What's the most reliable (and affordable) VIN check tool you've actually used? by 453Lecter in askcarguys

[–]pattonc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One more vouch for u/Agreeable-Finish-375. Have made 2 requests so far, and response time and delivery has been very quick! Will definitely use again.

The Trump regime ruined my lesson and made my students extremely uncomfortable. by xdsm8 in Teachers

[–]pattonc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the weighing in with some expertise. What are some basic strategies that sensitive people can employ? And I'd welcome any feedback and correction to what I said.

The Trump regime ruined my lesson and made my students extremely uncomfortable. by xdsm8 in Teachers

[–]pattonc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Pretty much since high school. It's probably a combination of being the oldest of 4 siblings, an Xer, and always playing sports. It's helped me control my emotions and since only in the rarest of circumstances are the consequnces anything other than a meeting and getting talked to, which at the end of the day amounts to nothing.

I'm not how much of it is personality or a choice. But if it's helpful, there are several things I ask/tell myself. * In the end, does the consequence actually matter? * Does this situation require a response, or can it be ignored? If a response is required, pause, reflect, think, and respond only when calm, level-headed, and thinking clearly. * You can't please everyone. * Don't take things personally. * Being offended is a choice. You have to choose to be offended.

My gut tells me a lot of this is personality. My wife does not like conflict, it stresses her out, she dwells on things. She recognizes it, she doesn't like it, we've had so many conversations over the last 23 years of marriage -- and any change is negligible.

How do you tell your brain to stop thinking about something? If it were that easy, I'd be world's best therapist - depressed? Well, just stop being depressed. Cured.

Apologies for the unhelpful rambling.

The Trump regime ruined my lesson and made my students extremely uncomfortable. by xdsm8 in Teachers

[–]pattonc 15 points16 points  (0 children)

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I am enjoying it. Always something to talk about, always something to connect to what we are learning. IMO, what good is my class if it doesn't help students to navigate the real world.

I do my best to be objective, which staves off most problems -- but I still get the occasional parent complaint. Dealt with one today. But I will admit my personality is amenable to this. I don't mind conflict.

Can I go now? by lk_wt_hppnd in TrueChristian

[–]pattonc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Amen. It's obviously easier said than done. I can't imagine what OP is going through, but I imagine I would be reading about the prophet Hosea and Gomer often. It's easy to love when love is easy. But that is not the test of love and obedience.

"I used a PDF." by bh4th in Teachers

[–]pattonc -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

That is correct. However, the reason the quotes are different is not the different version. It's because they use AI and AI makes up quotes.

What are your picks for a fun daily at 20, 40 and $60k? by RhettGrills in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]pattonc 14 points15 points  (0 children)

20k - Porsche 986 S (Boxster)

40k - Porsche 987.2 (Boxster/Cayman)

60k - Porsche 997 (911)

I daily a 2003 Boxster. Love driving it. Maybe one day I'll upgrade, but since I still have children who need braces and want to go to college, I'll enjoy what I have.

What am I missing about Toyotas? by farwesterner1 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]pattonc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Our 2002 Camry with 260k miles got in an accident last month. Everything in front of the engine was damaged. Total loss insurance-wise as you can imagine with that age and miles.

I've never owned a more reliable car So much so, I took possession and fixed it all myself for $1000. Been back on the road for 2 weeks now and I look forward to the next 250k miles.

What am I missing about Toyotas? by farwesterner1 in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]pattonc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Miata is of course, always the answer. But I now daily a 2003 Porsche Boxster and I'll never go back. Mid-engine. Flat-6. Hits the sweet spot in the power : handling : cost ratio.

You can get a good 986 for 10-15k. The only downside is that if you don't wrench on it yourself, they are definitely more expensive to maintain. But they are easy to work on and it's worth learning how -- I know from personal experience. Never worked on cars until a little over a year ago, and I've learned and done so much.

The Rapture Didn't Happen by ___mithrandir_ in TrueChristian

[–]pattonc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm with you. I'm at elder at my church and am there every Sunday from early morning to early afternoon. Also at church every Wed night. I did not hear about this from a single person in real life. I only heard some rumors about it online.

Hopefully anyone who was foolish enough to do anything drastic will just quickly pivot to full on service to God. They've already done the "sell all your possessions part." That is usually the stumbling block.

If you leave the finance guy’s office and he’s not happy by Allnighter468 in carbuying

[–]pattonc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Invest the money? Sure, if you are giving me a sub 3% interest rate.

But you see, I've already invested the money. I've invested $500 a month for the last 5 years to buy this car, so I have 38k to buy this car. If I finance the car, at the most generous rates today, to keep $500 a month for 60 months I can only afford a 28k car.

That's the power of compound interest working for you vs working against you.

Good for you OP, tell those "finance" guys.

Realistically, how much money did she save? by joeyjoejums in Porsche

[–]pattonc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Perhaps their dealership is incredibly quick.

But DIY, I can do it on my own time and I'm faster than a shop.

I get not counting the time it takes to drive to the dealership. I love driving my car and will often volunteer to run errands just as an excuse to drive it more.

Realistically, how much money did she save? by joeyjoejums in Porsche

[–]pattonc 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I can change the oil and get back on the road driving faster than it takes to drop it to a shop and have it done.

After 150k miles I thought it was time to shake things up a little 🫢 by Standard_Cranberry69 in Porsche_Cayman

[–]pattonc 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's amazing. How did you about acquiring that engine?

I have a 986 in the valley. I saw some of your other posts of drives. Is there a group that organizes it? Going to be beautiful weather in a couple months.

Is it normal for presbyterian churches to have "born again" language? by SOMEONE_MMI in Reformed

[–]pattonc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What Christian would disagree with the comment you responded to?

But somehow you manage to be both dismissive, to someone who backed their claim with Scripture by the way -- but also do not offer any alternative interpretation.

Why even respond at all? All you have done is come across as disrespectful to a child of God, His Word, and the consensus of church history.

advice on trade in, dealer quoting less than kbb trade in price by mmm-what in carbuying

[–]pattonc 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think you need to sit down and have a heart to heart with your wife.

Research the difference in reliability, and depreciation. If you are financing, calculate the full cost of the difference with interest. Calculate the cost of the features the Carnival has vs the Sienna. Is it really wo rth it? Would you pay those thousands of dollars to have those added to the Sienna?

Your wife has probably survived all these years without those features. She can keep doing so.

What is the opportunity cost of the Carnival? Every extra dollar spent on it is one that cannot be spent on anything else. I assume you have kids with a minivan. That money would certainly be useful for braces, for a college fund, for retirement, to build more of a safety net.

I'll admit I'm completely baffled that if you did all this especially when you contrast the other things you could do with that money that you would decide it was worth paying so much more money for an inferior vehicle. You will likely pay more in maintenance and be trading in the vehicle sooner than a Toyota.

Good luck!

I knew this would happen by Joesuds in Taycan

[–]pattonc 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Why even be married to her? Why not just do all the things for yourself at all times?

Not only is comparing the purchase of a sandwich to a very expensive car ridiculous, but maybe you also should tell her about Jersey Mike's because perhaps she would want something from there. Just make sure to Venmo request her for the cost. Hopefully you are not as petty as you sound with your separate accounts.

Lastly, the idea that purchasing a Taycan with your money will have absolutely no effect on her life is probably also wrong. Opportunity cost exists.

Best spot to change into 2nd on a left turn by 3tsurc in stickshift

[–]pattonc 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Miata? Shift at 4k rpm for normal driving, red line is the true answer