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2018 430i Gran Coupe
2018 430i Gran Coupe
My other problem is, if not a single lot unit has certain type of option (like suspension) that is essential to the way the vehicle feels, how in the world can know whether or not I want it?
2018 430i Gran Coupe
BTW, I read somewhere that new then Jetta and Passat were responses on dealers screaming for a car "for Americans". I guess beware what you wish for...
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Traditional VW buyers want a German made car with a Teutonic feel but they want it at Toyota, Hyundai, Honda prices. They complain about Mexican or US made models and cars targeting at the American market. But they don't get the fact that a German car made in Germany is going to cost more.
The enthusiasts are worse. They complain about the lack of MK II Golf type car. They want the Polo to come to the US with a diesel, 5 sp, crank windows and no airbags. And they want it for $10K. They want the Bulli. They want the Amorak. They want the Caddy. Oh, and they will only buy them used.
The current US Passat is a fine car. The problem is that VW didn't bother to upgrade it every couple of years like the big Asian companies do. A manufacturer can't sell the same car for 8 years anymore with a minor facelift at year 5.
VW also has missed the boat on crossovers. They need a Tiguan replacement and a 7 seat crossover right now. They have talked about the Crossblue (Passat based 7 seat crossover) for 3 years now and they are targeting the 2017 time frame now.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
I, for one, would like to see the Polo offered here as an alternative to the Fit, Yaris, Accent, etc.
Shouldn't the strong dollar make imports cheaper?
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Honda is well known for this. 3 years ago, I would have bought an Accord if they would have sold me a V6 without a sunroof. No sale.
Last year, I would have bought a CR-V if they would have sold me an EX-L without a sunroof. No sale.
I remember, clearly, the first time a dealer sent me home in a new car the very day I signed the papers. It was in the evening, I was financing through my credit union, which of course wasn't open. I was like, "How can you give me the keys and let me drive it home when you haven't been paid yet?"
And then there was the first time a dealer told me to take it home for the weekend, see if I liked it, bring it back on Monday (or sign the papers if I wanted to keep it).
"The world has moved on", as Steven King kept repeating in the Dark Tower series. The older I get, the more I like / appreciate / resemble those words.
"The current US Passat is a fine car." Yeah, maybe. But the 2008 Passat that I bought new back in 2008 was a much finer car. Much.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2018 430i Gran Coupe
We can order American cars too, but as it was pointed out the dealers don't like that, but it can be done, and use to be done quite often..
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Because it would require a dedicated line to build the Polo. It's on an older platform. In fact, VW sells the Vento in Mexico - a Polo based sedan. They import that from India.
Buying cars of the lot goes back to the beginning of the auto industry.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
3/4series 10,374
Cclass 6,665
ES 4,701
TLX 4,093
IS 4,008
LaCrosse 3,585
Q50 2,991
MKZ 2,915
A4 2,327
ATS 2,119
Would have never guessed that...
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2018 430i Gran Coupe
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The issue is, car magazines (and the market itself) can latch onto the descriptor: "Long in the tooth." I have a 2014 A4 (B8) sub designated S4. I had a 2009 A4 2.0T Prestige that I took delivery of in 2008. A NEW 2015 A4/S4 is essentially the same as a 2008 available A4. There is, far as I know, no new ordering guide for 2016 A4's available yet.
But, this is the time of year, typically, that you can order a NEW A4 and what will arrive is the NEXT MY. Far as I know -- the operative phrase -- if you go into an Audi dealer and order up a new S4 Prestige with a bunch of options on it, what will arrive is a 2015 B8 version, not the eagerly anticipated B9 morphed model.
At the rate of change that is POSSIBLE, it would seem to me that an 8 year model to model cycle may now be too long. No wonder the A4 is selling poorly -- at this price point, folks want THE NEXT, not THE CURRENT, especially if the CURRENT is, literally, 8 years old, no matter how effective the mid-cycle refresh has been.
Now, I have had my 2014 about a year and a half. I have 25K miles on it. I love this car. I am thinking about replacing the tires thus enjoying the car for the next 35K miles with improved shoes.
