Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

henryn

Yeah, really. An X1 is a very neat car, I have to admit.

28firefighter

Thanks for the well wishes all. This is truly one of the most insane purchases that I have ever made, but the opportunity presented itself and I had to jump especially with baby around the corner and 2016 inventory drying up. So here are the details of the car:

2016 BMW X1 xDrive 28i
Mediterrean Blue Metallic
Mocha Blue Leather
Luxury Package
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Driver Assistance Package
Sliding/Reclining Rear Seats
Burlwood Trim

MSRP was $45,595

Car has 5500 miles, no runs/hits/errors and was a service loaner. Only service history is an alignment.

I submitted the online request last night - I saw the car pop up on autotrader and loved the color combo. I figured it was a long shot given my experience with BMW dealers. The internet person gets back to me and asks me what I am thinking. I offer $10k off MSRP with base buy rates on the lease adjusted for mileage. They're on board. I'm floored.

And then the sales person drops a bomb on me. BMW, yesterday, has changed how they calculate residual values for former service loaners and dealer demo vehicles. For cars with more than 5000 miles and less than 7500, the residual is automatically reduced 4% and then reduce another amount for the mileage over 500 on the car. So in the case of my car, the 63% residual dropped to 59% and then another $1200 adjusted for mileage. This upped the payments almost $65/month and puts it squarely out of our budget.

I tell the sales person that I appreciate his time, it is my fault, and that I can't and won't ask them to drop the sale price anymore. He says to make him an offer - so I adjust my numbers to the payment I want (inceptions and $385/month including tax). He comes back and says OK! I'm still going back and forth over email and he asks me when I want to come get it.

Well this complicates things for two reasons. One, they're 3 hours away in Portland and my wife is 9 months pregnant with a breech baby that, if she goes into early labor, will require an immediate C-Section. I explain this to them and they offer to either (1) Truck it up to Seattle for a few hundred bucks or (2) Meet me halfway in Tacoma. Either of these is fine, so I give a deposit over the phone and I'm handed off from the internet person to a Client Adviser to complete the sale. Client Adviser calls me and the conversation goes something like this...

CA:"Internet guy told me your story, I have two kids of my own, I want you in this car before he arrives. I'll bring it up to you tonight."
Me: "I'm sorry, what?! It's nearly rush hour and you want to bring it up here to us for free? In the rain?"
CA: "Yes."
Me: "Well. OK - We already did everything so it was just going to be arranging delivery anyway and if you're cool this, that is supremely helpful."
CA: "Done - I'll call you when I'm on my way."

Fast forward 3 hours and CA arrives with a lot attendant. We take the car for a spin, and it is perfect - no issues whatsoever, no rattles (thank god), nothing wrong at all. I pull it into my garage at home, wipe it down with a towel and give it a once over as best I can, including the wheels. From what I can tell, it is spotless. They even fully detailed it based on how the water was beading.

We come inside, he gives me a soft pitch on wheel and tire package and extended maintenance (adds $50/month and $500 to the upfronts) - I politely decline. We don't drive enough or hard enough for that to matter. Knock on wood. 15 minutes later, we shake hands, he hands over the keys and he is on his way.

Here was the final deal:
MSRP: $45,595
Sale Price: $34,500 (!!)
Acquisition Fee: $925
Cap Cost: $35,425
Security Deposits: $2450 (7 MSDs to reduce the MF)

Money Factor: .00085
Residual: ~%56

36 months/10k miles a year

Due at signing: MSDs, First Month, Tags, Doc Fee
Monthly after 9.9% Sales Tax: $348

I'm still stunned and yet incredibly happy with the result. Wife is thrilled.

Next up? Get the Escape on Swapalease...or just turn it in early. Haven't decided. Anyone want a low payment Ford Escape?

That's it for us for a while - I'm finally super happy with our vehicle situation.

Michaell

@28firefighter - that is an amazing deal. Would you mind re-posting in the X1 lease thread?

Do you think the color combo was a special order that was rejected by the original customer? Pressed into duty as a service loaner then sold (well, leased) at an amazing discount because otherwise the dealer would be buying birthday cakes for it?

The door-to-door service is just icing on the cake.

andres3

henryn said:

Yeah, really. An X1 is a very neat car, I have to admit.

It was easy for me to spin the Front Wheels/Tires on acceleration from a stop or slow speed in the X1 test drive I took. Other than the FWD limitation, I like the X1 a lot. I think it's a compelling offering for a reasonable price if you don't check too many options boxes. Apparently a lot of loaners in inventory trying to be sold.

