Karl's Daily Log Book - READ ONLY

2391 messages, Last post on Nov 30, 2005 at 6:50 AM

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What is this discussion about? Coupe, Sedan, SUV

Karl Brauer is the Editor in Chief of Edmunds.com, which means he finds himself in a different vehicle almost every day of the week. If you want a daily road test review regarding the latest cars and trucks to hit the market, along with commentary on everything from auto industry happenings to L.A. drivers to his latest close encounter with Johnny Law, this is the place to be.

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#2312 of 2391 There's some nice by gee35coupe Oct 22, 2005 (11:44 am)
Peaches around here in Georgia too. And there's a lot less plastic too. Replies to this message: bigdaddycoats (Oct 22, 2005 11:50 am)
#2313 of 2391 Re: There's some nice [gee35coupe] by bigdaddycoats Oct 22, 2005 (11:50 am)
Replying to: gee35coupe (Oct 22, 2005 11:44 am) I lived in Athens for about a year - very cool place. Georgia is a beautiful state.
#2314 of 2391 Re: Karl - [splatsterhound] by explorerx4 Oct 22, 2005 (4:20 pm)
Replying to: splatsterhound (Oct 22, 2005 10:38 am) your description of driving from OC to VC reminds me of that sammy hagar song.
#2315 of 2391 California Dreamin' by michaell Oct 24, 2005 (5:37 am)
So sung the Mamas and the Papas about 40 years ago - do ya think they were prophets? I did a reverse Karl .. I grew up in Ventura County, CA and moved to the Denver metro area about 12 years ago. At the time that I moved, single family homes were going for $200K or so, which was completely out of my price range. I bought my first house in Colorado 5 years ago - 1600sf, 3bd, 2.5bath - nothing fancy, but accomodates me, my wife and my teenage stepdaughter just fine. Paid $160K for it then, it's worth probably $210-215K now. Nice appreciation, but nothing like what has happened in CA the last 5 years or so. My folks have lived in Oxnard for 50-60 years ... mom came out when she was 9 (1947, from Tennessee) and Dad was stationed at the Navy base in the mid to late 50's. Growing up, it was a nice town to live it. Nowadays, I can't say the same thing. I went out for a visit in August and was surprised at how much more traffic there is. Mom and Dad's house is close to 40 years old (1450sf, 3bd, 2bath) and is worth in the neighborhood of $500K. My sister and BIL live outside of San Diego. They bought a 3000sf house 2 years ago for just over $500K -- similar houses in their neighborhood are now selling for $950K. I have no idea how they do it ... my BIL is a comptroller and my sister does in-home child care, and they somehow manage the mortgage, a lease payment on a 530i and a payment on a GMC Yukon Denali (my sister told me the car payments alone are $1600/mo - yikes!). I agree with Karl --- all of SoCal is just one big mall, freeway, parking lot or drive thru somethingorother. I cannot imagine anyone who moves to CA from any other part of the country (other than either Manhattan or Honolulu) who could adjust to the cost of housing there. So, what do people do? They move farther away to be able to afford housing, but then they are looking at 60-90-120 minute commutes ... one way. Which, until recently, they were doing in their Explorers/Durangos/Tahoes/Grand Cherokees. What exactly is it about CA that is so appealing to the rest of the country? I can't for the life of me figure it out. Replies to this message: tayl0rd (Oct 24, 2005 9:45 am)
#2316 of 2391 Re: California Dreamin' [michaell] by tayl0rd Oct 24, 2005 (9:45 am)
Replying to: michaell (Oct 24, 2005 5:37 am) What exactly is it about CA that is so appealing to the rest of the country? I don't think it's as appealing to the rest of the country as some Californians think. California is about the last place I'd want to live. However, I'd make a sacrifice to be able to return to western Washington, mainly the area from Bellevue down to Olympia.
#2317 of 2391 "What exactly is it about CA that is so appealing to the rest of the..... by andys120 Oct 24, 2005 (10:17 am)
country?" Well you could start with the weather, or do you think we have Mediterranean climates in New Hampshire or Wisconsin? Replies to this message: tayl0rd (Oct 24, 2005 10:30 am) carlisimo (Oct 24, 2005 11:07 am) xmf314 (Oct 24, 2005 11:29 am) splatsterhound (Oct 24, 2005 1:07 pm) xmf314 (Oct 24, 2005 5:13 pm)
#2319 of 2391 Re: "What exactly is it about CA that is so appealing to the rest of the..... [andys120] by tayl0rd Oct 24, 2005 (10:30 am)
Replying to: andys120 (Oct 24, 2005 10:17 am) You don't think it gets cold in California?? I have first hand experience that it can get plenty cold there in the winter. Replies to this message: carlisimo (Oct 24, 2005 11:07 am)
#2320 of 2391 $1 million 1000 sq ft. house by gee35coupe Oct 24, 2005 (10:51 am)
Just to avoid a little cold and rain. You gotta be kidding me. If I had that much money to spend on a home in Ga I'd have a 5000 sq ft mansion on 30-40 acres of privacy.
#2321 of 2391 Re: "What exactly is it about CA that is so appealing to the rest of the..... [tayl0rd] by carlisimo Oct 24, 2005 (11:07 am)
Replying to: tayl0rd (Oct 24, 2005 10:30 am) "You don't think it gets cold in California?? I have first hand experience that it can get plenty cold there in the winter. " No kidding. I curse the gods every time I have to wear a sweater. And there was this one time I had to wear a "skarph," which appeared to be a Nordic torture device for keeping your neck muscles from relaxing. Another reason for staying if you're already here... well, some of us just like our friends and family that much. And the fact that both members of any couple have to be working means that it's harder to coordinate a move. Never thought I'd be defending my way of life in this manner.