Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

henryn

Back 2 years or a little more I was car shopping (yeah, I know, what a surprise). So I'm down at the Hyundai dealer looking at a used, CPO Genesis. Very nice car, even though I didn't buy it.

The salesman pulls it around for me, comes inside and hands me the key. "Enjoy your test drive, the tank's full." I sit in the thing for a good 2 or 3 minutes trying to figure out how to start it, and the salesman finally comes out and tells me that I have to press the brake pedal.

Duh...

stickguy

You should try being handed a new BMW with a beer tap shifter, and no instructions.

sda

henryn said:

Back 2 years or a little more I was car shopping (yeah, I know, what a surprise). So I'm down at the Hyundai dealer looking at a used, CPO Genesis. Very nice car, even though I didn't buy it.

The salesman pulls it around for me, comes inside and hands me the key. "Enjoy your test drive, the tank's full." I sit in the thing for a good 2 or 3 minutes trying to figure out how to start it, and the salesman finally comes out and tells me that I have to press the brake pedal.

Duh...

I wear the dunce cap very nicely. After several hours at the dealership buying the Accord, I was finally out of the finance office and was handed the keys and paperwork. They asked if I needed someone to show me the features of the car. Being in a hurry, I politely declined figuring that I'm familiar with Hondas and I would get what ever info I needed from the owner's manual. I go out to the car, press the start button and it just beeps. I try this several times. Surely something isn't wrong already! I didn't see the message to press brake pedal to start. I go back into the showroom and they look puzzled. I ask how do you start that thing? Press the brake pedal! I felt about 2 feet tall.

stevedebi

sda said:

henryn said:

Back 2 years or a little more I was car shopping (yeah, I know, what a surprise). So I'm down at the Hyundai dealer looking at a used, CPO Genesis. Very nice car, even though I didn't buy it.

The salesman pulls it around for me, comes inside and hands me the key. "Enjoy your test drive, the tank's full." I sit in the thing for a good 2 or 3 minutes trying to figure out how to start it, and the salesman finally comes out and tells me that I have to press the brake pedal.

Duh...

I wear the dunce cap very nicely. After several hours at the dealership buying the Accord, I was finally out of the finance office and was handed the keys and paperwork. They asked if I needed someone to show me the features of the car. Being in a hurry, I politely declined figuring that I'm familiar with Hondas and I would get what ever info I needed from the owner's manual. I go out to the car, press the start button and it just beeps. I try this several times. Surely something isn't wrong already! I didn't see the message to press brake pedal to start. I go back into the showroom and they look puzzled. I ask how do you start that thing? Press the brake pedal! I felt about 2 feet tall.

I never thought it was in imposition. You have to press the brake pedal to get it into gear anyway...

breld

houdini1 said:

breld said:

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

surprised it took me this long to gravitate toward the WRX.

but what Subaru really needs to do (hey, between me and Bradd, they will sell 2!) is put the turbo motor in a Legacy sport, and include the stick shift option. That would be cool.

1 stick in the stable is enough for me. Although I've driven the Prelude every day this week so far & (I say this now) I daily drove stick for 9 years & could totally do it again. We do car swap on a regular basis, so I need to get another automatic.

I'm not missing the stick in the S4 as much as I thought I would. I appreciate the nice automatic that's in the SQ5 - still fun to drive but pleasant for most of my commuting.

I do see something like a Miata or Civic Si at some point in the future to have that fun stickshift for the occasional use. But I definitely need to pay down the debt on the Audi before that happens. Someone in our work garage just got a new red Miata and it sure is eye-catching.

Uh oh ! Someone who describes their car, wife, or girl friend as "pleasant", may not be totally in love !

True enough!

The way I put it wasn't very accurate - I was trying to get across that for most of my commuting, the automatic over the manual is actually a welcome change (i.e., "pleasant").

tifighter

Just returned from a few weeks in Norway. You have never seen so many Volvo wagons in your life. And the cities are full of electric cars.

corvette

On the 2009 Altima I had, if you hit the start button without pressing the brake several times in a row, the OBC would show a message reminding you to press the brake pedal to start. Haven't tried it in the Murano but I'm betting it works the same. 

Some of the older Saabs, I think you had to press the brake pedal to get the manual shifter out of reverse (and had to put it in reverse before you could remove the key from the ignition). 

nelsonf

suydam said:

Any push button start car requires foot on the brake first. It's a safety issue. But you can remote start many of them from outside the car. No need to reach in! First World problem solved!

Good point. I didn't think about the push button start aspect.

houdini1

breld said:

houdini1 said:

breld said:

nyccarguy said:

stickguy said:

surprised it took me this long to gravitate toward the WRX.

but what Subaru really needs to do (hey, between me and Bradd, they will sell 2!) is put the turbo motor in a Legacy sport, and include the stick shift option. That would be cool.

1 stick in the stable is enough for me. Although I've driven the Prelude every day this week so far & (I say this now) I daily drove stick for 9 years & could totally do it again. We do car swap on a regular basis, so I need to get another automatic.

I'm not missing the stick in the S4 as much as I thought I would. I appreciate the nice automatic that's in the SQ5 - still fun to drive but pleasant for most of my commuting.

I do see something like a Miata or Civic Si at some point in the future to have that fun stickshift for the occasional use. But I definitely need to pay down the debt on the Audi before that happens. Someone in our work garage just got a new red Miata and it sure is eye-catching.

Uh oh ! Someone who describes their car, wife, or girl friend as "pleasant", may not be totally in love !

True enough!

The way I put it wasn't very accurate - I was trying to get across that for most of my commuting, the automatic over the manual is actually a welcome change (i.e., "pleasant").

I actually understood what you meant breld...I just couldn't pass up that unintentional softball that you lobbed.

tjc78

On Hyundais if you Keep the button pressed down long enough it will start without pressing down the brake pedal. (at least it did on my 09 Genesis).

Sandman6472

Got to drive a couple of fun vehicles today at work. I fell in love with the CLA 250 and it's turbo engine. Hit the gas and zoom, I was down the road. Felt like more power in my turbo 1.8t VW Golf and didn't notice that slight turbo lag I love so much...not! Kinda liked the one piece seats/headrests after I got used to it, some might not like it because it's pretty sports carish but here, it works. Can see myself getting a 2 year old CPO model but I'd have to have a white over beige or a gray over gray. Not sure if they make a blue over beige model but that would be great if they did. It looked beautiful in the black over black but would be too hot in our brutal summers and keeping the swirl marks at bay looks to be a full time job. Love the smaller size and think it'll definitely fit on my side of the garage.
Also got to drive a '16 Hemi Charger. Talk about fast, the power is just amazing and instantaneous. At 70, the tach showed 1500 rpm's which is amazing. Could see myself getting into trouble if I owned one because the power comes on so brisk when one pushes on the accelerator, it's downright intoxicating! Seriously, an amazing vehicle and the front seat was pretty comfortable to be honest, something I didn't expect by just looking at them.
Drove about 15 vehicles today alone as there was just the two of us who showed up to work and we worked from 8 till 6:20 before we clocked out. Man, I was tired...but it was a good tired!

The Sandman

stickguy

MB does nice blues and has a tan interior.

Sandman6472

Finally broke down and called the old company in West Palm Beach to see about coming back on a limited basis. I called my old boss first and found out the office had moved and he texted me the info. Called the new number and was told that she doubted I'd be allowed back as they weren't hiring any of the old drivers but she said she'd call me back next week to tell me what's what. I texted my old boss and asked him to put a good word in for me since we got along well and he knew I'd show up whenever he needed me to without question. Not sure what he said but not more than 10 minutes later, got a call to come in for an orientation next Wednesday and if my driving record clicks, might be joining the new crew. She asked if I wanted full time but said I work 3 days so just looking for those other days, a couple days a week really.
Funny thing was I was going to go up this past Wednesday but over slept. Good thing because they moved to new offices last year and got a new phone number. Just hoping my driving record gets me back in as I do miss it, the driving over the state. Saw some old co-workers on Monday and Tuesday and they asked when I was coming back so that's what prompted my decision to see if they'd take me back. Can see me working Wednesdays and Saturdays and the occasional Sunday especially now since season is right around the corner. I think I'm ready mentally and physically to go back but this time I won't push myself. The extra $ won't hurt either!! Not telling anyone until I know I'm back in, don't like telling everyone my business at Hertz, just because. So mum's the word.

The Sandman

stickguy

so, from today's browsing of the build your own sites, I have become interested in the new Accord Hybrid. Crazy MPG, and well equipped for the money too. Not quite sure how much it is more than a normal Accord of the same trim level though.

that would be something to look at if gas prices stay low, and they are doing huge discounts!

probably about as far as I can get from a WRX. But, test drives will help flesh it all out.

stever

My neighbor has an Accord Hybrid, a 2015 I think. Keep forgetting to ask about their mpg on it. They have told me a couple of times how much they like it.

Michaell

stickguy said:

so, from today's browsing of the build your own sites, I have become interested in the new Accord Hybrid. Crazy MPG, and well equipped for the money too. Not quite sure how much it is more than a normal Accord of the same trim level though.

that would be something to look at if gas prices stay low, and they are doing huge discounts!

probably about as far as I can get from a WRX. But, test drives will help flesh it all out.

At the moment, not much discounting on the 2017 Accord Hybrid. Had one poster get a lease quote of close to $500/mo for one. Ouch.

At the other end of the scale, just saw a post in the Sonata discussion - leased an SE for $132/mo, tax included. Don't know if that included any options or not, but still, that's a crazy low payment for a car with a $23K sticker price.

tjc78

I've recently been looking at some smaller cars that I could get a $200 month lease on. Doubt I'll do anything, but it's always fun to look.

The Marquis (as much as I love it) is almost 13 years old and just turned 100k. Needs plugs, tranny service, tires (age), and most likely rear brakes. Not sure I want to dump 1500 in it.

Wife would probably let me do it, but I'm sure that I'd be in to it for a new bathroom floor or the new mattress she wants

Michaell

tjc78 said:

I've recently been looking at some smaller cars that I could get a $200 month lease on. Doubt I'll do anything, but it's always fun to look.

The Marquis (as much as I love it) is almost 13 years old and just turned 100k. Needs plugs, tranny service, tires (age), and most likely rear brakes. Not sure I want to dump 1500 in it.

Wife would probably let me do it, but I'm sure that I'd be in to it for a new bathroom floor or the new mattress she wants

Lots of great deals at this time of year, on both compact and mid-sized cars. But, 2016 inventory is shrinking faster that normal.

tjc78

I looked at the Verano leasing forum but not much action there. Thought that may be a look. I'm sure they are deeply discounting those.

Like I said this is doubtful, just poking around. I've never done a lease this late in the model year. The residuals must be lower.

Mr_Shiftright

Verano is on the way out--some say 2017 will be the last year.

Michaell

tjc78 said:

I looked at the Verano leasing forum but not much action there. Thought that may be a look. I'm sure they are deeply discounting those.

Like I said this is doubtful, just poking around. I've never done a lease this late in the model year. The residuals must be lower.

But the discounts more than make up for the residual.

henryn

Michaell said:

tjc78 said:

I've recently been looking at some smaller cars that I could get a $200 month lease on. Doubt I'll do anything, but it's always fun to look.

The Marquis (as much as I love it) is almost 13 years old and just turned 100k. Needs plugs, tranny service, tires (age), and most likely rear brakes. Not sure I want to dump 1500 in it.

