Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

I assume that is the type R?

Of course!

I dunno about the boy racer wing, though, unless you're going to track it. Even then, how well are these things thought out and tested?

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

I assume that is the type R?

Of course!

I dunno about the boy racer wing, though, unless you're going to track it. Even then, how well are these things thought out and tested?

Well, it isn't like some amateur "tuned" it in his garage. It set the FWD lap record for the Nürburgring: 7:43.80- good enough for 65th fastest production car.

driver100

If you want a book that is fast, easy, clever and exciting to read I strongly recommend Harlan Coben's newest book "Home"


I rarely recommend books because everyone's tastes are so different, but, this one should appeal to almost everyone who likes a fast moving story.

HOME by Harlan Coben available on Amazon

My favorite Coben is Tell No One but all are excellent!

driver100

ab348 said:

Neighbors across the street, 30-something couple with 2 noisy bratty kids, ardent environmentalists, big cyclists, work @ university here, bought a brand new car this week. I figured they were very anti-car and would keep their early/mid 2000s Outback wagon forever. To my surprise a brand-new Outback with temp tags now resides in their driveway. Much less station-wagon like than their old car, shorter, higher and more CUV-like.

One odd point for me - I never really noticed the engine sound/exhaust note on their old car. The new one, though, has a very unusual sound. It actually reminds me of an old air-cooled VW. Very distinctive.

A new Suburu or any new car that sounds like an old air-cooled VW would be extremely distinctive, are you sure it is running properly?

driver100

stickguy said:

regular softtop convertible, with a removable (and leave behind) hardtop too.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm....I like it! Slush box or not!

imidazol97

graphicguy said:

Still, no papers have been signed. No money has left one hand into another. I may wake up tomorrow and say "what am I thinking?".

Then the irrational side takes hold..."well, I've got that extra cash Cadillac had to pay me for the buyback, to cover my aggravation and time involved in fighting them. That would just about make up the delta in the cost of moving to the TLX".

Then I turn over and think...."I could add that money to my next stock transaction". Decisions.....decisions

You know ya wanna! Why not go back, look at it again, and drive it--if it's still there.

ab348

driver100 said:

A new Suburu or any new car that sounds like an old air-cooled VW would be extremely distinctive, are you sure it is running properly?

No idea but I can only assume so being new. It really does sound very unique.

graphicguy

imidazol97 said:

graphicguy said:

Still, no papers have been signed. No money has left one hand into another. I may wake up tomorrow and say "what am I thinking?".

Then the irrational side takes hold..."well, I've got that extra cash Cadillac had to pay me for the buyback, to cover my aggravation and time involved in fighting them. That would just about make up the delta in the cost of moving to the TLX".

Then I turn over and think...."I could add that money to my next stock transaction". Decisions.....decisions

You know ya wanna! Why not go back, look at it again, and drive it--if it's still there.

You know I will!

This model brought more people into the showroom than I've seen there in quite a few years.

graphicguy

Just spoke to my son on the phone. He was laughing at my expense......"Dad, I've seen you flip cars quickly before. But, this would be a record....even for you.....4 months."

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I think it is just a normal 328i, gussied up with some M3 parts. fine by me, other than the slushbox!

That was my take on it. Not a real M3. If it was that would be a real survivor. Probably beat to death too.

If I buy a vert it won't be for the speed. I have a car for that. Just need a car to cruise on nice days. A BMW would be a nice change but I could be happy with about any convertible.

explorerx4

Harlan Coben writes some strange stuff, although original.
I found a couple of things I'm interested in, although I should put them on the back burner until after my daughter gets married in a couple of weeks.

driver100

graphicguy said:

Just spoke to my son on the phone. He was laughing at my expense......"Dad, I've seen you flip cars quickly before. But, this would be a record....even for you.....4 months."

Not sure but you may have taken that record away from Mike!

driver100

explorerx4 said:

Harlan Coben writes some strange stuff, although original.
I found a couple of things I'm interested in, although I should put them on the back burner until after my daughter gets married in a couple of weeks.

I know, sometimes life gets too busy to read. And if you don't read a bit each day you forget where you are at. We go to Germany in 2 weeks, lots of time to read on the plane.

explorerx4

The couple of things have 4 wheels, not pages.
Where are you going in Germany?

roadburner

My wife and I are binge-watching Bosch on Amazon. It's a terrific show; Michael Connelly is one of the executive producers.
As for books, I'm currently reading Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb by Richard Rhodes

Michaell

driver100 said:

graphicguy said:

Just spoke to my son on the phone. He was laughing at my expense......"Dad, I've seen you flip cars quickly before. But, this would be a record....even for you.....4 months."

Not sure but you may have taken that record away from Mike!

may I introduce you to @breld? He and his wife have averaged 5-6 purchases a year for the last 3 or 4 years.

In the last year, they've bought 3 MINIs and 2 Dodge Durangos. Rational logic behind each transaction.

murphydog

First week update -

So had the Ram 1500 for a week now and here are my impressions -

For a big truck the ride is almost plush - last time I drove a full sized pick up I thought I was going to lose my fillings every time I went over a speed bump. Not so with this one. Not sure if it is the rear coil springs (instead of conventional leafs) or if they are just that much better at tuning the suspension.

Comfort - love the seats, very comfortable. The cooling feature is subtle, but very pleasant. Combination of open sunroof and open rear window provides a nice breeze with out buffeting.

Uconnect - All good so far, screen is big and bright, stereo is good, navigation is easy to use. The data connection that enables the Uconnect app is free for a year, at this point I doubt I will extend it at a cost of $14.99 a month. Maybe at $5 a month but that is tops.

Backup camera is amazing. Wife's BMW X3 has one too, but I think this one is 1080P as the image is unbelievably sharp.

I knew the fuel economy would be poor and so far it is. Hopefully as it breaks in and I get used to it I can coax it up a bit. Have a day trip planned for the 17th out to Port Townsend and Whidby Island, the highway miles should help.

Clearly it is not a sport sedan, and I have changed my driving style to reflect that.

I do miss my Benz, and I see they have it listed at $14,999. I hope it makes somebody happy as it did me for 9 years.

graphicguy

roadburner said:

My wife and I are binge-watching Bosch on Amazon. It's a terrific show; Michael Connelly is one of the executive producers.
As for books, I'm currently reading Dark Sun: The Making of the Hydrogen Bomb by Richard Rhodes

Reading "A Curious Mind"...good book. Binge watching "Hell on Wheels"....loosely based on the drive to finish the nationwide railroad right after the Civil War. Good show!

driver100

explorerx4 said:

The couple of things have 4 wheels, not pages.
Where are you going in Germany?

Berlin 3 days...see sights, Hop on Hop off bus probably
Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia, to see Gerry Weder Open Tennis match....played in a domed stadium with grass,.............if I am going on a long trip to see a tennis match it has to be protected from the rain.
Hamburg....Hop On Hop Off and see worlds largest Miniature Railroad.......9 days total.

driver100

Michaell said:

driver100 said:

graphicguy said:

Just spoke to my son on the phone. He was laughing at my expense......"Dad, I've seen you flip cars quickly before. But, this would be a record....even for you.....4 months."

Not sure but you may have taken that record away from Mike!

may I introduce you to @breld? He and his wife have averaged 5-6 purchases a year for the last 3 or 4 years.

In the last year, they've bought 3 MINIs and 2 Dodge Durangos. Rational logic behind each transaction.

Give an example of....rational logic of buying 5 or 6 trucks a year, I got hear that one!

driver100

Murph....nice little review, glad you are enjoying the new truck. One day the Mercedes will be a distant memory and the RAM will be the new normal. I don't think a truck will ever feel and handle quite the same as a well made sedan.

imidazol97

@graphicguy
Has the Infinity had an oil change yet?

stickguy

Driver, rational and rationalization sound close, but don't quite mean the same thing!

graphicguy

imidazol97 said:

@graphicguy
Has the Infinity had an oil change yet?

