Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Sandman6472

Glad I'm n/s today as we worked a full day yesterday. Three runs turned into four but since we had nothing else planned, was just fine. And the extra few hours will make for a nice paycheck a week from Friday. But I had let my boss know that since I'm no longer at Toyota, I'd be available for any extra hours he could throw my way. I was more than happy to do it and pray that I can get maybe another few days in each month going forward.

tifighter

mjfloyd1 said:

Staffing issues seem to be a lack of nurses and other support staff. Wages are not the greatest and they hire traveler nurses and techs for outrageous hourly costs, yet they won’t reward the loyal staff with higher wages. Then the staff talk with the travelers and find out what they are being paid and leave for higher pay. Makes no sense how this is handled.

This right here is a constant topic in our house. Yet another great example of administrators living in an ivory tower, worrying about their bonuses while saying sound bites about patient care.

tifighter

28firefighter said:

My wife asked me yesterday if I would consider getting a Model Y at some point and going all electric. Why yes, yes dear I would.

I like this guy.

ab348

The garage is certainly deluxe and nicely built but I don't understand the ground floor window instead of a second (or wider single) garage door.

stickguy

I wondered the same thing. Not sure if they have plans for the space, or it was jus aesthetics. But they obviously had a boatload of money to spend on it. A 6 figure garage isn’t for everybody!

xwesx

Hello winter, my old friend....

coldinohio

xwesx said:

Hello winter, my old friend....

well at least -40 is -40, F or C ?!

BRRR

stickguy

I had to check the conversion 3 times, but that is actually -41 Fahrenheit too? I still can’t understand why anybody chooses to live in those conditions!

rayainsw

swesx:
"Hello winter, my old friend...."
BRRR indeed.
- Ray
Served my time up north...

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I had to check the conversion 3 times, but that is actually -41 Fahrenheit too? I still can’t understand why anybody chooses to live in those conditions!

And then go outside!
Yikes!
I imagine it goes something like this.

imidazol97

No wonder they put a cut little snowflake icon in front of the -41.8 F...

laurasdada

xwesx said:

Hello winter, my old friend....

In the words of the philosopher, John Hiatt, Drive South!

xwesx

stickguy said:

I had to check the conversion 3 times, but that is actually -41 Fahrenheit too? I still can’t understand why anybody chooses to live in those conditions!

Yeah, the scales cross over at -40/41, so it's always fun when it gets this cold. Of course, my skin disagrees, and, judging by its sluggishness, the car also disagrees.

However, 20 mpg on my commute to work this morning isn't too bad considering the cold! As I've said before, the "winter hit" for ICE vehicles is about 30%. I suppose, if I were an auto-starter (e.g., start the car 20+ minutes before I entered it), it would probably be even more of a hit.

And, I don't really "choose" to live in these conditions.... They just happen once in a while! I'd rather have an ambient -40 than a wind-chill -40 like what they get down in the midwest. We will have above-zero (-18C) weather by the weekend and may even have 6-10" of new snow before Monday starts again!

xwesx

Oh, hey! I just noticed that I crossed over 124,000 miles this morning, too. If I was in Canada, I could brag that my car has 200,000 on it!

qbrozen

xwesx said:

Oh, hey! I just noticed that I crossed over 124,000 miles this morning, too. If I was in Canada, I could brag that my car has 200,000 on it!

yeah, but then you'd be Canadian, so no amount of bragging would help you.


sorry, sorry, my Canadian brothers. I can't help myself. lol.

ab348

xwesx said:

We will have above-zero (-18C) weather by the weekend and may even have 6-10" of new snow before Monday starts again!

You make it sound like that is a good thing. The TV weather alarmists would be going on about that for 5 days straight if it happened here.

xwesx

ab348 said:

xwesx said:

We will have above-zero (-18C) weather by the weekend and may even have 6-10" of new snow before Monday starts again!

You make it sound like that is a good thing. The TV weather alarmists would be going on about that for 5 days straight if it happened here.

Oh, it IS a good thing! It is so amazing to walk outside to "above zero*" weather after it was this cold only a day or two prior. It feels AMAZING (and I cannot stress that enough). I'm not sure how to compare it.... Imagine you are there, at your home, and it is just at freezing (0C/32F) outside one day, then you go outside the next day and it is room temperature (22C/72F). Surely that would be a nice change...?




*Also known as "shorts and t-shirts weather," this is the temperature range between -18C/0F and 0C/32F.

qbrozen

sooo... I've been itching for a very long time for a lightweight AWD manual tranny car. I don't know why, but it never occurred to me to look for a new WRX. Used ones are just so absurdly priced. I did not realize you could still get new for a relative bargain. MSRP is only $27.5k. Huh. I could easily cover that with my flipping profits. The suckiest part is that they don't have a wagon currently.

xwesx

There are some benefits to this climate.... I get to look outside mid-day to views like this!





Please don't mind the ice forming on the outside of the triple-pane windows....

xwesx

To all of our forksy friends....

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=r-VOZFEmkpM&feature=share

jmonroe1

@imidazol97 said:
No wonder they put a cut little snowflake icon in front of the -41.8 F...

Mrs. j’s Subie gets that snowflake icon when the temp is 37 degrees F and below. The first time I saw that I had to look at the manual which said something like, “possible icing conditions”.

jmonroe > @xwesx said:

Yeah, the scales cross over at -40/41, so it's always fun when it gets this cold. Of course, my skin disagrees, and, judging by its sluggishness, the car also disagrees.

However, 20 mpg on my commute to work this morning isn't too bad considering the cold! As I've said before, the "winter hit" for ICE vehicles is about 30%. I suppose, if I were an auto-starter (e.g., start the car 20+ minutes before I entered it), it would probably be even more of a hit.

And, I don't really "choose" to live in these conditions.... They just happen once in a while! I'd rather have an ambient -40 than a wind-chill -40 like what they get down in the midwest. We will have above-zero (-18C) weather by the weekend and may even have 6-10" of new snow before Monday starts again!

I guess you guys don’t have to ask for a White Christmas. Snow that falls in November will be there until April. You can have that kind of weather. Not too many people will fight you for it.

There is a house not too far from me that puts up Palm Tree decorations for Christmas. I don’t know them but I like that guys spirit.

jmonroe

tjc78

I can only think that they make the snowflake come on at 37 is in case the sensor isn’t quite accurate they cover their behinds

jmonroe1

@qbrozen said:
sooo... I've been itching for a very long time for a lightweight AWD manual tranny car. I don't know why, but it never occurred to me to look for a new WRX. Used ones are just so absurdly priced. I did not realize you could still get new for a relative bargain. MSRP is only $27.5k. Huh. I could easily cover that with my flipping profits. The suckiest part is that they don't have a wagon currently.

Sign up for a cutting torch and welding class.

Hell, you may have already taken that class. So put it to use. Pics please.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@xwesx said:
There are some benefits to this climate.... I get to look outside mid-day to views like this!

Please don't mind the ice forming on the outside of the triple-pane windows....

Very nice but I still prefer Palm Trees 🌴 🌴🌴🌴 and the more the merrier.

jmonroe

stickguy

qbrozen said:

sooo... I've been itching for a very long time for a lightweight AWD manual tranny car. I don't know why, but it never occurred to me to look for a new WRX. Used ones are just so absurdly priced. I did not realize you could still get new for a relative bargain. MSRP is only $27.5k. Huh. I could easily cover that with my flipping profits. The suckiest part is that they don't have a wagon currently.

I want a light manual tranny car too. But AWD not required (or even desired). Too bad Miatas, even going into NE winter, still seem to be very pricy. And depressingly, seem to be 80% ATs.

I should just bite the bullet and reserve a new BRZ if the dealer will do it at MSRP. Hey, it's only money! At least I know I fit in one of those.

But I do plan to run down to Carmax near TJC Friday. Assuming they don't sell or transfer by then, they currently have both a NC and ND version, and I have never driven either one (or really sat in them to see if I fit). I had a NB that did not work well at all.

A new cloth top sport model also stickers for about 28k. probably a better deal than a used one for low-mid 20s. And yes, I want a manually operated ragtop, not a power top or hard top (though a power roof on an NC might be OK, probably less risky and complicated than on a German brand).

stickguy

Wes, you are 0-3 in my book. I don't like getting dark early, I never want to touch snow again, and I hate being cold.

I don't, however, mind heat or humidity.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen said:
sooo... I've been itching for a very long time for a lightweight AWD manual tranny car. I don't know why, but it never occurred to me to look for a new WRX. Used ones are just so absurdly priced. I did not realize you could still get new for a relative bargain. MSRP is only $27.5k. Huh. I could easily cover that with my flipping profits. The suckiest part is that they don't have a wagon currently.

I went to the Subaru site the other day and they still had the ‘21 on build your own.

stickguy

I have it in my head that the WRX is getting a makeover now. could be taking a while since Subaru is one of the hardest hit brands right now in terms of getting cars produced.

nyccarguy

Tacoma is in for service. 49.6K miles. Oil change. Tire rotation. There’s an open recall for the third brake light gasket. Supposedly it leaks under certain conditions. Since a recall is being addressed, I get a loaner car provided at no charge. Highlander LE AWD. I’ve adjusted the seat so that middle console isn’t bothering my leg. This drives nicely. Very refined. Much more so than our Pilot.

When I was younger, I would clamor over horsepower & torque specs as well as a car’s suspension & tire set up. Don’t get me wrong, those still matter, but the 1st thing I ask myself now when car shopping is; “Will Henry’s goalie bag fit?”

stickguy

for the most part, every car today has plenty of power, and is well more than fast enough. So the numbers are really somewhat meaningless. Might be fun to know, but just not that important.

stickguy

any ETA on the Jeep? I assume you can turn in the Tacoma as soon as that arrives? You are into the extension now, right? so month to month?

Sandman6472

Nycarguy, not surprised one bit as if the kids stuff don't fit, it ain't going to happen! Funny how the kids needs take center stage over ours once they come into this world. And it doesn't stop there. Our middle child is switching jobs in a few weeks and moving closer to us. That's taken center stage in our lives right now as she'll be moving home for a couple of weeks until her new apartment is available. So now, the wife & her are busy lining up a mover, getting the power to be turned on, finding which wifi provider is available in Boca Raton...stuff like that. So even when they grow up, they still come first.
We're pleased really as South Miami where she is now, is a longish hours ride with heavy traffic. Since we're just at the border of north Coral Springs & south Boca Raton, her apartment will be maybe a twenty minute ride depending on traffic/street lights. All back roads and no highways to deal with. And since her schedule is 7 days on/7 days off, we'll probably be seeing her a bit more. Also will be much easier for me to take care of her automobile needs as she can use our mechanic now. And I know she wants to start looking for a property so she can be a homeowner like her two siblings. Think it's going to be an interesting search as properties don't stay on the market that long.

corvette

@nyccarguy - I think something like a Highlander would be more practical for my needs (more maneuverable, secure cargo area), but I'm guilty of trying to make a "like for like" comparison. A 2019 or 2020 Highlander with 20-40,000 miles is going to cost at least as much as buying the Tundra lease out, and the Tundra is definitely "more car" for that amount of money.

qbrozen

Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

jmonroe1

@qbrozen said:
Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

Yeah, you’re crazy.

jmonroe

explorerx4

@corvette,
Plus with the Tundra you put the hockey equipment in the bed and avoid the aroma.

stickguy

that is a weird one. Good luck finding parts for that thing.

ab348

Bartender, I’ll have what Mr. Qbrozen is having, please.

qbrozen

be the only one at cars & coffee, that's for sure

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

What the heck is that?

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:
Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

But…why

jmonroe1

@28firefighter said:

@qbrozen said:
Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

But…why

Crazy?

jmonroe

corvette

qbrozen said:

Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

Those look similar to Volvo seats but, to my eye, are shaped differently, and lacking the unique headrest designs Volvo used during that time period. I'm guessing they may have been inspired by Volvo but they didn't license the real thing.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen said:
Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

So that’s where one of Johnny Tran’s SR20s ended up.

nyccarguy

Henry’s Hockey Bag

stickguy

looks like Henry must be in it.

qbrozen

corvette said:

qbrozen said:

Call me crazy (as usual), but I like this. Nissan SR20 and gearbox, and what looks like volvo seats. Seems interesting.

Those look similar to Volvo seats but, to my eye, are shaped differently, and lacking the unique headrest designs Volvo used during that time period. I'm guessing they may have been inspired by Volvo but they didn't license the real thing.

Yeah, I just meant similar, not that they pulled them from a volvo.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

I can only think that they make the snowflake come on at 37 is in case the sensor isn’t quite accurate they cover their behinds

37 in the BMW, 39 in the VW

breld

@qbrozen - you’d like an affordable AWD manual vehicle and you just now thought of the WRX? What else is there these days?

Sadly, new is the better way to go I would think as you mentioned. If the used market wasn’t so crazy there may be some other choices…340 or 440 xdrive?

Previous gen S4…those are reliable. 😀

Audi offered the A4 and A5 in a manual through 2018.

With all the profits you’re making on the flips, how about a new AWD M3? 👍

qbrozen

breld said:

@qbrozen - you’d like an affordable AWD manual vehicle and you just now thought of the WRX? What else is there these days?

Sadly, new is the better way to go I would think as you mentioned. If the used market wasn’t so crazy there may be some other choices…340 or 440 xdrive?

Previous gen S4…those are reliable. 😀

Audi offered the A4 and A5 in a manual through 2018.

With all the profits you’re making on the flips, how about a new AWD M3? 👍

I honestly wasn't thinking new at all. I kept looking at classics from overseas. Was checking this out today, but, even at only 2400 lb, the thing is so slow per specs I found online. https://carsandbids.com/auctions/3p6WXJnZ/1996-mitsubishi-lancer-mx-4wd