Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

michaellno

Since we owned a '98 New Beetle, I've just sent an email to share my opinions of the "new" Beetle.

michaellno

But, yes, I'm sure we will end up going - I'll let you know if we end up going on that Saturday the 24th.

Cool, would be good to meet up.

And I'll tell you what, one of the main reasons I like our GTI so much is that it does have that "youthful" look, but I think it has a more usable backseat than many sedans, and of course, the hatchback is great.

That's one of the more appealing points to me ... the practical side of my personality isn't quite ready to give up the benefits of a hatch. I absolutely loved (and still miss) our '03 Focus ZX5. Nothing wrong with that car that an upgraded stereo and slightly larger wheels and tires couldn't fix.

Unless BMW brings over the 1-series hatch, I guess my options (hatchback wise, at least) are the GTI, Mazda Speed3 or the Subaru WRX. Am looking forward to a closer look at the Focus ST - that will have a 6-speed, right?

Damn - what really frosts me is that we traded in the Focus for the ION since my daughter never learned to drive stick. And now I'm stuck with the ION. Grrrr.

fintail

My friend with the miled up Accord held off last week, as I explained to him that his idea to "sell now before it depreciates more" is stupid - most depreciation is done and now the monthly costs will be much less than a new car. But yesterday he texts me and tells me he had to buy a couple new tires, is mad about it, and is now carrying the title in the car just in case he finds a deal. Looking for an excuse...

I went to several lots yesterday seeing what was new - looked at the MSRPs, looked at my car, and any temptation was lost.

stickguy

oh yeah, when you start carrying the title in the glovebox, it is just a matter of (little) time!

michaellno

oh yeah, when you start carrying the title in the glovebox, it is just a matter of (little) time!

I've got the title to the ION here on my desk.

When I left the house on Saturday morning to get the CX-7 serviced, the wife told me not to come home with anything new. I reminded her that I had her car, and she visibly relaxed.

fin, what were you looking at that made you decide to keep the Merc?

stickguy

funny thing here is that I got my wife to stop and look at a few things recently (early shopping, since I don't see actually acting on it until at least Christmas). She came with me to use my test drive certificate (easy $50!), and even stopped at a few more dealers to browse. and she hates car dealers.

But, I think she has the bug now (it is stuff for her). She is saying to take the test drive since we are there anyway, etc. And talking about colors and other options out of the blue at home.

She really must be tired of tooling around in the minivan (she actually seems to be very fond of the Volvo I just got too).

fintail

Pretty much everything I saw. I have generally expensive tastes, so I don't swoon for much of anything new under 30K. Everything that caught my eye yesterday seemed to be 45K++. But looking at things and enjoying having no car payment for some time, my car will either have to really start nickel and diming me, be hit, or receive an insane offer to go anywhere.

stever

oh yeah, when you start carrying the title in the glovebox, it is just a matter of (little) time!

Heh, I have mine with me right now. I'm hoping it scares the van into never dying. :shades:

stever

A reporter is looking to speak with anyone who bought a new car in the last two months. She’s especially interested in the economic and market factors (fuel prices, access to credit, pricing, etc.) that went into your decision. Please send a brief description of your experience and your preferred contact information to pr@edmunds.com by Wednesday, March 7th, 2012.

Another request where y'all could overload our mail servers.

fezo

I was all set for a "then why are you driving the ION" until I reached the end of your post. Ouch. I had forgotten that.

I could absolutely see you in a GTI. No denying that it's your turn!

michaellno

I was all set for a "then why are you driving the ION" until I reached the end of your post. Ouch. I had forgotten that.

I could absolutely see you in a GTI. No denying that it's your turn!

A guy that works at the pizza place where I deliver part time just picked up an '06 GTI. His has the DSG, however.

I still see that the white GTI breld linked to last week is still posted. White, 2 door, manual, loaded for about $18-19K. Very tempting.

On another note, I found that the polymer panels on the ION can be dented. Was in line at a drive through yesterday morning and a guy in a Ford Explorer backed into me (it's a small parking lot). Went to my local body shop and got an estimate for $1100! Mostly labor, but still....

He wants to pay it directly and leave the insurance out of it. He also wants me to go to a body shop owned by a friend of his who would do the work for $200. I think not! He goes on to tell me that he owns an Audi A8 that was damaged when his wife hit a garbage can and his friend repaired it for $400. I call horse manure on that, too.

I've given him until Wednesday to decide how to go forward before I call my insurance company and file a claim (I've got his insurance info as well).

lemmer

I just bought a 2004 Acura TL, 6 speed manual with navigation. Blue with black interior. 135K miles. I bought it from a good friend who has meticulously maintained it, including putting new tires on it over the weekend. The car is about one door ding away from being perfect in every way.

I paid $10,500 for it. I don't know if that sounds high, but 6 speeds are really hard to find. Finding one that is adult owned with zero modifications, a clean carfax, and a full service history since day one makes it pretty much a unicorn.

tjc78

Good luck with it. I've always liked that style. The new ones, not so much.

au1994

Is the current gen A8 an aluminum body? I think the previous gen was.

Either way, major BS on fixing it for $400.

corvette

Sounds really nice. I always loved that color blue on the TLs.

nyccarguy

Nice! Congrats!

andres3

The quietest cabin possible, particularly at freeway speeds, then what is the short list of vehicles to look at that have the best and most effective sound insulation/isolation/mitigation.

qbrozen

Seems that the bigger, more expensive, and less sporty models are the candidates. Lexus LS, Benz S class, Bentley, etc.

andres3

I've given him until Wednesday to decide how to go forward before I call my insurance company and file a claim (I've got his insurance info as well).

Make him pay the amount of YOUR estimate in cash or NO GO on not notifying the insurance company. It's his choice your allowing, but he can't make you go off "his" estimate.

However, I think it's reasonable he require you to provide 2 or 3 estimates and take the lowest one of the 3 that YOU get.

andres3

Seems that the bigger, more expensive, and less sporty models are the candidates. Lexus LS, Benz S class, Bentley, etc.

LOL. Okay, my mistake. I guess I should have added that I'd want to stay within one standard deviation of the average car transaction price or less, which I've seen or read somewhere recently is around $30,500 dollars!! Unbelievable to me that it is that HIGH for an AVERAGE new car in America.

People are getting ripped off everywhere must be the case. I spent less then that OUT THE DOOR on my 2006 Audi A3. 2.0T DSG with sport package.

qbrozen

I'm not sure where I recently stated this, but I think 'average price' is misleading, at best.

I mean, it only takes two $120k Porsches to offset twenty $20k cars to average over $29k.

Anyhoo... so you are asking for the quietest car under ~$35k?

Base C-class? How bout a Camry? Chrysler 300?
I don't know how the sound levels are in any of these, so I'm just throwing out guesses, BTW.

tjc78

I can you from experience the Avalon, Genesis and current Buick LaCrosse are all very quiet. There is no reason to believe an Es350 isn't also. As Q mentioned the Camry is fairly quiet as well in LE/XLE trim. My Mom's SE was a tad louder than I remember a Camry to be.

I drove the current Taurus and that certainly wasn't loud inside either.

ateixeira

the best and most effective sound insulation/isolation/mitigation

In just about any price class - Toyota/Lexus. Great NVH control, so well isolated that they are (ironically) criticized for it.

Exception - models with huge wheels and tires, like a Venza with 20" rims optioned up. The econoboxes aren't particularly quiet, but they are quiet for their class, all things relative.

andres3

What about sedans vs. wagons/hatches?

I noticed in back to back test drives the Mazda 3 sedan was indeed quieter than the hatch version. Road noise seemed to penetrate the open cargo area.

Is that the case for all models? The sedan will always be less noisy?

I should probably test drive a CTS wagon back to back with the sedan.

stickguy

hard to answer the question without knowing other criteria, but a lexus ES or a Camry LE are probably the best bets.

stickguy

nothing is guaranteed, but yes, in general, an open box (hatch/van/wagon) will be a bit noisier, though I suspect that tires and road noise is sitll a much bigger impact.

andres3

I figured the Camry would be a top suspect.... but darn it, they are just so boring to drive. My parents '95 Camry was indeed "lexus-like in it's smooth riding quietness.

Maybe a Camry SE with NON OVERSIZED rims would do the trick with some balance.

ateixeira

Many other factors:

* A big open hatch will act like an echo chamber
* Noisy tires are probably the #1 factor
* Size/area of window openings
* Timing belts are quieter than chains
* Non-DI is actually quieter than DI
* Gas quieter than diesel
* fewer door and seams would likely be quieter (coupe > sedan?)
* aerodynamics would also affect wind noise
* tall gearing helps lower engine RPMs to reduce noise

I'm sure there are more.

michaellno

Make him pay the amount of YOUR estimate in cash or NO GO on not notifying the insurance company. It's his choice your allowing, but he can't make you go off "his" estimate.

However, I think it's reasonable he require you to provide 2 or 3 estimates and take the lowest one of the 3 that YOU get.

Thanks for the feedback. I talked with him again this morning and it looks like we may go the insurance route. He did want pictures, which I sent him, and will probably require me to visit a couple more body shops to get estimates from them.

Oh, one more kicker -- he was driving his BIL's truck that he had borrowed for the day.

Regarding the A8 repair - I didn't comment on it at all when he mentioned it, since I believe both the current and previous gen A8's are aluminum. I get that he is trying to pay as little as possible while I just want to make sure my car is repaired to a standard I am comfortable with.

Will keep everyone updated.

michaellno

Just received a phone call from Geico, so I guess the other driver has chosen to go that route.

I provided a description of the incident. Geico will need to get a statement from the other driver, then make a decision about responsibility. If they claim it, then I will talk with an adjuster about the damage.

Question - should I contact my insurance company (State Farm) on this? My head tells me no, since I wasn't at fault and the other insurer is already involved. I'm trying to figure out my rights with regards to the number of estimates I need to get. Personally, I'm happy with the one I got because the body shop does great work.

tjc78

I had a claim similar to this and didn't mention a thing to my insurance company. As for estimates, I would explain that I am getting "one" at the place I want it fixed. For such a small claim I don't think it will be an issue. I wouldn't even be surprised if the adjuster knows the place you want to go. I'm sure Geico works with many body shops.

michaellno

thanks, tjc, though I'm not sure that $1100 counts as "small".

I'll stick to my guns on using my body shop .. they've done great work for me in the past.

fezo

* Noisy tires are probably the #1 factor

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Yeah, our Accord got much quieter once we retired the original tires.

nyccarguy

So I stopped by Pace BMW on my way home from work. I emailed the dealer this afternoon & set up an appointment to test drive a 2011 328xi. I was greeted by the salesman and he immediately told me there was a car outside waiting for me to test drive.

What can I say? It's a BMW. I love the steering, handling, & suspension.

They offered me $16,700 for my 2010 TSX Tech w/ 48,550 miles. He said there was an 81 day supply of TSXs according to GALVES. Some of my friends here have told me its worth more. I'll shop it around and see.

I'll keep you posted!

js06gv

Other guy is at fault, so no need to involve your ins company although it doesn't do any harm if you decide to do so. Just let them know you are going through another carrier and you are only putting them on notice in case you need to use your own insurance in the event the other carrier denies your claim (unlikely). If you do need to use yours, your carrier will subrogate against the other to recoup the payout.

akangl

One year ago today hubby and I got into an accident with the '11 Pilot. Tonight about 5:30 our daughter text her dad to let us know that her and her brother were headed home from culinary class, 3 minutes later she called to say they got hit by a snowmobile. Our son was driving, he had moved into the turn lane to make a left hand turn and a snowmobile had gunned it out of the gas station to cross the 4 lane road to get to the trails on the other side. The kids estimated he was going appox 30 mph when he T-boned our son's car on the pass side where our daughter was sitting. The car took a pretty good hit, smashed the fender, the door doesn't open without protest, and the front tire is destroyed.

Thankfully the kid on the snowmobile wasn't hurt, our son was fine, our daughter was pretty shook up and due to recent brain surgery we took her to the ER as a precaution but she appears to be ok. Of course the kid on the snowmobile has no insurance, but we carry uninsured motorist insurance on our policy that will cover the car. I'm guessing the car will most likely be considered a total loss and if that's the case we may decide not to go through insurance and just fix it good enough to keep it going. Shame to total such a good little car. Our son is NOT happy since he had planned on taking the car with him and he rather likes his little car, well that and I think his pride is hurt even though the accident was in no way his fault.

tjc78

There is nothing worse than having a nice reliable older car totaled out by someone else's stupidity. At least no one was hurt. What was a snowmobile doing on a public road? Was the driver ticketed in some way?

stever

Glad no one was hurt. Those guys are all over the roads up here and lots of them speed but most are good about stopping for the road crossings.

