Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, ok, but how often does that happen? I'd hate to give up a pickup for an SUV but of course all families are different, so I get it.

driver100

suydam said:

I would not want to be stuck behind that car at night!

Might wake you up!

berri

But what's going to happen when some of those LED bulbs start to burn out. It's going to look like a Jack-O-Lantern or the mouth of a six year old kid.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Everyone dreads running completely out of money. This is a visceral survival instinct I guess.

How many cars does a man need? I'd say at least 4!

Not to get political, but I guess I will. Mr S., you should run for President on that platform. Instead of a chicken in every pot it will be 4 cars in every driveway. Think what that could do for the economy and how it would lift our spirits

Mr_Shiftright

They don't all have to be NEW...

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

Everyone dreads running completely out of money. This is a visceral survival instinct I guess.

How many cars does a man need? I'd say at least 4!

I would say depending on where you live between 0 and 1. I have known people who live and work in or near the downtown Chicago area that easily could have lived without a car. Just rent one when needed and now you have car share programs where you sort of co own a car with lots of other people.

My parents did quite well raising 4 kids and only having one Ford sedan.

Mr_Shiftright said:

First you need a comfy family sedan--for family, relatives, out on the town, grocery-getting, transporting children, etc.

I'll give you that, or maybe a cuv/suv/van for when you need more.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Then you need a 4X4 pickup....just because. It can be a crew cab, for ski trips, etc--like the new Ridgeline.

Then you need a "fun" car---a fast and agile droptop or coupe, impractical, loud, scary fast or at least fast enough--2 seater preferred or 2+2 if you have to take the dog.

Then you need a "classic" car of some type, that you won't rely on but you keep around for tinkering, or as a hobby to enjoy with fellow enthusiasts.

Now those last three are just wants not real needs. Why do you need a "fun" car or a "classic" car?

Mr_Shiftright

I think I really "need" two---a reliable car for transportation and fun (the Mini Cooper) and the 4X4 pickup truck as a backup, and for knocking around. If I had a family I could cram two little kids in the Mini, and drive the pickup when the wife needs the car.

Sure if you lived in Manhattan you would need 0 cars unless you're really either crazy or rich. You can always rent for those out-of-city escapes.

Of course, if you don't own a car, car renting can get pretty expensive because you have to buy their liability insurance.

murphydog

Yup - I don't need either of them, and truth be told I would rather put the money towards retirement, at the age where I really no longer want to work, want to enjoy life....

That said if some $$ fell from the sky...well...that would change things a bit...

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think I really "need" two---a reliable car for transportation and fun (the Mini Cooper) and the 4X4 pickup truck as a backup, and for knocking around. If I had a family I could cram two little kids in the Mini, and drive the pickup when the wife needs the car.

Sure if you lived in Manhattan you would need 0 cars unless you're really either crazy or rich. You can always rent for those out-of-city escapes.

Of course, if you don't own a car, car renting can get pretty expensive because you have to buy their liability insurance.

Why rent when you can use a car sharing service. I see zip cars here in the burbs every now and again (mostly by the IKEA). Basically for small monthly fee and either a per hour or per day rate (IIRC $8-9/hour or $80 or so a day) you can use the car and the fees pays for gas and insurance. Looks like a pretty good deal if you only use a car occasionally.

ab348

snakeweasel said:

Why rent when you can use a car sharing service. I see zip cars here in the burbs every now and again (mostly by the IKEA). Basically for small monthly fee and either a per hour or per day rate (IIRC $8-9/hour or $80 or so a day) you can use the car and the fees pays for gas and insurance. Looks like a pretty good deal if you only use a car occasionally.

Seems expensive compared to a typical rental car. What makes a zip car different?

stever

For one thing, ZipCars are usually scattered around so there's likely one available within a two block walk if you are in an urban area. So instead of walking down to the bus stop you just walk down to the car you've reserved for running your errands.

Dunno how much I'm saving on insurance just sharing the one car. Probably at least one car payment a year. Be nice to have a spare around for where we're living since we're not in a walkable area. Still hoping to move to town this year and fix that issue though.

oldfarmer50

murphydog said:

Need vs Want OK - I have no need for a new car, both cars in the fleet are low miles and in great shape, and I ride in a vanpool 4 of 5 days a week and usually work from home on that 5th day....

