Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

qbrozen

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

driver100 said:

Everything You Need to Know About the Tim Bosma Murder Trial Bosma, a young father from Ontario, left his house to go on a test drive with two men and never returned. Today the trial begins in one of the most disturbing murder cases in recent Canadian memory. Almost three years ago, in May 2013, Tim Bosma, a 32-year-old father of one, said goodbye to his wife and went on a test drive with two men interested in buying his pick-up truck. He never returned. More than a week later, police said he was dead, burned beyond recognition. His wife, Sharlene Bosma, said that his remains were returned to her in a small box, no bigger than a shoe box. This happened on Kijiji (Canada) which is exactly like CL.

It did not happen on Kijiji. They just found the ad that way. Same as if they found the car driving by and seeing a for sale sign. Same as if they saw the ad in a newspaper. I don't get this fascination with blaming a mode of advertising. These things happened before craigs or kijiji or even before the internet.

Kijiji or CL invites this kind of situation. You are dealing with strangers and bad people take advantage. The murderers thought they were anonymous enough they wouldn't get caught. They were caught mostly because of security cameras that people had installed for their own property. A total stranger coming to your place at night to test drive your truck....it sounds like asking for trouble.

Again, though, same situation can take place through other channels.

When I sold my 2nd 190E, I had a group of 7 guys show up one evening wanting to check it out. My wife expressed her concern before I went out and she kept an eye on me from inside. I was a tad nervous, but I made sure to never turn my back on anyone. 2 of them wanted to test drive, and I let them. No way would I go in the car with them. It just isn't worth it. They bought the car. No issues.

in the case of this one story, I'd like to know how the men arrived at the house. No way I'd let folks walk up and take a test drive. In another sale situation, a man asked if I was going with them. I replied, "Nope. I have your car right here. If you want to steal mine, have at it. I like yours better."

My point is, you have to be careful no matter what. Inviting people to your house invites these situations. How they found your ad is inconsequential

. 

In the story....two guys drove up to the house in their own truck. One guy went for the test drive, the other followed in their own truck. That is how they caught them, security cameras could catch the two trucks traveling together. 7 guys coming to look at a car would be enough to scare me. I don't like selling a car privately because I don't like the idea of strangers coming at all hours and wanting to drive the car. And, what if they do get into an accident? But, I suppose selling on CL or Auto trader or a newspaper isn't much different. I have done it in the earlier days, I hope not to have to do it again...been there, done it, don't want to do it anymore.

I agree. Selling privately is annoying. 

stickguy

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

fintail

One pro of leasing, no worries about selling when the time comes. I haven't sold a car privately in over 10 years, it really can be a hassle with the flakiness of this society - and that time I was lucky as I had a buyer lined up before I sold the car. I did help my uncle sell his old LeSabre on CL last year, and that went smoothly, first looker bought it on the spot. It might be easier with simpler cars like that, cheap prices, and older sellers with time on their hands.

firefighter - just think of the windfall lottery jackpot profit you made on that place, that should cure the sentimentality I moved several times as a kid, no sentimental stuff until long after the fact. My grandmother has been in the same house for over 50 years, and when that time comes, it might be different, as it has been the most constant place in my life, virtually unchanged over the years. She's still getting around pretty well though, so hopefully that's still a ways off.

iluvmysephia1

Hey, I'm curious of any of y'all have ever tried that method of paying off your car loan I was talking about the other day. It's the one where you pay half your payment every two weeks. If you have, let me know your thoughts on the matter. When I get my iA I'm pretty much convinced I'm going to pay it off using that method. Reason being health insurance costs for when I'm retired. If I get rid of a 2017 Toyota Yaris iA payment once I'm retired I should be able to buy some health insurance on the open market and then I wouldn't have ta get a part-time job once I retire from my full-time Allied Healthcare job.

My health insurance at this job is awesome. For example, Flovent at Wal*Mart had no co-payment. Flovent is a breathing medication my brand new doctor wants me to take. Incidentally, it works awesome, too. No real need for a rescue inhaler such as Albuterol FHA when Flovent is at work.

oldfarmer50

driver100 said:

suydam said:

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

qbrozen said:

driver100 said:

Everything You Need to Know About the Tim Bosma Murder Trial
Bosma, a young father from Ontario, left his house to go on a test drive with two men and never returned.

Today the trial begins in one of the most disturbing murder cases in recent Canadian memory. Almost three years ago, in May 2013, Tim Bosma, a 32-year-old father of one, said goodbye to his wife and went on a test drive with two men interested in buying his pick-up truck.

He never returned. More than a week later, police said he was dead, burned beyond recognition. His wife, Sharlene Bosma, said that his remains were returned to her in a small box, no bigger than a shoe box.

This happened on Kijiji (Canada) which is exactly like CL.

It did not happen on Kijiji. They just found the ad that way. Same as if they found the car driving by and seeing a for sale sign. Same as if they saw the ad in a newspaper. I don't get this fascination with blaming a mode of advertising. These things happened before craigs or kijiji or even before the internet.

Kijiji or CL invites this kind of situation. You are dealing with strangers and bad people take advantage. The murderers thought they were anonymous enough they wouldn't get caught. They were caught mostly because of security cameras that people had installed for their own property. A total stranger coming to your place at night to test drive your truck....it sounds like asking for trouble.

I always parked any car I was selling at our local Credit Union and met people there and let them take the car for a drive. Never had any problems. I would never list my own address or let strangers meet me at my own home.

Another good point, what if you sell from your home to somebody who saw the ad on CL....and the car turns out to be a real lemon? Then they know where you live and they may come by and set your house on fire or something



Wow, you must live in a rough neighborhood.

There is something to be said to keeping people away from your house. After all, they might just be using the car as an excuse to come back and burgle your house later. You jogged my recollection though. Many years ago my BIL sold a car privately and a guy from his wife's pace of employment showed up with a friend. The friend asked to use the bathroom and later they discovered medication missing from the medicine cabinet.

I suppose parking the car off site is one solution but what if someone steals or vandalized it?


Also if you are selling lemons, wouldn't your name and address be on the title?

driver100

If it goes to the dealer.........not sure the buyers would get your address.....and by then, they would blame the dealer for selling them the lemon.

thebean

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

ab348

I'm sure this happens in most places but one of the things I always found odd locally was that they are a few empty lots on well-traveled roads where people selling used cars park them with a sign in the window to get maximum visibility. Hopefully the volume of traffic going past keeps vandalism/theft to a minimum.

isellhondas

28firefighter said:

Tonight is our last night in our old home. Everything is boxed after the packers were here today. Movers arrive first thing in the morning. 

We have only lived in this house for 3.5 years and we knew all along it wasn’t a forever home. Yet, I find myself very sentimental. It’s the house we brought Sam home to, the house where I convalesced this summer after my brush with death.  Seems weird that in a matter of 24 hours will have packed up our lives and moved it somewhere else. 

I think I may be losing it. 

I probably missed it but where are you moving?

isellhondas

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

If I were to guess at the number of cars I've sold privately nobody would believe me but I have never once had any kind of a problem. If I were to get a bad feeling I think I would tell them that it's already been sold.

houdini1

I don't think the subject of firearms has come up here, but speaking of possible violence made me think of firearms, etc. Any opinions on home protection weapons, etc.?

tjc78

Something tells me that topic should be avoided... just my .02!

@isellhondas
I have sold quite a few privately with no issues as well.  

oldfarmer50

Hey Stick, how much can your nephew afford? He'd have to travel over to MA for this but you can't beat the milage.



https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2016-volkswagen-jetta-sport/6367378169.html

Little closer, little cheaper.



https://albany.craigslist.org/ctd/d/2014-volkswagen-jetta-se/6389132709.html

iluvmysephia1

thebean - you generally hate people? Do you hate people trading in 2011 Kia Soul's for 2017 Toyota Yaris iA's? People that are upside down on their 2011 Kia Soul loans...that is? And...those whose wives disapprove of the trade? 

HIT ME WITH IT!

oldfarmer50

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

And I thought I was the only misanthrope in here. Actually, as I've gotten older I've mellowed into being only a curmudgeon.

You must drive a million miles to wear out your totally Honda fleet.

stickguy

Fin, IMO CL is best used for cheaper cars that people can bring cash to pay for. A clean but well used $3K car is a quick sell. Something newer and expensive enough to probably require a loan are a much bigger hassle and harder sell.

stickguy

I Luv, all you are really doing in that scenario is paying some extra principal each month. Can do that with any normal loan and pay it off sooner. How useful it is depends on the interest rate. If that is pretty low, and also just save the money yourself (in a side savings account) and pay the loan off early once you have enough money saved.

driver100

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

If you don't mind me asking and you can politely tell me you don't want to answer;
Out of curiosity what kind of work were you able to do....on your own?
and,
How did you become this way?

I have been burned by someone I should have been able to trust (SIL), but 90% or at least 80% of people are really decent and good if you meet them in the right places. I mean neighbors, people who do an activity you do, friends of friends, etc.

Really, if you don't want to talk about it I get it...sometimes it is good to talk about it.....

thebean

iluvmysephia1 said:

thebean - you generally hate people? Do you hate people trading in 2011 Kia Soul's for 2017 Toyota Yaris iA's? People that are upside down on their 2011 Kia Soul loans...that is? And...those whose wives disapprove of the trade? 

HIT ME WITH IT!

No, dude, I don't hate most people that don't tick me off. I have mostly enjoyed reading about your travails with the car situation. I tend to pass judgment on what I think are questionable financial decisions, but at the end of the day, it's none of my business. So, carry on, iluv.

thebean

oldfarmer50 said:

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

And I thought I was the only misanthrope in here. Actually, as I've gotten older I've mellowed into being only a curmudgeon.

You must drive a million miles to wear out your totally Honda fleet.

No, since I have retired, I'm only driving around 7K miles/year. But, I trade them before they reach 100K miles. I may be keeping my Accord for a looong while.

cdnpinhead

thebean said:

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible..

A brother from another mother. When I was young I trusted everyone, but now I'm old and don't. I learned it -- I didn't come that way.

fintail

Yep, people wanting a work car or a "beater with a heater". Took no time for my uncle to sell his LeSabre, but I guess it makes sense when a 65 year old guy is selling a white Buick with a mountain of records for under 2K. The buyer got a decent deal, I think.

I remember I listed my old MB W126 back in 2005 just to get a feeler, before the buyer committed to it. The responses were mystifying - instant lowballs, someone wanting me to deliver the car to them for a test drive (considerable distance), etc. I am glad the car went to an enthusiast owner who didn't hassle me after the sale.

stickguy said:

Fin, IMO CL is best used for cheaper cars that people can bring cash to pay for. A clean but well used $3K car is a quick sell. Something newer and expensive enough to probably require a loan are a much bigger hassle and harder sell.

iluvmysephia1

the bean...yeah this growing attachment of mine is no passing fancy regarding the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA. The car is so chock full of goodies that if I offer $14,500 even and hold firm on my 2011 Kia Soul base trade-in at $3,500, I will be in like Flint automotive-wise. This is not a late fall romance. This one has been idling on the back burner of my mind since the failed attempt in May of 2016 to buy one in Scion's Stealth color. Which is dark black.

Take care, thebean.

nyccarguy

@iluvmysephia1 - the bi-monthly payment thing works well with the mortgage (if your mortgage company allows partial payments), but the interest is so cheap on the car loans that I never thought it would be worth it. I had 2.9% for 60 months on our Pilot & I currently have 0.99% for 36 months on my Infiniti.

tjc78

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed   

nyccarguy

nyccarguy

My Father-In-Law's Outback

Michaell

iluvmysephia1 said:

...May of 2016 to buy one in Scion's Stealth color. Which is dark black.

There is a light black?

ab348

Michaell said:

iluvmysephia1 said:

...May of 2016 to buy one in Scion's Stealth color. Which is dark black.

There is a light black?

I was wondering the same.

Mr_Shiftright

nyccarguy said:

My Father-In-Law's Outback

That's actually a nasty hit, right at the B pillar.

stickguy

Bradd, that ain't buffing right out.

fintail

I'd have removed those visors, too.

I got offers for half my ask (which was not bargain priced, but I set it for negotiation). The eventual buyer was the uncle of a sales manager at the local MB dealer, who had another W126 that got hit, and he wanted a nice one. We took it for a drive, and the working AC sealed the deal. He offered $200 less than my ideal price, and I let him have it, as I knew it would be going to a good home and would be a quick sale. After the paperwork was finished, never heard from him again, so I assume he was satisfied.

My car was also immaculate for its age and mileage, and among the cleanest for sale at the time. This is the car a few years earlier - it had nearly 200K on it when I sold it, but was just as clean. This was also a 1989 car in around 2002:

tjc78 said:

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed

nyccarguy

Mr_Shiftright said:

My Father-In-Law's Outback

That's actually a nasty hit, right at the B pillar.

Close to $10K in damage.  

driver100

tjc78 said:

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed   

Looks mint! Those cars look nice when kept up....did it ride like a sloppy couch?

driver100

fintail said:

I'd have removed those visors, too.

I got offers for half my ask (which was not bargain priced, but I set it for negotiation). The eventual buyer was the uncle of a sales manager at the local MB dealer, who had another W126 that got hit, and he wanted a nice one. We took it for a drive, and the working AC sealed the deal. He offered $200 less than my ideal price, and I let him have it, as I knew it would be going to a good home and would be a quick sale. After the paperwork was finished, never heard from him again, so I assume he was satisfied.

My car was also immaculate for its age and mileage, and among the cleanest for sale at the time. This is the car a few years earlier - it had nearly 200K on it when I sold it, but was just as clean. This was also a 1989 car in around 2002:

tjc78 said:

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed

Wow....when a car is designed right it will always look beautiful.

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

My Father-In-Law's Outback

Looks like a couple doors and a rocker at least. Then you have to consider the floors and if it tracks straight. Good thing their giving him a new one. Did the police report explain how it happened? Somebody run a light?

oldfarmer50

nyccarguy said:

My Father-In-Law's Outback

Ouch! Couple of new doors and a rocker for sure. Did the police repo

oldfarmer50

ignore

Michaell

oldfarmer50 said:

ignore

You, or the post?

thebean

driver100 said:

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

If you don't mind me asking and you can politely tell me you don't want to answer;
Out of curiosity what kind of work were you able to do....on your own?
and,
How did you become this way?

I have been burned by someone I should have been able to trust (SIL), but 90% or at least 80% of people are really decent and good if you meet them in the right places. I mean neighbors, people who do an activity you do, friends of friends, etc.

Really, if you don't want to talk about it I get it...sometimes it is good to talk about it.....

driver, I was a cost accountant, and I dealt with my co-workers and was nice to them because I had to, even though a lot of times they got on my nerves. It was almost like being an actor - I had to become "work person" and hide my real feelings. Being a bean counter, I did do a lot of work on my own, but I had to deal with managers and subordinates and try to please them. I did it for 35 years at the same company with quite a few promotions, so I guess I did it OK. But, now that I'm older and retired, I don't have to suppress my feelings anymore. That makes me much happier and less stressed. I think seeing how society has gone down the drain during my 64 years on earth has made me bitter. I remember how things were when I was young and you could take someone at their word. Now, even when you have a contract, people can still find a loophole and screw you. It's just a much worse world nowadays.

I don't agree that at least 80% of people are good. I think maybe 40% are good (at most), 40% are moderately dishonest, and 20% will stab you when you turn your head. Maybe Canadians are more honest than Americans. All you have to do is look at our politicians (both parties) and you can see how crooked people are.

Way too long of a post, I know. I hope I'm not venturing into @jmonroe territory.

28firefighter

isellhondas said:

Tonight is our last night in our old home. Everything is boxed after the packers were here today. Movers arrive first thing in the morning. 

We have only lived in this house for 3.5 years and we knew all along it wasn’t a forever home. Yet, I find myself very sentimental. It’s the house we brought Sam home to, the house where I convalesced this summer after my brush with death.  Seems weird that in a matter of 24 hours will have packed up our lives and moved it somewhere else. 

I think I may be losing it. 

I probably missed it but where are you moving?

Shoreline - Richmond Beach. 

roadburner

isellhondas said:

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

If I were to guess at the number of cars I've sold privately nobody would believe me but I have never once had any kind of a problem. If I were to get a bad feeling I think I would tell them that it's already been sold.

Same here; I've sold cars for 2-3 times the price I was offered by a dealer.

suydam

The only car I ever traded in rather than sold on my own was my ‘04 Pontiac Vibe which suddenly developed a host of expensive problems. It was February and freezing cold — I think around 15 degrees — so I looked at the dealer’s inventory and found a vehicle that was actually what I had been thinking would be the Vibe’s replacement — the Buick Encore. I was able to get a pretty good deal — not too many people in the showroom in that weather — and couldn’t have sold a car that wasnt running anyway.

tjc78

driver100 said:

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed   

Looks mint! Those cars look nice when kept up....did it ride like a sloppy couch?

It rode like a typical 80s landyacht.  Soft and quiet.  I had a little stiffer shock than stock on it, but it was truly a joy to drive.   Park the cruise on 74 and just let it go.  

You certainly weren’t autocrossong in it, but that’s not it’s purpose anyway.  

tjc78

driver100 said:

I'd have removed those visors, too. I got offers for half my ask (which was not bargain priced, but I set it for negotiation). The eventual buyer was the uncle of a sales manager at the local MB dealer, who had another W126 that got hit, and he wanted a nice one. We took it for a drive, and the working AC sealed the deal. He offered $200 less than my ideal price, and I let him have it, as I knew it would be going to a good home and would be a quick sale. After the paperwork was finished, never heard from him again, so I assume he was satisfied. My car was also immaculate for its age and mileage, and among the cleanest for sale at the time. This is the car a few years earlier - it had nearly 200K on it when I sold it, but was just as clean. This was also a 1989 car in around 2002:

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed

Wow....when a car is designed right it will always look beautiful.

A 126 is a timeless design and Fin’s looked great and was a color you didn’t see every day.   My 03 Avalon was a similar color.  

bwia

Bummer. We missed our 6:30 am Southwest flight from BWI to BOS. We are rebooked to Providence for 1:30.

You don't want to know how this happened. Let's just say my wife had a senior moment, lost her way and ended up outside the security area without her travel documents. Needless to say I am not happy about it but every disappointmentioned is a blessing.

driver100

thebean said:

driver100 said:

thebean said:

stickguy said:

I will try it depending on the car and situation when the $ savings make it worth while. Plus, for some of them, I was not buying a new car at the time so no trade in option.

The next one possible is the RDX, but odds are that would be traded in, since would still have enough equity to make it harder to sell privately, and make the sales tax credit valuable.

There is no amount of money that would make me sell a car via private sale. I value my well being more than money. Plus, I generally hate people and want to deal with strangers as little as possible. No wonder I was known as "the hermit" when I was working. Plus, I most always drive my vehicles until they are worth less than $4K, so I'm not losing much when I trade them in.

If you don't mind me asking and you can politely tell me you don't want to answer;
Out of curiosity what kind of work were you able to do....on your own?
and,
How did you become this way?

I have been burned by someone I should have been able to trust (SIL), but 90% or at least 80% of people are really decent and good if you meet them in the right places. I mean neighbors, people who do an activity you do, friends of friends, etc.

Really, if you don't want to talk about it I get it...sometimes it is good to talk about it.....

driver, I was a cost accountant, and I dealt with my co-workers and was nice to them because I had to, even though a lot of times they got on my nerves. It was almost like being an actor - I had to become "work person" and hide my real feelings. Being a bean counter, I did do a lot of work on my own, but I had to deal with managers and subordinates and try to please them. I did it for 35 years at the same company with quite a few promotions, so I guess I did it OK. But, now that I'm older and retired, I don't have to suppress my feelings anymore. That makes me much happier and less stressed. I think seeing how society has gone down the drain during my 64 years on earth has made me bitter. I remember how things were when I was young and you could take someone at their word. Now, even when you have a contract, people can still find a loophole and screw you. It's just a much worse world nowadays.

I don't agree that at least 80% of people are good. I think maybe 40% are good (at most), 40% are moderately dishonest, and 20% will stab you when you turn your head. Maybe Canadians are more honest than Americans. All you have to do is look at our politicians (both parties) and you can see how crooked people are.

Way too long of a post, I know. I hope I'm not venturing into @jmonroe territory.

No, I read every word with interest, and I would agree with pretty well everything you said. I don't know if the world has changed or if we are just more aware of it lately. Probably, it is both. Civilization is a thin veneer, and there are still brutal people in the world. There was a road rage incident in Florida yesterday, they shot the people in another car....road rage has exploded over the last 10 years. Politicians, probably not too different but now we are aware of it.

I get what you are saying exactly....and I don't like the way the world is going. I was fortunate, I had a job for most years where I could work on my own and had a lot of freedom....other times I had the crappiest jobs on earth and some of the worst bosses ever. Even owning a business wasn't a complete answer, there are lots of sharks around trying to grab your customers from you.

But, the good side is we survived it and can now relax, and, in many ways, we live in the best times possible. How would you like to be a worker who had to spend their life every day building a pyramid? Come home and tell your wife what kind of a day it was at work...when you have done the same job rolling stones for 45 years?

I appreciate you actually replied, I like to learn about people and their thoughts. Enjoy your retirement, you survived and deserve it.

bwia

@thenebean, that's a very cynical way to characterize most Americans. In most cases Americans are good people who live by the word. To whom much is given much is expected, ergo Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

The response to these catastrophies was unprecedented. Even little kids and first graders were involved in relief efforts--and some of them have not stopped, bless their hearts.

Do not let the actions of a few mentally ill people define your humanity. The world has changed but in a good way. No longer can our thinking be Eurocentric. By 2050 the majority population in America, and perhaps Canada will be nonwhite and China will be the world's sphere of intellectual and economic influence. 

With that said, I feel your pain; enjoy your retirement. 

bwia

Delete 

abacomike

tjc78 said:

driver100 said:

I'd have removed those visors, too.

I got offers for half my ask (which was not bargain priced, but I set it for negotiation). The eventual buyer was the uncle of a sales manager at the local MB dealer, who had another W126 that got hit, and he wanted a nice one. We took it for a drive, and the working AC sealed the deal. He offered $200 less than my ideal price, and I let him have it, as I knew it would be going to a good home and would be a quick sale. After the paperwork was finished, never heard from him again, so I assume he was satisfied.

My car was also immaculate for its age and mileage, and among the cleanest for sale at the time. This is the car a few years earlier - it had nearly 200K on it when I sold it, but was just as clean. This was also a 1989 car in around 2002:

@fintail

Your 126 sale reminds me of my 89 Town Car sale back in 2004 or so.   Had it with a sign in front of my parents house.  Got a few offers much lower than I had it listed without even coming to see the car... first guy who actually drove it was all over it.  Offered $250 less, and I stood firm.  He bought it.  

After we agreed he he said he had been looking for one and they were all beat.  Mine was a freshly repainted 70k example with a pristine interior.  It looked brand new.  Here is an image from 2002 or so taken in front of Grandpops house with his 98 Signature Touring parked ahead of it .  That picture was before the repaint and with those vent visors I removed

Wow....when a car is designed right it will always look beautiful.

A 126 is a timeless design and Fin’s looked great and was a color you didn’t see every day.   My 03 Avalon was a similar color.  




I owned a 1987 Mercedes 420 SEL in Smoke Silver with Brown Leather interior. Those years headed the classic look of a Mercedes for many years. It was a tank to drive - smooth - responsive - but a very, very heavy car. Actually, one of my very favorite automobiles.