Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    @28firefighter said:
    The long and short of it is that the STI exhaust was causing marital strife. And the juice was no longer worth the squeeze. I could have swapped to the stock WRX exhaust but would’ve had $$ now and then at lease end.

    Local VW dealer made me a super strong trade offer and invoice less incentives, dealer traded for me, and I took it.

    Stick?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,897
    @28firefighter - congrats! We’ll all be anxious to hear your reviews.

    Lots of fun, affordable cars out there…nothing wrong with making your way through all of them!

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • 28firefighter28firefighter Member Posts: 9,740

    @nyccarguy said:

    @28firefighter said:
    The long and short of it is that the STI exhaust was causing marital strife. And the juice was no longer worth the squeeze. I could have swapped to the stock WRX exhaust but would’ve had $$ now and then at lease end.

    Local VW dealer made me a super strong trade offer and invoice less incentives, dealer traded for me, and I took it.

    Stick?

    Yep. Was a nonstarter to go auto right now. If I was, I’d just have gotten a cheap EV lease.

    2025 Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xE
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,167
    @28firefighter - congrats on the punch! You could always trade her JGC for an Ioniq 5N and crank the volume up on the N Active Sound. I wonder whether you can set a password to prevent someone from overriding it?
  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,897
    On the EV front, I finally made an appointment to test drive a Polestar 3 on Saturday. I had placed an order for one 2-3 years ago anticipating it as a replacement for my Polestar 2. But then I decided I didn’t necessarily want to be the first on the block for a Polestar model again, and ended up getting a more tried and true Audi Q8 E-tron.

    It’s an intriguing option. Obviously there are a lot of updates from the Polestar 2 to the 3, but everything felt pretty familiar, and it just has a cool Volvo vibe to it (for obvious reasons).

    They’re clearly having issues selling them though, being a little late to the game in offering a luxury EV. A lot has changed in that environment since they first announced it. They are offering a $15,000 credit off the bat, another $5,000 for current EV owners (this was restricted to Tesla owners, but they recently opened it up), and then if you’re selective on the option list, there’s another $4,100 available as a state credit.

    So, a $24,100 discount turns an expensive EV into a pretty great lease deal.

    For now, it’s between that and a Tesla Model 3. Not exactly direct competitors.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    Congrats on the punch! I’m looking forward to hearing how it stacks up against the WRX.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • suydamsuydam Member Posts: 5,038
    Sounds like a deal you can’t pass up! Can’t wait to see the pics.
    '24 Kia Sportage PHEV
    '24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
  • tifightertifighter Member Posts: 3,737

    @breld I’ve only sat in the Polestar 3 but really liked what I saw. And I keep hearing that the new 3/Y is a big improvement over the first gen. Seems like a solid group of finalists.

    25 NX 450h+ / 24 Sienna Plat AWD / 23 Civic Type-R / 03 Montero Ltd

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    I like that GLI. Might be easier to sell my wife on that instead of a GTI. But if it doesn't have the stick, will I kick myself over it?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • MichaellMichaell Moderator Posts: 260,168
    stickguy said:

    I like that GLI. Might be easier to sell my wife on that instead of a GTI. But if it doesn't have the stick, will I kick myself over it?

    Probably.

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    you people are animals. And last night, I was all proud of myself for finally taking the plunge and committing to a new pair of hiking boots. Hey, those babies cost $55, that was a big move! Which took me a lot longer to make than you people this weekend (though I am more decisive still than Bradd and Sandy!)

    I need to figure out the right levers to pull to get the wife thinking it is her idea to upgrade (regrade? Retrograde?) her car. That is still the cleanest way, instead of making 3 moves and replacing 2 cars!!

    actually a wrinkle that could work one way. Her plan starting in September is to do one day a week babysitting (at the kids house). So her driving time could ramp up (that makes me nervous, since it means hitting the nasty highway buy us at commuter time, and she gets lost). So keeping what she is used to might make sense (though after 5+ years, she still can't remember how to answer a phone call, forget about making one).

    so anything we do needs to end up with a car she is comfortable with and capable of driving in combat situations. I new compact CUV that I could explain to her could work fine (ADX, Mecan, X1) but other than the Porsche (maybe not even that) does it really add a "sports" car to the fleet?

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    Michaell said:

    stickguy said:

    I like that GLI. Might be easier to sell my wife on that instead of a GTI. But if it doesn't have the stick, will I kick myself over it?

    Probably.
    I know. Per my last diatribe, situational needs changing will make driving a stick or my truck very rarely and not very far is not going to work out.

    I really should go back to our earlier days, where she had the "nice"/family car, and I had a rotating fleet of old, new, and weird cars, almost always with a stick. If she could keep hers or get something like it but nicer that we would use for our regular driving and travel, she would not care in the least what I did with my side of the garage and the extra parking spots outside.

