Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

roadburner

jipster said:

My daughter briefly entered the new car market. She asked me how to negotiate a car deal.

She really likes the new Ford Bronco. Baby Bronco not big enough in cargo area for her 2 dogs. The full sized Bronco priced priced a bit high. Was also considering Hyundai Santa Fe, a few others.

Bill Collins Ford method of buying a Bronco: come in to showroom, pick the photo of the Bronco you want off a photo lineup on the wall, and leave a $500 deposit. Wait till the Bronco arrives in 2 or 3 months. But, they said they are not charging above MSRP. So don't think the "Jipst Method of New Car Buying", would work with the Bronco...or really any new car.

Used cars prices literally almost as much as new. So, she decided to wait till China ships

a few more of those delicious computer chips to the auto industry. Stay tuned.

I'd say the delivery date is questionable; a few weeks ago a Bill Collins sales kid told me that the wait on a new Bronco was nine months(although my wife thinks that he was lying through his teeth in order to get me to buy one that was already on the ground). Plus, they install that beyond moronic Pulse CHMSL flasher on all their cars. To mitigate their idiocy, find a Ford employee to give you a PIN and at least get an X-Plan price. And DEMAND that they leave that Pulse nonsense off- you don't want some half-trained knucklehead hacking into the electrical harness with Scotchlok connectors.

snakeweasel

roadburner said:

jipster said:

My daughter briefly entered the new car market. She asked me how to negotiate a car deal.

She really likes the new Ford Bronco. Baby Bronco not big enough in cargo area for her 2 dogs. The full sized Bronco priced priced a bit high. Was also considering Hyundai Santa Fe, a few others.

Bill Collins Ford method of buying a Bronco: come in to showroom, pick the photo of the Bronco you want off a photo lineup on the wall, and leave a $500 deposit. Wait till the Bronco arrives in 2 or 3 months. But, they said they are not charging above MSRP. So don't think the "Jipst Method of New Car Buying", would work with the Bronco...or really any new car.

Used cars prices literally almost as much as new. So, she decided to wait till China ships

a few more of those delicious computer chips to the auto industry. Stay tuned.

I'd say the delivery date is questionable; a few weeks ago a Bill Collins sales kid told me that the wait on a new Bronco was nine months(although my wife thinks that he was lying through his teeth in order to get me to buy one that was already on the ground). Plus, they install that beyond moronic Pulse CHMSL flasher on all their cars. To mitigate their idiocy, find a Ford employee to give you a PIN and at least get an X-Plan price. And DEMAND that they leave that Pulse nonsense off- you don't want some half-trained knucklehead hacking into the electrical harness with Scotchlok connectors.

Yep having someone hack into the electrical system is not good. Plus I do believe that installing those things are illegal as all heck.

jipster

@roadburner said:
I'd say the delivery date is questionable; a few weeks ago a Bill Collins sales kid told me that the wait on a new Bronco was nine months(although my wife thinks that he was lying through his teeth in order to get me to buy one that was already on the ground). Plus, they install that beyond moronic Pulse CHMSL flasher on all their cars. To mitigate their idiocy, find a Ford employee to give you a PIN and at least get an X-Plan price. And DEMAND that they leave that Pulse nonsense off- you don't want some half-trained knucklehead hacking into the electrical harness with Scotchlok connectors.

Brother-in-law would be able to get my daughter the X-plan, which I believe is invoice plus a $275 dealers fee. A Bill Collins Ford sales lady told me X-plan not offered on floor stock, only on vehicles ordered, which wouldn't be bad if you can wait 3-9 months for a new car. Based on photos, the new Bronco is a fairly sharp looking suv.

roadburner

Sales kid told me the same thing, that's why my bride thought he was lying about a nine month wait. Me, I'll either keep my 1999 Wrangler TJ or eventually pick up a two door JL.

explorerx4

Dealers are not required to accept X Plan and many won't do it on a hot vehicle like a Bronco.
You might get lucky.

laurasdada

sda said:

laurasdada said:

Tales from Electric Audiland: One year "minor" service and state inspection for the A7 PHEV today. Decided to cross the bridge and use Audi of Cape Cod in Hyannis. Nice dealership, not much in the way of new cars to be had. Cape is nice, pre-throngs of touristas on the horizon.
Left with a full tank of electrons, travelled just over 29 miles before the dead dino's woke up. I think that's a record, and 20% more than the EPA estimate. I had to work while waiting, but once done I plugged in at their free chargers and walked to Wendy's to dine. Came back to 1/2 full nuke tank; hit the road.
Just up the road, decided to do some shopping at the Mall of Cape Cod, a very nice mall for those into malls. EVGO fast chargers, which ain't cheap afaik. But, a few rows away, Volta free electricity! After dropping a few $ inside, I returned to a fully excited battery. 25+ miles of juice before Dino started barking.
So, there are charging stations to be found, and some still free. Merci, MOCC.
All was well with the A7, washed and vacuumed. But, as a test, I left all the fingerprints on the touchscreen. Epic failure, they were not wiped away. I shall do so with pride. And frustration at the constant cleaning required to keep a clean screen!

I keep a microfiber cloth in the glove box and use it frequently to erase finger prints on the screen and black piano trim. Another reason I’m not a total fan of touch screens.

The A7 came with an (overpriced, of course) vehicle protection package, including a (suede? Don't think it's microfiber?) cloth specifically for cleaning the screens. It works well.

laurasdada

kyfdx said:

I can't read "Hyannis" without humming Boston tunes.

Brought you back to your dancing in the streets days, huh?

kyfdx

laurasdada said:

kyfdx said:

I can't read "Hyannis" without humming Boston tunes.

Brought you back to your dancing in the streets days, huh?

Yup

venture

I made a pastrami sandwich for lunch today. I noticed, on the package, that it costs $17.29 a pound. No wonder Mrs. Venture was in a bad mood on Sunday.

In related news - It's hard to buy good horseradish. You know; the kind that makes the snot run out of your eyes. You can put a lot on for the flavor, but there's no kick to it.

jmonroe1

venture said:

I made a pastrami sandwich for lunch today. I noticed, on the package, that it costs $17.29 a pound. No wonder Mrs. Venture was in a bad mood on Sunday.

In related news - It's hard to buy good horseradish. You know; the kind that makes the snot run out of your eyes. You can put a lot on for the flavor, but there's no kick to it.

My Father liked horseradish and when I was a kid (around 4 or 5) I remember him grating his own with an old fashioned hand grater. That stuff was so strong I could barely get closer than 3 feet away while he was grating it. Yeah, it made my eyes tear and my nose run. He allowed me to taste the smallest bit of it when he was finished. Wow, I think it even hurt my ears.

There is a local place here in the Burgh, B-L Company, used to be B&L that makes horseradish. Their “extra hot” style is pretty hot compared to their regular stuff and any other brand I’ve tasted but it’s almost like candy compared to what my Dad made. His stuff would be illegal for sale today. Yeah, that tear is very fitting for this discussion.

jmonroe

tjc78

@venture said:
I made a pastrami sandwich for lunch today. I noticed, on the package, that it costs $17.29 a pound. No wonder Mrs. Venture was in a bad mood on Sunday.

In related news - It's hard to buy good horseradish. You know; the kind that makes the snot run out of your eyes. You can put a lot on for the flavor, but there's no kick to it.

Can’t get Kelchner’s where you live? It usually has some good heat/kick.

stickguy

My wife makes her own for the holidays. Cleans out your sinuses nicely.

kyfdx

I've noticed that pre-packaged turkey is up to $10/lb.

I'd gladly pay the extra for good pastrami.

ab348

Some sad news for fans of the TV show Motorweek; Pat Goss died over the weekend:

https://wtop.com/local/2022/03/dc-area-car-guru-pat-goss-dies/

carnaught

Shame about Pat Goss - RIP.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

My wife makes her own for the holidays. Cleans out your sinuses nicely.

That reminds me of seeing Buddy Hackett on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show a long time ago when he referred to horseradish as Jewish Dristran.

jmonroe

venture

tjc78 said:

@venture said:

I made a pastrami sandwich for lunch today. I noticed, on the package, that it costs $17.29 a pound. No wonder Mrs. Venture was in a bad mood on Sunday.

In related news - It's hard to buy good horseradish. You know; the kind that makes the snot run out of your eyes. You can put a lot on for the flavor, but there's no kick to it.

Can’t get Kelchner’s where you live? It usually has some good heat/kick.

I'll try to remember that. This stuff I have now I got at a butcher shop. You would think they would've known. I even asked. It is going in the trash. I ate about half the jar.

venture

kyfdx said:

I've noticed that pre-packaged turkey is up to $10/lb.

I'd gladly pay the extra for good pastrami.

This isn't that good. It's OK, but for over $17 a pound it should be excellent. They also sliced it in about 1/8" thick slices.

stickguy

Find a polish deli for hopefully real horseradish. Or make your own. It’s really easy. And fresh!

We get pastrami from the deli at BJs. Last weekend it was $8.99/#. And it’s very good.

tjc78

@venture said:
I'll try to remember that. This stuff I have now I got at a butcher shop. You would think they would've known. I even asked. It is going in the trash. I ate about half the jar.

It’s usually in the seafood section in our markets.

stickguy

I did not realize it was such a problem finding it. Need to have my wife start producing in volume. Maybe she can make enough so that I can retire!

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I did not realize it was such a problem finding it. Need to have my wife start producing in volume. Maybe she can make enough so that I can retire!

The Ukrainians in my wife’s family made it every Easter. Would blow the top of your head off.

abacomike

@stickguy said:
Find a polish deli for hopefully real horseradish. Or make your own. It’s really easy. And fresh!

We get pastrami from the deli at BJs. Last weekend it was $8.99/#. And it’s very good.

When I first moved to Florida, there were many restaurants that served New York style pastrami and corned beef, but many of those restaurants have closed for various reasons. There are still a few here in North Broward and South Palm Beach Counties.

Their mustards were all made locally which varied from restaurant to restaurant. Nothing like a hot pastrami or corned beef sandwich on rye with some horseradish mustard. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!!! 🤪😜🤓

stickguy

I put mustard on everything. and love horseradish mustard.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

I put mustard on everything. and love horseradish mustard.

Are you telling us you put mustard on hot dogs instead of ketchup?

jmonroe

venture

I filed my tax return electronically on 3-17. My tiny refund is pending in my checking account and will be deposited on 3-25. Wow.

tjc78

@jmonroe1 said:
Are you telling us you put mustard on hot dogs instead of ketchup?

jmonroe

We all need to normalize ketchup on a hot dog. Not that I don’t like some spicy brown mustard but ketchup is the best.

Yeah yeah … I know it’s sacrilege especially in Pittsburg

driver100

I don't know why, but I love this commercial...bmwi
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDwN4CPRS3Q

explorerx4

Ketchup on a hot dog? Yuck.

ab348

tjc78 said:

We all need to normalize ketchup on a hot dog. Not that I don’t like some spicy brown mustard but ketchup is the best.

Yeah yeah … I know it’s sacrilege especially in Pittsburg

Philistine!

Ketchup has no place on a hot dog.

stickguy

Ketchup on a hot dog? Philistines. You should all be sent to rehab.

I put mustard on everything that requires a condiment. And some things that don’t.

I find ketchup to be nasty gross stuff. Can’t eat it on anything. Watery salty tomato sauce. Yuck

abacomike

@tjc78 said:

@jmonroe1 said:
Are you telling us you put mustard on hot dogs instead of ketchup?

jmonroe

We all need to normalize ketchup on a hot dog. Not that I don’t like some spicy brown mustard but ketchup is the best.

Yeah yeah … I know it’s sacrilege especially in Pittsburg

It’s sacrilege in 48 of the 50 States - I just forgot which 2 States prefer ketchup!!!🤪😜🤓

Michaell

venture said:

I filed my tax return electronically on 3-17. My tiny refund is pending in my checking account and will be deposited on 3-25. Wow.

I think my mom's tax refunds were handled just as quickly, my sister tells me. Learned a lot about tax deductions for rental properties, and my mom got back a huge amount this year.

We've adjusted her deductions through my late father's pension to shave that down a bit so she gets more each month in her pension checks.

28firefighter

What is a tax refund? Sigh.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

What is a tax refund? Sigh.

Just takes proper planning..

tjc78

@stickguy said:
Ketchup on a hot dog? Philistines. You should all be sent to rehab.

I put mustard on everything that requires a condiment. And some things that don’t.

I find ketchup to be nasty gross stuff. Can’t eat it on anything. Watery salty tomato sauce. Yuck

I thought my wife was the only person who doesn’t like ketchup.

explorerx4

Accountant e-filed on March 8. We got state refund on the 12th and fed on the 16th.

carnaught

How about ketchup on scrambled eggs? Yuck.

henryn

I’m repairing a section of the wood fence in my back yard. I did the left and right sides, and half of the back about 5 years ago. This one stretch was in pretty good shape, so I left it alone at that time. Now 2 of the posts have rotted and broken, so here we go. The price of lumber is a lot higher now. The cedar fence pickets are about 50% more, the pressure treated posts are twice as much, and the pressure treated 2x4’s are 3 times as expensive. I just spent $300 at Home Depot for materials to rebuild about 20 feet of fence.

laurasdada

Probably no fed refund, due to interest income that I'm paying for my kid's life insurance payout and RMD on inherited IRA for '21. A7 PHEV credit is saving grace, but that's not applicable to state, so I'm dreading filing in MA.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

@jmonroe1 said:

Are you telling us you put mustard on hot dogs instead of ketchup?

jmonroe

We all need to normalize ketchup on a hot dog. Not that I don’t like some spicy brown mustard but ketchup is the best.

Yeah yeah … I know it’s sacrilege especially in Pittsburg

I thought it was sacrilege world wide.

I remember seeing a food show on TV about a famous hot dog shop in Chicago (pretty sure the name of the place is Superior Hot Dog Shop) where they won’t put ketchup on a hot dog. If you want ketchup they give you a few packs but they refuse to ruin one of their hot dogs with ketchup.

jmonroe

ab348

For the first time since I retired I have a sum owing to Justin and the Feds this year. That is solely because of them. Up here when you turn 65 there are two federal pensions that kick in. One is the Canada Pension Plan, which you contribute to with a co-payment taken from every paycheck you earned while working. Most private or public pensions take that into account and reduce the amount they pay you after you turn 65 to offset that sum you will be receiving. It is slightly galling but is no secret, although a few benevolent public institutions do not do that, so their retirees can actually receive more in retirement when they did while employed.

The second federal payment is called Old Age Security, which everyone qualifies for once they hit 65. This one is somewhat odd in that it is not well-understood, is (I discovered) adjusted depending upon your income, and was actually not mentioned in the pre-retirement session I went to some years ago. I had to do some hunting for it on the federal website last year and learned that I had to apply for it, so I did that. I remember the response was that they had received my info but they could not tell me what I would be receiving and that I should wait for the first monthly deposit to appear in my bank account to see that. When it did, it was a few hundred dollars, not a significant amount. It was small enough that I assumed they were treating it the same as my CPP payments, where I had them withhold 30% from each month's payment for taxes.

Turns out that declaration only applied to CPP and not OAS, and you had to find another area on the fed website to get a deduction applied to it. Grrr. So now I will get a couple of hundred a month instead, but at least I won't have a tax bill next year.

driver100

28firefighter said:

What is a tax refund? Sigh.

A tax refund is when you pay a lot more money to the government than you should have....and they will send a small portion of that back to you if you are lucky.

jmonroe1

henryn said:

I’m repairing a section of the wood fence in my back yard. I did the left and right sides, and half of the back about 5 years ago. This one stretch was in pretty good shape, so I left it alone at that time. Now 2 of the posts have rotted and broken, so here we go. The price of lumber is a lot higher now. The cedar fence pickets are about 50% more, the pressure treated posts are twice as much, and the pressure treated 2x4’s are 3 times as expensive. I just spent $300 at Home Depot for materials to rebuild about 20 feet of fence.

How would you like to be buying lumber to flip a house these days?

When we did the first three flips when we tore out walls to give the place that much wanted “open floor plan” I remember saying to my Son we should save the lumber for where we’d be putting in a finished basement. His response was they’d be about an inch too short for that and he didn’t want to spend the time (all of 5 minutes) to remove the old nails. I told him to use two 2x4’s on the base plate of the walls we’d be building so now he’d have to cut a little bit off. Still didn’t like the idea.

Fast forward to this past weekend when we started demo work on flip #4. He told the friends of his oldest Son, who were doing the heavy demo work, to save the 2x4’s because he was going to use them wherever he could when putting the place back together. As usual, he doesn’t always listen to me the first time I say something but eventually the light goes on. Especially when money enters the situation.

That kid ain’t as dopey as he looks.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

28firefighter said:

What is a tax refund? Sigh.

A tax refund is when you pay a lot more money to the government than you should have....and they will send a small portion of that back to you if you are lucky.

Luck has nothing to do with it. I make sure of that when I do my taxes.

tjc78

@jmonroe1 said:
How would you like to be buying lumber to flip a house these days?

When we did the first three flips when we tore out walls to give the place that much wanted “open floor plan” I remember saying to my Son we should save the lumber for where we’d be putting in a finished basement. His response was they’d be about an inch too short for that and he didn’t want to spend the time (all of 5 minutes) to remove the old nails. I told him to use two 2x4’s on the base plate of the walls we’d be building so now he’d have to cut a little bit off. Still didn’t like the idea.

Fast forward to this past weekend when we started demo work on flip #4. He told the friends of his oldest Son, who were doing the heavy demo work, to save the 2x4’s because he was going to use them wherever he could when putting the place back together. As usual, he doesn’t always listen to me the first time I say something but eventually the light goes on. Especially when money enters the situation.

That kid ain’t as dopey as he looks.

jmonroe

My parent’s neighbor used to have a saying for that situation.

“The older you get, the smarter I become”

tjc78

@carnaught said:
How about ketchup on scrambled eggs? Yuck.

Guilty

laurasdada

Ketchup on hot dogs?! Banned from Costco before you besmirch the good name Costco hot dog!!!

ab348

tjc78 said:

@carnaught said:

How about ketchup on scrambled eggs? Yuck.

Guilty

I don't eat eggs of any sort because they are gross, so anything someone puts on them to make them palatable for them is forgiven.

tjc78

Funny how everyone has different tastes. Eggs are one of my favorite foods.