Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

iluvmysephia1 said:

WDIKAOT?

Why Didn't I Know All Of This?

Thanks....can't wait to use it!

oldfarmer50

Mr_Shiftright said:

Shoot that's not so bad for an entire drivetrain. That's about the labor to just put a clutch in a Mini Cooper.

Or to change out an evap unit on an old Lincoln AC.

driver100

fintail said:

I think the only brand it would impact is VW, who is still something of a niche player in the states, and who already has operations in the US. Many VW faithful are so into it, they'd probably absorb any supposed tariff that Tweeter thinks he can implement via personal mandate. The other German brands don't build in Mexico for American consumption - in fact, much of BMW and MB SUV production is in AL and SC. I think Audi was going to open a facility in Mexico for Q5, not sure if it has happened or if they would be sold here. More distraction from actual issues, a chapter that repeats itself through history.

abacomike said:

The response from Germany has been pretty negative.  I don't think Mercedes or BMW build cars in Mexico.  They build all their SUV's sold in this country here in the USA.  Mercedes builds the C Class here as well.  VW has several plants in Mexico - they also have/had a plant in Brazil.  

WDIKAOT?

Really good information. And if you do slap a 35% tariff on cars made in Mexico what about all the dealer networks, employees who sell those cars, people employed in the USA for those auto makers.....how will they get by? Unemployment insurance?

explorerx4

@Mr_Shiftright,
Maybe Cardoc can weigh in on if the labor time is fair.

fintail

Unemployment insurance? That's socialist insanity. Use that money to subsidize tax breaks for the gilded class, and the wealth will trickle down to all those impacted by trade wars. All the displaced will have to do is use their bootstraps like their hardworking and self-made leaders, as prosperity will be there for the taking.

driver100 said:

WDIKAOT?

Really good information. And if you do slap a 35% tariff on cars made in Mexico what about all the dealer networks, employees who sell those cars, people employed in the USA for those auto makers.....how will they get by? Unemployment insurance?

abacomike

@driver100

Does it really matter where an automobile or truck or SUV is manufactured so long as excellent quality is the result?  Of course it doesn't. If my new BMW 740i was manufactured in Mexico or some other country other than Germany, however it had a superior track record of the highest quality, I would buy the car anyway!!!  But why do we buy German cars?  Engineering, quality and longevity are a few reasons.  But the same is true for several Japanese and Korean vehicles.  What does matter is the perception that good German products are built in Germany or that good Japanese products are built in Japan.  Remember - it's a perception, not a fact or truth.

What is going on now with where cars are built is "political" and has nothing to do with quality or perceptions of quality.  So, it is what it is, once again! 

Mr_Shiftright

A lot of cars built in Germany are not actually built by Germans. I don't think it matters at all who builds it, as long as they are well-trained. Don't worry about who built your car, worry about who manages the factory it was built in.

abacomike

Mr_Shiftright said:

A lot of cars built in Germany are not actually built by Germans. I don't think it matters at all who builds it, as long as they are well-trained. Don't worry about who built your car, worry about who manages the factory it was built in.

Besides, 70% of the car was welded and assembled by robots!!!

Mr_Shiftright

Soon to be 90% I bet. If you're young and working on an assembly line, this is the time to re-train.

fintail

IMO, depending on the regime one wants to support, it does matter where a car is built. In some places, a lot of profits go to official coffers, some of those being less than pleasant kleptocratic regimes that aren't exactly friends with anything we'd consider just. Politics can be an unfortunate reality.

driver100

fintail said:

IMO, depending on the regime one wants to support, it does matter where a car is built. In some places, a lot of profits go to official coffers, some of those being less than pleasant kleptocratic regimes that aren't exactly friends with anything we'd consider just. Politics can be an unfortunate reality.

Yeh, like buying a Lada....oh, wait, you can't buy those here any more.

I wonder how much tax they would have?

Mr_Shiftright

Some Ladas are quite highly regarded, (Lada Niva), hard as that is to believe.

driver100

abacomike

You would buy the car if you liked it, no matter where it was built, but should there be extra taxes on it?

IMO, this is a complex issue, you have to know how much is lost and gained with each country, and often being able to buy cheaper products made in say China, allows the worker to spend more money on other items which may help our own economy.

It needs a lot of study....there is something to be said for a global economy, and an important factor is countries that are prosperous don't usually cause trouble in the world.....something to consider. If you have something worthwhile you can lose, you don't want to blow it.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

Some Ladas are quite highly regarded, (Lada Niva), hard as that is to believe.

Mainly because of their coolness. But, this review says they are pretty rough, noisy, with rattles, and no radio though you can hum Russian Marching tunes.

REVIEW LADA NIVIA

abacomike

Late this afternoon, I had a delivery of 4 oxygen tanks from the company that supplies the tanks.  He parked by the walkway that leads to the staircase that comes up to my 2nd floor Condo - I an 10 steps from the stairs.

I opened the door after he called me to tell me he had arrived and waited for him to unload his truck.  As I looked down, I noticed that there was a good sized black snake warming itself on the concrete path leading from the parking lot yo the stairwell.  As this delivery man walked toward the stairs, I yelled down to him to be careful as he approached this snake - I could not tell from my vantage point whether it was poisonous (shape of head was difficult to see).  He looked down the walkway, took one look at this snake, dropped the 4 oxygen tanks and ran toward his truck.  The noise of the oxygen tanks hitting the concrete and the ensuing "hissing sound" of 2 of those tanks as the oxygen escaped through the valves, scared the snake which made s beeline for its hole under the staircase in the stone gravel area.

Several neighbors who were returning from shopping dropped their groceries too as they approached the snake.  I wondered how I would have reacted to seeing that snake blocking my path - running away comes to mind, that's for sure.  Anyhow, the delivery guy took 4 fresh tanks of oxygen and decided to use the elevator to deliver the tanks.  He returned with my empty tanks via the elevator.  At least it added some excitement to my quiet day.  I know I'll be using the elevator if I go out tomorrow instead of walking down those stairs.  I am not a lover of snakes - but I do respect them, that's for sure.  

isellhondas

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

Michaell

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

This is the Outlander Sport - the smaller one.

isellhondas

Michaell said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

This is the Outlander Sport - the smaller one.

Oh, I didn't know they made a Sport. Makes sense!

oldfarmer50

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

Wife was showing me ads for the Outlander Sport which is smaller.

I have to say my Eclipse was totally trouble free. Only problem was a battery that died after 5 years.

Mitsubishi has been rumored to be leaving the US for 25 years. Maybe one day they'll do it. I don't see how they make money on the low volume they sell.

driver100

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

Say what?

driver100

MIKE RE: Snake incident

Why do these things only happen to you?

driver100

One thought about taxing cars brought in from other countries.

I am wondering what we would be driving today, it it wasn't for the Asian invasion that started in the 1980s. I remember getting a 1988 Honda Accord rental car with the flip up headlights. I couldn't believe how smooth and solid it felt, and the little engine was strong and powerful.

At the same time the luxury automakers in Europe started making more well designed and engineered cars, and worked on getting the prices down to sell cars to the masses.

By that time the big 3 were stumbling around....going to FWD to match these efficient well made imports. But, do you think the Big 3 would be where they are today without that competition? What would we be driving if it wasn't for world competition and what would we pay for those cars?

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

I have to say my Eclipse was totally trouble free. Only problem was a battery that died after 5 years.

If that's the only fault....that ain't a fault. Probably should replace the battery after 5 years anyway, so you don't get caught somewhere with a dead battery. Was the Outlander parked outside? That would make it even more amazing.

houdini1

abacomike said:

houdini1 said:

Everything and more than you ever wanted to know about @graphicguy 's latest Cadillac issue:

http://gm.oemdtc.com/6969/33530-service-update-engine-ground-cable-in-contact-with-half-shaft-2016-cadillac-ats-cts#more-6969

Excellent info AB !

19,800 must have been the OTD price.

ditto

Thanks, Houdini, for posting that site.  Found a recall for 2016 BMW 740i's built in Nov-Dec, 2015 for a problem with airbags. Let my brother know but he told me his car was built in May, 2016.

I know it gets confusing here, but give the credit to AB for posting that.

houdini1

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

Just post a new post here. We'll figure it out.

EDIT- Hmmm, seems all my posts are picking up the post I am replying to twice !!

driver100

houdini1 said:

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

Just post a new post here. We'll figure it out.

EDIT- Hmmm, seems all my posts are picking up the post I am replying to twice !!

I thought maybe you had a stuttering problem.

fintail

Knowing the upcoming regime, a Lada would receive a 35% tax rebate

I know Ladas were sold in Canadaland from ~ early 80s through the mid 90s, but were never sold in the US. Canuckistan also got alien-to-American brands like Skoda (pre-VW) and Innocenti during the 80s. I always used to look forward to crossing the northern border in hopes of spotting a Lada or maybe even something more obscure. I remember seeing a Niva/Cossack here and there in the Lower Mainland up until several years ago, but the Samaras and Signets are long gone, as they didn't have the highest build quality, and were abused and neglected in the longstanding Canadian tradition of wanting a very cheap car, and running it into the ground (I think Hyundai Ponys are also all now long gone). By the amount of old ones in dashcam videos, Ladas seem to be very robust if you perform the slightest maintenance, and can likely be overhauled with a spool of wire and a roll of tape.

As the ones on this side of the pond now somewhat vintage cars, they are detached from economic politics, and if someone has the guts to drive one, more power to them.

driver100 said:

Yeh, like buying a Lada....oh, wait, you can't buy those here any more.

I wonder how much tax they would have?

fintail

I think we'd be driving rebodied Celebrities and K-cars

Unfortunately, the forced innovation/modernization is now a thing of the past, and the worrisome potential imports are from areas that profit from being IP criminals (not to mention the social and environmental issues). I think fair trade is much more of an issue now than then.

Here on the west coast, the automotive market was always kind of open-minded, and cars like that 3rd generation Accord were welcomed with open arms. The pop-up light models are a ubiquitous car of my childhood/youth - they were everywhere here, and many still are on the road. The generation that followed (and to some degree, even the one that followed that) is IMO the pinnacle of the Accord.

driver100 said:

One thought about taxing cars brought in from other countries.

I am wondering what we would be driving today, it it wasn't for the Asian invasion that started in the 1980s.
By that time the big 3 were stumbling around....going to FWD to match these efficient well made imports. But, do you think the Big 3 would be where they are today without that competition? What would we be driving if it wasn't for world competition and what would we pay for those cars?

houdini1

driver100 said:

houdini1 said:

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

RITA said:

Is this still useful to quote on the old comment like June 2016...? Can I suggest if any on the comment?

Just post a new post here. We'll figure it out.

EDIT- Hmmm, seems all my posts are picking up the post I am replying to twice !!

I thought maybe you had a stuttering problem.

Wha wha wha........what?

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

I have to say my Eclipse was totally trouble free. Only problem was a battery that died after 5 years.

If that's the only fault....that ain't a fault. Probably should replace the battery after 5 years anyway, so you don't get caught somewhere with a dead battery. Was the Outlander parked outside? That would make it even more amazing.

Are you OK? First you're quoting someone named RITA whose post I can't find and then you call my Eclipse an Outlander. Did you take a spill at pickleball?

sda

I thought the '86-89 Accords set the standard for that time period. My ex had an '85 Prelude. Dark metallic blue, base model with automatic, a/c, am/fm cassette. The build quality on that car was excellent. One thing about the pop up headlights, at least in her Prelude, the sealed beam was prone to burn out quickly. I became an expert on replacing them. I think the up and down motion of the pop ups was too hard on the filament in the sealed beam.

abacomike

driver100 said:

MIKE RE: Snake incident Why do these things only happen to you?

Because it's karma, kismet, destiny, fate - I am being tested like Jonah inside the whale.  It is what it is - I am what I am - what else can I say???

abacomike

houdini1 said:

houdini1 said:

Everything and more than you ever wanted to know about @graphicguy 's latest Cadillac issue: http://gm.oemdtc.com/6969/33530-service-update-engine-ground-cable-in-contact-with-half-shaft-2016-cadillac-ats-cts#more-6969

Excellent info AB !

19,800 must have been the OTD price.

ditto

Thanks, Houdini, for posting that site.  Found a recall for 2016 BMW 740i's built in Nov-Dec, 2015 for a problem with airbags. Let my brother know but he told me his car was built in May, 2016.

I know it gets confusing here, but give the credit to AB for posting that.

Thanks, AB!   Houdini, I'll thank you anyway - I'm sure you deserve it!  

jmonroe

explorerx4 said:

@Mr_Shiftright,
Maybe Cardoc can weigh in on if the labor time is fair.

Only if he can justify the use of incompetent mechanics.

jmonroe

jmonroe

Mr_Shiftright said:

A lot of cars built in Germany are not actually built by Germans. I don't think it matters at all who builds it, as long as they are well-trained. Don't worry about who built your car, worry about who manages the factory it was built in.

I'm going to disagree a little.

Management can only account for so much shoddy workmanship of the assembly line workers. Isn't this what almost did in cars from Detroit?

It's getting better but there is still that "perception".

Then we have Caddy. Ask @graphicguy if it is still a "perception" or shoddy work or bad engineering. Maybe a little of all of that.

jmonroe

abacomike

@jmonroe

JM, I just now noticed that your signature line includes not only the '15 Genesis V8, but also the fact that it has the "ultimate package"! We wouldn't want the causal visitor to this forum to think you had the V6 version or that you had the "plain" V8 version sans the Ultimate Package, now would we?

Speaking of the Genesis, I think I told you I drove one before finalizing the deal on the BMW. The new 2017 G80 is a nice car considering it is half the price of my 740i. It sure didn't feel like half the price - felt more like a Lexus or E Class Mercedes. Hyundai sure is investing heavily in the brand and seems to be succeeding in getting attention from a broad customer base. I see loads of them down here in South Florida along with tons of Sonatas. It's not the same company it was 10 years ago, that's for sure.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

I have to say my Eclipse was totally trouble free. Only problem was a battery that died after 5 years.

If that's the only fault....that ain't a fault. Probably should replace the battery after 5 years anyway, so you don't get caught somewhere with a dead battery. Was the Outlander parked outside? That would make it even more amazing.

Are you OK? First you're quoting someone named RITA whose post I can't find and then you call my Eclipse an Outlander. Did you take a spill at pickleball?

There really was a post from RITA but now it has disappeared....honest!
Outlander....Eclipse, I have enough trouble remembering what old cars I used to own.

jmonroe

abacomike said:

houdini1 said:

abacomike said:

houdini1 said:

Everything and more than you ever wanted to know about @graphicguy 's latest Cadillac issue:

http://gm.oemdtc.com/6969/33530-service-update-engine-ground-cable-in-contact-with-half-shaft-2016-cadillac-ats-cts#more-6969

Excellent info AB !

19,800 must have been the OTD price.

ditto

Thanks, Houdini, for posting that site.  Found a recall for 2016 BMW 740i's built in Nov-Dec, 2015 for a problem with airbags. Let my brother know but he told me his car was built in May, 2016.

I know it gets confusing here, but give the credit to AB for posting that.

Thanks, AB!   Houdini, I'll thank you anyway - I'm sure you deserve it!  

Being that I am from the Burgh area, when I see "AB", I immediately think of Antonio Brown the look-at-me selfish Steelers wide receiver that likes to draw attention to himself as evidenced by his idiotic Facebook taping in the Steelers locker room after their win over the Kansas City Chiefs this past Sunday.

You'd think those wide receivers would have learned after the Giants boat thing in Miami a few weeks ago. Some dopes in this area have said, "it will probably give him and his other wide receiver pals (seen celebrating with him) more motivation to win in New England this weekend".

I say they need more than motivation, they need better coaching and players. They have never beaten Belacheat and Brady in Foxboro but there is always a fist time. Like having all the stars and moons staying in alignment until the end of the game. I'm not betting my first born on that happening but maybe there is a Black Hole out there that none of us are aware of.

Yeah Mike, you had me confused. "AB" is a loud mouth Steelers wide receiver.

jmonroe

driver100

80 second look at 2018 Mustang. Seems like a lot of cars are going to the digital instrument gauges that can be changed.

2018 Mustang - 80 seconds

roadburner

abacomike said:

Late this afternoon, I had a delivery of 4 oxygen tanks from the company that supplies the tanks.  He parked by the walkway that leads to the staircase that comes up to my 2nd floor Condo - I an 10 steps from the stairs.

I opened the door after he called me to tell me he had arrived and waited for him to unload his truck.  As I looked down, I noticed that there was a good sized black snake warming itself on the concrete path leading from the parking lot yo the stairwell.  As this delivery man walked toward the stairs, I yelled down to him to be careful as he approached this snake - I could not tell from my vantage point whether it was poisonous (shape of head was difficult to see).  He looked down the walkway, took one look at this snake, dropped the 4 oxygen tanks and ran toward his truck.  The noise of the oxygen tanks hitting the concrete and the ensuing "hissing sound" of 2 of those tanks as the oxygen escaped through the valves, scared the snake which made s beeline for its hole under the staircase in the stone gravel area.

Several neighbors who were returning from shopping dropped their groceries too as they approached the snake.  I wondered how I would have reacted to seeing that snake blocking my path - running away comes to mind, that's for sure.  Anyhow, the delivery guy took 4 fresh tanks of oxygen and decided to use the elevator to deliver the tanks.  He returned with my empty tanks via the elevator.  At least it added some excitement to my quiet day.  I know I'll be using the elevator if I go out tomorrow instead of walking down those stairs.  I am not a lover of snakes - but I do respect them, that's for sure.  

My wife freaks out over snakes- and gets mad when I won't automatically kill the ones we see near the house. If they are venomous I'll kill them if I find them near the house, but otherwise I let them be. To placate my wife I will relocate the harmless ones if they are within 20 or so feet of the house, but she is still ticked that I won't kill them.

jmonroe

abacomike said:

@jmonroe

JM, I just now noticed that your signature line includes not only the '15 Genesis V8, but also the fact that it has the "ultimate package"! We wouldn't want the causal visitor to this forum to think you had the V6 version or that you had the "plain" V8 version sans the Ultimate Package, now would we?

Speaking of the Genesis, I think I told you I drove one before finalizing the deal on the BMW. The new 2017 G80 is a nice car considering it is half the price of my 740i. It sure didn't feel like half the price - felt more like a Lexus or E Class Mercedes. Hyundai sure is investing heavily in the brand and seems to be succeeding in getting attention from a broad customer base. I see loads of them down here in South Florida along with tons of Sonatas. It's not the same company it was 10 years ago, that's for sure.

Hey Mike, I say "Ultimate" because the car people in here would know more about it, plus bragging a little can't hurt, right.

I've said this before, my Delray Beach SIL bought an '09 Genny after Son #1 gave here a test drive in my '09 in August of '09 when my now departed brother and her came for a visit. She was in the market to replace her '07 leased Town Car. She said she like it but I thought she was just being kind. Wrong, 2 weeks after returning home she bought an '09 Genny but not the V8. Down your way a V8 is not necessary. The V6 has plenty of power for your flat roads.

My SIL was the very first in her 55 and over community to buy one. Now when I go down for a visit, I see a lot of them in her community and I can't park in a lot down there without seeing a least a half a dozen of them before I get to where I am headed to shop or eat. She is surely doing her part about the sales down there. She has had 5 so far. I've driven all of her cars, except for the one she has now, a '16, so I know first hand a V6 is good enough down your way.

Try not to spread the word too much about Gennies. When I see one in my area it is a novelty and I like it like that. I was never one for joining a nose-in-the-air stuck up club except this one.

jmonroe

roadburner

driver100 said:

80 second look at 2018 Mustang. Seems like a lot of cars are going to the digital instrument gauges that can be changed.

2018 Mustang - 80 seconds

BMW is changing over; the 7 Series and X6 have glass cockpits and the LCI(facelift) 4 Series and G30 5 Series are following suit.

abacomike

roadburner said:

driver100 said:

80 second look at 2018 Mustang. Seems like a lot of cars are going to the digital instrument gauges that can be changed.

2018 Mustang - 80 seconds

BMW is changing over; the 7 Series and X6 have glass cockpits and the LCI(facelift) 4 Series and G30 5 Series are following suit.

Yes, everything is digital in my cockpit. Besides, depending on which drive setting I use, the instrument cluster changes - blue for economy and red for sport.

I especially like the ambient lighting inside. I set mine at "copper" because of the color of my interior - nice match. What I like most about this car it the ease of getting in and out of both the front seats as well as the rear seats. A true pleasure!!!

Mr_Shiftright

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Out of the blue my wife hands me an ad for the local Mitsu dealer who is offering big discounts on 2016s. She liked this one:

http://tmmitsubishi.com/details/2016-Mitsubishi-OutlanderSport-CliftonPark-NY/14110665?cid=2

If the claim of a $24110 MSRP is true that's about a 25% discount. Assuming that these aren't demos with miles what do you think? If it matters I think this guy is one of the top sellers nationwide. He seems to buy up a lot of left overs and discount heavily.

I think Mitsu makes a good product--if you can buy it right (to compensate for awful resale value). The 2.4 engine option is a plus, the CVT....well, it's a CVT...either you like 'em or you don't. I don't expect the Outlander's is particularly sophisticated (never drove this model), but the platform is pretty old.

I guess if I were you I'd price it against an equivalent, like the Honda HR-V, with comparable equipment, and see if it really is a bargain compared to the Honda.

No, the Outlander is more like a CRV in size.

My brother in law bought one new about four years ago and it's been flawless at around 90,000 miles!

Were it not for lousy resale and a nearly non existent dealer network I might be tempted.

Still, they somehow manage to hang on!

I was comparing on price, not size Isell. The CR-V is considerably pricier than the "base" Outlander Sport ES. but the HR-V competes.

ab348

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

A lot of cars built in Germany are not actually built by Germans. I don't think it matters at all who builds it, as long as they are well-trained. Don't worry about who built your car, worry about who manages the factory it was built in.

I'm going to disagree a little.

Management can only account for so much shoddy workmanship of the assembly line workers. Isn't this what almost did in cars from Detroit?

It's getting better but there is still that "perception".

Then we have Caddy. Ask @graphicguy if it is still a "perception" or shoddy work or bad engineering. Maybe a little of all of that.

jmonroe

Well, we had Mike's Benz that was built in Germany and they somehow forgot to install the equipment he had ordered.

Then we had a whole bunch of 2011 Sonatas that were assembled with a built-in pull to the left that couldn't be adjusted out of them.

And let's not even mention the cars from all sorts of makes with the dreaded Takata airbags.

Cars are complex beasts. In some ways it is remarkable they come to us as good as they generally do.

sda

I remember when CR used to list the number of defects, often spelling them out, on the new cars they purchased. It wasn't unusual for a car to have 20+ defects. They stopped listing the number of defects as cars have improved so much, but they will mention a defect if it seems significant.

jmonroe

ab348 said:

jmonroe said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

A lot of cars built in Germany are not actually built by Germans. I don't think it matters at all who builds it, as long as they are well-trained. Don't worry about who built your car, worry about who manages the factory it was built in.

I'm going to disagree a little.

Management can only account for so much shoddy workmanship of the assembly line workers. Isn't this what almost did in cars from Detroit?

It's getting better but there is still that "perception".

Then we have Caddy. Ask @graphicguy if it is still a "perception" or shoddy work or bad engineering. Maybe a little of all of that.

jmonroe

Well, we had Mike's Benz that was built in Germany and they somehow forgot to install the equipment he had ordered.

Then we had a whole bunch of 2011 Sonatas that were assembled with a built-in pull to the left that couldn't be adjusted out of them.

And let's not even mention the cars from all sorts of makes with the dreaded Takata airbags.

Cars are complex beasts. In some ways it is remarkable they come to us as good as they generally do.

I agree with the complexity thing and this is what happens when you mess with Mother Nature or should I say Car Builders that think we have to have everything. I don't use half the stuff on my '15 Genny and I damn sure ain't going to use the talk-to-me feature. When the day comes that I can't reach and push a button, that is the day I burn my drivers license.

Air bags? Yeah, that is a scary one and it has affected too many brands to list. There my be a brand/model that isn't affected so I'll leave that up to you guys that like to find this stuff on the internet.

jmonroe

jwm40517

Computer question. A few days ago I was working at my desk with the ebay home page displayed on my desktop monitor and not paying attention to it. A small file was laying on the keyboard in the lower left corner area. When I noticed the ebay page later the letters were about 8 times as big as normal. I suppose the file on the keyboard pushed a few keys and caused this. Any ideas on how to correct it? Thanks in advance. John

imidazol97

jwm40517 said:

Computer question. A few days ago I was working at my desk with the ebay home page displayed on my desktop monitor and not paying attention to it. A small file was laying on the keyboard in the lower left corner area. When I noticed the ebay page later the letters were about 8 times as big as normal. I suppose the file on the keyboard pushed a few keys and caused this. Any ideas on how to correct it? Thanks in advance. John

The method I use is to hold down the ctrl key and roll the wheel on the mouse one way and then the other--one increases size and other decreases size.

ab348

My now dearly departed little cat Coco had a bad habit of walking across the keyboard of my laptop. She had the magic touch when doing that, maybe because her paws were small and he could hit keys in a particularly effective way. Sometimes she changed the character set the thing used, sometimes put it into various different and befuddling display modes, once she made the touchpad stop working, and once made the entire display disappear. That is how I learned about Windows Restore in fact. It is amazing how many mostly undocumented things you can do with inadvertent keyboard combinations.