Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

henryn said:

When I hear a BMW 4 cylinder accelerating, I think of a Singer sewing machine. Very strange sound. 

Our new CR-V turbo does sound a bit like a roaring sewing machine. Turbos in general sound less refined imho. That's something I like about our new Acura—the engine and transmission make a very nice sound.

I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't gone the route taken by Ford on their turbo vehicles -- generate pleasing exhaust sounds and play them through the speakers.

Why not go the route of manufacturers like Subaru, Volvo, Saab, and Alfa and make the actual exhaust note pleasing?

tjc78

qbrozen said:

henryn said:

When I hear a BMW 4 cylinder accelerating, I think of a Singer sewing machine. Very strange sound. 

Our new CR-V turbo does sound a bit like a roaring sewing machine. Turbos in general sound less refined imho. That's something I like about our new Acura—the engine and transmission make a very nice sound.

I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't gone the route taken by Ford on their turbo vehicles -- generate pleasing exhaust sounds and play them through the speakers.

Why not go the route of manufacturers like Subaru, Volvo, Saab, and Alfa and make the actual exhaust note pleasing?

Probably cheaper.  

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

henryn said:

When I hear a BMW 4 cylinder accelerating, I think of a Singer sewing machine. Very strange sound. 

Our new CR-V turbo does sound a bit like a roaring sewing machine. Turbos in general sound less refined imho. That's something I like about our new Acura—the engine and transmission make a very nice sound.

I'm surprised more manufacturers haven't gone the route taken by Ford on their turbo vehicles -- generate pleasing exhaust sounds and play them through the speakers.

Why not go the route of manufacturers like Subaru, Volvo, Saab, and Alfa and make the actual exhaust note pleasing?

Well, maybe Saab is not the best example of the best marketing and success...

ronsteve

sda said:

I don’t think the VCM in our Pilot has made a measurable difference in mpg. Often when the ECO light comes on it is accompanied by a low frequency shudder/vibration which is a little annoying. It will often switch between all cylinders and ECO, which feels like a subtle transmission shift. Gas mileage on trips is typically 21-22, and very rarely 23+ per the trip computer, in reality, less.

The MPG is what it is, so hard to speculate on the VCM making a difference there. The "subtle shift" on those transitions is what is most noticeable to me, almost like it's slipping the TC a little bit while it's switching modes.

breld

tbirdmarco said:

What is everyone up to for New Year’s Eve  not up to much this year

Hey Marco! Not much going on in our household - my 15 year old son got invited to a friend's house (sort of a double date thing ) and of course, our 20 year old is going out with her boyfriend. So goes the holidays as the kids are getting older!

So for the wife and I, and with two of our boys, I think the plan is ordering in chinese food and watching some movies - I'm thinking "I Am Legend" and the new "Mission Impossible" flick. Oh, no one parties like we do.

breld

I took @michaell and @jpp5862 over to look at a couple houses we're considering for our upcoming move in 2019. Funny enough, they liked the one with the 4 car garage.

Okay, there were a lot of other reasons to like that house, but the extra car storage doesn't hurt. We put an offer in on it yesterday, so we'll see. Our offer is a bit low, but doesn't hurt to ask. Kinda like car shopping!

Of course, the 4 car garage thing is a bit ironic. That home comes at a price that could impact the car budget, at least for the time being.

Drivingfool

I plan to go talk to the builder of the model house I really like to see what their selling time frame is. It's got a lot of the upgrades already done so that's a big + for me. Doesn't hurt to ask to be honest. An end of 2019 time frame would really be ideal for me as I'll be retired again but it'll just have to depend on the price they want for it. Now, getting the wife to agree is another issue as she's not wanting to go there exactly. But I think once she sees it, and if we could get it furnished like it is now, that might help. For some reason, most model homes are decorated perfectly unlike the ragamuffin style we currently have. Totally agree with folks that do have the $, getting a designer just makes sense to get a super nice house. I look for comfort as I want to live in my house. Hate to have rooms that we don't use because they're to nicely decorated.
New Years we usually grab a bite out and then stay off the roads. Folks get a bit crazy that night and do not want to encounter any drunk drivers. Hoping to get off around 2 tomorrow as we're starting at 6:30 to get a jump on getting vehicles. Luckily, stores stay open both tomorrow and on New Years day so we can do anything and everything we want.

henryn

I think I have mentioned before that I am an amateur DJ. I am working a private party for NYE, about 50 people, fairly large party room at an upscale condo over by the Medical Center. This will be the third year I have done a NYE party for this group.

Most everyone is in my age bracket (50's and 60's), so they tend to like the music I like, which makes it much easier. I really can't handle a young crowd, as I don't listen to the music they like, so I'm not familiar with it.

Mr_Shiftright

Trends in pop music have been thoroughly analyzed by musicologists for harmony, complexity, timbre, lyrics, instrumentation, originality, etc. and the overwhelming conclusion is that popular music is getting worse and worse.

corvette

You're not going to play anything by my girlfriend, Taylor Swift, henryn?

tjc78

corvette said:

You're not going to play anything by my girlfriend, Taylor Swift, henryn?

My wife has an intense dislike for her... not quite sure why but every time she is on the radio the station gets changed immediately 

au1994

Any pending punches to close out the year? Probably a slow day today but there’s always tomorrow!

Happy New Year to all. I don’t post as much as others but I enjoy our little community here. I hope 2019 is a safe and prosperous one for all of you.

I don’t see any punches for us in 2019 unless something really goes off the rails and my wife decides she can’t stand the X1.

For our group, I’ll guess low and say 38 punches for the year. In a down year @breld will only be responsible for 4 of those!

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

Trends in pop music have been thoroughly analyzed by musicologists for harmony, complexity, timbre, lyrics, instrumentation, originality, etc. and the overwhelming conclusion is that popular music is getting worse and worse.

There is a funny satirical thread on Twitter right now comparing the performance at Woodstock 1969 to those at the 1999 version. It is hilarious to see how bad they newer performances and songwriting were.

au1994

Mr_Shiftright said:

Trends in pop music have been thoroughly analyzed by musicologists for harmony, complexity, timbre, lyrics, instrumentation, originality, etc. and the overwhelming conclusion is that popular music is getting worse and worse.

Ah yes, a sticky subject around my house. I think pop music lost me way back in the 80’s. I discovered metal and hair metal in my rebellious teen years, lots of different stuff in college. Think REM and obscure bands that probably aren’t around anymore. Some of the grunge stuff was ok. I like Pearl Jam for instance. I’m mostly a ‘classic rock’ guy now. A little other stuff sprinkled in like upbeat country which is just southern rock. Not the crying in your beer, my wife left me and my dog died country.

What I cannot stand is rap and hip hop which is exactly what the (almost) 13 year old loves. It makes me want to stick a screwdriver in my ear. His mom will tolerate it to an extent and listens to some of it at the gym.

It makes trips in the car a a bit of a challenge. I’ll listen to sports talk radio but that doesn’t sit well with everyone else. Luckily there is a local station who’s motto is ‘we play everything’ and the mean it. Taylor Swift followed by Van Halen followed by Prince.

roadburner

au1994 said:

What I cannot stand is rap and hip hop which is exactly what the (almost) 13 year old loves. It makes me want to stick a screwdriver in my ear. His mom will tolerate it to an extent and listens to some of it at the gym.

It makes trips in the car a a bit of a challenge. I’ll listen to sports talk radio but that doesn’t sit well with everyone else. Luckily there is a local station who’s motto is ‘we play everything’ and the mean it. Taylor Swift followed by Van Halen followed by Prince.

In the '70s and '80s I gravitated to Punk/New Wave/Alternative bands. In law school we put on the Libel Show- a comedy/music production; the last two year we put together a punk band. Fortunately video cameras weren't around then- if they had been I couldn't get elected dog catcher.

When I was a teenager 99.999% of the big arguments I had with my father involved the music I listened to; he hated rock and R&B. As a result I vowed to not repeat that with my son- and I didn't. My son likes Hip Hop and Rap, but he also likes rock, alternative, country, and Sinatra. Funny thing, when my son was in middle school he was playing Guitar Hero; he ran upstairs and asked me if I had heard of the Sex Pistols.. I immediately showed him my vinyl copy of "Never Mind the Bollocks. Here's the Sex Pistols"
My wife just put her face in her hands...

Mr_Shiftright

Newer music is appealing to young people because it remains so familiar to them. Many songs have very similar riffs like the three note drop and rise---the woe-oh-woe or whatever you want to call it. So a kid has nothing to really challenge them to listen to new things. Real musical geniuses re-create their audiences I think, not just make them feel comfortable.

henryn

au1994 said:

Ah yes, a sticky subject around my house. I think pop music lost me way back in the 80’s. I discovered metal and hair metal in my rebellious teen years, lots of different stuff in college. Think REM and obscure bands that probably aren’t around anymore. Some of the grunge stuff was ok. I like Pearl Jam for instance. I’m mostly a ‘classic rock’ guy now. A little other stuff sprinkled in like upbeat country which is just southern rock. Not the crying in your beer, my wife left me and my dog died country.

I play a little country and western, carefully selected. For instance, the "perfect country and western song" – David Alan Coe, “You Never Even Call Me By My Name”. If I catch the crowd at the right time (usually after a few drinks), I can almost always have them on their feet singing along with that one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAOVRkSCWmg

Followed, of course, by Garth Brooks – “Friends In Low Places”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvCgSqPZ4EM

And when I do a party with multiple generations present, there are a few perennial favorites:

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo

Iggy Pop – Real Wild Child

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=def3ob2h-1s

au1994

henryn said:

au1994 said:

Ah yes, a sticky subject around my house. I think pop music lost me way back in the 80’s. I discovered metal and hair metal in my rebellious teen years, lots of different stuff in college. Think REM and obscure bands that probably aren’t around anymore. Some of the grunge stuff was ok. I like Pearl Jam for instance. I’m mostly a ‘classic rock’ guy now. A little other stuff sprinkled in like upbeat country which is just southern rock. Not the crying in your beer, my wife left me and my dog died country.

I play a little country and western, carefully selected. For instance, the "perfect country and western song" – David Alan Coe, “You Never Even Call Me By My Name”. If I catch the crowd at the right time (usually after a few drinks), I can almost always have them on their feet singing along with that one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAOVRkSCWmg

Followed, of course, by Garth Brooks – “Friends In Low Places”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvCgSqPZ4EM

And when I do a party with multiple generations present, there are a few perennial favorites:

MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otCpCn0l4Wo

Iggy Pop – Real Wild Child

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=def3ob2h-1s

David Allan Coe at the War Eagle Supper Club in 1994 was a memorable show.

I heard Don’t Stop Believin’ on the way home from running errands today. Hard not to crank that one up and I’d bet it gets everyone singing along if you play it.

Mr_Shiftright

I think I could write 10 decent C&W songs in a day. I know they call it the "white man's blues" and I get that, but it is incredibly repetitious in musical structure. Of course, there are exceptions, like this one from David Frizzell.

"She said: "I'm gonna' hire a wino to decorate our home
"So you'll feel more at ease here, and you won't have to roam
"We'll take out the dining room table, and put a bar along that wall
"And a neon sign, to point the way, to our bathroom down the hall."

au1994

roadburner said:

au1994 said:

What I cannot stand is rap and hip hop which is exactly what the (almost) 13 year old loves. It makes me want to stick a screwdriver in my ear. His mom will tolerate it to an extent and listens to some of it at the gym.

It makes trips in the car a a bit of a challenge. I’ll listen to sports talk radio but that doesn’t sit well with everyone else. Luckily there is a local station who’s motto is ‘we play everything’ and the mean it. Taylor Swift followed by Van Halen followed by Prince.

In the '70s and '80s I gravitated to Punk/New Wave/Alternative bands. In law school we put on the Libel Show- a comedy/music production; the last two year we put together a punk band. Fortunately video cameras weren't around then- if they had been I couldn't get elected dog catcher.

When I was a teenager 99.999% of the big arguments I had with my father involved the music I listened to; he hated rock and R&B. As a result I vowed to not repeat that with my son- and I didn't. My son likes Hip Hop and Rap, but he also likes rock, alternative, country, and Sinatra. Funny thing, when my son was in middle school he was playing Guitar Hero; he ran upstairs and asked me if I had heard of the Sex Pistols.. I immediately showed him my vinyl copy of "Never Mind the Bollocks. Here's the Sex Pistols"
My wife just put her face in her hands...

Point well taken and I try to not get ugly about it, grin and bear it etc. Let a song or 2 play and then suggest something else as he will listen to other stuff. When it s a solid hour of it is when Mr Nice Guy flies out the window.

Mr_Shiftright

Best disco tune EVER:

Nights on Broadway (Bee Gees)

au1994

It’s gotten a chessey reputation but all of The Bee Gees work on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack is great.

As a group, they were so much more than that album alone.

Mr_Shiftright

OK, let's get back to business. Who's going to buy a car before the Dec. 31 deadline?

Michaell

Not me. Surprisingly, I really like my Jetta.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

Best disco tune EVER:

Nights on Broadway (Bee Gees)

I would respectfully disagree and offer THIS in its place.

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

OK, let's get back to business. Who's going to buy a car before the Dec. 31 deadline?

Can you find me a Charger scatpack for $300/mo with $0 due at signing by tomorrow?

benjaminh

Mr_Shiftright said:

OK, let's get back to business. Who's going to buy a car before the Dec. 31 deadline?

@sda ?

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

Newer music is appealing to young people because it remains so familiar to them. Many songs have very similar riffs like the three note drop and rise---the woe-oh-woe or whatever you want to call it. So a kid has nothing to really challenge them to listen to new things. Real musical geniuses re-create their audiences I think, not just make them feel comfortable.

In the ‘70s and ‘80s I liked a lot of different kinds of music and these days it makes me sad that there really aren’t any groups doing stuff like this:

September by EWF

Aside from the musical talent in writing, arranging and performing the song, I miss these kind of performance stage acts. They had a dozen people on stage singing, dancing, playing and just putting on a show to entertain you. Just fabulous.

stickguy

I am probably out. Have not even gotten my welcome statement from the finance company yet, or my license plates.

Hmm, I wonder what Carvana would give me for it?

stickguy

I finally saw Bohemian Rhapsody last night. Quite good. Now that was a band with interesting songs, and put on a fabulous show.

28firefighter

I think three punches in a year is more than adequate. I’m out...

benjaminh

With two this year I'm probably out for the next 5.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

OK, let's get back to business. Who's going to buy a car before the Dec. 31 deadline?

Can you find me a Charger scatpack for $300/mo with $0 due at signing by tomorrow?

Er.......not a chance. Maybe $375.

suydam

I’ll have to do something about the Volt as the lease will be up in Dec.
As to music, my parents hated our music and insisted it was a fad. My kids love music from that era as well as their own, which makes for a nice bond across generations. I’ve made a conscious attempt to listen to new music and to appreciate what they like too. I vowed never to be like my parents and refuse to acknowledge or put down anything unfamiliar. It will be fun this summer to see the variety of music we will dance to for my daighter’s Wedding!

pensfan83

Not here. The flirtation with the Jeep was just that.

Mr_Shiftright

suydam said:

I’ll have to do something about the Volt as the lease will be up in Dec.
As to music, my parents hated our music and insisted it was a fad. My kids love music from that era as well as their own, which makes for a nice bond across generations. I’ve made a conscious attempt to listen to new music and to appreciate what they like too. I vowed never to be like my parents and refuse to acknowledge or put down anything unfamiliar. It will be fun this summer to see the variety of music we will dance to for my daighter’s Wedding!

It's entirely possible to thoroughly enjoy bad music.

cdnpinhead

I began listening to music seriously (if there is such a thing) in the summer of '62. From then until about '81 I listened constantly to what was on the radio -- I could tell within a month or two when any song was most popular. This was generally when Top 40 radio stations were up and running and, of course, those days are long gone.

Either way, I think any current music makes a big impression on people who are beginning their independent lives, and no matter what anyone else thinks of it, it matters to them.

I spent about two and a half years driving a truck all over the country from '77 to '80, and that music (much of which was disco) is going to live with me forever, for better or worse -- Stayin' Alive, and all.

suydam

No it’s not.

sda

benjaminh said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

OK, let's get back to business. Who's going to buy a car before the Dec. 31 deadline?

@sda ?

benjaminh said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

OK, let's get back to business. Who's going to buy a car before the Dec. 31 deadline?

@sda ?

I am always looking. Unfortunately another car for me is not in the near future.

qbrozen

3 was enough for me for a while, too.

tbirdmarco

Breld sounds like an nice New Year’s Eve to me. 

tbirdmarco

good luck on the house that you and the wife put an offer onType your comment

tbirdmarco

Driving fool and others sounds like you all have an nice New Years  eve going on in VA beach with the family going home on tuesday 

breld

10’s enough for me this year.  

I will say with great certainty that it will not be repeated.

Michaell

Even though I'm on record as not getting anything before the end of the year, it hasn't stopped me from looking.

I've answered over 600 lease questions from Wednesday to today, so I haven't had much time to post on some of the general topics.

I did manage to get away from my computer last week and take a test drive of a 2018 Mazda 6 GTR, with the 2.5 turbo engine.

You know how a fair number of test drives are of the "4 rights" type? This one was even less thorough than that. 8 miles - 4 miles up a road, a U-turn, and 4 miles back. I didn't push the issue with the salesman - I can always test drive again from a different dealer, if need be.

Anyway, the GTR I drove was dark blue with a tan interior. Very nice combination. Unfortunately, the swoopy styling of the 6 meant that I bumped my head getting in and out, and there wasn't a lot of room above my head - I brushed against the sunroof.

Interior is quite nice - Mazda does make some beautiful interiors. Everything is easy to find, and the seat is decently comfortable (though, not as comfortable as the TLX's I've tested). Power is good, what I was able to discern from the short drive. Hard to get a sense of the handling.

For a sticker price of $32K, it's a nice combination.

BUT … I still think I like the TLX more, even with the 4-cylinder sans turbo.

Regarding the preview of the possible @breld house, I liked the one with the 4 car garage not because of the garage, but because of the lot.

Though, having 4 covered spaces is a nice thing to have. We even decided which vehicles should be parked where, should it come to pass.

henryn

ab348 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Best disco tune EVER:

Nights on Broadway (Bee Gees)

I would respectfully disagree and offer THIS in its place.

Disco Inferno - not bad. But I can top that. This is the one that gets people dancing:

Wild Cherry - Play That Funky Music White Boy

Anyone else remember the movie Evolution with David Duchovny? They featured that song, and it was a great scene, a victory dance if you will. David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, and Seann William Scott riding in an open Jeep Wrangler, playing that song and singing after defeating the winged monster in the mall. A definite feel good moment.


But ... back on track. No purchase for me tomorrow. I don't have a place to park anything else, and I like the two vehicles I have right now, so ...

stickguy

I will say that the 4 banger in the TLX has quite a bit of pull. It feels more powerful than it is, and has a nice growl. Really feels like a bigger engine. And I have not really fully got on it yet.

I did figure out where the trip computer stuff (how to get to the MPG history). I just keep pushing buttons and scrolling though screens to see what I can find. Though it would be nice if the numbers I found were better. so far, not so good.

sda

It took several thousand miles before I got the best gas mileage. Even with the CVT the 2.4 has good pull and is decently quick.

tjc78

What were the final stats?

I had a big goose egg this year, but will have at least one next year for me and I have to negotiate something for my mom too. These are both late next year.  

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I will say that the 4 banger in the TLX has quite a bit of pull. It feels more powerful than it is, and has a nice growl. Really feels like a bigger engine. And I have not really fully got on it yet.

I did figure out where the trip computer stuff (how to get to the MPG history). I just keep pushing buttons and scrolling though screens to see what I can find. Though it would be nice if the numbers I found were better. so far, not so good.

Glad you finally got a chance to drive it a bit!