Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

kyfdx

Mortgage, Shmortgage..

See, all fixed now. Go get that car!

kyfdx

Also... I would appreciate it, if everyone would stop posting pictures of GTIs and Golf Rs. I'd really like to retire later this year, and that is not helping!

Michaell

Wow, even the co-hosts are enablers here.

What about the "seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" approach? Has that worked with those of you with spouses?

slorenzen

Michaell said:

Wow, even the co-hosts are enablers here.

What about the "seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" approach? Has that worked with those of you with spouses?

Not gonna go there.

Wouldn't be prudent.

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

Wow, even the co-hosts are enablers here. What about the "seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" approach? Has that worked with those of you with spouses?

In hindsight, I made the mistake of going full pressure on the wife when I leased the 328xi back in March of 2012.  

"It's an amazing deal."  

"I've always wanted a 3 series, it is a leftover, & I don't like the new ones."

"You've gotten everything from the engagement ring to the 3rd kid."

"You know how much I love cars."

"We are going to be paying off the Acura for the next 2 1/2 years anyway.  By that time it will have over 100K miles on it & I'll be due for a new car anyway."

nyccarguy

@kyfdx - I would do everything in my power to hold off on a punch of it means I wouldn't have to work anymore.

fintail

I believe it. I suspect they even limit supply to keep the demand relationship high - a CPO E wagon won't be cheap, and probably won't sit on the lot long. They seem to carry the same premium when new, too.

sb55 said:

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

I'm back home. With the E-GT. 

Looked at both the Sonata Sport with premium package and the Elantra Value Edition. Both had the equipment I wanted, but neither really "moved" me. 

I'll stick with what I have now and get serious in the summer. 

corvette

nyccarguy said:

@kyfdx - I would do everything in my power to hold off on a punch of it means I wouldn't have to work anymore.

Ditto. But, you'll have to replace the ZHP eventually. 

stickguy

"seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" is one of my favorite mottos to live by. Though when it comes to cars, that fights with my inherent frugal nature (aka I'm cheap). Which keeps me out of trouble.

Bradd, whenever I would get like that with my wife, she would always just shut me up with "if you want it that bad and we can afford it, just go get it." I hate when she puts it on my like that!

Michael, moving you is important. though next year the cars in the price range you want to pay likely won't move you either.

one interesting option on the cheap end is the new VW 1.4t models. Just read the latest CR, and they were very high on it, and managed to get 47 MPG highway with it. Basically said it was so close to the diesel that it made it somewhat pointless.

stickguy

I would retire tomorrow if I could. But I can't. So I might as well get the car, even if it means working until I die instead of when I pass away, which seems to be the most likely current outcome.

nyccarguy

He can nurse it along until after he retires, then buy himself a "suitable" replacement.

fintail

Went out for a drive on a sunny day, stopped at a few dealerships. Most interesting thing at VW was a 1964 Beetle with a very optimistic asking price. Didn't notice any diesels, but didn't look - scratch that, they had a Cayenne diesel on the lot. Also a 2011 E63, price seemed fair, but these are 5 years old now (!) how time flies. Subaru - boring. Toyota - boring, most interesting was a very clean assumed low miles high price 04 Avalon and a similar condition and price first gen Solara convertible - not even a Landcruiser. RR-Bentley had several cars sitting outside, but nothing caught my eye as being unique. BMW had a nice loaded 328d wagon, 57K MSRP, that pretty kind of bright blue they use. There was also a new 7er around back, with NJ plates (far from home) and the car was sitting very low - I don't know if it was broken or can be adjusted like that. Also stopped at the Ducati dealer, saw the new Monsters, new Hypermotard coming soon, must resist temptation.

corvette

fintail said:

There was also a new 7er around back, with NJ plates (far from home) and the car was sitting very low - I don't know if it was broken or can be adjusted like that.

Maybe a manufacturer's vehicle--BMW HQ is in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.

jpp75

First punch of 2016 is in.

I leased a 2016 Touareg Lux w/ Driver Assist package today in Canyon Grey. More details to come later but with the sign and drive I couldn't pass it up any longer.

Now I just have to sell @nyccarguy or @stickguy a gently used Q50 AWD Hybrid.

Michaell

stickguy said:

"seek forgiveness rather than ask permission" is one of my favorite mottos to live by. Though when it comes to cars, that fights with my inherent frugal nature (aka I'm cheap). Which keeps me out of trouble. Bradd, whenever I would get like that with my wife, she would always just shut me up with "if you want it that bad and we can afford it, just go get it." I hate when she puts it on my like that! Michael, moving you is important. though next year the cars in the price range you want to pay likely won't move you either. one interesting option on the cheap end is the new VW 1.4t models. Just read the latest CR, and they were very high on it, and managed to get 47 MPG highway with it. Basically said it was so close to the diesel that it made it somewhat pointless.

I have to admit I'm intrigued by the new 1.4T in the Jetta. If it takes RUG

stickguy

sounds nice. I think you want to work on Carguy instead. You can break him. Plus I would lowball you so hard your eyes would bleed.

stever

jpp5862 said:

First punch of 2016 is in.

Congrats! No rest for our intrepid scorekeeper, @corvette, who gets little thanks as it is. (Thanks!)

corvette

stever said:

jpp5862 said:

First punch of 2016 is in.

Congrats! No rest for our intrepid scorekeeper, @corvette, who gets little thanks as it is. (Thanks!)

Haha, you're welcome! And congrats to jpp5862 on the punch!

corvette

Hey, my join date says July, 1998, which actually seems correct (I think it defaulted to 2004 or something for everyone who joined before that date). Did Edmunds import some old databases or something?

nyccarguy

@jpp5862 - nice! Mazda-Tov & congrats on 2016's 1st punch!

How much do you owe on that Q50 Hybrid? Will you take my Legacy as a trade? I'll offer $1 more than @stickguy

I drove through the lot of the Ford dealership here in town & saw a 2015 Acura MDX AWD Advance w/ Entertainment. White over Tan Guts. 21,000 miles. Asking $46K. Traded in on 12/23 according to the carfax. Still too much for my blood;)

stever

corvette said:

Hey, my join date says July, 1998, which actually seems correct (I think it defaulted to 2004 or something for everyone who joined before that date). Did Edmunds import some old databases or something?

We tried to although we missed a few "regulars" in the switch over.

breld

nyccarguy said:

@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.

I'll definitely take a look at those. I've always admired them, but knew they came with a high price tag. It'll be interesting to look at used ones.

cdnpinhead

stever said:

corvette said:

Hey, my join date says July, 1998, which actually seems correct (I think it defaulted to 2004 or something for everyone who joined before that date). Did Edmunds import some old databases or something?

We tried to although we missed a few "regulars" in the switch over.

Son of a gun. I had a look at my profile for the first time in ages, and my join date is now much closer to reality than it's ever been. That said, I noticed that I'm a "Roles Member." What, pray tell, is that?

graphicguy

jpp5862 said:

First punch of 2016 is in.

I leased a 2016 Touareg Lux w/ Driver Assist package today in Canyon Grey. More details to come later but with the sign and drive I couldn't pass it up any longer.

Now I just have to sell @nyccarguy or @stickguy a gently used Q50 AWD Hybrid.

Congratz, JPP!

graphicguy

corvette said:

Hey, my join date says July, 1998, which actually seems correct (I think it defaulted to 2004 or something for everyone who joined before that date). Did Edmunds import some old databases or something?

Mine says 1999. Close enough, but I think it was closer to 1995? 1996, maybe?

anony336

We sold Gee's Highlander this past week. He had planned to take a trip to Alaska this summer and doesn't want to put those miles one our other cars since they are so new. So the search will be on for a used Highlander (04-07), Sienna (04-08), or an Odyssey (08-10). We will buy it, drive it for the summer, and then try to get most of our money back. 

kyfdx

corvette said:

nyccarguy said:

@kyfdx - I would do everything in my power to hold off on a punch of it means I wouldn't have to work anymore.

Ditto. But, you'll have to replace the ZHP eventually. 




96K right now. Only putting 11K/yr on it. If I retired, I bet I could get 5 more years, without a lot of issues. Have the cooling system replacement scheduled for when I go away on vacation in late February.

This is the only car I've had, where I don't mind spending money for maintenance, repair and tires. Not sure why that is, but there you go.

My drop-dead retirement date (pun intended) is 2018, when I turn 60. If it happens this year, looking at the end of October.

Of course, check back with me in 2035, to see if I ran out of money..

kyfdx

graphicguy said:

corvette said:

Hey, my join date says July, 1998, which actually seems correct (I think it defaulted to 2004 or something for everyone who joined before that date). Did Edmunds import some old databases or something?

Mine says 1999. Close enough, but I think it was closer to 1995? 1996, maybe?

Mine says 2001, and I'm pretty sure I didn't join until 2002, when I started shopping for my wife's first BMW, which we purchased in December, 2003.

corvette

kyfdx said:

Have the cooling system replacement scheduled for when I go away on vacation in late February.

Are you sure you wouldn't have more fun by skipping the vacation and going DIY on the cooling system replacement? I fondly remember how fun it was on my 540i.

I was at the adult beverage store yesterday and saw a large puddle of green coolant under the Yukon. Took me a few minutes to remember that my truck doesn't have green coolant, so it's unlikely the puddle came from my truck.

fintail

I bet that's what it was, it didn't have "manufacturer" plates, but it also didn't have plate frames...what are the odds of anything else?

I am curious about the ride height, maybe it falls into the 'never buy a first year' car.

corvette said:

fintail said:

There was also a new 7er around back, with NJ plates (far from home) and the car was sitting very low - I don't know if it was broken or can be adjusted like that.

Maybe a manufacturer's vehicle--BMW HQ is in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.

stickguy

best summer job was working in the BMW parts warehouse at the complex there. It was heaven.

stever

cdnpinhead said:

That said, I noticed that I'm a "Roles Member." What, pray tell, is that?

Just means that you just have the one role and aren't also a mod or admin. I think that's all the options - maybe we could add Junior Members for anyone with a join date newer than 2005.

My sister is seriously in the hunt for a new Crosstrek or MINI. After I sent her some prices, I think she's going to prowl the used car lots again. Sounds like her Forester is burning some oil. She was also asking about the Legacy hatch.

jpp75

Thanks everyone, so here's the details on the Touareg. I've always wanted one but never could get comfortable with the cost and reliability factors and have passed on them over the years. After the dieselgate scandal I had pretty much written them off, I'm happy with the Volvo and had decided a Touareg wasn't in the cards.

Anyway, after lots of discussion we decided that keeping the Q50 isn't really viable since we don't have a dealer here and have to drive 2 - 3 hours just for service, etc. So that led to an opening, so I started playing around to see what was out there. I found my favorite color, Canyon Gray, had the exact options I wanted on it, and since I decided to lease for 36 months the reliability isn't as big of an issue. MSRP was 55,505, but with great lease cash and conquest cash the Cap Cost came to just north of $47k. Obviously the residuals stink but with nothing out of pocket, sign and drive I got 15k/yr for just over $600/mo. It's a lot of money but I truly love the vehicle. As soon as I drove it I just felt at home. I've enjoyed other vehicles along the way, but this falls into that special category of one you truly love.

I'll be interested to see how it holds up over 36 months, but I honestly can see myself keeping this one the full term.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

@jpp5862 - nice! Mazda-Tov & congrats on 2016's 1st punch!

How much do you owe on that Q50 Hybrid? Will you take my Legacy as a trade? I'll offer $1 more than @stickguy

I drove through the lot of the Ford dealership here in town & saw a 2015 Acura MDX AWD Advance w/ Entertainment. White over Tan Guts. 21,000 miles. Asking $46K. Traded in on 12/23 according to the carfax. Still too much for my blood;)

Actually we don't owe anything on the Q50 Hybrid, I have the title. Just have to sign it over to you.

Let's just say you could get it for a LOT cheaper than that MDX you saw.

anony336

jpp5862 said:

@jpp5862 - nice! Mazda-Tov & congrats on 2016's 1st punch! How much do you owe on that Q50 Hybrid? Will you take my Legacy as a trade? I'll offer $1 more than @stickguy I drove through the lot of the Ford dealership here in town & saw a 2015 Acura MDX AWD Advance w/ Entertainment. White over Tan Guts. 21,000 miles. Asking $46K. Traded in on 12/23 according to the carfax. Still too much for my blood;)

Actually we don't owe anything on the Q50 Hybrid, I have the title. Just have to sign it over to you. Let's just say you could get it for a LOT cheaper than that MDX you saw.

I drove a Q50 Hybrid a few months ago. I liked it, but never fell in love. It was fast and I liked the interior. The handling is what turned me off. It seemed too light and touchy. Not sure if that is typical of just a bad version.

jpp75

anony336 said:

I drove a Q50 Hybrid a few months ago. I liked it, but never fell in love. It was fast and I liked the interior. The handling is what turned me off. It seemed too light and touchy. Not sure if that is typical of just a bad version.

I think that's fairly typical, the drive by wire system is partly to blame although with some packages you can give it a heavier steering feel. Handling is a bit light/soft but IMO on par with an Acura TLX or Lexus GS.

breld

@jpp5862 - congrats on the Touareg! I like those as well, and seriously considered one a couple years back. They're still on my list of I go the SUV route.

nyccarguy

jpp5862 said:

@jpp5862 - nice! Mazda-Tov & congrats on 2016's 1st punch! How much do you owe on that Q50 Hybrid? Will you take my Legacy as a trade? I'll offer $1 more than @stickguy I drove through the lot of the Ford dealership here in town & saw a 2015 Acura MDX AWD Advance w/ Entertainment. White over Tan Guts. 21,000 miles. Asking $46K. Traded in on 12/23 according to the carfax. Still too much for my blood;)

Actually we don't owe anything on the Q50 Hybrid, I have the title. Just have to sign it over to you. Let's just say you could get it for a LOT cheaper than that MDX you saw.

You didn't want to trade it in or they didn't offer enough?

nyccarguy

@jpp5862 - "of pocket, sign and drive I got 15k/yr for just over $600/mo. It's a lot of money but I truly love the vehicle."  As long as it isn't a financial hardship, that's all that matters!

tjc78

jpp5862 said:

Thanks everyone, so here's the details on the Touareg. I've always wanted one but never could get comfortable with the cost and reliability factors and have passed on them over the years. After the dieselgate scandal I had pretty much written them off, I'm happy with the Volvo and had decided a Touareg wasn't in the cards.

Anyway, after lots of discussion we decided that keeping the Q50 isn't really viable since we don't have a dealer here and have to drive 2 - 3 hours just for service, etc. So that led to an opening, so I started playing around to see what was out there. I found my favorite color, Canyon Gray, had the exact options I wanted on it, and since I decided to lease for 36 months the reliability isn't as big of an issue. MSRP was 55,505, but with great lease cash and conquest cash the Cap Cost came to just north of $47k. Obviously the residuals stink but with nothing out of pocket, sign and drive I got 15k/yr for just over $600/mo. It's a lot of money but I truly love the vehicle. As soon as I drove it I just felt at home. I've enjoyed other vehicles along the way, but this falls into that special category of one you truly love.

I'll be interested to see how it holds up over 36 months, but I honestly can see myself keeping this one the full term.

The Touareg is a nice vehicle, good luck with it! I wanted the wife to check one out because she loves the Cayenne (totally out of our budget!), but she just wanted the Enclave.

jpp75

Thanks guys, I'm really happy with the Touareg so far.

@nyccarguy Since I was doing a lease I didn't want to do a trade-in. It would have meant either a huge reduction in the cap cost or just cutting me a check. I didn't want to do it as a cap cost reduction for obvious reasons, and they had no real interest in cutting me a check for wholesale value.

I did talk to the dealer I bought it from and they recommended selling it on my own but that they would gladly take it and CPO it down the road if I'm so inclined.

If I end up sitting on it for a few months there's always CarMax.

nyccarguy

@jpp5862 - "I'll be interested to see how it holds up over 36 months, but I honestly can see myself keeping this one the full term."

I'm sure someone, somewhere along the line on this very forum has uttered those exact words

How many miles are on that Q50 Hybrid?  That's a 2014, right?

carnaught

I've found that at least here locally, I've done better being issued a check by the dealership for them to buy my car, then leasing a car from them, than my leasing and selling the car to Carmax.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

@jpp5862 - "I'll be interested to see how it holds up over 36 months, but I honestly can see myself keeping this one the full term."

I'm sure someone, somewhere along the line on this very forum has uttered those exact words

How many miles are on that Q50 Hybrid?  That's a 2014, right?

Haha, I'm sure I've probably uttered those words. But I've always wanted a Touareg, so this one probably has a chance if any of them did.

You are correct, it's a 2014 Hybrid AWD. 45k miles (a bit high which hurts the value for sure), has all the options except the Sport package.

stickguy

What do you actually hope to get for it? I have no clue what the market is on these.

jpp75

stickguy said:

What do you actually hope to get for it? I have no clue what the market is on these.

The market is all over the place really and there aren't that many hybrids out there so that makes it even tougher.

If I can sell it for $30- 31k I'd be happy, if not the dealer said $28ish for it. As @breld noted the depreciation hit on new "luxury" brands is brutal, original sticker was around $53 - $54.

@qbrozen quoted around $27 - $28 on the trade in value thread a while back, so in line with the dealer. Since I don't have to have the cash out of it now if I can wait a month or two and get a couple of grand extra then no harm in that.

stever

The Subaru dealer is on the hunt for a Crosstrek in the right color for my sister back in Virginia. She has a bit of car fever but is at least asking me to check the numbers.

I didn't realize that her '05 Forester was as miled up as it was. She has 202,000 miles on it and it's rough and dinged. $680 looks like the trade-in number here, and the dealer is offering $500. She's not interested in trying to sell it on craigslist, although there's some in her area in equally poor shape going for $1,500 asking price.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

@jpp5862 - "of pocket, sign and drive I got 15k/yr for just over $600/mo. It's a lot of money but I truly love the vehicle."  As long as it isn't a financial hardship, that's all that matters!

That was my thinking as well, mid life crisis I guess, but now that I'm on the other side of 40 I realized that I may not have many driving years left and might as well get one while I can. Plus in 20 years cars will be driving themselves, so this was my chance. It's so easy to justify a new purchase.

Ironically enough if the Volvo wasn't in the picture we probably could swap out the Legacy for the Q50, the other half really likes the Legacy, although a sunroof is a must.

jpp75

stever said:

The Subaru dealer is on the hunt for a Crosstrek in the right color for my sister back in Virginia. She has a bit of car fever but is at least asking me to check the numbers.

I didn't realize that her '05 Forester was as miled up as it was. She has 202,000 miles on it and it's rough and dinged. $680 looks like the trade-in number here, and the dealer is offering $500. She's not interested in trying to sell it on craigslist, although there's some in her area in equally poor shape going for $1,500 asking price.

I'm sure she could get $1,500 for it if it's running decently. There's quite a cult following for them. One of my good friends had a late 90's, maybe early 2000's Forester with over 250k on it. A little worse for the wear but a hailstorm totaled it, he was devastated and didn't want to give it up but they gave him crazy money for it, I think close to $3K? He turned around and bought another Forester to replace it.