I find the surround sound in most people’s home to be quite bad. I’m not an audiophile snob, but I think the problem is not the speakers, but the room. A wise acoustic engineer once told me that when you’re listening to the sound, you’re not hearing the speakers, but instead the room.

Hmm, you’ve got something there. Coincidentally, near my house there’s a “town-center” type place with an open area that shows outdoor movies. When there’s a popular movie showing (basically any Pixar film), the lawn gets pretty packed. Adjacent to the lawn is a packing structure, and people definitely camp up there…

I sound like an old-assed man, but the sound in theaters “these days” are garbage. Maybe they were always garbage growing up, but you didn’t appreciate a good sound setup then and just wanted loud. Also, the 3D sound experience was awesome, but commonplace now with good and cheap home sound equipment.

Vans are great and useful and all that, but they drive like dog poo. I’ve driven both a Pilot and Odyssey, and they handle way differently, with the Pilot being more “sporty”. This is probably due to the wheelbase and suspension setups.

For a newer vehicle to have a $40k MSRP, with safety as one of the vehicle’s primary hallmark, to have standard halogen headlamps is an instant CP. All Toyota Corollas from 2016 have xenons headlights as standard. For this Volvo not to have them is ridiculous.

You’re always paying for it one way or anther.

I would buy a used RAV4 given the terrible road conditions in NYC and Massachusetts. However, the Hertz recommendation is solid.

I think the letter writer is being facetious and underselling their knowledge. However, doing something for the first time can be overwhelming: buying house, buying car, sex, etc. But all the suggestions Tom gave are excellent, and they should just follow his advice.

Southwest, particularly SoCal. Next!

Ford lost their focus when they got rid of cars to build only SUVs. They need to explore new options to navigate through this and boost sales.

Exactly right. The open glass liftgate is not really meant to be open during driving, as hitting a bump hard or driving too fast might permanently damage the struts, hinges, etc. The 4-runner’s tailgate window is more useful and safer. 

Not to be overly philosophical, but the entirety of human advancement and civilization were a result of forming cities and urbanization. Tell me one rural or agrarian society that have “made it” to modern times and are thriving. You can’t, because they’ve been wiped out or colonized by the urbanized humans.

Even non-wealthy people gamble in the stock market (and lose badly). The only way for us mere mortals to make money in the market is to buy index funds and “set it and forget it.”

Having worked for the General in the late 90s, early 00s, I can confirm that the GS is a solid vehicle, and the 3800 supercharged engine is more peppy than this vehicle deserves. To me, this vehicle will always be associated with going on I-75 between Warren and Flint.

I thought, according to Toyota’s chief engineer, that the whole reason for teaming with BMW was so the Supra could have the inline-6? So what the hell is a four cylinder doing in there?

With the new 4-series coming out, looking to purchase ‘18-19 model sometime next year, as the used/CPO prices for these are very good. Anyone owns one that would like to share their thoughts? Looking at either 430 or 440 models.

Yes, homes CAN be an appreciating asset, but my point and original reply is that owning a home requires consistent income, and requires long term financial planning. If after 5 years you have to leave your house, you’re probably underwater because of the closing fees and selling costs, even if your home has…

But he was talking about job security. If you can’t hold a consistent job for 5 years or more, then you can’t make your mortgage and will likely lose your house. Doesn’t matter if it’s a depreciating asset or not.

I think your ability to *maybe* retire at 45 (just turned 40 myself, but also just bought a house, so I’ll be working a bit longer than you) has more to do with not having kids than having new cars.

Under your scenario, no one (or very few people) would buy homes because your typical mortgage is 30 years. A five year car loan is commonplace and a reasonable financial decision.