Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco

@breld glad the miner issue with the type R is fixed! so what is the next car for you and the wife??

stickguy

probably stopping at VW tomorrow just to scope out stuff, and see what the wife thinks. Who knows!

stopped at Honda and Hyundai tonight after dinner. Just sits and looks, no drives.

at Honda, checked out an Si and a Civic touring. Wife loves the dark (cosmic) blue on the Touring. It was nice, but I just did not like the seats in that model. So it is off the list. Wife was not at all comfortable with the seats in the Si though, so had to take that off the list.

Also sat in an Accord V6 EXL. now that had nice seats! would probably be a nice ride. I am sure the wife would like it if I got one, but hard to convince myself to get a model that was about to be replaced! So did not entirely remove from the list, but will wait until at least my payments are done then decide. Prices probably not going up on them.

2nd salesguy that was floating a late November into December release date though. Seems really late, and would not work well for me at all! I really wanted that out before my lease ends. Not because I have to get one right away, but I want to know if it is something I want to wait for.

stickguy

also stopped at Hyundai. Saw a new Elantra GT, which style wise, I really liked. Sat in an Elantra Limited (2017 leftover) that conveniently was left open outside. It was not bad. Just too much like a mini version of my car, down on HP. Just can't see doing one of those though. Will still take a look at the 2018 value edition probably. and an Ioniq. Maybe the GT sport will have a chance, but I am not really feeling saving money by reupping with Hyundai!

stickguy

so overall, I seem to be going backwards. Not much gets my blood pumping enough to want to buy, other than stuff that is way out of budget! Should probably stop driving stuff like the TLX, S60 and BMWs!

suydam

Maybe try something really different.

stickguy

that is how I end up with something like a dually PU in the driveway, wondering how the heck that just happened

pensfan83

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@pensfan83 nice rite up on the car you test drove! do I see an posabal punch cumming soon!

Most likely...they gave me their offer and I plan to counter Monday.  Assuming they accept I'll look to close the deal by month end.  Then of lease inspection on the Audi is this Wednesday.

pensfan83

andres3 said:

There are some manual 3.7 TL's from the past I believe. You'd probably enjoy that car as well; though it's not as much of a looker as the TLX A-Spec.

You are correct. A friend of mine has a a 2013 6 speed AWD TL. Never driven it but have rode in it numerous times. He loves it and has no plans to relinquish it anytime soon.

Mr_Shiftright

It looks like a glass car, so I'm guessin' it's this one:

http://www.decorides.com/fastbackzephyr.htm

Seems unlikely someone would chop up a $90K--$100K car.

The kit cars are built on a Tahoe chassis I think.

pensfan83

My Audi salesman called tonight and asked what I thought of their offer. I was brutally honest and he said to send him my counter which I told him I was not planning to do because my target sale price was well below what I expected they could or would go He asked what it was, I told him and he said to send it anyway and explained it's likely it will be countered but not by much if at all. Assuming he's correct that throws a wrench into my plan to close on a TLX by month end.

stickguy

just get the Acura if you like it that much and be done with it.

corvette

How far apart are you?

stickguy

so, after a frustrating evening, I did some online looking, and decided to rally and get back out there tomorrow morning. Then go in to Philly for an octoberfest street fair on south street. If time!

going to hit up the smaller VW/Subaru combo dealer after breakfast. They have some WRXs listed, and a few gray GLIs left ($29,500ish sticker, Eprice listed of $24.079). Will test fit the wife, take a drive, and if both those activities go well, will shoot for the moon and ask for a deal of the century, and see if they can flip me out of the sonata. if not, I get to have some fun!

also stopping at the Subaru store (right next door, share parking lot). they have a few new 2018 WRXs listed (though pricey), and a selection of used ones. so should be something to drive. And a BRZ supposedly to test fit. Plus, one of those "test drive, get a gift card" deals popped up, so I printed that off, and will get a $25 visa gift card for my trouble. So will pay for gas and lunch.

wish me luck, but man, I loved the GLI last time I drove one. that could be a cool car to have for a few years.

breld

But remember, like the Accord, that Jetta platform is on its way out. But having said that, maybe the VW dealer would be motivated to get you into one.

I just haven't been able to get into the WRX (figuratively, not literally). Seriously considered it twice, but ended up choosing the Mazda3 the first time, and the GTI the second time. I admire them, but they always just seemed a bit frantic to me. Like it was all or nothing.

Too bad the seats for the Si weren't to your liking - for its price, it sure offers a lot.

For the cars you seem to really want (TLX, 3-series, S60, etc.), sure seems like you could find a used/CPO one for the same price as a new Si, WRX, Accord, etc.

stickguy

well, becomes a much different search if I decide to buy something that is going to cost a lot of money still, and finance it. Not looking to put much if any $ into a deal, so a $10K used car is doable, but $25K is going to be a steep payment (not wanting a 5 year loan on a 3 year old already car!). Plus there are advantages to getting new.

the Jetta, yes, new platform coming, but the current one is really nice, and the changes are not radical. But the real reason would be the large discounts, if they want to drop their shorts to get me to take one on a lease. 3 years should be plenty of time with something like this, and at the end, can get myself a nice luxury car as a treat.

or more likely, in a year or so, upgrade the wife's ride!

speaking of which, sat in a new CRV EXL today. Very impressive. Great seats. nice interior. very roomy, loaded, good MPG and not a bad price for what you get. I would not mind swapping out the RDX for one.

breld

Well, it'll be interesting to hear how your shopping experience is tomorrow - always fun to go in knowing you could do something if the right offer is made.

tifighter

stickguy said:

And a BRZ supposedly to test fit.

Heh, heh, heh...

Michaell

@stickguy - as inventory drops on the 2017 Accords, the tables turn and prices actually edge up for the last few units at the dealer.

For the GLI, stick or DSG? I loved the test drive I had of the 6-speed GLI @breld and I took a few months back.

And, good luck with the test drives in the morning.

@pensfan83 - looks like you'll be driving an Acura before too long. I'm really surprised the Audi dealer isn't willing to make a killer deal to retain a customer.

@breld - the WRX is "frantic", yet you drive a Type R? Are they really that different?

benjaminh

stickguy said:

probably stopping at VW tomorrow just to scope out stuff, and see what the wife thinks. Who knows!

stopped at Honda and Hyundai tonight after dinner. Just sits and looks, no drives.

at Honda, checked out an Si and a Civic touring. Wife loves the dark (cosmic) blue on the Touring. It was nice, but I just did not like the seats in that model. So it is off the list. Wife was not at all comfortable with the seats in the Si though, so had to take that off the list.

Also sat in an Accord V6 EXL. now that had nice seats! would probably be a nice ride. I am sure the wife would like it if I got one, but hard to convince myself to get a model that was about to be replaced! So did not entirely remove from the list, but will wait until at least my payments are done then decide. Prices probably not going up on them.

2nd salesguy that was floating a late November into December release date though. Seems really late, and would not work well for me at all! I really wanted that out before my lease ends. Not because I have to get one right away, but I want to know if it is something I want to wait for.

The 2018 Accord 1.5 turbo is apparently due October 18th. Because of the weight reduction, I think the 1.5 is going to have good performance. Weight for the 2018 Accord 1.5 is probably going to be about 3150, which is about the same weight as a VW Jetta GLI. Horsepower is 210 on the GLI 2.0 and 192 on the 2018 Accord 1.5.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

probably stopping at VW tomorrow just to scope out stuff, and see what the wife thinks. Who knows!

stopped at Honda and Hyundai tonight after dinner. Just sits and looks, no drives.

at Honda, checked out an Si and a Civic touring. Wife loves the dark (cosmic) blue on the Touring. It was nice, but I just did not like the seats in that model. So it is off the list. Wife was not at all comfortable with the seats in the Si though, so had to take that off the list.

Also sat in an Accord V6 EXL. now that had nice seats! would probably be a nice ride. I am sure the wife would like it if I got one, but hard to convince myself to get a model that was about to be replaced! So did not entirely remove from the list, but will wait until at least my payments are done then decide. Prices probably not going up on them.

2nd salesguy that was floating a late November into December release date though. Seems really late, and would not work well for me at all! I really wanted that out before my lease ends. Not because I have to get one right away, but I want to know if it is something I want to wait for.

The 2018 Accord 1.5 turbo is apparently going on sale October 18th, which probably means they've already started production in Ohio. Since the weight on the new Accord is dropping, it's going to weigh about the same (c. 3150 pounds) as a Jetta GLI. The GLI 2.0 gets 210 hp, but the Accord 1.5 is going to get 192 hp. The Marysville factory is huge, and so probably there will be plenty of inventory. Since it's only a month away, maybe you should wait to drive the 2018 Accord?

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 nice so seams like you will have an nice new Acura in the driveway real ral soon! unles the outy dealer comes back with sum thing drastick! but like said above if you like the Acura that much witch seams like you do! go for that car! and sum thing different and new brand to try out! all fun stuff!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice on all of the car looking yesterday! hear you on whair you are cumming from on trying sum thing different that you never had before different brand! cante wate to hear about mor of the dealer visits you will be doing soon this morning! maby you will have an punch to report! you never no!

tbirdmarco

@breld are you and the wife doing any car looking this weekend?

roadburner

breld said:

Keep on forgetting to mention, my next door neighbor who is very much an enthusiast, just bought a 2009 Porsche 911 Turbo. Has about 60k miles on it and was tracked by the previous owner.

I can't say I know much about these Porsches, but I would say he's a brave man.

I'd be more concerned about a previous owner who wasn't a perfectionist with regards to following the maintenance schedule.

roadburner

stickguy said:

read a bit of the latest R&T today. Had a brief comparison of the Si and GTI. I decided to drive a GTI too, in addition to the Si. Might be deals to be had on those? If nothing else, at least it should be fun!

a couple of local dealers have GTI Sports listed for about $4k off sticker. If I wanted a FWD hot hatch that's what I'd go for.

ab348

stickguy said:

2nd salesguy that was floating a late November into December release date though. Seems really late, and would not work well for me at all! I really wanted that out before my lease ends. Not because I have to get one right away, but I want to know if it is something I want to wait for.

Sounds like sales talk to get you to abandon any thoughts of waiting for the new model and buy that one now.

ab348

pensfan83 said:

My Audi salesman called tonight and asked what I thought of their offer. I was brutally honest and he said to send him my counter which I told him I was not planning to do because my target sale price was well below what I expected they could or would go He asked what it was, I told him and he said to send it anyway and explained it's likely it will be countered but not by much if at all. Assuming he's correct that throws a wrench into my plan to close on a TLX by month end.

Well, at least they seem willing to deal. Here, the only Audi dealer in town has just opened a high-zoot dealership facility and seems to think all their cars are gold-plated. Because Audi is doing really well at the moment, they are acting like their price is the only price and are hard to deal with. Their attitude really turned me off.

stickguy

thanks all for feedback. Yeah, I trust that random dude on the internet more than the salesguys, who admit they have heard nothing official (not sarcastic, I really do trust him more!). So odds are that today is just fact finding, and I will wait until October. If that is what I want, but I have to wait for selection to build and prices to drop, I can easily hold off a few months and shop over the Xmas holiday week, or wait until presidents day sales.

The GLI is listed (no, did not analyze fine print, so might have something extra stuck in there) MSRP of 29,600 or so, EPrice of $24,079. Manual trans of course. The only way that happens is if I love it, the wife doesn't hate it (she really is not much on VWs), and the dealer not only makes a killer lease offer, but agrees to take my car off my hands. If they just want to give me the new one but I keep that one it makes it much more of a hassle. So since I paid for the next 3 weeks already, and have to pay a month after that anyway, I pretty much am in the situation of walking unless overwhelmed by a deal.

One thing I am pretty sure of is that if I wait until November when I am car less, not likely to find the GLIs (they have 2) still floating around. Though by then the new model, at higher prices, will be imminent.

stickguy

oh yeah, the Hyundai could work differently if they had something we liked, since I know they can just trade out of the Sonata and make it disappear!

stickguy

Benjamin linked to the youtube of Honda Rick. Looks like 10/18 is legit, and now I know the color options!

ab348

stickguy said:

also stopped at Hyundai. Saw a new Elantra GT, which style wise, I really liked. Sat in an Elantra Limited (2017 leftover) that conveniently was left open outside. It was not bad. Just too much like a mini version of my car, down on HP. Just can't see doing one of those though. Will still take a look at the 2018 value edition probably. and an Ioniq. Maybe the GT sport will have a chance, but I am not really feeling saving money by reupping with Hyundai!

When I was looking over the last month I stopped by and saw the new model Hyundai GT. Styling was OK but the interior did not do one thing for me.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

a manual TLX? I'm in.

you might get better highway MPG, especially if you just drop it into normal mode. I get that mileage in my AWD RDX, so gotta figure the TLX can beat that! I have actually had some longer highway runs that broke 30 on the RDX which is impressive. Around town, well, that mileage sucks, especially with my wife doing the driving.

Stick...did I mention I keep my foot in it?

Actually, I do the opposite of any sort of effort to get better MPG. Even around sweepers and cornering I nail the big pedal as the car really hunkers down and sets a flat line with no plowing or sway, which is really fun. That plays hell with MPG, though.

Taking a small road trip to Louiville for a Blues and BBQ festival next week, so will see if I drop it into normal mode would affect the MPG.

Not sure how tough it would be to find a used TL SH AWD with a manual, as dealers (at least not at my dealer as they had a couple they sat on for months and couldn't move them). Peolpe like the idea of manual transmissions, the vast majority just don't know how to drive them.

Anyway, one of those would be a fun get.

pensfan83

stickguy said:

just get the Acura if you like it that much and be done with it.

My wife said the same thing when I told her about the Audi dealer. She prefers the Acura and thinks the new A4 looks, exterior wise, too much like my current car and on that count she's correct.

@corvette - On the Audi? About $3,000.

@Michaell - I'm a little surprised as well. I received the sheet and the discount is less than I originally thought (2%). I sent them a counter that isn't out of line with what others seem to be paying but given the delta I would be surprised if they agreed to it. I can post the sheet in the A4 thread if you're interested or it helps folks out as a starting point. I would definitely say an Acura is in my future plus I'll get a windfall of $4,000+ dollars when the security deposit money is refunded instead of being rolled over to a new lease.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy you are welcome!

tbirdmarco

might go and do sum car looking with my youngr brother tomero! he drove the fuzian hibrad and loves it to but is interested in test driving an charger! to see if he would like it! mom loves the fuzian a lot mor than her maxima she told me a lot mor rommy! probably the normal trans helps big time on y they like it so much. prefer normal trans no CVT my selfe to as whell!

stickguy

so, got some looking in. wife even suggested a 2nd drive of one at a different dealer!

Drove a WRX (manual), GLI (manual) and Elantra GT (2.0l, AT). Not in that order. The summary:

WRX, off the list. Way too aggressive styling, and very rough. Fast as heck but could not live with it. and man, old fashioned. an actual key that you put in and twist! Fun, but the clutch/shifter combo was poor, and we are just too damned old for the thing.

GLI, that was nice. Gorgeous in the dark gray. Seats were odd, sat too low. Typical VW high engaging clutch, but usable. Handled nice, drove well. Actually decided that if I was to get one of these, would probably be a GTI and definitely get the DSG instead. Shocked me!

The Elantra, surprisingly, we both (wife and I) loved. Looks great, roomy, best seats of the bunch by far (I would buy it just for the driver's seat). Loaded with features, excellent steering and handling. Amazingly roomy for something so short. Just fit like a glove, and we both liked it. Not super fast, but after 2 drives, I think would be fine. But, still plan to drive the Sport with the 1.6T engine/DSG combo.

I just love compact hatches, and this is nice and squared off, leading to fantastic space utilization. Lots of room up front, and the tech model we drove had everything my Sonata has (other than heated steering wheel) and a few things I am missing!

so at the moment, I am seriously considering getting one in November to take advantage of renewing with Hyundai. Subject to change, of course! I still want to see the Accord.

timing is good actually. Supplies just dribbling in, so would not but for a few months anyway.

unless of course I zig, and grab a DSG GTI instead! Love me some compact hatch/wagon action.

corvette

I had a dark grey GLI.  I think I would have preferred a GTI, but it was like $2-3k more at the time for one with similar equipment. And the cheaper GLI was much more scarce than the GTI, but both were selling close to invoice, so it wasn't worth the extra $ to me. 

stickguy

the difference right now is the GTI is on the new platform, the GLI is still on the old one. and the new one is really nice!

28firefighter

You should drive the GTI in both a manual and DSG. More torque than the GLI. Also the GTI has leased absolutely horribly since it came out. 

suydam

Nice to be narrowing down. Sounds like you maybe even have a plan that works!

stickguy

my plans are always fluid. And I tend to end up doing something at the end I never planned to!

I did drive (briefly) a stick GTI, and a decent drive in a stick Golf (non-GTI). I think the DSG makes more sense probably, but I debate with myself. The GTI actually is better equipped, for less money. But my preferred local guy has a nice white GTI SE, sticker 30K, for 25K Eprice. Not sure what that is going to lease out to, but I would end up with 2 cars for a couple months.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy glad the test drives whent whell today! and you are now nowaring down your list with is supject to change! what ever makes you happy! you should go and look and drive that GTI your performed local dealer has if you end up having two cars for an few munths not the end of the world!

tjc78

stickguy said:

so, got some looking in. wife even suggested a 2nd drive of one at a different dealer! Drove a WRX (manual), GLI (manual) and Elantra GT (2.0l, AT). Not in that order. The summary: WRX, off the list. Way too aggressive styling, and very rough. Fast as heck but could not live with it. and man, old fashioned. an actual key that you put in and twist! Fun, but the clutch/shifter combo was poor, and we are just too damned old for the thing. GLI, that was nice. Gorgeous in the dark gray. Seats were odd, sat too low. Typical VW high engaging clutch, but usable. Handled nice, drove well. Actually decided that if I was to get one of these, would probably be a GTI and definitely get the DSG instead. Shocked me! The Elantra, surprisingly, we both (wife and I) loved. Looks great, roomy, best seats of the bunch by far (I would buy it just for the driver's seat). Loaded with features, excellent steering and handling. Amazingly roomy for something so short. Just fit like a glove, and we both liked it. Not super fast, but after 2 drives, I think would be fine. But, still plan to drive the Sport with the 1.6T engine/DSG combo. I just love compact hatches, and this is nice and squared off, leading to fantastic space utilization. Lots of room up front, and the tech model we drove had everything my Sonata has (other than heated steering wheel) and a few things I am missing! so at the moment, I am seriously considering getting one in November to take advantage of renewing with Hyundai. Subject to change, of course! I still want to see the Accord. timing is good actually. Supplies just dribbling in, so would not but for a few months anyway. unless of course I zig, and grab a DSG GTI instead! Love me some compact hatch/wagon action.

It is funny how the Elantra really just pushes all the right buttons.  Comfortable, cheap and roomy.  Did you happen to try sport mode?  Makes it feel faster and tightens up the steering.  Wish they had the value edition when I got mine. It's like getting the moonroof for free.  

We spent the day picking all the fixtures/trims/paint colors etc for the addition.  We weren't shopping for it but picked up a smoking deal on a new washer / dryer for new upstairs laundry.  $2100 retail Maytags.  Home Depot had the floor models reduced to $1200 for the pair.  I asked if they could do $1000 due to a little scratch on the top of each one and they did it.  Sold.   Only thing left to pick out is the tile for the bathrooms and carpet for bedrooms.  It takes awhile to make everything come together.  

tjc78

I'd be a little pissed 

stickguy

T, no, did not put it into sport mode. I actually found the steering great. Nice and firm, good feel.. way better than the Sonata.

I do want to try the sport model too. the extra scoot might be nice. Probably not essential though.

I did find with this looking, that while I am cheap, I am going to have a hell of a hard time giving up all the goodies I got used to on the Sonata!

stickguy

interesting thing about testing out a large assortment of cars, in a wide price range (and snob quotient!) Not even directly related to price, but some cars just "feel right". And it is all personal preference.

ab348

stickguy said:

interesting thing about testing out a large assortment of cars, in a wide price range (and snob quotient!) Not even directly related to price, but some cars just "feel right". And it is all personal preference.

Yep, I learned that a long time ago. When I (foolishly) sold my '85 MR2 I thought an 1990 Acura Integra would be just the ticket. I drove one and it just didn't click with me. The next day I drove a GTI and within 2 blocks knew it was for me. Totally opposite in terms of feel.

stickguy

exactly. I chatted a bit with the Subaru sales dude (a whopping 21 YO) who said he just ordered a WRX. I didn't care for it at all, for pretty much the same reasons he loved it!

funny story (well, to me). When he saw where we lived, he mentioned he lived in the next town over and grew up playing football in ours. So I texted our daughter, who happened to be visiting with her BF this weekend at college, to ask if he knew the guy, and turns out the grew up together. And she was panicked that we might talk to him about it!

roadburner

I liked the new WRX STI that I test drove, but it just didn't feel that different from my modded Mazdaspeed 3- and while it wasn't a slug it certainly wasn't faster than the MS3 either. A lateral move didn't make sense.

Michaell

stickguy said:

T, no, did not put it into sport mode. I actually found the steering great. Nice and firm, good feel.. way better than the Sonata.

I do want to try the sport model too. the extra scoot might be nice. Probably not essential though.

I did find with this looking, that while I am cheap, I am going to have a hell of a hard time giving up all the goodies I got used to on the Sonata!

Glad to hear that the short list is getting shorter.

I've been giving a lot of thought to the concept of goodies - every car I've had recently has added new technology the previous car didn't have.

Could I go backward? Yeah, but determining what I want to get in trade is tough. Could I give up a backup camera or Bluetooth for a car that had better performance or driver engagement (aka CPO BMW or MB, for example). I'd have to drive them to find out.