Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

jmonroe said:

explorerx4 said:

When you open a front door in the MKC you get this:

I have a story, from just the other day, about talking to my car but I'll tell it later when @driver100 goes to bed.

jmonro

e

going to bed at 10 P.M......tell away.

btw, when the grandson was about 4 years old we had a Mercedes and the headrests in the back would flip down if I pressed a button. When we picked him up from daycare I would tell him I could do magic. Abracadabra headrest go down.....I'd hit the button, the headrest went down, and he thought I did it magically.

Top that one JM.

abacomike

imidazol97 said:

All of these units with super features and various high tech ways ot controlling or not controlling them are amazing. My problem is with all those colors of lighting, I'd have to analyze each and every one under varying light conditions. I already change channels and adjust the auto temperature up and down. My wife is neurotic from watching me. I'd need a divorce lawyer. I tried to change the beautiful blue interior light accents on my Malibu. Can't do it. Just one color. I feel so deprived. I think the combination of knobs on the console and touch screen along with steering wheel controls for certain features is done just right for me and my needs. I don't even try to use the voice. Same for the Bluetooth. There's such a thing as too much.

"I feel so deprived...". That is hilarious!  Trust me - deprived from being able to select ambient lighting in your car is a financial decision.  If you want ambient color choices, wear tinted glasses when you drive at night - less expensive!!! 

driver100

abacomike said:

explorerx4 said:

64 colors are taking an interesting idea and turning into stupid.
How about this?
When I remote start my truck it has a 'preconditioning' feature.
That means I can set it to turn on heat/heat-defrost/heated seats or air con and/or cooled seats on.
My wife's MKC has the additional option of activating the heated steering wheel.
She can remote start from her phone, too.

I have a heated steering wheel - it warms up every morning - gets burning hot in the afternoon - then cools off in the evening.  Isn't solar power wonderful? 

I like those heated steering wheels....when I get arthritis I will really appreciate it even more.

5 more minutes JM.....and keep it under 150 words and I might read it tomorrow.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

All of these units with super features and various high tech ways ot controlling or not controlling them are amazing. My problem is with all those colors of lighting, I'd have to analyze each and every one under varying light conditions. I already change channels and adjust the auto temperature up and down. My wife is neurotic from watching me. I'd need a divorce lawyer.

I tried to change the beautiful blue interior light accents on my Malibu. Can't do it. Just one color. I feel so deprived.

I think the combination of knobs on the console and touch screen along with steering wheel controls for certain features is done just right for me and my needs. I don't even try to use the voice. Same for the Bluetooth.

There's such a thing as too much.

I wonder who uses voice controls? It is much easier just to do it yourself....reminds me of that saying, if you want something done right do it yourself.

One thing I found I like is when I turn left and my signal is on and there is a lane beside me it sets off the blind spot warning......but, in the new E400 it does it just loud enough to let me know....the 2015 model scared me it was like there was a major accident going to happen!

OK JM.......Good Night!

bwia

abacomike said:

They decided to admit me - lots of tests - liquid diet - pain killers, etc.  I wouldn't mind the liquid diet if FedEx delivered the "liquid" from Kentucky or Tennessee- but broth and apple juice are not my favorite "cups of tea", if you get my drift!  

Mike- I hope all is well 

explorerx4

You need the It's not a good idea to give the large truck behind me a brake job warning.

bwia

I lost my Galaxy S5 so I am trying out this tiny throwaway phone I bought in the Caribbean.

I can surf the net but can't make or receive calls. Can't wait for my replacement phone to arrive 

jmonroe

OK, he must be in bed by now. Haven't heard a peep from him in the last 5 minutes.

