Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

cdnpinhead said:

I have no doubt that the same two or three manufactureres make most, if not all, of the world's windshields. The inspection step divides them into OEM quality vs. the junk that I've had to deal with over the years. Optical distortion, especially when you're looking through the passenger side of the windshield, can be very noticeable. The only way to avoid it is for the two surfaces of the piece of glass to be perfectly (and I mean really, really perfectly) parallel. That means dead flat surfaces before they bend the thing into the shape that's required. It's hard. It costs money.

Imagine.

cdnpinhead said:

I have no doubt that the same two or three manufactureres make most, if not all, of the world's windshields. The inspection step divides them into OEM quality vs. the junk that I've had to deal with over the years. Optical distortion, especially when you're looking through the passenger side of the windshield, can be very noticeable. The only way to avoid it is for the two surfaces of the piece of glass to be perfectly (and I mean really, really perfectly) parallel. That means dead flat surfaces before they bend the thing into the shape that's required. It's hard. It costs money.

Imagine.

cdnpinhead said:

I have no doubt that the same two or three manufactureres make most, if not all, of the world's windshields. The inspection step divides them into OEM quality vs. the junk that I've had to deal with over the years. Optical distortion, especially when you're looking through the passenger side of the windshield, can be very noticeable. The only way to avoid it is for the two surfaces of the piece of glass to be perfectly (and I mean really, really perfectly) parallel. That means dead flat surfaces before they bend the thing into the shape that's required. It's hard. It costs money.

Imagine.

cdnpinhead said:

I have no doubt that the same two or three manufactureres make most, if not all, of the world's windshields. The inspection step divides them into OEM quality vs. the junk that I've had to deal with over the years. Optical distortion, especially when you're looking through the passenger side of the windshield, can be very noticeable. The only way to avoid it is for the two surfaces of the piece of glass to be perfectly (and I mean really, really perfectly) parallel. That means dead flat surfaces before they bend the thing into the shape that's required. It's hard. It costs money.

Imagine.

Good point because the article says this about OEM windshields:
There are several well-known companies producing OEM windshields, companies such as AP Tech, Pilkington and PPG. These companies have long been trusted by the major automotive brands to supply their windshields. An individual seeking a replacement OEM windshield can acquire one directly from their brand’s supplier. - See more at: http://www.carwindshields.info/windshield-manufacturers-oem-dealer-and-aftermarket#sthash.WvXqetSh.dpuf

Then it says:
Safelite and Guardian are widely-used American Third Party Aftermarket makes. Heshan Zhengda, Dongguan Brightpower and Shiyan Huachao are the notable Chinese makers of Third Party Aftermarket windshields. A word of caution, though: they make Third Party Aftermarket windshields as far as Europeans and Americans are concerned; in China and other Far-Eastern countries they are OEM!

Yet another word of caution is called for: sometimes Chinese-made glass is simply stamped with an American company’s name so it passes off as an American product. This is not a Chinese ‘imitation’ or forged item, but actually made per order placed by an American company! (An OEM vendor cannot engage in such practices for fear of losing its contracts and approved vendor status.)
- See more at: http://www.carwindshields.info/windshield-manufacturers-oem-dealer-and-aftermarket#sthash.WvXqetSh.dpuf

Which leads me to believe some after market windshields could be of very poor quality.

driver100

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

Thanks, helpful. I wonder what happens if say one has $1.5 million worth of liability insurance. You hit a guy who makes a $1 million a year, and has 20 more working years left. Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life?

The insurance agent in Florida says they can't take your house, and they can't take your car. She said $300k should be adequate, almost sounding like the court doesn't award more than that.

cdnpinhead

driver100 said:

Which leads me to believe some after market windshields could be of very poor quality.

Wow -- four times the impact.

driver100

tjc78 said:

@driver100
FWIW I had to replace the windshield on the Lacrosse. My car had the "Heads Up Display" which makes the windshield expensive. Local glass people (Safelight wouldn't touch it) wanted IIRC $1300 for OEM, or $700 for generic. I naturally went with generic and it looked perfect (actually better than the original which had a very tiny defect brand new in the upper corner).

After I had it replaced, I was like "Oh s***" this car is leased and they are going to hammer me when I turn it in. Well, they didn't even mention it. In other words, I wouldn't worry about it.

Good info tjc re: replacement was as good as new and not even noticed, and Mike that he doesn't even check things like the window. I have sat in used cars and never thought to check on the glass in the windshield.

Safelite replaced the windshield in my 2000 Jeep. First time the air was getting in making a noise, they resealed it and it was fine.

houdini1

driver100 said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

Thanks, helpful. I wonder what happens if say one has $1.5 million worth of liability insurance. You hit a guy who makes a $1 million a year, and has 20 more working years left. Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life?

The insurance agent in Florida says they can't take your house, and they can't take your car. She said $300k should be adequate, almost sounding like the court doesn't award more than that.

Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life? No, debtors prison !!

Michaell

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

Thanks, helpful. I wonder what happens if say one has $1.5 million worth of liability insurance. You hit a guy who makes a $1 million a year, and has 20 more working years left. Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life?

The insurance agent in Florida says they can't take your house, and they can't take your car. She said $300k should be adequate, almost sounding like the court doesn't award more than that.

Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life? No, debtors prison !!

Or they ship you off to Australia!

Oh, wait, that's not as bad now as it was 200+ years ago.

Mr_Shiftright

That's not exactly true...if you are rich, then you worry about losing it. Having lived in Aspen for a time, I can tell you that burning through 5 or 10 million is really easy. Well, that's not rich anymore, but back then it was. Even with 50 million, you could blow that in a year with a few bad deals. Ask some sports stars.

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

abacomike

I am not a millionaire by any stretch of the imagination, however I do have investments and a pretty good pension which is all fair game for a litigious individual.  The Condo is free and clear but in Florida, they cannot take your primary residence.  But I do need to protect what I have - but becoming insurance "broke" is also a problem. 

imidazol97

driver100 said:

Which Windshield to Choose?

Given the three main choices a person has to choose from, it can become frustrating to find the perfect choice for the vehicle. In order to make this decision, the car owner should consider the following:

Quality: aftermarket windscreens are not held to the same standards as dealer or OEM.
Safety: OEM and dealer glass is made to fit a vehicle perfectly. These windscreens are designed to ensure a snug fit and are safer. The OEM will pass all regulations set into place by government.
Price: aftermarket windscreens are usually far less expensive than the other two options.

Automotive professionals will often suggest going with OEM or dealer windshield replacement, regardless of the cost, out of the heightened safety that they offer.
- See more at: http://www.carwindshields.info/windshield-manufacturers-oem-dealer-and-aftermarket#sthash.WvXqetSh.dpuf

I take the allegation that OEM windshields are made to a higher standard and fit better with a huge
grain of NaCl. The article implies that because the aftermarket brand doesn't fit the same it will somehow impair the ability of the seal of the windshield to maintain being a part of the strength structure of the vehicle
during an impact. Bull dookie.

A lot of brand things were buy today are branded with US historically-favored brand names bought by companies to label Chinese and other foreign brand materials with brand names US buyers recognize from the past.

abacomike

@driver100:

Driver, the best solution to your dilemma is stay far enough behind the cars in front of you so any stones thrown by their tires or off a dump truck will bounce a few times before hitting your front end or windshield which won't cause as much damage.

I usually leave 100+ feet between my car and the traffic in front of me.  It won't guaranty it will never happen, but maybe not.

oldfarmer50

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

GG Driver...I'm not an insurance expert, but I'm thinking no one would ever look at the windshield to notice what the brand was. I've dealt with Safelite in the past....good products, great service. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again for a repair or replacement.

I was really happy with Safelite repairing the bullet hole in the windshield, esp for $100 which can be applied to a new windshield at any time in the future.

Appraisers don't seem to go over cars that closely, but this would be somewhat noticeable if it was something they looked for. My repaired windshield is almost unnoticeable, unless it is a very sunny day and you are viewing it just right. When I buy a new one I'll do it on a dull cloudy day.

Bullet hole???


Yeah, his Russian girlfriend gets jealous and over reacts.

isellhondas

roadburner said:

The Mustang has had sequential turn signals since 2013, IIRC. They were first introduced on the Thunderbird in 1964. The Cougar followed suit in 1967- as did the Shelby Mustangs.

Not to nitpick but 1965 was the first year Thunderbirds had sequential turn signals. It was also the first year T Birds came with front disc brakes. The drum brakes on T birds and full sized Fords were horrible and they would eat up brake shoes in a hurry!

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

Thanks, helpful. I wonder what happens if say one has $1.5 million worth of liability insurance. You hit a guy who makes a $1 million a year, and has 20 more working years left. Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life?

The insurance agent in Florida says they can't take your house, and they can't take your car. She said $300k should be adequate, almost sounding like the court doesn't award more than that.

Relax, you can always flee the country. at least for 9 months.

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100:

Driver, the best solution to your dilemma is stay far enough behind the cars in front of you so any stones thrown by their tires or off a dump truck will bounce a few times before hitting your front end or windshield which won't cause as much damage.

I usually leave 100+ feet between my car and the traffic in front of me.  It won't guaranty it will never happen, but maybe not.

First chip came on I-75 when a Nissan Sentra went wizzing by at about 90 mph.
Second happened as I was entering I-75 from an on ramp and had to pull in behind a transport truck.

Maybe I should just avoid I-75.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

Thanks, helpful. I wonder what happens if say one has $1.5 million worth of liability insurance. You hit a guy who makes a $1 million a year, and has 20 more working years left. Do they garnishee your wages for the rest of your life?

The insurance agent in Florida says they can't take your house, and they can't take your car. She said $300k should be adequate, almost sounding like the court doesn't award more than that.

Relax, you can always flee the country. at least for 9 months.

I forgot about that option. Just like the affluenza kid I can run back to Canada........or Mexico.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

That's not exactly true...if you are rich, then you worry about losing it. Having lived in Aspen for a time, I can tell you that burning through 5 or 10 million is really easy. Well, that's not rich anymore, but back then it was. Even with 50 million, you could blow that in a year with a few bad deals. Ask some sports stars.

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

$10 million just doesn't stretch as far as it used to.

abacomike

Went out for dinner this evening - nice to get out every so often.

When I got into my car, it was 73 degrees out, no wind or breeze, and a clear sky.  So, for the first time in a long, long time, I opened my window and the moonroof.  What a delight! I hated having to go upstairs to my Condo - I could enjoy this kind of weather in a sleeping bag on the roof! 

tjc78

driver100 said:

That's not exactly true...if you are rich, then you worry about losing it. Having lived in Aspen for a time, I can tell you that burning through 5 or 10 million is really easy. Well, that's not rich anymore, but back then it was. Even with 50 million, you could blow that in a year with a few bad deals. Ask some sports stars.

I got two insurance questions. 1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates? 2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people. In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates. 2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

$10 million just doesn't stretch as far as it used to.

Yeah, you can barely feed your family. 

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

driver100 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

That's not exactly true...if you are rich, then you worry about losing it. Having lived in Aspen for a time, I can tell you that burning through 5 or 10 million is really easy. Well, that's not rich anymore, but back then it was. Even with 50 million, you could blow that in a year with a few bad deals. Ask some sports stars.

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I got two insurance questions.
1) If I get a stone chip in my windshield will insurance pay for that - less deductible? Will it affect my insurance rates?

2)What amount of liability coverage makes sense? In Canada $1million is normal, some people are getting $3million because you could hit a bus or something and injure or kill a number of people.

In Florida they said $300k was the most they would sell, because they can't take away your house and most people would have less than that in savings. I think they also insinuated awards rarely exceed $300k. We got $1 million 3 years ago because that is what we are used to....this year our insurance company said the max is $300k, but they will give us $1 million as we are grandfathered in.

1. In the U.S. most ins. companies will allow you to fix a small star chip and not charge you anything or invoke the deductible. They force a resin into the affected area and it looks good as new. So fix for free. Should not affect your rates.

2. If you are super poor you don't have anything to lose and if you are super rich you don't have to worry. Most of us fall somewhere in between. I have $500,000. primary limits and a $1mil umbrella over that.

$10 million just doesn't stretch as far as it used to.

Yeah, you can barely feed your family. 

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

driver100

"oldfarmer50"

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

Chance of getting hit by lightening is 3X greater than chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery. In fact they said your chances were better of becoming President.

I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.

With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@

abacomike

@driver100:

Lightening or lightning - 6 of one or half dozen of the other! 

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

"oldfarmer50"

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

Chance of getting hit by lightening is 3X greater than chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery. In fact they said your chances were better of becoming President.

I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.

With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@


I think they said 1 chance in 292 million. the first thing I'd buy would be this:

stickguy

Nah. I see them all the time in Albany. Get something unique.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

"oldfarmer50"

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

Chance of getting hit by lightening is 3X greater than chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery. In fact they said your chances were better of becoming President.

I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.

With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@


I think they said 1 chance in 292 million. the first thing I'd buy would be this:





What in the world is that?

tjc78

It's interesting

Mr_Shiftright

Could be a 2016 Beaver SS.

Michaell

tjc78 said:

It's interesting

I suppose it could be the modern day equivalent of the Excaliburs from the 70's and 80's

driver100

abacomike said:

@driver100:

Lightening or lightning - 6 of one or half dozen of the other! 

Lightening vs Lightning!

I thought it looked funny when I wrote it, but the spell check didn't say anything. Now, I know why, there is a word "lightening".

Lightening

Lightening is the present participle of the verb "to lighten," and refers to the process of making something lighter in color. Lightening is the opposite of darkening, or making something darker.

I’m lightening my jeans by adding bleach to the wash. The dark blue will become light blue.

He’s lightening the room by painting it white.

Lightening also refers to the process of making something lighter in weight. Lightening is the opposite of making something heavier.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

"oldfarmer50"

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

Chance of getting hit by lightening is 3X greater than chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery. In fact they said your chances were better of becoming President.

I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.

With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@


I think they said 1 chance in 292 million. the first thing I'd buy would be this:

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

"oldfarmer50"

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

Chance of getting hit by lightening is 3X greater than chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery. In fact they said your chances were better of becoming President.

I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.

With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@


I think they said 1 chance in 292 million. the first thing I'd buy would be this:





If you won $350 million why buy a really ugly looking car?

abacomike

$350 million, huh.  A Bugati, a Rolls Ghost, an Aston Martin, a Ferrari, and one of those, one of these, etc.  Then, a house with enough garages to protect my babies! 

driver100

If I won I would get one of these:

abacomike

driver100 said:

If I won I would get one of these:

Phantom, right?  Or is it a Ghost?  Tough to tell at that angle.

stever

>I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.
>
>With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@

Could be worse - you could win the election.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

If I won I would get one of these:

Phantom, right?  Or is it a Ghost?  Tough to tell at that angle.

Ghost II

I need something to get me back and forth, Canada to Florida.

Mr_Shiftright

I can see already that you guys will follow the tragic path of many former lottery winners

abacomike

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

If I won I would get one of these:

Phantom, right?  Or is it a Ghost?  Tough to tell at that angle.

Ghost II I need something to get me back and forth, Canada to Florida.

I'd "live in it!" 

stickguy

was talking about this with my wife the other day (what if we won). She mentioned giving money to all the relatives (predominantly on her side, based on headcount!). I laughed at that. At least she came down from a million per head to 10K. I was thinking a nice fruit basket for them to share.

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

If I won I would get one of these:

Phantom, right?  Or is it a Ghost?  Tough to tell at that angle.

Ghost II

I need something to get me back and forth, Canada to Florida.

I'd "live in it!" 

It's just the baby Rolls.....I am not asking for much.

driver100

stickguy said:

was talking about this with my wife the other day (what if we won). She mentioned giving money to all the relatives (predominantly on her side, based on headcount!). I laughed at that. At least she came down from a million per head to 10K. I was thinking a nice fruit basket for them to share.

Big mistake giving huge amounts away to relatives. Most won't really appreciate what you have done for them.
Maybe offer to pay for down payments on houses, or help kids pay for school. Don't give away huge sums all at once. $10k is OK if you win $350 million.

Not good giving kids enough money to live on, they won't have any incentive to make it on their own.

explorerx4

One of my kids was at BMW USA headquarters for training when this gen Roller Phantom was introduced. Her peers had their pictures taken in the driver's seat. She had hers taken sitting in the back seat.

abacomike

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

If I won I would get one of these:

Phantom, right?  Or is it a Ghost?  Tough to tell at that angle.

Ghost II I need something to get me back and forth, Canada to Florida.

I'd "live in it!" 

It's just the baby Rolls.....I am not asking for much.

A Rolls Royce is a Rolls Royce - adult, teen or toddler (Phantom, Ghost or Wraith).  Ft. Lauderdale Rolls Royce has a white on white Wraith on display at the Boca Mall.  Sleek and big for a 2-door coupe. 

berri

I felt another stone and I think it left a small mark, hardly noticeable, so I am going to wait before replacing.

You might want to get that pock mark filled before it can expand. It isn't that expensive at this stage.

berri

Yet another word of caution is called for: sometimes Chinese-made glass is simply stamped with an American company’s name so it passes off as an American product. This is not a Chinese ‘imitation’ or forged item, but actually made per order placed by an American company!

I don't have any inside access to this, but I've got to wonder if it is cost effective to import windshields from Asia. The packaging, shipping and breakage would lay some heavy overhead on them, and the base cost isn't all that high to begin with? Also, that long of a supply chain would probably require additional inventory levels to be bought and held in stock. The main reason an OEM part is high is that the manufacturer and dealer both lay some overhead, G&A and profit on the cost before selling it. That stack up can add some real money to the price.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

"oldfarmer50"

I just bought a ticket for the Power Ball lottery. $710 million at last report. Figure $350 million cash option after taxes.

If I win I'll feed your family.

Chance of getting hit by lightening is 3X greater than chance of winning the Power Ball Lottery. In fact they said your chances were better of becoming President.

I don't think my chance is very good of becoming President, so maybe I should buy a ticket.

With my luck I wouldn't win the lottery, but, I would get struck by lightening. :@

I think they said 1 chance in 292 million. the first thing I'd buy would be this:





What in the world is that?


An $8 million Maybach Exelero. For what it's worth I think it's ugly too but it's the most expensive car in the world.

driver100

berri said:

I felt another stone and I think it left a small mark, hardly noticeable, so I am going to wait before replacing.

You might want to get that pock mark filled before it can expand. It isn't that expensive at this stage.

Good advice. I got the first one, the BB shot (bullet) one filled.....helps to keep the windshields strength/integrity.
This latest one is really a dark spot....doesn't seem indented just a bit on the surface - like a tiny spec. Might even scrub it out.

driver100

berri said:

Yet another word of caution is called for: sometimes Chinese-made glass is simply stamped with an American company’s name so it passes off as an American product. This is not a Chinese ‘imitation’ or forged item, but actually made per order placed by an American company!

I don't have any inside access to this, but I've got to wonder if it is cost effective to import windshields from Asia. The packaging, shipping and breakage would lay some heavy overhead on them, and the base cost isn't all that high to begin with? Also, that long of a supply chain would probably require additional inventory levels to be bought and held in stock. The main reason an OEM part is high is that the manufacturer and dealer both lay some overhead, G&A and profit on the cost before selling it. That stack up can add some real money to the price.

I am just making a bit of guess but I would think the costs would still be way less...importing from Asia. One example are TVs. Labor is cheaper and so are manufacturing costs. Shipping is relatively cheap these days and breakage is not much of a factor with windshields and packing materials available.

Storage can be pretty cheap too. Lots of big empty warehouse space available in Florida. And these days they make warehouses 40 feet high instead of 20 feet high because when you pay based on square footage you get a lot more space when you go vertical.

My main concern would be the standards of the company making the windshield...that is the unknown. At least if it is made for a car company it will be made to a certain standard.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Yet another word of caution is called for: sometimes Chinese-made glass is simply stamped with an American company’s name so it passes off as an American product. This is not a Chinese ‘imitation’ or forged item, but actually made per order placed by an American company! I don't have any inside access to this, but I've got to wonder if it is cost effective to import windshields from Asia. The packaging, shipping and breakage would lay some heavy overhead on them, and the base cost isn't all that high to begin with? Also, that long of a supply chain would probably require additional inventory levels to be bought and held in stock. The main reason an OEM part is high is that the manufacturer and dealer both lay some overhead, G&A and profit on the cost before selling it. That stack up can add some real money to the price.

I am just making a bit of guess but I would think the costs would still be way less...importing from Asia. One example are TVs. Labor is cheaper and so are manufacturing costs. Shipping is relatively cheap these days and breakage is not much of a factor with windshields and packing materials available. Storage can be pretty cheap too. Lots of big empty warehouse space available in Florida. And these days they make warehouses 40 feet high instead of 20 feet high because when you pay based on square footage you get a lot more space when you go vertical. My main concern would be the standards of the company making the windshield...that is the unknown. At least if it is made for a car company it will be made to a certain standard.

I don't trust anything made in China - even my iPhone 6 which has been replaced three time due to motherboard issues and charging issues.  But this iPhone has worked flawlessly - 1 out of 4 is not something Apple ought to brag about! 

driver100

Flying to Detroit today...Tampa Int'l to Detroit on Spirit. If you don't hear from me check CNN.
Going for a funeral for my MIL. Sad, but she had a pretty good life, made it to 103! Went to the gym until 98, lived in her own 2 story house to 99. Shoveled snow and cut grass until 98.

Have reserved a Fusion with Budget, not sure that is what I'll end up with. That is now a full size car! I was surprised a compact is a Rio or Focus, Mid Size is an Avenger (surprised me...seems larger) or Cruze, and usually a Corolla, Standard is a Gallant (didn't know they made them any more), Full Size is a Malibu/Fusion. What do you call an Impala or Taurus, a Super Huge?

I think car rental companies live in another universe.

abacomike

driver100 said:

Flying to Detroit today...Tampa Int'l to Detroit on Spirit. If you don't hear from me check CNN. Going for a funeral for my MIL. Sad, but she had a pretty good life, made it to 103! Went to the gym until 98, lived in her own 2 story house to 99. Shoveled snow and cut grass until 98. Have reserved a Fusion with Budget, not sure that is what I'll end up with. That is now a full size car! I was surprised a compact is a Rio or Focus, Mid Size is an Avenger (surprised me...seems larger) or Cruze, and usually a Corolla, Standard is a Gallant (didn't know they made them any more), Full Size is a Malibu/Fusion. What do you call an Impala or Taurus, a Super Huge? I think car rental companies live in another universe.

My condolences to your delightful wife and her family, driver, as well as to you.  It sounds like you were pretty close.  Have a safe trip. 

nyccarguy

@driver100 - very sad to hear about your Morher-In-Law, but 103 years old in relatively good health is a fantastic accomplishment!