Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

ab348 said:

Yesterdays big storm was a bust, only got about 6 inches. TV weather types did not apologize for blowing their forecast though. Now they are beating the drum for an even bigger storm on Monday. I can't stand the never-ending weather hype.

We were told 8-12 in my area and we got 3.

tifighter

Okay, when I called before coming down, I asked about the exterior and interior condition on a scale of 1 to 10. The answer was 8 to 9 on the exterior, and the same on the interior. Fast forward to today. Exterior, maybe an 8 if you're generous, but not a deal breaker. That interior though. Weirdly, the seats were okay. But the trim pieces. The plastic surround near the shifter and around the cup holders. Deep scratches everywhere. The special "Alu-Cube" trim on the dash had multiple gashes. The side panel trim near the back seats had tons of scratches. Weird puckering on the trim near your knees along the transmission moulding. Hair and crumbs. As Breld noticed, tape on the alcantara steering wheel. Maybe they had a dog in the car, I don't know. I'm a little OCD when it comes to interiors, admittedly. But anyone would have cringed at this stuff.

Anyhow to answer your question, I doubt it. I have to think some of this trim would be nearly impossible to source. By the time I had that money into it, I'm probably looking at a nice 996 Cab. Uh-oh, off to Craigslist! 

28firefighter

That's unfortunate.  Actually what I would have said if the seats were the issue it'd be a relatively easy fix, but the trim? No way. 

That poor ZHP. Total waste. 

tifighter

That's the weirdest part. The car was well maintained. Dealer service records for miles. Just oblivious to the interior. 

I wasn't ready for the hunt to be over anyhow

kyfdx

tifighter said:

That's the weirdest part. The car was well maintained. Dealer service records for miles. Just oblivious to the interior. 

I wasn't ready for the hunt to be over anyhow

That seems to be a convertible thing, with crappy interiors. Maybe, they carry things that wouldn't fit in a coupe?

The consoles don't hold up that well... sort of a rubbery plastic, that tends to deteriorate. But, my black "cube" trim still looks really good.

kyfdx

The girl that owned the Range Rover works for that auction site. Just goes to show what can happen with a limited audience. You can get lucky.

tbirdmarco

@xwesx good luck. on getting the new ride!

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen Lucky you. was hoping that did happen hear. got an pounding hear on long Island.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

imidazol97 said:

Michaell said:

@graphicguy - as soon as my trip to Cincinnati was confirmed, I told my vendor I wanted to have lunch at Skyline. Been too many years since I've had Cincinnati Chili. It was as good as I remembered.

https://store.cincyfavorites.com/chili-c25.aspx?gclid=CP7P6buYhtICFUqewAodCuoOeg

Cans of the 15 oz chili with meat, no beans, are $2.99 at Kroger. When we met friends in Pigeon Forge, TN, day after Christmas, I took 32 cans of that and 10 cans of LaRosa's Pizza sauce to them for their cravings for the good old days in Cincy. They used to live in Cincy Metro but now live in upstate SC. Way upstate.

I've been to the website for Skyline - not sure why I've never ordered the cans of chili and have them sent to me. Perhaps it's just a treat because I get is so rarely.

There was a guy at the office who prefers Gold Star over Skyline - he was pretty much shunned by everyone there.

That's the age old debate in Cincinnati....Skyline or Goldstar. They're quite similar, although Skyline is the bigger of the two.

kyfdx

graphicguy said:

Michaell said:

imidazol97 said:

Michaell said:

@graphicguy - as soon as my trip to Cincinnati was confirmed, I told my vendor I wanted to have lunch at Skyline. Been too many years since I've had Cincinnati Chili. It was as good as I remembered.

https://store.cincyfavorites.com/chili-c25.aspx?gclid=CP7P6buYhtICFUqewAodCuoOeg

Cans of the 15 oz chili with meat, no beans, are $2.99 at Kroger. When we met friends in Pigeon Forge, TN, day after Christmas, I took 32 cans of that and 10 cans of LaRosa's Pizza sauce to them for their cravings for the good old days in Cincy. They used to live in Cincy Metro but now live in upstate SC. Way upstate.

I've been to the website for Skyline - not sure why I've never ordered the cans of chili and have them sent to me. Perhaps it's just a treat because I get is so rarely.

There was a guy at the office who prefers Gold Star over Skyline - he was pretty much shunned by everyone there.

That's the age old debate in Cincinnati....Skyline or Goldstar. They're quite similar, although Skyline is the bigger of the two.

All the cool kids go to Dixie or Camp Washington.

graphicguy

xwesx said:

@graphicguy: What is going on with the CTS?

Well.....contacted the Attorney General. They took my complaint, but haven't heard anything about it, yet. I did get a phone call in response to the letter I sent to Nysschen, the President of Cadillac. Not much there, other than to appologize about the issues I've had and that BBB is the right way to resolve this. I resent all of the paperwork to the BBB to replace the paperwork they lost.

I know how this works. Cadillac will do everything in their power to delay and deny the issue, and any fair resolution will have to be done by me fighting with them every step of the way.

What I expect will happen....if the BBB does not lose the paperwork again, they will ask me what I want. I've told them this probably a half dozen times, verbally and in writing. Refund my purchase price as well as any fees involved with my purchase of the car. They'll present that to Cadillac (who also knows what it is I want, as I've told them in writing and verbally), who will deny the request. This will take another 3-4 weeks.

They'll plan on setting up an arbitration hearing, 2-3 weeks after that.

So, we're still about a couple of months away from resolution.

stickguy

I'm still curious to know, if it finally gets to the point where they cave in and say they will refund you, how they will figure out your purchase price, since this car was already a replacement for another lemon.

Also, isn't it more normal for them, if they are finally going to concede defeat, to try the "swap into a new car" move first, before accepting a refund? I know that is the last thing you want, but at this point, I would take it and just flip the damned thing!

xwesx

/sigh. Talk about a negative ownership experience! Zero for two! Good luck as you work through this fiasco!

roadburner

xwesx said:

/sigh. Talk about a negative ownership experience! Zero for two! Good luck as you work through this fiasco!

Zero for three, actually...

xwesx

Uh oh......

andres3

There is a reason some cars can't even get 20 pts. out of a 100 in CR for reliability.

ab348

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy: Sorry to hear about all of the problems you are having with this car brand third one whow. and befor reading all of this was going to tell my mom to give them an look. don't think I will be doing that anymore. or any gm car for that matter. shame cause you alwas hear they have gotten better in the last few years I don't no.

Michaell

graphicguy said:

Michaell said:

imidazol97 said:

Michaell said:

@graphicguy - as soon as my trip to Cincinnati was confirmed, I told my vendor I wanted to have lunch at Skyline. Been too many years since I've had Cincinnati Chili. It was as good as I remembered.

https://store.cincyfavorites.com/chili-c25.aspx?gclid=CP7P6buYhtICFUqewAodCuoOeg

Cans of the 15 oz chili with meat, no beans, are $2.99 at Kroger. When we met friends in Pigeon Forge, TN, day after Christmas, I took 32 cans of that and 10 cans of LaRosa's Pizza sauce to them for their cravings for the good old days in Cincy. They used to live in Cincy Metro but now live in upstate SC. Way upstate.

I've been to the website for Skyline - not sure why I've never ordered the cans of chili and have them sent to me. Perhaps it's just a treat because I get is so rarely.

There was a guy at the office who prefers Gold Star over Skyline - he was pretty much shunned by everyone there.

That's the age old debate in Cincinnati....Skyline or Goldstar. They're quite similar, although Skyline is the bigger of the two.

About 20 years ago, a Gold Star opened up in Denver. Took the family to it a couple of times - they seemed intrigued by the whole idea.

Unfortunately, not a lot of folks felt the same way, as the place closed down within a year or two.

suydam

I think you have to be from Cincinnati to appreciate it. I was like "what is this?" And "Why?"

Michaell

suydam said:

I think you have to be from Cincinnati to appreciate it. I was like "what is this?" And "Why?"

I've been fortunate enough to visit Cincinnati a number of times on business. An acquired taste!

qbrozen

This is a heck of a deal:
https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/153663590

Guess I should go sit in one again to remind myself I don't fit.

I keep bouncing back and forth between getting a recent model sportscar or a classic car as my toy. Both have merits. 

stickguy

I don't fit. Hard to imagine you do!

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

Michaell said:

imidazol97 said:

Michaell said:

@graphicguy - as soon as my trip to Cincinnati was confirmed, I told my vendor I wanted to have lunch at Skyline. Been too many years since I've had Cincinnati Chili. It was as good as I remembered.

https://store.cincyfavorites.com/chili-c25.aspx?gclid=CP7P6buYhtICFUqewAodCuoOeg

Cans of the 15 oz chili with meat, no beans, are $2.99 at Kroger. When we met friends in Pigeon Forge, TN, day after Christmas, I took 32 cans of that and 10 cans of LaRosa's Pizza sauce to them for their cravings for the good old days in Cincy. They used to live in Cincy Metro but now live in upstate SC. Way upstate.

I've been to the website for Skyline - not sure why I've never ordered the cans of chili and have them sent to me. Perhaps it's just a treat because I get is so rarely.

There was a guy at the office who prefers Gold Star over Skyline - he was pretty much shunned by everyone there.

That's the age old debate in Cincinnati....Skyline or Goldstar. They're quite similar, although Skyline is the bigger of the two.

All the cool kids go to Dixie or Camp Washington.

Camp Washington Chili....Oh Yeah! Never had Dixie Chili. Gotta put that on my bucket list.

graphicguy

So, what would the number be on the Caddilac for a refund? Well, I'm not unreasonable. To make it simple, I was looking at the bill of sale on the '16 CTS (current one). Purchase price ended up being about $48K, on an MSRP of about $57K. All total, I've probably driven about 15K miles between the two of them. So, I did get some use out of both. I'd forgo 20¢/mi. So, subtract $3K, return taxes on $45K. Will have to change license, so cover that fee. I'd accept that.

sda

graphicguy said:

So, what would the number be on the Caddilac for a refund? Well, I'm not unreasonable. To make it simple, I was looking at the bill of sale on the '16 CTS (current one). Purchase price ended up being about $48K, on an MSRP of about $57K. All total, I've probably driven about 15K miles between the two of them. So, I did get some use out of both. I'd forgo 20¢/mi. So, subtract $3K, return taxes on $45K. Will have to change license, so cover that fee. I'd accept that.

That seems very reasonable to me. Now that you've driven the CT6 for a while what do you think about it, and, no I am not suggesting you buy another Cadillac. Depreciation
seems pretty severe on those. CarMax has a CT6 3.0TT with 5k for $52k and they tend to price the cars at top market.

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy What happened with boath of your 2016 cars and didant you have an car way back that your mom gave to you that had problems number of years ago. have bin following this bord for quite sum time. good luck on everything. and also what do you think of the c t 6 the newist one car they have out.

graphicguy

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@graphicguy What happened with boath of your 2016 cars and didant you have an car way back that your mom gave to you that had problems number of years ago. have bin following this bord for quite sum time. good luck on everything. and also what do you think of the c t 6 the newist one car they have out.

Marco...long story. Suffice to say the Cadillac brand has not been kind to me, or my family.

I thought the CT6 was a very nice car. It's quick. It's comfortable. It handles well. It's nice looking inside and out. Then again, I thought the same of the CTS, too. Just personal observation, it feels like the CTS was rushed to market and all those little details we all take for granted, to be rock solid, just aren't in the CTS. I think the earlier CUE iterations felt the same way. It was rushed to market without sufficient engineering and testing.

The former CTS had electrical gremlins, steering gremlins, and suspension gremlins. It just wasn't fully "baked", for lack of a better term.

My current CTS for example....how do you miss something as simple as wiring routing? To any shade tree mechanic, routing the wiring so close to the half shaft and exhaust system would be immidiately noticeable as a problem area. For Cadillac? Not so much. Plus, you can't get the parts to fix it in any reasonable time frame? And, you have to pull the drivetrain to fix it? Crazy! Doesn't instill a whole lot of confidence.

Mr_Shiftright

You drive old cars, you steer modern ones

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy Man o man whow man sorry to hear about this all. man yes this brand shorally has not bin kind to you and your family.

corvette

I'm going by memory here, but in Kentucky, I think if you "win" the BBB lemon law process, they prorate the mileage based on a 100,000 mile life expectancy, which is a horribly outdated methodology.

The initial offer GM made to my on my G6 was to do a trade for any new GM vehicle, based upon the respective MSRPs of my G6 and whatever vehicle I chose to replace it. At that point, they had already burned whatever goodwill they had with me, thus, I wasn't interested in a new GM vehicle. If they had been proactive and made that offer right out of the gate instead of stonewalling me, I would have seriously considered it. Probably would have gotten a Malibu or one of the last Pontiac Vibes.

qbrozen

Oh my!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/680561868/overview?aff=share_text

corvette

10 year old Maserati. Paging Shifty: Would $8,000/year be a reasonable budget for repairs?

qbrozen

That's the one with the ZF tranny. I THINK it might be reliable...?

There is always this:
https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/692919650/overview?aff=share_text

qbrozen

Also always liked these
https://www.edmunds.com/jaguar/xk-series/2006/used/vin/?vin=SAJDA41B763A48614

Autocheck tells me something is wrong with the title, but nothing more specific than that.

graphicguy

Y'all are looking at some vehicles that practically are begging for large monthly service bills.

corvette

graphicguy said:

Y'all are looking at some vehicles that practically are begging for large monthly service bills.

If "y'all" means "qbrozen," then yes.

Mr_Shiftright

corvette said:

10 year old Maserati. Paging Shifty: Would $8,000/year be a reasonable budget for repairs?

5 owners in 48,000 miles rather answers your question I think

I think the biggest challenge with a car like this would be finding a competent person who is ready, willing and able to work on it.

xwesx

So, I finally got things worked out on the Q7. It is a 2014 TDI premium plus, 50K miles, $38.1K out the door. Graphite grey over cardamom (off-white).

We'll fly down on 3/3 to pick it up in Houston. This is probably going to be a little more... interesting... than my previous auto transport trips, as the whole family is going this time around. I am resolved to find it an enjoyable trip, though. My wife is an over-planner, which she thinks makes things less stressful, but I think it makes it much more stressful (as I'm spending extra time trying to make sure we keep on whatever schedule she's baked up, rather than just going with the flow).

Looks like current route is to go through AZ on I40 before heading north. We've never been through this part of the US before, so that should be fun! @cdnpinhead, you live near Flagstaff, don't you?

Michaell

xwesx said:

So, I finally got things worked out on the Q7. It is a 2014 TDI premium plus, 50K miles, $38.1K out the door. Graphite grey over cardamom (off-white).

We'll fly down on 3/3 to pick it up in Houston. This is probably going to be a little more... interesting... than my previous auto transport trips, as the whole family is going this time around. I am resolved to find it an enjoyable trip, though. My wife is an over-planner, which she thinks makes things less stressful, but I think it makes it much more stressful (as I'm spending extra time trying to make sure we keep on whatever schedule she's baked up, rather than just going with the flow).

Looks like current route is to go through AZ on I40 before heading north. We've never been through this part of the US before, so that should be fun! @cdnpinhead, you live near Flagstaff, don't you?

How are you getting from Houston to I-40? I-45 north to Dallas, then I-35 to OKC? Or, I-10 to I-25? Take you an entire day to get out of Texas.

Either way, sounds like a fun road trip. Sorry you won't be coming through Denver.

xwesx

We're planning on visiting some folks in TX on the first day, so we only expect to make it as far as Austin. Then, a LONG driving day on Saturday to Flagstaff, which means various state roads in Texas through Lubbock before connecting up to I40 at Santa Rosa.

I was originally thinking we would pass through Denver, but wife really wanted to visit Anasazi ruins. Due to the time of year, she's thinking that means Walnut Canyon outside of Flagstaff. After that, I figure we're so close to the Grand Canyon, it would be a shame not to see it. Stuff everything into a ten-day window where every night means another hotel stay (she was very resistant to the idea of sleeping in the [very large] car, for some reason), and it's going to be a high miles-per-day trip.

Michaell

xwesx said:

We're planning on visiting some folks in TX on the first day, so we only expect to make it as far as Austin. Then, a LONG driving day on Saturday to Flagstaff, which means various state roads in Texas through Lubbock before connecting up to I40 at Santa Rosa.

I was originally thinking we would pass through Denver, but wife really wanted to visit Anasazi ruins. Due to the time of year, she's thinking that means Walnut Canyon outside of Flagstaff. After that, I figure we're so close to the Grand Canyon, it would be a shame not to see it. Stuff everything into a ten-day window where every night means another hotel stay (she was very resistant to the idea of sleeping in the [very large] car, for some reason), and it's going to be a high miles-per-day trip.

Looks like you've got it all planned out. Sounds like a fun trip. From the GC, it's straight north? Well, as straight as the roads allow, I suppose.

xwesx

Michaell said:

Looks like you've got it all planned out. Sounds like a fun trip. From the GC, it's straight north? Well, as straight as the roads allow, I suppose.

Moderately straight, yes. We're going to continue cutting west until we get into Canada.

qbrozen

xwesx said:

So, I finally got things worked out on the Q7. It is a 2014 TDI premium plus, 50K miles, $38.1K out the door. Graphite grey over cardamom (off-white). We'll fly down on 3/3 to pick it up in Houston. This is probably going to be a little more... interesting... than my previous auto transport trips, as the whole family is going this time around. I am resolved to find it an enjoyable trip, though. My wife is an over-planner, which she thinks makes things less stressful, but I think it makes it much more stressful (as I'm spending extra time trying to make sure we keep on whatever schedule she's baked up, rather than just going with the flow). Looks like current route is to go through AZ on I40 before heading north. We've never been through this part of the US before, so that should be fun! @cdnpinhead, you live near Flagstaff, don't you?

I am surprised they are willing to hold it that long for you. 

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

10 year old Maserati. Paging Shifty: Would $8,000/year be a reasonable budget for repairs?

5 owners in 48,000 miles rather answers your question I think I think the biggest challenge with a car like this would be finding a competent person who is ready, willing and able to work on it.

Well, I like to THINK of myself as competent. ;b

I looked through that ownership history and I don't think 5 owners is totally legit. Seems some of those are dealers kicking it around. But, yes, it apprently has been difficult to sell. I found another with 3k fewer miles with slightly less sketchy history for the same price, but it is silver over black. Yuck.

cdnpinhead

xwesx said:

We're planning on visiting some folks in TX on the first day, so we only expect to make it as far as Austin. Then, a LONG driving day on Saturday to Flagstaff, which means various state roads in Texas through Lubbock before connecting up to I40 at Santa Rosa.

I was originally thinking we would pass through Denver, but wife really wanted to visit Anasazi ruins. Due to the time of year, she's thinking that means Walnut Canyon outside of Flagstaff. After that, I figure we're so close to the Grand Canyon, it would be a shame not to see it. Stuff everything into a ten-day window where every night means another hotel stay (she was very resistant to the idea of sleeping in the [very large] car, for some reason), and it's going to be a high miles-per-day trip.

Well, I used to live about 30 miles south of Austin and served two years in Santa Rosa, so I know the roads you're talking about. My GPS software says 1030 miles and ~16.5 hours, so speaking as someone who's done a few 1000+ mile days in my driving career, that one's going to be epic. I played around with a couple of other routes and, sure enough, the one you've chosen looks like the best, but those two-lane roads in TX and the little towns they connect can add time in a hurry.

Montezuma's Well and Montezuma's Castle are ~50 miles south of Flag, so I don't know if you want to go that far out of your way, but they are larger examples of what you'll see in Walnut Canyon. The Canyon is really pretty.

When I went to AK I went up US89 to Utah, then picked up I-15 all the way to Alberta, then on up by Edmonton. You probably already know all the various options, but a journey of that length is always an adventure. I'll be interested in hearing how it goes.

Forest Lakes shares its climate with Flagstaff, but is over between Payson & Heber. If you're interested, we could meet for a cup of coffee in Flag the morning after your epic day, but I certainly understand how something like that could upset a carefully-made plan.

kyfdx

@xwesx Do you have a projected profit from the buyback?

rayainsw

2017 Infiniti Q50 test drive Sat 11 Feb 17
Loaded – MSRP $58K. link:
http://www.infinitiofgwinnett.com/new/Infiniti/2017-Infiniti-Q50-8c2eb9670a0e0a173bd765f2568a593b.htm
executive summary -
No go = off my short list.
Ride – disappointing [ run-flat edit: 265/35 - not 256/35x19” rear tires certainly do not help here ]
Short sharp bumps [ patched section of road near the dealership ] evoked a rather harsh lack of compliance. Longer amplitude bumps & dips at freeway speeds were dealt with just fine.
[ Tire PSI checked = 36 – exactly the pressures recommended ]
There was a distinct shimmy in the steering wheel at over 60 – off-putting . . .
Not as quiet as the Charger.
Engine sound – not at all interesting [ to me ] just noise.
No 2nd gear start – first gear and high TQ and aggressive gearing = very touchy accelerator.
Much higher RPM at cruise in top gear \ 7th than I prefer [ similar RPM to 6th gear in my Charger – with 2 more to go there. ]
Related: EPA highway - 26 MPG [ my Charger = 25 ]
Pluses:
Quicker than my Charger.
Excellent throttle response.
Good response to manual upshift commands.
Very smooth ‘rev match on downshift’.
Seats comfortable and supportive.
Generally, the interior seemed MSRP-appropriate, to me. . .
- Ray
Moving on – to ???

graphicguy

rayainsw said:

2017 Infiniti Q50 test drive Sat 11 Feb 17
Loaded – MSRP $58K. link:
http://www.infinitiofgwinnett.com/new/Infiniti/2017-Infiniti-Q50-8c2eb9670a0e0a173bd765f2568a593b.htm
executive summary -
No go = off my short list.
Ride – disappointing [ run-flat edit: 265/35 - not 256/35x19” rear tires certainly do not help here ]
Short sharp bumps [ patched section of road near the dealership ] evoked a rather harsh lack of compliance. Longer amplitude bumps & dips at freeway speeds were dealt with just fine.
[ Tire PSI checked = 36 – exactly the pressures recommended ]
There was a distinct shimmy in the steering wheel at over 60 – off-putting . . .
Not as quiet as the Charger.
Engine sound – not at all interesting [ to me ] just noise.
No 2nd gear start – first gear and high TQ and aggressive gearing = very touchy accelerator.
Much higher RPM at cruise in top gear \ 7th than I prefer [ similar RPM to 6th gear in my Charger – with 2 more to go there. ]
Related: EPA highway - 26 MPG [ my Charger = 25 ]
Pluses:
Quicker than my Charger.
Excellent throttle response.
Good response to manual upshift commands.
Very smooth ‘rev match on downshift’.
Seats comfortable and supportive.
Generally, the interior seemed MSRP-appropriate, to me. . .
- Ray
Moving on – to ???

Thanks, Ray! I had a Q50 test drive a couple of times. Liked the acceleration. Feel the same as you about the interior..."price appropriate"! My biggest complaint was steering. My understanding, there are different steering set ups. One is very artificial (the one I have the issue with), which I suppose is Nissan's take on drive by wire. That one was very unpredictable to me. At one point, it will feel light, then it transitions to "heft" with no linearity whatsoever.

I understand there is a better steering set up available. But, I don't know how to get the "good" one.

I just saw a Q50 at the local car show that I liked quite a bit. It was the turbo 6 and priced about the same as the one you test drove.

Based on what you're saying, I may just skip it, especially given my past test drives.

Thanks!

breld

@xwesx - congrats on the upcoming Q7 purchase! I'm envious. That's the 3-row SUV I'll likely end up with at some point when the timing is right. Given it's a 2014 (gen 2 diesel), I assume you're content with it as a keeper, along with any fix and restitution. Unless they fail to come up with the "certified repair," in which case you'll have that choice of the buyback.

From what I've seen as far as ads, seems like it's a reasonable price - these hold their value well, and getting into the $30k's does require somewhat higher miles (not that 50k miles is all that high).

Good luck with the adventure!