Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

breld

Wife and I took a long lunch and went over to the Honda dealer to satisfy my itch of checking the Civic Si out.

They only had a bright red one available, which was somewhat nostalgic for me, since this was my first car:



Nippon - I agree with your assessment. Practical "Civic-ness", vastly improved for 2013, but with a very fun nature to it. The shifting is crisp as expected from Honda, and I was pleasantly surprised by the torque. I figured it would pale when compared to a VW 2.0t, but it had good, very linear, pull. Of course, the last Civic Si I drove (my 1990 model) had 108 hp.

Not sure how it would fit in our fleet at this point, but I sure liked it.

nyccarguy

I do wish they would offer the Si with an automatic.

breld

Yeah, it's always been that way for the Si, but these days, I would think Honda would benefit from offering a nice automatic.

fintail

For a normal car that doesn't require or even suggest premium, you're probably OK no matter what you run. Most people I know use Costco or cheap stations, and it doesn't seem to matter,

Maybe you can control your money, she can control hers, and you can have joint stuff too. If anything, your paycheck should be up to you.

ab348

My Regal Turbo supposedly can tolerate regular but premium is recommended. I notice a difference when I don't give it premium, so it's Shell V-Power whenever possible now. I don't mind a couple of $ extra for good fuel.

Sandman6472

Totally agree here...always have!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

The amp definitely helped with the amount of sound but think the factory speakers just aren't that great. Apparently the Boston Acoustics I had in the Civic were very good according to my installer. Let him know that come January, I'd like to upgrade and he mentioned they're getting in a new line of upmarket ones that he said should give me the sound I'm looking for and very similar to what I had in the Civic. So come mid January, it's back to his shop for the upgrade and think it'll do just the trick for me!!!
Overall, I am happy here and realize that I might've jumped a bit early here but glad I did, glad I bought what I did, when I did. And that's the end of that!

The Sandman :sick: :shades:

nippononly

I traded it at month 24 of a 36 month lease and I am more glad every day that I did. The SI's like two cars in one: a Civic when I need a commute car and a sports car the rest of the time. Get this thing into VTEC range (which I try to do at least daily) and it just pulls like a freight train. Awesome, SO glad I paid to get out of the Toyota lease.

First time in 25 years I haven't owned any Toyotas. Wonder if I ever will again. They are really hard to justify now with do many other great choices on the market.

Sandman6472

I always loved Toyota's but since the mid to late '90's, they seem to have lost their way and have let other company's take the lead with more innovative iron. Since then, I've done them all...Nissan, Honda and now Hyundai. They were all very nice vehicles except that '03 Sentra which caused us so much grief! Loved the Honda Civic, seriously, loved it a lot and the timing was just right to do the switch now. All the pieces just fell into place for me and at that particular moment on Sunday December 1st, I decided to stop my search right then and there. I stopped my search before I saw the Mazda or VW and even the Toyota prematurely and maybe if I had driven them all, a different vehicle might've been in my garage right now. And to be honest, I'm not sure what vehicle that would've been!

The Sandman

rae52

Hey folks,

What does it take to convince corp. america (Hertz) to call me for an interview so I can drive part-time for them. I applied over 6 mos ago and they don't even allow for a phone call followup to my application.

Sandman6472

I'm in the same boat as you with Hertz sir. No call, no nothing except that since our company was working at a Hertz office, I was able to sit and talk with a regional rep and had an interview. he saw that even with my cane, I've been doing the job weekly without any difficulty but still after 2 follow up letters and numerous calls, nothing at all. So sir, don't feel bad here because this is just the way Hertz operates, and it stinks...really stinks! They don't realize that there are good workers out here who want to work, we just happen to be 2 of them right now!
All I know is that I am just what they are looking for but they can't see past my cane for some reason! My only handicap is folks like them who won't give me a chance!!!

The Sandman

riley3

I have been a lurker for years but did buy a new car so if you need to reach your numbers count me in. Sorry it's not a BMW. Mine is a 2014 Lexus ES350 with nav and most of the other goodies. My preferences include a nice handling car with a good comfortable ride and that's what I got. Color is Matador Red Mica with black interior. Easy to find in the parking lot! Good ride and handling with 17" Michelins. Replaced a 2005 Avalon with 54,200 miles.

berri

I know several people with recent versions of that car, and they are all very happy with them. There's absolutely nothing wrong with a quiet, comfortable, smooth riding, reliable vehicle - particularly in heavy rush hour traffic or on long Interstate cruises.

carnaught

(Other, mostly lurker here.)

Good taste. Same car, same color but with the parchment interior leased last month but in the ES300h flavor. It's not like my past BMW or Merc's, but since I'm driving the miles through my work, enjoying the luxury, quiet comfort and performance for what it is.

corvette

Congratulations to both of you! I've updated the punch list. Did andres3 ever take delivery on his S4?

nyccarguy

Mazel-Tov & congrats on your punch. I like the color combination. The new 2014 ES is a really nice car. I like your color choice too. Thanks for coming out & saying hello! You don't have to be sorry its not a BMW;)

nyccarguy

Congrats & Mazel-Tov on the punch! What's the gas mileage like?

riley3

I have owned several Buicks but decided to try the newly designed 2005 Toyota Avalon. Mine was a ltd with nav and laser cruise control, which I didn't really like. This Avalon was trouble free. It was not a daily driver. Always garaged. I replaced the tires after they got out of balance. My bad. New windshield wipers. New air filter. Dealer oil changes every 5,000 miles. A couple dings I had fixed. That's it. 54,200 miles. Sold on Craigslist. 3 inquiries, 1 showing. Sold in one weekend.

abacomike

. I am assuming you had no issues with your E, you just wanted more excitement.

Precisely- the E350 was a great car, but this CLS 550 is the most fun car I've ever owned.

The BMW Gran Coupe is way over priced. You can get a 640i for about $90,000, but it is way underpowered compared to the V8's in this class. My CLS550 is totally loaded with every conceivable option at an MSRP of $82,210. When he made me an offer, including my USAA discount ($3500) of just over $71,000 +++ (tax, title, transfer of tag and his $699 dealer fee, I grabbed it. My guess is that he made a profit of $300 on the car since he gave up all his holdback.

I did not like the styling of the BMW or the Audi, and I refuse owning a Jaguar. The CLS 550 (standard 4.7 L bi-turbo, both the AMG's) was tested at Motor Trend at 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. Very powerful and fast car. The AMG models get to 60 in just over 3 seconds. Mercedes models outperform the competition.

Even with the ECO-START/STOP function, I am getting about 18 mpg city and 27 mpg highway. Not impressive fuel economy, but remember, it's a 402 hp V8 with 443 lb ft of torque. Runs like a Cheetah.

oldfarmer50

"...there are good workers out there..."

Oh they realize it. Unfortunately, they realize too that there are 10 good workers out there for every job so they can be picky and rude.

Just be persistent and maybe someone will recognize your dedication.

abacomike

I usually don't read an owner's manual to learn about a car's functions, options, knobs, etc., since I receive a one-hour introduction to the new car at my dealership each time I purchase a car from them. Since this was the first CLS 550 I've every owned, even though the gauge cluster and most knobs are very similar to the E Class, there are unique features I wanted to learn more about - air-ride suspension, raising and lowering the vehicle, sport vs. comfort ride and handling - to name a few.

So, I pull out the owner's manual (which is 1/2 the size of my E Class manuals) and I begin looking in the index for the features I wanted to learn more about. I turn to the page and it states, "...look in your electronic manual for an in-depth explanation of the use of the..."! Electronic manual? I see a DVD disk in the glove compartment, and I wonder if they mean I should take the disk, place it into my home computer, and read about the functions. So I call the dealership, and the response from the Service Director was, "...Mike, just go into your systems settings in your car, select the picture of the "world", then select "owner's manual. It will display some 500 pages of an electronic manual that you use in your car to learn about the functions, settings, etc., of you CLS550."

So, I do what he told me to do, and low and behold, everything I need is already on the hard drive of the car - just select, press, and scroll. Amazing. I guess this is the way car manufacturers reduce the costs of printing owner's manuals - buy placing them on the hard drive of the car for access by the owner through the systems. That is why my printed owner's manual is only 300 pages thick. My E class has a 500 page printed manual and a separate 300 page manual for the Command System - to verbally change screens and pull up certain screens or change stations on the radio, or change tracks, or change disks, or enter Navigation data, or start park-assist, etc.

So, if you want to learn more about your Mercedes CLS, one would need to sit in the car to read and learn about settings, knobs, and the like. I don't know which I prefer at this point - a printed manual or the electronic manual.

Like I said, I only use the manual if I don't understand how to use or select a function.

fintail

Do you have distronic?

My E has manual info available via COMAND too, but I don't know if it is very comprehensive. I'll admit I like having a book, so I can read it outside the car.

abacomike

Do you have distronic?

My E has manual info available via COMAND too, but I don't know if it is very comprehensive. I'll admit I like having a book, so I can read it outside the car.

Yes, I do - first time I ever had it on a Mercedes. I don't use cruise control very often, so it won't get much use. I do use the blind spot monitors and lane departure warning systems, though. And I certainly don't need a full lower and upper back massage from the electronics on the driver's seat, but I do like the automatic left and righ seat bolsters when making turns - it keeps you from sliding in your seat.

I just read the height level control system explanation - so I pressed the button and raised the car 3" - makes it easier to get on and out of the car. When the car reaches a certain constant speed, it automatically lowers the car for improved coefficient of drag. The rear spoiler has a function as well - keeping the car's rear end down at higher speeds.

I tend to agree with you that I prefer the printed manuals because I like to read them at home, not in the car. I am going to try to load the DVD on my home desktop to see if it opens an accessible file so I can read the specifics at home.

stever

Looks like you can download it too.

How To Find Your Car Owner's Manual Online

oldfarmer50

"...need to sit in the car..."

What if you want to sit in your easy chair sipping a cold one reading a page or two between looking at the TV?

nippononly

I recently had an Avalon Limited hybrid for a few days, which I understand has the same powertrain and some of the same underpinnings, and I have to say it was the best highway cruiser I have ever driven - comfortable on bad pavement, quiet, and still managed 40 mpg even traveling at 75 MPH.

fintail

I'd like to try distronic, I've used the Audi system, but not MB. I think it might be fun on my speed up-slow down plodding commute. You might as well use all the toys, you paid for them. I am surprised your MSRP wasn't more - it sounds like it really is loaded. Strange world where MB is undercutting some competition.

tjc78

"but decided to try the newly designed 2005 Toyota Avalon"

I had an 06, it remains one of my favorite cars ever.

carnaught

"What's the gas mileage like?"

On just the first 1000 miles with the car, I'm getting 41.3 actual calculated mpg with regular gas.....not too shabby IMHO.

abacomike

I am surprised your MSRP wasn't more - it sounds like it really is loaded. Strange world where MB is undercutting some competition.

Mercedes Benz vehicles have not increased on price as much as other brands. I believe the average price increase over the past several years has been around $1000.00. A major objective of Mercedes Benz is to out sell BMW here in the USA. Their introduction of the CLA Class this year should help to accomplish that goal. Then, BMW decided to compete with the CLS by bringing out the 640/650 Gran Coupe, but these cars MSRP much higher than the CLS.

Then Mercedes reinvented their S Class this year - but did not raise the MSRP of the S Class by very much. Most dealers have little or no inventory of the S Class because they are just sold out.

So Mercedes is doing everything it can to take the number 1 status for imported luxury car sales from BMW. Dealers have $5000 certificates on the E Class which is why they are selling them below invoice right now. There is a $3000 certificate on the CLS, which is why you can buy that car for under invoice. I chose the USAA certificate because that was worth $3500 (can't combine those two incentives).

There is a new C Class coming out as well. So it is a numbers game right now for Mercedes - to sell as many units as possible prior to December 31st. These huge incentives will disappear after the first of the year. But from now to December 31st, it is a buyer's market if you ever wanted to get into a Mercedes.

fintail

They are certainly going to win that war this year and probably the next. CLA is a hit, S-class is head and shoulders above the segment, E is selling very well, new C coming within the next 12 months.

I was able to get my E for well under invoice, and I don't feel like I tried very hard. Shows how high the profit margins are on these cars - they just should hope that brand cachet isn't diluted in the eyes of onlookers.

nyccarguy

Mike - I drove a Sport Pkg equipped 650i drop top at a BMW drive event a while ago. While the car was very nice, beautiful, extremely fast, & a more than capable handler, I didn't think it was worth the $90K plus price tag. I applaud your CLS purchase!

abacomike

Mike - I drove a Sport Pkg equipped 650i drop top at a BMW drive event a while ago. While the car was very nice, beautiful, extremely fast, & a more than capable handler, I didn't think it was worth the $90K plus price tag. I applaud your CLS purchase!

Appreciate your comments, nyccarguy. I, too, drove the 650i gran coupe. I agree it was powerful, handled well, etc. but the price tag was $20,000 over the CLS. I also thought the CLS had better lines and styling.

I was on I95 this afternoon going 65mph in the left lane. A Corvette was flashing his lights behind me, obviously not happy with my speed. Rather than move over to the center lane, I kicked the accelerator 1/2 way down and left him in the wind - was at 90 before I had realized how fast I was going. The Vette pulls up even with me after I moved to the center lane and slowed to 65 again. He lowers his right window and shakes his head and gives me a thumbs up sign. I guess we both didn't realized the power and torque on the CLS550. It definitely pushed my head back against the head rest when I kicked it down,

Motor Trend tested the standard CLS550 and it went from 0-60 in 4.3 seconds. That's a fast time, to be sure.

jpp75

Picked up a Q50 Hybrid last night to replace the G37x that was coming off lease. Gray with black interior with all the tech goodies. A nice step up from the G37, which I really liked but all the tech in the Q50 blows it away.

The hybrid obviously drives completely different but I like it and got 30.1 mpg on the way home from the dealer. Should be a good ride for the next 38 months.

carnaught

".............I, too, drove the 650i gran coupe. I agree it was powerful, handled well, etc. but the price tag was $20,000 over the CLS. I also thought the CLS had better lines and styling."

Totally agree, a no brainer.

rayainsw

1 - Congrats - enjoy!
2 - Really interested in your driving impressions.
- Ray
Looked at one when they first arrived at
my dealer - did not drive one...

abacomike

Picked up a Q50 Hybrid last night to replace the G37x that was coming off lease

Congratulations on your new Infiniti Q50 Hybrid. I agree, it is a great departure from the G37 - styling is more similar to the M Class. Infiniti has always been known for powerful 6 and 8 cylinder engines and for handling. I was a sales manager in an Infiniti store for several years, and when they redesigned the G, we couldn't keep enough in stock.

Great fuel economy for a brand new car. It should improve by 3 to 4 mpg after 5,000 miles or so.

Enjoy your new car - great choice

jpp75

Thanks, I'll post details as well as some impressions from other test drives when I get some more free time.

nyccarguy

Mazel-Tov & Congrats on your Q50 Hybrid. I too am curious about your driving impressions/ Infiniti's "pull ahead" program/ & the deal you got;)

robbieg

Gents and Ladies,

While I am not a serial car buyer, I am constantly on the look out for our next car. Anyway, I am excited because we may actually add a 3 car to our fleet in the Spring. We have an RX and a Odyssey. We are planning to get rid of the Odyssey in the next few months. Most likely we will buy a slightly used Town and Country (2013 for 21500 v. 37K for a new Odyssey) which will allow us to buy or lease a fun third car. Some cars I am considering are the Focus ST, GTI, GLI, Civic Si or perhaps an ILX with the big engine and stick, or even a Mini. I am also interested in the Accord Sport. The screaming bargain is the Accord Sport. Bascially a lot of car of for the money. The Civic Si is cheap and is not a lot to lease. However, I hate the dash. Unfortunately, the ST isn't a great deal if you lease one. With a couple of kids, 4 doors would be great and make the car "practical" and not just a toy.

corvette

Congratulations! What year and color?

stever

Karen posted this over in the Support forum, but I'll copy her note here, since this is a pretty active discussion:

"If all goes as planned, you will be soon be seeing message that the forums will be read-only while we upgrade the platform. Since you won't be able to post, perfect time to get all your holiday shopping done and presents wrapped. When we return, it will be a spanking new platform. As always, we very much appreciate all of our wonderful members and their patience and support!"

oldfarmer50

"...you won't be able to post..."

Nooooooooooooooooooooo!

stever

But you'll still be able to buy a car.

corvette

Given the issues the forums have had over the past few years, I think I'll say a special blessing to the Patron Saint of Chronic Car Buying that the upgrade goes smoothly. :P

rayainsw

'the Patron Saint of Chronic Car Buying'
Saint Bugatti Veyron?
- Ray
Not in THAT market - yet.....

nyccarguy

I'm waiting until the end of 2013. December is still young;). Corvette - can you give CCBA awards? Most punches, mst expensive single punch, least expensive single punch, most punches in a month, least...

abacomike

"If all goes as planned, you will be soon be seeing message that the forums will be read-only...

I understand that HHS Secretary Sbillius is currently advising the Edmunds Webmasters on the correct way to build a site and to have it up and working within 10 days. Can hardly wait to see the new platform - if I can live long enough to use it!!!

imidazol97

> Can hardly wait to see the new platform

I dread not having Edmunds for several days and not seeing posts from all the acquaintances here on Edmunds. But I'm sure the hosts and IT folks will be very relieved to be on a modern setup. I suspect I'll miss the old, comfortable look and arrangement here because I like this way of organizing and presenting posts much better than any of the other car forums I frequent.

But it sounds like this program is a patched up version of an older program. It might be sort of like having adapted Visicalc to do more and more things in the world of spreadsheets. At some point it just doesn't work. I guess we're there.

corvette

"…I like this better than any of the other car forums I frequent."

Ditto!