That said I am wanting something new and fun. Part of me want a 2016 Convertible Camaro - V8 of course! Part of me wants the new 2017 Ford Raptor...Living in Western Washington the Raptor could be a lot of fun for exploring any part of the state, and the Camaro could be lots of fun 6-7 month of the year, it does not get too hot up here to put the top down.

Sigh....I guess this is more of a first world problem. I should simply enjoy what I have.

Even though I love the new Mustang a Camaro with drop top would solve the visability issue which is the only reason not to get a 2016.

On the other hand, a Raptor would make hauling stuff to the dump a real treat.

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

Everyone dreads running completely out of money. This is a visceral survival instinct I guess.

How many cars does a man need? I'd say at least 4!

First you need a comfy family sedan--for family, relatives, out on the town, grocery-getting, transporting children, etc.

Then you need a 4X4 pickup....just because. It can be a crew cab, for ski trips, etc--like the new Ridgeline.

Then you need a "fun" car---a fast and agile droptop or coupe, impractical, loud, scary fast or at least fast enough--2 seater preferred or 2+2 if you have to take the dog.

Then you need a "classic" car of some type, that you won't rely on but you keep around for tinkering, or as a hobby to enjoy with fellow enthusiasts.

Someone on here, smarter than I, put it perfectly. He said perfection would be owning a sports car, a luxury car, a truck and.......something for the wife to drive.

Mr_Shiftright

How does Zipcar handle liability, like if you total somebody's new Ferrari? Remember--- many Zipcar users don't have insurance. It's very difficult (impossible?) to get insurance from a regular insurance company if you don't own a car.

snakeweasel

ab348 said:

snakeweasel said:

Why rent when you can use a car sharing service. I see zip cars here in the burbs every now and again (mostly by the IKEA). Basically for small monthly fee and either a per hour or per day rate (IIRC $8-9/hour or $80 or so a day) you can use the car and the fees pays for gas and insurance. Looks like a pretty good deal if you only use a car occasionally.

Seems expensive compared to a typical rental car. What makes a zip car different?

Well they pay for the gas and insurance, plus they are placed all over the place in parking garages so you're never more than a block from where one is at. Plus all you have to do is book it using an app and walk over to it and drive off. Unlike going to the rental car desk and filling out all the paperwork. Plus you can get the car 24 hours a day.

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

How does Zipcar handle liability, like if you total somebody's new Ferrari? Remember--- many Zipcar users don't have insurance. It's very difficult (impossible?) to get insurance from a regular insurance company if you don't own a car.

Zip cars are insured through Zipcar themselves and is included in the fees. So if you total somebodys new Ferrari it's covered under Zipcars insurance.

Mr_Shiftright

From what I'm reading on Zipcar, you get 100/300 liability but only $25,000 property damage. So if you total something expensive, I guess you're on the hook for it, since you don't have your own insurance policy to fall back on.

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

From what I'm reading on Zipcar, you get 100/300 liability but only $25,000 property damage. So if you total something expensive, I guess you're on the hook for it, since you don't have your own insurance policy to fall back on.

I think that's something that a lawyer would have to answer.

stickguy

if you are driving and don't have your own insurance, would make sense to get a $1mill umbrella policy, just in case.

How does zipcar work for keys? I always wondered that. You can't just leave them parked around town with the keys in them! So if they have to be in a garage that is manned 24/7, it will certainly limit location options, and slow down the process.

28firefighter

The keys are left in a specific place in the vehicle. It starts the reservation and unlocks using a card reader or remote app held by the member with the reservation. Once you're in, you use the key like you normally would, including for lock and unlock. At the end of the reservation you use the card reader or remote app to lock the car and end the reservation. 

stickguy

Interesting. makes sense. I didn't know they installed a remote access option.

stever

Mostly been tooling around here in Chattanooga this week in my sister-in-law's '12 Odyssey but drove my brother's 2012 F-150 today. It felt a bit like a wallowing pig and the dash readout topped out at 15 mpg on the surface streets back to his house. Must be the base V-6 engine. I remember him talking about avoiding the Eco-boost engine since he felt it was too new to be proven. Prefer the Honda of those two.

stickguy

my BIL has a 2014 F 150 he uses for work. 4 door, normal bed (not the long one). Quite the beast though. I have never driven it, but riding in it does not impress me. It really is a barge.

houdini1

Mr_Shiftright said:

From what I'm reading on Zipcar, you get 100/300 liability but only $25,000 property damage. So if you total something expensive, I guess you're on the hook for it, since you don't have your own insurance policy to fall back on.

Would you own car insurance kick in over the Zip car coverage? Assuming you owned a car and had insurance.

houdini1

stickguy said:

if you are driving and don't have your own insurance, would make sense to get a $1mill umbrella policy, just in case.

How does zipcar work for keys? I always wondered that. You can't just leave them parked around town with the keys in them! So if they have to be in a garage that is manned 24/7, it will certainly limit location options, and slow down the process.

I think you have to have primary insurance of certain limits before you can buy an umbrella.

snakeweasel

stickguy said:

my BIL has a 2014 F 150 he uses for work. 4 door, normal bed (not the long one). Quite the beast though. I have never driven it, but riding in it does not impress me. It really is a barge.

Since the F series is a work truck and designed as such I would think that most of us here on this forum wouldn't be impressed by it. It Ford built it to impress us then it wouldn't be fit as the work horse it's supposed to be.

explorerx4

The F series is anything you want it to be, but always able to do work.
I don't have many miles on mine, which has the ecoboost 3.5, but it gets better mileage than the V8 Explorer I had from 2002 until about a year ago.

abacomike

Just finished watching "The Martian" with Matt Damon.  One of the best movies I've seen in years.  He did a great job as did the entire supporting cast.  Special Effects were astounding.  If you haven't seen it yet, definitely worth the $5.95 on cable. 

explorerx4

I went up the street to friend's house Friday night and watched Martian for free.

abacomike

explorerx4 said:

I went up the street to friend's house Friday night and watched Martian for free.

What did you think of the flick?

explorerx4

I liked it, didn't really know what to expect. Matt Damon's character reminded me of a bunch of my in-laws except the scientific mind part.

abacomike

explorerx4 said:

I liked it, didn't really know what to expect. Matt Damon's character reminded me of a bunch of my in-laws except the scientific mind part.

So the character reminded you of your in laws?  Why - do you wish they would be marooned someplace far, far away? 

stever

Was surprised a bit at driving the F-150 - when I've ridden in it, the ride was pretty plush. Driving it felt like I was.

Driving a truck.

Mr_Shiftright

I liked it because of the respect it showed for science. This movie was all about using your brain to get out of a jam.

Mr_Shiftright

houdini1 said:

stickguy said:

if you are driving and don't have your own insurance, would make sense to get a $1mill umbrella policy, just in case.

How does zipcar work for keys? I always wondered that. You can't just leave them parked around town with the keys in them! So if they have to be in a garage that is manned 24/7, it will certainly limit location options, and slow down the process.

I think you have to have primary insurance of certain limits before you can buy an umbrella.

If you don't have your own insurance as back up, seems to me that Zipcar's insurance caps out at $25K, so yeah, if you total someone's Lexus, you're on the hook.

This is the same as any insurance cap, even on your own car. You can be sued for any damages beyond what your policy says they'll pay.

abacomike

Mr_Shiftright said:

I liked it because of the respect it showed for science. This movie was all about using your brain to get out of a jam.

But in addition to science, it also highlighted the need to bend the rules a bit to overcome adversity.  The moral of the story behind the movie was, "...if at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" 

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

I liked it because of the respect it showed for science. This movie was all about using your brain to get out of a jam.

Except that that is a jam in which you are 100% screwed.

snakeweasel

Mr_Shiftright said:

houdini1 said:

stickguy said:

if you are driving and don't have your own insurance, would make sense to get a $1mill umbrella policy, just in case.

How does zipcar work for keys? I always wondered that. You can't just leave them parked around town with the keys in them! So if they have to be in a garage that is manned 24/7, it will certainly limit location options, and slow down the process.

I think you have to have primary insurance of certain limits before you can buy an umbrella.

If you don't have your own insurance as back up, seems to me that Zipcar's insurance caps out at $25K, so yeah, if you total someone's Lexus, you're on the hook.

This is the same as any insurance cap, even on your own car. You can be sued for any damages beyond what your policy says they'll pay.

Yes, but I would think that in this case zipcar would get sued too as it was their car. Plus they would have the deep pockets.

ab348

snakeweasel said:

Yes, but I would think that in this case zipcar would get sued too as it was their car. Plus they would have the deep pockets.

Assuming they are making any money.

What sort of cars do they have available?

Mr_Shiftright

Zipcar offers about 30 different types of cars and trucks, so it's better than most rental companies in that regard.

Consumer Reports did a Zipcar vs. Hertz on things like convenience, cost, insurance, cleanliness of cars, etc blah blah and Hertz won most categories.

driver100

abacomike said:

explorerx4 said:

I went up the street to friend's house Friday night and watched Martian for free.

What did you think of the flick?

Do you want to know what I think?

I know people love it but I think it was just Robinson Crusoe in space, and because it is space you can do whatever you want, like have the Chinese ready to launch a spaceship to save the guy.

I will say, excellent acting, and special effects were incredible.....story line, well, I've heard it 1000s of times before.

For excellent original films I would choose, Spotlight, Bridge, of Spies, Big Short, Steve Jobs and quite a few others.

Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining two hours, but for me, it was a western in space....sorry!

abacomike

driver100 said:

explorerx4 said:

I went up the street to friend's house Friday night and watched Martian for free.

What did you think of the flick?

Do you want to know what I think? I know people love it but I think it was just Robinson Crusoe in space, and because it is space you can do whatever you want, like have the Chinese ready to launch a spaceship to save the guy. I will say, excellent acting, and special effects were incredible.....story line, well, I've heard it 1000s of times before. For excellent original films I would choose, Spotlight, Bridge, of Spies, Big Short, Steve Jobs and quite a few others. Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining two hours, but for me, it was a western in space....sorry!

Driver, you have nothing to be sorry about!  Your comments are quite appropriate and fit the profile of many books, screenplays and even Broadway Shows.  The basic difference between these similar plots is the quality of the directing, the acting, the special effects, the casting, the editing, the music, the production sets, to name a few.

I was just amazed at how well the entire production came together to keep me entertained for 2+ hours.

houdini1

driver100 said:

abacomike said:

explorerx4 said:

I went up the street to friend's house Friday night and watched Martian for free.

What did you think of the flick?

I enjoyed reading the book much more than watching the movie.

snakeweasel

ab348 said:

snakeweasel said:

Yes, but I would think that in this case zipcar would get sued too as it was their car. Plus they would have the deep pockets.

Assuming they are making any money.

What sort of cars do they have available?

Well a quick look at their website shows everything up to and including Mercedes Benz.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

I know people love it but I think it was just Robinson Crusoe in space,

It's been done,

driver100

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

I know people love it but I think it was just Robinson Crusoe in space,

It's been done,

Seems there should be a picture that got missed, at least on my crumby HP laptop. Or, did you mean the story of Robinson Crusoe has been done?

abacomike

snakeweasel said:

I know people love it but I think it was just Robinson Crusoe in space,

It's been done,

Long, long time ago.  Did not like it.  But what do I know? 

driver100

="abacomike"><

Driver, you have nothing to be sorry about!  Your comments are quite appropriate and fit the profile of many books, screenplays and even Broadway Shows.  The basic difference between these similar plots is the quality of the directing, the acting, the special effects, the casting, the editing, the music, the production sets, to name a few.

I was just amazed at how well the entire production came together to keep me entertained for 2+ hours.

Thanks for accepting someone could have a different viewpoint. I agree, the movie kept me awake for the full two hours, it had excellent acting (from one person), and it had humor, great scenes of space - seemed the most realistic I have seen, and I felt I got my moneys worth....especially since I saw it at the $2 movie theater.

Some movies are not award winners (though this one sure will be), but they offer good entertainment value, and this one was entertaining...and it was a lot better than that other space movie. I call these movies good "time wasters".

I'd put the last James Bond movie in this category too, Spectre...had to look up the name it was so forgettable, but plenty of action. That can be a good thing too...after all, most of us want a movie to be entertaining.

But IMHO....to be truly great, a movie has to stretch us, be clever, get across ideas that are hard to explain, make us feel we are better after seeing it, teach us, and entertain us...the more of these the better.

stever

The Martian bugged me a bit because they got some of the basic science wrong, and that's bad because I was a liberal arts major. But I enjoyed it overall.

snakeweasel

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:

I know people love it but I think it was just Robinson Crusoe in space,

It's been done,

Seems there should be a picture that got missed, at least on my crumby HP laptop. Or, did you mean the story of Robinson Crusoe has been done?

There was a picture there, it was a poster for the movie "Robinson Crusoe on Mars" not sure what happened.