Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

dino001

Those are quite steep prices. So it's not even backed by GM, just "approved". I assume there may be even $50 or $100 deductible there. So, for those $2.6K to pay off you'd have to have A/C, alternator, fuel pump, water pump and brake caliper all failing in three years after the warranty expires. Quite a list. Of course, you could have a single engine or transmission blowup and pay it back right away, but what are chances of that, too?

driver100

ab348 said:

Chrysler made the discovery in the 1960s that warranties are more of a marketing tool than a statement about how well the product is made. Their 5/50 warranty did them much good in the market share fight, especially in that era when warranty coverage was generally much shorter than today. Hyundai is simply repeating that tactic. It has nothing to do with how good their product actually is, but rather is about shaping perceptions.

Agreed....right on! I believe just before the GM bankruptcy GM had 10 year 100000 mile warranties. Not because the cars were that reliable....just that they wanted to sell cars. If they could sell some cars they could worry about fixing them later, or they would be bankrupt anyway and would never honor the warranty.

Same with Hyundai....they are not a trusted brand in the same league as say Honda. They may be just as reliable or maybe even better, but they aren't perceived as being as good....so they offer their longer warranty to build credibility and trust.

*Congrats Dino....glad it is all moving forward so nicely.

driver100

dino001 said:

Those are quite steep prices. So it's not even backed by GM, just "approved". I assume there may be even $50 or $100 deductible there. So, for those $2.6K to pay off you'd have to have A/C, alternator, fuel pump, water pump and brake caliper all failing in three years after the warranty expires. Quite a list. Of course, you could have a single engine or transmission blowup and pay it back right away, but what are chances of that, too?

And is there an actual GM warranty offered....and how much is that? Or, does GM not offer an EW for their cars?

Mr_Shiftright

thebean said:

As cars get more and more electronics in them, I don't think an extended warranty is as stupid as @bwia thinks. Especially if you can get it at a good price as I did my HondaCare warranty, bought online. A few electronic hiccups in the 6 years of my warranty will make it worthwhile. Newer technology is not foolproof. To each their own. My extended warranty on my 2002 Civic saved me approximately $200. Of course, I keep cars 10 years or so, which is not the norm on this board.

Good reasoning but there may be a catch there---some EWs exclude specific electronics. You gotta read that warranty cover to cover.

stickguy

Hyundai did it years ago because they had to. Now, they just keep it since it is their "signature move".

abacomike

berri said:

Good luck with it all! Sounds like you're rolling a nice, new car with a great trip.

+1 

imidazol97

bwia said:

Just received a warranty offer from Buick* for our 2014 Encore with 1½ years left on the original factory warranty. Here are the plan options:
--24 months/24,000 miles. $1,819.25 or $99 down + 14 months at $129.71
--36 months/36,000 miles, $2,627.70 or $99 down + 21 months at $127.00

*And buried in the fine print is the disclaimer that 'these plans are marketed by AMT Warranty Corp's subsidiary, Warrantech Direct, Inc. AMT Warranty Corp. and Wesco are GM-approved providers, but are not related entities of GM or its dealerships.

If you received the offer in the mail, I don't think it's a GMEP warranty. Hence the high price, unless the Encores are having lots of failures. I have never, never received a GMPP or GMEP warranty offer by mail. Those prices are far beyond anything I paid for my new Malibu or the Cruze which was still under warranty when purchased CPO.

The website at gmoutlet.com will show it's a real Cadillac dealer in PA--great state, I hear. And gmoutlet.com/gmepp.html to see info about the newer GMEP warranty.

driver100

Mr_Shiftright said:

thebean said:

As cars get more and more electronics in them, I don't think an extended warranty is as stupid as @bwia thinks. Especially if you can get it at a good price as I did my HondaCare warranty, bought online. A few electronic hiccups in the 6 years of my warranty will make it worthwhile. Newer technology is not foolproof. To each their own. My extended warranty on my 2002 Civic saved me approximately $200. Of course, I keep cars 10 years or so, which is not the norm on this board.

Good reasoning but there may be a catch there---some EWs exclude specific electronics. You gotta read that warranty cover to cover.

