Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

28firefighter

Catching up - was in south Florida this weekend for a quick visit for a memorial service. Avis gave me an Ioniq 5 which I really enjoyed minus a nagging hatch creak. Great range, reasonably quick, smooth ride on the haul from FLL to Palm Beach.

Some thoughts…
(1) I don’t know how anyone survives in south Florida in summer. It was 90 feeling like 102 and I wanted to do nothing. I can’t even imagine driving a convertible.

(2) I love the GTI. Similar spec down by where @tifighter lives but the ceramic gray color. Similar discount too. Very tempting.

(3) Ignoring the above, I really love the WRX. Though several people tell me it’s a mid life crisis mobile. I did curb two wheels pulling into my parking garage at work, so I got quotes to fix. They were so high, it was cheaper for me to by a full take off set from FB for less than the total repair.

breld

@Michaell said:
Nothing, my good friend.

At the moment, there is an empty space in the @breld garage the GTI would fill nicely.

This. 😀

sb55

nyccarguy said:

sb55 said:

We have a 2021 Toyota Venza with about 45,000 miles. We test drove a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in January. After the tariffs started, the list prices became the norm and any discounts went away so we decided to wait. Fast forward to now and I was noodling around online. A small dealer in New Hampshire had an inbound one with colors we wanted listed with about $3800.00 off sticker. Most important to us was no black interior. The saddle brown is the only other choice and they are rare. I got in touch and had a few emails with a salesman. That one became unavailable so he offered to do a search. They found another inbound one in the colors we wanted and will honor the discount. Plus, the trade number has gone up 10% since January.
So, maybe by the end of June we will have a punch.

Very cool that you found a dealer willing to work with you on an inbound unit and give you a healthy discount. Very curious as to what they offered you on your Venza.

Dealer offered $26874. if I had title, and $1000.00 less if I didn't have loan paid off. I had 3 payments left so paid it off. Carvana is offering a little more, but then I have to jerk around with the sales tax and registering on my own and I don't know if it's worth it.

kyfdx

sb55 said:

nyccarguy said:

sb55 said:

We have a 2021 Toyota Venza with about 45,000 miles. We test drove a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in January. After the tariffs started, the list prices became the norm and any discounts went away so we decided to wait. Fast forward to now and I was noodling around online. A small dealer in New Hampshire had an inbound one with colors we wanted listed with about $3800.00 off sticker. Most important to us was no black interior. The saddle brown is the only other choice and they are rare. I got in touch and had a few emails with a salesman. That one became unavailable so he offered to do a search. They found another inbound one in the colors we wanted and will honor the discount. Plus, the trade number has gone up 10% since January.
So, maybe by the end of June we will have a punch.

Very cool that you found a dealer willing to work with you on an inbound unit and give you a healthy discount. Very curious as to what they offered you on your Venza.

Dealer offered $26874. if I had title, and $1000.00 less if I didn't have loan paid off. I had 3 payments left so paid it off. Carvana is offering a little more, but then I have to jerk around with the sales tax and registering on my own and I don't know if it's worth it.

When we traded a car in November, the dealer got within $1000 of our Carvana quote, and that was close enough. You can't get the sales tax credit in my state, unless you are trading. That alone made up $720 of the difference.

kyfdx

If you haven't shopped new cars, $40K seems like a lot. Or, if you're comparing a stripper Kia Sorento to a GTI, maybe that doesn't make sense for you.

But, the GTI doesn't have many competitors available for under $40K. 241 HP and a stick shift.

ab348

qbrozen said:

breld said:

It's probably a good thing this VW dealer is over 50 miles away...just enough effort to lessen the temptation...

https://www.greeleyvolkswagen.com/new-Greeley-2024-Volkswagen-Golf+GTI-20T+380+SE-WVWSA7CD4RW223584

They have two of these leftover 2024 white GTI SEs - manual with the plaid seats at over $5k off MSRP.

good grief MSRPs are out of control. $40k for a GTI. That's staggering.

For the equipment and performance level that is actually a bargain. Not many others like that now.

ab348

stickguy said:

@breld said:

It's probably a good thing this VW dealer is over 50 miles away...just enough effort to lessen the temptation...

https://www.greeleyvolkswagen.com/new-Greeley-2024-Volkswagen-Golf+GTI-20T+380+SE-WVWSA7CD4RW223584

They have two of these leftover 2024 white GTI SEs - manual with the plaid seats at over $5k off MSRP.

White would not be my first choice but I love the car.

There are just a handful in dealer inventory within any reasonable distance of me (mostly 2025s, but last time I looked there were a handful of 2024 manuals out there, last of their kind). All were either black or white. VW is not known for their variety of paint colors, especially here.

kyfdx

The "380" editions have some extra equipment, mostly cosmetic, but also adjustable dampers. The cosmetics include black mirror caps, black roof and black wheels. I think that's why you see more black and white models.

My 2018 is at the dealer for diagnosis, which got me looking... lol

kyfdx

@28firefighter Amazing what one month will do. We flew into FLL exactly one month ago, and the highs were 82 and lows were 72, each day of our 3 night trip. Low humidity and zero precipitation.

They even had the roof open at the Marlins ballpark.

nyccarguy

sb55 said:

nyccarguy said:

sb55 said:

We have a 2021 Toyota Venza with about 45,000 miles. We test drove a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in January. After the tariffs started, the list prices became the norm and any discounts went away so we decided to wait. Fast forward to now and I was noodling around online. A small dealer in New Hampshire had an inbound one with colors we wanted listed with about $3800.00 off sticker. Most important to us was no black interior. The saddle brown is the only other choice and they are rare. I got in touch and had a few emails with a salesman. That one became unavailable so he offered to do a search. They found another inbound one in the colors we wanted and will honor the discount. Plus, the trade number has gone up 10% since January.
So, maybe by the end of June we will have a punch.

Very cool that you found a dealer willing to work with you on an inbound unit and give you a healthy discount. Very curious as to what they offered you on your Venza.

Dealer offered $26874. if I had title, and $1000.00 less if I didn't have loan paid off. I had 3 payments left so paid it off. Carvana is offering a little more, but then I have to jerk around with the sales tax and registering on my own and I don't know if it's worth it.

Confirms my suspicions. They are going to stick it on their lot for what? $32K plus a dealer fee? Nice job. Are you going to put the $26,874 towards the Crown Signia?

tjc78

Grand Prize - 1 week in Florida in July
Runner Up - 2 weeks in Florida in July

stickguy

@kyfdx said:
The "380" editions have some extra equipment, mostly cosmetic, but also adjustable dampers. The cosmetics include black mirror caps, black roof and black wheels. I think that's why you see more black and white models.

My 2018 is at the dealer for diagnosis, which got me looking... lol

Perfect time. The 2018 warranty is finally up and they aren’t making any more real GTIs. So get one while you can.

suydam

breld said:

Spent a few hours again on Saturday testing out EV candidates...

• Local BMW dealer had a lightly used i5 M60. We liked even the base RWD model when we tested it out a couple weeks ago, so this was obviously nicer. But not sure all that extra power was necessary...I felt like I was feathering the throttle most of the test drive. Having said that, it was a very smooth and serene experience...may not be what buyers want from an "M-performance" vehicle, but I found it very pleasant. Problem is, even at $20k under MSRP, I think another $20k of depreciation is to be had right off the bat, so probably not a good used EV purchase yet.
  
  
• I know I'll get some flack for this one, but I was also curious as to the latest redo of the Tesla Model 3, so we found a 2024 "new model" 3 Performance at a Carmax and tried it out. All the reviews claim noticeable improvements in the suspension and refinement, but we were shocked at the level of change. Even in this performance model with skinny tires, the ride was much more compliant than we expected based on previous Teslas owned.
  

Teslas are great cars, but I’m not giving Musk any of my money. Especially when there are so many other great options now.

nyccarguy

kyfdx said:

The "380" editions have some extra equipment, mostly cosmetic, but also adjustable dampers. The cosmetics include black mirror caps, black roof and black wheels. I think that's why you see more black and white models.

My 2018 is at the dealer for diagnosis, which got me looking... lol

Diagnosis: Customer states vehicle is not driven since customer has 2 Porsches...

nyccarguy

breld said:

@Michaell said:

Nothing, my good friend.

At the moment, there is an empty space in the @breld garage the GTI would fill nicely.

