Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

benjaminh · November 18

Michaell said:

@xwesx said:

Hahaha! I have not seen that show, but it sounds worthwhile...

I heartily recommend it. It has, by far, the best ending episode of any series my wife and I have ever watched.

Yes, Six Feet Under does have an epic last episode. Another one I like is All Good Things from the Star Trek: TNG. 30-second trailer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnZ6ynWyzNU

roadburner · November 19

DS9 is just about my favorite Star Trek series. The finale What You Leave Behind is outstanding.

andres3 · November 19

Los Angeles: Data Over Dogma

Before he became the NMA’s Executive Director of Policy, Jay Beeber helped lead one of the most consequential red-light camera shutdowns in the country. Working through Safer Streets L.A., he painstakingly analyzed Los Angeles crash data and proved what city officials would not admit.

Most tickets were not for dangerous red-light violations. They were for rolling right turns that rarely cause serious crashes.

Jay’s work also showed that:

• Camera-equipped intersections did not demonstrate credible safety improvements.
• Some crash types increased.
• Engineering fixes like lengthening yellow intervals were far more effective than cameras.

Jay testified repeatedly before the City Council, debunked vendor claims in public hearings, and helped residents fight tickets that lacked clear legal authority. In 2011, the Council voted unanimously to terminate the program.

Los Angeles did not abandon safety. It abandoned a system that could not justify itself.

snakeweasel · November 19

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:
Michael, the last house had a split compartment range oven. Cool idea since you can cook 2 things at the same time. Downside, can't cook anything really big (like a large turkey possibly). the top section was pretty short, but good for cookies I guess! Just not a lot of racks of them.
Wow, I’m impressed with the fancy cookware you rich guys have.

I’m just one step up from cooking on burning pallets in the back yard. When I replace my electric stove I got the cheapest I could find.
What about air fryers?

That begs the question, how do you fry air?

snakeweasel · November 19

explorerx4 said:
@stickguy,
You need a spark to make flame.

You can cause a flame through heat.

snakeweasel · November 19

andres3 said:
Was watching YouTube videos of what happens when a Nuclear war starts. You may need a fast car because things can get really bad within 30 minutes. Might want to avoid population centers.

Every time I hear of a simulation, I hear something similar. It never ends well. The only reason to have nukes is to scare the other side from even thinking about using their own.

When nuclear war starts run towards the blast. It will make your death less painful.

andres3 · November 19

Trial of the Century Traffic Court UPDATES!!!!!!

Breaking News!!!!!

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego is up to its usual malfeasance and/or negligent practices:

They have changed the charge from a false accusation of violating CA VC 22352 as written on the citation, to CA VC 22350 as written on the courtesy notice recently received with an appearance date by 01/28/26. Will the correct false allegation please stand up?
They never sent me a "change/correction" notice from the accusing party (Sheriff's Office in this case). The courtesy notice is my first indication the State was filing charges against me for VC 22350.
I am getting a notice to appear at the East County Division but I requested/demanded the County Seat as is my right and it was granted without resistance by the Sheriff that wrote the citation. The citation clearly indicates Central Division - Traffic as the correct venue. That is the ONLY venue I signed to agree to appear at.

Many years ago the Traffic Courts tried previously to make these deliberate/negligent "clerk/administrative" errors. My lawyer succeeded in having the 'failure to appear' thrown out (can't fail to appear somewhere you never agreed to appear at). Outstanding balances thrown out. Change of Venue motion granted (never should have been necessary in the first place). Trial was later had in the correct venue and charges dismissed due to lack of prosecution.

I predict similar results here, though I will not wait for "collections notices" and "license suspension" notices this time around. Will try and pre-empt the escalation by the Courts.

stickguy · November 20

Finally had the electrician come by and do my install. Took down 3 bedroom overhead lights and replaced with ceiling fans. And put one of the lights in our office to replace a plain bulb fixture we had roughed in as a place holder. 2 guys, done in an hour. And my neck and shoulders don’t hurt. A win win.

Confirmed for JM that the boxes were fan rated and extra blocking was built in already expecting that we would switch to fans eventually. Easy to know how it was roughed in since it was the same guy that wired the whole house when it was built.

jmonroe1 · November 20

@stickguy said:
Finally had the electrician come by and do my install. Took down 3 bedroom overhead lights and replaced with ceiling fans. And put one of the lights in our office to replace a plain bulb fixture we had roughed in as a place holder. 2 guys, done in an hour. And my neck and shoulders don’t hurt. A win win.

Confirmed for JM that the boxes were fan rated and extra blocking was built in already expecting that we would switch to fans eventually. Easy to know how it was roughed in since it was the same guy that wired the whole house when it was built.

——————————————————-
You gotta give the guy credit for having a good memory. Then again maybe that’s his pat answer for that subject.

jmonroe

snakeweasel · November 20

I saw this and thought you might like it.

stickguy · November 20

The guy did look into the box too so maybe that jogged his memory

explorerx4 · November 20

This car caught my eye because of the color combination.
First thought, It's not a real Shelby, which the seller admits.
Ad states the glove box is signed by CarrOl Shelby.
They could have at least spelled his first name correctly.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/187693872670?norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-160867-114178-3&mkcid=2&itemid=&targetid=&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=100226&poi=&campaignid=605813904&mkgroupid=1234752775382297&rlsatarget=pla-77172467640278&abcId=&merchantid=&msclkid=7a6697dd2b4d1474c3cefec29f4ff0a3

corvette · November 20

I like the color, as well. Surely, it can't be worth even half the BIN price?

oldfarmer50 · November 21

Thoughts?

https://youtube.com/shorts/ob26B-R39ik?si=bsmWqL0J3J7MT082

snakeweasel · November 21

@oldfarmer50 said:
Thoughts?

https://youtube.com/shorts/ob26B-R39ik?si=bsmWqL0J3J7MT082

It not only affects used cars but new cars as well. We have to mske sure right to reoair laws are enacted snd mske it so you have to opt into having your car share data.

jmonroe1 · November 21

@oldfarmer50 said:
Thoughts?

https://youtube.com/shorts/ob26B-R39ik?si=bsmWqL0J3J7MT082

——————————————————
It could well be a scare tactic to get clicks. I’ll wait to see this coming from a credible news source before I panic.

jmonroe

xwesx · November 21

It is definitely the direction that manufacturers are going. Granted, they've been trying to head this way for decades, which has been stymied to various degrees by prior law. But, with the newest tech, over-the--air updates, etc., that is certainly the trend, it becomes easier for them to quietly push the envelope on what is locked down or accessible to owners.

IIRC, "Rich Rebuilds" had several episodes years ago dedicated to discussing the challenges he had with Tesla vehicles that he put back on the road. Often, the physical part of making them functional again was the easiest... Tesla would pull shenanigans like locking down the vehicle (remotely) so that it couldn't use Superchargers, then fast charging, then charging at all, all under the guise of "safety." At the end of the day, though, they really just didn't want to have people out there keeping these cars on the road when not doing so might mean another sale to them.

Everything in the aftermarket does nothing for their pocketbooks.... (except that it actually does and they are just too short-sighted to see that). The modern corporation just cannot stand against shareholder expectations.

driver100 · November 24

oldfarmer50 said:
Thoughts?

https://youtube.com/shorts/ob26B-R39ik?si=bsmWqL0J3J7MT082

Companies are looking for ways to increase the bottom line and that is a way to do it. I don't like it because the dealers will really use this to charge more and make themselves the only option.
I only go about 5000 miles a year in the 2014 C250. If I go to the dealer for an oil change they will say I have to have an A or B service, they won't do just an oil change. Then they are after me for a cabin filter, wiper blades, alignment.....I have to fight them off. On top of that I'll be there for 3 or 4 hours since they overbook to make maximum revenue. The A or B service will be over $400, my indie guy did just an oil change for $200. It took just over an hour since he doesn't overbook. I was going to buy 4 tires for the E400, I left a message and Mercedes didn't call me back for a day, I called to the chain tire store and they told me if I came in by 9:30 they'd have 4 new tires on the car by noon.
The dealer used to be good and fast, now the independents suit me better.

driver100 · November 24

A lot of people like this commercial for Progressive. I could watch it over and over again!

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

graphicguy · November 25

nyccarguy said:

corvette said:

graphicguy said:
Hell...I've lived in Ohio for over 30 years and have never heard of this city. That said, it's not too dissimilar to just about every other small city in Ohio.
Kentucky is pretty similar. Here, all of the small cities seem to be waiting for tourism to save them, even though they are not a destination and have no viable plan to become one.
Speaking of, I was in the mall not too far from where @explorerx4 used to live and there was advertising EVERYWHERE for Miami University of OHIO. Hanging from the ceilings, on the sides of the escalators...

My Alma Mater!

snakeweasel · November 25

driver100 said:
A lot of people like this commercial for Progressive. I could watch it over and over again!

This is my favorite Progressive commercial.

https://youtu.be/XuiiBbkFDLw?si=ldE6UB5T7kgCEVJw

jmonroe1 · November 25

@graphicguy said:
My Alma Mater!

——————————————————
When folks talk about their Alma Mater I’m not sure what I should say since the school had a name change before I graduated. If it didn’t take me almost 6 years of night school to complete I could have told them the name when I started which would have probably resulted in them saying, “huh, where’s that”? It’s more recognizable by its new name these days.

jmonroe

cdnpinhead · November 25

This is my favorite Progressive commercial.

Shot in my neck of the woods -- Tempe, AZ, and environs. Back in the late '60s I rode my motorcycle on many of those roads.

driver100 · November 25

snakeweasel said:

driver100 said:
A lot of people like this commercial for Progressive. I could watch it over and over again!
This is my favorite Progressive commercial.

Clever.....their ads really stand out.

ab348 · November 26

Back at the GM dealer where I bought the Caddy for regular service. Their customer lounge is a part of the showroom. The only perk is free coffee or tea (“French vanilla available today!” a sales guy told me excitedly). Pretty quiet in the showroom. A Yukon Denali, a Trailblazer, an Equinox Activ, a Corvette, a Terrain and that’s it. The Vette is blue, everything else shades of gray except for the Activ which claims to be Cacti Green but looks like gray to me. They’re using space around the perimeter of the showroom for storage of winter tires and wheels for vehicles that are on their used lot, making it look kind of tacky.

kyfdx · November 26

Peanut M&Ms in the service lounge at BMW..

corvette · November 26

Most of the service lounges I've been to have Keurigs with a variety of pods available.

@kyfdx - I'd be lining my pockets with peanut M&Ms, those are my Kryptonite.

tjc78 · November 26

Surprised they serve something with peanuts... could be an allergy

ab348 · November 26

This dealer is not usually big on customer amenities. At one point I was looking for a tissue for my nose. Couldn’t even find a napkin at the coffee station. Eventually I was pointed to a dispenser mounted on a wall, which was about 2 feet tall. The tissue it offered up resembled a sheet of copy paper and was about as soft.

However, I do give kudos to my service writer who has always been very good. After I paid and turned to leave, he called me back to offer me a small box of Christmas chocolates they had commissioned from a local shop, a first for me there.

stickguy · November 26

Our Acura dealer is pretty good. Waters and a coffee machine and snacks like chips and granola bars. Ford has small water bottles and that is it.

snakeweasel · November 26

kyfdx said:
Peanut M&Ms in the service lounge at BMW..

No thank you, I like my M&M's boneless.

jmonroe1 · November 26

@kyfdx said:
Peanut M&Ms in the service lounge at BMW..

——————————————————
Sounds good but do you have to “register” to get them?

jmonroe

driver100 · November 26

I can get an oil change at the indie garage for $200. Some charity leaves a box and you can buy a chocolate bar or chips for $2.
The Mercedes Dealer will do the oil change for $450, but they offer all kinds of coffees in their coffee machine, they have nice soft cookies, and they take 3 to 4 hours to do an oil change. The indie did it in 1 hour.
I go to the indie place, take my book, they have wi-fi now too, I take my own sandwich which I prefer, and a really good Nature's Valley chocolate granola bar, and a can of 7-Up though I could have taken a thermos of coffee.
The indie shop wins!

stickguy · November 26

My cars are new enough I never bothered to find an indie shop up here when we moved. Other than for state inspection. Just use the dealer for roughly annual oil changes.

corvette · November 26

jmonroe1 said:
Sounds good but do you have to “register” to get them?

I think they are VIN-locked to the owners of cars that are in for service that day.

kyfdx · November 26

I always limited my input to 8 ounces.

Sadly, we no longer have a BMW, at this time..

ab348 · November 26

I guess I got off cheap at the Caddy dealer. A bit over $120 and was done in just over 90 minutes, no complaints.

sda · November 26

Oil change runs about $100 at VW and $200 at Audi. They both do a general inspection and provide a video of what is found. I believe the two VWs and Audi take the same oil filter but different specified synthetic oil. Otherwise I don't perceive much difference but $$.

explorerx4 · November 26

Due to a coupon and a rebate, I got an oil/filter change, tire rotation and front wipers for just under $100.

driver100 · November 26

explorerx4 said:
Due to a coupon and a rebate, I got an oil/filter change, tire rotation and front wipers for just under $100.

As far as I know Mercedes doesn't give discount coupons for oil changes! I guess they know their customers are willing to pay full price. Not too many are going to go to Iffy Lube!

roadburner · November 26

My BMW dealer has a nice facility but my Mercedes dealer has a better customer lounge. The Mercedes dealer is also laid out in a more logical fashion. My indie shop has a nice customer lounge- it's better than a lot of dealer customer lounges.

venture · November 26

My Subaru dealer has coffee, water, flavored waters, fruit cocktail, puddings, cookies, chips and all kinds of snacks.

They usually try to get my free oil changes done as quickly as they can because I'm trying to eat and drink as much as I can.

oldfarmer50 · November 26

venture said:
My Subaru dealer has coffee, water, flavored waters, fruit cocktail, puddings, cookies, chips and all kinds of snacks.

They usually try to get my free oil changes done as quickly as they can because I'm trying to eat and drink as much as I can.

I don’t think I’ve ever been in a dealership long enough to see what amenities they have. The Kia dealer had a coffee bar of some kind and I don’t remember seeing anything at Ford. Not that it mattered because I can’t think of anything that would make me want to hang around. I hand them the keys and jump in my ride home.

Maybe if they had steak and lobster but otherwise no.

xwesx · November 26

I usually do that on drop off, then when I come back because they say it is ready, I have to wait up to an hour for it to *actually* be ready.

jmonroe1 · November 26

@oldfarmer50 said:
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a dealership long enough to see what amenities they have. The Kia dealer had a coffee bar of some kind and I don’t remember seeing anything at Ford. Not that it mattered because I can’t think of anything that would make me want to hang around. I hand them the keys and jump in my ride home.

Maybe if they had steak and lobster but otherwise no.

——————————————————
At my Genny dealer you have your choice of steak OR lobster but not both.

jmonroe

stickguy · November 26

in Jersey the Acura dealer always seemed to have nice coupons for oil changes. The one up here, never does. But they do a good job and don't take overly long. Ford, well, don't be in a hurry with them. And oddly, the Acura dealer is cheaper. I should try a different Ford shop, but this one is the most convenient.

For the Acura I should try the Honda dealer. They have coupons I think and advertise they do all brands. I like dealers to make sure they have the correct fluids but it's just a Honda engine anyway so no worries about that, and once it is out of warranty no concerns there.

Michaell · November 26

I need some help from the WA contingent

My sister and BIL are flying to Seattle next week and driving to someplace called Leavenworth - 2.5 hours away.

They have an SUV reserved; any chance this will NOT be AWD? I’m thinking not, but wanted to ask. Remember, they both are CA natives with little experience driving in winter weather.

28firefighter · November 26

There is always a chance, but my guess is it’ll be AWD. Realistically? I’ve gone across the pass with a front wheel drive car on decent all seasons and it’s fine as long as you follow the warnings and chain up if required.

It started snowing on the passes this week so they should ask about whether they have chains available, though I doubt they’d actually need them.

Beautiful time of year out that way! There is an amazing spa lodge out there called Posthotel that is so cool this time of year.

kyfdx · 4:35AM

The first weekend I'd bought the '84 911 (in 1990), a friend asked me to go to their brother-in-law's NFL game. (Bengals). I picked his friend up, to go to their house.

While the game was over, the entire driveway had about an inch of snow. My car was up by the garage, which has about a drop of over 50 feet of depth, total. At the bottom of the driveway, the street across drops over the street.. down another 100 feet, or so.. into the opposite yard.

On the plus side, I'd backed in, so I was facing the drop.. I used the whole time, feathering my parking brake. On a car that I'd only owned it for a few days, and never had it in snow. Fortunately, all-season tires, not summers, back then.

oldfarmer50 · 6:29AM

Michaell said:
I need some help from the WA contingent

My sister and BIL are flying to Seattle next week and driving to someplace called Leavenworth - 2.5 hours away.

They have an SUV reserved; any chance this will NOT be AWD? I’m thinking not, but wanted to ask. Remember, they both are CA natives with little experience driving in winter weather.

Why not call the rental agency and ask them? We rent a lot of FWD cars and SUVs even up here in the snow belt. I believe if you call ahead they can try to accommodate you.

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