Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78

So in the summer, most likely I’ll be visiting a site in Ft Collins. If the timing works maybe we could all grab a dinner. I’m sure I’ll be flying into Denver.

Michaell

tjc78 said:

So in the summer, most likely I’ll be visiting a site in Ft Collins. If the timing works maybe we could all grab a dinner. I’m sure I’ll be flying into Denver.

We're willing to travel, schedules permitting. Can split the difference and meet in the northern Denver suburbs.

sda

stickguy said:

yeah, wasn't in my plans but it is what it is.

Oh wow.

corvette

stickguy said:

12/30. Usually they didn't give us anything for Christmas!

Darn! Not even a membership to the Jelly of the Month Club? I hear it's the gift that keeps on giving.

stickguy

Company couldn't afford anything that extravagant.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

son passed his test.
Despite all my wife's hand-wringing, they weren't terribly strict. They probably wouldn't have cared about the handbrake. I had forgotten to grab the reflector tags for new drivers that NJ requires be put on the license plates. I said I would just explain, if it came up, that this is a loaner and they can't expect us to put them on every car he MAY drive. But the topic didn't even come up. Neither did the CEL that decided to pop up on our way to the test facility. I wonder if they would have noticed my son's car not having an inspection sticker.

Boy NJ seems more concerned with directing business to their friends and nit picking regulations than if the kid can actually drive. That may explain some of my experiences driving in NJ.

mostly it is about safety. Probably learned the hard way. the handbrake requirement goes way back I think, and is all about the tester being able to do something in an emergency other than try to grab the wheel or jump out.

and I can understand requiring the car to be safe and legal. at bare minimum licensed/registered and insured. I imagine the state (DMV) could face serious liability if they took some kid out in a dangerous or uninsured car and they hit someone.

the driving school requirement, NY never had that. Since I doubt the local mom and pop driving school lobby was paying off the politicians, I assume they put that in place after seeing how badly most parents drove and tried to teach. yes it cost a little bit, but I was happy to pay to get that initial break in period out of the way on someone else's car!

I have no clue if any other state has a requirement like that.

Both my kids and my niece and nephew took driver’s Ed in high school in addition to being taught by a CDL professional so they all passed on the first try.

stickguy

Driver's ed in NJ stopped including in car a long time ago. Now it is just a class where they prepare for (and I think take) the written part. once they pass that, they get to go to the DMV to get their initial permit that allows them to sign up with the driving school. Once they get that certificate, get to go to the DMV and get an enhanced permit (I think they call it that) which means they can drive with an adult.

permit can be gotten at 16, conditional (drive solo) license at 17. that is what requires the driving test.

mjfloyd1

stickguy said:

More info on warranty. Looks like it might be offered by Zurich. Anyone familiar with them? Supposedly can only be sold by dealer at time if purchase.

Looks like they will pass on that and investigate cheap hondacare options instead. Hopefully getting price on that before they go pick it up.

Zurich is reputable but it doesn’t make sense when you can get HondaCare at the prices offered

Glad that the HondaCare worked out and they saved significant money

oldfarmer50

breld said:

xwesx said:

Subaru's shifter feel of the 5MT versus the now-ubiquitous 6MT is night-and-day different. While I still cannot fully get used to the weird ring you have to pull to shift into reverse, the smoothness and "notchiness" of the 6-speed is pleasantly surprising.

It also has a way better grab point on the clutch. I'm not sure when they moved to the 6-speed across the line-up, but it wasn't all that long ago that it was available only the WRX STi.

Funny story...the saleslady that was helping me with the WRX couldn't drive a stick, so I was pulling it out of a tight spot in the lot where I had to do a 2-point turn. So pulled forward close to a parked car in front of me, and then needed to reverse a bit to complete the turn. I pulled the shifter toward me and up instinctively to go into reverse. She let out a little yelp as I inched forward instead of reverse! Nothing bad happened, but I learned quickly the different shift pattern for reverse between Subaru and BMW.

Don’t feel bad, when I test drove a Mustang with manual years ago I stalled it at a stop sign because I couldn’t judge the rpms from the engine sound like in the school bus. Embarrassing.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

well, the situation escalated quickly.

in the AM, was chatting with my son about the technicalities of getting out of an AHF lease in NY. Short answer, not easy so Carmax became a much less viable option. As of noon, next step was they would talk to the dealer a weak from Friday when my DIL to be was taking her car in for an oil change.

Oh, for those not following along, she has a Fit on lease that ends somewhere around 7/1, so they were planning what to do with it. Working concept had been letting her parents buy it out, though after research that would mean she bought it and registered/paid tax, then could sell to them. Dealer couldn't. The lease was good, so there was some decent equity in a base Fit, making a family takeover more complicated.

back to the story... Next I got a text from son along the lines of "she might be more impulsive than me with cars". Turns out she checked and the dealer close to them happened to have the dream spec (CRV hybrid sport in Meteorite gray) in stock (exactly the same as the one I drove today 1/2 hour north of them). And at both dealers, it was the only hybrid they had. So that escalated into "we are going over to look at it and talk to them about options"

that led to a call that they had numbers presented and discussing what made sense, and if they should worry about Fit going down in value. short answer, they likely had no risk in waiting, so left it at that.

took about 45 seconds after call ended to get the text "going for it, picking it up tomorrow".

since then, been consulting in to the finance office process. Which ended up with them getting a 10 year/unlimited (or 100,000 miles, I forget which) BtoB warranty (I assume Hondacare but need to confirm). Goal is to keep it as long as possible so makes sense for them.

Deal ended up being straight MSRP, no ADM or pack stuff. And they had $3,000 in equity in the Fit to put toward a down payment. In this market, for a car in very short supply, seems like a reasonable deal.

Did they consider buying out the lease on the Fit and then “gifting” it to the parents. There would be no sales tax on that transaction.

oldfarmer50

qbrozen said:

@andres3 said:

better to go high mile used Audi in the future as the worst it could do is 2nd degree burns in comparison.

Sure. Or, better still, no Audi

I just picked up a company Audi. Replaced the key fob battery for $899. No Audis for me, thank you.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Got to drive a Sliverado lease return with 110K on the clock from Vero Beach to West Palm Beach on Wednesday. For so many miles, it drove remarkably well except the tires were really loud. They weren't regular tires though, more like for off-roaing which probably explains all the noise in the cabin. I had Sirius/XM all the way down to the Palm Beach County line & then, it was gone. Was nice to have as long as I did but they probably called to stop the subscription once we drove them away.
The best part of joining this new crew is that we have usually 6 drivers, sometimes 7, so we get to do the longer drives when there are many vehicles to move. On Monday, they went to Okeechobee City to pick up 6 Chevy Silverado trucks also coming back off lease. Tuesday, we went to Stuart with vehicles to drop off. Then we proceeded onto Ft. Pierce & Vero Beach to pick up 6 trucks and we ended up bringing 6 vehicles down to a couple of dealers near our home base. We ended our day at 6:30 which was fine with me. Figure if we're at work, might as well get some hours. I had worked Saturday & Sunday since I needed Monday off this week so if tomorrow is a longish day, we should be getting a nice check. I missed all of last week due to my bathroom mishap plus I was out the previous Friday due to me not feeling well. So I did miss 4 days of work all told so was nice to pick up some extra hours.
Definitely think I made the right choice here accepting the new schedule. As much as I enjoyed having Mondays off, this new one is better for me. And it also means that for any Monday holiday that we are closed, and there are only like 4 of them, is we'd have to pick up another day that week if we want a full paycheck. Holidays like Labor Day, Presidents Day are regular work days for us, but it's really not a big deal.

Sandy, what shape are those returns in? The ones we get up here are rode hard and put up wet. The best one was a Dodge T&C with 120k miles and about an inch of pistachio shells on the floor and enough dog hair to knit a sweater. We’ve also picked up trucks with dead batteries and seats that looked like they were chewed by wolves. The worst was a lease used by a battery company that was so full of acid no one could drive it without passing out.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Got to drive a Sliverado lease return with 110K on the clock from Vero Beach to West Palm Beach on Wednesday. For so many miles, it drove remarkably well except the tires were really loud. They weren't regular tires though, more like for off-roaing which probably explains all the noise in the cabin. I had Sirius/XM all the way down to the Palm Beach County line & then, it was gone. Was nice to have as long as I did but they probably called to stop the subscription once we drove them away.
The best part of joining this new crew is that we have usually 6 drivers, sometimes 7, so we get to do the longer drives when there are many vehicles to move. On Monday, they went to Okeechobee City to pick up 6 Chevy Silverado trucks also coming back off lease. Tuesday, we went to Stuart with vehicles to drop off. Then we proceeded onto Ft. Pierce & Vero Beach to pick up 6 trucks and we ended up bringing 6 vehicles down to a couple of dealers near our home base. We ended our day at 6:30 which was fine with me. Figure if we're at work, might as well get some hours. I had worked Saturday & Sunday since I needed Monday off this week so if tomorrow is a longish day, we should be getting a nice check. I missed all of last week due to my bathroom mishap plus I was out the previous Friday due to me not feeling well. So I did miss 4 days of work all told so was nice to pick up some extra hours.
Definitely think I made the right choice here accepting the new schedule. As much as I enjoyed having Mondays off, this new one is better for me. And it also means that for any Monday holiday that we are closed, and there are only like 4 of them, is we'd have to pick up another day that week if we want a full paycheck. Holidays like Labor Day, Presidents Day are regular work days for us, but it's really not a big deal.

Sandy, what shape are those returns in? The ones we get up here are rode hard and put up wet. The best one was a Dodge T&C with 120k miles and about an inch of pistachio shells on the floor and enough dog hair to knit a sweater. We’ve also picked up trucks with dead batteries and seats that looked like they were chewed by wolves. The worst was a lease used by a battery company that was so full of acid no one could drive it without passing out.

you are really selling this as a career option OF.

oldfarmer50

“ and they don't actually operate up here”

Are you sure? I see Carvana cars parked in front of an old Chrysler dealership on Rt. 9 in Latham NY. Maybe it’s just a display lot.

Stickguy, you got laid off? That stinks, particularly this close to your real retirement age.

stickguy

oh, I have no idea. I was just trying to guess what the next twist and turn would be. They had my old ZIP tied to my account, but I put the new one in when I got the quote. I just did not know what they were going to look at for scheduling pickup.

after some more research I figured out the problem (which I assume someone there did too). NY is one of 9 states that gives the owner the title even if there is a loan on it. But, my title is with NJ and NY won't get it until the loan is paid off and it comes gets released by the lender. So, they need to treat this as a NJ titled car, not NY.

oldfarmer50

tifighter said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Only if you're able to stop in Colorado this time and meet up with the contingent here.

But, I like the idea.

I would truly like to do that! CO isn't terribly far out of the way when I'm making the OH-OR jaunt, but the trick is that I only even have the option of it when I'm solo, because my wife poo-poos any mention of working my "car buddies" into the traveling schedule. And, Mother Nature sides with my wife, it seems, because the last time I tried to get to Denver, she nearly brought the mountain down on me!

Ok, if the dates work out, I'm down. CO or OH is fine, since @breld can just pick me up with whatever new thing he just bought from the local dealer.

But seriously, it would be fun to have a rotating CCBA meetup every year or whenever, at a different location every time. While everyone won't be able to attend each event, moving it around would ensure different people would always be meeting up. And pics or it didn't happen.

Ever think about meeting up at the NY Auto Show on April 8th?. I’ll be there and happy to show you a couple of good eating spots nearby.

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

@andres3 said:

better to go high mile used Audi in the future as the worst it could do is 2nd degree burns in comparison.

Sure. Or, better still, no Audi

I just picked up a company Audi. Replaced the key fob battery for $899. No Audis for me, thank you.

When I discovered the Q5 only had one key fob I insisted I have a second fob knowing they were expensive, then about $500. They said no and I walked. On my drive home they called and said we will get a second key fob, deal done.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Got to drive a Sliverado lease return with 110K on the clock from Vero Beach to West Palm Beach on Wednesday. For so many miles, it drove remarkably well except the tires were really loud. They weren't regular tires though, more like for off-roaing which probably explains all the noise in the cabin. I had Sirius/XM all the way down to the Palm Beach County line & then, it was gone. Was nice to have as long as I did but they probably called to stop the subscription once we drove them away.
The best part of joining this new crew is that we have usually 6 drivers, sometimes 7, so we get to do the longer drives when there are many vehicles to move. On Monday, they went to Okeechobee City to pick up 6 Chevy Silverado trucks also coming back off lease. Tuesday, we went to Stuart with vehicles to drop off. Then we proceeded onto Ft. Pierce & Vero Beach to pick up 6 trucks and we ended up bringing 6 vehicles down to a couple of dealers near our home base. We ended our day at 6:30 which was fine with me. Figure if we're at work, might as well get some hours. I had worked Saturday & Sunday since I needed Monday off this week so if tomorrow is a longish day, we should be getting a nice check. I missed all of last week due to my bathroom mishap plus I was out the previous Friday due to me not feeling well. So I did miss 4 days of work all told so was nice to pick up some extra hours.
Definitely think I made the right choice here accepting the new schedule. As much as I enjoyed having Mondays off, this new one is better for me. And it also means that for any Monday holiday that we are closed, and there are only like 4 of them, is we'd have to pick up another day that week if we want a full paycheck. Holidays like Labor Day, Presidents Day are regular work days for us, but it's really not a big deal.

Sandy, what shape are those returns in? The ones we get up here are rode hard and put up wet. The best one was a Dodge T&C with 120k miles and about an inch of pistachio shells on the floor and enough dog hair to knit a sweater. We’ve also picked up trucks with dead batteries and seats that looked like they were chewed by wolves. The worst was a lease used by a battery company that was so full of acid no one could drive it without passing out.

you are really selling this as a career option OF.

Certainly, it’s all part of the adventure.🤣 Fortunately, cars like that are a rare exception and you can refuse to drive them if you don’t think they’re safe.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

tifighter said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Only if you're able to stop in Colorado this time and meet up with the contingent here.

But, I like the idea.

I would truly like to do that! CO isn't terribly far out of the way when I'm making the OH-OR jaunt, but the trick is that I only even have the option of it when I'm solo, because my wife poo-poos any mention of working my "car buddies" into the traveling schedule. And, Mother Nature sides with my wife, it seems, because the last time I tried to get to Denver, she nearly brought the mountain down on me!

Ok, if the dates work out, I'm down. CO or OH is fine, since @breld can just pick me up with whatever new thing he just bought from the local dealer.

But seriously, it would be fun to have a rotating CCBA meetup every year or whenever, at a different location every time. While everyone won't be able to attend each event, moving it around would ensure different people would always be meeting up. And pics or it didn't happen.

Ever think about meeting up at the NY Auto Show on April 8th?. I’ll be there and happy to show you a couple of good eating spots nearby.

I was thinking of going to NY now that I am up here. Plus the 2 guys I go with (son and BIL) in Philly every year are up here too. Might just take the train down and make a day of it.

and now I know when it is!

laurasdada

Sorry, Stick. I know you would have rather do it to them before they did it to you. But, most likely, most of us have been there (including me).
I hope whatever is next for you is bigger, faster and stronger; twin-scrolled.
Maybe OF could use a new ranch-hand...
And, as always, the best revenge is living well.

oldfarmer50

laurasdada said:

Sorry, Stick. I know you would have rather do it to them before they did it to you. But, most likely, most of us have been there (including me).
I hope whatever is next for you is bigger, faster and stronger; twin-scrolled.
Maybe OF could use a new ranch-hand...
And, as always, the best revenge is living well.

Nah, I’m recruiting him for Enterprise. Farming is mostly tears, driving is old men laughing.

stickguy

my wife wants a garden this year so I am going to be roped into building some frames and moving a lot of dirt. I think that is why she is mad I am trying to sell the pickup. Told her if needed I will rent the Lowes truck to get her stuff home (or have the dirt delivered).

though that means I need to go buy a wheelbarrow... I sense this project is going downhill fast.

stickguy

laurasdada said:

Sorry, Stick. I know you would have rather do it to them before they did it to you. But, most likely, most of us have been there (including me).
I hope whatever is next for you is bigger, faster and stronger; twin-scrolled.
Maybe OF could use a new ranch-hand...
And, as always, the best revenge is living well.

thanks. I miss the paycheck, but am much happier out of the toxic environment where everyone was on edge all the time and waiting for bad news.

looking for things and having some interviews. something will work out eventually. It always does.

stickguy

Probably should not have gone for that test drive yesterday. I was doing good being on the wagon, and now I want to go back for more...

was reading car and driver today and they had some stuff about a BRZ. I really like those. So cruised the dealer listings and found zippo nearby. Toyota dealer closest to me did have a Toyota version incoming with a manual, and the dealer near my son (same family of dealers he just bought the Honda at) has an incoming unit but with an automatic.

Assuming I get my current truck sold off, I don't know what would happen if for some reason the replacement never arrives. Or if I get antsy and buy something absurd (a true toy) first. Other than my wife will kill me!

stickguy

oh, Subaru dealer did have 4 manual WRX premiums (the Breld mobile model?) 2 dark gray, 2 bright blue. All listed for about $2,700 off MSRP which seems like a pretty good deal right now. Maybe I should take the Maverick up there and see they want to trade me? No bed, but a lot more fun!

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

@xwesx,
The new one longer and lower than the MKC. 2nd row is much roomier.
Haven't sat the the driver's seat yet.

————————————————
When do you think she’ll allow you to sit in the driver’s seat?

Good luck with it.

jmonroe

xwesx

Michaell said:

tjc78 said:

So in the summer, most likely I’ll be visiting a site in Ft Collins. If the timing works maybe we could all grab a dinner. I’m sure I’ll be flying into Denver.

We're willing to travel, schedules permitting. Can split the difference and meet in the northern Denver suburbs.

I'm not sure that counts as "traveling."

xwesx

stickguy said:

I was thinking of going to NY now that I am up here. Plus the 2 guys I go with (son and BIL) in Philly every year are up here too. Might just take the train down and make a day of it.

and now I know when it is!

I think it would be a blast to attend an auto show at least once. Unlikely to ever happen, but I'll keep it on the bucket list.

I had a lot of fun wandering through the Henry Ford museum, and I feel like I needed at least another eight hours (or a whole additional day) to do it any justice.

venture

stickguy said:

my wife wants a garden this year so I am going to be roped into building some frames and moving a lot of dirt. I think that is why she is mad I am trying to sell the pickup. Told her if needed I will rent the Lowes truck to get her stuff home (or have the dirt delivered).

though that means I need to go buy a wheelbarrow... I sense this project is going downhill fast.

It sounds like she wants you to have a garden.

venture

oldfarmer50 said:

breld said:

xwesx said:

Subaru's shifter feel of the 5MT versus the now-ubiquitous 6MT is night-and-day different. While I still cannot fully get used to the weird ring you have to pull to shift into reverse, the smoothness and "notchiness" of the 6-speed is pleasantly surprising.

It also has a way better grab point on the clutch. I'm not sure when they moved to the 6-speed across the line-up, but it wasn't all that long ago that it was available only the WRX STi.

Funny story...the saleslady that was helping me with the WRX couldn't drive a stick, so I was pulling it out of a tight spot in the lot where I had to do a 2-point turn. So pulled forward close to a parked car in front of me, and then needed to reverse a bit to complete the turn. I pulled the shifter toward me and up instinctively to go into reverse. She let out a little yelp as I inched forward instead of reverse! Nothing bad happened, but I learned quickly the different shift pattern for reverse between Subaru and BMW.

Don’t feel bad, when I test drove a Mustang with manual years ago I stalled it at a stop sign because I couldn’t judge the rpms from the engine sound like in the school bus. Embarrassing.

I almost always stall a car I have never driven before once, until you "get" the clutch take-up.

qbrozen

@breld , I'm sure they do, but if they "helper spring" is still behind the clutch pedal of the WRX, do yourself a favor and just yank that out of there. Not a massive difference, but definitely helps the linearity of the feel rather than that weird abrupt takeup. It also helps, at least on my generation, to just push the clutch like halfway to avoid all that dead space in the bottom half of clutch travel. Makes the shifts smoother.

sda

The last car that I’ve driven with a manual transmission on a regular basis was our 99 Passat 1.8t that we traded in 03. 15 years later I visited a good friend who had a BMW 318 convertible 5sp which I got to drive. Driving a manual felt so natural, I had zero trouble driving it even though I hadn’t driven a manual in such a long time. It is like riding a bike, you don’t forget how to ride. I do wish the 318 was a 325 as the 318, though fun, was not quick.

Michaell

Our last stick shift was the '03 Focus we bought, intending it for my stepdaughter. Unfortunately, she just couldn't get the hang of using two-hands-two-feet for driving, and it ended up becoming my DD.

I've given thought to getting one last stick shift car.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

my wife wants a garden this year so I am going to be roped into building some frames and moving a lot of dirt. I think that is why she is mad I am trying to sell the pickup. Told her if needed I will rent the Lowes truck to get her stuff home (or have the dirt delivered).

though that means I need to go buy a wheelbarrow... I sense this project is going downhill fast.

Make sure you buy 10 foot tall fencing first or the deer will take it all.

stickguy

I want one too. I have not owned one since about 2013 (dang, almost 10 years now!) unless I owned the integra after that (might have been around the same time).

Since I drive one maybe every other year (occasional test drive) I’m always nervous I might not be able to but so far have not stalled yet. First shift or 2 might be a little noisy as I get acclimated but I guess 35 years and at least a half million miles is a lot of muscle memory!

Now I think I need to swing by the Subaru dealer. I also want to try a Miata but those I just can’t find.

tjc78

I must be the only one in this group that has never owned a stick. Quite frankly (putting flame suit on) I can drive one but it isn’t pretty.

kyfdx

qbrozen said:

@breld , I'm sure they do, but if they "helper spring" is still behind the clutch pedal of the WRX, do yourself a favor and just yank that out of there. Not a massive difference, but definitely helps the linearity of the feel rather than that weird abrupt takeup. It also helps, at least on my generation, to just push the clutch like halfway to avoid all that dead space in the bottom half of clutch travel. Makes the shifts smoother.

Needs a clutch stop

sda

What is a clutch stop?

kyfdx

sda said:

What is a clutch stop?

Its a thick disk, like a hockey puck. It has a screw through the center that attaches it to the floorboard, under the clutch pedal. It's a usual accessory for autocrossers.

It's like moving the floorboard up, so your clutch pedal can't travel as far.

qbrozen

kyfdx said:

qbrozen said:

@breld , I'm sure they do, but if they "helper spring" is still behind the clutch pedal of the WRX, do yourself a favor and just yank that out of there. Not a massive difference, but definitely helps the linearity of the feel rather than that weird abrupt takeup. It also helps, at least on my generation, to just push the clutch like halfway to avoid all that dead space in the bottom half of clutch travel. Makes the shifts smoother.

Needs a clutch stop

yup. Task 3,542 on my list of things to do. Meanwhile, I just don't push it as far.

stickguy

New York is weird. Talked to insurance agent. She confirmed I can take plates off current car and transfer registration to new one. But if there is a gap, I have to keep paying insurance on them. Even though there is no car connected to them. Which Seems really illogical. But can change to just liability so won’t cost much, and will prevent the dmv from cancelling them.

Nothing is ever easy these days it seems.

qbrozen

ugh. Another roadblock on the Opel. So I supposedly finally got a hold of the correct people to help me through this. At least, that's what the lady told me on the phone. So, after she spoke with her team, she sent an email requesting form 3520-1 from Customs when I imported it. Hmmm... but the car is over 25 years old. I pointed that out again. My broker doesn't file it because, according to Customs, any car over 21 does not need to conform to any EPA requirements ... so why would I fill out a form for EPA requirements? But, nope, she says I still need it. SIGH. I wrote to the broker and was told "that'll be another $40 ... or just do it yourself." Alright, so I found the form and filled it out, but nowhere does it say what the heck to do with the form. The EPA site says "send it to the CBP." Ummm... HOW? WHERE? Even on the CBP site, they just copied and pasted the EPA instructions. So, yeah, on the CBP site, it states "send the completed form to the CBP." WTH? Government agency at work!!

stickguy

Pay the $40 and let the broker do it?

Or maybe I am missing something. Can you just send it to the dmv lady?

breld

@qbrozen - wow - quite the headache. At least you don't have another full-time job. Oh...wait.

rayains

Stickguy -
As said, many [ most?] of us here
have been through this sort of thing
in our careers.
Best of luck to you!
- Ray
Mergers & Acquisitions have been the bane of MY career...
Career that is now OVER :-)

qbrozen

Yup. Gub'ment. Can't make this stuff up.

"You need to have this form that nobody requires for your vehicle but we want it anyway."
"But... the EPA says this is not necessary."
"Doesn't matter."

"Mr Broker, what do I do?"
"Pay me $40."
"OK."
... form arrives minutes later.
"But, Mr Broker, now what? You sent this to me, not Customs."
"Yup, sure did. Customs nor EPA want it because it doesn't apply to your vehicle. Thanks for your donation."
"..... but.... but .... "

Mr [non-permissible content removed], AKA me, says "F it" and sends this completed form to NJ people.
"Thank you, Mr [non-permissible content removed]. You are approved for OBD bypass."

.... .... .... .... I can't....

kyfdx

$40 seems cheap to solve that problem..

jmonroe1

breld said:

tjc78 said:

@Michaell said:

Only if you're able to stop in Colorado this time and meet up with the contingent here.

But, I like the idea.

How far is the CO group from Fort Collins or Denver airport?

We're all fairly close to the Denver airport...@michaell and I are only a 20-30 minute drive up the tollway from it.

Not terribly close to Fort Collins (perhaps an hour away).
————————————————
Everything is relative, I guess. Those times would be much less with @roadburner driving.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

corvette said:

stickguy said:

what are you appealing? did they give it a tax basis more than MSRP? Or just that but you want a basis of what you actually paid for it/

I thought PP states had charts they used (like blue book values) instead of basing on actual purchase price?

I'm appealing the assessed value of $31,550 when I only paid $22,605 for the truck (not including sales tax) and have a 11/30/22 buy bid of $20k from Vroom. I believe they use NADA "clean trade" values, and are probably within their rights to do that, which is the reason I don't expect to prevail. The only "clear cut" appeals are for high mileage and unrepaired defects/damage, which I've negotiated successfully on the Prius.

At most, I'd get maybe $150.00 back, but I'd rather make the bureaucrats work to get my tax money.

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I do that too but then I take matters into my own hands.

jmonroe

Sandman6472

Just for kicks, took out my spec cheat sheet to see how my choices compared size wise. Now, I'm basing it all on the specs of my VW Golf which is 167.5" in length and 70.8" in width. My wife doesn't want me to go too much larger in the width which I understand as we do park both vehicles in the garage every night. My short list ranges from 175.6" down to 165.6". I cut the smaller Mini Cooper out but the 4-door is 158" and the 2-door is 152.2". The width's are going from 71.9" down to 70.8" with the smaller Mini Cooper coming in at 68" for both models. I think the short list is pretty much all that's out there right now & that's somewhat affordable.
And the list is...
- Mini Cooper CountrymanS
- Mazda CX-30
- Hyundai Kona Limited
- Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.
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Do like the Buick Encore GX but not sure it will fit in length. At this juncture, not even considering a VW Golf as I think the infotainment system will turn me off...big time. And been there, done that to be honest. And as much as I do also like the Kia Soul, it's a bit too plain for me. Lastly, there's the Chevy Bolt, but have a lot of questions about an EV going forward. I'm sure there are others out there but they don't come to mind right now. Not a big fan of the Mazda infotainment set-up either to be honest, but there is value there especially with the package which includes the Bose audio. Could actually see myself in any of these for many years to come. And with the amount of driving I'm averaging right now, almost 2K/year, I won't be putting much mileage on any of them at all. But, I'm finally at the point where I'd like to get what might possibly be my last vehicle...and need to get exactly what I want, without thinking only of price. Sure, it's going to be a consideration, not going to blow like $40K or anything like that but, this one has to be a keeper but I need to absolutely love it, like I did when I bought the current VW Golf.
Hoping with my Golf & a nice down payment, I won't need to finance a whole lot. Don't feel like raiding the portfolio for something I really don't need right now...this is strictly a want. But would love all the new tech & safety features going forward. Hoping to get a 2024 model so this gives me some time to let the markets cool down a bit & inventories to rise a bit also. Most dealers are still dealing with low inventory starting at MSRP with some still adding on those ridiculous Admin Fees, something I won't even consider paying. rather wait it out awhile longer to get exactly the combination of color & options that I want as settling is no longer an option anymore. Hoping that time will be my friend here but will jump on something that's out sooner if it checks all the boxes...a 2024 model is not edged in stone. Just want something with the exact options/color that I can enjoy for a long long time. Is this too much to ask?