Search found 201 matches

by boffalora
Wed Aug 08, 2018 2:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Selling a used car
Replies: 49
Views: 2769

Re: Selling a used car

Agree with Ithenderson. Look closely at the ad for the white Camry. There are several things you can do make a good first impression with your car no matter what may be wrong with it. Your potential buyers are going to consider the quality of you, the owner, as representative of the quality of the car. If there are things you choose not to fix but to instead price the car to allow the next owner to decide what to do about it, that's perfectly OK. 1. Make a bucket of laundry detergent suds (Tide or whichever detergent you use). Scrub the interior of the car. You may just be able to get rid of that ugly stain. Then wash the exterior of the car. The strong detergent will clean the car down to its clearcoat. It will transform the appearance of ...
by boffalora
Mon Aug 06, 2018 4:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: "Dollar Tree Store" favorites
Replies: 84
Views: 8539

Re: "Dollar Tree Store" favorites

Plain white china items, particularly specialty pieces not normally found in place settings.

Example: Large, shallow bowls for salads, soups and pasta.
by boffalora
Sun Aug 05, 2018 6:09 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audi A4 -- Does Anyone Have an Opinion About It?
Replies: 31
Views: 4096

Re: Audi A4 -- Does Anyone Have an Opinion About It?

I've owned three Audis (a 1981 4000, a 2004 A4 and presently a 2017 Q3) and a couple of VW Golfs (a sibling vehicle) through the years. Here are my thoughts: 1. The Audi brand has traditionally been among the first to implement new technologies. Some of them work fine, others are ditched within a couple of years due to being problematic. The generation of Audi A4 you are considering has few innovations, and that's a good thing. 2. Audis are not as difficult to repair as many would have you believe. It's largely a matter of procuring parts. Again, back to the innovations. If something that was a passing Audi tech fad goes bad, finding appropriate parts may be difficult. I, too, live in a warm, flat area of the country and have little use for...
by boffalora
Sat Jun 30, 2018 8:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: replace old central AC unit?
Replies: 32
Views: 3336

Re: replace old central AC unit?

My first question would be, has the system been properly maintained? By this I mean fully checked out each spring (for the cooling season) and fall (for the heating season). A competent HVAC dealer will clean everything within the system (blower, condensation coil and condenser unit) and check its refrigerant to determine whether it is operating at its peak efficiency. Honestly, 15 years old is not that old. The minimum SEER (system equipment efficiency rating) of today is 14, while 15 years ago it was no less than 10. If your HVAC dealer believes that the system was not sized properly for your home, then a properly-sized new one would be in order. Btw, I live in hot, humid Louisiana, where a properly sized, installed and maintained system ...
by boffalora
Mon May 14, 2018 10:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Cape Cod Vacation
Replies: 11
Views: 1950

Re: Cape Cod Vacation

You raised a very good question about Martha's Vineyard. A companion and I tried a spur-of-the-moment visit there nearly 40 years ago and quickly realized that getting around the island without a car would be a problem. Making matters worse, reservations for car ferry service had to be made well in advance. (Pedestrians can take the ferry at any time.) We wound up restricting our day visit to Edgartown, where the ferry docks. Fortunately, much has changed on "the Vineyard" since then, and the internet has helped disseminate information about it. There is a well-established public bus system as well as private coach tours. Here's a good place to begin your search for information as to what to do and how to reach those places. http:...
by boffalora
Mon May 14, 2018 10:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sumitomo Tires
Replies: 8
Views: 3376

Re: Sumitomo Tires

bob60014, you are correct. This agreement was in effect between 1999 and 2015. http://www.moderntiredealer.com/blogpost/b-o-b/340560/5-more-interesting-facts-about-the-goodyear-sumitomo-dissolution The take-home message from this is that when a tire brand appears in the US, it is very likely the result of an affiliation with a well-known tire brand. I probably did not make that very clear in my story above about Michelin and Warrior in China. When (Japanese) Bridgestone bought out (US) Firestone, they became quite selective about which US plants remained open, not necessarily because of the cost of production, but because of quality issues in Firestone tires. Example, tire production of a onetime Oklahoma plant with persistent labor and qua...
by boffalora
Sun May 13, 2018 6:29 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Sumitomo Tires
Replies: 8
Views: 3376

