Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy · July 2023

It’s a high school car. Baser the better.

andres3 · July 2023

So I have an admission to make.

My pristine no at-fault driving record has been dirtied. I was watching my phones navigation more than I was the road in front of me apparently, and my internal "auto-pilot" and peripheral vision failed me. The two cars in front of me moved forward from a long stop, light changed green, and then they proceeded to stop again, but I didn't notice that. There was a long line of vehicles stopped for the red light originally. My autopilot saw the green light and let the S4 roll forward. I look up and I'm a foot or 3 maybe from the car's rear bumper, not enough time to fully compress the brakes let alone stop. Smacked the Chevy Impala LT's rear bumper, barely dented and scuffed it.

On my end, my S4 is now no longer completely accident free. The damage appeared minimal, but, Audi's are not cheap to fix.

Ended up needing a new bumper and grill. The grill is $1,500 (alu-optic black prestige S4 edition). The hood was ever so slightly impacted (you could see some light scuffing upon close eyeballing), they'll need to fix and refit that with the fenders (gap tolerance notably effected). Lots of little brackets holding the bumper needed replacement too. Minor items like lower plate, backing plate, headlamp (paying $726 for a used one from a junkyard; wasn't cracked but OK), LT Air duct $422

$5,700 - Repairs taking forever because the aftermarket bumper companies can't deliver the right bumper covers timely. Should be getting the car back this Saturday finally after 3 weeks?

NOTE: The two cars that re-stopped in front of me didn't need to do that, did so for absolutely no reason (but that doesn't give me the right to rear end them, nor could the car in between us do anything about the car in front of them that started it). STILL, watching the dash cam footage I'm reminded that this could have been avoided if the car in front of the car I hit didn't leave a mile in front of them.

xwesx · July 2023

Those re-stoppers are tricky. I nearly did a similar thing when I was making a right turn once a long while ago. The light was red initially, and the car in front of me, who was at the crosswalk, started to go with no traffic coming. Immediately afterward, the light turned green for us. I started going too, looked left out of habit, and when I looked right again, that same car was stopped half-way out into the intersection! I was able to swerve left to avoid it, but it was a *very* near thing.

Rumor has it that the car is still sitting there, unable to decide whether it is safe to go....

oldfarmer50 · July 2023

andres3 said:
So I have an admission to make.

My pristine no at-fault driving record has been dirtied. I was watching my phones navigation more than I was the road in front of me apparently, and my internal "auto-pilot" and peripheral vision failed me. The two cars in front of me moved forward from a long stop, light changed green, and then they proceeded to stop again, but I didn't notice that. There was a long line of vehicles stopped for the red light originally. My autopilot saw the green light and let the S4 roll forward. I look up and I'm a foot or 3 maybe from the car's rear bumper, not enough time to fully compress the brakes let alone stop. Smacked the Chevy Impala LT's rear bumper, barely dented and scuffed it.

On my end, my S4 is now no longer completely accident free. The damage appeared minimal, but, Audi's are not cheap to fix.

Ended up needing a new bumper and grill. The grill is $1,500 (alu-optic black prestige S4 edition). The hood was ever so slightly impacted (you could see some light scuffing upon close eyeballing), they'll need to fix and refit that with the fenders (gap tolerance notably effected). Lots of little brackets holding the bumper needed replacement too. Minor items like lower plate, backing plate, headlamp (paying $726 for a used one from a junkyard; wasn't cracked but OK), LT Air duct $422

$5,700 - Repairs taking forever because the aftermarket bumper companies can't deliver the right bumper covers timely. Should be getting the car back this Saturday finally after 3 weeks?

NOTE: The two cars that re-stopped in front of me didn't need to do that, did so for absolutely no reason (but that doesn't give me the right to rear end them, nor could the car in between us do anything about the car in front of them that started it). STILL, watching the dash cam footage I'm reminded that this could have been avoided if the car in front of the car I hit didn't leave a mile in front of them.

For $5700 you could probably have bought the Impala and had a spare to drive while the Audi was being fixed.

nyccarguy · July 2023

@andres3 said:
So I have an admission to make.

My pristine no at-fault driving record has been dirtied. I was watching my phones navigation more than I was the road in front of me apparently, and my internal "auto-pilot" and peripheral vision failed me. The two cars in front of me moved forward from a long stop, light changed green, and then they proceeded to stop again, but I didn't notice that. There was a long line of vehicles stopped for the red light originally. My autopilot saw the green light and let the S4 roll forward. I look up and I'm a foot or 3 maybe from the car's rear bumper, not enough time to fully compress the brakes let alone stop. Smacked the Chevy Impala LT's rear bumper, barely dented and scuffed it.

On my end, my S4 is now no longer completely accident free. The damage appeared minimal, but, Audi's are not cheap to fix.

Ended up needing a new bumper and grill. The grill is $1,500 (alu-optic black prestige S4 edition). The hood was ever so slightly impacted (you could see some light scuffing upon close eyeballing), they'll need to fix and refit that with the fenders (gap tolerance notably effected). Lots of little brackets holding the bumper needed replacement too. Minor items like lower plate, backing plate, headlamp (paying $726 for a used one from a junkyard; wasn't cracked but OK), LT Air duct $422

$5,700 - Repairs taking forever because the aftermarket bumper companies can't deliver the right bumper covers timely. Should be getting the car back this Saturday finally after 3 weeks?

NOTE: The two cars that re-stopped in front of me didn't need to do that, did so for absolutely no reason (but that doesn't give me the right to rear end them, nor could the car in between us do anything about the car in front of them that started it). STILL, watching the dash cam footage I'm reminded that this could have been avoided if the car in front of the car I hit didn't leave a mile in front of them.

That really stinks @andres3. It happens to everyone. While being without your car is a minor inconvenience, it will get fixed and be back good as new eventually. The most important thing is that you didn’t get hurt or injured. Keep us updated on the progress of your car’s repair.

xwesx · July 2023

stickguy said:
It’s a high school car. Baser the better.

The regular trim levels back then weren't too bad, to be honest. At the time, they had the 2.5i base, 2.5i, and 2.5i limited (without getting into specialty stuff like LL Bean and/or H6 vehicles).

The base wasn't horribly decontented, but the 2.5i added fog lights, heated seats/mirrors, and a rear LSD in those years (2008/09). I liked all three in my usage. This particular car seems to be over-priced because they are trying to sell the low miles like it is some sort of benefit in a car this age. If anything, it's a detriment, because it's very possible that it does still have original HGs along with a host of other things that haven't been addressed (such as fluids) due to the low miles.

I have had good luck with these older Subarus when they have 120-140K on them. Often, they have recently had their head gaskets replaced, and have also recently had other maintenance work such as struts and wheel bearings done. As odd as it is to me, owners get some sort of psychological hangup about having spent so much money on an old car like this, and then they start fearing the "what's next?" like the car is out to get them or something.

I also strongly prefer to buy from private parties in the sub $10K price range, as you typically get the same car either way, but dealers want to charge you thousands more.

When my son bought his 2009 Forester last August, he paid $4,500 for it with about 155,000 miles. It had head gaskets, struts, rear wheel bearings, and a few other items done on it within the last 40,000 miles. He put an extra $600 and a day of elbow grease into it to get it up to snuff (fixed an issue with the AC compressor's clutch, new front wheel bearings, new front brakes incl. rotors, calipers, and pads). Now, nearly a year later, he's added 20,000 miles and nothing else. One would be hard-pressed to pay less for any newly acquired car over that same time and distance.

andres3 · July 2023

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:
So I have an admission to make.

My pristine no at-fault driving record has been dirtied. I was watching my phones navigation more than I was the road in front of me apparently, and my internal "auto-pilot" and peripheral vision failed me. The two cars in front of me moved forward from a long stop, light changed green, and then they proceeded to stop again, but I didn't notice that. There was a long line of vehicles stopped for the red light originally. My autopilot saw the green light and let the S4 roll forward. I look up and I'm a foot or 3 maybe from the car's rear bumper, not enough time to fully compress the brakes let alone stop. Smacked the Chevy Impala LT's rear bumper, barely dented and scuffed it.

On my end, my S4 is now no longer completely accident free. The damage appeared minimal, but, Audi's are not cheap to fix.

Ended up needing a new bumper and grill. The grill is $1,500 (alu-optic black prestige S4 edition). The hood was ever so slightly impacted (you could see some light scuffing upon close eyeballing), they'll need to fix and refit that with the fenders (gap tolerance notably effected). Lots of little brackets holding the bumper needed replacement too. Minor items like lower plate, backing plate, headlamp (paying $726 for a used one from a junkyard; wasn't cracked but OK), LT Air duct $422

$5,700 - Repairs taking forever because the aftermarket bumper companies can't deliver the right bumper covers timely. Should be getting the car back this Saturday finally after 3 weeks?

NOTE: The two cars that re-stopped in front of me didn't need to do that, did so for absolutely no reason (but that doesn't give me the right to rear end them, nor could the car in between us do anything about the car in front of them that started it). STILL, watching the dash cam footage I'm reminded that this could have been avoided if the car in front of the car I hit didn't leave a mile in front of them.
For $5700 you could probably have bought the Impala and had a spare to drive while the Audi was being fixed.

If they'd have offered me $4,700 (less my deductible of $1K), I might have driven the S4 around forever without fixing it. A little Sharpie pen on the black grille where cracked along with some epoxy glue, a little buffing on the hood and touch up on the bumper and it would have "passed." Of course, Geico's first estimate is always useless (less than $2K). So they wouldn't have paid me $4,700.

Once my deductible was exceeded, the claim already reported by the car in front, there's no real reason for me not to get it fixed right, the insurance hit is coming for the next 3 to 5 years regardless.

andres3 · July 2023

On the bright side I have my TTS to commute daily in (shorter 20 minute commute these days), and it's running just fine; mileage catching up to the S4 at nearly 61K.

Was tempted to get a 88K mile All Track I'd like knowing ahead of times the repairs "would take forever" even for a minor thing. That was my excuse to get the family a 4th vehicle. Since we wouldn't have the 3rd vehicle for quite some time. The significant other didn't quite grasp my logic.

nyccarguy · July 2023

@andres3 said:
On the bright side I have my TTS to commute daily in (shorter 20 minute commute these days), and it's running just fine; mileage catching up to the S4 at nearly 61K.

Was tempted to get a 88K mile All Track I'd like knowing ahead of times the repairs "would take forever" even for a minor thing. That was my excuse to get the family a 4th vehicle. Since we wouldn't have the 3rd vehicle for quite some time. The significant other didn't quite grasp my logic.

Glad you are still able to enjoy the TT.

28firefighter · July 2023

A local, well regarded Saab and Subaru specialist has an 08 Forester 5spd for sale with 90k miles - Red over Tan - New head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, new timing belt, pulleys, tensioner, and water pump. New clutch, new right rear wheel bearing, four new Continental tires, 90k service and alignment performed. They're asking $9500. It's still an old car and will have it's issues, but I'd sooner do that than many other cheap car alternatives.

greg128 · July 2023

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email

It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots of money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.

nyccarguy · July 2023

28firefighter said:
A local, well regarded Saab and Subaru specialist has an 08 Forester 5spd for sale with 90k miles - Red over Tan - New head gaskets, valve cover gaskets, new timing belt, pulleys, tensioner, and water pump. New clutch, new right rear wheel bearing, four new Continental tires, 90k service and alignment performed. They're asking $9500. It's still an old car and will have it's issues, but I'd sooner do that than many other cheap car alternatives.

I feel like that's something to spend the money on. I think @xwesx is right that the dealer here is asking A LOT of money because of the low miles and like @qbrozen said, it will still need head gaskets.

nyccarguy · July 2023

Here's a 2008 Subaru Outback with 148K miles and a stick.

Michaell · July 2023

greg128 said:

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots more money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more money out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.

Of course, when you give $1 billion to the already rich owners of the Buffalo Bills for a new stadium, that money has to come from somewhere

andres3 · July 2023

greg128 said:

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots of money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.

NY does seem to be on the leading edge of creating a totalitarian society. I'd hate to see CA go the same direction.

nyccarguy · July 2023

@greg128 said:
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots more money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more money out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.

Was that from a camera? If so, then he got off cheap. If it was from a police officer and he was found guilty, it would be the fine plus 6 points. It does stink that it was with a median in between and he didn’t do it intentionally. I drive and see people not stop for busses every single day in NYC.

xwesx · July 2023

nyccarguy said:
Here's a 2008 Subaru Outback with 148K miles and a stick.

That might be the one! I'd have it gone over with the fine-tooth comb, but if there's some vehicle history and it isn't sick, it might be a winner.

28firefighter · July 2023

I had a 2 year lease on an 09 Legacy 2.5i base with auto trans. It was slow and blah, but absolutely a phenomenal young kids car.

stickguy · July 2023

slow, blah and safe as a tank is pretty much the perfect kids car.

one reason my daughter got a Volvo S40 when she got her license. She let me borrow it once in a while since technically we "shared" it.

tifighter · July 2023

Wasn’t who I expected next, TBH…

corvette · July 2023

Those announcements are really changing the EV landscape, but also, I think Tesla is going to have to rapidly expand the Supercharger network in order to have adequate capacity.

How far back (in terms of model years) are most manufacturers saying they will provide Supercharger compatibility with an adapter?

stickguy · July 2023

corvette said:
Those announcements are really changing the EV landscape, but also, I think Tesla is going to have to rapidly expand the Supercharger network in order to have adequate capacity.

How far back (in terms of model years) are most manufacturers saying they will provide Supercharger compatibility with an adapter?

I wonder if Tesla will buy one of the other big networks and just upgrade the head units to Tesla spec? would be a lot easier than building from scratch!

Michaell · July 2023

I'm guessing all these newly announced "partnerships" represent another revenue stream for Tesla.

@stickguy - I see the logic in doing that, but I think Tesla has a pretty high standard that these other units may not live up to.

stickguy · July 2023

they might have to replace the box, but all the infrastructure (power lines, stands, etc.) is already there. Sort of like a Citgo station closing, an Exxon buying the station and putting up their own pumps and branding.

stickguy · July 2023

Got invited to my local Acura dealer tomorrow for their big Integra type S (R?) reveal event. WIll be right near there running errands. Won't the wife be surprised when we stop in!

roadburner · July 2023

I took the afternoon off to start detailing the ti for the Keeneland Concours next week. After four hours it's almost finished:

fintail · July 2023

andres3 said:
So I have an admission to make.

My pristine no at-fault driving record has been dirtied. I was watching my phones navigation more than I was the road in front of me apparently, and my internal "auto-pilot" and peripheral vision failed me. The two cars in front of me moved forward from a long stop, light changed green, and then they proceeded to stop again, but I didn't notice that. There was a long line of vehicles stopped for the red light originally. My autopilot saw the green light and let the S4 roll forward. I look up and I'm a foot or 3 maybe from the car's rear bumper, not enough time to fully compress the brakes let alone stop. Smacked the Chevy Impala LT's rear bumper, barely dented and scuffed it.

On my end, my S4 is now no longer completely accident free. The damage appeared minimal, but, Audi's are not cheap to fix.

Ended up needing a new bumper and grill. The grill is $1,500 (alu-optic black prestige S4 edition). The hood was ever so slightly impacted (you could see some light scuffing upon close eyeballing), they'll need to fix and refit that with the fenders (gap tolerance notably effected). Lots of little brackets holding the bumper needed replacement too. Minor items like lower plate, backing plate, headlamp (paying $726 for a used one from a junkyard; wasn't cracked but OK), LT Air duct $422

$5,700 - Repairs taking forever because the aftermarket bumper companies can't deliver the right bumper covers timely. Should be getting the car back this Saturday finally after 3 weeks?

NOTE: The two cars that re-stopped in front of me didn't need to do that, did so for absolutely no reason (but that doesn't give me the right to rear end them, nor could the car in between us do anything about the car in front of them that started it). STILL, watching the dash cam footage I'm reminded that this could have been avoided if the car in front of the car I hit didn't leave a mile in front of them.

What a nightmare - at least the damage wasn't worse, and you weren't moving fast. Modern headlight assemblies are insanely expensive, too.. Morons who freeze up like that should be forced into re-taking a license test. I had a similar incident some years ago when a timid wonder apparently had a panic attack mid turn onto a major arterial street and stood on the brakes, thankfully I was able to stop in time. I was able to warm up the horn anyway (which probably made the freeze-up worse).

breld · July 2023

@roadburner - the 318ti looks incredible.

roadburner · July 2023

breld said:
@roadburner - the 318ti looks incredible.

Thanks!

laurasdada · July 2023

RB, that engine compartment is cleaner than my kitchen!

stickguy · July 2023

looks new. A Ti was actually the first BMW I went to a dealer to look at.

oldfarmer50 · July 2023

greg128 said:

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots of money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.

I’m surprised he got caught. Drivers routinely ran my reds on 4 lane roads from both directions sometimes driving on the shoulder to pass as I was letting kids off. I once had a guy run right through a group of kids crossing the street and give me the finger when I honked. I reported him to the police and was told that even though my ID was dead on they couldn’t touch him because he lived too far away for them to deliver the ticket in person.

Where I worked we called it a “Clifton Park turn” when people universally did right on red without stopping. If you did stop before a right on red you risked getting rear ended.

oldfarmer50 · July 2023

Michaell said:

greg128 said:

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots more money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more money out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.
Of course, when you give $1 billion to the already rich owners of the Buffalo Bills for a new stadium, that money has to come from somewhere

As bad as that is at least you get to watch a football game. Our previous governor gave $750 million to a solar company that went bust.

oldfarmer50 · July 2023

roadburner said:
I took the afternoon off to start detailing the ti for the Keeneland Concours next week. After four hours it's almost finished:

That’s a lot of sweat equity for sure. Nice.

andres3 · July 2023

oldfarmer50 said:

roadburner said:
I took the afternoon off to start detailing the ti for the Keeneland Concours next week. After four hours it's almost finished:

That’s a lot of sweat equity for sure. Nice.

I wonder what he charges per hour for that service

andres3 · July 2023

oldfarmer50 said:

Michaell said:

greg128 said:

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots more money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more money out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.
Of course, when you give $1 billion to the already rich owners of the Buffalo Bills for a new stadium, that money has to come from somewhere
As bad as that is at least you get to watch a football game. Our previous governor gave $750 million to a solar company that went bust.

They should trace where the 750 million went and pass a reparations bill.

sda · July 2023

While having my car serviced this morning, I sat in several CPO VWs in the showroom. Not surprising, all are overpriced. They have a 2020 GTI which I liked with the plaid seats, however I found the shoulder bolsters too tight on my frame but otherwise comfortable. The 2022 GLI seats fit me better. The GLI may have some potential as my next ride. We are trying to get another year of service from the TL which will coordinate with my daughter graduating from college. After graduating the Passat will become hers and a new ride for me. Subject to change..

sda · July 2023

roadburner said:
I took the afternoon off to start detailing the ti for the Keeneland Concours next week. After four hours it's almost finished:

Super sharp. Did you take delivery of it in Germany or SC?

qbrozen · July 2023

I have been slowly disassembling the Maser interior and de-stickifying the pieces in the evenings while watching the Phils. It is quite a laborious process. I unfortunately discovered that alcohol remove the paint entirely from the buttons. Luckily that was discovered on a piece that happens to be replaceable for $20. Found I have to use goo-off to get rid of the residue while retaining the paint underneath. It takes far more effort, however. I’ve now got the center stack complete. Have yet to attack the driver’s controls.

28firefighter · July 2023

Car looks great, @roadburner! A true classic.

jmonroe1 · July 2023

roadburner said:
I took the afternoon off to start detailing the ti for the Keeneland Concours next week. After four hours it's almost finished:

————————————————
SHOW OFF.

jmonroe

roadburner · July 2023

breld said:
@roadburner - the 318ti looks incredible.

