Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

jmonroe1 · November 8

ab348 said:

stickguy said:
This is a real truck. One of the Seattle crew should buy it because I love it.

What truck?

——————————————————-
I was thinking the same thing. He must not be talking about a Maverick. Still crazy to think Ford placed that name on anything other than a car but to assign that name to a toy truck is even crazier.

jmonroe

28firefighter · November 8

A 2025 Land Rover with air suspension in its natural state after sitting for a couple days. Completely deflated and lowered.

stickguy · November 8

what truck? The one I hit copy, but neglected to hit paste, for the link.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-ford-courier-8/

stickguy · November 8

still on the prelude I see! I should read the reviews when I get a chance, but still only interested in how flexible the power band is (5-60, 30-70 mid range), and how well it handles. IOW being a sports/sporty car, not a muscle car.

one place I saw mention of some new fake transmission programming it has. With the same powertrain as the civic and less weight, programming is the only thing that seems like would account for the difference.

I loaf around these days anyway, so might as well have something stylish to do it in.

stickguy · November 8

got the wife convinced to go to the car show in Albany tomorrow morning. Assuming that happens, will be interesting to see how excited she is to really start looking. She talks about it more than me these days.

oldfarmer50 · November 8

stickguy said:
got the wife convinced to go to the car show in Albany tomorrow morning. Assuming that happens, will be interesting to see how excited she is to really start looking. She talks about it more than me these days.

I hope she doesn’t mind climbing stairs if they still have cars on the upper tier.

28firefighter · November 8

@stickguy said:
what truck? The one I hit copy, but neglected to hit paste, for the link.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-ford-courier-8/

Pretty sure you could walk faster.

corvette · November 8

I saw a Grumman LLV do a left lane merge on the interstate this afternoon... I thought they were only supposed to be driven on surface streets! It was in the rearview mirror, so I didn't get to follow it to see how fast the old Iron Duke and three speed auto got up to.

xwesx · November 8

stickguy said:
what truck? The one I hit copy, but neglected to hit paste, for the link.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1973-ford-courier-8/

One of the most basic, least engaging-to-drive vehicles ever made. Somebody is *definitely* going to overpay for that one!

stickguy · November 8

when I was a kid I built a lot of plastic models (the glue together kind). One I remember that I kept for a long time was a Chevy LUV of that generation with a V8. Always wanted one like that.

That courier reminds me of the upcoming Slate EV truck. Small, standard cab, and somewhat utilitarian. Perfect basic truck for light duty!

greg1288 · November 8

Took the wife out to an early dinner tonight with the Crown and was disappointed to find the side view mirror does not dim the lights from behind. The wife's previous Buick Lacrosse had that feature on the driver's side only and after some research found that it was not available on the passenger side. Her current XT-5 I believe is the same, but I have to check the next time I drive it at night.

I think the side mirror dimming feature should be standard on a top of the line Toyota like the Crown Platinum. It does have the auto dimming rear view mirror but I think that is pretty standard on almost every car.

I also wish Toyota would put some ambient lighting which both GM vehicles have and I have to admit I really like the lighted door handles on the XT-5 when you approach it with the remote:

jmonroe1 · November 8

oldfarmer50 said:

stickguy said:
got the wife convinced to go to the car show in Albany tomorrow morning. Assuming that happens, will be interesting to see how excited she is to really start looking. She talks about it more than me these days.
I hope she doesn’t mind climbing stairs if they still have cars on the upper tier.

——————————————————
If @stickguy was a nice husband he’d try to hitch a ride up for her like they do to get the cars up there. After all, she is humoring him by going.

jmonroe

rayainsw · November 8

Just popped in to say "HI"
Hope all here are doing great!
- Ray
Who liked the 2022 X3 M40 well enough to
select a 2026 M50 this time around

stickguy · November 8

sharp looking. love the color.

corvette · November 8

Great color. Congrats!

nyccarguy · November 8

@rayainsw said:
Just popped in to say "HI"
Hope all here are doing great!

Ray
Who liked the 2022 X3 M40 well enough to
select a 2026 M50 this time around

Hey! Welcome back! Thanks for stopping in to register your punch!

ab348 · November 8

Hi, @rayainsw ! Good to hear from you again.

I spent some time this aft building online a BMW M2 in what I think was the same color as yours. All I need is about $100K in worthless Canadian dollars.

au1994 · November 9

Any thoughts on the Scout?

28firefighter · November 9

@au1994 said:
Any thoughts on the Scout?

I wonder if it actually exists. Been seeing the ads. But…

au1994 · November 9

28firefighter said:

@au1994 said:

Any thoughts on the Scout?

I wonder if it actually exists. Been seeing the ads. But…

and going to the website sheds no light on things. But you do get the option to put down $100,

Looks good, 500 mile range with the extender but I’d like to know a whole lot more. Both the truck and SUV are supposed tp start below $60k.

corvette · November 9

@au1994 - I have a deposit on one and I believe @xwesx does as well. By the time they're delivering them, I suspect I will have found something I like better, but we'll see. Given the VW affiliation, I'm also concerned it may be a repeat of the ID. Buzz in that the desirably optioned models may be priced way too dear for what they are.

stickguy · November 9

so, made it to the car show today. For a smaller regional one, had more cars than I expected. Only more mainstream brands missing were Lexus (but had Toyota) and Mini (had BMW), Volvo and Tesla. That I recall. Mitsubishi was there though!

Made some progress. My wife still hates VW seats. They had a Golf R there, so not the best one to try but I assume the GTI will be the same. She is not built these days for snug fitting race seats. So that is out.

we also confirmed that we should not be getting something really low. They had a gorgeous Porsche 911 Cab there. I pretty much fell into it and had to clamber out (not gracefully). The boss would not even try to get in it. We did try a few sedans which were OK, but she did say she still wanted something a little higher for getting in and out, and visibility. She does have a bad knee so something overly low, or high, is a problem. She would not even try climbing up into some of the trucks.

so pretty much (as I suspected) we were left it with something in the middle ground like what we have now. And I was surprised by how noticeable it was to me getting in and out of normal sedans like a Camry. Probably because I have not had one in about 5 years and used to the truck.

So, on to options that qualify as sporty/fun CUVs, with a few outliers!

stickguy · November 9

Sat in a VW Buzz. Definitely funky. Wife did not like how tight the access into the front seat was (shades of the original bus). Not that we are interested in a $72K minivan. Porsche had a nice Macan next to the Cab. That she liked. But $75 large for a base engine one, seems steep.

Audi was interesting. She was lukewarm but not totally against a Q3. Mercedes had a GLC. That was interesting. Not cheap either of course (sensing a pattern in the German wing of the show!) Then came Mazda. She liked the CX-5 quite a bit but it was the old style, not the new 2026 design. So that is on the list.

BMW was next. This was good stuff. We both actually loved the X1 they had. She also liked the X3 which seemed very similar, just a bit bigger (and more money of course). Nothing bigger than that though. X5 was too big.

Sat in an ADX. Was cute. not spectacular but a much better value so might take a look at one. I tried to convince her the Nissan Z with the manual was a good option. She did not bite. But shockingly, her other favorite model was a Frontier Pro 4X. She liked the insides, was OK access, and a pretty red. Was not expecting that to make the list.

So, the result of this exploration was she is OK stopping at the BMW dealer to see an X1 and X3 with power (all these gigantic display screens, and none of them turned on) and take both out for a drive. Will hit up Mazda when the new 5 arrives, and maybe Acura to drive an ADX. And that is about the entire short list of options!

stickguy · November 9

final random thoughts.

the screen race is out of hand. Some cars had displays that looked to be as big as the TV in my family room.

Cars are expensive these days.

With dead batteries, you can't even get into some of them (doors or trunk). Not ideal.

stickguy · November 9

oh, unlikely now that I bother to add a 3rd car to the fleet. would likely be something that got so little use it would not be worth the expense of logistical issues. So we will treat ourselves to a "we should have retired already so need to make this last year of killing ourselves working too much" fancy new set of wheels. Something that I will like and want to drive and that is reasonably fun. And at some point, I might go ahead and upgrade my truck to a newer one with more goodies (or a different one). Whatever I want to do with it, since the wife won't have to drive it I will have carte blanche (as long as she can get in and out of it)

Turn over the fleet before we retire, and be set until RMD age! Plus I have been shopping BMWs for 30 years so should finally bite the bullet and get one.

28firefighter · November 9

Beautiful day in the PNW. Using the 911 for everything, including shuttling my kid and a friend around to activities. Who says it isn’t a family car?

stickguy · November 9

senior citizens with bad backs and knees.

Michaell · November 9

@stickguy - I vote for an X1 M35i. Right size, lots of power, should be fun.

Are you dead set on buying new?

ab348 · November 9

Stick, as you may know, the not-yet-available CX-5 is getting roasted by members of the Mazda cult for having a gigantic screen that is all touch, no jog wheel in the console, and no physical HVAC controls. It will also be a bit of a slug in its first year, still having the existing 2.5 4-banger and antique 6-speed automatic. I would not buy a first-year Mazda model. The BMWs are nice-driving vehicles but I’m not a fan of their interiors these days. I’m not sure how the Bimmers compare on price to the Macan but if they’re close, I’d get the Porsche. I’ve only seen ads for the ADX but they look nice enough. From what I recall it has the same 1.5L turbo/CVT they use in a lot of vehicles and a nice interior that looks like pretty much every Honda interior, if you’re OK with that. I don’t know if you got to look at the RDX but that might be another choice. As for Audi, I see a lot of those around but they don’t seem to have changed in years. I might look at the Tiguan instead. I don’t know if you got to look at the Buick Envision but that is a nice package and gets good reviews.

stickguy · November 9

we sat in a Tiguan. It was actually pretty nice, other than some weird blond wood trim on the dash. But that one was around $43k too. Not paying that.

The CX5 I would wait for the hybrid if we liked it after seeing the new interior. And everything new has a gigantic screen, like it or not, and very common now to have the one long rectangular panel. That I would need to see in action.

An X1 with a lot of options was about $25K less than the base engine Macan at the show. Big difference for that badge.

we don't have to have brand new but if not, it will be a current model year very low mile CPO (BMW, most likely a service loaner). Wife does not like used cars.

Michael, zero chance we spend that much more money (about $7,000) for what IIRC is the same engine with a tune for more HP that we don't need and lower mileage to go along with it.

Michaell · November 9

stickguy said:
we sat in a Tiguan. It was actually pretty nice, other than some weird blond wood trim on the dash. But that one was around $43k too. Not paying that.

The CX5 I would wait for the hybrid if we liked it after seeing the new interior. And everything new has a gigantic screen, like it or not, and very common now to have the one long rectangular panel. That I would need to see in action.

An X1 with a lot of options was about $25K less than the base engine Macan at the show. Big difference for that badge.

we don't have to have brand new but if not, it will be a current model year very low mile CPO (BMW, most likely a service loaner). Wife does not like used cars.

Michael, zero chance we spend that much more money (about $7,000) for what IIRC is the same engine with a tune for more HP that we don't need and lower mileage to go along with it.

Damn - I really thought the M35i had a 6-cylinder. Given that, I understand and agree with your reluctance to spend the extra money.

If you like the X1, you should also consider the MINI Countryman - same chassis and engine, different looks, and an almost unlimited combination of options.

stickguy · November 9

we were going to look at the Mini but they weren't there. I can check online, but unless there is a significant price difference would likely go for the BMW.

the X3 35 gets you the 6 cylinder still I believe. X1 is only the 2.0 4.

edit: looked at the Mini. Not a fan of the interior, and no moonroof option even in the mid-40s. But it is cheaper than the BMW, but not that much when adjusting for the lower level of features. And of course, lose the great BMW sports seats!

Michaell · November 9

stickguy said:
we were going to look at the Mini but they weren't there. I can check online, but unless there is a significant price difference would likely go for the BMW.

the X3 35 gets you the 6 cylinder still I believe. X1 is only the 2.0 4.

I don't think there is a 35 any more for the X3 - as shown by @rayainsw above, it's now the M50.

The 30i is the base engine - 4-cyl.

ab348 · November 9

The Countryman gets mixed reviews. Some really like it, others hate it. I don’t think I could live with that pizza pan in the center of the dash. The styling doesn’t do much for me either.

stickguy · November 9

yeah, the goofy factor is not really our vibe (as the kids say these days).

The BMW naming conventions seem to change frequently. But still the same for the X3 with the 2.0 4, or 3.0 6.

tifighter · November 9

CPO 1YO Macans can usually be found in the mid/upper 50’s, sometimes you may find a same year. CPO adds 2 years to the factory warranty. Would be worth a comparison drive at the very least.

28firefighter · November 9

Also look into one pay leases for 12-24 months on CPO units. Deals to be had.

stickguy · November 9

last I looked the dealer by me had none but can certainly check again. The BMW dealer has a good selection of X1 loaners though.

laurasdada · November 9

au1994 said:
Any thoughts on the Scout?

Nice looking horse, Tonto seemed to really enjoy riding him.

corvette · November 9

28firefighter said:
Also look into one pay leases for 12-24 months on CPO units. Deals to be had.

*prods group*
Someone, buy a Macan!

xwesx · November 9

Don't we already have one? I think @kyfdx maybe has one in the house....

stickguy · November 9

he does. Part of his Porsche collection.

stickguy · November 9

Local guy only has a 2022 with 32K for about $45,000. found a couple a few hours away near NYC that were 2025s with 6k or so miles. $61-$66K list price (the $66 one had a sticker of $79k, including a mind numbing $3,900 wheel upgrade!)

roadburner · November 9

@stickguy There isn't a single new car from BMW Group that I would want to own, but the Mini Countryman Oxford Edition was just announced and it might be a good deal if you can stomach the new design. It is relatively well equipped for its price point ($36,000). Here is the press release.

corvette · November 9

xwesx said:
Don't we already have one? I think @kyfdx maybe has one in the house....

You can never have too many...

28firefighter · November 9

Apparently Tesla is now doing 12 and 24 month leases on certain vehicles in their pre owned inventory. Saw a model 3 long range rear wheel drive for $175 including tax with only first month and fees at signing. Could be a good value for 1 year with the included warranty.

nyccarguy · November 10

@28firefighter said:
Apparently Tesla is now doing 12 and 24 month leases on certain vehicles in their pre owned inventory. Saw a model 3 long range rear wheel drive for $175 including tax with only first month and fees at signing. Could be a good value for 1 year with the included warranty.

Wow!

tjc78 · November 10

@ab348 said:
Stick, as you may know, the not-yet-available CX-5 is getting roasted by members of the Mazda cult for having a gigantic screen that is all touch, no jog wheel in the console, and no physical HVAC controls. It will also be a bit of a slug in its first year, still having the existing 2.5 4-banger and antique 6-speed automatic. I would not buy a first-year Mazda model. The BMWs are nice-driving vehicles but I’m not a fan of their interiors these days. I’m not sure how the Bimmers compare on price to the Macan but if they’re close, I’d get the Porsche. I’ve only seen ads for the ADX but they look nice enough. From what I recall it has the same 1.5L turbo/CVT they use in a lot of vehicles and a nice interior that looks like pretty much every Honda interior, if you’re OK with that. I don’t know if you got to look at the RDX but that might be another choice. As for Audi, I see a lot of those around but they don’t seem to have changed in years. I might look at the Tiguan instead. I don’t know if you got to look at the Buick Envision but that is a nice package and gets good reviews.

We all went to dinner Sat night and my wife and I wanted to have wine with dinner, so my Mom drove. We went in her CX-50. I was really stunned at how well she used the joystick. I mean literally extremely fluent and got exactly where she wanted and back with no fuss. I commented on it and she said I hated at first but now really like it.

stickguy · November 10

My daughter is like that with her 50 since she had a cx30 before it. One time I drove it without any instructions it did not go well.

Same with our Acura and the touch pad. Once you get used to it it’s fine. But people still hate on it.

tjc78 · November 10

My wife drove the CX-50 somewhere over the summer. She came home and said to me " what kind of POS car did you get your mother that doesn't have a touchscreen?"

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