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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    At the end of the day, I think VW will pretty much have to buy the car back from whoever is the registered owner at the time of the buyback.

    But...

    The definition of Eligible Vehicle in the settlement agreement does state that the affected vehicle must be either 1) registered at a state DMV (or equivalent agency) or 2) held by a non-VW dealership as of June 28, 2016.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    There's your angle @houdini1 - how lucky do you feel? :)
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,619

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  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,993
    Greetings from California - again.

    Third trip to the coast in four weeks. Jumped a 6am flight this morning and was at the office in Palo Alto by nine.

    Traveled with my new boss, who rents from National. I suggested we get the white Charger.

    Yeah, it's got a hemi. I haven't driven it yet but my boss has a heavy right foot when circumstances dictated.

    After the tiny cars I've been getting recently, this feels like a limo.

    I'll try to post a pic if I get the chance.

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    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,697
    Congrats, Michaell! I hope this new job turns out to be both fun and challenging!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    edited July 2016
    Yeah, all the best. A new job is such an excellent opportunity to begin fresh.

    Not that I have any recent experience -- the last new job I got was in 1980, but the previous decade was a blast with five vastly different occupations, each enjoyable in its own way.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,126
    Cool Michaell. You have to be excited to open this new chapter.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,229
    Only the best!!!

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    edited July 2016
    I put in a punch last night. For those not following the VW thread, I traded my CTS on a 2014 Jetta Sportwagon TDI with 27k miles. I spotted this online earlier at Thompson Toyota in PA. They had 2 identical wagons, but they were overpriced at $20k each. Fast forward to yesterday when I happened to look again and caught that they just dropped the price drastically to $15,990. I submitted my contact info online, along with my Caddy info and they immediately got back to me by email and phone. The person I talked to was very nice, professional, and accomodating. She understood I had an hour drive to get there, so she took my info to her boss and got me a preliminary range on my Caddy ($31k-$32k), which was not awful. I figured even if I got the top number in the Caddy range and paid the current sale price on the VW, it would be a fair deal. And that is exactly what happened. No surprises or tricks. It was a pretty easy deal. On top of that, they have just put almost $900 into the VW to recondition it (oil change, wiper blades, inspection, 2 new Continental tires, and pollen filter), and gave me the maintenance receipt for my records. Because I was burying so much negative equity, the only financial institution who would touch it was Toyota. 4.99% for 60 mos. Not really all that bad, all things considered. I dropped $2k on a credit card and away I went.

    image
    image

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,192
    Wow - the Vsport is gone.
    Interesting.
    Congrats - and good luck !!!
    - Ray
    Vsport was on my short list, a while ago...
    2022 X3 M40i
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    edited July 2016
    I love the Vsport. I figure if I really regret it, I can just repurchase one after VW buys my car (if they buy my car) for about $6k less than I owed on mine, and probably have it CPO'd, too. Maybe I can get one with saddle interior. Ha.

    But, who am I kidding? Life is short and I already drove the Vsport for 19 whole months. I'm sure I will want to try something else next.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,126
    Q...congrats! Talk about shifting gears. Sounds like you did a good deal, though.

    Forgot to thank you in the "other" thread for looking up the Cobra value at the auction block. Appreciate your effort. At least I now have a tangible baseline to work with.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,937
    qbrozen said:

    I love the Vsport. I figure if I really regret it, I can just repurchase one after VW buys my car (if they buy my car) for about $6k less than I owed on mine, and probably have it CPO'd, too. Maybe I can get one with saddle interior. Ha.

    But, who am I kidding? Life is short and I already drove the Vsport for 19 whole months. I'm sure I will want to try something else next.

    How many miles did you drive the VSport in those 19 months though? Sounds like you got a tid bit more than my S4 returned.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,593

    Cool Michaell. You have to be excited to open this new chapter.

    X2! Good things to come.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    andres3 said:

    qbrozen said:

    I love the Vsport. I figure if I really regret it, I can just repurchase one after VW buys my car (if they buy my car) for about $6k less than I owed on mine, and probably have it CPO'd, too. Maybe I can get one with saddle interior. Ha.

    But, who am I kidding? Life is short and I already drove the Vsport for 19 whole months. I'm sure I will want to try something else next.

    How many miles did you drive the VSport in those 19 months though? Sounds like you got a tid bit more than my S4 returned.
    19,262 miles.

    Bought for $49k, sold for $32k. I actually count it as $33k, though, since the deal I would have been looking to make was $17k-$17.5k for theirs and $33k for mine. I paid $16k for theirs and got $32k for mine instead.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    Congrats @qbrozen! Looks like it's in great condition, indicative of the low miles.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    Now I just have to think about what is next if VW buys it. :)

    I'm feeling like I'd want a quick cute ute next, but the SQ5, GLA AMG, and Macan haven't fallen in value enough yet. The only one I can think of is the GLK350. 0-60 in about 5.8 isn't bad. If it got a bit better mileage, it would be far more appealing. But a 2013 with low miles can be had for less than $30k.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    I like the SQ5 too and have been looking at used ones - but like you pointed out, they seem to be holding pretty strong. My brother's Q5 3.0T is pretty quick in its own right, and more widely available.

    One of the VW salespeople we've worked with in the past sent me an email yesterday about an incoming used GTI - 2016 model, white, S model with PP, manual. I'll be curious to see where they price it. Could be a nice replacement for the S4 - obviously not as nice, but tons cheaper!

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    edited July 2016
    I'd consider this at a straight trade on the S4:

    SQ5

    [EDIT] Actually, I want this one, with those cool seats and brighter blue.

    2016 SQ5

    But, it's hardly used and the pricing reflects that.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    qbrozen said:

    Now I just have to think about what is next if VW buys it. :)

    My wife pointed out what a great deal this VW thing is (assuming it all works out as planned), in that I got to buy a car, but it's "built in" that there's a second purchase in the near future.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,841
    The assuming it all works out as planned part is what concerns me with making the plunge. I'm pretty sure if I bought a TDI and the buyback didn't go as planned, my wife would have me living in it for the foreseeable future...
    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    I hear ya - that's why I'd say it's somewhat important to get a TDI example that you like, and at a good price.

    'Cause worst worst worst case - you have to accept a free fix to comply with the EPA and that's it.

    But honestly, I've read through everything thoroughly - VW's settlement agreement, the FTC Order, the DOJ consent, and all the proposed mailings that will be going out to owners. It's pretty darn clear. The only hazy thing to me is whether us "post-June 28" buyers will have to share the restitution or not. The FTC Order is very specific about carving out those who purchased the car between September 18 and June 28 as those who share the restitution, while the VW documents simply make a distinction between those buyers who owned the car as of September 18th, and those who purchased it after that date.

    We shall see.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,316

    The assuming it all works out as planned part is what concerns me with making the plunge. I'm pretty sure if I bought a TDI and the buyback didn't go as planned, my wife would have me living in it for the foreseeable future...

    In that case, be sure to get a wagon.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • sdasda Member Posts: 7,593
    breld said:

    qbrozen said:

    Now I just have to think about what is next if VW buys it. :)

    My wife pointed out what a great deal this VW thing is (assuming it all works out as planned), in that I got to buy a car, but it's "built in" that there's a second purchase in the near future.
    I love her way of thinking. That wouldn't be the case here, I would be building my own dog house.

    2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    That's why I liked the wagon Q bought, and the bronze sedan. Both good deals as purchased, even if there was no buyback in play. Lotta car, under warranty, for 15-16k.

    Sadly just wasn't my time. Last summer, it would have been. I would have snagged one, and let princess have it at college.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,196
    I'm torn. Love my XF, champ in the snow, with the folding back seat/ski sack it's suv-ish. Came out of a furniture store Saturday to find an older couple admiring it, she loved the color. Style, comfort, ride, handling...it's really been a Swiss army knife for me. Yet, somewhere out there, the desire grows for something newer and shinier... But, five more years of tuition and other financial obligations... Yet... Is there any greater first-world problem to have?! ;)

    '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...)

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    sda said:

    breld said:

    qbrozen said:

    Now I just have to think about what is next if VW buys it. :)

    My wife pointed out what a great deal this VW thing is (assuming it all works out as planned), in that I got to buy a car, but it's "built in" that there's a second purchase in the near future.
    I love her way of thinking. That wouldn't be the case here, I would be building my own dog house.
    I love the way she things too, though you want to talk about enabling! :) In fact, I showed her the ad for the SQ5 I referenced above - she said we could drive up tonight to get it. And she's not kidding.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    Breld, your wife, is definitely not like my wife!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,697
    edited July 2016
    Q - that wagon looks great in black (and I'm not typically a fan of the color on a car)!

    After following all the antics on the VW thread, I would be sorely tempted to do the same if I didn't know I would have a spousal battle to wage. Seems like a perfect opportunity, but I doubt I would get any sort of traction on that idea at home. :(
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,937
    qbrozen said:

    andres3 said:

    qbrozen said:

    I love the Vsport. I figure if I really regret it, I can just repurchase one after VW buys my car (if they buy my car) for about $6k less than I owed on mine, and probably have it CPO'd, too. Maybe I can get one with saddle interior. Ha.

    But, who am I kidding? Life is short and I already drove the Vsport for 19 whole months. I'm sure I will want to try something else next.

    How many miles did you drive the VSport in those 19 months though? Sounds like you got a tid bit more than my S4 returned.
    19,262 miles.

    Bought for $49k, sold for $32k. I actually count it as $33k, though, since the deal I would have been looking to make was $17k-$17.5k for theirs and $33k for mine. I paid $16k for theirs and got $32k for mine instead.
    Looks like we both did about as well as can be expected trading in expensive cars at less than 3 years old. I paid $1K more than you for the S4, and sold it for a little over $1K less at trade-in (with near 48K miles though). Like you I didn't negotiate my trade-in amount at all (as my interest was solely in getting the TTS for the lowest amount possible (to reduce sales tax). Doesn't do me any good to get more for the trade and pay more for the TTS in exchange.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • jpp75jpp75 Member Posts: 1,535
    xwesx said:

    Q - that wagon looks great in black (and I'm not typically a fan of the color on a car)!

    After following all the antics on the VW thread, I would be sorely tempted to do the same if I didn't know I would have a spousal battle to wage. Seems like a perfect opportunity, but I doubt I would get any sort of traction on that idea at home. :(

    Same here......
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,748
    My wife is skeptical, as we all are, but lowering my payment by $350 and doubling my fuel mileage was incentive enough for her to just let me do my thing.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    That is certainly a win, hard to argue with saving a ton of money like that.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,619
    qbrozen said:

    My wife is skeptical, as we all are, but lowering my payment by $350 and doubling my fuel mileage was incentive enough for her to just let me do my thing.

    Congrats on the new ride. I was thinking about the bath you took on the VSport, then remembered that you probably cut your debt in half, by trading out, plus the mileage thing.

    Skeptical wife... check.

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    I explained the whole deal to my wife, including what Q just pulled off last night. She had a little trouble getting her head around it.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,619
    stickguy said:

    I explained the whole deal to my wife, including what Q just pulled off last night. She had a little trouble getting her head around it.

    It's definitely counter-intuitive. Why would they pay you a bonus, when you knew about the issues and bought the car cheap?

    But, on the flip side, part of the settlement is to make sure that polluting cars are taken off the road, no matter what, plus the punitive side of it.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 266,619
    I guess I forgot to post this here. Put me down for a punch!

    Bought this one, today. I pick it up on Saturday.

    https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/664544686/overview/

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  • jpp75jpp75 Member Posts: 1,535
    Congrats @kyfdx and @qbrozen! I'm getting the itch myself........
  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,229
    Golf got a wash & wax today and looks brand new. Back center cushion has some kind of stain on it and whatever cleaner they tried didn't get it all off. What's a good leather cleaner that also protects? Guessing it's leather, it's perforated but maybe it's pleather? Just not really sure what VW really uses.

    The Sandman :)B)

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    that is going to be leatherette in your Golf. IOW vinyl.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,229
    Just what I thought. So what's the best way to clean it? This is why I've never had a beige interior before...because stains can happen. Must of rubbed off on something I had in the back seat as I hardly ever carry anyone back there. Occasionally the kids but we usually let them drive their vehicle or we all pile in the A3 as the back seat is more comfortable, so they say.

    The Sandman :)B)

    2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 17,014
    If all else fails go for a Magic Eraser (just take it easy). I use Lexol on the leather in my cars, gets most anything off and is gentle.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,352
    qbrozen said:

    I put in a punch last night. For those not following the VW thread, I traded my CTS on a 2014 Jetta Sportwagon TDI with 27k miles. I spotted this online earlier at Thompson Toyota in PA. They had 2 identical wagons, but they were overpriced at $20k each. Fast forward to yesterday when I happened to look again and caught that they just dropped the price drastically to $15,990. I submitted my contact info online, along with my Caddy info and they immediately got back to me by email and phone. The person I talked to was very nice, professional, and accomodating. She understood I had an hour drive to get there, so she took my info to her boss and got me a preliminary range on my Caddy ($31k-$32k), which was not awful. I figured even if I got the top number in the Caddy range and paid the current sale price on the VW, it would be a fair deal. And that is exactly what happened. No surprises or tricks. It was a pretty easy deal. On top of that, they have just put almost $900 into the VW to recondition it (oil change, wiper blades, inspection, 2 new Continental tires, and pollen filter), and gave me the maintenance receipt for my records. Because I was burying so much negative equity, the only financial institution who would touch it was Toyota. 4.99% for 60 mos. Not really all that bad, all things considered. I dropped $2k on a credit card and away I went.

    image
    image

    Nice!!!

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,074

    Just what I thought. So what's the best way to clean it? This is why I've never had a beige interior before...because stains can happen. Must of rubbed off on something I had in the back seat as I hardly ever carry anyone back there. Occasionally the kids but we usually let them drive their vehicle or we all pile in the A3 as the back seat is more comfortable, so they say.

    The Sandman :)B)

    We had beige leather on our Honda Accord. Never again! Denim rubbed off on it, it showed every little thing. Current Encore is grey cloth with black leather trim, and wears much better. The Mazda I'm considering has a grey cloth that also looks like it would wear well.
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,931
    Even with the leatherette, I would try some Lexol leather cleaner on it. My daughter's Jetta has those sport seats that are almost white, and the blue from her jeans definitely rubs off into it. I was able to get most of that out with Lexol.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,316
    On vinyl, I use diluted Simple Green.

    I've never had a problem with beige leather getting stained by denim (although any denim I wear has been washed several times since new). I think the coatings and dyes they use on leather now are better than in the past.
  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,993
    Congrats to @qbrozen and @kyfdx on their punches. 

    Got to a text from the wife this morning. Outback wouldn't start. 

    She tried with each key in her pocket, but when she pushed the button, nothing. 

    Guess I will be calling Subaru roadside assistance on Friday when I'm home. 

    Any thoughts?

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  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,841
    Dead battery in the fob?
    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,074
    Dead battery key fob. It shouldn't die that soon but occasionally they get a bad batch. Happened to us on our '13 Accord.
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,436
    maybe a dead car battery, if "tried with each key in her pocket" means it was dead using 2 different fobs.

    or she forgot to put it in park.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

This discussion has been closed.