Something Random

[udaman]

If you did any research instead of just spouting off nonsense you read online you'd know Bin Laden actually called the US a paper tiger.

But yeah, it's just my opinion...

I for one welcome a return to the Clinton era policy of pursuing the war on terror in court with lawyers instead of boots on the ground. That will certainly prove to radical Islam that we're not a paper tiger to will run and cower.

pretty much.

"if you did any research"...you'd know of SD bias, so maybe better to just agree to disagree??? Other political stories we can argue that are on the plate, which is overflowing for Obama and his team.

Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job

http://www.theonion.com/content/news_briefs/black_man_given_nations/

As part of his duties, the black man will have to spend four to eight years cleaning up the messes other people left behind. The job comes with such intense scrutiny and so certain a guarantee of failure that only one other person even bothered applying for it. Said scholar and activist Mark L. Denton, "It just goes to show you that, in this country, a black man still can't catch a break."

...well at least he has a job, unemployment rate is expected to go into double digits, California is 2% higher than the national average . Can't blame that on Obama.


http://www.snopes.com/rumors/clinton.asp

Item, by item; for you SD ^^^


so which of the strawman arguments will SD use now, to defend his 'hope the terrorists attack the cities in the towns of those who voted' for this Dem or than Rep Admn that failed to behead 1973 terrorists Khalid Duhham Al-Jawary?

AP story, so will disappear soon from the link below (didn't post it up because it's *very* long article):

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090124/ap_on_re_us/mystery_terrorist

 

[udaman]

I'll take made in HK, happy CNY

Hope LM doesn't consider this too political

"Made" in USA vs made in HK

http://chaxiubao.typepad.com/chaxiubao/2008/06/a-matter-of-cou.html#more

 

[Stereodude]

pretty much.

You'd better take a look through your dictionary again. I made the assertion that Bin Laden viewed the US as a paper tiger due to what he saw as a relative lack of response to terrorist attacks in the 90's. I went on to provide the quotes where Bin Laden said just that. I provided facts / direct quotes of Bin Laden. I didn't provide quotes from experts giving their opinion on Bin Laden's state of mind. I didn't provide conjecture on Bin Laden's state of mind. I provided quotes from the man about his own views.

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/clinton.asp

Item, by item; for you SD ^^^

That doesn't apply to anything I said. I never said Clinton didn't do anything in response. I criticized them for pursuing it as a legal matter in court instead of a military matter. See my next point...

I will however, criticize Clinton for not taking Bin Laden in 1996 when Sudan offered him to us though (because the US didn't have any legal standing to hold him). Clinton himself admitted this on Feb 15, 2002 in a speech. Audio

 

[jtr1962]

This gives new meaning to the phrase "revenge is a dish best served up cold".

 

[udaman]

This gives new meaning to the phrase "revenge is a dish best served up cold".

Or served up bloody and warm, as in sausage .

Revenge? Hell hath no furry...

Which is why you don't want to get piss drunk around a woman with known 'issues' who drinks hard-liquor as a refreshment, and wields a fine knife around her kitchen culinary skillz...speaking of 'her' jtr .

 

[udaman]

slackers

two friggin weeks and no posts to the SR thread, you all ought to be ashamed

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f129/can-jam-2009-date-location-announcement-396027/

excellent PS work here:

​

The new Sennheiser HD900 (which looks super cheap) costs only $1.4k, Stephan Audio Art upgrade headphone cables for the HD800, announced before the HD900 was available, for only $1.5k.

Hmm, maybe I should go to this techogeek exposition down the street from the famous LAX/Century Blvd strip club, lol

Or better yet, figure out which FO they are referring to, the one in Culver City (funny, I have never seen 'gangs' of Asian hotties in CC before...haven't even seen one hottie in CC of late ...going to have to check out the FO in CC on a Fri/Sat night then) or the original Santa Monica branch...besides I don't ordinarily drink beer, always Champagne is better . Come to think of it, I don't like Jazz either...I'm sol.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/5307331-post138.html

Quote:
Originally Posted by ironbut
Wow, that looks killer. I'd love ta check out some of the local jazz clubs. I can see that I'll need to take a few days off down there.

