I don't recall why I used the phrase “pay through the nose” this past week, but this sounds about right …
Instead of fighting the invaders, some English kings preferred to pay the Vikings to leave them in peace. These payments were called 'Danegeld' (meaning 'Dane debt' or Dane payment). The Vikings collected tribute in other countries too. In Ireland in the 9th century they imposed a tax and slit the noses of anyone unwilling or unable to pay, and that is the origin of the English phrase 'to pay through the nose' meaning to pay an excessive price. LINK
While there is interest in the stock offering by Elio, most following this new American car company prefer to focus on the P5 prototype. I’m still amazed that they still are planning to their new “from the ground up” engine in the P5 and not something off the shelf. It will be interesting to see if they can continue to make progress without a delay in orderto have a production car by 2016 – that’s pretty ambitious.
Body Modifications Boost Aerodynamics, MPG
The front end of the P5 will be slightly longer and slightly more aerodynamic than the P4. This generates two important benefits:
Continued aerodynamic improvement; and,
The longer front-end makes the Elio look more futuristic and stylish.
The P5 also will feature side-exhaust that will replicate how the exhaust is likely to look in the final version.
Interior Upgrades
Body styling has always been important for catching the consumer’s eye. But, the reality is, people spend their time in the vehicle. Over the last decade, automakers have put more emphasis on interior styling, amenities and functionality. Elio Motors knows the interior will be important to our fans and customers. We’ve made some nice upgrades on the P5 that are likely to help differentiate the vehicle when we reach production.
Most of these changes are very subtle, but they’ll make a difference in comfort and convenience:
The arm rest on the door was raised;
The rear seat was lowered to create more passenger headroom;
Additional foam was added to the rear seat for a cushier feel.
We also upgraded the instrument panel for better aesthetics:
A redesigned iPad holder;
The A-pillar shape will be less intrusive; and
Brushed metal was added to the dashboard to provide a more modern look.
None of these changes are revolutionary, but each one helps add up to an improved driving experience for both the driver and the passenger. It also shows just how many small engineering details need to be considered on the road to production.
The P5 represents a significant step forward in vehicle dynamics with the new IAV engine and transmission. It also gave us the opportunity to refine many of the details that we know are important to our consumers.
Well know anchor manufacturer Mantus created a nifty light that they debuted at the fall boat shows this year; the Mantus Snap-On Light look well made and like something Encore needs ($55.00). I also like their RAM mountMantus Rail Clamps!
Now that the popular social networking company Twitter has a “rudder,” Jack Dorsey, CEO, one would think confidence would be higher? That is difficult to tell when reading and monitoring those who are paid to research, have deeper insight and advise investors (graphic on right). The consensus is wildly split, both on the direction of the stock and success of this social networking company.
Most investors and stock market traders realize that new and innovative companies need growth more than profits in order to sustain their stock price, unfortunately the 3rd quarter financials for Twitter didn’t impress (LINK). Neither growth or profits currently favor $TWTR as an investment … but the service is still a very popular outlet, especially for the news media and as a way to report real time information and give feedback. Some of are waiting for a sugar daddy buyer – Google, Apple, Microsoft or a media company?
Many of us (yes I own $TWTR) are hoping that Dorsey can infuse some direction into this fledging company. His instincts have been good and the current active user base for Twitter is a good mix – most importantly expendable income type users for advertisers to market to. I’d like to see some consistency in advertiser growth and a steady predictable stream of innovative tweaks. With the right leadership, this shouldn’t be that difficult to manage. As for the volatile stock price and chart direction … that’s probably not going to change until analyses can come to some consensus.
An old friend Charlie Matthews (Kamikaze) and I are closing in on a memorable December 1977 road trip we took together in his Volkswagen bug. We had a great time (minus the medical incident) and started a yearly trip for me with buddies that repeated for years. I ran across a couple more when my brother and I were cleaning out my mom and dad’s house in Sidney (two new ones below taken by dad while were packing) … the photo “finds” make sorting through things and getting the house ready for market a slow process.
It has been a while since attending a TDIFest, but each year I do help with the finances and bookkeeping for a popular Volkswagen diesel car club. One of the quirks of the TDIClub is that it is based out British Columbia, Canada and yet our annual “fest” is held in the U.S. The 2015 TDIFest was held over Labor Day in Newry, Maine this year so I didn't trek to Sunday River Resort … still Fred and the gang sent me a swag bag. Thanks guys!Over the years, we have found it is helpful to have both a stateside presence and as well as the founders location in Canada.
With a few connections in the drug store world, it is always interesting to see who’s next in the acquisitions and mergers. On Tuesday, the financial news filled up mid-day with the latest deal: Walgreens Boots Alliance seeking to buy Rite Aid Corp. This would merge the second and third largest chains together and reduce competition in many cities. Of course there is still CVS and many smaller stand alone stores and chains … and most of the big box stores and grocery chains are also competing in this business. The potential merger could grow scrutiny from antitrust regulators.
A deal is expected to be announced Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter. Rite Aid had a market value of more than $6 billion Monday afternoon, meaning that with a typical premium, a takeover deal could value the company at close to $10 billion. That doesn’t include its hefty debt load, which totaled $7.4 billion in August.
Rite Aid shares surged 38% to $8.38 after The Wall Street Journal reported the talks, while Walgreens rose 5% to $93.95.
A combination of the pharmacy chains would come amid waves of mergers in various corners of the health-care industry—from drug makers to hospital chains and insurers—as the federal health overhaul known as the Affordable Care Act and other developments pressure companies to lower costs, bulk up and increase leverage with suppliers.
Putting their drugstore networks together could yield cost savings at a time when the companies have been beset by drug-cost inflation. Other benefits could be derived from marrying Walgreens’ wholesale operation with Rite Aid.
Great memories of busy days logging the register cash deposits from the walk-in trade back in my Cuyahoga Falls office. It seems like a lifetime ago … and yes, I do kind of miss it. Keeping the business growing was challenging as the digital age matured, but those early days gave me a sense of accomplishing something.
The evening sky here in Ohio seem to be letting us know that the season is changing … gorgeous sunset though!
I picked up Brenda's2010 BMW X5 35d on Friday night and started tinkering with it this weekend (yes, my wife's — bummer! — but her 1998 Rav4 needed to be replaced). She absolutely fell in love with the panoramic sunroof (see below) and didn't seem to mind the “many” creature comforts either. There were a few more issues than I expected even though I knew it was less than perfect. Hopefully there aren't too many surprise mechanical problems as I'm counting on this one owner SUV with all the service records to go a few more miles.
On the plus side, it is A LOT of fun to drive and handles like no other sport ute I've driven. This heavy, full-size “truck” (see mini tailgate above) has amazing torque and pulls through all 6 gears and gets quickly up to highway speed. Once cruising, the under 2000 RPM diesel engine feels like it is idling, even though it growling along at 70 mph. Hopefully we'll be able to close in on 30 mpg when on the highway too?
For now, it's learning how to take care of the things I can do at home. I've got to find a second keyfob, athough may have to have the chip matched to the VIN number — dealer only. There are a couple other issues that won't prevent driving it, but need to be addressed.
Keyfob
AC — checked the charge today, but it is fully charged and still not blowing cold?
Plastic fastner on mirror and rear bumper
Common firewall baffle (see Bimmerforum note below)
There are 4 main parts but you may only need one or two parts. Theres the large main bulkhead tray/partition and if you locate the large rubber weatherstrip that seals to the hood, essentially three more vertical parts. Left (driver), center, and right (passenger). These prices are likely lower at ECS tuning or pelican parts and other online sites. They are likey 50% higher (or more) at local dealer. Screws can be reused, only hardware that likey will break on removal are the plastic expanding rivets, appears 4 on mine are new and had to be replaced. Not exactly sure the total quantity used, it depends on which parts are being removed.
Most all the bulkheads ive seen broken (including mine) are the left/right partitions. Many say it splits due to heat which is possible, although mine were broken while at the dealer from techs or supporting fixtures applying pressure while doing the job. They are fragile. When mine was in for cylinder head valve stem seals (huge job) i took pre and post pics (lifelong habit when going to the dealer….some bad experiences) so i knew when/how they broke, although the dealer said they were replacing due to a 'known issue in a tsb' so i never had to press the issue of responsibility of replacement.
Fyi….there are some small minor plastic pieces that are quite inexpensive in the overall assembly, however they are highly unikely to break unless in a hard collision….even then, they dont appear to create a structural hazard or airflow leak if they have small stress cracks. If being done at the dealer and not DIY, probably a $30 max increase in job. I did find all the required parts using these numbers on ebaynew from reputable oem bmw dealers for under $200, including 10 plastic rivets. Id still however buy from sites mentioned above in case a problem occurs. The main lower section is a LARGE delicate part.
bulkhead engine compartment top left qty1 51717169419 $59.07
Partition, engine compartment, top right qty1 51717169420 $59.07
Partition, engine bay, top center qty1 51717169421 $42.25
Partition, engine bay, lower center qty1 51717169422 $88.40
It is interesting how certain commercials are bring smiles to our faces … but we always seem to stumble on a commercial that sticks in our heads. This one from Time Warner Cable has Brenda and me doing back and forth “yes, welcome” to each other … just as one from Geico did in 2012. It’s not really anything special, but does trigger our funny bone.
