Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

28firefighter

Did you try Prestige?

Also I’d reach out to some of the brokers from leasehackr.

suydam

What an awful business that is! Is there another dealer nearby? Twice when Imade driving appointments back when I was looking the dealers acted like I was a walk-in. So frustrating. The first time I drove the Volt they hadn’t even bothered to charge it so it was in gas mode the whole time. Oddly when I went back a few months later, I had a totally different experience.

pensfan83

I'd consider another dealer altogether, that's pretty inexcusable. And I cannot stand it when sales people from any walk of life who trash their competitors rather than sell me on why their offering is superior.

tjc78

28firefighter said:

Did you try Prestige?

Also I’d reach out to some of the brokers from leasehackr.

They don’t have any Inscriptions under 50k

I thought about it, but I am so close that the $500 fee would almost make it even. I’m only 800-900 from my target.

The broker deals sit at 20% discount. The one I talked to today was a touch better discount but with a bumped MF.

stickguy

Try Stadel motors in PA. Near Lancaster.

stickguy

28, was this at the BMW dealer driving a 440?

28firefighter

stickguy said:

28, was this at the BMW dealer driving a 440?

No. This was the TLX. Sorry, I should have clarified.

stickguy

surprised an Acura dealer was that nasty with someone looking at a sedan.

if you didn't hate the car, worth going to another dealer to get a better look.

breld

@28firefighter - beyond frustrating.

@tjc78 - sounds like you’ll get there at some point on the S60. Exciting!

jmonroe1

marcogallo1986 said:

@ James Monroe, I see how it is you’re at Norred my comment not cool lol

I'm not ignoring you. If you like to push cars fine but I ain't helping you. I don't have enough HP to do that. Maybe it should but MPG has never entered into the decision process when I buy cars.

jmonroe

tjc78

stickguy said:

Try Stadel motors in PA. Near Lancaster.

Nothing with spec I want.

@breld
Yes, getting close. May call it quits this week and resume next week.

corvette

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

Try Stadel motors in PA. Near Lancaster.

Nothing with spec I want.

They can do a dealer trade, assuming plentiful inventory, if they are desperate enough to make a sale.

@28firefighter, that sounds like my experience trying to buy a used G37x from my local Lexus dealer. I posted a horrible review online, which they didn't bother to respond to. I will never darken their door again.

28firefighter

Ok. So the car.

Aesthetically, I love the look of the TLX A-Spec. Everything about it, really. If I had to quibble, it would be the fake 4” dual exhausts which, if you look inside, are just covering a normal exhaust. Nothing more or less. I love how it looks, especially the white example I drove.

The interior of the car is outstanding. The seats are some of the best I’ve ever sat in - you could put serious time in them and be very comfortable (In seattle that means covering 5 miles in an hour because of traffic). The car has lots of soft touch plastic and stitched surfaces and overall feels very upscale. I especially enjoyed the the auto climate controlled seats that were both heated and cooled. The sound system is outstanding as well, which we already knew. Navigation screen is outdated and looks almost exactly like the Acura Nav from 6 years ago. Not a big deal since you have carplay. I also happened to be a fan if the dual screen setup though I’m a bit confused as to why carplay shows on the big screen when it’d be better with a touchscreen experience.

The drive. Now as I said, I did not get a long test drive and it was only on fairly busy surface streets. I did drive it in Sport+. The car handling with the AWD is very fun - it’s well planted and even taking turns at speed, it just pulls you through. Steering is also very good with excellent feedback and a nice weight to it. Engine has a nice growl to it. The car feels like it wants to be fast, with the HP and TQ? but the transmission feels like it is holding it back. Even holding the gears longer in Sport+, it just felt like it was hunting all the time. When it did shift it was harsh. Maybe it’s just this car, but it felt like with either a dual clutch or, *gasp*, a CVT the car would be in its sweet spot more often. I did not get a chance to see VTEC in action - just wasn’t safe.

I got back in the 17 year old Viggen with a throttle body that’s on its way out and felt like this just wasn’t the right fit for me. The look and feel are important, but if the drive isn’t doing it for me, then it’s not worth it.

I can absolutely see why those here love their TLX. It does A LOT of things right.

roadburner

28firefighter said:

Well. The test drive experience was a total dud. Absolutely awful experience.

I made this appointment well in advance in the middle of the week. They confirmed 4 times. On arrival, it was my sales guy’s day off. They gave me to someone else. He was with a customer. So they bounced me to some new guy who was furious the entire time that I was dumped on him. Knew nothing about the car and had no interest in sharing any details. Was only interested in if I was buying today, which I was not.

The test drive loop was all of 1 mile in a perfect square. No mix of roads, no highway. When he asked if he could earn my business, I genuinely said that after a one mile test drive, absolutely not. He said it was all he was authorized to do.

The sales manager came out and asked me what else I was looking at. I told him. He proceeded to trash every one of them and told me I was crazy for considering them. I asked him if he was buying the car for me, or if it was my money.

In hindsight they absolutely judged me as a stroke. I was in jeans and a polo and driving the Viggen. Even though I told them I had an X1 lease ending and was looking at a BMW 440 among other cars.

I’ll share my limited thoughts on the car later. I’m so beyond frustrated.

How unprofessional. When I was working at BMW if someone asked me how BMW compared to a competitor I'd always say that there were no bad cars in that market segment, but each manufacturer emphasized different things, and then I'd go on to say what I thought BMWs did well without trashing other brands.

I also never qualified a customer by the way that they dressed. Some wealthy people deliberately dress down to see how they will be treated. And anyway, why not be gracious to everyone? Even f they can't afford a new or used BMW today they may well be able to in the future.

stickguy

did it have the leather seats or the alcantara surface ones?

qbrozen

Been poking around to keep my mind off things. Here is an abbreviated list of what has caught my attention thus far.

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/237839969

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/247864712

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/248625149

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/242820381

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/243310240

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/link/237497206

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/248322514

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/share/244392380

stickguy

interesting mix of oddballs. you are definitely braver than I am.

28firefighter

stickguy said:

did it have the leather seats or the alcantara surface ones?

Alcantara. Big fan.

breld

I like that last Challenger - the blue one. Sharp’

tjc78

corvette said:

tjc78 said:

stickguy said:

Try Stadel motors in PA. Near Lancaster.

Nothing with spec I want.

They can do a dealer trade, assuming plentiful inventory, if they are desperate enough to make a sale.

@28firefighter, that sounds like my experience trying to buy a used G37x from my local Lexus dealer. I posted a horrible review online, which they didn't bother to respond to. I will never darken their door again.

I’m shooting for a 20% off looser deal, no dealer is playing ball with a trade.

benjaminh

28firefighter said:

stickguy said:

did it have the leather seats or the alcantara surface ones?

Alcantara. Big fan.

Was this Acura of Seattle or a different place? Since your test drive was so short maybe it's worth it to find a different dealer that'll let you really drive it?

The 4-cylinder TLX probably isn't fast enough for you, but the Acura-built 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with unique torque-converter is a good transmission that has a nice shift quality. You should put it in "Sport" or "Sport+" if you test drive it. Here's Acura's 2-minute promo video on the 4-cylinder engine and 8-speed DCT combo from the introduction of the car c.5 years ago....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=susQPG-a7Wg

sda

roadburner said:

28firefighter said:

Well. The test drive experience was a total dud. Absolutely awful experience.

I made this appointment well in advance in the middle of the week. They confirmed 4 times. On arrival, it was my sales guy’s day off. They gave me to someone else. He was with a customer. So they bounced me to some new guy who was furious the entire time that I was dumped on him. Knew nothing about the car and had no interest in sharing any details. Was only interested in if I was buying today, which I was not.

The test drive loop was all of 1 mile in a perfect square. No mix of roads, no highway. When he asked if he could earn my business, I genuinely said that after a one mile test drive, absolutely not. He said it was all he was authorized to do.

The sales manager came out and asked me what else I was looking at. I told him. He proceeded to trash every one of them and told me I was crazy for considering them. I asked him if he was buying the car for me, or if it was my money.

In hindsight they absolutely judged me as a stroke. I was in jeans and a polo and driving the Viggen. Even though I told them I had an X1 lease ending and was looking at a BMW 440 among other cars.

I’ll share my limited thoughts on the car later. I’m so beyond frustrated.

How unprofessional. When I was working at BMW if someone asked me how BMW compared to a competitor I'd always say that there were no bad cars in that market segment, but each manufacturer emphasized different things, and then I'd go on to say what I thought BMWs did well without trashing other brands.

I also never qualified a customer by the way that they dressed. Some wealthy people deliberately dress down to see how they will be treated. And anyway, why not be gracious to everyone? Even f they can't afford a new or used BMW today they may well be able to in the future.

I like your approach. Had I been your customer I would not in anyway been put on the defensive and would have appreciated your insight. I admit to initially being annoyed by pushback when I called, asked for a sales manager and when finally connected, explained I wanted to bring a car home for my wife to drive and return it immediately after. He immediately started to ask questions to financially qualify me before even entertaining my request. I pushed back, explained I had already driven the car, and was a multiple repeat customer. He relented and the rest of my experience was positive. But I just about said forget it.

nyccarguy

breld said:

I like that last Challenger - the blue one. Sharp’

+1 on the Blue Challenger

ab348

I never knew that Acura dumped the ZF automatic transmission in favor of a DCT. That is something I would have thought would have gotten more mention in the media.

pensfan83

The V6 has the 9 speed ZF. The 4 cylinder has the 8 speed DCT

marcogallo1986

@28FF thanks for your impressions on your test drive, hey if you don’t like it onto the next one. What a horrible experience you had with the sales people and staff at that dealer I would’ve gave them the same responses you did. I’ve done that in the past when looking at you stuff they wouldn’t tell me the price so I said stop playing games and get all nasty with them sometimes you have to do that and that’s not me ha ha.

marcogallo1986

@QB Nice short list you have there.

graphicguy

@28firefighter .....that’s inexcusable for any dealer of any brand. I don’t blame you for being that upset. I wouldn’t want to do business with that dealer for any reason.

No way you could get a “feel” for any car after only driving it in a 1 mile test.

Shame, because they really are great cars.

In Sport Plus, the trans tries to mimic what a manual would feel like if you were shifting gears. Kinda hokey. I usually stay in Sport, which smooths things out significantly without giving up the performance. The V6 will run...and will pull....hard....it’s very smooth, too.

Again, a brief test drive just won’t do the car justice. I think I’d call the GM of the dealership and let him know how you were treated.

marcogallo1986

@TJC good luck, and keep us updated will definitely get what you want to do like this one so much.

marcogallo1986

@ genie Monroe, oh man to tell me I’m on my own if that’s the way we have to do it sounds good I’ll be over there ha ha Ha.

marcogallo1986

Do you have a new name this morning see that Genie Monroe Ha ha ha. Enjoy your day man, and everyone else enjoy your day too as well and here will check back near more later.

stickguy

I have Alcantara. After cleaning it yesterday, I will never, ever, take my yellow lab in it again!

pensfan83

Our dog is not in the TLX unless the seat cover is in place. Did that once and will never do it again.

stickguy

I had the seat cover on. But his hair can infiltrate Fort Knox I think. At least on the black seats and carpet, it’s easy to find!

suydam

I have a lab mix. That’s why I like leather seats. We also had one “dog free” car but recently have had to relax that rule. Even with a ramp she can no longer get into the Encore.

28firefighter

graphicguy said:

@28firefighter .....that’s inexcusable for any dealer of any brand. I don’t blame you for being that upset. I wouldn’t want to do business with that dealer for any reason.

No way you could get a “feel” for any car after only driving it in a 1 mile test.

Shame, because they really are great cars.

In Sport Plus, the trans tries to mimic what a manual would feel like if you were shifting gears. Kinda hokey. I usually stay in Sport, which smooths things out significantly without giving up the performance. The V6 will run...and will pull....hard....it’s very smooth, too.

Again, a brief test drive just won’t do the car justice. I think I’d call the GM of the dealership and let him know how you were treated.

Your point is taken. I should have known better than to go to this place - I have a friend who is an Acura fanatic and warned me they were a mess. He still goes there, but complains every time. Said he has written to the GM before and they made no effort to make things right.

The issue is, the next closest Acura dealers are going to be an hour + away with traffic. I don't mind that when I'm ready to buy, but for a test drive its a schlep. Plus, since I'd have to service at this dealer, I'm not particularly excited about needing to give them any business.

I have no doubt that it is a great car and with a longer test drive I could probably be sold on it - but the dealer has really soured the experience.

jmonroe1

marcogallo1986 said:

@ genie Monroe, oh man to tell me I’m on my own if that’s the way we have to do it sounds good I’ll be over there ha ha Ha.

Yeah, we're going to have to talk about that. Over the years you've called me more names than Mrs. j has. :@

jmonroe

pensfan83

Fly to Pittsburgh and you can drive mine from the airport to Oakland for some O fries and a stop in the bookstore. You get highway, city, and gridlock all in one test drive

28firefighter

pensfan83 said:

Fly to Pittsburgh and you can drive mine from the airport to Oakland for some O fries and a stop in the bookstore. You get highway, city, and gridlock all in one test drive

Talk about things that will mess up the alcantara. O Fries is definitely one of them.

I badly need a trip back to Pittsburgh.

stickguy

One good thing about the TLX. Assuming you don’t put a lot of miles on it, service is 1x a year, through the express oil change lane!

28firefighter

I have some time scheduled to go drive an Accord 2.0T 6spd this afternoon. They have one in stock that just came in, so a sales rep I know reached out and strongly suggested I come take it for a spin.

Who can resist? Besides, the dealer experience could not possibly be any worse.

pensfan83

Mine was in for service this morning. State inspection, synthetic oil change, tire rotation, and a rear differential fluid change for $210.

I also have 6 32nds left on the tires so it's likely I'll have to do something before next September. I'm thinking of getting a used set now and remounting the original tires near less turn in.

tifighter

28firefighter said:

Well. The test drive experience was a total dud. Absolutely awful experience.

I made this appointment well in advance in the middle of the week. They confirmed 4 times. On arrival, it was my sales guy’s day off. They gave me to someone else. He was with a customer. So they bounced me to some new guy who was furious the entire time that I was dumped on him. Knew nothing about the car and had no interest in sharing any details. Was only interested in if I was buying today, which I was not.

The test drive loop was all of 1 mile in a perfect square. No mix of roads, no highway. When he asked if he could earn my business, I genuinely said that after a one mile test drive, absolutely not. He said it was all he was authorized to do.

The sales manager came out and asked me what else I was looking at. I told him. He proceeded to trash every one of them and told me I was crazy for considering them. I asked him if he was buying the car for me, or if it was my money.

In hindsight they absolutely judged me as a stroke. I was in jeans and a polo and driving the Viggen. Even though I told them I had an X1 lease ending and was looking at a BMW 440 among other cars.

I’ll share my limited thoughts on the car later. I’m so beyond frustrated.

Well that sucks. I'll assume Acura Lynnwood.

If only you could buy a car directly from a manufacturer...

stickguy

with the rain, traffic and hills in Seattle, I imagine stick shifts are pretty rare to have in stock.

stickguy

pensfan83 said:

Mine was in for service this morning. State inspection, synthetic oil change, tire rotation, and a rear differential fluid change for $210.

I also have 6 32nds left on the tires so it's likely I'll have to do something before next September. I'm thinking of getting a used set now and remounting the original tires near less turn in.

I have some fluids due next service (60K, even though I might only be at about 57-58, so could push it) for the RDX. I think rear diff and transmission. I did center diff last time I think. Darned AWD costs more to maintain. I am pretty sure if I had gotten FWD I would not have really noticed the difference.

For the tires, unless the used ones are better quality, why bother? Use up what you got. If it doesn't pass turn in inspection next year, get the used tires then.

breld

28firefighter said:

I have some time scheduled to go drive an Accord 2.0T 6spd this afternoon. They have one in stock that just came in, so a sales rep I know reached out and strongly suggested I come take it for a spin.

Who can resist? Besides, the dealer experience could not possibly be any worse.

Oooh! Can't wait for your impressions. That Accord has been on my mind ever since they came out.

jmonroe1

28firefighter said:

pensfan83 said:

Fly to Pittsburgh and you can drive mine from the airport to Oakland for some O fries and a stop in the bookstore. You get highway, city, and gridlock all in one test drive

Talk about things that will mess up the alcantara. O Fries is definitely one of them.

I badly need a trip back to Pittsburgh.

Ah man, don't tell me you eat in your car.

jmonroe

28firefighter

stickguy said:

with the rain, traffic and hills in Seattle, I imagine stick shifts are pretty rare to have in stock.

My experience with the Accord 1.5 or 2.0 manuals are that they are rare because they're lower production volume in general. Most of the Jetta GLIs up this way are manual, actually - way more than I would have expected.

Most of my driving is against and across traffic during the week (since S only goes to school 10-15 minutes away from here) and we have the Subaru for our longer family jaunts on the weekend.

28firefighter

jmonroe1 said:

28firefighter said:

pensfan83 said:

Fly to Pittsburgh and you can drive mine from the airport to Oakland for some O fries and a stop in the bookstore. You get highway, city, and gridlock all in one test drive

Talk about things that will mess up the alcantara. O Fries is definitely one of them.

I badly need a trip back to Pittsburgh.

Ah man, don't tell me you eat in your car.

jmonroe

I do not - no eating or drinking. But I have learned to make an exception for Sam - but you better believe there is a seat cover and it gets vacuumed out regularly.

But, I seem to recall O Fry grease has a pretty strong staying power on your hands after you finish eating...

benjaminh

tifighter said:

....If only you could buy a car directly from a manufacturer...

Like a Tesla? ++

Hey ti, you've probably already posted this somewhere, but how do you like your Model 3? I've been thinking about those cars more lately. They seem pretty impressive.