Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

roadburner

@breld said:
Totally agree with you - nothing wrong at all with the base M2 if you're not already coming from something like your M235i. Similarly, when I was going pretty strong on my M2 shopping, I was fine going from my Supra to the M2 Comp, but not as enthusiastic about the base M2.

I wonder if the current M2's values will plateau or even drop when the new model is released (or even the new M240).

I'm really liking the new 2-series...I really like the look of it, but most of all I like that it's finally in line with the rest of the BMW line as far as interior and tech features.

I also like the G42 M240i. There’s no date certain as to when the RWD model will be available to order and of course the sunroof delete issue is also unresolved.
What I like about the M2 Comp is the fact that it’s already become an iconic M Car- compared in glowing terms to the E46 M3> @tifighter said:

Ha. I didn't notice that. I've always liked white in the coupes, still not sure on a convertible. Still, I haven't seen many of these in a manual at all.

I found a new M240i manual- Mineral White over Coral Red- beautiful, but the same conundrum as a base M2

Sandman6472

Looks like the A3 will be getting some new sneakers two weeks from Thursday. T P can still get us those same Pirelli's so will have them get 3 from the warehouse just in case we need the 3rd one. Think she'll need all 3 so best to have them already there so we'll be all set if in fact we do need them all. Since it's looking like I'll be taking it in on my n/s day, will want to get there when they open so as not to waste the whole morning. Will have them re-align the car at he same time since we still have time left on the 3-year policy. Our tires usually wear pretty evenly as we always rotate them with an oil change, but getting a couple of nail punctures at the worst possible times have screwed up how many tires we in fact do need...the timing has just been off.
But now that the oil leak and coolant leak have been fixed as well as the headlight, time to finish things off with some new sneakers and be done with things for a long while hopefully! The car drives nicely and with only 64K on the clock, think it'll stay in the stable for a few more years.

corvette

@Sandman6472 - didn't the wife recently replace one tire on the A3 and declined to replace the other three even though they were fairly worn? And you have to take it in? The repeated trips would really annoy me.

corvette

Put a coat of Zaino sealant on the Prius tonight. My neighbor, who had only really seen it up close when I first got it, thought I had swapped it for a different one, so I'm going to call that a success.

The Tundra desperately needs a clay bar treatment and sealant, but that's a much bigger job than it is on the Prius.

stickguy

I still washed my leases regularly, and I think even waxed the Sonata at least once. But I was not investing that kind of time and effort (and money!) on a rental!

corvette

stickguy said:

But I was not investing that kind of time and effort (and money!) on a rental!

Well, I have six months to a year left on the "rental!" The clay bar kit was something like $20 for three bars, and a single $10-20 bottle of Zaino lasts me years.

stickguy

I was mostly kidding. I waxed more than once I think, and clayed a couple of times too.

benjaminh

A quick and casual tour of the Maverick in the Lariat level. This one does have Michelins.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLgYo8w1eJE

corvette

stickguy said:

I was mostly kidding. I waxed more than once I think, and clayed a couple of times too.

I've only sealed the Tundra once, with one coat. Did not think I needed to do the clay bar because it was new, and that was a mistake.

corvette

benjaminh said:

A quick and casual tour of the Maverick in the Lariat level. This one does have Michelins.

I'm not big on Michelins, anymore. If a car I'm thinking of buying comes with them, I'm sure they will be a competent tire, but I think they're overpriced. I've been happy with the far less expensive Kumhos, Pirellis, Continentals, and Coopers I've bought.

boomchek

corvette said:

benjaminh said:

A quick and casual tour of the Maverick in the Lariat level. This one does have Michelins.

I'm not big on Michelins, anymore. If a car I'm thinking of buying comes with them, I'm sure they will be a competent tire, but I think they're overpriced. I've been happy with the far less expensive Kumhos, Pirellis, Continentals, and Coopers I've bought.

I bought a set of winter Kumhos for my Audi A7 last year (I run the Kumhos in late fall/winter, Pirelli P Zero summers the other 2.5 seasons), and they actually perform well, with good grip and handling. I felt confident going through snowy mountain passes at normal speeds last year when we took few trips to mountain resorts few hours away. And at $1100 CDN they were well priced for 20" tires.

tifighter

oldfarmer50 said:

tifighter said:

This would probably be fun-

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/inventorylisting/viewDetailsFilterViewInventoryListing.action?#listing=309404812

Nice. I could so see myself driving that car if only I had more money.

