Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

More rantings and ravings from a crazed chronic car buyer - let's say for whatever reason things don't work out at Infiniti tomorrow.  You never know.

For about the same price as it would cost to finance a CPO Q40 for 3 years, I could lease 2 brand new 2017 Subarus.  A 2017 Base WRX MT for me and a 2017 Outback 3.6R Limited for my wife.  We could keep the Pilot for long trip duty & when all 5 of us travel together.

I like that second option. A lot.

stickguy

More insurance $. And if course, in 3 years, instead of owning an Infiniti you got bumpkis.

But nice plan. Similar to my idea to sell he RDX, pocket the cash (well, redirect to tuition), and lease a new Santa Fe for her. Hey, I need tires on that buggy some time this year!

I have no actual clue what I will do, but in a much different set of circumstances from you. At the moment, thinking I get a CX3 used, then have option to flip to the kid, or keep and she gets something else. Or more likely, we just share it.

stickguy

Also, you could make he $ work better. Instead of an outback, get something like the Santa Fe, and won't even need the pilot. Sell it and use cash to pay some bills.

28firefighter

I don't see any benefit to getting rid of the Pilot, other than saving some monthly insurance on it. My guess is the value it has to @nyccarguy is more than he could get out of it.

That said, I like the second option a lot assuming you can keep the mileage on both cars under control which I imagine you could between the Pilot and Prelude.

Question is, do you really want/need 4 cars? Silly question to ask here, nevermind! The better question is do you have space to house 4 cars?

stickguy

Almost stuck with pilot if he gets a manual WRX, otherwise only 1 car wife can drive.

Just get the q40 and simplify life. Much better suited to his daily commute anyway.

I barely use my car, so an impractical hot rod is fine. If I had 3 kids and a commute that sucked, would not be going that direction.

breld

@nyccarguy - I suppose one question to ask yourself is, how long after you bring home the nice shiny Infiniti before your wife wants something new and fun herself?

If you land there anyway, your option 2 may be better from the get-go.

breld

With the new Miata RFs on the ground, I just had to take advantage of the nice 70 degree weather here in CO and go look at one.

Got paired with a salesperson who is a Miata enthusiast, so that was a nice experience.

The RF is really sharp and distinctive looking. I actually like the top down experience a bit more than the soft top, given it's more of a "targa" feel. Plenty of open air feel, but not overly exposed. The salesperson did indicate that it is noticeably quieter with the top up (which obviously makes sense).

I do miss the feel of my Miata, and given I drive the Durango pretty much 100% of the time when I have the kids with me, I could probably live with a 2-seater. But it also brings back memories of feeling pretty darn cramped in my last one.

stickguy

I thought that was a ha d top. Didn't realize it was a targa. I better go look at pictures. Could be fine option for me. But likely pricey.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I thought that was a ha d top. Didn't realize it was a targa. I better go look at pictures. Could be fine option for me. But likely pricey.

It's a folding targa, so in essence, it's a folding hardtop that only stows the roof portion above your head, but then comes back up into place without it. (hard to describe, but when you watch it in action, you think it's going to be topless, when it finishes, but it isn't)

It's cool, but seems like a lot of action and weight to just remove a targa panel.

stickguy

I'm more than fine with a manually operated top. Simple and reliable.

breld

I agree about the simplicity of the manual top, especially after living with one with my previous Miata.

But it's easy to be seduced by the overall "coupe" look of the RF model.

sda

The only thing I didn't like about folding the top of my '92 Miata was having to unzip the rear window to prevent scratching before putting the top down. I realize newer models had a glass back lite which simplified matters greatly. And,yes, I did put the top down from time to time without unzipping the window. It was a fun car.

ab348

Does the hardtop make it even tighter inside? I'm reminded of the Pontiac Solstice coupe where I think you had to be jockey-sized to fit comfortably.

kyfdx

Don't know about the actual space, but it's "airier" feeling than the convertible with the top up, because of more glass.

jeffb0101

I'm thinking about replacing my Accord with a new CR-V. Any thoughts on the new model?

Michaell

@breld - if you keep hitting the dealer lots there won't be anything for us to look at when we go to the car show!

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KNa3NqEfltM

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy like that secand option a lot to as whell. and this is cumming from an person who is an big fan of Nissan and infinity.

tbirdmarco

@jeffb0101 go for it would be my advice lol lol. welcome to the group. haven't had the chance to sit in one new crv yet seams nice from all I am hearing. have to sit in one soon at the dealer or upcumming auto show.

tbirdmarco

happy Friday all have an good weekend to everyone. not doing much this cumming up weekend. what is everyone doing for the upcumming weekend

stickguy

jeffb0101 said:

I'm thinking about replacing my Accord with a new CR-V. Any thoughts on the new model?

I checked out the new CRV at the car show last month. Really liked it. Really well done package. If I was looking to replace our RDX now, it would be at the top of the list.

corvette

jeffb0101 said:

I'm thinking about replacing my Accord with a new CR-V. Any thoughts on the new model?

I saw it at the car show. Looks nice. Pricing is in line with other small SUVs except for the Escape, which seems to be priced a lot higher. Length and width-wise, I think it's closer to a Civic than an Accord.

nyccarguy

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@nyccarguy like that secand option a lot to as whell. and this is cumming from an person who is an big fan of Nissan and infinity.

Just thinking out loud.  I don't think I have it in me to pull off a 2 car deal.  I'm going to side with @stickguy and keep it simple.

stickguy

yeah, some of my schemes have too many moving parts. Probably easier to just let my wife keep her RDX until all 3 of us are dead, and spend my time working on stuff for me and my daughter.

28firefighter

I'm 99% sure Ford just prices the Escape higher so they can show bigger rebates and discounts on it - making people feel like they "got a deal".

When we leased our 2015 Escape, the MSRP was $38k but the final capitalized cost (0 down lease) was $28k.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

yeah, some of my schemes have too many moving parts. Probably easier to just let my wife keep her RDX until all 3 of us are dead, and spend my time working on stuff for me and my daughter.

Well, this took a dark turn.

ab348

I can't believe I'm saying this but if I was shopping for a smaller SUV I'd have to look at a new Nissan Rogue. I know it has a CVT but every time I see one I'm struck by how good it looks.

stickguy

I agree that the new Rogue is pretty sharp. Nice enough interior, but I have never driven one.'

if I was looking in that class, the CRV, Rogue, Escape would all get a long look.

xwesx

I've been seeing more and more HR-Vs around. I hate the name, as it makes me think "heat recovery ventilator" every time I see it, but I'm sure that's not the first thing that comes to most people's minds! LOL

Overall, they remind me strongly of the Nissan Juke, except with a tolerable front end. I'm sure they will sell very well.

stickguy

if they put the 1.5l turbo and 6 speed stick in the HRV, I would be all over it.

fintail

I see a few HRV on the road around here. Sometimes going slow.

I remember a British mag called it "Hormone Replacement Vehicle" when referring to a prior generation. Might fit the demographic.

suydam

It doesn't have that high up seating feel for me.

stickguy

I'm really digging the CX3 right now. subject to change when I finally sit in one and drive it. Soon, soon.

cdnpinhead

xwesx said:

Y'all are way too prolific at posting for me to keep up. If I missed anything "critical" in the last 350 posts, let me know.

As I recall, you picked up a vehicle in Houston (or somewhere near there), after having dealt with a significant accident up in AK, then drove home. Believe me, the 350 posts aren't nearly so interesting as some sort of report on how your journey went, but maybe that's just me.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I'm really digging the CX3 right now. subject to change when I finally sit in one and drive it. Soon, soon.

I predict that you will like it.

xwesx

cdnpinhead said:

xwesx said:

Y'all are way too prolific at posting for me to keep up. If I missed anything "critical" in the last 350 posts, let me know.

As I recall, you picked up a vehicle in Houston (or somewhere near there), after having dealt with a significant accident up in AK, then drove home. Believe me, the 350 posts aren't nearly so interesting as some sort of report on how your journey went, but maybe that's just me.

LOL Well, I was popping in from time to time on Road Trip discussion, but was afraid to go into this one and get lost in trying to catch up. Internet connections (and time to use the computer) were precious commodities on this trip!

I'll be sure to report back to fill in some blanks, but the short version:

Trip went according to plan on first three days, with very tight schedule. Hit a blizzard on I15 on Sunday night, ended up having to back track on I90 after Snowqualmie Pass was closed, no problems at all through Canada, and then the car crapped out on us 40 miles outside of Fairbanks.

corvette

28firefighter said:

When we leased our 2015 Escape, the MSRP was $38k but the final capitalized cost (0 down lease) was $28k.

That's more like it! You can equip the Escape pretty fancily--I always wondered whether they actually moved those units in any significant number, but if they can be discounted that much, I'm sure they do. I bet you can't buy a CR-V Touring for that price, and the Escape has a lot more power with the 2.0T.

iluvmysephia1

The Nissan Juke was Nissan's attempt to mimic the Pontiac Aztec. What a homely "early" SUV, the Aztec.

The Juke actually looks kind of cool. I'm mildly interested in it. I saw're a Nissan Versa S tonight on the way ta work broke down on the side of I-435 westbound in Overland Park, KS.

My desire ta get a Versa S is fading as the idea of getting a fresh Spark ignites. Pun intended.

breld

@xwesx - the car "crapped out on you 40 miles outside of Fairbanks"??!!!    

Holy cow!

breld

The CR-V was already an incredibly popular choice - the new one sure does look like a winner.

If I had a little time to make the decision, I'd check out the upcoming 2017 CX-5 for sure.

breld

iluvmysephia1 said:

The Nissan Juke was Nissan's attempt to mimic the Pontiac Aztec. What a homely "early" SUV, the Aztec.

The Juke actually looks kind of cool. I'm mildly interested in it. I saw're a Nissan Versa S tonight on the way ta work broke down on the side of I-435 westbound in Overland Park, KS.

My desire ta get a Versa S is fading as the idea of getting a fresh Spark ignites. Pun intended.

When those Jukes came out, I couldn't get over the looks.  But I now find them pretty cool.  I've got to think it's much more entertaining than the Versa.  

breld

Michaell said:

@breld - if you keep hitting the dealer lots there won't be anything for us to look at when we go to the car show!

If anything, it's making me more anxious for the show!  

Michaell

breld said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

The Nissan Juke was Nissan's attempt to mimic the Pontiac Aztec. What a homely "early" SUV, the Aztec.

The Juke actually looks kind of cool. I'm mildly interested in it. I saw're a Nissan Versa S tonight on the way ta work broke down on the side of I-435 westbound in Overland Park, KS.

My desire ta get a Versa S is fading as the idea of getting a fresh Spark ignites. Pun intended.

When those Jukes came out, I couldn't get over the looks.  But I now find them pretty cool.  I've got to think it's much more entertaining than the Versa.  

I test drove a Juke - FWD with a stick. Pretty entertaining.

suydam

I test drove a Juke too. Yes it drove very nicely. BUT One of the most uncomfortable vehicles I have ever been in. Very cramped inside. And I cannot get over its looks.

stickguy

Breld, I think I saw a teaser on the CX5 yesterday. I didn't realize anything was happening with it. Is this a full redo, or just a refresh? New nose resembled the CX9. Would be nice to have a shrunken 9 platform underneath.

OK, so I did a quick search. Wow, this looks really sharp. Can't wait to see this too, and compare to the CRV. Curious what they are doing with the engines, but the 2.5l is fine to me in the current one, but something better would be fine too!

graphicguy

NYC....I know I'm probably in the minority, but leasing (not one, but two) just doesn't make much financial sense to me. I'm sure someone will come up with a formula that shows it does make sense....depreciating asset, always under warranty, etc. I just can't wrap my arms around it, though.

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

jeffb0101 said:

I'm thinking about replacing my Accord with a new CR-V. Any thoughts on the new model?

I checked out the new CRV at the car show last month. Really liked it. Really well done package. If I was looking to replace our RDX now, it would be at the top of the list.

It has certainly grown since the old days!

Mr_Shiftright

xwesx said:

I've been seeing more and more HR-Vs around. I hate the name, as it makes me think "heat recovery ventilator" every time I see it, but I'm sure that's not the first thing that comes to most people's minds! LOL

Overall, they remind me strongly of the Nissan Juke, except with a tolerable front end. I'm sure they will sell very well.

My friend just bought one last week. She really likes it. She's pretty shrewd as a shopper and keeps cars a long time.

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy that is an grate idea what stickguy did sugest. saw his posting after did post what I did to you lol lol. as simpal as posabal is alwas good. let us all now how it gos later on with the Infinity.

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter wish Ford did not do that.