Best Of
Re: Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations
My Mercedes dealer was a sponsor and was kind enough to display my next car.
Re: Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations
I know this will cause a storm, but…
I picked up a 2024 BMW i5 (EV) yesterday in Oregon. Flew down in the morning from Seattle and drove it home - 6.5 hours total, 270 miles.
I only needed to charge once because I left the dealer with 80% charge, but due to traffic and my own bodily functions I asked it to schedule two stops for charging, 10 minutes each - just enough time for me to use the facilities and stretch my legs. No muss, no fuss. No dead car on the side of the highway.
Re: Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations
I spent the day at the Cars in the Commonwealth show; 90 degrees but it felt like 101.
Re: Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous
I did not know they move more cars per month than any Toyota dealer in the state. The place was crazy busy for an early Friday afternoon.
I had called earlier in the day to ensure that they had a FWD Camry XSE available to drive. They did, so I set up an appointment. Showed up a bit early and had to wait, then was handed off by the original salesperson to someone else. No matter - I was just there to take a test drive. Went through the basic qualifying questions (what's important to you? how long until you're ready to make a decision?), surrendered my license for a photocopy, and we were off.
Dark blue over black - I didn't care about color at this point, just wanted to get a sense of how it drove. Loaded with the premium package, which added ventilated seats and some other niceties; MSRP just under $40K.
Typical 4 right turn test drive in urban traffic. The car rode comfortably, and I didn't notice any issues with the e-CVT (yep, that's what Toyota calls their transmission). The heads up display was nice, and the seat was comfortable. The salesman kept up with a steady stream of patter, which grated on me more than it probably should have.
Back at the showroom, the salesman ran off to "get some numbers", which I also (correctly) assumed I would be meeting a manager. I had them skip the trade appraisal, so the numbers I were given were using the promotional 4.99% APR for various terms and down payments. Fine, OK, no problem.
Looking closer at the prices, I saw over $3000 of "accessories" added to the price - this included paint and fabric protection, a clear bra up front, and one or two other things. With tax and fees, the final price was around $45K. This, on a car that was shown on the website with an almost $2K discount from sticker.
It has been a long, long time since I've done this, and I tried to remain non-plussed by what I was seeing. But, I channeled my dad when he bought the Sonata in 2003 - "dang, cars got expensive" (he paid, I think, $17K before TTL on the Hyundai).
I am in absolutely no rush on this - just getting a feel for what's out there, how they're equipped, how they drive, and what they cost.
Want to test drive both the Accord hybrid (Touring trim) and the Sonata hybrid (Limited trim) in the next few weeks.
Still may consider a hybrid SUV, in which case there are a lot more contenders.
Just wading back into the CCBA pool!
Re: Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous
Punch! I5 M60 Loaner with 6200 miles. $90k MSRP, $598 Due at signing and $598/month including crazy WA taxes. 36 months/7500 miles a year. Also included free EA charging for 2 years!
Phytonic Blue over Smoke Leather. Bow was my sales guy being funny.
Driving back from Oregon as we speak. Range very impressive so far.
Re: Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations
One of my favorite moments from Hulk was in Rocky III
Edit to add Malcolm Jamal Warner from the Cosby Show too

Re: Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous
In DC for a few days. Stopped at my cousin’s house who live in MD for dinner. I’ve driven this car before, but my cousin offered for me to go out and take my son for a spin. Even after driving 5 hours from CT, I couldn’t say no. What a machine. 2010 911 C2S Cab 6MT. Carrera White/Blue Interior with a Blue Top. 27K miles. The car is tight as a drum, is very powerful, and just sounds incredible!
Re: Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations
I saw this guy at a Home Depot (or Lowes - I forget). I was going to wait until he was ready to leave to see how far he got, but he was tying it down with the string they supply so I left.————————————————-Nobody needs a pickup truck until they do and then it’s essential. I don’t tow with mine but I can’t imagine trying to haul junk to the dump or bring home lumber without one.Sorry, but you will have to jump up to an F350 to get a dually. AI OverviewSeems like that anti EV crowd just gets obsessed with range anxiety scenarios. And ignores all the benefits (the reasons so many people buy and love their EVs). Of course like any other vehicle option your specific needs will make some options not good for you. If I lived in an old city I would not want a dually F250. But if I towed a horse trailer I would.
"The Ford F-250 Super Duty does not come with a dual-rear-wheel (DRW) or "dually" configuration. While the F-250 is a heavy-duty truck, the DRW option is exclusive to the F-350 and higher models like the F-450 and F-550."
I agree that many vehicles are for specific purposes. I have a Ram 2500, but do tow a 30' Airstream with it. I rarely drive it in the good weather because that's what the Miata is for. I don't think that I have put 500 miles on it since April when we got back from a camping trip down south. I will use put about 6000 miles on it this fall when we drive to Albuquerque to camp at the balloon Fiesta, then zig back across the country to the NC coast for a fall family reunion before heading back to Vermont.
Another pic made for the internet. When will it end?
jmonroe
Now I sort of wish I would have waited.


Re: Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous
Ford dealer called, left a VM that they are refunding the overcharge. Gave some excuse about having used full synthetic oil and that the part number was only one letter off from the synblend I had requested. Oh, well, good riddance!
Edit: Since I (apparently) got full synthetic oil, I don't plan to change it at the 12 month mark unless I've put 10k miles on it.
