Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

I still am amazed at the asking prices (and I assume selling?) on used cars though. either really used, or priced like new. Seeing a 2012 listed at maybe 5K off original MSRP, and 2-3 off what it sold for, just seems nuts.

That's why I have such a difficult time looking at used cars. They don't represent the value, plus I've still got to take out a loan and make payments on it. I'd rather buy new or lease.

stickguy

I am remembering why I came to the same conclusion. plus, looking for the rare good value, is really time consuming! Too bad the Rogue had to drop off the list. It was almost perfect otherwise.

should probably give up on SUVs though. they are even crazier. Plus, really wanting to get something with Navi seriously narrows the pool.

I found a nice 2012 Tuscan with navi, roof, and 30K miles, and they still wanted $19,900 for it.

if I could get something I liked for 15K, could make the finance terms work. Sounds easier than it is! Not wanting to put any $$ into it also makes loans harder.

28firefighter

Stick - what about a CPO Escape?  They can be had reasonably priced and with Nav, I think. Maybe that's just because I'm in Subaru country...

andres3

You have to run Premium gas for a couple of tanks before making a judgment. The engine's brain (computer) will be very slow to take advantage of high octane fuel, but put in low octane fuel and it will be very quick to change the settings to burn the lower octane fuel. The opposite is not true. It will very slowly allow the engine to make use of that higher octane little by little.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

I am remembering why I came to the same conclusion. plus, looking for the rare good value, is really time consuming! Too bad the Rogue had to drop off the list. It was almost perfect otherwise.

should probably give up on SUVs though. they are even crazier. Plus, really wanting to get something with Navi seriously narrows the pool.

I found a nice 2012 Tuscan with navi, roof, and 30K miles, and they still wanted $19,900 for it.

if I could get something I liked for 15K, could make the finance terms work. Sounds easier than it is! Not wanting to put any $$ into it also makes loans harder.

If only you were interested in a used Ford Taurus or Dodge Avenger.. you could really save some money!

stickguy

a bad combination of frugal, but also picky about what I get.

I plan to take the wife out for a surprise day of car looking. Going to central Jersey and PA to see the various dealers I have been dealing with via Email. Plus we haven't been there before, so they likely don't have my picture taped up by the cash register.

sda

stickguy said:

a bad combination of frugal, but also picky about what I get.

I plan to take the wife out for a surprise day of car looking. Going to central Jersey and PA to see the various dealers I have been dealing with via Email. Plus we haven't been there before, so they likely don't have my picture taped up by the cash register.

I have the feeling a lot of the dealers know my face as well. Often I'm not approached when I visit. Not a bad thing really, but little do the realize I do buy..too often. Thus my need for therapy here.

sda

I wish everyone a safe and happy 4th of July. We have so much to be thankful for and live in a great country.

fezo

NorthPenn Mazda in Ambler is good. Ask for Tony Hamilton. Have you r out the door number ready. Mention my name if you know it...

carnaught

Possible punch today to replace the lease which is up in 3mos. Stay tuned.....

carnaught

Sandy, be mindful of your vision in the affected eye, but not preoccupied. Most in their 50's have floaters, yet they don't get RD's, even though they are one of the risk factors for it, also nearsightedness, glaucoma, eye trauma, eye surgery and idiopathic (spontaneous) RD. The latter was my experience, no risk factors. Happy to report my vision is completely normal.

fezo

Nothing about me is normal but that's a subject for another day.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

Perception is everything when it comes to acceleration. Before my Subaru (175 hp) and it's high 8 second (maybe low 9) 0 - 60 mph time, most of the cars I own (or have owned) have acceleration times in the low to mid 7 second range (Prelude, TSX, Pilot, 328xi, X3). Anytime I get behind the wheel of something with a mid 6 second 0 - 60 mph time it feels fast and anything in the 5s is like a rocket to me.

I have the opposite problem, I've gotten used to the responsiveness of the Q50 hybrid and the Volvo. When I take the Pathfinder out I have to remember you can't pull out in front of someone like you can in the cars.

jpp75

stickguy said:

using premium in the Golf is a waste of money, since it is tuned for Regular. The A3? most likely it is PUG recommended (not required). Audi may have tuned the engine a little differently, even though it has the same power ratings. If if says recommended, no issue. most likely, even if "required", no harm in one fill up.

Acura and Honda are the same way. My RDX is PUG recommended, but the same basic engine in a Honda is RUG. I even checked the specs, and they were identical (same compression ratio, and whatever else they listed). I go back and forth with what I use, and I have never noticed a difference depending on grade (some of my best MPG tanks have been on RUG).

The 02 Pathfinder says "Premium fuel recommended for maximum performance" on the tried and true 3.5 V6 Nissan used forever. On this vehicle with 155k on the clock it needs a lot more than premium fuel to make a difference.

I did do one tank of premium when towing, don't know if it helped any or not but I felt better about it.

stickguy

fezo said:

NorthPenn Mazda in Ambler is good. Ask for Tony Hamilton. Have you r out the door number ready. Mention my name if you know it...

Of course I know your name.

it's Fezo.

Yes, I know your alter ego too.

fezo

I remember testing a 2000 Passat that recommended premium but said the computer would adjust for whatever you put in it. My Solara had the opposite - recommended regular but said premium would give you better performance. I tried it. Yes, you could notice the difference but it was very minor.

Speaking of the Solara, after an absence of a summer or two as of Monday I am back i the convertible biz. Bought the Miata. Bargained down $700. Probably could have weaseled another hundred or two but we're both happy. Unfortunately the DMV (or MVC as they call it here) was closed today, so I have the title but not the car at the moment.

stickguy

OK, can put another punch in the books (that Corvette keeping the book now?).

This car is now in possession of the princess instead of the dealer.

and as always, probably a long shot from what the betting action thought.

http://www.hamiltonvw.net/new-Hamilton-2015-Volkswagen-Jetta+Sedan-1.8T+Sport-3VWD17AJ6FM338147

jpp75

Congrats stick! Great choice, guessing you leased? I've had the Jetta with the 1.8T as rentals and really like the engine and drive.

andre1969

jpp5862 said:

I have the opposite problem, I've gotten used to the responsiveness of the Q50 hybrid and the Volvo. When I take the Pathfinder out I have to remember you can't pull out in front of someone like you can in the cars.

Way back in 1987, when I got my license, my Granddad used to let me drive his '85 Silverado a lot. Grandmom was reluctant to let me drive her '85 LeSabre, and Mom wouldn't let me touch her '86 Monte Carlo, and I wouldn't touch my stepdad's '84 Tempo even if he begged me to...which he didn't! But, Granddad was really laid back about most things, so he didn't care. His attitude was hell, it's insured.

Anyway, back then its 165 hp 305-4bbl, mated to a 3-speed automatic, felt almost like a musclecar. It would walk the 1980 Malibu 229 my Mom gave me like a dog. And the Malibu would embarrass the cars that most of my friends had. 0-60 was about 12 seconds.

Anyway, fast forward to 2002. Granddad had passed away, and a few years after that, Grandmom gave the truck to my Mom and stepdad. They finally bought a new truck, an '02 F150, and sold me the Silverado for $1200. I remember the first time I had to floor it to merge onto a highway, I was thinking damn, what is this, 0-60 in like 20 seconds?!

But, nope. One day I took a stopwatch to it, and timed it, and got 0-60 in about 12 seconds. Same as when it was new. So, the truck hadn't changed one bit. Rather, time and technology marched on, and we got used to better and better things.

I still have the truck, but it doesn't get used much. Every once in a blue moon, I've let one of my house mates, or my uncle, borrow it. I always warn them though, don't drive it like you do the cars you're used to, or you're probably going to kill yourself. Or someone else, when they go up under the rear bumper because you don't accelerate as fast as you thought you could.

The only one of my old cars that acts somewhat like a modern car in acceleration is my '67 Catalina. 0-60 is probably 9 seconds, I'd guess. But, when you stomp on it, it immediately lays rubber, and throws you back in your seat a bit so you feel like you're going faster than you really are. Then it'll hold first until around 55-60, and chirp the rear tire (singular, because it doesn't have posi-traction) as it shifts into second, and that's accompanied with another jerk, that makes you feel like you're going faster than you really are.

fezo

Not bad at all, other than it being white. If you were at their Mazda dealership I have had a salesman to recommend. I'm assuming you found a good one. I'm also assuming lease.

Yeah, that's not where the betting action was but it's not like it was off the board.

stickguy

I came damn close to taking home a white Civic Si instead. did drive it. fun car. Not that practical, and quite likely would regret it at some point. but fun. If the kid had been all taken care of, and it was purely me needing a set of wheels, would have pulled the trigger.

the first pencil on the Civic was really good. and they wanted to sell one today so bad, they countered themselves. I left an offer on the table that killed my cold, cheap heart. $999 at inception, then $185/mo (original quote was $195) for a 36/36 lease. Damn.

let it go after wife and I discussed the big picture over lunch. Would have meant sending the Sonata to school (really didn't want to) and having leases expire at the wrong time. Plus, Princess would not have a car to share if she flew home.

so, decided to be more conservative, and looked at VW dealer up the road. More deets to follow, but obviously we came to a meeting of the minds and I decided this was the way to go. I will suffer for 2 more years with my loaded luxo mobile old fart cruiser, and wing it when this one goes back.

roadburner

stickguy said:

OK, can put another punch in the books (that Corvette keeping the book now?).

This car is now in possession of the princess instead of the dealer.

and as always, probably a long shot from what the betting action thought.

http://www.hamiltonvw.net/new-Hamilton-2015-Volkswagen-Jetta+Sedan-1.8T+Sport-3VWD17AJ6FM338147

Congrats!

roadburner

Here's a good one: I was over at my BMW dealer today and my sales guy was tryng to work a deal where the trade was a 2015 Passat TDI with 52 miles on it. Wow, can you say someone is REALLY going to take a bath?

corvette

roadburner said:

Here's a good one: I was over at my BMW dealer today and my sales guy was tryng to work a deal where the trade was a 2015 Passat TDI with 52 miles on it. Wow, can you say someone is REALLY going to take a bath?

How does that even happen?

Congrats to fezo and stickguy on the punches. We're up to 17 for the year. If my dates are correct, I think fezo had the only punch in June?

28firefighter

Congrats, Stick!  The Jetta Sport is a nicely equipped package for what you get. 

Did is you end up leasing or buying?  I may have missed it. 

stever

@fezo, or I should say, Sir Fezo (yeah, I know the full name ), I love the white. Love your Miata too, that's the perfect color combo for that car and was usually only available on the older ones, afaik, on some of the special edition ones.

Congrats Stick! Or guess I should say congrats to your daughter.

fezo

I'd have loved one of the special edition things but this was two towns over and a nice deal. My big mistake was not letting it go until Monday. Remember I'm on the mainland side of an insanely popular barrier island. Took about 2 hours to go 7 miles. I've done way better in midtown Manhattan.

The trip home was a breeze.

28firefighter

Congrats, Fezo!

nyccarguy

Fezo & Stickguy - congrats on your 4th of July punches! Nothing for me, but I do have a parental punch to report. Mom & Dad unloaded their 2013 X5 today for a 2016 Porsche Cayenne.

fintail

Congrats on the new cars. Keep the numbers up.

stickguy

some details. stopped at the Honda dealer first quite the operation. Huge. But well run. Got to a salesguy, he got keys, we went out and took a ride. Proud of myself. took off smooth, never stalled, and didn't miss a shift. Though it took some getting used to, having a 6th gear. Pretty sure this was the first time I drove one. Cool car. A few issues with it. On the tight side for us. And the drivers seat was a little firm, though I had to lower it a lot to clear the roof. Not sure how comfortable it would be on a longer ride.

overall, interesting car. Just not sure that for our needs right now, it was the best idea. Still, the deal was smoking. Asked for the lease #, and they actually matched (really beat slightly) the online one from the dealer in Massachusetts. since we weren't ready to commit, and they really wanted to move some metal, they went back and sharped the pencil, and knocked $10.

so, we left to get lunch and talk, with a deal on the table for a base Si 4 door (msrp ~23,200) of tax/tags/doc down (roughly, a total of $999) , then 35 more at $185/mo. 36,000 miles. That hurt to pass on. Must not be selling many. This dealer (big place, said they sell 400-450 new per month) had 20 Sis on the lot.

Sandman6472

Jetta Sport? Never knew there was such a beast. Looks pretty sharp especially those wheels...I have a thing for wheels, alloy especially, they make or break a vehicle! See it has push button start/stop which I have been using a lot in more and more vehicles at work...getting used to it that am starting to regret not having it on my own. Funny how that is, at first we don't like something until we use it more and more and then see how really good it really is! Sharp Jetta and sure the kid is over the moon here!!!
Got an sd thing in the glove compartment and have no clue what the contraption is or how one works it. No usb port though but a hook up for an ipod in the dash compartment. Need some help with this stuff.

The Sandman

stickguy

so, after lunch, went up the road to the VW dealer. small place. not busy. polar opposite of the Honda dealer. Got to a salesguy. He brought around the Sport. went out for a spin (my first time driving it). Drove nice. Get back to the dealer, get the usual "can we make a deal today" spiel. Said maybe, if a number that could not be turned down was presented. So, he goes to get #s. comes back, they were less than impressive. actually $25 more than the internet guy emailed me last weekend. So, told him we weren't close, so we would got mull it over.

well, of course, he wanted a chance to try to make a deal. asked where we were looking to be, so I told him. A lot lower, and he said he couldn't see that happening, but maybe they could get close. so, we waited. A few minutes later, salesmanager pops in. Confused me, by saying that if we could take it today (they were closed tomorrow), he would take my #. and throw in 2 extra years of free maintenance (total of 3).

so, a dilemna. That being, figured we better check with the ultimate user, who was at work. texted her, and told the nice VW people we were going to get some food, and wait to clear it with "the boss". went out and got gas, and she called (well timed break). after some confusion/panic/angst and many questions, she got on board. so we popped back in, said let's do it, and the rest was paperwork and waiting for prep.

stickguy

Ended up getting it for $225/mo, just tax and DMV fees up front. 1st payment and some residual fees rolled in, total of $1k OOP at inception. Was right at budget, liked the car, was better than I expected to get down to. Princess is thrilled. Hopefully it works out, but at least it isn't too fancy a car to consider sending. Will do good on gas, all that stuff. No pano roof to worry about while parked outside.

now, done shopping for 2 years and change, until the Sonata has to go back. No card punching for me.

stever

Since you're going to be going stir crazy for the next two years, maybe you'd enjoy a trip to the desert Southwest with a few dealer stops included in your vaca? Kind of like a time share; could buy you dinner and you could negotiate a deal for me.

(Not that anyone believes your last sentence lol).

stickguy

Sandy, the sport came out last year mid stream I think. Fairly rare still. The wheels really do look sharp against the white.

that cable thing? The MDI cable? That plugs into the jack in the center console, Ipod/iphone plugs into it. though old school, since it is still the big 4 plug. Need an adapter to work with the 5/6.

stickguy

if I'm in the area Steve, no problem.

and no punches is true. 2 leases (and 3 years of college to run out!) before we shop. The Acura is going nowhere. Unless the wife wants one (she did like the new Pilot we sat in!)

November, 2017, I'm a lock. though I will get to help my son look in January 2017!

nyccarguy

@stickguy - that Si sounds like a smokin deal! Congrats on the Jetta.

28firefighter

Excellent work stick!  Much better choice for a college car. 

fezo

I now have punches in March, June and July. I think I'm done for awhile.

nyccarguy

fezo said:

I now have punches in March, June and July. I think I'm done for awhile.

@fezo - I think you've punched the card more than @breld this year

fezo

Holy smokes!

stickguy

The Si. was a smoking deal. Too bad it wasn't the right car at this point in time. But, I have learned that you have to be getting the right car too, because if you buy the deal only, can easily live to regret it!

if anyone in Jersey wants a cheap Civic Si, let me know!

28firefighter

My wife finally gave up the driver's seat to the Escape today so I could get some wheel time. Spent the day at work and then running errands, so I figured I would provide some thoughts.

1) Ford has come a long long way since I had my 2001 Taurus SEL.

2) The powertrain is phenomenal - really powerful for an SUV its size and the transmission complements it nicely. We took the 2.0 EcoBoost. Gas mileage is not great, but still the first tank and all city driving. Not entirely unexpected.

3) Fit and Finish is surprisingly good as well. No rattles as of yet, even with the roof rack installed. Interior has high quality soft touch plastics and generally feels more upscale. It's no Audi, Volvo or BMW, but it isn't trying to be one either. I'd say it exceeds the interior of my CC in terms of quality and finish.

There is one little problem and that is the white contrast stitching on the black leather had popped in one or two places. I suspect I missed that at delivery but will reach out to the dealer Monday to get it fixed. I can't imagine they'll give me any trouble. 

4) Lots of technology! BLIS, front and rear parking sensors, backup camera, rear cross traffic alert, park assist, Nav with Sync, climate control, and keyless start to name some of it. I'm still learning to adjust to most of it - the BLIS is nice but I only use it as a sanity check so far.

5) These cars feel overpriced based on MSRP (ours had an MSRP of $37k) but Ford has done a good job with incentives getting it down to a reasonable price. Seems like maybe it'd be easier to price it in-line with the rest of the segment and not discount as much?

Overall I'm very pleased with our new family member, lovingly nicknamed Titan already.

The deal was reasonable as well. Between discounts, rebates and an over-allowance on the trade (they showed $20k trade on paper), we paid first month and tags up front with $290/month for 23 more payments. That includes 9.8% sales tax on the monthly payment.

breld

Congrats @stickguy and @fezo!

Both fun cars!

I agree that Jetta Sport model is a nice value.

I am flying out with three of my kids in the morning to San Diego for vacation. We'll meet up with my wife who left this morning in the Sedona with her parents and her son. They stopped in Vegas tonight. I have a cheap rental car in San Diego that is supposed to be a Jetta or similar. I do hope I end up with the Jetta - it'll be a nice car to tool around the city.

akangl

Should I punch my card? Its been over a year already!! The Explorer is coming up on 2 years old and 37k miles, I still have NOTHING bad to say about it, I like it more every time I drive it. It has been the most reliable vehicle I've ever owned and hasn't been back to the dealer once for repairs. I know what you are all thinking......there goes the Explorer! Ha, no way, especially after its forward collision warning and amazing braking ability pretty much saved our lives the other day and kept us out of what ended up being a nasty accident.

Now, back to the task at hand.....to do it or not to do it.....what is it you ask? 2014 Ford Focus ST, fully loaded, will have around 15k on it when I get it.....yup, my son's ST. He's being stationed in Italy in November and doesn't want to take the car. I have tentatively offered to buy it.

The good: I've known the car since it was brand new, I've driven it and I like it. It was shipped to California right after purchase so hasn't seen a winter here. I know it has been maintained and I know its repair history. The master cylinder was replaced a while back but other than that it has been very reliable.

The bad (or real ugly): It was wrecked to the tune of $6700, he clobbered a '14 Camry that was barreling down a residential street, didn't see it and nailed her while pulling out of the gas station. Headlight, grille, bumper, a few things behind the bumper and grille, tire, and a tiny bit of damage to the hood and fender. No airbags deployed and the car was able to be driven away. The other bad, my son, and I really do love him and mean this in the kindest way possible.....is a HORRIBLE driver. He thinks he can drive great and drift that car and whatever else, but yeah, um, NO. So I'm a little concerned about that, but I suppose since the car is under warranty I shouldn't worry too much. And the last thing.....shipping the car back to Alaska will be around $2000.

So, all that being said.....should I? I really want a sporty little car to have around to keep some miles off of the Explorer. Not to mention better on gas and well, a whole lot more fun. I've been mulling this over for a couple months now but haven't fully committed to buying it, I know he wants out of the car bad. He's newly married and wants to save money, that and his firebird crapped out again....clutch this time.

My last issue with the whole deal is he's upside down in the car and I don't want to have to eat that so I'm trying to figure out a decent price that won't kill him having to pay some of the neg and won't dump it all in my lap. I'm thinking $21ish, I think he owes $24ish.

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

Fezo & Stickguy - congrats on your 4th of July punches! Nothing for me, but I do have a parental punch to report. Mom & Dad unloaded their 2013 X5 today for a 2016 Porsche Cayenne.

Ooooohhhh.....Ahhhhhhh!

Bet that was a fun buying/test drive experience for them.

ab348

28firefighter said:

There is one little problem and that is the white contrast stitching on the black leather had popped in one or two places. I suspect I missed that at delivery but will reach out to the dealer Monday to get it fixed. I can't imagine they'll give me any trouble

Ii wonder what percentage of Fords are produced with black interiors? I suspect it must exceed 90%. Here, virtually 100% of all Fords on dealer lots have black interiors. I guess they have revived old Henry's "you can have it in any color as long as it's black" line and applied it to their interiors. Unfortunate.

stickguy

the Focus? Seems like a bad idea all around. And overpriced. take it to Italy if the gubbermint is going to pay for it.

sounds like you are basically taking a hit to dig your son out of a hole he dug for himself. If you really want to do that, just have him sell the car (carmax, private, whatever) and send him the difference between what he owes and what he gets. Maybe it won't even be more than the $2k shipping cost, which is money right down the drain anyway, never to be seen again.

suydam

Sounds like being a mom more than wanting this car. Which is fine as long as you realize that!!