Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

graphicguy

ab348 said:

Kia recalled all the Sunset Yellow Stringers sold for paint flaking problems and had bare-metal resprays done under warranty.

Then there is this post regarding issues with blue Stinger paint. There are reports of white paint issues on that same forum.

Thanks, @ab348 ....just a slight correction. The post said it was the yelllow paint issue (not blue) which has been the largest reason for repaints on the Stinger. Bothers me more that the factory and dealerships are reportedly giving push back on the paint problems and some other issues like the previously mentioned warped rotors.

One would think they’d want to bolt out of the gate of their most expensive car by providing impeccable service and a much better effort in production and materials.

Cerainly doesn’t sound like what you would get from Acura, MB, BMW, Lexus or Infiniti dealerships and $40K-$50K cars. Matter of fact, never had any of those issues with any of the Honda or Chevy cars I’ve owned either.

xwesx

stickguy said:

I forgot about the miles rollover. makes it less of an issue if you buy more than you need, and plan to get into a new lease.

Makes sense too. The lessee is prepaying for the additional depreciation associated with the miles (e.g., payment assumption is that you turn it in with 45,000 miles on the clock with a 36/15 lease). So, there's more value in the vehicle when they get it with fewer miles on it; why not pass some of that value on to the customer to encourage them lease again? Chances are, they will not make use of those miles (and maybe even continue to leave miles on the table), so it's a no-cost proposition to them.

tbirdmarco

 Interesting reading a bum guys it’s cool Acura does that but it’s the only brand Pulaski to do the other ones don’t. Good to know, have a good day all in good morning everyone. 

qbrozen

Looks like it is back to the drawing board. @Michaell just informed me the numbers this month will make the s60 unobtainable.

benjaminh

qbrozen said:

Looks like it is back to the drawing board. @Michaell just informed me the numbers this month will make the s60 unobtainable.

If I may ask, what were the final numbers? Anything else you're on the hunt for?

And how do you like your Stelvio so far? I think those look pretty cool.

tjc78

I’m pretty sure most if not all leasing companies waive the dispo fee if you re lease with them. GM Financial did and even a small bank (Hann Financial) did way back in the early 2000s when I leased back to back Toyota’s through them.

tjc78

qbrozen said:

Looks like it is back to the drawing board. @Michaell just informed me the numbers this month will make the s60 unobtainable.

That sucks... what happened? Incentives dry up?

qbrozen

benjaminh said:

Looks like it is back to the drawing board. @Michaell just informed me the numbers this month will make the s60 unobtainable.

If I may ask, what were the final numbers? Anything else you're on the hunt for? And how do you like your Stelvio so far? I think those look pretty cool.

.00271 and 35%
$4500 lease bonus

That is a 10% drop in RV, and increase in MF, and $3500 lower incentive. I can't even comprehend that. Makes no sense. I'm hoping it is a mistake.

Love driving the Stelvio. Spending time in it is a different story. It annoys me that I have basically no phone connectivity other than voice calls. Couldn't tell you how many times the wife has been aggravated because I miss a text from her. I get no alert in the car whatsoever and don't think to check my phone eveytime I get out of the car to look for the silent alerts that have slipped through while the car is on. Stereo has been a bit better, though. Doesn't freeze up or lag as often as it did that first month.

stickguy

I guess I shouldn’t hold my breath waiting to hear back from the Volvo lady now! Oh well. If I really wanted it, should have lowballed them Friday or Saturday.

Mazda program changes today too. That might be interesting. I assume so foes Acura. Infiniti was a 2 month, nov and dec, program so that’s not changing.

stickguy

Volvo guy just called to confirm leasing now sucks. But offered to knock a bunch more off the price. Tempting, if I’m willing to commit long term, and do black over black.

2018 LOANER with 6k miles, a full 33% off MSRP.

qbrozen

I was already at 39% off just to get to $335/mo.

stickguy

More expensive car so bigger $discount possibly. But that was their offer, before negotiations. This was an inscription platinum, not quite what I went in looking at!

benjaminh

stickguy said:

More expensive car so bigger $discount possibly. But that was their offer, before negotiations. This was an inscription platinum, not quite what I went in looking at!

But don't you need an SUV for your better half? Going for a sedan—to quote Dana Carvey (2:20) quoting the first President Bush—probably "wouldn't be prudent."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMYPvd86R2I

stickguy

She said the Volvo was “pretty”.

benjaminh

Edmunds does a comparison test of the RAV4, CX-5, and CR-V. There ar pros and cons for each one, but they put 0-60 acceleration for the Toyota and Mazda at 9 seconds, while the CR-V comes in at 7.3 seconds....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWC1yvba8EA

stickguy

Everywhere else says they are about the same. In any case, in normal use, it seemed fine

benjaminh

stickguy said:

Everywhere else says they are about the same. In any case, in normal use, it seemed fine

Not exactly. As quoted a few pages ago with links Automobile Magazine also had the CX-5 a second slower to 60 than the CR-V. But if the CX-5 is fast enough for you that's obviously what matters. My 2008 Accord was about 8.5-9 seconds 0-60 and for today's traffic that seemed a bit slow to me sometimes when merging onto the freeway. I probably don't ever get the 6.9 seconds or so to 60 for my TLX 2.4 as measured by some car magazines, but it seems significantly faster than even my 2016 Accord, which was at about 7.5 seconds to 60.

suydam

Doesn’t mean she wants to own or drive one. And that black/black setup will get more annoying over time, not less. Don’t get sucked in by a deal. Get what you and she really want.

stickguy said:

She said the Volvo was “pretty”.

Michaell

suydam said:

Doesn’t mean she wants to own or drive one. And that black/black setup will get more annoying over time, not less. Don’t get sucked in by a deal. Get what you and she really want.

stickguy said:

She said the Volvo was “pretty”.

Ding ding ding!

I frequently tell folks to "shop the car, not the deal".

ab348

Michaell said:

suydam said:

Doesn’t mean she wants to own or drive one. And that black/black setup will get more annoying over time, not less. Don’t get sucked in by a deal. Get what you and she really want.

stickguy said:

She said the Volvo was “pretty”.

Ding ding ding!

I frequently tell folks to "shop the car, not the deal".

Haven't we seen this movie before?

28firefighter

I have no idea what anyone is talking about...

ab348 said:

Haven't we seen this movie before?

graphicguy

Michaell said:

suydam said:

Doesn’t mean she wants to own or drive one. And that black/black setup will get more annoying over time, not less. Don’t get sucked in by a deal. Get what you and she really want.

stickguy said:

She said the Volvo was “pretty”.

Ding ding ding!

I frequently tell folks to "shop the car, not the deal".

Great advice!

stickguy

I know. I talked myself back out of it anyway. I’m more flexible on a lease (shopping the deal) but once it becomes an expensive buy, it better be something we really want, and to keep a long time. So no cutting corners.

I can get a nicely loaded Lincoln for the same payment as the Infiniti. Just need to get the Acura dealer down to that range now! Lincoln is even closer to Acura dealer, so easy to point to.

henryn

I try to shop the car AND the deal. Both are important to me.

stickguy

Yes, both have to work. I look at the cars first and once we settle on something, I see if deal can be worked. But sometimes there are a few options that are all acceptable, then the deal really kicks in.

pensfan83

I admittedly didn't fact check myself before making this statement but based on market trends and offers I saw people receive about a month ago I can't see getting an AWD RDX Tech under $450-$500/month without some sort of cap cost reduction.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

....I can get a nicely loaded Lincoln for the same payment as the Infiniti. Just need to get the Acura dealer down to that range now! Lincoln is even closer to Acura dealer, so easy to point to.

I doubt you'll be able lease an Acura for the price of a comparable Lincoln or Infiniti. The Lincoln and Infiniti are not the top-rated vehicles in their categories, but right now the new RDX is in some ways equal to or maybe even better than offerings from BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. But if you went to a BMW dealer and said "please sell me a loaded X3 for the price of a loaded RDX," probably they wouldn't be able to do it, because as you know BMW's price structure is different—and higher. Lincoln and Infiniti tend to have higher msrps than comparable Acura models, but then they load incentives onto their models. Acura tends to have more realistic msrps, but then they also tend to avoid the huge incentives that some other brands have. I'm all in favor of trying to bargain for the very best deal on an RDX, but you're unlikely to be able to lease a c. $44k RDX for the same monthly payment as a c.$44k Lincoln. As we all know, sometimes if you want the best you need to be willing to pay a bit more.

stickguy

They still have to be competitive, but it does seem that Acura is the least skewed toward leasing. I wonder if those numbers are out there? Nobody (hardly) buys a BMW new, but Acura probably some do.

I also have nothing else to do on NY Eve, so hanging out at the dealer sounds good.

28firefighter

@qbrozen - big bummer about the timing of that Volvo deal. Are they willing to work with you at all or is it truly dead?

Also agree that the Alfa infotainment is an absolute dumpster fire.

stickguy

Sometimes when a very good deal is sitting on the table, you should grab it, because when you wait for an even more killer one it disappears on you. I’ve had that happen before.

At least for me I was not married to the deal anyway so not losing sleep over mine.

qbrozen

She said she'd get back to me, but if the numbers are accurate, I don't see how they can possibly make it happen.

In the end, its probably for the best because the wife would honestly prefer a CUV. I'm seeing JGCs advertised for like $12k off. I wonder what that's all about. Most are at one particular dealer in Horsham PA.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

She said she'd get back to me, but if the numbers are accurate, I don't see how they can possibly make it happen. In the end, its probably for the best because the wife would honestly prefer a CUV. I'm seeing JGCs advertised for like $12k off. I wonder what that's all about. Most are at one particular dealer in Horsham PA.

$12K off with a $5K Dealer doc fee perhaps?

pensfan83

It's a cat and mouse game. Some of the brokers and dealers on leasehackr post some very good to excellent deals that require zero negotiation on anyone's part and there's always a few people who want to shave a few more dollars off and pass when they make an offer that is rebuffed. Only they realize later that deal was as good or better than they could get on their own, even if there's a broker fee involved.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Looks like it is back to the drawing board. @Michaell just informed me the numbers this month will make the s60 unobtainable.

I thought you already had it settled? Or, you couldn't actually strike the deal until they released the car. Maybe back-date it?

henryn

I have seen deals that were consummated 3 or 4 days into the next month, or even 3 or 4 days into the next year. In every case, I had started the process while it was still the proper month or year, it just didn't get finalized (pay the money, take the car) until later.

But in this case, the car has not been released yet, no idea of when it will be released ("later this month"), and today is already the 4th, so I don't think that will fly ("back date").

I could be wrong, but probably not in this case. It's funny how flexible car dealers are (or at least can be), but often the most important aspects of a deal (incentives, private cash offers, etc) are fixed by the manufacturer. And they never seem to budge an inch.

Michaell

One of the issues that occurs at this time of year is that manufacturers will drop lease support on the old model year inventory - Volvo, in this case. There is no notice as to when it will happen, either.

I can point to dozens of folks on these boards who had a good, if not great deal, in front of them, then decided to wait until the next months numbers were released, only to discover that the deal got significantly worse.

Now, I'm not worried about @qbrozen - he's bought and sold enough cars that he isn't married to any one of them for very long. Heck, I'm not even sure he's in a monogamous relationship. More like a weekend fling.

But, for the people who focused on that car, with that deal, well … it's back to the drawing board.

stickguy

I did learn Mazda carried their programs over. In case.

Considering a nice 6 also. Always liked them, and very well equipped now. Plus, cheap!

suydam

And not a CUV.

qbrozen

yeah, given all the legalities of "releasing" the demo, I'm pretty sure they can't fudge it. They'd have to state on a legal document (odometer statement) that the car had 5500 miles as of the end of November. And that wouldn't agree with what is already in their service database.

Maybe I'll go back to shopping used vehicles. haha.

stickguy

Not a CUV. But that’s not an absolute requirement. Plans are always fluid. Until something happens.

Real stumbling block is not wanting a 2nd payment. Otherwise would trade in the old one on a new one. With no money involved, could get a 4 year loan for about the lease payment ( well, between 4 and 5).

I should go big. Trade in both cars on an RDX. Then find a beater to stash in the garage.

Hey, you want interesting plans, that one is out there!

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I did learn Mazda carried their programs over. In case.

Considering a nice 6 also. Always liked them, and very well equipped now. Plus, cheap!

?

But your Elantra Sport is well-equipped too—plus significantly faster than a Mazda6. Trading in one "bargain sedan" with nice handling for another "bargain sedan" that's arguably less good seems puzzling to me. Sometimes you seem like an all-over-the-map kind of guy when it comes to getting a new vehicle.....!

stickguy

the 6 is a more comfortable sedan, and roomier. pretty comparable, but with nicer power seats. the wife would like it better. But no, it is not a huge change conceptually.

the 6 is more like a discount luxury sport sedan.

benjaminh

I suppose a top-of-the-line Mazda6 is kind of a luxury sport sedan, but at my local Mazda dealer the loaded Grand Touring and Signature models list for well over $30k. For instance this one at my local dealer lists for about the msrp for my TLX Tech....

https://www.oxmoormazda.com/inventory/new-2018-mazda-mazda6-signature-fwd-4d-sedan-jm1gl1xy9j1322171

But I'd much rather have a TLX than a Mazda6. Plus Acura actually has good lease incentives on the TLX. You might be able to lease a TLX for the same monthly payment as a loaded Mazda6.

But I'm still guessing that making your wife happy for that tough commute is the best thing, and for that probably a cuv/suv is the best bet?

I personally like the handling of good sedan probably better than any cuv/suv, but that doesn't seem like that's what she wants. She wants to sit up high it seems like.

Michaell

stickguy said:

the 6 is a more comfortable sedan, and roomier. pretty comparable, but with nicer power seats. the wife would like it better. But no, it is not a huge change conceptually.

the 6 is more like a discount luxury sport sedan.

But, you can now get it with the 2.5 turbo engine, which ups the fun factor. Low to mid 30's for one that is well equipped.

I've not test driven one yet, but it's on my list.

28firefighter

I really like the new Mazda6 - should drive one with the turbo.

It probably doesn't lease as well as some others in it's class because Mazda doesn't typically do crazy incentives and there isn't much spread between invoice and MSRP. Still worth a look!

carnaught

I’ve said it before, but I believe the sheet metal of Mazdas seems notably thinner than most lux cars.

sda

My SIL has been communicating with her local Acura dealer about an MDX that she intends to buy at year end. It seems they aren’t willing to budge much from MSRP. She has been a loyal customer, having her 06 TL that she bought new serviced there. Her plan is to buy a new Acura and give her 06 to my wife and daughter to drive. I would think they would encourage her rather than the create frustration, which it has. It may cause her to buy something else, like an Audi.

28firefighter

sda said:

My SIL has been communicating with her local Acura dealer about an MDX that she intends to buy at year end. It seems they aren’t willing to budge much from MSRP. She has been a loyal customer, having her 06 TL that she bought new serviced there. Her plan is to buy a new Acura and give her 06 to my wife and daughter to drive. I would think they would encourage her rather than the create frustration which it has. It may cause her to buy something else, like an Audi.

There is no reason she shouldn't be able to get a deal on an MDX, especially a 2018 model. I'd try another Acura dealer.

In today's car sales world, the problem is that in the 12 years since she bought her car, the sales management and sales staff could have turned over 20 times.

au1994

28firefighter said:

sda said:

My SIL has been communicating with her local Acura dealer about an MDX that she intends to buy at year end. It seems they aren’t willing to budge much from MSRP. She has been a loyal customer, having her 06 TL that she bought new serviced there. Her plan is to buy a new Acura and give her 06 to my wife and daughter to drive. I would think they would encourage her rather than the create frustration which it has. It may cause her to buy something else, like an Audi.

There is no reason she shouldn't be able to get a deal on an MDX, especially a 2018 model. I'd try another Acura dealer.

In today's car sales world, the problem is that in the 12 years since she bought her car, the sales management and sales staff could have turned over 20 times.

Agree on both points. There should be a great deal on an 18 at this point and its year end. Time to try another dealer.

benjaminh

SIL might try getting an email quote from another dealer in another city or even state, and then bringing it to the local dealer to see if they will match....