Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

suydam

I was going to say I'd rather Uber than drive in downtown Chicago! Good tip!

fintail

On my last visit to Atlanta, the hotel had parking at a hilarious $28/night (talk about a profit center). There was a MARTA garage 2 blocks away for $5/day. Easy decision, and since I took MARTA downtown, I was technically a "patron" as the garage instructed, too.

Michaell

When I travel to Palo Alto, the hotel I stay at has a parking charge as well. I may be going to D.C. and NYC on consecutive days next month and don't plan to rent a car in either city. 

Mr_Shiftright

You don't need a car in NYC unless you're going to Long Island.

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

When I travel to Palo Alto, the hotel I stay at has a parking charge as well. I may be going to D.C. and NYC on consecutive days next month and don't plan to rent a car in either city. 

When are you going to be in the city?  Where are you staying?

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Michaell said:

When I travel to Palo Alto, the hotel I stay at has a parking charge as well. I may be going to D.C. and NYC on consecutive days next month and don't plan to rent a car in either city. 

When are you going to be in the city?  Where are you staying?

End of April - don't have the exact date. Our office is just a couple blocks from Times Square. Will only be in town one day. 

stickguy

ah, the allure of the nice goodies. once you get them, hard to go back. I really like BLIS and the cross path detection. No interest in parking sensors though.

keyless, yeah, want that. The Jetta drives me nuts, being like Michael's. Need the fob to open the doors, but not to start car. So it is never our when I need it. Would prefer needing to use the key to start it, because at least that way, when I turned it off, keys would already be in my hand! I love not having to fish it out for anything.

stickguy

Hey, you guys would know. Is this a reason to just get a new car?

was transporting our foster dog today (to his new, hopefully Furever, adopter home), and he decided to get carsick. In the back seat of the Acura. And even though we had a sheet on the seat, and a couple of towels spread out, he managed to do it in the corner that was not covered. Got most of it out (in a parking lot...), but some got onto cloth parts. Will be out tomorrow giving that interior a good going over.

oh and since this is a keeper car, and Acura calls for it, the Brake fluid gets changed. I think I did it once so far, in 4.5 years. Will probably do it in 3 year increments. Or maybe I did it twice already, going annually? Need to check. I am putting so few miles on it, that I am hitting 12 months well before the maintenance minder is telling me I need the oil done. Had it done last June, so 9 months ago, and the MM is still at 60% life left.

corvette

stickguy said:

ah, the allure of the nice goodies. once you get them, hard to go back. I really like BLIS and the cross path detection. No interest in parking sensors though.

keyless, yeah, want that. The Jetta drives me nuts, being like Michael's. Need the fob to open the doors, but not to start car. So it is never our when I need it. Would prefer needing to use the key to start it, because at least that way, when I turned it off, keys would already be in my hand! I love not having to fish it out for anything.

I'll take most of the tech features, but I did fine without the keyless ignition in the Yukon. I agree that it's better to have a passive entry system with the push button start.

xwesx

andres3 said:

I wonder what other cars think on a on/off ramp freeway to freeway transition that has two lanes as you pass them going 25+ over the limit (example 52 East to 125 South).

Maybe they say to themselves

1) "There goes those damn crazy Audi drivers!"
2) "Wholly ****, what was that?
3) "I wonder if I could take the turn that fast???"
4) "Where's a cop when you need one?"
5) "My other car is a BMW, and I'd do it faster"

I towed a trailer with the Q7 yesterday/today, and I passed a whole long line of big pickups going up a steep, long (~2-mile) grade. That 3L TDI didn't even break a sweat going up that grade at 69 mph. I caught one of the drivers looking over incredulously as I zipped by. LOL

xwesx

Michaell said:

My Jetta has push button start but I still need to use the fob to lock and unlock the doors.

Are you sure, Michael? Have you tried to just grab the handle and pull? Seems very strange that it would have PBS and still make you take the remote out of your pocket to unlock the doors.

xwesx

There's definitely something going on with the DEF on my Q7. After adding five gallons to the tank on Wednesday, the low warning came on about three or four hundred (yes, HUNDRED) miles later. After another hundred miles, it said the tank was empty and the car would not restart once turned off.

And, while I was able to add another 2.5-gallon jug (very slowly), it really wouldn't accept any more than that - the tank was totally full. Sorry, but if this is an approximately six-gallon tank, and I added five on Wednesday, and now it's empty, but it won't accept more than 2.5 gallons..... I have to call shenanigans!

This is getting *very* annoying.

stickguy

You bought an out of warranty Audi. No complaining allowed!

And yes, VW really did come up with that odd half baked solution.

qbrozen

Have you done the reset procedure after adding the fluid?
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=428864

There is also a common problem apparently;
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/threads/adblue-sensor-problem.21644/

js06gv

xwesx said:

My Jetta has push button start but I still need to use the fob to lock and unlock the doors.

Are you sure, Michael? Have you tried to just grab the handle and pull? Seems very strange that it would have PBS and still make you take the remote out of your pocket to unlock the doors.

I was surprised to find out my Dad's 2016 Audi A6 is set up the same way. I doubt all of them are; I just don't think he went far enough up the food chain of A6s. My stepmom hates that feature. This was a 50K ish car. Fully passive systems are easy to find on a 20K Kia. 

xwesx

stickguy said:

You bought an out of warranty Audi. No complaining allowed!

And yes, VW really did come up with that odd half baked solution.

Well, not entirely. One of the reasons I was willing to buy it is because of the warranty extension through the settlement. But, I would rather not have to delve down that road until after May, when they finalize that settlement.

Plus, this is the most reliable SUV on the road - don't you read Consumer Reports?

imidazol97

suydam said:

I really liked the Nissan Versa Note I had as a rental last year.

Every time I see a Versa Note, I think of Suydam's liking it. I notice the drivers seem to be more spirited and seem happier with their car than the standard Versa drivers.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Have you done the reset procedure after adding the fluid?
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=428864

There is also a common problem apparently;
http://www.myturbodiesel.com/threads/adblue-sensor-problem.21644/

Thanks, Q.

Because I was at zero miles, the system would not recognize the added fluid. I left the car running for a couple of hours last night after I was home, mostly due to being afraid that it would not restart once turned off. I finally plucked up the courage to shut it down and let it sit in "on" for thirty seconds, and it then started right up upon attempt.

The light is out now, and it seems satisfied, so we'll see how long it is happy before the next warning!

ab348

@xwesx , maybe you've discovered the reason it was on the used lot. Hope you can get a painless fix.

My ATS has the same odd system of needing to press the fob button to unlock it and then having keyless start. In the '14s you needed to go up to a higher-level model to get proximity access. In '15 I believe it became standard on all. I have trained myself to find the fob unlock button without taking it out of my pocket, but it is still an odd design.

imidazol97

ab348 said:

We've had that discussion on here before. Some manufacturers specify periodic brake fluid changes, others do not. Whether it adds significantly to overall brake system life is uncertain.

Should I have the brake fluid changed out on the 15 Cruze with 45,000 miles and 2 years on it? It was purchased a year ago CPO with 22.5 K miles on it from rental service on East Coast based on CarFaux info.

I am going to have the trans fluid drained and refilled by the dealer and probably have them change the filter. I don't want to tackle this myself like I usually would because it's the kid's car now. But I might get it back in a years or so if I sell the Cobalt 08 and Imid Jr. wants a different car.

imidazol97

suydam said:

There are some things I must have on a new car and some that if it has one but not another I can deal.
My '14 Encore doesn't have push button start but it has a power driver's seat and a moonroof, so okay. My Volt has push button start but no power driver's seat or moonroof. Again, okay. Both of them have all 4 automatic windows.
What I can't do without any more is Rear Cross Traffic Alert and blind spot detection. And with the Volt, I'm pretty sold now on the parking sensors.

Does either have rear camera?

It is easy to like the rear cross traffic alert since it notices pedestrians as well as cars. I have to be careful because I don't check mirrors as carefully because I depend on the blind spot warnings as well.

imidazol97

stickguy said:

Got most of it out (in a parking lot...), but some got onto cloth parts. Will be out tomorrow giving that interior a good going over.

.

I recommend OdorXit. Amazon. Expensive. Works on carpet cleaning as well just as along with the regular carpet soap to take care of cat odors from accidents, etc..

https://www.amazon.com/Odor-Xit-Eliminator-Oz-Concentrate/dp/B000KKDQUQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1489935291&sr=1-2&keywords=odorXit

suydam

"Does either have rear camera?"
I didn't mention that because I thought they have been standard for some time. The '14 Encore has a rear camera but no guidelines, which makes it hard to tell how far away objects are. Rear cross traffic alert mitigates that some. The '15 Encore fixed that oddity. The Volt has it all -- camera, guidelines, and the parking sensors help too because they give you side alerts if you're too close to a vehicle next to you. As we get older I really appreciate this tech!

kyfdx

js06gv said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

My Jetta has push button start but I still need to use the fob to lock and unlock the doors.

