Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andre1969

My Mom and stepdad bought a 2008 Altima brand-new, the 2.5 SL, with sunroof. So, I'm guessing it's basically that car in the Fitzmall ad I posted, but with the addition of leather seats and whatever else comes with that leather package. I want to say theirs was $24,000, out the door, with tax, tags, everything. Even that seemed cheap to me at the time, but it looks like Altimas have gotten even less expensive over the years!

They got a green one, which is a light, soothing green, sort of like what was popular back in the 60's.

The Park Ave's doing good for the most part, other than the occasional squeak here and a rattle there. And now that the weather's cold, with my short commute I'm only getting about 15 mpg. But, when you let the car warm up two minutes, and then drive it for 5-6 and shut it off 2.6 miles later, I guess you can't exactly expect stellar fuel economy!

It had 56,372 miles on it when I bought it, and I'm up to around 68,000 now. I had the mechanic change the supercharger oil around the 59-60K mark.

tjc78

I want to say theirs was $24,000, out the door,

A few months back I went shopping for an Altima for my GF's mother. She had to have NAV so for a 4cyl Altima SL (to get NAV you check every option box) the MSRP was a tick over 30K!

andre1969

At least if I bought from fitzmall I could drop in afterward....

Unfortunately, that fitzmall location is up in Chambersburg, PA, about 100 miles away from me! So, if I was going to buy an Altima, I'm not sure I would use them. But I'd at least use that pricing as a reference point, and try to get a similar deal at a local dealer.

I was in Jersey visiting some friends back in late November. In fact, that's when the Buick hit this milestone:


How far are you from Asbury Park? Next time I know I'll be out that way, I could give you advance warning.

fezo

If you were in Asbury Park yo probably passed within a mile of me. We're 30 miles or so due south. Manahawkin - just off Long Beach Island.

You going to the Philly Auto Show? I am going to try depending on family issues.

qbrozen

Ya know, I went to the Philly show just 1 year. I was so disappointed. It just doesn't come anywhere close to the NY show.

andre1969

Oh wow, not too far away at all. I just looked at it on google maps. The way I went to get there was up 295 to 195, and then 195 east, basically until it stops being an interstate.

Yeah, most likely Grbeck and Lemko and I will be at the Philly auto show one of those Saturdays. Haven't hammered out the details yet. We missed it last year though, because of the blizzards.

qbrozen

And I'm just 4 miles off Exit 21 of 195.

mark156

I dropped the '09 Bentley off for its first 'paid' service. The computer was saying "Service Now", I have 6,350 miles on it. The service manager said the '2 yr.' service is $1,400. :sick:
It includes oil and filter change, air filter/filters change, brake fluid change and tire rotation. Maybe they will throw in a car wash too?

Mark156

andre1969

wow, small world! I'll definitely have to let you guys know the next time I'm coming out that way!

fezo

No doubt I have a car worth less than the Bentley's oil filter in my fleet....

Q - NY would be nice. It's the only show I've ever really been to and that was quite some time ago. I got an Edmunds hat out of the deal....

stickguy

I will be there, as always.

I only went to the NY show once, and that was when I was about 13 (as in, way before the Javits center was even built!)

Philly is much closer. I can walk to the train into town (could, not will!), then it is a 20 minute ride, and a 5 minute walk underground. I don't even need to bother with a coat.

getting to Manhatten, another story!

Philly is a nice show though. Everything is there, with the exception of a few of the concept/early sneak peak stuff that you can't actually touch anyway.

there is even a nice brew pub right under the convention center, or a hard rock cafe off the lobby.

tjc78

and a 5 minute walk underground

I must be stupid, because last time I went I took the speed line and walked outside from the station to the convention center. I guess I better pay more attention this year and follow the signs down there.

fezo

I have to look at all of that. I've never been to the Philly convention center. Javitz is an easy walk from the Port Authority bus terminal.

Now, Atlantic City would be really easy to get to but that's another story. It's officially the closest thing resembling a city to me.

tjc78

Fezo,

Google directions to the "Woodcrest" Patco high speed line station. Its right off I-295. That train will take you right into the city and its a short walk either by surface streets or as Stick said underground.

Patco

Once on the train you would get off at the 8th and Market station in Philly.

andre1969

I must be stupid, because last time I went I took the speed line and walked outside from the station to the convention center. I guess I better pay more attention this year and follow the signs down there.

I think the first one or two times Grbeck, Lemko, and I met up there, we did something similar. Met at the Dunkin Donuts, but then went outside and walked to the convention center, not realizing that the building that housed the Dunkin Donuts was connected to the convention center!

stickguy

I used to work in the office building right next to woodcrest. and live about 3 miles from there (closer to Lindenwald).

when you get off at 8th/market, walk past the entrance to the M-F EL, and follow signs to market east station. you wander through the bottom of the Gallery, and there are signs to follow that bring you right up in the convention center lobby (market street entrance).

I normally prefer walking on the surface, but when the weather stinks (or you aren't wearing a coat in the winter!) it comes in handy.

I hate wearing my coat in there (too hot) or carrying it, and the check is a PITA to deal with.

stickguy

Yup, those escalaters right outside the DD take you up to the back entrance (at the back of where Lexus and M-B is).

FOr Fezo, it is probably easier/quicker to take NJT bus right into the port authority if there is one close to his house.

qbrozen

Philly is a nice show though. Everything is there, with the exception of a few of the concept/early sneak peak stuff that you can't actually touch anyway.

The one year I went, there were several new cars I wanted to touch and sit in, but several weren't there and several others were locked up. At NY that year, I saw and sat in everything I wanted.

That being said, the past couple of years, NY has been more restrictive. Many more cars locked up.

Sandman6472

As a kid growing up just north of the city, we'd go to the show every year until we moved south...my folks knew about my passion for cars when I was about 6 or so. I'd stand up in the middle of the back seat & could tell which cars were which...loved how they changed every year & especially loved the fall when the new models were introduced. But always a great show even back then. We'd take the train from the Scarborough station & walk over.

My passion has never gone away...just wish I could afford the cars that I like so much...would love a different car for every day of the week & a garage to hold them all. That would be...priceless! One day maybe my dream will come true!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

akangl

Salesguy just called me, he has a tentative idea of when my MDX should be arriving. He said hopefully the first week of February unless there are delays with the boat due to weather or whatever.

Looks like around another month to wait. If it doesn't hurry up my eyes are going to wander to CPO BMWs........ :P

mark156

Stay focused Jolie, Stay focused!!!! And, be patient!! The first week of Feb will be here before you know it!

Mark

akangl

Stay focused!!!! And, be patient!! The first week of Feb will be here before you know it!

Going on 4 months now without a car, its getting harder and harder to wait.

I've kind of been prowling for a car that would work for my son, but so far haven't found anything decent in a price range I'm willing to pay. I was thinking that if I could find him a car I'd just steal it in the meantime, until my car got here. Just missed a 97 Jeep GC with a weak transmission for cheap, could have easily fixed it too.

roadburner

My local BMW dealer just got this puppy. It's equipped almost exactly the way I'd order one: Cold Weather Pkg, Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, Comfort Access, and USB/iPod dock. Manual transmission of course. My SA ran the VIN and it has had no mechanical issues whatsoever- and my dealer has performed the fuel pump recall. There's at least one year left on the original factory warranty.
The only thing giving me pause in the interior- it's a very pale yellow color that BMW calls "Lemon":



Not to be sexist, but methinks the color could be considered a bit feminine...

tjc78

That's a great combo. I love white/biege cars and I also like the light seats with the dark carpets. Why do they call it lemon, it looks like tan/beige on my monitor.

Yes, you are right not the sportiness of a Silver/Black combo, but IMO its not femine.

mark156

Roadburner, I lean towards light interiors. My Bentley is Ghost White metallic with Linen leather, white carpet, black wood (Piano black inlay). I bought black mats to keep the white mats clean.

If the 'Lemon' interior is a deal breaker, how much to change it out? $2,500? It was going to cost me $1,300 to change out the clothe in my Dad's Mercury with better leather than what Mercury would have put in. Dad decided not to do it.

If everything else is perfect with the car, change the leather!

Mark

roadburner

Why do they call it lemon, it looks like tan/beige on my monitor.

It's definitely light yellow; it looks beige on my monitor as well. I do think that the black trim and carpet keeps the leather from over-powering the interior.

roadburner

Roadburner, I lean towards light interiors. My Bentley is Ghost White metallic with Linen leather, white carpet, black wood (Piano black inlay). I bought black mats to keep the white mats clean.

I really don't mind the color all that much. I just wanted to see what some of my friends thought. Thanks for the input.

akangl

I lean towards light interiors.

Braver than me! A light interior is a major dealbreaker for me. If its any lighter then dark grey I'm not interested. I don't care how good of a deal the car is or how perfect it is otherwise, light interior = no sale to me.

I'm not a big fan of having to wipe the seats down after every use to avoid dirty looking leather. With 2 teenagers and a dog, light colors are a kiss of death to me. Kinda like a car not having a sunroof.

Personally my favorite is black, the Pilot was dark grey, while pretty, it did get dirty and show it.

corvette

The lemon interior wouldn't be my first choice, either. At least the carpet is black. The carpet in my Audi was ivory colored (like the rest of the interior), and I ended up buying a set of black Weathertech mats so I wouldn't have to deal with the factory ivory cloth mats, which were impossible to keep clean. I love a beige/ivory interior, but light colored carpet is annoying.

ab348

That's a great interior color. I much prefer light interiors - black shows every speck and black interiors seem to look old and worn very quickly. Nothing worse in my mind than a black or dark gray interior - way too dark and depressing.

fintail

I have to say, I like it too. I'd like that with a light silvery-blue. Maybe not the most masculine, but the typical dark German interior does get depressing and dreary after awhile.

I remember I once saw a 560SEL in diamond blue (kind of a metallic light-medium blue) with a creme colored interior, it was excellent.

kyfdx

The black carpets help a lot... I have to say, it's not the best contrast with the white exterior.... All by itself, it's not a bad color, but I could never keep that clean..

Great option list.... especially the 300 HP!

jwilliams2

I like the light interior. Makes the car seem more spacious. I've never had a problem keeping a light interior clean, although most of mine have been tan or beige.

mark156

'64 RR- Beige leather
'90 SL- Black leather
'95 E320 Cab- Light Grey leather
'01 S500- Beige leather
'07 CR-V- Tan leather
'08 Motorhome- Beige leather
'09 GTC- Linen leather
'10 LR4- Light Beige leather

Mark

roadburner

I'm wondering how much wiggle room there is on the price...

akangl

I'm wondering how much wiggle room there is on the price...

At least in the lower 48 you guys can cross shop different dealers and get a decent price.

I'm not sure what price I'll end up at with th MDX, I'm going to try to get them to discount it, but so far they are saying that a $555 discount off MSRP is all there is to it. *shrug* My feeling is if I don't get the price I'm comfortable with I'll walk away. I don't *need* an MDX when it comes down to it. I don't need any car bad enough to overpay for it.

kyfdx

It's an '07 turbo with a stick and lemon interior...

They should probably give it to you....

ronsteve

I live in NC, and a black interior is a dealbreaker in this area... especially since I've been driving cars with leather interiors. No quicker way to blister the backs of your knees on a hot summer day...

Now my Volvo wagon has a black exterior, but that was a concession I made because I bought it as a year-old demo. Interior is tan tho.

andre1969

I think that color looks great in the picture! But, seeing it first-hand, it might not look as nice. The camera has been known to lie.

Sandman6472

Beautiful looking car inside & out...I could learn to live with it if it had every other option that I wanted. Personally, I love the last generation model, a '05 would fit the bill nicely. Test drove one awhile back & the seats hurt my spine no matter how I tried to manipulate the power seat. It was a blueish color with a gray interior, absolutely stunning combo. But wifey had a fit about going back in years & up in mileage. It sure was sweet though.

Just got back from a short trip around town & honestly, my Civic does everything I need it to do & by using my special seat cushion, it just works. At 30.4k with almost 5 years of ownership, makes no sense to move on up to a more pricey car. My dilemma has always been where my practical side has always won out over my want side. Luckily the wife is going to get a 2012 model compact which is our favorite size. Just have to find a car that she'll enjoy as much as her Mazda3 for a decent price. Should be fun! Until then, I'll just have to enjoy everyone else's purchases in here.

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

gouldn

wow things _are_ more expensive up there ... I was toying with that same car recently and was getting initial offers of 3K-ish off MSRP for a '11 MDX Tech AWD ... and I got the feeling there was more to be had.

I just got cold feet because even then it was still $44K-ish, and the 'buy used' side of me kicked in hard.

I suppose there's no way it would work to fly down and drive one up?

akangl

wow things _are_ more expensive up there ... I was toying with that same car recently and was getting initial offers of 3K-ish off MSRP for a '11 MDX Tech AWD ... and I got the feeling there was more to be had.

I just got cold feet because even then it was still $44K-ish, and the 'buy used' side of me kicked in hard.

I suppose there's no way it would work to fly down and drive one up?

I thought about driving out to get one, but that means a trip back up the alcan by myself and I'm not fond of that.

The problem here is they are the ONLY Acura dealer in the state. They figure they can charge whatever they want. I have a number in mind, $500 over invoice, plus the accessories I want ($993). It comes out to $45,208 OTD with tags and doc fee. Do I think they will do that? Nope, but I'll try, I told hubby already if I get up and head for the door he darn well better follow me!

If I walk out they can bet I'll never be back. Sad for them since we are going to be replacing the Civic in the next few months and hubby was set on a TL, but has chickened out and wants another Civic (this time with stability control and traction control).

If I walk I don't know what I'll buy then, probably nothing for a while, summer is almost here and I have the old Ford.

gouldn

Sounds like a pretty good plan to me. I totally agree with both points ... single dealer makes it hard ... and driving up there alone is not fun!

tifighter

Did they not have any MDX in stock, or just not the color you wanted and it had to be ordered?

An Acura dealer with no MDX would not be paying their bills very easily.

mark156

Akangl, there is NO WAY we will believe that you will wait until summer if the MDX falls through..... we know your track record! LOL! I bet within a week you will find a replacement.

Going south to the lower 48 to get a better deal on a MDX will be eaten up with return fuel costs, hotel bills, etc. You might only save $500 before it's all over with and thats not really worth it especially with the additional miles and rock chips.

Mark

akangl

Did they not have any MDX in stock, or just not the color you wanted and it had to be ordered?

They had plenty of MDX's in stock.........if I wanted, silver, black, white, red, all with light interiors. Nope, not gonna happen, I cannot stand light interiors, no way.

I could have made a killer deal on the 2010 MDX tech/advance that I test drove, they would have darn near given it away. Of course it was silver with a light grey interior, I thought about it, but then saw black marks on the seat and carpet.......no deal, I hate light interiors.

To me color is a big deal, if I hate the exterior or interior color of a car its a kiss of death. I have talked myself into certain colors before and seriously regretted it. Looking at the car everyday made me hate it.

Last one I can think of is when I let my daughter pick out the color of my truck......black with light grey leather, that lasted about 8 months, then it broke down in Canada, got backed into and someone scratched "help me" into the tailgate. Bye bye truck!

So, yeah, I AM that fussy!

akangl

there is NO WAY we will believe that you will wait until summer if the MDX falls through..... we know your track record! LOL! I bet within a week you will find a replacement.

Going south to the lower 48 to get a better deal on a MDX will be eaten up with return fuel costs, hotel bills, etc. You might only save $500 before it's all over with and thats not really worth it especially with the additional miles and rock chips.

I've waited 4 months already to replace the Pilot, what's a few more months? I have found a 2011 Toyota Tundra crewmax that is flat beautiful, but if I bought that then the Ford would have to go. Plus the Tundra is white with light grey cloth......hard to get past that even with the nice wheels and tires.

Guess I'll find out in 4-5 weeks what I'll be driving.

mark156

I've waited 4 months already to replace the Pilot, what's a few more months? I have found a 2011 Toyota Tundra crewmax that is flat beautiful, but if I bought that then the Ford would have to go. Plus the Tundra is white with light grey cloth......hard to get past that even with the nice wheels and tires.


Jolie, you are SO funny... in one sentence you said you can wait and the next you have found a replacement. See, I was right, you can't wait! LOL! :P

But, you will have to pick a dark interior to be happy, find another Tundra.

Mark

akangl

you are SO funny... in one sentence you said you can wait and the next you have found a replacement. See, I was right, you can't wait! LOL

If I couldn't wait I would have bought something already! :P

I wouldn't buy the Tundra, its pretty with its $4k worth of wheels/tires, but no, I don't need a truck. I wouldn't want to be responsible for cutting the old Ford from the herd, I love that truck!

Hubby has mentioned if I don't get the MDX he's going to go buy a family car and I'll have to deal with it. I know pretty much what he would buy too.........probably a CPO BMW 328xi, he loves BMWs, was the first car he ever drove. Plus he really likes the CPO warranty that BMW has and a really nice one could be had for under $30k.

grandtotal

The real rip off is diesel. It should sell for half the price of gasoline.

Why do you think that? There is about 10% more energy available in a gallon of diesel than a gallon of gas, so why should it be half the price?

The real kicker is that there is less energy available in premium gas per gallon than in regular yet it costs more.