Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
I take it you weren’t scared too badly in your formative years, so you stuck around for the rewards at the end.
They didn’t do stuff like that at the company I was with for all of my working career. I was lucky I was offered a full retirement package at 55 when the company was hitting a few bumps. However, I along with a few other guys in other groups, was asked to come back as a consultant. It lasted for a few years then ended. Then after a year they convinced me to come back again and I did. I remember being called into the bosses office about 9 months after I did my last stint of consulting that started in May of 2007. After a good chat about the work I was doing my boss tells me I’m getting a nice increase. I joked and said something like, “can I expect this every 9 months”? To my surprise my boss said, “maybe not 9 months but not more than a year, I’ll make sure of that”. After the next increase I joke again and said, “this sure ain’t like the company I retired from” and he said, “I hear you. We don’t want to lose you. Money for consultants comes out of a far different budget than for the full timers.”
Finally, since I didn’t want the cleaning crew to find me one night slumped over my keyboard, I decided in February 2015 I had to stop getting the candy and I pulled the plug for good. Not sorry one bit that I did it.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
@jmonroe1 , my 4-post lifts are AMGO. I’ve been perfectly satisfied with them. The 2-post I ordered direct from China and installed myself.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Thanks for the info. But which type do you like best? I like the idea of the 4 post for stability but it’s not good for brake jobs and since my Son wants to track the Vette he just got he’s going to be doing a fair amount of brake work plus he has a few other family cars that will require routine brake work. To me it seems like the 2 post is more universal if you can get over the stability thing. Best for all work, both under the car and brake work plus putting a car in the air so he can get more cars in the garage. I know a 4 post can get the car in the air for storage too but again, it’s not as versatile.
FWIW, all of the garages I’ve been to seem to only have the 2 post type. Probably for its versatility. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 4 post at a garage. Am I all wet with my thinking?
Thanks again.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
loyalty is really a 1 way street.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
as you noted, the 4 post can also serve for storage. And they are definitely safer (unlike a 2 post, not likely to have the car flip off the end!)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My BIL has one of these and likes it it sure if this exact model, but this brand.
https://mechanicsuperstore.com/products/triumph-nto-10a-10-000-lb-2-post-lift?variant=42499500769415&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20925155722&gbraid=0AAAAACLc9PlHsydNiLaksLwcRGnlG1N0E&gclid=CjwKCAjw6ZTCBhBOEiwAqfwJd5lVKEw9zF0bl5sbUYecRV4f3tv1Ab_ijPTvyMUOWIiLjo2EfDHHORoC4FUQAvD_BwE
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
So while this isn’t nearly on the level of @xwesx fixing and painting one of his Foresters in the driveway, I did buy these painted bumper caps off of Tacoma Lifestyle. They matched and fit perfectly. The bumper caps are held by (3) of those black pop in expansion clips. Of course I had to wash and wax the Tacoma to prepare for its departure.



2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
MODERATOR
2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Rolling bridge jacks
Optional 7,000-pound capacity rolling jacks (model RJ-7) make a great addition to increase service capacity. RJ-7 bridge jacks are used to raise the front or rear portion of a vehicle off the runways allowing operators to perform efficient wheel and brake service. A pair of jacks allows the entire vehicle to elevated. Each jack has telescoping arms and frame contact pads that can be extended over the runways and positioned under vehicle lifting points. Telescoping rail supports accommodate adjustable runways for different tread widths. Each jack features three safety-lock positions and stackable truck and van adapters for increased lifting height and better access to frame contact points on high ground-clearance vehicles. The jacks come equipped with a commercial grade air-hydraulic pump requiring a maximum pressure of 125 PSI and 10-20 CFM.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My Son already has plans to cut out the existing concrete and dig out the dirt about 18 inches down, throw in stone and tamp it then install rebar and fill with high strength concrete. I doubt the patch will look like the existing floor but looks aren’t important, strength is. He’s also going to wait a month to let the concrete cure. He won’t be using whatever lift he buys for a good while. But he’s no worse off than he is now.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
As you suggest, the 4-post is for storage and the 2-post for work.
