Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

stickguy

listing no longer exists. what was it?

jmonroe1

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

This price is a cry for help.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17y2Czoa44/?mibextid=79PoIi

You have to log on to something to see it.

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Same for me too. My phone wants me to enter my Facebook password, problem is I don’t use Facebook. You and I might be the only dinosaurs here that don’t.

jmonroe

corvette

I just get a "listing removed" message.

nyccarguy

I saw that listing this AM and laughed! Can’t blame the guy for trying.

roadburner

Uconnect emailed me that a new map update was available for the Jeep, so I decided to go ahead and buy it, since we plan to take the Wrangler on some longer jaunts. I obtained the telematic code (you have to put the telematics in Dealer Mode- not hard, but some people I know would have to pay a "guy" to do it). I'm all set to download the update only to learn that Uconnect sends the update on a USB. BMW and M-B update your region OTA, and at least in the case of M-B you can download and install other regions yourself off the M-B owners website.
Speaking of the Jeep, we drove it to Lexington and back for the UL-UK game. With four people aboard and interstate speed a bit north of 70 mph it still returned close to 21 mpg. I still don't get the people who slam the JLU's highway manners. It's no sports sedan, but it isn't uncomfortable or unpleasant to drive and It also didn't need the often mentioned frequent steering corrections. Would I rather drive the C43? Sure, but I'd just as soon drive the Wrangler as I would a non-sporting sedan.

qbrozen

It is this Saab with 127k miles.

qbrozen

@28firefighter said:

@qbrozen said:
This price is a cry for help.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17y2Czoa44/?mibextid=79PoIi

That car is a ton of fun…for like $7500.

Also those wheels are not the proper color. They should be hyper silver. Either replicas or repaired poorly.

I’m guessing silver paint. They look like base s70 wheels.

jmonroe1

qbrozen said:

It is this Saab with 127k miles.

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How overpriced would you say that is?

jmonroe

stickguy

nice looking car though. probably pretty rare to find a clean runner now, so if you really want one, who knows?

corvette

@roadburner - that is exactly why I keep an older (but updated) Garmin around. If I'm traveling somewhere that might be without cell service, I want a way of getting directions to wherever I'm going next, and the Mav doesn't have built-in nav.

Preliminary review of the 2024 Altima 2.5SV rental: ride quality is measurably better than my Ariya. It's not sporty, but soaks up bumps well without being overly soft to the point that it loses its composure over large bumps (like the Ariya does).

nyccarguy

Anybody in the market for a low mileage FJ Cruiser?

https://www.toyotaofmanhattan.com/used-inventory/index.htm?make=Toyota&model=FJ Cruiser

Didn’t think so.

jmonroe1

nyccarguy said:

Anybody in the market for a low mileage FJ Cruiser?

https://www.toyotaofmanhattan.com/used-inventory/index.htm?make=Toyota&model=FJ Cruiser

Didn’t think so.

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The add didn’t say it but it was used only to pickup mail at the end of the driveway 6 days a week. Curious as to how many oil changes it had. Can oil rust?

jmonroe

stickguy

Only service record on car fax was this past October.

oldfarmer50

jmonroe1 said:

oldfarmer50 said:

qbrozen said:

This price is a cry for help.
https://www.facebook.com/share/17y2Czoa44/?mibextid=79PoIi

You have to log on to something to see it.

————————————————-
Same for me too. My phone wants me to enter my Facebook password, problem is I don’t use Facebook. You and I might be the only dinosaurs here that don’t.

jmonroe

If my young niece is any indication “only old people still use Facebook” so I’m in the right demographic but I still don’t use it.

oldfarmer50

roadburner said:

Uconnect emailed me that a new map update was available for the Jeep, so I decided to go ahead and buy it, since we plan to take the Wrangler on some longer jaunts. I obtained the telematic code (you have to put the telematics in Dealer Mode- not hard, but some people I know would have to pay a "guy" to do it). I'm all set to download the update only to learn that Uconnect sends the update on a USB. BMW and M-B update your region OTA, and at least in the case of M-B you can download and install other regions yourself off the M-B owners website.
Speaking of the Jeep, we drove it to Lexington and back for the UL-UK game. With four people aboard and interstate speed a bit north of 70 mph it still returned close to 21 mpg. I still don't get the people who slam the JLU's highway manners. It's no sports sedan, but it isn't uncomfortable or unpleasant to drive and It also didn't need the often mentioned frequent steering corrections. Would I rather drive the C43? Sure, but I'd just as soon drive the Wrangler as I would a non-sporting sedan.

On Wranglers I’ve driven the tires make all the difference in driving comfort, those knobby off road tires make it feel like you’re driving on a washboard. As to steering corrections, I don’t know the right terminology but some cars like Wrangler have have a very small “neutral area” so small inputs off dead center result in what can be perceived as needing correction which can result in over correction and a feeling of needing constant steering corrections. I’ve also noticed that sensation on Mitsubishis of all things and some more sporty cars.

Does that make any sense?

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

Anybody in the market for a low mileage FJ Cruiser?

https://www.toyotaofmanhattan.com/used-inventory/index.htm?make=Toyota&model=FJ Cruiser

Didn’t think so.

Manhattan is certainly a different world. I’ve never seen a dealer where you had to drive up 4 floors to get in. That Valet parking is a great idea as it gives them a chance to appraise your potential trade-in before you even get in the door.

That is definitely a NYC price.

au1994

My Wrangler was fine on the highway, even after I put all terrain tires on it. Those shopping malls can get dicey you know.

But I have some common sense and wasn't expecting it to ride like an S Class Mercedes. A little noisy and you were certainly going to know it if the road was rough but completely tolerable. And I always found the seating to be comfortable. Even in a 6 hour round trip on a college visit.

qbrozen

@jmonroe1 said:
————————————————
How overpriced would you say that is?

jmonroe

I’d say at half that, you are still looking for a home run. I can’t imagine paying more than 7 if it is all tip top.

Sandman6472

Drove a newer Audi A3 at work Sunday and really liked the evolution as compared to the 2015 model we had. Looks to be the same size though the other half says it grew a bit. No matter, liked the how the infotainment center is now more integrated into the dash though it still has that ridiculous button on the lower console, a safety hazard as far as I'm concerned. But overall, liked the way it drove and if it would fit, would consider buying a loaner when the time comes.

But, still waiting for the 2025 GTI to hit the local dealers so I can test it out. Just hope they offer a few alloy choices as hate the mostly black look currently in vogue. Was thinking of doing either the front brakes or the coolant this morning but when I got up at 6 am to get ready, decided to wait a bit longer. No sense on spending any more money on my current Golf if I end up liking the 2025 GTI that much. But we'll have to see as it might be best to fix these couple of items and wait till 2026 or 2027 to pull the trigger. It's just that I'm finally ready, ready to pull the trigger if the right vehicle comes along.

roadburner

A friend bought a new Cayenne with 22” wheels- and he’s very glad he bought the road hazard tire warranty. He popped a rear tire on a piece of scrap metal. Replacement cost? $1,044.

Sandman6472

Yikes...that's insane!! But yep, vehicle parts can be expensive. Back in 2017, had to replace a electric side mirror on the Golf and after having it panted to match my blue color, was about $785 out the door, and I was shocked it was so high. That's why I was so glad I didn't break it again a couple weeks ago as I pulled out of the garage. I was just able to pop it back on after a few tries and was pleased. Once I saw the turn signal & electric sill worked, figured it was just popping the top back on to get things right again. Still haven't gone through a car wash yet as I don't want it to come off while I'm in there. Finally getting a bit cooer down here...73 right now and 49 tomorrow night, so I'll probably wash it outside on Wednesday as it's really super filthy. And once a upon a time, I used to be so anal about keeping it washed & waxed so I'd do it every Saturday after work. But now, go maybe a good 6 weeks between washes and haven't waxed it in about a year. Luckily the water still beads and that ceramic coating still seems to be working. I just don't have the where with all to do it anymore...hell, I need to see if I still have car washing detergent in the garage as I hate using dishwashing soap on the finish.

stickguy

Never use dish soap. Especially dawn. It can take the wax off. At least I’ve always been told it would!

au1994

stickguy said:

Never use dish soap. Especially dawn. It can take the wax off. At least I’ve always been told it would!

Yes. When I clay bar I would wash with Dawn first, clay bar, wash again with ‘car soap’, then wax.

tjc78

Yeah Dawn works great on the wash right before you wax!

corvette

Dawn will strip carnuba-based waxes. In my experience, it won't hurt synthetic sealants. It's all I use to hand wash my cars.

laurasdada

stickguy said:

Never use dish soap. Especially dawn. It can take the wax off. At least I’ve always been told it would!

Sal Zaino would have your head!
Only Dawn the first time to strip off all of the old, inferior to Zaino treatments... Per Sal, not me...

explorerx4

These video's are awesome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cHltFF1grI

roadburner

He reminds me a lot of my first NCM at BMW; I remember he and I were b*tched at by a lady with an F22 2er because she hated the base audio system. Turned out that she hadn't test driven the car AND she didn't buy it from us...

corvette

@explorerx4 - he makes some good points, but strikes me as someone who is stuck in the old-school traditional dealership sales model.

Remarks similar to: "What is your time worth?" "These people are looking for the best deal in the entire country," etc... I understand it's better for him and his dealership if they have loyal, repeat customers who won't ask too many questions about the pricing, but as a consumer, it takes me very little time to identify what is and isn't fairly priced, and if need be, it costs me a single day of PTO, the cost of a plane ticket, and a tank or two of fuel. (Probably one night in a hotel, but I can usually use points for that.)

kyfdx

Anyone buy a car, today?

stickguy

I didn't even have time (or need) to put on pants. Working is for the birds.

Michaell

Member needs help with a GM engine question

au1994

stickguy said:

I didn't even have time (or need) to put on pants. Working is for the birds.

Life goals right there.

oldfarmer50

kyfdx said:

Anyone buy a car, today?

Only in my mind.

oldfarmer50

stickguy said:

I didn't even have time (or need) to put on pants. Working is for the birds.

You must be a real hit in the office.😂😂😂

stickguy

My guest room? And I am wearing sweats. Its cold up here!

Michaell

What's the opposite of a lease hack?

Just had a member ask for the 24 month money factor on a 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport AWD.

.00601

venture

Michaell said:

What's the opposite of a lease hack?

Just had a member ask for the 24 month money factor on a 2025 Cadillac Escalade Sport AWD.

.00601

Ouch! Why do they use money factor instead of % on a lease?

stickguy

Because it makes it harder for buyers to understand.

venture

stickguy said:

Because it makes it harder for buyers to understand.

Most people don't know much, if anything, about leasing. I have a friend who used to own a Chevy dealer. He called leasing "a license to steal."

Michaell

venture said:

stickguy said:

Because it makes it harder for buyers to understand.

Most people don't know much, if anything, about leasing. I have a friend who used to own a Chevy dealer. He called leasing "a license to steal."

Which is why @kyfdx and I stay busy answering questions, to help level the playing field.

explorerx4

I guess they don't really want to lease those or it's tied to their type of customer.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

Because it makes it harder for buyers to understand.

It's easier to calculate the payment, though

kyfdx

explorerx4 said:

I guess they don't really want to lease those or it's tied to their type of customer.

They think that rubes that want $100K trucks or Porsches will swallow anything..

cdnpinhead

That's because they will.

xwesx

Is that "money factor" based on a monthly rate, then? So, the APR is essentially 7.21%?

kyfdx

xwesx said:

Is that "money factor" based on a monthly rate, then? So, the APR is essentially 7.21%?

.00601 MF approx = 14.42% APR

venture

xwesx said:

Is that "money factor" based on a monthly rate, then? So, the APR is essentially 7.21%?

14.4%

xwesx

kyfdx said:

xwesx said:

Is that "money factor" based on a monthly rate, then? So, the APR is essentially 7.21%?

.00601 MF approx = 14.42% APR

Er, what?! It's hard to say what the basis is if that is true. I mean, I see how to get there for a 24-month lease, but 14.42% over 24 months is still 7.21% over 12.

kyfdx

xwesx said:

kyfdx said:

xwesx said:

Is that "money factor" based on a monthly rate, then? So, the APR is essentially 7.21%?

.00601 MF approx = 14.42% APR

Er, what?! It's hard to say what the basis is if that is true. I mean, I see how to get there for a 24-month lease, but 14.42% over 24 months is still 7.21% over 12.

You’re doing the math wrong.. 🤷‍♂️