MAJOR BUYER'S REMORSE

If you really want / need something else, face the fact you're going to take a financial hit, learn from the experience, and move on. I've certainly done that multiple times. Maybe I at last learned the lesson last year when I lost $17K in depreciation on two cars I traded after owning both less than 12 months.

 

I own a '11 Avalon and a v. Very different cars. Very different noise levels (Michelin tires on 16" wheels). Drive over a stone in the v and the sound is stone on metal, a tinny sound not the thunk from most cars. Compared to the CRV the v replaced, the sound level is a little less but the CRV had super aggressive rain tires. Does increase on concrete and diminish on asphalt.

So I paid a little more for the hybrid, got a lot more in MPG (and the convenience of less frequent fill ups). Gave up a little in road noise and trunk height. Got more in infotainment features. Harsher ride due to tire pressures. Let me know when there is a perfect car.

Had a choice of taking the Avalon or v on a 300 mile one way trip ... took the v.

 

Probably best to contact her directly (phone or PM).

 

If I were the dealer I'd swap you to a base Avalon ~6months old with similar mileage for just an admin charge (since the loan would be affected). I get a car of the same value on my forecourt, and hopefully a happy and now loyal customer. I'd make you test drive it first though since it sounds like you didn't...?

 

Hey PFG...
You want the Band-Aid off fast or slow?
Fast?
OK.
Here goes.

Suck it up dude.
As much whining as you're doing, I'm surprised you can hear anything in the car!!!
And...REALLY??!! You want to solve an unwise new car purchase with another new car purchase?????


I mean, it's not like you bought a Camaro.
And....there is hope out there.
Priuses have a fairly to VERY high resale value...especially if you live out on the left coast.....and ESPECIALLY when gas goes north of $5/gallon.
Drive it for a while.
Calcuguess how much you spend per month in gas...and put that much in the bank each month.
In a few months you'll at least have some money to put down on your next mistake, and you're going to have to get used to your gas bill doubling if you're going to "upgrade" to a "better" car.

Wait a while.
You know what the chances are of gas going north of $5 again?
Riiiiight.
Exactly 100-percent.
While you're waiting, so a little research on car buying.
Meanwhile, get the rattles fixed and consider swapping those 17" wheels for the 15-inchers.

If you always do what you always did?
You'll always get what you always got.

Stay away from the new car lots for a while....huh?


Happy New Year!

 

It has to be traded in at this point. Once you finance a car 100%, tax and title and everything, you start off down the driveway upside down. To be right-side up, in theory, you need to put down your tax, title, $80 doc fee, small CA tire fee, and at least 5-10% of the selling price... the worst ratio of depreciation happens in the first year because your "competition" to resell is the new year models.
Being a bit of an empathic soul, I feel terrible that he doesn't like the car. I just can't make a miracle happen here. I'm so sorry.

 

I told the OP not to count on that Mayan Calendar thing getting him out of the deal.

 

Lol, too late for that. That day has come and gone.

 

You prepared to part with WAY more $? You're talking a min of $60K before the tax credit and CVRP.

Are you active on Tesla Motors Club - Enthusiasts & Owners Forum? I'm not sure if they're shipping cars w/o the extra cost air suspension yet. At least they did finally start shipping 60 kwh battery cars.

As reported by a MNL moderator, some folks are having teething issues. See My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Tesla Model S. You can see the reports by skimming Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues yourself. Article at Tesla Model S: Glitches, Quirks, and Peccadilloes Roundup. Although the car by virtually all accounts is excellent, it doesn't seem their reliability is that great yet, from what's not a very large population yet.

I'm skimming some recent posts but it's interesting that supposedly some folks are still having trouble w/the butt sensor ( Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues - Page 125). I thought that was resolved. Or, maybe it's just user error?

Remember, they're doing many things now that they NEVER had to do when they were only producing the Roadster.

What if Tesla goes under? I hope you realize that even if you order now, you won't have a car immediately.

Hopefully you don't get buyer's regret again.

 

Am I the only one who doesn't have rattles?

Awe crud... Did I just jinx myself!?

 

Seriously.

No kidding. My 08 has no rattles.

Just some wind noise from the left rear door seal.

 

There are some decent deals on the Tesla/Toyota RAV 4EV if your willing to finance through TFS and registering the vehicle in California. It might hold you over until you can get a Model S.

 

On that note, Edmunds did some tests and interestingly (but not too surprising), the Rav4 EV was the 2nd fastest EV in their 0-60 test. See My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Edmunds tests 9 pure EVs.

I don't like how they conducted their range test. See my comment at My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Phila. Auto Show - Leaf range. (GOM = guess-o-meter = wildly inaccurate "distance to empty" indicator on the Leaf)

Tony Williams of MNL got 130 miles (My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Official Toyota RAV4 EV Thread) on one. I think he was renting at that time. He ended up ditching his (2nd and last remaining) Leaf and bought a Rav4 EV instead. He so far seems to really like it.

His comment at My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Official Toyota RAV4 EV Thread is pretty funny. I will say, it is VERY easy to chirp the tires on it (when accelerating), as I found when I test drove it at Alt Car Expo.

 

I heard a rattle on the way into work this morning! It was coming from the glove box. The flashlight I put in there this morning was jiggling around. It's all Toyota's fault!

Seriously though, if you have an issue with your car and something isn't right, take it in to the dealer. That's why we have 36mos/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranties!

 

You can't believe some people can you? I bought a car and feel I paid too much and it was noisy.

First thing I always do is make sure I'm happy with a price first before I go looking and I always test drive a car too. It's not rocket science.

You can lead a horse to water