C5 Golfer

Snowsnakes are much smaller than this bad boy. The officer walking by is supposedly 6'5" .. the gator is 23 feet long or about 7 meters.

If one is not contributing to prevent the "Man" from maximizing his/her contribution, You are cutting of your nose to spite your face.

This new supermarket sounded nice when I first went. Here are some of the nice new features I like: an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and there is a wonderful smell of fresh rain. When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and witness the scent of fresh hay. When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying. The veggie department features the smell of freshly buttered corn. I don't buy toilet paper there any more. Nufsaid

I would be suprised if they do a 335XI but if they did, it would be one helluva a car. Also -- imagine if you will -- a M3xi. On a more serious note: I am more a traditionalist - so not a big fan of turbos (yet????)

I still have one computer I use now and then and it is DOS. ( for you youngins that was before MS Windows crap) I know not within your noise ratio, Sorry Jack

Reason ??? Think about the Bentley Continental GT with its superb styling and grace and POWER - max POWER .. 6-litre, 12 cylinder, twin-turbocharged, engine with more than 500bhp driving all four wheels through a paddle-operated, six speed automatic gearbox, the Continental GT offers true supercar performance. Now if one were to difine an Automobile - The Continental GT would IMHO would be near the top.

Yes, I own my X5 4.4 Hot Rod of an SAV too..( tested the X5 3.0 -- couldn't wait to get out of it - terrible drive) never have leased , never will. Always pay cash.

Dunno -- we scheduled this year's visit to Whistler 1 in Jan and 2 in Mar -- guess I fogot to do Feb. My bad. How about doing it agin March

I am still drawing a paycheck because I love working for the part. I am an Engineer, Mechanical type with mechanism and material handling design my specialty. I am slowly phasing out of working full time with the goal in 1 yr to work ½ time. I probably won’t take Social Sec until I am 66. ( Better deal if you wait and hope you do not die early) If you look at my sig I just went back to work in 2004 after about a 2 yr off to play. I found that two season passes and golf 5 days a week plus fishing was emptying my savings too fast plus supporting my car habit. The stock market has treated me well and hopefully that continues as it has lately well into 2008 when I will probably go more conservative. All my $$ is hard earned mine, no inheritance or lottery dollars in my account. While I currently work in the casino/gaming business, I do not gamble or bet ( except on the golf course). My two kids - 32 and 38 do not like to hear it when I say I am spending their inheritance!

I second that 330xi - I think it is a 328Xi this year-- for those who do not know it is a 4X4 3 series BMW coupe or sedan with a auto or a 6 speed manual - Glad there are some automakers left out there who still offer this manual tranny - and a 3 liter straight six motor. Also damn glad there is an auto maker still building what I think is a perfect motor, the Straight Six cylinder. That is what Mercedes built thier reputation on - well one of many items - but that straight six with fuel injection is so simple - my 280 Sl has one and it is the sweetest sound at 4500 RPM and higher. The new BMW 335 coupe and the soon to be on the market BMW M3 (V8 motor - damn!)-- wow what a car. It is on my wish list - maybe 61st Birthday I will have one in the stable or is it a quiver of cars. ????

Was it not covered under warranty? Or did the free maintenance come after 2003 model year? I do not know when the free 50,000 mile 4 year, maintenance started with BMW.

If my math is correct you are replacing the rotors every 30000 miles -- that seems very weird, do you drive it hard and race it? My Chevy Sub went 75 K miles without a brake pad or rotor change.. dunno how longer it would have gone , I traded in on the Lexus which was 72K Miles and still same rotors but a pad change in the back at 50K miles. The 280 SL Mercedes I think got rotor change about after about 85K miles. What kind of auto are you driving skategoat?

One needs to be careful of all auto service-- specially if you are a female. Biggest ripoffs going on all vehicles are these: Brake jobs -- most of the time all that is needed are pads. Rotors and bearing and calipers will go >150K miles - sometimes they are warped sure but change the rotor plate not the calipers and all that. they will sell you the full meal deal if you let them. 2nd rip off is the 30k and 60k mile service -- on most cars you do not need to do this but they scare you with the warranty void crap. Case in point.. My Corvette which mentions all that needs to be done at 30K miles is replace the air filter for 30-40 bucks, the Chevy dealers wanted $600-$800 to do a 30k service which was not specified by the manual, when I called Chevy to complain they said it was purely a dealer optional service, only one dealer - Lee Johnson Chevrolet in Kirkland was honest and said just do the airfilter. My 2000 RX300 Lexus was to be serviced at 30K and 60K miles at about $700 each -- Never did it - traded it in with 72K miles on it - oil change only every 6K miles or so. Be careful -- it is legalized fraud

I think the Lexus ES330 is the same as the Camry and the RX350 (Great car for the money but a little noisy for a Lexus) is the same as the Highlander, the LX470 is the same as the LandCruiser. I think the GS300 sedan with 4 wheel drive is about the best one. But I don't think I will ever own a Lexus again based on my BMW experience. Domestic cars suck - except for the Corvette -- too bad Chevy/GM can not do to the other cars what they did for the Corvette. Wonderful service and maintence schedule and reliability. Get this, my first service that actually will do anything or replace anything is at 100,000 miles in the Corvette, and it is an American car. The Corvette is a 1998 C5 model and has never had a problem, it goes to the dealer for an oil change every 8k or so miles. Mercedes used to be a great car - I think they have lost what they had. The Pre- mid 90's cars were great, now they are a high priced Chrysler. My 1980 280 SL is and continues to be a great car. Still the original clutch, exhaust, shocks and the engine has never been touched in 27 years of hard driving and I push it to 5-6000 rpm most of the time. sign me car nut

Bellevue shop, justr down the road from where I work..Scratch that... where I show up to pick up my pay check.

I took my X5 in for service this morning - first one - and wow what a change from the Lexus I used to own, who were pricks. BMW - Great attitude and service. Asked in depth questions of any issues or problems. I said "No, other than the usual service and I need new wiper blades and more washer fluid" Later that day they called and said it was ready to pick up anytime. Best Part -- everything was "No Charge". BMWs service is up to 50,000 miles or 4 years is no cost to the owner except for tires, everything else including wipers, light bulbs, etc is no cost. I know you pay up front or it is hidden in the cost but what the hell - it is only money.

Guys -- it is FREE money and not taxed. It is only taxed when you take it out. Get the full company match and save more if you can. It can lower your tax rate so you pay less to Uncle Sam. Also, if you had the money in almost any stock fund in the past 5 months you'd have made an additional 27% or more. ( I know only if it does not crash, well it is not going to ) Get enrolled!

I certainly understand the highly compensated - low compensated part, it is an advantage to the higher ups to have the low income employees contribute so they can come close to maxing out their contribution. I have been there and did a lot of recruiting of the low income for this reason. But lets get to the big question, does your company contribute a certain % to your account or AKA matching funds? If so, you'd be smart to contribute as much as you possibly can. Most companies match 50% of your contribution with a 3% cap. It free money so do this, BUT keep in mind there is vesting period usually in place so it is not yours unless you stay employed for several years by them. It is called incentive not to quit. Being a father and an old guy I can not emphasize enough to save in your 401(k) plan, it is the best there is if you are an employee. My kids are now thanking me for getting them to contribute 10 years ago, they both have over 100K in their plan and they are in their 30's.

Where do you see that? I took the list off the 2007 North American Auto Show and those were the only awards they mentioned. I thought the list was short so help me out on the full list if you can Justin. Even the Jeep web site does not mention anything - being an old jeep fan I was/am curious

From the 2007 Auto Show North American Odd no european autos or Fords ( I know Jaguar is a Ford ) on the list. All asian except for the two from GM and the Jag Winners were also announced in the following categories: “Most Athletic” – Pickup Truck of the Year: Chevrolet Silverado “Most Sex Appeal” – Sports Car of the Year: Jaguar XK “Most Dependable” – Sedan of the Year: Toyota Camry “Most Respected” – Luxury Car of the Year: Lexus LS 460 “Most Compatible” – Minivan of the Year: Hyundai Entourage “Most Spirited” – Entry Level Car of the Year: MAZDASPEED3 “Most Versatile” – Crossover of the Year: Mazda CX-7 “Most Resourceful” – SUV of the Year: GMC Yukon

I wonder if that guy has one of these too! Specs | Features Engine TypeLiquid Cooled V-8 Horsepower502 @ 5200 rpm Torque567 Ft.Lbs @ 4200 rpm BlockCast Iron - 4 bolt main CylindersAluminum (110cc) Valvetrain2.25"Int. / 1.88"Exh Size502 c.i. (8200cc) Compression9.6:1 CarburetorHolly 850 cfm Exhaust2.5" with dual mufflers Transmission2-speed semi-auto w/rev. Final DriveBelt, Gates- Polychain Dimensions Overall Length108" Wheel Base82.0" Seat Height28.5" Rake33.0 degrees Grd. Dlearance4.5" Frame Width31.0" GVWR1827 lbs. Dry Weight1300 lbs. Tires/Wheels Front130/90-16, 3.50"x16.0" Rear230/60, 7.0"x15.0" Suspension (Adj. Preload) Front63mm inverted forks, 3.5" travel RearDual 13.5" coilover shocks Brakes FrontDual four-piston calipers, 12.6" floating disc RearSingle four-piston caliper Fuel Tank8.5 gal. Reserven/a High/Low MPG18/13

Justin, --Contrary to popular belief, the GP did not stand for "General Purpose.'' GP was a Ford engineering term, "G'' for a government contract vehicle and "P'' for 80-inch-wheelbase. The MB was the second revison of the first Jeep of that series which was called the MA, so it is Revision B - which became MB. Dont forget the MB and the GP were 2 different vehicles. Have a good one, wish my bike would get here!

Ok.. yes I did know that bit of trivia. One of my auto projects in my "younger and foolish" years was building a jeep for fun outing with a club to which I belonged. I bought a no rust shell of a 54 CJ3B ( high hood if you know what that means ) , had a chassis for it. Built the rear end from a 64 Wagonner , shortened the long side to equal the short side so I had a centerdrive rear end with a Dana 44 -1 casting. installed a T-98 Ford truck tranny with a silent center drive transfer case from a 75 CJ5. Hooked it up to a built up 350 CI Chevy and cooled with a 4 tube horizonal radiator. Installed a tilt wheel from a Chevelle and hooked that up to a Ford T bird power steering box. Added a front end of a brand new Dana 30 with a posi unit and 4:27 gears. Installed a swing pedal setup instead of thru the floor board clutch and brake system from a 65 Pontiac. Ran a Holley 4 barrel for a while but it proved to be a bit too much power with the Eldebrock Torqer manifold so went to a 500 cfm Holley 2 barrel set up. Damn fast and squirrely but it loved the sand dunes and going fast. I scared the crap out of my mom once when I got on it on a empty street one day. Anyway Justin A-- since you asked about trivia here is one back at you .. Tell me what the MB stands for and more importantly what the GP stands for in the description of the famous Jeep from WWII.

Sorry for the confusion - I was mentioning Ford designed the M151 - forerunner to the Hummer I believe. If I remember correctly the M151 was killing more GIs than the enemy at the time.