Buying a Goddamn Car Right Now

There are new ones? I Just bought one. Are you in the States?

FU!!!!!!!!

Buy yourself some time to get the car you really want — buy a cheap used car.

rent?

I don't want you to have a car. Walk peasant.

I bought a car a year ago and glad I did before things got really nuts. The same car would cost me $5000 more today.

What are you driving now, OP? What are you looking at buying? Price range?

The average new car purchase is $45,000!!! It is insane what people spend on cars. How do the average Americans who make $5pk a year afford a car? No wonder so many people are broke. Buy a Honda -$25k.

R1, yes, I'm in the US. What did you buy?

R7, I'm borrowing a car for now but that can't last forever, obviously. I'm looking for the cheapest reliable car I can find. Low $20s at the most. Just the basics. Unfortunately, the manufacturers have moved to putting all their limited chips in their most expensive cars. With idiots willing to pay $40,000+ for a car, I guess that's going to make them more profit than making a lot more of their affordable models that require fewer chips per car. I've looked at used but they are more expensive than new ones. It's ridiculous.

Every dealer I contact supposedly has a car. Their websites show cars. But, those cars magically disappear as soon as you inquire about them or, oops, they forgot to update the price on their website. I know they've always played that game but they've become even bigger fucking thieves now, just like all the other corporations. Has anyone heard of the new "market adjustment fees"? These are fees they are just randomly adding due to "the market". You'll be quoted one price right up until you show up at the dealer then they tack on, literally, $8000 extra. It's been funny reading dealer reviews over the last couple of months. They are going down, down, down. Even the decent dealers are pulling this bullshit on their customers.

Carmax is ridiculously overpriced. Has anyone used Carvana? Their prices are lower than Carmax but not by much. Local dealers are a joke. Maybe I'll get a moped and a rainsuit in the Spring.

I'd look for a good used car locally on cars.com or similar sites. Nothing wrong with a used car, OP.

What would you define as a good used car? All the ones I see listed are waaaay overpriced or cars with 90,000 miles, with most of those also being way overpriced. Already checked Autotrader, CarGurus, Carvana, Carmax, Cars. It's all garbage and the ones that I've followed up on were all bullshit postings for cars that didn't actually exist from shit dealer. I'm sure I'll find something eventually but, fuck, it's frustrating dealing with garbage and liars.

^ You're just going to have to keep at it, check online ads daily and when you see something that might work grab it before it's gone. You don't have much choice

It’s the same in Canada. Lots of empty car lots with big signs that say - WE WILL BUY YOUR CAR! Used prices are insane. Some of the bigger lots are putting out used cars - older with high mileage - that they’d normally have sent to auction. The GM lot near me that sells Caddies and Buicks hasn’t had any new ones, or even used ones, on their lot in months. I bought a new car in October 2020 and could probably sell it privately today for maybe $2000 less than I paid. The depreciation by now would have been at least $8000.

Wait a year.

I always buy USED. Toyota. No more than 50K miles. No more than $18K.

I currently have a 2005 RAV4 (180K miles) that I drive to work everyday and a 2013 Camry SE (90K miles) that I use on weekends/road trips. Never put more than 10K on each vehicle annually.

^ I do the same, I always try and find an off-lease car about 3 years old with about 50K miles on it. Always used to be the best value, but I'm not sure that formula works anymore

What about a broker? I’ve heard good things about how much they can save you.

Someone you know knows someone who’s a broker.

Ask around.

I always buy used. First, you don't worry so much about door dings. Second, my insurance is crazy cheap. Third, people will now cut you off so fast. Fifth, it's the best use of your money.

Just as a side note, really wealthy people do drive shit-boxes. Two of my clients with 25 million dollars plus homes drive beat-up Toyota pickups.

I'm not sure about a NEW or USED car but if you are looking for a GODDAMNED one then you can't go wrong with this beaut....

What happened to Fourth, R18??

May the Fourth be with you.

@r20, "What happened to Fourth, [R18]?? "

looks to be between 3rd and 5th right where it always was

“I'm not sure that formula works anymore”

It doesn’t and it’s time to put this to bed. 20 year old advice does not cut it in 2022.

^ Found the used car salesman ^

That formula worked up until about a year ago

Carjack what you want. You shouldn't be deprived of a car.

Unless you’ve bought a car recently then you probably don’t know the current conditions.

There is no way around over paying until this “chip shortage” is figured out. Because car companies are making record profits off these prices and aren’t going to give them up quietly.

Take the bus

All the corporate scamming has been well documented on datalounge.

This is an extension of that.

We don’t have consumer groups anymore that normally would be publishing all sorts of reports. Instead we get concierge news (fluff) from USA Today.

The best used cars will be “certified pre-owned” ones you’ll find at a dealer. Most of them are three year old lease returns with about 30,000 miles that have been well taken care of. You’ll pay more, but they come with a lengthy warranty.

Nowadays though, lease returns might be hard to come by…since many people who have leases ending are choosing to buy their cars, since the pre-negotiated price is significantly less than what the car is worth right now.

[quote] Just as a side note, really wealthy people do drive shit-boxes

This is such bullshit. I live in the Hamptons and nobody rich drives a beat up shit box. People lease new Range Rovers, Mercedes, BMWs, Audis, Volvos, Porsches, Teslas, Lexus, and there are still a few Infiniti and Acura fans around. This isn’t Beverly Hills or Saudi Arabia, so you don’t see Rolls Royces or Bentleys. Range Rovers are the favorite at the moment because it shows you can afford both the car and the repairs.

The only shit boxes you see are driven by illegal aliens who bought with cash.

Do you know what the #1 vehicle is that's bought by millionaires?

The Ford F-150 pick-up truck

The Hamptons is a showy place for new money. Real wealth isn't impressed by outrageously expensive cars

Oh do tell us, people in Newport, Greenwich, Darien, Westport, Martha’s Vineyard, Beacon Hill, Kennebunkport, Society Hill, Mainline, savannah, Charleston, Atherton, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Hillsborough, Sedona, Shaker Heights…how many shitboxes are crawling along your neighborhoods? How many Ford F 150s are rolling coal in your neighborhoods? According to data line you should all be pulling beat rides on your streets to save $10k. Only new money have the latest safety and comfort features in their cars.

Shove your snotty suburbs up your ass, r32

"Apparently, though, that's not the case anymore, as a new report claims that the Ford F-150 is the most popular vehicle for the wealthy. According to a study conducted by MaritzCX and published through Kelly Blue Book, Americans who take home more than $500,000 choose the F-150 more than any other vehicle.Mar 1, 2017"

Here's the article, r32, I hope you choke on it you piss-poor phony...

I'd wager that those R150s are not their only or primary cars. Every straight guy wants a big truck so when they make enough, they all buy one. Bet they own at least two other cars, too. One to drag the family around and one that's sportier.

r31 the f150 is the most popular car among millionaires because its paid for by business tax loopholes. its become a luxury car to buy at the end of the year for businesses that would otherwise be forced to pay the money in taxes.

... as r32 flounces off in a huff to her job at Macy's

I always buy used. I bought my used 2019 Mercedes in March 2020–literally 5 days later everything shit down. I looked online and the car hasn’t depreciated at all. (And Mercedes don’t hold their value normally.) it’s such a bad time to buy cars, I have sympathy for those who really need to buy one.

Here in Lake Forest we still drive our Saab 900s cars. Buck would never drive a Tesla.

@r35, Bring us your data or does speculation the way we win arguments now?

R33, that just does not sound accurate. First of all, the article is five years old. Second, I guess I wouldn’t be surprised if wealthy people bought the cars for hauling stuff they actually never end up hauling, but no way are they driving that truck to an evening out on the town at a fancy restaurant .

R39, I loved my Saab 900s convertible! Probably my favorite car ever,

As long as your FICO is more than 680, you can lease a BMW 330i, brand new, for $1500 down and 450-500/month, all maintenance included for the 3 year lease. I think it's a good deal. There are plenty of cars.

Bought a car late 2020, amazing on gas and heavily discounted below MSRP.

Millionaires aren’t rich. I’m a millionaire. I have a million dollars in real estate, savings and investments. I’m upper middle class.

@r41, I'll read your data, bring it

You kweens don't know a damn thing about wealth, most wealthy people don't live in expensive suburbs they live on farms and ranches throughout the US. They own construction companies and gas stations where a truck is what is used to get around

So, bring us your facts or sit down and shut the fuck up

@r45, No one's impressed because you have a house, go away

Look in a senior 55+ community if you have one near you. We have a few an hour away and I have a friend that picked up a low mileage used car for a decent price. Put it out on social media that you're looking and maybe a friend will have a lead for you. The market adjustment fee is bullshit! I'm sure this bubble will burst like they all do.

I bought a 2018 Mazda 3 hatchback last month. Yes, it sucked that it cost more than it should but I tried to console myself by realizing how much the value of my house has gone up since I bought it 5 years ago (100,000). I do not foresee it dropping significantly either since Apple is coming to the area.

More...

Come on, girls, let's see your data...

Someone here who’s claiming that pickups are the choice of rich people is posting articles from 2017. Anything for this decade?

These prices are never going down. We're all still paying those fuel surcharges companies added from 2008. Once they get people used to seeing the higher prices, they're here to stay.

@r52, lot's of new data up there, princess, still waiting to read yours...

Loser

"Someone here who’s claiming that pickups are the choice of rich people is posting articles from 2017. Anything for this decade? "

Are you really this stupid?

"lot's"? Are we talking salt wives here?

Go read the articles on the tax dodge, er, I mean deduction mentioned above. Rich people form a bunch of LLCs and then have them each buy a truck and deduct 100% the first year. It's ridiculous what the rich get away with.

"Most rich people don't drive stupid expensive cars

Then, I read The Millionaire Next Door, and it changed my perception about rich people.

I now know that most wealthy people tend not to drive around in new and expensive vehicles. They also aren't wearing $5,000 watches, $1,500 designer suits while flashing their high-spend credit cards and living in large McMansions in well-to-do zip codes located throughout the city. This is why they are wealthy.

That’s right! Let me say that again: this is why they are wealthy!"

"The Most Popular Car Driven by Millionaires"

"In a study posted by USAToday.com, the Ford F-150 was the most popular vehicle among people earning more than $200,000. Part of the reason for the popularity of this relatively modest purchase, outside of the desire to save, is that many “regular cars” now offer the same features that come equipped with more expensive vehicles."

What R14 said.

R54, you’re the one who made the claim. How about some data from this decade? Et tu, loser?

@r52, How you doing on your reading?...

"People who exceed $200,000 per year prefer subtle rides like a Ford F-150 or a Honda Civic despite their affordability for expensive cars."

Now that wasn’t too hard, was it r60? Only took you 10 posts.

@r59, "[R54], you’re the one who made the claim. How about some data from this decade? Et tu, loser? "

You're too fucking dumb to breathe, aren't you?

Big question is what are your own finances? If the extra $5-10k makes a big difference to your life, I'd put on facebook that you are looking to rent someone's car for the next year and see if there is anyone in your circle of family or friends with a second/third car they'd like to earn some income off of. I know a few people who have SUV's just for one or two trips a year. So let them switch out the cars when they want to if they need to. Or rent/uber for a week.

I know someone who just bought a $100k car and had to pay a $30k premium above that.

My guess is also due to the market conditions, lots and lots of car leasers will be hanging on to their cars and buying them out (in addition to lease extensions) so the secondary market is fucked for a while too. Im in that position. Would normally have leased a new car. That wont be happening until deals on leased cars occur since Im flexible enough to go where the craziest lease deal is.

The idiotic imposition of electric cars will make it even tougher

Apparently not. R62.

@r61, Still waiting on your data... If your dick is as big as your brain you're in big trouble

I didn’t make any claims. I only told you that your data was suspect because it was 5 years old. I really don’t give a shit what rich people drive.

I'm in the same situation, OP. Fortunately, I live in the middle of a decent sized city, and work from home. So I've just been walking or using Uber, but not happy about not having a car. Just looking at cars because so annoying because of current prices and crap on the market that I've basically just given up on buying a new one anytime soon.

The few people I know who are extremely wealthy drive SUVs, American and otherwise. There is value to discretion and maintaining ones anonymity when one has so much to lose.

That explains why the car dealer where I bought my car 5 years ago is bugging me to trade in my car for a new one. No way assholes: Three more payments and this baby is mine. I'm driving it until the wheels fall off.

Yes, it’s off topic, but I am so sick of rich people (e.g., R45) telling the rest of us that they’re middle class. Middle class, my ass!

Savings. Real estate. Investments. Omg.

Do you even realize that over 80% of people in the world cannot afford to own a car? That 50-60% lack a flushable toilet? That 15% of households in the USA - yes, in the USA - do not have enough food to eat?

Middle class. Yeah, right.

R71 is so poor and bitter...and unfuckable.

Says the poverty stricken R72...Keni

My car didn't pass inspection and the body shop mechanic told me that there's nothing he can do for it. He showed me the rust on the undercarriage, I believe him. That said, here in PA there is a fine if you get caught driving with an expired inspection sticker. Key phrase: if you get caught. I've been pulled over maybe twice in my life and zero times in the last decade. I think I'll roll the dice for 6-12 months (or so)... tell me why that's a bad idea. The car is still very much drive-able, the problem area is the passenger side.

R63 is correct. I extended my lease because I didn't want to deal with the nonsense of renegotiating on a new car.

I'm glad I bought my leased car, which was over a year ago. It was good timing and luck...as I didn't anticipate the hassle of buying a car now.

I heard you can get a much larger price on your trade in from Carmax.

R74 worst case scenario, register your car in South Dakota, which doesn’t require inspection and allows people living out of state to have SD plates.

R74 has a rusty undercarriage…

[quote]Nowadays though, lease returns might be hard to come by…since many people who have leases ending are choosing to buy their cars

Or extending their lease like R75 said. I've done that several time because I hadn't decided what I would do once the lease ended. These days it's a great idea.

[quote]has a rusty undercarriage…

Rusty and filled with large holes! #sad #howdoesthathappen

I don't know anything about leasing but can the dealer just choose not to renew your lease if they feel they can get a really good price for selling it? Or are renewals a concrete part of the original contract?

Got my eye on a Subaru Forester Wilderness...

I was thinking of getting a new car this year or next, but now I'm not so sure. I drive a mid-2000s Honda Accord. I've yet to break the 100,000 miles mark, but I'm close to hitting it. My uncle, who knows a lot about cars, said I could probably drive it another 5 years if I wanted to.

I hate buying cars. I can't stand the salesmanship at dealerships and knowing they're trying to screw you over, although buying my Accord wasn't that bad of an experience. Given buying a car now is way more expensive than pre-pandemic, I'm even less inclined to buy a new one.

Be careful, R84. Early 2000s Accords and Civics have bad transmissions. Once it's near 100K I'd trade it in.

I’m always amazed people drive less than 10,000 miles/year on leases. Do you never leave town? I live in the Northeast and rarely use it M-F most weeks - yet I still average around 15k+ miles/year. Just trips to beaches or another Northeast city mostly. But I have never driven less than 15,000 miles/year. And I don’t drive to work. How do you do it?

R86, I worked from home most of the time prior to Covid, and since Covid work from home exclusively. I live in a city where nothing is that far away, but I generally shop online as stores are such hassles these days with poor customer service. I live in a neighborhood where most everything I need is a 2-3 minute drive.

Any place I want to go to outside of my city usually involves a plane trip and rental car. I don't take that many long trips as most people I know live close to me and those that don't usually prefer to visit me at my home. The last time I put more than 10k miles a year on my car was the year I dated my partner long-distance. He then moved to be with me and back below 10k a year my mileage went.

R86, pre Covid, I averaged 12-15k a year. Over the last two years, I’ve barely totaled 10k. I bought my car with 9k miles right before the pandemic and just now went over 20k. There are many days I don’t drive, and when I do, it’s not a very long distance.

Bought a pre-owned 2003 Honda CRV in April of 2007 for 18K including tax and documentation fees. It had 35K miles and I had it for 10 years/154K miles. Bought another used 2003 Honda in September of 2017. Yes, the same car different color for $6,200. It only had 63K miles on it. It now has 90K miles and since I bought it, I had 3 tires and the water pump replaced. Buy a good used car that has a copy of the Carfax. Some vehicles if properly maintained get up to 250K miles.

R86, if I leave town, it's usually on a plane. Otherwise, I rarely have to go that far. I'm in NYC, so it's not as if I have to go miles to shop for what I need.

I have 8000+mi over three years on my car. Like with the other poster, Covid also played a role

Wow - I’m amazed how few miles people drive. I guess if you live in NYC and don’t have a weekend place, it’s possible. But in 90% of the US, I would think driving everywhere is necessary. Even if you don’t take car vacations, 10k seems like nothing,

Carvana offered me $3,000 more than I paid 2 years and 35,000 miles ago for a pre-owned 2019 Highlander. It wasn’t a tease either. They pestered me for a week to give the thing up.

R86, I live in a the NYC suburbs. Drug store, restaurants, grocery is a 5-10 minute WALK, as is the train to Grand Central. I drive 4 to 5,000 miles a year and always have. Long trips I take a train/plane or go with someone else. Plus now that I'm over 50, I have to fulfill a stereotype.

[quote]I don't know anything about leasing but can the dealer just choose not to renew your lease if they feel they can get a really good price for selling it? Or are renewals a concrete part of the original contract?

I don't know about other situations, but in my case, the dealer and the leaser are two, different components. The dealer has nothing to do with the decision on extending the lease. You call the financing company and talk to them. I have a vehicle in high demand, but I was given no pushback at all. I asked for an extension and they gave it to me. No hassle.

[quote]I guess if you live in NYC and don’t have a weekend place, it’s possible.

Have you any idea what a garage costs in New York?

R92 is bad sign for the times.

This “chip shortage” is making car companies a fortune.

[quote] Every dealer I contact supposedly has a car.

This is a time where you need to go to a dealer in person, not on line. Research several cars that you are willing to purchase and show up in person, test drive the car and negotiate a deal. On line they are trying to get you to move up to a higher price car than the price range you are looking at. If the car is on the lot for sale you can buy it.

GM posts record earnings despite chip shortage:

General Motors reported record earnings for 2021, despite struggling with a shortage of computer chips and other parts that crimped its ability to build and sell all the cars and trucks it wanted.

Quarterly earnings reached nearly $2 billion, excluding special items, topping the consensus forecast of $1.7 billion from analysts surveyed by Refinitiv. That allowed the company to earn $10.4 billion for the year, excluding special items, up from $7.1 billion a year earlier.

In July 2019 I bought a 2017 Toyota Camry LE in dark blue with only 7,000 miles for $17,000. I looked up the value on kellysbluebook and it says $20,000 and the car now has 8,500 miles.

That same car 2 1/2 years later would cost me at least $23,000. It looks like a got a bargain.

[quote]lease returns that are well taken care of

Are leased cars well taken care of though, R29? Do people keep up with maintenance, oil changes etc. on their leased cars?