That's 909 and jpl's pick. It was the real birthday celebration. If you put shirts and ties on these dudes ..... service was incredible. I'm talking about father's office. The bartender also recommended a killer beer store in our neighborhood. You have to wade thru the gangs of asian hotties ... but try the great white. ) And the burger will get you thru.

Then there's a jazz club next door.

... also Sabor Lounge I highly recommend.

 

[ddrueding]

Yup. Too busy with work to post much. Buying a used C230 for the wife...that should be fun.

 

[Handruin]

You'll probably find some nice deals with this economy on cars. Anything specific that draws you to that car?

 

[Stereodude]

Probably the fact that the wife is drawn to it because it's a Benz. (though a crappy one)

 

[Bozo]

Probably the fact that the wife is drawn to it because it's a Benz. (though a crappy one)

A relative had a C230 four-matic. It spent a lot of time in the Benz garage gettings things fixed that should have lasted forever.

She traded it on a Prius.

 

[Pradeep]

Kompressor for the wifey?

 

[ddrueding]

Well, she actually decided that she didn't want a Benz at all. Too much of a status car. Now she is looking at a Yaris. About the same price actually (CPO vs. New). And it looks like 6 years and ~200,000 miles will be the end of mine as well. I actually like the MazdaSpeed3, but with the SO not interested in driving a manual, that is out. So it looks like it will be a battle of the dealers, with the winner getting both sales (cash).

Yaris (3-door 4-speed auto)/Matrix XRS (2.4l 5-speed auto)
vs.
Mazda3 (sedan, base) / Mazda3 (wagon, maxed)

Honda would be in there, too, but the Fit is amazingly ugly.

Either way, less than $35k would be nice. I suck at buying cars, or haggling in general. You would think that in this economy the dealers would be cutting like crazy. Instead it seems they are holding the line until they go bankrupt.

 

[ddrueding]

Kompressor for the wifey?

Would have been. CPO with a big chunk of warranty to ward off the benz shops, but she prefers a Yaris. WTF?

 

[Stereodude]

You're buying two cars? One for you and one for her?

My personal opinion is that new cars are for suckers. A 2-3 year old model will usually save you a bundle.

If you're a Costco member they have some new car buying plan / program. That's an option if you don't like to haggle or aren't any good at it. http://www.costcoauto.com/enterzipcode.aspx?gotourl=/Default.aspx

 

[ddrueding]

New cars are for people who like new cars, and are willing to pay for it.

Granted, there is quite a premium, but you know what you are getting. I've only bought 2 used cars, and they were both crap. I was looking at the CPO (certified pre-owned) programs of the different manufacturers, but only the higher-end brands allowed model searches online. Mazda has one, but none of the shops in the area have any inventory entered.

 

[ddrueding]

You're buying two cars? One for you and one for her?http://www.costcoauto.com/enterzipcode.aspx?gotourl=/Default.aspx

Sorry, forgot that part. Yes. Specifically, one for us and one for her and her massive commute (same as my old one, 145mi round-trip).

Thanks for the Costco link, I was actually thinking of getting one of the pushier/abrasive people I know to do the haggling for me.

 

[Stereodude]

I don't see the attraction of any of the cars you list, but I guess if you're just looking for basic transportation...

I would think you'd be trying to maximize fuel economy of the wife's car, and you don't seem like someone who would be happy with a boring basic car. Although with your short commute, why are you even getting a new car? What's wrong with what you have now?

 

[ddrueding]

We are looking for a car with good fuel economy and another that will be comfortable on longer trips for us and friends. Her car is too unpleasant a place to be for the length of commute she has (97 Ford Escort LX) and my clutch and starter are failing and rust spots are starting to appear through my roof paint. Her car has 135k and mine is exceeding 195k.

 

[ddrueding]

What would you (or anyone here) recommend in this price/feature range?

 

[Stereodude]

I guess the Yaris is pretty fuel efficient, but kind of small. So, that might not be a bad option since a Jetta TDI is likely too much money. Does she think it's comfortable and fun to drive? If she's going to drive ~150 miles a day you'd better make sure she really likes it. Lots of women love the Mini Cooper, and it gets pretty decent mileage.

For you... I don't see a Mazda3 or a Matrix really being comfortable for long trips with friends. They're both still pretty small. Have you tried sitting in the back seats of them?

Are you allowed to get a car with a manual? Are you set on a Wagon?

 

[ddrueding]

I really like having a Wagon, the added space comes into play quite often. It really makes sense for me to get an automatic, since she refuses to learn stick. My dream car would be an Evolution MR (hey, it's an automatic ). It is a shame that Subaru doesn't have any decent auto transmissions in the smaller cars (all 4-speed).

For bonus points, something that can tow my boat (30' long, 2500lbs) well would be nice. My Golf gets a little frisky under hard braking; the boat is twice as long and weighs 300lbs more.

 

[Stereodude]

Sounds like you need a small to midsize SUV.

 

[ddrueding]

Even if an SUV were exactly what I needed, I wouldn't get one. The redneck association around here is simple too big to be ignored. I'm back to thinking about a used Subaru Legacy/Outback.

 

[Stereodude]

I myself like the Legacy B.spec, but that's got a 6 speed...

 

[ddrueding]

I know...I was just looking at it. That would be excellent. The logistics of having a car that one of us can't drive just doesn't make sense. And she is adamant about not learning stick.

 

[Stereodude]

I know...I was just looking at it. That would be excellent. The logistics of having a car that one of us can't drive just doesn't make sense. And she is adamant about not learning stick.

I have a stick and my wife just doesn't drive my car. She insists that she knows how to though. I've never asked her to prove it though.

FWIW, My next car will also be a stick.

 

[ddrueding]

I know...it looks like we will end up with 3 cars eventually. One commuter special, one family car, and my car. It is unfortunate, but it makes sense that my play car not be something we depend on, either.

 

[CougTek]

The Subaru Forestre is now available in PZEV configuration, so there's no redneck assosciation while driving it. The Legacy and Outback are available in PZEV too.

Have you thought about the new Ford Fusion Hybrid. Car reviewers here are all amazed by its fuel economy and the road handling is good too. Ford are almost always quiet cars inside and the manufacturing quality have improved lately (since they share chassis with Mazda). And it's the American car maker that is the most likely not to disapear in the next year or two.

The Jetta TDI is another good option.

All Subaru, Ford Fusion and Jetta mentioned above are well rated in crash test by the IIHS. That's something important to me and it would be for the car of the person I care the most about.

 

[Bozo]

What would you (or anyone here) recommend in this price/feature range?

Scion Xb or Scion Xd

 

[time]

Yaris has too short a wheelbase for the sort of stability I'd like in a 145 mile per day commute. Also, the engine lacks flexibility and I hate the central speedo. And here at least, resale is better on the 5-door variant.

Honda Fit (called Jazz in Australia) is far and away the best sub-compact, but it costs a bomb and IMO is still too short for what you need.

Mazda 3 sounds more like it as a minimum. But for long trips, you may get just as good economy out of a larger 4-cyclinder car.

Why don't you use your wife's old car? It's not as if you're going any distance to work ...

 

[Mercutio]

Scion Xb or Scion Xd

Elements are less hideous and based on the interior I'd say they're more practical as well.

 

[ddrueding]

Scion Xb or Scion Xd

Elements are less hideous and based on the interior I'd say they're more practical as well.

I'm afraid none of them pass my (very basic) style test at all. Perhaps I can hold out until the Audi A1 shows up...

 

[Handruin]

The A1 looks like a mini cooper (it's not a bad thing).

 

[ddrueding]

I actually got tired of the mini styling fairly early on, especially the interior. Too stylized and not practical enough. I do like the notion of AWD and 170hp with a 7-speed DSG in a package that small. Sounds like loads of fun.

 

[Handruin]

My personal opinion is that new cars are for suckers. A 2-3 year old model will usually save you a bundle.

