Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

graphicguy

stever said:

fintail said:

If only the car market was as subsidized and idolized as the housing market, eh?

Mmm, like your stuck Bertha and all those floating bridges?

In other news, I may be driving a Cruze in ten days or so. Wait for it.

stever said:

fintail said:

If only the car market was as subsidized and idolized as the housing market, eh?

Mmm, like your stuck Bertha and all those floating bridges?

In other news, I may be driving a Cruze in ten days or so. Wait for it.

Steve.....I think I mentioned in another thread that I drove a Cruze for a few days while trVelling. I was impressed with it. Easily makes it tough to choose a Civic or Corolla over a Cruze.

stever

It'll be a freebie around here for a month or two. My wife is on the flight to Detroit to "pick it up" right now.

Actually it belongs to our Port Huron friend who is relocating here (we already have her cats). After the girls drive out here, our friend is off to Alaska for half the summer so we'll be driving the Cruze and still feeding her cats. Assuming they are still speaking after ~10 days, the car doesn't die, the friend comes to her senses and decides to stay retired, yada yada.

xwesx

Steve, you and your wife are truly gifted when it comes to keeping your lives interesting!

stever

I could be a bit north of SLC right now if my bud wasn't trying to get to Alaska in 3 days. He's driving this up, with some other stuff loaded on the trailer as well. He's the same friend who fell off the ladder a couple of days ago - bet his back is going to love the frost heaves this trip up. Luckily he has another friend helping him drive up this trip.

stickguy

I need to go try a cruze. I have sat in one a few times, but never drove one. for the right price, the kid will learn to love it!

stever

Our friend would have preferred an Impala I think or another Dodge sedan. She likes 'em a bit bigger (and my wife would probably prefer a bigger "floater" ride too). Curious to see how I like it; enjoyed the midsize Buicks we drove occasionally in the UP (one rental and the MIL's).

stickguy

my thought on the Cruze was that it probably drove "big" for a compact (makes some sense, since I think it is in the Jetta class of oversized compact/smaller Midsize.

suydam

The Impala (even previous gen) is not as floaty as say, the old Buick Le Sabre. I'm not a fan of large cars, but my son who is 6'3" can't fit into even a midsize comfortably. I drove a '13 Impala with him and it was MUCH better than the older ones used to be. It would not be my thing but it isn't a bad driver. The Cruze is indeed a nice vehicle, but I don't think its fuel economy is as good as some other cars of the same type. Not bad though.

stever

Kind of a poor word choice but my wife has always like the bigger - well, now I'm trying to type "barges" instead of "floaters". But she doesn't much care so I've been able to keep her in minivans instead of Crown Vics and may have her convinced we can downsize to a hatch next.

nyccarguy

I always thought the Cruze was a nice car. Very well finished for the segment. Optional Turbo 4 or even a diesel.

28firefighter

Agree. Hindsight being 20/20, we would have purchased a Cruze instead of our Mazda3 a few years ago. 

Michaell

OK, all you folks who buy and sell cars privately, chime in here ....

http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/34493/general/x/what-is-the-best-payment-to-receive-when-selling-a-car#latest

kyfdx

nyccarguy said:

I always thought the Cruze was a nice car. Very well finished for the segment. Optional Turbo 4 or even a diesel.

I agree... I haven't driven one, but they always give me the impression of a Euro sport sedan, in looks..

Michaell

I had an LT1 as a rental a few years ago and really liked it. A bit pokey given the 138HP engine, but solidly built and feature rich.

stickguy

Pokey works for me in this application ( my hot rod daughter!)

suydam

Yes, solid and slow is good for younger drivers!

au1994

@kyfdx or michaell...can you tell me if the Edmunds lease calculator takes into account the Georgia ad valorem tax in its calculation? I know the payment figure says taxes included but not sure if that includes that ugly ad valorem.

thanks!

imidazol97

suydam said:

The Cruze is indeed a nice vehicle, but I don't think its fuel economy is as good as some other cars of the same type. Not bad though.

The Cruze loaner I had was showing 45- 50 mpg as instant mileage driving to and from the dealer on normal roads here. I don't base mileage on the EPA ratings 100% because it's too easy for manufacturers to build the engine to just excel in the exact speed and acceleration ranges used. I consider the overall mileage. I can't imagine how many folks have bought a car because the EPA rating was 1 mpg above another car.

Michaell

au1994 said:

@kyfdx or michaell...can you tell me if the Edmunds lease calculator takes into account the Georgia ad valorem tax in its calculation? I know the payment figure says taxes included but not sure if that includes that ugly ad valorem.

thanks!

Neither one of us use the Edmunds calculator ... we have built our own spreadsheets.

That said, given the great variety of tax rates and taxation methods, I can't see how a standard tool can accommodate all of them.

breld

On the Cruze, I test drove one a few years ago - a 6-speed "Eco" model. Also had one as a rental car when I drove roundtrip from Philly to Jersey. I agree with what others have said - it drives quite nice for a compact car. Roomy and comfortable with plenty of punch. And while a bit long in the tooth at this point, I think they're fairly stylish.

Having said that, I would want some fairly significant savings to choose it over some of the competitors, like the Mazda3. So, it's more like "I got a good car AND saved money."

kyfdx

au1994 said:

@kyfdx or michaell...can you tell me if the Edmunds lease calculator takes into account the Georgia ad valorem tax in its calculation? I know the payment figure says taxes included but not sure if that includes that ugly ad valorem.

thanks!

Yeah.. I wouldn't trust the calculator for taxes. Calculate your own taxes, and add them to the selling price, then choose zero tax for the calculator.. you'll have a better chance of a correct estimate.

stickguy

My experience with the Mazda is that the 3 is not going to be competitive on lease cost. But hey just don't have the same level of support.

In my case, the Cruze would happen because it is a nice car, with a killer deal!

Another big plus, a large (15.6) gas tank. One of the few compacts that can handle the school commute without a gas stop, without cutting it real close.

May have to get out and drive one soon. My neighbor just got one. Need to see how he likes it.

stever

fwiw, the "fine print" on our leasing calculator says "Remember, this figure still does not include taxes or fees. It also doesn't take into consideration any down payment, trade-in credit or upfront money such as rebates or incentives." (link)

ab348

Pics of the new Cruze coming out soon came out a week or two back. Looks good:

Michaell

ab348 said:

Pics of the new Cruze coming out soon came out a week or two back. Looks good:

Looks like a Forte or a Corolla.

breld

I was just about to say I thought changes were coming for the Cruze. Looks like a nice option!

fintail

I see a lot of Mazda in it, too. It's one of GM's best mainstream passenger cars, I'd expect it to be decent.

au1994

breld said:

On the Cruze, I test drove one a few years ago - a 6-speed "Eco" model. Also had one as a rental car when I drove roundtrip from Philly to Jersey. I agree with what others have said - it drives quite nice for a compact car. Roomy and comfortable with plenty of punch. And while a bit long in the tooth at this point, I think they're fairly stylish.

Having said that, I would want some fairly significant savings to choose it over some of the competitors, like the Mazda3. So, it's more like "I got a good car AND saved money."

Add me to the list of Cruze renters. Put a good bit of highway miles on one in Kansas once. Wasn't the quickest thing but rode very well and well equipped.

Sandman6472

Drive them at work all the time..."meh" is about the best I can say about them. Boring as hell but gets the job done. Unfortunately, just can't get comfortable in one with my bad spine, the seats just aren't that comfortable. If given a choice, I'd go for the Buick Verano cousin as it's more stylish with better creature comforts with a slight price bump. These are simply better vehicles to buy out there but they seem to do well being a Chevy and all. Just not my cup of tea...and never have been!

The Sandman

brian125

@stickguy

Starting July into Aug. you will find very good lease deals on the Camry and Sonata. With the redesign/upgraded 2016 Malibu and Cruze you will find exceptional lease deals on the 15's. Might be worth the wait.

Should be a interesting summer with car deals.

ab348

brian125 said:

@stickguy

Starting July into Aug. you will find very good lease deals on the Camry and Sonata. With the redesign/upgraded 2016 Malibu and Cruze you will find exceptional lease deals on the 15's. Might be worth the wait.

Should be a interesting summer with car deals.

Apparently the Chevy Malibu LT can now be leased for $149/month:

http://www.autoremarketing.com/financial-services/big-3-offering-aggressive-lease-deals-holiday

stickguy

most likely July will be the timeframe.

starting discussing with daughter today. she's skeptical that I'm not just yanking her chain again, but she is willing to go with the looking and hope it works out. I asked today about didn't she still like "Roberto". She said yeah, but knows at some point he is going to break, and I will be getting the call, and that it would not be pretty! Yes, she knows good buttons to push.

I asked about size. she seemed to think larger (like the Sonata) since it was roomier (apparently college boys don't fit well in the back of an S40!). So, told her to write up a list of ones she liked (I was curious). She listed Civic, Accord, Sonata and Jetta (Jetta being favorite). Interesting list, not quite what I expected.

I added a few others (Sentra, Altima, Forte, Elantra, Camry, Corolla and Cruze). And asked her to look them up and give me feedback.

Interesting results to the experiment. She checked off as favorites the Sentra and Forte. Also gave the Camry a "could work with it". Doesn't like Cruze, Corolla not a favorite, doesn't like the way Elantra looks, and didn't like Altima as much as Sentra.

Her comment on the Forte was "cheap=stuff" Yes, she quickly figured out that you can get a more loaded cheaper car for the same price as a more expensive stippo.

funny that what she picked out were models that I had on the short list.

stickguy

anyway, so when we go looking, the (as of today) short list seems to be:

Forte (though that does mean going to the Kia dealer)
Camry/Corolla (might as well compare)
Sentra/Altima (again, while we are there)
Civic.

Don't think the Jetta is going to be a player, but I am real familiar with that. As with the Sonata (just can't see getting a 2nd one).

I'm still leaning toward a Camry as the early betting line favorite. But, these searches tend to take some interesting twists and turns.

brian125

I would assume you could get a upgrade Malibu LT for under 200 dollars 0 down soon. As @ab348 posted......A beater vehicle for 149 a month of that size is not a bad deal. Malibu gets good gas mileage @25/36 and is pretty roomy inside. If I'm buying and not leasing the 2016 Malibu is a better choice.

On leasing a Hyundai / Chevy .............. Fritz auto mall in MD has some of the best deals in the country July into August. I like to have other dealers in my area in NY/ SC. think I will drive there to buy/ lease

http://www.fitzmall.com/Store/Brand/14/hyundai-clearwater-florida-gaithersburg-maryland-rockville-maryland

stickguy

I was going to poke at the Malibu. Forgot to put that on list. will take a look at same time as Cruze. I have used Fitzmall in the past to get baseline pricing. Used to just give the price online, now it seems that they have to call you, and that gets to be a drag.

Interesting process when you are set on leasing. Can often get "more" car (bigger, higher MSRP) for a lower payment than a cheaper car.

Good thing I will have plenty of time. Get the sales guy to take the bait in June, and see who wants to sell one the most while I wait them out. Sometimes the passive-aggressive approach pays off!

corvette

My small-ish 30 pound dog hates climbing in and out of the new farm truck. Details to follow...

stickguy

My Lab at 10 1/2 is not quite as spry as he used to be. Jumping into the back of the RDX no longer seems to thrill him that much. Takes a few looks at it. Pretty soon I may have to hoist his 80#s in there, which is good for the old back!

stickguy

The princess seems to be totally obsessed with cars now that i got her started (wonder where she gets that from?). Just texted asking if the Mazda 3 can go on the list, since it starts at $16.995 (yes, she seems to be researching online). When I said yes, the phone just about exploded with here OMG TOP OF LIST LOOKING THERE FIRST!!!!

probably I always run into is my minimum required equipment list. In this case, it pretty much means moving up to the Touring model (about $2,500 more MSRP) to get some of the stuff I really want on it. But, budget would stop short of adding the moonroof/XM package (she can live without).

She did say that one of her friends is getting a new WRX (she had no idea what it was) and that he was going to let me drive it. Not sure what it says about me, that my big thrill is driving the new car some 19 YO is getting!

Michaell

corvette said:

My small-ish 30 pound dog hates climbing in and out of the new farm truck. Details to follow...

Congrats on the punch! I assume you still have the Jetta?

only one of my doxies can jump into the Elantra - the oldest. 

breld

Of course, I'd endorse the Mazda3.

I was behind a new facelifted Camry this evening and thought it was pretty sharp. But for a college student, I would think the Mazda would be a great fit. I remember hauling stuff back and forth during my college days in my Civic Si hatch.

Hard to get too excited about the current Civic, with a new one around the corner. Though I imagine you could get a great deal on one this summer.

Michaell

stickguy said:

The princess seems to be totally obsessed with cars now that i got her started (wonder where she gets that from?). Just texted asking if the Mazda 3 can go on the list, since it starts at $16.995 (yes, she seems to be researching online). When I said yes, the phone just about exploded with here OMG TOP OF LIST LOOKING THERE FIRST!!!! probably I always run into is my minimum required equipment list. In this case, it pretty much means moving up to the Touring model (about $2,500 more MSRP) to get some of the stuff I really want on it. But, budget would stop short of adding the moonroof/XM package (she can live without). She did say that one of her friends is getting a new WRX (she had no idea what it was) and that he was going to let me drive it. Not sure what it says about me, that my big thrill is driving the new car some 19 YO is getting!

Uh oh. This could get expensive. 

Heres a thought - you set a max payment; anything more and she's responsible for it. I have a funny feeling what you want to get and what she will want could be as much as $40-50/mo difference. 

stickguy

I'll set the max budget. and most likely go $20 over, just, because I will. But I don't intend to. She will live with it. Chip off the old block. She has excellent taste, when it is my wallet. Once it has to be her $ on the table, the wallet slams shut. So we aren't getting too fancy.

as long as we get through the looking and come up with a final list of acceptable to both of us options, it will come down to the best deal within the parameters. so it may be a surprise what ends up following us home!

au1994

stickguy said:

I'll set the max budget. and most likely go $20 over, just, because I will. But I don't intend to. She will live with it. Chip off the old block. She has excellent taste, when it is my wallet. Once it has to be her $ on the table, the wallet slams shut. So we aren't getting too fancy.

as long as we get through the looking and come up with a final list of acceptable to both of us options, it will come down to the best deal within the parameters. so it may be a surprise what ends up following us home!

The clear choice here is for her to finish out the Sonata lease so you can get something else

corvette

Michaell said:

corvette said:

My small-ish 30 pound dog hates climbing in and out of the new farm truck. Details to follow...

Congrats on the punch! I assume you still have the Jetta?


No, they must have really wanted it on their used lot. I drove home the used Denali last night. It looks like they airbrushed the larger scratches but it still has a few paint chips for me to touch up. Overall, it's in decent condition for having 139,000 miles. Rides very smooth and quiet. A fairly easy deal.

jayrider

Impreza wagon around 22K with auto and premium. Safe, solid and great resale [ which appears to be very important.]

stickguy

She would gladly take the sonata. But I'm not downgrading!

Already got a candidate using the edmunds price promise, to the Toyota store of the dealer I got the sonata at. Large discounts. Lease quote on an LE with the upgrade entune package (MSRP $25,080) was $199/month, with just inception fees up front. True sign and drive at $215. If we got a base LE (that package was about $700) the S&D should be below $200.

I did ask to confirm, but a corolla LE would actually lease out higher.

Now just need to get out to look at one!

stickguy

I'm leaning more toward a mid size car now. For the long highway drives. Plus, it should have enough range to get there without a fuel stop.

Michaell

stickguy said:

She would gladly take the sonata. But I'm not downgrading!

Already got a candidate using the edmunds price promise, to the Toyota store of the dealer I got the sonata at. Large discounts. Lease quote on an LE with the upgrade entune package (MSRP $25,080) was $199/month, with just inception fees up front. True sign and drive at $215. If we got a base LE (that package was about $700) the S&D should be below $200.

I did ask to confirm, but a corolla LE would actually lease out higher.

Now just need to get out to look at one!

That's a hard deal to pass up .... I was looking at the SE trim on-line and now am wondering if the same type of discounts would apply?

That's a lot of car for not a lot of money.

stever

au1994 said:

The clear choice here is for her to finish out the Sonata lease so you can get something else

Hm, so you don't think the father/daughter shopping trip won't result in two new cars in the stable? Remember, we're talking a confirmed CCBAer and one trainee about to matriculate.

stickguy

She suggested the SE as more attractive for young people. Similar sticker, comparable discounts.