Blow that Dough! - 2018

[tmm99]

With oil prices rising we may see an end to the surge in SUVs. It will probably happen once Ford had refit its factories to make more SUVs and Truck and fewer sedans. My old Camry Hybrid 'only' gets about 40 mpg compared to the new ones that are in the 46 mpg range. And, it has a 600 mile cruising range. Not bad for a mid-size car.

I'm not sure I could return to a sub 35 mpg car. There are plenty of other things to Blough the Dough on.

Interestingly, when I went to England about 1.5 years ago, all I saw were small hatchbacks (the size of Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Fiatt 500, etc). Almost no sedans at all. One time, I looked at one corner of a big supermarket parking lot and there were about 2 dozen small hatchbacks, with absolutely no sedans. I know why the smallish cars (fuel cost, etc), but no sedans? Hatchbacks were definitely trending there.

 

[Hermit]

Chuckanut,
I also want at least above average gas mileage on my cars. I've avoided hybrid vehicles so far, because I think the automobile industry needed to keep improving on the new technology, but I suspect the newer hybrids are reliable vehicles now. I still don't like that only the dealers can work on them...

DD's 2005 Prius has over 200k on it. I wish my 2013 Jeep Wrangler with 70k had seen as few times in the repair shop as the Prius.

 

[Mdlerth]

That which does not kill us can still damage our suspensions

DD's 2005 Prius has over 200k on it. I wish my 2013 Jeep Wrangler with 70k had seen as few times in the repair shop as the Prius.

Perhaps if the Prius saw more off-road time it might require more frequent servicing.

My younger brother, aka "Grizzly Adams", drives his Wrangler from the city to his cabin every second weekend. The last 3 miles, over rocks and mud and logs, have got to be harder on that poor Jeep than the first 150 on asphalt.

 

[Hermit]

Perhaps if the Prius saw more off-road time it might require more frequent servicing.

My younger brother, aka "Grizzly Adams", drives his Wrangler from the city to his cabin every second weekend. The last 3 miles, over rocks and mud and logs, have got to be harder on that poor Jeep than the first 150 on asphalt.

I often refer to her's as "her off-road Prius". She takes the back way getting here (saves ~30 miles) which is over some Forest Service roads/trails. There are not too many people who would try those roads in a Prius.

Yes, the 10 miles or so of dirt roads are hard on a vehicle, but quite a few of the things that have broken on the Jeep are, IMHO, the result of poor quality in production.

 

[Mdlerth]

Hybrids: The Bear Grylls edition

I often refer to her's as "her off-road Prius". She takes the back way getting here (saves ~30 miles) which is over some Forest Service roads/trails.

I think I've seen her:

 

[omni550]

Holding on to my sports car as long as possible. Can finally drive it year round. Not ready to give it up yet at 58 y.o.

The 85-year old (former dean of students) guy who is our condo board president tools around in his Mazda Miata, with the top down, every day. [emoji41][emoji594]

 

[Chuckanut]

Interestingly, when I went to England about 1.5 years ago, all I saw were small hatchbacks (the size of Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Fiatt 500, etc). Almost no sedans at all. One time, I looked at one corner of a big supermarket parking lot and there were about 2 dozen small hatchbacks, with absolutely no sedans. I know why the smallish cars (fuel cost, etc), but no sedans? Hatchbacks were definitely trending there.

A hatchback or small wagon version of the Camry Hybrid would be a winner in my book. Also proof that I am fussy, old-fashioned guy.

 

[Dtail]

The 85-year old (former dean of students) guy who is our condo board president tools around in his Mazda Miata, with the top down, every day. [emoji41][emoji594]

Hats off to him
Can't imagine twisting myself into a sports car at that age.

 

[aja8888]

Cough...mid-life crisis car...cough!

You are kidding, right?

 

[HI Bill]

$460 for a shotgun microphone with a 'dead cat' cover for shooting video in the wind with a DSLR. We do a fair amount of nature photography, and after buying a tripod video head, decided we needed a decent microphone to go with it for when we shoot video!

Also splurged for a $1K Garmin Descent Mk 1 smart watch for my wife. Altimeter, maps, exercise, heart rate, and fully functional dive computer!

I don't know if I'm allowed to post on this forum, as I'm not FIRED yet (just FI), LOL.

 

[bbbamI]

Blowing dough...? Well, let's see...

Homeowners and auto insurance renewal (with rate increases), new water heater, new gas cooktop, new tires for the car, a hefty bill for dental work and a new HVAC including ductwork. All that in less than three months.

I am grateful we have the money to pay for these things, but they're not 'fun' stuff.

We had some fun today...got a new (well new to us) toy...a 2007 Corvette Convertible.

 

[REWahoo]

Nice!

 

[Ronstar]

We had some fun today...got a new (well new to us) toy...a 2007 Corvette Convertible.

Very nice! Remember to keep the top down whenever possible - it makes it easier to get in and out.

 

[RobbieB]

Yeah Baby! That's the stuff!

Corvette Summer -

 

[NW-Bound]

We had some fun today...got a new (well new to us) toy...a 2007 Corvette Convertible.

Nice!

Probably can use it to set a new fastest record of driving from Dallas to Tuktoyaktuk.

 

[Moemg]

We had some fun today...got a new (well new to us) toy...a 2007 Corvette Convertible.

Have fun !

 

[bbbamI]

Thanks y'all...I really appreciate it.

As for getting in and out of it, I've managed to fall into it gracefully and roll out with dignity.

Blow that dough!

 

[Dtail]

Thanks y'all...I really appreciate it.

As for getting in and out of it, I've managed to fall into it gracefully and roll out with dignity.

Blow that dough!

Excellent. Good to treat yourself.

 

[audreyh1]

$460 for a shotgun microphone with a 'dead cat' cover for shooting video in the wind with a DSLR. We do a fair amount of nature photography, and after buying a tripod video head, decided we needed a decent microphone to go with it for when we shoot video!

Also splurged for a $1K Garmin Descent Mk 1 smart watch for my wife. Altimeter, maps, exercise, heart rate, and fully functional dive computer!

DH also bought a fancy Sennheiser shotgun mike with cover for mounting on his new 4K videocamera that I forgot to mention he bought. All nature photography too BTW.

He was going for 4K Video this year which is why we required the massive TV upgrade and new computer.

Fortunately we already had all the necessary tripod equipment.

 

[street]

I'm spending money on home repairs of late but saving on doing work myself. I still hate sticking money in homes it seems they can be a money hole at times to me. On the other hand up keep is important and regular maintence etc. Going to today to blow some dough on material for new step and porch. LOL never ends.

 

[Lisa99]

Blowing dough is our theme for 2018. We bought a house in The Villages last summer and are in the final days of construction on a pool and huge lanai, plus inside remodel and the requisite furniture needed to fill the new spaces. Well into six figures for the work but the funds came from surplus left from selling our house in Vegas.

No investment funds were harmed in the process.

 

[traineeinvestor]

Late decision to go to Singapore next week to hook up with my parents who will be there at the same time. It's tough being retired and having the flexibility to do things like this.

One advantage of still being an extremely part time consultant is getting total advantage of corporate travel rates - saved me quite a few $$$.

 

[kcowan]

Last Sunday we traded our 2005 Ford Escape for a Mercedes diesel SUV. All done in one day.

 

[Clone]

I'm sure the trunk on that new Impala will hold a lot of gear if necessary. It will be too nice and pretty to haul stuff in it.

So long as it has enough room in the trunk for a keg of beer, and room in the glove box for a block of cheese, then you are good to go!

I no longer want to contort to get in/out of a low sedan or sports car.

Our next vehicle will be an SUV for that exact reason. You can see better (primarily a concern in parking lots) by sitting higher in the air. We are also looking for a technology update. Rear facing cameras, lane departure, blind spot sensing, etc. The SUV also has enough towing capacity for a small trailer with a RZR on it. That gives us an alternative to using the pickup all of the time.

 

[GravitySucks]

Bought a block of 12 year old NY State sharp cheddar cheese and a good bottle of Reisling at a good and wine festival.