Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

kyfdx said:

Forget the tax. Do the calculations with zero tax. Then, once you have the pre-tax payment, calculate the tax manually. Then, add the tax amount into the selling price, and re- calculate. (again, leaving tax field blank). That’s your payment

That's what I've been saying .. maybe I just wasn't getting my point across.

I think he was trying to link too many cells together in the calculation.

@xwesx - I've been using my lease sheet (which I cribbed from @kyfdx, who adopted it from his then 10 year old son), since I started as a moderator, 4 years ago.

The only thing I've added recently was the row to deduct the costs for loaner / demo miles (for BMW, specifically).

Drivingfool

Yes Stick, just get her what she really wants and keep the RDX for yourself for the next year or two. She'll be thrilled d be the best wife on the planet and you'll still have a great d d in the garage. A win/win really but you have to be sartnd get her the vehicle dreams, no matter what. Trust me, she'll forget about her old vehicle within days!!
And no matter what, never cheap out on your next new vehicle ever again!! I learned the hard way also with the Tucson and will never ever do that again. Life's too short to not drive something you just love!!!

tbirdmarco

Q nice hoping works out for you and the wife. Stick guy you no what to do bunch of test drives. Now  you now have to do

tbirdmarco

 Nice stick guy on your car looking earlier today, sounds like you’re narrowing down your choices, but enjoying reading keep on looking some more restaurants sound like a plan. Think you might have a few more punches in here before years end.  stick

qbrozen

Manual calculations? Troglodytes! ;b

so now the wife is thinking CPO. Ugh. She just has this aversion to leasing. Think we'll take a look tomorrow at the 2015 X1 and 328gt at Mt Laurel. BMW is offering 3.99% for 72 mos. Brings it within spitting distance of the lease anyway. And they still have 2 yrs of warranty. 

Had to explain, yet again, that keeping the LR doesn't make financial sense no matter how you look at it.

tbirdmarco

Sounds good q  on you car looking. Tomero. Can’t waste to read all about it.  Happy Friday. All hopefully everyone’s. Had an good w

tbirdmarco

good week. Have an good week and. All.Type your comment

Michaell

Manual calculations? Troglodytes! ;b

And, when you try to automate everything, you get errors in the formulas.

@qbrozen and @stickguy - appreciate the both of you sharing your experiences with all of us here. The highs, the lows, the failures, and, ultimately, the success of a punch.

Keep it coming.

28firefighter

Agree with @michaell. This is about as much detail and insight as we have gotten into the purchasing process in recent past. 

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Agree with @michaell. This is about as much detail and insight as we have gotten into the purchasing process in recent past. 

"The Real Car Buyers of New Jersey"

28firefighter

Also, I can’t help but think that if I put this much time and energy into the shopping process, maybe I’d not change cars as frequently as I change my underwear. 

Learning opportunity? Nahhhhhh. 

benjaminh

stickguy said:

I guess it would not be hard to live with one like this. I don't think the wife would complain too much. I made sure to sit in one with the base seats, and I did not find them to be bad. They have enough thigh support, which is key to me.

would have to get the wife to agree to give up the BLIS, active safety stuff, ventilated seats, etc. But, if it saves $70/month, can't have everything!

https://www.bmwofmtlaurel.com/certified/BMW/2018-BMW-X1-Mount-Laurel-1bbab38c0a0d0cc71a39c0b1aae97735.htm

Seems like you could get a TLX Tech with this stuff (except the ventilated seats) for less.

But yes the BMW X1 is a very nice vehicle. And since your wife really wants a CUV anyway, potentially the way to go. There's a blue X1 service loaner at the Louisville BMW dealer for $30k flat...

https://www.louisvillebmw.com/new-Jefferson+County-2018-BMW-X1-sDrive28i-WBXHU7C33J5L06381

"xLINE, Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information, Ambient Lighting, Apple CarPlay Compatibility, Auto-Dimming Interior & Driver Exterior Mirrors, Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror, Comfort Access Keyless Entry, Convenience Package, Dakota Leather Upholstery, Fine-Wood Oak Grain Trim w/Pearl Chrome Accent, Head-Up Display, Heated Front Seats, LED Headlights w/Cornering Lights, Lumbar Support, Luxury Package, Navigation w/Touchpad Controller, Panoramic Moonroof, Power-Folding Mirrors, Premium Package, Remote Services, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Universal Garage-Door Opener."

stickguy

glad to help keep y'all entertained. I might be right over by QB today. I should just hire him to negotiate for me while he is in the neighborhood.

And yes, I am going to make sure that whatever we gets pushes all the important buttons. Too bad the new RDX is terrible to lease. If it had nice incentives (like say Infiniti) would be an easier decision.

though technically we are not forced to do anything right away. I just wanted it done before winter. Though I seem to have missed that memo. Always car show bonus cash time in February (and president's day!) But I think we can get something done before Christmas (our next big driving trip)

qbrozen

Pretty sure the wife is passing on the lease, so if you want the x2...

qbrozen

benjaminh said:

I guess it would not be hard to live with one like this. I don't think the wife would complain too much. I made sure to sit in one with the base seats, and I did not find them to be bad. They have enough thigh support, which is key to me. would have to get the wife to agree to give up the BLIS, active safety stuff, ventilated seats, etc. But, if it saves $70/month, can't have everything! https://www.bmwofmtlaurel.com/certified/BMW/2018-BMW-X1-Mount-Laurel-1bbab38c0a0d0cc71a39c0b1aae97735.htm

Seems like you could get a TLX Tech with this stuff (except the ventilated seats) for less. But yes the BMW X1 is a very nice vehicle. And since your wife really wants a CUV anyway, potentially the way to go. There's a blue X1 service loaner at the Louisville BMW dealer for $30k flat... https://www.louisvillebmw.com/new-Jefferson+County-2018-BMW-X1-sDrive28i-WBXHU7C33J5L06381 "xLINE, Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information, Ambient Lighting, Apple CarPlay Compatibility, Auto-Dimming Interior & Driver Exterior Mirrors, Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror, Comfort Access Keyless Entry, Convenience Package, Dakota Leather Upholstery, Fine-Wood Oak Grain Trim w/Pearl Chrome Accent, Head-Up Display, Heated Front Seats, LED Headlights w/Cornering Lights, Lumbar Support, Luxury Package, Navigation w/Touchpad Controller, Panoramic Moonroof, Power-Folding Mirrors, Premium Package, Remote Services, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Universal Garage-Door Opener."

FWD? Boooooo

au1994

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

I guess it would not be hard to live with one like this. I don't think the wife would complain too much. I made sure to sit in one with the base seats, and I did not find them to be bad. They have enough thigh support, which is key to me.

would have to get the wife to agree to give up the BLIS, active safety stuff, ventilated seats, etc. But, if it saves $70/month, can't have everything!

https://www.bmwofmtlaurel.com/certified/BMW/2018-BMW-X1-Mount-Laurel-1bbab38c0a0d0cc71a39c0b1aae97735.htm

Seems like you could get a TLX Tech with this stuff (except the ventilated seats) for less.

But yes the BMW X1 is a very nice vehicle. And since your wife really wants a CUV anyway, potentially the way to go. There's a blue X1 service loaner at the Louisville BMW dealer for $30k flat...

https://www.louisvillebmw.com/new-Jefferson+County-2018-BMW-X1-sDrive28i-WBXHU7C33J5L06381

"xLINE, Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information, Ambient Lighting, Apple CarPlay Compatibility, Auto-Dimming Interior & Driver Exterior Mirrors, Auto-Dimming Rear-View Mirror, Comfort Access Keyless Entry, Convenience Package, Dakota Leather Upholstery, Fine-Wood Oak Grain Trim w/Pearl Chrome Accent, Head-Up Display, Heated Front Seats, LED Headlights w/Cornering Lights, Lumbar Support, Luxury Package, Navigation w/Touchpad Controller, Panoramic Moonroof, Power-Folding Mirrors, Premium Package, Remote Services, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Universal Garage-Door Opener."

Love the color combo and that’s a nice grouping of options. xDrive might be prefereable as I believe it is rear biased. As I have noted before get it on the highway and make sure you can live with the noise level.

carnaught

I still likey that blue/beige X1.

qbrozen

@stickguy
here you go. 36/10 would be $0 down and $354/mo. Let me know if you want salesguy's number.
https://www.bmwofmtlaurel.com/exotic-used/BMW/2018-BMW-X2-Mount-Laurel-80a5b7c40a0d04fe195b5e762a2a0dd1.htm

28firefighter

Someone take that X2. No brainer. Heck, take it and if you don’t like it, do a lease transfer. Will be gone in a blink. 

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

@stickguy
here you go. 36/10 would be $0 down and $354/mo. Let me know if you want salesguy's number.
https://www.bmwofmtlaurel.com/exotic-used/BMW/2018-BMW-X2-Mount-Laurel-80a5b7c40a0d04fe195b5e762a2a0dd1.htm

It's a deal, but no leather and no HIDs.

28firefighter

I thought BMW made HIDs standard across all models starting in 2018?  Even the stripped 320 has them. 

suydam

Sure it’s a BMW. BUT — Not AWD. NO safety systems. Doesn’t sound like it fits your parameters at all.

kyfdx

suydam said:

Sure it’s a BMW. BUT — Not AWD. NO safety systems. Doesn’t sound like it fits your parameters at all.

AWD is in the specs, below...

But, yeah, if it's FWD, I don't want it.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I thought BMW made HIDs standard across all models starting in 2018?  Even the stripped 320 has them. 

Not that I know of... I see plenty of new BMWs without HIDs.

Mr_Shiftright

Drivingfool said:

Looks like I got back in with my new name but I really really want my old one back! Can any host or tech guy at Edmunds get me back to me? Whatever I try does not work. I need serious tech help here folks. The time has come to make me whole again!!!

Did you contact the Help desk Sandman?

kyfdx

Grabbed a 9 volt battery out of the closet, to replace in a smoke detector. Noticed that it was bulging out the top! Looked for the date: March 2006.

roadburner

qbrozen said:

Manual calculations? Troglodytes! ;b

so now the wife is thinking CPO. Ugh. She just has this aversion to leasing. Think we'll take a look tomorrow at the 2015 X1 and 328gt at Mt Laurel. BMW is offering 3.99% for 72 mos. Brings it within spitting distance of the lease anyway. And they still have 2 yrs of warranty. 

Had to explain, yet again, that keeping the LR doesn't make financial sense no matter how you look at it.

Check the build dates; you want one built 4/2015 or later, as the N20 received an updated timing chain/guide/tensioner assembly. Also find out if the combox was updated or deactivated. you can usually spot a deactivated combox by the envelope icon that is shown at the top of the nav screen. No combox means no ConnectedDrive, and thus no BMW Online or any remote services. Upgrading the combox runs about$1,000 for parts and labor.

henryn

roadburner said:

Also find out if the combox was updated or deactivated. you can usually spot a deactivated combox by the envelope icon that is shown at the top of the nav screen. No combox means no ConnectedDrive, and thus no BMW Online or any remote services. Upgrading the combox runs about$1,000 for parts and labor.

Great jumping Jehoshaphat! I'm assuming this is roughly equivalent to OnStar? A little reading seems to show that BMW gives you 3 years of service with a new car, whereas GM only gives you 3 months. I know my new Ford F150 has some capabilities in that direction, but I have completely ignored it. If it works as well as the built in navigation, I'm much better off without it!!!

tbirdmarco

Love all above so any punches today! 

tbirdmarco

car above looks black to me is it posabal an dark blue Type your comment

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Manual calculations? Troglodytes! ;b

so now the wife is thinking CPO. Ugh. She just has this aversion to leasing. Think we'll take a look tomorrow at the 2015 X1 and 328gt at Mt Laurel. BMW is offering 3.99% for 72 mos. Brings it within spitting distance of the lease anyway. And they still have 2 yrs of warranty. 

Had to explain, yet again, that keeping the LR doesn't make financial sense no matter how you look at it.

Q, a lease just might have to be something that she tries out to appreciate. Honestly, given the amount of time that you would keep the vehicle anyway, this will be much cheaper for the habit. How long have you had the LR at this point? You probably spent more on it in this time than you would/will on the vehicles you're looking at, and that sort of savings can be shown in print.

Granted, it is emotions at this point, so showing her may make no difference, but you've definitely thought this one through from the financial end of things!

xwesx

Michaell said:

That's what I've been saying .. maybe I just wasn't getting my point across.

I think he was trying to link too many cells together in the calculation.

@xwesx - I've been using my lease sheet (which I cribbed from @kyfdx, who adopted it from his then 10 year old son), since I started as a moderator, 4 years ago.

The only thing I've added recently was the row to deduct the costs for loaner / demo miles (for BMW, specifically).

I didn't have any qualms with your sheet. He shared his, so I thought I would try to reframe things in terms of how he was actually calculating it. Would you mind sending me that worksheet you used? I have an idea....

qbrozen

After much debate, we are signing for the loaner X2. It is a great deal and we LOVE it in white! Final numbers are effecitively $360/mo sign and drive for 36/15k. 0.85% payment vs MSRP.

28firefighter

Excellent deal!  Congrats!

jpp75

Nice @qbrozen! Congrats!!

Michaell

Congrats @qbrozen!

qbrozen

carnaught

28firefighter said:

Excellent deal!  Congrats!

+1, nice...

tjc78

Awesome!! What a steal.

I like the white too.  

pensfan83

Looks great and a stellar deal to boot.

nyccarguy

Looks great!  Congrats @qbrozen!

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

After much debate, we are signing for the loaner X2. It is a great deal and we LOVE it in white! Final numbers are effecitively $360/mo sign and drive for 36/15k. 0.85% payment vs MSRP.

So, it has Sport package and Xenons? Or, is that standard on an X2?

Looks great! Nice deal.

Where were the pictures, before?

stickguy

nice looking. I showed the wife before getting to the fact that you decided to take it. She asked about all the options she wanted, that it does not have. And being smart (she did marry me after all) said "if we are trading up and splurging, might as well get everything we want". So I will continue down my current path to see where we end up. Got some numbers this AM. Now just have to show the wife the car, and if she approves pick a color, then convince them that my number is, in fact, better than their number.

Drivingfool

They tried to help me get my "sandman6472" name back but they didn't have a clue either. Have lost all faith in the Edmunds tech department to be honest. If doing an upgrade, ya think they'd test it to make sure it really works! So far, too many folks have had issues that were just unnecessary as far as I'm concerned. Losing ones info after being a longtime member kinda shows me that the company could give a rat's [non-permissible content removed] about me. And now, being the second time, as I'm on my second name in here, is just unacceptable! If you're going to offer the service, do it correctly or just don't do it. Why would a tech department make changes and then not be able to make it work properly? Since I'm a non tech person, have no clue about any of it but seems to me, shouldn't be this difficult!
It's simple, I just want my original name and all the other info put back, end of story. Just want my original name and info back...PLEASE!!!

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

After much debate, we are signing for the loaner X2. It is a great deal and we LOVE it in white! Final numbers are effecitively $360/mo sign and drive for 36/15k. 0.85% payment vs MSRP.

So, it has Sport package and Xenons? Or, is that standard on an X2? Looks great! Nice deal. Where were the pictures, before?

Where were the pics? Not sure what you mean. I took those today, if that is what you mean.

Sport seats are not standard. I have seen one or two that had standard seats.

tbirdmarco

Q congrats  to you and your  wife 

tbirdmarco

Stick guy  what car is this? Thatt you have to show the wife?

xwesx

Congrats, Q. Another notch in the belt! Are you still able to dump the LR on Carvana?

qbrozen

Yes. Paperwork submitted to carvana. Need togo to the bank tomorrow and get a certified check for the loan balance and send them a picture of it.

qbrozen

Hey stick, princeton volvo has a CPO s60 inscription for only $16k. Tried to talk my wife into it but she wasn't havin it. Go grab it, its a screamin deal.

https://www.volvocarsprinceton.com/certified/Volvo/2015-Volvo-S60-59cd258a0a0e0a6b2b64b1939c83e497.htm