Are you sure, Michael? Have you tried to just grab the handle and pull? Seems very strange that it would have PBS and still make you take the remote out of your pocket to unlock the doors.

I was surprised to find out my Dad's 2016 Audi A6 is set up the same way. I doubt all of them are; I just don't think he went far enough up the food chain of A6s. My stepmom hates that feature. This was a 50K ish car. Fully passive systems are easy to find on a 20K Kia. 

Our 2011 X3 is the same way.. first year for the new model.
Really irritating for my wife, as the keys are in her purse. From my pocket, not that big of a deal.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Hey, you guys would know. Is this a reason to just get a new car?

was transporting our foster dog today (to his new, hopefully Furever, adopter home), and he decided to get carsick. In the back seat of the Acura. And even though we had a sheet on the seat, and a couple of towels spread out, he managed to do it in the corner that was not covered. Got most of it out (in a parking lot...), but some got onto cloth parts. Will be out tomorrow giving that interior a good going over.

oh and since this is a keeper car, and Acura calls for it, the Brake fluid gets changed. I think I did it once so far, in 4.5 years. Will probably do it in 3 year increments. Or maybe I did it twice already, going annually? Need to check. I am putting so few miles on it, that I am hitting 12 months well before the maintenance minder is telling me I need the oil done. Had it done last June, so 9 months ago, and the MM is still at 60% life left.

BMW says it's every two years for the brake fluid, regardless of mileage. I think any more often would be overkill, unless you track your car.

suydam

Speaking of telling how far away objects are I got a good lesson in perception recently on the beach near our house. There's an oil platform on the ocean a good distance away. I noticed in a photograph I took that the platform looked so much closer than it usually does. Comparing this pic with other photos I've taken, I noticed that in this one the winds were creating sharp striated lines. The lines fool the eye into "seeing" the object on the other side as closer and larger than it actually is, whereas in a calm sea the eye "sees" a more distant, smaller object. I wonder if that's why guidelines make a big difference in our perception of how far away objects behind us are.

corvette

imidazol97 said:

Should I have the brake fluid changed out on the 15 Cruze with 45,000 miles and 2 years on it? It was purchased a year ago CPO with 22.5 K miles on it from rental service on East Coast based on CarFaux info.

I am going to have the trans fluid drained and refilled by the dealer and probably have them change the filter. I don't want to tackle this myself like I usually would because it's the kid's car now.

I think GM says 10 years on the brake fluid replacement, which I think is too long (they used to claim their systems were perfectly sealed or some such nonsense and that the fluid never needed changing). I think you'd be fine waiting until 3 years or so from the time it was manufactured. If you're going to change the transmission fluid, I think you'd be okay waiting until 60k on that.

kyfdx

@corvette Aren't you in Cincinnati, today?

corvette

Yeah, just a quick run up and back. GF got a Groupon we need to use.

breld

@xwesx - interesting to hear your experience with the newly acquired Q7, good and bad. I test drove a 2014 Q7 TDI on Friday and had mixed feelings on it. Driving-wise, I love the pull the diesel has, even with the large SUV. I really like the exterior look of the car - as old as the design is, I appreciate the more unique nature of it compared to many of the current rigs.

But this is the second Q7 I've driven that felt "clunky" to me - like there was just some unexplainable noises coming from the rear over bumps in the road. We dismissed it on the first one we drove a few months ago, thinking there was something loose in the back, but this recent test drive resulted in the same thing.

And, no doubt, some of the challenges you're facing right now make me think twice as well.

I also drove a 2014 X5 on Friday as well, and found that to be preferable. The interior (compared to the previous gen Q7 anyway) is more worthy of the price tag, and that I-6 is very sweet. Unfortunately, I do want a 3rd row that is pretty usable, and the 3rd row on the X5 is very much an afterthought.

All that is to say I came out of all that, somewhat surprisingly, appreciating my Durango. I'd even consider "upgrading it" to a nicer version (maybe with the Hemi ).

@tjc78 - I know it's not a very mainstream choice, but you may want to check the Dodge out - the captain's chair in the second row is one of my favorite things about it.

xwesx

imidazol97 said:

Unless the car is driven hard, my recommendation is to flush brake fluid every three years. Time is the biggest enemy of a hydroscopic fluid.

xwesx

breld said:

@xwesx - interesting to hear your experience with the newly acquired Q7, good and bad. I test drove a 2014 Q7 TDI on Friday and had mixed feelings on it. Driving-wise, I love the pull the diesel has, even with the large SUV. I really like the exterior look of the car - as old as the design is, I appreciate the more unique nature of it compared to many of the current rigs.

But this is the second Q7 I've driven that felt "clunky" to me - like there was just some unexplainable noises coming from the rear over bumps in the road. We dismissed it on the first one we drove a few months ago, thinking there was something loose in the back, but this recent test drive resulted in the same thing.

And, no doubt, some of the challenges you're facing right now make me think twice as well.

I also drove a 2014 X5 on Friday as well, and found that to be preferable. The interior (compared to the previous gen Q7 anyway) is more worthy of the price tag, and that I-6 is very sweet. Unfortunately, I do want a 3rd row that is pretty usable, and the 3rd row on the X5 is very much an afterthought.

All that is to say I came out of all that, somewhat surprisingly, appreciating my Durango. I'd even consider "upgrading it" to a nicer version (maybe with the Hemi ).

@tjc78 - I know it's not a very mainstream choice, but you may want to check the Dodge out - the captain's chair in the second row is one of my favorite things about it.

Glad I can help! Or, maybe not so much..... ? LOL

My impressions:

1. I get no noises out of this car at all. AT ALL. I pulled a trailer on Friday/Saturday, and the only issue that produced was the hitch noise from it rattling around a little bit in the receiver. I have a tightener, but it did not fit on the receiver I just installed on the vehicle. Figures.

2. Interior space on this thing, for the size, is terrible. My biggest design gripe about the car is the terrible use of space, especially compared to the well-thought-out use of space in the Passat. Must have been a completely different engineering team, and a thoughtless one at that, that did the Q7.

3. Third row: COMPLETE waste of space. The seats are of a good size, and they don't have terrible leg room, really, but the roof is so low that anyone over ~ten years of age would be very cramped. An adult? Forget about it! For a person to climb back there, access is okay. Not great, but okay. To load a child into a carseat would be an epic experience. Conclusion: The space would be much better used for pure storage.

4. Power lift gate: I hate, hate, hate it! It rarely lets me in from the rear (e.g., push the button on the gate itself), the FOB button doesn't work at all, and having to open the driver door to open the hatch is about the most annoying thing ever. I mean, it's nice to have the driver button if one is actually *in* the driver seat, but as the sole access point? No thanks.

Right now, I'm just really, really hoping that the buyback goes through. I thought I would be happy to keep this if only with the fix, but not at the moment, and it isn't even the DEF thing that makes me feel this way.

This vehicle is no Flex.

On a positive note, though..... the Q7 can sure pull a trailer!

coldinohio

talking of 'maintenance', dealer wants to do throttle body and fuel rail/injector cleaning on 2014 audi a4 with 36K .... seems like not needed-- thoughts

xwesx

Concur. If you use top tier fuel and/or put an injector cleaner through the system every 5K or so, you should *never* need such "cleaning."

tjc78

@breld
I like the Durango, however, it would be a hard sell to the wife.  My cousin is a service manager for a Dodge dealer so I'm sure if I wanted one I'd get a good deal (and crappy service lol)

Sandman6472

Did the brake fluid change in the Civic at the 36K mark, mechanic recommended it and plan to do the same with the Golf at this point. Right now, car tells me that I'm 800 miles away from the next service, 30K, so need to schedule it around the middle of April. We both pre-paid for the 20K & 30K services and then have until 36K/3 years until the warranty ends. Gonna take a chance and not get an extended warranty at this point and just hope for the best. Will deal with any issues if/when they happen and stay the course until early 2019, Plan A. Will adjust to Plan B if some things crop up. Like Stick, am all over the place for the replacement vehicle but I don't have a definite time frame. Like so many different vehicles so will just have to wait and see where life puts me at that time. Timing is such an important variable in life that just not going to agonize over it because things change, needs change, situations change.
Just know that I do want push button start, all current tech and certain safety nannies when the time comes. Probably still go with a smaller vehicle but by then, who knows if we'll even be in this house or not. And going the CPO route for a nicer vehicle versus a new one farther down the food chain just are the unknowns as of now. Plan on just enjoying our current fleet for the time being. Just as happy to sit back and read about all the others in here and what they buy and trade. Great entertainment which doesn't cost me a dime, lol!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Personally, would rather fly into Chicago and use Uber when needed. The kids can pick us up/return us to the airport and since they live downtown and the hotel is right near, why even have a rental. Will see if Hertz has any vehicles that need to be returned to their home area which could work nicely, drive up and fly back. We have many vehicles from out of state that eventually need to go back to their home area and being an employee, might be able to get a really cheap rate to return one of these. Just want to make traveling as easy as possible since we don't do it very often. And as I recall, driving in downtown Chicago is similar to New York...walking is a much better way and there's always Uber and Lyft to get around if needed.
We're still months out and really need to only secure the rooms we need for the desired dates and then go from there. But we've learned that any important decisions need to be made after tax season ends, have lived this way for almost 40 years so am used to it.

