Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

graphicguy

stever said:

Friends, may I introduce @IusedtosellHondasbutIcametomysensesandgotaToyota.

Flag away.

LOL!

Craig...seriously, I wish you wouldn't bid adios. I enjoy your posts.

graphicguy

Was in Chicago for a few days working. Rented a "new style" Hyundai Sonata. In brief, pretty darned nice car.

It had 22,000 miles, and not a squeak or rattle to be found. Engine was smooth. Trans shifted smoothly and had no problem kicking down a gear or two if I spurred it. Steering was well weighted. Handled well for a front driver.

Tires were squirrely, sometimes feeling overwhelmed and not able to track well, I'll chalk that up to the being the low rolling resistance type. Stereo was surprisingly good, given it's probably a base offering. Bluetooth as a bit weird acting, not quite knowing what it was doing (making phone calls when none were desired, sometimes playing songs on my iPhone when I was listening to the radio, etc). That would have made me nuts.

Assuming they sell for a bit under Accord and Camry prices, they are a nice get. I liked it.

graphicguy

henryn said:

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Need opinions.

What do you think of the Lincoln LS from the early 2000s. Lòt of negative stories about coil problems, transmissions too.

Are they junk or no more problematic than other contemporary domestics of the time?

Which version? The LS-v8 of 2003 and up was a nice car. I am not aware of any major issues. Mileage was pretty awful, though. I averaged 20mpg in my time with it.

I was thinking something like this:

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/5702642287.html

I agree with Q, looks very nice for the money, but probably not super reliable. Fun, different, can't possibly lose much by owning it. As a second car, a toy, a conversation piece ...



OF...Agree with Henry. Looks pretty nice. And, anything that runs is gonna be worth $3K. So, probably won't lose anything.

qbrozen

driver100 said:

This is what I was wondering. That Lincoln is a nice looking car and for $3800 seems like a pretty good bargain. If you found a similar year Ford or Chev for example, would the price be similar and would parts and labor cost less to keep it on the road? I was once told a long time ago that a repair on a Cadillac will cost a lot more than on an Impala, even though the actual part may be exactly the same.

The thing about the LS is that it had a Jag engine, which was only used in the LS and the Tbird. So it isn't exactly a "cheap and easy to repair" Ford product. However, I actually chose the LS over the S-type at the time because the S-type has shocks that cost $1k per corner, from what I remember at the time, while the LS used conventional shocks. That little tidbit alone was enough to make me think the LS would be more reasonable to maintain in the long run. As if I had to worry about the long run.

roadburner

Lincoln missed a golden opportunity to get a head start over Cadillac in the mid-luxury sport sedan segment. Unfortunately the L-M dealers were absolutely clueless about selling the LS to anyone who still had all of their own teeth and didn't wear pastel colored pants and white belts with matching shoes.

Mr_Shiftright

Poor Lincoln. The car that lost its way somehow. They should have done like Harley Davidson did in the 1980s---fire all their customers and find new ones.

snakeweasel

graphicguy said:

Was in Chicago for a few days working.

And you didn't look me up.

oldfarmer50

You

qbrozen said:

Pretty nice car for the money, OF. Is this for you or someone else? I would never suggest it for someone looking fir a cheap, reliable car. Not that I think it is unreliable, but 16 yrs old will have some needs no matter what. 

This might be a replacement for my son's clunker LaSabre. I don't mind repairs associated with age (my Mark VIII has been relatively trouble free) but I don't want a money pit bad design. Heard these LSs chew up coils and have other electrical problems.

explorerx4

I think there is something weird about the water pump design on the V8 LS Lincolns.
Looked at one back in 05 or 06 and it was 48K. Pretty rich pricing.

explorerx4

Mowing the lawn this afternoon when some movement catches my eye.
Two 4+ foot scared bear cubs climbing a tree about 40 feet away. Then I saw Mama and I ran in the house closing the garage door behind me!

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

Mowing the lawn this afternoon when some movement catches my eye.
Two 4+ foot scared bear cubs climbing a tree about 40 feet away. Then I saw Mama and I ran in the house closing the garage door behind me!

What are you afraid of. You got away safely without much of a sweat.

I had a skunk under Son #1's bed when he was about 3 years old. Got it out without it doing it's spray thing. Can't say I wasn't sweating that out.

jmonroe

berri

Hey I'm with Explorer - don't mess with mama and her kids, no matter the species!

stever

He didn't say he was scared, he ran in specifically to close the garage door so the bears wouldn't get in there. They love to eat upholstery.

stickguy

They just want your garbage pails.

stever

Oh, and the dog food and bird seed.

Mr_Shiftright

and anything in your refrigerator. They have very good noses.

I presume this was a black bear? If it was a grizzly, you wouldn't be here.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

explorerx4 said:

Mowing the lawn this afternoon when some movement catches my eye.
Two 4+ foot scared bear cubs climbing a tree about 40 feet away. Then I saw Mama and I ran in the house closing the garage door behind me!

What are you afraid of. You got away safely without much of a sweat.

I had a skunk under Son #1's bed when he was about 3 years old. Got it out without it doing it's spray thing. Can't say I wasn't sweating that out.

jmonroe

At least you had the sense to run. Some folks today have no fear of wild animals.

I blame Disney.

graphicguy

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

Was in Chicago for a few days working.

And you didn't look me up.

Snake....Usually my schedule is packed pretty tight and last minute. Next time I'll give you some notice and perhaps we can get together.

toomanyfumes

I had an'05 LS for about 3 years. Coil on plugs, heater control valves, hydraulic fans on earlier models, other minor issues and more expensive than average for parts and repair. Car handed great, though, and had probably the most comfortable leather seats of anything I've owned.

cdnpinhead

I bought a '00 LS new, and drove it 128K miles in under 8 years, including a drive to Alaska & back. It was one of the few that was sold with a manual transmission -- special order, of course. You could only get the manual with the V6, and that one didn't suffer from the COP problems that the 8s did. Excellent suspension for such a big car (lots of aluminum) and a very respectable 52/48 weight distribution (battery in the trunk, aluminum hood), so it was a lot of fun to drive. Went through 7 window regulators, had the hydraulic cooling fan trouble already mentioned, but the thing that did it for me in the end was the lack of replacement parts. It's an orphan, and finding parts got to be quite a chore, and that was 8 years ago.

The original plan was to sell it worldwide, and it might have competed well, but Ford in those days had ADD and couldn't follow through on much of anything.

oldfarmer50

cdnpinhead said:

I bought a '00 LS new, and drove it 128K miles in under 8 years, including a drive to Alaska & back. It was one of the few that was sold with a manual transmission -- special order, of course. You could only get the manual with the V6, and that one didn't suffer from the COP problems that the 8s did. Excellent suspension for such a big car (lots of aluminum) and a very respectable 52/48 weight distribution (battery in the trunk, aluminum hood), so it was a lot of fun to drive. Went through 7 window regulators, had the hydraulic cooling fan trouble already mentioned, but the thing that did it for me in the end was the lack of replacement parts. It's an orphan, and finding parts got to be quite a chore, and that was 8 years ago.

The original plan was to sell it worldwide, and it might have competed well, but Ford in those days had ADD and couldn't follow through on much of anything.

Interesting on the replacement parts thing. I wanted to replace the cloudy headlight lenses on my Lincoln and found them impossible to find. Ford doesn't even make them. Of course it's a 21 yo car but still you'd think there would be aftermarket or something other than EBay.

Mr_Shiftright

Aftermarket is a genuine opportunity-driven business. Without very strong demand, no one is going to tool up to provide spare parts for an occasional buyer.

stever

Give it another ten or twenty years and you'll be able to call up Ford and have a new one printed out for you, or your local "print" shop will be able to scan the old ones and lay out a new pair.

graphicguy

Anybody have experience with Dr Color Chip?

