Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

abacomike

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

I did some checking myself on reports of Wayne Newton's recent appearances (last 5-6 years) and have decided to skip the show next week. I want to remember him like he performed in the late 80's and early 90's. Most people I've spoken to who saw him at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL said it was a waste of their time - many people walked out on his performance. If he's appearing in my local casino here in Coconut Creek, then he must really be hard up for money. His audience will be made up of retired folks, mostly in their 80's, oohing and ahhing no matter how bad he looks or how off key his singing is. It's not difficult to please an audience like that.

So, I think I'll just have dinner out since I've already invited the "Frozen Yogurt" acquaintance to the show. She agreed that we should skip the show and just have dinner out - she said she was never a Wayne Newton fan, but was pleased to accept my invitation just so we could see each other. Hmm!

Suggestion:

Why not use the time you would have spent seeing the Wayne Newton show on something else. If I have to explain, you are a goner.

jmonroe

I'm a "goner", explain!

abacomike

I am planning on going up to see my brother on Monday, June 12th. We've become very close since he came down here to help me while I was in the hospital having the cancer removed from my liver. We both realize how important it is to maintain a very close relationship as we age - trying to make up for times lost, but not forgotten!

jmonroe

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

Just got a call from my gastroenterologist's office.  The blood tests I took last Monday show no detectable Hepatitis C in my blood.  That is good news - however I had the same results when I took Harvoni 2 years ago.  The real proof is when the virus remains undetectable 4, 8, 16 and finally 24 weeks after I finish the regimen.  But at least I heard some promising news today.

I see the doctor next Thursday.  I have to take blood tests every 4 weeks for the next 8 months.  I have 7-1/2 more weeks of taking the pills.

Just getting back in here after vacation and I've got a lotta posts to read. I still haven't unpacked completely.

Good news about the tests Mike. Keep up the good work.

I have an idea about all the future vials of blood you will be giving as you go through more testing. Give me the name of the person in charge so that I can place a bid for your blood drawing supplies. I know I can win the contract and I'll cut you in for 10% of my profits.  

jmonroe

Good you got home safely and got away from here before the storms and heavy rains.  Feels like summer here - humidity is gruesome as are the 93 degree temps.

As as I said earlier, we stayed at a time share condo as guests with my brother and his wife on A1A in Pompano Beach. It was very windy the first 2 days of our vacation but it got better as the week went on. The weather was best on our last day (Monday 5-22-17).

When I am on vacation, I welcome the humidity because it makes the ocean and pool feel that much better. I am home now and it has rained 3 days already, including today. Today we will be lucky if the temp hits 70 F. I don't think the temp was less that 85 F during our entire stay in Pompano Beach.

When I don't like the humidity is when I have to cut the grass, like now after being away for a week but it is raining like I just said.

I gotta hire somebody to do the grass cutting but I will feel old when I do that because I have always said only the rich guys or old men hire for grass cutting. Since I ain't rich I will be admitting my age which I don't want to do. I guess I can try to convince myself that I am rich but I've always had a problem lying to myself. :@

jmonroe

jmonroe

bwia said:

Don't know how  it happended but for the last three weeks i have been receiving Quora Digest, an online semi-scientific blog.

Readers post STEM related questions which are answered by "experts" for the most part. One such question: "How does Germany produce so many great engineers and scientists? 

Answer. Germany produces two types of engineers. One similar to American universities and the other a 3 year degree at a technical university. The tech university degree program  is more hands on and more in-depth. As a result, these graduates are highly skilled and inhigh demand. By the way,  this is not voch tech, it is merely a specialized engineering track where students can earn their PhD in as little as five years to six years. 

That in a nutshell is German engineering.

I should have known they were cheating !! :@

jmonroe

iluvmysephia1

Yep - I'm from Seattle and we like to say "umbrellas are for sissies and tourists."

berri

I'm not a Seattleite, but is seems like when I go there that the past 5 or 10 years are much hotter in summer than it used to be. 20 years ago or thereabout Seattle seemed almost perfect in summer. Maybe that is just a random thing or my mind is frying?

28firefighter

berri said:

I'm not a Seattleite, but is seems like when I go there that the past 5 or 10 years are much hotter in summer than it used to be. 20 years ago or thereabout Seattle seemed almost perfect in summer. Maybe that is just a random thing or my mind is frying?

No, it definitely is. We are having significantly warmer weather than even when I moved here 5 years ago. Most of the newer build homes are being built with AC, whereas when I moved here someone having AC was viewed as "crazy".

jmonroe

driver100 said:

GG, I didn't have retirement for Ohio but I think Michigan will work,

You can retire to Michigan Ohio where...
1. You only have three spices: salt, pepper and ketchup.
2. Halloween costumes have to fit over parkas.
3. You have seventeen recipes for casserole.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road repair.

FCA does a great job of disguising crappy cars. They make a nicely designed car, and throw it together, with little engineering or R&R. You can fool some of the people.........

Our Florida rental was a Dodge Journey. I don't like Chrysler cars to start with and that beast ain't going to change my mind. Lots of crappy plastic but for that price range I guess they all have too much of it. My brother asked me if I wanted to drive it to see how it drove. I refused. I didn't want to be part of any car thing that had an engine that labored that much trying to merge onto I 95. That proved my point as to why I won't own a 4 cyl. car, at least one without a turbo.

Upon our return from vacation, our 6 cyl. Subie Legacy and V8 Genny never felt so good.

jmonroe

isellhondas

roadburner said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

You can't give your 750iL to monkeys for repairs. So if you aren't doing it yourself, you have to rely on skilled people.

My indie shop is skilled, and I'll bet I'd pay no more than $900, tops. The brakes aren't some unique or exotic design- they are the same type of calipers used on every BMW of the era(save the M cars). If you can do pads and rotors on an E36 318i you can do pads and rotors on an E32 750i.

The OEM parts alone from BMW cost more than that. We're talking about two different approaches to solving the problem I think--one is how you or I might personally cope with it, the other (the one I mentioned) is what happens when some guy who owns a 750iL takes it to a shop or dealer. Where I live that's what he pays.

So, are OEM parts THAT big of a deal and if so, why is that? Not too many years ago the general thinking was that a lot of the aftermarket stuff was in fact of better quality than the stuff that came on the cars from the factory.

I remember the old guys talking about Grey Rock lining Grizzly Silvertip etc just being better. Now, it seems everyone want OEM stuff! A rotor is a rotor. right?

You were the one who brought up OEM parts and their alleged prices. Me, I'd have no problem putting ATE, Brembo, or Pagid rotors on any of my cars. Ditto for brake pads from those same manufacturers- and Jurid or Textar as well. There are quality aftermarket parts, you just have to be able to identify them- or at least know a good indie shop that can.

No, I am NOT the one who brought up OEM parts and pricing!

fintail

Yeah, summers have been hot here the past 5 or so years, I am glad I bought an AC unit many years ago, best investment I ever made. Not hot by east coast or southern standards, and not humid, but a lot more days in the 80s than I recall when I was younger. This weekend is looking like the start, in the 80s all 3 days - I think this will be my first use of AC this year. Still about as perfect as possible - I prefer temps in the 60s for sunny weather, but even here it is easily past that by late May.

I suspect all of the multi family and commercial buildings replacing residential houses isn't helping the subjective feel either, fewer trees. I have no trees for shade.

jmonroe

berri said:

I saw in the Detroit newspaper than recently released Ford CEO Mark Fields is getting quite the potentially large payout reward for presiding over a large drop in company stock value. Demand performance from the workers while providing golden parachutes to senior executives that leave regardless of their performance.

Isn't that the norm for forced "retiring" American CEO's? Give them a bonus just to go away and stop the bleeding.

And here I thought I was given a nice early retirement at 55. I guess I didn't screw up enough.

jmonroe

thebean

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

Just got a call from my gastroenterologist's office.  The blood tests I took last Monday show no detectable Hepatitis C in my blood.  That is good news - however I had the same results when I took Harvoni 2 years ago.  The real proof is when the virus remains undetectable 4, 8, 16 and finally 24 weeks after I finish the regimen.  But at least I heard some promising news today.

I see the doctor next Thursday.  I have to take blood tests every 4 weeks for the next 8 months.  I have 7-1/2 more weeks of taking the pills.

Just getting back in here after vacation and I've got a lotta posts to read. I still haven't unpacked completely.

Good news about the tests Mike. Keep up the good work.

I have an idea about all the future vials of blood you will be giving as you go through more testing. Give me the name of the person in charge so that I can place a bid for your blood drawing supplies. I know I can win the contract and I'll cut you in for 10% of my profits.  

jmonroe

Good you got home safely and got away from here before the storms and heavy rains.  Feels like summer here - humidity is gruesome as are the 93 degree temps.

As as I said earlier, we stayed at a time share condo as guests with my brother and his wife on A1A in Pompano Beach. It was very windy the first 2 days of our vacation but it got better as the week went on. The weather was best on our last day (Monday 5-22-17).

When I am on vacation, I welcome the humidity because it makes the ocean and pool feel that much better. I am home now and it has rained 3 days already, including today. Today we will be lucky if the temp hits 70 F. I don't think the temp was less that 85 F during our entire stay in Pompano Beach.

When I don't like the humidity is when I have to cut the grass, like now after being away for a week but it is raining like I just said.

I gotta hire somebody to do the grass cutting but I will feel old when I do that because I have always said only the rich guys or old men hire for grass cutting. Since I ain't rich I will be admitting my age which I don't want to do. I guess I can try to convince myself that I am rich but I've always had a problem lying to myself. :@

jmonroe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When it's hot and humid, money spent for lawn mowing is money well spent. I mow until it gets hot here, which is just about now. I'm cutting ours on Monday and then turning it over to a lawn guy. And, I'm far from remotely being rich.

jmonroe

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

You can't give your 750iL to monkeys for repairs. So if you aren't doing it yourself, you have to rely on skilled people.

My indie shop is skilled, and I'll bet I'd pay no more than $900, tops. The brakes aren't some unique or exotic design- they are the same type of calipers used on every BMW of the era(save the M cars). If you can do pads and rotors on an E36 318i you can do pads and rotors on an E32 750i.

The OEM parts alone from BMW cost more than that. We're talking about two different approaches to solving the problem I think--one is how you or I might personally cope with it, the other (the one I mentioned) is what happens when some guy who owns a 750iL takes it to a shop or dealer. Where I live that's what he pays.

So, are OEM parts THAT big of a deal and if so, why is that? Not too many years ago the general thinking was that a lot of the aftermarket stuff was in fact of better quality than the stuff that came on the cars from the factory.

I remember the old guys talking about Grey Rock lining Grizzly Silvertip etc just being better. Now, it seems everyone want OEM stuff! A rotor is a rotor. right?

Back in the days of drum brakes, I wouldn't buy anything other than Grey Rock brake shoes.

Oh for the good old days of flying return springs if you didn't have the proper tool.

I got the biggest punch in the lip when my pliers slipped off the return spring while attempting a brake job on my first car, a '56 Chevy bought used when I was in the Navy in '61. That proved to me the old saying, "the difference between the ordinary DIY and a pro has a LOT to do with the tools".

My lip still hurts when I think back to that day. :@

jmonroe

jmonroe

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

I did some checking myself on reports of Wayne Newton's recent appearances (last 5-6 years) and have decided to skip the show next week. I want to remember him like he performed in the late 80's and early 90's. Most people I've spoken to who saw him at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL said it was a waste of their time - many people walked out on his performance. If he's appearing in my local casino here in Coconut Creek, then he must really be hard up for money. His audience will be made up of retired folks, mostly in their 80's, oohing and ahhing no matter how bad he looks or how off key his singing is. It's not difficult to please an audience like that.

So, I think I'll just have dinner out since I've already invited the "Frozen Yogurt" acquaintance to the show. She agreed that we should skip the show and just have dinner out - she said she was never a Wayne Newton fan, but was pleased to accept my invitation just so we could see each other. Hmm!

Suggestion:

Why not use the time you would have spent seeing the Wayne Newton show on something else. If I have to explain, you are a goner.

jmonroe

I'm a "goner", explain!

OK, I don't know how far I can go with this but I'll try.

First find out what kind of wine she likes. Then invite her to your condo for some drinks. When the time is right ask her if she would like to change into something more comfortable. She will probably say something like she doesn't have anything more comfortable with her. That is when you say, "I have something for you laying on my bed".

Please don't tell me you need more help.

jmonroe

roadburner

isellhondas said:

roadburner said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

You can't give your 750iL to monkeys for repairs. So if you aren't doing it yourself, you have to rely on skilled people.

My indie shop is skilled, and I'll bet I'd pay no more than $900, tops. The brakes aren't some unique or exotic design- they are the same type of calipers used on every BMW of the era(save the M cars). If you can do pads and rotors on an E36 318i you can do pads and rotors on an E32 750i.

The OEM parts alone from BMW cost more than that. We're talking about two different approaches to solving the problem I think--one is how you or I might personally cope with it, the other (the one I mentioned) is what happens when some guy who owns a 750iL takes it to a shop or dealer. Where I live that's what he pays.

So, are OEM parts THAT big of a deal and if so, why is that? Not too many years ago the general thinking was that a lot of the aftermarket stuff was in fact of better quality than the stuff that came on the cars from the factory.

I remember the old guys talking about Grey Rock lining Grizzly Silvertip etc just being better. Now, it seems everyone want OEM stuff! A rotor is a rotor. right?

You were the one who brought up OEM parts and their alleged prices. Me, I'd have no problem putting ATE, Brembo, or Pagid rotors on any of my cars. Ditto for brake pads from those same manufacturers- and Jurid or Textar as well. There are quality aftermarket parts, you just have to be able to identify them- or at least know a good indie shop that can.

No, I am NOT the one who brought up OEM parts and pricing!

Sorry. My mistake!

qbrozen

thebean said:

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

Just got a call from my gastroenterologist's office.  The blood tests I took last Monday show no detectable Hepatitis C in my blood.  That is good news - however I had the same results when I took Harvoni 2 years ago.  The real proof is when the virus remains undetectable 4, 8, 16 and finally 24 weeks after I finish the regimen.  But at least I heard some promising news today.

I see the doctor next Thursday.  I have to take blood tests every 4 weeks for the next 8 months.  I have 7-1/2 more weeks of taking the pills.

Just getting back in here after vacation and I've got a lotta posts to read. I still haven't unpacked completely.

Good news about the tests Mike. Keep up the good work.

I have an idea about all the future vials of blood you will be giving as you go through more testing. Give me the name of the person in charge so that I can place a bid for your blood drawing supplies. I know I can win the contract and I'll cut you in for 10% of my profits.  

jmonroe

Good you got home safely and got away from here before the storms and heavy rains.  Feels like summer here - humidity is gruesome as are the 93 degree temps.

As as I said earlier, we stayed at a time share condo as guests with my brother and his wife on A1A in Pompano Beach. It was very windy the first 2 days of our vacation but it got better as the week went on. The weather was best on our last day (Monday 5-22-17).



When I am on vacation, I welcome the humidity because it makes the ocean and pool feel that much better. I am home now and it has rained 3 days already, including today. Today we will be lucky if the temp hits 70 F. I don't think the temp was less that 85 F during our entire stay in Pompano Beach.



When I don't like the humidity is when I have to cut the grass, like now after being away for a week but it is raining like I just said.



