Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

sda

stickguy said:

she actually likes one of my latest scams schemes ideas. I get a lease on a TLX, and if the residual makes sense, when the lease is over she buys it out. She would need to get a ST lease (or buy) on something cheap to cover her first 30 months, then when that is up, she should have student loans paid off, and will be ready to "upgrade".

I was surprised the dealer had 6 leftover TLXs, guess not. They sold out quickly here. I was going to test drive one, had been online looking a couple of days before, and they were gone. That was over a month ago. I did test drive a lightly used '16 base V6 with 9k. They still wanted $29k. Nope. Traffic was so heavy I really couldn't get a good impression. In that scenario it felt familiar, like, say, an Accord??

nyccarguy

Interesting inventory at the local Ford Dealership:

2008 G35S 6MT w/ 64K miles for 12,499 - looks pricey for a 9 year old car

http://stamfordford.com/used-infiniti-g35-2008-stamford-ct-58604

2017 Ecoboost Mustang w/ ECOBoost Performance Pack & 6MT.  $32,335 looks like a good starting point since Ford's $2K rebate has been applied.  This is easily a $25K CPO car in 6 months.

http://stamfordford.com/ford-mustang-ecoboost-2017-stamford-ct-12404

2017 Mustang GT w/ 6MT & GT Performance Pack.  $35,385 after a $2K rebate has been applied.  A good starting point.  Looks like the proper motor for this car for only $3K more than the 4cyl Turbo.  The V8s seem to hold their value better

http://stamfordford.com/ford-mustang-gt-2017-stamford-ct-13535

tjc78

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

daughter must have been doing some research started pinging me with questions about the new 2018 Elantra value edition. Not a bad package actually. Sticker right at 21K, and includes moonroof, blind spot, proximity key, and heated seats. Already showing some pretty big discounts. Not a bad package if you want some goodies on a low budget, and don't care about having a hot rod (she keeps harping on the "is it slow?" factor).

http://www.burnshyundai.com/VehicleDetails/new-2018-Hyundai-Elantra-Value_Edition-Marlton-NJ/3040131953

I've seen some folks hack these down to $88 a month with zero down. A lot of car for the money. 

Not sure I believe those folks. 

I don't see it... I have a 17 that stickered for 21 and change. I'm at 210 a month with $250 out of pocket everything rolled in. MF was a base rate, all rebates applied and car was under posted invoice. The residual isn't there for much lower of a payment....

qbrozen

tjc78 said:

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

daughter must have been doing some research started pinging me with questions about the new 2018 Elantra value edition. Not a bad package actually. Sticker right at 21K, and includes moonroof, blind spot, proximity key, and heated seats. Already showing some pretty big discounts. Not a bad package if you want some goodies on a low budget, and don't care about having a hot rod (she keeps harping on the "is it slow?" factor). http://www.burnshyundai.com/VehicleDetails/new-2018-Hyundai-Elantra-Value_Edition-Marlton-NJ/3040131953

I've seen some folks hack these down to $88 a month with zero down. A lot of car for the money. 

Not sure I believe those folks. 

I don't see it... I have a 17 that stickered for 21 and change. I'm at 210 a month with $250 out of pocket everything rolled in. MF was a base rate, all rebates applied and car was under posted invoice. The residual isn't there for much lower of a payment....

Totally agree. At $88/mo, you are looking at what? Paying $2k-$2200 in depreciation over 3 yrs? Not a chance.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

Interesting inventory at the local Ford Dealership:

2008 G35S 6MT w/ 64K miles for 12,499 - looks pricey for a 9 year old car

http://stamfordford.com/used-infiniti-g35-2008-stamford-ct-58604

2017 Ecoboost Mustang w/ ECOBoost Performance Pack & 6MT.  $32,335 looks like a good starting point since Ford's $2K rebate has been applied.  This is easily a $25K CPO car in 6 months.

