Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

That's why I buy what I really like, except the Tucson incident which we don't talk about. Think it's also because we've always lived below our means once I got married. My folks used to get new vehicles more often as one was charged to the family business so every two years, a new Cadillac or Lincoln wold show up at the house. Even once the folks retired, they'd get newer vehicles on a regular basis. Our financial situation was totally different, so we had to adjust our spending to a much lower income level.
So going forward, I'll just find the best vehicle for me that I can & enjoy it for a long time. Without breaking the bank of course!

It took me two years to pull the trigger on the Mustang and it’s been as long searching for the right old style used Ford Ranger that has the combination of features I want at a price that won’t keep me awake at night. So take your time and just be prepared to move quickly when you see that perfect car.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

unfortunately yes. And Carvana seems to have 90% of the ones for sale in the country.

Maybe THAT was their ill-conceived plan. If they could control all of the inventory, they can control the pricing. mwuhahahaha

henryn

benjaminh said:

So stickguy has sold his first Maverick! Congrats.

Reading this story on Tesla, a few things stand out....

https://www.wardsauto.com/industry-news/musk-sketches-tesla-plans-investor-day

"....Tesla’s next-generation vehicle platform will reduce the size of the necessary plants by almost half, while being more efficient and turning out the same volume of vehicles as its current factories. Costs per plant will be cut by 50% compared with today’s plants....

Tesla’s next gigafactory will be built in Monterrey, Mexico. At the end of 2022, the company had installed capacity to build 1.9 million vehicles a year. Musk’s goal is to reach capacity of 20 million vehicles for which he says the company will need 12 gigafactories in all...."

Reading some other stories, it looks like the second generation Model 3 will be out in maybe three years or so, and taking the hyperbole with a generous sprinkling of salt it will probably cost significantly less. Maybe 35k even before the federal rebates? Apparently the glass roof feature is being eliminated for the next generation.

Even if Tesla only reaches half of its 10-year production goal, adding 10 million vehicles to current supplies is likely to affect the supply and demand balance—and vehicle prices. Many manufacturers have said they are going to limit production to keep prices high, but meanwhile Tesla is going to be taking market share. As some are now saying, there's going to be an EV price war, which really has already started.

Currently a base Model 3 has an msrp that almost exactly the same as a BMW 3-series—45k. But the Tesla gets a $7500 federal tax credit, while the BMW doesn't. No wonder the Model 3 already outsells the 3-series by something like 4-1. Probably this year sales of the 3-series will pass the Accord, and next year it will probably pass the Camry.

I don't think I'll personally be getting a Tesla, but a lot of people are going to just based on sheer economics.

After reading about how he treats his employees, I don't think I will be buying anything from Elon Musk.

henryn

https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1138935_high-interest-rates-car-prices-lead-to-record-loans-debt

New car shoppers continue to pay record levels, and many are funding their purchases with record-level loan amounts that teeter into delinquencies and eventually, negative equity, or owing more than the car is worth. Recent reports from Edmunds and Bloomberg found that high interest rates coupled with high new car prices and cooling used car values have found many Americans upside down on their car loans.

The average new car interest rate rose to 6.5% in Q4 of 2022, up from 4.1% a year earlier, according to data from Edmunds. The confluence of high new car prices and higher interest rates means that borrowers owe more and are taking out longer, more expensive loans to finance their purchase.

The average term limit of a new car loan is 70 months, which has stayed relatively even for the past few years. The difference now is the monthly payment has ballooned to $717 per month in Q4 of 2022, up from $659 a year ago. Nearly 16% of new car borrowers are paying more than $1,000 per month—a record—due to the double whammy of high new car prices and high interest rates.

au1994

henryn said:

benjaminh said:

So stickguy has sold his first Maverick! Congrats.

Reading this story on Tesla, a few things stand out....

https://www.wardsauto.com/industry-news/musk-sketches-tesla-plans-investor-day

"....Tesla’s next-generation vehicle platform will reduce the size of the necessary plants by almost half, while being more efficient and turning out the same volume of vehicles as its current factories. Costs per plant will be cut by 50% compared with today’s plants....

Tesla’s next gigafactory will be built in Monterrey, Mexico. At the end of 2022, the company had installed capacity to build 1.9 million vehicles a year. Musk’s goal is to reach capacity of 20 million vehicles for which he says the company will need 12 gigafactories in all...."

Reading some other stories, it looks like the second generation Model 3 will be out in maybe three years or so, and taking the hyperbole with a generous sprinkling of salt it will probably cost significantly less. Maybe 35k even before the federal rebates? Apparently the glass roof feature is being eliminated for the next generation.

Even if Tesla only reaches half of its 10-year production goal, adding 10 million vehicles to current supplies is likely to affect the supply and demand balance—and vehicle prices. Many manufacturers have said they are going to limit production to keep prices high, but meanwhile Tesla is going to be taking market share. As some are now saying, there's going to be an EV price war, which really has already started.

Currently a base Model 3 has an msrp that almost exactly the same as a BMW 3-series—45k. But the Tesla gets a $7500 federal tax credit, while the BMW doesn't. No wonder the Model 3 already outsells the 3-series by something like 4-1. Probably this year sales of the 3-series will pass the Accord, and next year it will probably pass the Camry.

I don't think I'll personally be getting a Tesla, but a lot of people are going to just based on sheer economics.

After reading about how he treats his employees, I don't think I will be buying anything from Elon Musk.

I am not a fan of his management tactics either.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

That's why I buy what I really like, except the Tucson incident which we don't talk about. Think it's also because we've always lived below our means once I got married. My folks used to get new vehicles more often as one was charged to the family business so every two years, a new Cadillac or Lincoln wold show up at the house. Even once the folks retired, they'd get newer vehicles on a regular basis. Our financial situation was totally different, so we had to adjust our spending to a much lower income level.
So going forward, I'll just find the best vehicle for me that I can & enjoy it for a long time. Without breaking the bank of course!

It took me two years to pull the trigger on the Mustang and it’s been as long searching for the right old style used Ford Ranger that has the combination of features I want at a price that won’t keep me awake at night. So take your time and just be prepared to move quickly when you see that perfect car.

Nicest one on Facebook. plus you can plow your driveway with it. maybe do the rich neighbors and make some spare cash. The low miles you like!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1674050486159173/permalink/3614969588733910/?sale_post_id=3614969588733910

Or if you want something a little flashier.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1674050486159173/permalink/3614771415420394/?sale_post_id=3614771415420394

the rest, well, let's just say they are quite needy.

qbrozen

henryn said:

After reading about how he treats his employees, I don't think I will be buying anything from Elon Musk.

Do what you gotta do, but most of our products come from places with far worse working conditions. They just aren't as publicized.

corvette

henryn said:

New car shoppers continue to pay record levels, and many are funding their purchases with record-level loan amounts that teeter into delinquencies and eventually, negative equity, or owing more than the car is worth.

I think they could have worded that better, they make it sound like delinquencies cause negative equity.

breld

I can't think of another automotive manufacturer for which buyers actually consider the behavior of its leadership in the purchase decision.

Not saying I disagree, just find it interesting.

breld

Serious question...why does a buyer even consider Nissan/Infiniti. Can you really say any of their products offer a superior driving experience over the competitors?

I've gotta think it's price and maybe styling, which is obviously subjective. It seems as though any of their refreshes simply address aesthetics. What's that saying about lipstick and pigs?

Now I'm off to check out the QX60.

stickguy

Price is the big one. some people also are just long term Nissan owners (there was one in my old neighborhood). And I am sure some just happen to like the product.

kyfdx

$259 for new Interstate battery.
$27 labor (0.3 hours)

cdnpinhead

breld said:

I can't think of another automotive manufacturer for which buyers actually consider the behavior of its leadership in the purchase decision.

Yeah, Henry Ford was a real paragon of virtue, or perhaps not.

It was "a different time."

au1994

breld said:

Serious question...why does a buyer even consider Nissan/Infiniti. Can you really say any of their products offer a superior driving experience over the competitors?

I've gotta think it's price and maybe styling, which is obviously subjective. It seems as though any of their refreshes simply address aesthetics. What's that saying about lipstick and pigs?

Now I'm off to check out the QX60.

I don’t find their designs unattractive. Back in the day, they used to lease pretty well. QX60 is nice and the wife likes the QX55.

henryn

breld said:

I can't think of another automotive manufacturer for which buyers actually consider the behavior of its leadership in the purchase decision.

Not saying I disagree, just find it interesting.

I don't think anyone since Henry Ford has had that kind of control of an automotive company. Walter Chrysler, I suppose, but that would be the same time frame.

Plus for me it's a matter of what you see, what you know about. I don't pay much attention to where the cheap shoes that I buy are made, but I did avoid Nike for several years due to all of the publicity about their sweatshops.

Michaell

New Pathfinder and Rogue are not bad-looking.

Weren't you considering a Z at one point?

corvette

I suspect that Nissan has been kept afloat by fleet sales for quite some time.

Michaell

The Infiniti line seems to be .... meh. My sister and BIL were quite smitten with the QX55, but they decided to go with a used 2019 Volvo XC40. My BIL drove it and was amazed at how much more tech it had than his leased 2019 Q50.

tifighter

Yeah, if I got a gift card to a Nissan/Infinti dealer, I’d probably ask if it also applied to the used lot before making a decision.

The original Q45 has never been topped.

roadburner

Even the new Z received lukewarm reviews.

andres3

qbrozen said:

The tax credit won’t always be there to help Tesla make sales. And, IMHO, the base model 3 pales in comparison to a 3-series. I very much prefer my WRX to a base model3, as a matter of fact. They are very similar in quality feel, but I get AWD, better handling, and more range. The Model 3 is leasing quite well in NJ right now, but I just don’t want a base model at all for any price.

I agree. I just test drove my first EV, a Tesla base Model 3. I liked the car actually, but it's not for me. I think they've done a good job making the first "Apple Car." It's not particularly fast or quick, but the torque and quickness was enough to make me smile and is adequate. I guess my expectations were very high given the hoopla and hype. Granted, it's not a performance model.

Was hard to upset the car on A/S tires, finally with some shenanigans I got some noise out of the tires but only by turning sharply. It handles well enough for what it is. An emergency brake made the car make a loud shuttering noise.

I thought the sensors showing me a dog with pedestrians graphically crossing the crosswalk in front of me on the big screen to be pretty good and accurate; made me trust that I could drive looking at the screen rather than out the windshield. But why not just look out the windshield, I think CR is right that this is a distraction that may lead to deaths and collisions.

The sounds system and seats and adjustments all seemed good enough. The plastics can be a bit downgraded. No rattles. I can see why Tesla's been successful and popular.

In CA you get $3,000 on top of the Federal $7,500 if you make less than $130K/year.

That's the only way I find it competitive, in the low 40's it doesn't make sense to me value wise.

andres3

Cobalt SS from 2006 is the same power and torque as the base model A3 from 2006. Cars & Bids has one for auction. Surprised they slapped an SS label on something with only 200 horses.

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

https://www.thecarconnection.com/news/1138935_high-interest-rates-car-prices-lead-to-record-loans-debt

New car shoppers continue to pay record levels, and many are funding their purchases with record-level loan amounts that teeter into delinquencies and eventually, negative equity, or owing more than the car is worth. Recent reports from Edmunds and Bloomberg found that high interest rates coupled with high new car prices and cooling used car values have found many Americans upside down on their car loans.

The average new car interest rate rose to 6.5% in Q4 of 2022, up from 4.1% a year earlier, according to data from Edmunds. The confluence of high new car prices and higher interest rates means that borrowers owe more and are taking out longer, more expensive loans to finance their purchase.

The average term limit of a new car loan is 70 months, which has stayed relatively even for the past few years. The difference now is the monthly payment has ballooned to $717 per month in Q4 of 2022, up from $659 a year ago. Nearly 16% of new car borrowers are paying more than $1,000 per month—a record—due to the double whammy of high new car prices and high interest rates.

I just don’t understand the mindset of going deep into debt on a depreciating asset. I get that sometimes you NEED a car to get to work but there are cheaper alternatives to buying a $70k SUV. It’s as if you have children who can’t control themselves running wild in the toy store.

In my poor days I went strictly used and didn’t buy a new car for 22 years. Instead I bought hand me downs from relatives who I knew took good care of their cars. Drove them into the ground and then looked for another cheapo. Never had to take out a loan because I put money aside for the next one.

The behavior some people display seems almost self destructive.

oldfarmer50

henryn said:

benjaminh said:

So stickguy has sold his first Maverick! Congrats.

Reading this story on Tesla, a few things stand out....

https://www.wardsauto.com/industry-news/musk-sketches-tesla-plans-investor-day

"....Tesla’s next-generation vehicle platform will reduce the size of the necessary plants by almost half, while being more efficient and turning out the same volume of vehicles as its current factories. Costs per plant will be cut by 50% compared with today’s plants....

Tesla’s next gigafactory will be built in Monterrey, Mexico. At the end of 2022, the company had installed capacity to build 1.9 million vehicles a year. Musk’s goal is to reach capacity of 20 million vehicles for which he says the company will need 12 gigafactories in all...."

Reading some other stories, it looks like the second generation Model 3 will be out in maybe three years or so, and taking the hyperbole with a generous sprinkling of salt it will probably cost significantly less. Maybe 35k even before the federal rebates? Apparently the glass roof feature is being eliminated for the next generation.

Even if Tesla only reaches half of its 10-year production goal, adding 10 million vehicles to current supplies is likely to affect the supply and demand balance—and vehicle prices. Many manufacturers have said they are going to limit production to keep prices high, but meanwhile Tesla is going to be taking market share. As some are now saying, there's going to be an EV price war, which really has already started.

Currently a base Model 3 has an msrp that almost exactly the same as a BMW 3-series—45k. But the Tesla gets a $7500 federal tax credit, while the BMW doesn't. No wonder the Model 3 already outsells the 3-series by something like 4-1. Probably this year sales of the 3-series will pass the Accord, and next year it will probably pass the Camry.

I don't think I'll personally be getting a Tesla, but a lot of people are going to just based on sheer economics.

After reading about how he treats his employees, I don't think I will be buying anything from Elon Musk.

I hear Henry Ford was hard to work for too. Yet you owned a F-150.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

That's why I buy what I really like, except the Tucson incident which we don't talk about. Think it's also because we've always lived below our means once I got married. My folks used to get new vehicles more often as one was charged to the family business so every two years, a new Cadillac or Lincoln wold show up at the house. Even once the folks retired, they'd get newer vehicles on a regular basis. Our financial situation was totally different, so we had to adjust our spending to a much lower income level.
So going forward, I'll just find the best vehicle for me that I can & enjoy it for a long time. Without breaking the bank of course!

It took me two years to pull the trigger on the Mustang and it’s been as long searching for the right old style used Ford Ranger that has the combination of features I want at a price that won’t keep me awake at night. So take your time and just be prepared to move quickly when you see that perfect car.

Nicest one on Facebook. plus you can plow your driveway with it. maybe do the rich neighbors and make some spare cash. The low miles you like!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1674050486159173/permalink/3614969588733910/?sale_post_id=3614969588733910

Or if you want something a little flashier.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1674050486159173/permalink/3614771415420394/?sale_post_id=3614771415420394

the rest, well, let's just say they are quite needy.

Sorry but that’s a private FB group of some sort and I don’t do Facebook.

stickguy

Gotta give Carvana props. Not only did the check they gave me not bounce, I just checked my Ford credit account and they had the loan payoff to them on Wednesday (I only turned the truck in at noon Monday). I guess the agent wasn't lying when he said they would Fed Ex the payment out to them quickly.

and now, I wait and see what happens!

Michaell

That money seems to be burning a hole in your bank account.

breld

Michaell said:

New Pathfinder and Rogue are not bad-looking.

Weren't you considering a Z at one point?

Definitely - count me as one who finds some of Nissan’s designs attractive. The Z is definitely one. The current Pathfinder/QX60 both catch my eye as well. But, as @roadburner mentioned, the Z consistently receives lukewarm reviews for being on a dated chassis. And I don’t see the Pathfinder making any waves, though definitely a good move for Nissan to move away from the CVT.

oldfarmer50

breld said:

Serious question...why does a buyer even consider Nissan/Infiniti. Can you really say any of their products offer a superior driving experience over the competitors?

I've gotta think it's price and maybe styling, which is obviously subjective. It seems as though any of their refreshes simply address aesthetics. What's that saying about lipstick and pigs?

Now I'm off to check out the QX60.

QX60 is an upscale Armada if I remember correctly. The Armadas I’ve drive have a very imprecise steering feel, kind of like you’re driving on a fence rail and might fall off on either side. I’d hate to have to do emergency maneuvers in one. At least you get a 9 speed auto in the QX60, not a CVT.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Price is the big one. some people also are just long term Nissan owners (there was one in my old neighborhood). And I am sure some just happen to like the product.

My BIL loves his Altimas even though his last one had the floor rot out after 12 years.

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

breld said:

Serious question...why does a buyer even consider Nissan/Infiniti. Can you really say any of their products offer a superior driving experience over the competitors?

I've gotta think it's price and maybe styling, which is obviously subjective. It seems as though any of their refreshes simply address aesthetics. What's that saying about lipstick and pigs?

Now I'm off to check out the QX60.

QX60 is an upscale Armada if I remember correctly. The Armadas I’ve drive have a very imprecise steering feel, kind of like you’re driving on a fence rail and might fall off on either side. I’d hate to have to do emergency maneuvers in one. At least you get a 9 speed auto in the QX60, not a CVT.

That's the QX80.

QX60 is the equivalent to the Pathfinder.

stickguy

Michaell said:

That money seems to be burning a hole in your bank account.

I got the urge. Just not the justification.

but my son (the disease is genetic apparently) came up with the same convoluted plan to flip 2 Mavericks and the RDX into the snazzy X3 I found and a Miata. Seems like a solid plan to me! Just need to find the cheaper/beater PU to round out the fleet.

very odd that after having the Maverick for a year, the wife might have been more attached to having a truck than I was, and definitely wants to keep one around.

corvette

Lots of trees down around here after all of the wind we had. I have branches all over the yard, but the giant hackberry that is growing into my garage is thankfully still in one piece. Neighbor's weeping willow was uprooted, fell through the fence and into another neighbor's house and on top of their beater car (can't tell about the house, but the car looks like it may just have minor scratches). My other neighbor has a tree that is listing towards the fence, near where my Maverick is parked, so I moved the Maverick closer to the edge of the driveway, further from any trees. Hope everyone else stays safe out there!

fintail

breld said:

I can't think of another automotive manufacturer for which buyers actually consider the behavior of its leadership in the purchase decision.

Not saying I disagree, just find it interesting.

I can't think of another automaker with a leader who behaves as poorly as untouchable contrarian edgelord Musk. If any other meddled and muddled around like he did, I wouldn't be running to support them either.

jmonroe1

I have a car purchase to report but it’s not mine.

Just a side note here before I begin. I don’t know if I mentioned that Son #1 is also unemployed. It happened right before Thanksgiving of 2022. He was waiting for it to happen and thought it would happen 2 years ago. When it didn’t he was considering just quitting so he could devote more time to his flip and house rental biz but figured he might as well get a severance package which he did. He even said, “that old saying about good things come to those who wait is true”. Things must be different today than when I worked because if I was ever laid off I’d have been more concerned about where my next wiener was coming from than buying 2 cars within a month. I’m now convinced his end of the flip houses are doing better than my end. I should get in touch with my CPA poster buddy @snakeweasel who hangs out in the Cars and Conversations site to review the books for me.

OK, now back to the car he bought for his 16 year old son who still only has his permit:

He bought a 2005 Mini Cooper S via a private sale from a guy who lives somewhere around Richmond VA (at least he didn’t go to the other side of the country, Portland Oregon, like he did when he bought his 2018 X3 M240i and had it shipped). The car just turned 65K miles on the trip home. He paid $6500 for it once he negotiated the price down from $7200 because the PPI that was done by a BMW indie shop that was recommended by his local BMW indie shop, said the tires should be replaced immediately (not in a few thousand miles like the owner thought) and he found a leaking power steering hose. Everything thing else was fine especially the body since the car was initially bought in Florida. The guy in VA that he bought it from had it for 8 years.

When my Son talked to the indie guy about the car before he got the report my Son said, “that’s all”? and the guy said that’s it, even the brakes should give you a good 6 to 8K miles before you have to worry about them. When my Son told the guy the car was for his 16 year old Son the indie guy said, “Oh, make that 4K miles”.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

corvette said:

Lots of trees down around here after all of the wind we had. I have branches all over the yard, but the giant hackberry that is growing into my garage is thankfully still in one piece. Neighbor's weeping willow was uprooted, fell through the fence and into another neighbor's house and on top of their beater car (can't tell about the house, but the car looks like it may just have minor scratches). My other neighbor has a tree that is listing towards the fence, near where my Maverick is parked, so I moved the Maverick closer to the edge of the driveway, further from any trees. Hope everyone else stays safe out there!

————————————————
Good to hear you came away unscathed. It was very windy when we came out of the restaurant tonight but as far as I can tell the Willow trees at the back of my yard that lead into the woods seem to be still standing. I’ll know better tomorrow morning.

I hope everyone else in this area is OK too.

jmonroe

roadburner

corvette said:

Lots of trees down around here after all of the wind we had. I have branches all over the yard, but the giant hackberry that is growing into my garage is thankfully still in one piece. Neighbor's weeping willow was uprooted, fell through the fence and into another neighbor's house and on top of their beater car (can't tell about the house, but the car looks like it may just have minor scratches). My other neighbor has a tree that is listing towards the fence, near where my Maverick is parked, so I moved the Maverick closer to the edge of the driveway, further from any trees. Hope everyone else stays safe out there!

Only a few trees down at Casa Roadburner. The lights flickered a few times but there was no extended power outage- thanks to our proximity to a main substation.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen said:
Do what you gotta do, but most of our products come from places with far worse working conditions. They just aren't as publicized.

Like our iPhones?

stickguy

speaking of kids and cars, I stalked the dealer my son and GF got her new CRV at. They have the Fit she traded in listed at $22,995 (a 2022 EX with 22K miles and a number scratches on the hood).

original MSRP was just about $20,000. Crazy times we live in!

now she is peeved that they "ripped her off" for only $3,000 or so equity when getting her out of a $225ish per month lease after 33 months! Ended up with a real net lease of about $150 so hard to complain about that!

corvette

Slight glitch in the matrix... Edmunds says this base 2020 Model 3 is worth $49,724 on trade in average condition and $55,543 dealer retail. Dealer has it advertised for $36,500. Just for S&Gs, I plugged it into Carvana and got an offer of $26,366. Vroom "isn't purchasing Tesla vehicles at this time." Like Terry always said, books don't buy cars, but this seems way off.

henryn

oldfarmer50 said:

henryn said:

benjaminh said:

So stickguy has sold his first Maverick! Congrats.

Reading this story on Tesla, a few things stand out....

https://www.wardsauto.com/industry-news/musk-sketches-tesla-plans-investor-day

"....Tesla’s next-generation vehicle platform will reduce the size of the necessary plants by almost half, while being more efficient and turning out the same volume of vehicles as its current factories. Costs per plant will be cut by 50% compared with today’s plants....

Tesla’s next gigafactory will be built in Monterrey, Mexico. At the end of 2022, the company had installed capacity to build 1.9 million vehicles a year. Musk’s goal is to reach capacity of 20 million vehicles for which he says the company will need 12 gigafactories in all...."

Reading some other stories, it looks like the second generation Model 3 will be out in maybe three years or so, and taking the hyperbole with a generous sprinkling of salt it will probably cost significantly less. Maybe 35k even before the federal rebates? Apparently the glass roof feature is being eliminated for the next generation.

Even if Tesla only reaches half of its 10-year production goal, adding 10 million vehicles to current supplies is likely to affect the supply and demand balance—and vehicle prices. Many manufacturers have said they are going to limit production to keep prices high, but meanwhile Tesla is going to be taking market share. As some are now saying, there's going to be an EV price war, which really has already started.

Currently a base Model 3 has an msrp that almost exactly the same as a BMW 3-series—45k. But the Tesla gets a $7500 federal tax credit, while the BMW doesn't. No wonder the Model 3 already outsells the 3-series by something like 4-1. Probably this year sales of the 3-series will pass the Accord, and next year it will probably pass the Camry.

I don't think I'll personally be getting a Tesla, but a lot of people are going to just based on sheer economics.

After reading about how he treats his employees, I don't think I will be buying anything from Elon Musk.

I hear Henry Ford was hard to work for too. Yet you owned a F-150.

Henry Ford has been dead since 1947. Which was 3 years before I was born. Even I don't hold a grudge for that long!

corvette

henryn said:

Even I don't hold a grudge for that long!

Amateur!

jmonroe1

roadburner said:

corvette said:

Lots of trees down around here after all of the wind we had. I have branches all over the yard, but the giant hackberry that is growing into my garage is thankfully still in one piece. Neighbor's weeping willow was uprooted, fell through the fence and into another neighbor's house and on top of their beater car (can't tell about the house, but the car looks like it may just have minor scratches). My other neighbor has a tree that is listing towards the fence, near where my Maverick is parked, so I moved the Maverick closer to the edge of the driveway, further from any trees. Hope everyone else stays safe out there!

Only a few trees down at Casa Roadburner. The lights flickered a few times but there was no extended power outage- thanks to our proximity to a main substation.

That black job that's still standing between the 2 downed trees looks like it should get a quick pass with the chainsaw while you're out there cleaning up the downed trees.

jmonroe

tommister2

The Maverick we have on order is for our son to drive. I noticed this week that it says “in production” so that’s good news!

We were hesitant about buying a Tesla but so far we love the model 3 long range AWD we got in June 2022. It’s got over 14k miles already! No problems with the car, we have had one tire and a windshield to replace…wife plans to keep it 3-4 years but no more. We will see.

mjfloyd1

@stickguy
I think I found your next pickup truck

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

speaking of kids and cars, I stalked the dealer my son and GF got her new CRV at. They have the Fit she traded in listed at $22,995 (a 2022 EX with 22K miles and a number scratches on the hood).

original MSRP was just about $20,000. Crazy times we live in!

now she is peeved that they "ripped her off" for only $3,000 or so equity when getting her out of a $225ish per month lease after 33 months! Ended up with a real net lease of about $150 so hard to complain about that!

This is something I don’t understand. We are being told that used car prices are “collapsing” and that people can’t pay these inflated prices. Yet we still have nonsense like that. Are they swinging for the fence but willing to negotiate lower or are people still in the 2021 mindset?

stickguy

That should be able to clear the ice mountain from the plow blocking my driveway! If it doesn't tip over.

tommister2

There are many theories but this makes the most sense to me- we are basically in another cash for clunkers situation. Because of the reduced output of factories from the past few years there is an overall reduction of inventory which is keeping prices high, new and used.

Much can change this year as the economy gets better or worse, repos increase or don’t, etc.

Just my thoughts, could be right, could be totally wrong.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

speaking of kids and cars, I stalked the dealer my son and GF got her new CRV at. They have the Fit she traded in listed at $22,995 (a 2022 EX with 22K miles and a number scratches on the hood).

original MSRP was just about $20,000. Crazy times we live in!

now she is peeved that they "ripped her off" for only $3,000 or so equity when getting her out of a $225ish per month lease after 33 months! Ended up with a real net lease of about $150 so hard to complain about that!

This is something I don’t understand. We are being told that used car prices are “collapsing” and that people can’t pay these inflated prices. Yet we still have nonsense like that. Are they swinging for the fence but willing to negotiate lower or are people still in the 2021 mindset?

Not sure but I think dealers are still shooting for home runs.

plus, while this is expensive for a Fit, it is cheap compared to other newer cars (3 years old, 22k miles). Maybe they figure people are desperate?

prices crash first at the auctions. I watch some videos (the flying wheels guy does a pretty good job reporting on this) that indicate bids were way down but initially it just led to a bunch of no sales. Eventually dealers have to cut and run though. So wholesale going down (well, unless you are selling a Maverick!) but that has not translated much to retail it seems.

new cars are a much better buy if you can be a little patient to find or wait for one. The Honda dealers up here are selling at straight sticker. Seems like a better deal to get a new 2023 at sticker, than a 2-3 YO one for almost as much if not more.

ab348

I dunno. The local Hyundai dealer is advertising a new Tucson at about $45,000 of our worthless Canadian dollars. That seems steep to me for one of those.