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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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  • pensfan83pensfan83 Member Posts: 2,767

    There was a ZDX Type S in the showroom. $73,500 sticker


    1997 Honda Prelude Base - 2022 Acura MDX Type S Advance - 2021 Honda Passport Sport - 2006 BMW 330Ci ZHP
  • carnaughtcarnaught Member Posts: 3,576
    The dash looks disappointing at least from the picture.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    it is nice in person. and the steering wheel is great. Actually seemed to me like a nice update on my RDX.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,502

    Speaking of the Acura dealer, my parents stopped by and test drove an RDX Advance as a possible replacement for Mom’s ‘22 RX 350. The lease isn’t up until March. She’s got 50K miles on it. The interior needs a thorough cleaning. The outside is beat up from when the cyclist hit her and my Dad backed into it in the driveway.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,291
    I guess Honda learned its lesson about volume knobs after they attempted to delete them, but it looks out of place sticking out of what is otherwise a flat display on the ZDX. Like the camera warts on every cell phone and many tablets nowadays (I tolerate those on my phone because I use it as a camera, but I can't stand them on tablets, because who in their right mind is using an iPad for serious photography?).
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,291
    edited August 2024
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK_EJ3DyiiA

    Can't remember whether someone posted this here... The styling of the Cybertruck may be controversial, but it is surprisingly explosion-resistant, especially compared to an aluminum bodied F-150.
  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,332
    corvette said:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK_EJ3DyiiA

    Can't remember whether someone posted this here... The styling of the Cybertruck may be controversial, but it is surprisingly explosion-resistant, especially compared to an aluminum bodied F-150.

    ————————————————
    I wonder how many clicks you need to buy two expensive trucks only to destroy them with unreal, not even close to normal road tests.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,181
    No matter the vehicle, the iPad stuck to the top of the dash is a near dealbreaker for me.

    '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...)

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,965

    No CarPlay is a deal breaker for me in any vehicle. Not having smartphone integration is a major step backwards.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    stickguy said:

    so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

    It looks like that's the direction they're moving. Probably the reason they dumped Android Auto and Apple Car Play (which are free with your phone). They want to go to a subscription revenue stream, like they did with "OnStar".
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    stickguy said:

    it is nice in person. and the steering wheel is great. Actually seemed to me like a nice update on my RDX.

    It's obviously similar to the Prologue. The steering wheel is nice (as is the one in the Blazer EV).

    Admittedly, I do like the Blazer EV's screens vs the Honda/Acura version.
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,289

    stickguy said:

    so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

    It looks like that's the direction they're moving. Probably the reason they dumped Android Auto and Apple Car Play (which are free with your phone). They want to go to a subscription revenue stream, like they did with "OnStar".
    That's part of it. But given the other manufacturers who are doing the same thing in dropping CarPlay, there seems to be more to it than that.

    I don't know the answer, but since an iPhone can also act as a wifi hotspot, couldn't your non-CarPlay vehicle connect to that I wonder?

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 262,397
    ab348 said:

    stickguy said:

    so if the Blazer can run spotify, etc. without a phone, I assume you have to pay for a cell connection to do it? I can't imagine that GM is going to give you that for free.

    It looks like that's the direction they're moving. Probably the reason they dumped Android Auto and Apple Car Play (which are free with your phone). They want to go to a subscription revenue stream, like they did with "OnStar".
    That's part of it. But given the other manufacturers who are doing the same thing in dropping CarPlay, there seems to be more to it than that.

    I don't know the answer, but since an iPhone can also act as a wifi hotspot, couldn't your non-CarPlay vehicle connect to that I wonder?
    Data sharing?

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    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,965

    Yes you can connect your car to your hotspot. I used to do that with my Volvos

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,218
    Drove a couple of entry level Kia's and Hyundai's and was unable to listen to Apple CarPlay through my iPhone 12. Seems in this day & age, all vehicles would be able to connect to both AA & Apple CarPlay as not everyone wants to get Sirius/XM. A serious omission to be honest and will make sure my next vehicle has both when that time does come. But since I like my Sirius/XM that much, will probably still subscribe even though I no longer drive much anymore.

