https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-woman-who-drives-mercedes-will-need-to-pay-7-000-to-fix-headlights-1.5305676
You might want to think twice before you purchase a top end model of a car, which has a lot of high tech features, such as headlights that swivel, when you go around a curve in the road.
Even a model 2017, Subaru Impreza Sport, costs $2000, to replace a burnt out or damaged headlight!!
I used to be able to replace a headlight by buying one for about $20 at Canadian Tire and installing it myself. >:(
I could understand the top brands, but Subaru Impreza? That's their low end model.
Yikes! I'm guessing it's expensive because it's fancy and likely patented. I agree that this is probably a good warning against buying cars that have fancier features. And maybe even getting quotes from a mechanic ahead of time for what it costs to replace parts most likely to wear out. The same as it's a good idea before buying a printer to find out what the cartridges cost when doing comparisons. I don't feel bad for the lady that had a Mercedes. You have to know that with high-end cars like that it's going to cost a lot to replace parts, even headlights.
Quote from: ssfc72 on February 13, 2021, 12:49:13 AM
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/ontario-woman-who-drives-mercedes-will-need-to-pay-7-000-to-fix-headlights-1.5305676
You might want to think twice before you purchase a top end model of a car, which has a lot of high tech features, such as headlights that swivel, when you go around a curve in the road.
Even a model 2017, Subaru Impreza Sport, costs $2000, to replace a burnt out or damaged headlight!!
NOTHING is cheap on a car today, although, I don't understand the Subaru, because back then there was nothing special about their headlights.
A lot of this comes down to common sense, in my opinion. If you are going to LEASE a vehicle... never lease it longer than what the full bumper to bumper warranty is. On a Mercedes, I think that's 4 years / 120000km. A lot of people go for a badge to impress people around them. If you want to do that, that's ok, just make sure you are within your warranty period so you can claim this stuff. Design defects DO exist on ALL brands. Stay within the full coverage of the warranty, and it's not an issue.
I leased a Lexus for my wife for her 40th birthday. Could I afford a Lexus? Yes. Do I want to eat the long term depreciation and deal with high end maintenance? No. So the deal I arranged will allow her to have fun, zoom fast, have some luxury, all in a package that she won't go over mileage, and I don't have to worry about $7000 headlights if they fail :)
If I was this chick, I think I'd just take a hammer to my headlight and file an insurance claim lol
Quote from: gmiller1977 on February 16, 2021, 07:10:06 PM
I leased a Lexus for my wife for her 40th birthday. Could I afford a Lexus? Yes.
Which model did you get her? I see they have some models that aren't that expensive (for a Lexus anyway) at about $40K.
Unfortunately for the lady whose leased Mercedes had the crack/defect in the headlight lens, she will have to pay $7000 for the fix, before she turns in the car, when the lease ends in a few weeks. :-(
I guess the Mercedes warranty does not cover that damage/defect.
Quote from: gmiller1977 on February 16, 2021, 07:10:06 PM
NOTHING is cheap on a car today, although, I don't understand the Subaru, because back then there was nothing special about their headlights.
A lot of this comes down to common sense, in my opinion. If you are going to LEASE a vehicle... never lease it longer than what the full bumper to bumper warranty is. On a Mercedes, I think that's 4 years / 120000km. A lot of people go for a badge to impress people around them. If you want to do that, that's ok, just make sure you are within your warranty period so you can claim this stuff. Design defects DO exist on ALL brands. Stay within the full coverage of the warranty, and it's not an issue.
I leased a Lexus for my wife for her 40th birthday. Could I afford a Lexus? Yes. Do I want to eat the long term depreciation and deal with high end maintenance? No. So the deal I arranged will allow her to have fun, zoom fast, have some luxury, all in a package that she won't go over mileage, and I don't have to worry about $7000 headlights if they fail :)
If I was this chick, I think I'd just take a hammer to my headlight and file an insurance claim lol
Quote from: Jason Wallwork on February 18, 2021, 10:02:49 PM
Which model did you get her? I see they have some models that aren't that expensive (for a Lexus anyway) at about $40K.
Are you sure you surfed Canadian site? All Lexus are expensive.
Quote from: William on February 20, 2021, 08:10:14 PM
Are you sure you surfed Canadian site? All Lexus are expensive.
Sure did (https://www.lexus.ca/lexus/en/compare). Expensive is a relative term. For me, any car is expensive when you and your spouse live on $20K/year. :) If you mean they all cost more than the average then look at this: According to J.D. Power Canada as reported by Auto123.com (https://www.auto123.com/en/news/average-price-new-vehicle-canada-december-2020/67789/), the average price of a car just passed over the $40K mark. I don't know if that's really typical for the average person buying a car but 5 of the 13 Lexus models are between $40 and $50 K. One is priced at $38K.
So a minor price adjustment has to be added to the MSRP listed on the Link to the CND web site. :-)
On top of the listed price for a car, you would also be charged a mandatory price of $2200 for freight and a government air conditioning tax. Then of course there is the GST to add on ( around $5,700 and up) . This info is in the legal fine print, on the web page.
Good to know, Bill. Thanks. It's something to keep in mind if I ever get a car. I'd have to find the actual J.D. Power report to see how they came up with the average number (i.e. does it include freight, A/C tax and other taxes) for a better comparison. But I'm not an autophile and with and with no immediate interest in buying a car (or ability), I have little incentive. So I'll leave that to somebody else. :)
Before COVID, I was planning to shop around for a new car about this time, and I was eyeing Subara Impreza, their low end model. Now, it's less urgent.
Quote from: Jason Wallwork on February 18, 2021, 10:02:49 PM
Which model did you get her? I see they have some models that aren't that expensive (for a Lexus anyway) at about $40K.
Hi Jason.
I got her an IS 300 AWD. I didn't pay for the extras of "navigation" (the maps are always out of date anyway), but otherwise it's loaded.
I have to admit, for the price (I don't recall off the top of my head but it was around $50k), it really is amazing. I debated about getting her an SUV from them, but, I figured the girl needed to go fast at least once in her life, and the IS does that for sure. Service from the dealership is phenominal. She has her own personal "assistant" at the dealership to answer questions.
Where we live, we need AWD/4x4. I'm still driving my 2010 Ford Ranger :)
When you stop and think about it, the extra few thousand on a new vehicle isn't that much (given the cost of North American brands), and she's pleased with it; and to me, that's all that matters.
I think next time, when we move to our cabin off grid, I'll probably look a a Subaru Crosstrek. We'll go down to one vehicle, but having AWD and some towing power will be handy.
Quote from: ssfc72 on February 19, 2021, 05:41:07 AM
Unfortunately for the lady whose leased Mercedes had the crack/defect in the headlight lens, she will have to pay $7000 for the fix, before she turns in the car, when the lease ends in a few weeks. :-(
I guess the Mercedes warranty does not cover that damage/defect.
Headlights are covered under a safety.
If there was a massive problem with them, and lots of owners were having them replaced, there would be a recall.
I think she leased a vehicle and had some bad luck. If you lease a vehicle, make sure you're covered for the period of the lease.
Quote from: William on February 20, 2021, 08:10:14 PM
Are you sure you surfed Canadian site? All Lexus are expensive.
Expensive is a relative term.
Quote from: ssfc72 on February 21, 2021, 08:26:37 AM
So a minor price adjustment has to be added to the MSRP listed on the Link to the CND web site. :-)
On top of the listed price for a car, you would also be charged a mandatory price of $2200 for freight and a government air conditioning tax. Then of course there is the GST to add on ( around $5,700 and up) . This info is in the legal fine print, on the web page.
On a lease, taxes are only applied to the consumed portion of the sale.
Quote from: William on February 21, 2021, 11:13:13 PM
Before COVID, I was planning to shop around for a new car about this time, and I was eyeing Subara Impreza, their low end model. Now, it's less urgent.
Subaru is good. That's what I'll be looking at the next time. Not the Impreza, but the Crosstrek (Impreza platform, just with a higher ride height). I need to tow.
Thanks for the info, about the GST being based on the monthly lease payment. Good to know
Quote from: gmiller1977 on February 23, 2021, 08:00:44 PM
On a lease, taxes are only applied to the consumed portion of the sale.
Watch out for the OEM car battery, mine failed just outside the 3 year waranty. Typically I have gotten 7 years out of a OEM car battery before they fail.
I was complaining about the battery while the 2016 Outback was under the 3 year warranty and had them test it, but the dealer said it was good. The battery was spewing out sulphic acid fumes and corrosion was all over the battery metal hold down clamp.
The battery failed the next year when the during a service the dealer said the battery was sulphated and should be replaced at a cost of $200. I of course went to Canadian Tire and got a good battery for a lot less.
I also think the sulpuric fumes got on the steel air conditioning line, that ran below the battery and ate a hole in the steel line. Cost me $600 at the Subaru dealer, to find the air conditioning problem and replace the steel line and the 2 air conditioning freon charges required.
A Google search of my Outback battery problem, shows that early failure of Subaru OEM car batteries is a known issue.
Quote from: gmiller1977 on February 23, 2021, 08:02:09 PM
Subaru is good. That's what I'll be looking at the next time. Not the Impreza, but the Crosstrek (Impreza platform, just with a higher ride height). I need to tow.
Quote from: ssfc72 on February 24, 2021, 04:04:00 AM
Watch out for the OEM car battery, mine failed just outside the 3 year waranty. Typically I have gotten 7 years out of a OEM car battery before they fail.
I was complaining about the battery while the 2016 Outback was under the 3 year warranty and had them test it, but the dealer said it was good. The battery was spewing out sulphic acid fumes and corrosion was all over the battery metal hold down clamp.
The battery failed the next year when the during a service the dealer said the battery was sulphated and should be replaced at a cost of $200. I of course went to Canadian Tire and got a good battery for a lot less.
I also think the sulpuric fumes got on the steel air conditioning line, that ran below the battery and ate a hole in the steel line. Cost me $600 at the Subaru dealer, to find the air conditioning problem and replace the steel line and the 2 air conditioning freon charges required.
A Google search of my Outback battery problem, shows that early failure of Subaru OEM car batteries is a known issue.
It was probably other manufacturers having the problem too... Subuaru doesn't make their own batteries, they'll farm it out to another group.
I had a pin prick sized hole on the weld of the compressor of the A/C for my Ranger a few years ago. No idea how it got there, but I know the costs for doing AC work, and it sucks LOL. Otherwise, what do you think of your Subaru?
So far, I like the Outback very much. It has the 2.5L engine and it has impressive get up and go. I get over 42 MPG on the highway, in the summer time and that is impressive for an all wheel drive.
I only have 55,000 Km on the vehicle, at this point.
Quote from: ssfc72 on February 24, 2021, 02:39:54 PM
So far, I like the Outback very much. It has the 2.5L engine and it has impressive get up and go. I get over 42 MPG on the highway, in the summer time and that is impressive for an all wheel drive.
I only have 55,000 Km on the vehicle, at this point.
42 MPG = 5.6L/100km. That's diesel territory! Subaru comes with only 3 years warranty compared to 4 or 5 years on other brands. How much did that weigh on your decision to go with the car?
The measly 3 year warranty was a consideration for me but due for the Subaru reputation for being a well built vehicle, I took the hit of not having 2 extra years of warranty.
Quote from: William on February 24, 2021, 10:41:54 PM
42 MPG = 5.6L/100km. That's diesel territory! Subaru comes with only 3 years warranty compared to 4 or 5 years on other brands. How much did that weigh on your decision to go with the car?
Quote from: ssfc72 on February 25, 2021, 03:57:15 AM
The measly 3 year warranty was a consideration for me but due for the Subaru reputation for being a well built vehicle, I took the hit of not having 2 extra years of warranty.
Subaru's warranty isn't drastically different from anyone else in their segment. 3 year 60000km full warranty, 5 year 100000km powertrain. Same as Chevy, Honda, Ford, Toyota.
Oh, I just remembered, shortly after I had bought the Outback, I got a letter from Subaru saying that they were extending the powertrain warranty to 10 years. The Outback has the relatively new design, CVT transmission. The letter said there was nothing wrong with the transmission, that would cause them to extend the drivetrain warranty.
I have kept their letter in the glovebox of the car, just in case I might need proof of the extended warranty, someday. :-)
Yeah, Subaru was using Jatco transmissions in vehicles that were CVT based back then. They had some pretty serious design issues when used in Nissan/Infinity.
Subaru engineers upgraded the base Jatco designs (thankfully), so they were far better. Some still had some problems. Just make sure you're doing the maintenance on them and you'll be fine. Our Prius has a CVT, and while it is exciting to drive as a slice of wet bread, they are very fuel efficient, especially at low RPM.
Subaru makes their own CVTs now. :)
This is quite the topic. Didn't know so many of you guys were car geeks, too. :)
Quote from: gmiller1977 on February 28, 2021, 01:37:48 PM
Our Prius has a CVT, and while it is exciting to drive as a slice of wet bread, they are very fuel efficient, especially at low RPM.
Before COVID, fuel efficiency was the most important factor, because I do 120km daily commute. I was looking at cheap hybrids, like Kia Nero and Hyundai Ioniq. After COVID, even if we go back to work, I expect to continue to work from home, for most things. So, factors shifted towards safety and comfort. If there are no repairs, then Subaru wins. But, I never had a car that didn't need repairs.
Quote from: William on February 28, 2021, 09:11:28 PM
Before COVID, fuel efficiency was the most important factor, because I do 120km daily commute. I was looking at cheap hybrids, like Kia Nero and Hyundai Ioniq. After COVID, even if we go back to work, I expect to continue to work from home, for most things. So, factors shifted towards safety and comfort. If there are no repairs, then Subaru wins. But, I never had a car that didn't need repairs.
I hear you. That's part of the reason we got the Prius, I was going into Toronto from Bobcaygeon almost a couple of times a week. It's a great car for long drives, sure beats the gas that my 4.0L V6 Ford Ranger uses..... but, you can't haul firewood with a Prius, or move ATVs either LOL. The new AWD Prius is interesting, and if gas is $1.40+ a litre the hybrid system starts to pay for itself. Otherwise, forget it. It is fun to drive to Ottawa and back on a tank of gas though.
All cars need repairs, but, I've been pretty lucky with most of my vehicles.
My Ranger is a 2010. I've done work on the AC ($600), replaced seals (axels and drive shaft), font bearings (pricey because it's 4X4), and had to do a pulley for the AC clutch last year. MOST of the work I do on it is CHEAP.... under $100 in parts and labour. But it's a 2010 that hauls firewood, gravel, toys, and stuff. It has almost 175,000km.
I've done nothing other than maintenance and a recall on the Prius (2014). It's got almost 165,000km
Lexus can worry about the Lexus while my girl drives it.
Next time I would seriously consider a Crosstrek.... but I worry I would miss the bed of a pickup.
Quote from: Jason Wallwork on February 28, 2021, 08:25:22 PM
This is quite the topic. Didn't know so many of you guys were car geeks, too. :)
I love cars.
I so miss going to the Autoshow. COVID broke an almost 20 year streak my business partner and I had going down to it.
Quote from: gmiller1977 on February 28, 2021, 09:23:59 PM
My Ranger is a 2010. I've done work on the AC ($600), ...
I guess that's one advantage of US cars. My 2005 VW Passat is due for AC compressor ($1200), timing belt ($1200), front suspension coils ($600), a window regulator ($300, the stuff that moves glass up and down), adding up to $3300. That was quote 2 years ago. Moral of the story: My next car will not be German. >:(
Luckily I didn't have to do the compressor for the repair, it was a condensor that needed replacing and some of the pipe. Overall, yes, American cars are cheaper to repair because the aftermarket parts selection is so much bigger. Parts for older trucks are even cheaper, until the latest model, the Ranger hadn't drastically changed in almost 20 years, so yeah, parts are cheap :)
I don't buy cars with timing belts anymore. If I find out a car has a timing belt, I cross it off my shopping list.
Quote from: gmiller1977 on March 02, 2021, 06:42:28 PM
I don't buy cars with timing belts anymore. If I find out a car has a timing belt, I cross it off my shopping list.
If not timing belt, what then? timing chain? electronic?
Timing chain.