Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

houdini1

fintail said:

A luxury trim car like that is actually pretty rare - as likely 95% of the cars sold in NA have the "sport" trim (also no charge). That is if it is actually a luxury trim car - sometimes dealers put funny things in the blanks.

Premium package would include the camera, nav; keyless go gives the trunk (which I find handy) and push button; wood wheel is an option, split seats are too. Does it have standard or full LED lights? I love the lighting package on these cars.

New E should be on our roads by summer 2016.

houdini1 said:

Thanks for reply fin. Correct, no leather. MBTEX is fine by me. In addition to the prem pkg $3870. , the luxury pkg is standard, comfort box, rearview camera, navigation, split folding rear seats, wood leather steering wheel, keyless go, electronic trunk opener, hands free access. Base price $53,900. total msrp incl. dest $61,005.

They also have a 2014 E 350 which is identical except for engine, etc. for $1,000. less. It also has about 20,000 miles. I am also aware that a totally new E class, designated as a 2017 is due out in mid 2017.

I knew the '17 would be out in about 6 months. When I said 2017 it was just a typo. Not sure on the headlights but Edmunds says LED's are standard on this trim, so I'm pretty sure it does.

28firefighter

I crossed 1000 miles on the GTI yesterday while out running errands. For the first time in my life, I love a car more today than when I bought it!

We are having about 20 people over for the holiday, so I'm off to clean and run errands. Happy, healthy, and safe New Year to all of you!

fintail

Yep, all have LED. Standard lighting is a small LED running light, the dynamic lighting has the tubular LED "cats eye" running lights, adaptive lights, etc. They look like this:



They are pretty excellent.

houdini1 said:

I knew the '17 would be out in about 6 months. When I said 2017 it was just a typo. Not sure on the headlights but Edmunds says LED's are standard on this trim, so I'm pretty sure it does.

stickguy

wow. lots of posts.

Breld, you might need an intervention. I can't even imagine what you are thinking about trading in on an SUV.

Micheal, from the offers I have been sent, if you want to buy a sonata today, your payment is going down. Way down. Way Way down.

I saw a few more MBs recently. I really like the look of the current E class, and saw a new style C class that was stunning. A 2016 C off lease in 2 years, might be the ticket! Can't wait to scope it out next month at the Philly auto show!

Michaell

stickguy said:

wow. lots of posts.

Breld, you might need an intervention. I can't even imagine what you are thinking about trading in on an SUV.

Micheal, from the offers I have been sent, if you want to buy a sonata today, your payment is going down. Way down. Way Way down.

I saw a few more MBs recently. I really like the look of the current E class, and saw a new style C class that was stunning. A 2016 C off lease in 2 years, might be the ticket! Can't wait to scope it out next month at the Philly auto show!

Was at the Subaru dealer today. Temps were in the teens, so not a lot of lot wandering. Did walk over to the Toyota dealer and looked at an SE - pretty nice inside, but the base trim doesn't have keyless entry and push button start. Bummer.

Will be at the Hyundai dealer Saturday - I'll take a close look at the Elantra and Sonata. If they have the equipment I want, at a price that works (and no money out of pocket other than the first payment), I might have to let the wife know what's going on.

I'd like the new car to have a rear view camera and push button start - those are two features I don't have with the E-GT.

stickguy

I'm smelling a nice big Sonata in your near future! Though you can get both features on an Elantra too. Might require a limited?

saw ad in today's paper for me local Ford dealer. A Fusion SE, normally equipped (I think MSRP was about $26.2) for S&D at $189 (36 mos/31,500 miles). Just add tax/tags/doc fee/1st (I think that was not included). based on our NJ 7% tax, right about $1,200 OTD then 35 more @ $189. Not at all bad for that much car. As long as you don't need a ton of miles, though could probably upgrade to 36K miles for ~$10/month, keeping it right about $200.

corvette

Anyone working on a last-minute punch? Anyone? Anyone?

houdini1

fintail said:

Yep, all have LED. Standard lighting is a small LED running light, the dynamic lighting has the tubular LED "cats eye" running lights, adaptive lights, etc. They look like this:



They are pretty excellent.

houdini1 said:

I knew the '17 would be out in about 6 months. When I said 2017 it was just a typo. Not sure on the headlights but Edmunds says LED's are standard on this trim, so I'm pretty sure it does.

fintail said:

Yep, all have LED. Standard lighting is a small LED running light, the dynamic lighting has the tubular LED "cats eye" running lights, adaptive lights, etc. They look like this:



They are pretty excellent.

houdini1 said:

I knew the '17 would be out in about 6 months. When I said 2017 it was just a typo. Not sure on the headlights but Edmunds says LED's are standard on this trim, so I'm pretty sure it does.

All the literature shows as standard equip on the 2014, LED headlights, running lights, tail lights, signal lights, and interior lights. The standard LED headlights are static, the extra cost dynamic LED headlights move as the car turns, etc. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!

Michaell

corvette said:

Anyone working on a last-minute punch? Anyone? Anyone?

We haven't heard from @breld since this morning...

stickguy

I think that one is probably a lock.

I can't keep up with their fleet it changes so fast.

fintail

I got a "We'll Pay Top Dollar For Your Car" mailer from the MB dealer today. Hello guys - it's a lease, and you leased it to me!

fintail

It's just my preference, but if I was buying one, I would go for the extra cost lighting package, even though it's not cheap. It looks cool and it is useful.

Happy New Year to all, it'll be fun to see what people find in 2016.

houdini1 said:

All the literature shows as standard equip on the 2014, LED headlights, running lights, tail lights, signal lights, and interior lights. The standard LED headlights are static, the extra cost dynamic LED headlights move as the car turns, etc. HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE !!

breld

Oh no - no punch for us. We'll stand pat at 5 for 2015, though to be fair, that recent one was for our son's caretaker.

We did spend a good portion of the afternoon split between a BMW and MB dealership looking at SUVs.

Good test drives of a couple of new X5's - one 35i model and another 40e model. Wife and I really loved both of them. The 35i was a loaded m-sport in that carbon black - very nice. But I was pretty smitten with the 40e model - didn't know much about them beforehand. The 4 cylinder/electric setup drove great - on a "gas-only" basis, it gets about 4-5 mpg higher than the 35i; with the electric engine kicking in, should be much better, but not sure how much benefit there is on the long commute we have.

But...man those X5's are expensive. With the new model out since the 2014 model year, we'd likely keep our eye out for a used one if we go that way.

At the Mercedes dealer, drove a couple used ML's - one 350 and one bluetec. I found the ML350 to be very smooth and comfortable, but not very engaging. The bluetec was much more engaging. A 2013 CPO with about 30k miles, listed for $42k. Seemed like a pretty decent deal. Also drove the new facelifted version, a GLE bluetec, with the newer 4 cylinder diesel. Liked that too - felt a little lighter on its feet (probably because it is), but still with nice torque and good efficiency. I also like the revised interior on the new model. Not cheap either, but definitely more affordable than the X5.

Really liked the look of the new GLC too - that C-class interior is beautiful, but we liked the more upright and roomier feeling of the larger SUVs.

We will still likely take a closer look at the XC90 for comparison.

So...a likely SUV punch for 2016 at some point. X5 is probably the favorite, but the MB models offer a compelling choice for a little better value. The XC90 could find its way into the stable too if we like the way that drives - and with the 3rd row, it could potentially take the place of the minivan.

Happy 2016 everyone!

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

@jpp5862 - I've read quite a few reviews that praise the V6 Powered AWD TLX for so many things, but the tranny gets knocked way too often.  I'm sure if you complain, they'll issue a software update.  Complain multiple times and you'll get a new transmission.  Either way, it's not a risk I'm willing to take with a $42K car.  

Besides the transmission, what do you think of the V6 TLX otherwise?

I agree with you, he's leasing so in the end he doesn't really care but does find it annoying. Putting it in Sport mode seems to help some but it's still noticeable.

Otherwise I really like the V6 TLX, very smooth, plenty of power. I've probably driven his a few hundred miles on various trips. His is FWD, so you feel a bit of torque steer if you push it, but nothing major. I do find it a touch soft on the ride and handling but it's on par for the class. I do feel my S60 is more nimble and tighter though. The cylinder deactivation is seamless and helps return over 30 mpg on the highway, so it's hard to argue with that power and mileage.

The 4 wheel steering is really only noticeable to me when parallel parking, takes a little getting used to but overall I'm not sure it's worth the potential problems down the road.

For what they are leasing for right now it's a great deal on a great car.

nyccarguy

Happy & Healthy New Year to all of my Chronic Car Buying family here on edmunds!

Michaell

stickguy said:

I think that one is probably a lock.

I can't keep up with their fleet it changes so fast.

S3 (Mrs. @breld)
S4 (@breld)
A3 (daughters)
Sedona (leased)
3-series convertible (fun car)

stickguy

sounds right. wonder where an X5 fits in?

My SIL has a current generation (I think it is a 2014?) X5 35i, in a dark brown/bronze color that is very attractive. They seem to really like it. I could live with one!

fintail

I'll be honest, I kind of don't mind the GLC, I am warming up to it. Closest thing to a C wagon on this continent.

My X5 rental in Germany seemed like a fine car too.

breld said:

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Really liked the look of the new GLC too - that C-class interior is beautiful, but we liked the more upright and roomier feeling of the larger SUVs.

We will still likely take a closer look at the XC90 for comparison.

So...a likely SUV punch for 2016 at some point. X5 is probably the favorite, but the MB models offer a compelling choice for a little better value. The XC90 could find its way into the stable too if we like the way that drives - and with the 3rd row, it could potentially take the place of the minivan.

Happy 2016 everyone!

roadburner

@corvette- what is your opinion of what used to be Swope's VW dealer- particularly the service department?
They just received a base Golf R with 3 pedals...

stickguy

if this is the one, i like it. A lot! Much better looking wheels than the regular GTI (IMO of course). But man, 225/40 tires? I would be terrified to take it out on our crappy roads. the 225/45 on the Jetta give me enough angst.

http://www.donjacobsvolkswagen.com/used/Volkswagen/2012-Volkswagen-Golf+R-16f7bb8d0a0e0a6b21e766a6cd4b43e4.htm

roadburner

No, this is a 2016:


I haven't driven it yet, but but the MK7 Golf R has received very positive reviews from both sides of the pond.
.

Mr_Shiftright

Pretty good resale for the 4-year mark, no?

stickguy

Ah. yeah, the current generation is probably nicer. I like that color too.

I did think that price on a 2012 with 40K was a bit ambitious. But I am often surprised by these things.

Mr_Shiftright

It's all about supply and demand, and that is often not rational.

breld

stickguy said:

sounds right. wonder where an X5 fits in?

My SIL has a current generation (I think it is a 2014?) X5 35i, in a dark brown/bronze color that is very attractive. They seem to really like it. I could live with one!

X5, or something similar, would likely take the place of the S3, if we did anything. Though according to kbb, the loss on that trade is brutal, more so than I would've expected.

What we did decide is we have to get back on track with buying used again. We detoured with the two audis, the mazda3 and the gti. The vw and Mazda were okay going new, but buying new luxury cars certainly does not work well with our habits.

So if we do anything in the SUV front, it will be used.

fintail

Quickly browsed the MB dealer today - it was odd. They were open, I only saw one person there, plenty of parked cars, only one customer. They had a GLC, few options, 45K MSRP. Several normal cars, most attractive maybe a well optioned CLS400 with the wheel package. Oddest thing was a 2010 S63, appeared to be a full option load including distronic/night vision, rare colors (kind of a burgundy on tan), something like 10K miles on it, but at 50K+, it will be sitting awhile.

stickguy

yeah, from my monitoring of the market (usually the inventory at my favorite local used dealer!) the depreciation on Euro luxo cars is nasty. If you want to be flipping those (as opposed to buy and hold for 10 years) starting at 2 YO/20K miles is the way to go.

most likely, if our next car to replace my Sonata is a higher end sedan (C class, G37, etc.) it will meet that used criteria.

stickguy

MB, I never could understand their naming conventions. And now they took the few that I did know and gave them new alpha numeric names.

nyccarguy

I think MB is trying to streamline things, but confusing the daylights out of people in the process:

Sedans - C,E,S
SUVs - GLC (formerly GLK), GLE (formerly ML), GLS (formerly GL).

nyccarguy

@breld - while you are thinking of looking into depreciating German SUVs, I've always been intrigued by the MB GL.  Might be more expensive than a used X5 or ML, but bigger.  More for your money.  I feel like a lot of rich people just keep leasing them every 3 years.  There's even a diesel option.

fintail

I think I read the wealthiest MB buyers choose E wagons.

The nomenclature is to align with sedans as posted above, but it is still odd even to me. GLC, really? GLE looks funny to me too.

stickguy

GLC reminds me of the little Mazda I almost bought in 1984.

I get the C/E/S small/medium/large concept. Better than what they used to do with the coupes when C and E was all messed up.

nyccarguy

@fintail - it is strange to me as well.  GLC doesn't roll off the tongue like GLK does.  Calling an ML (the luxury SUV that gave birth to the luxury SUV segment) a GLE is just plain stupid.  

stickguy

RB, found you another base Golf R 4 door. Stick. deep black pearl (picture is apparently a stock image based on the description). Probably looks smashing on this car.

I am actually going to go right past this dealer tomorrow. Beg me, and I will stop and check it out for you! Though technically it will be too cold most likely to take it out on summer tires!

Please though. beg me. I beg you!

http://www.burkevw.com/vehicle-details/2016-volkswagen-golf-r--cape-may-court-house-nj-id-11883033

nyccarguy

Funny we are talking about Golf Rs now.  I've seen a few GTIs in red & think it is a smashing color for the car.  I saw a red Golf R yesterday & it didn't look right.  It looked almost pedestrian.

stickguy

you mean like this one?

nyccarguy

I took my sister's 2016 Forester XT for a spin around the block at my parents' house today.  The 2.0 Turbo motor seems to build steam early and strong.  I was able to chirp the tires when I gave it some gas mid curve going uphill.  I'll have to check the specs, but I think I felt a genuine hydraulic power steering rack.  The dash of my Legacy is nicer.  The suspension felt a little less smooth than my car.  That turbo motor was sweet.  I'd have to heavily weigh the financial consequences if they ever produce a legacy with the 2.0 T. 

roadburner

stickguy said:

RB, found you another base Golf R 4 door. Stick. deep black pearl (picture is apparently a stock image based on the description). Probably looks smashing on this car.

I am actually going to go right past this dealer tomorrow. Beg me, and I will stop and check it out for you! Though technically it will be too cold most likely to take it out on summer tires!

Please though. beg me. I beg you!

http://www.burkevw.com/vehicle-details/2016-volkswagen-golf-r--cape-may-court-house-nj-id-11883033

Feel free to check it out; I rarely go with black- too hard to keep clean with a 1400' gravel driveway.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

you mean like this one?

Yes.  I LOVE the way a GTI looks in red.  I think red & white would be my 1st color choices if I were shopping for one.

The red on the Golf R just didn't look that special.  Usually if I see a GOLF R in Blue or that Dark Grey I say:  "WOW!  A golf R.  Cool."

the red one passed me & I said:  "hey that was a Golf R."

fintail

ML name had equity, reminds me of what Ford did with the Taurus. I guess the marketing clones and focus groups forgot about the GLC, as it has been 30 years since Mazda used it.

nyccarguy said:

@fintail - it is strange to me as well.  GLC doesn't roll off the tongue like GLK does.  Calling an ML (the luxury SUV that gave birth to the luxury SUV segment) a GLE is just plain stupid.  

corvette

roadburner said:

@corvette- what is your opinion of what used to be Swope's VW dealer- particularly the service department?
They just received a base Golf R with 3 pedals...

Sales department was very good, didn't give me quite the price I wanted when I bought the GLI, but more than make up for it on the trade-in allowance on the 540i. Went back and forth a few times but there was no BS or games.

Service department is poor. They dinged the driver's door twice while working on it.

Body shop was imperfect by my standards. My standards are that I expect everything to look and feel exactly like it did when I drove it home for the first time, no sanding marks or debris in the paint, wheel gaps still even, etc. The reality is that the pitifully low hourly labor rates auto insurance companies have demanded (and obtained) will encourage even a good body shop to cut corners.

Some of the staff seemed to be "lifers" who had been there since it was Clapp VW. If the numbers are right on the purchase, I would say go for it, but be prepared to go somewhere else for warranty repairs. I think VW only includes the 10k oil change as the "complimentary maintenance" now.

corvette

nyccarguy said:

I'd have to heavily weigh the financial consequences if they ever produce a legacy with the 2.0 T. 

Um, you mean if they ever produce it again? Because there used to be a Legacy GT with the turbo engine, and even a Legacy wagon and Legacy GT wagon (without the lifted suspension of the Outback).

I also concur regarding Mercedes' new naming conventions. GLC was a Mazda, which is now the Mazda3. GLE was a trim level on some Volvos.

stickguy

My wife would have a cow if I just stopped to browse. So I will tell her that RB desperately wants to buy it, and begged me to stop and look for him. She might go for that. As long as she does not have to get out of the car!

Michaell

 I ran the idea of getting out of my Elantra lease early by my wife – big  thumbs down from her.  

nyccarguy

@corvette - yes, I meant "again."

nyccarguy

Volvo dealer in Huntington, Long Island has 3 or 4 CPO S60 T5 Premier AWD listed for about $28K.

stickguy

I decided if I was to get an S60, I want the new updated engine instead of the old 2.5T.

Michael, you obviously did not explain it correctly. And you can still do this. First, work out the deal for no cash exchanged, and they give you a new car at a lower price.

then, tell the wife that you used your job connections as an "insider" to put one over on the dealer, and they paid you to upgrade early! How can she argue when you explain that your monthly outlay went down?

I bet she has it in her head that it somehow is going to cost you money, not save you money.

and with this, I have myself talked into visiting the dealer tomorrow to see if I can upgrade to a Genesis for a lower payment!

roadburner

corvette said:

Sales department was very good, didn't give me quite the price I wanted when I bought the GLI, but more than make up for it on the trade-in allowance on the 540i. Went back and forth a few times but there was no BS or games.

Service department is poor. They dinged the driver's door twice while working on it.

Body shop was imperfect by my standards. My standards are that I expect everything to look and feel exactly like it did when I drove it home for the first time, no sanding marks or debris in the paint, wheel gaps still even, etc. The reality is that the pitifully low hourly labor rates auto insurance companies have demanded (and obtained) will encourage even a good body shop to cut corners.

Some of the staff seemed to be "lifers" who had been there since it was Clapp VW. If the numbers are right on the purchase, I would say go for it, but be prepared to go somewhere else for warranty repairs. I think VW only includes the 10k oil change as the "complimentary maintenance" now.

Thanks for the information; it kind of discourages me- decent VW service departments are few and far between. As for body shops, Neil Huffman did an absolutely fantastic job on the Mazda when I bent it. I'm very picky and I was very impressed. Ditto for Swope's body shop; I had my ti touched up where I scraped a door backing into a track garage. I did request that the BMW Certified body man do the work. Again, a really impressive job.

sb55

fintail said:

I think I read the wealthiest MB buyers choose E wagons.

The nomenclature is to align with sedans as posted above, but it is still odd even to me. GLC, really? GLE looks funny to me too.

We have been thinking of trading our 2010 535xiT wagon and considered a used E350 wagon. Those used 2014 wagons seem to have about a $12-15K premium over the sedan. You can get a CPO 2014 sedan in the $35-40K range and the wagons all start around $50K.

Michaell

stickguy said:

I decided if I was to get an S60, I want the new updated engine instead of the old 2.5T.

Michael, you obviously did not explain it correctly. And you can still do this. First, work out the deal for no cash exchanged, and they give you a new car at a lower price.

then, tell the wife that you used your job connections as an "insider" to put one over on the dealer, and they paid you to upgrade early! How can she argue when you explain that your monthly outlay went down?

I bet she has it in her head that it somehow is going to cost you money, not save you money.

and with this, I have myself talked into visiting the dealer tomorrow to see if I can upgrade to a Genesis for a lower payment!

There is a piece to the puzzle that's missing from what I've explained here.

We're looking to refinance the mortgage to 15 years, so holding off on any new credit outlays makes sense.

Isn't to suggest that I'll look - just can't talk any numbers.