Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

xwesx

andres3 said:

Speaking of illness, anyone ever get awful general body aches, muscle and joint soreness, but not with the other flu-like symptoms (other than a headache and maybe some chills), and then it goes away after feeling awful for about 20 hours?

I'm thankful it only lasted a day, but man it was bad the night of.

Very likely food poisoning. Only sometimes does that actually cause issues with your guts (where you notice it)! Thankfully, though, it also usually passes quickly.

28firefighter

Guaranteed that I picked this up from Sam’s school. 

The kicker is I was just getting back up to weight after last summer’s ordeal. I’m down about 8 lbs in 3 days. 

I felt well enough to run down to the Saab shop and get the Viggen before the weekend. The tech told me he put 20 miles on it to check for leaks and said it was pulling way better. To me, it feels like a totally different car - quieter, way more boost, and much smoother clutch engagement. That’s just after a 10 minute drive home. Very pleased with how that worked out. 

28firefighter

@pensfan83 did the Integra seller get back to you?

sda

28firefighter said:

Guaranteed that I picked this up from Sam’s school. 

The kicker is I was just getting back up to weight after last summer’s ordeal. I’m down about 8 lbs in 3 days. 

I felt well enough to run down to the Saab shop and get the Viggen before the weekend. The tech told me he put 20 miles on it to check for leaks and said it was pulling way better. To me, it feels like a totally different car - quieter, way more boost, and much smoother clutch engagement. That’s just after a 10 minute drive home. Very pleased with how that worked out. 

Glad you're feeling better. Rest and take care of yourself. Later we look forward to a detailed review of your refreshed Viggen!

Mr_Shiftright

Speaking of which--what did I see today but a clean gold-color Saab convertible with a "For Sale" sign on it and a price of $3500. It was in front of a local repair shop (not a good sign, I know).

Anyway, I got the key, opened the door, smelled 20 years of cigarette smoke, dog and mildew, closed the door, and brought the key back.

Sure was clean on the outside though.

Sandman6472

28, what about the Mercedes didn't your wife like? Since it was only a lease, it would've been gone sooner than later. Did she ever drive it or was there another reason she wanted it gone? Here, we each get what we want, and can afford, without much input from the other. My wife has still never driven my Golf, very similar to her Audi A3 so no learning curve, and I only use hers when she needs it filled up or detailed. When we go out, she usually drives which is fine by me especially now when I'm a bit too dizzy to drive. Just curious here.
A visiting doctor from the hospital and her assistant came by today to see how I was and to see about getting me physical therapy added to the occupational therapy. I mentioned being dizzy, a lot, and she wrote it all down and will talk to my new regular doctor about treating it. I've been using my pain doctor as my general doctor since 2005 as I've never needed a general doctor till now. Hopefully they'll know what to do about "vertigo" as she called it and I can get back to normal. Drove a little bit today in the development and think I did pretty good. Will try more tomorrow and see how it goes. I have doctor appointments next Thursday and Friday and no one can take me so I'm gonna have to get behind the wheel and just do it. Should be fine but still, hoping the dizziness disapates a bit before then.
We both need to get better 28, as your too young for all this and I don't have room in my life for anymore sickness. Going forward, think we'll both be just o k!!! I'm still half full here and takes a lot more than this to bring me down. Anyways, after being in the hospital for 3 weeks, never want to return!!

The Sandman

stickguy

cross posting from RWTIV.

speaking of the new Jetta, we stopped and checked them out today. Daughter drove it. I rode in the back (in case of attack?).

first impression, it looks like a Jetta, at least from the nose, but much different from the side. Looks a lot bigger (only 3" at most though in length really). Much more stylish looking. I liked it though, lots of style lines.

interior is a big upgrade. Especially the tech features. Very roomy. Rode nice. Daughter said it drove better than her 2015. Not as fast as the Elantra, but moved along fine. Probably comparable to the 1.8t sport.

very well equipped. We drove an R line. Could get by with an SE, but she liked the 2 tone seats. Also comes with 17" wheels, and an electronic LSD. Comes with LED headlights, auto Climate, heated seats, BLI/cross path, auto braking, car play, pano moonroof, keyless entry/go, and some other stuff that slips my mind. But has everything you really need.

I wanted to get home (we were down in Delaware), and are not going to buy for about 3 months, so I did not bother to drive it but will at some point to see how it drives.

overall though, an impressive car.

Sandman6472

Not sure I'd like the A3 like the wife has but would want a 2016 or later since they have the push button start and the usb/aux ports. New ones are a bit pricey but a CPO unit could work. Also, with them being so close to the house, could work. They usually seem to have a nice selection of CPO units out front so an idea. Could always just take over the wife's as I know the history but not sure I want to give up those couple new things ours doesn't have. Also, don't want to go much over my trade-in plus $20K. A new Corolla or Civic could also work but both a bit boring to be honest unless, I can get Sirius/XM which seems to be the common thread here. I'll drive almost anything as long as I can get my Sirius/XM. Shame both the Accord and Camry are both way too big since love the way they both drive and their dash's and interiors are just about perfect. But their size just is way out there since I'm the sole occupant of the vehicle 90% of the time. I need small like the Mini Cooper, which could work depending on how it rides. Right now, I'd say my Golf is the perfect compromise with it's 17" rims/tires though I'd like a larger sidewall, from a size 55 and up.
Luckily I'm in no hurray to do anything right now and can take my time. Looking like it'll be a 2019 model no matter what I do as need to get my health back completely and pay off any bills that my insurance won't pay before we buy anything else. We've put a moratorium on any needless expenditures until all the medical is paid for. So if that means waiting another year, or two, than I'll do it though I won't be too happy doing it. Would hate to find the perfect vehicle and have to say no but this might be the situation where I don't pay cash upfront but take out a car note to get what I want. We never take out a loan because we figure only but it if you can pay it all off upfront but situations change, and I can change also but it would have to be on something that checks all the boxes and something I just gotta have right now.
So will wait and see what happens. Will start test driving again around July 4th as by then my body should be all healed and I have all my strength back. And with July 4th come sales I hope, good sales on some vehicles I could actually want to own!!

The Sandman

stickguy

so, after looking at the new Jetta and going over the options, looks like the plan is for the Princess to just lease out a 2019 Jetta. She really liked it, and would be a good fit for her. Assuming can get a good enough deal in a few months. More goodies than my car, and a lot simpler I think. Plus, we can get quite a few incentives (recent college grad, VW partner program from her employer, and saving the turn in fee from the current lease).

The current current working plan is she can lease it and at the end, buy it out (assuming the car is reliable and still fits her needs). The 6 year warranty makes that a whole lot more logical to do.

realistically, the Jetta probably works better for her too. No skinny tires to trash (she has an affinity for hitting potholes). And less maintenance intensive (I know that won't be on the top of her to do list!)

Fine with me. The pass along the Elantra plan was going to be more complicated anyway, so just keeping it makes life easier. Plus I like it for now. Selling it to her would have involved a serious "family" discount anyway, so if I really want something different, I can just sell/trade it and move on!

Already got the eyeroll from the wife when I told her I would be explaining all the alternative plan options soon. Most likely though, nothing happens for a while. Maybe.

stickguy

got to exercise the Elantra today. Was merging onto the highway this AM, with lots of traffic, and I ended up on the ramp just ahead of a car in the right lane. So either had to let him by, or get in front. So I goosed the gas. Man that thing responded quick. dropped a gear or 2, and shot up to about 6K RPMs (very smoothly too) and just blew out in front. Even the daughter was impressed!

28firefighter

@sandman_6472 - the bottom line was the MB was too flashy for us in a way we’d never experienced. Her co-workers and some friends called it The Godfather Mobile. A bit extreme, but it started bothering her. I didn’t entirely disagree, it just didn’t bother me.  Part of my CCBA habit means she has to be onboard with my choices. She was not onboard with the MB, I kind of just jumped on it, and that was a mistake. Luckily I am flipping it with zero financial loss. 

For what it’s worth, she loves the Saab - the high performance crapcan. 

Be well, Sandy - this too, shall pass. 

Sandman6472

Stick,
Sounds like enough grunt under the hood for most. When I was in the showroom awhile back, saw they had an Elantra Special Edition unit sitting there in red over grey. Looked to have special alloys also plus a little fancier seating material. At least it looked this way to me. The price was pretty low, in the low $21K range, so doubt it had any of the safety nannies that are out there.
Your vehicle sounds like something I'd like also in a sedan version. You have the "Sport" I think I saw. Assuming the "GT hatch" is basically your vehicle but in a 5 door configuration. You seem to like it but don't remember the ballpark figure you paid. When you get a moment, please look at your sticker as I know you still have it and kind of give me some ballpark figures if possible. Since I'll be off through the 10th of June, might go test drive a few vehicles once I feel a bit a bit better. It's coming down to the Hyundai/Kia cousins, the VW Golf and Jetta and might stop by CarMax and test a 2016 Lexus 200GT H, the original vehicle I started looking at back in 2013. Those still have a calling to me and I felt pretty comfortable in the few I drove. There was some unexplained noise while accelerating that maybe was there, maybe not but think the wife heard it to. Those are no longer being made but if I could find a late 2016 model with plenty of warranty left, with low miles and no noises, might want to check it out as it's a Lexus, I mean Toyota underneath and we've enjoyed all our Toyota's and would go back for the right vehicle.
Like the Corolla size and would love it if the new Corolla coming out would just be a shrunken 2019 Camry with the same exterior and interior, just 3/4 size. Now that, I could do. I always ask for the new Camry's at work if there are any to be moved as Toyota really did a great job here. Think I could be happy in one and love that they're "cheap to keep" also. Have decided I want no more drama in my life, no more car accidents, no more stress and especially, no more hospital stays!! I want simple and calm going forward, a total stress free environment if you will. Not even letting the fact that my oldest and her fiance are building a new house about 2.5 hours away. we just won't see them that much but hey, we hardly see them now as we're all so busy.
I just want a calm life going forward so I've got some work cut out to achieve this goal but I do know it's easily attainable!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Found out earlier today that our oldest is moving home in August because their lease is up and to go moth to month is almost double which makes zero sense. Her room is empty so she'll come here and her fiance will move back to his folks place for the month and a half, 2 month time frame until their house is completed. They'll put their stuff into storage and go from their. We did the same thing in 1987 but the 3 weeks turned into 3 months and it's just her, with us it was us, two kids under two and another due in October. The beginning of April turned out to be the beginning of July with the 6.5 of us in my in-laws one bedroom convertible unit. Talk about crowded, two cribs in the living room, they gave us their bedroom since it was in the front of the unit and I left at 6 am each morning for work. It was the kindest thing anyone had ever done for me but they were good folks, the nicest folks you'd ever meet. My folks who could've afforded to help us did nothing which was their m o on all things after we married.
So, history is repeating itself a bit but we're happy to do it. Won't be for that long and maybe their house will be done sooner. She works five days a week so she'll be gone all day so on Tuesdays and Thursdays only the wife will be working from here so I can still come and go as I please. Our food bills will go up a bit but we're happy to help out as that's what families do.

The Sandman

stickguy

I ended up getting the 4 door sedan version of the elantra. I did want the 5 door hatch GT, but there was a major price differential at the time. The GT did have some extra features though to be fair. I just did not want to go that expensive. And yes, it has plenty of grunt. Very responsive too.

With discounts, I ended up paying $18,950ish for it (plus tax and DMV). That included $1,000 for being an Uber driver. So without that, just about $20K (MSRP was ~$24,200).

The one feature I really miss from the GT is the power drivers seat. The seat is the same, and very comfortable, but just does not have enough front cushion tilt. I ended up using a pillow under my right upper leg to support it. Works, but not ideal. I also did not spend an extra $2k on the premium package (the upgraded stereo would be nice from that).

it does, however, have an amazingly good combo of performance and MPG (and runs on RUG). And of course, important at the time, it was cheap!

Sandman6472

Well, that GT hatch seems perfect for me as I do want the power front drivers seat, a must for my bad spine. And the better stereo, another must I want to have and assuming it has Apple CarPlay plus Sirius/XM if I want to redo my subscription which most likely will do for another year. Will definitely give it a test drive and go from there. I know it's about the same size as my Golf so no issues there. Just need to see what makes it different than the Kona or the Kia Niro. And I don't mind any Hyundai or Kia product as the wife wants me to get the Forte since that was her top choice before I threw the A3 into the mix which she eventually got though she paid substantially more. She finally got new sneakers when I was in the hospital, replaced 3 of what she already had and now, she's quite happy. Except her battery dies...again, the Friday before I came home. They came to the house, jumped her and Audi put her 3rd battery in. Gotta feeling the next one will be on her dime as she only has a four year bumper to bumper warranty.

The Sandman

stickguy

Think of the Kona as a jacked up GT. like an Imprezza vs. SV Crosstrek maybe. Same basic powertrain.

The Niro is a hybrid. Great MPG, but much, much slower.

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

Been hit with a case of Norovirus. Down for the count for a bit. 

Get better soon!

Ditto!!!

Sandman6472

Slow just ain't gonna go to be honest. Want something that can scoot when needed to be honest especially with the traffic down here on I-75 and I-95. I need to be able to hit the accelerator and move. That's why I like the "S" mode in my auto tranny, hit the gas and it kicks into a lower gear and I'm gone. That's a must in any vehicle for me down here no matter what. And with the kids moving up to Orlando come September, think we'll be making a few trips up there a year and I like having my vehicle there. Even if I want to go up for the day or overnight alone, want enough power under my hood. Obviously, the Kona and Elantra GT are two logical candidates for my next ride. And looking like it's either gonna be a 2019 or 2020 model unless I find something that needs to be purchased asap. But I know deep down, i won't hear the end of it if I purchase too soon so giving myself until all the hospital bills are paid off. And every day it seems like I'm getting something from some doctor or something from my health insurance telling me they'll pay a small amount and I owe that big amount in red at the bottom. Just have to be patient going forward and pay those before I decide on anything fun for me. Luckily the Golf is driving o k and with only 40500 on the clock, have many good miles left. Tires still look brand new with almost 9K on them but I did buy pretty good tires in the first place and maybe new front brakes might be due within 20K miles or so./ Do synthetic all changes every 8K to 9K miles even though it calls for 10K intervals. Might even go down to 7.5K mile intervals going forward as it's cheap insurance for the turbo 1.8T four under the hood. A good engine that pulls hard and has "S" for those times I need to get off the line quickly like when getting on the Sawgrass Expressway or I-75 as folks have no mercy here and will run you off the road if going too slow. Miami's even worse and hardly ever drive my vehicle down there, only use a Hertz vehicle.

The Sandman

benjaminh

stickguy: what's your average mpg on your Elantra?

qbrozen

Sitting at the Subaru dealer with my aunt. Wound up moving her into another Forester lease. Deal is pretty good. 2018 2.5i with MSRP of $24,5xx, selling price of $22,3xx. 36 mos, $218/mo with $2k OTD. Works out to roughly 1.1% of MSRP if was a true $0 down. 

nyccarguy

Pilot loaded up for a beach/bike weekend.

tjc78

nyccarguy said:

Pilot loaded up for a beach/bike weekend.

So ready for the shore ... Father’s Day weekend can’t come soon enough! (Friday thru Monday trip) 

stickguy

benjaminh said:

stickguy: what's your average mpg on your Elantra?

Over 30. And that is with quite a bit of local driving. I did a run from south Jersey to Delaware Friday, so a fair amount of highway mixed in with local stop/go and averaged about 34.5 IIRC. I will pull high 30s on a straight highway run, and one trip, until I ran into a massive traffic jam, was sitting at about 42.

I don't keep exact track, but I think that since I have had it, I am probably averaging 32 overall.

tjc78

It’s all in the driver ... my Elantra which of course is the wimpy model .. averages 29.5. I’m hard on that little car.  

stickguy

speaking of the Elantra, my wife might have caused herself some problems (or making, it was a sneaky plan!) We went out this AM, and for some reason she was adjusting the passenger seat. And made a comment along the lines of "you need a car with a power seat over here". And a comment that the head rest was too far forward and hitting her head wrong. This was the first time though she ever complained (usually when I ask, she says it is fine).

So either she was cranky at 7 this AM, or she really expected the car was going to the kid so it wasn't worth thinking about. But now that I plan to keep it (for now!) it is fair game to complain.

We shall see. Probably would have been better if the first one I looked at (a left over 2017) to lease had worked out. Would have forced me to keep it a while but never become a permanent fixture.

Michaell

My rental for the weekend in CA

ab348

I'd be interested in your review of that 'Nox. My niece has one of the new models and complains she cannot find a comfortable driving position. I suspect she does not understand how to adjust everything (some of the stories from her and her husband about how they are defeated by normal household goods are mind-boggling).

suydam

Me too. It looks like a great vehicle.

28firefighter

Michaell said:

My rental for the weekend in CA

No A4 this trip? Looks nice!

corvette

Meh? They are pretty expensive if you option them up.

28firefighter

corvette said:

Meh? They are pretty expensive if you option them up.

Yes. But a great value in base model. 

stickguy

but who wants a stripped base model? That is no fun.

28firefighter

But that’s the thing. Even in base it comes well equipped. HIDs, CarPlay etc. 

corvette

IDK. I'd want the larger engine, AWD, etc...

Michaell

It's an LT AWD. Not sure which engine, but I suspect the 2.5. Decently equipped - XM, CarPlay, power seats. Button to switch on AWD - that is unique, to me. Ride is comfy, but after 90 minutes I too was having comfort issues. I'll play around with the seats to see if I can make it better.

All in all, a decent car.

May be helping a couple family members with a purchase this weekend. We will see

corvette

My Murano had an "AWD lock" button that was supposed to make it more aggressive about engaging the rear wheels. I don't think I ever used it, or ever drove it in more than a light dusting of snow, for that matter. You couldn't turn the AWD on or off completely.

Looks like the base engine is a 1.5 liter turbo. And HIDs aren't standard on the base model, just the LT trim and above.

andres3

xwesx said:

andres3 said:

Speaking of illness, anyone ever get awful general body aches, muscle and joint soreness, but not with the other flu-like symptoms (other than a headache and maybe some chills), and then it goes away after feeling awful for about 20 hours?

I'm thankful it only lasted a day, but man it was bad the night of.

Very likely food poisoning. Only sometimes does that actually cause issues with your guts (where you notice it)! Thankfully, though, it also usually passes quickly.

I think you are right with your diagnosis Dr. Xwesx. How much do I owe you?

Not having stomach/digestive/hunger issues made me discount food poisoning, but that was the only logical thing I could come up with before you mentioned it. Now that you mentioned it was likely, I'm solidified on that.

andres3

tjc78 said:

It’s all in the driver ... my Elantra which of course is the wimpy model .. averages 29.5. I’m hard on that little car.  

I think Hyundai/Kia might play with large, fast, and loose performance and specification tolerances that lead to wild wide swings in results, and are not just due to the driver though (although the driver matters).

Sandman6472

Have driven a few 'Nox's at work and they drive decent enough. Rental folks seem to like 'em as whenever we get one in, it's gone within hours. Same thing with the new Camry, they rent out very quickly. I was one person behind to get one at Enterprise last month and really wanted it but got the Rav4 instead. Another decent vehicle who had much better mileage than the GLA I had for four days. The GLA was really a perfect vehicle but the mpg's were ridiculously low...just getting to and from the office was about a 1/4 of a tank. I knew within the first day that I'd be getting something else real soon, and got the Rav4. Liked the higher seating position and did get it in the garage once but again, it was too big for me, just like my Tucson. I just prefer a smaller vehicle and my Golf is still the perfect vehicle for my purposes.
Having insomnia again but thank the hospital stay for that. Even in rehab, they kept waking me up to check my vitals or do a bathroom run. So being up all night became the norm. But will sleep in tomorrow and since I'm home for another three weeks, just going to let my "clock" get back to normal on its own.

The Sandman

stickguy

I kinda like this oddball. Would have to see the red in person, and would prefer a beige interior. But sports package/seats, and RWD? nice! Really wish it had at least a BU camera, since rear visibility is pretty lousy.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-3_series-certified_328i_sport_line_navigation-used-17537737.html

kyfdx

Not a bad color. Less orange-y in person.

Love those seats, with the contrasting stitching.

tjc78

stickguy said:

I kinda like this oddball. Would have to see the red in person, and would prefer a beige interior. But sports package/seats, and RWD? nice! Really wish it had at least a BU camera, since rear visibility is pretty lousy. http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-3_series-certified_328i_sport_line_navigation-used-17537737.html

How can that not have a camera?  What a weirdly omitted option on an otherwise loaded car.  

Surely one could be added by any stereo shop.  

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

I kinda like this oddball. Would have to see the red in person, and would prefer a beige interior. But sports package/seats, and RWD? nice! Really wish it had at least a BU camera, since rear visibility is pretty lousy. http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-3_series-certified_328i_sport_line_navigation-used-17537737.html

Nice looking 3er.  The Melbourne Red is a gorgeous color!  No Xenons.  1st year of that engine/transmission & body style.  Not sure how they rate durability wise (ask @roadburner).  I’ve driven the base model of that with X-Drive a few times.  Plenty fast. The electric power steering (1st year of that too) just has zero feedback & feel.  Maybe this is different on the sport line.

stickguy

BMW, like the other Euros, seemed to resist putting BU cameras on their cars as long as possible. Even much newer years, it is very common to see an otherwise well equipped unit without one. in 2013 it was certainly the norm.

That would be very hard for me to get used to again (not having the camera). I go back and forth between cars with and without BLIS without a real problem (would prefer to have it, can deal without it) but have not had one without a camera in years and it is shocking to drive without it. If they don't want to put a camera in, then they need to provide a view out the back of something besides the trunk lid and rear headrests.

28firefighter

I’m readjusting to life without a backup camera in the Saab and it stinks. Actually looking into options for getting aftermarket headunit with CarPlay and a backup camera. 

stickguy

I thought about doing that if I got an old car for myself. Of course, eats up some of the financial savings. And limits the cars you can get, since so many have everything so integrated that you can't just pop out the old head unit and stick in a new one.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

I kinda like this oddball. Would have to see the red in person, and would prefer a beige interior. But sports package/seats, and RWD? nice! Really wish it had at least a BU camera, since rear visibility is pretty lousy.

http://www.eimports4less.com/detail-2013-bmw-3_series-certified_328i_sport_line_navigation-used-17537737.html

I’m digging it. Then again, I drive a red TLX with red interior.

Went with a neighbor to look at this beauty yesterday.

https://www.mbcincy.com/inventory/new-2017-mercedes-benz-c-class-c-300-4matic-coupe-wddwj4kb3hf339069

Beautiful car. But, nearly 2 MYs old. He was counting on $10K off MSRP. They said he wasn’t even close and didn’t try very hard to make a deal.

As an aside, while a very nice car, I don’t recall the drivetrain being that “gruff” when I last drove one.

Aside from that, I liked the car. So did he. He was insulted that they were insulted by his offer, though.

Mr_Shiftright

28firefighter said:

I’m readjusting to life without a backup camera in the Saab and it stinks. Actually looking into options for getting aftermarket headunit with CarPlay and a backup camera. 

Ah, there you go--putting money into it. Just like we warned you not to!

Sandman6472

A nice looking 3 Series there but also would prefer a tan interior. Need to test drive one again just to see how I like it. The couple I drove at work were a dream to drive especially in "sport" mode and kinda really turned me on to German iron. Not long after driving those two 328i"s at work, the wife got her A3 and a week later, I got my Golf under some protest from the peanut gallery. All thought I should've kept the Tucson longer but I disagreed and the rest is history.
For awhile, I wanted a 1 Series but after test driving one at the local BMW store, felt it was too heavy and the 6 cylinder engine slowed it down. But it was a rushed test drive on one of their pre-planned routes which only involved back streets. I wanted to try the highway but was turned down.
My preferred color combo's are the brown over brown or the blue over ivory. In hind sight, should've bought that brown over brown unit I found at the Honda store. Low miles, great price but wasn't quite ready to purchase then and I regret that now.

The Sandman

Michaell

In CA this weekend, and my son wants to buy a new car. He’s found a new base model Elantra GT that he’s enamored with. We are targeting $17,500 before TT&L.