Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

henryn

jwm40517 said:

@henryn , my wife is returning from a week in Houston today. Unfortunately it was a week at M D Anderson Cancer center getting PET scans, CT scans, echo and X-rays, blood work and meeting with Radiologist and Oncologist.
She will be returning 3-21-22 to start 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. She has type C thymic carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer with a high rate of metastasis and rare with only 200 cases known per year. Had 4 1/2 hours of surgery last month to remove a large tumor on her thymus.

We saw the local Oncologist before we knew how rare it is and could ask if he had ever treated one. Thymic cancers were mentioned on the Anderson website as one they treated, so hopefully it is not their first rodeo in regard to that type of cancer.

Not a regular here, but talking to someone seemed to help before when she had breast cancer twice in 1996 and 2004. Now I have no blood relatives and my closer friends have died in recent years and no one to really talk with. Before,I knew it was important to be positive while around her and I did and will try to again. But privately I often soak a paper towel as a tissue is not enough even as I write this.

Her daughter went with her this week and will go back with her. They have booked a 2 bed, 2 bath Airbnb apartment with parking and a shuttle to treatment. They are driving back this trip . Her daughter works at local Markey Cancer Center, knows all the medical jargon and has up to 12 weeks of paid family leave . John

First let me say you have my sympathies and best wishes. Very trying times.

Secondly, MD Anderson Cancer Center is very highly regarded, and I’m sure your wife is getting the best possible treatment.

Third, Google maps says my house is exactly 2.5 miles and 8 minutes from MD Anderson Cancer Center. There are (so far) 4 brand new small but tall houses on my block, with more coming. The kind with two separate houses on one standard 1/5th acre lot, with about 18 inches in between the two houses. One of those houses is under a long term lease, and the other 3 are being rented out as AirBNB’s. I have often wondered how much of that rental activity is for the Medical Center.

There have been a number of big parties at one of those houses, one of the two directly across from me. Obviously that one is being rented as a “party house”, I don’t think anyone here for the Texas Medical Center would have a dozen cars parked up and down the street, and 20 young people in the driveway drinking and carousing. So far I have had no direct problems, but one of my neighbors called the police to have 2 cars towed out of his driveway.

jmonroe1

@jwm40517, you have my thoughts and prayers and I’m sure the same holds true for the others in here.

We’re all poster buddies and you’re welcome to join us anytime. Don’t be a stranger, talking can help.

We all wish your wife and you the best of luck.

jmonroe

carnaught

@jwm40517, I echo what others have said. We are an excellent sounding board for each other - take advantage of it. Stay positive for your wife - that is one of the things that will help her the most.

kyfdx

@henryn Look up the ABNB listing, and complain to corporate. Believe it or not, they are trying to kill the "party house" rentals. Couldn't hurt.

henryn

kyfdx said:

@henryn Look up the ABNB listing, and complain to corporate. Believe it or not, they are trying to kill the "party house" rentals. Couldn't hurt.

I'm not certain that it is AirBNB. There seems to be no way to actually look up an address on their web site. I know that it is temporary rentals of that sort, but there are apparently a number of outfits doing this sort of business, and no easy way to find out who you need to deal with.

I actually talked to the general contractor who originally built the 2 houses. He was here a few weeks back, as one of his crews was repairing some fairly serious damage done during a rental. I don't know the exact nature of the damage, but two men were over there working for about 3 days.

I wonder how much damage deposit they require?

laurasdada

Thoughts from New England, JWM.

PHEV notes: Filled the A7 with PUG before heading to SF, $3.60/gal. Two weeks later, filled it yesterday at Costco here, $4.49 PUG. For the 350 miles between fill ups, the mammoth hatch averaged ~42mpg.

Also, decided to do an all-electric drive the other day, good conditions to kill electrons (~60 degrees). I got the EPA estimated 24 miles of shock drive before the dead dinosaurs awoke.

And, the owners manual notes that I must service the A7e at an authorized Audi service center due to the complexity of the flux capacitor and Mr. Fusion drive. To avoid warranty issues...
So, first "Minor" service (1 year/10k miles) which is basically an oil change and inspections, will cost ~4x compared to a local place for the oil change/inspections. So, I plan to swallow my pride and take it to Audi Cape Cod and see how the service is. And, if available, try to eat $200 worth of snacks.

Buy stupid cars, pay stupid prices along the way.

snakeweasel

tjc78 said:

Cha Ching!

76 dollars? That's the spirit.

jmonroe1

snakeweasel said:

tjc78 said:

Cha Ching!

76 dollars? That's the spirit.

I’m going to need a LOT of spirit and money when I fill the Genny with PUG. I know it’s well over 5 bucks a gallon and I don’t want to know anymore than that.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

henryn said:

kyfdx said:

@henryn Look up the ABNB listing, and complain to corporate. Believe it or not, they are trying to kill the "party house" rentals. Couldn't hurt.

I'm not certain that it is AirBNB. There seems to be no way to actually look up an address on their web site. I know that it is temporary rentals of that sort, but there are apparently a number of outfits doing this sort of business, and no easy way to find out who you need to deal with.

I actually talked to the general contractor who originally built the 2 houses. He was here a few weeks back, as one of his crews was repairing some fairly serious damage done during a rental. I don't know the exact nature of the damage, but two men were over there working for about 3 days.

I wonder how much damage deposit they require?

Whatever it is, low life’s will be sure to get their money’s worth. I wonder what kind of recourse there is about that but I suspect none.

jmonroe

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

tjc78 said:

@jmonroe1 said:

Given that I’m in the flipping biz, I’d like these wild prices to continue for a while.

To make what could have been a very long story somewhat short, when Son #1 saw what a smaller 4 bedroom flip house down the street from our flip house sold for just before Christmas he said I’m going to list this house for 30K more than what I originally thought we’d get for this place. When I said, “aren’t you pushing it a bit too much”? He said, “I don’t think so. That house is almost 200 square feet smaller and it only has 2 1/2 baths. Our house has 3 1/2 baths (we put a full bath in the finished basement) AND we put in a second floor laundry closet. Women will flip over that alone”. Guess what? We got 1 grand less than his cock-a-mayme price. Once again, if you don’t ask you don’t get.

This past weekend the young couple that lives next door came over to see the house while we were doing some last minute touch up work. They said they looked at that house down the street when they had an open house for it and said it’s looks good in the pics they saw online (don’t they always?) but the workmanship didn’t compare to our flip. My Son said, “that’s the nitch we want to fill because we think there are people out there willing to spend more for a quality flip house. So far it’s working but we both agree it takes too long for us to flip our houses.

We gotta pull the trigger faster on our pneumatic nailers maybe that’ll do it.

jmonroe

I think I mentioned before when were in the process of wrapping up work on flip #2, a couple of realtors who heard about our house asked if they could come in to look at it. My Son told them that we were already working with a realtor but they wanted to see the house anyway. After giving the house a through look they both said, “if you guys keep doing work like this you’re going to give flippers a good name. Don’t worry you’ll get your price and if your realtor can’t get it for you I will”. We heard that from two different realtors so we know we’re doing it right. But like I said we gotta move a little faster.

jmonroe

#1. Don't trust real estate people....they are checking up on the house a) in case they can grab it to list it themselves b) or so they can mention it to a potential buyer, and the compliments could be honest, but then again.....they are trying to win you over....but, I am sure it is a fine house and top quality work.

#2 What I am wondering is if you should be buying a house to work on or if you should see if the market falls back. I have seen guys have a good run, and then get caught in a down market once prices level off.

btw, the place in Tampa area has doubled in 10 years.....not that I am a genius, just bought at a good time and Florida is booming with more people....not a good thing in many ways.

Rental prices have jumped 30% in Florida in the last year. Large companies are paying cash and buying up whatever they can....paying over listing price and controlling the market. They can pay more and write it off as an expense.

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

snakeweasel said:

tjc78 said:

Cha Ching!

76 dollars? That's the spirit.

I’m going to need a LOT of spirit and money when I fill the Genny with PUG. I know it’s well over 5 bucks a gallon and I don’t want to know anymore than that.

jmonroe

For the miles you do it shouldn't put a big dent in your pocketbook....and maybe you can use Mrs JM's Subie more often, assume it uses RUG.

snakeweasel

@jmonroe1 said:
Hey, I just thought of this. Do you think Zillow knows about that cantankerous squirrel that’s been terrorizing your patio? That has to be it.

jmonroe

You mean this guy who is currently sunning himself on my grill?

oldfarmer50

jwm40517 said:

@henryn , my wife is returning from a week in Houston today. Unfortunately it was a week at M D Anderson Cancer center getting PET scans, CT scans, echo and X-rays, blood work and meeting with Radiologist and Oncologist.
She will be returning 3-21-22 to start 6 weeks of radiation and chemo. She has type C thymic carcinoma, a very aggressive cancer with a high rate of metastasis and rare with only 200 cases known per year. Had 4 1/2 hours of surgery last month to remove a large tumor on her thymus.

We saw the local Oncologist before we knew how rare it is and could ask if he had ever treated one. Thymic cancers were mentioned on the Anderson website as one they treated, so hopefully it is not their first rodeo in regard to that type of cancer.

Not a regular here, but talking to someone seemed to help before when she had breast cancer twice in 1996 and 2004. Now I have no blood relatives and my closer friends have died in recent years and no one to really talk with. Before,I knew it was important to be positive while around her and I did and will try to again. But privately I often soak a paper towel as a tissue is not enough even as I write this.

Her daughter went with her this week and will go back with her. They have booked a 2 bed, 2 bath Airbnb apartment with parking and a shuttle to treatment. They are driving back this trip . Her daughter works at local Markey Cancer Center, knows all the medical jargon and has up to 12 weeks of paid family leave . John

Sorry your family has to go through this.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

jmonroe1 said:

tjc78 said:

@jmonroe1 said:

Given that I’m in the flipping biz, I’d like these wild prices to continue for a while.

To make what could have been a very long story somewhat short, when Son #1 saw what a smaller 4 bedroom flip house down the street from our flip house sold for just before Christmas he said I’m going to list this house for 30K more than what I originally thought we’d get for this place. When I said, “aren’t you pushing it a bit too much”? He said, “I don’t think so. That house is almost 200 square feet smaller and it only has 2 1/2 baths. Our house has 3 1/2 baths (we put a full bath in the finished basement) AND we put in a second floor laundry closet. Women will flip over that alone”. Guess what? We got 1 grand less than his cock-a-mayme price. Once again, if you don’t ask you don’t get.

This past weekend the young couple that lives next door came over to see the house while we were doing some last minute touch up work. They said they looked at that house down the street when they had an open house for it and said it’s looks good in the pics they saw online (don’t they always?) but the workmanship didn’t compare to our flip. My Son said, “that’s the nitch we want to fill because we think there are people out there willing to spend more for a quality flip house. So far it’s working but we both agree it takes too long for us to flip our houses.

We gotta pull the trigger faster on our pneumatic nailers maybe that’ll do it.

jmonroe

I think I mentioned before when were in the process of wrapping up work on flip #2, a couple of realtors who heard about our house asked if they could come in to look at it. My Son told them that we were already working with a realtor but they wanted to see the house anyway. After giving the house a through look they both said, “if you guys keep doing work like this you’re going to give flippers a good name. Don’t worry you’ll get your price and if your realtor can’t get it for you I will”. We heard that from two different realtors so we know we’re doing it right. But like I said we gotta move a little faster.

jmonroe

#1. Don't trust real estate people....they are checking up on the house a) in case they can grab it to list it themselves b) or so they can mention it to a potential buyer, and the compliments could be honest, but then again.....they are trying to win you over....but, I am sure it is a fine house and top quality work.

#2 What I am wondering is if you should be buying a house to work on or if you should see if the market falls back. I have seen guys have a good run, and then get caught in a down market once prices level off.

btw, the place in Tampa area has doubled in 10 years.....not that I am a genius, just bought at a good time and Florida is booming with more people....not a good thing in many ways.

Rental prices have jumped 30% in Florida in the last year. Large companies are paying cash and buying up whatever they can....paying over listing price and controlling the market. They can pay more and write it off as an expense.

I know enough about real estate to know the name of the game is listings. While the listing agent wants to sell their listings they will get something regardless of who sells their listing.

I was told by 2 people who listed their house a couple years ago that because the listing agents didn’t have any buyers, at the time in the price range of their houses, the listing agents were stalling other agents about when they could get in to show their houses. One went so far as to tell others agents the house was already sold just to keep stalling other agents. One of those agents called one of the buyers to see if they were under agreement because she didn’t trust the listing agent. As you can imagine there was a big to do about that and I’ve come to learn that is not unheard of. And you thought car dealers were snakes. Real estate is right up there with them.

We know we bought flip #4 at a good price even in this crazy market. It’s a starter size home and my Son thinks dollar for dollar that is the best way to go. Flip #3 is a more upscale 2 story 4 bedroom larger house and it takes more work because of that. I’m all for smaller ranch homes. Much less running up and down steps and we call yell to each other rather than having to use our cell phones so much. Yeah, my flipping career will last longer in ranch houses.

jmonroe

explorerx4

@jwm40517 ,
Sorry for the tough news about your wife.
Her attitude is important. Of course, the treatment is too.

jmonroe1

snakeweasel said:

@jmonroe1 said:

Hey, I just thought of this. Do you think Zillow knows about that cantankerous squirrel that’s been terrorizing your patio? That has to be it.

jmonroe

You mean this guy who is currently sunning himself on my grill?

Squirrels ain’t dumb. They know it’s much warmer on that black grill cover than jumping in the lake behind your house.

jmonroe

explorerx4

Squirrel: It's been a long winter and I need some grilled acorns.

fintail

You might be one of what has to be a very few good flippers, taking the work personally. A lot of stuff in my area looks kind of slapdash, and sometimes the houses re-enter the market awfully quickly (8-12 weeks after closing).

My mom bought a house last summer, and looked at a couple flips. One was so sketchy my brother turned around and walked out, effectively told her no way in hell. I remember that one had a large mirror above a toilet, weird place, you could see uneven workmanship and possible roof issues in the listing photos.

jmonroe1 said:

tjc78 said:

@jmonroe1 said:

Given that I’m in the flipping biz, I’d like these wild prices to continue for a while.

To make what could have been a very long story somewhat short, when Son #1 saw what a smaller 4 bedroom flip house down the street from our flip house sold for just before Christmas he said I’m going to list this house for 30K more than what I originally thought we’d get for this place. When I said, “aren’t you pushing it a bit too much”? He said, “I don’t think so. That house is almost 200 square feet smaller and it only has 2 1/2 baths. Our house has 3 1/2 baths (we put a full bath in the finished basement) AND we put in a second floor laundry closet. Women will flip over that alone”. Guess what? We got 1 grand less than his cock-a-mayme price. Once again, if you don’t ask you don’t get.

This past weekend the young couple that lives next door came over to see the house while we were doing some last minute touch up work. They said they looked at that house down the street when they had an open house for it and said it’s looks good in the pics they saw online (don’t they always?) but the workmanship didn’t compare to our flip. My Son said, “that’s the nitch we want to fill because we think there are people out there willing to spend more for a quality flip house. So far it’s working but we both agree it takes too long for us to flip our houses.

We gotta pull the trigger faster on our pneumatic nailers maybe that’ll do it.

jmonroe

If it takes a little longer, but you are turning a higher profit it is worth it in the end.

It also takes much longer to get permits these days so I’m sure that is slowing you down (if you even need permits for the work you are doing)

We don’t need permits but we have to get the work inspected. The plumbing inspector for the county is ridiculous. On the house we just flipped he failed the plumbing inspection because the water heater temp has to be within the range of 130 F to 140 F. Our water heater measured 142.5 F. Had to call him out again. Of course we had to pay again for that. Racket?

As for getting more even though it takes longer, I think we can cut down our flipping time better than we have. However, we will not cut corners to do that.

I think I mentioned before when were in the process of wrapping up work on flip #2, a couple of realtors who heard about our house asked if they could come in to look at it. My Son told them that we were already working with a realtor but they wanted to see the house anyway. After giving the house a through look they both said, “if you guys keep doing work like this you’re going to give flippers a good name. Don’t worry you’ll get your price and if your realtor can’t get it for you I will”. We heard that from two different realtors so we know we’re doing it right. But like I said we gotta move a little faster.

jmonroe

jwm40517

Thanks everyone for the caring thoughts.

snakeweasel

jwm40517 said:

Thanks everyone for the caring thoughts.

jwm add my thoughts and prayers to those. Hope that all goes well and you will always have friends here.

snakeweasel

Well I am working in the tax office today and I actually saved someone's life. I restrained myself.

I thought I was dealing with jmonroe.

"what do you mean I can't deduct that?"

"You cant because it's not allowed"

"I deducted it last year"

"No you didn't"

"Yes I did"

"I am looking at your last years tax return and no you didn't"

And that was the sanest part of the conversation.

ab348

fintail said:

You might be one of what has to be a very few good flippers, taking the work personally. A lot of stuff in my area looks kind of slapdash, and sometimes the houses re-enter the market awfully quickly (8-12 weeks after closing).

My mom bought a house last summer, and looked at a couple flips. One was so sketchy my brother turned around and walked out, effectively told her no way in hell. I remember that one had a large mirror above a toilet, weird place, you could see uneven workmanship and possible roof issues in the listing photos.

A few years ago when This Old House did an abandoned house in Detroit I looked at other abandoned ones that were available through the city, and also at listings of supposedly “fully renovated” ones, just for my amusement. The abandoned properties were as horrific as you might imagine, but the renovated ones were horrible in a different way. Most looked like quickie jobs done by people who had watched too many flip shows on HGTV. Cheap finishes, cheap flooring, bad color choices, all original architectural detail lost. A shame.

stickguy

Need Nicole Curtis to do the rehab if you want one in Detroit.

explorerx4

Just remember to have the city kick in 500k to help the reno along.
You have to flip houses there quickly because it will get gutted if it's under construction too long.

driver100

snakeweasel said:

"I am looking at your last years tax return and no you didn't"

And that was the sanest part of the conversation.

I had similar experiences t when I managed a bookstore.

Customer: I just saw Dr Watson on Oprah and I want a copy of the Cabbage Diet Book.
Me: Here it is, it is $30
Customer: But I am sure it is in paperback......they said that, it should be $5.
Me: Well, it's a new release, those are almost always in hardcover first, then it is released in paperback, usually a year later or when everyone realizes it doesn't work and they have to sell them off really cheap.
Customer: But I am sure they said it was available in paperback.
Me:, If you find one let me know where you got it.

qbrozen

@snakeweasel said:
Well I am working in the tax office today and I actually saved someone's life. I restrained myself.

I thought I was dealing with jmonroe.

"what do you mean I can't deduct that?"

"You cant because it's not allowed"

"I deducted it last year"

"No you didn't"

"Yes I did"

"I am looking at your last years tax return and no you didn't"

And that was the sanest part of the conversation.

So what was it? Don’t leave us hanging.

fintail

I'll guess - grey LVP, removed walls for an "open" floorplan (maybe not with structural compensation), endless gallons of grey or bright white paint, subway tile, black fixtures, sliding barn/garage style doors, maybe a room with white vertical paneling, "modern" house numbers.

ab348 said:

fintail said:

You might be one of what has to be a very few good flippers, taking the work personally. A lot of stuff in my area looks kind of slapdash, and sometimes the houses re-enter the market awfully quickly (8-12 weeks after closing).

My mom bought a house last summer, and looked at a couple flips. One was so sketchy my brother turned around and walked out, effectively told her no way in hell. I remember that one had a large mirror above a toilet, weird place, you could see uneven workmanship and possible roof issues in the listing photos.

A few years ago when This Old House did an abandoned house in Detroit I looked at other abandoned ones that were available through the city, and also at listings of supposedly “fully renovated” ones, just for my amusement. The abandoned properties were as horrific as you might imagine, but the renovated ones were horrible in a different way. Most looked like quickie jobs done by people who had watched too many flip shows on HGTV. Cheap finishes, cheap flooring, bad color choices, all original architectural detail lost. A shame.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

@snakeweasel said:

Well I am working in the tax office today and I actually saved someone's life. I restrained myself.

I thought I was dealing with jmonroe.

"what do you mean I can't deduct that?"

"You cant because it's not allowed"

"I deducted it last year"

"No you didn't"

"Yes I did"

"I am looking at your last years tax return and no you didn't"

And that was the sanest part of the conversation.

So what was it? Don’t leave us hanging.

Since I’ve gotten a message from a Chicago area code and I don’t know anyone there the only explanation is that @snakeweasel gave the guy my number. I’m pretty sure I can help him.

jmonroe

stickguy

Maverick went snowmobiling today. Somehow I ended up driving 30 miles to the boonies in the middle of a storm to visit family today. Roads ranged from marginal to horrid. But even with FWD and all season tires it made it. A couple unplowed hills took some spinning of wheels to get up but nothing terrible . Generally tracked quite well and no issues with 3-4 inches on the driveway. Ground clearance helped. Very stable. I imagine would be excellent with real snow tires.

abacomike

@carnaught said:
@jwm40517, I echo what others have said. We are an excellent sounding board for each other - take advantage of it. Stay positive for your wife - that is one of the things that will help her the most.

Jwm40517, my sincerest hopes and prayers for your wife and you and your entire family. Cancer is a frightening enemy of the human body and affects not only the patient but the entire family.

I am a liver cancer survivor and can empathize with you and your family. I pray that God’s hand guides the chemo and the radiation beams to eradicate this villain from your wife’s body. Be well, Jwm!

abacomike

Filled up tank at Costco yesterday morning - $4.28 for RUG and $4.49 for PUG. At these prices, the Costco membership fee pays for itself in just 3-4 months just buying gasoline when you realize Costco prices are about 40 cents a gallon lower than most Top Tier stations.

ab348

fintail said:

I'll guess - grey LVP, removed walls for an "open" floorplan (maybe not with structural compensation), endless gallons of grey or bright white paint, subway tile, black fixtures, sliding barn/garage style doors, maybe a room with white vertical paneling, "modern" house numbers.

You nailed it (probably better than some of the nailing in those renos).

snakeweasel

The Costco near me is only a few cents cheaper for RUG. For PUG there is a significant savings. If you use mid-range well your out of luck.

abacomike

@snakeweasel said:
The Costco near me is only a few cents cheaper for RUG. For PUG there is a significant savings. If you use mid-range well your out of luck.

With my 3.3 L V6 twin turbo engine, PUG is all I fill up with. Mid-grade gasoline does provide the minimum octane rating (89) for this engine according to my owner’s manual. I have tried mid-grade but my fuel economy is negatively affected. It delivers 365 hp with 375 torque. For optimum performance, they recommend PUG.

sda

PUG only for the Q5, I alternate between PUG and mid-grade in the TL and it seems to do fine, RUG in the Passat as that is what is listed on the fuel door.

oldfarmer50

I just realized, I’ve got two cars in storage with cheap fuel from last fall. Maybe I should siphon it all out and sell it on the street corner to the highest bidder.

My only concern is the possibility of dying of boredom if I have to keep driving only my winter cars.

tjc78

Both our T6 Volvos require 91 and recommend 93. I run 91 and they are fine. I found a receipt in the car and the wife put regular 87 in at least once and the car adjusted to it without any noticeable issues.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Both our T6 Volvos require 91 and recommend 93. I run 91 and they are fine. I found a receipt in the car and the wife put regular 87 in at least once and the car adjusted to it without any noticeable issues.

Wives are invaluable partners. They can teach us some things that left to our own knowledge would scare the hell out of us.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

oldfarmer50 said:

I just realized, I’ve got two cars in storage with cheap fuel from last fall. Maybe I should siphon it all out and sell it on the street corner to the highest bidder.

My only concern is the possibility of dying of boredom if I have to keep driving only my winter cars.

I was thinking of that myself. I have the bike filled up and a full gas can for the snow blower and mower. But combined they would be just under 4.5 gallons so it wouldn't amount to much.

And yes, I would have to refill the bike to avoid death by boredom.

Michaell

Mid grade for the Subie (which is 87 here in CO) and PUG for Beckham the MINI (91 octane)

qbrozen

Mid grade never makes sense to me, at least at the stations I frequent, because it is usually a big relative jump in cost for those first 2 octane and then a jump that is maybe half or less than that for the final 2. Kind of like how getting a large drink is so much cheaper on a per-oz basis that you might as well get it.

abacomike

If anyone is watching The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach on NBC, my twin brother lives 4 miles from there in Ponte Vedra. He’s at TPC Sawgrass right now as a guest of one of the members of the club.

carnaught

Paid $4.499 for RUG at Wally World today. I saw that some stickers placed on the pumps had been removed, lol.

henryn

qbrozen said:

Mid grade never makes sense to me, at least at the stations I frequent, because it is usually a big relative jump in cost for those first 2 octane and then a jump that is maybe half or less than that for the final 2. Kind of like how getting a large drink is so much cheaper on a per-oz basis that you might as well get it.

I think it's just a case of "because they can". The stations have 2 tanks, regular and premium, and they simply mix the 2 to get the mid grade. Thus they don't really care whether they sell any mid grade, as it costs them nothing to make it available.

imidazol97

Midgrade here was a mix of 2 parts regular and 1 part premium long ago when the mechanical pumps had readout dials on each pump to audit the sales. I would watch the gallons go up on each of the supply lines to get that ration. So the price was halfway between regular and premium for midgrade even though you were 1/3 premium instead of 1/2 premium.

stickguy

got home to sunny South Jersey today. Maverick probably weighs about 10 pounds more from all the salt on it. Looks silver instead of dark gray. Got salt spray on the roof. it is disgusting. Going up close to 60 tomorrow so I will be blocking off a "meeting" on the calendar for a couple hours to clean it up good.

insides too. Good thing I got the nice all weather mats because they are filthy, and caught a lot of water off shoes. so those getting pulled out too.

topped 1,200 miles on the way home. Now fully broken in, so I can romp on it or tow if I feel like it!

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
got home to sunny South Jersey today. Maverick probably weighs about 10 pounds more from all the salt on it. Looks silver instead of dark gray. Got salt spray on the roof. it is disgusting. Going up close to 60 tomorrow so I will be blocking off a "meeting" on the calendar for a couple hours to clean it up good.

insides too. Good thing I got the nice all weather mats because they are filthy, and caught a lot of water off shoes. so those getting pulled out too.

topped 1,200 miles on the way home. Now fully broken in, so I can romp on it or tow if I feel like it!

Give us a before and after pic so we can see how well it cleaned up.

Remember, it didn’t happen unless we see the results.

jmonroe

stickguy

will do!

laurasdada

Went to get the A7 washed yesterday, "Laser" wash type. Not great, but just wanted the salt and grime off. But, the big news is that as I was exiting to make a left onto a busy-ish main road here, the cars on the road, both to my left and right, stopped to allow me to cross the road and continue on my way! Bought a tear to my eye, a big smile and wave to both kind persons.

driver100

laurasdada said:

Went to get the A7 washed yesterday, "Laser" wash type. Not great, but just wanted the salt and grime off. But, the big news is that as I was exiting to make a left onto a busy-ish main road here, the cars on the road, both to my left and right, stopped to allow me to cross the road and continue on my way! Bought a tear to my eye, a big smile and wave to both kind persons.

That would never happen in the Tampa area. I was in the right lane stopped for a red light, so the driver on a side street could come out and turn left in front of me. It took a lot of cars for someone in the left lane to see his predicament and let him through. The others saw him but it didn't dawn on them to let the poor guy in.