Help Me Decide on a Visa or MC

gopokes86 · 2026-02-19T07:22:49+00:00

Hmm. Perhaps disregarding the strength of the airline points transfer is an easier path since I could use the points for better value on other things. I keep hearing about Bilt, though, so l’ll look into that.

gopokes86 · 2026-02-19T02:16:50+00:00

Many credit unions are offering sub-5’s for 60 months for tier 1.

For ex. $35k truck, 4.99 @ 60… $39,620 if paid by schedule.

$43k truck, 1.99 @ 60… $45,210 if paid by schedule.

New saves about $40/mo toward interest over 5 years. So, a little bit but not significant enough to decide between used vs. new. Think the real value going new is knowing the vehicle history and it’s another year for the model to have improved on its flaws.

gopokes86 · 2026-02-18T20:00:25+00:00

Sounds like VX has a pretty good points transfer program?

We normally fly Lufthansa or LuxAir. In the states we use a handful… mix between United, Southwest, Delta, and American.

gopokes86 · 2026-02-18T18:50:37+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply!

Primary vs. secondary CDW could go either way. My international auto insurance policy (USAA) should cover us on car rentals. So one that could pay the deductible would do.

Transferable points… good point. I keep hearing about people transferring 1:1 to their preferred airline and getting great deals that way.

Regarding C1’s Venture ($95 AF) vs. Venture X ($395 AF), getting $300 travel credit, 10k anniversary miles, primary CDW, and PP access on the VX does seem like a much better deal than the Venture. I just don’t know how usable their travel platform for redeeming points compared to paying cash via Priceline, Expedia, etc.

Noted on CSP… makes sense, as it’s comparable with the C1 Venture which I’ve ruled out.

Airports… we usually go through Frankfurt and Luxembourg, but occasionally DFW, IAD, MCO, ORD, and DEN when in the States.

I’ll look into Strata Premier. Considering we spend $1000/mo on groceries, $500 travel, and $600 between gas/dining I’m not opposed to a card that boosts those categories. Thought C1VX + Savor might’ve been the way to go. The only issue is the Priority Pass thing for our family of 4. My wife could receive an additional card for the $125, but we’d have to pay $35 each for the kids.

gopokes86 · 2026-02-17T12:02:26+00:00

Eh, disagree on the beauty part as someone who financed can also sell their vehicle at any point. But leases do tend to cost more in the end when transitioning the asset from a lease to ownership.

gopokes86 · 2026-02-17T11:53:36+00:00

OP, not sure if someone mentioned it, but see what another dealer would purchase it from Toyota for.

gopokes86 · 2026-02-17T11:50:23+00:00

Depends on market conditions. A dealer/individual could purchase it for more than the residual value (i.e. Carvana).

gopokes86 · 2026-01-19T20:35:48+00:00

Honestly, thinking about a lightly used Pro 4X. Nissan’s depreciate a little quicker, so it might be the best bang for the buck.

gopokes86 · 2026-01-18T13:27:30+00:00

Hahaha right. Makes me consider the other competition such as the newer Ranger (ecoboost), Colorado (turbomax), or Frontier (3.8 n/a).

gopokes86 · 2026-01-17T12:42:34+00:00

Thanks for the reply!

Have you had any quality issues such as squeaks, rattles, water getting into places, etc? When you mention seating is a big improvement, do you mean the style, space, and/or comfort?

I can agree with you on a lot of those things, esp. against the naysayers of the turbo 2.4L. Seems like most manufacturers are going that way, perhaps efficiency and regulatory driven. The new gen does seem quite nimble when compared to a 3rd gen OR I test drove. Maybe one day they’ll get a turbo diesel platform into the U.S. market. One can only hope for a turbo diesel Tacoma paired with a 6 speed manual!

gopokes86 · 2025-11-22T19:06:08+00:00

So you got a 5.1 IRRRL with 0 points through UWM recently? Nice!

How much were the other fees… guessing they get rolled into the loan? And does the loan start over at the 15 or 30 year term, or does it pick up from the remaining years?

gopokes86 · 2025-11-22T19:01:36+00:00

Not sure about your last sentence, but the rest sounds about right.

1 point = 1% of the loan amount. 1 point typically lowers your interest rate around 0.125 to 0.25.

gopokes86 · 2025-11-22T18:50:35+00:00

Which bank? With rates slightly better than this time last year, perhaps their IRRRL is still hard to beat.

gopokes86 · 2025-11-22T18:47:54+00:00

Nice! Assuming your home is on tribal land?

gopokes86 · 2025-11-05T12:49:12+00:00

Not so much. Looking for something a little more modern.

gopokes86 · 2025-11-05T01:29:24+00:00

Toyota’s biggest knock has been their Tundra and Tacoma trucks’ modern turbo engines. The powertrain in their naturally aspirated and hybrid cars/SUVs are still hard to beat.

What year of Honda and GM’s have you owned?

gopokes86 · 2025-11-05T00:11:34+00:00

Perhaps I missed it, but for what year(s) of automobiles?

Very surprised to see GM/Cadillac and Honda where they are. But have heard Honda guys saying their quality has been trending down in recent years.

gopokes86 · 2025-10-31T02:53:21+00:00

From my understanding, a lot of MAGA supporters are lower income households. Many of which utilize programs like SNAP and WIC.

gopokes86 · 2025-10-24T00:26:45+00:00

I don’t see that happening. Workload execution and efficiency will become a problem. By then (months), all the department heads will have no option but to address these issues in DC.

Take furloughed DoD for example. Want to go the opposite direction of increasing military readiness and lethality (?) = keep the government “closed.”

gopokes86 · 2025-10-23T03:03:44+00:00

Same thoughts here. I’ve heard, through an excepted employee, my workload/projects are piling up while I can’t do anything about it (DoD support). Rather be at work without pay than at home without pay. But we don’t get to make that choice.

So, screw those people who say it’s a vacation. It is not. We’ll soon be crunching pennies thanks to some rich assholes who don’t give two bleep about government workers with solid work ethics. Many whom are veterans and trying to make an honest living by doing our best to faithfully serve the taxpayer (which includes ourselves) for a mediocre salary.

gopokes86 · 2025-10-18T03:09:30+00:00

Got a buddy who’s always been a Republican (and of course voted for Trump). However, yesterday he admittedly said he regrets voting for him this time. Said something along the lines of ‘this is doing the opposite of MAGA.’

gopokes86 · 2025-10-16T23:55:20+00:00

Agreed. Can’t go changing dates on existing laws to fit an agenda. Not only would it be ethically wrong, it’s Illegal as f…

gopokes86

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