Uhhh WTF are we all doing buying cars during covid?

"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
09/21/2020 at 18:18 • Filed to: None

Seems like I am but one of many opponauts who’ve recently bought a car. Like, in the past 2 weeks. What’s wrong with all of us? This is the middle of a worldwide calamity and we’re buying silly awesome vehicles.

DISCUSSION (77)

For Sweden > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:21

When we all die savings can’t help us

CB > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:23

As someone who bought a new car during the pandemic, it was a good time to do it and I’m still gainfully employed.

Also, if the world ends, I won’t have to pay off my car!

Future next gen S2000 owner > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:23

We have an addiction. I’m okay with that. I’m currently pursuing what I assume to be 70-85K pontoon boats. I have my reasons........

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:24

Now is just the time to buy! What else you gonna do, go on a vacation? Fly? Nope, buy cars.

My dealership has had 3 records sales months in a row. We were selling cars even in March when my dealership was CLOSED.

Taylor Martin > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:25

I’m not buying a car... though part of me wants to... even if I don’t have the space for it, or money for it, or any reason to get one...

PyroHoltz f@h Oppo 261120 > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:27

I was kinda looking forward to a new toy, a re you telling me I shouldn’t be considering replacing the Bimmer next month?

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:27

Speak for yourself...mainly because I've long since retired from the game 'Death and Toys'. Mostly because we can't afford too many toys!!!

UserNotFound > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:28

It's a coping mechanism.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:28

I’m just trying to finish my last project. It is my last one according to my wife unless I sell something...... I’m trying to stay away from Hemmings...

RallyWrench > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:30

Not much sense driving boring shit into the teeth of the apocalypse.

Chariotoflove > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:36

Am I not coping properly, since I haven’t bought a new car yet?

camarov6rs > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:43

I want to know why people think buying now in the time of skyrocketing used car prices is a good idea?!?

*I always thought that dealership shut downs were a bit unnecessary. I would think you could properly distance and mask up to buy a car. Hell you could basically not see another human if you had the paperwork mailed and the car delivered.

MM54 > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:46

I bought mine in May since I already had the money set aside for it and I’m not going to stop my life because other people are afraid .

I’ll stop there before this goes off tangent from answering the question.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:57

I’m still keeping my lame-but-awesome-to-me-Accent!

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
09/21/2020 at 18:58

Yeah ... I really need a motorcycle ...

I’d prefer a Par sh, but I got about tree-fiddy.

jminer > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:58

I’m doing my part and selling cars.

But that’s because I’m crazy and moving across the country so not sure if that makes me better or worse than you all.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:59

Buying a car is one thing. All the people purchasing homes, at or above list price, is just amazing to me. I’ve never been busier in 20+ years in real estate.

The Ghost of Oppo > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 18:59

I wish I was in this group with the rest of you. Finding a Tacoma right now is like trying finding TP the third week of March.

boredalways > shop-teacher
09/21/2020 at 19:00

You're still doing business with that got damn dinosaur?!

wafflesnfalafel > For Sweden
09/21/2020 at 19:11

damn straight, life is short

Textured Soy Protein > camarov6rs
09/21/2020 at 19:17

Personally I bought a brand new car and traded in a used car where the dealer gave me as much for my trade as I was being offered a year ago. Which is especially impressive given that says trade was a BMW.

As for distancing, I don’t necessarily trust for-profit businesses to be super vigilant, especially ones as stupid as car dealers. I went to 2 dealerships before I bought my car.

A Hyundai dealer in a farther-flung suburb of DC than where I live had many employees milling about BS’ing with each other, and while they were all masked, several of them would take their masks off their noses. They sent me on a test drive by myself.

The employees at the Honda dealer where I bought my car, in downtown Bethesda MD just over the border from DC, were better at keeping their distance from each other, and the internet sales dude I worked with mentioned that on weekends they work only on appointments to limit the number of people in the building. But he came on the test drive with me, in the back seat . He kept his mask on and window open at least. Other than the used car manager looking at my trade while I was there, I did all the negotiating including with the finance person by email and phone. I was going to pick up the car the day after that after they installed some accessories, but blew out my achilles before that, so the internet dude drove the new car to my house and took my old one back.

Textured Soy Protein > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
09/21/2020 at 19:19

That feels very much like a haves vs. have- nots situation.

I have to say that after getting furloughed very early on in covid back in March, I managed to get a new job so I guess I count as a member of the haves.

camarov6rs > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 19:25

Do you feel like you left some on the table? Just as a cursory look at the macro supply/demand I would think that while they were willing to give you awesome money on your trade they would be less willing to deal on the new car. I would think the forces holding the used car values up would also mean short supply for new vehicles.

I think you kind of proved my point with the way you purchased the car. While I agree that in typical fashion a dealer will do what it can to maximize its profit, some by ignoring health guidelines and skimping on PPE. I also feel that for a directly consumer business if a whole bunch of people came to a dealer and said they would only buy cars with minimal contact similar to what you did that they would oblige.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Chariotoflove
09/21/2020 at 19:44

Right on. I need to jump on the bandwagon too.

daender > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 19:49

Mark - Sixpots None The Richer > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 19:50

I bought a classic car for a couple of reasons:

1. I had the money saved up and was ready to buy before this mess started. I was hesitant during the first few weeks of lockdown , bu t ultimately wanted to get rid of the cash. I suspect a lot of money will be printed to stimulate the economy thus my savings will be eaten up - slowly but surely . Lacking a proper alternative investment plan I stuck to my original idea to spend the money on a car .

2 . Business in the company I work for is - still - fine. Knock on wood.

3. Recent developments, discussions and proposals in Germany related to cars and motorcycles.
It will get more and more inconvient and expensive to own a car running on dinosaur juice the longer I wait.

4 . Pragmatism/s toicism/cynism/realism - I don’t know .
Maybe t here will never be the right time to buy a car purely for pleasure. So c an this time really be wrong?

Nibby > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 19:54

INVEST IN WINDOWS 95

Under_Score > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 19:56

DEALS

Also, I didn’t wear a mask or social distance buying my car & neither did most of the customers now, and they’re all here and fine.

Textured Soy Protein > camarov6rs
09/21/2020 at 19:58

I didn’t get too much off sticker, but that’s because I bought a 2020 Civic Si which only has a couple grand of margin in it, is in demand but about to be discontinued, and has several features that were only available on the Si for 2020. After this place made their “best” offer on the price of the Si and my trade, I contacted other Honda dealers to see if they could improve on the deal, but none could.

Before going this route I was considering spending way more on a Stinger GT2 RWD or Camaro 2SS 1LE and both of those had almost $10k on the hood between dealer discounts and manufacturer incentives.

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
09/21/2020 at 19:58

I’d really like a motorcycle too! Can’t keep up with the Parsh. Of course, I say all this as I drive a Prius for now... Ugh.

RallyWrench > Deal Killer - Powered by Focus
09/21/2020 at 20:03

This blows me away. Lots of houses going up on the market around me, and they’re all getting poached fast despite the market never being higher. Even serious fixer uppers.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 20:06

Pandemic, election, fires, disasters — the result is the same for me :

Not buying shit

atfsgeoff > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 20:06

I’m guilty of purchasing a new-to-me car and a new-to-me bike in August . What can I say, 2020 has been good to me financially.

Time will tell if there is regret in said transactions

Thomas Donohue > For Sweden
09/21/2020 at 20:18

True, but w hen we almost die and can no longer work to pay the bills, savings can make what remains of our lives better.

Deal Killer - Powered by Focus > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 20:29

I think this is very much the case. Those that have, want more.

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 20:53

Kinja'd!!!

Picked this up in May

This may look like a frivolous automobile purchase but in fact it’s a crucial mental health expenditure for my wife.

For Sweden > Thomas Donohue
09/21/2020 at 20:55

What do you mean by almost are you a quitter

ranwhenparked > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 21:02

I haven't yet. Partly because I'm still weighing whether to buy another car, or use the money to renovate my smoking room; partly because I just spilled beer on my laptop and need to buy another one, plus hard drive recovery; and partly because the pool of cars in my state is small and mostly terrible, and New Jersey keeps closing and opening the border on a week to week basis, eliminating one major shopping destination. Also, I'm a lazy, lazy man

Thomas Donohue > For Sweden
09/21/2020 at 21:04

Not yet, but I am working on it.

TheJWT > For Sweden
09/21/2020 at 21:05

Mo ney’ s just paper if you don’t spend it

TheJWT > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 21:07

The timing wasn’t ideal for me, but mint Suzuki 750 Srads don’t come up for sale every day. Also I feel better that it was cheap enough to buy outright and not have to make payments

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
09/21/2020 at 21:14

Ooofff!

Spanfeller is a twat > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 22:06

Mexico’s GDP went down 20%
Mexico’s workers under poverty line went up 10%
but
Mexican company ’s average productivity went up 20%

so, many people became much poorer, but many people became much richer...

