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  3. Which would you choose ?

Which would you choose ?

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  • D David Patrick

    Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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    Neville Franks
    wrote on last edited by
    #15

    In my mid-life (not really a crisis) period a few years back I bought a Red Porsche Boxster, so I'd have to say the car. SLK's are nice but IMO a Boxster is hard to beat. But of course I'm somewhat biased. And FYI I've never regretted the decision. When you run your own business and put in as many hours as I do toys are a great reward when and if you can afford them. That said I'm also extremelly interested in alternative power.:rose: Neville Franks, Author of ED for Windows www.getsoft.com and coming soon: Surfulater www.surfulater.com

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    • D Daniel Turini

      Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: Uh.. for that kind of money you would get MANY such computers. Hmmmm... But maybe only one that is able to play Doom III at 60fps :) Yes, even I am blogging now!

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      Jorgen Sigvardsson
      wrote on last edited by
      #16

      I saw a review of Doom III on various hardware setups. IIRC the hottest configuration had something like an average 50 FPS. The spikes went up above 80 (couldn't see where it landed though, because the upper limit on the diagrams were 80 FPS). -- Denn du bist, was du isst! Und ihr wisst, was es ist! Es ist mein Teil...?

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      • S Steve Mayfield

        If you get the Solar Panel now and set aside the savings in energy cost - you just might be able to get the car in a few years anyway. And then, the continued savings will help with the auto insurance and other related costs :smart: Steve

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        David Patrick
        wrote on last edited by
        #17

        Steve Mayfield wrote: If you get the Solar Panel now and set aside the savings in energy cost I've been investigating it for a while and quite frankly there really isnt much savings. The real motivation for me, in regard to the solar panels, is just to make a political statement. I dont like how dependent we are on oil. So in the spirit of putting my money where my mouth is buying the solar panels would, at least symbolically, do my part to lessen our dependence on oil. Of course, that sentiment also makes it harder for me to buy a guess guzzler like a corvette .. but damn, it is one sexy car :-) Another advantage to the solar panels though would be that I would not have to suffer through another black out. Anyhow, thanks for the feedback :-)

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        • D David Patrick

          Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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          Mike Gaskey
          wrote on last edited by
          #18

          Chrysler Crossfire Mike "liberals are being driven crazy by the fact that Bush is so popular with Americans, and thus by the realization that anyone to the left of center is utterly marginal." JAMES TRAUB NY Times "I don't want a president who is friends with France or Germany" Me Paraphrasing Kerry: I've spoken to many world leaders - they all look at me and say, you've got to win. I just can't tell you who they are, I have a secret plan for Iraq Me

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          • D David Patrick

            Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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            Marc Clifton
            wrote on last edited by
            #19

            Solar System. I have a 120W panel, and it is so cool running stuff with energy from the sun (stored in batteries, of course). Now, you're talking a couple magnitudes larger, of course, so I'm assuming you would be selling the spare power back onto the grid? Way cool! Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog Hunt The Wumpus RealDevs.Net

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            • D David Patrick

              Steve Mayfield wrote: If you get the Solar Panel now and set aside the savings in energy cost I've been investigating it for a while and quite frankly there really isnt much savings. The real motivation for me, in regard to the solar panels, is just to make a political statement. I dont like how dependent we are on oil. So in the spirit of putting my money where my mouth is buying the solar panels would, at least symbolically, do my part to lessen our dependence on oil. Of course, that sentiment also makes it harder for me to buy a guess guzzler like a corvette .. but damn, it is one sexy car :-) Another advantage to the solar panels though would be that I would not have to suffer through another black out. Anyhow, thanks for the feedback :-)

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              Marc Clifton
              wrote on last edited by
              #20

              David Patrick wrote: The real motivation for me, in regard to the solar panels, is just to make a political statement. Yup. That was my part of my motivation. David Patrick wrote: it is one sexy car Sure is! I must say though, there's a house in my neighborhood with 21 panels on the roof. I keep thinking how cool that is. Maybe because it's so unique. David Patrick wrote: Another advantage to the solar panels though would be that I would not have to suffer through another black out. We've had a couple minor outages already this year. The batteries store about one KWH of power, so I can keep the lights (full spectrum florescents) and computers on for a while. You know what blew me away? Just changing all the lightbulbs from incandescent to florescent saved $10 an month on a $60/mo electric bill. I was pretty surprised. Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog Hunt The Wumpus RealDevs.Net

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              • D David Patrick

                Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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                Stefan Pedersen
                wrote on last edited by
                #21

                7 speed auto V6 SLK or 6 speed Boxster S, probably the latter... You only live once. And if the paths that I have followed/have tread against the flow/there is no need for sorrow I am coming home Return, Crüxshadows

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                • D David Patrick

                  Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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                  Luis Alonso Ramos
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #22

                  I would definitely vote against the corvette... BUT I'll vote for any other car!! I'd recommend, as Nevill said a few posts above, a Prosche Boxter... or more of a family car an Audi S4 or BMW M3... the new SLK is cute, but there's something about it I just wouldn't buy it. Neville has a valid point. If you've worked hard all your life and you can afford it, then go ahead!! I know you should save, but still a toy like this will give you some satisfaction. My dad never wanted to get a nice car, and when he turned 50, my borther and I convinced him to get a BMW and he has enjoyed it since!! I'd say, go for the car! -- LuisR ___________   Luis Alonso Ramos   Chihuahua, Mexico   www.luisalonsoramos.com

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                  • D Daniel Turini

                    or 3) a machine that can achieve 60fps on Doom III. :-D Yes, even I am blogging now!

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                    Jim Crafton
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #23

                    Doom III, 60fps on this monitor (hint: 30 is the magic number!)[^]! :) ¡El diablo está en mis pantalones! ¡Mire, mire! Real Mentats use only 100% pure, unfooled around with Sapho Juice(tm)! SELECT * FROM User WHERE Clue > 0 0 rows returned

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                    • D David Patrick

                      Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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                      Roger Wright
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #24

                      It depends on where you got the money for the remodel. Did you save it, or is it left over from the proceeds of a refinance or second mortgage? If the former, by all means have fun if you want. But if it's debt money, don't squander it! Use it where it will add more equity to your balance sheet - more improvements, investments, savings, etc. But if you must squander it do so on something new, not another car. Get a boat, a motorcycle, or flying lessons!:-D "My kid was Inmate of the Month at Adobe Mountain Juvenile Corrections Center" - Bumper Sticker in Bullhead City

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                      • D David Patrick

                        Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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                        CSharpDavid
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #25

                        Im in a similar situation, sold my house in California and moved to Denver. Make $80K. Using it to do nothing and spend the time with my 3 kids , the best use of money I can think of. .netter

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                        • D David Patrick

                          Our house remodel is coming in under budget so I may have 35k to 50k to spare. I'm having a hard time deciding between the following two options : 1) a 10 to 15 kilowatt solar panel system for the house or 2) a corvette ( or mercedes slk, or similiar midlife crisis type car :laugh: )

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                          KaRl
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #26

                          1), or 3), travelling and discover the World. If you want a high performance vehicle, buy a bike :cool:


                          Собой остаться дольше...

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                          • M Marc Clifton

                            Solar System. I have a 120W panel, and it is so cool running stuff with energy from the sun (stored in batteries, of course). Now, you're talking a couple magnitudes larger, of course, so I'm assuming you would be selling the spare power back onto the grid? Way cool! Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog Hunt The Wumpus RealDevs.Net

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                            David Patrick
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #27

                            Marc Clifton wrote: so I'm assuming you would be selling the spare power back onto the grid? Unfotunately being in the North East, and NOT having a north-south alignment there probably will not be any spare power to sell back ... but one could always hope :-)

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                            • K KaRl

                              1), or 3), travelling and discover the World. If you want a high performance vehicle, buy a bike :cool:


                              Собой остаться дольше...

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                              David Patrick
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #28

                              KaЯl wrote: travelling and discover the World. Oh, my wife would definitely choose that option ... but we have to wait till our kids are a little older :-)

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                              • C CSharpDavid

                                Im in a similar situation, sold my house in California and moved to Denver. Make $80K. Using it to do nothing and spend the time with my 3 kids , the best use of money I can think of. .netter

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                                David Patrick
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #29

                                David Gallagher wrote: Using it to do nothing and spend the time with my 3 kids Oh, I would love that option .. but $80k wouldnt last that long and eventually I'd have to go back to work.

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                                • D David Patrick

                                  KaЯl wrote: travelling and discover the World. Oh, my wife would definitely choose that option ... but we have to wait till our kids are a little older :-)

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                                  KaRl
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #30

                                  So sad[^] ;)


                                  Собой остаться дольше...

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                                  • D David Patrick

                                    Marc Clifton wrote: so I'm assuming you would be selling the spare power back onto the grid? Unfotunately being in the North East, and NOT having a north-south alignment there probably will not be any spare power to sell back ... but one could always hope :-)

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                                    Marc Clifton
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #31

                                    David Patrick wrote: Unfotunately being in the North East, I'm in Rhode Island. Even during the winter, I can get full power, but I move the panel manually to track the sun. David Patrick wrote: and NOT having a north-south alignment Hmmm. This could be a problem. I've noticed that I get about 50-80% efficiency up with a sun-panel angle up to something problably like 70 degrees (this is a guestimate--not imperically measured). But shade, cloud cover, and even moderate haze drop the power output to 5% or less very quickly! Even partially shading the panel drops the output to 0. Bypass diodes can only do so much. Well, if you're in near Rhode Island, you're more than welcome to come visit my little 120 watter! Marc Microsoft MVP, Visual C# MyXaml MyXaml Blog Hunt The Wumpus RealDevs.Net

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                                    • R Ravi Bhavnani

                                      I believe a mid-life crisis car will definitely cost you more than $50K. I recommend the solar panel which will not only lower your bills and give you an energy tax credit, but more importantly will afford the opportunity to mercilessly deride those rely exclusively on conventional energy sources. /ravi My new year's resolution: 2048 x 1536 Home | Articles | Freeware | Music ravib@ravib.com

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                                      Paul Watson
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #32

                                      Problem being that most solar cells require more resources to produce than they ever offset in use. regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass South Africa Ian Darling wrote: "and our loonies usually end up doing things like Monty Python." Crikey! ain't life grand?

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                                      • D David Patrick

                                        Steve Mayfield wrote: If you get the Solar Panel now and set aside the savings in energy cost I've been investigating it for a while and quite frankly there really isnt much savings. The real motivation for me, in regard to the solar panels, is just to make a political statement. I dont like how dependent we are on oil. So in the spirit of putting my money where my mouth is buying the solar panels would, at least symbolically, do my part to lessen our dependence on oil. Of course, that sentiment also makes it harder for me to buy a guess guzzler like a corvette .. but damn, it is one sexy car :-) Another advantage to the solar panels though would be that I would not have to suffer through another black out. Anyhow, thanks for the feedback :-)

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                                        Paul Watson
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #33

                                        FYI most solar cells require more resources to produce than they ever offset in use. A lot of them use petroleum products (uhh, plastic) in manufacturing :) regards, Paul Watson Bluegrass South Africa Ian Darling wrote: "and our loonies usually end up doing things like Monty Python." Crikey! ain't life grand?

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