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Comments
I think it would be a relatively uncommon customer who would pay $60K for a car with that slanted "H" badge on the trunklid, regardless of how good that car is.
I see a few Equui around here. They are used in airport limo/livery service. Not all that impressive-looking.
As for BMWs, I know a bunch of BMW owners. They do not drive them for the driving experience. They drive them because they are extremely image conscious. And while this old joke is not always true, it usually is in my experience:
What is the difference between a BMW and a Porcupine?
A porcupine has the pricks on the outside.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Now there's a car that telegraphs its handling to the driver and really arouses excitement with the feedback. Was behind one in downtown Columbus (OH) a few years back. Took me a couple blocks to figure out what it was. Driver had just left parking garage at rush hour into heavy traffic. Sound brought back memories for me from the 409s, 396s, and other great engines of my youth in the early 60s. Closest I'd heard was a Porsche convertible owned by daughter of friends of ours. And it was much raspier and ripping in tone.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
One thing I neglected to mention was the $62K was the Canadian price, it is $52K in the US, it fits the 20% less expensive rule perfectly.
I could be wrong, but I think if you can afford a BMW that is about $62K to $66K, you aren't likely to care about saving $10 to $16 grand to get the no-name product. For $25K, getting a Sonata is not an image breaker......but, at over $50K it does come into play.
For me, I just wouldn't take a chance on an unknown. Buying the unknown compared to buying a bmw which I know performs and is engineered well is just not worth the risk.
btw...I think the H does appear on the trunk lid, but, it will probably disappear once they sell the Genesis in it's own dealership.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
True, but few seniors have stock investments. In an article on retirement trends, MSN Money reports the following:
"The average income for those between ages 65 and 69 is $37,200, but drops to a little less than $20,000 for those over age 80.
The main sources of income for people over 65 are Social Security (37 percent), income from working (30 percent), pensions (19 percent) and savings and investments (11 percent).
Younger retirees derive more income from working and investments, while older retirees rely more on Social Security."
Source: http://money.msn.com/retirement/12-baby-boomer-retirement-trends
I feel blessed, based on what bwia just posted. Maybe it does pay to keep your head down and pull the plow for several decades in a large mind-numbing corporation. I'm looking at a traditional (defined benefit) pension, a 401K that included an 8% company match for over 30 years, plus SS. I'm working now mostly for entertainment value, and the best part is that my management knows it.
The trick is not to be spending your retirement money as if you were still earning a salary. Your salary doesn't go up and down with every bump in the economy but your investments sure can.
That's a good deal to have. Didn't have that option myself but between SS and pension I'm not too far off where I was when I was working. Have to find that well managed mutual fund and have discovered my wife with the 401Ks hasn't paid a whit of attention to them. This should not surprise me as I handle all the regular stuff. I was in not intrude mode but in the unlikely event that she went first I'd be financially screwed. Never too late to fix a mistake but it'll never get where it could have been.
Liked to see the old BMW porcupine joke. We actually had to stop for a porcupine crossing the road. Not every day you see that. vacation was a blast and may change the when I change tires equation. 3,500 miles of tooling around makes a notable difference. We went through Niagara Falls, up across the Bruce Peninsula taking the ferry to Manitoulin Island (where we saw the porcupine), up to the Soo, drove up a good part of the east side of Lake Superior and took in a load of lighthouses. We have these lighthouse passports. You need 60 to fill them. We're a bit less that halfway there.
That said health issues got to be part of that. Last checked the platelets were dropping precipitously. That can't stay that way. I've been wiped out but mostly managed to keep up and the collapse for a couple of days.
I see 650 posts to catch up on so I imagine I've missed discussions of garbage disposals, toothpaste, cheap solar panels and what not. I'll have to live....
>
Strangely enough, when it came time to trade my BMW I didn't buy another one. I loved the handling and power, but didn't like the negative connotation. People who knew me knew I drove a BMW because I am a "car guy". Others who didn't know me well, or didn't know me at all, figured it was a status thing. I like to fly under the radar a little.
I bought a Mazda 6 GT - that I loved BTW.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
But you are neither young or a lessee.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
The administration has kept interest rates on savings and CDs exceptionally low to try to stimulate the economy. The stock market has been buoyed by the extra low rates pushing people into the market. The big boys will get out safely leaving the little people still in as the market starts to break again.
Stimulating with low interest rates hasn't worked for 5 years, but when it does I expect people to start realizing the inflation that's covered up in the way the stats are done now. I would estimate inflation is at 6-8% if the techniques for measuring the chagnes were same as in the 1990's. That's based on
grocery store as well as other increases I keep seeing year after year.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
"...Which leaves me to wonder how can seniors survive on these measly returns on their savings accounts. You work hard all your life, saved as much as you could, and now you cannot live of the interest. Bummer..."
As others have said, to keep large sums in a bank savings or checking account is foolish. No interest at all.
I keep the bulk of my assets in various Vanguard funds because of their conservative nature and low fees. You can still generate a 4%+ dividend in some bond funds which have low volatility. Just be on the look out for the Fed to jack up rates next year which will kill the share price.
I've been able to average 11% capital appreciation over the last 4 years plus dividends.
The old rule of thumb was to take only 4% of your principle out each year and you'll never run out of money.
Right now I'm working for the health insurance and would get just about the same income retired.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
your head down and pull the plow for several decades in a large mind-numbing corporation. I'm looking at a traditional (defined benefit) pension, a 401K that included an 8% company match for over 30 years, plus SS. I'm working now mostly for entertainment value, and the best part is that my management knows it.
You said it. I anticipate getting a defined-benefit pension from the state of NY that considering the part-time nature of my job is nothing less than astounding. The best part is that due to the vote buying gambit of a previous administrator of the fund who was running for governor, I didn't have to pay a penny into it.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
You could make a case for "racial profiling" because they were racing around.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Reverse snob move. I love to drive my bmw and though I don't want to be considered a snob, and really don't think I am one, I don't lose sleep over it. I give you credit for driving a Mazda to be a regular guy, but, I don't see myself doing that. I have driven lots of rental cars, lately a Fusion, an Elantra, and our own Passat,.....I never feel like i am a different person, I just miss my bmw if I am driving another car.
BTW......I try to never lend my car to someone. My wife thinks I am crazy. I tell her I don't lend my toothbrush, underwear or my car...they are very personal to me.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
But you are neither young or a lessee
I know, but once it starts where will it end?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Cute.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Do you have an opinion on the dynamic pricing of cars? If you would like to share your opinion of car pricing being dependent on factors like availability or consumer demand (much the way plane tickets or hotel rooms are priced), please send your daytime contact info to pr@edmunds.com no later than Friday, 8/1/14 at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.
Well, I hope you see it. Based on what occurred when other similarly ill-designed pension plans hit the rocks, that could all change.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
> Do you have an opinion on the dynamic pricing of cars? If you would like to share your opinion of car pricing being dependent on factors like availability or consumer demand (much the way plane tickets or hotel rooms are priced), please send your daytime contact info to pr@edmunds.com no later than Friday, 8/1/14 at 1 p.m. PT/4 p.m. ET.
So basically you want to know how we feel about the laws of supply and demand determining the price of cars.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
I was wondering if the angle is more like Priceline or those motels that change their rate signs as the day gets shorter. But I'm not sure - you can always contact the reporter via that link and ask.
Hopefully no mortgage, not too much money spent on clothes, lunches, coffees, gas, as when working. Hopefully, no children living at home and no debt. You will probably need 65 to 70% of your working income.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
It sounds like a good plan, but, it can't work quite the same. If motels have empty rooms, they don't generate income, but most costs of running a business stay the same. There is logic in just getting some income from renting a room at a lower cost to lure a customer in. Half the cost of the room is better than nothing. However, a car costs a certain amount to produce, not much use in going below the cost price of the car unless you are liquidating or have to get rid of it because it isn't moving at all.
That's how I see it....skeptical. I think the savings wouldn't be enough to make it worthwhile, unless you were isell who doesn't care what make, color, model, number of cylinders, color of interior, etc. the car has.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
@driver100 - good points.
(to be telling the reporter). /hint
If you carry this logic to its ultimate conclusion then you should not buy a new BMW or any similar luxury brand unless you have the mega millions I mentioned in my earlier post. Some people look at it this way, if I can't buy a snob-mobile when I am in my sixties, what is the point of living?
Life is ought to be more than driving a Hyundai XG350 or a Bluelight special at KMart.
Some of us care more about driving places than about driving cars.
Ontario yesterday, Virginia today.
That said, the replacement minivan is quite a bit truckier than our Quest was, and it won't be in the stable long.
As far as priorities, it poured late afternoon so we sprung for an $80 motel room instead of camping. Yet we still paid more for lunch.
LOL....but, my points are reasons I don't think the plan would work. I don't believe in it, but, I don't know the real business model. I spent a fair bit of time writing to a reporter we were asked to contact, wanting to know if we would buy a second convertible. I gave her good solid information but never heard back, though I was told I would.
I would definitely give input if it was a topic I had some good solid information about, or a knowledgeable opinion about. I am kind of a sucker for doing surveys. I feel I benefit from them so I feel I should contribute. I have over 100 contributions on tripadvisor.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I was listening to a program about retirement, and the financial expert said you shouldn't buy a fancy car because you will lose the thrill of a new car in a very short time. I don't think that is true at all, I love and appreciate the bmw every time I start it up.
Could you earn almost 5% a year on your savings? You may need some dividend paying stocks so you have a secure amount coming in to pay for essentials, then some stocks which may appreciate in value to try to gain another few points, say 7%. If you can set $8K a year aside a year from retirement savings, old age pensions etc., then you could probably afford a mid range luxury car every 4 or 5 years.
What concerns me, and many people don't think about it, is prices double about every 10 years. So, although you may be able to live on $40k or $50K today, could you live on that if it was worth half in 10 years? I think you have to try to reinvest some of your retirement income, unless you have a pension with a cost of living component.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I often find getting there can be more fun than being there.
Where is Yooperland? And which Ontario were you in?
I forget, what kind of minivan? I have been a passenger in a Honda Odeysey and it feels just like a car, very comfortable.
I know people love to camp and I guess I can understand the concept, but, I have no desire to go camping. I need a good bed, a TV, a clock radio, air conditioning and heat, running water, electricity, my own shower, and not to spend 24/7 with family or friends. Maybe I am just weird!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
For me, the vehicle is an integral part of the trip- hence my renting the Challenger last weekend- new and different can be fun.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Here is my dilemma (dilemna).
I am driving my 2012 bmw 535 and it has about 42K miles on it.
The warranty will be up at 48K.
I love my car, but getting kind of itchy to trade. The frontrunners would be another 535 and an Audi A6, also consider a Jaguar and E-Class Mercedes, though they are long shots.
The 535 and the A6 are going to be radically changed for 2016, the 2015s will just have some minor updates.
I have been leaning towards waiting for another year until the 2016s come out.
Then, I just checked the used car value of my 2012. Using the Canadian Black Book my car is worth about $35K today. They forcast my car will be worth $31K in 12 months and probably more like $29K by next November when the new one's come out. That means getting a new car now would probably cost an extra $3K or $4K over waiting a year. Maybe even less when you count paying for service work and oil changes because I will be past the warranty period.
I know it isn't a serious problem to have, but, it is a bit of a conundrum. Any opinions, besides buying a Buick or Genesis?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I have always found the idea of camping out not a concept for me. I consider "roughing it" to mean Holiday Inn Express rather than Hampton Inn or Fairfield Inn (the Fairfield in Pigeon Forge at least). Hamptons are universally fairly good, so far.
The boy scout troop scoutmaster considered it a personal victory that I camped out several times with my son on local camp outs. He's the one who, with his son, camped out in his front yard one night when it had snowed and was going down below -10 deg. F.
Ain't that the truth. I love driving most of the time. I enjoy the scenery. I enjoy the time in the car that I like driving. Stopping for fuel or rest stop is interesting to see and meet people from other areas. I especially enjoy travel on I75 and I75 through KY where I recall traveling when the interstate roads were still being built.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
driver.....you want opinions? Oh man.....that's opening up a can of worms. All good cars you're looking at. Laurasdada loves him some Jags. abacomike will be all over the Benz. You already know about BMW. I've driven the A6 3.0 S/C extensively and like it....a lot. But, that's only because my Audi S4 was in the shop so much. I still think the recent editions of their Quattro system has some serious design flaws, as I've seen some of the trade rags mention how "grinding" the Quattro system is in their test cars.
I drove an Acura RLX a couple of times....Impressive car....especially for the amount of money they're selling them for ($10K off MSRP). Just a thought, given there aren't many Acura fans around here.
Good luck. We love to help other people spend their money.
Driver, you asked where yooperland is. It took me a while to "get it" too. It's Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I've never been there, but my dad has been there and loved it. He said there are parts of it where there are no cars allowed. Sounds like a lot of walking to me.
2013 Mustang GT, 2001 GMC Yukon Denali
I'm not a big fan of keeping German cars too long past their warranties, especially newer ones loaded up with electronics--if that helps to keep you awake at night
> Driver, you asked where yooperland is. It took me a while to "get it" too. It's Michigan's Upper Peninsula. I've never been there, but my dad has been there and loved it. He said there are parts of it where there are no cars allowed. Sounds like a lot of walking to me.
The only place I know of in Michigan that doesn't allow cars is mackinac island and that's less than 4 square miles (the road around the island is only 8 miles long). Lots of horses and bicycles there. It looks a little odd at first going through the town and seeing hundreds of bicycles parked along the road.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
My son's X3 has over 164k on it and it hasn't had a single electronic issue aside from a TSB for the passenger seat SRS sensor when it was a couple of years old. Aside from replacing the transfer case(ouch) and DISA valve its been very reliable. In light of the fact that it's been paid off since 2007 I don't feel too bad about dealing with a couple of issues every 2-3 years.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Right, Mackinac Island is car-less (except for emergency vehicles). They don't permit golf cars either so the thing to do is get an electric "handicapped" scooter. We spent the morning there a couple of days ago. The best ride was the little girl on her unicycle. Nice enough spot except it's all tourists, all the time. We didn't take much time to walk the neighborhoods but that's the thing to do, or walk or bike the 80% of the island that's park land. If you don't do that you may as well go to Gatlinburg and never look at the Smokies.
I'm a temporary Yooper living a couple of blocks from Lake Superior in a small town. We moved there 4 years ago to enjoy some time with my wife's step-mom and durn if she didn't live all that long, so our timing was good for the move. Nice people, lots of trees, mixed bag on winters (last one was a bear). We're ready for some topography again so we're moving to New Mexico in a few weeks.
The current ride is an '09 Dodge Grand Caravan. Our '99 Quest got to 200,000 but it kept acting up and we couldn't trust it long enough for the move. So we got this used van a few months ago. We did a load in it last month and are running a load to family this trip. One more load will get us permanently moved and then we'll start shopping again for a new car.
> Right, Mackinac Island is car-less (except for emergency vehicles). They don't permit golf cars either so the thing to do is get an electric "handicapped" scooter. We spent the morning there a couple of days ago. The best ride was the little girl on her unicycle. Nice enough spot except it's all tourists, all the time. We didn't take much time to walk the neighborhoods but that's the thing to do, or walk or bike the 80% of the island that's park land.
We spent the day there two weekends ago. Took our own bikes and spent the day biking around the island. Yes the town is ultra touristy and the road around the island isn't much better. However most of the roads inland were pleasantly devoid of people.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Today is the end of the month. Let's say I negotiate a deal late today and put down a deposit, arranging to take delivery tomorrow. If the deal improves tomorrow (i.e. new August incentives), can I back out of the original deal and get the new offer?
Just my opinion, you really need one of the sales reps to answer this - however since this is the last day of the month here is my quick gut feeling reply. Doubtful if you could change the contract once you sign it, UNLESS, you add a clause, if any additional discounts are offered for August and then you could get the lower price. But, I doubt a dealer would honor it if he is selling you the car at a discounted price to make his quota. It won't help him putting the sale into next month.
If he has reached his quota then he isn't giving you an extraordinary discount, and the dealer may hold on to the paperwork for an extra day.
I bought my 2012 in 2011 before prices were announced. We agreed on an amount for the trade-in, and we agreed to a percentage discount on the new car. That way the actual price didn't matter, it might go up, or down for the model and equipment I wanted.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Everyone is different. Holiday Inn Express would be fine with me, I call Motel 6 roughing it, in fact I would possibly consider camping over one of those.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thanks to you and snake for the information. I want to go there so I can say I have been to "Yooperland". We saw a supplier when we went to England on buying trips, they were in Leighton Buzzard, I just liked going so I could tell people I had been there. Actually, a cute little town.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That is kind of my thinking too. The only thing I have had the car in for is new tires and alignment. So, almost 3 years, 42K miles, and no problems. If I go over 48K and have one major electronics problem it could wipe out the savings I get from keeping the car for another year. I agree, peace of mind is worth something.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
>
GG, I know you love those Acura's. I know they get good reviews, and they are solid and reliable. I have sat in ones at the Acura dealership in 2012 when I had my plastic shield put on the 535. First, I think if you are into electronics the car will impress you. But, I didn't get the same feeling as I get in the bmw or Audi......attention to detail in the leather and seats. The ergonomics and the outward vision (rear window was high and glass area wasn't maximized).
I know an RLX can kind of wow you, but I know I'll be unhappy with it very quickly. Was that what Mike had for a short time, before going back to a Mercedes?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You described this Dodge as too "trucky." What do you mean by that? From the many times I've ridden in Chrysler's vans, they ride well, more like a car than a truck.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Gotta agree with you. Haven't stayed in Motel Six since the 80s, and it wasn't good. And the last
Holiday Inn Express we had stayed in (Birch Run, MI) really wasn't a problem place. Fairly
nice and equipped for the traveller. It's just that it's not as nice as the Hampton Inns usually are.
And my point was the step to a Holiday Inn Express was roughing it compared to our usual
Hampton Inn, and actual camping was far down the list.
There was that bad Hampton Inn near Michigan City, IN?MI? where we checked
out right away! No charge. It was a converted motel, not built to Hampton Inn's usual appearance and
layout. Sort of like how Best Westerns are all independent and often are resuscitated buildings
of other brands and the corporate name use is just a shell with no real expectations of quality
level by the corporation. My sister-in-law (flight attendant) will not stay in one.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
For someone wanting a car that handles and sticks to the road, here's a video of the 2016 ATS in motion. Did I mention it's the V model? It did lose the feel of the road for a second here in the picture.
Click to view video:
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Generally, you don't own the car until you've signed all the paperwork AND driven the car off the property, and believe me they're going to want you off the property the same day you sign. As soon as you drive it over the curb, the car will depreciate 10-15% (or more, sometimes much much more).
Well around here it's very common, probably the norm, to drive off a day or two after committing to a deal and giving a deposit. Dealer has to get the car out of inventory, which is often off site, and prep for delivery. Paperwork needs to be done, financing arranged, insurance cards obtained, might need certified bank check, etc. These things all take some time.
Mike had a Lexus GS that gave him lots of issues.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.