Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

boomchek · October 2009

Good chance for you to get it replaced and keep up your CCBA membership!

woodyww · October 2009

It just kind of confirms what my experiences were with owning GM cars in the early '80s. Except, now there are lemon laws-- if you can get out of this thing, with a lemon law claim, that's a victory of sorts.....

gouldn · October 2009

I rarely post in here, but love reading it. I also trade cars quite often. Last year I traded an 05 Honda Accord V6 EX for a CPO BMW 2007 x3. I'm getting the itch again, but I'll save that for another topic

First of all, there has been a lot of negative posts bout the X3. I don't want to start a flame war, but I can say I've had no mechanical problems whatsoever in the 19K miles I put on it last year. Nothing, at all.

There are people who say it has uneven acceleration ... I find it fast, and you _can_ feel the shifts more than in say a Lexus, but I attribute that to the sporting nature of the car. The ride is certainly more firm than anything other car I've owned, and that does get old after 3 hours or so. I don't really fault the car, I noticed when I test drove it. However for my next car I feel that I would be willing to sacrifice some handling for a smoother ride.

Overall I'm mostly pleased with the car; it's a competent, fast little SUV, and while not the most comfortable car I've ever owned, it's what I would expect for its handling attributes.

So why the itch? I think from reading this forum for years I don't need to explain to this audience :P I'm thinking I'll probably go Japanese, and I really love the look of the Infiniti M's. They seem like pretty good deals used. However practicality may win out, and the 6 cyl 2010 Outbacks look worth a test drive too. We'll see, there's certainly no rush.

roadburner · October 2009

First of all, there has been a lot of negative posts bout the X3. I don't want to start a flame war, but I can say I've had no mechanical problems whatsoever in the 19K miles I put on it last year. Nothing, at all.

At 84,000 miles our 2004 X3 has required one warranty repair- the passenger seat SRS sensor. We're going to pass it on to our son in a couple of years.

So why the itch? I think from reading this forum for years I don't need to explain to this audience I'm thinking I'll probably go Japanese

I went with a Mazdaspeed 3 two years ago. I was an idiot. As soon as I can flip it for a halfway reasonable price I'm headed back to Munich.
For good.
Or at least until I can pick up a used Cayman S for under $30,000...

corvette · October 2009

As soon as I can flip it for a halfway reasonable price I'm headed back to Munich.

The used car market is really screwed up right now. From what I can tell, there are a lot of late-model used cars selling for within spitting distance of a new model. Maybe you could sell the MS3 to one of those buyers?

british_rover · October 2009

If you have a used car to sell now is the time to do it.

That is especially true for low production or out of production hot performance models.

Volvo R cars in good shape are going for well above book right now just as an example. A S60R that should wholesale in the low to mid teen range is wholesaling closer to 18,000.

gouldn · October 2009

Does that apply to X3's as well? Probably not, they're quite common on the used car lots out here. I'll shop it around this weekend and see.

woodyww · October 2009

In the case of the M3 DCT I honestly don't think that there is much compromise involved.

The Roundel has given 1 or 2 rave reviews to the DCT. BTW, is a 1-series off your list? They're showing up used now, there are 3 in the current Roundel ads, all in IN & OH, I think...... all sticks, with different cool options & colors, I really have to stop reading that damn magazine......

roadburner · October 2009

The Roundel has given 1 or 2 rave reviews to the DCT. BTW, is a 1-series off your list? They're showing up used now, there are 3 in the current Roundel ads, all in IN & OH, I think...... all sticks, with different cool options & colors

I'm still looking at several cars. I found a nice E30 M3 as well as a clean E36 M3 sedan with only 60,000 miles on it. You know, I like that Mazdaspeed, but every time I decide that I'm going to hang on to it another problem crops up- most recently an intermittent CEL for "EGR flow insufficient". This fix will be on my dime because the EGR system isn't covered by either the powertrain or the emissions warranty.

I really have to stop reading that damn magazine...

I helped cover a couple of Oktoberfest events, so you will likely see my byline in a couple of months. I finally have a rally story with a happy ending. My son even wrote a short piece that might see print.

kyfdx · October 2009

Local dealer is having their "debut party" this afternoon, do I'm going up to check it out..

Not that I can afford a $60K car.. but, there will probably be free food! I'm hoping for a test drive, as well..... but, doubtful they'll be offering those, today... you never know..

roadburner · October 2009

Our dealer is having their party on Thursday; they are also bringing in an X5 M, an X6 M, and a 750i xDrive. None of them float my boat, but an M3 GT would be sweet.
Assuming I had the $$$

kyfdx · October 2009

So... learned a few things..

For one... the 5-series GT is basically a 7-series.. who knew? The first engine out will be turbo V-8 (400 hp) from the 7... later, they will offer the 300 hp twin-turbo 6.. then, next summer... AWD..

It has some nifty features... frameless doors (with a beefed up B-pillar).. A dual function liftgate in the back... You can open it as a full hatch, or just the bottom part, like a trunk..

No pricing available yet... but, figure on 7-series-like pricing..

Nifty turkey and bacon sandwiches.... and strawberries and cream cheese on toast.... plus, mimosas! So, it wasn't a total waste of time...

british_rover · October 2009

Is it as hideous in person as it looks like in pictures?

woodyww · October 2009

You can open it as a full hatch, or just the bottom part, like a trunk

See, I think that most cars that are sedans, should have a hatch, or wagon, variant. In the olden days before flat-screens, I had a car with a large trunk, but bought a 36" CRT TV, & almost killed myself getting it in and out of the trunk, where it was kind of "perched" with tie downs.

I've read rumors tho that with the the 5-series GT, bmw might do away with the 5-series Touring??? Maybe not, they seem to be able to produce unlimited variations of every car/platform......

michaellno · October 2009

Maybe not, they seem to be able to produce unlimited variations of every car/platform......

Yeah, but does it make sense to build both a "hatch" and a "wagon", when you're really only going to sell a few thousand copies (if that) of each?

Kinda like the Acura ZDX and the Accord Crosstour .. will Honda recoup the development costs for those models? Just seems odd.

Got the VUE fixed today .. new shifter lockout mechanism. Dealer took good care of me and had me out in just over an hour.

kyfdx · October 2009

If you like the 7-series, then you'll like the GT... If you just ignore the 5-series part of it, you'll get a better sense of the size of the car (really big)..

It looks good in person...

Along the lines of number of sales? Again.. it's a 7-series... guessing that BMW makes a lot of money on $70K+ cars... So, if it generates a few thousand extra sales, it's probably worth it..

A new 5-series comes out next year.... I don't think this vehicle would have any effect on the current 5-series wagon... but, I have no idea which direction they are taking the new 5.. (bigger, porkier?.. probably)..

regards,
kyfdx

woodyww · October 2009

The last 7-series I liked was the E38. If I had to buy a new(er) car now, I'd be on the look-out for a used current-gen 3-series wagon. The GT is so far beyond anything I'd want, or afford, that I understand people who own 3-5-10-15 y.o. bmw's & just do the maintenence to keep them going......

pp2009pp · October 2009

"At 84,000 miles our 2004 X3 has required one warranty repair- the passenger seat SRS sensor. We're going to pass it on to our son in a couple of years."

I wondered where you had gone to. Now I know.

british_rover · October 2009

I haven't liked a 7 series since the E38 just like Woody. Interesting that BMW would never make a 7 series Wagon but by calling this the 5-series GT they get around that sort of.

kyfdx · October 2009

Well.. it is nowhere close to a wagon... Definitely a hatchback...

Actually... a true GT ... it should be popular in Europe..

pp2009pp · October 2009

At significantly less mileage than that, our X3 is in the dealership yet again. It is becoming chronic.

anonymousposts · October 2009

I need a replacement ... only I can't decide what to get. Gee now has his 08 IS250 and the 98 Prelude and I'm not allowed to drive either one

qbrozen · October 2009

oooo... ok, before living vicariously ... can you narrow down at least a pricerange?

michaellno · October 2009

Gee now has his 08 IS250 and the 98 Prelude and I'm not allowed to drive either one

Not allowed?

NOT ALLOWED?

Why, prey tell, are you NOT ALLOWED to drive the IS or the Prelude? Is there a trust issue?

How are you getting back and forth to work, then?

roadburner · October 2009

Swope BMW just took in a nice E46 M3 a couple of days ago, so today my wife suggests that we go take a look at it. We rolled into the CPO lot and there it was- with a "Sold" tag stuck on the windshield... :mad:

woodyww · October 2009

That stinks. But, even your WIFE approves of your getting an E46 M3. That's the car you seem to want the most--I'm starting to think, the stress of NOT having one could almost be hazardous to your health......it's clearly become a necessity.....

kyfdx · November 2009

Until my lease is up.. time to ratchet up my search!

roadburner · November 2009

That's the car you seem to want the most--I'm starting to think, the stress of NOT having one could almost be hazardous to your health......it's clearly become a necessity..."

I wouldn't rule out a clean E36 M3 either. I'd love an E30 M3, but I'd hate to pile the miles on one, as whatever I get will be my daily driver.
I'm giving the SMG E46 M3s a hard look because my wife would be able to drive it as well. I'll have to drive one to decide- it seems that people either love the SMG or loathe it; there's no middle ground. There's another SMG car for sale in Louisville-at a Jeep dealer of all places), but it has a lot more miles than the Swope car and it also has that stupid obsolete nav system that puts the radio out of commission when the nav goes south. I'm going to go look at it anyway, but I won't consider buying it unless the price is way, WAY south of $20K.

corvette · November 2009

There is a killer lease deal on leftover 2009 Accords. Won't help you in nine months, and probably won't help me by the time I'm in the market again, but it's nice to see a bargain out there, somewhere.

stever · November 2009

Geeze, we've been shopping for a car to replace one of our decade old cars since November. I don't think 9 months would be enough time for me.

kyfdx · November 2009

That's okay... this was just a two-year lease... so, really... I never stopped looking... Over 8 years since I bought the one before that... :P

anonymousposts · November 2009

Yes, not allowed. Ever since that incident with the concrete wall and the slight scratch on the rear bumper with the IS, Gee has been a little weary

He has finally conceded that I "may" drive them during emergency situations. I get a demo through my employer but I really prefer to have a car of my own. Demos aren't free and that money is going nowhere...

The price range is flexible. I prefer to keep it under $10,000 but, as you know, I will go above that (maybe even well above) for the right car.

Needs

Fun-to-Drive
Reliable
Reasonably safe
Sunroof

Wants

Aux input for MP3 player
Nice cloth or if leather (heated seats)

stickguy · November 2009

didn't narrow it down much, although I guess you did eliminate a Toyota (the fun to drive part).

you didnt specify size, but kids must preclude too small (or 2 doors!) Also sticking with stick shifts here.

a Civic Si 4 door fits the criteria. Mazda 3s. Or just get the 3 series BMW you seem to want so much and be done with it, although a nice one could certainly blow that budget.

For something a little different, a Volvo S60R (might be too maintenance intensive though).

Subaru legacy GT? WRX? Might be too much fun!

british_rover · November 2009

You won't get a S60R with under 50,000 miles for under 20,000 now. Prices on those have skyrocketed in the past couple of months. Or if you can it won't be certified, you really want that, and the car will have stories.

qbrozen · November 2009

Really? Damn. Guess I should have bought when I had the chance.

anyhoo... I agree on a BMW. I do think you could get a decent one for $10k, though. Just look for older with low miles rather than newer with high miles.

Also thought of a Mazda3, but I don't think you are getting a decent S with reasonable miles for under $10k. I could be wrong, though.

I have seen a couple of MINIs these days for under $10k.

british_rover · November 2009

About this time last year we sold a 2004 S60R manual with about 65,000 miles for $17,500 or so.

I have almost the same car on the lot now a 2005 S60R manual with about 70,000 miles that I couldn't let go for less then $19,000.

qbrozen · November 2009

Interesting.

Volvo dealer here had an '04 auto with... i think it was around 80k miles.. about a year ago that sat on their lot for MONTHS at $14,995.

Now, have the V70Rs increased at the same rate? Those are like a couple grand more than the S60R normally, right?

british_rover · November 2009

Two big hits on that car that make it worth way less then 15,000.

One if it has over 80,000 you can't certify it and I wouldn't buy a 2004 without the CPO. A 2006 or 2007 yeah but no way a 2004 and probably not a 2005.

That and no matter what the books say an Auto is a deduct for an S60R.

V70Rs have gone up even more. It is stupid, stupid money for V70Rs right now. We paid a few thousand more for the 2007 V70R we have on the lot now then I sold the last one for back six months ago. Exact same car in terms of equipment and color including the neat atacama seats but the 2007 V70R we have now has 20,000 more miles then the one I sold six months ago.

roadburner · November 2009

Went to look at the M3 that the Jeep dealer had. It was advertised as dark blue but it was black. How do you make that mistake? Idiots. It also had brand new Blizzaks fitted to the stock rims. On top of all that I just didn't get a good vibe from it. The salesguy could tell I wasn't too impressed and just walked away. No test drive- why waste everybody's time?
The search continues...

corvette · November 2009

"It also had brand new Blizzaks fitted to the stock rims."

Ready for winter! :P

woodyww · November 2009

Brand new Blizzaks, sounds like maybe the only plus with the car (diff. opinions on Blizzaks, but better than having to buy new snows).

I once had a salesman for a 1 y.o. e39 wagon claim that the Black interior was Grey (as advertised). When I bitched, he said "I could spray-paint it".

But, what is the prognosis for a high miles M3 w/SMG, anyway? It would scare the He*l out of me, at least with a manual you'd eliminate one hugely expensive (I assume) component......

roadburner · November 2009

Brand new Blizzaks, sounds like maybe the only plus with the car (diff. opinions on Blizzaks, but better than having to buy new snows).

Well, yes and no. My plan was/is to put my summer/track tires on the stock rims and buy a dedicated winter tire/wheel package from Tire Rack. As a matter of fact, I might just go with performance all seasons over true winter tires, as I can drive my 1999 Wrangler if the weather is really bad.

But, what is the prognosis for a high miles M3 w/SMG, anyway? It would scare the He*l out of me, at least with a manual you'd eliminate one hugely expensive (I assume) component......

The one big ticket item on the SMG is the accumulator pump. It's a somewhat involved DIY, but if you're willing to get your hands dirty the job costs under $2000, as opposed to over $3,000 at the dealer. The transmission itself is essentially a the manual 6 speed Getrag fitted with hydraulic actuators in lieu of a shift lever and linkage; it's usually not problematic.
As it stands now, the MS3 needs four tires, front brakes, and-maybe- a pricey EGR valve, so cutting my losses now looks very attractive.

akangl · November 2009

The Pilot has been with us for 28 months and the Civic just over a year. Only car related purchase I've made was a new stereo for the Pilot, couldn't deal with the one I bought a year ago, too many quirks, so put in one without nav and bluetooth, went back to my old gps, so much better. Never used the bluetooth so no great loss there either.

The Civic is poised to pass the Pilot in miles, I think its just over the 32k mark with the Pilot hanging at 44k.

Only issues with the Pilot is a blown speaker, warped rotors, and a quirky transmission. The Civic has been flawless......except for its tendancy to run over various animals in the road.

Kinda scary when I think about it, 28 months and no new car for me. *hands in CCBA card*

pp2009pp · November 2009

Yeah, right :P

kyfdx · November 2009

..with my son, who is off school... Drove by the Porsche dealer.. they had the new Panamera parked out front... It's a lot bigger than I thought it would be... Sits up higher, and is kind of porky... Starting MSRP is around $89K... they had one without too many options for around $96K, and a loaded one in the showroom with the typical Porsche option list for around $122K ($3640 for a set of Porsche luggage.. :surprise: ).

The only thing there that I would really consider is a Cayman... or the Imola Red M3 on the used lot...

After that, swung by the VW dealer to check out GTIs. Have you seen the new front end on the 2010 models? The massive Audi-like grill is gone for a narrow horizontal grill... with angular narrow beam headlamp covers.... looks sort of Asian... The back end looks just the sameas the previous model. I think I like the '09, better... They have nice 0% financing deals on the '09s, but the only ones they had left were DSG. No manuals...

Spotted an '08 R32 the other day.. Those are really cool... but, came with DSG only..

Oh yeah... my son, who starts driving next year.. can't really fit in a Cayman... He can get in, but shifting would be an issue (6'3"). He has informed me that the Cayman is off my list... lol

pp2009pp · November 2009

Car manufacturers could stand to have some more distinctive models. Saw a Bentley the other day that's only distinguishing exterior feature was its badge. Wondered if someone had taken the logo and slapped it on something else.

:shades:

roadburner · November 2009

Which Porsche dealer was it- Village or Kings?
How much was the M3?

kyfdx · November 2009

Village..

Don't know on the M3.. it was out front on the used car line... 6-speed.. couldn't even tell you the year, though it looked to be a late E46..

roadburner · November 2009

Thanks!

anonymousposts · November 2009

07-09 Honda Civic SI sedan with Navigation
02-06 Camry SE 4 cylinder manual or V6 automatic
07-09 Camry SE 4 cylinder/manual transmission
00-05 Lexus GS300
02-05 Lexus IS300 manual (would have to be white)
04-06 Acura MDX (Touring)
03-06 Saab 9-3
02-06 BMW 330 (manual with sport package)
02-03 TL Type S
04-06 TL manual transmission

Some are more and some are less than my budget. It just seems hard to find what I am looking for in the right color with the right options. I also considered a RSX Type S but after driving one a few days I realize that I really need a car with 4 doors. It just makes it easier and less hassle with my 5 year old,

Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

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