I think, if the manufacturer excluded some electronics that came with the car....I would never buy their EW, because, there is a reason they aren't covering it, and that is the part that is going to go!

abacomike

I was in to see my oncologist/hematologist this morning. He walked into the examining room, shook my hand, and then shook his head from side-to-side exclaiming, "...I am still amazed you are standing there, looking great, and alive and well!" I asked him why he would say that and he responded, "...I would never have expected after first seeing you over a year ago for the liver cancer that you would still be here with us. Not many people with three malignant tumors in their liver survive what you went through with the surgery and the rehab."

Well, that was refreshing (tongue-in-cheek)! I asked him if he thought the cancer might spread to other parts of my liver. He said it was possible - but if malignant tumors spread into other parts of my liver, they would not be able to surgically remove the tumors - they would have to burn them out with microwaves. There is really no effective chemotherapy available at this time that is successful in eliminating the cancer. He just said to be thankful I was still alive and to be kind to my liver. He also wants me to have CT-Scans with contrast of my liver and lower abdomen once every 3-4 months in order to properly monitor any possible tumor growth. He said my liver enzymes were within the normal range, which is the first time since 1994 that the enzymes were in the normal range.

Had my blood tests yesterday morning and am now awaiting a call from my gastroenterologist (or his nurse) regarding the results.. It usually takes about 7-10 days. I have an appointment to see him next Thursday.

So, I am doing what the doctors tell me to do and am taking those Hepatitis C drugs as directed. Let's just hope the viral count is undetectable. The pharmacy in Miami delivered the next 4 week dose of pills yesterday. $25,000 a month + my copay. It's criminal to charge that much money - $1,000 per pill. Insane!

berri

You're just a NYC raised hard [non-permissible content removed]

isellhondas

dino001 said:

isellhondas said:

We recently bought an electric pressure washer through Amazon. They offered a four year extended warranty through Square Trade for I think, 26.00 and I bit! Pressure washers can be troublesome and I figured I would spring for the protection. We had a gas pressure washer that was a pain to get started. I would pull that cord dozens of times, spray either into the carb and curse until it finally would start. I loaned it to a neighbor one day (big mistake) and he was washing his dock when it vibrated itself into the lake. He had it fixed but it was even worse after that!

How much is the new washer?

I think we paid around 150.00. It's a Sun Joe a brand I had never heard of but the reviews were over the top excellent. If it ever stops RAINING here I'll finish our large patio. I managed to get one large square done and the new washer worked much better than I had expected! Not as heavy and clumsy as the big gas one was but it works every bit as well, I don't have to pull the starter cord 45 times to get it to start!

isellhondas

driver100 said:

Has anyone ever come out ahead buying a timeshare? Why would anyone buy one anyway? I have heard of so many people who take vacations they don't want or go to places they didn't really want to go to...because they had to get their moneys worth from their timeshare.

It's funny. I know several people who own or have owned timeshares and it seems they either regret having bought it or else they are very happy! no in between UNLESS the people who claim to be happy really are not!

If we were to buy one the secondary market is the ONLY way we would do it. They go begging as people are anxious to get out! The yearly maintenance costs and assessments can be staggering and unexpected.

explorerx4

A couple of years ago, I bought an electric corded power washer on Amazon.
Extended Warranty was $15. You just had to enter the unit serial number to activate the warranty.
Guess what? It didn't have a serial number on it, so I'm out $15.
It does seem to work well enough, though.
It has a soap or rinse adjustment on the wand, but I found that there was always a lot of soap left over in the tank, so I would have to pour it out and run water through it to clean it out.
Now I just put the cleaner in a pump bottle and just use the rinse setting on the power washer.

driver100

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

Has anyone ever come out ahead buying a timeshare? Why would anyone buy one anyway? I have heard of so many people who take vacations they don't want or go to places they didn't really want to go to...because they had to get their moneys worth from their timeshare.

It's funny. I know several people who own or have owned timeshares and it seems they either regret having bought it or else they are very happy! no in between UNLESS the people who claim to be happy really are not!

If we were to buy one the secondary market is the ONLY way we would do it. They go begging as people are anxious to get out! The yearly maintenance costs and assessments can be staggering and unexpected.

Are they still selling Timeshares....you would think the word would have gotten out by now? I hate the whole concept, they get you when you are away on vacation, give you a free dinner, then they work on you to make it sound like this is the best investment of your life.

I do hear ads on the radio for a company that will buy your Timeshare from you....probably for pennies on the dollar.

driver100

Mike....glad you surpassed the doctors expectations. You're like a Timex....takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

qbrozen

Yes, isell, you can get them sometimes free on the secondary market because they just don't want to pay those fees and taxes. I would suggest, if you ever do get one, to get one that can be registered with Interval International. Then you can exchange it for hundreds of different places around the world. Oh, and the trick is to get a DESIRABLE one. Of the 2 I inherited, the one in Kissimee in July doesn't have the trading power that the one in the Poconos the week before Xmas does. So when trying to get Lake Tahoe, for example, the FL week was not accepted as a valid exchange. It can get tricky.

bwia

imidazol97 said:

bwia said:

Just received a warranty offer from Buick* for our 2014 Encore with 1½ years left on the original factory warranty. Here are the plan options:
--24 months/24,000 miles. $1,819.25 or $99 down + 14 months at $129.71
--36 months/36,000 miles, $2,627.70 or $99 down + 21 months at $127.00

*And buried in the fine print is the disclaimer that 'these plans are marketed by AMT Warranty Corp's subsidiary, Warrantech Direct, Inc. AMT Warranty Corp. and Wesco are GM-approved providers, but are not related entities of GM or its dealerships.

If you received the offer in the mail, I don't think it's a GMEP warranty. Hence the high price, unless the Encores are having lots of failures. I have never, never received a GMPP or GMEP warranty offer by mail. Those prices are far beyond anything I paid for my new Malibu or the Cruze which was still under warranty when purchased CPO.

The website at gmoutlet.com will show it's a real Cadillac dealer in PA--great state, I hear. And gmoutlet.com/gmepp.html to see info about the newer GMEP warranty.

The mailing came directly from Buick (not my dealership) and it gave a website for purchasing and further information. https://myprotectionhq.com/

Like most insurance it does not cover preexisting conditions and if your original factory warranty has expired you have to wait 30 days before coverage and benefits begin.

This begs the question' if this is not an authentic GMPP or GMEP warranty, why would GM give this company carte blanche to use its emblem and logo to sell extended warranties. This relationship is opaque and misleading. Somebody should look into it.

iluvmysephia1

Hey, abacomike, you pay your copay for the Hep-C meds and then it's your health insurance company paying the $25,000 a month. Right?

Whoa. That is criminal...charging.

driver100

bwia said:

imidazol97 said:

bwia said:

Just received a warranty offer from Buick* for our 2014 Encore with 1½ years left on the original factory warranty. Here are the plan options:
--24 months/24,000 miles. $1,819.25 or $99 down + 14 months at $129.71
--36 months/36,000 miles, $2,627.70 or $99 down + 21 months at $127.00

*And buried in the fine print is the disclaimer that 'these plans are marketed by AMT Warranty Corp's subsidiary, Warrantech Direct, Inc. AMT Warranty Corp. and Wesco are GM-approved providers, but are not related entities of GM or its dealerships.

If you received the offer in the mail, I don't think it's a GMEP warranty. Hence the high price, unless the Encores are having lots of failures. I have never, never received a GMPP or GMEP warranty offer by mail. Those prices are far beyond anything I paid for my new Malibu or the Cruze which was still under warranty when purchased CPO.

The website at gmoutlet.com will show it's a real Cadillac dealer in PA--great state, I hear. And gmoutlet.com/gmepp.html to see info about the newer GMEP warranty.

The mailing came directly from Buick (not my dealership) and it gave a website for purchasing and further information. https://myprotectionhq.com/

Like most insurance it does not cover preexisting conditions and if your original factory warranty has expired you have to wait 30 days before coverage and benefits begin.

This begs the question' if this is not an authentic GMPP or GMEP warranty, why would GM give this company carte blanche to use its emblem and logo to sell extended warranties. This relationship is opaque and misleading. Somebody should look into it.

I wouldn't trust it unless I knew for sure. I am suspicious that GM doesn't appear on the link. GM may not mind this company selling warranties...maybe it is something GM prefers not to get involved in.

driver100

I would say extended warranties may be useful in certain situations. Some things I would think about though;

*If you are buying an EW on a car you have been driving they may want to go over the car carefully and charge you for any repairs before they actually will give you an EW, repairs you may not have done otherwise.

*Sometimes the terms of the EW make it necessary to keep up expensive servicing in order to maintain the EW agreement.

Like I say, OTOH....you may say, I don't mind paying $2400 if I know I am going to have 3 years of trouble free driving.....peace of mind means a lot to many people.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Yes, isell, you can get them sometimes free on the secondary market because they just don't want to pay those fees and taxes. I would suggest, if you ever do get one, to get one that can be registered with Interval International. Then you can exchange it for hundreds of different places around the world. Oh, and the trick is to get a DESIRABLE one. Of the 2 I inherited, the one in Kissimee in July doesn't have the trading power that the one in the Poconos the week before Xmas does. So when trying to get Lake Tahoe, for example, the FL week was not accepted as a valid exchange. It can get tricky.

Kissimmee in July?  My vacation is the last 2 weeks in July every year.  Last year we went to Disney, but stayed on grounds.  Maybe next time, I can rent it from ya for the week;)

driver100

I was watching the CBS Evening News and they had this story on;
AT&T and DirecTV face thousands of complaints linked to overcharging, promotions

Seems it is a bait & switch situation, they advertise low rates for 2 years, then they change the rules and charge much more. Their contract says you have to go to their arbitrator if you have a problem. It is almost impossible to win.....and there is a huge penalty if you want to end your contract.

I think more companies are going to do this....use arbitration which is almost impossible to access, and make large penalties if you choose to leave.....buyers beware.

FULL STORY

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

driver100 said:

Has anyone ever come out ahead buying a timeshare? Why would anyone buy one anyway? I have heard of so many people who take vacations they don't want or go to places they didn't really want to go to...because they had to get their moneys worth from their timeshare.

You summed up the timeshare industry in a nutshell. I got conned into one a long time ago. Wish I knew then what I know now. The fees continually outpace inflation every year.

It's tough to resist those professional manipultors selling time shares. Almost bit on one in Hawaii 40+ years ago. But thanks to my skeptical wife and being broke we dodged that bullet.

bwia

abacomike said:no

I was in to see my oncologist/hematologist this morning. He walked into the examining room, shook my hand, and then shook his head from side-to-side exclaiming, "...I am still amazed you are standing there, looking great, and alive and well!" I asked him why he would say that and he responded, "...I would never have expected after first seeing you over a year ago for the liver cancer that you would still be here with us. Not many people with three malignant tumors in their liver survive what you went through with the surgery and the rehab."

Well, that was refreshing (tongue-in-cheek)! I asked him if he thought the cancer might spread to other parts of my liver. He said it was possible - but if malignant tumors spread into other parts of my liver, they would not be able to surgically remove the tumors - they would have to burn them out with microwaves. There is really no effective chemotherapy available at this time that is successful in eliminating the cancer. He just said to be thankful I was still alive and to be kind to my liver. He also wants me to have CT-Scans with contrast of my liver and lower abdomen once every 3-4 months in order to properly monitor any possible tumor growth. He said my liver enzymes were within the normal range, which is the first time since 1994 that the enzymes were in the normal range.

Had my blood tests yesterday morning and am now awaiting a call from my gastroenterologist (or his nurse) regarding the results.. It usually takes about 7-10 days. I have an appointment to see him next Thursday.

So, I am doing what the doctors tell me to do and am taking those Hepatitis C drugs as directed. Let's just hope the viral count is undetectable. The pharmacy in Miami delivered the next 4 week dose of pills yesterday. $25,000 a month + my copay. It's criminal to charge that much money - $1,000 per pill. Insane!

Your doctor's attempt at humor is morbid at best
 Regardless, you are not going anywhere soon. I for one, and I am sure others will agree,  that we enjoy reading your lengthy and informative posts. Hang in there buddy. 

abacomike

iluvmysephia1 said:

Hey, abacomike, you pay your copay for the Hep-C meds and then it's your health insurance company paying the $25,000 a month. Right?

Whoa. That is criminal...charging.

Yes.  But I do get some assistance from drug manufacturer coupons and a foundation.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

isellhondas said:

driver100 said:

Has anyone ever come out ahead buying a timeshare? Why would anyone buy one anyway? I have heard of so many people who take vacations they don't want or go to places they didn't really want to go to...because they had to get their moneys worth from their timeshare.

It's funny. I know several people who own or have owned timeshares and it seems they either regret having bought it or else they are very happy! no in between UNLESS the people who claim to be happy really are not!

If we were to buy one the secondary market is the ONLY way we would do it. They go begging as people are anxious to get out! The yearly maintenance costs and assessments can be staggering and unexpected.

Are they still selling Timeshares....you would think the word would have gotten out by now? I hate the whole concept, they get you when you are away on vacation, give you a free dinner, then they work on you to make it sound like this is the best investment of your life.

I do hear ads on the radio for a company that will buy your Timeshare from you....probably for pennies on the dollar.

Worse than that, you pay them to take it off your hands.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

Yes, isell, you can get them sometimes free on the secondary market because they just don't want to pay those fees and taxes. I would suggest, if you ever do get one, to get one that can be registered with Interval International. Then you can exchange it for hundreds of different places around the world. Oh, and the trick is to get a DESIRABLE one. Of the 2 I inherited, the one in Kissimee in July doesn't have the trading power that the one in the Poconos the week before Xmas does. So when trying to get Lake Tahoe, for example, the FL week was not accepted as a valid exchange. It can get tricky.

Kissimmee in July?  My vacation is the last 2 weeks in July every year.  Last year we went to Disney, but stayed on grounds.  Maybe next time, I can rent it from ya for the week;)

It is a popular time BUT I believe the problem is that there are so many down there. Even when we go, we exchange it for a different place that may be closer to places we want to visit.

graphicguy

This and that......

Mike....good report...glad to hear you're doing better.

In Toronto this week (actually, Markham) for work. Got a RAV 4 as a rental. Now, I understand that I prefer to drive vehicles on the sportier end of the spectrum, but the RAV 4 makes the Avalon I test drove feel like an autox machine.

Way too much understeer (to the point it didn't feel safe, at least not the way I'm used to driving). Steering is light, and more of a suggestion than an actual way to guide the RAV 4.

Rides well. Brakes are either on or off, hard to modulate.

This one must be new, as it has Toyota's radar crash avoidance. That part of the vehicle works well. No sudden speed changes when you come up on someone when using cruise control.

I guess you either like these things or you don't. I don't. It even looks weird to my eyes.

driver100

graphicguy said:

This and that......

Mike....good report...glad to hear you're doing better.

In Toronto this week (actually, Markham) for work. Got a RAV 4 as a rental. Now, I understand that I prefer to drive vehicles on the sportier end of the spectrum, but the RAV 4 makes the Avalon I test drove feel like an autox machine.

Way too much understeer (to the point it didn't feel safe, at least not the way I'm used to driving). Steering is light, and more of a suggestion than an actual way to guide the RAV 4.

Rides well. Brakes are either on or off, hard to modulate.

This one must be new, as it has Toyota's radar crash avoidance. That part of the vehicle works well. No sudden speed changes when you come up on someone when using cruise control.

I guess you either like these things or you don't. I don't. It even looks weird to my eyes.

GG, you are about 40 miles from me...being in Markham. We are about 50 miles West of you near Burlington On but leave for Victoria BC out of Pearson airport on Friday.

It has been about 6 or 7 years ago that I had a RAV4 rental....sounds like the driving dynamics are about the same though. No joy in riding the box on wheels.

You would think, with Toyota sales being so good they could add a little bit of driving pleasure to their cars.....but, then again, they have hit on a formula that works for them. Low tech, econobox, simple design, tried and true safe technology, makes their cars more reliable and inexpensive. Not too exciting but meets the needs of most people.

stickguy

I'm going to Toronto with a group of friends from college, over Labor Day weekend. Suggestions of areas to stay, and things to do, are welcome.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

It's tough to resist those professional manipultors selling time shares. Almost bit on one in Hawaii 40+ years ago. But thanks to my skeptical wife and being broke we dodged that bullet.

Decades back in Gatlinburg and Pirgeon Forge, the salespeople along the sidewalk practically pulled people in by grabbing their arms to come to the side where the open windowed booth was to talk them into a presentation with all kinds of special offers (and probably locked exit doors, LOL).

In the restaurants, there were sales booths set up in the lobby and people even came around to the tables with brochures they plopped down. This was in addition to the roving gypsy groups of performers at various theaters in the area whom the restaurants had agreed to allow to come in to both their patrons in the middle of meals, for which the patrons were paying. Irritating. There was more than one restaurant to which we never returned because they allowed this kind of harrassment.

Obviously there was a high commission being paid to the salesman out of the pricing for the condos for them to be so motivated.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I'm going to Toronto with a group of friends from college, over Labor Day weekend. Suggestions of areas to stay, and things to do, are welcome.

Are you going to be downtown?

CN Tower
Jays game at the Rogers Centre (if they are in town; wonder if they still have the Hard Rock restaurant in right field?)
You've got to experience the underground mall - most of the buildings in downtown Toronto are connected via a series of tunnels, with shops both large and small lining them. Of course, it makes more sense in the winter.

imidazol97

driver100 said:

I wouldn't trust it unless I knew for sure. I am suspicious that GM doesn't appear on the link. GM may not mind this company selling warranties...maybe it is something GM prefers not to get involved in.

"AMT Warranty Corp. and Wesco Insurance Company are GM-approved providers but are not related entities of GM or its dealerships."

I can't find if they bought the troubled Ally Financials GMPP operation after GM parted ways and developed their own GMEP warranty or if this is a new operation that has paid GM for the rights to use their logos and names in their advertising. I tried searching for a sale of GMPP by Ally Financial (formerly GMAC) to Westco but I couldn't find anything. The plans offered by Westco are designed suspiciously like GMPP was with two levels of coverage.

imidazol97

From listening to people calling to radio folks about problems with the companies promising to sell their expensive timeshares for them, I seem to recall some of these leaches charge a fee for trying to sell the timeshare and may not succede. Also it sounds like some of them arrange a sale where the timeshare is sold for nothing or the owner has to pay someone to take on the responsibility.

There are others where the timeshare is donated to a charity for some kind of tax write off. I wonder if Lois Lerner knows about that scam yet? Does the charity have to pay for the maintenance fees and other costs? Or are they somehow exempt while they hold the ownership of the timeshare?

jwm40517

Hey driver100 , another reason to be glad to fly to Florida and back. Just saw on local news last night about I 75 being shut down from exit 76 to exit 62 for making that section 3 lanes on each side. Detour will be 2 lane Rt 25 that runs parallel to I75. What a mess even for folks going to Gatlinburg. Will post again when I have more info, but it would have to last for months.

imidazol97

jwm40517 said:

Hey driver100 , another reason to be glad to fly to Florida and back. Just saw on local news last night about I 75 being shut down from exit 76 to exit 62 for making that section 3 lanes on each side. Detour will be 2 lane Rt 25 that runs parallel to I75. What a mess even for folks going to Gatlinburg. Will post again when I have more info, but it would have to last for months.

That would be the first time in 35 years that KY closed a section to expand from 2 to 3 lanes. I tried to find a link to this but can't. Please post more if you find any more than what your local news station cited.

I could see if they have to close a part for a few days to do overpass work or something. But I would expect that to be just one direction. Here's hoping that there's more to that story. Or it will be a slowdown.

driver100

stickguy said:

I'm going to Toronto with a group of friends from college, over Labor Day weekend. Suggestions of areas to stay, and things to do, are welcome.

Stick....I'll make a note to work on that when I get a chance. Michaell's idea of a Blue Jays game is good!

Lately we try to avoid going into Toronto because there are so many roads closed and construction everywhere. But, if you are there you can get around nicely because internal transportation is excellent.

driver100

jwm40517 said:

Hey driver100 , another reason to be glad to fly to Florida and back. Just saw on local news last night about I 75 being shut down from exit 76 to exit 62 for making that section 3 lanes on each side. Detour will be 2 lane Rt 25 that runs parallel to I75. What a mess even for folks going to Gatlinburg. Will post again when I have more info, but it would have to last for months.

Thanks for the tip jwm. My wife doesn't want to do the drive any more so she bought our plane tickets.....hopefully flying will be better if we aren't carried off the plane because of overbooking.

Since we have a car down there it really doesn't make sense to do the drive anymore. My BIL drives down from Sarnia/Port Huron Michigan so does take that parallel highway....but, that will probably be jammed now too.

If I was driving I would cross at Buffalo and take 76 and 77 etc which is further East and goes through the mountains. If the weather is bad that isn't great either, but it would avoid that 75 mess.

bwia

The Boston Globe had a funny piece about the annual migration of the Canadian gooose and compared it to Northerners, especially Canadians, driving back home from Florida. 

 But the part that cracked me up is that the geese make frequent stops and detours without a map that a Canadian would find difficult without a GPS much less a paper map.

houdini1

Michaell said:

houdini1 said:

abacomike said:

I agree that LS500 grille is hideous

I keep expecting them to moderate that stupid grill, instead, each year they seem to double down !

Eventually it will span the entire width of the car .... it is distinctive, however, whether you like it or not.

Distinctive in the same vein as a polished t**d.

houdini1

andres3 said:

ab348 said:

Chrysler made the discovery in the 1960s that warranties are more of a marketing tool than a statement about how well the product is made. Their 5/50 warranty did them much good in the market share fight, especially in that era when warranty coverage was generally much shorter than today. Hyundai is simply repeating that tactic. It has nothing to do with how good their product actually is, but rather is about shaping perceptions.

The best perceptions are shaped out of owner experiences, not marketing mumbo jumbo.

Direct relatives and close friends 2nd hand experiences are valuable too. I tend to avoid products that upset the order of my peace of mind, and stick with companies that stand behind the product to ease any issues that might alter that peace of mind.

Anyone want to compare @graphicguy Cadillac dealer experience (at least 2 different dealers) vs. mine with Audi (two different dealerships as well).

My perception is that when failures are common, rather than rare, a brand tends to show its true colors. Rare problems mean you can afford excellent customer service and still make a profit. Frequent problems mean you have to skimp and deny or minimize claims to stay in business until your next bailout.

So as to not pick on GM, the impression I've gotten from multiple sources about Hyundai/Kia's ultra long warranty, is that they try to find a reason to deny covering anything, whereas my experience at Honda and/or Audi is they'll try to find a reason TO cover your warranty. Sort of like Insurance vs. most good businesses.

That is also my perception about H/K. Probably the only thing that keeps me from buying one. I really like the cars, but after the experience JM had, I just don't need that hassle.

houdini1

driver100 said:

I was watching the CBS Evening News and they had this story on;
AT&T and DirecTV face thousands of complaints linked to overcharging, promotions

Seems it is a bait & switch situation, they advertise low rates for 2 years, then they change the rules and charge much more. Their contract says you have to go to their arbitrator if you have a problem. It is almost impossible to win.....and there is a huge penalty if you want to end your contract.

I think more companies are going to do this....use arbitration which is almost impossible to access, and make large penalties if you choose to leave.....buyers beware.

FULL STORY

AT&T is really doubling down on trying for new customers. Two young people came to our door a few days ago, and, ignoring the "No Solicitors Sign", starting pitching AT&T. Despite their efforts to conceal the fact that they were not actual employees of AT&T, it soon became evident. No business cards and couldn't get a straight answer to any questions, etc. Told them to hit the road, though you have to feel sorry for people in jobs like that.

tjc78

@graphicguy
My mom has a 17 RAV 4.  I can't stand the thing and I generally like Toyotas.  Just something about the way it drives and the seating position.  She OTOH is in love with the thing. 

isellhondas

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

driver100 said:

Has anyone ever come out ahead buying a timeshare? Why would anyone buy one anyway? I have heard of so many people who take vacations they don't want or go to places they didn't really want to go to...because they had to get their moneys worth from their timeshare.

You summed up the timeshare industry in a nutshell. I got conned into one a long time ago. Wish I knew then what I know now. The fees continually outpace inflation every year.

It's tough to resist those professional manipultors selling time shares. Almost bit on one in Hawaii 40+ years ago. But thanks to my skeptical wife and being broke we dodged that bullet.

I know a couple who got approached while on vacation in Las Vegas by a timeshare company who offered them 100.00 cash to sit through a presentation. Having nothing better to do, they boarded a bus which took them to a remote location. They sat through an intense two hour presentation were handed a hundred dollar bill and took the same bus back. I have to wonder what percentage actually sign up?

We know a couple that have two or three timeshares and think they are just the greatest thing!

Go figure!

berri

Seems to me using hotels is cheaper on a total cost of ownership basis, but whatever works for an individual.

stickguy

Not sure if the average millennial even knows what "no solicitors" means!

qbrozen

berri said:

Seems to me using hotels is cheaper on a total cost of ownership basis, but whatever works for an individual.

It really depends. If looking, for example, at Vegas with their slew of cheap hotel rooms, and if you are just a couple on vacation, the hotel is going to work out way better. But to get something comparable to a timeshare for a family in terms of space and amenities, you can't come close. Our units are typically 2 private bedrooms, living room, dining area, full kitchen, washer/dryer, and at least 2 bathrooms. Of the 2 weeks we have, the most expensive is currently at $750/yr for the maintenance/taxes/fees. I pay something like $40/yr to be a member of Interval International, then it is $100 transfer fee to exchange my week. That is $890 total for 6 nights in a 2-bedroom condo, or a bit under $150/night. I'd have to get 2 hotel rooms for $75/night/room to even come close, and I still wouldn't have a full kitchen in that case, and it wouldn't be a very nice hotel at that rate (again, unless in a place like Vegas). Our cheaper week is about $200 less, BTW.

Of course, none of this is taking initial purchase into consideration. That was $0 for me, however.

Michaell

I think my sister and her family have a time share - with 3 kids, I think the math works out the same as it does for @qbrozen.

I'll be staying at a B&B in Santa Fe over the holiday weekend. One we haven't been to before, which is always a bit worrisome.

houdini1

stickguy said:

Not sure if the average millennial even knows what "no solicitors" means!

stickguy said:

Not sure if the average millennial even knows what "no solicitors" means!

stickguy said:

Not sure if the average millennial even knows what "no solicitors" means!

Someone was telling me the other day that they had asked a woman at their door selling something, if she didn't see the no soliciting sign. She replied, "Oh I am not soliciting, see, I have all my clothes on" ! Supposedly actually happened.

driver100

houdini1 said:

driver100 said:

I was watching the CBS Evening News and they had this story on;
AT&T and DirecTV face thousands of complaints linked to overcharging, promotions

Seems it is a bait & switch situation, they advertise low rates for 2 years, then they change the rules and charge much more. Their contract says you have to go to their arbitrator if you have a problem. It is almost impossible to win.....and there is a huge penalty if you want to end your contract.

I think more companies are going to do this....use arbitration which is almost impossible to access, and make large penalties if you choose to leave.....buyers beware.

FULL STORY

AT&T is really doubling down on trying for new customers. Two young people came to our door a few days ago, and, ignoring the "No Solicitors Sign", starting pitching AT&T. Despite their efforts to conceal the fact that they were not actual employees of AT&T, it soon became evident. No business cards and couldn't get a straight answer to any questions, etc. Told them to hit the road, though you have to feel sorry for people in jobs like that.

People are dropping cable companies these days...they are trying to still make a buck any way they can. Young people are getting their programming online or via Netflix etc. We have big problems in the Tampa area, where Charter and AT&T have bought out the smaller user friendly companies........the big guys try whatever they can get away with.