Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

dad23 said:

We took @Michaell's advice, with three 16-year-olds, enough said...

Ironically, I got this advice originally from the United Airlines in-flight magazine, back in the days when I was traveling 1-2 weeks a month.

Michaell

stickguy said:

so, ran the car again. the difference in 0 accidents and 1 accident (which oddly, they ask nothing about) was $6,500. so I called, got escalated to a specialist, who said if it was minor and fixed to be perfect (as it was) to not worry about it. Seemed odd, but the call was recorded. He did appreciate being honest and mentioning it!

so based on not taking the haircut, after getting the dealer payout amount from AFS, if there were no adjustments for that or a curbed wheel (no place to disclose that either, but could be issue at inspection) I could flip out 15 months early and collect $1,500 for my trouble.

will be pouring the wife an IPA with dinner to float this whole scheme past her, but we may becoming a 1 car family shortly.

Good luck!

Since we are already a one car family, selling the Outback could pose a bit of a transportation problem. Wonder what I could get for $20K and under 40,000 miles (Outback has 38K on it) that the wife would be happy with.

Michaell

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

so, ran the car again. the difference in 0 accidents and 1 accident (which oddly, they ask nothing about) was $6,500. so I called, got escalated to a specialist, who said if it was minor and fixed to be perfect (as it was) to not worry about it. Seemed odd, but the call was recorded. He did appreciate being honest and mentioning it!

so based on not taking the haircut, after getting the dealer payout amount from AFS, if there were no adjustments for that or a curbed wheel (no place to disclose that either, but could be issue at inspection) I could flip out 15 months early and collect $1,500 for my trouble.

will be pouring the wife an IPA with dinner to float this whole scheme past her, but we may becoming a 1 car family shortly.

Good luck!

Since we are already a one car family, selling the Outback could pose a bit of a transportation problem. Wonder what I could get for $20K and under 40,000 miles (Outback has 38K on it) that the wife would be happy with.

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

so, ran the car again. the difference in 0 accidents and 1 accident (which oddly, they ask nothing about) was $6,500. so I called, got escalated to a specialist, who said if it was minor and fixed to be perfect (as it was) to not worry about it. Seemed odd, but the call was recorded. He did appreciate being honest and mentioning it!

so based on not taking the haircut, after getting the dealer payout amount from AFS, if there were no adjustments for that or a curbed wheel (no place to disclose that either, but could be issue at inspection) I could flip out 15 months early and collect $1,500 for my trouble.

will be pouring the wife an IPA with dinner to float this whole scheme past her, but we may becoming a 1 car family shortly.

Good luck!

Since we are already a one car family, selling the Outback could pose a bit of a transportation problem. Wonder what I could get for $20K and under 40,000 miles (Outback has 38K on it) that the wife would be happy with.

Answer - nothing. When I start filtering to include all the features the Outback has, I'm left with a Buick, a Nissan Leaf, a couple of VWs, a couple of Imprezas, and a couple of Mazda 3's.

xwesx

Michaell said:

Answer - nothing. When I start filtering to include all the features the Outback has, I'm left with a Buick, a Nissan Leaf, a couple of VWs, a couple of Imprezas, and a couple of Mazda 3's.

Well, that's the issue with this type of market: You don't come out ahead unless you are willing to not replace the car you sell. At least, not replace it for a while (6+ months out, most likely).

28firefighter

@Michaell As you have figured out, the answer is nothing. For us, there is nothing we could drive for $299/month including tax with drive-offs OOP that would meet our needs (and make my wife happy). Maybe if Outback XT was more plentiful...

stickguy

Yeah, in your case, makes no sense. In my case, I realistically could do nothing for 6+ months. Or just buy something older and cheaper for true spare wheels around town duty.

And nothing stopping us from leasing something different at any time!

kyfdx

I can sell mine, and drive the Fit.

tjc78

At the end of the day....I shouldn't replace the Enclave, but what fun is that?

stickguy

tjc78 said:

At the end of the day....I shouldn't replace the Enclave, but what fun is that?

You need to. Too much to haul, especially with the “cabin”

stickguy

kyfdx said:

I can sell mine, and drive the Fit.

