The Pirates, of course, DFA'd Arroyo 115 wins ago.

You don't buy a BMW because it turns over every AM.
You want that? Go Toyota or Honda.

You buy a BMW because you've been seeing ever-increasing clumps of hair in the shower drain.

Theo sure screwed the Pooch on the WMP/Arroyo swap.

@2: Pretty sure that's why you buy a Porsche.

tf

i think you need to get out more often. the 3 series bmw is ubiquitous, especially popular with women.

now, you want to point to the 5 series and above, that's a possible argument to make

Arroyo ERAs, last 3 seasons: 3.88, 5.07, 3.74. Sooo consistent. Maybe one reason he didn't get to 200 IP in 2011 was his manager didn't want him on the mound any more after allowing 46 home runs.

But I don't mean to over-snark. Arroyo has been unusually healthy for a pitcher.

Wow, that is a heck of a run. I could have sworn he got hurt a couple of years back, I must be thinking of somebody else. Anyway this type of pitcher is quite valuable, probably moreso than we give them credit for. But it also seems that, like Jon Garland and Jeff Suppan of recent memory, this type of pitcher is valuable right up until that one morning when suddenly they're not. (Arroyo does K a bit more than Garland and Suppan.)

Arroyo was decimated by mono at the end of spring training/start of 2011 season which appears to have simply thrown him off for that entire year. His stubbornness with regard to not missing any time probably led to the high ERA as well. I'm tempted to give him a pass for that season, especially with his return to career norms in 2012.

Arroyo ERAs, last 3 seasons: 3.88, 5.07, 3.74. Sooo consistent.

Over the last 8 seasons, Arroyo has had 5 worth 2.1 - 3.4 bWAR (6 seasons of 1.6 - 3.1 fWAR) and an ERA+ of 101 - 113 (6 with an ERA+ of 92 - 113). I'd call that consistant.

tf

i think you need to get out more often. the 3 series bmw is ubiquitous, especially popular with women.

Indeed. Work a little harder and get yourself a real car.

robert

my grandson picked up the 2012 audi a6. i confess that was a fun ride.

my grandson picked up the 2012 audi a6. i confess that was a fun ride.

I was seriously considering it, but couldn't justify the cost. Got a VW Jetta turbo diesel instead.

I had an certified "pre-owned" Acura 3.2 TL for a year. Then I realized I was driving the thing once or twice a week for $600 combined a month payments and insurance (Hudson County at the time). And this was 10 years ago. Gotta figure that's $750 today.

It was fun to drive. But it wasn't worth it at $70-$140 per spin, know what I mean?

robert

my grandson picked up the 2012 audi a6. i confess that was a fun ride.

Those are fun. Good for him.


It was fun to drive. But it wasn't worth it at $70-$140 per spin, know what I mean?

Sure, if you don't really drive then just get whatever. Still, most days my commute is only ten minutes and I'm pretty sure doing it in a X6 rather than a Camry or whatever improves my life. It's just money, enjoy it.

"the 3 series bmw is ubiquitous, especially popular with women."

Mrs Howie leases one of these. nice ride, and her dad used to race stock cars in the midwest....

It's just money, enjoy it.

Or do something useful with it that wouldn't be considered nearly criminally extravagant by the large majority of the planet's population, you know, whatever.

Or do something useful with it that wouldn't be considered nearly criminally extravagant by the large majority of the planet's population, you know, whatever.

Yeah, I'll get right on that chief.

My knowledge of cars is mostly limited to their colour. But I recently bought a racing video game that uses actual models so lately I've taken to telling friends, "you drive a Citroen C1". I imagine I come off as a child who's just learned how to use nouns.

Anyone here driven an Audi TT? Curious if it's as sprightly and sporty as my old Honda CRX.

Honda CRX

Man, I drove one of those once, and I figure if I ever need to drive one again I should probably a couple of months of yoga first. I found it almost impossible to get in and out of.

Or do something useful with it that wouldn't be considered nearly criminally extravagant by the large majority of the planet's population, you know, whatever.

How can you justify spending the time to read and post on this site? You should be out building homeless shelters and donating food. Get to it!

Man, I drove one of those once, and I figure if I ever need to drive one again I should probably a couple of months of yoga first. I found it almost impossible to get in and out of.

Are you saying you're not diminutive?

Anyone here driven an Audi TT? Curious if it's as sprightly and sporty as my old Honda CRX.

Many model years ago, and it was as fun as all get out. Assuming the spirit of the car is still the same (I'm certain it doesn't share a single part at this point), then it's a great little vehicle.

So, that's not very useful information, but just know that the 2003(ish) Audi TT was a great car.

as a rule all audis save for their stupid suv version are solid to great automobiles.

the suv is a disaster and heartily discourage anyone from purchase. even audi execs will confess when pressed that it is not a good design and is unreliable.

Bah. Gimee a Honda. Gets the job done, solid as a rock, holds its value. Drives nice.

tfb

honda is getting passed by the likes of hyundai in its class

the 2012 honda accord is not one of honda's best efforts

tfbg9 - that's my stance as well (that said, i just bought a mazda, slightly prefer the cx-5 to the crv).
i'd drive a shoebox if the mileage/interior space/price was right.

Are you saying you're not diminutive?

I'm not a big guy, at the time I was 5'10" and about 190, but I do have long legs. The car sat so low, and there was such a small space between the seat and the steering wheel, that I really had to stand back and think out how I was going to enter the car. It wasn't as simple as sitting on the seat and swinging your legs around.

As for Hyundais I have a 2011 Elantra that I bought new in May 2011, and I ####### despise it. Its the last Hyundai I'll ever own.

i'd drive a shoebox if the mileage/interior space/price was right.

Me too, which is the main reason I bought the Elantra. It was rated well above the Civic and Corolla for mileage, and it gets much worse mileage than the 2008 Corolla I had.

I drove a '97 Hyundai Accent from 9/00-2/11 & would still be doing so if not for a collision that totaled it (stupid 89-year-old driver who apparently didn't realize that a red light means "stop," though at least she had the decency to hit me right in front of the police station). That said, it's the only car I've ever had on which a door handle broke off (on the passenger's side) & the door lock broke (on the driver's side), both at well under 100,000 miles.

The car was a lot better fit when I weighed 100 lbs. or so less (i.e. when I bought it). The '96 Maxima that replaced it accommodates my bulk much better, I must say. If only it were a standard (which the Accent was) ... *sigh*

I'm a mileage-above-all-else guy (I kind of need to be, as far as I drive to get to work). I got the 2012 Hyundai Accent, which is meeting my needs quite nicely. (and I even get money back from them since the advertised MPG was mistaken. Fortunately, that seems to be mostly an issue with the city mileage rather than higway mileage, where most of my driving is done). A car has never been anything other than a general nuisance that takes me from one place to another.

Yep. For me, car=transporation (or, on a bad day, the lack thereof), period.

It wasn't as simple as sitting on the seat and swinging your legs around.

Wait, people get into cars like that? I always go right leg first (past the steering wheel), sit down, left leg in. In every car I've ever driven, regardless of size.

Doesn't everyone get into his/her car by jumping over the driver's-side door?

Doesn't everyone get into his/her car by jumping over the driver's-side door?

Only in Arkansas, Alabama and similar envrions. Dukes of Hazzard-style auto entry never gained a strong foothold in the aggressive northern states.

I think I am an enlightened, conscientious, and progressive person in most areas... except cars.

Until Ford ruins it again ala their 80s flops - I will continue to purchase Mustangs, continue to hope to some day have enough money to pop for a Shelby, but in the meantime - be quite satisfied mid-shelfing to the GT.... #### the mileage, #### all the rest... it's just fun to drive.

I will continue to purchase Mustangs, continue to hope to some day have enough money to pop for a Shelby, but in the meantime - be quite satisfied mid-shelfing to the GT.... #### the mileage, #### all the rest... it's just fun to drive.

Nice. My brother was a Mustang guy. Bright yellow, special tires, mods, the whole nine yards. He had fun with that for a lot of years. Of course then he got a girl and got old and now he drives a stinking Kia. Willie Mays in a Mets uniform territory.

Mrs Howie leases one of these. (BMW 3)

Can someone explain to me the logic of car leasing?

I have a 2011 Mazda 3 sedan. Kinda wish I'd gone for the bigger engine, even though I can't justify it at all.

I like subways. I have a license, but I'm glad I rarely have any need for it.

These days my commute is a short select bus ride, though. I miss the flashing blue lights.

smileyy

there is none other than for folks who like to switch out cars regularly.

there is a great piece (cannot find the link, sorry) about this guy who interviewed dozens and dozens of people from all over the world who had made a lot of money and kept it. all kinds of interesting stories and financial habits. the only constant? nobody leased a car

nobody. and he noticed about a third of the way through his interviews and began asking the remaining people why when they got a car why didn't they lease and the immediate response was, 'that would be really stupid'

Love my Honda Fit. I was never a fast car guy. I know they're fun, but it seems like you can't legally use a sportscar the way that they're meant to be used. I cruise at 5-6 mph over the speed limit and I pass Corvettes and Mustangs all the time.

zonk

i will tell a shorter version of a longer mustang story. short version is that a buddy of mine inherits a 1966 mustang that he fixes up. the last few bits he has done at a garage and he brings it home all delighted. he then immediately goes on vacation. well he lives in palo alto and the car was parked on the street so first the car gets ticketed and then towed for having expired plates (he hadn't bothered for all the obvious reasons) he's on vacation so the california dmv, in the first and last display of dmv initiative, track down his 100 year old mother in the nursing home demanding she come pick up the car at the impound lot (since the registration was still in his dad's name) so he gets this hysterical call from his mother (while in mexico), calms her down and returns early to get the car. huge dent in the side courtesy of the city. he grits his teeth, pays all the fines, and takes the car back to the garage to repair the damage. the day he picks up the car and drives it home he gets hit by a city dumptruck while at stopped at a stop sign and the car is totalled. (he somehow walked away with just a bump)

so he went from having a vintage 1966 mustang as a remembrance of his dad to nothing. thanks to the city of palo alto

there is none other than for folks who like to switch out cars regularly.

That's what I thought. Every time I see a lease I think "Sure, I'd love to own this property for the period of its greatest depreciation, and no longer!"

That said, buying new is a pretty inefficient use of money if your car is simply utilitarian. But new cars are...shiny! Fun! Not sure I'll be able to break that habit, but who knows as a I grow older.

[43] Welllll....the city didn't park the car on the street for him. But yeah, still a lousy situation.

smileyy

there isn't any law prohibiting street parking (or wasn't). it was the fact the plates were expired so they noticed. i guess if the car had been in his driveway that would have stopped them from towing the vehicle but being on the street was the difference. at least that is what i remember him telling me based on what he was told by the city.

That said, buying new is a pretty inefficient use of money if your car is simply utilitarian. But new cars are...shiny! Fun! Not sure I'll be able to break that habit, but who knows as a I grow older.

I was all ready to buy used when I went car shopping last year. I found the gap between the used car price and the new car price simply wasn't large enough (it was barely noticable) to justify buying a used car.

I don't think that's a permanent sitaution, but fluctuates depending on the state of the auto market.

I don't think that's a permanent sitaution, but fluctuates depending on the state of the auto market.

Crappy economy means not many people have been buying new cars over the last 4 years or so, and lots of people have been looking to buy used. Low supply, high demand...

I have a problem with the Prius. Not that it isn't a perfectly fine car (though the new ones are not as high quality construction as back circa 2009), but that whenever I drive one I just can't help myself from trying to get at least 50 MPG. On the plus side, it means I'll never get a speeding ticket.

I live in a city with a subway, and I have a zipcar membership that I use when I actually need a car. It works out pretty well.

I was all ready to buy used when I went car shopping last year. I found the gap between the used car price and the new car price simply wasn't large enough (it was barely noticable) to justify buying a used car.

Same here. Plus, I had mileage/size requirements that pushed me toward new + buying a car that's used but not too old, increases your chances of getting a lemon relative to non-sold cars that age.

I love subways, though I think the plan to build light rail by me is stupid.