Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

ab348

mjfloyd1 said:

Is the GV 70 rated as good as the GV 80 that Tiger Woods was driving?

Ah, I thought he was in a 70. It was kind of hard to tell after the wreck. 😉

Michaell

mjfloyd1 said:

Is the GV 70 rated as good as the GV 80 that Tiger Woods was driving?

I haven't looked at the safety ratings.

corvette

The flipside of that is, "hey, isn't that the vehicle that almost killed Tiger Woods?"

breld

My wife got home without a hitch.

nyccarguy

Awesome @breld.

corvette

breld said:

...without a hitch.

That will really hurt the resale value when you sell it in a few weeks!

stickguy

lotta gray in that garage. Good thing it is only temporary.

what engine in that Bronco? The 2.3l 4 banger? And I assume it is an automatic?

jmonroe1

graphicguy said:

jmonroe1 said:

stickguy said:

so, anybody tired of waiting for their order, and want to jump the line? I am afraid to ask what the MSRP on this one was.

I do love the colors. Lots of red but it works here.

https://www.royalmotorsnj.com/details-2022-chevrolet-corvette-2dr_stingray_coupe_w_2lt-used-1g1yb2d4xn5101295.html

Our poster buddy @graphicguy is probably drooling on his keyboard right now.

jmonroe

Appreciate you keeping an eye out for me. What are your loan terms?

You know what they say, if you have to ask…

jmonroe

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
My wife got home without a hitch.

That Bronco must have an sturdy clutch

kyfdx

I've had my GTI for exactly two years, now.

11,600 miles, in that time. If you subtract the 1200 miles to drive it home, just 10,400 miles in two years.

Clutch is still good..

nyccarguy

@breld

Did you get the X5 fixed? How'd it come out?

qbrozen

Benz sprung a coolant leak.
I said to the wife “so NOW are you ready to sell it?” “Yeah, I guess.”

stickguy

Friday night I finally broke 500 miles on the Maverick. 1 week short of having it 2 months. And that includes a trip up to NY (about 220 miles RT). And home from the dealer was 30 miles.

RDX will turn 2 mid March. Might have just rolled 13k on that. And for 15 months that was our only car.

breld

nyccarguy said:

@breld

Did you get the X5 fixed? How'd it come out?

I had one estimate at a shop I’ve used before last week, and I’m getting another today at the shop the BMW dealer uses, just to have another data point.

The first shop is booked until May. Apparently I’m not the only one falling victim to bad driver’s in the slush/snow.

breld

stickguy said:

lotta gray in that garage. Good thing it is only temporary.

what engine in that Bronco? The 2.3l 4 banger? And I assume it is an automatic?

Yes, the 2.3l 4 banger, and this one is an automatic.

fintail

Yesterday late afternoon got a call from the salesman who sold/leased me the wagon, calling about lease end, as it is in less than 6 weeks. Apparently I have to handle it in person through the local dealer, can't buy it out via him (nice guy, I'd be happy to send the sale his way, although I think he does fine on his own), seems to be a little inefficient. Probably should get financing lined up too, as I have a feeling all of MBFS's good rates are for short terms.

ab348

qbrozen said:

Benz sprung a coolant leak.

I said to the wife “so NOW are you ready to sell it?” “Yeah, I guess.”

A small, sharp awl is a surprisingly useful tool, isn't it?

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
Yes, the 2.3l 4 banger, and this one is an automatic.

So much for my clutch joke…

xwesx

Michaell said:

Having a green over tan Outback, I'd like to try something different next time.

I'll give you that. However, "green" is relative when comparing these two machines. Yours is more gangrene than actual green. LOL

Michaell

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Having a green over tan Outback, I'd like to try something different next time.

I'll give you that. However, "green" is relative when comparing these two machines. Yours is more gangrene than actual green. LOL

jmonroe1

Michaell said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Having a green over tan Outback, I'd like to try something different next time.

I'll give you that. However, "green" is relative when comparing these two machines. Yours is more gangrene than actual green. LOL

I think @xwesx is right, that Subie looks like it needs medical attention.

jmonroe

xwesx

That's what I'm saying! It's been a while since Subaru has done green well.

I will say, though, that license plate looks good on that car. The colors just work together.

jmonroe1

xwesx said:

That's what I'm saying! It's been a while since Subaru has done green well.

I will say, though, that license plate looks good on that car. The colors just work together.

Now you’ve got me concerned. You gotta get an eye exam.

jmonroe

mjfloyd1

That green looks fern green on the Subie. Very earth friendly.

The Genesis looks like Hunter green from 1990. All it needs is gold emblems to pull the full 90’s look off

corvette

The Subaru looks like olive green. The Hyundai looks like a washed-out hunter green... VW had a similar color in the early 2000s called "Alaska Green," which I think had more of a blue hue than the Hyundai. I remember really liking it at the time, but also, seeing it years later and not liking it as well.

Michaell

The Outback color is called Wilderness Green. Not to be confused with the new Wilderness trim level on the new Outbacks.

The plate is "Kids First" - one of a couple dozen specialty plates that Colorado offers. We've transferred it to three different cars.

henryn

I think I have mentioned before that I’m 50% color blind. My major defect is yellow-green, so I will venture no opinion on anything green. I tend to prefer cars and trucks in colors that I do see well. Black, white, and red are all good. Some shades of blue. Back in 2000, I bought a new Ford F150, very fancy Lariat. This was back when dealers ran big ads in the newspaper, and had “advertised specials” that were truly bargains. But you had to be there first in line when they opened, as they only had one. I was there when they opened and I got the truck. The color was the last thing on my mind. When I got it home, my wife really liked the color, called it “beautiful”. My neighbor came over, said he had never seen that color, and really liked it. I drove it to work the next day, and several people asked who had that beautiful new Ford, and what was that color anyway?

I quickly memorized the color name on the window sticker, but I swear to god, when I looked at that truck I saw no color. None whatsoever. Just an amorphous blob.

mjfloyd1

jmonroe1 said:

Michaell said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Having a green over tan Outback, I'd like to try something different next time.

I'll give you that. However, "green" is relative when comparing these two machines. Yours is more gangrene than actual green. LOL

I think @xwesx is right, that Subie looks like it needs medical attention.

jmonroe

Nah, you two are green with envy

ab348

henryn said:

I quickly memorized the color name on the window sticker, but I swear to god, when I looked at that truck I saw no color. None whatsoever. Just an amorphous blob.

I have a similar problem although my color blindness is more in the green-brown spectrum. For years when I was working I had a suit that I thought was gray until someone mentioned it was a nice shade of brownish taupe. I never saw any brown in it. With paint colors, especially in the 2000s, a lot of automotive paint colors do not register as a color at all with me. Mazda was particularly bad for this with me, but far from the only one. They all just looked like what I would call "metallic mud" as I was unable to determine any actual color, be it green or brown or gray.

oldfarmer50

fintail said:

Yesterday late afternoon got a call from the salesman who sold/leased me the wagon, calling about lease end, as it is in less than 6 weeks. Apparently I have to handle it in person through the local dealer, can't buy it out via him (nice guy, I'd be happy to send the sale his way, although I think he does fine on his own), seems to be a little inefficient. Probably should get financing lined up too, as I have a feeling all of MBFS's good rates are for short terms.

They probably want one last chance to buy it off you fir their own lot.

28firefighter

I’m in Philly for a few days. Rented a car from SIXT for the first time because they had great rates and it would get me a “premium” car.

First, the SIXT location at PHL leaves something to be desired. Not super close to the airport and not the safest place I’ve been. Customer service was abysmal.

Second, they gave me a 2020 X3 4 cylinder with 18k miles. It’s…fine. Nothing to write home about as a car, but it absolutely reeks of smoke after a day of driving it and it being parked in the sun yesterday. It seems like they made a very thinly veiled effort to eliminate the smoke and I’m even wondering if it was an employee that smoked in it. I know given the rental car market these days I shouldn’t be picky, but sheesh. I submitted a complaint through the app - we’ll see what they say.

kyfdx

Yikes

sda

28firefighter said:

I’m in Philly for a few days. Rented a car from SIXT for the first time because they had great rates and it would get me a “premium” car.

First, the SIXT location at PHL leaves something to be desired. Not super close to the airport and not the safest place I’ve been. Customer service was abysmal.

Second, they gave me a 2020 X3 4 cylinder with 18k miles. It’s…fine. Nothing to write home about as a car, but it absolutely reeks of smoke after a day of driving it and it being parked in the sun yesterday. It seems like they made a very thinly veiled effort to eliminate the smoke and I’m even wondering if it was an employee that smoked in it. I know given the rental car market these days I shouldn’t be picky, but sheesh. I submitted a complaint through the app - we’ll see what they say.

Are you there to sneak up and steal @stickguy Maverick?

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

I’m in Philly for a few days. Rented a car from SIXT for the first time because they had great rates and it would get me a “premium” car.

First, the SIXT location at PHL leaves something to be desired. Not super close to the airport and not the safest place I’ve been. Customer service was abysmal.

Second, they gave me a 2020 X3 4 cylinder with 18k miles. It’s…fine. Nothing to write home about as a car, but it absolutely reeks of smoke after a day of driving it and it being parked in the sun yesterday. It seems like they made a very thinly veiled effort to eliminate the smoke and I’m even wondering if it was an employee that smoked in it. I know given the rental car market these days I shouldn’t be picky, but sheesh. I submitted a complaint through the app - we’ll see what they say.

I’d be interested to hear what our poster buddy rental company drivers have to say about how Enterprise handles complaints. Possibly they don’t have any knowledge of this but if I had to guess, customers only get lip service. Next.

jmonroe

ab348

I'm reminded of one of my favorite sitcom scenes...

https://youtu.be/4T2GmGSNvaM

explorerx4

That was funny!

nyccarguy

@ab348 - I don't even need to watch the clip. Hysterical!

ab348

"I know what a reservation is."

"I don't think you do."

kyfdx

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:

I’m in Philly for a few days. Rented a car from SIXT for the first time because they had great rates and it would get me a “premium” car.

First, the SIXT location at PHL leaves something to be desired. Not super close to the airport and not the safest place I’ve been. Customer service was abysmal.

Second, they gave me a 2020 X3 4 cylinder with 18k miles. It’s…fine. Nothing to write home about as a car, but it absolutely reeks of smoke after a day of driving it and it being parked in the sun yesterday. It seems like they made a very thinly veiled effort to eliminate the smoke and I’m even wondering if it was an employee that smoked in it. I know given the rental car market these days I shouldn’t be picky, but sheesh. I submitted a complaint through the app - we’ll see what they say.

I’d be interested to hear what our poster buddy rental company drivers have to say about how Enterprise handles complaints. Possibly they don’t have any knowledge of this but if I had to guess, customers only get lip service. Next.

jmonroe

In some smaller airports, Enterprise, National and Alamo share personnel, and maybe even vehicles. (as Enterprise owns the latter two).

I think once Enterprise bought the other companies, and went full bore into airports, the service improved over the city lots that mostly do insurance coverage business.

tifighter

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-volkswagen-rabbit-3/

qbrozen

tifighter said:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-volkswagen-rabbit-3/

cool. if it wasn't so far away, i'd probably throw a bid at it.
I think someone swapped out for a way-too-short shifter. Doesn't appear to clear the seats.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:

I’m in Philly for a few days. Rented a car from SIXT for the first time because they had great rates and it would get me a “premium” car.

First, the SIXT location at PHL leaves something to be desired. Not super close to the airport and not the safest place I’ve been. Customer service was abysmal.

Second, they gave me a 2020 X3 4 cylinder with 18k miles. It’s…fine. Nothing to write home about as a car, but it absolutely reeks of smoke after a day of driving it and it being parked in the sun yesterday. It seems like they made a very thinly veiled effort to eliminate the smoke and I’m even wondering if it was an employee that smoked in it. I know given the rental car market these days I shouldn’t be picky, but sheesh. I submitted a complaint through the app - we’ll see what they say.

I’d be interested to hear what our poster buddy rental company drivers have to say about how Enterprise handles complaints. Possibly they don’t have any knowledge of this but if I had to guess, customers only get lip service. Next.

jmonroe

Enterprise bases agent’s performance bonuses on positive customer reviews so they have plenty of motivation to go above and beyond to please customers. I’ve seen smokey cars taken out of service for the whole day while they run some de ionizer machine in them. I’ve also seen the agents be very pleasant to nasty customers. I joked to one of them that she should put up a sign like Lucy from Charlie Brown that said Psychiatric Help 5 cents.

I think I told this story over on the washing machine board but I’ll tell it again here.

I was working the airport garage and noticed a couple of very elderly women sitting on their suitcases near our booth. I had no idea what they were doing there but felt sorry for them and asked the agent to get them some chairs to sit in while they were waiting.

I made a few more trips back and forth to the cleaning facility and saw the women sitting in chairs with a number of our staff surrounding them. I inquired what was going on and was told that the poor old dears had made a reservation with Hertz but by mistake had booked the car at their city location not the airport. The city location was closed at this hour and the airport had no extra car to give them. In fact, in this tight environment, nobody did. That was it as far as Hertz was concerned…tough luck girls.

It was then that I found out that our staff had brought a car 15 miles from our own city location in rush hour traffic and gave it to them so they wouldn’t be stranded in the dark airport garage.

I don’t know of any other rental company that would do that.

explorerx4

Hertz probably sued them for not following through on their reservation.

xwesx

tifighter said:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-volkswagen-rabbit-3/

Whoa. If it had a diesel engine, it would be the spittin' image of the one my high school friend owned (his was a '79).

cdnpinhead

oldfarmer50 said:

I don’t know of any other rental company that would do that.

Working for a decent company is a very good thing. I used to know what it felt like. Either way, it's a positive outcome.

corvette

@explorerx4 said:
Hertz probably sued them for not following through on their reservation.

Or had them arrested for stealing a car.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

I'm reminded of one of my favorite sitcom scenes...

https://youtu.be/4T2GmGSNvaM

You got it. That’s what I was talking about and since I’ve seen that show that’s exactly what I think of when I think of customer service.

I don’t know how old that show is but I know that customer service is still the same. The only thing that’s changed is the mouth that spits out the words.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:

I’m in Philly for a few days. Rented a car from SIXT for the first time because they had great rates and it would get me a “premium” car.

First, the SIXT location at PHL leaves something to be desired. Not super close to the airport and not the safest place I’ve been. Customer service was abysmal.

Second, they gave me a 2020 X3 4 cylinder with 18k miles. It’s…fine. Nothing to write home about as a car, but it absolutely reeks of smoke after a day of driving it and it being parked in the sun yesterday. It seems like they made a very thinly veiled effort to eliminate the smoke and I’m even wondering if it was an employee that smoked in it. I know given the rental car market these days I shouldn’t be picky, but sheesh. I submitted a complaint through the app - we’ll see what they say.

I’d be interested to hear what our poster buddy rental company drivers have to say about how Enterprise handles complaints. Possibly they don’t have any knowledge of this but if I had to guess, customers only get lip service. Next.

jmonroe

Enterprise bases agent’s performance bonuses on positive customer reviews so they have plenty of motivation to go above and beyond to please customers. I’ve seen smokey cars taken out of service for the whole day while they run some de ionizer machine in them. I’ve also seen the agents be very pleasant to nasty customers. I joked to one of them that she should put up a sign like Lucy from Charlie Brown that said Psychiatric Help 5 cents.

I think I told this story over on the washing machine board but I’ll tell it again here.

I was working the airport garage and noticed a couple of very elderly women sitting on their suitcases near our booth. I had no idea what they were doing there but felt sorry for them and asked the agent to get them some chairs to sit in while they were waiting.

I made a few more trips back and forth to the cleaning facility and saw the women sitting in chairs with a number of our staff surrounding them. I inquired what was going on and was told that the poor old dears had made a reservation with Hertz but by mistake had booked the car at their city location not the airport. The city location was closed at this hour and the airport had no extra car to give them. In fact, in this tight environment, nobody did. That was it as far as Hertz was concerned…tough luck girls.

It was then that I found out that our staff had brought a car 15 miles from our own city location in rush hour traffic and gave it to them so they wouldn’t be stranded in the dark airport garage.

I don’t know of any other rental company that would do that.

I don’t either. It would be nice if more stories like this could be told.

jmonroe

corvette

It sounds like Ford dropped the bomb on dealers with pending Maverick orders:

RETAIL ORDER SCHEDULING CRITERIA
While Ford still plans to produce a limited number of 2022 model year Mavericks for dealer stock
inventory, the priority for remaining production will go to unscheduled Maverick retail orders based on the
date they were submitted by the customer’s Ford dealership, vehicle model and configuration selected,
part availability, and the number of vehicles the customer’s Ford dealership receives:

1. Retail order receipt date (oldest retail orders scheduled first)
2. Vehicle model and configuration selected relative to capacity constraints on these specific
optional features and packages: [...]

They recommend modifying orders to remove constraints. The only constraint I have is the CoPilot 360 package. I'm just going to roll the dice on that since I want those features. Worst case, I end up leasing a Tacoma instead (or a Frontier if they are still going cheap).

roadburner

@oldfarmer50 said:
Enterprise bases agent’s performance bonuses on positive customer reviews so they have plenty of motivation to go above and beyond to please customers. I’ve seen smokey cars taken out of service for the whole day while they run some de ionizer machine in them. I’ve also seen the agents be very pleasant to nasty customers. I joked to one of them that she should put up a sign like Lucy from Charlie Brown that said Psychiatric Help 5 cents.

I think I told this story over on the washing machine board but I’ll tell it again here.

I was working the airport garage and noticed a couple of very elderly women sitting on their suitcases near our booth. I had no idea what they were doing there but felt sorry for them and asked the agent to get them some chairs to sit in while they were waiting.

I made a few more trips back and forth to the cleaning facility and saw the women sitting in chairs with a number of our staff surrounding them. I inquired what was going on and was told that the poor old dears had made a reservation with Hertz but by mistake had booked the car at their city location not the airport. The city location was closed at this hour and the airport had no extra car to give them. In fact, in this tight environment, nobody did. That was it as far as Hertz was concerned…tough luck girls.

It was then that I found out that our staff had brought a car 15 miles from our own city location in rush hour traffic and gave it to them so they wouldn’t be stranded in the dark airport garage.

I don’t know of any other rental company that would do that.

We have dealt with Enterprise exclusively for over 20 years. The staff has always gone above and beyond whenever we needed to rent something.