Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

A good friend of mine had one in the late 90s. It was that teal color that was very popular at the time. It was very nice to drive

Sandman6472

Just pulled into home, left around 10:00 or so and got in at 12:30, not to shabby as I had traffic on the turnpike after PGA Blvd. onto Coral Springs. Just a steady stream of traffic, kept my cruise at 76 until it was useless right after entering Palm Beach County. Good to be home though but was a nice few days to relax and be with my oldest for in a few weeks, the fiance is moving in so it'll be different going there. They have Sling t v and saw a bunch of Netflix. Binge watched "Friends From College" and it was a crazy series. Heard it was canceled which is a shame as there are so many loose ends!
Think I've been spelling Equinox wrong as I saw a few on the way home and noticed it. The black over black new one we got as a loaner yesterday was a nice vehicle, I must admit. My kids Cruze Premier RS is a really nice vehicle I must say. She got the top of the line with every feature I think and it drives so smoothly even with the 18" tire upgrade. She has Michelin's on it though didn't notice what kind. Pricey to replace I'm sure so we'll see when the time comes. Anyways, she loves it!!

tifighter

I had a 90 in light blue with a 5 speed way back in the day. Early build first year of that generation, so made in Japan. They used to delay production in Marysville for new models at the time, for whatever reason. Had it for six years before replacing it with a 20v Audi 90 quattro. You can guess how that went...

au1994

Umm, a late 90’s Audi...I’m going to guess not wel...

qbrozen

fintail said:

A friend of mine will go nuts over this - best Accord design ever?

Yes, yes, like how the first end-piece in a loaf of wonder bread is a better design than the last end-piece in the loaf.

sda

Your call CCBA members: two punches, one punch or none? My SIL just purchased a '19 RDX Advance in Lunar Silver with Espresso interior. Super nice! She is giving us her well kept pearl white/tan '06 TL/ELS/Nav that she bought new for my daughter to drive. Just prior to my SIL buying the RDX the TL started leaking oil which necessitated replacing the oil pump, an $800+ repair at the Acura dealer which we paid for. Also my wife is spending $200 for a rental car to drive to FL this weekend to pick up the TL, bring back to SC and then register in her name (don't want it in daughter's name for insurance purposes). So we will have about $1600 in the 'free' TL after all is said and done. My daughter is so excited! I wish my first car was that nice!
Picture was taken when she visited a couple of months ago, and I took it for a spin.

stickguy

I vote one punch for the TL.

I Got a TL from my sister too, for my son when he was in HS. Great car. Had 145k when we got it, and 175k when sold. For more than I paid her for it.

Michaell

I vote one punch, as well.

qbrozen

welll... ya know... it is CC BUYERS A. Just saying. haha. And, yes, I know leases aren't exactly buying, either. ;b

28firefighter

That’s a really nice first car. Great sound system to boot. 

stickguy

Was talking to a woman that lives near me at a dog rescue meeting this weekend. I drive past her house occasionally and have recently noticed a black Explorer in the driveway, and no sign of her old Chevy Trailblazer. So I asked her about it.

Turns out, they had a 3 fer at their house. A few weeks back, the old TB died (t was kind of a tired looking beast) and was put out to pasture, leading to the Explorer (pretty sure it is used, and in the right state, you can scare the willies out of people on the highway!). Then a week later, her husband's older Murano kicked the bucket and joined the TB in the discard pile (not sure what he got, but I think a Chevy PU). Then last week, their daughter came out from Philly to see them, and got to in front of their house when the motor in her Rogue crapped out. Another dead set of wheels. No clue what she replaced it with.

I guess that is the risk you take having nothing but older, higher mileage units in the fleet!

stickguy

28firefighter said:

That’s a really nice first car. Great sound system to boot. 

I will say that the ELS in my new TLX seriously kicks butt. And the RDX advance takes it to the next level, adding 4 more speakers in the roof.

xwesx

This is a special delivery, just for @andres3 : Audi TT RS

I'm not sure by this announcement if we will get the "same" version stateside....

stickguy

I like that color. Works on that car.

henryn

stickguy said:

Was talking to a woman that lives near me at a dog rescue meeting this weekend. I drive past her house occasionally and have recently noticed a black Explorer in the driveway, and no sign of her old Chevy Trailblazer. So I asked her about it.

Turns out, they had a 3 fer at their house. A few weeks back, the old TB died (t was kind of a tired looking beast) and was put out to pasture, leading to the Explorer (pretty sure it is used, and in the right state, you can scare the willies out of people on the highway!). Then a week later, her husband's older Murano kicked the bucket and joined the TB in the discard pile (not sure what he got, but I think a Chevy PU). Then last week, their daughter came out from Philly to see them, and got to in front of their house when the motor in her Rogue crapped out. Another dead set of wheels. No clue what she replaced it with.

I guess that is the risk you take having nothing but older, higher mileage units in the fleet!

TB == Thunderbird ??

On edit, never mind, I see Trailblazer up above.

qbrozen

xwesx said:

This is a special delivery, just for @andres3 : Audi TT RS

I'm not sure by this announcement if we will get the "same" version stateside....

I may yet own an audi in this lifetime

stickguy

I'm pretty sure that 2 VWs, and my son owning an A3 for 2 years, is the closest I will ever come to owning an Audi.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

This is a special delivery, just for @andres3 : Audi TT RS

I'm not sure by this announcement if we will get the "same" version stateside....

I may yet own an audi in this lifetime

Diesel flip.. checked that off.

marcogallo1986

SDA nice onn  the punch for your daughter.  And that your XIL  got now for you and the wife!

xwesx

kyfdx said:

Diesel flip.. checked that off.

I almost made it. I may live with mine a bit longer.

tifighter

au1994 said:

Umm, a late 90’s Audi...I’m going to guess not wel...

No it did not. Funny enough, another Accord replaced it-

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

xwesx said:

This is a special delivery, just for @andres3 : Audi TT RS

I'm not sure by this announcement if we will get the "same" version stateside....

I may yet own an audi in this lifetime

Diesel flip.. checked that off.

Had a GTI in my history, too, but VWs are downright rock-solid reliable and have the resale of solid gold ... compared to Audi.

tjc78

A family membernhad the exact same red Accord coupe. It was bought brand new and only this year sold for a new ILX.  She put nearly 300K on that thing and still got $1000 for it. 

Sandman6472

Our A3 has been flawless just after 4 years of ownership. A nice vehicle and the wife is happy. Wish the interior was anything but black but such is life. She's got about 44K on it now and it's used only around the Ft. Lauderdale area two days a week, the rest is all in town since she works from home those other days. Who knows, I just might end up with it when the time comes. Wouldn't be the worst thing but we'll just see.
Got the oldest off my family phone plan. Her new boss is paying her up to $100/month and all I did was scan her our bill so he could see her part. She decided to go on her own so I had to give permission with AT&T to let this happen. But they screwed her around so much on Saturday afternoon, by Sunday at 1, she was on a T-Mobile plan, unlimited everything, for $70 all in. AT&T wouldn't match this price after repeated attempts as she was happy with their service. T-Mobile is so much better at pricing it seems. Our family plan is a 10G data with unlimited talk & text. It also has rollover which we do every month. I use the most, usually around 4 gigs/month. But for work, she's much better off on her own and she's nice as she didn't want to spend the whole $100/month. This way, she's saving her boss the $30 which am sure he appreciates. Now to get the pharmacist kid off on her own or at least just pay the damn bill. She does very well, very well, better than her mom & dad combined. Have asked her a few times to see what her hospital offers but nothing yet. Now that her sister is off, think she'll get the hint as I'd like to go with T-Mobile and their senior 2 lines with unlimited everything for $70 all in. So hopefully soon, AT&T will be a distant memory!

Sandman6472

Back to work tomorrow and at this point, going to stick with my 3 days and if it's going to be a few less hours, so be it. A good way to transition to stopping all together sooner than later. I'm really ready now!
Enjoyed watching "Friends From College" on Netflix this weekend. Binge watched all 16 episodes and it was fun. Too bad they canceled the series as there are a few loose ends that need tying up. Very enjoyable cast though some of the situations were a bit out there. Was just fun to watch hour after hour and get lost in it! Seriously, retirement will be fun for me. Hoping to do some traveling by auto also and see parts of America before I clock out of this world. So much we haven't seen yet!

stickguy

if you want to move to a new plan, just do it. Tell her she is on her own, and her choice will be get a plan or do without a phone. And I know that a 20 something daughter would give up a kidney before they give up their phone.

28firefighter

My parents gave me a super hard time when I left our family plan. It was the last string still attached after going out on my own and I think they were having some difficulty letting go. Right thing to do though. 

We have a family plan now on T-Mobile and I cannot imagine having any other carrier. 

stickguy

my daughter never mentions it. Mostly because she had to get a new phone last summer, and the monthly payment is on our bill, and we usually forget to get it back from her!

suydam

Naturally she won’t mention it. A great deal for her!

sda

I am delighted that my daughter will have a nice and safe car to drive with the TL. It does mean that me getting another car will be delayed, which bums me a little. However not having any car payments is liberating. I think if I was to get a car I would seriously look at a CPO Mazda Grand Touring Reserve or Signature, TLX Tech, or Accord EXL/Touring. While my wife and I each have a Galaxy S6, our daughter has a new Apple XR. Can you say spoiled? With pleasure.

Sandman6472

Went to buy a XR today from someone in OfferUp, great app by the way. He put my sim card in but I had written down the wrong info to get my stuff in. He still had his stuff in it which might've made the issue worse. And it had a couple of light scratches and it wasn't as perfect as he said it was. And it had a black back and I want a silver again. All in all, guess it wasn't my time yet, so I passed. He sold it an hour later and glad he was understanding. Got my current 8 Plus through OfferUp, but it was brand new, just had no cord, box or ear phones. It looked new, was a blank unit and I got it to work with my sim card.
Silly to even look, as I just got mine last August and had a hard time selling my older 6s Plus. Had to lower the price but finally got it done. Will still keep looking and eventually get one. Have gotten a few iPhone stuff through this app, all were positive experiences with new equipment. This particular deal just wasn't going to work, so I said "thanks, but no thanks" and like I said, within a couple of hours, it was sold. But was the perfect size for me, so will keep going with the search. And if I have to wait till the new models come out, so be it. As it is, am picking up a couple of articles I've bought today, this afternoon after work. Have had all positive experiences with this app as I said earlier with most folks being regular folk like me who've been super honest about the condition of each article. Always meet in a public place just in case, and the vibes have always been positive. Today, the vibe was just off, so I just walked. Am super glad he sold it as I want new with no nicks or other issues to speak of. Have plenty of time to purchase something going forward and won't settle like I was about to do today!
Luckily I am patient with it all and don't need any of it, just want it. Today's purchase price was $450, and one must get 'er done in a timely manner or else someone else will snap it up while your getting the details all sorted out. All the other purchases have been under $25 with the phones being expensive. Sure beats paying retail. The wife has the XR, the oldest the XS and the other girl, a SE model. I have the 8 Plus but want either the X or XR to be honest. The battery life is supposed to be outstanding and it's a larger screen in a smaller...perfect for me. Did feel really good in my hands, and one day soon, I'll have one. Have a few folks who buy phones and own cell phone stores on the lookout for me on these two models. That would actually be the best way to go as I do not want to pay full price from AT&T or the Apple store, the the Apple store will give me something for the older unit. A win/win for us all though they tend to pay a bit low.

Sandman6472

Stick, I know you're right here but I know it'll take time. And like most purchases, I tend to think too long and lose out. For some reason, today, after the long ride home, I saw the ad in the app and the price was right for me...all the stars aligned for a short time. Now, I can take my time looking and already have the cash ready to go. And I have the patience needed to wait this thing out. Will not settle and just get what I want.
Talked with my kid about it, and my next laptop is going to be the new Apple Air I think it's called. Since I just surf basically, why pay the extra for a MacPro in the first place. She just got a new MacPro but a floor model and saved herself a nice chunk of change. Will try to do something similar since her fiance knows folks at the Apple store and got hers through them. Will bring my 8 Plus in and see what it'll take to get 'er done, my phone and how much cash for a new unit? Might try to do a duo deal for a laptop and smart phone and see what happens. I love her new desk top her new boss provided but need the flexibility of a laptop. Can't sit up at the desk too long to be honest so between the laptop, tablet & smart phone, have got all my bases loaded.
While at the Chevy store in New Smyrna Beach yesterday, was looking at the Chevy Trax but especially a Premier model in blue which of course, they did not have in stock. Same as the Buick Encore underneath so a bit cheaper to begin with. Will look closer to home and test drive one just to see if I could live with one on a daily basis. The size is perfect and like the alloy wheel design. But Pep Boys has a couple of wheels that would do the trick and make it look so much better. This next time, want all the safety nannies like she got and it looks anything like an economy car in the Premier trim. Want the faux leather seats and a good overall infotainment center plus a moon/sunroof and larger wheels. Luckily, we have a Chevy dealer right outside our development just like the Audi, Mitsu, VW, Volvo and Mazda dealers. Having a Chevy wouldn't bother me in the least as long as it drove nicely and gave me all the features that I want at a decent price. No longer feel the need for a BMW or other expensive foreign vehicle, as long as it drives well is basically all I need!

Sandman6472

Hate it when I can't stay asleep all night. I slept up in Orlando but I love my kids queen bed in her guest room, almost as nice as my set up at home. But, I slept pretty good and it was a bit cooler up there. I got up around 11 on Sunday as Saturday was a long [non-permissible content removed] day so missed all the phone drama she went through Sunday morning. All I know is that at 1 p m, she had a new line with T-mobile and the switch took a few minutes instead of the 24 to 48 hour time period T-mobile had told her about porting her line from South Florida, went very quickly and smoothly. Even when I checked our data usage on my cell, her number was already gone. Was pleased that it was done so quickly! Now onto getting the other girl to do the same thing, $70 all in for unlimited everything! Then we can move over our lines also and get the 2 lines/seniors over 55 plan. Unlimited everything also for $70 with auto pay.
Time to start consolidating things in my life. Need to move an older IRA account to TD Ameritrade after I set up my IRA for 2018. Possibly consolidate from 3 banks down to either 1 or 2 just to simplify things. Lastly, really have to many credit cards and debit cards. Hate to close them all at once, maybe just cutting up those cards and freezing the same accounts will work. Have a lot of credit set up but doubt I'd ever use any of it to be honest. Started going through some clothes and have some stuff for charity. But still have more shirts to put in that pile. It's just hard to get started because once I do, ain't as bad as I thought. Need to downsize and organize my life as I see 2020 as a year of many changes for us. Need to be ready so I can jump in with both feet and no regrets about anything.
Lastly, there are a couple of folks I need to mend faces with before it's too late. I need to own up to "my stuff" and move forward, own it, apologize if I feel the need & move on. Life's too short and at this stage of life, any of us could go at any time. Hate to leave any loose ends with others who have felt that I've moved on without them. Want the closure I never got to get with my folks and older sister. My older brother and I mended our fences so to speak right before he passed which was the right thing to do. I just apologized for it all, he did also, and we were good I felt. Within a couple of weeks, he was gone but that weight was no longer around my neck, so to speak. Trust me, closure is very important especially when a relationship is toxic and I decided I'd be the better person and just say, "I'm sorry for whatever wrong I've done" and move on. But death came to soon for the three of them and we never got to that point, something that still is bothering me today. Getting it out in hear lightens the load for me so thanks for getting through this long post!!
I know I feel so much better right now!

suydam

@Sandman6472 am I missing something? A new Xr at the Apple Store is $450. I just got a new MacBook Air. We love it. Lot of good Apple sales around at Best Buy and other places.

stickguy

Looks that way if you are trading in an 8. Below $400 if trading in an 8plus. I think I have a 7, but get confused!

suydam

I still have my 6s which works fine since I did the battery replacement. I don’t change till I have to, and I usually don’t get the latest one. Some people do like all the latest tech.

rayainsw

The new 2019 Jetta GLI pricing is out:

https://media.vw.com/en-us/releases/1127

28firefighter

That pricing is a downright bargain given the GTI pricing on the autobahn goes into the 30s. Yowza. I smell a GLI Autobahn in my future.

rayainsw

#aggresivepricing
IMHO
- Ray
Hoping to drive one in the coming months . . .

breld

That pricing is attractive indeed.  

The 35th anniversary model doesn’t add much in price considering you’re getting the DCC and other aesthetic upgrades. 

breld

Come to think of it, I suppose I’ll put the GLI on the list for the next “more practical” fun car.  

The price premium over the Civic Si isn’t as much as I’d anticipated, and I’ve gotta imagine it’ll be a stronger performer.  And a bit more mature looking, though I do love Hondas. 

Edit:  just saw the wheels on VW’s site for the 35th Anniversary Model.  Not so sure about that red trim.  

Michaell

Oh, my. That GLI pricing is quite attractive. 

stickguy

Sounds nice. Sticker for a 6 speed autobahn is right about $30,100. Not bad.

28firefighter

So, here is the thing. It is pretty easy to get a $3-4k discount on new GTIs right now. So I have to wonder whether they'll end up throwing the same discounts at GLI. My guess is probably not.

Other question is whether the DCC will be available on the Autobahn model or whether you have to get the 35th Anniversary edition. Or, can I get all the autobahn goodies on the 35th anniversary edition? To me the price point is such that I'd want all the goodies (digital cockpit etc.) along with DCC.

breld

Like most models, I imagine there will only be a nominal discount at first, but I suspect deeper discounts will follow pretty quickly.  

28firefighter

The timing should work out well for me. The X1 goes back in January or a bit before (to avoid another year of registration). Will replace that with another SUV of some sort. Then the Stelvio will go back in August 2020 and I can get the GLI on a purchase - should give them one MY to work out the bugs and for the hype to die down.

If for some reason it stays popular, then I can use the VW Partner Program and get 500 back of invoice without any struggle.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

So, here is the thing. It is pretty easy to get a $3-4k discount on new GTIs right now. So I have to wonder whether they'll end up throwing the same discounts at GLI. My guess is probably not.

Other question is whether the DCC will be available on the Autobahn model or whether you have to get the 35th Anniversary edition. Or, can I get all the autobahn goodies on the 35th anniversary edition? To me the price point is such that I'd want all the goodies (digital cockpit etc.) along with DCC.

I think they'll lease worse than the GTI as well for the 1st year or so until the hype dies down and inventory slowly builds. The VW dealer near my house still has a few 2018 GTIs in stock. I'm seriously considering a test drive. I'm coming up on 2 years with the Infiniti. I wonder if I could strike a deal on a 24 month lease. No time to go though. Work. Pay Bills. Drive kids to and from hockey. Work. Rinse. Repeat.

I am going skiing this weekend with my son and his boy scout troop to PICO Mountain (In Killington, VT).

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

So, here is the thing. It is pretty easy to get a $3-4k discount on new GTIs right now. So I have to wonder whether they'll end up throwing the same discounts at GLI. My guess is probably not.

Other question is whether the DCC will be available on the Autobahn model or whether you have to get the 35th Anniversary edition. Or, can I get all the autobahn goodies on the 35th anniversary edition? To me the price point is such that I'd want all the goodies (digital cockpit etc.) along with DCC.

I think they'll lease worse than the GTI as well for the 1st year or so until the hype dies down and inventory slowly builds. The VW dealer near my house still has a few 2018 GTIs in stock. I'm seriously considering a test drive. I'm coming up on 2 years with the Infiniti. I wonder if I could strike a deal on a 24 month lease. No time to go though. Work. Pay Bills. Drive kids to and from hockey. Work. Rinse. Repeat.

I am going skiing this weekend with my son and his boy scout troop to PICO Mountain (In Killington, VT).

The lease programs on the GTI are, in a word, awful.

nyccarguy

I think with a set of vented rotors, upgraded pads, stickier tires (when the time comes) as well as thicker sway bars, & a Limited Slip Differential would make my Q40 a serious for to be reckoned with. After March, I've only got 12 payments left and it is ALL MINE. Do I want to make the commitment?

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

I think with a set of vented rotors, upgraded pads, stickier tires (when the time comes) as well as thicker sway bars, & a Limited Slip Differential would make my Q40 a serious for to be reckoned with. After March, I've only got 12 payments left and it is ALL MINE. Do I want to make the commitment?

No