Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Michaell · August 2021

stickguy said:
that kind of range could work for me. Depending on where I move to and what kind of driving I will be doing! Actually an F150 Lighting could solve all the needs (other than being cheap).

Maverick Hybrid, next best option!

With a good set of winter tires, you’d be set!

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

“ What about reading the Burma Shave signs?”

jmonroe1 · August 2021

qbrozen said:
very very weird.
Today, what would be my parents' 52nd anniversary, we got their final income tax refund.

That sounds like you’re surprised to know that the IRS actually has a heart.

jmonroe

jmonroe1 · August 2021

oldfarmer50 said:
“ What about reading the Burma Shave signs?”

You’d have to be a speed reader to decipher all of that when going 80+ MPH.

jmonroe

roadburner · August 2021

ronsteve said:
From the (potentially) reckless driving files… I was heading north on I-65 through Indiana the other day, about 15 miles short of Lafayette. Traffic seemed to have randomly slowed to about 60 mph for posted construction, but with no lane closures. Then as people in front of me started to get back on it, I happened to see a Camry in my mirror losing it’s bumper cover in the passing lane, and the doing a quick spin across the road. No idea how the Escape (the car I remembered being just behind me) missed hitting the Camry, nor how fast the Camry was coming up to lose it like that.

The Camry driver had probably fallen asleep- it would be hard not to nod off...

andres3 · August 2021

roadburner said:

ronsteve said:
From the (potentially) reckless driving files… I was heading north on I-65 through Indiana the other day, about 15 miles short of Lafayette. Traffic seemed to have randomly slowed to about 60 mph for posted construction, but with no lane closures. Then as people in front of me started to get back on it, I happened to see a Camry in my mirror losing it’s bumper cover in the passing lane, and the doing a quick spin across the road. No idea how the Escape (the car I remembered being just behind me) missed hitting the Camry, nor how fast the Camry was coming up to lose it like that.

The Camry driver had probably fallen asleep- it would be hard not to nod off...

They are comfy and quiet.

andres3 · August 2021

driver100 said:

andres3 said:

Driving 200 MPH in your Audi R8, that's just an infraction for 100+ violation. No need to cry over spilled milk.
.
Maybe it is just me but I think driving at 200 mph in an Audi R8 qualifies, " The reckless driver is fully aware that they are driving in a hazardous manner but chooses to proceed anyway".

It's just you. LOL.

Maybe 200 MPH was too exaggerated of an example. Try 140 MPH. However, if you were on an isolated highway with zero traffic, it's reasonable to assume it might not be hazardous. Maybe if you were in a Toyota Avalon.

I would say most people distracted by cell phones are fully aware of and have been educated/warned on the extreme dangers of distracted driving.

andres3 · August 2021

jmonroe1 said:

@andres3 said:

I can tell you I have it on good authority that the CHP (California Highway Patrol) might have the best definition for reckless driving. Typically, it requires 3 consecutive or simultaneous vehicle code violations.

Driving 200 MPH in your Audi R8, that's just an infraction for 100+ violation. No need to cry over spilled milk.

Driving 200 MPH while making unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and/or passing on the shoulder, well, now you have 3 or more consecutive/simultaneous violations that constitute reckless driving charges.

So, when are you up for parole?

jmonroe

I actually heard a good story from an R8 driver that was doing a similar thing. Maybe 150 -170 instead of 200 MPH; don't really remember. He told the police (outside of CA) that he was "just being a jackass" as the first question was "what or why are you running so fast from?" after he pulled over.

That honesty got him off with a warning or a ticket at most. I must be getting old as I forget the details, but that's the gist.

andres3 · August 2021

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/icu-doctor-health-care-workers-unvaccinated-patients_n_6102ad2ae4b000b997df1f17

Not a big Huff Post fan, but this was written by a GUEST writer regarding COVID today. Interesting stuff.

As I've said before, my travails arguing over traffic safety on the internet have made no amount of stupidity from the public a surprise to me. Extreme low IQ's abound.

qbrozen · August 2021

@jmonroe1 said:
That sounds like you’re surprised to know that the IRS actually has a heart.

jmonroe

I’m surprised it ever arrived. 18 mos since I filed.

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:
“ What about reading the Burma Shave signs?”

You’d have to be a speed reader to decipher all of that when going 80+ MPH.

jmonroe

Usually those were posted in sequence along lower speed country roads.

snakeweasel · August 2021

@jmonroe1 said:
You’d have to be a speed reader to decipher all of that when going 80+ MPH.

jmonroe

That's why the Interstate killed them off.

tjc78 · August 2021

For years there were three signs along the Atlantic City Expressway in NJ:

“Stay Alert”
“Stay Awake”
“Stay Alive”

They took maybe a 1/2 mile to pass all three

snakeweasel · August 2021

@andres3 said:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/icu-doctor-health-care-workers-unvaccinated-patients_n_6102ad2ae4b000b997df1f17

Not a big Huff Post fan, but this was written by a GUEST writer regarding COVID today. Interesting stuff.

As I've said before, my travails arguing over traffic safety on the internet have made no amount of stupidity from the public a surprise to me. Extreme low IQ's abound.

I have the same feeling.

snakeweasel · August 2021

@oldfarmer50 said:
Usually those were posted in sequence along lower speed country roads.

Well Burma Shave signs started in the 1920's when there were no interstates and most rural roads were unpaved and 40 MPH was fast.

jmonroe1 · August 2021

andres3 said:

jmonroe1 said:

@andres3 said:

I can tell you I have it on good authority that the CHP (California Highway Patrol) might have the best definition for reckless driving. Typically, it requires 3 consecutive or simultaneous vehicle code violations.

Driving 200 MPH in your Audi R8, that's just an infraction for 100+ violation. No need to cry over spilled milk.

Driving 200 MPH while making unsafe lane changes, tailgating, and/or passing on the shoulder, well, now you have 3 or more consecutive/simultaneous violations that constitute reckless driving charges.

So, when are you up for parole?

jmonroe

I actually heard a good story from an R8 driver that was doing a similar thing. Maybe 150 -170 instead of 200 MPH; don't really remember. He told the police (outside of CA) that he was "just being a jackass" as the first question was "what or why are you running so fast from?" after he pulled over.

That honesty got him off with a warning or a ticket at most. I must be getting old as I forget the details, but that's the gist.

Jog your memory a little more and you’ll find out that guy was you.

jmonroe

snakeweasel · August 2021

@snakeweasel said:

@jmonroe1 said:
You’d have to be a speed reader to decipher all of that when going 80+ MPH.

jmonroe

That's why the Interstate killed them off.

Not to far from me there is a sign by a fire department that says "Fire Department, be alert". For a short time there was a hand made sign under it that said "we need more lerts".

jmonroe1 · August 2021

tjc78 said:
For years there were three signs along the Atlantic City Expressway in NJ:

“Stay Alert”

“Stay Awake”

“Stay Alive”

They took maybe a 1/2 mile to pass all three

That’s bad since some folks could have forgotten what they last read if the signs are that far apart.

jmonroe

stickguy · August 2021

People still fell asleep and ran off into the trees all the time. Usually coming back late from Atlantic City!

ab348 · August 2021

Now that I have cash burning a hole in my pocket from the sale of my Cutlass, maybe I should go full midlife-crisis and get one of these:

https://t.co/khZIoJELqZ?amp=1

stickguy · August 2021

Seems like overkill. But if it makes you happy, go for it!

At this point I don’t have much desire for a car where I have to be ultra careful to not goose it too hard just to keep it on the road and tires hooked up!

ab348 · August 2021

stickguy said:
Seems like overkill. But if it makes you happy, go for it!

At this point I don’t have much desire for a car where I have to be ultra careful to not goose it too hard just to keep it on the road and tires hooked up!

I'm just not sure if 668HP is enough.

abacomike · August 2021

@qbrozen said:

@jmonroe1 said:
That sounds like you’re surprised to know that the IRS actually has a heart.

jmonroe

I’m surprised it ever arrived. 18 mos since I filed.

My Dad passed away on July 1st, 2015. The bank where his Social Security was always directly deposited on the 1st of every month froze the deposit and returned the funds to the SSA.

I was told I had to file several pages of forms notarized with a copy of the death certificate, which I did, including who was to receive the money (in this case, my brother and me). After 5 months of dealing with the SSA, I met with my representative for my district to get some help. After 5 days, my brother and I received checks equaling my Dad’s original deposit. He was entitled to the full amount because the July 1st payment was for the month of June when he was alive.

To require me to meet with Ted Deutsch, my House Representative, was ludicrous. Of course, they included 2.9% interest which was insignificant.

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

tjc78 said:
For years there were three signs along the Atlantic City Expressway in NJ:

“Stay Alert”

“Stay Awake”

“Stay Alive”

They took maybe a 1/2 mile to pass all three

Our state has taken to putting portable electric signs usually seen at construction sites to promote various causes. For a long time it was “One small ask, wear a mask”. Now we see “Speed kills, it’s not a race”. I suppose these signs skirt the federal laws against advertising too close to the interstate.

I fully expect to see these promotions ending in ‘Burma Shave’ eventually.

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

abacomike said:

@qbrozen said:

@jmonroe1 said:

That sounds like you’re surprised to know that the IRS actually has a heart.

jmonroe

I’m surprised it ever arrived. 18 mos since I filed.

My Dad passed away on July 1st, 2015. The bank where his Social Security was always directly deposited on the 1st of every month froze the deposit and returned the funds to the SSA.

I was told I had to file several pages of forms notarized with a copy of the death certificate, which I did, including who was to receive the money (in this case, my brother and me). After 5 months of dealing with the SSA, I met with my representative for my district to get some help. After 5 days, my brother and I received checks equaling my Dad’s original deposit. He was entitled to the full amount because the July 1st payment was for the month of June when he was alive.

To require me to meet with Ted Deutsch, my House Representative, was ludicrous. Of course, they included 2.9% interest which was insignificant.

I don’t recall any problems with SSA after either of my parents passed but now you’ve got me thinking maybe we got screwed. As executor for my mother I showed the bank my testamentary letters, started an estate account and transferred all monies into that.

driver100 · August 2021

stickguy said:
Seems like overkill. But if it makes you happy, go for it!

At this point I don’t have much desire for a car where I have to be ultra careful to not goose it too hard just to keep it on the road and tires hooked up!

That's a good point. Sometimes I put the E400 into SPORT mode if I am going to enter a busy highway, it can help get me into the flow of traffic.
Once in the traffic I usually take it off and revert to COMFORT mode, when traffic is all bunched up I think it is better not to get that big initial thrust of power.

bwia · August 2021

ab348 said:
Now that I have cash burning a hole in my pocket from the sale of my Cutlass, maybe I should go full midlife-crisis and get one of these:
https://t.co/khZIoJELqZ?amp=1

Why not, go for it. The other decision point is whether it will be a manual or automatic.

driver100 · August 2021

bwia said:

ab348 said:
Now that I have cash burning a hole in my pocket from the sale of my Cutlass, maybe I should go full midlife-crisis and get one of these:
https://t.co/khZIoJELqZ?amp=1
Why not, go for it. The other decision point is whether it will be a manual or automatic.

If you are 60+ you may have to consider carefully whether to get a manual. If a leg or arm are out of commission you may have major problems.

Also, if you do a lot of driving in heavy traffic, you may want to get an automatic. Shifting gears is more fun if you can use it as it was intended to be used.

Getting a manual really limits your choices as well. But, like those posters say, if you have a manual it is far less likely to get stolen.

ab348 · August 2021

My left knee is shot, so no manuals in my future.

bwia · August 2021

America Still Loves Its Gas-Guzzling V-8s. But for How Long?

We hear from the folks in charge at Dodge, Land Rover, and Lexus on the state of the high-horsepower V-8 on a fully electric frontier. Source: https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a37233097/will-v8-engines-go-extinct/?

imidazol97 · August 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

I don’t recall any problems with SSA after either of my parents passed but now you’ve got me thinking maybe we got screwed. As executor for my mother I showed the bank my testamentary letters, started an estate account and transferred all monies into that.

I'm still waiting for my paper form 1040 to be processed by the IRS. Filed on May 15 and received on May 21 in Fresno according to the return receipt.

Ridiculous.

explorerx4 · August 2021

@bwia,
America's and the world's love for the V8 will go on long after you are gone.

explorerx4 · August 2021

@nyccarguy,
Maybe you should get a window A/C unit to help you get through the next week.

stickguy · August 2021

I have owned 1 V8 in my 40+ year car buying career of at least 50 cars. And that I never actually registered before I sold it. Back in HS, a 1970ish Nova with some engine knock issue. Had a bunch of V6's though.

Never really cared how many cylinders, just how it performed. Plus I normally avoided really large cars which eliminated a lot of V8 choices. the 4 cyl turbo in the RDX performs impressively for a little engine.

stickguy · August 2021

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I don’t recall any problems with SSA after either of my parents passed but now you’ve got me thinking maybe we got screwed. As executor for my mother I showed the bank my testamentary letters, started an estate account and transferred all monies into that.
I'm still waiting for my paper form 1040 to be processed by the IRS. Filed on May 15 and received on May 21 in Fresno according to the return receipt.

Ridiculous.

keep waiting. They don't want paper and are way understaffed to deal with it. If you want it quick, gotta do it electronically and let the computer process it. Also less chance of processing errors or losing your forms.

stickguy · August 2021

explorerx4 said:
@nyccarguy,
Maybe you should get a window A/C unit to help you get through the next week.

I grew up near where Bradd is (other side of the Hudson, same weather though) and we had a basic ranch house. No AC at all until after I left for college. Not just no central, not even one window unit. Lots of box fans though!

and my room was the bedroom in the center front, so 1 window. The other 2 BRs at least got cross ventilation. When it was hot, put the fan on, and sweat. never killed any of us!

and probably the reason I hate AC still and am not at all bothered by heat or humidity. I was bred to deal with it!

roadburner · August 2021

stickguy said:
Seems like overkill. But if it makes you happy, go for it!

At this point I don’t have much desire for a car where I have to be ultra careful to not goose it too hard just to keep it on the road and tires hooked up!

Some horsepower is good
More is better
Too much is just enough

benjaminh · August 2021

I have 45,000 miles on my Goodyear Eagle LS-2 tires, and traction in the rain on them already seems mediocre. If I replace them one of the tires I'm considering is the Michelin CrossClimate2, which Consumer Reports says is their highest rated performance all-season tire. Tire Rack also gives a top rating to this tire in this 2-minute video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6a8VV3I0Xg

In this 12-minute promo video from Michelin they give some of the details of the engineering that went into the tire in terms of tread design, special compounds, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PT2odY3C6Og

There are of course trade-offs with tires, and the CrossClimate2 is relatively expensive. If I wait for Costco's next sale it looks like it would probably be about $750 for a set of 4 installed, or almost $190 a tire. Plus some are reporting that there's a trade-off for the better traction in the form of the loss of maybe a couple of mpg. They are rated to have long life, with a Michelin warranty of 60k, and a projected life from Consumer Reports of up to 70k.

Michelin says that in wet conditions the CrossClimate2 will stop about 50 feet shorter/sooner from 50 mph compared to some tires, which is obviously significant. It also has the 3 peak mountain snowflake rating. Doesn't snow much here, but when it does that might be useful. Plus I'm thinking of taking some trips at some point to areas where it snows. Hmmm.

But it does seem maybe a bit extravagant to replace my oem Goodyear tires that still have about year of life left in them.

roadburner · August 2021

The CrossClimate2 is a grand touring tire- not a performance tire. If you want a Michelin performance all- season tire you want the Pilot Sport All Season 4 or the Pilot Sport A/S 3+. I have the latter tire fitted to the M235i and the Club Sport, and I'm very happy with its capabilities. I'd say it's equivalent to a UHP summer tire of 6-8 years ago.

explorerx4 · August 2021

I have found that tire with a mostly solid center section(the V area on that Michelin) seem to track(not wander) very well.

benjaminh · August 2021

I was just using the category from Consumer Reports. But you're right about the categories, of course.

Here's a positive review from Tire Rack of the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, which is an ultra high performance tire. I don't drive particularly fast, but around corners I'm sure these tires are really nice. And they're still rated for 45k miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBKR8rr6q0o

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I don’t recall any problems with SSA after either of my parents passed but now you’ve got me thinking maybe we got screwed. As executor for my mother I showed the bank my testamentary letters, started an estate account and transferred all monies into that.
I'm still waiting for my paper form 1040 to be processed by the IRS. Filed on May 15 and received on May 21 in Fresno according to the return receipt.

Ridiculous.

That’s when I filed my paper return and I haven’t heard back either.

I got my state refund last week after they lost one of the schedules and I had to send a copy. Interestingly they said it was an “adjusted” refund but the check was for the exact amount I requested.

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

stickguy said:
I have owned 1 V8 in my 40+ year car buying career of at least 50 cars. And that I never actually registered before I sold it. Back in HS, a 1970ish Nova with some engine knock issue. Had a bunch of V6's though.

Never really cared how many cylinders, just how it performed. Plus I normally avoided really large cars which eliminated a lot of V8 choices. the 4 cyl turbo in the RDX performs impressively for a little engine.

I owned a V8 in each decade 60s,70s, and 80s. Only V6s in the 90s and not another V8 until 2015. I doubt I’ll see another soon.

oldfarmer50 · August 2021

benjaminh said:
I was just using the category from Consumer Reports. But you're right about the categories, of course.

Here's a positive review from Tire Rack of the Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4, which is an ultra high performance tire. I don't drive particularly fast, but around corners I'm sure these tires are really nice. And they're still rated for 45k miles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBKR8rr6q0o

I’ve got those but I wouldn’t really trust them for my winters so they only go on the car that sits in the garage all winter.

bwia · August 2021

qbrozen said:

@jmonroe1 said:

That sounds like you’re surprised to know that the IRS actually has a heart.

jmonroe

I’m surprised it ever arrived. 18 mos since I filed.

A couple months ago I faced an IRS bill of $1,084 for late filing, penalty and interest. I wrestled in my mind how to wiggle out of paying that confiscatory tax but in the end I paid the assessed amount. Within 4 days my check had cleared and I was a grand poorer. Moral of the story, the IRS is quick to take your money but slow to refund it; except for the stimulus checks (Economic Impact Payments) that were disbursed most expeditiously by IRS standards.

bwia · August 2021

ab348 said:
My left knee is shot, so no manuals in my future.

Well the automatic will cost more, but who is counting. According to Car & Driver "the CT5-V Blackwing Cadillac's 10-speed automatic carries a $2275 option price, but the real cost (apart from atrophy of your left leg and your car-loving soul) is $1875 because the auto carries a gas-guzzler tax of $1700 to the manual's $2100 tariff. Faster around a track and in a straight line, sprints to 60 mph will take less than 4.0 seconds with a few tenths advantage going to the automatic."
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a37264063/2022-cadillac-ct5-v-blackwing-drive/

benjaminh · August 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

I’ve got those but I wouldn’t really trust them for my winters so they only go on the car that sits in the garage all winter.

So you've got Michelin's Crossclimate2 tires on your vehicle? Aside from not trusting them for your severe winters how do you like them the rest of the year?

Here's a 2-minute video from Michelin about the tires. The claim that they stop 50 feet shorter/faster in wet compared to some tires seems a bit shocking and somehow for me a bit difficult to believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1lNW23aueg&t=46s

ab348 · August 2021

benjaminh said:

So you've got Michelin's Crossclimate2 tires on your vehicle? Aside from not trusting them for your severe winters how do you like them the rest of the year?

I read it as OF saying he had Michelin Pilot Sport All Season 4 tires on his Mustang. I put them on the ATS this past spring also. They are excellent tires.

sb55 · August 2021

imidazol97 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I don’t recall any problems with SSA after either of my parents passed but now you’ve got me thinking maybe we got screwed. As executor for my mother I showed the bank my testamentary letters, started an estate account and transferred all monies into that.
I'm still waiting for my paper form 1040 to be processed by the IRS. Filed on May 15 and received on May 21 in Fresno according to the return receipt.

Ridiculous.

Mine was e-filed May 13. Still nothing.

explorerx4 · August 2021

Tesla crashed into in traffic. Lots of questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-mPst72XKY

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