Jambo's recent activity
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Comment on Considering the RAV4 hybrid in ~transport
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Comment on Considering the RAV4 hybrid in ~transport
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Considering the RAV4 hybrid
I am looking to replace our current vehicle (17 expedition) because of some issues (1st gen Ecoboost... eats plugs every 30k miles, runs rich, poorer than expected milage, plus the looming threat...
I am looking to replace our current vehicle (17 expedition) because of some issues (1st gen Ecoboost... eats plugs every 30k miles, runs rich, poorer than expected milage, plus the looming threat of cam phaser and timing issues common to this motor) and the fact we don't really need the space anymore now that my kids are out of the full size baby seats and our dog doesn't travel with us much anymore (because we don't travel much anymore..).
I have always bought used. The expedition I bought with 70k miles on it and now it has around 135k. I'm growing tired of swapping cars every 3-4 years, so I started doing research a few months back and the name that keeps coming up again and again is the RAV4.
I test drove one to make sure I fit (6'3" and certainly no stranger to cheesecake) and the fit was nice. I used to drive a 13 Ford focus so I figured it would be fine, and it was. I think I'm most interested in the hybrid drivetrain as the allure of the e-cvt (chunky planetary gear system, no clutches, seems incredibly bulletproof) is quite tempting. Not to mention we mostly drive city and the better mpg is a nice bonus, but the cost difference between the 2 make that a bit of a moot point. I realize the long term cost of batteries and "cable gate" but I'm not too concerned.
My reservation is that based on the used sales figures for these newer (23+) rav4s, it just doesn't make sense to buy used. If I buy the one we want new, it's around 41k out the door. This would be the most expensive vehicle I've ever purchased by an 8k margin.
Our payment versus our current car would go up about 200 per month, but our gas costs will go down about 130 per month so the delta isn't huge. Since the resale value on these vehicles is so high, I'd be "right side up" on the value within 18 or so months. However, the ultimate goal for this car is to have it for 15+ years.
I've never not had a car payment because I had transmission issues or engine issues with them all. I had a Pontiac g6 with transmission issues, a GMC sierra with transmission issues, the focus had the dreaded DCT, I had a ram truck for a little bit which was falling apart almost as soon as I bought it (snapped 3 manifold bolts within 500 miles of owning it just to start), and now we have this expedition.
I'm kind of tired of American car brands at this point, I seem to be eternally let down and churning through vehicles. I want something safe, reliable and that will drive for decades. With that, the RAV4 seems to hit the mark. It's not a sexy option but I don't really care about that. I've heard it described as a dishwasher on wheels - an appliance, not an exciting driver. That sounds appealing for what I want this vehicle to be.
I guess the reason I'm making this post is to consider whether this is a good idea. I'm not really worried about whether I can afford it (I can), I just don't like spending money and this would be a lot of it. Having said that, it's value seems to be projected to hold up extremely well, just as most Toyotas do, and as you can see from my previous vehicles, I'm not used to that. I want a very long term vehicle but I also want to know that if something in my life changes and I need to get rid of it, it will have decent resale value.
I considered the crv hybrid and the cx-50 hybrid (which has the Toyota drivetrain) but with the crv I felt less happy about extreme long term reliability (newer hybrid system so hasn't been battle tested as much yet) versus the RAV4, and the cx50 is a mazda which doesn't inspire tons of confidence. Maybe they've gotten better but my brothers 2012ish (can't recall exactly) mazda3 was riddled with electrical issues and the center console broke (we think the dealer knew about it and tried a jank repair due to some tape we found) and Mazda wouldn't do anything to fix it (the dealer nor nearby dealers and Mazda customer service themselves).
Anyway, every time I start researching I always come back to the RAV4.
I don't want a 2026 model because I don't buy new models on their first years, plus they look worse than the previous models.
What are your thoughts on the cSUV market?
Edit: I'm in TX so cold isn't an issue 95% of the time as far as hybrid battery issues go
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft: What do you want to see in the next season? in ~games
Jambo LinkWill this be 1.21.4 as well? Is this a paper server? I think I may have asked last time but I forget :)Will this be 1.21.4 as well? Is this a paper server? I think I may have asked last time but I forget :)
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Comment on Catfishing - the Wikipedia guessing game in ~games
Jambo LinkNorthernLion plays this from time to time (part of the dles I think), the couple of times I tried to play it I just laughed at how little I know 😅 I like playing timeguessr, foodguessr, raddle and...NorthernLion plays this from time to time (part of the dles I think), the couple of times I tried to play it I just laughed at how little I know 😅
I like playing timeguessr, foodguessr, raddle and scrandle
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Comment on I need headphone/mic recommendations for gaming before I rip my hair out in ~tech
Jambo Link ParentI have a pair of ath-m50s and I was disappointed by them, they creak and I can hear the cable every time it moves at all... Does no one else experience this? I sent it to AudioTechnica as they...I have a pair of ath-m50s and I was disappointed by them, they creak and I can hear the cable every time it moves at all... Does no one else experience this?
I sent it to AudioTechnica as they said they believed it was repairable and paid 50 dollars and when I got them back they were in exactly the same condition as when I sent them. I was pretty put off by AT at that point.
Since then I've been using some hd550 for now but the headband is nearing the end of its life (it fits much looser than the ath did).
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Comment on Jane Goodall, chimp expert, dies at 91 in ~enviro
Jambo LinkI was lucky enough to attend a lecture featuring Ms. Goodall last year at SMU Tate. It was a great experience that went by way too quickly. She had wonderful stories to tell. She worked towards...I was lucky enough to attend a lecture featuring Ms. Goodall last year at SMU Tate. It was a great experience that went by way too quickly. She had wonderful stories to tell.
She worked towards her goals right until the end - I'd be proud to have even 1/100th of her conviction. RIP
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
Jambo LinkI found a song called 'Dopamine' by Madelline which I enjoyed, but then found out that she has another version, her "split brain" version where they mixed her vocals in both French and English at...I found a song called 'Dopamine' by Madelline which I enjoyed, but then found out that she has another version, her "split brain" version where they mixed her vocals in both French and English at the same time in different ears, but the music floats independently. I found I really enjoyed this, I felt enveloped in the music. It just felt really nice. Like it feels like if music and the concept of "underwater" was combined into one experience. I'm not sure how to really describe it.
I tried finding other songs that do this or something similar. I found that 'Trampoline' and 'Melt' by SHAED kind of hit a similar feeling, though less. There were a couple of others but none quite like the first song I found.
I then discovered "bilateral" music and ones categorized as 8d, 16d, 32d, etc which is kind of interesting but not quite what I'm looking for. Those more take existing songs and move the whole performance around a virtual stage which does feel neat but it's more "around" and not like I'm physically swimming through it.... I know that probably makes no sense.
In any event, I'm now looking towards trying to find more like it.
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Comment on Did NASA just find alien life on Mars? Here's what we know. in ~space
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Comment on Does anyone have a digg invite code I can get ? in ~tech
Jambo LinkI'd like one too if there are any left! I actually got into their beta but due to life I missed the email and eventually they closed the doors on me and revoked the invite :(I'd like one too if there are any left! I actually got into their beta but due to life I missed the email and eventually they closed the doors on me and revoked the invite :(
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Comment on 'I destroyed months of your work in seconds' says AI coding tool after deleting a dev's entire database during a code freeze: 'I panicked instead of thinking' in ~comp
Jambo LinkI sat here reading the whole article, waiting for the part where they eventually restore from their backups, but that part never came. You have no backups? You allowed write access to your...I sat here reading the whole article, waiting for the part where they eventually restore from their backups, but that part never came.
You have no backups? You allowed write access to your database for a 3rd party without backups?
???
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Comment on Fridge at 41°F - safe or not? in ~life.home_improvement
Jambo LinkI would personally not be ok with it - the FDA says it should be at max 40°f, so having to crank it down to the lowest to get 1 degree above that is suspicious. However, it could be your methods...I would personally not be ok with it - the FDA says it should be at max 40°f, so having to crank it down to the lowest to get 1 degree above that is suspicious.
However, it could be your methods of measuring or the thermometer itself. Is this a built in thermometer? Do you have a second one that can corroborate?
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Comment on Tildes Minecraft Survival - Final day scheduled for July 17th in ~games
Jambo LinkI enjoyed the time I spent on the server. I wish I had more time to put into it but I got my Minecraft fix so all is good. Will the new server (in some months) be a new world? I felt like I was...I enjoyed the time I spent on the server. I wish I had more time to put into it but I got my Minecraft fix so all is good.
Will the new server (in some months) be a new world? I felt like I was coming in "late" where most things were already built and up and running, and it would be neat to be at the ground level on the next round. I will keep a sharp eye out for the next iteration regardless!
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~transport
Jambo Link ParentI don't, he mentioned it kind of randomly in a video a while back and I can't find it. However I did see he had a fleet update where he basically said his motivation for the bus was just not there...I don't, he mentioned it kind of randomly in a video a while back and I can't find it. However I did see he had a fleet update where he basically said his motivation for the bus was just not there anymore, he didn't want it for it's intended purpose, so maybe I'm conflating another break or ended project.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~transport
Jambo Link ParentHe definitely overshot on that idea, but I also think he got divorced in the middle of it and I think he lost motivation due to that (I could be wrong on the timing of that though). Regardless, it...He definitely overshot on that idea, but I also think he got divorced in the middle of it and I think he lost motivation due to that (I could be wrong on the timing of that though). Regardless, it would have been a gargantuan task to get the bus going. I would have loved to see the escape finished though, I know he was doing it as an experiment before trying the bus but the escape itself would have been neat and proper fun seeing it tear itself apart, haha
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~transport
Jambo LinkI love aging wheels! He has a woodworking(ish)/hobby thing channel as well if you like his style, called Under DunnI love aging wheels! He has a woodworking(ish)/hobby thing channel as well if you like his style, called Under Dunn
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Comment on How do you celebrate your birthday? in ~talk
Jambo LinkI mostly always just want peace, no party, no hub-bub, just a little time that isn't filled with the daily chaos :) My wife feels like she's not doing anything for me though so she feels compelled...I mostly always just want peace, no party, no hub-bub, just a little time that isn't filled with the daily chaos :)
My wife feels like she's not doing anything for me though so she feels compelled to make up a cake or invite some family over and I go along with it because it makes her happy but if it were truly up to me I'd become a ghost to the world for 24 hours :)
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Comment on Squid Game | Season 3 official trailer in ~tv
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Comment on Anyone have baking pan recommendations? in ~food
Jambo Link ParentOh yeah ours are cheapies, they find themselves in the dishwasher overnight all the time :)Oh yeah ours are cheapies, they find themselves in the dishwasher overnight all the time :)
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Comment on Anyone have baking pan recommendations? in ~food
Jambo Link ParentOur cheapy sheet pans tend to rust when water gets under the folds around the edges, but it doesn't affect the cooking surface, just annoying when it gets rust on a dish towel or somethingOur cheapy sheet pans tend to rust when water gets under the folds around the edges, but it doesn't affect the cooking surface, just annoying when it gets rust on a dish towel or something
Thanks for the reassurance. I am quite good at talking myself out of things so the fact I haven't been able to do so here probably means it's the right way to go (at least for me)