Re: Sumitomo Tires

1. I know several owners of imported vehicles, German, Japanese and Korean makes, who are fans of Sumitomo tires. Those who have tried them seem to like them, and are especially pleased with their low prices. 2. Nearly all major tiremakers now have modern plants in China producing top quality tires of all types. In the case of Michelin, it purchased a well-known Chinese brand called Warrior. For the first two years of production at a new plant, Michelin made its well-known MXV4 all-season tire under the Warrior brand. Many of these tires made it to the US and were sold by independent tire dealers at an astonishingly low price. I drove a 1998 Honda Civic on set of Warriors during the last two years I owned the car and was very happy with the...
by boffalora
Wed May 02, 2018 6:59 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: [What TV Show Have You Recently Watched?]
Replies: 5973
Views: 689744

Re: Netflix, Your Current Favorite Show

Have enjoyed several Netflix series, all mentioned here, but my current guilty pleasure is Doctor Foster.
by boffalora
Wed May 02, 2018 6:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New AC - Brand/SEER
Replies: 16
Views: 1971

Re: New AC - Brand/SEER

+1 with Spirit Rider. Don't be overly concerned with the brand of the equipment. Priority One is finding a skilled, reliable HVAC contractor who will install the system properly. If you are satisfied with your existing contractor, stick with him and follow his recommendation. If he sells more than one brand, any of them will be more than adequate simply because they will be installed and serviced by him. Don't be afraid to choose the least expensive brand if that's what your budget will support. We live in Louisiana where cooling is far more important than heating. I replaced a 1992-vintage 10 SEER unit in 2016 with a Goodman 14 SEER. 80% heating efficiency system. FTR, before its acquisition by Daikin, Goodman itself was regarded as the wo...
by boffalora
Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:42 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Removing Existing Satellite Systems
Replies: 23
Views: 4917

Re: Removing Existing Satellite Systems

I'd strongly consider calling a roofing contractor to remove the dishes for you. Once they're gone the roofer can repair any damage that was caused by fastening the dishes to the roof.
by boffalora
Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: AAA? What to do in car emergencies?
Replies: 112
Views: 13929

Re: AAA? What to do in car emergencies?

Prayers for peace and comfort as you continue on your life journey. My wife and I are retired and have had AAA for over 20 years. We married later in life (yes, this can happen if and when the time and the partner are right). I've always been a DIY kind of guy, so my wife was the first to join AAA. Because we lived in different cities about 200 miles apart and drove to see one another just about every weekend, I quickly understood the value of AAA Premier service that would tow a disabled car up to that distance. This way either of us could get our cars to a preferred repair shop and could reach one another while riding in the cab of the tow truck. Most recently I've used AAA when the transmission linkage of one of our cars came apart. I us...
by boffalora
Thu Apr 19, 2018 7:34 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: What is best strategy for taking RMD from VG IRA
Replies: 26
Views: 5916

Re: What is best strategy for taking RMD from VG IRA

I keep enough for two years' RMDs in Prime Money Market (within my traditional IRA) independent of my asset allocation. Were interest rates still in a downward trajectory I'd probably hold that sum in either Short Term Investment Grade or Intermediate Term Investment Grade, but for now PMM suits my needs and allows me to sleep at night while maintaining my desired long term asset allocation between the other funds. My RMD (including QCD) is taken from the above Prime Money Market portion of the IRA. I replenish the PMM sum from my other funds while rebalancing between the others at an opportune time. That is, I try to avoid doing it in a down market. Again, keeping two years' RMDs in cash enables me to do so when I please. Not a precision p...
by boffalora
Mon Jan 22, 2018 7:03 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Car Stereo Questions
Replies: 25
Views: 2948

Re: Car Stereo Questions

Replying to gasdoc: I believe an aftermarket car stereo would not detract from the resale value unless the car is a collector favorite in which having the vehicle's every detail historically correct is important. Otherwise, choose a replacement audio unit that is equal to or better than the factory unit it's replacing. If it's an older car whose factory unit is now out of date with regard to features, this will be easy. If it's the premium system for a current vehicle (i.e. Beats Audio for a Fiat or harmon/karden for an Audi) be especially careful. Count me in among the Crutchfield faithful. I've bought several systems from them since the 1970s. Their value-added services are complete physical and electrical adapters for the unit you've cho...
by boffalora
Mon Aug 28, 2017 12:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying fish (salmon) in Northeast?
Replies: 37
Views: 3604

Re: Buying fish (salmon) in Northeast?

A couple of comments:

If you have a Kroger store (or one of their affiliate brands), consider their bags of frozen Wild Caught Pink Salmon filets, individually cryovac'd. As best I've been able to discern, these are Alaskan salmon flown to a processing plant in China, which cleans, filets and packs them for distribution in the US. The filets are clean, skinless and boneless. I've compared them to the "crunchy brands" sold in health food stores and the Kroger variety are far superior.

At your fresh seafood counter, consider wild-caught Steelhead Trout filets instead. They are a "meater" salmon variety with a cleaner taste and if properly fileted, few if any bones.
by boffalora
Wed Jun 08, 2016 10:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Quality Coffee Maker?
Replies: 54
Views: 9616

Re: Quality Coffee Maker?

Toastmaster 12cup drip maker. $12.50 at Dollar General.

My favorite. Really.
by boffalora
Sat May 28, 2016 11:44 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Should a 72 yo renew term life insurance?
Replies: 31
Views: 3687

Re: Should a 72 yo renew term life insurance?

Some years ago I heard term life insurance described as "renting an estate".

This made an impression on me, as those who must rent an estate are young families in greatest need of one, long before they've had a chance to assemble one.

Approach your dad with the idea that his time for life insurance has long passed for two reasons:

1. Being a prudent manager of his finances, he successfully amassed a more-than-adequate estate.

2. He imparted his wisdom of things financial to you and your siblings, enabling you to amass estates of your own.
by boffalora
Tue Apr 26, 2016 11:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: CVT car transmissions
Replies: 25
Views: 4359

Re: CVT car transmissions

My 2004 Audi A4 had one of the earlier CVTs. It performed well for about 50Kmi (the warranty length at that time) and then began to give us problems. At 60Kmi the program module needed replacing. No warranty, about $2K. At 75Kmi it began shifting erratically. I consulted several Audi user groups and realized several owners were having the same problem. I took it to my Audi dealer, who was stumped. Just about that time a class action lawsuit appeared regarding this transmission, which authorized a full replacement, plus reimbursement of that previous $2K expense. That made the car easier to sell. http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/25/audi-settles-cvt-class-action-suit-over-2002-06-a4-failures/ Naturally, this has kept me from ever considering a...
by boffalora
Mon Apr 18, 2016 11:34 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Whole house electric surge protector
Replies: 11
Views: 1821

Re: Whole house electric surge protector

I've installed them in every home I've owned since 1990 (that would be three homes) plus the homes of all my extended family. They've protected all of us several times in the rip-roaring thunderstorms we get here in Louisiana. 1. Check the make and model of your home's electrical panelboard. If it's fairly recent (i.e. within the last 25 years) there is probably a whole-house surge protector made just for it. As previously mentioned, these occupy two adjacent breaker spaces and are easy to install. Cost should be in the $100-150 range depending on the make. 2. If you have an older breaker or fuse panel, the second option is to wire an external whole-house surge protector to two adjacent vacant 30A breakers or fuses on opposite sides of the ...
by boffalora
Sun Mar 20, 2016 9:11 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dishwasher recommendation.
Replies: 44
Views: 6379

Re: Dishwasher recommendation.

daveatca, re the Bosch Ascenta: All three that have been installed recently are as quiet or quieter than the previous, more expensive Bosch we had that had served us faithfully for over 10 years. I had recommended Bosch dishwashers to our other family members who found the $369 deal too compelling to pass up. The old Bosch was beginning to make noises that indicated worn pump bearings. Had the Ascenta deal not appeared I might have tried replacing the pump or simply replacing the unit with some other Bosch. The Ascenta cleans as well as the previous Bosch. The only thing annoying about it is that the racks of all Bosch dishwashers have been redesigned (thanks, Fritz!) to accommodate more sets of conventional dishware in order to serve large...
by boffalora
Sat Mar 19, 2016 6:46 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Dishwasher recommendation.
Replies: 44
Views: 6379

Re: Dishwasher recommendation.

Bosch Ascenta from AJ Madison. If you can wait 10-14 days for it to be shipped it's worth the wait. Every household in my extended family bought one in December when they had a bonus $75 Visa gift card on top of the savings, bringing the price down to $369 with free shipping and no sales tax. Gotta love it. http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/SHE3AR7.html
by boffalora
Sat Jan 02, 2016 7:41 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New or Lightly Used Honda CRV?
Replies: 16
Views: 4816

Re: New or Lightly Used Honda CRV?

We've all heard about the reliability of Honda products and CR-Vs in particular.

The one item that would make me choose a used one is the automatic transmission. Beginning in 2015 the CR-V was equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) rather than a traditional automatic transmission that shifts through discrete gears (1 through 3, 4, 5 or 6).

Although CVTs upshift smoothly, they are notoriously unreliable over the long term. Specifically, beyond 50,000 miles. Other makes, including Audi, have had this problem. Naturally I can't speak for Honda's CVT, but I would categorically choose anything that has a traditional automatic transmission (including 2014 and older CR-Vs) over anything with a CVT.
by boffalora
Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:36 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New Car - Acceptable Initial Mileage ?
Replies: 27
Views: 47797

Re: New Car - Acceptable Initial Mileage ?

Getting back to titling and registration by the state, a "new" car generally means one that is still owned by its manufacturer and has never been titled anywhere. In December 1996 I bought a 1996 BMW model that had been used as a service vehicle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, for which BMW was the Official Car brand. It was a never-titled car owned by BMW USA and deployed as part of a fleet of hundreds of cars in Atlanta. Following the Olympics, all those cars were shipped to BMW dealers around the country, received the normal dealer prep and necessary service and were legally sold as new with up to 4000 miles on them. Yes, BMW negotiated deep discounts on these cars because of their mileage, but the customary 5-year, 50,000-mile f...
by boffalora
Thu Nov 05, 2015 7:00 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: electric outlet and conduit placement in custom home
Replies: 19
Views: 2549

Re: electric outlet and conduit placement in custom home

larklea, that 4" PVC duct from the basement to the attic is something a great number of my fellow ham radio operators have attempted to do (Lord knows we run lots of cables) but it's been disallowed by local fire codes. It amounts to a chimney through which heat may rise and fire may spread quickly. Insurance companies back this code up, so heaven help the ham (or anyone else) who suffers a fire and a basement-to-attic duct is found. :(
by boffalora
Wed Nov 04, 2015 10:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: electric outlet and conduit placement in custom home
Replies: 19
Views: 2549

Re: electric outlet and conduit placement in custom home

Your conduits should provide enough space for CAT-5E/6 and coax cable between a central hub closet (make sure it's air conditioned!) and the various electronic devices that will require connectivity. The closet should be where the "drops" from the telephone and cable companies terminate. As technologies change through the years you will likely be changing the hub devices, but the cables should serve you for at least a decade.

If you can manage to place your WiFi router on a high shelf in this closet it should give you more than adequate coverage throughout the house.

Naturally, make sure the closet has plenty of 120VAC outlets on a dedicated 20A circuit.
by boffalora
Wed Nov 04, 2015 10:11 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Counter Depth Refrigerator to buy
Replies: 27
Views: 5194

Re: Best Counter Depth Refrigerator to buy

WaffleCone, JennAir is a Whirlpool sibling also. Our KitchenAid ran with no problems for a little over 10 years, then suddenly it died. We felt that it should have lasted longer than that, but several appliance repairmen concurred that we had pretty much ridden the train to the end of its line.

We researched several brands and learned that LG and Samsung were the up and comers. So we bit. 18 months now on our Samsung with no problems. Knock wood.
by boffalora
Wed Nov 04, 2015 10:01 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Is DIY Car maintenance that hard these days?
Replies: 51
Views: 7063

Re: Is DIY Car maintenance that hard these days?

I tend to straddle this question by becoming technically knowledgeable of my cars (online user groups are the greatest!) and then deciding on a job-by-job basis whether to do it myself or bring it to a nearby independent garage with whom I have a very good working relationship. The garage gets my oil change business (more than reasonably priced at $25 with a filter and a bumper-to-bumper visual inspection) and allows me to walk underneath the car while it's on the rack to do my own inspection. This shop, operated by two retired Air Force mechanics, uses mil-spec quality lubricants and fluids, most procured in bulk from military contractor Smitty's Supply (smittysinc.net). Best of all, since one of my cars is a 20-year-old BMW model rarely s...
by boffalora
Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best Counter Depth Refrigerator to buy
Replies: 27
Views: 5194

Re: Best Counter Depth Refrigerator to buy

We replaced our 10-year-old KitchenAid counter-depth fridge whose compressor failed (KA and Kenmore are both Whirlpool siblings) with a Samsung RS22HDHPNBC/AA. I won't get into all of its feature details because this particular model may not suit you. But the price was right from AJ Madison (ajmadison.com), and it shipped free and promptly, and sales tax-free. It came with a defective icemaker, but Samsung dispatched a local authorized service dealer (with whom we were already familiar) who replaced it promptly. No complaints. This is not my first use of AJ Madison. I've ordered several appliances from them as have extended family doing kitchen renovations and needing entire complements of kitchen appliances. Their prices are competitive an...
by boffalora
Fri Jun 12, 2015 7:18 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Chromebooks- What is the lure?
Replies: 157
Views: 25427

Re: Chromebooks- What is the lure?

Everyone here is right on track with the advantages of a Chromebook. It is not a replacement for a PC except for certain individuals. - My wife and I are retired, but we are both active leaders in volunteer organizations. We both need and use high-end laptops normally reserved for gamers (32Gb RAM in both machines) and fully equipped with Office 365 and other utility software as needed. That said, when we travel and are in a wi-fi equipped hotel room, having a fast, lightweight machine is fast and desirable. Since both of us either share documents as attachments or use Google Drive in groups, the Chromebook gives us all the utility we need. Should we need to print an attachment when in a hotel, we simply email it to the front desk and ask t...
by boffalora
Fri May 22, 2015 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Advice For Selling A Used Car
Replies: 12
Views: 4271

Re: Advice For Selling A Used Car

Watty has it right. I've done this several times.

I recommend that when you meet someone for a test drive:

- Bring a friend or family member with you.
- Meet at a library or retail location where you can make copies of the prospective buyer's drivers license and insurance card.
- Have your companion wait at that location with the copies.
- Once you have a deal, meet the buyer at a location of his bank to make the transaction. This way you will know his cashier's check issued by that bank is legitimate; a bank officer can serve as a notary public for transfer of the title.
by boffalora
Thu Sep 04, 2014 7:38 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: chip credit cards
Replies: 25
Views: 2961

Re: chip credit cards

In our area Walmart has new card terminals that read the chips instead of the mag strips. My new Amex card has both, so if I swipe the strip in the conventional way at Walmart, the terminal will halt the transaction and direct me to insert the card into the chip reader. Once it's inserted, the reader instructs me to not remove the card until the transaction is complete.
by boffalora
Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:56 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Are Rheem gas water heaters good quality?
Replies: 16
Views: 63999

Re: Are Rheem gas water heaters good quality?

I had a new Rheem gas water heater installed in January 2001. I drained and flushed it once a year. It finally failed in October 2013. I would have replaced it with another Rheem except that my regular plumber changed brands along the way, so I now have his new preferred brand, which curiously is Bradford White. Just one opinion, but I'd proceed with the Rheem with confidence.
by boffalora
Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:21 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Time to buy a new/used car? When to call it quits on a car..
Replies: 22
Views: 2814

Re: Time to buy a new/used car? When to call it quits on a c

lyner, is your 2002 Audi A6 a quattro or is it front wheel drive (FWD)? If it's FWD, it may qualify for a new transmission under the CVT Settlement. https://cvtsettlement.com/ I traded my very nice relatively low mileage 2004 Audi A4 FWD, which had been performing less than optimally, last fall after having the transmission replaced under the settlement. The independent dealer who bought it from me paid me a generous amount simply because he knew the car had been checked from stem to stern by Audi, all necessary repairs to qualify it for the CVT Settlement had been done and a new transmission had been installed. This same dealer had a particular used model with very low mileage for which I had been searching for over a year. My point is, is...
by boffalora
Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:31 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buy a new Windows 8 disc to clear Dell's bloat
Replies: 33
Views: 4885

Re: Buy a new Windows 8 disc to clear Dell's bloat

When I'm asked to clean up a friend's computer bloated with crapware, regardless of whether it came with the machine or the user unwittingly downloaded it, I first install free CCleaner (www.ccleaner.com) from a flash drive. Opening the Tools tab on CCleaner will reveal every program installed on the machine, in alphabetical order. From there it's easy to uninstall unwanted programs line by line. Periodically I'll run CCleaner's Registry cleaner to eliminate unneeded files left behind, and even more frequently the Cleaner tab. Doing a serious cleanup of the machine before ever connecting it to the internet keeps it from being reinfected in short order. Only then will I connect it to the internet and download and run an antimalware program (...
by boffalora
Wed Aug 07, 2013 9:47 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jetta Sportwagen Question
Replies: 42
Views: 8552

Re: Jetta Sportwagen Question

You're on the right track. Avoid the TDI just for the DSG transmission.

VW/Audi loves to experiment with new transmission designs in the interest of performance and fuel economy. My present 2004 Audi A4 with the then-revolutionary CVT automatic transmission delivered on both counts but began developing tranny trouble at 75,000mi. Now at 83,000mi it's getting a new transmission courtesy of a class action lawsuit. https://cvtsettlement.com/MainPage/Home.aspx Although I cannot speculate that the same thing might happen in a few years with the DSG, I myself would steer clear.
by boffalora
Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:33 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Jetta Sportwagen Question
Replies: 42
Views: 8552

Re: Jetta Sportwagen Question

As a VW and Audi fan for 30+ years, I'll try to be as objective as possible.

I would recommend the Jetta provided the one you choose is as simply equipped as possible. This means front wheel drive, 5cyl or 4cyl non-turbo engine and Tiptronic automatic or manual transmission. These are all proven components that have been used in one vehicle or another for about 20 years. This said, VW engines do require more exacting maintenance and probably can't be abused like Honda or Toyota engines. Periodic replacement of the fuel filter and cleaning of the crankcase ventilation system should not be ignored. Do these things and your VW will be fun to drive and give you miles and years of reliable service.
by boffalora
Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:56 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Audi A4 versus Volvo S60 Sedan
Replies: 25
Views: 14940

Re: Audi A4 versus Volvo S60 Sedan

Agree with Glock. I've been a VW and Audi fan for 30+ years. I love driving those cars for 75,000mi and can't bear to part with them, but experience has proven that letting them go at that mileage is the right thing to do. They require considerable preventive maintenance at that point, and if done by the wrong hands you'll regret keeping them. Suffice to say that as they approach 100,000mi, Audis are a maintenance minefield.
by boffalora
Tue May 28, 2013 8:03 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: buying a new laptop
Replies: 53
Views: 8116

Re: buying a new laptop

Donny, here's something you may want to consider. TigerDirect carries many "refurbished" computers that might be considered the computer equivalent of "program cars". I've been a happy customer with them for years. This particular machine sounds like it's very close to what you're considering, and it's equipped with Windows 7 Pro 64b.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... 977-140400

Happy shopping!
by boffalora
Sun Apr 21, 2013 10:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for advice on Wine.
Replies: 33
Views: 3545

Re: Looking for advice on Wine.

Check out the Reverse Wine Snob http://www.reversewinesnob.com/ and its associated Facebook page for exceptional wine suggestions for under $20 a bottle.
by boffalora
Tue Feb 26, 2013 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: any boglehead cure for audiophile upgrade-itis?
Replies: 63
Views: 7475

Re: any boglehead cure for audiophile upgrade-itis?

I'll hitchhike on the opinions about one's age being a cure for "upgrade-itis". I've found it curious that the more I can afford the finest toys of life that I once coveted (cars, audio, amateur radio equipment), the less they now appeal to me. Could it be that in our younger days we became captive of the mentality that owning the finest of something translated into being counted into a more affluent demographic, which in turn justified more respect? Now that we actually have accumulated real wealth we're no longer so captivated by the trappings of wealth and can instead evaluate each purchase on its true value to our individual lives. Owning the very finest of today is no longer so important. In the face of such choices every Bog...
by boffalora
Wed Feb 20, 2013 8:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Gotta buy tires
Replies: 50
Views: 7856

Re: Gotta buy tires

I'm guessing your tire size is 205/70R15. There is a huge selection of tires in a wide price range in this size.

Because you are looking for safe tires but are not planning to keep this car beyond another 30Kmi, consider a secondary brand of a major manufacturer. For example, Bridgestone makes Primewell tires in the $55-70 per tire range in this size, with a 40Kmi warranty. Likewise, Michelin makes BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and Warrior tires at lower cost than their flagship brand. All are first quality, and a set of four new ones will not break the budget. See a local dealer; you may be pleasantly surprised by what he has to offer.
by boffalora
Mon Feb 18, 2013 3:24 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Comfortable soft riding car
Replies: 28
Views: 10845

Re: Comfortable soft riding car

I'll second the Lexus for a smooth rider. Candidly, this is why my wife and I did NOT buy a Lexus. It drove cushy like the GM luxury sedans of the 1970s.

That said, seats in an Audi have the best back support in the industry, including solid lumbar support. The question is whether you'd like that tight German ride.
by boffalora
Sun Jan 27, 2013 4:02 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Replacing a car radio
Replies: 12
Views: 1477

Re: Replacing a car radio

Yet another vote for crutchfield.com . I've been a customer for 30 years. They have a wide selection of car stereos with various features, competitively priced. Using their site, begin with your specific vehicle model and submodel if applicable. Crutchfield will narrow the field to what will fit properly in your dash.

If you spend over a certain amount for a unit (I believe it's $120) Crutchfield provides installation parts and instructions specifically tailored to your vehicle, making the job immensely easier. If you spend less than that amount, there's a reasonable fee for these services.
by boffalora
Fri Sep 21, 2012 4:42 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: New windows for home- which brand?
Replies: 42
Views: 21187

Re: New windows for home- which brand?

Mrxyz, if you happen to be located in Indiana, I recommend you give Faerber's BEE Window a shot at a bid for your project. While in the St. Louis area in 1990 I faced replacement of my 1921 home's original wood windows, which were slowly rotting. I shopped around and wound up choosing BEE, which at the time was attempting an expansion into the St. Louis area (the Indiana couple who own the firm has extended family in St. Louis). I was impressed with BEE's customer focus, the quality of its vinyl windows, its competitive pricing and its nitpicking installation. At the time, BEE manufactured its own windows, but I notice they are now a dealer for Renewal by Andersen. Now in Louisiana, I helped my mother-in-law obtain replacement windows for t...
by boffalora
Mon Sep 17, 2012 7:45 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Any Prius owners?
Replies: 37
Views: 5512

Re: Any Prius owners?

Fwiw, I have a friend who just survived a head-on collision driving a Prius that was several years old. Her Prius was totaled; she walked away. Banged up a bit and sore, but alive and vertical. It crumpled in all the right places. Needless to say, her husband is ordering her a new Prius.
by boffalora
Wed Aug 01, 2012 6:17 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Surge Protector That Didn't Protect
Replies: 36
Views: 7843

Re: Surge Protector That Didn't Protect

I've installed whole-house circuit protectors in several homes I've owned, plus those of family and friends. For me it's important since I have multiple computers, a home network plus a ham radio station. I'll comment on a few items mentioned on this thread just from experience: 1. Before buying any whole-house surge protector, check your panelboard's (circuit breaker box) manufacturer and model. If it was made since about 1980, it is likely that there's a whole-house surge protector made just for that box in the form of a double-pole breaker replacement with a hefty ground wire to be connected to the box's copper ground bus. (In American English we call this 'grounding'; British English calls it 'earthing'.) Square-D, GE and Cutler-Hammer ...
by boffalora
Wed Aug 01, 2012 4:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Attic Fan Not Working
Replies: 70
Views: 18215

Re: Attic Fan Not Working

For what it's worth, today a roof replacement in the South always includes removal and disposal of this type of power vent and replacement with conventional wind turbine coolers. They run virtually constantly from April to October, requiring oiling at the beginning of the season and again at midseason. Homeowners generally ignore them and so they burn out within 2 or 3 years while the roof itself lasts 20 years.

Depending on where you live, you may want to hire a roofing contractor to replace these with wind turbines in either mill finish aluminum or black.
by boffalora
Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:44 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Muffling the sound of central air outside unit
Replies: 36
Views: 13655

Re: Muffling the sound of central air outside unit

I added a Brinmar sound blanket to my older Goodman A/C compressor that made a horribly loud noise...far worse than the one in the YouTube video. The improvement was far more dramatic than heard in the video. I believe the blanket was around $60 and my A/C contractor charged an additional $40 to install it when he did the spring preventative routine. It was easy to do then since he had already removed the cover and had washed the compressor and other parts within before installing the blanket. That was 5 years ago and the unit is still reasonably quiet (although certainly not as quiet as a new one). The Brinmar sound blanket was an unquestionably good investment. You are right. The blanket only covers the compressor itself. All other parts ...
by boffalora
Mon Feb 13, 2012 7:54 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Congress mulls IRA changes...
Replies: 2
Views: 762

Congress mulls IRA changes...

...and tried sneaking one into a transportation bill!

I suspected Stretch IRAs would eventually head for the Congressional chopping block, but RMDs on Roths?? This was supposed to be one of Roths' prime attractions. The caution of many toward the 'opportunity' to convert Traditional IRAs to Roths by paying a tax lump sum is justified.

http://www.marketwatch.com/Story/story/ ... 2128040CF6
by boffalora
Mon Feb 06, 2012 7:18 am
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington vs. Dividend Growth in this Interest Rate Climate
Replies: 6
Views: 2140

Re: Wellington vs. Dividend Growth in this Interest Rate Cli

Good thoughts all, and thanks. Btw, I failed to mention that I am already retired and that Wellington is roughly half my portfolio with the rest diversified among rotating asset classes and stock sectors. Paul, I'm thinking of the current climate of artificially low interest rates clamped down by the Fed rather than letting the market determine them. Although we all know it's never 'different this time', I'm glad to see that none other than Rick Ferri has been concerned about this (see this http://www.rickferri.com/blog/economics/the-feds-new-tax-on-retirees/ and find the Bogleheads thread discussing it). Although Rick feels that 'age in bonds' is not a universal mantra at this point, he ends up advocating that retirees maintain their own l...
by boffalora
Sun Feb 05, 2012 1:54 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Wellington vs. Dividend Growth in this Interest Rate Climate
Replies: 6
Views: 2140

Wellington vs. Dividend Growth in this Interest Rate Climate

Vanguard Dividend Growth is roughly interchangeable with the 65% equity portion of Vanguard Wellington. In this interest rate climate with bonds seemingly delivering no growth whatsoever, has anyone here considered replacing Wellington in your portfolio with Dividend Growth?

I understand the classic argument for the safety of bonds and that Wellington has done well through thick and thin since 1929, but it appears that its 35% bond position is likely to become a foreseeably huge drag on its performance between now and the end of 2014, while this same environment heavily favors the relative stability and superior growth potential of dividend-generating stocks.

Thoughts?