Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

The Tahoe has a fairly quiet but still annoying wind whistle at highway speed. I don't see any moldings that appear to be way out of place. I've not been able to pinpoint the area by putting blue painter's tape around the windshield. I know the windshield was replaced by the previous owner, and suspect something may be "off" as a result of that. There are water leak repair people who claim to be able to fix wind issues, as well, but I'm assuming they use some sort of ultrasonic tool that would only detect a leak in the envelope of the vehicle, and not a wonky piece of trim. Does anyone have any experience dealing with anything like this?

ab348

What about a smoke machine?

Sandman6472

Once the kids mentioned things to me, I kinda realized we're not fooling anyone. Once your kids ask why you guys seem to be on different pages, time to get serious going forward. But after I get well, will figure out a plan of action for us going forward.
On another note, the home health aide came to evaluate me. Sat me at the kitchen table instead of the recliner which fits me the best. After about 8 minutes, told him I'm dizzy and need to go back to the recliner. He let's me go in my walker but pass out before getting there. Hit the floor on my right side and after about 5 minutes, he helps me get into my recliner. He knew he f'd up badly but now just very sore on the right side where I hit the floor.
Got a feeling my leave of absence might be longer than we first thought. But I can't drive this way anyhow and what will be will be. Might need a couple months but will only go back once I'm well. My Golf is backed into the garage and there it'll stay until I can drive again. Setting my sights on July 1st as my new return date as of now. But will ease back in at 4 hours/day, then 6/day and finally up to 10/day. And if I must stop working, I will deal with it then. Need to stop falling first, as it hurts and I could really injure myself badly!!!

The Sandman

28firefighter

@benjaminh - my feedback is based on my experience for 10 years as a Volunteer FF. I’ve never worked in a professional department. 

I watched the first couple seasons of Chicago Fire and lost track. I keep meaning to pick it back up, but haven’t. Based on the first couple seasons, a lot of the actual firefighting felt realistic for a station in a very busy part of Chicago. But the drama felt quite manufactured. 

I have also started watching Station 19 on ABC which is a Grey’s Anatomy spinoff. The only realistic thing about it is that Station 19 is modeled after Station 20 in interbay and all of the exterior shots were filmed there. The firefighting, the drama, the conflict - it’s absurd. 

roadburner

benjaminh said:

28firefighter: OT, I realize, but by any chance do you have any thoughts on the show Chicago Fire? It's corny, but I kinda like it. I realize much of it isn't "realistic," just as hospital shows and cop shows on tv aren't "realistic" much of the time....

Speaking of cop shows, based on my 35+ years of experience in the criminal justice system, Bosch, The Night Of, and Night Court are very accurate portrayals of law enforcement and the judicial system.

corvette

Flint Town on Netflix is pretty engaging.

28firefighter

I forgot to add, the most realistic show I’ve seen about firefighting was Rescue Me.

qbrozen

Tried Station 19 and didn't even make it halfway through one episode. Awful.

benjaminh

roadburner said:

benjaminh said:

28firefighter: OT, I realize, but by any chance do you have any thoughts on the show Chicago Fire? It's corny, but I kinda like it. I realize much of it isn't "realistic," just as hospital shows and cop shows on tv aren't "realistic" much of the time....

Speaking of cop shows, based on my 35+ years of experience in the criminal justice system, Bosch, The Night Of, and Night Court are very accurate portrayals of law enforcement and the judicial system.

That's good to hear about Bosch. My son and I really like that show.

Michaell

My dad worked for the local FD for 33+ years. Retired as a fire cause investigator (think the Robert DeNiro character from "Backdraft"). We used to watch "Emergency" in the early 70's, as that was pretty realistic.

I started to watch Station 19, but couldn't deal with the manufactured drama. Gave up after a couple of episodes.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I forgot to add, the most realistic show I’ve seen about firefighting was Rescue Me.

I loved that show.

corvette

The wind noise in the Tahoe is coming from the top of the windshield. I covered various areas with blue painter's tape and took it for test drives this afternoon. Should be an easy fix, since there's a rubber seal that runs across the entire top of the windshield (although mine appears to be intact).

None of the GM parts sites will give a part number. It's there on the diagram, but not listed in the parts list below. I found one site that claimed to have a generic replacement, but it's out of stock.

I'm thinking either I call the local glass company I use (although they've never worked on this vehicle) and see if they can take a look at it and replace the seal, or failing that, I could just fill the area with black RTV. Any thoughts?

Mr_Shiftright

Just use a clear LATEX sealant that is water soluble (until cured). It cleans up with a wet cloth very easily--you can just work it in with your wet finger and wipe away the excess. RTV silicone is very messy and if the RTV sealant doesn't work you have to deal with getting rid of it.

imidazol97

corvette said:

I'm thinking either I call the local glass company I use (although they've never worked on this vehicle) and see if they can take a look at it and replace the seal, or failing that, I could just fill the area with black RTV. Any thoughts?

If you're hearing the air, does that mean the air is coming past the glass and in or out of the car? That says the glass isn't sealed to the rubber material it should have stuck to. Since the glass is a part of the vehicle structural strength during an accident. a poor seal to the framing is a weakness.

I'd ask a glass company to look at it. They might just need to remove the glass and then replace with a proper seal.

The glass on my 08 Cobalt was being replaced and the repairman pointed out a couple of spots where it hadn't correctly sealed down. He said it would have started leaking eventually. He said that the sealer was put down at the factory and time before the windshield was put in place was too long causing it not to seal right.

corvette

Hmm... it’s just a whistle noise, it doesn’t sound like it’s coming past the glass. But I may get the glass company to check it out if they’re willing to give a second opinion on someone else’s work (it looks like the windshield was replaced by the previous owner). 

28firefighter

https://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=483763111

This seems like a lot of car for the money. 

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

https://m.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=483763111

This seems like a lot of car for the money. 

Should be able to knock another $2k off.

seems like too much power for FWD, but this reviewer didn't seem to mind:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.motortrend.com/cars/volvo/s60/2015/2015-volvo-s60-t6-drive-e-first-test/amp/

28firefighter

I was thinking that price certified should do it. 

28firefighter

Saab goes in today for surgery to get it all mechanically sorted. When it comes back, I'll replace a cracked mirror housing cover, a broken piece of door stripping, and then will have it taken to a Saab collision specialist to take a look at the fender and bumper cover. After that, I plan to spend a weekend washing, polishing and waxing.

laurasdada

Sandy, good luck with life decisions. Poor {no?} communication was a big factor in the end of my marriage (her choice, not mine). That, and her past issues, which she kept buried.

Driving my Dad's Mazda6 while in LA. Nice, but not nearly as solid (or heavy!) as my XF as I feel/hear everytime I shut the door.

Sandman6472

The atmosphere is getting a bit toxic unfortunately, can't wait till I can drive so I can get out a bit. Did some research and it said many folks are driving within a week of surgery. Wednesday will be two weeks but still a bit exhausted. Plan is to try and venture out on Thursday morning after I try to shower. The plastic chair is in our shower so at least I can sit while I wash myself. I need to feel clean before doing anything. Have a doctor appointment come Wednesday just to check up on the surgery.
Hope to be in the car on Thursday as think a change of scenery will do wonders for us both. Need to try and control my snarky answers but even opening a small bar of soap from a hotel turned into a 5 minute tirade about why and what about the old soap...it's just exhausting. The "circling" needs to stop to be honest, the endless questions about the same topic where the answer is always the same is getting annoying. Isn't that the definition of insane where one asks the same question in a slightly different way expecting a different answer but the answer never changes...1 + 1 will always equal 2 no matter how many ways it's asked!!
Must be getting better as I'm starting to chuckle now, and my appetite is back. Must be a sign from G-d that I'm gonna be just fine!!!
Thanks for letting me vent here a bit, nice to know that no ones life is perfect. I've held up a facade for so long that it's liberating to finally be able to say that no, my personal life is so screwed up and I need to change it, like now. The biggest joke is that the kids already know our marriage is in deep trouble, they all say I need to either fix it or end it! Wow, who knew they were so smart here!!

The Healing Sandman

suydam

So sorry you’re going Ihrough this when you’ve suffered a real health blow. I can’t imagine going through a serious health crisis without a supportive partner. I hope things improve, both health and happiness!

stickguy

I think that it is pretty common that a serious medical issue will rip things apart if there are already cracks. The stress causes it. Probably similar issue when people retire, when they have been dealing with conflict by largely staying apart thanks to work.

regardless of outcome, finally getting the truth dumped on the table and talked about is liberating.

roadburner

sandman_6472 said:

The atmosphere is getting a bit toxic unfortunately, can't wait till I can drive so I can get out a bit. Did some research and it said many folks are driving within a week of surgery. Wednesday will be two weeks but still a bit exhausted. Plan is to try and venture out on Thursday morning after I try to shower. The plastic chair is in our shower so at least I can sit while I wash myself. I need to feel clean before doing anything. Have a doctor appointment come Wednesday just to check up on the surgery.
Hope to be in the car on Thursday as think a change of scenery will do wonders for us both. Need to try and control my snarky answers but even opening a small bar of soap from a hotel turned into a 5 minute tirade about why and what about the old soap...it's just exhausting. The "circling" needs to stop to be honest, the endless questions about the same topic where the answer is always the same is getting annoying. Isn't that the definition of insane where one asks the same question in a slightly different way expecting a different answer but the answer never changes...1 + 1 will always equal 2 no matter how many ways it's asked!!
Must be getting better as I'm starting to chuckle now, and my appetite is back. Must be a sign from G-d that I'm gonna be just fine!!!
Thanks for letting me vent here a bit, nice to know that no ones life is perfect. I've held up a facade for so long that it's liberating to finally be able to say that no, my personal life is so screwed up and I need to change it, like now. The biggest joke is that the kids already know our marriage is in deep trouble, they all say I need to either fix it or end it! Wow, who knew they were so smart here!!

The Healing Sandman

I am so sorry you are having to endure so much at this time; I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

suydam

Driving within a week of what kind of surgery? After my transplant I think it was a month before I got behind the wheel. In your case it isn’t just the surgery but the severe illness that led up to it. I know you want to get out there, but you don’t want to be a danger to yourself or others. Take it slow.

carnaught

@sandman_6472, just take care of yourself, stay positive and use the time for serious soul-searching.....thoughts and prayers for you.

Sandman6472

The gall bladder was taken out two weeks tomorrow so once the dizziness stops, driving should b doable. But not going to push it and will try on Thursday. I’ll know soon enough as I start down our street. And if I feel the least bit bad, will just turn around and come home. Just plan to pick up some groceries and if not, just some fast food to bring home. Nothing major but need to start somewhere and go from there.

The Sandman

sb55

My daughter has a punch. She bought a 2014 Kia Soul + with 90K miles. The original price was $8998.00 and they knocked off $1000.00, so the final was $7998.00. @qbrozen thought that the original price was OK, so I feel good that she got an extra discount.
This is her 1st car even though she's 31 years old. After she graduated college she worked for a year while living with us and driving one of our cars. Then she spent 3 years in Africa while in the Peace Corps and 6 months travelling. When she got home, she and 2 other Peace Corps volunteers moved to Brooklyn, NY. She worked full time and got a master's degree (MSW). She never needed a car, but just moved up to the Albany NY area, so a car is now necessary.
I'm proud of her because she did all of the negotiating on her own (with a lot of texts between us back and forth while in the dealer).
She even got the finance rate down from 5.9% to 3.9% when the F&I guy tried to strong arm her.
Go girl!

tbirdmarco

Nice nice s d a happy for her 

tbirdmarco

 Hear for you hamg in there and do what you have to do  Sand man  we are all   

xwesx

Sounds like she did really well, SB! What is the state of your Airstream?

sb55

xwesx said:

Sounds like she did really well, SB! What is the state of your Airstream?

Thanks for asking.
The Airstream is still at the factory in Ohio getting fixed, but it should be finished being repaired this week.
I’m still arguing with the insurance company of the driver who hit me to ship it back to me. It will cost $1365.00 to ship it, or 1600 miles and 4 days of my time (that I don’t have) to get it. Their original offer was $200.00 compensation. I declined. Just today they upped it to $650.00. 
They say final offer. But, I complained to the State insurance board, so I think they are feeling some pressure. We’ll see.....

xwesx

sb55 said:

Thanks for asking.
The Airstream is still at the factory in Ohio getting fixed, but it should be finished being repaired this week.
I’m still arguing with the insurance company of the driver who hit me to ship it back to me. It will cost $1365.00 to ship it, or 1600 miles and 4 days of my time (that I don’t have) to get it. Their original offer was $200.00 compensation. I declined. Just today they upped it to $650.00. 
They say final offer. But, I complained to the State insurance board, so I think they are feeling some pressure. We’ll see.....

I'm not sure why they are balking so much about it. Your request seems quite reasonable considering that, from what I understand, the trailer would need to be sent there for the repairs regardless.... and you delivered it there "free of charge" to the at-fault's carrier. As such, they're getting a 50% off deal on the transport anyway!

sb55

xwesx said:

Thanks for asking.
The Airstream is still at the factory in Ohio getting fixed, but it should be finished being repaired this week.
I’m still arguing with the insurance company of the driver who hit me to ship it back to me. It will cost $1365.00 to ship it, or 1600 miles and 4 days of my time (that I don’t have) to get it. Their original offer was $200.00 compensation. I declined. Just today they upped it to $650.00. 
They say final offer. But, I complained to the State insurance board, so I think they are feeling some pressure. We’ll see.....

I'm not sure why they are balking so much about it. Your request seems quite reasonable considering that, from what I understand, the trailer would need to be sent there for the repairs regardless.... and you delivered it there "free of charge" to the at-fault's carrier. As such, they're getting a 50% off deal on the transport anyway!

They claim that it was my choice to bring it to the factory and that I might have found someone closer to my home. Coincidentally I was going to Ohio anyway. Yes, it was my choice. Because, it is the best place to get it repaired!  Local RV dealers can’t fix it. 

andres3

Insurance companies tend to act like entitled spoiled babies when a claim comes up. They act like everyone should be driving an econo-crap-box around when it's time to pay the piper for their insured's negligence!

The arrogance and attitude of "how dare you drive around in a brand new Audi" that has AWD and expensive parts. I've heard horror stories from R8 owners of attitudes like "if you can afford the R8 you can afford to fix it yourself!" from the at-fault insured's.

For the record, my viewpoint is the opposite. My view is if you don't like having to pay $100,000 in repair costs you better drive in a manner that doesn't involve colliding with and damaging expensive cars.

xwesx

sb55 said:

They claim that it was my choice to bring it to the factory and that I might have found someone closer to my home. Coincidentally I was going to Ohio anyway. Yes, it was my choice. Because, it is the best place to get it repaired!  Local RV dealers can’t fix it. 

Maybe if you can get a statement from your local dealer (wherever you bought it, etc.) that they were unable to repair it properly due to the nature of the damage, the SS shell, or whatever, that may have some influence to your benefit? Also, the distance itself is not the greatest factor in the shipping. For example, having a car (or trailer) shipped from Ohio to Alaska is not proportionally as expensive (e.g., a per-mile basis) as shipping it from Ohio to Vermont, so if you would have needed to ship it at all (even if a lot closer than Ohio), it would probably cost more than their $600+ offer.

stickguy

was out today with the princess, so we chatted about cars. Gotta plan our looking.

Keep going back and forth on what to do. I was driving the RDX a lot the last week (took it to NC for graduation, and today to do dog transport). It does drive nice, but man, the tech stuff is old school! No way to integrate Navigation is hard to get used to after having it on my Hyundais, and Carplay now. So probably should just keep it, but I really don't want to make it the primary car again.

so, moving the Elantra to the kid, then trading in/selling the RDX would let us get a new CUV for the wife. A CRV level should suffice, but likely something nicer. X3, V60 or XC60, RDX (new style), something like that. Her car, but used for trips and when out together. I would then get something cheap just to have a spare.

much more complicated of course than just replacing the Jetta with another cheap lease. But, end up with a nicer car too! So need to get out to look with the wife too.

OK, I admit it. I just want to go looking at as many cars as possible!

Sandman6472

Seems to me no one wants the ole Jetta. To bad the kid won’t take the Hyundai off your hands with you keeping the Jetta for say another year and getting the wife a new ride. This way, the wife will be happy to get something new, your kid also gets something new with the Hyundai and since you don’t drive much, you keep the Jetta for another year and then re-visit your driving situation in a year right before the Jetta goes back. Seems to me that making “the girls” happy and in new vehicles could be a great way to keep the peace. The Jetta has some tech so you won’t be totally old school and when you travel with the wife, the latest tech is there. Seems like a win/win/win with you making the biggest sacrifice this year but next year it’ll be your turn. Less money laid out overall and most importantly, the girls both get new vehicles and you look like a hero!!
Seems to me you can’t lose in this scenario...you come out looking like the good guy!

The Sandman

28firefighter

sandman_6472 said:

Seems to me no one wants the ole Jetta. To bad the kid won’t take the Hyundai off your hands with you keeping the Jetta for say another year and getting the wife a new ride. This way, the wife will be happy to get something new, your kid also gets something new with the Hyundai and since you don’t drive much, you keep the Jetta for another year and then re-visit your driving situation in a year right before the Jetta goes back. Seems to me that making “the girls” happy and in new vehicles could be a great way to keep the peace. The Jetta has some tech so you won’t be totally old school and when you travel with the wife, the latest tech is there. Seems like a win/win/win with you making the biggest sacrifice this year but next year it’ll be your turn. Less money laid out overall and most importantly, the girls both get new vehicles and you look like a hero!! Seems to me you can’t lose in this scenario...you come out looking like the good guy! The Sandman

The Jetta is a lease and needs to go back. I think @stickguy only has it for another couple of months. 

Sandman6472

Was under the impression they could keep it for another year if necessary. My bad if I got this point wrong. Either way, keeping the girls happy is still the basis for my post. Since Stick doesn’t drive much at all, gotta be a way around this while both girls getting into new vehicles even if it means he and the wife share for a bit or him picking up a temp beater for a few months. Just depends how much he wants to compromise here. But think they’ll find the perfect solution and all three will be happy. If not, what’s the point!!!

The Sandman

tbirdmarco

 Sorry to hear about insurance give you a hard time is the egg that’s what they do and we pay all this money or year 

tbirdmarco

 Keep on fighting SDE you bought it to the best place to get it fixed 

tbirdmarco

 Stick guy sounds like ground and ice plan in place when does the poor looking start this weekend? 

stickguy

Jetta lease is up 7/3. I can extend it a few months but don’t plan to. I would also have to reregister it 8/1 so extra expense there.

No real time pressure. I can send it back and just share the 2 cars among the 3 of us for a bit.

I am leaning toward a cheaper used car instead of a cheap lease for me. Not sure I want to lock into 3 years that way. Would rather get something nice, with a lease to buy plan.

I either need a nice car for me that will become the everyday and travel car, or a pay cash unit so I can upgrade the wife’s ride.

stickguy

Did get a mailer from Lexus dealer. Get a $75 gift card for test driving new RX350l model. Yes, we are going!

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Did get a mailer from Lexus dealer. Get a $75 gift card for test driving new RX350l model. Yes, we are going!

Good lease offers on that model. But it looks like it has horrible rear visibility.

You probably already know this, but Costco has a $3000 extra incentive on some Volvos right now....

"VOLVO SPECIAL OFFER
Purchase or lease an eligible, new Volvo May 1, 2018 – July 2, 2018 to receive:*
Volvo Employee Pricing
Costco member incentives
$3,000 incentive on a 2018 S90, V90 & V90 Cross Country
$750 incentive on a 2018 XC90 & XC60
Additional national Volvo incentives for which you qualify
Plus, receive a $250 Costco Cash Card after completing a Costco Auto Program survey"

stickguy

too bad I am not a Costco member. Not one close enough to me to make it useful.

Latest working plan I think is the simple route. See if I can score another killer lease on a replacement 2019 Jetta for her, and keep what I got for now. She would look at it as a lease to buy out at the end deal. Probably.

what that leaves for me, who knows. But probably driving my wife nuts with my scheme of the week!

This of course, is all subject to change.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

This of course, is all subject to change.

Welcome to my world!

stickguy

I'm just getting antsy. even though I did just buy a car last October. I think the paid off equity in the RDX is burning a hole in my pocket!

what I really need is to stumble over some killer X1 loaner lease deal, which I am sure my wife would be OK driving, then Carmax the RDX to get the cash to pay off the Elantra. That way still just one payment. Or trade the Elantra in on the lease (I assume that still offsets the sales tax?)

or I should just stop thinking about this stuff!

first step is a stop at the VW dealer to drive a new Jetta. See how in love we are with it. If the daughter really wants one, can start the song and dance to find a lease payment that works. Will actually save some money that way. She gets recent college graduate bonus, I save on the lease turn in fee, and I think there is a returning customer bonus too. With all that going on, should be able to get a new SE for what we are paying on the sport, if I work at it.

she would like that low payment, and in 3 years, can just buy it out, and still have 3 years of warranty left.

probably easier than me selling her the elantra at a discount. If I really want something else, could just sell it or trade it in instead!

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

This of course, is all subject to change.

Welcome to my world!

Speaking of, you need to update your signature line sir. Is your Saab the only punch of the month?

@corvette

How are we doing on punches as we are almost 1/2 way through 2018? How are we doing compared to last year? We have shareholders to answer to ya know.