Thanks!

sda said:

roadburner said:
I took the afternoon off to start detailing the ti for the Keeneland Concours next week. After four hours it's almost finished:

Super sharp. Did you take delivery of it in Germany or SC?

Chicago.

jmonroe1 · July 2023

qbrozen said:
I have been slowly disassembling the Maser interior and de-stickifying the pieces in the evenings while watching the Phils. It is quite a laborious process. I unfortunately discovered that alcohol remove the paint entirely from the buttons. Luckily that was discovered on a piece that happens to be replaceable for $20. Found I have to use goo-off to get rid of the residue while retaining the paint underneath. It takes far more effort, however. I’ve now got the center stack complete. Have yet to attack the driver’s controls.

————————————————
Damn, I never knew alcohol would to that. What did you mix your bourbon with? Gives credence to what an old timer told me years ago when I was about to mix it. He said, “son, why don’t you just take it straight”.

jmonroe

greg128 · July 2023

oldfarmer50 said:

greg128 said:

andres3 said:
Are you all aware there are legislators in CA trying to help create a Gov't MONEY GRAB by allowing speed cameras in Los Angeles? Of course, we all know if it passes and is allowed in LA, it'll soon spread like a virus to other cities and hometowns.

https://saferstreetsla.org/speed-camera-petition/?utm_campaign=2023 Member Alerts&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=264709450&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8abL1umiO2bu_OMv_jXPi4bXHl_diUPZcPITbrOu1r6gYm3930uD-NRVZqPmwfOnjbG1erEwtEC7l43cAA-8LFrywNpA&utm_content=264709450&utm_source=hs_email
It is worse in NY. My son got a $250 fine for not stopping for a school bus that was on the opposite side of a 4 lane road with a median between the opposing traffic. He didn't even see it. I got a couple of tickets for not stopping completely for a right turn on a red light. Now they are talking about stop sign cameras for people rolling through at 2 MPH.

New York has many billion dollar deficits predicted for the coming years. They need lots of money to fund their welfare state and the only way to get it is to suck more out of the already overly taxed population.

I won't even get into what business owners deal with when their commercial vehicles are stopped by DOT. An average fine after one of these is easily over $1000.
I’m surprised he got caught. Drivers routinely ran my reds on 4 lane roads from both directions sometimes driving on the shoulder to pass as I was letting kids off. I once had a guy run right through a group of kids crossing the street and give me the finger when I honked. I reported him to the police and was told that even though my ID was dead on they couldn’t touch him because he lived too far away for them to deliver the ticket in person.

Where I worked we called it a “Clifton Park turn” when people universally did right on red without stopping. If you did stop before a right on red you risked getting rear ended.

School buses here in NY now have cameras that activate when the stop sign swings out. That is in addition to many red light cameras and soon to come stop sign cameras. Apparently a lucrative source of income. I refuse to make a right turn on a red light now even if I get beeped.

Oh and about a month ago I got pulled over by police on a cloverleaf entrance checking for buckled seat belts and expired inspection stickers. At first he told me it looked like I wasn't wearing my belt, but I was.
After checking license and registration I was on my way.

tjc78 · July 2023

Club Sport is looking good!!

rayainsw · July 2023

roadburner -
That is one great looking classic BMW!
- Ray
Not exactly driving a classic BMW...

sda · July 2023

One observation from my dealer visit this morning, the VW dealer had a huge inventory of ID.4s. Are these not selling?

Michaell · July 2023

sda said:
One observation from my dealer visit this morning, the VW dealer had a huge inventory of ID.4s. Are these not selling?

Lots of EV choices available. The ID.4 is one of the few built in the US - there may be a lot of inventory.

corvette · July 2023

@roadburner - my better half and I may go to that Councours! Hope to see you, or at least your car, there.

jmonroe1 · July 2023

@corvette said:
@roadburner - my better half and I may go to that Councours! Hope to see you, or at least your car, there.

————————————————
Hint: Don’t go tinkering under his hood.

jmonroe

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