Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

stickguy · July 2015

fezo said:
I'm at the age where if I buy a Buick I skew the average up...

I think you had to be dead to make that happen.

Fezo, maybe I should get a 5 like yours. But not red. And cheaper. Know of any?

fezo · July 2015

Not at the moment but I can look. Mine was $19K OTD which was an amazing deal.

fezo · July 2015

Well. here's one at the dealer where the sales manager blew up the CX5 deal - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=400855198&Log=0

Sorry, this one's red..... http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=401917619&Log=0

Silver and no miles - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=397658162&Log=0

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=401917619&Log=0

Grand Touring - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=401854481&Log=0

There's more...

16 miles - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=391510051&Log=0

Near Philly - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=400227447&Log=0

7,000 miles where I grew up - (red) - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=397629205&Log=0

fezo · July 2015

18 miles - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08002&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=86376&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=393951837&Log=0

19 miles (same dealer) - http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08002&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MAZDA5&showcaseOwnerId=86376&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&listingType=used&listingTypes=used,certified&maxMileage=30000&searchRadius=75&maxPrice=19000&mmt=[MAZDA[MAZDA5[]][]]&listingId=398645834&Log=0

stickguy · July 2015

Well, alrighty then. You took it to heart!

But I will browse to see what's interesting.

fezo · July 2015

By all means. OTOH I found a guy selling a 99 Miata in what resembles BRG, stick, 82K, leather, Bose for $5,900. I at least dropped a line.

This is all your fault. "As long as I'm looking up Mazdas,".....

stickguy · July 2015

don't blame me if you have no self control.

I checked the links. lots of low miles. I have realized that I would have to get a GT in this. Even if just for the power seats. and of course, moonroof!

My Miata was a 2001 I think. I really didn't fit very well in that. Interested to try a newer one to see if any better. Hopefully I will run into a new style one at some point. Though close to 30K for a toy is not going to be in the budget any time soon.

roadburner · July 2015

nyccarguy said:

roadburner said:
We will see...
Speaking of "we will see..." I seem to recall you posting an inquiry on RWTIV about the Mazda. Are you going to keep us in suspense or spill the beans?

I'm planning to check out a couple of Challengers, a 2015 Mustang GT, and-possibly-a 2012 Boss 302 and 2012 Charger SRT8.
One of the Challengers is a 2015 R/T Scat Pack in white(Vanishing Point Edition?

) with three pedals, slick top, a decent audio system, and heated/cooled seats and heated wheel. Think: American 650i- except that the R/T is a bit bigger yet weighs a bit less.

Check it out...

stickguy · July 2015

looks fast. but heck, if you are getting one of those, it should be a high impact color!

roadburner · July 2015

breld said:

roadburner said:
Don't laugh, but I dropped by my BMW dealer today and was talking with one of my friends in new car sales- he suggested that I apply for the BMW Genius job. 9 to 5 five days per week. Might give it a shot...
I learned about that at the recent Denver Auto Show, where I spoke to one of the "Geniuses." I have to say, he seemed less the BMW enthusiast, and more the "techie" guy. That's probably exactly what the job calls for, but it would be interesting to see what @roadburner would bring to the table from as a "true" BMW genius.

I appreciate the kind words, but I still think I'd need to get up to speed on more than a few bits of technology included in the latest cars.

roadburner · July 2015

stickguy said:
looks fast. but heck, if you are getting one of those, it should be a high impact color!

Agreed, but for at least @$5k under the original MSRP I could live with it. Maybe I could add a neon orange AAR Cuda style strobe stripe...

28firefighter · July 2015

roadburner said:

breld said:

roadburner said:
Don't laugh, but I dropped by my BMW dealer today and was talking with one of my friends in new car sales- he suggested that I apply for the BMW Genius job. 9 to 5 five days per week. Might give it a shot...
I learned about that at the recent Denver Auto Show, where I spoke to one of the "Geniuses." I have to say, he seemed less the BMW enthusiast, and more the "techie" guy. That's probably exactly what the job calls for, but it would be interesting to see what @roadburner would bring to the table from as a "true" BMW genius.
I appreciate the kind words, but I still think I'd need to get up to speed on more than a few bits of technology included in the latest cars.

I'm sure there is a training program for that.

fezo · July 2015

Stick. The Grand Touring has manual seats - at least mine does.

stickguy · July 2015

really? odd. I would have figured all the GTs have power drivers seats. oh well.

I'll move on to some other shiny toy. Might drive a cruze anyway. seem to be cheap deals these days. Or just go buy a camry. or something. maybe tune up my bike.

I may just give up and not get out of bed. easier than dealing with the search process!

nyccarguy · July 2015

@roadburner - there's a dealer within an hour's drive from me (right @explorerx4?) that has a few new 2014s:

http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2014-Dodge-Challenger-5db51fa20a0a00e0470b9896d3840cf8.htm

nyccarguy · July 2015

This one is an SRT, but has a hole in the roof: http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2014-Dodge-Challenger-7ac3088f0a0a00645061b14960df093b.htm

nyccarguy · July 2015

Another 6.4L - http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2014-Dodge-Challenger-622a60340a0a00657246af2d469b9791.htm

stickguy · July 2015

that is what a challenger should look like. Seems all loaded up too.

wonder what they will actually take for it, since they just list the $39,8xx MSRP. 30K? Less? how the heck do you price a brand new yet roughly 2 MY old car?

nyccarguy · July 2015

They also have this http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2015-Dodge-Challenger-fb7b9a280a0a00022e7add6a422f393e.htm 2015 in Green. It's only got the 5.7L HEMI, but it does have the "super track pack," slick top, & a stick

nyccarguy · July 2015

@roadburner - please forgive me for being forever cynical about used cars. Why on earth was that car traded in after 1 month? What was its original sticker price?

fezo · July 2015

My disappointments with the 5 (which I still really, really like) - the manual seats, no Bose system, no backup camera, switchblade key, no Skyactive which makes the CX5 with AWD and a six more economical.

stickguy · July 2015

why? Well, could have been some sort of demo. Or someone bought it on a whim, and after realizing what it was like to drive around town (or their wife discovered what they did!), realized they made a terrible mistake, and traded it in and took their bath.

This isn't a Camry we are talking about here.

stickguy · July 2015

I like the purple one, but if you don't want a moonroof, the green is nice too.

stever · July 2015

This MINI is for sale in my neighborhood; saw it a week or ten days ago and now it's back. '06, 16,350 miles, loaded up. Automatic. $10,495.

stickguy · July 2015

Interesting. though probably not with the AT.

stickguy · July 2015

told the wife that we should book Friday for car shopping (since we pretty much have nothing else to do this weekend). Not thinking there is a chance in heck I'll actually pull off a purchase. But ya never know. Just need some dealer to drop their shorts on a lease of something interesting, and away we go.

big debate, stick OK? Might cause issues down the line with car swapping. But heck, life isn't easy.

hope to free up some time tomorrow afternoon to look at a few things alone. Better that way, before I drag the better half along.

roadburner · July 2015

Who knows? Both of the 2015s I'm looking at were flipped very quickly. I'm pretty sure that MSRP on the Green R/T was a tick over $40k while the White Scat Pack listed for a bit over $42k. Funny thing: the Consumer Reports buyer survey results show that a very large percentage of Challenger owners would buy the car again.

Sandman6472 · July 2015

Think most of us in here get something from our short lists but in a few weeks, months...we start to find small things that annoy us and look back onto the short list and wish we had gone with choice B, C or D. As much as I do like the Golf, the Honda HR-V is calling me though not going to do anything. Who knows what will happen 3 to 4 years down the road if I'm still driving, but as of now, staying the course. But like I say, the only other vehicle I'd even consider right now is the HR-V...think of it of a Golf without the drama!

The Sandman

nyccarguy · July 2015

sandman_6472 said:
Think most of us in here get something from our short lists but in a few weeks, months...we start to find small things that annoy us and look back onto the short list and wish we had gone with choice B, C or D. As much as I do like the Golf, the Honda HR-V is calling me though not going to do anything. Who knows what will happen 3 to 4 years down the road if I'm still driving, but as of now, staying the course. But like I say, the only other vehicle I'd even consider right now is the HR-V...think of it of a Golf without the drama!

The Sandman

Or the turbo

stickguy · July 2015

And 70 lb/ft of torque, and 2 more seconds 0-60.

andre1969 · July 2015

nyccarguy said:
They also have this http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2015-Dodge-Challenger-fb7b9a280a0a00022e7add6a422f393e.htm 2015 in Green. It's only got the 5.7L HEMI, but it does have the "super track pack," slick top, & a stick

I love the "It's only got the 5.7..." comment. You'd think that would be more than enough power, but I've noticed that, the more you get, the more you want. I remember when I first got my 2012 Ram Hemi, it felt pretty quick. But then I got used to it and now it just seems normal, mundane, sort of "meh".

I like the Challenger, and prefer it to the Camaro and Mustang. I know they all have their good and bad points, but the Mustang, especially the latest version, just feels too small to me. The Camaro is better, but still feels on the small side...and the seating position is L-O-W! The Challenger, in contrast, feels like a midsized coupe that's fairly roomy, just not that space efficient.

In 1970's terms, I think it would be like comparing a '75 Mustang II, a '75 Camaro, and a '75 Charger. I know conjuring up Mustang II seems like a serious diss on the Ford, but I'm referring only to interior/roominess feel...otherwise I like the Mustang a lot. Just too small for me.

graphicguy · July 2015

roadburner said:
Don't laugh, but I dropped by my BMW dealer today and was talking with one of my friends in new car sales- he suggested that I apply for the BMW Genius job. 9 to 5 five days per week. Might give it a shot...

RB....you'd be perfect for that gig! Beats sitting in robes, doesn't it?

nyccarguy · July 2015

andre1969 said:

nyccarguy said:
They also have this http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2015-Dodge-Challenger-fb7b9a280a0a00022e7add6a422f393e.htm 2015 in Green. It's only got the 5.7L HEMI, but it does have the "super track pack," slick top, & a stick
I love the "It's only got the 5.7..." comment. You'd think that would be more than enough power, but I've noticed that, the more you get, the more you want. I remember when I first got my 2012 Ram Hemi, it felt pretty quick. But then I got used to it and now it just seems normal, mundane, sort of "meh".

I like the Challenger, and prefer it to the Camaro and Mustang. I know they all have their good and bad points, but the Mustang, especially the latest version, just feels too small to me. The Camaro is better, but still feels on the small side...and the seating position is L-O-W! The Challenger, in contrast, feels like a midsized coupe that's fairly roomy, just not that space efficient.

In 1970's terms, I think it would be like comparing a '75 Mustang II, a '75 Camaro, and a '75 Charger. I know conjuring up Mustang II seems like a serious diss on the Ford, but I'm referring only to interior/roominess feel...otherwise I like the Mustang a lot. Just too small for me.

In the hands of a mere mortal the 5.7L HEMI V8 (375 hp - 395 lb/ft torque) is plenty quick, but were are talking about @roadburner

Perception is everything when it comes to acceleration. Before my Subaru (175 hp) and it's high 8 second (maybe low 9) 0 - 60 mph time, most of the cars I own (or have owned) have acceleration times in the low to mid 7 second range (Prelude, TSX, Pilot, 328xi, X3). Anytime I get behind the wheel of something with a mid 6 second 0 - 60 mph time it feels fast and anything in the 5s is like a rocket to me.

kyfdx · July 2015

The bad part of the "genius" thing.... is that most people just want to get their phone paired up to the bluetooth, and be able to stream music.

The really cool stuff? Only about 5% of buyers care about that.

roadburner · July 2015

andre1969 said:

nyccarguy said:
They also have this http://www.fitzpatrickschryslerjeep.com/new/Dodge/2015-Dodge-Challenger-fb7b9a280a0a00022e7add6a422f393e.htm 2015 in Green. It's only got the 5.7L HEMI, but it does have the "super track pack," slick top, & a stick
I love the "It's only got the 5.7..." comment. You'd think that would be more than enough power, but I've noticed that, the more you get, the more you want. I remember when I first got my 2012 Ram Hemi, it felt pretty quick. But then I got used to it and now it just seems normal, mundane, sort of "meh".

I like the Challenger, and prefer it to the Camaro and Mustang. I know they all have their good and bad points, but the Mustang, especially the latest version, just feels too small to me. The Camaro is better, but still feels on the small side...and the seating position is L-O-W! The Challenger, in contrast, feels like a midsized coupe that's fairly roomy, just not that space efficient.

In 1970's terms, I think it would be like comparing a '75 Mustang II, a '75 Camaro, and a '75 Charger. I know conjuring up Mustang II seems like a serious diss on the Ford, but I'm referring only to interior/roominess feel...otherwise I like the Mustang a lot. Just too small for me.

I think you are dead on with your analysis of the Challenger. It isn't a true ponycar. Rather, it is actually a modern day equivalent of the 1971-1972 B-Bodies; stylish, big, and heavy- but with enough horsepower that it doesn't really matter.

Sandman6472 · July 2015

A friend into cars told me to try some premium in the Golf and see if it drives better so I put in a tankful...not sure I felt a difference. Same engine as our A3 but that says to use premium though the wife said she forgot once and put in 87 octane...the car survived and she didn't say anything about the driving experience.
What say you guys who know, did I just throw some $ out the door by using premium or is it really better for the 1.8 turbo engine? Just don't get why VW says one thing, Audi another on virtually the same engine in similar vehicles?

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · July 2015

Tore a blood vessel in my eye where I had the cataract surgery Sunday and was seeing specs of black dots, now know they are called floaters. Called my surgeon Monday and they said go see a retina specialist immediately. Was a nightmare getting the doctors on our plan but found one nearby who sent me to a retina specialist. No torn retina, detached, whatever and told me I was very very lucky...only had a blood vessel burst. Not sure how long the dots will be there but they have grown in number from Sunday to Monday. They were very concerned also because my twin lost his eye to cancer back in '82 and feared I might be going through the same thing as we had similar symptoms. Again they told me yesterday they do not know how long I will have them floating around in my eye but it is annoying to drive which both docs said I could do. Besides my bad spine and now this, I feel old! Seems like we all have something, G-d seems to give everyone some issues to deal with on a day by day basis!

The Sandman

stickguy · July 2015

using premium in the Golf is a waste of money, since it is tuned for Regular. The A3? most likely it is PUG recommended (not required). Audi may have tuned the engine a little differently, even though it has the same power ratings. If if says recommended, no issue. most likely, even if "required", no harm in one fill up.

Acura and Honda are the same way. My RDX is PUG recommended, but the same basic engine in a Honda is RUG. I even checked the specs, and they were identical (same compression ratio, and whatever else they listed). I go back and forth with what I use, and I have never noticed a difference depending on grade (some of my best MPG tanks have been on RUG).

berri · July 2015

Hang in there sandman. It is amazing how much Ophthalmology has advanced over the past several decades. But I sure understand how you are nervous.

Regarding the Golf, I think the jury is still out on turbo's. They run hot and spin at a much higher rpm, so I wouldn't be surprised if down the road it will need a higher octane fuel whether manufacturer specified or not. I'd also watch the oil consumption on a turbo. I don't think it's a coincidence that the BMW and Audi models being called out by Consumer Reports are turbo's. America went through a short term affair with turbo's in either the latter 80's or early 90's as I recall. I think technology has probably made them more viable on a long term basis than back then. However, I also suspect the software programming is going to be critical on how a turbo runs long term. Remember, a jet turbine engine has far fewer parts than a conventional automobile piston engine.

