Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

graphicguy

Don't know how I missed this, but just heard that Samsung just bought Harmon for $8B. Probably doesn't mean much for most of us, except those of us who really are into Audio and Video. What that also means is that Samsung now owns JBL, Crown, Revel, Mark Levinson, and Lexicon, too.

My guess is there will be some shuffling in the car world with those who use Harmon stereos and GPS systems. And, you may be seeing more Samsung tech in those same cars.

stever

driver100 said:

Since my accident I have heard of so many people who tell me they were just hit in an accident too. I tell people and either they have been hit within the last few months or a close friend or relative has been a victim.

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

sda

graphicguy said:

Don't know how I missed this, but just heard that Samsung just bought Harmon for $8B. Probably doesn't mean much for most of us, except those of us who really are into Audio and Video. What that also means is that Samsung now owns JBL, Crown, Revel, Mark Levinson, and Lexicon, too.

My guess is there will be some shuffling in the car world with those who use Harmon stereos and GPS systems. And, you may be seeing more Samsung tech in those same cars.

That's a concern when a huge company absorbs specialty companies such as those. Next there will be blending them together with focus on the bottom line, displacements, and probably reduced creativity and quality. I had no idea Samsung had gobbled up those companies. I guess there are still a few left out there like Dynaudio that will continue to excel in bringing high quality speakers to market.

sda

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

Driver100 will have to change his username to Driver250

Is this the new puppy in the garage?

That looks like it. It truly looks like a brand new car. The trunk is spotless. I couldn't pick up the pictures.
I am going to try for some photos later today.

I really, really like that color combination. Sharp car!

imidazol97

@Bwia. It is too bad tires don't come with a satisfaction guaranteed warranty. I just bought $100 tennis shoes that seemed fine in the store....not great after playing for an hour. $1300 worth of tires is even worse.

Really surprised Goodyear can make a superior tire to Michelin too, but, you just never know.

Does your tire dealer have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee?

What is the mileage rating on the Michelins vs the Goodyears tires that are gone? If the mileage is noticeably higher, it means the rubber on the Goodyear is stickier and softer. Michelin probably has a tire that would replace the Goodyear.

imidazol97

stever said:

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

I'm sorry to hear about your wreck. Glad you and yours are okay. Could have been worse.

Is there any chance the damage to your beloved van can be buffed out? Maybe some claybar and Zaino would help?

stever

Yeah, and I could buy a come-along and tie one end to the bent wheel and the other end to a tree and straighten it right out.

However it's not drivable and there aren't any trees in the yard big enough so....

(The Dodge has worked out fine, as did the Voyager, but the beloved one was the Quest)

explorerx4

@bwia,
As others mentioned, some tires come with a 30 day test drive.
It may take some time for the tires to settle in.

Mr_Shiftright

I had a close one today...a Honda Odyessey decided it wanted to share the right turn lane with my Dodge 4X4 (not a good idea). Hit the brakes and....you could have maybe slipped two credit cars between us. We were all nice about it though.

Man I would have demolished the side of that thing.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

I just bought a set of 4 Michelin tires and I think I don't like it. My original tires were the Goodyear RSA 245/40 R19 high performance and responsive tires. Although a little bit noisy, they were great.

The Michelin Primacy MXM4 94V All Season by comparison is anything but...they are underwhelming and pricey at $1,277 mounted. The description reads:

"If you want all-season versatility (including light snow traction) and responsive handling along with noise and ride comfort you will like this Grand Touring tire. Branded with the M+S symbol and capable of providing year-round traction (even in light snow), these tires are designed to blend a performance tire's appearance with a passenger tire's smooth, quiet ride. Grand Touring All-Season tires are often used as Original Equipment and place more emphasis on handling and high-speed capabilities than Standard Touring tires."

The only thing that it has in common with a performance tire is its appearance (sic). The MXM4 Grand Touring is soft and jittery and does not seem to be compatible with my high performance and adaptive suspension system. The dealer says it is designed for the cushy boulevard ride and I will grow into liking it. Maybe so, but I miss my Goodyear RSAs. One consolation though, a $70 VISA rebate debit card.

I thought the MXM4s were for a soft ride. The Pilot Sports were more for handling. Did you ever use Tire Rack's decision guide?

fezo

I did OK withe the Primacys but it seems Costco largely moved on to Premiers that I like better. Of course I don;y have anything you'd call a performance car...

driver100

I think I can do some pix:








I forgot the interior!
That is me. Took the pictures at the golf course, which I don't belong to.

sda

fezo said:

I did OK withe the Primacys but it seems Costco largely moved on to Premiers that I like better. Of course I don;y have anything you'd call a performance car...

I had Primacys on two cars and liked them. When I recently bought tires for the Accord I was considering the Premiers. The reviews on them are positive. What concerned me somewhat is that new they only have 8.5/32 tread, where most new tires are 10-11/32. As my experience with the oem Good Years was positive I stayed with GY Comfortreds with a 70k warranty and 11/32 tread. They were almost $200 cheaper. They are quiet and ride nicely.

driver100

stever said:

Yeah, and I could buy a come-along and tie one end to the bent wheel and the other end to a tree and straighten it right out.

However it's not drivable and there aren't any trees in the yard big enough so....

(The Dodge has worked out fine, as did the Voyager, but the beloved one was the Quest)

What happens now? Does insurance step in?

driver100

Mike update. If all goes well Mike goes home from rehab tomorrow. He will have 12 hour care at first, then ease back. It has been a long difficult journey for him, hope things go uphill from now on.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

I think I can do some pix:








I forgot the interior!
That is me. Took the pictures at the golf course, which I don't belong to.

Nice car but the owner needs some work.

Enjoy it.

jmonroe

jmonroe

driver100 said:

Mike update. If all goes well Mike goes home from rehab tomorrow. He will have 12 hour care at first, then ease back. It has been a long difficult journey for him, hope things go uphill from now on.

Thanks for the update. That is pretty good news.

Let him know that we are still rooting for him.

jmonroe

berri

bwia - from the sound of your preferences you might check out Pirelli tires next time. I tend to lean toward Michelin, but did have some decent luck with GY Comfort Treads awhile back. Only real issue I had with them was if they sat for a week or so unused, they tended to start out for a few minutes with flat spots that then went away. But candidly, I tend to prefer ride comfort over handling, so I hear what you are saying.

berri

driver, thanks for the Mike update. Hope he is doing better by Christmas, but sounds like he has a long road ahead.

berri

C'mon jmonroe, I think driver is thin enough to wear those horizontal stripes. Some of us do better in vertical pinstripes though

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

@driver100 - congrats on the new ride. I like that red color as well. A nice change from all the silver, grey, black and while you normally see.

Don't forget to change your signature line.

It all happened so fast I forgot about changing my signature...thanks for the reminder. I almost ordered my new E400 in red...but it is a different red....darker red. They had an E350 in the showroom in red....I am sure glad I didn't get it in red, and went back to my standard white. I do like this car in red, it is different and it suits it...makes it look and feel more like a fun car.

Driver, you're getting as bad as me with your car buying. But that's a good thing.

Edit: boy is the spell checker here doing some weird things. Changed "with" to "either". Not even close.

oldfarmer50

stever said:

driver100 said:

Since my accident I have heard of so many people who tell me they were just hit in an accident too. I tell people and either they have been hit within the last few months or a close friend or relative has been a victim.

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

I must be an outlier. Haven't ever been in a real wreck in 48 years of driving. Worst at fault fender bender $400. Got hit in the bus last year and the guy probably did $2000 damage to his minivan. Bus $0.

stever

driver100 said:

stever said:

Yeah, and I could buy a come-along and tie one end to the bent wheel and the other end to a tree and straighten it right out.

However it's not drivable and there aren't any trees in the yard big enough so....

(The Dodge has worked out fine, as did the Voyager, but the beloved one was the Quest)

What happens now? Does insurance step in?

Just talked to the investigator with my company who took my info. They will then get the police report and contact the other driver or his insurance company (ha!). The collision center is going to tow the van over to their shop tomorrow and they will be the ones to "adjust" the amount of the claim.

Our collision will cover everything except the $500 deductible and the rental coverage maxes out at $1,000. If the kid has insurance and his insurance agrees that it's his fault, then they'll reimburse my deductible.

oldfarmer50

stever said:

driver100 said:

stever said:

Yeah, and I could buy a come-along and tie one end to the bent wheel and the other end to a tree and straighten it right out.

However it's not drivable and there aren't any trees in the yard big enough so....

(The Dodge has worked out fine, as did the Voyager, but the beloved one was the Quest)

What happens now? Does insurance step in?

Just talked to the investigator with my company who took my info. They will then get the police report and contact the other driver or his insurance company (ha!). The collision center is going to tow the van over to their shop tomorrow and they will be the ones to "adjust" the amount of the claim.

Our collision will cover everything except the $500 deductible and the rental coverage maxes out at $1,000. If the kid has insurance and his insurance agrees that it's his fault, then they'll reimburse my deductible.

Does New Mexico require insurance? How much trouble can this kid be in?

sda

driver100 said:

Mike update. If all goes well Mike goes home from rehab tomorrow. He will have 12 hour care at first, then ease back. It has been a long difficult journey for him, hope things go uphill from now on.

That's great news. He is in my prayers for a successful recovery.

stever

oldfarmer50 said:

stever said:

driver100 said:

stever said:

Yeah, and I could buy a come-along and tie one end to the bent wheel and the other end to a tree and straighten it right out.

However it's not drivable and there aren't any trees in the yard big enough so....

(The Dodge has worked out fine, as did the Voyager, but the beloved one was the Quest)

What happens now? Does insurance step in?

Just talked to the investigator with my company who took my info. They will then get the police report and contact the other driver or his insurance company (ha!). The collision center is going to tow the van over to their shop tomorrow and they will be the ones to "adjust" the amount of the claim.

Our collision will cover everything except the $500 deductible and the rental coverage maxes out at $1,000. If the kid has insurance and his insurance agrees that it's his fault, then they'll reimburse my deductible.

Does New Mexico require insurance? How much trouble can this kid be in?

Yeah, you have to have proof of insurance to register a car.

The next day you cancel the insurance.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer,
In a 4 wheel passenger vehicle while driving, I've been on 2 wheels(same side) and 3 wheels.
Also, airborne a couple of times, neither intentional.
Not in a long time, though.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

stever said:

driver100 said:

Since my accident I have heard of so many people who tell me they were just hit in an accident too. I tell people and either they have been hit within the last few months or a close friend or relative has been a victim.

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

I must be an outlier. Haven't ever been in a real wreck in 48 years of driving. Worst at fault fender bender $400. Got hit in the bus last year and the guy probably did $2000 damage to his minivan. Bus $0.

OF, did you see that school bus accident in Chatanooga today?


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A school bus driver was speeding and swerving when he crashed on Monday, killing at least five students, the authorities said, in one of the deadliest school bus accidents in recent years.

In an arrest affidavit that the Hamilton County General Sessions Court released on Tuesday, the authorities said the driver, Johnthony K. Walker, 24, had been driving at “a high rate of speed, well above the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour” at the time of the wreck. Mr. Walker has been charged with five counts of vehicular homicide.

“Mr. Walker lost control of the bus and swerved off the roadway to the right, striking an elevated driveway and mailbox, swerved to the left and began to overturn, striking a telephone pole and a tree,” said the court filing. It said Mr. Walker was being charged because of “the reckless nature” of his driving

Driving a school bus is a big responsibility. I think it is too much responsibility for a 24 year old kid....need someone more mature, who has some common sense.

driver100

berri said:

C'mon jmonroe, I think driver is thin enough to wear those horizontal stripes. Some of us do better in vertical pinstripes though

I worked hard to wear those horizontal stripes....wasn't that overweight but lost 30 pounds over the last 2 years....so I am going to flaunt it! Monroe is just jealous!

driver100

I will pass on your gracious comments to Mike.....it will help knowing you guys are pulling for him.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

Michaell said:

@driver100 - congrats on the new ride. I like that red color as well. A nice change from all the silver, grey, black and while you normally see.

Don't forget to change your signature line.

It all happened so fast I forgot about changing my signature...thanks for the reminder. I almost ordered my new E400 in red...but it is a different red....darker red. They had an E350 in the showroom in red....I am sure glad I didn't get it in red, and went back to my standard white. I do like this car in red, it is different and it suits it...makes it look and feel more like a fun car.

Driver, you're getting as bad as me with your car buying. But that's a good thing.

In my case, not a good thing if I continue at this rate. I think it is time to stop for now...though, I am liking the C 250 so much I am trying to find a way to convince Mrs, D that this car could be my Florida car, and we should get her a little car for getting to tennis and other activities.

driver100

This dealer has huge ads in the Tampa Bay newspaper every day. Brandon Ford is one of the largest volume dealers in the country. They have new Taurus's for $19995. They have Focus's for $12000. Check Mustang prices. Are these prices for real....I can't find any fine print?

PRICES ON NEW FORDS

oldfarmer50

stever said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stever said:

driver100 said:

stever said:

Yeah, and I could buy a come-along and tie one end to the bent wheel and the other end to a tree and straighten it right out.

However it's not drivable and there aren't any trees in the yard big enough so....

(The Dodge has worked out fine, as did the Voyager, but the beloved one was the Quest)

What happens now? Does insurance step in?

Just talked to the investigator with my company who took my info. They will then get the police report and contact the other driver or his insurance company (ha!). The collision center is going to tow the van over to their shop tomorrow and they will be the ones to "adjust" the amount of the claim.

Our collision will cover everything except the $500 deductible and the rental coverage maxes out at $1,000. If the kid has insurance and his insurance agrees that it's his fault, then they'll reimburse my deductible.

Does New Mexico require insurance? How much trouble can this kid be in?

Yeah, you have to have proof of insurance to register a car.

The next day you cancel the insurance.

That's a pretty gutless law. In NY you can't cancel your insurance unless you turn in your plates.

stever

Hm, pay $12,000 a year in property taxes or take my chances with the deadbeats.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stever said:

driver100 said:

Since my accident I have heard of so many people who tell me they were just hit in an accident too. I tell people and either they have been hit within the last few months or a close friend or relative has been a victim.

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

I must be an outlier. Haven't ever been in a real wreck in 48 years of driving. Worst at fault fender bender $400. Got hit in the bus last year and the guy probably did $2000 damage to his minivan. Bus $0.

OF, did you see that school bus accident in Chatanooga today?


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A school bus driver was speeding and swerving when he crashed on Monday, killing at least five students, the authorities said, in one of the deadliest school bus accidents in recent years.

In an arrest affidavit that the Hamilton County General Sessions Court released on Tuesday, the authorities said the driver, Johnthony K. Walker, 24, had been driving at “a high rate of speed, well above the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour” at the time of the wreck. Mr. Walker has been charged with five counts of vehicular homicide.

“Mr. Walker lost control of the bus and swerved off the roadway to the right, striking an elevated driveway and mailbox, swerved to the left and began to overturn, striking a telephone pole and a tree,” said the court filing. It said Mr. Walker was being charged because of “the reckless nature” of his driving

Driving a school bus is a big responsibility. I think it is too much responsibility for a 24 year old kid....need someone more mature, who has some common sense.

You only have to be 21 in most states. Many years ago "kids" were so responsible that the bus was driven by the oldest senior high school student or teachers moonlighting for extra pay.

This thing in TN is getting bizzare. Supposedly the driver yelled "are you ready to die?" Just before the crash.

explorerx4

@driver100,
Fine print to paraphrase is 'includes all incentives/rebates'.
Would you qualify for 'New College Grad' or 'First Responder'?

oldfarmer50

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

This dealer has huge ads in the Tampa Bay newspaper every day. Brandon Ford is one of the largest volume dealers in the country. They have new Taurus's for $19995. They have Focus's for $12000. Check Mustang prices. Are these prices for real....I can't find any fine print?

PRICES ON NEW FORDS

I clicked on their Mustangs and the first one was $48k. Yikes!

Farther down I found this one:

http://www.brandonford.com/vehicle-details/2017-ford-mustang-gt-performance-package-tampa-fl-id-15618419

Even with $703 in fees $31k and change isn't bad.

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stever said:

driver100 said:

Since my accident I have heard of so many people who tell me they were just hit in an accident too. I tell people and either they have been hit within the last few months or a close friend or relative has been a victim.

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

I must be an outlier. Haven't ever been in a real wreck in 48 years of driving. Worst at fault fender bender $400. Got hit in the bus last year and the guy probably did $2000 damage to his minivan. Bus $0.

OF, did you see that school bus accident in Chatanooga today?


CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — A school bus driver was speeding and swerving when he crashed on Monday, killing at least five students, the authorities said, in one of the deadliest school bus accidents in recent years.

In an arrest affidavit that the Hamilton County General Sessions Court released on Tuesday, the authorities said the driver, Johnthony K. Walker, 24, had been driving at “a high rate of speed, well above the posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour” at the time of the wreck. Mr. Walker has been charged with five counts of vehicular homicide.

“Mr. Walker lost control of the bus and swerved off the roadway to the right, striking an elevated driveway and mailbox, swerved to the left and began to overturn, striking a telephone pole and a tree,” said the court filing. It said Mr. Walker was being charged because of “the reckless nature” of his driving

Driving a school bus is a big responsibility. I think it is too much responsibility for a 24 year old kid....need someone more mature, who has some common sense.

You only have to be 21 in most states. Many years ago "kids" were so responsible that the bus was driven by the oldest senior high school student or teachers moonlighting for extra pay.

This thing in TN is getting bizzare. Supposedly the driver yelled "are you ready to die?" Just before the crash.

I don't know if things have changed but when I was in high school in rural VA, some bus drivers were seniors in high school. That was in the late 70's. Scary to think about it now, totally ok then.

Mr_Shiftright

oldfarmer50 said:

stever said:

driver100 said:

Since my accident I have heard of so many people who tell me they were just hit in an accident too. I tell people and either they have been hit within the last few months or a close friend or relative has been a victim.

I read somewhere that car insurance actuaries figure that every driver will be in a wreck once every seven years.

I must be an outlier. Haven't ever been in a real wreck in 48 years of driving. Worst at fault fender bender $400. Got hit in the bus last year and the guy probably did $2000 damage to his minivan. Bus $0.

Oh, man, now you've tweaked the noses of the gods....quick, twirl around 3X and throw salt over your left shoulder.

houdini1

Driver, car looks great, but with those stripes, you look like an escapee from the county work farm. Just kidding of course. It really looks like you are about to bust loose with "Jailhouse Rock". Good song to drive to.

Thanks for the Mike update. Sounds like things are looking up, please give him my best. Thx.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@driver100,
Fine print to paraphrase is 'includes all incentives/rebates'.
Would you qualify for 'New College Grad' or 'First Responder'?

Thanks....I saw "includes all incentives and rebates", thought those were all things I could actually use to get the price that low. What new college grad is going to want to buy a Taurus?

driver100

OF>
Farther down I found this one:

http://www.brandonford.com/vehicle-details/2017-ford-mustang-gt-performance-package-tampa-fl-id-15618419

Even with $703 in fees $31k and change isn't bad.


That Mustang looks nice......for $7000 more I could have had one of those;



This one was only $22995!

driver100

houdini1 said:

Driver, car looks great, but with those stripes, you look like an escapee from the county work farm. Just kidding of course. It really looks like you are about to bust loose with "Jailhouse Rock". Good song to drive to.

Thanks for the Mike update. Sounds like things are looking up, please give him my best. Thx.

I thought about taking pictures without me in the picture...........I wish I had done that now. At least it wasn't a see thru muscle shirt.

I will pass on your good wishes to Mike.

nyccarguy

Please pass my wishes on to Mike as well! We are ALL pulling for him to make a full recovery!

qbrozen

driver100 said:

OF>
Farther down I found this one:

http://www.brandonford.com/vehicle-details/2017-ford-mustang-gt-performance-package-tampa-fl-id-15618419

Even with $703 in fees $31k and change isn't bad.

That Mustang looks nice......for $7000 more I could have had one of those;



This one was only $22995!

except that white one is a v6 automatic.

roadburner

I really liked the GT Performance Package car that got away, but in retrospect it was probably for the best; my local Ford dealers are hopelessly inept- combine that with the fact that Ford's warranties aren't HPDE friendly and it's a good bet that my ownership experience would not have ended well.

graphicguy

driver100 said:

I think I can do some pix:








I forgot the interior!
That is me. Took the pictures at the golf course, which I don't belong to.

Cool car. I like it. I think I may keep my clubs in the trunk for just such an occasion.

Congrats Driver!

oldfarmer50

houdini1 said:

Driver, car looks great, but with those stripes, you look like an escapee from the county work farm. Just kidding of course. It really looks like you are about to bust loose with "Jailhouse Rock". Good song to drive to.

Thanks for the Mike update. Sounds like things are looking up, please give him my best. Thx.

I was thinking the same thing, nice car but why is that homeless guy hanging around?

ab348

driver100 said:

OF>
That Mustang looks nice......for $7000 more I could have had one of those;



This one was only $22995!

So for that kind of money they are even throwing in a set of snow rims, nice of them.

jmonroe

driver100 said:

berri said:

C'mon jmonroe, I think driver is thin enough to wear those horizontal stripes. Some of us do better in vertical pinstripes though

I worked hard to wear those horizontal stripes....wasn't that overweight but lost 30 pounds over the last 2 years....so I am going to flaunt it! Monroe is just jealous!

You'll never be a linebacker on any team I've ever seen.

Maybe a goal post if you can get your arms up way over your head.

jmonroe