Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

one nice thing about the push button start. Only time I ever see my keys is when I empty my pants pockets, or have to pull out my Shop Rite frequent shopper card!

corvette

I think Nissan has used the same basic design for all of their fobs for at least a decade now. It's one of the more compact designs. The only downside I can see is that you can't fit many buttons on it, so it might not work well for things like minivans with power sliding doors. The one on the Tundra is quite un-elegant, by comparison. I'm thinking even a $10 silicone case would neaten it up.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

still better off taking $1,500 off and financing elsewhere and paying off quicker.

What about financing through the dealer to get a better price and then refinancing later or even paying the whole thing off? Is that still a valid strategy?

oldfarmer50

pensfan83 said:

Out of storage and fun as ever.

I had the Mustang out today as well. Boy, I missed that.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

Speaking of vaping, saw someone in a WRX vaping while I was on my cruise this afternoon in the ZHP. Two thoughts - 1) way to perpetuate the stereotype about WRX drivers, and 2) nothing like damaging your lungs in the midst of a respiratory virus outbreak. Darwin at its finest.

Better than some of the folk remedies I’ve heard. Like drinking bleach, sitting under a really hot hair dryer or having sex with someone who recovered from the virus to get their immunity.

On second thought, that last one might be worth a try.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

My wife’s car has the warning, but it doesn’t take corrective action. I’m not fond of it.

I do like blind spot warnings, though. I also have that on the GTI.

I hate the lane assist in the Toyota RAV4. Too aggressive. The one on the Ford Fusion is much more subtle. On an empty road I tested the Fusion’s ability to auto-drive by hovering my hand over the wheel. It kept the car nicely centered but after 30 seconds it scolded me to “put hands back on the wheel”.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

still better off taking $1,500 off and financing elsewhere and paying off quicker.

What about financing through the dealer to get a better price and then refinancing later or even paying the whole thing off? Is that still a valid strategy?

well, we don't have the cash on hand to do that option, and I would rather not liquidate anything right at the moment, for obvious reasons! But certainly, it would be an option but I think that unless was paying off in 2-3 years the .0% still comes out ahead.

even with that extra thrown in, there is still a fair bit of difference from where they stopped talking.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Dealer claims dead 12v was the problem. I started grilling him on why and how an electric car would fail to start or even open the door unless the main batteries were drained, and how any of that could happen while plugged into the wall. He had no answers. Said he isn’t familiar enough with the electrified cars. Gives me great confidence.

What is the 12v battery for on an electric car? Or is yours a gas/ electric hybrid?

tifighter

qbrozen said:

Dealer claims dead 12v was the problem. I started grilling him on why and how an electric car would fail to start or even open the door unless the main batteries were drained, and how any of that could happen while plugged into the wall. He had no answers. Said he isn’t familiar enough with the electrified cars. Gives me great confidence.

All current EV's still use a 12V system on accessories etc., so this is not uncommon. I know that Teslas can manage the 12V and trickle charge it if needed when plugged in, but I don't know how Hyundai's system works. I'd guess it does have an exterior release for the hood so that you can access the 12V battery even when it's totally dead. Or at least our Leaf, Kia did, and current cars do.

stickguy

I think my TLX has an off button for lane watch. Though that might be run off the road mitigation. I still get confused which feature has the on/off button, what is in the settings menu, and what you are stuck with.

for some reason there are 3 distinct systems. Lane watch, which just flashes a message and shakes the wheel when it thinks you are over the line. Then there is some sort of off the road mitigation. I have no clue what that actually does, and hope to never find out. Then there is actual lane keep assist, but that only works when you are using the ACC. But I think in the button set for Acura Watch stuff there is only one switch.

corvette

I think I'm going to take the Tundra on the trip to the Black Hills at the end of April. The G37 is technically my "road trip car," but I have 12k/year to burn on the Tundra, and with my current commute, won't do that without making an effort.

benjaminh

Acura TLX steering wheel showing the different switches for different functions....

stickguy

that is the ACC and lane keep assist buttons on the left. The run off the road mitigation button is on the lower left dash next to the BLIS button. At least I think it is that one, meaning there is no button to turn off lane watch alert.

andres3

I believe Audi has released US pricing of the new 2020 RS6 Avant at starting price of $109K.

Really a pittance compared to your 401K losses in the last month. Of course, knowing my local dealerships, every single RS 6 within 250 miles will be ordered up with a bunch of gizmos and gadgets making the real sticker price about $130K.

fintail

130K, and I bet at least for awhile they'll hold firm on that. I can get a nice E63 wagon for that dough.

qbrozen

tifighter said:

qbrozen said:

Dealer claims dead 12v was the problem. I started grilling him on why and how an electric car would fail to start or even open the door unless the main batteries were drained, and how any of that could happen while plugged into the wall. He had no answers. Said he isn’t familiar enough with the electrified cars. Gives me great confidence.

All current EV's still use a 12V system on accessories etc., so this is not uncommon. I know that Teslas can manage the 12V and trickle charge it if needed when plugged in, but I don't know how Hyundai's system works. I'd guess it does have an exterior release for the hood so that you can access the 12V battery even when it's totally dead. Or at least our Leaf, Kia did, and current cars do.

A quick google search shows me this is not uncommon with the Ioniq. What I find most interesting is that the hybrid version uses a Li-ion 12v and has a button on the dash to be used specifically when the 12v battery dies. It pulls enough juice from the motor battery to the 12v to get you started. I don’t even know where to begin on that. I mean, first, they obviously found this was common enough to install a workaround. Second, how the hell could you not make this automated? Anyway, I don’t believe mine has this. So its on the hybrid but not the plug-in? Some very flawed logic there. But I will look for that button first thing when I pick up the car.

kyfdx

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

corvette said:

kyfdx said:

rayainsw said:

'Needing gas' - speaking of:
Saw RUG for below $2 / gal. at my local QT yesterday.
- Ray
Not seen that is a while...

Same at Costco, last month

Makes the Tundra's near-single-digit MPG numbers a little more palatable.

The dealer is the one who requested I have the inspection done. They are overnighting me the the MCO so I can get that done. I assume I'll send it back to them with the inspection form and they'll send the fees and other documents back to the clerk to get it titled.

Let's hope so... I think they are wrong, or getting bad info from the title service company.

http://www.jcsoky.org/auto_insp.htm

"An out of state inspection is only required when a vehicle is brought into Kentucky from another state or purchased in another state..."

Maybe the county clerks in some counties just rubber-stamp out of state registrations? I know the window tint shop where I had the Tahoe tinted had a sign up that they will not tint windows on out of state cars with temp plates, for this reason (it won't pass the inspection).

Two new cars bought in Ohio in 2017. Neither was inspected. Used cars, yes.

pensfan83

corvette said:

@nyccarguy, @pensfan83, @jpp5862 (not sure what his new username is), and @kyfdx, have any of you bought some sort of cover to try to dress up the kind of homely looking key fobs on your trucks?

These and these both look really neat, and are offered in many of the colors offered on the trucks. Here's a leather one, but you can tell from the photos it's a very low quality leather.

I haven't but some of those are pretty nice.

stickguy

Is it my imagination, or just Rodo becoming pointless, or have leases become much more expensive recently? Seems the days of budget friendly deals, outside of the rare oddballs like QBs Ioniq, are over mostly.

roadburner

The northern Kentucky Alfa dealer is offering a 24 month/10k year lease for $299/month on a base Giulia AWD. If only it was a RWD Ti Sport.

stickguy

Base model with $3,995 down?

tjc78

I think there are deals to be had, just need to be selective and hit them at the right time. I'm doubtful I'll be able to lease an Enclave for what I'm paying now (equipped the same). For one they went up in price a bit and two they never leased that great to begin with. I just hit the end of model year and Burns wanted to move a unit. It was 50K and I'm paying $515 with two buried payments from the other Enclave with taxes fees and first payment all rolled.

My wife hates the idea of paying a dispo fee so she said just to get another GM.... but I'm not paying $600 a month for another Enclave. I'll get an XC90 for that money.

stickguy

On the RDX I was getting buy and lease quotes since there is a lot more lease cash it seems. But I still can’t come to terms with paying over $500/month for something I just give back at the end. And while a nice car, not like I’m driving a high end Mercedes!

tjc78

On a 43K MSRP? That's a tough payment

stickguy

That was with I think $1500 DAS too. Seems like money factors have gone way up, even as interest rates drop.

stickguy

Just poking around on Rodo, a $32k CRV EXL, 1st payment DAS, was $435

corvette

I think you can lease two Tacomas for that kind of money.

stickguy

Tacoma’s are such an outlier. Still makes no sense to me what US bank does with all those ones that come back off inflated residuals.

tjc78

Both ouch! Maybe I'm old school but I try and stick to the 1% or under "rule" with just first payment OOP.

I know on the leasing site they claim this shouldn't be used and that it's relative but I like it.

stickguy

So been emailing back and forth with a PA deal (the Edmunds one). Appears that thei number is what the local guy scoffed at. And I asked three times directly to make sure not assuming bogus stuff.

Need to revisit my spreadsheet to make sure I got them straight though. And think through finance option to see if would want to self finance somehow short term or pass on the incentive and take .9% for 5 years.

Might be making a trip to the main line Saturday! Unless I go myself during to figure out if it all works For real this time, then make a 2nd trip with the boss to pick it up. Right now doesn’t seem they have the right color combo anyway.

Such a process.

tjc78

I'd try North Jersey too. Lots of competition up there.

stickguy

tjc78 said:

Both ouch! Maybe I'm old school but I try and stick to the 1% or under "rule" with just first payment OOP.

I know on the leasing site they claim this shouldn't be used and that it's relative but I like it.

Same. Plus I have leased 3 cars, and been right at that all 3. Actually a fair bit under on the sonata. So maybe I am spoiled!

stickguy

2nd PA dealer is at almost exactly the same price. Cars must be cheaper over there!

28firefighter

stickguy said:

So been emailing back and forth with a PA deal (the Edmunds one). Appears that thei number is what the local guy scoffed at. And I asked three times directly to make sure not assuming bogus stuff.

Need to revisit my spreadsheet to make sure I got them straight though. And think through finance option to see if would want to self finance somehow short term or pass on the incentive and take .9% for 5 years.

Might be making a trip to the main line Saturday! Unless I go myself during to figure out if it all works For real this time, then make a 2nd trip with the boss to pick it up. Right now doesn’t seem they have the right color combo anyway.

Such a process.

Why do you need to go in person if they don't have it yet? Have them send you a deal sheet, give them $250 or $500 as deposit to get the car you want - then just go pick it up. I wouldn't waste my time driving to finalize a deal and then driving to go back and get it again.

stickguy

Trade in mostly.

stickguy

But good point. If I get the numbers to work can discuss meeting the Carvana quote too. But my experience has been that they have to see the car before anything can be final.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

Trade in mostly.

If you have a written offer from one of the online places, then that should be enough for them. Offer to send some detailed pictures to help support it.

corvette

stickguy said:

Tacoma’s are such an outlier. Still makes no sense to me what US bank does with all those ones that come back off inflated residuals.

I'm guessing they've found someone to insure residual values just like the manufacturers' captive financing arms.

tjc78

stickguy said:

2nd PA dealer is at almost exactly the same price. Cars must be cheaper over there!

I keep forgetting that my Mom's RAV came from over the bridge. Much better pricing on that one, but Volvo was better in NNJ.

At any rate, aside from some details looks like the punch is back on.

tjc78

corvette said:

stickguy said:

Tacoma’s are such an outlier. Still makes no sense to me what US bank does with all those ones that come back off inflated residuals.

I'm guessing they've found someone to insure residual values just like the manufacturers' captive financing arms.

Or close enough to the RV that they have made enough money on the interest charge.

corvette

tjc78 said:

corvette said:

stickguy said:

Tacoma’s are such an outlier. Still makes no sense to me what US bank does with all those ones that come back off inflated residuals.

I'm guessing they've found someone to insure residual values just like the manufacturers' captive financing arms.

Or close enough to the RV that they have made enough money on the interest charge.

I spitballed what a similarly equipped 2018 Tundra in good condition with 24k miles is worth at auction, and it looked like they were about $6-7,000 off on the residual value. Perhaps a little less given that MSRPs have probably increased over the past two years, but perhaps a lot more for the vehicles that get turned in with a ding on the Carfax.

stickguy

I asked the dealer I was conversing with if they would match the online sales quote. Waiting to hear back. Option B is of course going back to local guy that has the car she wants sitting there and giving them one last shot to meet the price from over the river and through the city. Certainly easier logistics.

Option C of course is, go back to doing nothing, which as of bedtime yesterday the wife was fine with.

I reworked the spreadsheet and emailed her a matrix of options, including putting some money down and taking the higher interest rate but lower amount borrowed, then fast tracking paying it off. With the goal to have it down to zero by the time my lease is over, giving maximum flexibility. Alternatively, if we go with the do nothing option, set up a separate account to shovel extra cashflow into (hey, it has to go somewhere) and when it is high enough, pay cash.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

All current EV's still use a 12V system on accessories etc., so this is not uncommon. I know that Teslas can manage the 12V and trickle charge it if needed when plugged in, but I don't know how Hyundai's system works. I'd guess it does have an exterior release for the hood so that you can access the 12V battery even when it's totally dead. Or at least our Leaf, Kia did, and current cars do.

A quick google search shows me this is not uncommon with the Ioniq. What I find most interesting is that the hybrid version uses a Li-ion 12v and has a button on the dash to be used specifically when the 12v battery dies. It pulls enough juice from the motor battery to the 12v to get you started. I don’t even know where to begin on that. I mean, first, they obviously found this was common enough to install a workaround. Second, how the hell could you not make this automated? Anyway, I don’t believe mine has this. So its on the hybrid but not the plug-in? Some very flawed logic there. But I will look for that button first thing when I pick up the car.

You might consider installing a trickle charger into the vehicle ("permanently") with the cord routed through the front such that you can easily plug it in overnight once every week or two. This will just ensure that you have no 12V issues down the stretch, particularly if the car receives little use in gas mode.

benjaminh

How many miles so far on the 2013 RDX?

stickguy

As of yesterday, 59,820.

benjaminh

Still 40k till the first tune-up.

I'm guessing you've replaced the tires? If so, what brand did you have OEM and what did you go with for the replacements?

stickguy

Something like that for plugs. Probably 2 years until a timing belt. It would definitely be traded if needed all that!

Came with Michelin’s, I put (at about 42k) a set of Cooper CS5 ultra tourings on it. Around the same time got a battery and front brakes. Rears getting close to time to be done. Other than that, routine (and extra) fluid changes mostly.

benjaminh

Oh your engine is still from the era of timing belts instead of chains. They switched the 4-cylinders iirc to a "life of the engine" timing chain more than ten years ago, but for the 6 cylinders I guess they didn't?

I've never heard of Cooper tires. Do you like them?

kyfdx

benjaminh said:

Oh your engine is still from the era of timing belts instead of chains. They switched the 4-cylinders iirc to a "life of the engine" timing chain more than ten years ago, but for the 6 cylinders I guess they didn't?

I've never heard of Cooper tires. Do you like them?

I think Coopers are made by Goodyear?

qbrozen

Interestingly, Carvana is offering $1750 more than my buyout (I think). With the $500 check still on the way, that's a decent profit on a lease I've had for 2 months. Could make a double cab SR Taco effectively $130/mo for 24/12. Huh. Of course, fuel cost goes up considerably.