Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

corvette

I was impressed with the museum. I didn't know what to expect since I didn't see many photos online. On the way there, LeClaire, Iowa is pretty cool, except for Antique Archaeology, which is less about selling antiques like the ones they pick on the show and more about selling t-shirts.

kyfdx

corvette said:

I was impressed with the museum. I didn't know what to expect since I didn't see many photos online. On the way there, LeClaire, Iowa is pretty cool, except for Antique Archaeology, which is less about selling antiques like the ones they pick on the show and more about selling t-shirts.

That's funny. On a recent episode of Shark Tank, one of the sharks said that merchandise was 36% of Ferrari's business. No idea if that's true.

rayainsw

I also did the ‘build & price’ exercise a couple of times on a 2017 Fusion Sport, with everything I think I would want.
The total is just over $40,000.
I don’t dispute that is a fairly expensive Ford, however:
The size is right, for me – the Charger is a bit larger than I’d prefer.
The HP & TQ sound promising – and AWD should help put that power to the pavement.
[ Hope the weight is reasonable. ]
The adaptive dampers also sound promising.
I really like the fact that you can order cooled front seats – and that the seat centers are fabric.
I still have not read a review on any 2017. And the Sport version production will be delayed.
So, for me, the issue is what sort of driving experience do all these favorable pieces result in?
- Ray
Not in the market today anyway – just put new tires on the Charger !!!

henryn

rayainsw said:

Not in the market today anyway – just put new tires on the Charger !!!

Did you forget which forum you're in? This is CCBA, putting on new tires is the perfect excuse to trade it in right now, while the tires are fresh and the trade in value is high!

nyccarguy

Or you could say:  Well it does need new tires & an oil change, so I might as well trade it in.  Lol

stever

This one has possibilities. Checks most all the boxes. Hard to tell from the link; it's supposed to have the umber accents, not black, per the email I got Saturday. We'll see. Probably go look at it tomorrow.

suydam

Good luck!

henryn

stever said:

This one has possibilities. Checks most all the boxes. Hard to tell from the link; it's supposed to have the umber accents, not black, per the email I got Saturday. We'll see. Probably go look at it tomorrow.

$28,150 for a Kia Soul?

What does it have, solid gold door handles and Persian rugs on the floor?

suydam

I was surprised by that price too. My Encore was much less. 

roadburner

rayainsw said:

I also did the ‘build & price’ exercise a couple of times on a 2017 Fusion Sport, with everything I think I would want.
The total is just over $40,000.
I don’t dispute that is a fairly expensive Ford, however:
The size is right, for me – the Charger is a bit larger than I’d prefer.
The HP & TQ sound promising – and AWD should help put that power to the pavement.
[ Hope the weight is reasonable. ]
The adaptive dampers also sound promising.
I really like the fact that you can order cooled front seats – and that the seat centers are fabric.
I still have not read a review on any 2017. And the Sport version production will be delayed.
So, for me, the issue is what sort of driving experience do all these favorable pieces result in?
- Ray
Not in the market today anyway – just put new tires on the Charger !!!

I'm guessing that a Fusion equipped to your(or my) specs still won't be nearly as engaging a drive as a Charger R/T. As for me, if I was going to drop $40k on a domestic sedan I would find a CPO Chevrolet SS or a Charger SRT8.

Mr_Shiftright

stever said:

This one has possibilities. Checks most all the boxes. Hard to tell from the link; it's supposed to have the umber accents, not black, per the email I got Saturday. We'll see. Probably go look at it tomorrow.

Atsa some spicey meatball of a sticker price!

stickguy

Apples to pomegranates though. Comparing a fusion to an SS. If it came from any other country, would be getting compared to an Audi or Acura. Actually an interesting comparison to a TLX V6 AWD.

iluvmysephia1

Well, the purchase of the 2016 Scion iA is back off. Again. I drove the 388 miles over to Denver to MS Scion. I walk in and ask the first salesman I could get the attention of "Do you still have the Stealth iA stick?"

"Humm...let me see. We sold it about a half hour ago."

"You sold it a half hour ago."
"Yep."
Of course I asked if they were going to get any more iA's.

"No, but we can look in the Denver area for another iA stick shift."
He looks it up in the computer.
"There's two but we'd need that deposit."

"Ahh...that's OK."
I really don't like that idea of giving them my credit card number over the phone to give them a $1,000 deposit at all. So I'm going to just hang on to the 2011 Kia Soul for now. I keep thinking about getting an iA, but, ahh, I'll just sit tight.

Denver is easy to drive in on its freeways. I wasn't delayed anywhere. I did pick up some nasty road grime that I get to clean off. :@

stever

@iluvmysephia1, I'd be surprised but that seems to happen all too often.

The Soul I'm looking at has a TMV of $26,250.

Of course, TMV doesn't include the $1,500 mop and glow Desert Protection Package.

iluvmysephia1

stever, man, it just ain't meant ta be! Enjoy your purchase experience. Hope Jack Key treats you guys right. You'll love your Kia Soul. Kia has my utmost respect as a carmaker and they're crazy smart, too. They don't overcharge.

I still want an iA. I may have to wait until they come out as 2017 Toyota Yaris iA's.

stever

Ah, cut and pasted the wrong line - there's a $1,000 rebate so TMV is "only" $25,240.

For a Kia.

iluvmysephia1

Yeah, but, ya know what, it's worth every penny. Kia's improving their cars with every generation.

nyccarguy

@iluvmysephia1 - you drove close to 400 miles for a stick shift Scion that they had on their lot for how long?  And it sold a 1/2 hour before you got there? Something stinks. 

iluvmysephia1

What d'ya know about Minot, ND? Colder than a witches...ahh ..umm....broom handle, eh?  

Mr_Shiftright

OK Steve. Keep find those incentives and math errors--once you it about $21,500, that's about the soul of a Soul with some options..

stever

Yeah, but we're getting all the options. Only thing missing (besides better mpg) is blind spot monitoring. That's not offered yet.

stickguy

I will be really reluctant to give up BLIS on my next car. that is a really nice feature.

stever

Yep, it's always something....

The plan is to trade for a 2017 when they come out (with BLIS) and eat the $10,000 depreciation.

I figure that would just about qualify me for a genuine auxiliary membership in CCBA.

suydam

stever said:

Yep, it's always something....

The plan is to trade for a 2017 when they come out (with BLIS) and eat the $10,000 depreciation.

I figure that would just about qualify me for a genuine auxiliary membership in CCBA.

I'm sure you're joking! because it's so easy to find a vehicle that already has it, or at the very least one with less steep depreciation?

stever

We don't mind paying for what we want and since we drive them forever. depreciation isn't much on the radar (assuming we don't total it in the first three years or so). Shoot, the used minivan is down about $8,000 in 18 months.

This would be an option although I'm not too excited about aftermarket electrical add-ons. A dash cam would be nice though; maybe I could find a good installer and do them both.

iluvmysephia1

nyccarguy-yeah. A 2016 Scion iA in black and 6-spd. MT. Totally freaked me out that it was sold a half-hour before I got there. I don't trust them any more at all. They said they could order one from "an area dealer" but I would have to pay that $1,000 fee to hold the car." Yeah, then that $1,000 better be applied to the balance, right?

Michaell

iluvmysephia1 said:

nyccarguy-yeah. A 2016 Scion iA in black and 6-spd. MT. Totally freaked me out that it was sold a half-hour before I got there. I don't trust them any more at all. They said they could order one from "an area dealer" but I would have to pay that $1,000 fee to hold the car." Yeah, then that $1,000 better be applied to the balance, right?

That's exactly how it worked when we held the outback the wife wanted last year. $500 deposit applied to the selling price.

andres3

The '14 S4 has an uneven gap from the hood to the front right fender that was pointed out to me the other day, needs front brake pads again, and needs that dumb dent in the right rear bumper fixed for $100 and 3 days at the bumper docs/medics shop. The S4's days might be numbered at this point. On the other hand, it had it's 45K mile service recently, which includes a fresh motor oil filter, motor oil, and I got new wipers.

Probably due for another wax job soon. Days are numbered I tell you.

Golf R vs. M235i vs. TTS vs Cayman S (used).

I don't know what it is, but the Audi/VW styling just speaks to me. It' s definitely a subjective looks and styling thing that just does it for me more on the VW's and especially the Audi's. I do like beige interiors though, and the Porsche allows for that, while Audi seems to not believe in it for anything remotely sporty.

Style wise the TTS wins easily, and the interior is typical Audi-grade execution at its finest. The back seat is only a little more useless than the M235's though, which you have to be under 5'7" to fit in the back due to low headroom. The Golf R is cavernous in comparison.

Golf R faults = no spare and no center armrest storage. No option for interior other than black. Limited exterior color options; paint not quite Audi-grade. plastic below the arm rests on the doors is harder/cheaper material, but the top half is great.
TTS faults = no 7th gear and shorter gearing hurting fuel economy and only 2 good seats.
235i faults = you have to order one in order to get the MSRP under 50K.

nyccarguy

Like a few others here on edmunds who have an S4 (@breld, @sweendogy, @markcincinnati), I think you LOVE your car.  You daily drive it & track it.  I know the accident repair drove you nuts, so does the gap between the hood & the fender, and the blemish in the rear bumper.  It's got 45K miles on it and I'm sure you keep it in fantastic condition. Enjoy my friend.  Life's too short.  Stick with what you got!  Your car has a lot of life left in it.  Your S4 is a mighty fine machine.  You think you want a Golf R, but you don't.  Porsche doesn't sell that many Caymans to begin with.  They aren't cheap used (especially S models).  You don't want to go from a lusciously, torquey, Supercharged V6 S4 to a 4cyl turbo S3.

nyccarguy

@andres3 - you are going to get killed if you trade your car in.  These S4s seem to hold their value better than regular Audis according to dealer asking prices within 100 miles of my zip code.  Dealers have new ones on the lot with MSRPs in the mid $50K range.  I'll be you can get a healthy discount if you walk into the right place at the right time.  The cheapest CPO S4 is a 2013 with 51K miles for $35,9.  The others are listed $38K & then into the $40Ks for 2014s.  

andres3

nyccarguy said:

@andres3 - you are going to get killed if you trade your car in.  These S4s seem to hold their value better than regular Audis according to dealer asking prices within 100 miles of my zip code.  Dealers have new ones on the lot with MSRPs in the mid $50K range.  I'll be you can get a healthy discount if you walk into the right place at the right time.  The cheapest CPO S4 is a 2013 with 51K miles for $35,9.  The others are listed $38K & then into the $40Ks for 2014s.  

KBB is about $33K, Edmunds $30K on my S4 for trade-in at 47,000 miles which I've crossed already. I test drove an S3 and I liked it, but didn't love it, not getting the still relatively heavy 3,500+ lb. S3. However, the Golf R is about 200 lbs lighter and I believe that'll make a huge difference; but I do still need to test drive it. Also, I bet big bucks VW's "race" mode is more aggressive than the S3's "dynamic" mode. Audi has 2 real different settings while VW has 3 for the adaptive suspension. I like the Golf R's interior and leather; I think equal to the S3 at least... VW did a great job with just a few minor flaws/shortcuts.

The one thing I remember from upgrading my A3 slowly but surely many times, is that anything that reduced the weight made a difference I could feel. The lightweight OZ Allergerita wheels were probably the biggest performance gain from a single mod; easily equal to the tune! Some people will say that's crazy, but I had an over performing 2.0T with an over-performing turbo stock apparently. I mean that; the tune was actually disappointing as compared to the reviews; unsprung weight makes BIG changes. The other weight savings for sprung weight were more incremental and harder to notice.

I also got a carbon fiber hood that I had painted to match, a lightweight battery, lighter weight coilover suspension, & took out the sound system, and it was FWD so that got it about to where the Gold R is stock! That's amazing weight savings considering the R is AWD and matches what I did with my old A3. I'm a big hot hatch fan; just something about their balance. Essentially, the R should be what I was trying to turn my A3 into, but I could never get to 300 Horses and expect to get it to the ground without AWD.

The way I drive, 3,300 lb just handles "more fun" than 3,800 lbs in significant ways. Also, the amount of money I have to pour into tires and brakes is significant as compared to a lighter sport car (but not as significant as a new car's depreciation). The S4 can go fast, but it costs much more to do it. Also, on a lighter car with 4-cylinders, I'm sure weight matters more than if you have a Supercharged V6 or V8 where you just overpower any weight. While you can overpower weight, you still have to turn and slow down the beast!

I'm not saying the S4 isn't a great car, just for my preferences and uses, I definitely want something lighter again, and maybe a bit smaller.

I'm not worried at all about after-warranty issues if I"m being honest; so I won't use the my warranty is about to end on a German car excuse

I do need to get out and test drive these "lighter" sports cars though, and make sure the experience matches my thoughts. Tough to do on a test drive with a salesperson breathing down your neck about "marring" tires. LOL.

andres3

nyccarguy said:

Like a few others here on edmunds who have an S4 (@breld, @sweendogy, @markcincinnati), I think you LOVE your car.  You daily drive it & track it.  I know the accident repair drove you nuts, so does the gap between the hood & the fender, and the blemish in the rear bumper.  It's got 45K miles on it and I'm sure you keep it in fantastic condition. Enjoy my friend.  Life's too short.  Stick with what you got!  Your car has a lot of life left in it.  Your S4 is a mighty fine machine.  You think you want a Golf R, but you don't.  Porsche doesn't sell that many Caymans to begin with.  They aren't cheap used (especially S models).  You don't want to go from a lusciously, torquey, Supercharged V6 S4 to a 4cyl turbo S3.

There's something magical about the MQB chassis I think, and getting it down to below 3,350 pounds is where the 2.0T motor shines. Only test drives will tell; but the reviews are all good from what I've read and seen.

You're are right about the Cayman being expensive used, or at least asking prices are high. I've heard their Automatics are the only ones that rival or best Audi/VW's DSG though. I'm not a huge fan of the styling, but it's aerodynamic, has S4 power with 6 cylinders as well (in S form), mid-engine, and 2,900lbs! No wonder people have tracked these at HPDE events I've gone to! I got to ride in one once on the track, excellent braking is what I remember the most; with stock brakes.

The TTS is essentially a smaller front engine Cayman S with AWD, but with similar power output. Of course, Audi's pricing is aggressive too. Just found out the TTRS will have 395 or 400 HP at the end of the year; not sure if the US will be getting it.

Also found out the '17 Cayman will be all new and raising the bar quite a bit so that the new TTS can't kill the Cayman S anymore. Seems like you get what you pay for.

Saw a used '12 or '13 TTRS for about $40K........ I wish I liked the older styling more, but I don't; though it's better in RS trim.

stever

Hey @iluvmysephia1, you'll enjoy this.

We've been bugging the dealer to give us some numbers on that Exclaim they were cleaning up yesterday. I had a bunch of errands today so popped in the Kia dealer around 1 pm to verify that it did have all the packages we wanted.

It was sold a half hour before I got there.

Good thing I only drove about 10 miles there. I did get to look at it and see the color combo and while it's not that nice Caribbean blue that you can't get in the US version of the Exclaim, the off white was nice enough.

And I got the numbers they had worked up p $26,150 plus TTL ($1,000) which was about $550 more than my number. Not bad.

There next batch will be Plus's with special colors and stuff so one of those could work, but I think we'll expand our search a bit.

roadburner

As most of you know, I went into semi-retirement in July 2008 and finished up my "Senior Status" judge obligation in December 2014. I would love to be able to cover 3-4 dockets a month to supplement the car/motorcycle fund, but I'm no eligible as it's reserved for judges who couldn't get into Senior Status. My wife and I volunteer a bit and I work on cars or home projects in the summer and build models during the winter. I wish I could find a part-time job for the play-car fund, but I haven't found something to suit me yet.

corvette

A lot of retired judges (and semi-retired attorneys) do mediation, which can be a really cushy part-time gig.

I would also mention going back into practicing law, but I wouldn't wish that on myself or anyone else...

roadburner

Oops, posted in wrong topic- but yes, I've been considering mediation...

stickguy

I am far from brave enough to get involved, and those rubber band tires give me the willies, but this is one incredibly good looking automobile.



http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2009-jaguar-xf-4dr_sedan_supercharged-used-14841580.html

Michaell

stickguy said:

I am far from brave enough to get involved, and those rubber band tires give me the willies, but this is one incredibly good looking automobile.



http://www.royaleasing.com/detail-2009-jaguar-xf-4dr_sedan_supercharged-used-14841580.html

What could possibly go wrong?

stickguy

I go broke and can't make the next tuition payment?

They also have a 2004 MB S550 that looks nice. Just under 100K, for about 9 grand. Would probably take a shot at that money pit first!

iluvmysephia1

Oh, I feel better now, stever! Yeah, I'd go develop some other choices now, too if I were you.

"We just sold your iA/Soul not a half hour ago." That's too funny. I know a lot of you guys already know about CarGurus but I just discovered it. I just plug in '2016 Scion iA' and select 'Nationwide' and I get oodles of iA's ta look at that are good prices 'cause they're used.

Looks like I and our 2011 Kia Soul are really gonna bond now. Just a little over 63,200 miles on it now. Picked up some road tar on the front passenger door in Denver, so I went and got all kinds of cleaners and supplies over the weekend. I'll get outside and work on getting that tar off probably on Friday.

Michaell

iluvmysephia1 said:

Oh, I feel better now, stever! Yeah, I'd go develop some other choices now, too if I were you.

"We just sold your iA/Soul not a half hour ago." That's too funny. I know a lot of you guys already know about CarGurus but I just discovered it. I just plug in '2016 Scion iA' and select 'Nationwide' and I get oodles of iA's ta look at that are good prices 'cause they're used.

Looks like I and our 2011 Kia Soul are really gonna bond now. Just a little over 63,200 miles on it now. Picked up some road tar on the front passenger door in Denver, so I went and got all kinds of cleaners and supplies over the weekend. I'll get outside and work on getting that tar off probably on Friday.

Silly question about your experience last week ... did you leave a contact number with the salesperson you were working with? Did he (she) know you were driving ~400 miles to see / buy the car last Friday?

If the answer to the first two questions were both "yes", could they have contacted you while you were on the road letting you know that the car was "in play" and that you could make an offer then and there?

I'm just thinking how mad I would have been to drive all that distance for nothing, when, in this day and age, there was no reason for the dealer not to let you know the car had an offer against it.

Just sayin'....

iluvmysephia1

Yes to both, Michaell. Remember how I mentioned that Mrs. iluv didn't know about the transaction? Yep - I did the unthinkable. I got the heck out of Dodge on my own!

I kept my cellphone shut off and headed west. They called a couple times to tell me. Apparently they were gonna let me know so I could turn around if I wanted to. I never put a deposit down before leaving Dodge. I figured the car sat for two months already not selling while they sold maybe 7 automatic iA's during that time period. So, I pretty much did all the bone-headed things someone could do on this one. I figured she'd block it if she knew about it, so...uh-huh.

Yeah, let it suffice ta say that it's a good thing they didn't have that Stealth iA in stock for me there. 

So there ya go...we're still together....my desktop is a little bit worse for the wear and my chair cleaned up real good. And the '11 Kia Soul is still my friend. I won't be getting any different car until this one dies. Maybe it won't.

nyccarguy

I took delivery of my Prelude 14 years ago today

rayainsw

Still looks great - how many miles?
- Ray
Just past 21,000 on the Charger...

graphicguy

nyccarguy said:

I took delivery of my Prelude 14 years ago today

Lovin' that. Personally, I'd never get rid of it.

graphicguy

RB...I know the administrative domestic relations judge in Cincinnati retired and is (very) selectively taking private practice cases. He's not working more than 2-3 days/week....if that.

I understand private practice is a whole different gig, but he seems to like it. If the case isn't to his liking, he doesn't take it. That means he doesn't take a whole lot of cases.

Good luck in your search.

nyccarguy

rayainsw said:

Still looks great - how many miles? - Ray Just past 21,000 on the Charger...

Thanks Ray.  It still looks great for a car that was not a garage queen.  I appreciate the kind words.  It has 156,000 + miles on the odometer.

nyccarguy

graphicguy said:

I took delivery of my Prelude 14 years ago today

Lovin' that. Personally, I'd never get rid of it.

Thanks Graphicguy!  Compliments are always appreciated!

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

graphicguy said:

nyccarguy said:

I took delivery of my Prelude 14 years ago today

Lovin' that. Personally, I'd never get rid of it.

Thanks Graphicguy!  Compliments are always appreciated!

@nyccarguy - I know you came close to selling the Prelude some years back, but fate (and you dad) intervened and allowed you to keep it.

It looks great, and I concur with others that you should never get rid of it. Nice to have something different to drive on those great spring and summer days.

nyccarguy

Thanks @Michaell!  It's a keeper for sure.  Good memory!