Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco

 Sounds good to me with those codes living next-door, ha ha they’re around my age not far off at all. 

Michaell

stickguy said:

yeah, the GC is too big and trucky for me, but the regular cherokee is not too bad.

Have you test driven one?

stickguy

nope. Just researched, looked at parked, and sat in.

fintail

Back in the day, I could cram 4 hockey bags and sticks in the fintail, along with their owners.

nyccarguy said:

My Q40 doesn’t have the heated steering wheel either.  It does pass the “goalie bag test.”  

henryn

Ah, that's nothing. You should have seen all the "stuff" I carried in the minivan NYE for my DJ gig. It takes a lot of equipment to fill up a large room with music, and I usually have backups and spares for nearly everything.

28firefighter

I really liked this one: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2004-bmw-330i-zhp-20/

Seems like wherever it goes, it's all good news for you, @kyfdx

stickguy

$13,330 hammer price. Gorgeous car. And tons of recent work. I could live with it!

kyfdx

That's a great color combo. Can't beat Natural Brown interior.

Current owner only had it for 10K miles. Sounds like he bought a ratty car, and then fixed it up for BAT.
Hit a home run on the price.

I've replaced my interior C-pillars. About $200.

Now, my A and B pillars need replacing.. About $400 just for the parts. I'm considering it.

Michaell

For your chronic lease shoppers out there, I've got a couple of data points to share that indicates the cost of leasing is still on the rise.

BMW MF has gone from .00182 last month (and, several months before that) to .00188
Hyundai MF has gone from .00226 to .00237

Lots of 2018 models have had lease support dropped (most FCA models, for starters)

28firefighter

Nothing all that surprising.

stickguy

saw an interesting situation on Honcker earlier. They had a really good deal on a Fusion hybrid (deal of the day). $204 ($1,300 DAS) for 36/15,000. But when I checked to see what it would drop to using 12,000 miles, the deal actually went up to $214 ($2,000) DAS. That made zippo sense to me.

and of course in general, market rates go up (thanks, Fed), personal borrowing rates go up too.

henryn

stickguy said:

saw an interesting situation on Honcker earlier. They had a really good deal on a Fusion hybrid (deal of the day). $204 ($1,300 DAS) for 36/15,000. But when I checked to see what it would drop to using 12,000 miles, the deal actually went up to $214 ($2,000) DAS. That made zippo sense to me.

and of course in general, market rates go up (thanks, Fed), personal borrowing rates go up too.

Well, we all knew that free money (or at least almost free) could not last. I am surprised it lasted as long as it did.

Mr_Shiftright

Exactly. This "good" economy has one problem. It's not productivity-driven as much as it is debt-driven.

Michaell

Lots of folks are complaining about not being able to get a similar lease deal as they did 3 years ago.

One person said the lease on their Tahoe was going to be $150/mo more than their current lease.

I think lots of people will will scaling back what they lease, if this keeps up.

xwesx

Lots of people will be scaling back a lot of what they do.... if this keeps up!

stickguy

yeah, I saw that this time around vs. 3-4 years ago when I leased last time.

qbrozen

Well, we got in while the gettin was good. If I gotta go back to used cars in 2 yrs, so be it.

tjc78

Well., maybe the manufactures will up the rebates to keep pricing if sales slow.

qbrozen

Oh but rumor has it BMW has reinstated MSDs for new customers

benjaminh

I feel fortunate I got a 1% lease before the party was over.

stickguy

same here! Not that many out on Honcker, using that as a reference point. Of course, some of the fluke deals like QB got are really outliers (and technically, he did buy "used" cars).

I did notice that a lot of them seem to have more realistic residuals too (50-52%). Makes the idea of buying in out at the end more reasonable, if you like the car, and miles are low. I think the residual on my TLX is about $20,800. Assuming I don't mile it up much more than the last one, and in 3 years (and 3 model years old since it is a 2019) it is sitting with miles in the low 20's, it might be a good buy, depending on what is out there comparable on the open market.

Probably won't, but not unthinkable.

andres3

i hear 2019 TTRS's are sold out, so if you want a new one you have to wait for 2020 models.

corvette

Michaell said:

Lots of folks are complaining about not being able to get a similar lease deal as they did 3 years ago.

One person said the lease on their Tahoe was going to be $150/mo more than their current lease.

I think lots of people will will scaling back what they lease, if this keeps up.