It has, indeed....just last week. Infiniti pays for an "early" oil change to take out break in oil.

Debating on whether to pursue this or not.

Dealer emailed me this a.m. already showing the figures. They're coming in at $34.3K on the Q50 (a couple hundred off where I thought they'd be, but liveable), Theirs is stickered at $45,750. Invoice numbers aren't out, yet. Having bought a lot of TL(X)s, I'm pretty familiar with their pricing. There's about a $2K delta between invoice and MSRP. So, invoice is around $43,750. I doubt very seriously there's any trunk money on it. So, I threw out a $44K number as a buy on their car. That lines up with the figures they sent me.

No Doc Fee pac on their figures (again, they know me too well). Taxes and licence figures check out.

Numbers are good. Paid $37K for the Q50. I think their trade offer is pretty darned strong, even though I'm losing $2,700 for driving it 3 months. I am moving up two model years though, as you guys pointed out. That's an expensive rental. I'm justifying that "rental" fee by telling myself that the final "Cady-gedon" amount paid back to me included about $3K in travel, hassle time, etc.

Just have to decide if I want to pull the trigger.

Sleeping on it didn't help.

qbrozen

Does your state give a tax break on trade-ins?

stickguy

Well, the $2700 is gone, whether you trade or not. It's only a mental block here. So the only real question (since you know you can afford it if you want it) is, what do you want more? And if the Acura, enough to write the check?

Financially, forget about the $2700. But look at upcoming depreciation. My guess, you would keep either car 2 years? 3 max? So guesstimate what the will both be worth 2 years from now. My WAG is the TLX will depreciate more? That is, assuming you even care!

imidazol97

graphicguy said:

Sleeping on it didn't help.

Bad sign. Sleeping on it usually helps me decide "No."

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

Does your state give a tax break on trade-ins?

Yes....just taxed on the difference.

abacomike

I just heard that the State of Illinois's bond rating was lowered to "junk bond status"!  They are tens of billions of dollars in debt, not counting their accumulated debt for pensions estimated over $100 billion.

As most of you know, my pension comes from the State of Illinois.  I am extremely worried about my future pension distributions, that's for sure.  Illinois can't borrow any more money based on this recent decrease in their bond rating.  All they can do is raise taxes or default on their interest payments on existing bonds - but corporations and individuals have been leaving the State in droves because of the heavy tax burden that already exists.

Illinois might be the first State to go into bankruptcy and California is not far behind.  Any thoughts on this calamity?  For years the State of Illinois diverted money from pension contributions to operating funds to try and balance budgets.  That action has now come back to bite them - AND ME! 

graphicguy

stickguy said:

Well, the $2700 is gone, whether you trade or not. It's only a mental block here. So the only real question (since you know you can afford it if you want it) is, what do you want more? And if the Acura, enough to write the check?

Financially, forget about the $2700. But look at upcoming depreciation. My guess, you would keep either car 2 years? 3 max? So guesstimate what the will both be worth 2 years from now. My WAG is the TLX will depreciate more? That is, assuming you even care!

Stick....I'm a charter member of this rag tag group. Of course I don't care! LOL!

You're right. Probably keep it 2-3 years. Acuras are typically strong on resale. But, I view that as an unkonwn. Too many vairables to know what a particular car will be worth in the future. 2 years from now, the TLX will be worth more however...just if for no other reason than it will be 2 model years newer than the Q50.

stickguy

So park them side by side, even if just mentally, and decide if you really want to spend next two years with one over the other. That will be your answer!

Also, you can always do this in a few months when supply catches up, and deals get better. Not like this is the last A spec they are making.

roadburner

abacomike said:

I just heard that the State of Illinois's bond rating was lowered to "junk bond status"!  They are tens of billions of dollars in debt, not counting their accumulated debt for pensions estimated over $100 billion.

As most of you know, my pension comes from the State of Illinois.  I am extremely worried about my future pension distributions, that's for sure.  Illinois can't borrow any more money based on this recent decrease in their bond rating.  All they can do is raise taxes or default on their interest payments on existing bonds - but corporations and individuals have been leaving the State in droves because of the heavy tax burden that already exists.

Illinois might be the first State to go into bankruptcy and California is not far behind.  Any thoughts on this calamity?  For years the State of Illinois diverted money from pension contributions to operating funds to try and balance budgets.  That action has now come back to bite them - AND ME! 

Kentucky has several different pension funds for the state's retirees. The fund I'm paid out of is in great shape. The others? Not so much.

driver100

GG, Take the Q50 out for a nice long drive and then stop in at the dealer. Take the Acura out on the same road or similar....spend some time in it. See if it is really worth trading.

Also, is the Acura your true dream car? Or, is it just a hard deal to turn down and will you wish you waited and want to buy something else later?

There should be a significant difference to warrant a trade at this time. I will say though, you deserve the best for the torture you have been through with the CTS, and you did come out not too badly moving up a few years in their too....so there is some rationalizing there to fall back on, maybe not rational but rationalizing as stick pointed out.

pensfan83

Closest Acura dealer to me had 6 A-Specs on their lot. They look good, anxious to hear the review on them if you decide to pick one up.

28firefighter

I think the only thing that would be stopping me this instant, @graphicguy, is the fact that you know the incentives and deals on the TLX will get better. I think in 6-9 months, the landscape will look drastically different.

Of course, hard to say what that'll do to your trade value as well and if the incentives will more than exceed that..

nyccarguy

I say stick with the Q50 for now @graphicguy.  @qbrozen and I need you here as a resident Infiniti driver.  

Michaell

28firefighter said:

I think the only thing that would be stopping me this instant, @graphicguy, is the fact that you know the incentives and deals on the TLX will get better. I think in 6-9 months, the landscape will look drastically different.

Of course, hard to say what that'll do to your trade value as well and if the incentives will more than exceed that..

There are already lease incentives on the 2018 TLX

bwia

abacomike said:

I just heard that the State of Illinois's bond rating was lowered to "junk bond status"!  They are tens of billions of dollars in debt, not counting their accumulated debt for pensions estimated over $100 billion.

As most of you know, my pension comes from the State of Illinois.  I am extremely worried about my future pension distributions, that's for sure.  Illinois can't borrow any more money based on this recent decrease in their bond rating.  All they can do is raise taxes or default on their interest payments on existing bonds - but corporations and individuals have been leaving the State in droves because of the heavy tax burden that already exists.

Illinois might be the first State to go into bankruptcy and California is not far behind.  Any thoughts on this calamity?  For years the State of Illinois diverted money from pension contributions to operating funds to try and balance budgets.  That action has now come back to bite them - AND ME! 

Mike, no worries--your pension benefits are safe. As to the downgraded bond rating/s, that is due to an over abundance of caution, overcompensating for the lax approach employed prior to the 2008 financial crisis.

We are in a low interest rate environment and the lower bond rating will not result in appreciable higher interest rates. Besides, the national unemployment rate is only 4.3% so there is room for a small tax increase (Ouch!)

In Massachusetts, higher education spending is having a serious impact on our state finances. In fact, they are predicting a state budget deficit of $900 million. Unless something drastic is done to reign in those uncontrolled costs, we are toast.

abacomike

bwia said:

abacomike said:

I just heard that the State of Illinois's bond rating was lowered to "junk bond status"!  They are tens of billions of dollars in debt, not counting their accumulated debt for pensions estimated over $100 billion.

As most of you know, my pension comes from the State of Illinois.  I am extremely worried about my future pension distributions, that's for sure.  Illinois can't borrow any more money based on this recent decrease in their bond rating.  All they can do is raise taxes or default on their interest payments on existing bonds - but corporations and individuals have been leaving the State in droves because of the heavy tax burden that already exists.

Illinois might be the first State to go into bankruptcy and California is not far behind.  Any thoughts on this calamity?  For years the State of Illinois diverted money from pension contributions to operating funds to try and balance budgets.  That action has now come back to bite them - AND ME! 

Mike, no worries--your pension benefits are safe. As to the downgraded bond rating/s, that is due to an over abundance of caution, overcompensating for the lax approach employed prior to the 2008 financial crisis.

We are in a low interest rate environment and the lower bond rating will not result in appreciable higher interest rates. Besides, the national unemployment rate is only 4.3% so there is room for a small tax increase (Ouch!)

In Massachusetts, higher education spending is having a serious impact on our state finances. In fact, they are predicting a state budget deficit of $900 million. Unless something drastic is done to reign in those uncontrolled costs, we are toast.

It all boils down to the same thing - if you've got it, flaunt it! If you aint't got it, you have nothing to flaunt!

In other words, if there is no money available, then the Illinois State Budge needs to be sliced severely. But the Illinois House and Senate refuse to cut into programs while the Governor is willing to cut. Another option that was considered by the Governor was a tax increase - but the House and Senate refuse. Sound familiar???

bwia

graphicguy said:

imidazol97 said:

@graphicguy
Has the Infinity had an oil change yet?

It has, indeed....just last week. Infiniti pays for an "early" oil change to take out break in oil.

Debating on whether to pursue this or not.

Dealer emailed me this a.m. already showing the figures. They're coming in at $34.3K on the Q50 (a couple hundred off where I thought they'd be, but liveable), Theirs is stickered at $45,750. Invoice numbers aren't out, yet. Having bought a lot of TL(X)s, I'm pretty familiar with their pricing. There's about a $2K delta between invoice and MSRP. So, invoice is around $43,750. I doubt very seriously there's any trunk money on it. So, I threw out a $44K number as a buy on their car. That lines up with the figures they sent me.

No Doc Fee pac on their figures (again, they know me too well). Taxes and licence figures check out.

Numbers are good. Paid $37K for the Q50. I think their trade offer is pretty darned strong, even though I'm losing $2,700 for driving it 3 months. I am moving up two model years though, as you guys pointed out. That's an expensive rental. I'm justifying that "rental" fee by telling myself that the final "Cady-gedon" amount paid back to me included about $3K in travel, hassle time, etc.

Just have to decide if I want to pull the trigger.

Sleeping on it didn't help.

Hmm, sedan sales are flat yet Acura wants almost MSRP. What gives? For the MDX I can understand but the TLX, I am not quite so sure. GG, it does not appear that you are ready to deal. Your hesitancy and foot-dragging is a good clue that you should resist the itch and wait. As you well know you cannot unwind the sale on a new vehicle once driven off the lot.

But, then again, some people can handle buyers remorse better than others.

abacomike

We haven't seen the Sun down here in Florida since last Wednesday. It's been cloudy and raining every day with no let up in sight. I know we are beginning to enter the rainy season, but this is ridiculous. Driving home from the shopping mall was scary - it felt like I was skidding on ice all the way home. Lots of surface flooding. This is sure not the Sunshine State these past 7 days.

thebean

Fat finger double post.

thebean

driver100 said:

If you want a book that is fast, easy, clever and exciting to read I strongly recommend Harlan Coben's newest book "Home"


I rarely recommend books because everyone's tastes are so different, but, this one should appeal to almost everyone who likes a fast moving story.

HOME by Harlan Coben available on Amazon

My favorite Coben is Tell No One but all are excellent!

I concur. I read this last fall and it's good. The entire Myron Bolivar character series is very good. Also, if you like this type of mystery, the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series by a Robert Crais is excellent.

abacomike

@graphicguy:

GG, I know there are lots of folks on this forum who are giving you opinions about whether you should buy a new car (Acura) or stay with the car you just bought (Infiniti). I, on the other hand, have only one opinion about what you should do - go with what your heart tells you! If you "like" the Acura more than the Infiniti, that's not a good reason to buy the Infiniti. But, if you "love" the Acura and have fallen out of love with the Infiniti, then you have your answer. It's all about you - not about us. You do what you want, desire and or need to do. Sleeping on it merely delays "gratification", and if there is one thing I refuse to wait for, it's "GRATIFICATIOIN"!

driver100

abacomike said:

@graphicguy:

GG, I know there are lots of folks on this forum who are giving you opinions about whether you should buy a new car (Acura) or stay with the car you just bought (Infiniti). I, on the other hand, have only one opinion about what you should do - go with what your heart tells you! If you "like" the Acura more than the Infiniti, that's not a good reason to buy the Infiniti. But, if you "love" the Acura and have fallen out of love with the Infiniti, then you have your answer. It's all about you - not about us. You do what you want, desire and or need to do. Sleeping on it merely delays "gratification", and if there is one thing I refuse to wait for, it's "GRATIFICATIOIN"!

Disregard GG, it is about US!

(just joking, good sound advice)

driver100

thebean said:

driver100 said:

If you want a book that is fast, easy, clever and exciting to read I strongly recommend Harlan Coben's newest book "Home"


I rarely recommend books because everyone's tastes are so different, but, this one should appeal to almost everyone who likes a fast moving story.

HOME by Harlan Coben available on Amazon

My favorite Coben is Tell No One but all are excellent!

I concur. I read this last fall and it's good. The entire Myron Bolivar character series is very good. Also, if you like this type of mystery, the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series by a Robert Crais is excellent.

I concur also about Crais, and as mentioned Michael Connelly is another ace author. So many good authors and books and only so much time to read them.

Michaell

driver100 said:

thebean said:

driver100 said:

If you want a book that is fast, easy, clever and exciting to read I strongly recommend Harlan Coben's newest book "Home"


I rarely recommend books because everyone's tastes are so different, but, this one should appeal to almost everyone who likes a fast moving story.

HOME by Harlan Coben available on Amazon

My favorite Coben is Tell No One but all are excellent!

I concur. I read this last fall and it's good. The entire Myron Bolivar character series is very good. Also, if you like this type of mystery, the Elvis Cole/Joe Pike series by a Robert Crais is excellent.

I concur also about Crais, and as mentioned Michael Connelly is another ace author. So many good authors and books and only so much time to read them.

I'm not a huge fiction fan - mainly Grisham and Clancy (well, the ghost authors now that Clancy has passed).

Currently working on a history book about WWII - written by a Brit named Antony Beevor. Almost 900 pages long. Fascinating stuff - he touches on all the big stuff (Pearl Harbor, German invasion of Russia), but also the things you don't even know happened, like the Japanese battles in SE Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia) or the German invasion of Crete. Not just the raw data, but the political and psychological issues facing the major and minor players.

Turns out there were lots of mistakes made, by both sides - faulty information, bad assumptions, etc.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Well, the $2700 is gone, whether you trade or not. It's only a mental block here. So the only real question (since you know you can afford it if you want it) is, what do you want more? And if the Acura, enough to write the check?

Financially, forget about the $2700. But look at upcoming depreciation. My guess, you would keep either car 2 years? 3 max? So guesstimate what the will both be worth 2 years from now. My WAG is the TLX will depreciate more? That is, assuming you even care!

beat me to it. I just posted that same point on the other thread. Sure, the Acura TL had decent resale, but they didn't used to cost $46k, either. The RL had far poorer resale. Tough to know where this one will fall.

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

I assume that is the type R?

Of course!

I dunno about the boy racer wing, though, unless you're going to track it. Even then, how well are these things thought out and tested?

Well, it isn't like some amateur "tuned" it in his garage. It set the FWD lap record for the Nürburgring: 7:43.80- good enough for 65th fastest production car.

Still I wouldn't be caught dead in one with that wing. Who wants a city park bench bolted to your trunk? But that could be rectified pretty easily and you wouldn't need it in street driving. Sounds like a fun car all right and some drivers really like to flaunt it, so...to each his own.

stickguy

if I was ready to buy, I would be down looking at the V6 tech in the reddish color over the brown interior. 2017 left over. I think sticker was right on 40K. How close they get to 30K remains to be seen, as is the lease price.

that is plenty of car for me. I can live with FWD< and it has all the techie stuff I require. And the big motor of course!