Thanks Joe. I put a profile post with my 2 Hyundai. Drove the Sante Fe (with 177K miles) to Palm desert (over the mountains) this weekend and it was quiet and smooth like a new one. I was following an SUV up the hills through the switchbacks. I was smoothly catching up to him in all the turns but he would pull away from me in the straights (because I didn't feel the need to speed up). Eventually I caught him when we came up behind some slower traffic. Turned out to be a BMW X6. I think he probably could have hung with me in the turns...maybe just needs a driving lesson.
I should have replaced the shocks, struts and sway bar links earlier. I think I'll replace the tie rod ends this week. They don't seem bad but I bet I'll be able to tell the difference.
I have been shopping for a luxury SUV. Drove Acura and Lexus. While both are nice, I feel like if I'm going to spend $50-60k on a car it should be exactly what I want. Not finding that, I've quit shopping and will try again in a year or 2.
This morning I came out of the hotel and found a new mustang with the hood up (claimed he left his lights on). He asked me if I had jumper cables but I told him I quit carrying cables when I started replacing my battery before it dies. I replace them every 3 or 4 years, depending on how much time they spend in the heat. Lately I don't go to the desert much in the summer. Big believer in preventive maintenance.
I'm in Carlsbad, CA .
I think I need to drive to Oregon (over 1000 miles one way) in March to pick up some high end speakers. I'll probably take the Sante fe.
take care,
Jerry
