Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Wounded Knee, South Dakota

Wounded Knee, SD Car Consumer Discussions

just 'stuff' ...

by ladywclass on Mon Aug 04 12:48:30 PDT 2008

all summer I have interviewed for any open elementary classroom position ... about 16-17 in all since late March ... at one point I was told I was the only internal transfer bid for a first position, but could not have the job as there were "too many openings in special ed" (my current position) ... I began the process to file a grievance as I have 8 years of seniority in this school corporation (and 23 years teaching experience - including 5 years in gen ed, 10 years in gifted ed, and the 8 years in special ed), but there is a small clause in our teacher contract that only applies to the spec ed teachers that takes away all rights that I may have to fight this very situation .... all summer I was told the same thing ... good credentials, good references - but .. "too many openings in special ed" ... after the last interview I was told I should transfer to a special ed position in the building where I want to work so they can "see me teach" ... so no postings in the last 3 weeks, and school starts next week ... the only change is that they did post a position to add a 1/2 day teacher where I have been working and that 1/2 day assignment works the other 1/2 day at a neighboring campus ... it's the same assignment I had for 2 years before taking the full time position at the school (4 years ago) ... I asked for that transfer and it was granted ... so there is a 'slight' change, but not what I had in mind ... on another track .. we did finally buy a gas range for the kitchen .. we settled on a Kenmore with the oval middle burner in the middle on the top, a warming drawer, and a convection oven ... we also purchased a new over the range microwave and a new dishwasher ... and a 14.4 cu ft refrigerator to replace the compact fridge in the basement ... the only appliance we had them install was the gas range .. they brought the appliances and set up the range (I wasn't home - but the DH was) ... the next day I was wiping the stove top and found scratches on it including a couple that went all the way through the finish .. so I call .. and they set up a time to bring a replacement ... 2 days later, they set up the replacement, and after they leave I realize that the range is not sitting flush with the counter but is sitting about 1" or more above the countertop and there is this huge space UNDER the stove .. so call again and 2 days later, they're out again to try to fix this issue ... they redo all this (and there really is a strange situation with our floor which I just won't try to describe here, but it's not the 'usual' slide out the range, adjust the legs, and slide it back in) ... I even checked the level to be sure they had it all "right" before they left ... well .. AFTER they left I realized that the left front leg was not in the "hole" in the floor where it has to sit (part of the 'weird' floor) ... and it's just sort of 'perched' on top of the hole ... DH and I just fixed it ourselves ... I was tired of dealing with it! yesterday he installed the new microwave ... makes me want to be able to redo the entire kitchen now!!! (we have plans to completely redo it, but it will have to be AFTER some other home remodeling projects are done first - so a few years yet) The only other thing is my family stuff .. lol .. aren't you glad I haven't posted in forever? My mother is back in and out of the hospital, but nothing critical at this point ... she is expected to go back to the nursing home soon and really has been doing "better" ... my wounds from my fall are 'mostly' healed ... my 2 fingers on the left hand still have very swollen joints and I still can't do a lot of gripping with that hand and can't put any weight on those 2 fingers ... still can't put weight to kneel on the left knee although it doesn't hurt in everyday walking, etc. ... and I still have a few pink patches on my face that I do my best to cover with makeup! and I'm outta here again ...

Re: GMC Acadia: Prices Paid & Buying Experience [bruce_lee]

by 08blackrt on Sun Jan 06 20:53:41 PST 2008

I made several attempts to get a price quote on a basic AWD Acadia from the 3 dealers in my area by email. I had bought my last vehicle this way, and really liked it. That was in '03, and I thought it would be possible again. Nope! One place sent me bizarre replies with no price whatsoever, not even a mention, and the two others gave me about $200-300 off sticker, and they were mostly loaded up. Neither of them would budge, and one place told me they didn't normally do dealer trades (I had found one about 100 miles away exactly as I wanted it). I was recovering from knee surgery, and I even hired a guy to negotiate for me, and he tried to work out a deal on an Outlook and an Acadia, and basically got nowhere. They only wanted to sell me what was on the lot for a little off sticker, and that was it. I was offered a Vue for a great price though at the Saturn place, but it's too small, and I really didn't like it. The place that never gave me a quote sent me a message later asking if I had made a decision based on the "quotes I sent you before". As soon as I mentioned this to the car buyer, he laughed and said her name. Apparently, she's famous for this kind of stuff. One of the cars on my list was a Dodge Charger, and that's what I wound up with. So far, I'm very happy with it, and got it for about 5K+ less than any AWD Acadia or Outlook I could get. The hemi is a a lot of fun too. Maybe an Acadia next time!

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by dudleyr on Thu Apr 05 08:44:24 PDT 2007

You can get Camrys at invoice now. It really depends on the featurs you want as to how the price works. You can't get bluetooth, 5 star side crash ratings, knee airbags, tire pressure monitor, traction control or stability control on any 4 cyl Accord. I wound up with an Accord (for well under $20k out the door), but if Toyota had made a Camry LE with a stick shift and no sunroof, then I probably would have bought that. If I could have had the same with bluetooth stability and alloys, then I definately would have bought the camry. Unfortunately after checking dozens of deals and thousands of vehicles, none are available. BTW - if Honda made an SEL (SE with leather - or EXL without a sunroof) that had stability control, then Honda would have won no question. I imagine they will cath up to Toyota later this year. I decided not to wait because I figured that weight would go up and real world mpg and headroom would go down with the new model.

Toyota Avalon Limited vs. Lexus ES 350 Comparison

by gohawaiian on Sat Jun 24 14:08:15 PDT 2006

I thought it might be interesting for owners & prospective buyers of the Toyota Avalon Limited and Lexus ES 350 to compare these two models. I recently comparison-shopped those 2 cars and wound up trading in my 97 ES 300 for an Avalon Limited. My reasons are set out below. Perhaps others would like to offer their own views and make the case for either car! Before buying an Avalon Limited, I looked at and ruled out both the 2006 ES 330 and the 2007 ES 350 for different reasons. The 06 330 has a much smaller, less fuel efficient 6 cyl. engine than the Av, while the 07 350 has essentially the same engine as the Av. Both Lexus models (330 & 350) are smaller than the Av, inside and out. The Av compares in size to the LS 430, the Lexus flagship. And in fact, some car magazine reviews have described the Av Ltd. as a "poor man's LS 430", and a car that offers 85% of what the LS 430 offers. (If you can overlook the absence, on the Av, of the Lexus badge and the V8 engine of the LS 430, you can argue that the Av seriously rivals the $60,000 LS 430 for a whopping 45% less, approximately, in MSRP). As for the comparison of the Av Ltd. to the ES 350, you'd have to order the ES 350 with a $2500 "Premium Plus" package (boosting its total MSRP over $36,300) to get that car with heated/ventilated leather seats, driver's seat cushion extender, and rain-sensing wipers, all of which are standard on the Av. Ltd. Even then, your ES 350 still wouldn't have the power rear sunshade, wood-trim steering wheel, HID headlights, and a 12 speaker premium sound system that are all standard equip. on the Av Ltd. At Lexus, those items are either additional cost options or are only available as part of a much more expensive option package on the ES 350. In fairness to the ES 350, it does come standard with electronic stability control (optional on the Av); a power tilt/telescope steering column (these are manually adjustable on the Av); and knee airbags for driver and front seat passenger (only a driver knee airbag on the Av.) You will likely find that Toyota dealers will be willing to offer you a MUCH more substantial discount on the Av Ltd. than you will get on the ES 350. In May 2006, I was offered 11% off list on a 2006 Av Ltd. and 19% off list on a brand new 2005 Av Ltd. Try asking for discounts like that at a Lexus dealer! (In fact, my local Lexus dealer offered me, as a return customer, only 5% off a 2006 ES 330, a model which they needed to unload quickly to make room for the new ES 350 models arriving - (so much for "customer loyalty & appreciation" discounts - that discount was almost insulting!) With discounts over 10% at Toyota, one could add on the electronic stability control and laser cruise control options (together they add about $1250 to the list) and still come out thousands below a comparably equipped ES 350. That's my take on the value proposition represented by the Avalon Limited - and, more importantly, I love the car, too! Given all these facts, what makes the ES 350 seem like a preferred choice/better buy in the view of its owners & admirers?

Dodge Caliber vs Chevy HHR

by basiliskst on Sun Mar 12 19:32:50 PST 2006

I've driven both and find them very comparable in practice. Each has advantages. I'm not sure which I would choose at this stage. My own impression of the Chevy HHR 2.4 l LT2 (high-line) was very positive. The driving was composed and quiet. The 2.4 was as silky in power delivery through a four-speed automatic as any Toyota four-cylinder engine I've driven and markedly better than the underpowered Pontiac Vibe/Toyota Matrix that was also under consideration initially. The Chevy uses special laminated steel in the firewall to reduce noise and it worked well. (Other reviewers have complained about noise at high RPM, but I will confess I did not wring the engine out, nor would I normally do so.) The HHR, regardless, wins the noise battle as the quieter of the two. The Dodge Caliber SXT I drove had the 2.0 l CVT combination. It was noticeably slow off the line, but fine for passing acceleration once the engine was wound up. This is my biggest point of worry for Dodge. The response off the line may not be what the Dodge brand suggests. You can always get a five-speed manual, but most Americans don't. The 2.4 liter engines provide identical 172 horsepower ratings and both feature continuously variable valve timing. The Dodge 2.4 is only available with AWD. The Chevy does not offer AWD, but as a consequence offers better fuel economy with the optional 2.4 l engine. The Dodge is more sophisticated chassis with a multi-link rear suspension where the HHR has a simpler twist beam. The Chevy also has electric power steering (helps fuel economy at the expense of steering feel). The Dodge wins hands down in interior ingenuity, though the HHR has the nicer cargo area. The Chevy has NHTSA front crash ratings posted now. Five stars -- best in class. Side ratings are not yet posted. The Dodge Caliber is an unknown until test results are posted. Until last week I would have said an all new car should do well, but the Ford Fusion just proved that wrong. The Caliber does pack standard side curtain airbags (a smart move, maybe even a necessary move as Hyundai/Kia are making safety standard). The HHR has significantly more cargo space (less slope on the back glass and longer load floor with the back seat up). The backseat question is another point of differentiation. The Caliber scoops out the back of the front seat for increased knee room. The seat back in the SXT and R/T reclines. It still isn't enough to beat the HHR if back seat room is important. The HHR has more legroom with the front seat all the way back and has a much larger back door opening so you don't have to twist adult feet to get them inside the car. Both the Caliber and HHR are more truck inspired than other hatches in the class. Both will replace a more fuel hungry SUV if you don't need to go far off-road. It may come down to styling. For me, both the retro HHR and the masculine Caliber work. From the front seat forward, the Caliber wins hands down. Behind the front seat the HHR makes up a lot of ground. Both have the same 3 year/36,000 mile warranty (not enough when Hyundai offers 10 year/100,000 mile warranty with safety and reliability, if not yet the same design flair. DaimlerChrysler has a better track record of developing models in recent years, with better than average reliability and running improvements. I have a family of three to transport, one 6' 1" and the other two around 5' 8", so the back seat matters, but the opinion of my eighteen-year old daughter matters more. She loves the clever interior of the Caliber. She was sold before she started the engine. So it does come down to styling. I think the Caliber will skew towards a younger demographic than the HHR. Still, I like both and a rationale person could choose either in good conscience.

Re: 2000 Lexus GS400 - Platinum- .... Hfang ...

by rroyce10 on Sat Dec 04 16:00:32 PST 2004

Terry, Just a question- was considering a 2001 540i this weekend, and dealer offered me 14K on my car (Chicago)- 2000 Lexus GS400 (V8) Platinum Package w/60K miles- Loaded, black/black, Nakamichi, immaculate, no dings, fully dealer serviced, all records, no paintwork or accidents, back seats like new (no one's ever sat back there), etc. I looked online and no one's asking for < 22K on such a car (as a seller), and Edmunds/KBB says trade is >20K. After walking out, dealer now calling me back today to talk. What's my car worth on trade? THANKS!       ===================================            $14 ...? as in $14,000 dollars..? might that be American money ..?!?!            Lets take a look while Auburn gets wound-up ..... In Chi-town we have a 00 Lexus GS400, it's the Platinum deal, we have low miles for the year, color is good for the area, we have the Nak .. if it's nice, Clean, knee deep in rubber, no whacked out car washes, service is from yesterday, no paint, no I drove over my neighbors tree stuff .... if so, the Lex is worth in and around the low/mid $18's, maybe "might" could, on a wonderful, lucky and a glorious day find a dealer that would drop the low low low $19's in it ...... $14,000 - ?!?!?! .... did this guy have lots of tattoo's and those funny little cigarettes on him..? .. even if your ride needed new rubber, service, a touch here and there, at least $17,5 ---- $14,000 ..?!? was this thing floating in the Everglades ................... :)              The 540's are nice vehicles, I just sold a loaded up 01 "baby doll" (auto) with 22k and all the junk (including the kitchen sink) for $35,9 ..... you should be trading for your vehicle and "aroundish" the $18ish figure ...... $14..?!? -- Yikes ..!                              Terry.