Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

driver100

robr2 said:

laurasdada said:

Hi, Rob:

I'm heading to Sunday River with son (after State swim meet at MIT) Sunday for a couple of days of skiing. This is why we live in New England, to take advantage of all that the seasons have to offer. Snow, it's not just for shoveling! Good luck to both of us with our travels and outdoor endeavors! Hope we can get to Sunday River and lifts remain open...

Where is the new MB dealer? All three of our cars are from Herb, I feel good knowing I'm helping send a poor billionaire's kids to college...

The new Mercedes dealer is in Burlington just up the street from Herb's Porsche/Audi store. I was surprised that MB gave the store to an out of state dealer. I'm guessing that Herb and Prime already had 3 MB stores and they didn't want to give either more influence/control.

Sunday River is a haul and it's usually cold. Enjoy. We just cancelled our camping trip for this weekend. Going camping in zero degree temps with a blizzard warning just isn't the safe thing to do. Although we have good gear and winter camping training, cancelling is the right call.

Everyone is complaining down here in Florida...a high of only 58F today, and you guys are talking about going camping!

robr2

ab348 said:

I'm not sure if the owner having previously worked for Herb Chambers is a good thing or a sign to stay away.

Actually Chambers is a great dealership group to deal with. I've bought 2 cars from them.

robr2

driver100 said:

Everyone is complaining down here in Florida...a high of only 58F today, and you guys are talking about going camping!

If it were 58 degrees the boys would be asking us if they could go swimming!!

We've rescheduled to next weekend. Long range forecast shows daytime temps in the high teens and low twenties F with overnight lows just below zero. Sunny skies and maybe some light snow. Much better than the -10, blizzard conditions and gusts to 40 mph forecast for this weekend.

oldfarmer50

I think I know but explain it to me.

Local dealer is offering 110% of KBB value on trade.

I'm assuming that the catch is that the new car usually sells at invoice but you pay sticker if you want the trade in deal.

Oh, and anyone who tells us how warm it is in Florida while we are digging our cars out in sub zero snow should be fined and imprisoned. :@ My Eclipse has been garaged so long it has a layer of dust you could grow potatoes in.

explorerx4

@oldfarmer, Is KBB a good number or a bad number?

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

Oh, and anyone who tells us how warm it is in Florida while we are digging our cars out in sub zero snow should be fined and imprisoned. :@ My Eclipse has been garaged so long it has a layer of dust you could grow potatoes in.

I was going to comment earlier today, complain actually, about the forecast for Saturday night and Sunday of 1 deg F low then 10 deg Sunday followed by a low of -1 Sunday night. Last night it hit 10 deg F.

But then I realized how much better off we are than if we had those feet of snow some of our northeastern friends and Nova Scotia friends may be having. Here we've had 2 or 3 snows of 3 inches or more. Yes, I said "inches" not "feet." That's why I decided I can't complain.

driver100

oldfarmer50 said:

I think I know but explain it to me.

Local dealer is offering 110% of KBB value on trade.

I'm assuming that the catch is that the new car usually sells at invoice but you pay sticker if you want the trade in deal.

Oh, and anyone who tells us how warm it is in Florida while we are digging our cars out in sub zero snow should be fined and imprisoned. :@ My Eclipse has been garaged so long it has a layer of dust you could grow potatoes in.

Isn't 110% of KBB just mean they give you 10% more for your trade than KBB? If that's the case, they give you 10% more for your trade....probably not discount new car as much, or they will bump the price up when the trade-in goes on sale. That 10% will probably be made up somewhere - as you know. Also, good used cars are hard to find, so they'll get it back. If they don't like your trade, the'll sell you the new car for full MSRP, just to get you to leave.

I am getting too cynicle in my old age!

(I didn't mention Florida at all this time)

jayrider

driver100 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

I think I know but explain it to me.

Local dealer is offering 110% of KBB value on trade.

I'm assuming that the catch is that the new car usually sells at invoice but you pay sticker if you want the trade in deal.

Oh, and anyone who tells us how warm it is in Florida while we are digging our cars out in sub zero snow should be fined and imprisoned. :@ My Eclipse has been garaged so long it has a layer of dust you could grow potatoes in.

Isn't 110% of KBB just mean they give you 10% more for your trade than KBB? If that's the case, they give you 10% more for your trade....probably not discount new car as much, or they will bump the price up when the trade-in goes on sale. That 10% will probably be made up somewhere - as you know. Also, good used cars are hard to find, so they'll get it back. If they don't like your trade, the'll sell you the new car for full MSRP, just to get you to leave.

I am getting too cynicle in my old age!

(I didn't mention Florida at all this time)

It's much simpler than that. KBB gives a general value based on miles and equipment. Your car is appraised using those numbers as a general reference. They will price it at 90% and call that the 100% mark. Adding 10% gives you the actual trade in price. You're car is worth what it's worth and no more.

nyccarguy

@bwia‌

I was going to suggest an RX350. It's going to be hard to find a car that suits your needs without a sunroof.

abacomike

@bwia:

Have you considered a MERCEDES GLK 4-MATIC?  There is some big-time trunk money on those vehicles.  They are being sold well under invoice and meet your specs.  Luxury, stability, warranty, etc.  I think a reasonably equipped one MSRP's for around $43,000 - $44,000.  One could be had for around $37,000 - $38,000.  I would check it out - nothing to lose.

I get one as a loaner if/when my car is in for service and I really like them.  High up enough to see over snow banks, etc.

stickguy

as to those over-value trade offers, a wise man once said: "the only difference, is the difference".

Michaell

Those of you who follow the CCBA discussion know that I am in the market for a new car for my wife. My wife has been driving SUVs for the last 10 years, and now she wants something more like a station wagon. The problem is she still want something with all-wheel-drive and either a turbocharged engine Or a v6. 

Michaell

Which doesn't leave all that many choices.neither does she want the premium brand – so the BMW and Audi wagons are off the list. 

Michaell

The leader in the clubhouse at this moment is the Subaru outback 3.6 R. We plan to look at one tomorrow afternoon at a dealership up in Denver. 

explorerx4

@Michaell, 2.5 is the most popular engine. 3.6 uses a lot more fuel.

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

@Michaell, 2.5 is the most popular engine. 3.6 uses a lot more fuel.

The wife has a little bit of a lead foot. She has driven the 2.5 before and finds it underpowered. The outback 3.6 gets better mileage than her current Mazda. 17/23 vs 20/27

Michaell

And the outback take a regular fuel, whereas her Mazda uses premium

stever

My sister's Forester is getting miled up and she's interested in the Crosstrek. Any interest in either one of those or are they too SUVy for your wife, compared to the Outback? Too underpowered I suppose....

Michaell

stever said:

My sister's Forester is getting miled up and she's interested in the Crosstrek. Any interest in either one of those or are they too SUVy for your wife, compared to the Outback? Too underpowered I suppose....

Steve – actually, my wife thinks that the crosstrek looks "badass", But I have told her that it is probably too underpowered for her liking

stickguy

not a chance Steve. Crosstrek is a putt putt mobile. if a 2.5i outback is too slow, that will never do. Probably also too small.

for a small wagon, I am in love with the upcoming Golf sportwagon. will definitely be going to check that out once it arrives. Probably a good thing I leased. will keep me from getting too antsy!

stever

My sister is lead footed too. In her case, getting her into something that takes even more than ten seconds to go zero to sixty would be a good thing.

Except for the times she pulls out in front of semis.

stickguy

I still think that most people never, ever use close to max power. so even having more power doesn't matter, because they would be terrified to ever floor it and run up near redline.

oldfarmer50

A friend sent me this. I hope it loads. Happy Valintine's day

https://social.ford.com/content/fordsocial/en/articles/mustang/our-mustang-stunt-driver-puts-a-new-spin-on-speed-dating.html/?srccode=312981-027&CKS=&emailID=14q2_ford_W114_adv_cu&utm_medium=email&utm_source=forddriveone&utm_content=3+-+See+how+our+Mustang+Speed+Dating+experim&utm_campaign=20150213speeddatingfulllist&source=20150213speeddatingfulllist

imidazol97

Boston baseball:
Click for cartoon

explorerx4

Crosstrek is probably fine with 1 person in it, but when you start adding passengers and gear, the lack of power will be more noticeable.
I only looked at Escapes with the more powerful engine. The 2.0 never feels underpowered.

robr2

Michaell said:

Those of you who follow the CCBA discussion know that I am in the market for a new car for my wife. My wife has been driving SUVs for the last 10 years, and now she wants something more like a station wagon. The problem is she still want something with all-wheel-drive and either a turbocharged engine Or a v6. 

Take a look at the V60 XC or you can wait a few months for the VW Golf Sportwagen AWD.

Michaell

robr2 said:

Michaell said:

Those of you who follow the CCBA discussion know that I am in the market for a new car for my wife. My wife has been driving SUVs for the last 10 years, and now she wants something more like a station wagon. The problem is she still want something with all-wheel-drive and either a turbocharged engine Or a v6. 

Take a look at the V60 XC or you can wait a few months for the VW Golf Sportwagen AWD.

The wife really likes the XC70, but when you equip it with the same level of technology the Outback 3.6R has, it creeps up close to the $50,000 price point.

The new Golf Wagon AWD might be nice, but not sure the 170HP from the 1.8T engine would be enough for her ... now, if it was available with the 2.0T from the GTI / GLI, that would be a different story.

henryn

Michaell said:

robr2 said:

Michaell said:

Those of you who follow the CCBA discussion know that I am in the market for a new car for my wife. My wife has been driving SUVs for the last 10 years, and now she wants something more like a station wagon. The problem is she still want something with all-wheel-drive and either a turbocharged engine Or a v6. 

Take a look at the V60 XC or you can wait a few months for the VW Golf Sportwagen AWD.

The wife really likes the XC70, but when you equip it with the same level of technology the Outback 3.6R has, it creeps up close to the $50,000 price point.

The new Golf Wagon AWD might be nice, but not sure the 170HP from the 1.8T engine would be enough for her ... now, if it was available with the 2.0T from the GTI / GLI, that would be a different story.

Which is what I keep saying about the Passat! No 2.0T, no sale (at least not to me).

bwia

According to the Wall Street Journal GM's 2014 operating profit per vehicle is well below industry leader Toyota, what gives?
Toyota.............$2,132
Ford....................$994
Fiat/Chrysler.......$849
GM......................$712

This seems contrary to the domestics reliance on trucks and SUVs for their large profit margins, which I've read was as high as $10,000 or more on some models. If that is the case they must be losing a lot of money on small and medium size vehicles.

qbrozen

oldfarmer50 said:

I think I know but explain it to me.

Local dealer is offering 110% of KBB value on trade.

I'm assuming that the catch is that the new car usually sells at invoice but you pay sticker if you want the trade in deal.

Oh, and anyone who tells us how warm it is in Florida while we are digging our cars out in sub zero snow should be fined and imprisoned. :@ My Eclipse has been garaged so long it has a layer of dust you could grow potatoes in.

Any number of catches, as others have stated. When I've seen ads like this, it is usually based on Poor condition and/or subtracting substantially for miles over 10k per year... that kind of thing. Of course, at just 110%, its really not hard to make it up in other ways.

bwia

Michaell said:

robr2 said:

Michaell said:

Those of you who follow the CCBA discussion know that I am in the market for a new car for my wife. My wife has been driving SUVs for the last 10 years, and now she wants something more like a station wagon. The problem is she still want something with all-wheel-drive and either a turbocharged engine Or a v6. 

Take a look at the V60 XC or you can wait a few months for the VW Golf Sportwagen AWD.

The wife really likes the XC70, but when you equip it with the same level of technology the Outback 3.6R has, it creeps up close to the $50,000 price point.

The new Golf Wagon AWD might be nice, but not sure the 170HP from the 1.8T engine would be enough for her ... now, if it was available with the 2.0T from the GTI / GLI, that would be a different story.

That's what I am finding out in my search for an upscale five passenger SUV/CUV. The base prices seem reasonable enough but as soon as you add a few options, (which come in packages) the MSRP crosses my $40K price comfort zone.

For example, I can't understand why a 2015 *Titanium Ford Edge* stickers for over $42K. The same is true for the Infiniti QX50, with a $37K base price that quickly rise to pass the $50K price point for a model with the basic features available in a Hyundai Elentra. And what's worse, the two vehicles mentioned deliver extremely poor gas mileage in the 17/24 mpg range. But I'll keep looking....even if I have to settle for a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.

stever

bwia said:

According to the Wall Street Journal GM's 2014 operating profit per vehicle is well below industry leader Toyota, what gives?

The yen? 円

imidazol97

bwia said:

According to the Wall Street Journal GM's 2014 operating profit per vehicle is well below industry leader Toyota, what gives?
Toyota.............$2,132
Ford....................$994
Fiat/Chrysler.......$849
GM......................$712

This seems contrary to the domestics reliance on trucks and SUVs for their large profit margins, which I've read was as high as $10,000 or more on some models. If that is the case they must be losing a lot of money on small and medium size vehicles.

I'd chalk it up to the UAW's high wages and benefits adding more costs than Toyota with a high percentage of temporary workers like mentioned at the Georgetown plant. I'd add in what may be excessive high costs of middle and top managers in the company, based on what I'm reading about Ford in the 1990s in Car by Mary Walton.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

bwia said:

According to the Wall Street Journal GM's 2014 operating profit per vehicle is well below industry leader Toyota, what gives?
Toyota.............$2,132
Ford....................$994
Fiat/Chrysler.......$849
GM......................$712

This seems contrary to the domestics reliance on trucks and SUVs for their large profit margins, which I've read was as high as $10,000 or more on some models. If that is the case they must be losing a lot of money on small and medium size vehicles.

I'd chalk it up to the UAW's high wages and benefits adding more costs than Toyota with a high percentage of temporary workers like mentioned at the Georgetown plant. I'd add in what may be excessive high costs of middle and top managers in the company, based on what I'm reading about Ford in the 1990s in Car by Mary Walton.

What about all the recalls? Doesn't that bite into profit margins of cars sold?

stever

Toyota got hammered pretty good a few short years back with the gas pedal/floor mat recall (looks like ~7.5 million cars worldwide). Throw in another 7.4 million for power window/fire recalls.

Michaell

bwia said:

Michaell said:

robr2 said:

Michaell said:

Those of you who follow the CCBA discussion know that I am in the market for a new car for my wife. My wife has been driving SUVs for the last 10 years, and now she wants something more like a station wagon. The problem is she still want something with all-wheel-drive and either a turbocharged engine Or a v6. 

Take a look at the V60 XC or you can wait a few months for the VW Golf Sportwagen AWD.

The wife really likes the XC70, but when you equip it with the same level of technology the Outback 3.6R has, it creeps up close to the $50,000 price point.

The new Golf Wagon AWD might be nice, but not sure the 170HP from the 1.8T engine would be enough for her ... now, if it was available with the 2.0T from the GTI / GLI, that would be a different story.

That's what I am finding out in my search for an upscale five passenger SUV/CUV. The base prices seem reasonable enough but as soon as you add a few options, (which come in packages) the MSRP crosses my $40K price comfort zone.

For example, I can't understand why a 2015 *Titanium Ford Edge* stickers for over $42K. The same is true for the Infiniti QX50, with a $37K base price that quickly rise to pass the $50K price point for a model with the basic features available in a Hyundai Elentra. And what's worse, the two vehicles mentioned deliver extremely poor gas mileage in the 17/24 mpg range. But I'll keep looking....even if I have to settle for a Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.

Tell me about it .. was looking at the 3-series wagon and the Audi allroad .. it's almost highway robbery what they can charge for stuff that's becoming more commonplace on "pedestrian" brands, both tech and safety wise.

bwia

The blizzard is on in full force. The winds are howling and 19 inches of new snow from last night. Hope we don't lose power as some of unfortunate neighbors. Boston Strong.

driver100

bwia said:

The blizzard is on in full force. The winds are howling and 19 inches of new snow from last night. Hope we don't lose power as some of unfortunate neighbors. Boston Strong.

That's incredible...I was watching some of the reports on TV from New England and it looks pretty bad. I would head out somewhere and take a one week cruise just to get away from it for awhile.

oldfarmer50

bwia said:

The blizzard is on in full force. The winds are howling and 19 inches of new snow from last night. Hope we don't lose power as some of unfortunate neighbors. Boston Strong.

Storm has passed our area. About 8" which is twice what they said. Must be the overflow from you guys.

Will you please make amends with whatever deity you offended by winning the super bowl?

sda

stever said:

My sister is lead footed too. In her case, getting her into something that takes even more than ten seconds to go zero to sixty would be a good thing.

Except for the times she pulls out in front of semis.

Good question, what percentage of drivers ever floor it for say a 1/4 mile. I don't think my mom ever has and they had some cars that were not quick, ever. Not sure my dad has either except when traversing the mountains near Asheville when he had his Eldorado diesel.

Mr_Shiftright

why it's Ye Olde Mercedes Dealership----LOL!

robr2 said:

New Mercedes/Sprinter dealership had their grand opening party last night. When it was proposed, the planning board was presented with the typical modern looking building. They asked for and got some "colonial" accents in order to approve the project - stone wall, brick and pediments, brick driveway, traditional lamp posts. The owner (from Ohio) used to work for Herb Chambers - the biggest dealer group in New England. It will be interesting to see the tension if any.

No used car car lineup along the road and the dealership has said they will only keep MB used cars.

Amenities include valet pickup and drop off, a nail bar, an MB boutique, an espresso bar and a "genius" bar so guys like driver can go in and learn how to use his car.

Here it was a few weeks ago:

imidazol97

Fired up my new phone Friday evening and made the number change. Android KitKat 4.4. Very simple to learn basics. I'd like my son's replacement Android 4.4 so I found this one from Tracfone that suited. Flash. Autofocus camera. Took first picture in the wild of a car in parking garage at shopping village where we had Valentine's Day dinner lat evening.

Unless owner bought off Craigs List, I'm wondering where dealer he purchased car from is located. We don't have any of those in Dayton (nor Columbus nor Cincinnati). Maybe it was a trade in at the BMW store? LOL

robr2

bwia said:

The blizzard is on in full force. The winds are howling and 19 inches of new snow from last night. Hope we don't lose power as some of unfortunate neighbors. Boston Strong.

You must be south of Boston. We got about 14" and it was done around noon. I went out then and my son and I cleared the driveway, shoveled off the shed dormer on the back of the house and then roof raked the front. I also cleared my 80 YO neighbor's driveway. She tries to pay me but I tell her I'm doing it to earn some heaven points. So far I have found a box of Russel Stover candies on my porch as well as some peanut butter/chocolate fudge cookies. I told her today that if she insists on getting me something, a bottle of gin in the spring would be great. She asked what kind as she knows nothing about liquor. I told her when she goes to the package store in the spring ask the clerk and spend what she thinks is fair based on how much snow we get.

bwia

robr2 said:

bwia said:

The blizzard is on in full force. The winds are howling and 19 inches of new snow from last night. Hope we don't lose power as some of unfortunate neighbors. Boston Strong.

You must be south of Boston. We got about 14" and it was done around noon. I went out then and my son and I cleared the driveway, shoveled off the shed dormer on the back of the house and then roof raked the front. I also cleared my 80 YO neighbor's driveway. She tries to pay me but I tell her I'm doing it to earn some heaven points. So far I have found a box of Russel Stover candies on my porch as well as some peanut butter/chocolate fudge cookies. I told her today that if she insists on getting me something, a bottle of gin in the spring would be great. She asked what kind as she knows nothing about liquor. I told her when she goes to the package store in the spring ask the clerk and spend what she thinks is fair based on how much snow we get.

The skies are blue once again, the snow is gone but the winds are still howling. My snow plow guy did well this time walking away with $120. Her normally charges $60 for each visit--talk about price gouging.

oldfarmer50

Question for the Hosts.

I was back at the build and price page here on Edmunds for a new Mustang and it listed a $1000 rebate. When I clicked on 'details' icon it listed two different $500 incentives. The incentives differed only by starting date.

So my question is....are there 2 overlapping $500 incentives totaling $1000 or are these seperate incentives which can't be combined? They looked identical except one started on 2/3 and the other on 2/11

Learn more about Incentives.

$ OfferHide details
Customer $ Offer
Requirements and Restrictions:
Customer Cash is available towards retail purchases. May not be combined with Special APR Financing through Ford Motor Credit Company.
Customer $ Offer Start End
$500 02/03/2015 03/31/2015
Customer $ Offer

Requirements and Restrictions:
Customer Cash is available towards retail purchases. May not be combined with Special APR Financing through Ford Motor Credit Company.
Customer $ Offer Start End
$500 2/11/2015. 03/31/2015

stever

One's a "normal" incentive and one is an "auto show" incentive. Usually the fine print says what incentives can't be combined and these don't say that. I don't know if you need to have something that says you went to an auto show in order to get the second $500 incentive. I don't think so, but ....

If you go to Ford.com they don't list an Auto Show incentive at all. The fine print there says "Some offers may be used in combination with other offers. Please see your dealer for details."

ab348

The storm that buried Boston came up the coast to Nova Scotia and while it was all snow inland, here at the coast it made a real mess. Snowed overnight until late morning, then rain for an hour or two, then a few hours of ice pellets, then the big deep freeze. It's a real mess here. I seriously don't think I am getting out of my driveway for days given the snow banks that are now ice. The ATS is covered with a snow/ice shell that will be painful to remove. Miserably cold the next few days too.

Michaell

stever said:

One's a "normal" incentive and one is an "auto show" incentive. Usually the fine print says what incentives can't be combined and these don't say that. I don't know if you need to have something that says you went to an auto show in order to get the second $500 incentive. I don't think so, but ....

If you go to Ford.com they don't list an Auto Show incentive at all. The fine print there says "Some offers may be used in combination with other offers. Please see your dealer for details."

The Auto Show incentive is active only for a short period of time, usually. And, can be combined with other incentives. Could be regional in nature, which would explain why the Ford site doesn't know about it.

graphicguy

imidazol97 said:

Fired up my new phone Friday evening and made the number change. Android KitKat 4.4. Very simple to learn basics. I'd like my son's replacement Android 4.4 so I found this one from Tracfone that suited. Flash. Autofocus camera. Took first picture in the wild of a car in parking garage at shopping village where we had Valentine's Day dinner lat evening.

Unless owner bought off Craigs List, I'm wondering where dealer he purchased car from is located. We don't have any of those in Dayton (nor Columbus nor Cincinnati). Maybe it was a trade in at the BMW store? LOL

Isn't there still a Massy dealer still on Beehmont or Plainfield (Cincinnati)?

berri

Will you please make amends with whatever deity you offended by winning the super bowl?

Yep, Seattle is having record warmth right now I believe. Guess you know who the big guy was rooting for