Here's to a better year!

nyccarguy

Glad your children are OK. That's the most important thing. Make sure everyone stays home next year this time.

stickguy

up north they have a lot of marked snowmobile trails, but they occasionally have to cross a road. My BIL in upstate NY has a house in the country (out with the farms) and one runs up the side of his property. They even have snowmobile xing sings where the marked crossings are.

they aren't supposed to be out cruising on the roads though, just crossing at certain spots.

qbrozen

That's really low. And its not entirely true. There are a great deal of 2010 TSXs going through auction, but few have the Tech pack. Only 7 with the Tech pack have gone across the block in the past 3 weeks. As I said, though, yours does have more miles than any of those. Still, the cheapest one in average condition fetched $22,400 with 28k miles. If we go by a Galves calculation of $125/1000 miles over, then that's a $2500 deduct for yours, bringing it to $20k. Even with a typical trade-in knock of another $1k, you are still quite a ways above $16,700.

Even looking at non-Techs, cars with over 40k are getting right around $19k at the block.

stickguy

so if the price is fair on the BMW, time to pull the old "write the final offer on the sheet, say call me when you will take it, and walk out the door" trick.

tjc78

just crossing at certain spots.

Makes sense now, just not something you see in our neck of the woods!

laurasdada

Congrats! I had an '05 Abyss Blue TL for 6.5 years/85k miles. Grey interior, though. And I hired something to do the shifting for me... Wonderful car, did everything well, looking good doing it, too. Except snow! Probably not an issue in your neck of the woods, but for the first time in my New England skier life, I bought snow tires.

Still miss it, I hope it's in a good place...

isellhondas

I'm happy to hear there were no injuries.

The bad thing here is the fact that you've recently invested a lot of money in this car in an attempt to make it a nice reliable driver.

The Insurance Companies don't give a rat's rear about this and they will only pay you what the books say it's worth.

You can always argue with them and sometimes it'll help.

ateixeira

I'm shocked that there was that much damage yet the snow mobile driver wasn't hurt. He's very, very lucky.

nyccarguy

Thanks again as always for your help Q. I just sent the salesman an email asking him if maybe his boss ran the car as a base TSX instead of a TSX w/ Technology Pkg. I'll let you know what he comes back with. I'm also going to try and get a "buy bid" from the Acura dealer where I service the car.

I think his selling price on the new car might be a bit too high. MSRP: $44,060. Alpine White/Black Leather. Options include: Value Pkg, Premium Package 2, Xenon, Steptronic, Navigation, BMW Apps, Heated Seats, Heated Steering Wheel, Split Folding Rear Seats.

His selling price: $38,520
I calculated the invoice (courtesy of edmunds.com) to be: $38,085

tjc78

If you really want it, offer your car and 19K take it or leave it. From the info posted that seems pretty fair. They can "play" with the numbers however they want to make it happen.

Figuring the $16700 you were offered you are $2800 apart. Its alot, but you never know.

michaellno

If you really want it, offer your car and 19K take it or leave it. From the info posted that seems pretty fair. They can "play" with the numbers however they want to make it happen.

I was thinking the same thing about that white GTI that is available for $18.5K. Offer them $11.5K and the ION and they can move the numbers around whatever way to make it work.

If only I had the budget to take on a 2nd car payment ....

akangl

There is nothing worse than having a nice reliable older car totaled out by someone else's stupidity. At least no one was hurt. What was a snowmobile doing on a public road? Was the driver ticketed in some way?

No ticket issued since he was only 14 years old and what he was doing wasn't illegal he just made a bad choice. I can't believe he wasn't hurt, he was very very lucky. Snowmobiles are allowed to cross roads at a 90 degree angle to get to other trails in Alaska, he just didn't look before he crossed and ran directly into my son's car.

Damage to the Escort is $1475 which does total it. We bought a new tire for it today so its drivable, not completely sure what we are going to do. I hate to let the car get totaled since it is a really good car and we have a bit of money into it.

I moved the fender back a bit so the door will open, but honestly I'm at a loss. Do we just take the hit and move on? Or do we say heck with it and let the insurance company have the car? We know if we keep the car without going through insurance then we are out the $$$ for the tire and the car will just have a dent. The father of the kid who hit our son is down on his luck and has no money, we'd have better luck getting blood out of a turnip I do believe.

Our daughter is doing fine, just a sore neck, but there doesn't seem to be any damage to her brain which was my biggest fear due to her recent brain surgery. Our son is fine, his pride is hurt and he's very upset about the car he tried so hard to protect.