This. 😀

I can see @breld being offered a nice sum for his 2023 ALLROAD and swapping the GTI into the fleet for that.

nyccarguy

mjfloyd1 said:

@tjc78 and @nycarguy - I’d compare pricing vs brokers on Leasehakr and go from there

@breld - I see a Tesla model 3 and 24 Golf GTI in your future.

That's where I start my research. If I have issues getting what I want at the price I want, I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to a broker.

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

breld said:

@Michaell said:

Nothing, my good friend.

At the moment, there is an empty space in the @breld garage the GTI would fill nicely.

This. 😀

I can see @breld being offered a nice sum for his 2023 ALLROAD and swapping the GTI into the fleet for that.

Except the allroad (A6, not A4) belongs to Mrs. @breld, and I don't see her giving that up anytime soon.

corvette

A few years ago, I needed to burn some vacation time, and I split a week in August between Chicago and Tampa. Much preferred the weather in Chicago!

I'd consider The Villages when I retire, but I'm not sure I could stand the summers.

Sandman6472

A white 2025 GTI showed up at the dealer on the other side of town showed up today when I searched for local 2025 GTI's in the local area. Has a gray & black two tone interior which looks nice. Might go see it on Wednesday just to see. Has the Harmon Kardon 9 speaker system which I really want for $39.5. Not the best price but built in 3/25 so before the tariff nonsense. Might go give it a test drive on my n/s day this week. Though not really ready to buy quite yet, might just go do a look see.

breld

suydam said:

breld said:

Spent a few hours again on Saturday testing out EV candidates...

• Local BMW dealer had a lightly used i5 M60. We liked even the base RWD model when we tested it out a couple weeks ago, so this was obviously nicer. But not sure all that extra power was necessary...I felt like I was feathering the throttle most of the test drive. Having said that, it was a very smooth and serene experience...may not be what buyers want from an "M-performance" vehicle, but I found it very pleasant. Problem is, even at $20k under MSRP, I think another $20k of depreciation is to be had right off the bat, so probably not a good used EV purchase yet.
  
  
• I know I'll get some flack for this one, but I was also curious as to the latest redo of the Tesla Model 3, so we found a 2024 "new model" 3 Performance at a Carmax and tried it out. All the reviews claim noticeable improvements in the suspension and refinement, but we were shocked at the level of change. Even in this performance model with skinny tires, the ride was much more compliant than we expected based on previous Teslas owned.
  

Teslas are great cars, but I’m not giving Musk any of my money. Especially when there are so many other great options now.

I don't disagree. That's the struggle.

But you're right on Teslas as an EV. We've owned several and test driven countless candidates and we still find the Tesla EV driving experience to be the best. And with the recent updates for the 3 and Y, the quality and overall feel has come a long way. Doesn't hurt they are the least expensive option too.

Sandman6472

Just got home from St. Augustine yesterday and they gave us a 2024 Hyundai Kona to drive. Drove well enough but not a fan of the CVT tranny. Have taken it off my list as of now. But, looked online and found a new 2025 GTI SE in pearl white paint at a dealer in downtown Pompano Beach. Has the 9 speaker audio system I want so am going to test drive it tomorrow late morning if I feel up to it. It's a bit more expensive then I want to pay but, don't think they're going to get any cheaper and it's a combo I do like. Got a estimate trade-in value from Carvana which again, isn't great, but hey, it's a 10 year old vehicle which had an accident with just under 80K on the clock.

Is it the best time to pull the trigger? Who knows but do know I don't want to put any more money into my current Golf. So, will go test drive it and go from there. I've got the funds put away and know this day will come eventually. So, wish me luck here!

nyccarguy

Sandman6472 said:

Just got home from St. Augustine yesterday and they gave us a 2024 Hyundai Kona to drive. Drove well enough but not a fan of the CVT tranny. Have taken it off my list as of now. But, looked online and found a new 2025 GTI SE in pearl white paint at a dealer in downtown Pompano Beach. Has the 9 speaker audio system I want so am going to test drive it tomorrow late morning if I feel up to it. It's a bit more expensive then I want to pay but, don't think they're going to get any cheaper and it's a combo I do like. Got a estimate trade-in value from Carvana which again, isn't great, but hey, it's a 10 year old vehicle which had an accident with just under 80K on the clock.

Is it the best time to pull the trigger? Who knows but do know I don't want to put any more money into my current Golf. So, will go test drive it and go from there. I've got the funds put away and know this day will come eventually. So, wish me luck here!

Is it the best time to pull the trigger?
Yes

stickguy

It’s always the right time to pull the trigger on new wheels.

Which makes me sad because in a couple of days it will be 2 years since I picked up my current truck.

nyccarguy

stickguy said:

It’s always the right time to pull the trigger on new wheels.

Which makes me sad because in a couple of days it will be 2 years since I picked up my current truck.

How many miles on that bad boy?

stickguy

8,800

au1994

stickguy said:

8,800

Worn smooth out.

ab348

au1994 said:

stickguy said:

8,800

Worn smooth out.

Well, it IS a Ford…

stickguy

don't remind me!

tjc78

Punch Pending -

xwesx

Michaell said:

Although I do know someone (not @breld) who is leasing a Charger EV for just over $300/mo. That seems more likely to replicate, given how slow they are moving.

Seems strange considering that everyone with an EV needs a charger!

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

Punch Pending -

Spill it!!

stickguy

probably the white Ram dealer caved is my guess.

Michaell

@stickguy said:
probably the white Ram dealer caved is my guess.

+1

explorerx4

nyccarguy

Here we go!

jmonroe1

explorerx4 said:

————————————————
I guess AI can do anything today. Want a pink Ram, no problem.

jmonroe

nyccarguy

Some interesting points everyone brings up about the GTI. I agree with both points made by @qbrozen and @kyfdx . $40K is a lot for a GTI. It really has no competition. My local VW dealer shows 3 GTIs (1 ‘24 Autobahn, 1 25 SE, & a ‘25 Autobahn). All have an MSRP of $40Kish. The ‘24 shows $2,500 in bonus cash. What I found interesting besides the $56K R, was the (6) Jetta GLI Autobahns with MSRPs of $35.2K plus they have $1,000 bonus cash. I’m sure the driving experience is more buttoned up with the GTI and make. Maybe it has more equipment, but is the difference $5K-$7K? I can’t imagine so.

stickguy

I thought about a GLI. My wife probably would find it more comfortable.

corvette

When I bought my GLI, the big difference justifying its lower price compared to a GTI was its interior quality, including but not limited to the VW-tex seats vs. leather in the GTI.

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
Spill it!!

TLDR - yes, White Ram Laramie

It’s a crazy story (as is everything with me) but here is the short version.

After I had the call with the “leasing manager” where it seemed as if they weren’t budging off of the non-discounted monthly payment I figure this was a done deal as I posted here.

Well not long after I posted, I get a call from the salesman that said “I don’t know what you said to xxxx (forget the name) but if you want the truck it’s $695 down $695 /month”. I was driving so I said send me a quote.

Had a doctor appointment so reviewed it when I got home. 8% discount, plus 4K in rebates, buy rate MF (.24 % equivalent)

Wife told me to do it and get it over with. So did the credit app and told the salesman let’s figure it out Wednesday. My plan was to keep the black Ram until the end for a third car and to run the miles up before turn in. Well - supposedly Stellantis Financial didn’t like that I’d have two (three including my wife’s car) and wanted the Ram traded. I told the salesman this makes no sense with a nearly 800 credit score and the fact it only has two payments. I said let me call them. GM of the dealer calls and said let me take your trade.. send me some pics. I said I’ll just pay the last two payments off and call it a day. He insisted he appraise the trade.

Fine - 5 mins later he says they will take the trade and while it was a little upside down the tax benefits lowered the payment to $690. Plus I save two payments, dispo fee and buffing out the scratches in the bed.

I ended up driving the 3 hours down there in the pouring rain after work. Quick signatures and I was home by 11:30 last night (solid two hours in the pouring rain back home)

I’ll try and send some pictures later.

sb55

nyccarguy said:

sb55 said:

nyccarguy said:

sb55 said:

We have a 2021 Toyota Venza with about 45,000 miles. We test drove a 2025 Toyota Crown Signia in January. After the tariffs started, the list prices became the norm and any discounts went away so we decided to wait. Fast forward to now and I was noodling around online. A small dealer in New Hampshire had an inbound one with colors we wanted listed with about $3800.00 off sticker. Most important to us was no black interior. The saddle brown is the only other choice and they are rare. I got in touch and had a few emails with a salesman. That one became unavailable so he offered to do a search. They found another inbound one in the colors we wanted and will honor the discount. Plus, the trade number has gone up 10% since January.
So, maybe by the end of June we will have a punch.

Very cool that you found a dealer willing to work with you on an inbound unit and give you a healthy discount. Very curious as to what they offered you on your Venza.

Dealer offered $26874. if I had title, and $1000.00 less if I didn't have loan paid off. I had 3 payments left so paid it off. Carvana is offering a little more, but then I have to jerk around with the sales tax and registering on my own and I don't know if it's worth it.

Confirms my suspicions. They are going to stick it on their lot for what? $32K plus a dealer fee? Nice job. Are you going to put the $26,874 towards the Crown Signia?

Now Carvana keeps raising it's offer. It's up to $29K. Maybe I'll jump through those hoops when the time comes. I have to check, but Vermont used to offer the tax advantage if a car was sold within 60 days of buying a new one. The only disadvantage is that I have to do the paperwork and pay the taxes, not the dealer.

tjc78

FWIW.. my wife swears the whole trade thing was because they wanted to make more money on the deal.

kyfdx

tjc78 said:

FWIW.. my wife swears the whole trade thing was because they wanted to make more money on the deal.

Always possible. It's great you get a sales tax offset, even though you are leasing the next car. I don't think that happens in my state.

Under $700/mo for a $74K truck is pretty darned good. Getting out of your old lease for nothing is a bonus.

stickguy

2 payments is significant. Not sure why you would get hit with a disposal fee though.

tjc78

@stickguy said:
2 payments is significant. Not sure why you would get hit with a disposal fee though.

Old lease is Chrysler Capital. New one is Stellantis. I actually called and they said I’d owe it

tjc78

@kyfdx said:
Always possible. It's great you get a sales tax offset, even though you are leasing the next car. I don't think that happens in my state.

Under $700/mo for a $74K truck is pretty darned good. Getting out of your old lease for nothing is a bonus.

I’m overall happy. Best broker deal I’ve seen is $777

nyccarguy

tjc78 said:

@kyfdx said:

Spill it!!

TLDR - yes, White Ram Laramie

It’s a crazy story (as is everything with me) but here is the short version.

After I had the call with the “leasing manager” where it seemed as if they weren’t budging off of the non-discounted monthly payment I figure this was a done deal as I posted here.

Well not long after I posted, I get a call from the salesman that said “I don’t know what you said to xxxx (forget the name) but if you want the truck it’s $695 down $695 /month”. I was driving so I said send me a quote.

Had a doctor appointment so reviewed it when I got home. 8% discount, plus 4K in rebates, buy rate MF (.24 % equivalent)

Wife told me to do it and get it over with. So did the credit app and told the salesman let’s figure it out Wednesday. My plan was to keep the black Ram until the end for a third car and to run the miles up before turn in. Well - supposedly Stellantis Financial didn’t like that I’d have two (three including my wife’s car) and wanted the Ram traded. I told the salesman this makes no sense with a nearly 800 credit score and the fact it only has two payments. I said let me call them. GM of the dealer calls and said let me take your trade.. send me some pics. I said I’ll just pay the last two payments off and call it a day. He insisted he appraise the trade.

Fine - 5 mins later he says they will take the trade and while it was a little upside down the tax benefits lowered the payment to $690. Plus I save two payments, dispo fee and buffing out the scratches in the bed.

I ended up driving the 3 hours down there in the pouring rain after work. Quick signatures and I was home by 11:30 last night (solid two hours in the pouring rain back home)

I’ll try and send some pictures later.

Nice job getting it done! The weather was awful yesterday (and today too). It took me 1 1/2 hours to drive 31 miles homes last night. The last 5 miles were especially grueling.

tjc78

@nyccarguy said:
Nice job getting it done! The weather was awful yesterday (and today too). It took me 1 1/2 hours to drive 31 miles homes last night. The last 5 miles were especially grueling.

Thanks!

North of Philly to 30 miles south of the Fort Mchenry tunnel in rush hour. 3 solid hours.

Got home in under two despite the rain.

It was a crazy day.

tjc78

stickguy

Nice deal. The payments eaten, dispo fee waived and extra $5/month is probably effectively another $50 off so really paying about $640/month!

Other then a 9” longer bed and notable differences between the old and new ones?