Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco

@stickguy have an safe trip to nc bringing the daughter back to school on Friday! boath you and the wife should upgrade cars! win win!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy nice nice let us all no how the dealer visit does go next week!

tbirdmarco

@breld would not get it but if you would like the piece of mind like said above than get it! you will be keeping this new type R for ever! lol lol lol what does that mean 6 munths less! maby one year!

tjc78

stickguy said:

Only bent wheel I ever actually replaced was on, of all things, our odyssey. I'll blame the wife for that one!

I actually bent one on my Grand Marquis.  Plenty of sidewall on a 16".  Tire survived, just the rim bent.  If it was a 18"'on 50 series both would have been toast in sure. 

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen good on the job hunting!

tbirdmarco

nice Praylood posted above sutch lo miles for the year!

rny421

I've got an non-car question for you live in the NYC area, or frequently travel there (@Marcothecarguy1986 @nyccarguy ??)

My wife and I are going to NYC for our anniversary in a few weeks. We are leaving after work from Western NY, and I was planning on parking at the Cortlandt metro station, and taking the train into the city. Does this sound like the easiest option? It takes you directly to Grand Central which is only 0.2 miles to our hotel.

From what I've read, I need to park in a metered spot. How do I know which is metered and which isn't? Are they clearly marked? Then, it sounds like I just pay at a pay station for the spot I park in? Any information is greatly appreciated!

In order to make this car related: I just got new Michelins on my 2011 Ford Edge. $1,100, which was expensive, but they're super quiet, which is important to me. The car has 90k miles on it, and I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep it, but it was starting to get squirrelly in the rain.

nyccarguy

First and foremost, happy Anniversary!  2nd, where are you staying (Hotel name & address)?  Third, how'd you pick Corrlandt Manor Metro North Station?  How long are you staying for?

corvette

I'm flying in to NYC in a few weeks, as well. Interested to hear any tips. No hotel reservations yet. Then to Baltimore for a couple of days. 

corvette

Ordered new rubber for the Mustang. Whatever the newest model of Continental's max performance summer tire is. (The one I initially ordered was a discontinued model, and Discount Tire called me to alert me before finalizing the order. I love them!) Went with a plus zero size which is 255mm wide instead of the stock 245. I think those are both narrower than the rear tires on my 540i, and it made a lot less power! It is also going to be about $1,000. 

rny421

nyccarguy said:

First and foremost, happy Anniversary!  2nd, where are you staying (Hotel name & address)?  Third, how'd you pick Corrlandt Manor Metro North Station?  How long are you staying for?

Thank you for the well wishes! We will arrive in the city late Friday night (11:30?), and leave Monday afternoon. We're staying at the InterContinental New York Barclay on E. 48th St, in Midtown East. I picked the Cortlandt Metro based on comments from people saying that it has a ton of parking, and sometimes the other stations have the tendency to fill up. Also, Cortlandt is pretty much on our way down from Rochester.

rny421

corvette said:

I'm flying in to NYC in a few weeks, as well. Interested to hear any tips. No hotel reservations yet. Then to Baltimore for a couple of days. 

@corvette - Not sure if you travel a lot for work and already have travel points for a particular chain, but if not - I use Hotwire Hot Rate, or Priceline Express deals extensively, and you can score some pretty good deals. You'll want to do some research on it first, but the general premise is that you don't know which hotel it is until you buy it, only the basics on it - where it is, what class, and general review ratings. The other catch is that you pay in full when you book, it's non-refundable, and you can't modify the reservation.

It might not be your cup of tea, but I've only had one so-so experience with it. For our NYC trip, I was able to get our hotel for $122 per night (then plus taxes @ $38/night). Not bad for a 4 Star Hotel in NYC IMO. Of course, it all depends on demand during that time too, so I might have just gotten lucky.

nyccarguy

First and foremost, I'd check the train schedule.  There  are most likely only two trains per hour at that time of night going into the city.   Make sure you get on an "express train" not a local train.  2nd, you can park at most Metro North stations on the weekends, but for the weekday, you might have to pay or have some sort of permit.  Corrlandt Manor is a bit North and west of me, and I'm not entirely familiar with the area and their station's parking regulations.

Traveling into Grand Central and staying on E48th, your hotel is just a few Blocks away.  Bring rolling luggage and you can walk there.  

Let me know now if I can answer any other questions.  Are you planning on seeing a Broadway Show?  Special dinner plans?

stickguy

Cortland is a pretty area. Not sure what kind of drive at night coming down Rt. 9 though. One thing to keep in mind is the schedule. If you get there too late, no train, and from that station the last couple of trains require a transfer and take an extra 20 minutes or so. That hotel is really close to grand central at least.

Parking at the station should be pretty easy. Most of them now are kiosk based where you get a ticket matching to your spot. And Saturday and Sunday are free! At least you get there after most commuters should be gone.

tjc78

Priceline is awesome if you are flexible. On our Baltimore trip last week I scored the Hyatt for $84 a night. It was a four star express deal "Inner Harbor".

nyccarguy

@corvette - When are you coming into town?  I'd love to meet up if I'm around.

corvette

rny421 said:

@corvette - Not sure if you travel a lot for work and already have travel points for a particular chain, but if not - I use Hotwire Hot Rate, or Priceline Express deals extensively, and you can score some pretty good deals

No points on this trip! Apparently, it would be a lot cheaper if I were traveling now versus mid-September. I've done some research and there is a specific hotel I think I would prefer in terms of location / amenities. But if that doesn't pan out, I will try Priceline Express. I'm probably staying in the Times Square area, not because I want to see Times Square, but because it's centrally located.

@nyccarguy - Tentatively, arrive September 16, depart September 21. Let me know if that works with your schedule!

corvette

This ad was in my Facebook feed. I found it really humorous due to the low discount offered. When they were shopping, my mom told my dad that, if they could get a fully loaded new XC60 for $35,000, she would do it. She thought it was antiquated and not worth more than that.

stickguy

the top line XC90 showed up today in a link about the biggest discount available now. $23,000 off. That is some serious depreciation.

stickguy

This is pretty. My favorite color combo. I know my wife would like it! Nice low miles. Price does not seem too out of line, but I can never judge that.

https://www.subaruofcherryhill.com/used/BMW/2009-BMW-X3-Cherry+Hill+NJ-c5ff98870a0d0c1477af376fdf92a5d3.htm?searchDepth=2:49

28firefighter

stickguy said:

the top line XC90 showed up today in a link about the biggest discount available now. $23,000 off. That is some serious depreciation.

The problem is the top line XC90 can run well over $100k. Methinks they missed the boat at that price point. 

nyccarguy

corvette said:

@corvette - Not sure if you travel a lot for work and already have travel points for a particular chain, but if not - I use Hotwire Hot Rate, or Priceline Express deals extensively, and you can score some pretty good deals

No points on this trip! Apparently, it would be a lot cheaper if I were traveling now versus mid-September. I've done some research and there is a specific hotel I think I would prefer in terms of location / amenities. But if that doesn't pan out, I will try Priceline Express. I'm probably staying in the Times Square area, not because I want to see Times Square, but because it's centrally located. @nyccarguy - Tentatively, arrive September 16, depart September 21. Let me know if that works with your schedule!

I should be able to meet you for dinner one night after work.  Let me know if there is anything specific you want to do and I can give you some guidance.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice colors on that beamer that exterior color or red my favorates!

tbirdmarco

@rny421 first happy happy Anaversory to you and your wife! Not shore on the trane station but thank you to all above for answering that part of the question! yes taking the trane is the best bet that is for shore! nice on getting the new tires for the edge! love that jen of edge mor than the one that is out now and it is pretty nice! what car does the wife drive? have an safe fun trip in to new York city and injoy!

tbirdmarco

@corvette not able to read add! but sounds crazy from what you said above! so nice you will be in new York in the mittle of Sept maby we should meat up! the few of use who live local! nice on getting the new tires for the Mustang! are those the stock brand of tires or did you end up going with an different brand of tires?

stickguy

I also like this one a lot. Just love the color combo. Seems pretty well loaded, but again sadly missing the nice sport seats. I'm sure I would survive, but still really like them.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2014-bmw-x3-certified_x3_xdrive28i_awd_lighting__driver_assist__nav-used-16454293.html

tbirdmarco

@stickguy that is an nother nice beamer you posted above nice colors that is for shore!

qbrozen

stickguy said:

the top line XC90 showed up today in a link about the biggest discount available now. $23,000 off. That is some serious depreciation.

Depreciation? So was it used? Do you have the link? Trucar is showing $10k off new 2017, but that is $106k MSRP.

stickguy

No, brand new. But if new ones are that much off, used ones must get hammers.

Not sure where I saw it. One of those banner links on some website. I'll try to find it.

here we go. Fron truth about cars.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2017/08/biggest-new-vehicle-discount-available-right-now-23500-off-volvo-xc90/

corvette

I think that discount is only on the highest trim level of the XC90. 

Marco, I'll make a note to try to plan something with you and nyccarguy when I'm up there. The Contintentals are not the OE tires, it has Pirelli all-seasons which aren't really wide and grippy enough to put that much power to the ground. 

rny421

@nyccarguy - Thanks for the tips! We've got some stuff planned: Breakfast at the Brooklyn Diner, going to the 9/11 Museum, Central Park, a 1 hour Hudson River Cruise if the weather cooperates, Dinner at Toloache, and Dinner at Giano. We'll catch a show Sunday if the weather is crappy. Oh, and some sort of cookie dough place my wife wants to try (can you tell there's a food theme )

@Marcothecarguy1986 Thanks as well. Wife has a 2012 Volvo S60 T6 AWD, which we bought in 2014. It's fast and fun, but I realize now that it rides a little rough. My eyes have been looking for something else (C-Class, TLX, GLC, redesigned A4), but I just paid it off early, so the frugal side of me is telling me to hang onto it for at least two more years. It only has 56k miles, so we should be good. Although, I did just have to replace the A/C compressor to the tune of $1,200 though

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I also like this one a lot. Just love the color combo. Seems pretty well loaded, but again sadly missing the nice sport seats. I'm sure I would survive, but still really like them.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2014-bmw-x3-certified_x3_xdrive28i_awd_lighting__driver_assist__nav-used-16454293.html

That's really cheap, but how is it certified from a used car dealer?
Nice equipment, too.

Don't bother looking for X3s with sport seats.. 2% take rate, most likely, especially with the 2011+ models.

That would be a great replacement for my wife's 2011 X3 with 94K, but she won't go for red.

graphicguy

tifighter said:

For anyone looking for something red, manual and European, this would be worth a look...

Aside from the wiring all over the place from under the dash, the "incorrect" odo, the "knob" the on the steering wheel that's needed to steer it, and the mouse fuzz door cards, what's not to like?

pensfan83

Speaking of NYC I'll be there October 16-October 17 for a conference. Last year it was held at The Yale Club.

EDIT: Nevermind, it's in Boston this year.

Sandman6472

Cortland Manor is just north of where we used to live in Westchester. Should be beautiful that time of year. Have talked with the wife about possibly moving back north in a few years as I do miss the change of seasons. Only negatives are the prices of real estate and the snow, have never driven in it but remember my folks having some issues even having front wheel drive vehicles in the late 60's.

The Sandman

stickguy

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

I also like this one a lot. Just love the color combo. Seems pretty well loaded, but again sadly missing the nice sport seats. I'm sure I would survive, but still really like them.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2014-bmw-x3-certified_x3_xdrive28i_awd_lighting__driver_assist__nav-used-16454293.html

That's really cheap, but how is it certified from a used car dealer?
Nice equipment, too.

Don't bother looking for X3s with sport seats.. 2% take rate, most likely, especially with the 2011+ models.

That would be a great replacement for my wife's 2011 X3 with 94K, but she won't go for red.

They have a dark silver one too, similar equipment. Less money. They use the term "certified" to mean it passed their inspection, and has some sort of existing warranty on it. This one has 13k miles and 1o months b2b left, then powertrain.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2014-bmw-x3-certified_x3_xdrive28i_awd_tech_camera_navigation-used-16369473.html

28firefighter

Someone tried to break into the GTI last night. My right rear passenger door handle looks as though someone tried to rip it off. They got into my next door neighbor's BMW 320i xDrive successfully - thought is that he may have left his door unlocked or maybe they had a tool to mimic the code.

I hate people - and getting fed up with the lack of action on the part of the police to put a stop to this stuff.

fintail

Sadly, that's probably priority number 3498654 for the Seattle PD.

A couple of prowlers got into the parking garage of my building last week, too - the front desk sent out an email with video clips. I don't think they got anything though, people are pretty vigilant here, and the office manager didn't mention anything was stolen. I checked my dashcam, nothing - they must not have got close enough to the car to trigger the motion sensor. I've heard of cams being stolen, but many cams can also be linked to the cloud, so that might scare them off. If I had a house, I would probably invest in a camera setup, maybe some peace of mind with current socio-economic evolution.

28firefighter said:

Someone tried to break into the GTI last night. My right rear passenger door handle looks as though someone tried to rip it off. They got into my next door neighbor's BMW 320i xDrive successfully - thought is that he may have left his door unlocked or maybe they had a tool to mimic the code.

I hate people - and getting fed up with the lack of action on the part of the police to put a stop to this stuff.

28firefighter

I have not had cameras installed because we have been seriously discussing moving anyway to get a bit more space than we have now. Not that it would have caught this as my street view is obstructed by the house in front of ours.

Will definitely invest in them for the next house.

stickguy

I don't think I could ever buy a house without garage space for my cars. I know I could never live with street parking! Guess I'm just not city folk.

andres3

fintail said:

Sadly, that's probably priority number 3498654 for the Seattle PD.

A couple of prowlers got into the parking garage of my building last week, too - the front desk sent out an email with video clips. I don't think they got anything though, people are pretty vigilant here, and the office manager didn't mention anything was stolen. I checked my dashcam, nothing - they must not have got close enough to the car to trigger the motion sensor. I've heard of cams being stolen, but many cams can also be linked to the cloud, so that might scare them off. If I had a house, I would probably invest in a camera setup, maybe some peace of mind with current socio-economic evolution.

28firefighter said:

Someone tried to break into the GTI last night. My right rear passenger door handle looks as though someone tried to rip it off. They got into my next door neighbor's BMW 320i xDrive successfully - thought is that he may have left his door unlocked or maybe they had a tool to mimic the code.

I hate people - and getting fed up with the lack of action on the part of the police to put a stop to this stuff.

Maybe if people started offering $550 rewards for the recovery of stolen goods, or even just the successful capture of the culprits, they would start making real crimes a priority. However, it seems easier to convince the public that cameras shown to increase accidents at intersections (unbiased red-light camera data), are a better alternative to getting $550/tickets issued for that same revenue stream.

fintail

Oh, you can't see your car from your house? That would irk me to no end (parking outside would get me there too, as the old car would dissolve, and I'd never want more than a beater or cheap lease for a modern car).

Good luck with more space in this market. I hear real estate is still reasonable in Spokane and Boise, maybe Aberdeen or Eugene

28firefighter said:

I have not had cameras installed because we have been seriously discussing moving anyway to get a bit more space than we have now. Not that it would have caught this as my street view is obstructed by the house in front of ours.

Will definitely invest in them for the next house.

fintail

I suspect in most vehicle prowls, the value of a broken window plus any looted goods is a bit less than $550. The drug war, along with traffic-based enforcement will continue to get the most attention.

To be fair, if crosswalk, turn signal, and distracted driving laws were enforced with any teeth in my area, the revenue stream could probably pay the national debt, or fund more theft-related enforcement.

andres3 said:

Maybe if people started offering $550 rewards for the recovery of stolen goods, or even just the successful capture of the culprits, they would start making real crimes a priority. However, it seems easier to convince the public that cameras shown to increase accidents at intersections (unbiased red-light camera data), are a better alternative to getting $550/tickets issued for that same revenue stream.

corvette

Yeah, it would be trivial to reprogram red light cameras to also ticket people who fail to signal or don't turn their lights on at night. Just make the penalty the same as a red light violation and impound the vehicle if the owner doesn't pay the ticket. 

andres3

corvette said:

Yeah, it would be trivial to reprogram red light cameras to also ticket people who fail to signal or don't turn their lights on at night. Just make the penalty the same as a red light violation and impound the vehicle if the owner doesn't pay the ticket. 

Imagine my surprise to learn the original cameras were reprogrammed to issue right turn on red tickets! Right turn on red is legal, if you come to a stop first. Wow, just wow!

Hard to find statistics on it, but from the bit I've found, as you'd suspect, maybe 0.5% of accidents can even be correlated, let alone attributed, to right turns on red.

andres3

fintail said:

Sadly, that's probably priority number 3498654 for the Seattle PD.

A couple of prowlers got into the parking garage of my building last week, too - the front desk sent out an email with video clips. I don't think they got anything though, people are pretty vigilant here, and the office manager didn't mention anything was stolen. I checked my dashcam, nothing - they must not have got close enough to the car to trigger the motion sensor. I've heard of cams being stolen, but many cams can also be linked to the cloud, so that might scare them off. If I had a house, I would probably invest in a camera setup, maybe some peace of mind with current socio-economic evolution.

28firefighter said:

Someone tried to break into the GTI last night. My right rear passenger door handle looks as though someone tried to rip it off. They got into my next door neighbor's BMW 320i xDrive successfully - thought is that he may have left his door unlocked or maybe they had a tool to mimic the code.

I hate people - and getting fed up with the lack of action on the part of the police to put a stop to this stuff.

Speaking of which, in CA, your supposed to have a front license plate, but it isn't heavily enforced. However, it is a lot more enforced, than say... failure to use blinkers, or left lane impeding, or unsafe merge, or, you guessed it, dealing with burglaries and stolen property.

Someone reported a parking ticket violation in Santa Barbara for "no front license plate." I'll skip that city in my upcoming vacation to Ventura (and exploring up the central coast of CA).

Sandman6472

Passed the VW store and stopped in. Brown Eos was sold Monday which doesn't surprise me, nice low miles in a decent color combo. They had two more there, a white over black '14 and a light blue over black, also a '14 but this one had 33K on the clock. These color combos left me cold so told the guy if you get another brown over brown, get back to me. Don't feel to badly since not something I had to have right now, but would've been fun. Just goes to show that when one snoozes...one loses! Best to make a move if it's a gotta have it vehicle. Since it really wasn't, I can wait till something outstanding comes along.
Probably a sign that maybe a Mini or BMW is the way to go next time. If I really didn't like my current ride, wouldn't have thought twice about doing a deal but not the case here. The Eos just peaked my interest and a test drive could've been fun.

The Sandman

fintail

Right on red is legal here too, but you have to stop. Of course, not everyone does. I think I know someone who got a ticket like that too. As these reds almost always have a crosswalk, I can see the need to enforce stopping.

Front plates are also mandatory here, but I think enforcement is based on $$ and location/discretion. I suspect a kid in a souped up 98 Civic without a front plate is more likely to be cited than a frazzled Stepford in an oh-so-green-yet-edgy Model X (Tesla front plate take rate has to be no higher than 50% here).

andres3 said:

Speaking of which, in CA, your supposed to have a front license plate, but it isn't heavily enforced. However, it is a lot more enforced, than say... failure to use blinkers, or left lane impeding, or unsafe merge, or, you guessed it, dealing with burglaries and stolen property.

Someone reported a parking ticket violation in Santa Barbara for "no front license plate." I'll skip that city in my upcoming vacation to Ventura (and exploring up the central coast of CA).

Mr_Shiftright

andres3 said:

fintail said:

Sadly, that's probably priority number 3498654 for the Seattle PD.

A couple of prowlers got into the parking garage of my building last week, too - the front desk sent out an email with video clips. I don't think they got anything though, people are pretty vigilant here, and the office manager didn't mention anything was stolen. I checked my dashcam, nothing - they must not have got close enough to the car to trigger the motion sensor. I've heard of cams being stolen, but many cams can also be linked to the cloud, so that might scare them off. If I had a house, I would probably invest in a camera setup, maybe some peace of mind with current socio-economic evolution.

28firefighter said:

Someone tried to break into the GTI last night. My right rear passenger door handle looks as though someone tried to rip it off. They got into my next door neighbor's BMW 320i xDrive successfully - thought is that he may have left his door unlocked or maybe they had a tool to mimic the code.

I hate people - and getting fed up with the lack of action on the part of the police to put a stop to this stuff.

Speaking of which, in CA, your supposed to have a front license plate, but it isn't heavily enforced. However, it is a lot more enforced, than say... failure to use blinkers, or left lane impeding, or unsafe merge, or, you guessed it, dealing with burglaries and stolen property.

Someone reported a parking ticket violation in Santa Barbara for "no front license plate." I'll skip that city in my upcoming vacation to Ventura (and exploring up the central coast of CA).

I got a ticket in Berkeley for no front license plate...and it was parked in a municipal parking lot, so they actually patrolled the lot to give tickets. I vowed on that day that i would never spend another dime in Berkeley, and 4 years later, I have held to that promise. It's just about revenue.

andres3

fintail said:

Right on red is legal here too, but you have to stop. Of course, not everyone does. I think I know someone who got a ticket like that too. As these reds almost always have a crosswalk, I can see the need to enforce stopping.

Front plates are also mandatory here, but I think enforcement is based on $$ and location/discretion. I suspect a kid in a souped up 98 Civic without a front plate is more likely to be cited than a frazzled Stepford in an oh-so-green-yet-edgy Model X (Tesla front plate take rate has to be no higher than 50% here).

andres3 said:

Speaking of which, in CA, your supposed to have a front license plate, but it isn't heavily enforced. However, it is a lot more enforced, than say... failure to use blinkers, or left lane impeding, or unsafe merge, or, you guessed it, dealing with burglaries and stolen property.

Someone reported a parking ticket violation in Santa Barbara for "no front license plate." I'll skip that city in my upcoming vacation to Ventura (and exploring up the central coast of CA).

I think your purpose of requiring a complete stop on a right turn with a red light is achieved by yielding the right of way. If there are other pedestrians or cars, they shall have the right of way. If there are none, then a complete stop is a foolish waste of brake pad and gas (and extra emissions). If you have to make a complete stop to determine that there are no other cars or pedestrians with a right of way you might infringe upon, then by all means stop. Most intersections I know have plenty of sight lines to make judgement much quicker.

If people are violating your pedestrian crosswalk; they are probably oblivious to all traffic rules and regulations.