In this market, it's hard to know if that's a good price or not. Compared to other cars I'm seeing, it actually looks like a reasonable deal.

benjaminh

corvette said:

benjaminh said:

A quick and casual tour of the Maverick in the Lariat level. This one does have Michelins.

I'm not big on Michelins, anymore. If a car I'm thinking of buying comes with them, I'm sure they will be a competent tire, but I think they're overpriced. I've been happy with the far less expensive Kumhos, Pirellis, Continentals, and Coopers I've bought.

Oh, I'm sure there are other good tires. Just not Goodyear Eagles lol! With the Costco $150 off for a set of 4 sale, the high prices for the Michelins basically go away. Pirellis and Continentals are also premium tires that can be pricey, but maybe they aren't quite as pricey as Michelins?

au1994

jmonroe1 said:

tifighter said:

stickguy said:

neat car. I like that they list the interior as Pink.

Ha. I didn't notice that. I've always liked white in the coupes, still not sure on a convertible. Still, I haven't seen many of these in a manual at all.

Well, when you dig a little deeper the color is listed as “Pink (Coral Red/Black)”. I’m having a hard time imagining what color that really is. Maybe they should have just left it as Pink. Too cute for me.

jmonroe

Its red, very red at least to me. My F30 was white over coral and I thought it was a great combo. That was a 2013 F30 and I refer to it as a great drivetrain in search of a great chassis.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I still washed my leases regularly, and I think even waxed the Sonata at least once. But I was not investing that kind of time and effort (and money!) on a rental!

Didn’t one of our posters use some sort of crazy telephone pole wax on his cars? Now that was excessive.

breld

I also had white over coral with my 228i Gran Coupe - really like that combo.

With the upcoming 2022 M240i, I’d definitely consider white over red again, though at least by name, the red is different. I like the cognac quite a bit - for some reason it’s only available in the sensatec on the 2-series.

tjc78

I usually wax my leased cars at least once during ownership. I do it mainly because it makes them easier to clean.

XC is at the body shop now getting the wheel well trim and door resprayed where my wife clipped a bollard. Just need to find a wheel repair guy to touch the wheel up, there is a 4” section of curb rash from the same incident.

sda

Though hardly a big deal at this point but still annoying, the TL has curb rash, thanks to my daughter, on 3 of 4 wheels. The turning radius of the TL is truck like, so she has clipped some curbs. The car is 15 years old, good for learning. I still do my best to keep it nice.

benjaminh

sda said:

Though hardly a big deal at this point but still annoying, the TL has curb rash, thanks to my daughter, on 3 of 4 wheels. The turning radius of the TL is truck like, so she has clipped some curbs. The car is 15 years old, good for learning. I still do my best to keep it nice.

Yes, good to stay mellow about such things. Bumpers get bumped sometimes, and wheels sometimes get scraped.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever looked to see what it would cost to get new wheels for the TL? How many miles are on it? Since I'm planning on keeping my Acura for a long time, I'm encouraged when I see and hear about 10-25 year old Acuras with lots of miles on them that seem to be running fine.

500k plus on this Acura Legend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s685HNNWXjs

stickguy

tjc78 said:

I usually wax my leased cars at least once during ownership. I do it mainly because it makes them easier to clean.

XC is at the body shop now getting the wheel well trim and door resprayed where my wife clipped a bollard. Just need to find a wheel repair guy to touch the wheel up, there is a 4” section of curb rash from the same incident.

Man I hate spending money to fix stuff on a lease! Though I would check first and if the rash won’t generate a turn in penalty, just leave it.

28firefighter

We made it 14 months back in child care without a hiccup, but both my little one and my niece in separate rooms at the same school have been exposed to COVID.

My niece last week (and tested positive - she’s OK no symptoms) and my son this week. My son is fine, tested negative on Sunday and will test again tomorrow. Daddy day care is in full swing for 14 days until they reopen.

tjc78

@28firefighter said:
We made it 14 months back in child care without a hiccup, but both my little one and my niece in separate rooms at the same school have been exposed to COVID.

My niece last week (and tested positive - she’s OK no symptoms) and my son this week. My son is fine, tested negative on Sunday and will test again tomorrow. Daddy day care is in full swing for 14 days until they reopen.

So brutal!! Both my kids now in full time school. Great for learning, but a little nervous for those reasons.

28firefighter

In other news, Jeep made it 1800 miles before first issues. Is at the Jeep dealer for half a dozen software updates, a suspension rattle in the rear, and a weird clicking noise in the front at low speeds.

stickguy

From news reports seems like nearly all kids are getting it this fall. Hopefully not many are serious. And it at least gets them some immunity!

stickguy

Have to tire shop. Son needs tires since the S4 came with summer performance tires, and he lives in cold snow country. Not going to be cheap. Shopping wheel/tire packages and just all season pilot sports and maybe just keep those on year round.

ronsteve

benjaminh said:

Just out of curiosity, have you ever looked to see what it would cost to get new wheels for the TL? How many miles are on it? Since I'm planning on keeping my Acura for a long time, I'm encouraged when I see and hear about 10-25 year old Acuras with lots of miles on them that seem to be running fine.

500k plus on this Acura Legend.

Of course, that Legend was from a simpler time when the V6 engines weren't saddled with VCM. A friend of mine replaced the engine in his 2012 Accord after 138K and an apparently VCM-related failure. It honestly makes me wonder just how far I will end up going with the RDX (I think I'm starting to mentally limit myself to 150K and the wanderlust is already in play well short of that!)

But at the same time I do see the merits of the relatively inexpensive maintenance, plus our local Acura dealer is well configured for making the best of a service wait during a pandemic.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Have to tire shop. Son needs tires since the S4 came with summer performance tires, and he lives in cold snow country. Not going to be cheap. Shopping wheel/tire packages and just all season pilot sports and maybe just keep those on year round.

I have the Pilot A/S. They are "okay" in the snow. Not what I would pick if I actually lived in snow country. Especially, since he has a set of summer rubber.

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
In other news, Jeep made it 1800 miles before first issues. Is at the Jeep dealer for half a dozen software updates, a suspension rattle in the rear, and a weird clicking noise in the front at low speeds.

Wow.

Crossed 2100 in ours (yes, we are racking then up FAST). Not a single hiccup yet.

stickguy

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Have to tire shop. Son needs tires since the S4 came with summer performance tires, and he lives in cold snow country. Not going to be cheap. Shopping wheel/tire packages and just all season pilot sports and maybe just keep those on year round.

I have the Pilot A/S. They are "okay" in the snow. Not what I would pick if I actually lived in snow country. Especially, since he has a set of summer rubber.

After building a package, he’s going to order a wheel/tire set from tire rack. Really not that pricey compared to just the AS tires.

stickguy

ronsteve said:

benjaminh said:

Just out of curiosity, have you ever looked to see what it would cost to get new wheels for the TL? How many miles are on it? Since I'm planning on keeping my Acura for a long time, I'm encouraged when I see and hear about 10-25 year old Acuras with lots of miles on them that seem to be running fine.

500k plus on this Acura Legend.

Of course, that Legend was from a simpler time when the V6 engines weren't saddled with VCM. A friend of mine replaced the engine in his 2012 Accord after 138K and an apparently VCM-related failure. It honestly makes me wonder just how far I will end up going with the RDX (I think I'm starting to mentally limit myself to 150K and the wanderlust is already in play well short of that!)

But at the same time I do see the merits of the relatively inexpensive maintenance, plus our local Acura dealer is well configured for making the best of a service wait during a pandemic.

Muzzle it. If I had kept our RDX I would have done that since it was out of warranty.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:

@28firefighter said:
In other news, Jeep made it 1800 miles before first issues. Is at the Jeep dealer for half a dozen software updates, a suspension rattle in the rear, and a weird clicking noise in the front at low speeds.

Wow.

Crossed 2100 in ours (yes, we are racking then up FAST). Not a single hiccup yet.

My guess is some of my software updates were included in yours. Mine was a much earlier build.

sda

benjaminh said:

sda said:

Though hardly a big deal at this point but still annoying, the TL has curb rash, thanks to my daughter, on 3 of 4 wheels. The turning radius of the TL is truck like, so she has clipped some curbs. The car is 15 years old, good for learning. I still do my best to keep it nice.

Yes, good to stay mellow about such things. Bumpers get bumped sometimes, and wheels sometimes get scraped.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever looked to see what it would cost to get new wheels for the TL? How many miles are on it? Since I'm planning on keeping my Acura for a long time, I'm encouraged when I see and hear about 10-25 year old Acuras with lots of miles on them that seem to be running fine.

500k plus on this Acura Legend.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s685HNNWXjs

I’m fairly certain the wheels can be refinished as the curb rash is not that deep. I think I’ll leave well enough alone as I maybe asking for trouble if I go OCD and have it repaired. It still runs and drives nicely at 165k. It has been dealer maintained since new. I am keeping an eye on the slight oil leak from the rear main engine seal. It is only leaving the occasional drip and does not require additional oil between changes. If it gets worse we will probably sell. My wife thinks at that point I should give my daughter the Passat.

au1994

28firefighter said:

In other news, Jeep made it 1800 miles before first issues. Is at the Jeep dealer for half a dozen software updates, a suspension rattle in the rear, and a weird clicking noise in the front at low speeds.

Sorry about the COVID. Mine’s 15 but its still unnerving with all of the cases among kids.

On the JL forum is seems that there was a recent release of S/W updates, 5 in all I think. I’ve seen the clicking noise mentioned but not the rear suspension rattle. Hope its quick and easy.

Edit: Clicking seems to be related to ball joint torque not being tight enough.

au1994

Land Cruiser is gone. Carmax ended up being the winner, winner chicken dinner. Got a few hundred more that what I paid for it about a year ago.

Jeep is due to the rail yard Sunday and its local so I hope to the dealer early next week.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

The Maverick cap came out before the truck did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O55vtKuals

A Maverick with the options and accessories you'd like, plus this shell, will be something like $32k with destination.

For comparison, a CR-V EX with AWD has an msrp of 31k with destination.

Obviously, the CR-V has a covered cargo area too, but it also has heated seats and all-wheel-drive, both of which will be missing from a Maverick at that price.

To get AWD and heated seats in a Maverick Lariat with a shell and a moonroof is going to add up to about $35-36k, because it would need to have the luxury package too.

One thing I don't get is how that Philly dealer will take orders for the Maverick for slightly under invoice, although I don't know if they are still even doing that. But then I think I figured it out. Say this dealer with this crazy offer gets orders for 2000 or more Mavericks. Probably somewhere around 20% will order a Maverick, but then won't actually follow through and buy it. Maybe they don't like it after all. Maybe the hybrid seems underpowered? Maybe they can't wait the 2-6 months to actually get the Maverick? Too small? Color isn't what they thought. Can't finalize the financing. Etc... If that's true, then over a few months this dealer might get 400 or so Mavericks that they can trick out with accessories, put an additional dealer mark-up on, fabric protector, etc. And the 1600 who actually take delivery will probably be happy customers, many of whom might come in for service. That's the only angle I can figure out for why they would give the Maverick away when it already has a tiny profit margin.

stickguy

got some progress. Maverick build specs sent to dealer. Just waiting for him to write it up as an actual quote so I can approve and he will submit. And then, we wait!

he recommended skipping the accessories since some of them are late delivery and will hold up getting scheduled. So no bed liner or tonneau cover included. Will just do them afterwards. Hopefully by the time it arrives the aftermarket will have some options. Or the dealer can get them. Or I use a tarp and some bungie cords!

final selection, a Lariat Base 2.0t with all weather floor liners, moonroof, full sized spare, and trailer hitch. In Carbonized gray. As configured, MSRP shows as $29.755.

so hopefully I get something back today, the numbers make sense, and I can submit. He did say there was no deposit required, and I don't have to go into the dealership until it arrives. I assume I will have to send a copy of my DL or something for proof, but it seems that he has done a lot of these so will just do what he tells me!

stickguy

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

The Maverick cap came out before the truck did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O55vtKuals

A Maverick with the options and accessories you'd like, plus this shell, will be something like $32k with destination.

For comparison, a CR-V EX with AWD has an msrp of 31k with destination.

Obviously, the CR-V has a covered cargo area too, but it also has heated seats and all-wheel-drive, both of which will be missing from a Maverick at that price.

To get AWD and heated seats in a Maverick Lariat with a shell and a moonroof is going to add up to about $35-36k, because it would need to have the luxury package too.

One thing I don't get is how that Philly dealer will take orders for the Maverick for slightly under invoice, although I don't know if they are still even doing that. But then I think I figured it out. Say this dealer with this crazy offer gets orders for 2000 or more Mavericks. Probably somewhere around 20% will order a Maverick, but then won't actually follow through and buy it. Maybe they don't like it after all. Maybe the hybrid seems underpowered? Maybe they can't wait the 2-6 months to actually get the Maverick? Too small? Color isn't what they thought. Can't finalize the financing. Etc... If that's true, then over a few months this dealer might get 400 or so Mavericks that they can trick out with accessories, put an additional dealer mark-up on, fabric protector, etc. And the 1600 who actually take delivery will probably be happy customers, many of whom might come in for service. That's the only angle I can figure out for why they would give the Maverick away when it already has a tiny profit margin.

I already have an RDX. Why would I want a CRV too?

different strokes of course. I also would not get that cap most likely. Just thought it was neat.

and your scenario is probably right. It is about getting a ton of volume. they must still be making something on each order, but any that fall through will be stock for them so they can kinda corner the local market. And selling accessories at POS will be big $, whatever spiff they get from finance or ESCs, all those other profit centers.

benjaminh

stickguy said:

....final selection, a Lariat Base 2.0t with all weather floor liners, moonroof, full sized spare, and trailer hitch. In Carbonized gray. As configured, MSRP shows as $29.755....

Sounds like a really good configuration. And you squeaked in just under 30k before TTL. Might be four months or so before you get it, even with the 2.0T.

28firefighter

My Jeep got a good amount of attention this morning in the service bay. Lots of other owners asking about the hybrid, the color combo, options, cost etc.

I’ve only seen a handful of them around the PNW so far. Dealer had none on the lot and only a handful of Wranglers/Gladiators overall.

[Deleted User]

@breld, is today still punch day?

au1994

I’ve seen 3 other 4xe’s in my area. Really looking forward to getting mine in time for some nice fall weather.

Tom Petty was right…it IS the hardest part.

au1994

dad23 said:

@breld, is today still punch day?

Any day that ends in ‘“Y” is punch day for @breld

stickguy

I was behind a gray 4xe a few weeks ago. Nice looking.

stickguy

benjaminh said:

stickguy said:

....final selection, a Lariat Base 2.0t with all weather floor liners, moonroof, full sized spare, and trailer hitch. In Carbonized gray. As configured, MSRP shows as $29.755....

Sounds like a really good configuration. And you squeaked in just under 30k before TTL. Might be four months or so before you get it, even with the 2.0T.

Seemed to be a good compromise. If things change before it comes in (and I bet your 4 months is a minimum now) I can always do something else. Also possible once some hit the lots can find one that way.

But around Christmas to early January works for me at this point.

benjaminh

I take it you you decided to skip the Philly dealer's discount for a closer option?

PS As mentioned, I like the wheel and tire upgrade on the Lariat.

stickguy

Going with the guy you found. Assuming terms are as expected. Wouldn’t be the first car I bought over in philly!

I like those wheels, and the video I found of that color out in the sun made it look really sharp. Fits the truck too IMO.

benjaminh

Well, if he orders it for you for under msrp that will be a great deal in this market! Fantastic, in fact. Almost anything else that's in demand is going to be 1k-6k over msrp in this crazy market.

ab348

I was in traffic today, in the leftmost of 3 lanes waiting at a red light. A new-model Venza caught my eye in the far-right lane. It was that non-metallic cement gray color, very shiny, with a black roof and nice wheels. That gray color always seems to get my attention although I didn’t like it at first. I found myself wondering if I would still like it in 10 years or so when it wasn’t new and shiny. But then I looked at the vehicles all around it, which happened to be all variants of metallic medium grays. I decided the cement color was better than all of them.

stickguy

That’s my hope. Who knows what market and economy will be like early next year though. As long as they honor what they write up now should be fine. If there are incentives at the time would get them too.

benjaminh

Here's a visual comparison of an XLT in the top image to a Lariat. Slightly different front design with the Lariat, which I like a bit better. Plus the headlights get more LEDs with the Lariat.