First Thoughts on Scion

May 10, ’12 7:00 AM

Of the five cars that Scion has available, only two have 4-doors… limiting my options. I’m not super thrilled about the idea of paying $18,000 for a low-end Toyota targeted at Gen-Y buyers. Yes, I’m a hater.

I have a hard time believing that the xB and xD are less than a $1,000 apart in price. Both cars claim to seat five people, but with the xD having 40sq/ft less of passenger space available… they must be targeting really small people. The warranty also seems weak… only 36,000 miles or three years? I still be paying for the thing two years after the warranty expires?

Scion does seem to have the best website experience so far. I could find what I wanted easily with no stupid URLs or redirects. Their use of social media is decent, but not great… and it looks like their new car is the size PSVITA.

You might be able to talk me into test driving an xB, but I doubt I’ll consider a purchase… if for no other reason than this video.

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FIAT USA

May 9, ’12 7:00 AM

I want one. I fell in love with this little car while in Italy, and I’ve wanted one ever since. Forza has also furthered my love for this car… true story.

This car is not practical for a family. It is the size of a shoe box and has a manual transmission (you can’t shift and sooth a child). The cute style and starting price of $15,500 are both perks… but neither are enough to warrant more than a test drive.

Maybe I should consider Smart as well… although, I’m sure it also fails as a family car.

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Fitbit Aria First Impressions

May 8, ’12 7:07 AM

This was one of my favorite things to unbox in a long, long time. The packaging was top-notch and still easy to free… not typically the case with good looking packages.

The scale itself is well designed and beautiful to look at. The set-up was super easy — such that I was using it within moments of pulling it from the box. I had it shipped to the office… and I was even able to set it up and use it there. I was a bit disappointed to see no hardware connection options; a USB port would have been nice.

The software end of things went pretty smooth. The instructions were simple and easy to follow. I’m wondering if non-laptop users will have such an easy time. The device appeared to require a direct, device-to-device, wireless connection that I don’t think would be possible with a desktop machine (again, hardwire would be nice).

Inviting people to your scale is a slightly strange experience… and could be a little easier. It was nice that the scale seemed to recognize guests well… so invites are not required for typical scale usage.

The interface on the actual device is cute and friendly; however, I’ve already had some issue answering questions from the device. It is not clear how it wants feedback, which leaves you guessing. And be warned that waiting, it making a choice.

So far, I love it… and would even suggest it.

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Audi of America

May 7, ’12 7:00 AM

According to Wikipedia, Audi is owned by Volkswagen… which already makes me wonder why I’m not just looking at Volkswagen. Mentally, I have already cut this brand… as I now associate it with Lexus, Infinity, and the many other expensive versions of mainstream brands.

The R8 and TT models are the ones that I have top of mind… we’re looking for a family car, so 4-doors is nearly a requirement (and 430hp is not). I was pleasantly shocked to see that Audi has a lot 4-door options. The starting price of $28,000 that rapidly moves to $40,000+ has me running away from this brand.

The Audi line is not a bad looking series. They definitely look better as the price goes up… making the A3 the ugly duckling of the bunch. Their website is good-ish and their social media seems lame; this is not the experience that I would expect for a car in this price range.

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Car Hunt Begins

May 6, ’12 12:52 PM

When the paint starts flaking off your car, it might be a good time to start hunting around for a new one… so here we are. We’re a one car family, and our car has long been paid for. Our current car still runs well and gets us from point A to point B; however, our ’99 is aging quickly… and it’s better to start the educated hunt now — instead of when our car dies. With as long as we hold onto vehicles, I suspect that we’ll have this next purchase until our son is just about ready to drive. We’ve not had a car payment in over 5 years… and have not had a new car since 2001.

Some might say that we’ve waited too long to start looking, but we’re ready now. Brands that are ready for review…

Some of the brands above will get cut quickly since I am a very, very cheap person… but I want to give each brand a go.

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Cypher

Jan 3, ’12 7:18 AM

A cypher and humility make the other figures and virtues of tenfold value. — Benjamin Franklin

After some research, I believe that cypher is referring to a king’s cypher. This is the mark or seal of a king that is sent with people or messages from the king. A person carrying such a mark would clearly receive royal treatment. Here humility is placed at the same level or value and acts a multiplier for all other attributes that a person may bring along.

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Polished Marble

Jan 1, ’12 6:55 PM

Act uprightly, and despise calumny; dirt may stick to a mud wall, but not to polished marble. — Benjamin Franklin

The downside of taking the high-road is hard to find; try taking it more often. It may seem like more effort, but it will be less trouble.

It took me a log time to discover that it is not good enough to avoid talking trash; you must also avoid spending time with those that do. Again, this is a little effort that will save a lot of trouble.

If you take care of your reputation, it tends to start taking care of you. It does matter what others think of you; and it impacts how and if they will interact with you.

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Two Cats

Dec 29, ’11 9:04 PM

A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats. — Benjamin Franklin

I’d venture that any living creature between lawyers likely feels the same. It’s funny and scary that this saying has held true for so long… and may hold true for eternity.

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Cold April

Dec 28, ’11 8:13 PM

A cold April, the barn will fill. — Benjamin Franklin

This is the second thing listed in Poor Richard’s Almanac; and I can’t figure out what it means exactly. I’ve tried some Googling… and nothing of quality is popping up. My best guess is that this is something along the lines of “it is always darkest before dawn”.

If you know anything, please let me know.

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Scarce

Dec 24, ’11 7:19 AM

A child thinks 20 shillings and 20 years can scarce be spent. — Benjamin Franklin

It is shocking how money and time seem to shrink as we age. A twenty dollar bill doesn’t last nearly as long as it once did. I once felt rich by simply having one in my wallet; now they don’t stay long enough to count.

Each year passes faster than the one before. I once thought my current age was old; now it seems young.

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