Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

imidazol97

I feel for those parents here paying high costs. 20 years back we were paying $22/da to a wonderful grandmother-like neighborhood person who taught the 2-4 children she had age appropriate activities that developed them through the day. They were well prepared for kindergarten. My son still communicates with her on facebook. She was that good to them.

Parents who stay home to take care of children have to be sure they are helping them develop. It's really great when grandparents can take care of the little ones even if only occasionally.

Some childcare situations are essentially TV parlors and little adult interaction, at least in this area.

jpp75

Thanks everyone for the input on the Touareg. I finally got in touch with VW credit this morning, I can buy the extra miles for $0.15 per mile instead of the $0.20 per mile in the original contract. As most of you suggested that's likely the best way to go given my current situation, especially with parking being limited in this area.

My spreadsheet agrees wholeheartedly, but I'll still be test driving with @Michaell this weekend, just in case. But as he and I discussed the real issue will be finding something I'd be happy with as a replacement. To be continued.

fintail

I feel lucky that I grew up in lower cost of living areas, and that my mom was able to stay home most of the time until I was a junior or senior in high school (I also have 2 siblings - care for one may be onerous, but it's probably cheaper to stay home if 2 or 3 need it). Housing and medical costs have skyrocketed in the intervening years compared to salaries, not to mention the costs of childcare.

My friends who have kids are either lucky enough to have a spouse who mostly works from home, or can enlist family help - and they still get some bills.

kyfdx

I never thought my wife was that great at teaching (and, with an education degree). I think our child was better off going to daycare, and having her bring home the bacon!

(I can call it daycare, because I wrote the checks). At 20 months, he started at a Montesorri Preschool. Must have worked, because he got an academic scholarship to college. Though a year after graduation, he still works in a kitchen and lives in my lower level...

So, I'm really not sure what's best, but either way, I blame his mother.

xwesx

cdnpinhead said:

We did without a lot in order for my wife to be a full-time mother to our children. Our son must have thought it was worthwhile, since he and his wife are doing the same thing.

Different strokes. . .

Same here. It's been ten years since the last time my wife brought home a paycheck, but our children are far better off with us raising them than somebody else. Plus, she does home school with them (though daughter will be going to a Waldorf school this next year), which is a much better environment for them both, but for vastly different reasons.

The downside is that she's starting to get burned out on the lack of environmental variation (not to mention just having to deal with the same two ungrateful little cusses day after day after day)....

xwesx

Oh, and hello.... I am home! It took me nearly a week to read through the nearly 400 messages since 6/1.

Michaell

xwesx said:

Oh, and hello.... I am home! It took me nearly a week to read through the nearly 400 messages since 6/1.

No updates on the "Road Trip" thread?

pensfan83

Had my test drive of the Fusion earlier today. Once I'm near a keyboard I'll type up my thoughts. Decent car, awesome power, but the handling leaves a lot to be desired.

qbrozen

Ok, this just caught my eye and had me pondering. Maybe you folks can help me figure this one out. Ford lease deal is $209/mo for 24 months with $4500 cash at signing ($3750 advertised plus $750 rebate I don't qualify for). This is a 2017 F150 XL Supercab with 2.7L ecoboost, plus equip group 101A and "w/chrome or spork pkg."

This seems remarkably cheap for what I believe is a $35k truck. I wonder what the finance charge amounts to. It is only 21k miles, so I would theoretically have to push that up to like 30k or maybe 36k.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

Ok, this just caught my eye and had me pondering. Maybe you folks can help me figure this one out. Ford lease deal is $209/mo for 24 months with $4500 cash at signing ($3750 advertised plus $750 rebate I don't qualify for). This is a 2017 F150 XL Supercab with 2.7L ecoboost, plus equip group 101A and "w/chrome or spork pkg."

This seems remarkably cheap for what I believe is a $35k truck. I wonder what the finance charge amounts to. It is only 21k miles, so I would theoretically have to push that up to like 30k or maybe 36k.

Assuming this is 4x4, the 24/10.5K residual is 62% - subtract 4% if 4x2.

I don't have the actual APR/MF for NJ, but the closest region I do have (Pittsburgh) shows .50% and $1750 lease cash.

xwesx

Michaell said:

xwesx said:

Oh, and hello.... I am home! It took me nearly a week to read through the nearly 400 messages since 6/1.

No updates on the "Road Trip" thread?

Sorry; a lot going on right now, and I just haven't taken any time to formulate thoughts on it.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

Ok, this just caught my eye and had me pondering. Maybe you folks can help me figure this one out. Ford lease deal is $209/mo for 24 months with $4500 cash at signing ($3750 advertised plus $750 rebate I don't qualify for). This is a 2017 F150 XL Supercab with 2.7L ecoboost, plus equip group 101A and "w/chrome or spork pkg."

This seems remarkably cheap for what I believe is a $35k truck. I wonder what the finance charge amounts to. It is only 21k miles, so I would theoretically have to push that up to like 30k or maybe 36k.

Assuming this is 4x4, the 24/10.5K residual is 62% - subtract 4% if 4x2.

I don't have the actual APR/MF for NJ, but the closest region I do have (Pittsburgh) shows .50% and $1750 lease cash.

Yes, 4x4. Oh, and I was wrong about the MSRP. It is nearly $39k.

Here is the fine print:

Security deposit waived, taxes, title and license fees extra. With Equipment Group 101A. Not all buyers will qualify for Ford Credit Red Carpet Lease. Payments may vary; dealer determines price. Residency restrictions apply. Cash due at signing is after $4,300 total cash back including $1,750 Customer Cash (PGM #50400) + $1,500 Bonus Cash (PGM #13058) + $300 2.7L V6 EcoBoost Bonus Cash (PGM #13006) + $750 F-150 RCL Renewal (PGM #35952). F-150 RCL Renewal available to customers who currently lease an F-150 or have terminated an F-150 lease between 1/4/17 and 4/3/17. Lessee responsible for excess wear and mileage over 21,000 miles at $0.20 per mile. Lessee has option to purchase vehicle at lease end at price negotiated with dealer at signing. Take new retail delivery from dealer stock by 7/5/17. See dealer for qualifications and complete details. Vehicle shown may have optional equipment not included in payment.

ab348

Still no deal confirmed on that loaded ATS I drove last week. Comedy of errors with GM Financial and the lease-end inspection outfit (AutoVIN, I believe a part of Adesa) who seem to not communicate with each other very well. One blamed the other and vice-versa. Now supposed to happen next week, we'll see. If there are any more shenanigans between them I'm forgetting the whole thing. It's a lovely car but I don't need it desperately enough to put up with foolishness.

Thinking of driving a Sportage Turbo just for giggles.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CRnXW7LWDCg

tbirdmarco

@jpp5862 you are welcome! best way to go! for now! glad it is all working out for you. yes go and do the test drives anyway this weekand. and let us all no how it all gos

tbirdmarco

@ab348 wow we shal see hoping for the best for you next week! go and take those test drives and report back to us really injoy reading all of this a lot.

tbirdmarco

hope that everyone had an good week! Have an good upcumming weekand everyone!

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen worth looking in to! go for it! we want to hear all about it hear!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 glad your test drive whent whell today cant wate to hear all about it later on when you are near an key bord and have sum free time!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx welcome back! glad you had an nice safe trip! cante wate to hear all about it when you have sum time to type it all up!

ab348

cdnpinhead said:

We did without a lot in order for my wife to be a full-time mother to our children. Our son must have thought it was worthwhile, since he and his wife are doing the same thing.

Different strokes. . .

And certainly different expectations now than when I was growing up in the 1960s. I was the youngest of 4 kids, spaced 14 years apart. Dad was in the Navy during WWII and stayed 20 years before leaving and becoming a real estate agent. He obviously never made big money doing either of those things but we always had a decent place to live, food on the table, clothes to wear and toys to play with. They sent one of my brothers and myself to university. When I was a kid we always took a week, sometimes two weeks, in the summer for a driving vacation somewhere. Life seemed good. Looking back I don't know how they did it.

But as kids we didn't need to have our free time scheduled with all sorts of activities at all hours. We played in the neighborhood with our friends until our moms, all of whom stayed at home taking care of the house and us, stuck their heads out the door as it was getting dark and called us back home. And those were modest homes, not in new developments costing big bucks. I know in my case I treasured whatever I got in the way of toys or trips or treats. It wasn't taken for granted.

Not saying today is better or worse, but it is a different world, especially when it comes to the role of women in the family and their expectations.

cdnpinhead

Good point related to scheduled time for kids and all the logistics required. When I was a kid (dinosaurs roamed the earth) I was gone for hours, and the only requirement was to be home by "dinner time." For our kids it was updated to being home when the streetlights turned on (just before dark). We ate dinner later than I did as a kid. Either way, times change, and deciding whether the lifestyle that two incomes provides is worth what it costs in other areas is an individual choice, if there ever was one.

xwesx

Yes, quite true. I imagine most "modern" people would be relatively horrified with where/how my family lives, but it works great for us, and we're in a far better place (financial and emotional) than most of them anyway. Our lives, our choice.

pensfan83

Here’s the update on on my test drive of the Fusion Sport earlier today. All in all not a bad vehicle but there’s a few things to share from the test drive.

The Fusion is quick….2 turbos get the car moving very quickly though there was occasionally the slight hesitation in the transmission if you were heavy with your right foot. Once it sorted things out though the car moved very effortlessly with plenty of power on tap and it’s more than adequate for my needs. Even though it’s roughly a half foot longer than my A4 it drives and feels bigger and heavier. The handling is good, not great, but the car’s mass makes it feel somewhat disconnected from the road. The AWD system is also more in place to keep the torque steer down as the car drives entirely in FWD until wheel slippage occurs then it shifts power to the rear. The gauge cluster can be configured to show the cars traction in real time and under normal acceleration you can see there is almost no traction to the real wheels. The Quattro system in my A4 has a 40/60 split and is geared toward performance, which makes a noticeable difference.

The interior is nice, leather and suede seats hold you in place though I would have liked some additional side bolsters. Recaros from one of the ST models would be nice. The one I test drove came with all the active safety features, heated/ventilated seats, and adaptive cruise and it just touched $41,000 on the sticker.

On paper it’s definitely a worthy alternative to an A4 or 3-Series but the driving experiences couldn’t be more different and now I see why they sticker for $10,000 less and are heavily discounted. . I expect they’ll make some tweaks (8 speed auto?) and it could stand to lose some weight but overall it’s a good, well executed package. I think if I was looking for a replacement for something other than my A4 I wouldn’t look any further but having driven an A4 for the last 3 years I’m not sure I would be happy with the driving experience of the Fusion in the long term.

stickguy

not in this area, especially if you have a house too. Unless the one salary is a big one (doctor, lawyer, etc.).

jpp5862 said:

Thanks everyone for the input on the Touareg. I finally got in touch with VW credit this morning, I can buy the extra miles for $0.15 per mile instead of the $0.20 per mile in the original contract. As most of you suggested that's likely the best way to go given my current situation, especially with parking being limited in this area.

My spreadsheet agrees wholeheartedly, but I'll still be test driving with @Michaell this weekend, just in case. But as he and I discussed the real issue will be finding something I'd be happy with as a replacement. To be continued.

I did this analysis trying to decide whether to get a lower mile lease. Basically, in your case, you are only going to be risking paying more after using 75% of your purchased miles. And locking in that cost.

so if you buy 20K miles, you don't even break even until you drive 15K of them (and of course if you do less than the 15 then you are out the money). So in this case that would be 5,000 miles at 20 cents, so $1,000. And again if you drive any less than that, you paid more for nothing.

stickguy

for some reason, the 2018 Sonata Sport 2.0t is sticking in my brain. Looking forward to checking one out this summer. makes a lot of sense if I need a car right away to replace mine, and want another lease. Assuming they can get that model cheap enough!

should be different enough to make it doable, and the extra HP will certainly be nice! I really liked the Elantra sport, and this would be a grown up version of that.

tjc78

Was the Elantra Sport harsh riding?  I like the way my 17 rides, it's just so slow.  

stickguy

did not seem that way, but we just did a quick lap around Burns, so no roads bad enough to really tell. I doubt the suspension is much different, but the 40 series tires were really very low profile.

I really want a loaded limited, just with the turbo engine! Though I do think a Sonata would work better, since we would use it for longer trips, and the wife is not a fan of cars that are too small. I was hoping for something a bit smaller, but not really a big deal.

Sandman6472

Grew up in a pretty affluant area of Westchester, NY, my mom stayed home and my dad worked in the family business, women's sportswear. My grandpa was a tailor in Kiev Russia and came to the U S and started a company that was successful. My grandma was a seamstress in his company and they married, having 3 boys each 7.5 years apart. Company sold in mid 60's to a large company on the NY stock exchange who hired my dad to continue running it. At age 47, he retired for good. We were lucky enough to have a live-in maid plus a day maid for the 4 of s kids, all born within 4 years.
My mom never wanted for anything in life and going into the post office, we lived a more scaled down life, but a good life. Asked my oldest awhile back if she missed anything growing up...she said no! Had all her needs met and a few wants so was happy to hear that. But still, we lived on a much smaller scale as I made sure we lived on less than our means.
Guess some familes are better situated but feel we did fine by them all!

The Sandman

tjc78

stickguy said:

did not seem that way, but we just did a quick lap around Burns, so no roads bad enough to really tell. I doubt the suspension is much different, but the 40 series tires were really very low profile.

I really want a loaded limited, just with the turbo engine! Though I do think a Sonata would work better, since we would use it for longer trips, and the wife is not a fan of cars that are too small. I was hoping for something a bit smaller, but not really a big deal.

That's what I would want.  Quick in a straight line is fine for me.  

I am also bummed.  Had first oil change all lined up for Tuesday and was gonna drive a Santa Fe. Wife double booked a contractor on me and I have cancel.  Rest of the week looks too busy with work, etc. 

Anyhow Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers.  Wife surprised me with a weekend away at shore.  Weather looks crappy, but a getaway is always good! 

stickguy

I am going down to T'ville for an oil change and the pano roof recall (inspection, glue if needed) on Thursday. And will find something to test drive while I am there. Probably a TLX. Maybe a Civic. Depends on how much time I have!

stickguy

an odd finding these days. Needs a good detail, and entirely possible something nasty is hiding in there. But pretty cheap.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1992-lexus-sc_400-2dr_coupe_automatic-used-16464261.html

ab348

stickguy said:

an odd finding these days. Needs a good detail, and entirely possible something nasty is hiding in there. But pretty cheap.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1992-lexus-sc_400-2dr_coupe_automatic-used-16464261.html

One of my buddies has one of these bought new. drove it for a year and then parked it except for one week a year. Very low miles, perfect condition, but sadly not worth much as he recently discovered.

qbrozen

This idea is just sticking in my head. The cost to rent one of these for 2 years is roughly $10k(?). I love the looks of them, especially all blacked out. They are shockingly quick. Gotta be damned comfortable, I would think. I actually think "oh, damn, that's nice!" When I think about it or look at it, which is more than I can say about any used vehicles I have been looking at.

http://www.larsonford.net/new/Ford/2017-Ford-F-150-1b38524c0a0e0a6b440ce99f4836576e.htm?searchDepth=2:12

kyfdx

I'm driving my friend's 2013 F-150, this week. At no point do you ever feel like you are driving a car, no matter how nice the truck. Another friend has a King Ranch with the ecoboost turbo, and while it is an exceedingly nice truck, it's still a truck. I wouldn't want to commute in it.

Of course, it has other capabilities, but I don't really need those. It's sort of like driving a Wrangler Unlimited, instead of a Grand Cherokee. If you aren't going off-road, it's not worth driving that Wrangler every day.

stickguy

My BIL has an F150 (probably a later year in the model before they went aluminum). Shorter cab (I think with the clamshell doors) and standard bed. So far from the longest. I have not driven, but riding in it, you still know it is a clunky beast. He complains about having to maneuver it in tighter areas such as towns (on LI) and especially parking lots. It is a work truck (surveyor) but not a stripped model. He would never have one as a DD.

I think about it, but know I would tire quickly. For me, it would have to be a spare set of wheels, and preferably, a much more compact one (next ranger maybe?)

pensfan83

My dad has a 2013 F150 as well and I couldn't agree more @kyfdx. The utility is great to have but it's not a vehicle I could see myself driving everyday and no matter how nice they make them it's still a truck and rides and drives like one. It's terrible in tight quarters and is a bear to drive on anything but a flat stretch of highway.

qbrozen

Thanks for the reviews. I'll keep it in mind when test driving later today. I don't have much to worry about in terms of tight maneuvering, but it is a consideration. There is a full-fledged 4-door black one at another dealership near me that includes backup camera and 3.73 locking rear, so I think that is the one I will try out.

corvette

That looks nice. I didn't realize you could get the larger infotainment screen on an XL. I'm not sure I would want the larger wheels though.

stickguy

I want to try one, just for the heck of it. Should be enough to make me realize I don't want to drive one every day!

and yes, you want one with a BU camera. I had a Nissan king cab PU for a while and even that had a lot of truck hanging out the back! And a lousy view down low with tailgate up. A new F150 must be many feet longer behind the driver, much higher, and way worse visibility.

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen worth looking in to! go for it! we want to hear all about it hear!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx so so trew do what works best for you when it comes to your living and fininchial matters. we are all so different!

stickguy

not sure what to make out of this one. I think I hate it. But not sure. I do like the pedal count!

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2008-chevrolet-corvette-2dr_coupe-used-16494616.html

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 nice rite up on the car you did test drive yesterday keep on looking! and test driving! would not be in to an truck eather. maby small one mor in to SUVs and cars hear!

graphicguy

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

an odd finding these days. Needs a good detail, and entirely possible something nasty is hiding in there. But pretty cheap.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1992-lexus-sc_400-2dr_coupe_automatic-used-16464261.html

One of my buddies has one of these bought new. drove it for a year and then parked it except for one week a year. Very low miles, perfect condition, but sadly not worth much as he recently discovered.

Those SCs were always about more style than substance. Pretty, though!

qbrozen

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

Ok, this just caught my eye and had me pondering. Maybe you folks can help me figure this one out. Ford lease deal is $209/mo for 24 months with $4500 cash at signing ($3750 advertised plus $750 rebate I don't qualify for). This is a 2017 F150 XL Supercab with 2.7L ecoboost, plus equip group 101A and "w/chrome or spork pkg."

This seems remarkably cheap for what I believe is a $35k truck. I wonder what the finance charge amounts to. It is only 21k miles, so I would theoretically have to push that up to like 30k or maybe 36k.

Assuming this is 4x4, the 24/10.5K residual is 62% - subtract 4% if 4x2.

I don't have the actual APR/MF for NJ, but the closest region I do have (Pittsburgh) shows .50% and $1750 lease cash.

Hey, Michaell, couple of questions. What does the residual drop to for 15k/yr? And does crewcab vs supercab make any difference?

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

an odd finding these days. Needs a good detail, and entirely possible something nasty is hiding in there. But pretty cheap.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-1992-lexus-sc_400-2dr_coupe_automatic-used-16464261.html

Typical leather disintegration on that era Lexus. Time for sheepskins I guess.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

Ok, this just caught my eye and had me pondering. Maybe you folks can help me figure this one out. Ford lease deal is $209/mo for 24 months with $4500 cash at signing ($3750 advertised plus $750 rebate I don't qualify for). This is a 2017 F150 XL Supercab with 2.7L ecoboost, plus equip group 101A and "w/chrome or spork pkg."

This seems remarkably cheap for what I believe is a $35k truck. I wonder what the finance charge amounts to. It is only 21k miles, so I would theoretically have to push that up to like 30k or maybe 36k.

Assuming this is 4x4, the 24/10.5K residual is 62% - subtract 4% if 4x2.

I don't have the actual APR/MF for NJ, but the closest region I do have (Pittsburgh) shows .50% and $1750 lease cash.

Hey, Michaell, couple of questions. What does the residual drop to for 15k/yr? And does crewcab vs supercab make any difference?

Subtract 3% to go from 10K to 15K/yr

kyfdx

SuperCab residuals are 2% lower, assuming 4X4.

Lease cash is $500 higher

qbrozen

OK, so crewcab at 15k/yr gets me to 61%. Figure somewhere around $38,500 cap cost on a $44,800 MSRP leaves me with $11,172 depreciation. Hmmmm... not gonna get me quite where I want to be.