Texsox

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 11:38 AM) That's the big issue with buying used - you are taking a chance (a significant one if the car is only a year old) that the car is problematic. That certainly is a possibility. Then again, the previous owner probably tried to avoid that problem by buying a new car, it didn't work for them in your example. Like anything you have to do some research, but over all, the quality of cars today makes buying most low mileage, newer cars, a safe bet. Plus many times you have the manufactures warranty still in effect. And how much could you spend after saving thousands to take care of those little things? And why does anyone ever trade in a car instead of driving it until it is used up and ready for the crusher?

QUOTE(Soxy @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 11:35 AM) The only cities on my list I would consider living in are Chicago and Glasgow. I'd consider Toronto, when they start drafting 46 year old fat guys with bad eye sight

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 11:15 AM) The civic, for example, also includes some sort of calculator that actually figures out based on your driving habits how long you should go before changing most of those fluids, including the oil. There are a few factors that come into the automakers suggested fluid changes. Waaaaaay back in the 80s the "cost of ownership" marketing battle was waged. One way to prop up retail prices was "my car can go longer without scheduled maintenance than their car". So the marketing and sales types had/have a vested interest in longer recommended intervals. Engineers don't win these battles very often. Not their required skill set. Sales and marketing guys are required to have that skill set. And there really are too many variables. All oils and filters are designed and built to a minimum standard. Some exceed the standard, some by a larger margin. Some people drive differently than others. There are too many variables to predict the optimum time to change *the specific* oil that is in *your specific* car right now. So it becomes a most oil in most cars using most filters should change at this time. My recommendation, 3,000 on dino oil, 5,000 to 6,000 with synthetics. And use a quality filter, not the crap that Jiffy Lube will recommend. And do not let Jiffy touch your transmission. The fluid they use is an "all purpose" that they add additives in to match your vehicle. Oil is the cheapest insurance for long life in your car.

QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 11:12 AM) This election cycle has more good candidates than any I've seen in a few cycles. Unfortunately, everyone seems to be forgetting that, because Clinton and Romney (the current front-runners) are among the worst of each bunch. But the overall field is an improvement. That, and the nature of the debate has been in the gutter. I had my hopes set much, much, higher. We have some articulate, smart, people running from a great diversity of backgrounds. And we get crap for anything meaningful coming out of any of their mouths.

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 10:33 AM) The delegate leaders are Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton, neither of those are screaming "classy" to me. I did not mean to imply that. It may take two or three more elections. It all runs in cycles. Kind of the same old stuff, more of the same, a little more of the same, damn I'm tired of that and go 180 the other way.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 09:19 AM) Intercourse, PA What are "places PA has never visited?" Correct! Choose another category.

You would be surprised by how many people stretch that oil change to 10,000 miles, never look at Trans fluid, check their coolent unless the heater doesn't blow, etc. Even the fuel level. Not many people realize that the fuel pump in most cars is cooled by the gas in the tank. When you dip below 1/4 tank in many cars, the pump runs hotter. It's a little thing that may never cause a problem, but why risk it on a routine basis?

Of course these recommendations are meaningless because we do not know what the primary purpose of the vehicle is. We're all assuming just basic transportation for one or two adults. No car pools, car seats, no trips with lots of luggage. We also do not know your knowledge level with cars and how well you maintain them. What I am currently driving is a disaster for anyone who does not maintain vehicles perfectly. It is also the biggest bargain among the 2004s. I'm planning on giving it to my son this summer. I picked something for him that was bigger, so he had plenty of trunk space getting back and forth from school. I wanted some steel around him to win any fender to fenders with Civics. Five passenger comfort for college road trip, even if it is just and hour away to Austin. I also wanted him to be a slave to maintenance, so he developed some good habits. All of which would be about the opposite of the direction you are leading.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 08:39 AM) I think GWB will totally be an afterthought after he leaves office. He's not going to be a stump for anyone again, IMO. Jeb '12

QUOTE(southsider2k5 @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 08:36 AM) I see no honor in the Presidency anymore. That has been said before. And once the American public truly believes it, we'll elect a "classy" candidate or two. I've said it before, of all the things that Reagan did, persona was #1 exactly when we needed it.

Chicago - nuff said Greater Los Angeles Area - I miss the business trips. Monterrey Mexico. Jumping off place for "real" Mexico. Great country clubs. Great people. Austin, Texas. Great music, state capital, gateway to hill country, Texans who think like me. All this pales to the South Rim campsites in the Chisos Mountains. The southern tip of South Padre Island. The Springs at Lost Maples State Park. The blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

QUOTE(StrangeSox @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 07:54 AM) New vs. used is really going to depend on what sort of deals the dealerships are offering (0% financing, cash back, etc.). With the depreciation hit that new cars take, you really should consider buying a car that's a year or two old At least consider it. Take a look at some of those same cars with 25,000 miles or so and the prices. You can negotiate a lot harder on used cars, so that comes into play. For most of twenty years I was in a position where I had to buy new cars. Once that was over and I could really analyze cost of ownership, I've been buying used. Even if you buy new, you will be driving a used car in a month or two.

May I be the first to welcome you to the day after your birthday! I hope you had a good birthday. And I mean that, I'm not just trying to pad my post count.

QUOTE(Rex Kicka** @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 01:58 AM) I wouldn't vote for the pope. Do you know what kind of activities he was involved with as a child? Drinking beer and skiing

I hope some of you aren't thinking that Bush the elder just sat on the sidelines and said, I'm stating out of it. It's up to my son? You can bet all of his old supporters received a phone call. Like it or not, the business of politics is the same for both sides. Coke and Pepsi have to bottle their product and follow the same laws and compete in the same market. The business model stays fairly consistent between the two. What we see is the tip of the iceberg, the marketing. Lift up the hood and it's all the same.

Speaking of the Clinton machine . . .

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 09:14 PM) What makes me sick is that Hillary is a vote for Bill Clinton, not her highness herself, for the most part. Ignorant f***ing Americans. Seriously. Do you really think she will just sit back and allow Bill to run the country again? That just seems 180 from my perspective and opinion of her. As far as Bush the elder, he lost his last campaign, after running what was the worst campaign until Thompson just stole that "distinction". I do not think he was going to help his son at all.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 05:11 PM) You know, it sure didn't take you long... it's always about you, isn't it? I'll just leave it there. Meanwhile, RIP to him and prayers to his family. I'm just glad Brokeback Pratt can soldier through this difficult time.

http://search.ebay.com/search/%2FHeath-Led...sopZ2QQsbrsrtZd Check out how fast people starting selling stuff on eBay Within minutes of the news hitting, stuff gets listed.

This will overshadow Balta's birthday for years to come.

QUOTE(mr_genius @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 04:36 PM) did you know that the non white guy was a lawyer for a slum lord? he was. just shows what kind of person you would vote for. The American justice system is designed in such a way that it functions at its best when everyone has vigorous legal representation. We usually can rest at night knowing that when someone is convicted there is a high probability that that person is guilty. You probably would have found fault with Mr. Master's first lawyer for representing a murderer. It would be a sad day when lawyers were asked to be judge and jury. When defendants could not find decent representation because lawyers were judged by their clients. So when you criticize a lawyer for their clients, you are criticizing the cornerstone of the American justice system and that ain't cool unless you're a commie, and you ain't no commie are ya?

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Jan 22, 2008 -> 04:18 PM) Were he and Michele Williams still together? You don't have a chance

I think your second choice is very flawed, I could not vote.

That places anyone with him in a death with an early early lead. That's as big as River Phoenix.

I love minor league baseball. It's all about the potential