Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

xwesx

tifighter said:

I guess I haven't written off a set of Hakkapelitta R2s either, but they are kind of a pain to get around here.

I think they're a pain to get in any area! LOL

I hear consistently great things about the HR2, but I haven't tried a set yet (only for the reason of availability/cost). I nearly bought a set for my Q7 last March when I was driving it home (ironically, I would have stopped in Seattle for that, as availability was best there), but decided to get a set of winters mounted on their own rims (-2) rather than just using the stock rims. The Nokian tires, by themselves, were only slightly less than the cost I paid for a mounted set of Yokohama iG51V (255/55R18) at $1,300.

andres3

stickguy said:

I thought just about every car had that time requirement too (usually 1 year, regardless of mileage). I was actually surprised that the manual calls for such frequent changes on my Elantra (6 months/7,500 for normal, and 3/3,750 for "severe" which seems to be just about everyone!)

Funny how the intervals shorten when somebodies bank account is on the line for the repair (long warranties). I wonder if VW will stop with the long intervals now that they have a longer warranty.

andres3

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

the service writer just looked at my history and the normal schedule and knew what should be coming up. I usually keep track on my own, and do things when I think they should be done (often more frequent than the car would ask for).

You mean your advisor did not try to push transmission flush, brake flush, coolant flush, fuel injector flush? That is pretty amazing.

My favorite shop goes by the book, the car manuals being available online these days.

There is still a debate on whether rotors really are good for multiple uses. Could it be a case of being penny wise and pound foolish? I suppose if the rotors fail or warp and shudder it could be.

andres3

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

and those flushes are bad bad just drane and fill is all you do nead!

Midas used to advertise Royal Flushes for your automobile, I think it was 4 or 5 flush services in one.

corvette

I’ve always heard if they are below minimum thickness at replacement time, they are likely to warp before the next set of pads wears out. And that German cars typically wear the rotors down that far on each pad change, hence, a generic recommendation to replace. 

andres3

corvette said:

Drove my first Prius today. A second gen, 2008 I think. Drove like a normal economy car from that era, but actually seemed a little quieter on the highway. CEL and TPMS lights were on, but it seemed to drive fine. Also, the fuel gauge didn’t work. So much for that vaunted Toyota reliability.  I couldn’t really tell much difference from a conventional vehicle, which is probably what Toyota intended. I was impressed, but won’t be buying one soon. 

How many miles did it have?

ab348

I'm on my second set of X-Ices (had a set 6 years ago on my Regal) and I absolutely love them. They are perfect for our climate here where you usually don't get deep snow very often, but lots of mixed precip along with black ice on the asphalt. The best thing about them is how quiet they are on bare pavement - the contrast between them and the Bridgestone OE performance tires is startling - and how nicely they ride. You are right that they do wear quickly, probably due to the soft rubber compound. In contrast I had a set of Goodyear winters a dozen or so years ago on my Intrigue and they were the worse of all possible worlds - noisy on dry pavement, and a squishy, squirmy feel as well.

I was originally going to get a set of Pirelli Winter Ice Zero FR tires but the shipment came up one short. The Conti WinterContact also interested me but they seemed to be in really short supply here. They were significantly cheaper than other Conti winter tires so I wonder why. All reviews are pretty good though.

tbirdmarco

@xwesx just go on what the auto manufacture does say! but what ever works for you! do what you have to do and what works! if not driving car much nce an year than! other flewids look offen once an week or munth and when getting discolored and not bright what ever they re any mor than change!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx nice rite up on the winter tires above! did learn a lot! of all that is out here!

tbirdmarco

@andres3 we shal see! who nos!

corvette

andres3 said:

Drove my first Prius today. A second gen, 2008 I think. Drove like a normal economy car from that era, but actually seemed a little quieter on the highway. CEL and TPMS lights were on, but it seemed to drive fine. Also, the fuel gauge didn’t work. So much for that vaunted Toyota reliability.  I couldn’t really tell much difference from a conventional vehicle, which is probably what Toyota intended. I was impressed, but won’t be buying one soon. 

How many miles did it have?

Around 117k I think. About the same as my Yukon. Really low miles for a hybrid. 

xwesx

Marcothecarguy1986 said:

@xwesx just go on what the auto manufacture does say! but what ever works for you! do what you have to do and what works! if not driving car much nce an year than! other flewids look offen once an week or munth and when getting discolored and not bright what ever they re any mor than change!

I changed the oil on my 2010 Forester seven times in 108,500 miles. I may have changed the oil too frequently (in terms of the UOA results), but I never had it in there for too long. IIRC, one change was just over 16,000 miles, but they were typically between 10-12K.

The added cost of the UOA was approaching equivalent to two oil changes at once, but the added peace of mind and the reduction in need to crawl under the car to wrestle those darn oil filters loose were well worth the cost. Overall, If I followed a severe service interval on it, I saved myself 22 oil changes.

cdnpinhead

xwesx said:

. . . and the reduction in need to crawl under the car to wrestle those darn oil filters loose were well worth the cost.

One of the slickest things about the Forester is the oil filter location -- on top. I haven't seen that since I got rid of my 350 Cummins.

xwesx

cdnpinhead said:

xwesx said:

. . . and the reduction in need to crawl under the car to wrestle those darn oil filters loose were well worth the cost.

One of the slickest things about the Forester is the oil filter location -- on top. I haven't seen that since I got rid of my 350 Cummins.

No doubt! I have only removed the 2013's filter on the new FB25 once, and it still didn't want to let loose, but it is so much nicer having it up top than underneath with the exhaust tightly wrapped around it!

tbirdmarco

@xwesx nice nice would not follow the savare sceduall he normal one on any car! but since I have the 61 t bird once an year change oial! since not driven much at all and just keep an I on other flewids that is all!

tbirdmarco

@andres3 yes think do remember that while back and also that trans chane to Amco think it is! crazy! and most peapol that are not car peapol like us get fooled sadly!

Mr_Shiftright

andres3 said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

the service writer just looked at my history and the normal schedule and knew what should be coming up. I usually keep track on my own, and do things when I think they should be done (often more frequent than the car would ask for).

You mean your advisor did not try to push transmission flush, brake flush, coolant flush, fuel injector flush? That is pretty amazing.

My favorite shop goes by the book, the car manuals being available online these days.

There is still a debate on whether rotors really are good for multiple uses. Could it be a case of being penny wise and pound foolish? I suppose if the rotors fail or warp and shudder it could be.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Well when you cut rotors you also lessen their ability to withstand heat--so it's a toss up as to whether it is worth doing or not, depending I guess on how you drive.

Some manufacturers, of course, demand that you discard rotors and not dress them.

tbirdmarco

https://www.yourmechanic.com/

found this lijit sight whall looking for an mobial macanick for my selfe. others found near me witch I did call wher scams or no longer around the one above is the only good one I found. hope this is helpful to anyone.

tbirdmarco

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-3dslFuNie8


https://www.yourmechanic.com/

found this lijit sight whall looking for an mobial macanick for my selfe. others found near me witch I did call wher scams or no longer around the one above is the

tbirdmarco

@sandman_6472 glad the Outi has an clean bill of health. the dealer is alwas recommending stuff munny making for them all it is! you have quite sime time before having to do that stuff! only thing when things com down are the tires! yes hope your wife will want to move to sooner than later! would not want to deal with all of that every few years must be real frustrating! but glad you are all ok!

tbirdmarco

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

breld

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Alright - done deal on the GTI. I shopped one other dealer that was pretty transparent and then gave the broker the opportunity to match it, which he did. To be fair, he is the one that came up with a stronger trade than anyone else and he also isn't playing any games with the financing (one dealership said that with "all" the rebates they're giving, I have to go through their lender, and the payments they were quoting reflected a rate of over 5%). So... $25,059 for a white GTI sport manual (MSRP of $29,235). $34,200 trade on the 428 (he came up another $200 to sweeten the deal). The dealer he's working with has to do a trade to get the white, so I may pick it up Saturday, but more likely next week. Sorry @michaell and @jpp5862 - no new car for our lunch Friday.

I think I shall use you as an example to my wife of how much easier she has it putting up with my habit. ;b

I use it all thre time!  "I know this guy from Colorado on edmunds who bought 5 cars last year!"

Come to think of it, you really should be using my wife as the example for allowing and enabling all this to happen!  

breld

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Yesterday's venture out for car browsing was really fun with @michaell and @jpp5862! And dangerous. Just when I thought I was so content.

So...my wife has generally been the one more fond of the Land Rovers, but I decided to take a Discovery out (the new non-Sport 3-row model) and fell in love with it (as did @jpp5862). I suppose I like the bit more distinct look, inside an out, compared to many others in the class. We drove the diesel, which had great grunt, both from a sound and feel perspective. About 5 mpg better than the supercharged V-6, so a notable improvement in that area.

But...no way I'll drop that kind of cash on a new luxury vehicle (though I would thoroughly encourage @jpp5862 to - his record is better than mine on keeping cars). So, I'll lust after the Discovery over the next 1-2 years until used ones start showing up.

But with the itch now for a more luxurious 3-row SUV, wife and I drove some other contenders:

• Audi Q7 - found a 15k mile used 2017 Q7. At first blush, I was surprisingly disappointed in the interior feel and look. Could be that this one wasn't cleaned very well, and while I generally like brown seats, I didn't like it in this particular example. And this didn't have Audi's new TFT screen at the gauges. Overall not bad at all, just not as striking as I had expected. But it definitely drives most like a sport sedan than any other SUV I've experienced. Love that 3.0T engine - shifts smooth; ride is a great balance between sport and luxury.
  
• Mazda CX-9 - even though I've rejected the current CX-9 before, it still intrigues me, so went to take another look. Overall, it does do the best job of competing with the luxury brands, as compared to the other more mainstream SUVs. The interior was almost on par with the Audi we had just driven. Their 4 cylinder performs well around the city - just as they intended. Strong acceleration, and smooth shifts with its traditional 8-speed auto (I think it's 8?). But...same complaint I've had in the past (not that I thought it would change) - the center console is positioned very high in a position where resting my knee against it is very uncomfortable. The sales manager actually said I wasn't the first person to bring that up.
  
• Volvo XC90 - Much like the Discovery, I lusted after these when they first came out, so makes sense to check them out again on the used market. Drove a 2017 well-equipped model with about 19k miles. Much like the CX-9, the turbo/super charged 4 cylinder was excellent. Certainly not the same grunt or sound offered by my current Hemi, but comparable torque and quickness. Not surprisingly, great interior and certainly the best seats we sat in all day - this one had the upgraded contour seats. Obviously different feel than the Durango, if I do want to go for more luxury. Best thing is these are not holding their value as well as the Audi. This one listed at $46k, about $10k less than most used Q7's I could find. And the Volvo dealer indicated they could deal lower.
  

@qbrozen - what's something like that going for at auction (so 2017 XC90, silver/black, Momentum model and well-equipped with Vision package and probably other features I'm not aware of, 19k miles). They actually got it off auction from Florida.

I see 6 in the past 3 weeks with 11k to 19k miles. All got $45k. None in FL. Must not have been a Manheim auction, unless they have had it since Sept.

I was mistaken - it came from California according to the Carfax, not Florida.

So at $45k auction, this one I like listed at $46.5k is a pretty good buy. Good and bad - it's priced fairly, but I was optimistically hoping there was more room to negotiate.

breld

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Yesterday's venture out for car browsing was really fun with @michaell and @jpp5862! And dangerous. Just when I thought I was so content.

So...my wife has generally been the one more fond of the Land Rovers, but I decided to take a Discovery out (the new non-Sport 3-row model) and fell in love with it (as did @jpp5862). I suppose I like the bit more distinct look, inside an out, compared to many others in the class. We drove the diesel, which had great grunt, both from a sound and feel perspective. About 5 mpg better than the supercharged V-6, so a notable improvement in that area.

