What is expensive?
Jun 5th 2003 | 6:15 am
#76
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Re: my $0.02
Originally posted by stevelisaw They are made poorly because of where most of them are assembled.....which isn't in the US, but the labor is far cheaper elsewhere. ....
Jun 5th 2003 | 6:28 am
#77
.
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,933
From: Where bad things rarely happen in movies
Re: my $0.02
Originally posted by Pulaski
Both Honda and Ford warranties specify 5,000 miles; I guess that it is the same for other manufacturers too. The 3,000 mile oil change is just marketing by the service centers.
Both Honda and Ford warranties specify 5,000 miles; I guess that it is the same for other manufacturers too. The 3,000 mile oil change is just marketing by the service centers.
Jun 5th 2003 | 6:34 am
#78
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Re: my $0.02
Originally posted by Yorkieabroad
Our Honda is every 7500 miles, ....
Our Honda is every 7500 miles, ....
As my commute is on close to level main roads and interstate, I am considering going to a 10,000 mile service cycle, and keeping an eye on the fluid levels and the color of the oil on the dipstick.
Jun 5th 2003 | 9:22 am
#79
Guest
Posts: n/a
Golly you all sound a bit posh 
We live in a rented apartment. The bed we have is the one Garth has had since forever, the dishwasher comes with the place. His mum made our quilts and my mum brought us curtains this Easter. The washing machines are round the corner in the laundry building. They go round and round when you put in enough coins.
Some stuff works better, some stuff doesn't. I brought my cheese slicer, some photos and as many of my kids' toys as I could carry. Does stuff really matter that much?
I didn't come here for a better standard of living. But it turns out I have one. My kids can come in from school, chuck off their clothes and jump in the swimming pool. I don't get rained on everytime I walk outdoors. The girls have seen the SAME doctor every time they've needed care. They get to call her by her first name and she takes the time to talk to them (that NEVER happened in Britain). I've found it hard to come to turns with paying up every time we see a doc, it's true, but I guess you get what you pay for.
They're taught at school to behave respectfully and regardless of the propaganda the education so far is MUCH more comprehensive than the one they got in Britain. Instead of one teacher to cover two year groups for every subject they have homeroom teachers, music teachers, a coach, an art teacher, librarian (and a LIBRARY!) and computer teacher.
We don't have a car like I did in England and I guess that's been the toughest change. But it only really bothers me when the kids are sick and I don't want to drag them on a train and fortunately there's usually someone willing to give us a lift.
The school bus system is ace. The afterschool care means when I finally get that SSN (grrrr) I'll be able to work.
I know, I know, I'm way off topic but I'll tell you FWIW what's expensive. Expensive is your kid needing surgery and you getting it free but having to wait months on end in Britain. Cheap at the price for me is paying your hundred bucks co-pay and getting it done next week by people who treat your kid like a kid rather than something on a production line.
No contest!
I like it here - can you tell?
Regards
-=-
Scarlett
We live in a rented apartment. The bed we have is the one Garth has had since forever, the dishwasher comes with the place. His mum made our quilts and my mum brought us curtains this Easter. The washing machines are round the corner in the laundry building. They go round and round when you put in enough coins.Some stuff works better, some stuff doesn't. I brought my cheese slicer, some photos and as many of my kids' toys as I could carry. Does stuff really matter that much?
I didn't come here for a better standard of living. But it turns out I have one. My kids can come in from school, chuck off their clothes and jump in the swimming pool. I don't get rained on everytime I walk outdoors. The girls have seen the SAME doctor every time they've needed care. They get to call her by her first name and she takes the time to talk to them (that NEVER happened in Britain). I've found it hard to come to turns with paying up every time we see a doc, it's true, but I guess you get what you pay for.
They're taught at school to behave respectfully and regardless of the propaganda the education so far is MUCH more comprehensive than the one they got in Britain. Instead of one teacher to cover two year groups for every subject they have homeroom teachers, music teachers, a coach, an art teacher, librarian (and a LIBRARY!) and computer teacher.
We don't have a car like I did in England and I guess that's been the toughest change. But it only really bothers me when the kids are sick and I don't want to drag them on a train and fortunately there's usually someone willing to give us a lift.
The school bus system is ace. The afterschool care means when I finally get that SSN (grrrr) I'll be able to work.
I know, I know, I'm way off topic but I'll tell you FWIW what's expensive. Expensive is your kid needing surgery and you getting it free but having to wait months on end in Britain. Cheap at the price for me is paying your hundred bucks co-pay and getting it done next week by people who treat your kid like a kid rather than something on a production line.
No contest!
I like it here - can you tell?
Regards
-=-
Scarlett
Jun 5th 2003 | 9:37 am
#80
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 906
From: UK Citizen Now In Baltimore County USA
Originally posted by ScarlettHill
The school bus system is ace. The afterschool care means when I finally get that SSN (grrrr) I'll be able to work.
Regards
-=-
Scarlett
The school bus system is ace. The afterschool care means when I finally get that SSN (grrrr) I'll be able to work.
Regards
-=-
Scarlett
Jun 5th 2003 | 9:49 am
#81
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally posted by robclews
If I didn't know better I would say the SS# situation is begining to get to you.
If I didn't know better I would say the SS# situation is begining to get to you.
SSSSSSSS'not getting to me?
Why would you think ssssssuch a thing?????
I am calm
I am collected
But mainly I am ignoring the fact I have an essay due. I can feel the contractions but I just keep right on typing
ssssssssssssso ner!
Regards
-=-
Scarlett
Last edited by ScarlettHill; Jun 5th 2003 at 9:51 am.
Jun 5th 2003 | 9:56 pm
#82
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 802
From: Birmingham, USA
I have a Jeep. The first time I slid under it, I noticed MADE IN JAPAN is stamped into the transmission!
The oil changes: the way to do it is to CHECK THE OIL 3000 -5000 miles after you changed it (or after long trips or frequently)to see how darkened it is. Oil that is black and sludgy has obviously lost its properties and requires immediate changing. It would be good to change it before then. You can use the mileage as a guide.
Jeeps have an oil pressure gauge, instead of just an oil light, which is really helpful in knowing how the oil is performing.
DON'T FORGET COOLANT TOPOFF AND REPLACING THE RADIATOR HOSES. The cooling systems always seem to break down after a while when you get the mileage up.. either a hairline fracture on the radiator, a busted thermostat, or a cracked hose. The leaks are not usually easy to spot or only spurt when you rev the engine to 5000 rpm.
.. and get the timing belt changed at 100,000 or the engine won't last
The oil changes: the way to do it is to CHECK THE OIL 3000 -5000 miles after you changed it (or after long trips or frequently)to see how darkened it is. Oil that is black and sludgy has obviously lost its properties and requires immediate changing. It would be good to change it before then. You can use the mileage as a guide.
Jeeps have an oil pressure gauge, instead of just an oil light, which is really helpful in knowing how the oil is performing.
DON'T FORGET COOLANT TOPOFF AND REPLACING THE RADIATOR HOSES. The cooling systems always seem to break down after a while when you get the mileage up.. either a hairline fracture on the radiator, a busted thermostat, or a cracked hose. The leaks are not usually easy to spot or only spurt when you rev the engine to 5000 rpm.
.. and get the timing belt changed at 100,000 or the engine won't last
Originally posted by frrussre
That’s a nice half hearted “Oops sorry�.
Finished off with a reverse sales pitch. "I'm not saying it fits you Frank, but if it does..................................."
I personally come on the boards to give, receive some guidance & help to other fellow travelers. For some good hearted banter & a few laughs. Sniping & derogatory remarks, are sad & pointless & spoil the threads.
Reg. Frank R.
Ps. I agree with the comments about crazy Auto servicing 3000 miles/3 months. Jeep in NYC is $99 + tx per hour. Oil change & tire rotate is $108. When I bought a Honda, my Insurance Co said it is a foreign car. I said no, made in OHIO. They said Japanese. I said that’s silly many American cars are made in Mexico. They said still an American cars.
ODD.
That’s a nice half hearted “Oops sorry�.
Finished off with a reverse sales pitch. "I'm not saying it fits you Frank, but if it does..................................."
I personally come on the boards to give, receive some guidance & help to other fellow travelers. For some good hearted banter & a few laughs. Sniping & derogatory remarks, are sad & pointless & spoil the threads.
Reg. Frank R.
Ps. I agree with the comments about crazy Auto servicing 3000 miles/3 months. Jeep in NYC is $99 + tx per hour. Oil change & tire rotate is $108. When I bought a Honda, my Insurance Co said it is a foreign car. I said no, made in OHIO. They said Japanese. I said that’s silly many American cars are made in Mexico. They said still an American cars.
ODD.
Last edited by jaytee; Jun 5th 2003 at 11:18 pm.
