Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

ab348

breld said:

Here's one of the responses on the Facebook page:

Ankmar did the garage door work and gave us the new LiftMaster side mount door opener with batter backup and a bunch of cool features for $1600

The lift was purchased separate and costs vary based on type of lift. Install and delivery if lift was $800

And the lift was from a company called "Bendpak?"

Huh. Makes the $169 Chamberlain I installed last fall look kinda weak.

Most of the lifts I see around here are Bendpaks.

Michaell

ab348 said:

I must admit, @Michaell , that I had not heard of Tibco previously, and after reading the writeup on the link you provided, I still am not sure what they do. But since they are sponsoring M-B's F1 team I can only assume they are doing well.

Analytics software. We will take all the data generated by the car and allow the team to understand what's going on, in real time.

breld

Michaell said:

While the Jetta is in the shop, I'm driving this:

Good way to try it on for size.

breld

28firefighter said:

So, not unexpectedly, my wife is starting to rattle about the size of the GTI being too small for us to hold onto longer term.

I pointed out that we have her car for family hauling, but that was not a popular response. I also pointed out that "longer-term" and "car" are not words I know to go together...

The more I look around the less I see in a sedan that's appealing to me. I keep coming back to my car.  I think the best fit would probably be an Infiniti Q40 but I worry it wouldn't actually be a net gain in terms of space. 

I think you're right on something like the Q40 - the GTI is pretty roomy for what it is.

Is it more people capacity? Ease of car seat usability? Cargo space for all the stuff that goes with the baby?

Just going to any sedan won't net you much more space. If it's cargo space, perhaps a nice wagon? The Alltrack retains the DSG for a sportier feel. A CPO 3-series wagon? That'd be a nice "new father" car!

breld

Pick up of the GTI is scheduled for Tuesday over lunch.

xwesx

ab348 said:

While the Jetta is in the shop, I'm driving this:

Well, that's a familiar-looking ride! Such a comfortable cruiser.

xwesx

@28firefighter - I don't really understand the logic. I would assume the GTI to be larger inside than my Fiesta (and, possibly 98 Escort, too). Both of those cars worked just fine for occasional kid duty. And, during both of those ownerships, we had the Forester for family hauling.

Neither were spacious, but nor were they ineffective when tasked.

ab348

I know my Gen 2 GTI was amazingly roomy for its size. I moved while I owned it and I remember I did the flip rear bottom cushion forward/fold down rear seatback and the cargo room was astounding.

28firefighter

She is unable to articulate exactly what is bothering her, which to me means it stays until I'm ready for something else or she can tell me why it doesn't work. I'm all for getting a new car but even right now, there isn't much else I like. 

I agree with the points made - it's more than effective for what we need right now. It's not an amazing cargo hauler with the seats up, but it's adequate for around town and periodic primary car duty. 

The killer for me with the Alltrack is that to get Xenons requires a factory order, it seems. I did see an Estoril Blue 328i xDrive wagon with the M package yesterday. That was a pretty hot looking Dad car....

Michaell

Sitting in the Jetta at the dealer feeling the cold air wash over me. Thoughts on the Passat to come later this evening…

qbrozen

Thought the crew here could appreciate this used car offering:
http://www.northpennvw.com/VehicleDetails/used-2016-Dodge-Charger-R/T_Scat_Pack-Colmar-PA/2939310603?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Saw the commercial for the new Demon and was curious to see what that is doing to Hellcat prices, which is when I found the above.

cdnpinhead

Sitting in the Jetta at the dealer feeling the cold air wash over me.

What did the issue turn out to be with the A/C?

Michaell

cdnpinhead said:

Sitting in the Jetta at the dealer feeling the cold air wash over me.

What did the issue turn out to be with the A/C?

There was a problem with a couple of the valves. And they drained and refilled the refrigerant.

mjfloyd1

graphicguy said:

Thanks (and sorry to Q)

That dealership is within driving distance for me. You need me to go pick it up for you?

I was there this morning. I picked up a friend knowledgeable in C2's and especially split window coupes in Greenwood IN on the way over. The car checked out but needs a few fixes (50+ year old car). We are hopefully going back next weekend to pick it up. My buddy has a trailer so we will be able to verify all fixes and load her up.   We were able to negotiate the fixes and a slightly better price. I will be looking at the 4 post lifts with a jack. 

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

Thought the crew here could appreciate this used car offering:
http://www.northpennvw.com/VehicleDetails/used-2016-Dodge-Charger-R/T_Scat_Pack-Colmar-PA/2939310603?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Saw the commercial for the new Demon and was curious to see what that is doing to Hellcat prices, which is when I found the above.

I would not push that out of my driveway...

Michaell

As promised, here is my write up of the loaner Passat I had today while the Jetta was at the dealer getting the AC repaired.

It was a 2016 Passat SE with the 1.8T engine. Had about 6100 miles on it; I put on about 50 or so today running errands. Black with Black leatherette.

Starting with the outside, the Passat is at the opposite end of the styling scale from the Maxima I drove yesterday. To some, the Passat is boring; I think it's more classic and handsome, especially with the upmarket wheels it was outfitted with. I'm not a fan of black - I'm sure it looks good when it's clean, but how often does that happen?

Inside, the layout is pretty much the same as my Jetta, just a bit larger in all dimensions. I enjoyed the leather wrapped steering wheel and the leatherette (V-Tex?) seats. The SE trim meant that the buttons around the shifter were all blank, reminding you of the options you didn't get. Dash, infotainment and the rest are just like the Jetta. The XM subscription had expired, which meant that I had to listen to (gasp!) terrestrial radio. USB and Aux jacks were available.

Didn't use the back seat, but I now understand why everyone raves about it. Same with the trunk - I did load that up with groceries. No problem.

While I haven't run the numbers, I suspect the power to weight ratio is similar to the Jetta, so the pickup is similar, if not better. Wife went with me for an errand, and she was suitably impressed with the power. Hate to think what she would make of the 300HP of the Maxima. She was also comfortable in the passenger seat, something she cannot say about the Jetta. And, she liked the leatherette as well.

I had one or two opportunities to test the handling - one was an uphill curving on ramp to the highway. While it's no BMW (I suppose, since I've had little opportunity to drive them), it does handle the curves fairly well.

Wife commented that she likes the luxury features that the SE lacks - have to compare the features from the SE and SEL, plus any available options or packages.

Overall, it was a nice package - a size up from the Jetta, but one that would work for the wife and I for road trips.

venture

28firefighter said:

So, not unexpectedly, my wife is starting to rattle about the size of the GTI being too small for us to hold onto longer term.

I pointed out that we have her car for family hauling, but that was not a popular response. I also pointed out that "longer-term" and "car" are not words I know to go together...

The more I look around the less I see in a sedan that's appealing to me. I keep coming back to my car.  I think the best fit would probably be an Infiniti Q40 but I worry it wouldn't actually be a net gain in terms of space. 

Oddly enough, my son and his wife, who are expecting their first offspring in October, are talking about him getting rid of his GTI and getting something bigger with 4 doors. They have a Grand Cherokee, but the pressure is still on him to trade.

When they come to visit they currently have the Jeep stuffed. With the dog crate and the dogs "stuff" - and they bring enough luggage for a month it's really full. I expect they will make changes when the baby comes and streamline the process.

tjc78

Last year we went to the shore for just one week with two kids and filled an Enclave to the gills.  We also put a bunch of stuff in my Moms car who was also coming with us.  This year we decided to not take the giant double stroller (2 little umbrella type take up less room). 

js06gv

It's no GTI or C2, but put me down for half a punch. 

Details - 2001 Kawasaki Vulcan 800 Classic. One owner bike with 14K miles. The prior owner's wife bought it for him as a Christmas gift in 2000. Its been garage kept the entire time. Looks and runs great and makes a perfect first bike for me. 

graphicguy

JS....congrats. Nice bike!

roadburner

venture said:

Oddly enough, my son and his wife, who are expecting their first offspring in October, are talking about him getting rid of his GTI and getting something bigger with 4 doors. They have a Grand Cherokee, but the pressure is still on him to trade.

When they come to visit they currently have the Jeep stuffed. With the dog crate and the dogs "stuff" - and they bring enough luggage for a month it's really full. I expect they will make changes when the baby comes and streamline the process.

We only had one kid, when he was under a year old we usually took the 1993 Pathfinder we owned at the time. Once he was walking we almost always took the Club Sport. Everywhere.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

JS....congrats. Nice bike!

Ditto!

ab348

The authorities may frown on you driving the Kawasaki on the sidewalk. Nice bike though!

ab348

Michaell said:

Wife commented that she likes the luxury features that the SE lacks - have to compare the features from the SE and SEL, plus any available options or packages.

Overall, it was a nice package - a size up from the Jetta, but one that would work for the wife and I for road trips.

Odd thing with the model ranges on the Passat. I looked at VW Canada's site yesterday and here there are no SE or SEL models. Here they have Trendline+, Comfortline, and Highline models from cheapest to most expensive. There is a $4-$5K Cdn delta between each step up.

Michaell

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Wife commented that she likes the luxury features that the SE lacks - have to compare the features from the SE and SEL, plus any available options or packages.

Overall, it was a nice package - a size up from the Jetta, but one that would work for the wife and I for road trips.

Odd thing with the model ranges on the Passat. I looked at VW Canada's site yesterday and here there are no SE or SEL models. Here they have Trendline+, Comfortline, and Highline models from cheapest to most expensive. There is a $4-$5K Cdn delta between each step up.

Here in the US, there is an S, SE, SE with Tech and SEL - all with the 1.8T

There are a couple of trim levels with the 3.6L V6, but those don't interest me.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Thought the crew here could appreciate this used car offering:
http://www.northpennvw.com/VehicleDetails/used-2016-Dodge-Charger-R/T_Scat_Pack-Colmar-PA/2939310603?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Saw the commercial for the new Demon and was curious to see what that is doing to Hellcat prices, which is when I found the above.

The Demon is going to be in an entirely different price stratum than Hellcat. You're going to pay dearly for those extra horses. But still, under 10 seconds at the drag strip, right out of the box---that's impressive!

qbrozen

I think the difference between $75k and $85k is pretty negligible when buying cars at that pricerange. I guarantee there are plenty of upset Hellcat owners and my guess is you will see a fair number of trade-ins when the Demon arrives.

Mr_Shiftright

I don't think it will matter was MSRP is, dealers are going to stick it to buyers on this one. I'm thinking $100K out the door, at least, maybe more, depending on dealer greed levels. They are only making 3,300 of them, so we'll see people buying them and trying to flip them. Some limited production high performance cars have turned into profitable little businesses for people who run them through auctions. It's crazy but it happens.

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't think it will matter was MSRP is, dealers are going to stick it to buyers on this one. I'm thinking $100K out the door, at least, maybe more, depending on dealer greed levels. They are only making 3,300 of them, so we'll see people buying them and trying to flip them. Some limited production high performance cars have turned into profitable little businesses for people who run them through auctions. It's crazy but it happens.

Well, maybe. I heard that after the initial frenzy, everybody who wanted a Hellcat got one and they were building up in inventory. Who knows what the market is for this one.

Mr_Shiftright

Buying up special editions to flip for a profit is a betting man's game, that's for sure. I think some folks who jumped on Porsche and Benz special models did pretty well. You gotta pay to play though.

venture

roadburner said:

venture said:

Oddly enough, my son and his wife, who are expecting their first offspring in October, are talking about him getting rid of his GTI and getting something bigger with 4 doors. They have a Grand Cherokee, but the pressure is still on him to trade.

When they come to visit they currently have the Jeep stuffed. With the dog crate and the dogs "stuff" - and they bring enough luggage for a month it's really full. I expect they will make changes when the baby comes and streamline the process.

We only had one kid, when he was under a year old we usually took the 1993 Pathfinder we owned at the time. Once he was walking we almost always took the Club Sport. Everywhere.

Yeah, but you have the most agreeable wife on the planet.

They also take their black & tan coonhound with them almost everywhere they go.

Sandman6472

Understand how you feel about your GTI, nothing else out there that I'd trade for right now though that 128i Carmax has with just 17K on the clock could work! A shame that first 128i in white the BMW store had with the dead battery, mistake is I didn't go back for a test drive. Do regret that dumb move on my part. The current 2013 is blue over grey I think but haven't had time to swing by yet.
Those alloys on the borrowed black Passat look exactly mine, five clusters of three. Make the vehicle look a bit more upscale though still, if I had a do over, just might have gone with the other set I had to choose between. The right rims can make or break a vehicle!!

The Sandman

roadburner

venture said:

roadburner said:

venture said:

Oddly enough, my son and his wife, who are expecting their first offspring in October, are talking about him getting rid of his GTI and getting something bigger with 4 doors. They have a Grand Cherokee, but the pressure is still on him to trade.

When they come to visit they currently have the Jeep stuffed. With the dog crate and the dogs "stuff" - and they bring enough luggage for a month it's really full. I expect they will make changes when the baby comes and streamline the process.

We only had one kid, when he was under a year old we usually took the 1993 Pathfinder we owned at the time. Once he was walking we almost always took the Club Sport. Everywhere.

Yeah, but you have the most agreeable wife on the planet.

They also take their black & tan coonhound with them almost everywhere they go.

We both draw the line with respect to vacationing with pets; they remain home and we arrange for them to be fed and watered.
I don't want to step on any toes, but I think a lot of people just don't know(and don't want to learn) how to pack for a trip; it's easier to have a huge SUV or minivan and just throw in anything you might remotely need instead of thinking things through.

thebean

corvette

roadburner said:

I don't want to step on any toes, but I think a lot of people just don't know(and don't want to learn) how to pack for a trip; it's easier to have a huge SUV or minivan and just throw in anything you might remotely need instead of thinking things through.

That reminds me, I need to remind my GF about the checked bag weight limit for our upcoming trip...

28firefighter

roadburner said:

Oddly enough, my son and his wife, who are expecting their first offspring in October, are talking about him getting rid of his GTI and getting something bigger with 4 doors. They have a Grand Cherokee, but the pressure is still on him to trade.

When they come to visit they currently have the Jeep stuffed. With the dog crate and the dogs "stuff" - and they bring enough luggage for a month it's really full. I expect they will make changes when the baby comes and streamline the process.

We only had one kid, when he was under a year old we usually took the 1993 Pathfinder we owned at the time. Once he was walking we almost always took the Club Sport. Everywhere.

Yeah, but you have the most agreeable wife on the planet.

They also take their black & tan coonhound with them almost everywhere they go.

We both draw the line with respect to vacationing with pets; they remain home and we arrange for them to be fed and watered.
I don't want to step on any toes, but I think a lot of people just don't know(and don't want to learn) how to pack for a trip; it's easier to have a huge SUV or minivan and just throw in anything you might remotely need instead of thinking things through.

Not stepping on my toes. I agree re: packing. However I also subscribe to the happy wife-happy life mantra. 

tbirdmarco

@breld nice nice an nother car crazy person in your neighbor Hood.

tbirdmarco

hope that everyone had an good weekand. weekend was good whent to upstate New York to see my older brother and neeses for the easter weekend. have an good upcumming week all. going to the auto show at the Javets center on Friday cumming up cant wate. anyone want to joien me. going with sum family and who ever elce wants to go.

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 glad the cars did come out grate like they alwas do. hear on long island would be triple the price mor like $200 an car. few mobial deatealers hear.

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter hmm we have to all see what car would be good as an replacement lol lol that is what we do! around! hear! lol lol.

tbirdmarco

@breld nice nice cant wate to hear all about it

tbirdmarco

@Michaell glad you got your car back and now all is good with it! Nice riteup on the loner car you had. maby worth an luck at the end of the summer for my mom. we shal see. think she wants an S U V now. think that was the loner car my Uncle had when his jetta was in the shop few weeks back have no idea what was rong with it. he never said. think he said he is doing the bye back had put in his paperwork how long does it take to be prosest.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell this loner car you had would be an good choice for the next car a lot better than plan a lol get what ever you want and works for you all. you only live once!

tbirdmarco

@thebean congrads on the new bike! off to work for me will be back on later on.

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter I am singal and was told that bye menny guys including my older brother happy wife happy life might be messing it up good to no for one day when I am married. lol lol.

venture

roadburner said:

venture said:

roadburner said:

venture said:

Oddly enough, my son and his wife, who are expecting their first offspring in October, are talking about him getting rid of his GTI and getting something bigger with 4 doors. They have a Grand Cherokee, but the pressure is still on him to trade.

When they come to visit they currently have the Jeep stuffed. With the dog crate and the dogs "stuff" - and they bring enough luggage for a month it's really full. I expect they will make changes when the baby comes and streamline the process.

We only had one kid, when he was under a year old we usually took the 1993 Pathfinder we owned at the time. Once he was walking we almost always took the Club Sport. Everywhere.

Yeah, but you have the most agreeable wife on the planet.

They also take their black & tan coonhound with them almost everywhere they go.

We both draw the line with respect to vacationing with pets; they remain home and we arrange for them to be fed and watered.
I don't want to step on any toes, but I think a lot of people just don't know(and don't want to learn) how to pack for a trip; it's easier to have a huge SUV or minivan and just throw in anything you might remotely need instead of thinking things through.

LOL. Your last sentence describes them perfectly. The last time they were here - for 2 days - my son brought 4 pair of shoes!!!

nyccarguy

@sda - did you have the timing belt/water pump/tensioner replaced on your Pilot yet? Do you remember how much the service cost you? Do you think I need to do anything else around the 92K mark? (other than oil/filter/tire rotation?) Our plugs don't have to be replaced for 120K miles.

fintail

Which recent (within say 45 years) special MBs have fared well? They've all suffered some depreciation, although the deprecation floor for cars like SLR or Black Series models is quite high, and likely already recovered from the lowest point.

People who bought the final 280SE 3.5 coupes and cabrios, and of course earlier SLs, have fared well.

A recent good investment would be the Z8.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Buying up special editions to flip for a profit is a betting man's game, that's for sure. I think some folks who jumped on Porsche and Benz special models did pretty well. You gotta pay to play though.

fintail

Have fun and be careful! I suspect your area doesn't have the traffic density that exists out here, where getting on a bike is less tempting with each new day, due to distracted idiots and debatable enforcement.

js06gv said:

It's no GTI or C2, but put me down for half a punch. 

breld

@js06gv - congrats on the bike! I don't know much at all about them, but that sure looks fun!

And...I think that's a full-fledged punch!