28firefighter

Michaell said:

@28firefighter - that is an amazing deal. Would you mind re-posting in the X1 lease thread? Do you think the color combo was a special order that was rejected by the original customer? Pressed into duty as a service loaner then sold (well, leased) at an amazing discount because otherwise the dealer would be buying birthday cakes for it? The door-to-door service is just icing on the cake.

Can do tomorrow!

I really don't know - it is somewhat oddly equipped (read totally loaded) for a loaner.  I actually think it's a desirable but rare color combo, too. 

For the life of me I have no idea how or why this happened. But I'm really happy and feel great that wife and baby will be well protected in a German engineered tank. 

andres3

28firefighter said:

Thanks for the well wishes all. This is truly one of the most insane purchases that I have ever made, but the opportunity presented itself and I had to jump especially with baby around the corner and 2016 inventory drying up. So here are the details of the car:

2016 BMW X1 xDrive 28i
Mediterrean Blue Metallic
Mocha Blue Leather
Luxury Package
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Driver Assistance Package
Sliding/Reclining Rear Seats
Burlwood Trim

MSRP was $45,595

Car has 5500 miles, no runs/hits/errors and was a service loaner. Only service history is an alignment.

I submitted the online request last night - I saw the car pop up on autotrader and loved the color combo. I figured it was a long shot given my experience with BMW dealers. The internet person gets back to me and asks me what I am thinking. I offer $10k off MSRP with base buy rates on the lease adjusted for mileage. They're on board. I'm floored.

And then the sales person drops a bomb on me. BMW, yesterday, has changed how they calculate residual values for former service loaners and dealer demo vehicles. For cars with more than 5000 miles and less than 7500, the residual is automatically reduced 4% and then reduce another amount for the mileage over 500 on the car. So in the case of my car, the 63% residual dropped to 59% and then another $1200 adjusted for mileage. This upped the payments almost $65/month and puts it squarely out of our budget.

I tell the sales person that I appreciate his time, it is my fault, and that I can't and won't ask them to drop the sale price anymore. He says to make him an offer - so I adjust my numbers to the payment I want (inceptions and $385/month including tax). He comes back and says OK! I'm still going back and forth over email and he asks me when I want to come get it.

Well this complicates things for two reasons. One, they're 3 hours away in Portland and my wife is 9 months pregnant with a breech baby that, if she goes into early labor, will require an immediate C-Section. I explain this to them and they offer to either (1) Truck it up to Seattle for a few hundred bucks or (2) Meet me halfway in Tacoma. Either of these is fine, so I give a deposit over the phone and I'm handed off from the internet person to a Client Adviser to complete the sale. Client Adviser calls me and the conversation goes something like this...

CA:"Internet guy told me your story, I have two kids of my own, I want you in this car before he arrives. I'll bring it up to you tonight."
Me: "I'm sorry, what?! It's nearly rush hour and you want to bring it up here to us for free? In the rain?"
CA: "Yes."
Me: "Well. OK - We already did everything so it was just going to be arranging delivery anyway and if you're cool this, that is supremely helpful."
CA: "Done - I'll call you when I'm on my way."

Fast forward 3 hours and CA arrives with a lot attendant. We take the car for a spin, and it is perfect - no issues whatsoever, no rattles (thank god), nothing wrong at all. I pull it into my garage at home, wipe it down with a towel and give it a once over as best I can, including the wheels. From what I can tell, it is spotless. They even fully detailed it based on how the water was beading.

We come inside, he gives me a soft pitch on wheel and tire package and extended maintenance (adds $50/month and $500 to the upfronts) - I politely decline. We don't drive enough or hard enough for that to matter. Knock on wood. 15 minutes later, we shake hands, he hands over the keys and he is on his way.

Here was the final deal:
MSRP: $45,595
Sale Price: $34,500 (!!)
Acquisition Fee: $925
Cap Cost: $35,425
Security Deposits: $2450 (7 MSDs to reduce the MF)

Money Factor: .00085
Residual: ~%56

36 months/10k miles a year

Due at signing: MSDs, First Month, Tags, Doc Fee
Monthly after 9.9% Sales Tax: $348

I'm still stunned and yet incredibly happy with the result. Wife is thrilled.

Next up? Get the Escape on Swapalease...or just turn it in early. Haven't decided. Anyone want a low payment Ford Escape?

That's it for us for a while - I'm finally super happy with our vehicle situation.

____

How'd the deliverer get back to the car dealer/home?

That was nice of them/the dealership to help you out. They must love leasing out cars.

What's the payment /time frame on the Escape? Can you get it down to San Diego, LOL?

28firefighter

andres3 said:

Thanks for the well wishes all. This is truly one of the most insane purchases that I have ever made, but the opportunity presented itself and I had to jump especially with baby around the corner and 2016 inventory drying up. So here are the details of the car: 2016 BMW X1 xDrive 28i Mediterrean Blue Metallic Mocha Blue Leather Luxury Package Cold Weather Package Premium Package Driver Assistance Package Sliding/Reclining Rear Seats Burlwood Trim MSRP was $45,595 Car has 5500 miles, no runs/hits/errors and was a service loaner. Only service history is an alignment. I submitted the online request last night - I saw the car pop up on autotrader and loved the color combo. I figured it was a long shot given my experience with BMW dealers. The internet person gets back to me and asks me what I am thinking. I offer $10k off MSRP with base buy rates on the lease adjusted for mileage. They're on board. I'm floored. And then the sales person drops a bomb on me. BMW, yesterday, has changed how they calculate residual values for former service loaners and dealer demo vehicles. For cars with more than 5000 miles and less than 7500, the residual is automatically reduced 4% and then reduce another amount for the mileage over 500 on the car. So in the case of my car, the 63% residual dropped to 59% and then another $1200 adjusted for mileage. This upped the payments almost $65/month and puts it squarely out of our budget. I tell the sales person that I appreciate his time, it is my fault, and that I can't and won't ask them to drop the sale price anymore. He says to make him an offer - so I adjust my numbers to the payment I want (inceptions and $385/month including tax). He comes back and says OK! I'm still going back and forth over email and he asks me when I want to come get it. Well this complicates things for two reasons. One, they're 3 hours away in Portland and my wife is 9 months pregnant with a breech baby that, if she goes into early labor, will require an immediate C-Section. I explain this to them and they offer to either (1) Truck it up to Seattle for a few hundred bucks or (2) Meet me halfway in Tacoma. Either of these is fine, so I give a deposit over the phone and I'm handed off from the internet person to a Client Adviser to complete the sale. Client Adviser calls me and the conversation goes something like this... CA:"Internet guy told me your story, I have two kids of my own, I want you in this car before he arrives. I'll bring it up to you tonight." Me: "I'm sorry, what?! It's nearly rush hour and you want to bring it up here to us for free? In the rain?" CA: "Yes." Me: "Well. OK - We already did everything so it was just going to be arranging delivery anyway and if you're cool this, that is supremely helpful." CA: "Done - I'll call you when I'm on my way." Fast forward 3 hours and CA arrives with a lot attendant. We take the car for a spin, and it is perfect - no issues whatsoever, no rattles (thank god), nothing wrong at all. I pull it into my garage at home, wipe it down with a towel and give it a once over as best I can, including the wheels. From what I can tell, it is spotless. They even fully detailed it based on how the water was beading. We come inside, he gives me a soft pitch on wheel and tire package and extended maintenance (adds $50/month and $500 to the upfronts) - I politely decline. We don't drive enough or hard enough for that to matter. Knock on wood. 15 minutes later, we shake hands, he hands over the keys and he is on his way. Here was the final deal: MSRP: $45,595 Sale Price: $34,500 (!!) Acquisition Fee: $925 Cap Cost: $35,425 Security Deposits: $2450 (7 MSDs to reduce the MF) Money Factor: .00085 Residual: ~%56 36 months/10k miles a year Due at signing: MSDs, First Month, Tags, Doc Fee Monthly after 9.9% Sales Tax: $348 I'm still stunned and yet incredibly happy with the result. Wife is thrilled. Next up? Get the Escape on Swapalease...or just turn it in early. Haven't decided. Anyone want a low payment Ford Escape? That's it for us for a while - I'm finally super happy with our vehicle situation.

____ How'd the deliverer get back to the car dealer/home? That was nice of them/the dealership to help you out. They must love leasing out cars. What's the payment /time frame on the Escape? Can you get it down to San Diego, LOL?

They had a lot attendant follow in an X3.

