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JK, Dada can have the number. As radiant as she is she's not really my type. :shades:
Man I really need a job. Work's been suspended again for the rest of the week, it's just too slow.... oh well, perhaps next week will be better.
Meanwhile I'll just continue harassing our beloved Dada and you know who (hint: initial DD). I just love counterattacking his ridiculous posts. Evil, ain't I? :P
Regards,
OW
Now, if any of our members are still young, single and happy, sally forth! And post of your exploits. With pictures would be nice. Make sure you include some luxury cars in the pix. That would be nice. But not an XK, I'm not sure that I could handle that...
'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...)
Leave no paper trail of your whereabouts.
Use cash only.
TM
I'll bet I can track the it if Dr. Mad Cow dates YKW!
REgards,
OW
Honda is in survival mode. The S2000 is a niche vehicle, one with an expensive dedicated platform. Honda would rather just point you to the nearest Nissan dealer.
Interesting choices. Skip the A5, and if you're interested in the S5, wait for the supercharged V6.
Technically XKR-S. Speaking of the XK, I have to say that I'm not sure about the "squirrel cheeks" on the refreshed car.
Treat her right or OW WILL FIND YOU!
And, post pictures!
'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...)
Anyone not interested in the S5 please skip, this may get lengthy...
To start, it's got nav, tech package, B&O, carbon atlas trim, meteor gray ext & light gray leather (forget what it's probably called). I did not order the adaptive suspension & really don't regret it (more on that later).
& yes, got the automatic. I used to prefer manual, but after 7 left ankle surgeries & bone grinding on bone, I'm done with unnecessary tasks that hurt that area, so not going to apologize. ;-)
First off, love never having to take the key fob out of my pocket. I hope it will not malfunction as I've read about previous Audi's. Very spoiling, & I've just stopped reaching for keys when I shut the car down. :-)
Bluetooth works great. My phone & phonebook synched in +/- 90 seconds. Making/taking calls is too easy & still am able to stay alert to surroundings.
Only tested the nav for fun on the drive home from the dealer as I know every nook & cranny in the tri-county area. It's a pleasant female voice to my surprise & makes me think there's money to be made here. I'd pay a few bucks extra for Kathleen Turner's voice.
B&O system is more than adequate for me. I'm not an audiophile, but I think it sounds great. 6 in dash CD player is nice I suppose, but really is as necessary as a tape deck. I've yet to load 1 as the IPOD integration has been easy & flawless.
Driving the car has been a blast. I'm being careful to vary speeds & keep the RPMs below 4K, & the beauty still can get you in trouble in a hurry. It was definitely meant to drive high speeds for long periods of time.
My mobile battery needs to be changed & I'll come back w/part deaux.
I did warn about gushing, no? ;-)
Even w/summer performance tires, she's held the road exceptionally, I've pushed her gently & am sure she can take more. I've been progressively pushing her through the many traffic circles we have here now in the wet as I normally go through them solo around 0500. Very fun!
As far as the adaptive suspension I don't have...if I assume mine is set for pure S sport, I have no wish for a comfort setting! As you know the road irregularities in this area, it absorbs train tracks & all other 'harsh' conditions plenty well for my butt. Anything softer & I may fall asleep. ;-)
Steering feel is far better than cars I've owned, but lacks far behind the Bimmers I've test drove. I'm happy with the compromise vs pure driving machine & the extra interior comforts the Bimmer lacks...IMO.
I think it's insanely stupid to put cupholders anywhere near the MMI, as I've seen many rubes have accidents w/drinks near their CPU. On the plus side, the doors have a perfect space for a water bottle above the pocket storage.
I've stole enough bandwidth for now, more later & promise pics soon once the sun comes back out.
And I'll be sure to memorize Tag's advice. Oh wait, who am I supposed to be scared of? Oh right, the the potential rage of OW. :P
OW, I'm waiting... :shades:
Don't forget an honorable mention for LD!
Regards,
OW
I called my contact at Audi and he "slipped" a little info that a guy's going to trade his S5 for the upcoming convertible. It's Aruba Blue, not the Sprint Blue I'm expecting but I can live with it, the color's very unique and reminds me of Audi's famous Denim Blue.
Plus, I'm still working to snatch the company's "most valued employee" award for yet another bonus (2 months' salary!!!). I've been aiming for it ever since I started here yet this senior of mine beats me all the time, arrrggghh... I guess experience really counts as I've been here for only 6 years while he's been working for the company for almost 20 years...
I'll feel sorry for him (as I really respect him), but it matters not, I'll surely beat him this year. :shades:
I'll remind her of the friendly guy from Boston who came to her carrying a bag full of canned food. Surely she'll remember as people like our LD are hard to forget, if next to impossible.
Infiniti? nah, sorry but unless they come up with something drastically classy in appearance I'll have to pass.
$29k for a quarter panel replacement? This is because of the aluminum intensive construction. Apparently, when steel and aluminum are "contamenated", they car has to go through a very laborous process for restoration. This particular car had to have the engine pulled twice to fit all of the parts together. WOW!
So I got to thinking about it all later, and I realized that I own(ed) 3 aluminum intensive made cars that I can think of: the W12, S8, and the XKR, which on the last one, may explain why insurance company didn't even waste any time on it and totalled it out at full value.
So to Tony(A8), Tag(XJ), LG(XK) and everyone else out there driving an aluminum intensively made car, beware of the cost of repair, and definitely look twice before switching lanes.
Pity is, what I bought was an 1/18 model.
(Dreams, Dreams, Dreams)
Regards,
Jose
Been a long time since we both got the Audi`s.....You may remember I hit a tire before a thousand miles, and had it repaired in Miami....The shop Contiche (sp) had several Audi`s in for major repair, and they were not intimidated in the least...Just cut the car front right off, streightened the frame (at least that is what it looked to me) and when I went back to pick my car up (only a day or so later) they had it pretty much back together and ready to paint....As I said back then `that is a good shop`....Sometimes we get ripped off by accident---maybe that happened to those folks Hope you are surviving the winter in fine shape Tony
TM
Dre Mazzenga
REgards,
OW
I guess now you are officially LL's lord of information. :shades:
Pretty girl, especially in person!
But, discount Infinitis courtesy of the future ex-Mrs. Mad Cow?! :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...)
That'd be no problem, as mrs. Mad Cow does not exist...... yet perhaps? :shades:
No it's the ES (evil sister) I'm more concerned about. She seems capable of getting on the nerves of everyone I went out with. How that happened is still a mistery to me as she's a very friendly person for all I know.
Regards,
OW
I wouldn't worry about it. Any kind of serious accident would just mean that Insurance would consider it a total loss, and you could buy another XJ or something else. Nobody is going to pay $30K to fix a Jag.
The old classic lines still ooze pure luxury and sexiness The car is so pitifully undervalued. I stole her out of the gate and (knock on her walnut-burl wood) she's been the most trouble-free car I've ever owned.
Clearly, this XJ is a keeper unless it betrays me or circumstances dictate, in which case I would likely make the switch to a hybrid.
TM
The Jag is not just trouble-free, but even ding-free so far... showroom perfect! I know that the more I drive it now the greater the risks become that something will happen. I wonder if those ding-removal experts can perform their ding-removal magic on aluminum.
You are lucky to know first-hand about those body shops. It gives you greater peace of mind. Thanks for reassuring me about the XJ. I really am reconnecting with it... and it's feeling really good.
TM
I am just as well. You know, I really never thought of it while driving the W12 in the city or driving the S8 at triple-digit speed when I had it. But reading that article and seeing the intense labor that goes into repairing even the most minute thing is major. The weight savings on aluminum is great, but having your car totalled out is the double-edged sword.
I have questioned C&D's motives a lot here, and a lot of the reviews have become interestingly personal as opposed to writing about a car the proper way, on it's own laurels.
But in the case of the S8, the shop that they took it to in Michigan is apparently the only one that can perform the massive work required to fix the car. I would argue as to why the had to pull the engine twice? For what purpose? I could understand once as it is pretty tight under there. This shop also used the same bonding and extrusion agents that is used fin Ingolstadt. No bondo here!
The main reason for me informing you guys of this is that there is a pretty tight circle of us who own these cars and I wanted you guys to use extra vigilance while operating the wonderful rides we drive.
Hmm. As big as the kidneys have gotten on the new 7 and Z4, at least they aren't that big.
Nice to know you were looking out for us. :shades:
TM
Part 1 would detail a drastic corporate tax cut and why it would free up cash for business to start new projects and rehiring.
Part 2 would would detail drastic individual tax cuts (across the board and not making the expected mistake of cutting out the higher income spenders). Here I'd detail how the upper income class would drive economic spending with just about all of the tax savings, the middle class would do a mix of repaying loans and spending and the lower income class would pay loans off. End result would be better spending, increased credit ratings and making bank Balance sheets get stronger.
Part 3 would detail how I would rescind the tax cuts over a 5 year or longer period so that folks can plan the longer term accordingly.
Part 4 would take $800bln of Govt spending and cut it by 80-90% so that only crucial public work spending, probably in regions hardest hit, gets done.
We don't need the Gov't to spend, we need cash in consumer hands to spend or payoff debt. With every dollar of debt repaid bank balance sheets improve and debt to people that can afford it, and are now getting denied, would flow again.
The issue of tax cuts is going to be the number one fight in the Senate this week. I hope Obama can back all of the points you presented.
PS...What's up with the price of Gas??
Regards,
OW
There are clubs that post newsletters with "authorized" Jag/L-R repair shops and I saw one for paint-less dent repair in Carlsbad, CA for TM.
Best Regards,
OW
Regards,
OW
I am worried that the entire banking system is essentially insolvent enough for an historic collapse. The math isn't there for them to sustain themselves much longer... no matter how much stimulus. They need about 2.5 trillion dollars, which is more than the entire global 2 trillion in 2007. How's that gonna ever happen? So... I think the other shoe is going to drop.
And... the treasuries/bond bubble is invisible to most for some reason. Yet another catasrophe just waiting to happen.
The worst is yet to come.
TM
There was a slightly different vibe for me this year as I volunteered to help in any way that I could with the event. This usually means keeping out of the way, not breaking anything and talking to no one with an IQ in the triple digits. But my offer was accepted and I was tasked with ordering the trophies for the event. A nerve wracking task, as any slips of the finger upon the keyboard and a less than critical editorial eye prior to hitting the “Submit Order” button and the trophies may have read, “Poneqood Dervy 2000” or “Xub Scoot Paxl 95.” But, measuring to the nth time and cutting once and the seventy three ordered trophies arrived on time, in English and in good grammar and spelling! Not to mention with some artistic integrity as I agonized over base colors, column decoration and the actual Derby figure (top of the trophy). Can I have a collective, “Phew” please!
Arriving ninety minutes prior to the official start of the festivities, I thought my only task would be to arrange the trophies in some semblance of logical order on the stage so as to be ooh’d and aah’d upon by the boys in blue and khaki. As well as the assorted parents and siblings who joyfully/reluctantly attended. I was kind of hoping that maybe “Boys Life” magazine would be in attendance and a photo of my artful staging of the trophies would be next month’s cover: “Pinewood Derby 2009: Sure There Were Cars, but the Trophy Staging was the Star!” Um, no. Let the delusions continue. So, unpack and arrange I did, in continued anonymity.
Satisfied at completion of this arduous task, I looked forward to the throngs of attendees to arrive, the races to begin and someone to feed me while I watched the cars, the scouts, the parents, the drama, the Ben-Hur chariot race-ish action, the tears, the joy, the sorrow and ultimate redemption. All the while quietly in the background, until came time for our car to spread its wings (which would probably disqualify it for knocking the other cars off the track. Just a metaphor, really) and fly.
Oh, but noooo. The Scoutmaster had other ideas as I was tasked to judge the cars as to design and workmanship! Of course, every racer in attendance receives a trophy. Unlike Chicago based sports teams, everyone wins something! The top four finishers get the big winner trophies. The next top sixteen racers get lovely “Finalist” trophies. Two scouts are recognized for “Sportsmanship” as judged by the Pack leaders who were observing the teeming masses. The criteria for this award is a closely guarded secret, I believe it is stored with the WMDs in Iraq. But, if you help an elderly woman across the room without crushing a competitor’s car or pulling your sister’s hair, I think you qualify
So, I reviewed each and every car for one of the “Most Original Design” trophies that are given to the scouts whose car did not finish in the top twenty, nor were cited for their sportsmanship. I had to come up with a unique description for each of the approximately sixty cars as we would not know who would be in the top twenty, therefore we had to be prepared to award to any of the cars. I did yeoman’s work, with assistance from other folks who saw my brow sweating, veins in my head bulging and tears slowly welling up in my eyes as thoughts of “Who am I too judge?” swirled about my brain. But, coming up with such awards as “Best Hot Rod,” “Best Dashboard,” “Best Day-Glo Lime Paint,” “Best Winged Wedge” and “Screwiest” (screws were used as weights in the bottom of the car), the mission was accomplished. Even harder was picking the five “Workmanship” winners (this task was assigned after the “Original Design” designations was completed. How did I become the arbiter of style? I mean, y’all have seen my choice in clothes!) as I was determined to pick five cars that appeared to have at least 33% actual Cub Scout participation in preparation. As opposed to 95% Boeing Aerospace Engineering, Stickley Woodworking and the Metropolitan Museum of Art Painting Restoration Unit prep. That was a tough order and I appreciated the father who admitted that his Scouts were certainly living in the same house as he when their cars were produced! And, finally, topped off with sharing MC duties at the end, including one point where the Scoutmaster and the other leaders needed a few minutes to tally some results so I was handed the mike and told to tell a story That did not go well; my wife chose that moment to leave the building. And apologies to many who read this, you were probably included in the story!
Oh, yes. The race! As I’m sure many of you recall, last year we finished a surprising and delightful eight place. Our goal was to at least match that result with, of course, hopes for a top four finish and one of the big trophies. As this year’s car was another somewhat artless copy of last year’s (this year’s version being called the “Snow Ghost,” I’m sure you can guess its appearance. If not, picture a thin wedge of cheese painted all white with two painted on eyes/eyebrows that more resembled two black carrots with stems than fearful apparition eyes ), I could only hope that the other racers had found no room for improvement regarding their cars.
And so our time came, four initial races to determine who goes on to the Semi-Finals. Our first two heats resulted in two very close second place finishes to the Scoutmaster’s son. Immediately, thoughts of sabotage entered my head. But, not having read enough Robert Ludlum, and with the faintest of thoughts that this may really not be in the spirit of the Scouts (“Sportsmanship!” Oh, now I get it!), the thoughts were vanquished for the time being The next two races resulted in decisive wins for the Ghost and we were on to the Semi’s! Sans sabotage, whodathunkit! And, thus began the thoughts of the Impossible Dream (with all due respects to the Amazin’ Mets, 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team, the Tom Brady-led ’01 Pats and, of course, the ’04 Red Sox!). We could go all the way!
Heart pounding, sweat dripping and hands shaking. This, of course, is why my son handled the car. The Semi’s began. And we dominated, winning three of four races! Placing a close second in the one obviously anomalous (“Don’t get cocky, kid.”) race. But, no matter, we were in the finals. And guaranteed a “Big Trophy!” “To reach the unreachable star!!!”
And, not to spoil the ending, but the unreachable star proved to be just that. Running against the other three fastest cars, we finished a still satisfying third place! Numero Uno? The Scoutmaster's son, who had edged us out in the two origi
'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...)
My son held the Third Place Trophy near and dear as I helped break down and clean up, post-festivities. And this continued at home with him placing it upon the mantle above the fireplace for all to see. Well done.
And what of sister, you ask? She attended with her lovely mother. Sister immediately found two of her friends and disappeared for the duration. One of her friends entered a car in the “Family Race,” and that girl’s mother scolded me for not building a car formy daughter to race. It is lovely to be treated like a husband by so many woman that I did not actually marry. My wife, in several layers of clothing sat close, listening to her Zune and “resting her eyes.” But, when the Snow Ghost was on the track, she pounced, like her husband on the last piece of pizza, trackside and took pictures. Between runs of the Ghost, her eyes were well rested (in her defense, she was feeling a bit under the weather, and like in any good marriage, she has begun to share this cold with me).
So, there is another year until what will be our final Pinewood Derby. My son will quickly forget this fabulous day, returning to his Wii and Lego monstrosities. Me? I’ll bask in the glow a bit longer, and then head to the library to catch up on my Robert Ludlum. See if I can have a bit of Bourne Supremacy at the 2010 Pinewood Derby! “Do you believe in miracles?”
'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 was a little encouraged after after watching the interview of the President before the Super Bowl today. The stimulus package that was originally introduced last week will be changed quite a bit (for the better). As the President said on the interview, all the irrelevent junk will be taken out. Therefore, some Republicans will also vote for the package.
You guys think that the stimulus package will be enough? I'm just not feeling the love, and I think there will be another round, yet to come... Government accounting is always too late and behind the curve in assessing and accounting for the real damage. IOW, things are more than likely even much worse than they currently measure.
TM