Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

sda

Michaell said:

Greetings from soggy Northern California. Rain and more rain predicted for the next several days. Reminds me of my trips to Seattle.

Ended up getting a Santa Fe Sport as my rental. AWD, which is nice. 37,000 miles, which isn't. Blue with black interior. XM is active, and the controls are really similar to the departed E-GT. No rear view camera, which is slightly bothersome.

If the rain lets up, I'll get a picture.

Michaell said:

Greetings from soggy Northern California. Rain and more rain predicted for the next several days. Reminds me of my trips to Seattle.

Ended up getting a Santa Fe Sport as my rental. AWD, which is nice. 37,000 miles, which isn't. Blue with black interior. XM is active, and the controls are really similar to the departed E-GT. No rear view camera, which is slightly bothersome.

If the rain lets up, I'll get a picture.

It is amazing how quickly you become reliant to the back up camera. I use it all the time and when I drive vehicles that don't have it I really notice its absence.

breld

js06gv said:

@breld I have to say, given the speed at which you seem to get bored with a number of very nice and exciting vehicles, I wouldn't give a transportation appliance like a Highlander more than one week in your garage! I'd advise against it. I may be biased toward Kia vehicles as I've had a couple and like them a lot, but I'd venture to guess that even your Sedona is a more fun drive than a Highlander.

I wouldn't doubt the Sedona is at least as pleasurable to drive as a Highlander. Given my, ahem, attention span, the Toyota does hold some appeal for its resale, though I don't think those are at 4Runner or Tacoma levels.

breld

I like the look of this new Traverse - if I just saw the photos and didn't know better, it could almost pass for a next-gen Tahoe.

2018 Traverse

Not that I'm looking to buy new at all.

Mr_Shiftright

Did he just say that without busting out laughing?

breld

And, personally, I think this is really attractive. It will be interesting to see how it presents in person, how they price it and, of course, how it drives and handles.

Kia Stinger

xwesx

That Traverse does look nice. I'm a little surprised, though, that they have no plans to offer it with the diesel engine from the Colorado, given that its size and purpose lends itself really well to that drivetrain (not to mention the demand for the diesel pickup!).

I can't believe they used the same platform for ten years on the current Traverse. It doesn't seem like it's been that long.....

ab348

breld said:

And, personally, I think this is really attractive. It will be interesting to see how it presents in person, how they price it and, of course, how it drives and handles.

Kia Stinger

From the pics, it looks like an Optima to me. All Kias bigger sedans look the same.

fintail

Something amusing about the Stinger being on German plates. Huge dose of Audi from the rear, which makes sense with Schreyer. And those fender vents, hmm.

jpp75

xwesx said:

That Traverse does look nice. I'm a little surprised, though, that they have no plans to offer it with the diesel engine from the Colorado, given that its size and purpose lends itself really well to that drivetrain (not to mention the demand for the diesel pickup!).

I can't believe they used the same platform for ten years on the current Traverse. It doesn't seem like it's been that long.....

It does look nice. I took a look at the Canyon yesterday, I love the exterior but the speedometer/tach look so cheap. The rest of the interior was well done except for the switches down low, not sure I want to see how those work/feel after a couple of years.

iluvmysephia1

The Kia Stinger is RWD sporty. Really want ta see one in person ta get a good ambience of the new Kia.

28firefighter

The Stinger looks awesome.

Curious to see the pricepoint. I'm having flashbacks already to the Kia experience with my BIL/SIL, though.

iluvmysephia1

28firefighter, what was that Kia experience, might I ask?

28firefighter

iluvmysephia1 said:

28firefighter, what was that Kia experience, might I ask?

It is a bit further up - but basically classic old-school dealer tactics. Back and forth to the manager 10 times, telling me my spreadsheet of lease costs couldn't possibly right compared to their multi-thousand dollar software, making me grind it out with them, F&I tactics, etc.

@tifighter had a much better experience at a dealer a bit further away, so perhaps it was just this one franchise.

tifighter

Even with the good experience, the dealer I worked with had a K900 that appeared nailed to the floor. It is going to be hard for Kia to play at higher price points without a little soul-searching about the brand and how it connects with the end consumer.

28firefighter

tifighter said:

Even with the good experience, the dealer I worked with had a K900 that appeared nailed to the floor. It is going to be hard for Kia to play at higher price points without a little soul-searching about the brand and how it connects with the end consumer.

Can't say I'm surprised. The purchase experience for someone buying a $50k+ car needs to be different from someone spending $15k on a Soul. They just haven't figured out how to bridge that.

tifighter

Yeah, it's not like the Japanese didn't do some research before investing in creation of Acura, Infiniti and Lexus. The upfront costs are high, but so are the eventual margins.

graphicguy

breld said:

I like the look of this new Traverse - if I just saw the photos and didn't know better, it could almost pass for a next-gen Tahoe.

2018 Traverse

Not that I'm looking to buy new at all.

Sharp vehicle. The General is on a weight loss kick. Good for them. It certainly makes the cars I've driven from them handle much better (and usually better than comparable models found from other manufacturers).

Now, if they could just get their customer service act together, they may just be onto something.

I know it's crazy, but tomorrow will be the 3rd week my CTS has been in the shop.

breld

We were fortunate with our Kia experience in the end. The one we started at acted like we were crazy for targeting the lease payment we wanted, which was based on real numbers that I had researched. The second one we went to almost immediately agreed to our pricing, and gave a real strong trade for our Odyssey.

In fact, that same dealer has a Durango I like. I may give them another shot - if anyone will step up on the Sedona, I'd imagine it's them.

28firefighter

breld said:

We were fortunate with our Kia experience in the end. The one we started at acted like we were crazy for targeting the lease payment we wanted, which was based on real numbers that I had researched. The second one we went to almost immediately agreed to our pricing, and gave a real strong trade for our Odyssey.

In fact, that same dealer has a Durango I like. I may give them another shot - if anyone will step up on the Sedona, I'd imagine it's them.

I smell a punch...

iluvmysephia1

breld-it sounds like your 2nd Kia dealer runs their operation a lot smarter - for them and the buyer.

28firefighter - the thing is, Kia should be past the grind-it-out on a 4-square on paper stage by now. Shame on them...they'll lose you as a customer potentially, and, perhaps anyone you feel like sharing the experience with. With more volumes up that shouldn't be happening, really.

tjc78

Traverse looks nice. That is the direction the Enclave is heading from what I read. Should be on the lots just in time later this year when ours goes back.

stickguy

I prefer smaller. the Acadia might be OK. I am really thinking my next car, if used, will be something like a 2010 Escape. Compact CUV for the hatch carrying capacity. Makes sense, until I change my mind again!

tjc78

If I'm stuck with an SUV I want big. I figure I've got one more three year lease once the current one goes back at the end of the year. After the kids are out of strollers, I think we can make it work with a large sedan.

If we are driving on vaca to the shore or something once a year we will take two cars or I will rent something.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I prefer smaller. the Acadia might be OK. I am really thinking my next car, if used, will be something like a 2010 Escape. Compact CUV for the hatch carrying capacity. Makes sense, until I change my mind again!

I was darn close to picking the Terrain. I saw the new Acadia when I was at the dealer. Good looking rig.

tjc78

The Acadia is more like an Edge size now, correct? I know they made it smaller, just haven't sat in one yet.

qbrozen

Seemed more like an Explorer to me.

Michaell

Finally have a moment to post this...

suydam

Looks nice. How are you liking it?

qbrozen

Whole lotta world hiding behind that C pillar when you are on the road, huh?

Michaell

suydam said:

Looks nice. How are you liking it?

I've been trying to compare it to our Outback. The Subie has the big H-6 engine, so the Santa Fe is sluggish by comparison. It rides nieces, and has an ok compliment of features.

Innocuous, in other words. Wouldn't want to own one, but for the four of us, it will do.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

Whole lotta world hiding behind that C pillar when you are on the road, huh?

I don't look behind me, so who cares?

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

If I'm stuck with an SUV I want big. I figure I've got one more three year lease once the current one goes back at the end of the year. After the kids are out of strollers, I think we can make it work with a large sedan.

If we are driving on vaca to the shore or something once a year we will take two cars or I will rent something.

Even if it's not necessary, an SUV (or minivan) is very helpful with kids. Strollers are helpful too. We just went to Disney over the summer with my 10, 7, & 5 year old. We took a stroller. It helps hauling stuff around even if the kids aren't in it.

corvette

The Murano didn't want to start today at lunchtime. Not like the battery was dead, more like the engine was flooded or wasn't getting fuel. When I got home, I started it several times in the driveway, and it was fine each time. Weird.

Also, had the tires balanced and rotated at Discount Tire last week, and they said the TPMS sensors all check out fine, although on long trips, the TPMS light will randomly come on. Could just be one of them getting a low battery (but not completely dead).

The Murano is still a great vehicle, will hit the one year anniversary here in a couple of months. Not looking to get rid of it anytime soon unless there's a killer lease deal on a full-size truck that will bury the negative equity I have.

28firefighter

corvette said:

The Murano didn't want to start today at lunchtime. Not like the battery was dead, more like the engine was flooded or wasn't getting fuel. When I got home, I started it several times in the driveway, and it was fine each time. Weird. Also, had the tires balanced and rotated at Discount Tire last week, and they said the TPMS sensors all check out fine, although on long trips, the TPMS light will randomly come on. Could just be one of them getting a low battery (but not completely dead). The Murano is still a great vehicle, will hit the one year anniversary here in a couple of months. Not looking to get rid of it anytime soon unless there's a killer lease deal on a full-size truck that will bury the negative equity I have.

It's the "unless" that will get you every time around these parts. 

nyccarguy

corvette said:

The Murano didn't want to start today at lunchtime. Not like the battery was dead, more like the engine was flooded or wasn't getting fuel. When I got home, I started it several times in the driveway, and it was fine each time. Weird.

Also, had the tires balanced and rotated at Discount Tire last week, and they said the TPMS sensors all check out fine, although on long trips, the TPMS light will randomly come on. Could just be one of them getting a low battery (but not completely dead).

The Murano is still a great vehicle, will hit the one year anniversary here in a couple of months. Not looking to get rid of it anytime soon unless there's a killer lease deal on a full-size truck that will bury the negative equity I have.

Gas is cheap now. Interest rates are low. Residuals are high for Full Size trucks/SUVs.

tjc78

nyccarguy said:

tjc78 said:

If I'm stuck with an SUV I want big. I figure I've got one more three year lease once the current one goes back at the end of the year. After the kids are out of strollers, I think we can make it work with a large sedan.

If we are driving on vaca to the shore or something once a year we will take two cars or I will rent something.

Even if it's not necessary, an SUV (or minivan) is very helpful with kids. Strollers are helpful too. We just went to Disney over the summer with my 10, 7, & 5 year old. We took a stroller. It helps hauling stuff around even if the kids aren't in it.

True, I swear even now with as young as they are the stroller ends up more like a cart to lug stuff around. At any rate, the double one we have takes up far too much room. It barely fits in the rear of the SUV with the third row up. Amazingly, it fits nicely in the Elantra trunk. Didn't expect that.

jpp75

I was out enjoying the cool weather Sunday (we rarely get that here) and came across this:

http://www.fiatusaofwilmington.com/used/Toyota/2014-Toyota-Land+Cruiser-dc6dd2620a0e0a1771591b19b21e8481.htm

I'm tempted to go look at it, but that would be a bad idea. It's bigger than I need but it has to be more reliable than the Touareg......

nyccarguy

We have a City Mini Double. It folds flat. I brought it with me back in '09 when I was shopping for an X3 replacement. It fit in the trunk of our TSX remarkably well. It also fits in my Legacy's big trunk.

You can make "anything" work. A Fit will satisfy 90% of your daily driving needs. You could rent an SUV or Minivan for weekend/vacation trips. Having an SUV is just so much easier.

tifighter

jpp5862 said:

I was out enjoying the cool weather Sunday (we rarely get that here) and came across this:

http://www.fiatusaofwilmington.com/used/Toyota/2014-Toyota-Land+Cruiser-dc6dd2620a0e0a1771591b19b21e8481.htm

I'm tempted to go look at it, but that would be a bad idea. It's bigger than I need but it has to be more reliable than the Touareg......

A lot of miles for a 14. A lot of money for the miles.

jpp75

tifighter said:

A lot of miles for a 14. A lot of money for the miles.

I agree on the money, on miles it's right at 15k/yr depending on when it was put in service. It would be a good buy if I needed something but I don't. My job will necessitate a move this spring, which is a great thing, so I need to focus on that for now.

tjc78

nyccarguy said:

We have a City Mini Double. It folds flat. I brought it with me back in '09 when I was shopping for an X3 replacement. It fit in the trunk of our TSX remarkably well. It also fits in my Legacy's big trunk.

You can make "anything" work. A Fit will satisfy 90% of your daily driving needs. You could rent an SUV or Minivan for weekend/vacation trips. Having an SUV is just so much easier.

We have some Graco model. It does fold reasonably flat, but still tall.

I know an SUV is more practical it is just that as nice as ours is we really just prefer a car. It's probably wishful thinking on my end. By the time the kids are out strollers I'll probably have to lug around sports stuff, etc.

breld

I remember well those years with strollers, car seats, etc. And especially getting toddlers in and out of the car seats - that's where having a large door opening and a higher seating position is better on the back. Sure was nice once the kiddos can get in and out of the cars and seats themselves.

Personally, I like having enough cargo space for baby stuff (when they're young) and the sports stuff (as they get older) so that I'm not having to be too creative in cramming everything in. When I shopped the 428i GC, I actually did a rough measurement of the cargo area to make sure the boys' huge baseball bags would fit without much trouble.

I agree with @nyccarguy - most reasonably sized cars will work; but sometimes having extra space comes in handy.

breld

jpp5862 said:

I was out enjoying the cool weather Sunday (we rarely get that here) and came across this:

http://www.fiatusaofwilmington.com/used/Toyota/2014-Toyota-Land+Cruiser-dc6dd2620a0e0a1771591b19b21e8481.htm

I'm tempted to go look at it, but that would be a bad idea. It's bigger than I need but it has to be more reliable than the Touareg......

It's amazing how those hold their value. I chatted with someone this morning at the car wash who had a 2004 Lexus LX. He loves the car, even compared to his wife's new Suburban. Bought it a couple years ago with about 100k miles on it for $18,500.

If I could find a nice one like that, I'd consider one. I imagine it's one of those where you'd have pretty minimal depreciation, like a 4Runner or Tacoma.

jpp75

breld said:

It's amazing how those hold their value. I chatted with someone this morning at the car wash who had a 2004 Lexus LX. He loves the car, even compared to his wife's new Suburban. Bought it a couple years ago with about 100k miles on it for $18,500.

If I could find a nice one like that, I'd consider one. I imagine it's one of those where you'd have pretty minimal depreciation, like a 4Runner or Tacoma.

If I was looking for something for the long haul this would be my first choice, but I'm a CCBA so nothing I buy is for the long haul.

Thankfully my job is allowing me to move this spring, so that will be my focus for the next few months.

@breld and @michaell I'll be in touch via PM about moving your way!

xwesx

28firefighter said:

The Stinger looks awesome.

Curious to see the pricepoint. I'm having flashbacks already to the Kia experience with my BIL/SIL, though.

I'm not sure that history that recent qualifies for "flashback" status.

xwesx

corvette said:

Also, had the tires balanced and rotated at Discount Tire last week, and they said the TPMS sensors all check out fine, although on long trips, the TPMS light will randomly come on. Could just be one of them getting a low battery (but not completely dead).

Depending on the weather, speeds, etc., the light may have come on due to "pressure too high" rather than "pressure too low." TPMS is designed to work within a tolerance range, so that can be exceeded both on the lower and upper ends. The light on my 2010 Forester tends to come on during long trips on sunny (and warm) days, because we run the rear tires at 40 PSI when we haul heavy loads. I think the upper tolerance for the sensors is something like 44 or 45 PSI, with the low-end tolerance at ~25. Naturally, the pressure will rise when the heat builds up, so it is likely to trip the warning light under those conditions, even though there's no cause for alarm.

If you run your tires at a pressure higher than spec (I typically run 35 PSI on my cars) intentionally, then perhaps it is just a range tolerance issue and therefore "working as intended."

sda

I don't know if GM still does this but my last GM car, an '08 HHR displayed tire pressure for each tire. It was interesting to watch the pressure vary from wheel to wheel and it took out any guess work as to what tire might have triggered the light. On the Hondas we've had, only the light comes on and the burden is on me to figure out which tire.

ab348

All of my GMs with TPM have done that. Very useful.

corvette

jpp5862 said:

It's amazing how those hold their value. I chatted with someone this morning at the car wash who had a 2004 Lexus LX. He loves the car, even compared to his wife's new Suburban. Bought it a couple years ago with about 100k miles on it for $18,500. If I could find a nice one like that, I'd consider one. I imagine it's one of those where you'd have pretty minimal depreciation, like a 4Runner or Tacoma.

If I was looking for something for the long haul this would be my first choice, but I'm a CCBA so nothing I buy is for the long haul. Thankfully my job is allowing me to move this spring, so that will be my focus for the next few months. @breld and @michaell I'll be in touch via PM about moving your way!

Good choice, I love Denver and Colorado Springs both.  

breld

jpp5862 said:

breld said:

It's amazing how those hold their value. I chatted with someone this morning at the car wash who had a 2004 Lexus LX. He loves the car, even compared to his wife's new Suburban. Bought it a couple years ago with about 100k miles on it for $18,500.

If I could find a nice one like that, I'd consider one. I imagine it's one of those where you'd have pretty minimal depreciation, like a 4Runner or Tacoma.

If I was looking for something for the long haul this would be my first choice, but I'm a CCBA so nothing I buy is for the long haul.

Thankfully my job is allowing me to move this spring, so that will be my focus for the next few months.

@breld and @michaell I'll be in touch via PM about moving your way!

Fun! We sure love it here! My wife is a true native of the Denver area and I grew up in Colorado Springs before going to school up in Denver.