Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice exterior color choice! few years mom had an gray sanata limited 2013 traded it in for the maxima do mis that car an bit! had every option but nave and the back up cam

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 if that is what you want go for it!

stickguy

tjc78 said:

@stickguy
I think you and your Daughter will love the Elantra Sport. If they were available when I got mine I’m sure I would have went for it.  

yeah, after driving them back to back, hard to pick the base model. Not just the extra power, but after watching a bunch of the test drive videos this weekend, a significant improvement in ride and handling thanks to the IRS.

will see what the numbers look like tomorrow. Could easily sink the whole idea, or at least defer it for a few months to see what happens to the pricing.

Michaell

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

@stickguy
I think you and your Daughter will love the Elantra Sport. If they were available when I got mine I’m sure I would have went for it.  

yeah, after driving them back to back, hard to pick the base model. Not just the extra power, but after watching a bunch of the test drive videos this weekend, a significant improvement in ride and handling thanks to the IRS.

will see what the numbers look like tomorrow. Could easily sink the whole idea, or at least defer it for a few months to see what happens to the pricing.

Well, don't expect the residuals on any of these to go up as the year progresses. MF and lease cash may be adjusted to compensate, leaving the overall deal about the same.

stickguy

there is also the impact of how aggressive the dealers are with their discounts. Plus if supplies build up, the cash thrown in should go up too.

nyccarguy

@stickguy - where in CT?

qbrozen

Got an email from a somewhat local Alfa dealer. The least "deals" are ... interesting. They are projecting about a 61-62% residual after only 24 mos and 20k miles. OUCH.

They also claim to have 24 Stelvios in stock.

stickguy

North of Waterbury. torrington?

Not likely to actually go all the way up there, but they happened to have the exact car, so if nothing else, a level set price wise!

Michaell

stickguy said:

there is also the impact of how aggressive the dealers are with their discounts. Plus if supplies build up, the cash thrown in should go up too.

That sounds logical - but, I've learned that logic doesn't always factor into lease numbers, month to month.

Feels more like a cage match between the marketing/sales folks and the bean counters.

stickguy

well, there are plenty of options out there. If they keep the price too high, some other dealer/company will want the business!

Michaell

stickguy said:

well, there are plenty of options out there. If they keep the price too high, some other dealer/company will want the business!

For all my talk most of last year, I only got numbers from the VW dealer where I ultimately leased my Jetta.

I suppose that knowing all the numbers ahead of time, and seeing the posts from others looking for similar cars, helps me cut through a lot of the nonsense.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy we shal see what happns today if an posabal punch! or not yet!

tbirdmarco

@qbrozen wow on the alfa lees stuff you posted above

kyfdx

New member needs used car advice:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/47644/general/x/help-picking-first-car/p1?new=1

graphicguy

Michaell said:

Not sure graphicguy will enjoy reading this....

Michael...I have no issues with that review. I liked the 2017 Accord V6 and almost bought one. I don’t disagree with most of what they say in the review. I do like technology. But, to “dis” the TLX and then blaming the “virtual cockpit” look in the Audi or the interior of the C300, while dissing the “iPad on the dash” (their words) look in the same car, seems a little incongruous with what they’re saying about the TLX.

I haven’t driven the ‘18 Accord. But the difference in drive between the ‘17 Accord and the ‘18 ASpec was quite different, in my estimation.

They said they felt cramped in the IS350 (another Car which I like quite a bit), but bemoan feeling less cramped in the TLX? Not quite sure what they’re saying there.

The rest? Yes, can get the revs up in the TLX and need to hit about 4K RPM before you go “OMG.....WOW!” I like that, though. Little turbo motors are quite likeable, as such, I like all of them. But, in fairness, they are sort of “Off then On” feeling. That’s not a bad thing, just different.

Handling, performance seats, stereo, leather, controls, feel....all better in the TLX than the Accord.

I don’t mine their review. I just had different priorities than they have. I wasn’t looking for a hard core sports car. It seems that’s what they wanted. There are a lot of those types of people over at Acurazine that feel the same way. I’m not one of them.

graphicguy

jeffb0101 said:

I have a punch to report. 

2017 Accord Sport SE. Modern steel metallic with black leather. Went in for an oil change, came out with a new car. 

I love these types of stories. Details?

graphicguy

roadburner said:

We just got in a 2018 M3; Mineral Gray Metallic over Black leather. Only options are the Executive and Competition Packages. It's really sinister looking.
Maybe if this new political gig pans out...

roadburner said:

We just got in a 2018 M3; Mineral Gray Metallic over Black leather. Only options are the Executive and Competition Packages. It's really sinister looking.
Maybe if this new political gig pans out...

HELL, I’ll vote for you if you buy that!

benjaminh

graphicguy: I'd enjoy seeing a pic of your TLX. I really like the looks of the new model.

graphicguy

kyfdx said:

Now, don't start congratulating me.. it's for the wife.

Whatever.....

Congrats Walt! I love it!

Looks like THE BMW STORE, right?

pensfan83

Michaell said:

For all my talk most of last year, I only got numbers from the VW dealer where I ultimately leased my Jetta.

I suppose that knowing all the numbers ahead of time, and seeing the posts from others looking for similar cars, helps me cut through a lot of the nonsense.

It's funny because the Acura dealer I targeted from the start and had every intention of going with has stellar reviews and was a Precision Award winner (basically an honor bestowed by Acura to its top dealers) but in the end it isn't them who is going to make the deal work out. I didn't care for some of the things they did early on and then said in the latter stages of the transaction. Ultimately they lost me as a customer.

kyfdx

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:

Now, don't start congratulating me.. it's for the wife.

Whatever.....

Congrats Walt! I love it!

Looks like THE BMW STORE, right?

Correct

roadburner

qbrozen said:

Got an email from a somewhat local Alfa dealer. The least "deals" are ... interesting. They are projecting about a 61-62% residual after only 24 mos and 20k miles. OUCH.

They also claim to have 24 Stelvios in stock.

I'd be interested in leasing a Giulia Ti, but not with the current residuals...

stickguy

Did some chatting with dealers today. I forgot how much a PITA trying to haggle lease quotes is. From where numbers landing, I think will go ahead with the Jetta. Just have to decide if now or later. Assuming they drop from their ambitious first pencil, to my cut to the bone.

Looking at about (target) $195/mo, on a Jetta SE, MSRP $23,400. That includes taking my car in, and about $290 on top (IOW I pay $1,000 total at inception, but they cover the last payment and disposition fee). Daughter is fine with it (it's really her car). Just a question about do it now, or just wait until later when her lease runs out)

I hate feeling rushed!

Michaell

stickguy said:

Did some chatting with dealers today. I forgot how much a PITA trying to haggle lease quotes is. From where numbers landing, I think will go ahead with the Jetta. Just have to decide if now or later. Assuming they drop from their ambitious first pencil, to my cut to the bone.

Looking at about (target) $195/mo, on a Jetta SE, MSRP $23,400. That includes taking my car in, and about $290 on top (IOW I pay $1,000 total at inception, but they cover the last payment and disposition fee). Daughter is fine with it (it's really her car). Just a question about do it now, or just wait until later when her lease runs out)

I hate feeling rushed!

How much inventory do they have? Current VW lease numbers expire on 10/2.

stickguy

Maybe 10 with beige interior.

stickguy

I think will just abandon my plan to be cheap, and let kid wait until June. We can return Jetta, get renew incentive, college grad incentive, and put all in her name (and probably register in Delaware if she moved already, so may save on tax). And deals will be what they are at he time, but odds are, can get a good one! Transferring the lease was going to be a hasssle anyway.

So, back to just looking for me! Elantra sport or GT sport still high on list. Just have to go drive one.

pensfan83

Aaaaaand I should have an official punch by the weekend. Acura Dealer #3 came through for me after the dealer I wanted to give my business to didn't really live up to their reputation, at least in my opinion.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I think will just abandon my plan to be cheap, and let kid wait until June. We can return Jetta, get renew incentive, college grad incentive, and put all in her name (and probably register in Delaware if she moved already, so may save on tax). And deals will be what they are at he time, but odds are, can get a good one! Transferring the lease was going to be a hasssle anyway.

So, back to just looking for me! Elantra sport or GT sport still high on list. Just have to go drive one.

I can't imagine the lease deals on 2018 Jettas being significantly worse next summer. And, I like the idea of keeping it simple - her car, her transaction, her decision.

nyccarguy

PA guys - I spent the weekend stimulating your state's economy. My oldest son turned 11 on Saturday. We visited Gettysburg, the PA RR Museum, & The Toy Train Museum. Beautiful, hot weather. Left on Friday AM, came back Saturday night just in time for his 1st Pee-Wee hockey game of the season. There's a "beautiful" stretch of the NE Extension of the PA Turnpike with 70 mph Speed Limits. Don't let the Pilot's boxy appearance fool you, it can run on the highway. I saw a TLX A-Spec in the wild for the 1st time. That's definitely the TLX to get. I LOVE the big exhaust tip cut outs in the rear bumper.

pensfan83

Seeing as how our state's budget and credit rating are in shambles your support is appreciated

28firefighter

pensfan83 said:

Seeing as how our state's budget and credit rating are in shambles your support is appreciated

As a former Pennsylvanian, I support this message.

Michaell

@nyccarguy - glad you had a great trip.

I still think it's funny that you drove three states over (NY, NJ, PA) to do this.

Do you know how long I'd have to drive to cover three states from my home state? Heck, in two directions (north and south), I'd run out of states first.

West takes me to CA; east puts me in Illinois or Kentucky.

28firefighter

My wife and I talk about this all the time. We went from living in Pittsburgh where it was basically a 5-7 hour drive and we could go to Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington DC, NYC, etc. Now we live in Seattle where the only really reasonable driving destinations are Portland or Vancouver.

stickguy

Taking wife to look at leftover 2017 Elantra sport tonight, to see what she thinks. Could make it budget friendly enough most likely. Loaded model with the sport premium package, so all the goodies mostly. So we shall see. Real thin supply though now on these. No danger of swapping cars tonight, since the one looking at is at sister dealership 2 hours away (will drive identical 2018). And maybe an ILX on way back!

Michaell

28firefighter said:

My wife and I talk about this all the time. We went from living in Pittsburgh where it was basically a 5-7 hour drive and we could go to Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Washington DC, NYC, etc. Now we live in Seattle where the only really reasonable driving destinations are Portland or Vancouver.

Same for us here in Colorado. 17 hours to LA, 11-12 to Vegas. 15 to Sedona, but only 5-6 to Santa Fe. 8 to Salt Lake City.

andres3

benjaminh said:

Car and Driver also likes the Alltrack....

"....an Audi badge wouldn't be out of place on the Alltrack; it’s that refined, both in interior appointments and in driving dynamics. Second, if “fun factor” ranks even a little bit as a priority, you can stop your search here. Neither Subaru has anything on the Alltrack in driving pleasure; it is entirely more enjoyable at speed than it has any right to be. And the Alltrack looks good."

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2017-volkswagen-golf-alltrack-first-drive-review

I think that review is spot-on; except for the Audi-badge being appropriate. It is a very nice VW interior, but it still isn't up to Audi-levels. However, I'm spoiled by Audi and can live with the Alltrack or Golf R interiors (that are a bit upgraded from typical VW stuff). That says something. It is fun to drive, and handles well even with skinny 205/55R17 tires on the SE.

SE is the way to go if you want a better sound system. I'd be careful about what else your giving up settling for a base model S (does it have push button start? ect?). SE also comes with the pano roof.

I love the SEL 18" Canyon wheels over the 17" SE wheels, but the SEL also adds Navigation and hence the typical $3,000 upcharge for a $100 dollar feature.

andres3

suydam said:

I did a version of that when my daughter spent a semester abroad. I sold our Mazda6 to help defray the cost of her study abroad, drove her old Camry ( which I bought used for her co,legs years) and when she came back got a cheaper used vehicle for us to help with last 2 college years. The drawback was driving an old Camry for 6 months. I think I'd rather do that than a Jetta though.

It's funny you mention the Jetta and Camry in the same sentence. I've noticed they've both become rental fodder lately. Something to that, but I'd rather drive the Jetta.

jpp75

Michaell said:

@nyccarguy - glad you had a great trip.

I still think it's funny that you drove three states over (NY, NJ, PA) to do this.

Do you know how long I'd have to drive to cover three states from my home state? Heck, in two directions (north and south), I'd run out of states first.

West takes me to CA; east puts me in Illinois or Kentucky.

I'd go north or west from here, south could be OK but no desire to go east.

stickguy

7 hours? That covers, for me, Raleigh NC through someplace north of Boston up the coast in Maine. And darned close to Canada.

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

@nyccarguy - glad you had a great trip.

I still think it's funny that you drove three states over (NY, NJ, PA) to do this.

Do you know how long I'd have to drive to cover three states from my home state? Heck, in two directions (north and south), I'd run out of states first.

West takes me to CA; east puts me in Illinois or Kentucky.

There's lots within driving distance where I live. NYC (Manhattan) is 45 minutes to 1 hour away. Boston is less than 3 hours. Baltimore, DC, Philly are all within striking distance too.

stickguy

I was reading something about Amazon the other day, and how they built a lot of distribution centers in central PA (up around Bethlehem I think, along the NE extension of the PA turnpike, near I81.

there was a stat that was amazing, and I don't remember the exact numbers, but it was something like that spot was withing 10 hours driving of 80% of the population of the US. Something crazy like that. I guess it covered everything in NE probably out to Chicago and a bunch of the south.

suydam

andres3 said:

suydam said:

I did a version of that when my daughter spent a semester abroad. I sold our Mazda6 to help defray the cost of her study abroad, drove her old Camry ( which I bought used for her co,legs years) and when she came back got a cheaper used vehicle for us to help with last 2 college years. The drawback was driving an old Camry for 6 months. I think I'd rather do that than a Jetta though.

It's funny you mention the Jetta and Camry in the same sentence. I've noticed they've both become rental fodder lately. Something to that, but I'd rather drive the Jetta.

Each to his/her own. I'm biased because I had a Jetta as a rental and it was such a basic car -- seemed like it hailed from the 90s. All plastic and sharp angles. My daughters Camry '99 LE) at least had a nicer interior, power driver's seat, good AC and was pretty comfortable (if a bit wallowy) to drive if you weren't going too far.

andres3

fintail said:

Funny thing, in these devolved days, I suspect there's a large basket of people who would be devoted to a politico in a brash flashy car like it was a cult. It might not hurt him at all.

Michaell said:

And as soon as the constituency saw you driving that, you'd be out of politics in a hurry....

@kyfdx - guessing this is for a replacement for the wife's X3?

'

Jay Leno for President? At least Governor of CA. At least he drives his "special" cars.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Taking wife to look at leftover 2017 Elantra sport tonight, to see what she thinks. Could make it budget friendly enough most likely. Loaded model with the sport premium package, so all the goodies mostly. So we shall see. Real thin supply though now on these. No danger of swapping cars tonight, since the one looking at is at sister dealership 2 hours away (will drive identical 2018). And maybe an ILX on way back!

A mostly positive review by Kelley Blue Book of the ILX from a couple of years ago. The point he makes it that with the 2.4 engine and the 8-speed DC transmission, it performs quite nicely and gives a little taste of luxury. Should be quite reliable, and for the price of a loaded Civic you get to go to the next level....Would be interesting to hear your comparisons with the Elantra Sport in terms of comfort, performance, and price. I assume the Acura is a lot more, but is it? I think with current discounts it might possible to get a base model ILX for c. $25k. For an Acura, that's not bad.

My local Acura dealers is offering this lease deal:

Lease a 2017 Acura ILX 8-Speed DCT for $169/mo. for 36 months
$2,999 due at signing, $0 security deposit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovEp5na3Inw

tbirdmarco

@stickguy best to let the daughter get an new leese in her name when the jetta that she has now gos back! cant wate to hear how your wife and you like the Alantria GT tonight when you boath go and test drive and look at one!

tbirdmarco

@nyccarguy nice nice glad you all had sutch an nice weekand! whent to an consert at jons beatch on Saturday night with my cuzion and aunt was nice! yesterday had nother cuzians crisaning! mom is still wating to get her Maxima back from the body shop hoping bye Friday! going on wek 3!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 nice punch bye the weekend nice nice! cant wate to hear all about it

xwesx

Michaell said:

@nyccarguy - glad you had a great trip.

I still think it's funny that you drove three states over (NY, NJ, PA) to do this.

Do you know how long I'd have to drive to cover three states from my home state? Heck, in two directions (north and south), I'd run out of states first.

West takes me to CA; east puts me in Illinois or Kentucky.

Perspective, good sir. Perspective. I shall leave it at that.

benjaminh

This guy has owned his 2013 ILX since new, and has gone more 200,000 miles. The only thing beyond scheduled maintenance he's had to do is replace the starter motor at 193k miles.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67pKJVUWCpI

tbirdmarco

@benjaminh nice that this guy had sutch good luck with his car! find that if you do a lot of driving your car will last longer! that has bin the case for all of my dads cars for years and all different makes!