Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

pensfan83

graphicguy said:

pensfan83 said:

So fellow CCBA'ers it's the activity everyone loves, helping me spend $$$$. The Acura lease is up in 2 months and we've pretty much settled on 3 vehicles, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Passport, Acura RDX. We like them all for different reasons. The Acura looks good, drives better, and is the one where the best deal can be had based on current lease programs. The Passport is well rounded, has a lot of room, is easier to see out of than the RDX, but the driving experience is blander than the Acura. But the powertrain works well overall and again, it's a very nicely packaged vehicle. It's easy to see why @nyccarguy likes his Pilot so much. The Jeep is a late entry and only because the Mrs. reminded me about it. We've driven multiple trim variants and both powertrains and we've always liked them. The Hemi is great but inventory is usually limited and the upcharge isn't very palatable. The platform is also old but it and the exterior has aged very well IMO and Jeep's done a nice job of keeping it stocked with the latest technology.

So...any thoughts? Anything else we should add?

Love me some Acura, so you know which way I'd vote...RDX. I like the Passport, too. Actually, think it's better than the MDX.

Jeep GC? I dunno. Regular ones are kind of blah in my book. If I were going to go in that direction, it would HAVE TO BE a Track Hawk!

There's 2 RDX A-Specs in Western PA at a dealer I won't deal with. If we want one we would have to go outside the area since inventory is virtually non-existent and my salesman can't give me a straight answer if more are coming. There's some in Cleveland and I always check Cincinnati since my sister lives there and it looks like there's plenty there too.

tifighter

Reading about dealer markups on the upcoming RAV4 Prime. Dealers - ugh.

stickguy

The tech drives pretty much the same as the Aspec. So if you aren’t hung up on some style point, don’t write that off.

xwesx

tifighter said:

Reading about dealer markups on the upcoming RAV4 Prime. Dealers - ugh.

Well, the dealers are just being business men. If stupid people weren't willing to pay outrageous prices, the dealers would fall into line with that, too.

kyfdx

pensfan83 said:

So fellow CCBA'ers it's the activity everyone loves, helping me spend $$$$. The Acura lease is up in 2 months and we've pretty much settled on 3 vehicles, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Passport, Acura RDX. We like them all for different reasons. The Acura looks good, drives better, and is the one where the best deal can be had based on current lease programs. The Passport is well rounded, has a lot of room, is easier to see out of than the RDX, but the driving experience is blander than the Acura. But the powertrain works well overall and again, it's a very nicely packaged vehicle. It's easy to see why @nyccarguy likes his Pilot so much. The Jeep is a late entry and only because the Mrs. reminded me about it. We've driven multiple trim variants and both powertrains and we've always liked them. The Hemi is great but inventory is usually limited and the upcharge isn't very palatable. The platform is also old but it and the exterior has aged very well IMO and Jeep's done a nice job of keeping it stocked with the latest technology.

So...any thoughts? Anything else we should add?

Durango? Or, is that too big?

stickguy

Highlander maybe.

stickguy

Always the ascent and CX9.

stickguy

And if you don’t mind the size, what about the palisade or Telluride? I also happen to really like the Santa Fe turbo too.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

And if you don’t mind the size, what about the palisade or Telluride? I also happen to really like the Santa Fe turbo too.

Good thing he works at a bank, if going after one of those leases.

stickguy

I just help with the car. The money is someone else’s department!

But, if you are asking the advice question, need to specify if you want suggestions for nice cars, or cheap leases, since they are often mutually exclusive.

breld

@pensfan83 -

As long as the RDX meets your needs from a space perspective, I would think that would be an ideal choice...unless you just want something different than another Acura.

I agree with your “bland” comment on the Passport - conceptually I like the vehicle, but on my one test drive, I couldn’t help thinking it drove pretty much like my Odyssey. That’s not a bad thing necessarily, but certainly not engaging.

I’m a fan of the Jeep GC - I really thought I was going to end up with one before I went with the V90. But with it already feeling a bit dated, and with a new one due out (next year?), it just may feel eons old compared to the RDX.

stickguy

If you like the TLX but want tall and boxy, you should love the RDX. plus all the lease renewal benefits.

pensfan83

We don't need a 3rd row though if we did the Telluride would probably be at the top of the list. I may be in the minority but Mazda SUV's do nothing for me. The Highlander is nice, sat in one of those at the auto show.

On the RDX and JGC they seem to be leasing fairly well relative to MSRP. The former currently has a $3K loyalty incentive, in addition to the trunk money, and the latter always seems to be discounted well and have a lot of rebates. The Passport is going to lease worse than the Acura due to lower discounts and no incentives.

@breld the Acura is compelling for a lot of reasons. One we like the RDX and as returning lessees we're heavily incentive to stay with the brand from the loyalty incentive to the lease turn in perks. It checks pretty much every box in our eyes.

stickguy

Sounds like you answered your own question!

corvette

@pensfan83 I'd nix the Passport if it doesn't lease well.

28firefighter

I'd go for the RDX A-Spec; the ELS 3D Audio is enough to sell me on it...

tjc78

Based on the deal you can get RDX. JGC is a nice ride too, but the RDX is a newer platform. It’s also most likely to be trouble free and a good dealership experience

stickguy

28firefighter said:

I'd go for the RDX A-Spec; the ELS 3D Audio is enough to sell me on it...

the Tech level ELS is damned good already. but, to each their own in terms of must-haves!

pensfan83

tjc78 said:

Based on the deal you can get RDX. JGC is a nice ride too, but the RDX is a newer platform. It’s also most likely to be trouble free and a good dealership experience

Your picture made me think of the XC60. I know next to nothing about the brand other than how much you (and others) like their S60s or XC90s.

stickguy

I loved the XC60. Really wanted the wife to pick that. No clue how they lease, but definitely worth a look. Might do OK on a service loaner program lease.

qbrozen

28firefighter said:

This looks fun! I’d be happy to go look if anyone wants

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/K1LqdBzM/2013-volvo-c30-t-5-r-design

OH my. That poor woman traded in a 2001 V70 and still paid $600/mo for 60 mos on that C30 when it already had 27k miles on it. Yikes!

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

This looks fun! I’d be happy to go look if anyone wants

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/K1LqdBzM/2013-volvo-c30-t-5-r-design

OH my. That poor woman traded in a 2001 V70 and still paid $600/mo for 60 mos on that C30 when it already had 27k miles on it. Yikes!

Where did you see that level of detail?

stickguy

He's psychic?

I think she goofed. Mentioned uploading the accident repair paperwork, and seems to have uploaded her purchase agreement instead. Got $1,500 for the V70, must have been ratty. There is also about $4,000 I can't account for between the total on the bottom and the financed amount on the top. Negative equity rolled in?

fintail

28firefighter

Oh goodness, I did not even look further into the pictures to see that - who would post that level of detail?!

stickguy

I think she meant to post the repair order for the bodywork.

ab348

tjc78 said:

Based on the deal you can get RDX. JGC is a nice ride too, but the RDX is a newer platform. It’s also most likely to be trouble free and a good dealership experience

I think that sums up my views also.

omarman

The wait is almost over. Harrison Ford turns 78 on Monday July 13.

tjc78

Toyota had that same truck years ago... FJ Cruiser

tjc78

pensfan83 said:

tjc78 said:

Based on the deal you can get RDX. JGC is a nice ride too, but the RDX is a newer platform. It’s also most likely to be trouble free and a good dealership experience

Your picture made me think of the XC60. I know next to nothing about the brand other than how much you (and others) like their S60s or XC90s.

It’s a nice ride for sure. I like what Volvo has done making their cars all pretty much the same inside. At times they can be a *decent* lease. Check leasehackr to see what’s possible right now.

I’m actually at the Volvo dealer now waiting for them to finish up my car. No XC60s in the showroom but a nicely equipped XC90. Man that would make a nice Enclave replacement.

Michaell

@pensfan83 - have you considered the V60, or is that too small for the family?

Someone posted a deal recently - picked up a V60 CC loaner for $299/mo.

tjc78

They have this classic in the showroom.

xwesx

I think that @fintail should consider this for his next vehicle.... GeeWiz!

roadburner

The 1973 Bronco I inherited was just horrible. Maybe Ford will surprise me and not screw up the roll out.

fintail

That's insane, someone's labor of love, and no doubt it consumed a lot of time and resources. Quite a conversion, even using a correct steering wheel, although I am a little suspect of the upholstery. I'm too self-conscious for something like that - the Gs I like most are the non-blinged non-AMG models.

xwesx said:

I think that @fintail should consider this for his next vehicle.... GeeWiz!

pensfan83

Michaell said:

@pensfan83 - have you considered the V60, or is that too small for the family?

Someone posted a deal recently - picked up a V60 CC loaner for $299/mo.

No, not too small at all. I'd probably be more interested in one than the Mrs, however.

andres3

JustinS said:

Hi everyone, thought I would share my recent purchase story here.

I was driving a leased 2018 Lexus RX450h F-Sport but decided I was tired of the red interior, the overly bolstered seats being too firm for my liking, and an uninspiring drive. I had purchased a 2007 Acura TL Type-S from a local family back in February and had it inspected, everything supposedly checked out.

Fast forward to June and I decided I was fine with the Acura, so I sold my leased RX to a local Audi dealership who offered me about $3k more than the Lexus dealer offered. Less than two weeks later, I heard a suspension noise in the Acura and the CD changer wouldn't stop spinning. Brought it to the Acura dealer and they ended up finding a number of other issues. They quoted me almost $9k for everything. I trust that they weren't trying to rip me off, either because they told me I should just sell it (rather than pushing some repairs on me) and they weren't interested in buying it at all.

So that led me to feeling like I needed to buy a new car. Somehow I ended up deciding on a 2020 Lexus ES 350 even though I always considered these to be boring cars meant for an older crowd. I've put about 600 miles on the car in two weeks, and it's by far my favorite Lexus. We also have a 2019 UX 200 that we love, and I had a 2015 IS 350 F Sport before the RX.

Once the ES became an idea for me, I watched just about every YouTube review possible and they were almost all raving about the car. It's exactly how I feel about it. Silent like a vault, should be reliable for years to come, comfortable, and buttery smooth to drive. Quick, too!

It's a Luxury trim with some options such as power trunk, 12 inch screen with navigation and Mark Levinson sound, upgraded wheels, etc.

Here are a couple photos





One complaint I have, and that I'm wondering if anyone here has any advice for is the soft-touch dash. This material, while nice to the touch, scuffs very easily. We had the same issue in the RX. One time a pizza box gently touched it and we ended up with a scuff we never got out. The ES had a white mark on the dash, and instead of complaining to the dealer (I noticed it when I left the lot), I ended up using a wet microfiber towel and the line went away but now I have a white-ish scuff mark. Any recommendations for how to get this out?

MY ADVISE is to put the pizza box in the trunk next time.
Certainly, the ES 350 is a real Lexus and one of their best vehicle values for those that don't mind a pricey luxury FWD sedan.

andres3

In the debate on transmission gears, and how many, I think both the 6 and 8 speed camps are wrong. 7-speed transmissions hit the sweet spot of perfection!

Michaell

A question suited for @oldfarmer50 (but, any of you can jump in)

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/62026/ford/mustang/best-used-mustang-ecoboost-deals#latest

oldfarmer50

pensfan83 said:

So fellow CCBA'ers it's the activity everyone loves, helping me spend $$$$. The Acura lease is up in 2 months and we've pretty much settled on 3 vehicles, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Honda Passport, Acura RDX. We like them all for different reasons. The Acura looks good, drives better, and is the one where the best deal can be had based on current lease programs. The Passport is well rounded, has a lot of room, is easier to see out of than the RDX, but the driving experience is blander than the Acura. But the powertrain works well overall and again, it's a very nicely packaged vehicle. It's easy to see why @nyccarguy likes his Pilot so much. The Jeep is a late entry and only because the Mrs. reminded me about it. We've driven multiple trim variants and both powertrains and we've always liked them. The Hemi is great but inventory is usually limited and the upcharge isn't very palatable. The platform is also old but it and the exterior has aged very well IMO and Jeep's done a nice job of keeping it stocked with the latest technology.

So...any thoughts? Anything else we should add?

I’d go with the Acura. Honda quality with a more upscale presentation. I’d stay away from the Jeep as I hear the build quality is very Fiat-like.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

Reading about dealer markups on the upcoming RAV4 Prime. Dealers - ugh.

Waiting list 30 deep? PT Barnum was right.

stickguy

If I was looking to replace a car right now, I would jump all over a V60 CC for $299/month, if that doesn't include a ton of money down.

stickguy

OK, I saw this and loved it. Right up until I saw that it was an automatic. What a buzzkill. But honestly, one of the best cars ever made.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rbeADljw/1989-honda-accord-lx-i

and what the heck. I have no idea what parts and maintenance are like on this (I seem to recall the engine is from something mainstream, like Toyota) but I still love it.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rjzEeyA7/1991-lotus-elan-se

tifighter

stickguy said:

and what the heck. I have no idea what parts and maintenance are like on this (I seem to recall the engine is from something mainstream, like Toyota) but I still love it.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rjzEeyA7/1991-lotus-elan-se

More like Isuzu IIRC...

ronsteve

stickguy said:

And if you don’t mind the size, what about the palisade or Telluride? I also happen to really like the Santa Fe turbo too.

If you're looking at Passport and JGC, I would think that size-wise the Santa Fe is right up that same alley... 2-row but just a little bigger.

ronsteve

stickguy said:

OK, I saw this and loved it. Right up until I saw that it was an automatic. What a buzzkill. But honestly, one of the best cars ever made.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rbeADljw/1989-honda-accord-lx-i

The hatchbacks of that generation were beautiful. That one is nearly as clean as the '87 that fetched $5200 over on BaT, and the mid-cycle upgrades between '87 and '89 are nice additions, IMO. If I saw a 5-speed that nice, well...

graphicguy

If I were the Honda dealers right now, I would run ads stating they’ve got deals on the CRV hybrid. And, I’d steal as many customers as I could from the Toyota dealership who’s using ADM on RAV4 hybrids. Should be like shooting fish in a barrel.

suydam

The new RAV 4 does look very nice.

andres3

suydam said:

The new RAV 4 does look very nice.

Looks are only skin-deep

carnaught

JustinS said:

graphicguy said:

@JustinS ....congrats on the new wheels. Very nice. Try Griots Garage (google them) for just about any solvent you could possibly need for your car. They’re bound to have something to address those scuffs.

Too bad about the Type-S. Those are very cool, collectible, in high demand, cars.

I’ve had good luck with this:

https://www.amazon.com/Nu-Vinyl-NV-200-7-75-oz-EMW0087685/dp/B000BO4WZY/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=NuVinyl&qid=1594397212&sr=8-3

It’s kind of expensive, as it is no longer easily available, and you should use it on a soft microfiber cloth almost saturated with it.