Here is my story about my Genny that has voice activation but it ain't too bright:

A few days ago I'm driving down a local 4 lane road with a speed limit of 40 MPH. I'm in the right lane going about 40 MPH but the young driver behind me thinks the traffic is moving too slowly so he jerks his car into the left lane. He now finds that a car about 4 cars in front of him is going to make a left turn into store. Yes, the driver turn had his signal on and had it on for quite a distance. I'm familiar with this stretch of road so that is why I stay in the right lane. Obviously this young driver does not know that. He now jerks his car back into the right lane 2 cars in front of me. I'm waiting for this to happen so no big deal.

We are now past the car that is making the left turn. You guessed it, he jerks back to the left lane. Then the right lane again. All the while I'm still in the right lane watching. He tries to jerk left again and this time he almost rear ends the car he pulled in behind. Lots of brake lights go on in both lanes along with some screeching and the guy behind me almost hits me. I saw it coming and fortunately I could move over to the left lane but I had to do it quickly. So, I jerk into the left lane. Safe, no crunching.

I guess while doing my jerk move I bumped the voice activation button on the steering wheel without knowing it. So, my car heard me say, "you dumb SOB". The car responds with something like, "please repeat your command or something like that".

I'm not sure it's really fair to blame my Genny for this misunderstanding. But, right after I got it, and played with the voice activation system while sitting in my driveway, I thought it had a very limited vocabulary even back then.

Some things never change.

jmonroe

roadburner

I think I've told this before, but about five years ago I was test driving a new Lincoln(only in order to get a $50 gift card and because the dealer was making a donation to Food for the Poor for every test drive). I don't remember which model it was, but the sales guy was eager to show off the "new" voice recognition system; he said "Tune to FM station nine seven point five." The Linc replied, "Now tuning to gay radio station." My son and I couldn't stop laughing, my wife just shook her head, and the sales guy just turned beet red and said not a word for the rest of the drive.

venture

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

All of these units with super features and various high tech ways ot controlling or not controlling them are amazing. My problem is with all those colors of lighting, I'd have to analyze each and every one under varying light conditions. I already change channels and adjust the auto temperature up and down. My wife is neurotic from watching me. I'd need a divorce lawyer.

I tried to change the beautiful blue interior light accents on my Malibu. Can't do it. Just one color. I feel so deprived.

I think the combination of knobs on the console and touch screen along with steering wheel controls for certain features is done just right for me and my needs. I don't even try to use the voice. Same for the Bluetooth.

There's such a thing as too much.

I wonder who uses voice controls? It is much easier just to do it yourself....reminds me of that saying, if you want something done right do it yourself.

One thing I found I like is when I turn left and my signal is on and there is a lane beside me it sets off the blind spot warning......but, in the new E400 it does it just loud enough to let me know....the 2015 model scared me it was like there was a major accident going to happen!

OK JM.......Good Night!

I always use voice for navigation. It's much easier and quicker then punching in information. I've used voice recognition for navigation since I got the car. I don't remember how to do it any other way.

I usually use it for the phone too. I just say, for example, "Call Driver100" and it makes the call.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

You need the It's not a good idea to give the large truck behind me a brake job warning.

Not a bad idea explorer. They have these automatic braking features now. How about something that if you go to stop and a big truck behind you doesn't stop, your car propels you right through the stoplight.

I am sending that idea in to the highest bidder.

driver100

I guess while doing my jerk move I bumped the voice activation button on the steering wheel without knowing it. So, my car heard me say, "you dumb SOB". The car responds with something like, "please repeat your command or something like that".

I'm not sure it's really fair to blame my Genny for this misunderstanding. But, right after I got it, and played with the voice activation system while sitting in my driveway, I thought it had a very limited vocabulary even back then.

Some things never change.

jmonroe

I actually liked your story because I see that happen every day. Yesterday a guy in a blue Cruze was doing it constantly and about 5 miles up the road we reached the stoplight at the same time. One thing about age......with it usually comes a bit of wisdom........is it worth risking life and limb as well as insurance rates to arrive 5 minutes sooner?

As far as the car responding "my car heard me say, "you dumb SOB". The car responds with something like, "please repeat your command or something like that", I think the car should be programmed to say something like "Right on Mr Monroe".

ab348

bwia said:

I lost my Galaxy S5 so I am trying out this tiny throwaway phone I bought in the Caribbean.

I can surf the net but can't make or receive calls. Can't wait for my replacement phone to arrive 

Sounds like it was designed by some of the same people who worked on the infotainment systems in certain makes.

Is a phone that cannot make or receive calls still a phone? Is a donut without a hole a Danish? Important questions...

graphicguy

Voice recognition systems certainly have come a long ways since the first one I had in a 3rd generation Acura TL. The one in my Q50 is (mostly) spot on...especially being able to string together a long address, speak it to the system, have it recognize it correctly and provide directions.

That said, Apple Car Play still is the king of voice recognition in my opinion.

The Q50 allows me to speak (and hear) texts correctly, but it takes two steps vs Siri's one step. Still, no huge trial.

They're certainly much better.

Interestingly, as seems to be the norm today, my car has 3 LCDs (found out yesterday they are easy to see with polarized sun glasses). 2 are touch sensitive. In the console, one is for Nav.....another is for displaying audio (with album art), HVAC, and other systems, and finally one in between the speedo/tach. It shows the status of the around car sensors, DTE, MPG etc. That one is not touch sensitive.

The Nav screen is impervious to finger prints. Nice job. The one beneath it, the one I touch all the time, shows finger prints. Not quite sure why Infiniti made both screens fingerprint proof.

Finally got through the break-in period. Opened it up last night as it was a nice evening. It is FAST....faster than the Cobra. Stone stable at 110 MPH (the fastest I had it) with plenty of headroom to go. Engine sounds expensive, too. Fun car!

houdini1

abacomike said:

Last night, I ate a late dinner at the Italian restaurant.  When driving home. I decided to change my ambient lighting in the car to bright amber on amber.  Awesome!  With my cogniac leather seating and the fact that even the dash lights and monitor lighting ads an amber subtlety, I felt like I was in heaven.  

I tried the the greens and blues and even the reds and yellows, but they were awful compared to that orangy amber on amber.  I feel like I'm an "artist" with my own paintbrush and palette - a kind of Van Gogh, but with nice ears!!! 

28firefighter said:

For what it is worth, as a kid, I never had problems with car sickness. My brother and sister? More than a 15 minute drive and they were sick, so any extended car rides required Bonine or similar.

Now as an adult, if I ride passenger in any capacity (bus, uber, driving with my wife), I get car sick very quickly.

I never get carsick except I do get a little quesy if riding while standing up, street cars, etc, or riding sitting down and facing backwards.

houdini1

driver100 said:

28firefighter said:

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

if my 25 YO did that, and still lived with me, they would find the locks changed and a copy of the apartment listings taped to the door.

I wouldn't have a 25 year old living with me...no how, no way.

Times are different, @driver100. It is really common now after college, either because it helps conserve expenses and pay down college debt for a short period while they work their first job, or because they were not able to obtain a job immediately.

Times are different and they were talking about this on Talk radio today. Kids are paying huge tuition fees and there probably aren't going to be jobs for them. Many work at 3 part time jobs. Many are on limited time assignments. Simple things like grocery cashier jobs which employ millions, could go as now there is self check outs in stores, but the next step is a scanner will pick up all the bar codes in your buggy, just pay for total as you leave.

Then there are people surviving being an Uber driver, or renting out a place on AB&B. It is a changing world, and you are very kind hearted and patient to offer your home....I just can't live that way...I am too selfish and mean.

The exception is if the child is still attending university and is helping to pay their own way.

I think the only solution is a guaranteed wage for everyone. One day I will work out the details.

We live on a cul de sac with about 12 homes, all of which are in the $600,000 range. At least 3 of the 12 have more than one family living in them. Something that was unheard of just a few years ago.

abacomike

venture said:

All of these units with super features and various high tech ways ot controlling or not controlling them are amazing. My problem is with all those colors of lighting, I'd have to analyze each and every one under varying light conditions. I already change channels and adjust the auto temperature up and down. My wife is neurotic from watching me. I'd need a divorce lawyer. I tried to change the beautiful blue interior light accents on my Malibu. Can't do it. Just one color. I feel so deprived. I think the combination of knobs on the console and touch screen along with steering wheel controls for certain features is done just right for me and my needs. I don't even try to use the voice. Same for the Bluetooth. There's such a thing as too much.

I wonder who uses voice controls? It is much easier just to do it yourself....reminds me of that saying, if you want something done right do it yourself. One thing I found I like is when I turn left and my signal is on and there is a lane beside me it sets off the blind spot warning......but, in the new E400 it does it just loud enough to let me know....the 2015 model scared me it was like there was a major accident going to happen! OK JM.......Good Night!

I always use voice for navigation. It's much easier and quicker then punching in information. I've used voice recognition for navigation since I got the car. I don't remember how to do it any other way. I usually use it for the phone too. I just say, for example, "Call Driver100" and it makes the call.

Ditto.  I use voice recognition to display tire pressure monitor, enter GPS destinations (why bother with manual inputs?), select audio source and channel, oil level, make phone calls (like call Steve), call up seat positioning display, and a host of other commands.  I've never had a car that responds to so many voice commands - technology has come a long way.

houdini1

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

All of these units with super features and various high tech ways ot controlling or not controlling them are amazing. My problem is with all those colors of lighting, I'd have to analyze each and every one under varying light conditions. I already change channels and adjust the auto temperature up and down. My wife is neurotic from watching me. I'd need a divorce lawyer.

I tried to change the beautiful blue interior light accents on my Malibu. Can't do it. Just one color. I feel so deprived.

I think the combination of knobs on the console and touch screen along with steering wheel controls for certain features is done just right for me and my needs. I don't even try to use the voice. Same for the Bluetooth.

There's such a thing as too much.

I wonder who uses voice controls? It is much easier just to do it yourself....reminds me of that saying, if you want something done right do it yourself.

One thing I found I like is when I turn left and my signal is on and there is a lane beside me it sets off the blind spot warning......but, in the new E400 it does it just loud enough to let me know....the 2015 model scared me it was like there was a major accident going to happen!

OK JM.......Good Night!

I always use voice for navigation. It's much easier and quicker then punching in information. I've used voice recognition for navigation since I got the car. I don't remember how to do it any other way.

I usually use it for the phone too. I just say, for example, "Call Driver100" and it makes the call.

Does your car respond with, "Now calling crazy Canuck?"

abacomike

ab348 said:

I lost my Galaxy S5 so I am trying out this tiny throwaway phone I bought in the Caribbean.

I can surf the net but can't make or receive calls. Can't wait for my replacement phone to arrive 

Sounds like it was designed by some of the same people who worked on the infotainment systems in certain makes. Is a phone that cannot make or receive calls still a phone? Is a donut without a hole a Danish? Important questions...

I'm on pins and needles waiting for the answer to, "...is a phone a phone if it can't make or receive phone calls?...!  What kind of a question is that?  Rhetorical?  Is it the last question ever televised on the "$64,000 Question" back in the 60's?  I'm at a loss for words - oh no!  My life must be over! 

explorerx4

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new BEV.
It is supposed to get here Wednesday.
Too bad it's a lawn mower.

stickguy

I found voice commands to the Navi to be a large pain. Of course, I also did not study the manual to learn the right way to do it. You have to use very specific words in a certain order. First time I tried it I just gave up and used the touch screen. Much simpler.

actually, my favorite is the app for the VW. I can map out the route, and pick how I want it to go, on my phone or ipad, then when I have it nailed down I just send it to the phone. One downside to in car Navi is you have no idea the route it picked (and sometimes it is not at all a way I would want to go!).

