Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 11:39:02 AM UTC-4, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

avoid any VW vehicle their resale value will probably take a big hit for a generation.

besides all auto makers need to watch vw go nearly out of business so they dont try to pull stuff like cheating on air pollution

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 08:38:53 -0700 (PDT), leza wang
wrote:

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to repla=
ce her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving hi=
story. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new =
Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any =
other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too man=
y options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but mo=
st be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

Being a senior citizen, maybe on a fixed income, my suggestion is to
not buy a new car. Buy a certified used car. My elder wife (older
than me just bought a 2007 in excellent condition) - more features
than she will use and she bought it under the blue book value from a
private seller for cash. A used certified car may also come with a
warranty beyond the original.

On 9/24/2015 11:38 AM, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.


I'm a Subaru Forester fan.

Live on a hill and all Subaru's come with standard AWD.

Height is almost perfect for us seniors as it is easy to get in and out of.

As others point out, VW is in a heap of trouble and probably best avoided.

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:29:45 -0400, Frank "frank wrote:

As others point out, VW is in a heap of trouble and probably best avoided.

A recent report suggested VW owners may not be able to sell the car.
If they fit into the current mess of trouble. IDK

"leza wang" wrote in message
...

Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to
replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean
driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of
buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do
you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should
consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just
basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

Do you like BIG WANGS, LeZa?

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 08:38:53 -0700 (PDT), leza wang
wrote:

Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.
She needs to lookk first for something she can get into and out of
easily, and will be able to 5 years from now with anticipated
deterioration. It needs to be something she can see well out of as
well - no thick A-pillars blocking peripheral vision (means no front
side curtain air bags) It also needs to be something she can "wear"
comfortably.

A new Corolla would quite likely fit the bill. Some of the CUVs are
easier for old folks to get into and out of, and sitting higher, give
them better visibility as well. My step-mom LOVES her Matrix (no
longer available new). She just turned 80.

A good friend and longtime VW Golf/Jetta owner just switched to a
Corolla S (He's 80 too).

My sister-in-law and brother just traded their 2014 Fusion for a
Corolla S because she, being a bit on the short side, could not deal
with the blindspot behind the left A pillar - where you could quite
litterally park a transport truck from where she sat.

On 9/24/2015 11:29 AM, Frank wrote:
On 9/24/2015 11:38 AM, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to
replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean
driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking
of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to
drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name)
she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really
required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.


I'm a Subaru Forester fan.

Live on a hill and all Subaru's come with standard AWD.

Height is almost perfect for us seniors as it is easy to get in and out of.

As others point out, VW is in a heap of trouble and probably best avoided.

I've been wanting to buy a VB Beetle, but not a new one. Are the older
models (by a few years) a bad idea, too?

--
Maggie

Per :
She needs to lookk first for something she can get into and out of
easily, and will be able to 5 years from now with anticipated
deterioration. It needs to be something she can see well out of as
well - no thick A-pillars blocking peripheral vision (means no front
side curtain air bags) It also needs to be something she can "wear"
comfortably.

Around here I see an unexpectedly large number of grey heads driving
Honda Elements.

My theory: even thought the Element was designed for young people, it
turned out to be an accidental ergonomic boon for older people.

I think they're either out of production or about to go out of
production, but I would have to consider one if I were getting another
vehicle.
--
Pete Cresswell

On 9/24/2015 12:48 PM, wrote:
On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 08:38:53 -0700 (PDT), leza wang
wrote:

Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.
She needs to lookk first for something she can get into and out of
easily, and will be able to 5 years from now with anticipated
deterioration. It needs to be something she can see well out of as
well - no thick A-pillars blocking peripheral vision (means no front
side curtain air bags) It also needs to be something she can "wear"
comfortably.

Pointed out both wife and I have Subaru Foresters.
Her knees are shot - getting one knee replaced in several weeks.
She has a handicap plate but no trouble getting in and out of the Forester.

Someone once said that stick shifts make handy car dildos?
Anyone else herd this?

On 9/24/2015 8:38 AM, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic -------------------

Ohmigosh! ;-)

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to
replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean
driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of
buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do
you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should
consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just
basic stuff but most be automatic.

I would look at this differently. Instead of looking for a make/model,
identify her *needs* -- both now and in the foreseeable future.

SWMBO wanted a new vehicle (didn't *need* one). Her ORIGINAL short list
of required features (before she had seen anything in a dealership):
- up high (instead of "down low", surrounded by big trucks, etc.
This has a big impact on visibility.
- good visibility; not just being up high enough to see things but also
not having to bob-and-weave to see around various pillars in the
front and rear portion of the vehicle
- lift *onto* instead of *into*/outof rear storage area; easier to lift
something to a particular height and slide it into a wagon, SUV, etc.
than it is to lift it up *over* the lip of the trunk and set it down
*into* the well. (She does this almost daily with her hobby.)
- respectable gas mileage; she doesn't drive much but also isn't keen
on throwing money out the tailpipe!
- driver's seat that goes up and down (even if only manually); this
seems to be something women favor, another visibility issue?
- "substantial"; don't want a piece of tin that will get bounced across
the roadway whenever it is struck by another vehicle (e.g., SmartCar)
- reasonably small (despite other criteria suggesting big!); she
didn't want to drive a big truck, etc.
- easy to get in/out; not having to FALL into the car nor *climb* out of it
- low maintenance costs

After looking at what's available in 2015/16 (vs the last time she purchased
a vehicle), she decided to augment her list:
- power liftgate (because the *onto* storage requirement pushes you
towards a storage area that has a larger "door")
- blind spot monitors (to improve visibility of "road sheep")
- (rear) cross traffic alert (so she doesn't have to twist her neck
to look over her shoulder when backing out of parking spaces)
- rear camera (again, cut down on turning her head -- it seems that as
folks get older, this gets to be more of an issue)

The downside of many of these "requirements" is that you end up
dragging in all sorts of unnecessary prerequisites -- things that
the car manufacturer insists you have in order to get the features
that you *want*. :

Good luck in your search. Don't rush it. Dealers will always be
pushing you to "buy today" -- tomorrow is usually just as good!

On 9/24/2015 11:59 AM, bob haller wrote:
On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 11:39:02 AM UTC-4, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

avoid any VW vehicle their resale value will probably take a big hit for a generation.

besides all auto makers need to watch vw go nearly out of business so they dont try to pull stuff like cheating on air pollution


VW may be the best buy at the right price. Depending on the buyers age,
resale may be meaningless. If the car is never sold, who cares?

Good chance it can be had a a large discount just to move it.

On 9/24/2015 12:02 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 9/24/2015 11:38 AM, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to
replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean
driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking
of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to
drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name)
she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really
required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.


My first consideration, what fits? What is easy enough to get in and
out of?

VW has problems right now but it may be possible to get a huge discount.
Don't know how that will shake out.

Perhaps VW will bring back their 10 year power train warranty.

Just don't buy a manual transmission VW. Clutch replacement is
horrendously expensive due to everything that must be removed to get to it.

On 9/24/2015 11:38 AM, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.


My first consideration, what fits? What is easy enough to get in and
out of?

VW has problems right now but it may be possible to get a huge discount.
Don't know how that will shake out.

I'd consider:
Hyundai Sonata or the smaller Elantra
Toyota Camry or the smaller Corolla
Ford Fusion or the smaller Focus

Price can vary considerably depending if they get a stripped down
version or a fully loaded model. Right now, Hyundai is offering some
good deals on the 2015 Sonata as the 2016 is now hitting the showroom
floor.

There are no really bad cars made these days. Most are dependable and
have a decent warranty but Hyundai has the longest in both time and miles.

On 09/24/2015 11:21 AM, Oren wrote:
On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 08:38:53 -0700 (PDT), leza wang
wrote:

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to repla=
ce her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving hi=
story. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new =
Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any =
other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too man=
y options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but mo=
st be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

Being a senior citizen, maybe on a fixed income, my suggestion is to
not buy a new car. Buy a certified used car. My elder wife (older
than me just bought a 2007 in excellent condition) - more features
than she will use and she bought it under the blue book value from a
private seller for cash. A used certified car may also come with a
warranty beyond the original.




Yep. Times have sure changed.

My dad's '55 Chevy lasted about 70,000 miles and was a rusted piece of
junk at that point. He got $50 for it.

About six years ago I purchased a good used car with 70,000 miles on it
& have had nothing done to it other than routine maintenance. When I
bought it many people thought it was brand new.

A friend of mine has 360,000 miles on his car...but yes...it's starting
to wear out now.

On 9/24/2015 11:55 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

VW may be the best buy at the right price. Depending on the buyers age, resale
may be meaningless. If the car is never sold, who cares?

Good chance it can be had a a large discount just to move it.

OTOH, there's no guarantee that "fixed" you'll want to drive it!

A dealer here purchased a bunch of BLACK (interior and exterior -- we
live in Sunny AZ!), vinyl seats, manual tranny/windows/etc. sh*tboxes
with NO ACbrrr...

For a song.

