Chronic Car Buyers Anonymous (Archived)

suydam

Moving to SoCal I'm suddenly seeing many Teslas.

fintail

E-Class cabrio does have kind of a mature image, and you want the 550 or 400 for performance, I can see the reasoning if one wasn't used to the more traditional 6cyl MB.

corvette

Congrats, au1994! Looks nice!

Since we're halfway through the year, I thought I would post the current tally. Please let me know if I missed anybody.

2016 Punch List (total 16):
01/02/16 jpp5682 2016 VW Touareg Luxury w/Driver Assist (lease)
01/09/16 breld 2012 BMW X5 35d 30k
01/21/16 breld 2016 VW Jetta Sport (lease)
01/30/16 roadburner 2015 BMW M235i CPO xxk
03/03/16 au1994 2013 Mercedes E350 cabriolet 34k
03/07/16 breld 2012 MINI Cooper 20k
04/03/16 corvette 2012 Nissan Murano SL 53k
05/02/16 andres3 2016 Audi TTS
05/03/16 carnaught 2017 Audi A4 Premium Plus
05/17/16 graphicguy’s son 2016 VW GTI Track Pack
05/28/16 sb55 2014 BMW 535d X-drive
05/30/16 eriknorcal 2012 VW GTI DSG 52k
06/17/16 elias 2016 Chevrolet Sonic LT 1.4T
06/19/16 fintail 2016 Mercedes E250 Bluetec 4matic (lease)
06/27/16 tifighter 2016 Kia Soul EV (lease)
07/04/16 au1994 2013 BMW 335i convertible 23k

kyfdx

Mr_Shiftright said:

kyfdx said:

stickguy said:

Nice 335. Very attractive colors. And that cayman is pretty, but isn't that an IMS roulette motor?

As to that S4 for sale, key is warranty expiring soon. He knows the car better than anyone, and may not want to fly blind at those miles!

He said he is getting a Tesla.

I don't think the Caymans have that motor. The oldest base Cayman is 2007.

Yeah, unfortunately, Caymans of that era do have the KA-Boom motor. You wanna be real careful of a used one and the IMS bearing upgrade on that model requires splitting the engine case, so you don't want to do that.

Basically, if the motor goes or needs to be split, you have totaled the car. Too bad, too---great car!

Best thing to do is buy it right, change the oil every 3,000 and cut open the oil filter each time and pray.

So.. at what year are they okay?

Mr_Shiftright

Porsche 986 Boxster (1997-04)
Porsche 986 Boxster S (2000-04)
Porsche 987 Boxster (2005-12)
Porsche 987 Boxster S (2005-12)
Porsche 987 Cayman (2007-12)
Porsche 987 Cayman S (2006-12)

I'm not entirely sure which models/year allow an IMS retrofit in place, and which might require further dismantling. Consult your local Porsche specialist!

You might as well pull the transmissions out, because rear main seal leaks are also a big problem on these cars. Also there may be variocam solenoid failures and heavy smoke from bad air/oil separators. And while you're in there, get the water pump and serpentine belt, too.

kyfdx

Well, I should be able to afford a 2013 model in about six more years.

Mr_Shiftright

Well your chances are still maybe 10 to 1 in your favor when you buy one. So it's more like russian roulette with a ten-shot cylinder.

corvette

Wow, a manufacturing defect which went on for 15 years. Sounds like the Subaru headgaskets!

Mr_Shiftright

The Boxster and 996 are 100,000 mile engines. That's just the way it is. It's called "cheaping out". Porsche lovers should have been suspicious when Porsche used the older 993 block and water-cooled it to go racing.

ab348

Those Porsche engine problems really seem inexcusable for a company with their reputation selling at such a price point. Any company can have an engineering or quality issue. It is how the company treats its customers when the problem comes to light that tells you about the corporate character. Why they do not stand behind their product out of warranty baffles me.

Mr_Shiftright

I suspect they didn't think the failure rate high enough, nor was it a safety-related defect. I think some early sufferers did get a form of compensation but many of the failures occurred long out of warranty.

The sad thing is that these cars are now old enough that the engine failure repair is equal to, or more than, the entire value of the car. So one minute you are cruising in your $20,000 Porsche, the next moment you are completely wiped out financially.

Now we see why the $8000 used Boxster exists.

stickguy

so, Shifty, no prices listed, but about how much $$ would it cost me to send the old core in and have a nice reman from the place arrive int he driveway?

http://rndengines.com/know-your-options/

and what is the hours required to swap one out?

Mr_Shiftright

Hmmm...maybe a good price would be $13,000 for the reman and 15 hours labor R&R, or maybe 20 hours for a first-timer and 10 hours for a pro.

If a shop did the whole job for you I'd figure $18,000 because you'd want a new clutch, water pump, air/oil separator, blah blah.

Or you could have them swap in a 3.4 motor but then you're into fabrication, etc.

So really, you'd want to start with a Cayman or Boxster with a book value of $20,000 or higher, and that you purchased with a blown engine for a few thousand dollars.

Sometimes you can find Boxsters with reman engines or with the IMS bearing conversion already done. Often they will have certification plates or stickers in the door jambs. Of course, I'd ask to see the receipts.

kyfdx

stickguy said:

so, Shifty, no prices listed, but about how much $$ would it cost me to send the old core in and have a nice reman from the place arrive int he driveway?

http://rndengines.com/know-your-options/

and what is the hours required to swap one out?

That's interesting. Also, only offering replacements through 2008 models.

$18,900 for a base Cayman, $19,500 for a Cayman S.

au1994

Thanks for the good wishes all!

I'm at 2 for th year and done! We bought the X6 at the tail end of last year so the car budget is done and dusted at my house.

Sandman6472

I know what it's like to drive something you really don't like anymore, real torture. That's why I never looked back when I swapped the Golf for the Tucson. A good vehicle...just the wrong one for me at the time. Shame, as I really wanted a Tiguan in the first place. Lesson learned, get what you really want the first time and be done with it!

The Sandman

au1994

sandman_6472 said:

I know what it's like to drive something you really don't like anymore, real torture. That's why I never looked back when I swapped the Golf for the Tucson. A good vehicle...just the wrong one for me at the time. Shame, as I really wanted a Tiguan in the first place. Lesson learned, get what you really want the first time and be done with it! The Sandman

Couldn't agree more Sandy

sb55

sandman_6472 said:

I know what it's like to drive something you really don't like anymore, real torture. That's why I never looked back when I swapped the Golf for the Tucson. A good vehicle...just the wrong one for me at the time. Shame, as I really wanted a Tiguan in the first place. Lesson learned, get what you really want the first time and be done with it!

The Sandman

I thought that you swapped the Tucson for the Golf:)

imidazol97

kyfdx said:

... a gorgeous 2011 Audi S4. 61K miles, one owner (leased, then bought and CPOed).

Is this your Audi?

jpp75

Congrats @au1994 on the 335! Great looking car!

jpp75

Vicarious punch updates.

My nephew who sold the 1997 Civic DX for $1,600 ended up with a 2013 Honda Civic. It wouldn't have been my first choice and I don't think it was his first choice, but it's just fine to get him through college.

Mother-in-law wants something 2015 or newer, Honda, Acura or Toyota. I haven't bothered to ask what her budget is but I did drive her 2005 Accord EX-L while she was here over the weekend and it's still in great shape with just under 150k. Someone will get a great car when she sells it.

My brother and his family were also here for the holiday, their 2007 Yukon is really showing its age. It has 120k on it and even though they take meticulous care of it, the thing is pretty used up. He doesn't want to trade it but after putting a transmission in it last year, dealing with a never ending Check Engine light and now the infamous Stabilitrak issue he's tired of dumping money in it. I don't know that he'll do anything as my sister-in-law loves the vehicle and doesn't want to get rid of it, but as the repair bills keep piling up she may change her mind.

kyfdx

imidazol97 said:

kyfdx said:

... a gorgeous 2011 Audi S4. 61K miles, one owner (leased, then bought and CPOed).

