Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

rayainsw

"Salesman made me test drive it."
That has happened to me SO many times.
- Ray
I nearly always accept such an offer...

Michaell

 I got an email offer for Mazda this past week for a $25 visa gift card if I test drove a CX-3.  I need to find time this week to get up to the Mazda dealer 

nyccarguy

@kyfdx - what does the SE have over the S (besides leather)?  I think I could deal with an S - Performance - DSG.  Great write up btw in the GTI

rayainsw

nyccarguy -
Bummer !
- Ray
Good luck with the fix !

28firefighter

kyfdx said:

Test drove a 2016 GTI, today.. Was just going to wander the lot, as this dealer is always closed on Sunday. But, new ownership and they had two people working. Salesman made me test drive it. Anyway, it was Autobahn version (4-door), with driver assistance package (lane departure, park distance control, etc). That is a $1500 option. With some mat packages, and even with a stick, it came up to $33K! And, that's without performance or lighting package. Really nice darker blue color. Lots of torque.. very easy to spin the wheels in first or second gear. All-season tires. Definitely faster than my car off the line.. 55 mph in 2nd gear was no issue. (speed limit was 25, so that's all I got to test out). I mentioned that I was waiting to see if the $2000 loyalty would be extended to everyone on next month's program, and the sales manager told me to check back on Tuesday (with a knowing look). Then said, "maybe not $2000, but something is likely". Anyway.... I think I need an SE, with performance and lighting, and without that driver assistance package. The car was rock solid and the seats are very comfortable.

A dealer I'm working with indicated loyalty would drop to $1000 and then would add conquest cash of $1000. 

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

@kyfdx - what does the SE have over the S (besides leather)?  I think I could deal with an S - Performance - DSG.  Great write up btw in the GTI

Fender Audio
Sunroof
Keyless Entry and Start
Leather

iluvmysephia1

No -  not thinking your post was snarky, slorenzen, just poking fun at those who can't stop the "itch to wanna pull the purchase trigger." If I had bought all the cars I started ta dig I'd have a stable similar to Jay "Airplane Hangar" Leno!

kyfdx

28firefighter said:

nyccarguy said:

@kyfdx - what does the SE have over the S (besides leather)?  I think I could deal with an S - Performance - DSG.  Great write up btw in the GTI

Fender Audio
Sunroof
Keyless Entry and Start
Leather

Sunroof is pretty big for me... keyless entry is nice.

Their sunroof shade is mesh, though... which bugs me.

nyccarguy

I can do without leather, keyless entry & start, & even a sunroof. That Fender Audio sounds nice. The mesh sunroof shade drives me nuts too. They put one on my parents' 2016 Cayenne. Very chintzy.

au1994

kyfdx said:

28firefighter said:

nyccarguy said:

@kyfdx - what does the SE have over the S (besides leather)?  I think I could deal with an S - Performance - DSG.  Great write up btw in the GTI

Fender Audio
Sunroof
Keyless Entry and Start
Leather

Sunroof is pretty big for me... keyless entry is nice.

Their sunroof shade is mesh, though... which bugs me.

I really wish you could do options a la carte as was the case many years ago. I understand the reasons why but it sure would be nice to load a car up to your exact specification.

Mesh shade on the A3 I drove a few months ago too. Wasn't a big fan as I can't imagine it blocks enough sun and UV.

rayainsw

I decided not to select an S3 for several reasons –
One reason was the mesh sunroof shade.
It does not work well, at all, for me.
And here in the
HotLanta area, I really want the option of
completely blocking the summer sun . . .
[ Does not work well in the GTI I drove either. ]
- Ray
Thinning hair on top . . .

houdini1

To all you Mets fans. The Mets have a great team and the 4 to 1 series victory for the Royals is very misleading. Anyone who watched the games know that each game could have turned either way and the margins were razor thin. Congrats on a great year. My fav to win the World Series next year....The Mets.

nyccarguy

@houdini1 - congrats to your Royals on your 1st World Series title since 1985. To my Mets' fans friends (@fezo, @stickguy, & @laurasdada) While I'm sure you are very upset, you have a lot to look forward to in the coming years. Your team played leaps and bounds better than last year.

graphicguy

Bradd....that's terrible about the hig and run. Hope it turns out to be "less costly". Kind of stuck thinking that a dent puller may not work on it, but hope it does.

OldFarmer....I never turn down an offer to test drive. If they still offer, after I tell them I'm not in the market, by all means, I'm jumping in the driver's seat.

Sadly, more than once I've had the offer to test drive new cars with manual transmissions accompanied by signing a piece of paper stating I know how to drive a manual trans car. When did that start happening?

qbrozen

carnaught said:

Q, if I may ask, why did you sell the Fit. Did you not like it, or have some issue with it?

Oh, I can give lots of reasons:
1. Wife doesn't drive stick
2. I didn't drive it all that much (8k miles in 14 mos) since it meant leaving the Caddy at home
3. We just bought a new house and 3 car payments on 3 new cars plus insurance seemed silly


#3 is mostly an excuse. I might not have needed to eliminate the payment, but we'll see. The wife's birthday is just around the corner.

qbrozen

Oh, and the boys didn't realize till this morning that the Fit was gone. My 5-year-old is quite confused. He wanted to know why I would get rid of one and not returned with a replacement. Then stated I NEED a replacement, and a Ferrari would be a good one.

iluvmysephia1

Sadly, more than once I've had the offer to test drive new cars with manual transmissions accompanied by signing a piece of paper stating I know how to drive a manual trans car. When did that start happening?

They're worried that a test-driver who drives a stick of theirs and crashes might sue them, pehaps? I mean, we are in 'Merica, ya know.

rayainsw

"Then stated I NEED a replacement, and a Ferrari would be a good one. "
From the mouths of 5-year-olds .....

stever

iluvmysephia1 said:

Sadly, more than once I've had the offer to test drive new cars with manual transmissions accompanied by signing a piece of paper stating I know how to drive a manual trans car. When did that start happening?

They're worried that a test-driver who drives a stick of theirs and crashes might sue them, pehaps? I mean, we are in 'Merica, ya know.

I think they are more worried about having to replace the clutch. A "good" driver could burn one up in less than an hour.

roadburner

kyfdx said:

Test drove a 2016 GTI, today..

Was just going to wander the lot, as this dealer is always closed on Sunday. But, new ownership and they had two people working. Salesman made me test drive it.

Anyway, it was Autobahn version (4-door), with driver assistance package (lane departure, park distance control, etc). That is a $1500 option. With some mat packages, and even with a stick, it came up to $33K! And, that's without performance or lighting package. Really nice darker blue color.

Lots of torque.. very easy to spin the wheels in first or second gear. All-season tires. Definitely faster than my car off the line.. 55 mph in 2nd gear was no issue. (speed limit was 25, so that's all I got to test out).

I mentioned that I was waiting to see if the $2000 loyalty would be extended to everyone on next month's program, and the sales manager told me to check back on Tuesday (with a knowing look). Then said, "maybe not $2000, but something is likely".

Anyway.... I think I need an SE, with performance and lighting, and without that driver assistance package. The car was rock solid and the seats are very comfortable.

One of the local dealers had a red S manual with performance and lighting. Can't see paying close to $30k and not getting adequate headlamps. On the other hand, I don't need or want the Ray Charles, er. driver assistance package.

roadburner

In other news, it turns out the one F30 335i I actually like is a 2015! It's a CPO as well. The PO already added the M Performance Power Kit so the car would be absolutely perfect for me- except that the asking price is $47,500. Rats.
So... It looks like it's going to come down to either a very lightly optioned new Mustang GT Premium or the CPO STI across town. Right now I'm leaning towards the Soob; the CPO Mustang I first looked at had every option I wanted and I just hate to "settle."

Michaell

roadburner said:

In other news, it turns out the one F30 335i I actually like is a 2015! It's a CPO as well. The PO already added the M Performance Power Kit so the car would be absolutely perfect for me- except that the asking price is $47,500. Rats.
So... It looks like it's going to come down to either a very lightly optioned new Mustang GT Premium or the CPO STI across town. Right now I'm leaning towards the Soob; the CPO Mustang I first looked at had every option I wanted and I just hate to "settle."

I tell folks this all the time in the leasing discussions I moderate. When you're spending that much money, you should get exactly what you want.

28firefighter

Michaell said:

roadburner said:

In other news, it turns out the one F30 335i I actually like is a 2015! It's a CPO as well. The PO already added the M Performance Power Kit so the car would be absolutely perfect for me- except that the asking price is $47,500. Rats.
So... It looks like it's going to come down to either a very lightly optioned new Mustang GT Premium or the CPO STI across town. Right now I'm leaning towards the Soob; the CPO Mustang I first looked at had every option I wanted and I just hate to "settle."

I tell folks this all the time in the leasing discussions I moderate. When you're spending that much money, you should get exactly what you want.

I'm seriously considering the GTI right now, as you all know, and this is exactly what I keep telling myself. Not to compromise on color, options, etc. otherwise I'll be looking to get rid of it at the first opportunity.

stever

If you are a parent of young children (at least one under 12 years old) who owns a 2016 Chevy Volt, 2014-16 Kia Soul, 2014-16 Mazda 3, 2016 Honda Civic, 2016 Kia Optima, 2016 Hyundai Tucson, 2015-16 Nissan Murano, 2015-16 Subaru Outback, 2015-16 Toyota Sienna and/or a 2016 Honda Pilot, a reporter would like for you to fill out a survey, due by December 22, 2015, for use in a print publication. Click here for the survey http://bit.ly/1M6rOvA

Michaell

28firefighter said:

Michaell said:

roadburner said:

In other news, it turns out the one F30 335i I actually like is a 2015! It's a CPO as well. The PO already added the M Performance Power Kit so the car would be absolutely perfect for me- except that the asking price is $47,500. Rats.
So... It looks like it's going to come down to either a very lightly optioned new Mustang GT Premium or the CPO STI across town. Right now I'm leaning towards the Soob; the CPO Mustang I first looked at had every option I wanted and I just hate to "settle."

I tell folks this all the time in the leasing discussions I moderate. When you're spending that much money, you should get exactly what you want.

I'm seriously considering the GTI right now, as you all know, and this is exactly what I keep telling myself. Not to compromise on color, options, etc. otherwise I'll be looking to get rid of it at the first opportunity.

Exactly. You'll regret it eventually.

Which, of course, is the defining characteristic of the members here.

When I get back in the market next year, I'm going to try to be cognizant of the advice I've been giving out.

Though, when you're shopping for an appliance, like I will be, it's not as important.

nyccarguy

@Michaell - it is important even with an appliance.  You plan on leasing a car for $250 a month or so?  That's still $9,000 of your money that you are spending, so you might as well get what you like.  $275 a month cost you an extra $900 for the life of the lease.  

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@Michaell - it is important even with an appliance.  You plan on leasing a car for $250 a month or so?  That's still $9,000 of your money that you are spending, so you might as well get what you like.  $275 a month cost you an extra $900 for the life of the lease.  

I'm hoping this go around I can get the payment down to $200 or so. At $232/mo currently.

I do agree with you ... just not sure what's a "want" versus what's a "need" at this point.

And, even if I did know, it could change a few dozen times between now and when I get serious about shopping.

suydam

In my experience if a vehicle doesn't have something I really like, it bugs me a little more each time I drive it. Not less. Or if I say to myself, I'll get used to that, it generally means I won't. On the other hand, there can be surprises. I generally prefer leather, but I actually like the quality of the cloth and leatherette trimmed seats on the Encore.

Michaell

suydam said:

In my experience if a vehicle doesn't have something I really like, it bugs me a little more each time I drive it. Not less. Or if I say to myself, I'll get used to that, it generally means I won't. On the other hand, there can be surprises. I generally prefer leather, but I actually like the quality of the cloth and leatherette trimmed seats on the Encore.

Seat material is something that I'm on the fence about. Wife would like me to get something that isn't cloth, so it doesn't absorb the smell of the food I carry with me.

Not many cars in my budget offer leatherette, so it may be something I have to give up.

andre1969

Does anybody know what a reasonable price would be these days for a 2005 Impala with 40,000 miles on it. I think it's an LS, but I'm not positive. One of my cousins, who used to have an early 00's Grand Am, got it from her mother when she gave up driving. But now she just bought a Chevy Cruze over the weekend, and is looking to get rid of the Impala.

Apparently, at one time I must have asked her, if she was ever bought a new car, to let me have first shot at the Impala. I'm not denying that I said it, but I can't remember it. That generation of Impala isn't my favorite, but this one is in pretty good condition and low mileage.

She said that the KBB on it was something like $5200, and that she was looking for $5,000. I've read enough to know that KBB is often a bit optimistic, though. It might be a half-decent replacement for my 2000 Park Ave, which is starting to show its age a bit.

suydam

That seems a bit high, but hard to bargain with a relative. What does it have on it that you like?

Michaell

suydam said:

That seems a bit high, but hard to bargain with a relative. What does it have on it that you like?

Besides the low miles?

laurasdada

When it was noted that Matt Harvey wasn't going to come out in the 9th, I flashed back to 2003 when Pedro talked Grady Little into letting him pitch further into the game. And, last night, I thought, "uh oh"; like the Red Sox decision, it was the wrong one. But, the next year, the Sox had the team of "idiots" and in the greatest comeback in sports history, defeated the Yanks in the AL series and went on to win the World Series for the first time in....well, you know.

So, perhaps history shall repeat and the Amazin's will be the 2016 World Series champs! Kinda hoping for an '86 redux....

suydam

Besides the low miles! Unless that's all you care about. Still a 10 year old car. Equipment like a sunroof or better stereo? Didn't some of those still have bench front seats?

stever

Edmunds says $4,486 private party, $5,846 dealer retail (NM zip, clean, no options).

You know about the Real World Trade-In Values discussion, right?

andre1969

I think it's mainly just the low miles and nice condition that attract me. And, I've been in a few, so I know I can fit fairly comfortably. Up front, at least; I've always found the back seat of GM's W-body to be a bit short on legroom, feeling more cramped than the published numbers might suggest.

I think the car has a sunroof, but I'm not positive. I know it has a power seat. At my grandmother's funeral back in May, the funeral director asked everyone to back into the parking spots to make lining up for the procession easier, and I moved the car around for her, because she has trouble backing it up. She's really short, so I had to move the seat back before I could even get into the car.

I told my cousin that I would think about it, but in the meantime, if she found someone else who was interested, to go ahead and sell it because I didn't want to hold her up. I have a feeling this was just a passing thought, and that I'm going to turn it down.

corvette

It may not be as well equipped as the Park Ave. Maybe you can find a newer Park Avenue with lower miles, or a Lucerne?

Mr_Shiftright

'round these parts, in California, a 2005 Impala goes for $2,500 to $3,500. Are the low miles worth an additional $1500? You decide.

qbrozen

I agree $5k is about the nicest one at full retail. $4k private party is closer to the mark.

tjc78

I don't think you will be happy going from a Park Ave to an Impala.  They aren't all that roomy and unless fully optioned won't be nearly as luxurious as the PA. I'll second a Lucerne as a good replacement.

ab348

I never liked that model of the Impala. The exterior design in particular did not appeal to me. I had one for a week as a rental in Seattle back in '04. "Competent" is the best thing I could say about it. It wasn't awful. Of course I can understand the attraction of an older car with low miles and in good condition for a reasonable price as well, and how that may make one's choice different from what you would select in a perfect world.

Sandman6472

Arrggghhh!!! That really sucks...don't understand why people are so frickin' nasty that they won't even fess up!! Well, what goes around...comes around and I hope the guys, or gals, guilt builds up so much they eventually fess up. real bummer but no one was hurt so have to look to the bright side here! Still, I know the first one is the hardest!!

The Sandman :@

Sandman6472

Interesting drive at work today and drove something which really blew me away. A 2015 Kia Sedona...what a nice vehicle!!! Drove flawlessly with 12K on the clock with no rattles or noises, tracked straight and true and have to say, Toyota and Honda, watch your backs!! Have driven numerous Odyssey's and Sienna's and the Sedona is really right at the head of the pack. It was a base model so can only guess how nice the better equipped models must be. My lead driver knows I love anything foreign so he threw me the keys for the ride to MIA with a big grin on his face. Like I said, was a base model but drove real nice and the fabrics and plastic was pretty decent. A smallish back up camera but was there, the engine handled 5 of us with no issues at all. I just can't say how impressive it was...seriously, Honda and Toyota as well as you domestics really need to step it up because the playing field is definitely changing!
Right now, Hertz is bulking up it's fleet with new 2016 models and it couldn't have come at a better time. I feel totally blessed that I get to drive so much new iron, just never know what keys will be handed to me. Have approached my upper management a number of times about getting some more hours but all falls on deaf ears so might write a letter to the next level and see what happens on this. I really want to work 30hours/week and with those others who just aren't showing up, they really need to do something about this. here they have an employee who just wants another 4 to 6 hours a week, an employee who shows up when scheduled. What is the problem here...seriously!!

The Sandman

xwesx

sandman_6472 said:

I really want to work 30hours/week and with those others who just aren't showing up, they really need to do something about this. here they have an employee who just wants another 4 to 6 hours a week, an employee who shows up when scheduled. What is the problem here...seriously!!

Affordable Care Act (ACA). This is your obstacle, and it isn't something that your employer is going to "fudge" in order to get you the hours you want!

They must keep you under that 30-hour-per-week threshold in order to keep their costs down. So, my guess is that the extra few hours of buffer gives them the ability to call you more if necessary on occasion without putting them in a situation where they have to offer you benefits. I think that there are options out there, but basically there's a look-back period. So, let's say that is six months (rolling). If you exceed a certain threshold, say 780 hours, in that period, then you're automatically in a category of employee where your employer must offer you health care.

Granted, the employee can turn it down (if they have coverage elsewhere), but I think that many employers are taking the stance that they would rather not have the topic come up than potentially have their "part-time temporary" employee suddenly cost them much more than the vast majority of other like employees.

suydam

This happened well before the ACA. Avoiding paying benefits is a tried and true company dodge. So unfair.

xwesx

suydam said:

This happened well before the ACA. Avoiding paying benefits is a tried and true company dodge. So unfair.

True, but the cap was higher pre-ACA.

Sandman6472

Was hired for 25, first office worked me 35, before got to present office asked if I could do 30...sure, 2nd day there, told 24 for most of us. I don't want or need their benefits since I am an ex-government employee and get it through them. We shall see what happens here but do not really want to do Uber as there are crazies out there, hate to use my vehicle and my health problems really make 24/week the sweet spot as am on a couple then off a couple. The family thinks I need to stay with the 24 and call it a day...turned 61 yesterday and want to work until 65 and re-retire. Holding off using retirement accounts until I can also get some s s but the post office pension and s s have some issues getting along it seems.
Just want to work and make some extra funds and then move some place quiet and relax until I die!!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472

Trust me here folks, do not purchase a vehicle that you settle for!!! Did that with the Tucson SE and knew deep down it was the wrong decision as I was signing the papers, just knew, and it was over some crazy alloys I led myself to believe. Bought the wrong size vehicle to begin with and that's the G-d's honest truth. Should've just walked away for a bit and let my mind absorb it all and then re-visit the situation. Hate to tell my wife she was right here but, SHE WAS!!! Should've waited till the right BMW drop top came along and have had two vehicles for awhile to get it out of my system. Either that or the 1 Series coupe that I actually fell in lust with. Keeping the Civic for work duties and another vehicle just for fun was the way to go actually. Was tired of econoboxes and wanted to go german once the wife did...and keeping one vehicle out on the driveway would've been a hassle but that's what I really really wanted and wifey should've indulged me on this. Think I would've been happier and would've spent almost the same amount...a shame when a wife or husband rains on their other half's parade...tends to push them to make stupid decisions with the corresponding issues that go along with these bad decisions. Sometimes we need to let them just get it out of their systems and once they have, move on to a happier place.
I would've been so much happier in the long run...and think so would she! There, I've finally let the truth out!!! A big relief to finally let it all out to someone. Next, need to let it all out to her so I can move on here!!! Buying any vehicle back in December of 2013 was the wrong decision...totally wrong decision!!

The Sandman

xwesx

sandman_6472 said:

the post office pension and s s have some issues getting along it seems.

Yes, indeed! I have a step-mother who retired from the Post Office. She worked several more "quarters" at various jobs (WalMart greeter stands out in my memory) when they were at their home base during the summer months until she had the required number to qualify for SS. My current employer is the same way (no SS contributions), but I'll worry about that when/if I retire.

robr2

I'm a chronic shopper but I finally bit the bullet today after looking at used S60's, Mazda6's, and ILX's. Waiting for me later this week is a new 2015 Passat LE that was $6,000 off of MSRP with the $2,000 loyalty bonus. Silver over Black (the combination I said I didn't want unless the deal was unbelievable). It's a brand new car for $19,100.