Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

@nyccarguy - have a great (and safe) trip!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx sat in that new equnacks few weeks back dealer was closed was an sunday but had left one outside unlocked loved it sat in the frunt back had the big big panorama roof this one nave no leather turbo engian the small one think 1 point5 trying to convince my mom to look at one she now is interested in the Darango or grand chericky so we shal see. she really loves those little little fiats said way to small and you would get sick of that car quickly!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy have an fun safe time! to you and your family! talk to you in an week!

tbirdmarco

@Michaell thanks for the update on your frends Virsa. glad the trans flush did the trick! good to no for refrance down the road!

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gszt9XZfxeI

tifighter

xwesx said:

tifighter said:

My wife and I were in Europe for a few weeks at the end of June. We each had the same size roller bag to pack. Of course, she packed her's out to the gills; probably twice as much stuff as me. She looks at our bags, then says, "Whoa, I packed too much stuff."

She then says, "Can I put some of my stuff in yours?'

Ugh.

Hah! Thanks for the laugh!

So, did *your* things still fit in *your* bag for the trip home, or had she requisitioned it?

Well, she found lots of gifts to bring back. For me to bring back, that is. I think my bag was even more loaded than her's was on the return flight. After much research, I've concluded love weighs around fifty pounds.

xwesx

@Marcothecarguy1986 IIRC, GM has only released the small 1.5L turbo gasoline engine version of the Equinox so far. They plan to release the gasoline 2.0L and diesel 1.6L later on this year or early next. Interestingly the 1.5L gas turbo is available at all trim levels. I am not sure how they will position the other two, but it would not surprise me if they were limited to the 35K+ versions. I think starting on these is about 23-24K, and goes all the way up to $40K.... for an Equinox. Pinch me!

I did the small car with a Fiesta for a few years. 2011 model hatchback, totally loaded, with a manual transmission. Really fun car, but I eventually grew tired of the limited space, as well as the little nagging issues it constantly had. In particular, it did not like to take fuel at cold temps (like -20F or colder), and I swear I nearly froze to death one morning because it took me a solid TEN MINUTES to refuel! I'm talking like 9-10 gallons.... in ten minutes. I was livid. Apparently, it was fixed under warranty, but it would still do it from time to time.

So, yeah, a Fiat might not be a good choice unless you have a breld-like fleet available!

iluvmysephia1

xwesx - did your Ford Fiesta and it's manual tranny have pretty good pickup in the lower gears? For several months in 2010 I was eyeing a Ford dark blue 2010 5-speed stick Ford Fiesta sedan. 

graphicguy

Bradd.....have a wonderful trip. Have fun and be safe.

Ask if they are positively sure they want to become a U.S. state?

Just found one of those "last minute" one week cruise deals over the weekend. Leaving a week from Friday. All I know is I have a guaranteed room with a balcony. This vacationing solo stuff ain't so bad.

Michaell

xwesx said:

@Marcothecarguy1986 IIRC, GM has only released the small 1.5L turbo gasoline engine version of the Equinox so far. They plan to release the gasoline 2.0L and diesel 1.6L later on this year or early next. Interestingly the 1.5L gas turbo is available at all trim levels. I am not sure how they will position the other two, but it would not surprise me if they were limited to the 35K+ versions. I think starting on these is about 23-24K, and goes all the way up to $40K.... for an Equinox. Pinch me!

I did the small car with a Fiesta for a few years. 2011 model hatchback, totally loaded, with a manual transmission. Really fun car, but I eventually grew tired of the limited space, as well as the little nagging issues it constantly had. In particular, it did not like to take fuel at cold temps (like -20F or colder), and I swear I nearly froze to death one morning because it took me a solid TEN MINUTES to refuel! I'm talking like 9-10 gallons.... in ten minutes. I was livid. Apparently, it was fixed under warranty, but it would still do it from time to time.

So, yeah, a Fiat might not be a good choice unless you have a breld-like fleet available!

I'm pretty sure I read an article recently that the diesel Equinox will have a starting price of around $31K.

tbirdmarco

@xwesx yes they will be releasing the other 2 Engians soon! thinking they will do what you said above when it comes to pricing on them! the one at the dealer that I saw was 33k we shal see! with that. lol lol. and no we don't have an fleat like that! like @breld so yes fiat would be posabal trouble! lol lol

tbirdmarco

@graphicguy nice nice! whair is the cruse to! sounds like fun!

kyfdx

Since I'm reading this discussion on my iPad... anyone have experience with mesh wi-fi? (eero, google, etc).

Just upgraded to 100 mg fiber optic internet, but it neccessitated moving my router to a less central location. So, while my wired connections are blazingly fast, my wi-fi is worse, in many locations. Trying to fix it.

ab348

kyfdx said:

Since I'm reading this discussion on my iPad... anyone have experience with mesh wi-fi? (eero, google, etc).

Just upgraded to 100 mg fiber optic internet, but it neccessitated moving my router to a less central location. So, while my wired connections are blazingly fast, my wi-fi is worse, in many locations. Trying to fix it.

No experience here but I too am interested. I'm on a Linksys promo mail list and have been getting their stuff about the Velop mesh product they have. But at around $500 I can resist.

corvette

I've read good reviews. I may actually try it in a small commercial building where I manage the IT instead of going with a commercial router and access points (they really just need a secure network for their own equipment plus a guest network, which most of these devices will do). 

rayainsw

I find several things about the new 2018 Buick Regal GS very interesting...

http://media.buick.com/media/us/en/buick/vehicles/regal-gs/2018.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jul/0719-regal.html

- Ray
Definitely not in the market today - just watching ...

Michaell

rayainsw said:

I find several things about the new 2018 Buick Regal GS very interesting...

http://media.buick.com/media/us/en/buick/vehicles/regal-gs/2018.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jul/0719-regal.html

- Ray
Definitely not in the market today - just watching ...

As nice as the Regal GS looks, somehow I don't think it would hold a candle to your 340i

qbrozen

rayainsw said:

I find several things about the new 2018 Buick Regal GS very interesting...

http://media.buick.com/media/us/en/buick/vehicles/regal-gs/2018.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jul/0719-regal.html

- Ray
Definitely not in the market today - just watching ...

I get the appeal. GM's electronic suspension, Brembo brakes, AWD. Pretty nice combo. Just have to see if the 3.6 is "enough."

andres3

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

It would be a lease if I do get a mini. 4 year warranty plus free maintenance means no worries!

Well, it might not mean worries for you, but it might be considerable inconvenience. Back in 1999 I bought a brand new 2000 Ford Focus. It was under warranty, but I had to go back to the Ford dealer constantly for repairs. It was a huge hassle. For me, being under warranty is only half of what's needed. I also don't want to be going in often for stuff beyond routine maintenance that much. Once in a while is fine. But all the time? Yikes.

But I'm sure a 2018 Mini is more reliable and better engineered than a 2000 Ford Focus. Almost any car made in the 21st century would be.

Curious what your though process in '99 was in buying the Focus over more suitable transportation like a Civic, Corolla, or Protege. Were you just living like the end of the world was near due to the Y2K scare?

andres3

Michaell said:

ab348 said:

Wow, @Michaell , that's great news on the Versa! It was just a wild guess but I'm really glad it worked. Beats a few thou for a rebuilt transmission.

Makes me wonder how many of those got rebuilt transmissions instead of a fluid flush and change.

Everyone is happy, which is the best outcome.

I hope the repair lasts!

$400 though? Wow, that's more than a DSG oil change service!

Michaell

andres3 said:

Michaell said:

ab348 said:

Wow, @Michaell , that's great news on the Versa! It was just a wild guess but I'm really glad it worked. Beats a few thou for a rebuilt transmission.

Makes me wonder how many of those got rebuilt transmissions instead of a fluid flush and change.

Everyone is happy, which is the best outcome.

I hope the repair lasts!

$400 though? Wow, that's more than a DSG oil change service!

Better than the $4K+ initial quote from the Nissan dealer.

andres3

stickguy said:

It would be a lease if I do get a mini. 4 year warranty plus free maintenance means no worries!

Free loaners at Mini?

Michaell

andres3 said:

stickguy said:

It would be a lease if I do get a mini. 4 year warranty plus free maintenance means no worries!

Free loaners at Mini?

Can't speak for all dealers, but the one here in Denver that I use offers them.

benjaminh

andres3 said:

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

It would be a lease if I do get a mini. 4 year warranty plus free maintenance means no worries!

Well, it might not mean worries for you, but it might be considerable inconvenience. Back in 1999 I bought a brand new 2000 Ford Focus. It was under warranty, but I had to go back to the Ford dealer constantly for repairs. It was a huge hassle. For me, being under warranty is only half of what's needed. I also don't want to be going in often for stuff beyond routine maintenance that much. Once in a while is fine. But all the time? Yikes.

But I'm sure a 2018 Mini is more reliable and better engineered than a 2000 Ford Focus. Almost any car made in the 21st century would be.

Curious what your though process in '99 was in buying the Focus over more suitable transportation like a Civic, Corolla, or Protege. Were you just living like the end of the world was near due to the Y2K scare?

I had a Ford credit card at the time that we'd had since 1993. We'd accumulated $4500 off any new Ford. At the time, the Focus was getting rave reviews. But yeah, that was a mistake even with that incredible discount.

By the time I bought the car Ford had already canceled their credit card, realizing that customers like me could cost them more than the program was worth to them.

stickguy

yes, they have loaner cars too I believe. I was not paying that much attention to his spiel at that point.

andres3

benjaminh said:

andres3 said:

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

It would be a lease if I do get a mini. 4 year warranty plus free maintenance means no worries!

Well, it might not mean worries for you, but it might be considerable inconvenience. Back in 1999 I bought a brand new 2000 Ford Focus. It was under warranty, but I had to go back to the Ford dealer constantly for repairs. It was a huge hassle. For me, being under warranty is only half of what's needed. I also don't want to be going in often for stuff beyond routine maintenance that much. Once in a while is fine. But all the time? Yikes.

But I'm sure a 2018 Mini is more reliable and better engineered than a 2000 Ford Focus. Almost any car made in the 21st century would be.

Curious what your though process in '99 was in buying the Focus over more suitable transportation like a Civic, Corolla, or Protege. Were you just living like the end of the world was near due to the Y2K scare?

I had a Ford credit card at the time that we'd had since 1993. We'd accumulated $4500 off any new Ford. At the time, the Focus was getting rave reviews. But yeah, that was a mistake even with that incredible discount.

By the time I bought the car Ford had already canceled their credit card, realizing that customers like me could cost them more than the program was worth to them.

A bunch of my less wealthy HS friends and acquaintances bought 2000 Civics as their first new car (first car being used something or other). They knew about my '95 Neon experience, and I'm sure that swayed them in their choice. I don't know what all of them own right now, but I can tell you when I visited my home town in May, one of them has a new-ish Outback, another has an older Acura TL, and another has a RAV 4.

The Domestics really blew it with unreliable junk in the 90's.

corvette

andres3 said:

The Domestics really blew it with unreliable junk in the 90's.

And the 1980s too! 

tifighter

kyfdx said:

Since I'm reading this discussion on my iPad... anyone have experience with mesh wi-fi? (eero, google, etc).

Just upgraded to 100 mg fiber optic internet, but it neccessitated moving my router to a less central location. So, while my wired connections are blazingly fast, my wi-fi is worse, in many locations. Trying to fix it.

I have a eero set up - three of them are set up around a two story house built in 1900. It fixed all weak signal issues we had and then some; I can get a clean signal out to my free standing garage in the backyard. Video streaming anywhere is no problem, and it used to be. App is easy to use and shows lots of real time data info that is interesting. I recommend it.

xwesx

iluvmysephia1 said:

xwesx - did your Ford Fiesta and it's manual tranny have pretty good pickup in the lower gears? For several months in 2010 I was eyeing a Ford dark blue 2010 5-speed stick Ford Fiesta sedan. 

I found my Fiesta to be a very engaging drive! Its spunk was night and day difference to the dual clutch automatic, which was a loafer. I will say that the auto performed much better on the fuel economy front! I managed to hit 40 mpg once, maybe twice, on my manual, but was more usually between 36-38 mpg. The good thing is that it did very well in "commute" activities - just as well as highway fuel economy at 70 mph, to be honest.

My friend bought an ST when they came out, and he let me drive it to lunch once. Geez! I expect that by any standard, that is one heck of a fun car to drive.

kyfdx

tifighter said:

kyfdx said:

Since I'm reading this discussion on my iPad... anyone have experience with mesh wi-fi? (eero, google, etc).

Just upgraded to 100 mg fiber optic internet, but it neccessitated moving my router to a less central location. So, while my wired connections are blazingly fast, my wi-fi is worse, in many locations. Trying to fix it.

I have a eero set up - three of them are set up around a two story house built in 1900. It fixed all weak signal issues we had and then some; I can get a clean signal out to my free standing garage in the backyard. Video streaming anywhere is no problem, and it used to be. App is easy to use and shows lots of real time data info that is interesting. I recommend it.

Thanks.. I'm leaning towards the Google system, because it's about $100 cheaper, and reviews are similar. Good to hear that it works.

pensfan83

rayainsw said:

I find several things about the new 2018 Buick Regal GS very interesting... http://media.buick.com/media/us/en/buick/vehicles/regal-gs/2018.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jul/0719-regal.html - Ray Definitely not in the market today - just watching ...

I remember reading in Car and Driver a few years back they were mulling the return of the GN and I think GNX nameplates with similar hardware. I guess they tabled those plans or went forward under the Regal nameplate only.

andres3

pensfan83 said:

rayainsw said:

I find several things about the new 2018 Buick Regal GS very interesting...

http://media.buick.com/media/us/en/buick/vehicles/regal-gs/2018.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2017/jul/0719-regal.html

- Ray
Definitely not in the market today - just watching ...

I remember reading in Car and Driver a few years back they were mulling the return of the GN and I think GNX nameplates with similar hardware. I guess they tabled those plans or went forward under the Regal nameplate only.

Seems nice enough for the Lexus crowd, as the old-timing 3.5 Lexus V6 only puts out 306 HP. I just can't see a Senior Lexus owner switching to Buick, but you never know.

corvette

Warren Buffett used to drive a Town Car, then I think he had a Mercedes, then a DTS, and now an XTS, so some of the older crowd like to switch things up a little. 

ab348

The new Regal might go on my list of cars to try later this year. Not a GS, just the regular one. Same engine as in my ATS with more gears. It is a bit heavier than the ATS but lighter than the 2011 Regal I had. I actually like the idea of a hatch.

BTW: finally got my deposit back from the Cadillac dealer on that phantom sale. They took it via credit card but mailed me a cheque that arrived today. Done with that bunch.

Sandman6472

So ab348, what does it mean now? Are you down one vehicle or still having the ATS in the garage? Very confused here?
Drove a Fiesta today at work, an auto tranny, and a bit dismal to be honest. Not sure I could live with one on a daily basis...do know I could never live with a Focus or a Fusion. The way the Focus lurches through the gears is past annoying and those few Fusion's that crapped out on me and some others on the highway just soured me completely. Like the Edge though and like the exterior of the new ones. Just not Ford people here. And if I were to buy any domestic, only choice now would be the Buick Encore since I think they cured most of it's ills with this new generation. Dash is clean and tidy now with the more integrated infotainment system and like the exterior changes. Do wish they'd offer a 17" alloy as I think 18" alloys for that size vehicle just make it too harsh on the pavement. Glad my Golf has the 17" alloys as it seems to be the perfect compromise...15" is just too small and 16" is almost there. The 17" is a real bull's eye and holds the road nicely without being overly harsh.

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Yesterday, drove a new Envision and Sorrento back to back and was pleasantly surprised at how nice they both drove. The Sorrento has finally gotten rid of most of that hard plastic stuff and just needs to get rid of the remaining 5% left. It was a base model and had the cloth seats but they were grippy and held me in place nicely when I took a few turns a bit wide just to see how it would react. The Envison has one large piece of ugly grayish plastic in front of the passenger which is truly awful no matter how one looks at it. Shame on that Buick design team for throwing such garbage over that dash area, just cheapens the vehicle overall! liked the leather seats, all power, which held me in place comfortably.
I could definitely tell which vehicle was a domestic product and which was a Korean/Japanese one. As much as I liked most things about the Buick, would purchase the Kia if I had a choice here but might go for the next level to get some more premium options. But to be honest, I'd pick the new Sportage over any vehicle that size since I think the Encore is more like my current Golf to be honest. The Sportage gives one the best of both worlds and Kia really got the styling right with this new model. A bit out there in regards to the front fascia but overall, I like this vehicle and if I had bought this same one back in the end of 2013, think I'd still have it in the garage!

The Sandman

tjc78

@sandman_6472

The Envision is actually a Chinese Buick brought over for the domestic market.  

ab348

sandman_6472 said:

So ab348, what does it mean now? Are you down one vehicle or still having the ATS in the garage? Very confused here?

No, still have the ATS. The dealer was trying to work a complicated deal to take me out of that lease and put me in a loaded 2017 ATS with a convoluted lease/buyout provision. Ultimately my medical issues and their continued inability to spell out the terms of the deal for me led me to pull the plug on it.

tbirdmarco

@rayainsw that Reagel is an nice car! like it my selfe to! worth an look soon!

tbirdmarco

@ab348 glad you got your mony back finally! nice nice!

tbirdmarco

@corvette yes so so trew the demesticks did make a lot of bad bad stuff in the 1980s and 1990s started getting a lot better in he early 2000s and would bye one from any of the brands now with no hezatation!

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qmlPWLmEm3A

stickguy

my least favorite color combo, but in concept, this seems like a pretty good deal for not that much money. Probably a great students car. Something like this would probably serve my spare car needs just fine.

http://www.burnshyundai.com/VehicleDetails/used-2012-Ford-Fusion-4dr_Sdn_SEL_FWD-Marlton-NJ/2996965573

benjaminh

stickguy said:

my least favorite color combo, but in concept, this seems like a pretty good deal for not that much money. Probably a great students car. Something like this would probably serve my spare car needs just fine.

http://www.burnshyundai.com/VehicleDetails/used-2012-Ford-Fusion-4dr_Sdn_SEL_FWD-Marlton-NJ/2996965573

It has Ford's 2.5 engine, which works ok--but sounds awful under hard acceleration. Definitely test this engine before you buy. Personally, I think an out of warranty Mexican-made Ford doesn't sound like a good idea, but that's just me. Gets epa estimated 24 mpg combined. Depending on how much you drive, that's $500 more for gas per year more than a new Civic. Add in the new tires you're likely to need in the next few years, plus maintenance and repairs, and the savings don't look so great. For $7k more my local dealer is selling brand-new pretty loaded Sonatas with AndroidAuto/AppleCar play, with a 10 year warranty.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice Ford! you posted above! same hear not an fan of silver cars at all. red and blew are my favorate colors but can tolerate anything just not silver! and boring black interior but if you do nead sumthing used cant beat that car above that you posted. have an grate day!

rayainsw

To be clear here, I am not saying that I would seriously look at acquiring a
2018 Buick Regal GS.
What interests me is the shift in direction of Buick – to include what looks
now [ based only on specs ] like a legitimate sport sedan.
Actually producing a 300+ HP, AWD sedan with Brembo brakes, MagRide,
and even a ‘Sport-tuned exhaust system’ seems promising.
I will be very interested to see if this proves to be a sales success.
And if this portends higher performance versions in the future. . .
- Ray
Always watching the Sport Sedan scene developments . . .

tjc78

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@stickguy nice Ford! you posted above! same hear not an fan of silver cars at all. red and blew are my favorate colors but can tolerate anything just not silver! and boring black interior but if you do nead sumthing used cant beat that car above that you posted. have an grate day!

I'm indifferent with Silver.   I'm not a fan, but can tolerate it.  When I got the Elantra I wanted white, but there wasn't one anywhere the way I wanted it so I settled on silver.   There wasn't any real choices I liked.  The blue was too "blue" and the burgundy was just too bright.  Oh well.  If they had a black over tan I would have done that too.  

kyfdx

Reds game on Monday. Good seat.

Thinking about going again today, but heat index over 100F

kyfdx

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

Reds game on Monday. Good seat.

Thinking about going again today, but heat index over 100F

You saw an extra inning winner (rare win) if you went.