I spotted an (insert obscure car name here) classic car today! (Archived)

ab348

andre1969 said:

Mmkay, this is getting scary now. Remember that blue Charger RT I was liking? Well, I just emailed them about it this morning, and it's still available! I hate to say it, but I think subconsciously, I was procrastinating, in the hopes that the car would be sold. I have never in my life spent that much money on a car, even though adjusting for inflation, it won't be THAT much more than my 2000 Intrepid was.

But, I'm just having trouble pulling the trigger, even though logic says it's the right thing to do.

Just buy the damn thing. If they turn down your offer, no big deal. Unless they abuse you in their response, you just make a different offer.

andre1969

Michaell said:

Yes, throw them an offer and see if they bite. Oil prices are up, so I believe gas prices are, too. Not many folks are looking for a full size V8 sedan - most people still want either an SUV/CUV of some sort or a hybrid/PHEV/BEV.

Use the Price Checker link in my signature block to get the results of Edmunds pricing research for your area.

Thanks Michael, although that actually made it worse. The price checker said, even at that price, "You should take it!"

But yeah, good point about fuel prices, and the shrinking market for cars like that. I guess in my mind I think of them as a hot item, because in my area I actually see a lot of them. However, that might partly be because it's been in production for so long, and they really haven't changed the style since like 2015.

In a way, I guess it's sort of like the old Mopar M-body. Used to seem like those were everywhere. But, since the 1980 restyle, Dodge never made any more than around 38,000 Diplomats in any one year, from '80-89, and the '82-89 Gran Fury was even rarer. But, because they were in production for so long, and relatively unchanged, it just seemed like they were everywhere. Plus, they were a popular choice of police car and taxi, so you always saw them out and about.

stickguy

What ab said. Just do it. You will not regret it.

explorerx4

2nd chances don't come along vey often, at least worth looking onto.

andre1969

ab348 said:

Just buy the damn thing. If they turn down your offer, no big deal. Unless they abuse you in their response, you just make a different offer.

I'm trying to force myself, trust me. It's just hard, changing my habits. I remember Lemko joking, right after he bought his 2007 DTS, that he practically needed to go on suicide watch! But I think it's pretty normal to second guess yourself.

Oh, I just got a reminder of how out of touch I really am. My house mate just asked "does it have Apple Play?" and first thing out of my mouth was "Damned if I know, damned if I care!" We pulled up the listing, as my house mate wanted to see the dash, and I blurted out "oh crap, I'm going to have to learn how to use one of those touch-screens!" And then, a reference he didn't get..."It's the '86 Riviera all over again!"

But yep, looking through the description, it has ApplePlay. Oh, and over the weekend, I did put in a transaction with the mutual fund company, to move some funds over to my checking account, so I could do a decent-sized down payment.

So, while it's a conflict, I'm slowly forcing myself to do this. It's funny though...I swear the old saying about how we turn into our elders over time, really rings true. I remember my stepdad wanting a new car, and over-analyzing everything to the point that if he waited much longer the styles were going to change! He ended up with a '99 Altima, a car I hated, but admittedly it was pretty reliable for them. In the overall scheme of things it wouldn't be a life altering, win/lose, pass/fail situation if he got a Camry or Accord instead. Heck, you could argue that either of those two were better cars.

And, I remember my Grandmom, in her later years, convinced that she was running out of money, when the reality was anything but. It got really bad, too, sometimes she'd refuse to turn the air conditioner on, worried about the electric bill! Good lord, I hope I don't turn into that! FWIW, I DID gripe about the electric bill last month, but they can have my central a/c when they pry it from my cold, dead hands!

Michaell

Please, please, please reach out to the dealer on this car, and start the conversation with them.

I remember when mom wanted one last new car in 2003 (she'd been driving nice, but used, cars ever since their last new car in 1973).

Dad was shocked at how expensive they'd gotten - they were set on getting a 2003 Camry (which would replace the '91 Camry that mom was driving at the time), then dad discovered the Hyundai Sonata.

He could get the V6 for the same price as a 4-cyl Camry, and he discovered that the sheet metal thickness was greater on the Hyundai. Why was that important to him? No earthly idea, but it was. I think the car was around $17K (before taxes and fees) at the time.

The car is still in the family. My sister drives it, 20 years and only 55,000 miles on it. It's in great condition, and my sister has kept up all the maintenance and repair work.

I took this picture of it last year when I was vising my sister in San Diego:

andre1969

Well, y'all will be proud of me. I've been chatting with the dealer, and planning on trying to set something up tomorrow to go look at it. I just want to make sure that money clears into my checking account first.

Michael, I always liked that generation of Sonata. Nice color too, kind of makes me think of my '76 LeMans. My housemate's Mom had a V6 Sonata of that generation. I forget the year. I remember it being a pearly white. It was a good car, as I recall. She has an Azera now, a 2011 I believe. She got it used. I think the Sonata was still just fine; she just wanted a newer car.

stickguy

I love that color too

sda

I hope it works out and am excited for you. Pics and review a must!

stickguy

My guess, after you bring it home, you will wonder why should punished yourself for so long driving a decaying Buick!

Michaell

andre1969 said:

Well, y'all will be proud of me. I've been chatting with the dealer, and planning on trying to set something up tomorrow to go look at it. I just want to make sure that money clears into my checking account first.

Michael, I always liked that generation of Sonata. Nice color too, kind of makes me think of my '76 LeMans. My housemate's Mom had a V6 Sonata of that generation. I forget the year. I remember it being a pearly white. It was a good car, as I recall. She has an Azera now, a 2011 I believe. She got it used. I think the Sonata was still just fine; she just wanted a newer car.

My dad thought it looked like a Jaguar of that same era. I had the chance to drive it about 500 miles on that visit last year (San Diego to my hometown north of LA, and back). It's pretty nice, except the gas mileage is abysmal. I convinced my sister to swap out the head unit for one that includes Apple Car Play - she was thrilled when she saw what it could do.

My sister bought out my half of the car, since my mom passed away a few weeks ago. We still don't need a second car in the family, as the wife commutes with her daughter, and I have the Outback.

uplanderguy

Trust me Andre, I get your sentiment. I’m feeling a bit similarly. But do it. If the strike happens, and I think it will, who knows when you’ll find another one. My car is scheduled to be built week of 9/18 but the strike is supposed to happen 9/14. I originally thought I wouldn’t get one until next summer. Looked online at C8’s in dealer inventories and the two nearest me are still adding ADP, one 5k and the other 10k. It’s a Chevy, sheesh. I can only imagine what Z06’s are bringing.

uplanderguy

The rear of that Hyundai reminds me of the Olds Intrigue, a pleasant shape.

I think back then, Hyundai was a master of cribbing some domestic styling.

There was one that very much, clearly, was influenced by the '96 Chevy Cavalier. The sedans, in profile, were very similar.

ab348

uplanderguy said:

The rear of that Hyundai reminds me of the Olds Intrigue, a pleasant shape.

I think back then, Hyundai was a master of cribbing some domestic styling.

There was one that very much, clearly, was influenced by the '96 Chevy Cavalier. The sedans, in profile, were very similar.

Back then, both Hyundai and Kia were master mimics. The Kia Amanti looked like they copied Jaguar.

ab348

andre1969 said:

ab348 said:

Just buy the damn thing. If they turn down your offer, no big deal. Unless they abuse you in their response, you just make a different offer.

It's funny though...I swear the old saying about how we turn into our elders over time, really rings true. I remember my stepdad wanting a new car, and over-analyzing everything to the point that if he waited much longer the styles were going to change!

Yes, it's true. I occasionally mention my cheapskate older brother, who is really bad for it, even though he is very comfortable financially. He is comical sometimes in the lengths he will go to to save on some things, even though it is usually a false economy. And while I'm not as bad as he is, I still do some of the same things, like studying the weekly flyers for grocery deals, or only buying certain things when I see them on sale. Even yesterday when I decided to replace the washer and dryer, I spent a few hours online looking to see who could give me the best deal (it's odd that almost every place sells a given model for the same price). That comes from our parents, who were in their early teens when the Depression hit, and often talked about how bad things were. They were really affected by that, and almost never spent money frivolously. They seem to have have passed that on to us kids.

uplanderguy

First (poor) pic was today near Warren, OH....'68 Firebird going 49 in a 65. Looked nice but "Firebird" lettering was absent from LF fender.

Other pics were taken by me last Friday near tiny Bolivar, OH. Someone surely loved this car, LOL. 36K miles, one owner, asking price $9K. Yeesh. Guy in pic is my friend Joe who accompanied me to tiny Mt. Hope, OH for an early dinner at my favorite Amish place, Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen. Fresh local sweet corn off the cob on the buffet, among other culinary delights. Joe has a black '93 Allante and a chamois-colored '74 Avanti II as hobby cars.

explorerx4

@uplanderguy,
That should tide you over nicely until the Corvette arrives.

andre1969

explorerx4 said:

@uplanderguy,
That should tide you over nicely until the Corvette arrives.

Eh a 'Vette's a 'Vette, right?

andre1969

Well, for better or worse, I did it. I'm scheduled to go look at that Charger at 1:30, on Wednesday. Of course, I didn't REALLY "do it" until I've signed on the dotted line. But, it's a start!

kyfdx

andre1969 said:

Well, for better or worse, I did it. I'm scheduled to go look at that Charger at 1:30, on Wednesday. Of course, I didn't REALLY "do it" until I've signed on the dotted line. But, it's a start!

You deserve it... get that car!! (does that help?)

Michaell

kyfdx said:

andre1969 said:

Well, for better or worse, I did it. I'm scheduled to go look at that Charger at 1:30, on Wednesday. Of course, I didn't REALLY "do it" until I've signed on the dotted line. But, it's a start!

You deserve it... get that car!! (does that help?)

+1.

If it's been 11 years since your last new vehicle purchase, it's certainly time to pull the trigger.

It's been 7 years since I leased the Jetta, and I'm itching to do something...

andre1969

On the subject of Hyundai/Kia mimicking other cars, wasn't there a time when the Optima slightly resembled a Chevy Corsica? I tried looking up a few pics, but can't find it now. About the closest I can find, is around 2001, from the rear, the taillights looked a bit Corsica-ish, perhaps.

There was one year I went to Aruba, and for a rental car got something called a Kia Opirus. At first I was kind of excited, thinking I was going to get something that wasn't available in the States. But when I googled it, I saw it was just an Amanti. Sort of a blend of wanna-be Benz, Jaguar, and 3/4 scale Town Car. In a lot of ways, it made me think of Kia's version of a Lincoln Versailles...basically a lesser car dressed up nice, and posing as something it really wasn't. But, for what it was, it was pretty nice.

It was probably a lot of car for the money. Only problem is, luxury car buyers usually aren't shopping for bargains. They want the real thing.

tjc78

I hope the Charger deal works out for you! They are still a nice ride. I wouldn’t hesitate to own one.

fintail

That Vette has at least 8K worth of JC Whitney accessories on it, hence the price.

Saw a 1st gen Geo Metro both 3 door and 5 door - vintage cars now, as the newest is 29 years old.

Regarding the Charger, to quote the Godfather's Pizza spokesman - dooooo it.

fintail

andre1969 said:

On the subject of Hyundai/Kia mimicking other cars, wasn't there a time when the Optima slightly resembled a Chevy Corsica? I tried looking up a few pics, but can't find it now. About the closest I can find, is around 2001, from the rear, the taillights looked a bit Corsica-ish, perhaps.

There was one year I went to Aruba, and for a rental car got something called a Kia Opirus. At first I was kind of excited, thinking I was going to get something that wasn't available in the States. But when I googled it, I saw it was just an Amanti. Sort of a blend of wanna-be Benz, Jaguar, and 3/4 scale Town Car. In a lot of ways, it made me think of Kia's version of a Lincoln Versailles...basically a lesser car dressed up nice, and posing as something it really wasn't. But, for what it was, it was pretty nice.

It was probably a lot of car for the money. Only problem is, luxury car buyers usually aren't shopping for bargains. They want the real thing.

There was a Spectra 5 door around the turn of the century that might make one think of the hen's tooth Corsica 5 door:



Re: Amanti, I clearly remember renting a car from Hertz in Vegas, 2007. Woman in front of me was whining because she rented an Avalon "or similar", and got an Amanti. That car competed a lot more with an Avalon than with a prestige brand, even if it had styling resembling a MB, Jag, and Town Car all in one.

uplanderguy

This morning, outside the StowNut.

kyfdx

Nice car. Unfortunate paint job

stickguy

Badge says V8. It does not look like an MGC hood. Thought could be the paint job hiding it. Plus badge does not look OEM.

Wonder if you can fit a small block Chevy in there?

I always liked that body style B though.

roadburner

There was an MGB GT V8;:


And an MG RV8:

uplanderguy

I emailed the Delivery Department Manager at the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, as everyone on the C8 FB page says he's great and replies quickly, even if your car isn't a museum delivery. He replied within a couple hours. According to him, of course dependent on the strike happening (I believe it will), my targeted production week is still 9/18 like my dealer had informed me a few weeks back, it's status '3400' which is "Order Broadcast; Internal Plant Order Produced" and he was able to give me a VIN.

Getting a VIN; this **** is getting real!

Last five digits of the VIN are 00859, which is making me think it's the 859th 2024 model car since they're only built in one plant.

I'm pretty excited. I've only ever ordered one other car, and that was in 1985.

andre, I hope you get, or make, some exciting news re.: that Charger today as well!

kyfdx

I saw a white C8 with a black hood, and some other black trim. Didn't know if that was a custom piece, or some sort of package?

uplanderguy

Pretty sure the black hood would've been an aftermarket thing. There are hood stripes available (I don't care for those). On the C8 FB forum I've seen a fair amount of cars that have been 'wrapped', in totally unavailable-from-the-factory colors.

I have seen a lot of owners younger than me on that forum. Lots of people posing next to the cars on delivery day. Around here where I live, still seems like I'm in the biggest demographic!

Michaell

I wonder if andre pulled the trigger on that blue Charger?

sda

@Michaell said:
I wonder if andre pulled the trigger on that blue Charger?

Yes, inquiring minds want to know..

stickguy

You vette guys must be young, to get in and out of one of those!

andre1969

Holy CHRYSLER, what have I done?! 😯



It is officially a done deal. And it's now home with its cousin...

sda

Congratulations, so cool! Enjoy!

explorerx4

Yeah Dude! Congrats! You're going to love it.
Just remember to bring it in for service with the Low Fuel light on.

stickguy

Looks like you forgot to shave.

oh, and finally bought the car.

Hopefully you unloaded the Buick at the same time!

Michaell

stickguy said:

Hopefully you unloaded the Buick at the same time!

Probably enough to pay the taxes.

@andre1969 - congrats on the new Charger!

stickguy

I do love that color.

explorerx4

@andre1969,
So what's getting kicked out of the garage?
BTW, that's not an RT, right?

texases

Great car! Congrats.

Michaell

Do you plan on keeping the yellow splitter covers on?

stickguy

The dead Buick being put out to pasture I assume.

imidazol97

andre1969 said:

Holy CHRYSLER, what have I done?! 😯


It is officially a done deal. And it's now home with its cousin...

Beautiful.
Congratulations.

fintail

Congrats! Great color

andre1969 said:

Holy CHRYSLER, what have I done?! 😯

It is officially a done deal. And it's now home with its cousin...

roadburner

Nice!
B5 Blue, right?

stickguy

Andre now up to 3 hemis in the fleet too I believe.

explorerx4

The Charger has a front plate on it, so I'm guessing the Buick was traded in,