Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

fintail

ab348 said:

fintail said:

I've been a fan of that once since I was a kid. A few good lines, and some of the supporting characters are also top-notch - the well drilling guy and the rock excavator guy come to mind.

Mr. Zucca!

And the painter:

The look the painter and the manager guy give each other at the end says it all.

snakeweasel

Happy Day all to all of you turkeys Happy Turkey Day to all of you.

roadburner

roadburner

Count on my side of the family to screw up Thanksgiving; my uncle and my nephew managed to get turned around driving to my house. Dinner was set for 1:00 and as of 1:27 they are still MIA. Just kill me now.

roadburner

They have arrived. How they got turned around is a mystery…

imidazol97

What does "triple black" mean when referring to a car?

qbrozen

@imidazol97 said:
What does "triple black" mean when referring to a car?

Typically refers to a convertible. Black paint, black guts, black top.

venture

Kaspersky wants to sell me a VPN. I sort of like the idea but have never used one.

I pretty much understand the pros. What are the negatives? There are always trade-offs.

driver100

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving Day day. I got to celebrate Canadian T-Day in Oct and U.S. T-Day yesterday....double the fun!
Today's Dennis O'Sullivan column was a bit different;
QUESTION
I was test driving a car from a used car lot and while on that test drive, I was hit in the back of the car and the car was a write-off. The garage is insisting that I put the damage through my insurance, which I do not want to do because it might raise my insurance premium. I would not give them my insurance information number and they have threatened to take me to court. The salesperson, who was with me, told his boss that I came to a sudden stop, which caused the driver behind me to hit the car. The sudden stop was at a stop light that was going to change. The salesperson told me that I could have made the light so he is basically telling me that it was my fault. He also told me that anytime a driver takes a car for a road test, the driver’s insurance takes over any mishap. Do you believe that it is my fault and should I give them my insurance information? I have not purchased a car yet because I am afraid to road test another vehicle. I would really appreciate your advice.

Helen from Simcoe
ANSWER
I hope for your sake and for the sake of the used car dealer that you were not injured. The statement by the used car dealer “anytime a driver takes a car for a road test, the driver’s insurance takes over any mishap” is not correct. In the case of a first-time buyer for example, he/she does not have any insurance because they do not own a vehicle. Do not worry about the threat of court because with no fault insurance, the used car dealer has to go through their own insurance anyway. It will not go through your insurance and even if somehow it did, that would not affect your insurance premium because you were not at fault. My call to the used car dealer should put your mind at ease because the matter has already been settled and you are not in anyway responsible for the accident that happened over two months ago. The dealer does not have any intentions of taking legal action against you. My suggestion to the dealer was to call you and apologize for the misunderstanding and anxiety that was put on you by their salesperson and maybe they can still sell you a vehicle.

imidazol97

These articles are interesting reading.

I'm wondering about in the US decades ago about a coworker riding with the mechanic driving his Oldsmobile (I know...) to diagnose some problem. The mechanic hit another car, I believe it may have been at a stoplight. The mechanic got out and walked back to the dealership, leaving the owner to handle the problem.

imidazol97

qbrozen said:

@imidazol97 said:

What does "triple black" mean when referring to a car?

Typically refers to a convertible. Black paint, black guts, black top.

That's the kind of thing I was thinking I recalled from the 80s. Black top. Black bottom Black interior.

I saw a post from a carshow and poster called the vehicle "triple black," but it had a red interior.
I thought maybe I'm out-of-date (LOL) and triple refers to top, bottom and wheels?

imidazol97

driver100 said:

Today's Dennis O'Sullivan column was a bit different;
QUESTION
I was test driving a car from a used car lot and while on that test drive, I was hit in the back of the car and the car was a write-off. The garage is insisting that I put the damage through my insurance, which I do not want to do becaus .

@driver100
Is there some way to read the columns as a group?

