Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

rayainsw · December 2016

Congrats on the Volt.
My friends in Florida have had no issues -
currently 2 years into a 3 year lease.
- Ray
Good luck with yours !

nyccarguy · December 2016

stickguy said:
Not much room. I think that is it.

A huge discount on a leftover 17 would be nice, but I would get seduced by all the shiny new toys on the redesigned model. I really need a car that was just redone for 2017, left over next year.

If Honda plans to ditch the V6 and go with some form of a Turbo 4cyl, then it might be a good idea. I drove our Pilot to work today. Even with all the weight that it lugs around, the 3.5L V6 moves the Pilot nicely. Too bad the TLX V6 SHAWD gets such a bad rep. I just saw one in a Metallic Grey. It looks handsome.

tjc78 · December 2016

I'm going for 32 next year. I'll be actively shopping this time next year but have until Jan 28th 2018 to replace the family truckster. So I'm a maybe for a punch.

rayainsw · December 2016

My guess for next year -
37 punches.
- Ray
Near certain that one will be mine....

roadburner · December 2016

stickguy said:
Thanks Q. I'll do that tonight. Still have not figured out exactly where the sensor is but I'll pop the cap, look inside, make level is above min, and push on all the connectors.

Then have a beer and hope it worked.

Definitely don't want to buy and add brake fluid. Would probably go to mavis for a free brake system inspection, and let them do it!

Make sure that the correct fluid is used. A lot of newer cars require DOT4.

breld · December 2016

@suydam - congrats on the Volt; I like that new model. Looking forward to updates on the driving experience.

qbrozen · December 2016

I feel like I'll have a punch next year. If things go smoothly, I'll donate the Volvo for the writeoff and pick up a classic car of some sort. My mini-dream would be to acquire said car at one of the big auctions like Mecum or BJ.

xwesx · December 2016

stickguy said:
if I can work out one of my convoluted plans, and sell the wife on it, I might be able to make it a 2-fer, and upgrade the RDX at the same time.

I'm not sure I would want to bunch up my upgrades like that. By alternating, you get to scratch your car-buying itch more often, and the novelty of the "new car" isn't diluted by having another to steal attention away.

xwesx · December 2016

stickguy said:
even Breld might slow down a little. And losing Mikes annual punch hurts, but he was really only good for 1.

Hah! Such fallacy has floated these waters before.....

Wait, did we "lose" Mike? He is reliably good for one, but don't put it past him to sneak in a second every now and then....

roadburner · December 2016

I'll go with 33 for 2017.

sda · December 2016

I will probably have a punch next year as well. Our daughter will start driving and the thought is that I'll give the Accord to my wife's parents and they give us their '03 Camry XLE to us for my daughter to drive. That way my in laws have a newer car to drive and my daughter has a nice first car and if it gets banged up none of us will fret over it too much..right. Then I buy something to replace the Accord. We haven't discussed this yet with the in laws as things can change and we want to prevent disappointment. I am thinking 34 punches for 2017.

xwesx · December 2016

sda said:
I will probably have a punch next year as well. Our daughter will start driving and the thought is that I'll give the Accord to my wife's parents and they give us their '03 Camry XLE to us for my daughter to drive. That way in laws have a newer car to drive and my daughter has a nice first car and if it gets banged up none of us will fret over it too much..right. Then I buy something to replace the Accord. I am thinking 34 punches for 2017.

That's a sensible plan! Better start shopping in earnest.

stickguy · December 2016

If I flip both cars, "my" car will be used and cheaper. With the intent being to only keep that a year or 2 tops. Basically get us through graduation.

The equity in the RDX would fund that car, and start on something newer for the wife. Likely a lease.

Yeah, lots of moving parts!

ab348 · December 2016

My ATS lease is up at the end of October so I will either have a punch on a different vehicle or buy the ATS.

sda · December 2016

ab348 said:
My ATS lease is up at the end of October so I will either have a punch on a different vehicle or buy the ATS.

Either way isn't that a punch? You had to do a purchase or lease so that you have a vehicle. Trying to help here.

ab348 · December 2016

We will need to throw that one over to the judges for a ruling.

kyfdx · December 2016

ab348 said:
We will need to throw that one over to the judges for a ruling.

If you buy it out, that's a punch.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2016

You guys have a fatal flaw in your calculations.

You haven't considered the recruitment of new members and that effect upon the punch numbers.

kyfdx · December 2016

Mr_Shiftright said:
You guys have a fatal flaw in your calculations.

You haven't considered the recruitment of new members and that effect upon the punch numbers.

I think our numbers have been pretty steady. We lose one, for every one we gain.

henryn · December 2016

I've already registered my guesstimate at 35. At some point I will be getting the buyback on this TDI, and I will then buy another car. Up until recently, I felt fairly confident that would happen in 2016. With every passing day, it becomes more likely to happen in 2017.

stever · December 2016

kyfdx said:

ab348 said:
We will need to throw that one over to the judges for a ruling.
If you buy it out, that's a punch.

Isn't that kind of like kissing your aunt?

kyfdx · December 2016

stever said:

kyfdx said:

ab348 said:
We will need to throw that one over to the judges for a ruling.
If you buy it out, that's a punch.
Isn't that kind of like kissing your aunt?

Hey, some people will buy a WRX with an automatic. I try not to judge.

Plus, my family is originally from Appalachia, so....

stickguy · December 2016

I will count it as a punch. at least in NJ, you would have to get new plates and pay tax, so that certainly sounds like buying a car!

Michaell · December 2016

I hate to say this .... but, I just realized I put a whopping 300 miles on the Jetta in the last month.

Today, I'm seriously considering not replacing it when the lease is up and drive the Outback when it's in the garage.

qbrozen · December 2016

I put 400 miles on the Infiniti in 3 days. And one of those days was a few miles to test drive and about 20 miles to get home.

tifighter · December 2016

I've had a punch every year since 2007, but I think I am sitting next year out. Lease on the Kia was a 36 month (I still can't believe I did that) and I'm happy with the Volvo. It feels weird to stand pat.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2016

Sent a text to my friend who runs a Porsche-Audi repair shop in Marin county. Asked him what he thought about buying a 2005 Audi S4 with 109K on it.

Answer: (quote) "Don't you remember what happened when you owned that Porsche 928?"

Well then...............

kyfdx · December 2016

But, but, but....

suydam · December 2016

So here's the story on the Volt. We drove it on Saturday and they made a very good lease offer after some negotiation. We come back on Monday, and Made the deal.

2017 Chevy Volt Premier with all the goodies. No moon roof though. Pearl white exterior with brandy/black leather interior. $40,109 MSRP, their selling cost $37k. Magically lowered to $30k with all the federal and Calif. incentives. Plus $1500 check from Calif. to be sent to me, and a $700 Costco card. $299/mo before taxes. 2k in fees to close (includes first month payment and destination fee, among others). With tax, $322/mo. for 36 mo. and 10,000 miles. It is so much car for the money. Has leather, nav, heated seats, Apple Car Play, Sirius for 3 mo., wifi for 3 mo., Onstar for 6 mo., good sound system, push button start, and every safety feature you can imagine. It has an electric range of 50+ miles, and a gas range of 350. Basically you can drive around town without using any gas. Plugs into ordinary household outlet for slow charge overnight.
Haven't had time to take my own pics today, but here's a couple off the web.
By the way, the lease deal on the Mazda was MORE money. So that made it very easy.

tjc78 · December 2016

Michaell said:
I hate to say this .... but, I just realized I put a whopping 300 miles on the Jetta in the last month.

Today, I'm seriously considering not replacing it when the lease is up and drive the Outback when it's in the garage.

