mpm '95 C4

From the NYT 10-13-02
[quote]It might be hard for some readers to get their arms around this one: According to the latest data released by the Center for Disease and Prevention, every third person on America's streets - in its restaurants and bars, at its grocery stores and candy counters - is obese. <hr></blockquote>

The average bacon cheese hamburger, with fries and a coke has ...2,291 calories and 111 grams of fat! Goes on to say that chair seats used to be designed at eighteen inches, but now they have been widened - including cars - by a couple of inches. This might be why so many "feel better" in SUVs, because for one out of three - it's the only one they can fit in.

Food for thought ...

Orangemarlin

I go away for a few days, and what do I read. Nice spirited discussion.

Orangemarlin, in case you're wondering, is derived from "orange" my alma mater Syracuse, and Marlin, because I WAS a season ticket holder to the Marlins until they won the world series. I moved away, and the Marlins have, shall we say, sucked since then. Don't get me started about my Orangemen either. I invented this name so when I sign up for a sight, I can pretty much guarantee it's unique.

Now back to Othello. You're angry for some reason. You ought to relax. You'll live longer. But in reply. I WAS in the navy, but that was 15 years ago. Didn't do wars or fly jets or command ships.

I don't believe in buying cars with cash. I know people who do. I know people who margin stock to buy cars. I know people who sell assets to buy cars. Leverage is much better, especially if the rates are right.

As for the insurance, I'm sorry that my GT2 is so cheap. But let me explain, if you're not so angry. First, I live in a low crime/accident area. I have no tickets or other claims against my insurance. I have a lot more policies than you, including an umbrella policy which allows me to reduce my liability policy on both my homes and cars.

As for my toys, here are some:

<a href="http://homepage.mac.com/orangemarlin/" target="_blank">http://homepage.mac.com/orangemarlin/</a>

They are all located in the same location, so I can't "line them up in my driveway."

As for criticizing me for listing toys, it's a mistake I make. I just ticked at Othello, and started ranting. I'll adjust my dose of valium next time read his rants.

As for calling you a racist, I guess I should apologize. You do generalize your statements, which make them outrageous. But the fact is, heart disease is more prevalent (per capita) in Europe vs. white americans. African Americans have a notoriously high cardiovascular disease rate for unknown reasons at this time. It's possible that they have a diet similar to southern americans which tend to be high in salt and fat.

Western Europeans have high rates of heart disease mainly because of higher rate of smoking in the us.

We do need to drop the Big Mac habit. I just drove cross country along I70, and short of starving, the only thing available was fast food. I mean Krispy Kremes just don't fit in the healthy food groups. (And I hate you Southerners for shipping that stuff to us northerners...very mean of you.)

I'm trying to call a peace with Othello. Your turn next.

Orangemarlin

And don't be critizing my V-Rod Othello. It is Porsche designed! And it is at least 36X better quality than other H-D's. In fact, I don't think the V-Rod is actually built in a H-D factory, but is imported directly from Stuttgart. But I hate to start rumors!

Again, Peace Othello. It will make both of us happier individuals!

mpm '95 C4

Far be it from me O-M, to play the role of referee (since I have been described as narrow minded and a generalist). But in interest in saving Adrian from needing to jump in, you have to admit, you did come in out of the blue and land like a ton of bricks...

I think most of us could spot Othello's Brit humor immediately (all that Monty Python watching in the 70's has paid off). Calling someone a racist is way up there on the list of instant ways of picking a fight. And in this day and age, there are more important things to stick ones chin out over then the size of ones belly. Generally around here there are strong - albeit diametrically opposed - points of view, but on the whole they remain highly respectful.

Sorry to accuse you of being a poseur, but with that list of iron (all leased?), it was easy to generalize - oops I did it again <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" /> Perhaps going forward you can frame things without making it seem like a personal attack. BTW, quattro is not overrated when it comes to grip in the wet.

Have a great week...

Orangemarlin

Didn't know that Othello was a Brit. Since I'm posting here from a hotel in rainy, cold London, I guess I should have known, based on the strange humor I keep watching on TV.

As for the Poseur label, it isn't the first time. However, there are a bunch (I've met many of them) of people posting on here with a ton of cars, making me feel like a poseur. I actually don't lease everything, I do "buy" cars. I am a strong believer of leverage, because present value may be lower than future value (stock prices should go up, income should go up, and my net worth should go up).

Since I don't collect cars, meaning I have no intent in keeping cars longer than a year or so, it makes no sense to invest cold hard cash. But, Othello is right, many people do pay cash for cars like a GT2.

Back to the Allroad, and I should have mentioned this. I was driving across country a couple of weeks ago and stayed a night at the Marriott Hotel in Golden CO (home of Coors). In the parking lot, I saw all the new Audis and VW's lined up (I think for a press launch). I saw the RS6, not my cup of tea, and the new V8 Allroad. That looked hotter than the 2.7T All road. Wider, more aggressive.

I still think I like the Cayenne more, but that's like saying I prefer going deaf to going blind. I just don't get SUV's, being gas guzzlers and generally unsafe. My guess is that the Cayenne will be like the X5 in that it's performance on road matters most.

I still wish I were Chairman of Audi. That company needs a swift kick to the pants. I still think their marketing is muddled, products basically lame, and uncompetitive in today's market. Yes, I own their products, because they are high quality and priced better than a Merc or BMW. I even think the Allroad is a good value, but is it an SUV? I don't even think Audi knows the answer.

Well, now it's time to walk out into the rain of London. No wonder they have such a warped sense of humor. Bad weather all the time.

Othello

Keep digging O man.. geez, this is getting too easy now.

So you have $500,000 worth of cars leased, assuming the GT2 was bought with your home equity as you stated, but you like to trade cars every year or so?

Leasing is not designed to be a trading system. If you trade after a year under a lease you'll have your *** handed to you. So, given the amount you're leasing, expected depreciation, early termination expense, my guess is hat if you're trading like this you're losing at least $100,000/year just on the trades.. that's on top of the $100,000 per year you're spending on the lease.

So, in reality, you're spending $200,000/year or thereabouts on vehicles without actually ever owning one you're paying for.

sniff sniff sniff sniff

Where are you in London? Try not to eat the food, wouldn't want you having a heart attack or anything.