Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

Someone, talk me down. With all of the drama surrounding VW, it looks like dealers are starting to get pretty aggressive.

Local dealer has a 2016 4-door GTI DSG S with Lighting in Pure White, which is the exact car I've been pining for for quite some time. Initial pricing on it was $2000 off MSRP, not including the VW Loyalty Rebate, which they said I might be able to finagle as well.

My thinking is VW values will take a dip, and then cars like the GTI and TDI will eventually recover and I'll have taken advantage of the mess. I could be wrong, especially if VW really tanks from this mess...

I won't talk you down... if they have a stickshift with Performance package, let me know..

stickguy

might have something cooking here (I blame Oldfarmer). I keep seeing the Mustang ads, and really liking it. So just had one on, and mentioned to the wife that I liked it, and maybe i should get one next.

surprisingly, she said that it might be nice to have one. We did look at a couple of used convertibles last year, but nothing that was exciting enough (or logical at the time) to get.

this could be fun. Though thanks to the VW situation, my son might beat me to it!

Big question" coupe or convertible?

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

Someone, talk me down. With all of the drama surrounding VW, it looks like dealers are starting to get pretty aggressive.

Local dealer has a 2016 4-door GTI DSG S with Lighting in Pure White, which is the exact car I've been pining for for quite some time. Initial pricing on it was $2000 off MSRP, not including the VW Loyalty Rebate, which they said I might be able to finagle as well.

My thinking is VW values will take a dip, and then cars like the GTI and TDI will eventually recover and I'll have taken advantage of the mess. I could be wrong, especially if VW really tanks from this mess...

Don't know if we are the right crowd to "talk you down." I'm pretty sure GTIs hold their value much better than other VWs. Although if you are looking for something "fun to drive" that "holds its value well" and is reasonably priced, might I suggest a WRX?

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

Someone, talk me down. With all of the drama surrounding VW, it looks like dealers are starting to get pretty aggressive. Local dealer has a 2016 4-door GTI DSG S with Lighting in Pure White, which is the exact car I've been pining for for quite some time. Initial pricing on it was $2000 off MSRP, not including the VW Loyalty Rebate, which they said I might be able to finagle as well. My thinking is VW values will take a dip, and then cars like the GTI and TDI will eventually recover and I'll have taken advantage of the mess. I could be wrong, especially if VW really tanks from this mess...

Don't know if we are the right crowd to "talk you down." I'm pretty sure GTIs hold their value much better than other VWs. Although if you are looking for something "fun to drive" that "holds its value well" and is reasonably priced, might I suggest a WRX?

I realize that this is the wrong crowd. 

As far as the WRX, I really like it but can only get a CVT in Premium trim which runs several thousand more than the GTI and they don't deal as much. I won't drive a stick here in Seattle since I live in the city and work downtown - I won't have any knees left. 

As suggested, I'm going to see how things shake out. 

corvette

On the Mustang, I've always preferred coupes. Fabric tops ruin the lines of a car. Some of the folding hardtops are okay.

stickguy

Plus the coupe has better visibility (barely probably!). and is way cheaper.

au1994

nyccarguy said:

28firefighter said:

Someone, talk me down. With all of the drama surrounding VW, it looks like dealers are starting to get pretty aggressive.

Local dealer has a 2016 4-door GTI DSG S with Lighting in Pure White, which is the exact car I've been pining for for quite some time. Initial pricing on it was $2000 off MSRP, not including the VW Loyalty Rebate, which they said I might be able to finagle as well.

My thinking is VW values will take a dip, and then cars like the GTI and TDI will eventually recover and I'll have taken advantage of the mess. I could be wrong, especially if VW really tanks from this mess...

Don't know if we are the right crowd to "talk you down." I'm pretty sure GTIs hold their value much better than other VWs. Although if you are looking for something "fun to drive" that "holds its value well" and is reasonably priced, might I suggest a WRX?

I'd still lease a gas VW right now. At least until the financial institutions decide all VW residuals need to take a hit and the lease rates suffer. You could probably work a good discount right now!

ab348

au1994 said:

I'd still lease a gas VW right now. At least until the financial institutions decide all VW residuals need to take a hit and the lease rates suffer. You could probably work a good discount right now!

Yes, I was wondering about the willingness of financiers to set rates on VW right now given the uncertainty. You may not be able to lease one.

au1994

ab348 said:

au1994 said:

I'd still lease a gas VW right now. At least until the financial institutions decide all VW residuals need to take a hit and the lease rates suffer. You could probably work a good discount right now!

Yes, I was wondering about the willingness of financiers to set rates on VW right now given the uncertainty. You may not be able to lease one.

I would guess we will see the first evidence in the November residuals. They are set month by month. I read an article that quoted KKB saying the impacted cars took an additional 12-13% hit on depreciation,

Michaell

au1994 said:

ab348 said:

au1994 said:

I'd still lease a gas VW right now. At least until the financial institutions decide all VW residuals need to take a hit and the lease rates suffer. You could probably work a good discount right now!

Yes, I was wondering about the willingness of financiers to set rates on VW right now given the uncertainty. You may not be able to lease one.

I would guess we will see the first evidence in the November residuals. They are set month by month. I read an article that quoted KKB saying the impacted cars took an additional 12-13% hit on depreciation,

I'll let you know when the November residuals become available ... it will be interesting to see if the MF and residuals are adjusted to help drive more sales.

At the moment, the GTI and Golf R are getting a lot of lease interest.

stickguy

Sharks circling looking for a bargain. I am glad both our VWs are leased though!

corvette

VW Credit will have to subsidize the leases. 

kyfdx

Gas VWs are leasing.. Diesels obviously are not.

VW recently started a $2000 loyalty incentive for current owners. That should help prop us gas sales, I would think. I think the sales issues will stay pretty well confined to the diesels. That's likely to hurt the individual dealerships, though. If you lose 20% of your business, that's a big ouch.

corvette

Saw a Maserati this morning on Hurstbourne Parkway. Don't see those very often! Great color, too. 

stickguy

I got an email about the 2K loyalty too. If I was in the market for leasing a mid (full?) sizer right now, the passat would be getting a serious look. Going to be some screaming low lease offers on those.

berri

Is that Louisville, Kentucky?

berri

If you like VW, there could be some great opportunities. But shouldn't jump just based on price since you've got to live with it for awhile.

Michaell

I got an email from two different VW dealers announcing the $2000 incentive. Not sure I qualify as I got rid of my one and only VW in 2004.

But, I could see getting a Jetta TSI as my next lease if the price was right.

stickguy

well, I leased the sport (the one you should like!) pretty cheap before the blowup. My guess, I could get the same car today for under $200.

corvette

berri said:

Is that Louisville, Kentucky?

Yes! Not many Maseratis here. They would probably be ubiquitous somewhere like Beverly Hills.

roadburner

I'

corvette said:

Yes! Not many Maseratis here. They would probably be ubiquitous somewhere like Beverly Hills.

I've seen three or four. Plus, a friend has an older one.

fintail

Come to the eastern suburbs of Seattle. A new money demographic just loves them. I see more newer Maseratis than late model privately owned Impalas.

Michaell

stickguy said:

well, I leased the sport (the one you should like!) pretty cheap before the blowup. My guess, I could get the same car today for under $200.

 but, will those same deals be available a year from now, when I am in the market? 

stickguy

you never know. have to wait and find out.

Michaell

stickguy said:

well, I leased the sport (the one you should like!) pretty cheap before the blowup. My guess, I could get the same car today for under $200.

 at least I will have fun shopping! 

stickguy

I'm getting antsy, and mine isn't quite 1 year old yet on a 3 years lease.

I parked near a new style Mustang GT today. Damn, that was a sharp looking car. Dark gray which looked good on it (though I hated the super dark tinted windows, including windshield).

That will be a fun test drive when the time comes!

the other thing that looks very interesting is the new Civic. A loaded 1.5t could hit the sweet spot of size, equipment and driveability.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I'm getting antsy, and mine isn't quite 1 year old yet on a 3 years lease. I parked near a new style Mustang GT today. Damn, that was a sharp looking car. Dark gray which looked good on it (though I hated the super dark tinted windows, including windshield). That will be a fun test drive when the time comes! the other thing that looks very interesting is the new Civic. A loaded 1.5t could hit the sweet spot of size, equipment and driveability.

+1  on the civic, stick  especially if it comes in a hatchback 

stickguy

someone posted a clip from CR recently where they did a (very favorable) preview on the Civic, and they mentioned a HB for the first time in 10 years. No clue of course if that is just the hot rod (R?) model. But if it comes with a normal hatch layout, really piques my interest!

Checked the Honda website. Looks like a 5 door is coming (not sure about a 3 door). I love 5 door hatches. Still miss my 1991 Mazda 626 5 door.

The Future of Civic

The all-new Civic Concept took the spotlight at the 2015 New York Auto Show on April 1. As the basis for the entire line of the 2016 Civic family, the Civic Concept boasts a variety of sporty, aggressive features that will redefine the compact market. This fall, the Sedan—later followed by a Coupe, an Si, a 5-door model, and a new Civic Type R—will celebrate our take on an advanced, sport-inspired design. Featuring a new turbo-charged engine, the Civic Concept embodies the spirited, game-changing future of the 10th-generation Civic.

ab348

I have a hard time getting excited over the new Civic only for the reason that they will be everywhere in no time flat.

stickguy

doesn't really bother me. I get what I like. sometimes that is an oddball, sometimes it is common. Heck, my Accord was both (a 4 door sedan but a stickshift!)

Michaell

ab348 said:

I have a hard time getting excited over the new Civic only for the reason that they will be everywhere in no time flat.

If they build too many, that makes for some great lease deals next year. 

Sandman6472

Marco Island was fantastic, the Hilton was a great place to stay and our room overlooked the gulf. Being a Hilton Honors member entitled us to a better room and since they weren't totally full, we got a very nice upgrade. Nice beach and pool area and many tourists around. Very nice island though real estate is a bit pricey but liked what we saw and could see moving there in a few years and buying a condo. Naples is very close and most services would have to be done there. During season, island does swell with snowbirds but the pace is a bit slower so one just adapts.
Less than 2 hours door to door and we didn't drive around too much, only for some meals. The Golf drove like a champ and used just over a 1/4 tank which seemed pretty good. Left the cruise on 75 as we crossed Alligator Alley/75 and most passed us by...the posted speed limit is 70 though. Seats were very comfortable as this was the longest drive we've taken since new. Looking like I'll be at 12K for the year as it's been mine for 10 months tomorrow...could've actually leased with this kind of mileage but really thought I'd be over to be honest.
Have not gotten any emails about the $2000.00 off on any new VW's but doubt I'd want to get a 2016 model now that I've solved the usb port issue. Only way I'd even consider it would be to add another grand or two and get a brand new TSI model. But very very doubtful I'd even consider this.

The Sandman

berri

Haven't been in one for awhile, but I recall VW's having comfy seats, but not necessarily well placed (if it all) driver's center armrests. Don't know about the newer models.

stickguy

same in my opinion, though the Jetta does slide forward now so not as bad.

Sandman6472

My Golf has very comfy seats, extremely happy. Got to drive a 2015 VW Bug today, just a regular base model and do not think it had the 1.8T engine since it drove differently than mine did. Nice vehicle, our neighbors folks have a black over black drop top but it is not a base model. Did drive nice today and could see owning one to be honest though with just 2 doors, glad I don't have one as the Golf is a better fit for me.
On the other end of the spectrum, drove a Caddy SRX sport ute also and though nice, think I'd rather have a MB or BMW to be honest. This last 10 months, I discovered that I really really like German vehicles at this point in my life. There's just something about the way they drive and feel, like a bank vault and the switch gear just have a certain tactile feel to the way they operate. It's something hard to explain really and coming from the hard plastics that the last generation Hyundai's had to what I have now, there's such a real difference that I'm really enjoying.
Lucky my job gets me behind the wheel of so many different vehicles and I usually get what I want to drive. Luckily when I see something I've never driven before, my lead lets me try it once I let him know I'd like to try it.

The Sandman

berri

If I bought German, I's probably lease because I wouldn't want the repair bills later in it's life. Those dealers can really gouge!

roadburner

berri said:

If I bought German, I's probably lease because I wouldn't want the repair bills later in it's life. Those dealers can really gouge!

It depends on the dealer. We are running three older BMWs- one with 79k miles, one with 142k miles and one with 179k miles, with only one major expense over the last three years. A lot of that "Oh my paws and whiskers, BMWs are terribly expensive to maintain!" comments are based on sour grapes and hearsay- not actual experience.
That said, I probably won't buy another BMW , but that is because Munich has decided to build German Lexus clones. BMW is seeking a customer base that buys cars to wear- and would buy a car with the roundel on the hood even if it had the driving dynamics of a Chevrolet Cavalier.

suydam

"My Golf has very comfy seats, extremely happy."

You know the guy who does Alex on autos said really it's more important to drive what you like. I also think that of the VW line, Golfs have a pretty good reliability standing. So enjoy yours, Sandman!

henryn

I steered my ex into a new Passat, back in 2008, and we never regretted it. Upkeep / maintenance was more expensive than an Accord or Camry would have been, but not a killer. The trick is to find a good dealer service department, many of the local VW dealers are the absolute pits.

imidazol97

roadburner said:

BMW is seeking a customer base that buys cars to wear-

LOL

Michaell

Good to hear the positive feedback on VW - I'm trying to keep a very open mind about what I lease next when my E-GT lease is up in a year.

