What have you bought recently?

hollydolly said:
MRS HC would be worth her weight in Gold to the bespoke Gentlemens' tailors in Jermyn Street
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Agreed. If I were still the production manager for a large manufacturer (as I was back in the mid 70s- early 80s), I'd be trying to recruit your lady for my first sample and pattern making department.

After the mid-80s I went to work in our own business and contracted out sample/pattern work, so I'd be trying to recruit her as an outside contractor! Now in semi-retirement, we no longer offer any custom patterns.

Beautiful work!

p.s. Had to look up "bespoke" because it's not a term used in the US.
For anyone else who doesn't know the definition, it means custom made.
 

horseless carriage said:
Ladies, thank you for your generous compliments, they have been passed onto the lady who simply smiled and acknowledged your praise in her customary modest way. Thank you again.

I don't want to hijack the thread but I will just show you a couple of photos of a shirt under construction. My preference for these type of shirts is that of an open neck design. My wife agreed and instinctively knew that a buttoned up shirt with the top button left undone, would not look as complimentary of her work as it deserved. She set about creating an open neck design whereby the collar extended into a lapel, much like a suit jacket.

To achieve the lapel appearance, the fabric needs to be reinforced with interfacing to give strength and structure to both lapel and the entire front panels where the button holes and buttons will be sewn in. It does take time, it does require much hand sewing, but Ooh-la-la, is the finished look not worth her effort? Here's the shirt under construction. (Do you like the print of the fabric?)
View attachment 173220View attachment 173221View attachment 173222View attachment 173223View attachment 173224
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Fabulously done but are they complete? Do they need a cherry on top? I'm thinking a tag as appears on store bought clothing. Something like Designs by __________ or similar.
 

Chet said:
Fabulously done but are they complete? Do they need a cherry on top? I'm thinking a tag as appears on store bought clothing. Something like Designs by __________ or similar.
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How perceptive of you. The tag isn't very clear here but I can explain.
On the left is the image of a sewing machine, to the right the motto
reads: Taylor Maid by Tina Taylor. Taylor Maid is a pun on her name:
As in Tailor Made.
 
I put a deposit on a used car today. I thought I would get my check from the house on Friday, but the buyers are not signing till Monday 🤦🏻‍♀️ so I won’t get my check till Tuesday. This means I will not have the cash to buy the car and will have to use a credit card. 🤬

I am buying a 2007 Subaru Outback with 135,000. It costs 8080 dollars. Expensive. But it appears to be in fairly good shape. There was a report on line from Bright Star who does a 220 point inspection. The dealership has fixed most of the things listed on that report With a few exceptions which I am going to ask about.

I did my research and turns out the timing belt should have been changed at 105,000. I could find no evidence that the timing belt has ever been changed. In addition, it says that when you change the timing belt you should change the water pump as well. They are expensive repairs, but if I buy the car I will have this done before I drive it off the lot.

There is also an issue on these cars with the head gasket, a very expensive repair if it goes out. I found a report that said if you can show a car has been taken care of regularly, and the head gasket goes, Subaru will pay to fix it. I have 38 maintenance reports that show the car was well maintained by it’s one owner.

All in all, in today’s market, I think it’s a good deal for the car. What does everyone else think? Anything else I need to check out?. It’s got good tires on it as well.

Suggestions? Opinions?
 
Aneeda, with the price of all cars, and therefore including used ones,
as high as they are now,
it sounds good to get anything for that price, that is in decent running condition and which had pretty good maintenance in the past.

It is possible some of the other work was done, since it did have regular maintenance? Or perhaps the dealer has more info, on how they went over the car itself, to determine if it needs it now or not.

That's a bummer about the check money not coming sooner.

I'm a bit leary that the same dealer selling you the car, would do more repairs and charge you for them? Seems a bit odd, and perhaps you need a second opinion from another mechanic, on what work it might need?
Just ideas.
 
Kaila said:
Aneeda, with the price of all cars, and therefore including used ones,
as high as they are now,
it sounds good to get anything for that price, that is in decent running condition and which had pretty good maintenance in the past.

It is possible some of the other work was done, since it did have regular maintenance? Or perhaps the dealer has more info, on how they went over the car itself, to determine if it needs it now or not.

That's a bummer about the check money not coming sooner.

I'm a bit leary that the same dealer selling you the car, would do more repairs and charge you for them? Seems a bit odd, and perhaps you need a second opinion from another mechanic, on what work it might need?
Just ideas.
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I always have used vehicles checked out by independent mechanics before purchasing them. The older the vehicle, the greater the need to do so. It's well worth the $100-$150 investment. Eyes wide open...

A 14 year old vehicle with 135,000 miles on it could be a dreamboat, a sinking ship or something in between.
 
Kaila said:
Aneeda, with the price of all cars, and therefore including used ones,
as high as they are now,
it sounds good to get anything for that price, that is in decent running condition and which had pretty good maintenance in the past.

It is possible some of the other work was done, since it did have regular maintenance? Or perhaps the dealer has more info, on how they went over the car itself, to determine if it needs it now or not.

That's a bummer about the check money not coming sooner.

I'm a bit leary that the same dealer selling you the car, would do more repairs and charge you for them? Seems a bit odd, and perhaps you need a second opinion from another mechanic, on what work it might need?
Just ideas.
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So they did the repairs on the car before I went to buy it. The car is on line at Nate Wade Subaru SLC UT if interested in seeing it. I got the Blue Star report, on line as well, the maintenance reports, and the car fax.

I read the maintenance report, then the Blue Star inspection and then compared it to the copy of the repairs they had done already on the car. When we go Tuesday, I will go over a couple questions I have. I also googled common repairs on the car and that is how I learned the timing belt should have been changed. I found no record this was done.

It also said to change water pump when you change the timing belt. I will have to pay for these repairs myself. Still makes the car cheaper than anything I found elsewhere. Normally they send cars this old to the auction, but this one was in really good condition so they did not.

I could get it repaired elsewhere but not a good ideal to drive it until that belt is replaced
 
StarSong said:
I always have used vehicles checked out by independent mechanics before purchasing them. The older the vehicle, the greater the need to do so. It's well worth the $100-$150 investment. Eyes wide open...

A 14 year old vehicle with 135,000 miles on it could be a dreamboat, a sinking ship or something in between.
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Yup, it was checked out by Blue Star
 
About Easter time,, when son was here. He found a hybrid car on line.
Off we went to look at it,, I wanted no parts of that car .
Of course hubby bought it.

I still haven't driven it,, am afraid I won't be able to see out the window when I do "have' to drive it.

What I wanted was another small SUV .

Hubby has lend 'my' little 2004 SUV to his cousin to drive. Really miss it.😞
🤬 :mad::cry:
 
OMG, I know nothing about used car prices in the USA I readily admit ( altho' I do in the UK) ... but Laudy McLaudy.. $8,000 +... for a 14 year old car that needs work doing to it, and with 135k on the clock... @Aneeda72 :eek: YIKES!!!
 
hollydolly said:
OMG, I know nothing about used car prices in the USA I readily admit ( altho' I do in the UK) ... but Laudy McLaudy.. $8,000 +... for a 14 year old car that needs work doing to it, and with 135k on the clock... @Aneeda72 :eek: YIKES!!!
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Actually got a text today and they found the record for the timing belt which was replaced. Course I will ask for “proof”. The seven year old cars that needed work and had over 100000 were 15000 plus.

Besides cars are like houses, always needing work and total money pits. It’s a vicious cycle of give me your money. I will be happy to have my own car especially in my present circumstances.
 
Aneeda72 said:
Actually got a text today and they found the record for the timing belt which was replaced. Course I will ask for “proof”. The seven year old cars that needed work and had over 100000 were 15000 plus.

Besides cars are like houses, always needing work and total money pits. It’s a vicious cycle of give me your money. I will be happy to have my own car especially in my present circumstances.
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I know all that Aneeda..I just feel $8k plus for a car so ancient , is folly tbh...:(
 
Aneeda72 said:
I put a deposit on a used car today. I thought I would get my check from the house on Friday, but the buyers are not signing till Monday 🤦🏻‍♀️ so I won’t get my check till Tuesday. This means I will not have the cash to buy the car and will have to use a credit card. 🤬

I am buying a 2007 Subaru Outback with 135,000. It costs 8080 dollars. Expensive. But it appears to be in fairly good shape. There was a report on line from Bright Star who does a 220 point inspection. The dealership has fixed most of the things listed on that report With a few exceptions which I am going to ask about.

I did my research and turns out the timing belt should have been changed at 105,000. I could find no evidence that the timing belt has ever been changed. In addition, it says that when you change the timing belt you should change the water pump as well. They are expensive repairs, but if I buy the car I will have this done before I drive it off the lot.

There is also an issue on these cars with the head gasket, a very expensive repair if it goes out. I found a report that said if you can show a car has been taken care of regularly, and the head gasket goes, Subaru will pay to fix it. I have 38 maintenance reports that show the car was well maintained by it’s one owner.

All in all, in today’s market, I think it’s a good deal for the car. What does everyone else think? Anything else I need to check out?. It’s got good tires on it as well.

Suggestions? Opinions?
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Is the deposit refundable if you drop out? If not you are stuck with your decision. Are you getting some kind of warranty? I would say more if it's not a done deal.
 
hollydolly said:
well good luck with it , I'm just worried it won't last long for you, that's all, and it's a lot of money to lose ...:(
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The outbacks usually go to 300,000 miles and longer. It is number 10 on the longest mileage car list. Plus it’s not like I am driving cross country 😂 just to the grocery and back 😊. It was taken very good care of and hopefully it will go five years at least although I probably won’t
 
Chet said:
Is the deposit refundable if you drop out? If not you are stuck with your decision. Are you getting some kind of warranty? I would say more if it's not a done deal.
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The deposit is refundable, no warranty although one is offered through Blue Star cause they felt it was in such good shape. But I am at my limit money wise. I still don’t have the check from the sale of the house. ☹️
 
Some cars hold onto their value, for more older years, and for lots more miles than others, which this one Aneeda's getting, does.
And one has to weigh the cost against what is available, (near you)
and also, in the context of, what value it has to you,
along with, how expensive in how many ways, would any other alternative transportation method be.

She'd have to pay a lot more, up front for a car purchase, in order to get anything newer or lower mileage. That money can be put into repairs instead, if needed.
Might not be too much needed, since not planning long distance trips with it.

Couldn't do any better in my area, either. And many places are running even higher prices, for the foreseeable future, so if you are buying now, you need to go with the present market.
It's good this one comes with its history.
 
@Aneeda72
Is there any possibility the seller might wait till the end of next week, for the balance, so you wouldn't need to use the credit?
Though with moving so soon, you might need to use the car, to make your life a wee bit easier.
 
charry said:
Good idea Kaila....he only walks a few steps indoors , so will keep bending them to soften them up 👍 Thankyou xx
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Something I found online may help.
Spray WD-40 on new leather shoes before you start wearing them regularly. It will help prevent blisters by softening the leather and making the shoes more comfortable. Keep the shoes waterproof and shiny by spraying them periodically with WD-40 and buffing gently with a soft cloth.
 
Kaila said:
Some cars hold onto their value, for more older years, and for lots more miles than others, which this one Aneeda's getting, does.
And one has to weigh the cost against what is available, (near you)
and also, in the context of, what value it has to you,
along with, how expensive in how many ways, would any other alternative transportation method be.

She'd have to pay a lot more, up front for a car purchase, in order to get anything newer or lower mileage. That money can be put into repairs instead, if needed.
Might not be too much needed, since not planning long distance trips with it.

Couldn't do any better in my area, either. And many places are running even higher prices, for the foreseeable future, so if you are buying now, you need to go with the present market.
It's good this one comes with its history.
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I do know my way around used cars..and I did have a look at the car on the website Aneeda provided..I stick to my guns..if that's the sort of prices you're paying for 14 year old high mileage cars, then I'm sorry for you...
 
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