Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

28firefighter

I actually like it more in these shots than I do in the press photos.

I really wonder though - how does one properly wash and care for a finish like this?

breld

So step 1 of my wife’s year-end refresh of her side of the garage is complete:

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

that is hideous. I would be embarrassed to be seen in one!

But there’s a whole lot of people who would plunk down the money to be the first on the block with one.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

OF, all the homes in our development have 2-car garages with only a few of the newer builds with 3. Most use theirs as a storage bin as they have so much stuff. We, on the other hand, have some shelves with our stuff on them and we hang the brooms, Shriffer Jet, & other stuff on the sides. Am still able to get both vehicles in the garage but the wife is having difficulties pulling in straight so I'm always at an angle now. Annoying but am dealing with it...watching her pulling out of the garage is a sight to see. She always turns the wheel either right or left for some reason. But, am determined to make this work even when I do replace the Golf. Do know that when we do move, the new place will have plenty of garage space.

I used to be like your neighbors until I got a car good enough that I wanted to protect it.

sb55

tifighter said:

More since Stick loves it so much-

Does that windshield extend all the way down to the lightbar? Full glass coverage would be a must!

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

Had my yearly evaluation today, I just started my 4th year at Enterprise! As expected, everything went fine & am even getting a $.35/hour raise! We did get to discuss my health issues and was very pleased that the guy has empathy and told me to never ever push myself. Safety is #1 with our company so he understands when I don't feel well enough to drive as it could be a potential safety issue. Was glad that he didn't berate me for taking time off this year due to the vertigo as he knows I'd be at work if I felt safe enough to go. Still loving the job as every day is something new.
Drove a Ford F-150 today and didn't like it...was too big for my tastes. I see how others love them as they drive nicely and have plenty of hauling capacity but, just isn't for me. Luckily we have like something from every manufacturer so I get to try almost every model out there, give or take.

I was talking with our assistant boss the other day and during the conversation she mentioned that we drivers were very important to the company because without us their operations would be almost impossible. Also I’ve discovered that they have a really hard time getting people who want to do the job.

qbrozen

@tifighter said:
More since Stick loves it so much-

Looks like the box in which the Lumina APV was shipped.

mjfloyd1

@fintail said:
Bellevue Square I suppose. I wonder what those hubcap-coordinated tires will cost to replace, and if the go getter demographic who will plunk down acquired money for one will use them as replacements.

Those are protective covers placed over the wheels for shipping per another video that I saw

mjfloyd1

@breld said:
So step 1 of my wife’s year-end refresh of her side of the garage is complete:

No shadowline??😎

Did you get rid of the Mach E?

explorerx4

Buying an EV is Canada seems kind of risky. This kid got screwed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dr3mFzh0KSk

ab348

mjfloyd1 said:

@fintail said:

Bellevue Square I suppose. I wonder what those hubcap-coordinated tires will cost to replace, and if the go getter demographic who will plunk down acquired money for one will use them as replacements.

Those are protective covers placed over the wheels for shipping per another video that I saw

Odd that the molds for production of the tires themselves have the identical pattern to those "protective covers" formed into the sidewall.

tjc78

@qbrozen said:

@tifighter said:
More since Stick loves it so much-

Looks like the box in which the Lumina APV was shipped.

That’s a pretty good comparison. I was thinking smooshed Aztec as well.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Had my yearly evaluation today, I just started my 4th year at Enterprise! As expected, everything went fine & am even getting a $.35/hour raise! We did get to discuss my health issues and was very pleased that the guy has empathy and told me to never ever push myself. Safety is #1 with our company so he understands when I don't feel well enough to drive as it could be a potential safety issue. Was glad that he didn't berate me for taking time off this year due to the vertigo as he knows I'd be at work if I felt safe enough to go. Still loving the job as every day is something new.
Drove a Ford F-150 today and didn't like it...was too big for my tastes. I see how others love them as they drive nicely and have plenty of hauling capacity but, just isn't for me. Luckily we have like something from every manufacturer so I get to try almost every model out there, give or take.

I was talking with our assistant boss the other day and during the conversation she mentioned that we drivers were very important to the company because without us their operations would be almost impossible. Also I’ve discovered that they have a really hard time getting people who want to do the job.

Not in Florida. Big availability of retirees

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

Our 2012 and 15 Enclaves had a useable third row. I had adults back there quite a few times.

Honestly I like not having a three row SUV anymore. I don’t have to be the chauffeur.

I swear our 2011 Pilot had the most useable 3rd row and cargo space behind the 3rd row. We had it when our kids were smaller, but they had more stuff. We drove it to Disney in 2016 with my Mother In Law, luggage for 6, & a double stroller. To be fair, we did have a cargo rack attached to the trailer hitch with a large bag.

The 2017 Pilot had a more rounded rear end and rear hatch glass that couldn't open which made it able to carry less cargo, but passenger room was plentiful. Once we loaded it up at my cousin's house in Southern NH with 8 people (4 adults) and beach gear for a day beach trip to ME. I put the beach chairs (the tommy bnahama ones they sell at costco) on the bike rack.

stickguy

What’s the details on the bmw (X3?). And I assume Mach E replacement?

qbrozen

@breld said:
So step 1 of my wife’s year-end refresh of her side of the garage is complete:

One of those was in your garage before, right? Was that hers or yours? I’m thinking it was a 40i m-sport? Or whatever that top trim is. Is this the same?

mjfloyd1

@ab348 said:
Odd that the molds for production of the tires themselves have the identical pattern to those "protective covers" formed into the sidewall.

It looks like this with the covers removed. Seems to look better , at least to me, with the covers on. Perhaps the review had it wrong and the covers are really hubcaps??

mjfloyd1

I remember @breld having a X3m40 that he changed all the trim to shadowline just before trading it. I’m not sure that he gave us adequate warning so that someone could call dibs on the trade in though. Must have been a spontaneous decision 😎

ab348

Man, that is bad enough with the covers. Without them, that is the current leading candidate for ugliest wheel and tire combo ever.

Sandman6472

Forgot how to post a pic in here. Want to post the new addition!

The wife is really digging it which I'm happy about. Not the choice I would've made but what I wanted didn't play into the equation as it's her vehicle and her money that paid for it. Think I'd of bitten the bullet & gone for the 2024 model as it isn't that much bigger & love the added tech.

Think she got the better color as all they had left was our dark gray & a black. Prefer the white at this point but that cement color is also very striking. Am also seeing many more Buick Encore GX's on the roads now. Just hate to deal with the one dealer in town who sells them so might have to go to Lighthouse Point to test drive one when I'm serious ready to make a move.

stickguy

Just drag and drop the picture on your phone into the comment box.

stickguy

A cute dog photo!

breld

mjfloyd1 said:

@breld said:

So step 1 of my wife’s year-end refresh of her side of the garage is complete:

No shadowline??😎

Did you get rid of the Mach E?

Yeah, no shadowline. My wife would have preferred it, but it was hard to come by with the other options she wanted, namely the driving assistance pro (for adaptive cruise). And she loves the Skyscraper Gray. I already told her I'm not replacing the silver trim pieces.

So, yes I had a 2022 X5 PHEV that I regretfully traded for that MB wagon. My wife wanted a nice comfy mid-size SUV this go around, so after considering the GLE, GV80 and even a Defender 110, she decided a return to the X5 was the best option. This one is the xdrive40i (regular gas version).

She traded both her vehicles for the BMW, and has a delivery appointment for a Model Y (leased) Friday.

Sandman6472

The guy came to clean the roof but the rains started when he was about halfway through. He'll try again tomorrow but the forecast is for more rain through Sunday. Also, since it was so dirty, he needed a better cleaning product which has increased the price a bit. It's been about three years since it was last done so get that it's super dirty. Part of home ownership I guess. Need to also address some of the plantings in front of the house...wife ain't happy with what we've got so told her to go pick stuff she'd like & I'll get it taken care of. Lastly, the exterior paint is looking a bit long in the tooth so we'll need to have that discussion to.

If I can get her to agree on a potential moving date, would help me decide what we really need to do. The house is "tired" for lack of a better term so am willing to not get top dollar if necessary but willing to do a few things to help it sell faster. And there are companies that advertise buying any property "as is", so we do have options here. But still think that Plan A, the two year plan, is the most viable right now. She also mentioned just staying put and just make sure either we go up more or the kids come see us. Not totally against that plan but it would mean doing a "few" projects so we can enjoy living here. New flooring in the master is tops on her list now while I want a new oven/stove combo. Figure a good $20K to $30K could give us what we need to make us stay which ain't that bad actually.

Sandman6472

I'm not using my iPhone, just my MacBook Air. Not sure how to do it.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Had my yearly evaluation today, I just started my 4th year at Enterprise! As expected, everything went fine & am even getting a $.35/hour raise! We did get to discuss my health issues and was very pleased that the guy has empathy and told me to never ever push myself. Safety is #1 with our company so he understands when I don't feel well enough to drive as it could be a potential safety issue. Was glad that he didn't berate me for taking time off this year due to the vertigo as he knows I'd be at work if I felt safe enough to go. Still loving the job as every day is something new.
Drove a Ford F-150 today and didn't like it...was too big for my tastes. I see how others love them as they drive nicely and have plenty of hauling capacity but, just isn't for me. Luckily we have like something from every manufacturer so I get to try almost every model out there, give or take.

I was talking with our assistant boss the other day and during the conversation she mentioned that we drivers were very important to the company because without us their operations would be almost impossible. Also I’ve discovered that they have a really hard time getting people who want to do the job.

Not in Florida. Big availability of retirees

Remember, I said people who WANT to do the job.😀

explorerx4

@stickguy,
When I first looked at the picture, I thought there were a couple of sets of dentures hanging on your tree.
It's just a reflection.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Had my yearly evaluation today, I just started my 4th year at Enterprise! As expected, everything went fine & am even getting a $.35/hour raise! We did get to discuss my health issues and was very pleased that the guy has empathy and told me to never ever push myself. Safety is #1 with our company so he understands when I don't feel well enough to drive as it could be a potential safety issue. Was glad that he didn't berate me for taking time off this year due to the vertigo as he knows I'd be at work if I felt safe enough to go. Still loving the job as every day is something new.
Drove a Ford F-150 today and didn't like it...was too big for my tastes. I see how others love them as they drive nicely and have plenty of hauling capacity but, just isn't for me. Luckily we have like something from every manufacturer so I get to try almost every model out there, give or take.

I was talking with our assistant boss the other day and during the conversation she mentioned that we drivers were very important to the company because without us their operations would be almost impossible. Also I’ve discovered that they have a really hard time getting people who want to do the job.

Not in Florida. Big availability of retirees

Remember, I said people who WANT to do the job.😀

You two should compare your hourly rate. I think the difference will be stark

stickguy

@Sandman6472 said:
I'm not using my iPhone, just my MacBook Air. Not sure how to do it.

Works the same. Just need to have the pictures available on your MacBook. Just go to picture you want and hit copy, then go to the comments box and paste it in.

I don’t store pictures on my laptop so usually just post them off my phone.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

oldfarmer50 said:

Sandman6472 said:

Had my yearly evaluation today, I just started my 4th year at Enterprise! As expected, everything went fine & am even getting a $.35/hour raise! We did get to discuss my health issues and was very pleased that the guy has empathy and told me to never ever push myself. Safety is #1 with our company so he understands when I don't feel well enough to drive as it could be a potential safety issue. Was glad that he didn't berate me for taking time off this year due to the vertigo as he knows I'd be at work if I felt safe enough to go. Still loving the job as every day is something new.
Drove a Ford F-150 today and didn't like it...was too big for my tastes. I see how others love them as they drive nicely and have plenty of hauling capacity but, just isn't for me. Luckily we have like something from every manufacturer so I get to try almost every model out there, give or take.

I was talking with our assistant boss the other day and during the conversation she mentioned that we drivers were very important to the company because without us their operations would be almost impossible. Also I’ve discovered that they have a really hard time getting people who want to do the job.

Not in Florida. Big availability of retirees

Remember, I said people who WANT to do the job.😀

You two should compare your hourly rate. I think the difference will be stark

I assume you’re talking about Sandy and I. Minimum wage in Florida is $12/hr vs. $14.20 in NY (upstate). I’m sure Sandy is getting more than that after 4 years as I am after 6.

Nobody does this for the money but to be fair Enterprise does try to keep ahead of the crowd.

mjfloyd1

@breld said:

Yeah, no shadowline. My wife would have preferred it, but it was hard to come by with the other options she wanted, namely the driving assistance pro (for adaptive cruise). And she loves the Skyscraper Gray. I already told her I'm not replacing the silver trim pieces.

So, yes I had a 2022 X5 PHEV that I regretfully traded for that MB wagon. My wife wanted a nice comfy mid-size SUV this go around, so after considering the GLE, GV80 and even a Defender 110, she decided a return to the X5 was the best option. This one is the xdrive40i (regular gas version).

She traded both her vehicles for the BMW, and has a delivery appointment for a Model Y (leased) Friday.

I really like the skyscraper grey. Good choice. What color interior? I may have to call dibs but only if you make it shadowline 😂

I forgot about the X5 PHEV but now recall that you got rear ended shortly after taking delivery.

So now the Mach E and ? Mini are gone?

stickguy

Trading an EV hatchback and a sports car for an EV hatchback and a midsized CUV, seems like an odd restructuring of the fleet. I assume this is temporary (even by your standards!) since she will miss having a fun car around?

xwesx

There are a pair of Cybertrucks here in Fairbanks, obstensibly for cold weather testing (I say that because the weather here hasn't been cold, and the trucks look like they are being garaged and/or pampered rather than actually subjected to the arctic elements....).

I can say that these things are glaringly hideous on the road. Some folks have called them "futuristic," but I hate to use that term because I really hope that our future holds more than the complete lack of aesthetics that such a design provides. That said, they are impressive machines nonetheless.

Also, this is the perfect time of year for them to be on Fairbanks roads, since it is dark at most hours! They, like Rivians, have a remarkably identifiable, and impressive, presence in the dark just due to their lighting scheme (without having to deal with the downside noted above).

xwesx

breld said:

So step 1 of my wife’s year-end refresh of her side of the garage is complete:

I missed something. Did she scrub the floor?

xwesx

@breld It might help slow your vehicular refresh cycle if y'all traded your cars between you first before pushing them out the door.

breld

mjfloyd1 said:

I really like the sky> @breld said:

Yeah, no shadowline. My wife would have preferred it, but it was hard to come by with the other options she wanted, namely the driving assistance pro (for adaptive cruise). And she loves the Skyscraper Gray. I already told her I'm not replacing the silver trim pieces.

So, yes I had a 2022 X5 PHEV that I regretfully traded for that MB wagon. My wife wanted a nice comfy mid-size SUV this go around, so after considering the GLE, GV80 and even a Defender 110, she decided a return to the X5 was the best option. This one is the xdrive40i (regular gas version).

She traded both her vehicles for the BMW, and has a delivery appointment for a Model Y (leased) Friday.

I really like the skyscraper grey. Good choice. What color interior? I may have to call dibs but only if you make it shadowline 😂

I forgot about the X5 PHEV but now recall that you got rear ended shortly after taking delivery.

So now the Mach E and ? Mini are gone?

The interior is the basic black sensafin, but BMW has done a nice job with even the base seats. I'll shoot a pic later. The large screen that BMW is putting into most of their vehicles seems to be disliked by many, but I like it quite a bit. Before we left, the salesperson did a demo of the self-parking feature which was impressive. I probably had it on my previous X5 but never even thought to use it.

And yes, the Mach E and MINI are gone. Bright red Tesla Model Y scheduled to be picked up Friday.

breld

stickguy said:

Trading an EV hatchback and a sports car for an EV hatchback and a midsized CUV, seems like an odd restructuring of the fleet. I assume this is temporary (even by your standards!) since she will miss having a fun car around?

I mean, you're not wrong...but you can't be surprised, right?

28firefighter

Congrats @breld! Model Y is a wonderful value right now.

greg128

qbrozen said:

@tifighter said:

More since Stick loves it so much-

Looks like the box in which the Lumina APV was shipped.

This thing can beat a Corvette Z06 to 60. A Tesla Plaid would smoke it though.

tjc78

@breld said:
The interior is the basic black sensafin, but BMW has done a nice job with even the base seats. I'll shoot a pic later. The large screen that BMW is putting into most of their vehicles seems to be disliked by many, but I like it quite a bit. Before we left, the salesperson did a demo of the self-parking feature which was impressive. I probably had it on my previous X5 but never even thought to use it.

And yes, the Mach E and MINI are gone. Bright red Tesla Model Y scheduled to be picked up Friday.

Our EQE has the self parking feature. I was too chicken to use it. I’m sure I will eventually give it a shot (after watching a You Tube video of it).

When I I picked it up I didn’t let the salesman do anything except pair my phone as I was on a time crunch.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

@breld said:

The interior is the basic black sensafin, but BMW has done a nice job with even the base seats. I'll shoot a pic later. The large screen that BMW is putting into most of their vehicles seems to be disliked by many, but I like it quite a bit. Before we left, the salesperson did a demo of the self-parking feature which was impressive. I probably had it on my previous X5 but never even thought to use it.

And yes, the Mach E and MINI are gone. Bright red Tesla Model Y scheduled to be picked up Friday.

Our EQE has the self parking feature. I was too chicken to use it. I’m sure I will eventually give it a shot (after watching a You Tube video of it).

When I I picked it up I didn’t let the salesman do anything except pair my phone as I was on a time crunch.

Did you check your battery charge?

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
Did you check your battery charge?

Ha!!

Always easy to know!

tifighter

xwesx said:

I can say that these things are glaringly hideous on the road. Some folks have called them "futuristic," but I hate to use that term because I really hope that our future holds more than the complete lack of aesthetics that such a design provides. That said, they are impressive machines nonetheless.

Ha. In person, I thought it was actually way more interesting than in photos. One thing that is surprising for me is the size. It's a bit of a tweener. Same width as a full size truck by measurement (but visually, it looks smaller). But closer to the length of a crew cab long bed midsize.

Rivian R1T - 217" w/4.5ft bed
Tacoma DC Longbed - 225" w/6ft bed
CT length - 228" w/6ft bed
F150 Supercrew - 233" w/5.5ft bed

The other interesting thing was to overhear the reactions of others looking at it. As Fin pointed out, this was at Bellevue Square, which has a lot of foot traffic passing by. So these weren't just people driving to a showroom to see it specifically. I was there for about 20 minutes, and would put the approval rating at well over 50%. Elon has said that it is a gamble, and if it flops, that they can always make a regular looking truck later. I don't think they will have to.

tifighter

Wait @breld can this be right?

3 cars?
?
?

qbrozen

greg128 said:

This thing can beat a Corvette Z06 to 60. A Tesla Plaid would smoke it though.

Is the idea to go fast enough to not be seen in it? I'm very much a function over form person, but there is a limit and the cybertruck exceeds that limit by a lot.

qbrozen

stickguy said:

Trading an EV hatchback and a sports car for an EV hatchback and a midsized CUV, seems like an odd restructuring of the fleet. I assume this is temporary (even by your standards!) since she will miss having a fun car around?

exactly the point I was about to post. Although I think it possible she'll just have 3 vehicles. Maybe. I think the X5 and model Y would be painful to get out of. The latter would be easier to transfer the lease but typically means losing a large down payment. Good luck with that, @breld !

ab348

qbrozen said:

greg128 said:

This thing can beat a Corvette Z06 to 60. A Tesla Plaid would smoke it though.

Is the idea to go fast enough to not be seen in it? I'm very much a function over form person, but there is a limit and the cybertruck exceeds that limit by a lot.

Maybe the idea is to keep anyone from seeing who’s behind the wheel.

mjfloyd1

kyfdx said:

tjc78 said:

@breld said:

The interior is the basic black sensafin, but BMW has done a nice job with even the base seats. I'll shoot a pic later. The large screen that BMW is putting into most of their vehicles seems to be disliked by many, but I like it quite a bit. Before we left, the salesperson did a demo of the self-parking feature which was impressive. I probably had it on my previous X5 but never even thought to use it.

And yes, the Mach E and MINI are gone. Bright red Tesla Model Y scheduled to be picked up Friday.

Our EQE has the self parking feature. I was too chicken to use it. I’m sure I will eventually give it a shot (after watching a You Tube video of it).

When I I picked it up I didn’t let the salesman do anything except pair my phone as I was on a time crunch.

Did you check your battery charge?

Ain’t nobody got time for that

roadburner

tjc78 said:

@breld said:

The interior is the basic black sensafin, but BMW has done a nice job with even the base seats. I'll shoot a pic later. The large screen that BMW is putting into most of their vehicles seems to be disliked by many, but I like it quite a bit. Before we left, the salesperson did a demo of the self-parking feature which was impressive. I probably had it on my previous X5 but never even thought to use it.

And yes, the Mach E and MINI are gone. Bright red Tesla Model Y scheduled to be picked up Friday.

Our EQE has the self parking feature. I was too chicken to use it. I’m sure I will eventually give it a shot (after watching a You Tube video of it).

When I I picked it up I didn’t let the salesman do anything except pair my phone as I was on a time crunch.

When I worked at BMW I was more than a bit nervous the first few times that I demonstrated parallel and perpendicular self-parking, but after a while it became routine. My i3 would parallel park itself, but in my opinion if you cannot parallel park a 158” long car without assistance then you should be required to use public transit.
The C43 also has that feature, but I have yet to use it, as I try to park as far away from other cars as possible.

fintail

Yeah, that's even worse. Not even daring and a dork's view of the future like the CT itself - the wheel is just meh, could be an aftermarket wheel on any lifted emotional support truck.

Having design elements of a wheel/wheelcover mated to a tire is a weird move.

mjfloyd1 said:

@ab348 said:

Odd that the molds for production of the tires themselves have the identical pattern to those "protective covers" formed into the sidewall.

It looks like this with the covers removed. Seems to look better , at least to me, with the covers on. Perhaps the review had it wrong and the covers are really hubcaps??