Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

stickguy said:

Stopped at the Porsche dealer today. They had a row of 6-7 Taycans outside. Interesting looking. Bigger than I thought, and basically just look like face lifted Panameras. One had a window sticker up. Base 150k, with options 175k. Ouch.

A local pizza celebrity has one of the Porsche SUVs, although I'm not sure which one. I'd love to see the option list on it, though, as Porsches are very customizable.

au1994

xwesx said:

tjc78 said:

Lumber is in another universe too. We had a deck quoted and for 400 sq ft it was over 14K. No way!

Holy smokes.... $8 for a 2x4x8 here. That's just unreal! Nothing as painful as the 4x year-over-year increase between 2002 and 2003 (went from $1/ea in 2002 to $4/ea in 2003), but at least the prices remained fairly steady for the next decade or so before slowly creeping up. I want to say that they were around $5/ea last year, so this is a pretty hefty jump.

However, I haven't been paying attention to the market forces this time. What is the supposed cause of such a hike?

What will be interesting is how long it takes for things to come down and how much. Some may never hit their previous lows.

Some of it is supply and demand, I get it. Passed Econ 101 back in the day.

Some of it is being chalked up to refineries being down for weather in TX a few months ago. Don’t get it, there’s been time to recover.

Some of it is a welcome to a global economy. Global demand, global supply chain pressures etc. I could go on and on and talk about firms not finding workers because of stimulus money but I’ll stop.

fintail

If we're talking fuel, I've read many local and regional reports that traffic is effectively at pre-COVID levels. I think current prices are maybe similar to 2018. I like cheap gas too, but the recent return to normal doesn't vex me.

Regarding stimulus money, if that's enough to keep people out of the workforce, the real issue might be wages vs living costs, and how they have trended over time.

au1994

fintail said:

If we're talking fuel, I've read many local and regional reports that traffic is effectively at pre-COVID levels. I think current prices are maybe similar to 2018. I like cheap gas too, but the recent return to normal doesn't vex me.

Regarding stimulus money, if that's enough to keep people out of the workforce, the real issue might be wages vs living costs, and how they have trended over time.

It does appear that traffic is coming back here as well. I’m really surprised so many employers are mandating a full-time return to the office. I’m also surprised that the green movement hasn’t pounced on this. During the peak of COVID there was a noticeable change in air quality here due to the lack of traffic.

Yes, we were very spoiled last year with gas prices and no way that was sustainable. It seems we have to be at +$3 before we start talking about reducing driving or parking our SUV’s. We are definitely headed there in my area so it will be interesting to see what it does to these crazy trade numbers and the new market.

As far as stimulus money, I was referring to lower level type jobs...assembly line, food service, manual labor etc.

au1994

@nyccarguy - What did you decide to do on the Pilot? Any shopping this week?

sda

We are working from home (same company different sector) and are being told we may return, subject to change, after Sept 1. I had a dentist appointment yesterday at 4pm. I was floored by all the traffic. After leaving the dentist office at 5pm it took me almost an hour to drive 15 miles. It does seem traffic is back to normal which isn't necessarily a positive.

au1994

sda said:

We are working from home (same company different sector) and are being told we may return, subject to change, after Sept 1. I had a dentist appointment yesterday at 4pm. I was floored by all the traffic. After leaving the dentist office at 5pm it took me almost an hour to drive 15 miles. It does seem traffic is back to normal which isn't necessarily a positive.

I’m WFH through June and the hope was it would be a hybrid after that. No definitive answer yet, but reading some tea leaves it looks like we may go back full-time which I think is a big misstep in employee relations. We had a good year, hit all goals etc working from home. People have given up childcare and made other lifestyle changes over the past year+ that may cause a lot of dissatisfaction.

I did go in for a few hours yesterday and was in the morning rush and it was pretty much pre-pandemic.

They also asked everyone if you had been vaccinated which I found a little intrusive but thats just me.

stickguy

I was WFH already so never going back. My wife went from FT in office to FT home. After a year she is fine not going back but may have to. But rumor is they are cutting space, so would be hotel style and probably a couple days a week. Basically useless. But if it does happen, becomes my excuse to get another car!

