Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

pensfan83 · May 2019

henryn said:

pensfan83 said:
We have a Kirby that was inherited from my paternal grandparents, it's 30+ years old and it's a bulky, heavy thing. It was our primary vacuum until about 3-4 years ago when we then bought a Shark vacuum. The Kirby was then relegated to the basement so we didn't have to lug it up and down the stairs. It does the job but not nearly as well as the Shark. I can re-run that over areas the Kirby did and I still get gobs of pet hair sucked into the canister.
Carpets are filthy things. No vacuum is going to clean a carpet, period. When I was selling Kirby's, one of the sales gimmicks they taught us to do was the "re vacuum". We would have the homeowner vacuum an area with their existing vac. We would then put an attachment on the Kirby which used a white paper towel as the filtering element. We would make one quick pass with the Kirby over the area she had just vacuumed, and that white paper towel would turn filthy.

Now some of the smarter homeowners would ask us to repeat the run with the Kirby. And the paper towel would turn filthy yet again. Again and again, ad infinitum, and the paper towel would turn filthy every time. No vacuum cleaner is going to actually clean a carpet. It will just clean the surface, and make it look a little better. Underneath, that carpet is filthy.

Yeah I've sat through those demos before for sons/daughters of family friends. The prior/original owners installed hardwood in the living and dining room and it's beautiful; if I had my way I'd do it throughout the upstairs and family room and just have carpeting in the game room. However my wife prefers wall to wall in the bedrooms and family room so there you go.

ab348 · May 2019

Floors are almost always dirty though regardless of the covering. When I had the basement redone a couple of years ago laminate was installed. I do down there once a week to do laundry and it is always amazing the amount of dust or other stuff that is visible on the floors. Nothing you can really do about it. Where I have hardwood upstairs the number of dust bunnies in the corners seems to remain constant. Of course when I had cats that was multiplied exponentially.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

ab348 said:
Floors are almost always dirty though regardless of the covering. When I had the basement redone a couple of years ago laminate was installed. I do down there once a week to do laundry and it is always amazing the amount of dust or other stuff that is visible on the floors. Nothing you can really do about it. Where I have hardwood upstairs the number of dust bunnies in the corners seems to remain constant. Of course when I had cats that was multiplied exponentially.

My good car is parked in the garage which at my house is essentially the basement. If I leave it for a week without a cover you can write your name in the dust.

abacomike · May 2019

explorerx4 said:

@snakeweasel, Could be bad gas or clogged fuel delivery. I have a central vac outlet in my garage. Never used it, since I keep a shop vac in the garage. Maybe next owner will find it useful.

I inherited my mom’s Electrolux vacuum from 1975 and it still works perfectly. They are indestructible!

houdini2 · May 2019

snakeweasel said:

ruking1 said:

snakeweasel said:

ruking1 said:

Anybody that thinks the car is an investment has either been lied to or doesn’t know what an investment is.

An investment is property acquired in order to gain a future income or benefit.

An investment does not have to provide an income or greater monetary value, it can provide a benefit. A company buys a computer system that computer system is an investment even though they will never be able to sell it for more money down the line. It is an investment because the company will benefit from it by being more efficient.

The same ca be said of car ownership. It is an investment simply because it provides you with a benefit. Investing in a car gives many people the benefit of having wider employment opportunities resulting in larger paychecks. It also reduces the costs, both in time and money, of acquiring lifes necessities such as food, clothing and health care as you would not have to rely on others like Uber and taxis to get around.

People who dont live in densely populated cities with good public transportation would have a seriously reduced standard of living if they didn't have a car. Think about how much you use your car and think about how much Uber would cost doing it.

Yes cars are investments for most people as the cost to be without one can be much higher than having a car. Just that some are better investments.
I wish what you are saying were implemented as true. But no change to what I have written. But then, on the other hand, maybe I’ve been using the wrong CPA’s & tax & otherwise lawyers.👀

A (depreciating) asset like a CAR is booked as such, a depreciating asset. What % # (bought new) cars have CPA’s booked as APPRECIATING? In addition, the costs associated with cars are EXPENSES. So IF it is being said 100% to less % of a business income depends on cars, a business should get IRS tax credits for every car. They don’t. But we do know that.

As a non business, one would have a hell of a lot more monies to NOT having to buy & feed $$’s into a/any car. Indeed, a non business can’t normally even deduct auto expenses. The IRS would happily haul the CPA & the client into audit, if they tried to deduct car commuting to work expenses, buying food, etc., being as how it’s an salary investment expense?

Now I’ve received a specific (clean something or other IRS title) IRS tax credit (specifically) for a 2009 VW Jetta TDI. There were some interesting times, first sign of the apocalypse😱😜, financial crash, 10.5 M per yr auto sales when 17.5 M per yr were more normal. The car was bought & later, subsequently IRS 179 rules were used/followed. It was a BAD (good car buying) year!?😇

First off depreciation as booked for accounting purposes is a bit different than recording the loss of value, it is a way to apply the cost of an asset against the income it generates.

Now let me try to explain it this way. Say you buy an annuity for $5,000 that pays you $150 a month for 5 years, you would say that's a good investment. If so then wouldn't buying a machine that lasts for 5 years for $5,000 that would be worth noting when done but it cuts your expenses or increases your income by $150 a month as good of an investment?

As an example, if I go careless I have a few options. I could use public transportation but public transportation in these suburbs are pretty much a joke and would increase my commute time by at least two hours (I looked into that a few years ago) and would require a considerable amount of walking so that's pretty much out. Or I could bum rides from people, but how long can I do that? I could do a ride share like Uber but that would cost me over $650 a month and that's just for commuting to and from work. Or I could walk everywhere but that would mean I would have to find a job near me (it would be at least a 4 hour walk for me). But since the only jobs within walking distance of me are retail and restaurant work that means taking a big pay cut. So buying a car allows me to either earn more money or reduce my overall costs. So it is an investment.

Whew, that reminds me of the guy explaining why it is impossible for bumble bees to fly.

imidazol97 · May 2019

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

snakeweasel · May 2019

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

PF_Flyer · May 2019

tjc78 said:

PF_Flyer said:
Putting in my central vac was one of the smarter things I did.

One outlet on each floor and the hose with power head reaches every corner or every room. If I want to be lazy, I can even do the upstairs hallway/bath and just poke into the other two rooms upstairs from the main floor outlet.
Did you put an outlet outside to do the car? My uncle's house had that and I thought it was so cool.

Ooo.. I think I could easily add that. Although like a 10 foot extension on the hose would do the trick as well. Normally we just drag the shop vac out to do the cars. Great idea!

PF_Flyer · May 2019

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

Hey, it's the internet... everything funnels to everything

jmonroe1 · May 2019

qbrozen said:

jmonroe1 said:

qbrozen said:

snakeweasel said:

I dont find the Kirby unwielding, but that could just be personal preference. As for hard floors that is a legitimate issue, but we keep it upstairs as the first floor is all hardwood and we use a broom for that.
Not sure if they are all similar, but this is ours. Weighs more than 20 lbs, and the massive head doesn't go under any of our furniture. Using it is kinda like mowing. Use the big and powerful one for the bulk of the work, but then you gotta get out the small one to get around the edges.

That thing is a BEAST. No way Mrs. j would have one of those. What were you thinking when you bought it ? That thing looks like it should be used for crowd control.

jmonroe
Because my wife is nuts. We have been through more vacuums than I can even recall. The only one she really liked was a Rainbow (also a used ebay buy). That died, though, and we subsequently went through another batch of various makes/models before she went back to the ebay route and came upon the kirby. Her thinking by that time was that old and heavy is a superior machine. As long as she stops complaining, I'm all in. And there ya have it.

Thanks. Whoever said 'marriage is an institution', was right. For those of us with staying power, we're committed for life.

jmonroe

imidazol97 · May 2019

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

As if we didn't already know "this is a strange group"! LOL Eclectic interests and lots of friendly discussion. I learned a lot.

Someone said their Chamberlain garage door opener was one of the best. I bought a Chamberlain with the DC motor and belt drive; that was instead of the Genie I would have gotten. Super quiet.

I did not connect it to the internet. If I need to know if my garage door is up or down, I'll call my neighbor when I'm away. I don't want my garage door opener serving as a bot spreading things on the internet without my knowledge. It was bad enough years ago I got an email from a host here that my one email was sending spam--it had been hacked. It was a yahoo account... When I checked the sent file, there were several emails sent out that I didn't send.

imidazol97 · May 2019

Was thinking about @Driver100 last Thursday while coming through Cincinnati and hitting moderate traffic in KY side and then rain on the Cincy side with accidents and slow downs. Lots of snowbirds going back north on May 2 making traffic worse. I thought we were hitting Cincy before the afternoon heavier period. No luck.

If Pigeon Forge installed an airport for jets, I'd be tempted to fly back and forth. I can see it now: "Fly in on Dollywood Airlines. Ya'll come and visit us." Love that place.

ruking1 · May 2019

imidazol97 said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

As if we didn't already know "this is a strange group"! LOL Eclectic interests and lots of friendly discussion. I learned a lot.

Someone said their Chamberlain garage door opener was one of the best. I bought a Chamberlain with the DC motor and belt drive. Super quiet. I did not connect it to the internet. If I need to know if my garage door is up or down, I'll call my neighbor when I'm away. I don't want my garage door opener serving as a bot spreading things on the internet without my knowledge. It was bad enough years ago I got an email from a host here that my one email was sending spam--it had been hacked. It was a yahoo account... When I checked the sent file, there were several emails sent out that I didn't send.

