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  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,255
    I found this article on what police cars cost, fully equipped:

    "Let's see, the base price of one of the department's new Dodge Chargers is $21,955. But when you add the police package -- blinking lights, siren, video camera, an onboard computer and decals, to name a few accessories -- the price skyrockets to $42,000 per car."

    This is what I thought they would cost.  Highway Patrols add hemi's to their cars with special suspensions, bringing the cost up even more.

    2021 Genesis G90

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    30k is pretty low budget if that is kitted out. No trades. But elsewhere in the budget will be revenue from selling off the old ones.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 240,121
    Learned friends, I have a real estate question for y'all.

    I refinanced my mortgage not long ago and timed the market pretty well. I've got a 3.25% fixed 30 year mortgage. Unfortunately, I also have PMI, to the tune of over $200/mo.

    Recently, home values in Colorado have been increasing, and I discovered that a house down the street from me and is the same model sold for a very nice price about 6 weeks ago. A price, if I understand PMI correctly, that would allow me to drop PMI as my LTV would be under 80%.

    So .. my question is this. I want to drop PMI but I don't want to refinance. Do I simply contact my mortgage company and ask to do so? Do I need to get an official appraisal as justification?

    Any and all thoughts welcome.

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  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,384
    I'm still shaking my head at the concept of trading the old police cars in. I know someone will buy them, but would you want a used police car? Not exactly the little old lady used cars.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 19,029
    I see all kinds of ex-police RWD Crown Vics up here. A lot of them are used as taxis. Some people just buy them to drive. Can't imagine you get much time out of one, but there is a market for them.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,255
    fezo said:
    I'm still shaking my head at the concept of trading the old police cars in. I know someone will buy them, but would you want a used police car? Not exactly the little old lady used cars.
    I guess these "heavily used" vehicles make great conversation pieces - but that's about all I see in them.

    2021 Genesis G90

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,255
    ab348 said:
    I see all kinds of ex-police RWD Crown Vics up here. A lot of them are used as taxis. Some people just buy them to drive. Can't imagine you get much time out of one, but there is a market for them.
    I know a few of the local officers who told me that their patrol cars are treated very carefully in order to get as much mileage out of them as possible.  They are maintained impeccably by the motor pool and when a problem arises with one, it is immediately repaired so it can go back into service ASAP.

    I still wouldn't buy one.

    2021 Genesis G90

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,384
    Me neither but I remember guys buying Crown Vic's for the interceptor package.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    edited April 2015
    Aspen Colorado used to have Saab police cars for decades, right up to around year 2000. Then Saab pulled the plug (that was stupid, eh?) I wonder what they're driving now? Toyota Highlander and Ford Escape Hybrids last I remember. They had a Volvo XC90 for a while but got rid of it because of poor fuel economy. The cops loved the Saabs except that they didn't have ground clearance for heavy snow conditions.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Michaell said:

    So .. my question is this. I want to drop PMI but I don't want to refinance. Do I simply contact my mortgage company and ask to do so? Do I need to get an official appraisal as justification?

    We got rid of it one time by simply applying, no appraisal needed. But that was back in the early 90s iirc. Even so, an appraisal down here runs $500 so the payback would be quick.

  • nelsonfnelsonf Member Posts: 104
    robr2 said:

    Go Jumbo! (Tufts mascot, right?)

    Belated congrats, robr2!!!

    That's right. Tufts' mascot is Jumbo the Elephant. Phineas T. Barnum was a benefactor of the school in the 1800's. When Jumbo was killed by a locomotive, Barnum had him mounted and he went on a 4 year tour before coming to his permanent home at Tufts. Jumbo was there until a fire in 1975 destroyed him and Barnum hall. But the spirit of Jumbo lives on - some of his ashes were collected and placed in a peanut butter jar that is kept in the athletic department. Athletes rub the jar for luck.

    A new full size bronze Jumbo was put into place and dedicated a couple of weeks ago. It's 11' tall and 18' long and was paid for by a couple of alumni.
    Hey Robr2,

    Do you remember the big pink elephant out in front of Peabody Chrysler Plymouth back in the 80's and 90's?

    I worked there in the late '80's, and every so often some of the kids from Tufts would swipe it as a joke. (It was mounted on a trailer for parades and stuff) It was always found unharmed.

    I know they closed down a few years ago, but I wonder where the elephant ended up.

    Currently own: 2017 BMW M4, 2011 Nissan Frontier Pro-4X Used to own: 2008 VW R32, 1998 Jeep Cherokee Sport, 1987 BMW 325IS

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited April 2015
    General replies:

    Steven Wright graduated from Emerson College in Boston that offers degrees in journalism, marketing, performing and visual arts and, communications. Guys like Jay Leno and Norman Lear graduated from there as well. Wright grew up in the town I live in as well as Amy Poehler of SNL and Parks and Recreation fame. Her mom was a teacher at the high school until recently and Ms Poehler visits town often without any fanfare.

    I do remember the pink elephant from Peabody Chrysler. I have no idea where it is now.

    Our town buys it's police cruisers as part of a consortium of cities and towns. Black and White Explorers and Taurus' are ordered once a year by the consortium and delivered to one dealer. The cars are then prepped by a specialist company. My town went with the Explorers as Ford designed the interiors to accept mounting pods and equipment from the Crown Vic. $25-30K is the norm if they are swapping equipment.

    The Explorer Utility Interceptor has an MSRP of $30,405. Invoice is about $28,400. Add in computers, racks, radios, lettering, light bar, et al and it could hit $40K.

    The PD trickles down the old cruisers. When a vehicle is retired, the better ones are handed down to other departments - fire inspection, building inspectors, DPW, recreation commission, et al. The rougher ones are scavenged for parts.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Michaell said:

    Learned friends, I have a real estate question for y'all.

    I refinanced my mortgage not long ago and timed the market pretty well. I've got a 3.25% fixed 30 year mortgage. Unfortunately, I also have PMI, to the tune of over $200/mo.

    Recently, home values in Colorado have been increasing, and I discovered that a house down the street from me and is the same model sold for a very nice price about 6 weeks ago. A price, if I understand PMI correctly, that would allow me to drop PMI as my LTV would be under 80%.

    So .. my question is this. I want to drop PMI but I don't want to refinance. Do I simply contact my mortgage company and ask to do so? Do I need to get an official appraisal as justification?

    Any and all thoughts welcome.

    Check with your mortgage company, but I'm pretty sure you'll need an inspection. But you are right, once you have 80% equity, PMI goes away (with an inspection).

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 31,964
    edited April 2015
    robr2 said:

    General replies:

    Steven Wright graduated from Emerson College in Boston that offers degrees in journalism, marketing, performing and visual arts and, communications. Guys like Jay Leno and Norman Lear graduated from there as well. Wright grew up in the town I live in as well as Amy Poehler of SNL and Parks and Recreation fame. Her mom was a teacher at the high school until recently and Ms Poehler visits town often without any fanfare.

    I do remember the pink elephant from Peabody Chrysler. I have no idea where it is now.

    Our town buys it's police cruisers as part of a consortium of cities and towns. Black and White Explorers and Taurus' are ordered once a year by the consortium and delivered to one dealer. The cars are then prepped by a specialist company. My town went with the Explorers as Ford designed the interiors to accept mounting pods and equipment from the Crown Vic. $25-30K is the norm if they are swapping equipment.

    The Explorer Utility Interceptor has an MSRP of $30,405. Invoice is about $28,400. Add in computers, racks, radios, lettering, light bar, et al and it could hit $40K.

    The PD trickles down the old cruisers. When a vehicle is retired, the better ones are handed down to other departments - fire inspection, building inspectors, DPW, recreation commission, et al. The rougher ones are scavenged for parts.

    Why do police cars usually have ugly black wheels and no disc on them? It is a dead giveaway if they think it is looks like a normal civilian car.

    I saw a Crown Vic for sale, it must have been an ex- police car or taxi before. It was painted pure white, it still had black wheels, it looked like the springs and shocks were gone as it sat about 2 inches off the ground, and they wanted $6.995 for it....I couldn't imagine having it sit in my driveway, my neighbors would think I worked undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency..

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 240,121
    nyccarguy said:
    Learned friends, I have a real estate question for y'all. I refinanced my mortgage not long ago and timed the market pretty well. I've got a 3.25% fixed 30 year mortgage. Unfortunately, I also have PMI, to the tune of over $200/mo. Recently, home values in Colorado have been increasing, and I discovered that a house down the street from me and is the same model sold for a very nice price about 6 weeks ago. A price, if I understand PMI correctly, that would allow me to drop PMI as my LTV would be under 80%. So .. my question is this. I want to drop PMI but I don't want to refinance. Do I simply contact my mortgage company and ask to do so? Do I need to get an official appraisal as justification? Any and all thoughts welcome.
    Check with your mortgage company, but I'm pretty sure you'll need an inspection. But you are right, once you have 80% equity, PMI goes away (with an inspection).
    Inspection or appraisal?

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    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2014 MINI Countryman S ALL4

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited April 2015
    @nyccarguy raises an interesting angle - back in the day you may have been able to get rid of the PMI with just a Realtor's market analysis of your home. Guess it all depends on the lender. My guess is that most require an appraisal these days. And knowing Denver, they probably run $800 up your way.

    This is new to me - "Federal law requires lenders to tell the buyer at closing how many years and months it will take for them to reach that 80 percent level and cancel PMI. Lenders must automatically cancel PMI when the balance hits 78 percent." (Bankrate)
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    driver100 said:

    robr2 said:

    General replies:

    Steven Wright graduated from Emerson College in Boston that offers degrees in journalism, marketing, performing and visual arts and, communications. Guys like Jay Leno and Norman Lear graduated from there as well. Wright grew up in the town I live in as well as Amy Poehler of SNL and Parks and Recreation fame. Her mom was a teacher at the high school until recently and Ms Poehler visits town often without any fanfare.

    I do remember the pink elephant from Peabody Chrysler. I have no idea where it is now.

    Our town buys it's police cruisers as part of a consortium of cities and towns. Black and White Explorers and Taurus' are ordered once a year by the consortium and delivered to one dealer. The cars are then prepped by a specialist company. My town went with the Explorers as Ford designed the interiors to accept mounting pods and equipment from the Crown Vic. $25-30K is the norm if they are swapping equipment.

    The Explorer Utility Interceptor has an MSRP of $30,405. Invoice is about $28,400. Add in computers, racks, radios, lettering, light bar, et al and it could hit $40K.

    The PD trickles down the old cruisers. When a vehicle is retired, the better ones are handed down to other departments - fire inspection, building inspectors, DPW, recreation commission, et al. The rougher ones are scavenged for parts.

    Why do police cars usually have ugly black wheels and no disc on them? It is a dead giveaway if they think it is looks like a normal civilian car.

    I saw a Crown Vic for sale, it must have been an ex- police car or taxi before. It was painted pure white, it still had black wheels, it looked like the springs and shocks were gone as it sat about 2 inches off the ground, and they wanted $6.995 for it....I couldn't imagine having it sit in my driveway, my neighbors would think I worked undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency..

    It's a cost issue. Wheel covers don't offer anything useful hence departments don't bother with them. It may be a dead give away but the ones you really need to look out for are the totally normal looking cars. I've seen everything from a sales rep spec Malibu to an Explorer Limited to a GTI used in this area as true under cover cars. It's pretty funny to see the blue lights that have been imbedded in a Yakima roof box come to life on the Explorer.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Michaell said:
    nyccarguy said:
    Learned friends, I have a real estate question for y'all. I refinanced my mortgage not long ago and timed the market pretty well. I've got a 3.25% fixed 30 year mortgage. Unfortunately, I also have PMI, to the tune of over $200/mo. Recently, home values in Colorado have been increasing, and I discovered that a house down the street from me and is the same model sold for a very nice price about 6 weeks ago. A price, if I understand PMI correctly, that would allow me to drop PMI as my LTV would be under 80%. So .. my question is this. I want to drop PMI but I don't want to refinance. Do I simply contact my mortgage company and ask to do so? Do I need to get an official appraisal as justification? Any and all thoughts welcome.
    Check with your mortgage company, but I'm pretty sure you'll need an inspection. But you are right, once you have 80% equity, PMI goes away (with an inspection).
    Inspection or appraisal?
    Appraisal.  Sorry.  Wife is working today & I'm in charge of the kiddos

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    edited April 2015
    robr2 said:
    @robr2 - Mazel-Tov on your son's acceptance to TUFTS!
    Thank you. If I were you, I'd stop getting a new car every 3 years and start putting that money aside for your 3 little ones. As a business owner, you'll get put through the wringer when it comes time for college.
    Why do you think I'm a CCBA member?  Admitting I have a problem is the 1st step.  

    Seriously though. Solid advice.  Thank-you.  College was expensive when I graduated in 1998.  It is insane today.  I'm scared to think of what it is going to cost me in 10 years when my oldest son graduates high school.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,255
    edited April 2015
    @nyccarguy said:

    Why do you think I'm a CCBA member?  Admitting I have a problem is the 1st step!

    Right you are, Bradd!  Living with it (like I do) is the tough part!!!

    2021 Genesis G90

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    PMI is one of the biggest scams going. They make Bernie the neighborhood loan shark look like Santa Claus.

    somewhere in the reams of documents you signed is something about getting rid of it. 1st step is usually to call and ask what the process is. I'm sure there is paperwork to file, and they will tell you what else you need.

    I have not had it in decades. I believe we got rid of it by selling the townhouse we had it on. Might have had it on the new house we bought after that, but if we did it was not long until we refi'd and made it go away.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 31,964
    robr2 said:

    driver100 said:

    robr2 said:

    General replies:

    Steven Wright graduated from Emerson College in Boston that offers degrees in journalism, marketing, performing and visual arts and, communications. Guys like Jay Leno and Norman Lear graduated from there as well. Wright grew up in the town I live in as well as Amy Poehler of SNL and Parks and Recreation fame. Her mom was a teacher at the high school until recently and Ms Poehler visits town often without any fanfare.

    I do remember the pink elephant from Peabody Chrysler. I have no idea where it is now.

    Our town buys it's police cruisers as part of a consortium of cities and towns. Black and White Explorers and Taurus' are ordered once a year by the consortium and delivered to one dealer. The cars are then prepped by a specialist company. My town went with the Explorers as Ford designed the interiors to accept mounting pods and equipment from the Crown Vic. $25-30K is the norm if they are swapping equipment.

    The Explorer Utility Interceptor has an MSRP of $30,405. Invoice is about $28,400. Add in computers, racks, radios, lettering, light bar, et al and it could hit $40K.

    The PD trickles down the old cruisers. When a vehicle is retired, the better ones are handed down to other departments - fire inspection, building inspectors, DPW, recreation commission, et al. The rougher ones are scavenged for parts.

    Why do police cars usually have ugly black wheels and no disc on them? It is a dead giveaway if they think it is looks like a normal civilian car.

    I saw a Crown Vic for sale, it must have been an ex- police car or taxi before. It was painted pure white, it still had black wheels, it looked like the springs and shocks were gone as it sat about 2 inches off the ground, and they wanted $6.995 for it....I couldn't imagine having it sit in my driveway, my neighbors would think I worked undercover for the Drug Enforcement Agency..

    It's a cost issue. Wheel covers don't offer anything useful hence departments don't bother with them. It may be a dead give away but the ones you really need to look out for are the totally normal looking cars. I've seen everything from a sales rep spec Malibu to an Explorer Limited to a GTI used in this area as true under cover cars. It's pretty funny to see the blue lights that have been imbedded in a Yakima roof box come to life on the Explorer.
    That makes sense in a way.....but those wheels give it away a lot of the time for me.

    My idea is to have deputy cops with cameras on the dash. They drive on the highways and catch people who zig zag from lane to lane, cut people off, drive slow in the left lane, don't signal etc. These officers can write tickets. Cost of officer $200 a day, car and gas etc $100 a day, number of tickets written, 10 a day @ $200 each = $2000 a day.

    They keep the roads safe and make money for the government coffers.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • bwiabwia Member Posts: 2,913
    The new Interceptor with bullet proof doors is coming this summer and it is no $30k cruiser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STk_Os-2m8E
  • bwia said:

    The new Interceptor with bullet proof doors is coming this summer and it is no $30k cruiser https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STk_Os-2m8E

    Bullet proof doors? I wonder how often that's an issue? I imagine the extra plating adds quite a bit of heft, particularly if they use armored glass which cannot be rolled down.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    Ford has been offering ballistic panels for the front doors of both the Explorer and Taurus police interceptor since they were introduced.

    Reading some articles shows how much thought goes into designing a police car beyond the mechanical requirements. There are various other special items:

    custom headlight and tail light housings that makes it easy to add wiring for wigwag and other lighting features
    modified bumpers to allow for easy installation of push bars
    extra wiring for lights in the mirrors, quarter panels, et al.

    Ford seems to be offering lots of the upfit items right from the factory so that local departments need to worry only about the roof lights.

    Another neat thing is that Ford doesn't paint the vehicles black and white. Instead the department picks the base color and then Ford can vinyl wrap the doors, hood, trunk, roof in white. When the car is retired, the wrap can be pulled off and the vehicle can be sold off without need for paint.
  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 31,964
    robr2 said:

    Ford has been offering ballistic panels for the front doors of both the Explorer and Taurus police interceptor since they were introduced.

    Reading some articles shows how much thought goes into designing a police car beyond the mechanical requirements. There are various other special items:

    custom headlight and tail light housings that makes it easy to add wiring for wigwag and other lighting features
    modified bumpers to allow for easy installation of push bars
    extra wiring for lights in the mirrors, quarter panels, et al.

    Ford seems to be offering lots of the upfit items right from the factory so that local departments need to worry only about the roof lights.

    Another neat thing is that Ford doesn't paint the vehicles black and white. Instead the department picks the base color and then Ford can vinyl wrap the doors, hood, trunk, roof in white. When the car is retired, the wrap can be pulled off and the vehicle can be sold off without need for paint.

    They have offered Ford Interceptors with bulletproof doors since at least 2012. This article is quite interesting and has some interesting bits of information.

    FORD INTERCEPTOR POLICE CARS

    One line I liked was:
    The car accelerated briskly, and the special gearbox kept the car in low gears when other transmissions would upshift (very important when coming out of corners). In comparison, the Crown Victoria was all over the place and felt like a dinosaur in terms of agility and age.

    And this tidbit of information:
    . "Also, a first for police cars is that it has a 75-mph rear crash rating, important when the car is pulled over on the side of the road."

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • verdugoverdugo Member Posts: 2,286
    carnaught said:

    Cell phone options for music streaming through an app. like Pandora are hardly free as there are costs for using data for such apps. or for WiFi tethering.

    FYI, T-Mobile doesn't charge for data used while streaming music for some apps. I know Pandora is free, but I'm not sure what others are included.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    verdugo said:

    carnaught said:

    Cell phone options for music streaming through an app. like Pandora are hardly free as there are costs for using data for such apps. or for WiFi tethering.

    FYI, T-Mobile doesn't charge for data used while streaming music for some apps. I know Pandora is free, but I'm not sure what others are included.
    True - you get 4G LTE up to the amount you pay for. After that, it drops down to 3G and that is unlimited.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    robr2 said:

    nyccarguy said:

    @robr2 - Mazel-Tov on your son's acceptance to TUFTS!

    Thank you.

    If I were you, I'd stop getting a new car every 3 years and start putting that money aside for your 3 little ones. As a business owner, you'll get put through the wringer when it comes time for college.
    So are you trying to tell me to step away from the new vehicle configurator?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    Nah. Go for it

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 240,121
    stickguy said:

    Nah. Go for it

    I'm assuming we're talking about a potential replacement for the Pilot.

    I say stay the course and build the college and remodeling fund.

    Edmunds Price Checker
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  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited April 2015
    nyccarguy said:

    robr2 said:

    nyccarguy said:

    @robr2 - Mazel-Tov on your son's acceptance to TUFTS!

    Thank you.

