Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)
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We have two at the shore, but somehow survive with one at home (always had two at old house) may have to make a move in the next couple weeks. Wife is hosting a monster Christmas party for work people and there will be 30+ people. Not sure I can fit all the food to prep…let alone the inevitable leftovers.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Christmas is easy up here. Nature supplied a gigantic fridge for free!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
No wonder the other discussion is quiet. It migrated here.
'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
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
@corvette
We've only had counter depth refrigerators, since we built the house. Necessary for our kitchen plan. The french-door models are pricey, but my wife insists on a side-by-side. Those are relatively cheap. Our plain jane Bosch stainless side-by-side (2nd one) was around $2200 delivered.
The first one had a leaking coil ($600 repair), after about 7 years. It made it 12 years. This one is 2 yrs old.
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2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
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Still no word from Audi about her A3, very annoying. We just want it fixed and back in the garage. Just not sure how long it'll stay around as I doubt she'll be throwing anymore cash at it. Spoke with the girls last night and there's been a slight change in plans. Turns out our oldest is coming down to her best friends place this weekend, maybe five minutes from our place. The new plan is to leave the Accent in Orlando and come home with the oldest. We'll have my VW to do things until her Audi comes home. Then on Thursday, we'll take the Audi and spend turkey day with the kids. I'll sleep at their place and will be driving the Accent back to St. Augustine while the wife & daughter will go back in her vehicle. It's maybe a two hour drive so I don't mind driving alone, the Accent has a usb connection for my iPhone.
I called the Hyundai store and was sent to voicemail...again. But he just called me back and was very receptive. I wasn't rude, I just expressed my dissatisfaction with the service advisors treatment and wanted him to be aware. I believe in praising a good experience but, on the other hand, have no issue speaking up about a bad one. Not sure it'll do any good as she'll probably deny the whole situation but since there was three of us there who heard the whole conversation, I know we did nothing wrong here.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I just spent $200 on new door bins for my Samsung fridge because 4 of the 6 broke. If I bought them direct it would have been over $400.
How can a 14” plastic shelf be $144? Found it used for $49 shipped and still feel ripped off.
The others were $88 OEM and $50 for the Amazon knock offs.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Guess it's something I need to think about a bit more and then sit down with my boss to get his view on all this. I've always prided myself on my work ethic in that I show up unless it's unsafe to drive...I like going to work! But, my health issues of late have me a bit off my game, which isn't fair to my boss or my co-workers. Working two days is definitely a viable option also and the one the kids think I should do. At this point, not even thinking about the money though nice to get, it's not something we live off and I save most of it really. So, have a lot to ponder these next few weeks about my next move. Still am out for the next three weeks but am hoping to go back to work the first week of December, depending on how I feel.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
So I guess this is the new “hand written note with the ink smudged” way to generate leads:
Sure you do buddy. Sure you do.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
My response:
You have a customer looking for a non-running Mini Cooper S? Cool. When will the tow truck be here?
'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
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
"We're showing a Highlander. Which day works best for your quick appraisal appointment"
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
All we know is that we just want our vehicle back as I don't want to take the Golf on Thursday if possible. Think we'll need the extra room the A3 offers. Got a good feeling that by sometime in the Spring, they'll be another vehicle on her side of the garage! If not then, it'll definitely be gone by this time next year.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
You have way more tolerance for troublesome cars than I do.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
I quickly found one on the net, (I think I used Whirlpools web site, but don't remember) and it was here in a few days.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
Any car manufacturer can have problems. BMW V8 tend to be suboptimal. Audi 4.0 V8 recalled for turbo oiling issues
It’s not unique to American vehicle manufacturers.
That's the typical absurd and ridiculous defense of American Lemon manufacturers.
Full of black dots for almost every part in their cars year after year after year after year, after years, after years, after years, but no, let's just say every manufacturer has a black dot at some point in history for something. Let's ignore that other manufacturer's typically had a lot of red dots, year after year, after year. Some car models had nothing but red dots for every category of parts.
Some manufacturer's gained a reputation for not honoring warranties. Some drove themselves out of business sans bailouts. One has even been bailed out twice by taxpayers.
Aren’t you the fella who replaced the engine in his low-mileage Audi?
I have yet to replace an engine in any of my “American” cars.
'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
On one hand... maybe there's some solace to be found as fellow owners have the same troubles, but I don't see it that way.
