Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

rayainsw · June 2017

This weekend I had the first opportunity to take the 340i out on a ‘road trip’, away from the city & my usual commuting.
I filled the tank & headed north, to the Georgia mountains.
[ not like Colorado mts, of course – but closer to me. ]
When I pulled back into my garage, I had driven 161.4 miles.
About 80 of that was highway – with posted speed limits of 65 or 70.
The rest was 2 lane country roads – including some very entertaining twisties around Cleveland, GA.
I used just a hair over one quarter tank – and the display [ very accurate, so far ] showed 34.2 MPG.
- Ray
Good day . . .

stickguy · June 2017

Ah. The old saloon. I still go back occasionally when in town.

Michaell · June 2017

I know there is a lot of love here for the BMW clown shoe.

But this ..... this is ridiculous:

http://jalopnik.com/for-59-999-could-this-2002-bmw-m-coupe-be-the-ultimat-1795998042

stickguy · June 2017

Ambitious.

graphicguy · June 2017

Michaell said:
I know there is a lot of love here for the BMW clown shoe.

But this ..... this is ridiculous:

http://jalopnik.com/for-59-999-could-this-2002-bmw-m-coupe-be-the-ultimat-1795998042

YIKES! Didn't like them when they were first brought to market. Time has not been kind. And the price? Jeez-Louise!!!!!!!!

kyfdx · June 2017

I like them, but I really have no interest in "collector" cars. Once a car starts appreciating in value, due to rarity, etc, then it's no longer an attractive expense for me.

ab348 · June 2017

kyfdx said:
I like them, but I really have no interest in "collector" cars. Once a car starts appreciating in value, due to rarity, etc, then it's no longer an attractive expense for me.

You need to start thinking like a politician. Frivolous spending is not an expense, it's an "investment".

roadburner · June 2017

kyfdx said:
I like them, but I really have no interest in "collector" cars. Once a car starts appreciating in value, due to rarity, etc, then it's no longer an attractive expense for me.

Much like my uncle's friend who had a pristine 1967 Cougar XR7 with only 5,000 miles on it. I was offered the car before it went on eBay, and-while the price was fair-I had visions of dumping a five gallon bucket of $10 bills out the window every time I drove it.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2017

Michaell said:
I know there is a lot of love here for the BMW clown shoe.

But this ..... this is ridiculous:

http://jalopnik.com/for-59-999-could-this-2002-bmw-m-coupe-be-the-ultimat-1795998042

And 90% of the Jalopnik audience agreed with you in the survey.

You could buy a regular Clown Shoe and pour so much speed equipment into it for so much less $$$, and just slap that M car silly.

I have a polite response for people who pay 3X the value for a "classic" and then expect me to appraise it for that:

"It's not that you paid too much...it's just that you bought ahead of the market".

fintail · June 2017

If we get a couple decades of high inflation, that will be priced right. I like the garage parking job too.

Really low mileage cars are an issue, if you drive them, there goes the value and interest. Maybe these will become like old 911s, speculative toys for overmonied dbags.

Mr_Shiftright · June 2017

None of the BMW M cars have yet to reach those $$$ and some of them are already 30 years old. Maybe a pristine '86 M3 could hit $60K, but M5s, M6s, or newer M3s are nowhere near that level and not likely to be.

Fun? Yes. Investment? Not likely to be a good one at that price.

jpp75 · June 2017

Now that I'm getting settled in Colorado it's time to assess the car situation. @Michaell and I had lunch Friday and started throwing around some options.

Since the Touareg is leased I'm constrained by the mileage, which was never an issue in NC as I worked from home, traveled a lot for work and there weren't any real day trips worth taking. Now that I'm in Denver I'm commuting to the office ~3 days a week which is about a 50 mile round trip and given my interest in exploring the mountains and surrounding areas it's not a question of if I'll go over miles, it's how far over will I be.

I'm at 18,560 today. By December 30, 2018 I am allowed 45,3xx which seems like plenty until you start doing the math and realize that I'll definitely go over. The overage is $0.20 per mile but somewhat fortuitously I got a letter last week offering me the option to buy more miles on my lease at a "reduced rate"

So anyway, @Michaell and I were looking at me possibly leasing an electric car to ride to work and maybe around town and save the miles on the Touareg for road trips and mountain excursions. CO has a great state incentive in addition to the federal tax credit, so that's one option. I've always liked the concept, and if it leased well enough then why not. But most leases are still in the upper $200 range which isn't bad but doesn't really make financial sense when you consider the "savings" from mileage overages and gas. I'd need the EV to be under $200/mo to make it financially viable....but again being CCBA this isn't about finances.

I could always just buy the Touareg, and actually I like it enough that I would buy it....if long term maintenance and reliability wasn't so dicey and pricey.

I could just buy the miles I think I'll need and reassess at the end of the lease, but being a CCBA that doesn't scratch the itch to have an extra car.

Lots to think about for sure and input from the CCBA is always welcome.

Michaell · June 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:
I know there is a lot of love here for the BMW clown shoe.

But this ..... this is ridiculous:

http://jalopnik.com/for-59-999-could-this-2002-bmw-m-coupe-be-the-ultimat-1795998042
And 90% of the Jalopnik audience agreed with you in the survey.

You could buy a regular Clown Shoe and pour so much speed equipment into it for so much less $$$, and just slap that M car silly.

I have a polite response for people who pay 3X the value for a "classic" and then expect me to appraise it for that:

"It's not that you paid too much...it's just that you bought ahead of the market".

I was part of that 90%

Michaell · June 2017

@jpp5862 - and leasing an EV means more $$$ for parking and insurance, on top of the lease payment. I think your energy costs will be close to $0 - charge in the parking structure at both home and work.

tommister2 · June 2017

@jpp5862 This is a classic CCBA question. How could we disagree? The only other suggestion I would make is to buy or lease whatever you think you will want after your VW lease is up. Although getting an EV now kind of guarantees another punch in Dec 2018

stickguy · June 2017

jpp5862 said:
Now that I'm getting settled in Colorado it's time to assess the car situation. @Michaell and I had lunch Friday and started throwing around some options.

Since the Touareg is leased I'm constrained by the mileage, which was never an issue in NC as I worked from home, traveled a lot for work and there weren't any real day trips worth taking. Now that I'm in Denver I'm commuting to the office ~3 days a week which is about a 50 mile round trip and given my interest in exploring the mountains and surrounding areas it's not a question of if I'll go over miles, it's how far over will I be.

I'm at 18,560 today. By December 30, 2018 I am allowed 45,3xx which seems like plenty until you start doing the math and realize that I'll definitely go over. The overage is $0.20 per mile but somewhat fortuitously I got a letter last week offering me the option to buy more miles on my lease at a "reduced rate"

So anyway, @Michaell and I were looking at me possibly leasing an electric car to ride to work and maybe around town and save the miles on the Touareg for road trips and mountain excursions. CO has a great state incentive in addition to the federal tax credit, so that's one option. I've always liked the concept, and if it leased well enough then why not. But most leases are still in the upper $200 range which isn't bad but doesn't really make financial sense when you consider the "savings" from mileage overages and gas. I'd need the EV to be under $200/mo to make it financially viable....but again being CCBA this isn't about finances.

I could always just buy the Touareg, and actually I like it enough that I would buy it....if long term maintenance and reliability wasn't so dicey and pricey.

I could just buy the miles I think I'll need and reassess at the end of the lease, but being a CCBA that doesn't scratch the itch to have an extra car.

Lots to think about for sure and input from the CCBA is always welcome.

my guess, it will always be cheaper to pay for a few overage miles than to buy a 2nd car. And doing the math, you have 1,500 miles/month left (so 18K/Year basically). You really plan to blow way past that, only putting on 150/week commuting? That is about 1/2 of your allotment.

qbrozen · June 2017

jpp5862 said:
Now that I'm getting settled in Colorado it's time to assess the car situation. @Michaell and I had lunch Friday and started throwing around some options.

Since the Touareg is leased I'm constrained by the mileage, which was never an issue in NC as I worked from home, traveled a lot for work and there weren't any real day trips worth taking. Now that I'm in Denver I'm commuting to the office ~3 days a week which is about a 50 mile round trip and given my interest in exploring the mountains and surrounding areas it's not a question of if I'll go over miles, it's how far over will I be.

I'm at 18,560 today. By December 30, 2018 I am allowed 45,3xx which seems like plenty until you start doing the math and realize that I'll definitely go over. The overage is $0.20 per mile but somewhat fortuitously I got a letter last week offering me the option to buy more miles on my lease at a "reduced rate"

So anyway, @Michaell and I were looking at me possibly leasing an electric car to ride to work and maybe around town and save the miles on the Touareg for road trips and mountain excursions. CO has a great state incentive in addition to the federal tax credit, so that's one option. I've always liked the concept, and if it leased well enough then why not. But most leases are still in the upper $200 range which isn't bad but doesn't really make financial sense when you consider the "savings" from mileage overages and gas. I'd need the EV to be under $200/mo to make it financially viable....but again being CCBA this isn't about finances.

I could always just buy the Touareg, and actually I like it enough that I would buy it....if long term maintenance and reliability wasn't so dicey and pricey.

I could just buy the miles I think I'll need and reassess at the end of the lease, but being a CCBA that doesn't scratch the itch to have an extra car.

Lots to think about for sure and input from the CCBA is always welcome.

Considering all that has just changed in your life, I suggest sitting tight for a while. It isn't like you are going over the miles tomorrow.

tjc78 · June 2017

I agree, plus at the end of the lease you never know what kind of deal you could pull. Sell out to Carmax plus a few bucks instead of turning it in? Work a trade and bury a little into a new vehicle? Lots of options.

Maybe be a cheap rental for some of your trips?

kyfdx · June 2017

I agree with the NJ contingent.

jpp75 · June 2017

All great points and I'm leaning towards just buying the overage miles. This was more of a reason to punch the CCBA card.

@micahell I wish I had a charging station at work, but only at the apartment. And you're right, the monthly payment isn't the only cost. But we still have to go test drive everything just to be sure.

@stickguy I agree at first glance it seems like I'll be OK since I'm currently under miles. But just this weekend I put almost 350 miles on it going to the mountains and around town. So it's not just the commute, it's exploring that will kill it.

@tommister2 That's the best argument for not doing something, once the Touareg is returned I'm stuck with whatever I lease for another year and a half.

@qbrozen Agreed. I should have brought the S60 and Pathfinder with me, that would have solved all of this.

@tjc78 That's one thing I've thought about, there will be several new models out there in December 2018 that catch my eye so can't hurt to wait.

Thanks all!

ab348 · June 2017

This may be a first, the CCBA bunch talking someone out of a purchase!

stickguy · June 2017

I think TJCs idea makes sense. When you are planning a big driving weekend, snap up a cheap rental. Will make back a lot of the cost on gas!

Michaell · June 2017

@jpp5862 - hey any reason to hit the car lots is a good reason for me?

I know we were talking about hitting up the Mazda dealer - me to test drive the 6 and you the 3. Still interested? Maybe @breld can join us

jpp75 · June 2017

Michaell said:
@jpp5862 - hey any reason to hit the car lots is a good reason for me?

I know we were talking about hitting up the Mazda dealer - me to test drive the 6 and you the 3. Still interested? Maybe @breld can join us

Absolutely.

jpp75 · June 2017

stickguy said:
I think TJCs idea makes sense. When you are planning a big driving weekend, snap up a cheap rental. Will make back a lot of the cost on gas!

True, but if I'm going to pay for something shouldn't it be a new car?

I really just need to swap with @Michaell now and then since he's so far under on miles.

breld · June 2017

Hmm...I'd say buy/lease another car.

tjc78 · June 2017

breld said:

Hmm...I'd say buy/lease another car.

Yes but the rules are different for you!

nyccarguy · June 2017

@jpp5862 - I say sit tight. See where you are at in 6 months. You will ALWAYS be able to buy more miles cheaply up front. I'm pretty sure it works out to just buy the extra miles if you go over. You start with leasing another car, there is insurance, lease inception fees, in addition to the monthly payment. Plus whatever you get your hands on will not be nearly as nice as the Toureg.

It is in our heads not to pay the leasing company 1 red cent extra. But when you lease, you are paying to USE the car, so it isn't wasted money. Back in 2007, we leased my wife an X3 for 36 months/15 K per year (45,000 miles total). After year 2, we had racked up over 38,000 miles. Uh oh. Time to panic. We ended up buying the TSX because I "just had" to use my cash 4 clunkers credit. I ended up getting $1000 off sticker for a car that sells for below invoice very day of the week and twice on Sunday. So really, what did I save? Instead of paying BMW $3,000 - $4,000 in over mileage charges, I pretty much parked the X3, and my wife drove the TSX as the Prelude soldiered on.

breld · June 2017

Boo!

stickguy · June 2017

Honda keeps cranking out new models. Just got a teaser email about the redesigned fit coming out this summer. That might be interesting!

breld · June 2017

I'm stoked about the upcoming Accord retaining the 6-speed manual option. Very curious to see what the configurations are - from what I've read, the manual will be available with both the 1.5t and 2.0t engines, so I could see a more legitimate "Sport" model debuting with the more potent 2.0t. Wonder if they'll keep that configuration to the coupe model only, like with the current V6/manual option.

As much as I want to like the Civic Si, it just seems a bit too...juvenile for me. I already like the overall look and packaging of the current Sport model - I assume the 2.0t will offer similar output numbers to the current V6. Pair that with the manual and I think I may get to scratch my "honda" itch in the next year.

Michaell · June 2017

jpp5862 said:

stickguy said:
I think TJCs idea makes sense. When you are planning a big driving weekend, snap up a cheap rental. Will make back a lot of the cost on gas!
True, but if I'm going to pay for something shouldn't it be a new car?

I really just need to swap with @Michaell now and then since he's so far under on miles.

Yeah - that's the ticket! A car swap service with you and I and @breld!

Happy to let you put miles on the Jetta while the T-Reg sits parked in the driveway.

breld · June 2017

@jpp5862 - you can buy my GTI when the new Accord comes out. That'll pair well with your Touareg.

Have to get permission from @kyfdx though.

jpp75 · June 2017

breld said:
Hmm...I'd say buy/lease another car.

That's an option if we can find something I like as much as the Touareg.

andres3 · June 2017

breld said:
@jpp5862 - you can buy my GTI when the new Accord comes out. That'll pair well with your Touareg.

Have to get permission from @kyfdx though.

Have a bidding war!

I like the money my 2nd car (Kia) has saved me (and miles on the TTS), but next time I'll include "reasonably competent sounds system" in my new car purchase or lease requirements. Also, the 2.0T would have been the more fun engine for me.

jpp75 · June 2017

breld said:
@jpp5862 - you can buy my GTI when the new Accord comes out. That'll pair well with your Touareg.

Have to get permission from @kyfdx though.

I told @michaell at lunch on Friday I wish I had gotten the diesel X5. The GTI would be great, I'll check with @kyfdx

jpp75 · June 2017

nyccarguy said:
@jpp5862 - I say sit tight. See where you are at in 6 months. You will ALWAYS be able to buy more miles cheaply up front. I'm pretty sure it works out to just buy the extra miles if you go over. You start with leasing another car, there is insurance, lease inception fees, in addition to the monthly payment. Plus whatever you get your hands on will not be nearly as nice as the Toureg.

It is in our heads not to pay the leasing company 1 red cent extra. But when you lease, you are paying to USE the car, so it isn't wasted money. Back in 2007, we leased my wife an X3 for 36 months/15 K per year (45,000 miles total). After year 2, we had racked up over 38,000 miles. Uh oh. Time to panic. We ended up buying the TSX because I "just had" to use my cash 4 clunkers credit. I ended up getting $1000 off sticker for a car that sells for below invoice very day of the week and twice on Sunday. So really, what did I save? Instead of paying BMW $3,000 - $4,000 in over mileage charges, I pretty much parked the X3, and my wife drove the TSX as the Prelude soldiered on.

In hindsight I should have dumped the Touareg and brought the S60 and Pathfinder out here....but Monday morning quarter back is easy to play.

One other constraint I have here is parking, I would have to pay $75/month to park a second car or find street parking which isn't easy around here.

If the Touareg was more reliable long term I'd buy it....but it's not.

andres3 · June 2017

jpp5862 said:

nyccarguy said:
@jpp5862 - I say sit tight. See where you are at in 6 months. You will ALWAYS be able to buy more miles cheaply up front. I'm pretty sure it works out to just buy the extra miles if you go over. You start with leasing another car, there is insurance, lease inception fees, in addition to the monthly payment. Plus whatever you get your hands on will not be nearly as nice as the Toureg.

It is in our heads not to pay the leasing company 1 red cent extra. But when you lease, you are paying to USE the car, so it isn't wasted money. Back in 2007, we leased my wife an X3 for 36 months/15 K per year (45,000 miles total). After year 2, we had racked up over 38,000 miles. Uh oh. Time to panic. We ended up buying the TSX because I "just had" to use my cash 4 clunkers credit. I ended up getting $1000 off sticker for a car that sells for below invoice very day of the week and twice on Sunday. So really, what did I save? Instead of paying BMW $3,000 - $4,000 in over mileage charges, I pretty much parked the X3, and my wife drove the TSX as the Prelude soldiered on.
In hindsight I should have dumped the Touareg and brought the S60 and Pathfinder out here....but Monday morning quarter back is easy to play.

One other constraint I have here is parking, I would have to pay $75/month to park a second car or find street parking which isn't easy around here.

If the Touareg was more reliable long term I'd buy it....but it's not.

Was the Touareg made in the US or Mexico?

Sandman6472 · June 2017

Go for the extra miles now and stay the course. How many miles will you need to buy and how much will that cost ya? This seems to be the smart move play here and again, with all the tumult in your life lately, taking the easy way out is sometimes the best way to go!
About a second vehicle, that's what I really want. Something fun in the garage for me to enjoy when not at work...and living in South Florida, something with a drop top is the ticket. Would love to keep the Golf honestly but get something fun for those odd days. Only bad thing is one of them would need to sit outside and that would mean jockeying vehicles again like when the kids were both here. And with our sprinkler system, if only one extra here, would have to be in the middle of the driveway to avoid getting the well H2O spotting it all up. Personally, that ain't the issue with me as I don't mind getting up early to move things around, I'm looking for the fun/flexibility factor here. Of course, the wife is dead set against this idea which is causing some major issues. Add this to the big white elephant in the room, finances, that she refuses to listen to, and we're really having some major issues here. I tend to be more practical and I want to set up my final wishes, as well as get the trust set up with the power of attorney and all those health issues answered in some sort of document. She flees when I bring these subjects up even though she knows it means a great deal to me to set things up. My dad died young at 64, one sibling passed at 57 and the other on his 58th birthday, so death is becoming very real to me here at 62.
Not wanting to discuss any of these issues has led to a big problem here and we dance around it, to my dismay. But lately, she knows that I want some fruition here which I think will cause a real break. But, I need to get all my ducks in order, and soon. With my finances, I have done most of this. Consolidated most of my personal holdings with a good percentage going right to the kids and the rest to her, that stuff that would automatically be POD to one's spouse. But just getting her to sit through much of the conversation isn't going well and I just feel the time has come to do it or...don't even want to go there. But I am not very happy right now with my life and I need to fix it, and soon!

The Unhappy Sandman

tbirdmarco · June 2017

@jpp5862 go for it secand car sounds good to keep miles off the Toreg. then when that one gos back next year get sum thing elce or just keep the car you do end up getting now! my two sence!

tbirdmarco · June 2017

@sandman_6472 we are all hear for you! no those are things that most don't like talking abut. but has to be done like you said no matter what. and yes get that toy like you and others have said evan me you only live once!.

corvette · June 2017

sandman_6472 said:
But just getting her to sit through much of the conversation isn't going well and I just feel the time has come to do it or...don't even want to go there.

There are a surprising number of adults who have difficulty having adult conversations. Hang in there, sandy, I hope things get better for you.

stickguy · June 2017

Sandy, some of this you can do on your own. Up to her to do the same. But being married makes it less of an issue, since the spouse by default gets things and can make decisions. Problem is if something happens to both of you.

Spin it that you are really doing this for the kids. It is a nightmare when parents refuse to discuss with them, or share anything, and when the inevitable happens, they get a mess dumped on them. Trying to figure out what is going on, and not knowing what the parents wishes are. Not to mention potential tax messes, and the almost inevitable infighting among siblings.

My sister and I finally sat my parents down, and forced them to pull everything out so we could fill out what we called "the magic spreadsheet". It had everything important listed out. Who does what, where assets were, account numbers, insurance policies, etc. Also included names and numbers of all important contacts. Once that was done, we each got a copy to put in the safe, and just forgot all about it. When my mom passed away the next year, it made it vastly easier for me to help take care of things for my dad.

You already did some of the important stuff. Adding them as beneficiaries to your accounts to skip probate, setting up trusts, etc. really simplifies the process.

Sandman6472 · June 2017

I ended up being the executor of my dad's estate a couple years back. He died in 1986 and things kind of sat until my mom died in 2005. Then with the dysfunctionality of the four of us, my sister was a lawyer but she did some dishonest things, things went from bad to worse. My older brother took over but he got sick and eventually died. He threw it all in my lap right before he passed as my twin was not allowed to be executor until the three of us passed. I finally got things cleared up, with my wife's help, and hired her as our CPA to handle the IRS taxes we owed over many years. Trust me, when there's some $ involved, crazy siblings take on a whole new beast! But we figured it all out, paid the IRS what was due & finally came up with the distribution plan. I was a bit off on my math but the wife found the issue and cleaned it up so I could write the checks and finally finish his estate up, almost 28 years after he passed!
My oldest keeps asking for the accounts that I know about, the passwords and other stuff. As it all stands now, once I pass, it'll all pass through like a POD to the wife & 3 kids. Now if she goes first, another can of worms!
Maybe the best thing to do is to spend every last cent of it on me...lol!!!

The Sandman

cdnpinhead · June 2017

fintail said:
. . . speculative toys for overmonied dbags.

Quote of the day, if not week. Well put.

ab348 · June 2017

I am not going to wade into this and provide Sandy with relationship/marriage advice... other than "just do it".

jpp75 · June 2017

andres3 said:

Was the Touareg made in the US or Mexico?

It's actually built in Bratislava, Slovakia.

roadburner · June 2017

Fortunately my sole remaining elderly relative gave me a list of all his investments as well as the location of his will.

nyccarguy · June 2017

Someone I do business with recently purchased a CPO 2015 X5 ///M-Sport . Carbon Black/Black Interior. 39,000 miles. Great shape. His wife noticed after after they were in the car for 1/2 hour or so with the windows up & the AC cranking that it smelled like stale cigarettes. Turns out the person who had leased the car previously had been a smoker. He brought it to the dealer's attention & they are steam cleaning the interior as well as replacing the cabin filter which was BLACK.

They gave him an X1 as a loaner to drive. I checked it out while he was here. White with Brown Interior and those 18" Soccer Ball wheels. Sharp looking little SUV.

stickguy · June 2017

I really liked the X1 I drove. Perfect size for me. I found the X5 to be way too big and Bargey.

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