The Coffee House

[Cortian]

What with the winter weather, here, and our occasional forays into backwoods via two-tracks, a performance car just wasn't practical for me. Did my research. Landed on Jeep Grand Cherokee. Long story short: I got both, because the use JGC Ltd. we bought has this innit:

Heh heh heh

And the PO had upgraded the cold-air intake to the MoPar performance CAI. Sounds way wicked when I let it stretch its legs

 

[waday]

Buenos Dias Coffee Hosers, this is another brisk morning in the 40's. Gary just discovered that Chloe Kim lives in La Habra, which butts up to La Mirada. Mary Lou and Gary are planning to eat at Sushi Klyosuzo, the Arcadia restaurant owned by ice skater Mirai Nagassu's folks. Gary is having tea this morning, just because.

There are lot of words in that post I can't read or say....

I, too, was pretty confused with Gary drinking tea.

 

[waday]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

 

[smoke665]

And the PO had upgraded the cold-air intake to the MoPar performance CAI. Sounds way wicked when I let it stretch its legs

I'll see your Hemi specs and raise you - 2018 Hemi Limited 395 horsepower, 410 ft/lb torque @ 3950 RPM vs 2018 Powerstroke 450 horsepower, 935 ft/lb torque @1600 rpm

 

[smoke665]

@JonA_CT with 2 of their own and anywhere from 4 to 6 fosters at any one time, our oldest laughingly refers to one of these as their next vehicle.

 

[JonA_CT]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

We looked at pretty much all of them besides the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. We are looking at used cars -- we're hoping to get something 3 years old or less with less than 45k miles on it. I also want as many safety features as possible, which has put us in the 22-30k range used. Of the SUVs that fit that requirement, we liked the Dodge Durango and the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse the best (they're all essentially the same thing).

We are probably done with 2 kids, but we like to go camping and we have a large dog. The combination of that puts us into the large vehicle category. The bottom line is that there is significantly more space in the minivan, and it's considerably more usable (the cargo area is lower to the ground and is taller and more boxy).

If you like Subaru, their new 3-row SUV -- the Ascent -- is available for pre-order. I think it's a bit smaller than we want though.

 

[Gary A.]

What with the winter weather, here, and our occasional forays into backwoods via two-tracks, a performance car just wasn't practical for me. Did my research. Landed on Jeep Grand Cherokee. Long story short: I got both, because the use JGC Ltd. we bought has this innit:

Heh heh heh

And the PO had upgraded the cold-air intake to the MoPar performance CAI. Sounds way wicked when I let it stretch its legs

I had a JGC also ... Superduper seats ... zero mileage.

 

[Cortian]

And the PO had upgraded the cold-air intake to the MoPar performance CAI. Sounds way wicked when I let it stretch its legs

I'll see your Hemi specs and raise you - 2018 Hemi Limited 395 horsepower, 410 ft/lb torque @ 3950 RPM vs 2018 Powerstroke 450 horsepower, 935 ft/lb torque @1600 rpm

Yeah, but mine says "HEMI" on it in big, raised letters, which looks way cool

I had a JGC also ... Superduper seats ... zero mileage.

Yeah, mileage ain't great.

In fact I suspect that's how I ended-up with a 2015 JGC with less than 24,000 miles on it. It has the towing package and the PO had added an after-market electronic braking system. It was he who upgraded the CAI and he'd replaced the stock tires with some high-end tires claimed to increase mileage. I suspect after towing with that bad boy for a season he said "Enough of that!" and traded it in early.

I can get 15 MPG in subrural (word I made up--not quite suburban, but no longer quite rural, either) driving. And it'll get up to 20 MPG on the highway. That's if I drive gently. Plus it wants mid-grade fuel, which is more than 10% more expensive than regular.

It doesn't matter so much to me. I'm retired and don't drive that much, any more, anyway. And, boy, is that thing ever fun to drive

 

[Gary A.]

Mary Lou, Miss Maggie and Gary's wine country touring car.

 

[waday]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

We looked at pretty much all of them besides the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. We are looking at used cars -- we're hoping to get something 3 years old or less with less than 45k miles on it. I also want as many safety features as possible, which has put us in the 22-30k range used. Of the SUVs that fit that requirement, we liked the Dodge Durango and the Buick Enclave/GMC Acadia/Chevy Traverse the best (they're all essentially the same thing).

We are probably done with 2 kids, but we like to go camping and we have a large dog. The combination of that puts us into the large vehicle category. The bottom line is that there is significantly more space in the minivan, and it's considerably more usable (the cargo area is lower to the ground and is taller and more boxy).

If you like Subaru, their new 3-row SUV -- the Ascent -- is available for pre-order. I think it's a bit smaller than we want though.

Gotcha! Both of my brothers-in-law were reluctant to go minivan route, but were very happy with the van in the end.

The Ascent is interesting, but I don't know if I'd do new again.* Also, I'm a bit concerned with Subaru's new-ish models. I've heard some stories of Subaru figuring out the kinks with the first model year at the owner's expense. My 2011 Outback CVT was a second model year (but made in 2010), and it had a transmission problem (which was very thankfully covered under a warranty extension that I had no idea about). Had that not been there, I'd have been stuck with a very large bill.

*Buying new vs. used depends on the total cost of car, mileage, and so many other factors... Saving $5K on sticker by buying slightly used can cost about the same or more in long run, depending on warranties, interest rates, and dealer specials on maintenance.

 

[SquarePeg1]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

I Have only the one Princess but you’d be surprised how many times we’ve used that 3rd row. Keep in mind your kids will have friends with them a lot and when you go to the beach or camping you’ll need the extra storage space that the big suvs provide. I had a Mitsubishi Montero 5 passenger suv prior to the Honda and loved it but we were frequently having to make choices on what we could bring with us on Road trips.

Although one con of the 7 or 8 seaters is that when your kids get into tween/teen years, you’ll be tapped to drive all the time because you can fit everyone. Princess has 5 bffs and, other than me, only 2 of them have room for everyone in their car. I celebrate a little when someone else is able to drive them.

 

[waday]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

I Have only the one Princess but you’d be surprised how many times we’ve used that 3rd row. Keep in mind your kids will have friends with them a lot and when you go to the beach or camping you’ll need the extra storage space that the big suvs provide. I had a Mitsubishi Montero 5 passenger suv prior to the Honda and loved it but we were frequently having to make choices on what we could bring with us on Road trips.

Although one con of the 7 or 8 seaters is that when your kids get into tween/teen years, you’ll be tapped to drive all the time because you can fit everyone. Princess has 5 bffs and, other than me, only 2 of them have room for everyone in their car. I celebrate a little when someone else is able to drive them.

So, you're saying to be more like Gary... buy a small convertible with only enough space for two adults and maybe two cramped kids?

Also, very weird coincidence. My father-in-law also went the Montero to Pilot route. But, it included a small convertible in-between and has ended in another convertible now. He has a VW Eos now.

 

[Gary A.]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

I Have only the one Princess but you’d be surprised how many times we’ve used that 3rd row. Keep in mind your kids will have friends with them a lot and when you go to the beach or camping you’ll need the extra storage space that the big suvs provide. I had a Mitsubishi Montero 5 passenger suv prior to the Honda and loved it but we were frequently having to make choices on what we could bring with us on Road trips.

Although one con of the 7 or 8 seaters is that when your kids get into tween/teen years, you’ll be tapped to drive all the time because you can fit everyone. Princess has 5 bffs and, other than me, only 2 of them have room for everyone in their car. I celebrate a little when someone else is able to drive them.

If Gary had Peg's money, he'd make the Pilot the Greater Princess Community Transport, GPCT, or better yet ... Princess On Wheels (POW). Allow and schedule the parents driving and maintenance privileges with the Pilot. Then, purely in the name of alliteration, get yourself one of those little, high mileage Porsches for your personal needs. (With all those Not-My-Boy-Friends Princess needs a bus).

 

[Gary A.]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

I Have only the one Princess but you’d be surprised how many times we’ve used that 3rd row. Keep in mind your kids will have friends with them a lot and when you go to the beach or camping you’ll need the extra storage space that the big suvs provide. I had a Mitsubishi Montero 5 passenger suv prior to the Honda and loved it but we were frequently having to make choices on what we could bring with us on Road trips.

Although one con of the 7 or 8 seaters is that when your kids get into tween/teen years, you’ll be tapped to drive all the time because you can fit everyone. Princess has 5 bffs and, other than me, only 2 of them have room for everyone in their car. I celebrate a little when someone else is able to drive them.

So, you're saying to be more like Gary... buy a small convertible with only enough space for two adults and maybe two cramped kids?

Also, very weird coincidence. My father-in-law also went the Montero to Pilot route. But, it included a small convertible in-between and has ended in another convertible now. He has a VW Eos now.

Gary looked hard at the EOS, as he desired a hardtop. It ended up a contest between the Volvo and the VW.

 

[Gary A.]

I roasted some Colombian beans tonight. It's been awhile since I've had any beans from there.

I also am doing the research to buy a man-van. We looked at like a dozen different three-row cars yesterday, and all signs point to either a Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey. I looked at the 3-row SUVs, and I just can't justify the 25% plus premium that they add for something that's smaller and less useable. Besides my own ego, the only other advantage to the SUV is that they all come in AWD, but honestly...I don't have to leave my house in bad weather, and if I do need to for some reason, my wife's Subaru is there for the taking.

I did drive a Ford Expedition EL yesterday. Jesus that thing has a big ass. I can't imagine driving it everyday.

We're not planning on more than two kids, but we're already talking about upgrading. While my Outback only has about 120K miles, I'm thinking trade-in before it gets too low in value.

What 3-row SUVs have you been looking at? I'm assuming midsize SUVs? The minivans I'm aware of (my sisters' vans) all were pretty pricey with base-prices similar to that of many midsize SUVs (~$30K).

I Have only the one Princess but you’d be surprised how many times we’ve used that 3rd row. Keep in mind your kids will have friends with them a lot and when you go to the beach or camping you’ll need the extra storage space that the big suvs provide. I had a Mitsubishi Montero 5 passenger suv prior to the Honda and loved it but we were frequently having to make choices on what we could bring with us on Road trips.

Although one con of the 7 or 8 seaters is that when your kids get into tween/teen years, you’ll be tapped to drive all the time because you can fit everyone. Princess has 5 bffs and, other than me, only 2 of them have room for everyone in their car. I celebrate a little when someone else is able to drive them.

So, you're saying to be more like Gary... buy a small convertible with only enough space for two adults and maybe two cramped kids?

Also, very weird coincidence. My father-in-law also went the Montero to Pilot route. But, it included a small convertible in-between and has ended in another convertible now. He has a VW Eos now.

Gary got a back seat pet hammock for Miss Maggie.