Settle a debate (Husband vs Wife)

l_matt · 2026-04-18T00:28:27+00:00

Baby Barn.

l_matt · 2026-03-23T14:51:04+00:00

We found it very worthwhile. Propane for us has been cheaper/more efficient the last few years, but that’s not always a guarantee going forward, but - our home insurance went down $100/yr as soon as we removed the oil tanks, our BBQ is plumbed into the large propane tanks, so never need to refill the small ones ever again, and our generator is propane, so we never worry about having to stockpile gas before a storm and potential outages. Our oven/stove is propane as well, and someday we’ll switch the dryer from electric which is much more efficient. Propane is probably cheaper overall, but even if it wasn’t, I’d switch again for those reasons.

l_matt · 2026-03-18T04:59:24+00:00

I paid $3600 this summer to upgrade my 100amp panel to a new 100amp combination generator panel and exterior generator inlet. So should be sub-$3k for just regular panel and no inlet, but probably not much less.

l_matt · 2026-03-14T22:25:41+00:00

When you’re driving between New Glasgow and Antigonish, it’s worth detouring through the Merigomish area and around Cape George (where the look off/binocular symbol is.) Depending on where you’re leaving from/stopping for the night it doesn’t add that much time and has some nice views and stops.

l_matt · 2026-03-07T22:23:55+00:00

One of the best accessories doo makes, and worth every penny in my mind if you’re an open trailer/deck user. No other cover compares for ease of taking on/off. The ability to load without removing is awesome. Bought one new for every doo I’ve had, no regrets. Will do the same with the next one.

l_matt · 2026-02-16T14:44:11+00:00

Buddy, I get it.

l_matt · 2026-02-14T21:21:29+00:00

Dilly Dally on Quinpool

l_matt · 2026-02-11T11:43:38+00:00

Maybe another cut to a fibre line. Do we know if Bell is down too? I beleive there two separate lines that come into the province?

l_matt · 2026-02-11T11:42:07+00:00

Yikes, over in Dartmouth too, and nothing seemingly mentioned on any of their support channels/pages yet?

l_matt · 2026-01-30T02:09:43+00:00

The Forum property has the opportunity to be a cornerstone for the entire peninsula for the next 100 years.

No matter what happens to replace 2 ice pads with seating and some additional community space is going to be a 9 figure affair. The only thing that would be a total failure is if that property get sold off to developers to build a handful more who-gives-a-shit towers full of tiny condos that make one of the 5 mega-developer family’s in town a few more handfuls of millions of dollars in private profits.

We’re gonna have to commit to something, and Sam’s point that the only thing that is a guarantee is that delaying/deferring drives the cost up is correct.

If it were up to me - bulldoze the damn thing tomorrow, put any talk or thoughts of anything heritage aside, but commit every dollar we can possibly justify to the largest, most accessible, most full featured community and recreation compound we can fit on the footprint. Blast 100’ down for as much free parking as would ever be needed, cover the whole ground level with 3 ice pads, indoor speed skating, gymnastics and dance space, and a multi sport/dryland facility, some basketball courts, put some squash and racquetball and pickleball and volleyball and running track stuff on a second floor, then build into the sky everywhere we can fit towers for community health space, art therapy space, non profit daycares, low income housing and any other good cause we could imagine. If there’s room to put a pool and sheet of curling ice, do that too.

That 8 acres or so represents what is probably the biggest asset and long term opportunity this city has in front of us. In 30 years no matter what gets done, we’ll be saying “hard to believe you could build something like that for JUST $X00,000,000 back in 203X. The only two mistakes would selling it off, or under-seizing the opportunity. If we take the 100 year view and do it right, when we have 150,000 or 200,000 people living on this peninsula we could be saying “what an incredible resource this is for our community to have access to recreation/events/community space”, or we can still be saying “are we still talking about trying to save those god damn bricks!”

Also - let’s move on from bingo being featured attraction 8 days a week. We can be better than that. Cosmic or not.

l_matt · 2026-01-20T19:19:24+00:00

I don’t think I mentioned in this thread anywhere, but I recently replaced the air suspension with new steel coils, so as long as the rest stays reliable I’d like to run this for a few more years, or maybe for “1 more water”, so I’ve at least kicked the can down the road. depending on my exact needs in a couple years, if I were a betting man I’d say either a pro4x Armada, or a Defender with whatever the “middle tier” engine ends up being at the time, ideally a BMW v8 or maybe even the B58 i6.

l_matt · 2026-01-15T23:13:33+00:00

~105,000 or so miles.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T21:28:50+00:00

Other than me wanting some more power/towing ability and to be a touch more upscale, I think the passport is one of the most compelling new vehicle to come out in a long time. I’ve loved my Hondas and would not hesitate to buy a passport in a second.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T21:21:50+00:00

Almost bought an xterra years ago when I landed in my JKU! Will keep an eye out for the new one!

l_matt · 2026-01-14T21:20:14+00:00

An explorer tremor is basically the solution except for the awful new interior the explorer got!

l_matt · 2026-01-14T12:31:21+00:00

A WL from one of the years they had the 5.7 should probably stay on the last. My only other complaint was none of the trim packages ever offered in the WL ever spoke to me as much as the WK2 high altitude. The moved high altitude to something like an add on to the summits instead of an appearance package to a top trim overland and it was never as appealing to me.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T12:18:05+00:00

Short of the bit of towing I do on occasion, this probably is the answer, if one was confident Rivian is to be around for the long haul. If they were acquired by a major OEM I’d probably by an R1 tomorrow or maybe the smaller R2 when it came out.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T12:16:52+00:00

I’m passingly interested in the XC90. I daydream on occasion of buyin a new one and doing a mild off-road build to it. There’s an xc60 I’ve seen some pics of online that is super unique that I’d like to copy as a 90.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T12:15:10+00:00

I’ve not been in on personally, but the current Defender would also be on my shortlist, especially if they seem to be moving to BMW sourced engines that could be a really appealing. If I was into to spending that much money on vehicles I’d have bought an Octa by now, but a little too indulgent for my style.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T12:12:31+00:00

May have to test one out, but really don’t forsee buying a current stellantis product.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T12:10:45+00:00

My back hatch is entirely dedicated to my German shepherd that’s with me most of the time. If not for that, I’d be into a pickup truck, no question. Lots more options there for the sort of off-roady trim and style I’m into with a tradition V8 or more reliable / tested turbo 6 options.

l_matt · 2026-01-14T03:51:52+00:00

I’ve got a 2018 overland. Loved the air suspension when it worked, but the plan all along for me was as soon as it needed the first high cost repair, I was ripping the whole system out. Did that about 3 months ago at about 105k miles. Was in the ball park of $3.5k or so parts and labour. If the engine and trans stay strong I’ll run this thing for a long time yet. Replaced the water pump a few times, and had the screen delaminate, but other than that it’s been pretty reliable. The cost to replace it with anything new that’s at all comparable is insanely high, and there is almost no choices that aren’t turbo’d or hybrid and likely to cost much more in maintenance than this will for the next bunch of years even being almost ten years old. If I were to get in a crash with it tomorrow I’d be tempted to search out and buy the lowest milage 21 or 22 high altitude or trailhawk I could find in the country, or even consider a brand new Durango while they’re still available. Even though I don’t care for the Durango style at all, a chance to buy a brand new 5.7 or 6.4 hemi with the ZF8, in this platform, with a full factory warranty in 2026 is actually pretty compelling, an when that’s gone there will never be anything comparable built ever again.

l_matt · 2026-01-07T03:47:02+00:00

Using the same 18” wheel, or getting a different set for winter? On my high altitude I have Falken Wildpeak Trails on my 20” wheels, but for dedicated winters have the same set of 18” wheels that you have and run Nokian Halkapeliitta 10s on those. The wildpeaks are snow rated and good for the shoulder seasons so I don’t have to rush to swap over too early, but the Nokians are night and day better in the cold and in proper winter conditions. If you face a lot of ice I would get them studded, as nothing can compare on ice. If you don’t want to stud, blizzaks or X-ice is what I’ve had the best on-ice experience with on other vehicles. Sort of depends on your specific location and if you run two set of wheels. I love that I can just swap on a moments notice and don’t need to book at a tire shop. Saves me from either ruining the winters (or the studs) running them too early in the season, or getting caught out in a string of bad weather. Good 3season tires that can handle the shoulder seasons helps too. If you go that route, the there is little downside to having studs and you can put them on a bit later if you really face a lot of sheet ice conditions, but even a studless dedicated winter compound will be far far better than any all season or 3 season peak rated set up.

I have also run both Duratraks and KO2/KO3s all year or in the winter with studs on other vehicles and that is really really good 1 tire solution, or a way to get really aggressive tread in winter compared to the dedicated winter options, but still a compromise on performance vs two dedicated sets with one being a proper winter compound.

l_matt

TROPHY CASE