I do, R100. I mean I'm driving the the thing, so I have to keep it running well.

What kind of job do you have that you can't afford a car? I'm glad I went to college

Cathy's Mom) $20,000 for a car??? Why are you even looking at a car that costs $20,000???

Cathy) Because that is what cars cost now. Wake up mother, coffee is $2 a cup, pantyhose is $10 and a car cost $20,000

R100, my experience tell me people who lease don't give a shit about the car because they don't own it.

I wound up buying my Honda CRV when my lease ended. I didn’t want to, but It was worth 7-8,000 more than my buyout price.

My car is a 2016 and it's still in excellent shape. My husband is driving a 2013 Chevy truck with 170,000 miles on it. We were car shopping when the chip shortage hit. So yeah, we're waiting to buy a car. We've had terrible experiences with used cars and they're too expensive now, so we have to wait.

It's not about not being able to afford a new car, R102, it's about not wanting to get ripped off. I'm R68. I knew my car was close to death, and had been looking at cars before it actually did die, which was right before Covid lockdowns hit. So I know what the prices were previously, and obviously I'm regretting that I didn't pull the trigger back when, but whatever. Much like housing prices, things have gone in an unexpected direction. I'm not in a dire situation where I have to have a car or a new house, so I'm waiting out whatever this situation is.

We're thinking about getting a low mileage 2010/11 Lincoln Town Car; they're built like tanks & the 4.6 litre engine lasts forever; admittedly a primitive design, but comfortable/safe & after we retired & moved up here on the mountain we want something more comfortable for the hour-long drives down/back up the mountain into town. I keep cars forever (also have a 2000 Chevy diesel truck with 120,000 miles) It's good in snow, too :) Just not interested in spending what's wanted right now for used, & especially new vehicles!

Do you not care about spending money on gas R108? While I appreciate a nice ride, I refuse to get a gas guzzler in the days of $4 gas.

r109 we're aware of gas & diesel rates; the cheapest up here is $4.45 for diesel, $4.15 for gasoline, but we've factored that in; seems like a wash for an expensive smaller engined vehicle that gets better mileage; & depending on what happens in Ukraine, etc., we won't be surprised to eventually see rates go to $6.00 for diesel/$5.75 for gasoline--it's what Greta wants :)

I just don’t think people are “getting” it.

What is it we're supposed to be "getting", R111? That we're being fucked over in some sort of great reset? i'm not a tinfoil hatter, but there are things going on that make me wonder.

I have no advice but feel for you. I got my car a few years ago now (low mileage 2017 Honda Civic, i love it) and it's more expensive now, kind of shocked at the prices - 2015-2018 model honda civics. Two of my guy friends need new cars and can't buy right now because of the prices.

The record profits being reported by car companies tells you all you need to know. Just like the record profits for all the other companies that are price-gouging. They should be fined and their CEOs and board members jailed. Maybe then they'll learn their fucking lesson about being part of the larger country and not just existing for their fucking rich shareholders to move from millionaires to billionaires at record rates.

You people have no idea what the corporatist and the profiteers have in store for the average person in the U.S.

They have technology that will give them the power to have complete control over every individual. They have taken over the government and are using this social and cultural war as a cover to permanently reverse the new deal and return us to an era where they control everything and undo the last hundred years of labor unions and progressive laws.

My elderly parents are selling a 2010 Subaru Outback and carmax is offering them a silly amount of money for it, even though it needs a good amount of work. Luckily they don’t need to replace it. Sorry for those of you needing to buy, there are seriously no cars to buy up here in New England.

Hmmmmm, I live in NYC and most of my wealthier friends who own cars (including myself) drive BMWs, Mercedes’, Etc. I do not know one person who drives a Ford truck. One friend buys Chevy Blazers. That’s as close to trucks as it gets among my cronies.

My siblings (we are all pretty wealthy by inheritance and career) drive mostly Hondas etc, one sister only Volvos. No trucks! I have a 2017 BMW X1. I’m sure I’ll drive it another 5 years or more. I expect the next car I buy to be fully electric. My parents who were very wealthy had one Mercedes, one T-Bird (loved that car) in their lifetimes. Mostly station wagons then SUV type cars and a few (army style Jeeps in the 60s and 70s on Nantucket).

I could afford a Mercedes like the old lady next door (who only goes to the store and doctor), but I refuse to pay the exorbitant fees they charge for repairs and regular maintenance. My 2003 Civic has only 100K miles and runs great. In a couple of years I'd like to get the Civic hatchback, but everybody - including Honda and other mechanics tell me to hang on to my current car until it drops dead because the newer cars are nightmares.

R100 pre-owned leased cars are usually 3 years old with 36K miles max. Tires, batteries have years to go before replacement is needed and pre-owned vehicles are covered under 70K miles warranty. Don't see the reason to buy a new car or lease a new car.

R118, every foreign luxury car is expensive to maintain. It’s definitely annoying but I really like my Benz—I’m a sedan person for sure. But I totally understand your perspective. I actually go back and forth. Sometimes I’ll buy a more practical car and drive it for years, but got a great deal on this car through a friend who owns a dealership, and it was right before the pandemic. Otherwise I’d still be driving my Acura TL.

R109 and R110 you both must be in California. I am just north of NYC and I paid about $3.47 per gallon for regular at a BP station. Your gasoline prices are VERY high. Prices in Texas are sometimes a dollar a gallon less than what I pay, so I'm far from being the lowest.

Buck would NEVER buy a car right now.

The lease on my 2019 Infiniti is up in March and I'm pretty worried about either leasing or buying something new. I can only hope things are better in the next month.

R123- Why don't you just renew the lease on your 2019 Infiniti- problem solved.

Go to a non-haggle dealership, R84

I got a Ioniq 5 last week. Wasn't hard to find, despite the reports that it was.

R126-I think even Consumer Reports was impressed with it. Do you like it?

R8 Honda 45k is average new car cost. My 3 yr old Passport cost $49k delivered. Now it would be 55k.

R128- No one forced you to buy a Passport. You could have saved $20,000 and just bought a well equipped Honda Accord EX for $29,000.

R127, I love it so far. I saw a/the CR article before I bought it. We'll see how it is long-term, but so far it's great.

R 128 I like my Passport Elite AWD.

r121 Yes, up in the mountains, very rural--drove past the station today & prices were down three cents! So there's that :)

Buck is dead, Beth.

I just bought 2 cars. No problem. I don’t know what all this angsty car whining is all about. Tons of cars everywhere. Just call around and buy what you want.

R134 obviously knows better than every other person and every report from every source in the entire country. Or, he has unlimited funds because prices for cars now are prohibitively high for most people, hence, not being able to find cars.

R134, why do you need two cars? That's if you're not full of shit.

r82 Depends on the state. California has dealers lock in a price for buyout when the car is sold. Some states dont have a law protecting consumers like that

r134 What cars did you buy? what did you pay?

The market displacement is real--I found a card outside with the following--"Hi if you would like to sell your truck please call 415 XXX XXXX ask for Gabby Thanks". The vehicle in question is a 2000 Chevy 6.5 diesel with an 82 gallon auxiliary tank, engine is chipped, Mishimoto radiator, new glow plugs, etc. We're in a gated remote/rural place in the mountains of SoCal, the phone no is for a dealer in South San Francisco so I guess they've got guys tracking down any type of used vehicle they can get their hands on. It reminds me of the scene in Sunset Boulevard when Max says "I just found out the reason for all those phone calls from Paramount. It's not Madame they want. It's her car." We've also had multiple unsolicited offers for our car . . . this is getting to be really weird!

PS The truck only has 120,000 miles but I've never advertised it anywhere

R140, I started getting emails asking if I want to sell my Honda too