Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

mjfloyd1

Gateway time outs appear to be back…

tjc78

@kyfdx
The cars are amazing but I’m a bit jealous (ok a lot) that your garage is so empty and pristine. 😄😄😄

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

I know it's a Macan. It just dwarfs the Cayman. OK, man?

It's the angle.. Yes, much taller, but not that much bigger (about 1000 lbs.. lol)

kyfdx

mjfloyd1 said:

Gateway time outs appear to be back…

I know..

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

@kyfdx

The cars are amazing but I’m a bit jealous (ok a lot) that your garage is so empty and pristine. 😄😄😄

The garage is not that wide, so not a lot of room down the sides. It's serviceable for two cars, but definitely not much room, otherwise.

Most of the junk is on the wall behind the cars, that you can't see.

kyfdx

I swore I'd never build a house without a 3-car garage. But, the lots were just 70' wide, and I couldn't get a 3-car garage into a 52' wide house.

pensfan83

After we picked up the car we went to dinner Downtown and to Light Up Night, as is family tradition hence the delay. Anyway, nothing exciting it's a 2021 Honda Passport Sport. Getting a hitch installed next week by the dealer. Lease return w/24K miles and certified. We went round and round about what we wanted, lease or buy, truck or SUV. We test drove the new Tacoma, a Colorado, and because I really like them a Ram 1500 (also. We also test drove a Grand Cherokee 4xe (again) and were thinking of looking at the new Santa Fe when when my wife mentioned the Passport since my parents have one. We went to the dealer last Tuesday and decided to move forward so fully off the lease train for now. It does everything we need it to do and will do it as well as the truck. It will be "my car" but chances are my wife will periodically use it to commute in to keep miles lower on the MDX.

There's a number of reasons we went this direction but the biggest is that not having another vehicle that's $50K+ in the household allows for a bigger travel budget and at least for 2025, that's what we're doing with some of the savings with trips to Europe and Alaska booked. Both boys love to visit new places and don't seem to mind that their parents tag along so we're making memories with them now before HS and then college are the focus. If a cheap lease comes along on something fun such as a WRX or used prices continue to moderate there's room in the budget for it now, once one of the other cars goes of course.

pensfan83

corvette

@pensfan83 - looks nice! Now, get some Goo Gone and remove that dealer decal from the back...

tjc78

@pensfan83
Congrats!! Enjoy it

stickguy

passport is nice. I still think about a Ridgeline as an option. Would have to see if the wife would be comfortable driving one since that would likely become a 2 for 1 deal (replacing her car and the truck) with the 2nd car being something fun.

as to garage, I said the same about the 3 car requirement though at this point really good chance we won't ever have 3! But I am loving the extra width. Having a whole empty corner is great. both cars fit with room around them, and even with a full sized fridge, 3 shelves, a cabinet, workbench and the snow blower in there I have plenty of open space. compared to the last garage it is much less stressful!

stickguy

speaking of the snow blower that you people coerced me into buying when I moved, I got together with my neighbors today to ask about the snow removal plan. There are 4 houses (including mine) that share a private road (with us each having our own driveways off it). Built like a road, but not quite as wide I don't think (but bigger than a driveway, I think it is about 20' wide). In the deed, we all have access to it (though most of it is on my property) and are responsible for it. So I finally remembered to talk to the guys that were here last winter and they were renewing with the outfit that they used last year most likely. The key is that they have it handled, I will just get a bill at the end of the season!

neighbor said last year it was about $375 per share. seems like a bargain to me. Best part, for an extra $25 per snow event, they will plow our personal driveway. So now I really don't need the beast of a cub cadet! I think I used it 2x the first year, and not at all last year. I even bought a gas can yesterday to get prepared. and a new snow shovel.

paying $25 to not have to go out and risk a coronary moving tons of snow seems like excellent value to me.

ab348

The garage needs an expensive upgrade if those two are going to live there. You might be receiving a notice from Porsche threatening legal action.

ab348

Speaking of Passports, Just by chance what popped up on my YouTube feed earlier today but a preview vid from the Motormouth couple about the new and improved Passport coming early in the new year. I was rather unimpressed in truth. Exterior is different but not necessarily better, interior is busy-looking and to me, unattractive. Same V-6 as the previous model, 10-speed autobox, lots of suggestions that it will be an off-roader which I doubt few will ever see.

ab348

mjfloyd1 said:

Gateway time outs appear to be back…

With a vengeance. Did a cheque for the fixes bounce?

kyfdx

@pensfan83 Very nice! Travel is always more important than wheels.

Do you still have the Prelude and the ZHP?

stickguy

just give up and retire this thread too for a fresh replacement.

I also have a hankering for a change to the fleet. No real justifiable reason though. And having no payments is wonderful so would look to stay with that plan for anything we swapped out to (unless a too good to pass up lease fell in our laps, and I converted the extraneous set of wheels into a lot of cash in the investment account!). My guess, we do nothing for at least 6 months until all the $ pain from the house is done, and both our year end bonuses are in the bank. Then we will see how everything looks. Especially with a grandchild and wedding happening in Q2! So figure any car nonsense is a Christmas present to each other next year (depending on how bad the economy craters)

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

speaking of the snow blower that you people coerced me into buying when I moved, I got together with my neighbors today to ask about the snow removal plan. There are 4 houses (including mine) that share a private road (with us each having our own driveways off it). Built like a road, but not quite as wide I don't think (but bigger than a driveway, I think it is about 20' wide). In the deed, we all have access to it (though most of it is on my property) and are responsible for it. So I finally remembered to talk to the guys that were here last winter and they were renewing with the outfit that they used last year most likely. The key is that they have it handled, I will just get a bill at the end of the season!

neighbor said last year it was about $375 per share. seems like a bargain to me. Best part, for an extra $25 per snow event, they will plow our personal driveway. So now I really don't need the beast of a cub cadet! I think I used it 2x the first year, and not at all last year. I even bought a gas can yesterday to get prepared. and a new snow shovel.

paying $25 to not have to go out and risk a coronary moving tons of snow seems like excellent value to me.

Put it on marketplace or CL. Perfect timing.

xwesx

pensfan83 said:

trips to Europe and Alaska booked.

I approve of trips to Alaska!

corvette

28firefighter said:

I snorted. Especially because I saw an Altima that was absolutely destroyed driving today. No rear bumper, missing half the front end, no headlights, broken windows - just hitting every stereotype.

Funny you mention it, this is the cover photo on the BAE FB group right now.

tjc78

In the last 9 months of so of the Ram lease. So, of course already thinking of a replacement.

I’m very @stickguy like on this -

Short list -
Ram #2 but more equipped
Wagoneer - highly unlikely leases stink
XC90 #2 (T8 version)
EQS SUV (if leases hold up)
F150 Lightning (same comment as EQS)

Right now EQS 118K example just a touch under $800 / month with just first OOP

Would be tough to turn down.

pensfan83

@kyfdx said:
@pensfan83 Very nice! Travel is always more important than wheels.

Do you still have the Prelude and the ZHP?

Yeah, the former I'd like to move on from as I've mentioned. Only drove it 300 miles this year.

qbrozen

Not a car…

The eldest has been pushing for quite some time now to get a motorcycle. Would have kept that Chinese bike had he given any indication previously. Anyway, I realize he is getting closer and closer, so I finally did some research today. He was looking at spending around $2500 cash. After seeing prices, it seemed to me it kind of makes sense to buy new (when talking about these entry-level sport bikes). And this would be a good opportunity for him to establish some credit. $2k down and maybe $150-$160/mo for 24 months. Seeing plenty of leftover 2024 Suzukis and Kawasakis for like $4500-4800. These are twin-cyl with 40-50hp. I may have to co-sign. We’ll see.

Yes, we aren’t fond of the idea of a motorcycle, but he is an adult.

Michaell

We are seeing an abnormally high number of lease questions on the XC90, both 2024 and 2025 models.

Over $10k in lease cash on either year for the PHEV models.

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

In the last 9 months of so of the Ram lease. So, of course already thinking of a replacement.

I’m very @stickguy like on this -

Short list -

Ram #2 but more equipped

Wagoneer - highly unlikely leases stink

XC90 #2 (T8 version)

EQS SUV (if leases hold up)

F150 Lightning (same comment as EQS)

Right now EQS 118K example just a touch under $800 / month with just first OOP

Would be tough to turn down.

————————————————
I’m not a leaser so what is OOP? Google couldn’t find it either.

jmonroe

kyfdx

Out of pocket aka Due at Signing

Michaell

We were talking about folks who ruin their cars in only a few years and others who take pretty good care of their cars for 5 or 10 years.

I took this picture tonight coming out of work. Hard to believe it will be 10 years old in just a few months.

stickguy

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:

speaking of the snow blower that you people coerced me into buying when I moved, I got together with my neighbors today to ask about the snow removal plan. There are 4 houses (including mine) that share a private road (with us each having our own driveways off it). Built like a road, but not quite as wide I don't think (but bigger than a driveway, I think it is about 20' wide). In the deed, we all have access to it (though most of it is on my property) and are responsible for it. So I finally remembered to talk to the guys that were here last winter and they were renewing with the outfit that they used last year most likely. The key is that they have it handled, I will just get a bill at the end of the season!

neighbor said last year it was about $375 per share. seems like a bargain to me. Best part, for an extra $25 per snow event, they will plow our personal driveway. So now I really don't need the beast of a cub cadet! I think I used it 2x the first year, and not at all last year. I even bought a gas can yesterday to get prepared. and a new snow shovel.

paying $25 to not have to go out and risk a coronary moving tons of snow seems like excellent value to me.

Put it on marketplace or CL. Perfect timing.

depending on how this year goes, just might do it before next season!

stickguy

Tom, I like someone that has no idea what they actually want! A short attention span is a wonderful thing.

my one question though (OK, 2 questions). 2nd, do you actually use the truck part enough to need the bed? and 1st, do you really want to have nothing but EVs in the fleet (unless you are counting your mother's Nissan CUV (?) I would be happy with one EV in the garage, but not willing to go nothing but.

jmonroe1

kyfdx said:

Out of pocket aka Due at Signing

————————————————
Thanks. Way too many acronyms.

jmonroe

stickguy

talked to the princess some more about her upcoming car search. Hit on lots of points, including new vs. used. Also likely moving up a size class to give some more functionality and future proofing. So forester instead of crosstrek (in the Sube family). Maybe a CRV. She does want a hybrid if possible. She still loves Volvos though. Maybe a CPO loan XC 40. who knows? But at least in the spring I will get to do some test driving and dealership visits!

Michaell

stickguy said:

Tom, I like someone that has no idea what they actually want! A short attention span is a wonderful thing.

my one question though (OK, 2 questions). 2nd, do you actually use the truck part enough to need the bed? and 1st, do you really want to have nothing but EVs in the fleet (unless you are counting your mother's Nissan CUV (?) I would be happy with one EV in the garage, but not willing to go nothing but.

I had the same thought regarding two EVs - don't you take road trips to the Southeast now and again?

tifighter

Two EVs? Are you crazy? Think about the children.

I’d have no problem being all EV again. Just need to be available in the form factor that we need. The van is working for us.

explorerx4

Regarding that Altima picture, the sign does say Play Here.

au1994

Congrats! Passport is a solid choice.

nyccarguy

@tjc78 - The XC90 is the hack du'jour currently. Not sure if you follow leasehackr or not.

@pensfan83 - Congrats on the Passport. Handsome looking SUV. I like those wheels. Did you look into leasing a new outgoing passport as well? Just curious of the cost savings of buying used vs. new. Did you write a check for the Passport or finance?

roadburner

@pensfan83 Congrats!

Michaell

@pensfan83 - love the Passport. I test drove one a few years ago and found it to be a good size.

pensfan83

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78 - The XC90 is the hack du'jour currently. Not sure if you follow leasehackr or not.

@pensfan83 - Congrats on the Passport. Handsome looking SUV. I like those wheels. Did you look into leasing a new outgoing passport as well? Just curious of the cost savings of buying used vs. new. Did you write a check for the Passport or finance?

Certified netted us incentivized rates so we put some cash down and financed for 48 months with a rate in the 3's. Not having a lease keeps things flexible if we decide to move to something else.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78 - The XC90 is the hack du'jour currently. Not sure if you follow leasehackr or not.

@pensfan83 - Congrats on the Passport. Handsome looking SUV. I like those wheels. Did you look into leasing a new outgoing passport as well? Just curious of the cost savings of buying used vs. new. Did you write a check for the Passport or finance?

I haven’t visited leasehakr in a minute. Anything on the new 4Runner or Sequoia? Both of those are pretty nice looking.

laurasdada

tjc78 said:

In the last 9 months of so of the Ram lease. So, of course already thinking of a replacement.

I’m very @stickguy like on this -

Short list -

Ram #2 but more equipped

Wagoneer - highly unlikely leases stink

XC90 #2 (T8 version)

EQS SUV (if leases hold up)

F150 Lightning (same comment as EQS)

Right now EQS 118K example just a touch under $800 / month with just first OOP

Would be tough to turn down.

Not quite as mandatory as lease end, but the warranty on the A7 expires 3/25. So, looking ahead at potentially replacing it.

And note that I don't come here to bury A7, rather praise it. It's a wonderful ride, interior and exterior design and build excellent. Technology delightful, if a bit distracting concerning the center stack. Graphics beautifully rendered. Great ride with fabulous NVH damping. Handling, well, as expected. It ain't the M240. Only one show stopper/flat-bed ride to the dealer. And resolved in an hour (reflash/reboot...).

But, given the complexity of the PHEV setup, out of warranty, do I roll the dice a la Jaguar (won that one!)?

If I decide the next roll is craps, I'd want another fairly sensible pair of shoes, but perhaps a bit more on the fun-o-meter, so:

Porsche Panamera (I've read it handles like a Porsche!)/Macan (Used/CPO)
Alfa Giulia (guaranteeing Alfa's exit from the US)
Genesis G70
New Audi S5/S3
Lease Lucid Air (guaranteeing Lucid's demise)
Or?

Maybe Santa will finally resolve the issue?

tjc78

Yes I’ve seen the deals on the XC and frequent LH quite often to see what’s out there.

I really wouldn’t be concerned with two EVs. The furthest I drive is about 200 miles one way and that is not often at all. I recently got the charger for the house just need to install (probably over Xmas vacation).

Do I need the truck bed? I would say in the 2.5 years I’ve had it maybe two times what I hauled wouldn’t have gone into a three row SUV. One trip wouldn’t have worked (hauled a range) the other would have taken two trips.

We did do one long road trip last Xmas but my wife has vowed to never do it again.

@stickguy .. not counting my Mom’s Mazda but I guess if we ever needed to use it there wouldn’t be a problem.

nyccarguy

@Michaell Your Outback looks to be in great shape! I can't believe it is almost 10 years old!

kyfdx

@laurasdada Our Macan is a service loaner, which was then CPOed (added two years of warranty). About 17% off MSRP.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell Your Outback looks to be in great shape! I can't believe it is almost 10 years old!

Helps that I had it washed just a few days ago.

Speaking of which, the Sportage needs to be washed again. Just not fun in 40-50 degree weather.

laurasdada

kyfdx said:

@laurasdada Our Macan is a service loaner, which was then CPOed (added two years of warranty). About 17% off MSRP.

Although a limited sample size, I've yet to enjoy driving an SUV. Perhaps a Macan would break the streak!
Perhaps a prejudice I should check at the driver's wheel.

explorerx4

@laurasdada,
Their new ad didn't convince you to reconsider going back to Jaguar?

pensfan83

au1994 said:

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78 - The XC90 is the hack du'jour currently. Not sure if you follow leasehackr or not.

@pensfan83 - Congrats on the Passport. Handsome looking SUV. I like those wheels. Did you look into leasing a new outgoing passport as well? Just curious of the cost savings of buying used vs. new. Did you write a check for the Passport or finance?

I haven’t visited leasehakr in a minute. Anything on the new 4Runner or Sequoia? Both of those are pretty nice looking.

I visit from time to time and as of a few months ago most of the deals are on, not surprisingly, EVs.
Tacoma leases on the trims we were interested in would be in the mid to upper $4s even with MSDs. It didn't matter though because after a test drive I really wasn't that enamored with the new generation. I much prefer the Canyorado twins and those don't lease well.

au1994

A good friend just bought a new Colorado over the weekend and loves it. LT 4x4, stickered at 40 ish.

stickguy

I assume the Macan is like the RDX. Drives like one of their sedans. Just higher.