I told her we should just move away and she can tell them sorry, no can do! I think they are going to have to allow more people to stay home at this point. I know some people at her place in the last year did just pack up and move, and I doubt they start firing them.

stickguy

au1994 said:

sda said:

We are working from home (same company different sector) and are being told we may return, subject to change, after Sept 1. I had a dentist appointment yesterday at 4pm. I was floored by all the traffic. After leaving the dentist office at 5pm it took me almost an hour to drive 15 miles. It does seem traffic is back to normal which isn't necessarily a positive.

I’m WFH through June and the hope was it would be a hybrid after that. No definitive answer yet, but reading some tea leaves it looks like we may go back full-time which I think is a big misstep in employee relations. We had a good year, hit all goals etc working from home. People have given up childcare and made other lifestyle changes over the past year+ that may cause a lot of dissatisfaction.

I did go in for a few hours yesterday and was in the morning rush and it was pretty much pre-pandemic.

They also asked everyone if you had been vaccinated which I found a little intrusive but thats just me.

It’s safety protocol. Probably allows them to eliminate some distancing and made rules in the office if everybody was. Or at least for those people.

tifighter

stickguy said:

au1994 said:

sda said:

We are working from home (same company different sector) and are being told we may return, subject to change, after Sept 1. I had a dentist appointment yesterday at 4pm. I was floored by all the traffic. After leaving the dentist office at 5pm it took me almost an hour to drive 15 miles. It does seem traffic is back to normal which isn't necessarily a positive.

I’m WFH through June and the hope was it would be a hybrid after that. No definitive answer yet, but reading some tea leaves it looks like we may go back full-time which I think is a big misstep in employee relations. We had a good year, hit all goals etc working from home. People have given up childcare and made other lifestyle changes over the past year+ that may cause a lot of dissatisfaction.

I did go in for a few hours yesterday and was in the morning rush and it was pretty much pre-pandemic.

They also asked everyone if you had been vaccinated which I found a little intrusive but thats just me.

It’s safety protocol. Probably allows them to eliminate some distancing and made rules in the office if everybody was. Or at least for those people.

Also depends on the office. A closed office is one thing, one that hosts customers/clients is another thing all together.

fintail

Yeah even here, away from the typical rat race, some of the evening slowdowns have returned. I was in the Seattle metro a few weeks ago, and it was a similar gongshow to pre-covid. I am WFH for at least a while, but I know some want to go back - it'll be interesting how they cram everyone in with "distancing" when the campus was effectively at capacity before the pandemic. I know some tech companies around Seattle have opened to voluntary returns - guess it depends on how much of a hovering micromanager is in charge of you or your group. My manager is fine from WFH and I suspect will have us back as late as possible. No productivity impacts in her view, and I think she likes to be home with her dogs. I like my commute. I remember the air quality around Seattle was the best I've ever seen last spring.

I don't think most will cry until it is closer to $4, like in 08. And some of the loudest will be from those in large V8 pickups and SUVs.

Lower wage jobs are probably the ones that have kept up with inflation the worst. Stimulus monies may be a symptom in hiring issues, but I think there's also an underlying disease, when wage inflation lags housing, healthcare, education, transport etc inflation by a significant amount over a generation or more.

au1994 said:

It does appear that traffic is coming back here as well. I’m really surprised so many employers are mandating a full-time return to the office. I’m also surprised that the green movement hasn’t pounced on this. During the peak of COVID there was a noticeable change in air quality here due to the lack of traffic.

Yes, we were very spoiled last year with gas prices and no way that was sustainable. It seems we have to be at +$3 before we start talking about reducing driving or parking our SUV’s. We are definitely headed there in my area so it will be interesting to see what it does to these crazy trade numbers and the new market.

As far as stimulus money, I was referring to lower level type jobs...assembly line, food service, manual labor etc.

28firefighter

My team will likely go back in a hybrid form - I expect 2-3 days a week in office of my choosing. Perfect world for me.

In other news, I put the Outback into Vroom today for S&Gs. Payoff is 27k and Vroom offered 31k. Absolutely bananas.

tifighter

Does Vroom cover Washington?

au1994

28firefighter said:

My team will likely go back in a hybrid form - I expect 2-3 days a week in office of my choosing. Perfect world for me.

In other news, I put the Outback into Vroom today for S&Gs. Payoff is 27k and Vroom offered 31k. Absolutely bananas.

That’s my perfect scenario as well and exactly what I am hoping for.

When is the Jeep coming in? Maybe you’ll still be able to take advantage.

28firefighter

If I sell the Outback, I might as well move out of my house.

And yes, Vroom covers Washington.

qbrozen

I seriously have no clue where Chevy thought a front plate would go on this car, so I improvised. Hopefully NJ police have no rule against curved plates.

Geez, that reminds me, I don’t believe I shared my latest MVC trip to finally get these plates. More on that when I have time.

imidazol97

Grocery store inflation has been definite and strong at our local Kroger, Meijer, and Walmart for
the last year.

My wife had her second shot of Moderna a few weeks back and was feeling awful for 4 days.
Arm stayed sore and slightly swollen the whole time. Included low fever for 1 day or longer.

Local Chevy store lots have been thin on supply for weeks. One larger one looked like they
were getting ready to go out of business the way the new car lot had thinned out.

laurasdada

To update, my fiancé's 81+ yo mother got Moderna #2 on Tuesday. Other than mild fatigue, no real side effects. Which is good news for her, but makes me feel less manly...

Likely, my company won't reopen office until Q4. And, theoretically, it's optional. Unless there is a need to be there physically, employees won't be required to do so. As I'm moving ~60 miles away from the office, I shan't be commuting come '22. Perhaps once in a blue to be with coworkers, but no way I'm putting up with that commute.

stickguy

Dada, one result of the last year just might be more older people staying in their jobs longer. some people retire/change jobs before they might so they can move to some sort of retirement housing, or they just can't deal with the commute any longer. Being able to move to say a lake house, or a retirement community in Fla, but keeping their job a few more years could be a good compromise.

tjc78

fintail said:

If we're talking fuel, I've read many local and regional reports that traffic is effectively at pre-COVID levels. I think current prices are maybe similar to 2018. I like cheap gas too, but the recent return to normal doesn't vex me.

Regarding stimulus money, if that's enough to keep people out of the workforce, the real issue might be wages vs living costs, and how they have trended over time.

I don’t think we are at pre-COVID levels for traffic here in South Jersey. I’ve hit a few of the usually backed up areas at rush hour and it just slowed down a little.

I’m a remote position so WFH all the time, wife technically works in Center City Philly but has been remote for over a year. That may be ending in June but like others it will be a hybrid model at best.

stickguy

if nothing else, even for people that go back in, there should be a lot more flexibility to WFH at times, even if informally.

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

@nyccarguy - What did you decide to do on the Pilot? Any shopping this week?

I think the timing is right to either try to sell or trade in the Pilot. It’s been an insanely crazy week here to say the least. I’m going to try and set up a test drive of the Highlander tomorrow afternoon/evening.

I’ll let you know my impressions.

nyccarguy

So I think there are 4 of us on the board here with Tacomas. Is anybody else having the fuel pump recall performed? Dealer service department called yesterday, & told me I’ve got to bring the truck in. They need the truck all day. They are providing me with a loaner. I’m dropping it off Monday evening.

imidazol97

Been noticing the high sale value for used cars here.
Got a mail offer from an area GM dealer for $9242 for 45 K 14 Malibu 2Lt2
with wife's name on it and hand written pricing for several GM models.

KBB trade in value is from 12 - 14K. LOL What a cheat.

corvette

One of my coworkers came by after work today because his car was almost stalling out at a dead stop. 2015-ish Chevy Sonic with the 1.4T, automatic, and 80k on the clock, which has probably had oil changes and nothing else. I got codes for a MAF and a knock sensor, misfire, and small EVAP leak + system too lean. I'm guessing the knock sensor is the main problem. It also had a bunch of "lost communication" and "under voltage" type codes in the history, which I assume were from when his battery died a while back. I sent him the codes, reset everything, and we'll see what comes back.

I also tried to reset his oil life monitor since the last place he had the oil changed didn't, but when I tried to do that, it acted like it wanted to relearn all the TPMS sensors instead. That might be why they didn't reset it!

fintail

I check the Seattle area traffic maps in the late afternoon now and then, seeing the old areas in black that i remember from back in the day. Where I am now, so many transplants are moving in that it is hard to tell, jogged for an hour and saw at least 6 out of state plates, aside from the typical ID and MT which are everywhere.

I am hoping we go to a hybrid model if we have to go back in - every other day or something like that. From what I understand, everyone isn't going to fit in the building if there is any distancing, so there will have to be some kind of new scheme. Funny that I've been working here for over half a year, still haven't visited the office aside from picking up my computer in the office, and haven't met my boss or co-workers in person.

tjc78 said:

I don’t think we are at pre-COVID levels for traffic here in South Jersey. I’ve hit a few of the usually backed up areas at rush hour and it just slowed down a little.

I’m a remote position so WFH all the time, wife technically works in Center City Philly but has been remote for over a year. That may be ending in June but like others it will be a hybrid model at best.

qbrozen

I think this has cured me of wanting to talk my wife into one.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e1L3TRGhaO0

stickguy

I love those guys!

corvette

Work from home has been a blessing dealing with my foot injury. That, and having parents who are enthusiastic about babysitting their granddog!

@fintail - For some reason, I thought you retired?

[Deleted User]

nyccarguy said:

So I think there are 4 of us on the board here with Tacomas. Is anybody else having the fuel pump recall performed? Dealer service department called yesterday, & told me I’ve got to bring the truck in. They need the truck all day. They are providing me with a loaner. I’m dropping it off Monday evening.

I haven't seen anything @nyccarguy, is it just 2018-2019?

oldfarmer50

laurasdada said:

Have yet to figure out the wacky "timer" method of charging the A7. I've set every setting, pushed every button and have yet to have the timer shut off charging at the appointed time. I think I only have one more trick up my sleeve, then I'm suing Audi/VW for emotional distress.

Did I mention I'm fully Moderna'd? Second shot shut me down the next day, still residual fatigue the following day. Today, right as rain. It didn't really hit me until ~21 hours after the shot, I thought I was gonna get away with no/little side effect. Way to go, immune system!

Thanks for scaring me, I’m getting the second Moderna in a few hours.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Probably not related to vehicle sales, but i saw that the moratorium on evictions was extended(might be by state).
Maybe people have been buying new cars instead of paying their rent.

You think?

I learned a long time ago that delayed gratification is a foreign concept to some people. I imagine car dealers count on that.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Had both Pfizer shots. Sore arm both times, that's it. Felt fine otherwise. Wife had a sore arm and a headache with first shot but only a sore arm on second. Easy peasy really!! No one should be scared to get the vaccine. There's no hidden agenda here, it's just a couple of shots folks. Put on your big boy and big girl pants and just get it done already so we can get back to normal. Enough with the excuses already!!!

Just turn off the TV first. For weeks they were hammering “the Covid will get you if you don’t watch out”. Now they’re promoting hysteria by amplifying the almost infinitesimal negative reactions.

explorerx4

Throttle House? I think those guys are idiots.
Truck King and Edmunds had more realistic reviews with some direct competition.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Alright, so put in the new crank sensor and no change. I had one more thought, which was to make sure I didn’t put the exhaust cam in 180 out of alignment. Took off that side cover yet again, checked ... nope, its good. Then, because a really good MB mechanic on youtube said so, I decided to check the split rings on the cam phaser bushing things. 1 - 2 - 3 checked out on intake. 1 - 2 - .... wait... exhaust is missing one! And one of the other 2 isn’t in the right slot. Huh. How the heck did that happen? Is this my problem? Maybe. Hopefully. But now where the hell to find one of these rings?? I may need to buy a whole new bushing thing for $100. I’m going to try an MB dealer.

I admire your tenacity and frankly your mechanical ability. I would have taken it to “the guy” and thrown money at it a long time ago. Your quest has YouTube adventure written all over it. I hope you videoed everything.

ab348

Here in the Halifax area they just instituted another 4-week lockdown, as a result of 2 days where 25 and 38 new cases were discovered (tiny numbers compared to other places I know). We have a very activist Public Health czar who likes to do such things. So for the 3rd time in 12 months all restos, bars, etc are closed to sit-down, gyms, sports facilities, theaters, etc are closed, and the stores that are open are at 25% capacity. Also all "non-essential" travel into or out of the region is banned.

The funny thing for me is that most of the reaction I've seen from the masses has been positive. This could have perhaps been prevented if he hadn't adopted a very slow vaccine rollout but whatever. If past indications are worth anything he will roll part of it back within 2 weeks when cases fall to near-zero. The trigger this time is said to be a mysterious group of Ontario residents who came from that plague-infested province for an event of some sort, did not quarantine as required, infected a bunch of locals and then returned home. But they have not been even generally identified in connection with the date or type of event, so who knows. Probably a good thing as there would likely be vicious mobs out to get them if that was done.

au1994

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Had both Pfizer shots. Sore arm both times, that's it. Felt fine otherwise. Wife had a sore arm and a headache with first shot but only a sore arm on second. Easy peasy really!! No one should be scared to get the vaccine. There's no hidden agenda here, it's just a couple of shots folks. Put on your big boy and big girl pants and just get it done already so we can get back to normal. Enough with the excuses already!!!

Just turn off the TV first. For weeks they were hammering “the Covid will get you if you don’t watch out”. Now they’re promoting hysteria by amplifying the almost infinitesimal negative reactions.

Agree. Peoples reactions are as different as they are. Just look at the sample size here...from nothing (no matter the Vax) to a couple days of flu like symptoms and generally feeling like hammered, well you know...

au1994

nyccarguy said:

au1994 said:

@nyccarguy - What did you decide to do on the Pilot? Any shopping this week?

I think the timing is right to either try to sell or trade in the Pilot. It’s been an insanely crazy week here to say the least. I’m going to try and set up a test drive of the Highlander tomorrow afternoon/evening.

I’ll let you know my impressions.

Cool! Anything else in the running?

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

I received my second Moderna 3 weeks ago. Didn’t notice any side effects aside from my arm being a bit sore. If my wife hadn’t looked into getting appointments I would probably still be unvaccinated. I’m not an anti-vaxxer, I just don’t worry about it much- if at all.

Ditto.

au1994

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

Alright, so put in the new crank sensor and no change. I had one more thought, which was to make sure I didn’t put the exhaust cam in 180 out of alignment. Took off that side cover yet again, checked ... nope, its good. Then, because a really good MB mechanic on youtube said so, I decided to check the split rings on the cam phaser bushing things. 1 - 2 - 3 checked out on intake. 1 - 2 - .... wait... exhaust is missing one! And one of the other 2 isn’t in the right slot. Huh. How the heck did that happen? Is this my problem? Maybe. Hopefully. But now where the hell to find one of these rings?? I may need to buy a whole new bushing thing for $100. I’m going to try an MB dealer.

I admire your tenacity and frankly your mechanical ability. I would have taken it to “the guy” and thrown money at it a long time ago. Your quest has YouTube adventure written all over it. I hope you videoed everything.

I’d have dumped it and begged forgiveness from the wife. And probably been relegated to driving a used Daewoo as punishment.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Who want to pay for gas for the Ferrari? 8/12 mpg

Back in the 60s that was about average.

qbrozen

explorerx4 said:

Throttle House? I think those guys are idiots.
Truck King and Edmunds had more realistic reviews with some direct competition.

I’m with stick, I like them. I have only watched 2-3 of their vids, though. But I think the videos are very professional. TV quality.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

Been noticing the high sale value for used cars here.
Got a mail offer from an area GM dealer for $9242 for 45 K 14 Malibu 2Lt2
with wife's name on it and hand written pricing for several GM models.

KBB trade in value is from 12 - 14K. LOL What a cheat.

Something like that would go for $15k at a dealer so yeah, big cheat.

nyccarguy

This is the current market for these: 2001 - relatively low mileage - stick - seems well maintained - bone stock

https://www.acuraofwappingersfalls.com/used/Acura/2001-Acura-Integra-Wappingers+Falls+New+York-8e960f7e0a0e0a173da4c897e698ce33.htm

Most of the Integras out there now for sale have double the miles, have been modded to death, & all seem to have an unpainted (2000 - 2001) front bumper/nose.

corvette

nyccarguy said:

This is the current market for these: 2001 - relatively low mileage - stick - seems well maintained - bone stock

That doesn't seem like a terrible price for late-1990s / early-2000s nostalgia, but how special was an LS? I remember the GS-R and Type R being desirable, but don't know the specifics of the way Integras were configured.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

laurasdada said:

Have yet to figure out the wacky "timer" method of charging the A7. I've set every setting, pushed every button and have yet to have the timer shut off charging at the appointed time. I think I only have one more trick up my sleeve, then I'm suing Audi/VW for emotional distress.

Did I mention I'm fully Moderna'd? Second shot shut me down the next day, still residual fatigue the following day. Today, right as rain. It didn't really hit me until ~21 hours after the shot, I thought I was gonna get away with no/little side effect. Way to go, immune system!

Thanks for scaring me, I’m getting the second Moderna in a few hours.

You're male. It will be an average reaction for you. According to my wfie's theory, the Moderna is hardest on women especially the second shot. I don't know where she got that propaganda or fact: might have been some women-oriented talk show.

Good luck.
I recommend generic ibuprofin.

kyfdx

corvette said:

nyccarguy said:

This is the current market for these: 2001 - relatively low mileage - stick - seems well maintained - bone stock

That doesn't seem like a terrible price for late-1990s / early-2000s nostalgia, but how special was an LS? I remember the GS-R and Type R being desirable, but don't know the specifics of the way Integras were configured.

The LS was one step from the bottom I think... Nothing special. Secretary's car

imidazol97

corvette said:

One of my coworkers came by after work today because his car was almost stalling out at a dead stop. 2015-ish Chevy Sonic with the 1.4T, automatic, and 80k on the clock, which has probably had oil changes and nothing else. I got codes for a MAF and a knock sensor, misfire, and small EVAP leak + system too lean. I'm guessing the knock sensor is the main problem. It also had a bunch of "lost communication" and "under voltage" type codes in the history, which I assume were from when his battery died a while back. I sent him the codes, reset everything, and we'll see what comes back.

I also tried to reset his oil life monitor since the last place he had the oil changed didn't, but when I tried to do that, it acted like it wanted to relearn all the TPMS sensors instead. That might be why they didn't reset it!

When strange things start happening, check the battery even if reasonably new. Check all the power connections and the ground connections. Freshened them by retightening.

Michaell

kyfdx said:

corvette said:

nyccarguy said:

This is the current market for these: 2001 - relatively low mileage - stick - seems well maintained - bone stock

That doesn't seem like a terrible price for late-1990s / early-2000s nostalgia, but how special was an LS? I remember the GS-R and Type R being desirable, but don't know the specifics of the way Integras were configured.

The LS was one step from the bottom I think... Nothing special. Secretary's car

RS > LS > GS

My BIL had a baby blue first gen LS, which he bought after his Toyota truck was stolen. A friend bought a green second gen LS or GS hatch.

For me, very much aspirational cars, though I wasn't keen on the high gearing (something like 3000 RPMs for 65-70 MPH).

nyccarguy

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

au1994 said:

@nyccarguy - What did you decide to do on the Pilot? Any shopping this week?

I think the timing is right to either try to sell or trade in the Pilot. It’s been an insanely crazy week here to say the least. I’m going to try and set up a test drive of the Highlander tomorrow afternoon/evening.

I’ll let you know my impressions.

Cool! Anything else in the running?

As of now, no. The Highlander seems to be leasing exceptionally well and there seems to be a decent amount of inventory. I've been happy with my Tacoma. The service department has been good thus far. I asked my wife if she had some free time today so I can set up an appointment for her to test drive it. She said: "As long as you like it, I'm sure I'll be fine with it." So I'm going to set up an appointment to test drive it this afternoon on my way home. If I like it, I'll start emailing dealers for pricing and have her test drive it next week.