Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

stickguy

I'm hoping to have the resources for one come fall, 2017. Though may have budget only for a ratty yugo.

stevedebi

stickguy said:

I'm hoping to have the resources for one come fall, 2017. Though may have budget only for a ratty yugo.

Maybe you could make it into the worlds first Yugo Rat Rod... what an image in the mind...

stickguy

Yeah. My wife would love that!

carnaught

au....congrats! Beautiful cars, those 2-dr. E's.

Sandman6472

In the same boat as I'm also thinking possibly about going MB next time out, my Plan B. Did some research this morning and the CPO CLA and GLA units are starting to make it to the lots but just not ready yet. Time frame is a few years down the road depending how Plan A pans out and if the VW Golf behaves itself. Having a 58 round trip into work a few days a week, wanted something a bit more economical and fun then what I had before. And going forward, would love some more lux. Also, need to get into that next vehicle before I fully retire again since I'll be driving much less and will be looking to get something to keep for the long haul.
Guess I want it all!!!

The Sandman

graphicguy

au1994 said:

Thanks all! I have to say, it is beautiful and the car has a real presence.

Big congratz....and, we need PICS!!!!!

rayainsw

au1994 -
Congratulations of the [ 3 pointed star ] punch !
- Ray
Hoping there will be many happy miles driven !

kyfdx

@au1994 Congrats on the Mercedes!

Just did $2150 in maintenance/repairs to my ZHP.

fintail

Congrats on the E cabrio. You'll find MBs hav a softer ride and easier to use turn signals than BMWs

stever

Don't forget to update your signature too @au1994, and congrats!

Hit the Buick dealer this afternoon and drove a nice 2015 Encore around. Got to play with the blind spot gizmos. Then sat in a 2016 and couldn't see any changes. Hard to find anything to nitpick about. The "spread" knee room is a little tight, there's no console arm rest for the passenger and there's keyless entry but no push button start.

Then popped in the Kia dealer - they are used to us by now, lol. Color choices for the loaded package are lame; may be able to load up the + and skip the forward collision and lane change (blind spot isn't available at all).

The Soul is more square so my knees can splay a good four inches wider than the Encore. And it has a wide center armrest.

May just go test out a Tucson for grins now.

Sandman6472

Did you ry out the Sportage? They are due for a new model very soon, possibly for 2017. They are the cousin of the Tucson and since it was redone for 2016, the Sportage can't be far behind. Coming from the last generation Tucson owner, this new one is awesome! If I had bought the new one, doubt I'd have the Golf right now. They took all the negatives from the last generation and turned them into positives...the positive things they also kept, so a win/win situation for those folks who want a smaller CUV. You guys seem to fall into that category so I'd wait at this point and see what 2017 brings. If not, you can't go wrong with either the Encore or Tucson...or the Soul for that matter. All great rigs!

The Sandman

stever

No, but I was eyeing one in traffic yesterday. The Hyundai dealer here has a better rep. that the others. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hard to go wrong with most cars these days - kind of "peak ICE" for the gassers. Except for the CLA that just got panned over in Cars & Conversation.

Hit Home Depot twice in two days. Think I'll just park the van in the "yard" and keep it around for hauling.

stickguy

I sat in a new Tuscan last time I was at the dealer. It was very nice.

suydam

It's somewhat larger than the Soul and Encore. Depends on what you're looking for.

stickguy

well, those are both tiny really. Tuscan is certainly not large. especially compared to a Caravan!

stever

I don't need AWD and you get the higher liftover heights when you get into the FWD/AWD varieties.

stickguy

I could see that, but I didn't think the Encore was any lower. Soul would be. so just buy one of those and be done with it!

stever

No rush.

qbrozen

stever said:

Don't forget to update your signature too @au1994, and congrats! Hit the Buick dealer this afternoon and drove a nice 2015 Encore around. Got to play with the blind spot gizmos. Then sat in a 2016 and couldn't see any changes. Hard to find anything to nitpick about. The "spread" knee room is a little tight, there's no console arm rest for the passenger and there's keyless entry but no push button start. Then popped in the Kia dealer - they are used to us by now, lol. Color choices for the loaded package are lame; may be able to load up the + and skip the forward collision and lane change (blind spot isn't available at all). The Soul is more square so my knees can splay a good four inches wider than the Encore. And it has a wide center armrest. May just go test out a Tucson for grins now.

My sister had a 2016 Encore loaner when her 2015 was in for service. She claims there is enough different that it made her appreciate her 2015 more. Something about the seat being less comfortable and the driving position more awkward for her. Wasn't worth arguing but I thought at the time that maybe she just didn't adjust the seat right because I couldn't imagine they'd go through the trouble of changing seats already

stever

That reminds me, the seat back had a manual tilt which was a bit odd because it had power everything else, including a nice power lumbar (I use those). And it has memory seats for two different drivers. Bet your sister just didn't play with the buttons enough.

suydam

I don't think there were any changes. The Convenience group and up have better seats so maybe the loaner was a base model.

au1994

au1994

A couple of pics. One of the X6 too since I don't think I had shared that yet.

nyccarguy

Have you guys (not the hosts obviously) seen the categorically insane residuals for the 2016 Tacomas?

stickguy

That is a nice looking convertible. I like it.

tacomas? always silly resale. If the MF is good, makes for a better lease!

Michaell

stickguy said:

That is a nice looking convertible. I like it.

tacomas? always silly resale. If the MF is good, makes for a better lease!

It's not ... standard MF for the more popular Toyotas (Tacoma, Highlander) are around .00190 (about 4.5%)

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

Have you guys (not the hosts obviously) seen the categorically insane residuals for the 2016 Tacomas?

About 72-74% right?

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

Have you guys (not the hosts obviously) seen the categorically insane residuals for the 2016 Tacomas?

About 72-74% right?

71% on a 36/12K lease & 78% on a 24/12K lease

28firefighter

My guess is that they probably are not discounting much from MSRP, either, on the Tacoma. Still, crazy residuals.

Mr_Shiftright

These leases must be subvented, no? Does Toyota really need to push Tacomas out the door?

nyccarguy

28firefighter said:

My guess is that they probably are not discounting much from MSRP, either, on the Tacoma. Still, crazy residuals.

Edmunds bought a 2016 Tacoma for their long term fleet.    I believe they got $500 off sticker.  

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

These leases must be subvented, no? Does Toyota really need to push Tacomas out the door?

I feel like if they REALLY wanted to sub-vent the leases, I feel like they'd have a cheaper money factor than one that equates to 4.56%.

nyccarguy

What kind of a pickup truck can you get for between 12K & 15K?  That's what a 24 month or 36 month Tacoma lease would cost.

Mr_Shiftright

The difference between 2.5% and 4.5% doesn't amount to much on the monthly payment. What could it be? $15?

Michaell

I know most folks here are also active on the "Cars and Coversations" thread, but for those of you who aren't, I'll repost.

I've been contemplating this post for a couple of days now ... I've been on Edmunds forums since the late 1990's, This particular discussion - and its antecedents - have been a second home of sorts. Always fun to learn who's getting what, and why.

So, for something perhaps completely different - I got a layoff notice from my employer earlier this week. I've been given 90 days notice; my last day is set for 5/31 unless I find something else. If not, I'll get one month's severance. Am meeting with the outplacement folks on Monday, but have gotten on-line and registered with them and will start their on-line programs today.

I've polished up my resume and have already submitted three applications - one external and two internal. I'm trying to stay positive, and I'm very lucky to be married to a woman who is very good with resumes, cover letters and interview techniques.

Such is the circle of life .. this is an annual exercise with my employer, and my number came up this year due to reorganization and consolidation.

While I've only met a couple of you face to face, I consider all of you my friends, and I'm not looking for sympathy, just support as I go through this process.

Everything happens for a reason - this is the second time I've had this happen. Thanks for letting me vent and share this with you all.

nyccarguy

@Michaell - you last day will be 5/31?  Summer is a wonderful time of year to be off;)

stever

Come down and check out the sunshine where the cost of living is a bit cheaper (not next week though, already have Seattle company flying in to get reacquainted with that yellow orb in the sky).

rayainsw

I have been in that position.
It does NOT feel good.
I hope you can stay positive - but I suggest that you
also allow yourself to feel that this is unfair.
I know that you will be OK - really !
Good luck!
- Ray
Laid off more than once...... And too old now to start over!

breld

nyccarguy said:

What kind of a pickup truck can you get for between 12K & 15K?  That's what a 24 month or 36 month Tacoma lease would cost.

With the true resale on those Tacomas being so strong, I've considered buying one new (local dealer here advertises up to $1,500 off MSRP), driving it for however long I'm having fun with it, then turning around and selling it. I wouldn't anticipate the depreciation would be all that much - probably much better than some of the losses I normally experience.

I'd imagine that would be overall better than leasing it, though you'd obviously have to "float" the cost of the car in the meantime.

stickguy

The real problem is having to drive a Tacoma. I really wish ford had brought in their new world ranger. That looks cool.

iluvmysephia1

stever - I know from personal experience - those Seattle people - let 'em just stand there and soak up that sun a bit. They're gonna need it!

Mr_Shiftright

They're like succulents...they can go weeks without water. Do point out however, that the yellow orb will come back every morning, so they don't get upset.

tifighter

When I was shopping, one of the reasons I looked at the 4Runner was because of similar insane resale. I figured if I flipped later, it wouldn't hurt much. I just didn't like driving it enough.

Michaell

 I can't speak to the new model, but all of the Tacomas that I have driven in the past I have felt like I am sitting on the floor.  

nyccarguy

breld said:

What kind of a pickup truck can you get for between 12K & 15K?  That's what a 24 month or 36 month Tacoma lease would cost.

With the true resale on those Tacomas being so strong, I've considered buying one new (local dealer here advertises up to $1,500 off MSRP), driving it for however long I'm having fun with it, then turning around and selling it. I wouldn't anticipate the depreciation would be all that much - probably much better than some of the losses I normally experience. I'd imagine that would be overall better than leasing it, though you'd obviously have to "float" the cost of the car in the meantime.

And there lies the lease vs. buy question.  You want to float the $680 per month loan payment ($0 down, tax included) or lease it for $440 per month?  Even with the high residual, you could most likely trade out of and break even on your lease in a year to 18 months (I realize this is a long time for some people;)

corvette

Sorry to hear that, Michael. Hope you can find something quickly. One month's severance sounds pretty stingy. 

stever

iluvmysephia1 said:

stever - I know from personal experience - those Seattle people - let 'em just stand there and soak up that sun a bit. They're gonna need it!

This friend lives on his boat, so between the drizzle and salt water, he'll be dripping all over my floors for a week drying out. Good thing the floors are tile.

Mr_Shiftright

Seattle people will get considerably smaller as they dry. You might even be able to put them up in a dresser drawer by the time they've shrunken back to normal size.

ab348

corvette said:

Sorry to hear that, Michael. Hope you can find something quickly. One month's severance sounds pretty stingy. 

I agree. My former employer went the other way, offering typically one month's severance per year of service up to 22-24 months for long-term folks terminated without cause. It was exceedingly generous, probably too much so. I know for the last few years I was there I kept hoping they would fire me rather than make me keep working.

Don't know what you do for a living, Michael, but as others have said, in many cases these sorts of events actually can be good things over the longer term view. Best of luck.

iluvmysephia1

And if it should rain down there in southern NM, no prob, they'll just look at you and smile "we've got this." Web feet and everything.