I don’t know how things are developing in the US; but if the case is similar, then maybe those buying cars are just on the side of the financial calamity that allows them to spend on lifestyle items....

NYankee1927 > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 22:07

Its when opportunity came knocking for a great deal. If I wanted to pass up that deal, I may not have gotten it ever again.

Grindintosecond > Textured Soy Protein
09/21/2020 at 23:01

Im working on a savings goal to ensure 18 months of no job. But, once I get there, then anything more goes to finally restoring the mini. So I guess car buying is alright if one has funds for survival, but, what are the odds a buyer is that logical in approach? There also may be some sick deals on that sick rubicon!

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Chariotoflove
09/21/2020 at 23:45

You and me both. I'm constantly thinking about how much a new-to-me Chevy Bolt would cost. Then I see the actual prices, and decide I can keep the Civic running a few more years.

Chan - Mid-engine with cabin fever > Textured Soy Protein
09/22/2020 at 00:50

Not buying anything this year, but if things go well maybe in 2 years.

Will just live vicariously through y’all

Stef Schrader > RallyWrench
09/22/2020 at 01:30

look y’all the parsh is gud

Stef Schrader > shop-teacher
09/22/2020 at 01:30

I have a parsh!

It doesn’t run. :(

Stef Schrader > Textured Soy Protein
09/22/2020 at 01:31

I have no idea.

Stef Schrader > Chariotoflove
09/22/2020 at 01:33

If someone wants to give me money to buy a Cayenne, hell yeah, but otherwise, I can’t.

Screw this garbage pandemic. No one wanted to hire me full-time before this. They definitely don’t now.

Forrest > Textured Soy Protein
09/22/2020 at 01:38

I suppose I am on here to live vicariously through those who are enjoying cars. At our house, our cars (combined) have accumulated less than 1000 miles since the pandemic started in March.

N evertheless , I do have plans for cars to buy after the pandemic. I am planning to work from home permanently after the pandemic, so I need a fun-car and a stuff-hauler, but no need for a daily commuter.

RallyWrench > Stef Schrader
09/22/2020 at 02:43

It's true, but also Parsh is broken and I can't drive stick for awhile anyway. 2020 gonna 2020.

RallyWrench > shop-teacher
09/22/2020 at 02:45

Can't drive stick while collarbone recovers. Just when I thought 2020 couldn't suck more, I'm reduced to borrowing a Prius. ;)

shop-teacher > RallyWrench
09/22/2020 at 07:14

That thoroughly sucks.

shop-teacher > Stef Schrader
09/22/2020 at 07:15

At least you can sit in it and make vroom-vroom noises :)

Speed > Spanfeller is a twat
09/22/2020 at 08:59

Are you in Mexico?

Spanfeller is a twat > Speed
09/22/2020 at 09:01

that is the country in which I reside, yes.

Speed > Spanfeller is a twat
09/22/2020 at 09:17

Interesting. Which part? I’m curious because my wife (DACA recipient ) is originally from Mexico and we’re about 75% of the way through navigating immigration to get her green card now. At some point next year we’ll be going to the consular in Juarez for her interview, then will spend some time where she grew up in rural Veracruz (outside Huatusco).

Ultimately, I’d like to take my position remote and be able to go down there for extended periods of time. We both work remotely periodically so we’re in a good position to be able to make that happen down the road. If I could collect an American salary with Mexican living expenses, things would shake out pretty well.

If you don’t mind me asking, what sort of work do you do down there? Are you native?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RallyWrench
09/22/2020 at 10:03

ooof

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
09/22/2020 at 10:05

Were you able to get insurance to cover it?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Textured Soy Protein
09/22/2020 at 10:06

I waited EIGHT YEARS, man! =)

Spanfeller is a twat > Speed
09/22/2020 at 10:13

I’m from the capital, Mexico City. I was born here but into a family of immigrants. In the past I worked with a real estate company but now I work at a factory. I’m still in college though.

Yes, living expenses are lower here than in the US in general, but it depends... Some cities are very expensive, and you would need to find a private healthcare insurance provider or else find a way into the voluntary inscription to IMSS if you want to have healthcare for your family whilst not being a resident .

Plus, if you guys do remote work maybe a village outside a medium city is not a great choice; so consider living in a city and having fiber-optic internet service. I would add that Veracruz is a particularly violent state and it’s very politically u nstable but given it’s so vast, some cities are spared from all the crazy stuff going on in the state government and in specific cities, like Minatitlán and Coatzacoalcos... So in that case it might be wiser to listen to the concerns and beliefs of her family than to me.

I hope she gets her green card!

Chariotoflove > Stef Schrader
09/22/2020 at 10:33

I honestly didn’t know how your job prospects would be affected by this. I know I was planning to hire someone for my lab just before this, and I ended up delaying until now because things shut down.

I won’t have the free money to buy any vehicles of any kind myself. I am lucky that I have a job and funding to run the lab for the next year.

I keep crossing my fingers for you.

Stef Schrader > Chariotoflove
09/22/2020 at 13:42

Yeah. I was finally getting places with my job search, but nope. Everything went on hold with the pandemic. Ad buys are down because the economy is crap. I can’t do anything because people here are idiots who won’t think about other people for two freaking seconds to wear a mask and stay away from each other. I hate everything. I’m so angry all of the time. I’m freelancing around and keeping in touch with the places I was interviewing with , but that’s a crapshoot, too . There are absolutely zero redeeming qualities to my garbage life right now.

Stef Schrader > RallyWrench
09/22/2020 at 13:42

:( Get well soon!

Stef Schrader > shop-teacher
09/22/2020 at 13:43

The seat isn’t installed, and it’s ripped to bits. I need a new one and a new car cover, too.

Chariotoflove > Stef Schrader
09/22/2020 at 13:50

Sending you internet hugs, for all that it’s a cheesy and useless gesture.

It may not seem like your life has redeeming qualities, but you personally have many. Hang on. You’re important.

Chariotoflove > Stef Schrader
09/22/2020 at 13:50

Sending you internet hugs, for all that it’s a cheesy and useless gesture.

It may not seem like your life has redeeming qualities, but you personally have many. Hang on. You’re important.

shop-teacher > Stef Schrader
09/22/2020 at 14:57

Details, details ...

Speed > Spanfeller is a twat
09/22/2020 at 16:02

Oh wow; certainly a far cry from the outskirts of Huatusco. That particular area is where most of her family is and the cartels are not a problem. However, it’s certainly not a place I’d want to plant stakes and stay forever, but temporarily works as we spend time with her family and use it as a jump off point to explore other parts of the country. We’ll have a house there that will be paid off at that point, so it should serve that purpose quite well. It’s also on a coffee farm, so that will be cool.

I’ve read about the woes of Veracruz and was initially worried about it, but after discussing it with her family it seems like it will be fine. There’s so many amazing places in Mexico to see, but one of the first that calls to me is Yucatan and Campeche . I’d really like to explore Merida in particular. Baja is also high on the list, but I think the rest of the country offers so much more to see before going out that way.

I’ve kept an eye on the rent and real estate market there, as well as the cost of vehicles and general living expenses. That’s what is so attractive about the county. I haven’t done anything more than cursory research on healthcare, so that will be an area we’ll have to do a deep dive into. I’m also not sure of all the technicalities regarding tourist visas, temporary residency, working remotely and all that. There’s time to figure it all out though.

We’ve got a good lawyer and an excellent case, so I think we’ll get the card. The administration has definitely threw us plenty curve balls and hurdles, but we’ll get there. It will be nice for her to have the freedom to travel internationally.

Where are some of your favorite places to visit? Do you plan on staying in Mexico City?

Spanfeller is a twat > Speed
09/22/2020 at 16:11

I haven’t traveled much around here, so I don’t think I’m of much help. But considering that you’re gonna be somewhat close to it, maybe go to la Huesca Potosina... In particular there’s a very famous placed called Xilitla in San Luis Potosí probably worth visiting. Of the few cities I've visited I really liked Queretaro... But as a tourist maybe Guanajuato city is better..

Merida is pretty cool too, and if you’re in the peninsula you might like Tulum (thought in my mind it’s overrated)

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
09/22/2020 at 18:43

Wow that’s a great idea!

MiniGTI - now with XJ6 > BaconSandwich is tasty.
09/22/2020 at 18:45

We looked at Bolts too. I like it a lot but I wish they were a bit cheaper.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
09/22/2020 at 19:01

Thankfully used prices are getting down there, reasonably quick. Maybe I'll be able to afford one in a few more years.

Stef Schrader > Chariotoflove
09/22/2020 at 20:27

*hugs*

thanks

(not useless at all)

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > MiniGTI - now with XJ6
09/23/2020 at 09:22

“therapy”