Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

Personally, I'd choose a recent PDK over manual. But Targa, AWD, and $190k? 3 strikes, you are out. And that's before even discussing color.

Michaell

What @breld didn't mention is that he, @jpp75 and I went in together on some Powerball tickets.

While we didn't win the recent $750M prize, we did each win enough to go shopping in that price range, if we so choose.

Been keeping this information close to the vest as the suggestions on how to spend the money would come fast and thick from this group.

Me? I'm thinking a Raptor would be good for the Colorado winters.

28firefighter

Have I ever mentioned how much I love April Fools?

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Have I ever mentioned how much I love April Fools?

A friend of my dad's did win the lottery in CA - I think it was something like $350K and this was back in the 90's.

He bought himself a vintage Corvette, and put the following vanity plates on it:

6TWON

28firefighter

Now that is clever.

coldinohio

fintail said:

Time for a punch.

I done did a thing yesterday, and the Bluetec is gone. I still have some sellers remorse (although technically I didn't own it), but I got into leasing to not get attached to cars, and I need to move on. It was a good car, and I hope the next owner has a commute to put more miles on it, and take advantage of that engine, I felt like I was wasting its potential at only around 8K miles/year.

The new car is below (images from online footprints of the listing, removed from the dealer site already even though I didn't finish the deal until 15 minutes before closing - I do the best I can )





Finished so late last night that I was pooped when I got home, haven't detailed it yet - I told them I would do it myself. I've driven it about 20 miles now - incredibly serene ride. Also an unusual spec, I can't find an identical car in nationwide inventory, I think that might have helped it move, as the salesman even admitted people don't generally like the lux trim. My payment went up, but for a posh ride.

my wife's dream wagon; congrats

coldinohio

good one re April 1; my wife can keep dreaming

sda

While we didn't win the recent $750M prize, we did each win enough to go shopping in that price range, if we so choose.

I was born at night but not last night!

pensfan83

My wife fooled me into thinking that Rush was doing another tour.

ab348

pensfan83 said:

My wife fooled me into thinking that Rush was doing another tour.

I didn't know you guys were such big Limbaugh fans.

JustinS

fintail said:

Time for a punch.

I done did a thing yesterday, and the Bluetec is gone. I still have some sellers remorse (although technically I didn't own it), but I got into leasing to not get attached to cars, and I need to move on. It was a good car, and I hope the next owner has a commute to put more miles on it, and take advantage of that engine, I felt like I was wasting its potential at only around 8K miles/year.

The new car is below (images from online footprints of the listing, removed from the dealer site already even though I didn't finish the deal until 15 minutes before closing - I do the best I can )





Finished so late last night that I was pooped when I got home, haven't detailed it yet - I told them I would do it myself. I've driven it about 20 miles now - incredibly serene ride. Also an unusual spec, I can't find an identical car in nationwide inventory, I think that might have helped it move, as the salesman even admitted people don't generally like the lux trim. My payment went up, but for a posh ride.

Beautiful car. Congrats!

Mr_Shiftright

No worries. The Porsche Club of America has issued a warrant for the dealer's arrest.

tjc78

Here is one many of you will like

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-bmw-328xi-sports-wagon/

stickguy

i love that wagon. Would be even better if it was RWD not AWD.

28firefighter

What a weird equipment choice with no xenons...

sda

fintail said:

Time for a punch.

I done did a thing yesterday, and the Bluetec is gone. I still have some sellers remorse (although technically I didn't own it), but I got into leasing to not get attached to cars, and I need to move on. It was a good car, and I hope the next owner has a commute to put more miles on it, and take advantage of that engine, I felt like I was wasting its potential at only around 8K miles/year.

The new car is below (images from online footprints of the listing, removed from the dealer site already even though I didn't finish the deal until 15 minutes before closing - I do the best I can )





Finished so late last night that I was pooped when I got home, haven't detailed it yet - I told them I would do it myself. I've driven it about 20 miles now - incredibly serene ride. Also an unusual spec, I can't find an identical car in nationwide inventory, I think that might have helped it move, as the salesman even admitted people don't generally like the lux trim. My payment went up, but for a posh ride.

Very, very nice! I really liked your E-Bluetec, what motivated you to make the change?

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

Here is one many of you will like https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2008-bmw-328xi-sports-wagon/

North Salem isn’t that far from me if anybody wants me to check it oit

xwesx

sda said:

Very, very nice! I really liked your E-Bluetec, what motivated you to make the change?

End of lease will do that do a guy.

Congrats on the punch, fin!

nyccarguy

My 1st thought was, “why on God’s green earth,” then as I watched him cruise over gaping pot holes, sunken sewer caps, & broken pavement, I said to myself:  “maybe he’s on to something.”

pensfan83

ab348 said:

pensfan83 said:

My wife fooled me into thinking that Rush was doing another tour.

I didn't know you guys were such big Limbaugh fans.

Now there's a "Rush" I would pay NOT to see (or hear from again)....

au1994

Congrats, Fin. Nothing classier than an E wagon!

Sandman6472

Gorgeous car Fin!! Really a stunning vehicle!
Am in a 2019 white over black Jetta SE now. The recall that was done last week somehow made the interior lights stay on constantly. Went in after work last night and they were intrigued, confused...whatever. Told me to leave it and they put me in a rental until they can fix it. Am out of warranty but definitely think it's all related to the recall fix done last week. Something with the shift lever, who knows. But strange part was never got an error message on the dash. The back lights over the rear seats wouldn't go out at all. The front ones would but, had to put the switches in the "on" position for this to happen. Left in the "off" position, they'd stay on constantly. Very odd but not happy right now.
That black over black 2019 Golf is still there calling my name but really don't like that combo to be honest. Would do a white over beige if they had it but seriously, just not ready to buy anything right now. But now, starting to not trust my Golf!! Luckily I'm off today.
Do not like the Jetta SE. The audio sucks, obviously doesn't have the Beats audio. Has 16" rubber which I think is too small for this vehicle. Do like the engine power though, betting it's got the 1.4t under the hood. The alloys are all black which ain't my cup of tea either. Now that white GLI with the silver alloys, could definitely work!! Checked their inventory and naturally, no new GLI's!!

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

My 1st thought was, “why on God’s green earth,” then as I watched him cruise over gaping pot holes, sunken sewer caps, & broken pavement, I said to myself:  “maybe he’s on to something.”

What's with the elevated gas can?

fintail

Yep, lease end was approaching. MB lets you "pull forward" up to 6 months before lease end. I am very picky about specs, so finding an ideal car hasn't been easy, and I suspected EOM/EOQ might be a time to deal. It's still the most expensive car/payment I've ever had, but I don't think I did too bad. You won't get the same bargain on a wagon as on a basic E300, so you have to pick your battles.

For awhile I thought of buying out the Bluetec, but I already have one "forever car", and I want to try to keep the emotional attachment at bay, not to mention I don't have space to become a car hoarder. The Bluetec was a good car, and I hope the next owner has a commute to really take advantage of that engine. They will have no problem selling it - an interested person was eyeing it 10 minutes after someone came out and wrote "lease return" on the windshield. Now I can sample something different, which was another reason I have leased.

Last night and early this morning I took the car out on a drive to test the semi-autonomous functions in distronic plus - go on the road with few other cars. The radar cruise control is easy and seamless, but the auto steering is still a little wacky to me, especially in lower speed situations where it doesn't seem as smooth as manual driving. I now have the radio set up and garage doors programmed along with other preferences, and I gave the car a quick wax and interior detail. Maybe this evening I will get Android Auto ready to go.

sda said:

Very, very nice! I really liked your E-Bluetec, what motivated you to make the change?

Sandman6472

Just checked the inventory of all the local VW stores within a 3 county range and no Golf SE's except that black over black unit. Maybe a good thing because seriously think I'd jump right now to a new 2019 unit if the colors and audio system were what I wanted. The new longer warranty is just an added bonus really as I like to be under a warranty to be honest. Unfortunately, we do not like to lease anything. Like to buy. So looking like VW won't be in my future as a new vehicle.
Hopefully they find the issue and fix it gratis. Just not 100% sure what I really want next which has never happened before. Nothing really screams buy me at this point...nothing. Maybe a Q3, but a demo. Sucks when the car is f'ing up especially with something electrical. My worst nightmare!

graphicguy

Big time congrats @fintail .....that is a BEAUTIFUL car. A wagon to boot. You are envied!

graphicguy

Have a friend who is a HUGE RUSH fan. He would travel 800 miles and use vacation just to see them play.

Me? Couldn’t quite understand it, and even though one time he offered to buy my ticket if I helped him drive to one of their concerts, I still turned him down.

Something about driving all night to see a band I really didn’t care about, regardless of my misspent youth, just didn’t appeal.

stickguy

Sandy, go try out a kona and Elantra GT with the 1.6t engine. Just for kicks.

Bradd, our roads are so bombed out I keep telling the wife the next car is going to be something like a ram PU with the meatiest tires they offer. I am done with low profile!

kyfdx

Funny, with Rush getting big after my high school years, I was familiar with them, but not a fan, other than a couple of songs.

But, my son, who was born in 1994, became a fan while he was in high school. We've been to see them three times, and even though they are a little older than I am, they were definitely not a nostalgia act. They put on a great show, and now, I'm a bigger fan.

Not on the level of The Who, Led Zep, or Pink Floyd, but I at least "get it", now.

mjfloyd1

qbrozen said:

My 1st thought was, “why on God’s green earth,” then as I watched him cruise over gaping pot holes, sunken sewer caps, & broken pavement, I said to myself:  “maybe he’s on to something.”

What's with the elevated gas can?

Keep your fuel dry if you go through high water. I’d think he would have air intake snorkel too but I don’t see it although maybe that’s it right in front of the side mirror

kyfdx

I wonder if the Jeep has a snorkel that we can't see?

qbrozen

mjfloyd1 said:

Keep your fuel dry if you go through high water

There are more problems with your gas can than mounted height if it can't keep fluids in or out.

qbrozen

I'm looking forward to trying out a loaner version of this.
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/bmw/x2/2019/2019-bmw-x2-m35i-first-drive-review/

pensfan83

graphicguy said:

Have a friend who is a HUGE RUSH fan. He would travel 800 miles and use vacation just to see them play.

Me? Couldn’t quite understand it, and even though one time he offered to buy my ticket if I helped him drive to one of their concerts, I still turned him down.

Something about driving all night to see a band I really didn’t care about, regardless of my misspent youth, just didn’t appeal.

First Rush concert was in 1996 for their Test for Echo tour. From then until their farewell tour I probably went to close to a dozen shows, a few outside of Pittsburgh but none farther than Philadelphia.

kyfdx

pensfan83 said:

graphicguy said:

Have a friend who is a HUGE RUSH fan. He would travel 800 miles and use vacation just to see them play.

Me? Couldn’t quite understand it, and even though one time he offered to buy my ticket if I helped him drive to one of their concerts, I still turned him down.

Something about driving all night to see a band I really didn’t care about, regardless of my misspent youth, just didn’t appeal.

First Rush concert was in 1996 for their Test for Echo tour. From then until their farewell tour I probably went to close to a dozen shows, a few outside of Pittsburgh but none farther than Philadelphia.

Twice in Columbus, once in Cincinnati.

breld

One of my friends is a huge Rush fan, so I went with him to one show a few years back. I certainly gained an appreciation for the band, but I was particularly amazed at how nuts the fans were.

I couldn't stop thinking about the movie, "I Love You, Man," and realizing that the movie was not exaggerating the intensity of the band's fanbase.

28firefighter

BMW is back available. Sigh. Could not get credit approved.

I'm giving this one more shot and then we'll just hold it until the end of the lease. Not worth the hassle.

henryn

What kind of credit score are they looking for? If you can find out, just tell people up front, "You must have a FICO score of 750 to assume this lease". Most people these days do know their credit score.

28firefighter

Yup - I did do that, but apparently need to be more specific because folks don't realize credit score is only one piece of the puzzle. It isn't a perfect science but I would assume over 750, enough credit history (more than just a few months) with multiple lines, and proof of income

Mr_Shiftright

Also they look at income-to-debt ratio, don't they? You could have a very good income, and always pay your bills on time, and have a good FICO, but if the bank thinks you're in too deep, they won't underwrite you.

kyfdx

BMWFS is generally lenient with their dealership's customers. Maybe, not as much for a transfer.

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

BMWFS is generally lenient with their dealership's customers. Maybe, not as much for a transfer.

Exactly right.

henryn

I've never leased, so can't speak about that. But I have financed a car many times. The last few years I only do it to get the incentive, but still. And they have never asked about my job, or my income, or anything else. Just social security number and permission to run a credit check. Maybe leasing is different. Or assuming a lease. Who knows?

pensfan83

28firefighter said:

BMW is back available. Sigh. Could not get credit approved.

I'm giving this one more shot and then we'll just hold it until the end of the lease. Not worth the hassle.

Ugh, how frustrating to deal with.

kyfdx

henryn said:

I've never leased, so can't speak about that. But I have financed a car many times. The last few years I only do it to get the incentive, but still. And they have never asked about my job, or my income, or anything else. Just social security number and permission to run a credit check. Maybe leasing is different. Or assuming a lease. Who knows?

Yeah, I haven't had to prove debt/income ratios, except on a mortgage.

fintail

I just entered a new lease - although there is a section for income in the application, I don't think it matters, and I don't think they could verify it on the spot anyway. They were really only concerned with the score and maybe credit history data, this location using TRU.

28firefighter

They ask you for your income, but at their discretion the bank can ask for proof of income before underwriting the deal. On Leasehackr and other places we hear from folks who were spot-delivered and then the bank wanted additional documentation before funding the deal.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

mjfloyd1 said:

Keep your fuel dry if you go through high water

There are more problems with your gas can than mounted height if it can't keep fluids in or out.

I cannot fully tell from the photo, but often these offroader setups will have a handyman jack mounted in that location, and, with the design of that jack, you can take advantage of the regular holes in the length of the shaft to mount other items (such as fuel cans, ammo boxes, etc). If that is a handyman jack, then it is likely more a matter of convenience in that location (i.e., why buy another mount when this tool is already there?) than any other consideration.

Sandman6472

Stick, have considered going with either the Kona or Elantra GT but was hoping to get another year or two out of the Golf. But if it starts to become problematic, then a switch would have to happen. And getting a 2020 vehicle is preferable to be honest. I know it's crazy but I do prefer an even number year vehicle for some reason. The odd year ones have had more of their share of problems in the past.
Did sit in a Toyota HR-X, the small hatchback, and found the seating position very comfortable. The hatch area was compact and liked the looks of the vehicle. Not sure what kind of engine but doubt it's a turbo charged 4 cylinder. But might be time to go give these vehicles a test drive and see where we're at. But first, should go to CarMax and get a buyout number from them just to get a real word figure. It definitely helped when I bought the Golf as they met CarMax's price which was $1K more than their offer. Thinking that maybe trying to sell it myself might work as it shows well when cleaned up though it's got two small paint issues.
The other issue is that once you take a test drive, the dealers keep bothering you with phone calls and texts which is quite annoying to be honest. Especially when I'm still on the fence here. When I was looking before I bought the Golf, I knew that I'd be dumping the Tucson, it was a done deal in my head. I'm not in that same mind frame right now which makes it harder. Now if something else goes wrong, then I'd probably be there as I don't like any drama or having to miss work due to my vehicle being in the shop. If I was retired, I wouldn't care as we could get by on one vehicle for a few days but as of now, totally unacceptable.

stickguy

The HRX is S-L-O-W.

If you want dealers to leave you alone, just tell them you bought something else, if you don’t plan to go back there. And if you might, tell them your wife said you have to wait until next year.