The article is quite incomplete. How do they know that is an Uber self-driving car? I can't tell anything from that video other than the car had some device on the top of it.
True, that could be ANY car in San Francisco running a red light. It's an epidemic there. Lucky that pedestrian was paying attention.
AND I used the remotes to try to reset the picture controls on various ones to improve the image.
That's the thing, you don't know how the TV is set up at the store and can vary greatly between sets. It is good to fiddle with the audio/video controls to better compare the sets.
The store picture mode is usually referred to as "Torch Mode" because the brightness and color saturation are ramped upin order to make the set stand out. .
When I called VIZIO 4 times and was on the phone an hour each time, entering codes, plugging and unplugging things, writing in passcodes, test and retest etc......I saw the message come up about 200 times....... IS THIS TV FOR 1 PERSONAL USE or 2 STORE USE? So that explains it, use store use and get a brilliant picture and burn out the guts in about a week! :@
Well to be fair stores are usually far more brightly lit than homes are which would tend to wash out pictures. This would necessitate a brighter picture and changes in settings to compensate.
You haven't seen our place since my wife put in these Home Depot LCD lights....I need to put my sunglasses on when I come inside now.
I just had LED can lights (from Home Depot) installed in my kitchen yesterday. We have also gone from cave to operating room. Love it!
If a stop sign is mapped, most autonomous cars know to stop at them. I think the cameras/software are getting better about red lights now too, and can detect the signal color.
Which gives me an idea - I could put a homemade stop sign up anywhere and as the autonomous cars learn to recognize the unmapped ones, I could do a lot of traffic calming. Gridlock baby.
Recognizing unmapped stop signs shouldn't be too hard, the cars already recognize speed limit signs (perhaps because they are mapped - my Garmin "recognizes" them too, although sometimes it gets the actual limit wrong).
And apparently Google's cars can recognize hand signals from a bicycle, which is a lot of code for nothing since bikers rarely signal.
yeah well, sorta...they are using machine vision but it's pretty unreliable....the idea (for the future) is for the car to see what all the other cars are doing and learn from that; also they are working on a way to cue the car to a "light change"--detection of the process from green to red.
I sure wouldn't step out in front of one to find out, as the technology now sits. Or for a stop sign, which is often hidden by trees, trucks, buses, etc.
What has to happen is for the streets to be so thoroughly networked and "closed" that you won't even have stop signs and traffic lights.
btw, starting out "illegally" has been Uber's M.O. from day one. I think they figure they can build critical mass and popular support way faster than a governmental entity or the courts can shut them down. That's worked well for them in getting around the taxi lobby and all their monopoly regs.
I bet Tesla is envious of that strategy but it doesn't have the critical mass (yet) to dent the dealer protection laws much.
Yeah but attempting a stab at anarchy over public safety is not going to be so easy...it's hard to gather popular support for the "Help Uber Run Us Down in Crosswalks".
What's not to like about a 2010 Lexus LS? It looks great, has a beautiful interior, gets rave reviews, always near the top in reliability, holds it's value, very comfortable and excellent handling. Even a 6 or 7 year old model is worth about 40% of it's original price.
Hey Houdini....did I get the right car?
Yep, except for wheels and color. Mine is silver with gray interior!
Have to hand it to my Hyundai dealership. They still trying to get me in for the maintenance. As you may recall,got a coupon for a $24 oil change last week. Took it in the next day to have oil changed. Service advisor advises coolant and transmission flush, as well as an emissions cleaning. I pass.
The other day got coupons in the mail for 10% off those services. Checked owners manual. Coolant suppose to be changed at 120k miles. Transmission is a "No check.No Service required". Can't help think the dealership trying to pull a fast one. If they want to say your owner manual suggests this... but we are suggesting this because....blah blah blah well that is fine. But, seems business is slow, and some things never change.
It sounds like you have to buy a REAL car, not a throwaway.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Aren't the Uber self driving rigs all Volvo XCs like that light runner? Seems to be a lot of duck-like walking and quacking in that clip. Pretty stale red too - I'd expect that kind of behavior from a local dbag Tesla driver using "autopilot" (deceptive naming and shady accounting are just as bad as traditional dealer shenanigans, IMO) anyway. I bet some lawyers are licking their chops at such things becoming more commonplace. Get hit by one of those, here's the keys to a new house. And they still need a human to pull up to the curb IIRC. LOL. I know the smug 1984 set wants a mandate for autonomous cars, but it's still a long way away.
Re: traffic calming, I thought the brave transportation engineer warriors we so gratefully defer to were accomplishing that via negligent traffic controls and poor road conditions. Of course, not a word about the extra pollution caused by choking traffic. Bikes and buses for the masses, a private car for me!
Mike, for what it's worth, I agree with @driver100 - might be best to lay low for a while.
@jmonroe while the car wax tip for the snow blower is brilliant, I wonder why those parts aren't teflon-coated from the factory? Maybe you need to go beyond a Sears unit for that, maybe an Ariens or Toro. Or maybe nobody has thought of that yet? If so, take the idea with my compliments.
I think that the new shower that will hopefully be under construction here this winter will get the wax or Rain-X treatment for sure.
Have to hand it to my Hyundai dealership. They still trying to get me in for the maintenance. As you may recall,got a coupon for a $24 oil change last week. Took it in the next day to have oil changed. Service advisor advises coolant and transmission flush, as well as an emissions cleaning. I pass.
The other day got coupons in the mail for 10% off those services. Checked owners manual. Coolant suppose to be changed at 120k miles. Transmission is a "No check.No Service required". Can't help think the dealership trying to pull a fast one. If they want to say your owner manual suggests this... but we are suggesting this because....blah blah blah well that is fine. But, seems business is slow, and some things never change.
My Mazda dealer provided two service menus- one with the owners manual service schedule and one with additional recommended service. The recommended service wasn't really out of line- basically they recommended a transaxle oil change at 30k(not a bad call for a 280 hp FWD with a LSD) and a spark plug change 10k sooner than the manual called for. I usually went with the recommended service but they didn't have a problem with just going by the OM.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
My Mazda dealer provided two service menus- one with the owners manual service schedule and one with additional recommended service. The recommended service wasn't really out of line-...
That's an "A" for transparency as well as an "A" for being reasonable about the extra services they suggest.
good way to do it. Means it is up to them to make the case for why.
Easy sell to me for some things. One being changing the trans fluid on a regular basis. Maybe that was from owning 2 Honda V6 ATs at the same time!. Cheap insurance. Same for replacing the brake fluid. Both get done roughly 3 years or 30,000 miles.
other stuff like plugs or T-belt, that would get done when the manual calls for it.
btw, starting out "illegally" has been Uber's M.O. from day one. I think they figure they can build critical mass and popular support way faster than a governmental entity or the courts can shut them down. That's worked well for them in getting around the taxi lobby and all their monopoly regs.
I bet Tesla is envious of that strategy but it doesn't have the critical mass (yet) to dent the dealer protection laws much.
Good theory. That is what amazon did (by not charging taxes at first and offering below cost books in the begin ing) and that is how Air B&B is rolling out. That seems to be the new marketing strategy in a fast changing world.
Have to hand it to my Hyundai dealership. They still trying to get me in for the maintenance. As you may recall,got a coupon for a $24 oil change last week. Took it in the next day to have oil changed. Service advisor advises coolant and transmission flush, as well as an emissions cleaning. I pass.
The other day got coupons in the mail for 10% off those services. Checked owners manual. Coolant suppose to be changed at 120k miles. Transmission is a "No check.No Service required". Can't help think the dealership trying to pull a fast one. If they want to say your owner manual suggests this... but we are suggesting this because....blah blah blah well that is fine. But, seems business is slow, and some things never change.
It sounds like you have to buy a REAL car, not a throwaway.
Have to hand it to my Hyundai dealership. They still trying to get me in for the maintenance. As you may recall,got a coupon for a $24 oil change last week. Took it in the next day to have oil changed. Service advisor advises coolant and transmission flush, as well as an emissions cleaning. I pass.
The other day got coupons in the mail for 10% off those services. Checked owners manual. Coolant suppose to be changed at 120k miles. Transmission is a "No check.No Service required". Can't help think the dealership trying to pull a fast one. If they want to say your owner manual suggests this... but we are suggesting this because....blah blah blah well that is fine. But, seems business is slow, and some things never change.
My Mazda dealer provided two service menus- one with the owners manual service schedule and one with additional recommended service. The recommended service wasn't really out of line- basically they recommended a transaxle oil change at 30k(not a bad call for a 280 hp FWD with a LSD) and a spark plug change 10k sooner than the manual called for. I usually went with the recommended service but they didn't have a problem with just going by the OM.
Like that idea....two menus, one as suggested. At least it is more honest.
An incredibly low price for an oil change.......there has to be a catch somewhere.
There is an ad I have seen on TV and in the newspaper, forget who it is for, but it says, Red warning light on - Let us Check it Out for Free".....yeh, I bet!
oh, they check it for free. that only takes 5 minutes. they make their money doing the repairs they find to be needed (assuming they are honest, and the repairs are legit!). Great way to get customers in the door, that need what you sell.
My Acura dealer always has some coupon. But even the regular price for an oil change service is only around $40. Probably $60 "rack rate" for a full oil change, multi-point inspection, and tire rotation. I normally pay below $40 for the full boat. No appointment even needed! They also wash it, though the quality is crappy. I only do it when the weather is bad to get some road salt off.
I think that's also how Lexus got started with the LS. IMO it was definitely a loss-leader - no way those things made a profit at 35-40K, and they were 40+% more expensive a mere decade later.
Good theory. That is what amazon did (by not charging taxes at first and offering below cost books in the begin ing) and that is how Air B&B is rolling out. That seems to be the new marketing strategy in a fast changing world.
Hey JMonroe........these guys are way ahead of you. Some use car wax, others use PAM, Fluid Film (whatever that is), Snow-Jet, Silicone spray...this guy uses a propane torch and large candle:
I take a propane torch and a large candle and heat up the wax and rub it on as much of the chute area as possible. Snow doesn't stick at all and the wax lasts most of the winter. I do my plow and shovels the same way. It's WAY cheaper then FF
Then there is WD 40 and I am sure some guy has tried Vaseline.
I would LMAO if there is a warning on the machine, use of any slippery materials on your snowblower shute could cause spontaneous combustion!
To follow up on @stickguy 's post, I'm thinking about trading in our Pilot and leasing a 2017 Sienna. Here's why:
Things are not going well with my insurance company from the basement flood. They issued me a check that is basically going to cover what it cost ServePro to clean up. I've got to come out of pocket for the rest of the money to waterproof, then refinish the basement. It might be a good time to cash out of my Pilot. If I can make the numbers work (depending on what @qbrozen says), then I'll do what I have to do
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Hey JMonroe........these guys are way ahead of you. Some use car wax, others use PAM, Fluid Film (whatever that is), Snow-Jet, Silicone spray...this guy uses a propane torch and large candle:
I take a propane torch and a large candle and heat up the wax and rub it on as much of the chute area as possible. Snow doesn't stick at all and the wax lasts most of the winter. I do my plow and shovels the same way. It's WAY cheaper then FF
Then there is WD 40 and I am sure some guy has tried Vaseline.
I would LMAO if there is a warning on the machine, use of any slippery materials on your snowblower shute could cause spontaneous combustion!
If I were cooking I'd use PAM but I'm snow blowing. Furthermore, if Mrs. j caught me using her kitchen stuff, I'd be using my snow blower with my feet because she'd break my arms. So that is definitely out.
As for Fluid Film, I looked it up and it says, "Powerful corrosion protection for all metals and superior lubrication for all moving parts". Since my snow chute is plastic, it won't rust and since it doesn't have any moving parts, that is a misapplication of a product that is probably more expensive than my car wax. So that is out too.
Some wannabee genius's just gotta make things more complicated than they have to be.
Like I have said before, "if I tell you a cow..."
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
To follow up on @stickguy 's post, I'm thinking about trading in our Pilot and leasing a 2017 Sienna. Here's why:
Things are not going well with my insurance company from the basement flood. They issued me a check that is basically going to cover what it cost ServePro to clean up. I've got to come out of pocket for the rest of the money to waterproof, then refinish the basement. It might be a good time to cash out of my Pilot. If I can make the numbers work (depending on what @qbrozen says), then I'll do what I have to do
similar thoughts to the concept I float occasionally to the wife for next year when my lease is up. Trade in her RDX (paid off by then) for a value lease on something she likes (like a demo X1 or X3!), and cash out the equity and use it to pay the last of the tuition bills and use the rest to buy me something cheap and entertaining.
one way or another we would be getting a "nice" car with a lot of goodies on it, and more cost effective to have a lot less $ invested in what is effectively the spare/2nd car that hardly gets used.
NYC and Stick....that is using leasing wisely. Both of you are being very clever about your finances. Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals. Go for it! Plus we get some more new cars around here.
Hey JMonroe........these guys are way ahead of you. Some use car wax, others use PAM, Fluid Film (whatever that is), Snow-Jet, Silicone spray...this guy uses a propane torch and large candle:
I take a propane torch and a large candle and heat up the wax and rub it on as much of the chute area as possible. Snow doesn't stick at all and the wax lasts most of the winter. I do my plow and shovels the same way. It's WAY cheaper then FF
Then there is WD 40 and I am sure some guy has tried Vaseline.
I would LMAO if there is a warning on the machine, use of any slippery materials on your snowblower shute could cause spontaneous combustion!
If I were cooking I'd use PAM but I'm snow blowing. Furthermore, if Mrs. j caught me using her kitchen stuff, I'd be using my snow blower with my feet because she'd break my arms. So that is definitely out.
As for Fluid Film, I looked it up and it says, "Powerful corrosion protection for all metals and superior lubrication for all moving parts". Since my snow chute is plastic, it won't rust and since it doesn't have any moving parts, that is a misapplication of a product that is probably more expensive than my car wax. So that is out too.
Some wannabee genius's just gotta make things more complicated than they have to be.
Like I have said before, "if I tell you a cow..."
jmonroe
JM, try Aunt Jemima's maple sugar syrup...that way you can snack on the snow as it comes out of your shoot!
NYC and Stick....that is using leasing wisely. Both of you are being very clever about your finances. Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals. Go for it! Plus we get some more new cars around here.
I'm also trying to work out a deal where a buy to lease option makes sends (basically heavily subsidized with lease cash), So say I want to buy an X1, but don't have the cash to put down. But BMW is shoveling cash onto slightly used demos on cheap leases. I could get one, and at the end, just buy it out if I want it still.
doesn't always work, but sometimes you fall into a deal like that. I think Breld did it a few years back with his Passat.
To follow up on @stickguy 's post, I'm thinking about trading in our Pilot and leasing a 2017 Sienna. Here's why:
Things are not going well with my insurance company from the basement flood. They issued me a check that is basically going to cover what it cost ServePro to clean up. I've got to come out of pocket for the rest of the money to waterproof, then refinish the basement. It might be a good time to cash out of my Pilot. If I can make the numbers work (depending on what @qbrozen says), then I'll do what I have to do
Bradd, Kentucky has a law against unfair claims settlement practices, you can recover interest from the time the claim was unfairly denied as well as reasonable attorney fees. Perhaps NJ has a similar statute.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I use silicone spray or spray dry lube on my snowblower chute drum and paddles after every use. That's pretty much snowblower 101. Our snow is usually wet instead of powdery.
2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
To follow up on @stickguy 's post, I'm thinking about trading in our Pilot and leasing a 2017 Sienna. Here's why:
Things are not going well with my insurance company from the basement flood. They issued me a check that is basically going to cover what it cost ServePro to clean up. I've got to come out of pocket for the rest of the money to waterproof, then refinish the basement. It might be a good time to cash out of my Pilot. If I can make the numbers work (depending on what @qbrozen says), then I'll do what I have to do
Bradd, Kentucky has a law against unfair claims settlement practices, you can recover interest from the time the claim was unfairly denied as well as reasonable attorney fees. Perhaps NJ has a similar statute.
Something to look into. Thank-you! Thank-you all for your support.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
NYC and Stick....that is using leasing wisely. Both of you are being very clever about your finances. Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals. Go for it! Plus we get some more new cars around here.
I'm sorry, but as someone with 35 years in business finance, this makes no sense to me at all. Selling an asset that is almost or fully paid off & leasing the same asset new just doesn't seem smart. If you want a new vehicle, just do it. Trying to justify it as a smart financial move doesn't cut it. Keeping the existing vehicle and taking out a secured loan for the basement repair seems the smart way to go to me.
That said, it's none of my business what you do with your cars, but couching it as a smart financial move doesn't make sense to me. I hope this doesn't come across as an a** comment.
NYC and Stick....that is using leasing wisely. Both of you are being very clever about your finances. Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals. Go for it! Plus we get some more new cars around here.
I'm sorry, but as someone with 35 years in business finance, this makes no sense to me at all. Selling an asset that is almost or fully paid off & leasing the same asset new just doesn't seem smart. If you want a new vehicle, just do it. Trying to justify it as a smart financial move doesn't cut it. Keeping the existing vehicle and taking out a secured loan for the basement repair seems the smart way to go to me.
That said, it's none of my business what you do with your cars, but couching it as a smart financial move doesn't make sense to me. I hope this doesn't come across as an a** comment.
The said asset is fully paid off. I know the smart thing to do is keep the paid off asset. Especially since I have been completely OCD about maintenance. Thank-you for your input. I appreciate it. I never said it was a smart financial move, @driver100 did.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Somehow, I knew giving Mike suggestions yesterday was not going to slow him down.
Enjoy this one for a while. Go for that year and see what an oil change at BMW is like. Hey, at least it will be free!
On the 2017's, that's all that is covered now under their maintenance - 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. They no longer cover brakes, windshield wipers, or any other maintenance items including air filters, etc. Just oil and filter changes, period.
So, I purchased a 3-year, 36,000 mile maintenance plan from BMW. It covers every conceivable maintenance item on the car including brake rotors and pads, wipers, all filters, hoses, belts, etc. Quite extensive. It cost me $600.00 which I feel is worth the cost. It is transferrable to the next owner of the car.
What Driver did actually say was: Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals.
What Driver should have said was it depends on your priorities and your needs. If the Pilot looks like it could get costly, it may be better to sell it now, use that money to do the repairs, and lease a car to get through the next 3 years. In Sticks case, similarly, if car is going to get costly, may be better to sell, and lease, use the money for education.
I have a tennis friend who was a CEO for a large company and he considers himself to be very knowledgeable about finances. But he will do things to try and save money, and it costs him more in the long run. Like he switches cable companies and doesn't notice the rates go up after 6 months. He rents out his Florida home and takes back the cable box when a renter leaves, and he has to hook it and unhook it each time...he could put it on vacation stop. Then he buys a Phone-Jack or whatever it is called and his phone doesn't work properly.
Dollars and cents it would be better to get a line of credit and do the home repairs or finance school, but if those cars are going to be costly, it may be worth freeing up some money and leasing for awhile.
Driver knows little about actual finance.....just tries to do what can work out best overall and get you to your goals.
Well, I promised to post all the details about this car, so here it goes:
Last night, when I left the dealership, they were adamant on a selling price of $48,xxx out the door for the 740i. That included a $2500 certificate from USAA as a fleet discount. After working all the number several times, it seemed to me there was more than enough room to ask for $45,000 out the door in order to make the deal work for me. All I heard was that it couldn't be done. After sitting at the dealership from 10:00 AM this morning until almost 2:00 PM, with me about to walk out the door, the young man (who as one of their "Genius" personnel) made one last effort with management and presented me with $45,000 out the door.
As we have discussed on this forum and others, this approach to buying a new car works beautifully. MSRP was 91,495 with invoice being $85,570. Edmunds shows that the average buyer paid $86,712 for this car, or about $1200 over invoice. I assumed that I should be able to get this car for invoice less the $2500 USAA discount, or $83,070. Manheim showed $58,000 for 2 cars like my trade - but they were only offering me $54,000. I probably would have been a bit skiddish offering $58,000 for my CLS if I was still a sales manager and appraising cars. So, I figured I should be getting $56,500 for the trade. As it turned out, even though they showed only $55,000 for the trade value, they actually dug into their holdback to come up with the $45,000 out the door - so I basically got the $56,500 I wanted for the trade - just subtracted in another column on the buyers order. Remember, there are dealer fees here - their's is $699 which was added as well as title and tag (license plate) transfer fees.
So, all in all, I think I made a great deal - after all, it's the game one plays with a dealer that is the exciting part of the transaction. The idea of this game is to win - and I think I won the game - they met my price out the door.
Now for the vehicle. It's a 740iL (all 7 series BMW's are now built on the "L" or "Long" chassis/wheelbase). As I mentioned, it is Alpine White with Cognac Dakota leather seats and side panels and black leather dash, black carpet, and black headliner (it has a very small amount of headliner because of the dual stationary moonroofs in the car. Each moonroof (front and rear) has a full shade covering the glass. One just manually moves the shades and you can see outside the car above. It also has power rear and power rear-sidewindow shades which helps with the strong sun down here.
What I was most startled at was the ability to increase and decrease the volume on the audio system by simply rotating your finger in front of the front main panel/screen. To answer a Bluetooth phone call, you just point your finger at the screen. To not accept a call and have it go to the phone's voicemail, you just move your open hand to the right like brushing the call aside and it goes to voicemail. The audio system is Harman Kardon and is amazingly impressive in it tonal quality. It has base and treble functions, but it also has a huge graphic equalizer to fine tune hi's and low's and midrange sound.
This is a huge car that handles as well as my Mercedes did, however it is much easier to get in and out of which was a major concern I had with the Benz. Since my surgery, I have difficulty getting in and out of low stance cars and low seats, which the CLS had. There are 3 driving settings - Sport, Comfort and Extra Comfort. It has air suspension so you can raise or lower the vehicle.
I've driven the S Class Mercedes several times and was not as impressed with the ride and handling as I am with the 7 series. The chassis and many parts of the body are made out of carbon fiber - there is even a medallion on each of the B pillars when the door is open that indicates the heavy use of carbon fiber in the construction of the vehicle. But, to repeat, this is one huge vehicle.
I like the 3-D Cameras that show the vehicle in relation to other vehicles when you are pulling into a parking space. Either forwards or backwards, you can put the car right between the parking lines and you can see the parking pillars in front of the car so you can stop the car before scraping the underneath of the front bumpers.
There is really too much to go into, and I have probably overdone it here, but I just wanted to describe, as best I could, the deal and negotiations as well as my first impressions of the car.
One more thing - there is a hand held object that you can use to check the status of the vehicle. It is currently in its cradle in the car charging. It has a screen that gives readouts of data and info. I have to try that thing out when I get a chance.
Finally, just like Apple has a Genius Bar staffed with "techies", BMW also has this same concept. The car was delivered by a Genius Techie and they make an appointment for you to bring the car back in a few days to spend another hour or so answering your questions and showing more features of the vehicle. Really impressive.
Thanks for allowing me to post the above - I hope you found it interesting.
NYC and Stick....that is using leasing wisely. Both of you are being very clever about your finances. Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals. Go for it! Plus we get some more new cars around here.
I'm sorry, but as someone with 35 years in business finance, this makes no sense to me at all. Selling an asset that is almost or fully paid off & leasing the same asset new just doesn't seem smart. If you want a new vehicle, just do it. Trying to justify it as a smart financial move doesn't cut it. Keeping the existing vehicle and taking out a secured loan for the basement repair seems the smart way to go to me.
That said, it's none of my business what you do with your cars, but couching it as a smart financial move doesn't make sense to me. I hope this doesn't come across as an a** comment.
Ha! 35 years in business finance, and that makes you an expert on car buying eh? Come on man, you are trying to apply rational thinking to an irrational act. Lucky you didn't suggest this over on the car buyers anonymous board ! You would have been drummed out of the Corps.
Me, I'm just trying to figure out the best way to get the cars I want and pay for everything else I need to pay for!
And keeping a paid off car is not "free". That is going to continue to depreciate too, along with having running costs. And when you have a lot of money tied up in what is effectively a spare car, that is also a waste. Say I own a car I will put 3K miles on, worth $20,000. And I could sell it, and buy a suitable replacement for $5,000. I still have my extra car for light duty, but I no longer have $15,000 tied up in something I am not getting full value out of.
different discussion entirely about whether it is financially smart to buy a new car when your old one still works!
Somehow, I knew giving Mike suggestions yesterday was not going to slow him down.
Enjoy this one for a while. Go for that year and see what an oil change at BMW is like. Hey, at least it will be free!
On the 2017's, that's all that is covered now under their maintenance - 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. They no longer cover brakes, windshield wipers, or any other maintenance items including air filters, etc. Just oil and filter changes, period.
So, I purchased a 3-year, 36,000 mile maintenance plan from BMW. It covers every conceivable maintenance item on the car including brake rotors and pads, wipers, all filters, hoses, belts, etc. Quite extensive. It cost me $600.00 which I feel is worth the cost. It is transferrable to the next owner of the car.
$600 is worth it if you need a brake job in the first 36,000 miles. Aside from that the only thing the extended warranty will end up paying for is wiper blades. Nothing else gets replaced in the first 36,000 miles.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mike, car sounds like a lot of fun, lots of tech. (toys). Of all my car's sound systems I liked the Harman Kardons the most. Enjoy it and keep us apprised on your experiences and impressions with it!
The H-K does sound very good- and yet there are two more upgrades for the G12 7er- Bang & Olufsen and Bowers & Wilkins. I drove a B&W equipped 750i xDrive for about an hour and I was extremely impressed by the sound quality.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Mike, congrats on the new car. It sounds like quite a machine.
FWIW, I also did not think anyone in here could dissuade you from getting a new car. It's hard to ignore hot pants even for someone your age given that you have had a life full of them.
Just curious, with you track record, how many oil changes do you think your new baby will get. Also, do you get weekly complementary car washes with it like you did with your old MB?
Keep us posted about how you like it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Mike, congrats on the new car. It sounds like quite a machine.
FWIW, I also did not think anyone in here could dissuade you from getting a new car. It's hard to ignore hot pants even for someone your age given that you have had a life full of them.
Just curious, with you track record, how many oil changes do you think your new baby will get. Also, do you get weekly complementary car washes with it like you did with your old MB?
Keep us posted about how you like it.
jmonroe
Thanks JM and to all of the posters who have wished me good luck with the new car as well as to those who know me like a book and tore into me - in a nice way, that is.
I asked the "Genius" techie about that. He said that anytime I am in the area, just give him or one of the Genius Techies a call prior to coming in to the dealership and they will run it through the wash rack for me. He said they do that for 7 Series owners on the sly. So, yes, I can get car washes if I like, but I am not going to have as many as I did with Mercedes. The BMW dealership is 30 miles away - I think it would be just as economical to have the car hand washed at one of the car wash facilities closer to home considering that the price of gas down here has been climbing exponentially.
My brother asked if I would like to drive up to his place for a few days and kind of kick back a little. I said I would let him know next week as I don't think I have the strength right now to make the round trip. But it would be a great opportunity to break in the car for a 600 mile round trip. We shall see.
Comments
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Which gives me an idea - I could put a homemade stop sign up anywhere and as the autonomous cars learn to recognize the unmapped ones, I could do a lot of traffic calming. Gridlock baby.
Recognizing unmapped stop signs shouldn't be too hard, the cars already recognize speed limit signs (perhaps because they are mapped - my Garmin "recognizes" them too, although sometimes it gets the actual limit wrong).
And apparently Google's cars can recognize hand signals from a bicycle, which is a lot of code for nothing since bikers rarely signal.
I sure wouldn't step out in front of one to find out, as the technology now sits. Or for a stop sign, which is often hidden by trees, trucks, buses, etc.
What has to happen is for the streets to be so thoroughly networked and "closed" that you won't even have stop signs and traffic lights.
I bet Tesla is envious of that strategy but it doesn't have the critical mass (yet) to dent the dealer protection laws much.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Re: traffic calming, I thought the brave transportation engineer warriors we so gratefully defer to were accomplishing that via negligent traffic controls and poor road conditions. Of course, not a word about the extra pollution caused by choking traffic. Bikes and buses for the masses, a private car for me!
@jmonroe while the car wax tip for the snow blower is brilliant, I wonder why those parts aren't teflon-coated from the factory? Maybe you need to go beyond a Sears unit for that, maybe an Ariens or Toro. Or maybe nobody has thought of that yet? If so, take the idea with my compliments.
I think that the new shower that will hopefully be under construction here this winter will get the wax or Rain-X treatment for sure.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Easy sell to me for some things. One being changing the trans fluid on a regular basis. Maybe that was from owning 2 Honda V6 ATs at the same time!. Cheap insurance. Same for replacing the brake fluid. Both get done roughly 3 years or 30,000 miles.
other stuff like plugs or T-belt, that would get done when the manual calls for it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Enjoy this one for a while. Go for that year and see what an oil change at BMW is like. Hey, at least it will be free!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
An incredibly low price for an oil change.......there has to be a catch somewhere.
There is an ad I have seen on TV and in the newspaper, forget who it is for, but it says, Red warning light on - Let us Check it Out for Free".....yeh, I bet!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Congratulations though on the new car Mike, always like to see a new car bought around here, this may be the last one for 2016!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My Acura dealer always has some coupon. But even the regular price for an oil change service is only around $40. Probably $60 "rack rate" for a full oil change, multi-point inspection, and tire rotation. I normally pay below $40 for the full boat. No appointment even needed! They also wash it, though the quality is crappy. I only do it when the weather is bad to get some road salt off.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I take a propane torch and a large candle and heat up the wax and rub it on as much of the chute area as possible. Snow doesn't stick at all and the wax lasts most of the winter. I do my plow and shovels the same way. It's WAY cheaper then FF
Then there is WD 40 and I am sure some guy has tried Vaseline.
I would LMAO if there is a warning on the machine, use of any slippery materials on your snowblower shute could cause spontaneous combustion!
MORE IDEAS
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Things are not going well with my insurance company from the basement flood. They issued me a check that is basically going to cover what it cost ServePro to clean up. I've got to come out of pocket for the rest of the money to waterproof, then refinish the basement. It might be a good time to cash out of my Pilot. If I can make the numbers work (depending on what @qbrozen says), then I'll do what I have to do
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
As for Fluid Film, I looked it up and it says, "Powerful corrosion protection for all metals and superior lubrication for all moving parts". Since my snow chute is plastic, it won't rust and since it doesn't have any moving parts, that is a misapplication of a product that is probably more expensive than my car wax. So that is out too.
Some wannabee genius's just gotta make things more complicated than they have to be.
Like I have said before, "if I tell you a cow..."
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
one way or another we would be getting a "nice" car with a lot of goodies on it, and more cost effective to have a lot less $ invested in what is effectively the spare/2nd car that hardly gets used.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
doesn't always work, but sometimes you fall into a deal like that. I think Breld did it a few years back with his Passat.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That's pretty much snowblower 101.
Our snow is usually wet instead of powdery.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
That said, it's none of my business what you do with your cars, but couching it as a smart financial move doesn't make sense to me. I hope this doesn't come across as an a** comment.
That said, it's none of my business what you do with your cars, but couching it as a smart financial move doesn't make sense to me. I hope this doesn't come across as an a** comment.
The said asset is fully paid off. I know the smart thing to do is keep the paid off asset. Especially since I have been completely OCD about maintenance. Thank-you for your input. I appreciate it. I never said it was a smart financial move, @driver100 did.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
So, I purchased a 3-year, 36,000 mile maintenance plan from BMW. It covers every conceivable maintenance item on the car including brake rotors and pads, wipers, all filters, hoses, belts, etc. Quite extensive. It cost me $600.00 which I feel is worth the cost. It is transferrable to the next owner of the car.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Some people say never lease, but, there are times when it makes good sense. Leasing may cost you more in the long run, but in this case it helps you to achieve your goals.
What Driver should have said was it depends on your priorities and your needs. If the Pilot looks like it could get costly, it may be better to sell it now, use that money to do the repairs, and lease a car to get through the next 3 years. In Sticks case, similarly, if car is going to get costly, may be better to sell, and lease, use the money for education.
I have a tennis friend who was a CEO for a large company and he considers himself to be very knowledgeable about finances. But he will do things to try and save money, and it costs him more in the long run. Like he switches cable companies and doesn't notice the rates go up after 6 months. He rents out his Florida home and takes back the cable box when a renter leaves, and he has to hook it and unhook it each time...he could put it on vacation stop. Then he buys a Phone-Jack or whatever it is called and his phone doesn't work properly.
Dollars and cents it would be better to get a line of credit and do the home repairs or finance school, but if those cars are going to be costly, it may be worth freeing up some money and leasing for awhile.
Driver knows little about actual finance.....just tries to do what can work out best overall and get you to your goals.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Last night, when I left the dealership, they were adamant on a selling price of $48,xxx out the door for the 740i. That included a $2500 certificate from USAA as a fleet discount. After working all the number several times, it seemed to me there was more than enough room to ask for $45,000 out the door in order to make the deal work for me. All I heard was that it couldn't be done. After sitting at the dealership from 10:00 AM this morning until almost 2:00 PM, with me about to walk out the door, the young man (who as one of their "Genius" personnel) made one last effort with management and presented me with $45,000 out the door.
As we have discussed on this forum and others, this approach to buying a new car works beautifully. MSRP was 91,495 with invoice being $85,570. Edmunds shows that the average buyer paid $86,712 for this car, or about $1200 over invoice. I assumed that I should be able to get this car for invoice less the $2500 USAA discount, or $83,070. Manheim showed $58,000 for 2 cars like my trade - but they were only offering me $54,000. I probably would have been a bit skiddish offering $58,000 for my CLS if I was still a sales manager and appraising cars. So, I figured I should be getting $56,500 for the trade. As it turned out, even though they showed only $55,000 for the trade value, they actually dug into their holdback to come up with the $45,000 out the door - so I basically got the $56,500 I wanted for the trade - just subtracted in another column on the buyers order. Remember, there are dealer fees here - their's is $699 which was added as well as title and tag (license plate) transfer fees.
So, all in all, I think I made a great deal - after all, it's the game one plays with a dealer that is the exciting part of the transaction. The idea of this game is to win - and I think I won the game - they met my price out the door.
Now for the vehicle. It's a 740iL (all 7 series BMW's are now built on the "L" or "Long" chassis/wheelbase). As I mentioned, it is Alpine White with Cognac Dakota leather seats and side panels and black leather dash, black carpet, and black headliner (it has a very small amount of headliner because of the dual stationary moonroofs in the car. Each moonroof (front and rear) has a full shade covering the glass. One just manually moves the shades and you can see outside the car above. It also has power rear and power rear-sidewindow shades which helps with the strong sun down here.
What I was most startled at was the ability to increase and decrease the volume on the audio system by simply rotating your finger in front of the front main panel/screen. To answer a Bluetooth phone call, you just point your finger at the screen. To not accept a call and have it go to the phone's voicemail, you just move your open hand to the right like brushing the call aside and it goes to voicemail. The audio system is Harman Kardon and is amazingly impressive in it tonal quality. It has base and treble functions, but it also has a huge graphic equalizer to fine tune hi's and low's and midrange sound.
This is a huge car that handles as well as my Mercedes did, however it is much easier to get in and out of which was a major concern I had with the Benz. Since my surgery, I have difficulty getting in and out of low stance cars and low seats, which the CLS had. There are 3 driving settings - Sport, Comfort and Extra Comfort. It has air suspension so you can raise or lower the vehicle.
I've driven the S Class Mercedes several times and was not as impressed with the ride and handling as I am with the 7 series. The chassis and many parts of the body are made out of carbon fiber - there is even a medallion on each of the B pillars when the door is open that indicates the heavy use of carbon fiber in the construction of the vehicle. But, to repeat, this is one huge vehicle.
I like the 3-D Cameras that show the vehicle in relation to other vehicles when you are pulling into a parking space. Either forwards or backwards, you can put the car right between the parking lines and you can see the parking pillars in front of the car so you can stop the car before scraping the underneath of the front bumpers.
There is really too much to go into, and I have probably overdone it here, but I just wanted to describe, as best I could, the deal and negotiations as well as my first impressions of the car.
One more thing - there is a hand held object that you can use to check the status of the vehicle. It is currently in its cradle in the car charging. It has a screen that gives readouts of data and info. I have to try that thing out when I get a chance.
Finally, just like Apple has a Genius Bar staffed with "techies", BMW also has this same concept. The car was delivered by a Genius Techie and they make an appointment for you to bring the car back in a few days to spend another hour or so answering your questions and showing more features of the vehicle. Really impressive.
Thanks for allowing me to post the above - I hope you found it interesting.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
That said, it's none of my business what you do with your cars, but couching it as a smart financial move doesn't make sense to me. I hope this doesn't come across as an a** comment.
Ha! 35 years in business finance, and that makes you an expert on car buying eh? Come on man, you are trying to apply rational thinking to an irrational act. Lucky you didn't suggest this over on the car buyers anonymous board ! You would have been drummed out of the Corps.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
I seem to recall being surprised when you went back to the coupe style, since that seemed to have been an issue with your previous one.
but it sounds like a really cool car. Gonna be a long learning curve though.'
and yes, I have to laugh at you getting a prepaid brake replacement package.
and FYI, Roadburner now has a gig as one of those BMW geniuses!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
And keeping a paid off car is not "free". That is going to continue to depreciate too, along with having running costs. And when you have a lot of money tied up in what is effectively a spare car, that is also a waste. Say I own a car I will put 3K miles on, worth $20,000. And I could sell it, and buy a suitable replacement for $5,000. I still have my extra car for light duty, but I no longer have $15,000 tied up in something I am not getting full value out of.
different discussion entirely about whether it is financially smart to buy a new car when your old one still works!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Congrats on the new car. Sounds very hi tech.
How about giving us your phone # and we'll see who gets the 'point' or the 'wave'?
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
FWIW, I also did not think anyone in here could dissuade you from getting a new car. It's hard to ignore hot pants even for someone your age given that you have had a life full of them.
Just curious, with you track record, how many oil changes do you think your new baby will get. Also, do you get weekly complementary car washes with it like you did with your old MB?
Keep us posted about how you like it.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I asked the "Genius" techie about that. He said that anytime I am in the area, just give him or one of the Genius Techies a call prior to coming in to the dealership and they will run it through the wash rack for me. He said they do that for 7 Series owners on the sly. So, yes, I can get car washes if I like, but I am not going to have as many as I did with Mercedes. The BMW dealership is 30 miles away - I think it would be just as economical to have the car hand washed at one of the car wash facilities closer to home considering that the price of gas down here has been climbing exponentially.
My brother asked if I would like to drive up to his place for a few days and kind of kick back a little. I said I would let him know next week as I don't think I have the strength right now to make the round trip. But it would be a great opportunity to break in the car for a 600 mile round trip. We shall see.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger