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Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)
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I remember that in my drag racing years, I had many opportunities to kill myself many times over due to my true love of a 4-speed stick connected to a 427 or 455 cubic inch powerhouse.
Today, I experience many opportunities to "be killed" by the thousands and thousands of senior drivers down here who can't see worth a darn!!! If I had my druthers about how I should be killed while driving, I'd prefer the drag racing - at least it would have been an exciting way to go!!!
2021 Genesis G90
Later when I looked at the form, they now add on a 10% extra fee (insurance) for damage to the item rented.
After using the fan for 3 days, I returned it an challenged the added on fee. The kicker was the form said I had been "offered" and had "accepted" the added on charge. Of course, a contract requires an actual offer of the 10% insurance which was never done nor did I accept it after the offer. The store manager ended up adjusting the pricing. I explained to him I'd be happy to challenged their methods with corporate office if he wanted me to do so. The sales guy was supposed to make clear they were adding on the fee. I pointed out to the manager that they should raise their price 10% instead of trying to slide the fee into the paper when most people are in a hurry to get some tool and return to work.
Turns out the sales person was supposed to demonstrate that the blower worked by plugging it in and having me sign a tag that he had indeed demonstrated it to be in good working order.
I mentioned to the store manager something about shady dealing like used car lots and new car dealers adding on fees at the last minute if they can.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Of course, one should have the option to select it.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2021 Genesis G90
Getting ready for the Wichita State and Notre Dame game tonight. Wichita State is a 7 seed, Notre Dame is a 3 seed. Wichita State is the favorite. Go figure.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
"...40% chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon with a high of 90 degrees..."
What happened to Spring?
2021 Genesis G90
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
Wichita State is coming off a high, beating their in state rival who would never acknowledge their existence, until forced to.
ND is not the team they used to be and they did just recently beat Duke and UNC in the ACC tournament.
One of my kids graduated from ND last May and a kid from our town was a basketball star there until a couple of years ago, so some bias, but my money would be ND.
Regarding the "Millenials," my geezer opinion is that actual experiences are of little or no value to the majority of them. Everything that matters happens on their screens. Reality is an intrusion.
For me, it was cruising the streets in my red GTO, listening to "Murray the K" on my transistor radio hoping to hear Elvis's or the Beattles's latest hit, or watching the family's 8" black and white TV with the huge magnifying screen to catch a Dodger game from Ebbets Field. The GPS screen in my car was larger than that screen.
I still prefer buying my clothes and shoes at a store where I can try them on for looks and size- hate ordering apparel and shoes online because I usually end up returning the purchase.
Although I must admit that I could never have found a replacement remote for my HD TV without the Internet or EBay.
2021 Genesis G90
Millennials don't care about driving because they can't afford cars, are paying back six figures in student debt, and have to share an apartment with 3 people because the wages they make as an independent contractor at a company who doesn't want the hassle of employees.
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Due to the expense of owning a car, many high school/college students don't have cars.
Once they start working, if you need a car, you get a car.
Kids working in NYC or Boston, no car needed.
I find it's easier to text or e-mail my customers than it is to talk. People respond to those mediums whereas a phone call is easily ignored and sent to voice mail. When I send a text, I know they got it.
As for your not liking the back and forth of electronic communication, you might as well accept it. Those are your potential customers and that's how they want to do business.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Can see a bunch of my lawn, although far from all of it.
Interesting comment there, Mr Shifty.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
2021 Genesis G90
There is no doubt about it...if you are driving just for the pleasure of driving and with being with one with your car, a manual is the way to do it. Like I say, our Audi A4 is about the most fun you can have driving a car.
Unfortunately, less than 5% of the cars being sold in North America are manuals.
Young people aren't learning how to drive them
Gas mileage is better in automatics these days
Automatics are often faster than manuals
With our congested roads it isn't always as much fun shifting gears.
A manual heightens the driving experience...but, it just ain't always practical these days.
*And, an automatic will usually last the life of the car, clutches can cost $1000s to fix
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
EPA mileage is better in an automatic, but that may not hold true in the real world.
This Acura TLX does have a "clean" setup in the console area that holds a lot of appeal.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
But then, none of them are Audis.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Had to replace the clutch on the Accord but that was after my daughter was driving it. She drives in dog miles.
If I found someone I liked who couldn't drive a stick, I trained him - usually took about a week before he could be trusted to take a customer out in a manual transmission car.
2021 Genesis G90
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
That's the case with the Audi...our daughter is very responsible and has driven manuals so no problem with her driving it.
None of them can borrow my car because I have made it clear that no one else drives my car. 3 things I don't share, my underwear, my toothbrush and my car. I have taken my wife out and let her drive the E400 so she will know what to do in an emergency.
If something happens to me she has agreed to sell the E400, she has strict instructions she can't let her new boyfriend drive it.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The E400 has a tiny shifter near where a column shift would be. It clears the console area nicely, and it does seem to be a little more refined, but, it seems to be something that women would like more....not very macho.
I would prefer buttons, and failing that a console shifter.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My Kia guy finally learned that I don't do phone calls. Now he's just occasionally emailing me. He's young.
FYI: Packard had an electronic push button transmission in 1955. The Mopar devices were mechanical, with cables and they were pretty crude to operate.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Not only were those Mopar pushbutton transmissions crude but they could be tricky to get adjusted just right.
Some Edsels had the push buttons in the center of the steering wheel. These must have been troublesome because 've seen a lot of Edsels at car shows that have been converted to a floor shifter.
This is the only other big innovation I know about in automatic shifting. Reviewers don't seem to be too crazy about it. To me, it seems like a good attempt at making something a little old fashioned and crude sleeker, but, it is a little finnicky...you may accidentally put it in the wrong position.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
It seems there are advantages and disadvantages either way. How about stationary paddles that encompass 180 degrees of the wheel? I usually only use the paddles when navigating Colorado's mountains and particularly in the twisties. The smallish rotating paddles are a bit of a pain in the tight turns, and they're located at the 9 and 3 position where I almost always have to move my hand to grab them. Having grown up with manuals I'd prefer the center console selector be used for moving up and down "gears", in quotes since I have CVTs now and gears don't technically exist.
Some people are ready to commit violence against some of the overly enthusiastic, perky and excitable TV weather presenters here who seem to love lousy weather. Probably the same in Boston with ones like Mike Wankum.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6