Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

Dang... sounds a little better than Baltimore to Cincinnati... :surprise:

We had a 3-series in Steel Blue.. another great BMW color..

fintail

I'm jealous! :shades:

tifighter

Sounds good. I spend some time in Germany and lots of time in Switzerland every year, but never get over to Austria. I imagine the roads are good, though, and they have to be a little more tolerant to speeding than the Swiss. Because everyone is more tolerant of speeding than the Swiss.

fezo

Oh, come on! I was jealous enough with the car!

I'd say have a great time but I would say you'd be hard pressed not to.

stever

A reporter is hoping to interview a car shopper in S. California who is using the Internet to do automotive research. Please email pr@edmunds.com by Monday, September 19, 2011 with your daytime contact info and a few words about your experience.

rayainsw

'..everyone is more tolerant of speeding than the Swiss.'
So I have read.
Should be an interesting exercise
in self-restraint.
- Ray
Not known for that particular quality...

fintail

Limits are low and there aren't many real autobahn-style stretches, not as far south as Bern or Luzern anyway, which is as far as I have gone. The scenery can also be distracting. Switzerland is good for just relaxing and enjoying the sights.

michaellno

* Test Drive of The Week

Am in Colorado Springs again this weekend - wife is in school so I've got free time on my hands, so I went and test drove this.

I've not driven a Mustang of this iteration before - even though it has the previous gen 4.6L V8, it was more than enough for me.

What surprised me was how good the transmission was .. I was expecting something very heavy and difficult to shift, and, though it wasn't Honda-lite, it was certainly easy to move between the gears.

The visibility was better than I expected, too. With the seat at it's lowest setting, I had more than enough headroom, even with a ballcap on. I kept the stereo off so I could listen to the V8 burble through the tailpipes.

Salesman was very low key, understood that I was only "kicking tires" and did not pressure me at all. Though, I've got to wonder what the book value on an untitled 2010 Mustang GT would be. Sticker was $35K - it had nav and Sync, along with a 3.55 rear axle.

It had, I think, 2300 miles, so it's been test driven quite frequently or was someone's demo for a while.

Very different vibe than the GTI I drove 2 weeks ago - both of them are fun, but for completely different reasons.

michaellno

Just for grins, I used Edmunds TMV to give me a price on a '10 GT Premium with Nav and heated seats, 2300 miles.

Dealer retail for a used car is about $29K, while a certified car would sell for approximately $30K.

oldfarmer50

"...2010 Mustang GT...Sticker was $35K..."

Why would anyone buy a 2010 Mustang GT? The new ones make it totally obsolete. It would have to be a half price sale for me to consider it. But if price is your only criteria I can't see someone looking at Mustangs in the first place. Very strange to me that it's still for sale as a "new" car.

It makes me wonder how that dealer ended up getting stuck with it. Was it some late allocation he had to take just before the 2011s came out or did he shoot himself in the foot by refusing to deal back in 2010?

I'd think $25K would be the tops I'd pay but what do I know. :sick:

roadburner

I could see buying a 2007-2008 Bullitt, Saleen, or Shelby GT- but there's no way I would buy a garden variety pre-2011 GT when the 2011 GT has an engine that makes over 400 bhp with Ford Racing's $410 remap/filter kit. Heck, you could probably pick up a 2011 V6 for the price of the 2010 GT, and it would be almost -if not just as- fast as the 2010 GT

michaellno

Since I didn't drive the 5.0 Mustang, I can't compare the two side by side. The 300+ HP of the 2010 seemed plenty quick enough to me.

However, having said that, I do confess that while I was poking around on Ford's website, I sort of 'inadvertantly' submitted a request to my local dealer - I thought I was just searching inventory.

So, now I've got the following message in my inbox:

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to create a proposal for you. At xxx Ford our customers are our number one priority and meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations is very important to us.

I have pasted the window sticker of just one example of a GT Coupe that fits the description you provided. Note from the window sticker below, that the manufacturer feels this vehicle is worth and should sell for $30,690 ++. Your Internet price for this Ford Mustang is only $27,440.**++; you save over $3,250.** below List Price!

If the Mustang described within the window sticker below is not exactly what you are looking for, please provide additional detail and I will revise my quote accordingly.

When would be the best day and time for your appointment?

The car in question is silver with charcoal interior and a manual transmission; the only option on this car, so far as I can tell, is $695 for the security system (? - tough to read the cut 'n' paste window sticker).

