Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

qbrozen

carnaught said:

The lease deal is for the base Encore with 10k miles per year, with tax and fees extra. It is probably similar to my lease where you have to prove you had another lease recently that you turned in, what they call "lease conquest", to get the deal. Mine has more "bells and whistles" than base, but keep in mind, you can deal on their lease terms. I've found it to be a comfortable small CUV, plus utilitarian and fun.

The base model is enough for us as a 3rd car. bluetooth, USB, power seat. that's plenty.

stickguy

You mean 4th car, right?

ab348

Michaell said:

Inside dimensions seem to be a bit smaller than the Elantra, but that's OK - it's almost always just me, or me and pizza, or me and my golf clubs. With the seats folded down, there seemed to be enough room for the clubs.

Before jumping, check space and your requirements for same very carefully. The CX-3 has been roundly criticized in many reviews for being way too tight in storage and rear compartment room. If you need storage space regularly, you could be buying a 2-seat vehicle in essence.

stever

The HR-V is roomier - my wife found the shoulder room, of all things, lacking in the CX-3. Nice ride though, fun to drive and the pop-up NAV wasn't an issue.

suydam

I recently drove the Mazda3 and really liked it. I don't know how it compares to the CX3 but if it's just one or 2 people I think there's plenty of storage.

Michaell

ab348 said:

Michaell said:

Inside dimensions seem to be a bit smaller than the Elantra, but that's OK - it's almost always just me, or me and pizza, or me and my golf clubs. With the seats folded down, there seemed to be enough room for the clubs.

Before jumping, check space and your requirements for same very carefully. The CX-3 has been roundly criticized in many reviews for being way too tight in storage and rear compartment room. If you need storage space regularly, you could be buying a 2-seat vehicle in essence.

Oh, I'll build a spreadsheet and load up all the important dimensions of everything I'm interested in.

This is a car just for me, predominantly. Wife has probably ridden in the Elantra no more than a dozen times in the two years I've had it.

At the moment, the CX-3 is probably in the second tier given the price. A year from now, however ....

Sandman6472

Tried premium in the Golf and felt no difference so figured why bother. And the wife has tried regular in the A3 and again, felt no difference so think regular on these vehicles is enough. At almost 12K on the Golf and still very pleased with my choice. This was reinforced yesterday when I had to drive a '15 Tucson SE at work...same exact model as the one I traded last year. Drove the same and though I did enjoy the ride height and the familiarity of it all, I know I made the right decision now. Our garage is complete!
While at the Audi store the other day, saw many different models with many colors and at least on the A3, think it looks best in white. Nothing to report on ours at this point, the miles keep ticking by and it takes whatever she throws at it. So far, our experience with German vehicles is turning out very well for us We are very pleased indeed!

The Sandman

qbrozen

stickguy said:

You mean 4th car, right?

well, in ownership length, sure, but I bet it would move up in the ranks of driver choice above the 17-yr-old volvo.

28firefighter

In case anyone was curious, the new incentives on the GTI include a $1000 conquest rebate coupled with 1.9% financing for up to 60 months.

Sales story pending. More to come this weekend.

henryn

That doesn't sound very good when compared to last month's $2,000 owner loyalty and 0% financing for 60 months.

28firefighter

1) I don't qualify for owner loyalty and 2) Financing on 2016 GTI's was 2.9 % last month which could not be combined with the $500 cash incentive.

nyccarguy

Ooooo - punch #28. I'm excited!

iluvmysephia1

2016 Scion iA

I am starting to get not only used to the iA's gaping maw but I'm starting to understand Toyota/Scion's design "language" here. It does have those grille members down low that helps but I think it's the shiny piano black piece higher up in the open maw that tries to alleviate and break up the cavernous space. At some angles it doesn't bother me at all and what's more - I like it.

The little subcompact is so packed with goodies and, according to reviewers, drives marvelously through twisties. Small I-4 engine putting out 108hp but the car's low curb weight of 2,400 lbs. and Mazda suspension getup make for a ball on the turns.

