A manual in 1988?! That must be a rare find! My grandparents had a 1986 Vandura that was a "Texas Sesquicentenial (sp)" conversion van. Beautiful van; one of my favorite vehicles from childhood memories. It had 22,000 miles on it when they sold it in 2002. Had I the $8K they were asking and no wife, it would be mine today.
No, it wasn't a manual, but it was still a sweet van.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
While I have no lease expring, I do have a warranty expiring in March '13. As I drive a Brit, this leads one to pause and ponder...
I've just signed up for a two hour Jaguar Alive Driving Experience at Gillette Stadium in three weeks. Looks like you get to drive all the models. New engines, AWD and maybe the XKR-S? Hopefully, some SWAG. Although I'm a chronic car shopper, this may be the true beginning of earnest next car shopping/buying.
I could keep the XK as I just have to survive this coming winter as daughter will head to college next year, freeing up the family truckster for my winter use. I have no reason to think it will explode post-warranty. It's been a reliable (and fast, quiet, fun, semi-economical and gorgeous) companion. I have had warranty work already done, so maybe that's it? Yet, I know the Prince of Darkness lives in all cars British...
And, as I've posited before, where do I go from a Jag XK? Current list would include Audi A/S5, maybe A7, BMW 3, Jag XF. Maybe Caddy ATS? Looking forward to the new Jag F-type, too. How about a used Ferrari 328GTS, live the "Magnum" life... A lot would depend upon how much I could get for the Jag, several on my list are really too $$$ for me. Focus hatchback is one good looking car, too. But, Jag XK to Ford Focus? Well, why not. Am I that pretentious?! Of course, not. Now, please pass the Gray Poupon. (Ok, Gulden's on a Fenway Frank).
Ahhhh, such first world problems.
NYCBMWPRELUDEGUY: As a resident of Stamford, have you dined at Bobby V's yet? Is it still there? Haven't lived there for over 20 years, can barely remember the hot spots (well, there weren't that many back in the '80s, it was still in the genesis of growth). Been to Stew Leonard's in Norwalk?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Tell your daughter that you'll buy whatever color she likes the best as long as she is willing to make the payments!
I keep saying this...the less color fussy a person is the better of a deal they can get. If a dealer knows a buyer just HAS to have a certain color and he knows his store has the only one that color in the area, thye may end up paying dearly for it.
Still, buying a disliked color just to save a few bucks isn't a good idea either.
I took a look at the 2 when I was doing my initial search, and I had to cross it off rather quickly due to the lack of head room in the rear seat. My oldest is only eight now, but I can see him being 5'10" in another six years, and that is too tall to sit back there without the need to scrunch.
Fun little car, but it didn't grab me like the Fiesta did. I'm sure it's arguable, but I think the Fiesta handles better.
Regarding your search in general, if you want to pass this on to the daughter when she's licensed, I'd keep that high on the priority list. Something with a turbo would not be high on my list for a new driver. Manual tranny, though, would be!
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
I agree about the Echo; it certainly wasn't any uglier than the Yaris is now. But, "too much car" is a phrase I don't think I'd ever use for describing a Yaris! You'll likely accomplish your primary goals. Of course, the "need" for an automatic saddens me.... :P
Honestly, given the mileage (I'm guessing many highway miles?) likely involved, I'd say an automatic Fiesta would be a good move; certainly better fuel economy than you'll get in any other car that size and the best safety rating in the class. I managed over 41 mpg in mixed highway/city driving when I rented one near the heart of Appalachia. I will say, though, that hilly city driving is not that transmission's forte. The Fiesta was very popular with the GI crowd pre-deployment, and now that they're back they are all trading in for Camaros, Mustangs, or pickups with that extra bonus money they received. If she gets back on that kick, you have your pick of the crop amongst 11 and even 12 Fiestas, nearly all of which are automatic.
Like oldfarmer commented... if you can get the Yaris for $10K, I need to take you with me the next time I buy a car. :surprise:
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
Oversized or not, I love that photo! I can appreciate it more now that I have had seven cars in my driveway recently, without having any visitors over! Granted, one of the cars isn't mine, but it still living at my house for now.
I should get them all lined up for a group photo before winter sets in - that'd be fun!
Here's a juxtaposition shot of my new car, "The Raspberry," with some of its older stablemates (hah - I wish I had a "stable"):
And, the old girl the night before I sold her on Wednesday:
I'm feeling a little nostalgic about that silly car, I have to admit.
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
Regarding your search in general, if you want to pass this on to the daughter when she's licensed, I'd keep that high on the priority list. Something with a turbo would not be high on my list for a new driver. Manual tranny, though, would be!
Yeah - for some of these 10 year old cars, the turbo was merely adequate to achieve safe acceleration, IMO. Now, she always had eyes on our recently departed GTI as her car and was very sad (and a little upset) when we traded it in on the A5. We've told her that was never going to happen, so no reason to fret about it .
But she did say that she wants to learn on a manual - either way she was going to learn, I'm just happy she's up for it.
Sad when I take my 530i to the car wash, and the attendant has to go get someone else to drive it 'cause they can't drive a stick.
I feel very fortunate to find mine. I was going to buy new next spring (not necessarily a Fiesta, but it was at the top of my list), but found this one with the exact optioning I wanted aside from the color and its goofball push-button start.
Finding this one, with only a year+ of service, just under 14K miles, hatchback, leather, manual... it was too much to pass up.
I've never been of the mindset that a turbo is needed to achieve "adequacy" in a gasoline engine. One might need to adjust driving style to milk the best performance out of a naturally aspirated engine, though! Any car that is rated at under ten seconds zero to sixty can perform just fine in today's traffic.
That said, you were talking about a Beetle; not a GTI or WRX!
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
I've never been of the mindset that a turbo is needed to achieve "adequacy" in a gasoline engine. One might need to adjust driving style to milk the best performance out of a naturally aspirated engine, though! Any car that is rated at under ten seconds zero to sixty can perform just fine in today's traffic.
Oh yeah - fair enough. Especially with a manual, you can control the gear to achieve the acceleration easier.
Like oldfarmer commented... if you can get the Yaris for $10K, I need to take you with me the next time I buy a car.
The truck I have now is a high demand used truck and I talked them down $6k on it. They tried to get me to take a Ford or Dodge rather than their only nice Duramax, he had one other but it was an 03 with 150k for $17k. I know the sales manager really well and he will always cut the deal down as close as he can for me without too much hassle. Even flips the computer screen around so I can see where we are at.
The Yaris books for $14k retail and $10k trade, its an ex-rental, I really can't believe they'd be in it $10k. I might go to $11k but that would be it for me. I'm pretty darn good at walking away, especially when a brand new Yaris can be had for $16k.
I rarely deal with the salesman beyond the test drive, when I bought my Ford I dealt with the GSM once the test drive was over. When I bought the GMC I dealt completely with the sales manager once the test drive was over. It makes no sense for a sales guy to be running back and forth since I'm more likely to get up and leave if that's the way its going to be.
Of course, the "need" for an automatic saddens me....
With her medical issues and being so skinny and short, driving a manual transmission wears her out very quickly. That was the issue with the Escort, she could drive it, but after a short, very short while she was too tired to keep going. The clutch is just too much. I understand where she's coming from, its worse when she's sick.
Most of my driving is highway. I drive from my home in Stamford, CT to my job in The Bronx, NY six days a week. It's about 65 miles round trip.
An automatic is A MUST as I can't justify having 2 cars my wife can't drive. My Prelude is a stick. Her DD is a Pilot which I need for work sometimes, so we need to be able to switch seamlessly.
There are some crazy discounts on the Skyactive 3 plus 0% financing for 60 months.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
My in-laws are in CT. Wife's brother is in Stamford, other brother in Milford, parents in Norwalk.
I gotta say, not sure I'd be wanting to drive a Fit on I-95 every day. Merrit Parkway is only slightly better.
I think I'd go with one of the more substantial cars, the 3 or Focus. The latter has had trans issues, investigate those to make sure they're sorted out before you buy. The SkyActiv has a conventional 6EAT and may be the safe choice among those 2. Fueleconomy.gov reports show people are getting great mileage on those, too.
Laurasdada - Yes Bobby V's is still there. No I haven't been there yet. I'm sure so much has changed since you left Stamford 20 years ago. Downtown is literally hopping on Thursday & Friday nights. They are building up the waterfront. The beach is on the sound and awesome for young children.
I'm sure back then & even up until a couple of years ago, people used Stamford as a stepping stone. They'd buy their 1st house there & then when they made more money or it was time to send their kids to school, they'd sell and move to Greenwich, Darien, New Caanan... They've revamped the schools. It's a beautiful place for me to raise my children & live my life.
Stew's is awesome. We go to the Norwalk store 3 - 4 x per month. They also have stores in Danbury & Yonkers, NY.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Glad to hear Stamord is rockin'. I think the only reason folks went to Stamford many years ago was the Town Center mall and UConn Stamford ("Husky High!"). I started in Westport, but moved to Stamford after college and my parent's tossed me out! Lived near the Daren line and in Shippan for a while. But, the taxes were too low in CT, so I moved to Mass.
I grew up with Stew's, from small dairy store to the Disneyworld it has become! Miss it, stop by if I'm in the 'hood. My son dreams about their chicken nuggets! A lot of change in the old neighborhood's since I abandoned ship oh so long ago...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
Spent every summer in Clinton, Ct. at a co-ed summer camp there in the '60's. Family friends owned it and it wasn't a bad drive from northern Westchester county, about 1.5 hours. Now those were the days!
The Sandman :sick: :shades:
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
anyway, will post details tomorrow, but I poked around last night to find out if anyone had the exact car we wanted (this color combo). Found out that the dealer in Ramsey (about 2 hours from us with traffic) had 3 (hogging them all). One in PA had the color in FWD (this one is AWD). so, I did an E-price request. End up hearing back, and calling the internet dude to get the price this morning. Turned out to be better than I expected (and quite a bit lower than all the special internet pricing in my area). Told him I would check with the boss, but we might do something Saturday.
so a little later on, he calls back (before I had a chance to discuss with the boss), saying they just had a sales meeting, and needed some # of sales to make a bonus quota. So If I could do a deal today, he would knock another $300. Putting it a full 1K less than my local dealers.
debated about trying to haggle down here (my wife feels guilty about working with a salesguy then not buying from them...). But, they all seemed to be anxious for August sales (including the dealer that tried the puppy dog on us!), but had crappy stock. My wife couldn't warm up to the red we drove home, and they only had a black/black in addition to that.
so if we wanted one now, it meant expanding the search area. Got a good vibe from where we bought (even had a lower doc fee to offset the gas/tolls!) And my wife finally made a decision (more like, finally said to me what she wanted!) and this was it. And I wanted it done, so we set to heck with it, lets do it.
only real downside, it meant heading up the Jersey turnpike and Garden State at around 5-6 on a Friday of a holiday weekend. Not fun.
we also made a mistake (since we were running late, thanks to a late start and nasty traffic) of not finding food before we got there at about 6:45. So of course, they were busy as heck, and we spent a lot of time waiting. But at least by the time we got out, no traffic!
very busy place. We got out of finance after 9, and they had a few more people waiting there turn. close to 10 by the time they showed us how to sync the remote, pair an iphone, etc. Home after midnight.
long day, but neat car.
Oh, the MPG meter when we left the dealer was at 12 (lots of idling, only 9 miles on it). By the time I got off the turnpike 100 miles later, it was up to 28. I was mostly loafing (65-70), but still impressive. Very smooth and powerful. Fantastic stereo.
I hope so. My wife is certainly anxious to actually drive it!
and to the others, at this point, I think we passed broke and are at destitute. So my daughter's idea (get new tires for my bike) may be what happens. Otherwise, we may be sharing 2 cars for 3 drivers and that can get real old real quick.
So, my next looking (I have until Thanksgiving before she can even solo, assuming she passes her test) will be at the bottom feeder end of the spectrum. So keep those 160K Infiniti G20s coming!
Congrats Stick on the RDX. I think that's a great choice, and definitely worth the little additional work to get the right color.
On our Beetle search, the Lexus dealer came back at $7,250 on their Beetle, whereas we had offered $6,500. It's enough of a difference to keep looking.
Plus, my wife still has Minis on the brain too. We looked at a '07 Base Cooper last night, but wasn't able to even open it until they completed their PDI. It's our favorite color combo (sort of a medium blue with white top). My wife was really excited about it, and so disappointed that it won't be ready until Tuesday for a test drive that she asked if we could put a deposit down on it. Really great poker face, honey :surprise: .
So it's an '07 Cooper (non-S) with 63k miles - no options that I could see to speak of (no sunroof), manual trannie of course. KBB trade is right around $10k, and they claim their one price is $13,100. Seems at least a grand too high - thoughts?
Wife and daughter are out right now looking at a couple of Beetles and Minis - we'll see what they come up with.
I may well be wrong in my thoughts, and so this is just my 2 cents and personal opinion. But 13k for a base 07 Mini with those miles seems maybe a little high to me.
Can you spring for new if you finance? You might be able to get a base brand spanking new 2013 Mini for near 20k flat, which is close to list. Even with a small downpayment Mini should finance at low rates for 5 years for payments of c. 350/mo. Maybe something to think about?
My 32 years of experience with many cars new and used has led me to believe that used is often a false economy. A good new car these days, with luck, can last with oil changes, a set of tires, and not much else for 8+ years, plus have nice resale value at the end of it.
That 07 Mini is 6+ years old. The best 6 years of its life are gone and someone else got em. Maintenance will be more and more expensive starting in just a few years, and by the end of 8 years, if you even make it that far, the car will be worth very little.
The 7k saved now vs new doesn't seem that impressive to me. But maybe I'm wrong....
Thanks for the feedback - there's definitely some sense in paying the extra money for new given all the benefits that comes along with it. And by all means I think it is often a better answer if you plan on keeping the car for a number of years. For better or worse, we've accepted that we just don't hold onto our cars very long, and so that savings is very "real" when considered in the short-term.
Having said that, I did check out the Mini website to see how much new ones are and what sort of lease deals there are.
In any case, seems the Mini may be off the list anyway. I've been chatting on the phone with my wife as she and her daughter have been shopping, and they both kinda felt a bit claustrophobic (as they put it) in the Mini versus the Beetle.
They did test drive a newer New Beetle (gets confusing) - like a 2007 with the newer 2.5l non-turbo, and my wife liked it just as much as the 1.8t turbo in the earlier models. So, we may go that direction - I feel a little safer going with the non-turbo considering the age.
Congrats stickguy! Like others here I've really enjoyed following this story, I think you made a great choice and like NYCCARGUY said you'll LOVE IT. I like the color combo as well and since you're planning on keeping it for years it was worth getting the right color.
Look forward to hearing more about it after you get some more time with it.
I completely agree, it's never too early. I got really lucky with the 18 month lease on the G37x, and while I love the car, reality is I will have to make some decision in January 2014 of what to do next. Like you I feel like I should be a little more practical/economically sensible next time, but that doesn't really narrow down the choices at all. I never really cared about MPG's until I switched to a car, and while the G37 isn't the best on gas it's a nice step up from years of driving 15 mpg SUV's.
I've toyed with buying the G37 at the end, but a new model will be out then and who knows if I'll like it or not. I've considered the Lexus CT250h, but haven't driven one and not sure I could go to something that small. I've always liked the A4 and my better half has a 2007 that has been a great car, but he'll need something new by then too but he seems happy to stay with the A4 so I doubt we'll need two A4's in the stable.
Either way it's always fun to think about and consider the possibilities, definitely a good problem to have.
Thanks. There is a lot to learn. Really need to sit down and read the whole owners manual to figure this all out.
my daughter asked before when we were out if you can play the radio when the engine was off. I knew there must be a way to do it, but I had no idea what it was! I found it be accident later when I did not push the start button long enough, and put it in accessory mode.
once I have it sorted out I will post impressions, but so far, everyone really likes it. Really smooth and powerful. No comparison to a NA 4 cyl. One day when it is broken in I will even really punch it to see how fast it is!
Thanks. I never drove the old style, but I know someone that has one with a lot of miles on it, and she really likes it.
from what I hear, the new one drives much differently, and the car has a different "personality" I think this one fits my wife better than the sporty 1st generation.
Seems a lot nicer than the old one, anyway. Congrats, no doubt it will be a trustworthy machine.
On the car buyer idea - my sister texted me out of the blue today to ask me about cars (she has a rapidly aging 04 ZX5 with over 160K on it). Turns out she went and bought a well equipped new Chevy Sonic. Focus was her first new car and she was sad to see it go, but she was fearing it wasn't long for this world. Not my first choice...but she gave me the numbers, and it works out to within $200 combined Edmunds TMV for car price and trade-in combined, so I guess she got a fair deal. She was trying to keep OTD price under 20K. She seems to like the little thing a lot...I'll see it in a couple weeks.
Interested to hear your thoughts on the Sonic. I can't seem to fall in love with the looks, but those are always subjective. I'm really curious as to why she didn't go with another Focus if she liked her last one so much. The new ones I've had for rentals have been very impressive. Much more so than any GM product I've had (namely the Cruze and the Malibu). I guess if she was trying to stay under $20k price may have been a factor, but either way hope she ends up happy with the Sonic.
Well, I guess I'm going to sell the '02; I'd rather not but six cars is too many for three people. I hate to, it's a blast to drive, but I need the Jeep and I want to hang on to the Club Sport of course. So now the plan is to pile the work miles on the Mazda over the next 2-3 years. When I'm fully retired I'll flip the Mazda and pick up a used Cayman S or M3. I looked a selling the Mazda now and leasing something(I get $0.47/mile, but too make it work the lease payment would have to be under @$250/month, and almost all of the leases are calculated on 10K-12K miles per year- I need closer to 20K.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
if it is working fine, given the miles already on it the 3 is not likely worth all that much. So, might as well run it into the ground for work.
much easier to get away with a "toy" as a DD when you don't really have to drive much.
I am probably not even getting another car immediately when my daughter can start going solo. I work from home, and my wife works the same place I do, which is only 3 miles away, and she can work from home too when needed. Plus of course, with her having a nice new car, we will be taking that when together.
so pretty much, we can most likely be fine with the 3 of us sharing 2 cars (well, 3, counting the big yellow bus my daughter can always use!).
Looks like the 2011 Yaris may be added to the stable in the next couple days. Just waiting on her dad to come back from hunting (totally out of cell range to give his final approval of the deal).
After looking at several cars in the past few days including a new Kia Rio, not bad, but had rather unsettling steering at highway speeds, a 2008 Cobalt that had an unfortunate run in with some sort of animal in Idaho, and a 2009 Yaris that made me want to take 6 showers after looking at it (officially the nastiest car I have ever seen sitting on a dealer lot).
Today we looked at a 2008 Pontiac G6 4-cyl which I quickly said no after a test drive, way too much car for a new driver, but oh so much fun, lol, a 2006 Chevy Equinox AWD with 71k, and the Yaris again. The kid got the drive the Equinox and the Yaris, she liked both, but settled on the Yaris.
I didn't get the Yaris for $10k, however, we did settle on $12.2k which I think is a very fair price. I went in and talked to my sales manager buddy and he said they had $11.6k into the car and needed to make $600 to pay the bills, so $12.2k was the make no extra money price. The car is out of the dealership rental fleet so they have the complete history. If he had any extra to give up he would have, he showed me the computer screen and yeah, there wasn't another penny.
So as long as dad doesn't come back in a grumpy mood and say no after he already said yes then all is well. I know the hunting wasn't going well and they were wet, cold, and miserable. I couldn't help but laugh, when he called yesterday from the one spot with cell service......probably not helping matters any.
Oh and that 2009 Yaris, dog car, smoker's car, chewed up, burn holes, filthy, stained seats, scratches, dents, dings, possibly blood on the seat, I mean it was nasty, gross, toxic, just flat out um, I'm outta words. Really should have taken pictures. Had 42k miles on it. I was thinking there is no way they are in this car further than maybe $7.5k since trade was $9k and retail was $13k.......WRONG.......they paid $10k for it!!!! Someone was asleep when they took that in. :surprise:
Wow; I think that whole post was overshadowed by your description of the 09 Yaris! Unbelievable! In this area, though, anything goes!
Congrats on settling on the '11 Yaris. I imagine it will be a good car for your daughter. I don't even want to think about mine driving. I'm sure it will happen soon enough. :surprise:
2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
maybe the dealer did a showroom appraisal? That is when they look out the showroom window, and plug the age/mileage into the computer and pop out a price.
and as my daughter likes to remind me daily, she has her road test in less than 3 months. if she passes that, she can drive on her own. Yikes.
$12.2 sounds more like it. I didn't belive you could get it for $10 and this sounds reasonable. Also sounds like the best choice given what you were considering.
2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
Is that the speed3? I ask because as a buyer I look at high miles on a high performance car as a deal killer. Might be tough to get good money if the MS3 is all miled up. That's just me though.
If you plan on putting 20k miles a year I like the idea of buying slightly used. Let someone else eat that 1st year depreciation.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Comments
No, it wasn't a manual, but it was still a sweet van.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
While I have no lease expring, I do have a warranty expiring in March '13. As I drive a Brit, this leads one to pause and ponder...
I've just signed up for a two hour Jaguar Alive Driving Experience at Gillette Stadium in three weeks. Looks like you get to drive all the models. New engines, AWD and maybe the XKR-S? Hopefully, some SWAG. Although I'm a chronic car shopper, this may be the true beginning of earnest next car shopping/buying.
I could keep the XK as I just have to survive this coming winter as daughter will head to college next year, freeing up the family truckster for my winter use. I have no reason to think it will explode post-warranty. It's been a reliable (and fast, quiet, fun, semi-economical and gorgeous) companion. I have had warranty work already done, so maybe that's it? Yet, I know the Prince of Darkness lives in all cars British...
And, as I've posited before, where do I go from a Jag XK? Current list would include Audi A/S5, maybe A7, BMW 3, Jag XF. Maybe Caddy ATS? Looking forward to the new Jag F-type, too. How about a used Ferrari 328GTS, live the "Magnum" life... A lot would depend upon how much I could get for the Jag, several on my list are really too $$$ for me. Focus hatchback is one good looking car, too. But, Jag XK to Ford Focus? Well, why not. Am I that pretentious?! Of course, not. Now, please pass the Gray Poupon. (Ok, Gulden's on a Fenway Frank).
Ahhhh, such first world problems.
NYCBMWPRELUDEGUY: As a resident of Stamford, have you dined at Bobby V's yet? Is it still there? Haven't lived there for over 20 years, can barely remember the hot spots (well, there weren't that many back in the '80s, it was still in the genesis of growth). Been to Stew Leonard's in Norwalk?
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I keep saying this...the less color fussy a person is the better of a deal they can get. If a dealer knows a buyer just HAS to have a certain color and he knows his store has the only one that color in the area, thye may end up paying dearly for it.
Still, buying a disliked color just to save a few bucks isn't a good idea either.
Fun little car, but it didn't grab me like the Fiesta did. I'm sure it's arguable, but I think the Fiesta handles better.
Regarding your search in general, if you want to pass this on to the daughter when she's licensed, I'd keep that high on the priority list. Something with a turbo would not be high on my list for a new driver. Manual tranny, though, would be!
Honestly, given the mileage (I'm guessing many highway miles?) likely involved, I'd say an automatic Fiesta would be a good move; certainly better fuel economy than you'll get in any other car that size and the best safety rating in the class. I managed over 41 mpg in mixed highway/city driving when I rented one near the heart of Appalachia. I will say, though, that hilly city driving is not that transmission's forte. The Fiesta was very popular with the GI crowd pre-deployment, and now that they're back they are all trading in for Camaros, Mustangs, or pickups with that extra bonus money they received. If she gets back on that kick, you have your pick of the crop amongst 11 and even 12 Fiestas, nearly all of which are automatic.
Like oldfarmer commented... if you can get the Yaris for $10K, I need to take you with me the next time I buy a car. :surprise:
Amen to that! I think I have had about every color (group) there is now, and I haven't not liked any of them for that reason.
I should get them all lined up for a group photo before winter sets in - that'd be fun!
Here's a juxtaposition shot of my new car, "The Raspberry," with some of its older stablemates (hah - I wish I had a "stable"):
And, the old girl the night before I sold her on Wednesday:
I'm feeling a little nostalgic about that silly car, I have to admit.
Yeah - for some of these 10 year old cars, the turbo was merely adequate to achieve safe acceleration, IMO. Now, she always had eyes on our recently departed GTI as her car and was very sad (and a little upset) when we traded it in on the A5. We've told her that was never going to happen, so no reason to fret about it
But she did say that she wants to learn on a manual - either way she was going to learn, I'm just happy she's up for it.
Sad when I take my 530i to the car wash, and the attendant has to go get someone else to drive it 'cause they can't drive a stick.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
I did see a few used ones with a manual, but no hatchbacks.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Finding this one, with only a year+ of service, just under 14K miles, hatchback, leather, manual... it was too much to pass up.
I've never been of the mindset that a turbo is needed to achieve "adequacy" in a gasoline engine. One might need to adjust driving style to milk the best performance out of a naturally aspirated engine, though! Any car that is rated at under ten seconds zero to sixty can perform just fine in today's traffic.
That said, you were talking about a Beetle; not a GTI or WRX!
Oh yeah - fair enough. Especially with a manual, you can control the gear to achieve the acceleration easier.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
The truck I have now is a high demand used truck and I talked them down $6k on it. They tried to get me to take a Ford or Dodge rather than their only nice Duramax, he had one other but it was an 03 with 150k for $17k. I know the sales manager really well and he will always cut the deal down as close as he can for me without too much hassle. Even flips the computer screen around so I can see where we are at.
The Yaris books for $14k retail and $10k trade, its an ex-rental, I really can't believe they'd be in it $10k. I might go to $11k but that would be it for me. I'm pretty darn good at walking away, especially when a brand new Yaris can be had for $16k.
I rarely deal with the salesman beyond the test drive, when I bought my Ford I dealt with the GSM once the test drive was over. When I bought the GMC I dealt completely with the sales manager once the test drive was over. It makes no sense for a sales guy to be running back and forth since I'm more likely to get up and leave if that's the way its going to be.
Of course, the "need" for an automatic saddens me....
With her medical issues and being so skinny and short, driving a manual transmission wears her out very quickly. That was the issue with the Escort, she could drive it, but after a short, very short while she was too tired to keep going. The clutch is just too much. I understand where she's coming from, its worse when she's sick.
An automatic is A MUST as I can't justify having 2 cars my wife can't drive. My Prelude is a stick. Her DD is a Pilot which I need for work sometimes, so we need to be able to switch seamlessly.
There are some crazy discounts on the Skyactive 3 plus 0% financing for 60 months.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
My in-laws are in CT. Wife's brother is in Stamford, other brother in Milford, parents in Norwalk.
I gotta say, not sure I'd be wanting to drive a Fit on I-95 every day. Merrit Parkway is only slightly better.
I think I'd go with one of the more substantial cars, the 3 or Focus. The latter has had trans issues, investigate those to make sure they're sorted out before you buy. The SkyActiv has a conventional 6EAT and may be the safe choice among those 2. Fueleconomy.gov reports show people are getting great mileage on those, too.
I'd want to be driving a tank!
Most stores don't mark up their used cars nearly that much.
I'm sure back then & even up until a couple of years ago, people used Stamford as a stepping stone. They'd buy their 1st house there & then when they made more money or it was time to send their kids to school, they'd sell and move to Greenwich, Darien, New Caanan... They've revamped the schools. It's a beautiful place for me to raise my children & live my life.
Stew's is awesome. We go to the Norwalk store 3 - 4 x per month. They also have stores in Danbury & Yonkers, NY.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I grew up with Stew's, from small dairy store to the Disneyworld it has become! Miss it, stop by if I'm in the 'hood. My son dreams about their chicken nuggets! A lot of change in the old neighborhood's since I abandoned ship oh so long ago...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
The Sandman
2023 Hyundai Kona Limited AWD (wife) / 2025 VW GTI (me) / 2019 Chevrolet Cruze Premier RS (daughter #1) / 2020 Hyundai Accent SE (daughter #2) / 2023 Subaru Impreza Base (son)
and this is in the driveway (not this one, but one like it!). Sorry about the sizing, too tired to figure it out now.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
so a little later on, he calls back (before I had a chance to discuss with the boss), saying they just had a sales meeting, and needed some # of sales to make a bonus quota. So If I could do a deal today, he would knock another $300. Putting it a full 1K less than my local dealers.
debated about trying to haggle down here (my wife feels guilty about working with a salesguy then not buying from them...). But, they all seemed to be anxious for August sales (including the dealer that tried the puppy dog on us!), but had crappy stock. My wife couldn't warm up to the red we drove home, and they only had a black/black in addition to that.
so if we wanted one now, it meant expanding the search area. Got a good vibe from where we bought (even had a lower doc fee to offset the gas/tolls!) And my wife finally made a decision (more like, finally said to me what she wanted!) and this was it. And I wanted it done, so we set to heck with it, lets do it.
only real downside, it meant heading up the Jersey turnpike and Garden State at around 5-6 on a Friday of a holiday weekend. Not fun.
we also made a mistake (since we were running late, thanks to a late start and nasty traffic) of not finding food before we got there at about 6:45. So of course, they were busy as heck, and we spent a lot of time waiting. But at least by the time we got out, no traffic!
very busy place. We got out of finance after 9, and they had a few more people waiting there turn. close to 10 by the time they showed us how to sync the remote, pair an iphone, etc. Home after midnight.
long day, but neat car.
Oh, the MPG meter when we left the dealer was at 12 (lots of idling, only 9 miles on it). By the time I got off the turnpike 100 miles later, it was up to 28. I was mostly loafing (65-70), but still impressive. Very smooth and powerful. Fantastic stereo.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
- Ray
Still over a year away from another CCBA ticket punch......
Find anything else interesting, lately?
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
and to the others, at this point, I think we passed broke and are at destitute. So my daughter's idea (get new tires for my bike) may be what happens. Otherwise, we may be sharing 2 cars for 3 drivers and that can get real old real quick.
So, my next looking (I have until Thanksgiving before she can even solo, assuming she passes her test) will be at the bottom feeder end of the spectrum. So keep those 160K Infiniti G20s coming!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
On our Beetle search, the Lexus dealer came back at $7,250 on their Beetle, whereas we had offered $6,500. It's enough of a difference to keep looking.
Plus, my wife still has Minis on the brain too. We looked at a '07 Base Cooper last night, but wasn't able to even open it until they completed their PDI. It's our favorite color combo (sort of a medium blue with white top). My wife was really excited about it, and so disappointed that it won't be ready until Tuesday for a test drive that she asked if we could put a deposit down on it. Really great poker face, honey :surprise: .
So it's an '07 Cooper (non-S) with 63k miles - no options that I could see to speak of (no sunroof), manual trannie of course. KBB trade is right around $10k, and they claim their one price is $13,100. Seems at least a grand too high - thoughts?
Wife and daughter are out right now looking at a couple of Beetles and Minis - we'll see what they come up with.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Can you spring for new if you finance? You might be able to get a base brand spanking new 2013 Mini for near 20k flat, which is close to list. Even with a small downpayment Mini should finance at low rates for 5 years for payments of c. 350/mo. Maybe something to think about?
My 32 years of experience with many cars new and used has led me to believe that used is often a false economy. A good new car these days, with luck, can last with oil changes, a set of tires, and not much else for 8+ years, plus have nice resale value at the end of it.
That 07 Mini is 6+ years old. The best 6 years of its life are gone and someone else got em. Maintenance will be more and more expensive starting in just a few years, and by the end of 8 years, if you even make it that far, the car will be worth very little.
The 7k saved now vs new doesn't seem that impressive to me. But maybe I'm wrong....
Having said that, I did check out the Mini website to see how much new ones are and what sort of lease deals there are.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
They did test drive a newer New Beetle (gets confusing) - like a 2007 with the newer 2.5l non-turbo, and my wife liked it just as much as the 1.8t turbo in the earlier models. So, we may go that direction - I feel a little safer going with the non-turbo considering the age.
2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2025 MB GLE450e - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman
Look forward to hearing more about it after you get some more time with it.
I've toyed with buying the G37 at the end, but a new model will be out then and who knows if I'll like it or not. I've considered the Lexus CT250h, but haven't driven one and not sure I could go to something that small. I've always liked the A4 and my better half has a 2007 that has been a great car, but he'll need something new by then too but he seems happy to stay with the A4 so I doubt we'll need two A4's in the stable.
Either way it's always fun to think about and consider the possibilities, definitely a good problem to have.
my daughter asked before when we were out if you can play the radio when the engine was off. I knew there must be a way to do it, but I had no idea what it was! I found it be accident later when I did not push the start button long enough, and put it in accessory mode.
once I have it sorted out I will post impressions, but so far, everyone really likes it. Really smooth and powerful. No comparison to a NA 4 cyl. One day when it is broken in I will even really punch it to see how fast it is!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
from what I hear, the new one drives much differently, and the car has a different "personality" I think this one fits my wife better than the sporty 1st generation.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
On the car buyer idea - my sister texted me out of the blue today to ask me about cars (she has a rapidly aging 04 ZX5 with over 160K on it). Turns out she went and bought a well equipped new Chevy Sonic. Focus was her first new car and she was sad to see it go, but she was fearing it wasn't long for this world. Not my first choice...but she gave me the numbers, and it works out to within $200 combined Edmunds TMV for car price and trade-in combined, so I guess she got a fair deal. She was trying to keep OTD price under 20K. She seems to like the little thing a lot...I'll see it in a couple weeks.
I looked a selling the Mazda now and leasing something(I get $0.47/mile, but too make it work the lease payment would have to be under @$250/month, and almost all of the leases are calculated on 10K-12K miles per year- I need closer to 20K.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
much easier to get away with a "toy" as a DD when you don't really have to drive much.
I am probably not even getting another car immediately when my daughter can start going solo. I work from home, and my wife works the same place I do, which is only 3 miles away, and she can work from home too when needed. Plus of course, with her having a nice new car, we will be taking that when together.
so pretty much, we can most likely be fine with the 3 of us sharing 2 cars (well, 3, counting the big yellow bus my daughter can always use!).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
After looking at several cars in the past few days including a new Kia Rio, not bad, but had rather unsettling steering at highway speeds, a 2008 Cobalt that had an unfortunate run in with some sort of animal in Idaho, and a 2009 Yaris that made me want to take 6 showers after looking at it (officially the nastiest car I have ever seen sitting on a dealer lot).
Today we looked at a 2008 Pontiac G6 4-cyl which I quickly said no after a test drive, way too much car for a new driver, but oh so much fun, lol, a 2006 Chevy Equinox AWD with 71k, and the Yaris again. The kid got the drive the Equinox and the Yaris, she liked both, but settled on the Yaris.
I didn't get the Yaris for $10k, however, we did settle on $12.2k which I think is a very fair price. I went in and talked to my sales manager buddy and he said they had $11.6k into the car and needed to make $600 to pay the bills, so $12.2k was the make no extra money price. The car is out of the dealership rental fleet so they have the complete history. If he had any extra to give up he would have, he showed me the computer screen and yeah, there wasn't another penny.
So as long as dad doesn't come back in a grumpy mood and say no after he already said yes then all is well. I know the hunting wasn't going well and they were wet, cold, and miserable. I couldn't help but laugh, when he called yesterday from the one spot with cell service......probably not helping matters any.
Oh and that 2009 Yaris, dog car, smoker's car, chewed up, burn holes, filthy, stained seats, scratches, dents, dings, possibly blood on the seat, I mean it was nasty, gross, toxic, just flat out um, I'm outta words. Really should have taken pictures. Had 42k miles on it. I was thinking there is no way they are in this car further than maybe $7.5k since trade was $9k and retail was $13k.......WRONG.......they paid $10k for it!!!! Someone was asleep when they took that in. :surprise:
Congrats on settling on the '11 Yaris. I imagine it will be a good car for your daughter. I don't even want to think about mine driving. I'm sure it will happen soon enough. :surprise:
May it serve you well.
and as my daughter likes to remind me daily, she has her road test in less than 3 months. if she passes that, she can drive on her own. Yikes.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Is that the speed3? I ask because as a buyer I look at high miles on a high performance car as a deal killer. Might be tough to get good money if the MS3 is all miled up. That's just me though.
If you plan on putting 20k miles a year I like the idea of buying slightly used. Let someone else eat that 1st year depreciation.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible