Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

imidazol97

tjc78 said:

So I did a thing.... not as exciting as a Type R but a punch is a punch.  

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Beautiful. Interior is premium. Congratulations.

ab348

Congrats! I can't tell the paint color on my screen but the interior is lovely.

tjc78

Thanks! It's burgundy, I think GM calls "Crimson Red Tintcoat" They charge $500 extra for it.

rayainsw

Congrats !
Many happy miles !
- Ray
Burgundy not available on my BMW ....

graphicguy

tjc78 said:

Thanks all! It's a lease. Had been going back and forth with the dealer for a few days. They kept coming in significantly higher than my current payment. The residual was lower and the deal I got on the 15 was "exceptional" (their words).

Finally, they called around 3 yesterday and came up with first payment down and about $25 more a month. At that point I got blunt. I said, the only way I will buy the car is exact same payment as I have now and not one dollar out of my pocket. If you can't do that, please don't even call back and I'll understand.

Well, they called back and said the deal could be done. This model was about $1200 more than the 15 (extra cost paint, more safety nannies). GM waived my last five payments, $1000 wear and tear on the 15 in case I need it (I won't) and scheduled maintenance for two years. Dealer discount was around $4300, and then over $7200 in rebates from the pull ahead.

Walked in at 7:15 and was out by 8:45. It would have been quicker but getting Liberty Mutual on the phone took about 30 minutes on hold (I'm guessing high call volumes from Texas).

All in all we are happy. It's an outgoing model, but we really do like it and this time we got the exact color combo and options we wanted.

I love that color combo, too. Beautiful! Made a good deal, too! Congrats.

fintail

Congrats.

Maybe it's not the same, but it looks like GM again gets good mileage out of their steering wheel design. Is this the same wheel as in the prior model, and going back at least to GMT900?

ab348

fintail said:

Congrats.

Maybe it's not the same, but it looks like GM again gets good mileage out of their steering wheel design. Is this the same wheel as in the prior model, and going back at least to GMT900?

The wheel does appear very similar to that one, but they use a number of different steering wheels on various models. My 2011 Regal had a very nice wheel, while the ATS has one that is different from that. Then there is the mutant one on the current Impala which thankfully is not used anywhere else AFAIK.

fintail

Something about the hub and spokes on that wheel is familiar to me. I don't think it is bad looking, but I know I have seen it in another GM vehicle, maybe in a Suburban or Impala I experienced some time ago.

Here's a GMT900 Suburban:



The oddball new Impala wheel:



IMO is directly cribbed from the MB W221 wheel (dating from 2006):

ab348 said:

The wheel does appear very similar to that one, but they use a number of different steering wheels on various models. My 2011 Regal had a very nice wheel, while the ATS has one that is different from that. Then there is the mutant one on the current Impala which thankfully is not used anywhere else AFAIK.

carnaught

@tjc78, also like the car and color cmbo. Happy Motoring!

roadburner

Congrats!

suydam

Great lease negotiating too. Enjoy!

andres3

cdnpinhead said:

If I come up on one or a group of people riding motorcycles on a curvy road, I'm likely to conclude that I'm traveling faster than they are. This has happened more than once.

Clearly, I'm delusional.

I think the sport-bike groups that see a car catch up to them from behind on a curvy road think that car driver is maybe not delusional, but a reckless hooligan

I won't go into the other lane on a tight twist; I hope they do the same. The result of them using more than one lane could be disastrous; for them.

In all the group and club spirited drives I've been on, never heard a story of a car not ending up shiny side up, so clearly we are not all reckless hooligans. There has been one devastating (to the car) track day incident out of all my track days, and it was an instructor with too much adrenaline in his system on the first early morning Session on the first day (Saturday). Couldn't have been more than the 2nd or 3rd lap he took that morning. Turn 9 came with big warnings. Google Willow Springs and RS4 for the YouTube video. I believe he not only rolled; he went end over end. Walked away with just some bruises; to both his body, neck (from the helmet chin strap, and ego Credit to Audi structure.

I think he's parting out the car right now; if anyone is looking for RS4 parts that need a bit of buffing and some touch-up paint to be good to go

andres3

tjc78 said:

Thanks all! It's a lease. Had been going back and forth with the dealer for a few days. They kept coming in significantly higher than my current payment. The residual was lower and the deal I got on the 15 was "exceptional" (their words).

