August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[winotracy]

If she uses the vehicle a lot, I feel it's important to have everything to make you comfortable, etc. We drive 1-1.5 hours everyday in our car. Could we get by with something cheaper, yeah, but why. If I worked in the town I live in, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but for me it is. I'd haggle on the price as much as you can, either sell the other van outright by yourself or negotiate the best price you can get and quit thinking of yourself as cheap (you can't be that cheap, you are going on a 14 day cruise ). Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Grumbo,

Is it a "want" or a "need?"

Dh and I too waiver between being good at budgeting and spending for a few of the finer/fun things in life. A new car depreciates significantly after you drive it out of the lot, but you know that.

One thing to think about, if you or Doris got sick or disabled in the near future (God forbid) would you be AOK with the payment or funds used to purchase this vehicle? Do you have that emergency fund built up already? What really makes you happy? It is pretty exciting to get a new car, especially one like this with all the bells and whistles.

Really, it's only a decision that you and Doris can make.

Keep us posted.

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by Grumbo
I was like this with DVC.
Cheers,
Grumbo

You are not alone!! My Dh not only habitually says, "Yes Dear" but also, says "Do we have enough points? Let's buy more points!!"
We got 650!! Think it is enuff????

 

[Grumbo]

I ended up not buying DVC though Melinda. I would have loved to, and at times still consider it but it is such a big outlay that once again cheapy here couldn't justify it to himself or DW.
I'm not whining believe me. I just am do darn conservative. I worry about the future too much I think and sometimes let the future go by.
We do alot though and have two great holidays planned. I know that if I'd buy this vehicle I'd probably take a year off of my life in worrying about having spent the money
I'm retiring in two years and at that point MUST buy a new car. I already figured its going to be a Civic or something like that. Conservative and utilitarian.
Well we're putting up the Christmas tree. (Yeah don't go there ) I put up the lights outside yesterday. Turned them on last night looked great.
Should put some Christmas Carols on and really get into this.
Heck this is like a psychiatrist's couch here. Ummm NOT that I'd have any idea about that you know

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Grumbo]

I'd haggle on the price as much as you can, either sell the other van outright by yourself or negotiate the best price you can get and quit thinking of yourself as cheap (you can't be that cheap, you are going on a 14 day cruise ). Just my 2 cents

Thanks Tracy but the van we have now is really good and I know its just the "toys" on the new one I'm enamored with. I'll get over it
When you see the brand of Zinfandel I'm bringing you'll realize I AM cheap Tracy A cheeky little wine, from the shady side of the basement.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mark & sandra]

Grumbo, back in July I was returning my 2001 Ford Winstar and was looking into another minivan. I was sold on either the Honda or the Nissan Quest. I was on my way to the dealership and I stopped at a Dodge dealership. They had the 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.8 liter 6 cylinder, 6 DVD, CD, Sunroof, Electric seats (Driver side), power tailgate and power side doors (both sides) and the kicker sto and go seating. The Honda has better second row seats but the ability to hide the seats below the floor was just what I needed. I found a price on the net and brought it with me and the dealer matched the price.

Grumbo or Bmwdsny- Sandy's been asking me about DVC and I know nothing about it, maybe those more experienced in DVC could give me some expert advice.

Scratch- What can I say, still waters run deep!!

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by Grumbo
Thanks Tracy but the van we have now is really good and I know its just the "toys" on the new one I'm enamored with. I'll get over it
When you see the brand of Zinfandel I'm bringing you'll realize I AM cheap Tracy A cheeky little wine, from the shady side of the basement.

Cheers,
Grumbo

Grahame, You are doing just fine in life!! You got a good head on your shoulders and a great husband and father!
!Lucky you retiring in 2 years. Bob would retire today if he could and that would be fine with me! We could travel every month!!

Now, Listen, don't serve me any Zinfandel that is less than Barringers or Sutton Homes. i am cheap and conservative too, but am big on quaility!!!

 

[Grumbo]

Drove Chrysler vans at work for years and have had this Honda for two now. I love the Honda's reliability, drive and power. I'd never buy one of the big 3 vans again. Toyota, Honda and perhaps Nissan but that was a bit iffy.

As fo DVC I think there are alot of members on this thread. I never bought. I'm sure they'll have lots of helpful info. If you read the DIS DVC board you'll get lots of info too. I read alot there.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by mark & sandra
Grumbo or Bmwdsny- Sandy's been asking me about DVC and I know nothing about it, maybe those more experienced in DVC could give me some expert advice.

Mark, that what i have, a stow and go seating and i love it!!!i also love the electric siding doors, because my other minivan didn't and it was sooo frusterating to get up and close the doors when my kids have trouble with it, but now with a push of a button, it opens and closes!! (aren't we Americans spoiled???)Plus, We also have a DVD for the kids and a sunroof--heavenly!! Now that driving in style!!!

So, are you interesting in DVC?? We first bought in back in 1997. Love it!! It was worthwhile since we frequently visit Disney and Disney Cruise, it paid off!! But you don't have use DVC just for Disney...and can be used for other places non disney. It is like having a timeshare but more flexibility. Bob will be able to give more specific advice if you wish to inquire about it.

 

[mississaugamom]

A new vehicle is always a big decision, Grumbo. I hemmed and hawed on whether to replace my '94 Grand Am since it only had 140,000 km on it! Of course, an accident on Hwy 401 took the decision out of my hands - I love my new Saturn now!

Maybe you could get one of those really good GPS systems for Christmas this year and use it with your current van. Then when you retire you can get a vehicle you really want when you'll finally get the chance to drive it!

Just my $.02 worth ...

Arlene

 

[winotracy]

Originally posted by Bmwdsny
Now, Listen, don't serve me any Zinfandel that is less than Barringers or Sutton Homes. i am cheap and conservative too, but am big on quaility!!!

I agree!! One of the best bottles of Zinfandel I have cost nothing! A friend of ours is a distributor and found out a particular bottling of Zin had bottles that popped and fizzed when they were open. The wine tastes fine and the fizz went away quickly. However, they pulled it from the market. Our friend gave us a case

Now that's good CHEAP wine!!

 

[HeathyChanJellicle]

i think that our top "men" on the cruise should be represented by animals...

but who is who.... onders:

 

[rsschneck]

DVC is wonderful!!! We bought a couple of year's ago. Had we known about it sooner we would have purchased sooner!

Well worth every penny!

Go over to the DVC board and ask any question you can think of. The DVC folks are VERY educated on DVC.

If you love Disney and vacation there frequently then it is an investment on future vacations!

 

[Scratch42]

It looks like we all think that Grumbo should hold off buying his, I mean, his DW's new toy!

Heck, if you have to buy yourself a vechicle in two years, better to wait! They may come out with better toys!LOL

As far as DVC, I knew that right now most of my vacations will be spent at Disney! With DVC I also have the option of other places, if I want. With DD hitting the teen stage where they tend to sleep more, this past trip it was great that I could get up make my coffee and head out on the balcony! The space is so wonderful also!

What I am afraid of now is when we go for Christmas, we have a One Bedroom as apposed to the Studio. I've heard that once you do the One Bedroom it's difficult to go back to the Studio. But I'll let you know after we get back!

The best advice I learned was buy where you want to stay! SSR fits our bill because of the proximity of DTD. DD loves DisneyQuest and we both love to walk around DTD! It was also nice to come home and just put everything away since I did the laundry before we left! While the machines were washing and drying, we were swimming!

It's a big investment and if you want to do the Disney Thing the most, then DVC is a good choice!

Scratch

 

[Grumbo]

Wow Melinda 650 points!!!!!!
I'd be cringing come maintenance fee day
Good for you.

Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mark & sandra]

Originally posted by rsschneck
Go over to the DVC board and ask any question you can think of.

Do you think they'll like my pictures over there too??? I'll tell them you and Scratch42 sent me!!...Mark

 

[mark & sandra]

Originally posted by Grumbo
Wow Melinda 650 points!!!!!!
I'd be cringing come maintenance fee day

How are maintenence points calculated??

 

[Scratch42]

Originally posted by mark & sandra
How are maintenence points calculated??

They are based on which resort you have your points at by the number of points! They average $3-$4 per point.

You pay them once a year.

As far as your pictures are concerned, I would hold off until you get all your information!LOL

Scratch

 

[Grumbo]

For 2004 the maintenance fee per point is listed below.
The DIS site is good as is the DVC one.
Try this site. It has info pro and con and is a good read and answers a lot of questions.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/dvc/

Annual dues, per point, for 2004 at each resort are as follows:

Old Key West - $3.68
Hilton Head - $3.86
Beach Club Villas - $4.18
Wilderness Lodge - $4.22
Boardwalk Villas - $4.25
Vero Beach - $4.67


Cheers,
Grumbo

 

[mark & sandra]

WOW Rsschneck, you should have warned me that they don't have a sense of humor (humour) over there before you sent me!! Post just 1 picture and I get blasted!! To top it off, a CM that works for DVC reservations was also on board and told me to tell you that he cancelled your friends 5 nights at OKW!!! J/K