Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,590
    Higher end Ram's have really nice interiors.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,834
    edited May 22

    @stickguy said:
    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?

    They are vastly different builds. The 22 was 3” lifted with more rugged tires and was a Hemi. Fairly lower on the option load. Smaller screen and no nannies

    This one is standard height (I really don’t even need the running boards) and has the new Hurricane engine. It also has street tires. The ride is fantastic. The 22 rode nice but this is even cushier. The interior and tech is on a whole other level. Much more lux and the technology and sound system are impressive.

    @explorerx4
    Yes, they do. To think there are still two more levels (Limited and Tungsten) from this one.

    I sent a picture to my cousin who is a big truck guy and he said I bought the Lincoln Town Car of trucks

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,640
    Nice. Interior is great!

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 260,984

    @tjc78 - congrats! Nice truck.

    And a great payment.

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    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,903
    @tjc78 - congrats! That is some true American luxury!

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,903
    Was thinking about the discussion over the GTI pricing...I don't disagree that a $40k MSRP is surprising at first blush, but I feel like when you consider the average car price is well into the $40k's these days, the GTI offers a lot for a "below average" cost vehicle.

    As it always has been, the combination of fun factor and overall usability is pretty incredible.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2025 BRZ - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,398
    Nice truck Tom!

    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.

    While not as exciting as a GTI, I made an appointment to test drive a Camry & a Prius at my local Toyota Dealer later this afternoon/early evening.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,202
    Nice looking Ram! Congrats on the punch.
  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,749

    Congrats @tjc78 !

    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,834

    Thanks Everyone!

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,170

    I should stop at the Toyota dealer tomorrow after one of my dump runs (it’s right around the corner) and check them out. And see if they have a GR86 to test!

    Porsche dealer is right across the street but that might not be a good idea.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,178
    breld said:

    Was thinking about the discussion over the GTI pricing...I don't disagree that a $40k MSRP is surprising at first blush, but I feel like when you consider the average car price is well into the $40k's these days, the GTI offers a lot for a "below average" cost vehicle.

    As it always has been, the combination of fun factor and overall usability is pretty incredible.

    Totally agree. I think people tend to look down at it because it’s a 4-door hatch.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,178
    tjc78 said:


    It’s nice that it’s not painted black as about 80% of Rams seem to be, and especially nice that it has a light-color interior!

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • pensfan83pensfan83 Member Posts: 2,765

    Great looking truck and deal. The interior is probably my favorite of any full size.

    1997 Honda Prelude Base - 2022 Acura MDX Type S Advance - 2021 Honda Passport Sport - 2006 BMW 330Ci ZHP
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,594
    Ooooh, nice interior on that one, @tjc78 ! At least you're covered for another three (+) years. Gives you plenty of time to look for that next Panther.... :D
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,834

    @ab348 said:
    It’s nice that it’s not painted black as about 80% of Rams seem to be, and especially nice that it has a light-color interior!

    It was not easy to find this combo. The spread on black interior to the “sea salt” is about 10-1

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,834

    @xwesx said:
    Ooooh, nice interior on that one, @tjc78 ! At least you're covered for another three (+) years. Gives you plenty of time to look for that next Panther.... :D

    I want a classic one so bad …

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,170

    Take the dam to Florida for a vacation. Find one there and rent a trailer then tow it home.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,834
    edited May 22

    No shortage of them down there!

    I drove the last Ram to Florida with the family.

    While it wasn’t bad by any means … the wife has said “never again”

    That’s why we are leaving on our next cruise out of Bayonne, NJ

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 263,586
    tjc78 said:

    No shortage of them down there!

    I drove the last Ram to Florida with the family.

    While it wasn’t bad by any means … the wife has said “never again”

    That’s why we are leaving on our next cruise out of Bayonne, NJ

    Reminds me of the old SNL commercial spoof for the Navy:

    Port of Call: Bayonne, NJ!!

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  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,235
    stickguy said:

    I should stop at the Toyota dealer tomorrow after one of my dump runs (it’s right around the corner) and check them out. And see if they have a GR86 to test!

    Porsche dealer is right across the street but that might not be a good idea.

    ————————————————
    Take @kyfdx with you and he’ll show you how to do it. o:)

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,235
    tjc78 said:

    No shortage of them down there!

    I drove the last Ram to Florida with the family.

    While it wasn’t bad by any means … the wife has said “never again”

    That’s why we are leaving on our next cruise out of Bayonne, NJ

    ————————————————
    Nice truck. I keep hearing RAM interiors are the nicest of all the pickups and are also the best for comfort too.

    Good luck with it but you gotta give it more of a shakedown cruise than a ride to Bayonne…that’s cheating.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,834

    @jmonroe1 said:
    ————————————————
    Nice truck. I keep hearing RAM interiors are the nicest of all the pickups and are also the best for comfort too.

    Good luck with it but you gotta give it more of a shakedown cruise than a ride to Bayonne…that’s cheating.

    jmonroe

    I’ve been in them all and driven everything except the Tundra and it’s by far my favorite. Extremely roomy and comfortable

    Hey its first drive was over 100 miles through construction laden I95 in the pouring rain.

    That should count for something

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • pensfan83pensfan83 Member Posts: 2,765
    I miss having a truck. No regrets over the purchase of the Passport but I would say by the fall I'll be in the market. A Ram will be high on the list, even if it comes with the risk of never being driven by the wife.
    1997 Honda Prelude Base - 2022 Acura MDX Type S Advance - 2021 Honda Passport Sport - 2006 BMW 330Ci ZHP
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,594
    pensfan83 said:

    I miss having a truck. No regrets over the purchase of the Passport but I would say by the fall I'll be in the market. A Ram will be high on the list, even if it comes with the risk of never being driven by the wife.

    Well, depending on what you get, you might both be pleasantly surprised. My wife swore she wouldn't drive the rental Ram we had, but then she commented, even if briefly, that she wanted to give it a try. I immediately pulled over and hopped out... she hesitated for a minute, but I told her I was calling her bluff, so she couldn't back out... and then she jumped in, drove it for a few minutes, and afterward had nothing but good things to say about how easy it was to drive and maneuver.

    Ours was the stumpy four-door with a short bed. So, overall, it was basically the smallest full-size you can get these days.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,594
    I was looking at an '07 Ram with a manual transmission for sale down in Anchorage. I really want it, but my wife poo-pooed the whole thing with some nonsense about "financial responsibility" and all that. I finally decided to cut my losses, but I secretly sneak a peek at the ad every day to see if it is still available.... (don't tell her!).
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,170

    My wife is intimidated by the Maverick. I would say zero chance she would ever be willing to drive a full size PU. Might be able to pull off a ridgeline.

    I’m hooked on having a truck now too. Doesn’t have to be fancy though. But if I had to an SUV that could pull a utility trailer (and of course getting a trailer) would be an acceptable substitute.

    Tomorrow’s chore is making a couple of runs to the transfer station. One for the scrap then another for a bunch more yard waste that I collected. Pretty sure I will die before I finish that clean up. Possibly from doing it.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,170

    My nephew (a doctor in New Hampshire) has a pretty big yard and has wanted a truck for a long time. After 3 kids he finally got permission (I think as a reward for kid 3) and in January got a new Tundra. He seems to love it. And posts pictures of it working. No qualms about piling up brush in the back or hauling mulch home.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • greg1288greg1288 Member Posts: 42
    tjc78 said:


    Very handsome truck and not gimmicky like others and a beautiful interior. I assume it is the turbo straight 6. How is the power train?
    2024 Toyota Crown Platinum, 2006 Chevy Silverado work truck
    Wife: 2020 Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury
  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,047
    edited May 22
    @tjc78 , congrats on the truck! Love the interior.
    Fun fact today — I was charging at the public chargers near me, and every car lined up was a Chevy. A Bolt, 2:Equinoxes and my Blazer. And of course always the row of Teslas behind us. Chevy is really getting into the EV game.
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,235
    tjc78 said:

    @jmonroe1 said:

    ————————————————

    Nice truck. I keep hearing RAM interiors are the nicest of all the pickups and are also the best for comfort too.

    Good luck with it but you gotta give it more of a shakedown cruise than a ride to Bayonne…that’s cheating.

    jmonroe

    I’ve been in them all and driven everything except the Tundra and it’s by far my favorite. Extremely roomy and comfortable

    Hey its first drive was over 100 miles through construction laden I95 in the pouring rain.

    That should count for something

    ————————————————
    Well, you didn’t tell us that. Now all you’ve got to do is wash it and give it a good wax job.

    Come to think of it, I believe you told us you got it from an out of town dealer, but you still gotta wash it and wax it. B)

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,590
    One of my kids has already borrowed the truck twice because the stuff they bought wouldn't fit into their 'big' SUV(Explorer), never mind the smaller one.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,202

    When I had the Tundra, I went to the garden center and got a scoop (or maybe two, can’t remember) of mulch, and later got a scoop of fill dirt. I took the back roads home with that, because the rear end was hanging down really far and I wasn’t sure how it would handle the interstate.

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,202

    If I replace the Ariya at the end of its lease, I think I’d like something that’s a real color (red, blue, green, etc.). And probably something more “special” than a Nissan, unless there are no decent deals to be had.

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,590
    You need to check the payload rating. Many 1/2 ton trucks are shockingly low.
    If you go over, technically you are illegal.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,202

    Not that I condone it, but I’ve heard of zero people who have been cited for exceeding payload or towing ratings on a passenger vehicle.

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,594
    edited May 22
    corvette said:

    Not that I condone it, but I’ve heard of zero people who have been cited for exceeding payload or towing ratings on a passenger vehicle.

    No, and it is a non-issue other than the fact that if you are exceeding ratings, break something, and/or end up causing a crash, it could increase your liability even if you might otherwise not be liable. Similar to if you are driving at night without proper illumination.

    Or, perhaps a more related example that is fairly commonplace: Just because you have a powerful truck that can pull a heavy trailer at 100 mph indefinitely, if you are zooming down the freeway at high speed and your trailer tire, which typically has a speed rating of 75 mph, blows out causing a loss of control to yours or another's vehicle, that could be bad news for you even though a similar failure under rated conditions would likely be a different animal.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,590
    edited May 22
    @corvette,
    Just wait until you get caught by your insurance company.
    It's your choice to ignore good advice.
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,047
    corvette said:

    If I replace the Ariya at the end of its lease, I think I’d like something that’s a real color (red, blue, green, etc.). And probably something more “special” than a Nissan, unless there are no decent deals to be had.

    One of my neighbors has a Mitsubishi Outlander that is a gorgeous red. It catches my eye every time I walk by. I didn’t even know Mitsu still sold vehicles in the USA.
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 260,984
    suydam said:

    corvette said:

    If I replace the Ariya at the end of its lease, I think I’d like something that’s a real color (red, blue, green, etc.). And probably something more “special” than a Nissan, unless there are no decent deals to be had.

    One of my neighbors has a Mitsubishi Outlander that is a gorgeous red. It catches my eye every time I walk by. I didn’t even know Mitsu still sold vehicles in the USA.
    And it's available as a PHEV.

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    2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,178
    stickguy said:


    Tomorrow’s chore is making a couple of runs to the transfer station. One for the scrap then another for a bunch more yard waste that I collected. Pretty sure I will die before I finish that clean up. Possibly from doing it.

