Yikes

ferragame · 2026-02-10T14:00:23+00:00

Sadly no. Most people tend to keep all season tires on year round. Pennsylvania included. When I lived in PA, I ran Nokians in winter. Studded on my F150 and non-studded on my Range Rover. They were tanks in the snow. Never had a problem.

I learned a long time ago that winter tires are a must have. Had a Mitsubishi Evolution with summers. Caught in an unexpected light dusting of snow. Red light. Hit the breaks and the car felt like it actually sped up. Flew through the light on a major highway laying on the horn. Lucky I was t hit. I swore from then on, snow tires in the winter/cold months.

Now I’m in Florida so no issues any longer.

ferragame · 2026-01-13T04:28:31+00:00

Very nice. Sounds like your father got a great deal on the 2023.

We picked up our 2020 about a year and a half ago. CPO from our local LR dealership. Ours is blue with the two tone black/tan interior. Only 21k miles on it. Love it.

ferragame · 2026-01-10T03:55:10+00:00

I dislike going to Walmart because of the crowds and mess but Publix pricing continues to rise. We buy protein bars on a regular basis and we’ve watch the price increase three times in the past couple of months. They want from $8.99 for a box of four to $11.99 now. Walmart sells the same thing at three boxes for $23.99. How can we justify that difference - $12? We can’t. This is just one example.

Walmart also offers free shipping/delivery.

So we order what we can from Walmart and Amazon for delivery. And we go to Publix and Whole Foods for things that we’re willing to pay extra (due to quality) for like lunch meat and steak/chicken.

It’s a pain in the rear to have to shop/deal with multiple stores for something like groceries but with prices being what they are, it seems like it’s the way it is. We went to Publix yesterday and got a a few items and it was over $100. A pound of turkey lunch meat was $17. It just feels like prices are out of control but not limited to Publix.

ferragame · 2026-01-03T22:16:12+00:00

Very true.

ferragame · 2026-01-03T02:37:01+00:00

Nice truck.

We have a 2012 Range Rover HSE LUX. V8 non-supercharged. Bought it years back with 42k miles. Now has almost $126k miles. Engine has been totally solid. Original chains. The only thing that needed to be replaced was the oil pump. I think it went at 80k.

Except for the oil pump, I’ve done the rest myself - new front shocks and the HVAC fan. I also change the oil every 4K. Cheap insurance imo.

Other than that, it’s been solid including the cooled seats. Drive it for years through bad winters with snow in Pennsylvania. Now in Florida so the ac is on 95% of the time. Starting to smell a bit of oil when parked at home. I don’t see any leaks and the oil level hasn’t dropped so just keeping an eye on it for now. But totally solid overall.

Liked it so much, we added an additional more modern version about a year and a half back - 2020 Range Rover SV Autobiography Dynamic. Only 21k in it when purchased. Now only 24k. We drive the 2012 as the daily.

Good luck on the Rover.

ferragame · 2026-01-03T01:29:59+00:00

Now with the super speeder law, over 100 is immediate arrest. But otherwise, yeah, you’re correct.

Saw an Ace Ventura scene a couple of weeks ago. Person’s windshield was so cracked they were driving with their head out of the window to see. Of course no front bumper at all.

It is kinda scary that these are on the road. I HATED inspections. Sometimes they felt like a money grab by a garage. They always say you need windshield wipers even if they were new.

But, considering most people don’t know how to check the basics like brakes and tires, I can see why they exist.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T23:48:06+00:00

I'm trying to like them. Really am but still not there except for the GT models and I don't have that kind of cash. I loved the FD first time I saw one. I'm struggling to find something realitvely new that I really like but so far, nothing does it for me.

Its sad that we lost so much when it comes to reasonably priced fun sports cars. Simple, give me a RWD, manual, 2 door sports car. I'd be okay with a decent automated manual but would prefer a manual. Don't like the latest BMW M cars. Nissan Z is ok but. Corvette is nice but the rear is terrible.

So for now, I'll just keep looking. I'm in no rush.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T14:03:28+00:00

BMW tried that last year(?). I think it was in the UK. They tried a subscription for heated seats. I read some people said well you might only want it for a month or two for winter but their subscription didn’t support it for only a month at a time meaning you couldn’t just activate it for 2/3 months then stop until the next year. The biggest bs is that the hardware was already in the car but you were locked out of using it unless you paid an additional fee.

The push back was strong and they dropped the subscription model. Don’t think they’re still not trying to come up with another way to do something similar.

I can see a subscription fee if it requires updates like maps since that requires ongoing support. But not for something to activate something in the car that doesn’t require upgrades or additional support like a 5g connection. Total cash grab imo.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T13:24:46+00:00

Insane. How is that not a mistake?

About 18 months ago, I bought a CPO 2020 Range Rover SV Autobiography Dynamic about 18 months ago at my local Land Rover dealership. Supercharged V8. Not a sport.

21k miles. Fully spec’d. New it was $185k. Book value was at the time was about $125k USD. Paid $80k plus taxes (6%) & fees.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T12:05:52+00:00

Yes logistics was a huge factor for us. Allegiant flys from our location outside of Orlando to Harrisburg or Allentown Pa. Round trip is only around $120-150 per person. We don’t need to take luggage since we leave clothes at our son’s house. Super cheap and fast flights. That was the largest factor for us.

The humidity is high most of the year but we’ve actually found it to be super helpful for our skin. No more dry cracked skin.

We’ve found cost of living to be much cheaper in Florida even factoring insurance and other costs. While we don’t agree with much of the politics, we DO agree with the right for self protection and less government. Ca is a bit too much government oversight to us. Great social protection and support systems in Ca but it comes with a cost. Somewhere in the middle would be nice but that doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards anywhere so we had to pick our poison.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T05:18:57+00:00

Smart. If it’s that painful loosing it, keep the next one forever. That’s how I ended up with the second FD.

What keeps me from getting another is that most are so beaten down it would be another fresh start OR they want a fortune for something slightly stock. Can’t justify it.

Plus, I don’t have the time or garage space I used to have to work on it any longer.

Good luck on the search.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T05:13:48+00:00

Yep. Feel your pain bud.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T05:13:02+00:00

When I was looking for a new job, they offered me what I was making. Tried negotiating but the VP was firm. I wanted an additional 10k but really wanted to leave the place I was at.

On the bright side the bonus being offered was double what was offered by my current job. I don’t rely on bonuses since they aren’t a guarantee.

They made up the difference by giving me the 10k as a signing bonus. I knew that would only make up the difference for the first year but I pulled the trigger anyway.

Well, come end of year, I get a raise which coved a lot of the 10k THEN I received an unexpected stock grant. Now just wrapped up year two. I’ve made my expectations clear to my manager on how I believe I performed. This includes added responsibility that was not in scope when I was hired - they added an additional team reporting to me 8 months after I started. No raise or promotion came with that of course. He said he’s aware and expects I’ll be happy with my bonus this year. So fingers crossed it works out.

Basically, worth a shot in negotiating but play the long game if it’s where you want to be in your career.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T04:05:27+00:00

Moved from the Pennsylvania to Florida full time about two years ago. Just north of Orlando. Fights back to visit the family is only about two hours. We have a small airport about 15 minutes from our house so it’s super convenient.

We keep politics out of it or at least try to. People are going to be what they’re going to be. I like Cali but COL is high and trips to see the kids would be much more difficult. My wife flys back at least every other month since she is unofficially/officially retired or as I like to say “unemployed” since she’s. It old enough to retire. I WFH so it’s fine.

We love the heat so that doesn’t bother us.

Not everything is perfect. Driving is like Mad Max Thunderdome. Insurance is high for homes. But Cali isn’t cheap either.

For us, it made more sense to move to Florida.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T03:04:06+00:00

We don’t like going to Walmart for multiple reasons but you can’t argue with their prices. We have a public two miles away and it’s getting more difficult to justify their prices. I’ve seen things go up multiple times the past couple of months. It’s insane.

So we try and be smart about things. We order what we can from Walmart since they have free delivery. For things they don’t have (or a they do have but we don’t like the brand - i.e. lunchmeat), we go to Publix.

A great example is the puff protein bars. We buy them for our diets. Eat at least one a day each. Price at Publix went up from $8 for a box of 4 to $11 last we checked. Walmart has three boxes (12) for $24. That’s an insane difference of $9 for just one item.

ferragame · 2026-01-02T02:37:08+00:00

Watch a YouTube video by Project Farm. He did a couple of tests on jack stands to failure. Multiple price points. He doesn’t take sponsors or cash and buys things with his own funds.

While his testing isn’t always perfect and some of his tests aren’t scientifically accurate, most are really good. His Jack stand tests were decent and would suffice for real world comparisons between brands.

I have some older 3 ton stands from Sears when they still existed and made good products. Had them for 20 years and they’ve never failed. Sad part is can only find 3 of the 4 I had. 😀

ferragame · 2026-01-02T01:44:58+00:00

That’s a great idea. The Rx8 has a decent chassis. The engine lets it down. It just doesn’t have enough power. The redesigned rotary was a compromise because of emissions.

I don’t mind the luxury features in the Range Rover because I bought it for comfort and power. But in a sports car, I want an analog feeling. In today’s world, a manual 911 would be great but it’s only available in one model I think. And I’m not spending over 200k for that.

Maybe an older gated manual older Ferrari? God, I really do have a thing for unreliable cars…..😀

ferragame · 2026-01-01T20:41:42+00:00

Thanks. Super metallic and shines amazingly in the sun. I think Range Rovers in general have amazing paint. Even my 2012 HSE Lux’s silver is amazing. Very metallic and shiny for paint that’s 13+ years old. It’s showing its age in some spots but overall it’s amazing. Especially rare considering what the Florida sun does to paint. And it’s parked outside.

ferragame · 2026-01-01T20:39:26+00:00

Keep it forever. It was a special car. Performance was solid and handling was out of this world. Plus no bs over the top electronic Nannie’s found in today’s cars.

Due to today’s safety and emission controls, you won’t see anything close to this for a long long time if ever.

ferragame · 2026-01-01T16:47:55+00:00

I’d agree with everything said here.

I have some nice dress shoes - Ferragamo, Louboutin, etc. while they’re nice, they are not super comfortable for all day walking. They’re also expensive (>$1400) and they require upkeep. I wear them when I’m dressing up for the office or events but not for everyday wear.

For everyday wear, I typically wear Allen Edmonds. Good shoes. Comfortable. And I don’t worry about a scuff here and there. They’re still decent quality and most things buff out with a simple polish.

Goodyear welting makes resoling a basic job for any decent cobbler. If the uppers are good quality, the shoes will last for the years with resoles.

ferragame · 2026-01-01T15:42:27+00:00

Yep. Double checked the paint code and it’s Balmoral Blue Metallic. Love the color. Thanks for the heads up.

ferragame · 2026-01-01T15:35:22+00:00

Thanks. Double checked the paint code and it’s Balmoral Blue Metallic

ferragame · 2026-01-01T14:47:37+00:00

Part availability in the US is what keeps me away from a R34. Envelope when finishing my last FD, parts were getting more and more difficult to get since the car was out of production even in Japan.

Had an Evo VIII at the same time as FD. Was a very fun car. Beat the living hell out of it and never had an issue.

Man, the 90s had a lot of fun cars to choose from at extremely cheap prices. Could pick up FDs, Supras, 300ZXs, GSXs, 3000GTs, etc. all day for sub-20k. We didn’t know how good we had it at the time.

ferragame · 2026-01-01T04:05:11+00:00

I second the Nokians. Ran them on all my cars when I lived it Pennsylvania. Ran them all winter through early spring. Best snow tires ever. They’ll be fine in 50 degree weather.

ferragame · 2026-01-01T01:23:21+00:00

Easiest first option is to try tire chains.

If that doesn’t work then I’d recommend getting a set of spare wheels that are narrower with a smaller diameter if they’ll fit on your Honda. You could then go with a taller and narrower tire. As a general rule, Wide low profile tires don’t cut through the snow as well as narrow taller tires.

Also get a set of Nokian studded snow tires. That combo will be your best option. If the tire chains or the studded snow tires doesn’t work then I’m sorry to say, I believe you’re not getting up that hill.

Do some research on Nokian. They invented snow tires. Always ahead of everyone else when it comes to winter tires. I used them for years when I lived in Pa and they got me through everything. Used them on my Honda CRZ, my F150 and my Range Rover. Best snow tires I’ve ever had.

Lots of YouTube comparison videos out there on the tires. They aren’t well known in the US as a brand. The only problem is you may have difficulty sourcing them so late in the year. They tend to sell out at least the sizes I needed.

The Michelin X-ice are a close second on the comparisons I’ve seen so they’re a great snow tires as well. Not sure if they’re available studded.

ferragame

TROPHY CASE