I never quite understood why (heck, how) you ended up traded in HER car when you bought a new one, especially if hers had better features.
was it just because you could get more $ for it
The reason I traded her ’06 Sonata LX for my ’09 Genny was that she liked the softer ride of my ’05 XG 350 better than her Sonata. She knew that the XG 350 didn’t have bun warmers but she didn’t realize how much she had gotten used to them and liked them. We got rid of the ’95 Bonneville beast that she drove when we bought the Sonata. The beast had cloth seats so they never got cold like leather does. I even told her about this and was still given the go ahead to trade her Sonata. :confuse: Other than the bun warmers the Sonata didn't have better features. In fact, the XG has more.
And yes, the Sonata was worth more at trade time but that was just a positive collateral benefit.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
ad it again. He took $850,000---I was guessing at the taxes being $255,000 or around 30%.
Yes, I read it pretty quickly...got lots to do today and I am off to work...had to take Gigi for her walk...that's the dog, not my wife.
$850,000 should be enough to buy a new Audi, but if he wants to get a 2008 that's his hang up.....you can overdo trying to save money too.
When we were considering buying the Florida place we asked our financial advisors what they thought. One of them owns a place in Arizona. He said it isn't a financial choice, it is a lifestyle choice. If you will enjoy it and can afford it that is what the money is for. They have had their place for 20 years and he would certainly do it again.
If you want to drive an SRX and can afford it, you shouldn't feel guilty that you could have saved money by buying an Accent. Of course, you shouldn't be reckless with money, but you also have to be able to enjoy it.
And that $850k should earn at least $20k a year plus pension money. I would suggest he put half in guaranteed investments and half in stocks...or at least 60 guaranteed/40% stocks for growth.
"If you want to drive an SRX and can afford it, you shouldn't feel guilty that you could have saved money by buying an Accent."
I totally agree. Though gas prices are high and the V8 SRX only gets 16.7 mpg, it doesn't bother me really. I enjoy the vehicle so much and I can afford it. As you say, it is more of a lifestyle choice. Why should I save it all for fezo? :P
as the home improvement death spiral continues, I am looking at project costs in terms of what it is doing to my ability to evnetually car shop.
So far, the work done (lots of hardwood, new laundry room, and some incidentals like new exhaust fans) have made a huge transformation to our house (18 YO now, and aging like a development house tends to do). Not that it was decrepit, more like tired and dated.
So, I have spent say the cost of a base Accent for a heck of an improvement (with the advantage of making the house value most likely go up more than I put in. not to mention vastly easier to resell!)
Now as we debate the big hit (kitchen gut/redo), that is a harder project to sign off on, since it essentially "trades in" my (theoretical) Accent for my wifes theoretical BMW X3!
her call. Fancy new kitchen to enjoy, but keep the minivan longer (or still upgrade in 12/2012, just to something 1/2 the price), or keep the dated kitchen and get a nicer car sooner.
I know what she will pick. And if nothing else, regarding the kithen, it is either pay now, or pay later (when we eventually try to sell!).
Man, home imporvement is like fixing things on an old car. do some, and it makes the rest look shabby.
And it never ends - when it does, that's when you move and start all over. Happens to me EVERY time. Our place is fairly new, but apart from the kitchen (which is perfect), it was a "base model" house, especially the landscaping (there was none).
There's now nothing left to be done on it apart from powerwash/stain the deck, and patch some pits in the driveway, which we'll do this summer. Now that everything's in order, what do you think my S.O. wants to do? Move. At least he wants to move to another city, not just moving for the sake of moving, but still...
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
Took this photo as the storms started moving in a few minutes ago. We are going to get POUNDED. Last time my parents visited, my dad remarked, "you should just put a sign over there that says 'tornados land here.' It's the perfect tornado landing pad." He's not wrong. (Note the fence - part of last year's home improvement project list)
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I don't know what you did to post 68110 but I couldn't reply to it. :confuse: Maybe your link to the pic messed it up.
Took this photo as the storms started moving in a few minutes ago. We are going to get POUNDED.
I don’t envy you one bit living in tornado alley or on the edge of it. It's very rare when the Burgh area has that problem but about a month ago one touched down in the outskirts of Greensburg PA about 15 miles east of my home. It even made the national news. People are still cleaning up that mess.
Hope what I see in the pic passes quickly without a problem for you.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
The severity of the storm was pretty unimpressive (thankfully).