Sandman6472 · July 2015

Mine calls for the first synthetic oil change at 10k but plan to go in a bit earlier and get it done, the A3 had it's done at 5k as per Audi instructions. I only put in a half tank of pug just to see if it drove better but going to stick with rug at this point. Do like the Golf, a lot, and the blue over beige down here in South Florida is a nice combo as I couldn't do a black interior, the loaner Jetta had that and it was hot to the touch driving home after work...ouch!
Spoke with my service guy at VW and he said to come in at 8.5k or 9k to get the oil changed which I was happy with.

The Sandman

Sandman6472 · July 2015

Yep, feeling better about the eye and all now. The wife was curious to see if the cataract surgery caused the rupture of the blood vessel but the length of time since I had it done is almost 2 years now so doubt they are related. See the retina guy in 3 weeks and the opthalmologist in a month. Hoping all is back to normal by at least then.

The Sandman

Mr_Shiftright · July 2015

Oh that still has the CVT transmission. (convertibles kept them longer) Run away from that one like your hair was on fire, unless you have $6,800 to repair it after the inevitable failure.

stever said:
This MINI is for sale in my neighborhood; saw it a week or ten days ago and now it's back. '06, 16,350 miles, loaded up. Automatic. $10,495.

stever · July 2015

Good thing I'm out of town.

Cute though.

Actually read the ad wrong though - it says 6-speed transmission. CVTs don't have "speeds" eh?

Harmon-Kardon, automatic cruise, Xenon, fogs, LSD, heated leather, power top with sunroof. Run flats.....

Original MSRP was $30k.

(@sandman_6472, my cataract complication developed within a week or ten days after my surgery, so yours is probably not related).

fezo · July 2015

Floaters become an issue for loads of us and the retina guy isn't going to offer an easy answer. A ruptured blood vessel they may be able to repair but individual floaters take forever to disintegrate and new ones tend to show up anyway. I've had them for decades. Eventually you ignore them. The only way I've heard to get rid of them is removing the vitreous from your eye and you don't want to go there.

Well, stick will still deny all responsibility but I'm going to look at the Miata on Saturday. Not like I should be spending like this but it's something I can manage to lend to myself and pay back easily enough.

Here it is. -

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=08050&endYear=2016&modelCode1=MIATA&showcaseOwnerId=7338345&startYear=1981&makeCode1=MAZDA&searchRadius=10&showcaseListingId=404094796&mmt=[MAZDA[MIATA[]][]]&listingId=401945000&Log=0

stickguy · July 2015

Fezo, now I am thinking about used instead of a lease. if I can find something that fits the bill, and everyone can live with, I will just buy (well, finance into perpetuity) something a few years old, and just let the princess keep it as a graduation present. And repo my Sonata after a week. I just can't reconcile sending it off to college. and if we buy something, if it gets a little beat up, oh well!

the current plan, just not feeling it. of course, tomorrow when I drive an Si, if they offer it up for $195/mo, I might reconsider.

fezo · July 2015

Understood. I kind of like CPOs but really the 5 is my first one I actually bought. Still has loads of the new car warranty.

stickguy · July 2015

I still am amazed at the asking prices (and I assume selling?) on used cars though. either really used, or priced like new. Seeing a 2012 listed at maybe 5K off original MSRP, and 2-3 off what it sold for, just seems nuts.

corvette · July 2015

stever said:

CVTs don't have "speeds" eh?

Take off, eh?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-ZvAVcBIrQ

corvette · July 2015

stickguy said:
I still am amazed at the asking prices (and I assume selling?) on used cars though. either really used, or priced like new. Seeing a 2012 listed at maybe 5K off original MSRP, and 2-3 off what it sold for, just seems nuts.

I think the only reason my Yukon was priced in a fair range is that it has a ton of miles on it. It's a small-block V8 and parts are cheap, so that doesn't scare me... Maybe it should?

stever · July 2015

Yoopers just gun their snowmachine's CVTs. None of those phoney "shift" points that the car software gives you.

(hankering for a Nanaimo bar now).

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

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