Drew Dowdell

Getting the latest will help it last longer before you need to replace it. Phones have a bit of planned obsolescence in them. You can get 3 years out of a phone, but 6 years is pushing it.... the clock doesn't start when you buy the phone, it starts when the phone was released. I agree with @ykX that once you get one, you won't want to go back. There are a bunch of business apps that could even help you in your business to speed things up.

Elon Musk revealed in a series of tweets that the Tesla Model Y compact crossover would be revealed at an event in their LA Design Studio on March 14th. Detailed specs, pricing, and even test rides will be available. Musk says that the Model Y will be about 10% larger than a Tesla Model 3 and expects pricing to be about 10% more. The Model Y will share battery sizes with the Model 3 and because of increased size and weight will get slightly less range. Musk indicated that the Model Y will look a lot like a Model 3 and will not have the falcon wing doors found on the Model X. Last week Tesla announced that the base model $35,000 (before destination charges) version of its Model 3 sedan was now available and that it would be closing most of its retail locations to focus mainly on online sales. View full article

Also has the wheel flares... but it is a relatively short rear deck. I'm talking about cars with half a Stratofortress as a trunk. Ones that look like fuselages.

It's because it has those wheel flares.

Cars that big, coupes especially, need skirts to look right.

Yeah, if you mean last new name introductions, then that's correct

They're still issuing new ones at work. So you can buy one, it's just the oldest model Apple still offers. I was more saying that if you bought a refurb or something some Ebay. 8 is probably the oldest I would go with new.

The $29 deal is only for certain models of iPhone. I think the 6, 6S, and 7. You do not want to go any older than a 6S if you buy used.

Yeah, I understand the distinction. Changing later would be annoying. But it will cost more to go iPhone now than that Android.

The cheapest answer is likely this at Costco. Not the greatest, but it would get you by. Take it to your cell phone provider to get a Sim chip for it.

Apple fixes the prices of iPhones, so it's hard to find a deal, but look around.

I realize they are at the mercy of what Ford and Chevy send... but for less than $1,000 more, they could have had an ST with CoPilot and still been less expensive than the Blazer.

Then no, it has not. Though with the sightings that have popped up, patent drawings that have leaked, even the keyfob has been shown, I'm inclined to believe that it is coming. Concept cars aren't typically seen out on proving grounds because they have nothing to prove. Not in the last 20 years anyway.

I've never known my Android to have better battery life than my iPhone, though I use my Android a lot heavier than my iPhone. The nice thing about Apples is that if you do have a defective/dying battery, it is easy to just take it to an Apple store and have it replaced. I had to have the battery replaced on my Nexus and it was a production. The different vendors for Android is a downfall in my opinion these days. I'm a #NeverSamsung kinda guy, I've been burned by their phones too many times. You're at their mercy for getting software updates and then the carrier also potentially blocks a software update also. I'm assuming this phone is for @balthazar and not "a friend". One of the things you're not going to like is the cost... An iphone 8 will suit you just fine, no need to go all the way up to the top of the line phone.. but if you do, an XR is what my partner has and he likes it a lot. iPhones last longer than Androids do simply because Apple supports software updates for a lot longer. Unless you're looking to replace a phone every 2 years, go with iPhone. I was planning on moving to iPhone about 6 months ago, but then I dropped my Android Nexus 6P and it was replaced under insurance with a newer Pixel. The Pixel has been fine and is just something for me to use till I'm ready to upgrade. I have to change carriers also because my carrier only works on certain Android phones. Balth, if you do go with Android instead of iPhone, go with Google Pixel instead of Samsung or LG. Motorola is a good second place pick because they don't muck up their OS with garbage like Samsung does.

Over 8 Million Ford Taurus cars have been built over the years as U.S. Taurus production came to a close yesterday in Chicago. The Taurus was first introduced at the 1985 Los Angeles Auto Show. The original Taurus changed the design landscape for family cars in the U.S. from a traditional boxy shape to a very rounded aerodynamic one. Offered in sedan and wagon variants, the popular model became the best selling car in America by 1992. In 1989, the SHO was introduced, a 220 horsepower V6 engine provided by Yamaha. There was a two-year pause from 2006 to 2008 when the model was called the Ford Five Hundred. While the Taurus is ending in the U.S. an unrelated Taurus continues production in China. The Chinese Taurus was introduced in 2016 and is based on an extended Ford Fusion platform. Though production of the Taurus has ended in Chicago, Ford is investing $1 billion to expand their Chicago Assembly Plant and Chicago Stamping plant to get ready for the 2020 Ford Explorer , Ford Police Interceptor, and Lincoln Aviator. Ford is replacing or updating 75% of its U.S. lineup by the end of 2020. View full article

The GLC refresh didn't do anything visually. It's the same car with a different grill, very slightly more horsepower, and MBUX. Nothing that will move the needle.

That's pretty disappointing. I feel like my Encore does better than that.

I'm not seeing many of the Silverado, but the Sierras are plentiful, especially the Denali. I'm surprised how many Denalis I see... almost as many as the Silverado entirely.

I have been on Android as my personal phone pretty much ever since they came out. Before that I was on Blackberry and on Windows phone. I carry a work iPhone so I have experience with that as well. For years I have stuck with Android in spite of its less than steller compatibility with other devices. My current Android is likely my last Android. Next time around I will be going with iPhone simply because I no longer have the interest or desire to hack my phone just to make it work with other things. My music is spread out over several apps just so that I can have all of it. It's annoying and it will be a project to consolidate all of it once I switch, but it will be worth it. Android Auto is decent for vehicles that don't have an Android Auto compatible head unit because you can run it as its own head unit for easy use of Navigation, Music, texting, and calls. Apple Car Play can't do that. While you may not have a vehicle now that can handle either of these systems, if you buy any 2017+ truck, it will have them. Once you have a head unit that can handle Car Play or Android Auto, the advantage for Android goes away. TL/DR - get an iPhone.

I guess the old Tiguan is finally out of production

It has been spotted in very complete form out testing.

Everything except Genesis posted. They used to post with Hyundai, but not anymore.

BMW of North America Reports February 2019 U.S. Sales. First Deliveries of the All-New BMW 3 Series Just Starting; BMW X7 Sports Activity Vehicle, BMW Z4 Roadster, and BMW 8 Series Convertible Arrive this Month. BMW X Sports Activity Vehicles Accounted for over 55% of BMW Brand Sales in February. Woodcliff Lake, NJ – March 1, 2019… Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 0.2 percent in February 2019 for a total of 23,558 compared to 23,508 vehicles sold in February 2018. “We’re pleased to end February with a slight increase in sales given our current model changeovers,” said Bernhard Kuhnt, president and CEO, BMW of North America. “As we approach spring, we do so with the all-new 3 series on showroom floors and the X7, Z4, and 8 Series Convertible all starting to arrive in March. We are confident that with these new models added to our already exciting product lineup, we are well positioned for success.” The Spartanburg, SC-built BMW X3 and BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicles continue to drive sales growth for BMW in the U.S. Taken together, the full range of BMW X models – from the X1 to the X6 – accounted for 55.5% of BMW brand sales in the U.S. in February Table 1: New Vehicle Sales BMW of North America, LLC, February 2019 Feb Feb % YTD YTD % 2019 2018 2019 2018 BMW passenger cars 13,180 14,983 -12% 24,054 26,893 -10.60% BMW light trucks 10,378 8,525 21.70% 17,606 15,631 12.60% TOTAL BMW 23,558 23,508 0.20% 41,660 42,524 -2.00% BMW Group Electrified Vehicle Sales BMW Group sales of electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles totaled 1,110 in February 2019, a decrease of 42.7 percent over the 1,936 sold in the same month a year ago. Model changeover has limited the current BMW Group electrified lineup to five models including the BMW i3, BMW i8 and i8 Roadster, BMW 530e, and MINI Countryman plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Plug-in hybrid variants of the BMW X5, the all-new BMW 3 Series and updated BMW 7 Series will debut at the Geneva International Motor Show next week. These models and a plug-in-hybrid variant of the BMW X3 will begin sales in the U.S. at a future date. MINI Brand Sales For February, MINI USA reported 2,679 vehicles sold, a decrease of 12.6 percent from the 3,065 sold in the same month a year ago. BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles BMW Certified Pre-Owned sold 8,698 vehicles, a decrease of 9.1 percent from February 2018. Total BMW Pre-Owned sold 18,647 vehicles, an increase of 4 percent from February 2018. MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles MINI Certified Pre-Owned sold 914 vehicles, an increase 6.3 percent from February 2018. Total MINI Pre-Owned sold 2,181 vehicles, a decrease of 2.8 percent from February 2018. Feb-19 Feb-18 % YTD YTD % 2019 2018 BMW CPO 8,736 9,568 -8.70% 16,720 18,681 -10.50% BMW Total Pre-Owned 18, 643 17,930 4.00% 35,816 34,900 2.60% MINI CPO 918 860 6.70% 1,777 1,578 12.60% MINI Total Pre-Owned 2,181 2,244 -2.80% 4,216 4,283 -1.60% 190301_February_2019_BMW_Group_US_Sales_Chart.pdf