nc211

Yeah, the VW does that at 39 degrees too. It's to alert you of the potential for icy spots. I do wish though, that at least in the VW, the warning "ding" sounded different from a problem "ding". Everytime I hear it, I instantly think "ok crap, here comes all of those negative reviews on VW. Dangit, I knew I shouldn't of bought this piece of crap, I don't even like how this.....oh wait, just the ice warning....whew....I love this car!"

Here's another thing that I don't understand about Newt. He's made soooo many enemies inside the halls of power, that how in the world does he (or his supporters) expect to get anything done, if he were President? Can you imagine all of the scandals we would have to listen to? All of the dirt this guy is clearly trying to hide? I mean, Bob Dole, who has been silent for YEARS, practiclaly has one foot in the grave, has even made a public appears to air his opinion on the guy (and not a good one either). I'm just stunned that people can be so easily influenced by a single 90 minute debate, and ignore all of the documented facts about how this guy operates, that goes back 30 years. Heck, even Reagan (his almighty of the Republican party) had a few documented snippets about him. Yet, there's Newtie, on CNN, saying he's more like Reagan than anyone else. I bet the Gipper was reaching for his six-shooter when he heard that one... The moon? Really? Hey Newt, no need to build a space ship to get there, just have the Treasury print you out $16 trillion one-dollar bills, stack them up, and you could walk to it... Newt needs to be a high school history professor in Bizmark, ND. NOT President of the United States! (they have lots of free ice cream in North Dakota)

Newt Gangreengrinch, reminds me of that fat little spoiled brat kid on the play ground who would try and con the lunch lady for the last ice cream cone for free. And when she wouldn't give it to him because all of the other kids hadn't received theirs yet, he would call her a bunch of names and stomp around the play ground throwing a tantrum, until one of the other kids (hoping to shut him up) would just give him their's. Let me ask you this: Say you're an employer who is interviewing for a new position in your company, and you receive a resume of an individual who (on paper) shows the ability to fill the position. You meet the potential hire, realize he speaks in a manner of understanding for what the position is, you decide to check up on his background. You call his references listed. You know some of his former employers and call them too for a little "off the record" conversation. Every single conversation sounds the same: "I wouldn't hire him if I were you. Life's too short"....."he is sporatic, won't listen to anyone, doesn't play fair with others".... "we fired him for a reason, you've been warned..." You still going to hire him? Yes? Then Newt's your type of guy..... If he wins the republican ticket....then my decision will be made early...I'll stick with Obama and see what this policy of his looks like full term. I do like that he has the nuggets to call in Seal 6 and get the job done, A LOT!

Newt Gangreengrinch, reminds me of that fat little spoiled brat kid on the play ground who would try and con the lunch lady for the last ice cream cone for free. And when she wouldn't give it to him because all of the other kids hadn't received theirs yet, he would call her a bunch of names and stomp around the play ground throwing a tantrum, until one of the other kids (hoping to shut him up) would just give him their's. Let me ask you this: Say you're an employer who is interviewing for a new position in your company, and you receive a resume of an individual who (on paper) shows the ability to fill the position. You meet the potential hire, realize he speaks in a manner of understanding for what the position is, you decide to check up on his background. You call his references listed. You know some of his former employers and call them too for a little "off the record" conversation. Every single conversation sounds the same: "I wouldn't hire him if I were you. Life's too short"....."he is sporatic, won't listen to anyone, doesn't play fair with others".... "we fired him for a reason, you've been warned..." You still going to hire him? Yes? Then Newt's your type of guy..... If he wins the republican ticket....then my decision will be made early...I'll stick with Obama and see what this policy of his looks like full term. I do like that he has the nuggets to call in Seal 6 and get the job done, A LOT!

They gave me $12k for it, which I thought was pretty fair given the pricing on the Volvo. The next nearest price point in the market for a V8 XC90 at that time was about $4k higher, with 15k more miles. They've taken great care of me with the reconditioning of the Volvo too. Instead of just hitting the paint nicks from door dings (on the door ding rubber piece) with a touch-up pin, they are actually going to put it into their body shop and do it all correctly. They tried the touch up approach last week, and quite honestly, it looks great us as is, but not to them. They want it back next week for a couple of days. I told them "its a used car guys, you don't have to do that", but they want to...for free. So who am I to argue! The 4runner will easily go another 100k with minimal, if any, real problems. I took great care of the mechanicals, with synth diff fluid every 30k miles in both diffs and transfer case. Synth oil only, new oem plugs, air filter every 10k miles. It was driven 90% of the time by my wife to/from the store. Rest of the miles were almost all highway, including what I suspect were the first 50k from the first owner, which clocked up that mileage in about 18 months of ownership. Other than the rims starting to show rust bubbles, and some marginal flash rust on the steel frame "I'd say on a scale of 1-10 in terms of rust 5 being normal, it was a 6.5", the car is perfect. I got rid of it almost exclusively due to a safety concern if it ever rolled over (no side curtain airbags). It also needs the timing belt / water pump service, and I would strongly suggest the trans fluid flushed, which isn't cheap! It's got that sealed transmission, with the lifetime fluid. But... We all know that lifetime fluid isn't really lifetime. Still shifted great, but 105k on the same fluid was bugging me. $400 service alone at the dealer... New rims (cosmetic need only), new rotors, and proper service, and it'd be just like new. Still even smelled newish, thanks to the little green machine steam cleaner I've got. Previous owner was a smoker, and I pulled out all of that residue with the bissell when we got it. Cleaned it a couple of more times with it over the years as well.

I really have to credit the claybar detail from years ago for the way it looks now. Learning that trick on here, has made me a believer that it's a real game changer for car ownership. Do it once, and the benefits last a long time! We paid around $18,500 for the 4runner used in 07', with 53k miles on it already. For it to be listed in the mid-teens in price nearly 5 years later, with twice the miles, is just amazing to me. That car was put through the paces big time with Chicago's rough roads and even rougher winters. Not a rattle in it when I traded it in, other than a missing brake pad clip from a botched repair at the Toyota dealer here in VA when we were with SWO looking for a house in September... Great vehicle! Only complaint, beyond the lack of confidence behind the wheel at highway speeds in the rain, would be brake rotors too small for the weight of the vehicle. Never could keep them from warping... I doubt the Volvo will hold it's value nearly as well. Paid around $28k for it with 31k mile. But we plan on keeping it for at least 5 years as well, so I'm not really worried about what it's value might be tomorrow. Love the V8 in it too. Not quite as torquey as the 4runner's, but not meant to be a "truck" with a camper-shell on the bed either, like the 4runner's basically are. Paid for a "truck-tough" 4runner, that never saw a real mud hole during my years of ownership.

But now, the new suburbanite Clark Griswald Hotness Hoopty Ride... Pre-dealer reconditioning (don't have any of those photos available). Basically, the leather seats were either treated back to new, or replaced altogether with new leather surfaces. Dings and scrapes were removed from the exterior, transmission fluid flushed, and detailed. Plus, a couple of the GTI (one dirty bird these days, needs a complete cleaning.) Hasn't seen a real bath since last summer... Just been too darn busy and/or too cold and/or haven't found a place beyond the brushless sprayer at the gas stations...

Ahh... the memories.. She was a great vehice to us, got us through a lot of bad weather. Have a lot of good family memories with this car too, with all of those 900 mile drives with the kids in the back from IL to NC. She brought home both of our kids from the hospital too. Never a problem other than those caused by the elements, not manufacturer error. They did a fantastic job cleaning her up too! I did a full claybar and wax/polish detail in November of 2008, before we moved to Chicago. That was the last time it had seen a coat of wax!! The engine bay looks a billion times better too! If you were looking straight down though, you'd see the effects of the road salt down in the belly of the engine bay.. She will be missed, and remembered fondly.. http://fallschurch.d...005-15118V.html

Be quite honest in my opinion, the only German automaker that has anything that really appeals to me directly, is the Audi/VW group with their double box double clutch DSG transmission. I swear, it is the most addictive element of any car I have ever drive. I like it so much, in both auto mode and manual mode, that when it comes time to replace the GTI, I'm probably going to stay with the brand because of it. I Love a BMW though, but the prices are just outrageous for what you get, even in the used market. A fairly loaded 06 330i with 50k+ miles for the same price as a fully loaded CPO 10 Passat with under 20k miles, and many years of warranty coverage. Different cars, true. But both have enough "German" to scratch anyone's "German itch". That being said, what I don't understand even more so than BMW prices, is Audi's! BMW is a "stand alone" badge. Audi is like the Acura of Honda. I wouldn't say Lexus to Toyota though, because designs and switch gear are different enough to distinguish them apart. But Audi and VW (remember, I'm talking CPO used, not new) share so many characteristics and switchgear, that I can't justify the cost difference of an Audi. I guess there are enough design queues differences for many others, but I don't see it for that kind of money. In my honest opinion, not to be bias, but I think the best German car on the road, for driving fun, livability, comfort, and pure return on dollar to enjoyment, is the 4-door GTI. I really adore my 07', and freakin love the new ones!! There's a reason why Top Gear (the real one, not the idiots in Nevada), keeps praising the car as the one to beat...

Thanks Dens, we really like this car. I took it to Loews a couple weeks ago and found it to be the Swiss army knife of hauling nearly $800 worth of garage organizing stuff. Sadly however, the dealer has had it for the past week, doing the reconditioning. I get it back tomorrow, which means I get my little turbo bunny GTI back from my wife. I've been driving one of their loaners this week, a new S60. Nice, but has a funky transmission that hunts around way too much. Cruises though like a champ! I got a glimpse of the XC today, it looks great. I'll post up more photos once I get it back, before it gets covered in Cheerios and chicken nugget crumbs. The 4runner is still listed on their site for $15,500, which I think is too high. Hasn't sold yet. I say, given the rusting rims and rusty underside, it clears the market for around $12k. They made their money on the Volvo, with a "tip" on the 4Runner probably. Either way, works for me, I'm happy. Quite honestly, I'm in a weird place with my car lineup. I'm perfectly content with no real desire to replace anything. It's an odd feeling for a car guy to have!!

You keep that Jeep SWO. You keep that Jeep for a long long long time! You're not allowed to replace for anything but a full on Hummer H1. You hear me SWO!! Long long long long long time! While it was 62 degrees and sunny here today, it was whiteout blizzardly in ChiTcago. Long time...Long long long long time buddy! Your Jeep magic is working!

Remember men, there can be only one!

Well, I don't hear those moose lovers calling back their testicular hacking she devil from hell back home! Until they do, they're right up there with the PLO, Auburn Football, and the LAPD (circa 1988)! Damn that Celine Dion, eh'!

PS: If I could afford it, I'd buy that A7 in a heartbeat! But, I think I'm stuck at the redheaded step sister level with VW. Price difference between the two badges is huge, and basically nearly all of the same parts. A trick with the GTI and Passat to fix a squeaky under carriage arm, was a $3 bolt from the A4 that fit perfectly.

In terms of reliability, coming from a Lexus perspective, nothing will compare. But I've come to the conclusion that cars in general have gotten a lot better over the past decade to the point of considering just about all makes. I have one of the worst cars known for reliability (VW) and simply love it. I honestly dont know why they're rated so low in the press. Mine is as solid as any other car ive owned, and I'm approaching 54k miles and 5 years of age. I think technology has elevated all brands to a point where you can put drivable enjoyment at the top of the list of shopping criteria. It really is a neat time to shop cars now! If you're in the used market, I honestly think the 07-08 models are the best built (tail end of the economic boom, right before value engineering creeped in to insulate profit margins). This list doesn't surprise. The Europeans have been coming on strong over the past 4 years, especially the Germans. Lexus is having an off year due to the earthquake earlier. I wouldnt be surprised if the new model revamps aren't pushed a year or two while they recover the infrastructure in Japan.

Happy New Year Amigos! Man, what friggin' ride this one has been! From the tornados in the spring, to the hurricanes and earthquakes, to new job, move, house, politics, economy, ending of Iraq, Osama Bin Delta Forced, and on and on and on. I don't know about you guys, but I've never been so f'n tired before in my entire life! Thanks 2011, you were a huge one, but your butt's gotta hit the road Jack, and don't cha' ever come back! Here's to what I hope will be a more peaceful and prosperous 2012! And don't forget to vote for the Republicans (unless we all want to go broke, die of death panels, and be overrun by the Canadians and the Chinese)! Hahaha! Bring on 2012!!

Well, the two of you jokers, I'd just blackmail! Especially you, SW03ES! Or, is it SWG35??? ;-) I'm republican boys. I play dirty, can't recall, and will see and raise your photographic proof with baseless and false accusations that will taint the jury just enough, to let me go free!

Wife saw three massive bucks yesterday standing on the side of the road, full grown racks, big boys! Think she loves the Volvo now. I remember a 78 Pontiac Sunfire station wagon we had as a kid (Betsie). Thing was an utter piece of junk, but I loved it. I remember my dad had an interested buyer come over to the house. I got in trouble for telling the buyer about all of the little quarks she had, like the need to plug her in at night to keep her warm, and petting her head to wake her up (pray to the dashboard that it would start). Man did I cry when she was bought. Good thing I'm friends with management around this joint, as for the first time in 8 years, I'm not only Toyota-less, but Asian built in general!

My son woke up this morning, looked outside at the driveway, and frantically said: "where's the blue car!!!?? I want the blue car!!" I'm probably going to pay for this later with the therapy bills, but I had to tell him that Santa needed to take it to the North Pole to help get his sleigh back home. He responded "Oh, ok, Rudolph must be tired, huh daddy". I laughed. He then said "why isn't mommy's new car blue though?" Kids....

Thanks guys! I drove it home tonight down the toll road, very smooth and comfortable to be in. Coming from the truck-based 4runner to the car-based XC, is very noticeable and enjoyable. 4runner was great, and still is, but we were ready to step back a notch in the "rugged" nature of SUV land. Yeah, I just couldn't pay that price for the Buick, knowing the same car could basically be had in the Chevy, GMC, and Saturn platforms for less. The Volvo was considerably less as well, and has the V8 over the V6 in the Buick. The Buick is very nice, but going above $30k for anything with over 50k miles just doesn't sit well enough for me.

Took my cell phone long enough to post that last reply..geezz! Here are a couple of photos from my phone about 30 minutes ago in my parking garage. Dealership is around the corner from my office. I'll get more later (and better). Drives very nice, for the whole 4 miles I've driven it so far. Have an appointment next week to take it in for them to finish up the reconditioning for the certification. A couple of seats have some scratches, minor nicks here and there, the cosmetic stuff. 32k miles in nearly 4 years of ownership by the previous owner, is pretty good! Volvo warranty covers the entire car until 100k miles or 1/1/2014, whichever happens first. Sold to me by the original dealer who sold it the first time, and serviced it. I didn't negotiate on the price, but rather on the trade value of the 4runner. They gave me $11k for it. Considering I paid like $18.5k in 2007 for it, drove it 52k miles, and barely spent a dime on it (minus brakes and tires), I said "you've got a deal". I think he was surprised actually that I didn't haggle further. I told him that I don't work for free and I don't expect him too either. Could've haggled for a few hundred here or there, but at the end of the day, if you want it, and you can buy it, then just buy it and enjoy it, which is exactly what I did today. Now I'm off to go show my wife her new car! This will easily be the nicest car she has ever owned, by a million miles! Helps to distract from the heaviness of what's happening in NC for us at the moment. Some men go to the bar...I go car shopping. Go figure! You ever see me in a Ferrari, you'll know I probably lost one of my parents (and my mind).

Still at the dealership, I've got my first repair already!!! Hahaha!!! Brake light bulb burned out!!

This is a done process. I bought a CPO Volvo XC90 with the V8, 32k miles, 2008, awd. White exterior, beige leather interior. All toys except navigation (we have more Garmins than cars at the moment anyway) It feels like a luxurious bank vault.

Our plans and desires for our next car have recently changed. Safety is our number one top requirement. We're focusing on a CPO Volvo XC90 SUV now, V8, white, all the toys. We'll make do with the smaller interior size of the XC90. Just one too many stories out there about how "I'd be in trouble had it not been for my Volvo". That's number one now.

They're tough, no doubt. But not tougher that NJ and IL winter road salt! That's what is causing the problems underneath and on the wheels. When SW0 was helping us buy a house here in September, I had an emergency $850 repair for new front brake calipers that had rusted so badly they had seized on to the rotors. $850 was the band aide repair too, not the new pads and rotors that it needs as well. Rears are there now too, and to look underneath, is not a pretty sight. Can't justify the expenses when we're ready for something newer anyway.