Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous

anonymousposts

It has come to my attention that I am not the only one who goes car shopping more often than I go clothes shopping. Anyone have any ideas why?

Maybe we can form a support group to talk each other out of continuing the madness.

badtoy

1) Because it's fun

2) because it's free

3) Because it's good to do lots of research before commiting a quarter of your monthly budget to a product you depend on for transportation.

bodble2

for car guys (& gals), it's the thrill of the hunt. The purchase itself is merely the culmination of the process, and the impetus to start the next hunt! We're serial-car shoppers. And like serial-anything, we're biologically-wired to get turned on by the lure of the hunt.

The fun is all in the hypothesization, visualization, research, viewing, auto shows, discussions, test-drives, and more research, etc, etc.

stickguy

I just love cars, and hav esince I was a little kid. I had a subscription to Car and Driver and Motor trend when I was 10, if that gives a clue.

I have had an assortment of cars over the years, but continue looking no matter how recently I bought. I don't usually buy right away, but keep looking anyway.

It's part hobby, part addiction, but I will look at anything, anywhere. I usually get fixated on one thing for a while, until the next set of wheels catches my eye.

If NJ didn't have a 6% sales tax, and rediculous DMV and insurance fees (and I had more garage space), I would probably have a revolving door of odd wheels going most of the time. My wife woldn't appreciate it, but I consider that her failing, not mine!

anonymousposts

I recently tallyed up our purchases and came to a grand total of 34 cars in 9 years. I think I am addicted to car shopping period. I get excited when coworkers are looking for cars because I get to help them look and give them advice.

I defintely need a cheaper hobby. For anyone who is interested here is my list .. in no particular order.

1991 Toyota MR2 Turbo
1990 Toyota Tercel
1982 Toyota Tercel SR5
1987 Toyota Celica GTS
1987 & 1988 Toyota Corolla FX16 GTS
1997 Toyota RAV4 2 door

1991 Nissan 300ZX TT

1989 Honda Civic wagon
1993 Honda Civic EX coupe
1996 Honda Civic EX sedan
1998 Honda Civic EX sedan
(2) 2000 Honda Civic SI's
(2) 2002 Honda Civic SI's
2003 Honda Civic SI
1991 Honda Accord EX sedan
1992 Honda Accord EX sedan
1999 Honda Accord EX sedan
2001 Honda Accord EX V6 coupe
2003 Honda Accord EX-L coupe
2004 Honda Accord EX-L sedan
2004 Honda Odyssey EX-RES

1993 Acura Vigor
1990 Acura Integra
1991 Acura Integra
1992 Acura Integra
1994 Acura Integra

1995 Lexus GS300
1994 Lexus LS400

2000 Chevrolet Silverado

1997 Dodge Dakota

2001 Mazda Protege ES

stickguy

I'm also the designated car man in the office (and neighborhood). Many people know to talk to me before they do something, or I get mad at them. I have actually gone with a few people to negotiate the deal, or at least help out (somewhere between a third base coach and voice of reason).

And man, do I love those test drive coupons. Get some pretty good stuff that way.

stickguy

About time you arrived Mathias. We've been expecting you.

anonymousposts

or does it drive other people nuts when people ask for advice about what to buy and how much to pay and then go out and finance a used Explorer Sport for 66 months @ $500 per month (true story)?

stickguy

I learned a long time ago that you can't protect people from themselves. I offer advice and/or assistance, and if they choose to ignore it, more power to them. Just don't complain to me later on about your crappy car or unaffordable payments.

anonymousposts

CCB syndrome or does this make sense?

I have a 04 EX-L Accord right now. I can buy a 97 Infiniti I30 for $4,000. Does it make sense to trade/sell the Accord for this car and save approximately $15,000 or should I keep the Accord and try to hang on to it for 10 years? The Accord is undoubtedly safer and gets better gas mileage. The insurance will probably be a wash .. the Accord is only $250 every 6 months. But is the Accord $15,000 safer and more economical than a nice, clean I30?

So is this common sense or CCB syndrome?

I should note that we will still have a 2004 Ody to use for family duty and a 03 Civic Si for commuter duty. The Accord is used for trips when one of us have the baby or short trips around town. The I30 would take the Accord's spot and be used for the same purposes.

stickguy

probably CCB, although wether you save money depends on how reliable the i30 is.

At this point, you will probably be better of fin the long run by keeping the Accord for 10 years, instead of buying another car every 1-2 years. But, that would be much less fun.

steine13

My name is Mathias and I'm a Chronic Car Buyer.
(Hi Mathias)

OTOH, compared to some of you nutcases, I'm downright reasonable. Anonymousposts, I knew you were bad, but FIVE recent Civic Si's???

Why, I haven't bought a car in 7 whole months!

Ta -m

driftracer

to my personal counseling needs than if I was an alcoholic and going to an AA meeting. Getting ready to buy again...

driftracer

I'm Jim and I'm a Chronic Car Buyer - I've been sober since March 26th - it's been 88 days since my last purchase.

Vehicles since 1977 -

Home:

Honda XR75
Yamaha YZ125
1968 Pontiac GTO
1976 Ford Granada (transplanted 428)
1982 Suzuki 550E
1977 Ford F-250 4x4

Stationed in Italy: (1 year)

1977 Ford Cortina
1969 Alfa Romeo 1750GT
1971 Alfa Romeo GTV

Stationed in Greece: (4 years)

1966 VW Beetle
1969 VW Beetle
1971 VW Beetle
1976 Jaguar XJ-6 (Chevy conversion)
1980 Toyota Corolla SR5
1984 Suzuki GS750
1984 Yamaha Seca Turbo
1984 Toyota Supra
1966 Pontiac Tempest
1968 VW Beetle

Stationed in Texas: (4 years)

1984 Mustang GT
1987 Toyota Corolla FX-16
1988 Saleen Mustang
1989 Mustang GT

Out of the Air Force:

1992 GMC Yukon 4x4
1973 International Scout
1963 International Scout
1992 Kawasaki GPz 1100
1987 Chevy K25
1993 Ford Bronco 4x4
1990 Audi 100
1992 Suzuki GSXR 1100
1993 Kawasaki ZX6
1994 Kawasaki KLX 650
1994 Harley Davidson Springer Softtail
1979 Chevy Blazer 4x4 (40" tires, 10" lift)
1984 Oldsmobile Delta 88
1980 Subaru GL Wagon

1980 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1984 Buick Riviera
1988 Mustang GT
1982 VW Scirocco
1977 Toyota Pickup
1978 Honda Accord
1997 Ford Thunderbird
1997 Ford Expedition
1988 VW Cabriolet
1984 VW GTI
1992 Honda Accord
1987 Chevy Suburban 2500 4x4
1993 Mercury Tracer
1977 Chevy Blazer 4x4
1982 AMC Eagle (don't ask)
1987 GMC Jimmy 4x4
1994 Subaru Legacy AWD Wagon
1994 Mustang GT
2000 GMC 3500 Crew Cab Dually 4x4
1986 Mustang GT

Current:

2003 PT Cruiser GT (selling soon for Ford F-350 Crew Cab Dually)
1990 Nissan 240SX (hopped up drift car)
1991 Eagle Talon TSI AWD

Getting ready to add a Cobra to the stable, and will be looking at bikes again this winter.

anonymousposts

Well ... there is an easy explanation ...

Ummm... you see ... what had happened was ..... geez .... okay ... ummm

Seriously, the first SI was a black 2000 that I got for a steal .. only $10,000 when at the time they were being sold for $14,000-$15,000. Then my husband had a similar opportunity on a blue 2000. After he bought his it seemed to me that my black 2000 wasn't as solid. Well about that time the 02 Si's were being given away. I got $2000 more in trade than I paid for the black Si and got the 02 Si for below invoice. Couldn't pass that deal up.

Well unfortunately 3 weeks later some idiot in a Grand Am turned in front of me and ended up totalling my 02 Si. So I bought another one to replace that one. Well that Si was cursed. Within 6 months it had a new windshield, it had rolled down my driveway and into the mailbox, it rolled down a hill in a new housing development and ended up in a construction area (no serious damage in either incident) and a shopping cart got up close and personal with my rear quarter panel. SOOO ... we traded that for a 95 GS300 which my husband started driving and I took his 03 Accord coupe (by this time he had traded his blue 2000 SI for the Accord). Well .. after gas prices went up and we moved 15 miles further out my husband started missing the Si. So he traded our 97 Dakota (which we had acquired after the GS300 and the move) for a 03 Si and soon thereafter we sold the GS300 to a private party.

And that's how you end up with 5 recent model Si's in 2 1/2 years.

badtoy

I am in awe of you....you have a better list than I do, and I started in 1964!!

Rock on, good brother...rock on!!

steine13

But of course... now it all makes perfect sense about the 3 Si's.

Good Lord, sister, youze guyze got it bad.
I gots to dig up our list, which is definitely not in yours or Jim's league, but still pretty long...

I'm glad we're having this little chat.
-Mathias

driftracer

that's like saying "Wow, you smoke and drink a LOT more than I do - that's cool!"

stickguy

good thing I have a strong cheap gene too, or my list might be this long.

I was much worse buying in the old days when I drove bombers. Used to actaully turn a profit on most of them too. Now, with better taste (and other obligations), I look more than I buy.

At least I'm getting off the wagon more (bought my '01 Miata last November, and scheduled to pick up a new Scion tC next week).

The Miata is now on the market. Wife wants a new family car before OEY, so we start shopping for that soon.

Based on all this, will be toy shopping again in the spring. This time though, it will be a cheap toy (way too much invested in the current Miata for the use it gets).

stickguy

One symptom of CCB: You actaully wouldn't mind if someone blew a stop sign and totalled your car, just so you would have an excuse to go out and buy a new one (assuming no injuries of course).

OK< maybe that is a little severe..

driftracer

I've often thought "if I get hit, I hope it's a good one, so it's not just a repair..."

nippononly

I am seriously impressed with some of these lists. I buy a car about once a year and get so much flack from my family and friends that I don't try to purchase more frequently. I alternate between buying new and buying WAY used, like $1000-2000 cars. The old ones are fun as project cars and to see what they are capable of, while new car fever is just what it is. I have had three new ones in the last four years, so I should probably slow that down a bit! LOL

anonymous: I am impressed by the number of integras on your list! :-)

anonymousposts

Yeah, severe, that's what that is ... I'm not that bad to where I would actually want someone to total my car to give me an excuse to buy a new one : Although I do have gap ... and as long as my son wasn't in the car ......

nippon: Integras are awesome. Especially the 90-93's. Only thing I regret is not owning a 91-93 GS-R.

jlawrence01

since 1982:

1980 Chevrolet Chevette (1982)
1983 Plymouth Reliant K (1984)
1980 Chevrolet Malibu (1986)
1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera (1992)
1990 Mercury Topaz (1994)
1994 Mercury Topaz V6 (1998)
1990 Chevrolet Corsica (1999)
1996 Oldmobile Ciera S (2000)
2002 Ford Taurus SE (2004)- for sale

I thougt that the list would be shorter. Bought the Corsica to keep a friend out of bankruptcy - a mistake that i will never make again. People who can't afford a car, can't afford to take care of the one they have. Sold it six months later.

Would not have bought the Ford but the leasing company made me an offer I could not refuse. And we thought that my wife would be layed off and lose her company car.

The running total of the nine cars that I have ought is $45,400, which isn't too bad.

anonymousposts

I don't even wanna think about adding up our total cost.

wale_bate1

Funny. I don't buy all that often, but I'm in constant shopping mode!

seminole_kev

again, you and me are way too alike. I'm always mulling over, thinking about, and online shopping/configuring cars.....then I come to my senses and don't buy any thing. Then Company XYZ unvails the new Wizbang 5-door RWD hatch with 400 lb/ft of torque and a nice 5 speed manual and I go through the whole thing again.

Also (back to the "dissimilar car shopping" thread), I'm always mulling over in my mind "You know, a small nimble 2-seat roadster would be fun....but what if I want to pick up a TV or some odd sized object? OK what about a 5-door hatch that's fun and practical....well I've got that now, time for a change. How about something with 500HP....well what about poor gas mileage and insurance as well as not being too practical?" On and on and round and round it goes!

Yes I'm not well and have cars on the brain wayyyy to much.

wale_bate1

Actually, I recently gave up on buying. I like newness and get bored/distracted too easily to hang on to anything long.

My situation is conducive to leasing from an expense/deduction angle. That fits with my personality quite well, I've determined! The longest I ever kept a car, other than my first, is six years. The current one is a 39-mo lease, up in 20 mos. I've been shopping for the replacement now for, oh, about four months! And I love this car!

Yup, got 'em on the brain just like you!

bodble2

to be fair though, you work in car sales, so you are somewhat predisposed to CCB syndrome. Afterall, you're in the biz! Is like if I were a pimp, I would likely more frequently engage in....well, never mind that!

stickguy

You described me to a "T". I seem to be on a buying binge lately, but once my wife and I both have new wheels, I may be done for years.

Of course, it won't prevent me from stopping at a different dealer on the way home from picking up the new one, or reading all the magazines (and of course hanging out here).

Never know when something might happen and yo need a replacement quick!

andre1969

here's my list, over the years...

1980 Malibu: Mom gave it to me (1987-1990)
1969 Dart GT: saw it at a Nissan/Saab/Oldsmobile dealer of all places, fell in love with it, and bought it. (1989-1992)
1957 DeSoto Firedome: I'd been lusting after a mid-late 50's DeSoto ever since I first saw a picture of one, so when I found this one I just had to have it.(1990-today)
1968 Dart 270: bought to replace my '69 GT, which got totaled when I got run off the road and hit a traffic light pole. (1992-today)
1969 Pontiac Bonneville: bought it from my cousin for $400. I should have known better! (1992-1996)
1982 Cutlass Supreme coupe: bought it for $800 when the Dart started nickeling and diming me to death. Only had 61K miles on it, and was inspected. I figured it would be more reliable and get better gas mileage. It wasn't. And mileage wasn't that much better, not enough to offset the fun factor of the much more powerful Dart! (1993-1994)
1967 Pontiac Catalina Convertible: saw it and had to have it. (1994-today)
1988 Chrysler LeBaron turbo coupe: bought it from my uncle when I got married. Along with the '82 Cutlass, I'd say this was the biggest POS we had. I got divorced, but got the last laugh because...I LET HER HAVE IT!!! (1995-1996)
1979 Chrysler Newport: For some reason I've always liked these things. I found this one in the junkyard...just came in, started right up, and hadn't been picked on yet. Bought it for $250. Odometer said 30K miles, which I figured was about 130K miles, given the condition of the interior. Well, when I got the paperwork, the previous owner had bought it about 10 years before, with 105,000 miles. So in all probability, it was more like 230,000! A nice little side benefit of this car, in a twisted sort of way, was that my family HAD been nagging at me to buy a newer car than that 300,000+ mile Dart I was driving! I don't think this was what they had in mind though. (1996-1998)
1986 Monte Carlo: Mom gave it to me, with 179,000 miles on it. 3 months and 13,000 miles later, I got T-boned while delivering pizzas. Wasn't TOO major of a hit, but it bent the A-pillar and cracked the windshield, and buckled the floor pan just a bit. Did most of my driving with this car, because it got much better mileage and acceleated better than the Newport (1998-1998)
1989 Plymouth Gran Fury: this one was a former police interceptor from Richmond VA. It was also a sherriff's car, so in addition to the high-performance equipment, it was better equipped than most police cars, with carpeting, cloth seats, a nice stereo, power locks/windows/mirrors. I bought it because I wanted something newer than that Newport. Unfortunately though, it wasn't any more reliable. (1998-today)
1985 Buick LeSabre Limited Collector's Edition: Don't laugh, that was its name! Grandmom gave it to me when she couldn't pass the eye test for her license anymore. (1999-2002)
1967 Chrysler Newport: a 108K mile beater a buddy gave to me when his grandmother died, and they just wanted it gone so that they could clean up her house and sell it. I only had it about 6 or 7 months. Decided to get rid of it when I bought my Intrepid, and that decision was reinforced when the brakes went out. (1999-1999)
2000 Intrepid: bought it brand new. Originally I was just taking my uncle to the dealer to pick up his truck from servicing/repair, but then he wanted to go look at the new cars. I had intended that day to ride up to another dealership that had a '95 Riviera for sale that I was interested in. But we never made it... (1999-today)
1979 Chrysler New Yorker 5th Avenue: I'd been going through R-body withdrawal ever since I got rid of my '79 Newport, so when I saw this thing on Ebay, I was able to satisfy that strange fetish... (2001-today)
1985 Chevy Silverado: Granddad bought it new. A few years after he died, Grandmom gave it to my mother. She bought a new F-word 150 and then gave me the truck (2002-today).

I think that's all of them. I used to live in a condo, but now in the boonies, so lemme go cut the grass and see if I find anymore! ;-)

Oh yeah, I'm also babysitting a 1952 Mercedes Benz 4-door for a friend of mine. I want to say it's a 220? I forget now. Nothing too special though...just a rusty parts car.