Is this your Audi?

Looks like it, but of course that isn't where we were. We were down at Fuel on Eastern Ave/Riverside Dr. I was going to link his Craigslist ad, but it was removed between Sunday and Tuesday. Maybe he sold it.

nyccarguy

@breld

What does your magical spreadsheet think about this http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=06902&endYear=2017&fuelTypeGroup=DSL&modelCode1=A3&showcaseOwnerId=0&makeCode1=AUDI&startYear=1981&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=100&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=[AUDI[A3[]][]]&listingId=428947892&Log=0

2015 A3 TDI with 9,384 Miles listed for $27,990

What do the auctions say about something like this @qbrozen?

roadburner

au1994 said:

We bought the X6 at the tail end of last year so the car budget is done and dusted at my house.

Famous last words...

roadburner

stickguy said:

Get your wife a new ride? Not like the X3 owes you anything. Maybe a nice convertible!

I missed a screaming deal on an i3 lease that ended in June; my wife wanted one to drive on her 14 mile round trip to work while the X3 remained in reserve(in case bad weather hits). I ran the numbers and the lease would have actually paid for itself and then some.

Michaell

roadburner said:

stickguy said:

Get your wife a new ride? Not like the X3 owes you anything. Maybe a nice convertible!

I missed a screaming deal on an i3 lease that ended in June; my wife wanted one to drive on her 14 mile round trip to work while the X3 remained in reserve(in case bad weather hits). I ran the numbers and the lease would have actually paid for itself and then some.

There have been some insane lease deals on the i3 the past few months; using MSD, I've seen folks get payments under $300/mo - and this is for a car that has an MSRP north of $50K!

For what your wife needs, the i3 would be perfect.

breld

nyccarguy said:

@breld

What does your magical spreadsheet think about this http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=06902&endYear=2017&fuelTypeGroup=DSL&modelCode1=A3&showcaseOwnerId=0&makeCode1=AUDI&startYear=1981&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=100&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=[AUDI[A3[]][]]&listingId=428947892&Log=0

2015 A3 TDI with 9,384 Miles listed for $27,990

What do the auctions say about something like this @qbrozen?

So, the base Vehicle Value on that A3 is $25,882. I don't believe that car has navigation, sport package or the bang & olufson stereo, which all add value. The low miles basically equate to 0 miles - you add back 1,042 miles for each month to "roll back" to September 2015. So, there would be a $1,410 addition for low mileage, making the Vehicle Value $27,292. That could change depending on mileage put on the car prior to the buyback.

The restitution amount is $8,163, of which you'd get at least half, since this car was sold by the original owner in May (between September 18, 2015 and June 28, 2016).

So, buyback should be $31,374. No guarantee, but I am about to put my money where my mouth is...

breld

So, wife and I are doing a mini road trip this Saturday to go pick up this car:

2013 Jetta Sportwagen

Got them down to $16,662. Talked directly to the sales manager, who was really great and up-front. They've had this car on their lot for over a year! When I asked him about that, he said as a Chevy dealer in a small town, the imports often sit on the lot, and they don't send them off to auction or anything. Carfax is clean - shows 2 owners, but the second one is the dealer. All maintenance completed, including the replacement of the fuel pump (which I believe may have been a recall on these).

Not that I care that much, but it's a fully loaded model with sunroof and navigation. 2013 with only 26k miles, and still has a few months of warranty left, which makes me feel good in case there's anything wrong.

So, if I'm right...

With tax, I'll write a check for just under $18k. Vehicle Value, considering the low mileage, is $21,120, plus I actually should get the full restitution of $6,528 since this car wasn't sold by the original owner between September 18th and June 28th. Not a bad deal (if I'm right).

And, the thing is, I really like the car itself so will enjoy driving it around in the meantime.

breld

breld said:

nyccarguy said:

@breld

What does your magical spreadsheet think about this http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=06902&endYear=2017&fuelTypeGroup=DSL&modelCode1=A3&showcaseOwnerId=0&makeCode1=AUDI&startYear=1981&firstRecord=0&searchRadius=100&showcaseListingId=0&mmt=[AUDI[A3[]][]]&listingId=428947892&Log=0

2015 A3 TDI with 9,384 Miles listed for $27,990

What do the auctions say about something like this @qbrozen?

So, the base Vehicle Value on that A3 is $25,882. I don't believe that car has navigation, sport package or the bang & olufson stereo, which all add value. The low miles basically equate to 0 miles - you add back 1,042 miles for each month to "roll back" to September 2015. So, there would be a $1,410 addition for low mileage, making the Vehicle Value $27,292. That could change depending on mileage put on the car prior to the buyback.

The restitution amount is $8,163, of which you'd get at least half, since this car was sold by the original owner in May (between September 18, 2015 and June 28, 2016).

So, buyback should be $31,374. No guarantee, but I am about to put my money where my mouth is...

Wait - hold the phone. This is an Audi dealership, right?

I think that's an exclusion. Eligible Vehicles include those vehicles registered at a state DOT (or equivalent agency), or held by a non-VW affiliated dealership as of June 28, 2016.

I think they're basically ensuring it's a used vehicle - and I think to the extent any VW dealerships are holding the vehicle, VW can control those from being put out into the market.

In the FTC order, there's also a clause banning VW from marketing and selling the affected vehicles. Prior to this, they couldn't sell new (obviously) or CPO ones, but they still could sell non-CPO used ones.

stickguy

I know you have done the legwork, but I still can't get my head around this whole deal. Just seems wrong.

maybe the part that is confusing me is why would the dealer sell it to you for this, when they could just park it in the back lot, and in a few months take it themselves and make a lot more money?

nyccarguy

breld said:

So, wife and I are doing a mini road trip this Saturday to go pick up this car:

2013 Jetta Sportwagen

Got them down to $16,662. Talked directly to the sales manager, who was really great and up-front. They've had this car on their lot for over a year! When I asked him about that, he said as a Chevy dealer in a small town, the imports often sit on the lot, and they don't send them off to auction or anything. Carfax is clean - shows 2 owners, but the second one is the dealer. All maintenance completed, including the replacement of the fuel pump (which I believe may have been a recall on these).

Not that I care that much, but it's a fully loaded model with sunroof and navigation. 2013 with only 26k miles, and still has a few months of warranty left, which makes me feel good in case there's anything wrong.

So, if I'm right...

With tax, I'll write a check for just under $18k. Vehicle Value, considering the low mileage, is $21,120, plus I actually should get the full restitution of $6,528 since this car wasn't sold by the original owner between September 18th and June 28th. Not a bad deal (if I'm right).

And, the thing is, I really like the car itself so will enjoy driving it around in the meantime.

Good Luck!

stickguy

Nice Jetta. I like those wagons.

corvette

Congrats, breld! Fourth punch of the year for you. Sharp color combo on that one. 

As to why a dealer wouldn't want to hold on to a car and get a buyback, a lot of dealers are averse to paying floorplan interest, and some floorplan lenders have curtailment (part of the principal has to be repaid) after a car has been on a lot for a certain time period. 

breld

stickguy said:

I know you have done the legwork, but I still can't get my head around this whole deal. Just seems wrong.

maybe the part that is confusing me is why would the dealer sell it to you for this, when they could just park it in the back lot, and in a few months take it themselves and make a lot more money?

I do think the dealer could do that - I think 1) they really may not be fully aware of that option and 2) they'd just as soon sell it to a consumer right now.

Plus, I think this "opportunity" is very limited, as any owner, individual or otherwise, should be aware of their buyback option.

That's part of the reason I'm anxious to move on it quickly, even though there is at least some element of risk with it.

tifighter

Well I for one am looking forward to seeing how this plays out. And if it doesn't work out at all, it is just another car flip for @breld so really, what is the risk?

ab348

Funny that for a Chevy dealer in a small town, they have 3 new Corvettes in inventory, and not a single Cruze. Totally opposite of here.

fintail

Another punch? Congrats. Man, lots of busy people here lately.

stickguy

True Ti. heck, with Breld, he may not have it long enough to get bought back. Nice looking car though. Would work just fine for me!

Michaell

ab348 said:

Funny that for a Chevy dealer in a small town, they have 3 new Corvettes in inventory, and not a single Cruze. Totally opposite of here.

Probably to sell to prison guards – where is going is the location for both the state and federal penitentiaries.

corvette

Michaell said:

Probably to sell to prison guards – where is going is the location for both the state and federal penitentiaries.

Ooh, I've been there... The city, not the prison. They also have a prison museum in one of the old prisons, which is kind of neat.

Michaell

corvette said:

Michaell said:

Probably to sell to prison guards – where is going is the location for both the state and federal penitentiaries.

Ooh, I've been there... The city, not the prison. They also have a prison museum in one of the old prisons, which is kind of neat.

It's also really close to the Royal Gorge Bridge

cdnpinhead

Ah, yes. The Royal Gouge Bridge -- it may not go anywhere, but at least it's a tourist trap.

When I was a kid in Grand Junction in the '50s it was the highest bridge in the world, but now it's #14, with 11 bridges in China higher, plus one in Mexico and one in New Guinea. I always wanted to see it, right up until I learned that it was built for no particular reason. It was built around the time that the Golden Gate & Bay bridges were, so I thought (as a kid) that it too served a purpose. Oh well. . .

Sandman6472

Those wheels on Breld's new Jetta wagon are the ones that I didn't choose...and now looking at them up close and personal, I kinda like 'em. The dealer gave me a whole 5 minutes to pick between two Jetta wheels that were parked across from each other. I took some pics and kept walking back and forth trying to visualize them on my Golf. Talk about stress, I liked both wheel patterns, ten versus fifteen spokes, and was leaning to the ten spoke ones but at the last minute picked the fifteen spokes as they showed less brake equipment. But now, am second guessing myself which is really dumb since nothing I can do at this point.
To be honest, the real ones I wanted were the 17" rims from the CC, they look really beautiful on the vehicle. Am sure they would've fit also but that was not one of the choices I was given. And I think the right alloy wheel can really make or break the look of any vehicle. I had won an eBay auction back in 2007 for the rims for my '06 Honda Civic, which came off a '05 Civic SI and got a lot of compliments at gas stations from people. Have gotten a bunch with the Golf to. Guess I just like my vehicle looking good and just came home from getting it washed as I can't go past a week without giving it a bath.

The Sandman

berri

I think they both look fine. I wouldn't lose any sleep over your decision.

Michaell

So, a conclusion to the job search is in sight.

I received a phone call today from the recruiter, telling me all the approvals for my offer letter are in place.

Showed up in my inbox a couple hours later. I haven't yet e-signed it - I want to sleep on it, though I doubt very much it will change my mind.

Title - Manager, Education Operations

Salary - 105% of what I was making at IBM

Start date - July 18th

And, it looks like my contribution to the health / vision / dental benefit premiums will be about $135/mo less than what I was paying at IBM. Haven't done a compare of the two programs, though I had an EPO through IBM and a PPO through the new company.

Glad this is almost over, and excited to get started.

nyccarguy

Yes! Way to go @Michaell

roadburner

nyccarguy said:

Yes! Way to go @Michaell

Ditto!!!

28firefighter

Congrats, Michaell!

suydam

Wonderful for you!

fintail

Congrats, sounds like a little extra money for cars