Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

sb55

Here's my current list in approx. order(to the best of my recollection):
My cars:
1964 U Chevy Pickup, white
1972 N Opel Manta, yellow
1974 N Mazda RX-4, silver
1976? U VW Sirocco, Green, then silver
1970 U Porsche 911E, silver
19xx U Ford Maverick, blue
1966? U Chevy pickup, green
1972? U Honda 600, blue
1974? U GMC pickup, red and white
1979 N Ford Mustang, Blue
1978 U Fiat Brava, yellow
1980 N Honda Prelude, silver
1964 U Porsche 356C, red
1974 VW Thing, camouflage
1980 U Mercedes 300 CD, anthracite
1984 N Honda CRX, white
1986 N Volvo 740 wagon, blue
1989 N Ford Explorer, silver
1988 N VW GTI, anthracite
1987 U Porsche 944s, white
1990 U Ford Explorer, black
1988 U Porsche 944T, black. Turned into PCA track car.
1994 N GMC Suburban, green
1990? N Audi Coupe, red
1992 N Honda Accord wagon, maroon
1994 U Mercedes C280, anthracite
1999 U Porsche 911, silver
2002 N GMC Suburban, silver
2001 N Acura TL, gray
2002 N BMW 530i, anthracite
2003 U Mercedes SLK Amg, silver
2004 N Pontiac Vibe
2004 N Toyota Sequoia, green
2004 N Acura TL, silver
2004 U BMW 545i, silver
2006 N Subaru Legacy wagon, blue
2006 U Porsche Cayenne, silver
2007 N Mazda Miata, galaxy grey
2008 N Infiniti G35x, blue
2010 N GMC Sierra, blue
2010 U BMW 535xiT, white
2014 N Chevy Silverado, Brown

nyccarguy

@qbrozen‌

I forgot about that. Want an ///M3 or ///M4? They have one of each on the showroom floor for $76K & $77K. You want something with the Twin Scroll Turbo Inline 6, then prepare to write a check with a 6 in front of it unless you spec order.

@sb55‌

Mazel-Tov & Congrats on the punch! Those new Silverados are super comfortable & are fantastic trucks! Don't forget to update your signature.

Sandman6472

Will have to tell the wife to go scope out the new Fit, saw one at the Honda store today in silver and liked the looks of it...hell, if she's stuck on getting an Accent, might as well try the Fit also though she really wants a back up camera since I've got one and she fell in love with mine...and she reasons if I have it...she should also! But totally agree here, it really is a safety aid and though one must still make sure by looking out the back also, it's a great aid for backing up. She's still stuck on getting the smallest vehicle she can which I don't agree but it is her vehicle so I'm just being a good husband and agreeing with everything here.
We used a newish Tundra as our chase vehicle today and I was surprised at the room in the back seat with the four door model...not cramped at all back there with the front seat pushed all the way back. With four of us, the ride was acceptable actually and thought it drove pretty well. I drove it the other day alone and actually liked it a lot and wonder, are all 1 to pick-ups like this the same in driving dynamics? Do the GM twins and the Ford drive similarly and is their interior fit and finish as good? My neighbor has a newish Silverado though I've never been in it, he seems to really like it and his f-i-l has an older one and says the newer one drives so much better. There are a hell of a lot of these sized pick-ups on the roads down here so they must be doing something right!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Just typed up a letter to the old company in Lauderdale to see if they have any openings for drivers. Only doing the Hertz gig 3.5 days each week right now, they are keeping us all below 27 hours, and though Saturdays are supposed to be rotating, have been working them all to make some extra hours, so I have some free days available and only need like 1 to get my errands done. Was told that they fired that bad boss I had and that work is picking up for them. So wrote a note and said that since I did like working there and that the reason I left is no longer employed by them, I'd be happy to fill in as a body on those days when I'm not at Hertz if they need someone. I think I did pretty good work there but there just was a personality issue that I had to address and leaving was the only way to solve it. I left it short and sweet so we'll see where this goes. The other gig in West Palm is a bit too far away to be honest and I really didn't care for many of the other drivers and the one's I got friendly with have all left. Don't really want to return even though I am on a hiatus due to my health but might have to if the old place says flat out no. I will be disappointed if this does happen and will weigh my options at that juncture but am being optimistic here about them wanting me back. The wife and kids think I am insane and say the Hertz gig is enough but I still wouldn't mind going back a day or two a week. Am I nuts or what???

