Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

snakeweasel · September 2018

berri said:

Cable pricing - never seems to make sense!

I concur, that's why we dumped cable. With an antenna and a streaming service we still get every channel that we watched on cable. And for less than half the price.

suydam · September 2018

I do this too. Really is nice not to hear your phone ring all the time.

snakeweasel · September 2018

oldfarmer50 said:

Can you guess what this is?

Is it a car?

snakeweasel · September 2018

oldfarmer50 said:

They said on the news the other day.......scam calls will make up 50% of all calls on cell phones, in one year.
I got my second span callon my cell phone right after I talked to Verizon. Funny since I rarely use that phone for anything except family calls. Could Verizon be selling phone numbers?

Most likely it's just a machine calling random numbers or calling every number is sequence.

driver100 · September 2018

snakeweasel said:

abacomike said:

berri said:
Better be careful with that program Mike - you may end up buying a "used" car to go with your newfound thriftiness
No way! I haven't gotten ULTRA ECONOMICAL berri, just ECONOMICAL. Used cars (preowned to be more sophisticated) does not turn me on. I have not yet become "desperate", just "cautious and careful"!

Technically every car at every dealership is preowned. Someone owned it before you, the manufacturer comes to mind.

Probably, the bank.

snakeweasel · September 2018

abacomike said:

Years ago when I lived in Chicago, I was a Bears fan when McMahon was the quarterback. Whenever they won, it was always called “winning ugly” because there were so many turnovers during the game.

Well, Miami just won “ugly” with only 42 rushing yards in the first 3 quarters and Tannehill the quarterback had 39 of those rushing yards. Miami’s last play of the 4th quarter was a 63 yard rushing TD play.

They are 3-0 on the season - unbelievable.

Winning Ugly was the White Sox.

berri · September 2018

Hey, was there ever a decent Bears QB that didn't end up with head or orthopedic problems down the road? They seem to not protect the QB for whatever reason and it has gone on for years. But I do remember McMahon and Ditka, Refrigerator Perry (for his short "shelf life") and so on in 1985. Great old fashion smash mouth football.

explorerx4 · September 2018

View from my the window at the end of the hall at my hotel this weekend.
Many will recognize it. Went to a wedding at the planetarium last evening.

berri · September 2018

Marina Towers on the Chicago River downtown. I actually had a relative that headed that planetarium many years ago.

houdini2 · September 2018

abacomike said:
I just received a notice via email that my Condominium Association is voting next week to eliminate the requirement that all Condo Units maintain a "land-line phone" for security and fire. I found out that security will accept a cell phone with a passcode, which I already have. I just have to register the cell phone number with the security office. That will save me $45.00 a month and reduce the number of "robo-calls" I receive each week by 90%.

Another vote will be taken on requiring all Condo Unit Owners to list the Condominium Association as an additional insured on our Condominium Insurance for liability as well as loss. From what I understand, if there is a fire in a Condo and it spreads, causing physical damage to the building, the Association wants to make sure it has recourse to have the damage repaired by the Condo Unit Owner. Anyone know more about whether or not this is appropriate. I carry $300,000 liability insurance as well as a $1,000,000 umbrella policy.

If you have any info on this "additional insured" clause, please let me know. Thanks.

Just ask them to add you as an additional insured under their policy for the same reasons. If a fire starts on the outside you want to be sure their insurance will cover any losses you have.

abacomike · September 2018

I was just watching the evening news and a reporter presented her story about Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie - gay or straight? My jaw literally dropped and it felt like I was developing apoplexy.

With all the news developing every minute in Washington DC and around the world, you mean to tell me this bit of news was worthy of taking up a 5 minute spot on a major TV network? Who cares what Bert and Ernie do during their off-camera time? Their sexual orientation is their business - they have a right to be whatever they want to be - and it’s not necessary that we know every little detail of the lives of two Muppets.

Now let’s get back to “real” news and forget about the life and times of Bert and Ernie. They were created in the image of Jim Henson and Frank Oz - let’s give Bert and Ernie some well-deserved privacy.

carnaught · September 2018

sorry

abacomike · September 2018

snakeweasel said:

abacomike said:

Years ago when I lived in Chicago, I was a Bears fan when McMahon was the quarterback. Whenever they won, it was always called “winning ugly” because there were so many turnovers during the game.

Well, Miami just won “ugly” with only 42 rushing yards in the first 3 quarters and Tannehill the quarterback had 39 of those rushing yards. Miami’s last play of the 4th quarter was a 63 yard rushing TD play.

They are 3-0 on the season - unbelievable.

Winning Ugly was the White Sox.

You’re right! Good grief, my memory is becoming more and more creative in my old age. I have to be more careful about recalling events in my life - and I was just about to announce my experiences on the USS Enterprise as a Vulcan with big ears - I thought that was the reason my ears are getting bigger and bigger and bigger, not to mention hair growth everywhere on my body except my head!

Sorry about that snake.

oldfarmer50 · September 2018

driver100 said:
Nice pictures OF....I like that Hummer, but, I hear they are a lot of trouble to own. Otherwise I would have snapped that one up.
I have no idea what that last car was. My wife said I could buy a cruise car, like a 58 T-Bird, but, I thought, I don't need a part time job trying to keep it running........actually, I mean, finding a mechanic who could keep it running. It would be a different life, you would have to like going to Cruisin Shows and sit around and talk to other collectors....and watch your car like a hawk.

I think it's a year older but here you go.

abacomike · September 2018

berri said:

Marina Towers on the Chicago River downtown. I actually had a relative that headed that planetarium many years ago.

The very first night I spent in Chicago back in 1966 was in an apartment in Marina Towers in Marina City downtown adjacent to the Chicago River. We were having a blizzard with high winds. I didn’t sleep at all because the building was swaying back and forth - I kid you not. I was scared stiff that the Tower would fall over.

abacomike · September 2018

houdini2 said:

I just received a notice via email that my Condominium Association is voting next week to eliminate the requirement that all Condo Units maintain a "land-line phone" for security and fire. I found out that security will accept a cell phone with a passcode, which I already have. I just have to register the cell phone number with the security office. That will save me $45.00 a month and reduce the number of "robo-calls" I receive each week by 90%. Another vote will be taken on requiring all Condo Unit Owners to list the Condominium Association as an additional insured on our Condominium Insurance for liability as well as loss. From what I understand, if there is a fire in a Condo and it spreads, causing physical damage to the building, the Association wants to make sure it has recourse to have the damage repaired by the Condo Unit Owner. Anyone know more about whether or not this is appropriate. I carry $300,000 liability insurance as well as a $1,000,000 umbrella policy. If you have any info on this "additional insured" clause, please let me know. Thanks.
Just ask them to add you as an additional insured under their policy for the same reasons. If a fire starts on the outside you want to be sure their insurance will cover any losses you have.

I spoke with Liberty Mutual and they said it should be “additional interest” so they get copies of my policy and are notified if I cancel the policy or change the insurance limits. We voted this down 3 months ago but we are being forced to do this and our Condo Board will make the final decision.

Unit owners are up in arms over this - so Friday’s meeting should be interesting.

Thanks Houdini - we’re all over this.

oldfarmer50 · September 2018

stickguy said:
Farmer, I think I saw the Humvee up there when I toured the museum in July. And a couple other cars that were consigned. I was going to go up this weekend but it did not work out. Maybe next year!

and yes, VZ would love to decommision the old wires if they could

If you parked in the big lot behind the museum you were just feet from where the auction was held. Let me know if you go next year and I'll treat you to a ticket.

In fact, I couldn't thinkof a better venue for an Edmunds meet & greet.

snakeweasel · September 2018

abacomike said:

berri said:

Marina Towers on the Chicago River downtown. I actually had a relative that headed that planetarium many years ago.

The very first night I spent in Chicago back in 1966 was in an apartment in Marina Towers in Marina City downtown adjacent to the Chicago River. We were having a blizzard with high winds. I didn’t sleep at all because the building was swaying back and forth - I kid you not. I was scared stiff that the Tower would fall over.

At least this didn't happen:

https://youtu.be/LOz9eouFHTQ

oldfarmer50 · September 2018

snakeweasel said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Can you guess what this is?

Is it a car?

Fintail called it pretty close. It's a 1981 Pontiac Gran Prix with a kit on top.

berri · September 2018

aba - a lot of tall, particularly tall and narrow high rise buildings have to have some sway and give just like aircraft wings. But I can see how a first experience is a bit concerning. btw, too much to drink can replicate that phenomenon. You didn't see any pink elephants did you

berri · September 2018

My experience with HOA's is much like listening to a politician. You get a big "I hear you", then they do what they want.

abacomike · September 2018

berri said:

aba - a lot of tall, particularly tall and narrow high rise buildings have to have some sway and give just like aircraft wings. But I can see how a first experience is a bit concerning. btw, too much to drink can replicate that phenomenon. You didn't see any pink elephants did you

No - but once the building swayed (I was at the highest resident floor so we felt it more than lower units) alcoholic beverages were served continuously. I was terrified!

berri · September 2018

Terrified for real, or just catching some some attention from your dolly

btw - don't look out the window on wide body aircraft if you can see the wings buddy@!

imidazol97 · September 2018

You didn't trust the engineers to have done things right?

abacomike · September 2018

imidazol97 said:

You didn't trust the engineers to have done things right?

Hey, imid, when you can’t walk from the kitchen to the living room in a straight line without thinking you are being tossed around like you were on a ride at Coney Island, you get terrified. And no - that night I thought there were no engineers or architects who would design a building that moved by itself.

abacomike · September 2018

berri said:

Terrified for real, or just catching some some attention from your dolly btw - don't look out the window on wide body aircraft if you can see the wings buddy@!

I have observed the wings on a 747 flapping up and down when flying in heavy weather - not a good feeling when you have seen that firsthand.

jmonroe1 · September 2018

explorerx4 said:
View from my the window at the end of the hall at my hotel this weekend.
Many will recognize it. Went to a wedding at the planetarium last evening.

Next time you ottta spend a little more and get a room with a real view. Could have been worse though if you spent a little less and got to view the dumpsters.

jmonroe

ab348 · September 2018

Back in the ‘90s I lived in an apartment on the 21st floor. We had a few storms that caused whitecaps in the toilet bowl.

jmonroe1 · September 2018

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

jmonroe1 said:

I will try to say this as s-l-o-w-l-y as possible. The brakes heat up, the hot air from the brakes has to go somewhere, if it flows out through the louvers it will move away from the brakes - faster than it would if sealed up in the rear fender or wheel well. Not that Camry drivers drive that fast, but, it makes the car look like it is faster since it needs the brakes to be cooled.
Hey guys, am I the only one that doesn't understand his logic? Anyway, I'm probably the only dope responding to this.jmonroe
But the wheel wells are solid walls--they don't put holes in the wells for water, salt, dirt, and air to go through to other parts of the vehicle. So the wheels wells likely aren't being vented here.

On my Mustang there are vents in the front fascia that direct air through the wheel well to dissipate both air pressure and brake heat.. The Ford expert at the dealership took great pride in pointing them out.

On my Mustang there are vents in the front fascia that direct air through the wheel well to dissipate both air pressure and brake heat.. The Ford expert at the dealership took great pride in pointing them out.

But your vents are in the front and are mounted lower than what was thought could be louvers/vents that were mounted higher on the Camry next to the leading edge of the tail/brake light assembly. That is what I was questioning . Remember, I said "there is nothing to cool back there".

You're the perfect person to check this. Put some tape over your vents and see if it takes longer for your car to stop due to hotter brakes and see if the car handles worse, due to lift, than the way it handles now without the tape. If I had to put money on this test I'd say you will not see a difference. Sounds more like salesman hype than anything else to me but I can't prove it because I don't have a Mustang. Whatever you tell us after this test, I'll believe you.

jmonroe

driver100 · September 2018

oldfarmer50 said:

driver100 said:
Nice pictures OF....I like that Hummer, but, I hear they are a lot of trouble to own. Otherwise I would have snapped that one up.
I have no idea what that last car was. My wife said I could buy a cruise car, like a 58 T-Bird, but, I thought, I don't need a part time job trying to keep it running........actually, I mean, finding a mechanic who could keep it running. It would be a different life, you would have to like going to Cruisin Shows and sit around and talk to other collectors....and watch your car like a hawk.
I think it's a year older but here you go.

Thanks OF.....I liked those 57 T-Birds too (may be a 55 or 56, I have to see the fins to know)
The 1958s were probably my favorites!

Also the 64s ....with sequential turn signals.

I post that every few years.

berri · September 2018

Sears (now Willis) Tower in Chicago actually has some open (blow through) areas between a few floors to reduce the motion effect.
Explorer's view is good for a car fan - looks right into the parking area levels.

jmonroe1 · September 2018

ab348 said:
Back in the ‘90s I lived in an apartment on the 21st floor. We had a few storms that caused whitecaps in the toilet bowl.

Are you sure that wasn't the foamy head on a glass of 3 beers too many.

jmonroe

jmonroe1 · September 2018

I saw a unique and very fitting bumper sticker, at least for me, today in a novelty type store while accompanying Mrs. j on her hunt for a gag birthday gift for a friend. I don't clutter up my bumpers with bumper stickers but I gave some thought of taping it on the lower right inside corner of the rear window of Mrs. j's Subie.

Still thinking about it since it is so fitting for me. It read..."My other Car is a Genesis".

jmonroe

driver100 · September 2018

jmonroe1 said:
I saw a unique and very fitting bumper sticker, at least for me, today in a novelty type store while accompanying Mrs. j on her hunt for a gag birthday gift for a friend. I don't clutter up my bumpers with bumper stickers but I gave some thought of taping it on the lower right inside corner of the rear window of Mrs. j's Subie.

Still thinking about it since it is so fitting for me. It read..."My other Car is a Genesis".

jmonroe

Are you trying to illicit sympathy

driver100 · September 2018

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

imidazol97 said:

jmonroe1 said:

I will try to say this as s-l-o-w-l-y as possible. The brakes heat up, the hot air from the brakes has to go somewhere, if it flows out through the louvers it will move away from the brakes - faster than it would if sealed up in the rear fender or wheel well. Not that Camry drivers drive that fast, but, it makes the car look like it is faster since it needs the brakes to be cooled.
Hey guys, am I the only one that doesn't understand his logic? Anyway, I'm probably the only dope responding to this.jmonroe
But the wheel wells are solid walls--they don't put holes in the wells for water, salt, dirt, and air to go through to other parts of the vehicle. So the wheels wells likely aren't being vented here.

On my Mustang there are vents in the front fascia that direct air through the wheel well to dissipate both air pressure and brake heat.. The Ford expert at the dealership took great pride in pointing them out.

On my Mustang there are vents in the front fascia that direct air through the wheel well to dissipate both air pressure and brake heat.. The Ford expert at the dealership took great pride in pointing them out.

But your vents are in the front and are mounted lower than what was thought could be louvers/vents that were mounted higher on the Camry next to the leading edge of the tail/brake light assembly. That is what I was questioning . Remember, I said "there is nothing to cool back there".

You're the perfect person to check this. Put some tape over your vents and see if it takes longer for your car to stop due to hotter brakes and see if the car handles worse, due to lift, than the way it handles now without the tape. If I had to put money on this test I'd say you will not see a difference. Sounds more like salesman hype than anything else to me but I can't prove it because I don't have a Mustang. Whatever you tell us after this test, I'll believe you.

jmonroe

I am sure oldfarmer is going to put duct tape on his vents and try to see if it makes his car faster and brake better. Regular cars probably don't benefit from having vents, but, if you are driving fast then it could make a difference...it does in racing cars. Spoilers probably don't do much for most people, but, people think they are attractive since they are associated with speed.

The vents do serve a purpose on some cars and that is the reason they are on the car. No use adding vents if - even phony ones, if they didn't have anything to do with the car. How much do these vents and spoiler help dissipate air pressure and brake heat?

Maybe your point is they don't actually lessen air pressure or heat. My point is they probably don't do those things for average cars, but, that is why they appear on cars...probably more decorative than useful at speeds under 100 m.p.h.

venture · September 2018

You guys with a security system in your house. Did you put the signs in your yard and/or on windows?

I never did and I just saw them in my office.

28firefighter · September 2018

I put the small stickers by each door and slider. Never put out the yard sign.

roadburner · September 2018

jmonroe1 said:

You're the perfect person to check this. Put some tape over your vents and see if it takes longer for your car to stop due to hotter brakes and see if the car handles worse, due to lift, than the way it handles now without the tape. If I had to put money on this test I'd say you will not see a difference. Sounds more like salesman hype than anything else to me but I can't prove it because I don't have a Mustang. Whatever you tell us after this test, I'll believe you.

jmonroe

Every one of my BMW cars from my 1987 535is forward has ducts that run from the front airdam to the front wheelwells and are aimed directly at the front brake rotors. Newer BMWs have a front vent that creates an air curtain around the front wheels to minimize drag. Sometimes there is a rear vent to further smooth the air flow. Other manufacturers also use that technique; the current F-150, for example.

jmonroe1 · September 2018

venture said:
You guys with a security system in your house. Did you put the signs in your yard and/or on windows?

I never did and I just saw them in my office.

I don't have a security system but I have a yard sign and a few window stickers left behind by the previous owner. So far it's working but if you don't want your window stickers, send them to me via the Edmunds free shipping service.

Over the years I have gotten maybe a dozen calls from companies wanting to sell me a security system. I tell them I have one and then they want to know who's system I have so I tell them that is personal info that I don't provide. Being the paranoid person that I am, I view these calls as coming from thieves who want to know who's home to break in to. Saying you don't have one puts you at the top of the list and telling them what system you have tells them to dig out the info on that system so they can learn how to defeat it. Like I said, I'm paranoid.

In a way I'm not really lying because Mrs. j is my security system.

jmonroe

stickguy · September 2018

I have a dog that barks at anyone that comes to the door or walks by. And he’s loud.

28firefighter · September 2018

My dog barks. Folds like a cheap suit if you give her a treat, though.

driver100 · September 2018

venture said:
You guys with a security system in your house. Did you put the signs in your yard and/or on windows?

I never did and I just saw them in my office.

I only got a sticker which is in a window next to the front door. I guess if you try to do too much your neighbors will think you are paranoid.

driver100 · September 2018

jmonroe1 said:

venture said:
You guys with a security system in your house. Did you put the signs in your yard and/or on windows?

I never did and I just saw them in my office.
I don't have a security system but I have a yard sign and a few window stickers left behind by the previous owner. So far it's working but if you don't want your window stickers, send them to me via the Edmunds free shipping service.

Over the years I have gotten maybe a dozen calls from companies wanting to sell me a security system. I tell them I have one and then they want to know who's system I have so I tell them that is personal info that I don't provide. Being the paranoid person that I am, I view these calls as coming from thieves who want to know who's home to break in to. Saying you don't have one puts you at the top of the list and telling them what system you have tells them to dig out the info on that system so they can learn how to defeat it. Like I said, I'm paranoid.

In a way I'm not really lying because Mrs. j is my security system.

jmonroe

Once again, using a wannabe security system.

I like having a security system, then if there are strange noises at night - and often they sound like someone is walking around in the house - I just check the panel, and I don't have to get out of bed and check.

Gigi couldn't care less about robbers, she only barks once a year if I chase her around. If someone comes to the door it means nothing to her.

venture · September 2018

jmonroe1 said:

venture said:
You guys with a security system in your house. Did you put the signs in your yard and/or on windows?

I never did and I just saw them in my office.
I don't have a security system but I have a yard sign and a few window stickers left behind by the previous owner. So far it's working but if you don't want your window stickers, send them to me via the Edmunds free shipping service.

Over the years I have gotten maybe a dozen calls from companies wanting to sell me a security system. I tell them I have one and then they want to know who's system I have so I tell them that is personal info that I don't provide. Being the paranoid person that I am, I view these calls as coming from thieves who want to know who's home to break in to. Saying you don't have one puts you at the top of the list and telling them what system you have tells them to dig out the info on that system so they can learn how to defeat it. Like I said, I'm paranoid.

In a way I'm not really lying because Mrs. j is my security system.

jmonroe

I hear you.

I don't live in a high crime area, but I noticed some of my neighbors have signs and stickers and others, that I know have a system, do not have anything out.

I guess it doesn't make any difference either way.

jmonroe1 · September 2018

roadburner said:

jmonroe1 said:

You're the perfect person to check this. Put some tape over your vents and see if it takes longer for your car to stop due to hotter brakes and see if the car handles worse, due to lift, than the way it handles now without the tape. If I had to put money on this test I'd say you will not see a difference. Sounds more like salesman hype than anything else to me but I can't prove it because I don't have a Mustang. Whatever you tell us after this test, I'll believe you.

jmonroe
Every one of my BMW cars from my 1987 535is forward has ducts that run from the front airdam to the front wheelwells and are aimed directly at the front brake rotors. Newer BMWs have a front vent that creates an air curtain around the front wheels to minimize drag. Sometimes there is a rear vent to further smooth the air flow. Other manufacturers also use that technique; the current F-150, for example.

But you have cars that were designed for performance. Run of he mill cars more than likely don't have air cooling for the front brakes that are designed as well as your cars have. Putting vents on those cars and pointing it out to customers has to be the height of salesmanship IMO. Of course there will be some cooling by doing that but will the car perform noticeably better for the everyday car owner?

When you say, "Sometimes there is a rear vent to further smooth the air flow", do you mean a rear vent in the front wheel well or the rear of the car like what was thought could be a cooling vent on the Camry that started this discussion?

jmonroe

driver100 · September 2018

roadburner said:

jmonroe1 said:

You're the perfect person to check this. Put some tape over your vents and see if it takes longer for your car to stop due to hotter brakes and see if the car handles worse, due to lift, than the way it handles now without the tape. If I had to put money on this test I'd say you will not see a difference. Sounds more like salesman hype than anything else to me but I can't prove it because I don't have a Mustang. Whatever you tell us after this test, I'll believe you.

jmonroe
Every one of my BMW cars from my 1987 535is forward has ducts that run from the front airdam to the front wheelwells and are aimed directly at the front brake rotors. Newer BMWs have a front vent that creates an air curtain around the front wheels to minimize drag. Sometimes there is a rear vent to further smooth the air flow. Other manufacturers also use that technique; the current F-150, for example.

Thank you RR.....I hope jmonroe1 or plain old jmonroe0 (zero) gets back to us.

driver100 · September 2018

Still haven't heard what happened with the Nissan Sentra!

ab348 · September 2018

I have a sticker on the rear door glass that was here when I bought the place but AFAIK this house has never had a system. Someone suggested that the sticker was one that was sold just for that purpose, to spoof an actual system. No idea.

venture · September 2018

jmonroe1 said:

roadburner said:

jmonroe1 said:

You're the perfect person to check this. Put some tape over your vents and see if it takes longer for your car to stop due to hotter brakes and see if the car handles worse, due to lift, than the way it handles now without the tape. If I had to put money on this test I'd say you will not see a difference. Sounds more like salesman hype than anything else to me but I can't prove it because I don't have a Mustang. Whatever you tell us after this test, I'll believe you.

jmonroe
Every one of my BMW cars from my 1987 535is forward has ducts that run from the front airdam to the front wheelwells and are aimed directly at the front brake rotors. Newer BMWs have a front vent that creates an air curtain around the front wheels to minimize drag. Sometimes there is a rear vent to further smooth the air flow. Other manufacturers also use that technique; the current F-150, for example.
But you have cars that were designed for performance. Run of he mill cars more than likely don't have air cooling for the front brakes that are designed as well as your cars have. Putting vents on those cars and pointing it out to customers has to be the height of salesmanship IMO. Of course there will be some cooling by doing that but will the car perform noticeably better for the everyday car owner?

When you say, "Sometimes there is a rear vent to further smooth the air flow", do you mean a rear vent in the front wheel well or the rear of the car like what was thought could be a cooling vent on the Camry that started this discussion?

jmonroe

Would you believe that I went to our mall to look at a new Camry. I couldn't find one so I went to the Toyota dealer. Row after row of SUV's, but I couldn't find one Camry.

I suspect it's just an accent thingy. I doubt it's a vent.

Mr_Shiftright · September 2018

Alas, it's true. Some dogs can be bought.

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