    Got a question for OF...did you folks get the dollar raise we did on the 11th? Since we've been a bit slow these past few weeks, nice to get the extra buck going forward. Still enjoying the job even though not sure how much longer I'll continue. I fell out of the 15 packer last week and had a few very sore days afterwards. But maybe it's time to go down to two days a week and see how that goes.

    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)

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,289

    I fell out of the 15 packer last week and had a few very sore days afterwards.

    Hopefully it wasn't moving at the time. - :D

    Hope you're feeling better, Sandy.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207

    Drove a couple of entry level Kia's and Hyundai's and was unable to listen to Apple CarPlay through my iPhone 12. Seems in this day & age, all vehicles would be able to connect to both AA & Apple CarPlay as not everyone wants to get Sirius/XM. A serious omission to be honest and will make sure my next vehicle has both when that time does come. But since I like my Sirius/XM that much, will probably still subscribe even though I no longer drive much anymore.

    Got a question for OF...did you folks get the dollar raise we did on the 11th? Since we've been a bit slow these past few weeks, nice to get the extra buck going forward. Still enjoying the job even though not sure how much longer I'll continue. I fell out of the 15 packer last week and had a few very sore days afterwards. But maybe it's time to go down to two days a week and see how that goes.

    Ouch! I hope you didn’t hurt yourself too bad. Be sure to report that to HR just in case you find some unknown injury later on.

    As to the raise, for the last few years any raise we would have gotten was overtopped by mandated minimum wage raises by the state. A/O this January we would have been up to $15 but Enterprise got proactive and bumped us to $16 and $16.50 for me. Then, at my annual review in late January I got bumped again to $17. Seems they gave the non-goof off non-car wreckers a little extra. Plus they gave me a few thousand in profit sharing and increased the 401k match to 4%.

    From what I gather, the company is very interested in retaining workers at our level so they are spending a little more to keep us happy. The assistant boss just got a promotion and it was mainly because of her high retention rate.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • Sandman6472Sandman6472 Member Posts: 7,218
    Wow, you make more than I do but guess that's New York vs. Florida. I started at Enterprise on December 3rd of 2019 but had been at Hertz from January of 2014 till the end of November in 2019. Hertz was not very good to their employees with really no perks to speak of while Enterprise is a much better company to work for. All I know is that right after I left Hertz for Enterprise, five other drivers left and as of July, only one original driver is still there.

    I did go report the accident at work just to cover my butt. This getting older stuff is a bit harder then I thought!

    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)

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,291
    Drove my parents' Ranger with the transmission concern. It doesn't appear to be exhibiting the behavior described in the TSB (delayed/harsh engagement and harsh shifts), but it does do the extremely aggressive upshifting resulting in borderline engine lugging that has been common on many modern cars since 2000 or so. I think it's operating as designed, it's just that the design has it trying to cruise on level ground at 1,100 RPM instead of downshifting or trying to climb a hill at 1,500 RPM instead of downshifting. Giving it a little more throttle triggers a downshift and stops the behavior.

    That transmission is also used in the F-150, and I suspect that behavior is less noticeable in that application due to the heavier vehicle having more isolation, plus the larger engines having more torque down low. From what limited research I have done, the behavior can be worse in some Rangers that have been tuned, but the tuner then changed the shift maps to eliminate it.
  • pensfan83pensfan83 Member Posts: 2,767

    @28firefighter said:
    We’re on the east coast this week for a family wedding. Did a few days in Philly, then 4 days in Ocean City, now stopping in Pittsburgh for a short stop to see my favorite places before we go to Ohio.

    Have a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer LT for our one way rental from Avis. I want to hate it. It is slow, makes a weird use of space for cargo, and is all plastic. But I can’t. It is phenomenally equipped for the $$ - CarPlay, heated seats, heated steering wheel, high res digital dash, backup sensors, power hatch, and AWD. It gets north of 40mpg on the highway and is a comfortable ride, yet small enough for urban areas. Would not have been my first choice, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

    Pirates game AND Steelers game today. Getting to places away from there aren't bad though. We're in the Strip District now and it's not crowded at all.

    1997 Honda Prelude Base - 2022 Acura MDX Type S Advance - 2021 Honda Passport Sport - 2006 BMW 330Ci ZHP
  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    tjc78 said:

    Yes you can connect your car to your hotspot. I used to do that with my Volvos

    Good idea. I wonder how you could project it on the vehicle's screen? I don't know the size of it in the. Blazer EV but it's BIG!
    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,676
    edited August 2024

    @28firefighter said:
    We’re on the east coast this week for a family wedding. Did a few days in Philly, then 4 days in Ocean City, now stopping in Pittsburgh for a short stop to see my favorite places before we go to Ohio.

    Have a 2024 Chevy Trailblazer LT for our one way rental from Avis. I want to hate it. It is slow, makes a weird use of space for cargo, and is all plastic. But I can’t. It is phenomenally equipped for the $$ - CarPlay, heated seats, heated steering wheel, high res digital dash, backup sensors, power hatch, and AWD. It gets north of 40mpg on the highway and is a comfortable ride, yet small enough for urban areas. Would not have been my first choice, but I’m pleasantly surprised.

    Is that one of their 3-cylinder turbos?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    tjc78 said:

    Yes you can connect your car to your hotspot. I used to do that with my Volvos

    that sounds like way too much hassle.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207
    corvette said:

    Drove my parents' Ranger with the transmission concern. It doesn't appear to be exhibiting the behavior described in the TSB (delayed/harsh engagement and harsh shifts), but it does do the extremely aggressive upshifting resulting in borderline engine lugging that has been common on many modern cars since 2000 or so. I think it's operating as designed, it's just that the design has it trying to cruise on level ground at 1,100 RPM instead of downshifting or trying to climb a hill at 1,500 RPM instead of downshifting. Giving it a little more throttle triggers a downshift and stops the behavior.

    That transmission is also used in the F-150, and I suspect that behavior is less noticeable in that application due to the heavier vehicle having more isolation, plus the larger engines having more torque down low. From what limited research I have done, the behavior can be worse in some Rangers that have been tuned, but the tuner then changed the shift maps to eliminate it.

    Could it be that the transmission was programmed to meet milage standards at the price of drivability? Would the dealer be able to do a reflash of the TCM? I had some issues with shift quality on my PT Cruiser and the dealership did some reprogramming.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,071

    @stickguy said:
    I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

    Which car are we talking about?

    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    for sure they program the tranny to get the best result on the EPA tests for MPG ratings, and emissions. My guess, the dealer won't (likely not allowed, and probably couldn't anyway) reprogram the trans mapping. But, the aftermarket certainly can! Just need to find the right tuner.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207
    stickguy said:

    for sure they program the tranny to get the best result on the EPA tests for MPG ratings, and emissions. My guess, the dealer won't (likely not allowed, and probably couldn't anyway) reprogram the trans mapping. But, the aftermarket certainly can! Just need to find the right tuner.

    The tune I bought for the Mustang had some transmission remapping as part of the package. It was a Ford performance part installed at the Ford dealer so some adjustment may be possible.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • graphicguygraphicguy Member Posts: 14,121
    edited August 2024
    I may have to buy a Prologue just to get one of those nifty little scooters....




    2024 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD Long Range
  • laurasdadalaurasdada Member Posts: 5,181
    Friend's vacationing in Clearwater, Fla. He just texted us that his Chevy Equinox is being flat-bedded, awaiting a replacement.
    Well, it is a GM product...
    But at least they didn't have to leave it in the middle of a field, waiting for it to explode.

    Have been tinkering with the idea of a Motocompacto, because... well, because.
    Shoulda done it last weekend here in MA, it was the annual tax-free weekend. I did buy an inexpensive watch, but not from Rite-Aid.

    '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...)

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,332

    I may have to buy a Prologue just to get one of those nifty little scooters....




    ————————————————-
    It’s not like Honda to resort to gimmicks to sell their cars. They must envision some pretty slow sales already to do something like that.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,289
    stickguy said:

    I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

    If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,289

    Friend's vacationing in Clearwater, Fla. He just texted us that his Chevy Equinox is being flat-bedded, awaiting a replacement.
    Well, it is a GM product...

    Well, it is a rental car, I presume…

    Up here, H/K rental vehicles seem to keep the towing companies in business.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    ab348 said:

    stickguy said:

    I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

    If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.
    still have to deal with the cars interface for setting a destination.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,289
    stickguy said:

    ab348 said:

    stickguy said:

    I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

    If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.
    still have to deal with the cars interface for setting a destination.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,071
    Blazer’s interface is “Hey Google!”
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207
    ab348 said:

    Friend's vacationing in Clearwater, Fla. He just texted us that his Chevy Equinox is being flat-bedded, awaiting a replacement.
    Well, it is a GM product...

    Well, it is a rental car, I presume…

    Up here, H/K rental vehicles seem to keep the towing companies in business.
    The Hyundais and Kia’s in our fleet seem to hold up pretty well, in fact it was driving a Kia Soul around that impressed me enough to go buy one. The only problem I ever had was a 2023 Soul with a CVT that blew the transmission at 5000 miles.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    @corvette.
    The main reason I traded my 2020 Explorer(2.3 four cyl/10 speed trans) was that I felt it was in too high a gear in the type of driving I did.
    I did try different fuel grades to see if that would improve things.
    Using PUG, i was getting 25 mpg local driving, so I mainly used that.
    Didn't do a whole lot of experimentation with RUG.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,965
    edited August 2024

    @oldfarmer50 said:
    The Hyundais and Kia’s in our fleet seem to hold up pretty well, in fact it was driving a Kia Soul around that impressed me enough to go buy one. The only problem I ever had was a 2023 Soul with a CVT that blew the transmission at 5000 miles.

    I had a loaded Sonata 1.5T that had 40k miles earlier this week. It had obviously lived a rough life and drove like it had more like 80K IMO.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,207

    @corvette.
    The main reason I traded my 2020 Explorer(2.3 four cyl/10 speed trans) was that I felt it was in too high a gear in the type of driving I did.
    I did try different fuel grades to see if that would improve things.
    Using PUG, i was getting 25 mpg local driving, so I mainly used that.
    Didn't do a whole lot of experimentation with RUG.

    Maybe you know the answer to this. I know the 2.3L and the 3.7L when used in the Mustang would run on Regular gas but would give more horsepower with Premium. Would that also be true on the 3.7L when used in a pickup truck?

    My owner’s manual is very vague on the subject.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,291

    Could it be that the transmission was programmed to meet milage standards at the price of drivability? Would the dealer be able to do a reflash of the TCM? I had some issues with shift quality on my PT Cruiser and the dealership did some reprogramming.

    Yes and (apparently) no. The TSB only talks about reflashing in case of harsh shifts, not engine lugging.

    @corvette.
    The main reason I traded my 2020 Explorer(2.3 four cyl/10 speed trans) was that I felt it was in too high a gear in the type of driving I did.
    I did try different fuel grades to see if that would improve things.

    They've always run premium because (like my Maverick), the Ranger's turbo engine makes more power and gets better MPGs on premium. Thinking out loud, wouldn't it be a bear if running regular in the Ranger would reduce the HP enough that it would have to hold lower gears longer, eliminating the lugging?
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,357
    naturally aspirated big V6 boat anchor? I would highly doubt it.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,723
    @oldfarmer50,
    Timing is everything.
    We took my Son In Law's Explorer to Detroit and back today, just over 300 miles.
    It has the 3.5, slightly smaller version of 3.7.
    I put gas in it a couple of times.
    My daughter showed up with less than half a tank, so I filled it up when we took a comfort break.
    After we got back I topped it off so her husband would start the week with a full tank.
    If I had read you post before I left, I could have reset one of the trip meters and put some MUG or PUG in there and measure the MPG's.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    This week's MPG numbers:
    X1- 21.7
    C43- 23.6
    4xe- 100.2

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,331
    stickguy said:

    ab348 said:

    stickguy said:

    I want the car to be running google maps. and I want to find things on my phone. I hated every time I had to try and select a destination using the cars navi.

    If you’re referring to the Blazer EV, it uses Google Maps as its native nav system.
    still have to deal with the cars interface for setting a destination.
    The Jeep and Mercedes phone apps send the address to the car and it pops up in the display as soon as you start the car. The only reason I want CarPlay is to have it as a backup system to use when/if the car's navigation system is no longer supported.

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,291
    edited August 2024
    @roadburner - the C43's MPG is quite impressive compared to the X1.
This discussion has been closed.