Random Thoughts Thread

[ocnblu]

3 minutes ago, oldshurst442 said:

one that YOU also believed was a hoax..

You are really flying high.  He never said the virus was a hoax, nor did I.  The downvote wasn't about the virus, don't be a crier.  It's not a good look.

[oldshurst442]

3 minutes ago, ocnblu said:

You are really flying high.  He never said the virus was a hoax, nor did I.  The downvote wasn't about the virus, don't be a crier.  It's not a good look.

yes he said it.  He just spun it a different way afterwards when he saw his deceit could not fly with the more educated, less idiotic Americans ...    

Stop being an enabler... YOU are part of the problem...  It doint look good when you whine about NO POLITCS.  YET HERE YOU ARE CONTINUING WITH...POLITICS

Back to airplanes for the SECOND TIME

 

 

[ocnblu]

 

[oldshurst442]

[Robert Hall]

Random observation.  58 and overcast out.  Lots of spying flowers and some tree blossoms, but still no leaves on the oaks.  Still look barren and wintry.  

[ocnblu]

[ocnblu]

[ocnblu]

[oldshurst442]

All you could do IS laugh...   You got nothing else...

 

[ocnblu]

Who are you talking to?

[ocnblu]

[balthazar]

^ NIOCE!  Now; lower it 2 inches IMMEDIATELY.

I never understood anyone how restores a car including putting new springs in, then stands back and says 'Yep- that looks peachy'. Has more ground clearance than a Renegade.

[balthazar]

Never been into commercial aircraft.  Can't own one, can't fly one, usually they require ladders to run your hands over the bodywork... meh.  The last time I was on one was 2007.  Before that circa 1997.  A bunch of the military stuff is definitely cool tho.
- - - - -
 

[daves87rs]

Seen so many planes on these last few pages, I’ve ready for another trip to Disney World.... ? 

Hoping I can start waxing the rest of the cars this week....

[oldshurst442]

7 hours ago, balthazar said:

Never been into commercial aircraft.  Can't own one, can't fly one, usually they require ladders to run your hands over the bodywork... meh.  The last time I was on one was 2007.  Before that circa 1997.  A bunch of the military stuff is definitely cool tho.
 

They say flying is easier than driving. (Dont know myself, I havent flown an aircraft, but that is what "they" say.)  Therefore, if you could drive a car, you could fly an aircraft.  (With proper training...) 

Yes, the military stuff is cool.   Id say cooler than the civilian stuff.  I happen to love both though.  At one time, I liked aircraft more than I did cars.  

[G. David Felt]

I always loved these specific fighter planes:

[balthazar]

[ykX]

Mazda Offers Free Oil Changes, Car Cleaning for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers will need to show an employee badge or pay stub to take advantage of the services. The offer is non-transferable to others. Along with performing oil changes, Mazda dealers will clean high-touch interior and exterior surfaces on the vehicles.

The program is not limited to Mazda cars, so owners of most other makes and models are eligible for the free services, too.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/mazda-free-oil-change-cleaning-coronavirus-details/

Edited April 20, 2020 by ykX

[trinacriabob]

This is a time to gain collateral with people / customers / future customers.  You may have heard people a generation or two up when you were a teenager saying, 'I support (Company A,B and/or C) because they were good to me, my family, and/or whomever when (insert name of crisis) was going on.  It makes for loyal customers.  It's sad that it takes something like this for them to really reach out, and not all businesses are doing so, but it creates a bond when an entity seems to have your back.

[trinacriabob]

I was distracted by some current comments.  What I meant to post is my scratching my head as to what they are going to do with buffets.  Granted, there are tacky buffets ... but who doesn't like a quality buffet at a great hotel or hotel/casino with a grand view of some natural wonder, skyline, or beautiful scenery?

I'm thinking they'll be more like cafeterias in the interim - where the food is dished out for you so you won't have to touch tongs and other things people touch with their hands.

On 4/18/2020 at 8:38 PM, balthazar said:

I immediately knew what this was - Good Friday 1964, Anchorage, Alaska.  There was a National Geographic that featured it on the cover and as its main article.  I'm surprised there are some buildings standing.  Experiencing a 9+ earthquake on the Richter scale is one helluva "no, thanks."

[ocnblu]

[oldshurst442]

Minus the damned Swastika, this would be my favorite WW2 fighter.  Aesthetics wise and performance wise. 

 

And I HATE myself for loving this airplane as much as I do.

 

[oldshurst442]

A close second are all these fighters.  Spitfire,  Mustang,  Messerschmidt and the P40 are all in 2nd place.

[oldshurst442]

These are my 4 favorite jet fighters. No particular order.

 

 

[daves87rs]

Waiting On my neighbor’s mom for her insurance info for smacking my car with her truck. I have the estimates ready to go, but I am getting the feeling they are getting cold feet and going to blow me off.....would rather not have to spend my own money to fix something not my fault. Part that bothers me most if she couldn’t find her husband’s  insurance info....

Edited April 21, 2020 by daves87rs

[Robert Hall]

Enjoying the evening out by the fire pit.  Modest, but I have plans to extend the patio.   Had a couple bloody Mary’s and a glass of Pinot noir.  Not feeling the pain tonite...

[Robert Hall]

Had a rough day.  Had to rush my fur kid Zo to the vet this afternoon, was acting like he was having a seizure or heart attack.  Doing ok now.   Vet wasn’t sure what happened.  He’s on meds g day or liver and enlarged heart issues the last 8 months. 

[daves87rs]

54 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

Had a rough day.  Had to rush my fur kid Zo to the vet this afternoon, was acting like he was having a seizure or heart attack.  Doing ok now.   Vet wasn’t sure what happened.  He’s on meds g day or liver and enlarged heart issues the last 8 months. 

Glad he is doing better...have to take our dog Bella to the vet as she is not feeling well either.....

[Robert Hall]

Zo didn't make it..he woke me at 3 am w/ shortness of breath and pacing, then keeled over w/ what I believe was a heart attack..didn't have a chance to get dressed and try and get him to the 24 hr emergency vet.   RIP, Zoie age 14.  It's rough as they all age, have two more Yorkies age 12 and 13 (in seemingly good health). 

[ykX]

@Robert Hall Sorry about your dog.  I know they are like family.  

[G. David Felt]

@Robert Hall My condolences on your loss Robert. Fur Kids are so lovable and give so much that we do not realize how much a part of the family they are till they are gone. Love em till they leave ya and then celebrate their life!

What are your plans for the back deck expansion?

[Robert Hall]

3 hours ago, dfelt said:

@Robert Hall My condolences on your loss Robert. Fur Kids are so lovable and give so much that we do not realize how much a part of the family they are till they are gone. Love em till they leave ya and then celebrate their life!

What are your plans for the back deck expansion?

It’s been hard. He was 14, had him 8 years.  Lost 1 senior Yorkie last July, have 2 others that are 12 and 13.   
As for the back yard, thinking about a semi circle of pavers extending out from the walk, with a fire pit in the center and a grille inset on one side.  Short term is planting more trees along the fence line...

[trinacriabob]

@Robert Hall  I'm sorry about the loss of your dog.  I know what that's like.  Even though I've only had one, and for 12 years, I remember that last drive to the vet with my dog in my arms.  Since they are so smart, and my dad and my brother were also in the car and surprisingly quiet, which was never the case, I think the dog understood.  You will always reminisce about the good times with and funny things about your pets.

[G. David Felt]

2 minutes ago, Robert Hall said:

It’s been hard. He was 14, had him 8 years.  Lost 1 senior Yorkie last July, have 2 others that are 12 and 13.   
As for the back yard, thinking about a semi circle of pavers extending out from the walk, with a fire pit in the center and a grille inset on one side.  Short term is planting more trees along the fence line...

I can understand, grew up with a family of labs and they all died 1 after another roughly 9 to 12 months apart. It was a hard 5 years till they were all gone.

Sounds great for the backyard. I also am working on a remodel plan for the back yard, have started to change the garden area, have another area that will go pavers with a fire pit and have been lining out the backyard with Leland Cyprus trees to make a natural tall private green belt.

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I can understand, grew up with a family of labs and they all died 1 after another roughly 9 to 12 months apart. It was a hard 5 years till they were all gone.

Sounds great for the backyard. I also am working on a remodel plan for the back yard, have started to change the garden area, have another area that will go pavers with a fire pit and have been lining out the backyard with Leland Cyprus trees to make a natural tall private green belt.

Sounds great.  I’m considering blue spruce or thurja green giant evergreens.  Have a number of arborvitae and evergreens now. 

[daves87rs]

@Robert Hall

So sorry about Zo....I totally understand. I’ve been around dogs all my life- they are pretty much like having kids. 

Our Bella goes through surgery tomorrow...hoping everything will go well. It is tougher as they get older, as Bella is 10. They say things should be okay-but you truly never know...

 

[G. David Felt]

@Robert Hallthis is what the front side of my driveway looks like where I bbn planted Leland Cyprus trees as they can be trimmed to make a natural wall of privacy.

also it makes it easy with my EGO edge and extension attachment to keep them trimmed back from the power lines.

[G. David Felt]

14 hours ago, Robert Hall said:

Sounds great.  I’m considering blue spruce or thurja green giant evergreens.  Have a number of arborvitae and evergreens now. 

I have one one side of my front yard Emerald Green Arborvitae but they just grow way too slow. The ones I planted in 1999 when I bought the place are finally hitting about 10 to 12 feet for a decent natural wall from the messy neighbor. I researched and went with the Lelands as they top out around 30 feet and can like the Arborvitae be trimmed to create a natural fence. They do make a nice year round green belt for a private yard. 

I actually hate maples and pretty much any deciduous tree as you have the mess in the fall of falling leaves and an ugly grey tree through winter plus a ton of pollen in the spring.

[Robert Hall]

2 minutes ago, dfelt said:

I have one one side of my front yard Emerald Green Arborvitae but they just grow way too slow. The ones I planted in 1999 when I bought the place are finally hitting about 10 to 12 feet for a decent natural wall from the messy neighbor. I researched and went with the Lelands as they top out around 30 feet and can like the Arborvitae be trimmed to create a natural fence. They do make a nice year round green belt for a private yard. 

I actually hate maples and pretty much any deciduous tree as you have the mess in the fall of falling leaves and an ugly grey tree through winter plus a ton of pollen in the spring.

I like those Lelands...will have to look into them.   I have a messy neighbor on one side that has their house for sale, and the other side is the house that was empty for years and is now sale pending.

 

 

10 hours ago, daves87rs said:

@Robert Hall

So sorry about Zo....I totally understand. I’ve been around dogs all my life- they are pretty much like having kids. 

Our Bella goes through surgery tomorrow...hoping everything will go well. It is tougher as they get older, as Bella is 10. They say things should be okay-but you truly never know...

 

Thanks..hope it goes well for Bella. Henry (13) and Ginny (12) are missing their big brother Zo...

 

[balthazar]

North Dakota, 1940 :

[G. David Felt]

Alert Alert Alert - News Story says the Hyundai Prophecy Concept sedan is going into production. I will believe it when I see it, but the executive in charge of the Hyundai design center says so.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33111/it-is-foretold-that-the-stunning-hyundai-prophecy-concept-is-going-into-production

According to this story, seems Hyundai continued to produce auto's for the US and now our parts are full of them. Does this mean a heavy discount is coming on new auto's?

https://jalopnik.com/hyundai-didnt-stop-making-cars-and-now-u-s-ports-are-f-1842998994

 

Car Trivia, 65 questions that stumped experts. Can you answer them?

https://jalopnik.com/try-answering-these-car-trivia-questions-that-stumped-6-1842999825

 

[daves87rs]

2 hours ago, dfelt said:

Alert Alert Alert - News Story says the Hyundai Prophecy Concept sedan is going into production. I will believe it when I see it, but the executive in charge of the Hyundai design center says so.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33111/it-is-foretold-that-the-stunning-hyundai-prophecy-concept-is-going-into-production

According to this story, seems Hyundai continued to produce auto's for the US and now our parts are full of them. Does this mean a heavy discount is coming on new auto's?

https://jalopnik.com/hyundai-didnt-stop-making-cars-and-now-u-s-ports-are-f-1842998994

 

Car Trivia, 65 questions that stumped experts. Can you answer them?

https://jalopnik.com/try-answering-these-car-trivia-questions-that-stumped-6-1842999825

 

Makes me wonder how good those discounts will be....

Even though the kid doesn’t drive for a good 4 years or so... ? 

[G. David Felt]

While not unexpected that the price would go higher by as much as $7,700 over the current 2020 model. I am surprised to see that AWD is an option on the Platinum model now rather than standard. So expect to pay $3,000 more if you want AWD on an Escalade. ? 

As I have stated in other Cadillac threads, Cadillac should be the best of AWD Luxury auto's and leave the damn 2WD be it FWD or RWD to Buick, GMC and Chevrolet.

https://www.carsdirect.com/automotive-news/2021-cadillac-escalade-prices-increasing-substantially

To quote the write up on the price increases, it seems Escalade is going to be the most expensive Luxury SUV considerably over the Lincoln, Mercedes or BMW.

QUOTE:

At over $107,000, the range-topping Escalade will be considerably pricier than the 2020 Lincoln Navigator L Black Label ($101,630). On paper, it'll also be more expensive than both the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLS 580 ($99,795) and 2020 BMW X7 M50i ($100,595) before factoring in the cost of options.

Love what I see in the Interior of the 2021 Escalade. The Exterior to me is a Failure. Not impressed with the front end which is too much of a knock off of the Chevrolet line. Should have kept the vertical headlights on the front.

[G. David Felt]

Police Chase is a Police chase even when the Idiot drives a SmartFourTwo.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33121/you-can-run-from-the-cops-in-a-smart-car-if-you-just-believe-in-yourself

Additional news video feeds in the story at the link above. What a moron.

Is Hyundai the New Value reliability leader that will replace Toyota? 

Some seem to think so and with the popularity of the Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, it would seem that the Kia/Hyundai products are replacing what Toyota had built it reputation on back in the 80's and 90's and now have lost with the know issues Toyota has on Truck Frames, to eletrical issues and other quality problems. After all they replaced GM as the worlds largest auto company and seem to have inherited the loss of quality with it.

https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/33092/2020-kia-telluride-review-making-you-rethink-toyota-ownership-for-good

https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/32815/2020-hyundai-palisade-review-the-new-value-benchmark

 

[G. David Felt]

A story that @balthazar will like I think. The life of owning a 55 year old Ford Dump Truck.

https://www.thedrive.com/news/33102/ive-already-been-humbled-by-my-55-year-old-ford-dump-truck

Pretty cool, as they got plenty of use out of it and will now have to deal with a small fix, but should be back on the road soon I think.

[G. David Felt]

WOW, Mercedes-Benz a company building and bringing you over priced hard plastic interior under the AMG name at a $74,000 price for what is a cheap ass CLA auto. CLA-45 should be a hard pass for anyone when you can get a superior Cadillac V for less.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/reviews/2020-mercedes-benz-amg-cla-45-4matic-coupe-review/

? Pebble Beach this year is Canceled due to the curent Pandemic.

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/2020-pebble-beach-concours-canceled-coronavirus/

[G. David Felt]

Seems a Tornado hit the Borgwarner manufacture plant and as such it is expected that when production resumes at Ford, Toyota and Ram plants, the trucks are going to have delays due to getting parts, specifically the transfer cases built by Borgwarner.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a32239493/borgwarner-plant-damaged-tornado/

To Quote:

• A tornado that hit a BorgWarner factory in Seneca, South Carolina, on April 13 could have repercussions for future truck production by Ford, Ram, and Toyota.
• The plant makes the transfer cases for four-wheel-drive versions of the F-150 and Super Duty, Ram pickup, and Toyota Tundra, as well as Ford SUVs and utility vehicles.
• The automakers aren't producing the vehicles now, with the earliest resumption of work at the factories set for early May.

GM seems to be hitting it big for their Buick MPV van in China. Seems an Avenir version for the chauffeur segment as well as a new disability model.

https://media.gm.com/media/cn/en/gm/home.detail.html/content/Pages/news/cn/en/2020/Apr/0423_Buick-GL8-MPV-Portfolio.html

[balthazar]

piscitellidesign :

[balthazar]

Met a guy today (at a safe distance), talking cars, said he had a '75 Stingray. My Buick and it's basic specs/intended power came up. He said he wanted around 500 HP and his car should be really quick because it weighed 2200 lbs. My ears perked up.
Me: "I don't think so, buddy. That's Vega 4-cyl weight."
Him: 'That's what the registration says."
Me: "Do you think the DMV schlub behind the counter cares if they get it right?"
I look up the full specs via the phone : coupe's curb weight in '75 was 3529.

Shouldn't you know your vehicles specs if you're an enthusiast?
- - - - -
I love the 'twitch of surprise' when I first meet another car guy who asks me what car I have, and I say "59 Buick". They first seem surprised at the age of it, then there's the confusion when they have no idea what one looks like.

Edited April 24, 2020 by balthazar

[daves87rs]

58 minutes ago, balthazar said:

Met a guy today (at a safe distance), talking cars, said he had a '75 Stingray. My Buick and it's basic specs/intended power came up. He said he wanted around 500 HP and his car should be really quick because it weighed 2200 lbs. My ears perked up.
Me: "I don't think so, buddy. That's Vega 4-cyl weight."
Him: 'That's what the registration says."
Me: "Do you think the DMV schlub behind the counter cares if they get it right?"
I look up the full specs via the phone : coupe's curb weight in '75 was 3529.

Shouldn't you know your vehicles specs if you're an enthusiast?
- - - - -
I love the 'twitch of surprise' when I first meet another car guy who asks me what car I have, and I say "59 Buick". They first seem surprised at the age of it, then there's the confusion when they have no idea what one looks like.

Yikes! Almost as bad as the ricers....