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As Michael has reminded me, I have judged without facts. I have assumed bad things about people that I don't even know. I have falsely accused without opportunity for explanation. I have forgotten that nyccarguy would only have a best friend like himself. I have allowed misrepresentation in my mind without asking further questions. I have allowed old age to cloud the open mindedness of my youth. I am sorely reminded that this is not my nature of the person that I once was. I now admonish myself that in the future, either keep my mouth closed or gather more information before etching my thoughts in stone.
May the couple find what they need and prosper from doing so. Blessings on you, them, and their children.
Richard
Over on CCBA, it's just the opposite - everyone encourages everyone else to buy, sell and trade without consideration of finances.
Here is what it says:
"Your vehicle has a computer system that lets you know when to change the engine oil and filter. This is based on engine revolutions and engine temperature, and not on mileage. Based on driving conditions, the mileage at which an oil change will be indicated can vary considerably. When the system has calcualted that oil life has been diminished, it will indicate that an oil change is necessary. A CHANGE ENGINE OIL SOON message will come on. Change the oil as soon as possible within the next 600 miles. It is possible that, if you are driving under the best conditions, the oil life system might not indicate that an oil change is necessary for over a year. However, the engine oil and filter must be changed at least once a year."
I think that this blows a hole in what the servcie manager told me this morning. What he says that GM recommends is certainly not what their manual says. I prefer to go with the manual and what the guys here say.
Richard
Richard
Good deal .. remember, the service department has to show a profit and the service manager is compensated on the volume of work that is done.
I'll think you'll be just fine for your road trip. Let's hope you can check in from the road from time to time to let us know where you are and how you're doing.
My comments on nyc's friend come from a bit of frustration ... there are many places on these forums where someone asks for a bit of advice and folks respond by ripping them to shreds about the unwise financial decision they are about to make. It's not our job to show people the light ... just answer the question that was asked.
That's why I've taken to not posting any of the details of the cars I've purchased. Not anyone's business to know how good or bad of a deal I've made. As isell likes to say, I'm happy so I'm moving on.
I've learned not to share so much on-line; it drove me away from a board I was a part of for many years ... fezo knows what I'm talking about.
Based on what you told us I don't think our comments were too out of line - not that you were deceiving us, just that we only heard certain facts and then rushed to judgement. We should get the whole story before we judge though. I am still not sure it makes total sense because it does seem that something like a Honda Odyssey could be the answer, but it isn't as nice as an E or X5. But, if people like something and can pay for it than why not get it...who am I to judge? As you said, they work hard, especially if they are running successful restaurants, so they should buy what they really want.
I agree with your comments about MB leather, it is the way to go with an MB, most people would never know it isn't real leather.
Now on to my perfectly good 328 Cab. I could keep driving it, but my savings probably won't be too great. The 4 year warranty period will be up in October. I will probably work another 2 years minimum and maybe 4 or 5 years maximum, but I should buy a car while I am working in order to get the tax advantages....and that will lower the cost of the car, and it will get paid off before I am living off my retirement savings.
Maybe that is justifying buying a new car. I am not sure, when you count the tax advantage it would actually be crazier for me not to buy now.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm sure at some point when seeing her pull up in the Tahoe, someone would say to her something like, "I'm so sorry, is your husband's business doing badly?"
I think the sales tax is due to go up as of July 1, so it might be a good idea for them to lock in the 6%, if they can.
We get some tickets that we can put into a fishbowl associated to a particular prize. 1 ticket gets pulled from each bowl to determine the prize winner.
Among the prizes are a Kindle, a Nook, and an iPad2.
I couldn't remember which came more highly recommended, so I put a ticket in the iPad2 bowl.
If I win, my kids can split the cost of another one and they will both be happy.
You made a good move.....you chose the most expensive one by about 5X.
Of course, if you now have to buy the other kid one it might have been better to have drawn the Kindle or Nook, you would have saved about $500 bucks!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They are both working(or about to start), so no Dad or Mom underwriting on this.
Second Explorer fill up today. First tank was 19.3. This one 20.4 non Imperial MPG.
That's the thing, the car has worked its way back into my good graces. It really is a hoot to drive; I just hope nothing else expensive goes south...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I was simply giving my opinion,
After 14 years in the car business I watched time and time again as people found "reasons" to buy a different car. For me, that was a good thing but in most cases, it was simply because they were bored with or tired of what they were driving.
I've done that myself in the past and I know our net worth would be a whole lot more if we had been more practical.
Teh best excuse (to me) is getting rid of a car because it's going to be out of it's factory warranty. Give me a break!
Everything/everybody else (including me) really can't put up a good reason to trade/sell their ride.
As much as I love my Honda and Acura, I'm car shopping.
Indeed I do.
I actually really like how you handle yourself over in Chronic Car Buyers - look at all the good stuff but buy or not on good logic. Yes, I do my best to defeat that logic but that's just in fun.
I agree with you about just sharing basics. The last thing I need is someone telling me I made a knucklehead deal.....
Precisely.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
In general, your post reflects my position exactly. However, I'd modify the piece of it that I included here to differentiate between those who are satisfied with their station in life from those who are not.
Those who are live at or below their means, have done without to provide a retirement fund that will support them in the future, often live in a house much smaller than those who work for them (and make much less), and generally don't depend on "stuff" to define who they are.
Those who don't probably support the economy in a better fashion, so long as BKs and welfare aren't part of the long-term analysis.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I am with you on this one - I upgraded to a MB C350 in 2008 - and I take it in when it prompts me - which has been once a year.
The funny thing is I go to the local Seattle MB dealer and in some respects they are still old school - they NEVER put the little sticker in my windshield - in fact the service people are better than the sales staff - and the sales guy was pretty good. I schedule the annual service, get a ride home, get picked up a few hours later and everything is done, including a wash and vacuum.
Follow your car's advice, don't waste your money going in early.
Just my 2 cents worth
Mdog :shades:
Lots of people right here on this site (I think even you...I could be wrong) say you get rid of BMWs Audis VWs and MBs beofre the warranty is up.
Anyway, if you don't like that one how about for tax purposes?
The fact is....warranty period is a factor for me, not everything, but when combined with other factors such as tax purposes it is a factor. I don't have the time or patience to mess around with broken down cars, and I think 3 or 4 years is a good time to trade in a car. Ifyou take into account repairs, depreciation, higher prices for new cars, time spent waiting for repairs, etc., I think the extra few thousand dollars a year to own a car under warranty is worth it to me.
My wife's car comes up at the same time. She doesn't think the new cars are better than the car she has now, so we will probably get an extended warranty on her car.
Mostly, in that case, I would like to alternate buying cars....not get them at the same time.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have been amused over the years at what lengths people will go to avoid whatever the out-of-style vehicle is. At one point it was the station wagon, then it became the minivan. Now I guess it's "oversized" SUVs, which is why new letters are being applied to similar slightly smaller vehicles that aren't the dreaded "MINIVAN."
I bought a minivan in '86, back when no one generally even knew what one was. It was a highly practical vehicle and gave us well over 100K miles of service & brought over $2K when I sold it. Replaced it with a '94 that we drove for over 100K miles again and sold without a problem. Excellent people and stuff haulers, but with the dreaded "suburban drone" image, so out of favor.
Much better to have an SUV that never goes off the road and has the "issues" that are being discussed here. The old "I hate SUVs, why don't you" or whatever it was board was really acitive back in the day. SUVs make a lot of sense off-road or in really awful weather. Otherwise, they're just a lifestyle statement.
We are visiting our son and his family here on Vancouver Island. This morning he bought a boat motor on Kajiji for $350. Then he advertised it for sale for $700 that day. He got a call and the guy pulled up and gave him $700 cash for the motor.
That's what I call wheelin and dealin'.
He says the only problem is these deals don't come up too often, where you can flip it so quickly.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Way to stand your ground, Richard. GM does not recommend a 4000 mile oil change... his service department does.
You will be just fine on your trip.
While I can certainly appreciate your view, the task is a difficult one. It is human nature, when answering a quesiton, to interject at least a partial opinion about the topic at hand. I think that not having all of the facts tends to make one "show people the light" more than one intends to.
Posters here have often tried to show me the light regarding certain problems and situaitons. To be honest, I have appreciated their efforts and learned a great deal from them. Still, I don't always follow the advice. It is a choice that I have to make on my own.
As for sharing "so much on-line", I have often been guilty of that act here. I shared certain details because I was actually seeking responses. I wanted to compare my thoughts and plans with what others might do in similar situations. I don't visit other forums; nor do I share any thoughts on my Facebook account or other social networking avenues. I am the first to realize the danger in that activity. I have felt comfortalbe here as if among a select group of friends. It has been a unique experience and probably not one that I would experience elsewhere.
I have certainly enjoyed your posts and appreciated your input. I hope that you remain here for a long time.
Richard
Well, not in my case. We need an SUV to haul around little pieces of furniture. Also, we're prone to take lengthy trips where the cargo space is needed for luggage, beach chairs, food, hang-up clothes, etc. It's also convenient to haul plants home from the nursery or larger items to the dump site. Then, too, when you are doing home renovations, the SUV is very handy for transportng items. If not for the above reasons, I would enjoy a sedan. IMHO, on-road isn't always a lifestyle statement.
Richard
Richard
Richard
Have you determined what brand of oil was used by the dealer from the last oil change receipt? Mobile 1? Another brand of synthetic oil? Synthetic oil is run by some people into the teens.
The oil life computer in the GM is very good at predicting the oil environment and therefore its life. The trip you are taking is ideal driving for longest oil life: few starts for the engine from a cold temperature after hours of shutdown. After long hours of driving the oil will have been purged of some contaminants that had accumulate in it from the normal cold starts in short trip driving around home.
I would be more concerned about the oil level being kept full. I assume your car, like my Buicks, has an oil level sensor to detect oil level too low. But I would have oil level checked every 1000 or 1500 miles or so to see if it tends to use oil at a normal rate.
And your vehicle is rated to use synethic. Our Buicks are rated for "up to 10000 miles" using regular oil as long as it meets the label on the can for quality regular oil additives, SM I believe it is.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
OK, I understand the need for cargo area to carr stuff for vacations, home improvement et al, however if thats the reason for the SUV wouldn't a van make more sense? Far more capacity than your typical SUV and can carry more people if need be.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Most car manufacturers cover the sides in vinyl. Heck even many high end leather home furniture manufacturers do the same thing. Why do you care if the back of a seat that won't ever touch your body is vinyl? Heck my car even has a real leather dash. The leather in my car (and my Avalon before it), isn't the quality of the Nappa leather in my friend's S430, but, it certainly isn't junk.
There is no way, no how I am spending over 40K for a car/suv (not including full size trucks) that has vinyl interior. It is a cost cutting, el cheapo thing IMO. I have sat in Mercedes with the vinyl. It feels like I'm sitting in a 73 Nova.
This is what happens when people drink the German Kool-Aid. Overpriced cars that probably 90% of people buy for the name only. The people that buy them because they truly enjoy the superior handling and/or track them is a different story.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I have it in my mind that city types that live in apartments just get used to payments. I'd be scared to retire with $2k or more rent for the rest of my life.
I mistakenly assumed nycarguy's friends were lifelong payment buyers.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Several years ago, this topic became over run with teens posting how they're Mommies and/or Daddies were going to buy them a new BMW, Nissan Z, Mustang GT, etc upon hitting their 16th birthday, graduating from high school, etc. I don't know why that set me off, but it did. I got my hands slapped (rightfully so) by the then host as I fired both barrels at them.
The only other time I became heated in here is when there was a poster (he had 2-3 different thread names over time) who said he was the master car buyer. The way he went about buying a car was better than everyone else's. I should have let that dog sleep. But, for whatever reason, I couldn't.
Funny thing about this thread, there have been a lot of people who have been here a long, long time. I remember when Edmunds first opened these forums, I had joined shortly thereafter ('95?). I know isellhondas was already here. Still, lots of posters have been in this thread for a long, long time. I guess I was bound to get into a scuffle or two along the way.
I concur. I, too, have been here almost from the beginning and have seen a lot of folks come and go. Yes, there have been virtual "shoving matches" between posters, but at the end of the day, we all get along pretty well - it doesn't hurt that the hosts are really good at their job.
Richard, I'm not going anywhere. The other forum I referred to was actually a spin off from an Edmunds discussion thread. It got so off-topic (much like this thread) that the core posters decided to host our own chat room. fezo and I were two members of that core group. While it was active, I had the opportunity to meet a number of these friends in real life, as I traveled quite a bit for business. Nice people - there are pictures of me and fezo out there somewhere from our dinner.
However, I got a bit too comfortable with what I started to share and one of the other posters (who, sadly, has passed away), came down on me like the proverbial ton of bricks. Decided that I didn't need the hassle and simply stopped posting.
As I get older - and the internet gets more pervasive in our lives - I've become a bit more private about my life.
The which goes off road more your lawn mower or your SUV was the classic.
Any time you see someone picking an SUV as perfectly matching their needs you know there's a "I couldn't see myself dead in a minivan.:" Those Minivans hold more and travel cheaper every time.
I only ever see logical SUV purchases on rare occasion and the issue tends to be family and towing.
My theory is that there should be a fezo tax payable to me on every SUV si=old where the buyer couldn't prove the need. I wouldn't need my inheritance from Richard! Write your congressman. Driver - you write to shoever is is you have - your MP?
You can add my wife to that list. She drove an '86 Tempo for 10 years after test driving an Aerostar and deciding, then and there, that she'll never drive a minivan. Her kids were born in '86 and '88. After the Tempo was an Escort, then she got the SUV bug.
'99 Expedition
'02 Explorer
'05 VUE
'08 VUE
'10 CX-7
He also drove the off-road course in an X5:
I highly recommend this course to parents of teens. As for my son, last night he asked how much it would cost to put an ///M motor in the X3... :surprise:
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Richard
Richard
In our case, we take the inlaws to dinner sometimes. I could just see mom-in-law climbing over the seat ... sure.
I'm so glad my wife finally saw the light after 4 SUVs (although the Forester really doesn't qualify, I guess).
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
BTW, I had a strange experience this morning. I got one of those emails from Mackabee---a Canadian health agency. At first glance, it really shocked me---and made me sad.
Richard
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I was always curious as to how you rich guys judge the quality of leather. Most of the cows I have known were just about of equal quality. :confuse:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Richard
Now I ask you, is she a keeper or what?
I also am fond of my Eclipse. I recently ran it through Edmunds TMV calculator and found that it's TMV had gone UP almost $1000 in the last few weeks. I guess it's true what I've been reading about crazy price increases in the used car market. If TMV is accurate, my private party value is now about $6,000 more than I owe on it (thank you 0% financing).
This may explain why I'm getting all these letters from local car dealers offering "top dollar" for my used car. My favorite was from a local Dodge dealer who offered me 110% of market value for my used Dodge. I don't have the heart to tell them that my last Dodge was a 1980 Omni and that it is now probably part of a bridge in China. :sick:
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Isellhondas made a valid point as well. Most of what we claim are needs are actually wants. If we all bought based on our needs, we'd all be driving Accords & Camrys or CRVs & RAV4s. Snake would of course still drive his Hyundai :shades:
I'll proudly admit that NEITHER MY WIFE NOR MYSELF WANT to drive a Minivan. We wanted a vehicle with lots of interior space (for passengers & cargo) & 4WD. My best friend is also a big car guy like me & HE doesn't WANT a minivan. He can afford the E-Class Mercedes he traded in last night & the X5 he picked up. Note I said he can afford the cars, not just the payments.
If you've got children, an SUV is a necessary evil as long as you can afford it. Did we "get by" having our Acura TSX as the primary family vehicle for the past 18 months since we were trying not to put miles on our leased X3 & then eventually turned it in? Absolutely. Some creative packing in the trunk, some chicken breasts & steaks by the boys' feet after a Costco run. 90% of the time it is fine.
An SUV can be a very useful vehicle and you don't have to go off road to prove it.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
My "lifestyle statement" remark was aimed at the use of an SUV in lieu of a minivan, not a sedan. There are all kinds of reasons to need to haul stuff and/or up to 7 people around, and most of the time a minivan will do the job in a much more practical fashion than an SUV.
However, most would rather be drawn and quartered than seen driving a minivan, even though they really are suburban corporate drones. They just don't want to be seen in a vehicle that shouts it out so loudly.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I understand that. And there are other factors. A van just is not much fun to drive, it is really a work vehicle or at least a very functional piece of machinery.
There isn't much crash protection in most vans. They don't handle like a car. They also don't have great visibility. No fun element at all.
Some people are just very practical minded and everything is about saving money. If we want the economy to pick up some people have to make some impractical choices.
Another factor, if I may be so bold Richard, is that you are at a time in life when you want what you want....a Cadillac SUV with cargo room...you don't have to justify it at all...just enjoy it!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Older cows have more wrinkles in the leather :P
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250