Jun 5th 2003 | 10:20 pm
#83
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 802
From: Birmingham, USA
Re: my $0.02
Originally posted by stevelisaw
They are made poorly because of where most of them are assembled.....which isn't in the US, but the labor is far cheaper elsewhere. So when Americans think buying a ford or chevy is buying American, they need to really look at what they are purchasing.
And buying honda or toyota......you could be purchasing a car that was made in the US.....confusing eh?
Oh forgot to add......the 3000 miles or every three months.....Steve too feels it's a rip off.
Lisa
They are made poorly because of where most of them are assembled.....which isn't in the US, but the labor is far cheaper elsewhere. So when Americans think buying a ford or chevy is buying American, they need to really look at what they are purchasing.
And buying honda or toyota......you could be purchasing a car that was made in the US.....confusing eh?
Oh forgot to add......the 3000 miles or every three months.....Steve too feels it's a rip off.
Lisa
DON'T BUY A DOMESTIC CAR. THEY ARE JUNK.
If you bought something like a Ford Taurus in 2000 it would have cost you over $21,000 new. You'd be lucky to get 5 or 6 grand for it now. Hondas and Toyotas not only are reliable, but have a high resale value. Even something from 91 with lots of mileage goes for several grand.
Jun 5th 2003 | 11:29 pm
#84
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 37
Anyone have a URL with a good and comprehensive rundown of the personal tax system in the US? (NY area). I understand how it basically works, I want to just clarify a few things.
As an aside, if you earn over £34,000 in the UK, personal tax becomes quite bad. The Govt take 40% of anything over £34k.
As an aside, if you earn over £34,000 in the UK, personal tax becomes quite bad. The Govt take 40% of anything over £34k.
Jun 5th 2003 | 11:58 pm
#85
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 906
From: UK Citizen Now In Baltimore County USA
Playing golf is expensive, in the UK I could get membership for the equivalent of $1100 per year........not here.
Jun 6th 2003 | 12:02 am
#86
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 659
From: Ohio
Originally posted by robclews
Playing golf is expensive, in the UK I could get membership for the equivalent of $1100 per year........not here.
Playing golf is expensive, in the UK I could get membership for the equivalent of $1100 per year........not here.
Lisa
Jun 6th 2003 | 12:32 am
#87
Pagan Sex God
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,668
From: Living in Oblivion
Originally posted by Def
Anyone have a URL with a good and comprehensive rundown of the personal tax system in the US? (NY area). I understand how it basically works, I want to just clarify a few things.
As an aside, if you earn over £34,000 in the UK, personal tax becomes quite bad. The Govt take 40% of anything over £34k.
Anyone have a URL with a good and comprehensive rundown of the personal tax system in the US? (NY area). I understand how it basically works, I want to just clarify a few things.
As an aside, if you earn over £34,000 in the UK, personal tax becomes quite bad. The Govt take 40% of anything over £34k.
Patrick
Jun 7th 2003 | 7:23 am
#88
Mr. Grumpy
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,100
From: Nashville, TN
in england the tax rate starts at something like 10% - goes up to 24% and for anything above £28,000 is 40%
plus in the uk national nsurance tax is mandatory - this is something like 5%
in the us everyone pays federal income tax which is similar in structure but lower than uk income tax
HOWEVER
depending on the state you live in - you also pay STATE income tax
in oregon it is between 5 - 9% whereas in Tennessee there is none.....
plus in the uk national nsurance tax is mandatory - this is something like 5%
in the us everyone pays federal income tax which is similar in structure but lower than uk income tax
HOWEVER
depending on the state you live in - you also pay STATE income tax
in oregon it is between 5 - 9% whereas in Tennessee there is none.....
Jun 7th 2003 | 8:26 am
#89
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 53,356
From: Dixie, ex UK
Originally posted by BritGuyTN
in england the tax rate starts at something like 10% - goes up to 24% and for anything above £28,000 is 40%
plus in the uk national nsurance tax is mandatory - this is something like 5%
in england the tax rate starts at something like 10% - goes up to 24% and for anything above £28,000 is 40%
plus in the uk national nsurance tax is mandatory - this is something like 5%
.... It doesn't kick in right away, but most people pay 9% on their earnings, up to somewhere around £25k. Above this level there is no NI to be paid.The 10% tax band is a joke, I think that it is just the first £2k that gets that rate, then there is a 20% band, which is also very narrow; most people have a marginal rate of 23%, which, if I remember correctly stops at about £28K of taxable income, i.e. the personal allowance comes on top of that, so you have to earn about £33k before you pay the higher rate of 40% (I think that this reconciles Patrick's and Def's posts above).
