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Comments
Time for a change. When tax becomes an overburden, the citizens get very restless.
Regards,
OW
Jose,
I need a long vacation from such charms.
Here in Toronto whenever a real estate agent use the word "charm" for a house it really means it is a dump that requires hundreds of thousands of dollars of renovations.
I bought my BMW 335i.
Soon I will be kicked in the chops with a major resale value hit. That may sound bad but this will not really hit my pocket book.
Why?
Because with the cash from my sold BMW335 I should still be able to buy my new 3rd gen Prius with quite a few options and still break even.
But I am sure after driving it a bit longer you will love the car more and more. (assuming the traffic patrol officers aren't looking at you)
Ah yes I wholeheartedly agree with TM. Funny thing is someone doesn't seem to agree (Wiseman and OW, you guys know who
Anyways back on cars. A new TL just pulled next to me yesterday, black on black and black painted wheels (what was he thinking?). Forst time I actually saw one on the street and seriously I was reminded of Darth Vader right away.
Another thing that caught my attention was the local Cadillac dealer, where they post this huge ad offering used Escalades for "extra low" price (desperation reaching it's climax I guess).
One thing that leaves me amused all the time is how the town's law forced all car dealerships to be located in one of the 2 available areas. One with a 4 block range, the other only 2. As dozens of dealers occupy each area one won;t be able to imagine how fierce competition is here unless one sees it for him/herself.
Just random thoughts. :shades:
Zoning. But it is certainly convenient when car-shopping!
TM
You will be better off in the long run. We both know this. I am honestly glad for you. I have no doubt you are doing the right thing and you will be all the happier for it.
TM
Imagine all those brands competing for customers. This is what I love about my area, it brings the best and the worst out of them. Makes shopping and deciding on dealership service quality much easier. :shades:
:shades: :shades: :shades:
Just pushing it a bit.
Regards,
Jose
Yes, you are pushing hard... just like that engine's remarkable 425 lbs. of torque!
Man, what a sweet car.
Unfortunately, diesel fuel in my neighborhood now costs 50-percent more than premium gas! :sick:
TM
Wow, that's killing everything. Over here premium and diesel prices are just even now.
My posts boasting the 335d are just showing how sweet is this car. I'm enjoying even the Steptronic tranny ( :surprise: ). I remember blkhemi telling me that BMW automatics were like butter. I've found the meaning of that. If only, I use to drive the car in M mode and shifting by hand—in particular in the streets!
Regards,
Jose
I wish I didn't disclose so much horrible information about my BMW 335i since I would have loved to exhange my car for your BMW335d.
A Prius enthusiast? Is that a oxymoron or what.
For a city driver like myself that is quite an impressive result.
Keep in mind, I'm just nit-picking. The good + dwarves the -'s. I knew about the roof going in. I just wish there had been a delete option.
I'm having a blast w/this car, & can't wait until I feel the engine is properly broken in to push it a little...okay a lot! Even keeping it under 4K it's easy to make the surroundings blur. It seems to be begging to push.
I'm just mentioning the quirks to get them out of the way & on record. The gushing will come later. Consider yourselves warned. ;-)
Meanwhile, Toyota has been raking in the profits for ages now and was thought to have up to $90 billion in reserves as recently as a couple of years ago. The other day, however, John McElroy reported that Toyota may be down to only $18.5 billion in cash with rapidly spiraling debts.
The company has spent heavily on new factories and new products in the U.S. in recent years, but saw its sales plummet as much as the domestics in the second half of 2008. Its total current short-term liabilities are now roughly equal to its total current assets, and its cash reserves put the company on par with Ford. In recent months.
http://www.autoblog.com/
Most auto companies are awash with debts and most are in financial danger if this dire economic situation persists for a few more years.(assuming no government bail outs and nationalizations of car companies)
One person I admire most in auto history was Henry Ford. Henry Ford did not believe in debts. He had funded his operations from Ford's own retained earnings. His low priced Model Ts were sold at low prices profitablly because of his obsession with costs. The only reason a person could only buy a Model T only in black was because Henry knew that adding variation would add to costs.
There is a lot of variation among product lines within each major car company and ofcourse a lot of debts. Unlike today there is no auto company that resembles the company that Henry Ford was in charge of.
Thanks for the warning.
I guess that means you are going to either keep your Porsche or Jag? Or are you going to replace your 135i with a hybrid?
Wish you the best with your sale.
To answer your question... I am selling the 911, the 135i, and the F150. I am keeping the Jag.
At some point in the future, if it makes sense, I could see myself trading in the Jag. But, the Jag has awesome credentials, yet no resale value worth a darn. It's insane.
I mean it's just amazing to realize that if I gave up a fully-loaded XJ Vanden Plas with only 12K miles that is still covered until the end of 2012, that it might not be worth enough to trade-in on a new 2010 fully-loaded Prius!
I realize the Jag's value is mud, but that level just seems beyond comprehension and sound reasoning.
Or... I can always try to convince the wife to trade-in the MDX for the Prius. Now that actually makes good sense, but unfortunately she is just not an environmentally friendly person... LOL.
TM
Roadsters dead: Cadillac cans XLR, Honda confirms end for S2000
Two automakers, Cadillac and Honda, announced today that production of their high-performance roadsters will come to a close during 2009. Cadillac says that production of the Chevrolet Corvette-based XLR will cease in March or April and Honda confirmed earlier reports that 2009 will be the last model year for the slow-selling S2000.
XLR is no loss but the S2000...ouch!
Regards,
OW
I was going to say that's fantastic for shoppers, but then I quickly remembered Capital Auto Mall in Olympia, WA. They have a grouping of dealerships tucked away in a dedicated area, but it seemed that they were all in cohorts one to another. NOBODY would deal! :mad: But this was back in the early mid-'90s. Maybe they've changed by now.
The S2000 was supposed to be a one year, limited edition car back in 2000 (partly hence the name,) but it sold so well that Honda donkey-punched the buyers that thought they were going to have a limited edition car and decided to continue production. So in a sense, its demise is long overdue.
Alas you're right, many dealers have protested over the years, and none succeed. :P
I've been read-only lately as life has been rather busy. I've just survived a round of layoffs here at work, always a troublesome time. The EW was also a bit concerned about her employment future but, for now, all is well. Tenuous, no doubt, but well...
And, the Pinewood Derby is this Saturday! It is increasingly difficult to get the boy involved as he is deeply infatuated with Legos and his Wii. Somehow a block of balsa wood holds his interest not. But, when the power drill came out of hibernation, his curiosity was a bit piqued. So I let him do a bit of "axle" polishing. He wanted to cut, but I guess I'm over-protective and wouldn't really let him play with the jig or hack-saw. He feigned interest in painting/decorating the car (but didn't participate). But, it's done and I'm (we're?) hoping to at least match last year's eighth place finish (although, I was in charge of ordering the trophies this year: "Sorry Cubmaster. The trophy company screwed up, no First Place Trophy was delivered! I'll order anothter one for the winner..." Unless, of course, we won. Then I would find the "misplaced" trophy!!! Note that I would NEVER do something as such). Top 4 would be lovely, but there are just some "kids" in the Pack who obviously have more aerospace engineering prowess than I!
I've been following the macro-economics here, I'm afraid that I'm just a simple caveman and can't add much to the discussion. The tax code overhauled/simplified? Absolutely, as soon as accountants and lawyers and the associated lobbyists line up their new careers...
And the theory that I'm on an island with the Infiniti Lovely? If only I had a brilliant psychotic lawyer! And a slew of bodyguards...! And she had absolutely terrible taste in men... :surprise:
Car-wise? We were considering trying to grab a bargain on an '08 or '09 RX350 ($5k trunk money) for the EW as her '02 is due for new brakes and a possible cooling system issue. Gosh, I hope not... The local massive Lexus dealer has quite an inventory. But, she still loves her RX, I appreciate its utility and, as Ijust paid off my TL, we have no car debt. So, as always seems to be the case in my life, pragmatism rules the day. No new car for you! Well, for the EW.
I continue to eye XK Coupes, but they are few and far between in availability ("pre-loved"). And, as Tagman downsizes his fleet, now does not seem to be the time to upsize the Dada fleet (of two!). I do always find an excuse to deny, but having no car payments and leaving a few $ in the bank just seems so attractive right now.
At this moment, although I have no timetable, next car-wise I would be looking to replace the TL with an A/S5, possibly a 3 or an XF. Depends upon the prevailing winds. Or, if I was to add to the fleet, the aforementioned XK or maybe even the new 370Z! My father had one in the mid '70s, I've always wanted one. I'm liking what I've seen of the new iteration. But, I'm old and conservative, the XK would probably be more to my liking.
And, I've always wanted what's coming next...
Hoping that all is well with y'all and that the tide, although not obvious at the moment, is indeed turning towards prosperity.
And, finally, the Cardinals??? Really? The Cards? I mean, the Patriots haven't played in a month and they still have a better record then the Cards! :mad:
'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...)
LD,
You are funny. No one has forgotten who you are, even though you have taken a sabatical lately... LOL.
But... you have no excuse!! Better show up more often, or else...
Seriously, you are one of the main building blocks of this forum, and your wonderfully written stories are without equal. I love 'em.
I am shocked, however, that there is no mention of Zaino anywhere in your last post!! :surprise: Perhaps you are an imposter!!... maybe Lulusdada, or Lindasdada perhaps?
Always good to hear from you, dada.
TM
Your a sleeper, my friend. Just ask Dre the next time you see her!
The XF is VERY interesting to me. It seems there are some first year bugs, however, according to some posts. It will be great if Jag survives and actually scores high on dependability some day....
At least we have Tag's VP that is a tribute to quality in itself!
Regards,
OW
Yes, it would be great!
Believe it or not, the current generation XJ is already one of the most dependable cars in existence. I'm not just blowing smoke here. Check for yourself, especially the data on the '05 model year that I own.
TM
Yeah, I write goodly...
OW: She's out there, young and lovely and looking for something, anything to fulfill a void in her life. She's not sure yet what that void is, but she's sure that the geek with the canned goods she spoke with at the NEIAS ain't no void filler!
Although, we spoke cordially and at length. And there was food involved. I left infatuated, yet knowing it was all for naught. Therefore, it was a fairly typical date for me. But one of the best as it cost me very little!!!
My wimpy town has already canceled school for Wednesday. Man, when I was your age, they sent dog sleds to get us to school...
'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...)
You do. And... your style is unique... that's for sure. You could easily teach a creative writing course or workshop.
Now, if only that young, seductive Infiniti woman had any true sense of the talented and gifted inner workings within and beneath the surface of that man holding the canned food... she'd have instantly melted like hot butter.
But wait!!. let's not be presumptuous. Tragically, there's always the terrible risk that she falls into that heartless category best exemplified by one particular slinky animated female character in the movie Shark Tales, as she so poignantly confessed in her own words. "Deep down, I'm very superficial."
Yes... those revealing words could quite possibly echo the tragic truth of the Infiniti seductress... but even worse, could you even fathom hearing those words being uttered by the EW??
Oh well... best to keep dreaming. It's good for you.
Just make sure you write about it.
TM
Regards,
OW
I was going to post this before:
"Dada unfortunately will not be seen nor heard from for quite a while. His EW's unstoppable desire for a new Porsche 911 has cost him dearly, as he was then forced to make the cuts elsewhere, including his internet subscription. Unable to withstand his EW no more he finally decided to elope with the gorgeous, radiating Infiniti Girl, whose name suspiciously resembled a superhero's. Alas it might be true afterall, for LD was recently seen flying through the starry skies straight to the beautiful moon."
But then you suddenly showed up. Oh well, darn it. :P :P :P
'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...)
Regards,
Jose
Or, as Jessica Rabbit said, "I'm not bad. I'm just drawn that way."
And, OW, those precious canned goods were to feed those less fortunate than ayoung, pretty, strawberry blond that haunt my dreams... And has a spot in my final will and testament! Lucky her!
'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...)
I think I've got three-ish years before the EW really begins to turn up the new car heat. Although, I'm not sure she's finished with the idea of a new RX... Then the Porsche in three years. Why give my then to be 16 y.o. daughter an '02 RX when we can give her an '09? So goes the EW's thinking... Of course, nowhere in her thought logic is a mid-life crisis Dada car.
And, to paraphrase Tony Stark, "Nah, I can't fly."
'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...)
Indeed, I was sure it was you who flew right across my roof the other night. Maybe you couldn't fly, but were clinging onto the infiniti girl (with such a sweet name she surely can fly can't she?)? Of course, were it true you'd better hope your EW can't fly or find you anywhere. :P
And of course, I pray the mighty EW never get to read this forum, as I really don't want to be responsible for someone's sudden disappearance, or worse.... :sick: :sick: :P
Now, here's your teaser:
INFINITI VEHICLES
Did you know I’m a spokesperson for the luxurious Infiniti vehicles? If you attended an Auto Show across the country in the past few months you may have seen me on stage. What does being a product specialist mean? Well, it means I’ve been fully trained to be knowledgeable about every vehicle in our 2005/06 line-up. (Pretty impressive considering I had never opened the hood on my car at home until I took this job.) I feel suddenly empowered in this position and my friends laugh at how my eyes light up when I see an Infiniti on the street.
Now, the famous Dre!
Let me know if you really want here phone number!
Regards,
OW
Maybe she'll join our forum to keep us old car geeks in line.
I may even go out and buy an Infiniti and name it after her :shades:
From her blog: LOTS of great work going on, but I’ve unfortunately been lax about updating the site. I’ve been traveling all over the country for my spokesperson work. I saw some great cities this year: Dallas, Miami, Boston, Phoenix, Rochester, Atlanta and many more. I’m so blessed that everywhere I go I meet friendly and supportive people. It’s been great running into old friends and hearing them say “I found your site and I’m so proud of you!”
Boys, she remembers me! Now, I'm afraid all these posts will have to self-destruct in five seconds before, well, y'all know who might see 'em. If she does, I'm not going down alone!!!
Really, OW, you have truly harnessed the power of Al Gore's greatest creation! Please continue to use your powers for good, not badness.
'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...)
'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...)
I can see it now, LD + YKW in and XK-R...
The heck with Infiniti!
Regards,
OW
TM
The car? The girl? The thought of the combo as suggested by OW? Yes to all! Priceless. Well, if the EW finds out, I'm sure that there will be a rather large price to pay... :surprise: :shades:
'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...)
'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...)
Btw, I don't mind a phone number. Really
Dada, you may have spoiled my plot of world domination, but fear not, as Dr. Doom, whoops I mean Dr. MadCow shall return with my newfound partner, the legendary Evil Wife. Bwahahahaha........
If you should end up paying a rather large price... I sure hope you at least get your money's worth!
TM
Ok, a math problem from OW. Let's see if I can solve it:
LD + YKW in an XK-R... = < 50% of my assets retained as well as no visitation rights!
I wonder if Dre is aware of a growing fan club here. Tag, if you catch up to her at your Auto Show, perhaps you could offer her some work? Because I care...
'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...)
I am caught between LD and Dr. Cow! I plead the fifth! Besides LD saw her (and spoke with her) first!
Regards,
OW