Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

I love my 2016 GTI S.

There is not much else that I enjoy about my 6:00am commute to work than being able to really drive it with no traffic.

I will say, if you are driving in heavy traffic, the DSG does tend to get choppy.

breld

So...previous concerns with the trannie and fuel mileage have been ironed out?

28firefighter

breld said:

So...previous concerns with the trannie and fuel mileage have been ironed out?

Yup - behaving like any other GTI DSG. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gotten a stick, but then I remember my wife would have put me up for sale.

breld

28firefighter said:

breld said:

So...previous concerns with the trannie and fuel mileage have been ironed out?

Yup - behaving like any other GTI DSG. Sometimes I wonder if I should have gotten a stick, but then I remember my wife would have put me up for sale.

Well, both wife and I are dead set on a stick this go around. That was one of her regrets on her MK7 GTI, but the manuals were scarce at the time, as was our patience to wait for one. Our MK6 GTI was a manual and we loved it.

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

any chance that this could be a decent buy for a 2nd/spare/local car? Cheap enough, looks pretty clean. I assume would depend on a thorough PPI for all the usual suspects, and value depends on what has been done (such as cooling system).

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1999-bmw-5_series-528ia-used-16242807.html

Not BMW's finest hour but with a fine-tooth PPI it might be okay. At that price point you can always pass it on to the next victim if it starts doing those 1990s-era BMW "bad things". As you say, the cooling system, the radiator and water pump, control arm bushings, driveshaft support, the usual electrical glitches, pieces falling off (check the front directional housing and the windshield gasket and trim especially). Play with all the switches and door locks, check the carpets and headliner for water leaks.

qbrozen

You also have VANOS seals as a common failure on that one. BIG UGLY JOB!

tjc78

Other than all that the BMW is perfect 

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

any chance that this could be a decent buy for a 2nd/spare/local car? Cheap enough, looks pretty clean. I assume would depend on a thorough PPI for all the usual suspects, and value depends on what has been done (such as cooling system). http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1999-bmw-5_series-528ia-used-16242807.html

Not BMW's finest hour but with a fine-tooth PPI it might be okay. At that price point you can always pass it on to the next victim if it starts doing those 1990s-era BMW "bad things". As you say, the cooling system, the radiator and water pump, control arm bushings, driveshaft support, the usual electrical glitches, pieces falling off (check the front directional housing and the windshield gasket and trim especially). Play with all the switches and door locks, check the carpets and headliner for water leaks.

"Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the show?"

Mr_Shiftright

Well it IS 18 years old, after all....

stickguy

tjc78 said:

Other than all that the BMW is perfect 

yeah, kinda getting me all excited about it!

At this stage of life, I am more and more thinking that I am going to end up just getting something new, or maybe an under warranty CPO like NYC's Q40, and just not deal with all the drama of trying to be economical!

tbirdmarco

@tjc78 yes one to look at when it comes out. agreed the one in the video is not my first choice on an color for it lol.

tjc78

stickguy said:

Other than all that the BMW is perfect 

yeah, kinda getting me all excited about it! At this stage of life, I am more and more thinking that I am going to end up just getting something new, or maybe an under warranty CPO like NYC's Q40, and just not deal with all the drama of trying to be economical!

I'm a wuss, I want them under warranty.  

In the final stretches with the Enclave.  Something is up with the HVAC.  Whenever the system is on and the compresor cycles there is a hissing (almost mild gurgling sound) from the dashboard. The AC seems to be working fine as does the heat so I'm not messing with it. 

Wife even hears it, and I know it didn't do it when it was new.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell grat recap on the car show you all whent to. go and test drive the maxima next week think you will love it. my mom loves her 2016 s trim lots for the money you get. she might go for an nother one next year just higher trim think we shal see. no she keeps it in sports mode most of the time. has flored it menny times when I have bin in the car. takes off and sounds nice considering c v t they did an good job with it. let me no what you all think of the maxima.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy yes in my appinian pretty nice inside. no an nother person who got an red 2017 maxima loves it to as whell has think tan or brown leather interior saw it once few weeks ago have to ask what the interior color is.

tjc78

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

Other than all that the BMW is perfect 

yeah, kinda getting me all excited about it! At this stage of life, I am more and more thinking that I am going to end up just getting something new, or maybe an under warranty CPO like NYC's Q40, and just not deal with all the drama of trying to be economical!

I'm a wuss, I want them under warranty.  