FWIW, My next car will also be a stick.

Being one who also drives a manual transmission for numerous years, the thought of buying someone else's used automobile with a manual transmission is like taking sloppy seconds. Two to three years off a vehicle's life does save you fiscally up front, but there is a certain nice joy of having a tight and refined vehicle that I get to decide how it is treated during the break in and couple years of life. I'm pretty anal about how I use the clutch and I'm sure others aren't as careful. If the used car was an automatic, then I'd agree more that it's worth going with a 2-3 year old used car over new. I've purchased a few used vehicles with a manual tranny and I wouldn't do so again unless I couldn't afford to buy new. The hassle and cost of fixing someone else's abuse to a clutch isn't worth it.

 

[Handruin]

I actually got tired of the mini styling fairly early on, especially the interior. Too stylized and not practical enough. I do like the notion of AWD and 170hp with a 7-speed DSG in a package that small. Sounds like loads of fun.

Nothing wrong with that. I didn't look even look at the interior of the A1 to compare to a mini, I was just commenting on the exterior. The A1 has a HUGE front grill though; what's up with that? You'd think it had a cold air intake and a very large intercooler with a nose like that.

Do you think 170 HP with AWD will be all that quick? I think an AWD setup can take 20%+ in efficiency loss with increased weight (I don't see any estimates on curb weight). It would be even zippier with some decent tires and RWD. That sounds like more fun to me.

 

[ddrueding]

Nothing wrong with that. I didn't look even look at the interior of the A1 to compare to a mini, I was just commenting on the exterior. The A1 has a HUGE front grill though; what's up with that? You'd think it had a cold air intake and a very large intercooler with a nose like that.

Do you think 170 HP with AWD will be all that quick? I think an AWD setup can take 20%+ in efficiency loss with increased weight (I don't see any estimates on curb weight). It would be even zippier with some decent tires and RWD. That sounds like more fun to me.

The more recent images I saw in a car magazine brought the grill under control. Though a cold air intake and intercooler sound like great ideas

I suppose the roads in your area determine the fun factor. Around here the CHP has the freeways locked down, and the cities are swarming with cops looking to bring in money. The remaining fun roads are 1.5-lane country roads with crazy 2nd-gear corners covered in pine needles. The last time I took a RWD car out on them (944 Turbo), I broke it in half. My company also owns a few quarries, so AWD can be fun there, too.

 

[Handruin]

I would guess the roads around here can be similar, but not as bad as you described. The highways are generally packed and the police is plentiful. Back roads are more fun but there isn't an excess of pine needles. A track is obviously the most sane/legal way to run the car wide open, but I know that isn't always going to apply or become practical.

If you're interested in running in quarries, why not look at the suburu imprezza WRX or a mitsubishi lancer evo? I'm not much into the rally car fun and I typically associate AWD with good snow performance compared to good track/street performance. I'd rather have the RWD for those and AWD as a day to day car for winter/weather use.

 

[ddrueding]

That is kind of the fun part. We now live off one of those windy roads, and I drive to the quarries 2-3 times a week. So the fun driving is part of my daily trips. The WRX and Evo would be dream cars, but they lack the veneer of practicality that will get my wife to OK the deal

 

[Stereodude]

Being one who also drives a manual transmission for numerous years, the thought of buying someone else's used automobile with a manual transmission is like taking sloppy seconds. Two to three years off a vehicle's life does save you fiscally up front, but there is a certain nice joy of having a tight and refined vehicle that I get to decide how it is treated during the break in and couple years of life. I'm pretty anal about how I use the clutch and I'm sure others aren't as careful. If the used car was an automatic, then I'd agree more that it's worth going with a 2-3 year old used car over new. I've purchased a few used vehicles with a manual tranny and I wouldn't do so again unless I couldn't afford to buy new. The hassle and cost of fixing someone else's abuse to a clutch isn't worth it.

FWIW, I had two used cars previously that were stick shifts and didn't have any problems with them.

Besides, I will not be able to buy a S4 new at $50k+, but 2-3 years old used, I might be able to do it.