Gimme Five

[Yankee Traveler]

A lot of good stuff in here.

I agree with the sentiment started by @YankeeRebel, acceptance for all except where accepting means awarding a competitive advantage.

The electronics in cars is more complicated. Would you rather a disabled car or bullies roaming as part of martial law? I know it's not an "either or" subject - but the topic is more than just overreaching. I'm presenting a counter argument and not a vetted opinion.

Not sure I understand your question or your point. I use the covid lockdowns as an example, and on that track, there were many people that were disallowed from going anywhere even to a summer camp that they owned to get out of the cities. Meanwhile the elites were allowed to roam free. While my skepticism mentioned the pandemic I despise the idea of anyone having that control over any portion of the population. If we were to experience another "pandemic" and at the same time my mom had a serious ailment that had her on her death bed, it should not be someone else's decision if I drive there or not regardless of the circumstances. First it is a pandemic, then an environmental situation FEMA has shut down the roads in and out of whatever hurricane disaster zone. Then it's just global warming. Your not allowed to drive but X miles per week and on X days because everything you need is within an X mile radius.

The insurance companies wanting to force you out of your old car is an honest endeavor. They honestly want to make more money. Statistically they may be right. I might support them if I knew where the costs were highest: due to liability caused by increased deaths and injuries; or, just costs for repairs. I know it costs more to those don't have the money - but we all pay taxes, and if the roads are noticeably safer then it may be justified.

Yeah...fuck ALL that noise. If I can afford it, I should be able to drive any vehicle that is road legal and repair it how I see fit. Insurance companies ARE NOT honest companies trying to make an honest dollar to stay afloat. They are legalized, required by law extortionists. Home, Auto, Health, Life...Whatever.

As for paid protesters: it's another form of propaganda. So is a lot of other protests that are about choosing a side instead of true outrage and expressing true social values.

If we lived in a world not populated by so much inattentiveness, chosen ignorance, and outright stupidness - my opinions would be more certain and lean toward keeping hands off. But we don't, and that perplexes me.

 

[nefansince75]

Not sure I understand your question or your point. I use the covid lockdowns as an example, and on that track, there were many people that were disallowed from going anywhere even to a summer camp that they owned to get out of the cities. Meanwhile the elites were allowed to roam free. While my skepticism mentioned the pandemic I despise the idea of anyone having that control over any portion of the population. If we were to experience another "pandemic" and at the same time my mom had a serious ailment that had her on her death bed, it should not be someone else's decision if I drive there or not regardless of the circumstances. First it is a pandemic, then an environmental situation FEMA has shut down the roads in and out of whatever hurricane disaster zone. Then it's just global warming. Your not allowed to drive but X miles per week and on X days because everything you need is within an X mile radius.

Yeah...fuck ALL that noise. If I can afford it, I should be able to drive any vehicle that is road legal and repair it how I see fit. Insurance companies ARE NOT honest companies trying to make an honest dollar to stay afloat. They are legalized, required by law extortionists. Home, Auto, Health, Life...Whatever.

My use of honest for insurance companies was meant as a humerous way of stating their goal is hidden and transparent at the same time. Like you can trust a thief will steal from you.

The issue with "methods of control" is a lot like tuna nets, great for catching tuna while also being great at catching dolphins. I like the idea of efficient tuna fishing, but I don't like passive acceptance of collateral damage. The answer isn't send 10,000 people out with fishing poles. I don't like forcing everyone who can't afford a helicopter to stay home, or even forcing everyone to stay home. I also didn’t like how casually so many accepted the risk without regard for the risk of others.

It seems we need to settle on a form of best wrong answer, but as always - I'm better at asking questions than giving solutions.

 

[Dude]

Gimme Five: Gimme five trends you see taking place in our world that you are suspect of.

1. Professional Protestors: This stems from the current LA protests, I feel close to 40% of those crowds are groups that protest for a particular side. It's not that they personally object to any situation but it's more a chance to stir the pot.

2. No Cash Kiosks: I have been to a few places that no longer have a cashier mostly chains you have to order at the kiosk and pay with a card. I feel that for some reason creditors are pushing cashless pay systems.

3. Transgender's in sports. I believe every humas deserves love and I personally do not care if anyone is gay, use to bother me but I grew up. I am however opposed to transgender males participating in female sports. They are not female, god made them male they are males stop ruining sports for girls.

4. Lazy Cops (aka) roundabout / traffic circles / rotary's these are popping up more and more in Florida and people down here do not how to use them.

5. Food Trucks: I get it some of these are great, but I am not sure they go through the same rigorous inspections as sit down joints. Because I am not entirely sure how it works, I am suspect more than opposed.

On food trucks, my brother had a one in San Diego (gourmet sandwiches, great hamburgers), and it’s very strict in CA. You need to pass all kinds of periodic inspections, and have to keep your truck in a special sanitary facility overnight or when not in use. Even if it’s your own brand new truck. He sold it after 2 years, got tired of the 16-hour work days.

 

[Southieinnc]

A lot of good stuff in here.

I agree with the sentiment started by @YankeeRebel, acceptance for all except where accepting means awarding a competitive advantage.

The electronics in cars is more complicated. Would you rather a disabled car or bullies roaming as part of martial law? I know it's not an "either or" subject - but the topic is more than just overreaching. I'm presenting a counter argument and not a vetted opinion.

The insurance companies wanting to force you out of your old car is an honest endeavor. They honestly want to make more money. Statistically they may be right. I might support them if I knew where the costs were highest: due to liability caused by increased deaths and injuries; or, just costs for repairs. I know it costs more to those don't have the money - but we all pay taxes, and if the roads are noticeably safer then it may be justified.

As for paid protesters: it's another form of propaganda. So is a lot of other protests that are about choosing a side instead of true outrage and expressing true social values.

If we lived in a world not populated by so much inattentiveness, chosen ignorance, and outright stupidness - my opinions would be more certain and lean toward keeping hands off. But we don't, and that perplexes me.

In Japan, you must sell your car after so many years / miles.
That is why an American can buy a 10 year old car with 30,000 miles on it for 10% of American cost.
Japanese ride the high speed train and bus's

 

[Southieinnc]

Insurance companies have one goal..................More money, less expenditures (internal costs) and claims paid.

Right now, people who lost homes in the California wildfires and Hurricane Helena are not getting claims paid. Why? Because insurance companies are trying to find ways to increase their income to offset those claims. Simplest ways to do that is to raise premiums on people paying for policies that have never had a claim.

Denying claims is the first step. When they can't, they delay payment or attempt to pay down the claim. You pay $2000 a year from full coverage on your car. You drive a 2020 Toyota RAV4 that you bought brand new and are paying $250 a month for 72 months. You have 24 payments remaining and still owe $6000. You get T-Boned and the car is totaled. You have 80,000 miles on it. The insurance company says it's worth $5000 and that's all they're paying. You ready to cough up $15,000 for a lawyer to take them to court for $1000? Or do you pay the $1000 and buy a new car which will cost you $3000 with the same insurance company?

Insurance is a legal scam. Especially homeowners. Banks and insurance companies are in it together. Banks demand that you have full coverage on any vehicle or home that you have a loan against. You think they aren't getting a kick back? They say it's to protect you against catastrophic loss. It's to protect them from you claiming bankruptcy on a brand new F-150 that you paid $65,000 for and was totaled last night and the insurance company will say is only worth $50,000 except you picked up Gap insurance for $50 a month to pay the bank the gap between the devalued truck and what you owe the bank.

I won't get into health insurance.

I hate insurance companies. I shop insurance every time they raise my rates.

I had State Farm for 30 years. I remember my then teenage daughter complaining about them being a ripoff.
I explained to her that in the last 3 years we had 3 cars stolen, 2 cars hit by deer, 3 cars totalled in wrecks, and 1 car wrecked by a pothole. Isked her if she thought they were making money off us?

 

[Yankee Traveler]

In Japan, you must sell your car after so many years / miles.

Why? What is the reasoning behind this? And sell to who?

That is why an American can buy a 10 year old car with 30,000 miles on it for 10% of American cost.

JDM?

Japanese ride the high speed train and bus's

If it wasn't for the corruption high speed rail would be a good thing here as well. An economic and environmental Boom.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I hate insurance companies. I shop insurance every time they raise my rates.

I had State Farm for 30 years. I remember my then teenage daughter complaining about them being a ripoff.
I explained to her that in the last 3 years we had 3 cars stolen, 2 cars hit by deer, 3 cars totalled in wrecks, and 1 car wrecked by a pothole. Isked her if she thought they were making money off us?

Oh...so you're the fucking reason my rates keep going up!!

 

[Southieinnc]

Why? What is the reasoning behind this? And sell to who?

JDM?

If it wasn't for the corruption high speed rail would be a good thing here as well. An economic and environmental Boom.

Trade car in.
JDM?????
Their high speed rail is high speed and not bound by California corruption and bureaucracy.....

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Trade car in.

So how is the value assessed if you are forced to trade it in?

JDM?????

Japanese Domestic Market. The old RX7's and Mitsubishi Evo's, Subie STI's and especially the Nissan GTR. They had real good ones available in Japan that were not available for export. They command HIGH Dollar here. Which begs the question...what do the dealers do with your car after you trade it in? Crush it? Resell it?

Their high speed rail is high speed and not bound by California corruption and bureaucracy.....

Scratching my head...

 

[BigKen]

Their high speed rail is high speed and not bound by California corruption and bureaucracy.....

I took that train in 1971. They called it The Bullet. Smooth as silk from Yakosuska to Nagasaki at 125 MPH. If they could have done the same here, there would still have to be stops at the bigger cities. But New York to Chicago non-stop or even Dallas non-stop would be near impossible. The number of people making the trip wouldn't pay for the trip. They would have to do......Boston -NYC-Phil.- Balt- DC, then hang a right and head north for Chicago through Cleveland, indy then Chitown. Or turn South from DC and go to Memphis. Houston and then Dallas While more pleasurable, no way near as fast as a Jet. Three hours vs three days.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

I took that train in 1971. They called it The Bullet. Smooth as silk from Yakosuska to Nagasaki at 125 MPH. If they could have done the same here, there would still have to be stops at the bigger cities. But New York to Chicago non-stop or even Dallas non-stop would be near impossible. The number of people making the trip wouldn't pay for the trip. They would have to do......Boston -NYC-Phil.- Balt- DC, then hang a right and head north for Chicago through Cleveland, indy then Chitown. Or turn South from DC and go to Memphis. Houston and then Dallas While more pleasurable, no way near as fast as a Jet. Three hours vs three days.

Three days is Amtrack now.

High speed rail corridors along every interstate is entirely possible, with one set dedicated to longer distance 500+ miles, and the another for shorter distances 0ff 100 miles give or take.

With the cost savings passed along to the passenger, private suites, lounges, many people would take the trip. NYC to Chicago along I80 and I90 would be about 750 to 800 miles. at 200 mph (Luxury high-speed trains, like the Frecciarossa 1000 in Italy, can reach speeds of up to 250 mph) that's a 4 hr trip or less....for less. Between Parking, shuttling early check in and flight time...is there a time benefit? That train, hypothetically of course, could then carry on to Minneapolis, then Billings then Seattle. A southern east/west route could go from Atlanta to Dallas/Fort Worth to Albuquerque to LA.

A middle route (DC-Nashville-Denver-San Fran), north/south routes on either side of the country and a bunch of regional spurs would be huge...


If not for the corruption.


FWIW:
1)High speed trains use on average ten times less fuel than a car on a per passenger basis. And six times less fuel than the airlines.
2)Besides fuel usage other benefits advantages include capacity (a single train can carry more passengers than a large jet), quicker turnaround times, and less reliance on complex infrastructure like airports.
3) Significantly reduced Green House Gas Emissions.

 

[Southieinnc]

So how is the value assessed if you are forced to trade it in?

Japanese Domestic Market. The old RX7's and Mitsubishi Evo's, Subie STI's and especially the Nissan GTR. They had real good ones available in Japan that were not available for export. They command HIGH Dollar here. Which begs the question...what do the dealers do with your car after you trade it in? Crush it? Resell it?

The value is poor.
There are companies that export the used vehicles. most go to countries that drive on the wrong side of the road.
Some get sold to the 80,000 Americans living in Japan.
Some are parted out.
They all go cheaply - but not to the American market. Shipping is exopensive.
There are companies in the Phillipines that convert them to left habd drive to use in countries that drive on the correct side of the road.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

The value is poor.
There are companies that export the used vehicles. most go to countries that drive on the wrong side of the road.
Some get sold to the 80,000 Americans living in Japan.
Some are parted out.
They all go cheaply - but not to the American market. Shipping is exopensive.
There are companies in the Phillipines that convert them to left habd drive to use in countries that drive on the correct side of the road.

So there really isn't a rule that states one cannot own a car past 10 years. People just like to trade them in on something new..?

 

[BigKen]

So there really isn't a rule that states one cannot own a car past 10 years.

I'm driving a 2013 Toyota RAV4
Wife is driving a 2014 Lincoln MKT

I just had mine completely stripped and repainted and it looks like it's a 2025. (132,00 mi)

Just had the front end of the MKT completely replaced. Wife wouldn't trade it for brand new Mercedes. (!25,000 mi)

 

[YankeeRebel]

Gimme Five: Give me your top five regional / national food preferences.

1. Mexican

2. Italian

3. American BBQ

4. German

5. Greek

 

[NWPATSFAN]

1. Italian
2. Thai
3. American comfort food
4. Chinese from NE America
5. German

Side note: I'm currently in Denmark and the food is surprisingly good thus far.

 

[nefansince75]

Gimme Five: Give me your top five regional / national food preferences.

1. Mexican

2. Italian

3. American BBQ

4. German

5. Greek

Middle Eastern (and Greek, lots of similarities and overlap)
Japanese/sushi
Thai
Mexican
Americana

 

[YankeeRebel]

Middle Eastern (and Greek, lots of similarities and overlap)
Japanese/sushi
Thai
Mexican
Americana

Never had Sushi not something I am willing to try.

 

[Southieinnc]

So there really isn't a rule that states one cannot own a car past 10 years. People just like to trade them in on something new..?

No, there is a law. I'm not familiar with it enough to quote it.

 

[Southieinnc]

Never had Sushi not something I am willing to try.

I like sushi but prefer sushimi.....