Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

fintail

I don't think there's any place that allows a right on red without stopping. I have seen right turns with stop signs where the turn is permitted, but those are rare and weird intersections (no cross traffic from the left direction). If you want right on red without stopping, you probably should lobby a change to your RCW. CA is probably more progressive than most in that area (lanesplitting, relatively high limits on urban freeways, etc), maybe it would work.

I live in a somewhat densely populated neighborhood. During working hours when many people are on foot and traffic is backed up, sight lines are often not sufficient to allow a right on red without stopping. I don't know about oblivious, maybe more distracted, and just not caring, as there's virtually no enforcement. Negligence by more than one party.

andres3 said:

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.

andres3

fintail said:

I don't think there's any place that allows a right on red without stopping. I have seen right turns with stop signs where the turn is permitted, but those are rare and weird intersections (no cross traffic from the left direction). If you want right on red without stopping, you probably should lobby a change to your RCW. CA is probably more progressive than most in that area (lanesplitting, relatively high limits on urban freeways, etc), maybe it would work.

I live in a somewhat densely populated neighborhood. During working hours when many people are on foot and traffic is backed up, sight lines are often not sufficient to allow a right on red without stopping. I don't know about oblivious, maybe more distracted, and just not caring, as there's virtually no enforcement. Negligence by more than one party.

andres3 said:

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.

Yeah, people don't walk or ride bikes in Southern CA. Now in Northern CA, you are starting to see more bicyclists.

You consider 65 MPH high limits for an urban freeway? I work in Escondido. If I worked in downtown San Diego, I'd probably usually stop for right turns.

I've never received a right turn violation on red except from a camera, oh, and that one time there was a police car with its lights on/spinning on the roof in the middle of the intersection. I was planning on going straight through the intersection, but since it seemed it was blocked by the empty police car with its emergency lights on, I decided to turn right, and figured the police car overruled the traffic lights at that point. I had no traffic to yield to, so I rolled through the right turn. $270 later for "running that red light I wasn't paying attention to for obvious reasons," and since I wasn't a DUI candidate (wasn't drunk), and I was the designated driver actually. I think that was one of the last times I was a DD for my hometown friends; I was that upset about it! If ever a warning was called for, that was it.

fintail

I know it is also 65 through the heart of SD, I consider that an urban freeway, more so than Escondido. It wouldn't be 65 here. 65 is high enough for a crowded area, given the skill of drivers on this continent. 65 means many will do 75 if able, which is ample for being in a city. It's 60 here (when traffic allows it), and I think 50 through Portland, which has weird speed limits that I am surprised the scaredy cats here haven't adopted. Count your blessings.

I've never worried much about camera violations, as they are not universal here, and everyone knows where they are. Local authorities, at least not in my city, haven't pulled the short yellow/intentionally messed up sequencing stunt that should result in forfeiture of pay and benefits. Simple old speed trapping is the most common enforcement here, I think.

andres3 said:

Yeah, people don't walk or ride bikes in Southern CA. Now in Northern CA, you are starting to see more bicyclists.

You consider 65 MPH high limits for an urban freeway? I work in Escondido. If I worked in downtown San Diego, I'd probably usually stop for right turns.

I've never received a right turn violation on red except from a camera, oh, and that one time there was a police car with its lights on/spinning on the roof in the middle of the intersection. I was planning on going straight through the intersection, but since it seemed it was blocked by the empty police car with its emergency lights on, I decided to turn right, and figured the police car overruled the traffic lights at that point. I had no traffic to yield to, so I rolled through the right turn. $270 later for "running that red light I wasn't paying attention to for obvious reasons," and since I wasn't a DUI candidate (wasn't drunk), and I was the designated driver actually. I think that was one of the last times I was a DD for my hometown friends; I was that upset about it! If ever a warning was called for, that was it.

andres3

fintail said:

I know it is also 65 through the heart of SD, I consider that an urban freeway, more so than Escondido. It wouldn't be 65 here. 65 is high enough for a crowded area, given the skill of drivers on this continent. 65 means many will do 75 if able, which is ample for being in a city. It's 60 here (when traffic allows it), and I think 50 through Portland, which has weird speed limits that I am surprised the scaredy cats here haven't adopted. Count your blessings.

I've never worried much about camera violations, as they are not universal here, and everyone knows where they are. Local authorities, at least not in my city, haven't pulled the short yellow/intentionally messed up sequencing stunt that should result in forfeiture of pay and benefits. Simple old speed trapping is the most common enforcement here, I think.

andres3 said:

Yeah, people don't walk or ride bikes in Southern CA. Now in Northern CA, you are starting to see more bicyclists.

You consider 65 MPH high limits for an urban freeway? I work in Escondido. If I worked in downtown San Diego, I'd probably usually stop for right turns.

I've never received a right turn violation on red except from a camera, oh, and that one time there was a police car with its lights on/spinning on the roof in the middle of the intersection. I was planning on going straight through the intersection, but since it seemed it was blocked by the empty police car with its emergency lights on, I decided to turn right, and figured the police car overruled the traffic lights at that point. I had no traffic to yield to, so I rolled through the right turn. $270 later for "running that red light I wasn't paying attention to for obvious reasons," and since I wasn't a DUI candidate (wasn't drunk), and I was the designated driver actually. I think that was one of the last times I was a DD for my hometown friends; I was that upset about it! If ever a warning was called for, that was it.

I'm not worried about speed traps at rush hour. I have yet to be accused of speeding when I was moving along at 5 MPH in stop and go traffic.

However, I believe speed limit should be set to optimal conditions, and rush-hour traffic isn't optimal conditions. I'm talking about noon on a Saturday, or how about 3:30 AM on a weekday or weekend? That is when 50 or 60 MPH speed limits are absolutely ridiculous on a limited access freeway.

Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95. People tend to drive at a reasonable and prudent speed for them regardless of the speed limit (Pacific NW might be an exception).

If most people are doing 75, that's a good sign that is what the speed limit should be.

I recall a Saturday where we left San Diego at 6 AM sharp, and even though it seems LA is a 24/7 hell hole, we managed to get to Ventura for an 8 AM breakfast thanks to no traffic through downtown LA.

That has only happened once.

andres3

Are they speed limits, or speed guidelines

tbirdmarco

@corvette sounds good would be nice to meat up with you and nycarguy and hang out and do sumthing in the city! nice on the tires for the mustang! usally a lot of times the stock tires are not the best and good to change to an nother brand like you did! have to report back when you get the new tires put on how the car rides and handales!

tbirdmarco

@rny421 nice car your wife has to as whell. yes would hold on to her car for an bit since it is payed off and miles are lo. as for you up to you if you want to get an nother car like the ones you did menchian above or if you want to hang on to your Edge for an bit to as whell! in hear we would all tell you to go and do sum test driving and get sumthing new! lol lollollol

tbirdmarco

going think this cumming up sunday to help my sisters boyfriend look for an nice used car! and have to get mom to do sum test drives soon to on sum used stuff soon to as whell her leese on the maxina is over next sept so have an bit of time bit less than one year sumthing like that! going to hit up sum dealers on Saturday to look around! with my cuzian!

tbirdmarco

@28firefighter man o man so sorry to hear not good the police have to do a lot mor that is for shore! did they take anything from your neighbers car? hope they did not! or do any damage

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 was not ment to be! you will find sumthing elce that really intrestes you than you than will no that is the one and jumpe on it!

fintail

Speed traps here are during those non-peak hours, or on suburban roads where there are short stretches where speed is possible. Of course, nearly all of that is a cash grab, helps fund those bennies no doubt.

If the limit is 65, everyone is going 75, and the enforcer class isn't touching it, then it's a defacto 75. Do you want it posted at 75, and enforced to the letter?

And yeah, prudent might not be a thing here, this is the only place I have seen where people will go 45 in a 60 on a wide open road on a sunny day.

andres3 said:

I'm not worried about speed traps at rush hour. I have yet to be accused of speeding when I was moving along at 5 MPH in stop and go traffic.

However, I believe speed limit should be set to optimal conditions, and rush-hour traffic isn't optimal conditions. I'm talking about noon on a Saturday, or how about 3:30 AM on a weekday or weekend? That is when 50 or 60 MPH speed limits are absolutely ridiculous on a limited access freeway.

Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95. People tend to drive at a reasonable and prudent speed for them regardless of the speed limit (Pacific NW might be an exception).

If most people are doing 75, that's a good sign that is what the speed limit should be.

I recall a Saturday where we left San Diego at 6 AM sharp, and even though it seems LA is a 24/7 hell hole, we managed to get to Ventura for an 8 AM breakfast thanks to no traffic through downtown LA.

That has only happened once.

breld

By the way, very uneventful, but I sold the GTI to Carmax yesterday. I haven't always been the biggest fan of Carmax, thinking they are a bit "preyful" on those less educated about the car buying process, but this certainly was a very pleasant experience.

Clearly, not everyone shops the way (or as often) as we do. So Carmax offers a very comfortable environment to go and look at all makes and models and not stress about negotiating on price. Their pricing may be a bit on the high side, but I'd say it's on the high side of "fair," and for less frequent shoppers, that's probably a welcome trade-off for the overall experience.

Plus, here in CO (and I assume nearby states), you can have AWD vehicles transferred from any other location for free. That's pretty cool.

Having had the appraisal already done on Monday, I just walked into the store yesterday afternoon and was in and out within 30 minutes or so. Much smoother than a private sale.

I'm a fan now.

Michaell

breld said:

By the way, very uneventful, but I sold the GTI to Carmax yesterday. I haven't always been the biggest fan of Carmax, thinking they are a bit "preyful" on those less educated about the car buying process, but this certainly was a very pleasant experience.

Clearly, not everyone shops the way (or as often) as we do. So Carmax offers a very comfortable environment to go and look at all makes and models and not stress about negotiating on price. Their pricing may be a bit on the high side, but I'd say it's on the high side of "fair," and for less frequent shoppers, that's probably a welcome trade-off for the overall experience.

Plus, here in CO (and I assume nearby states), you can have AWD vehicles transferred from any other location for free. That's pretty cool.

Having had the appraisal already done on Monday, I just walked into the store yesterday afternoon and was in and out within 30 minutes or so. Much smoother than a private sale.

I'm a fan now.

I've used them to get quotes a few times in the past, but I've not yet had any transactions with them. My sister is not a fan, given her son's problems with the GTI they got (but, I'm not sure if that is CarMax's fault, or that they got a car known to have problems). There is a CarMax in the town I live in, and I agree that the shopping experience is very stress free.

qbrozen

It is always hit or miss. When shopping around the Fit, Carmax gave me the lowest offer of anybody. Carsense gave me the highest (about 30% more than Carmax!), so that is where it went.

andres3

Michaell said:

breld said:

By the way, very uneventful, but I sold the GTI to Carmax yesterday. I haven't always been the biggest fan of Carmax, thinking they are a bit "preyful" on those less educated about the car buying process, but this certainly was a very pleasant experience.

Clearly, not everyone shops the way (or as often) as we do. So Carmax offers a very comfortable environment to go and look at all makes and models and not stress about negotiating on price. Their pricing may be a bit on the high side, but I'd say it's on the high side of "fair," and for less frequent shoppers, that's probably a welcome trade-off for the overall experience.

Plus, here in CO (and I assume nearby states), you can have AWD vehicles transferred from any other location for free. That's pretty cool.

Having had the appraisal already done on Monday, I just walked into the store yesterday afternoon and was in and out within 30 minutes or so. Much smoother than a private sale.

I'm a fan now.

I've used them to get quotes a few times in the past, but I've not yet had any transactions with them. My sister is not a fan, given her son's problems with the GTI they got (but, I'm not sure if that is CarMax's fault, or that they got a car known to have problems). There is a CarMax in the town I live in, and I agree that the shopping experience is very stress free.

Carmax doesn't inspect the cars thoroughly enough to tell if they are being sold a lemon. It does happen. Perhaps people feel less guilty unloading a lemon on Carmax than some poor sap privately. We all know how some car companies (Cadillac) can make the buy back process a nightmare, so I can see some people tapping out and just go the Carmax route.

However, I think they do inspect enough to find previously wrecked and/or flooded vehicles. They don't want those. With used cars there is always a risk the previous owner got rid of it for a better reason than just wanting something newer and shinier.

Mr_Shiftright

"Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95."

I sure would! (well, maybe 90. After 90 mph, you really have to ramp up your focus).

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

"Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95." I sure would! (well, maybe 90. After 90 mph, you really have to ramp up your focus).

90 on I-90 is one thing; 90 on I-95 is quite another. 

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

"Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95."

I sure would! (well, maybe 90. After 90 mph, you really have to ramp up your focus).

Well, there are always exceptions, but usually a 10 MPH change in the signage results in about 2 MPH change in real-world speed.

I know, that probably makes some law writers and enforcers angry

andres3

Mr_Shiftright said:

"Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95."

I sure would! (well, maybe 90. After 90 mph, you really have to ramp up your focus).

And driving a '95 Camry at 90 MPH takes more focus than a 2017 S8. Heck, the '17 A4 loaner I had was loafing around at not even 2K RPM at that speed.

corvette

CarMax will not retail a vehicle that has previous structural damage. A bad Carfax is okay to them, as is a bumper / door / hood / whatever replacement, so long as there is no frame damage. 

I looked at a 335i they had with two accidents on the Carfax, and their price on it was only maybe $1-2k lower than one with a clean Carfax. No way would I do that deal! 

Our CEO pulled up in an S6 with dealer plates on it. Wonder how that got into the service loaner fleet?

breld

Was having lunch today with @michaell and @jpp5862 and finally got the anticipated call from the shipping company - my Type R will be picked up Saturday and in my garage on Tuesday! I told the guys that they are good luck.

corvette

breld said:

...my Type R will be picked up Saturday and in my garage on Tuesday!

And traded in to CarMax on Wednesday! 

breld

Now that's just silly.

I'm sure I could find someone interested in a private sale.

Mr_Shiftright

We want the full road test while the engine is still warm.

Mr_Shiftright

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

"Many do go 75 MPH in a 65 MPH zone, but studies show if you made the speed limit 75, people won't suddenly go 85, or if you make the speed limit 85, people won't suddenly go 95."

I sure would! (well, maybe 90. After 90 mph, you really have to ramp up your focus).

90 on I-90 is one thing; 90 on I-95 is quite another. 

True. I never speed in heavy traffic, but if there's nothing in front of me or behind me for an appreciable distance, I do like to go fast.

tifighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

We want the full road test while the engine is still warm.

@breld should just livestream his first test drive. We can all figure out if he likes it in real time...

ab348

Mr_Shiftright said:

We want the full road test while the engine is still warm.

Or at least before he decides to unload it.

tbirdmarco

@breld nice glad the GTI whent to car max and is gon and on to an new home. think new York is the only state who does not have Car Max if I am rong pleas sum one chime in! no on to the type R lol lol you should be getting it in an few days!

tbirdmarco

@breld nice nice so will bee picked up on Saturday! and you will have it 3 days later on Tuesday nice nice cant wate to hear how you like it and how it drives for the short time you will have it! I will give you 6 munths to one year being jenaras hear before you do unload it for sum thing elce that you like that comes along! when is your wife going to unload her bug and the minny hard top and get an nother car! when is the Darango going! lollollollollol

Mr_Shiftright

ab348 said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

We want the full road test while the engine is still warm.

Or at least before he decides to unload it.

That's why I wanted the road test on Day One, just in case....you know.....

xwesx

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

think new York is the only state who does not have Car Max if I am rong pleas sum one chime in!

Let's see.... off the top of my head:

Alaska
Hawaii
Wyoming
Dakotas

xwesx

And, you got me wondering, so I looked up their location summary on their website. It looks like they're in 39 states thus far:

https://www.carmax.com/stores/states

Funny enough, they say "37 states across the country" on the site, yet list 39. LOL

Others missing that I see:

Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Arkansas
West Virginia

I think that puts us at the full eleven, including the state that started this madness (New York)!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx thank you for the above man new York the one who started the madness above lollollol and quite an few other states do not have it did look at your link above! have an good night and happy Friday! in advance

tbirdmarco

@xwesx was playing around on the link above that you posted. did click on new York tells me there is one in rodcheaster new York and in Albany new York weard!

tbirdmarco

yes confirmed store just did open in Albany back in feb of this year! near whair my older brother lives and whair my sister is going to school. will be upthere next weekand for an long weekand!

Michaell

tifighter said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

We want the full road test while the engine is still warm.

@breld should just livestream his first test drive. We can all figure out if he likes it in real time...

As previously mentioned, @breld, @jpp5862 and I met for lunch today. I don't think I've ever seen @breld as excited for a new car as he is for the Type R. It's killing him to have to wait this long - he seriously thought about jumping on a plane and driving it home. What stopped him?

1. Paducah, KY isn't really near a major population center. Nashville is the closest, two hours away.
2. We all agreed that the Type R is likely not a long distance road car.
3. We also decided that breaking in the engine on a 1000 mile (give or take) road trip wasn't a smart idea.
4. He's trying to impose some self restraint. I truly believe he may keep this for a year, minimum.

tifighter

So I test drove a Mini a few days ago. More specifically, the S Roadster. For those that don't know, it is the 2 seat version they made for 3 or 4 years. Two things made me want to check it out - 1.) It is a Mini, so it should have more driver space for my 6'2" self and 2.) the trunk is actually usefully sized. Plus I think it is kinda cool looking. Which I definitely don't think about that Coupe disaster they made.

First off, no, it is not RWD. I'm willing to overlook that in exchange for packaging, and sure enough, it was about 200% more comfortable than my last Miata. Seat goes way back. Head isn't sticking out over the roof. The wheel tilts and telescopes, so no steering wheel in the lap. And even with FWD, it is no slouch in the handling department. Like all Mini's, the ride suffers for the handling prowess. The 6MT shifted well, and the car feels pretty quick. I like the seats for trunk trade off of the Roadster. I'm never using the back seats anyhow that the standard Convertible has. Much better for me if it is trunk space. Overall, it is a likeable car.

My issues are few but focused. First, we know these are a reliability crapshoot, and generally more crap than shoot. But as a fun third car, maybe I could live with it. Second, I can't believe some of the asking prices of these things. They were discontinued for being a slow seller. There aren't many of them, Dealers think they are rare and precious, etc. General range in the PNW for a S seems to be $18-23K. Is it me or does that feel a bit high?

qbrozen

For a 2014 with 20-25k miles, that's about right. Fair purchase price would be about $19k.

breld

@Marcothecarguy1986 - thanks again for your efforts on trying to locate a Type R! Yeah, I think the remaining cars in the fleet will be with us for a little while at least. The wife already got rid of one powder blue MINI just to turn around and locate and buy another one - so she won't be too quick in getting rid of this one. And as long as I want a 3-row SUV, there's really not much else I'd rather have than the Durango - not without spending another $10k.

Thanks for the vote of confidence @michaell! I really am excited about this Type R - something so different than all the other fun cars I've owned recently, but very nostalgic for me nonetheless. I was just thinking that back in 1994, I remember first browsing this internet thing. The first "search" I did was related to the Honda Prelude (the car I owned at the time) and I came upon vtec.net. So my enthusiasm for Honda products, while not evident as of late, has a lot of history.

breld

@Marcothecarguy1986 - thanks for all your efforts in trying to locate a Type R for me. I do think we'll be hanging on to the rest of the fleet for a little while - my wife already got rid of one powder blue MINI just to find she missed it so much and bought another one. And as long as I feel I need a 3-row SUV, there's really nothing else I like as much as the Durango, without spending another $10k.

Thanks for the vote of confidence @michaell! I really am excited for this Type R. As I've said before, my Honda enthusiasm, while not evident as of late, does go way back. I was just thinking that back in 1994, one of my first "searches" on this new internet thing was related to the Honda Prelude (which I owned and loved at the time) and I came upon vtec.net.

nyccarguy

What's this about?  

cdnpinhead

tifighter said:

First, we know these are a reliability crapshoot, and generally more crap than shoot.

I, along with others (I suspect) appreciate a good turn of phrase. Well done.

To me, the only Mini that's real is 40+ years old. Otherwise it's a "new beetle" or some such.

tbirdmarco

@breld you are welcome any time injoyed looking for you lollol would do that for anyone in hear or anyone elce for that mattor who asked me for sum help or to go along with them when they want to go and test drive cars! yes for now good idea to hold on to the fleat for an bit lol lol lol glad your wife likes her bug a lot and the minny hard top and glad you like your Darango so much. happy Friday!

Michaell

tifighter said:

So I test drove a Mini a few days ago. More specifically, the S Roadster. For those that don't know, it is the 2 seat version they made for 3 or 4 years. Two things made me want to check it out - 1.) It is a Mini, so it should have more driver space for my 6'2" self and 2.) the trunk is actually usefully sized. Plus I think it is kinda cool looking. Which I definitely don't think about that Coupe disaster they made.

First off, no, it is not RWD. I'm willing to overlook that in exchange for packaging, and sure enough, it was about 200% more comfortable than my last Miata. Seat goes way back. Head isn't sticking out over the roof. The wheel tilts and telescopes, so no steering wheel in the lap. And even with FWD, it is no slouch in the handling department. Like all Mini's, the ride suffers for the handling prowess. The 6MT shifted well, and the car feels pretty quick. I like the seats for trunk trade off of the Roadster. I'm never using the back seats anyhow that the standard Convertible has. Much better for me if it is trunk space. Overall, it is a likeable car.

My issues are few but focused. First, we know these are a reliability crapshoot, and generally more crap than shoot. But as a fun third car, maybe I could live with it. Second, I can't believe some of the asking prices of these things. They were discontinued for being a slow seller. There aren't many of them, Dealers think they are rare and precious, etc. General range in the PNW for a S seems to be $18-23K. Is it me or does that feel a bit high?

Granted, it's a sample of 2, but the daughters MINIs have been fairly reliable. The only time she was stranded was due to a shredded tire. Flatbedded to dealer; new tire put on, good to go.

The Countryman has been more reliable than the original Cooper. Countryman is 40 months old with just over 30,000 miles on it.

tbirdmarco

goodmorning all! happy Friday! have an good upcumming weekend all! is anyone going to do sum car shopping this weekend or car looking!

breld

Obviously we haven't had long ownership periods with our MINI Hardtops, but I will say we just took our current one in to get checked out - the one we bought with 44k miles - and it had a clean report card (just got an oil change).

@Marcothecarguy1986 - you have a great weekend too!

Michaell

@Marcothecarguy1986 - I'm pretty sure @jpp5862 is meeting me tomorrow at the Audi dealer next door to the VW dealer where I am getting my Jetta serviced, so we can test drive an SQ5 and a used Q5 TDI.

fintail

My friend with an upcoming MKZ lease end is now actively shopping. Last weekend, I went with him to look at a Caddy CT6E. He called me yesterday with a story of a visit to the Lincoln dealer nearest him, where they gave him a hilariously bad lease offer on an 18 MKZ (his is from another dealer). This weekend he plans to visit the Cadillac dealer again, and maybe the Lincoln dealer where he got his current car. He's prone to impulsive decisions (the MKZ was one), so this could be fun.

ab348

A CT6 is a big step up from a MKZ.

fintail

Yep. And the E model especially doesn't appear to be selling, given the lease offer here - vs MSRP, a better deal than the decent rate he got on the MKZ. Knock a little more off, and it's a lot of machine for the money. He wants something hybrid/electric, so that rules out a lot of cars - and he wants something relatively unusual, not drawn much to the German 3.

I've told him that he can probably beat the deal on the current MKZ (as it isn't a new model and not in big demand, I think), and he's also mentioned buying it at lease end. All over the map, I have no idea what he will end up with.