Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

benjaminh

I haven't been in the new Subarus, but from the pix they certainly look nicer inside than the old ones, which were kinda blah. My parents used to own Subarus, and ever time I got in one I thought—wow, my Accord is nicer than this. My parents also had major mechanical troubles with their Subarus after 100,000 miles. And from anecdotal stuff I just don't think they last as long as a Toyota, Honda, or Mazda, and since @jipster thinks he might keep this thing for c. 15 years and c. 200,000+ miles that's a big consideration.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

I don't want to just "live with" a car. I want to actually like it, or even love it. ;b

Given what my vehicle history is (4 Fords & 3 Saturns among them), a Volvo would be a pretty big step up.

Here ya go. Not the best color combo, but lower miles and CPO! https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/v60/v60-t5-fwd-premier-kcddtcr

I think I like the color on this better. Appears to be like my champagne V70. https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/v60/v60-t5-fwd-premier-nhdgdrx

sda

Robbins pooping on the side of the TL. They like their reflection in the glass. Maybe I shouldn't keep it clean. A 3 car garage would be nice...

imidazol97

So

sda said:

Robbins pooping on the side of the TL. They like their reflection in the glass. Maybe I shouldn't keep it clean. A 3 car garage would be nice...

I haven't had that happen. In the fall, the robins love the small berries on the Cleveland pear tree after they start to form pear cider. A lot of intoxicated robins leave a lot of poop.

imidazol97

While some of us don't agree on certain things, I'm sure we all are pulling for @jipster to come up with his perfect car and great purchase. It's really a treat following this story.

I used to go over all the Edmunds forms about the options on the various cars I was thinking of shopping--this was when Edmunds sold paperback type magazines with pricing before internet was invented by whoever.

My wife would go crazy that I'd go by various dealers to see all the various models in as many colors exterior and interior so that I was sure we got the one car equipped the way we liked.

imidazol97

More info: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=2328

Michaell

qbrozen said:

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

I don't want to just "live with" a car. I want to actually like it, or even love it. ;b

Given what my vehicle history is (4 Fords & 3 Saturns among them), a Volvo would be a pretty big step up.

Here ya go. Not the best color combo, but lower miles and CPO! https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/v60/v60-t5-fwd-premier-kcddtcr

I think I like the color on this better. Appears to be like my champagne V70. https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/v60/v60-t5-fwd-premier-nhdgdrx

I like the champagne over black. Not a common color combination.

imidazol97

Oh no.
My Cobalt 2008 has an airbag light on. My first possible expense with this vehicle that I don't put in the maintenance category. I can't find anyone with a scanner that reads airbag system codes, and I don't want to buy one. Mine only does ABS and regular codes along with live data. I'll take it in tomorrow to make an appointment.

qbrozen

imidazol97 said:

Oh no.
My Cobalt 2008 has an airbag light on. My first possible expense with this vehicle that I don't put in the maintenance category. I can't find anyone with a scanner that reads airbag system codes, and I don't want to buy one. Mine only does ABS and regular codes along with live data. I'll take it in tomorrow to make an appointment.

piece of electrical tape will fix that right up.

ab348

qbrozen said:

imidazol97 said:

Oh no.
My Cobalt 2008 has an airbag light on. My first possible expense with this vehicle that I don't put in the maintenance category. I can't find anyone with a scanner that reads airbag system codes, and I don't want to buy one. Mine only does ABS and regular codes along with live data. I'll take it in tomorrow to make an appointment.

piece of electrical tape will fix that right up.

A favourite of cabbies everywhere.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

I don't want to just "live with" a car. I want to actually like it, or even love it. ;b

Given what my vehicle history is (4 Fords & 3 Saturns among them), a Volvo would be a pretty big step up.

Here ya go. Not the best color combo, but lower miles and CPO! https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/v60/v60-t5-fwd-premier-kcddtcr

I think I like the color on this better. Appears to be like my champagne V70. https://cpo.volvocars.us/enus/used-cars/volvo/v60/v60-t5-fwd-premier-nhdgdrx

I like the champagne over black. Not a common color combination.

I like the pricepoint on this one.
https://www.carbiz.com/inventory/used-2015-volvo-v60-t5-drive-e-premier-fwd-station-wagon-yv126meb5f1191016

wonder what they'd give me for my Ioniq. haha.

pensfan83

Any more issues with it?

oldfarmer50

jipster said:

Acura wouldn't go for my offer. Here was their reply.

"Thanks. I appreciate the opportunity, however, I am already $1500 under cost using Acuras $5,000 dollar incentive to purchase. You can either use the $5,000 incentive or use the .9% with only a $1,500 incentive. That leaves me with no room. We are eager to sell cars at this time but we have to be smart about it too."

Really not interested to lease. You'd think the S.M would have tried.

I did come across the Subaru Legacy when browsing the other day. It seems to get really good reviews. Doubtful though.

Honda Worlds owner sent me an email asking why I didn't buy, said we couldn't meet on price, but feel free to try to earn my business.

Wish them good luck selling their car next month....or the month after....or...

benjaminh

Oxmoor Acura actually has been steadily selling their supply of TLXs so far. A few weeks ago they had 17 in stock, and now it's down to 12.

explorerx4

My 29 year old Mustang used to flash an airbag light.
By charging the battery to full before starting it, the sensor had enough juice to initialize and no light came on.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

I would think a lease-then-immediately-buy would get you closer to $29k OTD on the TLX. Assumes a 2500 dealer discount, 7350 lease incentives, and 750 first responder bonus.

First responder? I don't know what flick you've been watching but I haven't seen the @jipster responding to the first, second or third dealer offers.

jmonroe

abacomike

@jipster

I have followed your daily experiences very closely and have not added my two cents worth to these discussions because I was waiting for you to narrow your choices and price points. So here's my input as a car guy:

I would go for the Acura over the Honda. Acura's tend to be the preferred car when you eventually trade it in - I always put more money into Acura's when I appraised trades. Furthermore, I really like the quality of the build for Acura. I find them more comfortable and a bit more refined.

Whatever your final choice, you can't go wrong with either one. Good luck.

28firefighter

At $31,500 OTD, assuming the $5000 rebate, 6% sales tax and $500 in dealer and registration fees, that puts the sale price at roughly $34,250 before incentives. With an MSRP of $37,500, that puts the dealer discount at roughly 8.8% discount before incentives. That’s as high as I’ve ever seen on Leasehackr Acura deals, even from well known volume dealers in the northeast. A deep discount, IMO.

If it’s out of budget, it’s out of budget, but at this point the only thing that could sweeten the deal is incentives from Acura.

abacomike

Doctor put me on a second regimen of Zythromycin (Z Pack) and is adding a steroid pack for my pneumonia. He said if my up and down fever doesn't drop by Wednesday or Thursday he wants me to go to the hospital.

28firefighter

If you took that same sale price and applied the lease incentive (intending to immediately buyout the lease), you’d be at $29,600 after taxes and fees. The breakdown would be:

(1) $34,250 sale price
(2) Less $7350 lease incentives
(3) Plus 6% sales tax
(4) Plus $500 in doc and registration fees
(5) Plus $595 lease bank fee

Total $29,609 including taxes and fees.

Sandman6472

Just be sure that you're not going to be unhappy a bit a few months down the road. Trust me, it's hell getting a new vehicle to realize early on that it's just not the right one and should've gotten what I really wanted off the bat! The extra money you saved won't mean that much if every day you're unhappy behind the wheel. I learned that valuable lesson a few years back with the Tucson and then with getting the Golf SE not getting the Golf SEL. Should've just spent that little extra. Trust me, going forward, that'll never happen again as I'll spend that bit extra to be totally happy! The kids will just inherit that much less...but the extra happiness I'll get will be so worth it!
Bottom line here...get what YOU really want and if costs a bit extra, so be it, over the next 5 to 10 years, you'll never miss it!

omarman

Good luck Mike. Hope the antibiotics kill the bug and corticosteroids speed the healing.

driver100

28firefighter said:

If you took that same sale price and applied the lease incentive (intending to immediately buyout the lease), you’d be at $29,600 after taxes and fees. The breakdown would be:

(1) $34,250 sale price
(2) Less $7350 lease incentives
(3) Plus 6% sales tax
(4) Plus $500 in doc and registration fees
(5) Plus $595 lease bank fee

Total $29,609 including taxes and fees.

Nicely done....surprised the dealer who is trying to close a deal couldn't point that out.
btw....I mentioned that earlier, get the dealer to work out a lease then buy back deal....print it up in plain language so Jip knows how it works and what he is doing (since he is acquainted with leases).

driver100

omarman said:

Good luck Mike. Hope the antibiotics kill the bug and corticosteroids speed the healing.

+1

sda

abacomike said:

Doctor put me on a second regimen of Zythromycin (Z Pack) and is adding a steroid pack for my pneumonia. He said if my up and down fever doesn't drop by Wednesday or Thursday he wants me to go to the hospital.

Prayers for your quick recovery. I hate that you’ve had these struggles.

benjaminh

abacomike said:

Doctor put me on a second regimen of Zythromycin (Z Pack) and is adding a steroid pack for my pneumonia. He said if my up and down fever doesn't drop by Wednesday or Thursday he wants me to go to the hospital.

Hang in there!++

benjaminh

The msrp of a TLX with destination and the Tech package is $37,725, and so basically 38k.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

If you took that same sale price and applied the lease incentive (intending to immediately buyout the lease), you’d be at $29,600 after taxes and fees. The breakdown would be:

(1) $34,250 sale price
(2) Less $7350 lease incentives
(3) Plus 6% sales tax
(4) Plus $500 in doc and registration fees
(5) Plus $595 lease bank fee

Total $29,609 including taxes and fees.

This seems like the way to go if the Acura is his top choice

Michaell

Question for you all. If you buy out the lease, do you finance it as a used car, and pay used car interest rates?

benjaminh

My guess is that suggesting that @jipster buy out the car is just making it complicated and confusing. Why not just keep the lease? Isn't the money factor similar to a market rate loan of 4% or so? And if he gets the TLX he can just finance the residual of 18k in 3 years. Or am I missing something?

PS As an aside a message from 1944 from an abandoned World War II munitions complex to "work safely"....

suydam

abacomike said:

Doctor put me on a second regimen of Zythromycin (Z Pack) and is adding a steroid pack for my pneumonia. He said if my up and down fever doesn't drop by Wednesday or Thursday he wants me to go to the hospital.

You might consider going sooner. It could be Covid 19 caused pneumonia (I know they don’t think so but many cases have been misdiagnosed), and if it is, the sooner you go the better. An eye-opening piece today In the NYT from someone on the frontlines explains why this pneumonia is so different, and that you need to take action before you actually feel all that bad.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

If you took that same sale price and applied the lease incentive (intending to immediately buyout the lease), you’d be at $29,600 after taxes and fees. The breakdown would be:

(1) $34,250 sale price
(2) Less $7350 lease incentives
(3) Plus 6% sales tax
(4) Plus $500 in doc and registration fees
(5) Plus $595 lease bank fee

Total $29,609 including taxes and fees.

you need to work with me here. That is a cost to roll the lease, not buy the car. So what does that come out to be? The residual ($18K?), + total principal payments due on the lease ($9K?). with that being the "base" cost.

to that, you need to pay sales tax on the purchase. and another round of DMV fees and dealer doc fees. So paying that twice, along with the upfront lease costs, is going to eat well into any savings.

I am basing this on Jersey rules. You pay sales tax up front on the lease cost (not 100% sure how they calculate. Not exactly payments, but reasonably close). And at the end, you have to re-register it if you want to buy it out (the initial lease is not in your names so you can't just keep the plates) and pay sales tax on the buyout.

at least when you buy from the beginning, you eliminate the lease inception fees and one round of DMV and doc fees (probably $700).

stickguy

Some nice V60s there. I like the 2017. Just not black over black. I don't think I would go earlier than that. Definitely not a 2015 with the first year of the 2.0t Drive-E motor. Had some issues with that out the gate.

snakeweasel

imidazol97 said:

Oh no.
My Cobalt 2008 has an airbag light on. My first possible expense with this vehicle that I don't put in the maintenance category. I can't find anyone with a scanner that reads airbag system codes, and I don't want to buy one. Mine only does ABS and regular codes along with live data. I'll take it in tomorrow to make an appointment.

When my airbag light went on it was the clock spring in the steering wheel.

stickguy

Michaell said:

Question for you all. If you buy out the lease, do you finance it as a used car, and pay used car interest rates?

Yup. need to pay for it somehow. I always assumed this only made sense if you were going to buy for cash if you did buy initially.

otherwise, if your buyout is residual plus principal, and you have to finance anyway, seems like it works out the same either way. Other than if you keep the lease, and decide to punt it after 3 years, you can just walk away!

bwia

suydam said:

abacomike said:

Doctor put me on a second regimen of Zythromycin (Z Pack) and is adding a steroid pack for my pneumonia. He said if my up and down fever doesn't drop by Wednesday or Thursday he wants me to go to the hospital.

You might consider going sooner. It could be Covid 19 caused pneumonia (I know they don’t think so but many cases have been misdiagnosed), and if it is, the sooner you go the better. An eye-opening piece today In the NYT from someone on the frontlines explains why this pneumonia is so different, and that you need to take action before you actually feel all that bad.

@mike I strongly agree with that suggestion. Your risk factors for the Covid19 virus are very high and as a consequence I believe you should check yourself into the hospital first thing tomorrow morning. Be Blessed and stay safe,

fintail

One should be suspect of anything interpreted by VDH, JMHO.

That's much better. Interesting possibly positive news, and sets the stage for three facets of analysis - acquiring the virus/antibodies, actually getting sick, and passing away. The relationship between two and three is still the most concerning. Still probably not the best time to put guards down, congregate with a couple hundred whiny yokels on the steps of a building, etc. One will be free to vote as they please if they believe their governor acted incorrectly. I anyway, who think the WA leader can be a bit dippy, also don't think he's been bad in this. Give it another 6-8 weeks and see where we are, I have optimism that we will see maybe slow but steady progress.

imidazol97 said:

<

Are the facts wrong in that story? Here's a link to another article on same study.
https://www.livescience.com/coronavirus-antibodies-widespread-in-santa-clara.html

28firefighter

My calculation assumes tax on the residual plus the base payments before interest when paid in full to buyout the lease.

Regarding interest rates, it depends on the bank. Some consider a 2019 or 2020, regardless of miles, as qualifying for new car rates.

jipster

benjaminh said:

jipster said:

Acura wouldn't go for my offer. Here was their reply.

"Thanks. I appreciate the opportunity, however, I am already $1500 under cost using Acuras $5,000 dollar incentive to purchase. You can either use the $5,000 incentive or use the .9% with only a $1,500 incentive. That leaves me with no room. We are eager to sell cars at this time but we have to be smart about it too."

Really not interested to lease. You'd think the S.M would have tried.

I did come across the Subaru Legacy when browsing the other day. It seems to get really good reviews. Doubtful though.

Honda Worlds owner sent me an email asking why I didn't buy, said we couldn't meet on price, but feel free to try to earn my business.

Before I leased my 2018 TLX I had never leased a car and was against leasing. But Acura paid me to change my mind. Your quote above shows why. You can get a $5k incentive with financing at probably c. 4.5% (what was the interest for that option?) or you can lease and get a $7350 incentive with a money factor (MF) that roughly equals a 4.5% loan. At the end of 3 years you then have the c.$18k residual, and overall you get the car for less with a lease. Why not pay less for the same car?

But also, overall, you do have to pay for the higher quality and better performance of the TLX with Tech package, which is a luxury performance car. Although it's competitive in price with an Accord EXL, it's going to be tough to get to the price of a lower level model. And just to say the obvious, only you can say if the TLX is worth just a bit more money. I think it's a significantly nicer car for just a little bit more.

And so a Honda EX CVT or Mazda 6 Touring should meet your price target. And both are really good cars.

The Subaru Legacy has the advantage of 4-wheel drive, but overall the acceleration, handling, and interior quality will not be quite at the level of the Accord or the Mazda 6.

What I would need to know is...after the car is paid off, how much money will it have cost me? Price + taxes and fees+interest=? Would it be less than me paying $28k otd with 2.9% interest over 5 years. But don't work the numbers, I'm just really not comfortable with going the lease route. That said, you never know what I may do. ;-)

Thanks for the comments. Don't know what the plan today will be. Hunker down with a couple subs on the couch, or take them on the road to Honda World.

benjaminh

@jipster Seems like the TLX is off the table. That's progress!++

Given that it now seems down to the Accord or the Mazda 6, where might you make an offer next?

And now that you understand that AndroidAuto/CarPlay is for navigation—do you want that? If not, going for the base models will obviously save you money.

sb55

@driver100
I remember that you were looking for back up camera. I don't know if you have the same Costco in Canada, but this solar powered wireless one came on sale today. You won't get your monitor on the mirror or built in, but it's now a bad looking unit.
https://www.costco.com/.product.100504814.html?&EMID=B2C_2020_0420_HotBuys

sb55

abacomike said:

Hit 97 degrees this afternoon - broke record for highest April temperature ever and highest low temperature of 80 degrees. I cannot believe the heat and humidity so early in the spring. Been running my AC 24/7 since March 1st - earliest ever.

It's downright murder down here.

I'll trade you (for a day or 2). April had been chilly after a warm spring tease in March. It never got out of the mid-40's here yesterday. A cold front comes through tonight and the high temp tomorrow is supposed to be about 41 and mid-20's at night.

tommister2

I actually don't think this is a good time to buy a car. Everything is crazy right now due to coronavirus. Here's what I am seeing in my area:
- The Virginia DMV has been closed for weeks, which has completely killed the private party market. If you have a trade or vehicle to sell, a dealer is your only option. I normally sell private party since VA does not offer sales tax credit.If I can sell for $1000+ over the dealer trade offer, that is good for me.
- @qbrozen has mentioned that the auctions are closed, which means a less than desirable trade would get even worse money on trade since the dealer will likely be stuck with it.
- @abacomike shared that Mercedes plants are closed and I've heard that many others are too. That means the inventory on hand now is all the dealers have for a while. I would bet they aren't exchanging much with other dealers either.
- Dealers have already furloughed staff to save money. I am thinking there is less motivation to move a unit over making money on that unit. Plus they typically have to sell one to get another but they can't get another right now.

I'm sure you could get a good deal right now, but I don't think there are great deals. Maybe in the fall, assuming the factories ramp back up and things begin to return to normal.

I also understand that some brands are offering previously unheard of 0% financing deals - if that means something to you then this is a good time. Me? I shop on price

benjaminh

With apologies to Jipster, Heart, and Led Zepplin, but in celebration of an epic car purchase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e2fJfiddx4

When Jipster gets there he knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word he might get what he came for
Ooooooooh and he's buying a car-way to Heaven
There's a sign on the wall ["Lifetime" Warranty!]
But he wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings...

Yes there are two cars you can go buy
But in the long run
There's still time to change the car you drive....

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our souls
There walks a Jipster we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How his new car turned to gold...

qbrozen

benjaminh said:

With apologies to Jipster, Heart, and Led Zepplin, but in celebration of an epic car purchase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e2fJfiddx4

When Jipster gets there he knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word he might get what he came for
Ooooooooh and he's buying a car-way to Heaven
There's a sign on the wall ["Lifetime" Warranty!]
But he wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings...

Yes there are two cars you can go buy
But in the long run
There's still time to change the car you drive....

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our souls
There walks a Jipster we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How his new car turned to gold...

You need to get out of the house. LOL

roadburner

snakeweasel said:

imidazol97 said:

Oh no.
My Cobalt 2008 has an airbag light on. My first possible expense with this vehicle that I don't put in the maintenance category. I can't find anyone with a scanner that reads airbag system codes, and I don't want to buy one. Mine only does ABS and regular codes along with live data. I'll take it in tomorrow to make an appointment.

When my airbag light went on it was the clock spring in the steering wheel.

In my ti it was a sensor in the passenger seat belt buckle. It could also be a sensor in the seat cushion.

jipster

benjaminh said:

@jipster Seems like the TLX is off the table. That's progress!++

Given that it now seems down to the Accord or the Mazda 6, where might you make an offer next?

And now that you understand that AndroidAuto/CarPlay is for navigation—do you want that? If not, going for the base models will obviously save you money.

The Mazda 6 is good enough at the base level (all safety features), more comfortable ride with the smaller wheels,.luxurious interior...that I wouldn't have a problem buying it. AndroidAuto? Nice to have, but no big deal to me. The leatherette and heated seats on Touring Id like to have though.

benjaminh

@jipster What about this one?

jipster

tommister2 said:

I actually don't think this is a good time to buy a car. Everything is crazy right now due to coronavirus. Here's what I am seeing in my area:
- The Virginia DMV has been closed for weeks, which has completely killed the private party market. If you have a trade or vehicle to sell, a dealer is your only option. I normally sell private party since VA does not offer sales tax credit.If I can sell for $1000+ over the dealer trade offer, that is good for me.
- @qbrozen has mentioned that the auctions are closed, which means a less than desirable trade would get even worse money on trade since the dealer will likely be stuck with it.
- @abacomike shared that Mercedes plants are closed and I've heard that many others are too. That means the inventory on hand now is all the dealers have for a while. I would bet they aren't exchanging much with other dealers either.
- Dealers have already furloughed staff to save money. I am thinking there is less motivation to move a unit over making money on that unit. Plus they typically have to sell one to get another but they can't get another right now.

I'm sure you could get a good deal right now, but I don't think there are great deals. Maybe in the fall, assuming the factories ramp back up and things begin to return to normal.

I also understand that some brands are offering previously unheard of 0% financing deals - if that means something to you then this is a good time. Me? I shop on price

Well,.my current vehicle is on the mends. My wife's has high miles. So while we don't "need" a new vehicle, and could get by with 1, we need a new vehicle.

jipster

benjaminh said:

With apologies to Jipster, Heart, and Led Zepplin, but in celebration of an epic car purchase.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e2fJfiddx4

When Jipster gets there he knows
If the stores are all closed
With a word he might get what he came for
Ooooooooh and he's buying a car-way to Heaven
There's a sign on the wall ["Lifetime" Warranty!]
But he wants to be sure
'Cause you know sometimes words have two meanings...

Yes there are two cars you can go buy
But in the long run
There's still time to change the car you drive....

And as we wind on down the road
Our shadows taller than our souls
There walks a Jipster we all know
Who shines white light and wants to show
How his new car turned to gold...

LOL. Instead of walking onto the dealers lot and screaming, "Who wants to sell a car today!?", maybe I'll walk onto the lot singing "The Jipster Car of Gold", song.