Recent content by duck__dodgers

Pretty crazy how the brain can (needlessly) second-guess itself when there isn't a constant marketing barrage aimed at your eyeballs, isn't it? (talking about the ESP line....which I've never seen any advertising for aside from rebates at the chain auto parts stores and Walmart cash this...

regardless, you earned your karma/St. Peter points! some people need to learn lessons the hard way. it's evitable. maybe you're much younger than me (kinda sounds like it).....i was like you too when I was younger.

I tried to semi-seriously convince my sister-in-law to get an Alienware laptop as her work computer, lol----it has a powerful enough RTX card to overlay your face staring into the camera of a Zoom call even if you are doing other things in real life.

had the same symptoms at around the same mileage on the old babyed CRV that we owned from mile 000003.

Probably to stop infighting among the Shell brands... Don't think Menard's reaches out as far as Colorado----but for people w/a Menard's near them; Menards stocks QS Full Syn at very competitive prices

if you don't follow the suggestions above, get a Xw40 VRP. use this calculator https://olezol.com/mixing-blend-viscosity-calculator if you want to be exceedingly cautious, don't do it for a winter/sub-freezing oil interval. (mixing viscosities for cold performance gets funky) don't keep...

the 2 regular cars "Car Care Nut" has given absolutely glowing reviews: CX-50 hybrid and 2026 Honda Passport, etc). (naturally aspired CX5 gets a very positive review too) compare/contrast those two reviews with his reviews of the Nissan Rogue and Jeep Compass, lol. I like his reviews...

>>>Mitsubishi Outlander Sport. Lots cheaper than Toyondas and way better warranty. OP's part of Texas might not near a Mitsu dealer. And even in many parts of Texas, driving a country mile takes a lot longer than it used too.

if OP's needs really are basic as described in the starter, spending more than $600 (for the tower, not counting displays, accessories) is insane. Computers are like dumbbells, either you're on the low end for needs or you're on the high end and need power for graphics/gaming, video editing...

2025 Mazda CX5 has no cylinder de-activation because supply chain. And Mszda's deactivation is light years ahead of the others in terms of reliability for anyone looking at a used one (assuming good oil change history).

If your needs are basic/typical (no RTX graphics etc.).... $199 for a compact tower. https://www.dellrefurbished.com/?type=&page=category&action=&id=store-dt-small&mode=&search_query=&category=&thumb_sort=store_price.asc

adding this as its own post cuz that's how important it is... forgot about Central TX. test the Mazda A/C on a hot "normal" day. It's a must. No joke. For some people it might a deal-breaker.

do the math w/the numbers in her area, but generally over 15,000 per year favors a hybrid. over 20,000 = no-brainer. (edit: the cx-50 hybrid doesn't get as much MPG as a thought....definitely do the math first, the payback isn't as immediate as with a Prius) and CX-50 hybrids are easier to...

The interior of a Ford Escape feels like a Soviet prison compared to that of a CX5. IMO with only a bit of sarcasm. Looking at the local Honda dealer, to get into the low $30,000s in a Pilot, you gotta look at ones with >60,000 miles. Pilots are great family cars.....but given these...

Most bang for the new car buck is the 2025 CX-5.... (good luck getting discounts on a 2026 RAV4) unless she has some big boys or the kids are in activities with lots of stuff.....then the CX5 is likely too small and for the same money, I'd get a used Highlander or Pilot(IMO). And if you get a...