Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

pensfan83 · December 2017

Seems like this could be good or bad. It sounded like you had your Pilot's value pegged and agreed upon for a trade but maybe the deal fell apart on the new car....

Anxious to hear the details on what happened.

stickguy · December 2017

people around the corner from me have a big hole in the front of their house this morning. 2 guys there installing a new front door package (door and 2 sidelights, so pretty much the width of 2 doors). Seems like an odd time to be doing that.

imidazol97 · December 2017

corvette said:
I bought the Tahoe in June or July, immediately replaced the wiper blades, and replaced them a second time today. I can't stand it when they start to chatter, even if it's cold out. The first ones were Bosch, the ones I just put on are "Aero" brand, we'll see whether they last longer.

For the chattering blades, I clean my windshield with 00 steel wool and a detergent like Dawn OR an SOS or Brillo pad with soap in it. And clean the blades with alcohol, ethyl or isopropyl. I prefer ethyl, LOL, and I keep ethyl as a paint thinner product from Lowes. Vodka works but all I keep is Maker's Mark

Barkeepers friend can work also. The pads or Barkeepers Friend remove oils and particles from the glass, the equivilant of clay bar for the windshield.,

pensfan83 · December 2017

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:
I don't mean to leave you guys hanging, but it is super busy at work today. I'll give details later.
How many folks buy plumbing stuff as Christmas gifts?

Apparently, more that I figured.

Anxiously awaiting updates....

I didn't request plumbing supplies but if I showed you the list I made for my family's gift exchange my shopping can basically be done in two aisles at Lowes and one at Target. My brother called it the most boring list he's ever seen.

ab348 · December 2017

stickguy said:
people around the corner from me have a big hole in the front of their house this morning. 2 guys there installing a new front door package (door and 2 sidelights, so pretty much the width of 2 doors). Seems like an odd time to be doing that.

Heh. Maybe a dozen years ago I had 2 guys here the day after Christmas installing a giant picture window in my living room. The old one had leaked and was rotted so it had to go, and that was the only time they could do it without waiting a couple of weeks..

kyfdx · December 2017

stickguy said:
people around the corner from me have a big hole in the front of their house this morning. 2 guys there installing a new front door package (door and 2 sidelights, so pretty much the width of 2 doors). Seems like an odd time to be doing that.

My wife got a quote from a painter, yesterday. Small interior job. He gave her a price, and said: I can do it tomorrow, if you want. But, if not, it will be a month, because I'm painting an 8000 sq foot house, starting the day after XMAS.

So, he is painting today, and I'll have to write a check for it, just three days before Christmas. So, stuff happens.

nyccarguy · December 2017

A few weeks ago (as you all know), my wife's 2011 Pilot had a slight mishap. After 6 1/2 years and a little over 100,000 miles the alternator gave up (thankfully, in our driveway). I do realize that an alternator and battery are wear items. it did however make me think about upcoming maintenance (timing belt, tensioner, water pump, spark plugs, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant flush, differential fluid), any potential repairs (front axles) and anything else that is due to wear out in the next year (tires & struts). Then I asked @qbrozen how much he thought our Pilot was worth. $10,000 - $10,500.

I thought to myself that $10K could go towards a nice home improvement project. If I could find a 3 row SUV that leases well (high residual, low money factor, big discount off sticker) for 36 months/15K miles per year that I would "cash out" and get my wife a new SUV. This is the part of the story where I hear Craig (@isellhondas) screaming into my ear. "It isn't a good deal if the car isn't the right car." I started poking my head into the leasing threads. Some of them have money factors damn close to ZERO (Durango, Explorer), others have lots of lease cash (Sorrento), while others have very strong (inflated) residuals (Highlander XLE). I even checked out the MDX. The biggest problem with many of these is that there isn't a whole helluva lot of room in the 3rd row and with the 3rd row "up," you can't fit much more than a duffel bag behind it.

Pilot leases stink. Their residuals are average (54% for an AWD Touring) and the money factor is extremely high at .0021 which equates to 5.04%. Lease payments came out to a little under $600 per month ($0 down, taxes & acq fee rolled in). For comparison, a Highlander XLE would have been about $416 per month.

I got a message from @28firefighter who found out that there's a credit union on Long Island that will lease out Pilots at a much more palatable 57% residual and money factor equal to 3.something percent. The payments would have worked out to be about $120 per month less. Great! Where do I sign? Not so fast. In order to qualify for that lease, the vehicle must be registered in New York State. Back to the drawing board.

I call up the Sales Manager from Mt Kisco Honda, about 1/2 hour away from me in Westchester County, NY ($75 capped doc fees & no conveyance fees). He recently made an excellent, easy deal for my best friend who bought a Fit as a delivery car. I tell him what I'm looking for (2017 Pilot Touring AWD in Obsidian Blue). He quotes me a below invoice price right off the bat, tells me the SUV is not in stock but he can get it. He asks me what I'm trading in and how much I'm looking to get for it (2011 Polished Metal Metallic 4WD Pilot EXL w/ Navigation, $10,500). He tells me that sounds right, but it might be a little high. I'll have to see your trade.

I ran the Pilot through the car wash yesterday AM, spent about an hour with some compound and my orbital on the hood and front 1/4 panels, drove up there after work. Done! We pick it up Saturday.

I took the 0.9% financing for 60 months and put the $10,500 down. Thanks for listening to me. I appreciate all of your support.

nyccarguy · December 2017

There are a couple of "firsts" in this deal for me:

The 1st time I'me buying the same make and model "back to back." This is my 1st "2 punch year."

My name is Bradd and I'm a Chronic Car Buyer

28firefighter · December 2017

Congrats, Bradd! I think you made a good call here. Even with the CU lease rates, its still not a great lease and I think you'll come out ahead having bought it. Sounds like it was an easy deal and that is worth something, too.

Pilot will be on our short list when we need a larger family truckster.

nyccarguy · December 2017

I'm glad you mentioned how easy the deal was to make. Here's the best part. I was talking to the sales manager and asked him if they had a demo that I could drive home to see if it fits in my garage.

"Yes. Of course. When would you like me to have a salesman bring it to your house?"

With the tail gate up, there is maybe 1" clearance between it and the top of the garage.

pensfan83 · December 2017

Congrats Bradd, sounds like the deal fell right into place for you and as 28FF noted that's always a plus. Very anxious to hear a review once you've had time to adjust to it. If we go with a 3 row SUV the Pilot would definitely be on the list.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2017

Michaell said:
OK, folks - today's question: Uber or Lyft?

I have a one day trip to the Bay Area planned for next month. I'm choosing not to rent a car as the time needed to pick up and drop off will cut into my schedule.

I've set up both Uber and Lyft on my work phone. I've gotten feedback that Lyft is more, um, 'socially responsible'.

But, wanted to get first hand feedback from actual users. Is there really a difference?

Lyft just on principle alone.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2017

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:
I don't mean to leave you guys hanging, but it is super busy at work today. I'll give details later.
How many folks buy plumbing stuff as Christmas gifts?

Apparently, more that I figured.

Anxiously awaiting updates....

"Oh, a new flush valve. Thank you, honey!"

roadburner · December 2017

stickguy said:
people around the corner from me have a big hole in the front of their house this morning. 2 guys there installing a new front door package (door and 2 sidelights, so pretty much the width of 2 doors). Seems like an odd time to be doing that.

We just had a new front door and side door installed yesterday; we ordered it a couple of months ago and it was only just received by the installers a couple of weeks ago.

carnaught · December 2017

Congrats @nyccarguy! Wishing you and your family many safe and happy miles!

ab348 · December 2017

Congrats Bradd. I am a bit confused though. If you used the $10,500 as a down payment, what happened to the home improvement project you mentioned?

tjc78 · December 2017

Major congrats @nyccarguy!!

Glad it fell into place for you. Pilot is a nice rig!

nyccarguy · December 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:

I don't mean to leave you guys hanging, but it is super busy at work today. I'll give details later.
How many folks buy plumbing stuff as Christmas gifts? Apparently, more that I figured. Anxiously awaiting updates....
"Oh, a new flush valve. Thank you, honey!"

Well, it wasn't THAT bad, but since you asked:

On the 1st night of Chanukah Bradd gave to me, a battery for our SUV

On the 2nd night of Hanukkah Bradd gave to me, an alternator (and a battery for our SUV)

On the 3rd night of Chanukah Bradd gave to me, a new dishwasher (an alternator and a battery for our SUV)

On the 4th night of Chanukah Bradd gave to me, a robot vacuum cleaner (a new dishwasher, an alternator, and a battery for our SUV)

On the 5th night of Chanukah Bradd gave to me, a pair of UGG boots...

Michaell · December 2017

Congrats, @nyccarguy - but, without pics, it didn't happen!

stickguy · December 2017

Good job. I agree that he timing was right, as was buying it. Enjoy. Probably a nice upgrade over the prior model.

fintail · December 2017

Congrats on the Pilot! Sounds like a deal, especially on the trade - funny how a little elbow grease can pay dividends.

I leased 3 E-class in a row, but they were all different engine variants, so I count that as different cars

stickguy · December 2017

Yeah, the pilot is all new. Same name, different car.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2017

Michaell said:
Congrats, @nyccarguy - but, without pics, it didn't happen!