    Just another day of living in the bucolic community of Wrecking Yard Hills. :D

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,706

    While I understand the specifics surrounding the GTI, I think I would definitely have a hard time justifying those specifics costing me more. For example, a CX 30 turbo lacks the manual transmission, but adds all wheel drive for several thousand dollars less. It is a tick slower but I’d imagine unnoticeable in daily driving. For quite a bit less, I’d at least check out a Maverick. Again, AWD, far more utility, and just as quick in a straight line. I would have to believe the GTI handles A LOT better, but we’re taking about a FWD hatch, not a sportscar, so handling isn’t exactly a top priority in this purchase. For $10k less? Yeah, I’m OK with that handling tradeoff. Just a thought, that’s all.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 20,590
    The GTI has 50 more horsepower and 85 more Ft/Lbs of torque.
    Probably not noticeable. :o
    2024 Ford F-150 STX, 2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,235
    xwesx said:

    I was looking at an '07 Ram with a manual transmission for sale down in Anchorage. I really want it, but my wife poo-pooed the whole thing with some nonsense about "financial responsibility" and all that. I finally decided to cut my losses, but I secretly sneak a peek at the ad every day to see if it is still available.... (don't tell her!).

    ————————————————
    So what you’re saying is you’re waiting for someone else to snatch it. Then you’ll come in here crying, “I was really going to pull the trigger next week, honest”.

    Save your tears we’re tired of hearing about flakes like you in here. :#

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,235
    kyfdx said:

    My friend sold his pickup, last year, when his wife got a new car. I've been trying to talk him into getting another one.. (so, I can borrow it)

    ————————————————
    I worked with a guy years ago who said, “if you’re tired of hearing your phone ring…sell your pickup”. He wasn’t necessarily talking to me but I got his point.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,235
    suydam said:

    @tjc78 , congrats on the truck! Love the interior.
    Fun fact today — I was charging at the public chargers near me, and every car lined up was a Chevy. A Bolt, 2:Equinoxes and my Blazer. And of course always the row of Teslas behind us. Chevy is really getting into the EV game.

    ————————————————
    With that being said, would it be safe to say that EV Chevy’s are “battery hogs”? New term being thrown out there.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,202

    @corvette,
    Just wait until you get caught by your insurance company.
    It's your choice to ignore good advice.

    I have no idea what the payload of those loads were and I've never knowingly driven an overloaded vehicle. I deal with insurance coverage issues as part of my job. In my experience, negligently exceeding a payload capacity isn't treated differently by insurance than any other negligent act (exceeding the speed limit, backing into a parked car, etc.).
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,398

    As you all know, I’m on pickup #2 and absolutely love it! It’s got to go for various reasons, but I am going to miss it.

    Back to the search for pickup #2s replacement, I made it to the Toyota dealer a few minutes early for my 6:00 PM appointment. I was greeted by the salesman (who has been at the dealership for 37 years) and he said he’s going to grab a set of keys to a Prius and a Camry for us to drive.

    1st up was the Prius which I had really high hopes for. Rearward visibility was terrible. I actually drove it half way around the block and said no thank-you.

    Then we hopped into a Camry XLE in the new Ocean Mist Metallic which is striking and looks great with the Black Wheels (that I know many of you detest). This thing had Heads Up Display, Leather, and a Pano Roof. The Camry drove as expected. Quiet and comfortable. It was pouring rain so I kept things PG. Took it 1 exit on the highway and it had enough power to merge. Brakes felt strong and easy to modulate.

    I liked it enough to go back inside and look at prices and inventory. He asks what I’m looking for. I tell him ideally I’d want an LE AWD (because I like the smaller wheels with bigger sidewalls) with a Black Interior and NOT a black exterior. He shows me his inventory, what’s coming in, and what’s being built. He’s got a few LE AWDs coming in, but not until late June/early July. I told him I’m looking do something sooner, by the end of this month. He shows me a Zero Option SE AWD with a $33K sticker. It’s Black/Black with Black Wheels. I told him I’ll take a look and let him know tomorrow what my other 1/2 thinks. I’m going to check out some other dealers’ inventory and start to send emails/make phone calls.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD, 2025 Toyota Camry SE AWD

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,202
    @nyccarguy - that's super disappointing about the Prius, my Gen2 had outstanding visibility, but was extremely slow compared to the current model. I'd definitely look around to find something other than a black on black Camry.
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