Fin, great vehicle. Mike, I drive 58 miles roundtrip 3 days a week and I hate it but no openings in the office where I live, maybe 5 miles or so. Am getting about 28 hours/week in those three days so I am happy. Don't want full time and working those 28 and my pension is what I was making when I was a full time letter carrier so am pleased. Once I'm out, I want to stay all day because of the distance and the expenses to get there. Figuring on working till the end of 2018 at this point and then re-retire as I'm sure by then, my body will be more than ready. Speaking of work...the expressway is calling my name! Later.
The Sandman
Sandy, thanks for the feedback.
It's been 8 years since I've had a regular commute, so regardless of its length, it's something I'll have to get used to again. I met a friend for breakfast last week on the other side of Denver, so I did most of the drive that day, although it was around 9:30 in the morning, not during rush hour.
I'll have to look closer at the toll route - while longer, there is certainly less traffic and the speed limit is 75.
I'm still planning on a punch later this year ... I think.
Things are progressing on the job front .. starting to talk to some HR folks, and have had a couple of calls with The choice du jour is the Scion iA. Lots to be found around $15K, and it comes pretty well loaded. And, 40+ MPG on the highway. Thinking I might go with a stick this time; everything I've read about the transmission tells me it's a good one, as you'd expect from Mazda.
Good luck with your job search. I know it can be a challenge. My search continues as well.
I have seen a fair number of late model VW Jettas with good equipment, 1.8t, some CPO listed for around $12K to purchase. That would put it in the $200 range. They drive nicely, get good mpg and have good power. Perhaps that might work for you and you wouldn't have to worry about going over the mileage limit.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Congrats, @fintail - I guess you weren't quite ready to leap into the new E-class and pay that upcharge they are hoping to get for a 6-cylinder. Understandable.
Are you planning to change your Edmunds handle to DoktorDiesel?
I'm still planning on a punch later this year ... I think.
Things are progressing on the job front .. starting to talk to some HR folks, and have had a couple of calls with The choice du jour is the Scion iA. Lots to be found around $15K, and it comes pretty well loaded. And, 40+ MPG on the highway. Thinking I might go with a stick this time; everything I've read about the transmission tells me it's a good one, as you'd expect from Mazda.
Good luck with your job search. I know it can be a challenge. My search continues as well.
I have seen a fair number of late model VW Jettas with good equipment, 1.8t, some CPO listed for around $12K to purchase. That would put it in the $200 range. They drive nicely, get good mpg and have good power. Perhaps that might work for you and you wouldn't have to worry about going over the mileage limit.
Thanks for the tip! I'm certainly not against going used, if the price and equipment are right.
The interior on the new model is exceptional (wonderful seats. real mini S-class experience), but I don't know if I have warmed up to the 4:3 scale C-class exterior styling. 4 cyl only at this point, no mention of a 6, although it is coming. No mention of diesel either, with the damage done by Dieselgate (C class diesel has apparently been postponed indefinitely, sales manager told me builds were canceled), we might never get a diesel variant either.
I'm still happy, pleasant short commute (I know not the best for diesels, but saves mileage for road trips_ this morning, I am enjoying the diesel noise and smooth performance. I was going to have to re-up or buy a car anyway, this might have worked out for the best.
@fintail - I feel that way about a 911. Every time I see an awesome car in the 90 - 120K price range, I look at it and say: "this thing is awesome, but if I ever have the money for it i will not be detoured from the Porsche dealership."
@fintail - I feel that way about a 911. Every time I see an awesome car in the 90 - 120K price range, I look at it and say: "this thing is awesome, but if I ever have the money for it i will not be detoured from the Porsche dealership."
I saw a black Targa 4 GTS a few weeks ago. Oh wow is all I can say.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Is that an X-Type, with a Leaper, to the left of the Audi? Egads!
$120k, Targa in a heartbeat. Or, in the GT realm, MB S Class Coupe, CPO or slightly used. 2015s around here are in the $100k-115 range.
'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...)
@sda - ha! I do back into spots all the time, but not that far! My car also currently has a dented & scraped front right 1/4 panel & bumper from a parking lot incident with an econoline van.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
@stickguy I did that drive for two years... NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!
Overall, it did not bother me as much as I expected, but there was a lot going on at that time. Helps that I avoided doing it in the summer too!
I would be happy to go back to the job, but if I had stayed on back then, or went back now, I would be selling and moving out of Jersey to Chester county someplace. Traffic and the roads I think have gotten even worse.
Michaell - it sounds like you're making progress on the job search. Keep up the good work, and, as far as car choices for you, the Scion iA is loaded for $15,000, and I would choose the 6-speed for transmission choices.
We're at 66,999 on our '11 Kia Soul base 5-speed on clear white. Actually content with this car and the 2015-16 Nissan Versa S 5-speed sedan idea is cooling off. Enjoying driving this tiger, Kia has done a fine job with it. I wish you the best on your job search, Michaell.
can see them doing early lease pulls if they are sitting with a bunch of unsold 2016s that need to be moved. plus get some extra low mile CPOs in the pipeline, so a win win for them.
Yeah, not really more car, in my view. And, with the iA's "gaping maw" up front and in all of your all's faces, Michaell would really stand out amongst the average Denver-ite.
Yep, it is normally 5 months (I think it was 3 months in the past), but like stickguy said, they were willing to bump that up a little to move some stock. I suspect there will be even better deals on 16s as the year moves on, with the 17s just now arriving, and being a completely different car. Of course, stocks will diminish too,
It'll be a longer period for this current one, and this might be the most likely one to be purchased at the end, depending on how it holds up and the state of things at the time.
I can't decide at this point if I want to go back into an office or place of business of some kind, or just stay permanent WFH. Partly depends on how busy I am. If I do find a different job, seems like it would be easier to get involved if was there in person. Though at this point, I just want to keep getting paid without anyone bothering me, long enough to get to retirement time!
I always thought the pull ahead was more like 3 months, max. My lease goes to November, so would not surprise me to be getting solicitations around labor day. Which only matters if I want to lease again at Hyundai. or can that be rolled into a purchase? I'm not even sure.
When I went looking at Audis with my son (for him) we asked if they would do one on a VW. The salesdude I think was newer, so really had no idea. if they do, and he decides to lease instead of buy, I could see a new A3 in his Christmas stocking (his lease is up mid February)
In the past week, I've gotten solicitations in the mail to "buy" my Pilot from 2 different Honda dealers & a BMW dealer. I'm going to pick it up from a fresh alignment in a few minutes.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Those long city commutes, I think maybe the best way to live with them is to listen to the radio, stereo music or books on tapes. Something that makes the commute time your own personal downtime. I know, easier said than done with 18 wheelers running up your rear.
Regarding pull ahead, I know for MB traditionally, it was also 3 months. I think there's some unsold stock sitting around at this time of the year, that likely combined with leftover W212s might have made them go to 5. But pull forward doesn't work on all models - I was told it doesn't apply to the new W213.
I suspect that's right, Dieselgate didn't help. Better deal for me, I won't complain.
I checked Autotrader this morning, which most dealers use, and compared the stock of remaining 16 E250s. Mine is optioned higher than any of them, literally the highest optioned car listed. It'll be tough sorting through used ones as there are so many listing errors, but it's definitely still up there, quite rare. There is a fairly high optioned luxury trim car listed that might be rarer. I enjoyed my relatively short commute today.
so, this popped up at my local guy. I am oddly attracted to it, even with the base motor. But not black over black. not doing that. Price not horrible I guess.
@fintail - congrats on the punch! I really like the sound and feel of the diesel in the X5. That is indeed what I drove out to Omaha, and it made for a real nice drive over the 7-8 hours. Nice range of over 500 miles was nice.
@fintail Congratulations on the E250. I was looking for a CPO E350 4-matic for about 2 months. Crazy as it sounds, after having so many cars with black interiors, one criteria for us as anything but black interior, but with black carpets. Rare in a MB. We live on a dirt road and have a gravel drive, so the floor sees some "stuff". When my local dealer had one worth looking at, we test drove it back to back with a BMW 525 x-drive. My wife and I both liked the BMW better, so the search was on for a 5 series. We bought a CPO 535d last month. Pretty loaded with "cinnamon brown" leather and black carpets. Oh, and white exterior. Back in the 80's we had a MB 300cd. I am expecting the diesel experience to be better this time around. So far it's been a great car.
@jpp5862 - I was thinking of you today. I saw a black on beige Touregs parked at the beach. It's a nice SUV. Don't see them all that often.
You really don't, I think the last figures I saw show they move about 700 of them a month? I couldn't be happier with it though. I'm in DC for work this week and drove it up, quite the nice highway ride. I've just hit 6,500 miles and can't believe I only have 2 1/2 years left with it.
Thanks. I too prefer something other than a black interior - with the often grey weather here, it just gets kind of dreary, although the seats stay clean easier, almost impossible to see dye transfer from clothing. My prior car had a light grey interior with similar carpets - it brightened things up, but required some maintenance - I can't imagine how it would be with kids. My new car has a brown interior with black carpets too, uncommon color in a MB, and I like it, unique, blue on brown works. I'll post some proper pics of it this weekend when I have time for a quick photo shoot.
@fintail Congratulations on the E250. I was looking for a CPO E350 4-matic for about 2 months. Crazy as it sounds, after having so many cars with black interiors, one criteria for us as anything but black interior, but with black carpets. Rare in a MB. We live on a dirt road and have a gravel drive, so the floor sees some "stuff". When my local dealer had one worth looking at, we test drove it back to back with a BMW 525 x-drive. My wife and I both liked the BMW better, so the search was on for a 5 series. We bought a CPO 535d last month. Pretty loaded with "cinnamon brown" leather and black carpets. Oh, and white exterior. Back in the 80's we had a MB 300cd. I am expecting the diesel experience to be better this time around. So far it's been a great car.
The sound and feel is fun, I realized I missed it, and maybe enjoyed my X5 diesel rental in Europe more than I wanted to admit. The MB has a theoretical highway range of over 800 miles, pretty crazy. Even in the city it should hit 500.
@fintail - congrats on the punch! I really like the sound and feel of the diesel in the X5. That is indeed what I drove out to Omaha, and it made for a real nice drive over the 7-8 hours. Nice range of over 500 miles was nice.
Well Stick, I'm thinking the Surekill can make most anyone a bit tense!
I was rear ended three times in two years on that road. Two of those times I wasn't even moving... It is the worst road in the Philly/South Jersey area hands down.
I am drawn to this - yes, it's almost 10 years old, but not a bad thing to go back to the naturally aspirated 6 cyl and miles are good. 5-er wagon with the sports package is pretty rare. Lots of car for $15k.
I am drawn to this - yes, it's almost 10 years old, but not a bad thing to go back to the naturally aspirated 6 cyl and miles are good. 5-er wagon with the sports package is pretty rare. Lots of car for $15k.
It doesn't appear to have the BMW "sport seats" of the E60 with adjustable thigh support. Those seats don't look like they are in the best of shape. What kind of crummy tires did they put on that car? 2007 seems to be part of the "lifetime fill" transmission fluid. I'm certain it has never been changed.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
A customer of mine just pulled up in this 2016 Mustang EcoBoost Drop Top. Black with a Black Top. Red Sport Seats over Black interior. Surprisingly supple ride with the 20" rubber wrapped around those handsome wheels. Nice car.
Yeah, the 4 owners caught my eye too. From the carfax, it seems that may actually be overstated.
This is basically pretty much a clone to my 2007 530xi, except for the wagon body style. The sports package has nothing to do with suspension components - it includes the multi-contour seats, the sports steering wheel, black trim, and upgraded wheels.
Comments
It's been 8 years since I've had a regular commute, so regardless of its length, it's something I'll have to get used to again. I met a friend for breakfast last week on the other side of Denver, so I did most of the drive that day, although it was around 9:30 in the morning, not during rush hour.
I'll have to look closer at the toll route - while longer, there is certainly less traffic and the speed limit is 75.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
I have seen a fair number of late model VW Jettas with good equipment, 1.8t, some CPO listed for around $12K to purchase. That would put it in the $200 range. They drive nicely, get good mpg and have good power. Perhaps that might work for you and you wouldn't have to worry about going over the mileage limit.
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Are you planning to change your Edmunds handle to DoktorDiesel?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
(Congrats Fin!)
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
The interior on the new model is exceptional (wonderful seats. real mini S-class experience), but I don't know if I have warmed up to the 4:3 scale C-class exterior styling. 4 cyl only at this point, no mention of a 6, although it is coming. No mention of diesel either, with the damage done by Dieselgate (C class diesel has apparently been postponed indefinitely, sales manager told me builds were canceled), we might never get a diesel variant either.
I'm still happy, pleasant short commute (I know not the best for diesels, but saves mileage for road trips_ this morning, I am enjoying the diesel noise and smooth performance. I was going to have to re-up or buy a car anyway, this might have worked out for the best.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
@stickguy I did that drive for two years... NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!!
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
$120k, Targa in a heartbeat. Or, in the GT realm, MB S Class Coupe, CPO or slightly used. 2015s around here are in the $100k-115 range.
'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
I would be happy to go back to the job, but if I had stayed on back then, or went back now, I would be selling and moving out of Jersey to Chester county someplace. Traffic and the roads I think have gotten even worse.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
We're at 66,999 on our '11 Kia Soul base 5-speed on clear white. Actually content with this car and the 2015-16 Nissan Versa S 5-speed sedan idea is cooling off. Enjoying driving this tiger, Kia has done a fine job with it. I wish you the best on your job search, Michaell.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
I'd say you are well qualified to carry your CCBA card.
Michaell, would it make sense to buy the Elantra at the end of the lease? It seems like "more car" than an iA.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
It'll be a longer period for this current one, and this might be the most likely one to be purchased at the end, depending on how it holds up and the state of things at the time.
The iA is actually better equipped - push button start and rear view camera are two standard features my E-GT doesn't have.
I think the buy out is around $11-12K, but it's only worth $8K wholesale last time I checked.
Trying not to get ahead of myself. I've got some other irons in the fire, one of which is a 100% work from home position.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
When I went looking at Audis with my son (for him) we asked if they would do one on a VW. The salesdude I think was newer, so really had no idea. if they do, and he decides to lease instead of buy, I could see a new A3 in his Christmas stocking (his lease is up mid February)
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
This ^^
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I checked Autotrader this morning, which most dealers use, and compared the stock of remaining 16 E250s. Mine is optioned higher than any of them, literally the highest optioned car listed. It'll be tough sorting through used ones as there are so many listing errors, but it's definitely still up there, quite rare. There is a fairly high optioned luxury trim car listed that might be rarer. I enjoyed my relatively short commute today.
http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2013-cadillac-ats-4dr_sedan_2_5l_rwd-used-15179116.html
Or for the more adventurous, this is incoming:
http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2007-jaguar-xj-4dr_sedan_xj8-used-15179101.html
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Congratulations on the E250. I was looking for a CPO E350 4-matic for about 2 months. Crazy as it sounds, after having so many cars with black interiors, one criteria for us as anything but black interior, but with black carpets. Rare in a MB. We live on a dirt road and have a gravel drive, so the floor sees some "stuff". When my local dealer had one worth looking at, we test drove it back to back with a BMW 525 x-drive. My wife and I both liked the BMW better, so the search was on for a 5 series. We bought a CPO 535d last month. Pretty loaded with "cinnamon brown" leather and black carpets. Oh, and white exterior. Back in the 80's we had a MB 300cd. I am expecting the diesel experience to be better this time around. So far it's been a great car.
2025 Toyota Crown Signia Hybrid, 2022 Ram 2500 Laramie 6.4 Hemi, 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT
Back in 2011, I was offered an E-Class diesel for $450/mo. on a 24 month lease. Not bad for a $58K MSRP.
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2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
530xi wagon
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
So make it cheaper, put in gray leather, and make it a stick, and I can live with it.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
A customer of mine just pulled up in this 2016 Mustang EcoBoost Drop Top. Black with a Black Top. Red Sport Seats over Black interior. Surprisingly supple ride with the 20" rubber wrapped around those handsome wheels. Nice car.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
This is basically pretty much a clone to my 2007 530xi, except for the wagon body style. The sports package has nothing to do with suspension components - it includes the multi-contour seats, the sports steering wheel, black trim, and upgraded wheels.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman