What are you trying to buy but can't?

[Captante]

The wagon has various assorted dings and cosmetic issues expected for a 27 year old vehicle. It ain't purdy, but it runs when I turn the key. Usually. It has had problems.

The Sebring has the 6. No, you don't what to change plugs unless you really, really have to. AC doesn't work. Top does go down. Less dings and cosmetic flaws, looks decent.

Until they die, I have no reason to seek anything else.

I was getting eggs at Aldi for under a buck until not too long ago. Made a special trip there (not an area I go to often), saw their new prices. Left without buying anything. Not planning on going back any time soon.

On some V-6 Sebrings changing the plugs literally required lifting the engine! (Friend of mines needed a tune up and he sold it instead)

Chrysler tried to get around it by installing 100k platinum spark plugs lol.

Just like a Mini-Cooper there are quite a few "cheap" used cars that are fine provided you're lucky and get one that doesn't break however if something does go wrong the repair is often more than the cars value. (any convertible could be an exception though!)

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

My biggest gripe about the Sebring is the potential for a catastrophic engine failure any time I turn the key. The timing belt is original and I've been told if it breaks, the engine is toast.

Some estimates are $500, others are higher to get it replaced. They all want to replace the water pump at the same time since it has to be removed to do the belt. Problem is, nobody really wants to do it.

 

[Captante]

My biggest gripe about the Sebring is the potential for a catastrophic engine failure any time I turn the key. The timing belt is original and I've been told if it breaks, the engine is toast.

Some estimates are $500, others are higher to get it replaced. They all want to replace the water pump at the same time since it has to be removed to do the belt. Problem is, nobody really wants to do it.

The labor is the issue... even if yours doesn't REQUIRE lifting the engine to do that job it's still a time-consuming nightmare of a project.

Having said that, if you plan on keeping the car and if it doesn't burn significant oil you should either just do the timing belt or look into the price of a replacement/scrapyard engine. If it breaks it will destroy the valves.

The Sebring is a prime example of what nearly took down Chrysler but the convertible editions are quite rare so it might be worth keeping it in decent shape.

 

[nakedfrog]

My biggest gripe about the Sebring is the potential for a catastrophic engine failure any time I turn the key. The timing belt is original and I've been told if it breaks, the engine is toast.

Some estimates are $500, others are higher to get it replaced. They all want to replace the water pump at the same time since it has to be removed to do the belt. Problem is, nobody really wants to do it.

It just makes logical sense to replace the water pump then, it's a cheaper part, with the same amount of labor involved, and if the timing belt needs replaced, the water pump has already been in there quite some time too. People would flip if they had to pay another few hundred dollars to replace just the water pump when they just paid all that to have the timing belt replaced a year or two earlier. Replacing timing belts is part of the deal you accept when you're driving an older car with an interference engine. If it's a non-interference engine, the car just won't run without it, versus being badly damaged.

 

[Captante]

Nearly all newer ICE cars use a timing chain made entirely of metal that's designed to last the life of the engine (but does require occasional adjustments) rather than a rubber belt which wears out and needs to be replaced in 60 to roughly 100k max.

Even in well-designed vehicles that give you room to work in the engine-bay, a timing-belt is an annoying and expensive repair job.

 

[Geekbabe]

Eggs for $3 per dozen sounds like a fantastic deal compared to what I've been seeing lately.

Average real prices were closer to twice that much for a dozen when I was in the grocery-store YESTERDAY.

If you see quality & fresh large/ex-large eggs at that price for a dozen I suggest you stock up.

I took a nap during my Instacart shop. I wanted the cheapest ones $3.65 a dozen…shopper replaced them as they were out of stock. $4.65 a dozen!

 

[nakedfrog]

Dang, even out here I can get the cheap eggs for $2/dozen. $5 is for free range eggs.

 

[Exterous]

If by "not long ago" you mean like 2019 I believe you.... otherwise unless you buy in bulk and/or straight from a farm not likely on the bolded.

For this area you could still get it for under $1/dozen into 2020. Eggs have always been cheap in SE MI. Kroger would regularly send out coupons for a free dozen. So it's probably been the biggest WTF inflation moments for me since they are now closing in on $5/dozen

 

[Geekbabe]

I am probably going to switch to egg beaters or something. We have switched to a lot more meatless meals, squash ravioli? I can’t get enough. Love stuff like broccoli bake, grilled cheese sandwiches & various soup. We also treat meat as an accent to a meal rather than the main event. Eggs & chicken have always been good budget alternatives but that isn’t the case right now, so I will be going with more plant based options, besides, increasing my veggie & fruit consumption is better for my health. 😀

 

[NutBucket]

Nearly all newer ICE cars use a timing chain made entirely of metal that's designed to last the life of the engine (but does require occasional adjustments) rather than a rubber belt which wears out and needs to be replaced in 60 to roughly 100k max.

Even in well-designed vehicles that give you room to work in the engine-bay, a timing-belt is an annoying and expensive repair job.

It all comes down to design. Plenty of engines with chains have issues with them stretching or the guides wearing out, etc. IMHO a belt is more tolerant of minor design "mistakes" as it is a serviceable part by design.

Now tempting fate with an old belt on a car one intends to keep using...not smart.

 

[BoomerD]

Eggs for $3 per dozen sounds like a fantastic deal compared to what I've been seeing lately.

Average real prices were closer to twice that much for a dozen when I was in the grocery-store YESTERDAY.

If you see quality & fresh large/ex-large eggs at that price for a dozen I suggest you stock up.

I went to the local IGA yesterday to pick up a dozen eggs and a head of lettuce. Eggs were $5.89/doz and the lettuce was $4.49. I didn't buy either. Went up the road to the little liquidation market. Eggs were $3.29, but they were out of lettuce.
Large eggs at the Walmart (25 miles away) are currently $1.70/doz and lettuce is $1.74. I'll be in town later in the week and will get the necessities there.

(sometimes it sucks living in a small tourist town on the beach)

The only thing that might fit the category of "what am I trying to buy but can't" would be an F150 Hybrid with the 7kW generator. Even though apparently Ford has sold something like 40% fewer this year than last year, (Lightning might have something to do with that) they still haven't been available. I DID find one with the smaller generator, but it's not what I want...and the price was sky high at that dealership. "Market adjustment fee" of several thousand $$$."
I don't NEED one...my 2019 F150 is perhaps the nicest vehicle I've ever owned...3.5l twin turbo ecoboost gets around 20 mpg average. Hauls my wife, my dog, and me just fine...plus it has the 6.5' bed, so I can haul almost anything...but I kind of WANT one. I've had the 2019 since 5/2020, just turned 20,000 miles on it. Time for a new truck.

 

[Captante]

It all comes down to design. Plenty of engines with chains have issues with them stretching or the guides wearing out, etc. IMHO a belt is more tolerant of minor design "mistakes" as it is a serviceable part by design.

Now tempting fate with an old belt on a car one intends to keep using...not smart.

I'll take a timing-chain over a belt every single time.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

At my local Stop & Shop a Perdue 7-9lb roaster is over $20 (!!) full-price and currently on sale for $14.50.

A store-brand 4-5lb roaster however is $8.50 and an organic bird the same size is approx $1 more.

Not sure if this is the same as what you call a roaster, but one of my local stores today ....





Eggs in stores were $3 or above for matched, perfect white eggs. Found one place a bit under that. Stopped at a farmer and got odd mismatched real color eggs for $2.50. I don't mind paying that to a local farmer.

 

[Captante]

Not sure if this is the same as what you call a roaster, but one of my local stores today ....

View attachment 69863



Eggs in stores were $3 or above for matched, perfect white eggs. Found one place a bit under that. Stopped at a farmer and got odd mismatched real color eggs for $2.50. I don't mind paying that to a local farmer.

Like I said $3 per dozen is a pretty good deal these days.... sucks.

And the size is about right but that's one nasty chicken! I'd HAPPILY pay more for one without the "solution containing water, salt, sugar and FLAVORING" injected into the meat! (lol wtf??)

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

You probably don't want to know what Purdue puts in theirs, labeled or not. Whatever else I could say about Purdue would be for P&N.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Local grocery store chain started a points program. Earn points with purchases, but they give you 500 just for enrolling. This week's ad shows eggs for $1/dozen with 300 points. Thing is you gotta have your dang blasted gizmatronical device with you.

Boneless skinless chicken breasts are $1.99/lb which has been my target price over the last 10 years or more. No points needed.

Some stuff is up from what it was 3 years ago, but many items are the same or lower than back then.

 

[Captante]

You probably don't want to know what Purdue puts in theirs, labeled or not. Whatever else I could say about Purdue would be for P&N.

Fortunately I have a fantastic "kosher" butcher shop nearby that sells organic "free-range" whole chickens for only a little more per lb than the factory-farm chemical-birds... Tyson is even worse than Perdue in terms of what they feed their chickens btw.

(the "organic" local birds do have smaller breasts/thighs due to no use of growth-hormones AND not living in a crate!)

 

[Captante]

Some stuff is up from what it was 3 years ago, but many items are the same or lower than back then.

Wow ..... so wherever YOU happen to live is "magically" immune to inflation" ??? (unlike EVERYWHERE else rotfl)



Forgive me but I would need to see your grocery receipt with prices from approx "3 years ago" ago to compare before I believe you. (you DO have a storied history of posting complete nonsense sorry)

I actually DO keep track of things like food-expenses and prices are up on average in the area of 25 to 30% pretty much across the board nationwide. (and I personally have the budget-numbers to back this statement up)

In many cases the actual prices on packages are close to the same BUT the product they contain has gotten substantially smaller/lighter weight which is effectively the same as increasing prices.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

I have no idea why I still had these, but I found them in an old cabinet I was cleaning out a few weeks ago. Kept a stack of receipts out so I could look through them for any major purchases from back then. Just never got around to doing that, but took a glance just on the off hand there were any grocery receipts. There are more, but they're all on thermal and most are faded to much to read.


I still get cheese in the $1.50-$2.00 range depending on brand, but it varies wildly from week to week for some reason.. The chicken crackers are about $2.00 now. Peanut butter is around $1.50 to $2.00 for generics, higher for brand names. Hunt's ketchup is still about $1.50 at most stores. Like I said above, eggs are on sale for right now for a $1.00/dozen. Canned vegetables are routinely 50-75 cents today. Miracle Whip has gone up a lot as have several other items. I can still get generic bread for under a dollar a loaf. Potato chips have gone silly high for some reason. The meats shown are total prices, but the weights and price per pound aren't shown so I can't compare those. Milk is generally in the $4 range now, but I still see it on sale at times for $2 something. Cottage chees is nuts. I'll see it anywhere from $2/ 24oz carton to over $5. So are the little oranges and tuna, maybe seasonal I guess but prices vary 40-50% from week to week and store to store. Juices are still a buck or so a quart for off brands.

Aldi's price plan is a bit different from regular stores, but the chicken for $5.99 was probably a 3 pound bag which puts it at $2/lb, same as my current store add. Off brand little smokies are in the $2-2.50 range now on sale.

I'm going to town Friday and don't really need groceries, but I might get a few of these things just to get a recent receipt.

 

[IronWing]

Fortunately I have a fantastic "kosher" butcher shop nearby that sells organic "free-range" whole chickens for only a little more per lb than the factory-farm chemical-birds... Tyson is even worse than Perdue in terms of what they feed their chickens btw.

(the "organic" local birds do have smaller breasts/thighs due to no use of growth-hormones AND not living in a crate!)

We buy our chicken at a halal grocery, totally separate supply chain and the chickens taste a lot better. Probably the same supply chain used for kosher chicken.

 

[MrSquished]

Costco sells kosher chicken parts, and usually freezer packed organic parts too.

I get a bunch and freeze.

 

[Lost_in_the_HTTP]

Screenshots of our current ads .....




I think there were 2 liter sodas listed on some of those old receipts for a buck and I can still get them for a buck. I don't drink sodas any more though.

 

[Captante]

I'm only talking about real food... the soda companies would still make money selling those bottles of poison for 20 cents.

Most of those meat-prices are slightly HIGHER per lb then my local place and Connecticut prices are on the "expensive" end usually too.

Bottom line is that per my own observation PLUS everyone I interact with other than you, grocery-prices are literally through the roof.