Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

stickguy

glad you said that. it is 5 minutes from my house, and that is where I took the last Maverick for the one oil change it had while I was up here.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

I took the Kia into the dealer this morning to deal with two recalls. Typical dealer upsell experience. The car has only 20k miles but they recommended a throttle body cleaning service every 15k miles (basically a can of Seafoam sprayed into it) and engine air filter once a year (every 5k miles for my annual use). Can’t imagine what that would have cost but I declined so who knows. They even asked about an oil change even though I did that 800 miles ago. I contrast that with my visit to the Ford dealer last week where they did a recall fix and other maintenance and never tried to upsell me on anything.

While I was there I browsed the lot to see how much the Kia Soul went up in price from 4 years ago. I was surprised to see they had only gone up a few thousand during that time. It’s a little hard to make direct comparison since they changed the names of trims and added/subtracted some and eliminated the base 1.6L NA engine as well as the 1.6L turbo.

No dealer “market adjustments” seen but they did slap some dealer installed rip-off options. The most outrageous was putting wheel locks on the base trim with steel wheels. Is there a big black market demand for stolen steelies?

They needed to focus on locks on the ignition systems and steering columns rather than the dealers adding useless wheel locks.

My Malibu came from wheel locks from the dealer with whom my local dealer did an exchange to get the car back in 2014. Totally unnecessary and a big pain in the rump. The other dealer didn't even leave the lug nuts they removed with the car. So I have to buy lug nuts if I leave the locks off.

Is there a big market for stolen 18-inch Malibu rims?

ab348

imidazol97 said:

My Malibu came from wheel locks from the dealer with whom my local dealer did an exchange to get the car back in 2014. Totally unnecessary and a big pain in the rump. The other dealer didn't even leave the lug nuts they removed with the car. So I have to buy lug nuts if I leave the locks off.

Is there a big market for stolen 18-inch Malibu rims?

I don't totally hate my GM dealer but they have a standard list of useless things they do to new cars in inventory and wheel locks are one of those. When I got my 2011 Regal it had them installed and I didn't want them, so I wanted 4 lug nuts reinstalled. Same story as you seemed to get - "they just throw them all into a box when they take them off so we can't give them back". I raised a big stink and they ended up ordering me 4 through GM parts.

stickguy

seems cheaper to just fish 4 out of "the box". but what do I know.

ab348

I think they are not all the same, though I agree that it wouldn’t be too onerous to take one off the car and match it up with 4 identical ones in the box. As it was, a week or so later 4 little GM Parts plastic bags with one lug nut apiece arrived.

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

seems cheaper to just fish 4 out of "the box". but what do I know.

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The more logical solution would be not to mess with the car until the customer said he/she wanted them.

My ‘15 Genny came with locking lug nuts…4 of them including the removal tool in a bubble pack, in the glove box. They’re now in the same unopened bubble pack but I moved them to a box in the trunk.

jmonroe

stickguy

I have some leftover lugnuts from former cars in a box in the garage. Unless I threw them out when I moved. the ones for the RDX are (I think) in the back, unless they are part of the box collection.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

seems cheaper to just fish 4 out of "the box". but what do I know.

————————————————
The more logical solution would be not to mess with the car until the customer said he/she wanted them.

My ‘15 Genny came with locking lug nuts…4 of them including the removal tool in a bubble pack, in the glove box. They’re now in the same unopened bubble pack but I moved them to a box in the trunk.

jmonroe

You’re not thinking like a dealer. Better to slap all those useless overpriced things on a car and count on the majority of buyers not to walk out over $125 wheel locks. After all, what are you paying those salespeople for if not to talk your customers into high profit extras.

Going back to my Kia and Ford dealers, the Kia store was full of people while I was the only one in the low pressure Ford store.

driver100

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

It looks like the DW discussion ran out of juice....what's next bourbon?

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I’ll let you know when I’m close to my last bottle.

jmonroe

I don't know a thing about bourbon, but I like a Bloody Caesar with my dinner, so I had to buy 1.14 bottle at home, it was $45. In Florida it costs $22!
btw, a Bloody Caesar is Canadian, it is made using Clamato juice instead of tomato juice. It doesn't seem to exist in the U.S.

It's usually made with vodka too.

Oh yeh, I forgot to mention...that was what I was buying...vodka.

driver100

I drove by my MB dealer today and they had about 20 new cars parked outside in front of the showroom. For months they had no cars on display...they were bought up as soon as they arrived.
I mentioned before, I got a ride home in a courtesy GLB. The driver told me it didn't have power seats, they didn't have enough chips. A new MB with manual seats! I said I guess they'll put the chip in when they have them. He said he doubts it.....too bad for the next owner.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

I drove by my MB dealer today and they had about 20 new cars parked outside in front of the showroom. For months they had no cars on display...they were bought up as soon as they arrived.
I mentioned before, I got a ride home in a courtesy GLB. The driver told me it didn't have power seats, they didn't have enough chips. A new MB with manual seats! I said I guess they'll put the chip in when they have them. He said he doubts it.....too bad for the next owner.

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Did they unplug the backup camera too?

jmonroe

driver100

jmonroe1 said:

driver100 said:

I drove by my MB dealer today and they had about 20 new cars parked outside in front of the showroom. For months they had no cars on display...they were bought up as soon as they arrived.
I mentioned before, I got a ride home in a courtesy GLB. The driver told me it didn't have power seats, they didn't have enough chips. A new MB with manual seats! I said I guess they'll put the chip in when they have them. He said he doubts it.....too bad for the next owner.

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Did they unplug the backup camera too?

jmonroe

Since backup cameras are mandatory these days, my guess is it had a backup camera. I am probably one of the few people left in North America that can backup a car without a camera.

jmonroe1

@driver100 said:
Since backup cameras are mandatory these days, my guess is it had a backup camera. I am probably one of the few people left in North America that can backup a car without a camera.

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I’ll give you credit for being better than most but based on all the rear bumpers I see with many scuff marks there are lots of folks who backup using the feel method.

jmonroe

explorerx4

@jmonroe1,
Have you ever seen the picture of his car after he backed into the garbage truck?

stickguy

I assume the feature left off was the memory function, not the power operation. That would require entirely different seat structures, not just leaving off a little electronic module.

driver100

explorerx4 said:

@jmonroe1,
Have you ever seen the picture of his car after he backed into the garbage truck?

snakeweasel

stickguy said:

seems cheaper to just fish 4 out of "the box". but what do I know.

Or they can just use the ones they take off the next car they put locking lug nuts on.

jmonroe1

@driver100 said:>

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That’s what happens when you’re speeding in reverse without a backup camera.

That reminds me of the old story I heard about a Priest who ran into a Rabbi:

Fortunately no one was hurt and when the Irish Catholic cop showed up he was a little confused as to how to write his traffic report. After a good bit of thinking he finally went to the Priest and asked, “father, about how fast would you say the Rabbi was going when he backed into you”?

jmonroe

tjc78

Good morning all. Beautiful morning here in North Wildwood. Nice bike ride.

Michaell

Nice. This is what I woke up to, this morning:

tjc78

@Michaell said:
Nice. This is what I woke up to, this morning:

Oh heck no!!!

ab348

My condolences. Looks like even the doge didn’t want much to do with the frozen misery.

kyfdx

He has really short legs... any farther and he'd be out for an hour..

Michaell

kyfdx said:

He has really short legs... any farther and he'd be out for an hour..

Any more snow and I'd have to shovel a path for them to do what they need to do.

@tjc78 - the roads are fine; I just got back from bringing the girls their morning Starbucks hit at the studio.

stickguy

we went out and picked up a couple of planter boxes so the wife can finally have a garden. I want nothing to do with it but I know I will end up having to move the yards of dirt at some point!

missed the pickup. boxes were 6' x 3' (12" high). Could just jam it into the RDX if we pushed the seats way forward (and I drove plastered up on the steering wheel) but because of the "stylish" (and highly impractical) roofline, could only fit one box in and get the hatch closed. So, had to make 2 trips. thankfully not too far away.

too long to fit in the Maverick's bed but drop the tailgate, grab some straps, and just let them hang out the back! Or stand them on end. Unlimited headroom back there!

Michaell

stickguy said:

we went out and picked up a couple of planter boxes so the wife can finally have a garden. I want nothing to do with it but I know I will end up having to move the yards of dirt at some point!

missed the pickup. boxes were 6' x 3' (12" high). Could just jam it into the RDX if we pushed the seats way forward (and I drove plastered up on the steering wheel) but because of the "stylish" (and highly impractical) roofline, could only fit one box in and get the hatch closed. So, had to make 2 trips. thankfully not too far away.

too long to fit in the Maverick's bed but drop the tailgate, grab some straps, and just let them hang out the back! Or stand them on end. Unlimited headroom back there!

Dude, Wayfair and Amazon are your friends! Order on-line, have them shipped right to the house. A little assembly and you're done. No truck needed.

stickguy

they were custom built and sold on Etsy. plus cheaper than same sized options. and the wife wanted them.

hopefully I have the truck before I need to go get dirt, otherwise that will getting delivered.

tjc78

Sometimes buying online is very convenient!

Michaell

tjc78 said:

Sometimes buying online is very convenient!

About the only thing we don't buy on-line regularly is food.

Wife has one Amazon account for home, and another for the studio. Everything for the studio goes onto the CC, so we can rack up the points for later use.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

Good morning all. Beautiful morning here in North Wildwood. Nice bike ride.

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So, where are the bikes?

jmonroe

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

we went out and picked up a couple of planter boxes so the wife can finally have a garden. I want nothing to do with it but I know I will end up having to move the yards of dirt at some point!

missed the pickup. boxes were 6' x 3' (12" high). Could just jam it into the RDX if we pushed the seats way forward (and I drove plastered up on the steering wheel) but because of the "stylish" (and highly impractical) roofline, could only fit one box in and get the hatch closed. So, had to make 2 trips. thankfully not too far away.

too long to fit in the Maverick's bed but drop the tailgate, grab some straps, and just let them hang out the back! Or stand them on end. Unlimited headroom back there!

————————————————
Yep, you sure screwed up when you got rid of that little hauler. Shoulda kept it until the other one arrived. Convenience alone makes those things pay for themselves and the more convenience’s you look for (especially when you move) the more valuable they become.

jmonroe

stickguy

More hassle. Dragged the mower out. Just about wore out my shoulder but that thing won’t come close to starting.

That’s why I wanted a battery powered mower too. I hate dealing with small engines.

sda

I find battery powered mowers appealing. They’re quiet, make good torque and no more last minute trips to fill an empty gas container. My primary concern is longevity of the battery and replacement cost. I have several battery powered lawn tools and the batteries seem to last about 3 years. Replacement batteries cost practically the same as buying a new tool that includes the battery.

tjc78

@jmonroe1 said:
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So, where are the bikes?

jmonroe

Well I was sitting on mine …😎

pensfan83

Current view in Florida

stickguy

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

we went out and picked up a couple of planter boxes so the wife can finally have a garden. I want nothing to do with it but I know I will end up having to move the yards of dirt at some point!

missed the pickup. boxes were 6' x 3' (12" high). Could just jam it into the RDX if we pushed the seats way forward (and I drove plastered up on the steering wheel) but because of the "stylish" (and highly impractical) roofline, could only fit one box in and get the hatch closed. So, had to make 2 trips. thankfully not too far away.

too long to fit in the Maverick's bed but drop the tailgate, grab some straps, and just let them hang out the back! Or stand them on end. Unlimited headroom back there!

————————————————
Yep, you sure screwed up when you got rid of that little hauler. Shoulda kept it until the other one arrived. Convenience alone makes those things pay for themselves and the more convenience’s you look for (especially when you move) the more valuable they become.

jmonroe

for the $3,000 or so I am ahead of the game, an extra 30 minute round trip was worth it.

stickguy

sda said:

I find battery powered mowers appealing. They’re quiet, make good torque and no more last minute trips to fill an empty gas container. My primary concern is longevity of the battery and replacement cost. I have several battery powered lawn tools and the batteries seem to last about 3 years. Replacement batteries cost practically the same as buying a new tool that includes the battery.

the cost is offset by not paying for gas (probably not that much in total, but something) and no more dragging to the shop to get tuned up. or oil changes for the DIY.

but mostly, quieter, and eliminates the annual hassle of trying to get it to work in the spring! Charge the battery, snap it on, away you go. They do cost more but worth it to me. If I have to mow, might as well not be P.O.'d at the equipment all the time. Plus as noted no dragging a gas can around.

kyfdx

@pensfan83 Where?

Sandman6472

Still not sure how to add a photo in here. I took a few on my iPhone but have no clue how to transfer them from the iPhone into here? Folks have said that it's pretty easy to do but being tech challenged like I am, have no clue what to do now that the pics are in my iPhone? There must be an easy way to do this I'd bet!

tjc78

One more time with screenshots Sandy…

Click on Insert Image button
Click on choose files
Select “photo library”
Click the picture you want
Click “add”‘upper right
After the pictures load into the posting box you’ll see a lot text. Don’t touch it. Just click post comment as usual.

Sandman6472

How do I get the pics I recently took from my iPhone to the Edmunds.com site in the first place? Being as tech challenged as I am, I gave my kids a paper with "turn on" and "turn off" so I could learn how to use a computer years ago. I really had no real formal training on computers so had no clue what to do with the pc we had. So, it's just that I don't know a lot about computers as the reason why I ask a lot of questions about it, stuff that comes easy to others doesn't come so easy to me.
Do appreciate all your help though. I'm the kind of person that needs stuff "dumbed down" if you will...never assume that I know what you're talking about because in most cases, I don't! I just need patience and great instructions & I'll eventually "get it"!

pensfan83

@kyfdx said:
@pensfan83 Where?

Debary, about 40 minutes from Orlando Int'l

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

we went out and picked up a couple of planter boxes so the wife can finally have a garden. I want nothing to do with it but I know I will end up having to move the yards of dirt at some point!

missed the pickup. boxes were 6' x 3' (12" high). Could just jam it into the RDX if we pushed the seats way forward (and I drove plastered up on the steering wheel) but because of the "stylish" (and highly impractical) roofline, could only fit one box in and get the hatch closed. So, had to make 2 trips. thankfully not too far away.

too long to fit in the Maverick's bed but drop the tailgate, grab some straps, and just let them hang out the back! Or stand them on end. Unlimited headroom back there!

Dude, Wayfair and Amazon are your friends! Order on-line, have them shipped right to the house. A little assembly and you're done. No truck needed.

He could go to Lowe’s garden center. They have these slotted bricks that you use for the corners and then you slide some decking boards into. Instant raised bed that comes in pieces for easy transport.

ab348

Sandy seems as allergic to posting pics on here as I am to automotive nav systems. 😁

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

More hassle. Dragged the mower out. Just about wore out my shoulder but that thing won’t come close to starting.

That’s why I wanted a battery powered mower too. I hate dealing with small engines.

Try replacing the spark plug and give it a squirt of carb cleaner.

ab348

I read an online review of a DeWalt battery lawn mower, uses 2 20V L-I tool batteries. They said it lasts 40 minutes on a full charge which they said equates to about 8000 Sq ft of mowing. It is self-repelled to boot. $600.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

How do I get the pics I recently took from my iPhone to the Edmunds.com site in the first place? Being as tech challenged as I am, I gave my kids a paper with "turn on" and "turn off" so I could learn how to use a computer years ago. I really had no real formal training on computers so had no clue what to do with the pc we had. So, it's just that I don't know a lot about computers as the reason why I ask a lot of questions about it, stuff that comes easy to others doesn't come so easy to me.
Do appreciate all your help though. I'm the kind of person that needs stuff "dumbed down" if you will...never assume that I know what you're talking about because in most cases, I don't! I just need patience and great instructions & I'll eventually "get it"!

When I click on “photo library” it automatically goes to the photos on my IPad. Click on the pic you want and then hit “add”. You’ll see a link to the pic appear on your post. That link becomes your picture. Don’t ask me how, maybe it’s little Edmunds elves.




I assume your phone works the same as an IPad.

venture

We decided to replace the sliding patio door off our breakfast room. It's been getting hard to open and it doesn't want to close without excess pulling. I've adjusted it until I guess it gave up.

We got 2 bids and they are $2,000 apart.

explorerx4

@venture,
I would look into new hardware first before replacing the whole door.

tjc78

@venture said:
We decided to replace the sliding patio door off our breakfast room. It's been getting hard to open and it doesn't want to close without excess pulling. I've adjusted it until I guess it gave up.

We got 2 bids and they are $2,000 apart.

I just got painting quotes. One was double the other. Nature of the beast these days.