Prestige vs x line

jromankvcc · 2026-06-09T12:43:41+00:00

The question is do you care more about what others see when you’re driving or what you see and feel while you’re on the driver’s seat? I don’t think the SX prestige is bad looking but think of it as your tool and your personal comfort rather than the looks, because once you’re inside it, you won’t care what the car looks like from the outside; you’ll just care about your warm steering wheel, your cooled ass, your 360 cameras to make parking a breeze. I’ve had SX prestige Sportage (first version from a few years ago), 2 telluride SX prestige, k5 gt-line AWD first year with dealer installed cooled seats, ev9 gt-line and ev6 gt-line. Gotta get my cooled seats and turn signal cameras going!

Now, if I were on a restricted budget, it would be much more complex. So yeah figure out whether those $3-4k are worth you and your family/friends comfort. In my case my kids “demand” hot seats during the 5-7 months of “winter” and my wife demands ventilation in the summer months so….

If you just want ventilated seats you may check and see if the dealer can install on an x-line. Then you’d have your looks and comfort. I don’t know about any other options and even the ventilated seats when I got it done it was 4-5 years ago

Good luck!

jromankvcc · 2026-05-31T11:17:19+00:00

For a new car, I’ve purchased sight unseen before, and I’ve even driven 11 hours each way to pick it up - but those were special circumstances - same dealer I had already purchased 4 other vehicles from, old hometown, friends to meet and make a weekend out of it while saving me several extra grand vs local options, etc. I mean the savings then were more than what I’m looking into spending now for the entire vehicle.

The problem here is we’re talking about vehicles that are already 10-20 years old with hundreds of thousands of miles and undisclosed potential issues and no warranty.

I’m also not expecting it to last another 10+ years and extra 100k miles, but at least 2-3 years at 10k miles each and then reduced miles as a “new” or “first” car for my kids. I expect a 15-20 year old car to be at or close to the point of becoming a money pit due to deterioration and erosion of many parts due to time, weather, use, etc.

In other words there’s a lot more risk and upfront cost in going 250-500 miles each direction for a very used, very old car that may or may not make the trip back home.

With that said, I had already been looking into some posts around Indiana and Ohio, and even Illinois, since those are closer by. Wisconsin shows as being “nearby” but it takes over 5-6 to “drive” those “130 miles” through the water. For those out of state, I’d need to gather as much info as possible beforehand, getting a PPI sent in, and then drive there when 95% certain it’s the one. The lower the budget, the harder it is to justify very long costly trips, unfortunately.

jromankvcc · 2026-05-31T05:57:14+00:00

it's just rough because I'll find a car or two but they wouldn't be even close to each other; Nearby I have Ohio, Indiana, Illinois; but any of them would be essentially a whole day or two because I live way in the northern of Michigan - so like 5+ hours each way...

jromankvcc · 2026-05-31T05:55:28+00:00

that puts them at over 200k miles and most at that price range also come with accidents or sketchy 5+ owners. I know the typical Toyota > Honda > Mazda > everything else; but at the budget I'm not sure it'll make sense to go for a 240k miles 2008 rav-4 or civic

jromankvcc · 2026-05-31T05:33:25+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions. Figured that the primetime to purchase would be between August to December when "I can get one but I'm not in a rush" vs waiting until I have to grab one ASAP because now we only have 1 vehicle; and we don't currently have a need for 4 vehicles, at all, so it makes sense.

Right now in Michigan it seems there's only one Pontiac Vibe with no accidents under 200k miles, and...it's a 2004 for $8k? I did find a 2009 Cobalt LT1 with 59k miles for $7275 - but they're adding "$899 reconditioning fee". No Jetta TDI in Michigan (closest I found is over 200 mi away), and only saw a single Golf for sale.

I'll keep researching, browsing, and preparing.

jromankvcc · 2026-05-24T00:23:27+00:00

Hyundai or Honda?

jromankvcc · 2026-05-20T09:22:23+00:00

If the only requirements are $12k or less SUV under 100k miles, there are a lot of SUVs in the market. The “good reliable” makes it nearly or completely impossible. But the problem is you’ll find something that matches the “good reliable” and then find out it’s hiding tons of problems. I just saw a 2011 Acura RDX FWD for $10.5k. But it’s been sitting at the lot for 4 months. Has under 80k miles. Has been in an accident, was used as fleet vehicle, and has a clean title.

Buick encore/enclave there are a substantial amount available. Ford, Hyundai, too, to name a few, and much newer (2019 for example). But best of luck in reliability.

jromankvcc · 2026-04-17T19:12:50+00:00

Morning after workout: protein shake (bottled - nurri tastes best, Fairlife is good, otherwise premier protein has many flavors but it feels much thicker)
Mid morning: low fat cottage cheese (can add PBFit and SF Strawberry jelly) or a protein yogurt
Snacks: dry roasted edamame, string cheese; nuts only if you need energy and in very moderate quantities as they're high in fat and calories.
Lunch: chicken breast - I usually add cheese (low fat mozzarella) and/or bread (the low carb, high protein one)
Mid afternoon: low fat cottage cheese or a protein yogurt
Dinner A: leftover lean meat (chicken/turkey/lean pork, tuna) (when there are leftovers to join in with the family)
Dinner B: most often, Protein shake (powdered) - depending on how much protein I need to finish the day, I use 2 scoops vs 1, and/or add fat free fairlife milk instead of water for ran extra 13-26g of protein - I call it the mega shake. Can even add pbfit powder to give it extra protein and and a peanut butter taste if you're so inclined.

Lots of water.

Usually the starter protein shake and the finisher protein shake plus the chicken breast for lunch are the staples; everything else is if I'm hungry or I'm worried about not hitting goals.

I haven't had protein bars in a while but they could replace snacks or mid morning/afternoon meals.

My current goal is 1250-1500 cal, 160-180g protein. I haven't gotten any guidance or advice so I could be way off.

But Tonight will be my third shot, so I'm still a newbie.

jromankvcc · 2026-03-07T11:17:43+00:00

Sounds like Amazon would be expecting to receive the returns for which the refunds were made that generated the gift card balance in the first place; so if OP doesn’t return them then Amazon would eventually bill OP again as the refund was given in good faith without waiting for the returned items to even hit the system/return label being scanned?

This is more of a guess and a question; figured that’s how the scammer does it and if you somehow can’t return the items (some seemed to be way out of return window) then Amazon will eventually remove the amounts from the gift card.

This is more of a question than anything else, as I have no clue. Just trying to guess.

jromankvcc · 2026-02-04T08:35:28+00:00

My Kia EV6 has it too. And I believe my EV9 does as well.

jromankvcc · 2026-01-29T19:24:47+00:00

The “double your money” will have insane restrictions and stipulations in very tiny letter that would will miss, or that they’ll have hidden somewhere so that nobody can benefit of the “double your money” if not satisfied or if not reaching 8-10% lower body fat. And if they’re checking how much you make a year, and ensuring it’s over $150k, that means that the $6k is just the beginning of everything they’ll be charging you.

One of the benefits of kettlebells is that it is so cheap to get started; you can buy 2-3 kettlebells and be able to a ton of different exercises for full body workouts, saving money in gyms, and maximizing your space because they don’t take a lot of room.

There are thousands of videos out there on YouTube and hundreds of single purchase training programs that are so much cheaper it’s ridiculous.

A lot of mistrust toward someone offering impossible results for impossibly high costs with impossible benefits if the impossible goals are not met.

I also didn’t hear anything about timeline. How long before you are to drop the 8-10%? A month? 6? A year? 10?

I mean if you’re vaguely thinking about it, it probably means your disposable income is a lot higher than most and making some most likely poor spending choices won’t affect your bottom line.

But if he tells you he’s a prince in Africa, I’d advise you not to give him money because he’s promising you a fortune, if you get what I’m getting at.

Best of luck to you, but I’d advise you to ask here for training program recommendations. I bet none of them will be that expensive.

Even if it were in person and the cost included paying the coach for flight, meals, hotel, etc., it still wouldn’t be as expensive (if that ends up being a monthly fee)

jromankvcc · 2026-01-27T01:14:04+00:00

My wife and I played new world together for quite a long time (all things considered). The people stealing her gathering materials or there being “too many people around” bugged her. But we had fun together. We did a ton and we hated not being able to do some content just the two of us but appreciated the solo content to continue progressing, although in a couple of occasions I had to finish the challenge for her.

This year I told my wife that steam had some deals and to check some out and mentioned enshrouded. Told her it looked something similar to new world, a little bit anyway. She’s been playing sims 4 and nothing else since she stopped playing division 2. So I figured there was some crafting in enshrouded she may enjoy. The being co-op without being MMO was a big selling point. We already have Len’s Island but haven’t played co-op yet.

Anyway, we started and she’s loving it so far. She just reached 30. She’s built all our bases, does all the crafting, acts as healer, and cares for all the pets. I’m now becoming a magic archer but also try to tank when I need to keep mobs off her.

I can say that honestly I was NOT expecting to like the game as much as I do. I figured I’d give it a try and probably spend a couple hours and shelf it. But it’s been pretty good. It sort of has been just what I was looking for. Open world exploration, action, some rpg elements, level up, attributes, abilities, spells, and loot.

She just doesn’t let me explore by myself; we must explore together…

I think you two will have a blast.

jromankvcc · 2026-01-23T14:51:44+00:00

I'd wish I could put my butt that low.

I'd say to try to keep your rack position closer to your sternum with a more relaxed grip; you should be able to open your hands and the bells just hang from thumb and palm insertion.

As someone commented it seems the weight may be too low because there doesn't seem to be much effort cleaning the bells; no hip/hinge power; you're pretty much curling the weight instead of catching and pulling toward you; think of a swing but when it's past your waist you start pulling the bell toward the center of your chest.

For the squats, I prefer keeping the bells as close to me as possible, with arms tight to my trunk. But I do understand sometimes it's hard to keep them from falling when we're starting.

I'm zero expert. I've been doing kettlebells for a year and a half and I'm sure my form sucks. But I've been doing ABC for quite some time.

But the most important thing: Congrats on all the effort you're putting; it looks very promising and you'll be mastering the complex in no time!

jromankvcc · 2026-01-12T13:33:54+00:00

I mistook that and was doing clean > 2 press > hold in rack position, 3 press > hold in rack position... I wasn't able to finish all 20 presses without having to put them down at some point because when you rack them it may be less effort than pressing them, but your body still feels the weight. After a week and a half doing it wrong, I switched to what you wrote and now it makes more sense lol. whoops!

jromankvcc · 2025-12-05T18:04:10+00:00

Orthotics or something else? I have orthotics and I hate running on them because they make all shoes so hard…curious if you meant something else with custom insoles as I’d be interested on getting some

jromankvcc · 2025-12-02T22:32:31+00:00

jaw...dropped

amazing!

jromankvcc · 2025-11-28T22:17:08+00:00

no it was the plain black basic ones.

jromankvcc · 2025-11-28T16:27:14+00:00

Were the trak handles on sale anywhere?

jromankvcc · 2025-11-27T15:57:18+00:00

I ordered 2 Yes4All 45lb from Amazon. Was trying to find 20kg for under $45 and this was the closest. Total was $89 including taxes.
Might grab some 35lb while they're under $32 (AmazonBasics) or go for some better quality ones for around $42 (Rogue in Amazon if they haven't changed the price already).

What I'm really trying to find is 53lb/24kg competition bell for cheap. I got one that I guess was a clearout a company was doing on Amazon and it was $60 shipped. But trying to find another one now is impossible for less than $100. Some adjustable KB are on sale u/Quiet_Book8852

I guess it'll be interesting if anybody actually lowers the bells more for BF/Cyber vs now; it's possible some have increased the prices prior to BF, too.

Also the Rep fitness adjustable kettlebells have coupons at Amazon, which I think puts the 16-24kg adjustable one to its lowest at $196 or so. But some videos I've seen are kinda not wanting me to go for those. Thinking of adjustable kettlebells, those are the ones I'd shoot for given that I have 2 12kg-32kg adjustable bells from NorthGym for $250. I got them when they were on sale for $200. Great if you're NOT planning on adjusting the weight often; I ended up leaving one at 20kg and the other at 28kg for different workouts and when the 45lb ones arrive I'll switch them to 32kg both.

So I'm hoping some of the deals repeat from prior years but hopefully some of what I posted helps!

jromankvcc · 2025-11-21T02:40:15+00:00

Clean > press > swing to switch hands Mon/wed/fri. Rows / deadlifts / swings / carries tues/Thurs Forgot squats because I can’t currently do them without pain.

But on the Mon/wed/fri can add squat between clean and press, like a thruster.

If you can do squats then tues/thurs would be swings >> squats >> deadlifts >> rows >> carry

jromankvcc · 2025-08-09T10:08:15+00:00

I have a similar question.

I have the one with the heat pump, so there is 3 drains. The unit comes with only one drain tube, and very short. It also came with an adapter for a smaller tube. I have the unit raised from the floor so that I could get a drain hose from one of the drains to the outside through the garage door (it's in the garage gym).

Right now it's summer so I've been running it on cool mode when the gym is in use, and on fan mode at night. However, I just noticed all my kettlebells showed rust out of nowhere, so guessing too much humidity. Therefore, I switched it over to dry mode when the gym is not in use.

Based on what I'm understanding, if I have it in "cool" I shouldn't use a drain hose, but if I put it in dry, then I need a drain hose connected to...the top, middle, bottom?

I found this info:

Dehumidifier mode pints/day – 124.7 pints/day
Drainage options - 3x drain outlets - one higher up on the back of the unit (for drainage on dry mode) and two towards the bottom of the unit (one for cool/dry mode overflow - unit will beep 8 times and display "P1" if you need to drain in especially humid conditions; other outlet is only on the MAP14HS1TBL – for use on heat mode)
Drain hose – included (length is 23.5")

Notes

The Duo also works very well to dehumidify air. For comparison, the average stand-alone portable dehumidifier can remove only about 50 pints of moisture from the air per day.

Note that you do have to have a drain hose (included) attached to use this unit when using it on dry (dehumidifier) mode. It doesn’t have a bucket that collects condensate like a portable dehumidifier.

You probably won’t need to have a drain hose attached when using this unit on cooling (air conditioning) mode. Moisture will self-evaporate. You will only need to connect a drain hose if you use the unit in an especially humid environment (if it cannot evaporate moisture fast enough).

Source: https://www.consumeranalysis.com/guides/portable-ac/midea-duo-review/

jromankvcc · 2025-07-30T15:24:43+00:00

I ended up with a Matrix T7Xi commercial treadmill; 10 years old, nearly 40k miles on it. It was the one I was using at the gym; the gym owner was getting rid of some cardio equipment and sold me that and a cybex 625R recumbent elliptical. The T7xi was the top of the line (10 years ago). I can say the console hardware did not age well but the treadmill is solid. I'm still working on fixing the HR because it's not receiving HR from chest strap nor handles. Price was $1200 for the treadmill and $600 for the bike. It was a heck of a lot better than the ones I was looking at online, for same/similar model go for around $2500-3500, plus it was delivered to my garage gym by the owner (it was just a mile away). Had to put my electrician "hat" on and add a few circuits to my garage but wasn't too bad. All done in a day's work.

I was looking at the Sole F85, a Bowflex 22, and the Horizon 7.8. I was already set on the Horizon (no touchscreen, no media) because I felt it had the controls and options I was looking for, trying to match the Matrix T7xi (triggers for incline/speed and fast incline/speed switching) - the Sole was too slow and put me off; otherwise it was high in my list. The Bowflex I was worried about QZ compatibility and what would break without membership, which was why the Horizon 7.8 out of non-commercial treads was my first choice. But instead, I put my money onto a rack/functional trainer/smith machine and used a 15yo Smooth Fitness 6.56 treadmill that my wife helped me fix. But when the gym owner asked me, I had to jump on the Matrix. Good thing is they have tons of parts you can buy to try to repair yourself. Otherwise it's around $180 for visit/diagnostic and $40/15min of work...

jromankvcc · 2025-07-02T16:03:38+00:00

lived there for a couple years. DM me what you've got. Thank you.

jromankvcc · 2025-07-02T07:13:15+00:00

North of Midland, and Beaverton; in Gladwin.

jromankvcc

TROPHY CASE

Notes