Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

marcogallo1986

 Thank you graphic guy, interview went well, the girl was very nice, and he will help me fill out the application and read everything thoroughly. She was probably around my age maybe a little older or younger who knows, but she sounded young that’s for sure. So hoping for the best and staying positive and keeping my fingers crossed. 

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

tjc78 said:

@nyccarguy
I’m sure you know, but you can do better on the Taco once you decide to dig in deeper.  

Yes I do. I had to test drive locally and go through the motions.

Look for window sticker options like stepbars/running boards and tonneau cover. Those options are dirt cheap when residualized, but pricey, if you want to add them later.

My son had to have step bars... $507 on Amazon. Would have been $3/mo, if they were port or factory installed.

marcogallo1986

 Nice on the restaurant you went on yesterday New York car guy. Yes best to go test drive it again and take it on the highway. How much you really decide on that truck then you could put multiple dealers against each other I’m sure the lease numbers would be different you be surprised. But with one of the brokers like mentioned above. You should also go test drive a Ranger, is that a similar size to the Tacoma not sure. Or even a Colorado, I know you said you’re open to an F1 50 maybe even try one of those two. And get these numbers on the wall 

marcogallo1986

Lol  damn voice dictation, this things make me laugh all the time, I have to make it better Alexa seems to understand me better than this damn iPhone ha ha Ha. I know you got what I meant above New York Park by and everyone else in here. 

marcogallo1986

 Thank you car not, interview went well. 

marcogallo1986

 Thank you Floyd one, interview went well yesterday. 

marcogallo1986

 I agree with your comment  Wzest  that’s the main thing that everyone’s OK, I think they should find out when adjuster goes to look at the car I think by the end of this week supposedly or next week, if it’s going to be totaled or fixed. I think only all the airbags went off on the driver side where it was hit, supposedly you know I don’t have the full story though. I know glass was broken. So we’ll see they got a lawyer because they clean they don’t want the car universe fixable, I said that might be a bit premature, it’s a lease   So I would think if the damage is going to be more than what’s left on the lease but just total it. It’s not like they bought the car even saw the damage is it crazy amount I would think they would wanna bother with it. But we shall see I told him if they fix it they can just go trade it in because regardless they’re gonna be responsible for the rest of the lease payments. So hopefully it’ll just total it and make things easy. To be continued as soon as I find out more. 

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

@nyccarguy
I’m sure you know, but you can do better on the Taco once you decide to dig in deeper.  

Yes I do. I had to test drive locally and go through the motions.

Look for window sticker options like stepbars/running boards and tonneau cover. Those options are dirt cheap when residualized, but pricey, if you want to add them later. My son had to have step bars... $507 on Amazon. Would have been $3/mo, if they were port or factory installed.

The tonneau cover is something I’ll definitely want.  Step bars too.  Thanks for the info!

au1994

Good start, @nyccarguy. They are really good looking trucks and I am enjoying living vicariously on this one.

Once you show them you are serious and put up your MSD's, I don't think you'll have a problem getting the numbers where you need them to be.

corvette

Paging @roadburner - any idea what the heck happened? 

au1994

I would not be happy if I were a Louisville Mini owner.

28firefighter

Indianapolis!! Seriously?

henryn

au1994 said:

I would not be happy if I were a Louisville Mini owner.

I would not be happy if I were a Louisville Mini owner.

There, fixed that for you.

au1994

Lol. I guess I practically am. Don’t the X1 and Mini Countryman (?) share a platform drivetrain?

kyfdx

I'm not surprised, though.

If you can make it to Cincinnati MINI from Louisville in 60 minutes, I don't want to ride with you.

ab348

If you had a Mini in need of repairs (ahem) one wonders if it could even make it that far. For warranty work I wonder if they will pay for a flatbed service?

I would presume that in a city the size of Louisville there will be a replacement dealer soon enough.

xwesx

Better than the 350 miles I have to go for Audi warranty work.

kyfdx

ab348 said:

If you had a Mini in need of repairs (ahem) one wonders if it could even make it that far. For warranty work I wonder if they will pay for a flatbed service?

I would presume that in a city the size of Louisville there will be a replacement dealer soon enough.

I wouldn't bet on it. If they had someone to take it over, I think it would have happened. If the local BMW dealer no longer wants it, I'm not sure who would take the plunge.

Not that Louisville is a second-tier city, but there are plenty of people in good size metro areas that don't have a local MINI dealer, and the nearest one is over an hour away.

Fort Wayne, IN
Lexington, KY
Bloomington, IN

(just off the top of my head, as I know people in those cities, and they are relatively close by)

Little Rock, AR MINI closed this past December, as well
https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2018/dec/31/mini-dealership-west-little-rock-closing-good/

Sandman6472

Left work this evening and the drivers door again got stuck, looks like the key fob doesn't open the lock. Annoying but we're going away on Saturday for a couple of days. Off tomorrow afternoon so thinking of going to a different Honda store just to drive the HR-V. Hell, I might not even like the sucker at all, who knows. Strange thing is it doesn't happen all the time either. Stopped at Mickey D's for breakfast but didn't lock it so I knew I'd have no issue getting back in. Not locking it might just be the thing to do at this point. Have already taken the extra cash out and will move my lotto tickets into the house. Doubt anyone would steal it but if one does, guess all I'd get from insurance is book value, which can't really be that much.
Mentally, I'm done here to be honest, just like another poster had said a few days ago. Just have to decide how long I want to nurse this puppy along. Might just want to stay with it till the 2020's come out in the fall and then pounce on what I want. Seem to be plenty of 2019 HR-V's floating around if I do in fact go that route. Think most folks go with either the Civic or Accord to be honest or the CR-V for that matter. Do like the EX-L in gray over gray to be honest though the blue over gray ain't bad either. Wouldn't want white only if it was a pearlized one.
Who knows, by this time next week, I might have pulled the trigger on something. Giving it a 50/50 shot here as to what I'll do. Having something new might not be so bad to tell the truth. Funny, finally spoke with my boss before work today and explained to him my health situation and he was very understanding about my situation. He got to see me having a bad time of it last Monday so he now understands. Did also say that I'm just not sure how much longer I intend to work. Said it might be till the end of the year or into 2020, I just don't know. But one day, I'll get up and just know the time has come...and then I'll just do it. Seemed o k with this as just have no clue as to when. Still enjoy it and getting up early is just part of it since I live a distance away.Nothing is set in stone.

corvette

Yeah, the conglomerate that owns the BMW store did not get the MINI franchise when it opened. It went to the same people who own the M-B dealer - who have now decided to shutter it. There are plenty of independent shops for those outside the free maintenance / warranty period, but it stinks that they’re closing on such short notice.

xwesx

Sandy:

Just out of curiosity.... have you ruled out a low battery in the fob as a possible reason for the intermittent failures? The unit in my Audi likes to eat batteries rather quickly, and it can get annoyingly inconsistent about working when it is low (as it is right now).

I never changed the batteries in the fobs on my 2010 Forester (had it 7.5 years), yet have already put a new batt in the Q7's fob, and it needs another, after a little over two years of having it.

stickguy

Sandy, doesn't your car have a keyhole too? and some sort of metal key? If so, why not just use that?

also, I assume you swapped out your fob for the spare one to see if the same thing happens? If so, that pretty much isolates it to the car. Intermittent could mean a lose connection. still gonna need the diagnosis from VW on it.

Drive an HRV if you want, but I would highly recommend against it based on everything you say you need. It's got a weak engine with no turbo boost, and a mediocre stereo. Other than that, could be perfect! Oh, and knowing that there is a full redesign about to come out, will bug you to no end every time you see one.

ab348

The other thing about Sandy’s lock issue is that it may not directly be related to the accident. It’s just an electronic solenoid, and electrics can just fail. The accident may not have done it much good but it might have already been on the way out. If it bugs you I’d be inclined to just pay to have it replaced and forget about trying to determine fault.

stickguy

gotta get it diagnosed first. then maybe you can attribute blame. but at least it would get fixed.

roadburner

henryn said:

au1994 said:

I would not be happy if I were a Louisville Mini owner.

I would not be happy if I were a Louisville Mini owner.

There, fixed that for you.

I wouldn't be happy if you were a Mini owner either.

roadburner

corvette said:

Yeah, the conglomerate that owns the BMW store did not get the MINI franchise when it opened. It went to the same people who own the M-B dealer - who have now decided to shutter it. There are plenty of independent shops for those outside the free maintenance / warranty period, but it stinks that they’re closing on such short notice.

When Sam Swope Auto Group had the BMW franchise they fought for the Mini franchise but weren't successful; the rumor was BMW NA didn't like the Swope Group having a Lexus franchise. just up the street from BMW.
I'm hearing BMW NA wants to move/merge their Mini stores into existing BMW dealerships wherever possible. I hate that the Louisville dealer is closing. When I took my Mini there for an oil change they went above and beyond.

au1994

This deal with the lock would be driving me crazy and I would have kept the original appt. Great suggestions and the easiest (read cheapest) is to try the second fob. If that works you may have a low battery (relatively cheap) or a bad fob (probably not cheap, but at least you’ll know) and can just use the second fob till you feel like replacing.

As for potential replacements, I agree that I don’t think you would like the HR-V. CR-V maybe. Interior is much nicer and personally I like the looks better. I know you have a specific size requirement but it should meet it. I found it easy to get in and out of. I don’t know if Subaru’s are prevalent in south Florida but the Forester is really easy to slide in and out of. Of course none of these options are going to be as zippy as the Golf.

stickguy

CRV is probably going to feel too big. It's definitely a couple size classes up.

I still think the Hyundai is going to hit the sweet spot. The Elantra GT would mirror the Golf, and the Kona has a lot of the same positives, but sitting a little higher should be much more comfy to get in and out of. The new model, no clue on that but sounds like a Soul derivative, so look at one of those and pretty much know what you are getting!

ab348

au1994 said:

This deal with the lock would be driving me crazy and I would have kept the original appt. Great suggestions and the easiest (read cheapest) is to try the second fob. If that works you may have a low battery (relatively cheap) or a bad fob (probably not cheap, but at least you’ll know) and can just use the second fob till you feel like replacing.

It seems unlikely to be the fob as IIRC it unlocks the passenger door always but not the drivers door. So we have an intermittent problem with that side only. Could have a loose connection with the wiring in the door or where it connects to whatever receives the signal from the fob. Could be a nearly-broken wire there. Could be a flaky lock solenoid. I suppose it could even be a mis-adjusted mechanism when the solenoid tries to move the physical locking mechanism. But there isn't a heckuva lot there, and the intermittent nature of it makes me think it is an electrical connection somewhere. Not enough to trade cars over IMO.

henryn

I asked before about specifics of the problem, but never received an answer. Or at least I didn't see any answer?

When the driver's door fails to unlock, if you walk around to the passenger side and use the unlock button on the passenger's door (inside), does the driver's door then unlock? In other words, will it unlock (electronically) at all, or do you have to pull the inside door handle to release?

thebean

stickguy said:

Drive an HRV if you want, but I would highly recommend against it based on everything you say you need. It's got a weak engine with no turbo boost, and a mediocre stereo. Other than that, could be perfect! Oh, and knowing that there is a full redesign about to come out, will bug you to no end every time you see one.

@stickguy All I’ve read says the 2020 HR-V will be mostly carryover with a slight possibility of a hybrid engine. Europe is getting a turbo engine, but not the US now. Have you read info that I haven’t seen?(always a distinct possibility with all the info on the web)

suydam

I think the HRV will be too low for @Sandman6472, especially as he is having more health issues.

stickguy

I didn't see anything specific on the HRV. I just assumed it was going to get the turbo engine too. maybe not.

mjfloyd1

A friend is looking at these Golf TDI for his son. Anyone have an idea if prices are reasonable?

https://www.blandsauto.com/all-inventory/index.htm?search=Volkswagen+tdi&dl.custom.form.id=&dl.element=BUTTON+Search&dl.formElapsedTime=14662&dl.formTrackingId=INVENTORY_SEARCH&dl.isModal=&dl.params=&dl.widgetName=

xwesx

I'm going to say that while the price isn't "unreasonable," the bottom really fell out of the VW TDI market as a result of the scandal, so pay as little as possible. Still good cars, but not necessarily easy to unload them.

Sandman6472

No key slot in the door though the A3 has one in the drivers door. Both key fobs have brand new batteries and have been tried together and both act the same. Seems to happen whenever I'm alone for some reason and probably is electric in nature which eventually will need to be addressed. Since we're going out of town Saturday and working Tuesday & Wednesday, not sure when I can take it in. See my pain doc on Thursday and then work again Friday & Monday, so time is limited for a couple of weeks. Not trading it at this juncture and eventually will take it to VW.

kyfdx

mjfloyd1 said:

A friend is looking at these Golf TDI for his son. Anyone have an idea if prices are reasonable?

https://www.blandsauto.com/all-inventory/index.htm?search=Volkswagen+tdi&dl.custom.form.id=&dl.element=BUTTON+Search&dl.formElapsedTime=14662&dl.formTrackingId=INVENTORY_SEARCH&dl.isModal=&dl.params=&dl.widgetName=

No stick = no sale

corvette

Sandy, there may be a plastic cap on the driver’s door where the key hole would normally be, with a slot on the underside to pry off with the edge of the key. Be careful not to damage or lose the cover, or you’ll be even more frustrated than you are now! 

Sandman6472

Nope, we both looked and looked, nothing to use a physical key. Sucks really!!

mjfloyd1

kyfdx said:

mjfloyd1 said:

A friend is looking at these Golf TDI for his son. Anyone have an idea if prices are reasonable?

https://www.blandsauto.com/all-inventory/index.htm?search=Volkswagen+tdi&dl.custom.form.id=&dl.element=BUTTON+Search&dl.formElapsedTime=14662&dl.formTrackingId=INVENTORY_SEARCH&dl.isModal=&dl.params=&dl.widgetName=

No stick = no sale

The Jetta is a stick...

corvette

Sandman6472 said:

Nope, we both looked and looked, nothing to use a physical key. Sucks really!!

I think this is from a manual from a non-US model, but US should be similar?

corvette

It also notes that the alarm will not disarm if you do that.

mjfloyd1

Video how to on YouTube

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OECOoNYZXmk

stickguy

My daughters Jetta has that same design. The salesguy specifically showed her it was there and made sure she was paying attention. I think every car with keyless perimeter entry has that. Especially if there is a metal key inside the fob! Both of my Acura's do, but if you did not know it was there you wouldn't be able to tell.

tjc78

That is just something that is complicated to be complicated... all three cars I’ve had with keyless have an exposed key hole slot on the driver’s door.

stickguy

the RDX is a normal exposed keyhole. I need to check the TLX. that I don't even remember!

cdnpinhead

corvette said:

. . . or you’ll be even more frustrated than you are now!

Hard to imagine.

tjc78

I don’t blame Sandy for being ticked off. That kind of BS drives me crazy too.

Plus... this is CCBA, having an excuse only makes us enable people more!

Sandman6472

Just watched the video and yes, the notch is there so...guess there's a way to get into the vehicle. Thanks folks for your help here.

Sandman6472

Just spoke to one of my wife's client whose husband works at a local VW service shop. He said it's probably the actuator in the front door that's broke, a selenoid or something is probably to blame. So looks like I'll be taking it in either next Thursday or the following Tuesday to get it repaired. Could cost upwards of $300 to $400 bucks depending on the price per hour they get, he said the part will be close to $200. Makes sense so just gonna bite the bullet and do it. Will wait for it as no sense renting a vehicle or they can drive me home/pick me up since we live so close.
I do need brakes possibly as the pedal is a bit low and at 54K, probably time. Plus might need new sneakers within 10K miles or so but won't do run flats again as want to spend as little as possible just in case I do decide I want something new. And that Hyundai Revue is looking like a good alternative especially with it's long warranty. Could definitely work and maybe best to go back to "cheap to keep" to be honest.