I'm bored...kids are asleep- AMA

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland)
03/11/2016 at 21:11 • Filed to: AMA, porsche

Please note that AMA could abruptly end at any moment if kids wake up. :)

Update 10:42 EST...and it’s time for bed, thanks everyone this was fun!

DISCUSSION (70)

TheHondaBro > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:13

Why are you doing an AMA?

Tom McParland > TheHondaBro
03/11/2016 at 21:15

Because I’m a man of the people...or something like that.

Or because I miss being on Oppo and interacting with all of you like I did back in the day.

MountainRoadPhysicist > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:15

Favorite shape of cloud on a Tuesday afternoon?

Sweet Trav > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:15

What’s the best used 4 door car on the market right now under 30k?

Tom McParland > MountainRoadPhysicist
03/11/2016 at 21:16

Dragon...ever see a cloud that looks like a dragon and wonder if there is a real dragon inside?

scoob > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:17

How big is your peni

cillin dosage, if you have one?

TheHondaBro > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:18

I’m just a youngin’. I wasn’t on Oppo when you were part of the proletariat.

jkm7680 > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:19

Dream car?

Nightmare car?

Car that you’re embarrassed to want?

djmt1 > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:19

You rescued one of The Queen’s Corgis from falling into the Thames and as a reward you are offered one of the following:

A McLaren F1 for a day,

An F Type R for a week,

Or a Lotus Exige for month.

All with zero charge to yourself.

Tom McParland > Sweet Trav
03/11/2016 at 21:19

Oooooh good question...one that requires many follow up questions to answer fully, but I’ll take the easy way out and say 3-series. A just helped a client get a CPO 2013 328 w/sport package with 30k ish miles for about 26k. There are plenty of great cars, but you really can’t go wrong with a 3-series.

MountainRoadPhysicist > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:19

Haha, not really. But the last time I saw I rabbit shaped one, I did eventually begin to wonder what the Easter Bunny would taste like after being tossed in a stew.

For Sweden > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:20

How’s the used Dodge Charger R/T market right now?

Tom McParland > djmt1
03/11/2016 at 21:21

Gotta take the F1...I feel like I could have access to the others at some point in time in my life, but the F1 would be meeting a legend.

Cash Rewards > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:21

When should my wife and I buy our new Honda pilot? The 2016 model year started really early, will the 2017 one too?

CB > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:22

Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or one horse-sized duck?

shift monkey > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:22

Have stance bros asked why you haven’t bagged your gti yet?

Tom McParland > jkm7680
03/11/2016 at 21:24

Realistic dream car...I have a 10-15 year plan to get a 911

Dream car that will never happen- RS6 Avant

Nightmare car - 1996 Jag XJ...I drove one for an hour once and I thought it was going to disintegrate on me

Car that I’m embarrassed to want - I guess an Challenger Scat Pack...but I’m not really embarrassed by that, I just normally prefer European stuff.

Tom McParland > For Sweden
03/11/2016 at 21:25

It’s good, go buy one; burn some tires for America and Sweden!

jkm7680 > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:25

I too have a 10-15 year plan to get a 911, haha. Don’t we all?

Tom McParland > Cash Rewards
03/11/2016 at 21:26

You should buy one after you have driven an Odyssey and can honestly justify why the Pilot is better for your family.

J/K buy one when the dealers actually decide to give some damn discounts on them. Inventory is starting to build so things will get better soon.

Tom McParland > shift monkey
03/11/2016 at 21:27

No I don’t encounter many stance-bros in my travels....but I do get “So when you gonna chip it?” all the damn time.

Tom McParland > CB
03/11/2016 at 21:28

One horse sized duck...I feel like if I brought enough bread I could get out alive.

Tom McParland > scoob
03/11/2016 at 21:29

I have no idea what you are asking me.

scoob > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:30

I don’t know either.

Ssfancyfresh > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:31

Requirements:

1) Accommodate 2 kids in car seats

2) Sedan

3) Under $50k

4) Don’t want to hate myself every day.

What do I look at?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:31

Are you happy with your GTI purchase? After a month or so, I am wavering away from being absolutely thrilled about everything with mine. That’s not to say I dislike it, only it’s not keeping me as interested as I thought it would. Does yours hold humidity too well when it rains? My sunroof was completely condensated over when I left work today. It had rained the last couple days here, but I did not expect to have so much water on the windshield and sunroof. Are you shifts rather notchy? How is your mileage?

scoob > Ssfancyfresh
03/11/2016 at 21:32

Camry.

Use the rest of the money on a 2JZ swap and other mods.

Ultimate sleeper.

Cash Rewards > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:32

4 when drive wanted, so it’d have to be a sienna. Wife is of the mind that we don’t need a mini van 360 days of the year, so just rent one when you do. Still wants a 3rd row so we don’t have to always take two cars if grandma and grandpa are in town. Sienna is 200" long, so that was our criteria. If it was longer than 200" (Durango, cx9, traverse), then just get the van.

Glad to hear about inventory, it’s been sparce. Thanks for the info, got the kids sleep well. Hope mine do, too, the 2yo is getting afraid of the dark, and needs daddy if she wakes up.

Tom McParland > Ssfancyfresh
03/11/2016 at 21:34

CPO A6 TDI...forget dieselgate they are still great cars. Torque for DAYS!

Or Chevy SS if you can actually find one with 3 pedals.

Or CPO CTS V-Sport

Or E60 M5...because YOLO

K.D.R > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:34

What question do you want me to ask you?

Ssfancyfresh > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:36

I love you. Are you a wizard?

Tom McParland > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
03/11/2016 at 21:36

Still love the GTI...and I appreciate much more now that my commute when from 12 mins to 40 minutes. No sunroof so I don’t have moisture problems. Shifts are fine...I average about 28 MPG and I can have a heavy foot sometimes.

Tom McParland > Cash Rewards
03/11/2016 at 21:37

I gotcha...Pilot is still a great car.

Tom McParland > Ssfancyfresh
03/11/2016 at 21:38

I am not a wizard...my automotive knowledge is pretty pathetic compared to most of the people around here when it comes to weird cars, or history, or fixing stuff...helping people buy cars is my thing.

Tom McParland > K.D.R
03/11/2016 at 21:39

I don’t think it works that way. Ask whatever YOU want. :)

Ssfancyfresh > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:46

Very good suggestions. I bought a CPO A4 2.0T when my wife was pregnant with our first. He’s now 6 months.

Rear facing car seats are terrible. Our little guy is situated in the middle, so my wife and I can sit comfortably up front. With 2 little monkeys, it’s going to get pretty tight.

K.D.R > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:46

hahahahaha I just wanted to know what your response was going to be. But just to be clear, is that question a valid question on your “ask me anything” post? Now I’m going to be serious.

What is your favorite game and why?

Tom McParland > Ssfancyfresh
03/11/2016 at 21:49

rear facing is the worst...if you don’t mind CDJ stuff, the Charger has a pretty long wheelbase for its size. You can get a lot of power for 50k. I figure you want something a bit more refined though and since you are already familiar with Audi ownership, give the A6 TDI a try. They are just amazing highway cruisers.

Tom McParland > K.D.R
03/11/2016 at 21:50

Hmmm...I’m not much of a gamer. Between work and kids, I just don’t have time. I’ll play Need For Speed: No Limits on my phone if I want to have fun and zone out for a bit.

Sweet Trav > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 21:54

My answer would have been a Pontiac G8 GXP

Tom McParland > Sweet Trav
03/11/2016 at 21:55

Those are good too.

K.D.R > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:03

What was the car that you drove and you expected to be good, but it wasn’t? And what was the car that you drove and you did expected to be bad, but actually it was a good car?

btw sorry about my english.

Tom McParland > K.D.R
03/11/2016 at 22:07

- Volvo V60 T6 R-design. I really wanted to love this car. I tried the one with the old 6-speed auto. The trans sucked, the paddles were useless, the cargo area was way too small for a wagon and it didn’t “feel” as fast as 300 hp should.

- 2010 Chevy Malibu - I rented one in Puerto Rico. It wasn’t awesome, but I expected it to be a lot worse.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:12

Hmm. I guess my bushings need to wear in a bit longer, as right now my shifts are more notchy than I would have expected. My commute is only 4 miles, but it is suburb streets with lights and turns. I am getting only 19-20 mpg right now. Granted I still have less than 1k miles on it, but I expected it would be a bit better. Closer to 24-26. I really want a better rear ARB. My SVT Focus was simply lovely to toss around. The GTI just doesn’t feel quite as alive. And even with the diff up front, I still can’t power out of corners as well as I hoped.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:15

weirdest car/option to find

Tom McParland > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
03/11/2016 at 22:15

I’ll agree that the GTI is not as “exciting” as some other hot-hatches. That is why I like it, I don’t want to feel like I have to be “on it” all the time in my 70 mile round trip commute. Sometimes I just want to relax and cruise, and the car is perfectly happy doing so.

My 04 Cooper S was a hoot, but if you were driving it less than 7/10ths it was kind of annoying.

Tom McParland > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/11/2016 at 22:16

Not sure I understand the question...is it “what is the weirdest car or option someone asked me to find?”

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:20

yes. what is the weirdest car or weird option someone wanted you to buy for them? example Nissan murano crosscabriolet in maroon.

HammerheadFistpunch > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:23

Glad to see you back on oppo, even if its just rants and ama’s. oh, questions right; sippy cup or open cup?

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:24

Agreed. The GTI does being a normal car very well. But I still want for just a little bit more fun. Why can’t we have a Fiesta ST with Ford’s driving dynamics, but VW’s interior ergonomics and build quality?

Tom McParland > HammerheadFistpunch
03/11/2016 at 22:27

Open cup...though I have been known to grab a sippy cup here and there.

Tom McParland > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
03/11/2016 at 22:28

Someone asked me to find a Furious Fuscia Challenger once. That was pretty weird. My favorite was the lady that wanted a manual, BMW, wagon. To all of us that is great...to all those “regular” people that is weird.

K.D.R > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:29

And did you liked the V60's chassis/ suspension setting? Or even that it wasn’t what you expected?

JustJim > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:30

I’m unhappy with all my past carrier choices. How well does car buying consultant pay? I mean isn’t all the money you could save someone going into your pocket? Should I quit my day job and become your 40 something apprentice?

Tom McParland > K.D.R
03/11/2016 at 22:31

It was firm, but fine. I think the F31 handled better. If I was going to buy any luxury wagon that is somewhat within reason, I would go with the 3-touring. But a used V90 will be very tempting when I get old and lazy.

Tom McParland > JustJim
03/11/2016 at 22:33

Business is very unpredictable. Some months I’ll have 2 clients, some months I may have 12. I have another full time job with salary and benefits to make sure the bills are paid.

Don’t quit your job.

HammerheadFistpunch > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:33

In our house we have sippy cups and sippy cup pros

Kinja'd!!!

JustJim > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:38

I’ve had non car people ask me to help because I know more about cars. Ha! It’s not an encyclopedia up there it’s just more than the average bear. It’s hard to explain the difference in how they work vs how to not get ripped off.

K.D.R > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:42

And now my last question (or not).

Is miata always the answer? (FYI there’s a wrong answer.)

Tom McParland > K.D.R
03/11/2016 at 22:43

No...I don’t like convertibles, so Miata is almost NEVER the answer for me. It’s a great car and all, just not my thing. Now rally car...THAT is always the answer. :D

shop-teacher > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:44

Still teaching? How’s that going?

K.D.R > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:47

So there you have it. That is the wrong answer. Miata is always the answer. Always.

And maybe someday I will tell my story of me going after a miata here in brazil. Spoiler alert, I did found it!!! You can’t imagine how happy I was!

swansong, rockin' the wagons > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 22:49

Hm, guess I never realized that this was a part time gig for you. I’m an engineer who has always toyed around with the idea of making some side income, wonder if I could pull off something similar. I imagine it took you a while to get established relationships with both clients and dealers?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tom McParland
03/11/2016 at 23:18

despite appearing as THAT guy, my question is....are you aware you misspelled Porsche in your tag?

Yes I’m aware you already ended the AMA.

MuchWagon > Tom McParland
03/12/2016 at 08:05

You are missing an opportunity here. Think franchise arrangement. I’d pay a %age per commission to be trained by and work under an established brand.

MuchWagon > Ssfancyfresh
03/12/2016 at 08:10

Sams Q, but wagon/hatch under 30k.

Tom McParland > MuchWagon
03/12/2016 at 09:39

A lot of folks have asked about this. The thing is I operate all over the country and I’m not yet at the point where my client load is too much that I need to farm it out to someone else. If I ever get there I would love to have an Automatch empire with representatives in various metro areas.

Tom McParland > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
03/12/2016 at 09:40

hahah...yeah that happens, thanks

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Tom McParland
03/12/2016 at 12:51

Haha, was just being a jerk, hope you had fun with your ama

MuchWagon > Tom McParland
03/12/2016 at 13:58

You only have to start with one. But I totally understand where you are coming from.