Even if the 4-post had adapters to raise the car off the tracks, you still have a good bit of structure interfering with access.
If I could have only one, it would be the 4-post, though. It is just much safer and no way I’d store a vehicle long-term on a 2-post.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Thanks for the feedback.
My Son has a friend in his current neighborhood who is also a car guy and he has a 4-post. Maybe because of that I think he’s leaning towards a 4-post job and he’ll live with doing brake work the old fashioned way. I’ll let you guys know how it goes but that is not going to happen quickly.
Thanks again.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Limited Velvet Red over Wicker Beige
2024 Audi Q5 Premium Plus Daytona Gray over Beige
2017 BMW X1 Jet Black over Mocha
You can always have the car on the 4 post at the height you want to work at, and jack it up slightly off the deck to get the wheel off, instead of doing it on the ground.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I guess he could talk to his buddy who has the 4-post as to how he does his brake work.
I’m going to suggest that he buys a 2-post also. He seems to have money for cars so getting a 2-post job shouldn’t be out of the question money wise. I’ll tell him @qbrozen has both types so it’s not the craziest thing to do.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
My local cars and coffee became a Porsche meet over the weekend. Didn’t know it until I got there.




25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
The psychedelic 356 is cool.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
However.... The 2015-2019 Outbacks were a solid choice on the visuals. They all had the FB25 4-liter engine, unless, like yours, you sprung for top-end 3.6L H6. All were CVTs, which is not a bad thing (If you want an automatic anyway). Foresters also were FB25 w/ CVT. More recent Outbacks use the FA24 block on turbo models. Turbos always require higher attention to the maintenance, but otherwise haven't proven at all unreliable in the Subaru lineup. The Ascent, 2019+, also uses the turbo FA24 block.
Foresters are FB25 2012+ (2012/13 are the only years of FB25 + 4EAT for any Subaru). In 2014+, the transmissions were CVT for auto and 6-speed manual, so that's a benefit it you want a manual transmission. 2019-2023 is probably the most moderately styled of the 2014+ Foresters, if that is a consideration.
Crosstreks are also a solid option with non-polarizing style throughout the history (2013+). Always FB25 engines, six-speed manuals, and CVT. Space is really good for passengers, but otherwise extremely limited. 2018+ Crosstreks also have electric power steering, which takes one fluid out of the equation that tends to get neglected.
Frankly, I don't think that any Subaru is higher risk than any other make vehicle, but the F blocks (versus E blocks) are definitely a stark improvement in head gasket reliability. Also, and this may be a plus or minus depending on the buyer.... the newer the Subaru and higher in the model lineup, the higher the nanny-count. So, Ascent and Outback are big on "Eyesight" while Forester and Crosstrek (also Impreza) were slower to proliferate throughout the lineup as standard equipment. Many people love that feature, but it does mean vastly more expensive windshield replacements, when necessary.
Just so happens that I was at a shopping center today and an old geezer was backing into a parking spot next to me (I think it took him at least 4 tries). I sat in my car until he was in just to make sure he didn’t hit my car, he didn’t. Anyway, when I returned to my car I saw that it was an Outback and it was so old (no rust, must have lived in Florida) that it didn’t have the CUV look of the Outback’s today. It looked liked a typical 4 door sedan. Obviously an old generation. How old would you say that car is?
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
The sedan was available from 1994-2009 (spanning 3 generations) as a version along with the wagon.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Anyway, good to see some familiar names.
After about 10 months with the X3 M40i, which has a delicious powertrain, it just wasn't quite me, and I recently traded the plain white Bimmer for a '18 Macan Turbo in Beautiful Blue with Beige interior. The top of the interior is black, including alcantara headliner, which isn't as nice of a combo as brown/beige on Porsche's, but the deal was right. Oddly optioned: Has Stainless Steel look skid plates front and rear that go GREAT with the blue, aluminum roof rails, 21" wheels, LED headlights are highlights (not common upgrade back in '18 on these), but then on the flip side of the coin no panoramic moonroof (this I don't mind as I have tons of headroom now), but no air ride, no ride height adj, no exhaust valve button for sweet sounds, no Chrono, no air conditioned seats.
