Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

laurasdada said:

But only a $250 doc fee! $495 seems the standard in my neck of MA, with $798 (plus more fees, including "etching") at the Bristol, CT dealer I'm corresponding with...

$250 is max in Ohio, by state regulation.

kyfdx

@rayainsw I agree.. the performance and comfort of RFs has improved markedly, over the last ten years.

explorerx4

@laurasdada,
Until recently, I lived in a town next to Bristol CT. If a new car dealer, it's either Stephen's or Crowley.

ronsteve

laurasdada said:

But only a $250 doc fee! $495 seems the standard in my neck of MA, with $798 (plus more fees, including "etching") at the Bristol, CT dealer I'm corresponding with...

From what I have seen, I'd bet that the doc fee in Ohio is capped at $250 by law, so they have to get creative. Indiana seems to be capped at $200. Highest I have seen in Louisville is $699, but it looks like they're also listing a $77 "electronic filing fee" on top of that (not to exceed their actual cost). So much for the doc fee covering the costs of them taking care of the paperwork for you.

carnaught

breld said:

We have a couple cars that didn’t have front plate brackets installed - my MB wagon and my wife’s MINI - and we’re happy to leave those off until we get called out on it.

And my Acura salesman called me last week and said they were starting to take deposits to get in the queue for the Integra Type S, so I went ahead and placed one. I actually like the new Civic Type R’s looks better, but it seems challenging to get a local Honda dealership here to get you on a list.

@breld, which car in the fleet would bite the dust?

tifighter

From yesterday’s Oktoberfest show at Griots. I put on the delivery plates for fun.

oldfarmer50

explorerx4 said:

Went to a couple of car lots today to look at some trucks.
Here a couple of window sticker addendums.
At least the bedliner and wheel well liners are useful.

What the heck is windshield care?

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

explorerx4 said:

Went to a couple of car lots today to look at some trucks.
Here a couple of window sticker addendums.
At least the bedliner and wheel well liners are useful.

What the heck is windshield care?

————————————————
Rain-X ?

jmonroe

breld

carnaught said:

breld said:

We have a couple cars that didn’t have front plate brackets installed - my MB wagon and my wife’s MINI - and we’re happy to leave those off until we get called out on it.

And my Acura salesman called me last week and said they were starting to take deposits to get in the queue for the Integra Type S, so I went ahead and placed one. I actually like the new Civic Type R’s looks better, but it seems challenging to get a local Honda dealership here to get you on a list.

@breld, which car in the fleet would bite the dust?

I figure it’s a year away…probably the ZHP.

laurasdada

explorerx4 said:

@laurasdada,
Until recently, I lived in a town next to Bristol CT. If a new car dealer, it's either Stephen's or Crowley.

Stephen.
Spent my youth visiting Lake Compounce, as my father did in his college days.

jmonroe1

breld said:

carnaught said:

breld said:

We have a couple cars that didn’t have front plate brackets installed - my MB wagon and my wife’s MINI - and we’re happy to leave those off until we get called out on it.

And my Acura salesman called me last week and said they were starting to take deposits to get in the queue for the Integra Type S, so I went ahead and placed one. I actually like the new Civic Type R’s looks better, but it seems challenging to get a local Honda dealership here to get you on a list.

@breld, which car in the fleet would bite the dust?

I figure it’s a year away…probably the ZHP.

————————————————-
Anyone giving odds that the ZHP will be a buy-back?

jmonroe

benjaminh

Michaell said:

....So - I'm thinking about the Michelin CrossClimate2's. @benjaminh - what is your opinion on the ones you have on your TLX?....

I love the Michelin CrossClimate2 Tires on my TLX. Excellent traction wet, dry, and in snowy conditions. They add a level of safety (and fun). Worth the money from my pov. And when Costco is doing $150 off for a set of 4, it's about the same price as lesser tires. I resisted joining Costco for years, but when one finally opened near us I joined, thinking I'd quit if it didn't work out. Bottom line is that we like the quality and savings. The Costco Credit card not only pays the membership dues, but gives us a cash benefit of over $500 a year on top of that. Gas is also less at Costco.

For my wife's CR-V I recently did a special order for another set of the CrossClimate 2 tires for her car, with the H rating (we don't need the speed rating of V-tires). We have an appointment to get them installed tomorrow. With tax and installation it was $1,000. Not cheap, but that includes 6 years of rotations and balances.

nyccarguy

benjaminh said:

Michaell said:

....So - I'm thinking about the Michelin CrossClimate2's. @benjaminh - what is your opinion on the ones you have on your TLX?....

I love the Michelin CrossClimate2 Tires on my TLX. Excellent traction wet, dry, and in snowy conditions. They add a level of safety (and fun). Worth the money from my pov. And when Costco is doing $150 off for a set of 4, it's about the same price as lesser tires. I resisted joining Costco for years, but when one finally opened near us I joined, thinking I'd quit if it didn't work out. Bottom line is that we like the quality and savings. The Costco Credit card not only pays the membership dues, but gives us a cash benefit of over $500 a year on top of that. Gas is also less at Costco.

For my wife's CR-V I recently did a special order for another set of the CrossClimate 2 tires for her car, with the H rating (we don't need the speed rating of V-tires). We have an appointment to get them installed tomorrow. With tax and installation it was $1,000. Not cheap, but that includes 6 years of rotations and balances.

How's your TLX doing? How many miles do you have currently? Any issues?

benjaminh

nyccarguy said:

....How's your TLX doing? How many miles do you have currently? Any issues?

For my needs, my 2018 TLX is a really good car. Just checked, and it has 62,947 miles with so far (knock on wood) no issues. The combination of the 8-speed DCT and engine allows for nice acceleration, which is now aided by the Michelin tires. On my 4,000 mile road trip last summer I enjoyed the quiet ride, ELS sound system, and mpg as high as 40. Although reviews said that they couldn't even tell that the FWD model has 4-wheel steering, I can feel it every time I turn. My wife shocked me recently by asking if I wanted another car at some point. She didn't realize apparently how attached I am to my TLX. I told her that the non-turbo engine, unusual transmission, special stereo, and steering really made my car unique, and that I hoped to keep it for many years.

nyccarguy

benjaminh said:

nyccarguy said:

....How's your TLX doing? How many miles do you have currently? Any issues?

For my needs, my 2018 TLX is a really good car. Just checked, and it has 62,947 miles with so far (knock on wood) no issues. The combination of the 8-speed DCT and engine allows for nice acceleration, which is now aided by the Michelin tires. On my 4,000 mile road trip last summer I enjoyed the quiet ride, ELS sound system, and mpg as high as 40. Although reviews said that they couldn't even tell that the FWD model has 4-wheel steering, I can feel it every time I turn. My wife shocked me recently by asking if I wanted another car at some point. She didn't realize apparently how attached I was to my TLX. I told her that the non-turbo engine, unusual transmission, special stereo, and steering really made my car unique, and that I hoped to keep it for many years.

Yours is a "Technology Package," non A-Spec correct? Glad to hear you are enjoying it so much and that it is treating you well.

benjaminh

Yes, although the base model was well-equipped, the Tech adds a lot of good features. A-spec adds an appearance pkg as well as the low profile tires.

Michaell

@benjaminh - thanks for the feedback. I had the Michelins put on the Outback Saturday; yesterday, I had a chance to break them in with a 50-60 mile drive up to Denver and back.

Yes, they are very quiet. Yes, they seem to provide better MPG than the previous tires. Yes, I like them a lot.

pensfan83

Acura, IMO, does a very good job of creating a "Goldilocks" type experience. Some here and in the general populace may want a sportier driving experience or more power and that's usually the knocks I've seen against the Type S cars rolled out so far.

But for most people it's just right in terms of handling, comfort, and value.

roadburner

FWIW, all the additional fees would have added $1465 to the MSRP of the M240i.

andres3

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 said:

My pet peeve is dealers in 2 plate states that prep their cars for 2 plates. The Acura came from NY outfitted with the front bracket and after it was removed the holes were plugged. From afar it's not really noticeable but would still rather not have the bumper drilled into.

They used to make brackets for the front plate that make it so you don’t have to drill into the front bumper. I believe my Prelude has such a bracket.

CT is a 2 plate state. I see people driving around with the front plate in their window. Not sure if that’s legal or not. NY is a 2 plate state. If you don’t have that front plate mounted, you will get pulled over. Park on the street with no front plate & you’ll get a ticket.

There must be no crime in NY with all the extra free time they waste on enforcing 2 plates.

andres3

pensfan83 said:

Acura, IMO, does a very good job of creating a "Goldilocks" type experience. Some here and in the general populace may want a sportier driving experience or more power and that's usually the knocks I've seen against the Type S cars rolled out so far.

But for most people it's just right in terms of handling, comfort, and value.

Let me add a couple things to the list of knocks:

1. The slush box transmissions; I haven't driven it, but I've read poor reviews, and seen poor reviews (YouTube) on the 10-speed in the S-types.
2. Color/paint selection way too limited.

rayainsw

I see BMW reported car sales for 3Q off 28.3%
but "light truck" sales up 31.2%
- Ray
I presume that "light truck" is all SUVs...

roadburner

rayainsw said:

I see BMW reported car sales for 3Q off 28.3%
but "light truck" sales up 31.2%
- Ray
I presume that "light truck" is all SUVs...

I guess that the "light trucks" are more fun to wear...

mjfloyd1

@roadburner

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946395

Good color and handshaker. Do not see sunroof on interior view but does not look like CF roof either

au1994

pensfan83 said:

Acura, IMO, does a very good job of creating a "Goldilocks" type experience. Some here and in the general populace may want a sportier driving experience or more power and that's usually the knocks I've seen against the Type S cars rolled out so far.

But for most people it's just right in terms of handling, comfort, and value.

This has always been my feeling with Acura and how I felt about my TSX.

oldfarmer50

andres3 said:

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 said:

My pet peeve is dealers in 2 plate states that prep their cars for 2 plates. The Acura came from NY outfitted with the front bracket and after it was removed the holes were plugged. From afar it's not really noticeable but would still rather not have the bumper drilled into.

They used to make brackets for the front plate that make it so you don’t have to drill into the front bumper. I believe my Prelude has such a bracket.

CT is a 2 plate state. I see people driving around with the front plate in their window. Not sure if that’s legal or not. NY is a 2 plate state. If you don’t have that front plate mounted, you will get pulled over. Park on the street with no front plate & you’ll get a ticket.

There must be no crime in NY with all the extra free time they waste on enforcing 2 plates.

Believe me, they waste more time than just enforcing 2 plates. We have a different “sweep” every week.

stickguy

that M2 is gorgeous. Might be willing to sacrifice the moonroof for that one.

roadburner

mjfloyd1 said:

@roadburner

https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1946395

Good color and handshaker. Do not see sunroof on interior view but does not look like CF roof either

Nice!

nyccarguy

@au1994 said:
This has always been my feeling with Acura and how I felt about my TSX.

My TSX was perfect. There was nothing wrong with it until I test drove a BMW.

I was thinking the other day. If (yes in this group that’s a big IF) I had kept the TSX, it could have been my 200,000 mile car. I traded it in with 50K, put 50K on the 328xi, then 50K miles on the Legacy, and 50K on the Infiniti. I still think after 200K miles I would have ditched it for the Tacoma & it’s $325 per month payment

stickguy

If I had not turned my 2019 TLX lease in early to Carvana, I almost definitely would have bought it out. and probably kept it a very long time. would never have sniffed that kind of miles, but 10 years, easy.

cdnpinhead

190K miles in 14.5 years in my '08 TSX (manual 4 cyl), and I still like how it looks when I walk up to it. My hands still fall exactly on the controls, and it's a pleasure to drive. Plus which, it's been paid off for over 13 years. My only fear is that it'll be wrecked beyond repair before I am.

Michaell

Interesting evening --- wife wants to start taking the Outback to the cooking studio, separate from the daughter. Just needs some "alone time", she says.

Suggested I might need to get my own car.

Yeah, right. She'll come to her senses in the morning.

nyccarguy

@Michaell said:
Interesting evening --- wife wants to start taking the Outback to the cooking studio, separate from the daughter. Just needs some "alone time", she says.

Suggested I might need to get my own car.

Yeah, right. She'll come to her senses in the morning.

Jump on that before she changes her mind!

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell said:

Interesting evening --- wife wants to start taking the Outback to the cooking studio, separate from the daughter. Just needs some "alone time", she says.

Suggested I might need to get my own car.

Yeah, right. She'll come to her senses in the morning.

Jump on that before she changes her mind!

Don't think I'm not looking.

Slim pickings if you keep the price limit to $25K.

I found a quite a few Elantra SEL's and a handful of Corolla SE's and Jetta Sports - all new.

Local CarMax has a 2016 GTI S - 2 door with a stick, 54,000 miles, for $22K.

Found a few older German cars with under 60,000 miles, as well - if I'm feeling lucky.

qbrozen

@Michaell said:
Don't think I'm not looking.

Slim pickings if you keep the price limit to $25K.

I found a quite a few Elantra SEL's and a handful of Corolla SE's and Jetta Sports - all new.

Local CarMax has a 2016 GTI S - 2 door with a stick, 54,000 miles, for $22K.

Found a few older German cars with under 60,000 miles, as well - if I'm feeling lucky.

New base Impreza is a better value than all those at $22k, IMHO.

[Deleted User]

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell said:

Interesting evening --- wife wants to start taking the Outback to the cooking studio, separate from the daughter. Just needs some "alone time", she says.

Suggested I might need to get my own car.

Yeah, right. She'll come to her senses in the morning.

Jump on that before she changes her mind!

Don't think I'm not looking.

Slim pickings if you keep the price limit to $25K.

I found a quite a few Elantra SEL's and a handful of Corolla SE's and Jetta Sports - all new.

Local CarMax has a 2016 GTI S - 2 door with a stick, 54,000 miles, for $22K.

Found a few older German cars with under 60,000 miles, as well - if I'm feeling lucky.

Would this be of interest?
https://denver.clscars.com/used/Audi/2013-Audi-A4-61f6cbbc0a0e0a91701c1968e571b7cf.htm

nyccarguy

dad23 said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell said:

Interesting evening --- wife wants to start taking the Outback to the cooking studio, separate from the daughter. Just needs some "alone time", she says.

Suggested I might need to get my own car.

Yeah, right. She'll come to her senses in the morning.

Jump on that before she changes her mind!

Don't think I'm not looking.

Slim pickings if you keep the price limit to $25K.

I found a quite a few Elantra SEL's and a handful of Corolla SE's and Jetta Sports - all new.

Local CarMax has a 2016 GTI S - 2 door with a stick, 54,000 miles, for $22K.

Found a few older German cars with under 60,000 miles, as well - if I'm feeling lucky.

Would this be of interest?
https://denver.clscars.com/used/Audi/2013-Audi-A4-61f6cbbc0a0e0a91701c1968e571b7cf.htm


It is a 9 year old Audi. Recipe for disaster.

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell said:

Interesting evening --- wife wants to start taking the Outback to the cooking studio, separate from the daughter. Just needs some "alone time", she says.

Suggested I might need to get my own car.

Yeah, right. She'll come to her senses in the morning.

Jump on that before she changes her mind!

Don't think I'm not looking.

Slim pickings if you keep the price limit to $25K.

I found a quite a few Elantra SEL's and a handful of Corolla SE's and Jetta Sports - all new.

Local CarMax has a 2016 GTI S - 2 door with a stick, 54,000 miles, for $22K.

Found a few older German cars with under 60,000 miles, as well - if I'm feeling lucky.

I know we all love to spend one another's money here, but if you can find a brand new GTI S for $32Kish you'll be getting something a lot more substantial for your money. The Corolla SE is "nice" until you see a Civic Sport on the Honda lot (if there is one) for pretty much the same MSRP.

stickguy

Audi seems clean and well maintained. But it is 9 years old and very boring colors and spec.

Is that 2.0t from the years when they had oil burning issues?

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Is that 2.0t from the years when they had oil burning issues?

"They all do that."
--your friendly neighborhood Audi service advisor

Michaell

Thanks, all - I knew I could count on you all to help me spend my money.

No idea if this will go anywhere.

@dad23 - I do like that Audi, even if it's white over grey.

@nyccarguy - If I could find a new GTI S for that price, I could be tempted. The $25K was an arbitrary budget number. And, I'd probably prefer the Civic Sport over the Corolla SE - but, the trick would be finding either of them with a handshaker.

We'll see what kind of mood the wife is in. I'm going to the office this morning, and she'll take the car this afternoon to the studio. We could still get by with one car, and I might reach out to my sister to see if the Sonata is still available - her youngest son is driving it, currently.

pensfan83

cdnpinhead said:

190K miles in 14.5 years in my '08 TSX (manual 4 cyl), and I still like how it looks when I walk up to it. My hands still fall exactly on the controls, and it's a pleasure to drive. Plus which, it's been paid off for over 13 years. My only fear is that it'll be wrecked beyond repair before I am.

If I recall your TSX is red? Do you have any issues with fading or discoloring or did Honda/Acura have that worked out by then?

qbrozen

@Michaell , if you can hold out, let me know if you want a Suzuki Alto Works around December.
I'm thinking maybe $7500, just for you.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

@Michaell , if you can hold out, let me know if you want a Suzuki Alto Works around December.
I'm thinking maybe $7500, just for you.

For a runaround car, it could be quite fun.

I'll admit I've looked at some JDM cars from a dealer in TN, I think. I focus on the 4-door sedans rather than the Kei cars or enthusiast oriented models.

kyfdx

Pretty sure that @breld has a nice German car for sale, soon. Stick-shift, too...

corvette

The rear bumper on that white A4 is roached, but it looks nice otherwise.

ab348

nyccarguy said:

It is a 9 year old Audi. Recipe for disaster.

Heh. Hard to disagree on that point.

qbrozen

Michaell said:

I'll admit I've looked at some JDM cars from a dealer in TN, I think. I focus on the 4-door sedans rather than the Kei cars or enthusiast oriented models.

Well, I have a very sweet Gloria coming up for sale. But it is a slushbox. At least it has the VQ engine, though! And less than 20k miles! Not to mention fully serviced, including t-belt and new tires. $9k on that one. Slight grandpa odor inside that may or may not be gone at sale time.

pensfan83

kyfdx said:

Pretty sure that @breld has a nice German car for sale, soon. Stick-shift, too...

Thinking of taking a trip down memory lane?

pensfan83

@qbrozen are you thinking of keeping anything you've imported or have inbound so far or still waiting on something else to bid on?