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Comments
I always preferred Skylline when I traveled to the Queen City, but Gold Star opened a restaurant here in Denver some years ago. Guess most folks here didn't understand the concept, as it was only open for a few years.
The pumps do not state "KIRKLAND CLEAN POWER" on them. So I am going to assume that the Costco I frequent is one of the older ones that has not yet converted. But I really don't care at this point. They are still significantly lower in price than anything around, and I mean significantly lower. More than 20 cents a gallon is significant to me.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I have a rear fog light on my (British) car, on its own switch.
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
March 10, 2012 (last year), I got a speeding ticket in my TSX for going 81 in a 55. I've most definitely "slowed down." Most mornings, I blast my way on to 95, then settle down and set my cruise at 75. I know that it is still 20 over and speeding, but the traffic blows by me like I'm standing still. On my way home, the parkway I take has varying speed limits (50 - 55) and is usually crawling with cops, so I set my cruise at around 60. Once I hit the CT border, I kick it back up to 70 & drive with the flow of traffic.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Many healthy and happy more! Sounds like you are one happy, lucky and satisfied man. God Bless!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
What happened to keeping the car in good shape for the next guy?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It must be nice being the youngster around here. Congratulations, best wishes, and mazal tov.
Keep up the good work!
Driver
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I'm no linguist, to be sure, however isn't the word you are trying to use mazel tov? Have never seen the word mazal before. Perhaps we should ask nyccarguy for his opinion.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
No rational reason to trade in the car - other than now I want something "newer"...
My wife came with a do not trade clause in the contract, thankfully she is still my best friend!
Back in 1973, we had a Buick Electra 225.
The whole trunk stuck out of the garage.
I was actually looking for a good phrase to use, my knowledge of Hebrew is very limited, so I got the spelling from this Hebrew website;
Wikipedia Jewish Greetings
Btw, as you probably know, Hebrew is read from right to left, so maybe I should have used hakkunnaH. And, I have only seen this word spelled one way, Shalom, but, I love the word because it can be hello or goodbye, but, really means "Peace".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I don't blame you for not trading her in.......cars can be traded when you want something better (like Mike does), but your best friend can never be replaced.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Back in 1973, we had a Buick Electra 225
I have almost 30 years on nyc, and i had bought my first new car in 1973, a 1973 Maverick. The good news is it was a 302 V8, the bad news was, it was a Maverick.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have a couple more than that. As I said before, my first new car was a ’66 Bonneville. I’m sure everyone especially ‘isell’ remembers that. That’s when I saw that Burgundy ’66 Grand Prix convertible on the show room floor that I should have bought. :P
Happy birthday nyc and many more.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Happy belated birthday but at that rate you will be catching up to me soon. I hope you enjoy the coffee cake that I did not send. http://www.mygrandma.com/
Yummy!
Back in 1973 I bought my first car, a brand new Mercury Comet for the outrageous price of $3,600. I put $600 down and financed the balance at $97.12 a month. First big mistake I made with this car was to put in an after-market AC system. It hardly cooled the car and I had to turn it off climbing hills because the car had no power.
Don't know if Stop & Shop Supermarket is in your area but it is a good way to get tier 1 gas cheap.
That sounds like a lot for a Comet. The Maverick was not the fancy model with bucket seats (in those days bucket seats were a big deal extra option, now even the least expensive cars have them), but it did have a small 302 V8.
In Canada, where prices are higher, I paid $3400 and I had a trade in worth $800.
Mine was Racing Green and looked like this;
I liked the car a lot at the time. But, then it started to have one problem after the other at the 70K mark. It seemed pretty good at the time, but, I am sure if I compared it to a similar model today, it would have a lot of faults. Doubt if there was much "feel of the road".
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But you pay 20% more for groceries at Stop and Shop. I personally shop at Market Basket and put that money in my pocket...
BTW - Stop and Shop is affiliated with Giant, Food Source and Martin's so folks in New England down to Virginia may get the same gas offer.
Starting price starts in the low $30s
Front wheel drive
4 cylinder
Same under pinning as the B Class
Low roofline makes the backseat small, problem for anyone over 5'9"
Fantastic handling and power
Very well made, solid and refined
I'd consider it, but, I don't want a car with a small backseat, there are just times when I need that extra room.
National Post 2014 MB CLA250
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It's basically a "mini" Mercedes Benz CLS. If I was comfortable in the CLS front seat, which I was not, I would have bought one instead of an E Class Sport Sedan. There is actually more room in an E Class Sedan than there is in the CLS 550. There is no back room and the trunk is for people who never travel or shop.
The car seems to be great looking from all the pictures I've seen of it, but just not a very comfortable car for 6'2", 250 pound males.
I'm driving down to the Ft. Lauderdale International Auto Show this afternoon. I got a couple of free tickets and a free parking voucher for the show which is being held at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center on the Intercoastal Waterway on Eisenhower Blvd. Mercedes has two E Class Sedans there, a Luxury model and a Sport Model. Since I have never seen one up close before, I thought this might be a good opportunity to determine if I am going to like it.
As for the CLA, which I think they also will have there, it is actually less comfortable than the C Class.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
And there is the rub. I would have considered a Passat CC instead of the Passat, but, it has the same problem. Because of the low swoopy roofline there isn't much room for people....guess it appeals to the under 35s or newly divorced.
Much more room, higher roof, regular Passat:
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Of course, I was interested in the new E Class Spprt Sedan. Very impressive changes, both inside and out. It has a new rear bumper and all LED lights. They also rounded the left and right rear quarter panels creating a smoother transition from front to rear. The front of the Sport Sedan is a totally new shape, grille, hood and there is no longer a Star Medallion on top of the hood. The Luxury version retains the same front grille and Star Medallion as the 2013.
There is a totally new look to the headlights - no more Xenons, but they went to LED headlight on both the Luxury and the Sport model. They also changed the wheels on both models.
The interior is totally new in design and function. There is a new dashboard with black or light walnut wood trim running the entire length of the dash as well as all 4 doors. Wood also now surrounds the center dash dials and NAV screen. The NAV screen is wider as well. The seats are more comfortable and the leather is smoother and plusher. The front dash is almost identical to the CLS dash. Nice looking car with nice interior design design. There is now multicolored pastel perimeter lighting throughout the car tucked under the wood trim which is really gorgeous. They had a CLA there, and as I mentioned before, it looks like a mini CLS.
Audi maintains it's large grille and expanded use of LED lighting. Most of the sheet metal remains the same but still retains its great looks on all models. I especially liked what they did to the A8L. I find the seats in their cars a little too stiff for me with less padding than in the BMW or Mercedes.
BMW is still a great looking car - 3 series, 5 series and 7 series. I saw the 6 Series 4 door coupe. Very tight seating in the rear with a very small trunk. As we know, it parallels the size and shape of the CLS 550.
I saw the new Corvette. I was able to get into it with a little help, but darn - getting out of that car was murder.
The weather started getting really bad so we decided to head home after 2 hours of ooohing and aaahing throught all those beautiful automobiles. Makes me wish I was a millionaire so I could have one of each for every day of the month. Would need a large shoe horn to get me in that Vette.
We had hurricane force winds and many tornadoes sighted here in Broward County. 3.5 inces of rain in one hour. We sure needed the rain - we have been under a brush fire watch die go the low rainfall this winter and the low humidities.
Tomorrow morning I am going in for an MRI of my right shoulder. Still bothers me since that fall I took a few months back.
That's about it.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Even though you haven't made up your mind yet, that 2014 E Class seems like it might be a car that will work for you.
Next time you decide to sit in a snug sports car, post a video of you getting out of the car. You know, just so the rest of us don't have to go through the same trouble.
No next time, that's for sure! If I got in, I might not get out again - but then they would have to bury me in it! AAAHHHH, what a way to go!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
It sounds like you were a kid in a candy store; but what did you think of the new Chevy Impala? At the Boston auto show I could not get close enough to get a good look at the Impala but it looked quite elegant and upscale...perhaps too elegant for the Chevy division.
As to Audi A8, this my favorite luxury brand. Several of my colleagues buy used, getting the gravitas and prestige of an Audi without the expense of buying new. But that new car smell is so intoxicating that I can't ever imagine buying a used car.
Thanks for the review of the car show...very enjoyable reading your comments. It was particularly well written because it wasn't bias. Good solid report.
They shouldn't allow seniors (over age 55 in Florida) to get into sports cars like Corvettes, they may need to pry us out.
I heard about those tornadoes, hope they weren't around Tampa. The rain will help to stop sink holes from happening hopefully.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
They are expecting even more storms tonight and tomorrow morning. Yes, the reason we get sink holes in Florida is due to a lack of sufficient levels of water in the aquifers. The higher water levels support the surfaces in Florida. Low pressures cause sink holes. Very dangerous. We had one here last week. Poor motorist was driving down a street and when the road caved in, it swallowed his car and him. Never recovered the car or his body. Hopefully, 3-4 inches of rain will increase pressure. Our aquifers are not very deep here - just below the coral rock which is what filters the rain water before it settles in the aquifers. Another problem caused by low levels of rainfall is the intrusion of salt water into the aquifers.
Our rainy season starts around June 15th and runs through November. But this year's dry season has been much drier than usual - and thus the reason for the many sink holes.
As for limiting access of 55 year olds into sport cars, tell that to some of these old farts who drive around on their Mustang GT's or Corvettes. I guess they are in their "end of life crisis", a similar ailment to midlife crisis!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I did not sit in it, the line was too long - but I was able to eye it from all vantage points. Buick is going to have some serious competition from the new Impala. Sharp looking and youthful which is a major leap from what Impala used to be. It shares a few sheet metal designs with the Buick, but in a class of its own. I believe it will compete nicely with Toyota and Hyundai.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Sorry, Driver but it's like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
it wasn't biased, he showed no bias, his unbiased opinion was a good one.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
it wasn't biased, he showed no bias, his unbiased opinion was a good one.
I actually like it when you point things out, it will make me more aware...however, I am probably too old to change my ways, and I get pretty tired by 9 PM so my thought processes really slow down.
Think about this though, and I am not complaining or being critical, and in this case I welcome your comments;
However, I was listenning to a program on talk radio the other day, and a listener emailed complaining that the announcer said "you and I" instead of "you and me" in a sentence. He explained he did get it wrong, and, he explained when you use "I" and, when you use "me". There is a simple rule and I found it here so I will print it out:
there is still a very easy way to decide whether to use I or me: try out the sentence with just I or me (or if you need a plural, we or us - "we" is equivalent to "I" and "us" is equivalent to "me."):
He told Tom and (I or me?) to get ready.
He told I to get ready? NO
He told me to get ready? YES
Therefore, He told Tom and me to get ready.
If John and (I or me?) get married, we'll have two kids.
If me get married? NO
If I get married? YES
Therefore, If John and I get married, we'll have two kids.
Just between you and (I or me?), this is a bad idea.
Because "between" needs to be followed by a plural, we'll use "we" and "us" to figure this out.
Just between we? NO
Just between us? YES
Just between you and me, this is a bad idea.
In the end though, it was decided that the person in the wrong is the one who would actually take the time to point out the mistake someone has made. It is more polite just to carry on and not point out a grammatical mistake, no matter how much it grates on your nerves.
I am saying all this just to keep it mind if you or anyone wants to correct someone. In this case, I welcome the information....I haven't used the word "bias" or "biased" for a long time and didn't think it through too well.
Hopefully, I can pass on some information which you may find helpful....correcting is ok up to a point, but sometimes it is better to let things just pass (not in this case necessarily).
I think you were more upset about me saying something about people over 50 shouldn't be allowed to but sports cars :P
And, KY, I wish I could blame it on being a Canadianism.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
So, with little to work on, I made BMW the first stop. We browsed the lot looking at different sizes of sedans, and did the same for the SUVs, and within a couple minutes of browsing the Internet manager came out to greet us. With his help my dad first jumped in a 5 Series, but thought it was too large on the outside without feeling big inside. So we settled on test driving a 3 series sport model, with my reasoning being his interest in the Fiat 500 indicated wanting something smaller and fun. We tried the new turbo 4-cylinder with an auto transmission which surprised us in a few ways.
The first surprise was the vibration in the car. At idle I could readily feel the engine shudder through the floor in both the front and back seats. But noise was decently constrained indicating good insulation in the firewall and door panels. On the road the vibration wasn’t noticed, just at idle in the dealership. The second surprise was how much larger the 3 series is now much compared to past models. Historically speaking back seat riders were punished with nonexistent leg room, but the new 3 is downright huge compared to previous generations. At 6 feet tall I set the front seats to be comfortable, and then found enough room for a longer ride in back without feeling squished.
We spent 30 minutes driving around town and on the freeway, which generated our second surprise, the available power from the 4 cylinder. What a beast. When the boost kicked in the sedan accelerated faster than most 6 cylinders, and the light weight also made for better cornering through on/off ramps. The 328 is a great balance of power, handling, and fuel economy, all of which my dad appreciated.
The auto tranny is exceptional. I’m a manual transmission and CVT fan, but I admit, the 8-speed auto is responsive and smooth. I’d probably pick it over the manual for this car.
During the test drive I inquired about the diesel option knowing it would return high fuel economy and brilliant torque. To my surprise the Internet sales manager ragged on the diesel motor calling it too expensive. That caught my attention and I followed up a couple of times with questions throughout the test drive. What I learned is they didn’t have one on the lot, so I couldn’t tell if he was trying to direct us to what was available or if he genuinely didn’t like the diesel.
(to be continued)
Road noise was prominent and that was a major problem for my dad. He wants noise isolation and the 3 definitely missed in that category.
Handling was fantastic, of course. The car is perfectly balanced with that 4 cylinder and exudes confidence in high-speed maneuvering. Whip it into a corner and smile. And we did just that.
Styling won points with my dad. It’s aggressive and the lines harmonious throughout the body. BMW has successfully un-Bangled the 3 series and I hope to never see that man’s influence in another Bimmer.
He loved the electronic nannies. Heads-up display, navigation, blind spot monitoring, backup camera, etc He wants it all and BMW offers tons of it. He asked what I thought, and I told him I prefer more simplicity, but since those nannies will keep him safer and driving longer as he ages, he should just go for it.
Rear wheel drive was also another win. No torque steer, simple mechanicals (unlike AWD), balanced acceleration.
The interior material quality was also excellent, though it did tend to make noise over expansion joints and other imperfections in the road, almost like the interior panels were moving against each other.
All in all, my dad walked away from the BMW test drive impressed with performance and quality but a little concerned about noise.
Next up on the list was to try an SUV, an X3 with the same 4 cylinder motor. I’ll keep this short as the same attributes apply to the X3 as the 328i (no surprise). The biggest difference was the interior quality seemed good, but half a grade lower than that found in the 328. My dad appreciated the taller stance and the additional cargo space, tough, and is keeping a placeholder for an X3 when they decide to replace the Rav4.
Walking around the dealership some more we noticed a handful of 335i models sitting on the lot, and then realized the 335 returns the same excellent fuel economy as the 328i. The 328 was impressive, but the 335 is downright unbelievable. Without driving it he decided the 335 would be the model of choice if he went with a 3.
Leaving the BMW dealer my dad thought a 335i and a X3 would make great additions.
Next up is Mercedes Benz, but I’ll wait until later to post that segment.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Congrats on the new ride kyfdx! Wife is happy, son is happy, & I think you'll survive with the G37X for the next 18 months.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Very well written and insightful review. We tested 328s and 335s last August when my wife was trading in her 2008 335. I would agree with all the points you made. I never found noise to be a problem though...it may be not as quiet in cars that are designed to really insulate you from the outside world.
That vibration could just be that particular car wasn't tuned right. We found the clutch in the 328 we tested to not feel right...I can't believe all BMWs would have a clutch that doesn't engage until you reach the top.
That automatic shut off can be turned off...I do it as soon as I start the car. I turn it on if I am coming up to a long light or a train crossing.
Not to bore everyone, by repeating the whole story, but the deal on a 335 fell through because of $1500 difference. On the way home we stopped and tried an Audi A4. We liked it better from the beginning, a lot of those options are included when you get the Premium Plus model. I will say the Audi seems a bit smaller, is not quite as refined in some ways.....BUT, in my opinion, it is more fun to drive, is finished nicer, and surprisingly, cost us about $14,000 less than the 335 and about $11,000 less than a 328. And, I like it better.
Just would be worth a try. Look forward to your report on the Mercedes.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have never heard "postie" used before, it sounds like something they would use in England. I think postman, letter carrier, postal employee, mail carrier,
letter carrier, would be used.
btw, we have had 5 day delivery for decades now. It was nice getting mail in Florida 6 days a week, but, I guess that will end soon. Now all the junk mail will be more concentrated into 5 days.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
*driver, I know you are not saying that you are a "lost cause" when it comes to "English" grammar! Remember, you use "Canadian English Grammar" while most of us here in the "States" use "American English Grammar." Is there a difference? Of course there is as there is as well in the UK and Australia. Certain verbs are not used the same which is also true with adjectives and adverbs.
So when you say you are too old or something like that, the answer is no! You are not too old. You are just using "Canadian English"!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
I was the same, until the mid-life crisis (and a small windfall) took hold of me. I bought an '09 Jag XK Coupe in mid 2011: Not CPO'd but two years of warranty left, less than 18k miles on the clock, looked 98.6% new and loaded with all th optional goodies. Paid 40% less than the new, loaded sticker for the looker! Of course, for the $ I paid I could have purchased several of the usual suspects new and very well equipped, but none imho would have been as beautiful and exclusive (unlike the excellent 3s, A4s, C's which are ubiquitous). The XK is a great drive too, with a real back seat!
It might be worth perusing the two-year old A8s. I just regularly use leather cleaner/protectant to give that new car kinda smell to the Jag!
Pace with grace!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Mike, I think I have used the "Canadian English" excuse a little too often, they may be getting suspicious. And it is hard to explain using "bias" instead of "biased" by blaming it on using Canadian English, words like that are the same in our countries.
I would like to blame it on my tiredness as I think that is what caused me to miss it, but, I have a few new policies in life;
1) Try to stop at all amber lights if at all possible,
2) Take responsibility for my actions, no one is really interested in hearing excuses,
3) Don't waste time talking to people (such as my neighbor and a business associate) who are so self-centred that they don't consider my feelings, or try to protect my interests.
I take full reponsibility for being a little grammatically challenged.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You say you get up to 30 mpg on the highway. Straight highway, I can get 27 - 27.5. I wonder if your 6th gear in the manual is geared higher than the 6th gear in my slushbox. Does your wagon have a lower drag coefficient than my sedan? Maybe it is the difference between your RWD and my AWD sending some power to the front wheels.
You are correct about FE dropping like a rock in the city. My commute is 65 miles round trip, 6 days a week (85% highway). I average between 22 & 22.5 mpg.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD