Useless Conversation

[Paelos]

I tried playing golf in 30-40mph winds. The results were both hilarious and equally imasculating.

[Selby]

The good news is the AC leak had gotten worse and was now, in fact, easier to locate. The bad news is it's a hose behind the dash. Between getting at it, fixing it, and replacing some other AC part that was involved...1700. Goddamn it.

That makes sense.  Sounds like the hose leaking is at the evaporator box and may in fact be a defective box or a not easily serviced box.  Newer cars are notorious for putting these boxes in hard to reach places (years ago it was in the engine compartment and took 4 bolts to get off).  Add in the airbags, glovebox, and ductwork labor to remove and re-install them all without breaking anything and you've got an expensive repair (plus likely why the guys didn't find the leak the first 4 times, it was leaking into the dash behind all that stuff).  The positive side is you shouldn't have to do this again for a good long while if it's done right.  And in the grand scheme of things, if your son is going to drive this car through high school and most of college, it's nice to have it fully functional for him and keep up with the repairs so you don't end up having to get him another one.  This assumes he won't go dumbass on you and wreck it within a year of getting his license (I saw too many kids do that).

I look at it as "I've got to invest X amount of dollars, which is cheaper than Y amount of dollars in car payments" before I decide.  In this case... you've got the car paid off and now that the shifter is fixed, do the AC, it shouldn't need major repairs for another 3-5 years if you keep up with the maintenance.  It is less of a gamble to keep a known history car than go off and buy an unknown used car.

[Rasix]

Power outage from 4-8pm at my home last night.  It was only 111 outside at the time.   

[Sky]

See, if I lose power in the middle of winter, it's a nice relaxing night by the fire.

If you lose power in the summer, it's a hellish night in the fire 

[Rasix]

If I lose power in the winter, it's still t-shirt weather.  But yah, our summers are fucking terrible.  Well, at least it isn't humid, just inhumanely hot.

[Morat20]

The good news is the AC leak had gotten worse and was now, in fact, easier to locate. The bad news is it's a hose behind the dash. Between getting at it, fixing it, and replacing some other AC part that was involved...1700. Goddamn it.

That makes sense.  Sounds like the hose leaking is at the evaporator box and may in fact be a defective box or a not easily serviced box.  Newer cars are notorious for putting these boxes in hard to reach places (years ago it was in the engine compartment and took 4 bolts to get off).  Add in the airbags, glovebox, and ductwork labor to remove and re-install them all without breaking anything and you've got an expensive repair (plus likely why the guys didn't find the leak the first 4 times, it was leaking into the dash behind all that stuff).  The positive side is you shouldn't have to do this again for a good long while if it's done right.  And in the grand scheme of things, if your son is going to drive this car through high school and most of college, it's nice to have it fully functional for him and keep up with the repairs so you don't end up having to get him another one.  This assumes he won't go dumbass on you and wreck it within a year of getting his license (I saw too many kids do that).

I look at it as "I've got to invest X amount of dollars, which is cheaper than Y amount of dollars in car payments" before I decide.  In this case... you've got the car paid off and now that the shifter is fixed, do the AC, it shouldn't need major repairs for another 3-5 years if you keep up with the maintenance.  It is less of a gamble to keep a known history car than go off and buy an unknown used car.

Yeah, evaporator. THAT was the thingy. :)

And I'm not too upset -- it is a good car for him, and it's been relatively cheap to operate and own since we got it. And well, we've told him how "cars" work for kids. "You get THIS one. You want a different one? Buy it. Bear in mind, you want to drive ANY car you pay for your own insurance. Insurance + car payment = no dating money on a teenager's wages." (The fact that it's difficult as shit to have sex in a Volkswagon Beetle is, in fact, just another point in it's favor).

Also there's the "If you wreck it, you're going to have to wait until we have a spare car. Which will be another five or six years.".

[ghost]

Power outage from 4-8pm at my home last night.  It was only 111 outside at the time.   

Remind me again why people choose to live in Arizona.

[Rasix]

Born here.  Have job.  Family (that I care about) is all here.  That's about it. 

It's an easy, relaxing life if you can deal with the poisonous creatures and blistering heat.

[Paelos]

I still say get out while you get the chance. You know, before the whole thing gets overrun by illegals and zombies.

By zombies I mean baby boomers.

[Minvaren]

Power outage from 4-8pm at my home last night.  It was only 111 outside at the time.   

But it's a dry heat.   

[Sky]

it's still t-shirt weather. 

