Richard, this reminds me of a Steve Allen skit where someone asked what he drove.
Steve replied...a Rolls Cannardly. Hmm, never heard of that one the sidekick says. Steve says it Rolls down one side of a hill and Cannardly make it up the other.
Steve Allen---that does take me back a few years. It reminds me of people such as Bennett Cerf, Bill Cullen, Jayne Meadows, Audrey Meadows, Jackie Gleason, Art Carney, Gary Moore, Dorothy Kilgallen, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Edward R. Murrow, Jack Paar, Chet Huntley, David Brinkley, Lucille Ball, Walter Cronkite, Loretta Young, and Paul Lynde. I don't know why those particular names come to mind except to say that I enjoyed and admired them. To stay on topic: I'm sure that all of them drove those big tanks and enjoyed every minute of it.
Though the first owner may have taken a hit, we don't really know what kind of deal he/she got om the new purchase---below invoice with 0% financing for example. Also, we don't know what the previous owner paid for the '09 when he/she purchased it. When we talk depreciation, don't we have to consider the overall picture?
I am not completely sure about this, however, I would be willing to bet that very few 09 Town Cars were actually sold brand new to the public. They aren't making that many and many of those go into fleets. A low mileage 09 can be had for upper 20s. These are cars with sticker prices in the mid 40s. Even with 0% financing its hard to make a case to buy one new these days...
Having said that, a used TC is most definately on my short list to replace my Genesis in a little less than two years. There is nothing like it on the road, old technology, but I don't care.
I saw your comment about your 89 TC, my 89 was possibly my favorite car as well.
If one's memory of an event or thing is pleasant, then there are more positives about it than negatives. If I purchased a TC in 1989, it would be obvious that I wasn't worried about the gas mileage at that point. Also, I never remember that parking was a problem, nor did my wife complain about it. I don't suppose that it was any more difficult to park than a large SUV---Tahoe, Suburban, etc. As for sloppy steering, I never remember not being able to handle the car. Here again, we will never agree on the floaters vs. the "feel of the road" vehicles.
My TC was champaign cinnamon with a chocolate brown top. The interior was chocolate brown with champaign cinnamon and wood grain highlights. So many people commented on the beauty of the color combination. The interior lacked the cheap plastics of so many of today's models, and the leather appeared to be the real thing. The feeling was that we owned a real luxury car. Perhaps there is some select memory here, but I tend to doubt it.
like poor gas mileage, hard to park, sloppy steering etc.
Easy there.... I kinda like the "one finger" steering of those cars. The gas mileage was a little on the poor side I could squeak out 15-16 combined, my Genesis is having a hard time breaking 19-20 right now. As for hard to park, if I lived in the city I would care. The newer models are a touch smaller and get better mileage with more power.
The example you posted.. appears to be a blinged out low rider. Not for me... Here is a fine example:
The feeling was that we owned a real luxury car. Perhaps there is some select memory here, but I tend to doubt it
Well, the one above is available and it only has 60k miles on it. I can get it for you, get it painted in champagne cinnamon, find a place in Florida that will put on a chocolate vinyl top and have it to your door for about 30% of the cost of a new Jeep. Of course my fee will be included in the $12000 cost price. (I'll buy it for $7k, paint it and drive it to your door...have my nice dinner, and check out the area).
To save time, money, and energy, just buy me the one in Tic78's picture and bring it to me. If we do it that way, the only fee that I owe you is dinner---plus the price of the car of course.
That is so sad. You took such excellent care of it, and one sick-o destroyed it in two weeks. I've seen this type of behavior before---in one year old cars! I have never understood how a person can invest big money in a car, and then destroy it as if it meant nothing. Then too, I have seen people do this to new homes. Ninety nine percent of us walk upright, but I do wonder about that other 1%. :sick:
Yesterday I spotted about a 2003 Odyssey. It was loaded with people and it was pulling the biggest pop up tent trailer I had ever seen. And we wonder why some transmissions fail prematurely!
In my early days in the book business whan money was tight I was considering a Caravan or a Turus wagon. At least the salesmen were honest enough to say the cars weren't strong enough to carry a ton of books around. These people are crazy if they expect an Odyssey to pull that much weight...it is really a car with a big hollow body on it.
This one is actually about trying to buy a new furnace, but I've run into the same situation when trying to buy a car.
As most know, our government has decided to give us some of our tax dollars back if we upgrade to a new, more energy efficient heating and cooling rig. My Central A/C unit was replaced about 3 years ago. So, it's doing fine.
However, I still have the same furnace as what came with my home. It's 16 years old. Figuring it will last about 20 years, it's due to be replaced sometime in the next few years. Further, I can get a 30% off the cots of the furnace as a bottom line reduction in my tax liability up to $1,500.
Usually, I'm of the mind, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, $1,500 in my pocket is better than $1,500 in Uncle Sam's pocket.
So, I get 3 bids to replace my furnace. One was from an independent contractor that says he can get any brand of furnace I want. The 2nd is from a well established appliance and heating/colling place with a long history in the in the city.
The last one is a big HVAC residential contractor who actually makes his own furnaces (or so he says...he may just rebrand other furnaces).
Well, the independent contractor and the well established place are both pretty close price-wise. And, although they handle different brands (one Goodman, the other Trane), I'm of the mind that therer aren't very many major differences in Furnaces and A/C units.
The big HVAC contractor actually promised to be the least expensive with "like for like" equipment and installation, in writing. But, since he allegedly makes his own furnaces, it's hard to do an apples to apples comparison.
Bottom line, for a 95% efficiency furnace, installation, some duct work, PVC pipe and new gas valves, prices were about $3,200-$3,800. Until, I got the bid from the big HVAC company, which was $6,000. Pretty big gap. Plus, looking at their estimates, I really couldn't tell what more I was getting with the $6K bid. Their "house brand" furnace actually looked inferior to the other more well known brands according to the specs.
Dropping out the highest bidder (big HVAC firm), I then asked the other two places for references, as I was going to choose one of them. They gladly provided the references.
However, the big HVAC company's sales person is pretty hard core, calling me every day, lowering his price a bit each time. He's still about $800-$1,000 higher than the others, I still asked for references. Have not received them from that HVAC sales person.
Finally, I just quit communicating with him since he couldn't provide me what I asked him for, and he was still higher than anyone else.
This a.m. I checked my voice mail and got a message from him actually stating that he had forecast my install for next week. Understand, I gave him no money. I gave him no indication I was going to do business with him. I actually told him I was looking to do business with two of his competitors.
I just got another message from him on vmail stating how unforfessional I've been in dealing with him because I led him on to believe he'd won my business. HUH????!!!!! :confuse: :surprise:
Guess who will never get any business, for any reason, from me.......ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I replaced my furnace/ac last november. Found Ruud/Rheem the best value and warranty. Most states have an energy program which supports new units. Illinois was giving $600 for a 14 + eer a/c and $200 for a 95% furnace. The federal tax break can only be achieved if your a/c is coupled with a high efficiency furnace. You get a certificate that you keep to prove that the model meets the target. People that buy just a high efficiency a/c can't take the tax break. My furnace was 10 years old and still working. The a/c was gone. The 95% furnace is the key. My net cost was about $4200 with the state and fed incentives.The a/c alone was priced at $3500 so throwing in the furnace only cost me $700. I checked numerous companies and the family operated union shops were all priced close. The sale dudes were all higher. The one I went with was from a small town nearby in business for years doing business and residential hvac. Whenever I called the owner answered the phone --- he was in the office almost every day--even on weekends. The workmanship was flawless -- I am extremely satisfied. I live in a duplex and my neighbor went with them as well. It's about 100 degrees outside and the house is comfy at 76 degrees. Monthly utility bill is down 20 percent.
Last spring (09) the guy that did some work on our furnace said it was time to replace it. Silly me I waited for the gas company to give me their bid but they assume that no one has two adults working full time and their guy could never get to us. Next thing I knew winter had set in. We made it through fine but now it's time to do something. I'll have to check with and without the AC though I imagine that is about due. We built the house 17 years ago and it's original.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I checked my voice mail and got a message from him actually stating that he had forecast my install for next week
That's the guy that for sure you don't want to get a furnace from.
Reminds me of a plumber...said a new sink and faucetts would be about $450. I flew back early from a business trip and he wasn't there that day. I called and he said he tried to reach me to tell me the part would take 4 extra days. I tell him i have an answering machine and why didn't i get that message. I get suspicious and call a retired plumber. He fixes it within 30 minutes and charges me $40. I call to cancel the first guy. He says he will bill me for his time and parts, and wants $450. I tell him if I ever hear from him again I will call the BBB and the consumer people at the newspaper and TV station. I never hear from him again.
Oh, how I can identify with your experience as to the salesman's email. I know how it must burn you up. I have the perfect solution that I used to get even. This landscape guy called and blessed me out for not giving him the job to work on our lawn. I had told the fool in the beginning that I was gathering estimates, and that I would be in touch if I decided to use his company. Never once did I even hint that he had the job. After his irate call, I drove to Dollar Tree. I selected a sympathy card that contained the words "Your loss". Never have I had greater pleasure than the day that I mailed that card. I don't ordinarily do such things, but if you slap me around for something that isn't true, I'm liable to get even.
Well, the independent contractor and the well established place are both pretty close price-wise. And, although they handle different brands (one Goodman, the other Trane), I'm of the mind that there aren't very many major differences in Furnaces and A/C units.
Goodman is bad...man. I had my furnace replaced 2 years ago. From what I read on the internet, the heating and air guy I talked to, and my own personal experience with a Goodman... you may want to reconsider what brand you pick.
The tech was part owner of his dad's family business, and they did sell Goodman furnaces, so I believed what he said. He did say Goodman has improved quite a bit from where they were, kind of like Hyundai. So may be okay.
I've had salesmen "assume the sale" with me before as well. It's rude. I think it is just a sales ploy to get someones business who they think they can bully.
I'd call him back and tell him off. He was trying to do a trial close on you. He was hoping you didn't have anyone booked in and would say "yes ok, come in that day". In fact I'd call his boss and tell them about it.
The unfortunate thing is that some companies like to keep salesmen like that around because they do bring in a lot of business even if they piss off a few people along the way.
Not worth my time to call him or his boss, quite frankly. This salesperson will just dig his own grave and won't be around long anyway. No one likes to be "pressured". And, he's not really technically adept as he kept having to call his boss (presumably the owner of the HVAC firm) to get answers to my questions. It's not like I'm well versed in HVAC so my questions couldn't have been that technically difficult.
As far as brands are concerned, it's my understanding that Goodman makes HVAC for Amanna, Armstrong, and their own brand. Don't know if one is better than the other. I know in the homes I've owned, I've had Carrier, Trane, and a brand I've never heard of (Peerless?). All lasted a long time. I'm of the mind if they come with a warranty, that's backed up by the installing company, I'm good to go. Plus, the installing company has a very good rep, so I think they'll stand behind it.
