Good morning America!!!
Discussion
My first day as a US resident today. Flew into Chicago from London last night with my wife, spent about 5 minutes at Immigration (amazing!) and now I'm here.
It's taken a while for the whole process and the past couple of months have been super hectic giving up life in the UK. Saying goodbye to friends and family has been a killer, but now it's finally here it all seems very surreal.
Will take us a bit of time to adjust to life over here but we're very much looking forward to it, and know that despite our worries and fears, it'll all be ok.
How can it not be.....we have a superb view of lake Michigan and I can hear the almost constant thrum of large capacity V8's on the streets below.
So, ramblings aside just wanted to say hello from the Windy City!
It's taken a while for the whole process and the past couple of months have been super hectic giving up life in the UK. Saying goodbye to friends and family has been a killer, but now it's finally here it all seems very surreal.
Will take us a bit of time to adjust to life over here but we're very much looking forward to it, and know that despite our worries and fears, it'll all be ok.
How can it not be.....we have a superb view of lake Michigan and I can hear the almost constant thrum of large capacity V8's on the streets below.
So, ramblings aside just wanted to say hello from the Windy City!
Yes, good time weather wise, that's for sure!
Assuming I embrace the American way and get my "ass" into an SUV, there's only one choice really isn't there? Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 of course.
Tuscan is still in the UK and is living at my parents house for the time being. Next challenge is to take it to bits and import it as a kit car. Now that will make getting a green card seem like a walk in the park.
Assuming I embrace the American way and get my "ass" into an SUV, there's only one choice really isn't there? Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 of course.
Tuscan is still in the UK and is living at my parents house for the time being. Next challenge is to take it to bits and import it as a kit car. Now that will make getting a green card seem like a walk in the park.
An SUV with all season tires will still be s
t in the snow, you need snow tires regardless. I put a set on my rwd 335i and was more or less unstoppable in the harsh relentless snow we had in CT this past winter.
Oh and the new shape Grand Jeep Cherokee has just been released, its rather good looking although the SRT8 verison hasn't been launched yet.
t in the snow, you need snow tires regardless. I put a set on my rwd 335i and was more or less unstoppable in the harsh relentless snow we had in CT this past winter.Oh and the new shape Grand Jeep Cherokee has just been released, its rather good looking although the SRT8 verison hasn't been launched yet.
Oh 
, I know all about winter tyres. Even had a set fitted to the Tuscan and was suitably impressed not just with snow/ice performance, but also their general cold/wet traction levels over high speed summer rubber in the same conditions.
Yea, new Cherokee looks nice and it's going to be the guts of the new Maserati SUV so should be good......although not so sure I fancy the wait or the expense of a new one?
, I know all about winter tyres. Even had a set fitted to the Tuscan and was suitably impressed not just with snow/ice performance, but also their general cold/wet traction levels over high speed summer rubber in the same conditions.Yea, new Cherokee looks nice and it's going to be the guts of the new Maserati SUV so should be good......although not so sure I fancy the wait or the expense of a new one?
dvs_dave said:
Oh , I know all about winter tyres. Even had a set fitted to the Tuscan and was suitably impressed not just with snow/ice performance, but also their general cold/wet traction levels over high speed summer rubber in the same conditions.
Yea, new Cherokee looks nice and it's going to be the guts of the new Maserati SUV so should be good......although not so sure I fancy the wait or the expense of a new one?
Seen some pricing estimates of $46,000 (plus taxes), so very very reasonable considering the performance / powerplant. , I know all about winter tyres. Even had a set fitted to the Tuscan and was suitably impressed not just with snow/ice performance, but also their general cold/wet traction levels over high speed summer rubber in the same conditions.Yea, new Cherokee looks nice and it's going to be the guts of the new Maserati SUV so should be good......although not so sure I fancy the wait or the expense of a new one?
Buying a new Chrysler is a mug's errand. You can grab an 07 or 08 SRT-8 Cherokee for mid-$20's.
I bought a loaded 07 SRT-8 300C that was $50k new, for $23k at one year old. Some other poor sod took the beating and I got a serious muscle-cruiser for VW Golf money. I'd recommend you do the same, but get AWD.
I work in Chi-town very frequently, it's a great city - and just to your north, in southern WI (Whitewater, to be precise) there is a fantastic summer watersports playground. I love it up there.
Again, welcome to a much more varied (in most ways) way of life.
I bought a loaded 07 SRT-8 300C that was $50k new, for $23k at one year old. Some other poor sod took the beating and I got a serious muscle-cruiser for VW Golf money. I'd recommend you do the same, but get AWD.
I work in Chi-town very frequently, it's a great city - and just to your north, in southern WI (Whitewater, to be precise) there is a fantastic summer watersports playground. I love it up there.
Again, welcome to a much more varied (in most ways) way of life.
dvs_dave said:
Oh , I know all about winter tyres. Even had a set fitted to the Tuscan and was suitably impressed not just with snow/ice performance, but also their general cold/wet traction levels over high speed summer rubber in the same conditions.
Yea, new Cherokee looks nice and it's going to be the guts of the new Maserati SUV so should be good......although not so sure I fancy the wait or the expense of a new one?
Given the leasing deals industrywide you can get something very nice for far less than you probably think. , I know all about winter tyres. Even had a set fitted to the Tuscan and was suitably impressed not just with snow/ice performance, but also their general cold/wet traction levels over high speed summer rubber in the same conditions.Yea, new Cherokee looks nice and it's going to be the guts of the new Maserati SUV so should be good......although not so sure I fancy the wait or the expense of a new one?
Look in your local paper and you will be pleasantly surprised.
I'd also spend time on craigslist looking for deals.
Greetings from Tampa Bay where it is roof down season and open top motoring.....right up until the end of May when it is too damn hot!! 60's all the way down here and muscle cars rule along with some classics. Can't comment on what to buy because weather conditions up there would require an all seasons car and maybe a 4x4. You will laugh at gas prices, even if they go upto $4 a gallon....still way under half price of the UK's £1.32 plus a litre.
Go out and drive a whole load of vehicles, look at prices, warranties etc and I bet that you will end up buying German and missing a decent cross country blast.
Go out and drive a whole load of vehicles, look at prices, warranties etc and I bet that you will end up buying German and missing a decent cross country blast.
I paid $4.36 a gallon today (Western Suburbs of Chicago). Admittedly that was for "premium" (BP Ultimate). I remember when I first "tanked up" this side of the pond it was $1.50 a gallon :-(
Unfortunately Illinois is one of those States who use an ethanol mix in the summer (better for the environment – or better for farmer subsidies) which will add another 15 cents a gallon in a months time when the fuel changes.
Unfortunately Illinois is one of those States who use an ethanol mix in the summer (better for the environment – or better for farmer subsidies) which will add another 15 cents a gallon in a months time when the fuel changes.
Gassing Station | USA & Canada | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff