Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

andres3

graphicguy said:

laurasdada.....the Samsung and Pioneer plasmas were the best on the market. Once Pioneer sold their plasma division to Panasonic, Panasonic ended up being on the the top plasmas. And yes, they could generate some heat.

I love Pioneer Elite electronics, Sound wonderful. Built like tanks. Advanced technology (digital amps, MCACC room/speaker correction, etc). They just sold off their Elite line of audio gear to Onkyo, which is a real shame because I loved their AVRs and disk players, again some of the best on the market.

I've never had a piece of Onkyo electronics that wasn't troublesome. I fear that fate awaits Pioneer, too.

I just bought what will probably be the last piece of Pioneer Elite AVRs (SC99) on the market.

Old Onkyo from the late 80's early 90's was excellent! Built to last forever. However, at some point they decided to change in an effort to win mass appeal and went the wrong direction in just about everything.

stickguy

One nice think about that gen C class. Comes with a spare tire! So no need for run flats, unless you are a belt and suspenders type.

breld

Looking at Jettas, my inclination is to find a lightly used one, but there seems to be some crazy good deals on new ones too.

Wanting to stick with the 1.8T (or 1.4T on a new one) engine, there are 2014 SE models dipping into the $14k's (listed price anyway), with the majority closer to $16k and $17k. Most of the dealerships in my area are advertising prices of $3,500 to $4,500 off MSRP on new ones (one "manager's special was even upwards of $6k off). One dealership down in Colorado Springs (about 60 miles away) has advertised prices of $5,000 off their "S" models - so an S w/tech is about $16,500. No heated seats, but backup camera, touchscreen stereo w/Carplay. Not bad.

Another grand or two gets you into an SE or Sport model.

Anyone know (@stickguy?) the actual incentives on these? I know there's a $1,500 "conquest" rebate out there - just wondering how they're advertising at these discounts, and perhaps there's more to be had.

I like going used, but this may be a case where the value is better going new.

stickguy

No clue on incentives, but this is normally a great time to deal with VW.

I agree that for a few grand, a new 2016 1.4 is a much better deal. Buy it, and take her right through college, and she can keep it as a graduation present!

stickguy

Also, compare back to back. From my looking, the decent price 14s are base SE. So plain radio, no connectivity. There were also a lot of functional upgrades going into 2015, and more features (car play, along with engine) for 2016.

Don't worry about not having bun warmers. The S comes with cloth instead of vinyl chairs.

The sport looks sharp, but has low profile tires, and costs way more. If I was shopping today for my princess, it would be an S/SE. 1.4t instead of a sport for sure.

ab348

Interesting - a local GM dealer (not the one I bought my ATS from, though interestingly the sales guy I used now works at this place) has a new 2015 ATS advertised at $22,900. Original MSRP is $39,900 (all these are Cdn pricing in C$). Base model, 2.5 RWD, zero options I can see. But still, $17K off MSRP for a 2015 seems incredible. An acquaintance was moderately interested, reached out, and got a video email response from my former sales guy that he forwarded to me. The reply from the sales guy said yes, it is a real price, and he had the car in the video to prove it exists and did a brief walkaround. I have never heard of a 43+% discount on a new car. There must be a back story. Would love to know what it is.

breld

Wife and I visited the VW dealer over lunch to look at the different models. Naturally, the sport model is the most appealing to our eyes. The SE model would be a nice sweet spot, with its heated seats, alloys and stereo with CarPlay. With lease cash, they're at $3,675 off MSRP, or $17,560, before any haggling. Sport model would be $1,653 more.

I love the two-tone leatherette sport seats in the sport model, and it also has a nice leather-wrapped steering wheel (not a fan of the "urethane" steering wheel in the SE). Also like the 17" wheels (yes, lower profile) and spoiler. Those things, combined with navigation, are well worth the $1,600 premium to me. But that, of course, doesn't mean it's worth it for this purpose.

breld

stickguy said:

Also, compare back to back. From my looking, the decent price 14s are base SE. So plain radio, no connectivity. There were also a lot of functional upgrades going into 2015, and more features (car play, along with engine) for 2016.

Don't worry about not having bun warmers. The S comes with cloth instead of vinyl chairs.

The sport looks sharp, but has low profile tires, and costs way more. If I was shopping today for my princess, it would be an S/SE. 1.4t instead of a sport for sure.

You're absolutely right on those used 2014's - the "nicest" ones are SE's, and not as well equipped as a new base model. I suppose you get the "bonus" of the 1.8T vs the 1.4T, but that's not a significant factor to me at all.

laurasdada

PUG at Costco this morning, $2/gallon. Of course, my 401k has fallen a lot faster than the price of gas...

stickguy

The sport seats do look cool. But the nav sucks. Seems 2006 vintage compared to my sonata. I would bet maps through CarPlay would be better.

stever

Oh oh, this just showed up back home. My fav color combo for a roadster too.

'99 Mazda Miata

PF_Flyer

But will it match with a new house?

brian125

k

breld said:

stickguy said:

Also, compare back to back. From my looking, the decent price 14s are base SE. So plain radio, no connectivity. There were also a lot of functional upgrades going into 2015, and more features (car play, along with engine) for 2016.

Don't worry about not having bun warmers. The S comes with cloth instead of vinyl chairs.

The sport looks sharp, but has low profile tires, and costs way more. If I was shopping today for my princess, it would be an S/SE. 1.4t instead of a sport for sure.

You're absolutely right on those used 2014's - the "nicest" ones are SE's, and not as well equipped as a new base model. I suppose you get the "bonus" of the 1.8T vs the 1.4T, but that's not a significant factor to me at all.

@breld

2015 Ford Focus se has over 3k back incentives 0% for 5 yrs. A Se model is about $18,000 without upgrade wheels, Nav etc. Might be a option if you could find one by you. click on link for incentives and added options .

http://www.nadaguides.com/Cars/2015/Ford/Focus/4dr-Sdn-SE/Pricing

Michaell

Just booked a trip to CA for next month and reserved a rental .. since when is a Corolla considered a "mid size"?

Sheesh.

tifighter

stever said:

Oh oh, this just showed up back home. My fav color combo for a roadster too.

'99 Mazda Miata

Has the hard top too. You're due, Steve...

stickguy

nice looking. Yes, that is the color combo to get. Sadly, I doubt I fit any better in that generation than I did 10 years ago when I owned one!

I like the Chevelle he has in the garage too (butt poking out of the garage in one of the pictures)

suydam

.

Michaell said:

Just booked a trip to CA for next month and reserved a rental .. since when is a Corolla considered a "mid size"?

Sheesh.

Rental car speak. Has no relation to actual sizes used by real people.
What the hell is "standard size"???

Mr_Shiftright

I can't fit in them...legs are too long. If you're over 5'10" or so, generally you have to man-spread in a Miata to drive one. Nice low miles...maybe too low.

stever

tifighter said:

Has the hard top too. You're due, Steve...

Maybe my wife will show up at the airport in it to pick me up tomorrow night.

tifighter

I could never fit into the original NA or NB like the one in the ad above, but can just get into the NC at 6'2". We had a 06 PRHT and it was a fun car. Almost always top down. With the top up, it was a head-scraper. Traded after we left the Bay Area for that reason.

Mr_Shiftright

One size does not fit all. For you long-legged lads:

Miata -NG
MR2 - NG
Boxster- NG
Cayman-- Yes
Mini --Yes (go figure)
Porsche Carrera -- oh yeah
Corvette--Yes
BMW Z4 -- just
MGB - Yes (!)

Mr_Shiftright

SO GET THIS....

Client calls me up, wants to have me inspect/appraise a classic car he bought out of state.

Dealer swore the car was perfect, even arranged for a $75,000 loan through his "contacts".

Car arrives, is NOT perfect by a long shot.

Client calls up dealer, dealer promises to blah blah, "let us know what it needs" but no mention of unwinding the deal.

So client calls the dealer's bank where he got the loan and finds out....wait for it....the bank never even looked at the car!

Afterthought: I'm thinking of that scene in "The Big Short" where the NY finance guys go to Florida in 2008 or so to investigate some or the mortgage derivatives they are holding and meet with the exotic dancer who owns 5 houses.

Sandman6472

Bread, check out the Golf, it really is the perfect vehicle. Drove a couple of '16 Jetta S's at work and though nice, prefer my Golf. It does everything right, has the hatch which really comes in handy and getting great mpg's with the 1.8t engine. Very pleased and just wish VW had put all the goodies for '16 in the '15 models. Shame on you VW!!!

The Sandman

corvette

Mr_Shiftright said:

So client calls the dealer's bank where he got the loan and finds out....wait for it....the bank never even looked at the car!

I thought it was hard to get a loan on a classic/used exotic car... Anyway, would it surprise you to know that banks are doing stupid mortgages again? That turned out so well the last time around... I am seeing a lot of 100% loans to borrowers with iffy credit and high DTI, often at low APRs.

Sandman6472

My lead driver knows how much I am into German makes now so any time we get one to be moved somewhere, I get to do it. Yesterday, had to relocate a '14 GLK 350 and it was just o k. Going back, they put me in a '15 GLA 250, black over black...words can not describe how much I enjoyed it. Must admit, the interior was almost exactly like our Audi A3 which bodes well for Audi. Loved the GLA size and it being a hatch, I was in love. Drove nicely and got comfy very easily. Now, I really want to try a CLA 250 since they must be very similar.
Am definitely spoiled now and doubt I could go back to anything Japanese or Korean in the future. Never in a million years would I ever think I'd like these vehicles as much as I do. I just do! But at the end of the day, I get to drive my beloved Golf home with this big [non-permissible content removed] eating grin. I really really thank the car g-ds who have made it possible for us to have two outstanding vehicles in our garage right now. I really am a blessed beast right now!!! Sometimes I just walk into the garage just to look at them and always have the biggest grin on my face. Now how crazy is that!!

The Sandman

breld

sandman_6472 said:

Bread, check out the Golf, it really is the perfect vehicle. Drove a couple of '16 Jetta S's at work and though nice, prefer my Golf. It does everything right, has the hatch which really comes in handy and getting great mpg's with the 1.8t engine. Very pleased and just wish VW had put all the goodies for '16 in the '15 models. Shame on you VW!!!

The Sandman

Wife and I by all means prefer the golf as well. But, our daughter seems to prefer the sedan body style more, and since the golfs are more expensive...why push it?

stickguy

it does have a big trunk. Not a bad thing for college duty.

Mr_Shiftright

corvette said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

So client calls the dealer's bank where he got the loan and finds out....wait for it....the bank never even looked at the car!

I thought it was hard to get a loan on a classic/used exotic car... Anyway, would it surprise you to know that banks are doing stupid mortgages again? That turned out so well the last time around... I am seeing a lot of 100% loans to borrowers with iffy credit and high DTI, often at low APRs.

There are companies that specialize in loans for classic cars and they are pretty good---like JJBest. They require a 60 month loan (but you can pay it off early if you wish, no penalty) and the rate is about 6%. They actually send an inspector to look at every car.

nyccarguy

My yearly mileage tallies are in.  

2015 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Premium
1/1/2015 - 5,319
1/1/2016 - 24,924
19,605 miles driven in 2015

2011 Honda Pilot EXL w/ Navigation
1/1/2015 - 58,105
1/1/2016 - 72,295
14,190 miles driven in 2015

stickguy

I need to get out more. My Sonata is just about 14 months old, and just hit 8.500 miles. The Acura is 40 months, and is struggling to break 33K still. And 1/2 of that probably came in 1 year, running back and forth to NY almost every week, and touring the ACC region on college tours (and deliveries!) for the princess.

stickguy

actually, the Jetta is the road warrior. probably pushing 5K in 6 months!

tjc78

Yeah, with the wife and I working in the same office our cars don't get much mileage either. The Enclave was bought Thanksgiving 2014 and only has 11,500. The MGM I got with 76K in Oct 2012 and it now has 99,500.

If we took the "local" ride into the office that would shave 8 miles a day a really lower the yearly mileage total (as well as save a small toll as well) but that's probably not gonna happen.

Michaell

Our 2015 Outback has just under 11,000 miles. We got the car 2/28/15 so we're on pace to average 12,000 miles per year.

And that's with a 2000 mile trip to Sedona, AZ last summer.

Wife and daughter commute together about 90% of the time so they switch between the MINI and the Subaru.

Plus, we moved closer to their work so the commute dropped from 22 miles one-way to about 11 miles one-way.

qbrozen

I only put about 10k on the Caddy and I put about 9k total on the Honda before selling it. I just noticed the T&C has 25k on it, and we have had that 19 mos. I'm not sure how many we put on the Volvo. I just don't keep track of it. We have put about 3k on the Rover already.

On the bright side, I worked this weekend at getting my garage in order and it is mostly done. I parked both the van and Rover in 2 of the bays, while the 3rd bay is still occupied by the tractor and the trailer it is sitting on. I finally put that back together last night, but I did not start it yet to see if the plow is going to work now because it was so late and I didn't want to risk disturbing the kids. I am keeping my fingers crossed since the snow is coming tomorrow night/Sat morn.

Michaell

Hope all my east coast friends are ready for the storm bearing down on them this weekend.

thebean

Wife's 2001 Lexus ES300, bought new, has a whopping 65K miles.  And we took it for road trip vacations for 12 years.  She still loves it and will drive it until the wheels fall off.  If has been very trouble free for a 14 year old car.

nyccarguy

Anybody ever look into any of these places? How are their prices?

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/why-i-just-bought-a-1347596471615542.html

Michaell

thebean said:

Wife's 2001 Lexus ES300, bought new, has a whopping 65K miles.  And we took it for road trip vacations for 12 years.  She still loves it and will drive it until the wheels fall off.  If has been very trouble free for a 14 year old car.

My folks bought a new Hyundai Sonata - GLS V6 - new in the spring of 2003. I think it has somewhere between 40-50K on it.

And Dad's 1970 Chevy C-10 - also bought new - has less than 150K on it. And probably less than 50K on the engine that was rebuilt 20+ years ago.

I'll know in a couple of weeks when I go out for a visit.

breld

nyccarguy said:

Anybody ever look into any of these places? How are their prices?

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/why-i-just-bought-a-1347596471615542.html

"First, let’s be clear. I am not a novice car buyer. Over the years I have purchased nine cars"

Novice.

rayainsw

LOL
- Ray
Not 'champion' here, but not a novice - by a long shot....

Michaell

breld said:

nyccarguy said:

Anybody ever look into any of these places? How are their prices?

https://www.yahoo.com/tech/why-i-just-bought-a-1347596471615542.html

"First, let’s be clear. I am not a novice car buyer. Over the years I have purchased nine cars"

Novice.

That's about 18 months worth of transactions for you, innit?

Mr_Shiftright

Well if indeed they take the car back if you don't like it within 5-7 days, sounds pretty good if you know what you want in the first place. The article was annoying vague in certain ways. Also the guy sounds like he couldn't plug a lamp into a wall socket. I'm going to check this out further...

Mr_Shiftright

Ford is sweetening the bait for those longing for a GT350R but hesitating because it is "impractical as a daily driver".....not any more!

http://www.hotrod.com/news/1601-ford-performance-parts-to-offer-back-seat-kit-for-the-shelby-gt350r-mustang/

rayainsw

I just had to check -
I bought my 9th car in 1977.
- Ray
I was still a novice, back then....

stickguy

Heck, I think I had 3 just my senior year of HS, and hit 8 when I graduated college and got my first new one.

I'm no breld, but that author just isn't trying.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

SO GET THIS....

Client calls me up, wants to have me inspect/appraise a classic car he bought out of state.

Dealer swore the car was perfect, even arranged for a $75,000 loan through his "contacts".

Car arrives, is NOT perfect by a long shot.

Client calls up dealer, dealer promises to blah blah, "let us know what it needs" but no mention of unwinding the deal.

So client calls the dealer's bank where he got the loan and finds out....wait for it....the bank never even looked at the car!

Afterthought: I'm thinking of that scene in "The Big Short" where the NY finance guys go to Florida in 2008 or so to investigate some or the mortgage derivatives they are holding and meet with the exotic dancer who owns 5 houses.

I actually did some appraisal work for a local bank; all they wanted were rough numbers based on the year and model of the cars. Seriously.

PF_Flyer

Heck, I've only had 16 vehicles since 1973. I might get cast out of this discussion by you real CCBAers

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah, I don't think banks are all that thorough, but at least they hired you to see if the car was real.

roadburner

They just described the cars to me; I never saw them- either in person or in photographs...

xwesx

Huh. Your mockery of his nine car-buying experiences made me start to question my own. Happily, I'm at eleven, but that still lands me squarely in "novice" territory, I'm sure! I guess I could be at thirteen if I counted all vehicle acquisitions, but two of them did not involve money changing hands, so I'm not sure those count.

My first acquisition was in December 1994 when I bought the body for my Econoline, and my longest "dry spell" was between August 2000 and January 2007; the period when we were a "one vehicle" family and had our 1996 Outback. As of now, however, our 2010 Forester takes the record for our longest-owned daily driver, although it does not beat out the '96 in terms of miles during that time. We put about 140,000 on that car over 6.5 years, while this one, at just over 6.5, is only at about 91,000.