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Comments
You've done very nicely trading in every few years, while the car has reasonably low mileage on it. That's wonderful, and if I calculated it out I bet you wouldn't come out better off financially by keeping a car longer to squeeze more miles out of it.
This way, you have few - probably no problems, and you get a brand new car every few years.
Very well done.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yeah, but you'll be in Doug's dust with your feel of the road still intact. :P
Doug - goo d deal with trading the Subies. I've got a friend that does that and is very happy with the results and that's with only a 7% sales tax.
True, at least I would have some of my dignity still intact.
By the way, where's Richard, he hasn't checked in for a few days?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
We were gone three weeks and a day. If a fellow poster is planning a cross country trip any time soon, here is how much two people spent as an example. Who knows? It may help you in your planning.
Gas---$1,097.49 (We drove 5,764 miles. This is not counting the four days that my sister and BIL used their rental car to drive us around Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Jackson Hole, WY.)
Hotels---$2,692.48 (21 nights)
Food---$1,127.04 (We carried our own large cooler with sodas, water, and juice.)
Admissions to private parks, exhibits, and a few souveneirs---$1,264.38 (We had our own free National Park Pass which you can purchase for $10.00 before you leave home.)
Cash spent---$410.28 (parking lot fees, ice cream, and other junk items)
Total Cost: $6,591.67 (The trip was worth every penny.)
Imid: After starting out with 77% oil life, we returned home with 35% oil life. I plan to have the SRX completely serviced this week, and a detail job done on the interior and exterior. We were very pleased with the performance and comfort of the car on this trip. The V8 was an added plus for us. We used it several times to avoid an accident. It will remove you from a dangerous scene very quickly. I am really glad that I listened to my wife and purchased this vehicle. This Cadillac is a keeper.
Richard
Now that you know all the ropes, when is your next trip scheduled??
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Have you guys ever gone on a cruise? You could have gone around the world for what you spent!
Seriously, for the dollars spent, I don't think anything can compare to a cruise.
Glad things went well!
Food---$1,127.04 (We carried our own large cooler with sodas, water, and juice.)
Wow... you ate for under $54/day? Wish I could get my family on that vacation meal plan...
Nice job!
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I definitely had to special order it. I think in the whole Phoenix area with 5-6 Lincoln dealerships there was maybe one manual available, and I didn't like the color (isell would have just taken that one, but not me). Figured I'd have it a long time, so wanted it just right. Only problems have been window regulators (6-7 of them), cooling system (hydraulic fan issues), sway bar bushings, clockspring. All the typical stuff V6 LSs go through. Only the V8s are plagued with COP & valve cover gasket issues. I paid somewhere around $31K for it, which was a few percent over invoice -- the massive discounts came a few years later.
The LS got 18-20 mpg around town & up to 25 on road trips. The TSX gets 27-28 around town, mostly commuting to & from work, partly on freeways & up to 34 on road trips.
There are dozens of great cars sold in Europe & elsewhere in the world that can't be sold here, mostly because of the tremendous cost of certifying a given drive train with the EPA & of course the ever-tightening CARB requirements.
Glad you enjoyed your journey. I've taken a lot of long road trips and can remember them all, in detail, while I have trouble remembering what I did at work two weeks ago. I really feel alive when I'm traveling.
Now's the time to start planning your next one.
What a wonderful trip! I didn't even think of so many things you went to see, and thatnks for telling it to us in such an interesting way....I would love to do that trip, especially the Elvis part. Maybe a side trip to Branson too.
I don't think it will happen though. My wife's limit is about 3 hours of driving in a day. One reason for the placde in Florida is that I think she will drive for 6 or 7 hours if it is to reach a place we actually own, and if we stay for 2 months once we are there.
Your comments about HP are well noted. I agree, it is more of a safety factor than an unsafe factor, when used correctly. Glad the car performed well, I thought it would, it is a Cadillac.
Now it will take a few days to unwind and catch up.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
How is the shifting in an LS? If one was available next time would you get a manual again? Do you think the manual will help or hinder selling the car?
That's very unusual, they probably offered the manual so they could advertise a low price. Seems to be Lincolns are going for just over $30k in Canada, probably high 20s in the USA.....seems to be a great bargain considering the cost of a lot of cars, like a Camry. which are mid $20k US I assume.
I was surprised at cars that are selling for high $40,000s like Baraccudas and Flex's. Makes a Lincoln a bargain.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
That's very unusual, they probably offered the manual so they could advertise a low price.
The car shifted fine & I enjoyed driving it; the transmission was a Getrag, which has a pretty good reputation in the sports sedan world. I've owned exactly one car with an automatic transmission (well, at least the one that I drive; my wife, OTOH. . .), and I'll never own another one. I enjoy the notion that I can shift when I want, how I want, and can change my mind in the middle, if traffic conditions warrant. Plus which they rarely fail, and when the do it's usually just a clutch job for a fraction of the cost of an auto transmission rebuild/replacement.
When the LS was introduced in 1999 the concept was to compete with other high-end sports sedans like the BMW. They were going to sell them in Europe, and you gotta have a manual over there. But, Ford bought Volvo & a number of other things happened in Lincoln-land which resulted in the cancellation of the manual in '03 or so, and the worldwide marketing of the Lincoln LS never happened. I never forgave them for that. Anyway, it wasn't to de-content the car, it was to put forward a true sports sedan with a manual. The car had an aluminum hood and front suspension parts, battery in the trunk, the whole deal to get a 51/49 weight distribution, which makes for very nice handling.
Great car, but too big. I got it when I was playing manager and occasionally had to drive people around. That's done, and I'm back to smaller cars, like my Miatas, the 510 and the 240Z, for that matter.
I could use a trip like that before my long hibernation. Got $6,591.67 you can lend me?
And now I've turned on my brother in law to the idea. He's special ordered in the exact color he wants a 2012 Civic Si, which will be made near Toronto, Canada sometime in the next month or so...
Even better, next time maybe he can take you with.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Thanks for the information on the LS....very interesting reading.
Reminds me of the Catera. We actually looked at them when we were considering our first Mercedes. What a mistake that would have been.
But the Lincoln sounds pretty cool, almost like maybe it will make a nice classic car one day.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Yeah, why not this is the car biz ain't it.
The biggest line of bull I ever got buying a car was from a SM that my brother knew who worked at a very large Mega dealership when we were helping our Mother buy an '89 Bonneville.
I learned there is no such thing as help from someone who knows someone in the car biz. Just because I know you doesn't mean I have to give all the money away.
Remember Sales Rule #1 that I mentioned awhile back..."you don't give away what you can sell".
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Glad to have you back!
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I'm glad you made it back safely. That was some kind of trip you did.
If you disapear for a day or two I know it's because you'll have gotten re-aqainted with your own bed.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
#1 - 2009 Mazda3 s Grand Touring - 16,638 miles (Fiancee's DD)
#2- 2011 Volvo C30 T5 - 762 miles (My DD)
Also, welcome home Richard! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip.
True. What are friends and family for? They should want the dealer to be successful and make lots of money. :shades:
Richard said: "After starting out with 77% oil life, we returned home with 35% oil life. " This was 42% oil usage in 5,700 miles.
I'm the one that guessed you would return with 40%, so I think 35% wasn't too far off my guess. And, I don't think you harmed the motor putting these mile on this oil. But, I do agree that it's time for an oil change. Put the Mobil 1 in there and it will be happy.
I'm happy that you seemed to have enjoyed the trip. Made a big loop across our great country and saw a lot of the nice spots.
Welcome back!
Seriously, for the dollars spent, I don't think anything can compare to a cruise.
Hard to see Middle America on a cruise though.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Glad you and the missus made it home with no problems.
Forget the food costs - I'm surprised you only spent $128/night on lodging. What type of hotels did you stay at? And, I've gotta ask - did you make reservations ahead of time or did you simply find a nice place in a good location and see if they had any vacancies?
Sorry we couldn't connect when you came through Colorado, but glad that you enjoyed our state.
2001 Pontiac Aztek LT/DK Green Purple/violet gold/brown red sometimes and blue on rare occaisions 70k Miles
2006 Chevy HHR 2LT black 120k Miles
2011 GMC Terrain AWD SLT2 7k Miles
You’re talking about a family; for Richard it’s just him and Mrs. Richard. Being the tight wad that he is he probably doesn’t let her have free reign of the menu and besides if Mrs. Richard is anything like Mrs. jmonroe she eats like a bird and what she didn't eat he took along in a doggie bag even though the pooch stayed home. Therefore, I’d say HE ate pretty well. :surprise:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2001 Pontiac Aztek LT/DK
What's with the Azteks? Are these collectors items? Do you really like them that much? Are they conversation pieces? Do you think they might become valuable? Did you buy them because they are probably a pretty descent car, but the price was so low?
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Great point about the entry of Honda and Toyota into the US market.
My fiancee has an '06 Elantra, and last fall I had my first Corolla experience in many years when we got one as a rental in St Louis... and I will say that anymore, the Corolla has no real advantage over the Elantra.
It could be the ultimate car for people who don't care what others think.
Seems to me, it was one of the first SAVs too. Really a car, with all the room of an SUV.
I went to see a Cruise Night last week, with beautiful Mustangs, Firebirds, Dodge Chargers and lots of Studebakers...they were made here. I am wondering if an Aztek will be a classic in 30 years.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2008 Cadillac SRX (V8)---color is Black Raven---29,535 miles
2008 Chrysler Sebring Touring Convertible---color is Cobalt Blue---24,327
Richard
Mine: 2006 Volvo V70 2.5T - black - 79K miles
I hope you Hyundai owners know, with talk like that, you’re just driving up the price of these cars.
Pretty soon they’ll be too expensive to throw away. If I’m going to pay that kinda money I want a Honda/Toyota badge. Whatever happened to the good old days?
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Yes, twice. They are fun and the cost is very reasonable for what you get. Still, you can't see the wonderful things that we did from a boat.
Here is an interesting comparison: Our cross country trip in 1982 cost us $2,500 and we were gone a month. This one was $6,500 and we were gone three weeks. Thirty years makes quite a difference.
Richard
Next month---to the beach.
Richard
Here's how we did it. The hotels offered a FREE full breakfast. For lunch, we had a snack---cheese and crackers or an ice cream cone, etc. Our main meal was in the evening, and I always ask for the senior citizen discount. Jmonroe always says that if you don't ask, you don't get.
Richard
I remember studying the Monroe Doctrine and I don't think that was it.... but it's good advice!
Yes, at only 6% APR.
Richard
I will. My appointment is at 1 PM tomorrow. You would be proud of me. During the trip, I read many things in the owner's manual. I learned how to operate both moon roofs, the rear wiper cleaning, all dash lighting, automatic and manual headlamps, cruise control, heated steering wheel and heated seats, third row seat storage space, and the information center display. Tomorrow, I'm going to ask the service department to show me how to manually check all fluids. After that, I'm going to try to learn the Nav system. Thanks for staying behind me to learn this stuff. Though I am technically challenged, I do have part of a brain that still works. The owner's manual does have answers.
To Imid: Thank you as well for all of your good advice about the car. You should be an instructor; you explain things so well. Even I can understand them.
Richard
I ask for the senior citizen discount too. Mrs. j loves it when they say, “both of you? She doesn’t look that old (it’s the hair thing), you, yeah”.
For me I feel like using that Southern phrase, “well bless your heart”.
I have a follow up for this that I'll tell later, after I come back from lunch.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Icon I6L Golf Cart
I had one of those as a demo for 2 months and couldn't say enough good things about it. Best driving SUV out there IMNSHO.
I keep thinking of picking one up myself, and I agree, the V8 makes it a LOT of fun to drive indeed.
Here's how I worked the plan for 21 nights: I bought a special package from the hotel in Wyoming for the 5 nights that we toured with my sister to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. That was our only advanced reservation. I used our AAA discount and booked with the manager directly. He gave me an additional discount because I took a room with a kitchenette next to the main office. The noise didn't bother us at all.
As for the other nights, we decided each morning how far we would travel that day. I priced the rooms on the internet. Then I called the hotels personally to see if they could beat the web rate. In nearly every case, they did. The most expensive room was $200 per night for two nights---a suite over looking the Mississippi River---with a beautiful view. Because it was mid-week, they reduced the room from $300 to $200 per night. The cheapest room was for one night in Kansas City at $60. They gave me that rate because they had changed the name of the hotel and I had trouble finding it. I always plead a case.
Our hotels included The Hampton, Comfort Inn, Best Western Plus, Holiday Inn, and Days Inn. I can honestly say that we didn't get one bad room on the entire trip. We took a bunch of hotel directories with us and a new Rand Atlas. They were both life savers.
Richard
Me: 2009 Jaguar XK Coupe, Liquid Silver, 20,500 miles
Lovely Wife: 2002 Lexus RX300, White ~120,000 miles This car is soon to be passed down to our soon to be 16 year old daughter and:
In the process of shopping for a new car for the lovely wife. Audi A7 appeared to be the front runner, but... This weekend she test drove, either with my son and/or I along, a CPO Lexus LS460, new MB E and new BMW535 (all AWD, she insists). The new MB CLS also caught her eye, but I think she's ruled our four seaters.
Surprisigly, our 12 year old son, Mr. Ferrari/Maserati/"Your Jag XK will do until you can afford the Aston Martin you'll be handing down to me in four years" is in love with the Lexus. Lovely wife very much enjoyed it too, it became the new front runner. Until she drove the E and 5. E didn't really move her, although the salesman was very good and MB is offering "Conquest" money. But, the 5, that wowed her. She said it was fun (as I told her it would be compared to the E and, especially, the LS). So, now the 5 is at the top o' the charts (the boy still is stumpin' for the LS) with the Audi A6 on deck for a test drive. Of course, the common denominator? $$$...
To be continued...
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I think I can understand that!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
She really likes the Lexus dealership, though, quite well known and large... Not sure she was thrilled with the BMW shop. Or me for taking her there!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)