http://stamfordford.com/ford-mustang-ecoboost-2017-stamford-ct-12404

2017 Mustang GT w/ 6MT & GT Performance Pack.  $35,385 after a $2K rebate has been applied.  A good starting point.  Looks like the proper motor for this car for only $3K more than the 4cyl Turbo.  The V8s seem to hold their value better

http://stamfordford.com/ford-mustang-gt-2017-stamford-ct-13535

Too bad the G35 is black on black, but a nice find regardless. $11.5k would be fair but could probably beat them up more given the handshaker.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

tjc78 said:

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

daughter must have been doing some research started pinging me with questions about the new 2018 Elantra value edition. Not a bad package actually. Sticker right at 21K, and includes moonroof, blind spot, proximity key, and heated seats. Already showing some pretty big discounts. Not a bad package if you want some goodies on a low budget, and don't care about having a hot rod (she keeps harping on the "is it slow?" factor).

http://www.burnshyundai.com/VehicleDetails/new-2018-Hyundai-Elantra-Value_Edition-Marlton-NJ/3040131953

I've seen some folks hack these down to $88 a month with zero down. A lot of car for the money. 

Not sure I believe those folks. 

I don't see it... I have a 17 that stickered for 21 and change. I'm at 210 a month with $250 out of pocket everything rolled in. MF was a base rate, all rebates applied and car was under posted invoice. The residual isn't there for much lower of a payment....

Totally agree. At $88/mo, you are looking at what? Paying $2k-$2200 in depreciation over 3 yrs? Not a chance.

Now, you are going to make me go look up the depreciation on the Tacoma...

kyfdx

$88 X 36 = $3168 depreciation (on that Elantra)

My 36 month Tacoma depreciation is $5876, and I rolled in the $695 acquisition fee.

Without the fee, depreciation is $5181 (on a sale price of $34,507)

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

Interesting inventory at the local Ford Dealership:

2008 G35S 6MT w/ 64K miles for 12,499 - looks pricey for a 9 year old car

http://stamfordford.com/used-infiniti-g35-2008-stamford-ct-58604

2017 Ecoboost Mustang w/ ECOBoost Performance Pack & 6MT.  $32,335 looks like a good starting point since Ford's $2K rebate has been applied.  This is easily a $25K CPO car in 6 months.

http://stamfordford.com/ford-mustang-ecoboost-2017-stamford-ct-12404

2017 Mustang GT w/ 6MT & GT Performance Pack.  $35,385 after a $2K rebate has been applied.  A good starting point.  Looks like the proper motor for this car for only $3K more than the 4cyl Turbo.  The V8s seem to hold their value better

http://stamfordford.com/ford-mustang-gt-2017-stamford-ct-13535

For ame a GT Premium would be mandatory. I want the heated seats and upgraded audio.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

$88 X 36 = $3168 depreciation (on that Elantra) My 36 month Tacoma depreciation is $5876, and I rolled in the $695 acquisition fee. Without the fee, depreciation is $5181 (on a sale price of $34,507)

That would only hold true if there is no interest, no fees, and no tax on that $88 payment. I was assuming, best case scenario, maybe $60 goes toward depreciation.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

kyfdx said:

$88 X 36 = $3168 depreciation (on that Elantra)

My 36 month Tacoma depreciation is $5876, and I rolled in the $695 acquisition fee.

Without the fee, depreciation is $5181 (on a sale price of $34,507)

That would only hold true if there is no interest, no fees, and no tax on that $88 payment. I was assuming, best case scenario, maybe $60 goes toward depreciation.

Ah... true

xwesx

@stickguy .... If your daughter is looking at new vehicles, I don't think there is a single one made today that can be reasonably considered "slow." Sure, some are *slower* than others, but none are legitimately slow!


As of this writing, I have a loaner while my Q7 is in the service bay. 2017 Q5 with the 2.0T. Pretty nice vehicle, but surprisingly smaller than the Q7. This one is very similar to our Forester in passenger space, but smaller in cargo. It's about 4400# (about 1,000 more than the Forester), but the 2.0T scoots it along pretty well, and returns about 27 mpg in mixed driving.

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

tjc78 said:

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

daughter must have been doing some research started pinging me with questions about the new 2018 Elantra value edition. Not a bad package actually. Sticker right at 21K, and includes moonroof, blind spot, proximity key, and heated seats. Already showing some pretty big discounts. Not a bad package if you want some goodies on a low budget, and don't care about having a hot rod (she keeps harping on the "is it slow?" factor). http://www.burnshyundai.com/VehicleDetails/new-2018-Hyundai-Elantra-Value_Edition-Marlton-NJ/3040131953

I've seen some folks hack these down to $88 a month with zero down. A lot of car for the money. 

Not sure I believe those folks. 

I don't see it... I have a 17 that stickered for 21 and change. I'm at 210 a month with $250 out of pocket everything rolled in. MF was a base rate, all rebates applied and car was under posted invoice. The residual isn't there for much lower of a payment....

Totally agree. At $88/mo, you are looking at what? Paying $2k-$2200 in depreciation over 3 yrs? Not a chance.

They were using some BoostUp rebate and the Uber rebate which ended up knocking another $2000 off. 

corvette

Audi advertised the 2018 my parents bought as "all new," but it looks a lot like that 2017 to me!

breld

Some sharper lines and a few more creases in the bodywork, but yeah, Audi has gone pretty conservative on the exterior restylings lately - particularly considering how long some of the previous models were around.

I'd say the significant changes came in the interior, which were completely revised across the board.

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

If this had been a decent color I think I would have worked a deal on it right on the spot. But it's just this dirty, dark, dull gray. My feeling is that for this amount of money for a used car, I should get just what I want.

CAYMAN S

Might quick car, though. High 4s I think. Such a clever design---a mid engine car with rear hatchback storage and with a front trunk to boot (no pun intended).

I still feel the Cayman is the competitor to the TT. Just trading the mid-engine for a front engine, and some added weight for having 2 seats in the back of the TT. Of course, Audi/VW really didn't hit its stride until the current MQB platform chassis which is just world-class.

There are arguments over the Cayman S vs. TTS vs. TTRS. I like the price on that '07 with 70-80K miles on it. Are they reliable though?

tbirdmarco

@xwesx NIce lowner car you have! what is being fixed on the q7?

andres3

benjaminh said:

Luxury car sales in July...

Lexus 28,902 +4%

Mercedes-Benz 28,667 -9%

BMW 21,965 -15%

Acura 14,177 +4%

Cadillac 11,227 -22%

Infiniti 10,840 +9%

Lincoln 8875 -3%

It's difficult for me to understand a world where even Acura outsells Cadillac. So Cadillac is now the #5 luxury brand in the US. Wow. Lexus and MB are in a tight race. BMW seems to be sinking. So Infiniti seems likely to pass Caddy next. Maybe even by the end of this calendar year?

Article by Forbes....

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2017/08/04/strong-china-growth-gives-cadillac-boss-the-courage-to-avoid-a-price-war-at-home-he-cant-win/#604267054fcf

Sales incentives on sedans like the BMW 3-series and Infiniti Q 50 have also soared lately, to an average $11,780 and $10,244, respectively, according to JD Power PIN data. Those discounts are twice what Cadillac is offering on the ATS. The result was predictable: Cadillac's market share slipped in July, while Infiniti gained. Also predictable: profits at Infiniti's parent, Nissan Motor, slumped 13 percent last quarter, due mostly to higher marketing expenses in the U.S.

Cadillac just can't afford to play that game, not if it wants to achieve de Nysschen's long-term turnaround strategy.

"We are navigating a path between maintaining market share but also ensuring we can build a solid foundation to launch our new product offensive," said de Nysschen, who has spent the last three years trying to re-establish Cadillac's reputation as a leading luxury brand. "If we can’t get people to buy into that vision, all we’ve done is create more products to sell at a deep discount."

