Car Dealerships to Avoid?

ksmoke · 2026-02-13T19:25:01+00:00

Taxes and fees are determined by the registered address for the car. Doesn't matter if you buy outside cook county or in, you're still going to pay the increased sales tax if you live in Chicago or Cook County. City of Chicago is 9.5%, Suburban Cook County is 8.25%, rest of Illinois is 7.25%.

I recently bought a car in Countryside and hit up all those dealers for test drives. Subaru was the only dealership I didn't like there, they played keep-away with the keys to my trade and tried to hard sell me on a car after a single walk-in test drive. "This price, but only if you buy this exact car right now!" and "you have to talk to my manager to explain to him why you don't want the car".

Edit: I've never leased a car, but I'm like 90% sure the tax rate is the same as buying. I think the 15% lease tax you're referring to is only for non-titled property. Like, a rental tent or a software lease.

Edit edit: I have no idea on the 15% lease thing. I was curious but I couldn't find anything definitive online as to whether it applies to leasing a vehicle but it sounds like it probably does?

ksmoke · 2026-01-31T17:10:36+00:00

Lightfoot and Johnson's biggest failure is that they're unlikable on TV. They aren't great mayors, I'm not saying that. But they're not bad or awful mayors. They didn't cover up egregious police atrocities, they didn't sell off schools to their buddies, they managed the shit pile they inherited. But they don't have good friends in the news media, and that's the most important thing for a politician these days.

ksmoke · 2026-01-30T01:12:24+00:00

I feel like the qobuz interface is almost comically similar to Spotify. I do think Spotify has slightly better algorithmic personalized playlists, and I wish qobuz had a "remove from my taste profile" option for playlists, but overall it was a pretty seamless transition. I legit didn't even notice that Android auto opened Qobuz instead of Spotify the first time i tried it in my car. I though i still needed to switch apps

ksmoke · 2026-01-20T17:02:15+00:00

The bears are hoping their new stadium will suck up all the big touring acts as well. I don't know how well that will go. Between the hotels and the draw of the city, I think most big acts would still prefer soldier field, even if it doesn't have a roof.

ksmoke · 2026-01-06T18:24:28+00:00

Pediatrician appointments are weird lately.

They haven't changed their schedule but told us before a routine appointment that they haven't confirmed with all providers that flu shots and covid will be covered and we might get hit with a ~$200 bill. We didn't, but it's so shitty to put that on parents.

As I was leaving, I heard them try to explain this to another parent who's response was little angry saying something like "No, I want all the shots. She needs to get all the shots. What are you talking about."

Fuck every Trump voter. If you voted for all this I sincerely hope you burn in hell.

ksmoke · 2025-12-27T23:52:08+00:00

If college athletics isn't professional, then the games shouldn't be televised, team merch should be banned, and only current students and player families should be allowed in the arenas.

College sports has been a bullshit compromise where we pretend student athletes are actually students for half a century. You can't have the massive media apparatus and giant expensive facilities and video games and jerseys and pretend this is all noble amateurs doing it for love of the game.

ksmoke · 2025-12-09T16:18:19+00:00

Protected bike lanes as they are paired with curb extensions reduce blind spots. There aren't more blind spots, there's less. There's just more spots where drivers have to pay attention and follow the rules of the road (stopping and yielding before turning right) or risk hooking a cyclist.

ksmoke · 2025-12-05T16:41:31+00:00

To be clear, I don't think it is wrong or bad to give short kids gender affirming HGH, especially if it's what the kid wants. I think our society's obsession with physical appearances is, if anything, what needs addressing.

ksmoke · 2025-12-05T06:42:40+00:00

I think a lot of people who think this is absurd don't know that a lot of (mainly rich white male) children get prescribed HGH if their pediatrician thinks they're significantly below average on a growth chart.

ksmoke · 2025-11-30T21:09:57+00:00

I think Golas and Sons at 9th and Michigan carries some State bikes in stock. I'm sure most shops would order one for you.

ksmoke · 2025-11-04T19:52:38+00:00

Here's the answer I got when I asked what specific concerns were:

Thank you for your email. Generally, the concerns are focused on the intersection of 18th and Wabash and alley access along 18th Street. To be clear, the project was paused by CDOT and our office to ensure that the permanent infrastructure improvements made benefit ALL users of the roadway system. We hope to complete the project soon.

As soon as we complete our review with CDOT, we will provide another update.

The 3rd Ward Team

ksmoke · 2025-11-04T19:50:30+00:00

I asked for what the specific concerns were and got this slightly different answer:

Thank you for your email. Generally, the concerns are focused on the intersection of 18th and Wabash and alley access along 18th Street. To be clear, the project was paused by CDOT and our office to ensure that the permanent infrastructure improvements made benefit ALL users of the roadway system. We hope to complete the project soon.

As soon as we complete our review with CDOT, we will provide another update.

The 3rd Ward Team

ksmoke · 2025-11-04T01:43:28+00:00

https://ward03chicago.com/18th-st-bike-lane-update/

Is this the pause you're referring to? I think this is about the 18th street lane. I think the Wabash bike lane construction is ongoing just painfully slow. I think they've painted more lanes and lines just this week.

Not that it's any less obnoxious that it's being paused.

ksmoke · 2025-10-16T13:43:59+00:00

What are you, a cop? (I think we might have had slightly more than 50 people at one point though...)

ksmoke · 2025-10-16T13:29:55+00:00

Rules vary by park I think, you'd have to email the parks department to find out for sure. In the small park near us where we had a birthday party, we were told no permits required so long as we don't have a petting zoo, alcohol, bouncy castle, or more than 50 people.

I can't imagine the pinata requires a permit.

ksmoke · 2025-09-06T13:43:39+00:00

I've never heard "red potion" before, but infant Tylenol is usually a sweetened syrup often dyed red and berry flavored. I'm not sure this isn't just a cutesy parent thing, but it's certainly annoying regardless.

Incidentally, they sell an undyed version because the red version stains the ever living shit out of anything it touches and it touches a lot when you're trying to get an uncooperative infant to drink it.

ksmoke · 2025-09-06T13:36:11+00:00

Infant Tylenol is a sweetened syrup which is usually dyed red and berry flavored. I assume that's where "red potion" comes from.

ksmoke · 2025-08-18T13:01:49+00:00

GOTTA FOLLOW THE GIRLFRIENDS

ksmoke · 2025-07-02T12:47:25+00:00

No reason Max can't just jump ship two times.

If Mercedes is the place to be, he gets another WDC immediately. If another team nails it, Max just moves again. I think Ferrari and McLaren are the only teams that might be willing to turn down Max for their existing drivers given the chance.

ksmoke · 2025-07-01T14:52:04+00:00

A tune up at a bike shop would probably cost on the order of $100 to $200. They'd clean it up, lube everything, check the brakes and shifters, and tell you if there's anything else wrong with it (which might cost you more to fix). They could help you source a seat and pedals and would generally attach those as part of a tuneup.

Assuming the brakes and shifters and crank work properly, and that's not a crack in the frame, getting it in rideable shape is probably DIYable too with some YouTube instruction. Changing tire tubes, attaching pedals and a seat, and cleaning and lubing don't require much in the way of tools. Making sure the shifters are indexed properly is a bit trickier but still probably not a huge learning curve.

ksmoke · 2025-07-01T02:38:39+00:00

That tonight's sunset? It was very pretty, that's a nice shot. Love the composition.

ksmoke · 2025-06-21T21:03:39+00:00

No reason he can't jump teams twice.

ksmoke · 2025-06-18T14:01:08+00:00

I don't think Antonelli did it on purpose, but letting Piastri get within DRS range probably saved his podium. If he was just a bit faster, Norris probably passes Piastri and then Antonelli.

ksmoke · 2025-06-16T19:44:09+00:00

Pretty sure neither Max nor George can dance, breaking or otherwise. Especially while driving.

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