    If I were you, I'd stop getting a new car every 3 years and start putting that money aside for your 3 little ones. As a business owner, you'll get put through the wringer when it comes time for college.
    So are you trying to tell me to step away from the new vehicle configurator?
    Oh you can configure all you want - I do that all the time. All I'm saying is that some schools may find that CCBA is a curable syndrome. Say you have a 1 YO and 3 YO car. The school may infer that you buy a new car every 3-4 years and may consider the money you spend on cars could be better spent on paying tuition. Look at me - I have a 15 YO Odyssey, a 10 YO Passat, and a 4 YO Explorer. Hopefully the schools inferred I had my priorities in line.

    And as a business owner, they seem to put extra scrutiny on you. They will ask for tax returns, P&L statements, et al. Too much cash in the business, they may feel you should pay yourself an extra dividend every year to make that tuition payment.

    As I said before, one school suggested that my wife and I were lucky to have so much equity in our home and that we had done well in saving for retirement and that perhaps tapping equity and redirecting future retirement savings towards tuition would be good ideas.

    Now of course, a lot of that goes out the window if your kids are what they want. I really think that the grant given my son was in response to this:

    GPA of 4.7
    great SAT and ACT scores
    Eagle Scout
    9 varsity athletic letters
    team captain twice
    member of the marching band
    music ministry at church
    part time job
    well written essays.

    One college counselor I heard speak talked about kids planting a couple of trees and making sure those trees had deep roots. His inference was that kids should commit to 2-3 activities and show that they care deeply about those. Kids who are members of 15 clubs are building resumes and don't show commitment. My son had 3 trees - music, sports, Scouts - and he committed to all 3.
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    Michaell said:

    stickguy said:

    Nah. Go for it

    I'm assuming we're talking about a potential replacement for the Pilot.

    I say stay the course and build the college and remodeling fund.
    We are keeping the Pilot. I'm just saying, in case I feel the need for some (ARGH ARGH ARGH) more power sometime down the road.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    @robr2 - WOW! They really did put you through the wringer. Luckily as it stands, I am not a business owner. Just a "regular" W2 employee (who happens to be the boss' son). My Dad just turned 69 in March and has absolutely no plans to retire. As long as he stays healthy, he'll probably work well into his 80s. He's got genealogical history on his side as my Grandma (Dad's Mom) just turned 98 last Wednesday.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited April 2015
    Got it. I thought you had ownership. In any case, your kids are 13+ years away from school. And a lot can happen in those 13 years so I suggest planning.

    Look at it this way:

    UConn is $26K a year right now. 3% price increase for 13 years brings it to $38K annually. 4 years of that is $152K. All 3 there will run you over $450K.

    I have a friend who is lucky enough to have the financial means to pay the full amount for his 3 boys. By the time he is done in 2017, he will have spent close to $780,000 in tuition and lodging.
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,256
    edited April 2015
    Regarding college costs, I would add 10% for miscellaneous other expenses, mostly due to kids going to school out of state.
    We did have our kids take on the max gov't loans, so they would have 'some skin in the game'.
    My older one paid them off in less than 4 years. Now she can pay her own grad school bills.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    robr2 said:

    Got it. I thought you had ownership. In any case, your kids are 13+ years away from school. And a lot can happen in those 13 years so I suggest planning.

    Look at it this way:

    UConn is $26K a year right now. 3% price increase for 13 years brings it to $38K annually. 4 years of that is $152K. All 3 there will run you over $450K.

    I have a friend who is lucky enough to have the financial means to pay the full amount for his 3 boys. By the time he is done in 2017, he will have spent close to $780,000 in tuition and lodging.

    I really do appreciate your advice. I do hope at least one of my 3 kids opts for UCONN;). The state schools have become increasingly competitive since the start of the Great Recession in 2008. UCONN used to be viewed by many as a "safety school." Now I understand unless your credentials are top notch, UCONN will accept you only if you accept admission to a satellite campus (Like UCONN Stamford) for 1 semester or 1 year.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    hey Bradd, question for you. Not college related (but I have enough recent experience with that to be an expert on many areas, including some you don't ever want to deal with!)

    anyway, I am going to NH for a wedding in early June. Will be going up on a Friday (leaving in the AM to arrive mid-afternoon). mapquest, Garmin (and I assume the Hrundai Navi, which I will be taking on the trip) always want to send my over the GWB and up 95 to 91 then north. Though Google maps goes above that to shooting up the Hutch.

