Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

andres3

suydam said:

Yep I did give those up reluctantly. But I have the Premier, which has every safety feature possible to make up for it. And I love not filling a gas tank even more.

Can you "manually" adjust the seat height? I don't mind lack of power if you can adjust height.

breld

Couple of options that are high on my list to check out this week:

2018 Mazda3 Touring

2013 TSX

Other than the tech being painfully outdated, the TSX could be entertaining.

I really like that Mazda3 - for a 2018 Touring (that has the 2.5l engine) with so few miles, seems like a pretty solid deal. Probably about as entertaining as the TSX, but with much more updated tech and features.

corvette

TSX - if getting an automatic, I think I’d want the V6. That would put it in a different league than the Mazda3. 

Michaell

breld said:

Couple of options that are high on my list to check out this week:

2018 Mazda3 Touring

2013 TSX

Other than the tech being painfully outdated, the TSX could be entertaining.

I really like that Mazda3 - for a 2018 Touring (that has the 2.5l engine) with so few miles, seems like a pretty solid deal. Probably about as entertaining as the TSX, but with much more updated tech and features.

But - a stick shift on that Mazda? Guess we're all getting old ….

stickguy

My son has issues. Just texted that he was online checking about upgrades to an M240i. And a Dinan stage 1 tune is 414/478 HP and Torque.

roadburner

stickguy said:

My son has issues. Just texted that he was online checking about upgrades to an M240i. And a Dinan stage 1 tune is 414/478 HP and Torque.

RWD, I hope. He needs to install the M Performance LSD first.

stickguy

AWD. He lives in snow country. A hipo RWD is not really going to fly up there.

the tune was already $1,400. On a car he shouldn't be spending as much on to start with. Can't imagine how much more the LSD would cost to install.

He saw that stock is something like 375/400 output. Which should cover him.

roadburner

Well, if he's stuck with AWD it doesn't make that much difference. Me, I'd get a dedicated set of winter tires/wheels.

stickguy

he has those on his A3 quattro. Made a big difference.

nyccarguy

@breld - I like the Mazda better than the TSX, but with an automatic you know you will own it for less than a month. The TSX 4cyl is a nice car (I owned a 2010 for 2 1/2 years), but the V6 really hustles.

qbrozen

I missed it breld, what are you trying to replace this time?

@nyccarguy : you really think the fact that it is an auto will have any impact on it lasting just 1 month with breld? Hahahha

nyccarguy

qbrozen said:

I missed it breld, what are you trying to replace this time?

@nyccarguy : you really think the fact that it is an auto will have any impact on it lasting just 1 month with breld? Hahahha

Guess not. 2 weeks then? HA!

graphicguy

Was it someone here who was looking at a TLX ASPEC 4 cyl?

With the beefier wheels/tires and suspension, I’d be curious what those drive like given their weight loss vs the 6 cyl?

stickguy

good question. I drove a 4 cyl and 6 cyl TLX back to back (non A spec, both FWD) last year, and recall the 4 banger feeling a lot lighter (steering, handling). which probably was related to less weight over the front end. Surprisingly, even though only the engine was different, felt like a much different car.

graphicguy

stickguy said:

good question. I drove a 4 cyl and 6 cyl TLX back to back (non A spec, both FWD) last year, and recall the 4 banger feeling a lot lighter (steering, handling). which probably was related to less weight over the front end. Surprisingly, even though only the engine was different, felt like a much different car.

stick...maybe I was remembering your opinions. More out of curiosity than anything else, I'd like to test drive a 4 cyl ASPEC. Not sure if those come with SH AWD or not. I would want that as that makes the car handle quite well.

stickguy

Can Only get AWD with the V6

graphicguy

stickguy said:

Can Only get AWD with the V6

Well....that's too bad. Still would like to test an ASPEC 4 Cyl, though.

breld

qbrozen said:

I missed it breld, what are you trying to replace this time?

@nyccarguy : you really think the fact that it is an auto will have any impact on it lasting just 1 month with breld? Hahahha

We would replace the i3. We like the electric vehicle concept but would like more range than the i3 offers, so it's an excuse to get into a different "extra" car until longer range electric cars are more available.

While we're on the subject, what's auction looking like for a 2015 BMW i3 w/range extender? About 24k miles.

We basically want a third car that's at least somewhat engaging to drive to spread miles around among the cars. It also serves as a contrast for me from the Discovery.

My interest list is all over the place:

Mazda3 and 6's
Accord/Civic
VW Golfs, maybe a Tiguan, maybe a Passat
Acura TSX

Might go check this out today:

2014 A4 Manual

Would like to stay sub-$15k, but could go $17-18k for the right car. Suggestions are welcome.

qbrozen

buuuttt... you have a range extender. The logic of your excuse eludes me.

Do you have a giga, mega, or tera?

stickguy

I could make that Audi work.

nyccarguy

Not sure if I've ever said this before but, I like the 55,000 mile out of warranty Audi (I do so like Green Eggs and Ham). Nice car for $16K. They've only had it for sale since 6/15

28firefighter

Agree with @nyccarguy - of all the ones you posted, I like that best.

Michaell

breld said:

qbrozen said:

I missed it breld, what are you trying to replace this time?

@nyccarguy : you really think the fact that it is an auto will have any impact on it lasting just 1 month with breld? Hahahha

We would replace the i3. We like the electric vehicle concept but would like more range than the i3 offers, so it's an excuse to get into a different "extra" car until longer range electric cars are more available.

While we're on the subject, what's auction looking like for a 2015 BMW i3 w/range extender? About 24k miles.

We basically want a third car that's at least somewhat engaging to drive to spread miles around among the cars. It also serves as a contrast for me from the Discovery.

My interest list is all over the place:

Mazda3 and 6's
Accord/Civic
VW Golfs, maybe a Tiguan, maybe a Passat
Acura TSX

Might go check this out today:

2014 A4 Manual

Would like to stay sub-$15k, but could go $17-18k for the right car. Suggestions are welcome.

I like that Audi; can't get the Carfax link to come up, however.

suydam

breld said:

qbrozen said:

I missed it breld, what are you trying to replace this time?

@nyccarguy : you really think the fact that it is an auto will have any impact on it lasting just 1 month with breld? Hahahha

We would replace the i3. We like the electric vehicle concept but would like more range than the i3 offers, so it's an excuse to get into a different "extra" car until longer range electric cars are more available.

While we're on the subject, what's auction looking like for a 2015 BMW i3 w/range extender? About 24k miles.

We basically want a third car that's at least somewhat engaging to drive to spread miles around among the cars. It also serves as a contrast for me from the Discovery.

My interest list is all over the place:

Mazda3 and 6's
Accord/Civic
VW Golfs, maybe a Tiguan, maybe a Passat
Acura TSX

Might go check this out today:

2014 A4 Manual

Would like to stay sub-$15k, but could go $17-18k for the right car. Suggestions are welcome.

Um, none of those are electric.

andres3

If I had to have a manual Audi A4, I'd want the S4 with the 3.0 V6 and 6-speed manual.

breld

qbrozen said:

buuuttt... you have a range extender. The logic of your excuse eludes me.

Do you have a giga, mega, or tera?

You're right of course on the range extender, and that option certainly helps with range anxiety, but we're not too fond of stopping to fill the 1.5 gallon tank on any regular basis and try to run on the base electric charge. And...of course, there's some level of justification in making a change (so I'm not gonna push the "logic" part too far).

It's a Giga model.

breld

Michaell said:

breld said:

qbrozen said:

I missed it breld, what are you trying to replace this time?

@nyccarguy : you really think the fact that it is an auto will have any impact on it lasting just 1 month with breld? Hahahha

We would replace the i3. We like the electric vehicle concept but would like more range than the i3 offers, so it's an excuse to get into a different "extra" car until longer range electric cars are more available.

While we're on the subject, what's auction looking like for a 2015 BMW i3 w/range extender? About 24k miles.

We basically want a third car that's at least somewhat engaging to drive to spread miles around among the cars. It also serves as a contrast for me from the Discovery.

My interest list is all over the place:

Mazda3 and 6's
Accord/Civic
VW Golfs, maybe a Tiguan, maybe a Passat
Acura TSX

Might go check this out today:

2014 A4 Manual

Would like to stay sub-$15k, but could go $17-18k for the right car. Suggestions are welcome.

I like that Audi; can't get the Carfax link to come up, however.

It's a good carfax, especially for an EchoPark type of place. One owner, locally owned and serviced here in Denver.

nyccarguy

The Passat GT got a good write up here on edmunds. The reviewer pretty much said it is a set of good tires and beefier brakes away from being a very capable sporty sedan. He liked the way the V6 accelerated, the simplicity of the dash layout, the suspension tuning, and of course the cavernous room in the front and back.

28firefighter

I'm keeping my eye on used values for a 2017 A4 Premium Plus 6spd. I've added that to the list of future potential acquisitions.

breld

andres3 said:

If I had to have a manual Audi A4, I'd want the S4 with the 3.0 V6 and 6-speed manual.

Well, yeah, I would too and did in fact have one a few cars ago.

But for an "extra" commuter car? The 2.0T should be just fine.

stickguy

28, I would not mind having one of those either!

pensfan83

I'm going to throw my vote in for the Audi as well.

qbrozen

breld said:

You're right of course on the range extender, and that option certainly helps with range anxiety, but we're not too fond of stopping to fill the 1.5 gallon tank on any regular basis and try to run on the base electric charge. And...of course, there's some level of justification in making a change (so I'm not gonna push the "logic" part too far).

It's a Giga model.

about $16k

breld

qbrozen said:

breld said:

You're right of course on the range extender, and that option certainly helps with range anxiety, but we're not too fond of stopping to fill the 1.5 gallon tank on any regular basis and try to run on the base electric charge. And...of course, there's some level of justification in making a change (so I'm not gonna push the "logic" part too far).

It's a Giga model.

about $16k

Thanks! That's pretty much what I figured.

henryn

I think I mentioned this before, one of those fancy electronic (pun intended) BMWs parks on the same floor of the downtown garage that I use. The owner seems to be an early bird, and gets to park close to the elevators, which means I often walk by that car on my way to the elevator.

I rather like the way it looks, but then I profess to like the Juke, so my taste is questionable!

Michaell

nyccarguy said:

The Passat GT got a good write up here on edmunds. The reviewer pretty much said it is a set of good tires and beefier brakes away from being a very capable sporty sedan. He liked the way the V6 accelerated, the simplicity of the dash layout, the suspension tuning, and of course the cavernous room in the front and back.

Even at $30K, probably out of my price range.

That Audi at $16K, though, is a good deal. Given how few miles I drive, I could keep it for 6-7 years before breaking 100,000 miles.

But, would I want to have an out of warranty Audi?

Mr_Shiftright

Get it checked out! My friends who run the Audi/Porsche indie shop will tear a used Audi apart for you for around $250 bucks, and let me tell you, you WILL know what you are buying at the end of that investigation.

A PPI is not a warranty, but it can certainly improve your odds on getting a good one. They'd look for all the known trouble spots, scan the computers for codes, look at recalls and advisories; meanwhile you're looking at CARFAX and polling the dealer for any service records, if it's a local car.

kyfdx

Agreed... you need access to a good Audi/VW specialist. Not just for the PPI, but for ongoing maintenance/repairs.

Mr_Shiftright

Some folks think these are just like VWs, but they aren't at all.

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

Some folks think these are just like VWs, but they aren't at all.

Most Audis are a lot closer to VW than Porsche... Especially a 2014 A4. Not much commonality with anything that Porsche makes.

Anywhere outside California, it's all Audi/VW shops... The Porsche shops would only work on an Audi as a favor.

ab348

andres3 said:

If I had to have a manual Audi A4, I'd want the S4 with the 3.0 V6 and 6-speed manual.

Better make sure with the Missus that the image of driving such a car is OK first.

Mr_Shiftright

kyfdx said:

Mr_Shiftright said:

Some folks think these are just like VWs, but they aren't at all.

Most Audis are a lot closer to VW than Porsche... Especially a 2014 A4. Not much commonality with anything that Porsche makes.

Anywhere outside California, it's all Audi/VW shops... The Porsche shops would only work on an Audi as a favor.

Oh yeah, Porsche is generally in its own universe. Audi/VW do share components and the same basic engineering view but there's no reason to suppose that a tech who knows VWs is actually qualified to work on Audis. I would suspect most of them don't like to anyway.

28firefighter

Still an hour to go, but this Boxster S with low miles and the IMS sorted is looking like it is going to go cheap.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-porsche-boxster-s-8/

breld

Checked out the A4 over my lunch hour.

The good: Drove great - forgot how much pull that car has with "just" the 2.0T. Very smooth and comfortable, and quiet. VW/Audis seem to make a very "user-friendly" manual, and this was no exception. Other than the rear bumper (see below), the car seems to be in outstanding shape. The salesperson, who is very into cars, including building them with his father, drives an older STI and was impressed that I drove a manual so well - we're a dying breed.

The bad (or not so good): it's very much a base model, which isn't all bad. Just doesn't have some things you may expect, like keyless entry/start, navigation and blind-spot. And...the rear bumper has clearly been repainted. And not repainted well. The coloring is off, so the bumper looks yellow-ish compared to the rest of the car, and there is some orange peel effect in some places.

So, at $15,999, the bumper isn't a deal breaker, but it's certainly off-putting. How much do you think it'd be to have it repainted by a good shop?

breld

Here are a couple pics of the rear bumper. 

28firefighter

Yikes - that is an awful paint match.

pensfan83

I didn't even catch it before but you're right....that's just a Premium model. Moving up to the Premium Plus nets you heated seats with driver memory, the advanced keyless entry/start, auto dimming mirror, and a few other things. If you want nav that's a separate package that comes with rear parking sensors and the BU camera. I also think blind spot was an option on P+ but standard on Prestige. It became standard in 2016 I think on P+.

Mr_Shiftright

28firefighter said:

Still an hour to go, but this Boxster S with low miles and the IMS sorted is looking like it is going to go cheap.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-porsche-boxster-s-8/

2003 would be better---it gets the glass window instead of plastic in the convertible top.

This quote is scary: "The IMS bearing has reportedly been replaced as discovered during a recent inspection, but details of its installation are unknown."

What does THAT mean--"discovered"? Does it mean they saw metal particles in the oil filter?

28firefighter

Mr_Shiftright said:

28firefighter said:

Still an hour to go, but this Boxster S with low miles and the IMS sorted is looking like it is going to go cheap.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/2002-porsche-boxster-s-8/

2003 would be better---it gets the glass window instead of plastic in the convertible top.

This quote is scary: "The IMS bearing has reportedly been replaced as discovered during a recent inspection, but details of its installation are unknown."

What does THAT mean--"discovered"? Does it mean they saw metal particles in the oil filter?

The follow-up to it in the comments was that it was replaced fairly recently with an OEM bearing, not an aftermarket bearing, along with the RMS.

Sold for $13,2 - low mileage, IMS and RMS sorted, clean looking - agree a 2003 would be better, but this is still a great deal.

xwesx

28firefighter said:

Yikes - that is an awful paint match.

yes; wow! That is really, really bad! So, I guess that begs the question.... what caused that, and what is lurking underneath it!?