Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

If this is as nice in person as it looks in the pictures (and based on their recent track record, I suspect it will be) it should be a winner. Especially if they keep the MSRP about the same model to model (even with more standard equipment).

I would be looking at a higher end model, so not a big deal to me if they base car moves up market a bit.

Looks like it will have all the features (and more) of the RDX, with more cargo room, for noticeably less money. that sounds good to me!

hopefully I get a sneak peak next week. The 2013 Outback should be arriving soon too.

jayrider

The new one looks great unfortunately, you can't expect much off msrp if past practices for the next best thing repeat.

stickguy

well, first I have to find out if I can wrangle a corporate VIP discount.

but even if not, this is a hotly contested market point. as soon as supplies are on the ground, they are going to be fighting for a cash, but it on the spot and take it home buyer. Might take a couple months, but we can wait if needed.

And also if they stick with past practice, you will get a lot at sticker (undercutting the competition) so it won't require a huge discount to be a good deal.

stickguy

Saw a pop up ad for Mini Cooper. base AT hardtop (msrp ~21K) for $249/mo nothing due at signing (including 1st month payment). 36/30,000.

no clue what happens to the payment when you start adding options, but might not be too much different to go to a manual with roof!

nyccarguy

And MINI will allow you to order the car to your specifications. If you read the fine print, it says you must order the car by July 5th or July 30th, but can take delivery no later than October 31... Definitely interesting.

stickguy

I'm smelling a trip to the mini store in my future...

I was actually planning to stop in to look at used ones at some point, since a cooper is on my (long) list of possible toys to get myself.

kyfdx

$249 / $21K MSRP = $11.86 per thousand of MSRP...

The same numbers should apply to options..

Not exact, but a pretty good estimate, especially on a zero down, zero due at signing lease..

jayrider

Got to drive my sisters 5 year old Mini and it had a stick. Ride was a bit too firm for me but shifting and handling was great. Seats were nice too. Kind of like a big go cart.

isellhondas

It "had" a stick?

What happened? :P

Sorry, couldn't resist being a smartzass!

nyccarguy

I think you'd be better off leasing a brand new MINI than buying used.

jayrider

It still has the stick as far as I know. My brother and sister and I all drove stick shifts as kids. My Dad had trucks and a few antique cars from the 1920's. Then there were the Beetles, Volvos, and an assortment of beaters that made their way through the ranks. Have to say though, that an old chevy pick-up with a 3 speed on the column was my favorite. Pull it back and down for 1st-- up through neutral and away for 2nd -- down for 3rd. Finding the friction point on those heavy clutches took a bit of time and starting from a stop on all the steep hills in town was part of growing up in Western Pa. My last stick was a 1990 Plymouth that I put 114k miles on before I sold it in 1999. Since I don't commute anymore -- wouldn't mind shifting again but no cars for me for many years and when I hit the big 70 in 3 1/2 years, I'll be grateful to just get in and out of the drivers seat in 5 minutes or less.

stickguy

making it easy, I specced out a base car, substituting the stick shift but adding the roof, and got almost the same price (actually $200 cheaper) since the roof and AT pretty much cancel out.

Certainly an interesting option, though I really don't need a brand new car when I finally get one.

still might have to pop in and drive one though. Just in case.

fezo

still might have to pop in and drive one though. Just in case.

Absolutely! You want to be sure....

stickguy

did some more looking today (I am still amazed my wife is interested in doing this).

took out a Volvo XC60. Actually drove very nicely. better than I expected, and seemed roomier too. My wife really like it, but I have to scratch it for now, because it failed the litmus test: the seatbelt cutting into her neck. She hates the way the belt in the van rides on her, and that is the first thing she checks in every car. Most have been fine, but she did not like the Volvo. If nothing else, it would require another test. other than that, she loved the moonroof, and the overall driving experience. This was a T6, so it really pulled hard.

then stopped at VW/audi. Tiguan was a disappointment. Way too small (cargo room in particular), and even with a 34K+ sticker, no power seats and a cheap dash (well, lack of stuff on it!).

she did, however, really like the Audi Q5. bigger inside than the tiguqn (not huge though, but should be OK). But a very nice interior, and more gadgets than I knew what to do with. Of course, it also was loaded up (premium plus + MMI Navi packages, like most seem to be) with a MSRP of 44K+! Yowza.

she did want to keep it on the short list, but that one I think needs to go on the real short list with the BMW X3!

The Volvo though, that could be had real-world for probably about what an RDX would cost (though in that case, I would probably just get the RDX...)

stickguy

doable now, because the finally put a Mini dealer in my area. For a long time, it was either go over the river to the mainline, or up to Princeton. And I had no interest in a car where the nearest dealer was at least 45 minutes away.

now they have a nice big palace (the old Saturn Dealership) in Mt. Laurel. I can pop up there anytime!

rayainsw

As one data point, my Daughter now has
over 90,000 miles on her 2007 [base] MINI.
No issues.
- Ray
Not the best maintained MINI in the USofA either...

stickguy

Wife said while the Audi was nice enough, way too expensive for what it is. So, off the short list.

I think the Volvo is off the list too, but depending on year end deals, etc. it could possibly sneak into the (very top) of the budget. She also was concerned about it failing the seatbelt test (her personal litmus test)

Or, I was discussing possibly leasing something for her instead, but only if a more expensive option (X3 or the XC60 say) pops up with a killer, we need to move some units, lease offer.

But, I think that the RDX has nailed down the expensive, stretch the top of the budget as a 50th BD, she deserves it option. So, anything like the Volvo or Audi has to be compared to that (probably at less money too).

Still want to see the Santa Fe. Really thinking that could be the sweet spot of style, goodies, MPG and price.

qbrozen

Well, maybe. Young guy with his dad who are both very interested in the car. Problem is, he wasn't shopping until he saw it. He's got a Civic that would need to find a home first. He even asked if I'd put him on a payment plan with the $2k cash he has as downpayment. I declined on that so far.

I am, however, pondering making him a "trade-in" offer on his Civic. Its not something I want to own, though. Its a '98 4-door automatic with 151k miles. I'd have to take it in real cheap and hope to flip it. I'm thinking $1k, fix what needs fixing (which means mostly returning it to stock because it has lots of tacket on garbage), and put it out there for $2k.

stickguy

well, if you are doing BHPH, I am definitely interested!

and be careful with the trade option, at some point, even your wife is going to run out of patience.

Have you considered EBAY for the 'Yota? might find a better audience that way.

anonymousposts

The Tiguan is short on cargo space. We are happy with the interior but we only paid 21500 for ours. I would probably turn down a SEL too. The bargain to me is the S AWD with panoramic roof.

stickguy

my wife really wants something new. Maybe if it meant getting an X3, she would be OK with a CPO, but still a hard sell.

And the one we looked at (new) was just over 34K. And that was only an AWD SE! Did have a trailer hitch, and some other overpriced accessory, but not even a power drivers seat. Crazy.

in any case, while we are looking to downsize, that is just too small for us for travel duty. Would be fine for me as a 2nd car though (just not at that price!)

anonymousposts

We bought the 6-speed manual Tiguan S. it's a great car to drive every day. We get 26 MPG on average. 9,300 miles an no problems so far. We considered getting a SE with roof when we bought the Prius. In the end, the 50 MPG of the Prius was too hard to turn down.

After our experience with the Genesis, I would stay away from the Santa Fe. Heck, we would be hard pressed to buy another Honda after our experience with our latest Accord and Odyssey.

stickguy

you had a Genesis? Must have missed that one. hard to keep up sometimes.

what was your issue with that one?

but, it must be a definition of irony that you had troubles with a car, and went to VW to get reliability!

But, in our case, I'll roll with what my wife wants. Even if it is a Hyundai or VW.

I am actually pretty well over Honda. Just too much been there done that. Though of course, her favorite is the Acura (which IMO really does not seem very Hondaish, unlike the CRV).

fintail

6-speed Tiguan S? Those have to be pretty rare.

After spending 10 days in a rented 2012 E350 (gas) and then coming back to my old car, any itch I had to impulse buy a newer car has been scratched. Can't justify the expense of what I would like vs the benefits. The newer car is very nice with cool tech and high build quality, but it sure feels heavy and isn't very exciting. I don't know how different a diesel would be. The old E55, although a bit thirstier, is much more alive.

nyccarguy

I know your qualifications for your next ride are a stick shift & hole in the roof. I know it's gas mileage is less than stellar & it's not much of a canyon carver, but have you thought abouta Wrangler?

stickguy

sure, why not! I'll look at anything.

I really won't have any specific criteria (assuming my current work from home arrangement is still in place, even though my office is only 3 miles away).

My daughter will have the Volvo to use, and my wifes new car (whatever it ends up being) will be the primary travel and when we are together wheels.

so my car will literally just be for me to bop around town in when I need it. Won't get much use (miles), so MPG is not a huge concern. Nor is long haul highway comfort. So, a Wrangler (it would be an older one) would do the job. Qs MR2 could do the job too.

Heck, I threatened my wife that I would look for the 1985 Celica GTS that I wanted in 1985!

so I go from that to leasing a new mini (or buying a used one). SO yes, I am all over the board. This is going to be hard...

isellhondas

I was thinking the same thing! Volkswagens and reliability? Not unless things have REALLY changed.

I still am no fan of Korean cars but I know they have really improved in the reliability department.

fezo

I really like the Wrangler idea. I keep thinking how neat it would be driving one of them on the beach...

qbrozen

No, not interested in payment plans. At least not while the buyer actually drives the car around. I told him he could give me a deposit and I'll hold the car for him.

Asked him today a few questions about his Civic and I'm definitely not interested. It has rust. He's going to continue working on getting the money together.

Shopper #1 finally found his way over here after a couple of weeks of back and forth. He is also interested but is thinking on it. My guess is he'll shop around a bit more. Seems he is looking for something that sets his heart ablaze, and this isn't quite lighting the match. I'm not so sure you can do that for $4k, frankly, but hey, more power to 'im.

Now I've gotten a few texts this evening from a Michigan resident. Deal halfway across the country for a $4k car? ehhhh....

isellhondas

You'll find a lot of "strokes" out there and time wasters.

Just like in the retail side.

qbrozen

I don't even mind so much those that will come here and take a look. And still OK in my book, but slightly less desirable, are those that will at least followup with a 2nd email or text. The ones that really bug me are those that send messages asking if the car is still available and then disappear into the ethers when you respond in the affirmative. Why the hell are you even asking?

qbrozen

Someone mentioned the MINI, but I also noticed there is a deal on the Fiat 500 Pop edition with manual trans. $0 down and $199/mo.

jayrider

The Fiat 500 makes the Mini look like a Maxi. It would be great as a golf cart.

nyccarguy

I see tons of JeePs around here! So many with tops down or hard tops Off! I think they are so freakin cool!

fezo

Yeah, me too.

stickguy

I like them. A big problem I think is finding a reasonably priced used one that isn't a fright pig.

fintail

And as I say I am not looking, I browse craigslist and find a couple of unique cars

Never seen an E55 in this color before - it's "perlite grey", not blue, must have been special order or insanely low production. Appears to be a high option car and plate sequence is period correct, good sign. If it had a lighter color interior I would be tempted...and I kind of still want to look anyway, it's pretty.

This is a rare bird I can tell it's a P3 car, which means limited slip, 186mph governor, special steering wheel, 2 piece wheels, etc...I think it was like a 10K package and few cars got it. If it was anything but black or silver, and had a light interior...

nyccarguy

Stop with the used already! Go out and lease yourself a new one! You deserve it. Make sure its a 2012 with the new pentastar V6!

nyccarguy

I like the RARE BIRD! I know Black is a PITA to keep clean, but there's something about a Black AMG Mercedes. Very classy. Awesome car!

stickguy

deserve it? well, maybe. Justify or afford it? not right now.

I may use this car less than Driver will use his Fla Passat! So, the money goes to paying for the wife's new car. And those pesky tuition bills (child #2 Junior in HS in September, so only 2 years on her).

Oh, and that is the other factor. In about 1.5 years (after I have the need for a spare car, when she can drive solo) I will inherit the Volvo back, since she won't be taking it to school Freshman year.

Unless I get a different job with a real commute, cheap used will make a lot more sense! Or that Mini lease...

rayainsw

Just passed 10,000 miles on the[ leased ] 2011 BMW 335iS.
Quick update – as there is really nothing significant to report.
No issues, no service visits, no problems.
[ No HPFP failure. ]
I enjoy the driving dynamics as well as the comfort each time I drive it.
Average MPG stands at just over 23.
On long ‘freeway speed’ runs [ I will be driving to visit friends next week in Florida = 350 miles each way, half Interstate, for example ] typically yield 27 or so.
[ EPA Highway = 24 ]
I am very pleased with the overall experience, so far.
The car has met or exceeded all of my expectations.
And many of my expectations were quite high, indeed.
Cheers,
- Ray
Very happy BMW driver . . .

michaellno

Since we're talking about milestones, I hit 70K on the '06 ION a week or two ago.

While it's starting to look a bit ratty on the outside, the mechanicals are in tip-top shape. Oil change every 7-8K. I had the transmission fluid changed out about 10K ago. I've had the power steering recall work performed. A/C still blows nice and cold - which is nice since it's been above 100 the past few days here in Colorado.

I'm still on the original brake pads up front, but I suspect that they'll need to be done soon. Need to check the service schedule to determine when I'll need to do the timing belt and water pump.

MPG is just OK - I'll get anywhere between 23-26 with almost 100% stop-n-go driving (the lower number is due to the hot weather and that I'm running the AC on high constantly).

There is one niggling issue that is worrisome to me - the key gets hung up in the ignition slot from time to time, and won't turn to start the car. A little jiggling has solved the problem so far, but there is an entire forum here at Edmunds about folks who have run into problems similar to this.

Yeah, it's not the best looking car on the road, and the driving dynamics aren't anything like the BMW's, Audi's and MB's that others drive, but the car does what I ask of it and it hasn't left me stranded. Can't really ask for much more than that.

qbrozen

Finally got the new wheels on, along with a stet of Dinan front camber plates. Wound up not being able to fit the 255s I bought, mostly because the offset of the wheels isn't right. So I had to put the 235s originally intended for the front on the rear and reuse the stock runflats (215s) for now on the front. At least they look good.

michaellno

q - let me be the first to say that that is one sweet looking ride!

A CPO 1-series is something I'd certainly like to have, even if it's not the hi-po 135i. A 128i with a 6-speed manual would work just fine.

ateixeira

I also found the Tiguan small, and not "premium" the way a Jetta Sportwagen TDI is. Compare them back to back and you'll see what I mean.

For 21.5k no complaints, but mid 30s it seems poor.

If you don't need AWD you should have her drive one of those. The old one is also far nicer than the new Jetta sedans. Noticeably so.

ateixeira

how neat it would be driving one of them on the beach...

It's fun but the romance ends when you look at rusty brakes a week later. Just make sure you wash off the under carriage thoroughly when you get home. Salt water is highly corrosive.

Check out a surfers car and you'll see how must rust is underneath.

stickguy

I don't even bother with wagons. She won't get one. that is my biggest battle with the outback. It looks like a "wagon". I have to keep telling her no, it is an SUV!

even at the Audi dealer, they had a couple "allroads" (badged on the back), which after looking in the brochure I think are now just A4 avants. Tried to get her to look at that along with the Q5, but no dice. Slightly cheaper for at least the same equipment, and probably roomier, more comfortable, with a bigger cargo hold. But, it was a wagon.

fintail

I can't do black - too many rainy days here. My dark grey car drives me nuts keeping it clean (although they do shine up nice), and dark interiors are becoming tiresome for me, gloomy.

I suspect that black car could be had for a few grand less, which would make it a lot of bang for the buck, that's supersedan material.

stickguy

I'm trying to stay away from black for my wife's next car, since I am the one that takes care of it, not her!

I also really don't want a dark interior, and had to dissuade her from considering it on one of the cars we were looking at.

She does like dark blue, so depending on the car, that or a dark (titanium) gray cold be the choice. Not much better than black, but at least a little.

ateixeira

Black (wheels) on black looks good. Good luck keeping it clean!

My Miata's dark blue and trust me it's not any better!