Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

Like @fintail mentioned, lots of Volvos around here, particularly in the neighborhood I live in.

stickguy

Got another line in the water, waiting to hear back from the dealer with what their "gotta blow em out" price is. Not a specific configuration I looked at yet (and not common) but makes a ton of sense. So we shall see!

cdnpinhead

I'm sure there are others here who rent cars for business on a regular basis. I always try to rent similar cars to the ones I've rented before, to avoid the "how in the hell do I make this stuff work" issues, but it's not always possible. Intuitive controls seem to have gone the way of the dodo -- it's necessary to spend a day or two (longer if the manual isn't in the glove box, which is most of the time) to figure out many of the most basic things.

I'm sure everyone else thinks this is progress. I don't.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

Got another line in the water, waiting to hear back from the dealer with what their "gotta blow em out" price is. Not a specific configuration I looked at yet (and not common) but makes a ton of sense. So we shall see!

Do tell!

corvette

I’m guessing we have probably a couple dozen active board members here and 38 punches reported so far this year. 

Michaell

There are a fair number of Volvos here in Colorado - safe, and snow-worthy, given their heritage.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

Got another line in the water, waiting to hear back from the dealer with what their "gotta blow em out" price is. Not a specific configuration I looked at yet (and not common) but makes a ton of sense. So we shall see!

Do tell!

I'll keep it as a surprise until I hear back from dealer, but will divulge result, one way or another!

tifighter

I was in Norway last year and I felt like there were two cars only: big Volvo wagons, or EV's. An eventual Volvo EV will rule the Scandi world, that's for sure.

stickguy

And China

stickguy

I was poking around on the Volvo site, and they have the build page up for the XC40. Actually looks cool. Love the interior. Interested in seeing in person, will either love it or hate it I think.

of course, reasonably equipped, comes in right about $40K, so not buying one of them any time soon.

tifighter

I'll give the electric version a long look when it comes out. Looks like they've retained the seats, and that's half the sale right there.

28firefighter

Sounds like a reason to lease the next couple cars, @stickguy and then buy an XC40 used.

roadburner

ab348 said:

The new ATS has displayed the "Be sure to look behind you before locking the car" message a couple of times, seemingly randomly. That is a nanny feature designed to apparently stem the major issue of people locking animals or babies or sleeping persons in the back seat unintentionally.

I'd have to get that "feature" eliminated- like I did with the consent screen on the 2er.

roadburner

My only regret about buying my out-of-warranty E24 M6 was selling it...

xwesx

crazeebuyer said:

I have a similar list as you guys and gals I have bought over 20 cars in the past 9 years and 10 motorcycles but I am determined to quit at least until the warranties run out.

Well then, you better not hang out here! These are dangerous waters for that sort of determination!

tbirdmarco

@pensfan83 nice car you are getting! similer to the car GG has or maby pretty much the same!

tbirdmarco

@crazeebuyer welcome to the group grate bunch of peapol hear! you are going to love it in hear! what cars do you have in your fleet?

fintail

I think something like an E24 isn't as risky as a modern car, and isn't the same comparison. Those are effectively vintage cars now, and aren't nearly as complex. A close comparison to the S600 in the review would be a V12 E65 money pit.

Sandman6472

$25K plus any trade-in is also going to be my budget on my next ride. Just not sure what the time line will be since I’m super happy with what I’ve got now and putting on close to 13K/year commuting to my part time gig. Figure I want to work another couple of years with 2019 being my ending point or somewhere around there. So a 2019 or 2018 will work just fine depending on the type of vehicle. Go luxury like I’d really want and probably go CPO but anything else, going brand new. And since we want to “see America” once we both retire, going luxury might not be the best way to go. And would love 0% financing or somewhere near that so can keep the assets working for us to bring in income.
Luckily, I have time for this. Found out from the insurance adjuster that we also had some roof damage so new tiles have to be put up there. Luckily we have a bunch of leftover tiles on the patio still they can use. But that and the other damage is on our plate now in addition to the kids wedding. The hurricane kind of blew us away and the excitement of this family event. Now we’re finally able to focus on the wedding and will be sending some of our clothes up shortly. We’re driving home so will have plenty of room in whatever they give us to drive back to Florida.

The Sandman

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

My only regret about buying my out-of-warranty E24 M6 was selling it...

Perhaps that's the best time to sell, when all is well.

Mr_Shiftright

So, what would you guys recommend as the "flavor of the month" in compact family sedans for some friends of mine who a)keep a car forever b) just need to get from place to place and c) live in a rural area so reliablity is an issue?

I told them if they could boost their budget somewhat to wait for the mid-size 2018 Accord (October 18th I believe). They were thinking Corolla but I sort of nixed that. I don't see it as a good value.

I was thinking Mazda 3 as a possibility.

stickguy

this is a particularly nice looking and well loaded car. not sure if price is reasonable or not, but I do like it. And can't argue with the super low miles.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2015-audi-a4-certified_a4_2_0t_quattro_s~line_premium_plus_awd_navi-used-16676874.html

This is also really nice looking. Price not too bad I guess, but is a diesel BMW pushing out of warranty, even with lower miles, a dumb idea?

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2014-bmw-3_series-certified_328d_xdrive_turbo_diesel_awd_navigation-used-16700226.html

nyccarguy

@stickguy - I really like that A4.  See what @qbrozen says about the price.  You should go check it out.

pensfan83

Sharp A4, I'm going to miss mine.

suydam

Can't go wrong with a Corolla. Also maybe Chevy Cruze. Anything with a local dealer. Are they in an area with few dealers and how far do they have to travel? Accord is not a compact sedan. Mazda 3 is a great car but only for people who appreciate it. These don't sound like those kind of folks. Think about what's important to them, not to you.

tbirdmarco

@Mr_Shiftright 2018 Camery! do they want an small car or midsized car! so menny choices!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice cars posted above! would give them an look!

tbirdmarco

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cujtEl69VQ

Sandman6472

Finally saw a new Camry yesterday, a dark blue. Stunning even though it was just an LE, loved the wheel covers. Thought the tail lights were a bit busy but overall, think Toyota will sell as many as they can produce! Awaiting the new Accord as it must be a grand slam for them and thinking it just can't be a stretched Civic. Also saw a new Sonata and it has evolved nicely since the last two generations just wish they had been a bit more daring in their design. The big question now is what Kia will do with the new Optima?

The Sandman

au1994

I bet @stickguy is wheeling and dealing on an S60.

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

So, what would you guys recommend as the "flavor of the month" in compact family sedans for some friends of mine who a)keep a car forever b) just need to get from place to place and c) live in a rural area so reliablity is an issue?

I told them if they could boost their budget somewhat to wait for the mid-size 2018 Accord (October 18th I believe). They were thinking Corolla but I sort of nixed that. I don't see it as a good value.

I was thinking Mazda 3 as a possibility.

Civic.

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 have to see one of those in person still! no there are sum out there soon going to go to the dealer and look also the new accord to as whell! will go to the dealer in nov to look at one of those! and want to see menny others! so menny choices out there! also like the latest sanata! also liked the 2011 to 2014 to that my mom had! the one from 15 to 17 was nice but glade the 18 did the change on the looks!

tbirdmarco

happy Friday all! hope that everyone had an good week! have an good upcumming weekend all! anyone doing any car looking?

qbrozen

Mr_Shiftright said:

So, what would you guys recommend as the "flavor of the month" in compact family sedans for some friends of mine who a)keep a car forever b) just need to get from place to place and c) live in a rural area so reliablity is an issue?

I told them if they could boost their budget somewhat to wait for the mid-size 2018 Accord (October 18th I believe). They were thinking Corolla but I sort of nixed that. I don't see it as a good value.

I was thinking Mazda 3 as a possibility.

mazda3 is always a good choice. I'd suggest a Honda Fit rather than the Civic. And maybe a Prius C rather than a Corolla (have never driven either).

qbrozen

stickguy said:

this is a particularly nice looking and well loaded car. not sure if price is reasonable or not, but I do like it. And can't argue with the super low miles.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2015-audi-a4-certified_a4_2_0t_quattro_s~line_premium_plus_awd_navi-used-16676874.html

This is also really nice looking. Price not too bad I guess, but is a diesel BMW pushing out of warranty, even with lower miles, a dumb idea?

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2014-bmw-3_series-certified_328d_xdrive_turbo_diesel_awd_navigation-used-16700226.html

They are about $3k over auction value on the A4, so not bad.

Bimmer is more like $4k-$4500 over.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

So, what would you guys recommend as the "flavor of the month" in compact family sedans for some friends of mine who a)keep a car forever b) just need to get from place to place and c) live in a rural area so reliablity is an issue?

I told them if they could boost their budget somewhat to wait for the mid-size 2018 Accord (October 18th I believe). They were thinking Corolla but I sort of nixed that. I don't see it as a good value.