But...no way I'll drop that kind of cash on a new luxury vehicle (though I would thoroughly encourage @jpp5862 to - his record is better than mine on keeping cars). So, I'll lust after the Discovery over the next 1-2 years until used ones start showing up.

But with the itch now for a more luxurious 3-row SUV, wife and I drove some other contenders:

• Audi Q7 - found a 15k mile used 2017 Q7. At first blush, I was surprisingly disappointed in the interior feel and look. Could be that this one wasn't cleaned very well, and while I generally like brown seats, I didn't like it in this particular example. And this didn't have Audi's new TFT screen at the gauges. Overall not bad at all, just not as striking as I had expected. But it definitely drives most like a sport sedan than any other SUV I've experienced. Love that 3.0T engine - shifts smooth; ride is a great balance between sport and luxury.
  
• Mazda CX-9 - even though I've rejected the current CX-9 before, it still intrigues me, so went to take another look. Overall, it does do the best job of competing with the luxury brands, as compared to the other more mainstream SUVs. The interior was almost on par with the Audi we had just driven. Their 4 cylinder performs well around the city - just as they intended. Strong acceleration, and smooth shifts with its traditional 8-speed auto (I think it's 8?). But...same complaint I've had in the past (not that I thought it would change) - the center console is positioned very high in a position where resting my knee against it is very uncomfortable. The sales manager actually said I wasn't the first person to bring that up.
  
• Volvo XC90 - Much like the Discovery, I lusted after these when they first came out, so makes sense to check them out again on the used market. Drove a 2017 well-equipped model with about 19k miles. Much like the CX-9, the turbo/super charged 4 cylinder was excellent. Certainly not the same grunt or sound offered by my current Hemi, but comparable torque and quickness. Not surprisingly, great interior and certainly the best seats we sat in all day - this one had the upgraded contour seats. Obviously different feel than the Durango, if I do want to go for more luxury. Best thing is these are not holding their value as well as the Audi. This one listed at $46k, about $10k less than most used Q7's I could find. And the Volvo dealer indicated they could deal lower.
  

@qbrozen - what's something like that going for at auction (so 2017 XC90, silver/black, Momentum model and well-equipped with Vision package and probably other features I'm not aware of, 19k miles). They actually got it off auction from Florida.

I see 6 in the past 3 weeks with 11k to 19k miles. All got $45k. None in FL. Must not have been a Manheim auction, unless they have had it since Sept.

I was mistaken - it came from California according to the Carfax, not Florida.

So at $45k auction, this one I like listed at $46.5k is a pretty good buy. Good and bad - it's priced fairly, but I was optimistically hoping there was more room to negotiate.

stickguy

Took RDX in today to have leak investigated. Since l8kely out of warranty unless they comp something, giving me agita. Depending on the hit, may be nursing the old tires through a winter after all!

Rolling in a new MDX loaner. Must be high end. All kind of buttons and features I have no idea how to use. White, with black wheel package. Makes a statement. Just not mine. Drives ok, but quite the barge. But man, what seats! Real comfy thrones. Just too bulky for around town driving for my taste. Really roomy out back though with 3rd row folded. Might get my wife interested in an upgrade once she sees how fancy it is.

stickguy

And, just got a call from dealer. As I thought, was leaking trans fluid. Turns out was a defective (oblong) fill hole bolt that was seeping. They are replacing that and good to go. Looks like problem solved. Hopefully no charge under powertrain warranty (it does cover transmission)

qbrozen

stickguy said:

And, just got a call from dealer. As I thought, was leaking trans fluid. Turns out was a defective (oblong) fill hole bolt that was seeping. They are replacing that and good to go. Looks like problem solved. Hopefully no charge under powertrain warranty (it does cover transmission)

But it is just leaking now? Did you have the trans serviced recently?

roadburner

breld said:

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

breld said:

Alright - done deal on the GTI. I shopped one other dealer that was pretty transparent and then gave the broker the opportunity to match it, which he did. To be fair, he is the one that came up with a stronger trade than anyone else and he also isn't playing any games with the financing (one dealership said that with "all" the rebates they're giving, I have to go through their lender, and the payments they were quoting reflected a rate of over 5%).

So...

$25,059 for a white GTI sport manual (MSRP of $29,235).
$34,200 trade on the 428 (he came up another $200 to sweeten the deal).

The dealer he's working with has to do a trade to get the white, so I may pick it up Saturday, but more likely next week. Sorry @michaell and @jpp5862 - no new car for our lunch Friday.

I think I shall use you as an example to my wife of how much easier she has it putting up with my habit. ;b

I use it all thre time!  "I know this guy from Colorado on edmunds who bought 5 cars last year!"

Come to think of it, you really should be using my wife as the example for allowing and enabling all this to happen!  

My friend Rob Siegel(AKA "The Hack Mechanic" from BMW CCA's Roundel magazine) usually has 10-12 cars in his garage(s), so I always use him as my example- "I only have 5 cars honey, Rob has 12!"
Not long ago a friend told me that he used me as the foil, as in "I only have 3 cars- RB has 5!"

roadburner

A set of Vredestein Quatrac 5 all-seasons are going on the Clubman Friday. The Mini is my wife's winter weather car since the i3 has summer tires. I especially like that the Quatrac 5 wears the "Three Peak Snowflake" symbol which designates it as a winter tire; it has also performed very well in tests at Tire Rack, in the German magazine Auto Bild, and several British tests.

stickguy

I think the trans was done around 30k, so 2 years ago. Last oil change was in June, so must have been fine them. Probably something that just started recently. Hopefully not enough leakage to impact fluid level materially.

breld

Harmless, but just as an FYI, the couple posts above by me were old ones that somehow "re-posted" themselves.

xwesx

breld said:

Harmless, but just as an FYI, the couple posts above by me were old ones that somehow "re-posted" themselves.

Yeah, but now that they posted, that reminds me....

stickguy

got my RDX back. SA showed me the offending bolt. It is one with what looks like an attached washer on the bolt head, and if you looked at it from the side, it was slightly warped. Apparently just enough to keep it from sealing perfectly, and leaking slightly when the trans fluid got hot and pressure built. But, new one installed, road tested, and no leaking. He said it likely was defective from the factory, and possibly when they did the trans refill it kept it from reseating. For whatever reason, no charge! and a free car wash thrown in, and pre-winter multi point inspection. More on that later....

xwesx

Obscure, indeed!

tbirdmarco

sorry fokes no idea y there wher postings from me on hear from this morning that wher old is an spammer using my account or is there an glich? have not bin in this bord since last night!

tbirdmarco

@breld an nother punch cumming?

tbirdmarco

@stickguy nice on the loner car they gave to you big big but sounds real nice!

tbirdmarco

@stickguy glad it was not an big thing rong with your wifes RDX so it has an sealed transmishion like a lot of cars have these days not all but a lot. think Hundai does to ford there is just the drane plug and the fill plug!

tbirdmarco

@breld same did happen to you with the postings just posting them selves! strange! so no new punch for now! than! lollollol

stickguy

so, rest of the story. When the SA called to give me the update, he also said that the battery failed the load lest they do every time the car is in. Not that surprised, since this would be the 6th winter on it, and IMO Honda is notorious for skimping on OEM batteries. My Accord and Odyssey only got 3 or 4 years before crapping out. Only had 550 CCA new and now testing below 400, with little reserve. So, fortunate to find out in advance, instead of on Xmas up in the North country dead in my BIL's driveway. So called around (decided not to have dealer put a direct replacement in) and did some quick google work.

ended up finding the best deal (price, quality and convenience) at of all places Batteries plus. They have a bunch, and install for free, no appointment needed. Called one right down the road from the dealer, and stopped on my way back home. Was a bit of a bear to do (really wedged in there) but the clerk managed (she said she does it all the time). Yes, a she. Even funnier, she looked about the same age and size as my daughter (as in, young and small). But no trouble wrestling the battery around. Seemed to be in fine, and car started, so call it a success.

Got a Duracell Gold. 725 CCAs, so should have no problem cranking the beast over this winter. even better, saved me a trip to Walmart to sit around waiting for them to do it.

stickguy

thoughts on the loaner. MDX is quite nice. Can see why they are popular. But, too big for my taste. Not just the overall length, or even the width (though it is not skinny), but I think because it is "bulky". High sills, big tall hood, hard to see corners. Just felt like I was piloting a barge. Though I am sure would get used to it.

But, an awesome highway car. Fantastic seats. Great stereo. Gadgets galore. I would have needed an hour with the manual to figure them all out. It was at least a tech package car, if not Advance. And this was I think the quietest car I ever drove. Just no noise. Engine could have been off. No ambient noise. No road or tire noise. Just, quiet. It was kind of weird. And with the radio (damned fine premium radio) cranking, even more isolated! Tons of cargo room too with the 3rd row folded.

not sure if I would get this or the Volvo XC90 if I needed a full size 3 row beast, and had the +/- $50k budget, but MDX is certainly a strong contender.

tjc78

Anything over 5 years is good.  Our Elantra got a little over three and on the other end of the spectrum my 04 Grand Marquis lasted 10 when it started cranking slow.

suydam

Nearly 6 years on a battery? I’d hardly call that skimping. You’re due.

stickguy

yeah, I was not surprised or disappointed. Actually glad that it worked out this way, since I probably would not have bothered to take it in someplace to proactively get it tested. And the wife would not have been happy to come out to the car one day to find it dead.

corvette

Tahoe's battery tested good yesterday. Weird. It had been started and moved in/out of the driveway a few times before the last time I shut it off before the questionable test, so maybe that was it.

roadburner

I got 10 years out of the OEM battery in the Club Sport. It was still working fine but I chickened out and changed it.

pensfan83

@breld, disappointing to hear about your impressions of the Q7. I'm going with my BIL after work to test drive a 2018 Q7 as a replacement for their Enclave. I'm not sure if there's differences between 2017 and 2018 but the example he's driving has the package with the virtual cockpit and all the safety gear. More to come...

I also think the XC90 is worth a look. Never been in or around one but I prefer their design inside and out.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

thoughts on the loaner. MDX is quite nice. Can see why they are popular. But, too big for my taste. Not just the overall length, or even the width (though it is not skinny), but I think because it is "bulky". High sills, big tall hood, hard to see corners. Just felt like I was piloting a barge. Though I am sure would get used to it.

But, an awesome highway car. Fantastic seats. Great stereo. Gadgets galore. I would have needed an hour with the manual to figure them all out. It was at least a tech package car, if not Advance. And this was I think the quietest car I ever drove. Just no noise. Engine could have been off. No ambient noise. No road or tire noise. Just, quiet. It was kind of weird. And with the radio (damned fine premium radio) cranking, even more isolated! Tons of cargo room too with the 3rd row folded.

not sure if I would get this or the Volvo XC90 if I needed a full size 3 row beast, and had the +/- $50k budget, but MDX is certainly a strong contender.

Stick...I had one as a loaner while my TLX was being PDI this past summer. Those are really nice vehicles. I do agree. They are big. But, it handled better than my Chevy Tahoe, was quicker, more comfortable, and did everything better. What made it more impressive was the fact I had loved my Tahoe.

As you say, if a vehicle like the MDX is something you can utilize, it would be hard to find better.

stickguy

I did sit in a TLX again. I really like that interior, and seats. Will probably just bite the bullet next time and pony up the money. It just seems to “fit” me right. Some cars just feel good.

pensfan83

I am immensely happy with mine. I finally saw another 2018 TLX in the wild over the weekend, albeit an AWD Advance model. I'm not a fan of the revised rear bumper and additional chrome on the Advance.

I still have not seen another A-Spec in the wild in Pittsburgh.