Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

tjc78 · May 2019

Brakes, tires and a door lock actuator!

If you do all that I would keep it another yea, if not I’d dump it now!

Mr_Shiftright · May 2019

mjfloyd1 said:
A friend is looking at these Golf TDI for his son. Anyone have an idea if prices are reasonable?

https://www.blandsauto.com/all-inventory/index.htm?search=Volkswagen+tdi&dl.custom.form.id=&dl.element=BUTTON+Search&dl.formElapsedTime=14662&dl.formTrackingId=INVENTORY_SEARCH&dl.isModal=&dl.params=&dl.widgetName=

That's about the going rate. I"m not sure those DSG transmissions are a good idea, though. You have to know how to drive them or you'll wear 'em out a lot faster. They don't like to "creep" or crawl in traffic, and they don't like to be downshifted or upshifted with the acceleration applied.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Send man, hey you have every right to be annoyed is in everyone would have an issue with their car glad you’re going to go next week or the beginning of the following week to get it fixed. Question since you have 54,000 miles on it, have you ever done a transmission fluid drain and Phil? Or drain and fill the coolant. Woodway brake system flush? I know you said you also have to do the brake pads in the front. I mean I would do all that if you’re going to keep the car if you’re going to get rid of it and get something new sooner cause like others have mentioned in here, this is see see be a don’t do any of the suggested that I mention in this post

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Wezst, I think these cars with pushbutton start those key fobs are always doing something not just unlocking and locking the door always doing something with the car sensing them so that’s why those batteries go dead so quick, not just like the key Farb for a number of years ago they’re just unlock unlock the doors. Just my two cents on it all. If those batteries go dead I know when the Nissans the car won’t start your crank in the store. If you change the batteries the car starts. Not sure if any other brands do that.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Best idea sand man, do a bunch of test drives. True you might not like the HRB at all after test driving it. But at the same time you might, or might like something else. Would be cool to hear that you bought something new next week in here another punch in story always good to read. You and your wife enjoy your vacation send man.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Glad you got to talk with your boss sent man, and that he’s very understanding.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

My aunt and uncle, have a rental car Ford eco-sport, my cousin is going to bring it by for me tomorrow as the bigger pool heater engine which is good and they seem to like it for what it is. It’s an SE in severely option with a sunroof and navigation, I think it has cloth seats forget what else it has, all blind spot warning and some other stuff. Thanks it’s not the basic [non-permissible content removed] trim but not the SEL or titanium which is above Tennessee.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Lol on the above, it just made me burst out laughing I love it.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Got to ride in a pre-refresh Cherokee with the V-6 happy little thing was a lift ride to the gym. Then coming home to ride in a nice Mercedes C class with a panoramic roof black with either dark brown interior, or black I couldn’t tell what that had a four-cylinder engine. In the past everything in the current generation Cherokee with the four cylinder which I thought was OK, but I rather have the V-6. I told my dad he should look at one of those, you told me couple of years back kestrel one in Saturday when his girlfriend was looking for a car, And he didn’t like it too cramped. So I said OK I didn’t remember that he had a picture of him the one with her a couple of years ago. But trying to get them to do some test drives I keep mentioning it every time I see him. Tomorrow my cousin will be here in Guyana finally drive the Thunderbird hasn’t been driven in a month.

28firefighter · May 2019

Headed out to the San Juan Islands (Orcas) for the long weekend with some friends. In the interest of capitalizing on getting good ferry reservation times, we decided to go in on renting a minivan so we only needed one reservation instead of two.

Ended up with a 2019 Pacifica Limited with 30k miles (!!) on it. Really nicely equipped for a rental - leather, nav, blind spot, park assist, pano roof, heated and cooled seats, etc.

Initial impressions are that I like this thing a lot more than I expected. It’s comfortable and more than enough power. The fit and finish at 30k miles is night and day better than the Alfa and the latest iteration of UConnect blows the Alfa infotainment out of the water.

Stay tuned - 4 adults, two toddlers, and all their stuff crammed in for a 3 hour journey each way...

roadburner · May 2019

I rented FCA minivans a couple of times when we were moving our son in SC. They were perfect for the task. However, what I really liked about them was the fact that I was able to return them when the job was finished.

kyfdx · May 2019

Needs advice:
https://forums.edmunds.com/discussion/56143/ford/fiesta/2013-fiesta-advice/p1?new=1

qbrozen · May 2019

28firefighter said:

Headed out to the San Juan Islands (Orcas) for the long weekend with some friends. In the interest of capitalizing on getting good ferry reservation times, we decided to go in on renting a minivan so we only needed one reservation instead of two.

Ended up with a 2019 Pacifica Limited with 30k miles (!!) on it. Really nicely equipped for a rental - leather, nav, blind spot, park assist, pano roof, heated and cooled seats, etc.

Initial impressions are that I like this thing a lot more than I expected. It’s comfortable and more than enough power. The fit and finish at 30k miles is night and day better than the Alfa and the latest iteration of UConnect blows the Alfa infotainment out of the water.

Stay tuned - 4 adults, two toddlers, and all their stuff crammed in for a 3 hour journey each way...

hell, the uconnect iteration we had in our 2008 T&C blows the 2018 alfa infotainment out of the water!

what I still don’t understand is how Siri does not work with out 2014 T&C, yet it did on the 2008.

pensfan83 · May 2019

While I'm waiting for the car to get its new fuel pump I decided to see if I could get a test drive of a new RDX. No problem I was told, they pulled around a white A-Spec with 10 miles, tossed me the keys (didn't even ask for my license), and told me to enjoy.

I really like it, optioned similarly to my car with the exception of Android Auto which I was told will be a software update when its available. Plenty of power, good seats, looks pretty good in A-Spec trim. The ELS stereo was even better in the this application and as @stickguy and @graphicguy will attest that's no small task. The touchpad would definitely take some getting used to before I could navigate without taking my eyes off the road, probably the only thing I was iffy on. I could see myself driving one for my daily driver.

mjfloyd1 · May 2019

Some good news

Hemoglobin A1C 7.2 and headed for 6 by my blood sugar readings

PSA undetectable one month after robotic prostatectomy!!!

au1994 · May 2019

Awesome news @mjfloyd1

xwesx · May 2019

au1994 said:
Awesome news @mjfloyd1

Indeed; congrats, and may the positive results continue!

xwesx · May 2019

I put a new set of tires on the Focus' wheels yesterday, but still do not have the car in my possession, so it will be a week or so before I can install them on the car. I was incredibly pleased, though, to buy a whole new set of tires, installed, for $350. If only it was not the exception.

BF Goodrich Advantage TA Sport 195/60R15.

nyccarguy · May 2019

Fantastic news @mjfloyd1

henryn · May 2019

Sandman6472 said:
Just spoke to one of my wife's client whose husband works at a local VW service shop. He said it's probably the actuator in the front door that's broke, a selenoid or something is probably to blame. So looks like I'll be taking it in either next Thursday or the following Tuesday to get it repaired. Could cost upwards of $300 to $400 bucks depending on the price per hour they get, he said the part will be close to $200. Makes sense so just gonna bite the bullet and do it. Will wait for it as no sense renting a vehicle or they can drive me home/pick me up since we live so close.
I do need brakes possibly as the pedal is a bit low and at 54K, probably time. Plus might need new sneakers within 10K miles or so but won't do run flats again as want to spend as little as possible just in case I do decide I want something new. And that Hyundai Revue is looking like a good alternative especially with it's long warranty. Could definitely work and maybe best to go back to "cheap to keep" to be honest.

28firefighter · May 2019

Absolutely fantastic news, @mjfloyd1!

Made it to the ferry terminal. Man this van holds a lot of stuff.

henryn · May 2019

28firefighter said:
Absolutely fantastic news, @mjfloyd1!

Made it to the ferry terminal. Man this van holds a lot of stuff.

Yes, they do. I have a DJ gig Sunday afternoon, up on Lake Conroe, and my Town & Country will be carrying a LOT of PA equipment for that. It takes big powerful speakers to play music, outdoors, loud enough for dancing.

The most amazing thing to me is how overall small this minivan is. It fits easily in parking garages and parking spaces where I would struggle mightily to fit the truck. For parking, I find it very equivalent to the Passat.

sda · May 2019

I am amazed by how many full size 4 door trucks, mostly Ford 150s, Rams, Silverados, that are in the office parking garage. It is a parking tower and the parking spots are not that large. I have to be very careful not to hit a trailer hitch ball that sticks out beyond the rear of many of those trucks. Parking one of those beasts must be fun.

henryn · May 2019

sda said:
I am amazed by how many full size 4 door trucks, mostly Ford 150s, Rams, Silverados, that are in the office parking garage. It is an parking tower and the parking spots are not that large. I have to be very careful not to hit a trailer hitch ball that sticks out beyond the rear of many of those trucks. Parking one of those beasts must be fun.

I see that in the parking garage I use downtown. And that trailer hitch ball is really adding insult to injury. Why in the H___ don't they leave that thing at home so it won't be sticking out into the narrow lane???

ab348 · May 2019

henryn said:

Even less on Amazon, $59.95: https://www.amazon.com/Actuator-Beetle-Passenger-Replace-5K1837016E/dp/B07JBJXWT5?th=1

stickguy · May 2019

The top line RDX (advance.?) has an extra 4 speakers. Up in the roof. Really good sound. Even the base 12 speaker set up might sound better in a box like that.

I would be quite happy driving one instead of the TLX. Good chance 2.5 years from now an RDX replaces it. Then we can have 2!

henryn · May 2019

stickguy said:
The top line RDX (advance.?) has an extra 4 speakers. Up in the roof. Really good sound. Even the base 12 speaker set up might sound better in a box like that.

The inside of a box is not a good place for music reproduction, unfortunately.

breld · May 2019

@mjfloyd1 - great news! Thanks for sharing.

xwesx · May 2019

I have a friend who is considering the purchase of a new Toyota Rav4 hybrid. Where are recommended dealerships? Basically.... they offer good prices right out of the gate, heavy haggling not necessary, likely high volume so that a distance buy is not an issue, etc.

At first, it was a Subaru, and I know those sources already, but Toyota is not one that's ever been on my radar.

Thanks.

andres3 · May 2019

So the Kia lease is ending Labor Day Weekend. That's only just over 3 months away! That means I will probably be contributing to this forum/thread/punch count soon.

Wife is interested in a brand new X3

It's not that it's a bad SUV, just that it's very expensive.

I think a CPO would make more sense. She has a track record of keeping cars 2 years or less, but she has major excuses to avoid being called a CCBA:

1) Her 2-year '05 Civic EX was totaled from a young guy rear-ending her.
2) Her 2-year old '15 Sportwagen was bought back by VW for being a diesel polluter

3) Her 2-year old '17 Alltrack was taken over by me so I didn't have to drive the Kia the last year of its lease. Little did I know that meant she wasn't taking the Alltrack back come September.

xwesx · May 2019

You cannot hand a woman your goose and expect her not to cook it.

Aside.... Did she manage to go the intervening years without a vehicle (time between the Civic and Sportwagen)?

corvette · May 2019

Did you end up having to replace the tires on the Kia?

You might be able to find a lease deal on a service loaner X3 on Leasehackr.

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Jfloid 1 this is all good news

qbrozen · May 2019

andres3 said:

So the Kia lease is ending Labor Day Weekend. That's only just over 3 months away! That means I will probably be contributing to this forum/thread/punch count soon. Wife is interested in a brand new X3 It's not that it's a bad SUV, just that it's very expensive. I think a CPO would make more sense. She has a track record of keeping cars 2 years or less, but she has major excuses to avoid being called a CCBA: 1) Her 2-year '05 Civic EX was totaled from a young guy rear-ending her. 2) Her 2-year old '15 Sportwagen was bought back by VW for being a diesel polluter 3) Her 2-year old '17 Alltrack was taken over by me so I didn't have to drive the Kia the last year of its lease. Little did I know that meant she wasn't taking the Alltrack back come September.

Get her a “brand new” service loaner for a massive discount.

stickguy · May 2019

that's what I am thinking about doing in 2 years. right around Christmas, should be a good time for it!

tjc78 · May 2019

stickguy said:
that's what I am thinking about doing in 2 years. right around Christmas, should be a good time for it!

I’m hoping Sept/Oct there are some deals to be had on a loaner 4 series or Volvo S60. I like the Infiniti as well but think I’d prefer the above more. I haven’t driven an S60 yet, but loved the S90 rental I had.

stickguy · May 2019

the CH Volvo dealer almost had me in a 2018 loaner when I was looking, but I really did not want black over black. Lease deal was looking pretty good. If I wanted to buy it (last december, it was a 2018 with 5K miles on it) they threw out a price IIRC of about $28k. This was a prestige with an MSRP or $44k+. I just wasn't looking for an expensive purchase at the time, but it was a good deal I think. Certainly makes me sure that you should not buy one new!

breld · May 2019

@mjfloyd1 - great news! Thanks for sharing.

28firefighter · May 2019

The S60 is leasing pretty well right now.

tjc78 · May 2019

28firefighter said:

The S60 is leasing pretty well right now.

Yes according to some of the deals I’m seeing on LH.

stickguy · May 2019

if I was looking right now, that would seriously pique my interest. Very nice car to me.

kyfdx · May 2019

I was doing some lease calculations in my head, yesterday

BMW 440i Gran Coupe
If you could find a loaner with a $60K MSRP and around 2500 miles
15% off MSRP
$5750 incentive
$2500 loyalty.

36/10 lease for about $420/mo.+tax
24/10 for $435/mo+tax
Just first payment and your DMV upfront

7 MSDs would knock about $30/mo. off that payment.

Haven't actually put pen to paper, so I might be off a little bit.

stickguy · May 2019

I could have been swayed by that. I think the offer I had on the 430 I looked at in December ($50K MSRP) was about the same.

qbrozen · May 2019

I found one nearby for a friend that was, IIRC, $51.5k. With an 18% discount, it worked out to $395 for 24/15 with just first month and 7 MSDs at signing. He is in bad shape with his current 3-series lease so he couldn’t do it. Car is gone from their website now.

stickguy · May 2019

In 2 years, I definitely need you to get me a deal on an X3. You even know (are infamous at?) my local dealer!

marcogallo1986 · May 2019

Nice on the above (having an awesome weekend, I definitely am enjoying this beautiful weather. Have to get out in the car majority of the day Friday and Friday night with my cousin and yesterday. That’s for sure the most in a long time.

fintail · May 2019

8 weeks and a day with the new car. Perfect so far, no faults, no issues, no real quirks.

I think the bottom has fallen out of the diesel car market. I notice Dieselgate VWs have depreciated strongly, and my E250 is still listed in inventory, along with another that has also been there for ages. 2 months is a long time for a used car to sit around.

Michaell · May 2019

fintail said:
8 weeks and a day with the new car. Perfect so far, no faults, no issues, no real quirks.

I think the bottom has fallen out of the diesel car market. I notice Dieselgate VWs have depreciated strongly, and my E250 is still listed in inventory, along with another that has also been there for ages. 2 months is a long time for a used car to sit around.

Do you have a link for your E250?

mjfloyd1 · May 2019

Happy Memorial Day and thanks to all our Veterans.

suydam · May 2019

Never thought of Memorial Day as “happy”, but to each his/her own. On this day I remember the 3 members of my son’s graduating boot camp class who were killed 3 months later in the attack on the USS Cole.

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