Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Michaell

Mr_Shiftright said:

"but wonder how it would be as a d d."

Brutal!

When I lived in CA, a co-worker bought a Wranger (this was around 1990 or so).

We took it on a business trip to Los Angeles - about 60 miles or so.

The short wheelbase and stiff suspension made for a terribly uncomfortable ride.

stever

I had a CJ-5 as a daily driver for three years in Chattanooga. Lived up one of the mountains and had a commute. How I never rolled it.... Torquey fun for the commute, but I was 40 years younger then.

roadburner

Mr_Shiftright said:

"but wonder how it would be as a d d."

Brutal!

I used my Wrangler as a DD from 2002-2007. Didn't bother me a bit. The only thing that gets tiring is the interior noise above 60-65 mph. I still think it's a blast to drive, and I still put around 50-100 miles on it every week.

nyccarguy

houdini1 said:

I don't know. The Jeep brand is what they call a review-proof vehicle. People will buy them no matter what. 

It also helps that the Wrangler has just about the highest resale around.

My best friend leased a Wrangler Sahara Unlimited in May of 2014.  He took the hard top off about a week after wards.  We had an unusually dry & mild summer.  He rode around with the top down almost daily.  Once October hit & he had to put the hard top back on he said:  "I've got to get rid of this thing.  It is cramped & uncomfortable."  

He he traded it in & leased a 2015 Chevy Tahoe.  He traded in the wrangler for its payoff amount just 6 months into a lease.  Yup, he's a chronic car buyer.

nyccarguy

@qbrozen - What are these 2014 GCs (similar to this: http://www.jeep.com/hostc/cpov/vehicleDetails.do?dealerCode=23153&yearCode=2014&inventoryStockNumber=P20041&zipDistance=18.98&fiveStar=N&modelDescription=Grand+Cherokee) Crossing the block at?

2014 Black/Black Limited - V8, Nav, Backup Camera, 4WD, 36K miles

Looks like it was serviced religiously. Including a nice differential service & transfer case fluid change. I wonder why the water pump went bad at 33K?

How does the price of the used V8s compare to the used prices of the EcoDiesels from the same year?

Maybe I should find out what @verdugo 's buyout on his will be when his lease is up. Might be worth it to ship that sucker cross country as well as give me time to lay down my Legacy;)

qbrozen

$26k-$28k for the v8 and a hard $28k on the diesel.

ab348

Is that the new model that had all kinds of teething/transmission problems?

nyccarguy

ab348 said:

Is that the new model that had all kinds of teething/transmission problems?

I think the majority of the problems were with the new Pentastar V6 mated to the 8 Speed Automatic.  The Diesel I believe had some teething issues as well.  The HEMI V8 (argh argh argh) is the tried & true motor in the lineup.  There are still way too many brand new 2015s still rotting on dealers' lots.  Residuals on new 2015s are terrible (hovering below the 50% mark after 3 years).

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

$26k-$28k for the v8 and a hard $28k on the diesel.

Thanks.  The hard $28K on the diesel is interesting given liw has prices and the perception that diesel is dirty (VWs).  

EDIT - WOW!  Holy diesel 2014 GC problems - check engine lights, catalytic converter replacements, software updates, engine replacements.  No thank-you.  Like I said, I'll stick with the HEMI - tried & true V8.

nyccarguy

Between rebates, USAA, Friends & Family, I'd be scared to walk into a jeep dealership right now.  If most likely be driving a GC for the next 3 years

ab348

Wow Mazda had a bad sales month in February. According to GoodCarBadCar: Mazda USA sales flew in the face of a healthy Feb. trend, falling 16% as 3, 5, 6, and CX-9 all tumbled.

suydam

Good news for me maybe if I'm looking at a 3 in a couple of months! Didn't they have a stop sale on the 6 to fix a defect? The 5 is on the way out I thought.

Michaell

suydam said:

Good news for me maybe if I'm looking at a 3 in a couple of months! Didn't they have a stop sale on the 6 to fix a defect? The 5 is on the way out I thought.

Probably meant CX-5, not the 5 mini-minivan.

suydam

The CX3 and CX5 both had sales increases.

Mr_Shiftright

roadburner said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

"but wonder how it would be as a d d."

Brutal!

I used my Wrangler as a DD from 2002-2007. Didn't bother me a bit. The only thing that gets tiring is the interior noise above 60-65 mph. I still think it's a blast to drive, and I still put around 50-100 miles on it every week.

Yep, it's mostly the noise that's so irritating. Those of us who drive cars with firm suspensions might not mind the ride so much.

stickguy

Won't bother me. My idea of AC on the highway is roll down all the windows and crank open the moonroof.

Mr_Shiftright

Yeah but not in a metro commute situation--the noise, the dirt, the slime from diesel trucks---why do you think convertibles lost their popularity?

"Worldwide sales of convertibles have plunged 44 percent from their 2004 peak, to 465,800 cars last year—just 0.7 percent of all cars globally—while SUV deliveries have more than doubled, to 15.4 million, according to data from researcher IHS (IHS)" (Bloomberg Business, April 2014)

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

qbrozen said:

$26k-$28k for the v8 and a hard $28k on the diesel.

Thanks.  The hard $28K on the diesel is interesting given liw has prices and the perception that diesel is dirty (VWs).  

EDIT - WOW!  Holy diesel 2014 GC problems - check engine lights, catalytic converter replacements, software updates, engine replacements.  No thank-you.  Like I said, I'll stick with the HEMI - tried & true V8.

@nyccarguy Where did you find all the problems with the 2014 GC diesel? I've heard of poor reliability but never seen much on it.

I liked my 2011 GC but it was a lemon from day 9. I'm much happier with the Touareg.

nyccarguy

@jpp5862: I googled "2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Forums." After the edmunds reviews of course was a Jeep Diesel Owners Forum.  Scary things happened to the early production 2014 GC diesels.

jpp75

nyccarguy said:

@jpp5862: I googled "2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Forums." After the edmunds reviews of course was a Jeep Diesel Owners Forum.  Scary things happened to the early production 2014 GC diesels.

Thank you sir, googling now.

breld

@nyccarguy - I've become quite enthralled with the Grand Cherokees as well. I like the fact it seems to compete well with the luxury brands, but has a much more utilitarian image.

Interesting about your research on the Diesel - that's the only version I've actually driven and liked it quite a bit. But...if it's just the most prudent thing to go with the Hemi, then I guess that's the way to go.

Actually, I can very much see myself in a Durango when it becomes practical to swap out the Sedona. I'd prefer the Jeep, but I'd still like to have a 3rd row, and the Durango seems to be a particularly good buy on the used market. When I was at CarMax a couple weeks ago, I was able to sit in both a newer Grand Cherokee and Durango and was a little surprised at how nice the Durango compared to the Jeep. Now, I understand the two cars are very much related, but I just assumed the Jeep would be better appointed. Of course, the Durango I sat in was the "Citadel" model with the "fine nappa leather" upgrade, so I suppose that made up the difference.

Anyway, a Durango R/T may scratch that "muscle car" itch and be practical all at the same time!

tifighter

When shopping a few months ago, I looked into the GC's. Like you guys, the EcoD was appealing until you went onto the Jeep forums. Just massive issues. The Hemi is the pick of the litter, but even it is not exactly a shining beacon of reliability. Nice rides, though.

tifighter

On a different note, I took the Volvo in for its first fluid change last week, and while there, did the Polestar ecu upgrade. Maintains factory warranty, HP now up to 325, torque up to 354 lb/ft. Torque band lower in rev range. It definitely pulls harder. I don't know if it is the extra power at play or just that the transmission programming is a little less EPA-friendly, but either way, it is a nice improvement. Took it for an extended weekend up to Whistler BC and passing on hills gets a stout thumbs up.

qbrozen

what did they charge you for the reflash?

corvette

I could see replacing the Yukon with a GC or Durango. Haven't driven either but they look like nice vehicles. 

tifighter

qbrozen said:

what did they charge you for the reflash?

About $1k installed. Not cheap for a reflash, but I guess the warranty is intact. List is something like $1500 for a T6, which is really crazy. But I'm really happy with the transmission response; really wakes up the car.

stickguy

what did it do to MPG? Any idea yet?

tifighter

I've got nearly two tanks in. No difference yet. Many on the swedespeed forums say it actually improved their mileage, but I'm not counting on that.

corvette

It rained today. Even though I haven't polished/waxed the truck and have only done the clay bar, the rain beaded up really well. I'm impressed.

qbrozen

I love when folks say cramming in more fuel and air improves mileage. 

Sandman6472

Drove a '15 Explorer and was duly impressed with the interior and the great way it drove but mileage figures are just plain dismal! With 3/4 of a tank, range read 188 miles, so a full tank might be 250 or so? Plain dismal for such a nice rig. But it wins hands down in the looks department and was a pleasure to drive. On the other side of the spectrum, the 2016 Optima today had a range of 477 miles and wasn't totally full, maybe like 7/8 so figure just over 500 for a full tank...impressive actually. Drove like I was in a cloud, smooth as silk. Then picked up 8 new 2016 Honda Accords at the dealer, nice but the Optima felt smoother actually. Think If I were in the market for a family sedan today, I'd have to go with the Optima because it does everything right and looks great. But really, most of the family sedans are darn good, just comes down to personal preference.

The Sandman

stickguy

I have had the TC in the Sonata reset to over 500 a number of times when getting gas. Goes a long way on the highway! I don't get gas very often around town either.

RDX a different story. That has lousy range usually.

stickguy

Oh, speaking of range. I read the mid-size cars comparison in C&D today (I posted some comments about the Mazda 6 on some thread!). But they actually really liked the Malibu (finished a close 2nd). But one of their minuses would be a deal breaker for me. It only has a 13 gallon gas tank! Vs. the 17.5-18.5 capacity in the other cars. And it got the same overall MPG as the Accord and Camry.

Sandman6472

Getting around 425 in the Golf when totally filled which I'm more than happy with. Usually using a tank /week due to the 360 miles I drive round trip to work each week. But like where I'm at so not going to transfer, again. Coming home from Home Depot earlier, my neighbor says she thinks my car is "cute". Glad it has the hatch as I had to pick up many bags of lava rocks to put in the beds in front of the house. The city came by Saturday and left me a notice to clean the roof and fill in the flower beds and cover up the trees roots which have started to show.
Having the hatchback gives me the capacity to haul small stuff without having to pester our neighbor who has the Silverado and the Odyssey. Hate to be "that neighbor" who always bothers the neighbor with the pick-up to mov stuff. Rather do it myself and not owe anyone. Now, I am able.

The Sandman

xwesx

Funny stuff! I was really happy yesterday when I managed 276 miles out of my Forester before the low fuel light illuminated! In prior tanks this winter, 200 miles was a good tank. It is really amazing the difference the weather makes (particularly between zero and 32 degrees). It probably has more to do with idle time than anything else, but I much prefer 25 mpg to 18!

corvette

stickguy said:

Malibu...only has a 13 gallon gas tank!

Wow! It used to have a bigger tank than that. My old Altimas (2002 and 2009) had 20 gallon tanks. I think the 2009 was only rated for 29 or 30 MPG on the highway (and the 2002 was lower than that), but I got several 500+ mile tanks, and one tank almost 600 miles.

I think the Yukon has a 26 gallon tank. I think the farthest I've gone is 400-ish miles between fill-ups.

sandman_6472 said:

The city came by Saturday and left me a notice to clean the roof and fill in the flower beds and cover up the trees roots which have started to show.

That sounds really annoying. I hope they aren't as overzealous as some of the homeowners associations I hear about!

Michaell

Last Saturday we went to Colorado Springs for dinner, and filled up the Subaru just before getting on the highway.

Was fun watching the DTE meter actually go up from 390 to 420 on the 40 mile highway drive.

tifighter

The 13 Accord with the 4cyl and CVT I had would get over 500 miles on a tank. Just looking at fuelly, it looks like my longest tank was 524 miles. Not bad for regular gas.

breld

With as many miles we drive to and from work and around town for kids sports, I appreciate a long range. The S4 is not too hot - usually around 380 or so on a full tank. The wife's X5 gets over 500 miles - with diesel so cheap right now, it's pretty darn economical.

Speaking of the X5, I'm taking it in tomorrow for new brake pads. Great chance to browse the BMW lot.

jpp75

stickguy said:

Oh, speaking of range. I read the mid-size cars comparison in C&D today (I posted some comments about the Mazda 6 on some thread!). But they actually really liked the Malibu (finished a close 2nd). But one of their minuses would be a deal breaker for me. It only has a 13 gallon gas tank! Vs. the 17.5-18.5 capacity in the other cars. And it got the same overall MPG as the Accord and Camry.

Wow a 13 gallon tank is small! I'm sure it's part of the never ending quest to get that MPG up, less weight=higher MPG.

The new Malibu is nice, GM fans finally have a car they can be proud of.

imidazol97

stickguy said:

Oh, speaking of range. I read the mid-size cars comparison in C&D today (I posted some comments about the Mazda 6 on some thread!). But they actually really liked the Malibu (finished a close 2nd). But one of their minuses would be a deal breaker for me. It only has a 13 gallon gas tank! Vs. the 17.5-18.5 capacity in the other cars. And it got the same overall MPG as the Accord and Camry.

Of course hauling less fuel around in stop/go driving means less fuel used. That's a plus.
And the info is not totally correct, just like the back seat legroom that was used to
tarnish the previous generation despite its being longer than the Sonata/Optima's legroom.

The fuel tank varies between 13 and 15.8 gallons.
Fuel tank (gal / L):
13 gal/ 49.2 (L, LS, 1LT, Hybrid and Premier 1LZ)
15.8 gal / 60 (2LT and Premier 2LZ)

Engine oil (qt / L):
1.5L: 4 / 4
1.8L: 5 / 4.7
2.0L: 5.3 / 5

stickguy

They tested the 1.5, so it was 13 gallons. Even 15.8 is smaller than normal for class.

Would not matter if it got really high MPG but th Malibu got the same as the accord and Camry (less than Mazda). So you just have to stop a lot more often. Some people care. Some don't.

It actually only bothers me on a long trip. When I go to NC, about 440 miles each way, I can make it door to door in my car, but have to stop mid trip to refuel if we take the RDX.

abacomike

I have a range of 650+ miles if I am driving on an interstate at 70 mph (31 mpg with 21.1 gal fuel tank capacity).  I have to run up to see my brother this month so he can do my taxes for me (he is a CPA).  It's about 302 miles 1-way.  It will be interesting to find out what I actually get.

ab348

Don't you people ever need to stop to go to the bathroom or is that an old person's affliction?

stickguy

Yes I do. But I hate having to deal with gas too, especially when have to get right back in car with smelly hands.

Sandman6472

First thing I was told when doing the long distance driving here in Florida, was to never, ever pass up a rest room. That advice has held up these past few years and I always clue in the new folks to this fact. Waiting till April 1st and think I might go back a couple days a week as I miss getting behind the wheel and driving a few hours north or south. I was hooked from the start to be honest and really love the runs to Key West.
Work sent me home with 27 hours yesterday even though I want more. Uber isn't turning out like I thought but suppose I need to go into Ft. Lauderdale to really get things going. But the thought of total strangers getting into my pristine vehicle is causing me some angst right now. Decided that April 1st will be a good date to give it a shot again.

The Sandman

xwesx

ab348 said:

Don't you people ever need to stop to go to the bathroom or is that an old person's affliction?

Hah! That's a great point. When I used to drive my '69 Econoline or C20 on a regular basis, it never bothered me at all that I had to fill them up every 200 miles (at least, not the fill part; the cost was a little frustrating), because that was just about right in terms of me needing to empty!

imidazol97

ab348 said:

Don't you people ever need to stop to go to the bathroom or is that an old person's affliction?

I think stopping every 3 hours, 150-200 miles, is a requirement here. Doesn't the Mercedes remind folks they need to take a break after driving for too long? Was that after 3 hours of driving when it was mentioned in another topic.

I like @sandman_6472 's post to never pass up a restroom stop.

Michaell

imidazol97 said:

ab348 said:

Don't you people ever need to stop to go to the bathroom or is that an old person's affliction?

I think stopping every 3 hours, 150-200 miles, is a requirement here. Doesn't the Mercedes remind folks they need to take a break after driving for too long? Was that after 3 hours of driving when it was mentioned in another topic.

I like @sandman_6472 's post to never pass up a restroom stop.

I would think that back east, a decent restroom can be found pretty easily on the interstates.

Here out west, not so much. There is a stretch of I-70 in Utah that is 100+ miles long with no services.

ab348

Michaell said:

There is a stretch of I-70 in Utah that is 100+ miles long with no services.

Sounds like a prime business opportunity for someone.