Some columnists in US have their own site that links to the many columns they've written that are published in the "newspapers." I tried searching for Dennis O'Sullivan and there are a few links to old, really old columns in the Hamilton paper.

roadburner

@stickguy A killer deal on ceiling speakers- Martin Logan no less:
https://www.audioadvice.com/martinlogan-helos-12-stereo-in-ceiling-speaker

roadburner

@venture said:
Kaspersky wants to sell me a VPN. I sort of like the idea but have never used one.

I pretty much understand the pros. What are the negatives? There are always trade-offs.

None in my experience- I have TunnelBear on my phone and laptops- and the free version of Proton on my Fire tablet.

ab348

qbrozen said:

@imidazol97 said:

What does "triple black" mean when referring to a car?

Typically refers to a convertible. Black paint, black guts, black top.

Otherwise known as the worst possible combo to order on a convertible.

explorerx4

How about black exterior, black interior, black hole money pit?

stickguy

@roadburner said:
@stickguy A killer deal on ceiling speakers- Martin Logan no less:
https://www.audioadvice.com/martinlogan-helos-12-stereo-in-ceiling-speaker

Those look nice. Will be an interesting conversation with the electrician at the walk through about options since if I am doing them it is happening when built or not at all

venture

roadburner said:

@venture said:

Kaspersky wants to sell me a VPN. I sort of like the idea but have never used one.

I pretty much understand the pros. What are the negatives? There are always trade-offs.

None in my experience- I have TunnelBear on my phone and laptops- and the free version of Proton on my Fire tablet.

Thanks. I think I'll go for it.

ab348

I don’t watch movies very much so my sound requirements are fairly limited. But several years ago I had to use up some expiring rewards credits and I got a Sony soundbar with a separate subwoofer. It’s OK, better than just the TV speakers, though that is mostly due to the added bass response but it will hardly knock your socks off. One quirk it has drives me crazy though.

It is connected to the TV with a HDMI cable with no wireless capability other than its own remote control. About 12 feet away from it is my TV watching chair, a power recliner, all analog with two buttons on the side to control the recline motor. A couple of times a week I’ll want to straighten up the chair to do whatever when I’m watching something, and in activating the recliner motor it disables the soundbar. Took me a while to make the connection and took me even longer to figure out exactly what it was doing since the soundbar stayed powered up and didn’t indicate anything on its display, but that is the component it affects. I have to power the soundbar down and power it back up to restart it. Bizarre.

qbrozen

imidazol97 said:

I saw a post from a carshow and poster called the vehicle "triple black," but it had a red interior.
I thought maybe I'm out-of-date (LOL) and triple refers to top, bottom and wheels?

maybe it means the 2 black cars next to each other and ... uhhh... the guy's black t-shirt?

carnaught

@venture, as for a VPN, go with one that is fully confidential (no logs), like NORD VPN….think it’s $19 for the first year.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

These articles are interesting reading.

I'm wondering about in the US decades ago about a coworker riding with the mechanic driving his Oldsmobile (I know...) to diagnose some problem. The mechanic hit another car, I believe it may have been at a stoplight. The mechanic got out and walked back to the dealership, leaving the owner to handle the problem.

The mechanic was guilty of hit and run. You don’t have to drive away from an accident to leave the scene.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Today's Dennis O'Sullivan column was a bit different;
QUESTION
I was test driving a car from a used car lot and while on that test drive, I was hit in the back of the car and the car was a write-off. The garage is insisting that I put the damage through my insurance, which I do not want to do becaus .

@driver100
Is there some way to read the columns as a group?

Some columnists in US have their own site that links to the many columns they've written that are published in the "newspapers." I tried searching for Dennis O'Sullivan and there are a few links to old, really old columns in the Hamilton paper.

I would assume that the driver who rear ended the car would have to give his insurance info as he was at fault no matter how hard the guy braked. The salesman who told him he should have run the light was an idiot.

jmonroe1

roadburner said:

@stickguy A killer deal on ceiling speakers- Martin Logan no less:
https://www.audioadvice.com/martinlogan-helos-12-stereo-in-ceiling-speaker

————————————————
With all the upgrades @stickguy is getting he might be getting a little low on funds. At 200 bucks a pop for those speakers, and needing at least 6 or 7, that could kill the idea of ceiling speakers. But maybe just maybe he can swing the $18 a month each option without Mrs. @stickguy noticing.

jmonroe

roadburner

@ab348 said:
I don’t watch movies very much so my sound requirements are fairly limited. But several years ago I had to use up some expiring rewards credits and I got a Sony soundbar with a separate subwoofer. It’s OK, better than just the TV speakers, though that is mostly due to the added bass response but it will hardly knock your socks off. One quirk it has drives me crazy though.

It is connected to the TV with a HDMI cable with no wireless capability other than its own remote control. About 12 feet away from it is my TV watching chair, a power recliner, all analog with two buttons on the side to control the recline motor. A couple of times a week I’ll want to straighten up the chair to do whatever when I’m watching something, and in activating the recliner motor it disables the soundbar. Took me a while to make the connection and took me even longer to figure out exactly what it was doing since the soundbar stayed powered up and didn’t indicate anything on its display, but that is the component it affects. I have to power the soundbar down and power it back up to restart it. Bizarre.

You might try plugging the soundbar into a filtered surge suppressor such as a Tripp Lite Isobar 4 Ultra. Every one of my home theater components are plugged int a Tripp Lite suppressor.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving Day day. I got to celebrate Canadian T-Day in Oct and U.S. T-Day yesterday....double the fun!
Today's Dennis O'Sullivan column was a bit different;
QUESTION
I was test driving a car from a used car lot and while on that test drive, I was hit in the back of the car and the car was a write-off. The garage is insisting that I put the damage through my insurance, which I do not want to do because it might raise my insurance premium. I would not give them my insurance information number and they have threatened to take me to court. The salesperson, who was with me, told his boss that I came to a sudden stop, which caused the driver behind me to hit the car. The sudden stop was at a stop light that was going to change. The salesperson told me that I could have made the light so he is basically telling me that it was my fault. He also told me that anytime a driver takes a car for a road test, the driver’s insurance takes over any mishap. Do you believe that it is my fault and should I give them my insurance information? I have not purchased a car yet because I am afraid to road test another vehicle. I would really appreciate your advice.

Helen from Simcoe
ANSWER
I hope for your sake and for the sake of the used car dealer that you were not injured. The statement by the used car dealer “anytime a driver takes a car for a road test, the driver’s insurance takes over any mishap” is not correct. In the case of a first-time buyer for example, he/she does not have any insurance because they do not own a vehicle. Do not worry about the threat of court because with no fault insurance, the used car dealer has to go through their own insurance anyway. It will not go through your insurance and even if somehow it did, that would not affect your insurance premium because you were not at fault. My call to the used car dealer should put your mind at ease because the matter has already been settled and you are not in anyway responsible for the accident that happened over two months ago. The dealer does not have any intentions of taking legal action against you. My suggestion to the dealer was to call you and apologize for the misunderstanding and anxiety that was put on you by their salesperson and maybe they can still sell you a vehicle.

————————————————
I guess it could have been worse, like being hit by a garbage truck.

As for running a light, when I was driving my Delray Beach sister-in-laws car, she told me to run lights that just turned red because down there it seemed to be a car owners obligation to do that or suffer injuries and who knows what else. I only did it a couple times when the car behind me was tailgating. It was a very strange feeling but I’m sure I did the right thing those times.

jmonroe

venture

carnaught said:

@venture, as for a VPN, go with one that is fully confidential (no logs), like NORD VPN….think it’s $19 for the first year.

** * * * *
Thanks for the recommendation. That's one I was thinking about.

I have used Kaspersky Internet Security on my desktop for years and am happy with it, which is why I was thinking of getting their VPN also. No fighting that way either. It has a limited free version already installed so I may try it for a few days to see what happens.

Doing more research though I'm sort of leaning to Ultra VPN. It seems to be very highly rated as well. Of course, time will tell.

Decisions...

venture

ab348 said:

I don’t watch movies very much so my sound requirements are fairly limited. But several years ago I had to use up some expiring rewards credits and I got a Sony soundbar with a separate subwoofer. It’s OK, better than just the TV speakers, though that is mostly due to the added bass response but it will hardly knock your socks off. One quirk it has drives me crazy though.

It is connected to the TV with a HDMI cable with no wireless capability other than its own remote control. About 12 feet away from it is my TV watching chair, a power recliner, all analog with two buttons on the side to control the recline motor. A couple of times a week I’ll want to straighten up the chair to do whatever when I’m watching something, and in activating the recliner motor it disables the soundbar. Took me a while to make the connection and took me even longer to figure out exactly what it was doing since the soundbar stayed powered up and didn’t indicate anything on its display, but that is the component it affects. I have to power the soundbar down and power it back up to restart it. Bizarre.

Ahhh. Soundbars. They will drive you crazy. So many features.

My wife gets up in the morning much earlier than I do so she, naturally, goes to sleep much earlier than I do. Our bedroom is directly above the family room where I watch TV in the evenings. The incessant bass thumping in the background of some shows, and many commercials, keeps her awake unless I have the sound turned way down.

I would like to get a basic soundbar that will enhance the voice. Probably bluetooth so I can locate it closer to where I watch the TV and turn off the TV speakers. I don't care about symphony sound.

I'm getting close. Not quite there yet.

roadburner

jmonroe1 said:

roadburner said:

@stickguy A killer deal on ceiling speakers- Martin Logan no less:
https://www.audioadvice.com/martinlogan-helos-12-stereo-in-ceiling-speaker

————————————————
With all the upgrades @stickguy is getting he might be getting a little low on funds. At 200 bucks a pop for those speakers, and needing at least 6 or 7, that could kill the idea of ceiling speakers. But maybe just maybe he can swing the $18 a month each option without Mrs. @stickguy noticing.

jmonroe

When we remodeled the kitchen and family room I had the electrician run Blue Jeans Cable Belden 5000UE 12-gauge speaker cable to the wall-mounted surround speakers- you only get one chance with a new home or remodel to install equipment when it is a relatively simple procedure. I'd be all over those Martin Logans if I had some place to install them. Go big while you have the chance.

kyfdx

We replaced our family room carpet with hardwood. All of our TV volume choices have been reduced by 30%. Unreal how much difference that made

tjc78

@roadburner said:
When we remodeled the kitchen and family room I had the electrician run Blue Jeans Cable Belden 5000UE 12-gauge speaker cable to the wall-mounted surround speakers- you only get one chance with a new home or remodel to install equipment when it is a relatively simple procedure. I'd be all over those Martin Logans if I had some place to install them. Go big while you have the chance.

Those would be perfect for surround duty in my theater.

venture

kyfdx said:

We replaced our family room carpet with hardwood. All of our TV volume choices have been reduced by 30%. Unreal how much difference that made

Interesting.

imidazol97

jmonroe1 said:

As for running a light, when I was driving my Delray Beach sister-in-laws car, she told me to run lights that just turned red because down there it seemed to be a car owners obligation to do that or suffer injuries and who knows what else. I only did it a couple times when the car behind me was tailgating. It was a very strange feeling but I’m sure I did the right thing those times.

jmonroe

Years ago when we frequently visited our Ohio friends who lived near Murfreesboro TN, he told me to NOT hit the brakes quick when a light started changing. I'd get rear ended. This was at the time lots of cities had added red light cameras as a source of revenue.
At the time Murfreesboro had added a white light above the traffic signal that came on just as the light was getting ready to change as a warning to the RLR (red light runners).

North of Murfreesboro a few miles was the Nissan truck plant and TN drivers were notorious for hitting others in their hurry to get to work. I was warned to drive carefully on that road near Smyrna.

roadburner

tjc78 said:

@roadburner said:

When we remodeled the kitchen and family room I had the electrician run Blue Jeans Cable Belden 5000UE 12-gauge speaker cable to the wall-mounted surround speakers- you only get one chance with a new home or remodel to install equipment when it is a relatively simple procedure. I'd be all over those Martin Logans if I had some place to install them. Go big while you have the chance.

Those would be perfect for surround duty in my theater.

I'd install a pair and use them for Atmos, but I'd also have to buy a new receiver.

roadburner

kyfdx said:

We replaced our family room carpet with hardwood. All of our TV volume choices have been reduced by 30%. Unreal how much difference that made

Our basement is practically anechoic since it's carpeted and has the Owens Corning basement system walls and drop ceiling. It was dead easy to set up the Energy Take Classic 5.1 speakers. I just balanced them using my trusty Radio Shack analog SPL meter and they sound great.

roadburner

snakeweasel

roadburner said:

Oh, how I remember that day.

jmonroe1

snakeweasel said:

roadburner said:

Oh, how I remember that day.

————————————————
Yep I know what you mean.

I can still remember that day in boot camp where we were all marched down to the barber shop. More like a factory than a barber shop. There had to be 15 or 20 so-called barbers. Some of those victims looked prettier funny when they got out of those chairs. I doubt any mother would recognize their son when they were through with you.

When it was my turn one of them yelled out to me, “you’re next sailor”. Not wanting to look too concerned, when I got in the chair I said, “just a little off the top and sides”. The stylist said, “yep, I know just the way you want it”. Then starting at my forehead proceeded to run his razor right down the middle of my head. It looked like a construction crew took out the middle of a mountain. Lots of laughter from my buddies. Then made my entire head as short as the top. Not being to my liking, I didn’t tip the guy.

jmonroe

kyfdx

venture said:

kyfdx said:

We replaced our family room carpet with hardwood. All of our TV volume choices have been reduced by 30%. Unreal how much difference that made

Interesting.

Mostly, because the subwoofer is sitting on hardwood, instead of carpet. Not sure it makes much of a difference for the soundbar

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

Today's Dennis O'Sullivan column was a bit different;
QUESTION
I was test driving a car from a used car lot and while on that test drive, I was hit in the back of the car and the car was a write-off. The garage is insisting that I put the damage through my insurance, which I do not want to do becaus .

@driver100
Is there some way to read the columns as a group?

Some columnists in US have their own site that links to the many columns they've written that are published in the "newspapers." I tried searching for Dennis O'Sullivan and there are a few links to old, really old columns in the Hamilton paper.

@imidazol97 I tried everything I could try to find out how you can get his latest columns. He is in our local newspaper, The Hamilton Spectator, Spec.com, but you would have to subscribe and get the E-paper....his column is in the Friday edition.

I'll keep trying but I don't think there is a way to get new ones without getting the actual newspaper. The paper was supposed to drop him 6 months ago but readers protested and Dennis O'Sullivan was brought back....there is something about his column that his readers enjoy.

tjc78

@roadburner said:
I'd install a pair and use them for Atmos, but I'd also have to buy a new receiver.

I’m in the same boat. Hopefully that’s next year’s upgrade. New receiver and all in wall surrounds and Atmos speakers.

I’m going to have to fish all the wires. I don’t think it’s possible without a few drywall patches or hiring an electrician who is magical with an extended flex bit.

Previous owners made no sense. They pre wired for the projector with fiber optic cables and a 110V outlet, but didn’t for the surround speakers.

fintail

jmonroe1 said:

snakeweasel said:

roadburner said:

Oh, how I remember that day.

————————————————
Yep I know what you mean.

I can still remember that day in boot camp where we were all marched down to the barber shop. More like a factory than a barber shop. There had to be 15 or 20 so-called barbers. Some of those victims looked prettier funny when they got out of those chairs. I doubt any mother would recognize their son when they were through with you.

When it was my turn one of them yelled out to me, “you’re next sailor”. Not wanting to look too concerned, when I got in the chair I said, “just a little off the top and sides”. The stylist said, “yep, I know just the way you want it”. Then starting at my forehead proceeded to run his razor right down the middle of my head. It looked like a construction crew took out the middle of a mountain. Lots of laughter from my buddies. Then made my entire head as short as the top. Not being to my liking, I didn’t tip the guy.

jmonroe

First thing that comes to mind:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=TexMYBx4ATw

jmonroe1

fintail said:

jmonroe1 said:

snakeweasel said:

roadburner said:

Oh, how I remember that day.

————————————————
Yep I know what you mean.

I can still remember that day in boot camp where we were all marched down to the barber shop. More like a factory than a barber shop. There had to be 15 or 20 so-called barbers. Some of those victims looked prettier funny when they got out of those chairs. I doubt any mother would recognize their son when they were through with you.

When it was my turn one of them yelled out to me, “you’re next sailor”. Not wanting to look too concerned, when I got in the chair I said, “just a little off the top and sides”. The stylist said, “yep, I know just the way you want it”. Then starting at my forehead proceeded to run his razor right down the middle of my head. It looked like a construction crew took out the middle of a mountain. Lots of laughter from my buddies. Then made my entire head as short as the top. Not being to my liking, I didn’t tip the guy.

jmonroe

First thing that comes to mind:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=TexMYBx4ATw

————————————————
I’d have tipped that guy.

jmonroe

snakeweasel

roadburner said:

Oh, how I remember that day.

jmonroe1 said:

snakeweasel said:

roadburner said:

Oh, how I remember that day.

————————————————
Yep I know what you mean.

I can still remember that day in boot camp where we were all marched down to the barber shop. More like a factory than a barber shop. There had to be 15 or 20 so-called barbers. Some of those victims looked prettier funny when they got out of those chairs. I doubt any mother would recognize their son when they were through with you.

When it was my turn one of them yelled out to me, “you’re next sailor”. Not wanting to look too concerned, when I got in the chair I said, “just a little off the top and sides”. The stylist said, “yep, I know just the way you want it”. Then starting at my forehead proceeded to run his razor right down the middle of my head. It looked like a construction crew took out the middle of a mountain. Lots of laughter from my buddies. Then made my entire head as short as the top. Not being to my liking, I didn’t tip the guy.

jmonroe

My SIL was in the Army and when his younger brother joined my SIL told him don't bother cutting your hair the Army will do it for you. So his brother decided on the day before reporting to basic training he went and got himself a really expensive real nice short hair cut thinking that it would be sufficient and he wouldn't have to get it his first day in basic. Oh how I wish I was there when he got his haircut.

explorerx4

Snowblower started on the first pull today. I think I used it once or twice last year.
We are supposed to get snow Tuesday. Someone said 3 to 6 but who knows.

stickguy

that reminds me. I need to do that tomorrow too. dang.

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

Snowblower started on the first pull today. I think I used it once or twice last year.
We are supposed to get snow Tuesday. Someone said 3 to 6 but who knows.

————————————————
I’ve gotten very lazy the past few years and haven’t even used the snow blower. I believe it was about 2 years ago we had around 6 inches and I just used Mrs. j’s Subie to plow through that. Of course my driveway is as flat as your dining room table.

I’m at the point now where I have to see when that car can’t handle it. Why knock myself out when the snow will be gone in 2 days at most?

jmonroe

explorerx4

@jmonroe1,
I have a sidewalk so I need to remove the snow. Moving the snow is also good exercise.

roadburner

The Wrangler and X1 are in the downstairs garage. So I don't shovel anything in most cases.

venture

explorerx4 said:

Snowblower started on the first pull today. I think I used it once or twice last year.
We are supposed to get snow Tuesday. Someone said 3 to 6 but who knows.

I added some new gas to the tank and pushed the start button. It cranked a few seconds and started.

Same here. Once or maybe twice.