Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

au1994

stickguy said:

Just caught up on backlog of magazines yesterday. One was consumers reports where they tested the GLA. Pretty much roasted it.

I'm not a member so I couldn't see the full review on line but what I could see didn't seem like they hated it. But man, are they not a fan of the CLA. I'm not either for the record but its strictly from a styling point, haven't driven one.

All of the German brands are going down market now and getting hammered for it. I've only driven the A3 and the GLA both of which I like. Like any other German make one leaves the near 30k starting price in the distance when you start adding options. I don't necessarily like them dumbing down the brand, especially BMW, and making lesser vehicles for the masses but they are selling apparently.

breld

I was pretty impressed with the GLA when the wife and I test drove it last year. I was really liking the styling when it came out, but I'm not quite as endeared with it as I was back then for some reason. Not so much that I would take it off the list, but just not quite as thrilled anymore.

I did think it was a bit cramped, but then again I was in my 5-series at the time. Coming from my Mazda3, or the wife's GTI, I'm sure it would seem just fine and more than adequate.

I agree on the performance - I found the 2.0 turbo to be pretty engaging.

I think the perception of the quality of some of these new entry-level cars from the luxury makes depends on what you compare it to. The GLA (and CLA) may pale a bit in comparison to the new C-class and other MB vehicles, but when we looked at it, I was more comparing it more to the wife's GTI. I mean, her fully-loaded GTI has an MSRP of almost $33k. It seemed a reasonably well-equipped GLA would be right around $40k. I think that price difference makes the Mercedes look pretty good, especially considering the addition of AWD.

Same goes for the A3.

blackbelt76

It's what we in sales call "the stroker"..people like you come into a dealership to waste the time of people trying to earn a living. I can spot your type a mile off in fog and avoid you like the black plaque!

roadburner

I guess he really told you,. breld. I'm even worse- shopping a Mustang GT, WRX STI, and a Challenger R/T simultaneously.
I am SO ashamed...

28firefighter

roadburner said:

I guess he really told you,. breld. I'm even worse- shopping a Mustang GT, WRX STI, and a Challenger R/T simultaneously.
I am SO ashamed...

Me too. How dare us chronic car buyers drive a vehicle before we buy? Especially, Breld, who probably keeps the Denver auto market afloat single-handedly.

abacomike

blackbelt76 said:

It's what we in sales call "the stroker"..people like you come into a dealership to waste the time of people trying to earn a living. I can spot your type a mile off in fog and avoid you like the black plaque!

You appear (note that I said "appear") to be the kind of car salesman I avoid like the plague!  I was a dealership sales manager, and if what you seem to be is true, you would be pink-slipped by me personally if your attitude was spreading through my dealership!

graphicguy

blackbelt76 said:

It's what we in sales call "the stroker"..people like you come into a dealership to waste the time of people trying to earn a living. I can spot your type a mile off in fog and avoid you like the black plaque!

Popcorn ready. This should be fun!

fezo

Is potiac back?

And isn't it "stroke," not stroker?"

au1994

blackbelt76 said:

It's what we in sales call "the stroker"..people like you come into a dealership to waste the time of people trying to earn a living. I can spot your type a mile off in fog and avoid you like the black plaque!

Lol, not sure if this was directed at me or at Breld but either way, its funny...

kyfdx

fezo said:

Is potiac back?

And isn't it "stroke," not stroker?"

Hmmm.. isn't it the black plague, not black plaque? I'd hate to see that guys teeth...

roadburner

kyfdx said:

fezo said:

Is potiac back?

And isn't it "stroke," not stroker?"

Hmmm.. isn't it the black plague, not black plaque? I'd hate to see that guys teeth...

Good point!!!

isellhondas

fezo said:

Is potiac back?

And isn't it "stroke," not stroker?"

You got it right. the term is "Stroke", not Stroker!

breld

Wow! That was unexpected.

roadburner

A "stroker" with "black plaque" conjures up all manner of unpleasant images.

thebean

He/she is also trolling over on the Real World Trade-in Values board.  

au1994

thebean said:

He/she is also trolling over on the Real World Trade-in Values board.  

I looked at their history of posts. All very confrontational. All ripping consumers for trying to get the best price possible.

xwesx

Dude probably had an unfortunate customer who actually did some shopping and took the time to be informed before heading to the dealership. While he was in the midst of spewing all his usual tricks, the customer manages to say something about "Edmunds.com," and the rest is history.

Michaell

Any insurance experts in the house?

http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/35193/general/x/question-about-insurance-deductible-notation#latest

stickguy

So, back from the Amish world. Power went out at 6:00 tuesday when the bad storm line (close to tornados in the area). Just came on about an hour ago. So just over 48 hours. Lucky, because as of today, the power company was estimating Noon Saturday. By then, with a couple of thunderstorms, the pool would have gone over the banks! Really need to get some sort of generator for the future.

anyway, in the middle of no power, trying to work from home without internet (or, power!), and normal life, I got bombarded suddenly with interest in the Volvo. Not sure why, since I last renewed the ad last Friday. So, just my luck as to the timing.

one guy showed up today, and took it away. A large wad of cash combined with my being hungry, tired, and sweaty, and I caved and went a few hundred below my rock bottom line. But, it is gone.

Now, I get to find out if it was a good idea or not, because at some point in the next 4-6 weeks, I need a buying story. otherwise in Mid August, the wife and I become a 1 car family. And that ain't happening!

xwesx

stickguy said:

one guy showed up today, and took it away. A large wad of cash combined with my being hungry, tired, and sweaty, and I caved and went a few hundred below my rock bottom line. But, it is gone.

So, what was that, $4500? I'll have to remember that the right time to buy is two days after the end of the world!

stickguy

oh heck no. if that was the best offer I got, he was getting back in his Jeep and driving back to Allentown with a disappointed daughter. And I would have held on to it.

but yes, if you want a bargain, the middle of Armageddon is a good time to do it!

Michaell

stickguy said:

So, back from the Amish world. Power went out at 6:00 tuesday when the bad storm line (close to tornados in the area). Just came on about an hour ago. So just over 48 hours. Lucky, because as of today, the power company was estimating Noon Saturday. By then, with a couple of thunderstorms, the pool would have gone over the banks! Really need to get some sort of generator for the future.

anyway, in the middle of no power, trying to work from home without internet (or, power!), and normal life, I got bombarded suddenly with interest in the Volvo. Not sure why, since I last renewed the ad last Friday. So, just my luck as to the timing.

one guy showed up today, and took it away. A large wad of cash combined with my being hungry, tired, and sweaty, and I caved and went a few hundred below my rock bottom line. But, it is gone.

Now, I get to find out if it was a good idea or not, because at some point in the next 4-6 weeks, I need a buying story. otherwise in Mid August, the wife and I become a 1 car family. And that ain't happening!

Congrats on the sale, stick. The clock is now ticking.

July 4th weekend may be a good time to pick up a car. Remind us again what the short list consists of?

stickguy

depends which short list. since it has been a few weeks, I lost track.

pretty sure I swung back to just keeping the Sonata, and finding something not too expensive on a 3 year lease for the daughter. timing works out the best on that plan. Besides, i don't have the budget right now to get myself something fancier than the Hyundai!

Mazda 3i G and Sonata Sport are probably the top 2 options. I may try to sneak the Camry in again (hey, might get an XSE in under budget!). I can investigate the Legacy, but probably still out of price range.

I'll shoot out a few emails tomorrow, and maybe look a bit Saturday. But doing something over the 4th is a good bet. Would rather not wait until just before she is going back in mid-August.

or, I never get around to it, and she takes the Hyundai, "forcing" me to go and get something!

Michaell

stickguy said:

depends which short list. since it has been a few weeks, I lost track.

pretty sure I swung back to just keeping the Sonata, and finding something not too expensive on a 3 year lease for the daughter. timing works out the best on that plan. Besides, i don't have the budget right now to get myself something fancier than the Hyundai!

Mazda 3i G and Sonata Sport are probably the top 2 options. I may try to sneak the Camry in again (hey, might get an XSE in under budget!). I can investigate the Legacy, but probably still out of price range.

I'll shoot out a few emails tomorrow, and maybe look a bit Saturday. But doing something over the 4th is a good bet. Would rather not wait until just before she is going back in mid-August.

or, I never get around to it, and she takes the Hyundai, "forcing" me to go and get something!

Lease number expirations:

Toyota - 7/6
Hyundai - 7/6
Mazda 7/6

So, the numbers you got from us a few weeks ago (June?) should still be valid next weekend.

stickguy

thanks. will be nice not to have to rush.

corvette

Weird... Still no payment book or welcome letter (via mail) on the Yukon. I already contacted the bank and made the first payment online (next payment not due until August), but I'd expect to receive something in the mail by now? Of course, changing addresses right after buying the car probably didn't help.

(Also kind of shocked any bank would finance a vehicle with 140,000 miles at a reasonable interest rate, but that's a story for another time...)

Michaell

Well, this is a bummer ....

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/25/subaru-eyesight-recall-72k/

Guess I'll be getting a letter from Subaru soon.

nyccarguy

Michaell said:

Well, this is a bummer ....

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/25/subaru-eyesight-recall-72k/

Guess I'll be getting a letter from Subaru soon.

My car is unaffected as I don't have EYESIGHT. Don't worry. It will get fixed.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

Michaell said:

Well, this is a bummer ....

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/06/25/subaru-eyesight-recall-72k/

Guess I'll be getting a letter from Subaru soon.

My car is unaffected as I don't have EYESIGHT. Don't worry. It will get fixed.

Mentioned it to my wife, who was unconcerned, as she doesn't use the feature in her regular driving.

New technology always takes some time to sort out.

nelsonf

Looks like just a reprogram, not a parts change. Hopefully won't take too long after they get spooled up to get them all done.

Michaell

nelsonf said:

Looks like just a reprogram, not a parts change. Hopefully won't take too long after they get spooled up to get them all done.

True enough; but, here in Colorado, every 3rd car is a Subaru, so I wonder how long the backlog will be.

laurasdada

Stick, don't forget shopping 4th July weekend: Free hot dogs and popcorn! And, balloons, lots of balloons...

Good luck, have fun with it.

stickguy

I assume we will be looking next weekend. Depends largely on if the princess has to work both days.

28firefighter

Annoying, but not the end of the world.

sda

stickguy said:

I assume we will be looking next weekend. Depends largely on if the princess has to work both days.

Though new to the market and I doubt you'd get much discount, but how about a Honda HRV-EX? Perfect size for college, nicely equipped including heated seats and sunroof, easy on gas and relatively fun to drive. Room to bring stuff back and forth.

Michaell

sda said:

I assume we will be looking next weekend. Depends largely on if the princess has to work both days.

Though new to the market and I doubt you'd get much discount, but how about a Honda HRV-EX? Perfect size for college, nicely equipped including heated seats and sunroof, easy on gas and relatively fun to drive. Room to bring stuff back and forth.

 they don't lease very well, given that they are brand-new and hard to get 

stickguy

yeah, is the difference when you decide to lease. lower sticker price doesn't matter as much as lease support.

but I did like that one, and wouldn't mind taking a look.

xwesx

Michaell said:

Mentioned it to my wife, who was unconcerned, as she doesn't use the feature in her regular driving. New technology always takes some time to sort out.

Yes, I doubt there is any reason for concern on a practical basis. From what I read about it, the issue is due to the circuitry coming down to a potential single point of failure. Those safety systems must have redundancies in them so as to prevent things like the now famous "unintended acceleration" hoopla.

Some reprogramming should do the trick.

Michaell

xwesx said:

Mentioned it to my wife, who was unconcerned, as she doesn't use the feature in her regular driving. New technology always takes some time to sort out.

Yes, I doubt there is any reason for concern on a practical basis. From what I read about it, the issue is due to the circuitry coming down to a potential single point of failure. Those safety systems must have redundancies in them so as to prevent things like the now famous "unintended acceleration" hoopla. Some reprogramming should do the trick.

 it would be very cool if they could update the software remotely, preventing a trip to the dealer 

fezo

Michaell said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Mentioned it to my wife, who was unconcerned, as she doesn't use the feature in her regular driving. New technology always takes some time to sort out.

Yes, I doubt there is any reason for concern on a practical basis. From what I read about it, the issue is due to the circuitry coming down to a potential single point of failure. Those safety systems must have redundancies in them so as to prevent things like the now famous "unintended acceleration" hoopla.

Some reprogramming should do the trick.

 it would be very cool if they could update the software remotely, preventing a trip to the dealer 

Your expecting Subaru to become Tesla?

Michaell

fezo said:

xwesx said:

Mentioned it to my wife, who was unconcerned, as she doesn't use the feature in her regular driving. New technology always takes some time to sort out.

Yes, I doubt there is any reason for concern on a practical basis. From what I read about it, the issue is due to the circuitry coming down to a potential single point of failure. Those safety systems must have redundancies in them so as to prevent things like the now famous "unintended acceleration" hoopla. Some reprogramming should do the trick.

 it would be very cool if they could update the software remotely, preventing a trip to the dealer 

Your expecting Subaru to become Tesla?

No but given the nature of the problem and the fact that we got a new "app" for the infotainment system installed remotely, I don't see why not. 

xwesx

I have a feeling that allowing that sort of remote access would invite all sorts of unsavory side effects....

kyfdx

xwesx said:

I have a feeling that allowing that sort of remote access would invite all sorts of unsavory side effects....

I had a software update done on my BMW in 2010. They actually had to remove the ECU and send it to New Jersey for re-programming..

stever

Well, after all, that's where all the best chop shops are.

breld

Congrats on the sale @stickguy! Adds validity to the old saying "it only takes one."

Good luck with the search - should be fun!

Mr_Shiftright

For Subaru to become Tesla, it would have to start losing money.

fezo said:

Michaell said:

xwesx said:

Michaell said:

Mentioned it to my wife, who was unconcerned, as she doesn't use the feature in her regular driving. New technology always takes some time to sort out.

Yes, I doubt there is any reason for concern on a practical basis. From what I read about it, the issue is due to the circuitry coming down to a potential single point of failure. Those safety systems must have redundancies in them so as to prevent things like the now famous "unintended acceleration" hoopla.

Some reprogramming should do the trick.

 it would be very cool if they could update the software remotely, preventing a trip to the dealer 

Your expecting Subaru to become Tesla?

stever

Isn't OnStar already updating stuff for GM? I expect them all to become Tesla (or Apple or Microsoft).

Seems like an easy step to plug your phone into the OBDII and do stuff. After typing in your VIN and a 16 digit security code, lol.

fezo

Mr_Shiftright said:

For Subaru to become Tesla, it would have to start losing money.

Good point. Tesla was profitable for a short time. I think it was a Thursday.

stickguy

so, did some more looking and driving today. No yelling, silent treatment, and no one died. so all in all, a good day!

drove a Jetta Sport (well, she drove, I rode). we both drove an ILX. really liked the Jetta. like a GLI with the 1.8l powertrain. A good compromise. Navi interface looked like a Garmin circa 2008, but at least it had nav. Hard to get a real strong price though (they are actually pretty thin supply, seem popular). Certainly a contender.

the ILX? Nice to sit in. quick. Did not really enthuse either one of us. Probably just used to the Sonata, so it seemed a bit small and rough? We did sit in a TLX> that was really nice.

scoped out a Sonata sport with tech & premium. Screaming deal on one of those. Just having trouble getting over the idea of 2 same year sonatas in the fleet. But bang for buck, it has it (even if not "exciting").

sat in the Mazdas again. decided the 3 is just a bit too small for this application. the 6 though, that was nice. plenty of room, nice interior. Huge trunk.

so, at the moment, seem to have a working list (to be discussed today, to try and come down to a winner) of:

-Jetta sport - smaller but big enough, a little pricey per month.
-Mazda 6i touring - sporty, roomy, plenty of features (but have to add Navi), good value
-Sonata sport premium/tech - loaded with features, roomy, good highway cruiser, great bang for buck.
-Accord sport - pricey, low on feature content.
-Legacy premium - most expensive. solid car, but seems to be falling out of favor.

TBC

stickguy

Continued: So, lots of solid and interesting choices. In terms of features, back up cam is a must. Power seat is not required, as long as she can raise it high enough (kind of short). moonroof is not a concern. really wants built in Navi (can't blame her). I think BLIS is a must now (she is less concerned about it). Would prefer XM for the long drives through nowhere.

putting all this together, and factoring in the budget (shot to hell, but I am still trying for some sense of rationality with the revised one!), the choice is down to the Mazda 6, Jetta sport, and Sonata sport. That assumes she gets the new one. still may hand down my car. She really does like the Sonata, just has an aversion to having the same car! That does go against all my principles too of course.

an interesting set of options, all right about the same monthly lease cost of $250/mo. All should do great for 3 years of 8 hour commutes to school, and all the running around while there. Too bad she just hated the Camry, and I didn't want to force it on her, but the difference in price, in the big picture, is not all that much.

Most likely the Jetta will be first knocked off the list. Nice, but not quite as nice as the other 2 (which are both cheaper, roomier, and have more stuff on them)