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Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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Comments

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    edited December 2012
    Nissan shot themselves in the foot with that car - it hurt more profitable Infiniti J35 sales.

    They compared it to Lexus in the ads, but it cannibalized it's big brother because of the similar styling.

    Remember the Roy Rogers commercial? Nissan aped Lexus, then Roy's aped Nissan. It was hilarious.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,863
    Huh. A bucket of rust for near $7k? Fantastic idea!

    Toyota is awesome.... but, yeah, I did a double take on that price!

    '00 volvo looks totally unloved.

    that generation firemaro just gives me bad high school flashbacks. no way.

    The '98 could be a winner if it checks out. Seems to be half of what people on swedespeed think their cars are worth.

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,229
    I always loved the styling of the Infiniti J35. They were never very popular and I can't remember the last time I saw one.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    They had terrible marketing, while Nissan's was good (loved the one with the Z and the Van Halen music where GI Joe steals Barbie from Ken). Look which brand has grown more.
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,325
    edited December 2012
    We drove the J when it was first introduced and liked it, but Infiniti dealer was impossible to deal with. Ended up buying a Sterling, of all things.

    Beautiful dark grey. Drove and handled really good, and we got it at a great price of around $17,500...but so many electrical glitches it was hard to live with. I remember it was a hot day and the AC quit working before we got home. We turned around and went back to the dealer and it took them about 2 hours to get it working. Traded before warranty was up.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Just read that Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Volvo are likely to abandon selling cars in the USA. I was surprised with Volvo but it seems their sales and dealer network is pretty dismal. Since no one on this forum buys new, probably not an issue.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited December 2012
    Suzuki announced they were pulling out a month or so ago (cars, not bikes). The Mitsu rumor mill keeps saying they will fold, but there's nothing definite there.

    This is the first I've heard about Volvo. The Chinese owners just announced a big investment to continue making cars in Sweden so I don't put much stock in that one. (Yahoo). Sales are definitely down though, especially in Europe. Got a link?
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 22,533
    "...just read..."

    Every six months or so there's a rumor that Mitsubishi is leaving the US market. So far they haven't but I don't see how they can keep going with only half a line up.

    2019 Kia Soul+, 2015 Mustang GT, 2013 Ford F-150, 2000 Chrysler Sebring convertible

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Can't seem to remember where I read it but other than the Asian cars, It's probably just speculation based on poor sales and after Ford cutting them loose.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Mitsu is down 28% for the year, losing over 20k in sales compared to last year, which itself was a bad year.

    I have not seen anything official, but you know how it goes. Management will deny up until the last second, because orphan cars lose value and become hard to sell.

    Volvo would surprise me. A little.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    After I bought my LaCrosse, I saw some stats about Buick being the worst selling GM brand. They are trying to get younger buyers and the cars are well put together and have updated looks and performance. There are forums that show some younger folks are LaCrosse fans -- a poor man's BMW 5 -- so geezers like me who could afford a 5, figure they can put the extra 25 to 30k to other uses. The 30-40 year old's with money are not buying Buicks. I don't think they ever will.
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,817
    edited December 2012
    The 30-40 year old's with money are not buying Buicks. I don't think they ever will.

    I'm 34 and love my LaCrosse. Of course I also have a Grand Marquis and have owned Town Cars and Toyota Avalons, so maybe I just don't count.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    The question would be -- do you run in the young rich crowd where status is very important ? That is what Buick wants to tap.
  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,724
    An older gentleman commented that Audi just didn't have the CACHE of a Mercedes or BMW, but that it appeared to be a very nice car.

    In my mind, I was thinking I don't give a HOOT or a damn about cache, status, or whatever intangible fake values people make up. I care about the horsepower, the FE, the handling and driving characteristics, and the price.
    '15 Audi Misano Red Pearl S4, '16 Audi TTS Daytona Gray Pearl, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,817
    No, not at all and far far from rich.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    I think part of the problem is that they are only now beginning to try and define an identity for Buick. They shouldn't attempt to be a luxury marque, as that is the role of Cadillac within the GM lineup. I would think a more appropriate level would be that of Volvo or VW... an intermediate (for the most part).

    For did the same thing to Mercury (which filled the same niche for them as Buick does for GM)... there was just no real identity there. Instead of trying to revive it, they squashed it to focus on other areas and simply absorbed the niche with high-level Ford-branded trims (or low-level Lincoln-branded trims, whichever).

    Having intermediate marques means you need to have a corporate strategy to fit them into the family. GM's strategy was "gather all the brands we can!" It's not easy to turn that around.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,072
    The truly "rich" and flashy drive exotics maybe starting with a Bentley or a higher line AMG or M car, and going up from there. Buick isn't on the radar.

    Now the simply affluent...harder to define. Doesn't take a gigantic income to be able to swing the lease payments on a new 5er or E etc. Buick should chase those, and maybe not aim too high. And indeed, status is important. Gotta build it somehow first.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,229
    And quite a few wealthy people don't get much enjoyment from flashy cars and drive a Chevy Tahoe, or a beat up old Subaru or pickup, etc.
  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,190
    Just read that Mitsubishi, Suzuki and Volvo are likely to abandon selling cars in the USA. I was surprised with Volvo but it seems their sales and dealer network is pretty dismal. Since no one on this forum buys new, probably not an issue.

    Well, Suzuki is actually a done deal, American unit filed Chapter 11 and said they're no longer selling cars in the US. Mitsu wouldn't be too surprising, but Volvo would surprise me. And I would be skittish about owning an orphan car... can't imagine how interesting it could be to get parts.
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2013 VW Jetta 2.5SE
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    I always comment to my wife whenever we see an elderly couple at the grocery store in a 1985 Olds beater -- dressed in shabby clothes --- wonder what they have in the bank. You never know. Friend of my wife lived with her husband like a pauper. When he died they found over 3 million in stocks and 50k hidden around the house. Never signed his will so the State got 1/3 and she started buying clothes at Macy's and a new car before she died. The kids came out fine. You NEVER know.
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,229
    "And I would be skittish about owning an orphan car... can't imagine how interesting it could be to get parts."

    The Saab dealer in Louisville bought a ton of vehicles out of the bankruptcy proceeding. I think they have around 100 new Saabs on their lot. They're packaging them with an aftermarket 50,000 mile warranty (of dubious value) and advertising them for $10k or so off MSRP. I have no idea what the actual transaction prices are. It's an interesting prospect, but I'm spoiled by easy parts availability for my E39, not to mention the availability of pictures and written instructions for almost every repair job on the BMW forums due to the number sold and the enthusiast following they have. On the new model Saab 9-5 or 9-4, there were only a few thousand ever made, so it's not like there will be some central reference for "common" problems, since there simply aren't enough vehicles in the field.
  • qbrozenqbrozen Member Posts: 32,863
    wow

    '11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725
    wow

    That was the title of the e-mail that had the link to it... :P

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725
    .... that my son was actually putting that out there.... as a possibility for his next vehicle..

    Not sure I'm brave enough to own that...

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  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,229
    edited December 2012
    It's a VW, and the CEL is on, imagine that... :P I didn't know the W8 was made with a stick shift.

    The three strikes I see against it are: (1) VW reliability, (2) extremely rare engine, (3) AWD system. The purchase price would be insignificant compared to the repair costs.
  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 50,382
    there was one of those, with lower miles, on the SJ Craig's not all that long ago. Pretty sure it was a stick.

    2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.

  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725
    I didn't know the W8 was made with a stick shift

    That's exactly what I said....

    I barely remember that they had a W8... :surprise:

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  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725
    There is a Manheim auction nearby that used car lot.... I'm sure they see a lot of strange stuff come through there...

    That dealer is only about 5 miles away from the one that had that AWD V70 R wagon with stick, from a few months ago...

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  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,359
    WOW is right. I didn't even know they made a W8 stick shift. You learn something new every day.

    I'd definitely be scared of owning that car. Think Porsche 928. You can't just bring it to any old hans independent Porsche mechanic, you have to bring it to a 928 specialist. I'd imagine these are IMPOSSIBLE.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,359
    This morning I had to pick up a 21" porcelain pedistal basin for work. Yes it would have fit in the 328xi somehow (if not the trunk, then the back seat), but just to be on the safe side I swiped my wife's Pilot. Now it just so happens that I had to drive back to CT from The Bronx to see my 6 year old son's music class perform at 11:25 am. We got home about 12:15 & I was putting some bags in the Pilot for my wife to now take to work. She comes out of the house & gives me "the look."

    me: "What's that for?"
    wife: "I was hoping to get the day off from driving the bus (Pilot) today. I haven't taken your BMW to work in a while."
    me, thinking the operative word here is "your" as in MY BMW: "Sure sweetheart, go ahead. Enjoy!"

    It was a gorgeous, sunny, late fall day. I had to drive back to The Bronx & had already done the 65 mile round trip in the Pilot. I looked in the garage and saw my Prelude sitting there as it has been for at least a month. I ran inside, grabbed the keys and TOOK OFF!

    My Prelude just fits me perfectly. I really get so much joy out of driving a 3000 lb, 4cyl, 5 speed manual transmission car with a lofty redline. The shifts are crisp, the cable actuated throttle is direct. The car is just super responsive. I hit 148,000 miles on the way home & I swear it drives like it has 50,000 miles on it. Still on the ORIGINAL shocks, I'm wondering what a set of Bilsteins would do for it? Hmmmm.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • steine13steine13 Member Posts: 2,818
    >> W8 was made with a stick....

    No picture of the lever = no stick shift.
    Call me a doubting Thomas.

    Far too many ads say "manual" and what they mean is "paddles."

    I don't think that car was available with three pedals.

    Ba humbug -Mathias
  • rayainswrayainsw Member Posts: 3,191
  • kyfdxkyfdx Moderator Posts: 234,725
    edited December 2012
    There are six of them for sale with stick on AutoTrader... (in the whole country... '03-'04 models)

    With shifter pictures... ;)

    Here is one

    Curb weight... 4100 lbs.. :surprise:

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  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Maybe the CEL is on because they just turned the key to light up the odometer?

    At least you know the CEL light works. :D
  • ronsteveronsteve Member Posts: 1,190
    Maybe the CEL is on because they just turned the key to light up the odometer?
    If we could see the tach, we would know. :)
    2015 Acura RDX AWD / 2013 VW Jetta 2.5SE
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Ah, clever photography. :shades:
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,072
    If any VW electrical feature is going to work, it's the CEL :shades:
  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,817

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited December 2012
    Quote of the day. :)

    I'm going to flush the coolant and replace the thermostat on my van next week, which will probably wind up costing as much as that Olds Silhouette is selling for.
  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,229
    That 3-series looks rough, and it's debadged, so I'm guessing it's a 323i with big rims on it. I hate the spoiler.
  • jayriderjayrider Member Posts: 3,602
    Good one fintail !!!
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 57,072
    Nice old Pontiac, lots of style there, good looking survivor.

    That BMW would worry me, those window vent things + rear window sticker don't bode well.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    My Prelude just fits me perfectly. I really get so much joy out of driving a 3000 lb, 4cyl, 5 speed manual transmission car with a lofty redline. The shifts are crisp, the cable actuated throttle is direct. The car is just super responsive. I hit 148,000 miles on the way home & I swear it drives like it has 50,000 miles on it. Still on the ORIGINAL shocks, I'm wondering what a set of Bilsteins would do for it? Hmmmm.

    That worked out pretty well, I'd say!

    What year is your Prelude? A friend of mine had an '88, I want to say, and had over 400,000 miles on it the last time I heard. It wasn't a spring chicken any more, but I enjoyed the ride or two I took in it.
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,359
    My Prelude is a 2001 Prelude Type SH that I bought as a leftover in April 2002.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The too-dark tint also says "get-away car".
  • nyccarguynyccarguy Member Posts: 16,359
    I LOVE the way my Prelude drives & there will always be a special place in my heart for it. I have to say that not only is my BMW an excellent driving car, but it's heated seats, heated steering wheel, & automatic climate control made this morning's sub 30 degree temps easier to deal with.

    2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD

  • tjc78tjc78 Member Posts: 15,817
    but it's heated seats, heated steering wheel,

    I know I'm in the minority, but I absolutely hate heated seats. My Buick has the heated steering wheel also, I'll never even try it. My wife OTOH loves both features!

    I do like the ventilated seats, just wish they were a bit stronger.

    2023 Mercedes EQE 350 4Matic / 2022 Ram 1500 Bighorn, Built to Serve

  • corvettecorvette Member Posts: 10,229
    IMO, heated seats are a must if you have leather or pleather and live in a climate where it gets cold. I've never experienced a heated steering wheel, though.
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 16,747
    edited December 2012
    I agree! My car's heated seats made this morning's sub -30 degree temps much more bearable. :P

    I have the same sort of "relationship" with my 69 Econoline van. I might drive it 100 miles per year, but every time my wife re-suggests that I get rid of it, I politely remind her of the first statement I ever made on the subject well over a decade ago. "Honey, I'll get rid of you before I get rid of that van." :shades:
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100, 1976 Ford F250
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