Well, this was a surprise!!!

[CoachRick]

Not known for my rational approach to buying vehicles(way too many over the years), I did little to change that aspect of my personality today.

Dropped by the studio with a CEL glowing since Friday afternoon and strolled through the showroom while they were checking out my gremlin(turned out to be some minor valve in the emissions system, I think). Anyway, got to talking with Angela and one of the sales staff and found out they had ONE '17 L left on the lot. Hmmm...White(one of our favorite vehicle colors), Lounge(virtually identical to our '15) WITH a sunroof(unlike our '15). Chat, chat, chat...figure, figure, figure...and we now have the '17 in our garage!!!

I was torn but the numbers work('15 was paid off; but tires and brakes and 40k service looming)...torn because the moonroof was the only tangible "upgrade" from the '15...Dang. It had been many vehicles since our last non-moonroof/convertible car, so that was part of my interest. As it turns out, the relatively nominal difference in the trade value of the '15 and the asking price of the '17 made the deal appealing enough to entice me toward a fresh, new L...and off we go!

They didn't charge me(extra) to remove the GoPedal...it will be installed in the new ride shortly. The new one is silky smooth compared to the '15(in which we just completed a 1200 mile trip after Christmas), even though the '15 didn't feel bad at all.

I'll be updating my signature info forthwith...gotta rest up to get the insurance, toll tag and Sirius squared away tomorrow first thing!

Turned out to be a more eventful day than I had planned!!!

[Ando]

Congrats on the new Elle! Post a picture when you get a chance.

I can relate to too many vehicles, we joke that if I didn't have to pay sales tax and registration fees I would drive a different car every couple of months. =P

[Southernroadrunner]

Coach Rick how cool is that Congrats on the new ride!!!

[CoachRick]

Roll Tide, indeed!!! What a game...what a finish!!!

[CoachRick]

Congrats on the new Elle! Post a picture when you get a chance.

I can relate to too many vehicles, we joke that if I didn't have to pay sales tax and registration fees I would drive a different car every couple of months. =P

The amount of the "sale" is reduced by the trade-in allowance here in Texas; so, tax was only on the difference in my transaction...cool. Registration here in Williamson County is ~$75/year...unlike our previous state in which we paid ~1% of the vehicle value EACH YEAR for tags!!! $900 one year!!!!!(Two pretty nice vehicles, I'll admit ) Dang!

[Ando]

Hmmm interesting info, I actually have no idea what MN takes, I've never traded a vehicle in! Why the government gets to take a cut of private party sales continues to baffle me though.

[CoachRick]

Hmmm interesting info, I actually have no idea what MN takes, I've never traded a vehicle in! Why the government gets to take a cut of private party sales continues to baffle me though.

Oh, yeah...Texas gets their 6.25% when private parties try to register the new owner. Georgia didn't have sales tax on private party sales 10 years ago when we left; but they were the ones who hit you for the 1% registration fee(in Fulton Co/Atlanta).

Could be worse...years ago a another tennis pro friend wanted to ship his SAAB convertible back to Australia when he moved. The import duty was the VALUE OF THE VEHICLE !!! Needless to say, he moved without a car and bought one when he got 'home'.

[Paulbob]

Coach, great to hear that folks are still buying the L! Were there many on the lot? I think our dealer here has 18 Stelvios and only one L. The L is used, not new. The dealership here is excellent, but not having luck moving the L models.

Yes, importing cars is tricky. We are planning a move to France and would like to bring some cars. The tax formula is a bit complex and part of it is based on CO2 emissions. The tax is about halved when the car is 10 years old. What is interesting is that I don’t see any Elles for sale over there with the 160hp engine. It would be nice to have our US market Elle with its powerful engine for the Alps!

PB

[Fiat500USA]

Not known for my rational approach to buying vehicles(way too many over the years), I did little to change that aspect of my personality today.

Dropped by the studio with a CEL glowing since Friday afternoon and strolled through the showroom while they were checking out my gremlin(turned out to be some minor valve in the emissions system, I think). Anyway, got to talking with Angela and one of the sales staff and found out they had ONE '17 L left on the lot. Hmmm...White(one of our favorite vehicle colors), Lounge(virtually identical to our '15) WITH a sunroof(unlike our '15). Chat, chat, chat...figure, figure, figure...and we now have the '17 in our garage!!!

I was torn but the numbers work('15 was paid off; but tires and brakes and 40k service looming)...torn because the moonroof was the only tangible "upgrade" from the '15...Dang. It had been many vehicles since our last non-moonroof/convertible car, so that was part of my interest. As it turns out, the relatively nominal difference in the trade value of the '15 and the asking price of the '17 made the deal appealing enough to entice me toward a fresh, new L...and off we go!

They didn't charge me(extra) to remove the GoPedal...it will be installed in the new ride shortly. The new one is silky smooth compared to the '15(in which we just completed a 1200 mile trip after Christmas), even though the '15 didn't feel bad at all.

I'll be updating my signature info forthwith...gotta rest up to get the insurance, toll tag and Sirius squared away tomorrow first thing!

Turned out to be a more eventful day than I had planned!!!

Congratulations!! Great way to start the new year. Can't wait to see some pictures! hint...hint

[CoachRick]

Coach, great to hear that folks are still buying the L! Were there many on the lot? I think our dealer here has 18 Stelvios and only one L. The L is used, not new. The dealership here is excellent, but not having luck moving the L models.

Yes, importing cars is tricky. We are planning a move to France and would like to bring some cars. The tax formula is a bit complex and part of it is based on CO2 emissions. The tax is about halved when the car is 10 years old. What is interesting is that I don’t see any Elles for sale over there with the 160hp engine. It would be nice to have our US market Elle with its powerful engine for the Alps!

PB

Congratulations!! Great way to start the new year. Can't wait to see some pictures! hint...hint

Seems our L is now the only used L on the lot and the '17 I bought was the last available with zero '18s available. I've seen quite a few around town; but I know it's not a big seller. It fits us just fine. If the X had 220hp, I might have taken a look at it; but we'll drive the new L until Volvo brings over the XC40(at twice the cost, the Volvo will really need to speak to me!!!)

We've got a FIAT Club of Austin meet tomorrow...hopefully some pics will be taken! Going to be sunny but cold!

[rustbucket]

Big congrats on the new Elle!! With the moonroof and the Elle's great views out the windows, it sounds like just the ticket to check out the bluebonnets come spring.

[CoachRick]

Big congrats on the new Elle!! With the moonroof and the Elle's great views out the windows, it sounds like just the ticket to check out the bluebonnets come spring.

Dodging the 'cedar' pollen right now...extremely high! But, you are right about the visibility in(out) the L...it's fantastic!

[CoachRick]

Congratulations!! Great way to start the new year. Can't wait to see some pictures! hint...hint

Finally, a pic of our new Elle...along with a shot of a few Austin FIAT Club cars at our lunch meet today. Temps in the 40s may have kept a couple of the vintage ragtops away; but a nice turnout of nice folks!!!

[CoachRick]

Dang, I even read the Sticky about sideways pics; but these were taken with the phone upright AND they show in proper orientation on my phone and computer...not sure why they went sideways when I posted. Too many at once, mayhaps??

[Southernroadrunner]

CoachRick I'm having the same issue with photos going sideways but I think they said their working on that issue.And I'm not on an iphone.