Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

pensfan83

There's options besides full size pickups. The GM mid sizers seem to have earned a lot of plaudits about their overall performance.

benjaminh

I hope to test drive a Tesla someday. Before buying one I'm pretty sure I'd need to have a service center in my city. Louisville is a city of about a million people, and to me it seems reasonable that a city of this size would have a Tesla service center. If Tesla is just doing remote service vans for most of the country I'd need to learn more about how well that actually works.

benjaminh

@stickguy : If you really want a manual what about a Civic Si?

https://www.motortrend.com/cars/honda/civic/2020/2020-honda-civic-si-long-term-update-1/

"Regardless of what the throttle's doing, the transmission itself is a gem. Sure, like all manuals, it's a little stiff in the morning when the gear oil is cold, but it just presents as a little notchy. Once it's warmed up, though, it's perfect. Only two companies on the planet build manual transmissions this good: Honda and Porsche. The shifter isn't just buttery smooth with delightfully short throws right from the factory; it slips into the next gear (up or down) perfectly every time, as if there's some device in there helping position all the forks and gears and such for you so you never miss a shift. You just gently nudge it in the general direction of the gear you want, and it goes neatly into place. You never hunt for a gear, never get caught out between gears. Transmissions like this are why people like driving stick."

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

T,you can easily put 4, maybe 5, across in the back seat of a PU. especially if they are mostly kids!

the length does not bother me as much as being overly wide, and I really hate the huge, high front ends on them. Just too much stress driving around normally especially in traffic and tighter areas like side streets and parking lots.

and I have a lot of seat time (1,000+ miles) driving 28" box diesel Ryder trucks (internationals and Freightliners) so I know about driving big.

Get something small like a Nissan Frontier, Toyota Tacoma or Ford Ranger.

As far as driving comfort the Silverado or Ram ride smoother than an F-150 but the Fords in our fleet frequently have the tires pumped up to 80psi. If you want to haul logs or bricks I’d tend towards the Ford.

As I’ve said before, an ex rental truck might be a good choice since they don’t tow and don’t plow. They get at least basic maintenance as well.

In the current market I wouldn’t buy any pickup.

stickguy

I test drove an Si a couple times in 2017 before I got the Elantra. I liked it for the most part, but the seats were not comfortable to either one of use. It was tempting though.

still mad I did not take the killer lease on the leftover 2015. Definitely would have bought that one out! that was the prior model and more comfortable IIRC.

benjaminh

What about a VW GTI?

https://www.caranddriver.com/volkswagen/golf-gti-2020

"The GTI's turbocharged 228-hp four-cylinder is one of the greats. It doesn't offer overwhelming power but delivers instant response and solid acceleration. The clutch pedal in models with the manual transmission is easy to use, which means that shifting is never a chore. The optional dual-clutch automatic is one of our favorite non-manual transmissions. We'd happily pilot a GTI every day. It is nimble and responsive and takes corners beautifully. Most important, the GTI is well coordinated and predictable, responding just as you'd want to your steering and throttle inputs. The GTI reacts to steering inputs so quickly and accurately that you'll think the car is a sentient being. Its brakes are firm and progressive on the road and strong on the track."

benjaminh

One thing that continues to impress about Tesla is that no one else can compete at this point. Supposedly competitors like Honda should have a nice advantage right now, because a Honda or Acura electric vehicle can get the full $7500 federal tax credit while Tesla offers $0 because they've used theirs up. But where is the Acura ELX? Or the Honda E? Zip, zilch, nada. Having a hybrid is not the same, although no doubt the Honda Insight or Accord Hybrid save you money at the pump. For one there's no federal credit for those, and two acceleration and engine noise are so-so rather than something special like with a Model 3. If no one can compete when they have a built-in $7500 advantage that really means that no one can compete at this point.

I'm a fan of good car ads, both new and old, but a few days ago I watched a video that said that GM worldwide spent something like $3 billion on ads in 2018. Since Tesla spends close to nothing on ads, that $3 billion at Tesla goes right into R & D and building another Gigafactory in Texas rather than toward PR.

stickguy

GTI is nice. not likely, but nice.

fintail

If charging was easier and with a little more range, I'd be tempted by a Model 3 (some journos don't like the styling but I think it is OK on that car - I don't have interest in a potato crossover Y, S is too much of a tech accessory for a certain local demographic, X is maybe too Bellevue mom), but it would have to be a loaded one like tifighter's - the base interior is really base, and those base wheel trims are homely.

But right now, no charging at home, and the range is going to run out on some of my road trips. Another 100 miles and we might be there.

benjaminh

This Tesla guy says improvements are coming for the Model 3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08ies6q_1Mc

benjaminh

Redline likes the Tesla Model Y....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU_8PdOJIGo

andres3

qbrozen said:

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.

But no one cares if a company loses some former customers if they:

1) Are making a profit anyway.
2) Don't require tax payer bailouts to stay afloat.
3) Are not losing massive market share.

If you are losing massive market share and losing money, it's time to look at maybe not burning off all your client base.

andres3

benjaminh said:

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"

That's heavy. TOO HEAVY!!!!

I know it's a bigger car, but it needs a diet.

benjaminh

For comparison the top-of-the-line Accord Touring 2.0T weighs 3428 lbs, while a 2020 TLX 4-cylinder with the Tech pkg weighs 3508 lbs. A 2020 TLX V-6 Advance SH-AWD weighs 3812 lbs.

xwesx

tifighter said:

Wes - Well, if you're in Seattle, you can try mine. But I'll put it in chill mode first; might be scary coming from a Forester.

Signed,
One time Forester driver.

Your kindness is unmatched (outside of this forum)!

andres3

I test drove a used B9 S4 and a B8.5 S4 back to back yesterday as SD Audi has a '16 S4 with 35,000 miles which is right up my alley.

The B9 is turbocharged and ZF 8 Speed slushbox.
The B8 is supercharged and has the dual clutch S-tronic DSG 7-speed.

Those two differences make the B9 feel like a granny-mobile and the B8 feels like a proper reactive sports sedan. You hit the gas, and it's all torque, all the time, right away. In the B9, even in S-mode, you have a little bit of lag and delay. No instantaneous reactions.

I don't think I'm exaggerating in saying it is night and day. Yes, the ZF-8 speed is probably one of the best 8-speed slush-boxes out there, but it's no dual clutch, not even close. Anyone saying it is close isn't driving the DSG in S-mode or doesn't know how to hit beyond 50% throttle.

That being said, San Diego Audi says they are "no haggle" on used cars, and right now were like 2,500 light years or dollars apart.

Will probably take about 45 days of realizing their price is too high for us to make a deal.

xwesx

oldfarmer50 said:

In the current market I wouldn’t buy any pickup.

I completely agree with you on that!

I bought my pickup a little more than 23 years ago for $500, and it is now a little more than 51 years old. Still on the original engine, which has never cracked open. Last week, I hauled home about 3000# of D1 gravel, which was enough to fill the 8' stepside bed mostly full. It is definitely the best vehicle purchase I ever made, and I have never had an itch to "replace" it.

stickguy

still working through the sales approval process. Thought was all set because they asked for a better ODO picture and something personal that AFS needed to release the payoff. So I figured I would get the final email (one odd thing, sometimes they text, sometimes they email) to set up payment and pickup details. Then I got an email that I needed to upload a legible copy of my DL (apparently the 2 on there were not good enough!)

so did all that, now again waiting for notice to move to next steps.

one oddity, when I was in looking at the uploaded docs/pictures I just did, the ones from my Elantra from 2 years ago are also in there. Hopefully not mixed up on their ends. The registration is pretty obvious, but the ODO shot would not be! Though that one was only about 400 miles higher.

stickguy

I enjoyed having the 1991 Nissan PU I had briefly (1.5 years I think). That went because shortly after we bought it my wife got pregnant with out first, and there was no way to put a car seat in the back. Xcab 2WD 4 cylinder stick. Fun little buggy. Just best to not crest a hill in the wet. Back end could get real light, real quick.

oldfarmer50

xwesx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

In the current market I wouldn’t buy any pickup.

I completely agree with you on that!

I bought my pickup a little more than 23 years ago for $500, and it is now a little more than 51 years old. Still on the original engine, which has never cracked open. Last week, I hauled home about 3000# of D1 gravel, which was enough to fill the 8' stepside bed mostly full. It is definitely the best vehicle purchase I ever made, and I have never had an itch to "replace" it.

Well, JRgo made a liar out out me. He just announced he bought a Ford F-250 diesel from CarMax and got a great deal.

fintail

A Model S or 3 "shooting brake" style would be kind of cool - that design seems trendy in some circles, and it would definitely be more interesting than the CUVs. But maybe not enough profit margin to make it work.

qbrozen

I simply don’t like the appearance of any current Tesla. Very blah both inside and out.

benjaminh

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a33834220/2021-acura-tlx-production-begins/



"The experienced production team at the Marysville Auto Plant implemented sophisticated manufacturing technologies to assure superior build quality and premium refinement for the 2021 TLX. Using a high-accuracy body weld process and high-performance adhesive, the team created the most rigid body ever for an Acura sedan, to help TLX deliver on its dynamic performance intentions. The 2021 TLX is also the first Acura model to feature a laser brazed roof. This new process joins the roof to the body side panels, creating a clean, seamless exterior appearance with no need for a garnish over the rain channels."

benjaminh

Some images of the new 2021 TLX from Facebook....

stickguy

that center stack and engine bay, look awfully familiar for some reason!

benjaminh

Back to the topic of weight, it's actually kinda impressive given how much bigger and safer many vehicles are today that they aren't even heavier. I've collected some old Honda Accord brochures over the years, and the one for the 1994 Accord says that an EX Accord for that year weighed 3075 lbs. The 2020 Accord EX weighs 3199, but it's ten inches longer, three inches wider, and is rated at 38 mpg on the highway compared to 27 for the 1994 Accord. A lot of progress in the last 26 years. The old days when it comes to many cars weren't all that good! To take a more radical comparison, the 2020 Civic EX today is the size of the Accord back in 1994, but it weighs 2917 and gets 42 mpg on the highway.