I have 3-4 paint chip and small 1/4" scratch to repair on the Cobra.

fezo

Mr_Shiftright said:

Poor Lincoln. The car that lost its way somehow. They should have done like Harley Davidson did in the 1980s---fire all their customers and find new ones.

Oldsmobile tried that. Only problem was they never found the new ones. They certainly fired the old ones.

isellhondas

I'm back! Many thanks for Karen @ Edmunds who got me pointed in the right direction. Our computer was, choking to death on cookies and temp files!

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

Anybody have experience with Dr Color Chip?

I have 3-4 paint chip and small 1/4" scratch to repair on the Cobra.

Spun out into the bushes already?

Can't tell you much about Dr. Color. Saw an ad for it in a magazine a few years ago and asked the same question on Edmunds. The responses I got indicated that the consensus was that the claims were too good to be true and that if the product was as good as claimed it would be standard equipment in every body shop.

sda

cdnpinhead said:

I bought a '00 LS new, and drove it 128K miles in under 8 years, including a drive to Alaska & back. It was one of the few that was sold with a manual transmission -- special order, of course. You could only get the manual with the V6, and that one didn't suffer from the COP problems that the 8s did. Excellent suspension for such a big car (lots of aluminum) and a very respectable 52/48 weight distribution (battery in the trunk, aluminum hood), so it was a lot of fun to drive. Went through 7 window regulators, had the hydraulic cooling fan trouble already mentioned, but the thing that did it for me in the end was the lack of replacement parts. It's an orphan, and finding parts got to be quite a chore, and that was 8 years ago.

The original plan was to sell it worldwide, and it might have competed well, but Ford in those days had ADD and couldn't follow through on much of anything.

I seem to remember you remarking some years ago that you were having trouble getting the clutch replaced in your LS because you couldn't get the parts. What ended up happening? Did you just trade the car or were you able to finally get the clutch replaced? I always liked the LS and its European influence. I think I only saw one with a manual transmission. It was black on black and with zero options.

Mr_Shiftright

Anybody here ever own an 4th generation Camaro (1992-2002). They sure are cheap right now. Geez, an LS1 with 325 HP, stick V8 & T-Tops for $5000 bucks. Not bad looking. All I need is duct tape and a handgun I guess.

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

Anybody here ever own an 4th generation Camaro (1992-2002). They sure are cheap right now. Geez, an LS1 with 325 HP, stick V8 & T-Tops for $5000 bucks. Not bad looking. All I need is duct tape and a handgun I guess.

I always like the style of that generation. This must be the sweet spot when they are fully depreciated but not yet collectable. I would like one myself, or it's Pontiac twin if I could find one that wasn't beat to death.

http://albany.craigslist.org/cto/5699179629.html

cdnpinhead

sda said:

I seem to remember you remarking some years ago that you were having trouble getting the clutch replaced in your LS because you couldn't get the parts. What ended up happening? Did you just trade the car or were you able to finally get the clutch replaced? I always liked the LS and its European influence. I think I only saw one with a manual transmission. It was black on black and with zero options.

That wasn't me. I had a slave cylinder go south at one point and was thankful for my truck driving experience which allowed me to drive clutchless for a couple of days. Then, since the wizards of Lincoln elected to put the slave cylinder inside the bell housing (unlike my MG, Datsuns or Miatas), I had to have the whole transmission dropped to replace it. So, "while you're in there" it certainly made sense to replace the clutch. That said, the clutch was working fine. The clutch in my TSX that I bought to replace the LS is still going strong (knocking heavily on my wood desk), and it has 122K miles on it.

berri

I'm back! Many thanks for Karen @ Edmunds who got me pointed in the right direction. Our computer was, choking to death on cookies and temp files!

You can load something onto your computer like CC Cleaner. It has a free version that you can run daily or weekly to clean a lot of that crap off your machine. You can also clean out some of that stuff by going into Internet options in your browser.

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

Anybody here ever own an 4th generation Camaro (1992-2002). They sure are cheap right now. Geez, an LS1 with 325 HP, stick V8 & T-Tops for $5000 bucks. Not bad looking. All I need is duct tape and a handgun I guess.

I sat in one back in 2005 and it was already a falling apart POS.

Mr_Shiftright

I already have a MINI. I'm used to POS. Could it be worse? My car sounds like a flamenco dancer when I drive over a dime. There are so many false CELs that I carry the code reader in the car. The TPMS reset button is worn to a nub. The interior door handle trims are now super-glued. The AC is like a panting mouse with an ice cube in its mouth. I've had better shifters on 1950s GMC pickup trucks.

qbrozen

LOL

berri

BMW has the Mini, M-B has the Smart. Nobody bats 1.000

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

I already have a MINI. I'm used to POS. Could it be worse? My car sounds like a flamenco dancer when I drive over a dime. There are so many false CELs that I carry the code reader in the car. The TPMS reset button is worn to a nub. The interior door handle trims are now super-glued. The AC is like a panting mouse with an ice cube in its mouth. I've had better shifters on 1950s GMC pickup trucks.

So aside from that, pretty likeable car?

snakeweasel

graphicguy said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

Was in Chicago for a few days working.

And you didn't look me up.

Snake....Usually my schedule is packed pretty tight and last minute. Next time I'll give you some notice and perhaps we can get together.

Just kidding you a bit there, but it would be nice to meet people here in person.

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

I already have a MINI. I'm used to POS. Could it be worse? My car sounds like a flamenco dancer when I drive over a dime. There are so many false CELs that I carry the code reader in the car. The TPMS reset button is worn to a nub. The interior door handle trims are now super-glued. The AC is like a panting mouse with an ice cube in its mouth. I've had better shifters on 1950s GMC pickup trucks.

Wow, I thought a car built by BMW would have better quality. Except the CEL, I hear that BMWs come from the factory with those on.

Hey do you know how much it costs to remove an ugly vinyl roof? Can the glue be removed without having to repaint?

driver100

berri said:

I'm back! Many thanks for Karen @ Edmunds who got me pointed in the right direction. Our computer was, choking to death on cookies and temp files!

You can load something onto your computer like CC Cleaner. It has a free version that you can run daily or weekly to clean a lot of that crap off your machine. You can also clean out some of that stuff by going into Internet options in your browser.

Or stop going into some of those questionable sites

driver100

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

Was in Chicago for a few days working.

And you didn't look me up.

Snake....Usually my schedule is packed pretty tight and last minute. Next time I'll give you some notice and perhaps we can get together.

Just kidding you a bit there, but it would be nice to meet people here in person.

Do you have an extra room? If we come to see the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Chicago, we will give you a heads up

What time is breakfast?

Karen_S

isellhondas said:

I'm back! Many thanks for Karen @ Edmunds who got me pointed in the right direction. Our computer was, choking to death on cookies and temp files!

You're welcome!

graphicguy

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

Was in Chicago for a few days working.

And you didn't look me up.

Snake....Usually my schedule is packed pretty tight and last minute. Next time I'll give you some notice and perhaps we can get together.

Just kidding you a bit there, but it would be nice to meet people here in person.

Do you have an extra room? If we come to see the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Chicago, we will give you a heads up

What time is breakfast?

Yeah....we could make it a party.

Driver....if you ever get a chance to get to Chicago, their museums are world reknowned, and rightfully so. Then, as you mention, the Wright homes to see. Just a fun city (except in February).

Mr_Shiftright

graphicguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I already have a MINI. I'm used to POS. Could it be worse? My car sounds like a flamenco dancer when I drive over a dime. There are so many false CELs that I carry the code reader in the car. The TPMS reset button is worn to a nub. The interior door handle trims are now super-glued. The AC is like a panting mouse with an ice cube in its mouth. I've had better shifters on 1950s GMC pickup trucks.

So aside from that, pretty likeable car?

I actually love the car, at least enough so that I'm not tempted into anything else with a real passion. Perfect size for metro areas, great MPG, really fun to drive, pretty quick now with the mods, excellent visibility, plenty of leg and head room for big guys, carries a lot of stuff for its size, looks pretty much like a 2016 model, and, I must say, it has actually never stopped running on me.

I just tore up 2600 miles through the desert to the Rockies and back---no problems except CEL and TPMS lights for no reason, and the marvelous cacophony of rattles and squeaks---and I was going to say "and NOTHING fell off" but then I remembered that the little reflector that fits on the driver's door panel did fall off. The rear tailgate MINI emblem fell off a few weeks ago---$49? No thanks.

I'm frustrated to find a replacement. I don't like the GTIs looks, not all that keen on convertibles, can't see myself in a Corvette, love the Cayman but they are still a bit pricey. I might look at the BMW Z3 Clown Shoe next...and at least take a Camaro for a spin.

Mr_Shiftright

oldfarmer50 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I already have a MINI. I'm used to POS. Could it be worse? My car sounds like a flamenco dancer when I drive over a dime. There are so many false CELs that I carry the code reader in the car. The TPMS reset button is worn to a nub. The interior door handle trims are now super-glued. The AC is like a panting mouse with an ice cube in its mouth. I've had better shifters on 1950s GMC pickup trucks.

Wow, I thought a car built by BMW would have better quality. Except the CEL, I hear that BMWs come from the factory with those on.

Hey do you know how much it costs to remove an ugly vinyl roof? Can the glue be removed without having to repaint?

No, removing a vinyl roof is an ugly, ugly job---and really, painting a roof isn't all that big a deal as long as you don't have to "blend" the C pillar. (in other words, hopefully there is an "edge" where you can tape off).

andres3

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

snakeweasel said:

andres3 said:

I think any reasonable judge would interpret "Slower Traffic Keep Right" and "Keep Right Except to Pass" as essentially the same thing. One maybe being more lenient to allowing use of the left lane when no one else is around. Otherwise, "slower" is a relative term that has nothing to do with slow. If someone is going faster than you, by definition you are slower. Pretty simple if you ask me.

The "no one should go faster" than me crowd has failed to comprehend the English language and has failed to read the sign. They enjoy being a rolling roadblock.

I would think any reasonable judge would not interpret a sign but rather interpret the actual traffic code.

"Slower traffic keep right" does not mean "keep right except to pass", "slower traffic" implies that traffic that is not "Slower" does not have to "keep right". And most laws are written defining "slower traffic" as that which is going slower than the normal flow of traffic.

Traffic is slower if someone else is going faster. There is no way around it. You can apply all the definitions you wish, but in the real world we must use the reasonable person standard. No reasonable person can calculate to any accuracy whether someone is beyond the norm when they are going faster, so it is reasonable to keep right except to pass, and also reasonable to assume someone going faster is the "normal flow of traffic" since proving otherwise would be difficult. Therefore all slower traffic would keep right except to pass.

The signs are in black and white. They are not advisory yellow.

The legal definition of "slower" is based on the flow of traffic, and that's how it is written into law. That means that means that at a particular time if the normal flow of traffic is going 65 MPH then going under 65 MPH is lower traffic. In this situation if I am going 70 MPH and you're coming up behind me at 80 MPH I am NOT the slower traffic as most traffic would be slower than me.

It is easy to prove that someone going faster is going faster than the flow of traffic. A quick way is to compare the number of cars that car passes vs the number of cars that pass that car. So if you are going faster and passing 5 cars for every car that passes you you are not the normal flow of traffic.

And yes it is in black and white but that black and white is found in the states vehicle code, not on signs.

Interesting and troublesome "legal definition." Instead of computers using Vehicle to Vehicle communication for self-driving cars I think we need a local vicinity vote taking V2V communicator that asks the 50 cars travelling behind at an average speed of 65-70 MPH due to 1 or 2 left lane and middle lane campers if they'd rather vote for an average speed of 75-85 MPH, or continue on at 65-70? The average flow can easily be reduced by just one left lane camper. A democratic vote would probably raise the average speed. I do like voting with my right foot, but a pop-up window in the display would work too.

The point being that the average flow is often not the desired average flow of the majority, and it is not due to too much congestion or safety, but simply a single or few anti-destination league members conspiring and plotting to exert their will over the people.

graphicguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

graphicguy said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I already have a MINI. I'm used to POS. Could it be worse? My car sounds like a flamenco dancer when I drive over a dime. There are so many false CELs that I carry the code reader in the car. The TPMS reset button is worn to a nub. The interior door handle trims are now super-glued. The AC is like a panting mouse with an ice cube in its mouth. I've had better shifters on 1950s GMC pickup trucks.

So aside from that, pretty likeable car?

I actually love the car, at least enough so that I'm not tempted into anything else with a real passion. Perfect size for metro areas, great MPG, really fun to drive, pretty quick now with the mods, excellent visibility, plenty of leg and head room for big guys, carries a lot of stuff for its size, looks pretty much like a 2016 model, and, I must say, it has actually never stopped running on me.

I just tore up 2600 miles through the desert to the Rockies and back---no problems except CEL and TPMS lights for no reason, and the marvelous cacophony of rattles and squeaks---and I was going to say "and NOTHING fell off" but then I remembered that the little reflector that fits on the driver's door panel did fall off. The rear tailgate MINI emblem fell off a few weeks ago---$49? No thanks.

I'm frustrated to find a replacement. I don't like the GTIs looks, not all that keen on convertibles, can't see myself in a Corvette, love the Cayman but they are still a bit pricey. I might look at the BMW Z3 Clown Shoe next...and at least take a Camaro for a spin.

Well.....that's the right positive attitude. Still, I have to wonder what Mini plant is doing different than the big brother BMW plant is doing to cause sunch issues (particularly build/squeaks/rattles)?

I really don't like the Z3 "clown shoe"...not when they first came out, and it certainly hasn't grown on me over the years, either!


Corvette I'm ambivalent about. Won't spend what it costs for a Cayman, and I'm on an American muscle "high" right now. So, go for the Camaro.

andres3

jmonroe said:

andres3 said:

jmonroe said:

andres3 said:

graphicguy said:

RB....an old boss had one of those Capris....bought new. It was a lemon from the day he drove it from the dealer to our office. One of the pieces for the convertible top broke, and he couldn't get the top back up. Compunding the problem, he put the top down driving from the dealer to the office. Once at the office, a quick, but torential downpour happened, making the new Capri interior a fish bowl.

He kept it a couple of years but finally bit the bullet and traded it in, losing a ton of money because he could never rid it of electronic gremlins or that wet, musty smell.

I learned that the S4's moon roof when tilted back isn't waterproof in an Arizona downpour; luckily it still stops 97% of the water, but 3% can be more than I expected in just a few minutes of downpour.

Where did you get a rainwater percent meter?

I have several meters in the garage...volt, amp, ohm, power factor, etc. but no rainwater percentage jobs.

jmonroe

It's the same meter cops use to estimate your travel speed when they issue a speeding ticket without either pacing you or using the radar. It's called the best guesstimate BS meter.

I challenge any LEO out there to estimate my speed accurately and consistently at 1,000 to 2,000 feet away without having land markers.

You sure did twist my question around. Twisted it so bad I had to go back and read what I first wrote. Since you seem to get your share of speeding tickets, I wonder if you have used that twisting technique if/when you try to defend yourself in traffic court or when the LEO is writing you up at the curb. I can see through your twisting and I'm sure judges (we even have a retired one here) and LEO's have heard it so many times they can tell you some twists that you have never thought of yourself and even they won't work.

You're free to answer my original question about where you got your "rain percent meter". But do me a favor, NO TWISTS THIS TIME, PLEASE.

jmonroe

The problem with Traffic Court is you'll often be railroaded into a guilty verdict. Some judges are definitely better than others. When you get one that is more interested in paying for mahogany lined courtrooms than fairness or justice, your motions will be wrongfully denied, the judge will take on the role of prosecutor, and seasoned traffic cops are expert experienced eye witnesses that are used to being cross examined by lawyers much better than your typical "do it yourself-er Defendant pro se" that has read a Nolo Press book or two.

When you ask cross examination questions designed to illicit yes or no answers, you often don't get a Yes or NO answer from the LEO. You get an elaborate speech designed to thwart your defense attempts. You'll probably get some perjury; the LEO thinking the ends justify the means.

So I'm adopting the cops' cross-examination answering technique here.

My only ticket in 2016 is a recent red-light fiasco where I met a "short" yellow (could be I didn't see exactly when it turned yellow, or it could be a conspiracy revenue targeted extra short yellow; yet to be verified).

So out of all the red-light tickets in my lifetime; this is the only one that was even remotely probably deserved and legit and true. I missed that yellow; probably by close to a full second. Did missing the yellow by a second cause any danger to anyone? Absolutely not, zero hazard created, but I was a second late.

He said when reaching my window "Yellow means slow down, not punch it." I should have retorted "If I had really punched it, you'd of never seen me again Why can't I think on my feet when I'm pulled over? I just admitted the yellow changed faster than I had anticipated.

The Audi TTS did get me out of having to show proof of insurance or registration since it is so new; he did see the sticker on the windshield, but he didn't get close enough to read anything on it.

If it was a camera I'd have gotten off free since I've been too busy to mount those license plates just yet.

But darn it if there wasn't a motorcycle Sheriff just waiting to my left at that 4-way intersection. I saw him as I went by and knew I was in for a delay.

Lesson learned is slam on the brakes if there's a chance you'll miss the yellow; don't take chances. RED light tickets are just too darn expensive.

I was so "caught red-handed" running that red light that I even forgot to demand the County Seat for when I fight this ticket just for the hell of it. I put myself at a tremendous disadvantage not moving this from his local North County (City of Vista) courthouse into the much further away San Diego one. The chances of him showing up are MUCH lower in San Diego; in Vista; heck, it's 50/50 I think.

driver100

graphicguy said:

driver100 said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

snakeweasel said:

graphicguy said:

Was in Chicago for a few days working.

And you didn't look me up.

Snake....Usually my schedule is packed pretty tight and last minute. Next time I'll give you some notice and perhaps we can get together.

Just kidding you a bit there, but it would be nice to meet people here in person.

Do you have an extra room? If we come to see the Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Chicago, we will give you a heads up

What time is breakfast?

Yeah....we could make it a party.

Driver....if you ever get a chance to get to Chicago, their museums are world reknowned, and rightfully so. Then, as you mention, the Wright homes to see. Just a fun city (except in February).

GG, we went to book shows in Chicago for 20 years.......like you on business trips, never had the time to look around. We did love looking at the buildings while in the taxi on the way to and from the show.

3 years ago we spent a few days and we did the architectural boat tour which was one of the best things we have ever done on a trip. Saw the giant peanut too. Unfortunately, my BIL didn't want to see the Wright places, so we will do that another time. Once we did get to the art gallery of modern art...it was too weird, statues of toilets and people hanging themselves. Do enjoy the school of art though and their store on Michigan Avenue....some really interesting things for sale there.

Mr_Shiftright

Dunoo, maybe it's the UK labor force or plant management. BMW seems to have better build quality now, but in the past it was no great shakes. I don't expect that a 2003 BMW was screwed together much better than a 2003 Mini, and German electronics were pretty wiggy back then as well.

But I went in with eyes wide open. With anything in a used German car, I expect to be nickeled and dimed.