Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

Member needs help with a Lemon Law situation

Calling graphicguy!

ab348

fintail said:

GLC300 maybe? I think the lowest number GLS is a 450 - too much mass for a 4cyl to move around with any urgency.

Oh, you are exactly right. I got the nomenclature wrong but that is what it is. The guy's wife who got the new vehicle got the GLS

ab348

sda said:

@ab348 What is the highest speed limit in your country, 110 kmh?

I can't speak for out west, the prairie provinces might have a higher limit, but here in the east the highest I've seen is 110.

nyccarguy

@pensfan83 said:

@stickguy said:
I think you should trade it in and get a new car!

Hey, it’s only (your, not mine) money.

But actually have heard nothing but great things about those tires sand if I ever need new ones would likely get them since I actually live in snow country now.

There's a clean RDX available in the DC area he can buy.

https://www.radleyacura.com/auto/used-2020-acura-rdx-aspec-package-falls-church-va/80862872/

EDIT: I did not turn in the car with cleaning solution all over the place.

Your Acura is in amazing condition. The RDX a-Spec in sliver is very sharp looking. I usually see them in the Apex Blue or maybe Black or Red. I see more non A-Spec RDXs in Silver. How are you liking your Type S? Ok, so if you are willing to (I’m just curious, not judging at all) how much was your buyout including tax (obviously) and what did they give you on the trade in?

stickguy

Huh. Never realized the aspec had red gauges. My wife won’t not be happy with that.

Michaell

stickguy said:

Huh. Never realized the aspec had red gauges. My wife won’t not be happy with that.

So, she will be happy with them?

stickguy

Oops. She won’t like them.

stickguy

Took a big step today. Since plan to get smaller cars isn’t working, told our agent to get a contract going on a bigger garage. 26-27’ wide, so able to go with an 18’ wide door (normal double is 16’). That should take care of the tight squeeze problem! With plenty of room left over for snow blower, etc.

stickguy

Oh, it comes with a house attached.

tjc78

@stickguy
Do we need a forum for Chronic House Buyers?

I thought I was the only one who bought two in a year’s time!

Congrats!

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 said:

@stickguy said:

I think you should trade it in and get a new car!

Hey, it’s only (your, not mine) money.

But actually have heard nothing but great things about those tires sand if I ever need new ones would likely get them since I actually live in snow country now.

There's a clean RDX available in the DC area he can buy.

https://www.radleyacura.com/auto/used-2020-acura-rdx-aspec-package-falls-church-va/80862872/

EDIT: I did not turn in the car with cleaning solution all over the place.

Your Acura is in amazing condition. The RDX a-Spec in sliver is very sharp looking. I usually see them in the Apex Blue or maybe Black or Red. I see more non A-Spec RDXs in Silver. How are you liking your Type S? Ok, so if you are willing to (I’m just curious, not judging at all) how much was your buyout including tax (obviously) and what did they give you on the trade in?

Buyout with tax would have been ~$29K. They gave me $33.5K or about $6.5K above buyout before tax. I was fine with that because I saved tax with the trade in.

As for driving it I used it once for a local errand since bringing it home but I really like it and am glad we didn't move forward with the A-Spec lease last month because my wife is thrilled with the upgrades, notably the massage seats, and the vehicle in general.

stickguy

tjc78 said:

@stickguy

Do we need a forum for Chronic House Buyers?

I thought I was the only one who bought two in a year’s time!

Congrats!

well, you keep yours. I am replacing mine.

my logic (OK, convoluted justification reasoning) is that if we hadn't bought this place, we were ready to give up and find a rental to move to and look when we were local. Which would have been a nightmare most likely with how much stuff my wife moved even after a purge. So, in effect, this house would end up serving as the rental (with the benefit that we likely made enough appreciation to turn a profit!)

this place is very close though. a few minor tweaks and it would be perfect, but the fatal flaws are not changeable for a cost that makes any sense to do.

and the new place will be situated on the lot to allow for adding another garage. Not having the builder do it, but at some point it will be a treat to me, from me! The wife is getting her dream kitchen and big pantry up front.

tjc78

Sounds like a win to me. What’s the time frame?

mjfloyd1

roadburner said:

nyccarguy said:

Question for the group. When I brought the Highlander in for service last week, they said the fronts had the better tread depth and don’t need to be rotated. The following is the tread depth they measured:

LF - 6/32nds

RF - 4/32nds

LR - 4/32nds

RR - 4/32nds

At that tread depth, I feel like the tires aren’t shot yet, but they do have 35,000 miles on them. Most likely I’m going to have to replace them before the winter. Costco has an excellent price on Michelin Cross Climate 2s that includes installation plus Michelin offers an additional mail in (email in) rebate if you buy their tires from an authorized Michelin Dealer, which Costco is. I think I should take the plunge. Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?

My parents have these Cross Climate 2s on my Mom’s Lexus RX. They are quiet, have a severe snow rating (even though they are all season) and a 60K treadlife warranty from Michelin. Plus Costco includes road hazard protection.

Go with the Michelin CC2s.

Maybe 3 Michelin CC2 and then add a random forth tire😂

stickguy

we just had our agent let them know today we want to contract, and I sent an email to both agents with what "big" options they offered that we want to get (most notably a 2' bump out of the back). And a list of tweaks to the floorplan that we want. This is a smaller custom builder that is very flexible (not a chain builder with a big neighbor and a lot more rigid in designs). The other stuff is not really a structural change, more like rearranging the layout. Stuff like that, doesn't change the cost, just takes time.

we first met with them about a month ago but weren't sure until now. So we hopefully are still in the window to get the design nailed down, foundation done, and the structure up and weathertight before winter really hits (say, early December?) Then it largely hibernates for a few months (the "real" winter) and they do the interior and finishes when spring arrives. So probably in May/June we can get it.

small infill neighborhood. He bought a lot in an existing residential area and put in 1 cul de sac type road, with a total of 5 houses. 2 are done and occupied (and look very nice) in the back. The front 2 are both under construction (1 driveway on the main road, the other off the new road). Our lot is in the middle facing the new road. So only 2 houses past us so never going to have real traffic. Plus, when it is done, so is the whole neighborhood so we get the advantage of new construction without ever having to live in a construction zone.

nyccarguy

@pensfan83 said:
Buyout with tax would have been ~$29K. They gave me $33.5K or about $6.5K above buyout before tax. I was fine with that because I saved tax with the trade in.

As for driving it I used it once for a local errand since bringing it home but I really like it and am glad we didn't move forward with the A-Spec lease last month because my wife is thrilled with the upgrades, notably the massage seats, and the vehicle in general.

I love that your wife is thrilled with the upgrades “notably the massaging seats.” Could care less about the turbocharged V6 under the hood.

ab348

stickguy said:

and the new place will be situated on the lot to allow for adding another garage. Not having the builder do it, but at some point it will be a treat to me, from me! The wife is getting her dream kitchen and big pantry up front.

Maybe consider getting a quote on the cost to have the builder do the work to prepare and pour the slab for the eventual 3rd garage bay when he's doing the other two initially. Then it is easier to add #3 plus you have a parking slab in the interim.

stickguy

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 said:

Buyout with tax would have been ~$29K. They gave me $33.5K or about $6.5K above buyout before tax. I was fine with that because I saved tax with the trade in.

As for driving it I used it once for a local errand since bringing it home but I really like it and am glad we didn't move forward with the A-Spec lease last month because my wife is thrilled with the upgrades, notably the massage seats, and the vehicle in general.

I love that your wife is thrilled with the upgrades “notably the massaging seats.” Could care less about the turbocharged V6 under the hood.

my wife would never know what engine the car has. as long as it goes quick enough to suit her when she pushes the gas, all is good. And that does not have to be all that fast.

stickguy

ab348 said:

stickguy said:

and the new place will be situated on the lot to allow for adding another garage. Not having the builder do it, but at some point it will be a treat to me, from me! The wife is getting her dream kitchen and big pantry up front.

Maybe consider getting a quote on the cost to have the builder do the work to prepare and pour the slab for the eventual 3rd garage bay when he's doing the other two initially. Then it is easier to add #3 plus you have a parking slab in the interim.

I can ask. Probably will just wait and do it when or if I decide to actually do it, since that will give me more flexibility (attached or detached, 1 or 2 car, etc.). I will get an extra extension paved in (it is a side entry so the mythical 3rd garage would be straight ahead, parallel to the house). a spot there to keep a spare car, or facilitate turning around, will likely be put in. Lot is big enough and house will be situated such that the open space there could easily be used for a building with minimal prep work.

greg128

Found this on YT. Cost to replace 2018 Ford F-150 tail lights. Yikes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUkFsuilVD0

stickguy

still cheaper than a lot of headlight assemblies which are multiple $1,000s a pop.

sda

My

stickguy said:

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 said:

Buyout with tax would have been ~$29K. They gave me $33.5K or about $6.5K above buyout before tax. I was fine with that because I saved tax with the trade in.

As for driving it I used it once for a local errand since bringing it home but I really like it and am glad we didn't move forward with the A-Spec lease last month because my wife is thrilled with the upgrades, notably the massage seats, and the vehicle in general.

I love that your wife is thrilled with the upgrades “notably the massaging seats.” Could care less about the turbocharged V6 under the hood.

my wife would never know what engine the car has. as long as it goes quick enough to suit her when she pushes the gas, all is good. And that does not have to be all that fast.

My wife enjoys pushing the pedal and would quickly let me know if it was a slug.

Michaell

sda said:

My

stickguy said:

nyccarguy said:

@pensfan83 said:

Buyout with tax would have been ~$29K. They gave me $33.5K or about $6.5K above buyout before tax. I was fine with that because I saved tax with the trade in.

As for driving it I used it once for a local errand since bringing it home but I really like it and am glad we didn't move forward with the A-Spec lease last month because my wife is thrilled with the upgrades, notably the massage seats, and the vehicle in general.

I love that your wife is thrilled with the upgrades “notably the massaging seats.” Could care less about the turbocharged V6 under the hood.

my wife would never know what engine the car has. as long as it goes quick enough to suit her when she pushes the gas, all is good. And that does not have to be all that fast.

My wife enjoys pushing the pedal and would quickly let me know if it was a slug.

Mine, too. After the turbo 4's and the 6-cylinders we've had in her last few cars, I doubt she could go back to a naturally aspirated 4-banger.

stickguy

But she would never know what engine it has as long as it sounds fast!

kyfdx

2021, my DIL, after test driving an HR-V: "It's pretty doggy"

28firefighter

We made it back from Bend a bit ago. Another admirable performance for the Tesla. We took a different route with more elevation and higher speed limits so a bit less efficient, but still made it back with only one short charging stop/food stop. Got about 285 miles out of a charge. Not bad at all.

If any of your kids like Harry Potter, I can’t recommend the audio books enough. Kept my 6.5yo completely occupied the entire drive. Not one “are we there yet?!”

ab348

Got a quick shot of my neighbor’s new GLC300 this afternoon. I like the paint color.

stickguy

nice looking car.

oldfarmer50

greg128 said:

Found this on YT. Cost to replace 2018 Ford F-150 tail lights. Yikes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUkFsuilVD0

I just saw that today. The cost was because all the nannie modules are in or around the tail light. That’s why I’d prefer a bare bones truck if I planned on keeping it for a long time.

tifighter

@28firefighter said:
We made it back from Bend a bit ago. Another admirable performance for the Tesla. We took a different route with more elevation and higher speed limits so a bit less efficient, but still made it back with only one short charging stop/food stop. Got about 285 miles out of a charge. Not bad at all.

If any of your kids like Harry Potter, I can’t recommend the audio books enough. Kept my 6.5yo completely occupied the entire drive. Not one “are we there yet?!”

Did you make a run up to Crater Lake?

28firefighter

@tifighter said:

@28firefighter said:
We made it back from Bend a bit ago. Another admirable performance for the Tesla. We took a different route with more elevation and higher speed limits so a bit less efficient, but still made it back with only one short charging stop/food stop. Got about 285 miles out of a charge. Not bad at all.

If any of your kids like Harry Potter, I can’t recommend the audio books enough. Kept my 6.5yo completely occupied the entire drive. Not one “are we there yet?!”

Did you make a run up to Crater Lake?

No. We were all set to go but decided to hike Tumalo Falls instead. 5 hours of driving just a day after 6.5 hours of driving down from Seattle was too much car time to ask of the kids, especially my 2yo niece. After watching my utilization on the drive down to Bend and back, I can safely say your advice for how to manage energy usage to Crater Lake was spot on. I feel a lot more confident in the estimates the Tesla gives.

Our plan is to do a longer trip next time with some additional stops in OR and maybe northern CA where we can tag that on more strategically.

sda

oldfarmer50 said:

greg128 said:

Found this on YT. Cost to replace 2018 Ford F-150 tail lights. Yikes!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUkFsuilVD0

I just saw that today. The cost was because all the nannie modules are in or around the tail light. That’s why I’d prefer a bare bones truck if I planned on keeping it for a long time.

OMG! Incredible

au1994

28firefighter said:

We made it back from Bend a bit ago. Another admirable performance for the Tesla. We took a different route with more elevation and higher speed limits so a bit less efficient, but still made it back with only one short charging stop/food stop. Got about 285 miles out of a charge. Not bad at all.

If any of your kids like Harry Potter, I can’t recommend the audio books enough. Kept my 6.5yo completely occupied the entire drive. Not one “are we there yet?!”

He’s 6 and a half??? Father time is an unbeatable opponent. And yes, I love Harry Potter. I can read them over and over.

jmonroe1

au1994 said:

28firefighter said:

We made it back from Bend a bit ago. Another admirable performance for the Tesla. We took a different route with more elevation and higher speed limits so a bit less efficient, but still made it back with only one short charging stop/food stop. Got about 285 miles out of a charge. Not bad at all.

If any of your kids like Harry Potter, I can’t recommend the audio books enough. Kept my 6.5yo completely occupied the entire drive. Not one “are we there yet?!”

He’s 6 and a half??? Father time is an unbeatable opponent. And yes, I love Harry Potter. I can read them over and over.

————————————————
Harry Potter was before my time and even my sons time so l never read them. I guess I could be talked into looking at the pictures if they’re any good.

jmonroe

graphicguy

oldfarmer50 said:

Michaell said:

Member needs help with a Lemon Law situation

Calling graphicguy!

DONE!

oldfarmer50

graphicguy said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Michaell said:

Member needs help with a Lemon Law situation

Calling graphicguy!

DONE!

Excellent response, you should hire yourself out as a Lemon Law consultant.

One question. If GM does a buyback or gives you trade assistance where does sales tax enter into the equation? If they give your your money back do they also refund the sales tax paid? In my state that could amount to $5k on your typical overpriced truck.

28firefighter

@au1994 said:
He’s 6 and a half??? Father time is an unbeatable opponent. And yes, I love Harry Potter. I can read them over and over.

I have no idea where the time is going.

tjc78

@28firefighter said:

@au1994 said:
He’s 6 and a half??? Father time is an unbeatable opponent. And yes, I love Harry Potter. I can read them over and over.

I have no idea where the time is going.

My son turns 10 in March. I can’t even fathom how quickly it’s gone by

jmonroe1

You guys with young kids, if you think that time flew by to this point, their college fund will get tapped even faster.

jmonroe

pensfan83

tjc78 said:

@28firefighter said:

@au1994 said:

He’s 6 and a half??? Father time is an unbeatable opponent. And yes, I love Harry Potter. I can read them over and over.

I have no idea where the time is going.

My son turns 10 in March. I can’t even fathom how quickly it’s gone by

Our youngest turns 11 in March, the oldest becomes a teenager in January.

fintail

I see the GLC like a lifted 205 C wagon (which is forbidden fruit in the US for reasons nobody can explain, when it existed in Canada).

ab348 said:

Got a quick shot of my neighbor’s new GLC300 this afternoon. I like the paint color.

mjfloyd1

pensfan83 said:

tjc78 said:

@28firefighter said:

@au1994 said:

He’s 6 and a half??? Father time is an unbeatable opponent. And yes, I love Harry Potter. I can read them over and over.

I have no idea where the time is going.

My son turns 10 in March. I can’t even fathom how quickly it’s gone by

Our youngest turns 11 in March, the oldest becomes a teenager in January.

18 and 21 here. Oldest is in Chicago with her boyfriend for the weekend.

They were right. The days went slowly but the years went quickly

tjc78

@pensfan83 said:
Our youngest turns 11 in March, the oldest becomes a teenager in January.

I’m not ready for a teenager yet! Daughter at 8 (in Oct) is already acting like one. Lol

stickguy

youngsters (not you JMonroe). My son is 32. My baby princess turns 28 later this year.

and we got a wedding next summer. that will add up.

Michaell

stickguy said:

youngsters (not you JMonroe). My son is 32. My baby princess turns 28 later this year.

and we got a wedding next summer. that will add up.

Ha!

Stepkids are, let's see, 37 and 35, and my son is 34, with a 2 year old daughter.

laurasdada

When we test drove the A5, X3 and GLC a couple of years ago for the wife, I preferred the MB. Thought it offered the best ride/handling/go/luxury combo. She liked the Audi, but the X3 was the eventual purchase. One reason is possibly the premature death of her 330xi (t-boned by a likely texting woman in an RX350, ran a stop sign).
On the way home today, stopped at a large outdoor discount mall. 8 Electrify America chargers, it appears that 7 were working! But, while rated at 150kw, one driver I spoke to lamented that the juice was creeping along at 37kw. Kinda funny, 2-3 folks just wandering around (why not go shop?), waiting to fill up. With a couple of other cars waiting for an opening, drivers looking a bit frustrated. Charge was .48/kWh.

laurasdada

Beautiful day here in MA, a lot of driving topless, drove an hour to meet friends for breakfast, run/walk and jocularity. Drove there top up 90% of the way, all highway and temp low 50s. Pleased with how quiet and well insulated the 2er is top up. But the rest of the day topless; sunny and ~80.
Stick, you want this car. Sell the wife on practicality, four seats, AWD, economical. Oh, and a blast to drive, did I mention that?
Trust me, I was pre-medlaw.

stickguy

I am sold. once we get the house business nailed down will look into it. Just need to find a nice one that is about an even swap $ wise, so it won't actually cost us anything!

and I love that movie!

corvette

@laurasdada - I wonder whether the EA chargers split the juice between stalls (like some Superchargers), so if all the stalls are full, nobody can get 150kw?

28firefighter

@laurasdada is $.48/kWh typical where you are? I think the most expensive charging we did on this road trip was $.35/kWh and most of the time it was $.25 or less.