Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

It’s been a long couple of years here at casa de nyccarguy. The last time I posted photos of my basement, it was under 2 1/2 feet of water back in September. While I had the walls fixed & painted relatively quickly, we weren’t quite sure what to do with the basement floor. We decided to go with porcelain tile.

That’s classy.

corvette

@nyccarguy - looking great! Can't go wrong with the "wood plank" ceramic tile. Vinyl plank flooring is also a good choice.

I always cringe when I see people replace basement carpet with new carpet after a flood (yes, it happens)... like what more sign do they need not to put carpet in their basement?!?

qbrozen

@oldfarmer50 said:
Try a Ford Transit.

It has been a very long time, but back in Sept or Oct, I reported that we tested one and did not like it.

tjc78

Looks good @nyccarguy !

@qbrozen
I had a decent amount of seat time in a tall roof Sprinter a few years back. On a windy day it’s not the easiest thing to keep in the lane.

au1994

Looks great @nyccarguy.

We have almost that exact look in our laundry room and love it.

ab348

nyccarguy said:

It’s been a long couple of years here at casa de nyccarguy. The last time I posted photos of my basement, it was under 2 1/2 feet of water back in September. While I had the walls fixed & painted relatively quickly, we weren’t quite sure what to do with the basement floor. We decided to go with porcelain tile.

Those are nice-looking ceramic planks through the grout job will take some time to complete. I can't tell from the photo what the subfloor there is. I have ceramic in my basement bathroom/laundry room installed on the concrete slab. It is really cold 6 months of the year. I wish I had sprung for some underfloor heat mats.

kyfdx

Looks like the subfloor is concrete (like most basements)

We have carpet (1100 sq feet).. 13 years, and no water leaks. But, yeah, if it flooded, I wouldn't do carpet, again.

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

nyccarguy said:

It’s been a long couple of years here at casa de nyccarguy. The last time I posted photos of my basement, it was under 2 1/2 feet of water back in September. While I had the walls fixed & painted relatively quickly, we weren’t quite sure what to do with the basement floor. We decided to go with porcelain tile.

Those are nice-looking ceramic planks through the grout job will take some time to complete. I can't tell from the photo what the subfloor there is. I have ceramic in my basement bathroom/laundry room installed on the concrete slab. It is really cold 6 months of the year. I wish I had sprung for some underfloor heat mats.

Thank-you. The subfloor is concrete. I've got hot water baseboards down there. We will get some area rugs if need be.

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
Looks like the subfloor is concrete (like most basements)

We have carpet (1100 sq feet).. 13 years, and no water leaks. But, yeah, if it flooded, I wouldn't do carpet, again.

Our whole basement is carpet too (other than the bathroom and a small section in front of the wet bar). It is builder’s grade and once it looks shabby it’s getting replaced with something like NYC posted. Only exception is the media room which will always stay carpet. That will last a very long time as we are hardly ever in there.

sda

Luxury vinyl also is very nice, looks like ceramic, yet has a warmer feel. It is installed and grouted like ceramic. We installed it in our kitchen, bathrooms, etc. and have been very pleased.

ab348

sda said:

Luxury vinyl also is very nice, looks like ceramic, yet has a warmer feel. It is installed and grouted like ceramic. We installed it in our kitchen, bathrooms, etc. and have been very pleased.

I have that in my upstairs bathroom and entry hall. I like it as well. Whenever the kitchen gets redone I'm likely to use it there as well.

breld

Grouting a whole room like that...UGH!!!!

Absolutely the worst part of tiling.

Having said that...nice choice on the tile. Well done.

nyccarguy

breld said:

Grouting a whole room like that...UGH!!!!

Absolutely the worst part of tiling.

Having said that...nice choice on the tile. Well done.

Make no mistake about it. The only work I did was load the tiles into my Jeep (18 cases at a time) and then unload them at my house. I'm paying a professional to do this for me.

sda

The local VW dealer that I use shows 17 ID.4s on their online site. From what I understand the ID.4 is sold out for this year. I wonder if these have been pre-sold but this is back handed way of generating interest?

28firefighter

sda said:

The local VW dealer that I use shows 17 ID.4s on their online site. From what I understand the ID.4 is sold out for this year. I wonder if these have been pre-sold but this is back handed way of generating interest?

I don't think it is backhanded so much as really bad dealer inventory management that does not let them hide pre-sold customer orders.

Michaell

28firefighter said:

sda said:

The local VW dealer that I use shows 17 ID.4s on their online site. From what I understand the ID.4 is sold out for this year. I wonder if these have been pre-sold but this is back handed way of generating interest?

I don't think it is backhanded so much as really bad dealer inventory management that does not let them hide pre-sold customer orders.

It's more of a website issue. Once a customer order is processed and gets to a specific point in the manufacturing queue, the VIN is created and the folks who maintain the websites for the dealer (often third party companies) will add it to the inventory. No way to distinguish customer orders from regular dealer stock.

8-12 months, at the moment, to get an ID.4. At least until the TN factory comes on-line, which is expected to happen next month. I've got my fingers crossed that we will see ours by the end of the year.

carnaught

The dealerships in some cases show that cars en route are presold. I think most do not because they want you contact them so they can encourage you to come in and sign-off on their obnoxious ADM’s and required “options” and leave $500-1000 in cc deposits.

jmonroe1

@oldfarmer50 said:
Well……..

————————————————-
I think you have that pic on speed dial but it does get the point across.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

corvette said:

@nyccarguy - looking great! Can't go wrong with the "wood plank" ceramic tile. Vinyl plank flooring is also a good choice.

I always cringe when I see people replace basement carpet with new carpet after a flood (yes, it happens)... like what more sign do they need not to put carpet in their basement?!?

————————————————
Just like you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink, some folks just ain’t smart enough to learn.

jmonroe

qbrozen

Build on the sprinters is the same we had on order, just with the high roof, and they were ordered after ours, so the prices are all a little increased. Total is $5k more. Downside is it is white. ugh.

Regardless, I told him we'll take it. Still 2-3 weeks out, so we'll figure it out by then. I just didn't want to delay and get shut out before wife makes up her mind.

28firefighter

qbrozen said:

Build on the sprinters is the same we had on order, just with the high roof, and they were ordered after ours, so the prices are all a little increased. Total is $5k more. Downside is it is white. ugh.

Regardless, I told him we'll take it. Still 2-3 weeks out, so we'll figure it out by then. I just didn't want to delay and get shut out before wife makes up her mind.

You'll be able to flip it for a profit if you decide it isn't for you, too.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

Build on the sprinters is the same we had on order, just with the high roof, and they were ordered after ours, so the prices are all a little increased. Total is $5k more. Downside is it is white. ugh.

Regardless, I told him we'll take it. Still 2-3 weeks out, so we'll figure it out by then. I just didn't want to delay and get shut out before wife makes up her mind.

White is a good canvas for some vinyl accents or a wrap! You could make it fluorescent green... or maybe fuchsia. If you wanted to go subtle, perhaps a nice yellow!

stickguy

our basement was finished right after we moved in, so about 25 years ago. We installed a berber carpet. Still looks brand new. Never flooded of course so no problems there. You can go with vinyl click together planks too (floating floor) that look really nice if you get the right ones. and vastly easier to install!

stickguy

stopped at the Hyundai dealer today to scope out the I5. had 2 parked out front. once with the window sticker, another with a plate on it but some shipping (barcode) type stickers on. maybe a demo. And there was a salesman out front rolling a couple out for a test drive in one. so they have at least 3, and something must be available unless they held one back to use as a demo. Nobody came out to check on me and I did not feel like going inside and starting the whole song and dance process.

but, I loved it in person. Really cool design. Interior looked neat also, and size was fine.

the one that had a sticker was an SE AWD. MSRP about $49k. Range on the sticker IIRC was 246. Not fantastic, but it can use the ultra fast chargers, if you can find one. and it is not broken.

if we were in actual need of a car (or any position to buy one, just because we wanted to, right now) it would be getting a strong look.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

Build on the sprinters is the same we had on order, just with the high roof, and they were ordered after ours, so the prices are all a little increased. Total is $5k more. Downside is it is white. ugh.

Regardless, I told him we'll take it. Still 2-3 weeks out, so we'll figure it out by then. I just didn't want to delay and get shut out before wife makes up her mind.

You could put some custom pinstripes on it. Maybe eyelashes on the headlights to doll it up a bit.

qbrozen

@xwesx said:
White is a good canvas for some vinyl accents or a wrap!

That’s what I was thinking.

This afternoon, we checked out the Wagoneer and Suburban.

Oddly, the interior of the Chevy didn’t seem all that much larger. And the Wagoneer absolutely blows the Chevy away in every other category. So wife’s grand plan is take the Sprinter and drive it till the Wagoneer L comes around, then decide if we want to switch.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

@xwesx said:

White is a good canvas for some vinyl accents or a wrap!

That’s what I was thinking.

This afternoon, we checked out the Wagoneer and Suburban.

Oddly, the interior of the Chevy didn’t seem all that much larger. And the Wagoneer absolutely blows the Chevy away in every other category. So wife’s grand plan is take the Sprinter and drive it till the Wagoneer L comes around, then decide if we want to switch.

Isn’t the Grand Wagoneer the LWB version?

qbrozen

@Michaell said:
Isn’t the Grand Wagoneer the LWB version?

Nope. Weirdly, the GW and W are the exact same. The difference is merely in the equipment.

Michaell

stickguy said:

stopped at the Hyundai dealer today to scope out the I5. had 2 parked out front. once with the window sticker, another with a plate on it but some shipping (barcode) type stickers on. maybe a demo. And there was a salesman out front rolling a couple out for a test drive in one. so they have at least 3, and something must be available unless they held one back to use as a demo. Nobody came out to check on me and I did not feel like going inside and starting the whole song and dance process.

but, I loved it in person. Really cool design. Interior looked neat also, and size was fine.

the one that had a sticker was an SE AWD. MSRP about $49k. Range on the sticker IIRC was 246. Not fantastic, but it can use the ultra fast chargers, if you can find one. and it is not broken.

if we were in actual need of a car (or any position to buy one, just because we wanted to, right now) it would be getting a strong look.

FWIW, you’d never see that range in the real world. I’ve been following some ID.4 groups on FB and YT, and it looks like 80-90% of the range on the sticker is about right. Adjust for heat/cold and other weather conditions.

sda

I assume range on an EV means draining the battery to 0%? So if the posted range is 250 miles and if you didn't want to risk running out of juice, similar to an ICE, recharge at 25%, the equivalent to filling up an ICE at a quarter tank, the realistic range would be around 188 miles?

mjfloyd1

This has @qbrozen written all over it

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a40393863/ford-pro-electric-supervan-debut/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=062422&utm_campaign=nl28168762&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

au1994

qbrozen said:

@xwesx said:

White is a good canvas for some vinyl accents or a wrap!

That’s what I was thinking.

This afternoon, we checked out the Wagoneer and Suburban.

Oddly, the interior of the Chevy didn’t seem all that much larger. And the Wagoneer absolutely blows the Chevy away in every other category. So wife’s grand plan is take the Sprinter and drive it till the Wagoneer L comes around, then decide if we want to switch.

I love the Wagoneer. Pretty pricy and we really don’t need anything that big anymore. Wife did comment that she liked the Grand Cherokee though. Thats a possibility when this market normalizes a bit.

stickguy

I watched an FCP Euro video yesterday which was a recap of the Euro EVs. mostly seemed to range from low range runabouts, to absurd acceleration super cars with mediocre range.

I really think some of these companies are going down the wrong path with over the top HP and acceleration. I think a ton of people would much rather trade a lot of that speed for range. 400 miles real world and 0-60 in 6 seconds, is way more useful than 0-60 in 2.5 seconds and 220 miles range.

Michael, I don't know if that range is listed as 100-0, or if it includes some sort of reserve (I would hope so!) but in my hypothetical, if I could get 200 realistic miles, without having to sweat seeing RTE in single digits, it would really be more than enough for most everything I would do. Heck, that would still probably be once a week plug in territory. I just would not plan on taking it further than our local relatives (25 or 40 miles each way). and plan plugging in as needed. If I wanted to take it to see the Princess in Boston, I think that is just about 200 miles all highway. so maybe just a charge in the middle? or stop to "fill up" on the outskirts, then stop again 1/2 way home?

henryn

au1994 said:

Wife did comment that she liked the Grand Cherokee though. Thats a possibility when this market normalizes a bit.

Now there's some wishful thinking. Not that I blame you, I keep hoping for the same thing.

https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1136288_new-car-prices-reach-record-highs-again-and-dealers-make-record-profits?utm_source=TCC+-+Daily+Headlines&utm_campaign=3bb239e8b0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_06_24_04_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d55bbd391e-3bb239e8b0-54482629

New car prices reach record highs, again, and dealers make record profits

June 24, 2022
The average transaction price customers have paid for a new car is expected to reach $45,844 this month, according to the latest report from J.D. Power. That's a 14.5% increase from one year ago.

At the same time, the constrained supply isn't hurting dealers. Dealer margins on every new car sold is on pace to hit $5,123 profit per unit, the same automotive analysis projected. That represents an increase of $1,174 from a year ago, and is more than double the usual pre-pandemic profit on a new car sold, including finance and insurance income.

jmonroe1

mjfloyd1 said:

This has @qbrozen written all over it

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a40393863/ford-pro-electric-supervan-debut/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=062422&utm_campaign=nl28168762&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

———————————————-
With 1,972 HP, that van may even entice @roadburner and IIRC he despises vans.

jmonroe

explorerx4

The wife is away, so I'm going to do some truck shopping on Sunday.
2019 Lariat.
https://www.monacoford.com/used-Glastonbury-2019-Ford-F+150-Lariat-1FTEW1E48KKC81526
2022 XLT
https://www.monacoford.com/new-Glastonbury-2022-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW1ED9NFA56727
2022 XLT
https://www.monacoford.com/new-Glastonbury-2022-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW1E5XNKD85145

xwesx

mjfloyd1 said:

This has @qbrozen written all over it

https://www.autoweek.com/news/green-cars/a40393863/ford-pro-electric-supervan-debut/?source=nl&utm_source=nl_aut&utm_medium=email&date=062422&utm_campaign=nl28168762&utm_term=AAA -- High Minus Dormant and 90 Day Non Openers

Wow. I like me some Ford van.... and I have a SuperVan! While it's *possible* the name didn't mean then what it means now, a badge is a badge. LOL

While I would love to have something like that, it would not make it up my driveway with that ground clearance. I would literally high-center it down the middle.

Funny, though: Without saying anything else, I handed my son the key to my Q7 on Wednesday night and told him to take it for a spin. He came back about fifteen minutes later with a look of utter incredulity on his face. He says, "What the.... How?! It's not right that your car is that stupidly powerful AND is getting 36 mpg. Just.... how?!" Hahaha Made my year.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Michael, I don't know if that range is listed as 100-0, or if it includes some sort of reserve (I would hope so!) but in my hypothetical, if I could get 200 realistic miles, without having to sweat seeing RTE in single digits, it would really be more than enough for most everything I would do. Heck, that would still probably be once a week plug in territory. I just would not plan on taking it further than our local relatives (25 or 40 miles each way). and plan plugging in as needed. If I wanted to take it to see the Princess in Boston, I think that is just about 200 miles all highway. so maybe just a charge in the middle? or stop to "fill up" on the outskirts, then stop again 1/2 way home?

What I see is folks running their EV's down to 20-30% charge then use a fast charger to "refill" back up to about 80% in 20-30 minutes. Rinse and repeat - roughly 100 to 150 miles per leg.

The idea is to minimize the charge time versus the driving range. Rarely do folks get down to single digit charge levels on road trips, as it takes too long to recharge back up to 80%. And, of course, it depends on the quality of the charger.

xwesx

explorerx4 said:

The wife is away, so I'm going to do some truck shopping on Sunday.
2019 Lariat.
https://www.monacoford.com/used-Glastonbury-2019-Ford-F+150-Lariat-1FTEW1E48KKC81526
2022 XLT
https://www.monacoford.com/new-Glastonbury-2022-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW1ED9NFA56727
2022 XLT
https://www.monacoford.com/new-Glastonbury-2022-Ford-F+150-XLT-1FTFW1E5XNKD85145

I clicked your links in order.... I was thinking, "not red... NEXT!" "not red... NEXT!" "RED!"

Haha. The first one, in blue, looks very nice was well. I really enjoyed my F-150 rental last month, though I think it had a failing CV joint in the front that was quite loud by the end of the trip. It was a very comfortable truck and unbelievably easy to drive. The mirrors (towing w/ convex inserts) were fantastic.

explorerx4

@xwesx,
On Sunday, I'll find out if these trucks actually exist on the lot.

corvette

Did the first oil change in the Prius this evening with some sale-priced synthetic from AutoZone. The stuff that came out looked pretty nasty. Toyota says it holds 3.9 quarts. I put in 3.5 and it appears to be right at the full mark. I'll keep an eye on it.

henryn

explorerx4 said:

@xwesx,
On Sunday, I'll find out if these trucks actually exist on the lot.

If my experience is any indicator, they will not be available on the lot for you to purchase. However, hope springs eternal, or so they tell me.

Sandman6472

Drove a VW Atlas at work today and was quite impressed by the quick acceleration and ease of driving it. Plenty of get up & go and ergonomically, almost perfect as things were where they should be. Just wish I had more seat time in it as 20 minutes just wasn't enough time! Way too big for our needs but if our kids were much younger, cold see me driving one.
We moved some vehicles to our Ft. Pierce Enterprise Auto Sales location on Wednesday and there seemed to be plenty of inventory to choose from but not many customers. I've heard of this so called large demand for pre-owned vehicles but one cold fool me. Passed a bunch of other dealerships right near who also had a great deal of pre-owned inventory so am confused. Either the prices being asked are way out of whack or maybe folks just aren't in any rush to buy used. I'd prefer new to be honest so willing to wait things out for another 18 months or so but for folks who really need something right now, seems to be plenty used out there. Maybe the dealers need to stop their greed-fest and move some iron already!

roadburner

The ONLY minivan I ever would allow in my garage:

tifighter

Speaking of vans, I had some company stay overnight yesterday.

kyfdx

Routan?

Gorgeous house!

explorerx4

I'm assuming they were invited?

tifighter

@kyfdx said:
Routan?

You’re killing me.

qbrozen

@tifighter said:
Speaking of vans, I had some company stay overnight yesterday.

Visitors from Canada? That’s all I can think of.

mjfloyd1

@Sandman6472 and @oldfarmer50 , I’m picking up an Enterprise rental this morning to take my youngest to Washington DC. She missed the eighth grade trip due to the Covid shut down.

Might be an interesting time to go with the Roe v Wade protests. Timing is everything.

I’ll use my Amex Card so that will be the primary car insurance in case of craziness.