Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Stories from the Sales Frontlines
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
Kirstie, what a wimp! I went to college in upstate NY (edge of the Adirondacks) and it was crappy cold in the winter. Used to do the classic quick shower run out the door move to sleep as late as possible before class, and it was quite common to end up with frozen hair.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
@snakeweasel
To be fair, if someone did have a blinker on to exit the highway, I would ALWAYS let them through. But like I said, I don't do that anymore and haven't for a number of years.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Yes it is English speaking, a large expat population and cost of living is low. We will be there this August so we will see if we like it.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I still have all of mine too, it's just in different places.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Now that's funny. I gave you an LOL!
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Detroit is a sinkhole. Sad, but true.
@snakeweasel
That's fantastic. I hope you and your wife enjoy yourselves & can make it happen.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm really proud of you guys who are retired and who can see retirement in the not too distant future. There's most likely going to be an 8 as the 1st number in my age before I can retire.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I would doubt that, Bradd. Perhaps a "7" as the first number in your age, but not an 8.
Planning for retirement was not an option for me because 8.5% of everything I earned on Illinois when in education went toward a pension. Since I always had a part time job, I paid into Social Security. When I went into private education, I put full Social Security in.
So when I retired 5 years ago, I was able to collect on both SS and pension. But my 401k was a disaster - lost over $450,000 in 2008 and could not recover much.
You can plan now by putting money into IRA's to avoid taxes right now and 401k's which are doing quite well. As for SS, it 's doubtful you will get much out of that unless the congress and the President do something NOW to protect the fund.
If I had waited a few more years to retire (67 instead of 65), I would have over $1000 a month more in income. But I had no choice because of my Dad's condition worsening and my having to be home full time to care for his needs.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
@abacomike
Thanks for the vote of confidence. Given the fact that my Dad will turn 68 in March, doesn't plan on collecting SS until he's 70 1/2, & doesn't plan on retiring, I see an 8 in front of my age when I finally retire;)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
@abacomike Now that's funny. I gave you an LOL!
Me too!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It takes me about 25 minutes, but I'm guessing you don't shave your face every morning with a razor.
Hope Kirstie isn't shaving while driving!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
From bed to garage I'm about 15-20 minutes, as I also shave in the shower. Towel dry everything. Brush my hair (and yes, mine is in all the right places
).
Last couple of weeks I've had to get to the airport early to drop off sensitive materials that needed to go out DHL (gov't stipulated contractor). They don't pick up (at least not from my home office). And, to meet deadlines, I have to get there before DHL closes shipments for current day, usually 9:00 a.m. (sometimes they do it earlier, so I get there about 7:30 a.m). I leave my house at 6:30, but am rolling out from the warmth of my bed about 6:00 a.m.
-6º this morning. Hair was a bit damp But, a knit cap kept everything fine.
Now, if I were worried about my hair style the rest of the day, I'd not wear a knit cap over damp hair. But, now I'm kind of taking a shine to the unkept look. It kind of gives me that desperado look....or is it just that "bum" vibe? Not sure which.
Being older gives one different priorities. From my home office to bed takes about 5 minutes. Home office to dinner, 1 minute. From bed to home office...who cares !
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Be glad you're not in Atlanta
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
That was Atlanta beltway. This is Peachtree St
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Here's how I picture you after that statement:
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1KKXGNO-vccXgdZhNa-fIttAonbkbAvmIyL6l9m7cdfP1KRCbng
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
lol.....................and great pictures of traffic in Atlanta...that Peachtree St is unbelievable. On Tv they said people were stuck in their cars for 10 to 16 hours, and some just went to a 24 hour store to get warm and rest on the floor.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You and Mako are killing me....LOL.
Although if you think that's how I look, roll with that!
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Exactly! I multi-task. I can get dressed while brushing my teeth, and apply scant make-up while blow-drying my hair. Explorerx4 needs to up his game - or maybe he just has some stubborn facial hair
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
del
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Not sure where that picture was taken but those or Michigan plates on that car.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Snake, I posted a pic that IS 2014 snow, supposed to be Atlanta but license plate didn't have a peach so I took it down. It's hard to verify much of anything in the interweb, so I'll let it go. SE Atl got a lot more snow that NW and CNN (based in Atl) was all about their snow today.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Atlanta had 2.6" of snow on the ground this morning. The picture you just posted could be Atlanta metro as it looks like 4" - very possible.
But the major problem was the " ice"! People who live in the southern US and southern Arizona, California and Texas are not equipped with snow plows and most have no salt. They drive rear wheel drive vehicles and most have never driven in snow before.
I remember driving in snow flurries once while driving to Tampa one year - but it didn't stick.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Mako, when I searched the pic's of the snow I get some where the snow barely covers the ground to others where it is clearly a few inches deep. That one that is supposively Peachtree street has snow up to (and in some places over) the cars license plates which would have made it close to a foot if not over. Plus the image has "Getty images" at the bottom which means the poster went looking for it.
Edited to add: Holy snowstorm Batman but that looks like it might be Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. If so thats the 2011 snowstorm. I will have to look into this in a bit.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I believe that is a picture taken on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago during a 2011 snow storm that dumped 20" of snow.....
http://www.chicagosignatureproperties.com/blog/do-i-need-a-car-in-chicago/
I like your pic. Is that a Comet?
Yes it is. My first new car. A '65 Comet Cyclone. Not my picture though, found it on the web. Didn't have a camera back then.
Squeegeeing and drying the shower glass and getting the guinea breakfast do slow me down.
According to the Sun Sentinnel Newspaper's business section, In 2013, Honda Motors exported significantly more vehicles than they imported in the United States for the very first time. No other manufacturer of cars in the US has ever been a net exporter.
Interesting statistic. Honda sales in the US have not been as strong as predicted/estimated for last year. However, to become a net exporter is significant for the US's balance of trade.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
It is Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. Once I noticed those two concrete pillers in the upper center of the picture it all fell into place.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I'm thinking that may not be exactly true. I would guess that back in the glory days of the Big Three there must have been years where they imported next to no vehicles but exported some overseas.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I think the article I read was referring to manufacturers like Toyota, Volkswagen and others who normally import more vehicles than they export. I don't think the article was referring to the big three in the US. Honda NA manufactures vehicles primarily sold in North America and imports a large quantity from Japan for sale on the US. But they actually exported more vehicles from the US to other countries than they imported from Japan.
I I can locate another copy of the article, I'll try to quote it directly.
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
This was on the Sun Sentinel this morning:
"(Reuters) - Honda Motor Co last year exported more cars out of the United States than it imported into the country, claiming a first among major Japanese automakers.
More than 30 years after it began building cars in the U.S., the company's North American arm said it shipped 108,705 Honda and Acura brand vehicles out of the U.S. in 2013. The company imported 88,537 vehicles into the U.S. from Japan."
Next time rather than recalling from memory what I read, I better just quote it - this is what happens as you approach 70 years old!
LOL
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
WRT to Honda exporting more cars one must note that they are only counting cars they imported from Japan - not all the ones from their Mexican or British plants. Further, the cars they exported include ones made in both the US and Canada.
Lies, damn lies and statistics - all the same thing.
WRT to the snow in Atlanta, that was just a tremendous cluster of a situation.
The forecast was for flurries. It was raining at first and then the temps dropped freezing the roads. The 1.5" of snow that fell was then packed down on top of it creating even more ice. Employers starting letting people go home at around 2 PM and many parents had left earlier as schools had called telling them to come get their kids. In less than an hour, gridlock ensued.
Once one car got stuck, others just piled up behind them. They don't have the equipment to deal with it - the solution is to let it melt.
Why get so upset with excerpts from a published article in a daily newspaper? You seem bothered by insignificant and unimportant reports about imports and exports!
I commented about this because I thought it was interesting - that a company that manufactures cars in this country exported more than it imported. You seem upset about a quote from a newspaper that means absolutely nothing.
As to whether or not these statistics are tainted in some way by Reuters or the Trbune Company which owns the Sun Sentinel, I don't know - but neither do you! If you are going to get so upset about such insignificant information, just don't respond to it in the future. OK?
2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger
Lies, damn lies and statistics - all the same thing.
Furthermore, they are not talking about the value of the cars imported vs exported--only the number of vehicles. Comes across as a PR piece.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Oh I not upset in the least. It's just that the press release was already shown to be a puff piece by a number of sources and far from an accurate description of Honda's export/import accomplishments.
Trust me - I'm a Honda backer.
As for the lies, damn lies, statistics comment - it's a dig at my occupation. I've worked in marketing for many years and can usually find something opposite of what the numbers are trying to show.
I caught a news story one a major network, ABC or CBS, about the timeline. I was surprised because they were doing a story that was damning of the mayor of Atlanta. They said the early forcasts were for minor snow, but then 8 hours before it hit, the forcast was increased in potential threat level to more snow and lower temperatures.
It's just that the mayor has been out saying all along that it was just unavoidable and was someone else's fault that they weren't prepared to even keep the interstates moving. The old political technique from the 80s that if they keep repeating the falsehood and the media will play, everyone will believe it.
This reminds me of a weekend when I flew into ATL to visit friends back in the 70s. There was 1/2 in snow on Presidents' Day weekend. It left areas of a light crust of ice over maybe half the road surface as it melted and refroze. They closed everything including Lennox Mall in Buckhead. Too dangerous to drive. I had driven through snow to the airport, the airplane had to be washed with antifreeze before takeoff, and these folk were afraid of a light, light flurry that left snow and slight ice.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I am not sure if the mayor is at fault or not...but, I do know with 24 hour news it sure makes a better story if you go after the guy and make it like you have uncovered a major error. On the other hand, the mayor is not taking any responsibility.
The best thing is to learn from this experience. In the event of another similar forecast (the last one was 3 years ago), schools and businesses should close down. There should be a transportation plan in place....a plan to take into account trucks which have to get through - and essential vehicular traffic......and try to get most people off the roads before the ice and snow arrive.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I am sure of whom I blame. When your city had the same problem 3 years earlier with disastrous results, and you get a forcast of snow and icing conditions and you don't take prophylactic measures in your city which does not spend much, if anything, on preparing for winter conditions, you are at fault. He had 8 hours warning--that from a MSM network which usually would give a pass. The Mayor should have told schools to stay home and businesses to have employees work at home if possible and employees leave early. That's what DC did in anticipation of a major storm recently IIRC. Nicht wahr?
I suspect the State of Georgia was doing most of the work on sanding/salting main roads including interstates with their equipment.
I put this mayor's inaction into the same boat (or sled) as the New Orleans mayor who didn't evacuate a city that is under sea level when given 3 days warning of a hit by the Hurricane Katrina eye. That's after the N Orleans mayor had been given federal monies earlier to prepare for such a hit along with monies for levees and barriers. Misspent monies if I recall.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The Governor, Mayor, and GEMA head were all given ample airtime to say...our timing was off or more snow or temps too low, whatever as long as it includes an apology and a "we'll do better next time". However that was not to be. They all shrugged and blamed anyone else including ma nature. If I ran the world all of them would be gone from public office. just my 2 cents.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
They all shrugged and blamed anyone else including ma nature.
Amusing to read a link to video with article about snow. Many of the
commenters after the article are blaming Yankees who moved to ATL and
think that they know how to drive on snow since they are from "up North."
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2014/01/30/Snow--ice-send-Souths-flagship-city-reeling
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
In hindsight...yes, it would have been a good idea to shut the city down. But, as someone said in the article you posted, if they were wrong and the storm was no big deal...then it would cost 100s of millions in lost business etc. It was kind of a no win situation for the mayor.
We should learn from our mistakes. There should be a study done...find out the best way to deal with these storms, and then the plan (doomsday type plan) is automatically implemented so it doesn't rest on one person's shoulders. People would probably rather err on the side of caution and close the city down if there is a few inches of snow......but, that's a tough call to make - if you are wrong the mayor will be blamed for that too.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Denver had a mayor voted out of office for botching the city response during a blizzard .. this was back in the 80's, before I lived here.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
All the mayor needed to do was quote the 8-hour old weather forecast and suggest that businesses
send their folks home randomly after arriving at work. Same for schools. That would have gotten folks home before the "heavier," if 2 inches can be called heavy, part of the storm. All this would have worked by invoking the similarity to the 2011 storm.
Another case of a showcase mayor as a leader.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Amanda Knox was found guilty again and thumb's her nose at the decision. What's up with that?
I don't blame her in the least. She is dealing with a bunch of vindictive liars and crooks who are too vain to admit their mistakes.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460