Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andres3

fintail said:

I replaced the cabin filter in my mom's Camry when I visited her a couple weeks ago. Not sure how old it was, but it was dirty and had junk in it. I think it cost about $17, and took under 5 minutes to change.

Any tools required?

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter grate operation your son gos to glad to hear one like that is still around! wow the peapol who run the place drive an rangerover that old wow!

tbirdmarco

@kyfdx $2000

greg128

Wow I feel like the repair cost of our business's 2006 Chevy Silverado's new clutch (yeah it's a 5-speed manual)
of $900 & change recently was a great deal, especially considering one for a 1994 Ford F-150 was about $1200
about 15 years ago

tbirdmarco

@kyfdx wow was I way off on the estimate! glad it was an lot less than I said above!

fintail

I think just a screwdriver. It's right behind the glove box door - unscrew the hinge, lower the door, and it's right there.

andres3 said:

Any tools required?

xwesx

fintail said:

I think just a screwdriver. It's right behind the glove box door - unscrew the hinge, lower the door, and it's right there.

It seems like many of the newer ones are fairly easy to access. Some older designs were a real PITA. The filter on my 2008 Forester is much more difficult to access than the third generation models (2010 and 2013), for example. And, the filter in my 2011 Fiesta?! Horrifying. It might be worth paying a shop to do that one. LOL!

The unit on my Q7 is pretty simple, and it is also very large. I was able to install a charcoal-embedded filter when replacing what looked like an original, and air flow inside the car is excellent now, plus no odors except for vehicles with rather noxious exhaust (such as older rigs and coal rollers). But, things like cigarette smoke? No worries at all! It did take a small hex or torx head, though, so not quite as simple on the tool front as, say, a #2 Phillips.

tjc78

@xwesx
Thanks for checking on the Traverse. I think the ones I see at local dealers are in transit.  This weekend (Sunday when they are closed) I may walk a lot or two and see what they have

Wife gave the thumbs up on the Traverse, so a test drive is definitely in order. 

tbirdmarco

@tjc78 Called an 2 dealers har to as whell! nun on the ground yet sum in tranzet! should be there they said next week or the week after!

Michaell

MINI goes in for service Saturday morning. Trying to convince @jpp5862 to meet up for some test drives. 

qbrozen

Last time I had the van in, they said the filter needed changing. $50. I said go ahead and do it. For $50, I don't need to be bothered.

tjc78

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@tjc78 Called an 2 dealers har to as whell! nun on the ground yet sum in tranzet! should be there they said next week or the week after!

Soon at least thanks !  Seems to be country wide then 

tjc78

qbrozen said:

Last time I had the van in, they said the filter needed changing. $50. I said go ahead and do it. For $50, I don't need to be bothered.

That's worth it.  They are usually very easy and taking all the junk out of the glove box is the hardest part.  

One csr thst was a PITA was my 03 Avalon.  Lots of screws, etc.   Every other car I've had requires zero tools.  

roadburner

xwesx said:

fintail said:

I think just a screwdriver. It's right behind the glove box door - unscrew the hinge, lower the door, and it's right there.

It seems like many of the newer ones are fairly easy to access. Some older designs were a real PITA. The filter on my 2008 Forester is much more difficult to access than the third generation models (2010 and 2013), for example. And, the filter in my 2011 Fiesta?! Horrifying. It might be worth paying a shop to do that one. LOL!

The unit on my Q7 is pretty simple, and it is also very large. I was able to install a charcoal-embedded filter when replacing what looked like an original, and air flow inside the car is excellent now, plus no odors except for vehicles with rather noxious exhaust (such as older rigs and coal rollers). But, things like cigarette smoke? No worries at all! It did take a small hex or torx head, though, so not quite as simple on the tool front as, say, a #2 Phillips.

The procedure on my 318ti is a bit involved.

stickguy

all my Honda products have been simple. TL had about 3 steps, the others were just drop the glove box by releasing a strap. Most of the time involved was taking the stuff out and putting it in a box so it did not dump on the floor.

I never did do the one in the Volvo (I bet it was still original when I sold it). Dealer wanted about $120-$150 for it, which I figured was silly. Then I looked up the instructions. It involved removing the brake pedal, among other things, so I stopped looking at that point!

tbirdmarco

@tjc78 you are welcome! any time!

tbirdmarco

@Michaell hope you all are able to go for sum testdrives on Saturday want to hear all about them!

fintail

I couldn't tell you where it is on my modern car - but it has the prepaid maintenance, so I don't care right now I suspect it isn't as simple as a Toyota though, because German car.

The old car doesn't have one, easy!

xwesx said:

It seems like many of the newer ones are fairly easy to access. Some older designs were a real PITA. The filter on my 2008 Forester is much more difficult to access than the third generation models (2010 and 2013), for example. And, the filter in my 2011 Fiesta?! Horrifying. It might be worth paying a shop to do that one. LOL!

The unit on my Q7 is pretty simple, and it is also very large. I was able to install a charcoal-embedded filter when replacing what looked like an original, and air flow inside the car is excellent now, plus no odors except for vehicles with rather noxious exhaust (such as older rigs and coal rollers). But, things like cigarette smoke? No worries at all! It did take a small hex or torx head, though, so not quite as simple on the tool front as, say, a #2 Phillips.

corvette

tjc78 said:

That's worth it.  They are usually very easy and taking all the junk out of the glove box is the hardest part.  

One csr thst was a PITA was my 03 Avalon.  Lots of screws, etc.   Every other car I've had requires zero tools.  

My 2009 Altima and my 2012 Murano, the opening for the filter is about 1/3 the size of the filter itself. You have to very gently squeeze the filter like an accordion and make the edges curve to get it to fit in there. I destroyed a filter or two on the Altima and ended up running with no filter. I was able to replace the one in the Murano.

Michaell

A little help, please?

(though I've gone on record as to which of the three y'all will tell him to avoid)

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/46645/general/x/car-buying-advice-need-help-deciding-which-to-buy#latest

28firefighter

Michaell said:

A little help, please? (though I've gone on record as to which of the three y'all will tell him to avoid) https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/46645/general/x/car-buying-advice-need-help-deciding-which-to-buy#latest

Help provided. Oy. 

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Michaell said:

A little help, please?

(though I've gone on record as to which of the three y'all will tell him to avoid)

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/46645/general/x/car-buying-advice-need-help-deciding-which-to-buy#latest

Help provided. Oy. 

Yeah, I wasn't sure which to recommend between the Jeep or the Nissan.

The east coasters will see this and comment in the morning.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell help provided! have an grate day all will be back on hear tonight!

xwesx

roadburner said:

The procedure on my 318ti is a bit involved.

Wow; no doubt! I think that tops the Fiesta, save for not needing to twist yourself upside down and backward to see/access the filter unit. And, that's in your '95?! I didn't realize there were autos that even had cabin filters that long ago!

laurasdada

The cabin filter for the XK was easy, in a compartment in the engine bay by the firewall. The XF, yes, somewhere behind the glove box. At last service, was inspected and noted didn't need to be replaced.

roadburner

Yes; I think that the E36 3 Series was one of the first cars to be equipped with a cabin filter. On the sedans, coups, and convertibles you access the filter from behind the glove box, but on the E36/5(hatch) you go through the engine compartment. There are several other systems that are just a bit different from the rest of the E36 family.

28firefighter

So for all the Benz fans here, it seems that Mercedes has the ability to lease service loaners under certain criteria and still quality for multiple security deposits, auto-pay discount, and fleet discounts.

I'm seeing folks maxing out MSDs and leasing $61k E300 4Matic service loaners for under $400/month tax inclusive for 24 and 36 months, 10k miles a year. These cars aren't fully loaded, but by my standards they are. That's a pretty solid deal.

The hacking is similar to what I did for my wife's X1 and you definitely have to find a dealer willing to play ball and that understands how leasing service loaners works.

fintail

I am not familiar with security deposits being used on MB leases in WA anyway. I never heard it mentioned or offered any time I was in the sales office. MB site says not available in all states, which may explain it. Or maybe it has changed in the 14 months since I got the latest car.

61K will be relatively modestly equipped, but maybe an odd loaded loaner slips through now and then.

28firefighter

fintail said:

I am not familiar with security deposits being used on MB leases in WA anyway. I never heard it mentioned or offered any time I was in the sales office. MB site says not available in all states, which may explain it. Or maybe it has changed in the 14 months since I got the latest car.

61K will be relatively modestly equipped, but maybe an odd loaded loaner slips through now and then.

Definitely possible - I called MB of Lynnwood and MSDs are available, but they said you have to ask for them - they won't proactively offer it.

fintail

Interesting, if I lease again I will keep that in mind - seems to be the best way to a lower payment.

28firefighter said:

Definitely possible - I called MB of Lynnwood and MSDs are available, but they said you have to ask for them - they won't proactively offer it.

qbrozen

$61k? Modestly equipped? E300? 
Are we talking Canadian dollars here? Good grief!

stickguy

That just lowers the money factor, right? Which is what drops the payment? Or is there some other benefit?

I assume if the car is totaled you get the security deposit back still?

stickguy

Exciting day. Made the fall tuition payment today, so one more left in late December, and finally out from under. And by this time next year, the princess will be largely self sufficient after graduating, and getting her own car and insurance. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

That just lowers the money factor, right? Which is what drops the payment? Or is there some other benefit?

I assume if the car is totaled you get the security despot back still?

Correct. Each security deposit reduces the money factor by .00007. You can do up to 10 security deposits, reducing your money factor by .00070. You can knock off another .00010 by signing up for auto pay as well.

So if the base money factor was .00117 and you took advantage of both completely, you'd go from paying 2.08% interest to paying 0.88% interest (MF of .00037).

And yes, you get your security deposit back in the event the car is totaled.

qbrozen

Holy hell. $55.5k for a 4-cyl AWD to START. That is just silly, IMHO. $73k for a 6-cyl AWD. I am obviously not MB's target audience.

28firefighter

I'm just saying the ability to "hack" their leases is there if you watch carefully. I imagine its also true of the CLA and C classes.

Personally MB is not for me.

roadburner

Today I built a fairly well loaded 440i Coupe(RWD, naturally) and it maxed out at around $64k.

fintail

An E300 4Matic equipped to my liking (not even fully loaded - no leather, no P3) is nearly 69K.

nyccarguy

fintail said:

An E300 4Matic equipped to my liking (not even fully loaded - no leather, no P3) is nearly 69K.

You could get a 707 hp Hellcat for that price

fintail

That's why these are cars to lease or buy off-lease, unless one wants to keep it for a loooong time.

I can get a pair of loaded 3 year old E550s for that money, or a 3 year old S550 with 10K to spare.

nyccarguy said:

You could get a 707 hp Hellcat for that price

nyccarguy

fintail said:

That's why these are cars to lease or buy off-lease, unless one wants to keep it for a loooong time. I can get a pair of loaded 3 year old E550s for that money, or a 3 year old S550 with 10K to spare.

You could get a 707 hp Hellcat for that price

Agreed.  An E Class would make an excellent value as a CPO car.  The cars are driven by older, wealthier people (as opposed to the $40,000 per year Millionaire who leases the C-Class) who take good care of their cars and maintain them according to the book.  

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter wow on mbs nice wow!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice nice nice! yes the is light at the end lol lol

fintail

E is the sweet spot to me. As you say, it usually attracts careful owners, and recent ones have been reliable. 2014 E550 is one of the better bargains in the used car world. The platform has proven to be solid, and the engine can be massaged a bit, and IMO, MB understates the power. A sleeper. It'll be hard to resist a high option one, or a similar W222 S-class, at the end of this lease - by then, they will have depreciated to my level. But if there's a good lease available, who knows.

On the MSRP talk, my E250 had a MSRP over 69K, and it is not fully loaded - no Driver's Assist package, for one. Of course, I got it as a leftover, where ~20% off MSRP wasn't horribly difficult. Even new ones don't sell for MSRP, one should be able to get 8-10% off without a lot of fighting even in less competitive areas.

nyccarguy said:

Agreed.  An E Class would make an excellent value as a CPO car.  The cars are driven by older, wealthier people (as opposed to the $40,000 per year Millionaire who leases the C-Class) who take good care of their cars and maintain them according to the book.  

stickguy

so, checked out some 2018s today. First stopped at Hyundai, and sat in a new Sonata (limited Ultra, so comparable to my current car). Was nice enough, but the changes (particularly inside) were not significant enough to make it feel like a new car. A bit nicer than mine probably, but really very similar. One oddity (maybe because of the issues they had with some blowing off!) was replacing the Pano roof with a normal moonroof. Not really a big deal, but still felt like a takeaway. Did not drive, but I imagine it is pretty much the same.

if I was to get a replacement, it would have to be the 2.0T turbo model. But pretty sure I will be going a different direction. Not a bad car, but I want a change.

Next, stopped and scoped out a new Camry. They had an XLE and a couple of SEs. I sat in the XLE. Included some options (including a pano roof), MSRP was ~$31K (comparable to the Sonata). Seemed nice. Definitely a fully new design in and out. Interior is much different. Not sure I liked the heavy dash on the passenger side (it really is "cockpitty" and intrudes) or the overall dash styling, but it was comfortable and well equipped. side and rear styling is sharp. Front end, well, something to be desired, and probably looks better in a darker color. I will take the wife back at some point to look at it, and probably take one for a drive, but I doubt I end up with one. Daughter might not mind one next year if they are going cheap!

I really want to see the new Accord. They need to hurry up and get those on the ground.

Daughter wants to see the remodeled Jetta. That is the most likely car for her at this point.

stickguy

here is an oddball. If it had a moonroof and beige interior I might bite! I am still considering getting something less expensive used temporarily instead of getting another brand new car (or lease)

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2012-volkswagen-passat-certified_passat_2_5_se_5_speed_manual_trans-used-16676642.html

stickguy

a nice looking (seems well equipped to me) Fintail mobile, in great color combo.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2015-mercedes~benz-e~class-certified_e250_4matic_bluetec_diesel_awd_camera_navi-used-16676207.html

cheap wheels. like the color. miles are, well, miles! probably would last a while, if not, not much invested.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2004-infiniti-g35_sedan-g35x_awd_-used-16665585.html

fintail

Nice colors on the E250. Not insanely loaded, at quick glance (without decoding the VIN), it has optional paint color, flat bottom/sport steering wheel, spoiler, 4Matic, blind spot/lane keeping nannies. Technically nav amnd camera were optional (in the same package), but I suspect 100% cars had the package, and you would never find one on a lot without it. Sport was a no cost option, and the rest was standard. If cared for, there's lots of life and high freeway mpg left in that car. Would have been maybe 60K new.

fordfool

stickguy said:

Exciting day. Made the fall tuition payment today, so one more left in late December, and finally out from under. And by this time next year, the princess will be largely self sufficient after graduating, and getting her own car and insurance. There is finally a light at the end of the tunnel.

Have you checked wedding costs recently?

nyccarguy

Damn it!  I get into The Bronx early this AM & decide to get the car washed before work.  It WAS a beautiful, sunny AM.  They wash my car, dry it, & then put the tire dressing on.  The INSTANT they finish & I hand the guy my ticket, the HEAVENS OPEN UP.