Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

Looks like I jumped the gun friends. I was so excited that my car was done. I left work early to make sure that I was there to pick it up tonight. I swiped my card, got the keys, and off I went. Left the jeep at the shop to pick it up when my wife gets home later. I ran an errand and the car was off for about 10 minutes. I started back up, and it started a little bit. Next thing I know, the check engine light, and a TTS light came on. drove back to the shop, dropped them off, and told them to read the code when they open up in the morning. hopefully it’s nothing major.

fintail

kyfdx said:

ab348 said:

fintail said:

Michaell said:

I think a screen shot was posted (somewhere) showing ~$400-450/mo for 24 months. Not too much cash up front, either.

That's pretty amazing even if not a loaded car. Must be some built up stock. Would be tempting if I had a charger and didn't have a payment on the wagon lol

Those things start at $136K Canadian up here. Don't think I can get one for $450/month.

The example we had was $115K USD MSRP

115K would have some options, not bad at all. I am sure no deals like that on non E models.

nyccarguy

Install customer supplied front suspension - $350
Install customer supplied rear suspension- $350
4 Wheel Alignment - $99
Tire mount & balance - $150
20 new lug nuts - $179
Front Pads & Labor - $274.73
Front Rotors - $312.46
Rear Brake Pads - $99.99
Rear Brake Rotors - $247.96
Install customer’s Rear Bearings - $260
CT State Emissions Fee - $20
$138.99 AAA Discount

4 Tires - $565.74
2 rear hub bearing assembly - $219.12

A little over $3100 so far and I still have to have the timing belt service performed.

stickguy

gonna be a runner though once it is all done. should be good for another decade. As long as you keep your kids away from the driver's seat!

Michaell

What in the world are those lug nuts made of, if they are $9/ea?

Now I don't feel so bad having invested a bunch of $$$ in keeping my mom's '03 Sonata in tip-top shape.

mjfloyd1

More Tesla price cuts

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/07/tesla-cuts-us-prices-for-fifth-time-since-january.html

jmonroe1

stickguy said:

gonna be a runner though once it is all done. should be good for another decade. As long as you keep your kids away from the driver's seat!

————————————————
Like I said before, he might be down one kid. Used him as part payment to help pay the bill.

I knew we didn’t want to see that bill.

jmonroe

breld

mjfloyd1 said:

More Tesla price cuts

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/07/tesla-cuts-us-prices-for-fifth-time-since-january.html

Another cut, but that follows a couple increases since the big cut in January. So I think, net, they’re back to where they were a couple months ago.

It’s a funny model, but at least it’s transparent at the time of purchase.

corvette

The Maverick putting in some work this morning… local hardware store had mulch on sale, so I bought the limit of 25 bags. The eight that are on top were in the back seat for the ride home so they wouldn’t fall off.

Michaell

corvette said:

The Maverick putting in some work this morning… local hardware store had mulch on sale, so I bought the limit of 25 bags. The eight that are on top were in the back seat for the ride home so they wouldn’t fall off.

Not sure I could fit 25 bags in the Outback, but I think I got 10 or 12 in there, with the rear seat folded down.

kyfdx

I have a guy.. just laid down the mulch, today.

ab348

Oh, my aching back...

That must be testing the max payload weight I guess? Those sacks are around 40lbs each IIRC.

explorerx4

We fit 16 bags of mulch in my wife's MKC.

imidazol97

I used to get 5 3-cu ft bags of mulch in my Cobalt.

jmonroe1

@corvette said:

The Maverick putting in some work this morning… local hardware store had mulch on sale, so I bought the limit of 25 bags. The eight that are on top were in the back seat for the ride home so they wouldn’t fall off.

————————————————
That’s a workout alright for the Maverick.

That reminds me, I better call the landscaper to come over and give my homestead its yearly freshin up (trim the bushes and lay down mulch). I stopped doing that stuff a few years ago.

Speaking of years ago, Son #1 stopped putting down mulch by bitting the bullet and laying down chipped granite. Looks just like it did when it was first done. I’m still on the fence about doing that.

jmonroe

stickguy

see, people that claimed the Maverick was not a "real" truck didn't know what they were talking about!

Should be well under payload. I think that is about 1,600#s. surprisingly high for what it is.

we have a lot less to mulch at the new house, and it is all up front. So might get ambitious and DIY it ourselves. Though I do want to replace the stones that edge the bed with something that does a better job keeping weeds from getting between them. That sounds like a lot more work.

also considering calling a guy to get a quote. Especially if the new truck is not going to arrive before it needs to be done. Zero chance I am putting bags in the RDX, and I think minimum for delivery is going to be too much. should just wait for a load delivered for the new build across the street, and just share it 9th JMonroe way!)

corvette

ab348 said:

Oh, my aching back...

That must be testing the max payload weight I guess? Those sacks are around 40lbs each IIRC.

Max load is around 1,500 pounds... thankfully, I didn't have far to go.

stickguy

floated an alternate plan past the wife this AM while out grocery shopping. Take the Maverick money and split it between a "work/beater" truck, and a sports car of some sort. Conceptually that is the best plan. Unfortunately, concept and reality don't always intersect.

a few hurdles:

• finding a used truck for a price that is not absurd, that also is not a high miles rust bucket, is nearly impossible up here. And the snide comments from the wife every time we use it (if I can even get her to ride in a 20 YO bomber!)
  
• Realizing that I also need to drive the beast (I am assuming it would be of a larger size class). Unless something like a Frontier magically appeared.
  
• then finding a suitable fun car
  
• and there is a chance I will need to do some commuting (possibly 50 miles/day) and would end up needing to run up miles on the RDX (which also gets mediocre gas mileage).
  
• the high probability I will have instant equity as soon as I drive the Maverick off the lot, and can get it to Carmax!
  

Most likely will just get the truck when it arrives, and go from there. at least in this market, not going to be married to it! And maybe the wife will like it enough with the extra features that I can convince to trade her RDX in on something like a BRZ or Mini Cooper.

stickguy

Makes me miss the old days of the 2010s. The easy solution would have been buy the toy, and troll a cheap lease for a basic truck nobody wanted! or those absurd deals on a Tacoma. I would be perfectly happy to get a $250/mo nothing down deal on one of those!

kyfdx

Wouldn't you be better off flipping the Maverick, assuming you can find an imaginary beater truck? Seems like you could make some money off of it.

stickguy

yes, that would be the plan now. Plus if nothing else it buys time to figure out the rest of the moving parts.

stickguy

what I need is a silly offer on it from Carmax, at the same time they have a truck and a fun car I want, and I can trade 1 for 2, and pay no sales tax. Win win for me!

stickguy

@breld, question on your WRX. was 2022 a fresh design? or is that an expiring body style? I know they were launching a new one but wasn't sure if that started in 2022 MY or was arriving eventually for 2023.

just curious...

stickguy

and here is something you might find interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3P32TyLMMM

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
see, people that claimed the Maverick was not a "real" truck didn't know what they were talking about!

Should be well under payload. I think that is about 1,600#s. surprisingly high for what it is.

we have a lot less to mulch at the new house, and it is all up front. So might get ambitious and DIY it ourselves. Though I do want to replace the stones that edge the bed with something that does a better job keeping weeds from getting between them. That sounds like a lot more work.

also considering calling a guy to get a quote. Especially if the new truck is not going to arrive before it needs to be done. Zero chance I am putting bags in the RDX, and I think minimum for delivery is going to be too much. should just wait for a load delivered for the new build across the street, and just share it 9th JMonroe way!)

————————————————
If it’s still sitting there when the Sun goes down there’s no need to share it.

jmonroe

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
what I need is a silly offer on it from Carmax, at the same time they have a truck and a fun car I want, and I can trade 1 for 2, and pay no sales tax. Win win for me!

————————————————
And you just woke up from that dream, right?

jmonroe

Michaell

stickguy said:

@breld, question on your WRX. was 2022 a fresh design? or is that an expiring body style? I know they were launching a new one but wasn't sure if that started in 2022 MY or was arriving eventually for 2023.

just curious...

His is the new body style for 2023 - 2022 was the previous body style (like @qbrozen has)

Sandman6472

We're not allowed to put the tops down on the convertibles at work, same policy at Hertz, though some do it anyways. I'll always open the sunroof though if it's a nice day out but now, our short winter/spring is over & we'll be hitting the hot temps. No more 60's at night, now into the 70's. No rain quite yet though there's a small chance of some Monday through Wednesday. Come mid- May, the rainy season will start and things will look green & lush once more. My grass is a bit parched as I only water on my two days a week I'm allowed. Since the drought a couple of years ago, we can only water on Thursdays & Sundays, our house number is even, 6472, so those are our days. We do it in the early hours of the morning to let the water seep into the ground. Our tree that we had cut back is doing nicely & no longer in shock. Starting to sprout leaves finally. Two companies refused to cut it back as we wanted as they said it would kill the tree. The third company said they'd do what we wanted but it would be on us if the tree died. We took the responsibility & they really cut it back from the house for us...a small part had fell into the gutter and started to grow something. We knew then it was time for a major cutting & glad we finally found a company to work with us.

Sandman6472

How do I post some pics from my iPhone into here? Got a few of the house and of my garage situation I'd like to post so folks can see the issue I'm dealing with.
Just got home from work, only did a 6 hour shift today, and finally got to drive a newer Chevy Blazer. Liked the cloth interior and the interior overall except that the start/stop button is too high in the dash...looks out of place like it was a last minute detail just thrown in. SUV had just under 45K on it and it drove very nicely, think it was a 2021 model but not positive. Looked good in the white paint on it so now am quite interested to drive the smaller Trailblazer to see the difference, if any. I did like the size of the Trax they used to import, but felt it was just too plain Jane even in the Premier edition. The Buick Encore looks so much more modern but it doesn't drive very well, much prefer the Encore GX. But honestly, think Hyundai & Kia do these smaller CUV's better than the domestic company's do so that's where I think we'll both be going shortly. As I mentioned the other day, my better half has said that she's going to start looking to replace her A3 next year with a 2024 model. I guess all the unexpected stops for topping off her oil plus the expensive maintenance has finally made her want to replace it. My Golf hasn't had these kind of oil issues & we're lucky the local Audi store is so lose to our house...they know her already & get her in & out quickly now. She almost got the Kia Forte in 2014 & think she'll look at the current model first & go from there. She also likes a smaller vehicle but has to be a sedan with a trunk. There are still many folks who don't want an SUV or CUV in America so glad there still are a few company's that make them.

ab348

jmonroe1 said:

Speaking of years ago, Son #1 stopped putting down mulch by bitting the bullet and laying down chipped granite. Looks just like it did when it was first done. I’m still on the fence about doing that.

A few years ago I had the 3'-4' strip between the back wall of the garage and the property line, which is close to the neighboring house, always in the shade and which only ever supported the growth of weeds, sprayed with Roundup, then covered with a double layer of landscape cloth and then covered in river stone. Hasn't needed to be touched since and looks very sanitary.

ab348

stickguy said:

what I need is a silly offer on it from Carmax, at the same time they have a truck and a fun car I want, and I can trade 1 for 2, and pay no sales tax. Win win for me!

"Doctor, I keep having these delusions... is there a pill or something I can take to make them stop?"

Sandman6472

Got tired of doing the mulch thing about 5 years back & decided to go with red lava rocks instead. Used the hatch in my Golf for transport so had to make almost half a dozen trips to the nearby home improvement store. Since I had just gotten their credit card, they gave me a $75 credit on my first purchase so it helped bring down the price of the lava rocks. Took me & my daughter a good couple of hours to open the bags and spread them around but when finished, the place looked goods. Walked the house this morning before heading out to work & was impressed at how well the beds still look with almost no weeds and no dirt showing. Unlike the mulch that can get blown away or dissolve with all the rain & heat down here, the lava rocks are still in great shape and all there. No need to replace any areas with new rocks I'm happy to say so glad I spent the extra money & went with them. My lawn guy wanted just too much to do it himself so my kid & I bit the bullet & just did it ourselves. The pride of home ownership is well worth the extra work.

mjfloyd1

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

@breld, question on your WRX. was 2022 a fresh design? or is that an expiring body style? I know they were launching a new one but wasn't sure if that started in 2022 MY or was arriving eventually for 2023.

just curious...

His is the new body style for 2023 - 2022 was the previous body style (like @qbrozen has)

@qbrozen has a 2021 WRX which is the old body style

2022 is the new body style with the “interesting “ cladding around the wheels

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/lt/2687407?store=Carvlou&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vla&utm_campaign=14237605564&utm_content=123077229062&utm_target=pla-1657303022118&utm_creative=538539577912&utm_device=c&utm_adposition=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0gaX-QhriONr7profo5XyfaJguTBbWo98F_l25hNRESfFd6o_IoG9QaAo8_EALw_wcB

Michaell

mjfloyd1 said:

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

@breld, question on your WRX. was 2022 a fresh design? or is that an expiring body style? I know they were launching a new one but wasn't sure if that started in 2022 MY or was arriving eventually for 2023.

just curious...

His is the new body style for 2023 - 2022 was the previous body style (like @qbrozen has)

@qbrozen has a 2021 WRX which is the old body style

2022 is the new body style with the “interesting “ cladding around the wheels

https://www.carvana.com/vehicle/lt/2687407?store=Carvlou&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vla&utm_campaign=14237605564&utm_content=123077229062&utm_target=pla-1657303022118&utm_creative=538539577912&utm_device=c&utm_adposition=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwocShBhCOARIsAFVYq0gaX-QhriONr7profo5XyfaJguTBbWo98F_l25hNRESfFd6o_IoG9QaAo8_EALw_wcB

Google failed me!

Thanks for the clarification

stickguy

Michaell said:

stickguy said:

@breld, question on your WRX. was 2022 a fresh design? or is that an expiring body style? I know they were launching a new one but wasn't sure if that started in 2022 MY or was arriving eventually for 2023.

just curious...

His is the new body style for 2023 - 2022 was the previous body style (like @qbrozen has)

thanks. I thought he had the new style, but his signature line says it is a 2022. I know my local dealer had 5 or 6 discounted WRXs but I think they were all 2022s.

breld

Correct - 2022 was the refresh year and that’s what I have.

roadburner

We just got back from a short trip to Charlotte to visit our son. He’s starting a new job in the financial sector and just returned from the Final Four where he met with some online and tv sports journalists- he might be joining one or more podcasts. It was a great visit.
Back to car related topics; the C43 was a pleasure to drive and returned decent fuel mileage.

corvette

That's great for what amounts to nearly a supercar... One of the YouTubers I follow took a road trip in an i8, and got in the low to mid-30s.

oldfarmer50

corvette said:

The Maverick putting in some work this morning… local hardware store had mulch on sale, so I bought the limit of 25 bags. The eight that are on top were in the back seat for the ride home so they wouldn’t fall off.

The Ford rep at the auto show today showed us a neat feature on your tailgate. If you switch the tailgate cable to the upper mount it will keep the gate slightly tipped up so that cargo won’t slide out the back as easily.

28firefighter

Hoping our friends in Louisville are safe this morning.

kyfdx

That’s Downtown

roadburner

28firefighter said:

Hoping our friends in Louisville are safe this morning.

Workplace issue at a local bank.

corvette

Thanks! I didn't even hear about it until hours later. Sadly, that kind of thing could happen anywhere, anymore. And weirdly, that is the bank I use, although I've never been to that branch.

stickguy

floated another scheme plan past the wife today. She didn't immediately say no. though most likely she just wasn't paying any attention to me, but I still take a lack of a No to mean "sure, if you think it is best"...

plan generated because I am discussing a couple of jobs that would require a commute 50% of the time, and about 50 miles round trip. so 250 miles/week on a work week if done one on/one off.

the plan is to get the Maverick for truck and travelling duties, and trade the Acura in on a midsized EV. Something like an Ioniq 5. that could probably get charged 2x a week max. Would do all the commuting and most of our other driving which is no more than 10 miles from home for errands. and the furthest we normally go locally is about 30 miles one way.

if we need to road trip, often took the truck anyway and could just do that to avoid charging hassles.

would be even better if the new company offered charging stations!

xwesx

I think your idea would be better if you hadn't made the (likely) only post of the day, which thereby prevented us from setting an otherwise shocking record of a whole day without a post on this thread.

au1994

I just assumed everyone is on spring break. Or buying cars.

au1994

stickguy said:

floated another scheme plan past the wife today. She didn't immediately say no. though most likely she just wasn't paying any attention to me, but I still take a lack of a No to mean "sure, if you think it is best"...

plan generated because I am discussing a couple of jobs that would require a commute 50% of the time, and about 50 miles round trip. so 250 miles/week on a work week if done one on/one off.

the plan is to get the Maverick for truck and travelling duties, and trade the Acura in on a midsized EV. Something like an Ioniq 5. that could probably get charged 2x a week max. Would do all the commuting and most of our other driving which is no more than 10 miles from home for errands. and the furthest we normally go locally is about 30 miles one way.

if we need to road trip, often took the truck anyway and could just do that to avoid charging hassles.

would be even better if the new company offered charging stations!

I, of course, think this is totally logical and sound. Plenty of good EV offerings in addition to the Ioniq.

My wife’s commute is 16 miles round trip so I have a similar scenario in my head that involves an EV for her and something full sized as the hauler…Ram, F150, Tahoe, Wagoneer. Problem is I’d probably hate driving the barge daily and well, price!

explorerx4

This part of the description made me chuckle.
"and has a hard to find automatic transmission!"
https://www.carfax.com/vehicle/1G2MC35B48Y123600

tjc78

My wife wants an EV. In all reality it’s perfect for her. Longest she will ever drive is 70 miles to the shore.

Only issue I have is, at home installing a 220V charger is a two beer job (DIY). At the shore it’s going cost some bucks as the panel is upstairs and they would need to fish the line down to the garage. Certainly not impossible…but a job. It would also need conduit ran down the block walls.

kyfdx

I was thinking about putting in an additional A/C unit for our 2nd floor. The air handler would reside in the attic above the garage. But, getting another 220 line over there is very problematic. I had an HVAC contractor, who is also a licensed electrician look at it. He promised an estimate. It never came, and he never returned the calls I left for him... lol

Figured I'd wire for an eventual car charger, as well, if I had it done. But, that's never happened. Getting ready to remodel the kitchen, now. If it turns out that we have to run a new line for that (small chance), I'll probably run a couple more for the extra A/C and charger, as that's on the same side of the house (opposite the electric box).