Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

@graphicguy It's the only one semi-close to where I live.
They are really, really low key and easy to deal with. We've never had a Toyota, because most of the dealerships suck, and TFS is a pain to lease with (IMO). This dealership has always been nice, for the few times we've been there to shop, though. Highly recommended.

I thought about really pounding the deal. I think I could have cut another $10/mo. off, with a lot of back and forth, but at that price, everyone leaves happy. (plus, I was late for dinner).

I like the truck, and the deal. Isn't there a Toyota store in N Ky? At least, I thought there used to be. IIRC, the Toyota dealer you used is owned by Josephs, right?

They own the Infiniti store I bought the Q50 from. They also have an Acura, Cadillac, Audi, Chevy, Hyundai dealerships....maybe more. They may even own the Jag/Range Rover dealership I tried to buy from.

Large dealership group, for certain.

I actually liked that Mercedes dealership down by you. Talked to them a couple of times. If I were going to pull the trigger on a Benz, I'd probably go with them.

Dealer about 15-20 minutes from me has a Tacoma like yours, only in grey. Who'd have thunk two Pick-ups in the same geographic locale (roughly) could be had with a manual transmission?
https://www.performancetoyotastore.com/all-inventory/index.htm?listingConfigId=auto-new,auto-used&compositeType=new&year=2017&make=Toyota&model=Tacoma&bodyStyle=&internetPrice=&start=0&sort=&facetbrowse=true&searchLinkText=SEARCH&showInvTotals=false&showRadius=false&showReset=false&showSubmit=true&facetbrowseGridUnit=BLANK&showSelections=true&dependencies=model:make,city:province,city:state&suppressAllConditions=compliant&dl.custom.form.id=&dl.element=BUTTON+Search&dl.formElapsedTime=19262&dl.formTrackingId=INVENTORY_SEARCH&dl.isModal=&dl.params=&dl.widgetName=Search&dl.validate=false

stickguy

AB, best of luck with your "tune up". And that ATS deal, from what you described, I never did have a good feeling about it. Something just always seemed off.

Michaell

@ab348 - here's hoping for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery.

xwesx

@kyfdx ......... GO ORANGE OR GO HOME!

xwesx

Michaell said:

@ab348 - here's hoping for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery.

Agreed!

I dunno, though; a shiny, sporty, new car sitting in the garage would be quite the recovery motivator....! Choices, choices.

xwesx

stickguy said:

I'm winning? OK everyone, stop buying!

Naw, it just means we get to lose first!

imidazol97

ab348 said:

The main issue is that I am going in for surgery to replace my aortic valve. I just got that news from my Cardiologist this AM with the timeline of "soon",

I wish you the best outcome on that surgery.

roadburner

rayainsw said:

" Even if it goes well..."
I hope it goes VERY well !
- Ray
Pullin' for ya ...

Same here!

kyfdx

@graphicguy I live right off 471, so it's a quick trip over there.. About 7 miles farther to Florence, and a lot more traffic. They aren't in the Joseph family. Woeste/Beechmont Automile Group.

There are four of that configuration in town (now, just three). If they had been sticky, we would probably have moved on. (to that gray one)

So, now, my son wants Predator steps/bars. If they had been on the truck, a $650 option, and probably would have added about $3/mo. to the price.. If we buy them, $600... and then take off and sell at lease end.

It never ends.

@ab348 Hang in there!

thebean

roadburner said:

" Even if it goes well..."
I hope it goes VERY well !
- Ray
Pullin' for ya ...

Same here!

+1. Good luck with the procedure, ab.

Michaell

xwesx said:

stickguy said:

I'm winning? OK everyone, stop buying!

Naw, it just means we get to lose first!

I'm pretty sure my guess was under 30, so I'm already done.

xwesx

Michaell said:

xwesx said:

stickguy said:

I'm winning? OK everyone, stop buying!

Naw, it just means we get to lose first!

I'm pretty sure my guess was under 30, so I'm already done.

Oh, good. I feel so much better now!

pensfan83

Very sharp truck love the blue.

I've passed by several that dealer and the Audi ones a bunch of times on the way to my sister and BIL house. They live in Anderson Township not far from that retail corridor.

kyfdx

pensfan83 said:

Very sharp truck love the blue.

I've passed by several that dealer and the Audi ones a bunch of times on the way to my sister and BIL house. They live in Anderson Township not far from that retail corridor.

Yep.. They have Audi and they bought the Honda dealer from Performance, as well. Also have the Porsche, Volvo, Maserati dealer in Mariemont.

I live in NKY, about 15 minutes from there.

corvette

Cincinnati folks, that construction traffic is brutal. Traffic was backed up for miles when I drove through there Saturday. Thankfully, Waze routed me around the worst parts. 

imidazol97

The I75/I71 bridge is being given normal maintenance. They are replacing the concrete roadbed. Two lanes will be blocked, out of 4, on both levels at the same time.
60 days approx to do all the work.

Bridge has its own website now.
brentspence2017.org

fintail

Good luck ab, no doubt you can pull through no problem. Then reward yourself with a new car

ab348

Thanks for the well-wishes, gang. I just hope that "soon" gives me enough notice, and on the other hand, isn't 6 months out either. Need to take care of a few things over the next while.

Funny thing - driving home from the hospital today, a red Golf R on the podium at the VW dealer caught my eye...

sda

ab348 I wish you a complete and quick recovery. You can't miss the Cutlass driving season!

sda

js06gv said:

ab348 said:

Thinking of walking away from the deal on the 2017 ATS I was offered for a bunch of reasons.

But maybe I should get this dreamboat instead.






https://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/cto/6145291385.html

That is an outstanding looking 98. I think it was you who has had a few examples of those before? I'd have pegged that car for a 403 but don't remember the offerings the first year those cars were downsized. Interesting that the ad mentions split power seats when the passenger side is manual.

I am partial to the '78 98 as mom drove one for over 10 years. It was fully loaded including the astro-roof and 403. It was a great car that provided 170k mi of mostly trouble free driving. It never used oil between changes and was still running well when it was traded

. It was repainted soon after these pictures were taken as some of the silver paint was peeling. That is my Sunbird that I drove during my college years in the back ground.

stickguy

so, did some legwork today on my dinged windshield. Man, it pays to shop around. Called 3 places, and prices ranged from $422, to $319, to $265. For likely the same exact glass.

will probably let it go however. I went onto the Hyundai site, and read the lease end page. At least (unlike VW) you just take it back to the dealer. No need for an outside inspection first. And online, they have a self assessment section, where you evaluate the car, and they tell you how much it will cost. easy to follow also, with good pictures and descriptions.

so in my case, it shows a star, and says it is $75 for 1, unless a break gets to be more than 2" long, then the window is toast. That costs $310. So for not much more than having a random guy show up and use whatever glass they have, I can gamble that it is only $75, and if I lose, won't cost much more, and I don't have to deal with it.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ktWyNfvv-So

tbirdmarco

@ab348 good choice good luck with your surjery! best to let leese end than see your options than!

carnaught

Michaell said:

@ab348 - here's hoping for a successful procedure and a speedy recovery.

+2. Thoughts and prayers are with you, and agree that post-op you should car shop, starting with browsing via the internet.

rny421

stickguy said:

so, did some legwork today on my dinged windshield. Man, it pays to shop around. Called 3 places, and prices ranged from $422, to $319, to $265. For likely the same exact glass.

I'm no auto insurance expert, but all of the different carriers I have had offered $0 deductible for glass. I guess I assumed they all came that way? At the very least, it might be worth looking into if you haven't checked.

stickguy

it seems to be a NJ thing. Glass is not separate. Just covered under comprehensive, so subject to the same deductible. But yeah, I should check to make sure.

Michaell

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

stickguy

Don't take out a 7 year loan on a cheap car you are going to drive into the ground?

I guess too late for that.

just do the math. With a functioning tranny, what is it worth (retail to purchase)? subtract the $500 and cost of the rebuild. If negative, just dump it and move on.

how much do they want for the replacement anyway? seems like a CVT should not be that hard to rebuild.

do they even have the money to pay for the repair? If not, might be time to take the $500 and fine some other car where they can bury all the negative equity. Maybe hit up the Hyundai dealer.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Don't take out a 7 year loan on a cheap car you are going to drive into the ground?

I guess too late for that.

just do the math. With a functioning tranny, what is it worth (retail to purchase)? subtract the $500 and cost of the rebuild. If negative, just dump it and move on.

how much do they want for the replacement anyway? seems like a CVT should not be that hard to rebuild.

do they even have the money to pay for the repair? If not, might be time to take the $500 and fine some other car where they can bury all the negative equity. Maybe hit up the Hyundai dealer.

I know you're kidding, but at the time I thought it was a good purchase. There were a number of life changes over the years that forced them to commute 50-60 miles a day, plus delivery miles. No idea how long the loan is, but I do know a bit of negative equity was rolled into it.

I know they looked at a new Jetta, but the dealer didn't want to play ball with the trade.

I will suggest Hyundai ... or, Kia.

The money can be found from family for repairs - not sure about that same money being used to fund a new car.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell sorry to hear that about your frend having sum car troubles. how much for an rebilt trans glad they are finally rebilding them now. few years back they wher not rebilding them should help with the cost big time. wondering how much they are charging for the rebilt trans. that is the disiding facter on weather to fix or just bail out and move on to an nother car like menny have menchianed above. yes those C V Ts tend to crap out at high miles. but than no of peapol who are lucky and way over 100k with out an problem at all. similer to an conventional automatic trans you get lucky or you don't. if your frend can would just move on to new car. how much is left on the lone.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

@graphicguy I live right off 471, so it's a quick trip over there.. About 7 miles farther to Florence, and a lot more traffic. They aren't in the Joseph family. Woeste/Beechmont Automile Group.

There are four of that configuration in town (now, just three). If they had been sticky, we would probably have moved on. (to that gray one)

So, now, my son wants Predator steps/bars. If they had been on the truck, a $650 option, and probably would have added about $3/mo. to the price.. If we buy them, $600... and then take off and sell at lease end.

It never ends.

@ab348 Hang in there!

That's right. The Toyota store on Colerain is the Joseph Group. Anyway....cool truck.

AB...as everyone else says, swift and speedy, "Good as new" wishes for you. The car can wait.

If you're serious about the GTI, my son LOVES his. He hasn't had one bit of trouble with his. Good choice.

kyfdx

rny421 said:

stickguy said:

so, did some legwork today on my dinged windshield. Man, it pays to shop around. Called 3 places, and prices ranged from $422, to $319, to $265. For likely the same exact glass.

I'm no auto insurance expert, but all of the different carriers I have had offered $0 deductible for glass. I guess I assumed they all came that way? At the very least, it might be worth looking into if you haven't checked.

I think that depends on your state. In KY, windshield glass is zero deductible.

graphicguy

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

Tough situation. Upside down on the loan. Car's worth practically zero and no dealer wants to roll negative equity on a trade. Is there some sort of hiccup on their credit? I suspect there is.

Anyway, I would go to one of those "we specialize in credit challenged" car places. Get some sort of Honda or Toyota. Put this situation behind them and move on. They're going to be upside down for quite a while on any further car purchases. But, if they stick to it, eventually they'll have the new car paid off and they'll be able to give themselves a little room to maneuver next time around.

corvette

kyfdx said:

so, did some legwork today on my dinged windshield. Man, it pays to shop around. Called 3 places, and prices ranged from $422, to $319, to $265. For likely the same exact glass.

I'm no auto insurance expert, but all of the different carriers I have had offered $0 deductible for glass. I guess I assumed they all came that way? At the very least, it might be worth looking into if you haven't checked.

I think that depends on your state. In KY, windshield glass is zero deductible.

Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage in KY, all glass windows have no deductible, as well as the lights that are required by law. 

ab348

@Michaell , unfortunate on the friend's CVT. Nissan did an extended warranty on earlier ones but only up to 2010 models:

http://www.nissanassist.com/faqs.php?menu=3

That tells me the things are a problem.

Also, This Post in a Nissan forum might be worth pursuing for him in the interim.

Given the number of recalls, service bulletins, TSBs and other things associated with these junky transmissions, I wonder if another dealer might be able to offer anything beyond a big bill?

stickguy

was reading an issue of MT this morning, with a preview section of upcoming new models. The Accord sounds like it could be a really nice option (assuming it arrives in time, since showed as late 2017 available). Seems like it will be on a stretched Civic platform, so should be very roomy, but have excellent driving dynamics. And smaller than the current model, which is nice. No killer deals to be had for a while though most likely.

the new Tiquan also looks very nice, and just the right size. Probably out of my budget range, and I doubt the wife would trade her car in on a VW.

Michaell

ab348 said:

@Michaell , unfortunate on the friend's CVT. Nissan did an extended warranty on earlier ones but only up to 2010 models:

http://www.nissanassist.com/faqs.php?menu=3

That tells me the things are a problem.

Also, This Post in a Nissan forum might be worth pursuing for him in the interim.

Given the number of recalls, service bulletins, TSBs and other things associated with these junky transmissions, I wonder if another dealer might be able to offer anything beyond a big bill?

Thanks for the links! I've forwarded them along.

Michaell

graphicguy said:

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

Tough situation. Upside down on the loan. Car's worth practically zero and no dealer wants to roll negative equity on a trade. Is there some sort of hiccup on their credit? I suspect there is.

Anyway, I would go to one of those "we specialize in credit challenged" car places. Get some sort of Honda or Toyota. Put this situation behind them and move on. They're going to be upside down for quite a while on any further car purchases. But, if they stick to it, eventually they'll have the new car paid off and they'll be able to give themselves a little room to maneuver next time around.

I know the credit is improving, but still not great.

They do have another car - a mid '00's Explorer - so they aren't without transportation. And, they can borrow cars from family when/if they need to.

stickguy

well, it is worth $500 as is, right? Get a solid number of value if the trans was working fine. Maybe what, $3K? so a delta of $2.5K. If they rebuilt costs less than that, take a shot. If more, probably pouring good money after bad, and should just bite the bullet and figure out how to get out from under.

Often ends badly when you put 4k into a 3K car, figuring you will now get good use out of it, since most likely, something else is going to go before you do!

ab348

I wonder how much a wrecking yard transmission for a Versa goes for?

ab348

Interesting (and unwelcome) email from SiriusXM this morning, congratulating me on my purchase of my new 2017 ATS and advising me of the free 3-month trial, the radio ID and other important info. It states the in-service date was June 19, a week ago Monday. Nothing was happening a week ago Monday except that I was still waiting for the lease-end inspection outfit to acknowledge they had even received the request from GM Financial to look at my 2014.

Considering nothing was provided for me to sign and I had not agreed to any deal - in fact no paperwork at all was given or shown to me - it looks like someone at my dealer was a little too eager to chalk up a sale on the books. Makes me kind of glad I walked away.

andres3

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

I thought that by 2013 it was common knowledge CVT's were very unreliable, and certainly the opposite of durable. Perhaps Honda will change those initial results and perceptions, but it' has only been 4 years since they started using CVT's. Nissan and Mazda just never did seem to return the same problem-free experiences Toyota and Honda owners routinely report.

suydam

There are a lot of old Nissans running around and their CVTs are fine. I suspect this one was driven pretty hard.

ab348

suydam said:

There are a lot of old Nissans running around and their CVTs are fine. I suspect this one was driven pretty hard.

Well, in airness, Nissan has had a lot of problems with theirs, not only requiring recalls and extended warranty coverage but also having Carlos Ghosn calling out Jatco, the supplier, to get them right.

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

Well the CVT was robust enough to take a beating for 4 years delivering pizza and racking up lots of miles.

I don't see where they really have any choice but to fix it, if they are carrying a sizable lump of negative equity.

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

Well the CVT was robust enough to take a beating for 4 years delivering pizza and racking up lots of miles.

I don't see where they really have any choice but to fix it, if they are carrying a sizable lump of negative equity.

Update - my friend has found a shop that will do a fluid change for $250. Fingers crossed that does the trick. If it does, then they will drive it until the loan is paid off and go from there.

Mr_Shiftright

I can offer a last ditch "what have you got to lose" suggestion that I gave to a friend whose Audi CVT was slipping in low gear---I'd only recommend this if you were going to do a rebuild anyway---try Ford Type "F" automatic trans fluid. Worked like a charm on the Audi, still doing fine a year later.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

Well the CVT was robust enough to take a beating for 4 years delivering pizza and racking up lots of miles.

I don't see where they really have any choice but to fix it, if they are carrying a sizable lump of negative equity.

Well, delivering pizzas shouldn't be too hard on a transmission, it's not like delivering concrete pavers or bricks. Now I know they make GIANT pizzas, but even those don't weigh much.

Mr_Shiftright

It's the stop and go on your shift---and probably some people leave the motor running, lots of turn on/turn off, doors opening and closing. It's like taxi cab use.

Michaell

andres3 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

A little expert help.

Was contacted recently by someone I delivered pizzas with. They bought a new Nissan Versa with the CVT and put a ton of miles on it. I want to say it's a 2012 or 2013 - over 100K on it.

Well, the CVT crapped out. I don't know the diagnosis, but the Nissan dealer is talking about a rebuilt CVT. Unfortunately, there isn't much evidence on how robust these transmissions are.

The car is worth, maybe, $500 as trade value (there is hail damage as well), and there is a pretty decent balance on the loan.

Any thoughts? Guesses? Opinions?

Well the CVT was robust enough to take a beating for 4 years delivering pizza and racking up lots of miles.

I don't see where they really have any choice but to fix it, if they are carrying a sizable lump of negative equity.

Well, delivering pizzas shouldn't be too hard on a transmission, it's not like delivering concrete pavers or bricks. Now I know they make GIANT pizzas, but even those don't weigh much.

The 113,000 miles are, probably, 60-65% city and 35-40% highway. Nothing about pizza delivery that should be overly hard on the transmission, unless they didn't maintain it. Which is possible.