Trouble Maker

Cloth or leather seats?

I was watching something on discovery and they had an exoskeleton type of system that increased your power something like 5 fold and was very movable.

Uhh, it's just a model, only it's head moves. So lame compared to this guy who built a real working mech http://www.popsci.com/scitech/article/2009-05/man-machine

I just wanted to say that I meant no disrespect by my post. Of course it's your kid, and obviously you have far my experience than I do. I earnestly meant what I said about not envying you for having to raise a kid, especially when they are going through one of their tough times. I wasn't a bad kid and I still know that I was a handful around that age. I was simply offering a suggesting as I truly believe the idea that 'kids are their parents kids'. It was just a suggestion/idea and you can take it as such. If you feel that it offers no benefit or help to your situation, so be it, and it may not. You clearly know your situation better than anyone. That's why it's a suggestion/opinion.

So your telling your son he can't play x hours/day, but that's exactly what you do? Kids are their parents kids. 99% of the time they will grow up to eat like you, talk like you, act like you. Set an example. Shut the xbox off and put it away. The XBox probably isn't why he's not doing what he is supposed to be doing, just what he's doing instead of what he's supposed to be doing. Sorry if that all sounds harsh, I don't really mean it to be. I don't envy you, there's a reason I don't want kids and them being a teenager is just part of it.

"$500 beater" I guess I should have stated any car that's worth a shit to insure. There's no way anyone is getting full coverage full time on a $50k car for $800 per year. Especially not one with 500hp. My talon at liability plus my s4 at full coverage was only $80, so yes, it's more than plausible. I was obviously overstating the situation a little bit. Still $100 is $1200/year and $80 is $960/year. Not really that close to $800/year when you talk about %'s

There's no way that's full coverage full time, and that's true for probably any car and any person. Are you on some special plan, like a weekend only, stated value or collectible car w/limited miles per year? I don't doubt those are real numbers for the average person, and you can compare them to one another mostly too (all other things being equal, those are the prices in comparison to each other and are the most expensive for any new car you can buy). Obviously every person is going to have different insurance rates.

I would if there were any definite dates for Verizon to get an Android phone. AFAIK there isn't even a rumor about a date or phone for Verizon. That tells me it's going to be a long time until they get an Android phone. That's not OK. I could probably get an IPhone now, then go back to Verizon for an Android phone when my contract is up and they finally release one in 2 years. Then you would still have to hack out the Verizon UI to be able to take advantage of any of it's capabilities. I don't mind tinkering, but frankly with a phone, I just want it to work.

Yup I knew that which is what spurred further thoughts. Though the $99 current phone is pretty tempting. Ok, the base capabilities and functions of all of the smart phones are very similar and I think it's personal preference at that point. But what you can actually do with the phone, the usability, or any computer, has a lot to do with the applications you can get for it. You can get a lot more apps for the IPhone than any other phone, and much easier too. Just about everything else it seems like you have to hack to get it to do what you want it to do anyways.

Want to be a little more specific? I'm no apple fan boy, though obviously I do like the IPhone which is why I'm considering getting it. So like my thread title says, why shouldn't I get it?

I've been reading rumors about this for at least six months, and as far as I understand they are still simply rumors. My contract was up in Feburary and I went and played with the smart phones that Verizon has and they didn't do anything for me. I want a smart phone, we browsing, good apps for add on stuff. That's just where it seems the IPhone has such a good base now that they only some other smart pheons are starting to get. I saw an app the other day for free (normally 1 dollar) that you input your #'s from your (stupid) grocery store cards and it makes a 'card' on the screen. I want that. I always forget to bring those fucking cards to the store.

Someone convince me before I buy one. I want a smart phone but I don't see anything out there that is as easy and can do as much as the IPhone does. I love Verizon and I get a decent discount, but that's not enough anymore. I kind of want to wait for an Android phone to come out on Verizon, but I'm thinking realistically that will be a year plus, then you will have to hack it to make it capable because Verizon will lock everything out. I'm not waiting for some phone to come out that only exist in someones mind right now.

Tom Tom is releasing a turn by turn app... and they are releasing a device to plug the iPhone into it which will have a suction cup, speaker and mic, and better GPS antenna to attach it to your windshield. Shizzel, mudcrotch beat me to it. http://i.gizmodo.com/5283376/wwdc-2009-iphone-30-app-roundup/gallery

I'll fight you.

This could be very cool to add in there while you are at it. I didn't read it all, so I don't know how in depth the 'hack' is. "Nike+ hacked to create automotive keyless entry device" http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/06/nike-hacked-to-create-automotive-keyless-entry-device/

Then just wait for the X6M to come out. http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/08/new-york-bmw-pulls-sheet-off-x6-m/

I don't think the insurance cost are a joke on there, and I think that's what he is referencing.

2003 Maxima SE These are the rims if you can see them in that pic. 6 round spokes that end up flat out at the outside of the rim. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/2003_Nissan_Maxima.jpg

... and stereotypes of their owners and why the insurance is so expensive. Funny stuff, i <3 jalopnik. http://jalopnik.com/5280414/20-most-expensive-cars-to-insure-for-2009/gallery Sample http://cache-foo.jalopnik.com/gawker/assets/images/12/2009/06/504x_20_most_expensive_insurace_jalopnik_20_01.jpg

There is a grove all of the way around, but it's not cut through all of the way around. There is one small spot, probably an inch or so in diameter that is 'punched' part of the way out. That's what caused the rim to 'fail' so it won't hold air. If this can't be fixed, or fixed reliably, we will look for used or refurbished ones. I found one online for ~$250, but the dealer wants $600 for a new one.

How much can they do? My dad forgot to tighten down a caliper mounting bracket bolt all of the way and it fell out on the highway. This was on the 'leading' edge of the caliper and it dug a hole all of the way around the inside of the rim until it punched out a small 'hole'. The metal is all still there, it's just moved a little bit. The rim obviously holds no air right now. I am thinking they could probably do it, but haven't talked to them yet. In your experience would you trust a rim with that damage that was 'fixed'? BTW, another +1 to Capitol Towing. They took care of getting his car home, I've also had them tow a car. Great guys!

I actually really like that paint color on that car.

... 1969 with a bunch of bits from the ZR1. http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/06/camaro-69-5802x.jpg link :bangbang:

I think that's a fair statement, and I could see that about oil. I guess I'm more worried about the filter, junk or improperly manufactured filter can trash an engine. And a question in my head of 'is autozone, or other house/off brand oils any good?'

Yeah, I'm not too worried about it, but I do want to take care of it and make it last. I drive pretty far to and from work so I put a lot of miles on cars. Might as well make it last a few years. If filter A and B are junk and filter X and Y are good, same for oil at all around the same price, I'd rather use the better ones. And I have no idea about good or bad on inexpensive oil and filters other than general branding which can mean nothing more than advertising dollars spent.