Shouldn't Audi be between BMW and Acura here, or am I missing something?

Sandman6472

Ran across a sleeper at my local VW store. A brown over beige 2014 Eos with just over 27K on the clock. Has a sunroof and a retractable top, 2.0t engine and the DSG tranny. Love the color combo though they are asking close to $24K for this puppy. Like the sunroof/retractable drop top but can see some potential electrical gremlins popping up. A CPO vehicle with a 2/24K warranty so that would help ease the pain of any repairs. A great vehicle for South Florida to be honest, small like I prefer. No usb port or back-up which I kinda expect nowadays. Might go over and give 'er a drive just to see how tight it still is. Could definitely see getting this as a toy while keeping the Golf but doubt the other half would go for it. Either way, got the funds to cover it with cash in the new car fund or could even go for a low finance rate.
My luck, I'll go test the sucker, fall in love with it & just do it. Bringing it home could be the final straw to break the camels back though. But would be cool to have it as a toy we both could use!

The Sandman

stickguy

the eos is practical enough that you could use that as your only car to replace the Golf.

corvette

That sounds like an insanely high price for an Eos.

Sandman6472

The price is definitely outrageous but it's just about perfect for what I'd like. N/S the next couple of days so might just mosie on over there and see what it's all about. Can't hurt to look...right?

The Sandman

corvette

sandman_6472 said:

Can't hurt to look...right?

I think that's our official motto around here!

stickguy

from a quick look around here, that price for a low mile car seems to be what dealers ask.''

I did find this nice one for cheaper, but miles are higher. Like the colors. even has a BU camera!

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/707447623/overview/

corvette

Nice color combo, stickguy. Has nav, although that is a crappy nav system (my GLI had the same one).

suydam

It's funny how you get sold on good features once you have them.

stickguy

corvette said:

Nice color combo, stickguy. Has nav, although that is a crappy nav system (my GLI had the same one).

looks the same as the one in our Jetta. It is pretty crappy. Especially compared to the fancy unit in my Sonata.

I like this car. I would consider it, if it had a stick!

stickguy

suydam said:

It's funny how you get sold on good features once you have them.

true. And the list keeps getting longer.

corvette

suydam said:

It's funny how you get sold on good features once you have them.

Eh, I seem to do fine without some things. The Tahoe lacks nav, but I use Waze on my phone where there's cell service. It also lacks Bluetooth audio streaming, but it's not a big deal to plug in the 3.5mm audio cable on long trips. On short trips, I just listen to XM. I do miss the proximity key, though, but the old-fashioned ignition cylinder is more in keeping with a rough-and-tumbe truck.

Michaell

Funny we talk about features. I took the daughters MINI in on Saturday for service (oil change and cabin air filter). Gave me a new Clubman as a loaner car. Base engine, AWD, sunroof.

But, no backup camera! I looked at the dash every time I put that car in reverse. And, the blind spots on that thing are pretty decently sized, so I was afraid I'd bump something (or someone).

No way could I have a car without that feature.

28firefighter

Michaell said:

Funny we talk about features. I took the daughters MINI in on Saturday for service (oil change and cabin air filter). Gave me a new Clubman as a loaner car. Base engine, AWD, sunroof. But, no backup camera! I looked at the dash every time I put that car in reverse. And, the blind spots on that thing are pretty decently sized, so I was afraid I'd bump something (or someone). No way could I have a car without that feature.

The ReachNow ride share service up here has a whole slew of Clubmans without cameras. More often than not, they needed to be parallel parked in tight quarters in the city. It's miracle any of them have rear bumpers left given that the people who drive and park those cars aren't frequent drivers. 

stickguy

BU camera is a total must on any new car. And not having it will be an issue if I buy used. Depends of course on if it is a car with actual rear visibility. My daughter is afraid to drive without one (makes her nervous to drive a friends car without one).

my must (or really really want to) have list at this point? BU camera, BLIS, power driver's seat (or that rare these days front cushion height adjustable seat), of course moonroof, XM radio. Nice to have but not deal breakers are heated seats and steering wheel, fancy lights, and leather.

actually I don't require all that much!

tjc78

I thought at some point Backup Cams were to be mandatory standard equipment?

@stickguy
My list mirrors yours except for the moonroof.  I don't miss it as much as I thought I would in the Elantra.  Wife's car has the standard size moonroof in the front and giant panel over the rear seats.  My son loves to look out that. 

qbrozen

My truck has everything I ask for and more, and it is only the 2nd rung up on a 4-model ladder. I required a power seat, backup cam, and bluetooth. I wanted carplay and heated seats. So I really don't ask for much. I have discovered I never use nav anymore (although my truck has it) since I started using Waze. Blind spot detectors on our van I never pay attention to. Did not care to have leather in a truck. Nothing else even comes to mind when I try to think of features I find useful.

qbrozen

sandman_6472 said:

Ran across a sleeper at my local VW store. A brown over beige 2014 Eos with just over 27K on the clock. Has a sunroof and a retractable top, 2.0t engine and the DSG tranny. Love the color combo though they are asking close to $24K for this puppy. Like the sunroof/retractable drop top but can see some potential electrical gremlins popping up. A CPO vehicle with a 2/24K warranty so that would help ease the pain of any repairs. A great vehicle for South Florida to be honest, small like I prefer. No usb port or back-up which I kinda expect nowadays. Might go over and give 'er a drive just to see how tight it still is. Could definitely see getting this as a toy while keeping the Golf but doubt the other half would go for it. Either way, got the funds to cover it with cash in the new car fund or could even go for a low finance rate. My luck, I'll go test the sucker, fall in love with it & just do it. Bringing it home could be the final straw to break the camels back though. But would be cool to have it as a toy we both could use! The Sandman

Need to know the trim. If a Komfort model, $24k would be typical asking price, but they should have $1500 or so wiggle room.

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 that Eos sounds like an nice car! yes does not heart to look! cant wate to hear all about it! and any others who go and look at cars! have an grate day all!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy
would pretty much want the same in my cars to as whell yes that is not asking for much!

stickguy

BU cams are required beginning in 2018 I believe. I know that was one change on the minis, making them standard. I did forget Bluetooth. Have to have that, but I forget there might still be cars without it!

I do like navi, but would be fine with CarPlay for that. I hate using my phone in the car.

Sandman6472

Yep, it's a Komfort model and starting to dig the color! Gonna be a hard sell though with my crowd here. This is definitely a "want" and not a "need", which is how one of my kids will come at it. The pharmacist daughter. My son will be cool and my oldest girl I think will think it's cool after she hears me.
Wanted to get the alignment done earlier but kept hitting the snooze button. Off to get my auto tag and handicap placard and then possibly over to the VW store. Wish me luck!!!

The Sandman

Michaell

sandman_6472 said:

Yep, it's a Komfort model and starting to dig the color! Gonna be a hard sell though with my crowd here. This is definitely a "want" and not a "need", which is how one of my kids will come at it. The pharmacist daughter. My son will be cool and my oldest girl I think will think it's cool after she hears me.
Wanted to get the alignment done earlier but kept hitting the snooze button. Off to get my auto tag and handicap placard and then possibly over to the VW store. Wish me luck!!!

The Sandman

Did I miss something? Your kids have to approve your auto purchases?

The wife, I understand. The kids, however, are a different story. Are they concerned you are spending their inheritance? :laughing:

stickguy

After all the he sacrifices you seem to have made for them, they should be telling you to go enjoy yourself a little. Does not seem like a modestly priced used convertible is worthy of an intervention. Though I would dump the golf if you really wanted to make the purchase. You don't seem like the 3 car for 2 people types.

breld

They added the backup camera as standard on the 2018 Clubman.  When my wife got hers, she had to have the tech package just to get the backup camera, which we thought was curious on a new car.  

corvette

MINI is pretty stingy with the options. Not as bad as Porsche! 

Michaell

This was a loaner, so I sorta get the minimal options. Just that I'm so used to using it on the Jetta and Outback, it was really missed...

Speaking of the Jetta, it's counting down the number of days and miles before the first service is needed. I think I'm down to 12 days or so and 4600 miles.

I should make an appointment, then have @jpp5862 meet me at the Audi store next door for some test drives.

nyccarguy

I'm with @qbrozen as far as options go. My Infiniti has navigation, but I've used it once in the 4 months I've had the car. We use WAZE all the time. Heated seats and a backup camera are a must. The sunroof is nice, but I did ok without one in the Legacy for over 2 years.

Mr_Shiftright

We share the same "bottom line" there---heated seats and backup camera. I use the Mini sunroof, but even with an add-on wind deflector, the noise at highway speeds is deafening. Nice for country roads but for Bay Area freeways, not a chance.

andres3

qbrozen said:

My truck has everything I ask for and more, and it is only the 2nd rung up on a 4-model ladder. I required a power seat, backup cam, and bluetooth. I wanted carplay and heated seats. So I really don't ask for much. I have discovered I never use nav anymore (although my truck has it) since I started using Waze. Blind spot detectors on our van I never pay attention to. Did not care to have leather in a truck. Nothing else even comes to mind when I try to think of features I find useful.

Features I find useful are being able to merge onto the freeway at 70 MPH in under 6 seconds, pulling a G or more on turns, and being able to stop fast in an emergency braking situation. Oh, a quick fast-acting transmission that doesn't leave you gutless or with the reflexes of a 100 year old is nice too.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

I'm with @qbrozen as far as options go. My Infiniti has navigation, but I've used it once in the 4 months I've had the car. We use WAZE all the time. Heated seats and a backup camera are a must. The sunroof is nice, but I did ok without one in the Legacy for over 2 years.

Non negotiable options for me are heated seats, decent audio, and HID/LED headlamps. I have come to appreciate the navigation systems in the 2er and i3; the voice recognition works extremely well and the traffic information is usually spot-on.

andres3

corvette said:

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@corvette nice nice so did you like it! did it drive good! yes hope you can get that sorted out quickly this week so you are able to sell the Marano!

They were closed on Sunday so I didn't get to drive, but got to look at it without a salesperson hassling me. 

I get the USPS Informed Delivery notifications, and it looks like I'm getting something from the credit union today. Hopefully a lien release letter. If I go drive the Mustang and like it, I may just see what they will offer for the Murano. 

Speaking of credit unions, they sent me a letter saying they don't like how I raised my deductibles to $1,500 on the Audi. I asked if they could waive the fine print on that since the loan to value ratio is in their favor, but no dice. Thinking of paying it off; although Navy Federal is advertising a 5-month 3% CD for up to $10K right now....

pensfan83

Heated Seats/Backup Camera/Backup Sensors - All of these are invaluable to me and I wouldn't do without them.

Nav - I could probably make do without it; my vehicle rarely gets tasked with long trips and when it does we don't need navigation anyway. In my wife's car we use Waze. I know nothing about Android Auto but I'm guessing that would enable me to use Waze on the car's entertainment system? If so I would rarely if ever use the OEM nav.

Blind spot/cross-traffic - My Fusion had these features and I didn't realize how much I liked having them, especially cross-traffic, until I didn't have either. I've done without for 3 years, but I would much rather have them.

Items like heated steering wheel, ventilated seats, heated rear seats would be nice but not deal breakers.

andres3

stickguy said:

she actually likes one of my latest scams schemes ideas. I get a lease on a TLX, and if the residual makes sense, when the lease is over she buys it out. She would need to get a ST lease (or buy) on something cheap to cover her first 30 months, then when that is up, she should have student loans paid off, and will be ready to "upgrade".

Veloster Turbo?