General Car Conversation
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
The whole idea of Diamond (Pearl) White is to have a semi-gloss finish, not look like a refrigerator. It is not really matte, but somewhere in-between matte and traditional shiny. In many cases, you can't even see your reflection in it. And it is an expensive paint job to do...that's why GM charges $1100 extra for it on a number of its vehicles.
There are lots of pearl whites that don’t have a cream tinge to them that I prefer.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,276
Likes: 305
From: ON/NY
As per the minivan, crash rating. I heard, someone or someone told me, or I read somewhere that auto makers don’t build cars to keep you safe, they build them to pass the current safety test and no more. So the test has changed, they are behind, they will eventually adjust to the test standards.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
As per the minivan, crash rating. I heard, someone or someone told me, or I read somewhere that auto makers don’t build cars to keep you safe, they build them to pass the current safety test and no more. So the test has changed, they are behind, they will eventually adjust to the test standards.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,276
Likes: 305
From: ON/NY
Haha nah go prove it
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 17,798
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From: Ohio
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 17,798
Likes: 1,680
From: Ohio
As per the minivan, crash rating. I heard, someone or someone told me, or I read somewhere that auto makers don’t build cars to keep you safe, they build them to pass the current safety test and no more. So the test has changed, they are behind, they will eventually adjust to the test standards.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,566
Likes: 76
From: CA, Mid OC
I’ve had good experiences with new car leasing. I got my first new car at 43 after I paid off my student loans (paid them off? Gasp!) and the mortgage rates were down to a reasonable level so I could swing it comfortably. I was referred to a fleet guy who gave me a few options. The IS250 didn’t have the same demand for it as the 350 and I found out why. Still, it was a very nice car, though it was slow and not very economical.
At the end of that lease, I wanted a 350. Finding one without the trunk spoiler was not easy. The spoiler does nothing for me. I found one in atomic silver with red guts and no spoiler. It was a new 16 but 17s were on the lot. I dealt with an internet salesperson and had a deal in writing before going to the dealership. I turned in the 14 and drove the 16 home. I did have the fact the dealer was motivated to move the car working in my favor. It was a great car. The way the lease was structured, the residual was higher than what the car was actually worth so I didn’t buy it.
For my current DD Civic, I wanted Aegean Blue and found one close by. It was a 2019, new, but on the lot in December 2019 as 2020s were in so the dealership was motivated to move it. The lease was a good deal and at the end, I sent HFS a check for the balance. It was a no brainer as the car had 21000 miles on it at 3 years due to working from home. Also, the shortage of inventory during Covid pushed the value to above what the lease was based on. That has cooled off, but CarMax would give me $24k for it now and it’s free and clear. I’m gonna roll with it for a few years. I may go EV at some point.
At the end of that lease, I wanted a 350. Finding one without the trunk spoiler was not easy. The spoiler does nothing for me. I found one in atomic silver with red guts and no spoiler. It was a new 16 but 17s were on the lot. I dealt with an internet salesperson and had a deal in writing before going to the dealership. I turned in the 14 and drove the 16 home. I did have the fact the dealer was motivated to move the car working in my favor. It was a great car. The way the lease was structured, the residual was higher than what the car was actually worth so I didn’t buy it.
For my current DD Civic, I wanted Aegean Blue and found one close by. It was a 2019, new, but on the lot in December 2019 as 2020s were in so the dealership was motivated to move it. The lease was a good deal and at the end, I sent HFS a check for the balance. It was a no brainer as the car had 21000 miles on it at 3 years due to working from home. Also, the shortage of inventory during Covid pushed the value to above what the lease was based on. That has cooled off, but CarMax would give me $24k for it now and it’s free and clear. I’m gonna roll with it for a few years. I may go EV at some point.
^^^ good times and write up. 
meanwhile, why is it that when you use a contact form with a dealer, or the manufacturer who tells the dealer, that you want to interact via email or text, they call you (only) anyway?
cuz they're gonna sweet talk and say "come on in and we'll talk!".
meanwhile, why is it that when you use a contact form with a dealer, or the manufacturer who tells the dealer, that you want to interact via email or text, they call you (only) anyway?
cuz they're gonna sweet talk and say "come on in and we'll talk!".
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
^^^ good times and write up.
meanwhile, why is it that when you use a contact form with a dealer, or the manufacturer who tells the dealer, that you want to interact via email or text, they call you (only) anyway?
cuz they're gonna sweet talk and say "come on in and we'll talk!".
meanwhile, why is it that when you use a contact form with a dealer, or the manufacturer who tells the dealer, that you want to interact via email or text, they call you (only) anyway?
cuz they're gonna sweet talk and say "come on in and we'll talk!".