Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

henryn

Update on the possible new truck purchase. I ran down the salesman who sold me my last new F150, back in 2018. He’s actually still working part time. He thought offhand that I couldn’t get the $5k off MSRP, but he said he would talk to his manager and get back to me.

It seems I can indeed get $5k off MSRP on an order. There is a customer cash bonus sitting out there for $500, which expires on February 28th (4 days from now). In addition, Ford just yesterday started a new 60 month 0% financing deal for the F150. And in lieu of the 0% financing, you can opt for $2k cash incentive. And both of those will stack, and will also stack with my $2,500 private cash offer.

Which leaves me with a decision to make. I gathered some online offers for this 2013 F150 work truck, and those numbers are all over the place. A low of $8.7k, average about $12k, and Carvana is at $14,883. When I bought it about 10 months ago, Carvana was offering $13.2, so they have gone up $1.6k. The insanity continues.

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

I'm going to state the obvious now - 100k in 5 years is actually very different than a 12 year old car with 80k. I'm willing to bet it is on the verge of becoming a maintenance nightmare just by age.

You only need it for three months?

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

I'm going to state the obvious now - 100k in 5 years is actually very different than a 12 year old car with 80k. I'm willing to bet it is on the verge of becoming a maintenance nightmare just by age.

You only need it for three months?

if it blows up in that 3 months, the $7000 car will quickly become $11000...

If my experience with my Dad's BMW wagon was any indication, that will most assuredly happen.

au1994

I guess I’d just search for a simple 4dr, 4cyl compact. Whatever flavor you decide on, Civic, Corolla, Focus, Elantra etc they have made hundreds of thousands of so it should be a proven platform.

If something goes wrong it shouldn’t be too expensive to fix. Unless a major drivetrain component gives it up, which is a risk at this price point but sticking to the usual suspects would help mitigate the risk.

3 months really isn’t that long and if a window regulator quits, so what? No radio? There’s an iPhone for that.

Make sure it has decent tires, slap some fresh fluids in it and bulbs and off you go. Maybe do the serpentine and plugs if you are feeling froggy.

corvette

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

nyccarguy

Does anybody have any experience with CARMAX? There is one about 1 hour away from me. They've got the strongest offer by a little more than $1,000. AlGo Came up to $33,500. Do they penalize for every scratch? My truck is in good shape, but it isn't perfect.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

Does anybody have any experience with CARMAX? There is one about 1 hour away from me. They've got the strongest offer by a little more than $1,000. AlGo Came up to $33,500. Do they penalize for every scratch? My truck is in good shape, but it isn't perfect.

If you were honest in putting in condition then they'll honor it.

28firefighter

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

The logic is sound. But I have to balance that with keeping matrimonial harmony. I'm also a bit worried that my Jeep is more like 6-7 months out given that it hasn't even gone past parts gathering.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

Does anybody have any experience with CARMAX? There is one about 1 hour away from me. They've got the strongest offer by a little more than $1,000. AlGo Came up to $33,500. Do they penalize for every scratch? My truck is in good shape, but it isn't perfect.

I sold the Land Cruiser to them and they honored the original quote after seeing it. Being a 2008, it wasn’t perfect and as @28firefighter noted as long as you were honest, you’ll be happy. I was in and out in about an hour or so. Mine was a straight out buy with no loan so that made it simple.

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

Does anybody have any experience with CARMAX? There is one about 1 hour away from me. They've got the strongest offer by a little more than $1,000. AlGo Came up to $33,500. Do they penalize for every scratch? My truck is in good shape, but it isn't perfect.

I had a good experience getting a quote..

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

The logic is sound. But I have to balance that with keeping matrimonial harmony. I'm also a bit worried that my Jeep is more like 6-7 months out given that it hasn't even gone past parts gathering.

It's almost Spring... the ZHP is calling!

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

The logic is sound. But I have to balance that with keeping matrimonial harmony. I'm also a bit worried that my Jeep is more like 6-7 months out given that it hasn't even gone past parts gathering.

It's almost Spring... the ZHP is calling!

About that...

Michaell

I'm pretty sure @breld has sold a car or two to CarMax. I don't think he had any issues, but I'll let him weigh in...

au1994

28firefighter said:

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

The logic is sound. But I have to balance that with keeping matrimonial harmony. I'm also a bit worried that my Jeep is more like 6-7 months out given that it hasn't even gone past parts gathering.

It's almost Spring... the ZHP is calling!

About that...

Nooo, its not being thinned from the herd as well, its it?

stickguy

28, I like the Passat for the price. Only a few months, and do you really need to drive it much? Tesla is primary so is this just spare wheels if you both need to drive at the same time?

If you want less risk find the cheapest high miles Corolla you can. Won’t Lise on that probably.

cdnpinhead

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

These are most certainly words to live by these days. Good luck.

stickguy

We sold daughters Jetta to carmax. No issues. They checked it out and honored the online quote. I assume the accidents were disclosed?

Will be much easier if Toyota dealer will match them. Some do.

28firefighter

Also FWIW we sold the Outback to Carmax and they honored the price.

qbrozen

shopping used cars certainly is ugly these days. Wow.

Also tried seeing what new vehicles are out there that might float her boat. Nothing reasonable (other than the aforementioned mazda). Most Fords leasing horribly. Volvos are leasing as if they are Porsches. I would consider purchasing but it seems like adding a moonroof comes with an automatic $40k pricetag. A different kinda PHEV would be great, but that ain't so hot, neither. Hyundai isn't passing on the Tucson PHEV incentive on a lease? What's up with that? An Escape PHEV hits that $40k mark I mentioned before. They pass along the incentive, but it still winds up a horrible lease.

xwesx

28firefighter said:

nyccarguy said:

Does anybody have any experience with CARMAX? There is one about 1 hour away from me. They've got the strongest offer by a little more than $1,000. AlGo Came up to $33,500. Do they penalize for every scratch? My truck is in good shape, but it isn't perfect.

If you were honest in putting in condition then they'll honor it.

I agree. Carmax made a strong offer on my grandmother's 2013 Escape, and they honored it when we took it in. I tried to describe well in the online tool.

stickguy

qbrozen said:

shopping used cars certainly is ugly these days. Wow.

Also tried seeing what new vehicles are out there that might float her boat. Nothing reasonable (other than the aforementioned mazda). Most Fords leasing horribly. Volvos are leasing as if they are Porsches. I would consider purchasing but it seems like adding a moonroof comes with an automatic $40k pricetag. A different kinda PHEV would be great, but that ain't so hot, neither. Hyundai isn't passing on the Tucson PHEV incentive on a lease? What's up with that? An Escape PHEV hits that $40k mark I mentioned before. They pass along the incentive, but it still winds up a horrible lease.

That’s what you get for selling all your cars!

Just keep the T. rex and let her drive that.

andres3

28firefighter said:

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

The logic is sound. But I have to balance that with keeping matrimonial harmony. I'm also a bit worried that my Jeep is more like 6-7 months out given that it hasn't even gone past parts gathering.

Even my S4 gave me 11 months of uninterrupted use.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

That’s what you get for selling all your cars!

Just keep the T. rex and let her drive that.

She'll just have to suck it up and suffer driving a brand new Wrangler.

qbrozen

qbrozen said:

au1994 said:

Been on vacation for a few days.

Did I miss what the final numbers were on the TRX @qbrozen?

no. I'm awaiting paperwork being delivered today.

So I have a check in hand for $40.5k. I had paid $29.9k total OOP. Even though the broker who sold it for me said I didn't have to pay his fee, I'm doing so anyway, so that's $450. Leaves me with just north of $10.1k.

au1994

qbrozen said:

qbrozen said:

au1994 said:

Been on vacation for a few days.

Did I miss what the final numbers were on the TRX @qbrozen?

no. I'm awaiting paperwork being delivered today.

So I have a check in hand for $40.5k. I had paid $29.9k total OOP. Even though the broker who sold it for me said I didn't have to pay his fee, I'm doing so anyway, so that's $450. Leaves me with just north of $10.1k.

Wow…

henryn

qbrozen said:

qbrozen said:

au1994 said:

Been on vacation for a few days.

Did I miss what the final numbers were on the TRX @qbrozen?

no. I'm awaiting paperwork being delivered today.

So I have a check in hand for $40.5k. I had paid $29.9k total OOP. Even though the broker who sold it for me said I didn't have to pay his fee, I'm doing so anyway, so that's $450. Leaves me with just north of $10.1k.

That beats the VW diesel buyback. I came out ahead a little over $7k on that, and I don't remember anyone doing much better than that. I believe you now hold the record.

Long live the King!

stickguy

impressive.

this market is just so weird.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:
So I have a check in hand for $40.5k. I had paid $29.9k total OOP. Even though the broker who sold it for me said I didn't have to pay his fee, I'm doing so anyway, so that's $450. Leaves me with just north of $10.1k.

Amazing

nyccarguy

@qbrozen said:
So I have a check in hand for $40.5k. I had paid $29.9k total OOP. Even though the broker who sold it for me said I didn't have to pay his fee, I'm doing so anyway, so that's $450. Leaves me with just north of $10.1k.

I didn’t realize you went through a broker for the TRX.

nyccarguy

Yes I was honest when I filled out the online information. Disclosed the accident and the cost of repair.

Picked up the Highlander tonight. No drama. F&I guy tried to sell $995 GAP insurance, a $1,200 maintenance package, & a $2,600 Toyota Platinum Warranty. I respectfully declined.

It’s been 2 years, 5 months, & 1 week since my last punch. Pics or the punch didn’t happen, right?

My name is Bradd. I am a Chronic Car Buyer.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

I didn’t realize you went through a broker for the TRX.

The broker I got my first 4xe through reached out to me and said he had an interested party. It was easier than me chasing down leads. I maybe could have held out and clawed another $1k-$2k, but bird in the hand and all.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

Yes I was honest when I filled out the online information. Disclosed the accident and the cost of repair.

Picked up the Highlander tonight. No drama. F&I guy tried to sell $995 GAP insurance, a $1,200 maintenance package, & a $2,600 Toyota Platinum Warranty. I respectfully declined.

It’s been 2 years, 5 months, & 1 week since my last punch. Pics or the punch didn’t happen, right?

My name is Bradd. I am a Chronic Car Buyer.

Nice color.

black or tan guts?

andres3

nyccarguy said:

Yes I was honest when I filled out the online information. Disclosed the accident and the cost of repair.

Picked up the Highlander tonight. No drama. F&I guy tried to sell $995 GAP insurance, a $1,200 maintenance package, & a $2,600 Toyota Platinum Warranty. I respectfully declined.

It’s been 2 years, 5 months, & 1 week since my last punch. Pics or the punch didn’t happen, right?

My name is Bradd. I am a Chronic Car Buyer.

So this is replacing which vehicle?

qbrozen

henryn said:

That beats the VW diesel buyback. I came out ahead a little over $7k on that, and I don't remember anyone doing much better than that. I believe you now hold the record.

Long live the King!

Not to poo-poo or anything, but, IIRC, I was somewhere north of $12k on my VW. So I was already the king.

jmonroe1

cdnpinhead said:

corvette said:

@au1994 - don’t try to confuse him with facts and logic.

These are most certainly words to live by these days. Good luck.

I don’t think he’s confused and even if he was he’d never notice it since his pants are on fire.

jmonroe

corvette

Apparently the FordPass app allows you to schedule remote starts. That will save me from having to pull out my phone and remote start the car while in the middle of walking my dog on cold winter mornings (as I do now).

stickguy

Bradd, nice looking vehicle. Like the color.

did the Toyota dealer take the tacoma or did the carmax deal go through?

But good luck with it!

stickguy

andres3 said:

nyccarguy said:

Yes I was honest when I filled out the online information. Disclosed the accident and the cost of repair.

Picked up the Highlander tonight. No drama. F&I guy tried to sell $995 GAP insurance, a $1,200 maintenance package, & a $2,600 Toyota Platinum Warranty. I respectfully declined.

It’s been 2 years, 5 months, & 1 week since my last punch. Pics or the punch didn’t happen, right?

My name is Bradd. I am a Chronic Car Buyer.

So this is replacing which vehicle?

replaces the Tacoma for now. Once the mythical 4Xe arrives, that will replace the Pilot.

Complicated plans are the way we roll around here!

oldfarmer50

28firefighter said:

I've been convinced that I need to get out of the sandbox of cheap cars.

The big thing is that I need to pay sales tax on whatever I get - which is 10.6% where I live.

10.6%? Yikes!

jmonroe1

corvette said:

Apparently the FordPass app allows you to schedule remote starts. That will save me from having to pull out my phone and remote start the car while in the middle of walking my dog on cold winter mornings (as I do now).

Now that’s what I call getting lazy. What’s next, a reminder to go to the boys room before going to work? C’mon man we’ve been given gray matter and if we don’t use it, it turns a stagnant useless black.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

impressive.

this market is just so weird.

We’ve been delivering a few old generation Dodge minivans to dealers with around 60k miles and you would think they were getting gifts from Santa, they were so excited and grateful. I’ve never seen a dealer so excited to get a used rental car. They are desperate.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

Yes I was honest when I filled out the online information. Disclosed the accident and the cost of repair.

Picked up the Highlander tonight. No drama. F&I guy tried to sell $995 GAP insurance, a $1,200 maintenance package, & a $2,600 Toyota Platinum Warranty. I respectfully declined.

It’s been 2 years, 5 months, & 1 week since my last punch. Pics or the punch didn’t happen, right?

My name is Bradd. I am a Chronic Car Buyer.

Nice color.

mjfloyd1

Or colour for our French Canadian poster buddies

28firefighter

I signed the paperwork on the Jeep to sell to Driveway. I’ll get a check for $12k.

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:
I signed the paperwork on the Jeep to sell to Driveway. I’ll get a check for $12k.

What’s the net?

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

We’ve been delivering a few old generation Dodge minivans...

Those are also on the short list for a temporary beater if I don't have a Maverick by August (or know it will come very soon) and decide to wait for it... I'm not paying $20k for one, though.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:

@28firefighter said:
I signed the paperwork on the Jeep to sell to Driveway. I’ll get a check for $12k.

What’s the net?

$8100. That accounts for all fees, payments, upfront costs etc.

28firefighter

Congrats @nyccarguy ! Great looking car.

tjc78

Love the color NYC. Can’t go wrong with the Highlander. A buddy of mine had four or five of them in a row. Loved every one of them.

au1994

Congrats @nyccarguy.