Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

benjaminh said:

Honda released prices and mpg figures for the new CR-V hybrid:

https://hondanews.com/en-US/honda-automobiles/channels/honda-cr-v

The Hybrid CR-V gets 40 mpg in the city, compared to the regular model's 27 mpg city rating in AWD form. The Acura RDX with AWD gets 21 mpg in the city.

The upcharge for the CR-V hybrid in EXL form seems reasonable at only $1200, with an msrp of $33,870 with standard AWD, compared to the msrp of a regular CR-V EXL AWD of $32,670.

As stickguy said, since the hybrid engine is more powerful and makes the vehicle faster, it's worth it just for that. But even with low gas prices the hybrid CRV should pay for the extra charge in gas savings in probably about 3 years. And compared to an RDX that uses premium fuel, the CR-V hybrid should save c. $1000 a year in gas costs.

From Honda:
"The two-motor hybrid system under the hood of the 2020 CR-V Hybrid is similar to the one used in the Honda Accord Hybrid with additional advancements to the hybrid battery’s operating range, enabling more time in EV mode than previous Honda hybrids. Operating without the need for a conventional automatic transmission, the two-motor hybrid-electric powertrain combines a high-efficiency 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC® Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric propulsion motor that produces 232 lb.-ft. of torque, for a total system output of 212 horsepower4.

The two-motor hybrid system uses a propulsion motor and a generator/starter motor built with a patented Honda design that doesn’t use magnets with heavy rare-earth metals, reducing magnet cost and weight. The system manages the power delivery between each component and seamlessly shifts CR-V Hybrid through three distinct drive modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Drive and Engine Drive – automatically selecting the best mode for the conditions with no input from the driver.

Like the AWD system used in the non-hybrid, the 2020 CR-V Hybrid’s Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System™ uses special software to determine traction conditions and when torque is best sent to the rear wheels in low traction conditions, when AWD is most useful. When the system isn’t needed, an electronically controlled clutch deactivates power delivery to the rear wheels to improve fuel efficiency."

Looks wonderful on paper. Only $1,200 more than a standard gas powered CRV, more power, better gas mileage... Except when you go to lease it and they tell you it is going to be over $500 per month.

stickguy

That’s why we are buying. Wife’s car, she doesn’t want to lease. Unless it’s one of those crazy deals on something like an XC60.

On the CRV, pretty steep $3,200 premium to go to a touring. You get led lights and heated steering wheel. Nice to have, not deal breakers. Other than that, bigger wheels (a negative really), roof rails., (can add as accessory), some more stereo watts, Navi, and hands free tailgate (that I would turn off anyway).

EXL has memory seat and passenger power seat, those are must haves. So wife should be fine with that trim.

I sent her the announcement. Must have liked it, since her response was “hmmm, interesting”

And I see it’s out March 1st. Might swing over tomorrow, see if they will let us have a sneak peek. Otherwise, making a trip next Saturday.

kyfdx

Used car buyer needs input:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/60557/lexus/rx-350/lexus-rx350-vs-volvo-xc60-2010#latest

tjc78

If you are going to keep it for 10+ I would just get the top trim. I'm sure there is still enough sidewall to navigate our roads.

I had to take the Volvo into center city on Monday. I was dodging holes like crazy. Not much sidewall on those tires and I cringe to think what those Michelins cost.

rayainsw

28firefighter - your BMW looks great !
- Ray
Enjoy for many [s]miles !

stickguy

I have that problem with the TLX. I would take the RDX instead if I know I need to go into a really bad road area.

there is not much difference between the 18 and 19" wheels. 60 series vs. 55. They just cost more.

if the touring was not that big of a difference I would get it just to make sure no FOMO. I would like the LED lights (but would try the stock ones first) and heated wheel and more powerful stereo, but if the EXL is fine, just not really worth it.

omarman

It does sound similar to the 2014 Accord hybrid explained here. That's a pretty healthy increase in power too. 141 peak hp in 2014 and 212 hp now. All that and better range and economy?

stickguy

after chatting with the wife, we are quite excited to go check one out. Well, I am excited to check out any car, but it is a novelty when she is! Assuming we like the driving dynamics, this really could be the perfect storm of size, utility, economy, easy to use tech and comfort, at a not absurd price tag. Could trade up to one of these now, and have the flexibility to get something even nicer in 22 months when my lease is up. Or if there is no desire for something fancier, will get something cheap.

tjc78

Uh oh... punch looming!!

I thought I was a lock for at least one punch.... but the more and more I job search it seems like one of our cars is going to have to be owned. Most of the positions I'm getting the most traction on are either a far commute or road warrior.

Spoke to the wife about it and most likely the Volvo will become hers and I'll take the Enclave. Then I'll buy it out at the end of the year doing a short term loan on the balance.

Once paid for it gets relegated to back and forth to the shore and I'll get a cheap sedan for work duties.

This all pending where I end up. If I end up local then the Enclave is gone in November and replaced with another SUV for the wife. If my commute isn't too far or end up flying more could always flip flop with her to spread the miles out over two cars. She only puts about 11 miles a day on.

stickguy

The downside to leasing. Job change. If I ever do find a new one it’s possible I would suddenly be putting real miles on my car again. But, there are ways around that.

tjc78

Yeah, leasing two is always a risk.

At the end of the day I probably wouldn't have ever left, but I didn't have that choice!

I made a mistake of going to onto You Tube and watching people pick the stores over and report on the closing. Many of the videos were from stores that we only opened recently. I look at the remnants and remember walking the space with contractors and buying all the fixtures.

stickguy

I want a different job (various reasons) but not worried if I can just stay here and actually work on retiring before I am an octogenarian. Just leave me alone to WFH and keep paying me until I can start collecting my pension (prior company) then I don’t care what happens!

stickguy

In terms of a punch, it’s possible. Once she falls in love with some car, if I can lay out numbers that are not too bad, she will bite. Quite possible we hold off until late summer looking for an end of model year blowout sale.

Or I just start trolling until I find the right deal. Gives me something to do with my time!

corvette

Still getting my punch today, but now there’s going to be a story, too! Dinner *and* a show, lol...

ab348

corvette said:

Still getting my punch today, but now there’s going to be a story, too! Dinner *and* a show, lol...

You've woven quite a mysterious web for us with this one. Looking forward to it.

Michaell

CR-V Hybrid - someone reported having been contacted by their dealer that a few have showed up, already.

No lease numbers, for February. New programs released next week.

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

Uh oh... punch looming!!

I thought I was a lock for at least one punch.... but the more and more I job search it seems like one of our cars is going to have to be owned. Most of the positions I'm getting the most traction on are either a far commute or road warrior.

Spoke to the wife about it and most likely the Volvo will become hers and I'll take the Enclave. Then I'll buy it out at the end of the year doing a short term loan on the balance.

Once paid for it gets relegated to back and forth to the shore and I'll get a cheap sedan for work duties.

This all pending where I end up. If I end up local then the Enclave is gone in November and replaced with another SUV for the wife. If my commute isn't too far or end up flying more could always flip flop with her to spread the miles out over two cars. She only puts about 11 miles a day on.

Between my wife and I, we do quite a bit of mileage. I'm at 5 months with the Tacoma and have over 11,000 miles. Her Pilot had a 2nd birthday in December and it is up over the 42,000 (maybe 43,000). I've thought of leasing another commuter car (Civic Hatch) or buying a used TLX. I don't think I could logically justify the extra expense.

stickguy

Michaell said:

CR-V Hybrid - someone reported having been contacted by their dealer that a few have showed up, already.

No lease numbers, for February. New programs released next week.

I don't expect this to lease well any time soon. Good thing I am not planning to lease.

they said March 1 as the official release to dealer date (odd that they picked a Sunday), so I am sure the local guy already has some sitting on the back lot. If we stop over tomorrow afternoon and ask nicely, I am sure we can see on. And it they don't want to test drive, no big deal. Will just sit in one and play with it, and more importantly, check out the colors!

tjc78

“I've thought of leasing another commuter car (Civic Hatch) or buying a used TLX“

Yeah depending on the mileage is it worth it? Really have to crunch the math.

Just finished a really good phone interview. Position is about 50/50 WFH and travel. Call ended with the next step of face to face and meeting the team. They just hired one of my past employees and a higher up used to work for my past employer and they apparently have already “researched” me. Funny how small the world is.

Fingers crossed this turns into something as I’ve been a little down on how long the process takes. Luckily we aren’t in trouble financially and my wife carries the benefits... ok off soap box.

Carry on..

@corvette Pins and needles on outcome!

stickguy

I recall that being the worst park back during the recession (2008) being out. not much going on, and the process when there was a lead was painfully slow. But good luck with it.

sounds like my industry. not all that big and the same people move around, so odds are you are going to run into people you know. one reason I would never burn bridges, and try to be nice to everyone!

good also your wife is carrying the bennies, etc. that is what we did while I alternated on contract work and those nice checks the state deposited 2x a month!

I floated the subject of how when I can start collecting a pension in a couple years that we would be fine with that and her salary, so I could retire early if she kept working. Not an easy sell. Might need to work on the pitch.

tjc78

Yeah, corporate retail based in the NJ/PA area there is a lot "cross pollination" so to speak.

Good news is I'm already secured for a face to face with the hiring manager and his manager on Thursday. That moved much faster than I've seen for sure.

I've never had a WFH before so if this (or something else WFH) pans out it will be very interesting. I really don't have a spare room for a home office, but could convert part of our smallish family room that we hardly ever use.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

“I've thought of leasing another commuter car (Civic Hatch) or buying a used TLX“

Yeah depending on the mileage is it worth it? Really have to crunch the math.

Just finished a really good phone interview. Position is about 50/50 WFH and travel. Call ended with the next step of face to face and meeting the team. They just hired one of my past employees and a higher up used to work for my past employer and they apparently have already “researched” me. Funny how small the world is.

Fingers crossed this turns into something as I’ve been a little down on how long the process takes. Luckily we aren’t in trouble financially and my wife carries the benefits... ok off soap box.

Carry on..

@corvette Pins and needles on outcome!

Amazing how multi layered the hiring process is today. When I got my first Few professional jobs it took one interview with the boss and I was hired. By the late 80s things took multiple interviews with a committee of people. That was when I decided to chuck it all and go into business for myself.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

Amazing how multi layered the hiring process is today. When I got my first Few professional jobs it took one interview with the boss and I was hired. By the late 80s things took multiple interviews with a committee of people. That was when I decided to chuck it all and go into business for myself.

And yet it is still sometimes like throwing darts at a board. This week the city I'm in had this embarrassing situation happen:

https://www.thetelegram.com/news/provincial/high-ranking-halifax-city-staffer-previously-a-nalcor-exec-out-of-job-after-less-than-three-months-416560

Just justifies my utter lack of faith in the HR profession at a corporate level.

cdnpinhead

Ah yes -- the good ol' behavioral interview. Gotta love it. The first ones I was involved in as a hiring manager (back in the '90s) showed me just how screwed up large corporation hiring practices were -- 5 points extra for a whole list of victim classes (I guess they were ahead of their time) and 10 points extra for veterans. That's when I came up with my perfect job candidate -- A black veteran female amputee midget.

tjc78

Amazing how multi layered the hiring process is today.

Sure is! This last one that is moving quickly bypassed the corporate recruiter. That alone saves a week or two.

stickguy

I got the wife all hopped up on the hybrid. Hope it doesn’t suck when we finally Drive it!

She even picked out colors she liked.

Would shock me if she picks out the, by far, cheapest option on the list!

pensfan83

As a hiring manager myself I can appreciate wanting to move quickly. The approach I and my management team under me try to take is to limit ourselves to one interview but where necessary conduct a second if warranted As for behavioral interviewing....some of our questions fall into that category but the majority of them are centered around determining whether the candidate(s) possess the skills and behaviors that have been identified for the specific role(s).

qbrozen

tjc78 said:

Yeah, leasing two is always a risk.

Not if you have a few extra vehicles lying around. ;b

tjc78

Would shock me if she picks out the, by far, cheapest option on the list!

That never happens to me!

fintail

I know an old co-worker who took a new job for a large local employer. Apparently he interviewed in November, and just started about 3 weeks ago. Wheels turn slowly.

tjc78

How's your search?

fintail

I've applied for a few positions where I am "under consideration", but those wheels are turning slowly (well over a month from application to first phone interview). and I am applying pretty selectively - trying not to jump into something I will hate in a week. I'm still quite optimistic, and not broke yet anyway, so trying to enjoy the staycation as well.

Sounds like you're about to find something, too.

tjc78 said:

How's your search?

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe said:

stickguy said:

blazer does look nice. similar to the modern steel I like on the RDX

You may be the perfect guy to buy my ’15 Genny since you like that color. That is what it looks like, in fact, my Genny may even look better. It’s a low mileage car (10 K miles) and it shines up nicely. As much as I’ve tried, I just don’t like the color. Should have kept the ’09 Genny that was Cabernet Red Pearl over beige but I thought I’d reward myself on my retirement so that is why I bought it. I sorta backed myself into a corner with colors because I didn’t want to get another burgundy color because I didn’t want the same color again and I didn’t want black, white, brown, blue or silver, because at the time Mrs. j’s ’12 Legacy was silver. In hindsight, I should have bought what Genesis called Parisian Gray which was a lighter color gray then the Genesis named Empire State Gray (old mans gray) that I did get. I thought the Parisian Gray looked too much like the Subie color but I was wrong. There was enough difference in shades but at the time I didn’t think so.

My neighbors across the street, both of them, liked the color on my Genny from the day they first saw it in the driveway back in June of ‘15. Most neighbors, when they talk, as the discussion ends you usually say, “see ya”. Not my neighbors, they end with saying, “any time you don’t want that car, just park it in our driveway with the keys on the seat. We’ll take care of it, no problem”.

jmonroe

I like that low mileage. What will it take to do the deal....a thousand, two, am I close?

That's close enough for the tires and rims.

jmonroe

roadburner

As some of you know, I caught the flu this week(even though I had a flu shot)- which means I'm stuck at home until Monday. On March 3rd. Kia releases new incentives; if those incentives are the same or better than the current incentives my wife and I are checking out the last GTS is my state(assuming it's still available) the following Saturday.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

I just bought another very nice new pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses at Costco for about $100. Perfect for the upcoming Spring and Summer driving season in Southern California.

If I lose another pair of sunglasses before 2021, I may look to see if there are any extremely low mileage Neon's on BaT to bid on as I deserve the punishment.

$100 for sunglasses? I’ve owned cars that were worth less.

I know and it never even bothered you when you misplaced them.

jmonroe

jmonroe

28firefighter said:

A little ZHP for your Thursday night.

In PA it's illegal to have license plates without numbers.

jmonroe

28firefighter

@michaell - the cause of the Outback starting issue is related to how the fuel system works on the car. If you start a 3.6R car and move it a very short distance (think a few feet) and then immediately turn it off, it can leave residual fuel that causes the starter to need an extended crank on the next go. When my wife didn't allow the starter to finish the crank cycle and rather kept turning the car on and off, the battery drained. Looked it up online and apparently this is in fact a thing.

The night before this happened I had to pull the Outback out of the garage and then put it back in immediately to get to something. Everything is fine now and they have it on record in case it turns out to be something else. But in this case the story fits.

explorerx4

@nyccarguy,
11k in 5 months, what kind of mileage are you getting?

oldfarmer50

jmonroe said:

oldfarmer50 said:

andres3 said:

I just bought another very nice new pair of Maui Jim Sunglasses at Costco for about $100. Perfect for the upcoming Spring and Summer driving season in Southern California.

If I lose another pair of sunglasses before 2021, I may look to see if there are any extremely low mileage Neon's on BaT to bid on as I deserve the punishment.

$100 for sunglasses? I’ve owned cars that were worth less.

I know and it never even bothered you when you misplaced them.

jmonroe

LOL, lost ‘em both at the beach and never looked back.

stickguy

stopped at Honda dealer to look at CRVs after dinner. mostly a waste of time. The showroom car was a 2019 (pre-facelift) and an LX so not a good representation. But was able to confirm it has lots of room.

walked the row outside, a mix of 19s and 20s, to see the colors. But, lighting sucked so did not help too much. and it was cold. So need to go back in the daylight.

wife shocked me just now. Daughter made some comment about it, and wife popped up with "we will buy one tomorrow". Same lady that on the way home tonight said she would never get a car because she would not be able to decide. Just told her we would look, and something would jump our at her as "the one" and we would know.

28firefighter

Mental commitment to buy. My wife is the same way. Once she is decided, she wants it yesterday.

sda

28firefighter said:

Mental commitment to buy. My wife is the same way. Once she is decided, she wants it yesterday.

Yep, X2

corvette

Typing this on my phone, so can’t upload photos. I pulled the trigger on a 2/24k lease on a Tundra from a broker on Leasehackr. Picked a TRD Off-road package model with side steps and a spray in bed liner. Booked my flight to Philadelphia for today.

Got past TSA at the airport this morning and the salesman called. They scraped another car when pulling my truck out for detail. Obviously they can’t sell me a damaged vehicle, but they have an almost identical one with the sport package instead of the off road package. MSRP is about 1k more but they will sell it to me for the same price as the one I picked out. So I ended up with the “street” package (which I’d rather have anyway) instead of the off-road. Park assist, BSM, cross traffic alert, 38 gallon fuel tank, LED headlights, CarPlay, WiFi... FCW and adaptive cruise are standard. Despite being at the end of its lifecycle, they’ve really added a lot of content to the Tundra to try to keep it competitive.

I’ll post pics when I get home.

stickguy

I hope you waved at my house on your approach to PHL!

good deal. Nice ride back to Kentucky (that right?)

stickguy

I will be interested to see if the wife falls in love and tells me to get her new car, STAT, or not. though I am sure I will get an at least half-hearted "I don't want a payment" along the way. I keep telling her she is getting the car at some point, if not now when my lease is done, so might as well just do it so she can enjoy it, and have all the extra features the next year and a half during her commute. If the money is too much, we can hold off a bit. I just need to get through the test drive and research part with her, and get the decision on what she wants to have instead of her current car. Or if she wants that, she can keep it for now.

I know she can do it. Happened when she was ready to move on from 18 years in a minivan, and once she drove the RDX it was a foregone conclusion. As soon as she picked a color, I got to work and made it happen.

tommister2

@corvette Congrats on the new Tundra. I had a 2013 and then a 2018. Some like to pick on how outdated the Tundra is, but it always was a top choice for me when shopping for a truck. What color did you decide on?

benjaminh

nyccarguy said:

Looks wonderful on paper. Only $1,200 more than a standard gas powered CRV, more power, better gas mileage... Except when you go to lease it and they tell you it is going to be over $500 per month.

Yes indeed.

18 months ago I was driving a lot and wanted a new car with adaptive cruise control, a better stereo, etc. At first the Accord hybrid EXL seemed like a good possibility, and it seemed like I could save maybe as much as $1000 a year in gas costs. Surely an Accord hybrid EXL with a list of c. $32k would overall save when compared with an Acura Tech with an msrp of c. $37k. But it was clear that instead of saving I would actually pay more than $100 extra a month to drive an Accord hybrid compared to an Acura TLX. And the same is true today.

And in most real world tests most hybrids don't equal their EPA mpg numbers....

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a21755133/2018-honda-accord-hybrid-fuel-efficient/

"As an indicator of how adept the Accord hybrid's propulsion system is at applying the most efficient engine, motor, or engine/motor combination for the motive task at hand, consider that the 2018 Accord hybrid earns an EPA fuel-economy estimate of 47 mpg in all three metrics: city, highway, and combined. In typically enthusiastic Car and Driver testing, it returned 40 mpg overall, exactly matching our results with the Camry XLE hybrid."

In contrast, I get over the EPA ratings in my Acura TLX, which is rated 33 on the highway but often gets 35-38 on the highway, even with the AC on and going at at least 70 mph, and often a bit more.

So in the real world the gas savings of $1000 a year when comparing an Accord hybrid with a TLX 2.4 is probably closer to $600.

And then, as nyccarguy says, the lease on the Accord EXL hybrid is about $500 a month when taxes etc. are considered. Here are the figures from my local Honda dealer, which include a $2500 discount from msrp:

$456 a month for a 10k lease with $2500 down before ttl for a 2020 Accord Hybrid EXL lease.

In contrast, here's the current offer from Acura....

$279 a month for a 10k lease with $2500 down before ttl for a 2020 Acura TLX.

Good bargainers can, of course, probably do better than either of those offers, but the spread is going to remain about the same. Anyway, that difference of $177 a month means that over a year it costs $2124 more to drive the Accord over an Acura, and over three years it costs $6372 more. Subtract the c. $1800 in fuel savings over 3 years, and the extra cost to drive the hybrid falls to $4572, but still that's a big premium to drive a car that is less luxurious and a lot less fun to drive.

stickguy

the EXL is actually better equipped than a base TLX. Need to go up to a tech package to be more apples to apples. plus, CD usually gets lousy mileage, given how they drive. If you generally get better than rated, why not assume the same on the Accord?

Your point is valid though about leasing. That is all about incentives and factors. On the flip side, it evens out (or reverses) if you are buying outright. And might make the lease car a decent option for a lease and buy at the end, if the residual is low enough.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

the EXL is actually better equipped than a base TLX. Need to go up to a tech package to be more apples to apples. plus, CD usually gets lousy mileage, given how they drive. If you generally get better than rated, why not assume the same on the Accord?

Your point is valid though about leasing. That is all about incentives and factors. On the flip side, it evens out (or reverses) if you are buying outright. And might make the lease car a decent option for a lease and buy at the end, if the residual is low enough.

In the summer of 2018 even when comparing a TLX Tech with an Accord Hybrid EXL the premium was c.$200 more a month to drive the hybrid (before gas savings). And actually I do think that even the TLX base is more or less on a par with an Accord EXL. There are a few things the Accord EXL has—such as remote start, real leather, and more rear leg room—but there are more things that the TLX base has that for me are more important, like precision all wheel steering, better handling, a more luxurious interior, quieter ride, better styling, 8-speed dual clutch transmission with torque converter and paddle shifters, nicer paint, compact disc player, better tires, better brakes, full LED headlights, longer warranty, individual tire pressure monitors, nicer engine/engine sound, etc.

In terms of mpg, my brother-in-law has a 2014 Accord hybrid, and real world they get c. 40mpg, and they aren't aggressive drivers. Maybe "hyper mile" people can get the epa ratings in their hybrids, and maybe even a bit more, but that's not really the way I drive most of the time.

But in your case for an SUV you already save c.$10k in msrp in getting a CR-V hybrid over a luxury SUV like an RDX. Plus the RDX doesn't have big lease incentives like the TLX. And while mpg on the TLX 2.4 as you know is pretty good, the RDX turbo with SH-AWD seems to almost guzzle premium fuel.

corvette

@tommister2 It’s white like the Tahoe. I’m not very original when it comes to color choices!