I think this Goodman has a 10 year warranty. Lifetime heat exchanger. Dual stage, variable fan. Works for me.
My A/C unit is a 14 seer unit, installed 3-4 years ago. The furnace is 95% efficiency which qualifies for a 30% tax credit. In addition, my gas and electric company is giving a $200 check for high efficiency HVAC. All-in-all, about $1,500 off a $4,000 bill.
I believe Goodman is the brand the neighbor got. He had a buddy who does HVAC on the side get him a cheap, cheap unit to replace the Lennox that was many years old.
He got a Haier AC outside unit for the heat pump. It went bad in just a few weeks. The buddy and the wholesalers fixed him up with a Goodman, I believe. It may be a cheap model, but I can hear it running above my 14 year-old Lennox scroll compressor unit which is much, much closer to me.
Have you priced Lennox and Bryant, which I believe are both made by the same company?
That is so sad. You took such excellent care of it, and one sick-o destroyed it in two weeks.
I saw that something like this was going to happen, myself.
I had a ’75 Grand Prix that I bought used in ’77 and in ’86 I decided to sell it when I bought a used ’85 Grand Prix. My ’75 had almost 80K on it and it was in great condition but it was time to let it go. Until I had a chance to clean it up for sale I parked it at my Mother’s house since she had a rear entry garage with the typical turn around pad and it would be out of sight and not get in her way when she used her car.
The back yard of my Mother’s house bordered on the back yard of a neighbor that had a 20 something year old son that saw my car and wanted my number so he could inquire about it. We go for a test drive and I tell him everything works and I mean EVERYTHING. He’s in love with the 400 CID V8 and keeps telling me that he wants the car and he’ll give me what I want for it. I didn’t expect to get that price for it so I sold it to him for about $200 less than my asking price. I kept telling him that although it’s in great shape it’s still an 11 year old car and if he’s careful with it he can get some good use out of it. His head kept bobbing like a bobble head doll and I knew he didn’t really hear a word I was saying. We do the paperwork and it’s now his car. He drives the car up the slight grade to the street so fast that he almost pulled out of the driveway into someone driving by. He slams on the brakes, then when the car passes he squeals out of the driveway and I could hear him squealing as he went around the block. I said to Son #1, “that car won’t be on the road next year”.
Fast forward to the next summer. My Son is working as a lot boy at a large Chevy dealer a couple of miles away following his freshman year at Penn State. The young guy that bought my car works there as a lot boy and parts go-getter. He recognizes my Son and said, “I’m the one that bought your fathers car, remember me”? My Son is almost afraid to ask but he says, “how’s the car doing”? The kid said, “well, it needs a little work. I’ll bring it in, in a couple of weeks when I get some money to put it back on the road”.
True to his word he drives the car to work in a couple of weeks and my Son said he was sick when he saw it. There were dents on the front and rear bumpers (they were made out of metal back then) and the drivers door had a huge crease along its entire length and that was a BIG door. The worst part was how he had the dash ripped out to “fix some stuff” and to install some stereo gear. The door panels were also off so he could install some BIG speakers.
A salesman that was taking a smoke break nods to my Son so my Son goes over to talk to him and the salesman said, “I hope you’re not thinking about buying that car. It was nice car when he got it but not anymore”. My son tells him the story and the salesman said, “this kind of stuff happens all the time. Stick around for awhile and you’ll see what people do to a brand new car in a year. Then they want top buck for it because it’s only a year old and they want another new car”.
My Son got a real education about how people treat their cars that summer.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
He fixes it within 30 minutes and charges me $40. Well... what was wrong with it? Your rapidly balding head clog up the drain with hair
The problem with the sink was that it was leaking right through the porcelelain surface.. So, the first guy wanted to replace the basin, and they don't make that size or shape any more...and he wanted to replace the fawcetts as well - one was leaking.
So the retired guy came in an old pickup truck. Hhe built a cab on the back made out of wood to hold his tools. He used some crazy glue kind of stuff and put it on the enamel under the sink. He said it might last for 6 months or 5 years. It lasted for at least 7 years and when I sold the condo it was still working fine. He found a part from his truck and fixed the leaking fawcett, even though the first guy had to order a special part which he said was a hard to find part.
The retired guy was doing this work because he loved doing it, the first guy was out to make a buck any way he could.
Interesting story, and one that happens too often I imagine. Of course these days, many young people are insulted if you suggest a used car instead of a new one. I never had a car until my senior year in college. I needed one to commute to my student teaching position in another town. I got a used 4 door Pontiac Star Chief from an elderly lady who had to give up driving. She had taken excellent care of the car. I was so proud and excited to have that vehicle. I borrowed the money from my dad, interest free. When I started teaching the next fall, I made a car payment to him each month. After six months, he told me that the payments were finished. I said, "Dad, I've got six more payments." He said, "Don't argue with me. I said that the payments were finished." My mother grinned and said, "You know better than to argue with your father." She was right about that.
kyfdx....yep....that's the place. The "high" place with the "hard sell" sales person was Thompson.
Do you know anything about R&B? They replaced my water heater a few years ago and I've been pleased with their work and equipment. But, aside from a couple of references (whom I haven't contacted yet) I don't know much about their HVAC installs.
I might be naive in thinking all HVAC brands are alike (a definite possibility), but I think the quieter units in any given line of HVAC usually are their upper end models....the more efficient ones. I'm looking at 95% efficiency, which is pretty much at, or near, top of the line in any of the brands. I think it also helps that these furnaces are two stage (gas) and have variable speed blowers, which affect their quietness.
While I didn't realize this, just like in the car biz, there's been a lot of consolidation going on in the HVAC business. I guess Trane is on the ropes and installers are having a hard time getting equipment from them. Someone mentioned that Carrier and Bryant have merged. From what I've researched, Goodman makes Janitrol, Amana and Armstrong units, in addition to their own. I guess the real estate crash affected the residential HVAC companies, too....particularly the lack of new home building.
Like cars, one person likes one brand....another person doesn't. Like my car purchases, I rarely stick with one brand.
But, since he allegedly makes his own furnaces, it's hard to do an apples to apples comparison.
I just got another message from him on vmail stating how unforfessional I've been in dealing with him because I led him on to believe he'd won my business.
I ran into a guy like that too.
I replaced both the furnace and A/C in August 2008. FWIW I went with Lennox. This guy was from a pretty large company around here that does a lot of advertising and I figured I’d let them give me a quote. He wasn’t in when I called so I left my home number. A day or two later he calls and Mrs. j gives him my work number. I told him I wanted a quote for his name brand unit and his off-brand unit. He tells me he only has one that they put together and it’s better than anything else that’s why they do it like that. I told him no thanks because I couldn’t make a one for one comparison and I left it like that. This guy had to call me at least three more times at work wanting to come over to give me a quote. Finally, I told him if he called again I was going to turn him over to company security. That got his attention. No more badgering.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
He used some crazy glue kind of stuff and put it on the enamel under the sink. He said it might last for 6 months or 5 years. It lasted for at least 7 years
I used "Mighty Putty":... BY BILLY MAYES!!!... ,on a drain pipe which was cracked and leaking, under my kitchen sink. Two years and still holding strong.
The retired guy was doing this work because he loved doing it, the first guy was out to make a buck any way he could.
Reminded me of a retired guy who came out to fix my dryer about 4 months ago. I think the heat sensor was bad. He took that whole think apart piece by piece, and cleaned it out from top to bottom. I think he only wanted $40 parrts and labor. I gave him an extra $20 telling him he deserved it for doing such a fine job. He smiled and said a lot of his other customers do and say the same thing. He said he doesn't do it for the money, just something to do to get him out of the house.
I might be naive in thinking all HVAC brands are alike (a definite possibility), but I think the quieter units in any given line of HVAC usually are their upper end models....the more efficient ones. I'm looking at 95% efficiency, which is pretty much at, or near, top of the line in any of the brands. I think it also helps that these furnaces are two stage (gas) and have variable speed blowers, which affect their quietness.
I pretty much agree that all the name brands are probably going to do the job you’re expecting for a lot of years. Like I said in a previous post, I went with Lennox because I already had a Lennox furnace in the house and it was built in the mid ‘70’s and it didn’t hurt that the Lennox price was the lowest either. Almost everyone that gave me a quote, about 5 I think, said only one or two companies make the parts especially the A/C compressor and they all package those parts with their unique control systems.
This is the part I’ll never forget. This one guy, who my cousin recommended, sold American Standard. We’re sitting at the kitchen table and he’s going over his models and he’s telling me how he has the best installers and to keep them he provides a good set of benefits, even a 401K plan. I’m thinking that ain’t going to be good for me in the way of a price. We go down to the basement and he looks at what he’s going to do and then he gives me his price and says, “what do you think”? I said, "you’re high, very high, like about $1500 too high”. He said, “who gave you a better price”? So, I told him and he said, “if I knew you got a price from them I would never have wasted my time by coming out here. I can never beat their price but I do a better job than they do”. :surprise:
He goes away mumbling, saying, “You get what you pay for”. Why didn’t he ask before he came out who he was bidding against? I would have told him but I don't give bidders other peoples quoted prices. :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Have you priced Lennox and Bryant, which I believe are both made by the same company?
You talking to me or gg? I'm not in the market for a furnace. The Goodman I had replaced 2 years ago was replaced by another Goodman, I got it free due to the old Goodmans heat exchanger failing 3 times. I just had to pay labor. This new one is a bit better, but.the thermocoupler keeps getting carbon build up on it shutting the furnace down. Cost me about $100 first time it happened. Now I just take out a couple screws out once or twice a season and clean it off my self.
He said he doesn't do it for the money, just something to do to get him out of the house.
I think this is a phenomenon going on these days. As the babyboomers retire many of them want to work a bit, they like the few extra bucks so they don't have to draw on their nest egg, but more importantly, they want to use their skills.
When you find a good retired worker they are the best. We had a guy who was an expert electrician and does any home repairs. He'll only work for up to 4 hours a day and he charges $10 an hour. He has a nice pension income but likes to get out a few hours a day.
I like the way you fixed that pipe with Mighty Puddy....surprising how efficient some of those things can be.It will probably last forever, and if not you can try putting a new layer on.
"...how hard can it be to change a drain pipe on a sink?"
You are one of the most mechanical and technology oriented posters on this site. I'm the poster who lives on the other end---severely challenged when it comes to doing things mechanical. If I change a light bulb or replace the air filters, I consider the feats to be great accomplishments. If I look at the pipes under my sink, I couldn't tell you which one is the drain pipe. I can cook, do laundry, iron, and clean. I can do yard work and wash my car. Still, if any machine that I am using related to those tasks decides to quit, I'll need a repair person.
