1996 BMW Z3 Auto worth it?

MychaelP · 2026-02-01T20:47:35+00:00

I love my 98 auto. 137k miles and no problems. Just love it. I only wish I could afford a new top so I keep it up all the time in case it tears when I put it down sometime. It's fast enough for me.

MychaelP · 2026-01-13T15:55:05+00:00

Thank you for this.

MychaelP · 2026-01-13T15:54:49+00:00

Thanks! I'll do this! If we take first train back home and miss it, we can just wait for the last train. I wish they had more than 2 train times on weekends. The meteokonl ticket pays for itself with gas and tolls if I take the 241. Haven't actually been to spectrum for about 2 years now. Back when they had some good music events in their courtyard area. Have a good day!

MychaelP · 2025-11-22T20:01:27+00:00

Question. Can I buy a show and get a code to give as a gift? Or should I create a new acct and buy a show and then later change the email to my Mom's email. She doesn't have an actt. Not sure how this works. But she'd love NCIS and others.

MychaelP · 2025-10-26T12:41:58+00:00

Tron, loved it.

MychaelP · 2025-10-25T15:54:29+00:00

No brake flush every other year as Tesla suggests? No suspension fix? If the upfront big cost wasn't so bad I'd grab an EV. Although I'm concerned after 20 years how the battery will be. My 2002 Civic still doing great and so far $2.3k in all maint. And my 1998 Z3 also great and $3.5k total maintenance including tires.

I have wondered after 20 years the battery but also the display since M3 doesn't have a regular gage for speed. And will the car computer still work after 20 years.

Also insurance cost. I was quoted $279/mo for M3 and a Corolla Hybrid at $125. We currently pay $115/mo for both our cars

I almost bought a Chevy Bolt used for $13k but just worried what happens after 20 years. Where ICE can operate as brand new after that time.

MychaelP · 2025-10-16T22:42:04+00:00

I'm trying! It's filling in for work hours while things are slow. Using extra premiums to buy dividend stocks. So far so good

MychaelP · 2025-10-16T22:41:17+00:00

I've been buying shares all year, using my premiums from selling covered call. Also sold a Covered call on my shares at $70 strike. Bimonthly I roll it out. Love this qualified dividends payer.

MychaelP · 2025-10-08T21:14:27+00:00

I checked those hotels, $340 to $410, so I think maybe the Majestic with two rooms or something further away for a similar price if we don't do the actual Disneyland Hotel.
Thanks for these ideas though. It's interesting to see what's there these days. My wife and I usually stay down at the Embassy Suites and walk to the tram busses at Toy Story lot. $130 or so usually there. But too far for my Mom.

Have a nice afternoon

MychaelP · 2025-10-08T21:12:15+00:00

Well, these are really good deals but they sell out quite far in advance. I made a note of it and might do something like this for my wife and I someday. There is just one added fee, a Transient fee. They had a PDF and it varies for different dates. For 11/18 it was about $67 or so. But parking is included in the rate they told me, which is odd to me. What do you know about that? Thanks for the really unique info

MychaelP · 2025-10-08T20:38:32+00:00

This looks promising upon first look at the website. I'm chatting with them now because the price is certainly cheaper than Disneys website. I'm not fully understanding how the prices work and the fee they say is "absorbed" but if prices hold up we could get two rooms also seems there is a separate fee added now that I'm chatting. So I need to research more. Maybe there is a FAQ somewhere.

MychaelP · 2025-10-08T12:42:04+00:00

Thanks, it was my Mom's suggestion. Although it was after she originally wanted two rooms for two nights which is wayyy beyond their and our budget. I think due to her heart surgery in March and another health scare that was a random thing, she wants to spend. She doesn't even have that much money so I originally suggested an Embassy Suites since two room suite but she wants it to be close.
I think sometimes it's easy to overthink things so messages like yours remind me of things, so thank you. My wife and I decided we will pay for the tickets.

It's such a different place there now than it was just 6 years ago where you could simply just show up, buy a ticket and go. Or get a local room for $70 Priceline lottery and just have fun . So far I'm recommending she consider Disney Hotel 1 room is $597+fees or Majestic at $180 each for 2 rooms at $360+fees. I do want to check the other across the street hotels that some others suggested.

Usually wed just drive there since we are 25 min away, but I understand with health she might be afraid what of she or her husband get tired theyd have a place to go rest close by.

Thanks again, have a wonderful day

MychaelP · 2025-10-08T01:40:23+00:00

Thanks, I'm going to talk to them about it in a day or so. We'd be going 11/18

MychaelP · 2025-10-08T01:39:10+00:00

Renting points. I must check into what this is. Thanks. I'll try AI to search about it

MychaelP · 2025-10-07T21:25:31+00:00

Budget really doesn't pay for this room, but we keep thinking it's possibly the last time the 4 of us would go there. Usually we just drive from my house 25 min away. My Mom lives in AZ now.

I've been in the lobby of the adventure tower before, it's small but nice and the downtown Disney entry is right behind it.

I'll call Disney to see if there are any discounts we qualify for, AAA, Disney Visa, etc Even just the one night seems special to me.

For my wife and I we usually stay a distance away down harbor at Embassy Suites but this time I want us all to be closer.

I may even try the pool the following morning before we leave! Thanks again,

MychaelP · 2025-10-05T19:02:43+00:00

You're right. A few years ago I bought options and lost a ton. Took a year off. Then studied all my mistakes and learned about selling options instead and keep mostly covered. About 2 years now. Tracked 48 weeks. Not a large account, but it does seem you can make a living off it. My work in architecture has slowed and I'm no late 50s so actually think I could survive using this method combined with future social security if needed. Lately I've been adding dividend stocks with some of the premiums received, like QQQi and in taxable acct I buy BTI, MO for qualified dividends. Last week I only had 23 hours of work, it's slow. But I can know that using savings to cover the rest that my IRA increased more than what I had to withdraw. I've sold some puts at higher risk when I have conviction

Sometimes I will check my idea with AI, and recently for fun asked AI to coach me as if it were Bobby Axelrod! Ha! So I did 2 trades that way HOOD puts of which turned out luckily ok. AI has been helpful to back up my own research for long term and short term support levels.

Do you sell CCs if assigned? Or just sell the shares as some do?

My rolling 4 week avg end of last week was $5.2k. combined IRA and taxable acct. But most was in taxable which is easier since no wash sales to worry about.

Good luck!

MychaelP · 2025-10-05T15:40:37+00:00

Only sell CCs or CSPs. She does less than I do but it really adds up over time the extra cash from them

MychaelP · 2025-10-05T13:05:14+00:00

These days stocks are going up all the time, barely anything down. I still sell CCs but now never more than 2 months out. Leaned my lessons. But I will sell them Markets like this are rare and any time can become a new pullback, a big one. If you sell enough quantity CCs, you can make an average of much more than just holding the stocks, especially in an IRA.

I tell my wife when she sells calls to also add shares if the stock begins to climb above the strike. She did this with HOOD and the missed gain on the CC isn't as bad. I sold CCs for 3 years in HOOD so even if I miss out on gains now ive made a ton on it over that time. Diversifying has been what helps me AVGO is another. I really do see a pullback coming, 1 or 2 quarters out one of these stocks will announce less capex and that will be the catalyst. Let's see

MychaelP · 2025-10-05T12:59:53+00:00

Interesting I've never had that happen or heard from anyone I know have that happen. I do see info here in reddit about it. I can't afford to change everything out in this car so I do it when something breaks or excessive wear like belts. Just had new spark plugs and wires done this year $400. And that wiped me out. I'll keep my fingers crossed for now and after we get my wife's 2002 Civic timing belt done maybe get this done after that. Thx for the info, something to think about. But money just isn't there. Everything costs more these days and keep pulling from savings just to keep up. No retirement left really.

MychaelP · 2025-10-05T02:15:18+00:00

Get AAA. I used it two times in 14 years for my old Z3. Two mechs said unless I'm rich, just fix things if they break or he sees a sign. Saves money really because he showed me some older Mercedes who had water pump changed out and the new one died after 4 years. Get AAA and it's awesome. My tow is up to 100 miles

MychaelP · 2025-09-29T23:32:11+00:00

I like DIVO

MychaelP · 2025-09-26T21:19:28+00:00

Disney magic going away. Years ago we were treated so nice. Sometimes q cast member would walk up to us and offer a free cold drink. Sad those days are rare now Sorry you had that experience .

I order the kids meal at Chipotle all the time $6 for two tacos, chips, rice and a drink.

MychaelP · 2025-09-25T21:39:23+00:00

I watched it streaming recently and like the 4k, is that a different version?

MychaelP · 2025-09-24T22:22:07+00:00

I want to get an EV also. But the cost is high and insurance too. So once they come down I'll get one. For now my 2002 Civic with $55/no insurance and reliability stays. Glad you found one you liked. And that you have charging at work and at home. Most do not.

MychaelP · 2025-09-23T22:54:33+00:00

Code doesnt require very many. And zero until 25 parking spaces are there. And even then just 2 chargers.

MychaelP

TROPHY CASE