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So, I saw on the web that my local dealership had a 2023 Camry in stock. I called them this morning, I said, I'll buy it right now. It was already sold. Waiting lists for several models are now up to 2 years.
The solution is to buy a horse.
Bigun: You have 2 locations in your profile, UK and Canada...which place has such a long waiting line?
I put a deposit for a Toyota that is hardly a gleam in the factory computer, won't ship until March.
The dealership has a chalkboard so two salesmen don't sell the same car twice. (OK, it is probably a motivational device too.)
BTW: since I started, Toyota Finance loan rates rose from 2.5% to 3.5% and today 4%. Fortunately I got family with money out at 0.01% who would be happy to undercut Toyota.
The newspaper car-guy's wife waited OVER A YEAR for a specific GM(?), and when hubby called some favors the dealership still tried to cheat her.
Even used cars. My neighbor buys/sells used cars as a business. He has not had anything in months. Same for the guy out on the highway. Has a Mahindra tractor but his ranks of sedans and trucks, nothing since summer.
Meanwhile, if I had the money, I could walk into BMW Toronto and leave with a new 330i. Not that I would ever buy a new car - waste of money IMHO.
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Indeed. Terrible value for money though. But mostly because it‘s a Beemer. I have no issues buying a new Toyota. The last time I went car shopping I test drove a new BMW 3-series and then headed over to the Toyota dealership. I walked out with a V6 Camry (now gifted to my daughter) and my daily drive which is a Corolla. The BMW is less reliable, twice the cost, premium gas, much more expensive to service, attracts jealous people with sharp keys (yes, spoke to a poor lady filling up her Beemer at the gas station with key scratches), etc. which is why you can buy a Beemer today but you can’t buy a Toyota. Good value cars are unobtainium. Premium money sucking cars can be found if you look hard. I had thought about a Lexus instead, still Toyota, but the dealership is way down south of Kitchener so not convenient and value for money still a question mark, although I may reconsider that now. I do like the Merc A-series, but concerns over the reliability etc. As far as I can see the only German brand with comparable reliability to Toyota is Porsche but they don’t make any ’regular cars’ and looking on-line last summer there was a serious shortage of the model I’d have wanted. Too many cars are butt ugly these days anyhow. I’m curious to see what kind of reliability BMW can achieve over time with their all electric i4 (still can’t get one of those locally either). FYI, Local Beemer dealership has one 330i only, in all-black, great if you like all-black but that’s not for me and if I’m paying for a premium car it better be what I want. Here’s hoping Toyota can improve their leadtimes.
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Well, I broke down and ordered an HAKKO FR-310 kit. Too difficult to remove those little parts on the PCB's without one. Bill
According to Consumer Reports, the BMW 3 series is the highest rated luxury compact, and it even has a slightly higher rating than the Camry (not hybrid). The Mercedes is near the bottom of the list.
Terrible value for the money if you buy a new one though - the resale is terrible compared to Subaru.
That said, having owned many different cars and brands, I doubt I'll ever buy a non-German car, and the BMW is the best one at the moment. Though, as I said, I'll never buy a new car.
Also, I wouldn't buy a car that wasn't all black 🙂 Just me I guess. Possibly a blue or yellow, but they would have to be electric/vibrant.
The nice thing about buying used is that there are already some scratches and dings, but when the price is right you buy it 🙂
What do you think? I paid 6 grand for it and I've had it for four years...
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When I was 18yrs, in England, and still studying whilst my school mates got jobs I had a bicycle. But some of my old chums were doing well and bought themselves 3 series cars. I went to a showroom to see one, was v impressed. The quality feel, driving position, all felt great. Years later, in middle age, I was on a business trip and rented a 320i. It certainly lived up to the hype of being the ultimate driving machine, superb handling and delightful steering. If I‘d had money back then this would have been top of my list. Now I‘m older the roads are crowded, salted and potholed, and my attitude has changed, cars have become like kitchen appliances, just a tool for a job and my kids need my money. Nevertheless, that’s a very nice Beemer you have, certainly outclasses my Corolla!
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I bought some interesting tools today. New old stock from the early/mid 1960's. Never used, no plug attached and original packaging. The circular saw at a cost of 43 pounds and 10 shillings is at todays prices taking account of inflation about 700 pounds ! Supposedly bought, stored away and never used, the look of them seems to confirm this.
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That is dependant on your situation. As the owner of a company, I am happy to be able to depreciate the auto at 30% per annum so that in 3-4 years it has a book value far below the dealer book value and I am able to pass it on to my wife and only pay the tax owing on a vehicle is actually worth a lot more, and that same vehicle will last more than long enough for the next time we cycle them.
Win, win.
BMW cars stop in the rain in Dubai, sales are much less than Mercedes in India.
Unreliable, expensive to fix, is the general impression of BMW here, the Polo from Volkswagen also is terrible.
Toyota sells as many 'Fortuner' SUVs as Mercedes does in all models here.
A-series Mercedes has a plastic sort of spare wheel, $750 here, good for 150 km. New regular tire and rim would cost $ 150 or so here for similar Japanese cars, good for 40,000 km. at least.
Ford EcoSport spare wheel cover was about $175, the Mahindra Bolero uses a bigger tire, cover was $50.
Ford has stopped sales here, and sold a new factory to the Tata group. It seems global sales are reducing for them.
Again, spare part prices were ridiculous, though purchase price was competitive with similar Maruti (Suzuki) and Hyundai cars.
If your business can afford it, buy new, depreciate it on the books, and trade it in or whatever every 3 to 5 years, before any maintenance and spare part issues crop up, at times it gets frustrating if the part is not available for an old model, especially if it did not sell in large numbers.
No ties to any names here...
Unreliable, expensive to fix, is the general impression of BMW here, the Polo from Volkswagen also is terrible.
Toyota sells as many 'Fortuner' SUVs as Mercedes does in all models here.
A-series Mercedes has a plastic sort of spare wheel, $750 here, good for 150 km. New regular tire and rim would cost $ 150 or so here for similar Japanese cars, good for 40,000 km. at least.
Ford EcoSport spare wheel cover was about $175, the Mahindra Bolero uses a bigger tire, cover was $50.
Ford has stopped sales here, and sold a new factory to the Tata group. It seems global sales are reducing for them.
Again, spare part prices were ridiculous, though purchase price was competitive with similar Maruti (Suzuki) and Hyundai cars.
If your business can afford it, buy new, depreciate it on the books, and trade it in or whatever every 3 to 5 years, before any maintenance and spare part issues crop up, at times it gets frustrating if the part is not available for an old model, especially if it did not sell in large numbers.
No ties to any names here...
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No point in going beyond four years on a new vehicle as the depreciation is always on the residual. For example:
The Figure on the left is the vehicle value, the right is the depreciation amount each year.
60,000 - 18,000
42,000 - 12,600
29,400 - 8,820
20,580 - 6,174
On the fourth year, the depreciation is 1/3 what is was in year one. Time for a new vehicle. The tax owed on the resale is far below what she would pay on a regular valued vehicle. She pays the tax and I get extra smooches because I don’t charge her for the vehicle. Yes I have to declare it at the depreciated value as income, but it’s a small price to pay. My honey gives goooood smooches. Think about it. Smooches and bonus points.
Win win.
The Figure on the left is the vehicle value, the right is the depreciation amount each year.
60,000 - 18,000
42,000 - 12,600
29,400 - 8,820
20,580 - 6,174
On the fourth year, the depreciation is 1/3 what is was in year one. Time for a new vehicle. The tax owed on the resale is far below what she would pay on a regular valued vehicle. She pays the tax and I get extra smooches because I don’t charge her for the vehicle. Yes I have to declare it at the depreciated value as income, but it’s a small price to pay. My honey gives goooood smooches. Think about it. Smooches and bonus points.
Win win.
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The calculation was based on a higher rate than in India, and the cars generally get a good price if you trade it in.
That all depends on your location (depeciation tax rules), and the fact that you have somebody who can use the older car.
For some, the car must go.
But you do get the smooches as a bonus!
Koda, how old was the BMW, and how much was it new, I am trying to figure out how much depreciation the owner got, it does seem you paid about 20% of the new car price.
Depreciation rate for computers here is 60%, may be different in Canada, for example.
That all depends on your location (depeciation tax rules), and the fact that you have somebody who can use the older car.
For some, the car must go.
But you do get the smooches as a bonus!
Koda, how old was the BMW, and how much was it new, I am trying to figure out how much depreciation the owner got, it does seem you paid about 20% of the new car price.
Depreciation rate for computers here is 60%, may be different in Canada, for example.
When I got it, it was 8 years old, and had 224000 kms on it... AWD, 6 speed manual.
I paid 6000$cad for it. It's MSRP was 33,600$USD.
After having it for 4 years, I can now sell it for 8000$CAD...
I won't sell it though. Can't get a newer 3 series without a turbo but with a clutch 🙂
Most people here with a company in Ontario will lease instead and write it off their taxes.
I paid 6000$cad for it. It's MSRP was 33,600$USD.
After having it for 4 years, I can now sell it for 8000$CAD...
I won't sell it though. Can't get a newer 3 series without a turbo but with a clutch 🙂
Most people here with a company in Ontario will lease instead and write it off their taxes.