My friends always laugh at the idea that we have renovated 13 houses, considering that I can't make a hammer hit a nail. (Believe me, my father tried to train me. He finally gave up and told me to get an education so that I could make a living doing something.) My trick with houses has always been to retain a good contractor, carpenter, electrician, and plumber. I used the same people for all 13 houses. When we moved up here, they even came and did this house of us. Fortunately, I made good money on each house, even after paying the workers. At least we know what looks good and what goes together. I've seen some people spend tons of money on a house, only to end up with tacky results.
I follow this philosophy: If it's broke, don't make it worse. Call a repair person.
I'ver seen one or two year old cars traded in that look like they've never ever seen a vacuum or a car wash. To make it worse the back seat area are usually used as a permanent garbage dump (garabe on the floor reaching the height of the seat cushion), and the cupholders and centre consoles having alien life growing out of pennies and food residue in them.
Back in the olden days when gas was pumped by an attendant (1968), there was a Sunoco station that offered a case of Coke if they failed to offer to vacuum your car with a fill up.
I was just topped off when in comes this drop dead red 1968 Chevelle. From the outside the car looked like a million bucks. Inside was a different story. They had been tossing beer cans behind the seats all summer to where the pile was about to go above the sundeck.
Then comes the attendants classic line..."where do you want your case of Coke?"
Another on cars getting trashed. When I met my wife in 1977 she had a 68 Buick Skylark. Very nice car, but I already had a Mustang and a truck so we decided to sell the Buick to my buddy's younger brother for a very fair price.
The next time I saw the car I almost fell over. Seems he took it to a football game at the opposing school with shoe polish raves about his school on all the windows.
The other team won and decided to destroy anything from the other school and broke every window out of that nice Buick. What a shame.
I'm the poster who lives on the other end---severely challenged when it comes to doing things mechanical.
Bless you, Richard, for that admission. I, too, am just like you.
Earlier today, I had to replace one of the DRL bulbs in my '06 ION. The fact that I was able to remove the headlight assembly, replace the bulb, and reassemble it was a major accomplishment for me. Of course, it helped that no tools were required - not even a screwdriver.
Not sure how this happened -- my dad learned to be a carpenter in the Navy, and used those skills pretty much his whole life, building furniture and doing other side work. I, OTOH, wasn't allowed near the power tools that he kept in the garage.
A (not so quick) story to reinforce my point. When I was in HS, I drove my mom's '73 Toyota Corona. Decided that the oil needed to be changed, so a buddy of mine and I bought the oil and filter and attempted to do it in our driveway after school one afternoon. I ended up draining all the transmission fluid (it was an automatic), then overfilled the oil reservoir with all the new oil.
What a mess -- and, not surprisingly, the car didn't really run right later that day; we were going to a basketball game that was about 25 miles (and a significant hill) away. Couldn't figure out why the shifting seemed so messed up.
Got it all sorted out eventually, but I believe a trip to a mechanic was required.
Thank goodness I'm not alone among all of these mechanically talented posters. Misery loves company. :P That was an interesting oil change experience that you had in high school. Sounds like something that I would have done.
Comments
For a moment, I thought that I was reading a post from isellhondas
Yeh, well, sometimes his ADVICE is pretty good too!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Steve replied...a Rolls Cannardly. Hmm, never heard of that one the sidekick says.
Steve says it Rolls down one side of a hill and Cannardly make it up the other.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
had a '94 town car that gave up the ghost. so, it was replaced with an '09 TC. Hey, stick with a winner I guess.
She wanted a MKS, but there were no used ones that fit her budget. Guess that shows exactly how much a TC depreciates!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Richard
Richard
and I doubt that she cares in the least what it depreciates from this point.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Richard
Having said that, a used TC is most definately on my short list to replace my Genesis in a little less than two years. There is nothing like it on the road, old technology, but I don't care.
I saw your comment about your 89 TC, my 89 was possibly my favorite car as well.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Memory seems to remember the good qualities and filters out the bad.....like poor gas mileage, hard to park, sloppy steering etc.
But, if you still think you want a TC (Lincoln Town Car I assume, not an Accura) then this one is just $7000 and has only 60k miles.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My TC was champaign cinnamon with a chocolate brown top. The interior was chocolate brown with champaign cinnamon and wood grain highlights. So many people commented on the beauty of the color combination. The interior lacked the cheap plastics of so many of today's models, and the leather appeared to be the real thing. The feeling was that we owned a real luxury car. Perhaps there is some select memory here, but I tend to doubt it.
Richard
Easy there.... I kinda like the "one finger" steering of those cars. The gas mileage was a little on the poor side I could squeak out 15-16 combined, my Genesis is having a hard time breaking 19-20 right now. As for hard to park, if I lived in the city I would care. The newer models are a touch smaller and get better mileage with more power.
The example you posted.. appears to be a blinged out low rider. Not for me... Here is a fine example:
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Well, the one above is available and it only has 60k miles on it. I can get it for you, get it painted in champagne cinnamon, find a place in Florida that will put on a chocolate vinyl top and have it to your door for about 30% of the cost of a new Jeep. Of course my fee will be included in the $12000 cost price. (I'll buy it for $7k, paint it and drive it to your door...have my nice dinner, and check out the area).
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I thought it could be a low rider too, but it could be the suspension system caving in to all that weight.
Yours does look like it is in better shape. But, you can buy one with low miles for under $10k.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It had a "coffin" carrier mounted on the roof and it looked like it was sitting on it's axles as a family headed to some vacation destination.
And we wonder why some transmissions fail prematurely!
I
Long gone.... sold it in 04 and saw it a couple of weeks later, it was already destroyed by the new owner.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
Richard
And we wonder why some transmissions fail prematurely!
In my early days in the book business whan money was tight I was considering a Caravan or a Turus wagon. At least the salesmen were honest enough to say the cars weren't strong enough to carry a ton of books around. These people are crazy if they expect an Odyssey to pull that much weight...it is really a car with a big hollow body on it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
As most know, our government has decided to give us some of our tax dollars back if we upgrade to a new, more energy efficient heating and cooling rig. My Central A/C unit was replaced about 3 years ago. So, it's doing fine.
However, I still have the same furnace as what came with my home. It's 16 years old. Figuring it will last about 20 years, it's due to be replaced sometime in the next few years. Further, I can get a 30% off the cots of the furnace as a bottom line reduction in my tax liability up to $1,500.
Usually, I'm of the mind, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." However, $1,500 in my pocket is better than $1,500 in Uncle Sam's pocket.
So, I get 3 bids to replace my furnace. One was from an independent contractor that says he can get any brand of furnace I want. The 2nd is from a well established appliance and heating/colling place with a long history in the in the city.
The last one is a big HVAC residential contractor who actually makes his own furnaces (or so he says...he may just rebrand other furnaces).
Well, the independent contractor and the well established place are both pretty close price-wise. And, although they handle different brands (one Goodman, the other Trane), I'm of the mind that therer aren't very many major differences in Furnaces and A/C units.
The big HVAC contractor actually promised to be the least expensive with "like for like" equipment and installation, in writing. But, since he allegedly makes his own furnaces, it's hard to do an apples to apples comparison.
Bottom line, for a 95% efficiency furnace, installation, some duct work, PVC pipe and new gas valves, prices were about $3,200-$3,800. Until, I got the bid from the big HVAC company, which was $6,000. Pretty big gap. Plus, looking at their estimates, I really couldn't tell what more I was getting with the $6K bid. Their "house brand" furnace actually looked inferior to the other more well known brands according to the specs.
Dropping out the highest bidder (big HVAC firm), I then asked the other two places for references, as I was going to choose one of them. They gladly provided the references.
However, the big HVAC company's sales person is pretty hard core, calling me every day, lowering his price a bit each time. He's still about $800-$1,000 higher than the others, I still asked for references. Have not received them from that HVAC sales person.
Finally, I just quit communicating with him since he couldn't provide me what I asked him for, and he was still higher than anyone else.
This a.m. I checked my voice mail and got a message from him actually stating that he had forecast my install for next week. Understand, I gave him no money. I gave him no indication I was going to do business with him. I actually told him I was looking to do business with two of his competitors.
I just got another message from him on vmail stating how unforfessional I've been in dealing with him because I led him on to believe he'd won my business. HUH????!!!!! :confuse: :surprise:
Guess who will never get any business, for any reason, from me.......ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last spring (09) the guy that did some work on our furnace said it was time to replace it. Silly me I waited for the gas company to give me their bid but they assume that no one has two adults working full time and their guy could never get to us. Next thing I knew winter had set in. We made it through fine but now it's time to do something. I'll have to check with and without the AC though I imagine that is about due. We built the house 17 years ago and it's original.
That's the guy that for sure you don't want to get a furnace from.
Reminds me of a plumber...said a new sink and faucetts would be about $450.
I flew back early from a business trip and he wasn't there that day.
I called and he said he tried to reach me to tell me the part would take 4 extra days.
I tell him i have an answering machine and why didn't i get that message.
I get suspicious and call a retired plumber.
He fixes it within 30 minutes and charges me $40.
I call to cancel the first guy.
He says he will bill me for his time and parts, and wants $450.
I tell him if I ever hear from him again I will call the BBB and the consumer people at the newspaper and TV station.
I never hear from him again.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Goodman is bad...man. I had my furnace replaced 2 years ago. From what I read on the internet, the heating and air guy I talked to, and my own personal experience with a Goodman... you may want to reconsider what brand you pick.
The tech was part owner of his dad's family business, and they did sell Goodman furnaces, so I believed what he said. He did say Goodman has improved quite a bit from where they were, kind of like Hyundai. So may be okay.
I've had salesmen "assume the sale" with me before as well. It's rude. I think it is just a sales ploy to get someones business who they think they can bully.
Well... what was wrong with it? Your rapidly balding head clog up the drain with hair? :P
The unfortunate thing is that some companies like to keep salesmen like that around because they do bring in a lot of business even if they piss off a few people along the way.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
As far as brands are concerned, it's my understanding that Goodman makes HVAC for Amanna, Armstrong, and their own brand. Don't know if one is better than the other. I know in the homes I've owned, I've had Carrier, Trane, and a brand I've never heard of (Peerless?). All lasted a long time. I'm of the mind if they come with a warranty, that's backed up by the installing company, I'm good to go. Plus, the installing company has a very good rep, so I think they'll stand behind it.
I think this Goodman has a 10 year warranty. Lifetime heat exchanger. Dual stage, variable fan. Works for me.
My A/C unit is a 14 seer unit, installed 3-4 years ago. The furnace is 95% efficiency which qualifies for a 30% tax credit. In addition, my gas and electric company is giving a $200 check for high efficiency HVAC. All-in-all, about $1,500 off a $4,000 bill.
He got a Haier AC outside unit for the heat pump. It went bad in just a few weeks. The buddy and the wholesalers fixed him up with a Goodman, I believe. It may be a cheap model, but I can hear it running above my 14 year-old Lennox scroll compressor unit which is much, much closer to me.
Have you priced Lennox and Bryant, which I believe are both made by the same company?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I saw that something like this was going to happen, myself.
I had a ’75 Grand Prix that I bought used in ’77 and in ’86 I decided to sell it when I bought a used ’85 Grand Prix. My ’75 had almost 80K on it and it was in great condition but it was time to let it go. Until I had a chance to clean it up for sale I parked it at my Mother’s house since she had a rear entry garage with the typical turn around pad and it would be out of sight and not get in her way when she used her car.
The back yard of my Mother’s house bordered on the back yard of a neighbor that had a 20 something year old son that saw my car and wanted my number so he could inquire about it. We go for a test drive and I tell him everything works and I mean EVERYTHING. He’s in love with the 400 CID V8 and keeps telling me that he wants the car and he’ll give me what I want for it. I didn’t expect to get that price for it so I sold it to him for about $200 less than my asking price. I kept telling him that although it’s in great shape it’s still an 11 year old car and if he’s careful with it he can get some good use out of it. His head kept bobbing like a bobble head doll and I knew he didn’t really hear a word I was saying. We do the paperwork and it’s now his car. He drives the car up the slight grade to the street so fast that he almost pulled out of the driveway into someone driving by. He slams on the brakes, then when the car passes he squeals out of the driveway and I could hear him squealing as he went around the block. I said to Son #1, “that car won’t be on the road next year”.
Fast forward to the next summer. My Son is working as a lot boy at a large Chevy dealer a couple of miles away following his freshman year at Penn State. The young guy that bought my car works there as a lot boy and parts go-getter. He recognizes my Son and said, “I’m the one that bought your fathers car, remember me”? My Son is almost afraid to ask but he says, “how’s the car doing”? The kid said, “well, it needs a little work. I’ll bring it in, in a couple of weeks when I get some money to put it back on the road”.
True to his word he drives the car to work in a couple of weeks and my Son said he was sick when he saw it. There were dents on the front and rear bumpers (they were made out of metal back then) and the drivers door had a huge crease along its entire length and that was a BIG door. The worst part was how he had the dash ripped out to “fix some stuff” and to install some stereo gear. The door panels were also off so he could install some BIG speakers.
A salesman that was taking a smoke break nods to my Son so my Son goes over to talk to him and the salesman said, “I hope you’re not thinking about buying that car. It was nice car when he got it but not anymore”. My son tells him the story and the salesman said, “this kind of stuff happens all the time. Stick around for awhile and you’ll see what people do to a brand new car in a year. Then they want top buck for it because it’s only a year old and they want another new car”.
My Son got a real education about how people treat their cars that summer.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
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Well... what was wrong with it? Your rapidly balding head clog up the drain with hair
The problem with the sink was that it was leaking right through the porcelelain surface.. So, the first guy wanted to replace the basin, and they don't make that size or shape any more...and he wanted to replace the fawcetts as well - one was leaking.
So the retired guy came in an old pickup truck. Hhe built a cab on the back made out of wood to hold his tools. He used some crazy glue kind of stuff and put it on the enamel under the sink. He said it might last for 6 months or 5 years. It lasted for at least 7 years and when I sold the condo it was still working fine. He found a part from his truck and fixed the leaking fawcett, even though the first guy had to order a special part which he said was a hard to find part.
The retired guy was doing this work because he loved doing it, the first guy was out to make a buck any way he could.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard
Yeah, I know, they do like to pull rank on you. I try it too but my Father just had a better knack for how to do it. He also had bigger hands.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
kyfdx....yep....that's the place. The "high" place with the "hard sell" sales person was Thompson.
Do you know anything about R&B? They replaced my water heater a few years ago and I've been pleased with their work and equipment. But, aside from a couple of references (whom I haven't contacted yet) I don't know much about their HVAC installs.
I might be naive in thinking all HVAC brands are alike (a definite possibility), but I think the quieter units in any given line of HVAC usually are their upper end models....the more efficient ones. I'm looking at 95% efficiency, which is pretty much at, or near, top of the line in any of the brands. I think it also helps that these furnaces are two stage (gas) and have variable speed blowers, which affect their quietness.
While I didn't realize this, just like in the car biz, there's been a lot of consolidation going on in the HVAC business. I guess Trane is on the ropes and installers are having a hard time getting equipment from them. Someone mentioned that Carrier and Bryant have merged. From what I've researched, Goodman makes Janitrol, Amana and Armstrong units, in addition to their own. I guess the real estate crash affected the residential HVAC companies, too....particularly the lack of new home building.
Like cars, one person likes one brand....another person doesn't. Like my car purchases, I rarely stick with one brand.
I just got another message from him on vmail stating how unforfessional I've been in dealing with him because I led him on to believe he'd won my business.
I ran into a guy like that too.
I replaced both the furnace and A/C in August 2008. FWIW I went with Lennox. This guy was from a pretty large company around here that does a lot of advertising and I figured I’d let them give me a quote. He wasn’t in when I called so I left my home number. A day or two later he calls and Mrs. j gives him my work number. I told him I wanted a quote for his name brand unit and his off-brand unit. He tells me he only has one that they put together and it’s better than anything else that’s why they do it like that. I told him no thanks because I couldn’t make a one for one comparison and I left it like that. This guy had to call me at least three more times at work wanting to come over to give me a quote. Finally, I told him if he called again I was going to turn him over to company security. That got his attention. No more badgering.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
I used "Mighty Putty":... BY BILLY MAYES!!!... ,on a drain pipe which was cracked and leaking, under my kitchen sink. Two years and still holding strong.
