Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

well, I will admit that I was attracted to the deal, but have never driven one. and it would not have been the first time that I got all hot and bothered for a specific car, then did not like it once I drove one.
'
not that I am in the market for another 3 years or so (unless some time before then the wife wants a new one, but that is unlikely, and would be an RDX sized CUV anyway).

28firefighter

stickguy said:

well, I will admit that I was attracted to the deal, but have never driven one. and it would not have been the first time that I got all hot and bothered for a specific car, then did not like it once I drove one. ' not that I am in the market for another 3 years or so (unless some time before then the wife wants a new one, but that is unlikely, and would be an RDX sized CUV anyway).

I really think you made an awesome choice. I’d be sitting in it blasting the ELS stereo right now. 

stickguy

the stereo really is good. The base elantra was pretty weak. If you were on the highway (heck, decent speed limit back road) with the windows down you couldn't hear a thing. Won't be a problem in the new car.

benjaminh

I’d drive the TL over the Q50 any day.

Even a FWD 4-cyl TL? Really?



https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2018-infiniti-q50-30t-awd-test-review

"The Q50 introduced the world to Infiniti’s contentious Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS) system, which has no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the steering rack (except in cases of electronic failure, when an explosive bolt fires and creates a mechanical link). Enthusiasts and reviewers have chided its disconnected behavior and lack of feedback....the wheel is still deaf to nearly all chatter. Infiniti touts the DAS’s ability to eliminate vibrations and jerking of the steering wheel, but those subtle motions make up a large chunk of steering feel, and silencing them is an attack on a driver’s line of communication to the tires."

qbrozen

I haven't driven one, either. I assumed the q50 was the same as the g37, which was the same as the g35.

@28firefighter  were any of your rentals equiped with the 3.0T?

I haven't driven a TLX, either, but I am confident I'd only want an AWD v6 in one, if at all.

BTW, those Crosstrek seats looks surprisingly sporty and inviting.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

yes it has 19"s. but not as low profile. I caved on that for the power thigh extension driver's seat.

A-spec gets 245/40R19 high-performance all-season tires. Is that close to being low profile? The standard tires are 225/55R17.

stickguy

245/40 has the same amount of sidewall as 225/45. That is pretty common these days for "sportier" cars (and stuff like an Accord or Camry it seems).

so lower than the base 225/55 (that is actually pretty tall these days). The base V6 car splits the difference at 225/50.

given an option, I would have taken the taller sidewall tire but decided it was worth it to get the rest of the goodies.

benjaminh

stick: Can you feel the four-wheel steering?

stickguy

so far the sole extent of my driving was 2 on/off ramps, some straight highway, and creeping along in stop and go local traffic. In the rain. I can barely confirm the steering wheel is connected to the tires!

well, I can confirm that. And the steering has a nice feel to to. But I need to get it out on some back roads to really test it out.

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I haven't driven one, either. I assumed the q50 was the same as the g37, which was the same as the g35.

@28firefighter  were any of your rentals equiped with the 3.0T?

I haven't driven a TLX, either, but I am confident I'd only want an AWD v6 in one, if at all.

BTW, those Crosstrek seats looks surprisingly sporty and inviting.

I had a Crosstrek as a loaner a few times during my Legacy ownership. While it was sluggish off the line, I did feel it drove nice & solid. I liked it better than my Legacy.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

....But I need to get it out on some back roads to really test it out.

Hope you'll get a chance to do that soon!

venture

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

I haven't driven one, either. I assumed the q50 was the same as the g37, which was the same as the g35.

@28firefighter  were any of your rentals equiped with the 3.0T?

I haven't driven a TLX, either, but I am confident I'd only want an AWD v6 in one, if at all.

BTW, those Crosstrek seats looks surprisingly sporty and inviting.

I had a Crosstrek as a loaner a few times during my Legacy ownership. While it was sluggish off the line, I did feel it drove nice & solid. I liked it better than my Legacy.

Owning both, that surprises me. Of course my Legacy has the 3.6 6 cylinder. Maybe that's why.

breld

The 19” wheels package on the A5 look nice, but it wouldn’t have been our first choice.  Those tires are 255 35 19s.  

From what we could tell, if you wanted a well equipped model, they generally included a sport package. 

And they’re summer tires, so I have an appointment next week to get snows put on it.  

stickguy

from my test drive of the 3.6 outback, and what I remember of driving the 4 cyl version a few years ago, the engine makes it feel like a totally different car.

nyccarguy

breld said:

The 19” wheels package on the A5 look nice, but it wouldn’t have been our first choice.  Those tires are 255 35 19s.  

From what we could tell, if you wanted a well equipped model, they generally included a sport package. 

And they’re summer tires, so I have an appointment next week to get snows put on it.  

I have an appointment next week to get snows put on trade it in.

au1994

The seats are indeed great on the Crosstrek. The leather is nice and soft and the orange stitching against the black leather is really cool.

I’ve got to spend some time with it today and learn all the screens on Starlink and try out Apple CarPlay.

Good advice on removing the rack. Although I like the look it is no doubt costing us MPGs and its a bit noisy.

A couple of other bonuses - Crosstrek uses regular gas and the 6 mo insurance premium was 240 less than the X6!

coldinohio

breld said:

The 19” wheels package on the A5 look nice, but it wouldn’t have been our first choice.  Those tires are 255 35 19s.  

From what we could tell, if you wanted a well equipped model, they generally included a sport package. 

And they’re summer tires, so I have an appointment next week to get snows put on it.  

great car; which audi gray is it?

when in ohio, I switched my 19 in summers to 17 in Blizzak and had no issues in snow

would be interested in your thoughts on audi vs porsche transmission-- aren't they both 7sp dual clutch?
T

anonymousposts1

corvette said:

I’d drive the TL over the Q50 any day. 

Ouch. Sounds like Infiniti really blew it with the Q50... The G37's space in my garage looks safe for a while!

In my previous life as a sales manager for a dealership, I demo’d a Q50 Hybrid. Beautiful car, black with parchment leather. I loved everything about it... except the steering. Felt disconnected and way too light. Big difference from a 05 G35 sedan I owned a few years back. 

graphicguy

breld said:

Well, this is a banner day for the CCBA clan.  

Congrats @stickguy and @au1994!

Beautiful.....Congrats!

tjc78

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

the Infiniti dealer I was talking to made a good point. If you want to renew your lease, they waive the last 3, so a 39 can be done in 36 for a lower payment.

Hahahah. Oh, well now I'm in! Lol.

but you made me look. Damn a maroon over tan, 39/12k, Luxe AWD with Essential... came up $400/mo, but then I updated my account with our bmw lease and it dropped to $374. I'd also get VPP for another $45 or so. Geesh! $330? On $44k MSRP? That is right about equal with my Alfa (0.75% vs 0.74% Alfa). Again, though, the Alfa is only 24 mos. 20 months remaining.

Wow, that’s a great deal.  

graphicguy

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

28firefighter said:

I’d drive the TL over the Q50 any day. 

Ouch. Sounds like Infiniti really blew it with the Q50... The G37's space in my garage looks safe for a while!

The G37/Q40 was a much better car than the Q50. Muuuuuch better. 

I concur. I still feel the sweet spot for Infinitis is the one Bradd has....the 3.7L Q40 (or, alternately, a lightly used G37). Infiniti took a step backward with the Q50.....even the 3.0T model. That could explain the “deals” that are coming up for them, too.

fintail

The Q50 being seen often in rental fleets might also be a sign - I don't recall the prior models being nearly as common in that realm.

nyccarguy

graphicguy said:

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

28firefighter said:

I’d drive the TL over the Q50 any day. 

Ouch. Sounds like Infiniti really blew it with the Q50... The G37's space in my garage looks safe for a while!

The G37/Q40 was a much better car than the Q50. Muuuuuch better. 

I concur. I still feel the sweet spot for Infinitis is the one Bradd has....the 3.7L Q40 (or, alternately, a lightly used G37). Infiniti took a step backward with the Q50.....even the 3.0T model. That could explain the “deals” that are coming up for them, too.

Speaking of Bradd's Infiniti; about a week or 2 after I got it a rock hit my windshield and put a nice star chip in it. It bothered me, but I didn't want to get it fixed. Then maybe 2 months ago, I got another stone chip in the windshield. I noticed 2 days ago, that the 2nd chip started to spread. Maybe an inch on either side. This AM I noticed the crack in the windshield is about 12 - 15" long. So I found out the name of a good glass place here in The Bronx, where I work. Called the guy up, he ordered me a new PPG windshield. Called up my insurance agent to let them know I'm filing a glass claim. "Sure, would you like us to schedule Safelite to come to your home or work?" I told them no thank-you, I have a place lined up. They said OK, just pay out of pocket for it and submit the bill for reimbursement. So I am getting a new windshield on Monday.

corvette

My glass place direct bills the insurance company, I’ve never had to pay out of pocket (there’s no deductible on glass in KY). 

carnaught

Just got caught up o yesterday’s posts. @au1994, @stickguy, and @breld, a big congrats on your new rides. Really nice and well done all!

Wish you many happy and safe motoring miles for many months (we know who), and years!

28firefighter

My insurance (Safeco) requires me to use safelite - which is just as well, since it saves me some hassle and I've been happy with their service.

Re: 3.0T engine in the rental fleet - yes I had one as a "premiere collection upgrade" or whatever National was calling it at the time. I remember being very excited to get it and then immediately wishing I had taken something else. It was comfortable enough and looked nice, and the engine was fun, but everything else about it annoyed me - the infotainment, the build quality, the steering etc. I remember distinctly thinking about how different it drove from the Q40 I had borrowed from a friend in the past.

At the right pricepoint it will make a solid, reliable, and reasonably quick car to drive. For me that price point would be sub-$30k used or < $300/month on a lease.

Now, a Q50 Red Sport would be a different story...

tbirdmarco

Good morning all happy friday

qbrozen

Another crazy good deal popped up on Honcker. Sent to me BIL, but I'm sure he'll reject it.
Terrain SLE 4x4 with convenience pack. $32,170 MSRP, 24/12k, $228/mo with $236 DAS. Wow.

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

Another crazy good deal popped up on Honcker. Sent to me BIL, but I'm sure he'll reject it.
Terrain SLE 4x4 with convenience pack. $32,170 MSRP, 24/12k, $228/mo with $236 DAS. Wow.

That is stupid cheap money for that car. Usually its the FWD 30k models you see that cheap...

tbirdmarco

Love those older infinitys to

stickguy

cheap SUV. I might have bit on that one. Then of course hated it for 2 years, minus 23 days (the 23 that I made the payment).

but if you need cheap family transportation, not a bad deal.

qbrozen

Sitting in my sister's Equinox, it is pretty nice for the money. I guess all new cars feel that way, though.

The FWD Terrain with convenience is $216. FYI.

pensfan83

Taking advantage of Christmas shopping being done and everyone flocking to the malls we decided to sprinkle in a test drive today for one of the contenders to replace the Altima. First up was the Jeep dealer, which was relatively quiet. We were greeted pretty quickly and made clear up front we were there just to test drive. No problem we were told, we told him what we were interested in and first up was a 2019 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, black over black. Had the Trailhawk Luxury package and Active Safety. My wife did all the driving and reported the V6 was more than adequate for her, the seats were comfortable (we were told they are the same seats that are in the SRT model), and she really liked how it drove. I can't speak for the driving experience but I will agree it's comfortable, rides well despite its off road suspension, and would be more than enough room for the 4 of us and the ever growing list of sports of equipment we have to tote around. When we got back to the dealer the salesman had us drive around back where the other Jeep we were interested in was parked. That one was an Overland model and we were offered a test drive of that as well but we declined because my wife commented in just a side by side comparison she preferred Trailhawk over the Overland.

Before we could leave though the inevitable question of whether we were ready to start talking numbers came up and since I liked our salesman thought why not. First offer was $637/month (tax incl.) for 39/12 with only first month due at signing. LOL, no thanks. Our salesman asked if he could swing $600 would that work? Nope. I asked to see the numbers and the dealer discount was around 4%, not great. I pointed out the total "discount" the sales manager highlighted included incentives and he would need to have more dealer discount. The math wasn't adding up either, we were about $20 apart in calculations. I gave him a counter offer and he was gone almost 10 minutes this time showing up with his sales manager who looked like he just graduated college. Things went south pretty quick due to his attitude, I felt bad for our salesman who just sat there quietly. When I called out the difference in payments he said leasing has a lot of moving parts (not really) and they use state of the art software with everything prefilled in (except what you're padding the deal with). I reiterated my offer and suggested we have no problem waiting and his response was then you're going to be waiting a long time and said he'll "compromise" and come down to $575. Said thanks but we'll stop wasting each others time. Oh and when our salesman offered to walk us out he walked us over to the Jeep we test drove and sure enough taped on the window was a protection package worth $750, the $20 difference. Guess he couldn't or wouldn't say anything in front of his boss but I appreciated it nonetheless.

qbrozen

pensfan83 said:

Taking advantage of Christmas shopping being done and everyone flocking to the malls we decided to sprinkle in a test drive today for one of the contenders to replace the Altima. First up was the Jeep dealer, which was relatively quiet. We were greeted pretty quickly and made clear up front we were there just to test drive. No problem we were told, we told him what we were interested in and first up was a 2019 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, black over black. Had the Trailhawk Luxury package and Active Safety. My wife did all the driving and reported the V6 was more than adequate for her, the seats were comfortable (we were told they are the same seats that are in the SRT model), and she really liked how it drove. I can't speak for the driving experience but I will agree it's comfortable, rides well despite its off road suspension, and would be more than enough room for the 4 of us and the ever growing list of sports of equipment we have to tote around. When we got back to the dealer the salesman had us drive around back where the other Jeep we were interested in was parked. That one was an Overland model and we were offered a test drive of that as well but we declined because my wife commented in just a side by side comparison she preferred Trailhawk over the Overland.

Before we could leave though the inevitable question of whether we were ready to start talking numbers came up and since I liked our salesman thought why not. First offer was $637/month (tax incl.) for 39/12 with only first month due at signing. LOL, no thanks. Our salesman asked if he could swing $600 would that work? Nope. I asked to see the numbers and the dealer discount was around 4%, not great. I pointed out the total "discount" the sales manager highlighted included incentives and he would need to have more dealer discount. The math wasn't adding up either, we were about $20 apart in calculations. I gave him a counter offer and he was gone almost 10 minutes this time showing up with his sales manager who looked like he just graduated college. Things went south pretty quick due to his attitude, I felt bad for our salesman who just sat there quietly. When I called out the difference in payments he said leasing has a lot of moving parts (not really) and they use state of the art software with everything prefilled in (except what you're padding the deal with). I reiterated my offer and suggested we have no problem waiting and his response was then you're going to be waiting a long time and said he'll "compromise" and come down to $575. Said thanks but we'll stop wasting each others time. Oh and when our salesman offered to walk us out he walked us over to the Jeep we test drove and sure enough taped on the window was a protection package worth $750, the $20 difference. Guess he couldn't or wouldn't say anything in front of his boss but I appreciated it nonetheless.

So what was your offer? What was MSRP (minus the ADM)?

honcker has a $47k MSRP unit for $471.

28firefighter

This may not matter to you explicitly, @pensfan83, but the Grand Cherokee just got torn apart in crash test ratings. Took it out of the running for us to replace the X1.

pensfan83

My offer was $45,000 reflecting a dealer discount of about 10%, aggressive on a 2019 but figured they might be motivated with EOY. MSRP is $50,030.

And I did not know about the recent crash test ratings. This would be my wife's car and the primary family hauler so yeah that's something to definitely consider.

28firefighter

pensfan83 said:

My offer was $45,000 reflecting a dealer discount of about 10%, aggressive on a 2019 but figured they might be motivated with EOY. MSRP is $50,030.

And I did not know about the recent crash test ratings. This would be my wife's car and the primary family hauler so yeah that's something to definitely consider.

I don't think it's THAT aggressive - seems fair to me given the number of CJDR dealers around.

stickguy

saved some money today. Always a nice thing. The one part of my buying experience yesterday I did not mention was the F&I process. Overall, the delivery was smooth (I was in and out in about an hour total). The finance office had a bit more than I cared for of pushing the various protection products (no, I do not need the $499 super deluxe delivery prep package). Though we did discuss the damage waiver option (aka the "beat it to crap and we don't care" plan), though the way I treat the cars not a worry about that.

so that just left the wheel and tire protection that I was considering. I would have bit at a reasonable price, but they were really high for this. I know it includes wheels, but it is pretty hard to take a factory wheel out. but with our roads, tire coverage is not bad to have. I think the last offer was about $35/month (I think for the tire/wheel only, not the deluxe package, but could be the other). So, I figured that unless I went through 3 tires or a wheel, I was coming out on the short end of the stick, so decided to 'self insure"

out of curiosity, I called my insurance agent (Allstate). Turns out their deluxe roadside assistance plan (hey, I already have coverage 2x, so why not 3?) actually includes tire and wheel road hazard protection. So for a whopping net of $64 for a year, I am covering not only the TLX but the RDX too. And if I get arrested, they put up the bail!

covers up to 2 tires per year. I think I can live with that. And $250 a tire, so no issue there.

Now I have some peace of mind when driving through the mine fields.

qbrozen

Temptation just came and went ... I think.
Saw a post elsewhere for an ex-loaner 330i coming in REAL cheap. So I ran some numbers and it looks like I could have shot for about $280-$290/mo on a 24/12k deal on a couple of units at the dealer we just got the X2 from. Then, just to confirm the Alfa situation, I plugged it into Carvana again. This time it came up $1100 on the short end. Whoops!

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

Temptation just came and went ... I think.
Saw a post elsewhere for an ex-loaner 330i coming in REAL cheap. So I ran some numbers and it looks like I could have shot for about $280-$290/mo on a 24/12k deal on a couple of units at the dealer we just got the X2 from. Then, just to confirm the Alfa situation, I plugged it into Carvana again. This time it came up $1100 on the short end. Whoops!

Why are you so tempted?! I think the Alfa is a better drive than a 330i...

You could probably do a lease transfer on the Alfa, if you were so inclined. I'm in for the duration on mine.

tifighter

Because it's sales bonanza week on CCBA, that's why. Only a saint can resist that kind of temptation.

28firefighter

tifighter said:

Because it's sales bonanza week on CCBA, that's why. Only a saint can resist that kind of temptation.

I'm looking at wheels and headunits for the viggen. Wheels are the priority because one of the rims bent after it grazed a small pothole.

kyfdx

@stickguy Your 19" wheels have the same sidewall height as my 17" winter tires, and a 1/2" more sidewall than my 18" summers.

I wouldn't worry about them...

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

Temptation just came and went ... I think. Saw a post elsewhere for an ex-loaner 330i coming in REAL cheap. So I ran some numbers and it looks like I could have shot for about $280-$290/mo on a 24/12k deal on a couple of units at the dealer we just got the X2 from. Then, just to confirm the Alfa situation, I plugged it into Carvana again. This time it came up $1100 on the short end. Whoops!

Why are you so tempted?! I think the Alfa is a better drive than a 330i... You could probably do a lease transfer on the Alfa, if you were so inclined. I'm in for the duration on mine.

If my wife's X2 were quicker and handled better, I'd take it over the Alfa. Could be the 330 checks those final 2 boxes? And would be nearly $100 cheaper and get better mileage. Not to mention a fully functioning infotainment system!

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

qbrozen said:

Temptation just came and went ... I think.
Saw a post elsewhere for an ex-loaner 330i coming in REAL cheap. So I ran some numbers and it looks like I could have shot for about $280-$290/mo on a 24/12k deal on a couple of units at the dealer we just got the X2 from. Then, just to confirm the Alfa situation, I plugged it into Carvana again. This time it came up $1100 on the short end. Whoops!

Why are you so tempted?! I think the Alfa is a better drive than a 330i...

You could probably do a lease transfer on the Alfa, if you were so inclined. I'm in for the duration on mine.

If my wife's X2 were quicker and handled better, I'd take it over the Alfa. Could be the 330 checks those final 2 boxes? And would be nearly $100 cheaper and get better mileage. Not to mention a fully functioning infotainment system!

The 330i will definitely be quicker. I think 20 more HP? It's not the same engine.

pensfan83

28firefighter said:

pensfan83 said:

My offer was $45,000 reflecting a dealer discount of about 10%, aggressive on a 2019 but figured they might be motivated with EOY. MSRP is $50,030.

And I did not know about the recent crash test ratings. This would be my wife's car and the primary family hauler so yeah that's something to definitely consider.

I don't think it's THAT aggressive - seems fair to me given the number of CJDR dealers around.

I wanted at least 13% off and since we aren't pressed at all should have probably just thrown that out there. Oh well

pensfan83

Just sent an email on this. It's equipped perfectly IMO.

https://www.faulknerbmw.com/exotic-used/BMW/2018-BMW-X1-Lancaster-Pennsylvania-a6a70d7c0a0d0cc7382ce56791807885.htm

stickguy

Q, no one at that dealer was mentioning deals like that to me a week ago, or I probably would be driving one of those instead. That was the one BMW I really liked, and would have taken it for less money over the TLX without a 2nd thought. Darn. Timing is everything.

though if we had just leased some sort of CUV instead I would have had no problem grabbing a 2nd lease, then selling the RDX to Carvana too. Wife would have loved that maneuver.

breld

qbrozen said:

Temptation just came and went ... I think.
Saw a post elsewhere for an ex-loaner 330i coming in REAL cheap. So I ran some numbers and it looks like I could have shot for about $280-$290/mo on a 24/12k deal on a couple of units at the dealer we just got the X2 from. Then, just to confirm the Alfa situation, I plugged it into Carvana again. This time it came up $1100 on the short end. Whoops!

$1,100! Say it isn't so.

I should be so lucky.

Mr_Shiftright

qbrozen said:

Another crazy good deal popped up on Honcker. Sent to me BIL, but I'm sure he'll reject it.
Terrain SLE 4x4 with convenience pack. $32,170 MSRP, 24/12k, $228/mo with $236 DAS. Wow.

Yeah but then he's driving a Terrain. Gee, I dunno about that vehicle. 4 recalls already and 2018 ain't even over yet! "brakes" "fire" "defective airbag" "fractured driveshaft".