Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

stever said:

driver100 said:

What is Xzilon or Xylon? Do you really need it in the desert

It's wax. New car and all, I'll probably wax it a few times myself until the newness wears off. Get some clay and some Collinite 845 and I bet it'd be almost as shiny as @tyguy's Audi.

Hm, I still have a tie somewhere, but I'd have to go buy a suit if I follow tyguy's lead.

So instead of Mop n Glo they have upgraded to Tint and Wax, for a mere $1500.
What did people do if they lived in the desert before they invented tint and wax?

driver100

explorerx4 said:

My wife's MKC didn't have the VIN etching when she looked at it, but did when we went to pick it up.
The $249 was preprinted on the contract. I told the finance guy I didn't ask for it, but since it was done, I'd split it with them. He said just forget about it and took it off the contract.

Even I am getting upset about these sleezeballs now. I imagine that etching costs nothing,,,,,,they have the equipment - which isn't a big deal - and an employee who does it as part of his job, and then they have the nerve to hit you up for another $249. You did the decent and very smart thing and paid half....but, by then you are tired and just want to get home with your new car....and though they didn't get the full rip offed $249 they did get half of it which they probably figure is a little more clear profit.

I hope you put that in the survey if you get it.

driver100

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

Another thought, I usually find when you pay more you get more...I could make the argument you actually get proportionately more. If you take an inexpensive car and a luxury car.....they both have certain fixed costs, a factory, labor, materials. If you add to that even better parts, more electronics, better engineering you end up with a better car.....but, you started with fixed costs, so all the money over and above the fixed costs goes to make a better car.

It's called the Driver's Rule about Economics.

I think you have summed this up quite well. My personal experience is moving from the Regal Turbo to the ATS. I liked the Regal a lot. Thought it was the nicest car I ever owned, and in many ways it was. Lots of features, great on the highway, nice-looking, I was happy enough with it that I was willing to buy it out when the lease was up.

When I drove the ATS though, I could feel that there was something different about it. I decided to go with it. At first I wasn't sure I made the right move. It is a different car than the Regal for sure, not as much room inside, a lot smaller and lighter, much more nimble. In some ways it is less practical. But the more I drive it, the more I get why it costs more. The engine performance is simply outstanding. It handles like it is on rails. I love driving it like no other car I've owned. Everything inside feel like quality. And it looks absolutely incredible.

I get it.

I am glad you are enjoying your ATS....I see them and I think they look really nice, in fact all the Cadillacs look really nice these days. But, each line tweaks there cars a bit, and they can add things to the Cadillac....like a stiffer body, better suspension, more sound proofing etc. to make it a very different car than the Regal.

I bought a 1986 Chev Celebrity Euro Model. About 6 months later my employer insisted we take a company cars and I sold my Celebrity and they gave me an Olds Cienna. They were supposed to be basically the same car, but there was a huge difference. The Olds seemed to be a far superior car for handling, steering and comfort, but I liked the looks of my Celebrity. Huge difference though, even though most people thought all the GM FWDs were basically the same car....with different styling.

roadburner

driver100 said:

You'd think they would make sure before they tell you that....that news could have caused a heart attack.

What I didn't mention was that it was Memorial Day Weekend- when my son and I would go to the Wonderfest Science Fiction/Monster/Model Building convention. We always got a room at the HQ motel even though we lived less than 40 minutes away. I didn't want to disappoint him so we went and had a great time. In retrospect it was much better than sitting around the house worrying. When my wife found out about the the false positives and the fact that my GP didn't know-or didn't mention it-she insisted that we change doctors. It all turned out for the best, however, I ended up with my present M.D.- who has two Shelby Mustangs, a new Z06, and a Factory Five Cobra. We hit it off from the beginning.

[Deleted User]

Mike, great to hear you're home and I hope the recovery is quick. Thanks for checking in and relieving all our concerns.

GG, I'm very sorry to learn about the challenges. That's private to you and I won't pry. Just know we wish you the best.