In the final stretches with the Enclave.  Something is up with the HVAC.  Whenever the system is on and the compresor cycles there is a hissing (almost mild gurgling sound) from the dashboard. The AC seems to be working fine as does the heat so I'm not messing with it. 

Wife even hears it, and I know it didn't do it when it was new.

So I just Googled this and found plenty of hits (for Enclave, Acadia and Traverse).  In every case it's a freon leak.... wonderful.  Maybe I better take it in before we have no AC with the warm weather coming 

stickguy

Michael, you are a bad, bad man. I just spent time 20 minutes poking around on the Nissan site. Hmm, a Maxima SL has absolutely everything I want. And a nice snappy 300 HP. Loaded up for $38K MSRP. Need to see in person, but for some reason, I kinda like the styling. And the interior looks fantastic. Not sure what one leases at, but right now, 72 months at zero percent (or $3,500 rebate).

yet one more thing to add to the list to check out!

kyfdx

It's our web hosting, not your wi-fi. Some issues, this evening.

tjc78

Nah, there is something up with the site. I duped earlier too

stickguy

the internet. Can't live with it, can't live without it!

corvette

tjc78 said:

In the final stretches with the Enclave.  Something is up with the HVAC.  Whenever the system is on and the compresor cycles there is a hissing (almost mild gurgling sound) from the dashboard. The AC seems to be working fine as does the heat so I'm not messing with it. 

Wife even hears it, and I know it didn't do it when it was new.

Opposite experience: On my parents' 2004 GMC Canyon, I guess the truck was so quiet when it was new, the A/C compressor was noticeably loud when it cycled on and off every 30 seconds or so. As the truck got older and (I'm assuming) the sound deadening started becoming less effective, you couldn't hear it anymore.

corvette

On another note, had my Global Entry interview this morning and got approved. They really need to make I-71 between Louisville and Covington three lanes wide instead of two. The semis trying to pass each other on hills clog up traffic, as do the dimwitted drivers who won't use cruise control and can't maintain a consistent speed. Makes it very frustrating when you're trying to get back and minimize the time you take off of work.

fintail

When did you apply? I applied on Feb 11, it is still "pending". Funny, as my passport renewal took a mere 10 calendar days.

corvette said:

On another note, got my Global Entry approval this morning. They really need to make I-71 between Louisville and Covington three lanes wide instead of two. The semis trying to pass each other on hills clog up traffic, as do the dimwitted drivers who won't use cruise control and can't maintain a consistent speed. Makes it very frustrating when you're trying to get back and minimize the time you take off of work.

corvette

June or July, 2016, I think. I edited my post for clarity--actually, the initial approval came very quickly, getting an appointment for the interview and final approval took forever. I tried to look for an available time slot in other enrollment centers, but couldn't find anything that would work out.

I don't think I've ever had a passport take only 10 calendar days. GF is interested in planning a trip to Mexico but doesn't have a passport. I told her to get one a couple months ago, but she will probably wait until the last minute.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Michael, you are a bad, bad man. I just spent time 20 minutes poking around on the Nissan site. Hmm, a Maxima SL has absolutely everything I want. And a nice snappy 300 HP. Loaded up for $38K MSRP. Need to see in person, but for some reason, I kinda like the styling. And the interior looks fantastic. Not sure what one leases at, but right now, 72 months at zero percent (or $3,500 rebate).

yet one more thing to add to the list to check out!

I'm looking at the SV trim - the local dealer has a few with roughly $5K off sticker. No idea if that discount works for a lease, but there are folks in the Maxima thread that are getting sub $300/mo payments.

I don't mind the looks of it, either. Different, but not Prius level out there. I thought the interior was pretty nice - but, again, I was looking at the top trim level.

Hoping to drag @jpp5862 and @breld to the dealer next week to test drive.

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@Michaell grat recap on the car show you all whent to. go and test drive the maxima next week think you will love it. my mom loves her 2016 s trim lots for the money you get. she might go for an nother one next year just higher trim think we shal see. no she keeps it in sports mode most of the time. has flored it menny times when I have bin in the car. takes off and sounds nice considering c v t they did an good job with it. let me no what you all think of the maxima.

Thanks for the feedback - always good to get recommendations from actual owners.

stickguy

Need to go to SL to get the moonroof and blindspot stuff. Not buying one of these without those features.

My local dealer is showing over 7K off the SL. Not a bad deal for barely 30K

http://www.nissanofturnersville.com/detail-2017-nissan-maxima-sl_3_5l-new-16077496.html

SV, not quite as much $ wise, but even bigger % off.

http://www.nissanofturnersville.com/detail-2017-nissan-maxima-sv_3_5l-new-16013005.html

stickguy

oh, discounts. From poking at the links, there was $3,500 cash back on a purchase, or 0% financing for 72 months. Either/or. Also lease incentives, not sure what they are.

28firefighter

fintail said:

When did you apply? I applied on Feb 11, it is still "pending". Funny, as my passport renewal took a mere 10 calendar days.

On another note, got my Global Entry approval this morning. They really need to make I-71 between Louisville and Covington three lanes wide instead of two. The semis trying to pass each other on hills clog up traffic, as do the dimwitted drivers who won't use cruise control and can't maintain a consistent speed. Makes it very frustrating when you're trying to get back and minimize the time you take off of work.

FWIW, I applied for Sam 2 weeks ago and still pending - not able to schedule an interview yet. Makes me feel better that your processing is taking a while, too. 

sda

The Maxima has a very nice interior and I think they are being discounted heavily. I'm not that fond of the exterior styling, too extreme, probably won't age well. A nice car overall.

graphicguy

fintail said:

When did you apply? I applied on Feb 11, it is still "pending". Funny, as my passport renewal took a mere 10 calendar days.

corvette said:

On another note, got my Global Entry approval this morning. They really need to make I-71 between Louisville and Covington three lanes wide instead of two. The semis trying to pass each other on hills clog up traffic, as do the dimwitted drivers who won't use cruise control and can't maintain a consistent speed. Makes it very frustrating when you're trying to get back and minimize the time you take off of work.

fin....not sure if it's a seasonal thing, if they're in a heavy administrative time or not. I know it took me a couple of weeks to get approval, and another couple of weeks for the interview. This was mid January until mid February.

corvette....couldn't agree with you more about that I-71 stretch. I know people say truckers are great drivers because they're professionals. But, I have to go against the grain and disagree. Especially on that stretch, with the terrain, truckers get in the left to pass, and are not be able to since it's so hilly and they can't hold speed. They hold up everyone who is in the left lane, breezing along. Truckers hit the left lane, and hit a hill, which slows them down at least 10 MPH, and can't pass until they hit a downhill stretch. If they would just hold their right lane status until the road "flattens out" past the mountains in KY, there wouldn't be the clogging you see there now.

qbrozen

I am just not a fan of the Maxima's styling. And that random black bar at the top of the C pillar is plain goofy to my eyes.

Considering a used 2016 would need to fetch at least $28k to show a profit, $30k for a new one is definitely a deal in comparison.

kyfdx

Same here on the passport renewal. Unbelievably quick.

fintail

Faux floating C-pillar, not unlike on the Murano and Lexus RX. Stylists are copycats at best, if not sycophants.

qbrozen said:

I am just not a fan of the Maxima's styling. And that random black bar at the top of the C pillar is plain goofy to my eyes.

Considering a used 2016 would need to fetch at least $28k to show a profit, $30k for a new one is definitely a deal in comparison.

fintail

It might even be a local thing. I know the office here is busy, and a wait for the in-person segment can be endless months. I haven't even got to that point though. I guess no reason to worry, as I have no plans to fly until later in the year, but still kind of funny. I need to remember this is public sector bureaucracy, where it takes a lot of luck.

Local tip - for the in person stuff, go to the office north of Bellingham, near the Canadian border. Apparently, there's virtually no waiting time, whereas in Seattle, it can be eons. Worth the 100 mile drive up there, make it a day trip - that's what I plan to do when I finally get the green light.

graphicguy said:

fin....not sure if it's a seasonal thing, if they're in a heavy administrative time or not. I know it took me a couple of weeks to get approval, and another couple of weeks for the interview. This was mid January until mid February.

corvette....couldn't agree with you more about that I-71 stretch. I know people say truckers are great drivers because they're professionals. But, I have to go against the grain and disagree. Especially on that stretch, with the terrain, truckers get in the left to pass, and are not be able to since it's so hilly and they can't hold speed. They hold up everyone who is in the left lane, breezing along. Truckers hit the left lane, and hit a hill, which slows them down at least 10 MPH, and can't pass until they hit a downhill stretch. If they would just hold their right lane status until the road "flattens out" past the mountains in KY, there wouldn't be the clogging you see there now.

Michaell

That 'floating c-pillar' is something that attracts my eye.

I was talking to @breld about this at the auto show the other night - I tend to gravitate towards designs that are timeless. The Maxima is an exception to that rule, but it's such a good value, at the moment, that I can forgive it some, um, 'uniqueness'.

That's the same reason I ended up getting the L300 instead of the Camry or Accord - 0% financing can overcome a lot of objections.

ab348

fintail said:

Faux floating C-pillar, not unlike on the Murano and Lexus RX. Stylists are copycats at best, if not sycophants.

Soon-to-be-introduced new GMC Terrain also has the same styling theme.

fintail

It attracts my eye too, in the same way that a ruined building or smashed car catches my eye

Amusingly, the unsurprisingly overstyled 2018 Camry in the odd two tone scheme seen at shows has a fake faux floating C-pillar, not sure what the point is here other than being different for the sake of being different. These design themes will not be seen as timeless. Suddenly, it's 1958, only without the affordable housing and other cost of living factors:

suydam

My '01 Maxima is probably my favorite car that I've owned. It had odd exterior styling too, but it didn't look like every other sedan out there. Interior was just gorgeous. And I loved how it drove. That was the V6 though. It also took premium gas and a lot of it.

Michaell

suydam said:

My '01 Maxima is probably my favorite car that I've owned. It had odd exterior styling too, but it didn't look like every other sedan out there. Interior was just gorgeous. And I loved how it drove. That was the V6 though. It also took premium gas and a lot of it.

I remember having a Maxima as a rental in Cincinnati one time. This was in the late 90's, so likely 190HP. I thought that car was a rocket.

Given the number of miles I drive (at the moment), fuel economy isn't something that's a big deal to me. Though I did enjoy seeing 40+ MPG on the drive to Denver the other night.

graphicguy

fintail said:

It attracts my eye too, in the same way that a ruined building or smashed car catches my eye

Amusingly, the unsurprisingly overstyled 2018 Camry in the odd two tone scheme seen at shows has a fake faux floating C-pillar, not sure what the point is here other than being different for the sake of being different. These design themes will not be seen as timeless. Suddenly, it's 1958, only without the affordable housing and other cost of living factors:

Oh My!!!!!!!!!!

graphicguy

fintail said:

It might even be a local thing. I know the office here is busy, and a wait for the in-person segment can be endless months. I haven't even got to that point though. I guess no reason to worry, as I have no plans to fly until later in the year, but still kind of funny. I need to remember this is public sector bureaucracy, where it takes a lot of luck.

Local tip - for the in person stuff, go to the office north of Bellingham, near the Canadian border. Apparently, there's virtually no waiting time, whereas in Seattle, it can be eons. Worth the 100 mile drive up there, make it a day trip - that's what I plan to do when I finally get the green light.

graphicguy said:

fin....not sure if it's a seasonal thing, if they're in a heavy administrative time or not. I know it took me a couple of weeks to get approval, and another couple of weeks for the interview. This was mid January until mid February.

corvette....couldn't agree with you more about that I-71 stretch. I know people say truckers are great drivers because they're professionals. But, I have to go against the grain and disagree. Especially on that stretch, with the terrain, truckers get in the left to pass, and are not be able to since it's so hilly and they can't hold speed. They hold up everyone who is in the left lane, breezing along. Truckers hit the left lane, and hit a hill, which slows them down at least 10 MPH, and can't pass until they hit a downhill stretch. If they would just hold their right lane status until the road "flattens out" past the mountains in KY, there wouldn't be the clogging you see there now.

Mentioned this a while ago, but the TSA office near where I live (CVG) had a 10 month wait to do the Global Entry Interview. I scheduled the interview in Chicago with two weeks lead time, when I was going to be there on business.

So, must be a regional thing regarding interview lead times.

Can't imagine all that large of a demand for TSA interviews in and around the Cincinnati area that would cause a 10 month wait....especially given the number of TSA agents I always see milling around in Cincy. But, apparently they're quite busy. They're really good at disguising how busy they really are.

andres3

stickguy said:

interesting about white. For years, both my wife and I would never consider it. Now, we both like it. I think we changed our minds when we got the Jetta for the princess (since that is white) and it grew on us. Now, we would certainly consider it.

doesn't hurt that on a lot of the Euro cars, you don't have to pay extra for it!

I like VW's white more than most others. White is good because it stays cooler in the hot sun. But in the end, for me, it is a rather bland color selection. Sometimes you are in the mood for bland though.

stickguy

I think it looks good with wheels like ours that have black shadow, and really looks good with a pano roof.

andres3

graphicguy said:

fintail said:

It attracts my eye too, in the same way that a ruined building or smashed car catches my eye

Amusingly, the unsurprisingly overstyled 2018 Camry in the odd two tone scheme seen at shows has a fake faux floating C-pillar, not sure what the point is here other than being different for the sake of being different. These design themes will not be seen as timeless. Suddenly, it's 1958, only without the affordable housing and other cost of living factors:

Oh My!!!!!!!!!!

Hmmm,, I like the bottom 6" of the back bumper/diffuser/exhaust layout, and don't really care for the rest much. But hey, it's a Camry!

andres3

graphicguy said:

fintail said:

When did you apply? I applied on Feb 11, it is still "pending". Funny, as my passport renewal took a mere 10 calendar days.

corvette said:

On another note, got my Global Entry approval this morning. They really need to make I-71 between Louisville and Covington three lanes wide instead of two. The semis trying to pass each other on hills clog up traffic, as do the dimwitted drivers who won't use cruise control and can't maintain a consistent speed. Makes it very frustrating when you're trying to get back and minimize the time you take off of work.

fin....not sure if it's a seasonal thing, if they're in a heavy administrative time or not. I know it took me a couple of weeks to get approval, and another couple of weeks for the interview. This was mid January until mid February.

corvette....couldn't agree with you more about that I-71 stretch. I know people say truckers are great drivers because they're professionals. But, I have to go against the grain and disagree. Especially on that stretch, with the terrain, truckers get in the left to pass, and are not be able to since it's so hilly and they can't hold speed. They hold up everyone who is in the left lane, breezing along. Truckers hit the left lane, and hit a hill, which slows them down at least 10 MPH, and can't pass until they hit a downhill stretch. If they would just hold their right lane status until the road "flattens out" past the mountains in KY, there wouldn't be the clogging you see there now.

In CA, drivers on 2-lane Interstates make a pact to maintain a speed at least 10 MPH faster than the trucks in the right lane and to stay in a caravan line; tight enough together that a truck can't get over to the left lane. Of course, all it takes is one rebel to ruin this.

Using brakes unnecessarily on the freeway should be a felony.

stickguy

That Camry was a semi concept style. I doubt the production model will have that paint style or wheels. I hope.

Mr_Shiftright

Almost a throw-back to that infamous "Japanese Atomic Insect" School of Auto Design.

stickguy

Maybe Toyota hired some designers away from Nissan.

andres3

The '17 A4 has illuminated door sills. Frankly, I'd trade the illumination for aluminum door sills on the rear doors, which don't have any sills any longer. Of course, I never checked a previous generation A4, but my S4 had aluminum sills front and back, for all 4 doors.

The interior is great, but a bit OLD, and fuddy duddy style for me. Looks like it could be a old man's interior, with an I-Pad stuck on the dash. Don't care for the flat topped shift lever with a park button.

Don't care for the I-PAD screen on the dash either. The car is definitely longer.

Rides on 245/35R19 tires, obviously 19" wheels. Bang & Olufsen stereo. HD monitor digital gauge screen like my TTS. Over 250 horses, good handling, good brakes, good tires, good comfort, good quietness at 95 MPH.

I don't think the car has a weakness, but of course, all that comes at $50K sticker.

Should get great mileage, it takes 93 MPH to get 7th gear to hit 2K RPM.

suydam

andres3 said:

stickguy said:

interesting about white. For years, both my wife and I would never consider it. Now, we both like it. I think we changed our minds when we got the Jetta for the princess (since that is white) and it grew on us. Now, we would certainly consider it.

doesn't hurt that on a lot of the Euro cars, you don't have to pay extra for it!

I like VW's white more than most others. White is good because it stays cooler in the hot sun. But in the end, for me, it is a rather bland color selection. Sometimes you are in the mood for bland though.

Seems like every car in SoCal is white. Now we have one too! I wouldn't have considered it in the Midwest countryside where we lived before.

breld

Hmm - a quick look at my "cars" spreadsheet shows I've had 10 white cars. I've always been drawn to white on certain sporty cars - sharp and classic.

By far the winner in color choice? Blue. 1/3 of my cars have been that color.