The retired guy was doing this work because he loved doing it, the first guy was out to make a buck any way he could.
Reminded me of a retired guy who came out to fix my dryer about 4 months ago. I think the heat sensor was bad. He took that whole think apart piece by piece, and cleaned it out from top to bottom. I think he only wanted $40 parrts and labor. I gave him an extra $20 telling him he deserved it for doing such a fine job. He smiled and said a lot of his other customers do and say the same thing. He said he doesn't do it for the money, just something to do to get him out of the house.
I pretty much agree that all the name brands are probably going to do the job you’re expecting for a lot of years. Like I said in a previous post, I went with Lennox because I already had a Lennox furnace in the house and it was built in the mid ‘70’s and it didn’t hurt that the Lennox price was the lowest either. Almost everyone that gave me a quote, about 5 I think, said only one or two companies make the parts especially the A/C compressor and they all package those parts with their unique control systems.
This is the part I’ll never forget. This one guy, who my cousin recommended, sold American Standard. We’re sitting at the kitchen table and he’s going over his models and he’s telling me how he has the best installers and to keep them he provides a good set of benefits, even a 401K plan. I’m thinking that ain’t going to be good for me in the way of a price. We go down to the basement and he looks at what he’s going to do and then he gives me his price and says, “what do you think”? I said, "you’re high, very high, like about $1500 too high”. He said, “who gave you a better price”? So, I told him and he said, “if I knew you got a price from them I would never have wasted my time by coming out here. I can never beat their price but I do a better job than they do”. :surprise:
He goes away mumbling, saying, “You get what you pay for”. Why didn’t he ask before he came out who he was bidding against? I would have told him but I don't give bidders other peoples quoted prices. :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
You talking to me or gg? I'm not in the market for a furnace. The Goodman I had replaced 2 years ago was replaced by another Goodman, I got it free due to the old Goodmans heat exchanger failing 3 times. I just had to pay labor. This new one is a bit better, but.the thermocoupler keeps getting carbon build up on it shutting the furnace down. Cost me about $100 first time it happened. Now I just take out a couple screws out once or twice a season and clean it off my self.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I think this is a phenomenon going on these days. As the babyboomers retire many of them want to work a bit, they like the few extra bucks so they don't have to draw on their nest egg, but more importantly, they want to use their skills.
When you find a good retired worker they are the best. We had a guy who was an expert electrician and does any home repairs. He'll only work for up to 4 hours a day and he charges $10 an hour. He has a nice pension income but likes to get out a few hours a day.
I like the way you fixed that pipe with Mighty Puddy....surprising how efficient some of those things can be.It will probably last forever, and if not you can try putting a new layer on.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
C'mon already how hard can it be to change a drain pipe on a sink? :confuse:
I wouldn't want to put up with a leak if/when it does let go.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
You are one of the most mechanical and technology oriented posters on this site. I'm the poster who lives on the other end---severely challenged when it comes to doing things mechanical. If I change a light bulb or replace the air filters, I consider the feats to be great accomplishments. If I look at the pipes under my sink, I couldn't tell you which one is the drain pipe. I can cook, do laundry, iron, and clean. I can do yard work and wash my car. Still, if any machine that I am using related to those tasks decides to quit, I'll need a repair person.
My friends always laugh at the idea that we have renovated 13 houses, considering that I can't make a hammer hit a nail. (Believe me, my father tried to train me. He finally gave up and told me to get an education so that I could make a living doing something.) My trick with houses has always been to retain a good contractor, carpenter, electrician, and plumber. I used the same people for all 13 houses. When we moved up here, they even came and did this house of us. Fortunately, I made good money on each house, even after paying the workers. At least we know what looks good and what goes together. I've seen some people spend tons of money on a house, only to end up with tacky results.
I follow this philosophy: If it's broke, don't make it worse. Call a repair person.
Richard
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
I was just topped off when in comes this drop dead red 1968 Chevelle. From the outside the car looked like a million bucks. Inside was a different story. They had been tossing beer cans behind the seats all summer to where the pile was about to go above the sundeck.
Then comes the attendants classic line..."where do you want your case of Coke?"
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
The next time I saw the car I almost fell over. Seems he took it to a football game at the opposing school with shoe polish raves about his school on all the windows.
The other team won and decided to destroy anything from the other school and broke every window out of that nice Buick. What a shame.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Bless you, Richard, for that admission. I, too, am just like you.
Earlier today, I had to replace one of the DRL bulbs in my '06 ION. The fact that I was able to remove the headlight assembly, replace the bulb, and reassemble it was a major accomplishment for me. Of course, it helped that no tools were required - not even a screwdriver.
Not sure how this happened -- my dad learned to be a carpenter in the Navy, and used those skills pretty much his whole life, building furniture and doing other side work. I, OTOH, wasn't allowed near the power tools that he kept in the garage.
A (not so quick) story to reinforce my point. When I was in HS, I drove my mom's '73 Toyota Corona. Decided that the oil needed to be changed, so a buddy of mine and I bought the oil and filter and attempted to do it in our driveway after school one afternoon. I ended up draining all the transmission fluid (it was an automatic), then overfilled the oil reservoir with all the new oil.
What a mess -- and, not surprisingly, the car didn't really run right later that day; we were going to a basketball game that was about 25 miles (and a significant hill) away. Couldn't figure out why the shifting seemed so messed up.
Got it all sorted out eventually, but I believe a trip to a mechanic was required.
I know where my limits are.
Richard