I gotta hire somebody to do the grass cutting but I will feel old when I do that because I have always said only the rich guys or old men hire for grass cutting. Since I ain't rich I will be admitting my age which I don't want to do. I guess I can try to convince myself that I am rich but I've always had a problem lying to myself. :@



jmonroe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



When it's hot and humid, money spent for lawn mowing is money well spent. I mow until it gets hot here, which is just about now. I'm cutting ours on Monday and then turning it over to a lawn guy. And, I'm far from remotely being rich.

About 2 yrs ago, I finally discovered that paying for mowing is a great efficiency. What takes me 2 hrs in our old house takes them 20 mins and I would pay $30. That is $15/hr for my time. Alternatively, that is 2 hrs I could spend plumbing or carpentering or mechanicing. Any one of those saves me at least 6 times that $15/hr. In this house, I pay $50 for something that would take me likely 8 hrs, so it is an even greater bargain.

roadburner

It usually takes me around 90-120 minutes to cut the 2.5 acres around my house using the two ZTR mowers. I'd be happy to pay a lawn service but it's just too expensive.

explorerx4

I mow the lawn for the exercise. The lawn is growing so much this year, I mow 45 minutes to an hour just about every day.

roadburner

I mow every 10 days whether it needs it or not.

stickguy

I kept on doing it for the exercise, when I needed to lose weight. Now that I did that, I do it because I am still cheap. Once I clear the cash flow problem up (pay off a couple of cars, and stop making college tuition payments!) I will consider splurging again.

I also decided that when we finally move (hopefully by this time next year) I am selling all the yard stuff, and getting out of the business!

qbrozen

roadburner said:

It usually takes me around 90-120 minutes to cut the 2.5 acres around my house using the two ZTR mowers. I'd be happy to pay a lawn service but it's just too expensive.

Have you ever gotten a quote? I'm rather surprised at the pricing. That $30 was for my 1 acre home. The current home is $50 for about 2 acres and I pay an extra $100 every 3rd cut for them to do the other 3 acres that we don't utilize.

nyccarguy

I pay $50 per week to have the grass cut. It is WELL worth the money. The landscapers take less than an hour to do what used to take me 3 hours. And they do a MUCH better job.

stickguy

that is cheap QB. We have about a 3rd acre, and around here, that is about $40 from most places. some might be $35. Though a lot of the cost and time goes into the trimming. The big mowers rip off the grass so quick, and extra acre takes hardly any time.

driver100

berri said:

NY - I think you are wrong on #2. The correct answer is they don't care where Wisconsin is on the map

lol....or where the rest of the world is.

thebean

I'm not claiming a punch on CCBA, because I certainly don't qualify as a CCBA'er, but I have a new vehicle incoming. Finally got the wife to make a decision on swapping rides, so she will have a new 2017 Civic EX-T in the garage tomorrow. White over beige. Quite the little hot rod, with the 1.5 turbo. The other option was a Corolla, which she liked and would serve her purposes, but it was night and day in the way the two drove. Corolla's CVT was buzzy and it was underpowered massively. The Civic's CVT is seamless, just like the one on my Accord.

The styling is an acquired taste, as @Michaell will surely chime in, but she liked it and that's what counts. My salesman was an ol' country boy who was laid back and easy to work with. This concludes an eight month process to replace her 16 year old Lexus. Both of us are glad that's over and we're happy with the choice.

thebean

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/05/lyft-lux-debuts-gets-mighty-specific-cant-drive/#more-1572256

@jmonroe, looks you are out of luck if you try to be a Lyft Lux driver with the Genny.

abacomike

@thebean:

Enjoy the new wheels, bean and Mrs. bean. 

thebean

abacomike said:

@thebean:

Enjoy the new wheels, bean and Mrs. bean. 

Thanks Mike. I'm sending good thoughts your way on continued good news on your health front.

houdini1

driver100 said:

I got these today....I shortened them to the best but from what I hear around here they seem pretty accurate;

You can move to Colorado where...
1. You carry your $3,000 mountain bike atop your $500 car.
4. The top of your head is bald, but you still have a pony tail.

You can retire to Nebraska or Kansas where...
2. Your idea of a traffic jam is three cars waiting to pass a tractor.
3. You have had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" on the same day.

FINALLY you can retire to Florida where..
1. You eat dinner at 3:15 in the afternoon.
2. All purchases include a coupon of some kind - even houses and cars.
3. Everyone can recommend an excellent cardiologist, dermatologist, proctologist, podiatrist, or orthopedist.
5. Cars in front of you often appear to be driven by headless people.

It is not unusual to use both heater and ac on the same day here in Kansas. It can be in the 40"s in the morning and mid 80"s in the afternoon. This is just the right time of year for that. I like the one about Kansas where you can stand in mud up to your ankles and get dust in your eyes !

oldfarmer50

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

You can't give your 750iL to monkeys for repairs. So if you aren't doing it yourself, you have to rely on skilled people.

My indie shop is skilled, and I'll bet I'd pay no more than $900, tops. The brakes aren't some unique or exotic design- they are the same type of calipers used on every BMW of the era(save the M cars). If you can do pads and rotors on an E36 318i you can do pads and rotors on an E32 750i.

The OEM parts alone from BMW cost more than that. We're talking about two different approaches to solving the problem I think--one is how you or I might personally cope with it, the other (the one I mentioned) is what happens when some guy who owns a 750iL takes it to a shop or dealer. Where I live that's what he pays.

So, are OEM parts THAT big of a deal and if so, why is that? Not too many years ago the general thinking was that a lot of the aftermarket stuff was in fact of better quality than the stuff that came on the cars from the factory.

I remember the old guys talking about Grey Rock lining Grizzly Silvertip etc just being better. Now, it seems everyone want OEM stuff! A rotor is a rotor. right?

I don't know. My indie place is a NAPA shop and the rotors he has to get from them are terrible. He warranties them for a year and a couple of times he's had to replace them after they warped within a few months. I suspect that NAPA, like many car companies sources low bid inventory ( think Takata airbags) from around the globe without testing for quality. The bean counter signs the contract, gets his bonus and is gone by the time it hits the fan.

cdnpinhead

This is most certainly true.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

driver100 said:

GG, I didn't have retirement for Ohio but I think Michigan will work,

You can retire to Michigan Ohio where...
1. You only have three spices: salt, pepper and ketchup.
2. Halloween costumes have to fit over parkas.
3. You have seventeen recipes for casserole.
4. Sexy lingerie is anything flannel with less than eight buttons.
5. The four seasons are: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road repair.

FCA does a great job of disguising crappy cars. They make a nicely designed car, and throw it together, with little engineering or R&R. You can fool some of the people.........

Our Florida rental was a Dodge Journey. I don't like Chrysler cars to start with and that beast ain't going to change my mind. Lots of crappy plastic but for that price range I guess they all have too much of it. My brother asked me if I wanted to drive it to see how it drove. I refused. I didn't want to be part of any car thing that had an engine that labored that much trying to merge onto I 95. That proved my point as to why I won't own a 4 cyl. car, at least one without a turbo.

Upon our return from vacation, our 6 cyl. Subie Legacy and V8 Genny never felt so good.

jmonroe

Chrysler must go out of their way to build cheap crap for the rental market. I had a Sebring 4 door rental years ago and it was horrid compared to my Cirrus (same car but older).

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

jmonroe said:

abacomike said:

I did some checking myself on reports of Wayne Newton's recent appearances (last 5-6 years) and have decided to skip the show next week. I want to remember him like he performed in the late 80's and early 90's. Most people I've spoken to who saw him at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL said it was a waste of their time - many people walked out on his performance. If he's appearing in my local casino here in Coconut Creek, then he must really be hard up for money. His audience will be made up of retired folks, mostly in their 80's, oohing and ahhing no matter how bad he looks or how off key his singing is. It's not difficult to please an audience like that.

So, I think I'll just have dinner out since I've already invited the "Frozen Yogurt" acquaintance to the show. She agreed that we should skip the show and just have dinner out - she said she was never a Wayne Newton fan, but was pleased to accept my invitation just so we could see each other. Hmm!

Suggestion:

Why not use the time you would have spent seeing the Wayne Newton show on something else. If I have to explain, you are a goner.

jmonroe

I'm a "goner", explain!

OK, I don't know how far I can go with this but I'll try.

First find out what kind of wine she likes. Then invite her to your condo for some drinks. When the time is right ask her if she would like to change into something more comfortable. She will probably say something like she doesn't have anything more comfortable with her. That is when you say, "I have something for you laying on my bed".

Please don't tell me you need more help.

jmonroe

That sounds like a line from a Dean Martin movie.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

I pay $50 per week to have the grass cut. It is WELL worth the money. The landscapers take less than an hour to do what used to take me 3 hours. And they do a MUCH better job.

That's how much I pay my son to mow 3-4 acres.

oldfarmer50

thebean said:

I'm not claiming a punch on CCBA, because I certainly don't qualify as a CCBA'er, but I have a new vehicle incoming. Finally got the wife to make a decision on swapping rides, so she will have a new 2017 Civic EX-T in the garage tomorrow. White over beige. Quite the little hot rod, with the 1.5 turbo. The other option was a Corolla, which she liked and would serve her purposes, but it was night and day in the way the two drove. Corolla's CVT was buzzy and it was underpowered massively. The Civic's CVT is seamless, just like the one on my Accord.

The styling is an acquired taste, as @Michaell will surely chime in, but she liked it and that's what counts. My salesman was an ol' country boy who was laid back and easy to work with. This concludes an eight month process to replace her 16 year old Lexus. Both of us are glad that's over and we're happy with the choice.

If that's the style I've been seeing with the unusual tail lights I find it pretty interesting.

Speaking of interesting, I've been seeing some MB C300s around and at first I thought they were Audis. Nice looking cars.

carnaught

thebean said:

I'm not claiming a punch on CCBA, because I certainly don't qualify as a CCBA'er, but I have a new vehicle incoming. Finally got the wife to make a decision on swapping rides, so she will have a new 2017 Civic EX-T in the garage tomorrow. White over beige. Quite the little hot rod, with the 1.5 turbo. The other option was a Corolla, which she liked and would serve her purposes, but it was night and day in the way the two drove. Corolla's CVT was buzzy and it was underpowered massively. The Civic's CVT is seamless, just like the one on my Accord.............

Bean, congrats on the new incoming Civic. Let me say, it doesn't look like everything else, and I think that's a good thing here, plus a good choice over the Corolla..

abacomike

thebean said:

@thebean:

Enjoy the new wheels, bean and Mrs. bean. 

Thanks Mike. I'm sending good thoughts your way on continued good news on your health front.

Thanks, bean.

oldfarmer50

I had to post this, it's just too funny. No photo of course.

New Condition 98 Dodge Dakota - $6900
2008 Toyota RAV4
fuel: gas
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
In the marketplace now is our solid and powerful 1998 Dodge Dakota! It's finished dark blue. It is loaded with a bunch of features like automatic windows, along with new brakes, and tires. Positively a head-turner. This car's acceleration performance is awesome with its 6CYL motor. It goes from Zero to 60 right away! And it's registered only 97,000 ofmileage. I've got a clean title in hand. Serious buyers only please!

roadburner

Seriously mentally ill, that is...

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

I don't know. My indie place is a NAPA shop and the rotors he has to get from them are terrible. He warranties them for a year and a couple of times he's had to replace them after they warped within a few months. I suspect that NAPA, like many car companies sources low bid inventory ( think Takata airbags) from around the globe without testing for quality. The bean counter signs the contract, gets his bonus and is gone by the time it hits the fan.

Most parts stores have several lines they sell for things like rotors. with different quality at different price points. I suspect your shop is choosing the "economy" line.

ab348

thebean said:

The styling is an acquired taste, as @Michaell will surely chime in, but she liked it and that's what counts.

Maybe you can give her a car cover for her birthday.

roadburner

oldfarmer50 said:

isellhondas said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

You can't give your 750iL to monkeys for repairs. So if you aren't doing it yourself, you have to rely on skilled people.

My indie shop is skilled, and I'll bet I'd pay no more than $900, tops. The brakes aren't some unique or exotic design- they are the same type of calipers used on every BMW of the era(save the M cars). If you can do pads and rotors on an E36 318i you can do pads and rotors on an E32 750i.

The OEM parts alone from BMW cost more than that. We're talking about two different approaches to solving the problem I think--one is how you or I might personally cope with it, the other (the one I mentioned) is what happens when some guy who owns a 750iL takes it to a shop or dealer. Where I live that's what he pays.

So, are OEM parts THAT big of a deal and if so, why is that? Not too many years ago the general thinking was that a lot of the aftermarket stuff was in fact of better quality than the stuff that came on the cars from the factory.

I remember the old guys talking about Grey Rock lining Grizzly Silvertip etc just being better. Now, it seems everyone want OEM stuff! A rotor is a rotor. right?

I don't know. My indie place is a NAPA shop and the rotors he has to get from them are terrible. He warranties them for a year and a couple of times he's had to replace them after they warped within a few months. I suspect that NAPA, like many car companies sources low bid inventory ( think Takata airbags) from around the globe without testing for quality. The bean counter signs the contract, gets his bonus and is gone by the time it hits the fan.

The part sources I use sell parts from BMW's OEM suppliers. That's the key to finding quality parts. White box parts never get installed on any of my cars.

thebean

Thanks @carnaught. @ab348, LOL.

jmonroe

thebean said:

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/05/lyft-lux-debuts-gets-mighty-specific-cant-drive/#more-1572256

@jmonroe, looks you are out of luck if you try to be a Lyft Lux driver with the Genny.

Man, talk about no respect. :@

I wonder if they'd reconsider once they knew I had a V8 that could get their passengers to wherever they were going even when picked up just minutes from take off.

Good luck with the new ride for Mrs. Bean. Give us more details excluding purchase price, cause we don't want to have to tell you how bad you were screwed.

jmonroe

abacomike

@jmonroe:

abacomike

I need all the help I can get! 

driver100

Good solid choice Mr and Mrs Bean. Reliable car at a fair price....with a bit of flair for driving pleasure.
As good looking as any other car in that segment....


and we didn't have to wait for months for you to decide or negotiate.

Sandman6472

GG, that storm you got was a cold front that came through our area Wednesday night into Thursday early afternoon. Obviously it was more of an intense storm up in the Orlando area as all we got was heavy rains which we really really need due to our drought. Anyways, the rainy season usually starts the end of May so hopefully we're right on schedule. Right now, we can only water our lawns two days a week depending on your house numbers, evens on certain days and odds on other days. Even though many people cheat, no one says anything unless the drought is really bad. Then, the inspectors know the cheaters by the color and lushness of their grass and fines can be levied...and should be!
Along with the start of our rainy season comes the official start of summer. And our summers don't end until the middle to end of October. And after almost 48 years of living here, I am so ready for a change!!

The Sandman

jmonroe

abacomike said:

I need all the help I can get! 

Give yourself some credit.

You know the saying..."It's like riding a bike..once you learn you never forget".

jmonroe

Sandman6472

Pompano Beach, we live just west of there in Coral Springs, but much of our mail still comes in as Pompano Beach. Don't ask me why since we're over 10 miles inland from the beach...makes no sense. Many years ago, before kids, we looked at a condo to rent on A1A just below Atlantic Blvd. But now that the kids are grown and on their own, time to look to our future. After we both retire, and if we are still in Florida, I'd be happy to sell the house and get a beach condo as we love the water but even though we're so close, life just gets in the way. Would be great to sell the house, go down to one vehicle and move to the beach, any beach and not necessarily in Florida!

The Sandman