But when it comes to a 2021 TLX weighing more than 4000 lbs for the top-of-the-line model that does seem like a lot. I remember back in the 1970s that full-sized cars weighed more than two tons before downsizing started cutting that down, but but it's a bit surprising that an Acura sedan today would be that heavy.

xwesx

Added sound dampening and motors, electronics, etc., weigh a lot. I'm sure there's more to it as well, but this is certainly part.

breld

No room for this in any way, but I want it.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/819722873/overview/

Manual, track handling package 340i xdrive.

Michaell

breld said:

No room for this in any way, but I want it.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/819722873/overview/

Manual, track handling package 340i xdrive.

Stop! Just stop!

28firefighter

Would be better without AWD. But I’d buy it from you...

fintail

That new Acura is kind of angry looking, but I guess that's still a thing. Might do better in darker colors.

benjaminh

benjaminh

Weird detail of the new TLX is that they've put the battery in the trunk. On the current generation of TLX that storage area can be fit with a spare, like stickguy did, but for the new one I guess not possible. Digital as well as analog speedometer.

benjaminh

As a retro-futuristic mega-monster car the new TLX seems like an impressive piece of machinery, but for me personally a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y seems more like the future.

tjc78

Wonder how wide the battery is. Looks to me there is a mount for the spare to slide over the battery.

I like the car especially in that color.

Not a fan of the Superman edition above but the white and red are really nice. Volvo replacement? Hmm

tjc78

I’m so proud... just showed the red one to my wife. She said is that a new Acura? Beautiful.

Now if only Volvo allowed transfers lol (no I’m not tired of it yet)

qbrozen

If it weren’t for the badges, I would have guessed it was a Toy-exus of some sort.

benjaminh

Here's the Lexus ES 350....More chrome. Bigger grill.

kyfdx

breld said:

No room for this in any way, but I want it.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/819722873/overview/

Manual, track handling package 340i xdrive.

Punch report in.. 3.. 2.. 1...

nyccarguy

I like these non press photo shots of the new TLX. Looks handsome. It looks very much like the current TLX, but a little less in your face, a little more rounded off, dare I say a little softer. I'm excited to take one out for a spin at some point. I definitely miss having a "car."

graphicguy

Oooohhhh....ahhhh....I really like that blue with red interior. I know the current version could be had that way, but I never did see one in the flesh. I’ll test one when my dealer gets one in. But, I’m addicted to the power, torque and smoothness of my Stinger. So, the TLX would be a hard sell.

Rear of the new TLX looks like the rear of the ILX I transported.

stickguy

breld said:

No room for this in any way, but I want it.

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/819722873/overview/

Manual, track handling package 340i xdrive.

now that, is nice. No way in my budget. Need to wait a while to try and pull off a move like that!

stickguy

tjc78 said:

Wonder how wide the battery is. Looks to me there is a mount for the spare to slide over the battery.

I like the car especially in that color.

Not a fan of the Superman edition above but the white and red are really nice. Volvo replacement? Hmm

that is a weird place for the battery. But maybe a spare is possible, because the bracket has a hole that looks like the bolt that holds the tire could go there. I am still on my "no spare, no sale" crusade.

it is a nice looking car, but it would be weird to have what is essentially a sedan version of our RDX. I know it is supposed to be an entirely different (and new) platform, with different front suspension and probably driving dynamics, but the interior is pretty much identical and the engine will sound the same, since it is the same!

one thing my car does not have is the option to have the digital speedometer. Neither does the RDX I don't think. but I don't use that anyway (never did in the Hyundais, but my daughter also switched it over any time she drove it)

corvette

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?

Could you sell it, pocket the $$$$ and lease another Tacoma for about the same price?

explorerx4

The back of the TLX looks like a Corolla to me.

ab348

Fearless prediction: the new TLX will land with a resounding thump in the marketplace once all the Honda fanboy auto journos lavish praise on it and the true-believer early adopters grab the first ones at dealerships. Higher price, bigger but less room, performance that is not much different from its competitors, and likely the usual muddled to non-existent Acura marketing.

oldfarmer50

benjaminh said:

Some images of the new 2021 TLX from Facebook....

I hope you didn’t buy that color combo. Eye jarring.

oldfarmer50

benjaminh said:

That’s a really nice red. The interior from the blue one might go better in there than the black.

oldfarmer50

benjaminh said:

Here's the Lexus ES 350....More chrome. Bigger grill.

What were they thinking? I’ve always been a fan of waterfall grills...


But that Lexus looks like a 1940s truck.

stickguy

Blue over red, definitely noticeable.