Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

xwesx said:

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).

I don't know - VW/Audi and MB had offered a lot of choices previously. Other than Jaguar's new offerings, seems like there's really nothing new to replace the models no longer offered with a diesel.

I agree with you on the appeal though - it's a definitely draw for me with the Land Rover Discovery.

I was at an Audi dealer this afternoon, and they had a new 2015 Q7 TDI in the showroom. They're still really sharp on the outside, but the interior is pretty dated, particularly compared to the 2018 Q7 sitting next to it. Having said that, it was nice looking.

suydam

sandman_6472 said:

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 :@

Right after an accident is not the time to make major decisions.

jpp75

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.

I've put 1,000 miles on my new TDI and completely agree. The combination of power and great MPG can't be beat in this type of vehicle. My commute is 23 miles one way and it's easy to get the trip computer over 30 -31 on the drive.

jpp75

@sandman_6472 Sorry to hear about the accident but glad you are OK even if a bit banged up. Take your time healing, the car will work itself out.

fintail

The GM products may be mass market, but the Germans and Jag/LR aren't mainstream priced vehicles, at least when new. Somehow, I have a bad feeling about demand keeping the segment viable, especially if the EU tries some kind of weird crackdown and it spreads, or they just drop it in favor of hybrids.

MB and VW really got the ball rolling again here around 15 years ago - I think they will be what keeps it going. It's just me wishing MB would bring some back, especially a diesel C and/or E wagon.

xwesx said:

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).

fintail

Internet tough guys

If someone hit my old car, I would mourn and see what could be done to fix it - and be glad it has an agreed value policy, as I think a normal carrier would value it at about $50. If the modern car was hit, I might not mourn as much being a lease, but wouldn't want the car written off over a dented fender either.

roadburner said:

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...

fintail

Good that you don't seem to be injured - those low speed shunts can really tweak people.

Your rental will be....an Expedition

sandman_6472 said:

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 :@

Michaell

Lunch plans tomorrow with @breld (and spouse) and @jpp5862 . Gonna talk @breld off the ledge, or at least provide him some creative feedback on the current fixation (Q7? XC90? Discovery Td6?).

@sandman_6472 - sorry to hear about your shunt. When you first described it, I thought you were on the highway or something. Amazing that you had so much damage in a parking lot.

breld

Talk me off the ledge?

Shoot - I might be busy for lunch now.

breld

@sandman_6472 - I share the sentiments already expressed here. Glad you’re feeling okay (relatively). Best of luck with the process of getting everything right.

Sandman6472

Michael, was also surprised at the amount of damage but he did floor it and can still hear the bang in my ears when we made contact.
Woke up and my upper spine is where I hurt the most right now. Couldn't do the CAT scan yesterday and thinking that was a mistake. Just sitting here after a hot shower, it hurts to move my head at all. Might consider getting that scan after all. I can not do anything but an open MRI anymore due to intense anxiety of being in any enclosure. Has only gotten worse over the years and mentally yesterday, I was just not up to it. Even the tech said next time, take something to relax me so I just close my eyes the whole time.
Still have a few days to see if I heal, am thinking that driving around Miami traffic today might not be in my best interest. Should probably lay low and stay home. Need to drop off the Golf at 10 and then pick up my rental. Best to come home methinks.

The Sandman :@

rayainsw

sandman_6472 - sorry to hear you were hit.
Glad it was no worse...
- Ray
Had this happen a couple of times - traumatic !

Sandman6472

Thanks for the good wishes folks, I know we all feel each others pain and it helps to not feel so alone. Feeling like I went ten rounds in the ring right now and probably best to just lay low today and go back in tomorrow. Hate to drive down there and then have to come home earlier than I want.
Been a full moon here the last few nights so not surprised about this new situation. But things will work out, eventually. And I get to drive something different! Trying to see my cup as half full!!

The Sandman

ab348

Michaell said:

Lunch plans tomorrow with @breld (and spouse) and @jpp5862 . Gonna talk @breld off the ledge, or at least provide him some creative feedback on the current fixation (Q7? XC90? Discovery Td6?).

Why do you want to make @breld homeless? He LIVES on that ledge.

stickguy

Sandy' get scanned ASAP. Need documented if something is seriously wrong.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Sandy' get scanned ASAP. Need documented if something is seriously wrong.

+1. Please, do not wait

corvette

Yes, sorry to hear about that, sandy! Please get checked out. 

nyccarguy

@Mr_Shiftright

What year Boxsters & Caymans did the IMS start grenading?

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=465918622&zip=10459&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=10459&sellerTypes=p&listingTypes=used%2Ccertified&startYear=1981&sortBy=derivedpriceASC&incremental=all&firstRecord=25&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=CAYMAN%2CBOXSTE&makeCodeList=POR&searchRadius=200&sellerTypes=p&listingTypes=used,certified&startYear=1981&numRecords=25&firstRecord=25&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=CAYMAN,BOXSTE&makeCodeList=POR&searchRadius=200&makeCode1=POR&modelCode1=CAYMAN

Mr_Shiftright

There you go. Nice colors, reasonable starting price. What kind of California fool would spend $17K for a shabby black one with torn seats and holes in the bumper?

The IMS issue starts from Day One on 996 and Boxster/Cayman and pretty much runs up through 2008. Interestingly, the lower the mileage, the higher the risk--but the Grim Reaper can strike anyone at any time.

ronsteve

The bug is there months ahead of time... won't get to punch until late in the year when the wife's Jetta is paid off, but last month's Louisville (dealers) Auto Show had some good test drive opportunities, so the process of narrowing the field has started.

Drove an Edge, a Murano, and an Escape at the Auto Show. Crossed off the Edge, wonder if the Escape has the cargo footprint to do what I need.

Last week I had the Jetta in for service, and took the time to test drive an Alltrack, and pop nextdoor to the Subie dealer and drive an Outback. Same questions about the Alltrack as the Escape, not to mention bigger questions that seem to keep emerging about VW's corporate ethics.

I've never been a fan of CVTs, but it seems the top two early contenders are CVTs. Wonder what else should be on the shopping list, that might bump its way into final contention? Test drives have all been new, but 2-3 year old pre-owned (possibly CPO) is a more likely scenario...

Jetta isn't getting traded... trying to replace an '06 V70 after 11+ years of good service. I might end up holding on to hit 200K (likely spring of '19)

28firefighter

Volvo incentives on the 2018 S90 T6 Momentum were released - total of $7250 in the Pacific Northwest. That's on top of the $3000 A-Plan rebate (if your employer qualifies for it). So, $10,250 total.

Haven't seen what the MF and residual is yet, but if someone qualified for A-Plan and they look anything like the rates for last month, could be a deal to be had in the mid 300s with security deposit for a car with a 61k list...

Lease hacking is really too much fun - I couldn't even fit an S90 in my garage if I wanted to.

fintail

That's pretty amazing. I don't mind the car, not in wonderment over it, but a deal like that would be hard to pass up, if it was nicely equipped.

It'll be fun to see what deals are like in another 14 or so months, when my lease is up - or even sooner with a pull-ahead. I've been thinking about it a bit.

28firefighter

fintail said:

That's pretty amazing. I don't mind the car, not in wonderment over it, but a deal like that would be hard to pass up, if it was nicely equipped.

It'll be fun to see what deals are like in another 14 or so months, when my lease is up - or even sooner with a pull-ahead. I've been thinking about it a bit.

Let's go lease hacking when you're getting closer. I need to live vicariously.

fintail

If only G-Wagens and AMG cars leased better

I am on my 3rd leased E-class (2 diesel, 1 gas) - I think I have had fair deals, and the cars have been fine, but I might want more variety now.

28firefighter said:

Let's go lease hacking when you're getting closer. I need to live vicariously.

28firefighter

The best E deal I've seen (which wasn't local) was a former loaner 2017 E300 4Matic with P1, Burmester and a few other things - MSRP was 61k - Lease was MSDs at signing and first month, 24 month lease, $304/month after tax. That did include fleet. Assuming they don't change the loaner lease program dramatically, my guess is that should be fairly easy to replicate with a bit of effort.

tifighter

Nice deal.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

The best E deal I've seen (which wasn't local) was a former loaner 2017 E300 4Matic with P1, Burmester and a few other things - MSRP was 61k - Lease was MSDs at signing and first month, 24 month lease, $304/month after tax. That did include fleet. Assuming they don't change the loaner lease program dramatically, my guess is that should be fairly easy to replicate with a bit of effort.

Yikes, that's an amazing deal. We don't have the fleet information for MB, however.

28firefighter

Publicly available (though not updated for March yet):

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/fleet_program/fep_overview

Tricky part is that it generally takes the place of whatever incentives MB has running rather than stacking. So if the fleet incentive is $2500 and the regular incentive is $2000, you end up with a total savings of $2500 rather $4500.

stickguy

28, if you work east coast too, you can help me look in the June/July timeframe!

corvette

28firefighter said:

Lease hacking is really too much fun - I couldn't even fit an S90 in my garage if I wanted to.

I could... *scratches chin* I don’t think I’d be happy with it as a Mustang replacement, though, unless it drives like a 550i. I don’t get an A-plan discount, though. 

nyccarguy

I saw a nice lookin VW Alltrak today.  That would be a very cool vehicle with the 2.0L Turbo from the GTI.

28firefighter

@stickguy I can work anywhere. Your location is actually one of the best. 

@corvette - you won’t be happy. T6 is powerful but not like a 550. 

stickguy

what exactly is that? Just a website of people posting great lease deals?

28firefighter

Not quite. I mean kind of. Some brokers post as do some dealers who have inventory to move. It’s more like a coaching forum - the vast majority of it is people asking for help on deals they have in progress. 

Not surprisingly a lot of it is focused on BMW and MBs because they lease well and can be bargained down to low payments, but also lots of GM and Volvo. 

stickguy

If we had this discussion last October, I would probably be driving a leased S60 now. My guess, in July, there will be some more deals to be had.

Sandman6472

Golf went to collision shop this morning. Enterprise put me into a Fusion hybrid but wayyyyy too big, wouldn't even fit on the wife's side of the garage. Called back in afternoon and came home with a '17 Sentra but no XM connection!! They did have a BMW going out this morning and a GLA 250 in the afternoon, both I could be eligible for. Left my name and said if the GLA is rentable tomorrow, call me and I'll swap out for it. Could be a perfect way to get an extended test drive methinks!! The BMW was a 328i coupe but that could do also. But, will hold out for the GLA.
I know one thing, miss my Golf and it's a better d d than this Sentra in my garage. Let's just hope the GLA comes through for me...hell, I deserve it after the past few weeks I've gone through!!

The Sandman :@

Sandman6472

Will go for the scan if by Saturday I'm still feeling this way. Oldest who works at the law firm was told what I need to do if I go down that route. As of now, left arm and wrist hurting, bump on my head still there and tender to touch and my upper back and shoulders are hurting. Clock is ticking but need to be positively sure if I do pursue this as we are a no fault state and cover our own PIP.

The Sandman :@

28firefighter

stickguy said:

If we had this discussion last October, I would probably be driving a leased S60 now. My guess, in July, there will be some more deals to be had.

When you’re ready I can help you. Or at least point you in the right direction. 

pensfan83

I've realized if I want to score of those solid lease deals I'll need to be open to looking in DC or Northern Jersey. I would get laughed out of every Mercedes or BMW dealer in Pittsburgh if I went in looking for deals like you and I have seen @28firefighter.

fintail

I get fleet, so that's something. I want at least P2 though, if I got another E, I want the widescreen gauges - no point for me spending this money if I am not going to get something cool. There won't be any P2 loaners, I suspect. That's a heck of a deal though.

28firefighter said:

The best E deal I've seen (which wasn't local) was a former loaner 2017 E300 4Matic with P1, Burmester and a few other things - MSRP was 61k - Lease was MSDs at signing and first month, 24 month lease, $304/month after tax. That did include fleet. Assuming they don't change the loaner lease program dramatically, my guess is that should be fairly easy to replicate with a bit of effort.

28firefighter

fintail said:

I get fleet, so that's something. I want at least P2 though, if I got another E, I want the widescreen gauges - no point for me spending this money if I am not going to get something cool. There won't be any P2 loaners, I suspect. That's a heck of a deal though.

The best E deal I've seen (which wasn't local) was a former loaner 2017 E300 4Matic with P1, Burmester and a few other things - MSRP was 61k - Lease was MSDs at signing and first month, 24 month lease, $304/month after tax. That did include fleet. Assuming they don't change the loaner lease program dramatically, my guess is that should be fairly easy to replicate with a bit of effort.

They exist. Just have to broaden the search. 

fintail

Is there a MBUSA search tool for these cars? All I know is the CPO search.

28firefighter said:

They exist. Just have to broaden the search. 

28firefighter

fintail said:

Is there a MBUSA search tool for these cars? All I know is the CPO search.

They exist. Just have to broaden the search. 

 No. Specifically because these cars aren’t CPO.  If you see a late model MB CPO it can’t be leased. 

This “process” is about to let you all into a slice of my little universe of crazy...

For me, I generally used AutoTrader or Cargurus to search for Used 2017 MB C300 4Matic with less than 10,000 miles. 10,000 miles is the threshold for leasing former loaners.

From there it’s sifting through to find cars discounted enough off the bat to be worth spending time on AND has the options you want. Sometimes I could only figure out options based on pictures and using Edmunds to calculate MSRP. If the advertised discount was 18-20% off MSRP, it was worth pursuing. 

Once you find that, you have to look at the CarFax. Each state is different how they report loaners - in WA they show as “dealer took title while in inventory.”  Some states show as corporate fleet. 

If a car survived that, I would contact the dealer and have them send me the MSRP officially and start doing the dance with them.

I had a TON of false starts and was doing a similar dance (with a modified approach) on the BMW side at the same time. 

tbirdmarco

Happy Friday  all

kyfdx

@28firefighter Speaking of hacking leases... the residual for the 2017 C-Class went up by 6% for March..

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

@28firefighter Speaking of hacking leases... the residual for the 2017 C-Class went up by 6% for March..

Is there a corresponding bump in money factor?

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

@28firefighter Speaking of hacking leases... the residual for the 2017 C-Class went up by 6% for March..

Is there a corresponding bump in money factor?

Just slightly higher

fintail

Ha, that sounds like some work indeed. Maybe you should start a car-finding service - a few are out there, but I don't know if any seek wacky lease deals, or if a traditional broker does similar footwork. A VIN decoder might help with options too, as cars are so often mis-described.

I have noticed the Bellevue dealer often has some low mileage cars on offer, these must be the ones. For Es though, the option load is modest. I remember a couple months ago they had a car in a color combo I like (Diamond Silver on beige), but it wasn't very loaded. I am somewhat picky about color and options, the latter trumping the former, but I don't know if I have sanity enough for a dark colored car. Even my darkish blue car drives me nuts keeping it clean.

28firefighter said:

 No. Specifically because these cars aren’t CPO.  If you see a late model MB CPO it can’t be leased. 

This “process” is about to let you all into a slice of my little universe of crazy...

For me, I generally used AutoTrader or Cargurus to search for Used 2017 MB C300 4Matic with less than 10,000 miles. 10,000 miles is the threshold for leasing former loaners.

From there it’s sifting through to find cars discounted enough off the bat to be worth spending time on AND has the options you want. Sometimes I could only figure out options based on pictures and using Edmunds to calculate MSRP. If the advertised discount was 18-20% off MSRP, it was worth pursuing. 

Once you find that, you have to look at the CarFax. Each state is different how they report loaners - in WA they show as “dealer took title while in inventory.”  Some states show as corporate fleet. 

If a car survived that, I would contact the dealer and have them send me the MSRP officially and start doing the dance with them.

I had a TON of false starts and was doing a similar dance (with a modified approach) on the BMW side at the same time. 

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

kyfdx said:

@28firefighter Speaking of hacking leases... the residual for the 2017 C-Class went up by 6% for March..

Is there a corresponding bump in money factor?

On 36 or 24 month leases? Or both?

My residual for 24/10 was 66% before adjustment. That would make it 72%, which is insane. But, I suspect it is to blow out the remaining 2017 inventory. There isn’t a ton left that aren’t stripped. 

28firefighter

I just looked in the other thread - if the residual had been 70% when I leased, my deal would have been $100/month less. Holy moly.