Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

tjc78 · September 2021

@stickguy said:
if I end up with another basement when I move, if it isn't already finished, I would do a mini job. Put down a vinyl flooring, with a few cheap throw rugs. Paint the ceiling black (joists, etc.). And paint the walls white. And don't put anything down there worth much. Just the exercise stuff and a TV on a stand.

that way you can still use it, but if it gets wet, no big deal.

When the house was built they did the basement up. Full bathroom, all finished with carpet and a section of cabinets with a granite top and bar sink. If it ever floods I’m screwed. It is fully French drained with a sump pump which virtually never runs, so fingers crossed.

nyccarguy · September 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:
if I end up with another basement when I move, if it isn't already finished, I would do a mini job. Put down a vinyl flooring, with a few cheap throw rugs. Paint the ceiling black (joists, etc.). And paint the walls white. And don't put anything down there worth much. Just the exercise stuff and a TV on a stand.

that way you can still use it, but if it gets wet, no big deal.
Or maybe build on a hill with no streams nearby.

+1

nyccarguy · September 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
Would the waterproof vinyl that looks like wood work at all (after you get thoroughly dried out)?

That's something I'm going to look into.

kyfdx · September 2021

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:
if I end up with another basement when I move, if it isn't already finished, I would do a mini job. Put down a vinyl flooring, with a few cheap throw rugs. Paint the ceiling black (joists, etc.). And paint the walls white. And don't put anything down there worth much. Just the exercise stuff and a TV on a stand.

that way you can still use it, but if it gets wet, no big deal.
Or maybe build on a hill with no streams nearby.

That's no guarantee. Leaky basements can happen regardless of flood waters. Ground water, storm sewer backups, bad gutters, etc. If they only thing we had to worry about was floods, no big deal.

That said, 23 years here and still dry.

nyccarguy · September 2021

corvette said:

mjfloyd1 said:
Would the waterproof vinyl that looks like wood work at all (after you get thoroughly dried out)?

I second this recommendation, it seems to be pretty indestructible.

The Vinyl Plank Flooring is what you are talking about?

kyfdx · September 2021

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

mjfloyd1 said:
Would the waterproof vinyl that looks like wood work at all (after you get thoroughly dried out)?

I second this recommendation, it seems to be pretty indestructible.
The Vinyl Plank Flooring is what you are talking about?

Yes... looks just like wood laminate, but flexible and waterproof. Don't be fooled by wood laminates that say they are waterproof. They aren't.

nyccarguy · September 2021

@kyfdx said:
Yes... looks just like wood laminate, but flexible and waterproof. Don't be fooled by wood laminates that say they are waterproof. They aren't.

Dumb question that I already know the answer to, but the concrete needs to be level underneath, correct?

corvette · September 2021

nyccarguy said:

Dumb question that I already know the answer to, but the concrete needs to be level underneath, correct?

Yes, but they make a floor leveling compound you can put down if it's not. You can also get sheet vinyl that looks like wood--most of it is less textured and less convincing than the vinyl plank stuff, but it's also extremely durable. Less DIY-friendly, but a pro can glue it down pretty quickly.

stickguy · September 2021

Use the vinyl engineered planks that float. Helps even out for any dips. But yes, first use some self leveling stuff to even it out.

roadburner · September 2021

@nyccarguy said:
That's something I'm going to look into.

That’s what we are going to use to replace the basement carpet. We have a weird leak issue. Several tiles in the drop ceiling are stained but the upper floors are fine. No plumbing issues either.

qbrozen · September 2021

stickguy said:
Use the vinyl engineered planks that float. Helps even out for any dips. But yes, first use some self leveling stuff to even it out.

Get it? They float! lol

stickguy · September 2021

roadburner said:

@nyccarguy said:

That's something I'm going to look into.

That’s what we are going to use to replace the basement carpet. We have a weird leak issue. Several tiles in the drop ceiling are stained but the upper floors are fine. No plumbing issues either.

I had that issue. Turned out to just be a pipe sweating.

ab348 · September 2021

stickguy said:

roadburner said:

@nyccarguy said:

That's something I'm going to look into.

That’s what we are going to use to replace the basement carpet. We have a weird leak issue. Several tiles in the drop ceiling are stained but the upper floors are fine. No plumbing issues either.

I had that issue. Turned out to just be a pipe sweating.

Geez, Stick, don't work that pipe so hard! Poor thing.

oldfarmer50 · September 2021

roadburner said:

@nyccarguy said:

That's something I'm going to look into.

That’s what we are going to use to replace the basement carpet. We have a weird leak issue. Several tiles in the drop ceiling are stained but the upper floors are fine. No plumbing issues either.

Just stop popping those Champagne corks every time you buy a new car and you’ll be fine.

au1994 · September 2021

Tomorrow is delivery day!

andres3 · September 2021

stickguy said:
Use the vinyl engineered planks that float. Helps even out for any dips. But yes, first use some self leveling stuff to even it out.

That self leveling stuff is expensive when they have to use like 25 bags of it in your small house. Talk about blowing the original flooring estimate budget!

stickguy · September 2021

Basement should be easier. Don’t have to be as exact. And can spot use it for the really bad spots.

mjfloyd1 · September 2021

Rivian pickup trucks are starting to roll off the assembly line. Wasn’t someone (I suspect @breld ) waiting on one??

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a37598625/rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-production-starts/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=091521&utm_campaign=nl25049281&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

jmonroe1 · September 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
Rivian pickup trucks are starting to roll off the assembly line. Wasn’t someone (I suspect @breld ) waiting on one??

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a37598625/rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-production-starts/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=091521&utm_campaign=nl25049281&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

That poor guy gets blamed for everything. But, that’s what happens when you set the bar.

jmonroe

qbrozen · September 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
Rivian pickup trucks are starting to roll off the assembly line. Wasn’t someone (I suspect @breld ) waiting on one??

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a37598625/rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-production-starts/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=091521&utm_campaign=nl25049281&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

can't wait to see how it holds up

jpp75 · September 2021

mjfloyd1 said:
Rivian pickup trucks are starting to roll off the assembly line. Wasn’t someone (I suspect @breld ) waiting on one??

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a37598625/rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-production-starts/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=091521&utm_campaign=nl25049281&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

Actually @breld and I both have reservations for one, but I have to admit my interest has waned in the last few months. Lots of poor communication from the company coupled with enjoying the Defender much more than I expected has cooled my enthusiasm. I'll still keep my reservation, but we'll see if I actually take delivery when my turn in line comes up.

au1994 · September 2021

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2017-bmw-m2-51/

This will be fun…

ab348 · September 2021

stickguy said:
Basement should be easier. Don’t have to be as exact. And can spot use it for the really bad spots.

Up here a bag of self-leveling is about $30 Cdn. That does 40 sq ft at 1/8" thickness. So you will use a lot of it if there is a lot of uneven slab to deal with.

tifighter · September 2021

jpp75 said:

mjfloyd1 said:
Rivian pickup trucks are starting to roll off the assembly line. Wasn’t someone (I suspect @breld ) waiting on one??

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a37598625/rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-production-starts/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=091521&utm_campaign=nl25049281&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

Actually @breld and I both have reservations for one, but I have to admit my interest has waned in the last few months. Lots of poor communication from the company coupled with enjoying the Defender much more than I expected has cooled my enthusiasm. I'll still keep my reservation, but we'll see if I actually take delivery when my turn in line comes up.

Um, I might have a reservation too. Y'know, for research purposes.

28firefighter · September 2021

Purely academic.

breld · September 2021

@jpp75 joined my wife and I at the Denver Auto Show this afternoon (@michaell unfortunately was not able to make it).

“Auto Show” is a bit of an overstatement. Given the environment, it was held outdoors at an amusement park parking lot, after skipping last year. All of about 6 manufacturers were represented - Jeep, Dodge, Toyota, Lincoln, Ford and Kia. Jeep did have their usual driving experience set up and there was an area promoting electric.

Sadly, these shows seemed to be somewhat on the decline prior to the pandemic, and I think this may simply signal the end…at least the insignificant ones in places like Denver.

I did snap a few pics to share, though there’s nothing all that interesting…a pic of the Maverick (for @stickguy and others interested in the truck)…the new Jeep products were impressive…a GT version of the Mach E…and a Bronco and Bronco Sport.

stickguy · September 2021

thanks for thinking of me! I assume you couldn't get into it?

kinda looks bigger than I think it really is in pictures. Can't wait to see one in person!

And that grand Wagoneer, especially the black one, is huge and really ugly from the side. The whole back end is oversized, awkward, and IMO unattractive.

so it will probably sell like gang busters!

corvette · September 2021

Really like that dark red color on the Maverick. Unfortunately, I don't think it's available on the XL, although a premium looking color like that might look odd combined with the pedestrian steel wheels on the XL.

stickguy · September 2021

it is nice. That might be the first edition specific red.

Michaell · September 2021

I wanted to go, but I took a COVID test today and it will be a few days before I get the results.

Looks like I didn’t miss that much.

Sandman6472 · September 2021

Walked out earlier tonight and saw the lift off of the folks going into space. Since we live southwest of Orlando, was easy to look to the northeast and did see it going up. It was truly spectacular to watch it go farther up into the atmosphere. Had seen a launch in the mid 80's, a daytime one, from a condo building on my mail route in Boca Raton Florida and it was easy to see and pretty cool. Tonight's launch was easier to see & much cooler!

Sandman6472 · September 2021

Drove a brand new Kia Niro EV today at work and it drives like a regular vehicle as I was able to use both the accelerator to go forward and the brakes to stop it. No having to feather the accelerator to move the vehicle and it doesn't stop like a rock when one gets off the gas pedal. Was a much more normal way to drive and think I could get used to it very quickly. It stickered for just over $41K which is a bit too pricey for what one gets, thinking it should be priced much lower, somewhere in the mid to upper $20's to be honest! Most folks can't afford the entry price of that much to be honest. It did drive nicely and the size was about perfect for my needs but again, the price would drive me away to be honest.

tjc78 · September 2021

I think the Wagoneer would look better in a lighter color without black wheels.

Sandman6472 · September 2021

Saw those Jetta alloys on OfferUp and really do like them. Asking $180 for the set and not sure if they'd take my current ones for a trade or not. Would think I could trade mine and have them mount & balance the tires and call it even but will have to stop by one day soon & see what I can work out. Would have to see them in person to see their condition and all but they'd definitely give my Golf a whole different look which I think I'd like. Spend a little bit to change the looks and all and make me fall in love with it all over again. Think they came off a 2019 Jetta SEL and ad says they're 17" Jetta wheels so should fit my Golf since my current alloys are off a 2015 Jetta.
An inexpensive way to change the looks a bit, definitely something I'd like to do. I know the wife will think it's a dumb idea but I think it's a great idea honestly. Be like driving a newer model VW!

jpp75 · September 2021

tifighter said:

Um, I might have a reservation too. Y'know, for research purposes.

I know the Bellevue "service center" is pretty much open, the location here in Denver is being renovated but likely has a few months to go before it's ready. Early reviews from Motor Trend have been very favorable but I'm more interested in some real world reviews from owners and some of the more tolerable YouTube personalities.

In the end I'll overlook the issues I have with the company and focus on the vehicle. I think I shared on here a while back that after a couple of trips this summer to more remote parts of Colorado I'm mainly rethinking if I want to live with some of the sacrifices that will be required as a (somewhat) early adopter of EVs when it comes to road trips. Granted the R1S is rated at 316 miles, but if you get too far off the interstates you really have to be judicious about where you're going, how you'll charge, etc. Certainly doesn't hurt to have the Defender as the alternative. First world problems for sure.

jpp75 · September 2021

As @breld mentioned the auto show was very different from years past but still an enjoyable event. Toyota did have the Corolla Cross whatever, seems like a decent alternative but IIRC the one they had was priced a bit over $30k which seems like a lot for any type of Corolla.

The Grand Wagoneer is definitely huge, will probably compete well with the Navigator.

As for the Maverick, it was on a platform and not accessible but I found the size to be the goldilocks....not to small but not too big. If Ford doesn't bungle the launch (big if these days) I can see it being quite a hit. @stickguy and others who have a reservation, I think you'll be happy with it.

All in all a good day with @breld and mrs. @breld!

nyccarguy · September 2021

I really like the Maverick in red. I saw a Black Mach E on the way home the other night. Very nice looking car.

corvette · September 2021

Hoovie's latest video is of the restored K5 Blazer his parents recently purchased. That thing is gorgeous--shame about the fluid leaks and the very badly misaligned driver's door, as it otherwise looks pretty amazing.

stickguy · September 2021

I watched that too. At least easy fixes.

au1994 · September 2021

The more I see the Maverick, the more I like it.

I’ve seen other pics of the Wagoneer and it looks much better in a different color combo. I don’t care for that blacked out one though. The interior is incredible.

Grand Cherokee L is pretty nice looking too.

I’ve noticed a couple of Mach E’s around. Pretty nice and one was hauling the mail when it passed me.

Forgot to mention I saw a Santa Cruz on the road Sunday. Like the Maverick, bigger than I thought but still a nice size. This one was black over black which isn’t a favorite. I’d lean towards the Maverick.

oldfarmer50 · September 2021

Sandman6472 said:
Walked out earlier tonight and saw the lift off of the folks going into space. Since we live southwest of Orlando, was easy to look to the northeast and did see it going up. It was truly spectacular to watch it go farther up into the atmosphere. Had seen a launch in the mid 80's, a daytime one, from a condo building on my mail route in Boca Raton Florida and it was easy to see and pretty cool. Tonight's launch was easier to see & much cooler!

I saw a space shuttle launch from my hotel in Orlando back in 1995 while visiting Disney. I was surprised that you could see it from that far away.

oldfarmer50 · September 2021

breld said:
@jpp75 joined my wife and I at the Denver Auto Show this afternoon (@michaell unfortunately was not able to make it).

“Auto Show” is a bit of an overstatement. Given the environment, it was held outdoors at an amusement park parking lot, after skipping last year. All of about 6 manufacturers were represented - Jeep, Dodge, Toyota, Lincoln, Ford and Kia. Jeep did have their usual driving experience set up and there was an area promoting electric.

Sadly, these shows seemed to be somewhat on the decline prior to the pandemic, and I think this may simply signal the end…at least the insignificant ones in places like Denver.

I did snap a few pics to share, though there’s nothing all that interesting…a pic of the Maverick (for @stickguy and others interested in the truck)…the new Jeep products were impressive…a GT version of the Mach E…and a Bronco and Bronco Sport.

So the Mach E GT is out? Is that the performance version? I always though that would be the one I’d lease.

Yes that Maverick looks big. Almost like a Ranger.

oldfarmer50 · September 2021

corvette said:
Hoovie's latest video is of the restored K5 Blazer his parents recently purchased. That thing is gorgeous--shame about the fluid leaks and the very badly misaligned driver's door, as it otherwise looks pretty amazing.

I wonder how much metal fab and Bondo is underneath that shiny paint. Those Blazers weren’t as rust prone as Broncos but they got Swiss cheesy pretty quick.

qbrozen · September 2021

I have an appt next week for the Benz. Let’s see what kind of damage this can do to a wallet.

au1994 · September 2021

Hey @qbrozen, did you get the tires put on the Jeep yet?

dad23 · September 2021

Thanks for sharing @breld, we had talked about getting down there mainly for the change in venue, but looks like we're good to forgo it this year. Was it crowded at all? Are the GC and GW pretty similar in size? We've been contemplating another SUV for my wife as one of the boys has taken her car as his go to wheels. I had mentioned a new 4Runner (if we could find one) but she said she'd like something nicer

stickguy · September 2021

Looks like embargo might be lifted. Or this guy jumped the gun. Just parking lot stuff but interesting. Also shows how low it is compared to a lot of trucks.

Looking forward to seeing a real roadtest review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIY_7pi9mtk

tjc78 · September 2021

I think you’ll like the versatility of the Maverick. Great size IMO. Big enough to actually get stuff done but not a barge.

ab348 · September 2021

stickguy said:
Looks like embargo might be lifted. Or this guy jumped the gun. Just parking lot stuff but interesting. Also shows how low it is compared to a lot of trucks.

Well, I don't think this guy is in the upper echelon of automotive journalists

so probably no worries there. Besides, he was a real ~~bootlicker~~ agreeable fellow who found nothing at all to be critical of, so Ford got their money's worth.

It actually might be a more than decent choice (door panels excepted which look awful) but as you said, we'll need to wait a while to get a balanced review.

stickguy · September 2021

Apparently not that long. Just got an email from Ford and my order has been scheduled to be built on 10/25, and they even supplied a VIN. So if that date happens, should arrive by Thanksgiving probably.

I was sure it wouldn’t arrive until next year. Probably because of getting the 2.0t instead of hybrid.

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