Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

fintail

In the before times, I recall screamer TV ads for trucks especially claiming 10K+ off MSRP. I assume these offers required dealer financing etc.

imidazol97 said:

fintail said:

Only 20K? Well, some say the market is slowing.

G is something I would special order, using a MB rep if needed - I'd rather wait than buy something with generic spec ordered by a dealer to appeal to boring overmonied people.

Local dealer had a few year old G accessorized with all kinds of instagram-style outdoorsy "lifestyle" bric a brac (as the Toyota 4x4 and Subaru cult locally are into all that even if they never venture past a paved trailhead with food vendors and 5G service - it's all about pretending to be adventurous and active and bold). Naturally it was also overpriced, nobody would touch it, I heard they sent it to auction.

laurasdada said:

In my travels today, stopped at a MB dealer to look at an '18 Aston Martin DB11; sat in it, made vroom vroom noises. Actually started it up, V8 sounds wonderful. I fit, ingress/egress wasn't too bad (unlike the billionaire doored BMW i8, that's a contortionists dream). Obvious Mercedes bits and pieces, not sure I felt the hefty price of entry in the interior materials. Styling, quite lovely, but reminded me of my Jag XK. And, I can't believe that a saleswoman actually approached me and allowed me to sit, start and play! Fooled her real good. She said I really should buy in the next week as she's off to Greece for a month next weekend. No pressure. And, out of warranty. I am a gambler...

Saw youngish couple with youngerish daughter testing a new G-Wagon. Parked next to my A7e, the youngerish daughter seemed to like my car. Noted the ADM sticker in the G window, something like this:

Market Adjustment $20k
Security Package $2500
Simonize $1500

So, seems like a deal.
Fintail's checkbook is now out...

I notice the "market adjustment" of $20K

Has anyone ever seen a dealer have a market adjustment on the sticker which is -$10K? -$15 K?
My understanding is if the market were not so good for a model, color, etc., a negative adjustment
would be called for.

sda

fintail said:

In the before times, I recall screamer TV ads for trucks especially claiming 10K+ off MSRP. I assume these offers required dealer financing etc.

imidazol97 said:

fintail said:

Only 20K? Well, some say the market is slowing.

G is something I would special order, using a MB rep if needed - I'd rather wait than buy something with generic spec ordered by a dealer to appeal to boring overmonied people.

Local dealer had a few year old G accessorized with all kinds of instagram-style outdoorsy "lifestyle" bric a brac (as the Toyota 4x4 and Subaru cult locally are into all that even if they never venture past a paved trailhead with food vendors and 5G service - it's all about pretending to be adventurous and active and bold). Naturally it was also overpriced, nobody would touch it, I heard they sent it to auction.

laurasdada said:

In my travels today, stopped at a MB dealer to look at an '18 Aston Martin DB11; sat in it, made vroom vroom noises. Actually started it up, V8 sounds wonderful. I fit, ingress/egress wasn't too bad (unlike the billionaire doored BMW i8, that's a contortionists dream). Obvious Mercedes bits and pieces, not sure I felt the hefty price of entry in the interior materials. Styling, quite lovely, but reminded me of my Jag XK. And, I can't believe that a saleswoman actually approached me and allowed me to sit, start and play! Fooled her real good. She said I really should buy in the next week as she's off to Greece for a month next weekend. No pressure. And, out of warranty. I am a gambler...

Saw youngish couple with youngerish daughter testing a new G-Wagon. Parked next to my A7e, the youngerish daughter seemed to like my car. Noted the ADM sticker in the G window, something like this:

Market Adjustment $20k
Security Package $2500
Simonize $1500

So, seems like a deal.
Fintail's checkbook is now out...

I notice the "market adjustment" of $20K

Has anyone ever seen a dealer have a market adjustment on the sticker which is -$10K? -$15 K?
My understanding is if the market were not so good for a model, color, etc., a negative adjustment
would be called for.

There was one local dealership north of Charlotte that would advertise attractive pricing. Then they would add in the disclaimer you had to buy the mop and glo, admin fee, finance thru a specific company and buy insurance from a specific company. Huh? Immediate turn off to me.

jmonroe1

mjfloyd1 said:

What does jmonroe think of this newcomer jmonroe1?

Not much. :@

jmonroe

jmonroe1

sda said:

fintail said:

In the before times, I recall screamer TV ads for trucks especially claiming 10K+ off MSRP. I assume these offers required dealer financing etc.

imidazol97 said:

fintail said:

Only 20K? Well, some say the market is slowing.

G is something I would special order, using a MB rep if needed - I'd rather wait than buy something with generic spec ordered by a dealer to appeal to boring overmonied people.

Local dealer had a few year old G accessorized with all kinds of instagram-style outdoorsy "lifestyle" bric a brac (as the Toyota 4x4 and Subaru cult locally are into all that even if they never venture past a paved trailhead with food vendors and 5G service - it's all about pretending to be adventurous and active and bold). Naturally it was also overpriced, nobody would touch it, I heard they sent it to auction.

laurasdada said:

In my travels today, stopped at a MB dealer to look at an '18 Aston Martin DB11; sat in it, made vroom vroom noises. Actually started it up, V8 sounds wonderful. I fit, ingress/egress wasn't too bad (unlike the billionaire doored BMW i8, that's a contortionists dream). Obvious Mercedes bits and pieces, not sure I felt the hefty price of entry in the interior materials. Styling, quite lovely, but reminded me of my Jag XK. And, I can't believe that a saleswoman actually approached me and allowed me to sit, start and play! Fooled her real good. She said I really should buy in the next week as she's off to Greece for a month next weekend. No pressure. And, out of warranty. I am a gambler...

Saw youngish couple with youngerish daughter testing a new G-Wagon. Parked next to my A7e, the youngerish daughter seemed to like my car. Noted the ADM sticker in the G window, something like this:

Market Adjustment $20k
Security Package $2500
Simonize $1500

So, seems like a deal.
Fintail's checkbook is now out...

I notice the "market adjustment" of $20K

Has anyone ever seen a dealer have a market adjustment on the sticker which is -$10K? -$15 K?
My understanding is if the market were not so good for a model, color, etc., a negative adjustment
would be called for.

There was one local dealership north of Charlotte that would advertise attractive pricing. Then they would add in the disclaimer you had to buy the mop and glo, admin fee, finance thru a specific company and buy insurance from a specific company. Huh? Immediate turn off to me.

I can understand your turn off. I’d feel the same way. But, if this dealer has a history of doing business like that, it must be working. Probably lots of “payment buyers” since they like the big print.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

@jmonroe - happiest of birthdays & many more my friend.

explorerx4

The dealership where I bought my Explorer has a Mustang Mach 1 with a 20K ADM.

tjc78

@explorerx4 said:
The dealership where I bought my Explorer has a Mustang Mach 1 with a 20K ADM.

Haha … someone will probably pay it

stickguy

I saw another couple this weekend. Either they are starting to really get out there, or I just happened to be paying attention after seeing the first one!

roadburner

explorerx4 said:

The dealership where I bought my Explorer has a Mustang Mach 1 with a 20K ADM.

With the exception of Kings in Cincy and a couple of salespeople at Bill Collins in Louisville. it seems that every Ford dealer I've dealt with had the primary goal of p*ssing me off. I'm sure everyone has a similar story involving a different brand, but that is what I've run into.

roadburner

2jmonroe- happiest of birthdays!

cdnpinhead

@jmonroe1 -- Have a happy b'day. There are only a few of us who tell it like it is but, left alone, we make it more interesting.

tjc78

@cdnpinhead said:
@jmonroe1 -- Have a happy b'day. There are only a few of us who tell it like it is but, left alone, we make it more interesting.

Hope your birthday was great J! You can’t be all that bad having a birthday so close to mine !!

jmonroe1

tjc78 said:

@cdnpinhead said:
@jmonroe1 -- Have a happy b'day. There are only a few of us who tell it like it is but, left alone, we make it more interesting.

Hope your birthday was great J! You can’t be all that bad having a birthday so close to mine !!

That may be the only down side to this date.

IIRC, our poster buddy @ab348 has a birthday around now too. Maybe we missed it. Even so I’m going to cover myself and wish everyone in here a happy birthday, whenever it was/is this year.

jmonroe

mjfloyd1

Strong work jmonroe and jmonroe1

roadburner

My wife was interested in a new Defender 90, so I looked on the LR site and located a couple of possibilities at a dealer in North Carolina. I then checked the dealer’s site and found both D90s had a $16k ADM.

oldfarmer50

tjc78 said:

@explorerx4 said:

The dealership where I bought my Explorer has a Mustang Mach 1 with a 20K ADM.

Haha … someone will probably pay it

Not me. When Carvana made me that insane offer on my 2015 I considered a Mach 1 long enough to drive to the nearest dealer who listed one. When I found out that the sales manager was bombing around in it as his personal car I lost interest. A $20k ADM would make me cancel the trip to even look.

qbrozen

There is a NJ dealer chain offering a fairly decent deal on the Mach 1. It is a balloon note, but supposedly with a guaranteed buy back. At full MSRP, a low-spec model is about $420/mo for 48 mos if you put $8500 up front, which is actually $1k after you get the $7500 back from the Feds.

henryn

fintail said:

In the before times, I recall screamer TV ads for trucks especially claiming 10K+ off MSRP. I assume these offers required dealer financing etc.

imidazol97 said:

fintail said:

Only 20K? Well, some say the market is slowing.

G is something I would special order, using a MB rep if needed - I'd rather wait than buy something with generic spec ordered by a dealer to appeal to boring overmonied people.

Local dealer had a few year old G accessorized with all kinds of instagram-style outdoorsy "lifestyle" bric a brac (as the Toyota 4x4 and Subaru cult locally are into all that even if they never venture past a paved trailhead with food vendors and 5G service - it's all about pretending to be adventurous and active and bold). Naturally it was also overpriced, nobody would touch it, I heard they sent it to auction.

laurasdada said:

In my travels today, stopped at a MB dealer to look at an '18 Aston Martin DB11; sat in it, made vroom vroom noises. Actually started it up, V8 sounds wonderful. I fit, ingress/egress wasn't too bad (unlike the billionaire doored BMW i8, that's a contortionists dream). Obvious Mercedes bits and pieces, not sure I felt the hefty price of entry in the interior materials. Styling, quite lovely, but reminded me of my Jag XK. And, I can't believe that a saleswoman actually approached me and allowed me to sit, start and play! Fooled her real good. She said I really should buy in the next week as she's off to Greece for a month next weekend. No pressure. And, out of warranty. I am a gambler...

Saw youngish couple with youngerish daughter testing a new G-Wagon. Parked next to my A7e, the youngerish daughter seemed to like my car. Noted the ADM sticker in the G window, something like this:

Market Adjustment $20k
Security Package $2500
Simonize $1500

So, seems like a deal.
Fintail's checkbook is now out...

I notice the "market adjustment" of $20K

Has anyone ever seen a dealer have a market adjustment on the sticker which is -$10K? -$15 K?
My understanding is if the market were not so good for a model, color, etc., a negative adjustment
would be called for.

In 2018 I purchased an F150 SuperCrew XLT, MSRP right at $44k. I paid $33.5. About $5k in factory incentives, and about $5k in dealer discount. Such deals were common. Yes, it required captive financing, but I only had to finance $7.5k of that, and I paid it off after 90 days. Such deals were still commonly available right up until the world went insane.

28firefighter

@qbrozen said:
There is a NJ dealer chain offering a fairly decent deal on the Mach 1. It is a balloon note, but supposedly with a guaranteed buy back. At full MSRP, a low-spec model is about $420/mo for 48 mos if you put $8500 up front, which is actually $1k after you get the $7500 back from the Feds.

I missed the decent part.

corvette

28firefighter said:

I missed the decent part.

Also, I think there is confusion between Mach 1 and Mach-E. Shame on Ford for making two very different cars and calling them both Mustangs! But I am pretty sure the Mach 1 will never get a tax rebate.

Michaell

Member could use some advice…

https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/66855/mercedes-benz/x/buying-an-old-luxury-car-vs-newer-economical#latest

28firefighter

@corvette said:
Also, I think there is confusion between Mach 1 and Mach-E. Shame on Ford for making two very different cars and calling them both Mustangs! But I am pretty sure the Mach 1 will never get a tax rebate.

I totally missed that. Just assumed he meant Mach E.

ronsteve

This looks interesting. Makes me wonder if there's a good Volvo mechanic in Miami to PPI it? If it begins fairly healthy, the second 100K on these Volvos can be some good driving. Even if this one is probably 300 lbs heavier than my old V70.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9eDEqq4o/2005-volvo-xc70

ab348

jmonroe1 said:

IIRC, our poster buddy @ab348 has a birthday around now too. Maybe we missed it. Even so I’m going to cover myself and wish everyone in here a happy birthday, whenever it was/is this year.

jmonroe

Thanks JM1. It is today, I turn 65. Cripes!

qbrozen

@corvette said:
Also, I think there is confusion between Mach 1 and Mach-E. Shame on Ford for making two very different cars and calling them both Mustangs! But I am pretty sure the Mach 1 will never get a tax rebate.

Daaannng. That’s what happens when I’m tired.

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:

@qbrozen said:
There is a NJ dealer chain offering a fairly decent deal on the Mach 1. It is a balloon note, but supposedly with a guaranteed buy back. At full MSRP, a low-spec model is about $420/mo for 48 mos if you put $8500 up front, which is actually $1k after you get the $7500 back from the Feds.

I missed the decent part.

0.94% relative payment vs MSRP for a new model in this market is “fairly decent” IMHO. Granted, its 48 mos.

qbrozen

@ronsteve said:
This looks interesting. Makes me wonder if there's a good Volvo mechanic in Miami to PPI it? If it begins fairly healthy, the second 100K on these Volvos can be some good driving. Even if this one is probably 300 lbs heavier than my old V70.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9eDEqq4o/2005-volvo-xc70

Weak transmissions in 2005.

ronsteve

qbrozen said:

@ronsteve said:

This looks interesting. Makes me wonder if there's a good Volvo mechanic in Miami to PPI it? If it begins fairly healthy, the second 100K on these Volvos can be some good driving. Even if this one is probably 300 lbs heavier than my old V70.

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/9eDEqq4o/2005-volvo-xc70

Weak transmissions in 2005.

Was it an issue with the AWD transmissions, or was there an upgrade between the 05 and 06 model years? As far as I was aware it was still the Aisin AW55 5-speed auto.

sda

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

IIRC, our poster buddy @ab348 has a birthday around now too. Maybe we missed it. Even so I’m going to cover myself and wish everyone in here a happy birthday, whenever it was/is this year.

jmonroe

Thanks JM1. It is today, I turn 65. Cripes!

Happy Birthday! Enjoy.

qbrozen

ronsteve said:

Was it an issue with the AWD transmissions, or was there an upgrade between the 05 and 06 model years? As far as I was aware it was still the Aisin AW55 5-speed auto.

Not specific to AWD.
Here is a good writeup.
https://www.eeuroparts.com/blog/is-your-volvo-hard-shifting-you-should-read-this/

Sandman6472

A3 going in Thursday morning as we've had enough already. Got down and looked at the tires and though they are getting there, still some tread left, think we're good for a few more months at least. Got a feeling that since we're getting the leak taken care of, she'll be ready to do the couple of tires and be done with it! Drove it last night out to dinner & get petrol and she drives just fine. Could use a good bath but overall, with just under 63K on the clock, she's a very nice vehicle and hopefully will be around for a few more years. As long as there's no major issues, she'll stay in the stable. Once things start happening, we'll replace it with something else and doubt it'll be a German model. She almost go the Forte last time so suspect she'll stat there and see what she likes.
Drove a new Elantra and Sentra at work finally on Friday and liked them both actually. Nissan finally seems to have gotten their auto tanny's to perform better, the old one's were really awful! Now that I've driven the Altima, Sentra and Versa, must say they drive much smoother and hate to say it, I'd consider a new Sentra or even a Versa though the Kicks would be a better fit. Loved the Elantra though there were a couple interior pieces I thought were a bit weird. I'd love to try a Limited model and then the N-line as I suspect they're a bit nicer. But it drove very smoothly and the ergonomics were quite good, especially liked the new dash set-up. Must admit there were a lot of hard plastic surfaces that could use a softer material but overall, think Hyundai did a bang up job here. Forgot about the Kia Forte's interior but suspect it'll be somewhat similar. I do suspect though that once the A3 is let go, a new Forte could very well take it's place on her side of the garage.

Michaell

My mom's '03 Sonata (which my sister is now driving) had some maintenance done last week. AC wasn't blowing cold; my sister lives in North County San Diego, where it can get 90+ many days, so in it went. Turns out a number of hoses needed replacing - the car is 18 years old, after all - so that got done.

The guy who did the work noted that the tires were 10 years old, so those were ordered at Discount and are being installed tomorrow. Cooper CS5 Tourings - same as what we have on our Outback. $111/each.

Side note - the guy who did the repair work commented on how good the Sonata looks, and would be interested in buying it if we decided to sell. The car only has something like 40-45K on it.

henryn

Michaell said:

My mom's '03 Sonata (which my sister is now driving) had some maintenance done last week. AC wasn't blowing cold; my sister lives in North County San Diego, where it can get 90+ many days, so in it went. Turns out a number of hoses needed replacing - the car is 18 years old, after all - so that got done.

The guy who did the work noted that the tires were 10 years old, so those were ordered at Discount and are being installed tomorrow. Cooper CS5 Tourings - same as what we have on our Outback. $111/each.

Side note - the guy who did the repair work commented on how good the Sonata looks, and would be interested in buying it if we decided to sell. The car only has something like 40-45K on it.

There are some things that "age out" rather than "mile out". Those of us here who like older cars with very low mileage (and there are several of us) have experienced this first hand, and are prepared for it. Despite glitches like those mentioned above, they can still make for very nice rides.

Michaell

henryn said:

Michaell said:

My mom's '03 Sonata (which my sister is now driving) had some maintenance done last week. AC wasn't blowing cold; my sister lives in North County San Diego, where it can get 90+ many days, so in it went. Turns out a number of hoses needed replacing - the car is 18 years old, after all - so that got done.

The guy who did the work noted that the tires were 10 years old, so those were ordered at Discount and are being installed tomorrow. Cooper CS5 Tourings - same as what we have on our Outback. $111/each.

Side note - the guy who did the repair work commented on how good the Sonata looks, and would be interested in buying it if we decided to sell. The car only has something like 40-45K on it.

There are some things that "age out" rather than "mile out". Those of us here who like older cars with very low mileage (and there are several of us) have experienced this first hand, and are prepared for it. Despite glitches like those mentioned above, they can still make for very nice rides.

I will find out for myself in a few weeks, as I'm heading to California for a few days.

We knew that the car had some deferred maintenance - my dad passed away in 2016, and not much has been done with the car between then and last year, when my sister took possession. It does look great from 20' away, though I suspect an interior detail could be in order.

I think my sister has put a couple thousand dollars into it over the last year or so, which is probably more than it's worth, but it's a competent car that does the job well.

sda

Michaell said:

henryn said:

Michaell said:

My mom's '03 Sonata (which my sister is now driving) had some maintenance done last week. AC wasn't blowing cold; my sister lives in North County San Diego, where it can get 90+ many days, so in it went. Turns out a number of hoses needed replacing - the car is 18 years old, after all - so that got done.

The guy who did the work noted that the tires were 10 years old, so those were ordered at Discount and are being installed tomorrow. Cooper CS5 Tourings - same as what we have on our Outback. $111/each.

Side note - the guy who did the repair work commented on how good the Sonata looks, and would be interested in buying it if we decided to sell. The car only has something like 40-45K on it.

There are some things that "age out" rather than "mile out". Those of us here who like older cars with very low mileage (and there are several of us) have experienced this first hand, and are prepared for it. Despite glitches like those mentioned above, they can still make for very nice rides.

I will find out for myself in a few weeks, as I'm heading to California for a few days.

We knew that the car had some deferred maintenance - my dad passed away in 2016, and not much has been done with the car between then and last year, when my sister took possession. It does look great from 20' away, though I suspect an interior detail could be in order.

I think my sister has put a couple thousand dollars into it over the last year or so, which is probably more than it's worth, but it's a competent car that does the job well.

You couldn't replace it in today's market for what has been spent to maintain it. Same with our TL.

stickguy

My BIL had my FIL’s old Impala. Maybe a 2003/2004? Low miles, I doubt it had broken 60k yet. They Just donated it to a local votech. Body and interior fine, I think engine good, but it apparently rotted out underneath. Brakes shot and lines rusted out, suspension rubber wore out, and I think various rubber items in the engine. Had it towed to a mechanic who asked them why they bothered!

breld

Michaell said:

Side note - the guy who did the repair work commented on how good the Sonata looks, and would be interested in buying it if we decided to sell. The car only has something like 40-45K on it.

In this crazy used market? Tell him the first $20k takes it.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

IIRC, our poster buddy @ab348 has a birthday around now too. Maybe we missed it. Even so I’m going to cover myself and wish everyone in here a happy birthday, whenever it was/is this year.

jmonroe

Thanks JM1. It is today, I turn 65. Cripes!

As everyone knows, mine was yesterday. I should have known you’d be a day late…not sure about the dollar.

Have a happy B-day.

jmonroe

sda

jmonroe1 said:

ab348 said:

jmonroe1 said:

IIRC, our poster buddy @ab348 has a birthday around now too. Maybe we missed it. Even so I’m going to cover myself and wish everyone in here a happy birthday, whenever it was/is this year.

jmonroe

Thanks JM1. It is today, I turn 65. Cripes!

As everyone knows, mine was yesterday. I should have known you’d be a day late…not sure about the dollar.

Have a happy B-day.

jmonroe

You can make your birthday a Happy Birthday week. Do a happy dance and celebrate!

28firefighter

Those of you in the Philly area interested in Jeeps...

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/7-under-invoice-price-with-dealersider.76352/

corvette

About to go meet up with a private seller of a car on Craigslist after work. I’ve been jonesing for a project, and a new Autozone just opened within walking distance of my house.

Michaell

Buy a car with a credit card?

I'm sure you all have opinions as to whether it's a good idea, or not.

ab348

When I bought my ATS the dealer took a substantial deposit (I think $5K) on my GM card. Then when we did the final paperwork the GM "money" from that deposit transaction was included in my balance that was applied against the price I was paying, so win-win.

mjfloyd1

@jmonroe1 said:

jmonroe

This is whacky. jm1 signs in and signs his comment jm.

Multiple personalities????

mjfloyd1

@benjaminh said:
Perhaps no one would cross-shop the Corolla hybrid with Ford's upcoming Maverick hybrid, but maybe they should.

With destination a 2022 Corolla hybrid has an msrp of $24,645, and goes 0-60 in a "painfully slow" 10.7 seconds:

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a28442604/2020-toyota-corolla-hybrid-by-the-numbers/

With destination a 2022 base Maverick hybrid has an msrp of $21,490. The Maverick hybrid is more powerful than the Corolla and should go about two seconds faster 0-60.

At msrp the Maverick hybrid costs $3155 less than the Corolla hybrid.

The standard steel wheels on the Maverick look old school in a good way to me. I could probably live with a manual seat, but I'm used to adaptive cruise control now, and I think even a base Corolla or Civic get that.

I never thought I would see someone happy that their vehicle is more powerful than a Corolla

corvette

Punch pending... Meeting the seller at the DMV tomorrow to transfer title.

*hits Staples "that was easy" button*

Trying to find a teaser picture that doesn't 100% give away what it is and coming up short. But, I can definitely do some text... Suffice it to say that it's definitely a Hooptie Rescue Mission and I plan to drive it when patronizing businesses where it's difficult to park the Tundra.

au1994

corvette said:

Punch pending... Meeting the seller at the DMV tomorrow to transfer title.

*hits Staples "that was easy" button*

Trying to find a teaser picture that doesn't 100% give away what it is and coming up short. But, I can definitely do some text... Suffice it to say that it's definitely a Hooptie Rescue Mission and I plan to drive it when patronizing businesses where it's difficult to park the Tundra.

El Camino?

mjfloyd1

Ranchero

corvette

Can confirm the previous owner did use it as a farm truck/work truck on occasion. Also, it's a one owner vehicle. Recently had a major repair of a common failure item.

Michaell

corvette said:

Can confirm the previous owner did use it as a farm truck/work truck on occasion. Also, it's a one owner vehicle. Recently had a major repair of a common failure item.

Tacoma