The Sandman

stickguy

Sandy, I thought the issue was that your wife won't fly? Has she gotten flexible on that?

nyccarguy

coldinohio said:

talking of 'maintenance', dealer wants to do throttle body and fuel rail/injector cleaning on 2014 audi a4 with 36K .... seems like not needed-- thoughts

Pass.  Definitely not needed.

graphicguy

coldinohio said:

talking of 'maintenance', dealer wants to do throttle body and fuel rail/injector cleaning on 2014 audi a4 with 36K .... seems like not needed-- thoughts

NO! I consider that kind of service something of a scam. As others mentioned, as long as you're getting gas from a reputable source, the additives required by law should keep the injectors and throttle body clean.

It's been a long time since I've heard a dealership recommend this service. I thought it went the way of "mop and glo" options.

iluvmysephia1

Been comparing the '17 Nissan Versa S and '17 Chevy Spark LS a bit on their spec.'s. Surprisingly, the Versa S has a turning radius of 17.4 feet while the Spark LS comes in with 16' 9". Really? Wow. I would've guessed the Versa's turning radius ta be at least a whole foot more than the Spark's.

breld

tjc78 said:

@breld
I like the Durango, however, it would be a hard sell to the wife.  My cousin is a service manager for a Dodge dealer so I'm sure if I wanted one I'd get a good deal (and crappy service lol)

Yeah, the Dodge was a hard sell for my wife too, but she finally gave in and has some appreciation for it. I have yet to have it serviced, so that will be telling as well.

breld

@xwesx - very interesting (and honest) feedback on the Q7. I thought it was an ideal answer for my 3-row needs, but after driving some other vehicles, I was wavering, and your experience certainly tips the scale in favor of not going that way. The new model likely addresses the concerns, but they are certainly a bit too new to consider from a financial perspective (maybe another year or two).

If they do end up coming up with the required repair for your Q7, you should be in good shape getting that done, taking the restitution, and reselling the vehicle - probably even come out ahead. Sure seems like there's still a demand for the TDIs.

suydam

iluvmysephia1 said:

Been comparing the '17 Nissan Versa S and '17 Chevy Spark LS a bit on their spec.'s. Surprisingly, the Versa S has a turning radius of 17.4 feet while the Spark LS comes in with 16' 9". Really? Wow. I would've guessed the Versa's turning radius ta be at least a whole foot more than the Spark's.

The Nissan Versa Note turning radius is 17.1
I could park it on the tiny apron in front of my garage with no overhang. And yet it fits 4 easily.
Just sayin.

qbrozen

coldinohio said:

talking of 'maintenance', dealer wants to do throttle body and fuel rail/injector cleaning on 2014 audi a4 with 36K .... seems like not needed-- thoughts

Those aren't the problem with that car. The valves are, however, and will likely require walnut blasting around 50k miles. (This is the 2.0T, yes?)

iluvmysephia1

The Versa Note deserves a good look for sure. It is several thousand more dollars than the Versa S sedan, however. Not countin' it out by any stretch, though. I think I could be happy in a Note.

tbirdmarco

@Mr_Shiftright yes so trew only whair I am on Long Island or upstate New York to. hope that everyone had an good weekand mine was quick but good.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell did not no you all had an offace hear in new York city. cool.

tbirdmarco

@coldinohio not neaded save your mony. enjectors clean them selves the trotal cleaning wate to around 50k

nyccarguy

@Michaell - if for whatever reason, you are free for dinner, John's Pizza is one of my favorite places.  It's just a few blocks from Times Square.  If however, "the corporation" is picking up your dinner tab, I highly suggest "The Old Homestead."  It is a steakhouse on W18th Street & 9th Ave.