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  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    edited April 2019
    jipster said:

    It's over.... it's finally over! :'(

    The deal is done. I bought the Mercury Milan this morning. The son is off driving it to his girlfriend's house now. Son seemed really impressed with how nice the car looked, and the features it had. I ran it thru a wash and wax before he came home from school. I cleaned the interior and engine compartment fairly well. Probably could use a good wax and buff, get some light scratches and scuff marks out.

    No problem at the county clerks office. Clerk asked the seller what the.purchase price was. He gave her the correct amount. The vehicle was taxed using that amount. Now Snakie can't report me to the cops! I drove the seller home. He left about half a tank of gas in the car. Yippee! He also left some cleaning supplies,.a AAA emergency road kit, and an ice scraper and brush for me.

    I'm probably gonna need a car for MYSELF in a year or two, so I'll take a short break (a week), then start hitting those Craigslist ads again. ;)



    Welcome to the dark side!🌚 This is how it starts, “I’ll just buy one” you say but before you know it you are obsessed with looking at CL ads in other states and meeting shady characters in dark alleys at midnight “just to take a look”. I pity your poor wife as she discovers your stash of CL hoopties littering the yard.

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

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,938

    tjc78 said:

    Wow this is an active thread! 3000 pages @30/ pages , 90,000 posts!

    The wit and wisdom of this group has become legendary. Everybody wants in.
    YES! BUT, about 30,000 of those 90,000 posts were spent on arguing about speed limits and left lane camping! :worried:

    Another 10,000 was spent trying to convince people that all of the failures of the Big 3 are squarely on the shoulders of a media conspiracy.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    abacomike said:

    I haven’t had the opportunity to post another “abacomike” tragedy situation in a very long time.  Well, it happened again!

    I was food shopping this morning and an old lady was coming down an aisle not looking out for other shoppers and crashed right into me jamming my right arm between the front of her cart and the rear of my cart.  Normally, this would not be a catastrophe - but you forget this is sbacomike - tragedy and catastrophe are my two middle names.

    Most of you know I take a blood thinner due to a DVT.  Well, the skin on my arm tore and I started bleeding like a sieve.  They called the paramedics because we couldn’t get the bleeding to stop.

    They put a pressure bandage on my arm and I went to the emergency room at the local hospital.  The doctor put 7 stitches in my arm, bandaged my arm, and I took a cab back to the parking lot to get my car.  The stitches come out in 7 days.

    If not for the blood thinners I take, it would not have been as serious.   :'(

    These women have some strange pick up techniques. You must drive them to distraction. I’m jealous, no woman ever ran anything into me. :'(

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

  • jmonroe1jmonroe1 Member Posts: 9,373
    @Mike, if there was ever anyone who needed battle armour for when they go grocery shopping it's you.

    Hope you're feeling your old self by morning.

    Come to think of it you should get a grocery store shopping rider on your insurance policy. :'(

    jmonroe
    '15 Genesis Ultimate just like jmonroe's.
    '18 Legacy Limited with 3.6R (Mrs. j's)
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    henryn said:

    @snakeweasel is in Chicago, as I recall. That Sebring convertible sounds a little too good to be true, at least for the asking price of $2k.


    That’s all I paid for mine with about the same mileage.(remember it’s a 19 yo car) You have to assume there would be a few things that need fixing but with a little luck you can get a good basic car for cheap.

    https://rockford.craigslist.org/ctd/d/crystal-lake-1996-chrysler-sebring-jxi/6864954249.html

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

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,686
    Jipster: congratulations on getting the car.

    Snakeweasel: keep the car but spend on everything but the top. Someone will buy it who's willing to rebuild the
    top. I was behind one of those convertibles this evening; they're an icon from an era in this area.

    Abacomike: sorry to hear about yet another attack on your well-being. Have you talked to an attorney? You could sue the store and the lady and buy a new S every year from the proceeds after the attorney takes his/her blood cut.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • jipsterjipster Member Posts: 6,299
    edited April 2019
    Thanks for the comments everyone. "Like"s" for all.....and a few "LOL"s. ;)

    Son wants me to teach him how to maintain a car. He's not showed much interest until now. Funny how that works. Still.good to hear. I told him next one (car) was on him. LOL.
    2021 Honda Passport EX-L, 2020 Honda Accord EX-L, 2011 Hyundai Veracruz, 2010 Mercury Milan Premiere.
  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    jipster said:

    Thanks for the comments everyone. "Like"s" for all.....and a few "LOL"s. ;)

    Son wants me to teach him how to maintain a car. He's not showed much interest until now. Funny how that works. Still.good to hear. I told him next one (car) was on him. LOL.

    I can’t wait until you tell him that there’s nothing you can fix yourself on a modern car.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    was watching my local (philly) news recently, and the anchor lady intro'd a piece saying "you know it is going to be good, when the first three words are "a Florida man""

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    so many posts.

    Jip, congrats. Make sure it is fully serviced and all fluids good, and hope he takes good care of it.

    Snake, OF had a good idea about making it a manual top. At least you could use it, assuming it could be done. Otherwise, just drive it if you want to just run it until junk. Not going to get much for it anyway (might actually get the top money back).

    My other suggestion is look for a cheap mechanic to do the work. Probably save a bundle! And maybe some other needed stuff, especially if safety related. Maybe try some stuff yourself? Maybe make a budget ($500?) and see what can be done, and if it should be enough to maybe get an extra year out of it.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594

    tjc78 said:

    Wow this is an active thread! 3000 pages @30/ pages , 90,000 posts!

    The wit and wisdom of this group has become legendary. Everybody wants in.
    Maybe we could sell memberships!

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594

    There's a radio show I listen to (via podcast) from CA that has a segment called "Florida or anywhere else." The upshot is that the host reads out the headline and the call-in contestant gets to guess whether the story is from FL or anywhere else on earth. At least half of them are from Florida.Go figure.

    Everyone knows the weirdest things happen in Florida. The Tampa Bay Times prints the most bizarre stories that happened in Florida each year, and some are very bizarre.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245

    “Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.”

    Scotty would disagree:

    https://youtu.be/IbKzQgyDZ1Y

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    most rentals are just driven normally. And I think there is probably a better chance of them getting regular maintenance than privately owned cars. The other problem is, just not as many late model cars out there from normal buyers. So they have to come from someplace.

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

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594


    “Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.”

    Scotty would disagree:

    https://youtu.be/IbKzQgyDZ1Y


    “Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.”

    Scotty would disagree:

    I'd almost say that whatever Scotty says....do the opposite. Scotty's advice is excellent...if you don't follow it.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Mike...you were overdo for a big mishap. Sorry to hear about this, hope you recover quickly.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    Scotty took an extra dose of uppers that day.

    and that ignores the fact that even if you buy from a dealer, it probably came from auction, which is where the rental cars go that the companies don't sell themselves.

    Good luck finding a private sale clean, OCD maintained, 2 YO reasonable miles used car. Not that common, and not usually cheap!

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

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    Jipster: congratulations on getting the car. Snakeweasel: keep the car but spend on everything but the top. Someone will buy it who's willing to rebuild the top. I was behind one of those convertibles this evening; they're an icon from an era in this area. Abacomike: sorry to hear about yet another attack on your well-being. Have you talked to an attorney? You could sue the store and the lady and buy a new S every year from the proceeds after the attorney takes his/her blood cut.
    The police have her name and address and phone number.  She already called me to apologize.  

    To get an attorney to sue her for a few measly thousand dollars makes no sense.  It was an accident - pure and simple.  Most people would not have suffered injuries - but due to my skin thinning and the blood thinners I take, I bled a lot.

    Thanks all for the well wishes.  I am going back to the doctor tomorrow morning to have the wound redressed and antibiotic ointment put on the injury.  He also ordered Keflex to take to stave off infection.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    stickguy said:

    most rentals are just driven normally. And I think there is probably a better chance of them getting regular maintenance than privately owned cars. The other problem is, just not as many late model cars out there from normal buyers. So they have to come from someplace.

    Exactly. That’s why dealers buy so many from rental agencies. There’s just not enough frequent traders around.

    I would qualify that by type of car. I don’t think I’d buy a performance ex-rental car. On the other hand a family sedan or mini van probably is just driven for transportation.

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

  • stickguystickguy Member Posts: 53,466
    I know plenty of private owners that treat their cars like crap, ignore required maintenance, and generally are bad owners. I would not want to buy a car from them! I really only want to buy a car from someone like me or most of the regulars here!

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    driver100 said:

    Well I got a call from the dealer about the ragtop. Seems like they have to replace a couple of the motors and switches for the top. Quoted cost is about a grand. They also gave me a laundry list of things that need to be done. Most of those I knew about and are minor nuances but one or two things that should be taken care of if I want the car to get to 200k miles. Total for everything is a little over 3 grand. This is to much to put into this car.

    I figure my options are the following:

    1. dont fix anything and keep the car for now. The amount I drive it I should get a year or two more out of it.

    2. drop about a grand or so to get the few major things done and maybe extend the cars usage by a year or two over option 1. 

    3. Either one of the above options and get the top fixed too.

    4. Get everything fixed and hope for the best.

    I am leaning towards option 1 and keeping an eye open for a decent low mileage used car to replace this car.

    Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.

    see, should have traded it in last month before the problem developed. That is the downside of holding on. It's like a stock, you have to sell your winners while they are ahead.

    I think option 1 makes the most sense at this point.
    The boss wife agrees and that was what I was thinking too. As for trading it in last month I don't think it would have mattered as the car is pretty much depreciated out. Car is at home now.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592

    @jipster,
    If your next vehicle search can stretch out to 3 years or so, it can take me into retirement. :)

    Well I started my search and it could take a few years. Don't need a new one right away so I cant keep looking until I find that great buy and pounce on it.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592

    Don't fix anything. Not worth it unless you're planning to keep it forever.

    Agreed. If he goes all in for $3K, that's more than the entire car is worth right now. Maybe I'd do anything safety related if that's in the mix.
    Nope nothing safety related, except maybe the nut behind the wheel needs an adjustment.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592

    henryn said:

    @snakeweasel is in Chicago, as I recall. That Sebring convertible sounds a little too good to be true, at least for the asking price of $2k.


    That’s all I paid for mine with about the same mileage.(remember it’s a 19 yo car) You have to assume there would be a few things that need fixing but with a little luck you can get a good basic car for cheap.

    https://rockford.craigslist.org/ctd/d/crystal-lake-1996-chrysler-sebring-jxi/6864954249.html
    That's about an hour away, however I would shy away from a 23 year old car as time can really cause issues.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245

    henryn said:

    @snakeweasel is in Chicago, as I recall. That Sebring convertible sounds a little too good to be true, at least for the asking price of $2k.


    That’s all I paid for mine with about the same mileage.(remember it’s a 19 yo car) You have to assume there would be a few things that need fixing but with a little luck you can get a good basic car for cheap.

    https://rockford.craigslist.org/ctd/d/crystal-lake-1996-chrysler-sebring-jxi/6864954249.html
    That's about an hour away, however I would shy away from a 23 year old car as time can really cause issues.
    You could also consider that to last 23 years someone must have taken pretty good care of it. When I was searching for mine I saw some examples of what a 20 year old Chrysler looked like if it wasn’t well cared for. Not pretty.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592

    Well I got a call from the dealer about the ragtop. Seems like they have to replace a couple of the motors and switches for the top. Quoted cost is about a grand. They also gave me a laundry list of things that need to be done. Most of those I knew about and are minor nuances but one or two things that should be taken care of if I want the car to get to 200k miles. Total for everything is a little over 3 grand. This is to much to put into this car.

    I figure my options are the following:

    1. dont fix anything and keep the car for now. The amount I drive it I should get a year or two more out of it.

    2. drop about a grand or so to get the few major things done and maybe extend the cars usage by a year or two over option 1. 

    3. Either one of the above options and get the top fixed too.

    4. Get everything fixed and hope for the best.

    I am leaning towards option 1 and keeping an eye open for a decent low mileage used car to replace this car.

    Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.

    Do you still get use out of it as a drop top? If so just have them disconnect the motor mechanism and make it a manual drop top. Fix any safety related items and forget the rest. What’s the KBB and Edmunds values? You can get a 2000 model with 50% less mileage for a few thousand and a Mitsu V6 that might go 200,000.

    I forget where you’re located but here’s one from my area.

    https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/d/valley-stream-2000-chrysler-sebring/6872984649.html
    I really don't think you could make it a manual drop top. First of all the latches that fasten the top to the windshield frame are automated so there is no way to release it manually. Secondly the top folds into the trunk so you have to be able to open the trunk backwards to accept the top and that's a bit hard to do manually.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    driver100 said:


    “Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.”

    Scotty would disagree:

    https://youtu.be/IbKzQgyDZ1Y


    “Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.”

    Scotty would disagree:

    I'd almost say that whatever Scotty says....do the opposite. Scotty's advice is excellent...if you don't follow it.

    I tried watching that and I still want to reach through the screen and slap him. A lot of opinion and anecdotal evidence that may or may not be true to support it.

    But remember, if it's on the internet it must be true.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592

    henryn said:

    @snakeweasel is in Chicago, as I recall. That Sebring convertible sounds a little too good to be true, at least for the asking price of $2k.


    That’s all I paid for mine with about the same mileage.(remember it’s a 19 yo car) You have to assume there would be a few things that need fixing but with a little luck you can get a good basic car for cheap.

    https://rockford.craigslist.org/ctd/d/crystal-lake-1996-chrysler-sebring-jxi/6864954249.html
    That's about an hour away, however I would shy away from a 23 year old car as time can really cause issues.
    You could also consider that to last 23 years someone must have taken pretty good care of it. When I was searching for mine I saw some examples of what a 20 year old Chrysler looked like if it wasn’t well cared for. Not pretty.
    True but considering that it has 89k miles on it it really hasn't been driven a lot, we are talking only 3,500 miles a year. Age can wear out parts as much as miles. There has to be at least one bolt on that car ready to break and likely there are more things just worn out with age.

    It still can be a decent buy but I would be worried that something may need an overhaul soon.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,367
    ruking1 said:
    I haven’t had the opportunity to post another “abacomike” tragedy situation in a very long time.  Well, it happened again!

    I was food shopping this morning and an old lady was coming down an aisle not looking out for other shoppers and crashed right into me jamming my right arm between the front of her cart and the rear of my cart.  Normally, this would not be a catastrophe - but you forget this is sbacomike - tragedy and catastrophe are my two middle names.

    Most of you know I take a blood thinner due to a DVT.  Well, the skin on my arm tore and I started bleeding like a sieve.  They called the paramedics because we couldn’t get the bleeding to stop.

    They put a pressure bandage on my arm and I went to the emergency room at the local hospital.  The doctor put 7 stitches in my arm, bandaged my arm, and I took a cab back to the parking lot to get my car.  The stitches come out in 7 days.

    If not for the blood thinners I take, it would not have been as serious.   :'(
    Here’s hoping you heal well & quickly.
    Ditto!!!

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • roadburnerroadburner Member Posts: 18,367
    “Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.” Scotty would disagree: https://youtu.be/IbKzQgyDZ1Y
    And I repeat- Scotty is a complete and utter fool. 
    On his best day. 

    Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
    Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
    Son's: 2018 330i xDrive

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,686
    abacomike said:

    To get an attorney to sue her for a few measly thousand dollars makes no sense.

    A few thousand dollars?!!! According to the attorney ads on Judge Judy and other TV here, this has gotta be worth hundreds of thousands. Lots of money for them at least.
    Sarcasm off>

    I've received two class action suit notices in the last couple months. I just throw them away. Anything that will be or has been gained from a class action suit will be mostly taken by the attorneys filing the suit. E.g., an example of some of these is a $10 coupon to be spent if you buy more of the product from the company that wronged you. Of course the attorneys got millions in expenses and their $6000 hourly rates from the courts.

    For the "little people"? Naaaah.

    Hope your recovery, @abacomike, is swift. You need to buy one of the Michelin Man type bubble suits for your shopping trips.




    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594

    @jipster,
    If your next vehicle search can stretch out to 3 years or so, it can take me into retirement. :)

    Well I started my search and it could take a few years. Don't need a new one right away so I cant keep looking until I find that great buy and pounce on it.
    That's a good point....you aren't desperate so you have time. All the more reason to keep the non-converting convertible but watch for a great used car. That's the best, when you can turn a bad situation into a good thing.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594

    henryn said:

    @snakeweasel is in Chicago, as I recall. That Sebring convertible sounds a little too good to be true, at least for the asking price of $2k.


    That’s all I paid for mine with about the same mileage.(remember it’s a 19 yo car) You have to assume there would be a few things that need fixing but with a little luck you can get a good basic car for cheap.

    https://rockford.craigslist.org/ctd/d/crystal-lake-1996-chrysler-sebring-jxi/6864954249.html
    That's about an hour away, however I would shy away from a 23 year old car as time can really cause issues.
    You could also consider that to last 23 years someone must have taken pretty good care of it. When I was searching for mine I saw some examples of what a 20 year old Chrysler looked like if it wasn’t well cared for. Not pretty.
    I'd also consider that he kept it running for 23 years....and now wants to sell it. What does he know that I don't know?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594
    Mike, hope you are feeling better today....let us know what the doc says. Very nice of you not to sue.....odds are lady was a klutz, it can happen. It's the one's that poke you with an umbrella that I hate.

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • driver100driver100 Member Posts: 32,594

    stickguy said:

    most rentals are just driven normally. And I think there is probably a better chance of them getting regular maintenance than privately owned cars. The other problem is, just not as many late model cars out there from normal buyers. So they have to come from someplace.

    Exactly. That’s why dealers buy so many from rental agencies. There’s just not enough frequent traders around.

    I would qualify that by type of car. I don’t think I’d buy a performance ex-rental car. On the other hand a family sedan or mini van probably is just driven for transportation.
    C'mon oldfarmer....you must drive the crap out of some of those Sentras and Corollas, just to try pushing them to the limits. Ever go about 30 mph and then try shoving the gear shift into reverse?

    2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245

    Well I got a call from the dealer about the ragtop. Seems like they have to replace a couple of the motors and switches for the top. Quoted cost is about a grand. They also gave me a laundry list of things that need to be done. Most of those I knew about and are minor nuances but one or two things that should be taken care of if I want the car to get to 200k miles. Total for everything is a little over 3 grand. This is to much to put into this car.

    I figure my options are the following:

    1. dont fix anything and keep the car for now. The amount I drive it I should get a year or two more out of it.

    2. drop about a grand or so to get the few major things done and maybe extend the cars usage by a year or two over option 1. 

    3. Either one of the above options and get the top fixed too.

    4. Get everything fixed and hope for the best.

    I am leaning towards option 1 and keeping an eye open for a decent low mileage used car to replace this car.

    Overall I cannot complain to much, I bought it over 10 years ago as a one year old ex rental with 18k on the clock for $15k. I got my monies worth out of it and i will still be driving it some more.

    Do you still get use out of it as a drop top? If so just have them disconnect the motor mechanism and make it a manual drop top. Fix any safety related items and forget the rest. What’s the KBB and Edmunds values? You can get a 2000 model with 50% less mileage for a few thousand and a Mitsu V6 that might go 200,000.

    I forget where you’re located but here’s one from my area.

    https://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/cto/d/valley-stream-2000-chrysler-sebring/6872984649.html
    I really don't think you could make it a manual drop top. First of all the latches that fasten the top to the windshield frame are automated so there is no way to release it manually. Secondly the top folds into the trunk so you have to be able to open the trunk backwards to accept the top and that's a bit hard to do manually.
    Darn that Daimler complexity. With mine all I’d need to do is disconnect the hydraulic struts and gears. Manual latches.

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

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    edited April 2019

    henryn said:

    @snakeweasel is in Chicago, as I recall. That Sebring convertible sounds a little too good to be true, at least for the asking price of $2k.


    That’s all I paid for mine with about the same mileage.(remember it’s a 19 yo car) You have to assume there would be a few things that need fixing but with a little luck you can get a good basic car for cheap.

    https://rockford.craigslist.org/ctd/d/crystal-lake-1996-chrysler-sebring-jxi/6864954249.html
    That's about an hour away, however I would shy away from a 23 year old car as time can really cause issues.
    You could also consider that to last 23 years someone must have taken pretty good care of it. When I was searching for mine I saw some examples of what a 20 year old Chrysler looked like if it wasn’t well cared for. Not pretty.
    True but considering that it has 89k miles on it it really hasn't been driven a lot, we are talking only 3,500 miles a year. Age can wear out parts as much as miles. There has to be at least one bolt on that car ready to break and likely there are more things just worn out with age.

    It still can be a decent buy but I would be worried that something may need an overhaul soon.

    Quite true. I put about 1500 miles on mine last year then stored it in the barn. We’ll see how it performs when it comes out in a few weeks. Maybe then I’ll have a different opinion. According to my philosophy I need to get 20k miles out of it before I declare I got a bargain.

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

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    driver100 said:

    @jipster,
    If your next vehicle search can stretch out to 3 years or so, it can take me into retirement. :)

    Well I started my search and it could take a few years. Don't need a new one right away so I cant keep looking until I find that great buy and pounce on it.
    That's a good point....you aren't desperate so you have time. All the more reason to keep the non-converting convertible but watch for a great used car. That's the best, when you can turn a bad situation into a good thing.
    That's how I got this car to begin with. My previous car had close to 200k on it and was showing its age. I kept my eyes open and found a year old Sebring convertible for $15k and snapped it up.

    I did find a 2016 Buick Cascada with 19k miles for $18k. But its white and she who must be obeyed said no more white cars.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • oldfarmer50oldfarmer50 Member Posts: 24,245
    driver100 said:

    stickguy said:

    most rentals are just driven normally. And I think there is probably a better chance of them getting regular maintenance than privately owned cars. The other problem is, just not as many late model cars out there from normal buyers. So they have to come from someplace.

    Exactly. That’s why dealers buy so many from rental agencies. There’s just not enough frequent traders around.

    I would qualify that by type of car. I don’t think I’d buy a performance ex-rental car. On the other hand a family sedan or mini van probably is just driven for transportation.
    C'mon oldfarmer....you must drive the crap out of some of those Sentras and Corollas, just to try pushing them to the limits. Ever go about 30 mph and then try shoving the gear shift into reverse?

    OMG, you must think I’m an idiot. What that would do to a CVT I can’t imagine. Truth is I drive like a granny most times I’m in a company car. The humiliation of facing my fellow drivers after wrecking a car isn’t worth it. I’ve got my own cars to go crazy with.

    That said, I do sometimes have to accelerate forcefully to merge into traffic. Pushing a Sentra or Corolla to it’s limits is like taking a shower wearing a raincoat, doesn’t accomplish anything and doesn’t feel good.

    Now a 7 series twin turbo or a SS Camero....that’s different.

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

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,330
    Sorry to hear about your latest misadventure in the wild world of grocery shopping @abacomike . After my heart valve replacement last year I was on a similar regimen as you, Plavix plus a baby aspirin daily. I have been on aspirin for decades as originally prescribed by my family doctor in the '80s, later reinforced by heart specialists and surgeons over the years with the only change being a switch from a 325mg to the 81mg size. I am now off the Plavix finally. I wouldn't worry about the medical recommendations or prognostications from random message board posters here.

    Last fall when I was still on both I almost cut the tip of my finger off in a hedge trimmer mishap. Leather gloves saved me from that but I still had a wound on that finger. It happened on a Sunday and despite immediate first aid it bled for a while, to the point where I was ready to visit the Emerg room also. Our health care system here is so overburdened that wait times there are many hours long and even worse on weekends so I decided to wait until the next morning and just kept it well-bandaged, and thankfully it stopped overnight.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • snakeweaselsnakeweasel Member Posts: 19,592
    driver100 said:

    stickguy said:

    most rentals are just driven normally. And I think there is probably a better chance of them getting regular maintenance than privately owned cars. The other problem is, just not as many late model cars out there from normal buyers. So they have to come from someplace.

    Exactly. That’s why dealers buy so many from rental agencies. There’s just not enough frequent traders around.

    I would qualify that by type of car. I don’t think I’d buy a performance ex-rental car. On the other hand a family sedan or mini van probably is just driven for transportation.
    C'mon oldfarmer....you must drive the crap out of some of those Sentras and Corollas, just to try pushing them to the limits. Ever go about 30 mph and then try shoving the gear shift into reverse?
    A friend of mine back in the early 80s had a high mileage Volvo that had an early version of that system that turns the engine off when you come to a stop, in other words it had a habit of stalling when you came to a stop. So he just would put the car into neutral when he was coming to a stop. Well one day when I was with him as he is slowing down at 25 or so he goes to put it into neutral goes past both neutral and reverse and lands in park. The wheels locked up and we came to a very sudden stop. It didn't seem to have affected the transmission but I wouldn't recommend doing it.

    2011 Hyundai Sonata, 2014 BMW 428i convertible, 2015 Honda CTX700D

  • bwiabwia Member Posts: 2,913
    edited April 2019
    What do you make of this opaque Mercedes-Benz deal? To me, it is as clear as mud.
    2020 GLE 350 4MATIC SUV, starting at $56,200, Monthly Lease Payment $699 for 36 months and $4,793 due at signing.

    Offer Details LEASE DISCLAIMER
    • Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at participating dealers through April 30, 2019. Not everyone will qualify.
    • Advertised 36 months lease payment based on MSRP of $59,895 less the suggested dealer contribution of $769 resulting in a total gross capitalized cost of $59,126.
    • Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge, Premium 1 Package, Ventilated Front Seats and Surround View System. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options.
    • Total monthly payments equal $25,164. Cash due at signing includes $3,299 capitalized cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee and first month’s lease payment of $699. Your acquisition fee may vary by dealership. The acquisition fee charged by the dealer may affect the total cash due at signing. No security deposit required.
    • Total payments equal $29,258.
    • At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee.
    • Purchase option at lease end for $35,937 plus taxes (and any other fees and charges due under the applicable lease agreement) in example shown.
    • Subject to credit approval. Specific vehicles are subject to availability and may have to be ordered. See participating dealer for details.
    • Not valid in Puerto Rico. Please always wear your seat belt, drive safely and obey speed limits
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    edited April 2019
    driver100 said:
    Mike, hope you are feeling better today....let us know what the doc says. Very nice of you not to sue.....odds are lady was a klutz, it can happen. It's the one's that poke you with an umbrella that I hate.
    The nurse in the doctor’s office re-dressed the wound this morning.  It started bleeding again.  She said to take the dressing off if I am going to be home so it can dry out.  Also to keep Bacitracin on it for infection protection.  Once a scab forms I can leave the dressing off until stitches come out.

    Never a dull moment in my retirement years.

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,330
    Sounds like a deal for people with more money than brains TBH. Basing everything on MSRP, 10,000 miles a year, no mention of money factor or APR. Run do not walk to the nearest exit.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,474
    Those national corporate lease deals are usually terrible - one should be able to negotiate something much better without much effort. First thing, a good rule of thumb I like is try for nothing more than first payment + tax/fees up front. GLE is all new for 2020, but I see no supply issues, I think my local dealer has at least 15 of them now.
  • bwiabwia Member Posts: 2,913
    Rest in Peace John Havlicek, one of the greatest Celtics ever, dies at 79.

    Havlicek was a part of eight NBA champions and made perhaps the most famous play in franchise history. His high octane energy, endurance and longevity made him one of the most beloved Celtics of all time. He died Thursday after a long bout with Parkinson’s Disease.
  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    bwia said:
    What do you make of this opaque Mercedes-Benz deal? To me, it is as clear as mud. 2020 GLE 350 4MATIC SUV, starting at $56,200, Monthly Lease Payment $699 for 36 months and $4,793 due at signing. Offer Details LEASE DISCLAIMER
    • Available only to qualified customers through Mercedes-Benz Financial Services at participating dealers through April 30, 2019. Not everyone will qualify.
    • Advertised 36 months lease payment based on MSRP of $59,895 less the suggested dealer contribution of $769 resulting in a total gross capitalized cost of $59,126.
    • Dealer contribution may vary and could affect your actual lease payment. Includes Destination Charge, Premium 1 Package, Ventilated Front Seats and Surround View System. Excludes title, taxes, registration, license fees, insurance, dealer prep and additional options.
    • Total monthly payments equal $25,164. Cash due at signing includes $3,299 capitalized cost reduction, $795 acquisition fee and first month’s lease payment of $699. Your acquisition fee may vary by dealership. The acquisition fee charged by the dealer may affect the total cash due at signing. No security deposit required.
    • Total payments equal $29,258.
    • At lease end, lessee pays for any amounts due under the lease, any official fees and taxes related to the scheduled termination, excess wear and use plus $0.25/mile over 30,000 miles, and $595 vehicle turn-in fee.
    • Purchase option at lease end for $35,937 plus taxes (and any other fees and charges due under the applicable lease agreement) in example shown.
    • Subject to credit approval. Specific vehicles are subject to availability and may have to be ordered. See participating dealer for details.
    • Not valid in Puerto Rico. Please always wear your seat belt, drive safely and obey speed limits
    You can still negotiate a better price at a dealership.  Turn-in fee (disposition fee) is waived if you replace the car with another MB through MBFS or buy the car at end of lease. They also provide up to $500 wear-and-tear at lease end.

    They (MBFS) have a 5 month pull-ahead program with their leases - they will take the car back 5 months early, waive disposition fee and 5 months of payments if you get into another MBFS lease or buy a new MB.

    But those advertised leases can be greatly reduced in price through adroit negotiations.


    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • abacomikeabacomike Member Posts: 12,388
    bwia said:
    Rest in Peace John Havlicek, one of the greatest Celtics ever, dies at 79. Havlicek was a part of eight NBA champions and made perhaps the most famous play in franchise history. His high octane energy, endurance and longevity made him one of the most beloved Celtics of all time. He died Thursday after a long bout with Parkinson’s Disease.
    Great player with great morality!

    2024 Genesis G90 Super-Charger

  • ab348ab348 Member Posts: 20,330
    edited April 2019
    driver100 said:

    Mike, hope you are feeling better today....let us know what the doc says. Very nice of you not to sue.....odds are lady was a klutz, it can happen. It's the one's that poke you with an umbrella that I hate.

    I don't have the misadventures that Mike has, but just about every time I go grocery shopping I am amazed at the things I see people doing and the obliviousness and lack of self-awareness most seem to have. The list is pretty consistent here:

    - Stopping in a lane in the parking lot looking for a primo spot, unaware of holding up the 3 cars behind them
    - Taking a cart on the way into the store and always stopping in the entry doors to read the flyer, arrange their purse, deal with their kids, and blocking anyone else from going in or out
    - Getting tunnel vision for an item/section and barrelling there without seeing any other customers (sounds like what happened to Mike)
    - Looking/talking to the left while turning their cart to the right (or vice-versa), surely nobody would be there
    - Running into an old crony and stopping w/carts side by side in an aisle to chat, oblivious to blocking everyone
    - Trying to decide on an item and just standing in the aisle w/cart, looking baffled while everyone has to wait
    - Same as above but also calling home on their cell to obtain necessary guidance
    - Seemingly being surprised after getting everything rung through the checkout that they actually have to pay
    - Backing out of the parking spot oblivious to pedestrians or other vehicles

    I'm sure this is pretty consistent in most places but maybe Florida has some additional hazards.

    2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6

  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372

    I'm new here. I became a member just to get opinions. I had to find out if anybody else thinks the 2019 Toyota models are all UGLY! I wanted to get another Toyota after owning an Avalon & Scion XB, but can't bring myself to buy one of the ugly 2019 models. Such a shame. All models seem to look alike, too. Terrible!

    Welcome to the forums NoMore! Always nice to see new faces. Might want to share this in the Toyota Owners Club and maybe share some pics of your car(s) to show what you like and don't like with regard to styling.

    I'm not a fan of cars all starting to look alike like the "jellybeans" that sprouted about the time the Ford Taurus came out. And TEAL... I'm WAY past teal! ;)
This discussion has been closed.