Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

She would never go for that.

andres3

tjc78 said:

mjfloyd1 said:

sandman_6472 said:

Was at our Honda location today and sat in the new Civic SI they had on the showroom floor, a dark gray color/black interior. Outstanding seats, something I could get used to in like 2 minutes! The sticker was like $24K and change but the added sticker came out to $29K and change. I thought my eyes were failing me but nope, I saw what I saw. Is this normal pricing for one of these puppies??? Think I'd settle for the Civic hatch with all the goodies. Saw a new CR-H and am still drawn to these for some odd reason. The knobless infotainment center is a no go for me and the lack of power is something I could not live with. I know it's based on the Fit but why can't they put the Civic's 1.8t engine under the hood and call it a day!
Also saw a new Encore while at the Buick store and liking these more and more. A bit more sedate than a GTI which is also calling me. Still like a 4 door hatch and right now, only the 320i or 328i are the only sedans I'd consider if I were to go the sedan route. Like that the Buick also has the 4/50K like the wife's Audi...getting closer to 36K on mine and not looking forward to being without any warranty to be honest. Am thinking very hard about if I want to keep it as long as I thought to be honest as I've been under warranty since December of 2013 and have gotten used to that security blanket to be honest! Maybe I shoulda gone for the extended warranty after all but that $100 deductible each time I used it plus the expense of the warranty itself made me pass on the whole thing. Now, not so sure!!! But, love the vehicle and don't want to flip out of it, truth be told. I just don't feel that lucky anymore!

The Sandman

There are different options for deductible $ amounts. You can also take the car in with multiple problems for a single $100 deductible. You don't have to pay the deductible for each issue if you do it this way.

When I had my 93 Taurus (3.8), I'd always wait for two things to break before taking it in so I didn't pay two deductibles. Usually that only meant an extra few days before scheduling an appointment. That was such a bad car! That extended warranty was worth it!

If I would have bought an extended warranty for the Neon, it certainly would have paid off many times over. However, without including a rental car for every time it goes in the shop, the inconvenience factor would have made that "win" a real loss in the big picture.

laurasdada

How did I ever live without a heated steering wheel??? Heaven.

andres3

laurasdada said:

How did I ever live without a heated steering wheel??? Heaven.

Some guys use driving gloves at the track; I don't get them, as Audi's already have excellent leather steering wheels. Now I'm in CA where it is always sunny and warm, but perhaps gloves would be usable in a colder climate.

xwesx

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

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

Slow response here, but a few things (didn't affect the practical function of the vehicle):

1. They said that the AdBlue "transfer pump" was not working as well as some sort of "cap sensor," so they removed the tanks (there's a "passive" and "active" tank), replaced the pump and sensor, and refilled the system. This was causing a CEL (for that past 10,000 miles!), and was my primary concern. I cannot tell you how nice it was to drive home yesterday, all 400 miles of it, and not have that light on the dash!
2. The keyless entry system on the passenger side door handle didn't work. They replaced the the handle/sensors.
3. The center arm rest cubby didn't latch closed because the spring on the latch was broken. They replaced the mechanism. It's hard to get used to actually needing to push a button to open it! Haha But, this was the only rattle in the vehicle, so it was really annoying to me.

Best part.... all of this was under warranty. Other than having to make the trip to Anchorage and hang out there for two days, it didn't cost me a penny..... even at 62,000 miles!

Sandman6472

Stopped by the VW store and finally found it outside. No one came over to me as I just wanted to look actually. Not much room in backseat for regular sized folks but that isn't a negative at all. Paint looked nice and shiny, a excellent color combo for down here or anywhere for that matter. Old style VW dash with no push button start or usb port, something which would be an issue. Did have the aux connection so was happy to at least see that and sure my iPhone 6s Plus will pair easily. No back-up camera, unacceptable, as well as no other safety nannies. This is a big sticking point, acceptable if the vehicle was being sold for under $15K, but with an asking price a few bucks shy of $24K, no f'ing way!!!
Brand new matching rubber but the leather steering wheel looked a bit rough. Overall, I'd give it a 9 out of 10 for appearance but for the lack of available tech, gotta give it a 4 out of 10. Getting the Golf aligned at 9 tomorrow morning and will drop back over there after it's done and see about a test drive just to see what's what. Curious about the 2.0T with the Kompressor engine and how it actually drives. The mpg's aren't what I'd like but if it were a toy to use on fun things, could over look the 24/30 I saw on the sticker. To be honest, if it drove nicely and the wife would give me the go ahead, think I'd pick it up for the right price. Could actually be fun to toss this little puppy around! The lack of a black interior is very welcome also! Doubt I'd go for it I had to get rid of the Golf, would be like going two steps forward and four steps back!!

The Sandman

xwesx

stickguy said:

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/

Agreed on the nice color combo. Car is surprisingly dirty on the inside, though, and no pics with the top up? Seems strange.

Michaell

New Jetta Pix

For all of you waiting for the new Jetta, some pictures have been posted

stickguy

Sent to my daughter. She pretty much already decided to get one next summer. She even named it already. Only issue might be if can't get a cheap enough payment, but not too worried about it.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Sent to my daughter. She pretty much already decided to get one next summer. She even named it already. Only issue might be if can't get a cheap enough payment, but not too worried about it.

I'll be curious about equipment levels and pricing.

ab348

Michaell said:

New Jetta Pix

For all of you waiting for the new Jetta, some pictures have been posted

That looks pretty good. A big bigger but not too big hopefully. And on the new (good) platform.

With all of these new introductions, and not much currently on the market that appeals to me, I'm starting to think that maybe I should either see about extending the ATS lease for a few months or otherwise get a temporary vehicle to tide me over until spring. Hmmm...

stickguy

my guess, about the same as current ones, with a few more niceties standard. The SE is pretty well equipped now. The Golf WB has everything needed, for pretty cheap. An SE might have moonroof optional, but likely has heated seats, BLIS, all the power stuff standard. Plenty for her.

Michaell

stickguy said:

my guess, about the same as current ones, with a few more niceties standard. The SE is pretty well equipped now. The Golf WB has everything needed, for pretty cheap. An SE might have moonroof optional, but likely has heated seats, BLIS, all the power stuff standard. Plenty for her.

Does the 2017 Jetta SE have BLIS? My 2016 does not. Only difference I know of is that the 2017 now has 'leatherette' instead of the cloth seats I have. Still heated, mind you.

stickguy

The golf does. I think the Jetta might. But most likely Jetta will get it moving to the new platform.

stickguy

Just checked. for 2017, BLIS is standard on the SE, so expect it will be so also for 2018.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Just checked. for 2017, BLIS is standard on the SE, so expect it will be so also for 2018.

Blah. Another missed feature by getting the prior year.

S'ok - I don't really drive enough for me to miss it.

suydam

Every time I get a car with a new feature I love it! The Volt has everything but heated seats (no big deal in SoCal), moonroof and power driver's seat. If I miss those I can just hop in the Encore for awhile.
Until now I never had a car with Nav. While Google maps is fine, the Nav in the Volt is excellent and much easier to see. It also has BLIS, backup cam, and parking sensors, another new to me feature that I really love. I also like having all the info about oil life, fuel and charging info, and tire pressure on my iPhone app. Better stereo also a must have. Thank G-d when I was younger and poorer I never knew what I was missing because I could never have afforded it. Our first car with even ABS wasn't till 2001.

tbirdmarco

@Michaell yes sum test drives! sound nice hope you all get to go when you bring your jetta in for service! injoy reading the testdrive storys!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx that is ok you get back when you can no rush! glad all was fixed under worintee alwas good when you don't have to pay an dime out of your pocke NOT alwas the case! t

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 glad you got to go and take an look at the 2014 Eos today! yes tomoro if you can give it an test drive! cant wate to hear all about it!

kyfdx

Hey, I'm in the front row!

corvette

Hmm... The listing for the Mustang I liked just went from "view the free Carfax report" to "get a Carfax record check" with no free report. Wonder if they've sold it and the website hasn't been updated? Guess I should call before making a trip to test drive it Saturday. 

imidazol97

kyfdx said:

!

Aren't many people in the stands.

kyfdx

True, but you are also seeing 3rd base side, which is visitor side dugout, and which also faces West, into the sun. My side had a lot more people.

But, it's a weekday day game, and we are 20 games under .500
I think the announced attendance was around 15K.

Great game though. Bottom of the 7th, down 3-2 with bases loaded, and Scooter went deep.

tbirdmarco

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/08/09/five-alarm-fire-causes-extensive-damage-at-country-classic-cars/?refer=news

tbirdmarco

@corvette wow yes would give an call hope it is not solde and you will be able to go and look at it sum mor and test drive it!

xwesx

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/08/09/five-alarm-fire-causes-extensive-damage-at-country-classic-cars/?refer=news

Wow; devastating. Thankfully, though, no lives were lost.

tbirdmarco

@vxwesx yes as much as it panes me to see all of those cars loast the most important thing is that no lives wher loast so so trew.

stickguy

here is an interesting car. I test drove one once when they were new. Fun car. Just zero storage of any kind. And not something you usually see "restored"

https://i.imgur.com/ocfnP4B.jpg

Mr_Shiftright

Looks like a real dog.

corvette

Saturday could be the perfect storm for a punch for me... Friday night is date night with the girl I've been hanging out with. My parents normally come up on Saturday mornings but can't this Saturday and are coming up Sunday instead. Which leaves Saturday free for me to go test drive.

Michaell

corvette said:

Saturday could be the perfect storm for a punch for me... Friday night is date night with the girl I've been hanging out with. My parents normally come up on Saturday mornings but can't this Saturday and are coming up Sunday instead. Which leaves Saturday free for me to go test drive.

Nice .... free time can be quite dangerous for this crowd.

Good luck!

stickguy

i kind of like this one. Nice colors. pretty well equipped. Miles not bad. maybe a bit pricey for a 2013, but I am always a bad judge of that! But I always liked the way these look, and seem to be the perfect size for me.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-mercedes~benz-c~class-certified_c300_4matic_sport_package_awd_multimedia_nav-used-16630372.html

Michaell

@breld - I found a Type R for you ....

http://jalopnik.com/someone-already-wants-to-part-with-their-poor-2017-hond-1797721166

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice cars you posted above!

tbirdmarco

@corvette nice nice sounds good to me nead an nother punch in hear has bin an little bit of time since we have had one in hear lol lol lol

tbirdmarco

Happy Friday all! who elce is doing sum car looking or making an punch this weekend!

sb55

Does a new Airstream travel trailer count as a punch? I'm thinking of moving up from my 2004 25' for a 2018 28'. Price is right (but still expensive), but do I want to pull the trigger?? At 62 years old, I'm getting more in the mindset of why wait, enjoy it now. How much more time do I have when I'm physically able to use the stuff that I have. But my practical self keeps beating up.

nyccarguy

Those are expensive enough. I'll allow it! All in favor? "I"

sda

"I"

kyfdx

I'm pretty sure I counted my lawn mower and new coffee maker... so, I say yes

stickguy

Need a ruling, but I say no from perspective of the contest. But get it anyway if you want it! Other than 3 extra feet, what does the new one offer? And I assume the Silverado can tow that beast?

ab348

sb55 said:

Does a new Airstream travel trailer count as a punch? I'm thinking of moving up from my 2004 25' for a 2018 28'. Price is right (but still expensive), but do I want to pull the trigger?? At 62 years old, I'm getting more in the mindset of why wait, enjoy it now. How much more time do I have when I'm physically able to use the stuff that I have. But my practical self keeps beating up.

My own situation and that of my older brother both make the Magic 8-Ball say "Signs Point to Yes". I've related my medical woes here at one year younger than you, but the manifestation of them is that I can't do much of anything that requires physical effort until everything gets fixed, which is going to be a while. My brother is 75 and in decent shape but he is in the process of getting rid of their place in the country because they just don't go there much now after 30 years and it is a huge effort at keeping things up. So I'd say, do it now.

Airstreams always make me think of our family's summer driving vacations to other parts of Eastern Canada and New England in the '60s and early '70s. Back then a lot of main highways were still 2-lane roads and we would dread getting behind a string of them on one of their Wally Byam caravan excursions because they were so tough to pass. My mom would always utter the line "those G**D*** peanut trailers!" which was her term for Airstreams.

28firefighter

I say you go for it!

graphicguy

sb55 said:

Does a new Airstream travel trailer count as a punch? I'm thinking of moving up from my 2004 25' for a 2018 28'. Price is right (but still expensive), but do I want to pull the trigger?? At 62 years old, I'm getting more in the mindset of why wait, enjoy it now. How much more time do I have when I'm physically able to use the stuff that I have. But my practical self keeps beating up.

Just had this same conversation with my older sister (mid 60s). You can't tell it by my car buying and selling habits, but I'm fairly fiscally conservative.

I've had my home for 20+ years paid off for a little while. Now the house is empty, my son is raised and out on his own, and my outgoing cash has dropped dramatically. I do little splurges here and there, but nothing big.

My sister, who has made quite a bit of money as a minority business contractor to the state of IN, has urged me to live a little now, also. I would love to march into the Porsche dealer and write a check for a nice new Boxter S or a BMW dealer and buy an M4. I can't pull that trigger because of that little part of my brain that would keep saying...."that's foolish".

As my sister reminds me...."you want to be on your death bed saying one of your objectives in life was to be a money hoarder?"

She has a point!

corvette

The Mustang once again has a link to a free Carfax. I'm betting it's still there. Still going to call before I go. It looked clean in person (but it was wet from the rain). It does need new tires. The ones on it appear to be original with 28,000 miles and still have tread but there is some edge wear and cracks are appearing in the grooves (often happens due to age plus when a car isn't driven often). 

imidazol97

Money hoarder? That's a little strong. I can have whatever I want but I tend to think practical and get what I will enjoy, not what will impress the neighbors.


@sb55 If you would enjoy the new trailer now, go for it. It's a depreciating asset, but so is your health.

pensfan83

I prefer the term fiscally responsible to money hoarder. My wife and myself are fortunate to have the jobs we do but we have no interest in stepping out of our comfort zone with our spending habits to keep up with friends and neighbors.

roadburner

graphicguy said:

sb55 said:

Does a new Airstream travel trailer count as a punch? I'm thinking of moving up from my 2004 25' for a 2018 28'. Price is right (but still expensive), but do I want to pull the trigger?? At 62 years old, I'm getting more in the mindset of why wait, enjoy it now. How much more time do I have when I'm physically able to use the stuff that I have. But my practical self keeps beating up.

Just had this same conversation with my older sister (mid 60s). You can't tell it by my car buying and selling habits, but I'm fairly fiscally conservative.

I've had my home for 20+ years paid off for a little while. Now the house is empty, my son is raised and out on his own, and my outgoing cash has dropped dramatically. I do little splurges here and there, but nothing big.

My sister, who has made quite a bit of money as a minority business contractor to the state of IN, has urged me to live a little now, also. I would love to march into the Porsche dealer and write a check for a nice new Boxter S or a BMW dealer and buy an M4. I can't pull that trigger because of that little part of my brain that would keep saying...."that's foolish".

As my sister reminds me...."you want to be on your death bed saying one of your objectives in life was to be a money hoarder?"

She has a point!

I bought my 1988 M6 when I was 35. If I had been "practical" I would have purchased an anodyne appliance instead. With the advantage of 25 years of hindsight I can honestly say that my only regret is that I sold it. To quote fellow Kentuckian David E. Davis Jr, "No Boring Cars!!!"

sb55

Ok, I'm getting convinced.
We have been fiscally conservative and have a decent nest egg, but still enjoy nice things. Right now, our semi-retirement business is seasonal cottage rentals on Lake Champlain (treetopsvt.com). It allows us to own a valuable piece of property that we couldn't otherwise afford.  We don't really make a profit more than minimum wage, but there are other business perks.   Even though it's a great place live,  the downside is that we are "stuck" here from May-October.  No rentals= no money.  But, then again, people pay us to be here and seem to love it, so that keeps us going.  We have met some great people and made friends with guests doing it. 
Since we like to sleep in our own bed and travel with our dog, any trailer makes sense. But, the Airstream is so different from other brands and you pay top dollar for it. 
I'm planning on SSI when I'm 66, and that seems like it will be "found money" to me right now.  I don't know if I'll feel the same in 4 years......