    If I hit the GW at 10:30/11:00 on a Friday, intending to do that, is it a dumb idea? Subjecting myself to the cross Bronx, something I vowed to avoid again if I ever could!

    I normally go up and over the TZ (to saw mill, up to 684 to 84 and over). Only maps out to 8 miles longer, and about 10 minutes estimated. That way I skip the Bronx and 95 mess. But, I thought about shaking things up, and I know that you are intimately familiar with this route!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    speaking of college loans, my son texted me to say that he might go out to test drive a GTI, just to "see what he passed on". Even though he has about another 1.5 years on the lease before even thinking about a pull-ahead, and it would cost too much! I told him it was a dangerous idea, and he should see if the friend of his that just bought one would let him take a drive.

    he did say he was planning to redirect the $ to paying off another student loan, leaving him with just one at 3.15%, for less than 5K. He has done a good job paying them off quick, highest interest rates 1st. once the last one is gone, he should be done the lease, and it will be interesting to see what he does! At this point, about all I can about guarantee is that it will be German (he is hooked).

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  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    stickguy said:

    hey Bradd, question for you. Not college related (but I have enough recent experience with that to be an expert on many areas, including some you don't ever want to deal with!)

    anyway, I am going to NH for a wedding in early June. Will be going up on a Friday (leaving in the AM to arrive mid-afternoon). mapquest, Garmin (and I assume the Hrundai Navi, which I will be taking on the trip) always want to send my over the GWB and up 95 to 91 then north. Though Google maps goes above that to shooting up the Hutch.

    If I hit the GW at 10:30/11:00 on a Friday, intending to do that, is it a dumb idea? Subjecting myself to the cross Bronx, something I vowed to avoid again if I ever could!

    I normally go up and over the TZ (to saw mill, up to 684 to 84 and over). Only maps out to 8 miles longer, and about 10 minutes estimated. That way I skip the Bronx and 95 mess. But, I thought about shaking things up, and I know that you are intimately familiar with this route!

    I would avoid the Cross Bronx like the plague. There's always something going on east bound (95 North) from right after the bridge up until the Webster Avenue exit. If you must take the GW, get off at 9a for the Henry Hudson Parkway North, over the HH Bridge (another $5 toll in addition to the $8 or so you'll pay on the GW). The HH becomes the Saw Mill once you get into Westchester.

    I'd stick with your TZ to Saw Mill to 684 to 84 route. You'll encounter less traffic overall. Your ride home Sunday night is going to be a nightmare. If you can afford to take the day off on Monday, I'd suggest staying an extra night for a smoother drive home.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    thanks. you confirmed what I already knew.

    Sunday, I think we are leaving mid-morning to get back. so should hit near the bridge in the 2-3 range. so who knows what to expect at that point. I decide from there what to do based on the traffic reports (Palisades, GSP, or scenic route over to 287).

    staying an extra day (the wedding is Saturday) into Monday could happen. depends on everyone's work schedule and what rest of family is planning to do.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 6,952
    Come early October, I'll be asking you the same question as we plan to fly into Westchester airport and rent from there. Staying in either Mt. Kisco or Elmsford for the weekend but hoping to get out to Staten Island again if all works out. Hoping to fly in and out mid week to avoid the weekend mess up there. Planning on hitting Peekskill and Shrub Oak if time allows and maybe a Broadway show if the better half decides to join me...it's a high school reunion and not sure if it'll bore her too much!

    The Sandman :)B)

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2015 Golf TSI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373

    Come early October, I'll be asking you the same question as we plan to fly into Westchester airport and rent from there. Staying in either Mt. Kisco or Elmsford for the weekend but hoping to get out to Staten Island again if all works out. Hoping to fly in and out mid week to avoid the weekend mess up there. Planning on hitting Peekskill and Shrub Oak if time allows and maybe a Broadway show if the better half decides to join me...it's a high school reunion and not sure if it'll bore her too much!

    The Sandman :)B)

    There is always traffic getting to Staten Island. No matter what!

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 240,121

    Come early October, I'll be asking you the same question as we plan to fly into Westchester airport and rent from there. Staying in either Mt. Kisco or Elmsford for the weekend but hoping to get out to Staten Island again if all works out. Hoping to fly in and out mid week to avoid the weekend mess up there. Planning on hitting Peekskill and Shrub Oak if time allows and maybe a Broadway show if the better half decides to join me...it's a high school reunion and not sure if it'll bore her too much!

    The Sandman :)B)

    Why are you going to Peekskill? That's my dad's home town, though he's lived in CA for the better part of 60 years now.

    Hearing bradd and stick talk about driving routes through/around NYC make me realize I don't missing traveling for work one little bit. Though most of my nightmares were in Boston - went there a lot during the "Big Dig" fiasco.

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  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,384
    Stick you have the correct route mapped out. Once in a while we'll take the Merritt Parkway just because it's a neat route. It's becoming less so but it's still pretty nice as long as you're not actually getting on and off along the way because the ramps are next to nonexistent. Pretty road and some of the WPA look is still there.

    When you get to the Mass Pike just take in to the first exit eastbound and go up 290 through Worcester and get on to 495 from there. Saves you a lot of Mass Pike (always a good thing)and runs a more diagonal route.

    Now if you were going Memorial Day weekend you'd get the bonus of local fundraiser (scouts, foodbanks) in the picnic area serving hot dogs and such, Just edible to very good depending on the organization and the year.

    I agree with Bradd on the extra day Monday.

    Speaking of Bradd I'm not speaking of baseball on the past weekend. See you in September.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    Last night made up for it Fezo.

    We are actually to western part of the state (Keene) so straight up 91. Skip the pike entirely.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,373
    fezo said:

    Stick you have the correct route mapped out. Once in a while we'll take the Merritt Parkway just because it's a neat route. It's becoming less so but it's still pretty nice as long as you're not actually getting on and off along the way because the ramps are next to nonexistent. Pretty road and some of the WPA look is still there.

    When you get to the Mass Pike just take in to the first exit eastbound and go up 290 through Worcester and get on to 495 from there. Saves you a lot of Mass Pike (always a good thing)and runs a more diagonal route.

    Now if you were going Memorial Day weekend you'd get the bonus of local fundraiser (scouts, foodbanks) in the picnic area serving hot dogs and such, Just edible to very good depending on the organization and the year.

    I agree with Bradd on the extra day Monday.

    Speaking of Bradd I'm not speaking of baseball on the past weekend. See you in September.

    Ha! I actually went to the Saturday afternoon "game." The Mets have a great squad this year. I saw Harvey pitch. He's truly something else. Lucas Duda can hit the ball a mile. Mets have the best record in MLB right now.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,384
    Indeed. I'd say I'd have taken tickets to either of the other games but the truth is I don't freeze well. If you told me that on April 28 the Mets would be up 4.5 games I'd not believed it.

    They has another one of those pulling it out of nowhere in that rarity of rarities, an under 2 hours game. Met and Marlins blanked each other through 7-1/2 innings. Marlins manage a run in the bottom on the 8th. Lagares gets a double that should have been an out, Duda walks and Murphy knock one into the next county. Familia does his 1,2,3 and we're done.

    Sweet.

    BTW - no way am I getting into retail college prices. The older ones are doing county college first (we have a very good one here) and while #1 doesn't know what she's up to and is in pause mode, #2 is well on her way to a degree is sign interpretation and is looking to go on to two bachelor degrees - one in teaching and one in sign language. Know we'll be splitting the costs. Pretty good head on her shoulders other than she knows little more about cars than the pedals and the wheels. He boyfriend, who she mostly lives with, has a Subaru. She's driven it. She can't tell me what model it is or even if it's a sedan or wagon. Great kid otherwise.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • robr2robr2 Member Posts: 8,805
    edited April 2015
    Bradd - I'm not trying to push my advice on you. It's just so fresh in my mind that I want to share it with someone just starting out. The years go by so fast and then BAM, it's on you.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,435
    Keene. Hopefully being that school is still going on will help with the rush. I hope to make it up by 2:30-3:00 so will be through the congestion of Hartford right after lunch.

    But it will be what it will be.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

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