Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

Those are Kumhos, I think...

stickguy

the latest consumer reports tested tires. For the first time they included some Chinese makes, which I forget the name of. Not surprisingly, they were much cheaper, but still ranked at the bottom. Not too bad for performance #s, but lousy for wear, snow, etc.

corvette

I put Kumhi Ecsta 4x tires on the E39 I had. They had great grip. Doubt any tire would last long with the suspension setup on that car, but I traded it before I got to find out.

roadburner

corvette said:

I put Kumhi Ecsta 4x tires on the E39 I had. They had great grip. Doubt any tire would last long with the suspension setup on that car, but I traded it before I got to find out.

I ran Kumhos on my Club Sport. No complaints. I think that they are the OEM tire on the Mini Cooper GP.

oldfarmer50

Michaell said:

OEM tires are crap!

Just replaced the tires on my E-GT this morning. The treads were looking pretty thin after only 18K miles.

Bought some Falken's:



Given that the snow should start flying soon I thought it prudent to get something with better tread on them that what I had.

I just put new shoes on the Eclipse. Bridgestone Potenza PP ultra high performance all seasons. Decided against summer tires even though I never drive it in snow. Seem much better than the OEM Goodyears. Hope they wear well. Really bought them because they were the least expensive hp tires I found and I might be trading shortly if all the planets align.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

Bradd, I'm not expecting quite that difference. I am hoping for "like new, but smoother" or some such. I have to think that, given how badly it crashes over bumps now, it is going to be a startling transformation. At least, for the money, I hope so!

I broke the news of the "new plan" to the princess tonight. She accepted it grudgingly of course. But, couldn't argue with the "take what you get when you aren't paying for it" logic! She just wants the ride fixed first (can't argue there). And of course, how soon can it be delivered!

I've got a feeling that she'll put on that pouty face and dear old dad will pony up for at least a new Kia rather than make his baby drive old iron. Never fails. fathers are helpless before their girl children.

stickguy

oh, I have a lot of practice withstanding her act. No worries. She is either getting the Volvo, or something at least a few years old and/or more basic. I am taking her out shopping in the morning, something we like to do for "bonding time". I found one dealer that had a couple of interesting options, in the rough price range. a 2013 Jetta, and a 2012 Soul. Pretty sure I know which one she would prefer!

purely from a $/cash flow perspective, it could actually work out better to get a super cheap lease (like what Michael has with is Elantra GT). $200/mo with very little OOP is pretty easy to digest. Just not sure I want to send something like that away to school, even though it would remove the "old car breaking down" worry from the equation.

so, we shall see.

Michaell

stickguy said:

oh, I have a lot of practice withstanding her act. No worries. She is either getting the Volvo, or something at least a few years old and/or more basic. I am taking her out shopping in the morning, something we like to do for "bonding time". I found one dealer that had a couple of interesting options, in the rough price range. a 2013 Jetta, and a 2012 Soul. Pretty sure I know which one she would prefer!

purely from a $/cash flow perspective, it could actually work out better to get a super cheap lease (like what Michael has with is Elantra GT). $200/mo with very little OOP is pretty easy to digest. Just not sure I want to send something like that away to school, even though it would remove the "old car breaking down" worry from the equation.

so, we shall see.

Lots of folks leasing Accord LX's for under $200/mo

Not sure how much selection is left, however.

stickguy

I shopped the accords the last couple of weeks. Supply drying up quick. I could have gotten a Sport for close to that (would be for me, not her). If I was leasing, I would wait until New years eve or so for a year end blowout deal. One issue with leasing is that the timing does not work out, though I could wait until year end and do a 42 month lease, taking it through graduation!

Michaell

stickguy said:

I shopped the accords the last couple of weeks. Supply drying up quick. I could have gotten a Sport for close to that (would be for me, not her). If I was leasing, I would wait until New years eve or so for a year end blowout deal. One issue with leasing is that the timing does not work out, though I could wait until year end and do a 42 month lease, taking it through graduation!

I think Altimas are leasing well at the moment, too.

But, I get the idea of getting something 2-4 years old for your daughter.

stickguy

doing the logic in my head, not much difference really grabbing the $200 lease vs. ending up with a 7-8 YO Altima. Yeah, it is worth something but I have more invested. And who necessarily wants an 8 YO car!

More of an emotional issue maybe, the idea of getting a brand new car to send with her. For sure would be way under miles at the end of the lease though, so could always buy it out if you want it.

Michaell

stickguy said:

doing the logic in my head, not much difference really grabbing the $200 lease vs. ending up with a 7-8 YO Altima. Yeah, it is worth something but I have more invested. And who necessarily wants an 8 YO car!

More of an emotional issue maybe, the idea of getting a brand new car to send with her. For sure would be way under miles at the end of the lease though, so could always buy it out if you want it.

$7200 over 3 years ... figure all you'll need nothing more than basic service in that time.

Anything used runs the risk of more money for maintenance over the same period. Plus the risk of something happening on I-95 on the trips to or from school.

What price safety or piece of mind?

stickguy

all good points. Say I get a 2012 malibu for 13K. Plus tax, gonna cost me 14K, 4 years from now, what will that be worth? If say 7K, pretty much a wash.

something to be said for cost certainty. She is also not a car person at all, and would probably freak out if something happened and she had to deal with getting it to a repair shop, getting herself there/back, etc.

Have to see what I can find out there to buy, and what kind of subsidized deals there are in December on something new. Still going to be hard to make my $200 bogey. But I guess $225 wouldn't kill anybody.

oldfarmer50

"...so we shall see..."

Ha ha, you're toast. I've seen my niece do this to her father a dozen times. You'll spend as much as necessary to make her happy.

It just means you're a good father.

stickguy

oh, I am but not for that reason. Just ask her.

I'll decide what I think makes the most sense (financially and my comfort wise!) and let her know what it is going to be. Then she will have limited input into the final decision (if it is a different car than the Volvo, I will run a few past her if there are choices just to see what she is comfortable with). I do know already what she likes!

nyccarguy

Stickguy

Personally I'd go with the cheap lease for your daughter. The car will be reliable & covered under warranty for the duration of the lease. I'd look at a Cruze 1LT. I sat in one at the dealer a few months back & it seemed to be well thought out. Nice interior materials. Medium Bolsters & nicely padded seats. Just the right size for a new-ish driver. 1.4L Turbo. Sunroof. All for a sub-$22K sticker. I'll bet you could snag one of those for her and stay below your $200 per month threshold.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Stickguy

Personally I'd go with the cheap lease for your daughter. The car will be reliable & covered under warranty for the duration of the lease. I'd look at a Cruze 1LT. I sat in one at the dealer a few months back & it seemed to be well thought out. Nice interior materials. Medium Bolsters & nicely padded seats. Just the right size for a new-ish driver. 1.4L Turbo. Sunroof. All for a sub-$22K sticker. I'll bet you could snag one of those for her and stay below your $200 per month threshold.

good call. someone recently leased a cruze eco for $180/mo - check the cruze lease discussion for details.

stickguy

that a 2014? By the time I would be ready would be looking at 2015s on a Christmas sale!

The Cruz could work. The Mazda we like is likely to always lease more.

I just spent some time poking around on the Hyundai site. Could probably get a really good deal right now on an Elantra. Might even be able to snag a limited (kind of my level of equipment) without a roof (but otherwise loaded) for well under $200 depending on what factors they are using.

heck, at about what they are advertising them for, if I could scrape up $3k to put down, could finance the rest for $260/mo. 6 years though. Or $300, 0% for 5 years.

Will have to stop and show her the Cruz and Elantra while we are out tomorrow.

suck decisions.

stickguy

So, priced out a Snooze. Looks like the 1LT is pretty loaded, though have to go to a 2lt to get a moonroof (not a deal breaker). Probably will lease cheap. MSRP is 21,700ish, with a $2,500 rebate showing. So TMV is down in the mid-18s, so if you can combine the case with a decent lease terms, cheap!

actually after reading the review here, the plusses actually sound good for us (highway ride, big trunk, and a biggie, a large for class gas tank and huge highway range!

I always kind of liked these too. On the list for the morning.

suydam

Long as you don't mind that that leased car will likely have some dents in it before long. I came back one night with my daughter to find a huge dent in the side of her car. I was glad it was an old Camry. That car made it through college and her first job with that dent in it but was always functional and reliable.

houdini1

stickguy said:

oh, I have a lot of practice withstanding her act. No worries. She is either getting the Volvo, or something at least a few years old and/or more basic. I am taking her out shopping in the morning, something we like to do for "bonding time". I found one dealer that had a couple of interesting options, in the rough price range. a 2013 Jetta, and a 2012 Soul. Pretty sure I know which one she would prefer!

purely from a $/cash flow perspective, it could actually work out better to get a super cheap lease (like what Michael has with is Elantra GT). $200/mo with very little OOP is pretty easy to digest. Just not sure I want to send something like that away to school, even though it would remove the "old car breaking down" worry from the equation.

so, we shall see.

That Soul would make a lot of sense for her. She would love it, it would protect her "image", good warranty, and great for hauling stuff back and forth to school.

rayainsw

Question for the Group -

I just MIGHT have my name on an inbound Audi S3 - due at my dealer later this month or early next.
‘Right of first refusal.’

I have looked for comparable vehicles [ in or near my price range ] and the S3 seems the most likely suspect.

Here are my current requirements:
Great steaming piles of TQ. [ Torque addict, I am. ]
Quarter mile near 13.0 sec.
RWD or AWD.
EPA highway rating over 30 MPG.
MSRP less than $45K-ish.

Though I do lust after the M235i, it is out – largely due to very limited supply and higher MSRP, equipped as I would want.

Am I missing a comparable contender out there?

Thanks,
= Ray
Feeling that CCBA ‘itch’ . . .

nyccarguy

I'd be more than a bit concerned buying an "all new" high performance product from Audi/VW. Since I think you have free interest on your current GTI, I'd say hold on to it another year until Audi "de-bugs" the S3. You'll always be able to sell your GTI

rayainsw

I hear ya...

ab348

This might sound out of left field, but the reviews I've been reading of the M-B GLA 45 AMG are comparing it to the GTI and other hot Euro cars. Apparently it is a riot to drive with some practicality thrown in. I am somewhat intrigued by the regular GLA right now myself. The one thing that concerns me is the mention in the Edmunds review of "intrusive" wind and road noise. No other review has said that so I will need to do more research.

kyfdx

I vote for the current Volvo for the college kid..

breld

Hmmm, was out of town last week for a conference (roughing it in Santa Barbara ) and didn't make the time to visit here much. So I just caught up on 129 posts!

Quick rental car story whilst out in California. I had reserved a mid-size with Hertz but when we arrived, it turned out there were a couple of extra co-workers who were going to ride with us, so I approach the Hertz counter and ask if they have anything larger than the mid-size. Well, it turns out what they did have for us was a Yaris - not even the mid-size I had reserved (would've loved to see the five of us and our luggage cram into the Yaris!). They said if we waited around a half hour we could probably get a Corolla . So, went next door (next counter over) to Budget and they offered a Chrysler 300 for about the same cost. The 300 was quite a treat - very roomy, more than adequate power, extremely smooth on the highway. I can see the appeal for those who want to stay domestic and want that class of car.

Rental car companies really enjoy out-doing each other - I've found it to be a good tactic if necessary.

roadburner

I'd at least consider a Golf R. That said, AWD performance cars have never been a particular passion of mine(Carrera 4, Evo VIII, and STi excluded). Couple that with a local Audi dealer that gives me bad vibes and the fact that all but a handful of new BMWs have taken the Last Train to Dullsville and I don't know what I'm going to get next...

breld

Stick - it's fun hearing about your current car search! It's like reading a novel with lots of twists, keeps you guessing 'til the end!

Sounds like the Golf is out of the picture, but speaking of retrofitting wheels on a VW:





It was a nice, overcast day in Denver yesterday, so took the opportunity to shoot a couple pics to share after washing the wife's GTI. I really love the look with the new wheels (they had them on certain models of the previous gen) - seems to "mature" the car a bit. I already bought snow tires to put on the stock wheels (decided to keep the 18's for both winter and summer).

breld

roadburner said:

all but a handful of new BMWs have taken the Last Train to Dullsvillewhat I'm going to get next...

That's funny stuff!

Which leads to why this deserves some consideration.

denver.craigslist.org/cto/4703928820.html

stickguy

Ray, if you want AWD and torque out the wazoo, how about something a little different, and get a Mustang? A GT qualifies, and if you want a more refined or "euro" feel, I suspect the 2015 Ecoboost will be entertaining.

stickguy

so, for all of you following the serial, I took the Princess out car looking today for some "daddy and me" time before she disappeared again to go hang with friends (of all things to do on college break, she is going to visit a couple that are at a local college, and having lunch there!)

spent a little time at the auto complex (1 stop shopping). Saw the Jetta I found online (2013 SE with 31K on it, listed seemingly on the low side). The Hyundai salesguy that snagged us walking the lot looking for it actually knew where it was hidden, so he brought around a new Sonata (limited 2.0t, quite nice but over 32 grand!) and took us for a ride. Turned out to be sitting behind the detail shop, with the other recent trades. In as traded condition, and filthy. I don't think the owner ever cleaned it. Dog hair on the floor (same color as my lab!), nose prints on the windows, general dirt, even a coffee mug stuck under the front seat. But, that is all detailable.

also have a big hole in the front bumper. Looks like someone backed into it with a trailer hitch. Might help explain the price!

so, we took a spin on the race track (this place has a test track on site). Drove OK. So grinding from the rear, I think from rusty rotors. But overall, it seemed all right, but nothing special. I am sure after a once over and serious detail it would seem nice enough. The 2.5l engine though is no where near as nice as the new 1.8t.

Princess did like it. As she put it, quicker than the Volvo (though it just seemed that way but really isn't, she just does not push hard enough on the gas!). Would certainly fit the bill for used but not too much, can send to live at college without caring about it. Still not sure I want to get in bed like that with a Vee Dub though. Probably not pursuing that particular unit, but maybe something like it later in the year.

stickguy

other quick impressions (all sits, not drives). She did not feel comfortable in the Elantra. and had trouble seeing out of it. really did not like the Cruze (which as it turns out, can be had in 1LT trim with a moonroof as part of the "all star" package). Not that comfy seats, at least the all manual ones in the car in showroom. Probably works fine, but reminded me of the Hyundai interior wise. But, at a price point, you never know.

then stopped at Honda. Neither of us loved the Civic, and she seemed confused by my affection for the Fit. But, she also liked the Accord Sport. Funny that she could see having that model, but felt the EX was "an old persons car"! Salesguy said they still had some stacked up, but almost to the point of running out of colors. Pretty sure they are really going to be aggressive on them now. But, doesn't make sense for me to lease a car for me at this point, and I think that is too much/nice car to get for her.

so no purchase, or final decision made. Will see how the Volvo drives after it gets new underpinnings this week. That and some fresh fluids, and should be as good as it possibly can, and maybe ready to be shipped off to war! I will drive him for the next couple of months and decide what to do at the end of the year (who gets the Volvo, and whether to buy or lease the additional car).

stever

stickguy said:

(of all things to do on college break, she is going to visit a couple that are at a local college, and having lunch there!)

Maybe she wants to transfer and move back home.

Inventory is inventory I guess, but seems like it'd be better to detail a car before putting it online.

stickguy

no, she has no desire to transfer back there. Couldn't get her to apply last year, even though it would have saved us a bundle!

ab348

Interested to discover today that Ford Canada has both the 2014 and the 2015 "Build and Price" functions for Mustang active on their website at the moment. So I did a comparable car in each model year.

The 2014 actually offers more choice in terms of options and trim packages (although obviously they are not making them any more so it depends on what can be found in inventory). I was surprised to discover that the 2015 GT comes standard with cloth upholstery now, whereas it always used to have leather standard. To get leather on a 2015 you have to upgrade to the GT Premium. Also the interior color are much more limited for 2015 than 2014, as Ford seemingly continues to try to push everyone to buy a car with only a black interior.

In the end with Ford Canada offering a $6000 incentive on 2014 GTs versus none on the new 2015 model, along with the price increase that applied to the 2015 and the need to order the Premium model to get leather, you are looking at almost a $10,000 difference in price. I suspect it may be similar in the USA.

laurasdada

My first Costco PUG fill this weekend, figure I saved ~$3 on the tank. Celebrated with two slices of Costco pizza and unlimited fountain drink for less than $5. The bad news is that was my dinner, alone. Not exactly where I thought I'd be at this point in life... But, I do love a bargain!

graphicguy

rayainsw said:

Question for the Group -

I just MIGHT have my name on an inbound Audi S3 - due at my dealer later this month or early next.
‘Right of first refusal.’

I have looked for comparable vehicles [ in or near my price range ] and the S3 seems the most likely suspect.

Here are my current requirements:
Great steaming piles of TQ. [ Torque addict, I am. ]
Quarter mile near 13.0 sec.
RWD or AWD.
EPA highway rating over 30 MPG.
MSRP less than $45K-ish.

Though I do lust after the M235i, it is out – largely due to very limited supply and higher MSRP, equipped as I would want.

Am I missing a comparable contender out there?

Thanks,
= Ray
Feeling that CCBA ‘itch’ . . .

Ray...even though my Audi ownership was brief and full of foibles, I do think I would like that S3. Probably like it moreso than even the S4. S3 has all the performance without sneaking into that $50K price point.

I saw my preferred BMW dealer had a couple of M235i examples this weekend. Both well over $50K....WELL OVER $50K. Really? I mean c'mon. REALLY?

graphicguy

laurasdada said:

My first Costco PUG fill this weekend, figure I saved ~$3 on the tank. Celebrated with two slices of Costco pizza and unlimited fountain drink for less than $5. The bad news is that was my dinner, alone. Not exactly where I thought I'd be at this point in life... But, I do love a bargain!

LD....eating Costco pizza, drinking their sodas for $5, even alone, is one of life's little pleasures.

jayrider

LD....eating Costco pizza, drinking their sodas for $5, even alone, is one of life's little pleasures.

You can usually fill up on samples for free ---- one of life's "ultimate" pleasures.

laurasdada

Aye, GG and JayR. I went back to Costco Sunday, sample stations everywhere! Mmmm, prosciutto (sp?), cheese, hummus, popcorn... Yeah, a real health/weight watchers party!

nyccarguy

@laurasdada‌

I'm a Costco guy too. In fact, I just stopped on my way home & pumped 16.8 gal of RUG ($3.239 per gallon) into the Legacy (26.9 mpg). Last week's commute included some more in town driving than usual & a terrible crawl home on Friday night (big getaway weekend).

Back to Costco, they do have other things besides the bulk stuff. 2 dozen roses - $17.99 (all year round). They often have 54 count Starbucks "K-Cups" for around $30. Cascade & Tide. Their rotisserie chicken is delicious ($4.99 feeds our family of 5 plus leftovers for a salad).

sb55

nyccarguy said:

@laurasdada‌

Back to Costco, they do have other things besides the bulk stuff. 2 dozen roses - $17.99 (all year round). They often have 54 count Starbucks "K-Cups" for around $30. Cascade & Tide. Their rotisserie chicken is delicious ($4.99 feeds our family of 5 plus leftovers for a salad).

We also love Costco rotisserie "frankenchickens". How do they make them taste so good and cost so little?

stickguy

not bad MPG overall for the Legacy based on that driving. I am guessing on a straight highway run it can pull the mid-30s it is rated for. Lotta range with an 18.5 gal tank.

stickguy

BJs has the roaster chickens too. Perdue for about $5. not sure we can feed that many people on it, but still a deal. Giant roaster next to the deli counter. Must do 100 at a time.

jayrider

We also love Costco rotisserie "frankenchickens". How do they make them taste so good and cost so little?

You don't want to know, just enjoy the chicken. Got ours today from Sam's Club great lunch plus - -- no Costco -- Gas $3.00 RUG

explorerx4

@stickguy, Not to throw some parenting advice at you, but if you are letting your kid take a car to school first semester, you have already lost the battle.
The schools my kids went to would not let freshman have cars on campus.
Even when my kids were uppclassmen (classgirls?), I wouldn't give them the Explorer to drive.
It seats 7 and I was worried it would become the 'bus'.
Even now, my youngest, who graduated last May, is driving her 10 year old Escape. The plan is to get it through this winter (Wisconsin), then she can look at something to replace it.

stickguy

she doesn't have anything first semester. This would not be until the spring term. We wanted to make sure that she was settled in, and see how useful it would be, how parking worked, etc. And of course, how many people she had to sponge off of!

nyccarguy

I set the cruise at 65 on my way home from Costco. It is a straight highway run up 95 with one stop for a toll. I checked the OBC before I jumped off the exit. 37.5 mpg average;) with a DTE of 540 miles. This is just icing on the cake of a fantastic car. I saw another one "in the wild" tonight. It was a 2.5i Limited in silver. Sharp looking;)

js06gv

ab348 said:

Interested to discover today that Ford Canada has both the 2014 and the 2015 "Build and Price" functions for Mustang active on their website at the moment. So I did a comparable car in each model year.

The 2014 actually offers more choice in terms of options and trim packages (although obviously they are not making them any more so it depends on what can be found in inventory). I was surprised to discover that the 2015 GT comes standard with cloth upholstery now, whereas it always used to have leather standard. To get leather on a 2015 you have to upgrade to the GT Premium. Also the interior color are much more limited for 2015 than 2014, as Ford seemingly continues to try to push everyone to buy a car with only a black interior.

In the end with Ford Canada offering a $6000 incentive on 2014 GTs versus none on the new 2015 model, along with the price increase that applied to the 2015 and the need to order the Premium model to get leather, you are looking at almost a $10,000 difference in price. I suspect it may be similar in the USA.

Same way on the 2014 with respect to the leather, have to move up to a GT Premium to get it. At least that was the case when I bought my 2011.