Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

suydam said:

I shopped the Mazda 3 in December. There was very little discounting and the lease options were even worse. I was looking at the mid trim level 2016 (I don't like the way they changed the options for 2017). If I remember the price was around 26k and the lease payment package was the same as I got for my more expensive Volt!

Dang! The Volt has much cooler techno-wizardry than a Mazda3. 

ab348

carnaught said:

That Mazda is a great bang for the buck. An acquaintance has one, and it's extremely well done. The only negaive, and I could be imagining it, is that the metal seems a bit tinny to me.

The refreshed version just introduced supposedly had some effort put into reducing the NVH that the 3 was infamous for. Early reviews were somewhat less than enthused at the progress in that department.

People I know who bought the 3 (they are very popular up here) find them polarizing. They either love them for the sporty feel, or hate them for the ride, NVH and general lack of robustness.

stickguy

I'm willing to trade spongy ride for fun handling this time around. I drove a few 3s. We're fine by me. My wife just thought it was a little cramped. Should be fine now that we both lost weight!

stickguy

I must be a dope. I just washed my service loaner. It was filthy and bothered me. I had to do windows anyway, so just sprayed it down, sponged and rinsed. No soap, but huge improvement. Even degunked a place on the side where there had been some square decal on it, and the glue residue was left.

A cheesy job, but still looks vastly better.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I must be a dope. I just washed my service loaner. It was filthy and bothered me. I had to do windows anyway, so just sprayed it down, sponged and rinsed. No soap, but huge improvement. Even degunked a place on the side where there had been some square decal on it, and the glue residue was left.

A cheesy job, but still looks vastly better.

That's what makes us CCBA'ers!

You liking the Passat? I really enjoyed the one I drove.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

I must be a dope. I just washed my service loaner. It was filthy and bothered me. I had to do windows anyway, so just sprayed it down, sponged and rinsed. No soap, but huge improvement. Even degunked a place on the side where there had been some square decal on it, and the glue residue was left.

A cheesy job, but still looks vastly better.

I would let them know you felt you had to do that...

tbirdmarco

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

stickguy

I plan to mention that I washed it. Everything around here is filthy though. They park outside, near trees, and this is pollen season. But should still do a little better job getting them ship shape.

I actually like the passat. Certainly roomy and comfortable. Drives nice, but steering is a bit light. But for a family car, it is a nice one. Excellent visibility too.

It is nice that I got a loaded one. Until I looked at the trunk, I assumed it was an SEL. Must be an SE with a moonroof package (though does not seem to have Navi, it has everything else could possibly need).

sda

stickguy said:

I plan to mention that I washed it. Everything around here is filthy though. They park outside, near trees, and this is pollen season. But should still do a little better job getting them ship shape.

I actually like the passat. Certainly roomy and comfortable. Drives nice, but steering is a bit light. But for a family car, it is a nice one. Excellent visibility too.

It is nice that I got a loaded one. Until I looked at the trunk, I assumed it was an SEL. Must be an SE with a moonroof package (though does not seem to have Navi, it has everything else could possibly need).

If your daughter likes the Jetta and the residual buy out price is good, why not buy it? No need to encourage the CCBA influence on her, right?

stickguy

she mentioned it in the past, but no longer seems excited by the idea. One big reason not to is I am pretty sure that the residual is going to be more than market value. Plus, it will be out of warranty. If I spent similar money on a CPO it would have a few years of warranty too.

she did mention today maybe getting a more used car for less money, just to keep for a few years tops until she saves up. Certainly an option, but she put it on me to "find her a good one". Might happen. who knows? But, she doesn't want to have to give up her "luxury features". Not that she has many. Mostly heated seats and a backup camera (and some sort of navi, even though it is really crappy in the Jetta).

nyccarguy

This afternoon/evening after work I went on an official Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous test drive.  This is my 3rd official mission with possibly the most pressure put on my impressions.  @xwesx reached out to me via private message last week and asked if I could go an check out a 2013 Subaru Forester with 67K miles on the odometer.  The dealer (J&M Automotive) is a used car dealer in Naugatuck, CT which is about 45 minutes north of where I live (with no traffic).  According to WAZE, the 66 mile trip from where I work in The Bronx, NY would take close to 2 hours.  No problem.  I crossed over the 10,000 mile mark in my Infiniti on the way up there.

So it was very interesting walking into a dealership and telling them that you are car test driving for a friend from or of town (way out of town) who you know from the internet.  

"Where's your friend from?"

"Alaska."

"Alaska?"

"Yup."

The salesman that took me out said he used to sell Subarus and that he recently test drove the car and it was nice.

He takes a copy of my license, grabs the keys, and out to the lot we headed.  They had over 400 cars on the lot. All different makes makes and models.  In the showroom was a Yellow 2007 Corvette Z06 with 85K miles.

The car fired right up and idled smoothly.  Well as smoothly as a Subaru boxer 4 can be.  Clutch take up was unusually high (which @xwesx told me is a Subaru trait), and the driver's window took 4 solid pushes to go down.  The 5-Speed shifts smoothly and the engine pulls strong without any hiccups.  The driver's side seat cushion had some give to it.  The car tracked straight as an arrow on the highway.  No strange clunking from the suspension or rattles from the interior.  No obvious paint work.  Inside seemed well kept.  Very nice, solid car.  

@xwesx & I have spoken on the phone a few times.  To me it was so cool to actually talk to someone from the boards.  Good luck with your search my friend!  May the 4th be with you.

nyccarguy

On my way home, I was cruising down the Merritt Parkway at 70 mph in the right lane when i noticed 4 "angel eyes" approaching from behind at a rapid pace as we were approaching an uphill.  I nudge the gas pedal and make my way through the gaps in the groups in the cars in front of me.  I did notice the "power dome hood" at one point that Mr. Hot shoe wasn't driving any run of the mill E90 3 series, but an awesome ///M3 powered by a 420 hp V8.

He was riding my rear at one point pretty good.  My Q40 didn't break a sweat trying to get in front to give this guy room to pass.  

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy nice rite up on helping @xwesx look for an car!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy glad you did like the Pasat a lot. going to be worth an look in the summer!. maby will go down to the dealer on Sunday just to sit in one lol lol.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

On my way home, I was cruising down the Merritt Parkway at 70 mph in the right lane when i noticed 4 "angel eyes" approaching from behind at a rapid pace as we were approaching an uphill.  I nudge the gas pedal and make my way through the gaps in the groups in the cars in front of me.  I did notice the "power dome hood" at one point that Mr. Hot shoe wasn't driving any run of the mill E90 3 series, but an awesome ///M3 powered by a 420 hp V8.

He was riding my rear at one point pretty good.  My Q40 didn't break a sweat trying to get in front to give this guy room to pass.  

You can't be a true Infiniti driver, until you run up the butt of every BMW you see on the road. Just to prove your car is faster than their car. Trust me on this.

stickguy

I can recall doing 2 local look overs. The frontier that SB bought, and an X6 for one of the Colorado contingents. That one did not get purchased. I seem to think there have been a few others over the years.

kyfdx

I haven't checked out any cars for other members, but Bradd checked one out for me, and I've met @andre1969 and @xwesx when they've come nearby to buy cars.

Before I worked here, @kirstie_h met up with me, when I was in St Louis (is that a song?).

May have been others, but that's all I can recall, other than meeting up with other moderators.

carnaught

Well, here is the summary of my personal pros and cons after 8 days of ownership of Mrs. Carnaught's new '17 Lincoln MKC (for those who give a rip):

PROS

smooth, compliant ride with soft padded luxurious interior materials
good impression of it's fit and finish
made in USA (Kentucky)
above adequate performance
good gas mileage with the advantage of it's recommended regular unleaded fuel
loaded with options ranging from pano roof to leather to Apple Carplay/Android Auto, etc.
concierge pick-up and delivery service, with loaners, actually written into the warranty for 4 yrs., 50k miles (the only car make to do so, maybe a new trend??)
easy intuitive controls for any given function
touch screen resists fingerprint smears
Onstar-like satellite for service and safety, but it does not require a subscription or fees, only the free phone app.
great deal on the car
should prove reliable
offered a great optional tire/wheel, and paintless dent repair coverage, at a great price


CONS

potentially only fair to poor resale value
less cachet than German and many other luxury SUV's
Lincoln dealership does not possess the ultra-luxury amenities of MB, BMW, Lexus dealers...probably won't matter with the pick-up, delivery service


More impressions to follow...

fintail

A tailgating BMW? I don't believe it!



No real offense to anyone here, but BMW and Infiniti drivers around here are often cut from the same cloth

Mr_Shiftright

That's one big payoff for owning a Mini Cooper--it's made by BMW but the general public doesn't penalize you for it.

xwesx

carnaught said:

Well, here is the summary of my personal pros and cons after 8 days of ownership of Mrs. Carnaught's new '17 Lincoln MKC (for those who give a rip):

PROS (12)

CONS (3)

That's a pretty short list of cons! Things are looking positive for this one...

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

This afternoon/evening after work I went on an official Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous test drive.  This is my 3rd official mission with possibly the most pressure put on my impressions.  @xwesx reached out to me via private message last week and asked if I could go an check out a 2013 Subaru Forester with 67K miles on the odometer.

And, it is much appreciated!!! I still need to do some following up today.

nyccarguy

xwesx said:

nyccarguy said:

This afternoon/evening after work I went on an official Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous test drive.  This is my 3rd official mission with possibly the most pressure put on my impressions.  @xwesx reached out to me via private message last week and asked if I could go an check out a 2013 Subaru Forester with 67K miles on the odometer.

And, it is much appreciated!!! I still need to do some following up today.

My pleasure!

stickguy

Very short list of cons. The snob and dealer factors are irrelevant to me. And the resale most likely too, since would either lease, buy used, or keep a long time.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Very short list of cons. The snob and dealer factors are irrelevant to me. And the resale most likely too, since would either lease, buy used, or keep a long time.

Yeah... if that is the full list of cons, you've got a great car.

fintail

Not that you know of anyway

I joke it is a perfect combination of German maintenance rigor with British reliability.

Mr_Shiftright said:

That's one big payoff for owning a Mini Cooper--it's made by BMW but the general public doesn't penalize you for it.

Mr_Shiftright

I've been working on new Mini marketing ideas:

"the small car with the big price!"

"Golf performance at BMW rates!"

"We make it cute so that you won't kill it!"

stickguy

was out with daughter so stopped at VW to see about car. still working on it (part came in late. weather was terrible her all day), so likely not done until Monday. So, just keeping their car longer.

do have a new top contender. Saw a sharp gray GLI out front (and a white one too). Very nice. Daughter really liked it. Going to drive one whenever we go back to pick up the Jetta. Seems to have all the key features now (though not sure about proximity access. that is nice!).

Michaell

stickguy said:

was out with daughter so stopped at VW to see about car. still working on it (part came in late. weather was terrible her all day), so likely not done until Monday. So, just keeping their car longer.

do have a new top contender. Saw a sharp gray GLI out front (and a white one too). Very nice. Daughter really liked it. Going to drive one whenever we go back to pick up the Jetta. Seems to have all the key features now (though not sure about proximity access. that is nice!).

There isn't a GLI within 500 miles of me.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nj97t1w_nPk

tbirdmarco

@carnaught nice riteup on the Pros and Cons of your wifes new car!

tbirdmarco

happy! Friday! all! have an good upcumming weekend all!

andres3

pensfan83 said:

stickguy said:

Was chatting with the princess today. Planning out cars for her to look at. For after graduation, spring 2018. She has the gene.



And my son was texting about Audi dealer with a leftover S3, wondering what they would take for it. I told him to control himself.

I may look into one of those myself when my A4 lease is up in 4.5 months. They look small though and with a dog and 6 year old it might be tight. Probably will end up with an SUV this go round.

SQ5?

The A3 is smaller on the outside than the inside. They definitely made passenger space a priority, but the trunk space suffers for it. Still, one with 2.0T and quattro is a fun drive, and the S3 just makes it a blast I'm sure.

How about an RS3?

corvette

Don't the Audi S models lease badly?

28firefighter

Most all Audi models lease poorly. 

qbrozen

Sold the Volvo about 10 mins ago, warts and all. Guy bought it for his daughter. I think he said this is her 3rd. She totalled the other two. The one they just lost had 310,000 miles. Anyway, happy to not have it in front of the house anymore.

mjfloyd1

ab348 said:

mjfloyd1 said:

Riding in the 63 split window coupe this afternoon with my wife. I comment that the fuel gauge shows 3/4 tank. Cough, cough, sputter, dies. Thankfully my neighbor was coming that way and could bring 5 gallons of gas. Exciting day! Wife less than impressed. I fill the car up (and the neighbor's 5 gallon can) and the car now reads 1/2 tank. Interesting

Now you know why it was for sale.

Mershons is picking it up early next week and fixing the fuel gauge issue and the passenger headlight that doesn't open. They are going to bring it back when fixed as well. At least they are stand up guys.

mjfloyd1

venture said:

ab348 said:

venture said:

I used to have a white '65 coupe - until a guy in a Buick pulled out in front of me. The gas gauge didn't work so I went poking around under the dash. I found 2 wires the same color so I twisted them together and the gauge worked. For some odd reason then the radio was full of static. I disconnected the wire and learned to watch the miles.

Because of the fiberglass body, Corvettes back then needed metal shielding around the distributor to block the electrical pulses from interfering with the radio. Usually chrome-plated pieces IIRC. Maybe yours didn't have that.

It had the shielding. The radio worked fine when I disconnected my "find". I never did discover the real problem, but I didn't spend much time on it either. I was young and even dumber than I am now.

Who needs a radio with a 327 and a 4 speed?

mjfloyd1

@qbrozen - did you find a reason for the belt exorcism on the big block?

stickguy

Michael, the dealer the Jetta is sitting at apparently has 4. and good thing I did not see the one with the manual! Strong prices here I guess, listed at over $3K off sticker. That gray one with the pictures was right out front, and is the one that caught our eye. And we will drive monday.

http://www.cherryhillvw.com/new-inventory/index.htm?search=&year=&model=Jetta&bodyStyle=&trim=GLI&internetPrice=&saveFacetState=true&lastFacetInteracted=inventory-listing1-facet-anchor-trim-5

Sandman6472

I like those GLI's though a bit too long for me right now. Have driven those Lincoln MKC's at work and think they are a great vehicle that is underrated by the public. Seems to be the same body as the Ford Edge which is mid-sized I think. Ours have push button start and right underneath, the gears for the auto tranny. Lincoln did a good job here and it looks very seemless on the dash. It really is the perfect vehicle to move people around in and yes, the seats are very comfy. One of the couple domestic vehicles I'd consider buying.
Saw a couple Q3's today and think that could really work for me after the Golf leaves the stable. Thinking and hoping I could get a killer deal on a year old CPO unit. The used vehicles I've sen at our local Audi store seem to be priced right and always a new selection whenever I bring the A3 in for a bath or service. Of course it looks great in white but thinking a dark blue over gray would be the ticket for me. Though the Mini Cooper is still the #1 vehicle on my list to replace the Golf when the time comes. A four door Countryman would just be perfect!

The Sandman

stickguy

followed a lot guy pulling around a nice dark gray S5 convertible today. had the top down. Serious growl to that car. Very sharp looking.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Sold the Volvo about 10 mins ago, warts and all. Guy bought it for his daughter. I think he said this is her 3rd. She totalled the other two. The one they just lost had 310,000 miles. Anyway, happy to not have it in front of the house anymore.

Another successful sale by Down the Road Motors.

andres3

stickguy said:

followed a lot guy pulling around a nice dark gray S5 convertible today. had the top down. Serious growl to that car. Very sharp looking.

Must of been the V8! One day I'll own an Audi V8 if gas ever goes below $2/gallon again, or someone just have to get rid of a first generation R8.

nyccarguy

@stickguy - those GLIs are sharp.  That's built on the old platform, right?  I'd imagine a GTI drives so much better in every way.

qbrozen

mjfloyd1 said:

@qbrozen - did you find a reason for the belt exorcism on the big block?

Nope. My father is of the opinion that "big motor muscle cars from back then just do that sort of thing." He's owned several and this is my first, so I'll just have to take his word for it. 

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

@stickguy - those GLIs are sharp.  That's built on the old platform, right?  I'd imagine a GTI drives so much better in every way.

I believe so. basically a version of the 2015 sport. But a nice one. I could convince the wife on a GLI but she would protest a GTI I think. But, I would need to drive them both first. GLI at least is a bit bigger and rommier.

andres3

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

I like this one. Even in bright red. Miles aren't bad. RWD and spirt package a plus. Might be a touch overpriced, but I am terrible at judging that.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2006-bmw-3_series-325i-used-16347670.html

Really low miles... xenons and sport pack. automatic?

That has a one year only engine for the 3-series.. 215 HP straight six. (up from 184 on the previous body style). They went to the 230 HP engine, the next year, and called it a 328i.

I'd rather have the '06 330i which I believe had a healthier 255 horses from the inline 6. This was a time when the Honda Accord had 244 HP.

andres3

nyccarguy said:

Recorded my best mpg to date on my trip up and down the NJ Turnpike. 188.9 miles on 7.798 gallons of PUG for an average of 24.23 mpg.

Average cruising speed while averaging 24.23 MPG? I find it kind of funny they go into the hundredths rather than round at tenths.

andres3

stickguy said:

oh, I prefer beige (or at least light gray) interior. Really don't want black. It would be the bright red that I would have to come to grips with.

I think red exterior, beige interior is an excellent combo of color! I also like blue and beige, and green and beige, and of course, beige and beige if I'm feeling conservative.