On another car related note, I finally got the garage in my new house cleaned out to the point where I can fit either the MINI or the Subaru in it. Got a few things to get rid of so they'll both fit at the same time.

That said, the new garage is much smaller than the one at our old house. The Subaru barely fits length-wise.

stever

Cleaned my garage out good yesterday. We'll see how long that lasts. Have to say I really like having the epoxy floor. Great for my usual attire of bare feet. Don't know how practical it'd be for snow country. Easy to clean but mine would be slippery with all the melt over the winter months.

qbrozen

I've got a LONG way to go before my new garage is inhabitable by cars. It isn't particularly high on the priority list. Still haven't even unpacked the kids' rooms nor ours. Each morning is a flurry of shuffling through boxes to find clothes.

robr2

So I've been shopping for a new car for work. I drive about 15K a year for work and about 18K total on this car. I've been looking at used S60's for in the $20-22K range with under 20K miles and CPO warranty.

My wife knowing that I've always admired the Lincoln LS sent me info on one she saw today - 2002 V8 black on black LSE package with 55K miles. I don't know the price. Am I crazy to consider it?

Michaell

qbrozen said:

I've got a LONG way to go before my new garage is inhabitable by cars. It isn't particularly high on the priority list. Still haven't even unpacked the kids' rooms nor ours. Each morning is a flurry of shuffling through boxes to find clothes.

That was not going to happen under my wife's watch. She craves order and the fact that we still have unpacked boxes in my office, her spare room and the basement is driving her mad.

Main rooms are all sorted, however.

cdnpinhead

robr2 said:

My wife knowing that I've always admired the Lincoln LS sent me info on one she saw today - 2002 V8 black on black LSE package with 55K miles. I don't know the price. Am I crazy to consider it?

I drove a Lincoln LS ~125K miles between 2000 & 2008. As you probably know, LS production ceased in 2006, after a significant refresh in 2003. Major known issues have to do with window regulators & COPs (coil on plugs, usually due to minor oil leaks), with the occasional automatic transmission problem.

They handle very well, with the aluminum suspension parts, battery in the trunk & aluminum hood, to achieve ~ 50/50 front/rear weight balance (I think it's more like 52/48 for the V8, but still much better than FWD cars). I enjoyed mine, but since it was a first-year model it suffered more than the 2003 & subs from minor issues that were fixed at the refresh. I participate on a board that has a few people who have driven theirs since new to the current date, and they still enjoy them, with upwards of 150K miles. HOWEVER, getting parts is becoming a problem. I had trouble in 2007, but mine had a manual transmission and a few other odd items, but availability of various repair bits is definitely becoming more difficult for all of them now. Fewer than 300K were ever built.

In retrospect, the car was larger than I needed, and it disappointed me in terms of reliability and maintainability. It is the only American-built vehicle I've ever owned in 1.3 million miles of driving. It won't happen again.

Good luck.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

I've got a LONG way to go before my new garage is inhabitable by cars. It isn't particularly high on the priority list. Still haven't even unpacked the kids' rooms nor ours. Each morning is a flurry of shuffling through boxes to find clothes.

Probably not as far as I have to go. LOL

Your morning shuffle sounds like my life for over a decade now. I daresay I've become quite accustomed to it, but it seems to be wearing on my wife more and more.

qbrozen

robr2 said:

So I've been shopping for a new car for work. I drive about 15K a year for work and about 18K total on this car. I've been looking at used S60's for in the $20-22K range with under 20K miles and CPO warranty.

My wife knowing that I've always admired the Lincoln LS sent me info on one she saw today - 2002 V8 black on black LSE package with 55K miles. I don't know the price. Am I crazy to consider it?

I would suggest an '03 or higher, for some of the reasons stated above but also better performance. Expect 21 mpg and a rather dull drive.

robr2

I know the LS isn't the best car for my situation. I'll keep looking at Volvos.

Sandman6472

Think a lot of folks who own German iron have access to an indie mechanic who specializes in their vehicles and who will most likely charge less than the dealer. I know near our house, there are several of them so I do not for see a problem here. I now understand it all and it's totally worth it to have such a great driving experience. Again, it's hard to put into words, either you get it...or you don't! I have finally gotten it and am willing to pay the price...it's really that simple folks!!! Just ask any of the other folks in these forums who own anything German...they get it!!

The Sandman