Finally, they called around 3 yesterday and came up with first payment down and about $25 more a month. At that point I got blunt. I said, the only way I will buy the car is exact same payment as I have now and not one dollar out of my pocket. If you can't do that, please don't even call back and I'll understand.

Well, they called back and said the deal could be done. This model was about $1200 more than the 15 (extra cost paint, more safety nannies). GM waived my last five payments, $1000 wear and tear on the 15 in case I need it (I won't) and scheduled maintenance for two years. Dealer discount was around $4300, and then over $7200 in rebates from the pull ahead.

Walked in at 7:15 and was out by 8:45. It would have been quicker but getting Liberty Mutual on the phone took about 30 minutes on hold (I'm guessing high call volumes from Texas).

All in all we are happy. It's an outgoing model, but we really do like it and this time we got the exact color combo and options we wanted.

Congrats on the punch! AS others have said, good job negotiating, and of course, negotiating with a motivated seller is always more fun. I have to imagine the large car companies are all motivated to sell right now as they are all battling for sales numbers to boast about their sales ranking.

andres3

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

mom is not an fan of the BMW rental she has think she is going to go tomero and get sumthing elce! I am not an fan eather it seams nice and all but drives weard! has auto stop start to get used to witch is no big deal! prefer an non luxo car my selfe! but to be fair have to sit in sum outies and benzes to compare just for the hell of it!

My wife felt a bit pretentious test driving a new X1 at BMW. It shows that badges indeed do carry weight from reputation, history, panache, cache, prestige, and more.

Now the X1 is nice and all, but it's no 7-Series inside. It was a $40K sticker X1 at most, Outbacks can cost that much just about and she didn't feel pretentious or snobby in the Subaru.

VW treats their $40K Golf R's like they are $190,000 R8 V10's! Will have to show up in an Armani suit or something (like a suitcase full of cash) to get a test drive I think (still never driven one).

andres3

tjc78 said:

So I did a thing.... not as exciting as a Type R but a punch is a punch.  

Am I the only one that sees an Outback resemblance in the Enclave? The side profile really reminds me of the Outback, de-cladded, with nicer roof rails. Subaru for what they charge should match VW on the roof rails (see Alltrack/Enclave).

andres3

xwesx said:

@andres3 - Those are some fantastic shots! Thanks for sharing! There's nothing quite like a beautiful drive on a curvy road without another car in sight.

We will *sometimes* get that scenario driving through the coastal range to the Oregon coast (or back). If we can manage it during daylight hours, it sure can be fun.

It is a very rare day on an enthusiastic drive that'll I'll tire and get lazy enough for a sport-bike to catch up with me, if not for a Prius in front of me. I did find myself tiring a bit before ever encountering a rolling traffic impediment (like a slow moving Prius). That is rare occasion for that to happen in CA. Usually you tire from having to slog along behind someone long before you've had "enough."

xwesx

tjc78 said:

So I did a thing.... not as exciting as a Type R but a punch is a punch.

You do know how to pick the colors! Congrats!

thebean

sandman_6472 said:

Irma is coming...we're in the "cone" right now. Gas lines started yesterday and water is hard to come by. Schools closed the next couple of days. Many places closing tomorrow at noon. Luckily, am off tomorrow and not going in Friday as that's when the show should begin. Best to either flee or hunker down. After Wilma in 2005, said I'd flee next time and was seriously thinking about Atlanta but the wife has convinced me to stay home though, I strongly disagree.
Both have 3/4 of petrol as finding an open station with any supply is difficult and then wasting it sitting for an hour also makes no sense. Just gonna stay home and wait. Have water, non perishable items just in case we loose power. Unlike Harvey, Irma will move through the area and be gone. But course is still unknown. The t v just makes it worse and gets folks into a frenzy, gotta be a better way to do this coverage!
But, a safety hazard to be out once the winds pick up and employers need to be cognizant of this fact. I like my job but it's not worth possibly getting hurt on the roads so just staying home till it passes. If they want to fire me because I value my safety, then screw 'em! But hopefully, they will see Irma ain't no laughing matter, at this juncture.
So, pray for us in South Florida and anyone else who gets caught in Irma's path. And if there is destruction down here, don't forget us like they did in 2005 after Katrina. We also had massage problems with destruction and long power outages but no one seemed to care about us which is unfair. It's the most dangerous storm on record right now, a Cat 5, so this ain't nothing to ignore. Wish us luck and help us if indeed afterwards, we need it!
Personally, I'm very scared on this one and I've been through many down here in South Florida. I'm real scared right now!!!

The Sandman

I wonder if @sandman_6472 decided to go north or is hunkered in place. Hope they evacuated.

stickguy

leftover 2016, but have the only one on your block! got this emailed from local dealer today. Guess they think I really am rich!

The Limited Edition New2016 M4 GTS

Pioneering the use of the revolutionary Water Injection System in only 700 vehicles worldwide, and equipped with a multi-award-winning engine – the M4 GTS is the epitome of The Ultimate Driving Machine. ®
With only 700 vehicles produced worldwide, BMW of Turnersville has one of the very few new 2016's remaining!


MSRP: $134,200 | VIP PRICE: $119,800*

Stock # GK578963 Exterior: Apine White Interior: Anthracite/Black Leather
Available for immediate delivery!

Sandman6472

Found gas last night thanks to www.gasbuddy.com right up the street. Wait time was accurate, 15 minutes to get to the pumps. They had workers directing vehicles to the pumps depending on which side the filler neck was on, made for easy egress/ingress from the station. Refrigerator is packed, plenty of water as it's just the two of us. Daughter #1 is just south of us with her s.o. and daughter #2 was called into the hospital in Miami as they want their pharmacist staff right there.
Am I scared...? Yeah!! After almost 48 years of living in South Florida going through many hurricanes, Irma's looking to be the worst so far. So yep, downright scared as one can be. Luckily, both vehicles are in the garage with full tanks because we don't know how long it'll be before life gets back to normal. Glad Mike got out but Jacksonville is said to be in the "cone" as well but at least he's not alone.
Wish us luck and I pray to G-d for minimal damage/minimal anything to everyone in Irma's path! G-d help us all!!!

The Sandman

cdnpinhead

These are the times that make you feel alive. Enjoy.

Yeah, I know, everyone should have left for the Midwest by now.

Let's just wait and see what happens. Hopefully it won't live up to the hype. I can't tell you how many times I didn't pack it in when the radio said a road was closed. I always decided that I'd drive as far as I could -- when there was a physical barrier, then I'd take the exit or turn around or whatever. It happened three times in 900K miles of driving. All the other times I went on my way.

Just sayin'.

ab348

Punch to report!

Was finally able to reach a satisfactory deal on a new car to replace the ATS - with another ATS. But not just any ATS, this is a 2017 ATS 3.6 Performance Premium with just about every goodie they offer. Incentives brought the price down by about 20% and I figured it was time to get the one I always wanted. Red Obsession outside, Kona Brown leather inside. It sure is pretty and man, with 335HP on tap does it ever move!








This one is a purchase, so I'm off the lease train. Now I just have to study the manuals so I can figure out how all this stuff works. So many geegaws. I do like the heads-up display though!

corvette

ab348, love the interior and exterior colors! Congrats!

fintail

Congrats! Nice interior, reminds me of peanut butter. Looks like you found a really loaded one.

cdnpinhead

ab348 said:

Punch to report! This one is a purchase, so I'm off the lease train. Now I just have to study the manuals so I can figure out how all this stuff works. So many geegaws. I do like the heads-up display though!

Excellent! I'm sure we'll hear more details later. I like red cars a lot, and yours is a beauty.

What a beautiful day to take delivery.

Enjoy!

pensfan83

Love love that ATS color combo. Congrats @ab348!

imidazol97

ab348 said:

Punch to report!

Did this come from the same dealer that you had trouble with dealing on a previous lease/purchase?

tbirdmarco

@tjc78 you are welcome like boath color combos the old one you had and the new one you have now! that is an brown interior rite? if so love it!

tbirdmarco

@ab348 did I miss sum postings in this bord you got an new car to! was wating for the rite up on it! anyway congrads on the new punch! good luck with it!

tbirdmarco

@andres3 do hear whair you are cumming frome when it comes to the badges on cars and all of that stuff!

tbirdmarco

@ab348 now did see your posting on the punch down the page! sorry about that! love the color combo red top favarate color as you all no! in hear!

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 hope it is not nearly as bad as they are saying maby they will mess up and you guys will not get anything at all! hoping and praying big time for you all down there!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy wow they sent you that email! think way out of all of are price ranges in hear crazy we all can dream! thanks for posting that!

ab348

imidazol97 said:

Did this come from the same dealer that you had trouble with dealing on a previous lease/purchase?

Yes, this is from the dealer that I've gotten my last 3 cars through. I think they got lazy back in June when they called to talk to me about a pull-ahead on my lease. They cooked up this complex deal of a lease to purchase and never gave me any concrete numbers, nor did they assist in the end-of-lease process by expediting the inspection, etc. About 3 or 4 weeks into that not only was I frustrated but that was also when I got the news about the aortic valve needing work, so I called the whole thing off.

Then I started to get congratulatory messages and surveys from Cadillac and SiriusXM because they had booked the sale somehow, even though I hadn't even been given any concrete numbers much less signed anything. I made my unhappiness known to them. Now that the lease was almost done, I got a contrite call asking me to come back in and they would give me their best possible deal. I ended up getting it for about $12000 under sticker plus 0% financing. A lot of that was Cadillac incentives but some was their own.

Even with that today was not a totally pleasant experience. The business office was shorthanded and my guy was running way behind,, so not only did things get delayed, but also he failed to tell me that they now require either a certified cheque or bank draft for any down payments. With every car I ever bought prior, not only there but elsewhere, a personal cheque was always fine. I suggested an electronic transfer, but no go there either. That meant I had to make a run to the bank at 4:15 on a Friday afternoon,, which annoyed me. Then because of him running late my sales guy had to leave to get his kids out of child care, etc etc. It was all a bit screwed up.

To top it all off when I came back from the bank to the dealership there were two Middle Eastern guys in full robes examining my car closely and speaking a language I did not understand. I was afraid they were going to try to sell it twice!

tifighter

Congrats @ab348 on the punch! Loaded, big engine, and the color you want...I think that's a bingo.

tifighter

What are we up to on the punch list? Seems like some good progress has been made over the past few weeks.

rayainsw

Congratulations ab348 - and many happy [s]miles !

xwesx

tifighter said:

What are we up to on the punch list? Seems like some good progress has been made over the past few weeks.

Hold onto your hats..... 35! We are two away from every single one of us scratching this year, and still four (nearly) months to go....

corvette

35 and counting. We'll probably break 40 this year!

tjc78

@ab348

Congrats!!! Very similar color combo to mine.  Gorgeous!!

ab348

xwesx said:

tifighter said:

What are we up to on the punch list? Seems like some good progress has been made over the past few weeks.

Hold onto your hats..... 35! We are two away from every single one of us scratching this year, and still four (nearly) months to go....

There should probably be an adjustment for the @breld factor though, sort of like grading on a curve, only in reverse.

Sandman6472

Congrats guys on your new GM's! Love both color combos, very very nice!!!!
We stayed, seems it might go a bit west before it turns north. Nothing more we can do now. Heard on the news the trip to Orlando took some over 10 hours from Miami, now that's ridiculous! And now it seems the whole state will be effected. Mother Nature sure is one b-tch when she's mad!!
My pharmacist daughter was called into the hospital early so we know she's safe while the older girl is hunkered down with her s.o. and his family so she's safe. Think we'll all be just fine, eventually!
Thanks for the kind thoughts, very appreciated!!

The Sandman

tjc78

@imidazol97 Just posted a link that says the storm will hit the west coast at a Cat 4 and the Miami area could see Cat 1 force winds.  Crazy.  Stay safe.  

nyccarguy

@ab348 - congrats on the ATS!  It's gorgeous!  Love the color combination!

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 you are welcome! buddy! any time!

stickguy

nice looking ATS, but that dealer sounds like a piece of work.

Man, did I guess low this year. And I have not even gotten around to buying yet! Do plan to make a couple of stops tomorrow. Still not sure I will buy something when or before my lease is up, but kinda hope I fall in love with something, and let them have a chance to blow me away, and they do! Nice when you don't have to buy.

xwesx

stickguy said:

nice looking ATS, but that dealer sounds like a piece of work.

Man, did I guess low this year. And I have not even gotten around to buying yet! Do plan to make a couple of stops tomorrow. Still not sure I will buy something when or before my lease is up, but kinda hope I fall in love with something, and let them have a chance to blow me away, and they do! Nice when you don't have to buy.

Given last year's record activity (45), there was no predicting that this year would be so strong, too. It's like folks around here just don't hang onto vehicles very long.....

stickguy

Well, I keep thinking Breld can't possibly keep it up another year, and I keep being wrong about it. Oh well.

tifighter

ab348 said:

There should probably be an adjustment for the @breld factor though, sort of like grading on a curve, only in reverse.

That's like saying the Bulls NBA titles shouldn't count because they had Jordan...

suydam

That's a spicy red! Seems we are all about the brandy leather now. So much nicer than black. Congrats!