The Sandman

stickguy

Broke my rental car record. This weekend in Greensboro airport got one with 48k on the clock. Hertz must keep cars forever now.

I was excited to get a passat so just took it. Didn't know it was a strippo 2012 with mismatched tires, cloth seats and plenty of wear.

On plus side, good on highway. Massive gas tank. Back seat the size of a studio apartment. And nice stereo. Overall can live with it.

Just got annoyed after I passed a bunch of nice new Camry SEs! Oh well. Maybe next time.

oldfarmer50

Benz buyer just sent me the balance tonight. That was quick. Still planning on coming next Friday to get it, though.

Glad that our suspicious minds didn't represent reality. Did you get close to your asking price? For the condition it appeared to be in I thought the price was reasonable.

stever

Here's another help me choose question for sedan fans. TIA.

Sandman6472

Hertz is in the process of updating it's fleet with new 2015 models. We've been taking a lot of vehicles for the auctions and to be wholesaled this past week. It's a somewhat slow process as the old vehicles need to be cleaned out and the plates and things need to be transferred to the new vehicle. Then, the new vehicles need to be made road worthy with some getting the "Never Lost" gps units installed. Then they get sent to the airports to be rented out. The HLE locations like I work at are supposed to get units with over 25k on them but a lot of times, folks just drop their vehicles off at our location instead of back at the airport. Seeing the way things work from the other side is really interesting and you wouldn't believe some of the rude and irritating folk we have to put up with. Folks who lie to your face and when they are called out on their lies, they verbally attach. I even saw a lady threaten to hit someone after being outted I kid you not...folks get plum crazy sometimes and most will say or do anything to get some form of compensation. Seriously, so many folks are pretty dishonest and I usually just shake my head when I hear some of the stuff supposed educated people try and pull!!!

The Sandman

fintail

I am surprised they still use those NeverLost units - I had one once, and it seemed really antiquated, my phone can do it 100x easier. What suckers pay for those? Foreign tourists, maybe.

I think as so many companies want to save $/cut corners, rental car mileages will rise. Numerous reports on the flyertalk forum of people getting cars with 40-50K on then, Hertz being a key player in the high mileage game.

I wouldn't be surprised at the stunts people pull, especially when trying to lie about damage. And their reaction when being called on it would probably be saddening. I remember something funny too, renting in LAS - woman in front of me (Hertz Gold first time renter, didn't know I could go straight to the car) was complaining because her class was "Toyota Avalon or similar" and she got an Azera. Apparently the Hyundai wasn't good enough. I've only raised a stink once, when the car I reserved at Sixt MCO wasn't available, so they tried to "upgrade" me into a lower category (C class vs E class), then into a more expensive but not desired category (Volvo XC vs E class). I finally got them to give me an X5 until I could get the E.

sandman_6472 said:

Hertz is in the process of updating it's fleet with new 2015 models. I usually just shake my head when I hear some of the stuff supposed educated people try and pull!!!

The Sandman

corvette

fintail, I was about to make the same exact comment about the NeverLost unit. Not sure why anyone would want to rent one when you can buy a basic Garmin/TomTom for $100, or just use your phone.

Sandy, I think the Sierra/Silverado have nicer interiors than the current Tundra. The Tundra is due for a redesign.

sb55, congratulations on the punch! We're at 28 for the year so far. The huge incentives on new pickups (and strong resale on used ones) can make them inexpensive to own.

stickguy

I don't like the nav on the phone that much. Much prefer a garmin. I just throw a spare in the bag when we fly and that works fine.

And the 48k passat is of course from hertz. And I got it at the airport. Been complaining but my wife is all "who cares this car works fine and doesn't smell".

Just totally missing the point!

stickguy

At parents weekend visiting freshman daughter. And hearing about all the activities where she really needs a car. Full court press. Must be genetic. So while out running around, stopped at vw dealer. Showed her a golf. She liked it a lot. Appreciated comfy seats. Thinking at year end a 4 door S without moonroof could be a fine option if they put a strong lease deal up. Sticker only 21.4, so lot of car for money.

Much nicer if let's ritzy than a Hyundai, But may also scope out a civic. If I can find a zero down lease for $200/mo on something she'll drive, we got a winner!

nyccarguy

I'm so close. According to my sister's friend at Subaru corporate, the district manager & the GM of the dealership just need to hammer out exactly how much I'm going to pay for my 2015 Legacy. This is supposed to happen Monday. Hopefully early so maybe I can take delivery Monday night. Tuesday is my son's 8th birthday, so there are things I'd much rather do than sit at a car dealer after work signing papers & hooking up my phone to the Bluetooth. Wednesday through Friday is Rosh Hashanna (the Jewish New Year). So if it isn't Monday (I guess that'd be pushing it), then it will definitely be Saturday.

Michaell

stickguy said:

At parents weekend visiting freshman daughter. And hearing about all the activities where she really needs a car. Full court press. Must be genetic. So while out running around, stopped at vw dealer. Showed her a golf. She liked it a lot. Appreciated comfy seats. Thinking at year end a 4 door S without moonroof could be a fine option if they put a strong lease deal up. Sticker only 21.4, so lot of car for money.

Much nicer if let's ritzy than a Hyundai, But may also scope out a civic. If I can find a zero down lease for $200/mo on something she'll drive, we got a winner!

My first quote on the E-GT was under $200/mo and its a lot of car for the money. Dealers have plenty of '14's on the lot.

suydam

Generally not a good idea for a first-year to have a car.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Broke my rental car record. This weekend in Greensboro airport got one with 48k on the clock. Hertz must keep cars forever now.







Maybe that's how rental companies are producing record profits. I can't imagine how those cars will fare in the used car market. I've seen some pretty beaten rentals with half that milage.

I always thought you'd be safe steering clear of former rentals if you bought a used 4-5 year old car but now I'll have to rethink that. CarFax or Autocheck now seems essential.

roadburner

Price dropped again on the two Hemi Orange Challenger SRTs. Wife saw I was looking at one on the road and said, "Go ahead and buy one if you really want to."

Still think I'll resist- especially after my latest copy of Car and Driver listed VIR lap times over the past few years; a dead 2007 MS3 is faster than the SRT- so my car would totally obliterate it...

rayainsw

I took my 2013 GTI in to be services this weekend.
[ No issues, no problems, just routine. ]

This prompts me to write a quick update:
The GTI continues to provide reliable and modestly entertaining transportation – exactly as I had hoped at purchase.
The drivetrain, suspension and interior show no wear.
The tires are all at 7 or 8/16ths.
Brakes good.

This is the last ‘free’ [ included in purchase price ] service. Next one, in 10,000 miles or so, is only oil, filter, tire rotation. The 40,000 mile is the one that includes the DSG service – and would be over $500.
It MIGHT be gone before then . . .

= Ray

After all, this is the CCBA forum . . .

jayrider

This is the last ‘free’ [ included in purchase price ] service. Next one, in 10,000 miles or so, is only oil, filter, tire rotation. The 40,000 mile is the one that includes the DSG service – and would be over $500.
It MIGHT be gone before then . . .

= Ray

I might look at VW -- it would take me 8 years to reach 40K miles.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Price dropped again on the two Hemi Orange Challenger SRTs. Wife saw I was looking at one on the road and said, "Go ahead and buy one if you really want to."

Still think I'll resist- especially after my latest copy of Car and Driver listed VIR lap times over the past few years; a dead 2007 MS3 is faster than the SRT- so my car would totally obliterate it...

It's all that weight that slows it down. Did you see the MT test of the 2015 Mustang? 3800 pounds! Disappointing since the rumors had a 200 pound weight DROP. That extra weight negates the nice bumps in hp. and torque.

The only thing I can hope for is that the test car was so loaded up with options ($46k) that it got all porked up. When I get my stripper I'm hoping it's under 3700. I know that I was happy when my base model Eclipse came in at 150 pounds less than the fully optioned testers in the press.

qbrozen

+15hp and +10tq is pretty minor anyway. Heck, get a $399 tuner on the '14 and it will show bigger gains than that. What is disappointing is that it subtracts from what should be better handling of the IRS. If they could have shaved a few pounds in addition to the IRS, it would be a stellar track car.

roadburner

Just found a 2003 M3 in Ohio. Steel Gray, black interior. Every option except navigation and sunroof. Black 19" CSL replicas, 34,400 miles. $28,000- tempted if I could get it for under $25,000

rayainsw

Catching up - scanning posts since my last - I see a few 'punches'...

Congrats to all!

= Ray

Still a little while away, I fear...

corvette

rayainsw said:

This is the last ‘free’ [ included in purchase price ] service. Next one, in 10,000 miles or so, is only oil, filter, tire rotation. The 40,000 mile is the one that includes the DSG service – and would be over $500.
It MIGHT be gone before then . . .

I think your service advisor was misinformed. 30k service and brake fluid flush is included as part of the Carefree Maintenance on 2013 models. I think they changed to 10k-20k only in the 2014 model year. I'm at almost 23k on the GLI after my vacation to the Ozarks, but will not be traveling as much for work once I start my new job next month.

laurasdada

A moment of quiet reflection, please: Early this morning, the fire alarms sounded at the Herb Chambers Jag/Land Rover dealer in the tony Boston suburb where I bought my XF. 15 totalled, 5 damaged Jags/LRs. The news is listing the fire as "suspicious."

And, three Afghan soldiers who were at the military base on Cape Cod for training went missing Saturday night (last seen at the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis). And remain missing. But, Federal officials note that the three are not a threat to the general public, they are more worried about the safety of these three men.

I'm sure the stories are unrelated...!

roadburner

Did the Jag dealer have a Lucas fire alarm/sprinkler system?

That would explain a lot...

corvette

roadburner said:

Did the Jag dealer have a Lucas fire alarm/sprinkler system?

That would explain a lot...

Zing!

ab348

The Herb Chambers group of dealerships does not seem to be universally loved in Boston - in fact perhaps just the opposite. I can well imagine the sort of reaction some local monied type might have after buying one of these British chariots and having it spend more time in the Chambers shops not being fixed properly.

From the Boston Globe:

"The cause of the blaze is still under investigation by Sudbury police and fire officials and state Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan. Investigators have determined the fire started in a Jaguar and quickly spread to 18 other cars, including Jaguars, Range Rovers, Land Rovers, and Jeeps, causing an estimated $500,000 in damage.

Sudbury fire spokesman John M. Guilfoil said some of the cars were so badly damaged it was difficult to determine their make and model.

Some of the vehicles were apparently owned by customers and were in for maintenance. Chambers said it was not clear whose insurance, the dealership’s or the customers’, would pay for the damage.

“I hate to have the customer in the middle of this,” Chambers told WCVB-TV.

Investigators have not yet determined whether the fire was deliberately set, fire officials said."

laurasdada

Actually, we have purchased all three of our sleds from Herb. Can't complain, treated pretty well. Other dealers may not love him, but I suppose he did not become a billionaire by displeasing his customers.

Three Afghan soldiers were found in Niagara Falls, trying to get into Canada.

Re: Lucas. D'OH! Over 3 years of Jag ownership, no Prince of Darkness incidents to report!

fintail

Are we sure there wasn't a Ferrari parked in there somewhere?

Mr_Shiftright

I thought Jaguars stopped catching fire after the XJ12

roadburner

Well, scratch the M3- lowered and modded...

xwesx

roadburner said:

Well, scratch the M3- lowered and modded...

What are you hinting at here.... ?

corvette

fintail said:

Are we sure there wasn't a Ferrari parked in there somewhere?

Or a Porsche 911 GT3?

roadburner

xwesx said:

roadburner said:

Well, scratch the M3- lowered and modded...

What are you hinting at here.... ?

Just don't get warm fuzzies about the whole deals.

fintail

I've been getting emails from MB about pull-forward, today I got an unsolicited letter from a third party company about arranging financing if I want to buy at lease end. I guess the time is coming...

If this was local, I'd seriously be looking at it

ab348

fintail said:

I've been getting emails from MB about pull-forward, today I got an unsolicited letter from a third party company about arranging financing if I want to buy at lease end. I guess the time is coming...

The end of lease inspection on the Regal is Thursday. Still not a peep from the dealer asking me if I'd be interested in anything new. Unbelievable.

fintail

That is pretty bad - MB has been sending me an email every week or two for maybe 2 months now. I've even talked to the salesman, who told me October or November will be better times to make a move.

The end of lease inspection on the Regal is Thursday. Still not a peep from the dealer asking me if I'd be interested in anything new. Unbelievable.

corvette

Maybe they know their current lease figures are uncompetitive and it's not worth their time? For months or years, it seemed like the advertised lease on a Malibu was the same as an Accord, except the Accord was zero down, and you had to put down $$$ for the Malibu. The monthly nut was the same for both.

ab348

corvette said:

Maybe they know their current lease figures are uncompetitive and it's not worth their time? For months or years, it seemed like the advertised lease on a Malibu was the same as an Accord, except the Accord was zero down, and you had to put down $$$ for the Malibu. The monthly nut was the same for both.

I think it is more likely they have nothing to offer me in inventory. They have exactly zero new Regals on their lot. A couple of Lacrosses that I'm uninterested in. I think a total of 4 ATS/CTS Caddys. A couple of hundred Cruzes though. That is all they want to sell, along with pickups.

andre1969

I got this email this morning, from the Dodge dealer...

"Congratulations! In a few days you will have driven your Dodge Truck RAM 1500 for two full years. I trust that during this time your vehicle has proven to give you many miles of satisfaction. On the chance that you may be considering another vehicle, I'd like to offer my services. It would be a privilege to assist you. Please remember that at our dealership, your satisfaction is our number one priority.

If there is anything we can do to make your experience more pleasant, please do not hesitate to stop in or call."

And yep, it was exactly two years ago...9/23/12. Wow, time flies!

qbrozen

We've already been getting trade-in letters from our Chrysler dealer. I think we've had the van a whole 3 months.

Kirstie_H

If you live in the NYC metro area and have a 2007-2012 Ford Fusion, Honda CR-V, Honda Odyssey or Hyundai Elantra that you could bring into Manhattan this Friday morning, please write PR@edmunds.com to learn about a unique opportunity.

If you have any friends/family who qualify, please send them our way!

jayrider

I'm still getting trade in letters for the Murano I haven't owned in 4 years. Too bad -- they sound pretty good.

ab348

You guys are really making me feel unwanted by GM and my dealer.

Mr_Shiftright

Either all the price guides for a 1992 Mercedes 500E with 141K on it are completely and utterly wrong, or this price for an example with these many miles is completely and utterly wrong. I was thinking maybe $12K on a good day. The risk factor would give me the willies. Formidable car, though.

fintail said:

I've been getting emails from MB about pull-forward, today I got an unsolicited letter from a third party company about arranging financing if I want to buy at lease end. I guess the time is coming...

If this was local, I'd seriously be looking at it

fintail

The price on that car is high, but I could see it around 15K. A cult is forming around those now, and the rare color is a plus - that's the exact color combo I want on one, too. Really depends on if the cosmetics are A+, no mechanical needs, and important, that the wiring harness has been done. If it was local and minty, I could do 15 for it.

Mr_Shiftright said:

Either all the price guides for a 1992 Mercedes 500E with 141K on it are completely and utterly wrong, or this price for an example with these many miles is completely and utterly wrong. I was thinking maybe $12K on a good day. The risk factor would give me the willies. Formidable car, though.

fintail

Maybe they have incorrect contact info?

ab348 said:

You guys are really making me feel unwanted by GM and my dealer.

xwesx

roadburner said:

Just don't get warm fuzzies about the whole deals.

Please allow me a facepalm moment. I mis-read your original message. LOL

ab348

fintail said:

Maybe they have incorrect contact info?

No. The lease inspector guy had it and I haven't moved/changed contact info since getting the car. They know where I am. They are just worthless at dealing properly with customers. Amazing, really.

As a further illustration: about 5 weeks ago I took the Regal to them with a question about some hazing on the bright trim around the windows. Thanks to the internet I was aware that this was a known problem on some 2011s like mine. Their warranty guy looked at it and was not optimistic. But he elevated to GM and they agreed to replace them, imagine that. Parts ordered.

After 5 weeks I had not heard boo so I called and left a message. I got a call back saying the parts were ordered. D'oh, I knew that. Still waiting, not ETA, no follow-up. Who knows, maybe I'll get them for Christmas.