Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

au1994 · August 2015

breld said:
For varying reasons with guests in town and weekends with all the kids, I've been driving the minivan for a little while now. The Kia is a nice van, but still... Looking forward to getting back into either the ZHP or the Mazda today (well, after taking the S3 to lunch to meet up with Michael ).

I mentioned this in passing in another forum, so I'd be remiss not to share it on my "home" forum here. I am liking the wife's S3 enough to where I am having dangerous thoughts of something like an S4 or S5 for the next car.

I know I won't be alone here, but right now I'm having a hard time getting too excited about anything in the BMW line-up. I like the 4-series, particularly the Gran Coupe, but even that doesn't get my juices flowing too much. That may change - the infatuation with Audi could be temporary and just represent the shiny new toy...time will tell.

I agree with you Breld. While I really like the exterior styling of the 2 and 4 series, Gran coupe and convertibles particularly. I am not overwhelmed with the interiors of either though and certainly at this price point. My dealer has a 435i M-Sport convertible for 70k. Sorry, its great looking and that I-6 can make me forget a less than stellar interior most of the time but 70k is stupid.

Still intrigued by the X4 and have a 1k credit from the Drive for Team USA event but I'm not sure if I can muster another BMW punch.

My eye wanders so much but I do find it settling more and more on Audi products be it A3, A5 ('vert especially) or Q5. I would absolutely love an S model and a local dealer has an S3 black over black for 50k but most of the other S models are out of my budget for this purchase.

carnaught · August 2015

Said it before: it's time for a major change/update of BMW interiors.

au1994 · August 2015

carnaught said:
Said it before: it's time for a major change/update of BMW interiors.

I would completely agree, The A3 I test drove had a much nicer interior than my 335.

xwesx · August 2015

stever said:
I'm not in the market for another van.

Are you sure?! You do still use yours for an awful lot of "vanny" things for not needing one anymore...

stever · August 2015

I want to dump the current one and really downsize.

Still, it's nice to have a "truck" in the stable. If I can't fix a noisy evap fan, the current side-by-side may be making a trip in the Dodge to the landfill.

xwesx · August 2015

Carnaught, how are you liking the interior layout of your RC350 now that you have had it a few weeks?

carnaught · August 2015

xwesx said:
Carnaught, how are you liking the interior layout of your RC350 now that you have had it a few weeks?

I really like the RC's interior. The seats cradle, with surpringly good support, and have a luxurious sporty feel. That said, if I wasn't a semi-tall "lean bean" of a person, the quarters could be too restrictive, and "intimate". I'm not a super fan of the "touch mouse" system for controls, preferring the more sure-footed feel of the last generation's mouse. The new one has a tendency to be too sensitive making it easier to overshoot your target on the screen. Other than that, interior ergonomics are intuitive and most surfaces well padded with handsome stitching and a quality feel to them.

breld · August 2015

au1994 said:

breld said:
For varying reasons with guests in town and weekends with all the kids, I've been driving the minivan for a little while now. The Kia is a nice van, but still... Looking forward to getting back into either the ZHP or the Mazda today (well, after taking the S3 to lunch to meet up with Michael ).

I mentioned this in passing in another forum, so I'd be remiss not to share it on my "home" forum here. I am liking the wife's S3 enough to where I am having dangerous thoughts of something like an S4 or S5 for the next car.

I know I won't be alone here, but right now I'm having a hard time getting too excited about anything in the BMW line-up. I like the 4-series, particularly the Gran Coupe, but even that doesn't get my juices flowing too much. That may change - the infatuation with Audi could be temporary and just represent the shiny new toy...time will tell.
I agree with you Breld. While I really like the exterior styling of the 2 and 4 series, Gran coupe and convertibles particularly. I am not overwhelmed with the interiors of either though and certainly at this price point. My dealer has a 435i M-Sport convertible for 70k. Sorry, its great looking and that I-6 can make me forget a less than stellar interior most of the time but 70k is stupid.

Still intrigued by the X4 and have a 1k credit from the Drive for Team USA event but I'm not sure if I can muster another BMW punch.

My eye wanders so much but I do find it settling more and more on Audi products be it A3, A5 ('vert especially) or Q5. I would absolutely love an S model and a local dealer has an S3 black over black for 50k but most of the other S models are out of my budget for this purchase.

FWIW, we did get about $5,500 off the MSRP of our S3. Not saying it was cheap, but it certainly became much more palatable with that discount, considering the car you're getting.

Drove the car again this afternoon to lunch with @Michaell. It really is a kick in the pants. I even used the paddle shifters a bit and kinda liked them. Looking at S4/5s, I get excited when I see used ones with manuals, but at the end of the day, I think I may go for the DSG. Considering how quick the shifts are, I could see getting used to using the paddles when I want that control.

So...there are several "manual" guys here, many of whom have switched over to automatics for varying reasons. Are any of you regularly using the "shifting" feature of those automatics as a decent replacement for a stick?

Generally, I've thought of them as being sort of gimmicky and "fake," but some of these newer ones are pretty darn good.

stickguy · August 2015

I never use the paddles or auto stick feature. Mostly just put it in D and go.

Seems odd coming from a LT only person. But if it isn't a manual, I don't bother pretending.

qbrozen · August 2015

stickguy said:
I never use the paddles or auto stick feature. Mostly just put it in D and go.

Seems odd coming from a LT only person. But if it isn't a manual, I don't bother pretending.

Ha. Well, its not "pretending." The shifters actually do change the gear in the better automatics these days.

fezo · August 2015

I don't use the manual mode very often but when I do it's fine. Of course it will only allow you to shift within what it considers appropriate - you can't start in 5th gear or shift down low at high speeds. I'll use it for quick acceleration at times and for a long highway trip just pop it into 5th and leave it there.

That's why the Miata fills in so many blanks for me. RWD and stick. It threw a CEL on Saturday causing me to use the 5 for 4 hours of driving. Got it to go out by a highly complex bit of mechanics. Drove it around for a few reasonable trips. Went out on its own.

The previous owner called me to say he found the owner's manual in the house so now we are complete.

breld · August 2015

I suppose some it for me is 1) the direct control of what gear I want to be in, versus 2) the actual mechanics of shifting the gears, clutch engagement, etc.

As fast as the shifts are in many of these automatics, and to the extent some of these cars are truly giving you the control (as opposed to shifting at a certain RPM), #1 is pretty well taken care of.

#2 though, is a little different. I think some of it is pride in having the skill to drive a manual; some of it is a more engaging and involved experience; some of it is simply nostalgia.

Q - I'm particularly intrigued by your recent choices, from the manual GTI to the 135i, which was available with a manual, to the current CTS, which didn't give you a choice anyway.

All in all, I still like the idea of the manual, but my mindset is definitely shifting.

xwesx · August 2015

The one thing I *really* don't like about my "new" car is the automatic. Granted, this car is from an era where the "manumatic" options were not offered (though I know Subaru had them available in '08 because my Outback had the clicky-shift stick in it) on a universal (or nearly so) level like they are now. So, I mostly just have to control the car by how assertively I press the accelerator.

It's kinda sluggish at highway speeds when trying to pass, but I can get it to accelerate from a stop with reasonable pep if I do it right. Also, it does have a selector for each of the (*gasp* four!) gears, so I can move the shifter if I want to. It's one of these oddball gated things, though, so it's a little awkward to control that way.

Sandman6472 · August 2015

Can't say enough nice things about the wife's A3, it's just a blast to drive! She likes it also and hope to keep it for as long as we had her Mazda3 for!

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · August 2015

Good chance I'll be seeing those Westchester on-ramps come Columbus Day weekend. Got a killer week rate at Hertz but still tossing around the idea of just taking the Golf and spending a bit longer on the road. Just not sure I want to put that many miles on it and have to figure out if the gas, hotels and extra food costs are worth taking it. Since I'm not a fan of flying, leaning towards driving. If not, will fly into White Plains airport since the reunion will take place in Mt. Kisco since Briarcliff Manor has no places to stay.
Also have to see how my health is to take such a trip. Some days I wake up and just say "hell no" but other days, really want to go. Decisions, decisions!!!

The Sandman

slorenzen · August 2015

xwesx said:
The one thing I *really* don't like about my "new" car is the automatic. Granted, this car is from an era where the "manumatic" options were not offered (though I know Subaru had them available in '08 because my Outback had the clicky-shift stick in it) on a universal (or nearly so) level like they are now. So, I mostly just have to control the car by how assertively I press the accelerator.

It's kinda sluggish at highway speeds when trying to pass, but I can get it to accelerate from a stop with reasonable pep if I do it right. Also, it does have a selector for each of the (*gasp* four!) gears, so I can move the shifter if I want to. It's one of these oddball gated things, though, so it's a little awkward to control that way.

4 gears??!!??

I'm so sorry...

stickguy · August 2015

sandy, if you can get a killer (employee?) rate, a good option for a long trip like that is to rent. Assuming you get something you don't mind driving, it keeps a couple K off your miles, for usually just a few hundred $.

xwesx · August 2015

They're just miles! You are paying for the car either way, why not use it? Stick, I think your leased-car mentality is getting in the way of practicality here....

stickguy · August 2015

well, not everyone wants to put on an extra 2K miles in a week. Even if you own it.

Sandman6472 · August 2015

More like 2400 or so...Ft. Lauderdale is about 1200 miles away from the areas in Westchester I'd be going to. Peekskill, Shrub Oak, Briarcliff/Ossining area, Mt. Kisco, Katonah and then possibly into Westport, down to the city and out to Staten Island to visit family. Since I've not been back in like 9 years, know I'm going to be doing some driving so flying/renting might just be the best thing here. And if I do take the Golf, it'll just add an additional 6 days onto the trip so I really have to think here.
But Part I, renting the vehicle just in case, is done. Lodging comes next. Always best to stay in a hotel as not to inconvienence anyone and makes it easier to just come and go. Having missed the last one and the couple before that, feel it's now or never to do this...think I do owe it to myself to "just do it"!

The Sandman

qbrozen · August 2015

breld said:

Q - I'm particularly intrigued by your recent choices, from the manual GTI to the 135i, which was available with a manual, to the current CTS, which didn't give you a choice anyway.

Well, I've always gone back and forth, depending on the vehicle. OK, not always ... my first couple of vehicles HAD to be sticks. But, of course, we're talking at a time when automatics were pretty awful. Anyway, where it really started was back in 2001 when I was shopping for my S70 T5. I thought it would be a stick, but I drove one and really disliked it. The clutch had a mind of its own. I then drove an auto and felt it was the best auto I had ever driven up to that time, so I got it and never once regretted it.

got a 350Z after that with a stick, then to a Lincoln LS 5-speed auto, back to a stick in an Accord V6, back to an auto in a G35X. Now that car was my first autocross and track car and the autostick feature performed well enough. After that, testing out the PDK in several different Porsches at a track event REALLY opened my eyes. That's when I decided flappy paddles was the way to go to get the most out of a good vehicle. Still, the trans has to be up to the task. There are still bad ones out there. Not to offend anyone here, as I know this is a popular vehicle, the CVT in my dad's Legacy H6 would drive me absolutely nuts. It works well when taking it easy, but when you get frisky and try to shift it, it slurs between ratios like a true drunkard. But a sports sedan, it is not, so it does what is required of it.

The ZF in the 135i was quite good, and made for a faster car. I couldn't fluster it most of the time. I did, however, HAVE to shift it myself on the track. If I left it in sport drive mode, it tended to shift at really inopportune times. Really scared the heck out of me on turn 8 of NJMP Lightning, which is a very slight left-hander on a very slight crest. You can take it flat out and pretty damned fast as long as you hit turn 7 well ... that is unless the car decides to upshift just as you hit that crest. Whoa! Unsettled those back tires just enough to make me pucker a bit.

Don't forget the Mustang that came between the bimmer and caddy. I felt I just had to get that with a stick. I never even tried the auto, but from what I read, the manual was faster, and that's what matters to me.

I have yet to take the CTS to the track, but I'm certain it would be a ball. I give alot of credit to GM for this transmission. The most surprising aspect is how it adapts based on G forces (at least, I assume that's what it is reading). If you brake hard or turn hard, it goes into "READY!" mode, downshifting and holding the gear. Its a little bit weird if you didn't mean to wake it up ... like if you started braking too late for a turn or had a squirrel run out in front of you and it thinks "oh, so you wanna race!" haha. But that's the behavior that you want if it was intentional, so I don't have a problem with it.

breld · August 2015

Thanks Q! I knew you'd have a good take on it. I totally forgot the recent Mustang!

When I was much younger, I wasn't interested in anything but a stick - sort of a snob really. When friends would refer to their "auto-shifters" and claim the could "shift just like a manual," I would be eager to point out that it was not nearly the same. Of course, to be fair, back in the early days of the "shifting automatic" it really wasn't the same. Much has changed.

As I was driving home in the ZHP last night, I found myself really enjoying the manual in that car - which made me realize, for me, the stick vs. auto is really car-dependent. On that car, and I would say most any older BMW, the manual "fits" with the car. Same thing for something like an Acura RSX, Honda Prelude, etc. And not just older cars - there's a reason the Civic Si and Focus ST require the driver to shift for themselves. It suits the personality of the car.

Then there are some cars, as sporty as they may be, that a sophisticated automatic seems a better fit. I'd imagine Q's CTS is like that. And as I've mentioned, I like it in the wife's S3. And further, I'm thinking if I were to go with an S4 or S5, I'd probably go for the auto (a nice 7-speed DSG) as well, despite a manual being available.

qbrozen · August 2015

Absolutely the older bimmers need a stick. I tried an E46 once with the steptronic and it just wasn't doing it for me. The G35X was about the same but I had no choice in that particular car since I thought I wanted AWD. I do regret that one. I would have been happier with RWD manual. Oh well. It still made for entertaining antics at the autocross (moreso for the spectators, I think).

Mr_Shiftright · August 2015

I used to get a lot of flak (I still might) for suggesting that a manual transmission does not belong in a really huge car--like a BMW 7 Series (Yes, you could order one that way, some time back). Same goes for some modern American iron. The problem is, for me at least, is that in very spirited driving, you have a lot of horsepower and a big, wide and heavy car AND you have to deal with shifting it properly around corners. It's a lot of work. Where I live and with the kind of driving I like, it's not that much fun for me.

qbrozen · August 2015

I'll admit there is probably a reasonable limit, shifty ... HOWEVER, I don't think that limit is easily defined when Camaros weigh 2-damned tons.

Mr_Shiftright · August 2015

Well the weight is part of the problem. With all the power of these modern muscle cars, it's so easy to be way too hot in the turns, requiring being hard on the brakes and white-knuckling it through the turn. They are just a lot of work to hustle around. It's one thing to be watching Top Gear when they are on an old airport tarmac, but quite another to be on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Rowing a gearshift while handling everything else, is fun, for sure, but it's intense. I'd rather be in a Miata or Z4 or S2200.

fintail · August 2015

You could get a 5-speed in an S-class (Euro of course) into the early-mid 90s. I can't imagine how there was demand.

I have no desire, too much traffic and hills here.

xwesx · August 2015

So, this MT discussion has me mulling over the lack of options in said configuration again. In some cars, you just don't miss it. Case in point.....

The local Ford dealer called me because they FINALLY have a Flex Ecoboost in their inventory! It's a 2011 with about 51K miles that they plan to CPO. I visited them back in February while seriously mulling a Flex purchase, and they said they would keep me in mind when they bring one in. I didn't know that such a list would last six months! I finally got the bug out of my system a couple months ago.

But, like a dope, I went in to look at it yesterday.

Dang it all, I sure love this car. It's an Ecoboost 3.5L V6, so it has some punch to it, but it is also smooth as glass, has good steering feel, and actually corners pretty well, too. Sadly, I went to do the paddle shifter mode, and it didn't work. So, that's a major drawback for me, but the guy said that they haven't inspected or detailed it yet (no, the interior was pretty used, kinda like how my car is after the long winter), so they would fix this hiccup when they prep it.

But, now I really have to figure whether it's worth getting back into the car game (and knowing that my wife isn't a supporter of this "game"). I didn't have the courage to bring it up in conversation last night.

nyccarguy · August 2015

What are they asking for that beast?

xwesx · August 2015

$26,500 2011 Ford Flex Limited w/ AWD and Ecoboost. So, for the year, it has most of the options other than the pano roof (insert sad face here), rear seat console, and DVD system.

houdini1 · August 2015

xwesx said:
So, this MT discussion has me mulling over the lack of options in said configuration again. In some cars, you just don't miss it. Case in point.....

The local Ford dealer called me because they FINALLY have a Flex Ecoboost in their inventory! It's a 2011 with about 51K miles that they plan to CPO. I visited them back in February while seriously mulling a Flex purchase, and they said they would keep me in mind when they bring one in. I didn't know that such a list would last six months! I finally got the bug out of my system a couple months ago.

But, like a dope, I went in to look at it yesterday.

Dang it all, I sure love this car. It's an Ecoboost 3.5L V6, so it has some punch to it, but it is also smooth as glass, has good steering feel, and actually corners pretty well, too. Sadly, I went to do the paddle shifter mode, and it didn't work. So, that's a major drawback for me, but the guy said that they haven't inspected or detailed it yet (no, the interior was pretty used, kinda like how my car is after the long winter), so they would fix this hiccup when they prep it.

But, now I really have to figure whether it's worth getting back into the car game (and knowing that my wife isn't a supporter of this "game"). I didn't have the courage to bring it up in conversation last night.

My son got a Flex as a company car a few weeks ago. The one he got is AWD and he really likes it. His last 2 company cars were Tauruses and he liked those also, but he likes the Flex much better. Drives and handles really well with excellent vision, and like you said, smooth as glass with that long wheelbase.

stever · August 2015

They are great for cartopping stuff too. Low "liftover" height. Didn't know any canoers with one, but a big road biker I knew in the Midwest loved his. Was good for his dogs too.

nyccarguy · August 2015

@xwesx - my mother in law is on her 2nd Flex SEL AWD & LOVES it. It has plenty of space for her to transport any combination of her 5 grandchildren (We have 3, her brother has 2). She loves the low lift over height & the easiness to get in & out. She digs the smooth ride & AWD too. I think you should look into leasing as an alternative to buying used. I'm sure one of our gracious hosts could give you the current money factor & residual values. Ford is currently offering $3,000 in Red Carpet Lease Cash. Now these Eco Boost Flex Limiteds aren't cheap, but say it stickers for $50K. You get it for invoice less $3K. Let's say the Flex has a 50% residual value after 3 years/36K miles. You'll be paying $25K to $26K out over 3 years in lease payments with a full bumper to bumper warranty instead of $24K for a 5 year old Flex that has been reconditioned. Just a thought.

akangl · August 2015

Well, I was going to jump in here and give a quick review of the '15 Focus and its first 1500 miles. However, a guy ran a red light today and t-boned my daughter, she had my little boy in the car too. Hit in the driver's side rear door/quarter panel and bent the rear axle, spun the car almost completely around. It was an older Jeep Wrangler that hit her, guy swore he had a green light, luckily a witness stayed and gave a statement that my daughter had a green arrow. She's sore and little man is fine. I do have to say that car took the hit like a boss! The Jeep wasn't going slow when he hit her, he didn't even apply the brakes until he was almost on her. She gunned the car and tried to get out of the way which probably saved her from being hit in the driver's side door.

Focus is sitting at the body shop, poor little bugger. It'll get fixed and we will be happy to have it home again. Its been a great little car so far and we are hoping for accident free miles for the future!

rayainsw · August 2015

akangl -
Wow - glad no worse!
- Ray

sb55 · August 2015

akangl said:
Well, I was going to jump in here and give a quick review of the '15 Focus and its first 1500 miles. However, a guy ran a red light today and t-boned my daughter, she had my little boy in the car too. Hit in the driver's side rear door/quarter panel and bent the rear axle, spun the car almost completely around. It was an older Jeep Wrangler that hit her, guy swore he had a green light, luckily a witness stayed and gave a statement that my daughter had a green arrow. She's sore and little man is fine. I do have to say that car took the hit like a boss! The Jeep wasn't going slow when he hit her, he didn't even apply the brakes until he was almost on her. She gunned the car and tried to get out of the way which probably saved her from being hit in the driver's side door.

Focus is sitting at the body shop, poor little bugger. It'll get fixed and we will be happy to have it home again. Its been a great little car so far and we are hoping for accident free miles for the future!

Ugh. Make sure that you get extra $ for diminished value. You may have to fight, but since it's not your fault, you should be able to get it.

qbrozen · August 2015

Focus: Yikes, that's pretty severe. Pretty surprising the taillight, of all things, survived.

Flex: $25k for a 3-year lease where you have $0 at the end or $25k for a used one where you have a vehicle with value at the end of 3 years. Let's say $10k for sake of argument. Unless you blow the engine and trans, I'm pretty confident you'd come out ahead on the purchase.

roadburner · August 2015

Glad no one was hurt!

Michaell · August 2015

Any advice on a restoration project?

http://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/36134/toyota/t100/restoring-my-t100#latest

jpp75 · August 2015

xwesx said:
They're just miles! You are paying for the car either way, why not use it? Stick, I think your leased-car mentality is getting in the way of practicality here....

I agree, you bought the car to drive it, so do it! Take the Golf and enjoy the trip. The savings either way are negligible in the long term.

jpp75 · August 2015

nyccarguy said:
@xwesx - my mother in law is on her 2nd Flex SEL AWD & LOVES it. It has plenty of space for her to transport any combination of her 5 grandchildren (We have 3, her brother has 2). She loves the low lift over height & the easiness to get in & out. She digs the smooth ride & AWD too. I think you should look into leasing as an alternative to buying used. I'm sure one of our gracious hosts could give you the current money factor & residual values. Ford is currently offering $3,000 in Red Carpet Lease Cash. Now these Eco Boost Flex Limiteds aren't cheap, but say it stickers for $50K. You get it for invoice less $3K. Let's say the Flex has a 50% residual value after 3 years/36K miles. You'll be paying $25K to $26K out over 3 years in lease payments with a full bumper to bumper warranty instead of $24K for a 5 year old Flex that has been reconditioned. Just a thought.

xwesx said:
$26,500 2011 Ford Flex Limited w/ AWD and Ecoboost. So, for the year, it has most of the options other than the pano roof (insert sad face here), rear seat console, and DVD system.

I've always loved the Flex. I had a couple for rentals, what a great drive. Having bought and sold many cars, I'd vote for the Flex but I'd wait for one with the pano roof. One will come along at some point and you'll be glad you waited for the right one.

Mr_Shiftright · August 2015

that's a nasty hit...it's going to need some welding I think...could be a $5K repair or worse if the door jamb is distorted. No "kink" in the roof I hope? Also the back hub and suspension needs to be examined. And yes, a Diminshed Value claim is well worth the effort in this case.

stever · August 2015

Bummer @akangl - glad the kiddos are okay.

xwesx · August 2015

jpp5862 said:

I've always loved the Flex. I had a couple for rentals, what a great drive. Having bought and sold many cars, I'd vote for the Flex but I'd wait for one with the pano roof. One will come along at some point and you'll be glad you waited for the right one.

Thanks for the feedback, guys (e.g., including all the other replies, too!). I think I am going to pass on this one, as much as I hate to do it at the moment. I finally brought it up in conversation last night, and my wife simply dismissed me offhand, which means that if I were to pursue it, things could get.... serious. LOL

And, sure. Why settle for this one, even though it checks most of the boxes, when would still be paying as much (okay, a little more than) I've ever paid for any other car I've ever purchased? We're in a good place right now, we have a good stable, and there's really no reason to shell out $6K a year on a car; even if it *is* a car I would really like to have.

Now, to flush my system and move back into vicarious buying mode....

xwesx · August 2015

akangl said:
Focus is sitting at the body shop, poor little bugger. It'll get fixed and we will be happy to have it home again. Its been a great little car so far and we are hoping for accident free miles for the future!

Ouchies! What a bummer! Very glad to hear that the family is okay and that the car took the hit so well. Still, as Shiftright mentioned, that's a LOT of energy for the car to absorb, so make sure they put it right as opposed to making it look like they put it right.

stever · August 2015

Three's a screamer ad in the morning paper for a new Encore lease. $190 a month for 24 months, $190 due at signing (plus TTL, "dealer fees" and optional equipment extra). 20,000 miles.

10k miles a year isn't enough but we could rent for road trips. Otherwise 0.25 a mile for overage. And I'm sure that just for the base model.

They are also pushing the 24 hour test drive. I knew about that last week but the salesperson didn't mention it or offer it to us.

And the VW dealer (apparently owned by the same dealer group) is advertising that they'll bring the test drive to you at your home or office.

suydam · August 2015

I forgot about the 24 hour test drive. What a great idea. Even the base car has a lot of goodies, although I do like the upgrades on the Convenience package.

Michaell · August 2015

Back in February, I took our Mazda in for an appraisal at the local CarMax prior to trading it in for the Outback. On the showroom floor was an Infiniti G25X .. nice looking car. Can't remember the asking price.

Last week, when I took the Outback to the dealer for the recall fix, the same Infiniti was just pulling out of the CarMax on a test drive.

Didn't realize that CarMax would keep their inventory that long.

I just checked on-line and it's been sold. Finally.

xwesx · August 2015

suydam said:
I forgot about the 24 hour test drive. What a great idea. Even the base car has a lot of goodies, although I do like the upgrades on the Convenience package.

It's a good idea, except for the fact that people who buy new cars don't like to buy them with lots of miles on the odometer. My last new car had just under seven miles on it. If it had hundreds of miles, I may not have wanted to pay the price I did.

That said, once people get to keep a shiny new car for twenty-four hours, they may not be so keen on letting it go.

breld · August 2015

Had the Mazda in for an oil change yesterday, so popped in next door to check out some Audis.

I was hoping to check out a CPO S4 or S5, but the dealership didn't have any on the lot (some were due in). Actually, that's not entirely true - they had a barely used (775 miles) 2015 S4 that had some "exclusive" options with an asking price higher than any other new S4 I've seen.

I did drive a nice A4 - had the "sport" and "sport plus" packages and a manual. Nice white over chestnut leather sport seats. For a platform that is several years old, the A4 is still a very nice car. Looks good with the recent refresh, and the interior has aged well too, particularly for those who don't like the "floating tablet" look for the infotainment. I think the 2.0T has plenty of pep. I'd actually consider such an A4, except that I'd want one like this one, all loaded up with the tech and sport packages. Once you do that, an lightly used CPO S4 is in the same price range.

For direct comparison to my current favorite, I went and drove a 428i xdrive Gran Coupe. I love the body style - both in looks and functionality. But just wasn't overly impressed with the overall ride and handling, and actually preferred the interior of the aging A4. This was a base model, so adding sport or m-sport could change all that. As everyone knows, you option these BMWs up, and they get pricey quickly. Now that Audis are on my radar, the S4 provides a very compelling alternative.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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