Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

I’m not sure you could pick a better car to roll negative equity into than a Tacoma. Super reliable, cheap to run, and very utilitarian. Maybe a Dodge Journey for the rebates?

nyccarguy

@jpp5862 - Mazel-Tov & congrats on your Tacoma!  Since you’ve been less than thrilled with the Touareg TDI, it’s a smart move.  You are making payments anyway, so why not pay monthly for something you REALLY like!  I’m proud of you!

corvette

I haven't rolled negative equity, but have come pretty close. When I had the G6, I was planning to get rid of it due to the transmission issues it was having, even if it didn't get bought back under the lemon law. I'm not sure how much negative equity there would have been, as I'd been paying extra on the note, but I bought it new with no down payment other than the incentives that were on it at the time. I know the lemon law buyback amount gave me a lot of positive equity.

benjaminh

jpp5862 said:

Add a punch to the list. I unloaded the TDI Touareg this morning for a 2019 Tacoma Off Road in Cement w/ the Premium Package.

It's a truck and much different from the Touareg but overall a much better experience....

Congrats!! Looks great. It is really good to have a vehicle you like driving.+++ I think you did very well. Going VW to Toyota adds a lot of reliability and durability imho.

stickguy

if the payment is manageable on the lease, a good way to get it over with in 3 years, slate is clean!

stickguy

so, told the wife about my adventure today car shopping. I think she was surprised I did not come home with one!

Had a nice chat about her automotive needs now. I did ask if she wanted something like the RDX or a sedan, and she said she preferred something higher. Makes sense, since her DD since 1985 has been a minivan or the RDX. She also admitted that the drive is stressful with all the idiots on the road and people cutting in and out. She really would like to have some of the new tech. Definitely the blind spot, but I really think it would be good to have some of the autonomous braking stuff for her.

was not a big deal before, but her commute is not much fun now. a little local, then 10 miles on local interstate which is frequently backed up (and even worse goes from moving to clogged and back quite often). Also frequent exits on that stretch. basically, tons of cars on and off and much cutting across lanes. So you want all the defense you can get!

so she has not specifically asked for it (probably doesn't want to spend the money, plus the next car is supposed to be "mine") but I think she would be really happy with something newer that has brake assist, BLIS, and Navi of some sort. lane watch is probably overkill.

So, my current plan is to get something in the compact/medium CUV class to be the primary family car, and her commuter mobile. I don't drive much during the week, so really doesn't matter what I have sitting in the garage. The new car would be our going out together and travel wheels. The Mecan would have been perfect, but just a touch out of price range.

I can call it my car, to make her happy, but she can drive it during the week.

main question becomes which car to replace, and whether to buy or lease. the buy or lease (and if buy, new or used) decision, and what we end up with, helps determine which car goes.

stickguy

off the top of my head, the short list is probably something like the CRV (EXL) or CX5 for something budget friendly. An X1 or X2 for a splurge. Something along those lines. The soon to be released Rav 4 could be a contender too.

of course, a fancy luxury sedan like a Q50 or S60 could be made to work. She could learn to sit lower!

will carve out some time tomorrow to scope out a CRV, Q50 and TLX, and maybe the S60 again. Just for something to do. I should think about other options. Would love a CX7 or Assent but those are pricey. Probably too big also.

benjaminh

Why isn't the new RDX on the list of possibilities? Too much $$?

stickguy

too expensive to buy, not really available used, and lease like crap. But she would certainly like one if I figured out how to do it!

That would actually be a situation where her car would have to get traded in to make it work. That, and being willing to go back to having 2 payments. She would love one though.

roadburner

jpp5862 said:

Add a punch to the list. I unloaded the TDI Touareg this morning for a 2019 Tacoma Off Road in Cement w/ the Premium Package.

It's a truck and much different from the Touareg but overall a much better experience. It feels familiar and solid.

I have a 39 month lease which will help erase some of the negative equity in the Touareg and will free up some cash flow for another C30 in the spring.

Nice!

suydam

From the commute you describe, she will not want to sit lower.

corvette

suydam said:

From the commute you describe, she will not want to sit lower.

I hear Tacomas lease well...

boomchek

Congrats on the Tacoma. Nice unique color and it should be a fun truck to drive.

stickguy

I don't find Tacomas to have a comfortable seating position. The upcoming ranger, well, I like that!

I saw a great lease on a Ram Big Horn. With the Hemi. That sits nice and high!

benjaminh

stickguy said:

so, told the wife about my adventure today car shopping. I think she was surprised I did not come home with one!

Had a nice chat about her automotive needs now. I did ask if she wanted something like the RDX or a sedan, and she said she preferred something higher. Makes sense, since her DD since 1985 has been a minivan or the RDX. She also admitted that the drive is stressful with all the idiots on the road and people cutting in and out. She really would like to have some of the new tech. Definitely the blind spot, but I really think it would be good to have some of the autonomous braking stuff for her.

was not a big deal before, but her commute is not much fun now. a little local, then 10 miles on local interstate which is frequently backed up (and even worse goes from moving to clogged and back quite often). Also frequent exits on that stretch. basically, tons of cars on and off and much cutting across lanes. So you want all the defense you can get!

so she has not specifically asked for it (probably doesn't want to spend the money, plus the next car is supposed to be "mine") but I think she would be really happy with something newer that has brake assist, BLIS, and Navi of some sort. lane watch is probably overkill.

So, my current plan is to get something in the compact/medium CUV class to be the primary family car, and her commuter mobile. I don't drive much during the week, so really doesn't matter what I have sitting in the garage. The new car would be our going out together and travel wheels. The Mecan would have been perfect, but just a touch out of price range.

I can call it my car, to make her happy, but she can drive it during the week.

main question becomes which car to replace, and whether to buy or lease. the buy or lease (and if buy, new or used) decision, and what we end up with, helps determine which car goes.

Hate to break it to you, but it seems like you might be needing or at least wanting two vehicles at once.

As you know, your 2013 RDX has plenty of life left it in it but lacks a lot of tech that's useful—CarPlay/AA, BLIS, etc., etc. Given your wife's new and heavy duty commute a replacement for her RDX would be nice. That obviously needs to be an SUV.

But you also don't seem to like your Elantra Sport enough to keep it. Although the Sport has all the latest tech, you've complained about the stereo and the seats. And isn't there something else that you don't like about it enough to keep it long term? Your wife also doesn't like the Hyundai, but it's not all on her—you just don't seem to like it all that much either.

But the impossible challenge is to get two new vehicles and have only one payment. If you were to keep your Sport—which after all has great power, gets great mpg, has all the latest tech, and has 9 years left of its warranty—that would be possible with the plan you yourself came up with of selling the RDX and using that to pay off the Sport, and then leasing a new SUV for your wife.

I don't think you should get a sedan for your wife. That phrase "happy wife—happy life" seems to apply. She wants to sit up high, and wants the newer tech for her commute. But after living with the power and luxury of an RDX, your wife might find it difficult to move down to a CR-V or something like that. The Mazda probably should not be on your list, because I don't think the models that are on the lots now have CarPlay. Same with Toyotas. Mazda and Toyota have finally realized their mistake in skipping CarPlay/AA, but that's not going to be added to all of their vehicles for about a year.

You do have a conundrum.....The good thing is that your RDX has good resale value, and apparently you can sell your Hyundai to Carvana, but unless you're going to have two payments I don't see how to completely solve this situation. As you know, my wife and I decided to get two new vehicles and have two payments at the same time. But how we did it was the loan on the CR-V was relatively small and relatively short term, and the lease payment on my TLX at $229 a month was also small. Still, it was an extravagance and it made us a little nervous. As we have a plan now to pay off the CR-V early, probably in 2019, I'm feeling a bit better about it.

Anyway, just my 2 cents obviously. Feel free to ignore. I'm just avoiding work by thinking about your complicated car issues lol!

stickguy

Doing a quick mental run through, I came up with a possibles list. Next step is for the boss to start crossing off options for whatever reasons make sense to her. Not sure if all the choices come with the right equipment (or if they do, only on some super expensive model).

Ford - Edge. Escape (Titanium)
Lincoln MKC
Acura RDX
Nissan Murano, Pathfinder
Infiniti QX50, QX60
Honda CRV
Toyota RAV4, Highlander
VW Tiquan
SUbe Outback, Ascent
Volvo XC60
Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee
Mazda CX5, CX7

Definitely a spread there in size, and price, though leasing is all over the place (I could Honcker a 48K QX60 right now cheaper than a 31K CRV).

so we shall see.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Doing a quick mental run through, I came up with a possibles list. Next step is for the boss to start crossing off options for whatever reasons make sense to her. Not sure if all the choices come with the right equipment (or if they do, only on some super expensive model).

Ford - Edge. Escape (Titanium)
Lincoln MKC
Acura RDX
Nissan Murano, Pathfinder
Infiniti QX50, QX60
Honda CRV
Toyota RAV4, Highlander
VW Tiquan
SUbe Outback, Ascent
Volvo XC60
Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee
Mazda CX5, CX7

Definitely a spread there in size, and price, though leasing is all over the place (I could Honcker a 48K QX60 right now cheaper than a 31K CRV).

so we shall see.

If you're considering the 3-row QX60 why not the 3-row MDX?

Imho your list is too long. You yourself have said—more or less—that you can't imagine owning a Ford. After my Ford ownership experience I can't either. Subaru has a cult following, but my parents owned them for many years, and their past vehicles were not refined or at all luxurious. Mazda doesn't have CarPlay. Neither does Toyota. I think your shopping list in real life can and should be smaller....

nyccarguy

@jpp5862 - We want to hear how you came to the Tacoma decision. Did you look at anything else? WHat made you choose the "off road" model? Driving impressions so far?

stickguy

that was just the brain dump of what could possibly work. And noted the wife will cross things off for any number of reasons (such as a blue oval badge). I haven't analyzed all of them yet to see what features are included. CarPlay is nice, but if it has Navi otherwise can get away with that.

the QX60 might end up being too big. The MDX IMO is, but she might like it. But those are expensive too.

too bad the car show is not happening now. Easy way to see everything in a couple of hours. Though the process could certainly drag on to February anyway, if it involves her car!

next step is to swing through some dealerships when we are out doing other things to see them in person and start whittling down the big list into a serious short list.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

....the QX60 might end up being too big. The MDX IMO is...

QX60 length 200 inches
MDX length 196

I think built-in navi is not as good as CarPlay/AA. And I'm not the only one. Of course having both is best.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HalM1MQmT3s

suydam

One of my friends recently bought an Outback. I was very pleasantly surprised to see that Subaru has really upped their game in terms of interior comfort and all the safety stuff. Visibility is great and it’s a really nice size. Before buying it she had tried out the CR-V, the CX-5, the Rogue and the Equinox.

breld

The newly available turbo in the CX-5 should transform that car, I would think.

And if you’re up for slightly used, the CX-9 (I assume that’s what you mean when you say CX-7) makes a great used car buy.

henryn

xwesx said:

Yes, agreed. It did not take long for word to spread on the performance issues of the 3.0L "fix" process, and boy did values ever tank! I still see a lot of 2015 models "new" for sale out there. I'm not sure dealers will ever be able to sell them for the prices they're advertising.

I haven't paid much attention to the 3.0 TDI issues, although I did profit handsomely from the 2.0 TDI buyback. I'm now seeing those 2.0 TDI cars start showing up for sale at VW dealers. No new ones at least that I have noticed, but a number of used and "fixed". Any word on how the 2.0 fix has worked out? Just curious, I did enjoy owning one before the fix.

henryn

breld said:

Well, let’s not be too harsh about the “foolishness” of choices made.  The question was asked and @jpp5862 was gracious enough to own up to it.  

The distinction between being upside down on a car loan and rolling negative equity into a new loan is negligible, not that you want to make a habit out of the latter (or the former for that matter).  

I’d say parking the sunk cost of the Touareg negative equity in a Tacoma is not a particularly bad decision.  The depreciation to date on the VW won’t be recovered, and I’d imagine the depreciation on the Tacoma over the next 3 years won’t be any more (likely less) than that on the Touareg over the same period.  

Congrats @jpp5862 - take it from me...That negative equity is much less bitter tasting when you’re driving a car you enjoy!  😀

My apologies if I seemed harsh, not intentional. And I have owned up to some serious losses myself. The 2015 F150 cost me around $1 per mile in depreciation (Ouch!)

qbrozen

Not bad if it floats your boat. $36k MSRP.

tjc78

stickguy said:

Doing a quick mental run through, I came up with a possibles list. Next step is for the boss to start crossing off options for whatever reasons make sense to her. Not sure if all the choices come with the right equipment (or if they do, only on some super expensive model).

Ford - Edge. Escape (Titanium)
Lincoln MKC
Acura RDX
Nissan Murano, Pathfinder
Infiniti QX50, QX60
Honda CRV
Toyota RAV4, Highlander
VW Tiquan
SUbe Outback, Ascent
Volvo XC60
Jeep Cherokee, Grand Cherokee
Mazda CX5, CX7

Definitely a spread there in size, and price, though leasing is all over the place (I could Honcker a 48K QX60 right now cheaper than a 31K CRV).

so we shall see.

I wonder what the MKC leases for. Someone at the office has one in a great dark blue color. It’s a nice package. I’d bet it leases better than a top trim Escape.

tbirdmarco

I like all above thoughts. For stick  guys wife. To get as her next car.  Now time for the tests. Drives to begine. Little eatch. Week and 

tbirdmarco

 The color of your new Tacoma looks silver to me, I know you mentioned a color and the prior posting yesterday. 

tbirdmarco

 Getting car back shops bring it back to my house for me either today, or first thing Monday morning. They did a transmission drain and fill for me, and put the alternator conversion kit, had to modify brackets and stuff, it’s here now. Your belts good to go. 

Mr_Shiftright

stickguy said:

too expensive to buy, not really available used, and lease like crap. But she would certainly like one if I figured out how to do it!

That would actually be a situation where her car would have to get traded in to make it work. That, and being willing to go back to having 2 payments. She would love one though.

CX5 is quite nice.

ronsteve

stickguy said:

we looked at the Outback before we bought the RDX. I was pushing for that one, but the wife won (being her car and all!)

I also looked at the Outback, but getting the right Outback at the right price was going to require a trip to Cincinnati, or hurry up and wait. So I went RDX...

suydam

The Outback has really stepped up its game recently. But maybe you/she just want another RDX, as long as it has the newer features.

au1994

Congrats on the Tacoma. I love the color! Those lease very well and I toyed with one as part of the fleet reconfiguration I’m working on. But, just didn’t really make sense for us.

I’m guilty of rolling some negative equity. If I would have done something with the X1, I would have been doing so again and the Tacoma would have been a nice place to bury it.

xwesx

stickguy said:

main question becomes which car to replace, and whether to buy or lease. the buy or lease (and if buy, new or used) decision, and what we end up with, helps determine which car goes.

As little as you need it, seems the most logical thing to do is to keep the RDX, use it as the "stick mobile," and then have the nanny-mobile for commuting duty.

xwesx

henryn said:

I haven't paid much attention to the 3.0 TDI issues, although I did profit handsomely from the 2.0 TDI buyback. I'm now seeing those 2.0 TDI cars start showing up for sale at VW dealers. No new ones at least that I have noticed, but a number of used and "fixed". Any word on how the 2.0 fix has worked out? Just curious, I did enjoy owning one before the fix.

I haven't heard of any general issues like the 3L has. I've been running my Passat's VIN through Google once a month or so. No hits at all. I would think they would be well through the "fix" mode by now. Maybe not? I see many out there for sale...

tbirdmarco

Car runs good wish could take it for Annn drive.

stickguy

xwesx said:

stickguy said:

main question becomes which car to replace, and whether to buy or lease. the buy or lease (and if buy, new or used) decision, and what we end up with, helps determine which car goes.

As little as you need it, seems the most logical thing to do is to keep the RDX, use it as the "stick mobile," and then have the nanny-mobile for commuting duty.

that is the current, most logical plan. I think we will end up there. Plus that keeps us at 1 payment

au1994

qbrozen said:

Not bad if it floats your boat. $36k MSRP.

I like it. Since the front end refresh these look much better, more ‘mature’, if you will. Not quite as refined as some of the competitors but still a good buy at that price. With the V-6 it will tow 4500 lbs if that’s ever important to anyone.

xwesx

au1994 said:

I like it. Since the front end refresh these look much better, more ‘mature’, if you will. Not quite as refined as some of the competitors but still a good buy at that price. With the V-6 it will tow 4500 lbs if that’s ever important to anyone.

I agree and immediately noticed the front end. Soooo much better than the last gen.

stickguy

so, had a productive day (by my standards). Took the wife to a craft fair at the HS, and cashed in my brownie points by dragging her around to car dealers all afternoon.

first stop, Honda. Met the internet lady, and took a CRV EXL for a drive. Lots of value. Very roomy. Good seats (I liked them more than wife did). But neither of us really bonded with it. More road noise than I expected, and a bit soft handling. Wife thought it felt like an economy car, which of course it is. Interestingly, she was disconcerted by the CVT, but it did not bother me. Overall, off the list. And as expected, they lease like crap, so would have to be a buy. Also looked at a Pilot. wife though it was too big.

then went to Infiniti (after a stop at shake shack. Man that was a good burger! and some more brownie points taking her to Kohls. I am a good husband.). As usual, no one talked to us. Not sure why, maybe we always get there at the wrong time, but they seem to profile us. Guess I need to walk in and yell "who wants to sell a car today???" So we looked at the options. as expected, QX60 was too big. QX50 seemed just right. So we left, but wife really liked the 50 we sat in. Will probably go back during the week and harass them until someone lets us take a test drive.

went next door to Lincoln. Wife is funny. Even though we are discussing how many years to work before retiring (meaning not too many hopefully), she said "Lincolns are for old people" But, drove a nicely equipped 300A package MKC. Surprisingly nice car. well loaded. Quick, comfy, quiet, handled nice. Good size. odd fit in the driver's seat. It was comfortable, just odd shape? Would need to spend more time playing with it. But, from an afterthought, to a solid option on a good deal.

Last stop was Mazda. CX9 (which I insist calling the 7!) was very nice, but too big. CX5 was actually a perfect size. not quite as roomy as the CRV, but plenty of space for us. sat in a Touring, drove a Grand Touring. It is a really, really nice car. Drives well (like a sports sedan, not a CUV). Not overly powerful, but super responsive. No lag, no stumbles, just action. wife was more than satisfied with the get up and go when needed. I thought it was fine too. No, not as fast as the RDX, but fine for our needs. Seats were fine, equipment level was good. we both really liked it. Way more than the CRV. Wife certainly likes the luxo brands, but was fine with a CX5 if one showed up. And I could take it as my DD. of course, question is, will the numbers work?

Oh, for Benjamin, 2019 CX5 has carplay and Android auto standard, but on the 2018, they can add it as an accessory. Which I would, so you have the built in Navi, plus car play when you want it.

corvette

IDK, the 3.2 liter V6 in the Cherokee felt kind of anemic to me. I wonder if the new 2.0T engine would be better.

stickguy

anyway, for those still reading. We are pretty well settled on buying another compact to midsize CUV to replace the Elantra. Almost definitely a lease, unless find a used one. Wife will use it to commute, then I drive it when out together or travelling. When she found out could get something nice for $300-$400 range, with minimal money DAS she was pleased as punch.

so last hurdle is timing (kinda tight to get anything in for the November programs, so likely going to roll into December and see what happens). Good chance I will contact a few dealers, and monitor deals for NY weekend.
And of course, making a final decision on what to get first!

right now, the long list seems to be down to the RDX, Infiniti Q50, Mazda CX5 grand touring, VW Tiguan, BMW X1 and (long shot) Volvo XC60 loaner. the S60 (and TLX) is probably off the table. She really prefers driving something that sits higher, so makes no sense spending a bundle to have a car that sits in the garage all week.

BMW and Infiniti we need to drive still. Only sat in them, but not worried about the driving (going to be fine). The VW, that needs a look and drive (she is still not a VW fan, but could be swayed). will try and drive them all this week, since I have next Friday off, and could potentially spend trying to make a deal! My Carvana price lock is good through Friday too.

tjc78

corvette said:

IDK, the 3.2 liter V6 in the Cherokee felt kind of anemic to me. I wonder if the new 2.0T engine would be better.

I would think 270hp would be enough in that. The turbo engine has the same HP but more torque.

28firefighter

QX50 can fit in that budget easily I think on a lease. 

tjc78

Advertised deal is $379 but 3900 down plus tax.

28firefighter

tjc78 said:

Advertised deal is $379 but 3900 down plus tax.

Yeah. But brokers in the NY/NJ/CT area are doing dramatically better. Or were doing that for November. Remains to be seen for December. 

stickguy

I should have snagged one on honcker yesterday. A QX50 Essential (I think). All the required goodies. MSRP about $48K. something like $421/month with $440 DAS. A real deal. Cheaper than the Honda dealer offered on a CRV. By a lot.

a bit risky buying before driving, but we loved sitting in it, so I highly doubt there is anything about the driving experience that would let us down!

28firefighter

The brokers had a deal comparable or a bit less over on lease hacker. Will see what December brings. Probably better. 

stickguy

If I can get that car for below $400 she will be using one as her commuter beater the next 3 years!

stickguy

actually, that reminds me that if we want one after test driving, I should hit up the lease hacker experts for contacts. Though walking into my local dealer, showing them the Honcker app, and saying meet this and I start signing now seems a lot simpler!