Wow, that reminds me of December-ish, 2008, when the $400-ish per month, only paid fees upfront, 24 month lease on my Audi A4 was expiring. I think I could've only gotten a moderately equipped Accord for 36 months at that price. That was when I bought the G6 that ended up getting bought back via the lemon law.

coldinohio

saw new genesis G70 3.3T at local hyundai/genesis dealer; did not drive; nice looks and interior nice-- probably not as nice as TLX or MB C series; first one at the dealer ; they had ~$4500 ADM attached to window sticker...

will drive later this month;

drove volvo S60 T6-- nice interior; good pickup with turbo and supercharged 2L ; seats in higher level trim (R) really nice and supportive

nyccarguy

coldinohio said:

saw new genesis G70 3.3T at local hyundai/genesis dealer; did not drive; nice looks and interior nice-- probably not as nice as TLX or MB C series; first one at the dealer ; they had ~$4500 ADM attached to window sticker... will drive later this month; drove volvo S60 T6-- nice interior; good pickup with turbo and supercharged 2L ; seats in higher level trim (R) really nice and supportive

What was the $4,500 ADM sticker for?

coldinohio

dealer installed stupid stuff; mop & glo; did not even ask as not ready to drive car

sda

Browsing different dealer sites, it looks like good deals can be had on the new Jetta. One reputable dealer has most Jettas listed with a $5k discount. A Jetta R type can be had for less than $20k and an SEL for just over $20k. No SEL premiums in stock. I didn’t see any fine print to indicate any qualifiers that had to be met to get the discount.

henryn

sda said:

Browsing different dealer sites, it looks like good deals can be had on the new Jetta. One reputable dealer has most Jettas listed with a $5k discount. A Jetta R type can be had for less than $20k and an SEL for just over $20k. No SEL premiums in stock. I didn’t see any fine print to indicate any qualifiers that had to be met to get the discount.

I'm not seeing deals quite that good, but still interesting.



The 1.4T S is quite a bit less, of course. Also take note that the 1.4T S is for a leftover 2018. A heck of a good deal for a new car, I would say.

henryn

qbrozen said:

Well, we got in while the gettin was good. If I gotta go back to used cars in 2 yrs, so be it.

Well, I just turned 68. In 2 years, I will be 70, my SS will be maxed out, and I will most likely retire (again).

At which point, who knows? I might even keep a car longer than a year or two.

Or I could always open a used car lot in my spare time, right?

sda

henryn said:

qbrozen said:

Well, we got in while the gettin was good. If I gotta go back to used cars in 2 yrs, so be it.

Well, I just turned 68. In 2 years, I will be 70, my SS will be maxed out, and I will most likely retire (again).

At which point, who knows? I might even keep a car longer than a year or two.

Or I could always open a used car lot in my spare time, right?

Happy Birthday!

kyfdx

There will always be cheap lease deals on cars that aren't selling well. But, some people take that cheap deal, and when it's up, assume they can lease the same make/model for the same price. Most don't know how lucky they were the first time. When your lease is up, you have to look for another deal. (or, after a month, with this crowd)

corvette

Took the G37 to Frankfort for its first free oil change. Got done in about 30 minutes, then went to tour the Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, then to their warehousing and bottling facility in Cox’s Creek. The new Cooper tires are very solid and quiet so far. I hit the gas fairly hard on some wet pavement and they didn’t break loose at all, so I think the new tires plus going with a slightly wider size were both good choices. 

tifighter

So I drove the 3 up skiing yesterday for the first time with a friend. 2/3 section of rear seat folded down, for two sets of skis, bags with clothes, ski boots, helmets, packs, etc. Round trip to the area, Crystal Mtn, is about 150 miles, sea level to 4600 ft, then back down. Temps in the low 40s to 27 at the base of the mountain. Entire trip used about 50% battery, which seems good to me considering it is rated for 310 miles and it wasn’t a flat summer trip. Handled some snow and ice well, but it’s on winter tires. Impressed.

Mr_Shiftright

Was that a one day trip or an overnight?

stickguy

what model cooper did you get? I have the CS5 ultra tourings on the RDX and they have been good so far.

ronsteve

corvette said:

Took the G37 to Frankfort for its first free oil change. Got done in about 30 minutes, then went to tour the Four Roses distillery in Lawrenceburg, then to their warehousing and bottling facility in Cox’s Creek. The new Cooper tires are very solid and quiet so far. I hit the gas fairly hard on some wet pavement and they didn’t break loose at all, so I think the new tires plus going with a slightly wider size were both good choices. 

How much is there to see over at the Coxs Creek facility? Any reason to add it to our Bourbon Trail adventures?

stickguy

when I went to Ireland a couple years ago, we went of a couple of distillery tours. Jameson, and Tallamore Dew. That was a really nice one. Fantastic tasting at the end. I don't really do Whiskey, so no clue how good it really was, but the tour and tasting were a lot of fun.

kyfdx

How was the bourbon?

corvette

stickguy said:

what model cooper did you get? I have the CS5 ultra tourings on the RDX and they have been good so far.

Cooper Zeon RS3-G1.

ronsteve said:

How much is there to see over at the Coxs Creek facility? Any reason to add it to our Bourbon Trail adventures?

The Cox's Creek tour actually lasted longer than the one in Lawrenceburg. They take you in a van to show you where the distilled spirits are moved into barrels, one of the rickhouses, and the building where they do the filtering and bottling. And you get a second tasting. If you pay $5 for the tour at either facility, you can come back to the other facility within 60 days for free for a second tour and second tasting. I did both in one day. And the Cox's Creek facility is within spitting distance of Jim Beam--I don't really care for them (the bourbon or the tour), but if you're there and need to punch your passport, might as well.

kyfdx said:

How was the bourbon?

Good. The tour was cheap. The bottle of Single Barrel I brought home was less so.

roadburner

I'll be 67 when my one(and only) term ends; I'm not thinking past that for now.

breld

So my friend who was renting our Prius from us bought a CR-V EX today, so I met him at the dealership to pick up the Prius. Took a ride in the CR-V and was really impressed. I always prefer a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but other than that, I was surprised at how well the EX was equipped. He got a nice deal on a leftover 2018.

Already took the Prius to Carmax and EchoPark to get bids on it, so will probably unload that next week. Also got a bid from Carvana and waiting on one from Vroom.

It was a leftover 2017 model when we bought it last summer and had very light hail damage - very minor. Paid $26k for it, will be getting $9,500 in tax credits (Colorado is $5k of that), and am getting bids of $21k. Not exactly VW Dieselgate profits, but not bad.

breld

On another note, I've been driving the Miata, top down, this weekend. Denver really is a nice area for convertibles - despite the reputation for snowy winters, there are plenty of warm sunny days throughout the winter months.

qbrozen

breld said:

So my friend who was renting our Prius from us bought a CR-V EX today, so I met him at the dealership to pick up the Prius. Took a ride in the CR-V and was really impressed. I always prefer a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but other than that, I was surprised at how well the EX was equipped. He got a nice deal on a leftover 2018. Already took the Prius to Carmax and EchoPark to get bids on it, so will probably unload that next week. Also got a bid from Carvana and waiting on one from Vroom. It was a leftover 2017 model when we bought it last summer and had very light hail damage - very minor. Paid $26k for it, will be getting $9,500 in tax credits (Colorado is $5k of that), and am getting bids of $21k. Not exactly VW Dieselgate profits, but not bad.

How long do you have to hold it for those credits?

sda

I thoroughly enjoyed my 92 Miata, top down always! It was my weekend car and, 20:20 hindsight, wish I kept it longer.

stickguy

when I had my Miata (a 2001 I think) if the temp was about 42, and it wasn't raining, the top went down. I do recall getting a lot of funny looks.

a pair of gloves, windows up, and heat set to floor, and nice and comfy!

Of course, same conditions pretty much I crank the moonroof open now, so not much different.

breld

qbrozen said:

breld said:

So my friend who was renting our Prius from us bought a CR-V EX today, so I met him at the dealership to pick up the Prius. Took a ride in the CR-V and was really impressed. I always prefer a leather-wrapped steering wheel, but other than that, I was surprised at how well the EX was equipped. He got a nice deal on a leftover 2018.

Already took the Prius to Carmax and EchoPark to get bids on it, so will probably unload that next week. Also got a bid from Carvana and waiting on one from Vroom.

It was a leftover 2017 model when we bought it last summer and had very light hail damage - very minor. Paid $26k for it, will be getting $9,500 in tax credits (Colorado is $5k of that), and am getting bids of $21k. Not exactly VW Dieselgate profits, but not bad.

How long do you have to hold it for those credits?

No explicit requirement on the Federal or Colorado - I believe California has a holding period.

nyccarguy

@corvette - those Coopers are all season or summer performance rubber?

nyccarguy

breld said:

On another note, I've been driving the Miata, top down, this weekend. Denver really is a nice area for convertibles - despite the reputation for snowy winters, there are plenty of warm sunny days throughout the winter months.

Glad to see you are enjoying the Miata in January!

corvette

nyccarguy said:

@corvette - those Coopers are all season or summer performance rubber?

UHP all-season, although with RWD, I will not be chancing it and plan to drive the Tahoe if they're calling for snow or ice.

I continue to be impressed with the way the G37 drives. The power delivery from the VQ engine plus the seven speed auto provide more usable power in daily driving than the Mustang GT. The transmission is quicker to kick down a gear or two. I will also say this: With seven, eight, and ten speed automatics, we're getting to the point where there is so little difference in each gear that gear changes feel more like ratio changes on a CVT.

tbirdmarco

 Nice on the winery tour or rent would like to do more of those just to get someone to go with you the whole hassle but this year will figure out something. I’ve still been jobhunting have an interview tomorrow so we’ll see what happens. Sounds good about top down mood ring right now to do the same thing if I could.