I am hoping on a major evolution in the A4 model line as it goes from B8 to B9, and I guess the thing to do is to get the NEW version within the first 2 or 3 MY's into the -- apparent -- 8 year cycle.
I assume my current S4's durability is not in question -- thus far it has been bullet proof. I will be having the car "rejuvinated" at a local detail shop next week. I an assuming this process will do what the name suggests. And, I am looking forward to keeping the car beyond the end of its lease term.
Subsequently, I plan -- plans are nothing, planning is everything -- to buy the next time out, but who knows, things may change. Yet, I still assume I will have to order the car to my specs, but there's the fun, it's like getting a new car TWICE within 90 days.
And, BTW, someone wrote that cars on the lot are less expensive than ordered cars -- I guess there are exceptions to every "rule" -- but in my experience an ordered car is typically hundreds less than a car on the lot; and I've never had a dealer or dealer sales rep indicate anything other than a great willingness to take an order. My rep says he would be fine -- financially, I assume -- if everyone ordered and used the dealership for test drives; this way, he says, he could have more variety available for prospects to test drive.
I don't know anything about "ordering" Hondas, I would no more do that than I would order a new electric can opener, however. I'm partial to Oster's, if you care.
Honda used to follow the 2 year minor facelift, 4 year major overhaul, 8 year new car. They have now stretched that to 3 and 6.
My understanding is that the 2016 Audi A4 B9 will be introduced in Frankfurt this September and will probably hit the US in early 2016.
I don't recall anyone saying it's cheaper to buy off the lot versus ordering. For the dealer principal/management, they would prefer you buy off the lot as they have an asset that is costing them money everyday. Just like any inventory intensive business, turning that inventory is key.
As for Hondas, your comment makes you seem a bit elitist. True, they aren't soul filled Teutonic machines with such tight tolerances that failure is inevitable
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Honda sells an incredible number of units per year -- they offer, apparently, a large number of customers and prospective customers what they want or what they are willing to settle for. That last declaration can be applied to Hondas and Acuras, VW's and Audis and Nissans and Infinitis and Toyotas and Lexus cars.
To some extent, we all settle.
My opinion, and it is a "data point" opinion, is that folks who go for Hondas instead of Acuras, etc, etc, settle more, probably, because they just aren't into cars that much. I work with folks who lease new Corollas every 24 months -- they proclaim in word and deed that their 8 mile per day round trip drive isn't worth getting a Lexus IS350 F-Sport AWD. They see no merit in cars, hoping instead for public transportation that would eliminate their "need" for a car altogether/ Across the hall is another "cars are a necessary evil" individual who is happy to buy a well worn but reliable mini-van opting instead for a new fridge, dishwasher, range and washer and dryer. We also have an empty nester two high income couple who love Acuras. The last player in our small group loves Minis and is as passionate about the brand as I am about Audis.
It takes all kinds.
I would not, on purpose, go to Honda for a new car -- I did dip my toe into Honda in 2012. The Accord line is nice -- but personally, I found it bland, uninvolving but well built with a smooth power train.
I am 63, at this point in my life I find myself repeating "life's too short" whenever I consider any purchase over some at the time appropriate sum.
Every appliance we have purchased -- if we settled too much -- fails quickly, either literally or in its utilitarian aspect. We bought three Whirlpool dishwashers (top of the line) and the damn things kept breaking (thankfully in their warranty period), then when they broke again out of warranty, the repair costs were often about 2/3rds the cost of a new dishwasher. Dishwasher number four was a Bosch -- the thing is a tank and is so quiet its damn near impossible to know if it is running or not.
The point is settle on the things that are not important to you, settle less and less on things that are important to you. If you are "into" (whatever that means to you) cars, you'll probably be compelled toward the ELLPS and LPS models many of us go on about here. If you'd rather have a new Viking range and a new Sub-zero fridge and so on, and aren't made of money, well your choice is much more clear -- go for the great stuff in the kitchen and the good stuff in the garage. I have no quarrel with that.
If you want a larger portfolio and are willing to drive something less than an LPS car, go for that.
Settle on the things you don't care about and don't settle on the things you do.
This is not the entire extent of what I have learned in 63 years, but it did, at the time (way back when) come to feel like an epiphany.
That is why I say: Drive it like you live..
So far, I do not have to settle on a Honda or a Toyota -- but it doesn't mean if you do that I don't respect your decision (unless you are "over-settling" -- you'll easily recognize this if you constantly complain about your new car or whatever).
Knowing that the "NEW" C Class was on its way, I told her to hold on for 6-8 months to look at the "all new" 2015 C. But, everyone knew the new C was just around the corner, so the dealers and Mercedes were really aggressive pricewise in selling the '14s.
Anyway, got an email from one of the new sales people at the local Mercedes dealer that was obviously culled from my company's database showing what I'm sure is the only person who works for my company within a 250 mile area (probably bigger). They were having some private showing of a GTS. I ended up on the list to attend a "look see".
Clearly, they didn't have access to my salary info if they thought I was a target customer for the AMG GT-S. But, I had heard about it, read about it, thought it was "cool" so yeah....I'll eat free canapes if they let me sit in it. IF they let me drive it....even better.
I'll cut to the chase. They didn't let me drive it. Got to sit in it, though. I hate the new "flat" paint jobs these cars have. But, I guess the very high end cars are all getting them, Mercedes AMG is no exception.
Can't really see paying as much for a car as a starter home costs, but if you have the disposable income to do so, you'd probably be hard pressed to find a nicer car.
As I wandered from the hoard who was engulfing shrimp cocktail and pate, I spied a humble C-Class outside. Steel Grey with Red Leather (the real stuff....not the fake stuff Mercedes tries to tell you is "better than leather" (it's not). This wasn't the 400, but the lowly 300 with a turbo 4 cyl. Sales guy spots me, asks me what I thought. Told him I liked the color combo better than any I'd seen so far.
At the Autu Show this past winter, they were showing one that was black on black without the sport package....pretty dour. This one, was quite different. Very pretty. Sales guy has keys and a dealer tag before I knew he had left. "Go for a spin?".
"I'm not in the market".
Sales-"I'd rather take you for a test drive and hope you remember me when you are in the market."
"Fair enough".
It's taken me awhile, but I've finally wrapped my head around sports sedans with 4 cyl. Actually, these turbo motors really do amaze me. They're torquey. More fuel efficient. Lighter. And generally, they may not be faster, but just more fun to drive than the recent 6 cyl cars I've had recently. Truth told, they're pretty damned quick in their own right.
This one is no different. I don't know the specs, but it's typical. No turbo lag that I could ascertain. Quick off the line. Pulled hard over a broad RPM range. It was quieter than the growl my CTS gives off (which I like). 7 speed trans that you have to goad a bit to downshift, but steering wheel paddles help with this. It's smoother than my CTS trans, but I've got one less gear and my trans is already pretty smooth already (GM KNOWS how to make a good automatic trans).
C Seats I really liked...even better than my "go to" sport seats in the TL SH AWD. The Benz felt tailored to me. I think most of that is due to the very soft leather (again, no hard "pleather") and the crazy amount of adjustments you can make to them....including power thigh extenders.
My CTS seems faster, but again, the C is no slouch. CTS suspension is geared more towards handling. C is geared more towards ride, but certainly could hold its own. At least that's the first impression over what was a 20 minute test drive.
Now, my CTS interior is no slouch in the build and materials category. Real wood, leather, suede, aluminum, is well put together, inside and out...probably the best GM has ever done with any car they've built........EVER!
C Class is over the top, especially at the price point. Again, real leather, aluminum and the switches were the same as I just had seen in the AMG just 30 minutes earlier. They felt the same, too. Mercedes leather is better than Cadillac leather, which is really good in and of itself. Porous wood, is better than CTS polished wood (which again, is really, really good).
I didn't like the new trend of the "screen as an afterthought". Cadillac does a much better job. I don't like the trans "stalk", but understand that's a Mercedes trade mark (really?). My CTS is bigger, but hte C felt more comfortable.
Final thoughts. The C stickered for right around $50K. Their discount, my corporate discount, probably put it somewhere in the $44K-$45K range. At that price? A very compelling car. The interior is what would sell it. It's competitive everywhere else...drive, handling, performance...with the 3, A, etc. ATS is edgier (as is my CTS).
Maintenance? Included with Cadillac for 4 years. Way cheaper than Mercedes after warranty period, too.
I'd consider one on my next pruchase...probably put it near the top.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
The XF update looks pretty good, too. Car and Driver has an online article regarding 10 great vehicles that no one is buying; the XJ is on the list. Fools!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Which 535 XI do you have - the M Sport, Sport or just the Base?
The family that has $50,000 to live on is little different from the family that has $100K to live on -- if you ask them, they will somehow tell you how they choose to live within their means (or they mortgage everything to the hilt, cars included).
I have lived with a relatively small income up to a "middle class" to "upper middle class" income -- at every way station, I have always felt I had to "settle" on something, either the cars or the home appliances or the monthly mortgage.
I am not suggesting that settling is somehow a bad thing. If one had a cushion of $10 million in the check book, I would assume it would be possible for that person to see virtually no barriers to a car purchase,
Personally, I couldn't see spending even $100K on a car, even with the financial impunity to do so.
I'll settle at this point for cars costing no more than a number beginning with a 6. In ten years, I assume the number will be smaller as my needs, like my hairline, continue to recede.
I was just having this conversation with my best friend. He has a $70K '15 Corvette, that for the most part, sits in his garage gathering dust. He drives a new Suburban every 2 years....I'll assume those are at least in the $50K range with discounts...probably closer to $65K with the new version. His wife drives an Infiniti M something....assume mid $50s on that. So, in short, he has roughly $185K tied up in vehicles,,,,,,,RIGHT THIS MOMENT.
He's in my tax bracket. Not Soros money, nor even failed Silicon Valley start up money. But, enough that we're not too worried about going into a dealership and buying something like a brand new Corvette as an impulse buy.
His philosophy? Spend it all while alive and healthy. He has no kids. He was an only child. So, outside of his wife, he really has no other outlet to spend his money (or even save for college tuition, teen insurance rates, etc). In short, the only thing he has to worry about is staying relatively healthy.
Some worry and sweat every purchase, whether it's that new leather recliner, or whether to buy a Honda or an Acura. They have kids. They have huge tuition bills staring at them. I get that. I've been there.
I'm 10 years before I think about retirement. So, that's something I think about, but certainly doesn't occupy a lot of my time. I think I'm good, but who knows what will happen over the next decade.
Would it make a major financial lifestyle change if I bought a Z06 Corvette? Nope. The only question I'd ask myself is "what else could you do with that money?"
I see my son, who has a good job in IT. He works for a major University, so his job is secure, probably as long as he wants to stay there. He's wanting a new WRX. He's fretting over how it will affect his lifestyle currently. As I told him, budget it up. If it would get in the way of your savings plan as it stands right now (I actually showed him how to budget for just about everything and anything), then don't do it. If you can do all the things you're doing now, put all the eggs in the baskets you've set up. then go for it.
Who I feel for are the folks who are busting their tails to make ends meet. Their budget is sliced so thin, that tomorrow is only a hope that they've got enough to feed their family healthily. If their 10 year old Caravan has a major issue, it will mean a large change in a lifestyle that can ill afford any negative changes and is begging for anything positive. They can't afford a new car (although dealers would love to get them in and finance them at their high rates). They're the ones who need a new car the most.
On the other end of that spectrum, there's my other colleague, who has a 12 year old TL....250K miles. We both get a healthy car allowance....BUT...only if the car is 3 years old or less and is on their "list" of approved vehicles. He bought the TL used a decade ago and is having fits about how much "cars cost" today. If he could drive a used Tercel and pocket the car allowance, he'd be happy. And yes, he can afford any car he wanted....including those $100K cars you speak about.
I fall in the middle. I like the nicer cars. but have my own definitions on what I'll spend money on. I like nice cars, but not ones that cost $60K (unless that $60K car was an overwhelming value at that price). I'll put a limit set at $55K. I've long given up the notion of any car as something that's anything more than an expense to me. It's a depreciating asset. Truthfully, it's not even an asset in my mind. Plain and simple, it's an expense.