Of major note is the higher mile '21 BMW was modern in everyway, and I drove it, but not a lot as my commute has diminished a lot, so traded at 71K miles. A dealership in Escondido, CA is trying to make $4,900 on the trade as we speak.
The Macan Turbo is the last model year of the big 3.6 twin turbo V6 7-speed PDK combo. It's effortless, and while rated with 18 or 19 more horses than the BMW, that's not the reason for the switch.
Main upgrades are interior comfort, interior quality, seat comfort/fit/ergonomics, a good 2 notch upgrade on handling (no air ride or ride height adjustment in mine
Oh yeah, while 3 years older than the BMW, the Macan I nabbed was a garage queen. Super clean like-new and with only 18,xxx miles on it.
And the Porsche fits my personality and tastes for more quality better than the BMW being an Audi guy. I'm not an Audi guy because I like the name or rings, I just tend to like what they do with their cars (usually - less lately). Porsche fits the bill where Audi has been faltering in recent models.
And people saying it's an Audi underneath doesn't bother me at all. The Q5 is an excellent chassis and vehicle. It's just a vehicle in search of potentially better engines and transmissions, and Porsche has done that with the Macan. I don't mind the sometimes low speed clunkiness of the PDK. Trophy Soccer Mom Wives may have been the demographic when new at $85k-$110K new, but now enthusiasts that need a bit of room in a vehicle should take a close look at these; you can get them at reasonable prices now if your OK with some older tech.
BMW's collision/parking sensors worked better and were less annoying (less sensitive and don't go off as long when your not moving anymore). BMW's parking overhead and rear view cams are better, clearer, more resolution, and more precise. BMW made way more exhaust noise. BMW also let in more wind and other noise though. BMW seemed like a 1,000 pieces put together (Not poorly) in USA, the Macan makes all parts and pieces feel like they are all welded together in Germany to exist as one 4,400 lb. piece.
"Cleanest nicest S4 you'll ever find for sale, it's rebuilt, not salvaged."
Let me know if you are interested in this! I would think the cleanest nicest S4 would be one that wasn't wrecked, but maybe that's just me asking for too much.
You better hurry up. He knows what he’s got.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
Congrats on the Macan Turbo punch! The stainless trim on the dark blue looks great. There is also a private Porsche owners chat with @breld , @kyfdx , and @tifighter that you can join for a monthly subscription fee.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
^ you must be current on your dues in order to be eligible.
@andres3 - I think Porsche designs and builds the “Turbo” model 1st and then reverse engineers the S and base models vehicles. BMW on the other hand seems like they build the “30i & M40i” variants 1st, then add the high performance bits to make the full blown ///M car.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The second generation Outback was 2000-2004, and it has a fairly angular look, while the 1996-1999 Outback was very much 1990s with a sleeker, rounded appearance, with long, narrow headlights versus the boxy appearance of the later generation. They both had a two-tone color scheme.
Edit: Ah, it appears that the Outback option for the sedan persisted into the early 2007 model year, as did the Legacy wagon. It was the Legacy wagon XT (turbo) that was discontinued in 2005. So, there is a chance that it was a third generation Outback, which was normally seen in a single color, but could not have been newer than 2007.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
"I'm gonna need you to go ahead and come in tomorrow. So if you could be here around 9, that would be great, mmmk... oh oh! and I almost forgot ahh, I'm also gonna need you to go ahead and come in on Sunday too, kay."
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Thanks for the info.
That was a pretty good explanation. So much so it was more than I wanted to know. I hope no one in here expects me to repeat what you just posted without a cheat-sheet.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
The bumper sticker that read, “Don’t Hook Here” must have fallen off.
jmonroe
'18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
The complicated tech is a big reason I doubt we will change to a new German car. My wife will never figure it out.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible