Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

@sda said:
I was thinking the refinement level, luxury appointments, effortless acceleration would be appreciated immediately.

I could tell the minute she sat in it, that it was a winner for her.

corvette

@stickguy - I've seen a few instances of that, but it seems like at least a couple are "I went to one dealer of unknown repute to get an appraisal and it was lower than I thought it would be."

As of this morning, my rail car departed "Eightenst," which appears to be an abbreviation for Eighteenth Street in Kansas City, so I guess it's been unloaded to wait for a truck there.

stickguy

mine sat in Newark rail yard for I think about a week before getting picked up. and my dealer was only about 1/2 and hour from the yard. Very hit or miss these days. But sounds like you should have it soon!

are you buying or leasing this one?

corvette

Mine has to go about 200 miles on a car carrier.

I'm buying. AFAIK, no lease programs were offered on the XL trim level. Since I'm getting a 2022 and did not get rolled over to 2023, I should be locked in at the finance rates at the time I ordered (0% for 36 months, 0.9% for 48 months, and 1.9% for 60 months). Even though I have a decent amount of cash on hand, I'm definitely taking advantage of financing at those rates.

stickguy

I did the 3 years at 0%. nose bleed monthly payment, but at least cash is still in the bank! plus I knew we were buying a house shortly after so came in handy for that. I still hate seeing the payment come out every month but it really does not make sense to pay it off early.

but yup, you should be price protected (though I assume you ordered after the last increase so won't matter) and you get the rates in effect at time of order.

kyfdx

12 payments left on our 72mo/0% finance on the wife's car.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Nice looking car. Not perfect but seems sound. As long as sitting for 10 years didn’t trash all the rubber bits!

oh, it absolutely did. Unless it was kept in a climate-controlled, hermetically sealed bubble.

stickguy

and from watching enough videos about resurrections, of the auto variety, doing a quick clean up and getting it running can be the easy part. The real issues start appearing after a few hundred miles and some weeks of using it. But, I guess you can just drive it and wait to see what starts leaking. Or take it in for a preemptive refresh just in case. Gaskets, hoses, seals, T Belt, all "while you are in there". at least on a Honda you might get away with a minor amount of work, or not needing anything. If it was a BMW, just plan on tearing it all apart to replace broken rubber and plastic pieces.

ab348

kyfdx said:

12 payments left on our 72mo/0% finance on the wife's car.

Heh. 11 payments on the exact same deal here.

kyfdx

ab348 said:

kyfdx said:

12 payments left on our 72mo/0% finance on the wife's car.

Heh. 11 payments on the exact same deal here.

Over five years with one car. I think this is a longevity record for her. At least as long as I've known her (30+ yrs).

'90 Nissan 240SX
'94 Acura Vigor
'97 Accord
'99 Accord
'01 Accord
'03 BMW 325i
'05 BMW 330i
'08 BMW X3
'11 BMW Z4
'11 Infiniti G37X
'11 BMW X3 (bought in 2013)
'17 BMW X4

12 cars in 32 years... quite a few leases.

sda

When I met my wife in Nov 97 she had an 89 240SX 5sp, that she bought new. It was two tone blue, light metallic upper, darker lower. Sadly on 1/6/98 her house was struck by lightning and her house and car burned. Thankfully neither she or her pets were hurt. It took almost a year for her house to be rebuilt and she ended up with a 97 Altima GXE 5sp which she didn't like.

stickguy

my wife would probably just keep a car forever. or until it broke down and stranded her, whichever come first. No surprise they usually get replaced when I get the urge, unless there is something functionally not working for her any longer (basically why we replaced the minivan with the RDX, she was ready for something smaller "more stylish" and we no longer needed a barge). I can't see her ever telling me she wants something new, but she does not usually fight too hard if I make the offer!

she hasn't even driven in forever up here so really should not matter much since basically I have 2 cars and drive what I feel like whenever we go out.

ab348

kyfdx said:

12 cars in 32 years... quite a few leases.

I just did the calculation in my head. I had the exact same number of vehicles over a slightly longer time frame. Those are all the cars in my life that were registered to or owned/leased by me.

au1994

@tjc78 - Pretty good deal on the Murano. In ‘olden times’ I remember most Nissans being pretty heavily incentivized to get them to move.

@corvette - Congrats on the Maverick. I hope the accessories are already piling up at the house.

corvette

@au1994 - thanks! I'm waiting to order accessories until I actually have it in my driveway, and even then, might pinch myself a few times to make sure I'm not dreaming before I order.

stickguy

the only things I actually did were a rhino liner, and I put on a soft rollup cover. gotta have one of those. and I made a bed divider out of 2x6 boards. that came in very handy. I ordered mine with all weather mats. have not touched anything else.

oh, I got a rubber plug to cover the hitch receiver opening too.

kyfdx

ab348 said:

kyfdx said:

12 cars in 32 years... quite a few leases.

I just did the calculation in my head. I had the exact same number of vehicles over a slightly longer time frame. Those are all the cars in my life that were registered to or owned/leased by me.

The sad thing is.. I've only had 10 cars in that time frame, and I'm the "car guy" in the family. Well, except for the four cars I bought for my son... okay, never mind.

EDIT: 11 cars for me...

stickguy

in our house, it has always been my car, and the family car that the wife drives. so we call it "her" car. even though when we are together I drive it. and sometimes when my car is the nicer one, would take that on trips if we did not need the extra cargo or people space of a wagon or Minivan.

sda

kyfdx said:

ab348 said:

kyfdx said:

12 cars in 32 years... quite a few leases.

I just did the calculation in my head. I had the exact same number of vehicles over a slightly longer time frame. Those are all the cars in my life that were registered to or owned/leased by me.

The sad thing is.. I've only had 10 cars in that time frame, and I'm the "car guy" in the family. Well, except for the four cars I bought for my son... okay, never mind.

EDIT: 11 cars for me...

4 for your son? You're a good dad.

stickguy

I bought 2 for mine. but he did not get to keep either one. once he graduated college and and got a real job I repo'd the old one and he bought himself (well, leased himself) a new Jetta. now he has nicer cars than me.

kyfdx

One at 16 (actually a gift from my uncle)
Shared one at 17 (which I never got to drive)
One at 20
One at 23 (leased)

They were all really old cars, except for the last one.

And, I kept the sale money from all of them.. I was still way in the hole.

tifighter

xwesx said:

tifighter said:

Currently driving in eastern Oregon. While a town might be small, it has everything you need.

Wow; Condon! My school, in Helix, OR, played them in our sports conference. I really enjoyed whooping on them in tennis.

How did you end up there? They are way off the beaten path.

Yes, Condon. If there's a tennis court there, I didn't see it. As to the why, let's just say it's near my top secret sports car loop. But I'm sure I can trust this bunch...

Pictured - hot brakes:

nyccarguy

@tifighter - this is in Oregon? WOW! Gorgeous!

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I love that Olds. but that price seems nuts to me.

Hey Farmer, I will be out your way Saturday. Apparently we are meeting family at a winery between you and Altamont someplace (but I was not given the name yet). Probably Altamont winery! I will wave when I am in the area. If you see a Maverick, honk.

Sounds like fun. Probably is Altamont Winery on Furbeck Rd. Take a little side trip to Thatcher Park right down the road for one of the best views of the area. Just do it before you get all tipsy tasting wine. You don’t want to take a wrong turn up there.

xwesx

tifighter said:

xwesx said:

tifighter said:

Currently driving in eastern Oregon. While a town might be small, it has everything you need.

Wow; Condon! My school, in Helix, OR, played them in our sports conference. I really enjoyed whooping on them in tennis.

How did you end up there? They are way off the beaten path.

Yes, Condon. If there's a tennis court there, I didn't see it. As to the why, let's just say it's near my top secret sports car loop. But I'm sure I can trust this bunch...

Wow. I think I remember that exact stretch of windy. I'd rank it as downright scary when you're in the back of a school bus on icy roads in January....

However, in something more civil, like my father's 1979 F150, it's way more enjoyable. I suppose it's probably passably fun In the M2 as well. Hahaha!

I haven't been into that area at all in so very long. I have run down 395 and over to Prineville a few times over the decades since I moved to Alaska, but most of our trips are relatively time-limited, and we stick to routes with lower traverse times on those.

stickguy

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0kNFuXEXLgtNr9ivKeURsr1UPz2zzEEAPgUDHZqQNxGuYRUkKsfWdVHV8bmN1zzSAl&id=18332466311

stickguy

I’m sure my wife will be up for another move.

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0kNFuXEXLgtNr9ivKeURsr1UPz2zzEEAPgUDHZqQNxGuYRUkKsfWdVHV8bmN1zzSAl&id=18332466311

————————————————
You better grab that before @roadburner sees this.

jmonroe

stickguy

this was funny. finally something from Ford that isn't a constraint. But if that was my truck, I would want if checked out extra thoroughly.

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

oldfarmer50

He was just playing possum.

stickguy

he wasn't playing. he really was one!

nice that they went out of their way to do a PSA on how beneficial possums are to society.

stickguy

my son was in Saratoga tonight and reported that he saw a Maserati MC20. Some older guy in a suit got in it, along with a woman all dolled up in 6" spike heels. Apparently getting in the scissor doors dressed like that was not easy! but is sounded really good.

only about $250,000 sticker with a few options. if you can find one.

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
my son was in Saratoga tonight and reported that he saw a Maserati MC20. Some older guy in a suit got in it, along with a woman all dolled up in 6" spike heels. Apparently getting in the scissor doors dressed like that was not easy! but is sounded really good.

only about $250,000 sticker with a few options. if you can find one.

————————————————-
It’s gotta be tough walking around in heels that high but if it lets you see over a crowd to find an old guy willing to show you a good time, well, mission accomplished.

jmonroe

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

@stickguy said:

my son was in Saratoga tonight and reported that he saw a Maserati MC20. Some older guy in a suit got in it, along with a woman all dolled up in 6" spike heels. Apparently getting in the scissor doors dressed like that was not easy! but is sounded really good.

only about $250,000 sticker with a few options. if you can find one.

————————————————-

It’s gotta be tough walking around in heels that high but if it lets you see over a crowd to find an old guy willing to show you a good time, well, mission accomplished.

jmonroe

That’s the only way I’d ever be able to get a car like that.😩

oldfarmer50

Quick question for the experts.

We know that these days new car dealers dealers don’t want cash buyers because of the various spiffs they get when they finance for you. But do little independent car lots feel the same way? Do they make money on the loan especially since they don’t have a manufacturer related financing arm?

Just wondering if a small independent lot would give the best deal with financing or with cash.

Not talking about a buy here pay here place.

qbrozen

Pretty sure even small lots can get something for bringing the bank the customer.

stickguy

Negotiate the price first. Then it won’t matter.

kyfdx

What @qbrozen says...

tjc78

They do. Even the guy we bought our golf cart from gets a commission from the bank.

corvette

My understanding was that dealers generally get a “spiff” of about $200 from the financing bank, possibly more if they are able to mark the interest rate up above what the buyer qualifies for.

kyfdx

corvette said:

My understanding was that dealers generally get a “spiff” of about $200 from the financing bank, possibly more if they are able to mark the interest rate up above what the buyer qualifies for.

I can't imagine an independent dealer NOT marking up the rate..

rayains

Punch to report:
2022 BMW X3 M40i
Details when I have time...
- Ray [ was rayainsw - for years - but new username ... ]
Turned in the 2020 M340i today

laurasdada

So, as you may be aware, I've been contemplating a small (well, compared to the USS A7), fun convertible; mid-life crisis II. I've had a nice summer/fall of looking and test driving (oh, no. Another LD ramble forthcoming):

'15 Porsche Boxster: Anthracite Brown over Luxor Beige. Drove on a gorgeous summer day, temp ~80 with no clouds. Unfortunately, a very nice but somewhat nervous owner of the small used car dealer in coastal CT rode shotgun. Not that I would have done anything untoward, of course. Me gusto mucho, while not the torquiest of drives, the handling and nice ride were impressive (yeah, big surprise there). I left, strongly considering it; the price was the price. And, while not unreasonable (in these times), with taxes/fees it would have been ~$4k above my already thrice raised spending limit. Eventually, it sold, perhaps to my regret.
Went to Mohegan Sun after the test drive, to try to win the extra $4k playing blackjack. Had a great time and a nice run, but came up $3700 short.

