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Excellent question! As an infrequent buyer (a total of 6 cars since 1985 for 2 drivers), I have to ask: why do some of you guys get bored so quickly? Don't you think that this points to a flaw in your shopping process?
It helps in my case that I'm phobic about debt; I won't even think about a new car until I can pay cash for it. That means that whatever I buy, I'll have to keep it for at least 8 years - the length of time that it will take me to save for the next car.
Our son has used one guy probably four times now with 100% success and a guy I used to work with has similar results with another lawyer.
It might be worth it for you to look into this.
Either that or just SLOW DOWN!
Now, this comes from a guy who, in his mis spent youth once got nine tickets in a little over a year. Three of these were in the same week and two out of those three were on the same day by the same motorcycle cop!
I finally learned my lesson but it took awhile.
Watch out for this guy; he's an enabler. He mentioned the RDX to me a few weeks ago, and now I strangely have one.
:shades:
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
Anyway, for your temptation?:
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Wife came home with this late last night.
I gotta give her props. It was the first vehicle she has ever purchased on her own. Well... ok, we were calling and texting back and forth ... but she really did get the final deal on her own. And I think she may have done better than I would have. A ridiculously good deal. They made very little money.
It broke down like this:
trade-in value on T&C = $21,250-$22,500 - she paid $22,125
trade-in value on mazda5 = $8350-$9500 - she got $9k
They did overcharge on the doc fee a bit ($350), and they make about $800 or so on the financing (matched our credit union, so no skin off our nose). I can see they put 2 new tires on the T&C and did a nice job detailing, so even if they paid $21k for it, they really made nothing. Looks like they made about $1k on the back end, which is more than reasonable. And, who knows, they could get lucky on the mazda.
All in all, a very impressive deal for us. And, although they were advertising it at $23k, they claimed that was not inclusive of $2k in fees. So one of THOSE places. Then they offered $8k on the mazda. I told her to walk. She tried and they begged her to stay. She shot back with $10k for ours and $22k for theirs. They came back with the final deal stated above.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
Virtually all of them; in my searches I've seen sticks listed as automatics and vice-versa on an all too frequent basis....
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Very nice. It looks to be equipped very similar to this '02 which is just up the road from me. E30 wheels, bobbed bumpers, leather Recaros- sweet! And for under $8,000 it is extremely tempting...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I've had mine for about a year and absolutely love it (and frankly, that's saying a lot for me after a year of ownership). I was actually longing more for the MDX at the time, but decided on the CX-9 due to the lower cost and have no regrets.
2025 BMW i5 - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
love the color combo too.
good luck with it, and I hope you get a good price for it in 6 months when you trade it in because your wife is tired of piloting a bus all the time.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
CX-9 is nice too if you want big.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Why not just buy what you REALLY want instead of settling for something? I know that is blasphemy in these parts, but I've had my car almost 6 months and can't imagine driving anything else.
I sat in an RDX and it was really nice. I do think its a little small though and I found out that CPO RDX in Seattle doesn't have nav, so blah, I don't want it.
As for buying what I really want........I really want MY 07 Pilot back, but that isn't going to happen so I have to find the next best thing I guess.
Hubby found a 2003 MDX Touring w/RES and asked why that wasn't good enough. It could be had for $12kish, but it has 88k on it and the dreaded problem transmission. After explaining how much a transmission cost to replace he dropped the subject, lol.
He just want to get a bigger commuter vehicle for himself sooner rather then later I think. He had a stressful drive home yesterday, 2 very close calls that would have spelled the end of the Civic and possibly him too. First time I've seen him come home that shaken. :sick:
when the new MDX shows up, all will be forgotten. Very, very nice car to drive, and super comfy. And enough gadgets to keep yo ubusy for a while (especially with the tech package).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That's a nice looking van. I'm sure you'll love it for the six weeks you'll own it....
when the new MDX shows up, all will be forgotten. Very, very nice car to drive, and super comfy. And enough gadgets to keep yo ubusy for a while (especially with the tech package).
Yes, that Pilot. Pain and all it was still my favorite car. I wish I had hunted for a better solution other then selling it. Ah well, maybe I'll feel better once I have a car again.......its been 4 months, I'm tired of sharing with hubby!
I am looking forward to downsizing from a van myself. Only 1 kid at home (and being a HS age teen girl, mortified to be seen in it, and terrified that we will make her learn to drive on it!), so we don't normally need the room. ANd with something smaller, I won't get stuck driving every time there is a big group!
now if I could convince my wife it is OK to leave something home when we travel, it might work.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
That would be the reason - too big. That's my only reason for thinking about dumping the Ody. Problem is others in the family will find a reason to use that space just often enough to keep me thinking. Of course if the van isn't there that would force said family member (almost always daughter #2) to find a way around the need of a van.
for the shore, it is probably overloaded, but it is only 1.5 hours away, so I can take 2 cars. and at Xmas, she insists on bring all kinds of crap we don't need. so trim that a little, throw the bag on the roof, and a mid size SUV (sante fe, highlander size) would be just fine!
either that, if we went smaller, I might have to violate my rule of "nothing above window line". If I don't have a clear view out, it is filled too high!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
BMW X5 d pump nozzle
Bellevue mototcycle cops are the WORST except now Issaquah where I live has two newly minted motorcycle cops that hide EVERYWHERE!
Given local traffic in the summer and living about 5 miles off the ocean I can report - it probably takes me almost as long to get there as it does you....
I could see a Santa Fe as an alternative. It would probably keep daughter #2 happy because it would still have room for her adventures. She doesn't borrow the Ody much but does do it predictably. Had it just last weekend.
I was just out for about 30 mins - saw 3 motorcycle cops during that time. Someone must have a boat payment to make :shades:
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
I am a pretty big fan of the Acura SUV lineup.
I've always liked the MDX, almost bought an 05 rather then my 06 Ram, really wish I had, that Ram, while a beautiful truck, was a repair princess.
I'm looking forward to getting something to drive. I drove hubby to DMV today....he let his license expire, so we went to renew. I purchased a copy of my driving record and to my surprise I only have 6 points, I thought I had 10. In the state of Alaska, 12 points in 12 months is an automatic 90 day suspension. Apparently you gain "good" points when you don't get tickets and I had 4. So, 6 points means I'm a bit further away from suspension then I thought I was, lol.
Now to go a few more years without another ticket.
2) Not a fan of turbo 4-cyls in heavier vehicles... Seems like you are always into the turbo, and you lose the advantage of the higher gas mileage vs. a V-6.. (CX-7 and RDX are similar in this regard).. Otherwise, I really like the RDX for a small crossover..
3) If I knew I could get out of a ticket for $300, I'd be hell on wheels...
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Me too, lol
Thankfully my insurance only went up a little bit from the bunch of tickets I managed to rack up in July.
Fintail, they got me a few years ago as I exited the tunnel that go's under I-90 by the smog station. I was able to pay 100.00 and get it deferred.
As I exited the tunnel westbound, THERE he was!
I am sure your ticket was about safety though! I see so many crashes in that area...
I've heard 90 heading towards Mercer Island right as the bridge ends can be a big trap, but I've never seen it in actions.
I'm really hoping you will come to your senses and not buy the 2011 MDX. Warning - brutal frankness follows. You're sounding like one of the princesses that isellhondas describes - "I've got to have the navigation system". "It has to have leather". "I can't live without a sunroof" All those things are fine, but can you really afford them? Frankly, I doubt it. An MDX with all the toys is for folks pulling down real money. If that does not describe your situation then if you're not already commited look at some of the cheaper alternatives.
I've never had any issues around Hunts Point or Medina, but I grew up in Clyde Hill so maybe I know the secret handshake or something.
Fintail is right; zipping down 84th or 92nd Ave is just asking for it.
25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 21 Boxster GTS 4.0
I don't *have* to have nav, I have a pretty darn good little gps that has been with me faithfully for 5 years now. It doesn't have to have leather, I like it, but no its not a must have. As for a sunroof, yes, that's a must have, just one of those things. I don't find that a horrible thing.
As for the rest, well, to be quite frank, its not something I need to discuss on this forum.
Will I buy the MDX? Who knows, if it doesn't come in next week then no, I won't, I'll find something else, I can't wait any longer for a car.
Depending on your age, you would know their last name.
Our 4-year-old was very excited. He loves having his own movie theatre, a vehicle he can walk around in, and closing his own door with the push of a button.
Trip computer tells me I got 21.7 mpg on my commute yesterday. Pretty good. Hope it rings true at the pump. And, yes, it is like driving a bus. It does have really good power, though.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
She really disliked the 5.
My wife wouldn't go onto a car lot by herself if her life depended upon it. I don't care how much she may hate the car she's driving, she's gonna make me do the deal.
So, what was it about the 5 that made it trade bait? Size? Power?
We'll see what happens if gas goes north of $3.50/gal later this year. I'm thinking the 4-banger in the 5 might look pretty good at that time.
But, hey, if mama's happy, then the whole family is happy.
I kept saying she is going to miss the gas mileage advantage. It didn't matter. If she's lucky, she'll average 21, which won't be so bad. Mazda was getting a bit over 25 average. Sometimes 26.x, sometimes 24.x.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S
The wife's VUE has been getting approx. 20 MPG lately, which is about right since EPA lists it at 16/22. Have seen as much as 24MPG on the highway.
We've got another road trip to AZ planned for May. Am hoping gas isn't too expensive by that time. Have to adjust the budget to allow for higher gas costs. The trip between our hometown and Sedona, AZ is about 775 miles one way, or about 2.5 tanks of gas.
I finally gave up trying to talk people into more practical choices when I knew making the payments would be a strain for them.
If they "had" to have the friviolous extras and I could get them approved with a lender, I just went for it.
If I didn't, someone else would.
Similar story -- as you all know, I do a little pizza delivery on the side (3/4 nights a week). When an order is paid for by a CC, a receipt is printed similar to what you might see at a restaurant - transaction amount, plus places to put a tip and the total.
On a number of occasions, I've had parents place the order and have the kids take delivery. Twice, I've had kids write down a tip amount on the CC slip and hand me the equivalent amount in cash.
The second time it happened, I called my wife asking if I should point out that they've just doubled my tip amount. Nope, she says, the parents are responsible for providing that guidance.
I don't worry about it anymore.
No logical reason for that - not like I looked up what they are supposed to do.
When we have a long trip with 4 or fewer passengers we just take the Camry which is way better on gas.
If they "had" to have the friviolous extras and I could get them approved with a lender, I just went for it.
Isellhondas, I don't blame you, it is not your job to teach these people. One thing that I've realized as I've gotten older, people DO NOT take advice. Even if they ask 'what would you do'....they will usually do what they want and make a mistake.
Quick story.... I had this guy work for me doing maintenance at my house every week which including starting the cars, etc. A friend of his died and left him sole beneficiary to his estate. This guy quit working for me and started taking classes to be a 'life coach'. Wow, he needed a life coach himself!
He inherited a $450,000 house with a $160,000 mortgage and about $200,000 cash. I drove by his house the other day and it was all boarded up as it has been repossessed. I saw that train rolling down the tracks the minute he told me what he was going to do. But, he didn't ask my opinion and I didn't give it because I know it wouldn't have mattered.
Another thing he did.... he bought a brand new Toyota Tundra and kept it about a year. He needed money so he sold it. He saw a late model Lincoln Town Car and bought it sight unseen, just going by the picture. When he went to AZ to pick it up, it was used by a Limo service and was worn around the edges. He bought it anyway. The company selling the car used a NEW pic of a Lincoln to advertise the car. The stupid thing was he paid for the car before he went to pick it up!
He had the bumper covers replaced and new headlights as they were fogged bad.
You just can't teach people.
Mark156
But there are some out there who don't mind learning through someone else's mistakes first. Just some tho..
But regarding your story, mustav taken some doing to go through all that money so quickly. Gambling maybe..and a few fast women..
Mark
Sad but true. People do what they do.
How could he possibly think he could maintain a $450,000 house, cars, insurance etc on less than 200K for long? Heck taxes alone could eat up 12 to 15K a year (at least where I live)
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
and her going on her own doing the deal means that I have died already.
she would expect me to do the research, and present options, which she would review on line (pictures). anything that makes it past that step, i can go do some leg work. Once that is done, and the list is set, then she will go out for test drives. And be perfectly happy to bail before negotiations begin!
we are going to the car show in Philly again next week. that is a great way for a non gear head to see everything, and decide which ones are worth additional scrutiny.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
You aren't kidding, I'd sell the house payoff my mortgage and clear about $400K.
Living with no mortgage and that money in the bank, would certainly make my life a little easier.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
and her going on her own doing the deal means that I have died already.
she would expect me to do the research, and present options, which she would review on line (pictures). anything that makes it past that step, i can go do some leg work. Once that is done, and the list is set, then she will go out for test drives. And be perfectly happy to bail before negotiations begin!
we are going to the car show in Philly again next week. that is a great way for a non gear head to see everything, and decide which ones are worth additional scrutiny.
+1 on all of that, stick.
Two slight modifications in our house, however.
Number 1, the list for us is maybe 1 or 2 vehicles deep. The last time we did any serious comparison shopping is when we bought the '05 VUE .. she drove the Santa Fe as well. Since then, it's been Saturn (ION - didn't look at anything else), Saturn ('08 VUE - ditto) and MINI (daughter's choice).
Number 2, the car show. She's come with me a couple of times to the show in Denver, but she stopped several years ago. Not gonna happen this year, either, since she's in school the weekend it's in town this year.