Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

breld · February 2019

A co-worker asked my advice regarding a car he's looking at tomorrow.

https://www.mercedesoflittleton.com/used-Littleton-2015-Mercedes+Benz-+-C+300+4MATIC-55SWF4KB7FU033231

Off the cuff, seems like a nice car for low-$20k's, but it does have somewhat higher miles.

Thoughts on pricing?

He has plenty of funds to buy whatever he would like, but he's frugal when it comes to cars. He's coming out of a 2013 Chrysler 200 that he would have been happy to keep, but it got totaled (no fault of his).

EDIT: Just noticed there's damage reported on the carfax, so that certainly makes it more uncertain on what the right price would be.

Michaell · February 2019

breld said:
A co-worker asked my advice regarding a car he's looking at tomorrow.

https://www.mercedesoflittleton.com/used-Littleton-2015-Mercedes+Benz-+-C+300+4MATIC-55SWF4KB7FU033231

Off the cuff, seems like a nice car for low-$20k's, but it does have somewhat higher miles.

Thoughts on pricing?

He has plenty of funds to buy whatever he would like, but he's frugal when it comes to cars. He's coming out of a 2013 Chrysler 200 that he would have been happy to keep, but it got totaled (no fault of his).

EDIT: Just noticed there's damage reported on the carfax, so that certainly makes it more uncertain on what the right price would be.

12,000 miles per year seems about right.

I like the colors, but would be concerned about the dirty Carfax.

28firefighter · February 2019

Also, the 2015 C300 had a wristpin issue in the engine that supposedly wasn’t just an annoying noise, but could also lead to premature engine failure down the line.

I would avoid the 2015 MY unless you can confirm the engine build is post 4/2015.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2019

It says "damage to rear" in Sept 2018, but doesn't specify what exactly. Might have been a mailbox, who knows? I would expect a careful examination of that area of the car is in order.

xwesx · February 2019

And, if the price is right, then NBD on relatively minor (and repaired) damage.

xwesx · February 2019

I spotted a large meteor streaking through the sky yesterday on my way home. And, surprisingly, I managed to catch it on my dashcam. This is in my Q7, and the unit is just a little cheap portable bugger, so the quality is relatively awful, but the meteor was really quite big (looked like the width of a pencil to the naked eye) so it shows up well in the middle, right of center portion of the sky (just over the trees), at least in the portion where I focused in on it with the video editor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3mFATo1pnQ

corvette · February 2019

I love the color combo on that C300. I liked the diesel one I had as a rental in London and would probably have looked for a C300 here had I not fallen in love with the G37.

qbrozen · February 2019

Fair price for a clean CPO example. The history concerns me though. I’d say $19k could make me overlook it if it all checks out.

stickguy · February 2019

I do love the colors on that one. I can't tell what options it has though, outside of a BU camera.

breld · February 2019

Thanks for the insight in the C300 - I’ll pass it along.

graphicguy · February 2019

Michaell said:

breld said:
A co-worker asked my advice regarding a car he's looking at tomorrow.

https://www.mercedesoflittleton.com/used-Littleton-2015-Mercedes+Benz-+-C+300+4MATIC-55SWF4KB7FU033231

Off the cuff, seems like a nice car for low-$20k's, but it does have somewhat higher miles.

Thoughts on pricing?

He has plenty of funds to buy whatever he would like, but he's frugal when it comes to cars. He's coming out of a 2013 Chrysler 200 that he would have been happy to keep, but it got totaled (no fault of his).

EDIT: Just noticed there's damage reported on the carfax, so that certainly makes it more uncertain on what the right price would be.
12,000 miles per year seems about right.

I like the colors, but would be concerned about the dirty Carfax.

Yeah...plus, it doesn’t have the desireable (in my opinion) Burmeister stereo, either.

au1994 · February 2019

If he’s the type to drive ‘em into the ground, the Carfax may not be a concern.

Good looking car. Coming from a Chrysler 200, I can’t imagine what he would think!

mjfloyd1 · February 2019

Mercedes CPO is limited in years but unlimited mileage. You can extend the number of years covered too. $0 deductible too

marcogallo1986 · February 2019

Zwest wow I could evan. See the thingg on the rite!

Mr_Shiftright · February 2019

I've got wind of one of these for sale near me:

roadburner · February 2019

mjfloyd1 said:
Mercedes CPO is limited in years but unlimited mileage. You can extend the number of years covered too. $0 deductible too

BMW switched to that a couple of years ago as well.

kyfdx · February 2019

There are different CPO plans. We have CPO Elite, which they often put on service loaners. Our plan is 5 year, 75K miles.

roadburner · February 2019

kyfdx said:
There are different CPO plans. We have CPO Elite, which they often put on service loaners. Our plan is 5 year, 75K miles.

I think that BMW NA eliminated CPO Elite and now the CPO coverage is either one year or two years past the expiration of the New Car Warranty with unlimited miles.

kyfdx · February 2019

roadburner said:

kyfdx said:
There are different CPO plans. We have CPO Elite, which they often put on service loaners. Our plan is 5 year, 75K miles.
I think that BMW NA eliminated CPO Elite and now the CPO coverage is either one year or two years past the expiration of the New Car Warranty with unlimited miles.

May be... that was September of 2017

28firefighter · February 2019

At the Philly auto show. No Cadillac, no BMW.

sda · February 2019

28firefighter said:
At the Philly auto show. No Cadillac, no BMW.

As much as Cadillac is trying to find new buyers I’m surprised they did not have an XT4,5, 6 on display. BMW, Porsche were no shows last year at the Charlotte auto show.

Michaell · February 2019

Met @breld today - he found a gently used Civic Si sedan to test drive. From the passenger seat, I found it to be more comfortable than the Type R he had (duh!). Plenty quick, too.

Just a skosh overpriced, however - $26,500 for a 2018 with less than 4000 miles. There are dealers in Colorado offering $2k off sticker for a new 2019.

laurasdada · February 2019

New England Auto Show, no |BMW, MB, Cadillac, Jaguar, Porsche, Tesla or Trabant. They actually had to fill some floor space with RVs from the RV show in the next hall at the Boston Convention Center.

Genesis was separate from Hyundail Hyundai again had the best swag (if you participated in their trivia game). Got a GEICO hat., Volvo had a nice showing. Somewhat low energy and uninspiring, a shame.

At the Jag dealer this morning getting annual state inspection (and they washed/vacuumed the XF, nice), in the lot a brand new (no plates) white Lamborghini Urus. Big, slick and imposing. Probably traded for an F-Pace...

28firefighter · February 2019

Michaell said:

Met @breld today - he found a gently used Civic Si sedan to test drive. From the passenger seat, I found it to be more comfortable than the Type R he had (duh!). Plenty quick, too.

Just a skosh overpriced, however - $26,500 for a 2018 with less than 4000 miles. There are dealers in Colorado offering $2k off sticker for a new 2019.

A buddy was quoted $22,7 on a new $25k MSRP Civic Si sedan in Seattle. Definitely overpriced.

corvette · February 2019

The Tahoe has seemed slow to crank on several cold mornings. My battery tester shows the battery at around 500-550 CCA, versus its rating of 730. The battery tester doesn't declare it to be bad, yet, though. I can't clearly read the date code on the battery. If it's what I think it is, it could be as old as six years.

I think I'm going to proactively replace it. This is the first battery where I've ever gotten a decent warning, that I noticed, before it died. The one in my Jetta died without warning, and the one in my Altima cranked slow one morning--the next morning, it was dead.

xwesx · February 2019

corvette said:
The Tahoe has seemed slow to crank on several cold mornings. My battery tester shows the battery at around 500-550 CCA, versus its rating of 730. The battery tester doesn't declare it to be bad, yet, though. I can't clearly read the date code on the battery. If it's what I think it is, it could be as old as six years.

I think I'm going to proactively replace it. This is the first battery where I've ever gotten a decent warning, that I noticed, before it died. The one in my Jetta died without warning, and the one in my Altima cranked slow one morning--the next morning, it was dead.

Six years is not all that old, but, if it is frequently in a situation where it is unlikely to be fully charged, then that's long enough to be showing some age. I think that my Q7's battery is in the same state. It stranded me once, so now I put it on the charger every Sunday to make sure it will float me through the next week without issue. I need to put a new one in it, but waiting on more favorable conditions.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2019

28firefighter said:

Michaell said:

Met @breld today - he found a gently used Civic Si sedan to test drive. From the passenger seat, I found it to be more comfortable than the Type R he had (duh!). Plenty quick, too.

Just a skosh overpriced, however - $26,500 for a 2018 with less than 4000 miles. There are dealers in Colorado offering $2k off sticker for a new 2019.

A buddy was quoted $22,7 on a new $25k MSRP Civic Si sedan in Seattle. Definitely overpriced.

Somewhat of a trend. Dealers newer used cars can't compete with monthly leasing payments.

breld · February 2019

Yeah, I knew the used Si was overpriced going in, but I know a salesperson at this dealership, and I found it more comfortable to test out a used Si at a non-Honda dealer. To this day, many of them still hold even an Si as something precious.

At $23k-ish, it’s a pretty great car.

nyccarguy · February 2019

I added some power steering fluid to my Q40 the other night and the AM cold squealing is gone.

marcogallo1986 · February 2019

Nice on the car looking. And test drive today guys! Corvette yes change that battery 6 years is old for one and motran. Cars near an strong battery or they can start to do sum funky. Stuff

kyfdx · February 2019

Needs advice on used Subarus:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/54220/subaru/legacy/help-buying-used-legacy/p1?new=1

tjc78 · February 2019

nyccarguy said:
I added some power steering fluid to my Q40 the other night and the AM cold squealing is gone.

Well that sucks... we were hoping for an unexpected punch.

kyfdx · February 2019

Saw the convention center layout for the Cincinnati car show. If they all show as scheduled, it seems that only Mercedes is missing.

Our show is run by the local dealer's association, so that might help on turnout.

graphicguy · February 2019

kyfdx said:
Saw the convention center layout for the Cincinnati car show. If they all show as scheduled, it seems that only Mercedes is missing.

Our show is run by the local dealer's association, so that might help on turnout.

They were conspicuous by their absence last year, too. Kinda surprised since super dealer (Wyler) just bought the Merceds store in Ft Mitchell, KY. He also owns the Kia dealer who had the Stinger I lusted after for a minute. He was also my Cadillac dealer (sad).

henryn · February 2019

https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/articles/battery-articles/how-do-batteries-die.html

Normally well maintained and properly charged deep cycle batteries naturally die due to positive grid corrosion causing an open connection.

…

In a hot climate, the harshest environment for a battery, a Johnson Controls survey of junk batteries revealed that the average life of a car battery was 37 months. In a separate North American study by BCI, the average life was 48 months. In a study by Interstate Batteries, the life expectancy in extreme heat was 30 months. If your car battery is more than three years old and you live in a hot climate, then your battery is probably living on borrowed time. Abnormally slow cranking, especially on a cold day, is another good indication that your battery is going bad. It should be externally recharged, surface charge removed, and load tested. Dead batteries almost always occur at the most inopportune times. You can easily spend the cost of a new battery or more for an emergency jump start, tow or taxi ride.

Most of the "defective" batteries returned to manufacturers during free replacement warranty periods are good. This strongly suggests that some sellers of new batteries do not know how to or fail to take the time to properly recharge and test batteries.

Mr_Shiftright · February 2019

I've also been reading about how EV owners are doing in the so-called "polar vortex". Short answer---their range is cut about in half.

henryn · February 2019

henryn said:
You can easily spend the cost of a new battery or more for an emergency jump start, tow or taxi ride.

I did intend to take issue with this one statement that I quoted. A new car battery runs around $140 or $150 these days, and I have never paid over $100 for a jump start, tow, or taxi ride.

YMMV

Mr_Shiftright · February 2019

I have that Premier AAA package---200 mile free towing. Sometimes I'm in the boonies of California on a job and might need that service.

kyfdx · February 2019

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:
Saw the convention center layout for the Cincinnati car show. If they all show as scheduled, it seems that only Mercedes is missing.

Our show is run by the local dealer's association, so that might help on turnout.
They were conspicuous by their absence last year, too. Kinda surprised since super dealer (Wyler) just bought the Merceds store in Ft Mitchell, KY. He also owns the Kia dealer who had the Stinger I lusted after for a minute. He was also my Cadillac dealer (sad).

I hadn't heard about Wyler buying Fort Mitchell.

corvette · February 2019

Went to have a new battery put in my truck. Note that it was slow to crank this morning, after being on the Battery Tender all night, and sputtered and almost died right after it turned over, I suspect because the voltage was so low. The guy at Autozone had an awful attitude and balked because it tested okay. I already knew it tested “okay” because I have my own battery tester. Then when I told him I thought it was six or seven years old, he agreed to replace it. Then complained about how it’s difficult to get to the battery on my truck and they shouldn’t advertise free installation for batteries.

Using the tester I have, my old battery was spec’d for 730 CCA, and was testing in the low 500s. Not dead, but not great. The new battery is supposed to be 760 CCA, and I tested it well over 800, so I’m really glad I switched it out before it left me stranded. It was around $200 for the nicest Autozone brand AGM battery they had. Three year free replacement warranty. I’m glad to see some manufacturers moving away from the prorated warranties, those always seemed like a gimmick to me.

Lesson learned: don’t be fooled by something “testing good.” Incidentally, the battery in the G37 tests right at its spec - I think it’s 600 CCA.

stickguy · February 2019

I knew BMW was skipping Philly show this year, but did not realize Caddy was also. That show is also put on by the dealer association. I was interested in the new Caddy CUVs. Guess if I want to sit in one, need to stop at the dealer.

ditto on the new 3 series.

stickguy · February 2019

took the new car on it's first actually trip (about 2 hours each way up to NY). 4 adults, everyone claimed to be comfortable. Trunk was pretty well stuffed. Nice that it seemed plenty powerful even loaded up. Cruises nice. Good thing it feels more like a 6, because it gets MPG like one! Hopefully that improves once broken in (now up to something around 750 miles on it). Car reported a little over 31 on the way up, but almost 33 on the way back (traffic was nice and light). Maybe the Elantra had my spoiled.

sda · February 2019

It took 5-7k miles before my Accord mpg peaked and has remained steady since. I have frequently exceeded 40 mpg on trips, most around 36 mpg. I know not identical to your TLX, but I believe you will see a nice improvement over time.

28firefighter · February 2019

My top favorite sedans at the auto show were the Genesis G70 3.3 and the TLX V6 A-Spec, both in the sporty blue color.

If I was shopping right now, the Genesis would be at the top of my list. Everything about it is impressive.

pensfan83 · February 2019

Pittsburgh Auto Show is a dealership association sponsored event as well. No Cadillac or Genesis listed. Would have liked to see a G70 up close. At least BMW is there and I want to see an S60 too.

xwesx · February 2019

corvette said:
Lesson learned: don’t be fooled by something “testing good.” Incidentally, the battery in the G37 tests right at its spec - I think it’s 600 CCA.

I had a similar incident with a battery about two years after I bought our 2010 Forester. I installed it immediately after arriving home, since I knew the stock Panasonic battery that Subaru uses as OEM just isn't cut out for Alaska conditions. However, this 800CCA battery I bought was just D-E-A-D one day. After a week of nursing it along, I finally took it back to the store and requested replacement. They tested it as good, told me it was probably my alternator or a draw or something, and I went off to a dead battery again the next morning.

That was my last straw. I replaced it with a RedTop AGM unit, which is still in the car (well, in the 2013). I think that was early 2012. I ended up putting the bum battery, which I kept, but only used for occasional seasonal duty on my old rigs (the C20 or Econoline, and incidentally, usually worked unless I left it hooked up for more than a few weeks without use), back into the 2010 Forester when I sold it for scrap two years ago.

So, yes, there's definitely a difference between "it functions" and "it is reliable."

xwesx · February 2019

sda said:
It took 5-7k miles before my Accord mpg peaked and has remained steady since. I have frequently exceeded 40 mpg on trips, most around 36 mpg. I know not identical to your TLX, but I believe you will see a nice improvement over time.

How much did it improve over that time? I have never noticed such a phenomenon in my cars, but then I have only owned three vehicles from new, and two of them never made it beyond 5,000 miles during my ownership.

suydam · February 2019

Is the Accord a 4 cyl? It will get much better mpg than a 6.

graphicguy · February 2019

kyfdx said:

graphicguy said:

kyfdx said:
Saw the convention center layout for the Cincinnati car show. If they all show as scheduled, it seems that only Mercedes is missing.

Our show is run by the local dealer's association, so that might help on turnout.
They were conspicuous by their absence last year, too. Kinda surprised since super dealer (Wyler) just bought the Merceds store in Ft Mitchell, KY. He also owns the Kia dealer who had the Stinger I lusted after for a minute. He was also my Cadillac dealer (sad).
I hadn't heard about Wyler buying Fort Mitchell.

Yeah...kinda weird how that went down. The previous owner (Moreno) was from Cleveland. Wyler bought him out. Not sure what the situation was given Moreno has Benz dealerships in northern OH, so he knows what he’s doing. Plus, the dealership in Ft Mitchell is only a few years old.

Apparently the exec staff was kept on, but Wyler actually bought the dealership. That’s a departure for Wyler, who usually deals in mainstream brands. Only luxury dealership he has is the Cadillac store I dealt with. First time in KY for him too, I believe.

Transaction only happened months ago.

I had shopped at the Ft Mitchell Mercedes dealer when I was looking to replace the CTS after Cadillac had to buy it back. I met the GM (Don Paparella). Nice guy. He was the first person I spoke with when I entered the showroom. Didn’t know who he was until he offered me his business card. Plus, he didn’t hand me off to a sales person, either. He talked about the store, how proud he was to be in a brand spanking new facility, etc. No real sales pitch. He lead me to a terminal which showed all of their new stock of “C’ Class cars and to let him know if I found something I liked and he would have it brought to me for a test drive. I did...nice one that was dark silver metallic with red interior (I must have a thing for red). Nothing wrong with it. It drove OK, but I just wasn’t all that excited about it.

Anyway, it was a pleasant and low key experience. The GM stayed in touch via email. That’s how I found out Wyler bought it.

28firefighter · February 2019

3 inches of snow in Seattle overnight. City is crippled.

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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