Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

Pretty. My budget won’t be stretching that far. Also too big.

My son texted before he found a CPO RS3 in ct. only one in country. And if he put down 12k + his car, and financed for 72 months, only $100 more monthly than his current loan! I suggested this was a poor financial idea, and in fact, not an appropriate use of his emergency fund. He might listen. Almost convinced to wait until he is out of warranty, then chip the A3, and get a convertible toy to go with instead.

Where in CT?

stickguy

Bradd, the place he got the A3. Watertown area maybe. I forget dealer name.

Vision package is BLIS, cross path, back up camera (at least in 2017) and I think fancy headlights. Maybe more. I want that stuff.

Sat in an ascent at car show. Was very nice.

Shifty, I am trying not to encourage him more.

au1994

stickguy said:

Bradd, the place he got the A3. Watertown area maybe. I forget dealer name. Vision package is BLIS, cross path, back up camera (at least in 2017) and I think fancy headlights. Maybe more. I want that stuff. Sat in an ascent at car show. Was very nice. Shifty, I am trying not to encourage him more.

Re: Vision package, you’d think at 40k those things would be table stakes but I guess not. Volvo is not the only one guilty of this. They are must haves for me too.

Good to hear on the Ascent. I’m intrigued.

stickguy

had to check the Volvo. I knew the vision package had more stuff that is valuable. Keyless go, parking camera and sensors, and the fancy configurable dashboard. Plus homelink. and of course BLIS.

If I am getting a car with none of this stuff, it better be a really cheap beater, because most of this is really bare minimum stuff for a premium car (and price)

This package includes
Homelink®

Keyless Drive

Rear Park Assist Camera

Blind Spot Information System & Cross Traffic Alert

Adaptive Digital TFT Display

Rear Park Assist Sensors

stickguy

I know there are a bunch of Mustang GT snobs here, but this one sounds neat. Performance pack is supposed to drive nice with the lighter engine I think. and a stick.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2015-ford-mustang-2dr_fastback_ecoboost_premium-used-17385688.html

kyfdx

Geez.. what's with the name-calling?

xwesx

au1994 said:

Is anyone else looking forward to seeing the Subaru Ascent in person? It looks pretty attractive to me in a traditional, boxy SUV way.  Interior on the upper models looks pretty nice too. I fear that the boxer motor might struggle to move it along though.

I would be more interested if it had better packaging options. You have to spend quite a bit (e.g., higher trims/packaging) to get the full tow rating (5k #), and you cannot get it without the full suite of "safety" nannies.

Oh, and if there was a diesel option. All mid-size SUV and larger should have a diesel option!

Michaell

stickguy said:

I know there are a bunch of Mustang GT snobs here, but this one sounds neat. Performance pack is supposed to drive nice with the lighter engine I think. and a stick.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2015-ford-mustang-2dr_fastback_ecoboost_premium-used-17385688.html

It's funny, cuz I was thinking just the other day that the Mustang with the EcoBoost might be a good car to have here in Colorado. I'm addicted to the punch of a turbo engine, and love the packaging of the Mustang.

I'd probably skip the Orange paint, however.

Here's one I'd take instead - even if it is an automatic (gasp!)

tifighter

xwesx said:

au1994 said:

Is anyone else looking forward to seeing the Subaru Ascent in person? It looks pretty attractive to me in a traditional, boxy SUV way.  Interior on the upper models looks pretty nice too. I fear that the boxer motor might struggle to move it along though.

I would be more interested if it had better packaging options. You have to spend quite a bit (e.g., higher trims/packaging) to get the full tow rating (5k #), and you cannot get it without the full suite of "safety" nannies.

Oh, and if there was a diesel option. All mid-size SUV and larger should have a diesel option!

You're a nice guy @xwesx so I'm sad to be the one to tell you that diesel SUV's are DOA in the US. And it sounds more and more like even Europe is rethinking diesel as well.

corvette

On the Volvos, I’m disappointed because I’d expect any ostensibly safety related feature to come standard. They were very late to adopt standard stability control. I’m not sure how they can realistically market themselves as a “safe” car company with a straight face anymore, when safety features are optional. I’m pretty disillusioned with the luxury makes in general at this point, after seeing that my parents’ Audi Q5 is missing features you can get on a Honda. 

