Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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Wow... what an awesome deal. Nice looking car too !
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
How was the purchase and dealing process? I bought/leased 2 cars from that dealer when they were Barrier, and my latest just as they had changed hands. I had no issues, but I know not everyone loves AutoNation. Since my last purchase, many sales people including management have left - the only one there I routinely recognize now is the receptionist, a gracious older woman who always remembers my name. I dealt with the same salesman on my first two details, and the same manager on all 3 - he's now gone too. I don't know if it will be the same when the term is up on my current car.
Congratulations !
- Ray
Nice looking car...
Had to post this one...
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
I started watching AutoNation dealerships nationally because I noticed that they would periodically post blow out prices on former loaners across BMW and Mercedes, and not all were stripped. There seemed to be no method to the madness, but the prices were there, and they were always before incentives. AutoNation is generally a no-haggle experience on the used side of the house. Over time, they will drop prices if it sits long enough.
When this car popped up, I was skeptical it would go anywhere, knowing what I know about AutoNation. Despite that, I sent the request anyway figuring I had nothing to lose. Figured the price was wrong, options were wrong - something. Happy to be proven wrong.
Surprisingly I actually loved the experience. My sales guy was VERY green (<2 months) and because of the type of deal I was asking for (fighting on MF, security deposits etc) I quickly was handed off to one of the Senior Sales Managers who handled the details. He was awesome to deal with and like I said before, was more excited to see me get the car at the price I did than anyone - said point blank if everyone understood leasing and the software this well, his job would be significantly easier because it ultimately saves time.
My sales guy handled delivery and knew the car inside and out - had it pulled into the indoor service area so I could look at it. We also took it for a test drive while they were finalizing the deal paperwork. He was very bright and a car guy - I actually fear the Bellevue market might eat him alive. Too nice.
We had issues in finance, just due to it being a transaction they typically don’t do. The trade, the MSDs, etc. They were super apologetic and I helped them resolve the issue in their system by suggesting we re-arrange the transaction. The F&I woman has been there for 7 years and commented that she had never had a customer fix an issue in their system that they couldn’t. She also commented that it’s been a big change with the new ownership. I explained I only wanted it this way because I did not want to have to come back and re-sign.
When all was said and done, I spent about 3 hours at the dealership - which is about 50% longer than I typically spend closing a deal. Did I get a true MB buying experience? I think it was close. I intentionally went on Friday evening when they said it'd be quiet so I wasn't keeping them from more profitable transactions and when the place would be quieter. Even with that, there were 2 others behind me waiting for Finance when I left at 9pm - an S550 and an E300.
I'll make two comments: some of the sales staff there I noticed were a lot more "typical" car sales - high pressure, using closing tactics, etc. I would have expected MB would be a bit different, but maybe I'm wrong. Then again, some of these customers were some of the worst buyers I've ever seen, so maybe its necessary. The second comment, is that when I stopped by today to pick up my owner's manual, the place was PACKED - like they were giving cars away. They must be doing something right.
Very happy with how things shook out. And, best of all, our monster car seat fits beautifully with plenty of room for a front seat passenger.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Dude is also an idiot who did not do his homework first.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
I've noticed the place is always packed on weekends, too. I stop by every month or two to see if I can find anything weird, and sometimes it is to the point where I have parked in the back, or over at Porsche. I don't know if the customer base here actually likes the "fixed price" setup (I like a little negotiation), or if the prices are indeed so good, people just shop it. I know Barrier had a lot of repeat business, and I wonder if they are sticking around now. The salesman I worked with in the first two deals was an older guy I think is now at MB Seattle - very low pressure, as he understood I already knew the car very well. Third deal was a green guy the long-time manager sent my way, but the deal was mostly finalized by then.
It gets me thinking of what will happen on my lease. The residual is wildly inflated, and I know it is tough to negotiate that. I like the car a lot, but I won't pay what will probably be like 8K over retail for it, and one reason I started leasing was to not become (too) emotionally attached to a daily driver car. Sadly, with no diesel in the current lineup, I don't know what I would want - but I do like the new E in diamond silver with pano, beige or brown interior, P2, and a few other features. Always something to look forward to, that's why we do this.
even took the all weather mats out and washed them too. They have big clips to hang those on and spray off. Not bad for $3.
had a rare warm day so pulled out the shopvac and vacuumed them both out. Elantra really needed that at this point.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0 / 03 Montero Ltd
Long post is better than "--to be continued" at the bottom.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
When the time comes, I am going to look more into the MSDs.
But I am here, so I am thinking of the future. If I can get a deal I might just buy it out, but if not, there will be options. My last pull forward was 8 months in advance, as they wanted to get rid of a leftover, not sure what will happen this time.
I need to find my paperwork to see the residual - I was looking at cars on Autotrader last night (found no Bluetecs I'd want more than mine), and it appears the residual I remember is about the asking price for cars now - 14 months before lease end. Not a good sign.
The XM radio on the Tahoe randomly decided to stop working this morning.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I started leasing to not be attached to a car, so maybe it is best - there's just nothing out there that I like as much as this car, unless I happened upon a very specifically optioned car, and even then, I like this powertrain more.
We got back from an almost 700 mile road trip up to Waterville Valley, NH for my 11 year old son's hockey tournament. They lost game 1 on Friday night, wiped the floor with the other team yesterday AM, & lost a heartbreaker this AM (only 1 ref showed up, the other team plays at a higher level than us, and we had 2 goals disallowed). We got some great skiing in as well as some bonding time with other teammates and their families. We packed the Pilot to the gills. Loaded the skis on the roof. It performed great on the trip. The White Mountains in NH are so beautiful. Think it needs a wash?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
to me, a big difference between a primary family car that does a lot of heavy lifting like this, vs. a spare/2nd/commuter/local car, where you can cut some corners.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
It seems like the trip odometer is a little gracious with its figures by about 2 mpg. I calculated 20.25 from one of the fill ups. Still not bad considering there were 5 of us, plus a lot of luggage & skis on the roof.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
My spreadsheet says I should be at somewhere around 17K.
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Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and let us know! Post a pic of your new purchase or lease!
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Did I miss a post - do not recall reading about this ?
Unexpected ?
Trust you will be OK !
- Ray
Laid off a few times over 45+ year career ...
It seems like the trip odometer is a little gracious with its figures by about 2 mpg. I calculated 20.25 from one of the fill ups. Still not bad considering there were 5 of us, plus a lot of luggage & skis on the roof.
Nitpicking, but my TLX’s computer is consistently about 5% high on reporting MPG. Must be a Honda thing. That’s a bit surprising given how Honda and Acura are so meticulous about how the rest of the car is engineered, built and operates.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD