By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I use "Eagle One Wax as U Dry". Spray it on after a wash, dry off... great shine and protection. Consumer Reports rated it #1 amoung sprays. No, it doesn't last as long as a regular time consuming back breaking hand wax. But, it's really quick, and if you hand dry anyhow, it's killing two birds with one stone.
To be serious, there is a difference between new and used vehicle pricing schemes. The former is based on cost of production plus some margin of profit. The manufacturer and seller have very limited control over the costs, so they have no choice but pass them to their next level, i.e. dealers and distributors. Same there, and so on. So price has to be certain level, no matter what. Dropping volumes and supply glut may temporarily force sellers to clearance markdowns, but will result in price increases down the road (same fixed costs will need to be spread over smaller number of units sold). Supply and demand works, but it may work different way than you actually imagine and it works slower, as the process from metal to vehicle on the dealer's lot is much longer.
Used car market is completely different: nobody forces anybody to sell their brand new car, thus values are determined by both sides based purely on short-term supply and demand - with dramatic supply of new cars, "near new" cars have to be very cheap to make anybody want them to buy - thus dramatic deterioration of their values. Over longer period, if the volumes stay this low, the prices/values are likely to increase in pair with new cars. Basicall, laws of physics and chemistry will weigh in (scrap created by accidents and wear will create demand).
At this point we are in a total flux. Short term trends can be all over the place, so can values of products, new and used. When the market reaches its new equilibrium at some new (presumably lower) level of units sold, when supply adjusts to that level, it will become more normal. Today it's not normal, but there is not much anyone can do about it - just like when you get a flu fever. All you can do is stay in bed and drink lots of fluid.
2018 430i Gran Coupe
Houses only lost value because they were grossly overvalued.
One of the reasons cars continue to cost more is because of the things consumers demand.
When I was a kid in high school, my parents bought a new 1966 Buick Skylark hardtop. I thought it was really loaded! I remember they paid (cash) 3400.00 for it. It had the larger engine, AM radio with rear speaker (wow!). It had power steering, no power brakes, crank windows and it actually had factory air conditioning.
Today between the goverment requirements and customer demands, cars have to have all of the mandatory safety equipment such as numnerous air bags. They have to meet strict emission standards, they have to have six or more computers etc and the buyers want EVERYTHING as far as options!
They demand sunroofs, leather, XM radios, Bluetooth etc.
These are some of the reasons cars cost more!
Ummmmm....what?
Now, those of you who have bought a car in the last few years know that XM offers something of a "trial membership". After that, you pay for the service. XM was rather novel at first. But, it quickly became clear that they weren't "commercial free" as I had thought they were supposed to be. Kind of nice having service no matter where you travel to. But, not for $120/year. I'm fine with plugging in my i-pod, or listening to local broadcasts when in the car.
Well, given that I rarely listen to XM, I did not noticed that my trial subscription was up. I do recall when I was doing the paperwork for the Accord that the F&I guy mentioned that XM wanted to have my credit card on file. I couldn't figure this out given the trial subscription was supposed to be free. So, I didn't give him a CC to put on the account.
Usually I just toss these types of letters in the big round file. But, wondering if there was something amiss with my radio, I gave the number a call. I get an XM person who states I'm in arrears on my account.
NO....I'M NOT! I just let the subscription lapse because I didn't want the service. They said that they couldn't charge my CC because they didn't have one on file. YES, THAT'S THE WAY I WANTED IT.
After some back and forth, with the XM person stating I somehow owed them money (which I certainly do not), he said he had a special deal for me if I gave them my CC information. I explained, once again, I did not want the service.
Then they went through the litany of all the benefits XM offered. Still not interested.
Usually, I let these type of people give me the pitch and politely decline. This time, I just hung up on him since apparently, he did not understand the words that were coming out of my mouth.
Richard
Richard
I am sure that you have heard of these--- :lemon: :P
Richard
2018 430i Gran Coupe
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
+1
My experience was similar. I actually did subscribe for a few months on a monthly basis ($13). Then I called to cancel, and they offered $77 for a whole year. I took it, but didn't renew it.
After a year or so of not having service, they call back. I tell them I'm not going to pay for radio that has commercials in it. He said they're now commercial free, but I told him it was too little too late.
So, my brother-in-law Bob gets the 6th call this month asking "Do you want your ducts cleaned, we will be in the neighborhood tomorrow"
So, he says, what time are you coming?
They say, 10:30 am.
So he says, that will be great. I am going to go down to the pond and kill 6 ducks right now, and you can come by tomorrow at 10:30 and clean them up for me.
They decided not to call him back any more.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
2016 Audi A7 3.0T S Line, 2021 Subaru WRX
Glad I didn't renew.
I think those sat radio services shot themselves in the foot when they were throwing millions at guys like Sterns. That didn't work out too good for them.
NPR isn't bad. They tend to slide more to the left than I happen to fall on. Plus, there's the infernal "pledge drives" which are more annoying than than credit report ads.
I pretty much restrict my listening to local sports broadcasts, or the podcasts/music on my i-pod.
Heck, I can't even stand to listen to all the conservative talk show people.
I'm not sure what my demographic is? :sick:
That would be the demographic of people who can't make up their minds and are clueless about the demographic they are in. :P
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Those guys are probably popping advil for 3 or 4 days after all that "hard work". The bottle says for "optimum results" use after every wash... they sell more product that way obviously. I usually go around 8-10 weeks between waxes, more or less depending upon weather conditions.
Yes, some of the XM channels have ads - my experience has been the talk and sports stations, mainly. The music stations don't have commercials, but after the merger with Sirius, we have noticed more "chatter" by the DJ.
The other night we had one on the showroom floor and someone cranked Channel 66 good and loud! Before we cold get it shut down the air was blue.
It's a hard core rap station...be warned!
Careful, if you listen too much your car will lean to the left causing uneven tire wear. :P
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
You're normal, an increasingly shrinking demographic these days.
2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible
Have to keep up practice or I'll forget."
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I don't know what else to listen to on my way to work which is a 20 minutes drive.
Regular AM/FM radio stations give me 5-7 minutes of listening in that time frame :sick:
If you clay bar after a good wash with Dawn and then use a liquid carnauba wax, you'll be amazed at how easily the good wax spreads when the surface is truly smooth. Then you're just wiping off the dried powder. The friction with the clay bar on the detail solution you spray on the panel you're going to swipe over is much lower than you'd expect.
My thinking is it was easier than doing the one time carnauba wax with cleaner built in because it takes a lot of rubbing to try to smooth things done. Using the 3-step of separate cleaner, glaze, and then carnauba wax is a whole lot more work; I've done it.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Its mostly due to inflation. $3,400 in 1966 is the same as $22,321 today.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
A lot you know, they conned some teenage kid into doing it making him think he is learning karate.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
Well if that's the case, cars are actually cheaper now than then!
22,321 buys a pretty nice car with a whole lot more options and safety equipment than that old Buick had!
i found a couple with a lower msrp, so we will take a look at those next weekend.
she did like the heated and cooled seats.
That was a cute one.
Richard
Richard
Your demographic is Mr. Nice Guy from Ohio.
Richard
Since this seems to really bug you, I’m going to save your life. As I’ve said before, which you seem to not want to listen to I like to be informed and with the advent of the internet that makes being informed a lot easier than without it. With something that easy to use why would you not want to use that tool?
And, what difference does it make? Whoever bought the car must have felt they received good value or they wouldn't have bought it.
Again, as I’ve said before, I agree with that. I also said that no matter how informed a buyer is or thinks they are, if the seller doesn’t like the offer the sale won’t be made. The seller is free to hold out for all they can get but don’t expect every buyer to pay what is asked. I know I don’t.
Are we done with this now? :confuse:
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Richard
Richard
How about books on cd?
Richard
Richard
You just gave me an idea for my two great nephews.
Richard
I’ll second that. I started using the clay treatment in 05’ when Son #1 suggested it. He started using it a few years before that. It’s amazing what that clay does.
Using the 3-step of separate cleaner, glaze, and then carnauba wax is a whole lot more work; I've done it.
I agree with that too and there is a reward for that work. My 05’ has been ignored so far this year (anyone know why?). It was thoroughly cleaned late last summer and it still beads when it’s wet. Not like a fresh clay and carnauba wax job but it’s not in dire need of a redo but I’m about to turn myself lose on that thing as soon as I make some time for it.
I’m a firm believer that it’s a lot easier to keep something clean than to get it clean. Just a carry over of the preventative maintenance theory.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
Oh please tell me "Dawn" is the name of something other than the dish washing stuff. Dish washing detergent will strip off your wax and damage the paint. Never use it to was your car.
2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D
If you’re going to get chapped hands get them from washing your car not dishes.
I have two dishwashers too; the nice one doesn’t give me any trouble at all.
jmonroe
'15 Genesis V8 with Ultimate Package and '18 Legacy Limited 6 cyl
My last comment...WHO CARES? THE DEAL IS DONE!!!
Yeah, I guess it does kinda bug me because I don't see why this would matter one twit to you.
" With something that easy to use why would you not want to use that tool"
Because I don't CARE and 99.99% of others wouldn't either.
But I do think you for saving my life!
And, yeah, we're done!
I agree - don't wash the car with Dawn and leave it like that. If you aren't going to clay bar & wax, don't use Dawn.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
which reminds me, when I got my car, I had the option of getting a MP# cd player or a 6-disc cd changer. My wife liked the latter.....I wish I had the former :sick: with all the songs available in mp3 now.
I only use the radio in my 20 to 30 minute drive to work when I go in.
I like to be informed. Like, I don't want to be driving down the highway listening to CDs, and all of a sudden World War 3 starts, or a plane lands on my house, or a train derails at the office....I have to know that stuff!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
You and JM have such a good time together. Overall, I have to agree, it doesn't make one bit of difference what the dealer paid for the car. Since you don't know how much they put into it, it is totally useless information. It has no bearing on the final price of the car too....the value is what it is worth to the consumer. Do some homework and see what a comparable car costs to make sure it is a good value.
On the other hand, isell, you should open up your own dealership. People come in and tell you they want a car. They hand you whatever they can afford, say $10,000, and you present them with a car. No fuss, no muss, no haggling, you give them a good car (of your choice) for much less money. You decide the color and model they need, since these things don't matter anyway.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
My brother-in-law Bob is a real practical joker.
*When he was about 6 he would sneak into his older brothers bedroom and turn his electric blanket up to full heat.
*When his son was in high school and it was time to move the clocks ahead an hour, his son set all the clocks ahead before going to sleep. Bob went around and turned them back an hour. His son went rushing off to school to get there on time, only to find he was an hour early!
*Bob is very thrifty....and he got a $10 gift card for gas for his birthday (probably a gift from his wife), it's the kind that looks like a credit card that you swipe. So, Bob filled up his Ford Ranger, $14,000 with standard on the column, no air, we tease him AM only radio, but he stopped at $9.99, guess he didn't want to use his actual cash. Bob told the casier to throw the card away, it isn't worth the trouble for 1 cent. The lady said, no you keep it, it is your money and we don't want to take any of your money (She knows Bob really well). So, Bob took the gift card with 1 cent home. His son, who is now in 2nd year university wanted to use the truck, and he has to fill it if it needs gas. So Bob says, here's a $10 gift card you can use. The truck is on empty, his son puts $10 worth of gas in the truck, hands over the gift card, and the cashier says that he owes $9.99! It takes him awhile, but he finally figures out it was another trick by his father.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard, I hope if you do attempt waxing your car, you practice first on the Explorer
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Richard