Hang onto that. I might need it...

pensfan83

We'd make out on the Tacoma but we've become accustomed to the utility and there isn't anything comparable payment wise there either. Not there would be a pressing need to replace it but like someone said...what's the fun in that?

andres3

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

so, ran the car again. the difference in 0 accidents and 1 accident (which oddly, they ask nothing about) was $6,500. so I called, got escalated to a specialist, who said if it was minor and fixed to be perfect (as it was) to not worry about it. Seemed odd, but the call was recorded. He did appreciate being honest and mentioning it!

so based on not taking the haircut, after getting the dealer payout amount from AFS, if there were no adjustments for that or a curbed wheel (no place to disclose that either, but could be issue at inspection) I could flip out 15 months early and collect $1,500 for my trouble.

will be pouring the wife an IPA with dinner to float this whole scheme past her, but we may becoming a 1 car family shortly.

Good luck!

Since we are already a one car family, selling the Outback could pose a bit of a transportation problem. Wonder what I could get for $20K and under 40,000 miles (Outback has 38K on it) that the wife would be happy with.

I 'd sell my A4 with 30,400 miles to you for 16,500 since Vrooms offering $500 less.

andres3

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Answer - nothing. When I start filtering to include all the features the Outback has, I'm left with a Buick, a Nissan Leaf, a couple of VWs, a couple of Imprezas, and a couple of Mazda 3's.

Well, that's the issue with this type of market: You don't come out ahead unless you are willing to not replace the car you sell. At least, not replace it for a while (6+ months out, most likely).

That's the plan!!!!! OK... I might not be able to hold out 6 months. For me, it's when the right car comes along, I know better to pull the trigger, because the right kind of car doesn't come around often for someone with refined and specific tastes!

oldfarmer50

breld said:

This isn't exactly new news, but I just came across this today about a "makeover" for the Durango.

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a33023019/2021-dodge-durango-refresh-revealed/

Man, between this and the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chrysler sure knows how to milk a model for years. Of course, the JGC is about to be replaced with a new model, and calling these revisions to the Durango a "makeover" is a bit exaggerated.

Having said that, it's enough to pique my interest. I liked my Durango, so a few nice updates to the interior does go a long way.

My BIL’s 99’ Durango V8 blew a head gasket as did his 2010 3.7L Liberty. I don’t know how their more modern engines are but that kind of track record soured me on Chrysler products.

Michaell

... but that kind of track record soured me on Chrysler products

Uh, have you checked your signature line, and your garage, lately?

stickguy

not having a car is like not having a house. makes it much easier to buy something when it pops up, not having to worry about getting rid of what you currently have!

Michaell

stickguy said:

not having a car is like not having a house. makes it much easier to buy something when it pops up, not having to worry about getting rid of what you currently have!

I've been thinking that since I returned the Jetta - turns out I don't really need a car of my own.

Would love it if I had the budget to upgrade to something nicer.

stickguy

ran the idea past the wife. she is noncommittal. Issue I sense is, I won't have a car, and she worries that could be an issue. Don't know why of course!

I explained of course that the lease ends eventually and the car goes back anyway, so this just means it ends a little early so really no difference in terms of needing to be replaced or not. Other than it works out better financially.

stickguy

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

not having a car is like not having a house. makes it much easier to buy something when it pops up, not having to worry about getting rid of what you currently have!

I've been thinking that since I returned the Jetta - turns out I don't really need a car of my own.

Would love it if I had the budget to upgrade to something nicer.

if we had a spare car like you do at the house, I definitely would not need one. If the princess had not gotten an apartment at the beginning of the pandemic, and was still living (and working) from home, there would be 3 cars at the house, with no need for more than 2.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

A SAABlazer. Actually not bad looking. Miles and price don’t seem terrible. Interesting spare/beater/dog transport wheels option.

https://www.royaleasing.com/details-2007-saab-9~7x-awd_4dr_i6-used-5s3et13s472804374.html

That’s actually not too bad.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

not having a car is like not having a house. makes it much easier to buy something when it pops up, not having to worry about getting rid of what you currently have!

I've been thinking that since I returned the Jetta - turns out I don't really need a car of my own.

Would love it if I had the budget to upgrade to something nicer.

if we had a spare car like you do at the house, I definitely would not need one. If the princess had not gotten an apartment at the beginning of the pandemic, and was still living (and working) from home, there would be 3 cars at the house, with no need for more than 2.

If I had $10-15k in a dedicated car fund, I'd love to upgrade from the Outback to something nicer.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Yeah, in your case, makes no sense. In my case, I realistically could do nothing for 6+ months. Or just buy something older and cheaper for true spare wheels around town duty.

And nothing stopping us from leasing something different at any time!

I already gave you a recommendation for an occasional run-around car.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

... but that kind of track record soured me on Chrysler products

Uh, have you checked your signature line, and your garage, lately?

My Chrysler has a Mitsubishi engine. 🤪

andres3

I wonder what Chrysler's market share would be if they hadn't soured any former customers since 1980.

stickguy

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

not having a car is like not having a house. makes it much easier to buy something when it pops up, not having to worry about getting rid of what you currently have!

I've been thinking that since I returned the Jetta - turns out I don't really need a car of my own.

Would love it if I had the budget to upgrade to something nicer.

if we had a spare car like you do at the house, I definitely would not need one. If the princess had not gotten an apartment at the beginning of the pandemic, and was still living (and working) from home, there would be 3 cars at the house, with no need for more than 2.

If I had $10-15k in a dedicated car fund, I'd love to upgrade from the Outback to something nicer.

problem is, once you get something really nice, it takes a lot more than that to move the needle much. Like our RDX. was not cheap, but would have cost a whole boatload more for something that it couldn't compare to. The fact that we are set with the "good" car for 8-10 years makes swapping around what is now the 2nd car, much easier.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

Yeah, in your case, makes no sense. In my case, I realistically could do nothing for 6+ months. Or just buy something older and cheaper for true spare wheels around town duty.

And nothing stopping us from leasing something different at any time!

I already gave you a recommendation for an occasional run-around car.

I lost track. Almost afraid to ask, but what is it?

benjaminh

Just months ago we had something like four TLXs around here, but once stickguy sells his will mine be the last? I got a sudden flashback to an annoying TV commercial from the 1970s—"I'm the sole survivor!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP7T8ZcLess

tjc78

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

At the end of the day....I shouldn't replace the Enclave, but what fun is that?

You need to. Too much to haul, especially with the “cabin”

Yeah, that’s the problem. The Volvo is a tight fit with all the gear.

stickguy

sounds like a pickup is the right answer for you. If not a Ridgeline, maybe a Colorado? A Silverado (keeping in the GM fold) is just too much of a barge.

You got the Volvo for going places without taking tons of stuff, and the truck for heavy duty hauling (and perfectly capable of carrying all 4 of you).

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

not having a car is like not having a house. makes it much easier to buy something when it pops up, not having to worry about getting rid of what you currently have!

I've been thinking that since I returned the Jetta - turns out I don't really need a car of my own.

Would love it if I had the budget to upgrade to something nicer.

if we had a spare car like you do at the house, I definitely would not need one. If the princess had not gotten an apartment at the beginning of the pandemic, and was still living (and working) from home, there would be 3 cars at the house, with no need for more than 2.

If I had $10-15k in a dedicated car fund, I'd love to upgrade from the Outback to something nicer.

Now we’re talking!

qbrozen

andres3 said:

I wonder what [insert any auto maker]'s market share would be if they hadn't soured any former customers.

Fixed that for you.

xwesx

stickguy said:

tjc78 said:

At the end of the day....I shouldn't replace the Enclave, but what fun is that?

You need to. Too much to haul, especially with the “cabin”

Yes! he can turn around and buy a 2018 F150. I know of a really nice one that is just coming onto the market... but it is the opposite of white....

xwesx

pensfan83 said:

We'd make out on the Tacoma but we've become accustomed to the utility and there isn't anything comparable payment wise there either. Not there would be a pressing need to replace it but like someone said...what's the fun in that?

If the lease deals are still out there, sell and get another one! Hahaha

xwesx

andres3 said:

That's the plan!!!!! OK... I might not be able to hold out 6 months. For me, it's when the right car comes along, I know better to pull the trigger, because the right kind of car doesn't come around often for someone with refined and specific tastes!

I won't take offense to that "refined" comment simply because I know that the more refined something is, the worse it tends to be for long-term health.

xwesx

stickguy said:

ran the idea past the wife. she is noncommittal. Issue I sense is, I won't have a car, and she worries that could be an issue. Don't know why of course!

I explained of course that the lease ends eventually and the car goes back anyway, so this just means it ends a little early so really no difference in terms of needing to be replaced or not. Other than it works out better financially.

If she is non-committal and also non-obstructionist, then just do it. At least that way you have all options open. You already know the current need for it is not there.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

Yeah, in your case, makes no sense. In my case, I realistically could do nothing for 6+ months. Or just buy something older and cheaper for true spare wheels around town duty.

And nothing stopping us from leasing something different at any time!

I already gave you a recommendation for an occasional run-around car.

I lost track. Almost afraid to ask, but what is it?

https://albany.craigslist.org/cto/d/oneonta-2005-lincoln-town-car-57k/7183515477.html

It would be like driving your bed to the supermarket. You could wear pajamas. The best part is that indestructible platform would be good for the next few hundred thousand miles.

stickguy

yeah, if this works out, I basically drove the car with nothing DAS, just made my 21 payments, and get $1,000 or so at the end to walk away. hard to argue with that.

alternatively, could take the equity, use it to start a new lease, and be in exactly the same spot, just with a different car! so from that standpoint, really a non issue.

will also keep my eye out for something interesting but not too pricey to buy and keep around as a spare. Which I was planning to do next year at lease end anyway.

sda

What is DAS? Brain fog.

benjaminh

It's not surprising that the new 2021 TLX is heavier than the current generation by something like 200 pounds...

"Base FWD 3709 lbs, SH-AWD 3927 lbs
Tech FWD 3756 lbs, SH-AWD 3982 lbs
A-spec FWD 3784 lbs, SH-AWD 3990 lbs
Advance FWD 3814 lbs, SH-AWD 4028 lbs"

stickguy

sda said:

What is DAS? Brain fog.

Due At Signing. The thing you want the least of!

stickguy

Cars of all types really have porked up in recent years.

tifighter

Sheesh, the RWD Model 3 is 3600 lbs, and batteries are not light.

benjaminh

The TLX still seems like it's a good value compared to most competitors—except for the one that they've left out, the Tesla Model 3.

stickguy

no, but neither are IC engines and a full fuel tank.

stickguy

well, required documents to make the deal happen are uploaded. now just have to wait 1-2 days (per the message on the site once the uploads were complete) for them to process, and either ask for more/different/better quality stuff, or approve and move me to the next step (asking how payment is to be made, and picking a date). So until that happens, still a theoretical undertaking! Hopefully I know by tomorrow.

if this works, conveniently the payment going away, is just about the same as the amount the mortgage payment goes up after the refi.

Sandman6472

Maybe it's time to pay part of the mortgage off, pay on the back end. Not sure how my wife did it, but she made some additional payments and after a few years, we retired that monthly nut. Felt kind of liberating to own the casa outright to be honest, and were able to save most of that as we knew we'd need it as the kids would all be attending college soon.
Now, we're empty nesters and just have our overhead to pay each month. Sure, I'd love to sell and let another family move onto our cul-de-sac but the timing is a bit off. Hoping that by 2024, or even earlier, we can put the house on the market and finally, say good bye to South Florida. After seeing the damage that Laura inflicted on Louisiana and Texas, I'm in no mood for anymore hurricanes as I've lived through too many in the last 51 years living in the Ft. Lauderdale area. The Orlando area is looking so much better!!

tjc78

stickguy said:

sounds like a pickup is the right answer for you. If not a Ridgeline, maybe a Colorado? A Silverado (keeping in the GM fold) is just too much of a barge.

You got the Volvo for going places without taking tons of stuff, and the truck for heavy duty hauling (and perfectly capable of carrying all 4 of you).

A pickup is definitely in the running, not sure yet which one.

The Enclave goes in next week to get the door fixed and I have every intention riding it out to December Wife told me she really doesn't care what it gets replaced with as long as it's big enough to hold all the stuff we need.

Michaell

A pickup is definitely in the running, not sure yet which one.

Yeah, I can vouch for that.

tjc78

Michaell said:

A pickup is definitely in the running, not sure yet which one.

Yeah, I can vouch for that.

SHH...

xwesx

tjc78 said:

SHH...

There are no secrets in CCBA. The "A" is really only there to make the acronym look pretty.