Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

28firefighter said:

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. 

Yes, I was poking around there and saw that after I posted.

@stickguy

Here is your MKC... 15 month takeover

http://www.swapalease.com/lease/details/2017-Lincoln-MKC.aspx?salid=1306463

stickguy

after reading Q's horror story about flipping the F150 I don't think I have the stomach for going down that road!

nice looking though.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

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

I need to get the wife out this week to finish the drives. I have next Friday off, and my Carvana quote is good through then, so if the stars align, maybe I can get a deal done!

if we really like it and the dealer is not coming close, I might have to hit up the brokers.

suydam

stickguy said:

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!

You thought the CR-V was a good idea till you drove one. Interesting that your experience mirrored my friends. She also liked the CX-5 but thought it was a little narrow. It would probably make you happier than a larger SUV. I think you should definitely drive any car before buying.

stickguy

oh, I would never buy without driving.

The CX5 is certainly not a wide body, but had plenty of room up front for us. Interesting thing I noticed leafing through the brochure is that it is within a couple of tenths inches of length from being identical to the Elantra. Just way more usable room inside!

and for Benjamin, turns out that the 2019 will have CarPlay standard, but on the 2018 GT, they can add it as an accessory, so if I get one (a 2018), will definitely be adding that!

suydam

Mazda’s are all very nice driving cars. I see a lot of CX-5s around here. There’s a beautiful blue exterior color that always draws my eye.

ronsteve

stickguy said:

anyway, for those still reading.

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.

That's still a fairly long list for having some test drives under your belt,

My list was initially quite long, as yours was, but the start of the test drives narrowed me quickly to two. When I re-visited the process by semi-necessity, two new entries came into play.

Beware the Carvana price lock. Having an offer in hand from Carmax probably accelerated my otherwise only semi-necessary process unnecessarily. :-/

ronsteve

tjc78 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.

I had a Cherokee Limited as a rental back in April, not sure which engine but it was fairly "meh" and MPG wasn't stellar. 

benjaminh

stickguy said:

oh, I would never buy without driving.

The CX5 is certainly not a wide body, but had plenty of room up front for us. Interesting thing I noticed leafing through the brochure is that it is within a couple of tenths inches of length from being identical to the Elantra. Just way more usable room inside!

and for Benjamin, turns out that the 2019 will have CarPlay standard, but on the 2018 GT, they can add it as an accessory, so if I get one (a 2018), will definitely be adding that!

I like the looks of the CX5. Just a suggestion, but before you take delivery/sign paperwork maybe make sure they actually have CarPlay installed and working well with your phone. One other thought is that you might see if they can match the deal Carvana is giving you for the Elantra, which might make things a little easier. Congrats on your progress. I'm glad your wife found something she likes! Every Mazda in my family since 1985 has been fun to drive and reliable.++

stickguy

oh, don't worry. If I get serious and have them appraise the old car, that paper will be coming out as the counter.

roadburner

xwesx said:

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.

We gave the Cherokee Trailhawk a good look. My wife actually liked it pretty well. I was almost ready to pull the trigger when the X1 turned up for $12k less- and we decided to just keep the Wrangler for serious off road excursions.

ronsteve

stickguy said:

oh, don't worry. If I get serious and have them appraise the old car, that paper will be coming out as the counter.

Oh I knew it would, but just the idea that when you know you have a number on your old car, it's that much easier to pull the trigger on a new one. At least if you like the numbers. 

qbrozen

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.

Actually a couple bucks less with the turbo 4

corvette

It was otherwise an enjoyable vehicle, other than the Uconnect issues I had. I still think the full size 3.6 liter Pentastar would be great in the Cherokee.

stickguy

almost pushed the purchase now button this morning. Should have hassled yesterday to get a test drive even though they were busy.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

almost pushed the purchase now button this morning. Should have hassled yesterday to get a test drive even though they were busy.

Did you find out if you qualify for VPP? With the Acura, you do get conquest, I believe. One broker posted that all the cheap Essentials are gone and you'd be looking at those $54k and up; however, even at that price, at the deal offered, I calculate about $380 with $0 at signing for 39/10. With VPP and conquest.

stickguy

that is much lower. The online was $436 for a $50K sticker car. $380 is a no brainer, but I did not check VPP. Not sure how that works with the app. I guess you start the process and and eventually talk to the dealer, and if you qualify for something additional deal gets adjusted at that point?

I really would prefer to just work with an actual local dealer, but I guess the world has changed!

benjaminh

Alex on Autos likes the QX50.....0-60 on the CX-5 7.8. CR-V 7.5. QX50 6.5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06DMhqImz4s

stickguy

well, checking on the website, no dealer within 60 miles even has a 2018 left. so Internet or bust!

benjaminh

QX50 engine....

"Refined Performance
The historic compromise between power and efficiency ends with the all-new 2019 INFINITI QX50. More than just advanced engineering, it provides premium performance without limitation.

Exclusive Innovation
Representing over 20 years of research and innovation, INFINITI's world’s first production ready VC-Turbo Engine is positioned to be one of the most advanced and responsive engine designs ever created.

Revolutionary Design
Capable of physically transforming for any compression ratio from 8:1 (performance) to 14:1 (efficiency), the 268-hp 2.0-liter VC-Turbo Engine seamlessly responds to unpredictable driving conditions on demand."

https://www.infinitiusa.com/

anonymousposts1

Stickguy: Seems the Highlander may be too big but it is a bargain at $360 a month with only first payment at signing. It doesn’t drive nearly as big as it looks. 

Jpp: Enjoy the Tacoma. A good friend of mine bought a Lexus CT when he started an outside sales job. He grew to hate it but had a ton of miles on it. Rolled $6k of negative equity into a new Tundra. Negative equity gets paid one way or the other, might as well like what you drive. Congrats!!

stickguy

it is a nice car. I assume it drives well. wife loved the interior. Surprised though not a bigger performance difference. only question is how the CVT works in this application.

just checked the app again. No 2018s left. But, the one I saw (50K sticker for $436/month) was actually a 2019. So, worth still looking!

I have to wait until tomorrow to check VPP. Need the company code. Pretty sure my company has one but I have to get into our employee portal to get it, or call the VPP line and ask them.

will be going to look tomorrow night at one.

kyfdx

benjaminh said:

QX50 engine....

"Refined Performance
The historic compromise between power and efficiency ends with the all-new 2019 INFINITI QX50. More than just advanced engineering, it provides premium performance without limitation.

Exclusive Innovation
Representing over 20 years of research and innovation, INFINITI's world’s first production ready VC-Turbo Engine is positioned to be one of the most advanced and responsive engine designs ever created.

Revolutionary Design
Capable of physically transforming for any compression ratio from 8:1 (performance) to 14:1 (efficiency), the 268-hp 2.0-liter VC-Turbo Engine seamlessly responds to unpredictable driving conditions on demand."

https://www.infinitiusa.com/

All of that technology for 1 MPG

tjc78

Yeah but times thousands of vehicles it adds up....  

No one can deny the power and efficiency we see today is remarkable.  

I don’t drive enough to care about FE but it’s nice to know that you can have your cake and eat it too today.  

carnaught

@stickguy, I really like some of the Infinitis, and they lease well.. My problem with them is dumping a lot of PUG in them with their fair to poor gas mileage. Yes, many of us here are “penny-wise and pound foolish”, me included.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

benjaminh said:

QX50 engine....

"Refined Performance
The historic compromise between power and efficiency ends with the all-new 2019 INFINITI QX50. More than just advanced engineering, it provides premium performance without limitation.

Exclusive Innovation
Representing over 20 years of research and innovation, INFINITI's world’s first production ready VC-Turbo Engine is positioned to be one of the most advanced and responsive engine designs ever created.

Revolutionary Design
Capable of physically transforming for any compression ratio from 8:1 (performance) to 14:1 (efficiency), the 268-hp 2.0-liter VC-Turbo Engine seamlessly responds to unpredictable driving conditions on demand."

https://www.infinitiusa.com/

All of that technology for 1 MPG

1 mpg in EPA testing is a big deal in Automobilistan. If they can post 40 mpg on their window sticker and their direct competitor only posts 39, that matters on the showroom floor.

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

kyfdx said:

benjaminh said:

QX50 engine....

"Refined Performance
The historic compromise between power and efficiency ends with the all-new 2019 INFINITI QX50. More than just advanced engineering, it provides premium performance without limitation.

Exclusive Innovation
Representing over 20 years of research and innovation, INFINITI's world’s first production ready VC-Turbo Engine is positioned to be one of the most advanced and responsive engine designs ever created.

Revolutionary Design
Capable of physically transforming for any compression ratio from 8:1 (performance) to 14:1 (efficiency), the 268-hp 2.0-liter VC-Turbo Engine seamlessly responds to unpredictable driving conditions on demand."

https://www.infinitiusa.com/

All of that technology for 1 MPG

1 mpg in EPA testing is a big deal in Automobilistan. If they can post 40 mpg on their window sticker and their direct competitor only posts 39, that matters on the showroom floor.

There is still a massive cost in that technology. Especially if stop/start can gain you 1 MPG.
Cost/benefit ratios always apply.

For all the hype about their innovation, the results are underwhelming.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, but it's a tech you build on. It's a basis for development, rather than sticking with a technological dead-end. You know they have more MPG in their back pocket.

Maybe there's a payoff, maybe not.

benjaminh

The 2019 QX50 is similar in size to the 2019 Acura RDX. The EPA rates the AWD QX50 at 26 mpg combined, while the AWD RDX gets 23 combined. The savings would be about $250 a year in gas. But in the long run it's possible that the Acura engine and transmission will be more reliable, potentially erasing the savings in gas.

3-minute promotional video from Nissan on their new Variable Compression turbo....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0An3RbXcPg

ronsteve

carnaught said:

@stickguy, I really like some of the Infinitis, and they lease well.. My problem with them is dumping a lot of PUG in them with their fair to poor gas mileage. Yes, many of us here are “penny-wise and pound foolish”, me included.

One of the major factors that drove me away from the XC60 T6. Then again, had I been all-in for MPG I would have gone for a 4-cylinder Outback.

carnaught

ronsteve said:

carnaught said:

@stickguy, I really like some of the Infinitis, and they lease well.. My problem with them is dumping a lot of PUG in them with their fair to poor gas mileage. Yes, many of us here are “penny-wise and pound foolish”, me included.

One of the major factors that drove me away from the XC60 T6. Then again, had I been all-in for MPG I would have gone for a 4-cylinder Outback.

Agreed, or else we’d be driving econoboxes. I’m always looking for a good marriage of lux and reasonable gas mileage.

stickguy

PUG is never desirable. But not much in the premium class doesn't require it. I figure, if we are splurging for 3 years, just the price of entry.

wife is a little concerned about the CVT. Definitely wants a test drive first!

stickguy

the QX50 at least should get better MPG than the RDX especially around town. as long as it gets enough extra to offset price of gas, not losing anything.

ab348

benjaminh said:

3-minute promotional video from Nissan on their new Variable Compression turbo....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0An3RbXcPg

I watched that 3 times (after I muted the annoying music) and I have to admit I still don't understand it. Seems like a lot of moving parts and a lot of stuff to go wrong.

I also found it hard to grasp why they power the compression ratio when more power is called for. I guess the only thing that means is that they are increasing the turbo boost at that time whereas as low-demand times there is little if any boost.

carnaught

Wouldn't be surprised if the RDS got better actual real-world mpg than the QX50, despite their EPA figures.

stickguy

hard to tell. some early complaints on the internet from people not happy with the MPG on their new RDX. But, will most likely be in the same ballpark.

stickguy

Gotta laugh at my wife. She is now a CVT maven (when she heard that the 50 had one, she said oh, have to drive it first). But when I just mentioned Nissan (in terms of their tire fill alert feature) she had no clue why I brought them up until I explained they owned Infiniti.

Getting excited in our house. Plan coming together. Wife is fine spending a little more per month to upgrade to a much nicer car over the Elantra. I am good leasing this one. Makes a lot of sense for us this time around. By the time the lease is up, we will have the last of the college loans paid off, and a pension will have kicked in. So there will be plenty of cash flow to buy something to take us well into retirement.

I don't want to buy something too fancy to get beat up commuting, but a lease, who cares?

as long as the budget does not get stretched too far. Roughly $100 more than the Elantra loan payment is seems to be the target. We are better with that than taking on another big payment on top of it (plus we really have no need for 2 brand new cars now).

Going to get a lease quote on a CX5 tomorrow and take a drive/get a number on the QX50 and go from there.

tbirdmarco

 Stick fight, sounds good to me keep us updated. You think you might have a punch but the end of this coming up week. 

benjaminh

An 8-minute video that actually explains some of how Nissan's new VC turbo works. Nissan/Infiniti has been working on this engine technology for about 20 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6H66xfEZC4

breld

Nice @stickguy - how exciting! 

The QX50 is nice looking - starting to see more and more on the road.

tbirdmarco

 Just read back to PJs from yesterday, nice steak guy all the car looking you in the wife did yesterday. 

tjc78

@stickguy

stickguy

sounds like the car the local dealer has in the showroom. way more stuff than I need. Not really a concern now, as the 2018 inventory in the region is apparently totally wiped out. so 2019 or Bust!

I do need to check on VPP in the morning. that is a large chunk of change.

ab348

At least that second video has narration to make it a bit more understandable. But man alive, that is one Rube Goldberg setup. I don't care what testing they did, I would avoid this thing.

stickguy

well, the point I made to the wife when she asked about a CVT durability (I explained the mechanical differences to her) stands here too. Who cares? it is a lease, it will be under warranty, and if something goes wrong I get a loaner car or they take it back. Not gonna cost me a dime, and I don't plan to buy the thing to keep a long time.

stickguy

I am getting seriously excited to get a deal done. I think the wife is on board too (she seems to now believe she comes out ahead on the deal!) Actually, if it is my car going, worst that can happen is she keeps driving the same one, but when we go out together, it is in a much nicer ride!

My goal is new wheels to take on our christmas week travels all over NJ and NY.

Michaell

stickguy said:

well, the point I made to the wife when she asked about a CVT durability (I explained the mechanical differences to her) stands here too. Who cares? it is a lease, it will be under warranty, and if something goes wrong I get a loaner car or they take it back. Not gonna cost me a dime, and I don't plan to buy the thing to keep a long time.

Disclaimer - I like the QX50; my daughter would like one as her next car.

That said, I guess my concern is this - at what point will it be an aggravation that the car has been in the shop 4 times in the first 7 months of ownership, trying to field test something about the new engine technology?

Yes, it's under warranty. Yes, you'll get a loaner (QX30? QX60? Q50?). But, unless they have a concierge service, who has to drop off and pick up the car at the dealer.

But, exicted that you're closing in on a new ride for the wife.

If I was in a position to do so, I'd take the Elantra Sport off your hands.

stickguy

I am not really worried about it. have not heard any concerns yet. And at least it is on the way to where my wife works now. so if it ever needs to go in she can drop it off, take a loaner, and be at work in 10 minutes.

suydam

stickguy said:

I am getting seriously excited to get a deal done. I think the wife is on board too (she seems to now believe she comes out ahead on the deal!) Actually, if it is my car going, worst that can happen is she keeps driving the same one, but when we go out together, it is in a much nicer ride!

My goal is new wheels to take on our christmas week travels all over NJ and NY.

Did I miss something? I thought the new vehicle would be hers to drive during the week for her commute. She will definitely come out ahead!

benjaminh

At about 3 minutes and 30 seconds KBB says that power delivery with the VC-T and CVT in the QX50 is "uneven"....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvvGVc7g_t0&t=287s