Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

Sandman6472

Picked up 18 new Toyota Camry's & Highlander's the other day and enjoyed the Highlander for it's higher seating position plus the ease with egress/ingress as I have issues getting in and out of some vehicles, especially the low ones like the Mazda Miata or whatever they call them now. Drove the "XLE" Highlander and was very impressed actually. Too big for me but a very nice rig all the same. Definitely prefer the Rav4 or the new Corolla Cross.

Made the appointment for the Hyundai Accent's recall for the 15th of June. Something about the seat belt pretensioner, passenger side as I recall. Said they'd need it for a few hours so I'll just have them shuttle me home or get one of the girls to pick me up. Also got a recall for the Golf, something about a spring in the steering wheel mechanism, not totally sure what it is after reading the paperwork. Stopped by and filled out the paperwork to get a call to set a time and date but so far, crickets from VW, which does not surprise me. They really stink at communication to be honest!!!

(Off today so I called the service department and made the appointment for next Thursday the 1st at 11 am. Why couldn't I have just had this done yesterday when I was there? Why make the customer fill out a form for them to call me back & make the appointment? Seems pretty stupid to me!

Funny, I made the appointment for the Hyundai on the phone and only stopped by yesterday as I wanted no surprises when I bring it in on the 15th. Since the VW store is almost next door, stopped there first and they proceeded to make something super easy into something more difficult then it needed to be. Something like this I will never understand!

Sandman6472

While at the Hyundai store yesterday, saw a new Hyundai Kona N-Line in the used car section in the white color. Liked it a whole lot but I'd hate to get the outgoing model right before the new one is about to come out. No matter the cost savings involved, think it would always be lurking in the back of my mind as to why didn't I just wait a little while longer to get what I really wanted. I remember that awful feeling after a few weeks & realizing I made a huge mistake buying the 2014 Tucson, actually made me feel a bit ill inside! I just know that I can't go through that whole thing again so just decided to drive home & see how things play out. Have waited this long, so a little while longer won't hurt.
Just looked online under their pre-owned section and the vehicle I saw isn't listed so either they just put it out there yesterday, which seems likely as I saw a worker moving the vehicles around it, or it sold in the last 20 hours. It was sharp looking so definitely a possibility that someone bought it already.
Just shows me that things happen for a reason in life. Have seen the Hyundai commercial on t v showing the red Kona and it did look very sharp in that red color. Not that I'd ever get a red vehicle but on the right vehicle, who knows. Do prefer blue right now to be honest & still get comments about how well the blue paint on the Golf looks even after almost 8 years of ownership!

kyfdx

We have Amazon Music that comes with Prime. No extra charge. But, I haven't tried to figure it out, other than to see if it actually works. When I was testing it, got to listen to Jimmy Page solo on Communication Breakdown, but could never figure out how to get back to it. That must be where the extra charges come in. I like going to my friend's house and changing the song playing by yelling, "Alexa!"

But, neither my wife or I listen to music on our phone. She is the one with Sirius/XM, and she loves it. (so, we're keeping it.. lol). I'm mostly listening to my local NPR station for the average 15-30 minutes per day that I'm in a car. I did enjoy the 3 months I had it, but not worth $7.68/mo. for me.

corvette

kyfdx said:

I like going to my friend's house and changing the song playing by yelling, "Alexa!"

But you can have so much more fun with those devices!

explorerx4

Along the same lines, I got a chuckle out of this one.

venture

I got the title to the BMW in the mail today. I mailed a certified check to BMW Financial Services on May 10th.

It can be done.

oldfarmer50

Sandman6472 said:

While at the Hyundai store yesterday, saw a new Hyundai Kona N-Line in the used car section in the white color. Liked it a whole lot but I'd hate to get the outgoing model right before the new one is about to come out. No matter the cost savings involved, think it would always be lurking in the back of my mind as to why didn't I just wait a little while longer to get what I really wanted. I remember that awful feeling after a few weeks & realizing I made a huge mistake buying the 2014 Tucson, actually made me feel a bit ill inside! I just know that I can't go through that whole thing again so just decided to drive home & see how things play out. Have waited this long, so a little while longer won't hurt.
Just looked online under their pre-owned section and the vehicle I saw isn't listed so either they just put it out there yesterday, which seems likely as I saw a worker moving the vehicles around it, or it sold in the last 20 hours. It was sharp looking so definitely a possibility that someone bought it already.
Just shows me that things happen for a reason in life. Have seen the Hyundai commercial on t v showing the red Kona and it did look very sharp in that red color. Not that I'd ever get a red vehicle but on the right vehicle, who knows. Do prefer blue right now to be honest & still get comments about how well the blue paint on the Golf looks even after almost 8 years of ownership!

Newer isn’t always better. I bought my 2019 Kia even though the 2020s were available because I wanted a conventional automatic. My subsequent experience with blown CVTs on company cars confirmed my judgement.

stickguy

venture said:

I got the title to the BMW in the mail today. I mailed a certified check to BMW Financial Services on May 10th.

It can be done.

I got 2 titles (and one registration) coming. The Acura was paid off last week so that likely comes first. Hopefully early next week at the latest. The Ford, who knows since they had to have a service do all the NY DMV work (dealer is in PA) and that does not tend to be speedy. 2 months on the temp tag, so hopefully before that runs out!

ronsteve

The CCB itch is noticeable here, not yet enough to drive anything lately but just enough that I'm hoping interest rates don't go up anymore and that my trade value on the 15 RDX holds up until I get a chance to look.

I think the shopping list is probably 3 vehicles long...

2020-21 RDX SH-AWD, probably Tech...
2020-22 Outback XT, probably Limited, maybe Onyx?
2021ish Venza Limited

Something that might be intriguing, but isn't on the list, would be a 2020ish X3 Xdrive30i, but I just can't wrap my brain around owning a BMW out of warranty. Also not on the list for the same reason, plus the cargo area is too narrow, is any vintage Audi Q5.

My 2015 has had the timing belt done, much to the agony of my wallet, but it has almost as much coming up this summer, with all the fluids in the 120K service plus needing a set of tires. That's two great excuses in this forum, isn't it? Once I do the 120 or the tires, I think I'd commit to keeping it at least another 18 months, or 20-30k.

laurasdada

A sign of normalcy? The '23 Audi R8 convertible at local Audi shop has had the $30k ADM removed and is now listed for MSRP (~$241k)!

corvette

laurasdada said:

A sign of normalcy? The '23 Audi R8 convertible at local Audi shop has had the $30k ADM removed and is now listed for MSRP (~$241k)!

So when do you take delivery?

explorerx4

@ronsteve,
If the RDX drops in value, chances are your replacement choices for it will too.

laurasdada

corvette said:

laurasdada said:

A sign of normalcy? The '23 Audi R8 convertible at local Audi shop has had the $30k ADM removed and is now listed for MSRP (~$241k)!

So when do you take delivery?

Of the ADM?!
Perhaps an even trade for the A7?

stickguy

ronsteve said:

The CCB itch is noticeable here, not yet enough to drive anything lately but just enough that I'm hoping interest rates don't go up anymore and that my trade value on the 15 RDX holds up until I get a chance to look.

I think the shopping list is probably 3 vehicles long...

2020-21 RDX SH-AWD, probably Tech...
2020-22 Outback XT, probably Limited, maybe Onyx?
2021ish Venza Limited

Something that might be intriguing, but isn't on the list, would be a 2020ish X3 Xdrive30i, but I just can't wrap my brain around owning a BMW out of warranty. Also not on the list for the same reason, plus the cargo area is too narrow, is any vintage Audi Q5.

My 2015 has had the timing belt done, much to the agony of my wallet, but it has almost as much coming up this summer, with all the fluids in the 120K service plus needing a set of tires. That's two great excuses in this forum, isn't it? Once I do the 120 or the tires, I think I'd commit to keeping it at least another 18 months, or 20-30k.

Do you like white? Make me an offer!

have you driven the current style RDX yet? Really a totally different experience from the generation you have.

I am curious about the Venza. Have never driven one, and it has been a couple years since I even sat in one.

Sube is nice with the Turbo, though does have the CVT.

and yes, I used the "big services due soon" excuse (among others) to justify trading our 2013 in on the 2020. Over 3 years ago already. Time flies.

ronsteve

@stickguy said:
Do you like white? Make me an offer!

have you driven the current style RDX yet? Really a totally different experience from the generation you have.

I am curious about the Venza. Have never driven one, and it has been a couple years since I even sat in one.

Sube is nice with the Turbo, though does have the CVT.

and yes, I used the "big services due soon" excuse (among others) to justify trading our 2013 in on the 2020. Over 3 years ago already. Time flies.

I think my wife would veto white.

I have driven a couple 3G RDXs but seat time was very limited. What would you say were the biggest differences to live with on a longer term basis?

Very curious about the Venza too, as it seems like a potentially good time to go hybrid.

I have driven an Outback XT but it was an Onyx edition.

They’re all compromises because budgets are finite.

Michaell

ronsteve said:

@stickguy said:

Do you like white? Make me an offer!

have you driven the current style RDX yet? Really a totally different experience from the generation you have.

I am curious about the Venza. Have never driven one, and it has been a couple years since I even sat in one.

Sube is nice with the Turbo, though does have the CVT.

and yes, I used the "big services due soon" excuse (among others) to justify trading our 2013 in on the 2020. Over 3 years ago already. Time flies.

I think my wife would veto white.

I have driven a couple 3G RDXs but seat time was very limited. What would you say were the biggest differences to live with on a longer term basis?

Very curious about the Venza too, as it seems like a potentially good time to go hybrid.

I have driven an Outback XT but it was an Onyx edition.

They’re all compromises because budgets are finite.

My sister test drove a Venza and I rode along - it's a nice vehicle, for what it is. I'd recommend the Lexus version, but that's probably too pricey.

xwesx

stickguy said:

First wash done. Looks better without a layer of pollen and front end covered in dead bug splatter.

Where's the new Maverick? All I saw was blue sky and suburbia.

xwesx

carnaught said:

Around me there is a mobile repair service. I wonder how well that works out.

It depends on whether or not they have to pull up to a curb to service your vehicle!

xwesx

The Q7 made a visit to the airport on Monday. I sent it off to greener pastures for the summer by letting a friend borrow it for the season. He's a former Fairbanksan that now calls Michigan home, and he came up for the summer to revisit the area. He originally arranged with another person to borrow a 1997 Subaru Outback for the time, but, needless to say, he was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to use this for his stay!

I handed him the key with the vehicle reading 145,600 miles.

xwesx

venture said:

I got the title to the BMW in the mail today. I mailed a certified check to BMW Financial Services on May 10th.

It can be done.

Congrats, Venture!

ab348

Interesting occurrence yesterday. While out in traffic, I encountered 3 new/newish full-size pickups essentially adjacent to each other, all in a similar shade of blue. It was interesting to see the paint color variations:
- a GMC in a mid-blue metallic had a lot of sparkle and was quite vibrant;
- a Ford was just a shade darker blue and did not exhibit quite the same level of vibrancy;
- a Ram pickup, while quite shiny, did not show much sparkle to the paint, either being non-metallic or having a very subtle level of metallic, but the shade of mid-blue was nicely saturated and looked good.

I flip-flopped between the Ram and the Ford for last place but for the moment would put the Ford's blue there. It seemed to have just a bit too much black in the mix. That could switch with more time looking though. The GM blue was certainly my #1 choice.

stickguy

The new RDX has a much different infotainment setup. But once you get used to it is easy to use. A lot more tech of course.

Different feel driving. More sporty and better handling. Typical turbo feel instead of the V6. Comparable speed and mpg though, just achieved differently. Much more modern inside.

laurasdada

"They’re all compromises because budgets are finite."
That's just crazy talk; finite!

qbrozen

I don’t get the itch to buy for myself anymore. At least, that’s what I tell my wife.

Now it is more of an itch to sell.

Michaell

qbrozen said:

I don’t get the itch to buy for myself anymore. At least, that’s what I tell my wife. " alt="" height="20" />

Now it is more of an itch to sell.

So, what's the inverse of a "punch"? Should we put in our guesses as to how many will get sold in 2023?

jmonroe1

@qbrozen said:
I don’t get the itch to buy for myself anymore. At least, that’s what I tell my wife.

Now it is more of an itch to sell.

————————————————
I don’t know this first hand but I’m sure the inconvenience of having too many cars in the driveway gets old and expensive.

jmonroe

qbrozen

jmonroe1 said:

I don’t know this first hand but I’m sure the inconvenience of having too many cars in the driveway gets old and expensive.

jmonroe

Doesn't really cost me anything to have them sitting here. Well, anything extra, that is. I have the biz insurance (garage bond) that covers inventory.

qbrozen

My chuckle of the day. Hopefully this link works.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/254904590535799

venture

qbrozen said:

My chuckle of the day. Hopefully this link works.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/254904590535799

Man! Why?

stickguy

this is the company that put the timing gear on the back of the engine up against the firewall too.

stickguy

I still don't know how Ford has a large (relative to a car) PU getting such good MPG with just a mile hybrid.

took a run to the "big city" to get a bedliner sprayed in today, so caravanned both cars to drop it off then take the other one to go shopping. About a half hour each way, down local roads (some congested, some more country) to avoid the highway. Averaged 47.8 going, and with a lot more traffic coming home, 47.7. Pushing 400 miles since I picked it up and only today dropped below 1/2 a tank of gas.

ended up driving both cars back to back. The Ford is actually quieter and smoother than the Acura (especially tire noise).

I have my son on my side that we really don't need the RDX with the Maverick around, and the garage would look much better with a nice convertible next to the truck! Still working to get the wife on board with that idea.

tifighter

Because I know someone here wants a Compass-

stickguy

nothing on that list tickling my ivories.

tjc78

In all reality even before any pandemic shortage this would have been the same list.

tjc78

Not sure where to post these … but the core group is here so…

My wife is in China right now and is sending me car pics. No idea what any of these are other than the Caddy. She said she is also seeing lots of Buicks. I told her that’s a China thing.

tjc78

As I get more, I’ll post

tjc78

explorerx4

I find the license plate letters to be interesting.

tjc78

Ok… what’s up with always having a draft in the compose box even if you posted? Is it only me?

explorerx4

I think it automatically saves after a period of time, once started.

tjc78

Yeah, but I had random drafts coming back even after I deleted them. I think I fixed it, under “drafts” I had a bunch in there. Deleted them all.

Thx !

pensfan83

stickguy said:

nothing on that list tickling my ivories.

Only the Grand Cherokee does for me.

tjc78

I own one of them lol.

I would take the GJC, any of the full size trucks, the Explorer and Traverse. Whatever the sporty version of the Edge is nice too (ST?)

corvette

Big Al recently acquired a second DTS convertible conversion (I think this one is one he's actually fixing up for someone else). I commented about him cornering the market on them and he replied that the second wasn't the last one he had in the pipeline!

jmonroe1

@xwesx said:
The Q7 made a visit to the airport on Monday. I sent it off to greener pastures for the summer by letting a friend borrow it for the season. He's a former Fairbanksan that now calls Michigan home, and he came up for the summer to revisit the area. He originally arranged with another person to borrow a 1997 Subaru Outback for the time, but, needless to say, he was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to use this for his stay!

I handed him the key with the vehicle reading 145,600 miles.

————————————————
You’re a lot more trusting than I’d be. I’d be afraid I’d never see my Genny again. Then I’d be relegated to driving Mrs. j’s Subie and that’s if she’d even let me.

jmonroe

explorerx4

Last time I lent out a pickup truck that I drove occasionally, it was during the summer.
I went to drive it about a week later and it stunk due to the empty beers cans, gas tank was empty and it had a flat tire.

stickguy

I get agita if the guy at the garage has to move my car. Zero chance I would ever lend it to anyone that I did not see be born in person.

stickguy

got my son in trouble today. Was chatting about cars and he concluded that with the Maverick, we have no need for the RDX and a nice convertible would round out the garage nicely. I mentioned it to the wife and she said I should stop talking to him (one of use was a bad influence on the other!). Then texted him to stop encouraging me to take away her car. He backpedaled like JMonroe when Mrs. J cuts him off at the head of the dining room table.

My plan will eventually succeed. Just need to keep working on it. Next step, "accidentally" stop at a dealer to look at something like a 2 series convertible, just to prime the pump.

jmonroe1

@stickguy said:
got my son in trouble today. Was chatting about cars and he concluded that with the Maverick, we have no need for the RDX and a nice convertible would round out the garage nicely. I mentioned it to the wife and she said I should stop talking to him (one of use was a bad influence on the other!). Then texted him to stop encouraging me to take away her car. He backpedaled like JMonroe when Mrs. J cuts him off at the head of the dining room table.

My plan will eventually succeed. Just need to keep working on it. Next step, "accidentally" stop at a dealer to look at something like a 2 series convertible, just to prime the pump.

————————————————
I guess with this being the Memorial Day weekend this is as good a time as any to try that. The plus side is if you fail maybe your name could be added to your local memorial plaque since you would have died in action.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

I own one of them lol.

I would take the GJC, any of the full size trucks, the Explorer and Traverse. Whatever the sporty version of the Edge is nice too (ST?)

The Car Wizard says: "You DID NOT get a good deal. You got a Traverse"