Search found 3609 matches

by finite_difference
Mon Mar 18, 2024 1:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Buying an Expensive Car
Replies: 79
Views: 6216

Re: Buying an Expensive Car

You are lucky. My dream car costs $2.3m. :(
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 17, 2024 11:52 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: navigation system for car
Replies: 51
Views: 2165

Re: navigation system for car

mikejuss wrote: Sun Mar 17, 2024 8:52 pm How many miles are on your car, tunafish? It might be time for a trade-in! :mrgreen:
Those Lexus models can go past 600,000 miles.
by finite_difference
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:36 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15012

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

I always thought there should be some sort of tiered or floating commission, such that if a selling agent got me (the seller) a price over a certain level, the commission percent would be higher. That would motivate both the seller and the agent to get the best price. So if I had a million dollar property, the agent could get 35%, say, of anything over a million, and, say, a smallish commission on the basic million dollar target. There ought to be some sort of algorithm. Maybe it's a job for AI... (Isn't this how hedge funds work?) Since it has been a percent based fee, the seller's agent already had an incentive to get the house to sell for the most. If your million dollar house sold for 1.2 million, the agent would get more money. I don'...
by finite_difference
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:16 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture prices... is this normal?
Replies: 60
Views: 9460

Re: Furniture prices... is this normal?

WhitePuma wrote: Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:19 pm
clip651 wrote: Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:16 pm
WhitePuma wrote: Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:10 pm Don’t forget, that’s $4K-$6K for something that is filled with petroleum products, flame retardants, and PFAS. In other words, a toxic mess.
Agreed, but what is the alternative you suggest for sitting on in the living room that is less toxic and/or less expensive?
There are a few furniture makers that avoid all these. But they cost double.
Which ones?
by finite_difference
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:21 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15012

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

I always thought there should be some sort of tiered or floating commission, such that if a selling agent got me (the seller) a price over a certain level, the commission percent would be higher. That would motivate both the seller and the agent to get the best price. So if I had a million dollar property, the agent could get 35%, say, of anything over a million, and, say, a smallish commission on the basic million dollar target. There ought to be some sort of algorithm. Maybe it's a job for AI... (Isn't this how hedge funds work?) Since it has been a percent based fee, the seller's agent already had an incentive to get the house to sell for the most. If your million dollar house sold for 1.2 million, the agent would get more money. I don'...
by finite_difference
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Great news! No more [fixed real estate] agent commission
Replies: 163
Views: 15012

Re: Great news! No more agent commission

SpartanBogle wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:26 pm Sounds like good news if you are selling, Yeah! I only pay 3% to listing agent, oh wait, I'm buying too, need to pay buying agent 3%.

There could be some cost savings since you will be able to negotiate a bit, but I doubt it will be massive savings.
Yeah, exactly. So 3% + 3% still works out to 6%.

Maybe it will go down to 1.5-2% each instead of 3% each if the monopoly was keeping fees artificially high. That would save 2-3% overall.

I read that in most other countries the total fees are closer to 3% than 6% like in the US.
by finite_difference
Fri Mar 15, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: I will need a new car or repair one
Replies: 46
Views: 1911

Re: I will need a new car or repair one

CLKGTR wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:25 pm
veggivet wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:04 pm Is a RAV 4 large enough for your needs?
Im debating CRV vs Rav4. Had them before. They are reliable. Ride quality is not comparable to air suspension german car but it is cheaper to maintain and fix.
Get a Lexus RX 350.
by finite_difference
Wed Mar 13, 2024 11:53 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: How to find reasonably priced contractors?
Replies: 30
Views: 3005

Re: How to find reasonably priced contractors?

Talk to your neighbors. Ask around. Google and read reviews. Ask for quotes and ask questions. Try to work with people that are passionate about their work and take pride in good craftsmanship. If someone you hire does poor work, and doesn’t resolve it to your satisfaction, then work with someone else next time. Eventually you will find someone good. Then hang onto them.
by finite_difference
Wed Mar 13, 2024 5:03 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: At what point did you prioritize health over money?
Replies: 53
Views: 6045

Re: At what point did you prioritize health over money?

If you’re working an 8 hour/day job, at least 40 hours per week, you are probably sacrificing your health for money.
by finite_difference
Mon Mar 11, 2024 12:06 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Looking for upright piano in northern / central NJ
Replies: 17
Views: 1240

Re: Looking for upright piano in northern / central NJ

For an upright to keep for decades, I would get a used Yamaha U1 in good condition.

See reviews of Yamaha pianos including the U1 at the bottom: https://scopereviews.com/piano.html
by finite_difference
Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:21 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: Career ending, getting fired. Can we FIRE ?
Replies: 147
Views: 21415

Re: Career ending, getting fired. Can we FIRE ?

You appear obsessed with this house, in an unhealthy way. . I really do like the house. It is unique. Many people who visited have told me that it is one of the nicest home they set foot in. I will never be able to own another home this nice. I have provided ample reasons for why we'd prefer to stay in the bay area. The math for downsizing within the bay is unfavorable in the near term due to capital gains and Prop 13. As long as you have a Plan B, then I think you can make it work. I think people mainly get into trouble when they spend too much on their house/lifestyle (don’t budget), have an expensive mortgage and deplete their portfolio, and then they end up in real trouble. As long as you track things and are willing to move if needed ...
by finite_difference
Wed Mar 06, 2024 11:06 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI
Replies: 7638
Views: 1712431

Re: What Book Are You Currently Reading? Part VI

Elsebet wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 1:20 pm Finishing up "The Count of Monte Cristo" by Alexandre Dumas - really enjoyed this classic and plan to buy a copy for my library to read again.

Almost done with "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert M Pirsig. I like the story about the trip more than most of the metaphysical sections so far. I guess I'm not very artsy.

Just checked out "Mrs. Dalloway" by Virgina Woolf.
Did you finish Mrs. Dalloway? I am reading it now. No other mentions of this book in parts I-V that I could find.
by finite_difference
Wed Mar 06, 2024 9:23 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Father died and I'm totally overwhelmed on what to do
Replies: 58
Views: 10970

Re: Father died and I'm totally overwhelmed on what to do

So sorry for your loss.

Can you talk to your neighbors to help look after your vacant house, until you can arrange a permanent solution?
by finite_difference
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:10 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting new car
Replies: 53
Views: 6229

Re: Getting new car

How much money do you have? Maybe that beater car and being on your parents’ insurance isn’t a bad deal after all. Enough for a new sedan. The beater car isn't trustworthy for highway and I'd be going way for a distance worth of 3 days' drive. Registering in original state and then moving to the new state and doing 3 days drive by myself is going to be a big task. Thanks! Welcome to adulting. There will be a time that buying a car, registering it, and driving for 3 days will no longer seem like a big task. Maybe you'll be balancing a difficult job with a psychotic employer, putting food on the table for a handful of mouths, trying to get your kids to not flunk out of all their classes, taking care of that leak in the roof and the bald tire...
by finite_difference
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:07 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Giving (unequal) money to adult children
Replies: 90
Views: 8256

Re: Giving (unequal) money to adult children

I would gift equally if you can afford to. It’s the most fair approach.

Child 1 has net worth of $500k and gets a gift of $10k. Not a huge impact but it’s still helpful.
Child 2 has net worth of -$5k. $10k is hugely beneficial.

If you can’t afford to gift equally, then I think you have to gift unequally, but to make it fair you will help out whoever needs it in the future. Child 1 could fall on bad times and go bankrupt, so then you would gift them. Basically can have an IOU for later, but only if needed.

And of course if you fall on hard times, your children should help you out! It’s only fair for it to work both ways.
by finite_difference
Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:15 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Getting new car
Replies: 53
Views: 6229

Re: Getting new car

How much money do you have? Maybe that beater car and being on your parents’ insurance isn’t a bad deal after all. Enough for a new sedan. The beater car isn't trustworthy for highway and I'd be going way for a distance worth of 3 days' drive. Registering in original state and then moving to the new state and doing 3 days drive by myself is going to be a big task. Thanks! Welcome to adulting. There will be a time that buying a car, registering it, and driving for 3 days will no longer seem like a big task. Maybe you'll be balancing a difficult job with a psychotic employer, putting food on the table for a handful of mouths, trying to get your kids to not flunk out of all their classes, taking care of that leak in the roof and the bald tire...
by finite_difference
Mon Mar 04, 2024 8:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: LG dishwasher broke again! Advice..
Replies: 36
Views: 3423

Re: LG dishwasher broke again! Advice..

inverter wrote: Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:14 pm Get a new one... not worth having water spill out in your kitchen. I think LG is only good for washers/dryers.
And TVs.

We’ve had a great experience with our Bosch dishwasher so far.
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 03, 2024 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: At what point in a car’s life do you try miracle elixir fixes?
Replies: 36
Views: 3311

Re: At what point in a car’s life do you try miracle elixir fixes?

I would pay to get it fixed. Your Toyota is just middle-aged.
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:54 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12015

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

uaeebs86 wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 11:57 am
finite_difference wrote: Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:59 am
For my parents, I think it worked out pretty well because they *love* going there, and it forces them to take a vacation every year. Without the timeshare, we probably wouldn’t have gone on vacation half of the time. So timeshares can be a good forcing function for workaholics to take some time off!

My mom said the same thing about the timeshares they bought (purchased later in their life after the kids were gone through).

They gave me one of their weeks in Ventura, CA. The yearly maintenance fee is over $800 now.

At times I I still wonder if it's worth it even though it initially cost me nothing.
Do you go? $800/year for a week’s stay at a quality resort is a great deal! That’s only like $115/night.
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 03, 2024 4:50 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12015

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

To understand the timeshare scam, multiply the monthly maintenance fee for a 1-week timeshare by 624 to annualize it. It sounds reasonable when expressed as a monthly fee, but 52 1-week owners are paying it monthly, and 12x52=624. $100/mo. maintenance may sound reasonable until you realize that the timeshare company is getting $62,400/yr from the owners for just 1 unit from that. Not quite, since some weeks are very busy, but most are not. The maintenance fee might pay for one day if you rent at the resort directly. So the resort makes a lot more money renting out the rooms. But I think they’re willing to give you a better deal if you buy in bulk basically. And they have chances to make money from you on meal plans, restaurants, spa, etc.
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:11 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: The Psychology of Retirement (Your thought and experience, please!)
Replies: 38
Views: 5042

Re: The Psychology of Retirement (Your thought and experience, please!)

Normchad wrote: Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:16 pm It’s very hard, and not discussed enough.

Unlike a lot of life transitions, retirement is subtracting something from your life. You’re not adding a spouse. You’re not adding a child. You’re not adding a home. You’re walking away from a major, major piece of your life. Something you’ve invested yourself in, for decades. It’s a loss.
“Gain or loss,
Which is the greater bane?”

—Tao Te Ching
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12015

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

ounterpoint: My parents have had 3 RCI timeshares in Mexico and it’s worked out pretty well. It helps that the resort they picked is really nice. And that they were able to and wanted to keep going back to the same place. It is possible to switch a week to another RCI resort but the website is a bit of a pain to use and there are some fees, although not too bad, and so the few times we have swapped it’s worked out well. One annoyance we encountered was that we found a nice RCI ski resort nearby, and we liked staying there, but then found out there was a rule that we were only allowed to swap there once every 3 years. So that forces you to kind of hop around. That said, you will have greater flexibility and perhaps can save money by renting...
by finite_difference
Sun Mar 03, 2024 12:56 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Feels impossible to take the foot off the pedal of saving, but saving at the boglehead pace is stressful.
Replies: 88
Views: 13586

Re: Feels impossible to take the foot off the pedal of saving, but saving at the boglehead pace is stressful.

I would also count square footage from a finished basement if it’s nice down there and you use it.

Here is my highly subjective feeling on cramped vs not:

350 sqft/person - cramped
400 sqft/person - a little cramped
500 sqft/person - not cramped

1600 sqft/4 people = 400 sqft/person, so in the middle. But that’s not adding the basement.

Getting rid of stuff and excess furniture can help a lot too. Add hooks for hanging clothes/things.
by finite_difference
Wed Feb 28, 2024 11:13 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Want to leave timeshare.
Replies: 111
Views: 12015

Re: Want to leave timeshare.

Interesting. The following is a joke: Maybe need to leave the timeshares to these companies as their "inheritance." Yeah, it's an incredible racket. I don't pretend to know all the details but based on my conversations with my family member the problem is the contract liability (usually yearly maintenance fees) falls back onto the estate if no one steps up to accept the inherited timeshare. From my understanding is was impossible for my family member to settle the estate until the liability was addressed. The one that took the longest was from one of big name timeshares (I won't name it). I would argue that it might be personally actionable if someone on BH was duly warned about a bad timeshare company by name. On what planet? My...
by finite_difference
Wed Feb 28, 2024 10:22 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do electric cars stop making sense?
Replies: 210
Views: 16088

Re: When do electric cars stop making sense?

In CA, can’t you add more panels and a battery to both avoid those very high electricity rates and simply charge for free at home?
by finite_difference
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:28 pm
Forum: Personal Investments
Topic: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?
Replies: 28
Views: 3524

Re: 529 - 2 years until High School Graduation - How Risky should I be?

livingalmostlarge wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:22 pm Really depends do you need it? Can you just cash flow college otherwise? I am 4 years out from college and 100% in VOO. But i figure best case is lots of money. Worse case is we have to cash flow some. And we have 6 years.
+1.
by finite_difference
Tue Feb 27, 2024 8:26 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?
Replies: 27
Views: 4827

Re: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?

Is it that important to be close to a top hospital? Wouldn’t having a top hospital within a few hours be good enough? For elective medical choices, maybe. Unfortunately, many medical issues, especially in older folks, require immediate attention. It is also a lot of work to get connected to specialists that are not nearby. The local physicians aren't as willing to do that work to get you in or have enough knowledge to figure out where to send you. As a result, you have to start from scratch and may have to wait a long time to see one. Then there is the whole issue of transport, post-treatment visits, ongoing care (eg. cancer treatments). We live an hour from the closest medical center I would ever consider. Larger centers are 1.5 hours. To...
by finite_difference
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:51 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?
Replies: 27
Views: 4827

Re: insights on living in the Blue Ridge Mountain region?

Is it that important to be close to a top hospital? Wouldn’t having a top hospital within a few hours be good enough?
by finite_difference
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:41 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Has passive investing broken the market?
Replies: 136
Views: 16392

Re: Has passive investing broken the market?

A lot of active traders don’t care about stock fundamentals either.

If passive investing were creating market distortions, presumably a smart active investor could exploit that to make money. Maybe that’s what he’s selling.
by finite_difference
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:45 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: With hindsight, what signs indicated you were about to lose your job?
Replies: 176
Views: 25828

Re: With hindsight, what signs indicated you were about to lose your job?

nisiprius wrote: Wed Jul 19, 2023 2:17 pm
Glockenspiel wrote: Mon Jul 17, 2023 1:47 pm ...4. "Extra" things disappear - company lunches, happy hours, donut Fridays, free coffee, holiday parties, trainings, and well-stocked office supplies...
This. Particularly the free coffee.
The company probably loses money by cutting free coffee.
by finite_difference
Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:42 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: With hindsight, what signs indicated you were about to lose your job?
Replies: 176
Views: 25828

Re: With hindsight, what signs indicated you were about to lose your job?

uaeebs86 wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 2:08 pm
Ependytis wrote: Tue Jul 18, 2023 10:07 am
Short term signs you're about to lose your job include the following:

3) The company calls in a consulting company to review the organization.
As in Office Space - The 2 Bobs: "What would you say you do here?" :D
Answer should be something like?

‘It’s complicated. How much time do you have?’ (Seriously)

‘I’m the only one who knows how to keep all this running.’ (Gesture vaguely)
by finite_difference
Wed Feb 21, 2024 12:14 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tours for China?
Replies: 122
Views: 10828

Re: Best tours for China?

My wife really wants to see the terracotta warriors. I mean, we could extend a day in Xi'an too if that makes sense... I'm still on the fence about 3 nights vs 4 nights in Beijing and don't know what to do. The price hike of the Beijing hotel for an extra night is a huge reason I'm holding back but prices keep seemingly going up on it. I don't know why I didn't just book it and have multiple bookings back when I originally started booking the hotels. I think I just didn't want to have so much to keep track of.... sigh However you do it, you won't see everything of note on your timetable, so I think it is wise to accept that fact and enjoy what you do see. Bear in mind that the terracotta warriors are not in the main city of Xi'an. As with ...
by finite_difference
Tue Feb 20, 2024 5:58 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tours for China?
Replies: 122
Views: 10828

Re: Best tours for China?

My wife really wants to see the terracotta warriors. I mean, we could extend a day in Xi'an too if that makes sense... I'm still on the fence about 3 nights vs 4 nights in Beijing and don't know what to do. The price hike of the Beijing hotel for an extra night is a huge reason I'm holding back but prices keep seemingly going up on it. I don't know why I didn't just book it and have multiple bookings back when I originally started booking the hotels. I think I just didn't want to have so much to keep track of.... sigh However you do it, you won't see everything of note on your timetable, so I think it is wise to accept that fact and enjoy what you do see. Bear in mind that the terracotta warriors are not in the main city of Xi'an. As with ...
by finite_difference
Tue Feb 20, 2024 5:55 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Best tours for China?
Replies: 122
Views: 10828

Re: Best tours for China?

I would not try to save money on accomodation in China. Been there many times. Do you have a specific suggestion on a reputable tour group or other options then? Never been there with a tour operator. Was more a general comment that China is not the place where I would want to get into cheap or even mid-tier accomodation. 2nd this. Been many times. Xian was uninteresting when I was there and fairly bland at best. At worst it was a blatant money scam to see some dirty tunnels with the terracotta warriors. The pictures are better. Great Wall is a bucket list item but it was brutal the many times I did it. The locals followed you the entire time either begging or trying to sell you something. We had local people that worked for us that helped...
by finite_difference
Tue Feb 20, 2024 5:40 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: What inferior good do you love?
Replies: 232
Views: 25518

Re: What inferior good do you love?

whodidntante wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:10 pm phpBB.
/thread
by finite_difference
Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:34 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
Replies: 80
Views: 5125

Re: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?

Glockenspiel wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 10:12 am
MH2 wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 5:57 am
The moment there is - any - mixed or freezing road conditions, you want winter tires. Full stop.
I've lived in Minnesota USA, where it's freezing for approximately 3-5 months of every year, my entire life and have been driving now for 23 years. I've NEVER had snow tires on any vehicle that I've driven. I've been totally fine. Good tread on all-season tires is perfectly acceptable 99% of the time.
Is that because you can’t afford it?

Why not get Michelin CrossClimate2 tires that work extremely well in snow and also year round?

Don’t confuse strategy with outcome.
by finite_difference
Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:36 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: How to leave a guaranteed inheritance?
Replies: 23
Views: 2761

Re: How to leave a guaranteed inheritance?

1. Take the $50k and invest it in VTSAX.

2. Live a healthy life below your means.

3. Look into LTCi.

4. Chances are you’ll leave plenty of inheritance.

Don’t forget that most people often need financial assistance (school, daycare, classes, vacation) earlier in life, including when they have young children, than they do later on in life. So giving later may be less meaningful than giving earlier.
by finite_difference
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:48 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
Replies: 80
Views: 5125

Re: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?

Unless you have really severe winter weather, I would just run Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires year round. If you have severe winter weather, I would purchase a second set of OEM wheels to mount your winter tires on. Haven’t had great experience with third party wheels — require spacers that have caused issues and seem to lead to worse handling. It’s also nice to have TPMS working. Or... Buy aftermarket wheels with the correct offset and width. No spacers that way. Fair enough. But I didn’t know that beforehand. I bought a package of wheels and winter tires from TireRack for my vehicle and they apparently don’t have the correct offset/width. So it seems like you really need to do your research. And at that point I would rather just buy OEM. ...
by finite_difference
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:38 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I be happy paying msrp for a subaru 2024?
Replies: 33
Views: 3450

Re: Should I be happy paying msrp for a subaru 2024?

djplourd59 wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:29 am We just purchased a 2024 Subaru Outback for $3K under MSRP in Virginia. Put $10K down, no trade-in, and financed for 1.9%
$3k under MSRP is the OTD price?
by finite_difference
Sun Feb 18, 2024 10:37 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I be happy paying msrp for a subaru 2024?
Replies: 33
Views: 3450

Re: Should I be happy paying msrp for a subaru 2024?

boglegirl wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:20 am
djplourd59 wrote: Sun Feb 18, 2024 7:29 am We just purchased a 2024 Subaru Outback for $3K under MSRP in Virginia. Put $10K down, no trade-in, and financed for 1.9%
In Texas - also just purchased a 2024 Subaru Outback for about $3K under MSRP and financed for 1.9%. I was shocked at how much inventory they had on the lot, and that they were willing to make a deal.
$3k under MSRP is the OTD price?
by finite_difference
Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:37 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8504

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

H-Town wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:12 pm
tomcam wrote: Sat Feb 17, 2024 4:00 pm Lexus and Toyota have by far the best V6 tech and it'll last forever. Way more reliable than the other cars mentioned.
That’s a false statement. Toyota V6 engine is reasonably reliable. It’s not the best engine ever. Do some research.

https://www.hotcars.com/most-reliable-v6-engines-ever/
Toyota is #2 on that list. And #5.

The #1 engine has been out of production for 16 years.

But the #2 Toyota engine is still in production.

So I would argue they do currently have the best V6 tech according to your link.
by finite_difference
Sat Feb 17, 2024 12:59 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
Replies: 80
Views: 5125

Re: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?

Unless you have really severe winter weather, I would just run Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires year round. If you have severe winter weather, I would purchase a second set of OEM wheels to mount your winter tires on. Haven’t had great experience with third party wheels — require spacers that have caused issues and seem to lead to worse handling. It’s also nice to have TPMS working. Or... Buy aftermarket wheels with the correct offset and width. No spacers that way. Fair enough. But I didn’t know that beforehand. I bought a package of wheels and winter tires from TireRack for my vehicle and they apparently don’t have the correct offset/width. So it seems like you really need to do your research. And at that point I would rather just buy OEM.
by finite_difference
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:38 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?
Replies: 96
Views: 8504

Re: Should I get a Lexus ES for its V6?

Get a used Lexus RX 350 with a V6?
by finite_difference
Fri Feb 16, 2024 8:35 pm
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?
Replies: 80
Views: 5125

Re: When do winter/snow tires make sense? Do you have a second set of wheels?

Unless you have really severe winter weather, I would just run Michelin CrossClimate 2 tires year round.

If you have severe winter weather, I would purchase a second set of OEM wheels to mount your winter tires on. Haven’t had great experience with third party wheels — require spacers that have caused issues and seem to lead to worse handling. It’s also nice to have TPMS working.
by finite_difference
Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:24 am
Forum: Personal Consumer Issues
Topic: Furniture - It's glued, right?
Replies: 91
Views: 7539

Re: Furniture - It's glued, right?

That’s one benefit of buying furniture from some big box stores.

The furniture is fully assembled, they move it into your house for you, and remove your old furniture.
by finite_difference
Wed Feb 14, 2024 9:05 am
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Help! 25 Maxed out credit cards.....
Replies: 268
Views: 34189

Re: Help! 25 Maxed out credit cards.....

I still only have one credit card! OFF TOPIC -- but this is fraught with danger. If that credit card gets compromised, or even if the credit card issuer just suspects that it is being used fraudulently, it will get shut down. One should always have a backup card (at least two credit cards, I mean). This is an overreaction. You don't even NEED to have a credit card at all. Suggesting that not having at least 2 is dangerous waters down the meaning of the word If you carry a lot of cash or use a debit card for everything and never need a credit card (like for a hotel or rental car), it might be. But if you rely on credit cards having only one is risky. Hotels and rental cars accept debit cards. Some with an extra hoop, but not nearly all. But...
by finite_difference
Thu Feb 08, 2024 3:40 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Costs Of Kids From BH Parents?
Replies: 59
Views: 5123

Re: Costs Of Kids From BH Parents?

Daycare:
$1k/month. I think it included lunch.

After daycare:
After school program: $500/month
Instrument: $300/month
Lunch: $150/month
Random classes/activities like foreign language, soccer, swimming, etc.: $50/month

Summer camp: $1200/month

So it kinda works out about the same.
by finite_difference
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Personal Finance (Not Investing)
Topic: Law School Debt: Is It Worth It?
Replies: 115
Views: 10469

Re: Law School Debt: Is It Worth It?

What ranking range is your flagship state university?
by finite_difference
Tue Feb 06, 2024 3:07 pm
Forum: Investing - Theory, News & General
Topic: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time
Replies: 143
Views: 14843

Re: Collecting Social Security at 62 Leaves Me (and My Heirs) Better Off, Every Time

When faced with a choice between two extremes, why not pick the middle?

So take SS at 66/67 instead of 62 or 70.

Then you’re halfway right no matter what.