Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Michaell · September 2017

abacomike said:
I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.

Mike - stay safe. Sounds like evacuating to Jacksonville is a wise move; I just hope you don't have a million other folks trying to do the same thing at the same time. Not many alternatives to I-95, I suspect.

I've got a co-worker who lives in Orlando, and he's told me they are keeping an eye out on the path of the storm, as well. Not sure they'll have to evac, but you never know.

isellhondas · September 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:
Chances are it will be a lousy plane and a lousy car.

Yeah, like the Amphicars were lousy cars and lousy boats!

snakeweasel · September 2017

iluvmysephia1 said:

2017 Chevy Spark 5-speed in Summit White Nice. You guys are all just jealous. Come on, admit it! It's loaded with everything you need and nothin' you don't need. Perfect car for a minimalist like myself.

You want a minimalist car? I'll give you a minimalist car.

abacomike · September 2017

Michaell said:

I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone. I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water. They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across. The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now. Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.
Mike - stay safe. Sounds like evacuating to Jacksonville is a wise move; I just hope you don't have a million other folks trying to do the same thing at the same time. Not many alternatives to I-95, I suspect. I've got a co-worker who lives in Orlando, and he's told me they are keeping an eye out on the path of the storm, as well. Not sure they'll have to evac, but you never know.

I use the Turnpike north to Ft. Pierce and then I go east a few blocks and pick up I-95 North. You are correct - lots of people fleeing already. Unfortunately, I-95 follows the coastline the last 200+ miles of my trip - and the evacuation routes all use I-95.

snakeweasel · September 2017

abacomike said:

I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone. I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water. They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across. The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now. Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.

Keep safe and get out of there fast and early if you need to.

We have kids and grandkids in Orlando and are worried about them.

carnaught · September 2017

abacomike said:
I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.

@abacomike, agree, good idea getting out of S.Fl. Have a safe trip to J-ville and keep in touch. Thoughts and prayers for all those there. Hope the storm makes a N. turn out into the Atlantic.

pensfan83 · September 2017

Michaell said:
In all the years that I traveled (1989-2003), I only had one occasion to use the PIT airport. I'm pretty sure it was for a layover, when it was a hub. I remember it being really nicely equipped for its size.

Denver Int'l is looking to enact a "public-private" partnership that will see the Jeppensen main terminal completely gutted and remodeled. City Council approved the contract (over 1000 pages long!) a week or two ago, so now the final negotiations are to take place.

The idea is to consolidate the security screening area to one end of the terminal, and build out the rest of the "main hall" with shops and restaurants and such. The customer check-in area would shrink, as well, since so many folks are using 'self serve' kiosks.

When the airport opened in 1994, it was designed to handle a maximum of 50M passengers a year. Last year there were over 58M passengers. They also have land appropriated for a 7th runway, which may also get built in the near future.

PIT was built to handle 35 million as a hub, and at one time did, but now barely breaks 8 million and that's only after getting low cost and ultra low cost carriers in the mix. In its heyday there was talk of adding a Y to the X shaped airside terminal due to expected growth by US Airways but 9/11 happened and that airline just bled red ink. I was in college when they they "de-hubbed" PIT around 2004 and I had more than a few friends from high school whose families were impacted. It seemed overnight over 10,000 jobs vanished and ferried off to Philly and Charlotte.

There's now talk of right sizing the terminal and demolishing at least one of the X prongs at the airside terminal and consolidating gates. Personally I'm fine with how things are there...I can fly non-stop to any of our major regional headquarters if needed, security lines are almost non-existent, and they FINALLY put in not one but two Starbucks about 18 months ago

venture · September 2017

ab348 said:
We have some Ford Fusion owners on here, do we not? I'd be interested in impressions of the car... I'm looking at one.

