Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

laurasdada

True of any product, you can spend a lot or a little. Only you can decide what is of value to you. Why waste your money on an M5 when a Corolla will also take you to your destination?

Cars and watches, I like 'em.

fintail

It's all about priorities. If you spend less than you make, indulge away in such hobbies, these are the good old days. I have two fancy watches and don't plan for more, doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

ab348

This is a long but damning investigative report by the Detroit Free Press on the many issues with the Ford Powershift transmissions found in the Fiesta and Focus.

https://www.freep.com/in-depth/money/cars/ford/2019/07/11/ford-focus-fiesta-transmission-defect/1671198001/

Former top execs Raj Nair and Mark Fields are linked to how the thing got into production with so many unresolved problems, but it seems there is plenty of blame to go around, starting with the manufacturer, Getrag, and then many layers of management at Ford.

I find it curious that while the issues with the transmission are well-known, there has been very little mainstream publicity in the media about it. I imagine it would be different if it was another manufacturer.

stickguy

did they finally in later model years switch to a different type of transmission? The 2019 Fiesta I rented in June shifted perfectly fine.

houdini2

Garmin just came out with a new line of watches called Marq. Smart watches that look more like Rolex or Omega. $1500-$2400. I'd post a pic if I knew how. One is called "The Driver", made for people who like to track their cars, etc.

imidazol97

Driver is in the middle (the watch, not our friend!).




https://forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2019/03/13/garmin-introduces-high-end-marq-series-pushes-the-ceiling-on-smartwatches/#50f5968d6fe1

imidazol97

I haven't worn a watch for almost two decades. My Timex ran down.

I keep seeing Evine sales channel on cable pimping all these watches from Invicta. They have all kinds of decor on them making them look like a 1958 Buick or Oldsmobile upline model! It sounds like there are many buyers who buy all the various similar models as collectibles?

I could like The Driver watch. Clean.

https://evine.com/b/watches/invicta/

This is an extreme example--not my taste in watches.

dino001

How do you guys post the pictures now? I used to be able to simply cut and paste, now it asks about URL?

carnaught

Had an Invicta watch a few years ago. It was a nice looking watch but died after 6 mos. The manufacturer wanted $69 + an exorbitant fee for shipping to fix it. With no confidence that it would last another 6 mos., it was almost like buying it a second time. I was so mad, I sent it back to them and told them to keep it.

The Invicta watch pictured above has a real evil face, something that would appeal to Chucky.

imidazol97

dino001 said:

How do you guys post the pictures now? I used to be able to simply cut and paste, now it asks about URL?

I have to go find the picture I want on the internet. Right clicking on many will yield a flyout menu offering the option among others to "copy image address." I choose that so the address is stored in my clipboard.

I then go to the post graphic icon here in the posting box on Edmunds and click on "Image URL." I right click in that and choose the past option. I then hit the "enter" key once, and the URL is read into where I had the typing icon within the post box.

Most graphics online will past in as a jpg. A few are shown on the internet using something different and won't properly paste into the URL slot. If it's one that doesn't get read like a jpg, I sometimes can find another or clicking on the one I have will take me to a related page where there is a jpg version.

Trial and errors.

I wish my flydown menu was working in the post. I have several picts to post from my computer too.

I signed up for imgbb and they botched the signup so far. I am signing up with imageshack.com.
I have to send my pict from my computer there. Then retrieve the url of my picture stored out there and post it in the posts here.

imidazol97

Additional boring info:

When the local posting abilities were working, the images on the net that were not jpg could be downloaded sometimes to my computer with a right click. Then they were on my computer as jpg, and I could load them into my posts from my computer.

We'll get that ability back soon, I hope. I miss it.

suydam

Can’t you just screenshot the photo, and then crop it to show just the photo, and then upload it? That’s what I do if I’m getting a pic off the Internet.

ab348

suydam said:

Can’t you just screenshot the photo, and then crop it to show just the photo, and then upload it? That’s what I do if I’m getting a pic off the Internet.

But why? That's more work than just right-clicking the photo and saving it.

fintail

Isn't uploading gone? I don't have the option anymore.

stickguy

that was different here than on other sites I frequent. Often they only support hosted pictures, not copy/paste. I think it must be related to storage space. Posting a link, they just launch the picture from wherever it lives. If you drop it in from your computer, then Edmunds has to store the image. get enough of those, and I imagine it can add up to a lot of server capacity.

imidazol97

suydam said:

Can’t you just screenshot the photo, and then crop it to show just the photo, and then upload it? That’s what I do if I’m getting a pic off the Internet.

I don't think I have the option to upload it from my computer after doing the prt scn on my computer. I have to put it into paint or another local program to crop or modify. Then I'm back in the problem of only picts from a remote URL can be uploaded within this posting box.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

Driver is in the middle (the watch, not our friend!).




https://forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2019/03/13/garmin-introduces-high-end-marq-series-pushes-the-ceiling-on-smartwatches/#50f5968d6fe1

Nice, and distinctive looking. They used the "Driver" model with my permission for a small fee.....$35.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

Driver is in the middle (the watch, not our friend!).




https://forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2019/03/13/garmin-introduces-high-end-marq-series-pushes-the-ceiling-on-smartwatches/#50f5968d6fe1

You could be right but without the striped shirt, I myself, wouldn't know that for sure.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

Driver is in the middle (the watch, not our friend!).




https://forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2019/03/13/garmin-introduces-high-end-marq-series-pushes-the-ceiling-on-smartwatches/#50f5968d6fe1

Nice, and distinctive looking. They used the "Driver" model with my permission for a small fee.....$35.

They screwed you. You should have demanded a $50 Timex.

jmonroe

imidazol97

driver100 said:

imidazol97 said:

Driver is in the middle (the watch, not our friend!).




https://forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2019/03/13/garmin-introduces-high-end-marq-series-pushes-the-ceiling-on-smartwatches/#50f5968d6fe1

Nice, and distinctive looking. They used the "Driver" model with my permission for a small fee.....$35.

Canadian or US dollars?

suydam

ab348 said:

suydam said:

Can’t you just screenshot the photo, and then crop it to show just the photo, and then upload it? That’s what I do if I’m getting a pic off the Internet.

But why? That's more work than just right-clicking the photo and saving it.

Takes about 5 seconds. I thought the poster was having trouble saving the photo on the screen. This is an alternative work-around.

snakeweasel

imidazol97 said:

I haven't worn a watch for almost two decades. My Timex ran down.

I keep seeing Evine sales channel on cable pimping all these watches from Invicta. They have all kinds of decor on them making them look like a 1958 Buick or Oldsmobile upline model! It sounds like there are many buyers who buy all the various similar models as collectibles?

I could like The Driver watch. Clean.

https://evine.com/b/watches/invicta/

This is an extreme example--not my taste in watches.

OMG I would hate to get that "I'm going to kill you and enjoy every moment of it" look everytime I wanted to know what time it is. I mean that's the watch you would wear if you like asking strangers what time it is.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

I haven't worn a watch for almost two decades. My Timex ran down.

I keep seeing Evine sales channel on cable pimping all these watches from Invicta. They have all kinds of decor on them making them look like a 1958 Buick or Oldsmobile upline model! It sounds like there are many buyers who buy all the various similar models as collectibles?

I could like The Driver watch. Clean.

https://evine.com/b/watches/invicta/

This is an extreme example--not my taste in watches.

Most Invicta watches look OK, but like imid says a little over done....that one looks like pure evil.

They do a line of DC and Marvel Comics character watches too....and I believe the evil one is supposed to be The Joker.
I may get this one to go with my 2019 Halloween Costume:

imidazol97

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

I haven't worn a watch for almost two decades. My Timex ran down.

I keep seeing Evine sales channel on cable pimping all these watches from Invicta. They have all kinds of decor on them making them look like a 1958 Buick or Oldsmobile upline model! It sounds like there are many buyers who buy all the various similar models as collectibles?

I could like The Driver watch. Clean.

https://evine.com/b/watches/invicta/

This is an extreme example--not my taste in watches.

OMG I would hate to get that "I'm going to kill you and enjoy every moment of it" look everytime I wanted to know what time it is. I mean that's the watch you would wear if you like asking strangers what time it is.

And I thought some of the lexus toyota grills had a bad appearance. LOL

andres3

ab348 said:

This is a long but damning investigative report by the Detroit Free Press on the many issues with the Ford Powershift transmissions found in the Fiesta and Focus.

https://www.freep.com/in-depth/money/cars/ford/2019/07/11/ford-focus-fiesta-transmission-defect/1671198001/

Former top execs Raj Nair and Mark Fields are linked to how the thing got into production with so many unresolved problems, but it seems there is plenty of blame to go around, starting with the manufacturer, Getrag, and then many layers of management at Ford.

I find it curious that while the issues with the transmission are well-known, there has been very little mainstream publicity in the media about it. I imagine it would be different if it was another manufacturer.

A Big 3 company having bad transmissions just isn't "news worthy" to me. Perhaps my perceptions are more negative than some. I just assume transmissions from the Big 3 are bad. Keeps me out of trouble.

houdini2

imidazol97 said:

Driver is in the middle (the watch, not our friend!).




https://forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2019/03/13/garmin-introduces-high-end-marq-series-pushes-the-ceiling-on-smartwatches/#50f5968d6fe1

Thx for posting those pics imid. Since they are smart watches you can show different displays. It comes pre loaded with 250 famous race tracks from around the world and can show lap splits, live delta time, track times, and lots of other stuff. Kinda cool.

tjc78

I just assume transmissions from the Big 3 are bad

Chrysler and Ford, yes ... but I don't think GM has been known for bad transmissions.

And in reality, the Ford C6, AOD and 4R70W were all very robust and the old Chrysler torque flights as well.

GM's 700R4 for years was known as the best 4 speed auto, period.

sda

GM has had some duds. The THM 200 comes to mind as well as the Slim-Jim Hydramatic from the early 60s.

laurasdada

Yes, I've bought a couple of Invictas from Evine, fka ShopNBC and something in between. I used(?) to be addicted to that watch show, couldn't wait to see what's next. But, Invicta has gone overall too big with their watches, as well as a lot of over the top styling. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I jokingly call Invicta (as well as Stuhrling and a few others) the "Made for TV" brands as that is where they seem to be mostly sold, on Evine. But, my two Invictas have been fine for what they are, cheap transportation. One is a nice 40mm automatic divers watch, Japanese automatic movement, which I wear on vacation and in the water. My Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean is also a divers watch, but much flashier with the orange bezel. A true quality timepiece, Omega imho.

MA has announced tax free weekend Aug 11-12, items below $2500. Perhaps time to see what I can do that weekend, pre-owned Tudor, maybe a new automatic Shinola. Perhaps Omega Speedmaster, much like cars, so much to choose, so little I can afford!

driver100

It seems there are more watches and models of watches than there are people on the earth. I like watches, but, since I can only wear one at a time I find my everyday one and one for sports (a Timex because it takes a licking and keeps on ticking....well going since they have batteries these days) is enough. Guess I could wear one on each arm and get 4 of them

berri

@ab348 GM has had some duds. The THM 200 comes to mind as well as the Slim-Jim Hydramatic from the early 60s.
That was my experience; slim jim on 63 Olds 88, 200 on a 79 Monte Carlo with a 305 4bbl V8. Both were bad experiences.

berri

I'm thinking the Fiesta tranny didn't get lots of press coverage because it wasn't that popular of a vehicle. I did see some stuff in the media on the Focus though.

ab348

berri said:

@ab348 GM has had some duds. The THM 200 comes to mind as well as the Slim-Jim Hydramatic from the early 60s.
That was my experience; slim jim on 63 Olds 88, 200 on a 79 Monte Carlo with a 305 4bbl V8. Both were bad experiences.

But that is totally different and nothing like what is being talked about here though. Those could be fixed. These are bad and always stay that way because they cannot fix them apparently.

tjc78

http://mentalfloss.com/article/581875/swatch-watch-history

Speaking of watches... remember these?

berri

Fair statement ab! Although those fixes weren't cheap.

explorerx4

My Mom had a 2010 Fiesta. Top of the line, cute as anything, got great mileage, but the transmission.
It was not a good driving experience.
Overall, for her, it worked out. She bought it when she was 80 and she didn't drive it much, a good thing for everyone.
Her previous car, an 03 Malibu, had damage on every panel, even the roof.
Not a bad car, but it was just too big for her at that point.
At 5 years old, I took the 8K for the Fiesta from CarMax and ran.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

It seems there are more watches and models of watches than there are people on the earth. I like watches, but, since I can only wear one at a time I find my everyday one and one for sports (a Timex because it takes a licking and keeps on ticking....well going since they have batteries these days) is enough. Guess I could wear one on each arm and get 4 of them

WOW, "wear one on each arm and get 4 of them". Can you send a pic of yourself again? Don't worry about the striped shirt, we're only interested in counting your appendages.

jmonroe

laurasdada

driver100 said:

It seems there are more watches and models of watches than there are people on the earth. I like watches, but, since I can only wear one at a time I find my everyday one and one for sports (a Timex because it takes a licking and keeps on ticking....well going since they have batteries these days) is enough. Guess I could wear one on each arm and get 4 of them

Ya only got one butt, but 3 cars!

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

sda said:

I also posted in Real Car Values. Carvana offered $10716 for the Accord, CarMax $8500.

Seems low, is it high milage?

$2,216 higher than a competitor seems low? ???

No, I meant that the overall offers seem low for a Honda as they retain their value extremely well. If I could get a 2013 Accord with under 80k miles for $10k I’d be very tempted.

Maybe I’m out of touch on valuations.

oldfarmer50

laurasdada said:

True of any product, you can spend a lot or a little. Only you can decide what is of value to you. Why waste your money on an M5 when a Corolla will also take you to your destination?

Cars and watches, I like 'em.

I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. If a Corolla offered similar performance to an M5 for 1/4 the cost people would never buy an M5. A Timex tells the same time as a Rolex for a lot less.

I get your point though, it’s your money to do with as you wish.

imidazol97

Few of the Invicta watches I see when surfing the 3 shopping channels I get are ones I would even wear for their attention getting ability.

Full disclosure: my son got me a wooden watch as his wedding party gift.

stickguy

Farmer, that was just Carmax buy price. If you wanted to buy it retail from them, don't worry, it would be well over $10k!

just a quick google, based on asking prices (1st amendment of course) but this was about the cheapest one.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/776136658/overview/

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

did they finally in later model years switch to a different type of transmission? The 2019 Fiesta I rented in June shifted perfectly fine.

I don’t know if they ever went with a new transmission or just fixed the glitchy software. I know that all but one rental Fiesta or Focus I’ve driven at work was trouble free but these were all low milage (under 45k miles). The troublesome one was a 2015 with over 50k miles.

Ford sure shot themselves in the foot with this goof. I know that even though I like the Focus I would never buy one from 2012-16.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Farmer, that was just Carmax buy price. If you wanted to buy it retail from them, don't worry, it would be well over $10k!

just a quick google, based on asking prices (1st amendment of course) but this was about the cheapest one.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/776136658/overview/

Maybe I’ll shop at the store that offered him $8500.

explorerx4

Regarding the Focus transmission, I read they redesigned most troublesome part of it, then discontinued the car.

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

Farmer, that was just Carmax buy price. If you wanted to buy it retail from them, don't worry, it would be well over $10k!

just a quick google, based on asking prices (1st amendment of course) but this was about the cheapest one.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/776136658/overview/

Maybe I’ll shop at the store that offered him $8500.

I'd be willing to bet that if a dealer pays $8,500 for a car, he's going to tag it for at least $11,000.

jmonroe

stickguy

carmax, going at least $12,500

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

It seems there are more watches and models of watches than there are people on the earth. I like watches, but, since I can only wear one at a time I find my everyday one and one for sports (a Timex because it takes a licking and keeps on ticking....well going since they have batteries these days) is enough. Guess I could wear one on each arm and get 4 of them

WOW, "wear one on each arm and get 4 of them". Can you send a pic of yourself again? Don't worry about the striped shirt, we're only interested in counting your appendages.

jmonroe

I have 2 now...and wear them both on the same arm at different times (one for regular use, one for sports)
If I wear a watch on each arm I will need 2 X 2 = 4 watches.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:

True of any product, you can spend a lot or a little. Only you can decide what is of value to you. Why waste your money on an M5 when a Corolla will also take you to your destination?

Cars and watches, I like 'em.

I don’t think that’s a fair comparison. If a Corolla offered similar performance to an M5 for 1/4 the cost people would never buy an M5. A Timex tells the same time as a Rolex for a lot less.

I get your point though, it’s your money to do with as you wish.

The Rolex may tell the same time, but, I imagine, there is a feeling you get wearing a Rolex that you won't get wearing a Timex......not that I would actually know.
But, I do know, a Rolex would be made right, it would feel really nice on the arm, and it looks great too.....the Timex, not so much.

fintail

I had a Swatch when I was young. They are not waterproof, that's my biggest memory.

tjc78 said:

http://mentalfloss.com/article/581875/swatch-watch-history

Speaking of watches... remember these?