Buncha goddamned hippies.

[Bunk]

I tried playing golf in 30-40mph winds. The results were both hilarious and equally imasculating.

Did that about five years ago when a buddy got us on to Northview for free (our local PGA event holding course). Didn't care about the 30+ mph gusts, we were going to play that course. Pretty much the only people out there. One hole in to the wind had a creek about 80 yards in front of the tee. My tee shot came up short of it. Figure I shot around 140, and we both were glowing red by the end from wind burn.

It was awesome. 

[ghost]

Born here.  Have job.  Family (that I care about) is all here.  That's about it. 

It's an easy, relaxing life if you can deal with the poisonous creatures and blistering heat.

I was just kidding around.  I live somewhere almost equally hot and much less interesting. 

[Bunk]

I was just kidding around.  I live somewhere almost equally hot and much less interesting. 

Than Pheonix? Have you been there?

[ghost]

Phoenix is infinitely more interesting than south Texas.   

[Yegolev]

My personal experience with San Antonio... really Somerset, is that it is a "really dry Alabama" and this isn't interesting to me.  Phoenix was more alien and therefore interesting.  First time I have ever been sprayed with water the entire time I was eating dinner.

[ghost]

Wow.  You've been to Somerset?  You may be the only person that's been there and gotten away..... 

[FatuousTwat]

I am officially a quarter century old.

[WayAbvPar]

My driver's license is a quarter century old, ffs. 

[Lantyssa]

Phoenix is infinitely more interesting than south Texas.   

I love South (and West) Texas.

[ghost]

Phoenix is infinitely more interesting than south Texas.   

I love South (and West) Texas.

Really?  There's not much to do.  Granted, I love the big city amenities that Houston and Dallas have, so I guess different strokes and all that.  Austin is pretty fun.  I like the hill country terrain, but it's a bitch to mountain bike in.  I almost got killed by a rattlesnake last year.  Not only did it almost bite me, it sent me down about 20 feet worth of rocks and cactus.   

[MuffinMan]

Pulled the subject back to Texas. Well done, well done.

[Mazakiel]

Love east and south Texas, loathe west Texas and the panhandle.  I'm hoping to get back to Dallas in the next year or so. 

[Furiously]

I had like 5 trees taken out this December. I have about 1/4 of an alder tree that has been sitting in 3-4 foot rounds in my neighbors bank.. I was finally feeling guilty about that today so I went and got a splitting wedge and a maul.

I got through like 1/2 of it.

Broke the damn maul though.

Using a 4 lb. mallet to break open rounds isn't fun.

[Selby]

Love east and south Texas, loathe west Texas and the panhandle.

I disliked West Texas, the panhandle, and Houston so much I moved out of state and never went back.  I was in San Antonio this week and last and the temperature was 106...

[Nebu]

Texas reminds me of Wyoming.  It's 2% interesting and 98% barren wasteland. 

[Paelos]

That's crap. It's at least 4% interesting. 

[Bunk]

No idea. My only experience with Texas was a couple hikes through the Dallas airport. Lots of people in hats and jeans. Reminded me of Calgary.

[Nebu]

That's crap. It's at least 4% interesting. 

I'll give you an extra 2% for South Padre (Austin being the initial 2%).  I'm not giving another inch though!  

[Paelos]

State Fair in Dallas is worth 1%

[Nebu]

State Fair in Dallas is worth 1%

Do people in Dallas overdress for that like they do a trip to the mall? 

[Paelos]

State Fair in Dallas is worth 1%

Do people in Dallas overdress for that like they do a trip to the mall? 

No. It's quite the opposite view of humanity.

[Lantyssa]

Really?  There's not much to do.

I'm a small town rural girl at heart.  A lot of my youth was spent outdoors in the Hill Country and South and West Texas.  I don't mind sitting outside and just watching the scrub, keeping an eye out for animals, or walking around not doing much.

If I could retire to a small ranch and still have a decent internet connection I'd pretty much be in heaven.

[ghost]

That's crap. It's at least 4% interesting. 

I'll give you an extra 2% for South Padre (Austin being the initial 2%).  I'm not giving another inch though!  

What about the shootings on that lake that crosses over into Mexico?  That's interesting in a train wreck sort of way.

[Minvaren]

That's crap. It's at least 4% interesting. 

I'll give you an extra 2% for South Padre (Austin being the initial 2%).  I'm not giving another inch though!  

Oh come on, the Texas Renaissance Festival is worth another 1%.  40 acres of booze, weapons, and wenches.