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Comments
I, too, am not worried as I feel like I'm a valued employee. But sometimes when you're just a number...
So, continued health, happiness and, if germane, full employment to all the Luxury Lounge Lizards here as we enter Q4, federal bailouts and another fabulous Presidential election. As always, I shall vote for Snoopy...
Bring back the Wall Street Bubble!
'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...)
From reading your posts, your attitude is up beat...I would imagine the people in charge enjoy an upbeat person being round, so here is hoping for you....I enjoyed your story of the relationship between you and your sister, so that also speaks highly for you--
After being in Miami, it has been abundantly clear to me for several years now that this building boom would end badly.....As an example there are many fifty story buildings, with still a few more just starting....Most of the buildings are empty, so the forclosurs rate is bound to soar (on the whole building)....Just imagine a financial institution that had loaned two hundred million to build the building...That money has been spent, and the employment stimulas has been felt in the economy....now it con`t be sold, so the bank owns it and can`t re lend the money until they sell it, maybe for fifty cents on the dollar.....Consequently as this has happened all over the country, we are stuck....I don`t know how things are going to turn out, but from past experience, this country has always muddled through, and self righted, so I am sure that in the long run the same will happen....Lord knows how I have muddled through, but I have and so I wish us all `good luck` and somehow I made the drive back from Miami o k Tony
Welcome to the board.
Hopefully you will post some of your opinions on what you read in the future.
I am not as clear about your intentions as I would like to be, but if I understand you, you are considering either buying a new economical car or buying the Audi you have been leasing. Is that correct?
Sometimes you can negotiate on a lease's residual buyout, as sometimes the residual value is too high. Consider that your current lease was written a few years ago, which was before the recent historical events. So it stands to reason that the residual is likely to not be in line with current values... as values for many luxury cars are under pressure. One way or another, the lessor and the dealer cannot just magically make the car disappear, so if they have a fair opportunity to sell it to you at a fair price, they are likely to consider it.
I suggest you contact your dealer and explain your intentions. This will give you an opportunity to see in advance if the dealer is cooperative. If the dealer is not cooperative, then you know you will be saying goodbye to your A6. If the dealer is willing to be flexible on the buyout, then you might be able to work together to nail down a mutually acceptable buyout.
Also, I would generally consider that a favorable buyout of your Audi with only 20K miles is money better spent than buying a new Subaru... unless someone here knows about some serious issue associated with your A6, which I am not aware of.
Well, I'm not sure any of that helps, but I certainly hope so... and I look forward to your posts about your progress with this, as well as other opinions you can share here... and please do keep us all informed on the outcome of your A6 lease. It could be helpful to other readers as well.
TM
I'm not sure what the buyout price they are asking is, but going from an A6 to a Legacy is quite a step down. I agree with Tag, see if you can negotiate with the dealer. I know that prices for '08 A6s have come way down recently since they are readying the slightly updated '09s, and you may be able to get a favorable lease on a new '08 A6, rather than keeping the old car.
Thanks. If you can avoid the cost of the maintenance either through buying a CPO or running the bills through your company (effectively getting a 30% discount on the repairs), there is good value in a used high end car. But, for the average guy, they may be a money pit.
One set of figures in your link about 7 Series resale intrigues me. The resale for used 7 Series plummets when you compare the "value" of a 2002 vs. a 2001. The drop is almost as sharp percentage wise as between a 2008 and a 2007. What gives? Was there a model change?
I share your thoughts on Corvettes and gold chains, however, I do see a lot of guys in their mid 50's who aren't gold chain types driving them in the summer here in the Northeast. Maybe the owner has made a few bucks and always wanted a 'vette. Now that he is 55 and has a new main squeeze, he picks up a used one for 30K or so and used it for summer use only.
Regards,
OW
2002 was the first year of the Bangle 7. It's wise to stay far away from those early years though, the problems with iDrive were nightmarish.
My bro' in law got an early midlife crisis (he's only 40!) gift, a shiny new Harley. His wife, a few years younger than he noted that come her 40th, she shall have a Corvette! Forget the two kids, they have thumbs! While he was away on business, I emailed her a few links to used, late model Vettes. She thanked me, said they couldn't afford it. I noted, "Of course you can! Just sell the Harley and buy the Vette!" My version of The Gift of the Magi...
'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...)
The '05 RL design was just boring and instantly forgettable, but there wasn't anything particularly ugly about it. Now its ugly. Mission accomplished!
:P :P
Regards,
OW
The not-all inclusive list of cars would include 'slades, Navigators, Jeep Wrangers driven by anyone born before 1975, 'Vettes, 911s, limited edition pickups like the Harley Davidson Edition, dualie pickups unless you have a current union card, etc. etc.
Regards,
OW
Not a bad idea, but it's been done. A few years ago one of the most heavily-visited forums was something along the lines of "I Hate SUVs, Why Don't You." Much entertainment, but not much enlightenment (imagine!).
The economy may have finally accomplished what many on that board went on at great length about -- SUVs and 4-WDs really only make sense for people who actually need/use the functions, not for suburban poseurs.
How could you forget the Hummer H2? No single vehicle draws more ire, or has more of a chance of getting keyed or slashed tires.
Those were the days my friends, we thought they'd never end... :sick:
'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...)
The company I worked for in the '70s provided free cars, but they had to be American, and I got stuck with some of Detroit's worst. They were falling apart at only a few years old, whereas my Healey weekend toy (a tri-carb Healey, mind you) was humming along just fine. When I changed employers and was able to buy my own Mercedes, I was a happy man.
In those days before airbags, nothing could protect you like big Benz
Me, neither; not even the little Subaru Justy DL my future ex-wife had when we were dating. :P
My mother, who loved convertibles, had one of the original VW Rabbit converts. White on white (vinyl) on white. On occasion, I drove it and at college age it definitely didn't project the image I was hoping for.
However, when I had a date, while on break back at home, with a beautiful girl I met in college, when I mentioned my mother's VW, this comely lass squeaked with delight at her affinity for that car. Needless to say, she looked even more lovely than I could have hoped for when seated next to me in the mighty VW! Alas, ours was to be but a friendship as she ultimately married a musician. If a white on white on white VW Rabbit convertible can't help win the heart of a beautiful young woman, what was I to do?
Sue, if you're out there and read this, I hope you have fond memories of that special evening under the stars in my mother's white on white on white VW Rabbit convertible.... Ok, now I understand why that was our only date! Hope you're as happy as you are lovely...
'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...)
Not even that 1981 Chevy Chevette that me & my apt-mates bought, in 1992, while in grad school.
Those were the days...
No worries
No responsibilities
No Money...
Sanjay
'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...)
Regards,
OW
'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...)
Hope you had fun in SF. I visit the city every month or two... that's plenty for me! But I love the food there!!! OMG it's that good. LA and especially San Diego also excel in the great food dept.
How was the drive? Which route... fast or scenic? Did the IS behave?
TM
Regards,
OW
How far did you get before the transmission packed up?
Regards,
OW
Went back to pick it up after work and just drove it home. I didn't think that I was an Audi fan boy but maybe I am, the car is terrific, even better than the '06. Fit, finish, and interior details are terrific.
We are all fortunate to have a passion for all of these great cars that we chat about day and night. We debate a lot of facts and logic but I really believe that it is a passion for these things that makes it fun, if not then they are just 4-wheeled appliances.
Congratulations!
Your garage is looking mighty fine!
TM
Jim, congrats on the GR8 8! I'm doing the same thing, but instead of getting a new car for the coming NE winter, I'll be mounting my snows on the current TL come December. See, exactly the same as you, except I have no money!
I knew I shouldn't have taken out that no-income-verification, no money down, negative amortization, 5/2 ARM for 84 months with a balloon payment. Sounded good at the time... :sick:
Kidding, of course. I took AHFC for 2.9% for 48 months... :shades:
Not as good as the 0% I received from Chrysler for the 300M, but gotta say that for the last 9.5 years, while I haven't invested well, I've borrowed fairly spectacularly!
'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...)
Would that I were so clever as you. Perhaps, in due course, I can touch the hem of your garment.
Excellent choice sir! I thought about being responsible, I thought about the economy, and I thought about gas prices, and then I bought the S6. Life is just to short to lower your expectations for the sake of being "prudent" when it comes to cars. We're nearing the end of the era of internal combustion, so let it go out in style and drive the best.
Fantastic car, excellent choice. Congrats!!
Regards,
Jose
Nice pics and nice car.
Regards,
Jose
Regards,
OW
'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 read a lot of posts about Audi and BMW here, It seems every1 has forgotten the Merc.
I've got to agree with you here. I've noticed some of that as well. Not long ago, I posted two good posts about the S-Class, the most recent being an informative post about the upcoming hybrid S-Class, and I don't recall a single poster giving it any consideration, including you, IIRC.
To me, that's big news, and an exciting development for Mercedes Benz, as it enters into the hybrid arena, and doing so with its flagship sedan.
Sometimes though, depending upon what else is being discussed, a post can slip through the cracks. It happens. It also depends a little upon the ownership of vehicles by the current mix of posters. There used to be more Mercedes owners posting than there are now. For example, Dewey and Merc are not here now. And while I have owned a few different Mercedes vehicles in the past, I do not currently own one. In addition to that, there has been a lot going on with Audi and BMW, and it's just inevitable that they will be discussed here.
That all said, I can tell you categorically that I am absolutely interested in Mercedes Benz and their product developments. Mercedes Benz is still one of my all-time favorites.
TM