Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

My BMW dealer of choice has 10 new X2 M35i cars in stock. Most with premium and M sport seats. MSRP from 49-52k. None of them have the HK stereo. Who forgot to check the box?

roadburner

28firefighter said:

My BMW dealer of choice has 10 new X2 M35i cars in stock. Most with premium and M sport seats. MSRP from 49-52k. None of them have the HK stereo. Who forgot to check the box?

Many dealers have some really clueless people in charge of ordering cars. When I ordered cars H-K was a given on all but the least expensive configurations.

stickguy

an X2 pulled out in front of me today. I do like them. Something like that for my next car is certainly a possibility.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

Had a lot of fun at the BMW M track day at KY Speedway. I did NOT suck at autocross, which amazes me a little bit. 48 participants, and while I didn't finish in the top 3, I did have the 2nd fastest time in my group of 16.
The top three all looked like 30 yr old XBOX players, and the fastest guy was named Sergei, so I didn't feel too bad... Autocross was run in M2 Competition coupes with DCT transmission (405 HP) It's over pretty quick. My best time was 23.22 seconds. (four runs each, take your best time)

We took laps on the speedway in M8 Competition coupes and gran coupes (617 HP). Instructor in the front car, and four more cars following him. Bone stock cars on OEM tires. Top indicated speed of 141 mph at the end of the straights, before braking. I had 10 laps as a passenger with a partner, then 10 more laps driving. I was surprised we got to go that fast.

Third event was a 0-60-0 drag race. Probably 200 yards? Side by side. Winner is the first car to come to a complete stop in the box. This was fun. Four cars, all with the same 617 HP AWD powertrain. M5 competition, M6 convertible competition, X5M and X6M. Just plant your foot on the gas, then plant it on the brake. Any advantage you seem to gain on the drop is about 98% lost on the braking end of it.

All that and a free lunch!

Now THAT sounds like a fun day.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

28firefighter said:

My BMW dealer of choice has 10 new X2 M35i cars in stock. Most with premium and M sport seats. MSRP from 49-52k. None of them have the HK stereo. Who forgot to check the box?

Many dealers have some really clueless people in charge of ordering cars. When I ordered cars H-K was a given on all but the least expensive configurations.

My former boss is now the acquisition manager for a Mercedes-BMW-Mini-Honda mega store. Give me a list and I’ll past it on next time I see him.

ab348

I mentioned a few weeks back that I have wrought iron railings on the front steps that are likely original to the house. I decided last week to take another run at refinishing them as they were looking pretty disreputable. This is the third such attempt since I’ve been here. I went at them with an angle grinder, drill w/ wire brushes, and even a Dremel for the more intricate bits. I think I discovered why the paint continually fails with sort of an alligator skin pattern of cracking and flaking. They were apparently painted way back when with original Rustoleum-type paint and it seems it never actually gets hard. When I was stripping it the texture was soft and sort of waxy when you got down far enough. I got as much of it off as I could and the final coat of paint goes on tomorrow.

tjc78

That sounds like a tedious job. Hope you had lots of beer.

ab348

tjc78 said:

That sounds like a tedious job. Hope you had lots of beer.

Had one when I finished priming them earlier this afternoon! was good too.

One thing I discovered was that since they are in sun most of the day, if you try painting them with a brush you get a poor finish as the brush tends to dry prematurely and the paint sets up too quickly so you get lots of brush marks, ridges, whatever. So I am spraying them this time, which requires some care in masking off to protect from overspray getting on everything, but the end result looks very good.

corvette

tjc78 said:

That sounds like a tedious job. Hope you had lots of beer.

It's mint julep day here in the Bluegrass State. A business associate sent me a box of Four Roses memorabilia, bourbon, and premixed mint simple syrup.

JR just posted a video on the Camaro build and admitted that the F-250 is now his daily driver. Funny how we get accustomed to conveniences, and the newest vehicle in the fleet tends to become the daily. The Volt was his "work truck" before he had a full size truck.

tjc78

Four roses ... so good. I’m down to about a half a bottle. That may not make the weekend !

corvette

I prefer the Single Barrel for sipping on the rocks, but the Small Batch someone sent me yesterday is a good compromise for a mixed drink.

roadburner

I did the Derby infield in college, then in the late '80s my wife and I were invited to a box at the finish line- four boxes back from the rail. Since then I've never had a desire to return. I have also been to some decent Derby parties.
Still, when all is said and done Memorial Day Sunday is my big day- Monaco, Indy, and the Charlotte 600.

corvette

My parents were "one and done" with the boxed seat Derby experience, as well.

tjc78

corvette said:

I prefer the Single Barrel for sipping on the rocks, but the Small Batch someone sent me yesterday is a good compromise for a mixed drink.

Yes the single barrel is my favorite too

mjfloyd1

roadburner said:

I did the Derby infield in college, then in the late '80s my wife and I were invited to a box at the finish line- four boxes back from the rail. Since then I've never had a desire to return. I have also been to some decent Derby parties.
Still, when all is said and done Memorial Day Sunday is my big day- Monaco, Indy, and the Charlotte 600.

I was sitting in turn 1 at the 1995 Indy 500 when Stan Fox crashed. I only remember someone grabbing my head and pushing me downwards so I would not be hit by flying parts. We also went to the Michigan 500 when a tire came off of a car and went into the stands killing someone. Ugh

Just got back from moving my daughter from a “dorm” with 8 rooms and shared kitchen and living room spaces. Unfortunately another girl tested Covid + so the other 7 girls got quarantined for 14 days. That would not have happened in a regular dorm space. We moved her into a normal dorm room but this one had its own bathroom. Bigger room with hardwood floors. Definite win. Odd to be in masks 6 feet apart with no goodbye hug or kiss

roadburner

mjfloyd1 said:

I was sitting in turn 1 at the 1995 Indy 500 when Stan Fox crashed. I only remember someone grabbing my head and pushing me downwards so I would not be hit by flying parts. We also went to the Michigan 500 when a tire came off of a car and went into the stands killing someone. Ugh

I was at Indy in 1970- Turn 1, front row. My host advised we duck behind the wall at the start due to the infamous legacy of spectacular first lap incidents.

Michaell

Met @breld today for a few test drives.

2020 MDX Advance, 2019 LR Discovery HSE Lux and a 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL.

Just some scouting for the eventual V90 replacement.

I'll let him share his thoughts before I chime in with views from the right seat.

stickguy

of those 3, I would pick the Palisade.

28firefighter

I love the LR, but talk about a heart breaker.

Michaell

He also tested a 2020 MDX Sport Hybrid before I caught up to him.

stickguy

I had an MDX loaner last year. Did not really care for it. Too bargey.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I had an MDX loaner last year. Did not really care for it. Too bargey.

But you like the Palisade?

stickguy

Well, I have never driven one. But it looks nice, an the reviews are really good. But I would not buy anything in that class anyway.

went out for a drive in the country today with the wife looking for apples to pick (but mostly to get out of the house) so took the TLX to get it some exercise. That really is a very nice driving car. good handling on the back roads too.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

an X2 pulled out in front of me today. I do like them. Something like that for my next car is certainly a possibility.

We really like ours. It can feel a bit tight with all 4 of us, though.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

an X2 pulled out in front of me today. I do like them. Something like that for my next car is certainly a possibility.

We really like ours. It can feel a bit tight with all 4 of us, though.

I was telling @breld today that I'd like to trade the Outback for an X2. There are a few service loaners available right around $40k.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

an X2 pulled out in front of me today. I do like them. Something like that for my next car is certainly a possibility.

We really like ours. It can feel a bit tight with all 4 of us, though.

