I briefly considered a used 3 series wagon, the Audi Allroad, the Subaru Outback, VW Jetta SportWagen (although I would have waited for the new Golf version), Chevy Colorado Z71, a 2007 V70R, et. al. I started with a list of about ten vehicles and whittled it down to a couple based on what I really wanted.

I wound up…

Does it count if I just bought a Volvo? I never considered them in the past because I thought of them as 'old' and 'slow'. One test drive and I was sold...the seats are sublime, the headlights are very effective and the interior is simple and clean. The car is very nice to drive, albeit with a little more body roll…

There's a black one with 1500 miles on it real close to where I live. I almost bought it - until I found a 2015 V60 R Design at $20k less.

I did the exact same thing. I bought a 2015 V60 R Design with 7k miles, saved $15k and still have 2 years of Safe and Sound as well as a 7yr/100k warranty.

Volvo's CPO program is why I bought CPO vs. new. The CPO program is much better than the original factory warranty in terms of length...add into the mix that the car I bought is barely a year old and is still covered under Safe and Sound and I didn't eat the $15k in depreciation.

There's nothing more frustrating than working for a company like this...the left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing.

Same reason there's a "Kirkland Signature Silverado".

A friend of mine and I were driving a 67 VW Bus from LA to Big Bear and about halfway up the hill, the fuel tank sprang a leak. Of course it was the middle of the night on a Sunday, it was cold and we were not close to anything in the time before cellphones. We found an old milk jug on the side of the road and he…

The best mentor I've ever had was the president of my previous employer. He was the fifth president the company hired in as many years. We went out to lunch one day while trying to finalize a new 'common sense' strategy for the company. During the discussion he said "You know that phrase 'keep your friends close…

I spent the majority of my life in Southern California. I now live in Illinois. The first winter was interesting for me with a FWD car on 'all season' tires. I didn't hit anything but getting used to accelerating on snow covered roads took some adjustment.

All it really takes is common sense. Don't stomp on the gas…

How, exactly, is not using a card account 'an administrative headache'? There is literally ZERO work required by the bank on my account.

If you use it regularly and carry a balance, it might work for you...they need some incentive to retain you as a customer. Since I don't carry a balance, I provide little incentive.

Theoretically, it should work when I ask for a lower interest rate...to them, it should mean that I'm planning on using the account and that's why I'm asking for a lower interest rate. Which would mean that I'm also planning on carrying a balance-meaning they'll make some money.

Apparently they don't see it that way…

I've been on the other side-carrying a balance, etc. and they still didn't care when I asked for a reduction. Why? Because they were making money off of me...why would they give that up? It's very rare that it'll work in one of the two situations. They're either making money off of an account when a balance is…

I can definitely see it working in this case. I've tried it two different ways and neither worked. One dormant account and one that was used quite a lot until I closed the account. I don't carry a balance from month to month and that seems to be the only thing that works "against me"...because they're not making…

My credit score says otherwise...but I'm open to hearing you out.

Your comment sounds a lot like someone who hasn't driven a modern Volvo with a 4 cylinder. I just drove one on Saturday (V60) and couldn't tell the difference between the 4 cylinder and the 5 cylinder engine. The car was very quiet considering I had my foot firmly planted on the pedal-much quieter than the V6 in a…

This doesn't work. Why? Because banks know you need them more than they need you.

I have a stupid high interest rate credit card with Chase. It's had a zero balance for over a decade because I refuse to use it (on principal). I've asked three or four times for them to reduce the interest rate. They have declined…

Just outside one of the 'burbs of Chicago...and I'd agree with your statement!

I can only speak from experience in both California and Illinois. I've no doubt Illinois is alone in the ghetto MacGyver rides. Actually, I know Illinois isn't alone because I've also seen some of the glorious pieces of shit they drive in Kentucky and Ohio. Very similar to Illinois, actually.

I know the Illinois…