Maybe carplay in the next car will be the best of all worlds. I can actually upgrade my Sonata to activate carplay (DIY, and for free), but it takes a bit of work and I'm too lazy to do it when I have to give the car back in 7 months (exactly to the day, on 11/8).

bwia

Can someone explain this dichotomy? Tesla has the second highest market valuation behind GM but operates in the red. What gives?

One explanation I can offer is that investors factor in ventures like spaceX, hypersonic loop (don't remember the lingo), the mega-giga battery operations and self-driving technologies. Forward thinking yes, but money makers, I don't think so.

qbrozen

Is that yet combined with Solar City? I heard a while back they were going to combine them into one company.

bwia

Anything is possible; all major auto makers sales were down in March, except for GM, whose sales increased by almost 3%, driven by SUV and truck sales. Sedan sales continue their downward slide across all brands, and not even generous sales incentives are changing that trajectory.

Perhaps it's time to expand into the Chinese auto market where that market is more robust for sedans. But then again, the Chinese have now rediscovered the bicycle and bicycle sales are booming.

Mr_Shiftright

explorerx4 said:

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my new BEV.
It is supposed to get here Wednesday.
Too bad it's a lawn mower.

I have friends who can help you:

roadburner

In most newer BMWs you can access Siri even if you don't CarPlay or navigation. I took a loaded X6 home last night because we were going out to dinner with another couple and I paired my phone with CarPlay. It was fun to play with, but I can't say I found it any more useful than the infotainment setup in my 2er.

driver100

bwia said:

Can someone explain this dichotomy? Tesla has the second highest market valuation behind GM but operates in the red. What gives?

One explanation I can offer is that investors factor in ventures like spaceX, hypersonic loop (don't remember the lingo), the mega-giga battery operations and self-driving technologies. Forward thinking yes, but money makers, I don't think so.

I don't know much about business but I have a theoretical answer.

It could be the same as Amazon. Don't make money now but some day they will take over the world.

explorerx4

Does that mower have a motorcycle engine on it? Might be fun to have that and a battery model, then I could use either depending on how I feel about the neighbors at the time.

driver100

houdini1 said:

venture said:

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

All of these units with super features and various high tech ways ot controlling or not controlling them are amazing. My problem is with all those colors of lighting, I'd have to analyze each and every one under varying light conditions. I already change channels and adjust the auto temperature up and down. My wife is neurotic from watching me. I'd need a divorce lawyer.

I tried to change the beautiful blue interior light accents on my Malibu. Can't do it. Just one color. I feel so deprived.

I think the combination of knobs on the console and touch screen along with steering wheel controls for certain features is done just right for me and my needs. I don't even try to use the voice. Same for the Bluetooth.

There's such a thing as too much.

I wonder who uses voice controls? It is much easier just to do it yourself....reminds me of that saying, if you want something done right do it yourself.

One thing I found I like is when I turn left and my signal is on and there is a lane beside me it sets off the blind spot warning......but, in the new E400 it does it just loud enough to let me know....the 2015 model scared me it was like there was a major accident going to happen!

OK JM.......Good Night!

I always use voice for navigation. It's much easier and quicker then punching in information. I've used voice recognition for navigation since I got the car. I don't remember how to do it any other way.

I usually use it for the phone too. I just say, for example, "Call Driver100" and it makes the call.

Does your car respond with, "Now calling crazy Canuck?"

Yes, it says "Found the Gay Radio Station".

I haven't used voice in the new E much...it did get 2 out of 3 addresses right so far. What amazes me is how far off it can be....like I say I want to find an address in Tampa and says "You want an address in St Augusta" WHAT!!!!!!

Mr_Shiftright

driver100 said:

bwia said:

Can someone explain this dichotomy? Tesla has the second highest market valuation behind GM but operates in the red. What gives?

One explanation I can offer is that investors factor in ventures like spaceX, hypersonic loop (don't remember the lingo), the mega-giga battery operations and self-driving technologies. Forward thinking yes, but money makers, I don't think so.

I don't know much about business but I have a theoretical answer.

It could be the same as Amazon. Don't make money now but some day they will take over the world.

Tesla is what the Big Dogs on Wall St. call a "story stock". People invest in the story, which is often glamorous. It is a complete act of faith and completely irrational.

Sometimes story stocks pan out, sometimes they crash and burn like a supernova.

stickguy

yup. stock prices are based on a variety of factors. insiders only care that someone will come along and pay more than they did so they can flip the stock. Cool stories are good. But mostly, valuations are supposed to be based on what they will make going forward, not what they make today or in the past. But good look guessing that right!

28firefighter

@fintail In case you were curious, Sam's Global Entry conditional approval came through this morning. First appointment at SeaTac is May 8, but they can take him in Blaine tomorrow. 

Thinking we might drive up to Blaine next weekend. 

fintail

When did you submit his application? I plan to go up north to complete my process too, it's a small drive to finish it all.

I just checked mine - still pending. Maybe all of that money laundering I have been doing for the Russians in Cyprus is holding me up - I thought it would speed me up

28firefighter said:

@fintail In case you were curious, Sam's Global Entry conditional approval came through this morning. First appointment at SeaTac is May 8, but they can take him in Blaine tomorrow. 

Thinking we might drive up to Blaine next weekend. 

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

Last night, I ate a late dinner at the Italian restaurant.  When driving home. I decided to change my ambient lighting in the car to bright amber on amber.  Awesome!  With my cogniac leather seating and the fact that even the dash lights and monitor lighting ads an amber subtlety, I felt like I was in heaven.  

I tried the the greens and blues and even the reds and yellows, but they were awful compared to that orangy amber on amber.  I feel like I'm an "artist" with my own paintbrush and palette - a kind of Van Gogh, but with nice ears!!! 

Not to be a buzzkill but the Mustang had that option as far back as 2005.

Having said that I realize I'd trade mine for yours in a heartbeat.

But do you get a choice of 64 different shades....the E does?

Yeah, I believe you do. Mine doesn't have that option so i can't be positive but I remember reading about it and it was a lot.

driver100

I guess these story book stocks can be huge...like the microsofts and facebooks, but they can also crash and burn. They are like the mining stocks of the good old days.
Take the one in a million chance of finding "real" gold.

fintail

Regarding voice recognition, in my MBs, it works just fine for the contacts in my phone book, but address entry can be more difficult - I'd rather scroll and enter it myself.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

Last night, I ate a late dinner at the Italian restaurant.  When driving home. I decided to change my ambient lighting in the car to bright amber on amber.  Awesome!  With my cogniac leather seating and the fact that even the dash lights and monitor lighting ads an amber subtlety, I felt like I was in heaven.  

I tried the the greens and blues and even the reds and yellows, but they were awful compared to that orangy amber on amber.  I feel like I'm an "artist" with my own paintbrush and palette - a kind of Van Gogh, but with nice ears!!! 

Not to be a buzzkill but the Mustang had that option as far back as 2005.

Having said that I realize I'd trade mine for yours in a heartbeat.

But do you get a choice of 64 different shades....the E does?

Yeah, I believe you do. Mine doesn't have that option so i can't be positive but I remember reading about it and it was a lot.

28firefighter

fintail said:

When did you submit his application? I plan to go up north to complete my process too, it's a small drive to finish it all. I just checked mine - still pending. Maybe all of that money laundering I have been doing for the Russians in Cyprus is holding me up - I thought it would speed me up

@fintail In case you were curious, Sam's Global Entry conditional approval came through this morning. First appointment at SeaTac is May 8, but they can take him in Blaine tomorrow. 

Thinking we might drive up to Blaine next weekend. 

March 28. 

