Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

tjc78 · October 1

@Kirstie_H said:
Sorry for the downtime - I had to change a setting, and inadvertently toggled one so that members could ADD a discussion, but members couldn't actually VIEW discussions. Dumb setting interface, but my bad for not noticing.

Ahh it was you!!!! lol I texted @Michaell and asked what was going on!

sda · October 1

Hey guys, too many falls lately! Knock it off! Glad everyone is ok, but enough already!

explorerx4 · October 1

@Kirstie_H
Glad it wasn't some big spam attack.

ab348 · October 1

My use case is ideal for an EV and I can see myself in one when I decide it’s time to move on from the Cadillac. The need to have a charger installed in the garage is not an issue. The real problem is the cost of the EV itself. I have a hard time understanding why they cost what they do given they are far less complex than an IC vehicle.

Michaell · October 1

ab348 said:
My use case is ideal for an EV and I can see myself in one when I decide it’s time to move on from the Cadillac. The need to have a charger installed in the garage is not an issue. The real problem is the cost of the EV itself. I have a hard time understanding why they cost what they do given they are far less complex than an IC vehicle.

Could you buy used? It seems to me that most used EVs have far fewer miles on them than an ICE vehicle.

nyccarguy · October 1

@stickguy

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

laurasdada · October 1

@stickguy Glad it wasn't worse than it sounds, quick recovery.
And, perhaps, an incident as such should have you thinking of retiring sooner than later. Whilst you are young, mobile and healthy enough to enjoy it.

I'm now in month 6 of well-earned bummery, I highly recommend it.

explorerx4 · October 1

I think it;s more of a New York thing.
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=stranger+uses+car+charger&mid=C36768ED463377C7B741C36768ED463377C7B741&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VIRE

stickguy · October 1

laurasdada said:
@stickguy Glad it wasn't worse than it sounds, quick recovery.
And, perhaps, an incident as such should have you thinking of retiring sooner than later. Whilst you are young, mobile and healthy enough to enjoy it.

I'm now in month 6 of well-earned bummery, I highly recommend it.

a reminder that things can change quickly! But this along with the work stress my wife is getting this year (we both are in jobs that have year-end implementation busy seasons) and how busy I am, pretty much cemented that we are hanging on for year-end bonuses next spring and retiring mid-summer before busy time starts again. Just have to figure out health coverage for the 11 months or so before we turn 65,

laurasdada · October 1

stickguy said:

laurasdada said:
@stickguy Glad it wasn't worse than it sounds, quick recovery.
And, perhaps, an incident as such should have you thinking of retiring sooner than later. Whilst you are young, mobile and healthy enough to enjoy it.

I'm now in month 6 of well-earned bummery, I highly recommend it.
a reminder that things can change quickly! But this along with the work stress my wife is getting this year (we both are in jobs that have year-end implementation busy seasons) and how busy I am, pretty much cemented that we are hanging on for year-end bonuses next spring and retiring mid-summer before busy time starts again. Just have to figure out health coverage for the 11 months or so before we turn 65,

COBRA, that's carrying my wife to near Medicare time. We'll have to figure out a bridge to her Medicare eligibility after COBRA.
My timing was good, retired after collecting '24 bonus (and my company paid me a pro-rated '25 bonus, who knew!?) and filed for Medicare immediately. I'm lucky enough to have a decently funded HSA, too.

corvette · October 1

Supposedly, we’re getting some type of bonus structure next year. It’s a good thing they didn’t ask me, I thought we were already paid pretty well! Just call me Scrooge.

stickguy · October 1

COBRA is certainly an option. An expensive one, but for 10 months or so, manageable. There is also the ACA exchange (if it still exists), and we can get retiree medical which I have not priced recently but I think is a bit cheaper than COBRA. Just something to have to deal with looking into.

amazing how much not having universal health care impacts decisions around working (changing jobs, retiring, working for yourself)

kyfdx · October 1

stickguy said:
COBRA is certainly an option. An expensive one, but for 10 months or so, manageable. There is also the ACA exchange (if it still exists), and we can get retiree medical which I have not priced recently but I think is a bit cheaper than COBRA. Just something to have to deal with looking into.

amazing how much not having universal health care impacts decisions around working (changing jobs, retiring, working for yourself)

COBRA is generally per person. So, without kids, not terrible.

venture · October 1

stickguy said:
COBRA is certainly an option. An expensive one, but for 10 months or so, manageable. There is also the ACA exchange (if it still exists), and we can get retiree medical which I have not priced recently but I think is a bit cheaper than COBRA. Just something to have to deal with looking into.

amazing how much not having universal health care impacts decisions around working (changing jobs, retiring, working for yourself)

Hesitate just a little and 11 months will have passed.

imidazol97 · October 2

@stickguy
Get well quick. Sorry I'm so slow.
Hope you can determine what caused the fall. I'm right there with you.

benjaminh · October 2

Yesterday morning glancing at the dash I noticed that one of the tires in my TLX had a cold psi of 29, while the others were at 30. Since they're supposed to be 32 cold I popped over to the nearby Costco, which has best tire inflators imho. You first set what you want it to fill up to, 34 psi or whatever, and then in increments of one psi it fills your tire up to that, and then there's a tone when you've reached what you've set it for.

When I got my Crossclimate 2 tires at Costco four years ago they seemed maybe a bit heavy duty for conditions here, since snowfall is only for a few months out of the year in Louisville. But I've been grateful whenever there is snow, and these tires are good in all conditions. I also noticed that the tires were "extra load," meaning they could carry more weight, which seemingly means they're also more resistant to a blow-out. Since the engineers at Acura put into my car a fix-a-flat kit rather than a spare, that seemed like a good thing. Once in a while I have hit a significant pothole (although I try to miss them when it's safe to do so) and I'm grateful when that happens for these heavy duty tires.

Weight rating for this tire is 101, which apparently translates to about 1800 pounds on each tire, compared to three or four hundred pounds less for a standard tire.

Anyway, it's a bit tricky to estimate how the warm psi will translate into cold, but this time I decided on 35 psi. Might be a little high? idk. But soon temps will drop below freezing at night and I still want tires at 32 psi even then. Also these CC2 tires are rated for up to 50 psi.

tjc78 · October 2

Wawa has those inflators. They work great.

stickguy · October 2

My A spec TLX had the 40 series 19” tires. I actually bought the accessories spare tire kit and had the dealer put it in when I got the car. The well is already there for it.

graphicguy · October 2

nyccarguy said:
@stickguy

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

I 2nd that!

laurasdada · October 2

Costco is my church.

tjc78 · October 2

I so wish we would get one near my house. The closest one is 15 miles away and the ride there stinks. We still have BJs although it is probably not worth keeping as we only go there occasionally. Truth be told per unit prices at Walmart are within pennies most times.

andres3 · October 2

tjc78 said:
I so wish we would get one near my house. The closest one is 15 miles away and the ride there stinks. We still have BJs although it is probably not worth keeping as we only go there occasionally. Truth be told per unit prices at Walmart are within pennies most times.

Yeah, but at Costco you get 2% off with their credit card and an additional 2% if you get the Executive membership.

stickguy · October 2

They are building a new Costco (first one anywheres near here) about 15 minutes from us. Actually about a mile or 2 from the nearest BJs. Costco is going to be a zoo. We still pay for BJs and go occasionally but I doubt we get our moneys worth out of it.

laurasdada · October 2

I've got 3 Costcos within 50 miles, but a local BJs. Rumor is there will be a Costco built in our town!

So, I only go to Costco when it's on the way to/from a longer destination.
They've built a new one in my former MA hometown which hasn't been well-advertised yet. In fact, the store sign just went up on Main St. a short time ago (not visible from the road, at the end of a new commercial development road. More stores to come). That's the one I now frequent most, I've yet to see it Costco-crowded, even on a Saturday.

laurasdada · October 2

And speaking of dishwashers, giving up on the Covid-era GE Profile after 3 years and many builder visits to try and get it to actually wash dishes.

Recently it wouldn't fill, I fiddled with it, not the lines as water was getting to the valve/pump so a sensor or pump. Paid a dude $175 to come look at it, he did kinda the same thing I did and it worked. Of course. For a while. Then the soap dish lid wouldn't open. I fiddled with it, ran diagnostic tests, cleaned the soap dispenser and said a prayer. It worked, for a while. Wife called me while I was away noting it's not working again. Came home, rinsed, lathered, repeated and it worked, for a while.

We said we'd give it that one repairdude visit, if it continues to mock us, we'd replace rather than throwing more $ at it. So now comparing KitchenAid and Bosch washers. Where to buy, a couple of good local stores/chains; Costco, Home Depot...

I have to figure out how to remove the old for haul away, I haven't yet reviewed that. Hope my hands don't bleed as much as the first time I tried to exorcise the demon.

suydam · October 2

Don’t forget the auto deals with Costco! We got $1000 off with both the Volt and the Blazer EV.

corvette · October 2

@laurasdada - I'm a big fan of Bosch dishwashers.

kyfdx · October 2

Ditto on Bosch. Ours is 14 yrs old

tjc78 · October 2

laurasdada said:
And speaking of dishwashers, giving up on the Covid-era GE Profile after 3 years and many builder visits to try and get it to actually wash dishes.

Recently it wouldn't fill, I fiddled with it, not the lines as water was getting to the valve/pump so a sensor or pump. Paid a dude $175 to come look at it, he did kinda the same thing I did and it worked. Of course. For a while. Then the soap dish lid wouldn't open. I fiddled with it, ran diagnostic tests, cleaned the soap dispenser and said a prayer. It worked, for a while. Wife called me while I was away noting it's not working again. Came home, rinsed, lathered, repeated and it worked, for a while.

We said we'd give it that one repairdude visit, if it continues to mock us, we'd replace rather than throwing more $ at it. So now comparing KitchenAid and Bosch washers. Where to buy, a couple of good local stores/chains; Costco, Home Depot...

I have to figure out how to remove the old for haul away, I haven't yet reviewed that. Hope my hands don't bleed as much as the first time I tried to exorcise the demon.

We have a Kitchen Aid - it is an upper line model that was about $1300 or so in 2021. It cleans wonderfully, but it takes forever (as most do now). Early on it was part of a known problem with the heating element seals. KA stepped up and fixed it for free out of warranty. I just noticed recently that it isn't as quiet as it used to be. When it was new it barely audible, now you can hear the motor/pump running. Not loud by any means, but I suppose something is worn underneath.

suydam · October 2

We have a Bosch. Love it. I think it’s 8 years old now.

roadburner · October 2

benjaminh said:
Yesterday morning glancing at the dash I noticed that one of the tires in my TLX had a cold psi of 29, while the others were at 30. Since they're supposed to be 32 cold I popped over to the nearby Costco, which has best tire inflators imho. You first set what you want it to fill up to, 34 psi or whatever, and then in increments of one psi it fills your tire up to that, and then there's a tone when you've reached what you've set it for.

When I got my Crossclimate 2 tires at Costco four years ago they seemed maybe a bit heavy duty for conditions here, since snowfall is only for a few months out of the year in Louisville. But I've been grateful whenever there is snow, and these tires are good in all conditions. I also noticed that the tires were "extra load," meaning they could carry more weight, which seemingly means they're also more resistant to a blow-out. Since the engineers at Acura put into my car a fix-a-flat kit rather than a spare, that seemed like a good thing. Once in a while I have hit a significant pothole (although I try to miss them when it's safe to do so) and I'm grateful when that happens for these heavy duty tires.

Weight rating for this tire is 101, which apparently translates to about 1800 pounds on each tire, compared to three or four hundred pounds less for a standard tire.

Anyway, it's a bit tricky to estimate how the warm psi will translate into cold, but this time I decided on 35 psi. Might be a little high? idk. But soon temps will drop below freezing at night and I still want tires at 32 psi even then. Also these CC2 tires are rated for up to 50 psi.

How does temperature affect tire air pressure?

laurasdada · October 2

Eternal (dishwasher) question, do they build them like they used to?

kyfdx · October 2

laurasdada said:
Eternal (dishwasher) question, do they build them like they used to?

Better

tjc78 · October 2

They work better and use less energy but they take longer for a cycle and from what I've seen don't last as long.

28firefighter · October 2

@tjc78 said:
They work better and use less energy but they take longer for a cycle and from what I've seen don't last as long.

That’s what she said?

explorerx4 · October 2

Sometimes fortune smiles on you.
I ordered an 8 pack of fencetop solar lights and that's what I got billed for but a 16 pack was delivered.

They are a cheap light so they last maybe 2 years but they look good before they fail.

kyfdx · October 2

tjc78 said:
They work better and use less energy but they take longer for a cycle and from what I've seen don't last as long.

It’s hard to be efficient with water and energy, without lengthening cycles.

Fortunately, most are so quiet, it doesn’t matter

andres3 · October 2

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:
They work better and use less energy but they take longer for a cycle and from what I've seen don't last as long.
It’s hard to be efficient with water and energy, without lengthening cycles.

Fortunately, most are so quiet, it doesn’t matter

My wife insists on using the "faster" cycle for the new washer, is she circumventing efficiency or is our clothes just not getting washed as well?

laurasdada · October 2

Stopped by Home Depot after early bird dinner to window shop.
Nice, older salesman directed us to a Whirlpool, 41 dba! Nice top/3rd rack, too. (That's what he said)

Of course, Kitchen Aid and Maytag are also Whirlpool umbrella. He also said that LG actually made a decent dishwasher.

explorerx4 · October 2

Our LG DW is pretty quiet. Wash/dry cycle does take over 2 hours.
Went look at new appliances in the spring with one of my kids, they didn't buy anything.
Gut at one place said LG has a quicker cycle, but it didn't work our 2022 model.

oldfarmer50 · October 2

explorerx4 said:
I think it;s more of a New York thing.
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=stranger+uses+car+charger&mid=C36768ED463377C7B741C36768ED463377C7B741&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VIRE

Unfortunately, peak entitlement is not limited to NY.🥲

oldfarmer50 · October 2

tjc78 said:
I so wish we would get one near my house. The closest one is 15 miles away and the ride there stinks. We still have BJs although it is probably not worth keeping as we only go there occasionally. Truth be told per unit prices at Walmart are within pennies most times.

I was never impressed with BJ’s and so I used Sam’s Club for years. But now that they are going to refuse use of cash I can’t wait to join the Costco currently under construction. I’ll gladly drive an extra few miles on general principle since I don’t patronize business that don’t take cash.

xwesx · October 2

roadburner said:

How does temperature affect tire air pressure?

35 PSI is my default pressure for passenger vehicles. If I'm running something like a heavy duty pickup, which has load range E tires (max cold PSI is 80 vs 44-50 PSI for typical passenger tires), then I will run 55 default. If I am hauling a lot of weight, like with the Crosstrek now as we head home to Alaska, then I will put max PSI in the rear while keeping 35 PSI front. In this case, it is 44 PSI rear.

Oh, speaking of road trip, I should probably post a few photos on the appropriate thread. If I can manage it.

kyfdx · October 2

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:
They work better and use less energy but they take longer for a cycle and from what I've seen don't last as long.
It’s hard to be efficient with water and energy, without lengthening cycles.

Fortunately, most are so quiet, it doesn’t matter
My wife insists on using the "faster" cycle for the new washer, is she circumventing efficiency or is our clothes just not getting washed as well?

I think the problem is with putting clothes in the dishwasher.

Seriously, look at the owners manual.

corvette · October 2

@andres3 - is this a dishwasher or washing machine? On the Bosch dishwasher I have, I have notes because I've done some unscientific studies. The delicate cycle uses the least amount of water and electricity and will get most loads, even larger ones, clean so long as there are not heavy soils. The wash water is heated to 120+ degrees, etc. Heavy, Auto, and Speed60 tend to use the highest amounts of water and electricity. "Normal" (which is not the default option, Auto is), is somewhere between delicate and the others in terms of energy usage. The rinse-only cycle does not heat water and doesn't use a detectable amount of energy on my equipment. CR likes the Great Value lemon scented liquid detergent, and slightly more than a tablespoon (just above the 15ml mark on the bin) seems to be enough for my average use case.

Washing machine - on the high efficiency LG top loader I have, I select "deep wash" to get a decent amount of water in the tub on both the wash and rinse cycle. I sometimes use an extra rinse. Some of the cycles use a spray rinse by default. It seems pretty powerful, and it might work, but I'm more comfortable when it's the second rinse, after the tub fills with some water and has drained after the first rinse. On the Speed Queen, you have to select "Heavy Duty" to avoid the spray rinse of the "Normal/Eco" cycle, which is more of a waterfall than a spray. I bet I'd be itchy from the detergent if I used the "Normal/Eco" cycle. It seems to have gotten more expensive recently, and may not be such a big cost savings, but 1-2 tablespoons of Tide powder is plenty for most of my loads, so long as I pretreat stains. Tide liquid is also good--see the CR rankings for which flavor to buy.

andres3 · October 2

corvette said:
@andres3 - is this a dishwasher or washing machine? On the Bosch dishwasher I have, I have notes because I've done some unscientific studies. The delicate cycle uses the least amount of water and electricity and will get most loads, even larger ones, clean so long as there are not heavy soils. The wash water is heated to 120+ degrees, etc. Heavy, Auto, and Speed60 tend to use the highest amounts of water and electricity. "Normal" (which is not the default option, Auto is), is somewhere between delicate and the others in terms of energy usage. The rinse-only cycle does not heat water and doesn't use a detectable amount of energy on my equipment. CR likes the Great Value lemon scented liquid detergent, and slightly more than a tablespoon (just above the 15ml mark on the bin) seems to be enough for my average use case.

Washing machine - on the high efficiency LG top loader I have, I select "deep wash" to get a decent amount of water in the tub on both the wash and rinse cycle. I sometimes use an extra rinse. Some of the cycles use a spray rinse by default. It seems pretty powerful, and it might work, but I'm more comfortable when it's the second rinse, after the tub fills with some water and has drained after the first rinse. On the Speed Queen, you have to select "Heavy Duty" to avoid the spray rinse of the "Normal/Eco" cycle, which is more of a waterfall than a spray. I bet I'd be itchy from the detergent if I used the "Normal/Eco" cycle. It seems to have gotten more expensive recently, and may not be such a big cost savings, but 1-2 tablespoons of Tide powder is plenty for most of my loads, so long as I pretreat stains. Tide liquid is also good--see the CR rankings for which flavor to buy.

was referring to a recent model LG front load washer / dryer combo we recently purchased. We stacked them to take up less room in our small garage.

corvette · October 2

I like front load washers. I think they use very little water, even in the highest usage settings. My top-load HE LG washer failed to wash blankets (and sometimes sheets) due to detecting an out of balance condition. Not sure whether that is an issue on the current front loaders.

stickguy · October 2

we bought new machines for the new house, and got a front load again after having a top load at the old house. Because my wife couldn't reach the bottom of a large top loader. and wanted the pedestal under the front load.

roadburner · October 2

xwesx said:

roadburner said:

How does temperature affect tire air pressure?

35 PSI is my default pressure for passenger vehicles. If I'm running something like a heavy duty pickup, which has load range E tires (max cold PSI is 80 vs 44-50 PSI for typical passenger tires), then I will run 55 default. If I am hauling a lot of weight, like with the Crosstrek now as we head home to Alaska, then I will put max PSI in the rear while keeping 35 PSI front. In this case, it is 44 PSI rear.

Oh, speaking of road trip, I should probably post a few photos on the appropriate thread. If I can manage it.

The German side combined with a healthy dose of OCD compels me to set the tire pressure according to the OM. The C43 gets hire front pressures (to reduce understeer) while the Club Sport gets higher rear pressures (to increase understeer). I do play around with different pressures on the track, however.

tjc78 · October 3

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:
They work better and use less energy but they take longer for a cycle and from what I've seen don't last as long.
It’s hard to be efficient with water and energy, without lengthening cycles.

Fortunately, most are so quiet, it doesn’t matter

Agreed - I'd say most people run them later in the evening anyway so the timing doesn't really matter as it is finished in the morning. Where I get frustrated is when we are entertaining and I'd like to wash all the prep stuff and then empty and put in the dishes after dinner. Many times I'll just do the quick wash and throw the pod the tub to ensure it completely washes away with the quick cycle.

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