Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

You can file for any federal and state EV incentives yourself by doing the balloon approach.

explorerx4

@qbrozen,
How many of them are in running condition? Half?

explorerx4

One of my kids say a Mach E today. Based on the Chevy Chase commercial for it, that's going to be the theme for my grandson next Halloween.
This year it was Family Vacation.

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

corvette said:

mjfloyd1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

mjfloyd1 said:

breld said:

mjfloyd1 said:

breld said:

It’s white over black.

https://www.autonation.com/cars/5UXTS3C51J0Y97944?utm_source=3534&utm_medium=1004&utm_campaign=*000001327*used

I may need to hold out for a 2019 or 2020 model. Wouldn’t be the worst thing to skip the first year of that model, and I noticed the m40i got a much nicer steering wheel in 2019. And while I’m at it, why not get the increased power for 2020?

I would not worry about a 2018 - it's a tried and true motor.

You will only have it for a few months anyway... Just sayin...😂

Honestly though, if you have a Macan and like it, why swap? The lure of cash in your pocket perhaps

Yes, it comes down to feeling compelled to backtrack on the car budget creep that happened during 2020 (I blame the pandemic 😀). (And it’s a Cayenne by the way as opposed to a Macan). Though the X3 not only could replace the Cayenne for utility, but also the sportiness of the Supra...if I were to replace that down the road with something a bit more tame like...a Miata.

Staying the course is absolutely an option too. And probably the appropriate one right now.

Wasn’t it you @mjfloyd1 that said something recently about “loving what you have”? That resonated with me...but I struggle to follow it.

I did indeed say a that...right before I traded.

My jeep was fun for 2.25 years. It had a recall to swap out the steering stabilizer. It was as solid as a rock before the swap, but now if I go around a sweeper and hit a pot hole, I get the dreaded death wobble.

I also will enjoy having a panoramic sunroof instead of the freedom tops.

I forgot that it was (note that I used past tense) a Red Hot Chili Pepper.

Nice that you are contemplating a multi car swap. Odd that you revisit so often. But your cash, your choice.

I've pined for a car (RS7) and once I had it, it wasn't all that I had expected. Maybe you share some of that too?

Did you report the wobble to the dealer? It would seem Jeep corporate would want to know that information.

I did after the latest service when Jeep asked how the service went. No follow up.

Typical anymore, I think. I gave the Ford dealer a bad review after they lost my Mustang on the lot. No follow up. Ford corporate reached out to me to ask whether there was any follow-up from the dealer, and I told them no. The fact that corporate asked suggests that the dealer was supposed to follow up to ask what went wrong, and didn't. (It was Oxmoorons Ford, for those of you in the Louisville area.)

I must have missed that story. How do you lose any car let alone a Mustang on a dealer’s lot? Did you get it back? How long did it take for the lot boy to return it?

Took it to the physically closest dealer (not my preferred one) because there was a problem with the seatbelt. I approved their replacing the seatbelt at my cost, didn't hear anything for a couple days, called to check in, and was told that my service advisor was out sick and he was the only one in the entire building who could possibly give me any information on my car or where it was. The term "idiots" would be putting it kindly. I did eventually get the car back, once the service advisor was back on duty.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

I just realized today while cleaning up my files that we have a personal record 5 free-and-clear car titles in hand. 6 vehicle title if you count my motorcycle.

isn't the X2 a lease?

qbrozen

stickguy said:

qbrozen said:

I just realized today while cleaning up my files that we have a personal record 5 free-and-clear car titles in hand. 6 vehicle title if you count my motorcycle.

isn't the X2 a lease?

Correct.

Running: Fiat, Charger, van
Nonrunning: benz, coronet

stickguy

so 4 free and clear!

The Charger is fine now that you have the cooling system all bled right? That is a plus.

qbrozen

Yes, Charger is OK. Still get lifter noise on startup but I’m not going to worry about it at the moment. She is under her cover sleeping.

roadburner

qbrozen said:

I just realized today while cleaning up my files that we have a personal record 5 free-and-clear car titles in hand. 6 vehicle title if you count my motorcycle.

Same here!

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Yes, Charger is OK. Still get lifter noise on startup but I’m not going to worry about it at the moment. She is under her cover sleeping.

Oh oh, that’s not good. In reading about that problem I guess it happens more often in cars that idle excessively, like police cars.

If it’s any consolation the 2018+ Mustang 5.0L is also prone to some mysterious ticking noise in the top end. Ford doesn’t know but claims “they all do that” and it’s nothing. Some owners have seen engine failure.

Sometimes I think our technology has gotten away from us.

qbrozen

I’m pretty certain it is just a bad lifter on the Dodge. I can wear down that lobe of the cam but really shouldn’t do much more than that.

tjc78

My 2009 Genesis clattered on startup from day 1. Others complained too, Hyundai claimed it was due to the top mounted oil filter draining back. Not sure if anything was ever done with that design on the 3.8.

mjfloyd1

Jeep also has weird (?first year) glitches. The radio touchscreen (that really can be used to control lots of other things) randomly goes black and is not reproducible at dealer. Heating is weird in winter where it blows hot air then turns the fans down. Next thing you know it is blowing cold air. Local dealer says this is normal operation

graphicguy

All the videos I’ve seen on the Mustang Mach E have been generally positive. I think the biggest complaint I’ve read seems to be why they’re calling it a Mustang? Personally, I think the “is it or isn’t it a Mustang?” Debate is silly! It seems Ford has done a good job with it.

RE-White cars. I like certain whites. I like the metallic white on my Stinger. I like the pearl white that comes on Acuras. I like the metal flake white on the new(er) Camry.

Polar white that I’ve seen on other cars? Not so much!

tjc78

My S60 is Crystal (pearl) white and our XC is Ice white. In most lighting it’s very hard to tell the difference.

Like you, I do generally prefer the pearl whites but in some instances a nice bright white looks great.

I’ve owned more white cars than anything else at this point by far.

au1994

mjfloyd1 said:

Jeep also has weird (?first year) glitches. The radio touchscreen (that really can be used to control lots of other things) randomly goes black and is not reproducible at dealer. Heating is weird in winter where it blows hot air then turns the fans down. Next thing you know it is blowing cold air. Local dealer says this is normal operation

Ummm, no. Jeep heaters are notoriously strong and thats not even close to ‘normal’. Do some dealers just TRY to be difficult?

mjfloyd1

The dealer says it is due to keeping heat on “Auto” and says that if you take it off auto then it will work like a normal heater. Seems weird

stickguy

that makes sense. and one reason I never use the auto setting. it will blast heat or cold and change fan speeds when it feels like it needs to. I just want to pick a temp and fan setting and just leave it there. And don't like the AC running all the time.

ab348

Our crappy '74 Maverick taught me a lesson about automotive white paint at an early age. It was Ford Polar White, paint code 9D. Then the factory paint began flaking off the bottoms of the front fenders behind the wheels. I thought it would be easy to prep and respray that area. What I didn't know is that unlike black paint which is almost always just black (not so much today with metallic blacks, etc), there are an infinite number of formulations of white. I just bought a generic rattle can of white at a parts store and it didn't match at all, being way too bright. So I went to an auto body supply place and had them mix me the smallest can of Polar White they could. It had a lot of brown in it, and was not a bright white at all by comparison. Never liked that shade of white ever since.

ab348

stickguy said:

just watched another review on the Mach E. These guys really seemed to love it.

It's going to need to be on the market for about 6 months before you will see actual accurate reviews. Those will tell the tale.

Sandman6472

The A3 is white and looks great when cleaned up. Unfortunately, since the pandemic began, one must have some sort of service done to get a free car wash. It used to be a free perk whenever one wanted a car wash, they'd do it. Think that at this point, they should go back to the way it was as it was a nice perk to have. And the wife would use it as the wait wasn't that long.
At the VW store, only will wash the vehicle after a service was performed. But expected that since they aren't a luxury dealer, but still, think it's a good public relations thing to do. But since there's a pretty safe touchless car wash just up the road from work, I usually get their "buy 4, get 2 free" washes whenever they become available, usually twice a year. Bought a couple of those back around Fathers Day nd still have like 8 of them left. They came out with an "Unlimited Club" last year but haven't looked into that yet. I like going every few weeks and they have free vacuums so I can clean out the crap my feet track in. Still have a $25 gift card they sent me a few moths back I need to use also.

tjc78

ab348 said:

Our crappy '74 Maverick taught me a lesson about automotive white paint at an early age. It was Ford Polar White, paint code 9D. Then the factory paint began flaking off the bottoms of the front fenders behind the wheels. I thought it would be easy to prep and respray that area. What I didn't know is that unlike black paint which is almost always just black (not so much today with metallic blacks, etc), there are an infinite number of formulations of white. I just bought a generic rattle can of white at a parts store and it didn't match at all, being way too bright. So I went to an auto body supply place and had them mix me the smallest can of Polar White they could. It had a lot of brown in it, and was not a bright white at all by comparison. Never liked that shade of white ever since.

Did Ford ever get white paint to actually stick? On the Panther Forums it’s actually called Ford Fail White. My ‘04 Grand Marquis had the paint come off in sheets on the hood early in it’s life (Pop had it repainted) and there were a few other places starting when I sold it.

Look at any 90s-2011 white Panther and you see it.

explorerx4

My white paint on my 1991 Mustang is still in excellent condition.
Can't remember if it's Oxford or Wimbledon.

tjc78

I don’t remember the Mustangs being affected as badly, but it’s a problem. Even late run F150s suffer from it.

A quick Google will confirm it’s an issue

Michaell

explorerx4 said:

My white paint on my 1991 Mustang is still in excellent condition.
Can't remember if it's Oxford or Wimbledon.

Our '99 Expedition was Oxford White.

corvette

Most auto climate controls since at least the early 2000s are smart about engaging the heater and will not crank the fan speed up until the engine is hot. The Jeep issue sounds abnormal.

tjc78

corvette said:

Most auto climate controls since at least the early 2000s are smart about engaging the heater and will not crank the fan speed up until the engine is hot. The Jeep issue sounds abnormal.

Yeah it’s been much longer than that. My 89 Town Car wouldn’t turn the blower on until the engine started to warm up. This was only on floor or panel setting. Defrost worked whether the engine was hot or not.

roadburner

tjc78 said:

corvette said:

Most auto climate controls since at least the early 2000s are smart about engaging the heater and will not crank the fan speed up until the engine is hot. The Jeep issue sounds abnormal.

Yeah it’s been much longer than that. My 89 Town Car wouldn’t turn the blower on until the engine started to warm up. This was only on floor or panel setting. Defrost worked whether the engine was hot or not.

My 1974 Monte Carlo had that feature as well.

roadburner

stickguy said:

that makes sense. and one reason I never use the auto setting. it will blast heat or cold and change fan speeds when it feels like it needs to. I just want to pick a temp and fan setting and just leave it there. And don't like the AC running all the time.

I have no complaints with the automatic systems in the BMW, Mazda, or Mini vehicles I’ve owned. All have been “set and forget” with no issues. Likewise, I can be happy with an efficient manual HVAC system.

kyfdx

BMW auto HVAC systems are really good. The older ones were better, I think.

28firefighter

+1 - the HVAC in the i3 is very good, the HVAC in the ZHP is outstanding.

mjfloyd1

Every other vehicle is on Auto on HVAC with no issues.

tifighter

The HVAC in the Z4 is weird. If I just try to turn it completely off, it turns itself back on within about 10 seconds.

kyfdx

tifighter said:

The HVAC in the Z4 is weird. If I just try to turn it completely off, it turns itself back on within about 10 seconds.

The only way I know to turn it off completely is by pressing the fan control to zero.

fintail

Auto climate control in the E seems flawless, never had an issue with it or in several prior cars.

Fintail is unusual in that it has dual zone heating, but not automatic (and of course no AC). Driver and passenger have temp controls. I think automatic climate control was another decade or so away for MB.

kyfdx

Probably the one option I miss from my BMW. Fiddling with three knobs for direction, temperature and fan speed, then readjusting as the cabin cools or warms is a pain. With the E46, set it on 70. and scroll the little wheel up and down, if your face was warm or cold. Simple and genius.

corvette

Finally called to get the windshield in the Tundra replaced after the goose incident in July. As expected, my glass guy only handles the glass part, and doesn’t have tools or training to recalibrate the camera. So it will go in for its 10k service and recalibration at the same time.

The company that handles the insurance coordination said the dealer may or may not accept their claim number, and I may have to pay for the recalibration and then file for reimbursement. At least they didn’t have some sort of “we shouldn’t have to pay for that!” excuse.

qbrozen

corvette said:

Finally called to get the windshield in the Tundra replaced after the goose incident in July. As expected, my glass guy only handles the glass part, and doesn’t have tools or training to recalibrate the camera. So it will go in for its 10k service and recalibration at the same time.

The company that handles the insurance coordination said the dealer may or may not accept their claim number, and I may have to pay for the recalibration and then file for reimbursement. At least they didn’t have some sort of “we shouldn’t have to pay for that!” excuse.

Your windshield has a camera? WTH for?

tifighter

kyfdx said:

tifighter said:

The HVAC in the Z4 is weird. If I just try to turn it completely off, it turns itself back on within about 10 seconds.

The only way I know to turn it off completely is by pressing the fan control to zero.

Yeah, that's how I do it. Until it turns back on again. It's okay, the Germans know better than I do, I guess.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

corvette said:

Finally called to get the windshield in the Tundra replaced after the goose incident in July. As expected, my glass guy only handles the glass part, and doesn’t have tools or training to recalibrate the camera. So it will go in for its 10k service and recalibration at the same time.

The company that handles the insurance coordination said the dealer may or may not accept their claim number, and I may have to pay for the recalibration and then file for reimbursement. At least they didn’t have some sort of “we shouldn’t have to pay for that!” excuse.

Your windshield has a camera? WTH for?

it's not in the windshield. just attached to the windshield.

corvette

qbrozen said:

corvette said:

Finally called to get the windshield in the Tundra replaced after the goose incident in July. As expected, my glass guy only handles the glass part, and doesn’t have tools or training to recalibrate the camera. So it will go in for its 10k service and recalibration at the same time.

The company that handles the insurance coordination said the dealer may or may not accept their claim number, and I may have to pay for the recalibration and then file for reimbursement. At least they didn’t have some sort of “we shouldn’t have to pay for that!” excuse.

Your windshield has a camera? WTH for?

Lane departure warning. I think the emergency braking, forward collision warning, and cruise are all handled by the radar in the grille.

stickguy

Subaru Eyesight lives in a box up by the rear view mirror too. So if you replace the windshield, that has to come off and after putting on the new one, all has to be recalibrated.

speaking of windshields, when we recently had the Jetta's replaced, I finally saw how the guy got the inspection and registration stickers off the old one so he could put them on the new windshield. With a propane torch on the outside of the busted one (after it was off of course! Heated the heck out of it, and melted the glue up nice so they peeled right off..

28firefighter

So, the lease transfer is in progress on the i3 - applicant was approved. Now just a paperwork and waiting game. Also, our home refinance should be closing on Saturday, so I'll be out of refi purgatory.

Has anyone here owned/driven a WRX that they could compare it to a GTI? I already know it won't be as refined, but feel like I should drive it just to cross-shop. Manual obviously, since the CVT is an abomination in that application.

stickguy

my refi is supposed to close Wednesday. Just need final $ number from closing agent. At least they send a notary to the house now. Should be quick and easy. After over 4 months of the process dragging on !

back when I was looking (I think fall 2017, before I got the Elantra Sport) I test drove a GLI and WRX back to back. Same route too since the dealers shared a building. So, close enough IMO.

WRX was first. Neither the wife or I really liked it. Noisy, rough, clutch/stick were a bit of a chore. Just seemed like "work" driving it if that makes sense. A bit more high strung, especially since most use would be normal driving around town or on the highway, not back road or track storming.

GLI was next. So much more comfortable, nice smooth clutch and shifter, but still very quick and entertaining handling. Much more of nice car but also sporty and quick. A lot easier to see it as a daily driver, commuter, or taking it on a longer highway trip.

obviously went a lot cheaper but of those 2, I absolutely would have gotten the GLI (or GTI now). The Elantra IMO was a lot closer to the GTI in execution.

actually, right now, I would take a serious look at the new design Elantra N model which really up it's game compared to the VW.

28firefighter

Elantra N looks interesting but alas, not available yet.

Thanks, @stickguy!

stickguy

I watched some reviews but no, never tried to see one in person.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Elantra N looks interesting but alas, not available yet.

Thanks, @stickguy!

We've got lease numbers on them, so they must be available somewhere!

28firefighter

Are you taking about the Elantra N-Line or the Elantra N? I thought it wasn't being released until 2022...

The N-Line is mostly appearance stuff but has the 1.6 Turbo with 176 HP. The Elantra N will have 276 hp and have the same powertrain as the Veloster N.

stickguy

quick check on my local dealers and they only have normal models. No sign of the N line, so that trim might not have hit the ground yet.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Are you taking about the Elantra N-Line or the Elantra N? I thought it wasn't being released until 2022...

The N-Line is mostly appearance stuff but has the 1.6 Turbo with 176 HP. The Elantra N will have 276 hp and have the same powertrain as the Veloster N.

Ah, my bad. Yeah, N-Line.