CaseyJ955

I agree that JD should be taken with a grain of Na. I respect Consmer Reports as being about as unbiased as one can get. Im not currently paying but I tried to get a worst and best article here https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/consumer-reports-ranked-these-cars-worst-in-reliability-for-2018.html/?a=viewall https://www.cheatsheet.com/money-career/consumer-reports-most-reliable-car-brands-2018.html/?a=viewall I was surprised to see Audi on most reliabe top 10, even more shocked to see Buick there, it really raises questions but its an indicator. I know German cars are usually regarded as unreliable, and that is not without merit, but a note on that. The reason so many 10-20 yr old German cars are out of sorts is lack of maintainance. They are expensive to maintain and when steps are skipped things go wrong. It was pleasing to see Germans hit the best list too. These are for 2018 and real.world reliability doesnt really show up until a car turns 10 and we can see how it worked over time. I suspect the vast majority of these have some form of touch screen with varying levels of function. I wonder which, if any, can have their contents or function altered without the mfr actually getting their hands physically on the car. It looks like GMs Onstar allows exactly that. I suspect im not the only one that finds that alarming, what other mfrs have set themselves up with this ability?

I love me a Nissan old enough to be called a Datsun. Whats cooler than a 240z or a roadster? So simple that cruise or AC was as unlikely as power windows or locks, much less a touchscreen. If discussing the advantages of simplicity we have to at least give mention to the simplest car since rims were no longer wood, the least powerful car that was fun to drive, a car with unparalleled versatility and durability (barring collision), can go virtually anywhere you point it and catch air many many times before breaking. A car than can be serviced with a rusty pliar and dull screwdriver in the middle of the night, in the middle of the woods. Yup, I'm quite sure. The VW Type I. 19+ million units produced over 60+ years, had/built several Baja bugs over the years. There is no touch screen but you do get the following standard; Fuel gauge controlled by a cable and manual sending unit. Windshield washer that relies on pressure from the spare tire. Never a clean windshield or inflated spare. Heater boxes and a doghouse fan charged with both cooling engine and heating the interior, sort of. 1641cc air cooled flat four weighing 240 lbs and 40hp before the goodies. (009, Webber, Tri-mil stinger) Thats it, its all thats needed. Dr. Ferdinand Porsche knew what needed to be done. Genius What I dont get about e-commerce is if I wanted a coffee from Charbucks and used the screen to order wouldn't I still have to go get it and wait in line to overpay for a virtually undrinkable cappuccino? Is this going to save something or just add another step? If a barista is going to run it up to my window while I'm waiting for the green arrow in the intersection then I'll reconsider this. Im sure more will be revealed in time, I wonder how intrusive it will be or if using PayPal on my dash will be less of a hassle than just paying at the window. If anyone here has a vehicle with this can we please get some commentary on initial setup, level of intrusiveness, opt-outs, pay and order functions, and how exactly you first got it or noticed it.

I had no idea Hyundai/Kia were comparable to Toyota and Honda. I knew they were catching up. I have massive respect for Toyota, cemented by how well the LS400 is put together. Its almost like an S class except everything works and nothing ever breaks. I have full service history and I cant find one single instance of unscheduled service. I had to do the PS pump, it had a slight groan at 188k. Its evident how much R&D Toyota did on this car, being the first Lexus model introduced to the public. It really shows what a car mfr can do when they really strive to make the best car humanly possible. At 200k it runs and drives like a new car and I really have to wrestle the keys away from wifey. The moment I came home with the Audi she snatched up my lexus. She was forced out of it today by 6" of fresh snow (RWD) and back into her Acura. It often gets comments from passangers about how eerily quiet and well composed it is. I know just about any vehicle made in the last 10 yrs should last 100k miles and double that with proper maintainance and no abuse. Just as you helped someone shop for cars you were able to see which mfrs really had their hearts into making an excellent car and which others are trying to gain appeal with flashy features. How a car brakes, turns, glides and just feels in your hands is something hard to quantify but its palpable and more important than any feature list. Also does it still feel that way after a quarter million miles. Im really glad so many are having great luck with the domestics, we absolutly adore the F150s in the family and at work, they outlasted all the other domestics 2:1. But I must say this, if everything were designed and built like Toyota/Lexus auto technicians would be only marginally more in demand than Telegraphists.

Puck my friend, you and I are going to have to eat some of my slow cooked ribs and ride the Black Hills at some point! Of course anyone reading is invited to come along. I find myself in such agreement which can only mean two things, were both intelligent and very correct, or were both nuttier than a Chinese chicken salad. Either way, what a good time! The hell you say! Controls without bluetooth connectivity! Say it aint so bro! I would love to keep that simplicity and focus on increasing quality of materials used as time goes on, and less on flashy stuff that drives up the cost of manufacture. My Lexus is a 96 with 200k on the clock and has the simple controls, actually buttons and momentary rockers but simple, reliable, effective a d still work like new. Not much to go wrong. I wonder what the touch screen will look like in 20-30 years, will it fade, stop working, wash out? They can keep the touch screen and instead give me direct injection. Are you coming with Puck and his lovely lady for eats and a weekend ride in the hills?

Im a huge fan of boosted Audis, my daily driver is a boosted audi and I fall in love again each time I drive. Not to many cars that handle pavement so well and launch like a rocket on loose dirt. NOTHING launches on gravel like a Quattro Audi. Being a lifelong German car nut I will confess to a strategy shared by others like me. Love that German car with more soul than Ottis Redding, but best have a Japanese car somewhere close! Some mfrs use a touch screens to remove focus from the rest of the package being dated, HD and GM come to mind. As tech moves forward im sure most vehicles will have touchscreen, I suspect they will evolve in terms of usability. That or automotive trends will move away from them as we start to see distraction as a problem. I have a bigger problem with the connectivity stuff than the idea of the screen, like you Puc im not cool with big brother. The GM system would not please me at all when they can alter the content of my car as they see fit. I have HUGE issues with that! Whatcha think Puc, should I just go back to Torinos and Baja bugs that could drive through an EMP blast? See, I want the tech for engine management and underpinnings, also used during manufacturing. I can do without all the interior tech that does nothing for how the car runs amd drives. Needless complication. In the case of the Venture I think tbe tech went in all the wrong places. Couldnt agree more on the touch screen, you are 100% spot on. I think they should have been more concerned with performance and less with gizmology. Parking assist, air cooling, touch screen 45 deg twin... Hahahaha seriously!

Intuitive controls are king, you should be able to operate them blind. I do like nav but all the integrated features by touch screen is bad news. My favorite example is BMW and their i-drive system, its the worst nightmare. I say this as a driver that idolizes BMW as a world class automobile (not car, a Grand Am is a car, barely) Adding something like e-commerce to a GM has nadda to do with the operation of the vehicle, hence it is not only useless to motoring but its a detriment. We have not even considered possible privacy issues, GM can go right over your head and install it regardless of how you feel about it. How does that NOT infuriate GM customers? What else can they install without your knowledge? All this while using the same ol' warmed over crap mechanicals from 10-20 years ago. Nice they can use current tech when it will directly benifet them but does nothing to make the vehicle more competent, to the contrary. It just sucks that domestic mfrs do stuff like this while Germans and Japanese have been light years ahead. VVT, Direct injection gas and diesels, variable intake runners, BMW. DSG gearboxes from Audi, the list of German and Japanese innovation goes on and on... and on. Why does BMW still use a straight six and nobody else? No idea! Drive a late model 3 series and its a question that has no answer. There is NO domestic match for a 3 series. When you drive one and throw it around its undeniably superior automobile crafted from a mfr that IS finding proper uses of technology to benifet the consumer. If your not a "driver" or wealthy, grab an Accord or Camry and drive it for decades. My 22 year old Lexus has more solid build than a Cadillac made yesterday. Why? I know I'm ranting, the issue of automotive design and engeenering is very dear to me. When I heard of GM doing this with the infotainment systems I almost swallowed my tongue knowing how sorely they need to concentrate on other glaring quality and design flaws. At least you can buy them cheap. They are probably sucking in millinials that know zip about cars or have never driven a competent automobile, but all is forgiven if you can control your stupid ****ing phone through the in car distraction screen. I dont get it, I just cant see how free enterprise has been so kind to GM. Oh wait, it hasnt. Free enterprise already shuddered GM once, but we bailed them out.

GM will add their e-Commerce apps to your GM vehcle automatically, thats right, right down your throats! See, you guys/gals that have read anything I have ever posted know I'm cynical as hell, so when I read about their rational I emitted a short string of obscenity followed by the forehead palm plant. Its for your safety and mine! See what they did there. It has nothing to do with revenue sharing in undisclosed amounts. I was looking for an opt-out option, or something that said it would only work while stationary. Which would mean your going to be stuck sitting behind them through green lights just as the idiots that use their phones while driving already make everyone do. Its important to know its about "safety" and not undisclosed profits. Pfffft. This will be for 2017+ GMs. This wont effect me beyond the likely safety issues of more driver distraction, I dumped GM before HD and that was decades ago. See while many automakers are pioneering advancing auto technology, GM has long been selling the same old cars with old tech while adding current tech to the infotainment systems, giving the illusion of a current tech vehicle. I noticed this a few years ago. This is a short read and a bit lean on details,, but enough to cement my boycott of anything GM later than 1972, which has been cemented many times over. Now mfg-sponsored spam right in your dash. I would rather see them develope better transmissions or find ways to improve on the lifeboat-esque handling, improve steering/braking feel or for effsake eliminate rattles and squeeks. Maybe stop with all the inferior materials/plastics lacing the current cabins. Nope, you get this instead, this is what they needed to do. What do you folks think about this? Do you have one of these afflicted vehicles? Does this shine with you? https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gm-tech/gm-puts-an-e-commerce-marketplace-in-the-dashboard-idUSKBN1DZ0DX

Im sure if someone really needed that last bit of land speed the electronic governor can be altered or removed with and ECU reflash. It is very common for USA spec German vehicles to be governed. My experience with german cars is 155mph gov, some of them wont get there but others will. I had an 02 (03 model) S600 and PO replaced all four ECUs with Rentek ECUs, not only increasing boost but removing the top speed gov. After a few high speed passes I can see why they have the limit, that car became a 5500 lb ballistic missile that would easily and quickly exceed 155. It was stable at all speeds but very spookey to go so obscenely fast in such a huge car. I think I would probably leace that gov in place haha. I love German stuff, they consistently create stuff that hits the spot perfectly. This K bike seems like an ultimate touring machine. Now that I think about it, would the new Goldwing even exist without it? Ill bet the K bike raised the bar enough that Honda could not ignore the shots fired by BMW, even though Yamaha seems pretty comfortable turning the other cheek and instead picking a fight with HD. This is like the HP wars of tbe 60s, we all win!

I have no cell signal at home either, in fact my internet is pretty slugish at 1.5 on a good day. Its a small price to pay for having no immediate neighbors. Its barely enough to watch Netflix in low def. I looked into cell boosters, they run around $300-400. I decided to just use an OOMA box for landline. In its most basic form its a $30 box and $4/mo and behaves just like a landline. I ditched my actual landline and cable/direct TV years ago. I pay under $50/mo for Netflix, OOMA and internet and I never had to buy the cell repeater or booster. It suits my needs perfectly, YMMV. Congrats on the move, quite an upgrade!

That looks awesome. I have noticed more rudimentary versions of this in the hills, albeit quite rarely. A full bodied sled is a bit bulky for some parts here, the narrow stance and rediced weight would be a big plus for dodging downed trees to reach the nearest pavement This kit looks pretty refined. I do believe I could justify one of these.

The Grand Cherokee and Cherokee are completely different vehicles, the later being smaller and much less impressive. The Grand Cherokee has come a long ways in the last couple iterations. It looks like they start out around 30k and go way up from there. I dont see much bad press on it like previous generations. https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/midsize-suvs Just some interesting press. CR is great but I cant reach it on my phone. I trust CR more than any other auto reviewers, excellent source of info, wish I could open it. Its worth paying for before a major purchase IMHO.

If nobody knows try Mark at brakecrafters, hes great. Got my EBC HH, MC and caliper kits from him for my vmax a little cheper than ebay and he refuses to sell Chinese stuff. Quality all. Sorry its not an answer to your Q but I know he can tell you.

Dear Santa: I hope your not still chapped over the 3rd degree burns, it was pretty cold and I had to keep the fire going, besides I really didnt think you could get down a stovepipe. So um, sorry about that. But I have been pretty good, at least compared to my adolescent years. Thanks for the space heaters, they are very nice although I never asked for those and have no clue why you left them with me. Ill think on that and im sure it will come to me someday. I looked around at spreads nearby and never found the Porsche, I figured you may have inadvertantly mixed up my gifts with one of my neighbors. Im sure it was hard to find a 911T in red so blue or yellow is also acceptabe but Im really not able to bend on the GT3 package, I know you understand. If you can pull this off I'll try and be even better and maybe ill even get a space heater so that you...OOHHHH, okay. The space heaters are to keep the shop warm for the Porsche! I was blind not to see that. Anyways, my family has beeen fantastic and deserving, the newest members are really super people too. Ill see if I can figure out a way to not need a fire this year and I promise to keep the dogs out of the front room, thanks for not suing me over that thing that happened with Brewster back in 99, he had never seen anyone try to jack cookies from the mantle before and hes just a dumb dog. Anyways, I know your busy so I'll letcha get back to it. Thanks! Tony in South Dakota.

. Its a little surprising that one didnt even call back. Oh well, what better way to christen a new car than a road trip! I picked up a used A4 a couple months and my choice was settle for an automatic or go to CO and grab one with a proper gearbox. Im never afraid to travel to get what I want or to save some $$. It sounds like your savings will be nice if the locals wouldnt even touch it.

True on the sensor issue, I have a Vmax with the same-ish V4 and if the oil light flashes each time I grab me some. Normal operation. I have only seen the oil light on my Venture maybe once but have launched it several times. I have read that ideal level is a lick under 1/2 way up sight glass so thats where I keep it and other than a weeping VC gssket I never see any oil in the air box or anywhere else. I have been using the conventional (non synthetic) version of the Rotella 15-40, the T6 is a fully synthetic. There is plenty written about pros and cons of each and might be some good reading. I wouldnt worry a moment about the oil light if it goes off when you back out of it. I go easy on these until im at op temp.

American vehicles, most notably GM, quite often run incentives and hefty rebates. This is much less true on Honda/Acura/Toyota/Lexus but you get that back with excellent resale value compared to Jeep and the big three. If you can wait Im pretty sure tbere will be some holiday blowouts for Jeep, especially as the next model year nears. You can probably get one for a song/dance then. Another thought is to get your best quote from an out of state dealer printed out and walk into your local dealer and say "if you can match this quote you will make a sale today, if not Im on a bus tomorrow morning to go buy this one.". They dont want to loose sales like that. I worked for Honda before and when folks came in threatening to go to Sioux Falls those prices were matched. If you present that in a take-it or leave-it format my guess is they will take it. Patience will probably save you some $$$ here as holiday sales are usually pretty compelling. Good luck!

A Cherokee is fairly decent offroad for a roadgoing SUV. Unless your doing a bunch of offroad stuff do yourself a huge favor and try out a Pilot or Highlander. You can get a whole lot of trouble free miles out of either and the fit/finish will make hard to go back to Jeep. Jeep has upped their game but in the crowd of available options they dont exactly shine. If you want sweet comfort and swift performance the Audi Q7 is one sweetheart to drive. MB G wagon is spendy but hard to beat offroad, also can get the awesome Benz/AMG V8 with some very serious torque and HP. You pay more for German stuff, and cost of ownership is higher, but dayum some of them are sooooo sweet to drive. If I were going to drop $20k right now with reliability, function, longevity and fit/finish as priority a 2-3 year old Pilot EXLNAV would bey first choice. Jeep is okay but a $20k+ investment deserves examining some of the excellent alternatives from Japan and Germany. Whatever you choose make sure you throw some pics up! Whats cooler than a new car (other than a mew bike). Glad nobody was hurt in the collision. I forgot to add that we bought a new Jeep Compass in 09, it was a base model. She had it in her head that she had to have a Jeep and she wouldnt listen to reason until it was to late. That same year I bought a new GTI DSG Autobahn and we fought over that but it was MINE only. She went to VW and drove the Tiguan and tried to trade in her two week old Jeep on one and the numbers wouldn't work for her. The Jeep had se niggling issues, the CVT was an absolute abortion to drive, the 4cyl base engine was course and sluggish, road noise and super ****ty interior quality stood out along with substandard exterior fit/finish. Handling was vague at best. The door reveals were as variable and gaping as an early Hyundai. It was quite underwhelming but it was a base model. I know Cherokees are more upscale but see if you can get her tto drive some other things. Put them through their paces and the best vehicle will become obvious in short order. She traded it off after a year and got a Mitsubishi, also underwhelming but a step up from the Compass.

I was with BOA for quite awhile, and Wa Mutual back in the day. I never got jack from them, ever, other than them trying to upsell me and having to fight with them about hidden fees. I went to BHFCU many years ago and the whole banking experience got plenty cheaper and better. Even so in the whole 15 years since I left banks and went to cred unions I have recieved two actual calls questioning activity. When my wife was in the Philippines visiting family she used her card once and it was deactivated. I had to go into town and let them know it was really her. Good thing they know my face. I guess BHFCU is too local to drum up mass spammer attention. One other way to spot the spam like this is careful attention to grammer and tense. Anytime im not 100% sure about an email I never use the links or ph# in the email, I use the contact info I already have. One thing for sure is the spammers are evolving as consumers get wiser. We all have to be careful all the time, glad this one was caught on a detail. Did it look pretty legit when you opened it? I have seen a couple scam attempts that were wonderfully crafted but I could spot a grammatical error. Its scary how good some of them look, I wonder how many folks fall victim.

I do hear a lot of complaining when local stores close, I dont complain, many are doomed by the prices and in some localities the inconvenience of traffic and parking. Its just the reality of how more and more folks shop, even groceries. Im not happy or sad about it, times change and this is where it's going. I also know more folks than ever watching their money more carefully. Many online retailers do free returns and exchanges with all free shipping. There is really no way retail stores can compete, they will have to find a way to fall into line on prices or go OOB. The last of the store-only shoppers are dying off. I really have to watch my money since my earning potential got snipped, even without that its just good practice to pay as little as possible for the quality required. Some stores will adapt like Walmart, Menards and Harbor Freight by making the bulk of their inventory poorly made look-alike Chinese knock-off products. Its a business model that works although I'm not down with it, hence my extensive online shopping. I cherish free enterprise, I can just vote with my wallet like everyone else. But your right about the fact that us frequent online shoppers really aught not groan when retailers close up shop. As a consumer I love the whole world at my keyboard as a stellar alternative to price heavy retailers with CEOs making 6+ figure incomes and we have options that dont include paying for that overhead. IMHO its not good or bad, it just is. I appreciate the choices and I save well over $1000 annually. It adds up pretty fast.

I go to Cabella's a few times a year, and also I hit Scheels. I find what I want in the size I need and go home and throw it on my Ebay shoping list. Search and wait for the right deal. Im patient, but im not about to pay the laughable prices they charge for basic gear, even with good service. If I can save $10 or $15-20% over buying locally I'll buy online. No problem. Our local Cabella's has okay service and decent products, prices are just way out of line. I know I'm FAR from unique in this shopping practice. Its just about numbers.

I was going to convert my old 300SD to burn WVO, they are really stout and forgiving engines and lots of folks run them in the IDI engines, not sure about TDI but I know folks do them too. At one time I did plenty of reading on it and decided I couldn't spare the space to do it. Probably a forum on the type of diesel you have then you will have more model specific information on how WVO will effect the vehicle you are planning on running. Depending on year/model you may end up replacing some O rings or using injectors made for this. I'm itching to convert a 116 or 126 Benz for WVO. running on straight WVO will probably require heated lines/filter bowls and tank, especially in the winter months. I know it's not exactly what you asked but I do believe that your filtering and preparation requirements will change depending on what vehicle you plan to use, and what mods, if any, you plan to do. Also are you wanting to run straight WVO or cut it with dino diesel. I do love this subject! As mentioned some fairly simple coffee filter setups, also there are specific filtering systems for this that are affordable, I have read about centrafuge setups too but I'm guessing this is on the more dedicated (read, expensive) side of this. Here is something I had linked from awhile back http://www.vegoilcar.co.uk/wvo_filtering_how.php its from across the pond but it's good basic info. What year/make/model are you considering converting?

You wont be sorry, it's very well worth having in ones tool box.

Okay, this dude aint lying! I'm looking at the Amazing Grip very closely indeed and I cant say that it looks like a quality tool. I dont know but I strongly suspect it's made in China based on the visual impression of build quality and fit/finish. Most of my tools are Snap-on, Matco and MAC with a smattering of S&K and OLD craftsman. A tool must last forever and work perfectly, NOTHING less is acceptable. Many years ago I bought a Knipex Cobra after watching a 250+ lb salesman place it on a folding table cross bar, step onto it and bounce his weight as it did not budge. This is not a vice grip, its only a slip joint. I guess ya had to be there, I was deeply impressed and paid the premium for it on the spot. I have been regularly using and abusing this Knipex Cobra for over half my life and it has not lost any function or gotten even a little bit sloppy. It looks very well used, and it is, but works just as it did the day I bought it. I just looked them up on Ebay, my Cobra is an older generation, looks a little different, perhaps less attractive. If the newer ones are half as good as this old one you cant go wrong. I see 3 pc sets on ebay for about $80, it sounds expensive but for what you get it's well worth it. I just had to relay my fantastic experience with the Knipex pliar. My other slip joints are Snap-on, Blue Point, Channel lock and Craftsman and none of them can hold a candle to my Knipex. They are nice but the Knipex is a cut above. It is hands down and by quite a margin the finest built and functioning slip joint I have ever had in my hand. I give the Knipex 5 stars and I'm not easy to please when it comes to tools. Highly recommended.

I'm thankful as hell! Some great things happened this year. My first step daughter made it from the Philippines a couple months ago and my last step daughter made it to our great country just in time to join our family at the Thanksgiving day table. Turns out they are both quite remarkable young ladies and have quite a bit of gratitude to be inside the USA. Their mother (my lovely and totally amazing wife) is elated that they are both finally here after all the hurdles with USCIS. We had all our adult kids and both my parents at the table along with a handful of others that had no family nearby. The couple drama queens that lurk within my family did not show so it was just an amazing and drama free Tday. Everyone got to visit and acquaint with our newest family members. It could not have gone smoother. I realize entitlement is the theme of this generation and I'm thinking it edged out the whole concept of gratitude among some younger crowds. Were not in North Korea, we're not at war yet, still have jobs, cars, bikes, heat and food. One thanksgiving many years ago (89 or 90) I ate a handful of dry cheerios and slept in my cold car when I had just moved to the Seattle area and had no money or place to live, didnt even have insurance on the car I was living in when I could not afford a motel, an actual apartment was well out of my reach then with 1st, last and deposit. I recall being grateful then for not being terminally ill or in jail, having a car to sleep in and a fist full of my least favorite cereal in the whole world. Entitlement is not a luxury I grew up with so even when things were at their leanest I felt grateful. When things are going well it's amazing. Perspective. It is my sincere hope that everyone here has found something to be grateful for and enjoyed the holiday.

We normally have hordes of wild turkeys roaming our property, oddly today I have not seen a single big fat tom strutting and audibly scraping his wings on the gravel. Nope, not today, it's almost as if they know... Happy Thanksgiving all!! be safe.