Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations

laurasdada

corvette said:

@laurasdada - I bought a NACS to J-1772 adapter for Level 2 charging on the Ariya. I've only used it once, but it worked great.

Amazon? Brand?
Thanks!

nyccarguy

@tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:
If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

I don’t really ever see myself getting off the leasing hampster wheel.

Over the years chasing the deals has yielded a few vehicles I would have never owned otherwise. Wife’s EQE is definitely one of them.

I’m desperately trying to wean my way off the leasing hamster wheel. The wrangler goes back in March. I’m going to try and buy an inexpensive, used vehicle to teach my 2nd son how to drive and for my 1st son to drive to work over the summer.

I agree with you on the deal chasing. Especially since I started stalking Leasehackr then subsequently joining back in 2019. Never in a million years would I have thought a pickup truck would suit me the way my 2019 did and 2023 do. Especially when you consider the monthly payments relative to their MSRP ($325 & $350 per month including MSD). Even my Jeep is something I never would have considered if it wasn’t for leasing.

I’m also glad for the few times that leasing didn’t make sense. As is the case with my Highlander. The monthly payment is high. The interest rate is low. We’ve piled miles on it, racking up over 56,000 miles in the last 2 1/2 years.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:

If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

I don’t really ever see myself getting off the leasing hampster wheel.

Over the years chasing the deals has yielded a few vehicles I would have never owned otherwise. Wife’s EQE is definitely one of them.

I’m desperately trying to wean my way off the leasing hamster wheel. The wrangler goes back in March. I’m going to try and buy an inexpensive, used vehicle to teach my 2nd son how to drive and for my 1st son to drive to work over the summer.

I agree with you on the deal chasing. Especially since I started stalking Leasehackr then subsequently joining back in 2019. Never in a million years would I have thought a pickup truck would suit me the way my 2019 did and 2023 do. Especially when you consider the monthly payments relative to their MSRP ($325 & $350 per month including MSD). Even my Jeep is something I never would have considered if it wasn’t for leasing.

I’m also glad for the few times that leasing didn’t make sense. As is the case with my Highlander. The monthly payment is high. The interest rate is low. We’ve piled miles on it, racking up over 56,000 miles in the last 2 1/2 years.

Given our driving habits, we're good candidates for leasing - less than 10K per year (sometimes, less than 8K).

But, it's been nice not having a car payment on the Outback for the last 5 years.

The payment on the Sportage is almost $200/mo less than the payment on the MINI (when she had one -it's been paid off for 5 years, as well).

mjfloyd1

@Michaell - was the sportage hybrid a lease ? Sorry I don’t recall

mjfloyd1

Leasing can be great if you know what you are doing and understand the ins and outs and you have a favorable price, MF and RV. Just like not knowing the information in a buy, you can get clubbed like a baby seal😎

nyccarguy

@Michaell said:
Given our driving habits, we're good candidates for leasing - less than 10K per year (sometimes, less than 8K).

** But, it's been nice not having a car payment on the Outback for the last 5 years.**

The payment on the Sportage is almost $200/mo less than the payment on the MINI (when she had one -it's been paid off for 5 years, as well).

That sounds like a great place to be! I’ll make it there one day!

kyfdx

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:

If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

I don’t really ever see myself getting off the leasing hampster wheel.

Over the years chasing the deals has yielded a few vehicles I would have never owned otherwise. Wife’s EQE is definitely one of them.

Given our driving habits, we're good candidates for leasing - less than 10K per year (sometimes, less than 8K).

But, it's been nice not having a car payment on the Outback for the last 5 years.

The payment on the Sportage is almost $200/mo less than the payment on the MINI (when she had one -it's been paid off for 5 years, as well).

I'll posit that your habits aren't great for leasing. 8K/year? Buy it and keep it ten years.

If you're a 15K/yr guy, then leasing is incredibly efficient.

oldfarmer50

imidazol97 said:

kyfdx said:

imidazol97 said:

This short discussion of leasing has left me knowing I'll never understand all the ins-and-outs of leasing.

If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

Yes. That's right.

I would like to trade to a different car, but can't justify it with all the trouble of
finding one my wife can easily enter and exit with her back and body problems.

Leasing might be a good choice the next time. Don't know how long I might
be driving or it might be easier for my son to liquidate from my estate.

I was in the same situation. I was looking to get rid of the awful PT Cruiser but my mobility impaired wife could get in and out of it and I needed something with similar seat height. I brought a tape measure to work and checked out seat heights on every car I drove. The Kia matched perfectly.

Tell me the seat height from ground and the general category you want and I’ll start measuring. Might take awhile to end up with the right car as I have to drive what they give me.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

imidazol97 said:

kyfdx said:

imidazol97 said:

This short discussion of leasing has left me knowing I'll never understand all the ins-and-outs of leasing.

If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

Yes. That's right.

I would like to trade to a different car, but can't justify it with all the trouble of
finding one my wife can easily enter and exit with her back and body problems.

Leasing might be a good choice the next time. Don't know how long I might
be driving or it might be easier for my son to liquidate from my estate.

I'll guess it's easier to liquidate a car you own, rather than one you leased. At least, if you want to come out ahead.

Doesn’t the lease obligation continue even if you die? I’ve seen a couple of stories about heirs trying to return a leased car to the dealer and being told they were on the hook for the full lease.

Michaell

mjfloyd1 said:

@Michaell - was the sportage hybrid a lease ? Sorry I don’t recall

No, it was a purchase. Trade in and cash down helped bring the payment to a manageable level, even with the high APRs. The F&I guy found a local credit union with better rates than Cap One, Wells Fargo, etc.

My guess is she'll keep it 10+ years, like the MINI.

Michaell

kyfdx said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:

@tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:

If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

I don’t really ever see myself getting off the leasing hampster wheel.

Over the years chasing the deals has yielded a few vehicles I would have never owned otherwise. Wife’s EQE is definitely one of them.

Given our driving habits, we're good candidates for leasing - less than 10K per year (sometimes, less than 8K).

But, it's been nice not having a car payment on the Outback for the last 5 years.

The payment on the Sportage is almost $200/mo less than the payment on the MINI (when she had one -it's been paid off for 5 years, as well).

I'll posit that your habits aren't great for leasing. 8K/year? Buy it and keep it ten years.

If you're a 15K/yr guy, then leasing is incredibly efficient.

While I agree with the financial argument, it's nice knowing you'll be in the market for something new after a few years.

Escort > Expedition > Explorer were leases, then Ford offered a pull ahead on the Explorer lease and we traded it out for a financed Focus.

I leased my Elantra GT and Jetta, then walked away from the Jetta at lease end because we decided we didn't need two cars. Wife and daughter have commuted together for the last 10 years.

While the Outback is a nice car - and, there's nothing really wrong with it - after 9.5 years and 66,000 miles, I'm ready for something newer.

corvette

laurasdada said:

corvette said:

@laurasdada - I bought a NACS to J-1772 adapter for Level 2 charging on the Ariya. I've only used it once, but it worked great.

Amazon? Brand?
Thanks!

Here you go:
Lectron Tesla to J-1772 adapter

corvette

oldfarmer50 said:

Doesn’t the lease obligation continue even if you die? I’ve seen a couple of stories about heirs trying to return a leased car to the dealer and being told they were on the hook for the full lease.

If I'm dead, logically, that's going to be somebody else's problem.

imidazol97

oldfarmer50 said:

I was in the same situation. I was looking to get rid of the awful PT Cruiser but my mobility impaired wife could get in and out of it and I needed something with similar seat height. I brought a tape measure to work and checked out seat heights on every car I drove. The Kia matched perfectly.

Tell me the seat height from ground and the general category you want and I’ll start measuring. Might take awhile to end up with the right car as I have to drive what they give me.

I remembered your explaining that's how you chose the Kia. I pointed the Kia out to my wife one day last year. Her first quick reaction was she hated the looks. I actually showed her a new one being driven away from the local Kia store's exit onto the freeway--just purchased with paper tags on it. White with black accents. One of the least "Soul"-looking color combos. A really great-looking car IMHO.

She also did not like our friend's Encore nor did she like the Chev Equinox she had before that.
I can't recall if she liked out son's Toyota Venza. I don't think she actually knows what she could easily get into. I suspect a sedan would impress her more, so that narrows it down to the Camry because I would want a non-turbo engine if at all possible. The seat height in my '14 Malibu is higher than the Cruze and I think she likes sliding into it better. But even the last wretched Malibus were on a lower platform after 2015--more like the ATS, CAmaro, CTS height floor and seats.

If we (I) have to go car shopping, it will be a pain.

I keep expecting my son to ask if I want to "buy" the Venza because he has his eye on a nicer Lexus model, or God forbid, an EV. That might force our car shopping. Venza with 30K-40K miles 2021 IIRC, first year of the new Japanese based version, top model with sky roof.

kyfdx

oldfarmer50 said:

kyfdx said:

imidazol97 said:

kyfdx said:

imidazol97 said:

This short discussion of leasing has left me knowing I'll never understand all the ins-and-outs of leasing.

If it fit your lifestyle, you'd take the time to learn all about it.

Yes. That's right.

I would like to trade to a different car, but can't justify it with all the trouble of
finding one my wife can easily enter and exit with her back and body problems.

Leasing might be a good choice the next time. Don't know how long I might
be driving or it might be easier for my son to liquidate from my estate.

I'll guess it's easier to liquidate a car you own, rather than one you leased. At least, if you want to come out ahead.

Doesn’t the lease obligation continue even if you die? I’ve seen a couple of stories about heirs trying to return a leased car to the dealer and being told they were on the hook for the full lease.

Yes, but you can always sell the vehicle, even if it's at a loss

suydam

laurasdada said:

corvette said:

@laurasdada - I bought a NACS to J-1772 adapter for Level 2 charging on the Ariya. I've only used it once, but it worked great.

Amazon? Brand?
Thanks!

It didn’t come with one?

stickguy

if you need a vehicle with a good seat height and easy to slide in and out, the Maverick is actually a good option. very nice H point (I think that is what they call it) for easy access.

stickguy

I did the leasing thing for a while because it just made sense from usage needs, and cash flow reasons at the time. Never really got something that I would not otherwise have been able to do, but I got deals that were hard to pass up. and one of them was the college car for my daughter, that we needed for 3 years! the others were for me, because at the time I did not want to put up money into wheels, and had a lot of other cash flow needs.

unlikely I will lease again. we hardly put any miles on the cars now (I don't expect to crack 10K combined per year now) and own the 2 outright. Maybe if we needed to replace one (more like both, to justify a brand new one) I might go for a killer deal to avoid cashing in assets, if it was something I special I likely would not want to buy outright (like Tom and his MB EV). a bigger PU, a Jeep, or a full EV probably would also fall into that category.

corvette

It's a strange calculation... I didn't really intend on getting another car (famous last words), but once I got a killer deal on an Ariya lease, it became a matter of fitting it into the fleet, which means I will put fewer miles on the Maverick I own (and will probably delay buying new tires by a year) during the Ariya's lease.

Michaell

corvette said:

It's a strange calculation... I didn't really intend on getting another car (famous last words), but once I got a killer deal on an Ariya lease, it became a matter of fitting it into the fleet, which means I will put fewer miles on the Maverick I own (and will probably delay buying new tires by a year) during the Ariya's lease.

Which isn’t an altogether bad thing.

Plus, you use the Maverick for longer road trips, and the Nissan for local use and shorter trips

stickguy

that is exactly why any replacement for the Acura should be an EV. We take very few long trips now, the big one being the annual expedition to the Jersey shore, and we take the Maverick for that already. The vast majority of our driving is local, and very rarely more than 45 miles one way, or 100 miles in a day (or even weekend). Some weeks neither car leaves the garage (which has an outlet for a charger!) from Monday - Thursday. An EV with a solid range I might only charge every 3-4 weeks.

I also often take the truck for middle level trips (100-120 miles each way) anyway, and have no problem making that the default option. Though could certainly do some drives where we might need to charge up in the middle.

abacomike

I spent 3 hours yesterday trying to figure out how to turn the satellite and FM radios on and off. I read through the entire manual, watched untold numbers of “how to” videos on YOUTUBE, called the service and new car departments asking them for assistance (they told me to mute the sound), but to no avail.

I got pretty riled this morning - so much so that I pressed the voice control button on my steering wheel and said “turn off radio”! Voice recognition said “turning off radio”! I then pressed the button again and said “turn radio on” and lo and behold, it responded “turning FM radio on!” I then touched my satellite radio icon to “THE BLEND” and I was quite proud of myself for solving the on/off radio problem.

I can’t wait for my next learning curve experience - NOT! 🤪😜

suydam

I’m a big fan of the voice control button on our Kia when I’m the solo driver. On the Blazer, not even a button to press. You just say “Hey Google”!

suydam

stickguy said:

that is exactly why any replacement for the Acura should be an EV. We take very few long trips now, the big one being the annual expedition to the Jersey shore, and we take the Maverick for that already. The vast majority of our driving is local, and very rarely more than 45 miles one way, or 100 miles in a day (or even weekend). Some weeks neither car leaves the garage (which has an outlet for a charger!) from Monday - Thursday. An EV with a solid range I might only charge every 3-4 weeks.

I also often take the truck for middle level trips (100-120 miles each way) anyway, and have no problem making that the default option. Though could certainly do some drives where we might need to charge up in the middle.

That’s our situation too. I only charge the Blazer every 3-4 weeks, and we rarely use gas in the Kia either, which we can charge at home. We plan to use the Blazer for any trip under 500 miles, as we do visit friends in either Northern or far South California from time to time. Basically one stop for a charge (lunch) and one when you arrive. Easy.

I’d like to take the Blazer on our cross country trip. From what I’m seeing the infrastructure for charging along the way is pretty good now. But the hotel situation is not. Odd because people with EVs are looking to stay in hotels with charging stations, so you think they would advertise that on their websites. But few do. Still mulling over that decision.

tjc78

I’d be a little nervous of a cross country trip in our EV… but like you said a 500 mile run would be no issue. Scope out your charger (and a backup) that coincides with a meal and bio break.

ab348

abacomike said:

I got pretty riled this morning - so much so that I pressed the voice control button on my steering wheel and said “turn off radio”! Voice recognition said “turning off radio”! I then pressed the button again and said “turn radio on” and lo and behold, it responded “turning FM radio on!” I then touched my satellite radio icon to “THE BLEND” and I was quite proud of myself for solving the on/off radio problem.

Given my past experience with trying to use voice control in my car, if I said “turn off radio” to it, the voice would have responded with “destination ‘radio’ not found”.

jmonroe1

abacomike said:

I spent 3 hours yesterday trying to figure out how to turn the satellite and FM radios on and off. I read through the entire manual, watched untold numbers of “how to” videos on YOUTUBE, called the service and new car departments asking them for assistance (they told me to mute the sound), but to no avail.

I got pretty riled this morning - so much so that I pressed the voice control button on my steering wheel and said “turn off radio”! Voice recognition said “turning off radio”! I then pressed the button again and said “turn radio on” and lo and behold, it responded “turning FM radio on!” I then touched my satellite radio icon to “THE BLEND” and I was quite proud of myself for solving the on/off radio problem.

I can’t wait for my next learning curve experience - NOT! 🤪😜

————————————————
Good to hear you’re back in business. But I don’t think that would have worked for me because I would have probably said something like, “turn off the fxxxxxxin radio” and the car wouldn’t have had that in its dictionary.

You are a kind soul.

jmonroe

abacomike

abacomike

That’s the new car!

imidazol97

Beautiful.

laurasdada

suydam said:

laurasdada said:

corvette said:

@laurasdada - I bought a NACS to J-1772 adapter for Level 2 charging on the Ariya. I've only used it once, but it worked great.

Amazon? Brand?
Thanks!

It didn’t come with one?

Not being a Tesla, no. It came with a CCS/J-1772 EVSE (charging cord adaptor) as all non-Tesla's did prior to '24. Well, except for Nissan, ZCHadeMO (maybe a few others?).
Only recently have many manufacturers announced that they'll be adopting Tesla's NACS configuration.

jmonroe1

abacomike said:

————————————————
What shade of gray is that?

Open a few doors and show us more.

jmonroe

abacomike

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
What shade of gray is that?

Open a few doors and show us more.

jmonroe

Makalu Grey exterior with Bordeaux Brown leather interior. You can look up all the features including the optional 21” wheels on the Edmunds site.

It’s a charcoal grey paint and the color of the leather is kind of a wine/brown mix. This model has an air suspension which enables the driver to raise or lower the car. No interior door handles - you just press a button and the door open and close by themselves.

The engine delivers 409 hp with over 403 ft lbs of torque. An amazing vehicle - big difference between the 2021 I had and this 2024.

oldfarmer50

abacomike said:

Very nice but won’t that dark color get hot in Florida?

abacomike

@oldfarmer50 said:
Very nice but won’t that dark color get hot in Florida?

WHITE gets hot down here in southeast Florida - I know that because I have had several white cars while living here.

The car comes with electric window shades for the two rear doors and a large one for the rear window which reduces the heat - and I always have my front window sun screen up when I park the car.

jmonroe1

abacomike said:

@oldfarmer50 said:

Very nice but won’t that dark color get hot in Florida?

WHITE gets hot down here in southeast Florida - I know that because I have had several white cars while living here.

The car comes with electric window shades for the two rear doors and a large one for the rear window which reduces the heat - and I always have my front window sun screen up when I park the car.

————————————————
Yep, paint color makes almost no difference in south east Florida. Unless you’re making a quick in/out stop at a store the car gets hot pretty quick. Cooling seats are almost a must in your hood.

jmonroe

abacomike

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
Yep, paint color makes almost no difference in south east Florida. Unless you’re making a quick in/out stop at a store the car gets hot pretty quick. Cooling seats are almost a must in your hood.

jmonroe

This G90 has cooled seats in both front positions as well as the rear seats - a must here in Florida during daylight hours from May through November

kyfdx

With CarPlay in the VW, when the map pops up, it shows "Home" and the ETA for driving there.

But, if I use SIRI, and say, "directions to Home", it replies that it can't find that destination.

stickguy

very nice color Mike. And that is a long car.

but there is a zero % chance I would ever buy a car without interior door handles. Who the heck thought it was safe to not be able to get out of the car if the battery died?

explorerx4

Someone up the street has a G90. It is very large.

fintail

Cool wheels on that Genny, it would be amusing to see someone do a resto-mod of a 70s Pontiac and use that style.

tjc78

Beautiful Mike! Enjoy.

abacomike

@stickguy said:
very nice color Mike. And that is a long car.

but there is a zero % chance I would ever buy a car without interior door handles. Who the heck thought it was safe to not be able to get out of the car if the battery died?

You have a point stick. I’ll check on that with my service department - just to find out if there is some fail-safe mechanism or back-up system in case of battery failure.

corvette

Most of the cars I've seen with electric door latches have some sort of emergency release, it's just not always something obvious--which could be dangerous in an emergency.

imidazol97

abacomike said:

@stickguy said:

very nice color Mike. And that is a long car.

but there is a zero % chance I would ever buy a car without interior door handles. Who the heck thought it was safe to not be able to get out of the car if the battery died?

You have a point stick. I’ll check on that with my service department - just to find out if there is some fail-safe mechanism or back-up system in case of battery failure.

Here's your answer @abacomike In the video it shows you pull up on the bottom edge of another door lock button in the door pocket as an emergency unlock in event of no electric power.




My goodness, the doors even autoclose and can be set to do that when your [content censored] hits the seat OR when you push the brake pedal? Wow.

A little searching on the internet about lock buttons and lots comes up about the doors. I could learn to love this car.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1mZjdaDhMs

stickguy

I still don't care for power tailgates. I would despise power passenger doors.

jmonroe1

imidazol97 said:

abacomike said:

@stickguy said:

very nice color Mike. And that is a long car.

but there is a zero % chance I would ever buy a car without interior door handles. Who the heck thought it was safe to not be able to get out of the car if the battery died?

You have a point stick. I’ll check on that with my service department - just to find out if there is some fail-safe mechanism or back-up system in case of battery failure.

Here's your answer @abacomike In the video it shows you pull up on the bottom edge of another door lock button in the door pocket as an emergency unlock in event of no electric power.




My goodness, the doors even autoclose and can be set to do that when your [content censored] hits the seat OR when you push the brake pedal? Wow.

A little searching on the internet about lock buttons and lots comes up about the doors. I could learn to love this car.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1mZjdaDhMs
————————————————
That’s too cute for me and it’s not intuitive. I wonder how many owners will remember that in an emergency and I venture a solid guess no passengers will. Once again, something was fixed when it wasn’t broken.

jmonroe

graphicguy

Mike….I dig it. Congrats!

roadburner

abacomike said:

I spent 3 hours yesterday trying to figure out how to turn the satellite and FM radios on and off. I read through the entire manual, watched untold numbers of “how to” videos on YOUTUBE, called the service and new car departments asking them for assistance (they told me to mute the sound), but to no avail.

I got pretty riled this morning - so much so that I pressed the voice control button on my steering wheel and said “turn off radio”! Voice recognition said “turning off radio”! I then pressed the button again and said “turn radio on” and lo and behold, it responded “turning FM radio on!” I then touched my satellite radio icon to “THE BLEND” and I was quite proud of myself for solving the on/off radio problem.

I can’t wait for my next learning curve experience - NOT! 🤪😜

The voice recognition in the C43 is just as good as the system in my M235i. Mercedes has since replaced the COMAND system with MBUX, which is supposed to be more intuitive. Even so, I'm able to enter addresses, select audio modes, and even turn on the heated seats. I haven't used the voice recognition in the Wrangler for anything other than inputting addresses into the navigation system. If I was paying for a voice recognition system and it didn't work I would not be a happy camper.
On a related note, I went a bit old school and listened to the Singapore F1 race on SXM while on a short road trip. It's the BBC 5 feed. It wasn't very exciting so I did not miss watching it.

driver100

imidazol97 said:

Beautiful.

+1 Looks good...it looks like they took my advice and made the windows even larger.