So it gets a pass? Interesting.
Some years Subarus also guarantee head gasket replacement, yet folks leave them alone. We live in a very biased society from both sides.
'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
I should note that I am not defending a Neon. Just as I would not defend the Hyundai Excel nor Toyota Paseo. No nation’s manufacturers are lemon-free.
'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
So it gets a pass? Interesting.
Some years Subarus also guarantee head gasket replacement, yet folks leave them alone. We live in a very biased society from both sides.
I think people only give even rare failures a pass if the rest of the car is otherwise good. If the transmission, air conditioning/compressors, and everything else were engineered with planned obsolescence as the main concern, it's another story. That's the difference. I can understand putting up with an unreliable car because it has redeeming qualities, but for me, some of those redeeming qualities has to be the reliability of other parts of the car.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Some people give the unreliable cars a pass because they cost a fraction of the “better” brands. If I bough a Neon I would be disappointed if the engine blew but not surprised. If an engine blew on an Audi after spending 3X as much for one, I’d be pissed.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
That's the fallacy, though. That a more expensive car is any more or less reliable than a cheap one.
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The engine, transmission, rear etc should all be the same or more reliable in a luxury brand…. It’s all the complex systems these days that will be the demise of many high end cars.
In 50 years how will someone restoring a “classic” ever find parts or have access to dealer service tools to fix all the sensors, modules, etc.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic
Hyundai offered her $8K towards a new 2024 Kona Limited. She's talked to her guy at Audi to see how much they'd give it if she buys another A3. They have a CPO loaner, 2023 A3, grey over grey with 5300 on the clock. Has never been titled, so basically a new vehicle. It really is a stunning vehicle. Or she could go for a brand new A3, that's strictly up to her. She's familiar with the A3 and the new dash design is a much needed improvement and think she'd be pleased. And she's o k spending that much again on another A3. And that CPO unit is beautiful and ready to go.
She's supposed to go try a Buick Encore GX Sunday but doubt she'll like it. Dealer is on the other side of town which isn't the best but again, it's all up to her. Tech wise, not as good as the Kona and it looks like an old person's vehicle. I did sit down & make a list of a bunch of new vehicles with their length & width so she could compare. She doesn't want to go wider or longer than her current A3. And besides the A3, I've only looked at small CUV's as I think she likes the slightly higher seating position. But I know she liked the Kia Forte last time, so that's an option.
So, these next few weeks should be interesting. Ironic that I thought I'd go first buying something new but again, she's taking the lead. She got the current A3 on 12/1/14, so it'll be nine in a week and a half. And unlike last time when I bought my Golf eleven days later, doubt I'll make a move right now. Even if we decided to get two new Hyundai Kona's, doubt they'd give us a special deal. Another issue is we both like that cement color but having identical vehicles would just be too weird! I did mention a Mini Cooper Countryman to her but she shot that idea down real fast. I know she loved the new tech on the 2024 Kona as it is really cool. I drove a new Kia Sportage and even I was amazed at the cool tech it had.
In closing, she's a bit unhappy and won't drive it far anymore once we get it home. The service advisor said it could break down at any time but don't believe that. I would just decide what vehicle comes next and just do it. But by me renting her something for a couple of weeks, she can take some time & not make a mistake like I did. She mentioned getting the 2023 Kona but I truly think that within a couple of weeks, she'll have major buyers remorse and I'm trying to prevent that. As y'all know, my Tucson debacle of 2014 was a bad decision on my part and I still regret it as a waste of money & logic. A bad decision is a bad decision any way you look at it. And I would hate for her to do the same thing so, will do all I can to not let this happen.
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm very skeptical.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
Maybe an acquaintance of @xwesx , who knows ?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I wonder what news they were covering? Probably an avalanche.
Seems to me that when you bed a car is actually the right time to buy one. Just take the Kona and be done with it.
I would not repair it since she is done with the car. Cut and run.
Pricey quote but expect that at the dealer. An Indy if you can find one should be cheaper. Just hope they know what they are doing.
That engine I think is known for turbo issues. That alone is pricey but at that mileage odds are there is plenty of ancillary “while you are in there” items too it needs.
8k actually seems reasonable.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
And, the $8K quote was before the engine problems - not sure what it would be worth as a trade, now.
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible