So I got an email today from TM saying my MS is entering production and was able to immediately compete the delivery questionnaire. Delivery window indicated July 27 - august 10. Super excited, but also wondering how accurate everyone else's delivery window was, given the unique aspects of shipping here?
Also, did anyone check the box for trade in? What do they do since there's no AutoNation here?
Aloha gmtom1. I know it's exciting to finally be given a delivery window, and in response to your question about accuracy I would advise this: accept that change is the only constant! As hard as it is, try not to fixate on a specific date. My experience started in mid-March, when I was told it would be "three weeks". Then, in early April I was told, "three weeks". Then, in late April, I was told "three weeks". Then in mid-May, I was told "three weeks". When the car finally arrived at the docks on June 3, I was given a window of June 13 to 17. They called me on the 12th of June and asked me if I could possibly pick her up early!!! Of course, I agreed and have been wearing a Tesla Grin ever since.
I have had Momi for 16 days and I have loved every minute of it. I did not do a trade-in, so I can't answer that question. But I can say, patience and a positive attitude will carry the day. Apparently, the major hang up is that once the boat arrives in Hawaii, there is no guarantee how long it will take for your car to be delivered to Waipahu. The ILWU workers will release the cars when they are ready to release the cars. Mine was at the docks for a week! Once Barry and the guys get your car, they will bust their okoles to turn it around for you, but until they get it, they are powerless.
The only troubling experience I have had is with a glass cleaner that I used on the windshield. My boys gave me a bottle of "Invisible Glass" for Father's Day. I used it last weekend as part of a thorough cleaning. I thought it would be a good product to avoid water spotting. The next day, I was on the road to Mokuleia and went through several heavy windward showers. But the third one, my wipers were seriously stuttering on the windshield. I actually tried to avoid using the wipers because I was afraid that they would break...they were "sticking" that badly. Anyway, when I got home, I used a micro fiber on the glass and it was like total friction...it was impossible to drag the cloth across the glass. So, I got some turtle wax and waxed the windshield. The next day, it rained again (it always rains in Kaneohe) and I was out on the road. The wax lasted about 10 minutes, and then the wipers started sticking again.
So, does anyone have any thoughts on what I should do now? Should I try to "strip" the glass? Is there a product that might reverse the effects of "Invisible Glass"? Have my wiper blades been compromised? I've never had this happen to me before, so I am at a loss as to how to eliminate the problem + prevent water spotting in the future. (I am now trying a product called "Repellent Wash" by Tekon that I got on the internet. I originally got it to keep water spots off the shower door...and it has worked great for three years. But, since the shower door isn't exposed to direct sunlight or the wiping of a windshield wiper, I don't know how it will react under road conditions, so I'm not confident that it will be a reasonable solution. It may be, but I just don't know yet.)
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On a separate note, how about everyone sharing their favorite "showing a stranger your MS" moment.
Mine was when I stopped by Buzz's in Lanikai on the day before Father's Day to pick up a gift card for a friend. There was no parking, of course, so I parked in the driveway on the left side of the restaurant where the employees and deliveries park, and I put on my hazard flashers. I figured I would only be there a minute...just to run in, purchase the card, and run out. Well, as I was walking past the restaurant deck to get to the front door, there were three guys about my age sitting at a table having lunch. Once of them stopped me and started asking about the car...the hazard flashers had caught his attention. We talked for a couple of minutes, but I was getting antsy about being double parked, so I excused myself and went in to get the gift card. When I came out, I had to pass their table again, and they started peppering me with more questions. Seeing that I was not in jeopardy of being towed, I stopped and ended up talking with them for another 10 minutes. Finally, I said, "Hey, do you guys want to go for a ride?" You should have seen their jaws drop! They jumped up from the table, screaming for the waitress to clear their check, and came bolting out of the restaurant. I introduced myself and told them to get in. They were all overwhelmed with the 17-inch screen. We ended up driving around the Lanikai loop a couple of times, and they just kept going on about their good fortune and my amazing generosity. Turns out that one of the guys heads a department at UH and since I am an undergraduate and graduate alumni, we quickly connected. Then, I learned that his father founded the professional organization that I belong to. So we moved from 6 degrees of separate down to about 3. We ended the drive with handshakes all around. I completely made these fellows day!