Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

stickguy said:

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.

I'm thinking the latter. Had it happen to the first wife in our '88 Trooper.

She drove my car today. Good thing I had it washed and vacuumed out after my last delivery shift.

On a different note, got a picture of the rental car:

Michaell

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

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.

I'm thinking the latter. Had it happen to the first wife in our '88 Trooper.

She drove my car today. Good thing I had it washed and vacuumed out after my last delivery shift.

On a different note, got a picture of the rental car:

Had a chance to drive the Charger today on my own. Impressions:

Silicon Valley traffic certainly didn't allow me to exercise my right foot all that much, but you can certainly tell there is a lot of power there.

XM subscription has lapsed, so I used my iPhone for music via USB. Also easily paired to Bluetooth. In fact, I was pretty impressed with the entire Uconnect interface.

I know it's a big car, but for some reason it didn't feel - or drive - that way.

Too bad the V8 only comes with RWD.

breld

That's a sharp looking Charger! A tad better than the Dart I got last time I rented in California!

Wife and I did go up to the Audi dealer this evening. They didn't have the used SQ5 available - apparently it was getting a little work done on the bumper. But we did drive a new SQ5. It definitely fit the bill for me - a smallish sport ute that drives like a sports sedan. Again, nice combination of attributes I like from the X5 and S4.

They did take a look at the S4 and will get me a trade value on it tomorrow (didn't have the X5 with us). Any guesses on the trade? 2016 with basically every package, 12k miles, manual.

I can definitely see it as an option, and maybe "just" a 3.0T version as opposed to the SQ5. But not sure if I'm ready to go up in value from the S4 right now, even with turning in the X5 too. There are other "more used" examples that may better fit the bill too.

I can take my time thinking about it - and wait for the VW TDI results to come in!

rayainsw

'Bought this one, today. I pick it up on Saturday.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/664544686/overview/ '

Congrats & good luck!
- Ray
All these punches - and not 1 for me...???

ab348

rayainsw said:

'Bought this one, today. I pick it up on Saturday.
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/664544686/overview/ '

Congrats & good luck!
- Ray
All these punches - and not 1 for me...???

You need to get in on the VW TDI arbitrage game, Ray...

I was tempted to say those aren't "real" punches since they are only bought with the intention of dumping them later. But then I realized that's how pretty much everyone in here thinks regardless.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

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/

Walt.....big congrats. I like it a lot. Did a little road trip to get it, I see.

You guys are killing me. I keep vascilating that I don't need another car, but am being seduced by their shininess, and you guys swinging deals on diesels.

mlevine

Dodge charger
My son has a charger that I drive when he is out of town, like last week he flew to visit his grandparents in Delaware. He has the SXT with a black exterior, red leather seats, and black interior. Uconnect system very easy to work. Was able to open up on a stretch of road while on the way to work. Definitely a fun car. Fun is over as now he is back home and I am again a passenger. I also have to listen to his music, oh man.

imidazol97

graphicguy said:

...but am being seduced by their shininess,...

That gave me my morning laugh. That's great personificiation of car's appeal to us guys.

sda

Michaell said:

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?

It could be a dead fob. With the Honda there is a light that indicates 'key' low battery. Honda states that if you hold the dead fob close to the start button, the car will still start. Perhaps this will work on the Subaru.

Or as you mentioned in a post I hadn't read yet, since both fobs were tried, a good old fashioned dead car battery. That should be covered by the new car warranty.

sda

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

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/

Walt.....big congrats. I like it a lot. Did a little road trip to get it, I see.

You guys are killing me. I keep vascilating that I don't need another car, but am being seduced by their shininess, and you guys swinging deals on diesels.

It is tempting..

kyfdx

You know.. this could all blow up in our faces.

If you go that route, make sure you get a look at the carfax and the title. I wouldn't take a chance on any car that was owned by a VW dealer or was under lease to VW Credit at any time from September 2015 on. Those may not necessarily disqualify the car, but it's a chance that I wasn't willing to take. That's what put me off the Passat and on to this A3.

I think I paid a fair price, in case it all goes bad. And, I bought a car that I would like to drive. But, ultimately, I would never buy a 97K mile Audi for $15K if not for this program, so there is some downside possibilities.

stickguy

I wouldn't either on the A3. But for the 14-16k the 2014 jettas up in jersey/pa were going for, I would have been happen to snag that deal on a car to keep long term.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I wouldn't either on the A3. But for the 14-16k the 2014 jettas up in jersey/pa were going for, I would have been happen to snag that deal on a car to keep long term.

Believe me, if anyone near me had a reasonable price, a Jetta wagon would have been my preference.

qbrozen

The carfax on my wagon claims it was at a VW dealer, but I had a look at the title, and that is not the name on the title, so I at least have a leg to stand on.

houdini1

I think the worse case scenario for you guys is that you only get a straight buy back offer. If you decline that, you will get the car "fixed" for free...or just leave it as is, if you are in a state where registration is not an issue. So none of you should lose anything. And you might get lucky.

andres3

suydam said:

sandman_6472 said:

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

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.

I'm still a semi-Honda fan boy, but I will say leather is their weakness. The leather I've seen in Honda's seems to be low-grade stuff. I do mean LOW. Of course, the new A3 leather didn't impress me much, but I'm now spoiled by two Napa Leather cars in a row.

henryn

stickguy said:

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.

Or didn't put her foot on the brake? The first time I test drove a Hyundai Genesis I got embarrassed by that feature.

qbrozen

I may consider an X1 xdrive28i (am I even getting that right??). They are also less than $30k for low-mileage CPO models. I see a nice blue over tan one with 20k and fully loaded for $26k. Dinan offers a tune that should put it in the sub-6-sec category. I'll have to try it back-to-back with a GLK350, I think.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

I may consider an X1 xdrive28i (am I even getting that right??). They are also less than $30k for low-mileage CPO models. I see a nice blue over tan one with 20k and fully loaded for $26k. Dinan offers a tune that should put it in the sub-6-sec category. I'll have to try it back-to-back with a GLK350, I think.

The old RWD-based X1?

qbrozen

yes

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

yes

Go big or go home:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=916885&highlight=x1

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=919913&highlight=x1

qbrozen

ya know, I searched the bmw site for any CPO x1 35i and found none. It makes me wonder if they don't CPO them for a reason. If you recall, I had a 135i that was quite unreliable. I know mine was an N54 vs these newer N55 engines, but I'm still a bit gunshy. Plus, the reviews say the 28i is a more nimble and better balanced vehicle. I figured with a mild tune, it probably hangs just fine with its bigger engined brother.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

ya know, I searched the bmw site for any CPO x1 35i and found none. It makes me wonder if they don't CPO them for a reason. If you recall, I had a 135i that was quite unreliable. I know mine was an N54 vs these newer N55 engines, but I'm still a bit gunshy. Plus, the reviews say the 28i is a more nimble and better balanced vehicle. I figured with a mild tune, it probably hangs just fine with its bigger engined brother.

Maybe.. I don't think they sold a lot of them, which is why you don't see many CPO at the dealership. I think I'd take the less-stressed turbo-6, over a 4 with the boost turned up, but you have more experience with turbos than I do..

I still want a 135i..

kyfdx

One of our local dealers has one of each... both 2013, neither certified

The other dealer has five of the four-cylinders, all certified, and no 6-cylinders.

kyfdx

When I search within 100 miles on cars.com, I find 17 certified units under $30K. That's not too bad.

qbrozen

Yeah, I found plenty of 4-cyl CPO units. The blue over tan seemed to be the bargain of the bunch since it has cold weather, premium, and nav, with only 20k miles, for $26k. 

I gotta admit, I'm still oddly tempted by a Hummer H3. The dealer we drove the nicest one at still has it 8 mos later. Price is down to $14,995. I just know I'd be cursing the fuel mileage in no time, though. Still, $11k less than an x1 or GLK350 could buy all the gas it would need and then some. Hell, I found a Charger RT for $17k. I could have both! Haha.

28firefighter

The automotive world is your oyster, Q!

Sandman6472

Like 'em both but think they're gonna be just too big for what I want, seem to be longer than a Tiguan, which is really the vehicle I've always wanted. Must be in the genes as my twin is on his second Tiguan and loves it! Might be wise to wait a couple of years, then flip the Golf for a CPO Tiguan, one a couple year old with under 20K on the clock or even a CPO year old model. From what I'm reading, 2016 might be the last year of the current style or maybe 2017. And that would work out nicely with my projected next retirement date. Get one just before I stop working and hopefully VW will still have some good rate to finance, like 0%, and even some upfront cash. Of course that would all depend on what kind of trade number I get for a 50K or so Golf.
Something to think about going forward and luckily, there seem to be a lot of vehicles sold down here so finding one shouldn't be too difficult.

The Sandman

corvette

H3 is a very different animal from the GLK350 or X1, qb! Those other two are closer to your LR2 than the H3.

stickguy

I would rather have a Jetta TDI than an H3. But, to each his own!

stickguy

looking at my local guys for X1s (because, why not?) Only 1 35i, out of 6 total, a 2013. Color certainly makes a statement. Just not sure what it is.

http://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2013-bmw-x1-xdrive35i-used-15175734.html

some 28is too. Here is a well equipped 2014. 13s not much cheaper.

http://www.bmwofturnersville.com/detail-2014-bmw-x1-xdrive28i-used-15127223.html

Oh jeez. This one. I really like this one. Love the colors. Deep sea blue over beige. dang.

http://www.bmwofmtlaurel.com/certified/BMW/2014-BMW-X1-Mount-Laurel-6f0fa47b0a0e0a6b204ca8fd120ae2a9.htm

nyccarguy

Wow! I take an 1100 plus Mile to Disney World, check the board for the 1st time in a few days, & we have a new job (way to go @Michaell), & TDI Wagen punch for @qbrozen (keep on Rollin' brotha), & a new ride for @kyfdx. I don't know what you go Walt. The link expired!

So my best friend's sister in law recently traded in her 2010 Accord EX Coupe with 128K miles & 3 accidents on the CARFAX for $5K at Avery high volume Infiniti dealer for a brand new 2016 Q50 AWD 2.0t (no hot seats, no Nav). $329 per month with $0 cap cost reduction for 3 years/15K per year.

nyccarguy

Got a text from my painter that he's done with the exterior of the house:

nyccarguy

stickguy

Walt got a 2013 Audi A3 TDI, with a whopping 97K on the clock.

House looks nice!

corvette

House is lookin' good! 

breld

As @nyccarguy gets on his way back home, we are about ready to head out.

We depart Sunday for Disneyland - 9 of us in the Kia and the X5!

breld

By the way, heard back from the Audi dealer on the trade value on the S4 - $45k. I'm pretty happy with that - paid $53k just under a year and 12k miles ago. So they way I like to measure it - $666/month. Not bad. I think the Audi dealers are eager to add an S4 to their inventory with so few available for the time being.

I may take the X5 up tomorrow or Saturday to get the trade on that and decide if it's something I'd want to do to trade both in for the SQ5. This may surprise many of you, but I'm not really inclined to do it - I like the car, but I'd really rather hold out for one that's more used, meaning a better value.

But the combo of the pretty exclusive "Sepang" blue and the diamond-stitch leather really gets my juices flowing.

breld

Oh yeah - we closed on our new house today.

Old house isn't sold yet, but we're under contract. From a financial perspective, it would have been nice to get those proceeds first, but it sure makes the actual move easier with having both houses for the time being.

corvette

It definitely does! I've always had an "overlap" when moving houses. 

qbrozen

Of course I know the H3 is very different from the cute utes. Just something about it appeals to me. And the Charger is very different from all of those. I am all over the place. Really no idea what I'll get next. 

Stick, that blue one is just like the one I found on the bmw website, except more miles and more expensive. I'll have to post it later when I'm at a computer.

kyfdx

@nyccarguy House looks great!

qbrozen

So here is the Hummer H3.

Hope this link works: BMW X1.

No pics on this, but this GLK.

Or I could go nuts and pick up a Fusion Sport with tech pack, nav, cooled seats, and moonroof for $35k, per truecar. I'm a bit surprised to discover they only offer black interior regardless of what exterior color you pick.

roadburner

My son and I saw Star Trek Beyond last night; to say that it is action-packed would be the understatement of the year- but what would you expect from director Justin Lin? We gave it two thumbs up, but didn't like it as well as Star Trek Into Darkness.

stickguy

I like the GLK and X1. Especially the X1, but the GLK would work.

the other difference on the one you found is it is a 2013 instead of 2014 (FWIW), and the 14 has some sort of "ultimate" package, though goodie list seems about the same.

ab348

qbrozen said:

So here is the Hummer H3.

Hope this link works: BMW X1.

No pics on this, but this GLK.

Or I could go nuts and pick up a Fusion Sport with tech pack, nav, cooled seats, and moonroof for $35k, per truecar. I'm a bit surprised to discover they only offer black interior regardless of what exterior color you pick.

I'd be a bit nervous about a 10 year-old H3. But it would be the only one on your block, and the price is certainly less than the others.

Ford seems to push black interiors even more than most other makes. I hate them (lack of color choice in interiors that is). I hope it eventually bites them in the tush.

breld

I've always been a fan of the X1, though it seems I'm generally in the minority. I remember driving one when they just came out and thinking how much it reminded me of our E90s, which of course makes sense. As these used ones get well into the $20k's, I suppose they do start seeming much more attractive - at $40-45k new, it's easier to point out the shortcomings, but when you're getting a nice CPO example for the price of a GTI (a used one at that), the X1 definitely starts to show appeal.

The tech package on that one dresses the interior up with the nav screen - the sport package would be nice with the seats.

Fun drive!

breld

The Fusion Sport is intriguing for what it offers. And it's an attractive sedan, even a few years into this model.

Coming out of an amazing sports sedan like your CTS though, do you think it may leave you wanting? Going with the X1, GLK, or even the H3 is so different that it may not draw the same comparison.

breld

roadburner said:

My son and I saw Star Trek Beyond last night; to say that it is action-packed would be the understatement of the year- but what would you expect from director Justin Lin? We gave it two thumbs up, but didn't like it as well as Star Trek Into Darkness.

Taking my stepdaughter to see it tonight. Figured it'd be a fun show no matter what. Thanks for the review.

qbrozen

I wouldn't sweat it. Those Hummers have a pretty good rep. Plenty of them running around with over 150k with no major issues.

The Hummer is the cheapest proposition in initial cost, but the bimmer is probably more cost effective. Maybe. Its a tough equation. Bimmer would be cheaper to insure (most likely), cheaper to feed, has a warranty so cheaper to repair. Given the age, however, the Hummer would likely hold far better resale value. I could probably lose $8k-$10k on the bimmer in 2 years, while maybe 1/3-1/4 that in the Hummer.

Fusion would likely be the biggest hit in that regard, albeit the most fun of all the choices.