Still, $27K for 400+ HP seems to be a great price .. the GTI I test drove a couple of weeks ago had half the HP for the same price.

Wonder if my X-plan would yield any better results?

EDIT - oh, and for the record, the above price quote is for a 2012 Mustang GT.

rayainsw

' 2012 Mustang GT. '

Bang for your Buck, I see little that can compete
with a 5.0 M6 Mustang GT, on relatively smooth roads...
- Ray
Test drive one, at least ???

michaellno

Bang for your Buck, I see little that can compete with a 5.0 M6 Mustang GT, on relatively smooth roads...

Probably true. I found the visibility to be pretty decent on the one I drove Saturday. The only difference between the '10 and the '12 is the engine (duh!) and the 6M vs. 5M in the '10.

Well, and the '10 had nav - the '12 is pretty much stripped.

The roads here in Colorado are OK, I guess - given that we get snow and ice, the roads can acquire frost heaves.

Test drive one, at least ???

It's my local dealer (I've leased 3 Fords from them in the past, but nothing since 2002), so I may have to go down and give it a go, if only to satisfy the salesdude who is filling my inbox.

nyccarguy

Awesome car at an awesome price (so far). I agree with roadburner. If you are going to get a Mustang GT, go for broke with the 2012. The 412 hp V8 & 6 Speed Stick will be well worth the price of admission.

michaellno

Awesome car at an awesome price (so far). I agree with roadburner. If you are going to get a Mustang GT, go for broke with the 2012. The 412 hp V8 & 6 Speed Stick will be well worth the price of admission.

Ironically, the sales manager of the Ford dealership just called me. Told him how I'm not really in the market just yet.

He thanked me and told me to come on down and they let me have a Mustang GT "for a couple of hours" to see how I liked it. I may have to take him up on that offer later this week, when I've got some time on my schedule.

I'd have to do some research on the $27,440 offer to see how good it really is or if there is still some wiggle room.

EDIT: Invoice for a GT with the security package is $28,499 and there is a $1500 rebate available, taking the "base" price down to $26,999. Their offer is $441 above that, so not much room to negotiate, I should think.

ateixeira

It's not my type of car, but the sound alone is worth $26,999.

kyfdx

Well... it's official. My wife hates the car..

One of our friends is interested in assuming the lease.. (not surprising, considering the payment).

I may have set some sort of record, though not sure what... :surprise:

rayainsw

Um - bummer????
- Ray
[ Not sure what to say \ write here, exactly ... ]

tifighter

"Ouch."

-this said by a fellow CCBA member

kyfdx

It was the best lease I've ever negotiated, and the upshot is, I'll have about $1000 in costs for one month of driving... My friend however, is beyond ecstatic.. And, I'm fortunate to deal with someone I know that won't flake on me..

The only hold up? BMWFS has to have the title in hand, before allowing the lease assumption to go forward.. Of course, I've only had the car nine days.. :surprise:

So.. now, I have to find another vehicle for my wife, before her current lease is up at the end of October.. I've been told that 2-seaters and 2-doors need not apply....

So.. I'm bummed she doesn't like the car, happy that my friend gets to benefit from my hard work, and trepidatious about finding another vehicle..

Just a normal day for a CCBAer...

fintail

Great deal for your friend.

Just send your other half out on her own, and she can live with her decisions.

akangl

Well... it's official. My wife hates the car..

I have the opposite problem, I LOVE my truck but can't drive it. Its going up for sale in about 2-3 weeks, just tying up a few loose ends first. I'd give anything to be able to drive and keep my beautiful truck, but its not to be.

Good luck with the car, hopefully everything goes smooth for your friend assuming the lease.

stickguy

I learned a long time ago, never, ever, ever bring home something for my wife that she hasn't driven 1st and signed off on (without arm twisting!)

Not sure though how you could be this far off. If she really wanted an SUV, how the heck did you convince her to go along with the Z4 deal?

kyfdx

Not sure though how you could be this far off. If she really wanted an SUV, how the heck did you convince her to go along with the Z4 deal?


You know how you can rationalize anything, if you really want it to happen? Guess I just got caught up in the deal, more than than the car.. And, just swept her along with me..

Actually, it could have worked.. but, you know..we are all getting older (well, at least she is), and I'm told that as you age, your tolerance for new and different things lessens...

It's something I think about a lot, each time I pick a car for myself.. "hey, the next time you get a car will be 3-5 years later... how many more times will you get to choose what you really want, while you can still enjoy it." We will all run out of time, some day.

So, anyway... it was a killer deal. I was already shopping for the next one, anyway... after all, it was just a 24 month lease..

houdini1

Well, I guess I was wrong. I thought all along that the Z4 was really meant for you !!

kyfdx

It's a great car.. even with the slushbox.. very entertaining, and much faster than my car...

Easy come, easy go!

houdini1

What the heck, like you said, its only a 2 year lease...and you worked hard for it. Just keep it and have some fun. Like you said, none of us are getting any younger !!

kyfdx

Yeah.. but, if were going to splurge on an extra car (and, that's doubtful), I'd get what I really wanted... which is a Cayman with a stick-shift...

Although, an "investment" in an extra car would pay a better return than the stock market, right now..

laurasdada

Wow, shocker!

My wife is still digging her new 535xi (only day three of ownership, though. Guess we'll have to see how she feels after eight days... ). I don't expect her to hate it, as it was totally her choice. I simply offered suggestions as to what cars to look at, pros and cons for each. And requested she not buy a black exterior.

And, nice touch by the salesman, he threw in a set of the BMW all-season molded rubber mats. In addition to paying for the upcharge of the vanity plates (Massachusetts Cape and Islands) we weren't going to get. But, I'm told the state gets some Fed funds for every C & I plate that is registered (and that the State Police smile a little more favorably on cars equipped with the plates... Man, were we sold!), so she didn't seem to mind paying a bit more every couple of years to renew.

But, she knows what she wants. All other cars came in second in a field of one.

Good luck with the lease, at least there will be more stories of car shopping/buying. Not to mention another notch on your CCBA belt!

Now, go treat yourself well!

corvette

Holy smokes, you must be joking?

Let me know if your friend decides not to go through with the lease assumption.

fezo

You at least back home?

Sandman6472

Having problems with both cars a/c units...the Civic has been blowing warmish air for about 3 months now and a leak test was done on Friday. Brought it back this morning and they discover that the compressor isn't working correctly, the specs are below normal and it will need to be replaced. Since we're coming into our winter period soon, South Florida basically only has a winter and a summer to speak of, the a/c won't be used much so will put the $ aside and wait.

Wife's fan has been acting up in the Mazda for a few months, it cuts out for a time, then starts working again. So she calls me yesterday...no air at all coming out and sure enough, she's right. With 95k on her car, we don't need this headache but we haven't test driven anything and with the low inventory at most dealers of subcompact & compact cars, now is the wrong time to buy anything. And we want to get over 100k for the 1st time on any of our vehicles, so we decide to fix it. Turns out the fan blower motor went and it'll be done in the morning.

Luckily, we have my daughter's Accent which she can use if something else goes wrong, as she drives my daughter to work anyways. So now the fun begins, we're gonna test drive the whole gamut of subcompact and compact cars...I would love to get a 2013 model anyways! Guess when it rains...it pours!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

kyfdx

I'll keep you in mind...

akangl

You at least back home?

Yes I'm back home, came home Friday. Just went back to the dr today to get the results of the test. I apparently have a seizure disorder and will need to be on medication for the rest of my life. There's a chance I'll be able to drive again, but won't know for 6 months. Probably going to go ahead and sell the truck, I can't see myself wanting to drive again, too stressful with what *can* happen.

Not how I expected my year to go. :sick:

michaellno

So now the fun begins, we're gonna test drive the whole gamut of subcompact and compact cars...I would love to get a 2013 model anyways! Guess when it rains...it pours!

Will be interested in hearing back from you as you begin your search.

Perhaps you can also contribute to the new CCBA featurette "TDOTW". I've already posted short reviews of the 2012 VW GTI and the 2010 Mustang GT. I'm hoping to drive a 2012 Mustang GT later this week.

ky, I have to say I'm shocked that the wife is so unhappy with the Z4. However, perhaps this should be a lesson to all of us to ensure that when car shopping, that the spouse / SO be included in the process of evaluating vehicles, whether or not said vehicle is not one that the spouse / SO will drive regularly.

isellhondas

Does BMW allow lease assumptions? If so, how does this work? I assume your friend will have to fill out a credit application and they will transfer everything over to him?

Sounds like a mess but a necessary mess. Hopefully it won't hurt your wallet too much!

isellhondas

Oh Jolie...what a bummer! Hopefully you can get this problem behind you once and for all!

houdini1

The problem with letting my wife choose is that her primary criteria is if she likes the color. Second criteria is if she likes the sales person. Yes, I tread very, very carefully.

isellhondas

I once bought a house without my wife ever seeing it!

I had been transferred back to So. Calif from No. Calif and the RE market was red hot at the time. Houses were selling before the signs went up!

My Mother in law was a RE agent in So. Calif at the time and she found out about this house before it hit the MLS boards.

Knowing it would be receiving multiple offers we agreed to pay the asking price. This was during the Carter years and interest rates were sky high.

I think we had a 1st at 16% and the seller carried back a 2nd at 12%.

Three bedroom, two bath, 1400 square ft in Rancho Palos Verdes.

We were NUTS but somehow (?) I was able to make the payments!

michaellno

The problem with letting my wife choose is that her primary criteria is if she likes the color. Second criteria is if she likes the sales person. Yes, I tread very, very carefully.

+1 on those comments.

My wife looks at a couple of factors when evaluating cars (in no particular order):

1) Power - she wants to make sure that she has enough HP to merge onto the highway safely
2) Turning circle - why this is important to her I'm not 100% sure, but for some reason she does a 3 point turn on every test drive she takes
3) Color - she prefers silver or gray colors for the most part
4) Features - funny that she never realized how drawn she is to little things like Bluetooth and the rear parking camera until we got the CX-7

kyfdx

Does BMW allow lease assumptions? If so, how does this work? I assume your friend will have to fill out a credit application and they will transfer everything over to him?


Yes.. the only requirement is that they have the title in hand (which they don't, yet).. Credit app ($100 fee), $400 transfer fee, if approved..
Original lessee is relieved of liability (some banks won't do this).

Can't do it in the last six months of the lease...

Other than that, it's pretty easy... Plus we live in the same county of the same state, so that makes it even easier...

isellhondas

I can't recall anyone ever wanting to assume a Honda lease so I have no idea if or how they would do this. In your case, it sounds pretty painless.

And, THAT is a good thing!

kyfdx

It used to be that Honda Finance didn't allow lease assumptions...

I think that has changed within the last couple of years, but I'm not sure...

Sandman6472

Wife does the same thing with the turning radius, has to be real easy to get in and out of spaces which is why she loves her Mazda3...very easy to drive! And we'll stick with the silver/charchol color combo's no doubt. Just called about the Mazda, it's done to the tune of $418.66...lower than I had imagined luckily. Thank G-d for small favors!

Quick question for Isell...my '06 Civic with 32,400 on the clock is in need of a new compressor...is this normal for it to have issues when the car is like just over 5 years old? I'm out of warranty and didn't buy an extended one because...it's a Honda! Any chance Honda would do any kind of reduction in price if I called their corporate help line? A bit frustrated with this one since I bought my 1st Honda product on it's stellar reliability factor...my Toyota's or Nissan never had a a/c issue like this and they all had more mileage than my current ride. Just feel let down by Honda, that's all!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

stever

Some people report getting some partial help from Honda over in the Honda CR-V AC Compressor Problems discussion.

tjc78

Speaking of swapping leases. Has anyone ever used Swap a lease or lease trader. I was thinking that for a CCBA member this may be a good thing. Find a lease with 18 months or so remaining and assume it. Tell me what I am missing?

The way I see it, you get a 12 - 18 month old car with full factory warranty just for the payments. If the original person leasing the car put a lot down you can really make out well. They spell out the remaining miles, months etc. Obviously you would assume a vehicle that was taken care and has no damage that would burn you when you turn it in.

kyfdx

It can be a good deal.. but, the good ones get snapped up, fast. You have to be ready to pull the trigger..

There are some extra costs, though... For instance, BMWFS charges $100 for a credit app and $400 more for the transfer..

tjc78

Yeah I've noticed that some sellers advertise that they will pay the transfer fee as an incentive.

I think that I am gonna check on the site from time to time, as I am technically in the market and a short term lease with little or no out of pocket cost may be the ticket.

I've leased enough cars, that I think I will know the right deal when I see it.

isellhondas

Well, it can't hurt to ask and if your dealer has been doing your service work that always means a lot to them.

Highly unusual for a A/C compressor to go bad at 32K.

But, some will last 300,000 miles and some will die an early death.

As far as your experience with Toyota and Nissan, it wouldn't surprise me if the same vendor builds their A/C compressors.

I would definatly ask for help on this one.