Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

nyccarguy said:

This should be interesting. The Macan Mom wanted had a sixty something percent residual with an interest rate of almost 7%. This XT5 she likes has a 53% residual and an interest rate of 0.15%.

They typically don't lease that well relative to MSRP. Just a thought... I'd look at an Acadia Denali. 90% of the content and will yield a much better payment relative to MSRP.

I'm sure they don't, but it will be cheaper than the Macan for sure.

tjc78

Without question it will!

stickguy

It’s Acura 3rd base week. My sister in VA texted. She has a2009 TSX (the one that replaced the TL I bought from her in 2008). Driving this morning error came up that battery not charging or some such. Thinking alternator but she went straight to dealer, currently awaiting diagnostics. So she is wandering showroom and I am sending her inventory links. I think by Christmas she might be buying herself a present.

tjc78

You and your family certainly love your Acuras!

stickguy

Good cars. What’s not to love?

Heard from her needs new alternator. And some odd recommendation for new, very expensive, battery cables because the ones on there are aftermarket? Which means the AAA guy that put the battery in gas to do it, unbeknownst to her. And certainly for not much money. Weird. She asked for more details (had to leave car because no part in stock) but I recommended holding off if car functions.

Rolling in a base TLX loaner. She would not mind all the new goodies, just doesn’t want a payment. So no idea where this ends up.

ab348

tjc78 said:

You and your family certainly love your Acuras!

It's a much smaller fringe group spinoff of the Honda Cult...

stickguy

I have owned 3 Honda’s and 4 Acura’s now. Sister on 2nd Acura. With her first becoming my 2nd!

ab348

With the dealers all closed yesterday I took a spin around a few new-car lots. Honda dealer was about 50% Civics, 40% CRVs and HRVs, with a handful of Accords on the back row (they don't seem to be selling here) and a few Pilots and Passports. Was surprised how one just looked like a shorter version of the other. Dunno if I have seen a Passport on the road yet. Styling on them is very conservative compared to the Civic/Accord, maybe too bland.

Hyundai was loaded with inventory of everything but especially Accents and Elantras. No new-design Sonatas in sight so far. New Santa Fe looks more distinctive than it used to. Only a couple of Palisades on the lot. Nissan store on the same property had a surprising number of big trucks, maybe they were forced to take them because I sure don't see many of them running around here. Otherwise pretty anonymous vehicles.

Ford dealer was virtually all pickups and Escapes, still lots of 2019 models on the lot. Did see the new 2020 Escape, looks a bit different and gave me a bit of a turtle-back vibe but I'm sure I will get used to it when they start running around. Only 6 or so new Mustangs and 2 lonesome Fusions. Was surprised to see a decent number of Ecosports there, don't remember ever having seen one on the roads. Maybe they are just invisible. Only a couple of Lincoln SUVs, a Nautilus and a leftover Escape-sized MK-something.

GM dealer was a little less truck-heavy though certainly had a wide assortment. Lots of Buick Encores on the lot, dozens and dozens of them, with zero other Buick models. Lots of Equinox and Terrain selection, but not much else in the Chevy/GMC SUV dept. Actually had a decent assortment of Malibus which surprised me. Some XT4s and XT5s out front. Didn't see any Cadillac sedans, guess CT4/5 pipeline is yet to be filled.

Didn't get to a FCA dealer but overall it looks like sedan buyers are being forced to look to imports as the NA makes have mostly walked away from that market.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I have owned 3 Honda’s and 4 Acura’s now. Sister on 2nd Acura. With her first becoming my 2nd!

We had six Hondas and three Acuras, but none since 2013.

tjc78

I’m surprised I’ve never owned a Honda or Acura. Great cars... maybe someday.

stickguy

I usually don’t worry about getting a new model early, but if I wanted a Ford, no way would I consider buying a just released new design.

breld

Back from the cruise.

Got to spend barely 24 hours in some of your neck of the woods, as the ship left from New York. A little rainy, but we got a lot of steps in walking around the city before boarding the cruise ship.

Cruise was wonderful as usual. But returned to the first real snow storm here in Denver.

Got around quite fine this morning in the A5 on it’s winter set of wheels. Nothing not to like there - but still pine for an SUV. 😀

breld

Did not manage to complete a purchase of a car while in the ship or in Bermuda. Sorry to disappoint!

stickguy

I love Bermuda. But have always flown down and stayed at hotel. Island now overrun by “boat people”

cdnpinhead

Island now overrun by “boat people”

Skagway, AK, has the same issue. That said, early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or going two blocks off the main drag makes the place enjoyable again. Mid-day downtown -- horrible.

xwesx

I should drive in there some time just to rock the status quo. LOL

mjfloyd1

breld said:

Did not manage to complete a purchase of a car while in the ship or in Bermuda. Sorry to disappoint!

What? Surely you had your cell phone and internet access😂

stickguy

There is a car dealer in downtown Hamilton.

My wife wouldn’t let me go in.

laurasdada

My company has an office in Hamilton, high net worth business. So, all my transfer requests have been denied (and laughed at).

stickguy

Lots of reinsurance there. If you transfer ask for a raise. I believe it’s expensive to live there. And don’t bring the Jag!

qbrozen

Finally got around to replacing the driver's front bearing on the Chevy. Did not solve the problem. when I had it apart, it definitely sounds like the noise is coming from the inside CV bearing. Honestly not sure if that is even a thing, but I ordered CV axles for both sides.

Michaell

Bermuda - my wife found a job opportunity there a few years ago. Director for all Early Childhood Education. Something like $150k/ year (not sure if that was USD or local currency).

She decided to pass.

Michaell

The kids completed the deal on the Tucson today. My numbers were within $50 of the dealers. They are both pretty happy.

nyccarguy

Dealer: How’d you come up with these numbers?

@Michaell ‘s kid: MY DAD WORKS FOR EDMUNDS.com

stickguy

nice looking. I like the color. They should enjoy it, especially coming from an old bomber that they have been nursing along. Even if the $ seems less than paying for a new one, the mental strain and inconvenience of constant break downs and repairs is not worth it.

stickguy

Michaell said:

Bermuda - my wife found a job opportunity there a few years ago. Director for all Early Childhood Education. Something like $150k/ year (not sure if that was USD or local currency).

She decided to pass.

They have local currency but it is the same as USD. You can actually use either one down there or mix them together.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Dealer: How’d you come up with these numbers?

@Michaell ‘s kid: MY DAD WORKS FOR EDMUNDS.com

I don't think he knows who I work for. But, the salesman did complement them on making an easy deal.

Which makes me think we could have done better.

Michaell

stickguy said:

nice looking. I like the color. They should enjoy it, especially coming from an old bomber that they have been nursing along. Even if the $ seems less than paying for a new one, the mental strain and inconvenience of constant break downs and repairs is not worth it.

This is the same kid that totaled the Geo Tracker we bought for him after 5 weeks of ownership, and sent his sister to the hospital in a helicopter.

They've always driven hand me downs or beaters - the one semi nice car they bought was a Caliber. And, that got totaled. Here's hoping for a positive ownership experience.

corvette

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

Dealer: How’d you come up with these numbers?

@Michaell ‘s kid: MY DAD WORKS FOR EDMUNDS.com

I don't think he knows who I work for. But, the salesman did complement them on making an easy deal.

Which makes me think we could have done better.

We had an obsolete old Apple IIC when I was a kid. Local Apple dealer had put the last of their hardware on clearance. They had an external disk drive marked down to $200. My dad offered $150 and they immediately accepted. Then, he said, wait, how about $100 instead? :P

kyfdx

corvette said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

Dealer: How’d you come up with these numbers?

@Michaell ‘s kid: MY DAD WORKS FOR EDMUNDS.com

I don't think he knows who I work for. But, the salesman did complement them on making an easy deal.

Which makes me think we could have done better.

We had an obsolete old Apple IIC when I was a kid. Local Apple dealer had put the last of their hardware on clearance. They had an external disk drive marked down to $200. My dad offered $150 and they immediately accepted. Then, he said, wait, how about $100 instead? :P

Shopping for a car:

me: "Would you take $1500"
Them: "Sure!"
me: "How about $1000?"
them: (door slams)

roadburner

tjc78 said:

I’m surprised I’ve never owned a Honda or Acura. Great cars... maybe someday.

Back in 1984 my girlfriend(now wife) had her heart set on a new Accord Hatchback; unfortunately, EVERY dealer in the Cincinnati area wanted to play games- talking only payments and not price, asking for a deposit before taking an offer to the sales manager, etc. We never really considered a Honda again, and my wife soon became enamored with European cars. While not Honda's fault, those dealers probably cost them a life-long customer...

cdnpinhead

The BMW dealership I visited in Scottsdale back in 1999 was part of why I started out with an even lower opinion of the brand (that was back when Yuppies had to have one) than I had before I walked into the store. After that, run-flat tires, oil level sensors (with deleted dipsticks) that didn't work at first, batteries that needed to be massaged into the car (at a dealer only, of course) and much else (too much electronic crap answering questions no one asked) put me on the sidelines. I still subscribe to Roundel, but it's mostly a sociology experiment, Bailey & Rob Siegel notwithstanding.

ab348

Last night I watched the Wheeler Dealers episode with the early '00s M3. Seeing the over-engineering of the SMG gearbox and the VANOS system, both of which they had to rebuild or replace, would make having to register a battery seem like child's play by comparison. Strikes me as a vehicle one would want to have only while under factory warranty, but maybe I'm wrong.

ab348

roadburner said:

Back in 1984 my girlfriend(now wife) had her heart set on a new Accord Hatchback; unfortunately, EVERY dealer in the Cincinnati area wanted to play games- talking only payments and not price, asking for a deposit before taking an offer to the sales manager, etc. We never really considered a Honda again, and my wife soon became enamored with European cars. While not Honda's fault, those dealers probably cost them a life-long customer...

Those tactics were quite common back then in Honda dealers. A co-worker who had her heart set on a new '85 Prelude had to pay a nonrefundable deposit ($500 I think it was) to get her name on a wait list for a car, then when it arrived was given no choice of color. Take it in metallic gray, go back down the list, or forfeit your deposit. She took the gray car. In 1990 I was interested in a new Accord coupe after a test drive. The same dealer would not tell me the price, believe it or not. I couldn't believe it. They wanted me to commit to the purchase beforehand. After I got over the shock of their arrogance, I walked out, never to return. I went down the street and bought a GTI.

marcogallo1986

Man these dealers having playing these games for years apparently it’s nothing new ha ha Ha. Just the Internet is on our side because you can go shop anywhere in the country in my car basically.

marcogallo1986

@ Well, welcome back, I’m glad you the wife and family had a good time on your cruise to Bermuda. I’ve never been there before, or on a cruise just yet. Wow you were in my neck of the woods for a little bit sorry to hear the weather was rainy and crappy and that nice when you were here for the brief time that you were. And sorry to hear you also didn’t make a car purchase I know you’ll do that this week now that you’re back looking forward to it.

marcogallo1986

@ Stick guy, we’re sitting in some new Ford products at the storage lot over here, I will take a chance personally it is what it is you never know. But to each his own. The new escape I think it’s growing on me a bit. Funny thing was when we were there my cousin screams to me someone’s coming in the car so jumped out of the explore I was sitting in and we left. I doubt but what he would’ve said to us what are you doing sitting in the cars they’re open and sound like we’re doing anything just sitting in them. So I think someone from the dealer brought a woman there to pick out a car that she wanted the color I guess because you said there was some woman with her with him.

marcogallo1986

And that’s never happened before usually no one comes it was a Sunday around 4 o’clock so they were closing within an hour or two but I’ll definitely go back it is what it is no harm in sitting in all the cars they are if they’re unlocked, they also have a Hyundai and Kia store there to from one of the local dealers. And there’s two other jeep Chrysler dodge dealers their local store their stuff there too as well those of the biggest lots there. Of the brands are there I think BMW and Mercedes but I’ve never tried to sit in any of those yet. It’s on the old Grumman site over here that they use.

marcogallo1986

@ do you work car guy, so your mom’s gonna go with another Porsche?

marcogallo1986

@qb wow sorry to hear the noise in the Chevy wasn’t fixed with a wheel bearing replacement. I guess more diagnosis when you have the time and less you can live with the noise and it’s nothing safety related.

marcogallo1986

@ Dad 23 welcome back check in from time to time when you can and you are welcome.

marcogallo1986

@ stick guy, thanks on the Test Dr., Saturday with the wife at the Subaru dealer going to bring her two more in the coming weeks just cause you can’t.

marcogallo1986

@ Stink guy, nice on your sister-in-law getting the new RDX, perfect color combo on any car if you ask me. Next to blue depending on the shade. On the bed lease.

marcogallo1986

weather deal with a hybrid any day over a stop start, but I’ve mentioned you get used to it it will be an issue. Or maybe was thinking you could put the car in neutral every time and that would stop it from turning off.

28firefighter

My in-laws picked up their new car yesterday. 2019 GLA250 4Matic with P01 and SmartPhone package. Former loaner with about 5k miles on it. Ended up at $300 DAS and $300/month for 36 months, 7500 miles per year. Not my strongest work by any stretch, but better than anything else they had been looking at and gives them exactly what they wanted and no fluff.

Since they're done with the X1, I'm going to ground it early. In addition to a waiver of the disposition fee, I'll be getting back ~$300 for being under-mileage which will get credited to my i3 account. Also, apparently the dealer refunded excess license fees from 3 years ago back to our account, so I only have a bit over one month left to pay. At this point it pays to just return it and get it off my insurance.

corvette

I didn’t know they would credit you for being under mileage?

28firefighter

Yes - I didn't either until this morning when I called BMWFS. We're nearly 10k under mileage.

Sandman6472

In the cars I drive for Hertz, I put the lever into "N" and the start/stop issue goes away. Easy peasy really. Or just let off the brake pedal a bit, and it starts right up. We don't have it on our vehicles but my oldest does on her Chevy Cruze and never heard a complaint yet.
Finally heard back from Enterprise about the driver position right near our house. Playing phone tag with the woman who wants to do a short phone interview to make sure I do qualify. If it's the same position I turned down a couple of years ago, so be it. But if it's really based at their regional headquarters about 3 miles up the road, will need to give it due consideration. Finally hit 60K on the Golf yesterday, so anyway I can get a gig closer to the house, I'd be very interested to be honest. Having no more tolls and using less petrol would also be a good thing. And as of now, no more talk about when I'll give up and retire again. Feeling well enough to continue working with my current schedule, around 30 hours/week, so have decided to just wing it and enjoy the time I have left.
Turn 65 on Friday and am taking the day off. Miami International Auto Show opens at 2 pm and am hoping to go. Got my discount tickets already, so we'll see. Trying to get the girls to go and if they say yes, we'll just go on Saturday. A few vehicles I want to really check out and since I've missed the last 15 shows, might be time to finally go back.

Sandman6472

Drove a 2019 out to a Gold members house yesterday, a new service we're offering. It had push button start so obviously not a base model. Drove very nicely to be honest. Looks to be the same size as my 2014 model but just looks/feels like a better vehicle.

jmonroe1

@Sandman6472, happy upcoming birthday. You say 65, hell, your just a kid. I worked well past 65 as a consultant with my old employer. Those were the fun years. Have a good time at the auto show. Get something there as present for yourself. Take it from experience, if you don't no one else will.

jmonroe