Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

BTW, supposedly college kid #2 is coming Saturday with cash in hand. We'll see.

I had the top bidder contact me. I explained the situation, that it was still for sale etc, and told him to call me if he wants to see it July 4th when I'm home (this was Tuesday evening). No reply. Ummm... so why did you email me??

stickguy

I got a few of those when I was selling my Accord, and even more when I recently sold a kitchen set.

people email that they are super interested, when can they come see it, etc. You answer back with essentially yes and any time, then crickets.

and that Mini i thought went for below what you said trade in should be. Unless it had more issues in person (and I read all his feedback, so i doubt it) someone just happened to get a deal.

but, a car like that pushing 90K with a stick is not the most mainstream unit. And I bet if it was a different color it would have fetched more (I could live with it, I think, but it would have taken a lot of convincing!)

he has a 2006 supercharged S now, dark green (gorgeous) with about the same miles. I decided to watch that one too, but if I was to actually get a mini for my toy, I would prefer to go with a base car. I know slower, but for $$ and ride comfort reasons. and to get a spare tire!

roadburner

I would prefer to go with a base car. I know slower, but for $$ and ride comfort reasons. and to get a spare tire!

RFTs are about the only thing my wife doesn't like about the MCS Countryman(well, she also is a tad unhappy about having to give up the excellent service she receives from our BMW dealer). I think she would have been happy with the base MC Countryman if she hadn't tried the MCS; she really likes the extra power(it's still not all that fast, but a 0-60 under 8 seconds is acceptable) as well as the tighter suspension- and we both like the fact that the MCS we're looking at has no sunroof. The lack of a hole in the roof is a bigger plus than usual for us, as the sunroof's sunshade -if you can call it that- is a dense mesh screen instead of a solid panel- and even when closed it lets in far too much light/heat, in our experience.

stickguy

I am still shocked by that, since this is the woman that always abhored looking at cars, and never wanted to stop at a dealer, or test drive if we did.

Not, she is obsessed.

I found a dealer in Nj (about 2 hours away) that is cheap selling the RDX (no idea why) and sent her the link. I figured she would get all revved up, and want to jump on it.

her response? If we got this right now, we wouldn't be able to look at the new Santa Fe! She really likes the pictures we have seen of that.

so, my thought is, if they are selling cheap now, in a couple months when supplies have built up more all over, they will likely be selling just as cheap!

No response yet on my attempt to save a lot of cash by getting a used X3...

stever

Can't wait until she gets her member name and starts posting in here.

tjc78

Forgot about the redesign. 24k for an 09? I'd pass too.

The new Sante Fe does look nice and I'm sure will be a decent bang for the buck in typical Hyundai fashion.

stickguy

oh, it will last until she finally has her new wheels in the garage. then she will not want to step foot on a lot for another 10 years, unless I decide to drag her along to look at something for me.

stickguy

the santa fe does look nice, and has a lot of goodies. Heck, the outdated current model is pretty well loaded, and if this redesign (as expected) is as big of a leap forward as the Sonata was, it should be really sweet.

and if they keep the pricing about where the 2012 one is (for the 4 cyl) then it could be a great deal.

roadburner

"Internet" Price : $26,916
My offer : $25,500 OTD(inc. TTL- Ky sales tax is 6%)
Their counter-offer : $27,525 OTD(@$1,400 off the asking price+ "Doc. fees")
My final offer(not yet made): $27,000 OTD(@$25,000 + 6%)

I'm going to wait for a while -maybe a day or so- before making my counter-offer. I doubt that they are swamped with customers; as of 3:00 PM EST it is 100F in the shade... :surprise:

qbrozen

why wait to make your final offer? I mean, if it is your final offer, it shouldn't matter when you do it, right?

michaellno

"Internet" Price : $26,916
My offer : $25,500 OTD(inc. TTL- Ky sales tax is 6%)
Their counter-offer : $27,525 OTD($1,400 off the asking price+ "Doc. fees")
My final offer(not yet made): $27,000 OTD($25,000 + 6%)

Why not offer $26,250 OTD .. you've come up a bit but may still get the car for under $27K OTD.

Either way, keep us posted. Very interested in how this all turns out.

stickguy

from hanging around on the RDX forums, someone reported a killer deal in central Jersey (about 2 hours from me). To the point of, it can't be true, must have been a trade, etc.

so, shot them an internet request, and darned if I don't get an email with the same price quote. Just about 3K off MSRP, and under invoice reported here.

only caveat was, price good for 7 days, and must be taken from stock. So pretty much, if you want one, better come and hope you like one of what we have sitting here!

wife still undecided, otherwise I probably would have just reserved one. Of course, I could take the Email to my local guy and try to play them to match (local guy says they are #1 in the NE, but the other one claims to be fastest growing and aiming for #1. Competition is your friend in this case!

so, as long as there is no $300 of accessories for $1,600 sticker on it, worth the drive.

stever

Why wait? No use looking too eager if you aren't. May be even better to wait until the end of the month, if there's a stair step program.

Sometime the end of the month is extended for quota purposes though.

jayrider

Very suspicious of the 7 day deal. They want to get you in the showroom and then try to work you with an add-on sticker. If the deal is true blue, than every RDX should be priced accordingly as long as msrp is the same. Something smells, and not in a good way.

kyfdx

You know I was just kidding, right?

qbrozen

Why wait? No use looking too eager if you aren't. May be even better to wait until the end of the month, if there's a stair step program.

But, my point is, if you are making "final" offer, it doesn't matter of you seem eager or if there are other incentives, or what have you. A final offer is take-it-or-leave-it. So if they don't accept it, the deal is dead. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a final offer.

stickguy

well, the OP here said that there were no tacky add ons, and that the few accessories she got were decided upon after the fact. But, of course, if my wife decides she wants it, i would talk to the internet person to make sure that I could drive it off bone stock for that price.

Not surprising though that they are only doing it on in stock units. And the 7 day lock is fine, after that price will be whatever the market dictates.

so, I think it is fair that in order to get blow out pricing, you also don't get forever to think about it, or ability to order a car and wait for it to show up!

stever

I assume you want the car but have a bottom line. From a dealer's standpoint, if you are eager, then they may not believe you and figure you'll come back. Yeah, the dealer blows it but you don't have your car at a good price either.

stickguy

well, if that really is the final offer (as opposed to "final" offer!), then make it quick. tell them that this is it, you are all in, and if they don't take it on the spot, get up to walk out. Tell them to call if they change their mind, then hit the door. If they let you go, then you know they probably aren't taking it!

stever

I'm just trying to figure out what it takes to get the dealer to believe you. :shades:

What's that guy's name with the "method" around here? Bobst?

stickguy

That was Bobst. Simple plan. determine your OTD price. Walk to dealer #1, tell them what it is, say you have 1 shot yes or no. If yes, buy. If no, walk out, got to dealer #2 and offer $100 more. And so on, until someone says yes.

roadburner

Well, they've had the car on their lot since May 19th. The funky "Surf Blue" door panels and the lack of a sunroof probably hurt it with respect to most potential buyers. So if they want it to risk having it sit on their lot for another 6-7 weeks -rather than shave a few more $$$ off their price- that is their call...

corvette

I think the independent BMW mechanic in Louisville also services MINIs. Haven't used them, so I can't opine on the experience.

roadburner

I know that my indie shop -Performance Specialties- services Minis, as does Stein Automotive.

corvette

Stein was the one I was thinking about... I have the bimmershops website bookmarked on my iPhone in case the E39 throws a temper tantrum when I'm in unfamiliar territory.

My new xenon ballast is on the way here and I had a local guy polish the headlights for $30--they aren't perfect, but much better than I was able to do with the $20 kit I bought from Autozone. Sometimes you're better off hiring a professional to begin with!

stickguy

after looking at the pictures again, I really want to actually check out the 2007 I found. really tickles my frugal bone. Just haven't quite convinced the wife it make sense.
'
Need to get her out to look at this baby Saturday. Just to see what she thinks!

roadburner

The only negative I've heard about X3s of that vintage is that the automatic can be problematic- shift quality, jerky response, etc. It didn't affect all cars but it is something to be cognizant of...

stickguy

well, if we did decide to pursue, hopefully it would shake out on the test drive. Plus, it is still under SPO until 3/2013 based on original sales date. so, that is some coverage too.

odds are I won't convince her to go this way, but you never know.

kyfdx

That is a good point.... we had the same tranny in our '08... I hated it, but the wife didn't mind it, as much.. It was definitely wrong, though..

Also, an X3 rides a lot like a sport package 3-series... definitely not cushy..

That 255 hp 6-cylinder is hard to beat, though....

nyccarguy

We had a 2007 X3 & LOVED IT! No transmission or ride quality issues. Ours rode on all season Michelin "Honda Tires.".

qbrozen

here is a tough sell!
Funny enough, I just saw one of these on the road on Monday night. It had a big can of redbull angled over the roof, as you can see this one has the mounts for. Wonder what the reserve on such a car could possibly be, or how a dealer winds up with such a car.

I was JUST thinking about this very vehicle on the way to work today! I was behind one of this vintage and was thinking to myself "the 2.3L 5-spd would be a decent spare car." This one is really a base model. He lists cruise control, but I'm not seeing it.

Not the cleanest, but would probably go cheap.

michaellno

I've seen a RedBull MINI or two here in Colorado as well. Odd little things.

The Tribute manual seems OK, if you can live with the hail damage. I suspect Ford is blowing out the current generate Escapes at the moment, if a new car tickles your fancy.

Um, I only see 5 speeds on that Mazda 3 - not 6. Unless he is counting reverse as a gear.

stickguy

tribute could make a decent winter beater type car. And that has to go cheap, with the damage, miles and tranny.

and man, the redbull mini? How the heck do you sell that? Though it could make a cool tailgate car with the built in cooler, so maybe repaint it in say Giants colors to take to games?

stickguy

I mentioned the other day a NJ dealer that cheap sells over the internet. Got more details today from them.

very straight deal. MSRP-discount (about 3K here), with just DMV fees, tax, and $259 doc fee (pretty standard around here). No extras (pin stripe, etching) pre-added already. so, sounds like no games.

just show up, pick out one you like, and take it home for a big discount.

tjc78

The Tribute is an oddball. I don't think I've ever seen a manual one. Looks decent too, except for the roof dents.

Definately no cruise, it would be on the steering wheel.

Stick,
I hope the used X3 doesn't backfire and cause the wife to say "Maybe we should look at a new one!!!" :surprise:

stickguy

we already did look and drive a new one. She liked it a lot. But, clearly out of budget range.

qbrozen

if a new car tickles your fancy

oh, no no no. Not for me, thanks.
I'm looking for, but not even ready to buy yet, a $5k economy vehicle that will not demand much attention and just to keep miles off the 1'er. Still have to sell the 540 first.

kyfdx

I hear that an MR2 is pretty economical.... I know where you can get one for under $5K..

qbrozen

oh, you heard wrong!

Besides, the 2-year-old didn't link being stuffed in the trunk.

isellhondas

RDX's have never sold well either as new or used cars.

I would think that a pretty decent deal could be struck on one.

A glorified CRV? Perhaps but still a very nice ride if you can get used to the front snout.

ronsteve

A glorified CRV? Perhaps but still a very nice ride if you can get used to the front snout.

Which? The RDX and CR-V (especially the last generation) both really need a nose job!

Parked next to a current generation Outback today and found myself lamenting the fact that Subaru got out of the wagon business. If it's new that I end up shopping, my next car is most likely to be a Jetta SportWagen... if it's used, Subies are pricey and not getting any younger, but so so soooo appealing. Still skittish about Volvo auto transmissions going into old age, getting ready to hit 99K with the V70 in a week or two.

stickguy

really thought about getting up early to drive 2 hours to get an RDX. then it occurred to me that I never got around to actually selling the Minivan, to get the DP for it. Might be a good idea, especially if it turns out that I can't get what I expect/need out of it, I don't want to be stuck! Plus, the dealer is 2 hours each way. If they were closer I might just pop over to check them out.

anyway, I figure if they are cheap selling now, in a couple months when initial demand is sated, and inventories are beefed up all over, the deals will pretty much be the same or close.

also a minor issue that they seem to have a shortage of colors, and the 3 that we are interested in are pretty much not out there.

and the wife does want to see the new Santa Fe in person before deciding for sure.

so, I will throw new brake pads on the van before our annual trip to the sure (full load + bike rack on back = good to be able to stop), and see where we are around labor day.

stickguy

The RDX is really a gussied up CRV. They did a nice job on it however, but it is effectively a V6 luxo model CRV.

and Subaru does still make the wagon. But like Volvo, they have to slap plastic on the side and jack up the ride height and call it an SUV to get anyone to buy it.

I would jump all over a legacy wagon to save a couple grand, but my wife (her car ) would never, ever go for it.

tjc78

Almost every luxury model is based on something cheaper. My Buick Lacrosse traces its origin to the Malibu. An ES350 is a Camry. So what? You clearly get something extra for the money spent in most cases.

isellhondas

That's correct and certainly not a "bad" thing.

It does make for using the term "glorified" even though the two cars may not have that much in common.

tjc78

For some reason this topic always catches a nerve so to speak. There aren't that many truly unique cars anymore. Everything is shared throughout the model line.

There are 60K cars that have the same engine as 25K cars. It's the way it is today.

I guess what I am saying is, it is short sighted to say (not pointing the finger at you) that X is just a gussied up Y without knowing the differences.

qbrozen

MR2 is gone. $3600. So right there at my minimum.

Waiting for the 540's new registration to arrive before I start pushing that one out the door.

In the meantime, I think I'll just tempt stickguy with alot of car for the money.

corvette

"Waiting for the 540's new registration to arrive before I start pushing that one out the door."

Given my experience so far, I could probably use a spare as a parts car...

I test drove one of those Legacy GTs shortly after they were introduced. So fast, and so easy to burn the clutch while starting on a hill. :P

kyfdx

Congrats!

nyccarguy

Congrats on selling the MR2!