Payment on the Escape is $266 a month plus tax. 5 payments left - car needs to be returned end of June. It's an Escape Titanium AWD with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and about 7500 miles - original MSRP just shy of $38k. Allowed is 20,000 miles so plenty left.  Shipping to SD is probably about $600. If you're interested I can PM you. 

nyccarguy

@28firefighter - WOW! Great deal on a fantastic SUV! I can't wait to hear your driving impressions of it! Great story too! You got incredible customer service to go along with your price too! You won't regret putting your wife & child in a BMW. The only problem is that this won't be your last BMW.

We got around with my Prelude & my wife's 2000 Mazda Protegé ES for about 7 months. We ended up leasing a Montego Blue 2007 X3 for 3 years that we both loved. The BMW bug bites hard. 2 years later I ended up with my 2011 328xi.

sda

28firefighter said:

Michaell said:

@28firefighter - that is an amazing deal. Would you mind re-posting in the X1 lease thread?

Do you think the color combo was a special order that was rejected by the original customer? Pressed into duty as a service loaner then sold (well, leased) at an amazing discount because otherwise the dealer would be buying birthday cakes for it?

The door-to-door service is just icing on the cake.

Can do tomorrow!

I really don't know - it is somewhat oddly equipped (read totally loaded) for a loaner.  I actually think it's a desirable but rare color combo, too. 

For the life of me I have no idea how or why this happened. But I'm really happy and feel great that wife and baby will be well protected in a German engineered tank. 

Congratulations! Incredible deal and delivery. I took delivery of a car at our house, but the dealer was only 20 miles away. Truly makes for a wonderful experience. And congratulations in advance on your soon to arrive little one.

qbrozen

Congrats on the x1. Great sales story.

houdini1

andres3 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

And yet, if you're the type that keeps a car a long time (most members here need not apply ), then when it comes time to rebuild this complex transmission, you're pretty much in the hole for a reman unit being shipped to your repair shop. That's not going to be cheap. Some of the German transmissions are already running $12K parts and labor.

My brain is lazy; so you do the math.

Let's say an 8 speed costs $12K and a 6 speed costs $9K. Let's say you eek out 2 MPG over 150,000 mile life span. At $4/gallon do you make a profit with the better transmission?

andres3 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

And yet, if you're the type that keeps a car a long time (most members here need not apply ), then when it comes time to rebuild this complex transmission, you're pretty much in the hole for a reman unit being shipped to your repair shop. That's not going to be cheap. Some of the German transmissions are already running $12K parts and labor.

My brain is lazy; so you do the math.

Let's say an 8 speed costs $12K and a 6 speed costs $9K. Let's say you eek out 2 MPG over 150,000 mile life span. At $4/gallon do you make a profit with the better transmission?

That's the EPA and their unrealistic mpg targets. Hopefully Trump can help fix some of this.

imidazol97

cdnpinhead said:

... in which the top four gears were split, but I digress.

What does that mean, "top four gears were split"?

stickguy

Great X1 deal. Something like that is my dream. Though at that price, I would have just bought and taken the likely cheap financing. But hard to argue that lease offer. And man that dealer went way above and beyond.

fintail

Congrats on the X1, what a crazy deal. Welcome to the blue on brown German car club.

28firefighter said:

Can do tomorrow!

I really don't know - it is somewhat oddly equipped (read totally loaded) for a loaner.  I actually think it's a desirable but rare color combo, too. 

For the life of me I have no idea how or why this happened. But I'm really happy and feel great that wife and baby will be well protected in a German engineered tank. 

cdnpinhead

imidazol97 said:

What does that mean, "top four gears were split"?

A very common truck transmission back when I was driving was the 13-speed Fuller Roadranger. There was a low range (Lo,1,2,3,4) and a high range (5,6,7,8) as well as an overdrive "splitter" which allowed gears 5-8 to be split using either direct or overdrive. The total sequence was (with the switch in low range): Lo, 1, 2, 3, 4, then switch to high range, direct for 5 direct, then 5 OD, then 6 direct, 6 OD and so on. The ratios were selected to allow the engine to stay in a 300-400 rpm power band. Back then it was between 1700 and 2100 rpm, but the higher torque rise engines are happy between 1500 & 1800. The range and dir/OD changes are air-assisted. I didn't have a 13-speed, but made do with a 9-speed (no OD splits).

That's probably more than you wanted to know, but there it is.

suydam

Fantastic deal! Great story too!

roadburner

28firefighter said:

Michaell said:

@28firefighter - that is an amazing deal. Would you mind re-posting in the X1 lease thread?

Do you think the color combo was a special order that was rejected by the original customer? Pressed into duty as a service loaner then sold (well, leased) at an amazing discount because otherwise the dealer would be buying birthday cakes for it?

The door-to-door service is just icing on the cake.

Can do tomorrow!

I really don't know - it is somewhat oddly equipped (read totally loaded) for a loaner.  I actually think it's a desirable but rare color combo, too. 

For the life of me I have no idea how or why this happened. But I'm really happy and feel great that wife and baby will be well protected in a German engineered tank. 

Congrats! It's a great car. Most of our loaners(X1 and others) are pretty loaded up as well; H-K, CWP, Professional Navigation, and sport seats are pretty typical builds. I think it's easier to move them as opposed to a car with only a couple of options

jpp75

@28firefighter Congrats on the X1!! That's a great deal and you'll be happy with the car, for around the same price as the Forester that's a no brainer. Good luck with the baby delivery!

nyccarguy

Is this near either @Michaell or @breld?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/01/18/colorado-car-salesman-dies-after-crashing-maserati-at-reckless-speeds.html

stickguy

Cdn, once moving, you shifted without using the clutch? Or am I confused on that?

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Is this near either @Michaell or @breld?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/01/18/colorado-car-salesman-dies-after-crashing-maserati-at-reckless-speeds.html

Closer to me than @breld, though we both know where that dealership is.

470 is the ring road around most of the metro Denver area. I'm on it frequently.

Frankly, I'm surprised he got it to 100+ MPH - that road is only 2 lanes in each direction and always has traffic on it, especially at that time of day.

28firefighter

Thanks for the well wishes, everyone - on the car and the baby. Baby will be arriving on February 2nd, scheduled - he is breech and therefore has to be taken out by C-Section. Being stubborn like his old man already.

@nyccarguy I know this is a slippery slope. Even my wife commented as we were commuting to work that I have set a very high bar for myself. She's already talking about buying it at the end she likes it so much.

@roadburner I think what surprised me about this one is that it has the full-on Technology Package instead of just the Navigation Business - I have to say, the large HD screen makes all the difference.

I have two small complaints after our commute this morning:
(1) The car will be due for it's first service next month or in 1900 miles. I suppose they couldn't do that early since BMW wouldn't reimburse for it before the car prompted that it was due. Not really a big deal since it's free anyway.

(2) The windshield wipers seem to need replacing. Though the car is only 5 or 6 months old, so I have to wonder if they just need to be adjusted and wiped down.

Question for @roadburner: We haven't read the owners manual yet, but when my wife tried using voice activation to make a call, it didn't seem to understand her at all - it wasn't bringing up a contact anywhere near correct. Is there a trick to configuring it?

stickguy

My sonata has a really fancy voice command system. Does all kinds of stuff. I still never use it.

kyfdx

cdnpinhead said:

imidazol97 said:

What does that mean, "top four gears were split"?

A very common truck transmission back when I was driving was the 13-speed Fuller Roadranger. There was a low range (Lo,1,2,3,4) and a high range (5,6,7,8) as well as an overdrive "splitter" which allowed gears 5-8 to be split using either direct or overdrive. The total sequence was (with the switch in low range): Lo, 1, 2, 3, 4, then switch to high range, direct for 5 direct, then 5 OD, then 6 direct, 6 OD and so on. The ratios were selected to allow the engine to stay in a 300-400 rpm power band. Back then it was between 1700 and 2100 rpm, but the higher torque rise engines are happy between 1500 & 1800. The range and dir/OD changes are air-assisted. I didn't have a 13-speed, but made do with a 9-speed (no OD splits).

That's probably more than you wanted to know, but there it is.

In the top four gears is the "splitter" changing the 2-speed rear axle?

That's the way they worked when I drove them... back when the Earth was still warm..

andres3

28firefighter said:

andres3 said:

28firefighter said:

Thanks for the well wishes all. This is truly one of the most insane purchases that I have ever made, but the opportunity presented itself and I had to jump especially with baby around the corner and 2016 inventory drying up. So here are the details of the car:

2016 BMW X1 xDrive 28i
Mediterrean Blue Metallic
Mocha Blue Leather
Luxury Package
Cold Weather Package
Premium Package
Driver Assistance Package
Sliding/Reclining Rear Seats
Burlwood Trim

MSRP was $45,595

Car has 5500 miles, no runs/hits/errors and was a service loaner. Only service history is an alignment.

I submitted the online request last night - I saw the car pop up on autotrader and loved the color combo. I figured it was a long shot given my experience with BMW dealers. The internet person gets back to me and asks me what I am thinking. I offer $10k off MSRP with base buy rates on the lease adjusted for mileage. They're on board. I'm floored.

And then the sales person drops a bomb on me. BMW, yesterday, has changed how they calculate residual values for former service loaners and dealer demo vehicles. For cars with more than 5000 miles and less than 7500, the residual is automatically reduced 4% and then reduce another amount for the mileage over 500 on the car. So in the case of my car, the 63% residual dropped to 59% and then another $1200 adjusted for mileage. This upped the payments almost $65/month and puts it squarely out of our budget.

I tell the sales person that I appreciate his time, it is my fault, and that I can't and won't ask them to drop the sale price anymore. He says to make him an offer - so I adjust my numbers to the payment I want (inceptions and $385/month including tax). He comes back and says OK! I'm still going back and forth over email and he asks me when I want to come get it.

Well this complicates things for two reasons. One, they're 3 hours away in Portland and my wife is 9 months pregnant with a breech baby that, if she goes into early labor, will require an immediate C-Section. I explain this to them and they offer to either (1) Truck it up to Seattle for a few hundred bucks or (2) Meet me halfway in Tacoma. Either of these is fine, so I give a deposit over the phone and I'm handed off from the internet person to a Client Adviser to complete the sale. Client Adviser calls me and the conversation goes something like this...

CA:"Internet guy told me your story, I have two kids of my own, I want you in this car before he arrives. I'll bring it up to you tonight."
Me: "I'm sorry, what?! It's nearly rush hour and you want to bring it up here to us for free? In the rain?"
CA: "Yes."
Me: "Well. OK - We already did everything so it was just going to be arranging delivery anyway and if you're cool this, that is supremely helpful."
CA: "Done - I'll call you when I'm on my way."

Fast forward 3 hours and CA arrives with a lot attendant. We take the car for a spin, and it is perfect - no issues whatsoever, no rattles (thank god), nothing wrong at all. I pull it into my garage at home, wipe it down with a towel and give it a once over as best I can, including the wheels. From what I can tell, it is spotless. They even fully detailed it based on how the water was beading.

We come inside, he gives me a soft pitch on wheel and tire package and extended maintenance (adds $50/month and $500 to the upfronts) - I politely decline. We don't drive enough or hard enough for that to matter. Knock on wood. 15 minutes later, we shake hands, he hands over the keys and he is on his way.

Here was the final deal:
MSRP: $45,595
Sale Price: $34,500 (!!)
Acquisition Fee: $925
Cap Cost: $35,425
Security Deposits: $2450 (7 MSDs to reduce the MF)

Money Factor: .00085
Residual: ~%56

36 months/10k miles a year

Due at signing: MSDs, First Month, Tags, Doc Fee
Monthly after 9.9% Sales Tax: $348

I'm still stunned and yet incredibly happy with the result. Wife is thrilled.

Next up? Get the Escape on Swapalease...or just turn it in early. Haven't decided. Anyone want a low payment Ford Escape?

That's it for us for a while - I'm finally super happy with our vehicle situation.

____

How'd the deliverer get back to the car dealer/home?

That was nice of them/the dealership to help you out. They must love leasing out cars.

What's the payment /time frame on the Escape? Can you get it down to San Diego, LOL?

They had a lot attendant follow in an X3.

Payment on the Escape is $266 a month plus tax. 5 payments left - car needs to be returned end of June. It's an Escape Titanium AWD with the 2.0L EcoBoost engine and about 7500 miles - original MSRP just shy of $38k. Allowed is 20,000 miles so plenty left.  Shipping to SD is probably about $600. If you're interested I can PM you. 


Thanks, but the $600 kills it with only 5 payments left. That makes it like 7.5 payments left for me. Someone local should take you up on the offer.

28firefighter

@andres3 - I sent you a PM.

andres3

fintail said:

Congrats on the X1, what a crazy deal. Welcome to the blue on brown German car club.

28firefighter said:

Can do tomorrow!

I really don't know - it is somewhat oddly equipped (read totally loaded) for a loaner.  I actually think it's a desirable but rare color combo, too. 

For the life of me I have no idea how or why this happened. But I'm really happy and feel great that wife and baby will be well protected in a German engineered tank. 

I felt the exact same way about safety when my first born came along with the brand new S4 German Tank for the trip home from the Hospital when my daughter was released. Suddenly the value of safety went up on my list of priorities, and the pleasures of driving a German vehicle did too.

I rail against how heavy Audi let the S4 get, but in an accident all that weight works exactly like a tank's armor.

tifighter

Congrats @28firefighter ! Sounds like the countless Portland winter storms have motivated a few sales departments...

cdnpinhead

kyfdx said:

In the top four gears is the "splitter" changing the 2-speed rear axle?
That's the way they worked when I drove them... back when the Earth was still warm..

No, the range shift and direct/OD shifts are all self-contained in the transmission. My only experience with 2-speed rear axles was in medium duty trucks, not the larger (class 8) trucks.

cdnpinhead

stickguy said:

Cdn, once moving, you shifted without using the clutch? Or am I confused on that?

Depending on several factors (level ground, uphill, downhill, load), at least half my shifts were clutchless because they're faster that way, but you have to know how to unload the gears so you can shift into neutral, then get the rev match proper so you can slide it into the next gear -- it's all timing and comes with experience. If you do use the clutch, you have to double-clutch to match the speeds inside the box, since there are no synchros.

28firefighter

tifighter said:

Congrats @28firefighter ! Sounds like the countless Portland winter storms have motivated a few sales departments...

Yeah, no kidding! I didn't even really consider that.

28firefighter

OK - so, next up. Do any of you have any experience with Swapalease or similar?

graphicguy

@28FF...great vehicle, even better deal. Congrats!

kyfdx

cdnpinhead said:

kyfdx said:

In the top four gears is the "splitter" changing the 2-speed rear axle?
That's the way they worked when I drove them... back when the Earth was still warm..

No, the range shift and direct/OD shifts are all self-contained in the transmission. My only experience with 2-speed rear axles was in medium duty trucks, not the larger (class 8) trucks.

Yeah.. medium duty, here. Thanks for the explanation.

kyfdx

cdnpinhead said:

stickguy said:

Cdn, once moving, you shifted without using the clutch? Or am I confused on that?

Depending on several factors (level ground, uphill, downhill, load), at least half my shifts were clutchless because they're faster that way, but you have to know how to unload the gears so you can shift into neutral, then get the rev match proper so you can slide it into the next gear -- it's all timing and comes with experience. If you do use the clutch, you have to double-clutch to match the speeds inside the box, since there are no synchros.

No clutch, double-clutching, etc.. really helps you learn how it all works. You can drive any passenger car without a clutch, with a little practice.

xwesx

cdnpinhead said:

stickguy said:

Cdn, once moving, you shifted without using the clutch? Or am I confused on that?

Depending on several factors (level ground, uphill, downhill, load), at least half my shifts were clutchless because they're faster that way, but you have to know how to unload the gears so you can shift into neutral, then get the rev match proper so you can slide it into the next gear -- it's all timing and comes with experience. If you do use the clutch, you have to double-clutch to match the speeds inside the box, since there are no synchros.

Interesting!

I drove an old 1950s era dump truck a few times when I was sixteen. I swear I was constantly shifting that thing (and even more so when I had a load on!).

Sadly, our Forester is getting to the point that it requires double-clutching fifth gear, as it is extremely difficult to shift into that gear now without it grinding. It as always been finicky on that shift, but it's been really bad for a couple years now. Last spring, the dealer was fine with tearing down the transaxle to replace the center differential bearings and races, but refused to admit that fifth was a PITA.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

OK - so, next up. Do any of you have any experience with Swapalease or similar?

I think you'll have a really hard time transferring a lease with that little time left on it. The ancillary costs will eat up any potential benefit for you and the new lessee.

I'd suggest driving it, and keeping the miles off the VW.

xwesx

kyfdx said:

No clutch, double-clutching, etc.. really helps you learn how it all works. You can drive any passenger car without a clutch, with a little practice.

Agreed!

I often drove my Escort without using the clutch, and the Fiesta was a quick learn as well. I gave up trying to get the hang of the Forester.

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

OK - so, next up. Do any of you have any experience with Swapalease or similar?

I think you'll have a really hard time transferring a lease with that little time left on it. The ancillary costs will eat up any potential benefit for you and the new lessee.

I'd suggest driving it, and keeping the miles off the VW.

I may do that or return it early, just to conserve the insurance costs. I'm also looking at craigslist - the Ford Credit folks said they do it all the time, so we'll see.

andres3

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

OK - so, next up. Do any of you have any experience with Swapalease or similar?

I think you'll have a really hard time transferring a lease with that little time left on it. The ancillary costs will eat up any potential benefit for you and the new lessee.

I'd suggest driving it, and keeping the miles off the VW.

I was going to get to that. Isn't there a turn-in/return fee? Then of course any existing damages become a risk.

I assume any dealer in the Nation will accept a return?

kyfdx

xwesx said:

kyfdx said:

cdnpinhead said:

No clutch, double-clutching, etc.. really helps you learn how it all works. You can drive any passenger car without a clutch, with a little practice.

Agreed!

I often drove my Escort without using the clutch, and the Fiesta was a quick learn as well. I gave up trying to get the hang of the Forester.

My '08 Impreza was terrible. It had sort of a throttle "hang", where it didn't let the revs drop, when you pushed in the clutch. They re-flashed it a few times, but it was only tolerable. My 14 yr old son said, "Are you sure you remember how to drive a stick?". It was that bad.

Fortunately, a 24 month lease, and I dumped that piece of ---.

28firefighter

andres3 said:

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

OK - so, next up. Do any of you have any experience with Swapalease or similar?

I think you'll have a really hard time transferring a lease with that little time left on it. The ancillary costs will eat up any potential benefit for you and the new lessee.

I'd suggest driving it, and keeping the miles off the VW.

I was going to get to that. Isn't there a turn-in/return fee? Then of course any existing damages become a risk.

I assume any dealer in the Nation will accept a return?

There is a lease disposition fee of $350. Any existing damage becomes the responsibility taking over (in my case there is none).

Any dealer can take it back.

You all make valid points though. It may just be easier to do an early lease termination and return it.

cdnpinhead

kyfdx said:

No clutch, double-clutching, etc.. really helps you learn how it all works. You can drive any passenger car without a clutch, with a little practice.

Yes, and it helped me a lot when my Lincoln LS (does anyone remember those?) had a clutch slave cylinder that packed up with very little notice. The hardest part was starting the car in gear (at traffic lights especially), but once it was moving, I shifted clutchless for a few days until the service appointment could be set up.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

Question for @roadburner: We haven't read the owners manual yet, but when my wife tried using voice activation to make a call, it didn't seem to understand her at all - it wasn't bringing up a contact anywhere near correct. Is there a trick to configuring it?

The owners manual has a list of commands; try speaking normally- not too fast or too slow. Another trick you can use(if you have an iPhone with Siri enabled) is to hold the voice command button down for about two seconds; that activates Siri and you can then ask her to make the call. You can also use Siri to read your unread texts and have her reply to them- all without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.

xwesx

Minus fifty degrees here this morning! What fun!

Honestly, it's been a while since we have had a temperature this low. We used to get them at least once every winter, but the last three years running have been incredibly mild (it never even hit -30 last year), so this is feelin' real!

I think the most entertaining part about it (automotive-wise) is that tires "flat spot," meaning that they freeze in an out-of-round position. So, until the rubber warms a bit while rolling, they sort-of bump along, and it feels like you're driving on "square tires." Kinda funny... !

ab348

roadburner said:

The owners manual has a list of commands; try speaking normally- not too fast or too slow. Another trick you can use(if you have an iPhone with Siri enabled) is to hold the voice command button down for about two seconds; that activates Siri and you can then ask her to make the call. You can also use Siri to read your unread texts and have her reply to them- all without taking your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel.

I have never had much luck with voice commands whether they be using CUE in the ATS or using Siri or (god forbid) Cortana. I think I have a mental block with it. I can never seem to get the words or the cadence correct. On the rare occasion where something simple like "Call Karen" actually worked I was always amazed. Usually it would talk back to me with something like "Sorry - I don't know who Caramel is".

It's a technology I think has a long way to go and I wonder if it will ever be perfected.

fintail

I know on MB anyway, the voice command system has kind of a learning mode, where it asks you to repeat certain words and phrases. It remembers how you speak, so it will work better in the future. I don't use the feature often in my car, but have few issues with it when I do.

tifighter

@xwesx Minus 50 geez. I'll never complain about the 20's again. Stay warm up there...

roadburner

I'd say voice command work for me about 95% of the time or better. I tend to use it a lot more than I thought I would- particularly for selecting navigation destinations, tuning radio stations, and making phone calls

xwesx

Cold can be beautiful, though. This is from yesterday at around noon. These "sun dogs" are created much like rainbows and are due to ice crystals in the air. Seeing a "halo" dog like this is somewhat unusual, as it requires ice high in the atmosphere, and it is usually much closer to the ground (which is why it is called sun dog - sorta like a dog on a leash, accompanying the sun).

(photo credit: Sacha Layos)