Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
How are your ribs doing?

Thanks for asking. Still bad, unfortunately. Worse today because I had a particularly bad “pop” during the night. Very hard to prevent that.

sda

@qbrozen, @ab348
I feel for both of you, what a miserable situation. Wishing you the best and quick recovery.

ab348

qbrozen said:

I’ll have to see what the online services would offer for one. Gotta love how the article specifically details $13.5k off but twice, including the heading, insist on sensationalizing that with “nearly 14k!” Shameful.

Cnet is pretty bad on all counts, and not just for the type of thing you noted. They do softball reviews on new vehicles from their most favoured brands on the automotive side. On tech and streaming services they are not much more than cheerleaders.

qbrozen

@ab348 said:
Maybe (if you are a Costco member while you still have the Camaro titled to you) you could pick up a Chevy Bolt:

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/costco-discount-auto-program-chevy-bolt-ev

Damn. Why did you have to post that? I wanted to try a Wrangler. But this looks like another potential flip. I see them being advertised for $23k. ALgo says they’ll pay $27.4k. No tax on EV in NJ, either.

henryn

Being the curious type, I looked it up. It sounds like there is not a lot known about "slipping rib syndrome", and not a lot of case histories to go by.

Slipping rib syndrome doesn’t result in any long-term damage or affect internal organs. The condition sometimes goes away on its own without treatment.

In more severe cases, a single intercostal nerve block can deliver permanent relief for some, but surgery may be needed if the pain is debilitating or doesn’t go away. Case studies have shown positive results after surgery, but only a few cases have been published.

I'm sure @qbrozen knows all of that, and more. Not exactly good news, but with a little luck the condition just might go away. I'm not the praying type, but I'm definitely sending you good wishes.

mjfloyd1

@henryn said:
Being the curious type, I looked it up. It sounds like there is not a lot known about "slipping rib syndrome", and not a lot of case histories to go by.
Slipping rib syndrome doesn’t result in any long-term damage or affect internal organs. The condition sometimes goes away on its own without treatment.

In more severe cases, a single intercostal nerve block can deliver permanent relief for some, but surgery may be needed if the pain is debilitating or doesn’t go away. Case studies have shown positive results after surgery, but only a few cases have been published.

I'm sure @qbrozen knows all of that, and more. Not exactly good news, but with a little luck the condition just might go away. I'm not the praying type, but I'm definitely sending you good wishes.

I’m thinking qbrozen will DIY the rib issue with epoxy 🤣

Michaell

mjfloyd1 said:

@henryn said:

Being the curious type, I looked it up. It sounds like there is not a lot known about "slipping rib syndrome", and not a lot of case histories to go by.

Slipping rib syndrome doesn’t result in any long-term damage or affect internal organs. The condition sometimes goes away on its own without treatment.

In more severe cases, a single intercostal nerve block can deliver permanent relief for some, but surgery may be needed if the pain is debilitating or doesn’t go away. Case studies have shown positive results after surgery, but only a few cases have been published.

I'm sure @qbrozen knows all of that, and more. Not exactly good news, but with a little luck the condition just might go away. I'm not the praying type, but I'm definitely sending you good wishes.

I’m thinking qbrozen will DIY the rib issue with epoxy 🤣

Only after he opens his chest cavity and leaves it that way for several weeks, until he gets around to the actual repair.

xwesx

And, while he has it open, might as well flip them side to side just to make sure that the one he thinks is the problem *is* the problem.

qbrozen

All fine ideas!!

corvette

xwesx said:

And, while he has it open, might as well flip them side to side just to make sure that the one he thinks is the problem *is* the problem.

Given that I'm near midlife and less inclined to DIY, I guess I should schedule a rib rotation at Discount Tire.

Michaell

corvette said:

xwesx said:

And, while he has it open, might as well flip them side to side just to make sure that the one he thinks is the problem *is* the problem.

Given that I'm near midlife and less inclined to DIY, I guess I should schedule a rib rotation at Discount Tire.

Speaking of which, I had the tires rotated and an alignment done on the Outback this afternoon.

Guess we are keeping it for the long haul, so investing some money into it is only prudent.

stickguy

you have the medium green, right? Someone in my neighborhood has the same car (green 3.0 H6). Always liked it. They also had IIRC and older Odyssey, but this week a new dark gray OB XT with a temp tag has been in the driveway. Definitely had to look close (and see the rear ends side by side) to notice that it was the new design model! Sharp looking car in that color.

28firefighter

AutoNation was the worst bid on the Outback. Came back at 29,5. Remember, CarMax was at 33,5.

Michaell

stickguy said:

you have the medium green, right? Someone in my neighborhood has the same car (green 3.0 H6). Always liked it. They also had IIRC and older Odyssey, but this week a new dark gray OB XT with a temp tag has been in the driveway. Definitely had to look close (and see the rear ends side by side) to notice that it was the new design model! Sharp looking car in that color.

Wilderness Green, and ours has the 3.6L H6

ab348

qbrozen said:

Damn. Why did you have to post that? I wanted to try a Wrangler. But this looks like another potential flip. I see them being advertised for $23k. ALgo says they’ll pay $27.4k. No tax on EV in NJ, either.

Predictably, the mouse has taken notice of the cheese...

nyccarguy

The plot thickens. As I told everybody, on Saturday the "Emission Systems Problem" message came up on the dash of our Pilot. Sunday, I started the car up, same thing. Monday too. Tuesday AM I take the Pilot to work and drop it off at the mechanic. The light is still on. The mechanic plugged his computer in, read the codes, told me the permanent code, & I made an appointment to bring the car to a Honda dealer tonight to have them diagnose and work on tomorrow. I left the mechanic and drove home. The light was still on. Since he told me it was the injectors that were the problem, I filled the Pilot up with 93. This AM, I fire up the Pilot to drive it to work and drop it off at the dealership on the way home. No Light. My wife calls. I tell her the light isn't on. She tells me: "You know, I noticed it wasn't on yesterday

I'm going to call the dealer. From what I've read, they won't replace the injectors under the open campaign if "the light isn't on." I'll call the mechanic and see what he says as well.

rayainsw

qbrozen: "Still bad, unfortunately."
I don't think I added my 2 cents worth here -
Hope you feel better soon -
and it does not become chronic...
- Ray
Luckily, still doing OK, physically

ab348

rayainsw said:

qbrozen: "Still bad, unfortunately."
I don't think I added my 2 cents worth here -
Hope you feel better soon -
and it does not become chronic...
- Ray
Luckily, still doing OK, physically

Meanwhile in Canada, home of universal free health care, I just phoned my family doctor's office for an appointment to get her to look at my sternum/shoulder issue and refer me to an orthopedist or someone else who could help.

She is booking 9 weeks out, so I see her at the end of July. Lovely.

imidazol97

ab348 said:

Meanwhile in Canada, home of universal free health care, I just phoned my family doctor's office for an appointment to get her to look at my sternum/shoulder issue and refer me to an orthopedist or someone else who could help.
She is booking 9 weeks out, so I see her at the end of July.
Lovely.

I wish you were here in this area. My wife just had MRI yestrday for year long shoulder pain after X-ray showed bone spur. The group advertises same day urgent care appointments. It's a Cincinnati group in GG's area (Beacon Ortho). On the way I heard an advertisement from another ortho group that they have same day appointments.

ab348

I keep telling myself that maybe by the end of July it will have healed itself. That is a common strategy used by health care in these parts.

graphicguy

sda said:

@qbrozen, @ab348
I feel for both of you, what a miserable situation. Wishing you the best and quick recovery.

+1. Get well soon!

graphicguy

Here’s the issue with having some time on my hands (not including incessantly reading what everyone here is saying), I’m thinking of doing a flip(s). Those deals on the Chevy Bolt look mighty intriguing. Not a fun flip like @qbrozen Camaro. But still, think I’ll do some research on some cars that seem to be a) in stock, and b) highly discounted. And see if there’s some quick money to be made. Any other suggestions of models?

mjfloyd1

Even creepier - exiting exoskeleton
Maybe qbrozen needs an exoskeleton??

corvette

Ugh... I made the mistake of rolling down the window the other day, and one of those flew into my shirt. I had to pull over to get it out!

kyfdx

imidazol97 said:

ab348 said:

Meanwhile in Canada, home of universal free health care, I just phoned my family doctor's office for an appointment to get her to look at my sternum/shoulder issue and refer me to an orthopedist or someone else who could help.
She is booking 9 weeks out, so I see her at the end of July.
Lovely.

I wish you were here in this area. My wife just had MRI yestrday for year long shoulder pain after X-ray showed bone spur. The group advertises same day urgent care appointments. It's a Cincinnati group in GG's area (Beacon Ortho). On the way I heard an advertisement from another ortho group that they have same day appointments.

They have to keep those MRI machines busy!
I recently had some work done at OrthoCincy.
Their contract with Cigna? $191 for a knee MRI. Not sure how they make any money that way.
(list price is $1210!)

henryn

I live about 2 or 3 miles from the Houston Medical Center, which is world famous (by most accounts). But it isn’t that easy to see a doctor. My PCP schedules about 3 weeks out, on average, for routine matters. Urgent matters they can usually do within 3 or 4 days. If I need to see a doctor, today, I go to an “urgent care clinic”.

My orthopedic schedules 6 weeks out. To see his PA (Physician’s Assistant), about 1 week out. I go roughly every 6 to 8 months for the Synvisc injections. So no, things aren’t automatically instantaneous here in the USA.

I believe I’ve mentioned before that I am well pleased with Medicare coverage. I understand that some people who live in more rural areas sometimes have problems with doctors or clinics who won’t accept Medicare, but that has never happened to me here in the big city.

fintail

The grass is always greener. System works fine here so long as you have money and/or a gilded insurance package, otherwise, don't get sick and don't get hurt! My experience doesn't have much same-day results either, unless you go to the ER - then open your wallet, because the mortgage-like actual plan cost + deductibles and copays isn't enough.

My mom has used Medicare for a couple years (she retired late just to keep her employer plan) and has no issues, other than thinking it is still too expensive. I think all of her providers take it, too (small town with a lot of retired people, probably a necessity).

henryn said:

I live about 2 or 3 miles from the Houston Medical Center, which is world famous (by most accounts). But it isn’t that easy to see a doctor. My PCP schedules about 3 weeks out, on average, for routine matters. Urgent matters they can usually do within 3 or 4 days. If I need to see a doctor, today, I go to an “urgent care clinic”.

My orthopedic schedules 6 weeks out. To see his PA (Physician’s Assistant), about 1 week out. I go roughly every 6 to 8 months for the Synvisc injections. So no, things aren’t automatically instantaneous here in the USA.

I believe I’ve mentioned before that I am well pleased with Medicare coverage. I understand that some people who live in more rural areas sometimes have problems with doctors or clinics who won’t accept Medicare, but that has never happened to me here in the big city.

henryn

fintail said:

The grass is always greener. System works fine here so long as you have money and/or a gilded insurance package, otherwise, don't get sick and don't get hurt! My experience doesn't have much same-day results either, unless you go to the ER - then open your wallet, because the mortgage-like actual plan cost + deductibles and copays isn't enough.

My mom has used Medicare for a couple years (she retired late just to keep her employer plan) and has no issues, other than thinking it is still too expensive. I think all of her providers take it, too (small town with a lot of retired people, probably a necessity).

"Expensive" is a relative term. The base rate for Medicare Part B in 2021 is $148.50. The majority of people pay that amount. I'm paying quite a bit more, based on my adjusted income for 2019. That should go down a bunch next year, as I am retired now. The Medicare Supplement Plan was $180 per month last year, and is going up to around $220 this year. The drug plan is costing me $19.50 on top of that. So I'm paying $560 per month, where most would pay about $390.

Still a bargain compared to private insurance. Especially when you consider that I was in the hospital twice last year, 6 days and 5 days, including surgery, and extensive outpatient and in-home medical care. And for all of that, including drugs, I was out of pocket maybe $1,000. And more than half of that was for a tier 3 drug, Eliquis (blood thinner). I could have gotten by with Warfarin which would have cost me almost nothing out of pocket, but my doctor strongly recommended Eliquis if I could afford it, which I can.

kyfdx

henryn said:

fintail said:

The grass is always greener. System works fine here so long as you have money and/or a gilded insurance package, otherwise, don't get sick and don't get hurt! My experience doesn't have much same-day results either, unless you go to the ER - then open your wallet, because the mortgage-like actual plan cost + deductibles and copays isn't enough.

My mom has used Medicare for a couple years (she retired late just to keep her employer plan) and has no issues, other than thinking it is still too expensive. I think all of her providers take it, too (small town with a lot of retired people, probably a necessity).

"Expensive" is a relative term. The base rate for Medicare Part B in 2021 is $148.50. The majority of people pay that amount. I'm paying quite a bit more, based on my adjusted income for 2019. That should go down a bunch next year, as I am retired now. The Medicare Supplement Plan was $180 per month last year, and is going up to around $220 this year. The drug plan is costing me $19.50 on top of that. So I'm paying $560 per month, where most would pay about $390.

Still a bargain compared to private insurance. Especially when you consider that I was in the hospital twice last year, 6 days and 5 days, including surgery, and extensive outpatient and in-home medical care. And for all of that, including drugs, I was out of pocket maybe $1,000. And more than half of that was for a tier 3 drug, Eliquis (blood thinner). I could have gotten by with Warfarin which would have cost me almost nothing out of pocket, but my doctor strongly recommended Eliquis if I could afford it, which I can.

It's funny.. 15-20 years ago, people complained about Medicare. Now, most people can't wait to get on it.
My friends would denigrate coverage, etc, but they really had no idea. I was the guardian for my mother, the last four years of her life. I noted to them that she has the same surgeon, at the same local hospital that my wife had. (and, a lot smaller bill, afterwards).

This is my wife's last year before Medicare. Her healthcare premiums are $1136/mo, including prescription coverage. That should drop to around $400/mo total on Medicare (as noted by @henryn )

explorerx4

I'm in the same boat as Henryn regarding how much I pay for Medicare($569). Some of that is due to my wife is still working and we filed jointly.
I was on COBRA for a month this year before switching to Medicare and that was $1,100.

xwesx

corvette said:

xwesx said:

And, while he has it open, might as well flip them side to side just to make sure that the one he thinks is the problem *is* the problem.

Given that I'm near midlife and less inclined to DIY, I guess I should schedule a rib rotation at Discount Tire.

I wouldn't mind doing that, assuming they're willing to keep the spare tire!

Sandman6472

Finally paid off my hospital bill from my 2018 gall bladder removal. Since I was 63 a the time, I was on the hook for about 15% of the bills. The total hospital bill, 14 days, came to almost $149K which I owed $4300. The hospital would not negotiate the bill since I wasn't poor as I was told. Did ask what if I couldn't afford to pay it, they said it would be written off. But since I could afford it, no 50 cents on the dollar or even 75 cents if I paid it off right then and there. Asked the guy hat's the lowest monthly payment I could make, he said $125/month. So, took just over 3 years and as of today, totally paid off. Now, if I were 65 at the time, my out of pocket cost would've been $0.00 but hey, such is life. I came within 24 hours of leaving this world the doctors told me so it all worked out fine. Sepsis is nothing to play around with I found out. Had pneumonia also and m liver was acting up as I got a bit of a yellow tinge to my skin. I was stubborn and thinking it was the flu, wouldn't go to the hospital until I passed out a few times. Wife found me on the kitchen floor at around 3:30 am with a bloody gash over my eye and totally incoherent so called the paramedics and the rest is history. Learned also that being stubborn like that isn't the way to go either so am totally thankful to be here now.
Life is so good and we're totally blessed, what else can I ever ask for??

Sandman6472

Still no part from Atlanta for the Accent. Waiting on a phone call now. Also, no oil change for the Golf. VW was a bit unreasonable so am going to Tires Plus next week. Why should express service take over 3 hours when one has an appointment? Figured maybe 90 minutes and then asked the guy if having an appointment was even necessary? He said not really as it goes in the same line. Totally confused. My regular S A couldn't help me now for just an oil change, their system changed with the pandemic it seems. If I had done the 60K service, she would've written me up but, said it could take a couple of days!! WTF!! A couple of days now? Batshit crazy if you ask me.
So, will just have T P do it, it'll be cheaper, they've done it a few times already and will rotate the tires for free, VW wanted to charge me an extra fee for that!!! Can wait another week really as I've driven less than 3K miles since the last one on 6/10/20. This pandemic has caused so many problems for us all, sure hoping it's over soon!!

henryn

Sandman6472 said:

Finally paid off my hospital bill from my 2018 gall bladder removal. Since I was 63 a the time, I was on the hook for about 15% of the bills. The total hospital bill, 14 days, came to almost $149K which I owed $4300. The hospital would not negotiate the bill since I wasn't poor as I was told. Did ask what if I couldn't afford to pay it, they said it would be written off. But since I could afford it, no 50 cents on the dollar or even 75 cents if I paid it off right then and there. Asked the guy hat's the lowest monthly payment I could make, he said $125/month. So, took just over 3 years and as of today, totally paid off. Now, if I were 65 at the time, my out of pocket cost would've been $0.00 but hey, such is life. I came within 24 hours of leaving this world the doctors told me so it all worked out fine. Sepsis is nothing to play around with I found out. Had pneumonia also and m liver was acting up as I got a bit of a yellow tinge to my skin. I was stubborn and thinking it was the flu, wouldn't go to the hospital until I passed out a few times. Wife found me on the kitchen floor at around 3:30 am with a bloody gash over my eye and totally incoherent so called the paramedics and the rest is history. Learned also that being stubborn like that isn't the way to go either so am totally thankful to be here now.
Life is so good and we're totally blessed, what else can I ever ask for??

Hmmm... 15% of $149,000 is $22,350, so you definitely weren't on the hook for 15%, more like 3%? At any rate, glad you survived and finally got the bill paid off. That is always a nice feeling.

Now, if I were 65 at the time, my out of pocket cost would've been $0.00 but hey, such is life.

There are all kinds of comments I would like to make on that one, but I will refrain, as it would be considered political. I don't think it should be political, but "it is what it is".

When I became sick in August of last year, I was much like you. I assumed it was Covid, and there wasn't much of anything they could do for Covid unless you became unable to breathe and needed oxygen or a ventilator. So I was stubborn, and tried to tough it out. Only unlike you I live alone, and there was no one to haul me to the hospital when I became completely incapacitated. A friend became concerned when I didn't answer texts or phone calls, and called the police to come and check on me. If not for her, I would have died.

Sandman6472

Stopped by my Toyota gig to give them a copy of my S S card and saw a few more new vehicles in the new car area. We passed a Ford dealer down in Sunrise yesterday who always used to line up their new vehicles by color. Could always see them from the Sawgrass Expressway as I drove to and from Hertz. Well yesterday, they had not one new vehicle lined up...not even one vehicle!! Amazing really as the supply of many new vehicles is almost nil. Predict once this chip shortage finally gets over with, so many folks will be at the dealers in a buying frenzy. Glad I can wait till this whole situation resolves itself eventually but just means keeping up with the needs of my current ride. Figure in a year from now, we'll look back and be amazed at what we all went through with the pandemic and chip shortage.
Yet some local dealers seem to have plenty of inventory. The local BMW/Mini Cooper store has plenty to chose from just sitting there. Same at the Lexus store near our house. Did see some empty holes at the local CarMax store though where usually their lot would be pretty much full. Guessing even with the higher prices, CPO and used vehicles have more inventory though with crazy pricing.
Crazy time we're living through right now!

(P.S. That Mini Cooper Countryman I drove the other day was great really except it did have a lot of road noise coming into the cabin. Thinking some extra sound deadening material would work wonders in quieting the exterior noise. It had the regular infotainment system, no HK system, but did a decent job of helping with all that exterior racket. The ride wasn't stiff at all, the size was almost perfect for my needs but I'd prefer the "S" unit with the HK audio system, something I wouldn't mind paying for. It was in a copper over black combo which didn't look half bad actually with the nicer alloy wheels. Figure the price was about $35K or there abouts. That's why I'd want to look at a loaner vehicle with all the good stuff in it like they had earlier this year. No more settling on a vehicle going forward, as it never bodes well. Best to just spend the extra $ upfront and be happy every single day going forward.)

Sandman6472

Henryn, so very sorry about your troubles but glad things did work out for ya. Always a good thing to have a support system, whatever it is, just to make sure things are going well. You're lady friend really did such a wonderful thing and I do appreciate having my wife being cognizant enough at 3 am in the morning to call for the help I obviously really needed. Think we both learned that being stubborn when it comes to our health isn't the best way to go.
I've never been very good at math but you are right, my out of pocket for the hospital were very low.

Sandman6472

Wife just called, part came in and tail light assembly going in right now. Time for me to get over there, check it all out and drive down to South Miami. Hopefully this will be the end of the whole situation.
We've learned one lesson here, if it ever happens again, she'll find a body shop near where she lives and just take the rental vehicle offered! Living an hour away and dealing with work schedules and everything that goes along with it all, best to do things close. And if no rental is needed, Lyft or Uber come in very handy to get places.
So glad we're done here!!!

stickguy

To me, $4,300 sounds like a bargain to get pulled back from the brink of death!

breld

qbrozen said:

@ab348 said:

Maybe (if you are a Costco member while you still have the Camaro titled to you) you could pick up a Chevy Bolt:

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/costco-discount-auto-program-chevy-bolt-ev

Damn. Why did you have to post that? I wanted to try a Wrangler. But this looks like another potential flip. I see them being advertised for $23k. ALgo says they’ll pay $27.4k. No tax on EV in NJ, either.

Why choose only one among two solid options? Don't we all wish we at least double-dipped in the dieselgate payout?

qbrozen

breld said:

Why choose only one among two solid options? Don't we all wish we at least double-dipped in the dieselgate payout?

it crossed my mind for a split second. But that's a big risk. It is also a risk of getting stuck with a car I don't want. I mean, if I get a Bolt and then the offers dry up by the time the account is financed and available ... then what? I don't want a Bolt. I'm thinking, at least with the Wrangler, worst case is I have to hold it for a little while. That won't bother me.

stickguy

get the bolt cheap, and I can take it off your hands at the low, low payment toward year end!

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - if I give you a VIN, can you see if it went through the Mannheim Auction?

1FTFW1RGXJFC91037

Dropped off my Pilot at the dealer. They said the code should be stored in the computer’s memory. He said lots of Pilots have been in getting new injectors lately.

They paid for me (via LYFT) to get to a local Hertz. I rented a Chevy Spark for $40 per day. Hopefully I won’t have it too long.

tifighter

I have a friend that was looking for a used Bolt for his daughter. These incentives make a new one a no-brainer, especially as he is a current GM owner.

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

They paid for me (via LYFT) to get to a local Hertz. I rented a Chevy Spark for $40 per day. Hopefully I won’t have it too long.

Classy! Within a few days, you'll wonder why you even had the Pilot in the first place!

qbrozen

@nyccarguy said:
@qbrozen - if I give you a VIN, can you see if it went through the Mannheim Auction?

1FTFW1RGXJFC91037

Dropped off my Pilot at the dealer. They said the code should be stored in the computer’s memory. He said lots of Pilots have been in getting new injectors lately.

They paid for me (via LYFT) to get to a local Hertz. I rented a Chevy Spark for $40 per day. Hopefully I won’t have it too long.

Not quite that easy, unfortunately. Was it grey, by chance? If so, it got $66k.

qbrozen

@stickguy said:
get the bolt cheap, and I can take it off your hands at the low, low payment toward year end!

So just a few mins ago, the wife sees what I’m up to and says “what are you buying now?”
I explained my quandary of fast and easy for the Bolt flip or more laborious but possible more lucrative Wrangler. Without my prompting, she says “get the Wrangler. At least if you get stuck with that, you won’t mind.” I think that settles it.

stickguy

Not Mrs. Q's first rodeo here!

Bradd, what is that car you are running the vin on?

and your injectors, wonder if that is at all related to the VCM issues some cars had? I think they had a TSB/quiet recall on issues with the rings getting messed up (issues starting with spark plugs). If I had kept the old RDX I probably would have put a VCM muzzler gizmo on it.

explorerx4

1FTxxx - Ford truck?

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

1FTxxx - Ford truck?

More speculation.... maybe his friend's Raptor?

explorerx4

@xwesx,
That's what I am thinking, too.