Let's talk about cars
Nov 5th 2018, 3:22 pm
#7111
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Watford
Posts: 1,147
Re: Let's talk about cars
Did you have it replaced under warranty? Most manufacturers have a 3 year on batteries on new cars. It happened on our GTI a month or so ago at about 2.5 years old. They did try and stiff me on paying for it until I showed them the warranty
I find batteries nowadays give no indication on up and coming failure. Always seems to happen in the summer for me. I wonder if it's to do with the increase in electronics put into modern cars
I find batteries nowadays give no indication on up and coming failure. Always seems to happen in the summer for me. I wonder if it's to do with the increase in electronics put into modern cars
Hey ho live n learn lol
Nov 5th 2018, 9:04 pm
#7112
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Lauren's Co. SC by way of Palmetto, Florida
Posts: 3,265
Re: Let's talk about cars
For those in cooler climes this is a common time of year for batteries to go, just as you start switching on the heater and lights after a summer of engine only drawdown. Not that that would make any sense for those switching from full on a/c to full on heater!
Nov 6th 2018, 7:15 pm
#7113
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 473
Re: Let's talk about cars
Well having driven a Jeep for 12 years listening to Pulaski telling me how unreliable they are one of our vehicles finally broke down. Mrs L was left stranded in the Lowes parking lot when her Toyota went tits up. 
Nothing too serious just needed a new battery but the old one gave out with no warning at all.
Nothing too serious just needed a new battery but the old one gave out with no warning at all.
Did you have it replaced under warranty? Most manufacturers have a 3 year on batteries on new cars. It happened on our GTI a month or so ago at about 2.5 years old. They did try and stiff me on paying for it until I showed them the warranty
I find batteries nowadays give no indication on up and coming failure. Always seems to happen in the summer for me. I wonder if it's to do with the increase in electronics put into modern cars
I find batteries nowadays give no indication on up and coming failure. Always seems to happen in the summer for me. I wonder if it's to do with the increase in electronics put into modern cars
Nov 7th 2018, 3:53 am
#7114
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,903
Re: Let's talk about cars
Tried to buy a 1997 Jaguar XK8 drop-top over the weekend but the guy selling couldn't be arsed to reply to my texts or phone calls.
Shame, I've always wanted one and this was affordable (provided there's nothing major wrong with it!).
It were red, too, with the beige top.
Shame, I've always wanted one and this was affordable (provided there's nothing major wrong with it!).
It were red, too, with the beige top.
Jan 7th 2019, 3:04 pm
#7116
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Watford
Posts: 1,147
Jan 8th 2019, 7:03 am
#7119
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 13,111
Re: Let's talk about cars
Jan 8th 2019, 2:44 pm
#7120
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
…. well, I guess you've been in Gloucester ... don't they have internet there ...?
In other news, my 2003 Accord has continued to be totally reliable. I have just racked up 10,000 miles on the new set of boots I put on it in the summer - the previous set being life-expired with 102,000 miles on them (and 342,000 on the car). I had it serviced shortly before Christmas, and wondered what they would say about the brake pads, but the inspection report came back with the 50%-20% remaining box ticked, so the pads are still going to be OK for a while despite having already done 270,000 miles. Similarly the clutch is still doing OK too, despite being original to the vehicle, meaning 352,000 miles and counting!
…… I wish Michael was still posting as he tried to tell me that clutches were consumable items that didn't last more than 30,000 miles! 
Last edited by Pulaski; Jan 8th 2019 at 3:16 pm.
Jan 8th 2019, 6:48 pm
#7121
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 2,554
Re: Let's talk about cars
The markonline1 household upgraded their fleet just before Christmas. I traded in my 2006 mustang..... for a new mustang. Decided to buy the wrong engine again, and plump for the Ecoboost. It’s a daily driver, and with the low down torque of the turbo, it feels faster and way more fun than the V8 in daily driving. That said, it sounds shite, and every time a V8 passed, a little part of me cries inside. What a car though. I have never been in a car where a newer model has had such a huge transformation over an older model. The interior, the handling, the engine, all huge improvements. Didn’t have a great dealer experience after they extended my loan during negotiations to get my payments down, without telling me. That’ll teach me not to read before signing I guess.
The wife also decided to upgrade the Forester. She wanted a 3 row SUV, and after testing the Explorer, Atlas and Ascent, she plumped for the Mazda CX-9. The others drove like the tanks they are. The CX-9 feels remarkably lively for such a large car.
Depresingly, the wife had to give to her beloved manual gearbox, and even in a car like the Mustang, I had to make compromises to make sure I got a stick. When I come to buy a new car in another 6 or 7 years, I’d there is anything out there with a manual box, I’ll be amazed!!!!
The wife also decided to upgrade the Forester. She wanted a 3 row SUV, and after testing the Explorer, Atlas and Ascent, she plumped for the Mazda CX-9. The others drove like the tanks they are. The CX-9 feels remarkably lively for such a large car.
Depresingly, the wife had to give to her beloved manual gearbox, and even in a car like the Mustang, I had to make compromises to make sure I got a stick. When I come to buy a new car in another 6 or 7 years, I’d there is anything out there with a manual box, I’ll be amazed!!!!
Jan 8th 2019, 8:02 pm
#7122
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Lauren's Co. SC by way of Palmetto, Florida
Posts: 3,265
Re: Let's talk about cars
The markonline1 household upgraded their fleet just before Christmas. I traded in my 2006 mustang..... for a new mustang. Decided to buy the wrong engine again, and plump for the Ecoboost. It’s a daily driver, and with the low down torque of the turbo, it feels faster and way more fun than the V8 in daily driving. That said, it sounds shite, and every time a V8 passed, a little part of me cries inside. What a car though. I have never been in a car where a newer model has had such a huge transformation over an older model. The interior, the handling, the engine, all huge improvements. Didn’t have a great dealer experience after they extended my loan during negotiations to get my payments down, without telling me. That’ll teach me not to read before signing I guess.
The wife also decided to upgrade the Forester. She wanted a 3 row SUV, and after testing the Explorer, Atlas and Ascent, she plumped for the Mazda CX-9. The others drove like the tanks they are. The CX-9 feels remarkably lively for such a large car.
Depresingly, the wife had to give to her beloved manual gearbox, and even in a car like the Mustang, I had to make compromises to make sure I got a stick. When I come to buy a new car in another 6 or 7 years, I’d there is anything out there with a manual box, I’ll be amazed!!!!
The wife also decided to upgrade the Forester. She wanted a 3 row SUV, and after testing the Explorer, Atlas and Ascent, she plumped for the Mazda CX-9. The others drove like the tanks they are. The CX-9 feels remarkably lively for such a large car.
Depresingly, the wife had to give to her beloved manual gearbox, and even in a car like the Mustang, I had to make compromises to make sure I got a stick. When I come to buy a new car in another 6 or 7 years, I’d there is anything out there with a manual box, I’ll be amazed!!!!
New manual in six or seven years, forget the option to change gear when you like, you'll be lucky if it comes with a steering wheel as standard!!!
Jan 14th 2019, 2:14 am
#7123
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 901
Re: Let's talk about cars
Any advice on car buying?
Looking to buy a new car, hopefully a Veloster (I test drove it, I like it!), but I'm confused by the numbers dealerships keeps throwing around, what do I need to ask or say, etc? Also, found one dealership selling a premium for 19k, well below invoice, which means they're selling at a loss from my understanding. How does that work for the dealership?
Looking to buy a new car, hopefully a Veloster (I test drove it, I like it!), but I'm confused by the numbers dealerships keeps throwing around, what do I need to ask or say, etc? Also, found one dealership selling a premium for 19k, well below invoice, which means they're selling at a loss from my understanding. How does that work for the dealership?
Jan 14th 2019, 10:24 am
#7124
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2014
Location: Lauren's Co. SC by way of Palmetto, Florida
Posts: 3,265
Re: Let's talk about cars
Any advice on car buying?
Looking to buy a new car, hopefully a Veloster (I test drove it, I like it!), but I'm confused by the numbers dealerships keeps throwing around, what do I need to ask or say, etc? Also, found one dealership selling a premium for 19k, well below invoice, which means they're selling at a loss from my understanding. How does that work for the dealership?
Looking to buy a new car, hopefully a Veloster (I test drove it, I like it!), but I'm confused by the numbers dealerships keeps throwing around, what do I need to ask or say, etc? Also, found one dealership selling a premium for 19k, well below invoice, which means they're selling at a loss from my understanding. How does that work for the dealership?
Edit: Not to forget that they may just be getting by selling rock bottom to compete with the likes of Ford who are jettisoning all their sedans in favour of the truck and SUV market.
Last edited by zzrmark; Jan 14th 2019 at 10:32 am.
Jan 14th 2019, 10:47 am
#7125
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,446
Re: Let's talk about cars
Perhaps the manufacturer offloaded last years models at discount, or the dealer buys in bulk and gets discounts, or the kickbacks on credit are worth it, or the commission for the sale of useless GAP and warranty 'products', or a combination of all the above. Not forgetting to add to the sale figure the non-negotiable $800 bucks for pinstriping. One thing that you can guarantee is that they won't be selling at a loss!!
Edit: Not to forget that they may just be getting by selling rock bottom to compete with the likes of Ford who are jettisoning all their sedans in favour of the truck and SUV market.
Edit: Not to forget that they may just be getting by selling rock bottom to compete with the likes of Ford who are jettisoning all their sedans in favour of the truck and SUV market.
In my relatively limited experience dealers may be much more flexible if the specific care has been in "inventory" for a long time - the dealer's web site may give that info. In our case, the Accord coupé we bought nearly two years ago had a manual transmission, and had been in inventory for over 360 days - we got it at a steal, paying only about $1,000 more than the Accord saloon we bought 14 years earlier. The irony, no doubt lost on the dealer, was that we actually wanted a car with manual transmission!