Regarding Xzilon, it's a paint coating. Not traditional wax as you find at an auto parts store, but rather a synthetic coating with longer life. Some are simple to apply and others fairly tricky. You can pick up an alternative to Xzilon for less than $100. The challenge is surface prep. Once you apply the coating, you've locked in any imperfections in the paint until you polish off the coating product. Paint coatings have zero fillers like a traditional wax, so literally every scratch, acid etch, swirl, and other defect will show through and be highlighted by the extra gloss. A dealer is the LAST place I would trust with proper surface prep.

stever

In one of my replies to the sales guy I said that the last thing I wanted was a lot tech putting "wax" on my car. And I mentioned swirls.

They don't have to know I really don't much care.

iluvmysephia1

Don't forget Steve's Body by Fisher corollary - if the same logo is on the sills, why buy the Caddy instead of the Chevy?

And South Korean is another carmaker category - that's just it - a different company with different parts ordered - different engineering team with different outcomes desired. I prefer the Asian companies these days, but, don't like the larger cars, so that limits me a lot in what I study and go after.

I wouldn't buy something I didn't like, though. Even though I haven't even test-driven an Audi or a BMW before, I could see how I might like one. An S4 perhaps - I just tread carefully with costs, and, I don't think a Warranty you'd get with an Audi could come close to matching Kia's. And it ain't cheap ta fix an Audi or a Beamer or a MB. I expect what I buy to stay together well. I'm not saying a new or late-model German car wouldn't - it's just the starting costs dissuade me from stepping closer to that blowtorch even just a little bit. Automobile shopping is emotional but it's also very logical, too.

All three of my Kia's have stayed nicely buttoned-tagether, and, I don't need to drive like Adam Carolla at Leguna in his Datsun 510...tooling around SW Kansas at the speed limit suits me just fine...wait a minute. Datsun 510 - as in 411 Bluebird? Oh...the little orange one! Is it still in St.Louie for sale? It's only selling for $12,900.

dino001

js06gv said:

Trust me, I'm not one of these people. But the situation is not as uncommon as you may think. Hot car, long awaited by Mustang fans, all the magazines love it, and limited production. Add to that a few people who have to be among the first to own one and suddenly you have several buyers at 20 bills over list. If the dealer can get it, you know he will.

My point is, considering size of Ford dealer network, 5-6 per year for one is a lot for a "limited" car. There is not enough fans to shell out 60 grand in that rate, let alone 80. This car is going below sticker in six months, just like virtually anything else from Detroit. Those things are hot in first three months and turn cold in nine.

stever

iluvmysephia1 said:

Even though I haven't even test-driven an Audi or a BMW before, I could see how I might like one. An S4 perhaps - I just tread carefully with costs

Audi just blew the doors off in the 2016 Consumer Reports best car brands report. "They need to have consistency across a range of models in reliability and drive quality to get to the top," (USA Today)

So everything we thought we knew about spotty reliability of Audis is wrong.

Kia came in at number 9, a couple of spots ahead of Hyundai, which surprised me.

driver100

iluvmysephia1 said:

Don't forget Steve's Body by Fisher corollary - if the same logo is on the sills, why buy the Caddy instead of the Chevy?

And South Korean is another carmaker category - that's just it - a different company with different parts ordered - different engineering team with different outcomes desired. I prefer the Asian companies these days, but, don't like the larger cars, so that limits me a lot in what I study and go after.

All three of my Kia's have stayed nicely buttoned-tagether, and, I don't need to drive like Adam Carolla at Leguna in his Datsun 510...tooling around SW Kansas at the speed limit suits me just fine...wait a minute. Datsun 510 - as in 411 Bluebird? Oh...the little orange one! Is it still in St.Louie for sale? It's only selling for $12,900.

Save yourself some cash and buy this poster on eBay for $12 iluv.



You are wise to know what your limits are....if you don't like the cost of a European car and aren't prepared to pay to keep it going then go with a more reliable Asian car......nothing wrong with that. That's why they make Kia's and BMWs, not everyone is looking for the same thing.

houdini1

stever said:

In one of my replies to the sales guy I said that the last thing I wanted was a lot tech putting "wax" on my car. And I mentioned swirls.

They don't have to know I really don't much care.

A local dealer is advertising new 2016 Encores for $19,900. with no fine print that I could find.

abacomike

houdini1 said:

In one of my replies to the sales guy I said that the last thing I wanted was a lot tech putting "wax" on my car. And I mentioned swirls. They don't have to know I really don't much care.

A local dealer is advertising new 2016 Encores for $19,900. with no fine print that I could find.

It's there (the fine print) but only if you can read the invisible ink!!! 

graphicguy

Mike...so glad you got a clean bill of health.

Thanks everyone for the concern. As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I'll answer questions. I'm not shy about it. Don't care who knows details....but pretty straight forward. If your spouse would rather live in a different country without you, as opposed to at home with you, it's pretty clear what the future holds. Was never really fond of the idea of her spending the holidays away. When the trip kept being extended, eventually a line had to be drawn in the sand.

Thanks, again! I'll be fine!

stever

@houdini1, the "mandatory" mop & glow at the Buick dealer here is half what the Kia dealer wants.

A few months back they were leasing Encores for $199 a month or some cheap number. Base models most likely but there's a lot of bang for the buck with them. Nice gas mileage too.

driver100

Mike, how are you doing today?

I have two questions for you if you are up to it.

No rush.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

http://www.listingallcars.com/details/2008-Mercury-Grand-Marquis-Used/7878887600014030072

I tried to post a picture but the pictures are secured...which they don't seem to do on the better sites.

driver100

graphicguy said:

Mike...so glad you got a clean bill of health.

Thanks everyone for the concern. As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I'll answer questions. I'm not shy about it. Don't care who knows details....but pretty straight forward. If your spouse would rather live in a different country without you, as opposed to at home with you, it's pretty clear what the future holds. Was never really fond of the idea of her spending the holidays away. When the trip kept being extended, eventually a line had to be drawn in the sand.

Thanks, again! I'll be fine!

GG, I give you credit for your openness......I like to do things that way too.....let the chips fall where they may and being open can lead to some answers or at least relief from keeping things bottled up.

It is very risky meeting and living with someone.......the risk is well worth it if things work out, but, there are lots of unknowns.

I usually read the advice columns in the daily newspaper, and this one may be of some interest. The lady writer always wanted to live in a foreign country. Her husband didn't and they married and she didn't move. Now after years of being happily married, she wants to live overseas, hopefully in an undeveloped country (which I will never understand). Here's the letter and reply:

READERS DREAM COMES BACK TO HAUNT

driver100

imidazol97 said:

driver100 said:

http://www.listingallcars.com/details/2008-Mercury-Grand-Marquis-Used/7878887600014030072

I tried to post a picture but the pictures are secured...which they don't seem to do on the better sites.

Thanks imid....I tried several times and couldn't do it. I was trying for the picture of that ultra black tire that looked like they painted it about 10X with black enamel. It is so black it shines.

driver100

stever said:

@houdini1, the "mandatory" mop & glow at the Buick dealer here is half what the Kia dealer wants.

A few months back they were leasing Encores for $199 a month or some cheap number. Base models most likely but there's a lot of bang for the buck with them. Nice gas mileage too.

Why would anyone be made to take "mandatory" mop n glo? I thought we lived in a free country! You can't buy a car without overpriced mop n glo or a desert package? Tell them you will take them to court!

abacomike

driver100 said:

Mike, how are you doing today? I have two questions for you if you are up to it. No rush.

I am at my primary care doc's office waiting, what can I do for you?

imidazol97

@driver100
I switched pictures in the original post. I should have understood that was the picture you might want to show.


I had to download the picture into a junk storage folder (edmunds) on my computer then I uploaded it from there. Now I'll delete the jpgs. I am not sure why their site's method of calling jpgs for display leaves them unable to be linked but they can still be downloaded.

abacomike

graphicguy said:

Mike...so glad you got a clean bill of health. Thanks everyone for the concern. As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I'll answer questions. I'm not shy about it. Don't care who knows details....but pretty straight forward. If your spouse would rather live in a different country without you, as opposed to at home with you, it's pretty clear what the future holds. Was never really fond of the idea of her spending the holidays away. When the trip kept being extended, eventually a line had to be drawn in the sand. Thanks, again! I'll be fine!

One of the major reasons I live alone is because I have enough problems taking care of myself without having to worry, care for, or inherit problems of someone else.  Yes, it's very lonely, but I have been single now for over 20 years.

GG, you have to do what's right for you - no one else.  When I first read that your partner was going to China by herself for a month, warnings sounded in my head.  Then, after even more time abroad, the warnings became sirens.

Just live and be well - and care for yourself!

driver100

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Mike, how are you doing today?

I have two questions for you if you are up to it.

No rush.

I am at my primary care doc's office waiting, what can I do for you?

Good luck at the doctor's office...hope it is all good news.

2 things then:

1) I was curious about Consumers Reports saying the 2016 Audi A6 was the best car in it's category. When I was looking for a 2015 I tried an A6, and though it was pretty nice I chose the E400 over the A6 right away. Here is the CR review of the A6:
CR REVIEW 2016 Audi A6
At the time I was really impressed with the A4, so I didn't have an anti-Audi bias, in fact I thought I would love it - if I was that impressed with the A4 I thought I'd be blown away by the A6. What would you say to someone interested in a Mercedes but says Audi A6 came out 1st with CR?

2) My 2nd question is how does the auto parking feature work? I know you drive by the spot you want to park in. The BLUE P is lit up meaning it can park itself. What do you do next to get it to start parking. I will probably never use it but if I ever do it would be nice to know what to do.

I saw pix of the 2017 E400 and it looks and from what I read it looks pretty nice...maybe I will become a compulsive car buyer.
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/2017-mercedes-benz-e-class-222625243.html

driver100

imidazol97 said:

@driver100
I switched pictures in the original post. I should have understood that was the picture you might want to show.

I had to download the picture into a junk storage folder (edmunds) on my computer then I uploaded it from there. Now I'll delete the jpgs. I am not sure why their site's method of calling jpgs for display leaves them unable to be linked but they can still be downloaded.

Thanks for explaining imid. I thought it was either me or my cheaper solid state HP laptop with no drives. That's a hard way to get a picture though.

Now try to do this 2017 Mercedes E400 if you want another challenge:
https://www.yahoo.com/autos/2017-mercedes-benz-e-class-222625243.html

imidazol97

stever

driver100 said:

stever said:

@houdini1, the "mandatory" mop & glow at the Buick dealer here is half what the Kia dealer wants.

A few months back they were leasing Encores for $199 a month or some cheap number. Base models most likely but there's a lot of bang for the buck with them. Nice gas mileage too.

Why would anyone be made to take "mandatory" mop n glo? I thought we lived in a free country! You can't buy a car without overpriced mop n glo or a desert package? Tell them you will take them to court!

I put it in quotes to be "cute". Several of the dealers here are stuck in the last century and they think if they put wax on their supplemental Monroney, people won't question it. And lots probably don't. The Buick dealer immediately said they could "work on the number" when I told them I wasn't paying for mop & glow.

suydam

Have you gone back there or have you definitely decided on the Soul?

imidazol97

My recent buying "opportunity" had lots of irritating points in the dialogue with the salesman. They tried the mandatory Ohio-required $250 document fee.

No mop and glo.

suydam

It seems there's always a bit of gaming at the F&I part. It's like they just have to give a few of these scams a go in hopes that you'll spot 2 but not see at least 1. We had a couple of them in both of our last purchases. It's a shame because it puts a damper on an otherwise exciting purchase.

stever

suydam said:

Have you gone back there or have you definitely decided on the Soul?

We keep coming back to the Soul because it hits most of our buttons. Huge opening panoramic roof for her, box for me, somewhat higher seating position for both of us.

Biggest negative is the so-so gas mileage. No blind spot monitor bums me a bit too.

Taking the van in this afternoon to see if it's worth trading in and to see if it's worth continuing to negotiate with this dealer.

driver100

Thanks for the pix imid......what a process.

It seems like a lot of the car buying experiences lately have been a bit of an ordeal, as the dealer is looking for ways to pick your pocket.

$300 in order to file papers for 10 years is really stretching it. The spinning tablet is probably designed to make you dizzy and lose your train of thought.

I bet most people go along with most of the extra costs as they aren't as savvy as we are.

stever

driver100 said:

I bet most people go along with most of the extra costs as they aren't as savvy as we are.

That's the most fun part about being here I think - letting buyers in on some of the accumulated knowledge so they can get a fair deal.

(and everyone is free to browse the Prices Paid discussions and join in on the fun. )

cdnpinhead

abacomike said:

Just live and be well - and care for yourself!

Nicely put. +1

abacomike

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

Mike, how are you doing today? I have two questions for you if you are up to it. No rush.

I am at my primary care doc's office waiting, what can I do for you?

Good luck at the doctor's office...hope it is all good news. 2 things then: 1) I was curious about Consumers Reports saying the 2016 Audi A6 was the best car in it's category. When I was looking for a 2015 I tried an A6, and though it was pretty nice I chose the E400 over the A6 right away. Here is the CR review of the A6: CR REVIEW 2016 Audi A6 At the time I was really impressed with the A4, so I didn't have an anti-Audi bias, in fact I thought I would love it - if I was that impressed with the A4 I thought I'd be blown away by the A6. What would you say to someone interested in a Mercedes but says Audi A6 came out 1st with CR? 2) My 2nd question is how does the auto parking feature work? I know you drive by the spot you want to park in. The BLUE P is lit up meaning it can park itself. What do you do next to get it to start parking. I will probably never use it but if I ever do it would be nice to know what to do. I saw pix of the 2017 E400 and it looks and from what I read it looks pretty nice...maybe I will become a compulsive car buyer. https://www.yahoo.com/autos/2017-mercedes-benz-e-class-222625243.html

I almost never read reviews by publications and then go running out to buy a car based on those reviews!  I read reviews for one basic reason - I love cars and want to get a taste of what car reviewers have to say about ALL cars in the luxury sport sedan segment.  Just because CR has made the A6 their top pick in the segment doesn't mean it is the best car for the money out there.

I have driven the A6 - just before I bought the CLS400.  I found the seats uncomfortable for my needs - too stiff and too harsh for my tastes.  I prefer rear wheel drive over AWD or FWD.  The A6 3.0 liter 6 cylinder engine delivered a nice acceleration from start or at 40 mph.  I am not a fan of the Audi front end for the same reasons I do not like the front ends on the Lexus LS460, GS350 and ES350.  But taking everything into consideration (quality, interior, power, styling, etc.), the A6 is a formidable entry in the luxury sport sedan segment.

Before I buy a car, I want to drive everything in the segment to determine which car is best for me, not what CR or any of the other publications say is best for me.  I rest my case!

As for the self-parking feature in the MB, even though I had it in the last 2 MB cars I owned, I never ever used it.  Even if I was in an area where I could parallel park, I would never use it.  But in answer to your question - I never found out how to use it because I won't let a $70,000 - $80,000 car of mine park itself.  

stickguy

Driver, I read that saw column every day in my local paper. I like her take on things.

Imid, I got shown a cost sheet once when I bought my Volvo from an Acura dealer. Did not mean much, since their cost was whatever trade value they showed, and that number can be monkeyed with. I did appreciate seeing exactly what the shop did to it though.

driver100

stever said:

driver100 said:

I bet most people go along with most of the extra costs as they aren't as savvy as we are.

That's the most fun part about being here I think - letting buyers in on some of the accumulated knowledge so they can get a fair deal.

(and everyone is free to browse the Prices Paid discussions and join in on the fun. )

That gave me a thought stever.

With all the tools available on the internet these days (provided very nicely by Edmund's) anyone can find out what a new car should cost. The dealers have come up with a way to fight back. It is difficult to hide what a customer can pay for the car (like they used to be able to do), so now they have to try to do it through add ons which most consumers will just go along with.

Prices paid may be fun...but I like to get my fiction from a good novel.

stever

Invoice isn't a real number any more - I think in general you're going to see some MSRP creep and fewer dealers willing to negotiate the OTD price as much. And I think the FTC may crack down on the high doc fees unless they get gutted in a year. No matter, I think some class actions are in the works for places like Florida as it is. Some of that could get carried over to the other padded fees and add-ons.

It's gotten tougher for the dealers to make money on repairs too - warranty work doesn't pay well and cars don't break down as much.

Mr_Shiftright

stever said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

Even though I haven't even test-driven an Audi or a BMW before, I could see how I might like one. An S4 perhaps - I just tread carefully with costs

Audi just blew the doors off in the 2016 Consumer Reports best car brands report. "They need to have consistency across a range of models in reliability and drive quality to get to the top," (USA Today)

So everything we thought we knew about spotty reliability of Audis is wrong.

Kia came in at number 9, a couple of spots ahead of Hyundai, which surprised me.

Doesn't say what the basis for this "reliability" is, but apparently, using the same testing methods, the top single car was the Chevrolet Impala. So I guess we can say Chevrolets are better than Audis?

driver100

stickguy said:

Driver, I read that saw column every day in my local paper. I like her take on things.

Imid, I got shown a cost sheet once when I bought my Volvo from an Acura dealer. Did not mean much, since their cost was whatever trade value they showed, and that number can be monkeyed with. I did appreciate seeing exactly what the shop did to it though.

1) I know we have covered lots of topics, dishwashers, washers, etc., but never thought we would be discussing Dear Abbey. I like those columns though...I like looking for answers.

2) Did they say they overpaid for the Volvo so you have to be charged more? Volvo is worth what a Volvo is worth. If they did pay too much or had to put more $$$s into it than they expected that shouldn't necessarily become your problem....unless you want to pay that much for the car.

You probably thought the car was worth what they wanted and paid more than you expected.....not a big problem if you like the car. The extra amount won't amount to much over the length of time you have the car.

driver100

Mike, RE A6:

Good answer, from the perspective what CR thinks is important may not be important to me. I wanted a new car, but the A6 did nothing for me. It wasn't that comfortable, the inside was kind of drab, the outward vision was not that good, I was sitting low. At the time I said I would rather keep my 535 or get another 535 - even though it would be the same car.

RE: Self Parking

I would maybe try it on a parking lot where the cars are in the right position. I am just curious, I don't think I would use it either.

oldfarmer50

tyguy said:

Mike, great to hear you're home and I hope the recovery is quick. Thanks for checking in and relieving all our concerns.

GG, I'm very sorry to learn about the challenges. That's private to you and I won't pry. Just know we wish you the best.

Regarding Xzilon, it's a paint coating. Not traditional wax as you find at an auto parts store, but rather a synthetic coating with longer life. Some are simple to apply and others fairly tricky. You can pick up an alternative to Xzilon for less than $100. The challenge is surface prep. Once you apply the coating, you've locked in any imperfections in the paint until you polish off the coating product. Paint coatings have zero fillers like a traditional wax, so literally every scratch, acid etch, swirl, and other defect will show through and be highlighted by the extra gloss. A dealer is the LAST place I would trust with proper surface prep.

Didn't jmonroe use some sort of telephone pole wax that was like that?

A little humor. Ta Ta Motors had to change the name of one of it's cars because of bad associations. It was called the Zica.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

stever said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

Even though I haven't even test-driven an Audi or a BMW before, I could see how I might like one. An S4 perhaps - I just tread carefully with costs

Audi just blew the doors off in the 2016 Consumer Reports best car brands report. "They need to have consistency across a range of models in reliability and drive quality to get to the top," (USA Today)

So everything we thought we knew about spotty reliability of Audis is wrong.

Kia came in at number 9, a couple of spots ahead of Hyundai, which surprised me.

Doesn't say what the basis for this "reliability" is, but apparently, using the same testing methods, the top single car was the Chevrolet Impala. So I guess we can say Chevrolets are better than Audis?

If you really want a Soul you should get a Soul, and not settle for something else. They get good reviews with lots of stars. It is too bad they don't have blind spot monitors, that is a great feature.

Would you get it in this color?


KIA SOUL GETS 41/2 STARS - EDMUNDS

abacomike

driver100 said:

Mike, RE A6: Good answer, from the perspective what CR thinks is important may not be important to me. I wanted a new car, but the A6 did nothing for me. It wasn't that comfortable, the inside was kind of drab, the outward vision was not that good, I was sitting low. At the time I said I would rather keep my 535 or get another 535 - even though it would be the same car. RE: Self Parking I would maybe try it on a parking lot where the cars are in the right position. I am just curious, I don't think I would use it either.

Just drive into your closest MB dealer and ask them to show you how to use the Park Assist in you car.

From what I remember, if your "park" button is activated on the center dashboard (red ligh glows if on), as you drive by cars parked on your right side, the system is measuring the sizes of parking spaces.  An arrow pointing to the right will come on with the blue "P" telling you the parking space is large enough to accommodate your car.  With your foot on the brake, put the car in reverse.  Release the brake and the car should back up and turn the steering wheel and park itself.

But I strongly recommend you have MB show you how it works.

stickguy

Driver, the price was good anyway. Making $400 over what QB said.

stickguy

That soul probably downt have much of a blind spot at least, based on the design..

stever

@Mr_Shiftright, my Chicago friend has one in Alien green. He likes that he can always find it in a sea of black and silver cars. The green would work better than the yellow for me, but it appears that the Umber leather only comes with the white and blue ones. For a change, the manufacturer's limitations will work out well for us since either would be good.

ab348

graphicguy said:

Thanks everyone for the concern. As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. I'll answer questions. I'm not shy about it. Don't care who knows details....but pretty straight forward. If your spouse would rather live in a different country without you, as opposed to at home with you, it's pretty clear what the future holds. Was never really fond of the idea of her spending the holidays away. When the trip kept being extended, eventually a line had to be drawn in the sand.

Thanks, again! I'll be fine!

Good to hear that last line.

As I get older (I'll be 60 in a few months! Cripes!) I sometimes regret being single. But then I hear tales like this one and don't feel so bad.

If this was a car sales experience I'd suggest a buyback.

stickguy

Interesting. Usually guys send to China to get a wife, not to get rid of the current one.

Just going for some levity.

After 30 years, I can't even imagine remarrying (if something happened to the incumbent wife). I can't even imagine dating. Would probably get another dog instead. And a toy car. And never leave the house except to take dog for a walk or car for a drive!

abacomike

stickguy said:

Interesting. Usually guys send to China to get a wife, not to get rid of the current one. Just going for some levity. After 30 years, I can't even imagine remarrying (if something happened to the incumbent wife). I can't even imagine dating. Would probably get another dog instead. And a toy car. And never leave the house except to take dog for a walk or car for a drive!

Now you know how I feel!

stever

Best way to find a soul mate is to go on a road trip. My wife and I met at a Halloween party and six months later we both quit our jobs and went camping for 6 weeks around the Lower 48. She's been retired for four years now and so we're both underfoot 24/7 - right now I'm playing on the laptop on a small corner of our big dining room table while she messes around with pastels on the rest of the table. I could easily do another 32 years.