And, couldn't get rid of them! No matter *how* he sang!

if she likes her Golf, test drive a new one

can one Rent a new-ish car for a day/week - one that you're interested in?
[why buy Before you have it a few days, if you don't have to]

and the older we get, Visibility may be more and more important;
being able to see around you; mirrors etc;
and ease of getting in and out, as someone mentioned

my mother [85] got locked into a 3 year lease,
and a few weeks later decided she didn't like it!
[rent one if possible]

marc

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 14:55:13 -0400, Ed Pawlowski wrote:

On 9/24/2015 11:59 AM, bob haller wrote:
On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 11:39:02 AM UTC-4, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

avoid any VW vehicle their resale value will probably take a big hit for a generation.

besides all auto makers need to watch vw go nearly out of business so they dont try to pull stuff like cheating on air pollution


VW may be the best buy at the right price. Depending on the buyers age,
resale may be meaningless. If the car is never sold, who cares?

Good chance it can be had a a large discount just to move it.
It takes a large discount to get a VW into the price range of a lot
of it's competition. My friend bought his Corolla S, loaded to the
gills, for $8000 less than a base VW Golf TDI.
That surprized him as much as the fact that the Toyota was in just
about all ways, at least the match for the VW. The only thing he
missed was the torque of the Diesel.

On Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:00:50 -0700, sms
wrote:

On 9/24/2015 12:02 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 9/24/2015 11:38 AM, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to
replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean
driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking
of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to
drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name)
she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really
required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.


My first consideration, what fits? What is easy enough to get in and
out of?

VW has problems right now but it may be possible to get a huge discount.
Don't know how that will shake out.

Perhaps VW will bring back their 10 year power train warranty.

Just don't buy a manual transmission VW. Clutch replacement is
horrendously expensive due to everything that must be removed to get to it.
Like virtually all front drive cars today. And a few read drivers and
virtually all AWDs.

On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 8:39:02 AM UTC-7, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

As others have said, for seniors, ease of getting in and out is one of the top things. An overlooked option for that is the Ford Taurus. I sits higher than most cars, lower than an SUV. I am 80 and wife was disabled (died last year), both of use could get in/out of the Ford 500 (now Taurus again) without problems. Difference between 'crawling down into" (modern cars) and just turning and sitting down.

Harry K

On 9/24/2015 2:07 PM, Harry K wrote:

As others have said, for seniors, ease of getting in and out is one of the
top things. An overlooked option for that is the Ford Taurus. I sits
higher than most cars, lower than an SUV. I am 80 and wife was disabled
(died last year), both of use could get in/out of the Ford 500 (now Taurus
again) without problems. Difference between 'crawling down into" (modern
cars) and just turning and sitting down.

Note that you can also end up with a car that is too *high*! You
don't want to have to climb *up* into a car -- nor risk *falling*
trying to get out of it!

Remember that your posture also changes as you age. You don't
stand as tall, etc. so what was comfortable at one age can
seem "a stretch" as you get older (and your back, hips, etc.
start to complain when you try to make full use of them).

I'm surprised at the number of folks who have problems carrying
even small (1 & 2 lb) weights (muscle atrophy). Reaching into
a back seat to retrieve an item can become challenging with age.
Another pair of doors is sometimes worthwhile!

If you "grunt" (even subvocally) when getting in or out of your
vehicle, reaching for some item (groceries), etc. then something
needs to change! :

....try to do a little exercise every day

and eat a well balance diet, with lots of vegetables

easy on the meat

marc

On 9/24/2015 2:23 PM, wrote:
....try to do a little exercise every day

It's surprisingly easy to get *enough* exercise to
"make a difference". The MD's will always clamor for
"more" -- regardless of how much you do. But, even
a little has a *big* impact on flexibility, attitude,
balance, strength, etc.

I've loaned "workout videos" to friends and, for those
who actually took the time to *try* them (instead of
setting them on top of the exercise equipment that they
DUST, regularly) have universally seen some improvements
in their "quality of life".

Stay active (physically and mentally) as long as possible
in order to be ABLE to stay active *for* as long as possible!

and eat a well balance diet, with lots of vegetables

I "discovered" jicama upon moving to the southwest. It's
"weird", to say the least! But, I find myself *wanting*
it in an ever broader range of meals. It has a nice texture
and a pleasant taste that makes it a good companion for
many dishes. I'm not sure it does much (nutritionally)
for my system -- but is probably a good source of fiber
(and general variety!).

easy on the meat

My downfall. :

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 9/24/2015 11:59 AM, bob haller wrote:
On Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 11:39:02 AM UTC-4, leza wang wrote:
Sorry for off topic
-------------------

Hi

A friend of mine who is a senior citizen and want to buy a new car to
replace her standard old car. She is very good driver with very clean
driving history. Her current car is Volkswagen golf. She is thinking
of buying a new Volkswagen golf but automatic of course (easier to
drive). Do you have any other recommendation on which car (brand
name) she should consider. Too many options and technologies are not
really required, just basic stuff but most be automatic.

Thank you in advance.

avoid any VW vehicle their resale value will probably take a big hit
for a generation.

besides all auto makers need to watch vw go nearly out of business so
they dont try to pull stuff like cheating on air pollution


VW may be the best buy at the right price. Depending on the buyers age,
resale may be meaningless. If the car is never sold, who cares?

Good chance it can be had a a large discount just to move it.

If she were my mother I'd buy a Subaru Impreza for her.

Don Y wrote:
On 9/24/2015 2:23 PM, wrote:
....try to do a little exercise every day

It's surprisingly easy to get *enough* exercise to
"make a difference". The MD's will always clamor for
"more" -- regardless of how much you do. But, even
a little has a *big* impact on flexibility, attitude,
balance, strength, etc.

I've loaned "workout videos" to friends and, for those
who actually took the time to *try* them (instead of
setting them on top of the exercise equipment that they
DUST, regularly) have universally seen some improvements
in their "quality of life".

Stay active (physically and mentally) as long as possible
in order to be ABLE to stay active *for* as long as possible!

and eat a well balance diet, with lots of vegetables

I "discovered" jicama upon moving to the southwest. It's
"weird", to say the least! But, I find myself *wanting*
it in an ever broader range of meals. It has a nice texture
and a pleasant taste that makes it a good companion for
many dishes. I'm not sure it does much (nutritionally)
for my system -- but is probably a good source of fiber
(and general variety!).

easy on the meat

My downfall. :

Meat has never been a main dish in my family. Meat is served as a treat.
We tend to eat more wild fish, organic poultry. Never eat white
bread. Never drink milk, never indulge in sweets, never drink ice cold
water, no salt shaker on the table. I just made a round between 5
specialists. They say I am in good shape. Annual routine for transplant
patients. Only change is, suggested to get a pair of glasses for
driving. Good eating needs good digestion. I eat well, sleep well,
eliminate well no issues with this basic 3 things.

On 9/24/2015 3:43 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:

easy on the meat

My downfall. :

Meat has never been a main dish in my family. Meat is served as a treat.

For us, meat was The Staple. Always a veggie and a starch as "sides".
But the main course was almost invariably meat. Chicken and fish
as "meat substitutes" -- and pasta once a week.

We tend to eat more wild fish, organic poultry.

It was only later in life that I started eating salmon. Previously,
cod/schrod and shrimp. We currently eat too much chicken -- it's
boring (too hard to marinate).

Never eat white bread. Never drink milk, never indulge in sweets, never

I drink about 6 gallons of milk yearly -- usually in 1 gallon "spurts".
I bake *lots* of sweets (I'll go through 50 pounds of flour in the
next couple of months) but don't eat them. Ice cream, OTOH, goes down
by the gallon (when I succumb to the temptation).

drink ice cold water, no salt shaker on the table.

I gave up "added salt" 30 years ago. It is actually a worthwhile
experience that I would recommend to everyone -- even if only
on a temporary basis. It's only once you've given it up that you
realize how *much* salt is in the food you eat! A McDonald's
hamburger tastes the same as a potato chip (wrt salt).

I just made a round between 5 specialists. They say I am in good shape.
Annual routine for transplant patients. Only change is, suggested to get a
pair of glasses for driving.

My eyes haven't changed in almost 40 years -- or so the eye doctors say.
But, I'm sure my next visit will see some changes in my close-in
vision. I've noticed that I can't easily read the small print on
many of the chips that I use when "up close".

Good eating needs good digestion. I eat well,
sleep well, eliminate well no issues with this basic 3 things.

Taking a sh*t has never been a problem! : Sleep, OTOH, is something
I am perpetually warned to get more of. Too many interesting things
to do vs. spending time asleep! :-/

Don Y wrote:
On 9/24/2015 3:43 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:

easy on the meat

My downfall. :

Meat has never been a main dish in my family. Meat is served as a treat.

For us, meat was The Staple. Always a veggie and a starch as "sides".
But the main course was almost invariably meat. Chicken and fish
as "meat substitutes" -- and pasta once a week.

We tend to eat more wild fish, organic poultry.

It was only later in life that I started eating salmon. Previously,
cod/schrod and shrimp. We currently eat too much chicken -- it's
boring (too hard to marinate).

Never eat white bread. Never drink milk, never indulge in sweets, never

I drink about 6 gallons of milk yearly -- usually in 1 gallon "spurts".
I bake *lots* of sweets (I'll go through 50 pounds of flour in the
next couple of months) but don't eat them. Ice cream, OTOH, goes down
by the gallon (when I succumb to the temptation).

drink ice cold water, no salt shaker on the table.

I gave up "added salt" 30 years ago. It is actually a worthwhile
experience that I would recommend to everyone -- even if only
on a temporary basis. It's only once you've given it up that you
realize how *much* salt is in the food you eat! A McDonald's
hamburger tastes the same as a potato chip (wrt salt).

I just made a round between 5 specialists. They say I am in good shape.
Annual routine for transplant patients. Only change is, suggested to
get a
pair of glasses for driving.

My eyes haven't changed in almost 40 years -- or so the eye doctors say.
But, I'm sure my next visit will see some changes in my close-in
vision. I've noticed that I can't easily read the small print on
many of the chips that I use when "up close".

Good eating needs good digestion. I eat well,
sleep well, eliminate well no issues with this basic 3 things.

Taking a sh*t has never been a problem! : Sleep, OTOH, is something
I am perpetually warned to get more of. Too many interesting things
to do vs. spending time asleep! :-/

At my age 6 hrs good sleep is plenty. It is not how long you sleep,
how well(deep) you sleep(reset)

On 9/24/2015 6:20 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:
Taking a sh*t has never been a problem! : Sleep, OTOH, is something
I am perpetually warned to get more of. Too many interesting things
to do vs. spending time asleep! :-/

At my age 6 hrs good sleep is plenty. It is not how long you sleep,
how well(deep) you sleep(reset)

Mine is highly irregular. I work for myself so I keep my own hours -- working
when I feel most productive, and, for as *long* as I continue to feel
productive. And, when I'm not working, there's nothing to prevent me from
taking a nap, going to sleep, etc. As a result, my bed-time varies
considerably. And, the time spent "sleeping" varies as well.

E.g., if I have a meeting at 9A and am just going to bed at 6A, then
I won't be getting more than 2 hours at that time. I may go back to bed
immediately after that meeting. Or, if something "interesting" comes
up, may end up awake for another 20 hours. Then, might "crash" for 12.
Or 4.

I rationalize this by thinking that my body will find a way to get
what it needs. My MD says this isn't really *good* for my body
even if it does "get what it needs" -- eventually.

shrug I tend to consider sleeping and eating as colossal wastes of time
(can't do anything "productive" concurrently with either of those).

On 9/24/2015 6:31 PM, Frank wrote:

I have it on good authority that my Subaru dealer makes more money off
of selling used Subaru's than he does new ones.

I also get new at under invoice.

I've heard that from a couple of local dealers. They like selling used.

Last used car I bought was in the 1980's. I never found them to be a
good value with the miles I dreive.

Don Y wrote:
On 9/24/2015 6:20 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:
Taking a sh*t has never been a problem! : Sleep, OTOH, is something
I am perpetually warned to get more of. Too many interesting things
to do vs. spending time asleep! :-/

At my age 6 hrs good sleep is plenty. It is not how long you sleep,
how well(deep) you sleep(reset)

Mine is highly irregular. I work for myself so I keep my own hours --
working
when I feel most productive, and, for as *long* as I continue to feel
productive. And, when I'm not working, there's nothing to prevent me from
taking a nap, going to sleep, etc. As a result, my bed-time varies
considerably. And, the time spent "sleeping" varies as well.

E.g., if I have a meeting at 9A and am just going to bed at 6A, then
I won't be getting more than 2 hours at that time. I may go back to bed
immediately after that meeting. Or, if something "interesting" comes
up, may end up awake for another 20 hours. Then, might "crash" for 12.
Or 4.

I rationalize this by thinking that my body will find a way to get
what it needs. My MD says this isn't really *good* for my body
even if it does "get what it needs" -- eventually.

shrug I tend to consider sleeping and eating as colossal wastes of time
(can't do anything "productive" concurrently with either of those).

Likewise, I drag about eating and sleeping. In overseas days I worked
12 hour shift without week ends. Longest hour I was working on a problem
was 72 hours drinking nothing but coffee. Any way I finished what I was
doing(trouble-shooting downed mainframe with magnetic core memory
problem) Thinking back that was not good thing for own health. Getting
old, my priority in life changed. I learnt to slow down and take things
easy. But I still complete daily planned schedule and then some
more.Doing support work for field engineers I was quite independent, no
one hardly ever bothered me. That was good. I hope I'll be around when
g-son goes to college. He just started grade 1. 75+18=93 maybe, maybe not.

On 9/24/2015 11:47 PM, Tony Hwang wrote:
shrug I tend to consider sleeping and eating as colossal wastes of time
(can't do anything "productive" concurrently with either of those).

Likewise, I drag about eating and sleeping. In overseas days I worked
12 hour shift without week ends. Longest hour I was working on a problem
was 72 hours drinking nothing but coffee. Any way I finished what I was
doing(trouble-shooting downed mainframe with magnetic core memory problem)

One of my earliest jobs was doing field service work. Being away from
home was a real drag -- nothing to do, no one to talk to, etc. So,
I would typically go from airport straight to customer site, work
until machine was operational (which clients liked because that typically
meant most of my time there was after hours -- not under their feet and
they got back up and running with minimal impact on *their* work schedule!).
Then, check in at hotel/motel, take a shower, change clothes and head back
to airport.

Employer recognized we weren't working 8 hour shifts. Getting the job done
in a day or two saved on meals, lodging, etc. So, you'd spend a day on
the road... and take the rest of the week off with pay. Not sure who
got the better end of that deal! :

Thinking back that was not good thing for own health. Getting old, my priority
in life changed. I learnt to slow down and take things easy.

I have become even more obsessed with getting things done. Counting on
"tomorrow" is likely to be a disappointment. I've seen too many people
plan on doing what they *want*, "later" -- then discovering that they
can't (physical/mental/health problems -- or early death!). So, I
roll the dice and *hope*!

Enjoy today as tomorrow may not come.

But I still complete daily planned schedule and then some more.Doing
support work for field engineers I was quite independent, no one hardly ever
bothered me. That was good. I hope I'll be around when
g-son goes to college. He just started grade 1. 75+18=93 maybe, maybe not.

I'm not as worried about dying as I am about not being able to work
towards my goals due to infirmities, disabilities, etc. "Being dead"
sort of sidesteps that whole issue :-/

If you are able to make all your own car repairs, buying a used car might be the most economical solution.

But, if you depend on auto repair shops, a used car can be more expensive over time.
Have a break-down 500 miles from home and you'll see what I mean.

Me, I buy new plain-Jain cars, keep them until the mfg warranty runs out, then buy another new one.

On 9/24/2015 6:56 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 9/24/2015 6:31 PM, Frank wrote:

I have it on good authority that my Subaru dealer makes more money off
of selling used Subaru's than he does new ones.

I also get new at under invoice.

I've heard that from a couple of local dealers. They like selling used.

The big win for the dealer on "new" is that they are more likely
to CONTINUE to encounter those customers in their service departments!

Last used car I bought was in the 1980's. I never found them to be a good
value with the miles I dreive.

My attitude wrt used has always been: I've *got* a used car. I know
exactly how it has been driven, maintained, likely expectations of
future reliability and costs, etc. Why should I swap this for some
OTHER car whose background is a complete mystery?

When we replaced our 13 yo vehicle, recently, we had several friends
willing to buy the old one from us. But, avoided that option: no
desire to have them "revisiting the well" some time down the road
when something went wrong and they magically felt *we* should
be responsible for it...

On 9/24/2015 9:48 AM, Muggles wrote:

As others point out, VW is in a heap of trouble and probably best avoided.

I've been wanting to buy a VB Beetle, but not a new one. Are the older
models (by a few years) a bad idea, too?

"older models (by a few years)" is still a "new" (redesigned, not "classic")
beetle, right?

The cars named in the recent disclosure are sure to take a hit -- in the
short term and possibly even longer. A lot will depend on the sort of
fix that VW puts forward and how it affects the perceived value of those
vehicles. My hunch is that any *cheap* fix (e.g., a software upgrade)
will result in a vehicle's performance falling below what their owners
(and prospective resale owners) would be happy with.

[If this is NOT the case, then why would VW have shot itself in the
foot so forcefully? Their actions suggest that strict compliance with
the letter of the law would have affected fuel efficiency or overall
performance in a way that would have caused potential buyers to "look
elsewhere"]

How much spillover to other models NOT named is up for debate. Note
BMW already took some heat over *suspicion* that they might be
similarly cheating (no evidence to suggest this!).

People who are fearful by nature will probably lump all VW products
into that category; perhaps even all diesel offerings there *and*
from other vendors.

If your question concerns your potential *exposure* if you opt to
purchase a used bug, I'd not be too concerned. OTOH, if you were
wondering how this would affect the purchase price of said bug,
it will depend on how much fear-mongering the media heaps on
others "competing" for that used vehicle that *you* want.

Craigslist reports that prices for used VW's are already down ~20%.
VW is expected to have a drop in sales for the month of Sept
while most other automakers are posting *record* sales figures.
How long that persists is anybody's guess...

On 9/25/2015 3:09 AM, Don Y wrote:

I have become even more obsessed with getting things done. Counting on
"tomorrow" is likely to be a disappointment. I've seen too many people
plan on doing what they *want*, "later" -- then discovering that they
can't (physical/mental/health problems -- or early death!). So, I
roll the dice and *hope*!

Enjoy today as tomorrow may not come.

Good philosophy. I'm still working but only 4 days a week. I took SS
when I turned 66 and I'm enjoying the extra money. Traveled, remodeled
two bathrooms, go out to dinner at nice restaurants, anything that
sounds good at the time.

Snowing? OK, I'm not going to work. Friday? I'm leaving early. I'm
at work right now and I'll be gone in 45 minutes.

My wife has some health restrictions now but we do what we can and will
as long as we can.

On 9/25/2015 7:40 AM, Consumer wrote:


Me, I buy new plain-Jain cars, keep them until the mfg warranty runs
out, then buy another new one.


I do that but I like all the goodies. I have the Limited with every
option.

On 9/25/2015 7:31 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
On 9/25/2015 3:09 AM, Don Y wrote:

I have become even more obsessed with getting things done. Counting on
"tomorrow" is likely to be a disappointment. I've seen too many people
plan on doing what they *want*, "later" -- then discovering that they
can't (physical/mental/health problems -- or early death!). So, I
roll the dice and *hope*!

Enjoy today as tomorrow may not come.

Good philosophy. I'm still working but only 4 days a week. I took SS when I
turned 66 and I'm enjoying the extra money.

"Formal" retirement is still a long way for me. But, most of my friends
jokingly comment that I've been retired for decades -- in that I work on
(only!) what I *want* to work on and (only!) *when* I want to work on it!

Unfortunately (?), as I get older, there are even *more* things that I
want to "take on", learn, etc. But, the body and mind aren't as spry as
they used to be. Many of the technologies that I'm working with are
still barely "out of the lab" -- yet I'm trying to use them as if they
were "mature". Calls for lots of new learning (the technologies, the
tools, etc. -- in addition to the unconventional ways that I am trying
to "apply" them).

I'd hate, for example, to try to learn a new (speaking) language at
this point in my life! (I'd also not consider it a "good investment"...
what's the payback??)

Traveled, remodeled two bathrooms,
go out to dinner at nice restaurants, anything that sounds good at the time.

We tend to be pretty frugal -- though not "tight as a frog's *ss". We
tend to make decisions based on reasoned arguments instead of "feel/desire".
So, tend to be happier with our decisions in the long run (I think much
of "buyer's remorse" comes from folks who fell into the trap of being
motivated by emotions in a decision; later, the emotions fade and your
subconscious starts looking at the RATIONAL basis of the decision -- and
finds it "wanting"! : )

I'm not a fan of restaurants; most tend not to serve the things I'd
want to eat nor prepare them in the ways that I'd want. And, *all*
require far too much time for something as banal as "a meal" (some
folks live to eat; others -- me -- eat to live).

I did a lot of traveling when I was young. So, most *domestic*
traveling is "ho hum, been there, done that". International
travel requires too much time. The only things I would like to
see "up close" (i.e., not "on a DVD" : ) would be the pyramids
and Great Wall. But, I'd want to *climb* the pyramids and *walk*
the (length of the) Great Wall. Both are obviously not going to
be permitted.

Snowing? OK, I'm not going to work. Friday? I'm leaving early. I'm at work
right now and I'll be gone in 45 minutes.

I actually was unhappy about leaving "snow" behind (currently southwest).
While not a morning person, I used to delight in waking up on days when
snow was predicted and stare out the front picture window watching everyone
struggle with the snow (cars, pedestrians, etc.). Then, as soon as the
morning rush was over, I'd go back to bed: "I'll plow the driveway
later -- at a more *sensible* time to get out of bed!"

OTOH, working for myself means there *is* no Friday. (the consolation
is that there is no Monday, either! : ) And, being highly interested
in what I'm doing, it's far too easy to work non-stop when I get
obsessed with a particular aspect of a problem.

SWMBO is a valuable diversion -- all the HoneyDo's! E.g., I spent a couple
of hours last night framing two of her paintings instead of spending
all that time doing research. Today I'll fix a friend's genset -- another
"distraction".

My wife has some health restrictions now but we do what we can and will as long
as we can.

That's my fear -- what sort of "things" will life throw my way that conflict
with my goals? There's very little you can do (for many things) to steer
future events (health related) in a particular direction, if your body and
history predispose you to a different outcome.

I see too many people "using" ailments to limit their activities, goals, etc.
Granted, for some (and to some extent) these may be genuine limitations.
OTOH, I think others just "cop-out" because they are quitters or want an
excuse to NOT do what's required to rise above their limitations.

[It's scary to listen to "old folks" -- all they (most) talk about is their
ailments, doctor appointments, etc. "Wow, why do you get out of bed in
the morning if your life is THAT boring or challenging??"]

Hopefully, you'll be able to find ways to *keep* doing what you (both) enjoy;
finding ways to work *around* your wife's current (and your *future*?)
health issues. Silly to work "all those years" and not be able to have
something to enjoy as a "reward"!

On 9/25/2015 9:23 AM, Don Y wrote:
On 9/24/2015 9:48 AM, Muggles wrote:

As others point out, VW is in a heap of trouble and probably best
avoided.

I've been wanting to buy a VB Beetle, but not a new one. Are the older
models (by a few years) a bad idea, too?

"older models (by a few years)" is still a "new" (redesigned, not
"classic")
beetle, right?

The cars named in the recent disclosure are sure to take a hit -- in the
short term and possibly even longer. A lot will depend on the sort of
fix that VW puts forward and how it affects the perceived value of those
vehicles. My hunch is that any *cheap* fix (e.g., a software upgrade)
will result in a vehicle's performance falling below what their owners
(and prospective resale owners) would be happy with.

[If this is NOT the case, then why would VW have shot itself in the
foot so forcefully? Their actions suggest that strict compliance with
the letter of the law would have affected fuel efficiency or overall
performance in a way that would have caused potential buyers to "look
elsewhere"]

How much spillover to other models NOT named is up for debate. Note
BMW already took some heat over *suspicion* that they might be
similarly cheating (no evidence to suggest this!).

People who are fearful by nature will probably lump all VW products
into that category; perhaps even all diesel offerings there *and*
from other vendors.

If your question concerns your potential *exposure* if you opt to
purchase a used bug, I'd not be too concerned. OTOH, if you were
wondering how this would affect the purchase price of said bug,
it will depend on how much fear-mongering the media heaps on
others "competing" for that used vehicle that *you* want.

Craigslist reports that prices for used VW's are already down ~20%.
VW is expected to have a drop in sales for the month of Sept
while most other automakers are posting *record* sales figures.
How long that persists is anybody's guess...


With the prices of new Beetles, I can't really afford one right now, but
if the prices of used (automatic - not diesel) Beetles come down I may
easily be able to afford one of those.

Is the problem being discussed with VW only with diesels? I haven't
read every post on the subject and could have missed that detail.

--
Maggie

On Friday, September 25, 2015 at 9:23:41 AM UTC-5, Don Y wrote:
On 9/24/2015 9:48 AM, Muggles wrote:

As others point out, VW is in a heap of trouble and probably best avoided.

I've been wanting to buy a VB Beetle, but not a new one. Are the older
models (by a few years) a bad idea, too?

"older models (by a few years)" is still a "new" (redesigned, not "classic")
beetle, right?

The cars named in the recent disclosure are sure to take a hit -- in the
short term and possibly even longer. A lot will depend on the sort of
fix that VW puts forward and how it affects the perceived value of those
vehicles. My hunch is that any *cheap* fix (e.g., a software upgrade)
will result in a vehicle's performance falling below what their owners
(and prospective resale owners) would be happy with.

[If this is NOT the case, then why would VW have shot itself in the
foot so forcefully? Their actions suggest that strict compliance with
the letter of the law would have affected fuel efficiency or overall
performance in a way that would have caused potential buyers to "look
elsewhere"]

How much spillover to other models NOT named is up for debate. Note
BMW already took some heat over *suspicion* that they might be
similarly cheating (no evidence to suggest this!).

People who are fearful by nature will probably lump all VW products
into that category; perhaps even all diesel offerings there *and*
from other vendors.

If your question concerns your potential *exposure* if you opt to
purchase a used bug, I'd not be too concerned. OTOH, if you were
wondering how this would affect the purchase price of said bug,
it will depend on how much fear-mongering the media heaps on
others "competing" for that used vehicle that *you* want.

Craigslist reports that prices for used VW's are already down ~20%.
VW is expected to have a drop in sales for the month of Sept
while most other automakers are posting *record* sales figures.
How long that persists is anybody's guess...

The book,"Unsafe at Any Speed" killed the Chevrolet Corvair and even when GM redesigned the rear suspension, as I read in a car magazine, so it was more advance than that on the Corvette, it was too late and sales declined until the car was discontinued. It's a very interesting story about GM upper level management ignoring the safety concerns of suspension engineers. ^_^

[8~{} Uncle Car Monster