^ yes and there are tons of them. The nearest elementary school near me has 3 crossing guards at the same time. Half the time I see them assisting mothers who are walking with their kids. So annoying.
They carry a big round Stop sign on a stick that resembles a lolly pop.
Speaking of cars, there was a post where CFAvsMBA asked for advice on how to negotiate when buying and hpracing chimed in. Does anyone have a link of that post? I can’t find it. I’m thinking of buying my first car in the next year.
^ i think it was titled “Yo, hp”
Edit: Bingo - http://www.analystforum.com/forums/water-cooler/91329443
^ Thanks!
So Crossing Guard > Plumber > Top2 MBA > CFA?
Former NBA great Adrian Dantley seems to think so.
http://deadspin.com/why-is-one-of-the-nbas-all-time-greatest-scorers-worki-453840265
Alright boys. What do I buy? I’m supplementing our 2 SUV household with a sedan of some kind. Need something better on gas with the longer commute to my new job (currently burning 14-15L/100km or about 16mpg). I may or may not keep both our existing SUVs. Also remember I live in the far Arctic so climate considerations are at play. Snowmobile is a reasonable suggestion. I can afford pretty much anything sub Ferrari, but I’m cheap and want good value. I may be interested in drifting into the luxury space, but if I can get a sweet ride without spending > $50k I’m happy. I’m not one to buy a brand for a brand, but I want a respectable nice looking ride that performs well. Looking at maybe new but preferably slightly used (2012 or newer).
^ AWD Lexus IS 350
My list, given the above criteria:
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2014 Honda Accord 4 cylinder.
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Volvo S60, T5 if used. Drive-E super/turbo is new.
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Audi A6.
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Toyota Prius, if you do not drive 80 mph.
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Volkswagen CC - no one wants to pay for non-luxury badge, those these sell cheap.
^ That’s a big mix in price. The A6/CC are both huge. I’m looking for something small or mid size at most. I have at least one SUV to haul the family or anything on the weekends. View this as primarily a commuter. Prius? That’d get me killed in the Texas of the North. Accord is on my list, and the Volvo is worth a more detailed look. Higgmond: the IS350 AWD is on my radar. But, the price! $52k versus say $42k for a comparably equipped A3 2.0T Quattro. Even used, a 2011 here with 50,000km is quoted at $38.5k. Seems pricey. Is it worth it? That IS grille is not my favourite thing either
I am strongly opposed to this one. I had one of these unreliable death traps.
Least douchy? Maybach
@Geo - since you’re neighbors with Santa, is 4WD a necessity? That will probably elminate a lot of choices.
You did not provide a range of prices, or any criteria other than that you have a long commute. Thus, I provided a range of vehicles that I thought were suitable for this broad purpose.
The fact that you are comparing an IS350 to an A3 quattro shows that you are open to a wide range of option; those two cars are very different. One has a much more powerful engine and is in a larger size category. That is why there is such a large price difference.
If you are considering a Lexus IS350, you should also consider the BMW 328i or Cadillac ATS (if you wear your hat backwards). While the Lexus is reliable and luxurious, it fails due to its outdated powertrain that is mediocre for its class. Lexus packages last generation’s engines in the IS350 and IS250, so these cars are less refined and less efficient than their competitors. If you are considering an Audi A4, you might want to wait until next year to preview the new model of this car.
If you are considering an Audi A3, also look into the Volkswagen GTI or Golf R, BMW 320i, Mercedes GLA (it’s really a hatchback and just an SUV on paper), BMW X1, or Acura TLX.
If you are considering a Honda Accord, also consider the Mazda6. The Mazda provides equal value and quality given the price, and is considered to be more dynamically rewarding.
^ Yes, I’m open to a pretty wide range of options. This gives me a good list to research further. I want something mid-sized or smaller, fun to drive, better on gas. Thoughts on new TLX versus low mileage 2013 TSX? Can save $15k+ with the used. Worth it?
We currently have 2 4WD SUVs in the house and we may keep both. When conditions are extremely poor, I’d drive one of those. That said, all else equal, I prefer AWD options.
Since the TLX is not yet available for sale, it is hard to compare this car to older cars which have undergone yearly revisions and have lots of reliability data. However, early reviews have praised the TLX for its handling, technology, and value, even if it is not quite as nice or as fast as (more expensive) German cars. At $35k (US) with the Technology Package, the TLX is practically a steal relative to its entry luxury competitors.
As a former Acura owner, I sympathize with reviews of the last generation of TSX and TL, which broadly conclude that the cars are decent, but lack any distinguishing features that distance them from other cars. While the TSX is an ok car, based on current information, I would choose the TLX, which so far looks like a truly good car that can be bought for an attainable price.
Unfortunately, if you need AWD with the TLX, you will have to choose the 6 cylinder engine with a 7 speed automatic. Not only will this provide worse value than the 4 cylinder car, but you will not have Acura’s new, and supposedly pretty great, 8 speed dual clutch transmission.
Rather than the TSX, I would compare the TLX to an Accord EX-L. The TLX is ultimately just a very nice Accord. If you go onto Acura forums, some commenters have gone so far as to itemize the feature difference between the two cars and quantify the value difference in dollar terms. Most of these analyses have concluded that the two cars are comparable in value for money. The difference is whether you desire the additional features that are offered in the TLX.
Given that Honda resale prices are very good, you might not save that much money by buying a 1 or 2 year old car, compared to a new car. Since the TSX will be discontinued after this year, this might drive resale values up also.
Infiniti G37…?
Personally, I’ve never owned anything but a truck. However, if I was in the market for a slightly used car, I would look at the infiniti G37 (has an AWD option), or the Acura TL (may have an AWD option).
I like Infiniti G37, but the fuel economy is pretty miserable, the engine is loud, and the ride is hard. Thus, compared to other cars, it is unsuitable for commuting.