Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

kyfdx · October 25

I don't have wireless CarPlay. Only wired. I plug in, everytime I get in the car. So, I'm always charged up.

jmonroe1 · October 25

kyfdx said:
I don't have wireless CarPlay. Only wired. I plug in, everytime I get in the car. So, I'm always charged up.

————————————————
I do that too. I just have to be careful that I don’t over charge the phone and run the risk that the nav system doesn’t take me too far beyond my destination.

jmonroe

stickguy · October 25

I only plug in when I need google maps, which is rarely.

In the Ford (and this is shocking to say for a Ford!) it works perfectly. connects quickly and brings carplay right up. The Acura though is glitchy. sometimes takes a while to sync up, then you have to go into the menus and switch to carplay. For some reason the wife always has issues getting it to work, and isn't patient enough to not move until she is sure it is working!

Another feature I really want is surround view monitors. especially front facing cameras. That is really cool.

stickguy · October 25

I realized today how common Mavericks are now. When I first got one, people used to stop me to talk about it and you rarely saw another one. Today I went out to run some errands (all within about 3 miles of my house) and I saw (that registered in my brain) 5 other ones. Including a twin of mine (same color Lariat).

I went from being unique to being common. I need to go find some other rarity to buy I guess!

corvette · October 25

Using wireless CarPlay seems to work well with newer iPhones. As they get older, it really runs the battery down quickly. I experienced that with my old iPhone, and now that my 13 Pro is four years old, I'm noticing the same thing. Its battery health is still good (around 85%), but it seems like websites and apps are designed for the latest and greatest hardware, and are really taxing on the older stuff.

xwesx · October 25

Yep. I used to hate that, too. Now, I just accept that it is what it is.

stickguy · October 25

I have a 13 pro also, just over 3 years old now. Last I checked the health was similar (85% sounds about right). I am considering getting a new one, but might just wait until I quit so I can delete all the work stuff off it first! But it is paid for, so might as well just let it go as long as it seems to work OK. Battery does seem to run out a lot quicker these days though.

Michaell · October 25

The wife and I both have iPhone 11’s. Still work well, but I wonder when the day will come that we can’t update them.

corvette · October 25

@Michaell - iOS 26 is likely the last OS upgrade for iPhone 11 models, so if Apple follows past practices, you should continue receiving regular security updates for iOS 26 through September, 2029.

ab348 · October 25

I got an iPhone 15 from my mobile provider right when it came out. It’s really good and I like it a lot. The best thing about it was that they were supposed to bill me some amount per month for 24 months to pay for it. They never did, something I didn’t realize for several months since it’s all on auto-pay. Somehow I forgot to bring it to their attention.

Michaell · October 25

corvette said:
@Michaell - iOS 26 is likely the last OS upgrade for iPhone 11 models, so if Apple follows past practices, you should continue receiving regular security updates for iOS 26 through September, 2029.

Well, my phone is running iOS 18 - haven’t been able to upgrade due to storage limitations.

corvette · October 25

Michaell said:
Well, my phone is running iOS 18 - haven’t been able to upgrade due to storage limitations.

Regular security updates for iOS 18 (released in 2024) will probably end around September, 2027. My iPad (8th generation) wouldn't update to iOS 26, even with all the apps and stored items deleted, so I had to back it up and do a factory restore to have enough free space to upgrade to iOS 26.

Michaell · October 25

corvette said:

Michaell said:
Well, my phone is running iOS 18 - haven’t been able to upgrade due to storage limitations.
Regular security updates for iOS 18 (released in 2024) will probably end around September, 2027. My iPad (8th generation) wouldn't update to iOS 26, even with all the apps and stored items deleted, so I had to back it up and do a factory restore to have enough free space to upgrade to iOS 26.

OK, good to know.

I did buy a new case for my iPhone - when I took the old one off, I found that the back glass had shattered from repeated drops - never the front glass, surprisingly.

I'm guessing a new(er) phone is in my future. May also look into switching providers. With T-Mobile currently, daughter is on Verizon.

kyfdx · October 26

I have an iPhone 12 MINI. They don't make anything in this small of a package, any longer. I dread having to give it up

mrwhipple311 · October 26

nyccarguy said:
Fleet update for me:

The Prelude is resting comfortably in the garage with 168,XXX miles. It needs to go back to the mechanic to find a transmission fluid leak. He’s going to do a drain & fill with a tracer dye, have me drive it, then find & fix the leak. I’ve also got to purchase tail light gaskets. The leaking tail light gaskets have prevented me from washing the car and it is absolutely filthy.

Our Highlander has crossed over the 80K mile plateau last week.

My plan is to give it to my 16 year old once he gets his license. It’s got room for his goalie gear. It is almost paid off.

The Camry is doing great for my wife. She likes it much better than driving an SUV. Last week I calculated its worst gas mileage. An abominable 38 mpg. My wife still is having intermittent issues with the radio.

We plan to add to the fleet so I have something to drive during the winter months and my 19 year old son has something to drive when he gets home from college & has to go to work.

Just wanted to say that I too would have taken a picture of that mileage

stickguy · October 26

I would probably be in my 80s before I got a car up to that mileage. Even if I kept the Acura for 20+ years, and was spotted the 28K on it.

greg1288 · October 26

tifighter said:
3 of our 4 cars have wireless charging pads. None of them work well. Everyone I know that has one in their car doesn’t use it. What a waste of resources.

I agree. The wireless charging in my Crown either does not work or charges very slowly. Wireless Carplay however works well.

graphicguy · October 26

Apple catches a lot of flack (many times warranted) about a good many things. But, their stuff just works. And, the build quality of their hardware....laptops, iMacs, iPhones, etc are 2nd to none in the industry. Support will go away before the hardware is likely to wear out.

sda · October 26

My cell phone is in a clckr protective case. I think that prevents the wireless charging in the Arteon from working well. Often I get a message the phone is charging and promptly afterwards it can’t be charged, or an initial message it can’t be charged. Wireless Android Auto works well and rarely drops. I think it has only dropped twice in over a year.

28firefighter · October 26

@mrwhipple311 said:
Just wanted to say that I too would have taken a picture of that mileage

“It’s an old code, but it checks out, sir. “

28firefighter · October 26

Well. I have a list of people ready to take the BMW. I’m happy. My wife is now happy.

I have acquired a replacement. Yes I am insane. Judge freely.

stickguy · October 26

I can only dream of doing what you do.

Well, I guess I could but it might give me a nervous breakdown.

28firefighter · October 26

The funny thing is I am actually net up on all of these swaps.

au1994 · October 26

Can’t wait to hear the story!

stickguy · October 26

I would need to stop working to have enough time to do the research and planning. My days of flipping for a profit in Covid and on Mavericks seem to be in the past.

I can't even figure out what I want to have, so not close to working out a deal on it!

ab348 · October 26

My Caddy has a wireless charging pad, but it is hidden inside the trick flip-up infotainment screen in the dash. That space is too small for the larger current day phones. When I used my old SE, it would fit and occasionally charge, but there was nothing to hold it on the pad so invariably it would slide off. Useless. I don’t know if it works with the screen flipped up or with the car turned off.

28firefighter · October 26

My wife was already complaining about the BMW being down so much, and in fairness, she isn't wrong. It didn't help that she didn't enjoy it much to begin with. I'd had a few folks reach out regarding transfers of the i5, so I knew it would go quickly.

Started shopping around for options, but truly couldn't come up with anything that wasn't a "been there, done that", particularly on a lease. Except for one that I was truly curious about - a CPO Taycan lease. I test drove it, and loved it, because what isn't there to like. I negotiated a one pay CPO lease on a 2022 Certified Taycan Turbo S that was very very compelling. But then I remembered the words of a wise poster buddy who said "Taycan, because they're the poster child of reliability."

I came up with another idea as a replacement and set out for a test drive on Friday during my lunch. I'd driven the previous generation of this vehicle, but was left unimpressed and feeling like it was largely unlivable as a daily. This new one changed my mind. I saw some deals posted around, so I decided to see if I could find and configure what I wanted. Dealers for this brand are plentiful in these parts, but are notoriously annoying to deal with.

To be continued.

28firefighter · October 26

Alrighty, so for part 2.

For a relatively long time, I have been interested in a small pickup. Years ago I test drove the previous generation Tacoma Off Road and felt like the engine was a bit anemic and the ride would be too punishing for my daily commute. Friday afternoon I ran up to one of the million local dealers and drove a TRD Off Road with Premium Package. It was awesome - new 2.4L Turbo 4 is quite peppy, the truck handles dramatically better, the cabin is near silent, and enough gadgets with the Premium package to keep everyone happy.

I started looking to see if I could find one in the color I wanted - Bronze Oxide or Underground. I found both at two different stores, but the Bronze Oxide color was a non-starter for my better half. The store with "bad color" truck offered me a crazy price - like $3k below invoice making the lease sub-$500 with registration and first month at signing on a $56k truck (dang these have gotten expensive, by the way). The store with the Underground colored truck was super responsive, easy to deal with, and I told them if they could match the other store, I'd be there within the hour. They said OK, so I said OK.

2 hours later I drove off with this..

Yes, this is a complete 180. Yes I am crazy. Yes, parlaying cars like this has been profitable so far this year.

tifighter · October 26

That’s what we call a pivot.

Michaell · October 26

Congrats! The Tacoma wears that color well.

corvette · October 26

@28firefighter - Very nice! 2025 or 2026? (It's good that I don't have a better half, because I definitely would have started an argument over the issue with the paint color, lol.)

corvette · October 26

One thing I really like about this group is how innovative we are about finding great deals and scheming for the next one. This isn't something I can support with data, but I would venture to guess that for most of us, our total financial outlay for vehicles is equal to or less than the average person with a similar income, in spite of bucking conventional wisdom and trading far more frequently.

corvette · October 26

Scout sent this to people who have reservations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hm9-xLHiFoQ

Sandman6472 · October 26

My kid gave me her 15 Pro Max last year and am loving it. Still with AT&T but going to stop at the Consumer Cellular store tomorrow to see about changing to their senior plan. We'd save $15 right off the top but wife is worried since they only use the towers, rent space as it it. Also, her iPhone is an "X" model with a sim card while I have an e-sim. But both unlimited everything plans for $70 plus taxes/fees which we are paying now as compared to $55 plus taxes/fees for the new plan. We'd be saving $15/month for the same service it seems. As long as the phones/numbers can still be used, I'm ready to sign up. Auto pay is a must though but we have that now, so no change really there. She does need to get a new phone sooner then later but that's up to her.
Both have the latest iPads and love 'em. She does have a new Dell computer for her business though as she doesn't want an Apple one for that. She's still moving programs over as her old machine wouldn't download Windows 11.
Plan on keeping my 15 Pro Max for a few more years. Have a couple of cases I switch now & then so it feels like it's a new phone. Might go with the slimmer iPhone Air next time depending on the price. I don't need a phone with a fancy camera, just use it to surf, text & make calls. Pretty basic stuff. Just like on my iPad & laptop, just surf and some light banking...nothing much at all.

28firefighter · October 26

@corvette said:
@28firefighter - Very nice! 2025 or 2026? (It's good that I don't have a better half, because I definitely would have started an argument over the issue with the paint color, lol.)

It’s an easy decision to make and I love the underground color.

breld · October 26

I’ll look into the lemon laws here in CO just so I’m aware, as my i5 has been in the shop for 2 weeks, and likely will go 3.

Strange for me though, there’s nothing I have in mind that I would pivot to. I really like the BMW.

I assume it’ll get fixed, and if they’re pulling the dash to replace the evaporator, I’ll just be on them about any squeaks and rattles. Now if for some reason I had purchased the vehicle (as opposed to a lease), this would be a different story.

tifighter · October 26

@breld said:
I’ll look into the lemon laws here in CO just so I’m aware, as my i5 has been in the shop for 2 weeks, and likely will go 3.

Strange for me though, there’s nothing I have in mind that I would pivot to. I really like the BMW

I mean, have you driven a Tacoma yet?

Michaell · October 26

Sandman6472 said:
My kid gave me her 15 Pro Max last year and am loving it. Still with AT&T but going to stop at the Consumer Cellular store tomorrow to see about changing to their senior plan. We'd save $15 right off the top but wife is worried since they only use the towers, rent space as it it. Also, her iPhone is an "X" model with a sim card while I have an e-sim. But both unlimited everything plans for $70 plus taxes/fees which we are paying now as compared to $55 plus taxes/fees for the new plan. We'd be saving $15/month for the same service it seems. As long as the phones/numbers can still be used, I'm ready to sign up. Auto pay is a must though but we have that now, so no change really there. She does need to get a new phone sooner then later but that's up to her.
Both have the latest iPads and love 'em. She does have a new Dell computer for her business though as she doesn't want an Apple one for that. She's still moving programs over as her old machine wouldn't download Windows 11.
Plan on keeping my 15 Pro Max for a few more years. Have a couple of cases I switch now & then so it feels like it's a new phone. Might go with the slimmer iPhone Air next time depending on the price. I don't need a phone with a fancy camera, just use it to surf, text & make calls. Pretty basic stuff. Just like on my iPad & laptop, just surf and some light banking...nothing much at all.

During all these discussions about phones, I ordered a new case for my iPhone 11. When I went to replace it last night, I discovered that my repeated clumsiness had shattered the back of the phone (the screen was intact, however).

Went to T-Mobile today and picked up a couple of new iPhone 15's - black for me and pink for the wife. Got $150 trade in credit for the old phones, so that was nice. Small monthly surcharge for new phones, which I can live with.

We have 30 days to bring our old phones back to the store, to make sure everything works. I transferred everything on my phone at the store; my daughter will do the same for the wifes phone sometime this week.

These are 128GB phones, which is twice as much as what we had, so that's good for me.

corvette · October 26

@breld - this was many years ago, but a friend of mine bought a new X5 which was out of service long enough to fall under my state's lemon law. This wouldn't work for you, but he was able to negotiate keeping the car in exchange for a very generous extended warranty. Perhaps they'd offer you good terms to trade out on a new BMW, even a new i5.

Sandman6472 · October 26

You'll both love the new iPhones...a big difference over what you've had. Hoping for an easy transition with Consumer Cellular tomorrow so we shall see. Our monthly end is the 2nd of the month so would like to have things start by the end of the week as the first is on Saturday, my birthday. Am considering this a present to myself, saving $180/year is nothing to sneeze at and since I pay the bill, I get to choose. A few co-workers use Consumer Cellular and are very happy. And with us being AARP members, makes sense to switch over. Trying to save money here & there as if we do end up moving, it could cost a lot. Homes up there are in the upper $300's for a 3/2 that we'd each want and new construction. So if we are going to move, would like a new construction home where we can pick all the finishes. Current place was a spec home so certain things we couldn't change and after 38 years, still bother us a bit. And current plan is to live about 20 minutes away so we can be there when needed. And since I won't be working then, will have plenty of time to dog sit. And if she does find a house with separate living quarters, so much the better. This way we'll all be on the deed and will save issues once we both pass.

Sandman6472 · October 26

We lucked out again with this hurricane, looks to be a monster storm! We've been lucky this year with the wind patterns and all forcing all the storms eastward into the Atlantic. With just over a month until hurricane season ends, we've been extremely lucky. After living through so many storms, not something I want to do again...ever!

Was over by the Mini Cooper store this weekend and saw a few of the 2025 models and definitely think I made the right decision with the GTI. Have zero complaints so far and even with the slightly lower mpg's, has not been a real issue. The slightly bigger turbo engine is nice to have when needed though I haven't really stretched it's legs though. Might take a quick joint up to St. Augustine in December so if we do go, will let it stretch it's legs a bit. All depends on what our daughter finds & does with her housing situation. Since she really wants us up there sooner then later, I'm ready to put our plans into action once she gives us the word!

corvette · October 26

I'm a big fan of the budget MVNO cellular carriers, especially if you are connected to wifi most of the time. I just don't use that much data unless I'm traveling. It used to be that a "brand name" plan like AT&T, Verizon, etc., would roam onto other carriers' towers if it couldn't pick up a native one, but I don't think that's the case anymore, so there aren't great reasons to stick with them.

stickguy · October 26

Sandy, if you do move (build or resale) please please please make it a priority to measure the garage to make sure you get a full sized one!

and if you build, and get a single door, try to get a garage wide enough to have an oversized one. standard double wides are 16'. I upgraded to an 18' wide which makes getting in and out so much easier, and extra space between the cars.

your rear view mirrors will thank you.

Michaell · October 26

Sandman6472 said:
You'll both love the new iPhones...a big difference over what you've had. Hoping for an easy transition with Consumer Cellular tomorrow so we shall see. Our monthly end is the 2nd of the month so would like to have things start by the end of the week as the first is on Saturday, my birthday. Am considering this a present to myself, saving $180/year is nothing to sneeze at and since I pay the bill, I get to choose. A few co-workers use Consumer Cellular and are very happy. And with us being AARP members, makes sense to switch over. Trying to save money here & there as if we do end up moving, it could cost a lot. Homes up there are in the upper $300's for a 3/2 that we'd each want and new construction. So if we are going to move, would like a new construction home where we can pick all the finishes. Current place was a spec home so certain things we couldn't change and after 38 years, still bother us a bit. And current plan is to live about 20 minutes away so we can be there when needed. And since I won't be working then, will have plenty of time to dog sit. And if she does find a house with separate living quarters, so much the better. This way we'll all be on the deed and will save issues once we both pass.

Sandy, I did look into Consumer Cellular, but their least expensive plan is still more than what I'm paying for two phones currently.

We have a program that we initiated when we were with Sprint - when Sprint was bought out by T-Mobile, they grandfathered the plan over for us.

The guy at the store was surprised at how little I pay for two lines (currently just over $100/mo, including all taxes and fees).

Our first home was built from the ground up, so we were able to pick all the finishes. As we were on a budget (and it was an entry level home) we didn't go crazy with anything. But, it's nice to have that control from the get go.

There is a builder here (Lennar) who has homes in our neighborhood that has a full "in law" suite - separate entrance, one car garage, kitchenette, small living room, bedroom and bathroom. I think it connects to the main space, as well. Very well integrated so it looks like one house from the outside.

Michaell · October 26

One last note about the new phones - I knew this had happened, but it slipped my mind that Apple switched from Lightning connectors to USB-C.

Which makes all our existing cables obsolete. But, never fear, Amazon to the rescue. I've got new USB to USB-C cables of various lengths being delivered tomorrow morning.

nyccarguy · October 26

@28firefighter - mazel-tov on the new Tacoma! I think Toyota did a phenomenal job with the truck, particularly on the off road trim.

Michaell · October 26

28firefighter said:

@corvette said:
@28firefighter - Very nice! 2025 or 2026? (It's good that I don't have a better half, because I definitely would have started an argument over the issue with the paint color, lol.)

It’s an easy decision to make and I love the underground color.

Time to update the signature line!

@corvette, are you keeping up with all these purchases?

28firefighter · October 26

I’m really impressed with the ride quality, the engine, and how nice the interior is. We had a major rain and windstorm yesterday night, of course, and it handled it incredibly well.

Maybe I can convince @tifighter to go off-roading and teach me his ways.

stickguy · October 26

I mostly want a new phone to get longer battery life. Other than that mine is perfectly fine. I don't need a fancier camera and I doubt I will notice the difference in processors.

corvette · October 26

@Michaell - I think so... we're at 26 for the year, so far.

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