I'm sure you have had others comment since I'm a little late here, but I have a 2014 Titanium AWD Fusion. I really like the car. It's the 2.0 liter turbo. I am getting a Subaru Legacy tomorrow, simply because I can't stand the incompetence of my 2 local Ford dealers. Even though I usually trade about every 3 years, or so, I was thinking about keeping this Fusion until the dealer issues came up.

berri · September 2017

I think there is something more than just a climate aberration occurring. I think the Pacific Northwest and western Canada may be the canary in the coal mine. Air currents and Pacific ocean currents from Asia go directly there. Take a look at place like Beijing; Seattle is looking like it sometimes it seems. Another canary may be the southeast and Gulf coast. Glaciers are breaking up driving ocean temperatures up. Excessively warm ocean currents feed hurricanes. Ocean water down there is warm to begin with, so the added temps is not a good thing.

Mike hope all works out for you. But you know you can't outguess, let alone outrun a hurricane. Hopefully it avoids the part of Florida you are headed to, as well as where your condo is located. OTOH, airline actions seem to indicate there is concern about south Florida right now. Godspeed to you.

explorerx4 · September 2017

My nephew had to evacuate from Miami. Other family members on my wife's side are leaving the Fort Lauderdale area.
Unfortunately, her eldest aunt and uncle refuse to leave.

driver100 · September 2017

Mike, if you head up I-75 check on our place near Tampa.

Is your plan still to head North? Hard to tell whether you should leave now or wait and see. I guess since you can stay at your brothers it would be best to head up there. What are the highways heading North like?

If it isn't a health issue it is something else....like you said, never a dull moment.

fintail · September 2017

Get out of there as soon as you can. I would leave at like 2am, when traffic volumes are low. There are likely going to be jams during the day. Good luck, and I hope it misses you.

abacomike said:
I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

fintail · September 2017

It is indeed weird here too, but our smoke is local. The smoke issues we had a month ago were from fires in BC, then fires in Oregon, now mostly from fires in WA. It's probably as bad today as it was at the worst times a month ago.

I park in a garage, usually across from an opening. There was a layer of ash on my car today, too - can't recall the last time I saw that on this side of the mountains.

berri said:
I think there is something more than just a climate aberration occurring. I think the Pacific Northwest and western Canada may be the canary in the coal mine. Air currents and Pacific ocean currents from Asia go directly there. Take a look at place like Beijing; Seattle is looking like it sometimes it seems. Another canary may be the southeast and Gulf coast. Glaciers are breaking up driving ocean temperatures up. Excessively warm ocean currents feed hurricanes. Ocean water down there is warm to begin with, so the added temps is not a good thing.

Mike hope all works out for you. But you know you can't outguess, let alone outrun a hurricane. Hopefully it avoids the part of Florida you are headed to, as well as where your condo is located. OTOH, airline actions seem to indicate there is concern about south Florida right now. Godspeed to you.

iluvmysephia1 · September 2017

I do like the Mitsubishi Mirage. But Chevy gives all 3 trim levels a rear view camera and Android Auto. And Bluetooth connectivity and a WiFi hotspot. And all of that for $11,100? Wow. You must take delivery by 09/11/17 to get the $2882 off. Good time to buy a Chevy Spark.

Don't knock me over on the way to your local Chevy dealers all of you all!

explorerx4 · September 2017

@ab348,
I have a 2017 Fusion. You have a RWD car now, but the Fusion is FWD.
If you want to show the salesperson you know something about the Fusion, the left upper spoke of the steering wheel has a 4 way button with a button in the middle.
Push the 4 way to the left until you see the menu items.
Move up or down until you get to 'Display Mode'(top menu item).
Then hit the button 1 time to the right. Scroll up or down until you see tire pressure for all 4 wheels.
They should all read 36 psi.

berri · September 2017

Geez Explorer, are you driving a car or flying a triple 7

ab348 · September 2017

explorerx4 said:
@ab348,
I have a 2017 Fusion. You have a RWD car now, but the Fusion is FWD.
If you want to show the salesperson you know something about the Fusion, the left upper spoke of the steering wheel has a 4 way button with a button in the middle.
Push the 4 way to the left until you see the menu items.
Move up or down until you get to 'Display Mode'(top menu item).
Then hit the button 1 time to the right. Scroll up or down until you see tire pressure for all 4 wheels.
They should all read 36 psi.

Actually both the ATS and the Fusion I drove are AWD.

abacomike · September 2017

driver100 said:

Mike, if you head up I-75 check on our place near Tampa. Is your plan still to head North? Hard to tell whether you should leave now or wait and see. I guess since you can stay at your brothers it would be best to head up there. What are the highways heading North like? If it isn't a health issue it is something else....like you said, never a dull moment.

I don't go anywhere near I-75, driver. I lived through Wilma and have no intentions of going through that again here in south Florida. At least I have my brother to ride out the storm with. I just remember the downed trees, no running water and 4-days with no electricity. I am sure Jacksonville will be affected. My brother lives about 5 miles west of the ocean - but it's all new up there in Ponte Vedra so electric lines are much better protected than down here.

driver100 · September 2017

ab348 said:

explorerx4 said:
@ab348,
I have a 2017 Fusion. You have a RWD car now, but the Fusion is FWD.
If you want to show the salesperson you know something about the Fusion, the left upper spoke of the steering wheel has a 4 way button with a button in the middle.
Push the 4 way to the left until you see the menu items.
Move up or down until you get to 'Display Mode'(top menu item).
Then hit the button 1 time to the right. Scroll up or down until you see tire pressure for all 4 wheels.
They should all read 36 psi.
Actually both the ATS and the Fusion I drove are AWD.

What were your impressions of the Fusion compared to the ATS. That would be an interesting comparison.

driver100 · September 2017

abacomike said:

driver100 said:

Mike, if you head up I-75 check on our place near Tampa.

Is your plan still to head North? Hard to tell whether you should leave now or wait and see. I guess since you can stay at your brothers it would be best to head up there. What are the highways heading North like?

If it isn't a health issue it is something else....like you said, never a dull moment.

I don't go anywhere near I-75, driver. I lived through Wilma and have no intentions of going through that again here in south Florida. At least I have my brother to ride out the storm with. I just remember the downed trees, no running water and 4-days with no electricity. I am sure Jacksonville will be affected. My brother lives about 5 miles west of the ocean - but it's all new up there in Ponte Vedra so electric lines are much better protected than down here.

When are you heading out? Are you going to wait until they have a better tracking of Irma?
Good luck to you brother....that looks like one bad storm. Can't imagine living through the one in Houston, and this one is much larger.....

oldfarmer50 · September 2017

abacomike said:
I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.

Was watching the news where cars were lined up for miles getting gas. I supose those could be people running on empty but if not why not just drive north to an area with less panic?

oldfarmer50 · September 2017

iluvmysephia1 said:
I do like the Mitsubishi Mirage. But Chevy gives all 3 trim levels a rear view camera and Android Auto. And Bluetooth connectivity and a WiFi hotspot. And all of that for $11,100? Wow. You must take delivery by 09/11/17 to get the $2882 off. Good time to buy a Chevy Spark.

Don't knock me over on the way to your local Chevy dealers all of you all!

Those mini cars make sense for urban driving conditions. Too bad low gas prices make them a tough sell. Last year a local Mitsu dealer must have bought up every year end Mirage and was selling them for $9,999. Had about a hundred in stock.

houdini1 · September 2017

PF_Flyer said:

abacomike said:
I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.
Keep your head down, and get out if you need to!

Ditto, and get an early start up to your brothers place. If it was me, I would already be gone.

imidazol97 · September 2017

Be safe, @abacomike. Leave.

The storm is predicted to be a level 3 when it comes ashore despite the media's hyping the idea that it's now a 5 and will remain a 5. Also the media likes to present the pictures with the big red areas, which I've learned is the temperatures at the tops of the clouds where coldest is red. That's not indicative of a huge area of level 5 winds and damage. But this storm likely will be very damaging rather than weakening and dropping huge amounts of rain while slowly moving like Harvey.

Here's a link to the BRITISH assessment with several different charts. Note they use a different color scheme in the one rather than the scary big red machine satellite renderings.

http://www.express.co.uk/news/weather/849840/Hurricane-Irma-path-update-latest-models-storm-track-Florida-USA-Miami-forecast-NOAA-NHC

http://cdn.images.express.co.uk/img/dynamic/153/590x/secondary/Hurricane-Irma-1055845.gif

Accuweather's video middle of the page down is very scientific in its perdiction. Only one that mentions the jet stream as the steering element.

https://www.accuweather.com/

ab348 · September 2017

driver100 said:

What were your impressions of the Fusion compared to the ATS. That would be an interesting comparison.

Can't really compare the AWD capabilities since both are biased toward their platforms basic design, the ATS being RWD and the Fusion being FWD. The AWD only really kicks in when slippage is detected from what I understand. So set that factor aside for a moment.

The 2.0T ATS is quicker than the 2.0T Fusion. The Fusion is not slow but the ATS is faster because the engine has more power and the car is lighter. The steering in the ATS is just about perfect and the brakes are excellent. I found both of those good in the Fusion but not quite at the same level. The handling on the ATS is again at a higher level than the Fusion. It is superb at feeling like it is on rails when going around a curve. Again, the Fusion handles nicely but not at that level.

Exterior styling for me is a toss-up. I think the ATS is a very good looking car with nice proportions. The Titanium trim level on the Fusion improves the looks with larger wheels and dual rear exhaust ports along with additional brightwork over the base model. It is longer but appears to be about the same width as the ATS so perhaps the proportions are not quite as good, but the Aston Martin-ish front end looks great.

It is inside where the Fusion shines. Keeping in mind that my ATS is the base model for 2014, the Fusion has a far higher level of equipment. Memory seats, heated steering wheel, cooled seat cushions, a larger center screen, more speakers, navigation, the list goes on. Given the advances in in-car tech over the last few years it is not surprising that over 3 years that capability is much improved over the '14 ATS. I could not tell if the Bose stereo in the ATS was better or worse than the Sony unit in the Fusion. The cabin feels far roomier and airier and the Titanium-trim seats are a lot more comfortable than the base ATS seats with much more adjustability. It will be interesting to see how the ATS I am probably going to drive today which is an uplevel model matches up in this area.

The Fusion rides better and is about equally as quiet as the ATS. It actually felt a bit better on the expressway than the ATS because the steering is not quite as darty and the suspension tuning is slightly softer. The longer wheelbase probably helps the ride as well. Cargo space is no contest, with the Fusion having a much larger trunk and a larger back-seat cargo area when the seats are folded.

I guess to sum up I was surprised how well the Fusion did in comparison. I did not expect that it would be as good as it seemed it was.

imidazol97 · September 2017

ab348 said:

driver100 said:

What were your impressions of the Fusion compared to the ATS. That would be an interesting comparison.
The 2.0T ATS is quicker than the 2.0T Fusion. The Fusion is not slow but the ATS is faster because the engine has more power and the car is lighter. The steering in the ATS is just about perfect and the brakes are excellent. I found both of those good in the Fusion but not quite at the same level. The handling on the ATS is again at a higher level than the Fusion. It is superb at feeling like it is on rails when going around a curve. Again, the Fusion handles nicely but not at that level.

Nice comparison. Even handed.

nyccarguy · September 2017

@abacomike

Good luck traveling north to get to your Brother's place. Just make sure you take breaks while driving and you'll be fine! Let us know when you've arrived safely!

nyccarguy · September 2017

@ab348

Excellent comparison. It seems like you gave the Fusion a nice, thorough test drive with your eyes open. It sounds like you'd like either car, but your heart lies with the ATS!

fintail · September 2017

Interesting thing about the Express hurricane page is that seems to be using US-sourced data. The European models are usually more reliable for general forecasts, but maybe not so much for hurricanes.

I know some like to bemoan "the media" but this might be a case where one is better safe than sorry. From what I have read, The Weather Channel (which should be a default source?) isn't predicting Cat 5 landfall. This isn't a routine hyped up winter snow forecast, this storm so far is among the most powerful on record. Better to maybe over-estimate than hope it might fizzle out. I see bloated windbag drugbag Limbaugh was trying to play it down, to which the internet reacted with great hilarity. If he wants to go that way, maybe smart minds should do the opposite.

graphicguy · September 2017

houdini1 said:

PF_Flyer said:

abacomike said:
I don't know if you guys are interested in what's happening down here in South Florida, but I thought I would give you an update on what was once a vacation spot and has now become a war zone.

I left the house early this morning to fill up my car with gasoline and try to get some food and milk. It took me over an hour to get gas at the local gas station. I tried to drive over to Costco, but that was just a waste of my time - the traffic was backed up for over a half mile. So I made a U turn and tried to get into Publix or Winn Dixie or Walmart or Target - but no dice. I couldn't even find a parking space in any of those parking lots. So I just gave up and considered myself lucky that I was able to fill up with gasoline. I tried going out for some food and milk an hour ago. It that futile. I've never seen traffic so bad in town and most stores are temporarily out of bread, milk and water.

They've enacted a State of Emergency for all of Florida - specifically Southern Florida. I spoke with my brother and he is expecting me sometime tomorrow early evening or Thursday, depending on how I feel after they remove the staples from my arm. The trip is 300 miles, or about 1/2 a tank of gasoline. The hurricane is expected to move north toward Jacksonville eventually, but at least it will be a much weaker storm than when it hits down here - assuming there is no change in its direction. It's a category 5 with winds above 185 mph 60 miles across.

The NFL has cancelled the Dolphin's game scheduled for Sunday and have decided to move the game to another city or to reschedule it. Schools here will be closed starting Thursday and will remain closed until further notice. Many gas stations are out of fuel now.

Even if the storm goes a little further south and west, it's so big and broad that the affect will still be massive.
Keep your head down, and get out if you need to!
Ditto, and get an early start up to your brothers place. If it was me, I would already be gone.

Those are my thoughts, too. I'd pack a tooth brush, tooth paste, a clean pair of undies (or two) and drive as far north as a tank of gas would take me....like RIGHT NOW!

roadburner · September 2017

nyccarguy said:
@abacomike

Good luck traveling north to get to your Brother's place. Just make sure you take breaks while driving and you'll be fine! Let us know when you've arrived safely!

Ditto!

nyccarguy · September 2017

@fintail

the biggest problem are those who decide to wait it out or evacuate when it is too late. They divert valuable resources and put 1st responders lives in danger.

abacomike · September 2017

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

Mike, if you head up I-75 check on our place near Tampa. Is your plan still to head North? Hard to tell whether you should leave now or wait and see. I guess since you can stay at your brothers it would be best to head up there. What are the highways heading North like? If it isn't a health issue it is something else....like you said, never a dull moment.

I don't go anywhere near I-75, driver. I lived through Wilma and have no intentions of going through that again here in south Florida. At least I have my brother to ride out the storm with. I just remember the downed trees, no running water and 4-days with no electricity. I am sure Jacksonville will be affected. My brother lives about 5 miles west of the ocean - but it's all new up there in Ponte Vedra so electric lines are much better protected than down here.
When are you heading out? Are you going to wait until they have a better tracking of Irma? Good luck to you brother....that looks like one bad storm. Can't imagine living through the one in Houston, and this one is much larger.....

I'm getting on the Turnpike north at about 3:00 PM. I expect it to take 6-7 hours to get to Ponte Vedra because of all the coastal traffic going north on I-95. I'd leave now, but I have to get these staples removed first at 2:15 this afternoon.

Thanks for the well-wishes everyone. I couldn't even buy a loaf of bread or milk this morning. It's a war out there!

abacomike · September 2017

Just called the kids to let them know I'll be going to my brother's house near Jacksonville. They agreed it was a smart move. Spoke with my brother - he strongly suggested that I fill up with gas just before arriving at his development - if the hurricane moves north, Jacksonville could be under the gun and I'd have difficulty buying gas once they announce evacuations from the coast.

Michaell · September 2017

Here's one for iluv

dino001 · September 2017

I live in Tampa, hundreds of miles away with possible hurricane exposure no sooner than Monday and things are getting hysterical even here. Yesterday long line at Costco gas (people will run out by Monday just commuting), today some stations out of gas. Of course carts full of water bottles. I suspect there will be some restocking before the storm gets even close. It also looks like the path is trending to turn north sooner and Tampa Bay should be spared from the biggest fury.

abacomike · September 2017

dino001 said:

I live in Tampa, hundreds of miles away with possible hurricane exposure no sooner than Monday and things are getting hysterical even here. Yesterday long line at Costco gas (people will run out by Monday just commuting), today some stations out of gas. Of course carts full of water bottles. I suspect there will be some restocking before the storm gets even close. It also looks like the path is trending to turn north sooner and Tampa Bay should be spared from the biggest fury.

As of the latest available data, it looks like the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale areas will be hit pretty bad as will the Keys.

oldfarmer50 · September 2017

fintail said:
Interesting thing about the Express hurricane page is that seems to be using US-sourced data. The European models are usually more reliable for general forecasts, but maybe not so much for hurricanes.

I know some like to bemoan "the media" but this might be a case where one is better safe than sorry. From what I have read, The Weather Channel (which should be a default source?) isn't predicting Cat 5 landfall. This isn't a routine hyped up winter snow forecast, this storm so far is among the most powerful on record. Better to maybe over-estimate than hope it might fizzle out. I see bloated windbag drugbag Limbaugh was trying to play it down, to which the internet reacted with great hilarity. If he wants to go that way, maybe smart minds should do the opposite.

Of course ratings would never play a part in anyone in the media from hyping things up or down. If it's on the tube or radio you can believe it all 100%.

oldfarmer50 · September 2017

dino001 said:
I live in Tampa, hundreds of miles away with possible hurricane exposure no sooner than Monday and things are getting hysterical even here. Yesterday long line at Costco gas (people will run out by Monday just commuting), today some stations out of gas. Of course carts full of water bottles. I suspect there will be some restocking before the storm gets even close. It also looks like the path is trending to turn north sooner and Tampa Bay should be spared from the biggest fury.

My BIL who has a condo in Largo will be glad if that happens. My niece is in Orlando so I hope it goes waaaaaay east.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2017

oldfarmer50 said:

fintail said:
Interesting thing about the Express hurricane page is that seems to be using US-sourced data. The European models are usually more reliable for general forecasts, but maybe not so much for hurricanes.

I know some like to bemoan "the media" but this might be a case where one is better safe than sorry. From what I have read, The Weather Channel (which should be a default source?) isn't predicting Cat 5 landfall. This isn't a routine hyped up winter snow forecast, this storm so far is among the most powerful on record. Better to maybe over-estimate than hope it might fizzle out. I see bloated windbag drugbag Limbaugh was trying to play it down, to which the internet reacted with great hilarity. If he wants to go that way, maybe smart minds should do the opposite.
Of course ratings would never play a part in anyone in the media from hyping things up or down. If it's on the tube or radio you can believe it all 100%.

I think Chicken Little was right.

imidazol97 · September 2017

dino001 said:
...Of course carts full of water bottles. I suspect there will be some restocking before the storm gets even close.

This is not to criticize anyone current suffering in the panic in FL now.

But I don't understand the concept that all water has to be in 12 oz plastic bottles. Why don't people use other containers, old 12 oz water bottles, sanitized gallon milk containers, 5-gallon containers from Lowes, etc., to store water from their tap or drinking NOW while their tap water is working. Save up many gallons, cheaply, and they're not frustrated when the shelves at Walmart go empty. I heard this morning the number of semi trucks of just water that Walmart has on the road to FL stores.

My wife refills the 12 oz bottles with water from our tap instead of opening new ones all the time.

stickguy · September 2017

I recall some issue with cleaning those bottles. Don't handle heat without breaking down maybe? We use house water when possible if going out, but sometimes take a plastic bottle if we won't be able to bring a thermos type bottle back home. But always try to recycle!

We never use them when home. Spring jug or filtered from the fridge only.

abacomike · September 2017

imidazol97 said:

...Of course carts full of water bottles. I suspect there will be some restocking before the storm gets even close.
This is not to criticize anyone current suffering in the panic in FL now. But I don't understand the concept that all water has to be in 12 oz plastic bottles. Why don't people use other containers, old 12 oz water bottles, sanitized gallon milk containers, 5-gallon containers from Lowes, etc., to store water from their tap or drinking NOW while their tap water is working. Save up many gallons, cheaply, and they're not frustrated when the shelves at Walmart go empty. I heard this morning the number of semi trucks of just water that Walmart has on the road to FL stores. My wife refills the 12 oz bottles with water from our tap instead of opening new ones all the time.

If I was remaining home, I would fill up 15 plastic gallon jugs with filtered water from fridge. I store them in the bathtub. Biggest problem is loss of electricity and that causes loss of running water for toilets and bathing.

Am at docs office waiting for him to arrive. Car is packed and ready to go. Just afraid of traffic heading north.

isellhondas · September 2017

To Mike and the others who may be affected.

Trust your instincts and I agree with the others that have suggested getting out of there ASAP. Hopefully it'll
take a turn and burn itself out in the Atlantic somewhere.

I'm going to quit complaining about all of the smoke in the air from the Northwest fires. Small potatoes compared to Texas and Florida! Be safe and keep us posted!

imidazol97 · September 2017

http://www.fort-lauderdale-marine-directory.com/interstate-i-95-palm-beach.php

driver100 · September 2017

dino001 said:
I live in Tampa, hundreds of miles away with possible hurricane exposure no sooner than Monday and things are getting hysterical even here. Yesterday long line at Costco gas (people will run out by Monday just commuting), today some stations out of gas. Of course carts full of water bottles. I suspect there will be some restocking before the storm gets even close. It also looks like the path is trending to turn north sooner and Tampa Bay should be spared from the biggest fury.

For my sake, and Gigi's, I hope you are right Dino!

driver100 · September 2017

I think plastic water bottles break down over time....after a few uses. Plastic molecules may build up resistance to some things, but, generally, are not great for you. Plastic water bottles are fairly easy to transport and store, would stock up with a case if I could.

driver100 · September 2017

Ab, appreciate your views comparing the Fusion and the ATS. I wonder how often that happens, the car that seems to be the lesser of the two, may be the better buy....because you can buy a lot more content for it. Something to think about.

Also, you like your ATS, but there are features you really liked in the Fusion. It would seem that the things that matter the most to you, were available on the Fusion and not your ATS, it will be interesting to see how the newer and upgrade model will work out when you test drive the newer ATS.

driver100 · September 2017

Mike, you should be headed out about now. Have as good a trip as possible under the circumstances, let us know when you arrive.
Hope the stitches came out without incident.

bwia · September 2017

Ford to Look Beyond Credit Scores in Sales Push

We’ve all seen rodeo before, what can possibly go wrong?

According to the Wall Street Journal, “Ford Motor Credit has decided to change its approval process to look beyond credit scores in an effort to pump up sales. The move by Ford Motor Co.'s financing unit, announced Friday, is expected to unfold in coming years, even as concerns mount about rising auto-loan losses in the industry.

Ford Motor Credit says it is looking at ways to increase loan and lease approvals for applicants with limited credit histories. These consumers are often denied credit because they lack a history of managing debt and as a result have low credit scores. Ford's credit division plans to review new data to try to determine whether these customers, as well as those with more robust borrowing histories, are likely to repay their loans.”

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