Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tbirdmarco · April 2017

@nyccarguy sounds! grate! when you can would love to see the picks of your dads corvette. does he get to go to any shows thay are starting up around this time. going to one next munth think around hear.

tbirdmarco · April 2017

happy Friday all have an good upcumming weekend to all.

tbirdmarco · April 2017

hear in new York you also nead to call the inshorance company rite there at the dealer or they will not let you leave. or one time they did let us leave just had an dealer plate on the car.

nyccarguy · April 2017

He doesn't take it to any shows. I know there is a car get together most beautiful, Sunday, sunny AMs at on of the beaches right off Ocean Parkway. Is it at GILGO beach? Whenever we go to the beach (Jones, TOBAY, or Robert Moses) with my in laws, I always see awesome cars driving west on Ocean Parkway while we are driving East.

xwesx · April 2017

sb55 said:
Do you add a punch before the title arrives? If so, add 2004 Nissan Frontier pickup thanks to @stickguy.
I posted about my son's search for a compact pickup and how crazy expensive 4wd rusty ones up here in Northern Vermont are.
He flagged this for me one, and even though a vehicle from south central Jersey is not considered a "southern" vehicle, it doesn't see the salt like ones up here do.
We did all of the negotiations and inspections remotely and it was delivered by open trailer at 9:00 pm last night.

One day in, is your son fully satisfied with the choice? Hopefully he will get a lot of good use out of it before rust finally takes its inexorable toll.

Mr_Shiftright · April 2017

nyccarguy said:
The husband of one of my sister's close friends has a 2015 Maserati Quatroporte. He let me drive it last week. All I can say is wow. The biturbo V6 makes my Infiniti feel like my Legacy. The interior is GORGEOUS! The paddle shifters feel like they are made of solid steel. Wow! What a car! Very big & comfortable too. His lease is up in a few months and he ordered an Audi RS7.

Wonder what lease payments are on an RS7---pretty pricey car. 560 ponies!

Michaell · April 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:

nyccarguy said:
The husband of one of my sister's close friends has a 2015 Maserati Quatroporte. He let me drive it last week. All I can say is wow. The biturbo V6 makes my Infiniti feel like my Legacy. The interior is GORGEOUS! The paddle shifters feel like they are made of solid steel. Wow! What a car! Very big & comfortable too. His lease is up in a few months and he ordered an Audi RS7.
Wonder what lease payments are on an RS7---pretty pricey car. 560 ponies!

I think a poster asked in the lease thread - something like $1500-1800 a month.

Michaell · April 2017

Lunch with @breld and @jpp5862 today. Then, @breld and I drove down the street to the Nissan dealer to look at and test drive a Maxima.

Salesgirl (with all of 8 months experience) pulled a white SV up for us to look at. There are some details that take some getting used to - the headlight and grille treatment is a bit busy, and the "floating" C-pillar is pretty dramatic with the white paint. We decided that "distinctive " is the word to use. Not as out there as a Prius or most of the Lexus lineup, but not quite classically handsome, either.

As noted in an earlier post, I sat in the Platinum trim level at the auto show, so I was curious as to what I'd be giving up with a lower trim level. Trim levels are, in order, S, SV, SL, SR and Platinum.

The answer is, not much. SV has leather seats and steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, front and rear parking sensors along with a camera, and fully keyless system are all standard. 8-way power seats for the driver, 4-way for the passenger. No BSM (sorry, @stickguy gotta go SL or higher to get that feature), and none of the other safety stuff is available.

Adjust the wheel, seats, and mirrors, and off we go. @breld riding shotgun and the 4 foot nothing sales girl in the back seat. Typical test drive - 4 rights, though I managed to stretch it out by skipping the preferred highway exit.

The 300 HP engine is strong, even when paired with the CVT. I was able to punch it a few times, and it certainly scoots. No real droning from the transmission, either on city streets or the highway - possible the V6 helps with that. Smooth ride, but didn't get a chance to test the handling. Quiet, too.

Interior "coddled" me - not as tight as the Q40 I recently drove. Nothing rubbed or bumped body parts. @breld said he was comfy up front as well.

There was nothing I encountered that was a deal breaker. While I like the white, I suspect a darker color would mute some of the styling details.

Salesgirl asked what it would take to get me to drive one home. Well, we could start with the $4k of negative equity I have in the Jetta. She wasn't pushy, and introduced me to the SM.

If these are leasing as well when my lease is up as they are now, this could be a serious contender.

Michaell · April 2017

One more thing - the Jetta may be mad at me. Today is the first warm day we've had, so I flipped on the AC on the drive home. No cold air. Appointment tomorrow morning at the VW dealer to get it looked at.

Swell. Hoping it's something easy to fix.

andres3 · April 2017

Michaell said:
One more thing - the Jetta may be mad at me. Today is the first warm day we've had, so I flipped on the AC on the drive home. No cold air. Appointment tomorrow morning at the VW dealer to get it looked at.

Swell. Hoping it's something easy to fix.

Maybe they forgot to install the compressor in Mexico. If anything, parts from Mexico should be faster than parts from Europe!

tbirdmarco · April 2017

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yj73yl4bpEk

tbirdmarco · April 2017

@nyccarguy yes around that aria. think it is called cap tree. have never got the chance to go as of yet and I do live so close. this year.

tbirdmarco · April 2017

@Michaell glad you all liked the maxima and the testdrive whent whell. yes with the 6 sil engian no drone with c v t only with the 4 sil engians lots of drone.

tbirdmarco · April 2017

@Michaell o no. hope it is nothing big with the jetta keep us all updated.

Michaell · April 2017

andres3 said:

Michaell said:
One more thing - the Jetta may be mad at me. Today is the first warm day we've had, so I flipped on the AC on the drive home. No cold air. Appointment tomorrow morning at the VW dealer to get it looked at.

Swell. Hoping it's something easy to fix.
Maybe they forgot to install the compressor in Mexico. If anything, parts from Mexico should be faster than parts from Europe!

When we had our '99 New Beetle, we needed an O2 Sensor - took a few weeks to arrive from Germany.

I've got a rental lined up, just in case they need to keep the car.

Mr_Shiftright · April 2017

Michaell said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

nyccarguy said:
The husband of one of my sister's close friends has a 2015 Maserati Quatroporte. He let me drive it last week. All I can say is wow. The biturbo V6 makes my Infiniti feel like my Legacy. The interior is GORGEOUS! The paddle shifters feel like they are made of solid steel. Wow! What a car! Very big & comfortable too. His lease is up in a few months and he ordered an Audi RS7.
Wonder what lease payments are on an RS7---pretty pricey car. 560 ponies!
I think a poster asked in the lease thread - something like $1500-1800 a month.

GAH! So after 3 years you walk away from $65,000 in payments. Geez, you could buy the thing outright for $110K.

28firefighter · April 2017

Not all leases are a good deal...

xwesx · April 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:
GAH! So after 3 years you walk away from $65,000 in payments. Geez, you could buy the thing outright for $110K.

If its trade value isn't better than that after three years ($45,000), then what's the difference?

Mr_Shiftright · April 2017

That's true if your numbers are right, but do you really think that car will depreciate $65,000 in 3 years? I have no idea. Edmunds TMW says it's worth $63,000 trade-in. So by buying it you "save" about $20K over leasing, or if you sell private party, perhaps $25K--$28K more. That's not exactly chump change, unless you are raking in some serious money. What would Warren Buffet do?

Michaell · April 2017

xwesx said:

GAH! So after 3 years you walk away from $65,000 in payments. Geez, you could buy the thing outright for $110K.

If its trade value isn't better than that after three years ($45,000), then what's the difference?

There are two trim levels of the RS7. 36 month 15,000 residual is 47% for the Prestige and 43% for the performance.

Michaell · April 2017

Oh dear - met the girls for dinner and they asked me how much longer the lease was on the Jetta.

They've got this wonderful idea that we should lease a Fiat 500x - and that it becomes the wife's daily driver.

That way, the girls switch off each week between the MINI and the Fiat, leaving me with the Subaru.

Man oh man. Not sure I like this idea at all.

28firefighter · April 2017

This sounds like an awful idea.

tbirdmarco · April 2017

@Michaell glad you have an rental car lined up just incase. hope it is an quick fix.

tbirdmarco · April 2017

@Michaell not the best idea! go for it when the leese on your jettia is up. you only live once!.

Sandman6472 · April 2017

Yikes, don't think that's a good plan at all! Have driven a few of those at work and besides sitting a bit higher up, nothing to write home about. Over the long run, not sure how they hold up and thinking that after a few years, trade-in values would be dismal at best! I guess they think it's cute and probably economical and guess you driving the Outback could work since you really don't drive all that much. But, your vehicle should be your choice just like theirs are. I'd hate for my wife to pick out my next vehicle and I wouldn't do it to her even though I steered her towards the A3 she has now. But she asked me about all small vehicles and my last pick was the Audi because it was small and we can walk to the dealer if need be, a nice long one though. Never in a million years did I think she'd buy a German vehicle and at that price point! But she did, and then I did about 10 days later, though I spent a whole lot less.

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · April 2017

My detail guy is here now and working on the A3. My oldest came in this morning so the Versa will go next. They both really need it...badly. Mine will be done last since it's looking pretty good but does need a fresh coat of wax as summer is coming, fast. The price went up due to his supplies cost increasing but now it's $50/vehicle, the going rate from what I researched...hell, he's on the lower end even at that price. Been paying $40.00 the last 4 years so am o k with the increase. He does excellent work, vehicle looks like it just came off the showroom floor so again, have no issue with his new price. Like to do the cars twice a year if possible though with mine, usually throw in another one as I am a bit particular. Luckily, the blue paint on the Golf never shows any swirl marks and looks outstanding when just cleaned. And now that I've decided to say the course, want it looking as good as it drives.
Will hit 30K within the next week or so and averaging about 13K/year, so if I stick to my current Plan D and stop working the end of 2018, it'll have close to 52K by then, give or take. Then I could just get myself a retirement gift and go a bit newer. But this plan will only work if the Golf has no issues. But so far, behaving like a champ and still puttin' a smile on my face every time I start that engine!

The Sandman

graphicguy · April 2017

mjfloyd1 said:
Thanks (and sorry to Q)

That dealership is within driving distance for me. You need me to go pick it up for you?

breld · April 2017

There's a Facebook page for our neighborhood, and someone just posted a picture of the new lift they had installed in their garage. That was followed up by a few others who have done the same.

I am officially jealous.

Sandman6472 · April 2017

Now those are very cool! Coulda used that a few years back when we had the four vehicles here for a couple of months. Now, just the two vehicles and they fit nicely as long as I stay on the right side in front of the air handler. Could drive a slightly larger vehicle if the wife would change sides but she can't manuever with the wall on her right side. Have hit the wall with my side mirror a couple of times with every vehicle I've driven before the Golf. So far, nothing hit yet except when I backed in and was about a 1/4 inch off. garage door nicked the front bumper and left a mark and damaged the paint. Another scratch from the bed frame I never took apart last year.
But still very careful pulling in or out just in case. Never know when that urge might happen and I find something I have to have. As of yesterday, that brown over brown 328i is still at the Honda dealer, just calling out to me! Is a stunning combo I must admit and am tempted to just take a test drive. But resisting that urge though it's hard because it's a really really nice vehicle. No sports seats though because if so, would just have to pounce on it!! Honestly, if the wife would give me the go ahead, I'd seriously go check it out without thinking twice.Has a nine speaker sound system but not SAT radio from what I gather, a feature I'd really like to have.

The Sandman

qbrozen · April 2017

breld said:

There's a Facebook page for our neighborhood, and someone just posted a picture of the new lift they had installed in their garage. That was followed up by a few others who have done the same.

I am officially jealous.

I'd like to know more about their garage doors and how they operate.

roadburner · April 2017

I wish one of my garage was tall enough for a lift; it would be a huge help.

breld · April 2017

qbrozen said:

breld said:

There's a Facebook page for our neighborhood, and someone just posted a picture of the new lift they had installed in their garage. That was followed up by a few others who have done the same.

I am officially jealous.

I'd like to know more about their garage doors and how they operate.

Here's one of the responses on the Facebook page:

Ankmar did the garage door work and gave us the new LiftMaster side mount door opener with batter backup and a bunch of cool features for $1600

The lift was purchased separate and costs vary based on type of lift. Install and delivery if lift was $800

And the lift was from a company called "Bendpak?"

breld · April 2017

If we ever lose the extra garage space we have at our work, we may seriously consider something like this. Cost seems more reasonable than I would have expected.

28firefighter · April 2017

Posted this over on the TDI discussion, but thought it might be interesting here:

Got an email from my local dealer. They're selling and leasing the 2015 fixed TDIs. On a buy it's fixed at $5000 off MSRP with 0% financing for up to 72 months. On a lease it's $8500 off with lease cash - not sure the MF or residual.

Apparently there is no loyalty or other discounts available.

Seems steep.

breld · April 2017

Hmm - considering I just got $4,000 off a new 2017 GTI, doesn't necessarily seem like the most enticing deal. I suppose for those buyers who are excited to get into a new TDI, but even for them I've got to imagine some of the sheen has worn off the TDIs.

Sandman6472 · April 2017

So when does the new addition come home? Started to drizzle as the detail guy was about finished. Had me bring it into the garage so he could finish it off. Looks outstanding, they all do, and the Versa was pretty awful to start. Must admit, not sure what products he uses but all three look dazzling in the sun! Am good now for another 6 months and worth it to me since with my bad spine, no way could I do what he does. Took about 3 hours with mine taking the least time because he said it wasn't that bad.

The Sandman

Mr_Shiftright · April 2017

The TDIs do have their fierce loyalists.

ab348 · April 2017

I read reviews on some of the "fixed" TDIs and their performance seemed all over the map. I would not want one at those prices.

That is one car-crazy neighborhood, @breld. Something in the water?

corvette · April 2017

Huffman in Louisville has six 2015 TDIs but looks like they are showing them at MSRP. $5k off is not a good deal for a two year old car with the TDI stigma and unknown durability after the fix.

Mr_Shiftright · April 2017

I advised my friend who is turning in his TDI to VW not to go for the "fixed" ones. There's just not enough data upon which to make an informed decision IMO. At least with some cars, you know the odds pretty much, but these TDIs are an unanswered question.

xwesx · April 2017

ab348 said:
I read reviews on some of the "fixed" TDIs and their performance seemed all over the map. I would not want one at those prices.

That is one car-crazy neighborhood, @breld. Something in the water?

LOL I was thinking the same thing! At least he's in good company in that neighborhood! They don't even bat an eye when they see a different vehicle in his driveway every other week....

Michaell · April 2017

My employer is now involved with Formula 1:

https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/mercedes-amg-f1/amg-f1-news/amg-f1-article/f1-2017-partner-tibco/

qbrozen · April 2017

28firefighter said:

Posted this over on the TDI discussion, but thought it might be interesting here:

Got an email from my local dealer. They're selling and leasing the 2015 fixed TDIs. On a buy it's fixed at $5000 off MSRP with 0% financing for up to 72 months. On a lease it's $8500 off with lease cash - not sure the MF or residual.

Apparently there is no loyalty or other discounts available.

Seems steep.

$5k off on a 2.5-yr-old car? No thanks.

qbrozen · April 2017

breld said:

qbrozen said:

breld said:

There's a Facebook page for our neighborhood, and someone just posted a picture of the new lift they had installed in their garage. That was followed up by a few others who have done the same.

I am officially jealous.

I'd like to know more about their garage doors and how they operate.

Here's one of the responses on the Facebook page:

Ankmar did the garage door work and gave us the new LiftMaster side mount door opener with batter backup and a bunch of cool features for $1600
The lift was purchased separate and costs vary based on type of lift. Install and delivery if lift was $800

And the lift was from a company called "Bendpak?"

Side mount. Huh. Interesting.

28firefighter · April 2017

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

Posted this over on the TDI discussion, but thought it might be interesting here:

Got an email from my local dealer. They're selling and leasing the 2015 fixed TDIs. On a buy it's fixed at $5000 off MSRP with 0% financing for up to 72 months. On a lease it's $8500 off with lease cash - not sure the MF or residual.

Apparently there is no loyalty or other discounts available.

Seems steep.

$5k off on a 2.5-yr-old car? No thanks.

I'm more curious to see how the leases shake out.

Michaell · April 2017

28firefighter said:

qbrozen said:

28firefighter said:

Posted this over on the TDI discussion, but thought it might be interesting here:

Got an email from my local dealer. They're selling and leasing the 2015 fixed TDIs. On a buy it's fixed at $5000 off MSRP with 0% financing for up to 72 months. On a lease it's $8500 off with lease cash - not sure the MF or residual.

Apparently there is no loyalty or other discounts available.

Seems steep.

$5k off on a 2.5-yr-old car? No thanks.

I'm more curious to see how the leases shake out.

No lease numbers on the 2015's yet

fintail · April 2017

I want that blue Supra.

Michaell · April 2017

While the Jetta is in the shop, I'm driving this:

28firefighter · April 2017

So, not unexpectedly, my wife is starting to rattle about the size of the GTI being too small for us to hold onto longer term.

I pointed out that we have her car for family hauling, but that was not a popular response. I also pointed out that "longer-term" and "car" are not words I know to go together...

The more I look around the less I see in a sedan that's appealing to me. I keep coming back to my car. I think the best fit would probably be an Infiniti Q40 but I worry it wouldn't actually be a net gain in terms of space.

ab348 · April 2017

I must admit, @Michaell , that I had not heard of Tibco previously, and after reading the writeup on the link you provided, I still am not sure what they do. But since they are sponsoring M-B's F1 team I can only assume they are doing well.

How do you like the loaner Passat? I find them quite handsome.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy