Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

Assistance, please!

Poster looking for opinions on how to spend $25K on a used luxury car. He wants low cost for maintenance, but suggests both the Audi A8 and Land Rover LR2




https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/44479/general/x/which-car-should-i-buy#latest

nyccarguy

@breld - I don't know what's worse, using tire size as a justification for a punch or the fact that I was looking at the car on Acura' s online configurator and said to myself:  "hey.  Those look like the same size tires as on my Legacy." And was right.

corvette

Saw a broken down A6 (I think, or could've been an A4) on the side of the interstate today. 

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, so what's new?

cdnpinhead

Michaell said:

Meeting with @cdnpinhead tomorrow for a beer. I think I've picked a spot that won't be overrun with sports fans.

In fact it was a very pleasant and peaceful (relative to the Superbowl) visit; discussed cars & Edmunds at some length. In the 17 years I've been on Edmunds, this was the first time I've been able to have a face-to-face meeting. There need to be more of these sort of things.

I think I remember Richard meeting someone on a trip across the country. It's all good.

Michaell

cdnpinhead said:

Michaell said:

Meeting with @cdnpinhead tomorrow for a beer. I think I've picked a spot that won't be overrun with sports fans.

In fact it was a very pleasant and peaceful (relative to the Superbowl) visit; discussed cars & Edmunds at some length. In the 17 years I've been on Edmunds, this was the first time I've been able to have a face-to-face meeting. There need to be more of these sort of things.

I think I remember Richard meeting someone on a trip across the country. It's all good.

Agreed. I've actually got another meetup set for tomorrow with @breld and @jpp5862.

It's great to put faces and names together with the poster handles.

nyccarguy

Congrats on the Forester @cdnpinhead!  I'm glad you got to meet up with @Michaell.

cdnpinhead

Big report tomorrow -- looking forward to the delivery. Hope it's as good as presented so far.

28firefighter

I vote Edmunds sponsors a CCBA meetup!

stickguy

I'm in. Pick someplace good!

graphicguy

cdnpinhead said:

Michaell said:

Meeting with @cdnpinhead tomorrow for a beer. I think I've picked a spot that won't be overrun with sports fans.

In fact it was a very pleasant and peaceful (relative to the Superbowl) visit; discussed cars & Edmunds at some length. In the 17 years I've been on Edmunds, this was the first time I've been able to have a face-to-face meeting. There need to be more of these sort of things.

I think I remember Richard meeting someone on a trip across the country. It's all good.

That's very cool!

graphicguy

28firefighter said:

I vote Edmunds sponsors a CCBA meetup!

I'm in too!

Sandman6472

Will be up in Chicago the 2nd week of October, son getting married on the 15th. Going to be a very small affair I've been told, very small. All I know is we're giving the dinner the night before at a small restaurant the kids have chosen. Not sure where we'll be staying but told my kid to make it somewhat nice near where they're going to live. Driving up at this point and the other kids and one's boyfriend will fly up later in the week. Thinking a suite hotel might work since we'll need 3 rooms, but could get along with 2 I suppose.
Wife refuses to fly so thinking it best to rent a minivan or something similar to fit us all. Figure we'll leave on a Monday morning and start back either Tuesday or Wednesday the following week. Not sure I want to use any of our fleet as they'll be just too small, and with my Hertz Gold membership and employee discount, should do fine. Even a small cuv could work as I want a smooth riding vehicle and one that could carry 5 in a pinch. Will be my first road trip in over 10 years and praying my spine is up for it. Sitting in a vehicle for long periods of time ain't good but luckily the wife could dive some since if it were me, would fly up.

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Returned that small item to use my iPhone in the car because it didn't work and it came apart when I tried to remove it, total piece of crap! Sent right back to Amazon and getting a full refund. Found something similar and ordered that and trust it'll work better. It's a cord with the proper plug-ins at each end. Getting a refund on the waterproof case also since a piece fell off and can't be re-installed so the case ain't waterproof anymore. Waiting to hear if they want the compromised case back, have found a different one there but waiting to refund posts to my gift card account to purchase anything new.
So far, Amazon has been pretty decent about returning the whole price plus shipping. They tried to keep the shipping on the Nextbit Robin case but after calling and speaking with a rep, they refunded that also. Once I get the refund put back into my gift card, will purchase the case we found. Usually decent products at decent prices...what's not to like!

The Sandman

Michaell

graphicguy said:

28firefighter said:

I vote Edmunds sponsors a CCBA meetup!

I'm in too!

I was in Cincinnati a couple weeks ago and got to meet up with @kyfdx

stickguy

I just don't go anywhere. I need to get a life. I suppose TJC and I can have a meet up, being we are so close!

corvette

TMV trade-in value of the Murano has dropped about $2k in the past couple of months. At this point, I'm kicking myself for not leasing something new instead of buying used.

28firefighter

I suppose @fintail, @isellhondas, @murphydog and I could have a gathering here in Seattle. 

I still like the group gathering idea though. Where is Edmunds HQ? Cali?

kyfdx

Cincinnati car show is this week. I might be going on Thursday in the afternoon (2 for 1).

Not that I'd travel to see it.

Michaell

corvette said:

TMV trade-in value of the Murano has dropped about $2k in the past couple of months. At this point, I'm kicking myself for not leasing something new instead of buying used.

That's a bummer. Time to trade out before things get worse?

28firefighter

corvette said:

TMV trade-in value of the Murano has dropped about $2k in the past couple of months. At this point, I'm kicking myself for not leasing something new instead of buying used.

That's rough, but you can't check monthly. You'll go crazy.

Or you could flip it and start over again, the CCBA way. 

corvette

Michaell said:

corvette said:

TMV trade-in value of the Murano has dropped about $2k in the past couple of months. At this point, I'm kicking myself for not leasing something new instead of buying used.

That's a bummer. Time to trade out before things get worse?

28firefighter said:

That's rough, but you can't check monthly. You'll go crazy.

Or you could flip it and start over again, the CCBA way. 

Pretty much. Although, at $14k and change, it should be relatively flat for a while, since it's only a 2012 model.

The irony here is that I don't believe in timing or predicting the stock market. Have more invested there than in my car, but I obsess over the car, which I know will eventually depreciate to almost zero anyway.

I do wonder if all the infotainment in newer vehicles is making them depreciate more rapidly than before.

Michaell

corvette said:

Michaell said:

corvette said:

TMV trade-in value of the Murano has dropped about $2k in the past couple of months. At this point, I'm kicking myself for not leasing something new instead of buying used.

That's a bummer. Time to trade out before things get worse?

28firefighter said:

That's rough, but you can't check monthly. You'll go crazy.

Or you could flip it and start over again, the CCBA way. 

Pretty much. Although, at $14k and change, it should be relatively flat for a while, since it's only a 2012 model.

The irony here is that I don't believe in timing or predicting the stock market. Have more invested there than in my car, but I obsess over the car, which I know will eventually depreciate to almost zero anyway.

I do wonder if all the infotainment in newer vehicles is making them depreciate more rapidly than before.

That and the addition of all the safety stuff on newer models (blind spot, rear cross traffic, etc.)

kyfdx

I predict that, over time, the stock market will go up.

Michaell

kyfdx said:

I predict that, over time, the stock market will go up.

Unless it doesn't. Have we forgotten 2008-9?

nippononly

Really feeling like I need to go out and buy an Alfa now...think I can afford one??!!

Riding on the backs of dragons? Priceless! And boy does this car sound great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySBY1OpvNrY&feature=youtu.be&list=PL6bK2yHquQjouVtm2Xp3odJznLf6LAv67

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

Cincinnati car show is this week. I might be going on Thursday in the afternoon (2 for 1).

Not that I'd travel to see it.

Can't get away Thurs afternoon. Probably either Friday night or Sat afternoon. Kroger usually offers discounted admission.

sda

Sadly and at the risk of losing my CCBA membership and at my wife's urging (that is an understatement) I have reluctantly agreed not to buy another car to replace the Accord. I have owned it for over 3 years, an eternity for me. There is nothing in the world wrong with the Accord, it has been a pleasure to own and drive. I yearn for something different. Perhaps I will be in the good graces of CCBA in the next year or so when I buy a car for my daughter who turns 16 this November.

kyfdx

Michaell said:

kyfdx said:

I predict that, over time, the stock market will go up.

Unless it doesn't. Have we forgotten 2008-9?

I sure do remember. That pretty much proves my thesis.

The Dow was at 6600 in 2009, it's at 20,000 today.