'17 BMW 230xi: Mist? Silver over black/beige. Meticulously maintained. Test drove 2x, first on a cold and wet day, still lowered the top in between deluges... Great sport seats, nice sound for a turbo four. Great ride and handling. Reasonable price. But, noticeable squeaks and rattles from over my left shoulder (and it wasn't the seat belt apparatus) and some, at least perceived, noise from the front end. Asked sales dude to take it for a ride and see what he heard. He did a few days later with a tech, unsurprisingly, they heard nothing.
So, on another day, sunny, went with the wife to drive it again. Fun, fun, fun in the sun with a lovely blond riding shotgun. But, and she noticed right away, a rattling from the passenger side dashboard and her window; window down, no rattle. Window up, much rattle. Not glove box-related for other rattle, somewhere in the dash. Price had been lowered, thought about it, realized it was a used car, but the rattles likely would only get worse, that would drive me nuts. It, too, a few weeks later sold. Less regrets.

'18 Mercedes C300: Blue over chocolate (whatever the light brown, not beige MB calls it, MBTex. Love that color, whether Audi, BMW or MB). Certified, more expensive than the above Bimmer. Tested it on a lovely day, with the wife. Nice ride, if not as smooth as I would have thought a MB would be (AMG handling pkg). Not quite the grin-handling of the BMW, and the engine sounded a bit coarse. But, luxurious, well crafted interior (and air scarf!). Handsome little beast, but did not set my heart a flutter. Still, a contender.
Funny aside, I crawled into the back seat to check it out, as I was getting out of the passenger side, I reached for the open door for balance and the sales dude pulled the door back "to give me more room to exit," and I crashed to the ground ignominiously, mildly bloodying my left knee. And, pride. I got the feeling he liked my so-much better half, not so much me. Price went down $1k a few days later, and I believe it sold today. No regret.

'18 BMW M240xi: White over chocolate. Certified. Other than a lot of road rash on the wheels, which salesmeister said they would machine out, pre-sale, and tires he immediately noted they would replace, excellent shape. I don't think I even have to describe the ride, all here know of the glory of the sound and torque of the I6 bubbling under the hood.

So, you can guess what happened next: Punch!
Yes, we went back to the BMW dealer this morning and purchased the lovely white '22 BMW X3 for the wife. Wait, what??? Whatever Lola wants, Lola gets. And, so proud of her, she asked for SWAG and was told she could have whatever she wants from the boutique, except for a watch. She got a stylish hooded jacket. I of course, filled my pockets with treats from the canteen... that'll show 'em.

Actually got a decent (these days) deal: $3700 below MSRP, but, as you may remember, add $1k mop & glo/scotchgard package (ok, "ceramic coating" which should last for years, no waxing required. And, if something evil happens, dealer will clean at no cost). So, net $2700 under msrp. I'm good with that. And, we took the Carmax offer on the '19 CX-5, it took much too long at the closest Carmax to get the deal done, but they honored the offer, less the small payoff of her loan. I paid cash for the X3 this morning, no pressure to finance, no price difference. Nice dealer, pleasant salesman.

So, Ray, small world. And, in our case, smaller engine.
Congrats!

carnaught

Congrats to @rayainsw and @laurasdada on their new bimmers !

corvette

Did we really just clock two BMW X3 punches in a single day?

@laurasdada - M30i, M40i, or other trim (I'm completely lost on BMW trim levels these days)?

tjc78

Wow. Big day in CCBA

stickguy

corvette said:

Did we really just clock two BMW X3 punches in a single day?

@laurasdada - M30i, M40i, or other trim (I'm completely lost on BMW trim levels these days)?

sounds like Dada got the X3 30i.

maybe Breld bought 2 on the same day once? Probably not, but still believable!

corvette

stickguy said:

maybe Breld bought 2 on the same day once?

Records suggest that breld making two punches in a single day has occurred twice...

jmonroe1

@corvette said:
Did we really just clock two BMW X3 punches in a single day?

@laurasdada - M30i, M40i, or other trim (I'm completely lost on BMW trim levels these days)?

————————————————-
Who wants to make it 3 before midnight?

jmonroe

graphicguy

carnaught said:

Congrats to @rayainsw and @laurasdada on their new bimmers !

Plus 100