Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

my son texted me a picture today of a bright (Navarro) blue Audi SQ5 that lives near him. Indicated he is in love with it. He may not have fully moved on from the S4 after he traded it for the Telluride.

tjc78

@nyccarguy said:
I had a few minutes tonight before picking up my daughter from ice skating practice. There are a few dealers not too far from the rink. First stop was the GMC dealer. Lots of big sierras, Yukon Denalis, & Electric Hummers. I was looking at the Canyon. I’ve seen a few Colorados & Canyons on the road and think GM nailed it in the styling department. The only canyons athey had that I saw were elevations & AT4s. AT4s have $46-$47K stickers. Elevations had $47-48K stickers. One thing I noticed is that the AT4s had spray in bed liners while the Elevations had painted steel bed liners. Even if you don’t put your truck to truck use (I don’t), a steel painted bed liner is going to scratch. I say spray em all or make em composite like my Tacoma.

Next was the Ford dealer. Lots of Broncos and modified F150s, a few Raptors too. They had 1 Maverick XLT with a $34K sticker. I think it was the 2.0T AWD, Tow Pkg. looked nice. I know @stickguy & @corvette have one. Nice truck. Next to it they had a very basic Ranger. $36K sticker. Steel bed no liner. I don’t see any of these on the road ever.

Not that I’m looking to get rid of my Tacoma SR. The PA broker that I used is currently leasing SR, SR5, & Sport Tacomas with higher MSRPs for cheaper or what I pay for my SR.

You use the PA guy right.. starts with a J? He has some great Tundra deals right now. 1794 edition with a 75K MSRP in the 7s. Lower trims under 5.

stickguy

but you have to drive a Tundra.

tjc78

@stickguy said:
but you have to drive a Tundra.

On par with any of the other full size pickups IMO.

stickguy

do they come with a functioning engine now at least?

corvette

tjc78 said:

You use the PA guy right.. starts with a J? He has some great Tundra deals right now. 1794 edition with a 75K MSRP in the 7s. Lower trims under 5.

I used him, as well, and my 2020 Tundra SR5 TRD Sport was under $400/month with tax, so I'm always going to compare deals to that. I do think the current lease deals on Tacos and Tundras are about as good as I've seen post-COVID.

As I mentioned in the other thread, EV incentives are likely to change BIGLY going forward, so it will be interesting to see how that landscape looks in a year or two. It looks like manufacturers are already cutting back production due to lack of sales, so the whole thing may be a tempest in a teapot.

corvette

stickguy said:

do they come with a functioning engine now at least?

I think the current models do. I've also heard that they've stopped using glass gears in the Tacoma transmissions.

Sandman6472

Actually liking the larger 6.7 size of my new iPhone but the case is way to heavy. Think I'm gonna swap it out with a different one. A co-worker bought the wrong size one and has no use for it so he's bringing it in today to see if it'll fit. I'll then have to get a screen protector for the front glass. Think it'll make the phone weigh less and be easier to handle. Still prefer the 6.1 size phone & might just trade it in for a iPhone 16 sooner then later. But, right now, just going to play with the case.

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

My Dad was in town this week visiting. Today I took the afternoon off and we went car shopping. He’s looking to replace his Q5 - he’s had it for 5 years and put 80k miles on it - had 75k when he got it.

He really likes the new 2024 Land Cruiser so we went to look at it. It’s probably overkill, but he doesn’t want the Lexus badge and likes the lower key look. While he won’t off road recreationally, he does travel by car a lot for work including seeing patients in rural areas in the middle of winter, so it’s not totally crazy.

We drove a former dealer demo heritage edition. I didn’t hate it. It feels very premium inside and, if you covered the badge, you would assume it was a Lexus. Exterior looks sharp and rugged, if not a bit overdone with cladding. The hybrid 4 cylinder turbo didn’t feel underpowered but it definitely had a bit of groan to it - you knew it was working. Other oddities? The hatch area is very shallow due to the hybrid battery lifting the floor about 3”. I’m not sure how that works for people who need the storage. Also the hatch area has air vents and couple holders like it could have a third row, even though it doesn’t here.

This one was certified, priced around $80k and we didn’t negotiate because he wasn’t buying today. Feels like a lot of coin to me, but his money.

I'm assuming the 1958 edition is too sparsely optioned for him? The price point is much lower to begin with and they seem to be discounted. Lease support/incentives aren't there, YET. I wonder if 4 Runner sales will canalize Land Cruiser sales. There is definitely an overlap in price point, especially if the 4 Runner is going to sell for MSRP (maybe MSRP + in some markets) and the Land Cruiser is discounted.

I wonder if it the Land Cruiser is going to not sell well and in a few years become significantly cheaper than a comparable 4 Runner on the used market.

I know it is a little different because it is the exact same car, but my best friend was shopping Land Cruisers and Lexus LX 570s a few years ago. The LX was significantly cheaper than a Land Cruiser on the used market.

Outside the US, it does have a 3rd row.

There's a guy John Clay Wolfe who hosts a radio show & has videos across social media platforms who I guess is a buyer for GIVE ME THE VIN. People call up and tell him the year, make, model, color, & condition of their vehicle. He makes some candid comments, then tells them what he thinks their car is worth. I saw a video or video clip on Facebook Reels where a guy called up trying to sell or basically flip his Land Cruiser.

2024 Land Cruiser 1st Edition John Clay Wolfe

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

@nyccarguy said:

I had a few minutes tonight before picking up my daughter from ice skating practice. There are a few dealers not too far from the rink. First stop was the GMC dealer. Lots of big sierras, Yukon Denalis, & Electric Hummers. I was looking at the Canyon. I’ve seen a few Colorados & Canyons on the road and think GM nailed it in the styling department. The only canyons athey had that I saw were elevations & AT4s. AT4s have $46-$47K stickers. Elevations had $47-48K stickers. One thing I noticed is that the AT4s had spray in bed liners while the Elevations had painted steel bed liners. Even if you don’t put your truck to truck use (I don’t), a steel painted bed liner is going to scratch. I say spray em all or make em composite like my Tacoma.

Next was the Ford dealer. Lots of Broncos and modified F150s, a few Raptors too. They had 1 Maverick XLT with a $34K sticker. I think it was the 2.0T AWD, Tow Pkg. looked nice. I know @stickguy & @corvette have one. Nice truck. Next to it they had a very basic Ranger. $36K sticker. Steel bed no liner. I don’t see any of these on the road ever.

Not that I’m looking to get rid of my Tacoma SR. The PA broker that I used is currently leasing SR, SR5, & Sport Tacomas with higher MSRPs for cheaper or what I pay for my SR.

You use the PA guy right.. starts with a J? He has some great Tundra deals right now. 1794 edition with a 75K MSRP in the 7s. Lower trims under 5.

Yes. I leased the '23 Tacoma from him. I'd prefer to deal with my Mass guy (who I got my '19 Tacoma from), because they will deliver the vehicle to me at my local DMV and register it for me right on the spot. The MA guy will tell me to go to the PA guy if the PA guy has an insane deal he can't touch.

nyccarguy

corvette said:

stickguy said:

do they come with a functioning engine now at least?

I think the current models do. I've also heard that they've stopped using glass gears in the Tacoma transmissions.

I have faith that Toyota will fix all the Tundras with engine issues and Tacomas with Transmission issues. They aren't really issues, they are major problems, then make the necessary adjustments with their suppliers & on the assembly line.

ab348

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

My Dad was in town this week visiting. Today I took the afternoon off and we went car shopping. He’s looking to replace his Q5 - he’s had it for 5 years and put 80k miles on it - had 75k when he got it.

He really likes the new 2024 Land Cruiser so we went to look at it. It’s probably overkill, but he doesn’t want the Lexus badge and likes the lower key look. While he won’t off road recreationally, he does travel by car a lot for work including seeing patients in rural areas in the middle of winter, so it’s not totally crazy.

We drove a former dealer demo heritage edition. I didn’t hate it. It feels very premium inside and, if you covered the badge, you would assume it was a Lexus. Exterior looks sharp and rugged, if not a bit overdone with cladding. The hybrid 4 cylinder turbo didn’t feel underpowered but it definitely had a bit of groan to it - you knew it was working. Other oddities? The hatch area is very shallow due to the hybrid battery lifting the floor about 3”. I’m not sure how that works for people who need the storage. Also the hatch area has air vents and couple holders like it could have a third row, even though it doesn’t here.

This one was certified, priced around $80k and we didn’t negotiate because he wasn’t buying today. Feels like a lot of coin to me, but his money.

I'm assuming the 1958 edition is too sparsely optioned for him? The price point is much lower to begin with and they seem to be discounted. Lease support/incentives aren't there, YET. I wonder if 4 Runner sales will canalize Land Cruiser sales. There is definitely an overlap in price point, especially if the 4 Runner is going to sell for MSRP (maybe MSRP + in some markets) and the Land Cruiser is discounted.

I wonder if it the Land Cruiser is going to not sell well and in a few years become significantly cheaper than a comparable 4 Runner on the used market.

I know it is a little different because it is the exact same car, but my best friend was shopping Land Cruisers and Lexus LX 570s a few years ago. The LX was significantly cheaper than a Land Cruiser on the used market.

The Motormouth couple on YT were saying this week that where they live in Vancouver BC they are seeing a lot of new Land Cruisers on the roads in spite of the stiff price tag up here in Canadaland. They seem split on whether the Lexus or Toyota version is preferable - I think one likes the Toyo, the other the Lex.

explorerx4

There is a reason those leases are cheap. You may end up driving a Rav4 for 6 months or a year awaiting a fix for your leased vehicle.

sda

paging @28firefighter https://youtu.be/ao44dy2HDp8?si=nMw5obB_SWp5WuGF

kyfdx

My last lease was in 2017 and was $265/mo for a $36K Tacoma.

Guess I'm never leasing again, if I have to hit that standard..

stickguy

kyfdx said:

My last lease was in 2017 and was $265/mo for a $36K Tacoma.

Guess I'm never leasing again, if I have to hit that standard..

same here. the few I did were in the good old days. $225/mo sign and drive for the princesses Jetta sport in college. under $400 for my TLX A spec (still miss that car, wish I had kept it, last of an era)

kyfdx

That's okay, I'm never leasing again, anyway.

stickguy

I may. probably if it was an EV, or the stars aligned.

EVs might be outlawed soon anyway.

sda

Our last lease was a 2006 Pilot EXL. I think it was $360 mo. We went about 20k over mileage which was totally unanticipated but a move and job relocation caused that. At lease end the Honda dealer did a nice discount on a new 09 Civic EX which dug us out of the hole. My wife wanted a 5speed but only automatics were in stock.

Michaell

Same here. Last two leases were roughly $220/mo for both the Elantra GT and Jetta SE. probably $300+ per month now.

28firefighter

@sda said:
paging @28firefighter https://youtu.be/ao44dy2HDp8?si=nMw5obB_SWp5WuGF

Looks really nice - I like the Digital Dash and the recaros.

mjfloyd1

Shout out to this Austin Peay basketball player. He works like no other despite having only one arm. Made shots, blocked shots. Wow.

https://letsgopeay.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/hansel-enmanuel/10794

roadburner

My last lease was the 2016 i3 REx; 24 months at a tick over $100/month.

roadburner

I have found my retirement present- and my wife is even on board. Too bad it's not a manual, but I can deal with it.
Morgan Plus Four; 2233 pounds with a 255 bhp BMW turbo four.

mb_enthusiast

We are going to look at a 2025 Q5 PP and a 2021 Q7 Prestige this afternoon.

Anyone know if AFS is doing 3.99% for preowned?

kyfdx

mb_enthusiast said:

We are going to look at a 2025 Q5 PP and a 2021 Q7 Prestige this afternoon.

Anyone know if AFS is doing 3.99% for preowned?

No info on pre-owned financing for

kyfdx

Car shopping today

Michaell

Is the X3 getting traded?

Michaell

I like the blue over tan combo, myself.

kyfdx

Yes, we’d trade the 2017 X3. (79K miles)

She loves the Chalk color. Naturally that’s $3000 more

These are 2024 service loaners with 4K+ miles.
Asking $8K under MSRP

stickguy

love the blue

stickguy

I really need to retire if it means you have time to go out and add to your Porsche collection. Though if I can't get myself to pay for one when we make plenty of money, not sure I could do it when that dries up!

More likely my son buys one after we leave him all the leftover money!

To heck with it. next weekend, I am stopping at the Porsche dealer with the wife. I just won't ask her first. It is around the corner from the transfer station, and we go there every week anyway! I doubt she would handle getting in and out of a Cayman (she is currently doing PT for what the ortho guy (after a solid 12 seconds thinking about it, while thinking about something else, decided was knee arthritis) but a Macan, I bet she would like that blue one! If could be the sports car splurge and she can still drive it.

Not that we need it at all.

explorerx4

Is 8K around 10% discount?

stickguy

I got curious so went out and built one. a base Macan with the good (functional) options that I would consider essential, but skipping on the frivolous stuff, comes out to be about $71K. More than I expected for a base car, but that Porsche crest is expensive!

explorerx4

I like the Chalk color. With a decent trade in on the X3, seems reasonable.

corvette

Blue exterior with ivory/tan/brown/camel-ish interior is my jam. But I like the Chalk color, as well.

28firefighter

That chalk is beautiful. I’d pay the extra for it…

qbrozen

The chalk is nice but those wheels are awful.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

That chalk is beautiful. I’d pay the extra from it…

————————————————
The blue is less expensive so he should get the blue then let @oldfarmer50 drive it for about a month and he’ll have what he originally wanted and saved 3 grand.

jmonroe

xwesx

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:

That chalk is beautiful. I’d pay the extra from it…

————————————————
The blue is less expensive so he should get the blue then let @oldfarmer50 drive it for about a month and he’ll have what he originally wanted and saved 3 grand.

jmonroe

Or, just take a trip to the Iowa back roads.... it'll be chalk-colored in no time. And, if you want it to look pretty again, you can just wash it instead of being stuck with that awful color.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I may. probably if it was an EV, or the stars aligned.

EVs might be outlawed soon anyway.

Don’t you think you’re being a little over dramatic?🚗

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

I have found my retirement present- and my wife is even on board. Too bad it's not a manual, but I can deal with it.
Morgan Plus Four; 2233 pounds with a 255 bhp BMW turbo four.

That’s beautiful but how would it meet safely standards for side protection?

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:

That chalk is beautiful. I’d pay the extra from it…

————————————————
The blue is less expensive so he should get the blue then let @oldfarmer50 drive it for about a month and he’ll have what he originally wanted and saved 3 grand.

jmonroe

I haven’t had my coffee yet so you’ll have to explain that to me. ❓❓❓

oldfarmer50

I finally put the convertible away for the winter yesterday and I’m experiencing depression mixed with joy that this was the first year I was able to have the top down into early November. What a wonderful fall this has been.

Sandman6472

The blue one has my vote but the other one is nice also. See many vehicles now in that chalk color lately especially on Kia vehicles. But both those vehicles are out of my league!

Sandman6472

Battery is dead in the Golf right now! Got into it before work yesterday, and got crickets! Just won't turn over. Had a couple issues earlier in the week and was planning on going over Monday anyways but now, have an appointment for a jump on Monday between 7 am and 8 am. Bought current battery on 9/21/22, so not even 26 months old, so figure I'll get a proration on the new one. It's a Diehard Gold unit bought at Tires Plus so think it might even have a 3 year warranty. But whatever, need a new battery so will have one thrown in Monday morning. Just frustrating that it happens at the worst possible moment. Ended up taking the Hyundai as the Mrs. had TurboTax work to do and am getting a ride today. Luckily, both days are shorter days and I'm n/s tomorrow. Second time in a row it died in the garage on a weekend.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

I may. probably if it was an EV, or the stars aligned.

EVs might be outlawed soon anyway.

Don’t you think you’re being a little over dramatic?🚗

hopefully. but not confident of that

mjfloyd1

@kyfdx said:
Car shopping today

$9k less for a 2023 but it has black interior

https://www.porschelouisville.com/inventory/certified-used-2023-porsche-macan-awd-4d-sport-utility-wp1aa2a50plb21030/

ab348

kyfdx said:

Yes, we’d trade the 2017 X3. (79K miles)

She loves the Chalk color. Naturally that’s $3000 more

These are 2024 service loaners with 4K+ miles.
Asking $8K under MSRP

I had no idea that being an Edmunds moderator paid so well.

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

Is 8K around 10% discount?

Chalk is $75,XXX with $8K off that
Blue is $72,XXX with $8.5K off that

Almost identically equipped
Chalk paint color is an extra $2000 over the Blue
21" vs 20" wheels is another $1000

The Chalk one has 2 more months of warranty, having been put into service at the end of April vs. February for the Blue one.