Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

My sister in law once justified trading in an accord on a Volvo because the wiper blades needed replacing and tape deck heads needed cleaning

28firefighter

stickguy said:

My sister in law once justified trading in an accord on a Volvo because the wiper blades needed replacing and tape deck heads needed cleaning

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

stickguy

For some reason, I kind of like this. Just needs to be a couple grand cheaper. Would actually work for my needs. Only 1yo so lots of warranty, and I don't put a lot of miles on.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Buick/2017-Buick-Verano-8721db6e0a0e08bb5da7b5e54ce9fdd0.htm

sb55

graphicguy said:

@sb55 ....I’ll have to remember your reasoning the next time I get the “itch” for something new and try to justify it in my own mind.

BTW....Love the new Chevy Trucks. Big (and I do mean BIG with 20” wheels) congrats. Looking forward to pics.

Ha Ha. I actually had been looking for about a month. But, the broken mirror is what brought us to this particular dealer (who was really nasty in the past). I wanted to upgrade to a truck specifically with the "Max tow" package since we are upgrading to a larger Airstream. The max tow package is actually pretty rare and this was the only one on the lot of about 100 units. The old truck would have been near to it's limit. The new truck should have a much better capacity and is heavier duty, but not as heavy as the 2500 version which really is overkill and rides like a "truck".

kyfdx

making note: ask wife to back my car into the garage. repeatedly, if necessary

stickguy

another milestone today. Made the final payment on the Sonata today so I have ~34 more days to use up. Since I paid for them, no reason to give it back early at this point. Would save a few $$ in insurance, but not as much as the cost of a replacement car. So paid off, and I had the inspection signing off on no extra charges. So just need to drop it at the dealership by the 8th of November. Then I have 60 days to get another Hyundai product to avoid paying the disposition fee bill

sb55

kyfdx said:

making note: ask wife to back my car into the garage. repeatedly, if necessary

That's out of the garage, not in. Of course, (according to my wife) it was partly my fault since I pulled the truck in "crooked" (No I didn't). She could have driven to yoga in the Miata that day, which has a lot more room to spare backing out! But she lost one Miata key the day before and felt bad to drive it with only 1 key. Is that good or bad? Lost key, bad. New truck, good!?!

xwesx

sb55 said:

kyfdx said:

making note: ask wife to back my car into the garage. repeatedly, if necessary

That's out of the garage, not in. Of course, (according to my wife) it was partly my fault since I pulled the truck in "crooked" (No I didn't). She could have driven to yoga in the Miata that day, which has a lot more room to spare backing out! But she lost one Miata key the day before and felt bad to drive it with only 1 key. Is that good or bad? Lost key, bad. New truck, good!?!

Maybe you could start up a new mantra! "Careless wife, happy life!"

Don't let her read that, though. I don't want to get you in trouble....

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

My sister in law once justified trading in an accord on a Volvo because the wiper blades needed replacing and tape deck heads needed cleaning

Now HERE---that makes perfect sense.

rny421

stickguy said:

For some reason, I kind of like this. Just needs to be a couple grand cheaper. Would actually work for my needs. Only 1yo so lots of warranty, and I don't put a lot of miles on.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Buick/2017-Buick-Verano-8721db6e0a0e08bb5da7b5e54ce9fdd0.htm

We had a Verano as a rental in Florida. Both my wife and myself were surprised! Nice riding car, and quiet. Decent gas mileage too.

They didn't sell real well, so you should be able to get a used one pretty cheap. Same with the Buick Regal.

If you really want a unicorn, look for the 6-speed Buick Verano! 250hp/250tq.

ab348

I never cared for the Verano's styling but they seemed to be good cars, consistently beating the Acura ILX in reviews, which must mean it is vastly superior considering the bias of the automotive press.

I was surprised when Buick decided not to continue with a new version of it.

Sandman6472

While at the Kia store picking up a Sportage in for repair, went past the new car storage area and saw the new 2018 Forte and Rio. Both look pretty nice with the Rio getting the more distinctive changes to the front and rear. I think they have evolved nicely and anyone in the market for a sub-compact or compact vehicle would be foolish not to look at both of these. Maybe not as popular as the Corolla or the Civic, the Forte comes with more features standard and drives very smoothly. Like the Rio better than the Fit actually and hoping the folks at Kia added some decent wheel/tire packages this time.
Hyundai/Kia remind me of Toyota and Honda in their glory days when they could do no wrong and were producing vehicles people actually wanted to buy. Think Hyundai/Kia are at that same point where their products are no longer penalty boxes. Nice that they are finally giving the other big boys a run for the money now. I know the other half was going to get a Forte if the deal on the A3 fell through and would've saved about $7500 or more on the deal. And honestly, for a person who still sees her Audi as an appliance, she would've been just as happy in the Kia. And in a few years, who knows as I think she's not willing to spend much over $20K on her next ride. Nothing wrong with "cheap to keep" which they definitely are!

The Sandman

sda

The Verano was very nice for all the reasons stated. I drove a leather/sunroof/nav/Bose equipped certified with 11k before I bought the Accord. I liked it yet the backseat room was laughable which was also a problem with the then current Cruze from which it was based.

suydam

I saw a new red Forte the other day and thought it looked pretty sharp.

stickguy

I test drove a Forte before getting the Jetta 2 years ago. It was actually not bad at all. Certainly a contender. One issue for me is I am not at all fond of either of my local Kia dealers. One I flat out refuse to ever set foot in.

Sandman6472

Drove a '17 VW Tiguan today and loved the 2.0T engine. No turbo lag at all and it pulled with decent power, none of the turbo lag that my 1.8T engine has. Was quite enjoyable to be honest and now know this is what I should've gotten way back at the end of 2013 when I settled for a Hyundai Tuscon. Not that the Tuscon was a bad vehicle, it just was the wrong one for me at the time since the Tiguan was what I really wanted all along! The high price tag scared me off at the time and also the dismal mpg's didn't help either. Was just a real eye opener today when I first hit the accelerator and it felt like home behind the wheel. I now realize that the only con about my Golf is that slight turbo lag I feel when taking off from a stop if the tranny is in "D" mode. In "S" mode, it's barely noticeable but need to remember to move the shifter into "S" mode from a stop which is the issue as sometimes, I just forget. Having the 2.0T engine would solve that issue but the heavier Tiguan has the mileage penalty along with it.
So, bottom line here is I just need to remember to go from "D" to "S" from each stop and all will be well. Just wondering if the engine in a Golf GTI would negate me having to move the shifter at all? Doesn't the GTI have a 2.0T engine and a different auto tranny? Need to test drive a GTI and see if there is indeed a difference in the way they both drive as I never took one before and looking back, that could've been a mistake. That's why next time, going to try everything that I'm interested in to make sure I get the right vehicle!

The Sandman

stickguy

the GTI has a higher output version of the 2.0t in the Tiguan, and a DSG gearbox, so drives quite a bit differently, but is very fast.

xwesx

I know that, for a while, they offered the Regal with a manual transmission as well. I cannot recall, though, if you could get both the MT and AWD together. Anyone know?

stickguy

not sure, but a guy in my neighborhood has a turbo regal stick shift.

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice car posted above would go and give it an test drive y not! and nice so one munth left nice nice. would go and drive drive that car around a lot to put sum miles on it in the next munth!

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 yes ould do the same thing! drive every thing I was interested in before getting sumthing!

breld

Sold my snow tires from the BMW 4-series via craigslist today. The buyer pulls up in an Outback XT (2005ish?). I compliment him on his wagon, and he adds that it's a manual trannie.

Quite the unicorn - he bought it used, after an extensive search.

corvette

I think the Regals with AWD were automatic only. 

roadburner

Correct.

stickguy

I like this one.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Buick/2011-Buick-Regal-c952dab40a0e08ba208aaf43d990f837.htm

qbrozen

stickguy said:

I like this one. http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Buick/2011-Buick-Regal-c952dab40a0e08ba208aaf43d990f837.htm

Price is way off. It would be a $10k car max; however, autocheck is telling me there is an odometer problem. No details beyond that. Might just be that small discrepancy on carfax where it appears a tech transposed some numbers.

stickguy

Interesting on the autocheck. And I was figuring if clean and maybe be 10-11k, could be a good option.

rny421

@stickguy - I prefer the slightly redesigned 2014+ Buick Regals - mostly for the interior.
Something like this seems to be a bargain at $12k

andres3

ab348 said:

I never cared for the Verano's styling but they seemed to be good cars, consistently beating the Acura ILX in reviews, which must mean it is vastly superior considering the bias of the automotive press.

I was surprised when Buick decided not to continue with a new version of it.

Meh! Acura has had a hard time lately with cars, and the ILX was their dud for awhile.

I would take an unmolested RSX- Type S or R with low mileage over any ILX in a heartbeat.

ab348

stickguy said:

I like this one.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Buick/2011-Buick-Regal-c952dab40a0e08ba208aaf43d990f837.htm

That like the one I used to own. 220hp turbo, Aisin automatic. That one seems to have the higher-end infotainment option they offered back then. Built in Germany most likely. Transmission was a bit wonky in downshifting but never really caused any problems. Fast enough but not super-zippy around town. Good top end though. Great highway car. Handled and rode really well. Heavy. Tight rear seat. I liked it at the time, later models were better.

Mr_Shiftright

sandman_6472 said:

Drove a '17 VW Tiguan today and loved the 2.0T engine. No turbo lag at all and it pulled with decent power, none of the turbo lag that my 1.8T engine has. Was quite enjoyable to be honest and now know this is what I should've gotten way back at the end of 2013 when I settled for a Hyundai Tuscon. Not that the Tuscon was a bad vehicle, it just was the wrong one for me at the time since the Tiguan was what I really wanted all along! The high price tag scared me off at the time and also the dismal mpg's didn't help either. Was just a real eye opener today when I first hit the accelerator and it felt like home behind the wheel. I now realize that the only con about my Golf is that slight turbo lag I feel when taking off from a stop if the tranny is in "D" mode. In "S" mode, it's barely noticeable but need to remember to move the shifter into "S" mode from a stop which is the issue as sometimes, I just forget. Having the 2.0T engine would solve that issue but the heavier Tiguan has the mileage penalty along with it.
So, bottom line here is I just need to remember to go from "D" to "S" from each stop and all will be well. Just wondering if the engine in a Golf GTI would negate me having to move the shifter at all? Doesn't the GTI have a 2.0T engine and a different auto tranny? Need to test drive a GTI and see if there is indeed a difference in the way they both drive as I never took one before and looking back, that could've been a mistake. That's why next time, going to try everything that I'm interested in to make sure I get the right vehicle!

The Sandman

Oiir Tuguan gets no respect in the marketplace. It's a shame, it's a really nice vehicle.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

I like this one.

http://www.jsautohaus.net/used/Buick/2011-Buick-Regal-c952dab40a0e08ba208aaf43d990f837.htm

Price is way off. It would be a $10k car max; however, autocheck is telling me there is an odometer problem. No details beyond that. Might just be that small discrepancy on carfax where it appears a tech transposed some numbers.

Carfax says it's a repo back in Feb., then sold at auction, then sold, then sold again. Looks like new keys and remote, too, or reprogrammed.

stickguy

rny421 said:

@stickguy - I prefer the slightly redesigned 2014+ Buick Regals - mostly for the interior.
Something like this seems to be a bargain at $12k

That does seem like a pretty good deal. Just missing the navi, but guess can't have everything.

Mr_Shiftright

How come you never hear anything about the Chevy SS sedan?

stickguy

Likely because hardly any were sold

Mr_Shiftright

I know. Like Edmunds said in their review, something like "Nice car but who wants a 4-door Camaro".

Still, there aren't many V8 full size sedans you can buy with a stick shift anymore.

I guess the SS is Holden-based, yeah?

pensfan83

At one time I was infatuated with the reincarnated GTO's and really, really wanted one. On a bet with a buddy I test drove a 2005 model when they changed the engine to the 400HP LS2. He said I would never even get off the lot with one being all of 21 years old but I went to a small Buick/Pontiac dealer and they didn't even blink. That car was a hoot to drive, it had power in spades and sounded so good at wide open throttle. Unfortunately it didn't fit my budget, either in payment or insurance, so I ended up with a Mazda 6 instead.

When they introduced the G8 and then the SS I was sorely tempted to go look at them but never got around to it.

Mr_Shiftright

The SS is kinda pricey, too.

qbrozen

I only ever climbed inside a G8 at the NY auto show. I was disappointed in the build quality and materials. I remember showing my wife how, when I closed the door, the whole damned thing flexed under the weight of my hand.

Yes, the SS is pretty pricey. When I bought my V Sport, the street price of the SS was the same as the Caddy. Absolutely no contest there. I also think they missed the mark on styling. How many people want to spend $50k and have their car blend right in with Impalas and Malibus?

All that said, I recently checked values and 2014 SS vs 2014 V Sport are worth about the same money with 35k miles ($28k-$29k) at auction. So somehow they are holding their own.

ab348

On the G8, one of them - I think the V6 model - had a lot of transmission problems. My dealer had a bunch of them out back waiting for transmission parts that apparently were only available in Australia.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

I only ever climbed inside a G8 at the NY auto show. I was disappointed in the build quality and materials. I remember showing my wife how, when I closed the door, the whole damned thing flexed under the weight of my hand.

Yes, the SS is pretty pricey. When I bought my V Sport, the street price of the SS was the same as the Caddy. Absolutely no contest there. I also think they missed the mark on styling. How many people want to spend $50k and have their car blend right in with Impalas and Malibus?

All that said, I recently checked values and 2014 SS vs 2014 V Sport are worth about the same money with 35k miles ($28k-$29k) at auction. So somehow they are holding their own.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you want the ULTIMATE sleeper it would have to be the SS. It would be a Corvette-powered rental car!

kyfdx

They might have sold a million of them, and I wouldn't know. They all look like Malibus

tjc78

I saw one the other day. Silver with black trim and other than the Brembo brakes you'd just never know!!

stickguy

I recently saw a red one at shop rite. Looked surprisingly small. Probably because it was low by modern standards.

au1994

qbrozen said:

I only ever climbed inside a G8 at the NY auto show. I was disappointed in the build quality and materials. I remember showing my wife how, when I closed the door, the whole damned thing flexed under the weight of my hand. Yes, the SS is pretty pricey. When I bought my V Sport, the street price of the SS was the same as the Caddy. Absolutely no contest there. I also think they missed the mark on styling. How many people want to spend $50k and have their car blend right in with Impalas and Malibus? All that said, I recently checked values and 2014 SS vs 2014 V Sport are worth about the same money with 35k miles ($28k-$29k) at auction. So somehow they are holding their own.

Agreed on the pricing. At one time I thought it would be a fun car so I pulled up my local Chevy dealer site. This is a screamer dealer...”ALL MALIBUS 10K OFF STICKER AND A FREE MICROWAVE!!” 

Figured if they had a similar deal on the SS or even a leftover model, I might be tempted enough for a drive. But no, they had 2 and not a penny off list on the website and this is just not one of those dealers where you just want to wander around casually, take a look and maybe a nice quiet test drive.

andres3

Just saw a red G8 speaking of the devil. I'd imagine these things were over 2 tons?

sb55

My new truck.   Pepperdust metallic color. Silver in some light, beigeish in other light.   Since I live on a dirt road, it will blend in soon enough  

Mr_Shiftright

I want that truck. You should give it to me.

tbirdmarco

@breld nice on the sail of the snow tires from the beamer! any car looking for you this weekend!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice car you posted last night