I thought I was low at about 550 on the Elantra, tomorrow is one month.

tjc78 · December 2016

@suydam Great deal, nice colors. Enjoy.

ab348 · December 2016

That Volt interior is really handsome. Well done @suydam !

stickguy · December 2016

I didn't break 4,000 miles last year on the RDX. And only have 14K on the Sonata, in 25 months.

Only the Jetta actually rolls up miles these days.

stever · December 2016

Congrats @suydam!

And you too @qbrozen!

Michaell · December 2016

stickguy said:
I didn't break 4,000 miles last year on the RDX. And only have 14K on the Sonata, in 25 months.

Only the Jetta actually rolls up miles these days.

The MINI has about 26K in 31 months; the Outback, 17K in 22 months and my Jetta, 1700 in 4 months.

suydam · December 2016

Thanks, everyone!

Mr_Shiftright · December 2016

Keep us in the loop regarding how it drives and the MPG you get.

stickguy · December 2016

been getting a steady stream of questions from my son today about his impending purchase (scheduled for 11 Saturday). Just a little antsy, since while this is his 2nd car, it is the first one he is doing on his own (without me involved or being there for the paperwork). Also his first buy (not lease) FWIW.

Today he went through revisiting insurance. Was amazed by the different quotes. Seems he is giving his business to Flo. They were a full $100 per MONTH cheaper than Liberty. He is currently with Geico, and for same coverage, his rate is actually going to be less than he was paying Geico for the Jetta.

Also had a chat about add ons. Passing on the fancy wax and clear bra, but will explore that locally to him (he is buying about 2 hours away). He will discuss wheel and tire protection, since he is getting the skinny little rubber band tires.

stickguy · December 2016

I really am getting bored, having to wait 11 months (exactly this thursday!) before my car goes back. So, think up schemes, and browse the internet listings.

my latest grand plan, is the 2-fer. Turn the Hyundai back in and walk away. give it a nice pat on the back for faithful service, and let it find a nice new home.

Then, find a killer deal on something the wife will like. The fantasy being the lease deal someone reported here recently (a demo X1 for S&D $375/mo). Trade in the RDX and take the cash back.

Then, take some of the $, and buy outright (no payments) something interesting to occupy my attention for a little while. Use the rest to pay tuition.

basically, go from a paid off car (hers) and a lease (mine), to a paid off car (mine) and a lease (hers). Ideally, with the lease being a deal where a lease to purchase makes sense, and at the end, I just keep it and she gets another new one.

Seems like the plan could work. Good for cash flow too!

thankfully, about 2 months after my car goes back, we make the last (Ever!!!) tuition payment. Man, will that feel good.

fintail · December 2016

Nice Volt, looks like they upgraded some of the weird interior plastics on the first gen.

suydam · December 2016

Apparently it shares very little with the first gen. Whole new design.

stever · December 2016

Roomier back seat for sure.

nyccarguy · December 2016

That's a great looking Volt. Pretty interior. I can't wait to hear your real world driving experiences with it. How was it using the Costco Supplier program pricing? Easy or you still had to negotiate for extra discounts & rebates?

suydam · December 2016

Well, our comparison is the Encore, so our standards aren't too high in that regard.

stickguy · December 2016

that is sharp looking, I will have to check one out next month at the car show. Also anxious to see the new Hyundai entry in the segment (Ioniq).

tifighter · December 2016

Nice @suydam

I like cars with plugs.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2016

I've heard the driving dynamics are not bad at all.

xwesx · December 2016

I really like the dash layout on that Volt. It reminds me, in terms of overall styling cues, of Subaru's motif with their Gen3 Foresters (and Impreza of the same vintage) and the Tribeca. The dash/console on them just flowed so nicely.

xwesx · December 2016

Bunch a mileage lightweights! I put 3,850 miles on my Passat in the first four days I owned it!

28firefighter · December 2016

I've put 500 on the TDI in 3 months....barely a tank and a quarter of fuel.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles