazon Music Unlimited. Far far better than satellite, and we don't seem to pay for it, so far far cheaper, too. (don't tell anybody, but I have not seen us get billed for Prime in many years. maybe wife just hides it from me. and we joined up for music, which was supposed to go to [i think] $3-$4/mo after trial period, but that never happened as far as I know, either.) Only downside to our amazon music account is that it won't let us stream on multiple devices at once, but we very rarely run into a conflict, at which point I just switch to Pandora free account. The best part is streaming over all Alexa devices in the house at once, since it treats those as one.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 263,066
    We’ve allowed both satellite subscriptions to expire. Just don’t drive enough to justify it. Wife had been listening to HD radio when she drives the Outback.

    I put 300 miles on the Subaru in December.

    Edmunds Price Checker
    Edmunds Lease Calculator
    Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!


    MODERATOR

    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    My Cadillac DTS and my wife’s Buick has satellite radio active as well as my Lexus.

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    Among other things, I like listening to a person(DJ) which you don't get with other services.
    We also like that you can listen to particular games while driving long distance.
    It's less than $6 a month, so not at all expensive.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,321
    The business practices of Sirius XM ensure that I will never pay them even a dime ever again.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    lemko1968 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    My Cadillac DTS and my wife’s Buick has satellite radio active as well as my Lexus.

    Do you still have the Brougham?

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    tjc78 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    My Cadillac DTS and my wife’s Buick has satellite radio active as well as my Lexus.

    Do you still have the Brougham?
    Yes!


  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594


    Do you still have the Brougham?

    Yes


    How is that tank to drive? I like the styling and it looks beautiful, tank just refers to how big it looks. I am wondering about handling, cornering, steering etc.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,019
    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    My Cadillac DTS and my wife’s Buick has satellite radio active as well as my Lexus.

    Do you still have the Brougham?
    Yes!


    Awesome! Still looks great.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • lemko1968lemko1968 Member Posts: 111
    Actually it’s really nice and smooth to drive and delivers surprisingly good fuel economy but is hardly a hot rod as the 307 Olds V-8 only has 140hp. Kind of strange holding the skinny rim of the wheel compared to the fat steering wheel rims of today’s cars. I like looking out over that long hood using the wreath and crest to aim the car.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    driver100 said:




    How is that tank to drive? I like the styling and it looks beautiful, tank just refers to how big it looks. I am wondering about handling, cornering, steering etc.

    Do you ask those questions of a yacht captain?

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,450
    we still have XM active. I think about cancelling but never do, since get a pretty cheap deal each time. And now that only have one car, not really very expensive. I have Prime and Pandora (free) and likely something else I am forgetting. But, I find it easier to use the radio. Just starts up, can skip through preset stations, get MLB (when they play). I never usually take out my phone to start up carplay, and don't want to have to deal with starting a playlist over BT and having to use the phone to change it. I do like to scroll genres!

    and the wife would never figure all that, and just complain to me that "I" screwed up her music.

    we do stream sometimes on a trip (since she, or the kid, can run the controls) but around town, not worth the hassle. To me at least.

    Reminds me, later this month my plan expires. And I have a credit for the unused portion of the TLX. so I will be calling, looking for another 12 month cheapie plan.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,843
    qbrozen said:

    driver100 said:




    How is that tank to drive? I like the styling and it looks beautiful, tank just refers to how big it looks. I am wondering about handling, cornering, steering etc.

    Do you ask those questions of a yacht captain?
    Or the Titanic?
    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,238

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    I’ve owned two cars with satellite radio capability, three if you count my son’s. None of them activated beyond the trial period.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,238
    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    lemko1968 said:

    tjc78 said:

    That Avalon is similar to the 06 I had. Loved that car!

    Yours looked really nice, rare laser cruise option too.

    That Avalon had everything except satellite radio. At the time, Toyota didn’t think satellite radio would catch on. I liked to call it “the poor man’s Lexus.”
    I've always wondered what percentage of cars with satellite radios have them activated. The BMW is the first car we had with the satellite radio activated, we've had other cars with it but never had them activated.
    My Cadillac DTS and my wife’s Buick has satellite radio active as well as my Lexus.

    Do you still have the Brougham?
    Yes!


    That’s a beauty. What year is that? I bought a 93’ Deville for my son but it was a beater and the sub frame eventually rotted off.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,450
    good think XM came up. Made me login and check my account. Turns out I screwed up my renewal dates (the TLX was March). The RDX special expired mid-December, and I did not catch it, so paid a month at full rate. But, now back on the $60/year select plan special, and have reminder in my phone to call back the first week of January 2022. usually I catch it when I get notified about a charge to the CC, but since there was an account credit that did not happen. Sneaky, but now good for another year!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,365
    stickguy said:

    good think XM came up. Made me login and check my account. Turns out I screwed up my renewal dates (the TLX was March). The RDX special expired mid-December, and I did not catch it, so paid a month at full rate. But, now back on the $60/year select plan special, and have reminder in my phone to call back the first week of January 2022. usually I catch it when I get notified about a charge to the CC, but since there was an account credit that did not happen. Sneaky, but now good for another year!

    C’mon man, I thought we taught you not to EVER give them your CC number.😳

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,450
    I am not dealing with paying for invoices and mailing checks. Normally not an issue, because even if I miss the date, I get the notice from the CC company that a charge was made, so I call and complain and they reverse it and switch to the promo plan. Did not happen this time because I had a credit on the account, so it took the payment against that.

    but, I have a reminder in my phone and on my work calendar for next January. I actually got the reminder in December but ignored it, because I thought it was the old plan that I closed out (and just forgot to take reminder out of my phone).

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,766
    @jmonroe1,
    If you have good credit, it's not a problem.
    If you can't talk to someone on a phone, it's a problem.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
This discussion has been closed.