That Mustang Michaell posted looks nice. Price seems pretty good, but I don’t follow that market. I’d have considered that instead of my 2011 GT if the performance were similar—not sure of the specs. Not sure I’d want two white cars, either. 

The 540i M-sport I had being the closest direct comparison, my Mustang has a somewhat uncomfortable seating position, idles rough on a cold start, and the auto transmission slams into gear at low speeds. I think the Mustang would make a good track rat, if I decided to get into that scene. 

qbrozen

au1994 said:

Is anyone else looking forward to seeing the Subaru Ascent in person? It looks pretty attractive to me in a traditional, boxy SUV way.  Interior on the upper models looks pretty nice too. I fear that the boxer motor might struggle to move it along though.

I'd have to pass for the name alone. My mom's (and now my brother's) Isuzu Ascender is pretty miserable, IMHO.

qbrozen

corvette said:

On the Volvos, I’m disappointed because I’d expect any ostensibly safety related feature to come standard. They were very late to adopt standard stability control. I’m not sure how they can realistically market themselves as a “safe” car company with a straight face anymore, when safety features are optional. I’m pretty disillusioned with the luxury makes in general at this point, after seeing that my parents’ Audi Q5 is missing features you can get on a Honda. 

That Mustang Michaell posted looks nice. Price seems pretty good, but I don’t follow that market. I’d have considered that instead of my 2011 GT if the performance were similar—not sure of the specs. Not sure I’d want two white cars, either. 

The 540i M-sport I had being the closest direct comparison, my Mustang has a somewhat uncomfortable seating position, idles rough on a cold start, and the auto transmission slams into gear at low speeds. I think the Mustang would make a good track rat, if I decided to get into that scene. 

I, for one, appreciate those things being optional. While some here may lament their absence in the standard equipment list, there are possibly even more who would complain if they were forced to pay for them in the base price.

nyccarguy

I learned a long time ago that you will always pay more for a European car with fewer creature features than a comparable Japanese competitor with more goodies.  Often we used to see people complaining in the forums (now they troll automakers' FB pages).

Take my Infiniti when it was the G37x.  It stickered for the low - mid $40K range while a comparably equipped E90 328xi stickered for the mid-upper $40K range.  Once you went for BMW's N54 or N55 300 hp Turbo motor you had a sticker price that was over $50K (now a 340i gets to the $60K mark).  

Now of course there was always the "I bought my car for $X below Euro Delivery plus put down the max amount of Security Deposits so my loaded to the gills 335i M Sport was cheaper to lease per month than my wife's Highlander" guy.  For the most part a BMW is more expensive than a comparably equipped Infiniti.

Having owned both, I can tell you that besides the fact that my Infiniti is MUCH faster than the 328xi and has more standard features, the 328xi was a much better handling more solid car.  That's where the extra money goes.  Suspension tuning, the famous "bank vault thunk" when you close the doors... a lot of the intangibles.

I traded my $32K sticker Acura TSX Tech for a $46K sticker 328xi (that didn't have a backup camera).

Sandman6472

Drove a Mustang convertible tonite and it moved very nicely but felt HEAVY, very heavy!! Seats were basic ones but fit me like a glove. Had over 45K on the clock...and showed it!!
Quick note, for anyone looking to drop 10 pounds within about 6 days, get the stomach flu like I had last week. Weighed myself on the same Publix scale I always use and last Monday, was 160. This Monday, 150. But to be honest, only had a small kids lasagna Sunday evening as was tired of the scrambled eggs and crackers plus mashed potatoes I could hold down since Friday night. Someone who hadn't seen me in awhile asked what happened and was I ill? Had a good laugh and just explained that a stomach flu will do that rapidly. Luckily, the worst is past.

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Got a quick question for the older guys in here. Had a lot of time to think in bed and decided I need to get my personal finances in order. Have a few bank accounts and credit cards but bank online mostly. These are not joint things, not a whole bunch actually, but for the kids when I do pass. Since I'm the closest with my oldest girl, decided to give her a list of the accounts and passwords and actually put her on the one checking account so she can write checks if I cannot. This stuff is in their three names as beneficiaries anyways but want someone to be able to distribute whatever is truly left at that time.
She said sure, a very mature young lady. Would ask my son, but he hardly ever comes down and just think she's the "one". Have any of you guys done something similar with any of your kids? The wife gets a good amount anyways and has plenty of her own, I just want to leave my kids something from me to them. I know when my grandmother and father did the same for me, it somehow gave me a bit of extra confidence knowing that I had a little extra put away, from them just to me. Hard to explain really, but it's just knowing that it's there makes one feel better. With their luck, I'll live to be 100 and spend the majority of it but in reality, they'll all get "a little something from dad" to have some fun with!!

The Sandman

stickguy

my wife and I have everything joint. But I am joint account with my father. We did that after my mother died.

Most likely would do the same with my son in the future, whenever one of us goes (with the remaining one of course being on the account!)

I wonder if we are abnormal, not having any separate accounts, or "his and hers" funds?

Mr_Shiftright

You could put all your accounts and passwords on a flash drive and give that to her--better than having it sitting around on a computer or piece of paper. Or just tell her where the flashdrive is in your house.

roadburner

stickguy said:

I know there are a bunch of Mustang GT snobs here, but this one sounds neat. Performance pack is supposed to drive nice with the lighter engine I think. and a stick.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2015-ford-mustang-2dr_fastback_ecoboost_premium-used-17385688.html

I'll just repeat a wise quote from the October 2017 issue of CAR:

"You buy a Mustang for that 5.0-litre V8. Don't even consider the weedy four-cylinder 2.3. That's like buying a Fender Stratocaster without any strings- all style and no sound. Rev it and dream of Days of Thunder at Daytona."

28firefighter

FWIW, we keep our finances separate (cars, bank accounts etc.) with the exception of the house and joint brokerage account. We transfer money around when we need to between each other, but generally allocate expenses evenly so that does not have to happen. My wife does not care, but I felt pretty strongly I wanted her to have her own independent credit history, banking etc, in the event something ever happened to me.

suydam

stickguy said:

my wife and I have everything joint. But I am joint account with my father. We did that after my mother died.

Most likely would do the same with my son in the future, whenever one of us goes (with the remaining one of course being on the account!)

I wonder if we are abnormal, not having any separate accounts, or "his and hers" funds?

We have everything together as well. Always have.

stickguy

so, sounds like my son's housemate is a Breld in training. during our chatting today about the RS3, he mentioned that the mate was thinking about flipping his BMW for a Miata. I'm a little fuzzy on the dates, but at some point about last summer he traded in a nice stick GTI that I don't think he had for more than a year, on a few year old 3 series (might be a CPO). Apparently today's thought about trading turned into a 2017 CPO Fiat 124 (loaded up with a stick) in a swap for the BMW.

At least his car habits worked for my son, since he scored a set of winter alloys and tires for cheap off of him, since the GTI wheels didn't fit on the BMW.

Same guy also last year bought an older (mid 90s?) MB S class barge. A "great bargain". Apparently that has had some issues lately (vacuum system?), big surprise there. Has been trying to sell that with little luck (I suggested trading it with the BMW for any amount they would give him). So now it is going to remain as the snow beater (in upstate NY near OldFarmer, you need one of those!) and driving the dogs around car. The old gal, has fallen far!

fintail

Those cars have vacuum-operated central locking, and I believe the climate control has vacuum components, and is also prone to issues. One little leak can be a chore to track down, and many people don't bother. With any issues, they are probably sale-proof - plenty of beaters out there, only the most pristine cars command any money or interest. Never going to be a real collectible, might as well use it if it is already marching down that road.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

I learned a long time ago that you will always pay more for a European car with fewer creature features than a comparable Japanese competitor with more goodies.  Often we used to see people complaining in the forums (now they troll automakers' FB pages).

Take my Infiniti when it was the G37x.  It stickered for the low - mid $40K range while a comparably equipped E90 328xi stickered for the mid-upper $40K range.  Once you went for BMW's N54 or N55 300 hp Turbo motor you had a sticker price that was over $50K (now a 340i gets to the $60K mark).  

Now of course there was always the "I bought my car for $X below Euro Delivery plus put down the max amount of Security Deposits so my loaded to the gills 335i M Sport was cheaper to lease per month than my wife's Highlander" guy.  For the most part a BMW is more expensive than a comparably equipped Infiniti.

Having owned both, I can tell you that besides the fact that my Infiniti is MUCH faster than the 328xi and has more standard features, the 328xi was a much better handling more solid car.  That's where the extra money goes.  Suspension tuning, the famous "bank vault thunk" when you close the doors... a lot of the intangibles.

I traded my $32K sticker Acura TSX Tech for a $46K sticker 328xi (that didn't have a backup camera).

My 2011 328 coupe stickered right at 40k and was oddly optioned. It had the premium package which got real leather and the moonroof. It had xenons which I think were std on the coupe but not sedan at that time. No heated  seats, no iDrive, no back up cam. Probably why I was able to score a great lease deal on it.

i too traded a TSX on it which had a few more options.  I think at this point dual power and heated seats should be std at the 40k point. Backup cam too but that’s a moot point with the mandate now.

its all relative. I remember thinking dual airbags should be std at the 30k mark years ago before that was mandatory. 

graphicguy

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

I know there are a bunch of Mustang GT snobs here, but this one sounds neat. Performance pack is supposed to drive nice with the lighter engine I think. and a stick.

http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2015-ford-mustang-2dr_fastback_ecoboost_premium-used-17385688.html

I'll just repeat a wise quote from the October 2017 issue of CAR:

"You buy a Mustang for that 5.0-litre V8. Don't even consider the weedy four-cylinder 2.3. That's like buying a Fender Stratocaster without any strings- all style and no sound. Rev it and dream of Days of Thunder at Daytona."

APPLAUSE!

roadburner

stickguy said:

so, sounds like my son's housemate is a Breld in training. during our chatting today about the RS3, he mentioned that the mate was thinking about flipping his BMW for a Miata. I'm a little fuzzy on the dates, but at some point about last summer he traded in a nice stick GTI that I don't think he had for more than a year, on a few year old 3 series (might be a CPO). Apparently today's thought about trading turned into a 2017 CPO Fiat 124 (loaded up with a stick) in a swap for the BMW.

At least his car habits worked for my son, since he scored a set of winter alloys and tires for cheap off of him, since the GTI wheels didn't fit on the BMW.

Same guy also last year bought an older (mid 90s?) MB S class barge. A "great bargain". Apparently that has had some issues lately (vacuum system?), big surprise there. Has been trying to sell that with little luck (I suggested trading it with the BMW for any amount they would give him). So now it is going to remain as the snow beater (in upstate NY near OldFarmer, you need one of those!) and driving the dogs around car. The old gal, has fallen far!

I have no sympathy for idjits who buy a car on impulse and make absolutely no effort to research potential issues and/or won't pay for a thorough PPI.

When I bought my M6 it was "as-is"- no CPOs back in 1992. At the time a new S38 engine listed for over $20,000, but I knew that going in. As it turned out, the most expensive failure was a power steering pump(all of $300). In retrospect my only regret was selling it.

Mr_Shiftright

If/when I buy my next Porsche, I'm definitely going to go the full Dieter & Hans half-day PPI for $400 bucks--of course, I'll wring the car out myself beforehand. $400 sounds like a lot, especially if you have to run 3-4 cars through the process, but on a Porsche you can burn up $1200 in repairs in the snap of the fingers--- water pump, or cracked coils---very common problems that you'd never notice without a PPI.

I think YouTube encourages that type of bad car-buying behavior that you mentioned--some kid bragging about how he got this Mercedes V-12 for only $7500!

Sure, and some people have also jumped out of airplanes without a parachute and actually survived. But what are the odds?

corvette

My situation is different since I’m not married and have never been married.  I keep a written password list. My parents could easily find it as well as my will, POA, and living will, if the need arose. 

They are beneficiaries on all my accounts and most of my life insurance. Kentucky assesses an inheritance tax on any accounts that are left to a non-relative (as well as certain relatives), but this doesn’t apply to life insurance. If I am dating someone longer than six months and feel so inclined, I name her to receive part of my life insurance. 

Sandman6472

We started out as joint on everything but when I had to ask for some of my paycheck, I knew it was time to stay silent no more. So now, I follow her lead on most things which she's having a rough time with. When her folks left it all to her, it was never discussed so when my grandmother and dad did the same on a smaller scale, again, I just followed her lead.
Once I started to take back some control, the boat was rocked and still, she's having some issues but heck, she'll get over it.
Luckily, we always showed the kids that living below one's means is the only way to go and they've all followed this mantra. They never come to us to borrow and when I inquire as to how things are, am always told o k. But I've told them we're here if needed and never hesitate to ask for help.

The Sandman

thebean

Everything joint for us. We started with nothing, so everything we have is community property. If we can't trust each other on everything, what is the use in being married. We have never argued once about money, because we are always on the same page. I'm afraid if one of us inherited some money and didn't want to share it with the other, divorce would be in order. That's just an odd proposition to me, but YMMV.

Sandman6472

Personally, I like knowing that I can buy what I want or give what I want because of what my family did for me, it was their choice in the first place. Think every marriage is different in the way they handle their finances, and that's o k. It's finally nice to have some of my own, because I grew up with so much more than I could've ever made at my postal career. But that was my choice and am happy with it.
I know how blessed I am and thank G-d daily. I do my best to make my wife and kids happy but I also have to be happy to!
Think we've beat this discussion to death!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing.
Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!!

The Sandman

28firefighter

sandman_6472 said:

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing. Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!! The Sandman

Glad you’re OK Sandman! Hang in there. 

ab348

sandman_6472 said:

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing.
Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!!

The Sandman

OUCH!

Condolences, Sandy. Hopefully it all works out.

stickguy

yes, priority is you being OK. Take time to rest. Insurance will sort itself out. At least the kid was cited as at fault.

Hope for even more undiscovered damage, to get over the total threshold (well, at least that is what I do). the no worries about getting it fixed.

carnaught

sandman_6472 said:

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing.
Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!!

The Sandman

Sorry about that; it sucks. It’s just a car and can be fixed, and the most important thing is that you’re okay. Were you in the car at the time? Will you need an attorney to go after his insurance?

Mr_Shiftright

I think if he runs it through his insurance, they'll take care of it and then subrogate--collect from the other guy's insurance.

carnaught

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think if he runs it through his insurance, they'll take care of it and then subrogate--collect from the other guy's insurance.

Interesting. Do you think his premiums would go up doing it this way?

xwesx

tifighter said:

xwesx said:

au1994 said:

Is anyone else looking forward to seeing the Subaru Ascent in person? It looks pretty attractive to me in a traditional, boxy SUV way.  Interior on the upper models looks pretty nice too. I fear that the boxer motor might struggle to move it along though.

I would be more interested if it had better packaging options. You have to spend quite a bit (e.g., higher trims/packaging) to get the full tow rating (5k #), and you cannot get it without the full suite of "safety" nannies.

Oh, and if there was a diesel option. All mid-size SUV and larger should have a diesel option!

You're a nice guy @xwesx so I'm sad to be the one to tell you that diesel SUV's are DOA in the US. And it sounds more and more like even Europe is rethinking diesel as well.

LOL Not at all! They're making a resurgence, and are likely to continue doing so as economy standards increase. Very unfortunate about VAG's deception, but I only think that was so significant because other makers had yet to delve into the arena in that era.

After having a couple of modern diesels, all I can say is that once you go diesel, it's tough to go back.

suydam

sandman_6472 said:

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing.
Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!!

The Sandman

Oh that’s really a shame. Be careful as you might not know how banged up you are for a couple of days. That sounds like quite a whack to do that much damage. Hope the car and you come through ok!

xwesx

carnaught said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think if he runs it through his insurance, they'll take care of it and then subrogate--collect from the other guy's insurance.

Interesting. Do you think his premiums would go up doing it this way?

It really depends on the insurance company. Some will raise rates for any crash, regardless of fault, others have a threshold, and still others take fault into consideration.

stickguy

Wes, my only experience with one was the LR I had in Ireland. Probably did 600 miles? maybe 800. I really liked the powertrain. Really did not notice it being a diesel (in any negative context). And it got really good MPG, for what it was.

fordfool

carnaught said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

I think if he runs it through his insurance, they'll take care of it and then subrogate--collect from the other guy's insurance.

Interesting. Do you think his premiums would go up doing it this way?

No, I don't think Sandman's rates will go up, but he will have to front the collision deductible
which will be reimbursed when the subrogation is collected by his insurance company.

Sandman6472

Daughter works at a law firm as their social media director so they've already told her what steps I need to take going forward. Safeco insurance lady was super nice on the phone and set up the fixing and even set up my rental through Enterprise, who they use and have paperless billing and all. Wanted to use Hertz but she said they already have a working relationship with Enterprise like Hertz has with State Farm. I get that and am letting them set it up, just seems easier and less for me to do. Get $50/day on a rental it seems so all should be well. Will try to get something with more protection around me if possible as I'm a bit shell shocked right now, a small tank will work!!!
Hoping for a Sportage size so I can slide in and out, am sore all over right now.

The Sandman :@

stickguy

hopefully you can get something that you may want to try out for the future.

fintail

Domestic makes only?

MB has dropped diesel here for all passenger vehicles, and I don't see it coming back anytime soon. It'll be interesting if others follow suit.

xwesx said:

LOL Not at all! They're making a resurgence, and are likely to continue doing so as economy standards increase. Very unfortunate about VAG's deception, but I only think that was so significant because other makers had yet to delve into the arena in that era.

After having a couple of modern diesels, all I can say is that once you go diesel, it's tough to go back.

roadburner

sandman_6472 said:

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing.
Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!!

The Sandman

If some idiot hit the Club Sport like that I can tell you that a police report or his insurance coverage would be the least of his worries...

nyccarguy

sandman_6472 said:

My car was hit in a parking lot about 10:30 today. Just got home from the hospital and am pretty banged up! Golf is outside but body shop I use saw it and said do not drive it as the suspension is damaged and the drivers side alloy wheel is pushed in at an angle. A kid backed out, floored it and hit me. Cope cited him for improper backing. Body shop told me his insurance is the WORST to deal with and to go through mine, so am doing that now. This sucks!!! Guy estimated a good $7K or higher to fix the damage. Hells bells!!! The Sandman

Ugh!  Sorry @sandman_6472. I know how well you take care of your car.  Get it fixed & trade it in.  Hang in there brother!

stickguy

Getting my CCB fix this week via my kids. Yesterday was the son's housemate trading his BMW for a Fiat. This afternoon, started getting texts from my daughter that her BF was at the dealer, working on a deal for a pick up (he currently drives a very ancient explorer that is falling apart. As in, it was the car that his parents brought him home from the hospital in).

the end result of that seems to be they could not hit #s on the CPO in stock, but could on a different unit on the way in. So tentative deal made on that one (holding it for him). so hopefully it works out. Looks pretty sharp at least. Just, big.

xwesx

fintail said:

Domestic makes only?

Yeah, domestics. The good news, though, is that these are much more "obtainable" vehicles for the general populace than something like MB. BMW still overs a range of diesel, LR has diesel on their Disco, and does the F-Pace have a diesel option?

Overall, I think there's more variety in diesel than ever before (in modern times).

Sandman6472

Will hopefully rent a small CUV as now thinking some more iron around me isn't such a bad idea! But will see what they have on their lot, even a small Canyon or Colorado could be interesting. All I know, gotta be safe and with some more nannies to help me out more!!
Shame here is that I tend to baby my vehicles and always have wax on it and wash them frequently. All maintenance up to date and believe in preventive stuff to keep ahead of the curve.

The Sandman :@