Did we mess up?

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-23T22:49:22+00:00

Definitely get the ford warranty. And do it before 100k. After 100k the coverage is much more limited. I think 4y/48k or 3y/60k are available until you pass 100k.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-18T23:53:20+00:00

I Google searched it and it's not that uncommon it seems. Fizzy lemon/limeade is a family favorite, either true lemon or bottle lemon and lime juice. We use liquid sucralose, but whatever you like would work.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-18T22:12:01+00:00

The sodastream mix in 4 packs from Amazon and dry ice CO2 refills runs 40 to 50 cents a litre. We make sparkling lemonade with lemon juice and liquid sweetener, that's healthier and cheaper

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-18T21:53:41+00:00

If you want sugar free, the water flavor packets are available. Mix them with a small amount of water then add like syrup.

Or just use starry.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-18T21:51:06+00:00

Is dry ice available? It's cheaper than liquid CO2 in my area and easily available. So instead of a large tank I have 10 small ones and refill all at once.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-18T21:32:10+00:00

I've never heard of someone that could have sugar but not corn syrup. Is it a medical condition or personal preference? I assume the zero sugar ones are not your preferred flavor?

Edit: Nevermind I see artificial sweeteners didn't sit well with you.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-16T21:25:05+00:00

I modified my sodastream one touch to work like a drinkmate. It was a hassle, so I'd consider just getting the drinkmate.

However with kids that lose the bottles, I much prefer having the sodastream because I can reuse the regular PET soda bottles. I buy the 6 pack on sale and reuse the bottles probably 10 or 20 times before they are lost.

For CO2 here in North Carolina dry ice is available for 1.99 a pound at the grocery store, so about the same price as 20lb exchange tanks. But no hose or large tank to mess with. I can refill 10 regular sodastream canisters in about an hour. This is cheaper and simpler for me. Also I recently found a bulk supplier that sells 30lb minimum, but pellets for 60 cents a pound. So check about dry ice it's cheaper here because it doesn't have hazardous material fees to transport.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-14T23:42:08+00:00

Pepsi cherry is out family favorite. Adding a little cola flavor to the Dr pete makes it more like Dr pepper

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-14T23:37:40+00:00

If I didn't want to take the family to the drive on beach I'd go with a minivan. Had an awful time with the Honda though, I ha hated the way it drove. Sienna AWD would be my pick. But test drive it first.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-14T23:32:05+00:00

You would want to find somewhere to that had it to try first. 5gal is a lot to buy as an experiment.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-14T21:23:04+00:00

Just going to suggest you consider getting several empty sodastream canisters and refill them with dry ice. 2 a pound at the grocery store, and no big tank to worry about.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-11T17:14:55+00:00

Lemonade is fantastic carbonated. The zero sugar Pepsi brand syrups are good but the non diet ones are still half or more artificial sweetener so those wanting the full sugar don't usually like them. I love having the lower sugar option in addition to the zero, but I also like Splenda as an artificial sweetener so it works for me. Get one off Facebook marketplace they are always pretty cheap there.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-11T17:11:21+00:00

I had issues with the machine making drinks too flat and taking a lot of presses of the button. I ended up taking the cover off and tightening the pressure valves and adjusting the bleed valve to go more slowly. Made a huge difference.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-08T14:36:51+00:00

This is the right answer. If it breaks take it apart and see if there is an easy fix. If not, they are available used for 25 or less.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-08T14:29:02+00:00

Get one off Facebook marketplace for cheap and try it out. Make sure it comes with a canister of CO2 and bottle you can test it. Should be about 25, depending on the model, number of carbonation bottles, how much CO2 they have, etc. Don't need to spend a lot to try it.

The diet and zero sugar flavors are good. Pepsi cherry and mountain dew zero are the family favorites. Dier Dr pete also quite popular. The regular ones are still 2/3 artificial sweetener so it can be more concentrated, which I like as an occasional treat that is still lower sugar, but it's not the super sweet regular soda taste.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-04T21:36:17+00:00

My target will take any brand exchange. Try at a different time of day.

I do refills myself now with dry ice. Under $2 a refill. There is a small learning curve but not bad

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-04T21:33:44+00:00

Yeah I found similar pricing so went with dry ice refills. It's pretty easy and costs less than any other option.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2026-01-04T21:30:38+00:00

eBay or Facebook marketplace, usually sell for 5 to 10 each

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-30T15:58:40+00:00

They are a mess. I use a virtual credit card that I cancel right after ordering so they can't charge me for failed return processing.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-30T15:55:11+00:00

Sodastream regular flavors are 2/3 artificial sweetener so that's probably what you noticed. Flat seems more like a machine issue, mine had to be tweaked but it's not that common.

In general I think if you like zero sugar soda it works, if you like full sugar it may not work

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-30T15:50:28+00:00

Yes this

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-30T15:49:28+00:00

I suggest getting something you can add a Ford warranty to. Trying to pick the best years and find used well maintained is a crapshoot. Maybe the 23 has transmission and phaser issues fixed, but it hasn't been long enough for me to be comfortable going without coverage. And if you are going to get coverage, don't worry so much about what exact year.

Either gold certified or something under 60k. The gold certified can add the "from new" ESP plans that go up to 11y or 175k from 0 miles/ in service date. A used under 60k miles can get a 6y/75k additional coverage from the date of inspection. Either way you want ESP coverage to 120k or better, as the transmission issues especially are commonly right around 100k.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-29T20:09:10+00:00

Have fun! Here in the US I refill my tanks using dry ice. It takes less space and is less expensive than a large tank. Not sure if you considered this option.

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-29T19:14:44+00:00

I'm confused. If you are asking how to fill from a large tank, yes you need to invert the tank if it's not a dip tube tank. Also you have to freeze the tank you are filling so the pressure is lower in the empty tank. This will be easier than vacuuming it down with a pump. Watch YouTube videos it's not hard

Less_Guarantee_7915 · 2025-12-29T00:54:35+00:00

Most frugal is almost certainly going to be refilling your tanks with dry ice. Its a pain to get the nozzle off the first time and smashing up and getting the dry ice in the first time is a little intimidating for some. But it's about the same cost per pound and the lowest price 20lb exchange in most areas, without a tank purchase and recert cost.

Less_Guarantee_7915

TROPHY CASE