Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

stickguy said:

I need to update my list at some point. Have been distracted recently, trying to finish estate (executor) duties, and we just got a new foster dog (who on day 2 went in to get neutered, so extra loads of fun dealing with rehabbing him from that!), and doing some rescue volunteer work. And my partner in crime (daughter) is taking a 1 month class on top of working FT (commuting 2 hours a day with that) so she is out of commission until July. Actually thinking at this point any real looking/driving might not happen until September!

You may not have enough time to test drive everything you want before the lease is up. Tragic!

Of course, I only test drove the Jetta and made a snap decision. This is why I'm starting the test drive process 2 1/2 years early.

sb55

qbrozen said:

On one hand, I feel a bit guilty because I have almost no need of the utility of such a vehicle. But, it is at a point where it kind of does not matter because it is no more wasteful than my relatively dainty Infiniti. It is technically MORE efficient and, to boot, does not require premium. So I moved up to a full-size truck and it will cost me less to move it down the road! And of course I am gaining a tremendous amount of interior space and comfort. Perception may be that it is wasteful but reality is quite different. Think I could fit all that on a bumper sticker? Haha.

I have a need for a truck fro towing and hauling, as we own a travel trailer and boat. The new pickups are not a penalty box. Congrats.

kyfdx

Comparing my friends' SuperCab XLT and King Ranch, I'll say that the backup camera is definitely nice to have. (this XLT has no camera)

ab348

Michaell said:

You may not have enough time to test drive everything you want before the lease is up. Tragic!

Well, he has about 50 cars on that list. These things take time.

jpp75

Michaell said:

@jpp5862 so share with us the new short list - there are still 4-5 test drives to take.

And, I discovered the there is a Denver cars and coffee held each month about 10 minutes from my house. Hoping to get the Denver crew together to attend at some point.

You know more and more I keep coming back to just holding onto the Touraeg for the next 18 months. But that doesn't mean we won't be test driving other options.

I think the short list (as of today) includes:

BMW X1
Infiniti QX70 (formerly the FX)
VW Tiguan (the new model)
GMC Canyon

@Michaell did I leave anything off?

Also I'm definitely up for cars and coffee next month, always wanted to attend one of those.

stickguy

the only ones I have to evaluate are the Hyundais, because if I am getting one of them I would do it when I turned the old one in, to take advantage of the savings (no disposition fee, and lease loyalty bonus). If I am not going to re-up, I can let it go back and take my time. But certainly need to explore other options first, just to make sure.

speaking of Hyundai, I let the princess take my car to work today since it is 90 miles RT, and want to spread out the miles used between the 2 leases (and give my car some exercise). She made it, and said it was nice riding, but a pain to park compared to the Jetta. And it has no "scoot". She is hooked on the off the line thrust from the turbo in the Jetta I think. It does have quick response, and feels fast (though real world numbers might not be too far off).

She did, however, love the BLIS feature, especially since she has to deal with a nasty section of road in Delaware, coming off the Delaware memorial bridge and navigating onto (and all the way across 6 lanes for a quick exit) I95. Definitely getting that on her next car. And total keyless entry so never need to touch the fob. Thankfully, the new Jetta she is expecting to get should have both those features.

stickguy

so, is this a good deal? Love the color. Would probably do fine (something like this) as my spare around town car for a few years, for not too much money. Though would probably want to get it for less.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2007-lexus-rx_350-used-16441160.html

Michaell

jpp5862 said:

Michaell said:

@jpp5862 so share with us the new short list - there are still 4-5 test drives to take.

And, I discovered the there is a Denver cars and coffee held each month about 10 minutes from my house. Hoping to get the Denver crew together to attend at some point.

You know more and more I keep coming back to just holding onto the Touraeg for the next 18 months. But that doesn't mean we won't be test driving other options.

I think the short list (as of today) includes:

BMW X1
Infiniti QX70 (formerly the FX)
VW Tiguan (the new model)
GMC Canyon

@Michaell did I leave anything off?

Also I'm definitely up for cars and coffee next month, always wanted to attend one of those.

We also talked about the Forester XT ... and, maybe the new CR-V with the turbo.

Michaell

Seems overpriced, with 170K on the clock:

http://jalopnik.com/for-7-995-could-you-see-yourself-in-this-1983-mercede-1796206570

qbrozen

stickguy said:

so, is this a good deal? Love the color. Would probably do fine (something like this) as my spare around town car for a few years, for not too much money. Though would probably want to get it for less.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2007-lexus-rx_350-used-16441160.html

~$7500 trade

fintail

It might be just a bit dear. I would be fine around 6K and only to an enthusiast. The diesel coupes are where the money is at. Funny engine swap, but not a low maintenance engine - it would warrant a specialist PPI. My real worry, given the locale, is rust.

Jalopnik irks me not just for the censorship, but the "expert" commentary and editorial staff. That car is indeed a Euro, a federalized car with US gauges and lights. Nobody is going to retrofit a Euro HVAC system and cloth interior into a US spec car. I'd change the wheels to bundts or hubcaps.

Michaell said:

Seems overpriced, with 170K on the clock:

http://jalopnik.com/for-7-995-could-you-see-yourself-in-this-1983-mercede-1796206570

jpp75

Michaell said:

We also talked about the Forester XT ... and, maybe the new CR-V with the turbo.

Ah yes, the Forester XT, probably most interested in that one. I don't think I'd care for the CR-V though.

I passed 2 FX35s as I walked to lunch (Torchy's!) and forgot how short they are.

stickguy

The QX50 is longer. Stretched the wheelbase and back seat about 4 inches at one point.

stickguy

For the price, maybe? Am I nuts? Love the color combo on this. Miles are low.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2008-audi-a4-2dr_cabriolet_cvt_2_0t_fronttrak-used-16484819.html

corvette

That A4 is the same color scheme as the A4 Quattro sedan I leased. Beautiful! 

stickguy

Blue top makes it even sweeter! And lack of Quattro does not bother me. Just not sure of the CVT.

corvette

The FWD models during that time had CVTs. I had one as a loaner and didn't care for it. I think it tried to fake shifts like a conventional auto. Much preferred the six speed auto in my Quattro. 

Nissan does it right and doesn't make the CVT try to act like something else. 

28firefighter

@graphicguy it looks like your "old" Infiniti is up for sale - asking of $38k. Seems a bit optimistic, if you ask me. Very pretty car.

qbrozen

Arrived today in the pouring rain. Waiting on the PDI now.

stickguy

so big you can only get 1/3 of it in the picture at once?

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9S4ehO2p6tw

stickguy

Here we go. would love to have this. Match Bradd, just with 100K fewer miles! Looks fantastic. Can't be many around now with low miles in such perfect OEM condition.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-honda-prelude-2/

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen very nice so you should have it tomero or wensday! nice nice!

stickguy

I'm guessing it is coming home with him tonight.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Here we go. would love to have this. Match Bradd, just with 100K fewer miles! Looks fantastic. Can't be many around now with low miles in such perfect OEM condition.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-honda-prelude-2/

Awesome! Wonder what it will go for.

stickguy

probably a lot more than the $9,100 it is bid up to as of now.

qbrozen

stickguy

snazzy. Ginormous, but snazzy. Dwarfs the minivan, that is for sure.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Here we go. would love to have this. Match Bradd, just with 100K fewer miles! Looks fantastic. Can't be many around now with low miles in such perfect OEM condition.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-honda-prelude-2/

That Prelude is in amazing condition.  WOW!  I forgot how nice mine can look!

stickguy

Should be a fun 2 years though! Hope you like it.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

Nice! Didn't realize it was the short bed.

28firefighter

Looks great, @qbrozen!

qbrozen

Thanks!

Yes, shorty. I ain't that crazy.

corvette

I wish they still offered the 5.5' bed with the extended cab (I think Ford did for a while on the previous generation). That would cut about a foot off the length and make it more maneuverable, although the ride might suffer. As it stands, the crew cab with the 5.5' bed and the extended cab with 6.5' bed are pretty much the same length.

ab348

I have never been able to figure out the different grille configuration on F-150s. There seem to be a bunch of different ones.

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen my bad you got it tonight congrads! Good luck with it!

tbirdmarco

@ab348 any word from GM on your car deal! will you posabal be getting the new one!

nyccarguy

Looking good @qbrozen!

Michaell

@qbrozen - nice looking truck, inside and out. I'll be interested in your thoughts about 6 months from now, when you've lived with it every day.

Any concerns about keeping to the lease mileage?

As so many others have stated, I'm not sure I could live with something that big every day. @jpp5862 wants to test drive a Canyon, so I wonder if these new mid-sizers are really that much smaller.

stickguy

he will be fine on miles, when he dumps it in 6 months.

Dodge I think has the short 4 normal door cab and short bed option. I would look at that I guess, though a suicide door set up for an even shorter cab would be fine with me. Mostly need it for carrying stuff or the dog.

stickguy

Michael, the Canyon is still big on it's own (seems about like a Sierra from a couple generations ago) but side by side to a new 1/2 ton it seems petite.

suydam

As the farmers in my area used to say, if you're looking at a smaller truck, then you don't need a truck.
Congrats on the new ride!

Michaell

suydam said:

As the farmers in my area used to say, if you're looking at a smaller truck, then you don't need a truck.
Congrats on the new ride!

I've had exposure to exactly two trucks in my life.

The first was dad's '70 Chevy pickup. Seemed huge when I drove it after getting my license at 16. The Outback we currently drive is probably the same size.

The second was an '86 Isuzu P'up. My first wife bought it right when we started dating (what is it with girls and pickups? It's a huge thing here in Denver). Standard bed, standard cab, 5 speed manual with throws you could drive through. No A/C, no cruise, wind up windows. I commuted to LA with that truck for a summer - that was a workout. Sold it and bought a '91 Mazda Protégé when gas prices got to (gulp!) $1.50/gal.

kyfdx

The SuperCrew with the short bed isn't really all that long. With a backup camera, should be easy to maneuver. Turning radius just takes getting used to and some forethought.

graphicguy

Q....I like the truck. Congrats, again!

qbrozen

Growing up, trucks (and truck-based vehicles) were king. Mom had full-sized vans up until her S10 Blazer around about 1989. Dad almost always had some kind of truck around. Sis went through a couple of S10 Blazers as well. When I was in high school, lifted and modified trucks were the rage. I started out with my CJ7, and had a 4runner and a Dakota along the way, before becoming a car convert in '99. This is my first real truck since then. Oh, wait, I did have a 2wd 5-spd B2200 as a spare vehicle for a little while in, I think, 2007.

kyfdx

This is the one I'm driving, this week.

kyfdx

kyfdx said:

This is the one I'm driving, this week.

2WD

nyccarguy

@qbrozen

so your truck has 4 full doors and how big is that bed?

corvette

kyfdx said:

The SuperCrew with the short bed isn't really all that long. With a backup camera, should be easy to maneuver. Turning radius just takes getting used to and some forethought.

If memory serves, they're about the same length as a Suburban or Yukon XL. The regular length Yukon was tight getting into my garage but did fit. A SuperCrew or Suburban would not leave much room in front or back to walk around.