I completely forgot you still had one. after all this time!

good thing, there are just 2 of us. So only concerned about the front row being roomy enough to be comfortable. If we do need more cargo or passenger capacity, we have the RDX. Heck, at this point, I could easily get away with a 2 seater, or a mini rear seat 2+2.

stickguy

Michaell said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

an X2 pulled out in front of me today. I do like them. Something like that for my next car is certainly a possibility.

We really like ours. It can feel a bit tight with all 4 of us, though.

I was telling @breld today that I'd like to trade the Outback for an X2. There are a few service loaners available right around $40k.

Pretty sure that idea will die on the vine as soon as you try and run it past the boss.

oddly though, when I was looking before I got the TLX we did stop at BMW and sit in an X1 and an X2, and the wife actually liked the X2 much better. I just knew that the cargo space was going to be too tight to be our travel car.

28firefighter

I got my registration renewal for the i3. $845. $505 regional transit tax and $150 EV charge on top of the usual fees.

If I could get an X2 M35 for sub 400 I’d consider lease swapping the i3...

stickguy

I may just talk myself into another sedan afterall. Nice to drive, we have an SUV already, and generally much cheaper for comparable content and much better MPG. I will take a look at the smaller options. Whatever that baby FWD BMW is (2 series GC?), the next Civic, Mazda 3, new design Elantra N line, Acura compact (if it arrives). Just because I still prefer a more compact size, and those are all what I consider mid-sized at this point.

the new K5 looks like a nice overall package. The Elantra I suspect will be shrunken version of the same platform, with the drivetrain that was in my Sport. Just needed an upgraded interior and tech (and power seats!) which from the preview I saw, the new one is going to get.

Civic Si is going to get a serious look too.

this time around, going to be much easier to shop since I don't have to worry about it being the primary car, or really what my wife thinks about it! as long as she fits OK for local use.

stickguy

28firefighter said:

I got my registration renewal for the i3. $845. $505 regional transit tax and $150 EV charge on top of the usual fees.

If I could get an X2 M35 for sub 400 I’d consider lease swapping the i3...

If I could get that lease next year I would probably throw my new found fiscal responsibility campaign right in the dumpster.

stickguy

price of course, is only an object.

Sandman6472

Took the Accent in for it's first oil change today. We got 3 free ones so was pretty easy peasy. Had a free hot dog, hamburger and coke as they were having a holiday weekend cook out in front. It's sitting in our garage right now as we're baby sitting it for a few days while the middle daughter is visiting her older sister. Accent is a really nice small vehicle to be honest. Held the road nicely as I had to go south to Miami Lakes to get it done. In no way a penalty box and for someone needing a small inexpensive vehicle, it's just perfect. We have the base model but they have a few others as one goes up the food chain. I prefer the top line Limited as it has the hole in the roof. My wife thinks I should just get one and be done with it, she likes the 5 year bumper to bumper warranty. Just not sure I'd be happy with one as my d d.
At this point, won't do a 2020 model and will just sit back a year and go from there. Best to wait and try the new 2021 GTI before I make any decision as I think it just might be the one at this point. From the pics I've seen, it will look pretty sharp, inside and out!

[Deleted User]

Michaell said:

Met @breld today for a few test drives.

2020 MDX Advance, 2019 LR Discovery HSE Lux and a 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL.

Just some scouting for the eventual V90 replacement.

I'll let him share his thoughts before I chime in with views from the right seat.

Were you on Havana or Broadway? We actually drove a 2020 RDX Advance and a 2020 MDX Advance this afternoon 🙂 The RDX seemed to have a little more off the line and I liked the HUD but the MDX obviously offered us a little more room.

corvette

28firefighter said:

I love the LR, but talk about a heart breaker.

After @breld 's awful experience with the local LR dealer, I think the prospect of having to go there for a warranty repair would be a dealbreaker.

breld

dad23 said:

Michaell said:

Met @breld today for a few test drives.

2020 MDX Advance, 2019 LR Discovery HSE Lux and a 2020 Hyundai Palisade SEL.

Just some scouting for the eventual V90 replacement.

I'll let him share his thoughts before I chime in with views from the right seat.

Were you on Havana or Broadway? We actually drove a 2020 RDX Advance and a 2020 MDX Advance this afternoon 🙂 The RDX seemed to have a little more off the line and I liked the HUD but the MDX obviously offered us a little more room.

We were over on broadway.

Michaell

corvette said:

28firefighter said:

I love the LR, but talk about a heart breaker.

After @breld 's awful experience with the local LR dealer, I think the prospect of having to go there for a warranty repair would be a dealbreaker.

We talked about that, and a whole bunch of other stuff, on the test drives.

ab348

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

I had an MDX loaner last year. Did not really care for it. Too bargey.

But you like the Palisade?

He's become a Hyundai fanboi.

stickguy

Moi? Yes. Entirely possible I end up with another Elantra if the price is right, and they addressed the couple of complaints I had about my last one (other than my wife, nothing Hyundai could do about her),

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

I love the LR, but talk about a heart breaker.

They drive nice but I’d be a nervous wreck waiting for something to break if I owned one.

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

I got my registration renewal for the i3. $845. $505 regional transit tax and $150 EV charge on top of the usual fees.

If I could get an X2 M35 for sub 400 I’d consider lease swapping the i3...

That seems rather counterproductive to slap taxes on EVs. Yeah, I know it’s to make up for the gas taxes you don’t pay but why put a disincentive into the equation? Well, I know the reason.

ab348

oldfarmer50 said:

28firefighter said:

I got my registration renewal for the i3. $845. $505 regional transit tax and $150 EV charge on top of the usual fees.

If I could get an X2 M35 for sub 400 I’d consider lease swapping the i3...

That seems rather counterproductive to slap taxes on EVs. Yeah, I know it’s to make up for the gas taxes you don’t pay but why put a disincentive into the equation? Well, I know the reason.

Coming up with a tax regime that has electric vehicles paying their share of the costs of road infrastructure that fossil fuel vehicles pay through gas taxes is a problem that govs need to solve. It would seem that with all of the electronics built into such vehicles that it would be relatively easy to have them transmit mileage numbers back to the appropriate registration authority and be billed a per-mile fee. As it is you either get arbitrary lump-sum taxes as in 28's case or a subsidy paid for by those paying gas taxes. Of course given the purchase incentives offered by different levels of gov from general revenues maybe they think it is a good thing to punish the rest of us laggards/neanderthals, just like they have done with spending for bike lanes.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

qbrozen said:

stickguy said:

an X2 pulled out in front of me today. I do like them. Something like that for my next car is certainly a possibility.

We really like ours. It can feel a bit tight with all 4 of us, though.

I completely forgot you still had one. after all this time!

good thing, there are just 2 of us. So only concerned about the front row being roomy enough to be comfortable. If we do need more cargo or passenger capacity, we have the RDX. Heck, at this point, I could easily get away with a 2 seater, or a mini rear seat 2+2.

Yep, 15 mos left on the lease. I could have easily transferred it, but she wants to keep driving it. No clue what we’ll do next December.

roadburner

My next car will almost certainly be a sedan or coupe. I’m glad we have a CUV but I’m really glad it’s my wife’s vehicle.

tjc78

stickguy said:

Moi? Yes. Entirely possible I end up with another Elantra if the price is right, and they addressed the couple of complaints I had about my last one (other than my wife, nothing Hyundai could do about her),

Need a Limited. Sunroof and better stereo. The base stereo is pretty bad.

roadburner

I just saw a white K5 in the wild. I really like the style- if only it had the Stinger drivetrain.

breld

Yeah, this LR Discovery was exactly how I would have wanted to equip one back when I had mine. HSE Lux in Byron Blue with beautiful wheel upgrades (a $3k option) and pretty much maxed out on options. And the supercharged V6 instead of the diesel, which I had sought out but then found the turbo lag to be a bit much.

Almost an $80k MSRP...2019 with 14k miles listed at $57k. Still 3 years on the factory warranty which is good cause, you know, Land Rover.

There’s no doubt it’s a grade or two higher in luxury and refinement than the Acura, but the height and weight of it also naturally make it feel much less nimble.

And then of course, there’s my whole experience with the service center at Land Rover Denver. But that advisor is long gone.

stickguy

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

Moi? Yes. Entirely possible I end up with another Elantra if the price is right, and they addressed the couple of complaints I had about my last one (other than my wife, nothing Hyundai could do about her),

Need a Limited. Sunroof and better stereo. The base stereo is pretty bad.

the 2 things that I really did not like on my sport was the base stereo (that was useless, could not even hear it with the windows/roof open), and the driver's seat.

radio, I guess that could be rectified aftermarket (but I hate to mess with that on a new car, the way all the electronics are integrated). But the seat, long term, was an issue. I had to use a wedge pillow under my right thigh to get any support. That car really needed the power seat (the GT I tested had the same basic seat, which was really a nice sport seat, but with power adjustment so I could get it into vastly more comfortable position).

so if the new one (comes out this fall) has a trim with good seats and tunes, everything else was standard that I wanted (and now will have the active safety stuff too). They will also have a hybrid version in addition to the regular putt putt motor, and the N line (that replaces the Sport I had I think).

andres3

stickguy said:

So, I have decided that Carvana must be ghosting me. A week back I hit the "start the process" button and uploaded all my documents. And after 1 text and 1 Email (no clue why it worked like that) asking for additional info (to authorize getting the buyout from AFS) and to reload my DL (wasn't legible) - both of which I did Friday afternoon - they never asked for more. The account page just said it would take a few days to process, and they would ask if they needed anything else (never did).

next step is to get notified that everything is set, and they open up the payment method and delivery options link. Which never happened. Tried to chat online a few times, never open for live agent. Used the text option (which said at 10:30 AM estimated wait for a response was 1 hour) yesterday, and as of now, no response. They reported longer wait times if you called (which I probably should have, but never felt like dealing with)

during this, the 7 day window hit, and they just shut down my pending offer even though it was in flight. No communications at all. Just now says "expired, need to resubmit" (which out of curiosity I might do, expecting a lower amount). My wife (another skeptic!) thinks they decided it was too high so they did it on purpose. I think they might just be overwhelmed with people taking offers and can't keep up.

Good thing I was on the fence about it anyway, otherwise I would lose my marbles on them. But very unsatisfying experience.

Vroom was the same way and low-balled me with a $200+ lower offer. I begrudgingly and super dissatisfied; accepted anyway. Funny, Edmunds/Carmax came in about $35 higher at the last minute, but I had already overnighted my 2nd Key FOB and Title

I was on hold trying to reach Vroom by phone several times for over 45 minutes, sometimes having to hang up without an answer. Their email responses were slow, incomplete, or never came. I was stubborn, persevered, and eventually got a response by both email and phone, but it would have never happened if I hadn't been persistent. I still feel like I got cheated out of $200 for various reasons with the way things went down.

The independent trucker working for Vroom picked up the A4 yesterday. I took a picture. I hope they don't say I didn't hand over a Key FOB, as they'd have to explain how he got it on the 18-wheeler without the keys!

I think most of the problem is under-staffing from making offer's people will accept, and now they got a lot of takers! Still, they need better employees that understand the business and customer service. For just $200, they could have had a much happier customer.

andres3

nyccarguy said:

That 330xi is up to $7,100

Sold for $9,200

Do these auctions need to be a week long? All of the bidding happens in the last 1/2 hour.

7 day advertisement for a 1/2 hour bidding war.

qbrozen

roadburner said:

I just saw a white K5 in the wild. I really like the style- if only it had the Stinger drivetrain.

My dad had a 1987 Brown over white K5 with the 350ci. I am assuming you mean a very different K5.