Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco

 Going to a car show tonight at the Milleridge Inn around here first one of the season I believe going with someone from work her husband actually go to this kind of stuff has an old Chevy truck invited some other people that I know that have eight cars too so we shall see in a be fun long overdue hopefully the weather holds up 

benjaminh

2-minute video on the 2019 Acura RDX's interior tech....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcKa9apjOX8

2019 Acura RDX starts at c. $38k for the 2-wheel drive version. The base model includes a panoramic roof and this touch pad interface, but does not include blind-spot monitoring.

http://hondanews.com/releases/2019-acura-rdx-press-kit-overview

stickguy

Really? No blind spit at all hat price point really ticks me off. I am not spending another 6 grand on crap I don’t want just for that feature.

stickguy

Just read release. Seems they are still bundling that into the tech package. So probably about $2k I would guess.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Just read release. Seems they are still bundling that into the tech package. So probably about $2k I would guess.

The 2019 RDX is still c.$8k less than a BMW X3 with the same level of equipment.

fintail

Is there a point to a FWD crossover? Is it then just a pudgy wagon with some false pretenses?

I think the greenhouse on that is too similar to the CRV, and I see the trim flare at the top of the rear quarter window is a new Honda design quirk, probably to simulate a floating C-pillar. At least it isn't chrome in the pic. And no A-pillar DLO fail, that's something.

stickguy

Saves $2k and IMO the majority of buyers would never notice. Basically gets you a tall station wagon. Very useful. Could have gotten acFWD version when we bought ours. Would have been fine with it.

ab348

I wonder what the sales breakdown is between FWD and AWD CUVs. For most people I suspect the FWD version would be fine, plus you get less weight, better fuel economy and performance, etc. The TV ads would have you think everyone who drives one is in the backwoods breaking trails or driving through blizzards, but the reality is very different for the vast majority.

fintail

So really, it's a tall somewhat heavy wagon. Don't tell the marketers!

pensfan83

I suspect FWD models are popular in Florida, SoCal, Texas, Arizona, etc. You'd be hard pressed to find a FWD CUV in the Northeast.

Michaell

pensfan83 said:

I suspect FWD models are popular in Florida, SoCal, Texas, Arizona, etc. You'd be hard pressed to find a FWD CUV in the Northeast.

We have some friends here in CO who bought not one, but two, FWD Hyundai Santa Fe's

stickguy

With good tires, fine in winter. You still get good ground clearance at least. If FWD is fine in a sedan, why not a wagon? Which is all I use it as, like most people. It will never see off road conditions that actually require AWD. So really just for snow.

kyfdx

I have two sister-in-laws, both in snow country (northern Indiana) with FWD Equinoxes.

They [non-permissible content removed] about the snow traction, all of the time. One of them even traded in her AWD 3-Series on it. Well, duh!

stickguy

Get snow tires.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Get snow tires.

Gave that advice... you can imagine how it went over.

sda

No real need for AWD/4WD in our area. We get the 2-3 snows each year, no biggie. Ice storms are another matter, but those are not as frequent. Not having AWD, at least with Honda products, eliminates an expensive repeating 30k service to the AWD drivetrain. Our 2 Pilots, '06, '10 and '09 CR-V were FWD and I don't think we've ever regretted not getting AWD.

pensfan83

Oh I'm not saying they aren't stocked and you couldn't find one if you really wanted....but the choices seem relatively limited. A quick search within a 50 mile radius of me turns up 623 Chevy Equinoxes spread across roughly 30 dealerships, 53 are FWD.

Mr_Shiftright

corvette said:

carnaught said:

Heck, a falling leaf is enough of a catalyst to stir a CCBA member’s motive to get another car.

qb has me looking at Corvettes again. That C6 was sparsely equipped, though. No radio controls on the steering wheel. I think at least the early C6s didn't have standard side airbags, which I consider to be essential safety equipment.

Here's one at my local dealership. They are asking top dollar....BUT....they are a great dealership and will bargain...I've seen the car, and it's really nice. Just sayin'....

2003 Z06

qbrozen

holy cow! top dollar is right! $8k over auction value.

pensfan83

Speaking of SUV's I had the opportunity to take my sister's X5 out for a spin over the holiday weekend. Mineral gray over black. Loaded up with most of the safety nannies but the 3rd row in that thing is pointless. It's pretty comfortable and drives nice but sport seats would be a nice addition. She likes it better than her Enclave which has been relegated to ferrying the dogs to/from the park or doggy daycare since it only has under 1K miles and a few more months to go on the lease.

kyfdx

The picture in the ad looks like a C6 (not the actual car, though)
Isn't the 2003 a C5?

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

holy cow! top dollar is right! $8k over auction value.

Dealer is exercising his First Amendment Rights.

Still, I bet it's a fair bit nicer than an auction car.

corvette

Mr_Shiftright said:

Heck, a falling leaf is enough of a catalyst to stir a CCBA member’s motive to get another car.

qb has me looking at Corvettes again. That C6 was sparsely equipped, though. No radio controls on the steering wheel. I think at least the early C6s didn't have standard side airbags, which I consider to be essential safety equipment.

Here's one at my local dealership. They are asking top dollar....BUT....they are a great dealership and will bargain...I've seen the car, and it's really nice. Just sayin'.... 2003 Z06

Pricing like that is how I ended up with a 2011 Mustang GT over a 2003 Z06. 

suydam

fintail said:

Is there a point to a FWD crossover? Is it then just a pudgy wagon with some false pretenses?

I think the greenhouse on that is too similar to the CRV, and I see the trim flare at the top of the rear quarter window is a new Honda design quirk, probably to simulate a floating C-pillar. At least it isn't chrome in the pic. And no A-pillar DLO fail, that's something.

I have a FWD CUV. Drove it in Ohio, but in our part we rarely got heavy snows. Our other vehicle was a Honda Accord. We wanted better mpg, we like the higher seating, and the Encore feels more solidly planted on the road, and handles better than say, a Soul or an HRV or Fit. Of the 30+ years we lived in Ohio, I think I had one AWD vehicle, and that only for about 3 yearns.

ab348

I just checked on Chevys locally since they have the easiest search tool. 37 FWD Equinox models in stock, over 50 AWD models (they only show you 50 max). So AWD is preferred but FWD models are certainly well-represented.

fintail

I guess I just don't need the seat height (yet), so it doesn't push my buttons. If I want tall, I also want clearance and traction. But I live in a suburb full of offices and shops, and don't pretend to be a modern Grizzly Adams. An AWD sedan is probably overdoing it.

imidazol97

ab348 said:

I just checked on Chevys locally since they have the easiest search tool. 37 FWD Equinox models in stock, over 50 AWD models (they only show you 50 max). So AWD is preferred but FWD models are certainly well-represented.

May I suggest another factor in the analysis of the data. The cars which were ordered in my the NCM and have been sold aren't represented in the data we got. I think of it that there were more cars ordered in with FWD but because their price is lower, maintenance is lower over an extended number of years, gas mileage is slightly better, and from those FWD cars more have already left the lot than have left that were AWD.

I use the red Camry/accord model. When you search for a red Camry or accord on the dealer's lots, you'll not find one. All you'll find are silver, grey, and black. But there are red vehicles on the road that some buyer was lucky enough to stumble in when one had shown up or got a sale of one before delivery while it was in the pipeline. I always suspect the dealer extracted a higher price because they are "harder to find."

So if you use the cars on the lot, we would find the opposite that buyers only want silver, grey and black.

kyfdx

There are tons of FWD Equinox in our area.. compact SUVs tend to have a lot of FWD choices, even in snow country.

On the other hand, finding a RWD luxury sedan is like pulling teeth.

pensfan83

I only pulled one model out of who knows how many but I stand corrected....guess I was off base with my comment.

28firefighter

And with some minor trim repair, a mirror cover from a junkyard and a very basic wash (detail to come), we’ve gone from a 20 foot car to an 8 foot car. 

sda

28firefighter said:

And with some minor trim repair, a mirror cover from a junkyard and a very basic wash (detail to come), we’ve gone from a 20 foot car to an 8 foot car. 

Not only does it look better, you have the self satisfaction knowing that the results are from your effort. Pics always welcome!

qbrozen

Is that how far it moves under its own power before hurting your wallet again? ;b

qbrozen

Is that how far it moves under its own power before hurting your wallet again? ;b

stickguy

QB on a roll tonight.

That SAAB looks practically new. Sharp. I like it.

28firefighter

Lol. Says the guy with a Land Rover...

Mr_Shiftright

Actually the later Saabs should be fairly reliable--they're on GM's Epsilon platform, right? Kinda like a Swedish/Austrian Chevy Malibu?

28firefighter

My car has a big GM stamp in the engine compartment. But my understanding is that that is where all relation with GM ends for that generation. 

corvette

I think 28ff’s is pre-Epsilon. 

Mr_Shiftright

Oh, I don't think it's that distant--the 9-3 bears similarities to the Malibu, Cobalt and Cadillac CTS. Your engine, for instance. But even the Ecotech had a lot of hands in it--Saab, GM, Opel and...gasp...Lotus.

nyccarguy

@28firefighter - lookin good!  I hope this means you are on the mend!

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

@28firefighter - lookin good!  I hope this means you are on the mend!

I am. I was doing better by Friday afternoon and got back to myself towards the end of the weekend. 

Nasty stuff these preschool/child care center bugs 

corvette

Mr_Shiftright said:

Oh, I don't think it's that distant--the 9-3 bears similarities to the Malibu, Cobalt and Cadillac CTS. Your engine, for instance. But even the Ecotech had a lot of hands in it--Saab, GM, Opel and...gasp...Lotus.

Wikipedia says it was on the GM2900 platform until it switched to Epsilon in 2003. The engine does appear to be a predecessor to the Ecotec.

Sandman6472

finally got behind the wheel today and went to Publix to get some groceries. Go to my pain doc tomorrow and it's about 20 miles away so think I'll be just fine. See my general doc, a new one, on Friday so will get a note from him about going back to work. Think I'll go back on Friday, the 8th, so I can have a couple days to rest up. Will just play it by ear about how long I stay but hope to work all day to be honest. Told my boss the 11th as didn't want to go back too soon but think another 8 days of doing nothing should heal me up.
28, so glad you're feeling better also. This really threw me for a loop and so glad it's almost over. Put the walker back in the closet and using my cane again as the vertigo is slowly going away. Think I'll just forget May 2018 and go right to June actually!
I thank G-d for getting me through one of the worst periods of my life. Him and the help of my family have brought me this far and am truly grateful!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Got a call today and the diminished value case is going ahead so we'll see what the outcome is. Hope to get a fair cash settlement and once that happens, can decide what to do next. Still looking at different vehicles and will test drive a few next week and see. Right now, the Elantra GT is the #1 contender but need to drive one and see. If I got something with a trunk, it would have to be the Elantra Limited as I like our friends, a lot. The Jetta might be a bit to big though that new warranty is something I'd love. And the Ford Ecosport is...a Ford and not sure I'd be happy, especially a first year model.
All will depend on the trade-in value they offer on the Golf as if it's too low, I'll just keep it. Give me a fair price plus a fair price on the new vehicle and then we'll talk but talk stupid numbers, and I'm gone. Luckily, again, this is something I don't have to do here...just something I want to do which changes the whole playing field. This is strictly something to reward myself for surviving a tough situation but I can wait as long as I have to. And doing nothing at all is always another option but miss not having a warranty!!

The Sandman

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Really? No blind spit at all hat price point really ticks me off. I am not spending another 6 grand on crap I don’t want just for that feature.

The CR-V EX has blind spot monitoring and has an msrp of $28k in the 2-wheel drive version. If you drive c.15k miles a year it'll save you c. $1000 a year in gas compared to your current RDX or the new one. Plus a savings of 10k in the msrp. The 1.5 turbo still gets the CR-V from 0-60 in c. 7.6 seconds according to Car and Driver....

https://www.caranddriver.com/honda/cr-v

Just a money-saving option to consider, since the CR-V and the RDX are the same size. I'm guessing that if there were problems with the 1.5 turbo in the early production run of the CR-V that they've been fixed by now.

The new RDX looks awesome, but once you add BLIS the msrp is $40k. Even a year from now a "cheap" lease on the base RDX is likely to be c. $500 a month. And buying one with blis is likely to be c. $600 a month even with a 10k downpayment and discounted Acura financing.

Another thought is that the new Volvo V60 wagon looks great. Auto Guide loves it, but it will likely be even more expensive than the new RDX....

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/volvo/2019-volvo-v60-review

benjaminh

stickguy: Now I remember that your wife wants a power passenger seat. The CR-V EXL with 2-wheel drive has an msrp c. $30k, and that gives you power memory leather seats, power tailgate, etc. You wont find crazy discounts on CR-V like you would with your Hyundais, VWs, etc, but you might be able to get c. $3k off of msrp if you're lucky and a good negotiator. Plus there's 1.9 financing. And, of course, it has CarPlay/AndroidAuto, etc.

rayainsw

I find this disturbing...

'Trump reportedly poised to ban German luxury carmakers in the US'

On CNBC.com

Link:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/trump-reportedly-poised-to-ban-german-luxury-carmakers-in-the-us.html

- Ray
German car driver...

nyccarguy

rayainsw said:

I find this disturbing...

'Trump reportedly poised to ban German luxury carmakers in the US'

On CNBC.com

Link:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/trump-reportedly-poised-to-ban-german-luxury-carmakers-in-the-us.html

- Ray
German car driver...

Hmmmm. Quite disturbing this is.

benjaminh

rayainsw said:

I find this disturbing...

'Trump reportedly poised to ban German luxury carmakers in the US'

On CNBC.com

Link:

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/31/trump-reportedly-poised-to-ban-german-luxury-carmakers-in-the-us.html

- Ray
German car driver...

???

Like many things these days, my guess is that this will be some smoke and mirrors, but that nothing significant will really change. Imho German car lovers shouldn't worry just yet....

nyccarguy

benjaminh said:

stickguy: Now I remember that your wife wants a power passenger seat. The CR-V EXL with 2-wheel drive has an msrp c. $30k, and that gives you power memory leather seats, power tailgate, etc. You wont find crazy discounts on CR-V like you would with your Hyundais, VWs, etc, but you might be able to get c. $3k off of msrp if you're lucky and a good negotiator. Plus there's 1.9 financing. And, of course, it has CarPlay/AndroidAuto, etc.

Careful on that slippery slope. If he's going to go from an RDX to a 2WD CRV (Which there are exactly ZERO in stock in the NE), then why not just go for a Civic EXL? 2WD, less expensive than a CRV, healthy discount, rides on the same underpinnings, quicker than the CRV, better gas mileage...