Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

suydam · October 12

tjc78 said:
Crying here in NJ …..

And in California . . .
But I wouldn’t trade living here for anywhere else! If you love where you live that’s the important thing.

roadburner · October 12

A few more comments on the M Intensive school...
I still don't like the touchscreen in any of the M cars. It is the textbook definition of non-intuitive; most every function is buried in a submenu.

The instructors were great. They knew what we were there for. On the road course we were told, "When you get on the front or back straight put your foot to the floor and DO NOT LIFT until you reach the braking marker. At that point FULLY apply the brakes until you have slowed enough to turn in to the next corner."

All of the cars performed flawlessly; the only heads-up we were given was to pull into the pits if the brake lining light illuminated. I never saw the oil temperature exceed 210F in any of the cars.

As brutally competent as all the cars were, I'm still perfectly content with my C43.

nyccarguy · October 12

@suydam said:
And in California . . .
But I wouldn’t trade living here for anywhere else! If you love where you live that’s the important thing.

Here in Fairfield county, CT too. By next year I’ll be up to $1000 per month in property taxes for my home. Plus the tax bill I get from my city every year for the cars.

stickguy · October 12

the only non-sales tax in NY is the house property taxes. most of that is school tax. The other property taxes (town, county, fire, library, etc.) is maybe $1k/year I think. still high, but at least we get good schools! No personal property tax on cars, and the DMV stuff (registration/inspection, even dealer doc fees) are pretty low.

oldfarmer50 · October 12

ab348 said:

graphicguy said:

explorerx4 said:
GM wants to harvest your info instead of it going to Apple or Google.
Talk about a company who can't seem to make up their mind what they want to do. Just saw the new Bolt will have wireless Car Play and Android Auto. But, the way more expensive Blazer EV/Equinox EV...no CarPlay for you. Someone at Chevy can't make up their minds. Or, they realized it was a mistake and are reversing course.
I’m really stumped by what use GM would have for knowing an owner prefers to go to Wendy’s over McD’s, but I’m sure they have such diabolical plans that it is beyond us mere mortals.

The reviews I’ve seen of the new version of the Bolt said that it does not have CarPlay/AA just like other GM EVs do not.

I think they aggregate all data collected on you and develop a profile. Much of it just generates spam ads but check out “surveillance pricing” if you really want to get paranoid.

laurasdada · October 12

5 figure property taxes here in America's Hometown. Income tax, sales tax, excise tax and, of course, blinker tax.
Still a lovely place in which we live.
I did love paying prices on items and food that were the net prices in no-sales-tax Delaware though.

oldfarmer50 · 1:43AM

laurasdada said:
5 figure property taxes here in America's Hometown. Income tax, sales tax, excise tax and, of course, blinker tax.
Still a lovely place in which we live.
I did love paying prices on items and food that were the net prices in no-sales-tax Delaware though.

In Vermont they have some interesting ad ons to your restaurant bill. In Burlington we got hit with a “kitchen tax” and at another place they charged a credit card surcharge even if you paid cash.😫

ab348 · 4:45AM

Those sound like Bernie taxes.

kyfdx · 4:56AM

ab348 said:
Those sound like Bernie taxes.

Pretty sure that US Senators can't impose taxes, even in their home state.

corvette · 6:57AM

On one of my trips to Chicago, I got charged $3 for an ice cube in my old fashioned. It was a good thing our server was inattentive and didn't come by to ask whether I wanted a second drink.

nyccarguy · 7:10AM

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:
5 figure property taxes here in America's Hometown. Income tax, sales tax, excise tax and, of course, blinker tax.
Still a lovely place in which we live.
I did love paying prices on items and food that were the net prices in no-sales-tax Delaware though.
In Vermont they have some interesting ad ons to your restaurant bill. In Burlington we got hit with a “kitchen tax” and at another place they charged a credit card surcharge even if you paid cash.😫

My friend that lives in FL told me something about a "kitchen tax." I believe it was itemized on the bill as a "food preparation fee." He said: "this is the reason I come to a restaurant! So you will make the food for me." He's also in the restaurant business.

There is a "trendy" bagel store from NYC that opened up a location in Greenwich. Trendy means they charge an absurd amount of money. $21 for 6 bagels (yes that is $42 per dozen math majors) and a tub of butter of cream cheese. Trendy also means that the bagels are smaller. My daughter swears she likes these bagels better than our regular bagel place which makes outstanding bagels. So I humor her once or twice a month and get them for her. They make the bagels in small batches. A few times I've had to sit and wait for them to make more everything bagels. Now you can order online, but you can only do that for a dozen bagels or more. So Sunday morning I call up and say I'd like to order 6 everything bagels. I'm coming from Stamford (the next town up) and it takes me about 15 minutes to get there. "i'm sorry sir. We can't take orders over the phone." Really? "but we do have plenty of everything bagels ready to go and it isn't busy at the moment." Ok. Fair enough. I drive, order my 6 everything bagels. It is the last 6 they have left. I ask the woman behind the counter, "what is so difficult about taking orders over the phone?" "We don't take orders over the phone" in a very nasty and arrogant tone and walked away. They obviously don't need my buisness. Rant over. Back to Chronic Car Buying (or looking or shopping).

au1994 · 7:33AM

I'll not go off on the tipping culture but...I pull up to the car wash Saturday, select my wash and the attendant comes over to try to sell me "The Plan" for unlimited washes. I decline and pay and of course there is an option to tip...for what?? Its just a tunnel wash with free vacuums.

Pre Covid they offered a full service wash where they would vacuum and clean the interior and I would always tip those guys cash for their work. That service never came back after Covid.

au1994 · 7:34AM

nyccarguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:
5 figure property taxes here in America's Hometown. Income tax, sales tax, excise tax and, of course, blinker tax.
Still a lovely place in which we live.
I did love paying prices on items and food that were the net prices in no-sales-tax Delaware though.
In Vermont they have some interesting ad ons to your restaurant bill. In Burlington we got hit with a “kitchen tax” and at another place they charged a credit card surcharge even if you paid cash.😫
My friend that lives in FL told me something about a "kitchen tax." I believe it was itemized on the bill as a "food preparation fee." He said: "this is the reason I come to a restaurant! So you will make the food for me." He's also in the restaurant business.

There is a "trendy" bagel store from NYC that opened up a location in Greenwich. Trendy means they charge an absurd amount of money. $21 for 6 bagels (yes that is $42 per dozen math majors) and a tub of butter of cream cheese. Trendy also means that the bagels are smaller. My daughter swears she likes these bagels better than our regular bagel place which makes outstanding bagels. So I humor her once or twice a month and get them for her. They make the bagels in small batches. A few times I've had to sit and wait for them to make more everything bagels. Now you can order online, but you can only do that for a dozen bagels or more. So Sunday morning I call up and say I'd like to order 6 everything bagels. I'm coming from Stamford (the next town up) and it takes me about 15 minutes to get there. "i'm sorry sir. We can't take orders over the phone." Really? "but we do have plenty of everything bagels ready to go and it isn't busy at the moment." Ok. Fair enough. I drive, order my 6 everything bagels. It is the last 6 they have left. I ask the woman behind the counter, "what is so difficult about taking orders over the phone?" "We don't take orders over the phone" in a very nasty and arrogant tone and walked away. They obviously don't need my buisness. Rant over. Back to Chronic Car Buying (or looking or shopping).

Customer service is truly a lost art. A lot has been automated for the sake of automating because I really don't think its reduced any overhead.

breld · 7:48AM

@roadburner - thanks for sharing your BMW Performance School experience.

Question for you...in your opinion then, would a 230i xdrive with M Sport and Dynamic Handling Package be suitable for the occasional, casual track day? Asking for a friend.

Also very curious (and this is for anyone who has track experience)...given how quick modern automatics shift, do you have a preference for manual vs automatic on a track? In my extremely limited experience, I was surprised to find the manual was more distracting than anything, given I was pretty much in 3rd or 4th the entire time. I realized I enjoy driving a manual around town more than anything.

breld · 7:51AM

I've had an i4 xdrive40 as a loaner all weekend, as the A/C has not been operating correctly in my i5.

I prefer the extra room, smoothness and overall nicer interior of my i5, but the i4 is a nice vehicle. Much more nimble than my i5, which is to be expected. I see quite a few around. Obviously there have been great lease deals, but it's a great option for someone wanting to try our an EV but appreciates the feel of a BMW 3/4 series.

Michaell · 8:03AM

breld said:
@roadburner - thanks for sharing your BMW Performance School experience.

Question for you...in your opinion then, would a 230i xdrive with M Sport and Dynamic Handling Package be suitable for the occasional, casual track day? Asking for a friend.

Also very curious (and this is for anyone who has track experience)...given how quick modern automatics shift, do you have a preference for manual vs automatic on a track? In my extremely limited experience, I was surprised to find the manual was more distracting than anything, given I was pretty much in 3rd or 4th the entire time. I realized I enjoy driving a manual around town more than anything.

Having done some supercar time behind the wheel at Pikes Peak Int'l Raceway (Ferrari, Audi R8, Lamborghini), I can tell you that an automatic is just fine. One less thing to worry about on the track (braking points, apexes, etc.).

nyccarguy · 9:06AM

au1994 said:
I'll not go off on the tipping culture but...I pull up to the car wash Saturday, select my wash and the attendant comes over to try to sell me "The Plan" for unlimited washes. I decline and pay and of course there is an option to tip...for what?? Its just a tunnel wash with free vacuums.

Pre Covid they offered a full service wash where they would vacuum and clean the interior and I would always tip those guys cash for their work. That service never came back after Covid.

Of course there was a place to add a tip at the bagel place too.

My best friend owns 2 restaurants and recently changed his point of sale computers. In addition to deliveries and sit down service, he also has a busy counter. The new computers are the ones you all have seen that ask if you want to leave a tip. The waiters/waitresses share their tips with the busboys, the delivery drivers keep their own tips, & any tips given at the counter are shared between the counter people and the kitchen staff. He is shocked when he does payroll every week when he sees how much the counter people/kitchen staff get.

I'm old school when it comes to tipping. At a sit down restaurant, 20% on the whole bill (including tax). If I get something delivered to my house, I tip the driver $5.

back to chronic car buying, shopping, & looking

kyfdx · 9:08AM

For the nerds out there... just bought tickets to see Rush, next September, in Cleveland.

stickguy · 9:09AM

I tipped the haircut lady at great clips $5 yesterday. I was feeling generous since I had a coupon for $11 off.

stickguy · 9:10AM

At this point I may never get another car. Too old and tired to deal with modern shopping. And right now to busy with work to even go look.

sda · 9:47AM

I got my haircut at Great Clips yesterday. Even with the over 65 discount, with tip it was $27. Not only did my hair get clipped!

jmonroe1 · 9:58AM

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:
5 figure property taxes here in America's Hometown. Income tax, sales tax, excise tax and, of course, blinker tax.
Still a lovely place in which we live.
I did love paying prices on items and food that were the net prices in no-sales-tax Delaware though.
In Vermont they have some interesting ad ons to your restaurant bill. In Burlington we got hit with a “kitchen tax” and at another place they charged a credit card surcharge even if you paid cash.😫

————————————————
When we went to Myrtle Beach the last time a couple years ago one restaurant had a “kitchen fee” on the bill. That was the first time I ever encountered that.

As for charging a “credit card surcharge” even when paying in cash that would have set me off to no end. I would pay in cash and tell them tough you know what and never go back. That is clearly beyond the limit as far as I’m concerned.

jmonroe

jmonroe1 · 10:14AM

nyccarguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:
5 figure property taxes here in America's Hometown. Income tax, sales tax, excise tax and, of course, blinker tax.
Still a lovely place in which we live.
I did love paying prices on items and food that were the net prices in no-sales-tax Delaware though.
In Vermont they have some interesting ad ons to your restaurant bill. In Burlington we got hit with a “kitchen tax” and at another place they charged a credit card surcharge even if you paid cash.😫
My friend that lives in FL told me something about a "kitchen tax." I believe it was itemized on the bill as a "food preparation fee." He said: "this is the reason I come to a restaurant! So you will make the food for me." He's also in the restaurant business.

There is a "trendy" bagel store from NYC that opened up a location in Greenwich. Trendy means they charge an absurd amount of money. $21 for 6 bagels (yes that is $42 per dozen math majors) and a tub of butter of cream cheese. Trendy also means that the bagels are smaller. My daughter swears she likes these bagels better than our regular bagel place which makes outstanding bagels. So I humor her once or twice a month and get them for her. They make the bagels in small batches. A few times I've had to sit and wait for them to make more everything bagels. Now you can order online, but you can only do that for a dozen bagels or more. So Sunday morning I call up and say I'd like to order 6 everything bagels. I'm coming from Stamford (the next town up) and it takes me about 15 minutes to get there. "i'm sorry sir. We can't take orders over the phone." Really? "but we do have plenty of everything bagels ready to go and it isn't busy at the moment." Ok. Fair enough. I drive, order my 6 everything bagels. It is the last 6 they have left. I ask the woman behind the counter, "what is so difficult about taking orders over the phone?" "We don't take orders over the phone" in a very nasty and arrogant tone and walked away. They obviously don't need my buisness. Rant over. Back to Chronic Car Buying (or looking or shopping).

————————————————
I like a good bagel as much if not more than the next guy but there ain’t no way in hell I’d pay 42 bucks for a dozen bagels or even 2 dozen bagels. I’d be forced to fall in love with the guy who makes bagels almost as good.

jmonroe

corvette · 11:20AM

I saw a targeted ad for the ID.Buzz, so decided to check the inventory of our three local VW dealers. There are eight in the area, with five of them being the better equipped (and more expensive) 1st Edition. Looks like there is $2,500 in bonus cash and the dealers are offering discounts of approximately $2,300 to $5,700.

At "final prices" (with discounts) of $56k to $69k, I suspect they are going to sit on the lots for some time.

tjc78 · 1:17PM

@sda said:
I got my haircut at Great Clips yesterday. Even with the over 65 discount, with tip it was $27. Not only did my hair get clipped!

It pays to do a buzz cut .. I do my own. Haven’t been to a barber in 25 years lol

ab348 · 2:11PM

Since I am probably 80-90% hairless, I can do it myself but I prefer going to the same guy I’ve gone to since 1982. I was dismayed to see last week when I visited that his price had gone up to $17 from $15 (I suspect that is his special bald rate). Didn’t matter much since I still gave him the usual worthless Canadian $20 bill.

andres3 · 2:55PM

jmonroe1 said:

roadburner said:

jmonroe1 said:

kyfdx said:

au1994 said:
My ZHP was not what you would consider quick off the line but once it got into the revs, it pulled and pulled and pulled some more. And made a great sound while doing it.
I’ve seen multiple videos of ZHPs doing an indicated 150+. That’s no joke, and out of my comfort range.
————————————————
@roadburner in his younger days.

jmonroe
The ti came with a ridiculous 116 mph speed governor; the Turner/Conforti removed it, but the best it can do is only 130 mph.
————————————————
That’s only 30 MPH above @andres3s wish list for posted speed limit signs.

jmonroe

Yes, but remember, I don't look at speed limits as speed mandates, and that you should always drive safely for conditions regardless of what the two black numbers on a white aluminum sign say. Therefore, while the Porsche's, Audi's, Mercedes, and BMW's may go 100 MPH that doesn't mean you should try that in your collector's Yugo.

andres3 · 3:09PM

I think enough people complained about dealership "advertising fees" I haven't seen that on my last few car transactions. Always felt that was just one step away from "electricity for the dealership lights fee."

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