OT: Car Buying Advice

[eavesdropper]

[quote=bearishgurl]eavesdropper, it was 2004, for the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was beautiful and my youngest kid loved touring all the monuments with her cousin. Easter Sunday was a cold 39 degrees – LOL.

I was visiting my dear younger sister who lived in MD. She was a very successful controller for a large defense contractor there – not far from DC. She was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in Jan. 2007 and lasted 10 mos. after that. She had the same exact medical insurance policy as the Presidential Cabinet, yet nothing could be done for her. She was treated by the finest hospitals in the country (UMMC Cancer Center and Johns Hopkins) but it didn’t matter.

With a Masters Degree in Taxation, she left behind a spouse of 27 yrs., two teenage sons, a $1M life policy from work, approx. $3.25M in Fidelity funds and a large paid-for house. None of it matters to me because she’s gone. She was a math whiz at 14 and planned her life perfectly from the get go and benefited from her planning (up to a point) and then . . . it was all over . . . quickly.

She valiantly tried to survive for her first son’s HS graduation . . . to no avail. There is no cure at stage 4 . . . it was too late.

I still think of her every day.[/quote]

bearishgurl, I’m sorry to have asked a question that resulted in painful memories for you, and I am sorry that you and your family have gone through this experience.

Your sister did everything right. Cancer is a crapshoot, no matter what type, what grade, what stage. With all of the information we have uncovered about cancer at its cellular level in the last 20 years, there is still so much about these diseases that we don’t know. However, the one painful, but valuable lesson that many cancer patients learn is the one you cite: you can plan out your life to the most infinitestimal detail, but, at any time, anything can come along and cast you adrift. It can take a long while to come to the realization that you have no control, and that all you can do is hang on for the ride, however long it may last.

It’s been ten years for me, and every day, in and of itself, is a gift. Much as that might sound like a Hallmark card, I’m not trying to come off as platitudinous. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel like I’ve received a UPS delivery from Neiman Marcus…like having Christmas 365 days a year. It’ll be like that until something else comes along that makes me grab onto that rope.

I’m sorry for your painful memories, but I hope that 2004 won’t be your last Cherry Blossom Festival. Washington DC needs more visitors with rabbit fur jackets and Ditto jeans.

[FormerOwner]

bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident in it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-serviced Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.

[FormerOwner]

bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident in it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-serviced Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.

[FormerOwner]

bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident in it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-serviced Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.

[FormerOwner]

bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident in it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-serviced Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.

[FormerOwner]

bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident in it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-serviced Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=FormerOwner]bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident it it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-services Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.[/quote]

Yes, FormerOwner, the LS-400 is “built like a tank” and “floats like a boat.” I’ve been on plenty of long road trips to prove this point (my veh. has 175K on it). Plain and simple, if you are driving one of these and broadsided by a one-ton pickup at high speed, the doors will NOT cave in and you will NOT die.

I don’t see how big people like Ricechex’s friend are scrunching themselves into economy cars made of “aluminum foil.”

Not sure when the LS-400 turned into the LS-430, but think the LS-430 may be shorter by 2-3 feet (have a shorter trunk).

[bearishgurl]

[quote=FormerOwner]bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident it it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-services Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.[/quote]

Yes, FormerOwner, the LS-400 is “built like a tank” and “floats like a boat.” I’ve been on plenty of long road trips to prove this point (my veh. has 175K on it). Plain and simple, if you are driving one of these and broadsided by a one-ton pickup at high speed, the doors will NOT cave in and you will NOT die.

I don’t see how big people like Ricechex’s friend are scrunching themselves into economy cars made of “aluminum foil.”

Not sure when the LS-400 turned into the LS-430, but think the LS-430 may be shorter by 2-3 feet (have a shorter trunk).

[bearishgurl]

[quote=FormerOwner]bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident it it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-services Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.[/quote]

Yes, FormerOwner, the LS-400 is “built like a tank” and “floats like a boat.” I’ve been on plenty of long road trips to prove this point (my veh. has 175K on it). Plain and simple, if you are driving one of these and broadsided by a one-ton pickup at high speed, the doors will NOT cave in and you will NOT die.

I don’t see how big people like Ricechex’s friend are scrunching themselves into economy cars made of “aluminum foil.”

Not sure when the LS-400 turned into the LS-430, but think the LS-430 may be shorter by 2-3 feet (have a shorter trunk).

[bearishgurl]

[quote=FormerOwner]bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident it it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-services Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.[/quote]

Yes, FormerOwner, the LS-400 is “built like a tank” and “floats like a boat.” I’ve been on plenty of long road trips to prove this point (my veh. has 175K on it). Plain and simple, if you are driving one of these and broadsided by a one-ton pickup at high speed, the doors will NOT cave in and you will NOT die.

I don’t see how big people like Ricechex’s friend are scrunching themselves into economy cars made of “aluminum foil.”

Not sure when the LS-400 turned into the LS-430, but think the LS-430 may be shorter by 2-3 feet (have a shorter trunk).

[bearishgurl]

[quote=FormerOwner]bearishgurl is right about Lexus. I’ve got a 12 year old Lexus LS400 with 160,000 miles on it that runs and drives better than most new cars and its built like a tank. It’s a V8 with 290hp but it still gets 25+ mpg on the highway on long trips. I still take it on long road-trips and am completely confident it it. As long as you have documentation of the maintenance history (which dealer-services Lexus vehicles will always have) and you can see it’s been properly maintained and never crashed, a used Lexus LS400 or LS430 is a screaming deal. It’s also a very roomy car, especially the ones built from 1995 and on which have more headroom.[/quote]

Yes, FormerOwner, the LS-400 is “built like a tank” and “floats like a boat.” I’ve been on plenty of long road trips to prove this point (my veh. has 175K on it). Plain and simple, if you are driving one of these and broadsided by a one-ton pickup at high speed, the doors will NOT cave in and you will NOT die.

I don’t see how big people like Ricechex’s friend are scrunching themselves into economy cars made of “aluminum foil.”

Not sure when the LS-400 turned into the LS-430, but think the LS-430 may be shorter by 2-3 feet (have a shorter trunk).

[bearishgurl]

[quote=eavesdropper] . . . However, the one painful, but valuable lesson that many cancer patients learn is the one you cite: you can plan out your life to the most infinitestimal detail, but, at any time, anything can come along and cast you adrift. It can take a long while to come to the realization that you have no control, and that all you can do is hang on for the ride, however long it may last.[/quote]

Thank you for saying this for me, eavesdropper. I sometimes feel as if I’m preaching here.

[quote=eavesdropper]It’s been ten years for me, and every day, in and of itself, is a gift. Much as that might sound like a Hallmark card, I’m not trying to come off as platitudinous. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel like I’ve received a UPS delivery from Neiman Marcus…like having Christmas 365 days a year. It’ll be like that until something else comes along that makes me grab onto that rope. [/quote]

eavesdropper, you are the champ extraordinanaire! Your attitude is awesome and I, for one, greatly admire it!

[quote=eavesdropper]I’m sorry for your painful memories, but I hope that 2004 won’t be your last Cherry Blossom Festival. Washington DC needs more visitors with rabbit fur jackets and Ditto jeans.[/quote]

I don’t think I can find the white vinyl rabbit fur concoction anymore but can probably find the Dittos on the internet, one size up, of course, and my youngest can loan me the other accessories. I’d love to come back and visit! Haven’t asked but perhaps my (ex) brother-in-law and nephews would host me!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=eavesdropper] . . . However, the one painful, but valuable lesson that many cancer patients learn is the one you cite: you can plan out your life to the most infinitestimal detail, but, at any time, anything can come along and cast you adrift. It can take a long while to come to the realization that you have no control, and that all you can do is hang on for the ride, however long it may last.[/quote]

Thank you for saying this for me, eavesdropper. I sometimes feel as if I’m preaching here.

[quote=eavesdropper]It’s been ten years for me, and every day, in and of itself, is a gift. Much as that might sound like a Hallmark card, I’m not trying to come off as platitudinous. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel like I’ve received a UPS delivery from Neiman Marcus…like having Christmas 365 days a year. It’ll be like that until something else comes along that makes me grab onto that rope. [/quote]

eavesdropper, you are the champ extraordinanaire! Your attitude is awesome and I, for one, greatly admire it!

[quote=eavesdropper]I’m sorry for your painful memories, but I hope that 2004 won’t be your last Cherry Blossom Festival. Washington DC needs more visitors with rabbit fur jackets and Ditto jeans.[/quote]

I don’t think I can find the white vinyl rabbit fur concoction anymore but can probably find the Dittos on the internet, one size up, of course, and my youngest can loan me the other accessories. I’d love to come back and visit! Haven’t asked but perhaps my (ex) brother-in-law and nephews would host me!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=eavesdropper] . . . However, the one painful, but valuable lesson that many cancer patients learn is the one you cite: you can plan out your life to the most infinitestimal detail, but, at any time, anything can come along and cast you adrift. It can take a long while to come to the realization that you have no control, and that all you can do is hang on for the ride, however long it may last.[/quote]

Thank you for saying this for me, eavesdropper. I sometimes feel as if I’m preaching here.

[quote=eavesdropper]It’s been ten years for me, and every day, in and of itself, is a gift. Much as that might sound like a Hallmark card, I’m not trying to come off as platitudinous. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel like I’ve received a UPS delivery from Neiman Marcus…like having Christmas 365 days a year. It’ll be like that until something else comes along that makes me grab onto that rope. [/quote]

eavesdropper, you are the champ extraordinanaire! Your attitude is awesome and I, for one, greatly admire it!

[quote=eavesdropper]I’m sorry for your painful memories, but I hope that 2004 won’t be your last Cherry Blossom Festival. Washington DC needs more visitors with rabbit fur jackets and Ditto jeans.[/quote]

I don’t think I can find the white vinyl rabbit fur concoction anymore but can probably find the Dittos on the internet, one size up, of course, and my youngest can loan me the other accessories. I’d love to come back and visit! Haven’t asked but perhaps my (ex) brother-in-law and nephews would host me!

[bearishgurl]

[quote=eavesdropper] . . . However, the one painful, but valuable lesson that many cancer patients learn is the one you cite: you can plan out your life to the most infinitestimal detail, but, at any time, anything can come along and cast you adrift. It can take a long while to come to the realization that you have no control, and that all you can do is hang on for the ride, however long it may last.[/quote]

Thank you for saying this for me, eavesdropper. I sometimes feel as if I’m preaching here.

[quote=eavesdropper]It’s been ten years for me, and every day, in and of itself, is a gift. Much as that might sound like a Hallmark card, I’m not trying to come off as platitudinous. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t feel like I’ve received a UPS delivery from Neiman Marcus…like having Christmas 365 days a year. It’ll be like that until something else comes along that makes me grab onto that rope. [/quote]

eavesdropper, you are the champ extraordinanaire! Your attitude is awesome and I, for one, greatly admire it!

[quote=eavesdropper]I’m sorry for your painful memories, but I hope that 2004 won’t be your last Cherry Blossom Festival. Washington DC needs more visitors with rabbit fur jackets and Ditto jeans.[/quote]

I don’t think I can find the white vinyl rabbit fur concoction anymore but can probably find the Dittos on the internet, one size up, of course, and my youngest can loan me the other accessories. I’d love to come back and visit! Haven’t asked but perhaps my (ex) brother-in-law and nephews would host me!

[Author]

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