General Car Talk Discussion Thread

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Old 04-04-2014, 09:08 PM
  #8201  
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Originally Posted by Costco
Should add, his wife doesn't like BMW/MINI or Ford after owning their cars in the past. We'll see what they both think of the Fusion.

I also suggested the Accord and Mazda 6 I still love the styling on that car.
I'd pick from an Accord and 6 as you listed, and maybe throw a VW CC into the mix
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Old 04-04-2014, 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Costco
Should add, his wife doesn't like BMW/MINI or Ford after owning their cars in the past. We'll see what they both think of the Fusion.

I also suggested the Accord and Mazda 6 I still love the styling on that car.
I just saw a rendering of a Mustang Gran Coupe at Car and Driver's site. It was actually quite intriguing.
Old 04-04-2014, 09:36 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I have upgraditis because the assembly quality of my Focus never quite lived up to the first month I had it.

But nothing I want is in my price range. It's kind of crazy that $30K doesn't buy much that is interesting. I guess without dogs, my needs would be different. But cars really have become expensive. So many new cars are $50-70K now that are recent certified cars are still in the mid-$40Ks.
It's also because our society sucks and is generally against wagons/hatchbacks. At least compared to Europeans.

Even if a wagon variant comes around, it usually ends up getting killed off mid-cycle or when the next generation is unveiled. Just a few that come to mind...

TSX Sport Wagon
Legacy GT
apparently the CTS Wagon



Just as an aside, I still love the S5 with the 4.2L V8. I'm just scared shitless of owning one out of warranty. But that exhaust note though...
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Old 04-04-2014, 11:10 PM
  #8204  
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He should drive the new ATS and CTS.. He'll be sold.
Old 04-04-2014, 11:13 PM
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Did someone say wagon?
Old 04-04-2014, 11:19 PM
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Fusion and ATS shouldn't be in the same comparison
Old 04-05-2014, 12:33 AM
  #8207  
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if he's driving clients and i'm guessing the point is to make a good impression. Its sad to say but brand name does matter in this case and for that reason I would knock out Ford...

I didnt see requirements, but if ATS is a choice, consider the 3, C, A4, G37, TL, or just a range of those cars?
Old 04-05-2014, 01:55 AM
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I quote my brother, "I will never buy a BMW again for as long as I live". His wife had a Cooper S JCW and it had a laundry list of issues.

For that reason I'm also gonna steer him away from Audi/VW. He tends to buy lightly used, then keeps his cars for a while. He likes German cars, but has almost the same mindset as I do regarding them.

He thinks the TL is fugly, so strike that one out.



Deep down I think he's just going to get a Camaro 2SS. He says he'll just make clients sit in the back or meet them wherever...
Old 04-05-2014, 08:39 AM
  #8209  
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Why not a CPO Lexus GS or something?
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Old 04-05-2014, 09:46 AM
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That would be a good option too. If he wants a V8, maybe a Infiniti M56S?
Old 04-05-2014, 10:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Aman
Why not a CPO Lexus GS or something?
Originally Posted by charliemike
That would be a good option too. If he wants a V8, maybe a Infiniti M56S?
I'll throw these out to him. I don't think he cares about a V8 in a sedan, but rather a V8 muscle car or sports car.

As an aside, the new ATS is pricier than I expected. I didn't realize it started near the mid $30s. That's with the 2.5L L4 too The turbo 2.0L starts at $36k
Old 04-05-2014, 03:12 PM
  #8212  
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BRZ if he wants a sports car,


but since he needs to carry clients around, Accord Sport, Mazda 6, TSX SE Manual, Accord V6.
Old 04-06-2014, 11:23 AM
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From the Department of Spending Other People's money: 2011 CTS-V coupes with decent miles are sneaking below $40K.

New 2014s are $70K.

If I didn't have dogs ...
Old 04-06-2014, 11:54 AM
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CM, don't know if you've seen this but it might be right up your alley:

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Old 04-06-2014, 12:35 PM
  #8215  
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Originally Posted by charliemike
From the Department of Spending Other People's money: 2011 CTS-V coupes with decent miles are sneaking below $40K.

New 2014s are $70K.

If I didn't have dogs ...
I'm still having a hard time finding sedans/wagons with manual...
Old 04-06-2014, 01:24 PM
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Aman, I'm holding out hope that the Golf R Variant makes it here. If so, I'm buying it.

Subinf, wagons are rare and still quite expensive. But my experience has been that all the good cars I want are in SoCal. I always see low mileage clean cars from there. Maybe worth looking down south and having an Azine member look at one for you?
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Old 04-06-2014, 03:15 PM
  #8217  
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Originally Posted by charliemike
From the Department of Spending Other People's money: 2011 CTS-V coupes with decent miles are sneaking below $40K.

New 2014s are $70K.

If I didn't have dogs ...
What's decent miles?

I'm looking right now & 2010's with 30,000 miles are still around $45K/40,000 around $40K.
Old 04-06-2014, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Rick_TL-S
What's decent miles?

I'm looking right now & 2010's with 30,000 miles are still around $45K/40,000 around $40K.
Here's one at a Ford dealer: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...62489593&Log=0

2011 with about 26K miles for $39,999.

"Normal" miles on a 2011 would be 40-45K. There are others but I'm not sure if they're small independent dealers or not.

I should add that 6MTs run higher.

Here's a 2009 6AT sedan with 25k for $37K in Florida: http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...66821963&Log=0

Last edited by charliemike; 04-06-2014 at 03:45 PM.
Old 04-06-2014, 03:34 PM
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Your seller removed the ad, it says.
Old 04-06-2014, 03:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Rick_TL-S
Your seller removed the ad, it says.
Fixed. I didn't use the URL code just copy and paste and the board software ate it. They should work now.
Old 04-06-2014, 04:51 PM
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I'd attribute the first one to it being a Coupe; I don't think they caught on as well as the Sedan/Wagon.

The 2nd is a good deal, but there's a good deal for every car. I just went through looking at the national averages & that's what I saw.
Old 04-06-2014, 04:57 PM
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I was just mentioning that they are starting to get into the 30s and aren't a hot mess
Old 04-06-2014, 10:13 PM
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someone caught Jay Leno's P1 on the street

Old 04-06-2014, 10:45 PM
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Awesome, but yellow would definitely not be my first choice of colour on that car.

Speaking of exotics, does anyone else feel like the internet has skewed your taste in cars?

I saw a late model Gallardo downtown today, and it looked fantastic. So does that P1 IRL. But when looking at pictures, I get much more excited about something like a well-modified RX7 or E30. Not sure if it's just because it's more rare online, or what.

Anyone else?
Old 04-07-2014, 12:06 PM
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^definitely.

Instagram especially. Seeing hooked up cars all the time... I'm not too surprised when I see one on the internet. But it's different in person.

It's all relative to the context/environment I guess.
Old 04-07-2014, 12:20 PM
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I lust after cars a bit less these days. I go look at what $40K buys me and I'm not that compelled. It seems like price creep has made it so that few new cars I would love to own are in my price range.

I'm over the B8s. Too old. The cheapest F-Type configuration I would want is $72K. The new Golf R is going to be $35-40K and a compromise from what the Germans get. The new 2015 Mustang with the 300hp 2.3L Ecoboost is really one of the few cars under $40K that truly pique my curiosity.

So many cars seem compromised due to marketing or sales decisions rather than my ability to pay for something. It's pushing me towards used cars.

Bob's feedback on the CTS-Vs and the high mileage IS-Fs make me think my lack of options are just because I'm not looking in the right places.

That said, the cars I would really like to own are all $70-80K new. Does $40K for a five or six year old car make sense if it's not a 911?
Old 04-07-2014, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I lust after cars a bit less these days. I go look at what $40K buys me and I'm not that compelled. It seems like price creep has made it so that few new cars I would love to own are in my price range.

I'm over the B8s. Too old. The cheapest F-Type configuration I would want is $72K. The new Golf R is going to be $35-40K and a compromise from what the Germans get. The new 2015 Mustang with the 300hp 2.3L Ecoboost is really one of the few cars under $40K that truly pique my curiosity.

So many cars seem compromised due to marketing or sales decisions rather than my ability to pay for something. It's pushing me towards used cars.

Bob's feedback on the CTS-Vs and the high mileage IS-Fs make me think my lack of options are just because I'm not looking in the right places.

That said, the cars I would really like to own are all $70-80K new. Does $40K for a five or six year old car make sense if it's not a 911?
the record screeched and halted when I reached the bolded part... people buy new cars??

ok being just a tad cynical here.

regarding internet photos of cars........ I thought about it and don't really have much comment on it. Something I noticed at the track last weekend with the cars we had though, my appreciation for these cars went up in small amounts, every time I saw them coming around the track. It was weird and a bit unexpected, I mean typically you would expect the feeling to fade after prolonged use. But like that 458, good god, it got more gorgeous and gorgeous every time it went around lol
Old 04-07-2014, 01:43 PM
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This is why you need to beat your kids.

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Old 04-07-2014, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
I lust after cars a bit less these days. I go look at what $40K buys me and I'm not that compelled. It seems like price creep has made it so that few new cars I would love to own are in my price range.

I'm over the B8s. Too old. The cheapest F-Type configuration I would want is $72K. The new Golf R is going to be $35-40K and a compromise from what the Germans get. The new 2015 Mustang with the 300hp 2.3L Ecoboost is really one of the few cars under $40K that truly pique my curiosity.

So many cars seem compromised due to marketing or sales decisions rather than my ability to pay for something. It's pushing me towards used cars.

Bob's feedback on the CTS-Vs and the high mileage IS-Fs make me think my lack of options are just because I'm not looking in the right places.

That said, the cars I would really like to own are all $70-80K new. Does $40K for a five or six year old car make sense if it's not a 911?
Typically I go for used cars. I would have bought a used BRZ, but there's nearly no used market for it at the moment. The financing, new, was pretty good too. Figured, might as well. I don't like buying first model year cars anyway. Luckily what I wanted was well within my budget...

I'm not afraid of age, what I don't like is miles. I feel like manufacturers these days try and optimize their cars for 50-100k miles at best. Not to say cars won't go longer than that, but things like bushings don't work like when new.

Beating a dead horse, but German cars fall apart. I mentioned this, but a Porsche water pump will generally fail around 50k. BMW & VW/Audi cooling system parts are plastic, and eventually crack. Just empirical evidence, but it seems like bushings give out sooner than other cars. BUT they do offer better performance when still good.
Old 04-07-2014, 02:08 PM
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I love German cars. But they remind me of gorgeous, high maintenance women.
Old 04-07-2014, 02:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Costco
I love German cars. But they remind me of gorgeous, high maintenance women.
Well, if you wanna play...you gotta pay.
Old 04-07-2014, 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Costco
I love German cars. But they remind me of gorgeous, high maintenance women.
That is why you lease BMW, Gorgeous women that come with Free Maintenance!
You can't ask for a better combination.
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Old 04-07-2014, 02:25 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
That is why you lease BMW, Gorgeous women that come with Free Maintenance!
Sorry. But, being and all, the word "lease" just doesn't exist in my vocab.
Old 04-07-2014, 02:32 PM
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if you are the type that will drive a car for 7+ years then it makes sense.

If you get a new car every 3-5 years, then it just does not make sense financially.

People's #1 argument against lease is, "at least i have something to show for after 5 years"
My counter argument will be" That makes sense but you better keep the car for another 3-5 years because if you sell it after 5 years, the $ you get back is the 2 years of additional payments you made vs. lease (if that) and then you buy a new car and you will still have car payments. Makes it no difference from leasing"

Leasing is not for everyone but most of the people don't even know they have the option to sell or trade in the car at any time, buy the car at the end, lease transfer. If you drive too many miles, then lease a car with good resale value and sell it to car max at end of year 3. most of the time, the value of the car will pay off the residual but you got the car with no down payment and cheaper monthly payment.

Last edited by oonowindoo; 04-07-2014 at 02:39 PM.
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Old 04-07-2014, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
if you are the type that will drive a car for 7+ years then it makes sense.

If you get a new car every 3-5 years, then it just does not make sense financially.

People's #1 argument against lease is, "at least i have something to show for after 5 years"
My counter argument will be" That makes sense but you better keep the car for another 3-5 years because if you sell it after 5 years, the $ you get back is the 2 years of additional payments you made vs. lease (if that) and then you buy a new car and you will still have car payments. Makes it no difference from leasing"
My main issue is I drive too many miles. Otherwise I would lease because a car payment is one of those things I tolerate to be able to spend hundreds of hours a year in that is enjoyable.
Old 04-07-2014, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by oonowindoo
if you are the type that will drive a car for 7+ years then it makes sense.

If you get a new car every 3-5 years, then it just does not make sense financially.

People's #1 argument against lease is, "at least i have something to show for after 5 years"
My counter argument will be" That makes sense but you better keep the car for another 3-5 years because if you sell it after 5 years, the $ you get back is the 2 years of additional payments you made vs. lease (if that) and then you buy a new car and you will still have car payments. Makes it no difference from leasing"
Well...yeah. I guess that's the point. I mean, everyone's life and financial situation is different. But, for the sake of argument, let's assume MOST of us are not like Altegris/BoostedJack and afford a new car every couple of years...

So, with family, expenses, mortgages, and etc., you just have to wonder the true feasibility in leasing something. Like, as tempting as it is to have a new car every couple of years, it just doesn't make sense...unless I plan on never retiring or having any nest egg.

Old 04-07-2014, 02:44 PM
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But, maybe if I were single and had no commitments?


It's interesting to play what-if. But, leasing a nice car is at least $800 or more out the door per month on something I may never own.

Again, thinking of it like "renting" a car...that's...expensive.
Old 04-07-2014, 02:54 PM
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Yah if you keep the car for a long time then yes it makes sense.

We are all technically "renting" the car or the house.

See what happens if you miss a few payments on your financed car or home.
That is what i told my friends who claim they are "homeowners". The banks owns you and you don't own anything until it is paid off.
Old 04-07-2014, 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by charliemike
My main issue is I drive too many miles. Otherwise I would lease because a car payment is one of those things I tolerate to be able to spend hundreds of hours a year in that is enjoyable.
depends on how many miles you actually drive a year (15k, 20k a year?)

There is still a way to make sense vs. buy depends on the type of car you lease. Because you have to take it into consideration that if you buy a car and drive 100000 miles a year, it is depreciating very quickly.

I don't want to sound like Leasing > all, it is not. But it is a lot better than what people thought about leasing.
Old 04-07-2014, 04:35 PM
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Too right on the leasing. I never considered it, cause it isn't really for the type of owner I am anyway. But my brother told me about the benefits, and it works for certain people.


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