Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

benjaminh

Michaell said:

.....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....

Agree. I like the idea of VC, but in practice I'm not sure I'd want to be one of the first adopters. Since right now I feel like I might want to keep my leased TLX longer term, it's a comfort to know that the 2.4 engine in it is a proven and (I assume) debugged machinery/software combination.

stickguy

that is why you take a test drive. Plus, some reviewers are overly picky. Their idea of a problem is not going to be noticed by most owners, or at best be a minor annoyance to get used to.

yes, she will drive it during the week according to the plan. But even if I reneged on that, she would have her current car, but the new car in the family will still be much nicer. so, she can't lose.

kyfdx

I'd be more interested in the driving experience, than what goes into the mechanics.
But, I would be wary of the CVT and the variable compression, just as it relates to that experience.

When we had an Infiniti the dealer had valet service. Never drove back to the dealer, once we took delivery. They would bring a loaner to me (or my wife), and pickup the car for service/maintenance. Pretty sweet.

tbirdmarco

 We are all here to support you stick guy, hopefully you have a punch for the end of the week or within the next two weeks or so before Christmas. whatever the wife and you’ll like.   End it sent to your payment budget too. Enjoy reading this at the check back in Morden in the morning and at night during the week. You never know around here. Who else is going to make it end of the year punch. 

henryn

I watched the video, and found it quite interesting. It’s the kind of thing that appeals to me, and with the warranty I wouldn’t be too concerned. Now buying one used, with 80, 90, 100k miles – yeah, maybe not!

Modern engine technology is amazing. The 2.7L twin turbo V6 in my F150 is an amazing engine, I absolutely love it. I’m not so sure I would want to try and keep it for 100k miles, but …

stickguy

that is why I am only buying something like this on a lease. Well, that and how expensive they are to buy! If I want to buy something to hold for 10 years it would be the Mazda.

tjc78

I wouldn’t worry about it on a three lease even a little bit.

ab348

Welcome to the new edition of "Stick buys a car he loves, until he hates it".

Michaell

ab348 said:

Welcome to the new edition of "Stick buys a car he loves, until he hates it".

Doesn't that describe all of us, to one extent or another?

stickguy

well, now my feelings are hurt. This is what I get for entertaining you people!

watched a few video tests on the 50. About the only thing they picked on was the CVT. Do need to give that one a good test.

28firefighter

Your plan makes complete sense to me and the new QX50, new powertrain or not, should be a nice driver. Just make sure it’s the right fit otherwise. 

qbrozen

I'm kind of disappointed they made it slower. The old EX would hit 60 in the low 5s. 

Michaell

stickguy said:

well, now my feelings are hurt. This is what I get for entertaining you people!

watched a few video tests on the 50. About the only thing they picked on was the CVT. Do need to give that one a good test.

Whoa whoa whoa!

Hope you read my disclaimer at the top of my post. I like it, and so does my daughter. Just a bit pricey, optioned out the way she or I would like.

99% of the population probably won't know, or care, about the new engine technology. It's more like "can I afford the lease payment?".

stickguy

6.5 or so is about what the RDX does. That is more than enough for us. Heck, the 7.5 that the CX5 can do would probably be fine.

compared to the CRV, the Mazda just felt a lot more responsive, and just seemed faster, when you were moving and needed to make a move. No comparison either to the driving experience.

I hope to get up to drive the Infiniti tomorrow. At least by myself, not sure if can work out to get the wife there too!

Michaell

stickguy said:

6.5 or so is about what the RDX does. That is more than enough for us. Heck, the 7.5 that the CX5 can do would probably be fine.

compared to the CRV, the Mazda just felt a lot more responsive, and just seemed faster, when you were moving and needed to make a move. No comparison either to the driving experience.

I hope to get up to drive the Infiniti tomorrow. At least by myself, not sure if can work out to get the wife there too!

I accompanied @jpp5862 when he test drove the CX-5. I'm really looking forward to the turbo version, even though it'll knock on the $40k door.

stickguy

I am sure that is a fun piece. But once you are in that price range, you are looking at an RDX level sticker.

Drivingfool

Still having issues using my "sandman6472" moniker. Can't anyone at Edmunds get me real help here? The "drivingfool" one needs to go. Help me please!!

The Unknown Poster

Drivingfool

Got the internet with my local cable company yesterday, went from 25 mbp's to 100 mbp's. The difference in speed is amazing!! Also moving our two land lines over also, but need a 5 day waiting period. Saving $ here but my smartphone still shows "AT&T" but was told to wait till the new phone lines port over and then can I call AT&T and cancel our iternet and land lines.
The new speed is sooo much faster now! Now only if Edmunds can make me , well me again, will I truly be happy!! Someone out there listening to my plea or the many that came before???

tjc78

@Drivingfool
What exactly is your problem?  The sandman screen name is tied to an old email you no longer have access to?  That’s the only reason I can think of you would have trouble logging in

If that’s the case why can’t someone at tech support find your old screen name and associate your current email to it so you can reset your password?

Mr_Shiftright

I took my "new" Volvo C30 on a long shakedown cruise. Found a couple things. The turbo boost gauge starting beeping---that was apparently because I accidentally set a boost limit.

Then I notice that the heat to the floor doesn't direct properly---all other functions are okay. So some actuator/blend door problem. It doesn't LOOK too complicated under there but we'lllllllll see, wont we?

Or I can live with it for now. Car still gets real toasty and really, this is California, not Montana.

The car is very long-legged--not peaky like the Mini--quite torquey. You don't think you're going as fast as the GPS indicates. This car loafs at 75.

the Sport muffler is marginally noticeable. Nice, deep tone. Can't decide if it's annoying or rather nice to listen to. I think it's fine, but doing a long climb up a mountain might get irritating.

Comfy seats!

corvette

Mr_Shiftright said:

The turbo boost gauge starting beeping---that was apparently because I accidentally set a boost limit.

Then I notice that the heat to the floor doesn't direct properly---all other functions are okay. So some actuator/blend door problem. It doesn't LOOK too complicated under there but we'lllllllll see, wont we?

LOL on the boost limit. The blend door, I think that's something a lot of people would never realize was an issue.

corvette

So, exceptionally frustrating weekend day, mostly due to customer service issues with providers I'm stuck with for the time being (and I'm sure I took those issues out on a few quasi-innocent bystanders), but on a positive note, the bead of silicone caulk I put at the top of the Tahoe's windshield seems to have improved the wind whistle it's always had by quite a bit. I may try a second coat to see if it completely goes away.

roadburner

I'm spoiled by the ZF 8HP; I might, repeat, might also consider a DCT in an M2C or a DSG in a Golf R, but a CVT? Nope.

Mr_Shiftright

corvette said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

The turbo boost gauge starting beeping---that was apparently because I accidentally set a boost limit.

Then I notice that the heat to the floor doesn't direct properly---all other functions are okay. So some actuator/blend door problem. It doesn't LOOK too complicated under there but we'lllllllll see, wont we?

LOL on the boost limit. The blend door, I think that's something a lot of people would never realize was an issue.

Yeah, it's not very noticeable. I think one has to stay loose regarding "perfection" on a used car.

henryn

Mr_Shiftright said:

corvette said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

The turbo boost gauge starting beeping---that was apparently because I accidentally set a boost limit.

Then I notice that the heat to the floor doesn't direct properly---all other functions are okay. So some actuator/blend door problem. It doesn't LOOK too complicated under there but we'lllllllll see, wont we?

LOL on the boost limit. The blend door, I think that's something a lot of people would never realize was an issue.

Yeah, it's not very noticeable. I think one has to stay loose regarding "perfection" on a used car.

True that. If you're OCD about your cars, then any car more than a decade old is probably not for you. I do want everything working properly when I buy a new car, but on a well used model, I can be a lot more forgiving.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

6.5 or so is about what the RDX does. That is more than enough for us. Heck, the 7.5 that the CX5 can do would probably be fine.

compared to the CRV, the Mazda just felt a lot more responsive, and just seemed faster, when you were moving and needed to make a move. No comparison either to the driving experience.

I hope to get up to drive the Infiniti tomorrow. At least by myself, not sure if can work out to get the wife there too!

The CR-V is probably slightly faster than the CX-5. But they are very close. Automobile magazine has a 0-60 for the CR-V at 7.3, while their test of the CX-5 is at 8.3. Others show them as closer....

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/2017-honda-crv-touring-first-drive-review/

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/mazda-cx-5-grand-touring-awd-2018-all-stars-contender/

stickguy

the numbers I found online yesterday were 7.5 and 7.8, Though i can't remember which was which, they were effectively the same. But different feel for sure.

benjaminh

The CR-V's cargo room with the rear seats down comes to 75.8 cubic feet, while the CX-5 has 59.6 cubic feet with the seats down. I believe you when you say the CX-5 handles better, but when it comes to cargo room the CR-V is tough to beat. That's a good thing too for us, because when our son graduates from college he's going to move back home for 7 months or so until he starts grad school. Even with 75 cubic feet it's going to take several trips to empty his apartment....

And when it comes to mpg the epa ratings on the CR-V are about 3 mpg better than the CX-5, but that only comes to c. $150 or so a year in gas. The QX50 is a lot faster than a CR-V, but even with the variable compression engine the estimated annual gas costs are c. $500 a year more than a CR-V. That's because of the premium. That begins to add up.

But if the QX50 is fun to drive it's probably worth it! I'm paying more than $500 a year more in gas with my TLX when compared the Accord I cross shopped. But it's worth it imho because the TLX 2.4 is more refined and more fun to drive than the Accord 1.5—and the TLX is a little bit faster too.

stickguy

the Mazda looked to be about the same as the RDX, so I checked. The RDX is good for 61.3. CRV did look bigger, largely in a taller space behind the 2nd row. But either one is plenty big for us. Thankfully kids are both gone, so no worries there!

I got me, the wife, the daughter and all her stuff in the RDX for freshman year move in day. That was a miracle in packing, but it fit!

Not worried about getting prius like mileage. We want something with a lot of features, comfortable, enough room, and that we enjoy driving. Being a luxury model is just a bonus!

stickguy

oh, for the move, rent a U Haul van. Much more pleasant experience. I had to get one to move the kid from home to her apartment last summer (she graduated and started working). And she is moving to a different one in a couple of weeks, so I have to get another one.

I also rented a van at school (in NC) one year when she was switching apartments, because she had too much stuff, and some furniture (and stuff from her roommate) to fit in our car. Instead of making many trips and beating up the interior, I sprang for a nice Transit van for the day. made the move a breeze!

ronsteve

stickguy said:

the numbers I found online yesterday were 7.5 and 7.8, Though i can't remember which was which, they were effectively the same. But different feel for sure.

If I recall the RDX and XC60 T6 were pretty similar on paper but the RDX felt much quicker. The way most people drive their cars, the feel is probably more important than the test results. 

Just like cargo space comparisons... cubic feet doesn't necessarily tell the whole story there either.

benjaminh

Yeah, maybe we should think about a moving van, although I was kinda looking forward to using the cargo space of the CR-V, which we've also used for other things—like a new full-sized stove. It may be that everything can be loaded up in about three trips from his apartment. I'm not sure.

tbirdmarco

 Yes stick guy hope you get to drive today at some point along with a few other cars. Corvette sorry to hear about your frustrating weekend, hope the week is better for you, have a good upcoming week everybody. 

mjfloyd1

Drivingfool said:

Still having issues using my "sandman6472" moniker. Can't anyone at Edmunds get me real help here? The "drivingfool" one needs to go. Help me please!! The Unknown Poster

I look at these things as first world problems - if that’s the worst problem that I have then life is pretty good. 

graphicguy

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.

Very cool truck. I like it. Congrats on the punch!

graphicguy

benjaminh said:

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

Gotta say, I’ve seen a couple of his reviews. I always find myself saying out loud to my computer screen....”get to the point, already”. Hard for me to follow him. He uses 20 words to explain a feature than could easily be done in 5 words.

Switching gears.....don’t judge me as I am not a “lease” person. Also, I’m really not in the market (although I surely sound like I am recently).

@Michaell or @qbrozen ....any idea what a 2019 Genesis Q70 that MSRP’s at $50K....let’s say would sell for $47K, would lease for? 36/12.

stickguy

I’ll guess $600

graphicguy

stickguy said:

I’ll guess $600

If that’s the case, I’d buy it outright for that kind of money!

stickguy

Depends if you got the cash to put down, how long you plan to own it, and how brave you are taking on the full depreciation exposure.

jpp75

qbrozen said:

5 figures? Daaaammn!

Yeah, I was really shocked at how much the Touareg lost value. In the end I ate a little of it but the great deals on the Tacoma really helped. I was going to be paying the money one way or the other, so I might as well enjoy what I drive.

pensfan83

@graphicguy from looking at the G70 lease thread it looks like there's $2,500 in lease cash available and the MF doesn't look obnoxious but there's not really much in the way of price benchmarks so it's anyone's guess whether dealers who do have stock are giving any kind of dealer discount.

jpp75

tbirdmarco said:

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

It's called Cement. It's one of those colors that changes depending on the light and what it's parked next to. Sometimes it does look more silver, other times more of a blue/gray and other times a matte gray. I really like the color, a good friend of mine has this truck in silver and this is just different enough for me.

28firefighter

With HMF, the reason to lease initially is to take advantage of the lease cash that they provide. You could then buy out the lease entirely right away. HMF is one of the few leasing entities that if you buy it out before lease end, you don't pay the finance charges for the duration of the lease.

Folks have been using this approach to take advantage of lease cash on the Stinger and then refinancing with a local CU immediately after.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

@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?

Hey Bradd, sorry I was out of town this weekend and just now catching up on posts.

I've always liked Tacomas but this is my first truck. Two of my friends have them and I've gotten some seat time in them and liked how they drive. @michaell was gracious enough to help me explore a lot of lease options one Sunday afternoon and the Tacoma was the clear winner.

As for the "off road" it's basically the same as the Sport but without the hood scoop and it has some electronic offroad controls, but otherwise it's the same truck and a similar price, plus I like the wheels better so I went with that one.

Driving impressions, I've put about 100 miles on it since I picked it up Friday. It's definitely a truck and is certainly more rugged and less premium than the Touareg, but I actually enjoy driving it more. The power delivery is smooth and predictable, the Entune system is light years ahead of the old system in the Touareg and other than a heated steering wheel and cooled seats I didn't give up any features. All in all it's great to drive, different for sure but I love it!

kyfdx

@jpp5862

I think the Off-Road looks better than the Sport. Besides the wheels, the blacked out trim, rather than body color helps, as well. As you note, basically the same vehicle.

I've seen that color and it looks great. I really like the Quicksand color, as well.

qbrozen

graphicguy said:

benjaminh said:

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

Gotta say, I’ve seen a couple of his reviews. I always find myself saying out loud to my computer screen....”get to the point, already”. Hard for me to follow him. He uses 20 words to explain a feature than could easily be done in 5 words.

Switching gears.....don’t judge me as I am not a “lease” person. Also, I’m really not in the market (although I surely sound like I am recently).

@Michaell or @qbrozen ....any idea what a 2019 Genesis Q70 that MSRP’s at $50K....let’s say would sell for $47K, would lease for? 36/12.

Well, its a Genesis, so RV will suck, but its a new model. So let's hope they'd subsidize it with 55% RV and .001 MF. That comes to a sign and drive of $715 with NJ taxes. You'd need a 10% discount from MSRP and another $5k incentive to get to about $500.

Is the car out yet?

jpp75

kyfdx said:

@jpp5862

I think the Off-Road looks better than the Sport. Besides the wheels, the blacked out trim, rather than body color helps, as well. As you note, basically the same vehicle.

I've seen that color and it looks great. I really like the Quicksand color, as well.

Thanks, I also like the Cavalry Blue they have but wasn't sure I'd like it for 3 years.

kyfdx

jpp5862 said:

kyfdx said:

@jpp5862

I think the Off-Road looks better than the Sport. Besides the wheels, the blacked out trim, rather than body color helps, as well. As you note, basically the same vehicle.

I've seen that color and it looks great. I really like the Quicksand color, as well.

Thanks, I also like the Cavalry Blue they have but wasn't sure I'd like it for 3 years.

Can't remember what our blue was called. It's not great. Too bright, but a typical pickup color.

The super-cheap USBank lease was only on the Sport with stickshift. We found the blue one at the first dealer, and they gave me the deal I was looking for. My son said he was okay with the color. There were only four of that configuration in a city with six dealerships, so we grabbed it.

At Christmas, it will be 18 months old already.

graphicguy

qbrozen said:

graphicguy said:

benjaminh said:

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

Gotta say, I’ve seen a couple of his reviews. I always find myself saying out loud to my computer screen....”get to the point, already”. Hard for me to follow him. He uses 20 words to explain a feature than could easily be done in 5 words.

Switching gears.....don’t judge me as I am not a “lease” person. Also, I’m really not in the market (although I surely sound like I am recently).

@Michaell or @qbrozen ....any idea what a 2019 Genesis Q70 that MSRP’s at $50K....let’s say would sell for $47K, would lease for? 36/12.

Well, its a Genesis, so RV will suck, but its a new model. So let's hope they'd subsidize it with 55% RV and .001 MF. That comes to a sign and drive of $715 with NJ taxes. You'd need a 10% discount from MSRP and another $5k incentive to get to about $500.

Is the car out yet?

Thanks @pensfan83 and @qbrozen ....

I like the G70 (and the Stinger). Haven’t test driven the G70 yet, either. Probably don’t like the G70 enough to do a deal like you’ve outlined. I could probably do better on a 340i for that kind of money. I inquired at a couple of places....none of them local. I’d either have to go to MI or IL if I wanted a G70 bad enough right now.

Local Kia Sales Manager is chasing me hot and heavy, throwing all kinds of financials at me to make a deal on the Stinger GT2.

28firefighter

graphicguy said:

Local Kia Sales Manager is chasing me hot and heavy, throwing all kinds of financials at me to make a deal on the Stinger GT2.

You know, if it was free, I bet he could get you to take it...