Sweet. Backup camera, pushbutton start, keyless entry, 16" alloys, 7" infotainment screen, 6-speaker Pioneer stereo that evidently kicks, etc. The 6-speed stick apparently shows it's fine Mazda craftsmanship as the throws are short and nestle in easily. In direct opposite to the new Scion iM's shifter. That system was Toyota-produced and has left several of the press unimpressed compared to the iA's.

I've got my eye on a Scion iA in Frost color and 6-speed stick selling with a nice $1,000 dealer discount for only $15,470. Humm...uh-huh. Yes. Or no. I like them in Scion's red, white or blue colors for the iA. I'm looking for something obvious to turn me away at this point.

carnaught

Not feeling that grill.

iluvmysephia1

Trust me, it grows on you. This car should be right there with the FR-S as the coolest Scion produced to date. And all Scion had ta do was slap a front Toyota designed on it plus Scion badging. You can really see the Mazda design on it when you look at the back of the car.

Sandman6472

Interesting looking vehicle...think both vehicles will help Scion put some more iron on the road. Not sure I'd want one to be honest but hey, you never know. Will definitely have my daughter test drive both Scions once we start looking for her new ride in about a year from now.

The Sandman

au1994

Rear end is very Mazda 3-esq and thats a compliment. Front end definitely has the now signature open mouth look from all Toyota products and I have to say the Scion pulls it off better than others. Especially in this color.

xwesx

iluvmysephia1 said:

I've got my eye on a Scion iA in Frost color and 6-speed stick selling with a nice $1,000 dealer discount for only $15,470. Humm...uh-huh. Yes. Or no. I like them in Scion's red, white or blue colors for the iA. I'm looking for something obvious to turn me away at this point.

Sounds like you have a lot to like here. It reminds me strongly of my 2011 Fiesta (both in looks and features), albeit not quite as good, but you can't have everything, right?

I'm not a fan of that low sloping back end. Is this a sedan or a hatch? Roof clearance on the Mazda2 in the rear seat is pretty bad (I can't sit upright back there; I'm 6'), so unless the rear seat sits low in this car, I doubt it will be any better.

ab348

Did I accidentally subscribe to the "Scion Spotlight" forum?

sda

nyccarguy said:

Ooooo - punch #28. I'm excited!

Did you pull the trigger on another car? No buys on the horizon for me, alas.

nyccarguy

@sda - if @28firefighter says he's got a punch, then he's good for it

robr2

au1994 said:

Rear end is very Mazda 3-esq and thats a compliment. Front end definitely has the now signature open mouth look from all Toyota products and I have to say the Scion pulls it off better than others. Especially in this color.

au1994 said:

Rear end is very Mazda 3-esq and thats a compliment. Front end definitely has the now signature open mouth look from all Toyota products and I have to say the Scion pulls it off better than others. Especially in this color.



Well it should as it's Mazda designed and built...

stickguy

Rebadged and nosed Mazda 2. I think also running Toyota drivetrain, not Mazda pieces.

houdini1

iluvmysephia1 said:

2016 Scion iA

I am starting to get not only used to the iA's gaping maw but I'm starting to understand Toyota/Scion's design "language" here. It does have those grille members down low that helps but I think it's the shiny piano black piece higher up in the open maw that tries to alleviate and break up the cavernous space. At some angles it doesn't bother me at all and what's more - I like it.

The little subcompact is so packed with goodies and, according to reviewers, drives marvelously through twisties. Small I-4 engine putting out 108hp but the car's low curb weight of 2,400 lbs. and Mazda suspension getup make for a ball on the turns.

Sweet. Backup camera, pushbutton start, keyless entry, 16" alloys, 7" infotainment screen, 6-speaker Pioneer stereo that evidently kicks, etc. The 6-speed stick apparently shows it's fine Mazda craftsmanship as the throws are short and nestle in easily. In direct opposite to the new Scion iM's shifter. That system was Toyota-produced and has left several of the press unimpressed compared to the iA's.

I've got my eye on a Scion iA in Frost color and 6-speed stick selling with a nice $1,000 dealer discount for only $15,470. Humm...uh-huh. Yes. Or no. I like them in Scion's red, white or blue colors for the iA. I'm looking for something obvious to turn me away at this point.

Would make a nice little third car for local use only. I like it.

28firefighter

*pending punch. 

Its not sealed until the papers are signed and the car in my driveway. 

cdnpinhead

carnaught said:

Not feeling that grill.

It's a carp on wheels.

houdini1

cdnpinhead said:

carnaught said:

Not feeling that grill.

It's a carp on wheels.

More like a large mouth bass, a carp has a very small mouth.

iluvmysephia1

The 2016 Scion iA is the sedan version 2016 Mazda 2. One reviewer mentioned that the rear seats sit low- he's 6'0" and his hair was starting to touch the roofing material. Subcompacts are notorious for not having a lot of room in the back for passengers. He said something about having an extra inch of legroom back there.

We won't get any version of the 2016 Mazda 2 in the U.S. directly named the Mazda 2. Well, hang on for some exciting news I just found out about. I doubt that the salespeople at my hometown Dodge City Lewis Toyota even know about this. This Scion iA sedan is as close as we'll get to the new 2 sedan here. This is completely Mazda in the powertrain. Scion put their Toyota design on the front end and Scion badging everywhere.
The front end design is sort of pulling me in -perhaps its subliminal of some sort. 

If I start to want to load up a bunch of Katy Perry tunes through the iA's aux. input off my Android I'm going to start to wonder. Or Mariah Carey or Lorde or something like that instead of my usual musical fare of The Drive-By Truckers, Jason Isbell, Foghat, The Guess Who or Tragically Hip. This would be my first rig in decades without a cassette deck or CD player. It will force me to plug and play off my phone or I'll get an MP3 player of some sort. Heck, maybe even sync to the Bluetooth to be able to take hands-free calls. I always pass on those in my rigs, even though the tech. has been there for me.

I don't know if I'll bite on one of these but very well may test drive one of them. Now would be a good time to take the plunge, as long as they hold to the Scion Pure Pricing and everything regarding planetary-pull financing is agreeable with both signing parties. That part can get so sticky at times, eh? Evidently the upcoming Toyota Yaris will be the new world order 2016 Mazda 2 hatchback. You may have just heard it here first. It was on one of the 2016 Scion iA sedan review videos. That learning point is absolutely huge, because I was falling in love with that red Mazda 2 design that was everywhere on the net about a year ago. That will be the design Toyota will badge for their brand new Yaris hatchback in the U.S. I may get either one of these. Mazda influence is well-regarded on these videos-one guy said words to the effect of "...why can't Toyota build a good small car any more?"

Well, car nuts, they are smart enough to recognize a well-built subcompact sedan and hatch. If they don't want to tool up to build their own or don't want to devote the time, money or resources, guess what? They are gladhanding it done with this new business relationship with Mazda. Welcome U.S. the all-new 2016 Scion iA sedan and Toyota Yaris hatchback. The new Yaris hatch will be the hatch to get because it will be all Mazda in the powertrain.

Now I'm starting to get enthused again. Thanks to some extra time on my hands I've had the time to edumacate myself fully completely on the new subcompacts being offered that really matter to the car enthusiast. And from Scion and Toyota, of all the car manufacturers. Note the spelling there and tell me if you like to spell it like I have there or do you prefer manufactures. I'll choose the former.

Back to the vast cyber info. automotive bucket. Shall I go Scion 2016 iA sedan with the bold new front end or the adorable Mazda 2 hatchback blitzkrieg-ing the automotive internet during the summer/fall of 2014 that will eventually be sold in the U.S. as the new Toyota Yaris hatch? The model year might be 2016 or even 2017 for the Yaris hatchback that will be Mazda-boned. And, while in Denver I might want to drop in at Best Buy and score myself one of these newfangled MP3 players, or just decide to funnel through my Android and connect up. If I keep my '11 Kia Soul clear white 5-speed base I can start experimenting with the phone and aux.hookups now, too.

I bet the 2016 Scion iA sedan has just a titch more rear leg and headroom than the upcoming 2016-17 Toyota Yaris hatchback. I am a Scion guy, though. When the old xA came out I read gobs of reviews on the little hatchback. Joined the online Scion forums. Loved the tC, too. It's just that this beautiful Mitsubishi came out at the end of 2006 on the net and hit showrooms in Feb 2007. The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS - if that car didn't come out I would've pulled the trigger on a Scion xA. Or a Suzuki SX-4 or a Suzuki Kizashi. 

Thank goodness for great Japanese and Korean imports, guys. They keep us literally flushed with cyber excitement, don't they?

sda

nyccarguy said:

@sda - if @28firefighter says he's got a punch, then he's good for it

I got lost in the posts and obviously confused. For some reason I thought you also had a punch!

stever

Edmunds is hiring like crazy. If any of you guys are bored.... Lots of the new openings are for account execs to work with our dealer partners and lots of those hires are from people who have been in the industry, so if you have a friend who's a salesperson, send 'em our way. A bunch of jobs are regional so no transfer to Santa Monica is necessary.

nyccarguy

sda said:

@sda - if @28firefighter says he's got a punch, then he's good for it

I got lost in the posts and obviously confused. For some reason I thought you also had a punch!

No problem.  I was just excited for his expected GTI punch.  It did get the wheels in my head turning a little bit:  what if I could get a killer end of the year deal on a GTI & trade in my Legacy with no negative equity?

Then that got me thinking:  yes a GTI with PP would be a cool, functional, exciting car that I could drive everyday.  Then I'd HAVE to buy winter wheels & snow tires.  So for about the same money as a GTI DSG w/ PP & Lighting Pkg, I could get a WRX Limited with AWD;)

or I could go for broke & lease a $50K Infiniti Q50S AWD for 15K per year & either buy it out at lease end or hope for a very generous pull ahead program at some point.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

sda said:

nyccarguy said:

@sda - if @28firefighter says he's got a punch, then he's good for it

I got lost in the posts and obviously confused. For some reason I thought you also had a punch!

No problem.  I was just excited for his expected GTI punch.  It did get the wheels in my head turning a little bit:  what if I could get a killer end of the year deal on a GTI & trade in my Legacy with no negative equity?

Then that got me thinking:  yes a GTI with PP would be a cool, functional, exciting car that I could drive everyday.  Then I'd HAVE to buy winter wheels & snow tires.  So for about the same money as a GTI DSG w/ PP & Lighting Pkg, I could get a WRX Limited with AWD;)

or I could go for broke & lease a $50K Infiniti Q50S AWD for 15K per year & either buy it out at lease end or hope for a very generous pull ahead program at some point.

This is a dangerous road to go down, my friend. I think the GTI sub-30k MSRP is a great deal, but once you start really loading it up, you're into a whole different class of car.

I've had my heart set on this exact car for a while and I'm not entirely convinced it is going to actually happen. I'll believe it when I'm signing the papers!

nyccarguy

Oh and speaking of - how does this tickle everyone's fancy?  4 Door/AWD/365 hp twin turbo V6?  0.5% interest rate on a 36 month lease plus a $7,250 lease incentive.

28firefighter

nyccarguy said:

Oh and speaking of - how does this tickle everyone's fancy?  4 Door/AWD/365 hp twin turbo V6?  0.5% interest rate on a 36 month lease plus a $7,250 lease incentive.

Invoice deal, less incentive? Sounds too good to be true...

stever

A reporter is looking to get in touch with car owners who are waiting for replacement parts, etc. for their faulty Takata air bags. If you're an affected owner and you'd like to help, please reach out to pr@edmunds.com by no later than Monday, November 9, 2015.

qbrozen

nyccarguy said:

Oh and speaking of - how does this tickle everyone's fancy?  4 Door/AWD/365 hp twin turbo V6?  0.5% interest rate on a 36 month lease plus a $7,250 lease incentive.

If it is in an Explorer ... not much tickled.

xwesx

qbrozen said:

If it is in an Explorer ... not much tickled.

Funny that you mentioned that, because a Flex is the first thing that came to my mind (and the Explorer is basically the same thing, less tidily packaged). However, I'd possibly be quite tickled if it *were* a Flex.

28firefighter

My BIL and SIL are looking for a larger family car. Flex is at the top of their list - we are going for a second test drive next week.

nyccarguy

You guys are close.  It isn't an Explorer or a Flex.  Our Pilot is mere months from being paid off, so it will remain as part of the fleet for the long run.  A Taurus SHO.  Now you don't get something for nothing.  The low interest rate & pile of lease cash barely offset the dismal 45% residual value.  I know it isn't the performance machine it was hyped up to be, but still... If it is cheap enough...

suydam

They still make them?

nyccarguy

suydam said:

They still make them?

Yes

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

My BIL and SIL are looking for a larger family car. Flex is at the top of their list - we are going for a second test drive next week.

My mother in law is on her 2nd Flex lease.  She loves it.  Smooth ride, plenty of room for her & the 2 grandkids (my niece & nephew) or the 3 grandkids (my kids).  Never in for service outside regular maintenance.  Easy to spot in a parking lot.  Easy to get into & out of.  Hers is AWD & she says it drives great in the snow.  Very nice interior.

xwesx

nyccarguy said:

<
My mother in law is on her 2nd Flex lease.  She loves it.  Smooth ride, plenty of room for her & the 2 grandkids (my niece & nephew) or the 3 grandkids (my kids).  Never in for service outside regular maintenance.  Easy to spot in a parking lot.  Easy to get into & out of.  Hers is AWD & she says it drives great in the snow.  Very nice interior.

Yeah, I would agree with all of that. Ingress/egress is excellent, space is cavernous, very comfortable ride, drives quite well, the Ecoboost is downright fun, and while the space is so generous, it also doesn't feel "sloppy" to me from a driving perspective.

nyccarguy

My MIL has the 3.5L NA V6.  Ingress/Egress is good for them as they have hip/knee/back problems.  

robr2

Bradd - I shall offer some older brotherly advice. Stop with the cars and start putting your pennies away for college.

Now I shall run for the hills as the villagers here chase me out of CCBA town with their torches and pitchforks.

stickguy

wife threw a curveball today. was mentioning that for 3+ months a year from now, we would have an extra car laying around (when daughter goes term abroad, and her car is home). Wife came up with the idea that we could sell her car, she would drive that, and when daughter returned wife could get something new.

made the wheels turn, but there are a few logistical bugs to work out (well, mostly financial!) So we shall see.

nyccarguy

A guy can dream can't he?  Besides, I made a pretty sound automotive investment in the Pilot.  There's really nothing wrong with the Legacy other than the fact that it's not fast;)

My life is busy enough that I really don't have the free time to act on my car buying impulses.

Mr_Shiftright

25 years old this year I believe.

nyccarguy said:

suydam said:

They still make them?

Yes

suydam

stickguy said:

wife threw a curveball today. was mentioning that for 3+ months a year from now, we would have an extra car laying around (when daughter goes term abroad, and her car is home). Wife came up with the idea that we could sell her car, she would drive that, and when daughter returned wife could get something new.

made the wheels turn, but there are a few logistical bugs to work out (well, mostly financial!) So we shall see.

That's what I did when our daughter went abroad. Sold a car I was making a payment on, drove hers for 5 months, and bought a CPO vehicle when she came home. It did involve some sacrifice as I replaced a very nice vehicle for a more pedestrian one, but it did save quite a bit of $$.

breld

Just got back from our cruise.  Hard to go from 80 degree weather in the Bahamas to freezing temperatures here in CO.  Lots of posts to catch up on here!

@robr2 - congrats on the Passat.  I thought my Wolfsburg edition was a great buy at $21k.  That limited model at your price is incredible.  Great engine, roomy backseat.  I consistently got mid to high 30's for my mpg.

@nyccarguy - I think you would really appreciate the extra power of the GTI, as long as you're okay giving up the AWD.  Both you and I took a step back in HP with your Legacy, and me with my Mazda3.  And I am so happy to have gotten back into something that really has juice to spare when needed.

firefighter - good luck closing the deal on your GTI!

@michaell - I've been seeing a lot of CX-3's around here, considering they just came out.  Great looking car, but does seem a bit on the small side.  When you're ready next year, perhaps a new civic hatchback could hit the right buttons?