I was thinking Mazda 3 as a possibility.

Mazda 3 and Mazda 6 would be my picks.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So, what would you guys recommend as the "flavor of the month" in compact family sedans for some friends of mine who a)keep a car forever b) just need to get from place to place and c) live in a rural area so reliablity is an issue?

I told them if they could boost their budget somewhat to wait for the mid-size 2018 Accord (October 18th I believe). They were thinking Corolla but I sort of nixed that. I don't see it as a good value.

I was thinking Mazda 3 as a possibility.

mazda3 is always a good choice. I'd suggest a Honda Fit rather than the Civic. And maybe a Prius C rather than a Corolla (have never driven either).

I'm going with @qbrozen and suggesting the Fit over the Civic. Change my vote.

ab348

suydam said:

Can't go wrong with a Corolla. Also maybe Chevy Cruze. Anything with a local dealer. Are they in an area with few dealers and how far do they have to travel? Accord is not a compact sedan. Mazda 3 is a great car but only for people who appreciate it. These don't sound like those kind of folks. Think about what's important to them, not to you.

I would never recommend a Mazda 3 to non-car people. Hard ride, buzzy, too sporty for those seeking A-to-B transportation. The Civic is the new standard for compacts, but as you say, in this case the proximity to a local dealer may be even more important than getting the "best" car.

stickguy

Latest scheme hit a snag. Expected an price quote online at a strong discount on outgoing model. Came back at $500 off MSRP. was so far from even normal market price I had to respond asking if they made a typo!

thebean

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So, what would you guys recommend as the "flavor of the month" in compact family sedans for some friends of mine who a)keep a car forever b) just need to get from place to place and c) live in a rural area so reliablity is an issue?

I told them if they could boost their budget somewhat to wait for the mid-size 2018 Accord (October 18th I believe). They were thinking Corolla but I sort of nixed that. I don't see it as a good value.

I was thinking Mazda 3 as a possibility.

mazda3 is always a good choice. I'd suggest a Honda Fit rather than the Civic. And maybe a Prius C rather than a Corolla (have never driven either).

I'm going with @qbrozen and suggesting the Fit over the Civic. Change my vote.

Huge difference in ride and drivability between Civic and Fit. We drove both when we got a new Civic for the wife. Even the non-turbo Civic blows the Fit away in every area except utility. We went in wanting to like the Fit because of the size and utility but it was no contest.

stickguy

Sat in Elantra GT and a TLX again today. Both have great seats. TLX is odd to me. From outside, seems smaller than it is, but inside, seems bigger.

The GT is just a perfect size. Just pricey. If the Elantra sport sedan had the seats from the GT, that would have been a screaming deal. I just hate to cut corners on seats! Have to go try them again and see how it hey seem.

stickguy

Go with close dealer for shiftys people. If local Chevy place, sounds like a good idea is a Cruze. The new ones are nice.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy wow $500 off invoice they are nuts should have bin mor like $2000 next plan!

stickguy

More like $5,000

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice you got to sit in those cars today for the secand time. yes try out the sport trim an nother time to as whell!

au1994

stickguy said:

Latest scheme hit a snag. Expected an price quote online at a strong discount on outgoing model. Came back at $500 off MSRP. was so far from even normal market price I had to respond asking if they made a typo!

Well don’t keep us in suspense...what we’re you shopping?

stickguy

Found a dealer with 3 2017 accord EX manuals. Interesting option with a big enough discount. Ptretty well loaded, drive nice, not as rough as an Si. But would have to be a killer price.

au1994

Umm yeah, I’d expect 5k or better on and outgoing model that’s a stick no less. With those two factors and end of month and end of quarter, I might be looking for an 8k discount!

Mr_Shiftright

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The Honda Fit is a hatch and they aren't interested in that body style (for whatever reason). Like you say, go with what THEY want, not what I want.

Hadn't thought about the Cruze. I think I'll suggest they take that for a spin.

Yes, we know the Accord is not a compact but they were sniffing around a Camry, so I threw that into their mix.

And I agree, they might not appreciate the Mazda3 for what it is.

So nobody's hot on Hyundai in the compact class, eh?

qbrozen

thebean said:

Huge difference in ride and drivability between Civic and Fit. We drove both when we got a new Civic for the wife. Even the non-turbo Civic blows the Fit away in every area except utility. We went in wanting to like the Fit because of the size and utility bit it was no contest.

more room, better utility, better looking, cheaper, and slightly better combined mileage. So the Civic doesn't win in EVERY other area.