Wife would probably let me do it, but I'm sure that I'd be in to it for a new bathroom floor or the new mattress she wants

Lots of great deals at this time of year, on both compact and mid-sized cars. But, 2016 inventory is shrinking faster that normal.

That would depend on the part of the country you're in. Here in Houston, the recession is finally getting underway. Everyone here knew it was coming, after the huge layoffs in the oil business. It's surprising how long it has taken, but it is here now. The Houston Chronicle has reported some fairly large downturns in home sales and car sales the last 2 months.

stickguy

Tom, you seem like a good candidate for a Sonata. would still seem "downsized" from the GM, and in terms of space/ride/comfort, be right up your alley. and damned cheap.

Steve, good thing I am not shopping now. the 2017 Hybrid just got released. hopefully gas stays cheap, so a year and change from now, they are discounting the heck out of them in October 2017 to get rid of inventory!

I also, depending on the car/deals, might decide to buy.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Tom, you seem like a good candidate for a Sonata. would still seem "downsized" from the GM, and in terms of space/ride/comfort, be right up your alley. and damned cheap.

Steve, good thing I am not shopping now. the 2017 Hybrid just got released. hopefully gas stays cheap, so a year and change from now, they are discounting the heck out of them in October 2017 to get rid of inventory!

I also, depending on the car/deals, might decide to buy.

I don't know what kind of mileage you get in the GM now, but suffice it to say, even a mid-sizer like the Sonata is going to feel like a gas sipper by comparison.

Speaking of gas, I've used 1/2 tank in the Jetta so far ... just over 200 total miles on the trip odometer, and the DTE gauge is still saying about 190-200 to go.

I did the math - I'm allowed 32.87 miles per day on my lease. This is day 8, and I've got 205 miles on it.

I'll be out of town most of next week, so the only miles on it will be to/from the airport.

Looking good.

henryn

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

Tom, you seem like a good candidate for a Sonata. would still seem "downsized" from the GM, and in terms of space/ride/comfort, be right up your alley. and damned cheap.

Steve, good thing I am not shopping now. the 2017 Hybrid just got released. hopefully gas stays cheap, so a year and change from now, they are discounting the heck out of them in October 2017 to get rid of inventory!

I also, depending on the car/deals, might decide to buy.

I don't know what kind of mileage you get in the GM now, but suffice it to say, even a mid-sizer like the Sonata is going to feel like a gas sipper by comparison.

Speaking of gas, I've used 1/2 tank in the Jetta so far ... just over 200 total miles on the trip odometer, and the DTE gauge is still saying about 190-200 to go.

I did the math - I'm allowed 32.87 miles per day on my lease. This is day 8, and I've got 205 miles on it.

I'll be out of town most of next week, so the only miles on it will be to/from the airport.

Looking good.

Man, that's nothing. This Passat TDI is good for well over 600 miles on a tank, and that's city driving. Get out on the highway, and the range is going to be a lot more.

And I'm allowed 34.24 miles per day on my not-a-lease TDI buyback (12,500 miles per year instead of 12,000).

It's too bad I really don't give a flying bleep about fuel mileage. (smile)

stickguy

that Jetta should pull an easy 40 on straight highway runs. Even with a 14.5 gallon tank, you get a lot of range.

tjc78

The Merc does 17.5 - 18.5 with how I drive it. The Enclave usually hovers @16ish. Both are pigs. What makes things good for us is that we usually drive in together so that saves a lot of gas. Our daycare nights are crazy and I've been thinking about telling the wife to go straight home and start dinner/whatever and I'll grab the kids.

This obviously would mean more miles on the Merc and more gas, so a small car payment would be partially offset by the gas savings/maintenance and repair on the Merc. On days we drive in together I'd take the smaller car too.

@stickguy, yes base model Sonata on the list for sure. I think I'd probably lean toward a base mid-size versus a little more equipped compact.

What to look at? Well honestly everything LOL. Sonata/Optima, Verano/Cruze(compact I know), base Accord, Then I keep thinking small UTE (Rogue or Encore lease out well). Part of this purchase would be I really don't like any of those cars, but I know my wife wouldn't mind any of them. The only time she drives my car is to move it out of the driveway.

Wow, I'm all over the place. Drove the Merc all over today doing errands, have to say it performed well and the A/C froze us out of the car... but this is CCBA and its been since November 2014 for me.

tjc78

Probably should add Jetta/Passat to the list, I know there are some decent deals on those too.

Mr_Shiftright

Speaking of gas, I'm finding a 12 gallon gas tank really annoying for us "road warriors". In California, we'd drive 100 miles for a taco.

xwesx

I'm still working on my first tank of fuel on "local" driving for my Passat. Nearly 300 miles since a week ago Thursday, and I'm still over 1/2 tank (fairly well over). Not too shabby! I really didn't mind knocking down 45 mpg on the way home two weeks ago.....

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, okay but I'll beat you up off the stoplight.

xwesx

Mr_Shiftright said:

Yeah, okay but I'll beat you up off the stoplight.

Maybe, but only because my car just can't hold traction with all that torque!

Today (just a couple hours ago), I was a bit embarrassed when I took off from a light. I was in the left lane of two, and about thirty cars (not exaggerating) in the right lane, but none in the left. I couldn't see waiting through a second light just to be in the right lane even though I did need to make a right shortly after the intersection, so I drove up the left lane, stopped, dropped it into "sport,"and goosed it when the light turned green. It accelerated nicely, after I let off a bit so the tires stopped slipping. That rather took me by surprise.

Michaell

stickguy said:

that Jetta should pull an easy 40 on straight highway runs. Even with a 14.5 gallon tank, you get a lot of range.

I doubt I'll ever use it for that, though most of the drive to the airport is on a pretty empty toll road with a 75 mph speed limit.

stickguy

so, the latest round of car mags (I still get the "big 4") came recently, and all had some type of new model year previews. after leafing through the ones that list every car/truck available (and list changes), I realized that there really were not all that many that truly interest me. Especially if I actually establish a realistic budget cap.

good thing I am fine with adding in some recent model year slightly used ones!

Sandman6472

Must be fate, stopped at Subway to bring home lunch with the wife and parked next to a new Mini. Said I like those and surprisingly she agreed, added next time I should check one of those puppies out. I mentioned I read that they ride a bit rough but added, one really needs to try things out for themselves because it might not be true. She agreed and said she liked the size, then said she's really liking her A3 and all the safety features she got because now when she backs out or changes lanes, she sees lights if she can't make it. First time I ever heard her say she likes her vehicle!
Glad she liked the Mini Cooper because it's still on the list. But pulling into the garage, I was driving the A3 as it needed petrol, looked over at my just washed Golf and thought how nice it looks and how much I really do like it! Had a big grin on my face as I pulled into the garage!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

99L looking to be just a rain event for us, thank G-d! 80% chance of rain tonight and tomorrow with a 90% chance all day Monday. Very glad it fizzled out though I was prepared with our supplies. Weather Channel had a segment on the 10 Worst Hurricanes to hit the U S and not surprisingly, 6 out of the 10 hit Florida. Do remember Charley and Andrew but surprisingly, Wilma didn't make the list and it's effects were felt by us for over a week. We only lost power in Andrew for about 15 hours but during Wilma, 9 days of misery! Definitely learned what true friendship was then by the folks that let us come over just to take showers and cool off a bit. One never misses such things except when they aren't available. Never realized how much a nice hot shower is and what it can do for a person until then.
If I never live through another hurricane, I'll die a happy man. But next time, hopefully I'll be retired so we can head out of here before it hits.

The Sandman

houdini1

According to an article in today's WSJ, the average American hangs on to a new car for....11 years !!

corvette

Did it say it that way, or is the age of the average car on the road in the US 11 years? Those are different things. Quite a few people trade after a few years (or, in this group, less than a few years).

henryn

Well, no, not actually. The "average age of cars on the road in USA is 11.4 years". That is not at all equivalent to someone buying a new car and keeping it for 11.4 years.

http://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/28/americans-holding-onto-their-cars-longer-than-ever.html

As a result, IHS said the average length of ownership for a new vehicle has been extended even further. On average, buyers hold onto their new vehicle for 6.5 years. That compares to 2006, when new vehicles were held for an average 4.3 years.

Used vehicle buyers are also holding on to their cars and trucks longer, at an average 5.3 years. That's also more than two years longer than in 2006.

houdini1

Here is the actual sentence from the WSJ. "The average American keeps a car for 11 years". The author is a guy by the name of Christopher Mims. Whether he knows what he is talking about, I don't know. It was surprising to me, and I think maybe he was confused with the average age of cars on the road. Even 6 or 7 years is surprising to me.

The article is posted over on the "What would it take for you to buy a diesel" forum.

stickguy

well, if you take Breld out of the equation, it could be that long.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, he really screws up the averages.

stever

Hm, even I didn't start hanging on to cars until 1982. Then I went 17 years, 10 years, 15 years and 12 years. The current ride has only been in the hanger for two years now and it's just 7 years old.

fintail

I am sure the WSJ guy made an honest mistake. 11 years is an interesting thought, many people would be owning from showroom to junkyard.

Michaell

I'm in my hotel in Palo Alto. I did get a Jetta as my rental. Blue, but I think it's a '15 - no camera, no USB, no touchscreen.

Otherwise, identical to the one I left in long term parking at DIA.

Speaking of which, I got an estimated 40 mpg on the drive to the airport.

fintail

What is it with stripped down US market rental cars? I rented a Charger last year that didn't even have bluetooth - I was perplexed. The cars I have rented in Europe were usually quite loaded. I've had a couple decently equipped US rentals, but most are pretty sparse.

corvette

It's hit or miss. I think the stripped models reflect badly on the manufacturers. I rented a Charger in Las Vegas in 2007 that had the base 2.7 liter V6, no ABS or side airbags, no alloy wheels. It drove nicely, but was underpowered, and kind of turned me off to Chrysler products. 

The MKZ I had a few weeks ago was well optioned, but I still didn't care for it. 

Michaell

fintail said:

What is it with stripped down US market rental cars? I rented a Charger last year that didn't even have bluetooth - I was perplexed. The cars I have rented in Europe were usually quite loaded. I've had a couple decently equipped US rentals, but most are pretty sparse.

My Jetta has Bluetooth, but I couldn't figure out how to pair it last night. I'll try again this morning.

suydam

fintail said:

What is it with stripped down US market rental cars? I rented a Charger last year that didn't even have bluetooth - I was perplexed. The cars I have rented in Europe were usually quite loaded. I've had a couple decently equipped US rentals, but most are pretty sparse.

Totally agree. The Jettta I rented was so basic I would never consider going into a showroom. Same with the Sonata I rented a year ago. It's night and day different from the car you folks are describing. If that's my only experience with a model I'm not likely to put them on my list to check out. Not to mention it's much more pleasant to have a rental that's got a few nice features on it.

iluvmysephia1

I'm not against renting a stripper model if it's a rig that I like the body design of and it's riding dyamics. I enjoyed the 2014 Nissan Rogue I rented out of Sea-Tac in Dec. of 2014 - that was the last car I rented. It's not the type of car I like, though, for a purchase. Although I would consider a 2017 Kia Sportage to buy - but it is no longer offered with a manual transmission as far as I know, that is a problem.

I'm in my hotel in Palo Alto. I did get a Jetta as my rental. Blue, but I think it's a '15 - no camera, no USB, no touchscreen.

Was it an automatic, Michaell? Bet it was.