The wife is a little annoyed about needing to drive 2 hours with the baby for this. But I pointed out that waiting 2 hours to go through customs
coming back from Italy after a 10 hour flight because he didn't have it would be way worse. 

oldfarmer50

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

28firefighter said:

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

if my 25 YO did that, and still lived with me, they would find the locks changed and a copy of the apartment listings taped to the door.

I wouldn't have a 25 year old living with me...no how, no way.

Times are different, @driver100. It is really common now after college, either because it helps conserve expenses and pay down college debt for a short period while they work their first job, or because they were not able to obtain a job immediately.

Times are different and they were talking about this on Talk radio today. Kids are paying huge tuition fees and there probably aren't going to be jobs for them. Many work at 3 part time jobs. Many are on limited time assignments. Simple things like grocery cashier jobs which employ millions, could go as now there is self check outs in stores, but the next step is a scanner will pick up all the bar codes in your buggy, just pay for total as you leave.

Then there are people surviving being an Uber driver, or renting out a place on AB&B. It is a changing world, and you are very kind hearted and patient to offer your home....I just can't live that way...I am too selfish and mean.

The exception is if the child is still attending university and is helping to pay their own way.

I think the only solution is a guaranteed wage for everyone. One day I will work out the details.

We live on a cul de sac with about 12 homes, all of which are in the $600,000 range. At least 3 of the 12 have more than one family living in them. Something that was unheard of just a few years ago.

When you say families are you talking about relatives? Because that was traditional not too long ago. If you're talking unrelated families that's unusual, possibly illegal.

fintail

Wow, that's alarming. I submitted mine more than a month earlier. Maybe I need to contact them. Maybe it is because I also selected NEXUS as I go to Canada now and then, and there's more demand.

These days when I have crossed the border, I do it at off-peak hours. The last time I entered Seattle from an international flight, the lines weren't too bad.

28firefighter said:

March 28. 

The wife is a little annoyed about needing to drive 2 hours with the baby for this. But I pointed out that waiting 2 hours to go through customs
coming back from Italy after a 10 hour flight because he didn't have it would be way worse. 

28firefighter

My understanding is they're pretty backed up on reviews with the guidance changes from the new Administration. Worth a call but you may not get much information. 

Everytime I have gone through immigration after a long flight without GE it's been a nightmare. Since my AMEX card will reimburse it and wife and I each have it, seems like one less thing to worry about. 

graphicguy

driver100 said:

bwia said:

Can someone explain this dichotomy? Tesla has the second highest market valuation behind GM but operates in the red. What gives?

One explanation I can offer is that investors factor in ventures like spaceX, hypersonic loop (don't remember the lingo), the mega-giga battery operations and self-driving technologies. Forward thinking yes, but money makers, I don't think so.

I don't know much about business but I have a theoretical answer.

It could be the same as Amazon. Don't make money now but some day they will take over the world.

My opinion....and it segues with what you're saying Driver, but the real value in the stock is not the cars, but the battery R&D. The IP alone is probably worth more than Tesla as a car manufacturer. And, that IP is in its (relative) infancy. It will scale exponentially. Once that happens, Tesla gets paid.......big time with all the patents and licensing fees they'll reap.

graphicguy

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

abacomike said:

Last night, I ate a late dinner at the Italian restaurant.  When driving home. I decided to change my ambient lighting in the car to bright amber on amber.  Awesome!  With my cogniac leather seating and the fact that even the dash lights and monitor lighting ads an amber subtlety, I felt like I was in heaven.  

I tried the the greens and blues and even the reds and yellows, but they were awful compared to that orangy amber on amber.  I feel like I'm an "artist" with my own paintbrush and palette - a kind of Van Gogh, but with nice ears!!! 

Not to be a buzzkill but the Mustang had that option as far back as 2005.

Having said that I realize I'd trade mine for yours in a heartbeat.

But do you get a choice of 64 different shades....the E does?

Yeah, I believe you do. Mine doesn't have that option so i can't be positive but I remember reading about it and it was a lot.

Oooooohhhhh...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too cool!!!!!!!

Mr_Shiftright

But there hasn't been a battery breakthrough yet. It's just been refinement of old tech.

graphicguy

So, spoke yesterday with a lawyer "friend" (meaning I only got limited info given his advice was free) about Cadillac's seemingly confusion about my arbitration decision.

He looked at the decision and said it looked pretty iron clad to him.....all monies paid, including tax, fees, license, incidentals, reparation for time spent preparing for the arbitration, time spent back and forth to the dealer, etc come back to me. He said to give them a couple of weeks, and if no communication is made by them, he'd send them a reminder (adding $500 to the decision for his letter). If that doesn't work, he said he'd take the case, add his fees to the judgement, and ask for a 33% penalty in addition since they didn't comply with the arbitration decision.

He said it really isn't a hard case and is pretty cut and dry. He'd do it because he'd also add in another $5,000 for himself.

Not sure if Cadillac is incompetent, obstinate, or just really that dense.

explorerx4

Graphicguy says 'Oooooohhhhh...WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Too cool!!!!!!! '

Oh Oh.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

Not sure if Cadillac is incompetent, obstinate, or just really that dense.

I'll take "All of the Above" for $1,000, Alex!

berri

Probably just big corporate bureaucracy like banks taking forever to approve a sale offer on a foreclosed home which they are responsible for taxes, etc. until it is sold. Government isn't the only screwed up organization in America. But you are smart to keep on top of it in case the decision has a time limit, etc. under some law.

houdini1

oldfarmer50 said:

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

28firefighter said:

driver100 said:

stickguy said:

if my 25 YO did that, and still lived with me, they would find the locks changed and a copy of the apartment listings taped to the door.

I wouldn't have a 25 year old living with me...no how, no way.

Times are different, @driver100. It is really common now after college, either because it helps conserve expenses and pay down college debt for a short period while they work their first job, or because they were not able to obtain a job immediately.

Times are different and they were talking about this on Talk radio today. Kids are paying huge tuition fees and there probably aren't going to be jobs for them. Many work at 3 part time jobs. Many are on limited time assignments. Simple things like grocery cashier jobs which employ millions, could go as now there is self check outs in stores, but the next step is a scanner will pick up all the bar codes in your buggy, just pay for total as you leave.

Then there are people surviving being an Uber driver, or renting out a place on AB&B. It is a changing world, and you are very kind hearted and patient to offer your home....I just can't live that way...I am too selfish and mean.

The exception is if the child is still attending university and is helping to pay their own way.

I think the only solution is a guaranteed wage for everyone. One day I will work out the details.

We live on a cul de sac with about 12 homes, all of which are in the $600,000 range. At least 3 of the 12 have more than one family living in them. Something that was unheard of just a few years ago.

When you say families are you talking about relatives? Because that was traditional not too long ago. If you're talking unrelated families that's unusual, possibly illegal.

Sorry I wasn't clear. Yes families. One Indian (from India) family consists of 3 kids, their parents and grand parents. Very nice folks, well behaved kids, etc. and seem to be doing well. Another family about the same, kids, parents and grandparents except they are Mexican. Very nice folks 2 houses down and friends of ours. The third family is American. Their daughter lives with them. The daughters husband in there at times. Some type of overseas job where he is away weeks at a time. Probably a temporary arrangement but it has been a few years now. Also all very nice people.

Actually, the 2 families with grandparents living with them seems, to me, to be a better arrangement than parking them in a home somewhere and forgetting about them. The grandparents are in good shape and help look after the kids while the parents work. I would venture a guess that this goes on, maybe more so, in other parts of the country. Lenexa, Ks. is certainly not known as a cosmopolitan area.

suydam

My Dad lived with us for 15 years. I never thought of that as a "two family" home.