Yes, the Chamberlain brand is one of the best! It is the consumer name. The other name is LiftMaster, same ownership. https://www.liftmaster.com/for-homes/garage-door-openers. LiftMaster is the business, commercial, professional services, consumer side. One of the garage doors is fitted with the wall mounted model; neither the gear/belt, driven by chain/belt.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

I tried to steer it back to cars but these guys are vacuum fanatics.

ruking1 · May 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

I tried to steer it back to cars but these guys are vacuum fanatics.

https://vacuum-cleaner-advisor.com/Panasonic-Vacuums/ Vacuum cleaner ratings x /100
More power ! AW AW AW!

houdini2 · May 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

I tried to steer it back to cars but these guys are vacuum fanatics.

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

I tried to steer it back to cars but these guys are vacuum fanatics.

OK, someone mentioned paint so...Our house was built in 2005. In 2015 we found the original painter and had him repaint with same color paint. Nice guy, and he told us he had used 10 year paint originally, and this time he was using 20 year paint. The first paint job lasted the 10 years so we were happy. We're into 4 years on the 20 year paint and there are a few places that could use a touch up. Hmmm...

ruking1 · May 2019

houdini2 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

I tried to steer it back to cars but these guys are vacuum fanatics.

oldfarmer50 said:

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

We had a cleaning person who brought her own kirby. Really great suction. Require occasional professional service. She had two.

I believe there was a carpet shampoo attachment. Probas bly a paint sprayer attachment. Not sure about that but they were the as army knife. Sorry if the old time Mercedes of vacuums.

Yes they have a shampoo attachment (just in case of real poo) and a spray paint attachment.

You have to admit that this is a strange group as one post about a dead lawn mower started a thread about vacuums.

I tried to steer it back to cars but these guys are vacuum fanatics.

OK, someone mentioned paint so...Our house was built in 2005. In 2015 we found the original painter and had him repaint with same color paint. Nice guy, and he told us he had used 10 year paint originally, and this time he was using 20 year paint. The first paint job lasted the 10 years so we were happy. We're into 4 years on the 20 year paint and there are a few places that could use a touch up. Hmmm...

There is no such thing as a “20” year guaranteed paint (vertical in the weather 24/7, degradation is WAY worse horizontally). This PUD’s 144 units ( planned unit development) would save a MASSIVE load of $$$’s, repairs, paint, repaintings, labor, etc. every 20 years instead of the (less) current cycle. I’m sure all would like 2 each 20 year paintings instead of every 5/7 years! The painting & repairs are amortized for best “bang for buck” coverage. Monies are segregated, saved, bided & expended for this massive maintenance item. The paints are custom blended and tested for both this area, durability & application. The thickness consistency of (new paint) applications are tested. There are specific (small %) areas and units that are typically problematic. So anecdotally, this case are PUD’s of 144 units x 2. One PUD “appears” to be better managed than the other.

thebean · May 2019

As a former paint department manager at Sears in the 70’s, I can tell you definitively that surface preparation is more important than the grade of paint used. The best paint in the world ain’t going to last on a surface that is not prepared correctly.

As far as vacuums go, Santaire is a great vacuum in my experience. Look at what hotel maids use and a lot of the time it is Santaire.

ruking1 · May 2019

thebean said:
As a former paint department manager at Sears in the 70’s, I can tell you definitively that surface preparation is more important than the grade of paint used. The best paint in the world ain’t going to last on a surface that is not prepared correctly.

As far as vacuums go, Santaire is a great vacuum in my experience. Look at what hotel maids use and a lot of the time it is Santaire.

https://www.thinkvacuums.com/commercial-vacuums/sanitaire.html If I scanned it right, it’s a division of Bissell, bought from Electrolux in 2018.

driver100 · May 2019

imidazol97 said:

Was thinking about @Driver100 last Thursday while coming through Cincinnati and hitting moderate traffic in KY side and then rain on the Cincy side with accidents and slow downs. Lots of snowbirds going back north on May 2 making traffic worse. I thought we were hitting Cincy before the afternoon heavier period. No luck. If Pigeon Forge installed an airport for jets, I'd be tempted to fly back and forth. I can see it now: "Fly in on Dollywood Airlines. Ya'll come and visit us." Love that place.

I am in Madrid. My tablet won't work....can't sign in. Using my lovely wife's cell this one time. You guys need me....talk has gone downhill to lawn mowers and vacuum cleaners. Boring.

Took an Uber today for first time. Half cost of a taxi....got a big Lexus first time, Prius next time.

Talk to. You when I get back or if my trophy wife let's me use her phone....unless Mr S emails me to let me back in.

ruking1 · May 2019

https://youtu.be/v1NbfxNKKTk

Will SF settle? Will it let it go to trial?
Berlin?

https://youtu.be/ejK8IEvLjtQ

German pensioners?

https://youtu.be/lDveK6oWN5w

Sandman6472 · May 2019

We got a Genie belt drive garage door opener this time and we love it. Quiet, whisper quiet really that I never hear it opening/closing if in the house. Refused to get a Sears model this time and glad we did.

PF_Flyer · May 2019

thebean said:
As a former paint department manager at Sears in the 70’s, I can tell you definitively that surface preparation is more important than the grade of paint used. The best paint in the world ain’t going to last on a surface that is not prepared correctly.

As far as vacuums go, Santaire is a great vacuum in my experience. Look at what hotel maids use and a lot of the time it is Santaire.

See? *I* was home improvements manager (paint and other assorted items) at Kmart in the early 80's.

jmonroe1 · May 2019

thebean said:
As a former paint department manager at Sears in the 70’s, I can tell you definitively that surface preparation is more important than the grade of paint used. The best paint in the world ain’t going to last on a surface that is not prepared correctly.

As far as vacuums go, Santaire is a great vacuum in my experience. Look at what hotel maids use and a lot of the time it is Santaire.

Years ago I remember Mrs. j saying, "you don't like painting, do you" ? I told her I didn't really mind painting, it was the preparation that I didn't like. I'd say painting is 80% preparation and 20% painting. I could be off by a percent or two but not much more than that.

Now, having said that, I'm in the process of helping Son #1 paint his flip house. He decided to buy a paint sprayer since we are doing the ENTIRE house. He has quite a bit of new drywall to paint and I told him he MUST use PVA primer for that so that is where he can get his technique down. After about 5 gallons worth he just about has it. Of course I'm right behind him doing back rolling with a roller to even out some of his heavy spots. Without doing that he would have had a real mess. The spraying is a lot quicker than doing it all by roller but it still takes prep work, A LOT OF PREP WORK. Just covering the windows to avoid over-spray is a LOT OF WORK. Mrs. j is right though, I STILL DON'T LIKE PAINTING.

jmonroe

ruking1 · May 2019

jmonroe1 said:

thebean said:
As a former paint department manager at Sears in the 70’s, I can tell you definitively that surface preparation is more important than the grade of paint used. The best paint in the world ain’t going to last on a surface that is not prepared correctly.

As far as vacuums go, Santaire is a great vacuum in my experience. Look at what hotel maids use and a lot of the time it is Santaire.
Years ago I remember Mrs. j saying, "you don't like painting, do you" ? I told her I didn't really mind painting, it was the preparation that I didn't like. I'd say painting is 80% preparation and 20% painting. I could be off by a percent or two but not much more than that.

Now, having said that, I'm in the process of helping Son #1 paint his flip house. He decided to buy a paint sprayer since we are doing the ENTIRE house. He has quite a bit of new drywall to paint and I told him he MUST use PVA primer for that so that is where he can get his technique down. After about 5 gallons worth he just about has it. Of course I'm right behind him doing back rolling with a roller to even out some of his heavy spots. Without doing that he would have had a real mess. The spraying is a lot quicker than doing it all by roller but it still takes prep work, A LOT OF PREP WORK. Just covering the windows to avoid over-spray is a LOT OF WORK. Mrs. j is right though, I STILL DON'T LIKE PAINTING.

jmonroe

Drywall done “well” to ready for preparation to “primer” is both a science, craft and an art form.

If one is doing only the portion of the 20% (painting) of it & not the most important 80% (preparation) & still hating it, it seems like more of father/son bonding.

jipster · May 2019

I remember a big vacuum cleaner discussion on Stories From the Sales Frontlines...about 15 years ago. The circle is now.complete! ;-)

For those who remember, ;-), I had a Kirby for about 3 weeks. I believe I paid $600...using the "Jipst Method Of Vacuum Cleaning Buying" method, I got a good deal. The greenie sold the vacuum to me for $200 less than what he sold it to his grandma for. Had the spray paint attachment.... which is how Earl Schieb got started I believe.

Took the Mercury Milan in for a airbag recall today. Dealership will need the car 1-3 days. They set me up for a free rental! The last car available... a Ford F150. Not exactly what I was hoping for. :-( Driving it home the radio was set to a country music station, who'd have thunk, and believe it or not, the "oil change needed soon" light came on when I was pulling in my driveway. Which brings it back to the "buying a rental car" discussion from last week. Not sure what else was.going on with the truck, but it felt like it was losing engine pressure, rough, thought I saw the oil pressure gauge drop for a second. Anyhow, don't think about buying a Ford F150 rental from Enterprise anytime soon (oldfarmer). :-(

ruking1 · May 2019

I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

jipster said:
I remember a big vacuum cleaner discussion on Stories From the Sales Frontlines...about 15 years ago. The circle is now.complete! ;-)

For those who remember, ;-), I had a Kirby for about 3 weeks. I believe I paid $600...using the "Jipst Method Of Vacuum Cleaning Buying" method, I got a good deal. The greenie sold the vacuum to me for $200 less than what he sold it to his grandma for. Had the spray paint attachment.... which is how Earl Schieb got started I believe.

Took the Mercury Milan in for a airbag recall today. Dealership will need the car 1-3 days. They set me up for a free rental! The last car available... a Ford F150. Not exactly what I was hoping for. :-( Driving it home the radio was set to a country music station, who'd have thunk, and believe it or not, the "oil change needed soon" light came on when I was pulling in my driveway. Which brings it back to the "buying a rental car" discussion from last week. Not sure what else was.going on with the truck, but it felt like it was losing engine pressure, rough, thought I saw the oil pressure gauge drop for a second. Anyhow, don't think about buying a Ford F150 rental from Enterprise anytime soon (oldfarmer). :-(

From the reaction we get when we deliver pick ups to the rental offices I’d say they don’t get much use. Like you, most customers want a car or SUV.

Can’t speak for the truck you got but I think most of them have relatively easy lives. Maybe you got a turbo engine. Could it have been the turbo gauge you saw?

Make sure you report the problem when you bring it back so they can fix it. It could save a transporter like me from being stranded on the road.

Speaking of Mercurys, your purchase got me thinking of them and I found this one:

https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cassville-mercury-milan-premier-only/6881995455.html

Zeroes right in to my low mileage zone. About $1k more than Edmunds says it’s worth but might be in range with some firm negotiation.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

ruking1 said:
https://youtu.be/v1NbfxNKKTk

Will SF settle? Will it let it go to trial?
Berlin?
https://youtu.be/ejK8IEvLjtQ

German pensioners?https://youtu.be/lDveK6oWN5w

Same thing happened with Medallions in other cities like NY. Shows you why government shouldn’t be in business. You either have a glut or a shortage because bureaucrats have no skin in the game and no consequences for screwing up.

jipster · May 2019

ruking1 said:
I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.

Out of curiosity went out and checked the oil. Oil level good. Oil is fairly dirty. The "close front hood" light came on and wouldn't cycle off. The hood was closed the first time I shut it. Tried to duplicate the "miss" on a short test drive. Drove fine. That raw power sound with that big engine, from me having a little fun, was quite invigorating.

Sheer size on driving on some narrow country roads, with mailboxes inches away, a bit nerve wracking.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

ruking1 said:
I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.

Never had any problems with the F-150s except rough ride. I understand for some uses they put 80psi in the tires. The Rams and Silverados are smoother riding I’m guessing because they have more car like tire pressures. Some of those trucks are like luxury cars. I had a brand new F-150 with auto running boards and leather that I would have liked to take on a trip instead of a mile away for inspection.

ruking1 · May 2019

jipster said:

ruking1 said:
I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.
Out of curiosity went out and checked the oil. Oil level good. Oil is fairly dirty. The "close front hood" light came on and wouldn't cycle off. The hood was closed the first time I shut it. Tried to duplicate the "miss" on a short test drive. Drove fine. That raw power sound with that big engine, from me having a little fun, was quite invigorating. Sheer size on driving on some narrow country roads, with mailboxes inches away, a bit nerve wracking.

It sounds like the computer needs to be reset? Dirty oil is misleading in that IF/WHEN the correct motor oil is doing its job, oil is supposed to be/get dirty! The real data are in UOA’s. The good/bad news are the OEM (S) does/do NOT supply objective technical data for UOA’s.

jipster · May 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

jipster said:
I remember a big vacuum cleaner discussion on Stories From the Sales Frontlines...about 15 years ago. The circle is now.complete! ;-)

For those who remember, ;-), I had a Kirby for about 3 weeks. I believe I paid $600...using the "Jipst Method Of Vacuum Cleaning Buying" method, I got a good deal. The greenie sold the vacuum to me for $200 less than what he sold it to his grandma for. Had the spray paint attachment.... which is how Earl Schieb got started I believe.

Took the Mercury Milan in for a airbag recall today. Dealership will need the car 1-3 days. They set me up for a free rental! The last car available... a Ford F150. Not exactly what I was hoping for. :-( Driving it home the radio was set to a country music station, who'd have thunk, and believe it or not, the "oil change needed soon" light came on when I was pulling in my driveway. Which brings it back to the "buying a rental car" discussion from last week. Not sure what else was.going on with the truck, but it felt like it was losing engine pressure, rough, thought I saw the oil pressure gauge drop for a second. Anyhow, don't think about buying a Ford F150 rental from Enterprise anytime soon (oldfarmer). :-(
From the reaction we get when we deliver pick ups to the rental offices I’d say they don’t get much use. Like you, most customers want a car or SUV.

Can’t speak for the truck you got but I think most of them have relatively easy lives.

Make sure you report the problem when you bring it back so they can fix it. It could save a transporter like me from being stranded on the road.

Speaking of Mercurys, your purchase got me thinking of them and I found this one:

https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cassville-mercury-milan-premier-only/6881995455.html

Zeroes right in to my low mileage zone. About $1k more than Edmunds says it’s worth but might be in range with some firm negotiation.

This truck has 4 wheel drive. The bottom interior of drivers side door looked as if it had been doing a.little off roading. A bit.of.mud not.cleaned off. Somebody had some fun.

Also, just noticed, and I guess I'll have to call Enterprise, the exhaust cover has broken off from a bolt on one side, so it's hanging about a foot off the ground. Hope they don't try to blame that on me.

That's a nice looking Milan. A 2008 for $8,000. Probably priced at KBB. I'd probably prefer a few more miles, around 75k, to get that.price down some. Also, I can't stop looking at Craigslist ads! HELP!!!

jipster · May 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

ruking1 said:
I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.

Never had any problems with the F-150s except rough ride. I understand for some uses they put 80psi in the tires. The Rams and Silverados are smoother riding I’m guessing because they have more car like tire pressures. Some of those trucks are like luxury cars. I had a brand new F-150 with auto running boards and leather that I would have liked to take on a trip instead of a mile away for inspection.

The rear seat legroom in the F150 is amazing. I'm 6' (with low barometric pressure), and I could almost stretch completely out.

explorerx4 · May 2019

@jipster,
Aren't you going to need a new car soon?
How about a good deal on a horse named Maximum Security?
That was some good Nascar style blocking.

jipster · May 2019

explorerx4 said:
@jipster,
Aren't you going to need a new car soon?
How about a good deal on a horse named Maximum Security?
That was some good Nascar style blocking.

No kidding. A sloppy track like that, it's the Kentucky Derby... a tough call, but one that had to be made. Owners are taking the disqualification ruling to court. They won't win. We did though!! My wife won $80 because she drew Country House at a derby party.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

jipster said:

ruking1 said:
I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.
Out of curiosity went out and checked the oil. Oil level good. Oil is fairly dirty. The "close front hood" light came on and wouldn't cycle off. The hood was closed the first time I shut it. Tried to duplicate the "miss" on a short test drive. Drove fine. That raw power sound with that big engine, from me having a little fun, was quite invigorating. Sheer size on driving on some narrow country roads, with mailboxes inches away, a bit nerve wracking.

What engine did it have? 5.0, diesel, 3.5 tt ecoboost? I had the last one in an Expedition yesterday and it could move.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

“ Drove fine. That raw power sound with that big engine, from me having a little fun, was quite invigorating.“

snakeweasel · May 2019

Well we went and got the new mower today, I wanted something that could much or a rear bagger and to be self propelled (hey I'm pushing 60 and the front lawn has a decent slope). So we picked up a Toro and if it ever stops raining I'll try it out.

ab348 · May 2019

News from Honda this morning via Automotive News:

https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/honda-reduce-model-trim-lines-streamline-output

TOKYO – Honda Motor Co. will slash the number of model variations available in North America and other regions and overhaul its production base in a new push to improve efficiency as growing investments in next-generation technologies pressures the company’s bottom line.

In outlining the overhaul Wednesday, Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo said the company will also introduce a new vehicle platform next year and introduce its two-motor hybrid system across the entire vehicle lineup.

Honda, which reported a 13 percent decline in fiscal full-year operating profit on Wednesday, will cut the number of model variations offered on global nameplates such as the Civic small car, the Accord sedan, the Fit compact and CR-V crossovers, to one-third their current number by 2025, Hachigo said. Regional nameplates will also be consolidated to streamline product development and production.

Honda does not intend to reduce the number of nameplates, just the number of trim options, he said. Hachigo cited variations in control panel layouts and color combinations as one target.

In other words, you can get white, silver and black outside, and black interiors only.

As part of the move, Honda will also simplify model allocation at assembly plants, including those in North America, Hachigo said, without giving specifics.

But he said doing so will help Honda achieve 100 percent capacity utilization worldwide by 2020, up from 90 percent currently, and cut global production costs 10 percent by 2025, compared with 2018 levels.

“For our business in North America, while keeping pace with sales expansion, we enhanced our model lineup and established a flexible production system where our plants sometimes produce various models in duplication to accommodate changes in market demand,” Hachigo said.
...
Honda will also introduce a new vehicle architecture that will underpin vehicles globally. Dubbed the Honda Architecture, it will debut in a global model that Honda will launch next year.

Hachigo did not offer details but said the goal is to commonize about 70 percent of the components that are not seen by customers, such as the engine bay, passenger cabin and rear storage.

The outer shell of vehicles on the new architecture will be differentiated.
...
The Japanese carmaker wants to electrify two-thirds of its global lineup by 2030. And it wants to achieve 100 percent electrification across its offerings in Europe by 2025.

To get there, Hachigo said Honda will deploy its two-motor i-MMD, or Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive, hybrid system across the entire lineup of Honda vehicles.

The company has also developed a new, more compact i-MMD system for small vehicles. It will first appear in the redesigned Fit compact that will be shown at this fall’s Tokyo Motor Show.

By 2022, Honda wants to reduce the cost of the i-MMD system by 25 percent, compared to 2018 levels. The goal is to eventually achieve cost and profit parity with gasoline engines.

Better buy now if you like the current offerings.

snakeweasel · May 2019

ab348 said:

News from Honda this morning via Automotive News: https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/honda-reduce-model-trim-lines-streamline-output

In other words, you can get white, silver and black outside, and black interiors only.

Better buy now if you like the current offerings.

So are we getting back to "you can have any color you want as long as it's black"?

graphicguy · May 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

jipster said:
I remember a big vacuum cleaner discussion on Stories From the Sales Frontlines...about 15 years ago. The circle is now.complete! ;-)

For those who remember, ;-), I had a Kirby for about 3 weeks. I believe I paid $600...using the "Jipst Method Of Vacuum Cleaning Buying" method, I got a good deal. The greenie sold the vacuum to me for $200 less than what he sold it to his grandma for. Had the spray paint attachment.... which is how Earl Schieb got started I believe.

Took the Mercury Milan in for a airbag recall today. Dealership will need the car 1-3 days. They set me up for a free rental! The last car available... a Ford F150. Not exactly what I was hoping for. :-( Driving it home the radio was set to a country music station, who'd have thunk, and believe it or not, the "oil change needed soon" light came on when I was pulling in my driveway. Which brings it back to the "buying a rental car" discussion from last week. Not sure what else was.going on with the truck, but it felt like it was losing engine pressure, rough, thought I saw the oil pressure gauge drop for a second. Anyhow, don't think about buying a Ford F150 rental from Enterprise anytime soon (oldfarmer). :-(
From the reaction we get when we deliver pick ups to the rental offices I’d say they don’t get much use. Like you, most customers want a car or SUV.

Can’t speak for the truck you got but I think most of them have relatively easy lives. Maybe you got a turbo engine. Could it have been the turbo gauge you saw?

Make sure you report the problem when you bring it back so they can fix it. It could save a transporter like me from being stranded on the road.

Speaking of Mercurys, your purchase got me thinking of them and I found this one:

https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cassville-mercury-milan-premier-only/6881995455.html

Zeroes right in to my low mileage zone. About $1k more than Edmunds says it’s worth but might be in range with some firm negotiation.

Well....if we're going to go there, then we may as go here.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJJvyPXPssg

fintail · May 2019

My observations of recent Hondas seem to support that story already - 2 interior colors, maybe 5 exterior colors, max - at least they ones that anyone buys. The typical consumer probably won't notice, as they just want silver or grey with a greybeige or black interior.

jipster · May 2019

oldfarmer50 said:

jipster said:

ruking1 said:
I’ve been reading that the newer F150’s can have a Jekyll/Hyde existence. It sounds like you have been issued one. Just be glad it’s not yours.
Out of curiosity went out and checked the oil. Oil level good. Oil is fairly dirty. The "close front hood" light came on and wouldn't cycle off. The hood was closed the first time I shut it. Tried to duplicate the "miss" on a short test drive. Drove fine. That raw power sound with that big engine, from me having a little fun, was quite invigorating. Sheer size on driving on some narrow country roads, with mailboxes inches away, a bit nerve wracking.
What engine did it have? 5.0, diesel, 3.5 tt ecoboost? I had the last one in an Expedition yesterday and it could move.

It's the 5.0. May try to switch out that engine with my Mercury Mians, and hope Enterprise doesn't notice.

I ca!led Enterprise about that hanging exhaust cover on the F150. They said bring it in and switch out, or keep it. That cover is held on with a bolt at each corner. Hope it doesn't fall off.

LOL on Homer's rental.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

ab348 said:
News from Honda this morning via Automotive News:

https://www.autonews.com/automakers-suppliers/honda-reduce-model-trim-lines-streamline-output

TOKYO – Honda Motor Co. will slash the number of model variations available in North America and other regions and overhaul its production base in a new push to improve efficiency as growing investments in next-generation technologies pressures the company’s bottom line.

In outlining the overhaul Wednesday, Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo said the company will also introduce a new vehicle platform next year and introduce its two-motor hybrid system across the entire vehicle lineup.

Honda, which reported a 13 percent decline in fiscal full-year operating profit on Wednesday, will cut the number of model variations offered on global nameplates such as the Civic small car, the Accord sedan, the Fit compact and CR-V crossovers, to one-third their current number by 2025, Hachigo said. Regional nameplates will also be consolidated to streamline product development and production.

Honda does not intend to reduce the number of nameplates, just the number of trim options, he said. Hachigo cited variations in control panel layouts and color combinations as one target.

In other words, you can get white, silver and black outside, and black interiors only.

As part of the move, Honda will also simplify model allocation at assembly plants, including those in North America, Hachigo said, without giving specifics.

But he said doing so will help Honda achieve 100 percent capacity utilization worldwide by 2020, up from 90 percent currently, and cut global production costs 10 percent by 2025, compared with 2018 levels.

“For our business in North America, while keeping pace with sales expansion, we enhanced our model lineup and established a flexible production system where our plants sometimes produce various models in duplication to accommodate changes in market demand,” Hachigo said.
...
Honda will also introduce a new vehicle architecture that will underpin vehicles globally. Dubbed the Honda Architecture, it will debut in a global model that Honda will launch next year.

Hachigo did not offer details but said the goal is to commonize about 70 percent of the components that are not seen by customers, such as the engine bay, passenger cabin and rear storage.

The outer shell of vehicles on the new architecture will be differentiated.
...
The Japanese carmaker wants to electrify two-thirds of its global lineup by 2030. And it wants to achieve 100 percent electrification across its offerings in Europe by 2025.

To get there, Hachigo said Honda will deploy its two-motor i-MMD, or Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive, hybrid system across the entire lineup of Honda vehicles.

The company has also developed a new, more compact i-MMD system for small vehicles. It will first appear in the redesigned Fit compact that will be shown at this fall’s Tokyo Motor Show.

By 2022, Honda wants to reduce the cost of the i-MMD system by 25 percent, compared to 2018 levels. The goal is to eventually achieve cost and profit parity with gasoline engines.

Better buy now if you like the current offerings.

Sounds like Ford and GM aren’t the only ones feeling pressure with sedans. Or maybe now that the competitors are leaving the sedan business Honda feels they don’t have to try so hard.

Either way it means less choice for consumers.

oldfarmer50 · May 2019

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

jipster said:
I remember a big vacuum cleaner discussion on Stories From the Sales Frontlines...about 15 years ago. The circle is now.complete! ;-)

For those who remember, ;-), I had a Kirby for about 3 weeks. I believe I paid $600...using the "Jipst Method Of Vacuum Cleaning Buying" method, I got a good deal. The greenie sold the vacuum to me for $200 less than what he sold it to his grandma for. Had the spray paint attachment.... which is how Earl Schieb got started I believe.

Took the Mercury Milan in for a airbag recall today. Dealership will need the car 1-3 days. They set me up for a free rental! The last car available... a Ford F150. Not exactly what I was hoping for. :-( Driving it home the radio was set to a country music station, who'd have thunk, and believe it or not, the "oil change needed soon" light came on when I was pulling in my driveway. Which brings it back to the "buying a rental car" discussion from last week. Not sure what else was.going on with the truck, but it felt like it was losing engine pressure, rough, thought I saw the oil pressure gauge drop for a second. Anyhow, don't think about buying a Ford F150 rental from Enterprise anytime soon (oldfarmer). :-(
From the reaction we get when we deliver pick ups to the rental offices I’d say they don’t get much use. Like you, most customers want a car or SUV.

Can’t speak for the truck you got but I think most of them have relatively easy lives. Maybe you got a turbo engine. Could it have been the turbo gauge you saw?

Make sure you report the problem when you bring it back so they can fix it. It could save a transporter like me from being stranded on the road.

Speaking of Mercurys, your purchase got me thinking of them and I found this one:

https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/cassville-mercury-milan-premier-only/6881995455.html

Zeroes right in to my low mileage zone. About $1k more than Edmunds says it’s worth but might be in range with some firm negotiation.
Well....if we're going to go there, then we may as go here.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJJvyPXPssg

At :33 isn’t that a Chevy?

Wouldn’t mind having that Cougar though.

graphicguy · May 2019

@oldfarmer50 ...I noticed that, too. Looked like about a '63 Chevy to be more precise. Lots of Mercuries, though.

graphicguy · May 2019

I've long held out hope that the Electric/ICE combo found in the Acura NSX would find its way down to the TLX (and sounds like Honda, too). Maybe the alleged twin turbo V6 of the rumored 2021 TLX S-Type will give way to the 377HP drivetrain of the RLX Hybrid?

berri · May 2019

I don't like black interiors because they show every spec of everything. If Honda goes black only inside, I'll move on to something else. Honda should expend more of their engineering and product effort on getting their vehicles back to Toyota reliability levels.

henryn · May 2019

Honda, which reported a 13 percent decline in fiscal full-year operating profit on Wednesday, will cut the number of model variations offered on global nameplates such as the Civic small car, the Accord sedan, the Fit compact and CR-V crossovers, to one-third their current number by 2025, Hachigo said.

The way I read this, they are going to go from

1) LX
2) EX
3) EX-L

down to only one trim level. I wonder which one?

I already don't like their limited choices. The way they do it now, if I want anything above a base trim level, I have to take the sunroof. Over the last 9 years, Honda got eliminated from my shopping list, twice, because of exactly that. Once on an Accord (all the way back to 2011), and again on a CR-V (around 2015).

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