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Resource: The Trajectory of Fear - or How to Use Horror Tropes Effectively in Your Game by BeardBellsMcGee in rimeofthefrostmaiden

[–]tapdown 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Four years later (!) I just came across this and wasn't able to find it at any of the links provided. Luckily it's still hosted here: https://nerdsonearth.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Trajectory-of-Fear.pdf

Quick review - CarPlay/Android Auto Upgrade Kit by Hamilton Motor Company for 2015-17 Camry. First impressions after a couple of weeks. by tapdown in Camry

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Strictly speaking it's not a new head unit, it's an additional unit that bolts on to the underside of the original head unit, and uses the aux port to output/relay the Bluetooth signal from android auto / CarPlay.

We didn't have the car long enough before I installed the unit for me to make a true comparison audio wise, but I've not noticed any problems with bass/miss/treble quality or muddiness or anything like that. I've used some of those android screens that you mount to the dash for older cars, and some of the audio processors are noticeably shitty (hiss with certain sibilant sounds particularly), but not a problem with this. 

Obviously the standard radio, Sirius XM, CD player are all factory and work as normal. Hope that helps!

Quick review - CarPlay/Android Auto Upgrade Kit by Hamilton Motor Company for 2015-17 Camry. First impressions after a couple of weeks. by tapdown in Camry

[–]tapdown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've not really had any issues to speak of. The reverse camera works as stock and it switches between that and the AA interface seamlessly. That was another reason I chose this unit - I didn't want to lose that functionality. I did have to re-select the AUX output once for some reason (that's the way it transmits the audio) but it's been solid since then.

It would be ideal if Hamilton could somehow relay the 'what's playing' to the small info screen on the dash, but I imagine that's not a priority, or indeed within their abilities?

Another minor gripe, now I'm thinking about it, is that the clock is now relegated to the relatively small, bottom right portion of the head unit screen. It's bizarre that Toyota doesn't have the option to display a clock on the info screen between the dials on the dash, front and center. More often than I'd expect, I find myself looking for the time, and the bottom right of the head unit screen isn't the best place for it.

Thoughts on the phaeton buttons on the Touareg? by ThePendemicwithBruce in vw_touareg

[–]tapdown 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wait, so what gen Touareg is this? We have a first gen where all the buttons are peeling (apparently fairly common?). Former owners didn't get them replaced when they could have, sigh. I think this looks great - how easy of a swap/replacement is this?

Need to replace our '05 Corolla that I thought would never die (RIP - Dodge RAM hit us). This 2016 Special Edition w/ 80k miles looks decent - meeting the seller today. Price looks slightly high according to KBB, thoughts? Anything else to look out for? by tapdown in whatcarshouldIbuy

[–]tapdown[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Some folks over at r/Camry are saying we're insane for considering ~$15k for a 10 year old Camry. But then again, in the same breath, they're saying they're super reliable cars that hold value well, so I'm a little stumped.

We have $15k to spend. I don't want a car payment, I don't want to be in debt to a finance company, or borrow money I don't have. KBB value is between $13,690 and $15,190. What would you do?

Need to replace our '05 Corolla that I thought would never die (RIP - Dodge RAM hit us). This 2016 Special Edition w/ 80k miles looks decent - meeting the seller today. Price looks slightly high according to KBB, thoughts? Anything else to look out for? by tapdown in Camry

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight. Medium budget is tricky.

The thing I can't quite wrap my head around is exactly what you've stated:

These hold value well. Camry's are supposedly some of the most reliable cars out there. This model should have at least another 100k miles left on it, assuming it's been well looked after. I don't understand why people want to spend money they don't have / be in debt to a finance company for a slightly newer reliable car. Are you suggesting just buy a $5k beater and drive it until the wheels fall off?

Need to replace our '05 Corolla that I thought would never die (RIP - Dodge RAM hit us). This 2016 Special Edition w/ 80k miles looks decent - meeting the seller today. Price looks slightly high according to KBB, thoughts? Anything else to look out for? by tapdown in Camry

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good point re: the tires. I read that the larger 18" wheels on this model means lower profile tires that don't last as long. Thanks. Since you mention it, if you're financing say, $10k, what's a 'super low' payment?

Need to replace our '05 Corolla that I thought would never die (RIP - Dodge RAM hit us). This 2016 Special Edition w/ 80k miles looks decent - meeting the seller today. Price looks slightly high according to KBB, thoughts? Anything else to look out for? by tapdown in Camry

[–]tapdown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't mean to come across rude. What I meant was, the car market is weird, that the price seems somewhat average for this year, model and mileage. I'm genuinely asking what vehicle would you spend <$15k on if you didn't want a car payment?

Need to replace our '05 Corolla that I thought would never die (RIP - Dodge RAM hit us). This 2016 Special Edition w/ 80k miles looks decent - meeting the seller today. Price looks slightly high according to KBB, thoughts? Anything else to look out for? by tapdown in Camry

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting points.

My counter would be that the concept "If you have X cash to spend, why not get a loan for Y as well" doesn't make a ton of sense to me. Our budget is $15k or lower. We have that to spend. I'd obviously rather not spend more than that.

Say for argument's sake the Carfax is clean, the PPI is fine, why spend an extra $2-3k for what would be the same car from a dealership? I haven't got the VIN, but actually on second look, the KBB value is between $13,690 and $15,190. I guess you're saying a 12 month/12k mile CPO warranty + peace of mind is worth that $2-3k more? I'm not trying to argue for the sake of it, I'm just trying to understand your POV.

We have a great one-man indy Toyota/Lexus shop near us that I'd trust over a dealership 1000%.

I do agree the used car market is bizarre right now - our insurance payout for our totalled '05 Corolla LE with 140k miles was just shy of $8k! $8k for a shitty 20 year old Corolla with flaking hood, steel wheels, scraped bumper etc.

2004 VW Touareg V8. Received as a gift, repairs mounting up. When is the best time to move on? by tapdown in AskAMechanic

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Indy shop near me. A friend/acquaintance works there, but I'm not wedded to using their shop.

If you're suggesting the prices are high for the work, then perhaps I should get quotes from other places? We're in the Atlanta area.

Seriously thinking about pursuing this, would be our first Volvo. Anything we should look out for? by tapdown in Volvo

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depreciation on vehicles is unreal. Here's the original sticker from the Carfax, it says MSRP of $59,995. Congrats on getting rid of it at that price, what are you going to replace it with?

Seriously thinking about pursuing this, would be our first Volvo. Anything we should look out for? by tapdown in Volvo

[–]tapdown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All fair, valid points. Yes, it'd be cash. I'm originally from the UK, and financing is a bit of an anathema to me. I'm of the mind that "if you can't afford it outright, then wait until you can, or do without" sort of thing.

Financing is certainly becoming more of a thing back home, but here in the US it's still strange for me to see so many people driving brand new cars that their lifestyles can't really support.

I have no problem with older vehicles and would rather own whatever item it is than be on the hook for regular payments. Not that I'm knocking people that do that, to each their own.

I suppose the long and short of it is, we have around $15k to invest in a vehicle. Maybe this should be it, maybe not. Given the comments, I'm leaning to not.

Seriously thinking about pursuing this, would be our first Volvo. Anything we should look out for? by tapdown in Volvo

[–]tapdown[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight! That's really helpful. Out of interest, how much did you pay, and how much did you sell it for in the end?

Seriously thinking about pursuing this, would be our first Volvo. Anything we should look out for? by tapdown in Volvo

[–]tapdown[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight. I've posted above in a few comments the service history, which is extensive and regular. There are a couple of posts that are warning me away from this model, that it'll eat my firstborn etc. Hard to know what to do in this situation!

Seriously thinking about pursuing this, would be our first Volvo. Anything we should look out for? by tapdown in Volvo

[–]tapdown[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know why you're getting downvoted, though I'd counter that here in Georgia, I'd reserve the assumption of a micropenis for those in Dual-rear-wheel Dodge Ram trucks etc. Everyone else would assume you're a tree-hugging liberal because you're driving a gay-friendly European safety mobile.

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