Yeah, that would probably tick me off. I think if they told me that,
I'd insist that they load it on a truck to get it here. I've always had
specific (ahem... wife-induced) details/options requested that requires
them to build it that way and that ensures it comes in with no miles on
it. :-)
I think the lowest mileage of any new car I've seen or heard of was maybe
5 miles. When dealerships get a car, it seems it involves some amount of driving. And if the dealership isn't close to a shipyard where cars come in, it may involve a bit more driving to get it to the dealership.
Nightfox wrote to Gamgee <=-
One thing I find interesting is, if you're looking for a car in a
specific trim level or color and a dealership doesn't have one like
that, the dealership is perfectly willing to transport one like that
from another dealership - and often that might involve someone just driving it over. So you could go pick up your 'new' car that might
have 100+ miles on it due to being driven from another dealership.
I had a friend who fell into some cool jobs in high school and college. One of them was working for a friend of his father who ran an 2 exotic
car dealerships. He got hired to wash cars and drive them back and forth between the dealerships, around 40 miles apart. Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis...
I think the lowest mileage of any new car I've seen or heard of was
maybe 5 miles. When dealerships get a car, it seems it involves
I've never heard of anyone buying a new car with single-digit
miles on it. Anyone buying a particular car would take it out
for a test drive, and surely that would even include a brief
stint on a highway, no?
I had a friend who fell into some cool jobs in high school and college. One of them was working for a friend of his father who ran an 2 exotic car dealerships. He got hired to wash cars and drive them back and forth between the dealerships, around 40 miles apart. Ferraris, Porsches, Lamborghinis...
I bought a Volvo wagon, sight unseen, supposedly still in the wrap at
the warehouse. When they drove it to us to pick up, it had a road ding
on the hood and a receipt from a golf shop 20 miles away. Oh, and 750 miles on the odometer. We renegotiated on the spot.
Nightfox wrote to Gamgee <=-
One thing I find interesting is, if you're looking for a car in a
specific trim level or color and a dealership doesn't have one
like that, the dealership is perfectly willing to transport one
like that from another dealership - and often that might involve
someone just driving it over. So you could go pick up your 'new'
Yeah, that would probably tick me off. I think if they told me that,
I'd insist that they load it on a truck to get it here. I've always had specific (ahem... wife-induced) details/options requested that requires them to build it that way and that ensures it comes in with no miles on it. :-)
I think the lowest mileage of any new car I've seen or heard of
was maybe 5 miles. When dealerships get a car, it seems it
involves some amount of driving. And if the dealership isn't
close to a shipyard where cars come in, it may involve a bit more
driving to get it to the dealership.
Ogg wrote to Nightfox <=-
Hello Nightfox!
Yeah, that would probably tick me off. I think if they told me that,
I'd insist that they load it on a truck to get it here. I've always had
specific (ahem... wife-induced) details/options requested that requires
them to build it that way and that ensures it comes in with no miles on
it. :-)
I think the lowest mileage of any new car I've seen or heard of was maybe
5 miles. When dealerships get a car, it seems it involves some amount of driving. And if the dealership isn't close to a shipyard where cars come in, it may involve a bit more driving to get it to the dealership.
I've never heard of anyone buying a new car with single-digit
miles on it. Anyone buying a particular car would take it out
for a test drive, and surely that would even include a brief
stint on a highway, no?
That's why you don't buy a "new" car from the inventory on the lot. You customize some options/packages so they have to *BUILD* it that way, and the car is ordered for you, and you only. You pick it up when it comes
in to the dealership. Nobody else ever test drives it.
Nightfox wrote to Gamgee <=-
That's why you don't buy a "new" car from the inventory on the lot. You customize some options/packages so they have to *BUILD* it that way, and the car is ordered for you, and you only. You pick it up when it comes
in to the dealership. Nobody else ever test drives it.
Do car makers/dealerships charge extra for a custom-order?
And I recently read in a forum on Reddit that someone had made a custom-order for a new 2022-model car about a year ago and it
still hasn't come in yet (probably due to parts shortages due to
covid). He said they bumped him up to a 2023 model and also
charged something like $200 more for the difference in price
(doesn't seem fair since they were the ones who made him wait).
Ogg wrote to Blue White <=-
The older Saab did quite well. :) The newer cars with
more buttons came next. The full touchscreen models were
last.
Not surprising really. Virtual buttons lack tactile feel. With
real buttons, one can manipulate them without looking.
Not surprising really. Virtual buttons lack tactile feel. With
real buttons, one can manipulate them without looking.
I agree it was no surprise. Probably only surprising to those who, for some unknown reason, think a touch screen is necessary. :)
I've never heard of anyone buying a new car with single-digit
miles on it. Anyone buying a particular car would take it out
for a test drive, and surely that would even include a brief
stint on a highway, no?
That's why you don't buy a "new" car from the inventory on the lot. You customize some options/packages so they have to *BUILD* it that way, and the car is ordered for you, and you only. You pick it up when it comes
in to the dealership. Nobody else ever test drives it.
Ogg wrote to Gamgee <=-
I've never heard of anyone buying a new car with single-digit
miles on it. Anyone buying a particular car would take it out
for a test drive, and surely that would even include a brief
stint on a highway, no?
That's why you don't buy a "new" car from the inventory on the lot. You customize some options/packages so they have to *BUILD* it that way, and the car is ordered for you, and you only. You pick it up when it comes
in to the dealership. Nobody else ever test drives it.
Couldn't they just use one of their own cars on the lot,
customize it on spot, and sell that one?
I agree it was no surprise. Probably only surprising to those who,
for some unknown reason, think a touch screen is necessary. :)
Makes one wonder if these visionary designers even try to USE
their inventions in a real-life roadtest scenario to see if
they are practical to use.
That's why you don't buy a "new" car from the inventory on the lot.
You customize some options/packages so they have to *BUILD* it that
way, and the car is ordered for you, and you only. You pick it up
Couldn't they just use one of their own cars on the lot,
customize it on spot, and sell that one?
Couldn't they just use one of their own cars on the lot,
customize it on spot, and sell that one?
I don't work in the auto industry, but generally I like to use the things I k. It could be that they just lacked foresight and thought it would be a co
Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
When buying a new car these days, dealerships are offering a protection plan to repair cosmetic damage such as dents, wheel damage, and things like window damage. Those may come in handy to cover repairs for a
little while if you get a dent or ding in your brand-new car.
Couldn't they just use one of their own cars on the lot,
customize it on spot, and sell that one?
I'd think that would be more expensive and time-consuming overall than building a car a certain way in the first place. If they customized one that's on the lot, that means the car was already built a certain way
(with time and effort put in), and then they'd go and re-do some things, add some things, etc. to make it a bit different. They may even charge
you more for basically doing re-work to customize a car that was already built. For instance, if you wanted to have them add 4-wheel drive (which is an option on some cars) and you want one in a different color, that means they'll have to do work to add the 4-wheel drive and also strip the current paint and re-paint it.
Couldn't they just use one of their own cars on the lot,
customize it on spot, and sell that one?
No. Most (all?) of the options are not "field"-upgradeable. Some
specific examples that I know of: A leather-surfaced dashboard. Adjustable/adaptable performance suspension. Upgraded brakes. Integrated alarm system. There are many more, and they have to be installed in the car by the factory.
Next time I buy a car, I'll finance it from them, beat the crap out of them on the loan terms, make sure there's no prepayment penalty, drive
the car off the lot, then pay the loan off in the first payment.
I wouldn't be surprised to see them using that service to mask a massive dealer markup. I've been looking at the 2023 Priuses, and the markups
are incredible on (all) new models.
Makes one wonder if these visionary designers even try to USE
their inventions in a real-life roadtest scenario to see if
they are practical to use.
When buying a new car these days, dealerships are offering a
protection plan to repair cosmetic damage such as dents, wheel
damage, and things like window damage. Those may come in handy to
I wouldn't be surprised to see them using that service to mask a massive dealer markup. I've been looking at the 2023 Priuses, and the markups
Toyota dealers started adding a transparent protectant surface on the front of the new Prius, for the low low price of $3000 - on top of the $750 all-weather mats and dealer markup.
I have a local Subaru dealer that gets a pretty good selection of used cars, and we bought an Acura MDX from them. No markups on any of the new cars, which was nice. If you paid cash, they had a 10-day hold period
"for the check to clear". And collect interest on your payment.
If you financed, you could drive the car off the lot.
Next time I buy a car, I'll finance it from them, beat the crap out of them on the loan terms, make sure there's no prepayment penalty, drive
the car off the lot, then pay the loan off in the first payment.
Couldn't they just use one of their own cars on the lot,
customize it on spot, and sell that one?
I'd think that would be more expensive and time-consuming overall
than building a car a certain way in the first place. If they
I was thinking more along the lines of adding something like a
hitch, or a different audio console, or different rims.
Dealerships are such a failed concept. I am happy some OEMs are considering making dealerships obsolete.
Gamgee wrote to Ogg <=-
No. Most (all?) of the options are not "field"-upgradeable. Some specific examples that I know of: A leather-surfaced dashboard. Adjustable/adaptable performance suspension. Upgraded brakes.
Integrated alarm system. There are many more, and they have to be installed in the car by the factory.
Ogg wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
Yep.. check for "prepayment penalty" in the small print.
But the financing terms that I've seen often have "first 3
months free" or something like that - that's my experience with
leasing from Toyota. So, why not take advantage of that?
I bought a Prius in 2014, and they offered leather seats as an option, done by a local upholstery shop. I don't know if they bought those
slip-on leather seat covers or re-upholstered them.
I was in a hurry to get the car, because California was discontinuing
the HOV sticker program. I had to buy what they had on the lot. I got
the cloth seats and told myself I'd replace them with leather if/when
they got stained.
I gave the interior a goood coating of Scotchgard and water and stains still blot out with a damp cloth, 9 years later.
poindexter FORTRAN wrote to Gamgee <=-
No. Most (all?) of the options are not "field"-upgradeable. Some specific examples that I know of: A leather-surfaced dashboard. Adjustable/adaptable performance suspension. Upgraded brakes.
Integrated alarm system. There are many more, and they have to be installed in the car by the factory.
I bought a Prius in 2014, and they offered leather seats as an
option, done by a local upholstery shop. I don't know if they
bought those slip-on leather seat covers or re-upholstered them.
I was in a hurry to get the car, because California was
discontinuing the HOV sticker program. I had to buy what they had
on the lot. I got the cloth seats and told myself I'd replace
them with leather if/when they got stained.
I gave the interior a goood coating of Scotchgard and water and
stains still blot out with a damp cloth, 9 years later.
I like Volkswagen and have driven several of their cars over the years, but I decided to make a switch this time. I don't particularly like
Being such a newer car compared to my last car, it has some interesting 'smart' features as far as sensors to detect cars around you - It shows you (or alerts you) if there's a car coming up in an adjacent lane. It also has adaptive cruise control - You can set the cruise control speed, and if it detects that you're getting close to a car in front of you, it will slow down to match their speed until they move away. It also has automatic emergency braking, which is supposed to engage the brakes to avoid a crash if it detects something in front of you while moving - though I've seen a couple posts online where people have said the brakes suddenly engaged for no apparent reason (and in one case, someone rear-ended them due to their brakes coming on suddenly).
Overall, I wanted a reliable car that's less expensive to maintain than
my Volkswagen was - It sounds like hopefully this Mazda will be.
I also have had a number of VWs over the years. I had a 2003 GTI and later a 2008 GTI. These cars were amazingly fun to drive, and they felt faster than they probably were.
I also had a 69 Beetle that I halfway rebuilt just for fun. It was also a blast, and frankly, I really miss that car! I think I'll get another Beetle in the future to fix up.
I was /this/ close to getting a Westfalia camper, but ultimately we decided against it as it would be not only a vintage car to maintain, but since it was built in the 80s it would require extensive SMOG and CARB testing in California. If it were built ten years earlier, I wouldn't have had to worry about this, and probably would have one in my driveway!
These smart features are called L2 ADAS. My company works in this space, it's pretty fascinating. Autonomy is the goal for every company but it's still a ways off; L2 ADAS is a stepping stone.
Overall, I wanted a reliable car that's less expensive to maintain
than my Volkswagen was - It sounds like hopefully this Mazda will
be.
Nice. Hope it plays out that way. I bought a 2018 Fiat 500E (Electric) for a cheap commuter that doesn't require much maintenance. As it's a tiny electric car, it's very maneuverable, rather fun to drive, and costs astonishingly little to keep charged up at home.
This car has a funny pedigree. Stellantis (basically Chrysler) was told that too many of their vehicles were gas guzzlers, and California told Stellantis that if they wanted to continue selling vehicles in CA, they'd need some way to offset this. What Stellantis did was tell Fiat to build an electric car. Fiat begrudgingly built its 500 model into an electric car. They lost like 10-15k on each one of these sold, but as they were compliance cars, they had no real choice in the matter. To my knowledge this car was only sold in CA and maybe Oregon or Washington, but I can't remember exactly.
I was /this/ close to getting a Westfalia camper, but ultimately we decided against it as it would be not only a vintage car to maintain, but since it was built in the 80s it would require extensive SMOG and CARB testing in California. If it were built ten years earlier, I wouldn't have had to worry about this, and probably would have one in my driveway!
I recently bought a new 2023 Mazda3 hatchback. I'd previously had a 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit (the US name for the Golf at the time), and I'd thought of buying something new(er) for a little while.
I've known a couple people with older VW Beetles, and it seemed they
were often working on them, either fixing them or tweaking something.
I always thought those were cool. And isn't there a 90s model (EuroVan)?
That's cool. I wouldn't mind having an inexpensive electric car, but currently I live in an apartment and I don't have a godo way to charge one. Also, I'd like to be able to take longer road trips, and currently I'd worry about being able to charge it in such a case.
Interesting.. California seems to have some strict laws about cars.
I owned 2 VW Buses (campers, but not Westfalia), circa 1970 bought used around 1986. The first was totalled (rear-ended at high speed) before I really got a chance to drive it much. Anyway, they're horrible, loud, slow, unsafe vehicles. Do not recommend. :-)
Ha! I still like them!
I ordered a Ford Ranger in Feb of 2022.
I was originally told that it may come by Nov/Dec, but most likely in
Jan.
When Dec came along, I was told it will be built in June (this year).
Still waiting... :(
I understand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdMAu-AYMGo
I ordered a Ford Ranger in Feb of 2022.
I was originally told that it may come by Nov/Dec, but most likely in Jan.
Still waiting... :(
Don't feel bad Deon, because of the chip shortage and the Pandemic, a
lot of the higher wanted vehicles are taking forever..
Hopefully your truck comes in soon!
I ordered a Ford Ranger in Feb of 2022.
Welcome to the Topdown Design model, in which a marketing team decides your product line needs a toaster with AI and IOT integration because those are the buzzwords du jour, and some Engineer who has just been denied the holiday dates he wanted and who hates marketing buzzwords creates whatever makes executives happy without giving a damn.
Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
I haven't heard of that one.. I've heard the extended warranty is
really the best option you could buy from the dealer,
I have a local Subaru dealer that gets a pretty good selection of used cars, and we bought an Acura MDX from them. No markups on any of the new cars, which was nice. If you paid cash, they had a 10-day hold period
"for the check to clear". And collect interest on your payment.
How do they collect interest on a payment in cash?
If you financed, you could drive the car off the lot.
Next time I buy a car, I'll finance it from them, beat the crap out of them on the loan terms, make sure there's no prepayment penalty, drive
the car off the lot, then pay the loan off in the first payment.
Yeah, it's definitely good to pay it off as soon as you can. And used cars do have the advantage of not having dealer markup..
Nightfox wrote to poindexter FORTRAN <=-
for a car that would be done by a local upholstery shop. I wouldn't
think that option would be offered direct from Toyota? If so, I'd
think they'd come with leather from the factory. Was the dealership offering that and having the cars sent to the upholstery shop to be re-upholstered?
I haven't heard of that one.. I've heard the extended warranty is
really the best option you could buy from the dealer,
I bought the extended warranty on the battery, and included it in the
loan - it was 0% anyways.
How do they collect interest on a payment in cash?
Deposit the cash in an interest-bearing account.
Carmax always seemed like a bad deal. They mark the cars up
significantly, low-ball any trade-in, and their "warranty" was pretty skimpy. They are convenient, though.
As I was about to post this, I was wondering if there was an 'automotive' (or 'cars') area; I don't see one here (not sure if there would be
interest in one), but I thought I'd post this here.
Yeah, my Fiat is decidedly not a long distance car. It has enough
charge to get me to work and back with a couple quick errands mixed in. There's no way it could ever be a road trip car.
I was /this/ close to getting a Westfalia camper, but ultimately we
I owned 2 VW Buses (campers, but not Westfalia), circa 1970 bought used around 1986. The first was totalled (rear-ended at high speed) before I really got a chance to drive it much. Anyway, they're horrible, loud, slow, unsafe vehicles. Do not recommend. :-)
I ordered a Ford Ranger in Feb of 2022.
I was originally told that it may come by Nov/Dec, but most likely in Jan.
When Dec came along, I was told it will be built in June (this year).
Still waiting... :(
I recently bought a new 2023 Mazda3 hatchback. I'd previously had a 2009
I think VW has new electric buses coming soon.
I've heard of this.. :/ I'd heard the car industry has been affected
by parts shortages due to covid.
Nightfox
I think VW has new electric buses coming soon.
Can you believe I just took possession of a 2o23 Dodge RAM Limited... and promptly left the tailgate down while backing up... down... backing u.... crunch.
I've heard of this.. :/ I'd heard the car industry has been affected
by parts shortages due to covid.
Nightfox wrote to All <=-
but I decided to make a switch this time. I don't particularly like
that Volkswagen has started using a lot of touch panels in their cars instead of actual buttons & switches etc..
Can you believe I just took possession of a 2o23 Dodge RAM Limited... and promptly left the tailgate down while backing up... down... backing u.... crunch.
L0vin it.
There are several automotive sources that are citing those touch panels
as driver distractions/safety concerns. There was an article not too
long ago that praised one of the automakers for sticking with mostly buttons in their lineup.
but I decided to make a switch this time. I don't particularly like
that Volkswagen has started using a lot of touch panels in their
cars instead of actual buttons & switches etc..
There are several automotive sources that are citing those touch panels as driver distractions/safety concerns. There was an article not too long ago that praised one of the automakers for sticking with mostly buttons in their lineup.
Makes sense. I like the tactile feel of physical buttons, knobs, and switches, especially while I'm driving.
and the dealership handles the sales. But I have noticed one or two car makers selling direct to consumers (I think Tesla is one of them?).
Can you believe I just took possession of a 2o23 Dodge RAM Limited... and promptly left the tailgate down while backing up... down... backing u.... crunch.
Nightfox wrote to Blue White <=-
Makes sense. I like the tactile feel of physical buttons, knobs, and switches, especially while I'm driving.
esc wrote to Blue White <=-
If I have to use a touchscreen to mess with the climate control....lol.
I hope more OEMs start going back to hardware buttons for the critical things.
I cannot find the link now but several months ago a Swiss (or Swedish?) online magazine did a test of several new cars, as well as an older Saab (so they could include a car that was all buttons).
The test drivers had to go through different scenarios (turning on/adjusting the A/C, turning on/adjusting the radio, etc.) in various driving scenarios. The test measured how quickly they could do those tasks, and also supposedly measured how much of that time they spent not looking at the road.
The older Saab did quite well. :) The newer cars with more buttons came next. The full touchscreen models were last.
Re: Re: New Mazda
By: Digital Man to esc on Wed May 24 2023 01:23 pm
I was /this/ close to getting a Westfalia camper, but ultimately we
I owned 2 VW Buses (campers, but not Westfalia), circa 1970 bought used around 1986. The first was totalled (rear-ended at high speed) before I really got a chance to drive it much. Anyway, they're horrible, loud, slow, unsafe vehicles. Do not recommend. :-)
I remember reading those were powered by the same engine VW used in their (smaller) Beetle. I could imainge they were slow and a bit loud.
I always
thought the Westfalia looked like it was probably a better vehicle overall.
Re: New Mazda
By: Nightfox to All on Wed May 24 2023 09:32 am
I recently bought a new 2023 Mazda3 hatchback. I'd previously had a 2009
This morning I noticed my car has a very small ding already, on the passenger door. :/ Not even 3 weeks after I bought it..
The older Saab did quite well. :) The newer cars with
more buttons came next. The full touchscreen models were
last.
StormTrooper wrote to Nightfox <=-
Honda and Benz both shafted their dealers here, and introduced the shit price guarantee, by selling direct only at list price, no haggling with the dealer. As a result sales of both which have been mediocre of
recent times, have tanked pretty much completely.
I recently bought a new 2023 Mazda3 hatchback. I'd previously had 2009
This morning I noticed my car has a very small ding already, on the passenger door. :/ Not even 3 weeks after I bought it..
This morning I noticed my car has a very small ding already, on
the passenger door. :/ Not even 3 weeks after I bought it..
Oh man. That sux! Sounds like a shopping cart at the grocery store?
This morning I noticed my car has a very small ding already, on the
passenger door. :/ Not even 3 weeks after I bought it..
That's one of the reasons I only buy used cars. :-)
There are several automotive sources that are citing those touch pane driver distractions/safety concerns. There was an article not too lon that praised one of the automakers for sticking with mostly buttons i their lineup.
Makes sense. I like the tactile feel of physical buttons, knobs, and switches, especially while I'm driving.
Nightfox wrote to Digital Man <=-
This morning I noticed my car has a very small ding already, on the
passenger door. :/ Not even 3 weeks after I bought it..
That's one of the reasons I only buy used cars. :-)
Yep, there are definately advantages to buying a used car. :)
Yep, there are definately advantages to buying a used car. :)
Well, it's only new until the dealership goes out of sight in the rearview mirror... :-)
Nightfox wrote to Gamgee <=-
Yep, there are definately advantages to buying a used car. :)
Well, it's only new until the dealership goes out of sight in the
rearview mirror... :-)
:)
One thing I find interesting is, if you're looking for a car in a
specific trim level or color and a dealership doesn't have one
like that, the dealership is perfectly willing to transport one
like that from another dealership - and often that might involve
someone just driving it over. So you could go pick up your 'new'
car that might have 100+ miles on it due to being driven from
another dealership.
Yeah, that would probably tick me off. I think if they told me that,
I'd insist that they load it on a truck to get it here. I've always had specific (ahem... wife-induced) details/options requested that requires them to build it that way and that ensures it comes in with no miles on it. :-)
Can you believe I just took possession of a 2o23 Dodge RAM Limited... promptly left the tailgate down while backing up... down... backing u. crunch.
L0vin it.
Don't the new trucks have backup sensors?
esc wrote to Gamgee <=-
Yeah, that would probably tick me off. I think if they told me that,
I'd insist that they load it on a truck to get it here. I've always had specific (ahem... wife-induced) details/options requested that requires them to build it that way and that ensures it comes in with no miles on it. :-)
Separately, I just did a massive overhaul of my old Mustang. New
engine, trans, suspension, rear end, wheels, tires, brakes, the
whole 9. And I swapped out the gauges during the build. So now I
actually know how many miles the mechanical parts have, because
the gauges and all those parts started at the exact same time.
Currently my Mustang (aside from the steel and sheet metal) has
about 100 miles and it's more than 50 years old :)
One thing I find interesting is, if you're looking for a car in a
specific trim level or color and a dealership doesn't have one
like that, the dealership is perfectly willing to transport one
like that from another dealership - and often that might involve
someone just driving it over. So you could go pick up your 'new'
Yeah, that would probably tick me off. I think if they told me that,
I'd insist that they load it on a truck to get it here. I've always had specific (ahem... wife-induced) details/options requested that requires them to build it that way and that ensures it comes in with no miles on it. :-)
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