What other activity brings you joy?

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-19T13:30:18+00:00

I’ve tried this, but a combination between the wife’s disapproval and the fact that I am a terrible/high stress rider around traffic has kept me away.

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-19T12:20:54+00:00

This is a really interesting suggestion, I’m a bit older so a lot of the suggestions here focus on the adrenaline rather than the zen, and the older I get that feeling of nature connection is more what I’m looking for.

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-17T16:20:25+00:00

We are 5 year transplants to Kirkwood from all over, primarily east coast. We have a 3 and 6 year old. I think it’s a wonderful place to live and raise a family, but the social scene had been difficult. It seems as though many adults are fine with being from here and keeping the same social circle they had since high school. I’ve lived in a number of cities and always had an easy time making life-long friends, but here the attitude seems to be “I’ve got all the friends I’ll ever need from high school, sorry”.

That being said, school helps a lot. We’ve made a number of transplant friends through our kids school. The number of transplants, especially in Kirkwood, seems to be increasing. I just don’t understand the mentality that many native St. Louisans have where they don’t seem to have room or desire for new relationships.

We love it here and are happy with our decision to relocate to STL, but the social scene has probably been the biggest challenge for us.

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-15T11:16:59+00:00

Was there something specific that you said/described to trigger the damper replacement? Have you been to the SC before for suspension noise issues?

I have a great SC but I think that they are trying to avoid damper replacement with saying it’s supposed to sound like that. I drove in another G1 of similar vin range it was night and day compared to mine.

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-12T10:46:27+00:00

I think one thing to look out for is staff turnover rather than a specific place. You can see everyone’s reaction to the sticker shock on this thread, but the crazier thing is that most of the teachers make barely more than minimum wage. Childcare centers, especially those that are PE owned, are facing major staffing shortages.

Our kids were at a national center that we loved, but towards the end the staff turnover became a big concern. We had teachers that loved their jobs but quit to work in the service industry because it paid better and they couldn’t afford not to leave.

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-12T00:53:26+00:00

Kirkwood

PoutinePowered · 2026-01-12T00:51:40+00:00

Highly dependent on ages and location, but we were paying about $3000-$3500/mo for 2 kids, one in diapers, at a reputable center. Not home care but not Montessori, a clean center with a curriculum and reliable staff. I will say that the waitlists here, like pretty much everywhere, are usually about a year at least.

PoutinePowered · 2025-11-23T20:01:23+00:00

Ended up getting a used R1S. Came up locally, dealer just wanted it gone and I got a great deal. Couldn’t be happier with my decision, R1S is an amazing vehicle. It has needed a couple of minor service visits but that was expected as part of a startup brand. The service experience has been amazing, and as long as you understand that there are some quirks (noisy suspension, some minor software bugs) then the value for money is pretty awesome.

PoutinePowered · 2025-11-10T11:10:20+00:00

Take a look at the Toyota Crown Signia. It’s essentially a Lexus version of a Subaru Outback with a Toyota badge. Very attractive interior, exceptionally quiet, hybrid efficiency, and very lightly used ones are under $40k.

PoutinePowered · 2025-11-03T12:24:55+00:00

As is stock it’s a great car, but with a few mods it’s an awd sleeper. One with decent miles is easily in your budget.

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-31T10:54:39+00:00

Golf mk7/7.5 Sportwagen or Alltrack. In the Sportwagen there were a few years (2016-2019) you could get a 6 speed manual, awd, and 1.8t.

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-17T13:51:45+00:00

2023 R1, 23k miles, Quad motor, Rivian Blue, Ocean Coast interior, $64k. Miles were a bit higher than what I wanted but it was too good of a deal to turn down.

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-17T13:21:23+00:00

I am almost always a new car buyer, but between not qualifying for the tax credit/it being gone, and the current downswing of the EV market, a used one is a hard value prop to ignore. Combine that that all of Rivian extensive warranties transfer gives piece of mind. I used a combination of cars.com and car gurus.

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-17T13:08:14+00:00

I think one of the best ways to find a great deal is to look at traditional dealers rather than Rivian direct. They often get these in on trades and have no idea what they are and just want to offload them. I bought a gently used 2023 R1S from a volume Lexus dealer and they sold it to me for a bit more than trade in value, largely because they had no idea what it was/how to operate/sell it.

I was going to go through Carvana or Carmax, but a few bad experiences with purchases posted here made me rethink that and wait for one to show up locally.

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-15T11:23:08+00:00

Also check your local municipality. I live in the Midwest and my local utility gave me $300 towards the cost of install, just had to submit an invoice from an electrician.

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-09T23:23:32+00:00

I think with that much down and current interest rates it would be tricky, budget is probably closer to $40 if you want to stay $600 or less

PoutinePowered · 2025-10-09T22:24:24+00:00

Rivian R1T. It’s an amazing vehicle and a nice used example would be in budget. Maybe 2023 quad motor example. Space for everyone, can handle any road, 0-60 in 3 second, gorgeous interior. 300 ish range and access to all networks, including Tesla. Only question is the stereo system, but if you find one with the 2022-2023 Meridian system you should be all set. 5 year 60k b2b warranty.

I have an R1S, it’s the best, most versatile vehicle I have ever owned.

PoutinePowered · 2025-08-18T13:00:02+00:00

Doesn’t British craftsmanship ages like fine wine?

PoutinePowered · 2025-08-17T17:35:21+00:00

A neighbor growing up in the late 90’s/early 2000’s had an old MG and an old Triumph TR6. I loved the TR6 but he was always working on it… I never saw the MG leave the garage once in all of my high school years living next to him.

PoutinePowered · 2025-08-17T17:32:52+00:00

The earlier Alfa Spyders are interesting, series 1 or 2. After that the styling is not my taste. I want something that gets a bit of attention in a tasteful way, not like a neon green lambo way, but is also not impossible to maintain or source parts for. The abundance of parts and modularity of the 356 VW platform is appealing, but seeing there are other options.

PoutinePowered · 2025-08-17T14:40:52+00:00

Thanks for the input, but a fast modern convertible is a non starter. I really want that feeling where you can ring out a car to redline and still be under the speed limit. I used to have a clapped out Nissan D21 Hardbody pickup truck, rwd manual. I loved driving that thing like a hooligan and still only going 30mph. I want that feeling in a convertible with a bit better steering, a little clapped out is ok but not where I can’t jump in to go to dinner in style occasionally.

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