The S&P was at 683, now it's closing in on 2300.

nyccarguy

Drove a friend's 2016 Q5 2.0T Premium on Saturday night. Very smooth. Handles great. Very nice SUV.

suydam

The Accord is a great car. I had a 2013 EX-L. My only complaint about it was its size as we no longer really needed or wanted a midsize" car. We probably would still have it if we had not made a cross country move. That said, I really like the new safety features on my Volt that the Accord didn't have.

stickguy

SDA, simple answer is pass the accord down to her, and get something new for yourself. That's basically what I did.

suydam

Second that idea. It would be a great first car for a new driver. Very forgiving and very safe. And by then you won't mind a few dents like you would if you bought her a new car.

sda

suydam said:

Second that idea. It would be a great first car for a new driver. Very forgiving and very safe. And by then you won't mind a few dents like you would if you bought her a new car.

SDA, simple answer is pass the accord down to her, and get something new for yourself. That's basically what I did

Thanks guys, I have given that some thought as well. I am also thinking about giving the Accord to my in laws who have a very clean '03 Camry XLE V6 that they bought new. I think I've shared a picture of it before that I took last summer when they were visiting. The idea is to give them the Accord so they have something newer and for them to give us the Camry for my daughter to drive. We haven't mentioned this to them yet as we don't want to disappoint if we can't do that for some reason. I do have some concern of possible hurt feelings if my daughter doesn't take care of the Camry and/or the Accord causes my inlaws any issues. Not a today problem..

suydam

That's a great idea too.

Mr_Shiftright

Well there is that saying "There's nothing older than old tech". I suppose that if a 2-3 old car doesn't have the infotainment or driver assist packages that you can now often find on entry level cars, then that would affect resale somewhat.

On the other hand, one could argue that there are definitely buyers out there who don't want an overly complicated used car out of warranty.

suydam

And for a young driver best to keep it simple.

tjc78

stickguy said:

I just don't go anywhere. I need to get a life. I suppose TJC and I can have a meet up, being we are so close!

We really should try, and Q too. He is only up the Turnpike from us.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

fintail said:

Maybe you got lucky? I had a co-worker with an Allroad that never broke, so anything can happen. Keyfob batteries seldom last longer than a year on MBs with keyless-go.

I think Audi and VW have improved a lot lately. I had another co-worker with an 02 Beetle, bought new, that was constantly at the shop for issues. He replaced it with an 05 Jetta that had persistent electrical quirks, and iffy dealer support. That was the last straw, and he moved on to Subaru (it is WA after all). Another co-worker had an 03 A6 4.2 that was a money pit, and it wasn't terribly old - it went crazy when warranty ran out. Models from the past 5 years seem to be a lot better.

andres3 said:

The Mexican built Sportwagen TDI in 17 months and 19.779 miles didn't have any electrical issues or gremlins.

Unless you consider the KEY FOB eating up both original batteries in 16.5 months an issue or gremlin. Maybe.

Probably has to do with the key-less entry sensors draining power, or some Korean Chinese batteries in the remote.

Audi did indeed improve around 2010 or so and seems to be getting better, but checking in with my buddies who run an Audi specialty shop, I asked them "which used Audi could I buy that would be as reliable as a Camry"?

Answer: "None".

LOL. I think that goes for all makes. I don't even think Honda can touch Camry.

There's a reason why Toyota sells so well, and it's not the boldness of the design.

tifighter

28firefighter said:

I suppose @fintail, @isellhondas, @murphydog and I could have a gathering here in Seattle. 

I still like the group gathering idea though. Where is Edmunds HQ? Cali?

What am I, chopped liver?

But seriously, we should do a meetup at the SEA car show sometime. We are all thinking about going anyway...

andres3

xwesx said:

LOL Well put, @carnaught!

Shifty, do you have some knowledge about what constitutes a report of "structural damage" on a Carfax report? I've seen a lot of reports that say "accident reported," but did not also include a warning of structural damage, but just came across one that does have this warning on it.

Is there some standard of what they consider structural damage without airbag deployment?

Based on my limited experience studying this issue due to a claim, it is open to interpretation and whoever has the best lawyers.

You'll get some biased insurance company reps saying things like "upper right rail" isn't a structural component. To me, that's absurd, as the upper right rail doesn't cool my cabin like an AC compressor. So what is its purpose if not structural (to mount things to, support, or hold shape) would be my definition. There is no reason for it to exist other than be structural. Of course, this makes all "mounting" hardware for every piece of equipment "structural," and I'm OK with that.

My repair estimate had "pull upper right rail" on it.

28firefighter

tifighter said:

I suppose @fintail, @isellhondas, @murphydog and I could have a gathering here in Seattle. 

I still like the group gathering idea though. Where is Edmunds HQ? Cali?

What am I, chopped liver? But seriously, we should do a meetup at the SEA car show sometime. We are all thinking about going anyway...

Crud!  I had a sinking feeling I missed someone. Sorry, man!

fintail

I'm going up to the Vancouver show at the end of next month, I usually go up and make it a fun long weekend, as I can visit people there.

Seattle show is usually in November, I think. I last went year before last.

tifighter said:

28firefighter said:

I suppose @fintail, @isellhondas, @murphydog and I could have a gathering here in Seattle. 

I still like the group gathering idea though. Where is Edmunds HQ? Cali?

What am I, chopped liver?

But seriously, we should do a meetup at the SEA car show sometime. We are all thinking about going anyway...

andres3

carnaught said:

sda, not just Acura, but Lexus, Audi, Mercedes and BMW are cheaping-out making faux leather standard....kind of pi$$es me off. Who's next Rolls and Bentley??

I'm unaware you can get an Audi without at least some leather in it. Usually some combination of "leather seating surfaces" and Alcantara. I would have loved a cloth A3 back in 2006, it was a GREAT high quality cloth, but they wouldn't combine it with the nicer leather wrapped sport 3-spoke steering wheel with aluminum paddle shifters, nor the potential of getting the "sport package." That package meant leather seating surfaces among other truly "sporty" things.

breld

This Mustang is pretty spot on - 2016 with very low miles. One of my favorite colors available, and if I'm not mistaken, those black wheels indicate the performance package. I don't necessarily need that package, but it does seem like a pretty decent buy.

2016 Mustang GT

28firefighter

fintail said:

I'm going up to the Vancouver show at the end of next month, I usually go up and make it a fun long weekend, as I can visit people there. Seattle show is usually in November, I think. I last went year before last.

I suppose @fintail, @isellhondas, @murphydog and I could have a gathering here in Seattle. 

I still like the group gathering idea though. Where is Edmunds HQ? Cali?

What am I, chopped liver? But seriously, we should do a meetup at the SEA car show sometime. We are all thinking about going anyway...

That sounds fun - my guess is the Vancouver auto show is a lot more interesting than the Seattle, which I've been fairly disappointed in. 

Michaell

breld said:

This Mustang is pretty spot on - 2016 with very low miles. One of my favorite colors available, and if I'm not mistaken, those black wheels indicate the performance package. I don't necessarily need that package, but it does seem like a pretty decent buy.

2016 Mustang GT

Weren't we just talking at lunch as to how impractical the Mustang is for you?

RWD, small back seat, not much cargo space.

You'll enjoy it for about 3 weeks then want to figure out a way to switch it out.



Edmunds HQ is in Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the ocean.

roadburner

breld said:

This Mustang is pretty spot on - 2016 with very low miles. One of my favorite colors available, and if I'm not mistaken, those black wheels indicate the performance package. I don't necessarily need that package, but it does seem like a pretty decent buy.

2016 Mustang GT

That car is the twin of the GT I almost bought- it was a CPO with under 1000 miles on it. The dealer had it online for over a month; I looked at it on a Tuesday and decided to buy it the following Friday. It sold on Thursday. :@

fintail

It's different. You get to see the Canada-only models, and there's usually a good exotic display, along with the Porsche club often having something outside, at least over the last several years. The last couple shows I attended in Van didn't have a MB exhibit though, which I thought was odd - if MBs sell anywhere in the world, it is Vancouver. Must be an interesting story behind that. The loonie is still weak, so it's a fun getaway that doesn't break the bank.

28firefighter said:

That sounds fun - my guess is the Vancouver auto show is a lot more interesting than the Seattle, which I've been fairly disappointed in. 

breld

Michaell said:

breld said:

This Mustang is pretty spot on - 2016 with very low miles. One of my favorite colors available, and if I'm not mistaken, those black wheels indicate the performance package. I don't necessarily need that package, but it does seem like a pretty decent buy.

2016 Mustang GT

Weren't we just talking at lunch as to how impractical the Mustang is for you?

RWD, small back seat, not much cargo space.

You'll enjoy it for about 3 weeks then want to figure out a way to switch it out.

And, your point?