    Can't wait to see her face the day I show up with a short cab 1995 F250, towing a clapped out Miata!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 11,167
    @stickguy - I need to know where I can find hiking boots for only $55. :D
  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,127
    Oh dear, we are witnessing the birth of yet another @stickguy scheme. This would make a decent concept for a TV sitcom. :p

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 262,503
    He already told us. Columbia outlet!

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    my favorite store. we were a lot closer to one when we lived in NJ. Used to go all the time. This one is about 45 minutes away, so we combined the trip with a stop at a farm distillery that we like.

    the clearance wall is a great value. I just got lucky that they had what I wanted in my size this time!

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    new X3 is pretty fancy. Makes the Acura look like a dinosaur. And it will tow 4,000#s! Everybody should be towing around a utility trailer with their $60k BMW.

    wonder how that compares to a Mecan? Probably a bit cheaper and a lot roomier.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,897
    edited May 26
    My wife has suggested we take a short road trip to look at the leftover GTIs (it’s a mere 45 minute drive north of us).

    EDIT: Just looked at the dealer’s website, and the 2 SE models are gone. They have one Autobahn manual remaining which is like $3k more. Main issue is I like the plaid seats.

    There was a time when this would inevitably result in a punch, but I doubt it will. I realized the problem is I have no trade bait. The Porsches are certainly not up for negotiation, the A6 wagon is our people hauler, and our EVs are on lease, which mean there is no getting out of them early.

    So it would be a net add to the garage, and that may happen at some point, but it makes me more reluctant.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,897
    tifighter said:

    @breld I’ve only sat in the Polestar 3 but really liked what I saw. And I keep hearing that the new 3/Y is a big improvement over the first gen. Seems like a solid group of finalists.

    I went down the rabbit hole of Polestar 3 forums last night, and glitches with its electrical/infotainment system seem very consistent, ranging from inconsistencies in Apple CarPlay working, to the screen going blank, to the vehicle not charging on a home charger. So I have to give thought to 1) are the glitches more isolated than it seems and 2) if they do occur, could I live with it.

    My Polestar 2 had glitches too, but most of it surrounded the app not working well, so I simply resorted to using the key instead of the app to lock/unlock the car. Not a big deal.

    Tesla’s tech is definitely more evolved. Problem used to be the build quality and quality of the ride, but that is largely sorted out with these newest models. And can’t ignore that they are very affordable. Main issue for me is whether or not I get comfortable being associated with the brand. My wife is set on a Model Y for her next EV, but that is at least a year away. I do kinda like having matching brands in the garage, where it’s easy to switch from vehicle to vehicle.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,897
    stickguy said:

    new X3 is pretty fancy. Makes the Acura look like a dinosaur. And it will tow 4,000#s! Everybody should be towing around a utility trailer with their $60k BMW.

    wonder how that compares to a Mecan? Probably a bit cheaper and a lot roomier.

    CPO Macans seem to be a pretty good deal, as long as you’re good with the 4 cylinder (which I know you are).

    New X3 was pretty polarizing when it first came out, to my eye, but it’s grown on me. And Audi finally released the new Q5.

    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • mjfloyd1mjfloyd1 Member Posts: 3,706
    edited May 26

    New X3 also odd in that the panoramic moonroof does not open or vent. Kinda weird.

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,047
    edited May 26
    kyfdx said:

    He already told us. Columbia outlet!

    I hope he stopped at Martha’s ice cream while he was up there. It’s rated #1 on the Enterprise driver’s restaurant guide. Biggest “small” soft ice cream cone on the planet.



    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,138
    stickguy said:

    Michaell said:

    stickguy said:

    I like that GLI. Might be easier to sell my wife on that instead of a GTI. But if it doesn't have the stick, will I kick myself over it?

    Probably.
    I know. Per my last diatribe, situational needs changing will make driving a stick or my truck very rarely and not very far is not going to work out.

    I really should go back to our earlier days, where she had the "nice"/family car, and I had a rotating fleet of old, new, and weird cars, almost always with a stick. If she could keep hers or get something like it but nicer that we would use for our regular driving and travel, she would not care in the least what I did with my side of the garage and the extra parking spots outside.

    Can't wait to see her face the day I show up with a short cab 1995 F250, towing a clapped out Miata!
    ————————————————
    We can’t wait to see your face if you did something like that.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,761
    edited May 26
    @28firefighter
    Love the GLI! Congrats

    @nyccarguy
    Great year of the Town Car... but the whitewalls kill it. That year if equipped with a vinyl or cloth top needs the Michelin pinstripe whitewalls.

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,761

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,138
    stickguy said:

    my favorite store. we were a lot closer to one when we lived in NJ. Used to go all the time. This one is about 45 minutes away, so we combined the trip with a stop at a farm distillery that we like.

    the clearance wall is a great value. I just got lucky that they had what I wanted in my size this time!

    ————————————————
    I’ve heard newspaper is a good filler for oversized boots.

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075

    @mjfloyd1 said:
    New X3 also odd in that the panoramic moonroof does not open or vent. Kinda weird.

    Really? That is a deal breaker for me

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075

    We have heard of Martha’s but not sure I’ve ever seen it. Next time for sure.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,127
    stickguy said:

    @mjfloyd1 said:

    New X3 also odd in that the panoramic moonroof does not open or vent. Kinda weird.

    Really? That is a deal breaker for me


    Lots of cars seem to be doing that now. I guess they give you a shade for it at least. Must be a lot cheaper than an operable moonroof.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • greg1288greg1288 Member Posts: 37
    nyccarguy said:

    To all you guys who served, have or had families who served or are currently serving, or know someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country, THANK-YOU!




    That was a B-29 bomber like the ones used in the Pacific and used to drop the atomic bombs on Japan. I watched it and the Thunderbirds take off from Republic airport which is close to me. I did not try to get to Jones Beach as traffic is nuts and you must go very early.

    @28firefighter very sharp GLI. I had a few VWs years ago and loved the way they drove.
    2024 Toyota Crown Platinum, 2006 Chevy Silverado work truck
    Wife: 2020 Cadillac XT5 Premium Luxury
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 262,503
    ab348 said:

    stickguy said:

    @mjfloyd1 said:

    New X3 also odd in that the panoramic moonroof does not open or vent. Kinda weird.

    Really? That is a deal breaker for me

    Lots of cars seem to be doing that now. I guess they give you a shade for it at least. Must be a lot cheaper than an operable moonroof.

    Lighter weight probably, too.

    My wife's Macan has an operable panoramic roof.

    Not a fan of the new X3 look, and neither was my wife.

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  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    I don't do spelling.

    also not sure if I have seen a current design X3 in person. probably out driving but did not register on me. I know I have never been in one. Will need to stop at the BMW and Porsche dealers (the Porsche dealer is actually the closest dealership to me now, right across from the Toyota place).

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    @breld

    “Main issue for me is whether or not I get comfortable being associated with the brand”

    Thank-you for saying this. It means a lot.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    @greg1288

    You are correct. Only 1 of 2 left in the entire world that is still capable of flying.

    We go every year. Traffic this year wasn’t as bad as normal. We left later than we wanted to. With 2 teenagers, usually one doesn’t want to get out of bed. Nevertheless the air show never disappoints. The older planes are some of my favorites. Amazing how quiet they are when just cruising.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    @oldfarmer50 said:
    I hope he stopped at Martha’s ice cream while he was up there. It’s rated #1 on the Enterprise driver’s restaurant guide. Biggest “small” soft ice cream cone on the planet.

    That’s the place in Lake George, correct?

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    Queensbury. Just south of Lake George.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    @stickguy said:
    Queensbury. Just south of Lake George.

    We were there - the small is massive! My son who usually inhales a medium or large at DQ couldn’t even finish it.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • breldbreld Member Posts: 6,897
    I was close to making a punch today, but decided to think about it…



    2024 Audi Q8 e-tron - 2017 911 C4S - 2023 A6 Allroad - 2024 Genesis GV60 - 2019 Cayman

  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 33,680

    A friend came over yesterday driving a new Land Cruiser. The inside reminds me a lot of the Wrangler 4xe. $72k sticker, though. That’s brutal.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '98 Alfa 156 2.0TS; '08 Maser QP; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 16,761
    edited May 26

    @28firefighter
    Sounds like it was a great compromise. It’s definitely a great looking car.

    My neighbor at the shore with the Ram Bighorn Night Edition is all over my truck. He said he is stealing it! Lol

    2025 Ram 1500 Laramie 4x4 / 2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 17,338

    @28firefighter - it’s definitely more grown up than the WRX. It still has the trademark German thud when you close the doors. The performance is there, just much more sublime.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,047
    nyccarguy said:

    @oldfarmer50 said:

    I hope he stopped at Martha’s ice cream while he was up there. It’s rated #1 on the Enterprise driver’s restaurant guide. Biggest “small” soft ice cream cone on the planet.

    That’s the place in Lake George, correct?


    A few miles south of the village across from the amusement park.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,075
    Breld, that is one of my dream sports cars if I can get a dedicated toy. Love that color too.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,540
    ab348 said:


    Lots of cars seem to be doing that now. I guess they give you a shade for it at least. Must be a lot cheaper than an operable moonroof.

    And likely far less problematic as it ages. I used to like the large roof glass, but now I would take fixed or none over any sort or opening roof just to avoid the headache.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
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