No idea what's going on with that post & the photo/link. The link is there, but the photo disappeared and you get nothin' when you click it. Oh well. (edit: and now it's back. my guess is it's behaving differently depending on what server you hit when you load this page.)
I have lived in tornado-prone areas for 95% of my life. The only event that frightens me more is earthquakes, because you don't get any warning with those and you can't go somewhere to escape them. Next time we move states, it will NOT be to one that's tornado-prone... it will also not be prone to snow/ice!
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
You're a good guy richard. Probably best I remain a casual lurker and occasional poster. I never thought the day would come that I would lose interest in this discussion, as well as the others here at Edmunds. I've become a bit busier with work, kids and getting this new house. Maybe someday the ole jipster will return. In the meantime best of luck to all... and keep posting. And you're right, this discussion should remain exactly how it is.
Seriously, I haven't had to key in a zip code here in North Carolina. Some places may have it, but I haven't experienced it.
Hess/Wilco down here on the coast asks for your ZIP code. Not going to worry about 5 extra keystrokes when they're selling their premium 10-12 cents cheaper than anyone else around here.
Not going to worry about 5 extra keystrokes.........
Six, because you have to hit 'ENTER' afterwards.
It's having to do it twice because it won't allow over $100 at a time that annoys me, and doesn't make any sense either.
If the card gets verified to let me purchase $100 of gas, how does it offer any greater protection to the gas station or c/c company to verify it again to continue pumping gas?
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation? (For the $100 rule, not my failure to see the logic. )
If the card gets verified to let me purchase $100 of gas, how does it offer any greater protection to the gas station or c/c company to verify it again to continue pumping gas?
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
In a way I can understand it. IF, somehow, the thief of the credit card was lucky when he entered the zip code the first time, he might not be so lucky the second time. Now, if he wrote it down (very unlikely) then he gets free use of your credit card for that gas purchase and all subsequent purchases with that card.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
In a way I can understand it. IF, somehow, the thief of the credit card was lucky when he entered the zip code the first time, he might not be so lucky the second time.
Possibly, but it's a lot of work and expense predicated on whether or not a thief is going to get lucky and have a bad memory.
My guess is that is was either a decision cobbled up by a committee, or a decision made by a management executive so high up in the company that no one dared disagree with him.
I now own 3 Hondas. We took delivery of our 2011 Honda Pilot EX-L w/ NAV last night. Our Pilot is Polished Metal Metallic w/ Black Leather Interior.
F&I was pretty quick and painless. Honda was running a 2.9% financing for 60 months which I qualified for. They financed me through Bank of America for 2.9% for the same 60 month term. The F&I guy probably makes more money financing me the truck through B of A than through Honda Finance. Not a big deal. Everyone's in business to make money.
I was presented with an interesting offer (no pun intended)...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I enjoy the vehicle so much and I can afford it. As you say, it is more of a lifestyle choice.
It is a life style choice. This is a true story. I know someone and I won't say who it is, but we will call him Henry.
Henry went to the same place for breakfast every morning and got eggs, potatoes, bacon, toast and coffee for $2.99 + tax, and it came to $3.20.
One morning he asked for a pancake instead of potatoes. When his bill came it was for $3.50+25 cents tax.
He went up to the owner and said, why did you charge me a different amount, all of a sudden my breakfast went from $3.20 to $3.75?
(Now keep in mind, at $2.99 for a breakfast, the owner was probably just using the breakfast as a loss leader. He couldn't have made any profit, and I am sure Henry didn't even leave a tip).
The owner said to Henry, "Get out of my restaurant and don't ever come back here again".
The point being, saving money is very good, but when it becomes obsessive-compulsive, it's not such a good thing. And, what a way to go through life.
If you are paying $50 a week to buy gas now, you might save a third with a very economical car, so $15 a week for example....$2 a day. Much better to enjoy your car than to have an extra $15 a week, and a car which isn't really what you want.
Also a good point....better you enjoy it than Fezo.(sorry Fez, but it's true - we don't even worry about our kids inheritance, we won't be getting much of one so why should they?)
If the card gets verified to let me purchase $100 of gas, how does it offer any greater protection to the gas station or c/c company to verify it again to continue pumping gas?
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
Because it's a seperate transaction from the first one and it's treated as unique.
Our Pilot is Polished Metal Metallic w/ Black Leather Interior.
Sounds nice, I am sure you will enjoy your new car. I saw a Pilot the other day and they look like mini Range Rovers. I like that square design. Keep us posted.
If the card gets verified to let me purchase $100 of gas, how does it offer any greater protection to the gas station or c/c company to verify it again to continue pumping gas? I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
Because it's a seperate transaction from the first one and it's treated as unique.
I think he is saying, how is the credit card company protected if he can use the card again right away.... if he can put in another $100 right away. I have a feeling, that there is probably an alarm system and the credit card company will start monitoring that card when it is used a 2nd time. If not the 2nd time they will probably issue a warning after the 2nd time and ask the guy to take the card into the store. If it is used at a different station it probably won't work the 2nd or 3rd time, not too many people buy that much gas.....and if they do, like running a big truck, or an RV, they have probably made arrangements to use their card multiple times.
So back to my trip into the F&I office. Let's see, where was I?
Oh yes. So Mr. F&I goes over a bunch of documents with me, has me sign my life away. Then says to me:
"OK, we're almost done here & I don't want to waste any more of your time than I have to. If you buy a Honda Care extended warranty from us, I'll give you an oppurtunity to buy down your interst rate."
Me: "What can I buy the interest rate down to & how much is the extended warranty?"
F&I: "Extending the factory 3 year/36K warranty to a full 5 years/100K miles will only cost you about two grand which won't make that big of a difference in your payment. The new rate would be 1.9%, so you'd save about $700 in interest making the warranty cost only $1300."
Me: "Sounds like a good deal, but no thank-you."
F&I: "OK, we're all done. Thanks for your business."
The salesman then kinda did a half assed delivery. He did another delivery while I was in F&I, had a customer waiting, & then another delivery afterwards. We pretty much knew how to work everything since it is exactly the same as our TSX. I'm still going to give him a perfect survey score.
So there will be NO MORE sales stories from me. I'm tapped out completely.
We've got my '01 Prelude Type SH which is being semi retired to 1X a week driving, my wife's '10 TSX which will become my daily driver, & our '11 pilot which we bought yesterday. The TSX & the Pilot are both financed & I plan on keeping them for the long haul - 10 years.
My Parents also bought their respective cars (2010 Chevy Tahoe & 2011 Porsche Cayenne) instead of leasing them as they have for so many years and plan to keep their cars for a long time.
So in the end from a salesperson's point of view, I did the right thing:
Bought the car at the dealership closest to my home where I will be servicing it & was referred. Took the salesman's 1st offer as I found it to be a very fair price ($750 over invoice) for the Pilot given the current market conditions. I didn't try to grind an extra $200 - $300 out of them or pit multiple dealers against one another. I financed the car through the dealership.
I'm happy with the Pilot & will reccomend Greenwich Honda to anyone looking for a HONDA.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The salesman then kinda did a half assed delivery.
Hmmm . . . I sense a pattern. When I bought my TSX a little over 3 years ago the thing that was the most deficient was the delivery. The car had (has, for that matter) all kinds of electronic magic and comes with a 15- or 20-item checklist for it that I discovered several days later. The car and the price were fine, but the delivery sucked. I dealt with three different "sales associates" in the course of the week or so it took to buy the car, and I'm confident none of them worked there three months later.
I got a zero-assed delivery, but a great car.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your Pilot. Our family gatherings look like a Honda ad. We've got an '86 Accord (Son #3), a '94 Prelude (Daughter), an Odyssey (DIL #1), a CRV (DIL #2), an '02 Accord (Son #2), an '04 Civic (MIL) and my TSX. Mothers' Day last year 5 or 6 of them were lined up in a row in the picnic area parking lot.
I think he is saying, how is the credit card company protected if he can use the card again right away.... if he can put in another $100 right away.
Correct, each transaction may be unique, but splitting the gas purchase into two separate transactions provides no better fraud protection than having it in one, that I can see anyway.
However, although it doesn't relate to the $100 limit, it makes sense that the card may be monitered for subsequent use at different gas stations close to the same time period.
I'm not one to question your vast knowledge, expertise, & many years of experience, but I don't think it is as far fetched as you think.
Back in December I was sitting in the F&I office of the Porsche dealership going over the paperwork with my Dad. The guy asked how we were going to pay for the car. We told him straight up we were approved for 3% financing for 60 months from CHASE, but wanted to do business with the dealership. He said: OK, 3% it is" without blinking an eye.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Perhaps those storms are why your S.O. wants to move? Glad it wasn't so bad this time. Better not come to N.C. because we certainly do have our share of tornados.
I understand. Still, we'll miss you being here on a regular basis. Do try to post as often as you can. Good luck with the job, the kids, and that new house. I just don't want you or Isell to ever leave here. You're both such a part of Edmunds.
I know how excited you must be to finally have that dream machine in your possession. You'll enjoy it for years to come. I enjoyed your sales story. You do tell a really good yarn. Congratulations!
MAn, in anticipation of hitting 62 in a year and a half and maybe having one more move in me I've been poking around on some of the real estate sites. In a classic "oh, I shouldn't have done that" I run across a place in Glocester, VA. Plenty big enough house on 5 acres on a river. Oh, my kind of place. Across the York River from Williamsburg where my wife would dearly like to live....
Other place to look. Not like I can jump immediately but dang.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
"Henry" sounds like that lottery winner. Some people live miserable lives because of their own actions. The sad thing is that they often don't know how miserable they really are. Imagine either one of them giving to a charity or helping out their neighbor. Sad.
You should line up all of the family Hondas and take a picture. Then send it to the Honda headquarters. What a wonderful ad for them---and some money for YOU. If I was the company CEO, I would be thrilled to have you in an ad showing off the family collection.
We love Williamsburg and the surrounding area. Our honeymoon was there and we go back every year. You might really like it there. If you make the move, let me know. We'll be happy to stay with you on weekends so that you don't get lonely. :shades:
Funny thing. My oldest daughter catches me looking at that. Now keep in mind that her boyfriend is going through a long process toward becoming some sort of federal law officer which if he gets it would put him in Virginia. Her old district manager from work got transferred to Virginia and would grab her as a manager in a minute! I mention her looking there and she says "but if he doesn't get that job Virginia is really far away." No farther away than it is if he does get it.....
We love Williamsburg. If the Mrs. could land a nice job there we'd have a winner. While her employer is in several states Virginia isn't one of them. Actually the places they are in that are places we'd think about are pretty much all in the Northeast. Pretty places but cold...
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
I haven't been on here for a few days, so just seeing the posts about the lotto winner.
So, with taking the lump sum and taxes, people here think he's down to about half a million. He bought a used car, what about $15,000 or so? He bought a house. This is a big 'if' about how much this cost. In my area, you could get a pretty nice house for $200,000. He's in Michigan, so he might not get much of a house for $200,000. Anyway, he's now down to about $300,000.
Maybe he's conservative with his investing, not wanting to put any risk on his fortunate winnings. Right now a multi-year CD is only going to bring him about 1.5 percent. This takes him to the 'under $5,000 a year income'.
If he makes minimum wage, he's taking in about $15,000 a year. Total about $20,000 a year. If he's got a wife and two kids, he probably qualifies in many states for some 'food stamp' assistance. Maybe he would really like for his kids to have a better life than the minimum wage, food stamp life he has led, and wants the savings to allow his two kids to go to college. What's that going to be, $5,000 a year at a local state college - $40,000 for both his kids to get a degree, he's down to $240,000 in a few years. Maybe he is looking far ahead and would like to have the rest available so his and his wife's retirement might be a little easier. Maybe he wants to be sure he can meet his utility bills, insurance on the house, real estate taxes on his new house, and insurance on the car in the future. What might this be, $8,500 a year, probably more. On this $20,000 a year income he's left with $11,500 a year. This is less than $1,000 a month for 'everything else'. Food. Clothing. Gasoline.
From my reading on here, I feel the vast majority of people posting on here like to save money. Are there any here that would like to pay more taxes, to the fed or the state? If so, you could probably just not include some deductions on your tax returns and accomplish this.
What this guy is doing - he is legally taking money the state is offering him. If there is a problem here, it's not this guy. It's the guys in Michigan's state house that set their food stamp system up to ignore savings when calculating the elgibility for receiving state assistance. This is where the article should be making the most noise - why are savings ignored?
This is where the article should be making the most noise - why are savings ignored?
Your points are very well made. I wouldn't argue, but some things to think about; * You should be able to 4 to 6% interest on bonds of some kind...not 1.5% *If he is really strapped for money he should probably buy a Corolla, and not a 2008 Audi. I mean, something reliable that won't become a money pit. *I agree it is the states fault that a person with savings should not get food stamps in the same way someone without funds can. In a way that is unfair too, the person who does save, or who owns most of their house could lose it all....but the person who never saved, never bought a house, can live off the system.
I am not sure what the answer is, but it does seem unfair that someone wins a big lottery, and still gets food stamps....but you don't want to discourage people from working, saving, and buying a home.
Smarter people than me have to figure that one out.....unfortunately, the people who are supposed to figure these things out aren't that bright.
Guess who's car this is? (By the way he is probably very bright coming to the country with nothing and accumulating over $300 million...but fooling around with that house keeper, not to mention what he did to the state of California????? :sick: )
* You should be able to 4 to 6% interest on bonds of some kind...not 1.5%
Yes you can get 4 to 6 % or even more in investing your money. however there is a risk associated with that interest. If you are interested in preserving capital above income (which is smart if a few hundred thousand is all you are going to have) then your not going to get much more than 1 or 2%. Safe investments have real low interest rates these days.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I would also tend to leave half of savings in the stock market which is up 5.2% so far this year. A general rule is that your age should be the amount you have in secured funds (for example, if you are 60 years old, you should have 60% of savings in secure investments), but these days you have to be flexible, because stocks probably have more potential, and getting a good rate of return on bonds is not easy.
Richard, you are been around long enough to know that some people aren't happy unless they are miserable !!
That is so true! I remember the comedian Richard Lewis once said his whole family was always so miserable. He remembers once they had a big family get together and an uncle video recorded the whole party, and then edited out all the joyous moments.
I try to avoid such people, but, when they are family members it is hard to do.
Comments
I second that. Amen.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
was it just because you could get more $ for it
The reason I traded her ’06 Sonata LX for my ’09 Genny was that she liked the softer ride of my ’05 XG 350 better than her Sonata. She knew that the XG 350 didn’t have bun warmers but she didn’t realize how much she had gotten used to them and liked them. We got rid of the ’95 Bonneville beast that she drove when we bought the Sonata. The beast had cloth seats so they never got cold like leather does. I even told her about this and was still given the go ahead to trade her Sonata. :confuse: Other than the bun warmers the Sonata didn't have better features. In fact, the XG has more.
And yes, the Sonata was worth more at trade time but that was just a positive collateral benefit.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yes, I read it pretty quickly...got lots to do today and I am off to work...had to take Gigi for her walk...that's the dog, not my wife.
$850,000 should be enough to buy a new Audi, but if he wants to get a 2008 that's his hang up.....you can overdo trying to save money too.
When we were considering buying the Florida place we asked our financial advisors what they thought. One of them owns a place in Arizona. He said it isn't a financial choice, it is a lifestyle choice. If you will enjoy it and can afford it that is what the money is for. They have had their place for 20 years and he would certainly do it again.
If you want to drive an SRX and can afford it, you shouldn't feel guilty that you could have saved money by buying an Accent. Of course, you shouldn't be reckless with money, but you also have to be able to enjoy it.
And that $850k should earn at least $20k a year plus pension money. I would suggest he put half in guaranteed investments and half in stocks...or at least 60 guaranteed/40% stocks for growth.
Gotta go to work or I'll be living on $5k a year!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I totally agree. Though gas prices are high and the V8 SRX only gets 16.7 mpg, it doesn't bother me really. I enjoy the vehicle so much and I can afford it. As you say, it is more of a lifestyle choice. Why should I save it all for fezo? :P
Richard
Some of us are both.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
as the home improvement death spiral continues, I am looking at project costs in terms of what it is doing to my ability to evnetually car shop.
So far, the work done (lots of hardwood, new laundry room, and some incidentals like new exhaust fans) have made a huge transformation to our house (18 YO now, and aging like a development house tends to do). Not that it was decrepit, more like tired and dated.
So, I have spent say the cost of a base Accent for a heck of an improvement (with the advantage of making the house value most likely go up more than I put in. not to mention vastly easier to resell!)
Now as we debate the big hit (kitchen gut/redo), that is a harder project to sign off on, since it essentially "trades in" my (theoretical) Accent for my wifes theoretical BMW X3!
her call. Fancy new kitchen to enjoy, but keep the minivan longer (or still upgrade in 12/2012, just to something 1/2 the price), or keep the dated kitchen and get a nicer car sooner.
I know what she will pick. And if nothing else, regarding the kithen, it is either pay now, or pay later (when we eventually try to sell!).
Man, home imporvement is like fixing things on an old car. do some, and it makes the rest look shabby.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
There's now nothing left to be done on it apart from powerwash/stain the deck, and patch some pits in the driveway, which we'll do this summer. Now that everything's in order, what do you think my S.O. wants to do? Move.
At least he wants to move to another city, not just moving for the sake of moving, but still...
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(Note the fence - part of last year's home improvement project list)
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Took this photo as the storms started moving in a few minutes ago. We are going to get POUNDED.
I don’t envy you one bit living in tornado alley or on the edge of it. It's very rare when the Burgh area has that problem but about a month ago one touched down in the outskirts of Greensburg PA about 15 miles east of my home. It even made the national news. People are still cleaning up that mess.
Hope what I see in the pic passes quickly without a problem for you.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
No idea what's going on with that post & the photo/link. The link is there, but the photo disappeared and you get nothin' when you click it. Oh well. (edit: and now it's back. my guess is it's behaving differently depending on what server you hit when you load this page.)
I have lived in tornado-prone areas for 95% of my life. The only event that frightens me more is earthquakes, because you don't get any warning with those and you can't go somewhere to escape them. Next time we move states, it will NOT be to one that's tornado-prone... it will also not be prone to snow/ice!
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Hess/Wilco down here on the coast asks for your ZIP code. Not going to worry about 5 extra keystrokes when they're selling their premium 10-12 cents cheaper than anyone else around here.
Six, because you have to hit 'ENTER' afterwards.
It's having to do it twice because it won't allow over $100 at a time that annoys me, and doesn't make any sense either.
If the card gets verified to let me purchase $100 of gas, how does it offer any greater protection to the gas station or c/c company to verify it again to continue pumping gas?
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
(For the $100 rule, not my failure to see the logic.
Oh, I wouldn't expect you to! Most will be fine.
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
In a way I can understand it. IF, somehow, the thief of the credit card was lucky when he entered the zip code the first time, he might not be so lucky the second time. Now, if he wrote it down (very unlikely) then he gets free use of your credit card for that gas purchase and all subsequent purchases with that card.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Possibly, but it's a lot of work and expense predicated on whether or not a thief is going to get lucky and have a bad memory.
My guess is that is was either a decision cobbled up by a committee, or a decision made by a management executive so high up in the company that no one dared disagree with him.
F&I was pretty quick and painless. Honda was running a 2.9% financing for 60 months which I qualified for. They financed me through Bank of America for 2.9% for the same 60 month term. The F&I guy probably makes more money financing me the truck through B of A than through Honda Finance. Not a big deal. Everyone's in business to make money.
I was presented with an interesting offer (no pun intended)...
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
It is a life style choice. This is a true story. I know someone and I won't say who it is, but we will call him Henry.
Henry went to the same place for breakfast every morning and got eggs, potatoes, bacon, toast and coffee for $2.99 + tax, and it came to $3.20.
One morning he asked for a pancake instead of potatoes. When his bill came it was for $3.50+25 cents tax.
He went up to the owner and said, why did you charge me a different amount, all of a sudden my breakfast went from $3.20 to $3.75?
(Now keep in mind, at $2.99 for a breakfast, the owner was probably just using the breakfast as a loss leader. He couldn't have made any profit, and I am sure Henry didn't even leave a tip).
The owner said to Henry, "Get out of my restaurant and don't ever come back here again".
The point being, saving money is very good, but when it becomes obsessive-compulsive, it's not such a good thing. And, what a way to go through life.
If you are paying $50 a week to buy gas now, you might save a third with a very economical car, so $15 a week for example....$2 a day. Much better to enjoy your car than to have an extra $15 a week, and a car which isn't really what you want.
Also a good point....better you enjoy it than Fezo.(sorry Fez, but it's true - we don't even worry about our kids inheritance, we won't be getting much of one so why should they?)
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
Because it's a seperate transaction from the first one and it's treated as unique.
Sounds nice, I am sure you will enjoy your new car. I saw a Pilot the other day and they look like mini Range Rovers. I like that square design.
Keep us posted.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I fail to see the logic behind it; can anyone think of a reasonable explanation?
Because it's a seperate transaction from the first one and it's treated as unique.
I think he is saying, how is the credit card company protected if he can use the card again right away.... if he can put in another $100 right away. I have a feeling, that there is probably an alarm system and the credit card company will start monitoring that card when it is used a 2nd time. If not the 2nd time they will probably issue a warning after the 2nd time and ask the guy to take the card into the store. If it is used at a different station it probably won't work the 2nd or 3rd time, not too many people buy that much gas.....and if they do, like running a big truck, or an RV, they have probably made arrangements to use their card multiple times.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Oh yes. So Mr. F&I goes over a bunch of documents with me, has me sign my life away. Then says to me:
"OK, we're almost done here & I don't want to waste any more of your time than I have to. If you buy a Honda Care extended warranty from us, I'll give you an oppurtunity to buy down your interst rate."
Me: "What can I buy the interest rate down to & how much is the extended warranty?"
F&I: "Extending the factory 3 year/36K warranty to a full 5 years/100K miles will only cost you about two grand which won't make that big of a difference in your payment. The new rate would be 1.9%, so you'd save about $700 in interest making the warranty cost only $1300."
Me: "Sounds like a good deal, but no thank-you."
F&I: "OK, we're all done. Thanks for your business."
The salesman then kinda did a half assed delivery. He did another delivery while I was in F&I, had a customer waiting, & then another delivery afterwards. We pretty much knew how to work everything since it is exactly the same as our TSX. I'm still going to give him a perfect survey score.
So there will be NO MORE sales stories from me. I'm tapped out completely.
We've got my '01 Prelude Type SH which is being semi retired to 1X a week driving, my wife's '10 TSX which will become my daily driver, & our '11 pilot which we bought yesterday. The TSX & the Pilot are both financed & I plan on keeping them for the long haul - 10 years.
My Parents also bought their respective cars (2010 Chevy Tahoe & 2011 Porsche Cayenne) instead of leasing them as they have for so many years and plan to keep their cars for a long time.
So in the end from a salesperson's point of view, I did the right thing:
Bought the car at the dealership closest to my home where I will be servicing it & was referred. Took the salesman's 1st offer as I found it to be a very fair price ($750 over invoice) for the Pilot given the current market conditions. I didn't try to grind an extra $200 - $300 out of them or pit multiple dealers against one another. I financed the car through the dealership.
I'm happy with the Pilot & will reccomend Greenwich Honda to anyone looking for a HONDA.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Hmmm . . . I sense a pattern. When I bought my TSX a little over 3 years ago the thing that was the most deficient was the delivery. The car had (has, for that matter) all kinds of electronic magic and comes with a 15- or 20-item checklist for it that I discovered several days later. The car and the price were fine, but the delivery sucked. I dealt with three different "sales associates" in the course of the week or so it took to buy the car, and I'm confident none of them worked there three months later.
I got a zero-assed delivery, but a great car.
I'm sure you'll enjoy your Pilot. Our family gatherings look like a Honda ad. We've got an '86 Accord (Son #3), a '94 Prelude (Daughter), an Odyssey (DIL #1), a CRV (DIL #2), an '02 Accord (Son #2), an '04 Civic (MIL) and my TSX. Mothers' Day last year 5 or 6 of them were lined up in a row in the picnic area parking lot.
Correct, each transaction may be unique, but splitting the gas purchase into two separate transactions provides no better fraud protection than having it in one, that I can see anyway.
However, although it doesn't relate to the $100 limit, it makes sense that the card may be monitered for subsequent use at different gas stations close to the same time period.
They no doubt made it up in the price of the car.
I'm not one to question your vast knowledge, expertise, & many years of experience, but I don't think it is as far fetched as you think.
Back in December I was sitting in the F&I office of the Porsche dealership going over the paperwork with my Dad. The guy asked how we were going to pay for the car. We told him straight up we were approved for 3% financing for 60 months from CHASE, but wanted to do business with the dealership. He said: OK, 3% it is" without blinking an eye.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Assuming excellent credit and perhaps a strong down payment they are offering " buy rates" right now that are as low as 2.9%.
So, yeah, it sounds nuts but they must have given you the buy rate which sometimes happens.
Other times, a store will "buy the rate down" when they get a customer who is only focused on the interest rate.
Thanks for checking my friend.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Richard
Richard
My best to you---Richard
I don't blame you. I wouldn't worry about it either. Nice to see you here. hope you post again.
Richard
Why don't you let me be your agent? I need to put you on the stage.
Richard
Richard
MAn, in anticipation of hitting 62 in a year and a half and maybe having one more move in me I've been poking around on some of the real estate sites. In a classic "oh, I shouldn't have done that" I run across a place in Glocester, VA. Plenty big enough house on 5 acres on a river. Oh, my kind of place. Across the York River from Williamsburg where my wife would dearly like to live....
Other place to look. Not like I can jump immediately but dang.
Richard
Richard
We love Williamsburg and the surrounding area. Our honeymoon was there and we go back every year. You might really like it there. If you make the move, let me know. We'll be happy to stay with you on weekends so that you don't get lonely.
Richard
We love Williamsburg. If the Mrs. could land a nice job there we'd have a winner. While her employer is in several states Virginia isn't one of them. Actually the places they are in that are places we'd think about are pretty much all in the Northeast. Pretty places but cold...
So, with taking the lump sum and taxes, people here think he's down to about half a million.
He bought a used car, what about $15,000 or so? He bought a house. This is a big 'if' about how much this cost. In my area, you could get a pretty nice house for $200,000. He's in Michigan, so he might not get much of a house for $200,000. Anyway, he's now down to about $300,000.
Maybe he's conservative with his investing, not wanting to put any risk on his fortunate winnings. Right now a multi-year CD is only going to bring him about 1.5 percent. This takes him to the 'under $5,000 a year income'.
If he makes minimum wage, he's taking in about $15,000 a year. Total about $20,000 a year. If he's got a wife and two kids, he probably qualifies in many states for some 'food stamp' assistance.
Maybe he would really like for his kids to have a better life than the minimum wage, food stamp life he has led, and wants the savings to allow his two kids to go to college. What's that going to be, $5,000 a year at a local state college - $40,000 for both his kids to get a degree, he's down to $240,000 in a few years. Maybe he is looking far ahead and would like to have the rest available so his and his wife's retirement might be a little easier. Maybe he wants to be sure he can meet his utility bills, insurance on the house, real estate taxes on his new house, and insurance on the car in the future. What might this be, $8,500 a year, probably more. On this $20,000 a year income he's left with $11,500 a year. This is less than $1,000 a month for 'everything else'. Food. Clothing. Gasoline.
From my reading on here, I feel the vast majority of people posting on here like to save money. Are there any here that would like to pay more taxes, to the fed or the state? If so, you could probably just not include some deductions on your tax returns and accomplish this.
What this guy is doing - he is legally taking money the state is offering him. If there is a problem here, it's not this guy. It's the guys in Michigan's state house that set their food stamp system up to ignore savings when calculating the elgibility for receiving state assistance. This is where the article should be making the most noise - why are savings ignored?
Your points are very well made. I wouldn't argue, but some things to think about;
* You should be able to 4 to 6% interest on bonds of some kind...not 1.5%
*If he is really strapped for money he should probably buy a Corolla, and not a 2008 Audi. I mean, something reliable that won't become a money pit.
*I agree it is the states fault that a person with savings should not get food stamps in the same way someone without funds can. In a way that is unfair too, the person who does save, or who owns most of their house could lose it all....but the person who never saved, never bought a house, can live off the system.
I am not sure what the answer is, but it does seem unfair that someone wins a big lottery, and still gets food stamps....but you don't want to discourage people from working, saving, and buying a home.
Smarter people than me have to figure that one out.....unfortunately, the people who are supposed to figure these things out aren't that bright.
Guess who's car this is? (By the way he is probably very bright coming to the country with nothing and accumulating over $300 million...but fooling around with that house keeper, not to mention what he did to the state of California????? :sick: )
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yes you can get 4 to 6 % or even more in investing your money. however there is a risk associated with that interest. If you are interested in preserving capital above income (which is smart if a few hundred thousand is all you are going to have) then your not going to get much more than 1 or 2%. Safe investments have real low interest rates these days.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Here are some mutual funds that invest in secure bonds, and the top funds range from almost 6% interest to almost 12% interest.
Top 5 secure bond funds
I would also tend to leave half of savings in the stock market which is up 5.2% so far this year. A general rule is that your age should be the amount you have in secured funds (for example, if you are 60 years old, you should have 60% of savings in secure investments), but these days you have to be flexible, because stocks probably have more potential, and getting a good rate of return on bonds is not easy.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is so true! I remember the comedian Richard Lewis once said his whole family was always so miserable. He remembers once they had a big family get together and an uncle video recorded the whole party, and then edited out all the joyous moments.
I try to avoid such people, but, when they are family members it is hard to do.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250