Exactly...and how would we know if he just didn't swipe an image? We'd need a time and date stamp.

suydam · December 2017

Congratulations! It always looked to me like the Pilot was the right vehicle for you, it was just a matter of price. Glad you could make it work. I think you will be very happy to have a new vehicle that’s under warranty.

qbrozen · December 2017

nyccarguy said:

A few weeks ago (as you all know), my wife's 2011 Pilot had a slight mishap. After 6 1/2 years and a little over 100,000 miles the alternator gave up (thankfully, in our driveway). I do realize that an alternator and battery are wear items. it did however make me think about upcoming maintenance (timing belt, tensioner, water pump, spark plugs, brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant flush, differential fluid), any potential repairs (front axles) and anything else that is due to wear out in the next year (tires & struts). Then I asked @qbrozen how much he thought our Pilot was worth. $10,000 - $10,500. I thought to myself that $10K could go towards a nice home improvement project. If I could find a 3 row SUV that leases well (high residual, low money factor, big discount off sticker) for 36 months/15K miles per year that I would "cash out" and get my wife a new SUV. This is the part of the story where I hear Craig (@isellhondas) screaming into my ear. "It isn't a good deal if the car isn't the right car." I started poking my head into the leasing threads. Some of them have money factors damn close to ZERO (Durango, Explorer), others have lots of lease cash (Sorrento), while others have very strong (inflated) residuals (Highlander XLE). I even checked out the MDX. The biggest problem with many of these is that there isn't a whole helluva lot of room in the 3rd row and with the 3rd row "up," you can't fit much more than a duffel bag behind it. Pilot leases stink. Their residuals are average (54% for an AWD Touring) and the money factor is extremely high at .0021 which equates to 5.04%. Lease payments came out to a little under $600 per month ($0 down, taxes & acq fee rolled in). For comparison, a Highlander XLE would have been about $416 per month. I got a message from @28firefighter who found out that there's a credit union on Long Island that will lease out Pilots at a much more palatable 57% residual and money factor equal to 3.something percent. The payments would have worked out to be about $120 per month less. Great! Where do I sign? Not so fast. In order to qualify for that lease, the vehicle must be registered in New York State. Back to the drawing board. I call up the Sales Manager from Mt Kisco Honda, about 1/2 hour away from me in Westchester County, NY ($75 capped doc fees & no conveyance fees). He recently made an excellent, easy deal for my best friend who bought a Fit as a delivery car. I tell him what I'm looking for (2017 Pilot Touring AWD in Obsidian Blue). He quotes me a below invoice price right off the bat, tells me the SUV is not in stock but he can get it. He asks me what I'm trading in and how much I'm looking to get for it (2011 Polished Metal Metallic 4WD Pilot EXL w/ Navigation, $10,500). He tells me that sounds right, but it might be a little high. I'll have to see your trade. I ran the Pilot through the car wash yesterday AM, spent about an hour with some compound and my orbital on the hood and front 1/4 panels, drove up there after work. Done! We pick it up Saturday. I took the 0.9% financing for 60 months and put the $10,500 down. Thanks for listening to me. I appreciate all of your support.

But I believe that was my number AFTER you fixed it, right? So if you got that with the needs it has, you did great.

Michaell · December 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:
Congrats, @nyccarguy - but, without pics, it didn't happen!
Exactly...and how would we know if he just didn't swipe an image? We'd need a time and date stamp.

C'mon, shifty - we really need a geo tag on the photo to know where it was taken, as well as when.

Mr_Shiftright · December 2017

GPS coordinates! CCBA's high standards have made us what we are today!

sb55 · December 2017

Congrats @nyccarguy

nyccarguy · December 2017

@qbrozen - I had the alternator and battery replaced. So I did well then?

tbirdmarco · December 2017

@nyccarguy nice nice so you did bye the pilet nice nice congrads and good luck with it!

ab348 · December 2017

Bradd - Does it come with a giant red Lexus-style Christmas bow as well?

xwesx · December 2017

tifighter said:
New set of Nokian WR G3s went on the EV yesterday. The LRR tires it came with get slippy when the temps drop, so much so that my wife started wanting to drive the Volvo. And she hates that car. So new tires it is. Still funny to see 'Made in Finland' written on anything...

Sweet! Please offer an update at the end of the season!

xwesx · December 2017

Mr_Shiftright said:

Michaell said:

nyccarguy said:
I don't mean to leave you guys hanging, but it is super busy at work today. I'll give details later.
How many folks buy plumbing stuff as Christmas gifts?

Apparently, more that I figured.

Anxiously awaiting updates....
"Oh, a new flush valve. Thank you, honey!"

Hey, some of us are quite practical folk! And, you only under-appreciate the significance of a flush valve until it doesn't work properly after Christmas dinner....

nyccarguy · December 2017

ab348 said:

Congrats Bradd. I am a bit confused though. If you used the $10,500 as a down payment, what happened to the home improvement project you mentioned?

I'll save up for that little by little

nyccarguy · December 2017

Thank-you all for your kind words!

rayainsw · December 2017

Congratulations on the NEW Pilot !
- Ray
Not going to punch before THIS year end ...

tbirdmarco · December 2017

@nyccarguy you are welcome!

Sandman6472 · December 2017

LYFT!!!

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · December 2017

Picking it up on Shabbat I see, lol!!! Hope the interior is either gray or beige but betting it's gray. Have been driving a few Infiniti Q40's and Q50's this week at work and like them. Took only a few minutes to learn the HVAC and infotainment details and the power is pretty brisk when one hits the pedal. Got up to speed on the Florida Turnpike quickly and it was fun, could easily see it as a d d in the future. But, how dismal are the mpg's? Averaging a solid 30 mpg on my Golf with just under 37,400 and a fresh batch of synthetic oil, VW approved. I know on the highway I'm getting a good 38 with the a/c off and keeping the speedo at around 65 so not to unhappy. It's that 60 mile round trip for work, 3 days/week that's using almost a 3/8 of a tank, around a half with the a/c cranking. Unfortunately, the two cold snaps that came through didn't last more than a few days so we had to turn the a/c back on. Our house is cbs construction so it does hold the cold a few days which is nice. Just wish the heat would dissipate for a couple of months, after living here 48 years, I've really had enough!
Mt. Kisco, not to far from where I grew up. A shame the cost of living has skyrocketed so much since the mid 1960's as I'd love to move back for a bit.

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · December 2017

Let me be the first to wish everyone a "Happy Holidays" or "Merry Christmas" depending on who celebrates what. I have always used "Happy Holidays" since I was a kid so as not to offend because not quite sure who does what. This way, am covered on all the bases. 2017 has been an interesting year with more positives than negatives at least for our family. Am hoping that 2018 brings only positive things for us all.
It's been a real treat being part of this wonderful group of individuals for these past many years. My favorite website bar none is Edmunds.com and this particular forum. The first place I go in the morning, the last place before bed. I thank you all for keeping CCBA such a fun place to come. Most have never met but feel like we all know each other if that makes any sense at all.
Stay well and be happy folks...motor on!!!

I am, and always will be,

The Sandman

corvette · December 2017

Congrats, Bradd! I think the Jetta Sportwagen was the only tailgate that I could fully open in my tiny garage. The Murano, Yukon, and Tahoe all fit, but the tailgate would hit the garage door when it's open.

Am I right that this is the first purchase since abacomike bought an S450 on 11/10? breld didn't sneak a punch in?

breld · December 2017

@nyccarguy - congrats on the Pilot! How is your wife liking it? I assume she’ll be the primary driver?

breld · December 2017

So the real question is...is @nyccarguy’s purchase the final one for 2017?

Anyone else going to fit one in under the wire?

corvette · December 2017

Happy Festivus (tomorrow)... "I got a lotta problems with you people, and now you're going to hear about it!"

28firefighter · December 2017

breld said:

So the real question is...is @nyccarguy’s purchase the final one for 2017? Anyone else going to fit one in under the wire?

Maybe? I’m still on the fence.

breld · December 2017

Wife and I did some last minute Christmas shopping today. Stopped in the Tesla store in the mall. Okay, I’m still not a fan of the exterior of the Model X, but seeing it up close in the showroom and sitting in the drivers seat...that’s a pretty cool machine.

We both really liked what we saw (wife likes the good ol’ Model S) but agreed we liked them the same way we like a new Apple product. Very cool technology that redefines how you think of a normal activity, but it’s not driving in the sense that we enjoy it. At least that’s my impression without having actually driven one.

breld · December 2017

28firefighter said:

breld said:

So the real question is...is @nyccarguy’s purchase the final one for 2017?

Anyone else going to fit one in under the wire?

Maybe? I’m still on the fence.

Remind me? Is it still the good deal on the outback?

pensfan83 · December 2017

28firefighter said:

breld said:

So the real question is...is @nyccarguy’s purchase the final one for 2017? Anyone else going to fit one in under the wire?

Maybe? I’m still on the fence.

Still debating the 330e?

28firefighter · December 2017

Still debating an offer on the 330e. If I ended up with the deal I want, I’d save close to $100/month for a car that lists at double what the GTI listed for. The 14 mile range on all electric would cover most of my daily activities and the hybrid function would dramatically improve my fuel economy for other driving.

Not to mention, the extra space inside.

breld · December 2017

Oh yeah - the 330e. Does seem like a great deal.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles

Your Privacy